Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on February 20, 2017

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On Shabbos morning, January 21, the congregants of Young Israel of Memphis (YIOM) was excited to celebrate with Michael and Alison Novich, as Michael marked his second cycle of completing the study of the entire Babylonian Talmud with a joy-filled Siyum HaShas and gala Kiddush. YIOM President Jonathan Kaplan commented, Our community is incredibly impressed with Michaels monumental accomplishment. His commitment to consistently study Torah on a daily basis inspires each of us to carve out time in our own busy lives for daily Torah study.

Michael and Alison also arranged for their former rabbi Rabbi Allen Schwartz (together with his wife Alisa and two of their children) of New York Citys Congregation Ohab Zedek to join them for this special weekend. During his stay in Memphis, Rabbi Schwartz shared six well-attended intriguing Torah presentations with the community.

Rabbi Schwartz was as impressed with our Memphis Jewish community as we were with him. At several points over the course of Shabbos he remarked how important it was for him and his wife to see and experience our terrific community first-hand. Many young couples they interact with are looking for more affordable Jewish communities. Rabbi Schwartz told us he would readily suggest Memphis as an option for those interested in relocating.

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Posted By richards on February 20, 2017

Binyamin Netanyahu with Lee Hsien Loong

Haim Tzach/ La'am

Speaking on Monday at a synagogue in Singapore during his first official visit to the country, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu emphasized the close relationship between the two nations and his hopes for a better world in the future.

"I feel that Singapore and Israel are kindred nations, and I find it's a special privilege - and an honor - to be the first Israeli Prime Minister to make an official visit to Singapore," Netanyahu said. "I think there is something special about our two nations.

"These are two small countries, two small nations, that defied the laws of political gravity, defied their small size, and achieved global predominance. This is what is happening. It happened because of leadership, vision, the talent and passion of the people.

"It's not accidental that our two nations formed this bond between us. Because we are both inspired to do things...we're both entrepreneurial sectors, we have innate talent and we have a great drive to succeed.

"What happened in the founding of Singapore is that Israel and Singapore bonded - we bonded for Singapore's defense, but we've expanded that to include many, many areas since... I believe that great powers around the world look at Israel and Singapore today and see tremendous economic opportunities...one reason that is the case is that we have an unrivaled spirit.

"The Jewish people have passed learning from one generation to the other, a desire to learn and an inquisitive mindset, and the ability to produce new things... You've been here for almost two centuries, and you had that entrepreneurial quest for many many decades. I think you serve as a human bridge between Singapore and Israel.

"We are committed to a better world, a world of diversity, a world that follows the values that we as a people have held for so many years, for so many decades, in fact - for millennia.

"It is therefore, for me, a tremendous pleasure to be here. I look forward to greeting you in Jerusalem."

After Netanyahu finished speaking, Singapore Rabbi Mordechai Abergel community recited the Prayer for Israel in both Hebrew and English, followed by the Israeli national anthem "Hatikva."

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Netanyahu visits Singapore synagogue - Arutz Sheva

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Posted By richards on February 20, 2017

For many Jews, Passover is the most important of all Jewish holidays. In fact, more Jewish Americans observe Passover than any other Jewish holiday. Passover is considered a big deal because many families come together to share a special ceremonial festive meal called a seder.

The staff at InterfaithFamily/Chicago has come up with five tips to help you plan your best Passover seder.

Most people use a book called a Haggadah to guide their Passover seder. There are just short of a million different versions of a Haggadah, and while there are many similarities among them, each one is very different. You can search Passover Haggadah to find some hard copy options as well as many online, such as Haggadot.com, where you can download and/or personalize. Some focus on a theme such as Israel, women, interfaith families, cartoons or music. There are so many ways to tell the story, songs to sing, ideas to decorate your table and the room, special readings to include, that each seder (Passover service in the home) is unique, so be creative!

Yes, there is beauty and joy in tradition and repetition. You can use the same Haggadah that you have used for the last 100 years with notes and wine stains all over it. There is nothing wrong with that. However, its also fun to add a new element a new reading, recipe, song, poem, craft, etc. Ask your friends to suggest something fun and unique they do at their seder and you are likely to hear many great ideas. One of our favorites is a Sephardic (Spanish/Italian Jews) tradition of hitting each other with green onions during the singing of Dayenu, (meaning, It would have been enough! a traditional Passover song about many of Gods gifts during the exodus from Egypt. The green onions represent the whips the Egyptians used on the Israelite slaves.

Passover is meant to be experienced with all our senses. You will taste many wonderful (and some not so wonderful) foods, and each will bring a distinct smell to the room especially the horseradish! Make the seder table and the room a beautiful sight by decorating for the occasion using the theme of freedom, the Red Sea, spring, plagues or the number four (there are many fours as part of a seder). Everyone present will be listening to the stories and songs you decide to include in your seder. Feel free to use clapping and tambourines as well. There are so many things on a seder table that everyone can touch. It is a custom to lean on a soft pillow during a seder since only a free person can lean during a meal.

There are many pieces to hosting a seder, including planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning, picking out a Haggadah, leading the seder, etc. You do not need to do it all yourself. It is common to ask family and friends to bring a dish to a dinner party, and you can certainly make this request for your Passover dinner, too. Passover is a time where we are encouraged to welcome the stranger. This would be a good time to invite your spouse or other relatives of another faith to take part. Each guest will enjoy being a bigger part of the seder and you will enjoy having less on your proverbial plate.

If you went into 100 homes on Passover and observed 100 seders, each one would look and feel a little different. While there are usually some common elements, part of what families tend to love about Passover is that we can each make it our own. The way you choose to do your seder is the right way; dont compare your Passover and your seder with anyone elses. What is right and meaningful for you and your family is up to you. Dont be surprised that no matter how great your seder is this year, you may decide to do things differently next yearand that seder will be the right way, also.

Want to learn more? InterfaithFamily/Chicago is hosting two free model seders on March 12 and March 19. Participants will receive a binder of recipes, readings, songs and information, taste some Passover foods and participate in a short seder.

For more information or to sign up, email JudyJ@interfaithfamily.com.

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Posted By richards on February 20, 2017

Photo Credit: Maggid Books

Title: With Might And Strength: An Autobiography Author: Rabbi Shlomo Goren Publisher: Maggid Books

For Americans under 50, mentioning the name Rabbi Shlomo Goren will often engender the response whos that? Sadly, the first Chief Rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces and then the 3rd Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi is somewhat of an unknown here.

In With Might and Strength: An Autobiography, Rabbi Goren tells his story, and an absolutely spellbinding one at that. In the book, one gets a glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential Israeli rabbis. Written in somewhat of a raw, clipped style, Goren holds no punches for those whom he admired, and those whom he scorned.

Goren led a fascinating life. Born in Poland into a family with Hasidic roots, they them moved to Kfar Hasidim in his youth. He entered the prestigious Hebron yeshiva and published his first scholarly work at 17. While in his early 30s, he becomes the first military Chief Rabbi.

The book achieves what a good autobiography is meant to, in that one comes out with a good understanding the character. Goren takes us through his many challenges, trials and tribulations, including those of his family during the extremely difficult years when they first arrived to Israel. Goren writes in a very open, raw style, and is not hesitant to criticize those who he felt were in the wrong.

He was a witness to a great deal of history which he shares here; from the founding of the State, various wars, struggles in developing the military rabbinate, and more. The book ends with two brief chapters about the Langer affair and the Yom Kippur War. Each subject alone could fill an entire book.

Goren writes extensively that during the wars, he recovered the bodies (and often only bones) of soldiers who died in battle and never received proper burial.

He writes of his struggles in how to create a code of Jewish Law for a modern army, that would simultaneously meet the needs of a modern army, while not compromising on Jewish tradition.

Goren heaps significant high praise on David Ben-Gurion (who was the one who suggested he change his surname from Goronchik). While never sharing any of Gorens appreciation for religious life, Ben-Gurion fully supported Goren in most of his endeavors as military rabbi. Goren writes that Ben-Gurion understood the importance of kashrut and Shabbos observance for the army.

Being both a Chief Rabbi and Brigadier-General is a feat achieved but once and likely never to occur again. Goren was a fascinating personality and the book is an equally captivating read.

Complex and controversial are terms often associated with Goren. While true, he was also a fascinating and multifaceted individual, whose dedication to Torah and Israel was exceptional.

This is a unique book written by an insider to some of the most historical events in Israeli history, both from a political and religious perspective. It a hard book to put down, and most definitely worth a read.

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Posted By admin on February 19, 2017

Lets be clear at the outset: I do not believe that President Trump is an anti-Semite. When he talks lovingly about his Jewish daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren; when he refers to his many lifelong Jewish associates and friends and to the Jewish individuals he has appointed, there is no reason to question his sincerity. These facts reflect of a genuine comfortableness with Jews.

That is his why his silence on the issue of anti-Semitism is so stunning.

We have seen this again and again. During the campaign, he derided those who questioned his tweets of anti-Semitic memes or his use of language that evoked age-old stereotypes. And yet, during the campaign a tsunami of anti-Semitic tweets and threats surfaced on social media directed at Jewish journalists. Haters who may have long held anti-Semitic beliefs suddenly seemed to be emboldened and empowered to act on those beliefs.

And that disturbing trend has continued since the election and inauguration.

There have been more than 50 bomb threats called in to synagogues and Jewish institutions across the nation. Vandalism of Jewish institutions has significantly increased. Reports of bullying of Jewish students in schools are surging.

And we have far more to worry about. ADL polls on anti-Semitic attitudes in America report over and over again that despite the remarkable diminution of anti-Semitic attitudes in America over the decades, there still are 30 million to 40 million Americans who harbor anti-Semitism.

In the past, we were not overly worried about such numbers, because inhibitions largely deterred those people from acting out their beliefs. In the current environment, however, there is reason to be much more troubled by those numbers, as some haters are feeling freer to commit anti-Semitic acts of one kind or another. Just this week, a South Carolina man sought to attack a synagogue and emulate his hero, Dylann Roof, who murdered nine parishioners in a black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015. He was apprehended by the FBI and was arraigned in court on charges.

All of which brings us to the last two days of public appearances by the president: the first in a joint press briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the second his press conference to announce a new nominee for secretary of labor.

The subject of anti-Semitism was raised in both sessions, first by an Israeli journalist and in the second instance by a reporter for an ultra-Orthodox media outlet. Both questioners were respectful and hardly accusatory. Indeed, the Hasidic reporter began his question by making it clear that no one thought the president was anti-Semitic.

Both opportunities offered the president a perfect opportunity to state clearly: I am concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism; I think it is abominable and un-American. If, in any way, the language I have used has encouraged such people to act, then I must be clear: Hatred is not what America is about. The anti-Semites and bigots are not good Americans. And I will do everything in my power, by word and action, to fight that hatred and make sure it is unacceptable in the land of the free.

And he could have spelled out specifically what steps he will take to demonstrate that he takes this threat seriously.

But once again, President Trump failed to meet this basic test of presidential leadership. It is long overdue for him to clearly and cogently put the doubts to rest. And at this point, he needs to shift from rhetoric to real action and explain how his administration will combat hate. As the leader of all Americans, he must speak out but also step forward and present a plan to assuage those Americans who are concerned.

The issue is not whether Trump is anti-Semitic. The issue is whether he will stand up to anti-Semitism, let alone other forms of bigotry. And, as president, he will face far more difficult and daunting challenges in the years ahead, but speaking out against intolerance should be a no-brainer.

We urge the president to find an occasion sooner rather than later to use his bully pulpit to reverse the trend and stem the dangerous tide that has seeped into our society over the past year.

Jonathan Greenblatt is CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League

The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forward.

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Breaking: ADL Head Tells Trump What To Say About Anti-Semitism - Forward

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Posted By simmons on February 19, 2017

The Anti-Defamation League today welcomed the decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Aziz v. Trump, a challenge to President Trumps Executive Order (EO) on immigration and refugees. The Court issued a preliminary injunction, barring the implementation of portions of the EO in Virginia.

In its decision, the Court held that implementation of the Executive Order would cause irreparable harm to the Commonwealth and its Universities. In addition, the Court explicitly recognized direct evidence presented by the Commonwealth of anti-Muslim animus through the Orders singling out of seven majority-Muslim nations for additional scrutiny and statements indicating an intent to discriminate based on religion.

Doron Ezickson, ADL Washington DC Regional Director issued the following statement:

We strongly agree with the Court that implementation of this Executive Order will cause irreparable harm to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Throughout U.S. history, we have too often faltered when we have let prejudice and fear predominate over reason and compassion, shutting the door on refugees and immigrants. When we strayed from core principles of equality and religious freedom there have been devastating consequences for which the US has later apologized and looked back in shame. History will reflect on the Executive Order as a sad point in the American story, but the Courts decision will shine through as an example of the best of our system: checks and balances at work. We welcome the Courts decision to grant a preliminary injunction in this case to bar further harm to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

ADL filed an amicus brief in the case supporting the Commonwealth of Virginias challenge to the Executive Order. The brief traces Americas history as a nation dedicated to ideals of equality, liberty and justice, and warns against repeating the shameful times in our past when America has turned against its core ideals of equality, liberty, and justice. The law firm Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, PC prepared the brief on behalf of ADL and the law firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP served as local counsel in Virginia.

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Posted By admin on February 19, 2017

Steven Spearie Correspondent

Les Eastep got a "gift membership" to the Springfield B'nai B'rith lodge in 1990.

He's stayed with it ever since.

"It's about being part of a large group and appreciating what they do on a national and international level," said Eastep. "B'nai B'rith touches Jewish lives around the world."

Closer to home, about 100 group members hold an annual chilli dinner fundraiser, provide a monthly meal Chaverim, literally, "friends" for senior citizens and support local causes, like the Jewish School of Religion, a combined effort between Temple B'rith Sholom and Temple Israel.

The Emes Lodge No. 67 (Emes is Yiddish for "true" or "truth") celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding with a dinner in December. That makes it one of the oldest B'nai B'rith lodges in central Illinois, the founding dating to a time shortly after Jews started arriving in Springfield.

Lodge histories point out that B'nai B'rith members here were involved in everything from responding to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to organizing war bond sales during World War II to assisting Russian immigrants in the 1980s and 1990s.

Numbers and activities have declined in more recent times, admitted Patrick Chesley, but, noting the anniversary, "there is certainly an obligation to keep the organization operating because it does a number of good things for the Springfield community and the Jewish community."

The 19th century was big on lodges, like the Masons, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Elks, said Rabbi Barry Marks of Temple Israel, but some excluded Jews, leading to B'nai B'rith's international founding in 1843 in New York City.

"This was a fraternal organization," added Marks, who became a member of the local lodge when he arrived in Springfield in 1973. Auxiliary groups for women, young men and young women eventually developed but faded, added Marks.

Both temples have sisterhood groups and there is a local chapter of Hadassah, an American Jewish volunteer women's organization that raises funds for community programs and health initiatives in Israel.

While many other B'nai B'rith lodges have allowed women, Chesley pointed out that locally there wasn't an organization for men at the time of its founding. Chesley said while he isn't personally opposed to allowing women in the lodge, most other Jewish organizations are facing the same membership decline and "aging out" as B'nai B'rith.

"Most of the Jewish children born in Springfield move out of the city," said Chesley, a former federal prosecutor. "My wife (Nancy) and I have three children and none of them live in Springfield. Some of the kids stayed, but it's a fairly small percentage.

"Many (young) Jewish professionals want more of a Jewish community than what we have here (about 1,000 Jews.) The generations that have followed us aren't joiners. They don't seem to have the same interests getting involved in groups and providing the next set of leaders. They have their own sets of interests.

"They don't necessarily want to do what their parents did or be as committed (to these types of groups.)"

Eastep, who lives in Rochester, was part of a congress that looked at the decline fraternal organizations in Illinois.

"The demand that culture puts on people's time," said Eastep. "The first thing I do in the morning is look at the calendar. What am I doing today?"

Fraternal organizations, added Eastep, "will never go away entirely." Some organizations that may be forced to merge may lose part of their identity, he added.

"To be honest and fair, B'nai B'rith is going through what every organization is going through (in terms of membership)," said Jeri Schwarz Atleson, vice-chairman of B'nai B'rith's Midwest Board, who spoke to the Springfield group at its anniversary dinner. "It's a big topic of conversation, how to recruit new members.

"Given the current environment, I hope we become as well known as we once were and people can go to in times of need."

It was B'nai B'rith, pointed out Atleson, that gave birth to the Anti-Defamation League which sought to "stop the defamation of Jewish people," according to its original 1913 charter.

Any issues of anti-Semitism locally, said Chesley, would be taken up by the Jewish Community Relations Council which is comprised of representatives from all the Springfield Jewish organizations: the Jewish Federation of Springfield; Temple B'rith Sholom and Temple Israel and their sisterhoods and the Springfield Chapter of Hadassah in addition to B'nai B'rith.

Chesley said that one of the activities the local lodge was known for was its Christmas Substitution program. Members would staff especially social service organizations, like the Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery and Sojourn Shelter, so workers could spend Christmas Day with their families.

Eastep said B'nai B'rith helped Russian immigrants who came to Springfield in the late 1980s and early 1990s find housing, jobs and education.

"It was done quietly," he said. "It was like taking care of family and B'nai B'rith is a big family."

Atleson, who lives in Lake County, near the Wisconsin border, said she was happy to spend time in Springfield helping the lodge celebrated such an important milestone.

"It is remarkable that any organization survives that long," said Atleson. "What I know about this local lodge is that their generosity, time, money, spirit, service to the community and commitment to the organization is tremendous.

"I hope they don't change the spirit of who they are."

Chesley said the purpose of the anniversary wasn't necessarily to get new members, but several people did ask for applications.

"I get a lot of self-satisfaction from being able to help other people and keep a tradition like B'nai B'rith going here in Springfield," he said. "I find it fulfilling and worthwhile."

For more information on the Emes Lodge No. 67 of the B'nai B'rith, contact Patrick Chesley at 210-1920.

--Steven Spearie contact: spearie@hotmail.com or follow on Facebook or Twitter (@StevenSpearie)

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Springfield chapter of B'nai B'rith marks 150 years - The State Journal-Register

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Posted By richards on February 19, 2017

Armed French soldiers stand in front of a Synagogue during a visit of French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve after an attack in front of a Jewish school in Marseille's 9th district, France, January 14, 2016.. (photo credit:REUTERS/JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER)

Synagogues are no longer a safe haven, a top European rabbi said Sunday at a special panel about the situation of Jews across the continent, held in the framework of the Munich Security Conference.

At the back of almost every Jews mind is the possibility of what could happen. Sadly, in Copenhagen, Brussels and in Paris, that has become a reality, said Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, at a breakfast event he was hosting titled Securing Jewish Communities across Europe.

The Jewish community finds itself targeted from a number of directions; from the extreme Right, the extreme Left and Islamic terrorism, Goldschmidt said, referencing terrorist attacks that have targeted Jews in different European countries in recent years.

The event took the form of a panel discussion featuring MK Tzipi Livni, Deputy CEO for Diplomacy of the World Jewish Congress Maram Stern, director of the International Center for the Study of Radicalization Dr. Peter R. Neumann and former director of Europol Jrgen Storbeck. German journalist Richard Schneider moderated the discussion.

Stern expressed a similar sentiment to Goldschmidt, noting that while he feels comfortable walking the streets in general, when the synagogue is his destination he begins to feel uneasy.

People are curious who walks in and who walks out, it is like you are in a zoo, he remarked.

Livni said that while Israel feels a responsibility for the security of Jews around the world, it is the responsibility of every state to protect its citizens and we cannot take away from that.

Every Jew should be able to walk around looking Jewish and not face discrimination, she added.

For his part, Stobeck addressed Berlins capabilities to deal with the threat of terrorism, saying that prior to the 2016 ramming attack at a Christmas market, German security services did not have enough money.

After the attack in Berlin, security services got a lot of money, he said. But you need to improve information management both nationally and internationally. We are still not quick enough, and we do not have a good [long-term] forecast.

Neumann described Jews as a priority target.

They are the first ones to be targeted. If Jews are being targeted, then all citizens should be worried because there is more to come, he warned, indicating that nobody should be lulled into a false sense of security by a period of calm. Just because the Jewish community has not been attacked in the last year, it does not mean it is not a target, he added.

Turning to the rise of the far Right in Europe, Neumann said: At the core of every far-right party, there is bona fide antisemitism.

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Posted By richards on February 19, 2017

The following was published on Sunday evening on the official Facebook page of the Rockland County Republican Party. It was not edited in anyway by YWN, and appears in full:

Im all in favor of others right to speak their mind and peacefully demonstrate their views. Conversely, I understand that my right to swing my arms in protest ends when my fist hits someone elses nose and my right to free speech ends when I falsely yell fire in a crowded theater. What I cant stomach is hypocrisy!

The Rockland County Democratic Committee has been posting all weekend in support of the marches in all of the liberal cities of our country. Yet, right here in Rockland County, right in their own backyard, is the most egregious example of womens oppression in our entire country. The ultra orthodox Hasidic communitys abusive treatment of women is epic. In that community, women must separate themselves from men, must dress as they are told, are forced into arranged marriages, can not divorce without the approval of their husbands and community leaders, they are not properly educated, cant attend college, and can not use birth control, yet, the Rockland County Democratic Committee says nothing: absolute silence. Why? Because the people in that community vote in a block and the leaders of the Rockland Democratic Party want their votes. Please!!!!! Total hypocrisy!!!!

(YWN World Headquarters NYC)

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Posted By richards on February 19, 2017

(JTA) The daughter of a transgender woman in Manchester, England, is being shunned by her classmates at a haredi Orthodox school after being ordered to by their teachers.

The classmates were told not to communicate with the girl in any way, the regional newspaper the Jewish Telegraph reported.The students wrote her a letter telling her that if they see her they will have to ignore her but that they would always love her and that they would pray for her, according to the report.

A British high court judge ruled late last month that the transgender woman, who is the father of the girl and four other young children, may not have direct contact with the children.

I have reached the unwelcome conclusion that the likelihood of the children and their mother being marginalized or excluded by the ultra-Orthodox community is so real, and the consequences so great, that this one factor, despite its many disadvantages, must prevail over the many advantages of contact, Justice Peter Jackson of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales wrote in his decision.

The transgenderwomanis allowed to indirectly contact the children four times a year on Jewish festivals and their birthdays.

In the yearlong case, the identity of the family remained anonymous, the London-based Independent newspaperreported.

The childrens mother had said in court that if the children had direct contact with the transgender woman, the parent body of their schools would not allow other children to play with them, and she was backed by the testimony of several community rabbis. The children could also be denied places at good yeshivas and schools, be prevented from marrying into some families, and the entire family could be shunned by the community, the court was told.

The judge also wrote that his decision was not a failure to uphold transgender rights but the upholding of the rights of the children to have the least harmful outcome in a situation not of their making.

Jackson has written to the U.K.s top education official,warning that social banishment of trans peoples children in strict Jewish schools may be illegal, The Independent reported.

There is, to say the least, evidence that the practices within the [ultra-Orthodox Jewish] community, and in particular its schools, amount to unlawfuldiscrimination against and victimization of the father and the children because of the fathers transgender status, he wrote.

Religious bigotry is illegal in the U.K. Allschools must promote tolerance, inclusion and respect for people who are LGBTQ, and cannot refuse admission to children on the basis of whether they or a family member is LGBTQ, the LGBQ Nation, news website reported.

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