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KFC set to relaunch in Israel
l The American fast food chain KFC is recruiting staff company allowed him to switch the milk powder in CONTENTS
because it plans to restart operations in Israel, the the crispy coating to soy and to use kosher-certified
business daily Globes reported. chickens instead of those provided by the company. NOSHES���������������������������������������������������������4
The company announced six months ago that it “The moment we switched to kosher, sales began to BRIEFLY LOCAL���������������������������������������� 18
would relaunch in Israel for the fourth time. plunge, and it was no longer economically viable. The EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS ������������������21
Kentucky Fried Chicken opened in Israel in the product was less good, whereas things had gone fine JEWISH WORLD���������������������������������������35
1980s and closed there in the ‘90s, and then remained with un-kosher chickens,” Shamai told Globes. COVER STORY�������������������������������������������36
open between 2003 and 2012. KFC has 45,000 outlets in more than 135 countries, OPINION����������������������������������������������������� 48
In KFC’s last incarnation in Israel, franchise owner and six outlets in three West Bank Palestinian cities. D’VAR TORAH������������������������������������������ 54
Udi Shamai’s eight locations went kosher after the JTA ARTS & CULTURE�������������������������������������55
CALENDAR�������������������������������������������������56
THE FRAZZLED HOUSEWIFE��������������59
CROSSWORD PUZZLE���������������������������59
OBITUARIES����������������������������������������������� 61
CLASSIFIED ADS��������������������������������������62
REAL ESTATE���������������������������������������������65
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Local
‘Oslo Diaries’ screens in Tenafly
Remembering the secret Israeli-Palestinian talks and what came afterwards
LARRY YUDELSON
G
idi Grinstein will introduce the “Oslo Dia-
ries” at the IAC Cinematec at the Kaplen JCC
on the Palisades in Tenafly on Sunday night
(see box), but really, his starring role would
be in the sequel.
The “Oslo Diaries” is a 2018 documentary about the
Oslo negotiations, the back-channel peace talks that led
to the signing of the declaration of principles between
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization on the
White House lawn on September 13, 1993. (That declara-
tion is known as the Oslo A Agreement.)
Mr. Grinstein heads the Reut Group, a think tank
devoted to 21st century Zionism, focusing on Israel-di-
aspora relations and on fighting the delegitimization of
Israel and the BDS movement. In 1993,
he was a captain in the Israeli navy. But
when he returned to civilian life in 1995,
Mr. Grinstein started working in what
seemed to him the most exciting place in
Israel: the Economic Cooperation Foun- President Bill Clinton presides at the White House lawn ceremony marking the sign-
dation. Behind its nondescript name, ing of the Oslo Agreement by Israeli President Yitzhak Rabin, left, and PLO chairman
the ECF had been at the center of Israel’s Yasser Arafat on September 13, 1993.
back-channel negotiations with the Pal-
estinians, Jordan, and even Egypt. These and industrial cooperation. We had with him. His official title was secretary and coordinator of
negotiations, which the ECF’s founders, teams of Israeli, Jordanian, and Pales- the Israeli delegation for the negotiations with the PLO. He
Dr. Yossi Beilin, Dr. Yair Hirschfeld, and tinian experts working together to build oversaw both official and unofficial, back-channel negotia-
the late Dr. Ron Pundik, began three Gidi Grinstein and strengthen economic relations in tions that were, in many respects, the continuation of the
years earlier, are the center of the story these different areas.” The discussions secret negotiations that began the Oslo process and are the
the movie tells through interviews and re-enactments. “covered anything from connecting the subject of “The Oslo Diaries.”
After the Oslo A Agreement was signed, the founda- banking systems, to suggesting tax Fairly soon, it became clear that fail-
tion continued to play a leading role in its implementa- arrangements to the governments, ure was a real possibility. “As of April
tion and Mr. Grinstein came on board to coordinate that to bringing together industrialists to 2000, we began to anticipate that the
effort. Four years later, in 1999, he became the secretary develop industrial zones where Israe- Palestinians were not interested in a
of the official Israeli delegation for the negotiations with lis and Palestinians could build joint comprehensive permanent status agree-
the PLO, including at the renowned Camp David Summit ventures.” ment that resolved all of the outstand-
of July 2000 and the Taba talks. As of late 1996, Mr. Grinstein coor- ing issues and brought an end to the
“I found myself a central player in the dramatic period dinated the ECF’s efforts to prepare conflict, which was the agreement we
of history-making,” he said. “I was the youngest and most for the negotiations on a permanent wanted to sign,” Mr. Grinstein said. This
junior member of the team, but practically I was like a status agreement, which was sup- assessment was based on intelligence
quarterback. Almost everything went through my laptop.” posed to be achieved by May 1999. reports and the discussions them-
The terms of Israel’s economic relations with the new Those preparations involved dozens selves. “The spring of 2000, following
Palestinian Authority were set by an agreement signed in of experts in many working groups. the unilateral withdrawal from Leba-
May 1994, called the Paris Protocol, which was one of 11 “We identified all the key issues out- non and the collapse of the negotia-
official agreements signed between Israel and the Pales- standing between Israel and the Pales- tions with Syria, turned to be a period
tinians during that period. But it was the ECF that led the tinians,” he said. “These included such of stagnation in the negotiations with
implementation. questions as Palestinian statehood, the Palestinians,” he added.
“Our goal was to effectuate the agreement,” Mr. Grin- Palestinian refugees, security, water In July 2000, President Bill Clinton
stein said. “We established 11 working groups across dif- rights, economic relations, and the status of Jerusalem. summoned Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli
ferent areas of economic relations, like taxation, banking, “For each of these areas we created a team of top Prime Minister Ehud Barak to Camp David for a summit
experts, former government officials, generals, ambassa- modeled after a similar summit in 1979, when Israel and
dors, leading people from academia. Each team worked to Egypt hammered out their historic peace treaty. Mr. Grin-
What: IAC Cinematec featuring
define Israeli interests and suggest future negotiating posi- stein was one of 11 Israelis who made up the delegation.
“The Oslo Diaries” and guest speaker Gidi Grinstein
tions. The teams also engaged with Jordanian, Palestinian, But this time, Israel and the Palestinians failed to reach
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, and Egyptian counterparts in order to have a better sense an agreement.
411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly of the so-called Zone of Possible Agreement.” “In many ways, the outcome of Camp David and the
When: Sunday, February 24, 7 p.m. When the official actual negotiations began in July 1999, negotiations that followed were not a surprise,” he said.
How much: $14 in advance, $12 for JCC members. Mr. Grinstein was recruited to work within the prime min- “While Chairman Arafat was not interested in an agree-
$17 at the door. ister’s office, on the condition that he bring this entire body ment, there were also very powerful forces within the
of work that had been created over the previous three years SEE DIARIES PAGE 54
6 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Jan2019CDCampaignPromoPRINT_JewishStandardAd_FINAL.pdf 1 1/29/19 10:25 AM JS-7
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7 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019 7
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Local
A trip to Odessa
Rockland girls learn, grow, and teach in Ukranian orphanage setting
LOIS GOLDRICH
Local
Sandi M. Malkin, LL C
Interior Designer
(former interior designer of model
rooms for NY’s #1 Dept. Store)
Bar-Ilan University
Making an Impact
Bais Yaakov students enjoy fun moments
with youngsters at Tikva in Odessa.
Local
Local
of Teaneck’s Congregation Beth Sholom, “European-oriented home, I always liked made her father paint the cabinets each
Old? and arguably she is as active today as she European boys,” Eva said. “I preferred year before putting in the Pesach dishes.
FROM PAGE 10
has ever been. them to American boys.” Eva’s two children, both writers, no
his Scotland Street stories to the Botswa- Many things have changed over the Eva and Lee moved to Teaneck in 1959 doubt were influenced by their mother’s
na-based detective series. “I especially last nine decades, and Eva has changed and started to attend Beth Sholom right passion for books. “I love books,” she
enjoy the books about the German pro- with them — although she admits to being away. (Eva has lived in the same house for said, adding that she spent many hours
fessors at Heidelberg who are just crazy,” stumped by the new melodies attached to 60 years.)They became dues-paying mem- during her youth in the New York City
she said old prayers, and so she is content to hum bers in 1960. Lee died in November 2016. public library system. Indeed, her first
A serious dog lover, Ruth said she them. “It took me so long to learn what I In 1959, Beth Sholom was small. “The volunteer stint at Beth Sholom involved
was not surprised at the results of the knew,” she said. congregation had bought a small church books. “The rabbi had a small room with
Westminster Dog Show. “The judge had Eva remembers the Great Depression when it started,” Eva said. “The sanctuary books, totally disorganized, so I organized
entered several terriers he had trained,” clearly. “It certainly helped form me,” she was a long narrow room with two pews on them.” She also became the synagogue’s
she said, so choosing a terrier as the win- said; it strongly influenced her attitude either side of a center aisle. There must first librarian.
ner came as no surprise. She has a Malti- toward money, material things, and fam- have been about 20 rows with seats for Also in the early days, “When the orig-
poo, “seven pounds of love. You’ve seen ily life. “I once asked my father for a nickel about 200 to 230 people.” Congregants inal building was going to be renovated,
his picture on so many greeting cards.” for ice cream and he said no. At that time decided to expand the building; they met the younger members in the congrega-
Another “love of her life” is the music you could buy a loaf of bread for a dime.” in a storefront on West Englewood Avenue tion wanted to get rid of all the plaques in
of Gilbert and Sullivan, which she sang at But she did get that ice cream after hav- during construction. the shul. I and another woman physically
William Paterson College, then a teacher’s ing her tonsils removed. She also got 10 “We had a Hebrew school, and my chil- took the plaques off the pews. We also
college, when she was a student there. cents for the movie theater, right around dren received a good Jewish education,” rescued one pew, part of a stained glass
She had no trouble reeling off the names the corner, “where I could watch two Eva said. And with many business peo- window, and the ner tamid. All the things
of their operettas, stumbling only once movies, one or two serials and maybe ple and manufacturers in the congrega- we saved are now in the Heritage Room in
when she forgot “Ruddigore.” (Learning cartoons, the news, and coming attrac- tion, “every year we had a huge bazaar. the synagogue lobby.”
that this correspondent also had sung tions. The first 50 children to enter the Everyone donated the goods. I remember While she has had various careers, Eva
tables with large bolts of fabric, handbags, worked primarily in the field of interior
etc. It was a big fundraiser.” Oh yes, she design. When she moved to Teaneck, she
Many things have changed recalled, the annual gala featired women got a degree in education and taught part-
over the last nine decades, in evening gowns and men in tuxedos.
The band played mostly ballroom music.
time in Teaneck for six years. In 1973, she
started teaching full time in Haworth and
and Eva has changed with It is clear from her recollections that got two master’s degrees — one in special
them — although she admits Beth Sholom’s ongoing musicality can be
traced to the leadership of founding rabbi
education and one enabling her to be a
learning disabilities consultant.
to being stumped by the new Barry Schaeffer. “The rabbi had an oper- In 1988, she had an adult bat mitz-
melodies attached to old atic singing voice, and he was also the can-
tor,” Eva said. “His wife was a musician,
vah. Afterwards, “several women and I
decided we wanted to study more, so we
prayers, and so she is content and she led a choir that sang during the started a class in Tanach. We started with
to hum them. “It took me so high holidays. She also wrote and directed
plays for the Hebrew school that were
Bereshit, finished the Tanach, and kept
going for 14 years, meeting every Tuesday
long to learn what I knew.” performed before the entire congrega- evening. We had the same leader for 13
tion. They had Saturday night musicals at years. He was a volunteer and a member
their home and invited members of the of the shul. He was a wonderful teacher.”
Gilbert and Sullivan in college, she said movies got a free comic book. I always got congregation to join them in listening to When she retired in 1990 — having
how wonderful it was to meet “a fellow a comic book.” beautiful music.” taken what she calls a hiatus from vol-
Savoyard.” The name is derived from the Her parents came here during World If kiddush was a simple affair — the unteering at the shul — she turned her
Savoy Theatre, which Richard D’Oyly War I. The countries they came from are children had juice and cookies, enjoyed attention once again to the synagogue. “I
Carte built to house the works of Gil- in some doubt, she said, because the bor- in a separate room — it nevertheless was a co-chaired the Dinner Dance for over 10
bert and Sullivan.]) “At one point I could ders shifted so frequently. When ques- time to connect with other congregants, years and the chesed committee for about
sing whole operettas,” she said. “When I tioned, her mother would say, “Polish? “and because it was a small congregation, 13 years. I have been on many nominat-
would go to a doctor’s office and sit and Russian? German? The hell with all of everyone knew everyone.” ing, social action, and other committees.”
wait in an exam room, I would start at the them. We were Jews.” Yiddish was Eva’s first language — to In addition, she is a lifetime member of
beginning of an operetta and sing until Eva remembers that when she was a her regret, she no longer speaks it — and the Board of Trustees and received the
the doctor came.” child, “we didn’t have a television, a tele- “I was raised on European fairy tales, as Shofar Award in 2008 for service to the
Her love of music has continued. When phone, or a refrigerator or freezer. My well as stories of pogroms,” she said. She congregation.
she needs a burst of energy, “Every so mother shopped almost every day. When also learned about her incredible grand- Eva is particularly proud of the Kristall-
often I ask Alexa to play ‘Flight of the my uncles in Brooklyn wanted to speak to mother, who supported an underground nacht remembrance programs she has
Bumblebees’ or ‘The Typewriter,’” she my father, they called the candy store on effort to help Jewish boys avoid conscrip- run. She chaired her first such event
said. Sometimes, however, she will ask for the corner. The candy store owner would tion into the Russian army. in 2008, marking the 70th anniversary
Brahms. “I sing at home all the time,” she find someone to ring our bell. My father “A bed was made for my mother and since Kristallnacht. “It was held in the
said. “I’ve always loved music.” She also would have to walk down three flights of aunt with a false bottom beneath the top sanctuary, and the entire community
composes verse, she said, reeling off sev- stairs and walk to the candy store to answer mattress where a man could hide and was invited. We had a very good turnout.
eral of compositions from memory. the phone. When we finally got a phone, it spend the night. If the police came look- We’ve had a program every year since
Ruth goes to Hazak meetings twice a was a party line, which was awful.” ing for someone, my grandmother would then. This past year, we commemorated
month. “It’s a delightful group, with var- Eva, who was born in Brooklyn and say, ‘Look wherever you like; just don’t the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht
ied programs,” she said. “I like the peo- raised in the Bronx, met her husband, disturb my children because you will under the auspices of Hazak. People were
ple there,” guessing that many were “80- Lee, in 1951. It was a double blind date, frighten them.’” moved to tears.”
ish. They have klezmer now and then, or and Lee was not her date. He was born Her family’s religious observance was She now is working on a new project,
a movie or speaker. We’re going to have in Germany, got out soon before Kristall- strict. “We couldn’t play ball or cards on “an intergenerational program where
chair yoga.” nacht, and went to England, where he Shabbat and I went to synagogue with a teenagers meet with seniors once a
Eva Liebmann was born on Febru- waited until 1946, when he was able hankie safety-pinned to my dress,” she month for discussion and dinner. We
ary 1, 1929. She is 90. She is a mainstay to get to the United States. Raised in a said. Her mother was so cautious that she SEE OLD? PAGE 34
12 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
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Spring
strong voice that comes out of them.” for most of my life,” she said. “One
There will be ear plugs available. And day someone asked if I had tried a
there will be a separate room set aside as weighted blanket. Now I sleep under a
Style
a quiet space if the service gets too over- 17-pound weighted blanket and I sleep
whelming for anyone. wonderfully.
Even the kiddush is being planned for “The goal is to live with this. If you
people with sensory processing disor- have visual sensitivities, you can put
Fashion der; organizers are paying attention to on tinted glasses. I was prescribed blue
the texture of the food they will serve. tinted glasses.
Home Design “There are people in every congrega- “People think you go to occupational
Dining tion who have sensory sensitivities,” Ms. therapy and it gets fixed. We’re not
Real Estate Schneider said. “I want to go to temple broken, and there’s no fixing. We live
more regularly. I like services but they with it.”
for the new season can be hard for me.”
Ms. Schneider grew up in Manhattan’s What: Sensory Friendly Shabbat
Brotherhood Synagogue and now lives Experience
To advertise, call 201-837-8818, x121 in Riverdale, N.Y. “Museums are starting Where: Temple Avodat Shalom,
Natalie@jewishmediagroup.com to do things like this,” she said. “It would 385 Howland Ave., River Edge
be really wonderful if other synagogues
When: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 2
and congregations want to try this out.
14 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
JS-15
‘Gone’
Local students win Prakhim
Fair Lawn shul collects diapers award for keeping memory
Young parents’ need for the basics of Stalinism, Nazism alive
spurs drive by energized couple ABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN
W
BANJI GANCHROW the other is in Teaneck.) “We wanted to make this ith every passing year, the challenge of keeping
A
a local cause and that is why we chose to have alive the memory of victims of the Nazi and Stalin-
nyone who has ever had a baby the event itself at Ahavat Achim,” Ms. Wigod said. ist regimes grows more difficult, and the promo-
knows how important diapers are. (Ahavat Achim is an Orthodox synagogue on Sad- tion of tolerance more urgent.
(Even if haven’t had one, probably dle River Road in Fair Lawn.) For the week before This is why Ludmila Prakhina of Fair Lawn and her two sons,
you can guess.) the February 10 show, participants were encour- Boris of Paramus and Michael of Glen Rock, established the Pra-
Unfortunately, one in three families cannot aged to donate diapers, and the Wigods coordi- khin International Literary Foundation in 2006.
afford diapers. In order to send your child to nated with JFCS to have the diapers brought to Ms. Prakhina’s parents were arrested and exiled by the Stalinist
daycare while you work, you need to be able the food pantry. Admission to the show was a regime in a 1941 mass deportation from Moldova.
to supply diapers for your child. If you cannot sealed pack of diapers. More than 4,000 diapers The foundation provides “financial and moral support to authors
afford those diapers, you cannot work. Public were collected, and more than 150 people from engaged in the global fight for democracy, peace, equality of all
assistance might cover formula and other baby all over Bergen County showed up so see the Liz- races and cultures, and the suppression and eradication of fascism
accoutrements, but it does not cover the cost ard Guy — and to donate diapers. and anti-Semitism.” The foundation also runs an annual student
of diapers. Michael Dworkis is a member of Ahavat competition recognizing works of art, prose, poetry, journalism, or
Kira and Andrew Wigod, long-time Fair Achim and he was the Wigods’ contact person scholarship about that tragic period of European history.
Lawn residents, know about these heartbreak- at JFCS. He and his family attended the event. This year, the foundation received 45 submissions from schools
ing and distressing facts and statistics. Kira “ “This diaper donation will help hundreds that use a curriculum, “Stalin and his Repressive Regime,” created
Wigod, who is a licensed clinical social worker of JFCS families keep their children comfort- by the Prakhin Foundation in conjunction with the New Jersey
in the Bronx and in Teaneck, has seen how able while allowing parents to put their dollars Commission on Holocaust Education and Genocide.
financially demanding costs can have a detri- towards more pressing needs such as food and Three New Jersey high school students received prizes for their
mental effect on families. She and her husband healthcare costs,” he said. writing at the Prakhin Foundation’s 12th Annual Student Literary
decided that they wanted to help do something The Wigods were “overwhelmed with the Award Ceremony, held January 31 at Bergen Community College.
about the problem. turnout and the amazing generosity” of their The winners were Daniel Mezhiborsky of Fair Lawn High School
“As a mom of a 2-year-old, someone who goes congregation and the community, and they for his poem “Gone” (see box); Chloe Yang of Weehawken High
through a lot of diapers, it hit me really hard hope to turn this one-time diaper drive into an School for her poem “Black smoke filled my lungs”; and Aditi
to learn how many people cannot afford this annual event. But the most important thing,
basic necessity,” Ms. Wigod said. “Andrew and they felt, was shining a light on the very import-
I decided that we needed to do something, and ant issue at hand. That’s the fact that families
then we decided that tying a diaper drive with a who are struggling to survive economically
children’s event would be the best way to start often can’t afford to pay for diapers, and that Fair Lawn High School
making a difference.” So, putting their thoughts can and does affect their children’s health and teacher Suzanne
into action, they sponsored a show with the Liz- well-being. Wigod also pointed out that “when Gons reading Daniel
ard Guy, paired with a diaper drive. your child outgrows a size of diapers, you can Mezhiborsky’s winning
As they planned, they decided to reach out always donate the remaining sealed packages to poem, “Gone.”
to the Fair Lawn branch of the Jewish Family the food pantry because they are always looking PHOTOS BY BORIS KJ
Valley Chabad Present
BCHSJS students
MORE
SCIENCE.
LESS
FEAR.
A member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering - Hackensack Meridian Health Partnership
Purim Feast—
the Whole Megillah
WITH JOJO RUBACH
Join the Fun at the Rubach Neil Klatskin Summer Camps Sunday of Strong Women PA
KAPLEN JCC on the Palisades TAUB CAMPUS | 411 E CLINTON AVE, TENAFLY, NJ 07670 | 201.569.7900 | jccotp.org
20 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
E VeNT S
AND CELEBRATIONS
S-22 Jewish Standard WINTER 2019 EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS
FIRST place
KOSHER CATERER
Jewish Standard S-23
Beautiful contracts........................24
Artists create custom ketubahs
Office party...................................28
Corporate events big and small build the team
Milestone celebrations..................29
Marking key birthdays, anniversaries and more
Out and about...............................30
Fun times help bond employees
Entertain in Style...........................31
Old Fashioned in style..................32
The cocktail still makes spirits soar
Mitzvah
UNLIMITED
POSSIBILITIES
S-24 Jewish Standard WINTER 2019 EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS
Beautiful
contracts
Artists create custom ketubahs
Heidi Mae Bratt wedding ceremony process starts with
I
the signing of the ketubah, Hebrew for
was very excited to get married to “written thing.”
Jeff more than 19 years ago, and I searched the Judaic stores and
likewise excited to shop for the found a very pretty print for our
elements that were part of our ketubah. But if you asked me today
traditional Jewish wedding. There what it looks like, I don’t remember
were large glass candleholders because once signed, sealed and deliv-
carried by our parents as they escorted ered, I put it away in a drawer. Had I
us down the aisle. There was the plate known then what I know now…
(not to be confused with the glass) bro- Two Brooklyn-based artists with ties
ken during the tanaim, which set down to Bergen County have used their tal-
the “conditions” of the marriage. There ent to create ketubahs that not only are
was the crisp, white kittel, or robe, worn extremely display-worthy (many peo-
by Jeff under the chuppah. ple actually do frame and hang their
And of course, there was the ketubah, ketubahs) but that are unique pieces of
the ancient marriage contract read under beautiful and meaningful art.
the chuppah in its original Aramaic. I David Master, artist and owner of Time-
shopped carefully for that document, less Ketubah (timelessketubah.com),
which details the groom’s responsibilities grew up in Teaneck and got his BFA at
toward his future wife after marriage that Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers
include his providing her with a home, University and later an MBA at the City
clothing, food, and marital relations. University of New York Baruch College.
Under Jewish law, the traditional He worked for a company in the
Jewish Standard S-25
T
he big 80th birthday was in the throughout the lobby. But the most dra- Sharon’s sister, Joan, joined us for part
getting military discounts for the hotel
not-too-distant future. My plan and tickets to the theme parks.
matic sight was when we entered our of our stay. Disney anointed me with
was to go quietly into that ninth Arranging meals was like planning beautiful room. Outside our windows a saucer-size Mickey Mouse “Happy
decade, maybe with a glass of the Allied invasion of North Africa. We were giraffes, zebras, and long-horned Birthday, Ed” button that evoked greet-
scotch and early to bed. My wife, Sha- agreed breakfast would be juice, cold deer. Granddaughter Alina, then age 3, ings from all passersby. Loneliness was
ron, thought otherwise. cereal, fruit, yogurt, milk, and coffee in thought they were pictures until she saw never a problem when I wore it.
“Let’s take the whole family to Disney our rooms, which would have refrigera- them move. We ordered massive birthday cakes
World,” she said. tors and coffee makers. For lunch every- Our first day we went to the Magic with suitable decorations for each of
“By that you mean air fare, hotel, one would be on his own, because we Kingdom, the jewel of the Disney the four celebratory dinners, marking
food, and theme park tickets for 11 learned that each of the theme parks crown, where Cinderella’s castle looms my 80th, Michael’s 50th, and the bar
people?” had at least one eatery that offered lim- above and tourists swirl about to await and bat mitzvahs of the grandchildren.
“Right. We must start planning now. ited kosher food. Peter Pan’s Wild Ride, to join Pirates of After sunset the EPCOT lagoon was
It’s just six months away.” We would regroup for dinner, the one the Caribbean, and to learn that “It’s a the scene of exciting fireworks, but
Immediately three problems came to time each day we would all be together. Small World After All.” before sunset there was another activ-
mind: (1) the calendar, how to go when it’s Disney can provide full kosher meals on Granddaughter Devorah announced ity. Yossie and Michael rounded up a
not too hot, too expensive, too crowded, request, and a great cloud of concern that I was to be her escort throughout Dis- minyan for mincha behind the Canada
and the grandchildren are free from was lifted when we learned that the Dis- ney World. I was flattered until I learned pavilion. There is, after all, a higher call-
school; (2) food that is certified kosher not ney kosher caterer was a friend of Sha- that my movements would be restricted. ing that surpasses even Disney World.
only by a mashgiach but also by my son, ron’s nephew, Michael. She rejected Splash Mountain, where a
Yossie; (3) and, oh, yes, money. However, eating kosher food in a non- harrowing roller-coaster ride ended in Ed Silberfarb was a reporter for the
We ruled out July and August because kosher restaurant created the wrong a cold-water dunk, refreshing for a hot Bergen Record in New Jersey, then the New
of Florida heat, vacation mobs, and high impression, said Yossie, so our dinners day. Instead we experienced more sedate York Herald Tribune where he was City
season expense. We finally settled on together were either in secluded cor- activities like a concert by animated bears Hall bureau chief. Later, he was a public
June, when the scorching weather and ners or, on two occasions, in elegant playing country music instruments and information officer for the New York City
massive crowds are just beginning and private rooms. singing in a western drawl. Transit Authority and editor of one of its
the school absences would be minimized. Our hotel would be the new Animal But nothing could match the charm of employee publications.
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Office party
Corporate events big and small build the team
Heidi Mae Bratt Later, you also have to take into account
the attributes of your target audience,
S
tarting to notice droopy shoul- the impression you want to create, and
ders around the office? It might what can you attendees gain from your
be time to plan a team outing or event.
a corporate event to boost spirit,
morale, and insert some new vigor into Team up
the workplace. For small business owners and start-
Team outings are a great way to facili- ups, events can be a little heavy on your
tate bonding, reduce employee stress, pockets. So, you could collaborate with
and give employees a chance to get to similar businesses to share the work-
know one another outside of their cubi- load, expenses, and of course, the ben-
cles. The event could be as simple as a efits. You could even hire a professional up decorations, sending invites — it’s a Make attendance attractive
lunch at a local restaurant or as elabo- event organizer to make sure the event seemingly endless list. Don’t panic. Ask Even after the right kind of promotion,
rate as an evening soiree, replete with is a memorable one. Also, ensure that event organizers or those who have done you might want to be on the safer side
entertainment, in a venue or hotel. the marketing needs of each of the busi- it before to help you out. In such cases, and ensure attendance by offering the
In addition to the workplace benefit, nesses are met during the event. collaborations can be highly beneficial. right kind of incentives. A remarkable
these corporate events are fun. guest speaker, a quirky theme or venue,
How to get started? Ask for help Promote it interesting interactive sessions, all pose
If this is your first time at organizing an More than what you say or how you say as points that intrigue attendees and
Set your goals clearly event, you need to ask for help. Most it, the right kind of promotion relies on make them register for events. In fact,
That has to be the first thing on your people do not realize how much effort where you say it. Once you know who they might even recommend your event
mind, to have clear objectives. Depend- goes into making a corporate event, your target audience is, you’ll be able to to their friends, increasing your ticket
ing upon goals that are to be achieved even if it lasts a few hours. Setting a date, find out their online and offline hang- sales and filling up your venue.
with the event, you can decide what finding a venue, organizing a team and outs, and carry out promotional activi-
kind of an event would be suitable. allotting tasks, finding caterers, putting ties there. Facebook, Twitter, email, Get feedback
blog posts are regulars when it comes Where there is scope of being better,
to social media. Apart from these, you there is scope for growth. Getting feed-
could go up to your customers and cli- back from your attendees is extremely
Marking key birthdays, anniversaries, and more “This will be a blown-out affair,” said
Mr. Friedman, “with party planners,
beautiful decorations, lighting, and all
Heidi Mae Bratt events because it has so many different Thanks for the memories our specialties, including drinks, sushi,
spaces within its facility. From its Skybox Imagine a 50th wedding anniversary Peking duck and the best food. It’s going
L
ife is full of events that mark mile- Suites, six individual suites overlooking for a couple, taking place at a venue to be like a wedding.”
stones. From a birthday, anniver- the race track, which can be configured where their daughter got married sev-
sary, graduation or retirement to a to accommodate up to 200 guests, to eral years ago? That’s what is on the Go with the glow
new job, each is a rite of passage to The Backyard, its sprawling 2 ½ acre out- calendar at Northern Valley Affairs at Over in Waldwick, Glow Party Venue
be acknowledged and celebrated. door dining and entertaining section that Temple Emanu-El in Closter, said owner is the perfect place to host a birthday
How we choose to mark these life can accommodate up to 10,000 people Les Friedman, who creates memorable party, retirement party, or holiday party.
events is wide-ranging and depends on for events and festivals, Meadowlands affairs with manager Marty Maged. The venue supports all kinds of events,
who we are and what we are celebrating. offers much in the way of space. The 50th wedding anniversary party including bar and bat mitzvahs, sweet
The celebrations can range from global What is most unique and a big draw in June will have 125 guests. It will be 16s, retirement parties, anniversaries,
travel to small parties to large-scale for many who choose to celebrate at filled with new memories and old. The you name it.
event extravaganzas. Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, staff will recreate the couple’s original The venue prides itself on its conve-
Ms. Lokshin said, is the horse racing wedding cake and put their original nient location and in offering entertain-
Off to the races itself. Celebrants can “name a race” topper on it. In addition, said Mr. Fried- ment and a unique party experience.
At Meadowlands Racing & Entertain- if they wish, to mark their day. That man, the couple will have a “first wed- Glow Party Venue has several party
ment in East Rutherford, the milestone race would be dedicated to their event. ding dance” and invite their friends who rooms for exclusive use of the entire
celebrations that have taken place run Where else could a bar or bat mitzvah attended their wedding 50 years ago and facility for up to five hours for teen and
the gamut. get his or her logo emblazoned on a who will be at the party to join in. adult parties, corporate events, and fun-
“We do milestone everything,” said JumboTron or someone turning 50 get a “What better place to celebrate this draising events.
Andrea Lokshin, vice president of sales shoutout in lights for his or her birthday? milestone anniversary than at the place Another plus: there is no need to
and marketing for Meadowlands Racing “This is something that no other place where your daughter got married?” travel into New York City because Glow
& Entertainment. They specialize in bar can offer,” said Ms. Lokskin. “You can asked Mr. Friedman. Party Venue physically resembles some
and bat mitzvahs, weddings, retirement watch the race at trackside next to the Northern Valley Affairs will put of the “cool” city spaces with it ware-
parties, birthday parties, anniversaries, racing action, dedicate that race to the together another milestone celebration house, club-like space. Glow Party Venue
corporate events and more. honored guest, and take photos in the on March 2 when Temple Emanu-El, is conveniently located near many high-
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment winners circle. It’s a great way to mark which was originally located in Engle- ways, across from The Superdome, and
is especially well suited for a variety of your special milestone.” wood, celebrates 91 years at its annual next door to Waldwick Indoor Tennis.
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S-30 Jewish Standard WINTER 2019 EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS
C
Who says trampolines are just for kids? Take the team
reative ideas abound for corporate outings.
to a trampoline park for some jumping fun and a
Sometimes you don’t just want to get out of the
chance to work off the day’s stress. Many cities have
office, but into an adventure. Here are a few
local places with trampoline activities like dodge ball
ideas to consider.
and other sports that are played on the up and down.
___ OK AS IS
___ OK W. CHANGE
Jewish Standard S-31
Entertain in style
I
t’s never too early to plan ahead, lanterns if you are enter-
especially when you are expect- taining outside. Make sure
ing guests in your home. Your it’s bright enough so every-
family and friends know and one can see, but dimmed
might love your style, but it can be enough to set the mood for
important to spice things up now and the evening’s events.
again to impress your visitors. Fac-
tors such as lights, music, and food Set the mood
can affect your guests’ experience in with music
your home. Pick music that matches
To remain stylish and keep your your theme and inspires
party going, consider these tips for that same feel throughout
fun and festive home entertaining. the house. If you’re going
for a fun, energetic atmo-
Back to basics sphere, try something
Staying organized is key while enter- with a quick tempo, such
taining guests. Try to plan out every as pop. If you’re wanting
detail before the big event, which can to relax, go for subtler,
allow things to go more smoothly on soothing tones. Try mak-
the big day. As you think out your ing your playlist before
plan ahead of time, making lists can you entertain and listen to
be a helpful way to stay organized it a few times through, that
and ensure you get everything done. List out your theme-related dishes. One way to show your theme is way you can know what to expect and how guests will
guests, what needs to be picked up from the store, and through decorations. Placing them throughout your react to your music selections.
possible decorations you might need to buy or craft home can give the party some life and help guests get
yourself. The possibilities can seem endless, but it’s into the overall theme of the party. Enjoy it
important to have a plan in place before you start put- Through all the anxiety and stress of entertainment
ting things together. Light up the party planning, make sure you take time to enjoy yourself
Transforming your home can be made simpler by during the time guests are in your home. Some guests
Think about theme changing the lighting. It’s typical for lights to be will notice if you’re not having a good time. Smile and
There are numerous ways your style can be shown dimmed for parties to set a more relaxed mood. Other remember to be present in the moment.
while entertaining. One way is to pick a theme or ideas include using candles, lamps, or even hanging Find more entertainment tips at eLivingToday.com.
At Timeless Ketubah,
we create unique sculptural and
wood engraved ketubah designs
with text customized to your
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VENUE
text
C
ocktail trends may come and go, traces its roots as far back as the dawn of Classic Bourbon
but one staple remains a fixture on the Old Fashioned and has been closely Old Fashioned
drink menus two centuries after intertwined with the history of the cock- 2 ounces bourbon
its invention — the Old Fashioned. tail ever since. 1/4 ounce Demerara syrup
There are many competing stories Dr. Johann Siegert, the bitters’ inven- 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
1 dash Angostura orange bitters
about the origins of the “first” true tor, created the elixir in 19th-century
1 splash water
cocktail recipe, but nearly all agree Venezuela while serving as a doctor to
ice
that the modern-day cocktail was first soldiers in Simon Bolivar’s army. By long orange peel, for garnish
mixed in the early 1800s, and the rec- 1824, he perfected the formula for “ama-
Courtesy Getty Images Source: Angostura In rocks glass, stir bourbon,
ipe was generally the same Old Fash- rgo aromatico,” which he initially used
Demerara syrup, water, aromatic
ioned recipe still mixed in bars around to help alleviate the stomach issues of created almost 200 years ago.
GRAND OPEN
bitters and orange bitters with ice to
the world today: liquor, sugar, water ailing soldiers. Consider these tried-and-true takes incorporate ingredients.
and bitters. By the mid-1800s, cocktails were on the Old Fashioned with four recipes
Add ice to fill glass to top. Garnish
Bourbon is traditionally the spirit of steadily gaining favor, and nearly all the ideal for sipping. The traditional version
with orange peel.
choice for an Old Fashioned, but con- early recipes called for bitters. Siegert’s features bourbon, while three twists on
temporary versions may substitute vir- sons seized the opportunity and astutely the timeless classic highlight alternative
Tequila Old Fashioned
tually any type of liquor, from rye whis- developed a following for their formula liquors: the Tequila Old Fashioned, the Ice
key to tequila to rum. Yesteryear’s sugar among cocktail lovers. Rum Old Fashioned and the Wisconsin- 2 ounces reposado tequila
cube, served as a lump doused with Today, Angostura aromatic bitters are Style Brandy Old Fashioned. 1/4 ounce Demerara syrup
bitters, has given way to simple syrup, a classic and versatile ingredient in bars Serving an authentic Old Fashioned 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
which mixes more easily when served. A and kitchens alike for their flawless abil- requires more than just the right ingre- grapefruit swath (narrow strip of
twist of citrus zest, or a dark cherry are ity to balance a range of cocktails. Bitters dients. You need the proper bar glass, peel) or wedge, for garnish
common garnishes in today’s Old Fash- provide layers of flavor and complexity too. An Old Fashioned is almost always In ice-filled mixing glass, stir tequila,
ioned renditions. through their expertly crafted combina- served in a rocks glass, which is a short Demerara syrup and aromatic
No matter what spirit or style you pre- tion of aromatic herbs, bark, roots and glass, often with a weighted bottom, bitters. Strain into ice-filled
fer, there’s one constant that’s crucial other botanicals. When it comes to the designed to hold a shot or two of liquor rocks glass.
to any drink bearing the Old Fashioned ingredients in Angostura’s aromatic over ice (or “rocks”). Also known as a Squeeze grapefruit swath over glass
name: bitters. For a truly authentic expe- bitters, the exact formula is unknown, lowball, whisky or (aptly named) Old and insert into drink.
rience, look to incorporate an option like as the recipe has remained a closely Fashioned glass, the rocks glass typically
Angostura bitters — an iconic brand that guarded secret since the bitters were holds 4 to 10 ounces.
Wisconsin-Style
Brandy Old Fashioned
muddler, crush sugar cube. Wedding planning 101
Add ice, pour in rum and stir.
3 ounces, plus 1 splash, lemon-lime Garnish by squeezing orange peel First comes the proposal then comes Dressing the gents
soda over glass. the wedding planning. There are doz- Similar to bridesmaid dresses, grooms-
1 Demerara sugar cube ens of decisions that need to be made men attire can be dependent on the
5 dashes Angostura aromatic Simple Syrup at Home before it’s time to walk down the aisle, venue and overall event aesthetic.
bitters, divided A wide range of cocktails call for sweet which can be overwhelming for brides While a suit can fit the bill for a coun-
3 maraschino cherries try club wedding, a city affair may call
syrup to enhance the flavor of the liquor, and grooms.
1 orange slice, plus peel, for garnish
and one variety in particular lends a To help make it less stressful, these for the sleek finishes of a tux. Tuxedo
ice
2 ounces brandy rich molasses note to drinks. Demerara tips from Macy’s can help couples accessories, such as cuff links or bow
1 dash Angostura orange bitters syrup is made using Demerara sugar, a through the entire wedding-planning ties, make great groomsmen gifts and
skewered maraschino cherry, special variety of raw, unrefined cane process, from on-trend apparel and are classic pieces they can use time
for garnish sugar with large grains and a golden accessories for the entire wedding and time again.
In rocks glass, muddle splash of amber hue. party to all the essentials to create a
lemon-lime soda, sugar cube, 2 The sugar, which traces its origins to perfect registry. Creating the
dashes aromatic bitters, cherries the South American country of Guy- perfect registry
and orange slice. ana, can be used in place of brown Dressing the ladies When building a registry, it’s never
sugar. Though similar, Demerara gen- When it comes to bridesmaid dresses, too early to start. People want to give
Add ice and brandy then fill with
erally lends stronger caramel, toffee, the mix-and-match approach is trend- gifts as soon as they know a couple is
remaining lemon-lime soda.
Add remaining aromatic bitters and molasses notes than traditional ing in popularity. Start by deciding on engaged. Start by taking inventory of
and orange bitters. Garnish with brown sugar. a color palette, such as lilac, cham- what you already have, what you need
skewered cherry and orange peel. If you don’t have any Demerara syrup pagne, and petal pink. Then have each ,and what you want to upgrade. It’s
around, it’s quite easy to make at home bridesmaid choose her favorite style also recommended to update the reg-
Rum Old Fashioned and can be used to naturally sweeten a within that range of hues. Bring it all istry regularly so there are enough gifts
1 Demerara sugar cube number of drinks, from coffee to cock- together by choosing a uniform look to choose from, especially if there is an
4 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters tails. If Demerara isn’t on-hand, swap for makeup, shoes, and accessories. engagement party and bridal shower
2 dashes Angostura orange bitters for turbinado sugar, brown sugar, or There is no better time to thank the coming up. To get started, some pop-
1 splash soda water ladies than the morning of the big day. ular registry items include stand mix-
table sugar.
ice ers, craft beer glasses, Dutch ovens,
A few thoughtful gifts can go a long
2 ounces Angostura 1919 Rum*
orange peel, for garnish Demerara Syrup way, such as matching robes, tumblers bath towels and vacuums. For extra
1 part Demerara sugar to stay hydrated throughout the day, guidance, couples can speak to advi-
Place sugar cube in rocks glass. 1 part hot water and cosmetic cases to stow makeup sors who can help with the full registry
Wet cube with aromatic bitters, Stir to dissolve. Let cool before use. building process at Macy’s stores
essentials.
orange bitters and soda water. Using Family Features Family Features
2018
Local/Jewish World
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Visit our Monsey branch today! 75 Route 59, Monsey Town Square (Evergreen Kosher Market Center)
Anita Levine, VP, Branch Manager • 845-425-0189
Open Sunday from 9AM - 1PM
apple bk - JEWISH STANDARD - TREASURY MM - 2-28-2019.indd 1 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
1/31/2019 35
1:48:43 PM
Cover Story
‘This is a different Russia’
Shterney and Rabbi Mordechai Kanelsky
return to the land of their hard childhoods
JOANNE PALMER
T
hose of us lucky in our births
— lucky, that is, in being able
to choose to stay in the coun-
try where we were born,
maybe in the same state or at least in the
same metropolitan area — can revisit our
childhood haunts easily.
We might not be able to walk through
the houses where we grew up, but we
can walk the streets where we played, go
past our friends’ houses, drive through
the neighborhood, pass by the school,
go to the supermarket. It’s no big deal.
But if you grew up in the former
Soviet Union — if you were the child
of a chasidic family, growing up in the
former Soviet Union, if your childhood
resembled a Jewish version of a bleak
Russian novel, all claustrophobic dark
rooms and gray days with police whis-
tles and wolf howls in the distance — it
would be neither easy nor appealing to
go back home again. Even for a short
visit. It would be a major big deal.
So when Shterney and Rabbi Morde-
chai Kanelsky — the Chabad rebbitzin
and rabbi who live in Hillside and run
Bris Avrohom, which has branches all
over New Jersey, including in Fair Lawn
and Jersey City, as well as in Brooklyn
and Ukraine — went back to Moscow late
last year, it was the result of a difficult
decision, head fighting heart, and then
heart catching up.
Their story does not begin with their
trip to Moscow. Like any Russian novel,
it begins before. Well before.
Rabbi Kanelsky has major yichus in
the chasidic world. On his father’s side,
he said, “I am the eleventh generation
from the Baal Shem Tov,” the founder of
chasidism, and “the eighth generation Rabbi Mordechai and Shterney Kanelsky stand in front of the family house in Malachovka, outside Moscow.
from Reb Nachman of Bratslav,” another
seminal chasidic figure. “And on my actively forbade the practice of religion businessman who used to buy and sell seventh daughter, so she was called Bat-
mother’s side, I’m seventh generation — the family faced frequent danger. sugar and flour before the Revolution.” sheva,” daughter of seven.
Lubavitch.” Rabbi Kanelsky’s mother’s grandfa- It was a wealthy family. “My mother’s And then the Russian Revolution
As prominent Lubavitchers in the ther came from a town in White Rus- grandfather had 11 children, four sons changed everything.
Soviet Union — as publicly religious peo- sia that was 90 percent Lubavitch, he and seven daughters. My mother’s In 1927, the Lubavitcher rebbe sent Bat-
ple in a state that not only scorned but said; “my mother’s grandfather was a mother was the youngest child and the sheva’s husband to Georgia “to spread
Mordechai Kanelsky, his parents, and his younger brother sit for a
yiddishkeit,” and the KGB arrested him. In 1963, the Kanelskys became
photograph just before they leave Russia.
Influential Georgian Jews were able to refuseniks; because Nossom’s father,
free him, “but he had to run to Mos- who had escaped from a concentra-
cow.” In 1940, he was jailed in Moscow; tion camp and become a partisan
the Russian army impressed him into during the war, had moved to Israel,
service in 1940, he was wounded, then the family even had some hope that
discharged at the war’s end. Mean- they could get out. But it took years.
“My father changed jobs 18 times to
not have to work on Shabbes,” Rabbi
Kanelsky said; it was forbidden not to
work on Shabbat, so when his father
How would we did not show up for work, he’d be
four years.” someone will see me and give my name to the authorities. During that time, his father would go to the
Rabbi Rickman started teaching little Mordechai when “This is the choice that an 8-year-old had to make. Does Russian agency that handled visa requests and he
the child was 5. The first two years were relatively easy. he want to hide in a cellar for an unknown number of would be denied. “One day they waved the papers
“The only burden on my father was how to find the years until he is able to leave Russia, but to study Torah in front of his eyes, and they said ‘You are going to
money to pay him,” Rabbi Kanelsky said. But school was with his teacher? Or to go to school. die here.’”
mandatory for 7-year-olds, and home schooling was not “To clarify, we are not talking about not seeing friends. In 1969, the Russian government did a census.
an option. “If you didn’t send a child to school, that was I had no friends. I had no childhood. “They came to our house to search for me,” Rabbi
child abuse, and you could be arrested.” “So I said that I have to think about it, and then I Kanelsky said. “They asked how many people live
But Nossom Kanelsky found a doctor, “who for a lot of decided that I will stay home and study Torah with my there, and my mother said three people, me, my
money said that I wasn’t healthy enough to go to school, teacher, and I will not go outside. I was ready to give up husband, and my young child. They said that’s very
and that I needed one more year home with my mother.” the luxury of seeing the sunshine until the day we leave.” nice, but we have papers that show that there is a
That bought another year. How can a child possibly make a decision like that? boy who was born in Moscow. Where is this boy?
“So in 1968, I was 8 years old, and there was no choice. “I remember what it felt like,” Rabbi Kanelsky said. “I And my mother said he’s in Samarkand, and they
I had to go to school. am telling you about it, and I am reliving the moment. It said okay, we will search for him.
“My father gave me a choice. I could go to school, and was an event that left a mark in my life forever. “And they started searching the house, and my
my father would find a doctor who would write that for “Every child can run around when he is 8. I could not. mother and my grandmother were speaking to each
medical reasons I had to cover my head, and he would buy I had no friends. No games. No nothing. I was sitting in a other in Yiddish, really loud, and my grandmother
me some earplugs so I will not hear anything except for cellar, hiding and studying Torah with a teacher. Picture really was telling me, in Yiddish, they are hot, now
subjects that are permitted, and every Monday he will have yourself giving that choice to your children. they’re cold, and I was running from the attic to the
to find an excuse for why I was not in school on Shabbat.” “From time to time I would say to my children — not garage back to the house to the cellar, and thank
Not an appealing choice. So what was the alternative? now, they are adults now, but when they were children God, thank God, thank God they did not find me.
“My father’s second option was that he would say that — they would say ‘We’re bored,’ and I would say ‘You are “It was terrifying.”
I don’t live at home. That they sent me to live with family not spending two years in a cellar. Take a book.’ And they And then, in February of 1970, “we got a tele-
in Samarkand. And that means that I will not be able to would answer ‘We don’t live in Russia anymore.’ gram from the Russian government. It said take 36
walk outside until the day we leave Russia, because if I do, “And one hundred percent they were right.” rubles and leave Russia within eight days.
“The joy was great. Nobody understood why or
how but that’s what happened. We took the first
plane, my father, my mother, my brother, and me.
R.C.B.C
“I remember sitting on the plane, my mother
24-28 Fair Lawn Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ STORE HOURS was pregnant, and I was watching my father’s eyes
Sunday 8:15am – 8pm and his face. His face was as white as the Shab-
201-475-0077 Mon – Tue 8:15am – 7:30pm bes tablecloth. The plane took off, and when they
info@food-showcase.com Wednesday 8:15am – 9pm
Thursday 8:15am – 9:30pm announced that we were landing in Vienna his face
Follow us on and Friday 8:15am – 3:30pm still was white, and when we landed it became
more pink and slowly turned normal.
"Who will give me wings...I will fly..." The future is closer than you think.
“ אעופה...”מי יתן לי אבר
~ Tehillim/Psalms 55:7 ~
ANNUAL
BENEFIT DINNER
SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 2019
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“I fall from the chair, my pain was so big, and then hide their level of observance, and also because chasidic search for a boy who they knew existed but did not
other boys tackled me. They were beating me. And then culture expects their boys to spend all day studying Jew- go to school.
quite a few girls starting throwing them off me, scream- ish texts. You can’t do that if you have to spend hours at “I was 5 ½,” Ms. Kanelsky said. “I’m four years
ing ‘What are you doing? So what if she’s Jewish? She has a secular school. So what to do? Shterney’s father consid- younger than my brother. When they came in, I was
always been a good friend of ours. How can you do that?’” ered taking his son on the road, traveling endlessly, catch- home, my mother was home, and my brother was
The beating stopped, “then there was another class able at no local level, but her mother pointed out that it playing in the backyard. They said that they’d come
period, and then we were dismissed. There was no staff would be nearly impossible for her and her daughters to to search for a boy named Yossi, who is not attend-
present, and the children did not call anybody for help.” survive if they had no source of income. ing any school. Where is he?
When she got home, “I walked in and I took the brief- So instead they decided to hide him. The story is strik- “My mother became white. She said ‘He is not
case off my back and I threw it across the living room ingly similar to Rabbi Kanelsky’s, but, Ms. Kanelsky said, home.’ ‘Where is he?’ ‘In Moscow.’ And they said
like a Frisbee, with so much anger and pain. And then I on the whole it was a less harsh experience. Their house ‘We do not believe you.’ So they searched for him.
fell on the floor and I was crying for almost two hours. I in Samarkand was huge, she said, and it was surrounded “And they came in, and they were going from
could not talk, because of the physical pain, and the emo- by land, woods, apples trees, and grape vines. “There room to room, going through every single closet,
tional pain. My mother understood that something really were seven kinds of grapes,” she said. “Black grapes, drawer, shelf, looking for him. The house was big.
Much to their disappointment, they did not find
him. He was in the backyard, and he stayed out.
“As the search began, my mother gave me a very
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if he were found he would be sent to Siberia.” The
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got out of the plane and touched the first cousins, found themselves drawn
ground of Israel, bent to the ground to each other. Once Shterney heard
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Like her first cousin, Mordechai money, 37 years ago,” she said, but she
Kanelsky, and his family, Shterney
Zaltzman and her family moved to
was earning money, she was obligated
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Ms. Kanelsky said. ding was in front of 770, and the reb-
Her father opened a dry cleaning be’s window was a little bit open,” she
business, but he continued to sing, and said. That wasn’t what usually hap-
to do outreach with Russian Jews, and pened. “So the rebbe heard the wed-
“he was captivating the crowd, and ding.” The wedding happened to be
bringing so many Jews closer to yid- on one of the nights that the rebbe saw
dishkeit.” Given his charisma, his effec- the people who stood on line waiting
tiveness at outreach, and his strong for his advice and blessing. So after the
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said. She was 20; she went with her and veil, with my chosson, with my Maywood Ridgewood Mahwah Guttenberg
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A year and a half later, Shterney dollar from the rebbe’s holy hand, and
JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019 41
Cover Story
a blessing. And then we stood aside, and the rebbe spoke were to be in Moscow now,” Ms. Kanelsky said. “They can about his childhood.
again. practice yiddishkeit publicly, there are 32 shuls in Mos- “But we were afraid to go,” she said. “Because of
“Till now when I retell the story I feel like the blessing cow, children are walking on the street with peyes, with the stories I’ve told you. Because of what we had
of the rebbe is existing and alive and blessing our out- yarmulkes, with tzitzit. We’d say how lucky they are, that gone through. We didn’t know what would happen.
reach work.” they don’t have to go through these hardships.” “We didn’t trust them.”
The Kanelskys started Bris Avrohom, doing outreach Those groups haven’t come for the last year or so, she Rabbi Kanelsky has a brother who moved back to
work with Russian Jews, in their tiny Brooklyn apart- added; “Russia is giving them a hard time, not giving Russia to do outreach, and he assured his brother
ment. Later they moved to Hillside, had children — now visas. Many people cannot leave Russia now for a visit. and sister-in-law that they’d be safe. “Nothing has
they are grandparents many times over — and became It is a change, and I think it’s not just Jews, but that the happened to me,” Ms. Kanelsky recalls him saying.
increasingly successful with their outreach work. There government is doing it in general.” But still, Rabbi Lazar “But my husband was saying no, and I was saying
are many stories about that work, but not for here. urged the Kanelskys to come to Russia. that they might recall my last name, and my parents
What is relevant here is that the chief rabbi of Russia, “So he said ‘I will arrange a visa for you. You are Amer- had an underground yeshiva. Who knows? Maybe
Berel Lazar, had sent groups of young Russian Jews to the ican citizens. I want you guys to come here.’ It’s been they found this out later. We are parents of chil-
United States twice a year. “The highlight of the trip was 220 years since the liberation from prison of the first dren, and we were really afraid.
to come to visit the headquarters of Bris Avrohom, and Lubavitcher rebbe” — it’s a traditional day of celebration “But our own children said ‘Why are you afraid?’
we would speak about the hardships of our childhood, for Lubavitchers — “and he was planning a big event. He “They are American. They grew up on
and how we kept yiddishkeit strong, and how lucky they asked my husband to be the keynote speaker, and to talk chocolate.”
So in the end, Shterney and Mordechai Kanelsky
went back to Russia. “They arranged visas and tick-
ets and hotels. Between me and my husband, we
did 17 lectures in six days. We had not time to be
afraid or to think that we were in Russia. We were
taken from one place to the next. A car was already
there to take us someplace, and a few hours later a
car took us somewhere else.”
But even with all that hectic activity, Rabbi
Kanelsky wanted to see the house where he’d
grown up, and where he’d spent two years in hid-
ing, venturing out only in moonlight. Ms. Kanelsky
wanted to see it too; she and her family had escaped
the summer heat in Samarkand during some of her
childhood summers by spending it with their cous-
Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls invites the community to our ins in Moscow. In that house.
“It is in a suburb of Moscow, about a 45-minute
drive,” Ms. Kanelsky said. “We were driving closer
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND DINNER and closer, we see it’s the right address, but the
house has an eight-foot fence around it, and we
cannot see through it. We cannot see anything.
“And we were standing there and talking, and
CONG. KETER TORAH dogs started to bark. The driver said that if they are
MARCH 2, 2019 M O T Z E I S H A B B AT
not opening the door, that means that they don’t
כ׳׳ו אדר א׳ תשע״ט 600 R O E M E R AV E N U E AT 8:30 P M
TEANECK, NJ want you. And it is very dangerous.
“This was Russia, after all. If you go and knock on
the door and they don’t want you, they can set the
Please join us in expressing hakarat hatov to our honorees: dogs on you. My hand was about to ring the bell,
but the people said ‘Please don’t,’ and my husband
got so scared that he ran to the car and begged me
to get in too. I was crying. And then we went on to
the next destination.
“I couldn’t stop crying. I was so sad, to come
all this way. The house meant so much to my
husband, and also to me. It was the house of our
bubbe and zayde.” They were so close, but they
just couldn’t get in.
One evening, though, toward the end of the trip,
Rabbi Kanelsky’s brother pointed out that the vis-
HON. JUSTIN BRASCH DR. ROBERT itors had not gone out for a meal. They went to a
MRS. TAMAR APPEL kosher restaurant, “we were eating and talking and
& JULI SMITH BRASCH & OFRA WIND Faculty Recognition Award
Keter Shem Tov Award Amudei Ma’ayanot Award having a good time, and all of a sudden one lady
turns to me and says ‘Are you Mrs. Kanelsky from
New Jersey?’ And I said ‘My goodness, I come here
to Russia, and they know who I am? Was I right to
To make a pledge and reservation, please visit: www.maayanot.org/annual-dinner be scared to come here?’
or contact dinner@maayanot.org “I am looking at her, thinking that she is a Jewish
lady in a kosher restaurant, but who knows? This
is Russia! But then she said ‘I heard you talking. I
was with a bunch of ladies in your synagogue three
years ago, and I heard how you were speaking with
your husband, and told us the stories of all that you
had gone through in Russia. Was that you?’
42 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Cover Story
“So she recognized us!” positive,” Ms. Kanelsky said. “So many good outcomes told me, ‘Don’t’ worry. Today is Shabbat, so no lights are
As it turned out, she lived in the suburbs where for the people we lectured for. And the whole experience activated. Everything is off today because it is Shabbat.
the Kanelskys’ house was; when Ms. Kanelsky of Russia was transformed to something so positive. We You can go right through.’
described the house, and their unsuccessful are thankful to God that we went. “So I pinched myself. I am dreaming. I walked out and
attempt to go inside, “she said ‘That’s not a prob- “People are asking when we are going again, and I the guard tells me to go straight and then to turn. I contin-
lem.’ And I jumped off the chair, and said ‘What think that now we could go again. We broke the ice. ued, but I still didn’t believe that I wouldn’t get stopped. I
do you mean?’ And she said ‘My husband is on the “Before this, we lived constantly with fear. When we kept looking behind me.’” But she was safe.
town housing commission. He knows every house went to shul on Shabbat there, I was so scared. It was “This shul had seven floors, and to my surprise there
in town and who lives there. It’s not a problem. Let my experience. I kept looking back to see if anyone was was someone on every floor with a gun. They were pro-
me call my husband right now.’ following me. tecting the shul. With guns. And children with peyes.”
“I am looking at my husband and crying and I “I had to go through a security booth, and I was afraid. I (Rabbi Lazar has “a close relationship with Mr. Putin,” she
said ‘This is my dream come true.’” stopped right away. I was afraid that the lights were going said; she thinks that explains the high level of protection.)
The next day, they put off all their planned activ- to go on.” She worried, in other words, that her entrance “And I said to myself, ‘Wow, this is a different Russia
ities, and went to the house. would trigger automatic lights, and thus break Shabbat. that we have come to visit.”
“We walked there, and we were shaking,” Ms. “I see four guards sitting there, and to my surprise, they A very different Russia.
Kanelsky said. “My husband burst into tears right
away. He said ‘This is the place where I was walking
LAST CALL!
at night with my grandfather. This is the path. And
then he took us into the house, and asked if there
is a cellar. There was a door in the floor, and then
there were steps down. And he moved the table — it
was under the table — and we picked up the door,
and my husband’s face was rolling with tears.
80OFF
BELOW COST!
dom. There is no KGB. We are not afraid.
“It looked amazing. It looked almost the same.
%
It was emotional. And then we went into the attic,
where my bubbe hid chasidim when the KGB was
after them.
“And we saw the well where my zayde took water
for baking matzah. It was all there. UP TO
“We were crying, we were laughing, we were
looking around. We didn’t know how to thank that
gentleman who got us in, and he was so happy that
he made us happy.”
Both Kanelskys are very glad that they decided to
go back to Russia.
“The whole experience turned out to be
4 LAST
DAYS LEFT
DAY TUES. FEB. 26th
Rabbi Kanelsky points down to the cellar in Due to nature of this sale we will not be offering alterations even with a charge. No phone orders please.
the house he grew up in outside Moscow.
JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019 43
Jewish World
BRIEFS
Ilhan Omar apologizes to Jewish groups for tweets aimed at AIPAC’s integrity
In a brief confidential conference call with Jewish Omar came under fire last week for posting suc- agency HIAS, Americans for Peace Now, and Bend the Arc.
organizations, Representative Ilhan Omar apolo- cessive tweets suggesting that the American Israel Omar kept her remarks brief but promised to meet
gized for any hurt caused by her tweets suggesting Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby, pays face to face with the groups in the near future.
that AIPAC pays politicians to support Israel. politicians to be pro-Israel. Democratic and Republi- She said the call was an opportunity “for you all
“Let me reiterate my sincere apology for any actual can leaders condemned the tweets as echoing anti-Se- to directly hear from me how I feel about my actions
hurt my words have caused,” Omar, a freshman Dem- mitic stereotypes about Jews, money and power. The and for us to start the process of not only healing but
ocratic congresswoman from Minnesota, said on allegation is also false, as AIPAC does not donate to building a relationship and getting to the process of
Tuesday afternoon, according to someone present candidates or endorse them. politicking on our viewpoints on this.”
on the call. “I know there are a lot of people who in Omar subsequently apologized for the tweets. Omar said it is up to the Jewish community to
the last weeks have expressed support in trying to say The call included a range of centrist and liberal Jewish define anti-Semitism. “I do not want to give space or
this isn’t anti-Semitic or this shouldn’t be looked at in groups including the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish energy to anyone who wants to minimize the hurt,”
that way.” Democratic Council of America, the refugee resettlement she said. JTA WIRE SERVICE
Jewish World
risked their lives to save Jews — far more than from “We saw the dynamics last year, so we know how
Poland any other country. it works more or less,” Pankowski said. “It’s a kind of
FROM PAGE 35
Netanyahu’s joint statement with Morawiecki last spark that activates the kind of prejudice and rhetoric
a shameful and racist remark.” The Polish Foreign Ministry year also seemed to equate anti-Semitism with animus that is ready made.”
reprimanded Israel’s ambassador to Poland, Anna Azari, and toward Poles; it went from a condemnation of anti-Sem- Pankowski rejected the equivalence of anti-Sem-
is reported to be considering withdrawing Magierowski from itism straight to the statement that “both governments itism and anti-Polonism, saying that he had “never
Tel Aviv in protest. also express their rejection of anti-Polonism and other heard about anyone in Israel believing there is a Pol-
Katz was unapologetic, telling i24 News that “no one negative national stereotypes.” Later the Polish press ish global plot against the Jewish people, but I’ve
will tell us how to express ourselves or how to remember reported that Morawiecki had emphasized that the heard many times in Poland people [saying] that
our fallen.” declaration was the first that put anti-Polonism on the there is a global Jewish plot against the Polish people.”
By early afternoon in Jerusalem the summit had been books as a recognized form of discrimination. While acknowledging the complicity of “a num-
canceled officially. It was a stunning reversal from last “One should read the current Polish reactions to ber of Poles” in the Holocaust, the Union of Jewish
year, when Netanyahu had appeared to endorse a Polish Israeli expressions in this context,” said Havi Dreifuss, Communities in Poland responded harshly to Katz’s
narrative of the war years and released a joint statement a historian of the Holocaust in Eastern Europe at Tel words, saying in a statement that “accusing all Poles
with his Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki, defend- Aviv University. “Polish officials stated it is racism, of anti-Semitism offends the righteous; it also offends
ing Poland’s wartime record. That statement was itself an since for them Israel confirmed that anti-Polonism all those who today want to see in them the true rep-
effort to repair ruptured ties after Jerusalem condemned and anti-Semitism are similar fundamental hatreds. resentation of Polish society. And it also offends us,
Poland for a controversial law that made it a crime to hold This is just one problematic practical consequences Polish Jews, who are a part of that society.”
Poland responsible for Nazi crimes. of the joint declaration. “One does not clarify lies by another set of lies,” Pol-
The release of the joint statement led to an unprecedented “Yet one should also note that much of what was said ish Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich said. “It is not honest
rebuke of the prime minister from the usually apolitical Yad lately in the Israeli media is far from being accurate. The and it is not moral to fight lies with another set of lies.
Vashem Holocaust memorial. It termed the joint statement fact that many Poles took part in harming Jews doesn’t “What do you want?” he replied when asked about
“an offense not only to the historical truth, but also to the mean that all Poles killed Jews. And the Holocaust was the uproar in Poland. Katz “functionally said that
memory of the heroism of the Righteous Among the Nations.” first and foremost the product of Nazi Germany and its all Poles are anti-Semites. So how do you expect the
Yad Vashem has recognized more than 6,800 non-Jew- murderous ideology. Moreover, anti-Semitism was one Poles to react? There are irresponsible people on both
ish Poles as Righteous Among the Nations for having important motive for Polish readiness to harm Jews, sides, and when an irresponsible statement is made it
but was definitely not the only one. Updated research empowers other irresponsible people to react. This in
and the vast documentation available exposed how no way justifies anti-Semitism in Poland, just as it does
alongside Polish anti-Semitism, Jews were harmed for not justify distortion of the truth by Israeli leaders.”
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to be anti-Semitic. Pankowski cited recent statements V4 summit, instead praising himself for expanding
by journalist Rafał Ziemkiewicz, a host on state tele- Israeli diplomatic relations around the world while
vision, who tweeted to his 166,000 followers that pointing to a map labeled “expanding Israel’s diplo-
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response” because this is what they want.
Another state TV personality, Jakub Pacan, said he
Poland remained on the map.
“There has been a tremendous change in Israel’s
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She later issued a statement saying she was “deeply
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arguments about relatives and acquaintances.
building walls, I Jewish geography is a very real he Torah prohibits us from putting “a Deuteronomy 22:11). Even though the prohibition
keep thinking about bridges. thing, and now we can add to it stumbling block before the blind.” The does not apply to the non-Jew, he or she may resell
Listening to Rabbi Mordecai Jewish genealogy. Just send off commandment appears as a simple the garment to a Jew, who is forbidden to wear it.
Kanelsky and his wife, Shter- some spit — not random spit, phrase in Leviticus 19:14, but its implica- Even though that would not have been not a first-
ney, talk about their child- spit collected in a 23 and Me tions are far-reaching. hand sale, a stumbling block was created by the
hoods, it’s hard to stop think- vial, grossness notwithstand- On its face, the commandment appears to be original otherwise legal sale.
ing about walls. ing — and you’ll get back a huge unnecessary. Other mitzvot regarding how we are Another indirect stumbling block is discussed
They were walled in. They list of surprising cousins. Some to respect and care for each other cover such a in BT Bava Metzia 75b, where the rule is applied,
and their families were not might even turn out to have circumstance more than adequately. More to the among other things, to lending someone money
free to leave the Soviet Union, been friends. point, the Torah forbids creating an obstruction outside the presence of witnesses, or at least with-
and they were not free to live Soon you realize that one of that in turn creates a public hazard (the “open pit”; out some provable document testifying to it. If the
as they chose within that huge the reasons that we all seem see Exodus 21:33-34) — and putting borrower subsequently denies ever
umbrella country, made up of to know each other is that in an obstacle in the path of a blind receiving the loan, this could cause
many different cultures but all truth we are a very small peo- person fits that bill perfectly. others to think ill of the lender. That,
of them oppressed. The more ple. But it doesn’t matter. It still The Torah does not aimlessly pro- in turn, would cause them to violate
Jewish they wanted to be — brings real joy. nounce do’s and don’ts, however. If other Torah laws (especially Exodus
and even those of us who are I think about these bridges the “stumbling block” is there, there 23:1, which prohibits both uttering
not and never will be chasidic between people, and the wall must be a reason. To understand and receiving a false report, as inter-
recognize that chasidim are that we are asked to want to that reason, we need to understand preted in BT Pesachim 118a).
visibly, unmistakably Jewish in build, to keep people out. what the Torah means by a “stum- The stumbling block also pro-
ways that the rest of us are not I am eternally grateful to bling block” and by “blind.” scribes deceptive business practices
— the more they boxed them- the United States for allowing According to the Babylonian Tal- Shammai in general. BT Bava Metzia 59b-60a,
selves in. Walled themselves in. my grandparents and great mud tractate Pesachim 22b, putting Engelmayer for example, prohibits diminishing
Walled themselves off, in ways grandparents in, for not mak- temptation before someone that in some way the quality of a wine,
that were neither healthy nor ing the end of their arduous leads him or her to sin is “putting or mixing higher quality produce
pleasant. As Rabbi Kanelsky (and details-lost-to-history) trek a stumbling block before the blind.” The exam- with a lesser quality, then selling the altered prod-
said, “I had no childhood.” across Europe and then the ple cited there is handing a Nazirite a cup of wine, uct to a merchant who unwittingly resells it at a
When the Kanelskys went Atlantic end in rejection, fear, presumably implying that he is permitted to drink higher price, causing the “blind” merchant to sin
back to Russia, though, among and quite possibly death, with it, which he is not. by unwittingly deceiving the buyer.
the rush of experiences that no place left to go, no place to The stumbling block does not even have to be first We find yet another kind of stumbling block
greeted them was meeting a turn, no welcome anywhere. hand, however, as we see in BT Avodah Zarah 14b- in BT Kiddushin 32a. It begins with a discussion
woman who first had met them I am eternally grateful to the 15b. For example, it says, while it is legal under Jew- about how far a person must go to honor a par-
in New Jersey. Jewish people for intertwining ish law to sell a weapon or its accessories to some- ent, with the specific example given of a parent
That was a bridge, one of the all of us so tightly and surpris- one who is permitted to buy such things, it is not doing something in front of his or her child that
many connections that link us. ingly, for making a pattern full permitted to do so if the seller merely suspects the diminishes the value of an eventual inheritance.
I have friends — including of brightly colored surprises. buyer might resell the purchase to a suspected thief, Because that act could anger the child, leading
one who is a columnist for I am glad that so many of us say, or to a person suspected of having violent ten- him or her to violate the Torah’s thrice-repeated
this newspaper — who seem have managed to escape from dencies. (It is not a stretch to see the need for back- “honor/revere” commandment (Exodus 20:12,
to know at least every other those walls that kept us in, and ground checks for gun buyers here.) Leviticus 19:3, and Deuteronomy 5:16), it is put-
Jew born in the last, say six to evade those walls that are The item sold does have to be dangerous, how- ting a stumbling block before the blind. BT Moed
decades or so, and who are meant to keep us out. ever. BT Avoda Zara 65b forbids selling clothing Katan 17a goes even further. It says the father
related to at least half of them. I hope that other people — to a non-Jew if it contains wool and linen that are who strikes his adult son violates the stumbling
I know people in my Upper other huddled masses yearn- so interwoven that the strands are indistinguish- block, because the son might curse his father
West Side apartment building ing to be free — also find their able and unidentifiable. The Torah prohibits Jews (violating honor/revere), or worse, strike him
who know people I know in way over or around or through from wearing such garments (the law of shaatnez, back, a capital offense according to Exodus 21:15.
Bergen County, and who know the walls, so that they too can
me not through our living in become free. —JP Shammai Engelmayer is rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel of the Palisades, now in Fort Lee.
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L
layer of explanation: The stumbling block commandment
forbids giving someone bad or even uninformed advice. una is curled up on the top stub-fingered hands, gripping her
This commandment comes in five simple Hebrew words of the couch like a furry stuffed pizza while she concentrates
(nine in English translation), but those words provide the croissant. on ripping the squeaker out of it, or
foundation for a virtual library-full of laws that all too often Just now, she is gazing at holding her pigskin chew toy while
go ignored in our society. me resentfully. She has just watched me she gnaws on it. (Or sometimes, less
Manufacturers, for example, have their stumbling block remove the knob of challah she had so adorably, our shoes, a kippah, the
in what is known as “planned obsolescence.” Webster carefully tucked into a crevice between mail, hats, flipflops, reading glasses. A
defines this as “the practice of making or designing some- two seat cushions, nosing imaginary passport, once.)
thing (such as a car) in such a way that it will only be usable earth over it so no one would find it. While I straighten up the living
for a short time so that people will have to buy another one.” “Sorry, girl,” I apologize, trying to Helen Maryles room, she watches me collect her
Some greengrocers mix older greens in with fresher explain my heartless actions. “This will Shankman tennis balls, her pink piggie, and her
ones and sell the package as fresh, or use stale greens in be a mess to clean after it dries up. That knotted rope from the carpet and put
their salad bars. Supermarkets spray their produce with means crumbs inside the couch. And them in her bed. After I’m finished,
water, presumably to keep them fresh, but also to give Pesach is coming.” she deliberately and meticulously moves all the toys
the impression they were washed beforehand. Some Luna glares at me balefully. She is not convinced back onto the carpet, where she feels they belong.
supermarkets also cover 21 fruits and vegetables with by my logic. Smacking my toe against a chair that is in the
some type of wax to provide them with a more beauti- Some dogs love squeaky toys or belly rubs. My wrong place, I yell out in pain and hobble over to the
ful, fresher appearance. (The wax may be legally applied dog loves food. She will do anything, learn any trick, couch. Luna is right there, trying to help in her own
to apples, avocadoes, bell peppers, cantaloupes and mel- attempt whatever her human family asks of her, as doggie way, by urgently licking my face.
ons, several citrus fruits, cucumbers, eggplants, parsnips, long as there is a Pup-Peroni training treat at the end At night, in bed, I open my eyes to find Luna’s foxy
passion fruits, peaches, pineapples, pumpkins, rutabagas, of it. Luna is 100 percent certain that she must put face next to mine, her soulful brown eyes watching
squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and turnips.) food by for some forthcoming doggie apocalypse, me. Silently, she gives my face a sleepy lick — “Oh
Politicians, of course, routinely place stumbling blocks when there will be no kibble available from Petco, goody, you’re alive!”— then tunnels her way down
before us by misrepresenting facts, or distorting them and she will have to rely on her wits and the chunks the bed to settle in a comfy spot down at our feet.
beyond any semblance of truth. of challah she has stored in our sectional. In the morning, Luna sings out her joy at see-
Sadly, the media, whose task it should be to report facts ing us, which in corgis is a sound that falls some-
as disinterestedly as possible, have become part of the where between a howl and a yodel. Then she per-
problem. There was a time when the first rule for report- forms an elaborate bow-and-stretch combination,
ers was this: “State the facts devoid of spin, avoid code an invitation to her humans to pet her and give
words of any kind, and never let your politics show.” We
need only watch MSNBC, CNN, or FOX News to realize
To be completely her scritches.
To be completely truthful, I must also tell you
how that rule is unabashedly abused. truthful, I must also tell that introducing a dog to your home is like having
I believe President Trump is guilty of many things,
including promoting the current climate of hate in Amer-
you that introducing a 2-year-old tottering around your house without
a diaper. The energy that has no off switch, the
ica. I see him, also, as the master of putting stumbling a dog to your home is potty training, the teething, the putting delicate
blocks before us by his repeated lies and distortions.
The media, however, by failing to observe that first rule,
like having a 2-year- things out of reach, the need to set rules and be
firm — it’s all there.
create their own stumbling block. A specific instance came old tottering around Why do we do it? It’s a lot of extra work. It’s a lot
in the last few weeks, when the media jumped to conclu-
sions about an alleged hate crime incident before all the ver-
your house without of aggravation. It’s a lot of poop. Not to mention the
costs. What do we get out of it?
ifiable facts were in — and we are still awaiting those facts. a diaper. The energy Life is full of anxieties. Will people like us? Will we
A television actor claimed to police that two racist,
homophobic Trump supporters viciously attacked him in
that has no off switch. get into the school we dream of? Will we get the job,
the house, will we be able to pay the bills, will they
front of a Chicago hotel on January 29. The actor, who is love us, will we say the wrong thing, will we have
gay and black, and his claim received a great deal of air While watching Luna hoard bread like she children, will we get sick, will we fight, will we get
time and printer’s ink, and he, his interviewers, and other expects that war is coming is hilarious, it’s also fas- through it? Will we be okay?
commentators used the incident to attack hate in gen- cinating. Delicately holding her treasure in her lips, And there is your dog, searching your eyes, fran-
eral (usually a good thing to do) and Trump in particular she carries it from the dining room to the living tically trying to figure out what’s wrong and how to
(appropriate only if facts support it). Police subsequently room, then leaps on the couch. On her comically help, gazing at you like you are the only thing that
arrested two men believed to be the attackers, but then short legs she paces back and forth, searching for matters in the whole wide world. When you are
suddenly released them late last week. This week, Chicago exactly the right crevice to conceal it in. With her petting your dog, everything seems a little more
police say they are investigating whether the actor hired sharp snout, she pushes it out of sight between the manageable.
the two men to stage the attack. folds of her bed, behind throw pillows, under our Why do we do it? For the fun. For comfort and joy.
Too many people in America believe the increase in hate butts. Though she is a corgi, a breed that has been And for love. Endless, unconditional, uncomplicated
crimes is fake news, and so is the claim that Trump’s rhet- domesticated for over 1,000 years, her wild, wolf- love. Is there anything better than that?
oric contributes to it, although the facts say otherwise in ish instincts compel her to go through this activity
both instances. While it is the media’s job to report the again and again, despite the fact that she has never Helen Maryles Shankman of Teaneck is an artist
facts of a hate crime as they are known at the time (or the had to fend for herself, and the closest she gets to and writer. Her work appears in many fine
unadulterated facts about anything else, for that matter), nature is running around the yard to bark at squir- journals, including The Kenyon Review, Gargoyle,
finger-pointing before all the verifiable facts are in only rels and the occasional deer. Jewishfiction.net, and Cream City Review. Scribner
serves to lend credence to the fake news claims. I am continually struck by how human her recently published her second novel, “In The Land
Beyond bringing reports of hate crimes in general actions are. She uses her paws like they are tiny, of Armadillos.”
in disrepute, doing so also lends credence to all the
fake news claims coming from the White House and
the radical right, to the detriment of the truth, to our The opinions expressed here are those of the authors, not necessarily those of the newspaper’s editors,
safety, and to our democracy. publishers, or other staffers. We welcome letters to the editor. Send them to jstandardletters@gmail.com.
H
aving been on both sides formally banned its members from sometimes establish set- these include the spread
of the synagogue pulpit, as ordaining or hiring women as clergy or tled law. Historically, these of the Young Israel move-
well as a member of local religious teachers in Orthodox institu- authorities and practices ment’s uniform prayer
and national rabbinical tions, specifically mentioning Yeshivat were important when it style, as well as the accep-
boards, I thought I might shed light on Maharat so there could be no mistake. came to the integrity of tance of a common start
why the Rabbinical Council of Bergen The Orthodox Union followed suit Jewish tradition. In the time for Shabbat (despite
County recently codified and enforced more recently. land of Israel and in Bab- old debates about pre-
a rule clarifying that it will accept only There are a number of reasons for the ylonia, where large Jewish cisely when it begins). In
men in the clergy, without leaving fur- Orthodox opposition to clerical egalitar- communities lived, some Israel, the streamlining
ther room for debate. This is a rare phe- ianism. They are too complex for a short degree of uniformity was Rabbi includes Rabbi Ovadia
nomenon in American Orthodoxy, and op-ed, and they have been rehashed in important so Jews could Dr. Mitchell Yosef’s forging of a Sephar-
it’s worth considering, particularly in print for years. They include biblical, live together. Uniformity Rocklin dic identity from different
light of complaints making their rounds halachic, sociological, communal, and was less important in the eastern Jewish customs,
from Teaneck congregants and bloggers. practical considerations, all of which broader diaspora, where as well as the establish-
To understand this decision, some have been thoroughly debated. What many relatively isolated communities ment of communal kashrut standards.
background is in order. After the Reform is important to understand now is why created their own customs. (Although it Uniformity is particularly important for
and Conservative movements began to Orthodox Judaism, which normally is should be noted that many communities prayer and kashrut, since it is extraor-
ordain women as rabbis, the male com- characterized by a robust debate (as still pursued uniformity on important dinarily difficult for Orthodox people to
position of Orthodoxy’s clergy became the joke goes, when there are two Jews, matters, either by appealing to recog- live together without being able to pray
an additional dividing line between the there are three opinions), is pressing for nized rabbis like the gaonim of the Mid- and eat together.
Jewish denominations. When Rabbi uniformity on this issue. dle East, or by following codes of law like Indeed, prayer and kashrut standards
Avi Weiss’s Yeshivat Maharat adopted The first point to address is how Jew- that of Maimonides.) were the focus of American Orthodox
this practice, the Rabbinical Council ish communal decisions are made. At Greater uniformity made a comeback associations for decades. For instance,
of America unanimously resolved in the local level, every rabbi, and ulti- with the development of American and swordfish became uniformly unaccept-
a member resolution that it would not mately the congregants who abide by Israeli Orthodoxy. While Orthodox Jews able in Orthodox circles, even though
accept women rabbis, “regardless of their rulings, decide most issues. But have embraced the diversity of customs there was room to argue that it was
title.” When Yeshivat Maharat and its there also are greater rabbis who have created in the diaspora, the need to kosher. In the synagogue, mechitzah
supporters ignored this and a subse- appellate-like force, as well as customs maintain common basic standards has partitions became a requirement, even
quent 2013 resolution, in 2015 the RCA spanning across the Jewish nation that led to a lot of streamlining. In America, though the Jewish legal literature is
W
ith the shorter days and yeshivot, among Ashkenazim and to Montebello, N.Y., in our commonalities. We see
of midwinter, saying Sephardim. Rockland County. Monte- each other’s shortcomings,
mincha, the afternoon Depending on the service, the words bello is part of the town glancing over each oth-
prayers, can be a chal- of the kaddish changed. I learned to add of Ramapo, and it borders er’s gifts. It seems that we
lenge. The afternoon can zip by, and dusk words when praying in Sephardic min- Monsey. Rockland is a have lost the ability to see
approaches all too soon. Under normal yanim, to say it faster in some minyanim unique place. I knew that the Jewishness, if not the
conditions, mincha in the winter is an and slower in others. I remember feeling from my first visit to buy humanity, in each other.
exercise in mindfulness, but when you a sense of awkwardness, the first weeks I kosher meat. There are With this all this in mind,
are saying kaddish for a family member, was saying kaddish. I attributed most of other communities that I began to look for a min-
it takes on an urgency. it to the loss of my mother, but some of have a large kosher super- Rabbi Joshua yan for mincha. While the
A number of years ago, while I was it was due to praying in different venues market with a butcher sec- S. Finkelstein robust Jewish community
serving as the rabbi of a Conservative syn- and with different communities. tion and cooked meats, but made it easy to find a min-
agogue in northern New Jersey, I faced Years later, I find myself on a somewhat most don’t have so many yan, the nature of the com-
this reality when my mother passed away. similar, but different journey. My moth- offerings. Driving through Rockland and munity made me question if I could find
With the development of the internet, er-in-law recently passed away, and now shopping in Monsey, it is apparent how one where a woman could say kaddish.
finding a minyan was a much easier exer- my wife is saying kaddish. If I found the different the demographic makeup of In the past, I would find a minyan,
cise than it had been for a previous gener- responsibility of finding a mincha service Rockland County is from my previous show up, and begin praying. Now, want-
ation. Online minyan maps and websites to say kaddish daunting, it would be dou- communities. While there is a plethora ing to avoid discomfort for my wife, me,
allowed me to find minyanim throughout bly so for my wife. Ours is an egalitarian of kosher foods and a deep Jewish infra- and anybody else, I decided to call first.
the metropolitan area, easing the sense Conservative shul, so even if she were the structure here, there is also a deeply The calls were an exercise in engagement.
of urgency, while opening me up to other only one saying kaddish, the community diverse Jewish community that often As I explained our need, I was met with
opportunities. would respond amen. But we do not have seems to live in parallel worlds, even as quizzical questions. “You know we are
Throughout my year of saying kaddish, a daily mincha, so saying kaddish means they drive on the same streets. an Orthodox minyan?” “Would you be
I found myself in all types of minyanim. I finding a minyan that would welcome her. We share the same history, read the saying kaddish, too?” In a call to a phone
prayed in synagogues and offices, in fac- Based on my previous experience say- same Torah, and pray to the same God, number I was asked if I could wait while
tories and lobbies, with egalitarian min- ing kaddish, I didn’t know what to expect. but we often look at each other as the he checked with the rabbi. One rabbi told
yanim and with chasidim, at day schools A little over a year ago, we relocated other. We focus on our differences, not on me it was not their custom, but a woman
I
even as late as the 10th century. by prioritizing careers over the raising of
Today, when the RCBC enforces the children, it has contributed to the non-Or- s there a greater it was clear to all that
RCA’s and OU’s standards concerning thodox birth rate becoming the lowest of moment than what would be pro-
women rabbis, it is simply ensuring any group in America. Indeed, Pew has holding your new- tected would be hate
that American Orthodox Jews can pray found that modern Orthodox Jews have born son for the speech. Posts on the
together, just as it supervises restau- far fewer children than charedim, and a first time? Jackson Strong site
rants in our community so that we can recent survey by Nishmat found that the Just days ago, I expe- put up shortly after
eat together. Not everyone is happy with more progressive portions of the modern rienced that wondrous the council meeting
the standards, but this does not lessen Orthodox community have lower birth- event. Yet Wednesday attempted to falsely
their necessity. rates than the community’s more tradi- evening, instead of being reverse the evening’s
This raises the question of why some tionalist elements. But it’s hard to know, home preparing for the Michael proceedings by writ-
Orthodox Jews seem trapped, unable and the latter survey was unscientific. brit (circumcision) of our Cohen ing “unfortunately
to accept communal standards in good Regardless of the precise causes, baby boy, I found myself there was zero time
conscience, yet unwilling to move into however, the general picture we have sitting at the Jackson for the residents of
one of the more liberal denominations. is that egalitarianism does not seem to Township Council meeting in southern Jackson who wanted to rebut what was
It may be that they feel comfortable with be “good for the Jews.” That does not New Jersey, more than an hour and a being said.” Parliamentary procedure
most Orthodox practices, and because mean that there is no place for it. The half away from my home. embedded in the New Jersey Open Pub-
Orthodoxy has been the most success- SEE RCBC PAGE 52 I was sitting with a local African lic Meetings Act requires equal time
ful of the denominations, as the recent American community leader, Colin for all who want to address the rele-
Pew Report’s demographic numbers Rabbi Dr. Mitchell Rocklin is a Lewis, and a member of the Toms River vant governing body on any issue, with
highlighted. postdoctoral research fellow at Princeton Jewish Community Council. We felt the exception of matters dealing with
The problem is that it is impossible to University’s James Madison program. He compelled to be there, together with current municipality litigation or that
separate Orthodoxy’s success from its is also a chaplain in the Army National a multitude of other community, reli- could incite violence or breaking the
opposition to the very egalitarian trends Guard and has served as a pulpit rabbi gious, and political leaders, to support law. In fact, throughout the meeting, to
that supporters of women rabbis wish to and on the executive committee of the a resolution the governing body was the credit of the City Council President
embrace. Across the United States, egali- Rabbinical Council of America. He lives in considering for inclusion on the council Robert Nixon, he not only made clear
tarian trends have had a deleterious effect Teaneck with his wife and two daughters. agenda. The resolution condemned the that anyone could address the govern-
use of offensively distorted Holocaust ing body, but on many occasions he
imagery and the unapproved photos made a point to invite anyone attending
of elementary school yeshiva children; to come to the podium to be recognized
they were used by a group that opposes and heard. As one person after another
would be welcome as long as a man would and even prayers differ, and some pray from the expansion of a Jewish presence in voiced support for the resolution in
say kaddish with her. a Sephardi prayer book and others from an that part of New Jersey. question, full access certainly was pro-
From the onset, we had known that we Ashkenazi one, our belief in one God and We were buoyed by the outspo- vided for the expression of opposing
would make compromises to find places our shared history bind us together. ken leadership by the Rev. John P. points of view. Apparently, these bullies
to say kaddish. While we are egalitarian in We acclaim our shared belief in one God Bambrick of Jackson’s Saint Aloysius chose to hide in the anonymous shad-
practice, my wife values her obligation to twice a day, when we say “Shema Yisrael” Church, representing 6,300 hundred ows of social media instead of stepping
say kaddish. Though our preference is not — “Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord local congregants, asking to “raise up” up to the public microphone.
to daven with a mechitzah, and we count is One.” It is that core belief that is found on Ocean County and oppose a divisive The resolution at hand is narrow
women in our minyan, we accept the real- every mezuzah that is affixed to the door- video by an organization calling itself and specific. The language says only
ity that not every Jew does, and not every post on every Jewish home and is inscribed “Rise Up Ocean County.” that the actions of a particular group,
community is like ours. While some peo- on the tefillin worn when we pray each Municipal council meetings often in these particular instances, should
ple didn’t fully understand why a woman weekday morning. In the Talmud (Brachot can run late into the night. That gave be wholly condemned. Our reason
would feel obligated to say kaddish, there 6a) our rabbis speculate about “God’s me ample opportunity to do what any for being present at the Jackson City
was an acquiescence as we began to find tefillin” and say that in God’s tefillin is the proud new father does — to show off Council meeting on this cold February
places where she could say it. verse, “who is like your people Israel, one photos of my newborn. More signifi- evening was simply to ask the govern-
At one business, the owner welcomed us nation on the earth.” cantly, it provided time to realize that ing body to say publicly that Holocaust
into his office. When we asked about help We will not always agree. We do not those of us, like me, who are fortunate distortion is simply and unequivocally
to find a minyan for another day, he gave practice the same way or live similar lives. enough to represent institutions such wrong, whatever the cause.
us the name of a place in Monsey. In Mon- Our choices will differ and our lifestyles as the Simon Wiesenthal Center, are My hope, prayer, and commitment
sey, we were told woman don’t usually say diverge, but in spite of all our differences, blessed with the distinct opportunity to my family and neighbors is that the
kaddish, but there was a women’s section what we share is greater than what sepa- to do my share in trying ensure a bet- Simon Wiesenthal Center will con-
in the back. Over the past weeks, our dis- rates us. As Jews, we are at our best when ter future for my newborn son and tinue to work with people of good will,
comfort melted away, as people would nod we remember that we are one people wor- all his neighbors, young and old, in whatever their background, ethnicity,
and greet us, accepting us, as we accepted shipping one God, a lesson learned long New Jersey and beyond. Standing up or religion, to marginalize bigotry in
them. Orthodox congregations opened their ago and relearned saying Mincha in the for the sanctity of the words of Pastor our midst.
doors, and shop owners made accommoda- middle of winter. Martin Niemöller meant that we were
tions. Through conversations, barriers came protecting a core lesson from the Nazi Michael D. Cohen of Englewood is the
down and defenses were lowered. We are Joshua S. Finkelstein is the rabbi of the Holocaust by not allowing anyone to eastern regional director of the Simon
not the same, but we do have much in com- Montebello Jewish Center, an egalitarian pervert the pastor’s anti-Nazi message. Wiesenthal Center. He represents his
mon. While our accents, pronunciations, Conservative synagogue in Rockland County. Certainly there were those at the city’s Second Ward on Englewood’s City
council hearing who attempted to make Council, and he belongs to Congregation
the standard free speech argument, but Ahavat Torah there.
JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019 51
Opinion
I
n a 5-4 split decision on February The Supreme Court’s decision did not separation does not have Christian denominational
7, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court address whether there was any merit to to be the “wall of separa- need. But the chaplaincy
allowed a Muslim man to be exe- Ray’s claim. That is, there was no ruling tion” that Thomas Jeffer- ideal is committed to offer
cuted in Alabama without an on whether or not Alabama was correct son wanted to construct. reasonable clergy services
imam at his side. to deny the request to have an imam by Indeed, earlier presidents to those to whom the chap-
The decision raises serious concerns Ray’s side in the execution chamber. The also tried to build walls. lain’s care is entrusted.
about our country’s commitment to inter- decision was based on precedent that the Jefferson’s, if it exists in the Interfaith chaplaincy seeks
faith chaplaincy and the way the First court could deny a claim to stay an execu- land of constitutional the- a delicate balance between
Amendment is understood. tion when the claim was of a “last-minute ory, is porous. The state asking chaplains to serve a
Dunn v. Ray was a case about Domin- nature.” Ray should not have waited until does permit a legal role for Rabbi Dr. broader population than
eque Ray, who was executed by the state January 28 to protest the warden’s decision the church. David J. Fine they might in a denomi-
of Alabama later in the evening of Febru- to not have an imam at his side. The impli- Unlike in countries national setting, while at
ary 7 for the murder of three teenagers cation is that a last-minute claim indicates a where there is a more the same time seeking to
in 1999. Dunn v. Ray was not about Ray’s final attempt to prevent an execution from complete rule of separation, I, as an provide the right chaplains for those
trial and conviction, although his lawyers going forward rather than a matter of sub- ordained rabbi, am permitted to sol- who need them. A private hospital may
made many arguments over the years stantive concern to the individual convict. emnize marriages, and those marriages have the resources only for a single staff
since his conviction. This case was about The concern to prevent endless challenges have the force of law in New Jersey, chaplain. Hospitals often will call on local
the application and interpretation of the to executions took precedence over hear- and by extension, almost everywhere clergy to help their chaplains with specific
First Amendment’s protection against ing the merits of the claim. else. The concerns of the Establishment patients. A prison, as a state institution,
“establishment of religion.” In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan, rep- Clause are upheld because New Jersey has an additional burden to avoid estab-
Alabama had a chaplain who was per- resenting the four justices in the minority, does not restrict the power to solemnize lishing one religion over another.
mitted in the execution chamber. But argued that the argument over timing was marriages to, for example, Episcopal Every year in rabbinical school we
that chaplain was Christian, and Ray not convincing because there was no way priests. In Dunn v. Ray, the issue, never would hear a military chaplaincy recruiter
requested an imam. The state said no, for Ray to know, between November 6 fully entertained by the courts, was explain how in the United States rabbis and
that it did not have an imam chaplain, that and January 23, that the warden would whether Alabama was correct in permit- other clergy become officers, emphasizing
an imam could give counsel to Ray before reject his request. Since the prison had a ting full access to the execution chamber how committed the military is to interfaith
the execution and could be present in chaplain who could enter the chamber, only to a Christian chaplain. chaplaincy. I have great respect for those
the observation room, but because of the and since that chaplain was Christian, Alabama’s defense — that only the staff of my colleagues who put on the uniform.
concern for prison safety he could not be why could Ray not request a Muslim chap- chaplain could be permitted in the exe- And I am grateful that my country recog-
present in the execution room itself. lain, and how could he have known that cution chamber because of safety con- nizes the importance of religion while pre-
While the Appeals Court for the Elev- only a Christian chaplain would be per- cerns — was rightly challenged by Justice serving religious diversity and freedom.
enth Circuit in Atlanta had ordered a mitted in the execution chamber? Kagan. All the state had to do was to allow We live in a time for growing political
stay of execution so the claim concern- The real question, which the Supreme a Muslim chaplain onto the prison staff. polarities. Issues like these should remind
ing the Establishment Clause could be Court did not allow the Eleventh Circuit The additional time for whatever training us that the complexities of a balanced
heard, the Supreme Court vacated the to hear, was whether the state has the and certification was necessary is all that centrist approach are in need of commit-
stay and permitted the state to proceed right to permit only a Christian chaplain it would cost before the execution could ted engagement and passionate defense.
with the execution. in the execution chamber. According to be rescheduled. The argument for prison Finding the balance between respect for
The reason the Supreme Court per- Alabama’s policy, as argued by Justice safety is not the issue. Just as any hospital religion and defense of diversity and free-
mitted the execution to go forward Kagan, “a Christian prisoner may have a needs rules on who is allowed in an oper- dom is a difficult project.
without hearing the arguments about minister of his own faith accompany him ating room, certainly a prison should have I was sad that it was not as important to
establishment of religion had to do with to the execution chamber to say his last the same type of regulations. The prob- our Supreme Court as the timely execu-
timing. On November 6, 2018, the prison rights. But if an inmate practices a differ- lem is that Christian prisoners are offered tion of Domineque Ray.
scheduled Ray’s execution for February ent religion — whether Islam, Judaism, or a religious service that non-Christian pris-
7, 2019. On January 23, Ray requested of any other — he may not die with a minis- oners are not. Dr. David J. Fine is the rabbi of Temple
the warden that an imam be permitted ter of his own faith by his side.” That is the Chaplaincy is a challenging and reward- Israel and Jewish Community Center
at his side for the execution, a request crux of the Establishment Clause, that the ing interfaith project. Prison chaplains, in Ridgewood and president of the
that the warden rejected. On January state may not establish any one religion hospital chaplains, military and police New Jersey Rabbinical Assembly. He
28, Ray’s attorneys filed the complaint over another. chaplains, and university chaplains all holds a doctorate in modern European
that his First Amendment rights had The interplay between religion and the are asked to serve a broad range of peo- history and is an adjunct professor
been violated, and on February 6, the state is complicated. While we often hear ple, crossing denominational and faith of Jewish law at the Abraham Geiger
day before execution, the appeals court it said that the Constitution requires a sep- boundaries. Alabama’s prison chaplaincy and Zacharias Frankel colleges at the
issued the stay to hear the arguments. aration between church and state, that program would not have satisfied every University of Potsdam in Germany.
egalitarianism. And the existence of campus, enabling it to provide substan- of clergy is a dividing line today. If
RCBC a growing and vibrant Orthodoxy is tial fellowships to educate open Ortho- demographics are any indication, the
FROM PAGE 51
not something we should tamper with dox men and women for the clergy. minority of Orthodox Jews who dis-
liberal denominations and non-de- lightly if we are concerned with Jewish What the RCBC and umbrella Orthodox agree with the RCA, OU, and RCBC will
nominational Jewish organizations continuity. organizations like the OU and RCA are agree to accept their communal stan-
have embraced it, and they offer Ultimately, this all will sort itself doing, along with Agudath Israel and dards, or join the liberal denomina-
many opportunities for Orthodox Jews out. If Orthodox people want female the National Council of Young Israel, is tions, or become non-denominational,
looking to make a difference in the rabbis, they will have them. There is saying that just as the mechitzah syn- or establish their own small denomina-
broader Jewish community. But it also plenty of non-Orthodox Jewish money agogue partition served as a dividing tion. As Jeremiah told the Jews of Egypt
is understandable that some find wis- that continues to flow into the epicen- line between the Orthodox and liberal during Israel’s debate over how to han-
dom in Orthodoxy’s refusal to adopt ter of open Orthodoxy at its Riverdale denominations, so too the composition dle the exile, only time will tell.
52 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
Letters
Pushed to the edge a provision empowering state and local Because Mr. Kaplan claims that the “My own view, which I have expressed
The February 15 edition of the Jewish governments to ban BDS protests. There controversy affects the “entire com- elsewhere, is that taking into account
Standard troubled me. I am not yet a is a constitutional concern. The First munity,” he complains that the RCBC’s the practical sociological-communal
member of the Jewish Democratic Coun- Amendment prohibits government from bylaws and proceeding have not been realities, a move perceived as ordaining
cil of America, but the Standard might restricting citizen’s speech. U.S. judges in made public. As any organization, the women at the present moment is pre-
very well push me over the edge into Kansas and Arizona struck down similar RCBC is 100 percent within its rights mature.” (Yes, Rabbi Helfgot continues
declaring my support. state laws in 2018. In addition, the bill to establish criteria for membership; to suggest that “as time passes there
There were two troubling pieces in the also ran into opposition, as it was passed the organization’s members can then will be more receptivity to opening up
issue that spark this letter. during the government shutdown. either conform and continue mem- more to areas of spiritual leadership
In his op-ed column, Rabbi David-Seth With all due respect to Rabbi Kirshner bership or not conform and end mem- for women.” With the overwhelming
Kirshner wrote about supporting Donald and the February 15 letter writer, Donald bership. Notwithstanding the public- consensus of modern Orthodox rabbis
Trump for comments made during the Trump does not deserve support for one ity and the ensuing commentary, this against the ordination of women, that
State of the Union address (“Not every- brief moment of political grandstanding. issue does not affect the “entire com- future — the ordination of women — has
thing fits neatly into a box). In so doing, And, the Democratic Party is not anti-Is- munity”; rather this is between the not yet arrived.)
Rabbi Kirshner creates some sort of rael; it never has been and never will be. RCBC and Rabbi Helfgot (and, indi- Mr. Kaplan is concerned that this
moral equivalence between Trump and Eric Weis rectly, Netivot Shalom). As Rabbi Helf- is causing a rift in the community and
his critics (of whom I am one). I reject Wayne got is a member of the RCBC, he does will alienate “a segment of the younger
that assertion. have access to the bylaws and proceed- generation who, unlike some of their
I find it difficult to disassociate char- Why fund hatred? ings; there is no basis for Mr. Kaplan’s elders, are completely comfortable
acter from beliefs and actions. Trump is Rabbi Meir says he loves the Land of complaint regarding the RCBC’s proce- with women in Torah leadership roles.”
a man who has had a lifetime record of Israel “from Mount Hermon to the dural processes. I think it appropriate to reflect on the
sexually questionable behavior. He most beaches of Eilat and everything in In substance, the RCBC is aligning famous words of Rabbi Soloveitchik zt”l
recently (falsely) claimed that the Japa- between” in his op ed, “The faith of a itself with the position adopted by the in remarks made at the 1975 RCA con-
nese prime minister nominated him for liberal Jew” (February 15). Orthodox Union following the halachic vention in the context of another chal-
the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel com- Unfortunately, he belongs to a group, decision of a rabbinical panel of seven lenge facing the Orthodox community.
mittee has rejected two former nomina- the New Israel Fund, that funds organi- leading rabbis. In a thoughtful state- “I want to be frank and open. Do you
tions, in 2017 and 2018, as forgeries. zations that accuse the Israel Defense ment accompanying the decision, the expect to survive as Orthodox rabbis?
As for beliefs and action, Trump has Forces of war crimes and wants to give OU described the panel being made up Do you expect to carry on the mesorah
never repudiated the “very fine peo- up the in between to Palestinians who of “rabbis each enjoying an exceptional under such circumstances?... I know
ple” in Charlottesville, and has fueled still teach Jew hatred, venerate terror- national reputation for scholarship and that modern life is very complex…. We
anti-Semitism with his consistent sup- ists, and kill fellow Palestinians for the integrity, each a significant, recognized are confronted with horrible problems
port of white nationalism. And despite horrific crime of selling land to Jews. I talmid chacham; individuals to whom — social, political, cultural — and prob-
a great deal of hype over the past 15 have a suggestion: Why don’t you join a large segments of our communities’ lems of the family, of the community,
years, none of Donald Trump’s real group that seeks to change Palestinian rabbis routinely turn for psak on issues and of the society in general. We feel,
estate plans in Israel ever have resulted society so that an accommodation can of significance and who have, as a con- and I sometimes feel like you, as if we
in a brick or golf course being built. someday be contemplated, instead of sequence, dealt with national issues in are swimming against the tide; the tide is
Trump has never visited Auschwitz, afflicting a war-weary Israeli public with communities both large and small, and moving rapidly, with tremendous force,
and after a visit to Yad Vashem, he left funding from groups that seek its harm? both homogeneous and heterogeneous in the direction opposite of the way in
a guestbook message that many found Michael Milchen in hashkafa.” which we are going…. We are facing an
outrageous. At one of his rallies, a sup- New Milford The conclusion of the OU’s rabbini- awesome challenge, and I am mind-
porter was videotaped shouting, “Go to cal panel should come as no surprise. ful of all that…. What can we do? This
f…ing Auschwitz” at protesters. Holding the line I have no doubt that all of the rabbis is toras moshe; this is surrender; this is
Trump has abandoned the Middle I take the opportunity to respond to Mr. named in Mr. Kaplan’s article regard Rav kabalas ol malchus shamayim. We sur-
Eastern peace process, with the result Joseph Kaplan’s February 14 column, Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l as a towering render. The Torah summons the Jew to
of chaos in Yemen and Syria, an empow- “When our leaders fail us.” figure and authority for centrist/modern live halachically…. We surrender to the
ered Hezbollah, and an Iran vowing to Mr. Kaplan opens his column by recall- Orthodoxy. In 2010, Rav Aharon disap- will of the Almighty…. The halachah has
go nuclear with its hardliners vindicated ing his participation in Lincoln Square proved of ordination for women. “The its own orbit, moves at its own certain
by rejection of the JCPOA. And this past Synagogue’s search committee for Rabbi thornier problem is of course the issue definite speed, has its own pattern of
summer, Israel suffered the greatest out- Riskin’s successor. Mr. Kaplan notes the of conferred or legislated leadership. In responding to a challenge, its own crite-
break of violence on its southern border comments of two of the candidates (both practice, this issue decomposes into two ria and principles.”
since 2014. Against the background of more to the religious right than the shul) separate problems — the role of officer in Finally, Mr. Kaplan’s article has been
all of this evidence, a few well-scripted regarding the “role of women in Ortho- a shul and semikha for women…. I am entitled with a phrase that reflects Mr.
words at an address before Congress are doxy.” Mr. Kaplan uses these comments convinced that most of the points raised Kaplan’s characterization of the RCBC
little more than window-dressing. to launch his criticism of the decision with regard to the first area are readily decision as a “blunder.” I wonder how
The second piece in the February by the overwhelming majority of Ortho- soluble. That is not the case, however, as that fits within the spirit of Beit Hillel and
15 issue was a letter to the editor. The dox rabbis to not permit the ordination regards the second, which touches upon Beit Shammai’s mutual respect that Mr.
writer criticized former Representative of women. It is thus noteworthy that elements long abjured by either funda- Kaplan calls for at the end of the article.
Steve Rothman for not condemning the Rabbi Saul Berman, the successor to mental Halakhah or minhag Yisrael. This It seems to me that in this area, the OU,
anti-Semitic views of two current mem- Rabbi Riskin at LSS, has recently pub- relates, of course, to the formal spiritual the RCA, and the RCBC have acted with
bers of Congress (“Rothman should lished a back story on “Rabbi Soloveit- status and not to administrative roles of leadership, sensitivity, and nuance.
attack Democrats”). So far, so good. But chik’s Opening Shiur at the Stern College different character. As regards the for- Continuing Mr. Kaplan’s analogy,
he then goes on to excoriate the entire for Women Beit Midrash.” In the article, mer, holding the traditional line is, for this is a case where between Beit Hil-
Democratic Party for being anti-Israel. Rabbi Berman writes that he specifically us, very much in order.” lel and Beit Shammai “nimnu v’gamru”
He cites a recent Anti-BDS bill passed undertook to make clear that the intent Indeed, in a 2010 blog entry, Rabbi (see Shabbat 13b) — “they counted
in the Senate, with 22 Democratic votes of the program was not “the first step in Helfgot describes himself as a student and decided”. From the OU rabbini-
in opposition. But what he fails to YU’s broader plan to ordain women.” of Rav Lichtenstein and, while defend- cal panel — “we believe that a woman
mention is that the opposition (which Mr. Kaplan then describes the issue ing the halachic basis for the point of should not be appointed to serve in a
included Rand Paul) was not based on that has arisen between the Rabbinical view to allow the ordination of women, clergy position.”
support of the BDS movement. The bill Council of Bergen County and one of Rabbi Helfgot expresses his personal Yisrael Gottesman
had broad bipartisan support, except for its members, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot. view against the ordination of women. Teaneck
JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019 53
D’var Torah
Ki Tissa: Same goal, different strategy
I
opened up my Tanach this week to review people” with whom we do not see eye- have lasting ramifications on the future of
parashat Ki Tissa and I immediately began to cry. to-eye. I learned the importance of stand- our Jewish tradition. Don’t get me wrong.
Inside was a bookmark, a bright fluorescent one ing back and giving someone the bene- They sinned. But if we muster up — from
that was greenish and yellowish in color. On the fit of the doubt. I realized the difference the depths of ourselves — a little compas-
bookmark, which was actually the size and shape of a between the difficult person’s “goal” and sion, can you see the good things that they
Post-It note, was a cell phone number, the name of a doc- their “strategy” for reaching that goal. The were trying to accomplish?
tor, and the phrases “strokes on both sides,” “heart rate presenter made me realize that often we Twelve years ago, when I got that phone
dropped,” and “CPR.” do not disagree with the final goal, but we call from the doctors, it was difficult for me
I must have been reading Ki Tissa when I got a call from do disagree on the path to get there. And to listen to them. It was painful for me to
the hospital 12 years ago that my father was not doing somewhere, within that disagreement, lies Rabbi hear their medical suggestions as ones that
well. I remember the conversations that we had after our major tensions, judgments, and annoy- Jennifer were done with my father’s best intentions
that. Doctors were trying to tell my family to remove the ances. We dismiss people. We label them. Schlosberg in mind. If they had my father’s best inter-
life support. We were just not ready. We tune them out. Glen Rock ests at heart, wouldn’t they want to give
Ki Tissa contains the story of the “golden calf.” The Everywhere I look — social media, the Jewish Center, him more time? Wouldn’t they want to
Israelites, impatient for Moses to come down from the press, our schools, our synagogues — peo- Conservative keep him on the respirator? Wouldn’t they
mountain, decided to take matters into their own hands. ple argue about so many things. Do we want him to… live?
They wanted to worship God, but couldn’t wait any lon- have lox at Kiddush or not? Do we hire more staff or not? Eventually, my father would wake up and naturally
ger. Aaron advised everyone to make contributions to Do we pay for extra security or not? get off the respirator on his own. Eventually, he would
build a molten calf. And so they did. And then they wor- But these questions only divide us because they repre- celebrate one more birthday, Father’s Day, and Rosh
shipped it. sent the strategies, not the greater, lofty goals that we are Hashanah. And eventually — when his body took one
In Judaism, the sin of building this calf is severe. It vio- trying to accomplish by using those strategies. more severe turn — his body would succumb to what God
lates one of the most important mitzvot (if not the most I hope that we can agree that we want a world free of had planned for him — only after, we, my family, would
important mitzvah) in the Torah — the commandment gun violence. I’d like to think that we can agree that we finally listen to the doctors and affirm his life by actively
of “not worshipping other gods.” As a rabbi, as a Jew, as want a world where people have access to good health enabling his death.
a person reading this section of the Torah, I could say: care. I pray that we can agree that a world where all peo- The Israelites wanted to be in relationship with God.
“how dare they!” I could say: “how impatient!” I could ple have access to food, clothing, shelter, and education They just didn’t know how to accomplish it.
say: “boy, things haven’t changed.” After all, we all build is a world in which we all deserve to live. The doctors wanted to affirm my father’s life. I just
metaphoric idols in our lives — those things to which we But we get so caught up in the “how to get there.” We couldn’t see it.
have grown attached or addicted, whether it is success, get so caught up in the strategy. This year, the story of Ki Tissa is a bit different for me. It
money, our jobs, or our cell phones. What was Moses’ goal and the goal of the command- reminds me to be open-hearted. It encourages me to hear
But this year, as I crack open my Tanach, I read it with ments? To connect with God. the difficult person before me. It reminds me to focus
different eyes, with an open heart. What was the goal of the Israelites? To connect with on the well-intentioned goals of others and our mutual
Recently at a professional development conference, God. Their goal was the same, but the strategy that they desire — despite our differences in strategies — for reach-
I attended a session on how to interact with “difficult used to get there was what created a divide and would ing God and all that is sacred.
Diaries — left, center, and even among the right wing — that Gone
Israel cannot and should not control the Palestinians. FROM PAGE 17
FROM PAGE 6
Most right-wing parties today do not call for the rein- four extermination camps as a soldier with the Polish
Palestinian leadership that were pushing very hard to stitution of Israeli control over the Palestinians in Gaza army, and spelunker Chris Nicola, co-author of “The
seize that opportunity for their people and secure an or the West Bank through the so-called civil adminis- Secret of Priest’s Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story,”
agreement with Israel.” tration. So in this respect, Oslo must have been right. were the guest speakers. Mr. Nicola’s book is about
In December 2000, as a last-ditch effort, Mr. Clinton “However, the fundamental logic of Oslo anticipated his discovery of the West Ukrainian caves where two
offered the parties a set of principles for the resolu- that the interim period between 1994 and 1999 would Jewish families hid during the Nazi occupation.
tion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, now known as become a period of confidence-building, which would The Bergen Community College Center for Peace,
the Clinton Ideas. The Israeli team recorded them on bring Israelis and Palestinians closer to the ability to Justice and Reconciliation and its Office of Multicul-
Mr. Grinstein’s laptop. Within a couple of weeks, Israel sign a final agreement. That logic was disproved. tural Affairs were among the event’s co-sponsors.
accepted those principles with reservations. The Pales- “The most important creation of Oslo is the Pales- “We used to do the ceremony at the Museum of Jew-
tinians rejected them. With the Second Intifada under- tinian Authority, which has basically assumed respon- ish Heritage in in Manhattan, but in the last two years
way since September and Mr. Clinton’s presidency sibility for the Palestinian population in the West Bank we have held it at Bergen Community College to make
drawing to an end, the peace process also ended. and Gaza. Its continued existence has been supported it more convenient for local adults and children to
Meanwhile, key aspects of the Oslo Agreements remain by all governments since 1994, mostly by Likud-led attend,” Ms. Prakhina said.
in effect today. ones, and is clearly a national security interest. A She always makes sure to involve young people,
In hindsight, was the Oslo process a mistake? disbanding of the Palestinian Authority would be a and this year the program included musical and
Mr. Grinstein says that it was not. major economic, diplomatic, and security setback for dance performances by children and teens as well as
“The structure of Oslo process, based on an interim the State of Israel. by Dr. Tamara Reps Freeman, a Holocaust ethnomu-
period of five years of capacity-building toward a ‘per- “Israel’s taking full responsibility for the Palestinian sicologist who performs Holocaust-era music on her
manent status,’ was based on the agreement signed by population in the West Bank would be a bigger chal- 1935 Joseph Bausch viola.
Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Likud in 1979,” he lenge than for the United States assuming responsibility For more information about the foundation and the
said. “It is a general agreement in Israeli politics today for the population of Mexico.” awards, go to www.prakhin.org.
T
that I don’t think Warren, who has 10 “Skin,” identically named, got good
he Oscars awards ceremony best song Oscar nominations, will win reviews at the 2018 Toronto Film Festival
will be held on Sunday, Feb- her first Oscar this year. I think Ronson, and was picked up for national distribu-
ruary 24 on ABC at 8 p.m. who was born in the U.K., but raised tion sometime this year. The full-length
Here is a list of the confirmed mostly in the States, has momentum on version stars Jamie Bell as a neo-Nazi
Jewish nominees in all but the technical his side. skinhead who risked his life to leave a
categories. Adapted Screenplay — (1) “The Bal- white supremacist group. It’s based on
Honorary Oscars were awarded in lad of Buster Scruggs,” written by JOEL a true story. By the way, Newman and
November. One went to LALO SCHFR- COEN, 64, and his brother, ETHAN, Nattiv wed in Tel Aviv.
RIN, 86. Born in Argentina, he moved 61. This anthology Western is a Netflix The best film Oscar goes to the
to the States in 1963. He was Oscar-nom- original. The brothers Coen already film’s principal producers. The only
inated six times. His most famous works have won four Oscars in various cat- nominated producer this year I’m
include the theme for “Mission: Impos- egories. (2) “BlacKKKlansman.” The sure is Jewish is JASON BLUM, 49
sible” and the scores for “Bullitt” and original film script, based on a nonfic- (“BlacKKKlansman”).
“Cool Hand Luke.” tion book about a police department Honorable mention: Marshall Curry,
Acting: RACHEL WEISZ, 48, sup- taking on the Klan, was written by East 48, directed a best short documentary
porting actress for “The Favourite.” Brunswick natives CHARLIE WACH- nominee, “A Night at the Garden.” He
Weisz already won this Oscar for “The TEL and DAVID RABINOWITZ, both hunted for and found all the available
Constant Gardener,” so given Oscar pol- 32. In real life, the white police officer footage of a notorious 1938 Madison
itics, she’s unlikely to win again. She did who infiltrated the Klan was not Jewish, Square Garden rally put on by the pro-
just win the British equivalent of the but the writers made him Jewish in their Nazi German-American Bund. “Cold
Oscar for “The Favourite,” but being a script so, as they put it, the officer had War” is an acclaimed Polish language
Brit, she had a hometown advantage. “some skin in the game.” They sold their film that is a best foreign film nomi-
Her Hungarian Jewish father, an engi- script to “Klan” director Spike Lee. Lee nee. The director/producer of the film
neer, settled in the U.K. in the 1930s. and Kevin Willmott made some changes is Pawel Pawlikowski. He had a Jewish
Her mother fled Austria for England in and they are co-nominees for this Oscar. paternal grandmother who died in the
1938. Rachel’s mother was the daugh- Lee and Willmott actually enhanced Holocaust. And “Vice” is a best picture
ter of a Jewish father and a non-Jewish the original script’s Jewish content. (3) nominee. Adam McKay is nominated as
mother; she formally converted to Juda- “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” co-written degree in legal studies from Yale. Her one of its producers and he’s also a best
ism when she married her husband, by NICOLE HOLOFCENER, 58. She brother, BRUCE COHEN, 57, is a top director nominee for that film. His wife
Rachel’s father. My sense is that Weisz is best known for writing and directing Hollywood producer who won a best is SHIRA PIVEN, 57, the sister of actor
isn’t religious, but she has played Jewish her own films (Google her!). “Can You” picture Oscar for producing “American JEREMY PIVEN, 53. Their two daugh-
characters several times (a Soviet sol- is based on a memoir by the late Lee Beauty.” If Julie Cohen wins, she and her ters were raised in their mother’s faith.
dier in “Enemy at the Gates”; historian Israel. And (4) “A Star is Born,” which brother will be the 10th pair of siblings Fun trivia coda: The Jewish siblings
DEBRA LIPSTADT in “Denial”; and the was co-written by ERIC ROTH, 73. Roth to be Oscar winners; five of the previous who have each won an Oscar(s) are:1)
rebellious lesbian daughter of an Ortho- won this Oscar for “Forrest Gump” and nine are/were Jewish. Ethan and Joel Coen: best original
dox rabbi in “Disobedience”). his many famous movie scripts include Documentary Short: (1) “Black Sheep” screenplay for “Fargo” and best pic-
Honorable Mention (Acting): Melissa STEVEN SPIELBERG’s “Munich.” is a film about the effects of racism on a ture, best directors, and best adapted
McCarthy is nominated for best actress Animated Feature: This Oscar cat- young black man in England. It was pro- screenplay for “No Country For Old
for playing the late LEE ISRAEL, a egory includes as nominees the film’s duced by JONATHAN CHINN, 50ish. Men.” JULIUS and PHILIP EPSTEIN,
journalist-turned-celebrity-letter-forger, writers, main producer, and directors. The Chinns are a prominent U.K. Brit- identical twins, for their script for
in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”; Adam SCOTT RUDIN was the producer of ish family. SIMON CHINN, 50ish, Jon- “Casablanca” (with HOWARD KOCH).
Driver is nominated for best supporting “Isle of Dogs,” a nominee. RODNEY athan’s cousin, has produced two Oscar 3) ROBERT and RICHARD SHERMAN
actor for playing a Jewish police officer ROTHMAN, 45ish, was a co-writer and winning-documentaries and works with (jointly) for best original song and best
who infiltrates the Klan in “BlacKKKlans- co-director of another nominated film, Jonathan. Simon’s father, Sir TREVOR original score for “Mary Poppins.” 4)
man,” and Glenn Close is nominated for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Ani- CHINN, 83, is a very successful busi- JAMES and WILLIAM GOLDMAN;
best actress in “Wife,” which is based mated Short Film: “Animal Behaviour,” nessman and a key figure in U.K. Jewish James for his screenplay for “A Lion
on a novel of the same name by MEG co-directed by DAVID FINE, 58, is about communal organizations. And (2) “End in Winter” and William for his screen-
WOLITZER, 59. a group of animals who meet each week Game”, a film about end-of-life care plays for “All the President’s Men”
Music — best original score: NICH- for group psychiatric therapy. This is that was co-directed and co-produced and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance
OLAS BRITELL, 38 (“If Beale Street the second Oscar nomination for Fine, a by ROB EPSTEIN, 63, and JEFFREY Kid.” And (5) JOSEPH and HERMAN
Could Talk”) and MARC SHAIMAN, Canadian, and his wife, Alison Snowden. FRIEDMAN, 67. Epstein already has MANKIEWICZ; Herman for his script
59 (“The Return of Mary Poppins”). They won in 1993 for “Bob’s Birthday.” won two Oscars for his documentaries for “Citizen Kane” (with Orson Welles).
Britell’s two Oscar nominations (his Documentary — feature length: “The Times of Harvey Milk” and “Com- Joseph won four Oscars — two for “All
other was for “Moonlight” in 2016) are “RBG,”, co-directed and co-produced mon Threads: Stories from the Quilt.” He About Eve” (wrote screenplay and
for films featuring African-Americans by JULIE COHEN, 54, and Betsy West. shared the latter Oscar with Friedman. directed) and two for “A Letter to Three
that were directed by Barry Jenkins, an As noted above, this film is about Jus- Live Action Short film: “Skin,” which Wives” (wrote screenplay and directed).
African-American. Best original song: tice Ginsburg. It’s turned out to be the was co-produced by actress JAMIE RAY Non-Jewish sibling winners are actors
MARK RONSON, 43, and DIANE surprise hit of the year and has a good NEWMAN, 40, and her Israeli hus- Ethel and Lionel Barrymore; actors
WARREN, 62. Ronson co-wrote “Shal- chance of winning. Cohen has the right band, GUY NATTIV, 45, who directed Ben and Casey Affleck; actress Shir-
low” from “A Star is Born.” Warren background for her film’s subject mat- “Skin.” Newman has had a good career ley MacLaine and Warren Beatty (for
wrote “I’ll Fight,” a song used in “RBG,” ter — she has masters’ degree in jour- for the last 15 years with leading parts in directing); and actress Norma Shearer
a documentary about Justice RUTH nalism from Columbia and a masters’ quite a few TV series (‘“The Punisher,” and film sound expert Douglas Shearer.
JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019 55
Calendar
Jewish humor.” All with music and a
welcome, but an
RSVP is required.
Thursday story instead of a
sermon. Juice and
87 Overlook Drive. FEBRUARY 28 challah for children;
(201) 391-0801, or wine and cheese for
www.tepv.org. adults. 585 Russell
Ave. (201) 891-4466 or
Saturday www.bethrishon.org.
are looking for a diverse cast of 12 to for drama. It has become a pop cul-
15 people, 16 years old and older. All
roles are unpaid and everyone must
tural phenomenon with songs and a
story that resonates with audiences of
String quartet Ethel to entertain
be available for all the performances. all ages. at Manhattan’s Jewish Museum
Auditions will be held at the Per- Rehearsals will be held at Engle- Bang on a Can and Manhattan’s Jew- composer Julia Wolfe. The concert is on
forming Arts School, 1 Depot Square, wood Health on May 15 and 16 from 4 ish Museum’s concert season, which Thursday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m., in
in Englewood. Hopefuls should bring to 8 p.m., with additional rehearsals at focuses on pioneering female artists, the museum’s Scheuer Auditorium.
a headshot and resume to the audition the Performing Arts School. For more continues with a performance by the For more information, call (212) 423-
and be prepared to sing a song in the information, call (201) 482-8194 or acclaimed string quartet Ethel per- 3337 or go to TheJewishMuseum.org. The
style of the show, along with two songs email education@bergenpac.org. forming work by Pulitzer Prize-winning concert includes museum admission.
58 JEWISH STANDARD FEBRUARY 22, 2019
JS-59*
My super power
W
hen I was about 5 or 6 about superheroes. Spider-Man,
years old, I had a friend Superman, Batman , Ironman, Wasp
who was obsessed with (no clue), Antman (who is that?), the
Spider-Man. Hulk, and so on and so forth. “Do
He wore his Spider-Man pajamas to you like any baseball teams?” I asked,
school (it was only kindergarten, and hopeful that we could get into a con-
even if it hadn’t been, there were no versation about the future of the Mets,
dress codes all those years ago.) He but no. We were going to talk super-
taught us all the theme song to the heroes. Even the little girl knew every
Spider-Man cartoon; he was constantly single one of them and probably knew
shooting webs from his wrists like the their superpowers, but I was totally
real Spider-Man does.… Like I said, he powerless. Though by the time I left, I
was obsessed. I was never really into was well versed in conversation about
the whole superhero thing. I mean, the Man of Steel and his minions.
Wonder Woman was cool because she But it got me thinking about super-
could use her jewelry to evoke her power. If you grow up learning about
various super powers, but I was never superheroes, do you think that you
obsessed with the whole are gifted with your
thing. Though, Christo- own superpower? I
pher Reeve, who played have often referred to
Superman, was extremely husband #1 as “Minyan
handsome, and I could Man,” able to locate
never figure out how they a minyan no matter
cast Margot Kidder as Lois where he is or what he
Lane because she wasn’t is doing. Extra-innings
anything spectacular to baseball game in the
look at. middle of a tornado in Across Down
In any event, fast for- Banji Kansas City? We have 1. Cautious (of)
5. Raiders tosser
1. Rum and Silicon
2. Solo
ward to my being a mom Ganchrow a Chabad! Lightning 9. Skater Cohen 3. Laker’s guard
of three little boys, and storm in Pittsburgh 14. Skin care staple 4. “Smallfoot” animal
for some reason, super- before a game? Two 15. Chemical in fertilizer 5. Mark
heroes were never in their vernac- shuls within a 10 mile radius. That is 16. 11-year-old, e.g. 6. Rest area?
ular. I don’t even think we had any his superpower. 17. Words that might come before “... 7. Pose once more
but, I messed up...” 8. Blip producers
superhero figurines. We had lots of As for my superpowers? I am not
19. Dismantle sail supports 9. Like Pharaoh, in Exodus
beanie babies, courtesy of my mom, sure that sarcasm or grudge-holding 20. Home of the Bnei Menashe 10. Barley beard
who was always teaching them about is considered a superpower, but if I 21. Letters identifying the four voices in 11. Napkin, to an Aussie
the different kinds of animals. (And could choose one superpower, well, a choir 12. Ocean activity?
also when one brother threw a beanie the corny choice would be able to 23. Sch. near the Appomattox River 13. Black meat
baby at another brother, it didn’t leave heal anyone who is sick. That would 24. Google letters 18. Cabo’s peninsula
25. Animals with one sign of kashrut 22. Cheap Evian alternative
a mark.) We had a ton of Legos-non- be amazing. My more realistic choice,
29. ___visit 26. Some are nervous it might do them
choking hazard size all the way down since this discussion is based totally on 30. Bit of pollen harm
to some that were so small that even reality, would be to be invisible. How 31. ‘49 alliance 27. 24-pack, perhaps
if they did swallow it they wouldn’t many times, when you leave a room 34. ___air 28. Settlers of Catan resources
choke. (Please don’t try this at home.) and you know there are people talking 36. Contort 29. Grosse ___, Michigan
39. An alternative title for this puzzle 31. Major degree
Games, puzzles, a miniball pit and, of about you, don’t you just want to hear
42. Palindromic prophetess 32. “Here it is!”
course, lots and lots and lots of balls. the conversation? And clearly you can- 43. Make a stink? 33. Some bikes
But no superheroes. Or Barbie dolls. not do that if you are standing there, 44. Historic character created by Siegel 35. Academic basics, briefly
Not that there is anything wrong with visibly in the room. I would like to be and Shuster 37. Sacker of ancient Rome
little boys playing with Barbie dolls. invisible, to get into someone’s house 45. Pharaoh withheld it, in Exodus 38. Hatzalah worker, for short
Why am I talking about superhe- and hear the real conversations, not 47. Agents 40. They were once used to “prove”
49. Nostalgic item for some authors unicorns existed
roes? Thanks for asking. The other the fake-fluttering stuff. I want to hear
52. Fifth word of the lyrics to “American 41. Put out
day I was babysitting for two little the really nitty-gritty and then not use Pie” 46. Candidate who benefitted from
kids. The boy is 5 and the girl is 2. Of it against them, because that would be 55. Lawyer’s girl? Roosevelt getting shot
course I was intimidated by the little evil and I want to be a good guy, not a 56. Light ring 48. Rabbinic ruling
girl as I have no idea what to do with bad guy, 57. “Just ___ like one of us” (Joan 49. “___-rene” (“Women’s Bible”)
girls. (That includes changing their But although probably it is more fun Osborne line) 50. Harari of note
59. “..., not ___ mouse” 51. History, for Harari
diapers. Is it front to back or back to to be a bad guy, I choose to remain vir-
61. Like some Manischewitz products 52. Mrs. Begin
front?) But I was ready for the boy. tuous, because that’s just the kind of 64. Rafa of note 53. Muppet in love with a chicken
Boys are my jam. super chick I am. 65. Peanut and olive 54. Delivery letters?
So I meet these kids, and they are What’s your superpower of choice? 66. British rocker whose real first name 58. Go through mud
adorable and I am on the floor play- Let me know. I am quite curious. is John 60. Aviation group: Abbr.
67. Belonging to the Queen of 62. Clay’s new name
ing with them (note to the mom, if you
Arendelle 63. Blogger’s feed, initially
hear your little girl say “oy vey” she got Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck would 68. “JAG” spinoff
that from me, as it is the thing I exclaim only wear a superhero costume that is 69. Talmudic scholar, perhaps
every time I get up from the floor) and modest and baggy. because she wants
all of a sudden the boy starts talking her boys to respect her character. The solution to last week’s puzzle
is on page 62.
Jewish Standard FEBRUARY 22, 2019 59
JS-60*
Jewish World
Wikimedia Commons
percent this year. Venezuela also has
been undergoing a humanitarian crisis;
there are shortages of food and medi-
cine. The economic and political calam-
ity has caused 3 million people to flee
the country as migrants and refugees,
according to the Washington Post. Food is scarce throughout Venezuela. Citizens suffer widespread malnutrition and lack of access to health care.
Measles and diphtheria — diseases
once controlled in Venezuela — have Jewish community].”
re-emerged, and Venezuela now is the Maduro and his government have
only country in South America to have been accused of promoting anti-Semitic
regressed to the infant mortality lev- and extreme anti-Israeli views. The coun-
els it had in the 1990s, according to try has been expanding relations with
new research published in the Lancet the Iranian regime, which dates back to
Global Health journal. Jenny Garcia, the Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chávez, as
lead researcher on the study, blamed well as with Iran’s terror proxy Hezbol-
the regression on government cuts to lah. Until recently Israeli officials have
health-care funding. kept silent on the unrest in Venezuela,
Those problems are only the tip of the fearing that it might backfire and end in
iceberg, said Alex Rosenberg, a Venezu- violence toward the Jewish community
elan Jew now living in the United States. in Venezuela after Maduro broke off dip-
Wikimedia Commons
“It is years of corruption,” he said. lomatic ties with the United States.
“It’s years of failed economic policies, “So far, the 6,000 Venezuelan Jews
it’s printing money, it’s regulation that who remain in the country” — from an
strangles businesses, or rather, any original estimated 25,000 — “are safe,
business that is not government-owned. but affected like the rest of their fellow
Most businesses are not thriving or doing citizens by the same political, economic
well right now. Employment is low; peo- The Jewish Cemetery of Coro, established in 1832, is the oldest Jewish and social ills haunting the country as a
ple are leaving for security and business cemetery in continuous use in the Americas. whole,” Dina Siegel Vann, director of the
reasons. I saw people who really strug- American Jewish Committee’s Arthur
gled and needed social services from the wife in the United States. Many of his country fights for its independence, we and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino
community to put food on the table.” relatives still live in Venezuela, including are thankful for the support we received and Latin American Affairs in Washing-
He added, “It’s been 20 years of a sin- his mother, older sister, brother-in-law, from the Prime Minister of Israel Benja- ton, D.C., told JNS. “The lack of rela-
gle party ruling and a single government aunt, uncle, and cousins, and he said he min Netanyahu.” tions with Israel since 2009, the use of
ruling the country. At this point, even if still has what remains of a clothing busi- “Anti-Semitism was used as a political anti-Semitism as a political tool resulting
it wasn’t for these failed policies and the ness in his home country. tool in the past by Chávez and continued in violence against institutions in the past
authoritarian rule and everything else, In late January, Israeli Prime Minister with Maduro, particularly in the official and attacks in the media created a deep
a change of government should have Benjamin Netanyahu threw his support media,” said Dina Siegel Vann of the sense of vulnerability resulting in the
happened already. It’s like the old say- behind Guaidó, making Israel the first American Jewish Committee. exodus of two-thirds of the community.
ing that politicians are like diapers; they Middle Eastern country to recognize Rosenberg said that under Guaidó’s “In the current environment, with so
should be changed often and for the him as Venezuela’s new leader. A grow- leadership, “I do think that freedoms much confusion and possible changes
same reason.” ing list of nations followed, including the would be a lot better, respected, [and] on the horizon, the community remains
Born in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, United States, Canada, and most Latin I think that there would be no more in a wait-and-see mode, with active
Rosenberg came to the New York 3 1/2 America countries, such as Venezuela’s rhetoric of dismissiveness with the Jew- channels of communication to the
years ago to have surgery for a sports-re- neighbors Brazil and Colombia. ish community or any other religious or many domestic and international actors,
lated injury. He ended up staying after Guaidó welcomed Netanyahu’s sup- national group as it has been during the which can ensure its present and future
the rehabilitation process took longer port on Twitter, writing that “74 years last 20 years. With the current [Mad- safety and well-being. AJC remains in
than expected and he got the opportu- ago the Auschwitz extermination uro] government, they do have a pol- close contact with our institutional
nity to get a green card. He also met his camp was liberated, and today, as our icy of dismissive language [towards the See venezuela page 63
60 Jewish Standard FEBRUARY 22, 2019
JS-61
Obituaries
Molly Goldfarb Al Vorspan, social justice
Molly Goldfarb, née Yarmush, 94, of East Hanover died
February 14.
leader for the Reform
She was a longtime sales associate at B. Altman and movement, dies at 95
Company.
Predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Leon, she Al Vorspan, who helped organize the Religious Action Funeral Planning Simplified
is survived by children, Marcia Postelnek (Michael), Center of Reform Judaism and was the longtime director
BergenJewishChapel.com
Reva Gomer, (Stuart), Sandra Goldfarb ( James of its Commission on Social Action, has died.
Murphy), and Alan (Dawn Perdon); siblings, Doris Vorspan, who also was former senior vice president of
201.261.2900 | 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Elkin, and Marvin Yarmush; six grandchildren, and two the Union for Reform Judaism, died on Sunday. He was 95.
great-grandchildren. Rabbi David Saperstein, RAC’s director emeritus, in Owner/Manager Daniel W. Leber, NJ Lic. No3186
Donations can be sent to Compassus Hospice, Toms a statement issued after Vorspan’s death, called him
River. Arrangements were by Louis Suburban Chapel, “one of the g’dolei hador, or ‘great ones’ of Jewish
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Arrangements were by Robert Schoem’s Menorah was, to many, the personification of Reform Judaism’s
Chapel, Paramus. social justice efforts,” Saperstein said. The Christopher Family
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs described Vorspan
Diane Mannie as “one of the towering giants of Jewish social justice.”
serving the Jewish community
Diane Mannie, née Honigfeld, 73, of Flemington, Vorspan fought in World War II, and later became an since 1900
formerly of Wayne, died February 15.
Predeceased by her husband, Louis, in 2000,
she is survived by children, Jason Stucker (Tami) of
early opponent of the Vietnam War. In 1964, Vorspan
was jailed with a group of Reform rabbis who at the
request of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. joined in the
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Venezuela leader] Simón Bolivar, who is viewed locally in Ven- holidays has to be authorized by the government.”
from page 60 ezuela as some sort of God. Many other things, too, Venezuela’s small Jewish community continues to live
partners from CAIV [Federation of Jewish Communi- but basically he had a strict alignment with Iran and in a besieged state, and are sometimes targeted because
ties of Venezuela] to understand developments on the Palestinian causes.” it may appear as if it is doing well economically, even
ground and to ensure the community’s well-being.” Siegel Vann said that “until Chávez’s arrival, anti- though it is suffering like the rest of the country, said
Israel’s war against the Palestinian terror group Semitism in Venezuela was negligible, and remained Rosenberg. For example, Jews who dress well to go to
Hamas in the Gaza Strip in the winter of 2008-09, also either in the margins and/or was considered politically synagogue on Shabbat fear being robbed or kidnapped,
known as “Operation Cast Lead,” was a turning point for incorrect. Attacks in the official media allowed for the an unfortunately common occurrence in Latin Ameri-
the treatment of Venezuela’s Jews, Rosenberg said. They permanent and systematic channeling of anti-Israel and can and South American countries.
faced discrimination from anti-Israel activists in Venezu- anti-Jewish diatribes. And vandalism against Jewish insti- The younger generations tend to leave Venezuela after
ela, and synagogues were vandalized. tutions has been used as measures of intimidation. Ven- they graduate high school if the family has the economic
Rosenberg recalled the largest and oldest Sephardic ezuela’s severing of relations with Israel in 2009 brought means to support them abroad; they go to Europe, the
synagogue in Caracas being ransacked and desecrated this chapter to new heights. United States, or Israel, Rosenberg said. His sister is a
in 2009. He said people automatically assumed that it “Anti-Semitism was used as a political tool in the past doctor and not licensed to work outside Venezuela. If
was a government-sponsored attack; evidence later was by Chávez and continued with Maduro, particularly in she decides to leave the country, like so many others she
found showing that the government was trying to extort the official media. Israel has been linked together with will have to start her career from the beginning, includ-
the Jewish community in some way. the U.S. with conspiratorial implications. With Iran and ing re-doing her residency. So for now she has decided
The prejudice against Venezuela’s Jews spiked when Venezuela entering a strategic relationship in 2005, Jews to stay in her home country, though she made sure that
then-President Chávez, known for his pro-Palestinian and Israel became the focus of systematic attacks. her two college-aged children left.
sentiments, demanded that the Israeli ambassador leave “Today, these attacks have diminished as the gov- Rosenberg said “most families don’t want to worry
Venezuela over the “Holocaust that Israel was perpetrat- ernment’s attention is focused on survival, and it does about their kids’ well-being, opportunities, and safety
ing in Gaza.” Since 2009, Venezuela has had no diplo- not want to open a new front by being accused of because of the turmoil that is constantly happening and
matic relations with Israel. anti-Semitism.” brewing, and so they send the kids away. Everybody
“Chávez used to come on TV, and he once cursed Rosenberg noted that he thinks the government sends their kids away.”
the State of Israel, on national television,” Rosenberg discourse against the Jewish community has not died With the Jewish population in Venezuela constantly
remembered about Chávez’s rule. “At another time, down, but simply that Jews in the country are forced to shrinking, the community is looking more and more
he said those who killed Christ were the same ones “play nice because most of the kashrut-related imple- “lifeless” and “empty,” he said, as they wait for a politi-
who killed [former Venezuelan military and political ments and food that is imported for Pesach and other cal shift that may play in their favor. JNS.ORG
Jimmy J
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CT
TRA
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Ayelet Hurvitz LE
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Licensed Real Estate NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® 2012-2017 GOLD
Salesperson/Broker Diamond Society Award Winner 2017
(Sterling 2014-17)
Exceptional Service,
Five Star Professional 2016-2017
Exceptional Results
Direct: 201-294-1844
25 Washington Street • Tenafly, NJ 07670 Englewood
174 W. Hudson Avenue*
ahurvitz12@yahoo.com • www.ayelethurvitz.com
* Properties under affiliation with Coldwell Banker