Professional Documents
Culture Documents
JANUARY 5, 2018
VOL. LXXXVII NO. 16 $1.00 86 2017
7
75 years of Yavneh
Remembering school days
from Paterson to Paramus
page 18
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S
isters Rita Lerner and Vivian Reis-
man have quite a story to tell.
It’s a story about family loy-
alty, about a talent so large it
has been recognized by a prestigious
award, and about a young man, only 31,
who was executed in 1944, just one hour
before the liberation of Klooga, a work
camp in Estonia.
The Englewood Cliffs sisters tell the story
of other sisters — one of them was their late
mother, Henia — whose love for their slain
brother, Wolf, lasted throughout their lives.
And they tell the story of Wolf, who was
offered a chance to flee the Vilna ghetto but
stayed because he wouldn’t leave his sisters.
There also is a place in the story for Leon-
ard Bernstein.
Wolf Durmashkin — a brilliant young
musician now being recognized through
an international competition for up-and-
coming composers — “was a musical child
prodigy,” his nieces said. “He began playing
the piano at age 6, was giving piano recitals
by age 7, and became the youngest conduc-
tor and only Jew to conduct the Vilna Sym-
phony Orchestra.
“His sisters were close to him and adored
him,” they added. “He was a superstar in
the family and in the city of Vilna — a very
cultural town.” Wolf Durmashkin, when he was 6 years old.
The Wolf Durmashkin Composition
Awards, to be presented on May 10 in Landsberg, Germany, pianist, composer, conductor, and choir director.” The
and including grants totaling $7,500, was the brainchild of idea came to the group via a journalist who learned Wolf’s
journalist Karla Schönebeck and artist Wolfgang Hauck of story while doing research, and the award is intended to
Landsberg’s sociocultural association dieKunstBauStelle, in “celebrate his legacy with music and the arts, a teaching
cooperation with the University of Music and Performing opportunity for young participants, while honoring those
Arts Munich. Participation is open to young musicians of all lost in the Holocaust.”
nationalities; they must be no older than 35. To truly understand Wolf’s character, we must turn our
Representatives of the cultural organization, which was attention back to Vilna in 1941. It was then that all the Jews
founded in January 2014, got in touch with Ms. Lerner and in the city were forced to move to a ghetto. While Wolf was
Ms. Reisman about a year ago to discuss a program that issued a special dispensation to leave the ghetto to continue
would “honor the legacy and the tragic loss of the brilliant conducting, he nevertheless heeded the pleas of ghetto
leaders to create an orchestra there, to raise morale. His
What: The First Annual Wolf Durmashkin Composition sister Fania performed a Chopin piano concerto at its first
Award will be presented
concert. He also organized a 100-member choral group.
When: On May 10, 2018 “It needed a piano,” Ms. Lerner and Ms. Reisman said.
Where: In Landsberg, Germany “They didn’t have one, so he instructed the people who
The works of the three prizewinners will be premiered were able to leave the ghetto to get one. They smuggled it
on May 10 and events held between May 7 and May 11 in under their clothes, piece by piece. He helped them put
will include a gala reception, a jubilee concert com- it together.”
memorating Leonard Bernstein’s 1948 concert, and the The ghetto musicians were so good that “the Nazis came
screening of “Creating Harmony,” as well as exhibi- in to watch him conduct and listen to the orchestra,” the Sisters Vivian Reisman, left, and Rita Lerner talk
tions, tours, and additional performances. sisters said. about their uncle.
Original compositions, a maximum of 10 minutes long, When the Vilna Ghetto was liquidated in 1943, the siblings
can be submitted until January 10, including vocals were sent to Klooga, while their parents, Akiva — head cantor labor and concentration camps, told them. “He was a bril-
and instrumentals, with up to five musicians. For reg-
at a Vilna synagogue and composer of liturgical music — and liant, nice, handsome, wonderful guy,” they said. “Because
istration, go to http://wdc-award.org/en/registration-
Sheina, were taken to the Ponary forest and killed. he could go in and out of the ghetto, he had non-Jewish friends
form/ ; submit completed form and portrait to compe-
tition@wdc-award.org. It was then that the music stopped. who wanted to save him.
His nieces remember stories their mother and aunt, who “But he wouldn’t leave his sisters.”
For more information: go to www.wdc-award.org.
were able to survive the war despite being interned in several See Sisters page 8
Baked
fresh
dai l
y
the family
BALTIMORE • CLIFTON • LAKEWOOD • LAWRENCE • QUEENS • SCARSDALE • MANHATTAN • LAWRENCE
COMING SOON!! CLEVELAND, AND CEDARHURST
First session is Wednesday, January 17th at 7:30 pm and will focus on mindful meditation.
Korman will hold a question and answer session with the audience,
followed by a book signing. The first 25 children in attendance will
receive a free copy of the book.
Bedside science
Volunteers bring the joys of experimenting to learn how things work to kids in hospitals
Abigail Klein Leichman it. Within 12 hours of publicizing our
Y
recruitment drive, we had 30 people
osefa Schoor Silber had no interested,” Ms. Bravman said. The Frisch
intention of establishing an School graduate is creating a schedule
international not-for-profit with Harlem Hospital’s child-life special-
organization when she started ists and training the volunteers how to do
visiting hospitalized New York children the science experiments.
during her sophomore year at Yeshiva Uni- A “hospital leader” on each participat-
versity’s Stern College for Women. ing campus is in charge of creating the
But when she recognized a need, she curriculum of simple science experi-
decided to fill it. ments and ordering, storing, and dis-
Now, just over four years later, TEACH tributing the materials for the modules,
(Together Educating All Children in Hos- which generally are geared to children
pitals) boasts about 750 volunteer under- between 8 and 15 years old. TEACH
graduate and graduate students in the always coordinates with each hospital’s
United States and Israel, mostly biology or child-life specialist.
chemistry majors and medical students. Isaac Snyder, now TEACH’s execu-
They bring hands-on bedside science tive director and president, started out
activities to children in 14 hospitals and as a volunteer while he was a student
medical centers, including two in Israel. in Yeshiva University. “My first module
In the last year alone, more than 75 “mod- was at Downstate Medical Center, and I
ules,” as TEACH refers to the science Some of the TEACH team gathers outside New York-Presbyterian Morgan had one patient who’d tried to run away
experiments, have brought smiles to about Stanley Children’s Hospital, part of the Columbia University Medical Center, in from the hospital,” Mr. Snyder said. “He
550 children. Manhattan. Courtesy TEACH not only loved the module I brought but
“I didn’t feel the children were stimu- didn’t let the staff take the experiment
lated enough, and I saw we could provide They began TEACH at the Children’s up to volunteer with TEACH for a variety from his bedside.
so much more for them from our true love Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx. They of reasons. “Some want the experience of “That experience made me want to go
of science,” Ms. Silber said. She grew up in started with two modules, which they working in a hospital, others love the joy into healthcare and try to help the orga-
West Hempstead in Rockland County and called Chemistry Lava Lamps and Phys- of teaching and want the opportunity to nization expand. I graduated from YU
now is a third-year medical student at Albert ics of Roller Coasters. do more, yet others want to be a part of a last May and now I’ve applied to medical
Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. “Each time, a handful of students from program that will look good on their CV,” school.”
As it turns out, at around the same time Yeshiva would enter the hospital with two he said. “Regardless of their initial moti- When volunteers bring TEACH mod-
Yeshiva University senior Yair Saperstein bags of supplies in hand, and tons of good vation, our volunteers come to intrinsi- ules to the pediatric ward, they begin by
of Cedarhurst, N.Y., had a similar notion. intention and desire to help,” Ms. Silber cally love TEACH and to want to partici- introducing themselves, explaining what
Once the two students connected, they said. “Our only goal was to engage as many pate more, and this fuels its popularity.” school they’re from, and detailing what
honed their plan and presented it to the patients and patient siblings as we could Amy Bravman, a Barnard senior from the science project will entail.
dean of Einstein, Dr. Edward Burns. He find. The founders had no idea of the Fair Lawn, volunteered to serve as the “They ask some interactive questions,
was more than enthusiastic. exponential growth TEACH would see.” Columbia liaison with Harlem Hospital. like ‘Do you think yeast and sugar will
“He said, ‘Let’s make it happen,’ and In a little more than a year, TEACH She recruited a new batch of underclass- blow up a balloon?’ Most kids say no,
he handed us a check to pay for the first had expanded to nine hospitals in the men this semester for monthly visits to although if you ever made challah you
modules,” Ms. Silber recalled. New York/New Jersey area. Current vol- begin in the spring semester. know it will,” Mr. Snyder said.
unteers include residents of Englewood, “People seem really excited about Each interaction lasts between 45
Teaneck, Fair Lawn, Bergenfield, and
Glen Rock.
The biggest core group remains
Yeshiva University students, but the
program now encompasses 22 hospitals
in five states. Not all the student volun-
teers are Jewish.
“To many of the volunteers, TEACH
is seen as a Jewish program, a ‘tikkum
olam’ of sorts, a way of giving to the
community,” said Dr. Saperstein, an Ein-
stein graduate.
“Indeed, the founders, directors, the
initial benefactor, and many of the vol-
unteers past and present are Jewish,” he
continued. “However, to my knowledge,
our patients and their parents view
TEACH through a social-justice lens, not
necessarily as a Jewish program. This
duality works well. We are not exclu-
The lava lamps module uses water, sionary toward Jews, yet the program
oil, food coloring, and Alka Seltzer to fulfills our Jewish value of giving to the In the bridge building module, children make different structures out of tooth-
build bottle lava lamps, similar to the community.” picks and Styrofoam balls or gumdrops and test the structures with weights.
ones popular in the 1970s. Dr. Saperstein said that students sign They’re looking to learn which structures can support the most weight.
M
ary. Rabbi Heschel was born on January
any of us have seen the 11, 1907, and died on December 23, 1972,
iconic image of a line of be- at 65. His yarzheit often falls in early to
leied marchers, centered mid-January, right around MLK Day. Syn-
on three men — Dr. Mar- agogues around the country often mark
tin Luther King Jr., young, mustachioed, the two days and remember the two men
resolute, then Dr. Ralph Bunche, square- together.
jawed, handsome, and less well-known Dr. King spoke to the Conservative rab-
than the other two, despite being a Pulit- bis and leaders to honor Rabbi Heschel,
zer Prize winner, and then Rabbi Abra- Rabbi Zelizer said, but what he said was
ham Joshua Heschel, wild-haired, wild- “controversial — far more controversial
bearded, bespectacled, bereted. than we remember in retrospect.” It was
It’s a picture of the march on Selma, couched in a style that was both mes-
Alabama, in 1964, a pivotal moment in the merizing and profoundly unfamiliar to
civil rights movement, and a time when them — rabbinic homiletics, a subject that
blacks and Jews could link arms, as they Rabbi Zelizer taught at the seminary for
did there, and move forward together. about seven years — does not resemble
Gerald Zelizer, rabbi emeritus of Neve black Baptist teaching (and in fact rarely
Shalom in Metuchen, was a is called mesmerizing). But
young man then. He was not even beyond the style, Dr.
at the march in Selma, but King, “who called himself a
Rabbi Heschel was among his Negro, who was in his own
teachers at the Jewish Theo- words a Negro, coming to Dr. Martin Luther King, center, is flanked by Rev. Ralph Abernathy, left,
logical Seminary, where he speak to Jews, to rabbis, in Dr. Ralph Bunche, and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel at the 1964 march in
was ordained, and Dr. King a time of tension between Selma, Alabama.
spoke at that ordination. the two communities — he
Rabbi Zelizer heard Dr. didn’t come to talk about a synagogue in Bexley, in suburban Colum- the Jewish community there in 1958, and
King speak again, at a Rab- the tension, he came to bus, Ohio, for 40 years. “Together, we’ve who had succeeded hugely. Rabbi Meyer
binical Assembly conven- honor Rabbi Heschel, but been Conservative rabbis for more than founded Comunidad Bet El, became a bul-
tion at the Concord Hotel Rabbi Gerald Zelizer the way he addressed the 100 years,” Gerald Zelizer said. He was wark for democracy and the fight for free-
in Kiamesha Lake in the Jewish/black conflict, he president of the Rabbinical Association dom when the junta took over Argentina,
Catskills, in 1968. Dr. King was there, as leapfrogged across the particular black from 1992 to 1994, and international presi- and left the country, his work completed,
he had been at the ordination at JTS, at civil rights message in that speech,” to dent of its then huge and booming youth in 1984, to oversee the revitalization of
the behest of his friend Rabbi Heschel. make it more universal, Rabbi Zelizer said. movement, USY, in the mid 1950s. Congregation B’nai Jeshurun on Manhat-
Ten days later, Dr. King was assassinated. “His speech at the RA convention tran- (His Ohio background is clear in Rabbi tan’s Upper West Side.
Rabbi Zelizer will talk about his mem- scended black issues and went to a differ- Zelizer’s voice; when he talks about South- When he got to Argentina, two weeks
ories of both men, and about the radi- ent place, and we were all scooped into it,” ern Baptists, they become Babtist, in true after he got the assignment, Rabbi Zelizer
cal content of Dr. King’s talk, to mark he added. Southern Babtist style. “That’s how they certainly was not fluent in Spanish, but he
Dr. Martin Luther King Day at Temple “Before that, I had never heard a say ‘Baptist’ in Ohio,” he explained.) used that two weeks to study the grammar
Emanu-El of Closter. (See box.) black Baptist minister speak,” he said. After he was ordained, Rabbi Zelizer intensively. He knew many verbs because
Rabbi Zelizer will talk about the rela- “He sounded exactly as he sounds on all found himself faced with a dilemma. “The he knew how to conjugate them. “I knew
tionships between the two men, and the recordings, so you all know what he requirement in 1964, when I graduated, I could learn the vocabulary once I got
about its implications, he said. First, he’ll sounds like now — but we didn’t know was that if you passed the physical exam there,” he said.
explore why Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel that then. — and this was true for Reform, Conserva- He met Viviana Rotman there; the
bonded. “They were an odd couple,” “We all sat with our mouths agape.” tive, and Orthodox rabbis — you had had granddaughter of Parisian Jews, fluent in
he said. “They were different in back- Given the young rabbis’ fascination with to be a chaplain in the armed forces,” he many languages, she was his simultane-
ground, in religion, in ethnicity, in age. Dr. King’s style, and given that they all said. It was the beginning of the Vietnam ous translator. Soon, they fell in love. Now
So what did they bond on? were still trying out their own styles, did War, and the draft was in effect. she’s Dr. Viviana Rotman Zelizer, the Lloyd
“They both faced resistance from within any of them try to imitate Dr. King’s? “No,” “I passed the physical, and I was Cotsen Professor of Sociology at Princ-
their own religious communities. Why? Rabbi Zelizer said firmly. “If we’d tried, it assigned to become a prison chaplain in eton, where she focuses on “the cultural
And what was that resistance about? would have been…” He hesitated, search- Japan,” he said. “I was single, the prison implications of money,” Rabbi Zelizer said.
“And what are the practical implications ing for the right word. “Nerdy,” he said. “It was 150 miles from Tokyo, it was a mili- She is a sociologist, not an economist, but
of their common legacy for us, in syna- would have been nerdy.” tary prison, and there were 1,000 prison- she works with economics on the margin
gogues, in 2018? What are the risks?” Rabbi Zelizer, who retired from Neve ers. Twenty of them were Jews.” where the two fields come together.
There is another connection between Shalom in 2015 after 45 years as its spiri- To understate, he was not pleased. They have one son, the historian Dr.
Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel. Dr. King was tual leader, came to the Conservative (And his being single was relevant Julian Zelizer, the Malcolm Forbes professor
murdered when he was 39; the national bimah naturally. His father, Nathan Zel- because it was not a state in which he of history and public affairs at Princeton, a
holiday that marks his birth on January 15, izer, another Conservative rabbi, headed planned to continue. He wanted to meet frequent commentator who talks about cur-
someone and get married.) rent events on many television shows.
Who: Rabbi Gerald Zelizer He despaired, but “The seminary said, The Drs. Zelizer, mother and son, are
What: Will be scholar in residence ‘Listen, Zelizer, we know this is not what the only such tenured pair in Princeton’s
you want to do. So learn Spanish, and we centuries-long history.
Where: At Temple Emanu-El of Closter, 180 Piermont Road
will send you to Argentina.’” But back to Argentina, for Rabbi Zelizer
When: At Shabbat morning services on January 13, beginning at 9:30 The job was to be the assistant to Rabbi — whose dependence on his then-fiancée’s
Why: To talk about the legacies of Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel Marshall Meyer, the Conservative rabbi interpretation soon lessened as he learned
For more information: Call (201) 750-9972 or go to templeemanu-el.com who had gone to Buenos Aires to build up SEE DR. KING PAGE 26
I
ently from nearby towns across the state Through investigative work
t was a good week for the Rock-
land County eruv’s expansion
line in Mahwah’s parks. Township police
did not enforce the ordinance, declaring
and a database search
into North Jersey, which has been it to be unconstitutional discrimination, the registered owner of the
blocked by the towns of Upper Sad-
dle River, Mahwah, and Montvale.
and it sparked a multimillion dollar law-
suit from the state attorney general.
vehicle was identified.
POLICE CHIEF JAMES BATELLI
The town of Montvale reportedly is Shortly before the council met, the
negotiating with the eruv’s organizers to Mahwah police department announced
settle the lawsuit it brought against the that it had arrested Marcello Allegra, 49, identified,” Police Chief James Batelli said Mr. Batelli said.
town for barring the eruv. Montvale’s for vandalizing the eruv by removing a in a statement. Mr. Allegra was released by police. His
Mayor Mike Ghassali told the Bergen plastic pipe from a telephone pole on Air- The owner of the vehicle appeared to court date is Tuesday, January 9.
Record that the town is seeking a “mutu- mont Avenue in September. Mr. Allegra be the woman seen standing to the side As it happens, on that same Tuesday,
ally acceptable plan.” The two sides filed owns a house on Airmont Avenue near in the photograph. That woman, whom there will be another court hearing about
in court to postpone Montvale’s response the telephone pole. Someone driving the police did not identify, gave conflict- the eruv, this one in the Newark court-
to the lawsuit for another month. by had taken a photograph of the van- ing accounts to investigators. room of Judge John Michael Vazquez.
In Mahwah, the township council dal at work; the photo included a car, its Mr. Allegra was charged with one That hearing will feature oral arguments
voted Thursday night to repeal an ordi- license plate partially visible. “Through count of criminal mischief. There was about the eruv association’s request for
nance that barred out-of-state visitors investigative work and a database search insufficient evidence of biased motiva- an injunction barring Upper Saddle River
from using its parks. That ordinance the registered owner of the vehicle was tion to charge him with a hate crime, from removing the eruv.
E
“We found an amazing residential how we respond to the cards we are dealt.”
veryone has a story. program that eliminated almost all of Yoga, which she discovered before she
Some are stories of joy, oth- his behaviors, but he is still not very was diagnosed, has been an important
ers are stories of struggles and verbal, and it’s a painful thing to watch and healing part of her life.
sadness. The best stories are as a parent.” Ms. Jacob’s Instagram page is titled
the ones about people who take their Moshe now lives at a residential Small Shifts Yoga because, she said, “I
struggles and turn them into success — school in Boston called the New Eng- realized all you need is a small shift in
into stories of healing and strength. land Center for Children. “As a side movement or mindset to make a highly
When someone asks, “How are you note,” Ms. Jacob said, “he has daily yoga impactful change, which is the essence
today?” and that person’s day has been practice at school.” of yoga.” The page started as a “picture
filled with challenges and heartbreaks, Dasi and her husband, Danny, have journal,” but with the encouragement of
some people answer, “My day was the four children; Benny, now 17, is a senior some friends, she turned it into more of
worst,” but other people answer with “I at Yeshiva University High School for a public, open journal, where she shares
am blessed.” Those are the people we can Boys; her 8-year-old daughter, Adina, and encouragement.
learn from, and grow from. her 6-year-old son, Sammy, both are at “Yoga helps me stay in the present,
It seems that some of these people — Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey. keeps anxiety and depression at bay, and
the ones who have taken their struggles Ms. Jacob’s story did not start on an keeps my body strong, healthy, and flex-
and turned them into something positive upward trajectory then either. “Five ible,” she said. “It helps slow down my
— have turned to yoga for healing, first to months after Moshe started school, I gave reactions to the challenges that inevita-
heal themselves and then to heal others. birth to my youngest child and was diag- bly arise.
Dasi Jacob of Teaneck is one of those Dasi Jacob of Teaneck credits yoga nosed with leukemia,” she said. “I was “I first discovered yoga as part of a fit-
people. with helping her reframe thoughts, still in the maternity ward. ness routine at the gym, I was attracted
This mother of four has taken the stay centered, and develop positive “Many treatments later, I am, thank to the physical benefits, and I quickly got
seemingly insurmountable challenges attitudes. ABBIE SOPHIA God, ‘cured,’ and living life. Surviving hooked on the emotional benefits. The
in her life and has turned them into les- cancer gives great perspective in not tak- decreased anxiety is a great remedy on
sons that help others, through yoga and making it even harder for many people ing anything in life for granted.” It also days when depression hits.
mindfulness. to comprehend,” Ms. Jacob said. “The gives her “gratitude, for all of the little “It’s good for just redirecting myself
Ms. Jacob’s journey began when her first 13 years of Moshe’s life were spent things,” she said. back into the moment.”
oldest child, Moshe, who is now 19, in major self-injurious behaviors.” “I share this all in an attempt to break When she was diagnosed with leukemia,
was diagnosed with autism. He was It was hard on the whole family. “I through the misguided perception of per- yoga was her saving grace. “I practiced in
just 18 months old then. Ms. Jacob also didn’t really live,” Ms. Jacob said. “I suf- fection we see on social media,” Ms. Jacob between rounds of chemo, when the anxi-
had a three-month-old, Benny, at the fered through major depression and continued. “Life throws us many curve- ety about relapse mounted,” she said. “It
time of this diagnosis. “Autism comes forced isolation. Thank God for my balls and it is about how you come out at helped me regain focus, build strength and
in so many different shapes and sizes, incredibly supportive friends who helped the end. We have no control over many get endorphins in a safe way.”
PASSOVER 2018
OUR 60th YEAR
On the George Washington Bridge, from left, Ken Sagrestano, deputy man-
ager, GW Bridge & Bus Terminal; Mendel Kanelsky; Bob Durando, general
manager, GW Bridge & Bus Station; Stan and Yelena Gutkin, menorah co-
sponsors; Bonnie Srolovits and Michael Berkowicz, menorah designers; Rabbi
Mordechai and Shterney Kanelsky, Bris Avrohom executive and associate
director; their grandson Mendel; their son Zalmy; and menorah co-sponsors
Vlad and Tanya German and family. COURTESY BRIS AVROHOM
Yavneh turns
Paramus school celebrates its history as parents
and administrators remember where they’ve been 75
S
Joanne Palmer
Teachers and
students, soon
after the school
opened.
Yavneh’s first
class graduated
from eighth
grade in 1951.
said. “They kept me there for a year and a half.” It wasn’t “He wasn’t a teacher or a parent. I don’t know who he
When Mr. Rubinowitz lived in Florida, he came back
that he was dumb, needless to say, but that he was young; was. I just know that he was Mr. Silverberg, and that he
to New Jersey for Yavneh’s first graduation, in 1952. It
“I was the youngest kid in the school,” he added. drove us to school. was the class that would have been his. As an adult, he
Mr. Rubinowitz’s memories are the memories of a very “I remember one of the Hebrew teachers, Mr. Raichel,
moved back to New Jersey in 1965; he lived in Wayne
young child; in 1947, his family moved to Florida, “and I and that the rosh yeshiva was Rabbi Harry Bornstein, who
for two years, and then in Elmwood Park for 40. He
was in the second graduating class of the Hebrew Academy was also the rabbi of the Hebrew Free School,” Mr. Rubinow-
thought Yavneh’s education was so good that he sent
of Greater Miami,” he said. But he does have memories. itz continued. “And he always smoked a cigar. It was always
his own children there.
“I remember my teacher, Miss Sakis,” he said. “I remem- “It was very intense,” he said. “They made sure that
in his mouth.” He does not remember whether or not the
ber that we had nap time, and I remember that everyone you got as much of a secular education as a religious
cigar was lit during classes, or just stayed cold in Rabbi
brought their lunch in a lunch pail. I remember that Mr. Sil- one. And in the Hebrew division, they didn’t teach
Bornstein’s mouth, but “the teachers always smoked in high
verberg used to pick us up in his brown wooden-sided sta- strictly from the religious standpoint. And although this
school,” he said. “They didn’t smoke in class, but even in
tion wagon. high school, they all always smoked.” was pre-state of Israel, we still were taught Hebrew as
a modern language. We studied grammar and spelling.
And we also studied history and prophets, and all the
additional part of a Jewish education as opposed to what
they do even today in a yeshiva, poring over the books.
“In Yavneh, we strictly spoke Hebrew in the Hebrew
Sweet Tastes of Torah section, so we spoke English half a day, Hebrew half a
day. I went to school 60, 65 years ago, and I have been
Community-wide evening of education
to Israel twice and I was able to conduct a conversa-
Presented by the North Jersey Board of Rabbis tion there in Hebrew, from what I remembered.
NEW YEAR, NEW FORMAT! “The education at Yavneh was phenomenal,” Mr.
Rubinowitz concluded.
The Ethics-Driven Life Rabbi Eugene Kwalwasser worked at Yavneh from
1977 until 2008; during most of that time he was the
In an age of endless scandal, the words and the examples of the head of school, although he did not begin at that level
prophets offer us an alternative—an ethics-driven life. Our and he ended his career there as a consultant. After
KEYNOTER, Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz, brings ancient wisdom to life in a he retired, he and his wife,
in a new way. Breakout sessions to focus on prophetic voices regarding on Edna, made aliyah, but
repentance, wisdom, righteousness, civil disobedience, forgiveness, from Israel he remembers
protest, and more! Yavneh with great love
(and he is coming back for
Saturday, February 3 @ 6:30 p.m. the school’s gala dinner).
Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 10-10 Norma Avenue, Fair Lawn “I loved going to school
every morning,” he said. “It
$15 per person pre-registered by January 31; $20 per person at door was a pleasure jumping out
of bed and getting ready to
go to Yavneh. I look back at
Program and online credit card registration at my professional life there Rabbi Eugene
www.sweettastesoftorah.weebly.com with only the fondest of Kwalwasser
Or mail your check, payable to the North Jersey Board of Rabbis: memories. I don’t think there are many people in the
32 Franklin Place, Glen Rock, NJ 07452 position I was in, as head of school, who feel as I do.
Name(s): _____________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________
Many of them couldn’t wait for the day they retired. It
Phone: ________________________________________________ Cell: ______________________________________
was enough. But for me, it was wonderful. They were
For security reasons, please include names of ALL attendees when registering
wonderful years.
It was under Rabbi Kwalwasser’s leadership that
Questions? 201.652.1687 sweettastesoftorah@gmail.com the school both expanded and moved; in 1981, after
having been in a three buildings in Paterson, Yavneh
followed most of its students to Ber- his wife working in Manhattan, and
gen County. his love for Yavneh in full bloom,
Rabbi Kwalwasser grew up in the family moved to Fair Lawn. The
Chicago, as some of his vowels still Kwalwassers now live in Beit Shem-
make clear. “I left for Yeshiva Uni- esh, “not the neighborhood in the
versity when I was 17, and I never news, but in a wonderful Anglo Jew-
looked back,” he said. He had grown ish community,” he said. “We have
up in Hollywood Park, a neighbor- fantastic friends. Everyone supports
hood that once had been Jewish but everyone. It has been wonderful.”
had become increasingly less so dur- Rabbi Kwalwasser looks back at
ing his childhood and adolescence. his earliest years at Yavneh, when
During his undergraduate career the school was in Paterson, and
and then as he studied for smicha, draws some comparisons with his
Rabbi Kwalwasser wasn’t sure about adolescence in Chicago. “The Jewish
the direction he wanted to take. Did community in Paterson was dwin-
he want pulpit work? Youth work? dling quickly,” he said. “People were
Full-on education work? He and just leaving. By the time we moved
Edna moved to the Taylor Road Syn- the school, in 1981, I would park my
agogue in Cleveland in 1969, where The school moved to 12th Avenue and 26th Street, still in Paterson, in 1945, and stayed car inside the gates of the school.
“I created and built up NCSY” — the there until 1953. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sure that it
National Council of Synagogue Youth would still be there, if I would leave
— “which in those days was just in its infancy,” he said. “We going to Yavneh for an interview. And that was it. He fell in on a winter’s night, when it was dark outside.”
were there for three years, and then it was time to move love with the school — and the feeling was mutual. It wasn’t a frightening environment, he said, just a poor
on. That was not the end of where we wanted to be.” For the first six years, Rabbi Kwalwasser lived in Far one, but the dangers were real. “You never stayed alone
He realized that he wanted education; a short series Rockaway. “Edna and I made a critical decision,” he said. in the building,” he said. “If you stayed for a meeting, the
of jobs led him from California to Long Island and then “We didn’t know how it would work out, and our kids were last ones out would be me, the president, and the chair of
to an interview in Paterson. Although he, his wife, and settled there. I didn’t want to hopscotch all over the map, the board. We put the chains on and locked the gates. You
their growing family were living in Far Rockaway, on Long so I said that I would commute, and if need be I will find never went out alone.”
Island’s south shore, and Paterson was basically the back a place to stay overnight if there are meetings.” In 1983, But that was a dangerous time in many cities. “Paterson
of beyond from there, Rabbi Kwalwasser was tempted into his children at easily movable points in their education, wasn’t the only place where we would have been afraid
of being mugged,” he said. “And we were already When you talk to Rabbi Kwalwasser, you often
looking to move. We knew we had to get out of hear the words warmth and love. “Those are
there.” very important to me,” he said. “And it is terribly
Another impetus for moving was the need to important for children to be seen as individuals.
attract families. “The recruitment was getting “In the same way, my wife and I have three chil-
tough when we were in Paterson,” Rabbi Kwalwas- dren. They come from the same genetic pool. But
ser said. “There were Jewish families then living in they are very different from each other. Each child
Teaneck, in Fair Lawn, in places like Wyckoff and must be seen as an individual.
Wayne and Franklin Lakes, and they wanted some “One thing that always made me shudder would
form of Jewish education for their children. And be when I would hear someone say something like
Yavneh was there to provide it. We even recruited ‘I know your brother’ or ‘I know your sister’ or
in places like West Orange and Passaic and Clif- ‘You are like him’ or ‘You are not like her’ or ‘You
ton. And the moment we announced that we were are better at’ or ‘You are not as good at.’ That is
actively looking to move, we became more desir- unacceptable to me.
able. It was very important for people to know “Each child has to be seen as that child and only
that we were leaving that geographic area.” that child. Jake was Jake and Donna was Donna
Yavneh was about much more than geogra- and Elie wasn’t Jake and Jake wasn’t Donna.”
phy, however. “My vision and mission was to Another subject about which Rabbi Kwalwas-
put together a faculty that shared my approach ser is passionate is the school’s co-educational
to Jewish education,” Rabbi Kwalwasser said. structure; all its classes are open equally to boys
“That approach was an education that would be A student listens to her tablet and grins at the camera. and girls. “That’s a part of my belief system,” he
dynamic, conceptual as well as textural, filled said. “There are not many schools in the modern
with warmth and love and understanding. It and vision that I set out to achieve.” Orthodox educational movement that are. I am a
would know that Judaic studies and general studies need He is enormously proud of the school’s reputation. “We very big believer in God having created male and female,
to be integrated, and it would know and teach the impor- were seen as the school where graduates would have the and there is no reason to separate them in the educational
tance of the state of Israel. It would be an outstanding aca- textural skills, the thinking skills, the conceptual skills, system, because they will learn to understand each other,
demic institution, with tremendous concern for the indi- so that high schools really vied for them. I believe that is to respect each other, and to appreciate each other.
vidual child. still the case. “If you do separate them, you see the results when you
“That was my mission and my mantra throughout all “I see sometimes when graduates come to Israel and I see walk the streets in Israel. In the ultra-Orthodox world,
my 31 years. It took on different forms as time went on, but for myself, and I say to myself that I feel very personally ful- they do not know how to relate to each other. They create
it was very important to me that I never lost the mission filled because of what we achieved at the Yavneh Academy.” a wall between the genders. I do not want to do that.
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22 apple
Jewish Standard
bk - JEWISH STANDARD - JANUARY 5,- 2018
MONEY MARKET EFF DATE 1-2-18.indd 1 12/6/2017 1:59:37 PM
Cover Story
“That was one of the biggest battles Kwalwasser would deny those girls a Tal-
I had to fight, because in the tradi- mud education,” he said.
tional Jewish world, girls never learned Pamela Scheininger, the school board
Talmud. I will tell you that I had some president, also is struck by the way that
female students who would be able to each child is treated as an individual,
put male students into their back pock- a separate person, his or her own per-
ets, without even trying. That is how son. “The most spectacular thing about Le
nc
e
ga
bright they are. Yavneh is that they are truly commit- c y o f E x c e ll e
“There was no way that Dean ted to finding a way in which individual
LAVISH
wings to the excessed public school me, in our 20s — I became a vice presi-
building at its core. It now teaches about dent right away, at 24.”
750 children. “It’s larger than it ever It was Mr. Gelman who taught her to
LU NCH ES
has been,” Rabbi Knapp said. “We are fund-raise, she said. “When we decided
at capacity.” Most of the students come we were going to buy the building, we
from Teaneck, Bergenfield, New Milford, raised all the money,” she said. “We’d go
Fair Lawn, Paramus, Tenafly, and Engle- out to two or three families a night, and
A day of culinary adventure with guest speaker wood. “Admission is inclusive,” he con- ask them for money personally.”
Michael Ferraro, renowned NYC chef and restaurateur
tinued. “The goal is to stretch ourselves The school was different then, she
of Delicatessen & macbar.
and to accommodate as many types of said. It was less professionalized. “Lay
Begin the morning with a light breakfast at the home of learners as possible. We’re also needs leaders really had to do everything.
Michele & Daniel Ross, followed by a luncheon of your choice. blind, and we take everyone we can, as When we moved, we lay leaders physi-
long as we can meet that child’s needs. cally moved things. We’d literally put
H O S T S & H O S T E S S E S I N C LU D E “We constantly reevaluate what we are things on the truck. There was food in
Lor i & Josh Capon doing, to make sure we are using best the freezer, and we knew that it would be
O r l y C h e n , O r n a J a c k s o n , M a l i O e l s n e r, R i k i S h u l m a n , practices, and staying on top of theory a while before there would be a freezer
& Y i f a t Ye c h e z k e l l
as it changes,” Rabbi Knapp said. “Every in the new school, so we put the food in
Stephanie Cohn & Jillian Somberg
L o r i n C o o k , K i e r a F l y n n , S u s a n M a r e n o f f-Z a u s n e r & A l y z i a S a n d s
school navigates the fine line between our own freezer.
Jamie Corsair & Stacey Esser holding on to what’s working and inves- “People say I bleed Yavneh, I am so
Robin Epstein tigating what’s new. And we too have committed to the school,” Ms. Frohlich
Merle Fish changed. We have incorporated many continued. “I truly feel that we have an
M i n d y L a v i n & I r i s Wo r m s e r cutting-edge programs in the areas of obligation to give back — and what bet-
Dalia Lerner
social and emotional growth, character ter or more appropriate place to give our
M a r c i a’s A t t i c , C l o s t e r
Gabrielle & Brian Marcus development, and sensitivity to diversity. energy than the institution that is pro-
Eileen Pleva “As the population has shifted to reflect viding our children with the foundation
Elle & JoJo Rubach the broader Bergen County Jewish pop- they need for the future?”
ulation, at this stage the majority of our When it comes to giving back, she con-
families would identify as being obser- tinued, no matter what school your child
Register at jccotp.org/lavishlunches
vant,” he said; Rabbi Kwalwasser had goes to, “that child’s schools should be
Contact Michal Kleiman at mkleiman@jccotp.org said that in the early years, that was not your first and top priority. I have four
or 201.408.1412 for more information. necessarily the case. “When we moved, children — Gayle, Elana, Michael, and
Teaneck had two shuls. Now it has 22.” Daniel — and they are each in different
Another value dear to the school is places, educationally and religiously, but
its American-ness. “We want to deepen the education they received at Yavneh
JS-1*
our children’s commitment to Juda- was second to none.
ism,” Rabbi Knapp said. “That is our pri- “It gave them the foundation to
REMEMBERING HADASSAH’S DEBORAH KAPLAN
‘HATE HAS NO HOME HERE’ page 8
MEET THE ANNE FRANK CENTER’S STEVEN GOLDSTEIN
PURIM PARTYING LIKE IT’S 19TH CENTURY ITALY
page 6
page 47
page 12
Jewish Standard
THEJEWISHSTANDARD.C OM
Transcending denominations emphasize to the children what it means were at that crossroad.”
to be a citizen of this coun-
daily newsletter! try. There is a tendency to be
insular,” but the school does
Who: Leaders of the Yavneh Academy
What: Celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary
Visit www.thejewishstandard.com not give into it, valuing pride When: On Saturday, January 13, at 8 p.m.
and knowledge over knee-jerk
and tribalism.
Where: At the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpoint
click on SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY Barbara Frohlich of Teaneck For more information: Go to yavnehdinner.com
Teaneck, NJ 07666
1086 Teaneck Road
Jewish Standard
Jewish World
previous talks. of external affairs for the Yesha Council, under Labor governments and now the Jerusalem Post that the Palestinian
“When you focus on the issues — and not the umbrella body for West Bank settle- the Israel Policy Forum’s Israel fellow. reaction to the recognition was “ugly”
about history or background or personal ments. “The expectation is that for there “Which means once presented with and “anti-Semitic.”
emotions or other disturbing elements — to be genuine peace, you need to be speak- a seemingly impossible position they One person who met with the team
the common denominator is much bigger ing to people on all sides, not just a couple can easily say no and become domes- notes that Greenblatt spent time at
than what separates us,” Tzachi HaNegbi, of leaders you gather in a hotel in Europe.” tic heroes.” Greenblatt understands, Yeshivat Har Etzion, a West Bank
the country’s minister for regional devel- The Palestinian Authority, at least until Novik said, that whatever formula yeshiva noted for leaders who coun-
opment, said at the time. the Jerusalem issue arose this month, emerges it must not be one that Pales- seled engagement with the Palestin-
The evidence shows, though, that Green- also enthusiastically embraced Trump’s tinians reflexively reject. ians. A source close to Greenblatt
blatt does focus on emotional and personal approach, as expressed through Green- Oded Revivi, the mayor of the settle- described his year there as “a very
elements — but only as a means of advanc- blatt, their most frequent interlocutor from ment of Efrat, which maintains rela- meaningful year of growth with great
ing commonalities. the Trump administration. tions with three neighboring Palestin- teachers, role models and friends.”
Greenblatt’s Twitter feed is a constant Zomlot, the PLO envoy, turned down a ian villages, said that Greenblatt was Before he became an ambassador,
flow of amity. He posts photos of kosher request for an interview, but in previous able to extrapolate from the details of Friedman backed the more hardline
meals he’s received as the guest of the Pal- briefings for reporters he expressed admi- that relationship to possible bigger pic- Bet El yeshiva.
estinian Authority or the Saudi kingdom. ration for the intensity of Greenblatt’s ture solutions. “He’s very interested in Kushner is facing legal woes as a spe-
He ran a series of photos featuring kids involvement. “They have traveled to the small details while remembering that cial prosecutor investigates the Trump
from Gaza who visited Washington under region, they have met with all parties, he is representing the strongest coun- campaign’s alleged collusion with Rus-
a youth exchange program — in one, he especially Greenblatt,” he said at an August try in the world, and he needs to think sia. He said in leaked remarks over the
thanks the Israeli government for facilitat- briefing. of the global matter and not just a small summer that he doesn’t know if a deal
ing the group’s travel. (The Palestine Liber- “What I’m hearing is that he is primarily suburb of Jerusalem,” he said. is even possible.
ation Organization envoy, Husam Zomlot, in listening mode, respectful of positions Still, despite Greenblatt’s efforts, But Kushner, speaking earlier this
thanked Greenblatt for his intervention.) trying to understand where they’re coming there remains considerable frustration month at the Brookings Institution
He wishes Jews, Muslims and Christians from, but also preparing for what appears — if not anxiety — at the Trump admin- annual Saban Forum, which convenes
happy holidays at the appropriate times. to be big moves,” said Jonathan Schanzer, istration’s reluctance to outline a deal. Israeli and U.S. influencers, described
It’s a friendly approach that has the vice president of the Foundation for At the same August briefing with report- a team that works together smoothly.
attracted investment in the peace process Defense of Democracies. ers, Zomlot wondered “where the hell “As this process has gone through, my
from actors who were wary of it in the “He understands the power of weak- they are going.” Around the same time team in particular, being three Ortho-
past. “Overall, the sense is, we’re being ness of the Palestinian side,” said Nim- that Greenblatt was saying that Hamas- dox Jews and a Coptic Egyptian [Pow-
spoken to,” said Elie Pieprz, the director rod Novik, a former top Israeli negotiator Palestinian Authority would work, if ell], has tried very hard to do a lot of
Hamas adheres to principles including listening,” he said.
the laying down of arms and recogniz- A White House official said that the
ing Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benja- team is focused on reaching a deal —
min Netanyahu fretted that the recon- but the official added that there is also
ciliation could come at “the expense of value in Greenblatt’s confidence-build-
our existence.” ing measures, in and of themselves.
There may be obstacles closer to The official added that Trump, who
home as well. Interlocutors who have has had about 10 meetings with the
spent time with the negotiation team team, was very attentive to progress
say that Friedman’s politics tend to toward reaching a peace deal.
veer to the far right on the Israeli “He’s extremely engaged and inter-
political spectrum. Friedman, speak- ested and dedicated to making this a
ing this week of Palestinian reaction to top priority,” the official said.
Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem, told JTA WIRE SERVICE
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JEWISH STANDARD JANUARY 5, 2018 27
Jewish World
New tax law allows college savings for Jewish day school
Is it sound financially? Does it breach church-state?
RON KAMPEAS parents in some states now have an
opportunity to save hundreds of dollars a
WASHINGTON — When the new tax bill year in tax breaks. On the other hand, the
was signed into U.S. law by President 529 system was designed for long-term
Donald Trump on December 22, an unex- savings and may not be the best vehicle
pected constituency benefited: parents for frequent withdrawals.
who send their kids to Jewish day schools. This is what we know so far.
Until now, the college savings plans Who benefits?
known by their tax codes, 529s, could only Anyone who is paying or contributing
be used could for college tuition. But effec- to a private school education.
tive as of January 1, taxpayers may with- “It will assist people in the middle class
draw up to $10,000 from the tax-free plans of the Orthodox community who are
annually to help pay for private school. already struggling with their economics
“For private school parents, it’s another generally and paying for education as part
reason to consider investing using a 529 of that,” said Nathan Diament, the Wash-
plan,” Roger Young, a senior financial ington director of the Orthodox Union,
planner at T. Rowe Price, said. which lobbied for the change.
Faith-based schools have celebrated the The way 529s are set up, contributions
change. While Catholic school advocates are not tax deductible from federal taxes,
led the lobbying for the tax break for pri- but the earnings are. In addition, 35 states
vate schools, Orthodox Jewish umbrella During Chanukah, Jewish preschoolers in Washington, D.C., gaze at a menorah. offer state income tax exemptions on con-
bodies also were involved in advocating MARK GAIL/THE WASHINGTON POST VIA GETTY IMAGES tributions — generally between $2,000
for the move. At the same time, however, and $10,000 a year, and depending on
proponents of church-state separation away at support for public schools. new provision will have much of an whether the contributor is an individual
have decried the provision as chipping Experts still are not sure whether the impact. On the one hand, day school or a couple.
This means that in some states, private school par- among their schools, which are striving to persuade more does this mean it’s a loss for public education advocates?
ents (and grandparents) score twice: a state income parents to make the day school commitment. They would The groups that lobbied for the change made no secret of
tax exemption on up to $10,000 being put into the rather use the new rule as an enticement to parents to a broader agenda: to chip away at American civil traditions
plan and a $10,000 exemption on the withdrawal. sign up their kids rather than a new avenue for revenue, that balk at funding religious institutions.
The state income tax exemption, when applicable, officials said. In an online statement, Agudah calls the provision “a sig-
creates an immediate tax break for contributors, even “Schools are already under pressure since the reces- nificant, symbolic, national school-choice victory” even if
if they don’t keep the money in long enough to benefit sion started [in late December 2007] to hold the line on its benefits do not immediately accrue day school families
from the federal tax break on accrued earnings. tuition,” said Dan Perla, the director of financial vitality for who choose not to open 529s.
Jewish day schools are heavily concentrated in Prizmah, a new umbrella body for Jewish day schools. Orthodox groups have welcomed the emphasis by
the Northeast, and states there vary widely in their If this is a victory for those who believe in “school choice,” SEE TAX LAW PAGE 31
tax policies. New York, for instance, offers the
$10,000 tax deduction; New Jersey offers none.
State chapters of the Orthodox Union and Agudath
VOL
Israel of America, umbrella bodies for Orthodox
groups, are lobbying for more generous state-level
U
529 benefits.
NTE
This is a windfall for day school parents, right?
Not quite. It’s more like a gentle breeze. The state
savings typically amount to hundreds of dollars.
ER
Say a state taxes income at 8 percent and allows tax
MA
exemptions on up to $10,000 — that’s $800 in sav-
ings per child.
The federal tax savings on revenue depend on the
K
parents and their personal circumstances.
CAL E
“These are the kind of questions parents have to
discuss with personal financial advisers and accoun-
tants,” Diament said.
With tuitions at private colleges reaching as high as
JAN LS!
$70,000 a year, there may not be enough of an incen-
tive to divert money to day school tuition. Money for
a university accrues interest for 18 years if parents
.
open a 529 when a baby is born. A New York Times
projection said parents dumping $200,000 into
an account when a baby is born and doing nothing
28 U IGN S
would have more than $370,000 to spend come col-
lege time.
201 VOL P TO
Accordingly, day school investments inherently
will accrue less interest: If you open a 529 when a
8 SUP
child is born, you’ll be making withdrawals when
UNT
they are 5 or 6 years old. Parents with kids already in
SUN ER
the day school system — and who have opened 529s,
carefully planning to cover college tuition — may be EE jfnn
j .o r
g /s R
less inclined to divert funds to day school tuitions. upe
rsu
DAY
Parents of newborns may have a greater incentive to nda
open a 529 now and accrue some tax-free interest in y
FED JEWI
the next five years or so.
Additionally, parents planning for an 18-year haul
ERA SH
can afford riskier investments — and potentially
greater returns — than parents who will want to start
50 EISENH TION
cashing in their investments within five or six years.
“If you’re putting money into a 529 for elementary
or high school expenses you need to carefully con-
sider your time horizon,” Young said. “If you have
a longer time horizon, you can be more aggressive.”
Noam Neusner, a communications adviser who
D O RIV
worked on tax policy for the George W. Bush admin-
E, P WER
istration, suggested that grandparents could use the
new break as a means of encouraging their children
ARA
MU
to go the day school way.
“If you’re a grandparent contributing to a child’s Judy Taub Gold S
day school tuition, this provides a way to ensure you Dr. Bram Alster
can continue to support that investment into the
future, regardless of if you’re alive,” he said. “You Co-Chairs
designate funds for the 529, and ensure that your
grandchild has funds for future years in day schools.”
Won’t day schools seize the opportunity and raise
tuitions?
Tax experts have speculated that in much the same
way that universities have tailored tuitions to gobble
up tax breaks, the same could happen at the day CO N TAC T L AU R I E S I E G E L | l a u r i e s @ j f n n j .o rg | 2 01 - 8 2 0 -395 6
school level.
But Jewish day school officials say that’s unlikely
I
speaker and former Arab affairs corre-
s it true that Judaism doesn’t accept converts? spondent for the Times of Israel, Miller
Is it true that Jews have to wash their hands before saw that many Muslims he knew didn’t
they pray? have a clear understanding of Jewish
Is it true that Jews historically have killed practices and beliefs. So he decided to
their prophets? start teaching Muslims about Judaism,
These are just a few of the questions that Elhanan Miller has in a language and context they can
relate to.
“Islam purports to tell Muslims
about what Judaism is about,” Miller,
S aam m yy’s’s Jewish prayer (three times a day vs. five for Muslims, native Arabic speaker who co-narrates the script.
S m m with less kneeling on the floor). Miller is planning more There’s one topic, however, that Miller isn’t planning
videos on clothing and modesty, Jewish conceptions of to tackle anytime soon: Israel. He may address Jeru-
God, and fasting in Judaism. salem, which is holy to Jews and Muslims, in a future
“There’s a big overlap between Judaism and Islam in video, but says that broaching sensitive issues could
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O M
y father was born in Iran, betrayed not only the Iranian people by his failure to support
kay, it’s an entirely arti- and it has been my great the uprising, but the rest of the world, which has faced an
ficial divide, sort of like desire to visit the birth- increasingly aggressive Iran ever since.
those big rectangular place of so many of my We subsequently have learned that Obama’s desperation to
states out West, like Mon- ancestors. sign a nuclear agreement to have something to show for his oth-
tana, say, or the Dakotas, with totally I’d be insane to try to go now, unless erwise inconsequential foreign policy legacy led him to agree
arbitrary borders, not rivers like the my purpose is to save money on the to a deal so flawed that Iran has continued to advance toward
mighty Hudson but just lines drawn return leg of the ticket. Iran is one regional dominance and a nuclear weapons capability. Most
by anonymous engineers. of the world’s darkest, most brutal recently, it was revealed that Obama went so far as to sabotage
There’s nothing that makes Janu- regimes, and it proudly and constantly Rabbi his own administration’s efforts to bring Iran’s Hezbollah ter-
ary 1 inherently 2018ish, in a way that boasts of its genocidal intent toward Shmuley rorist arm to justice for its illegal activities in the United States
December 31 was not. It’s not like the the Jewish people. Boteach for fear it would interfere with negotiations on the nuclear deal
winter solstice, on December 21, when Two years ago, our organization, and undermine his propaganda line that the agreement would
the long nights pivoted and started the World Values Network, honored lead Iran to stop threatening U.S. interests.
getting shorter, tiny bit by tiny bit. Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the Shah and the former crown Obama also did nothing to address Hezbollah’s global terror-
But somehow it does feel different prince of Iran, for his dedication to a democratic Iran, free from ist activities or bring to justice those responsible for the deadli-
anyway. the tyrannical reign of the mullahs. Now we are suddenly wit- est attacks on Americans other than 9/11, the 1983 murder of 241
For the last few weeks, nighttime nessing national protests against the Khameini dictatorship. Americans in the U.S. Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, and
has been filled with the glorious lights For decades, we have been hearing that the people of Iran the 63 people, including 17 Americans (one of whom was the
of Christmas; I feel entirely empow- despise their authoritarian radical Islamic regime. They rejected CIA station chief ) killed the same year when Hezbollah blew up
ered to be driven crazy by the music the oppression as well as the mullahs’ determination to take the the American embassy in Beirut.
and the ever-present red and green By refusing to certify the Iranian nuclear agreement, President
and antlers on cars and stupid sweat- Trump took an important first step toward reversing the cata-
ers and all the rest of the faux and By refusing to certify strophic impact of Obama’s Iran policies. Now he has an unex-
alienating cheer, but still to love the
tiny bright lights that turn Victorian
the Iranian nuclear pected opportunity to support the one policy that could end
the Iranian threat to its neighbors, to the United States, and to
houses into children’s book illustra- agreement, President the world, regime change. This is the only way to eliminate the
tions and trees into sculptures of cren-
ellated wonder.
Trump took an genocidal and hegemonic ambitions of the Iranian government.
Obama’s unwillingness to punish Iran for its continued viola-
The white light is golden or blue; important first step tion of UN resolutions related to its nuclear activity and ballis-
it’s not real, but it is even more
lovely for it.
toward reversing the tic missile development emboldened the mullahs, who subse-
quently expanded their missile program, continued their covert
Now, though, the lights will have catastrophic impact of nuclear weapons pursuit, increased their sponsorship of ter-
to come down (and we will be able to
be grateful that we didn’t have to go
Obama’s Iran policies. ror, and intensified their interference in their neighbors’ affairs.
Thanks to the billions of dollars Obama paid Iran in ransom, and
up on ladders either to string or to the billions more in sanctions relief afforded by the nuclear deal,
unstring them). Now the light will be once-modern nation backward to the dark ages of fundamen- Iran grew stronger and now its tentacles extend throughout the
the pale natural light of winter, getting talist Islamist rule. Still, for more than 30 years, the public did Gulf, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and beyond.
longer, ushering us into this new year. little to show its discontent. Now, popular anger over domestic Trump now has the opportunity to work for regime change
As we move into the new year, with tyranny has merged with frustration over Iran’s interference in without necessarily using military force. He can provide verbal
its new light, we hope for more light. the domestic affairs of other countries throughout the region to and, more important, material support to the protestors and he
We hope that last year, with its hideous provoke the most serious threat to the genocidal regime since can increase sanctions against Iran for brutalizing their people if
divisiveness, will remain behind us, the revolution. the Iranians use the Revolutionary Guards to try to suppress the
and that none of its toxicity will seep For all its dissatisfaction in the past, the public did not revolt demonstrations. Iran first must be cut off from the international
into this one. because it seemed unprepared to fight for independence against banking system. This can cripple the economy and prevent the
We hope that sanity, decency, and the overwhelming force of the brutal Revolutionary Guards. The Europeans from continuing their mad rush to sign business
civility will be ascendant, and that one time the public did rise up, in 2009, it was ruthlessly sup- deals with the Iranian government. Oil should be embargoed.
love and goodness will see us through pressed by the guards and abandoned by the international com- The sale of Boeing jets to Iran must be cancelled. The cases
the rest of what is likely to be a cold, munity, most notably by Barack Obama. The former president against Hezbollah’s illegal operations in the United States must
cold winter. -JP
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is the author of 30 books, including his most recent, “The Israel Warrior.” Follow him on Twitter @RabbiShmuley.
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T
here is a special place in the world to come for Words cannot adequately express the gratitude that
lay leaders of Jewish institutions. I feel for the past, current, and even future leaders of
While all lay leadership positions require tire- Ben Porat Yosef. Though I often said that BPY felt (and
be reopened and warrants sought for those respon- less work and dedication for no pay, there is still feels) like my baby, this feels much more significant
sible for attacks against Americans abroad. Further- something particularly daunting about doing than simply pride in my child’s achieve-
more, U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq, which succeeded this kind of work within your own tight-knit ments. Because, unlike with my own chil-
t in destroying ISIS, should now be directed to drive community. If you’re doing it right, you are dren, I was given this baby to hold for just
n out Iranian and Hezbollah fighters. constantly forced to choose the best interest a short while. Many creative, talented, and
Now even the feckless Europeans will be unable to of the organization you are leading over the caring leaders came before me, and my job
complain about tightening sanctions without looking individual needs and wants of the people and simply was to take care of this great insti-
- like they are supporting the dictators in Tehran over families you serve, many of whom undoubt- tution while I could, and then to pass on
the people in the streets clamoring for democracy. edly are friends. Proper governance and legal the responsibility of nurturing its growth to
Perhaps Russia and China again will shield Iran at requirements often have the good of the whole another set of capable hands.
t the UN Security Council with their vetoes, but the at odds with what feels right in your heart for Watching the stunning maturation of
the individuals you know so well, and walking Cheryl an organization you love so much come
- that fine line can be extremely delicate, and Weiner under another’s care comes with an
even painful at times. Being the leader who Rosenberg immeasurable sense of gratitude and
makes these tough choices does not often pride. And, I must add, also with a great
Now even the help you win friends — in fact, if you are able deal of relief. Relief because my time to
to maintain the friendships of those who respect you and lead, and all of the joy and the pain that goes with that
-
feckless Europeans understand your position, you are incredibly lucky. leadership, is behind me. Relief because there is a new
- will be unable to Additionally, there is an actual financial cost to being set of leaders, in many ways more able than I, who will
1 the lay leader of an institution. When I was president spend sleepless nights and hectic days tending to the
complain about of Ben Porat Yosef, people used to ask if I got a tuition next phase of growth.
tightening sanctions discount as “payment” for my time. They would chuckle As I move into my next life challenge — which I expect
without looking like as I answered “Oh no. Quite the opposite. I have to pay
extra for this honor!” If you layer these realities over all
will have a multitude of similarities and also distinct
differences from my lay leadership position at BPY — -I
t they are supporting of the other leadership requirements for a job well done, look forward to watching from the sidelines as my baby
-
-
the dictators in you can begin to understand why very few people aspire
to a position of leadership within their own community.
grows under the thoughtful and tender care of its new
leadership. These feelings of pride and joy, of relief and
Tehran over the There is too much downside, and, if I’m being honest,
people in the streets until very recently I believed the only real benefit was
knowing in my heart that I helped an institution that I
. clamoring for truly feel will change the world for the better. That was
-
democracy. enough to make it worth it to me. Words cannot
- But last week, I was blessed to have the kind of “paren-
- tal” pride and gratitude that I now know is directly adequately express
t United States does not need the UN’s permission borne from the personal sacrifice, love, and dedica- the gratitude that I
- to help the people of Iran free themselves from the tion of lay leadership. Last week, Ben Porat Yosef was
. grip of the extremists that turned Iran into one of accepted into the New Jersey Association of Indepen- feel for the past,
the world’s greatest violators of human rights and dent Schools, a prestigious organization that holds its current, and even
, threats to global peace and security. institutions to the very highest standards of excellence
The president must pledge whatever support the and governance. future leaders of Ben
protestors need to bring about the end of the reign I have the honor of having formed meaningful rela- Porat Yosef.
of terror of the mullahs. They should be given the tionships with many of the founders of BPY, and I know
assurance that sanctions will cease and aid will flow that for at least a few this was an achievement that was
to a new government that adopts democratic prin- mightily desired but seemingly unachievable. Woven gratitude, this is what makes it worth it. Through the
f ciples, forswears its nuclear weapons program, ends through the foundations of a unique and intricate mis- painstaking decisions and the endless work and the
ballistic missile research, ceases sponsorship of ter- sion that includes Hebrew fluency, pride in the school’s uncertainty of what “doing the right thing” means when
ror, and ends its genocidal threats against Israel and (and the Jewish people’s) Sephardic roots, and a desire there is no perfect answer, I hope the prospect of one
interference in the affairs of its neighbors. to connect our families to God in an authentic way, is day feeling all of these things will keep our communal
We are at a historic moment, when one of the a basic, incontrovertible thread of excellence in educa- leaders going.
. world’s most evil regimes can be destroyed. Obama tion. Though the phrase “excellence” holds distinct and You are all heroes!
let the moment pass in 2009, with devastating conse- varied meanings in different contexts, the measures of
t quences. President Trump and other world leaders NJAIS cannot be denied as a valiant endeavor to define, Cheryl Weiner Rosenberg represents Englewood’s �irst
cannot afford to make the same mistake. measure, and teach excellence in education. ward on its city council.
The opinions expressed in this section are those of More than 412,000 likes
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Send them to jstandardletters@gmail.com.
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I
’m sitting at my home bad other than the rampant graffiti, inoperable subway week will be filled with difficult contract negotiations;
computer on Tuesday doors, buses arriving in herds, and unexplained train unpleasant dealings with other lawyers who believe
morning, putting the delays — no, traffic ahead is not really an excuse); in vari- that agreeing to anything, no matter how reasonable,
finishing touches on ous Teaneck carpools (worse than the bus or subway not is a show of weakness; impossible-to-meet deadlines, or
this column. It’s not a holiday only because of distance and time but also because the court appearances before judges who haven’t read the
or a snow day. The office isn’t GWB or the Lincoln Tunnel helix are involved); and, God papers but take enjoyment in making life difficult for the
closed, there’s no backup in help me, on NJ Transit or Red & Tan buses from Route 4 lawyers appearing before them.
the tunnel, and no, I’m not (don’t ask). Taking the A train and the Route 4 jitney was Of course, not all negotiations were difficult, lawyers
sick, babysitting for grandkids, a bit better, but only a bit. unpleasant, deadlines tight, or judges unreasonable. But
or playing hooky. Joseph C. I’m not going to get up at 5:50 a.m. to be on time enough were over the years to make too many Monday
One word answer: Kaplan for my most recent carpool, which, even though it mornings a struggle to get out of bed.
retirement. arrived in the city long before I had to be at my desk, So what will I do? (Note: From here until the end of
Not surprisingly, the ques- I was grateful to be in because it meant I didn’t have this column, “I’ll do X” should be read as “I’ll try to do
tion I’ve been asked most about my retirement (which to take the bus (see the preceding paragraph). Don’t X” or “I’m thinking of doing X.”)
became effective as of January 1st) is what are you going get me wrong. This carpool — indeed, all my numer- I’ll travel. In fact, we’re off to Israel for three weeks
to do now? Well, before I try to answer that question, or ous carpools over the years — were filled with friendly to celebrate a family wedding. Three weeks! Our last
better, before I grapple with it because it’s too soon for and interesting people who were just the right company three-week vacation was in August 1971, after the bar
any concrete answers, let me first tell you what I’m not to start the day with. But I would have preferred get- exam and just before I started my first job. Mt. Rush-
going to do. ting together with them at Lazy Bean or around a Shab- more and the Grand Canyon also are high up on my
I’m not going to commute. Over the last 46-plus years, bat table rather than sitting in yet another back-up on list, as are some relatively new New York City high-
I’ve commuted on the number 5 bus on Riverside Drive the bridge because there was an accident on the Cross lights, like the Second Avenue subway, the Highline,
across from my Manhattan apartment and the number 1 Bronx. (Oh, how I hate Robert Moses.) Hudson Yards, and the 9/11 museum, none of which
subway (which, to my daughters’ dismay, I still refer to I’m not going to wake up on Monday morning feel- I’ve been to yet.
as the IRT) a few short blocks away on Broadway (not too ing angst in the pit of my stomach, because I know the I’ll take some courses and shiurim. I have my eye on an
W
hile the Demo- (insert relevant, derogatory name — racist, misogynist, etc.).
cratic Part y This baiting and name-calling does not play well in most of
continues to the country. It is also allowing the Republican party, with
be in disarray arguably much worse policies and concern for ordinary She has none of the
after the disastrous defeat of its Americans, to enjoy inexplicable success.
presumptive first woman presi- Moreover, if the Democrats continue to allow the fossil- baggage of Ms. Clinton
dent, Hillary Clinton, the Repub- ized remains of Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to rep- — a tough but likeable
licans are enjoying the spoils resent the face of the party, they are likely relegating them-
of their historic victory. The selves to minority status for the foreseeable future. Seeing personality that Hillary
Republicans currently control 34 Chuck Schumer’s angry countenance on TV with nary a Clinton could never pull
governorships and just passed a Daniel legitimate policy alternative makes us wax nostalgic for
key landmark tax legislation bill Shlufman Richard Nixon vis-à-vis the televised debates with Kennedy. off, a flexible policy
in record time, (albeit one that is Though Mr. Schumer comes across as both less sincere and position that does not
not good for our tristate area). less likeable than Richard Nixon, who was elected president
Despite the demographics favoring them, the Democrats only eight years after the loss to JFK. feel like flip-flopping,
inexplicably are losing ground. The Republican party is in a position to steal the Demo- and demographics that
American Jewish organizations have learned that the crats’ thunder by running a female candidate in either three
Israeli narratives of the past 60 years no longer resonate or seven years, as the case may be, who has a legitimate the Democrats probably
with the under-40 crowd. That is, we no longer can sell chance to win the presidency. She has none of the baggage wish had brought
Israel to American Jews based on either 1. Holocaust guilt of Ms. Clinton — a tough but likeable personality that Hillary
(i.e. you need to support Israel so it is there for us in case Clinton could never pull off, a flexible policy position that her into their party.
there is another Holocaust) or 2. a fear that Israel will be does not feel like flip-flopping, and demographics that the
destroyed by its Arab neighbors if we don’t show our sup- Democrats probably wish had brought her into their party. groups while working at the store. When she ran for the
port and help it remain strong. We in the federations and This makes Ms. Haley a dangerous quadruple threat to the South Carolina statehouse and then the governorship, she
other Jewish organizations continue to struggle to find ways Democratic party. was a long shot in both races, running against entrenched
to connect the younger generations with Israel without Nikki Haley is the daughter of immigrants from India who incumbents. She won each of them only after runoffs, which
using the fear of annihilation. was born into the Sikh religion. So, from the get-go, besides makes her a successful and seasoned campaigner who
Likewise, the Democratic party, if it wants to regain being a woman, she has both the immigrant and religious knows how to fight and win a tough election.
power, will need to move away from its narrative that every minority demographic, a usual Democratic strong suit, in Ms. Haley is not a typical Republican or politician
“minority” (i.e. lower case) position or group is worthy of her favor. Her parents started an upscale clothing store in as her positions cut across policy lines. As governor of
support. And if a person doesn’t agree that a particular South Carolina, where Nikki learned about business and South Carolina, she signed the first state law in the United
minority group or cause is worthy of support, they are a finance. She became involved in many women’s business States against the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment
online course about Jewish Ideas and the American Found- I’ll go to matinees of Broadway shows and local movies — book containing my pre-Jewish Standard articles and per-
ers and a live course on Business and Jewish Law. Shiurim? especially the ones with really good senior discounts. And sonal musings and reflections.
Still thinking. probably get Netflix, so I finally can watch House of Cards I’ll organize my closet, the books in our library, and the
I’ll plow through the piled-up backlog of New York Times’ and the Crown. thousands of pictures on my computer — albums of grand-
extra sections (and try to keep up to date once I return from kids coming up.
Israel), and get to some of the many books and articles I’ve I’ll volunteer more in an attempt to repay the community
been meaning to get to for years. and organizations that my family has benefitted from over
I’ll try to increase my attendance at morning minyan a bit.
(Since my attendance has been nil for a long time, increasing
Not surprisingly, the the years.
But mostly, for the first six months or so, I intend to relax
it is not a very high bar.) question I’ve been and decompress; to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of
I’ll visit my daughter, son-in-law, and three adorable
grandchildren in Toronto more often. And it won’t have to
asked most about my doing things on the spur of the moment, to appreciate some
of what I’ve overlooked in the hustle and bustle of a working
be only on a holiday weekend where I take Thursday as a retirement (which life, and sometimes to do nothing at all — if I can figure out
vacation day and need to leave on the morning of the Mon-
day holiday. Just hoping we won’t wear out our welcome.
became effective how. But also to think seriously about what I’m really going
to do now that I’m retired. Your suggestions are welcome
I’ll learn how to really use my computer, iPhone, and — as of January 1st) (you can email them to me at the Standard), and now I have
my retirement present from my firm and much better than
a gold watch — new iPad Pro.
is what are you plenty of time to read them all.
I’ll exercise more. In fact, I’ve finally been able to put going to do now? Joseph C. Kaplan, a regular columnist, is a long-time
my Teaneck tax dollars to use by signing up for a men’s resident of Teaneck. His work also has appeared in various
fitness class at the Teaneck senior center. And walking I’ll write a bit more for the Jewish Standard (with the edi- publications including Sh’ma magazine, the New York Jewish
every day will be built-in time for me to keep up with tor’s permission, of course) [ED NOTE —You’ve got it!], and Week, the Baltimore Jewish Times, and, as letters to the editor,
my audiobooks. take some serious steps to try to find a publisher for my the New York Times.
and Sanctions) movement. She did this in a state that has only
14,000 Jewish people. So it is a position she believes in, not one
she adopted for political purposes. This makes her statements
at the United Nations all the more believable and powerful. Ms.
Haley also refused to support a law pending in the South Caro-
lina legislature restricting the use of bathrooms by sex (which is
not a conservative position). After initially opposing the removal
of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina legislature, she
changed her position and advocated for its removal, so that “no
one should feel pain by seeing this when they pass by.” These
were courageous positions taken by a governor in South Caro-
lina, especially one who was both young and female!
Nikki Haley is the real deal, a strong female candidate who is
not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and what is right.
It is refreshing to see this in a politician. Her statements at the
United Nations in support of Israel and in defense of the U.S.
embassy’s move to Jerusalem should be seen as a source of pride
by the Jewish people. The fact that she held these positions as a
strong supporter of Israel when she was the governor of South
Carolina should give solace to those who are concerned that she
is only echoing the policies of Donald Trump.
If backing a strong, self-made women who is thoughtful and
courageous is something that women seek in a candidate they
should take a long, hard look at Nikki Haley. If women value party
lines over policies and optics over competency, then it is likely
that the Democrats will once again put forth a candidate in 2020
or 2024 (as the case may be) who will lose to Nikki Haley. For the
reasons set forth above, if Ms. Haley runs for the presidency, I
want to be one of the first to proudly say, “I’m with her.”
About names
W
hat is in a yarzheit, my brother Stuart Borovitz succumbed to a long challenges surrounding the names that we 21st century
name? battle with M.S. Therefore, for me and my family Shabbat Jews call ourselves and each other for your personal con-
Names both Sh’mot — the Sabbath of Names — has a very poignant and templation and for discussion around your study or din-
distinguish us personal aspect to it. ner tables this week.
from each other and also can Neither my father nor my brother was a great and
denote our relationships one to famous man, like Moses. There are no books of Boro-
the other. vitz that they wrote or were written about them. They
This week we begin the read- did, however, share a rare and often overlooked quality
ing of the Book of Exodus, with Moses. Both Jerry Borovitz and Stuart Borovitz were Both Jerry Borovitz
which is called The Book of Rabbi Neal good, decent men, who when confronted with the choice,
and Stuart Borovitz
Names — Shemot — in Hebrew Borovitz always chose the ethical over the expedient. In their mem-
Our Torah reading begins ory, I want to devote the rest of this column to lessons were good, decent
with the words “These are the
names of the Children of Israel.” The chapter continues
we can learn from the life of Moses, lessons that my dad
and my brother, neither of whom were rabbis, implicitly
men, who when
with the listing of the names of the tribes that went down understood and taught others by example. confronted with the
to Egypt, prospered there, and ultimately were enslaved.
By the end of the chapter our attention has been focused
All four of these lessons are found in chapter three, the
story of the burning bush. There we hear this man named
choice, always chose
upon one child of one family of one tribe — a person Moses asking God : “When they (the children of Israel) ask the ethical over
named Moses.
Fifty- two years ago this week, in January 1966, on Shab-
me what is God’s name, what shall I say to them?” God
answers Moses by saying “Eheyeh asher Eheyeh” which
the expedient.
bat Sh’mot I stood in synagogue and recited the mourner’s can translate into English one of four ways: I am that what
kaddish for the first time. Earlier that day, I buried my I am, I am that what I will be, I will be that what I am, and 1. Being a Jew in the 21st century requires of each of us
dad, Jerry Borovitz, who died at the age of 42 from a form I will be that what I will be. to choose to be God wrestlers. (The name Israel is derived
of heart disease that would be easily treated today. Sev- Based upon the four possible translations of the answer from the story of Jacob wrestling with a being that the text
enteen years ago, in January 2001, my dad’s thirty-fifth Moses heard at the burning bush, I suggest to you four of Genesis taught us was both human and divine.) Every
Jew today, like the Israelites who chose to leave Egypt, American, European, Russian, Ethiopian, Iraqi, or Syrian, narrative this week reminds me that like Moses in his gen-
is a Jew by choice. Some are biological descendants of and so on. In mid 20th-century America, Jews were much eration, for Jews of the 21st century, being a Jew is a choice.
Jacob, while others, like the “mixed multitude” who left more tolerant of other. Perhaps because Jews affiliated That choice requires us to continually be God wrestlers,
Egypt with the Israelites during the Exodus, are spiritual with Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform synagogues, who recognize that in our ever-evolving world, God is pres-
descendants and full and equal partners in the covenant along with unaffiliated Jews, all went to public school ent and is continually calling out to us to connect ourselves
that God made with Abraham. The Jewish future is ulti- together, the hatred and fear that we see in the first quar- to the Name, the source of physical, spiritual, and intellec-
mately in each of our own individual hands, just as Exo- ter of the 21st century was missing. tual energy, by connecting ourselves to each other. Juda-
dus three indicates that the future of Judaism was once 3. Being a Jew in the 21st century also requires of us to ism teaches us that unity with God requires being a mem-
in the hand of Moses. For my dad, who as a World War recognize that because we are created in the image of God, ber of a community. We must affirm what unites us and
II G.I., experienced anti-Semitism within the U.S. Army each of us, as the name of God indicates, we will be what respect each other’s differences.
Air Corp, and witnessed the devastation we now call the we will be, based upon who we are and who we wish to As we begin to read again from the Book of Names, I
Holocaust, the only response was to provide his children become. Like Moses, we need to have the patience and hope that each of you can remember the names of fam-
with a positive American Jewish upbringing, and to instill perseverance to continually fight for the liberation of the ily and friends who impacted your lives as my brother
in each of us, by example and word, his deep belief in the enslaved and the oppressed. Like Moses, we need to be will- and my dad impacted mine. Since this amazing Book
equality of all people, and his contempt for religious and ing to stand up to the oppressors of our age, be they Pha- also is called Exodus, because it is the story of our lib-
racial prejudice. raohs, like the leaders of Syria or Iran, or those who seek eration, may 2018 be the year that we American Jews of
2. Just as there are 12 tribes in the Book of Exodus, each to terrorize innocent people, through acts of anti-Semitic various religious streams and ethnic, racial and national
related but unique, that went down into Egypt with their vandalism, such as Jews are experiencing in European com- origin, leave behind our petty rivalries, and accept each
father Jacob and came up out of Egypt with their leader munities, or through acts of terror via rockets from Gaza other, for who we are; unique, but equal members of
Moses, so too today there are uniquely but authentically this past summer. We will stand together and demand liber- the community of God wrestlers who call ourselves
different tribes that belong to the People of Israel. Today, ation for ourselves and for others, and assert, in the words b’nai Yisrael.
instead of calling them Judah, Levi, Benjamin, or Reuben, of FDR, that we, like every other human being on earth, are
we call these tribes by their religious divisions — Conser- entitled to freedom of religion, freedom from fear, freedom Neal Borovitz, rabbi emeritus of Temple Avodat Shalom in
vative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, and Reform — and from want and freedom of speech. River Edge, is a past chair of the Jewish Community Relations
by their most immediate place of residence, be they 4. The story of Moses’ formative years in the Torah Council of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.
with gruesome human rights records — Israel is singled out its head and Trump’s triumphant visit to the Western Wall at
for threats and boycotts. the beginning of his term. Bannon spoke at a ZOA fundraiser,
Examples of the blurring of anti-Israelism and anti-Sem- and the organization issued many statements accusing the
itism abound. In April, the student government at the Uni- Right-left divides Anti-Defamation League of being too hard on the Trump
versity of Wisconsin-Madison held a vote on an anti-Israel administration and too soft on pro-Palestinian activists —
resolution — on Passover. A student legislator at McGill Uni- aren’t new to Jewish especially the Palestinian-American feminist leader Linda
versity tweeted “punch a Zionist today” and somehow sur- communal politics, Sarsour. (The ADL notes that it has called out anti-Semitism
vived impeachment; an anti-Zionist student group at the on the right and among progressives alike.) Meanwhile, right-
same Montreal university admitted that it used anti-Semitic but applying them to leaning Orthodox Jews felt their gamble on Trump paid off
propaganda to prevent a Jewish — and presumably anti- the fight against anti- when he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
BDS — candidate from being re-elected to the student gov- Right-left divides aren’t new to Jewish communal politics,
ernment. A lawsuit against San Francisco State University Semitism appears to be. but applying them to the fight against anti-Semitism appears
insists the school failed to protect Jewish students when it to be. Once upon a time, the Jews’ antagonists were obvi-
allowed pro-Palestinian protesters to disrupt a speech by movements that seek the destruction of Israel, routinely ous: Louis Farrakhan, David Duke, Hamas, the U.N. Gen-
Jerusalem’s mayor. engage in anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions, and promote eral Assembly, neo-Nazis here and in Europe. They haven’t
But there’s a big gap among Jewish activists when it hatred of Jews.” gone away, but now the Jewish left accuses the Jewish right
comes to defining the challenge. Left-leaning groups — on On the political front, the anti-Semitic debate broke in of downplaying the dangers of the alt-right. The Jewish right
campus and on the outside — worry that labeling even hos- almost exactly the opposite way: The left was quick to label says the real threat to Jews is not from pro-Trump internet
tile political rhetoric as hate speech puts Jews on the wrong President Donald Trump as a fomenter of anti-Semitism and trolls but from progressive campus groups, including Jews
side of the free speech debate. They say that a tool that some of his aides and minions as anti-Semites outright. The on the far left, who condemn Israel but really mean “the
has been applied to anti-Semitic activity on campus only failure of the White House to name Jews in its formal state- Jews.” The left thinks it a vital Jewish mission to enter into
recently — Title VI of the Civil Rights Act — takes too broad a ment on International Holocaust Remembrance Day — like social justice coalitions with other minorities, including Mus-
brush in defining anti-Semitism, and ends up blaming legiti- Trump’s tepid condemnation of the racist and anti-Semitic lims; the right says Black Lives Matter lost all moral authority
mate critics of Israel of creating an “unsafe” environment marchers at Charlottesville — was not just an inadvertent when it joined the pro-Palestinian cause.
for Jewish students. mistake, many on the left reasoned, but a dog-whistle to the Or maybe it’s not such a new phenomenon after all,
Two of the most active groups in promoting the use of nationalist, and sometimes racist and anti-Semitic, right that because behind the debate are a familiar series of issues that
Title VI — the Zionist Organization of America and the Law- supported Trump. have long divided the Jewish activist class: tikkun olam vs.
fare Project — are on the right. They argue that the tactics of Similarly, the left insists former White House strategist “peoplehood”; universal justice vs. particularist priorities; a
the boycott Israel movement, especially when they include Steve Bannon was no mere “economic nationalist” but a broad human rights agenda vs. a narrower focus on Israel.
comparing Israel to Nazi Germany or denying Israel’s right cynical demagogue who was willing to play on familiar anti- A polarized political climate only created the conditions for
to exist, are contemporary examples of an age-old hatred. Semitic tropes to stir the Trump base. divides that were there all along. JTA Wire Service
A shadowy group called the Canary Mission bypasses the Right-wing groups, most notably the ZOA, were quick
legal arena by publishing a virtual, and ethically suspect, to defend Trump and Bannon. They would point to the Andrew Silow-Carroll of Teaneck is the editor in chief of JTA
blacklist of faculty and students it deems are “affiliated with strongly pro-Israel stance of Breitbart News with Bannon as Wire Service.
1
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Your talmudic
advice column
Dear Rabbi Zahavy, around. Nobody should be subjected to that
After I worked at my job for three months, my kind of workplace abuse, and no one should
manager suddenly, without warning or discus- abide or tolerate it.
sion, tried to change the terms of my employ- Should you bring civil legal action against
ment, to give me additional responsibilities, your employer for violating your original
and to take away from me my vacation. This contract? That’s not my purpose here in
was directly contrary to the terms we had this column to counsel you on legal mat-
agreed upon when I accepted the job. ters. To answer that I recommend you
I was shocked. What can, or should, I do consult an experienced employment law-
about this? yer for some good American non-talmudic
Blindsided in Bergenfield legal advice.
My advice is for you to reflect upon your
Dear Blindsided, experiences and learn for the future how to
Our Torah clearly defends the basic rights anticipate and react to bad actions brought
of the worker, “You shall neither steal nor against you. Since you have suffered from
deal deceitfully or falsely with one another… an egregious awful dirty trick, or worse, you
You shall not defraud your fellow; you shall have a useful opportunity to review some of
not commit robbery. The wages of a laborer the principles of negative actions that unethi-
shall not remain with you until morning” cal people attempt in general in negotiations.
(Leviticus 19:11-13). And more recently, many Some folks might want to remind you
of our grandparents, in the spirit of our tra- that from stories in Scripture or the Talmud
ditions of justice and fairness, you could learn some lessons
in the United States and in about “The Art of the Dirty
Europe, led the global move- Deal” and distributive negoti-
ments for unionization and ating tactics.
for social justice to protect the To be sure, Bible stories
rights of workers worldwide. recount how our forefathers
But today, though, I assume used deceptive negotiating
that you do not have a union to tricks and all kinds of creative
represent you. Given the power deceptions. Jacob was a master
differential in your case, there of such deals, making a deal
is not much effective unilateral Rabbi Tzvee with Esau for the birthright,
action that you can take. If you Zahavy and deceiving his father Isaac
stand your ground against your for a blessing. He made a deal
boss, chances are that you will find no com- with Laban for the speckled livestock, which
promise and be forced to resign and walk appeared generous to Laban on the surface,
away. If you seek compromise, likely you will but ultimately favored Jacob economically.
be met with blank stares or glares from your I guess we might claim that a lesson from
bullying manager. our biblical heroes is to be a savvy or tricky
And if you give in, you may be able to negotiator, even if many of the Bible exam-
remain in your job, but at significant per- ples appear to be ethically questionable. Yes,
sonal costs to your dignity, and potentially Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, an
to your happiness and health. outright dirty deal. No tricks involved. But
If your financial circumstances allow for wait, down the road of history that deal led
it, your best course of action is to make it to saving the Israelites at a time of famine,
clear to your boss that he or she acted in an and Joseph ended up forgiving his brothers
unprofessional way that you cannot toler- and providing for them.
ate, and to walk away. Once a manager vio- Moses tried to negotiate with Pharaoh,
lates basic trust by unilaterally revising your but his take-it-or-leave-it approach fell on
terms of employment, you must consider if deaf ears, as Pharaoh rejected all Moses’
it makes sense to stay. If you do stay, you will attempts to win the freedom of his peo-
be on edge every hour of every day in case ple. Until, that is, Pharaoh’s very flesh and
some unknown new edict or fiat is issued, blood was a stake. Then Moses said he’d
ordering you to do this or that, changing take the people out of town for a while.
your days off, and generally jerking you And he switched gears, and they kept on
going to freedom.
Tzvee Zahavy received his Ph.D. from Brown I say we put the Bible stories aside, and
University and his rabbinic ordination from turn to clearer, more useful contemporary
Yeshiva University. He has taught advanced sources for more in-depth guidance. I will
Talmud, halacha and Jewish law codes, give you some examples in a canonical cat-
Jewish liturgy, Jewish history, and religious alogue of dirty tricks that people may try course prepared a summary for students encountered actions that people face
studies at seminaries and at major research to play on you as you negotiate your way to remind them about how to respond today. They are not the dirty tricks of
universities. He is a prolific author and has through life. I learned about these in a mag- in a negotiation to the prevalent issue of deals that were used in the stories of our
published many articles and books about nificent course in negotiations in the MBA distributive tactics, or what we often call biblical heroes.
Judaism and Jewish texts. Go to www.tzvee. program at a major research university. “dirty tricks.” Here’s the top ten list of today’s
com for details. The brilliant professor who taught the Note well that these are generally dirty tricks that you may encounter
T
his week we read Shemot, the joyful exclamation “Chazak, his belief system. a very successful Jewish button manufac-
first portion of the book of Exo- chazak v’nischazayk — let How did Joseph achieve turer in Manhattan who did not give much
dus. Life for the burgeoning us be strengthened!” as we this level of spiritual suc- charity — but the rabbi decided to try his
Jewish nation takes a precipi- conclude the reading. What cess? He internalized a criti- luck anyhow.
tous dive, soon catapulting them into full- exactly are we cheering, put- cal notion regarding the As expected, the rabbi received an icy
blown Egyptian slavery. It is the start of a ting Joseph in a box? Divine wisdom: It belongs reception. But when asked the purpose
long and bitter journey through oppres- The Hebrew word for box in an “aron” — a sacred ark of his visit, the rabbi simply pointed to
sion and genocide. is “aron.” In all the five books of symbolic safekeeping his long coat indicating that some buttons
Indeed, the Egyptian exile is consid- of the Torah, this word only where the Divine commu- had become loose. Relieved that the rabbi
ered the forerunner and prototype of four refers to the holy ark of the Rabbi nication is impregnable to was not asking for a donation, the business
phases of national exile envisioned by the Tabernacle in which the Law Chanoch alteration, reinterpretation, tycoon instructed a worker to take care of
prophet Daniel: of Moses — the Torah — is Kaplan or rearticulation and from the repair and in a few moments it was
“I saw in my vision...four great beasts. kept. In the only exception to Chabad Jewish which its eternal message — good as new.
Center of NW
The first was like a lion... a second one, this usage, the word “aron” is Bergen County,
as relevant today as it was The rabbi thanked him and was on his
similar to a bear… Afterward, another sim- used to describe the box, the Franklin Lakes, and always will be in every way out when the man called him back.
ilar to a leopard… After that, as I looked on coffin in which Joseph was Orthodox culture, milieu, and geo- “Did you really come all the way from
in the night vision, there was a fourth beast interred, “And Joseph was graphic location — continues Brooklyn to have a minor repair done on
— fearsome, dreadful, and very powerful.” placed in an ‘Aron’ in Egypt.” to be broadcast. your jacket?” he asked. The rabbi replied,
In Daniel’s prophecy, each creature sym- It is this one small word which encapsu- The man who lived his life like an “aron” “No! I came all the way from Poland!” Puz-
bolizes an exile which the Jewish people lates the secret key used by the Jewish and understood the message of the “aron” zled, the tycoon persisted, “Do you mean
would endure beginning with Babylon, then nation to survive the Egyptian exile and was buried in an “aron.” to tell me that you came all the way from
Media/Persia followed by Greece and finally the others it foreshadowed. For this reason we are told that Joseph Europe just to have a few buttons sewn
Edom, commonly identified as Rome. Joseph was the first Jew to live and inte- was placed in an “aron” just prior to the on your jacket?” To which the rabbi coun-
Historically, from where did our ances- grate with the pagan society of his time. Jewish descent into exile since he — who tered, “Do you mean to tell me that your
tors draw the strength to persevere Time and again he was challenged by the was challenged by a foreign culture on pristine soul made the long voyage from
through thousands of years of exile? To attitudes and behaviors of his host cul- foreign soil — held the secret to spiritual Heaven all the way to earth just to make
answer this we needn’t look any further ture. Yet, not only did he survive intact, survival throughout the nation’s peril- coat buttons?”
than the tool box they were given on the he accomplished the unthinkable: He ous 210 years in slavery. And it is to this The rabbi’s words found their mark and
doorstep of slavery. successfully raised a family who while notion — the firm and unwavering commit- the tycoon made a substantial commit-
In the closing words of Genesis, the physically separated from the legacy of ment of Joseph to the eternal truth of the ment to the rabbi’s yeshiva.
Torah employs a stark and unvarnished Abraham’s monotheism — and never even Torah — that we declare “Chazak, chazak As we march toward the end of what
account of Joseph’s demise, concluding having seen a role model from the “old v’nischazek,” acknowledging this same the Prophet Daniel called the “fearsome,
with the words: “and they put him in a country” — remained fully committed to truth today. dreadful, and very powerful” exile, we face
coffin in Egypt.” What a disappointment; those ideals. In this respect, Joseph rep- I’d like to conclude with a story about a exceedingly strong headwinds. At this time,
how depressing to conclude the very first resents the capacity for unwavering and Polish rabbi who came to the United States we are called on to heed the message of
book of the Torah on such a discouraging steadfast commitment to the Torah and before World War II to raise funds for his the “aron” with even greater tenacity and
note. And then, in glaring contrast, these Jewish values even under circumstances yeshiva. While staying in Brooklyn, he strengthen our commitment to observe and
words are juxtaposed to the raucous and which challenged the very foundations of was informed by someone that there was study the eternal truth of Torah.
during negotiations, with an eleventh that adaptations, for any of the other transac- position, and get it spelled out in writing. is not just a dirty tactic, it is also a bla-
I have added to highlight your specific tions in your life. And never agree at the end of a nego- tant violation of professional standards.
predicament. To be certain, I’d like to refer you for tiation, to ambiguous terms or, worse, to Had you been more attentive to aspects
detailed advice to the laws of our Talmud, blank-check-sounding language in clauses of your initial negotiations at the outset,
1. Good Cop/Bad Cop which has a whole order of tractates that like, “Your job duties will include 1, 2, 3…. you might have picked up the potential
2. Emotional Intimidation deal with civil damages. No doubt even and other activities to be named later.” for this later tragic action by your manip-
3. Lowball (or Highball) Offer if biblical stories seem to condone tricks, I warn you that smarmy manipulative ulative manager. Or you might not have.
4. Opening with a “Take It or our rabbinic law strives for fairness and managers will resist being pinned down. The dirtiest tricksters are good at hiding
Leave It” Offer justice in all business dealings, from an ox If you get the sense that your potential their deceits.
5. Exploiting the Trappings of Power that fell into a pit, to reparations for acci- employer is a weasel, or a bully, or any Whatever course you take now, do not
6. Increasing an Offer’s dental injury of your fellow human being, other negative human entity, your best blame yourself for the place you are in. It
Appearance of Legitimacy and many other liability issues. But those course of action is to walk away at the is not your fault. Look ahead to your next
7. Pretending to Have Limited Authority talmudic discussions are hard to apply start, before you find yourself trapped challenges. I’m sure you have worthy tal-
8. Playing a Game of Chicken to modern contexts, so it’s better to seek later — as you have been — in the messy, ents that will be recognized at your next
9. Lying about Priorities out modern standards and specialists to unpleasant, unhealthy tangled web of job. Go confidently ahead and leave your
10. Nibbling address today’s issues. your manager’s deceit. unfortunate experiences with dirty tricks
11. Bait and Switch By learning principles from experts in And be sure that what you face now behind you.
the field of business administration, you
Look carefully at the summary table for will gain a slightly better advantage in the
more details of what you can expect, future as you go into the next minefield in The Dear Rabbi Zahavy column offers mindful advice based on Talmudic
and what you can do, if you encounter your career and in your negotiations of reasoning and wisdom. It aspires to be equally open and meaningful to all the
varieties and denominations of Judaism. You can find it here on the first Friday of
dirty tricks in your negotiations, in busi- other relationships. Anticipate, as best you
the month. Please mail your questions to the Jewish Standard or email them to
ness, or in your personal life, whether for can, the worst-case scenarios, the dirty
zahavy@gmail.com
employment or in your purchases, or with tricks; stipulate what you expect in your
E
very Monday someone is start- half and complain, because, if that is
ing a diet. Or a new promise going to keep us sane, then that is what
they made to themselves — to we have to do.
be more patient, to be friend- Some people have said that I am set-
lier, to not scream at people who bring ting a good example for my children. I
them to the brink of insanity. Every. Sin- don’t think this is the case, because Son
gle. Monday. #1 and Son #3 already have told Hus-
And then, New Year’s day falls out on a band #1 and me that we are moving to
Monday. It is like the ultimate whammy. Israel with Son #2, and that he is going
Commercials for Weight to take care of us. I won-
Watchers and Jenny Craig, der if Son #2 knows about
Facebook ads for the diets this. The fact that we are
that no one can tell you making him come home
about unless you private from yeshiva in Israel in
message them — what is two weeks probably is
that about? Time to join not helping our cause,
this gym or that gym. Time and Sons #1 and 3 will just
to sign up for a new dating stick us in a nursing home
site, or for any dating site. somewhere…
Time to get rid of those bad Banji So how do I become the
habits and start good ones, Ganchrow person who doesn’t get
or any ones for that matter. stuck in a nursing home?
It is the first day of the How much laundry and
year. It is the first day of the rest of your cooking do I actually have to do when all
life. Oy freakin vey, that is a heck of a lot Husband #1 has to do is watch sporting
of pressure. events with his sons???
One of my favorite quotes, and I have No, I do not have a hangover. I am just
no idea who said it is, “You will never be all over the place, because it is a new
Across Down as young as you are today…” So simple, year. 2018. And every new year makes
1. “Emunah” (George Michael, 1987) 1. Fruit that is one of the Seven Species yet so profound. So why is it so hard to you think about the past and the future.
6. Son of Noah 2. Volcanic spew just put all the bad stuff behind us and And since we have no idea what the
9. “Dvash” (Bobby Goldsboro, 1968, and 3. “...rose ___ rose...” (Gertrude Stein) start fresh? When we look in the mirror future holds, sometimes it is a good thing
Mariah Carey, 1997) 4. Rabbi Carlebach wrote many a fine one and see that we are turning into people to go way back in your past and remem-
14. Offspring 5. “Shamayim” (Bryan Adams, 1984)
who we don’t want to be, how do we ber a time when everything was good
15. Priest that raised Samuel 6. “Shalom” (Adele, 2015)
16. Be a comedian 7. “Woe is me!” turn into what we want to be? and simple and happy.
17. African soccer powerhouse 8. Blend together For the past few months, I have been Yes, I am going back in time to the Con-
18. Lenient 9. Yam ___ (The Dead Sea) running a support group for the sand- cord Hotel. When my parents could play
19. Features for bison and lions 10. Saudi neighbor wich generation caregivers. Please don’t tennis twice a day, when I still watched
20. Doings of Haman and Hitler 11. Letter on a dreidel
stop reading if you are tired of hearing Days of Our Lives, and my friend Deva
22. “Star Wars” villain Kylo with temper 12. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem dir.
issues 13. “That’s right!” about this. Sandwich generation refers to and I could sit on the couch and people-
23. Shekels dispenser 21. Walk-___ (surprise shul attendees) those of us who have older or infirm par- watch until God knows what time in the
26. BDS supporter Brian (musician) 22. Knot again ents and/or in-laws and still have families morning. When the only care we had in
27. “Maamin” (Cher, 1998) 23. Tefillin location of our own that we are responsible for. the world was what we were wearing to
31. Rules, as David 24. Like the Mutant Ninja Turtles
So I started running this group because the next meal, and which cute boys were
33. Former video format 25. There are 60 of them on a CBS news
34. Shtick show I needed to know that I wasn’t the only at the hotel.
35. Computer or restaurant list 27. Goodman or Friedman one who was going through this. That I Yup, I think I will stay in that time for
36. Gin’s partner, often 28. Vacation for the pompous? wasn’t the only one who felt guilty or sad a few more minutes before I go back to
37. End of BBYO’s URL 29. Main school team or angry almost every day because of the now. To my resolutions. Which will prob-
38. Like each of the songs in this puzzle 30. Some check one for blood
pressure that I feel. ably only last a few hours. Oh well…there
42. Shmaltz, e.g. 32. Paskez or Orbit product
43. Copycatting 33. People that are rude and crude People who aren’t going through it is always next year.
44. Curvy HS math subject 36. Council of ___, 1545-63 cannot relate to it and really don’t want
46. 40, for Isaac when he got married 39. America’s pastime to hear about it, and I totally get that. Banji Ganchrow wishes all of her readers
47. Saying Loshon Hara, worshipping idols, 40. Like many Biblical films People who have lost parents don’t want a 2018 filled with good health, laughter,
etc... 41. “___ be my pleasure!”
to hear about it because they wish they love, and all you wish for yourselves. For
48. “Space ___” (David Bowie album) 42. Like the walk from Egypt to Jordan
50. “Kavod” (Aretha Franklin, 1967) 45. Ball room? still had their parents, and I get that too. those who only celebrate the Jewish New
52. Word before Sinai or HaBayit 48. Breakfast bit But this group has been so helpful to me, Year, I hope things are going well for you
53. Dr. Hank ___ (the original Ant-Man) 49. “Chalomot” (Fleetwood Mac, 1977) even if we sit around for an hour and a as well…
54. Six-pack muscles 51. One in San Diego that plays 39-Down
55. Matthew, in Madrid 52. “Sameach” (Pharrell Williams, 2013)
57. Comic legend Radner 55. Adam was the first
60. Kipah, essentially 56. Cookie since 1912 (and kosher since
61. Places 1998)
65. Warning before a bite, perhaps
66. Matterhorn, e.g.
57. Govt. property org.
58. Setting for TV’s “Newhart”
When we look in the mirror
67. Reason for a raise, maybe
68. “Malach” (Shaggy, 2000)
59. Day 33 in the Omer
60. Israel’s Better Place was a failed one
and see that we are turning
69. Foe of 22-Across (sadly) into people who we don’t want
70. “Slicha” (Justin Bieber, 2015) 62. Mistake an Amish person for a chasid,
e.g. to be, how do we turn into
The solution to last week’s puzzle
is on page 50.
63. Basic need
64. Hog’s home what we want to be?
44 JEWISH STANDARD JANUARY 5, 2018
Arts & Culture
The tribe at the Golden Globes
NATE BLOOM
T
he Golden Globe awards, pre-
sented by the Hollywood For-
eign Press Association and
hosted this year by Seth Mey-
ers, will be on NBC on Sunday, January
7, at 8 p.m. The Globes are awarded for
excellence in TV and films, and the film
awards are a good if not perfect predictor
of Oscar nominees/winners. Confirmed
Jewish nominees appear in caps the first
time they are mentioned.
The actors
Unlike the Oscars, the Globes present best
and supporting actor and actress awards
in separate awards, one for drama films
and one for best performance in a musical
or comedy. Daniel Day Lewis Maggie Gyllenhaal Peter Morgan
DANIEL DAY LEWIS, 60 (“Phantom
Thread”) and TIMOTHEE CHALAMET, 21 journalist, is “French Protestant” and his is that she is virtually secular, but very in They often write the scripts. “This is Us,”
(“Call Me By Your Name”) vie for the Globe mother is Jewish. touch with her Jewish background. a hit family drama, was created by DAN
for best actor, drama film. Day-Lewis is the JAMES FRANCO, 39, (“Disaster Art- PAMELA ADLON, 51 (“Better Things”), FOGELMAN, 39. He’s said he comes
son of an English Jewish mother and an ist”) is nominated for best actor, musical and ALISON BRIE, 34 (“Glow”), are nom- from “an endearingly dysfunctional Jew-
Irish/English Protestant father. He’s always or comedy. In “Disaster,” which he also inated for best actress, comedy. Adlon ish family” and I guess that gave him great
been secular, like his screenwriter wife, directed, he plays the (real-life) director is her show’s co-creator and it’s based source material for a TV family drama.
REBECCA MILLER, 55, the daughter of of a real terrible movie. Franco’s mother on her experience as the harried single (“Thrones” is a heavy favorite to win.)
the late playwright ARTHUR MILLER. is Jewish, and while he was raised secular, mother of three. Brie got a huge career “Mrs. Maisel” and “Will & Grace” are
Day-Lewis, the only three-time best actor he’s embraced his Jewish background — boost in her hit Netflix series. She plays a nominated for best TV series, comedy.
Oscar winner, has said he’s decided to including having a very real bar mitzvah in struggling actress who stumbles into pro Maisel was created by AMY SHERMAN-
retire from acting after completing “Phan- 2015. (Note: Ansel Elgort, the star of “Baby wrestling. Brie, who calls herself Jewish, PADILLIO, 51. Recently, an NPR critic
tom Thread,” a film about the world of Driver,” competes in this category. Recent has a Jewish mother, Her husband, DAVE summed up why “Maisel” works so well.
high fashion. He’s vague about his reasons research reveals that only his paternal FRANCO, 32, James’ brother, also calls The title character is amazingly funny
but seems firm in his decision. grandma was Jewish.) himself Jewish. onstage because she says things that no
In November, Chalamet had a big sup- No Jewish actresses were nominated for Adlon and Brie compete with Rachel woman comedian could say in the conser-
porting role in “Lady Bird,” a Globe nomi- their film work. However, Jessica Chas- Brosnahan (“Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”). vative 1950s (and get booked) — and we all
nee for best comedy film. “Call Me By tain and Meryl Streep are nominated (best Brosnahan plays the title character, a Jew- wish there had been such a comedian. It’s
Your Name,” a best drama film nominee, actress, drama) for playing a real person ish comedian. Brosnahan is marvelous as a marvelous fantasy — with a lot of great
opened in December to great reviews. with a Jewish father. Chastain plays Molly Maisel and she says her performance is Jewish content. “Will and Grace” was co-
It’s set in Italy; Chalamet plays Elio, the Bloom, whose memoir of the same name informed by growing up in a heavily Jew- created by DAVID KOHAN, 53, and MAX
17-year-old son of an American Jewish pro- is the basis for the film “Molly’s Game.” ish Chicago suburb. MUTCHNIK, 52.
fessor and an Italian Jewish mother. Armie Bloom calls herself Jewish in the film, No Jewish actors were nominated for
Hammer plays Oliver, an American Jewish but doesn’t mention being Jewish in her their TV work. However, Robert DeNiro Other movie awards
college student who is a guest of the pro- memoir. Streep plays the late Washington (“Wizard of Lies”) and Geoffrey Rush Best original film song: “This is Me” (from
fessor. Oliver and Elio are drawn to each Post publisher Katherine Graham in “The (“Genius”) were nominated (best actor in “The Greatest Showman”) by U-M grads
other, partially because they’re both Jew- Post.” Her father, EUGENE MEYER, made a limited series/TV movie) for playing real BENJ PASEK and Justin Paul, both 32.
ish. A brief romance ensues. Its based on a the “Post” a very good paper and left it to life Jews: BERNIE MADOFF and ALBERT Best original score: HANS ZIMMER,
2007 novel of the same name by ANDRE Katherine, who was raised in her mother’s EINSTEIN, respectively. Michelle Pfeiffer 60, “Dunkirk.” Best animated film: LEE
ACIMAN, 66, an American Jew born in Christian faith. snared a supporting nomination for play- UNKRICH, 50 (“Coco”, director). Best
Egypt who grew up partially in Italy. LIEV SCHREIBER, 50 (“Ray Dono- ing RUTH MADOFF in “Wizard.” screenplay: AARON SORKIN (“Molly’s
Chalamet’s complete background van”), is up for the best actor, TV drama Game”, which he also directed); competes
became known in the last month as inter- Globe. He must feel a little like ROD- Other TV awards with “The Post,” which was co-written by
viewers sporadically asked him about NEY DANGERFIELD — “I don’t get no “The best of ” awards in different TV JOSH SINGER, 44. Best director: STE-
playing a Jewish character. (Far more respect.” He’s upbeat about it — but it must genres are given to the show’s producers. VEN SPIELBERG, 71, “The Post.”
asked about his sexual orientation — he’s annoy him that he has been nominated for My practice is to note those series with a Best film, drama: “Call Me By Your
straight.) As previously reported in my four Globes and two Emmys and has never Jewish creator or co-creator. Name”— the film’s director and screenplay
column, his mother is an American Jew. won. MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, 40 (“The PETER MORGAN, 54, a Brit, is the are not Jewish. However, as noted above,
Chalamet called himself Jewish in an Deuce”), is nominated for best actress, co-creator and principal writer of “The it’s based on a novel by a Jewish writer
early December interview. (His mother TV drama. She plays a prostitute who’s Crown,” which is nominated for best about Jewish characters. And “The Post,”
has posted on-line photos of a family struggling to find a better way to make a TV series, drama. It vies in this category directed by Spielberg and co-written by
Chanukah celebration and of an about- living. James Franco co-stars. Maggie, the with “Game of Thrones” and “This is Us.” Josh Singer.
to-be used seder table.) Two weeks ago, sister of JAKE, is the daughter of a Jewish “Thrones” was co-created by DAVID Best film, comedy or musical: “The
Chalamet told a reporter that his father, a mother and a non-Jewish father. My sense BENIOFF and D.B. WEISS, both 47. Disaster Artist,” directed by James Franco.
Thursday
JANUARY 11
Charlie
Dougherty Parasha and Jewish
Film in Tenafly: The lifecycles: Rabbi Alex
Kaplen JCC on the Freedman begins two
Palisades screens “Man classes at Temple Emanu-
JAN. Guitarist Ken Karsh, bassist Charlie Dougherty, and drummer Sam Facing Southeast” as El in Closter, “Parasha
Fishman play at the second annual “Big Jazz Comes Back to Glen part of a new monthly for Dummies” at 11 a.m.
7
JCC Film Forum,
Rock” at 5 p.m. at the Glen Rock Jewish Center. 682 Harristown 7:30 p.m. Film critic,
and “Jewish Lifecycle
Events Explained” at
Road. For information, call (201) 652-6624 or go to grjc.org. radio/TV personality, 7:30 p.m. Classes run
and writer-producer- weekly through January
director Mike Sargent 25. 180 Piermont Road.
Schraalenburgh Road, New York Blood Center, leads the discussion. (201) 750-9997 or www.
Film in Teaneck:
Friday Closter. (201) 768-5112 or
www.tbenv.org. The adult education
9 a.m.-3 p.m. 240 Broad
Ave. (800) 933-2566 or
(201) 408-1456 or
JCCoTP.org.
templeemanu-el.com.
JANUARY 5 committee of www.nybloodcenter.org. Networking in Glen
Shabbat in Fort Saturday
Congregation Rinat
Yisrael in Teaneck Play group in Emerson:
Tuesday Rock: The Jewish
Business Network group
Lee: The JCC of Fort JANUARY 6 screens the award- Shalom Baby of the JANUARY 9 meets at the Kosher
Lee/Congregation winning true story film, Jewish Federation of Nosh Deli, 11:30 a.m.
Gesher Shalom hosts “Fanny’s Journey,” Northern New Jersey Café Europa in Fair 894 Prospect St. www.
a congregational 8:30 p.m. In 1943, offers a Mommy-and- Lawn: Café Europa, jbusinessnetwork.net.
dinner, 6 p.m., and 13-year-old Fanny led Me-style playgroup for a social program
musical services at 10 young children out family members and sponsored by Jewish Museum trip: Rabbi Ken
7. 1449 Anderson of France across the other caregivers with Family & Children’s Stern of Congregation
Ave. Reservations, Swiss border. 389 West babies and toddlers, Services of Northern Gesher Shalom/JCC Fort
(201) 947-1735. Englewood Ave. Tickets, at Congregation B’nai New Jersey for Holocaust Lee leads the “On the
(201) 837-2795 or www. Israel, 9:30 a.m. Bagel survivors, funded in part Road” trip to Manhattan’s
rinat.org/event/fannys- breakfast. 53 Palisade by the Claims Conference Jewish Museum to see
journey.html. Ave. (201) 820-3902, and the Jewish “Modigliani Unmasked,”
www.jfnnj.org/ Federation of Northern 1:30 p.m. Reservations,
Shabbat in Teaneck:
Temple Emeth holds a Sunday shalombaby. New Jersey, meets at the
Fair Lawn Jewish Center/
(201) 947-1735.
Shabbaton exploring JANUARY 7 Knitting/book club in CBI, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Music Challah baking in
the themes in Jewish Teaneck: The sisterhood by the Bobby Block Trio. Oakland: The Academies
Federation of Northern Moriah opens new beit of the Jewish Center 10-10 Norma Ave. Kosher at Gerrard Berman Day
New Jersey’s One Book, midrash: The Moriah of Teaneck hosts lunch. Shari Brodsky, School hold the “Great
One Community book School in Englewood Knitting Night, 7-8 p.m. (201) 837-9090, ext. 237 Family Challah Bake,”
selection, “Zahav—A hosts a ribbon-cutting Afterward, the Leaves or sharib@jfcsnnj.org. 6-8 p.m. 45 Spruce St.
World of Israeli Cooking” ceremony for Midrash of Faith Book Club will (201) 337-1111, SSNJ.org/
Yulia Ziskel by Michael Solomonov Doresh Tov, the discuss Franz Kafka’s Artist reception in FamilyChallah.
and Steven Cook. Torah Sephardic Beit Midrash. “The Trial” with Professor Tenafly: Artist Jeffrey
COURTESY TEMPLE BETH EL
study, 9 a.m.; services
Shabbat in Closter: at 10:30, where Rabbi
Shacharit at 8:30 a.m.,
followed by breakfast
Sarah Rindner and
Rabbi Daniel Fridman.
Packard discusses his
etchings and watercolors Friday
Temple Beth El’s guest Sirbu will explore Israel and short presentation 70 Sterling Place. exhibit, “Torah is Like JANUARY 12
artist Shabbat begins and its bounty; lunch at at 9. 53 South Woodland (201) 833-0515 or jcot. a Group Show,” at a
with a mini-concert with 12:15 p.m., with salads St. (201) 567-0208 ext. org. reception at the Kaplen Shabbat in Wyckoff:
New York Philharmonic prepared with recipes 393, email Alewis@ JCC on the Palisades Temple Beth Rishon
from “Zahav.” Screening
violinist Yulia Ziskel and
pianist James Rensink, of Israeli documentary
moriahschool.org, or
www.moriahschool.org.
Monday Waltuch Art Gallery,
6:30 p.m. Art exhibited
offers Shabbat Shira,
a service in song led
6:30 p.m. Wine and “In Search of Israeli JANUARY 8 through January 31. (201) by Cantor Ilan Mamber
cheese at 7; musical Cuisine,” starring Chef Blood drive in 408-1406 or jccotop.org. and cantorial intern
service at 7:30, led by Michael Solomonov, at Englewood: Networking in Naomi Rogin, 7:30 p.m.
Rabbis David Widzer 1. 1666 Windsor Road. Congregation Ahavath Teaneck: The Jewish Jewish parenting: The service also marks
and Beth Kramer- (201) 833-1322 or Torah holds a blood drive Business Network Rabbi Larry Rothwachs Tu B’Shevat. The Kol
Mazer and student lindaposkanzer@msn. with New Jersey Blood meets for breakfast concludes a series, Rishon choir, with
cantor Julie Staple. 221 com. Services, a division of at Five Star Premier “Perspectives on Jewish soloist Jo-Ann Skiena
Jewish Museum to open major exhibit ing Arts Center in Englewood on Sunday, January 21,
at 8 p.m. The show is presented by WFUV.
For the first time in 25 years, the Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by
Jewish Museum in Manhattan calling bergenPAC’s box office at (201) 227-1030.
will present a major new exhi-
bition featuring more than 650
works, ranging from antiquities Rufus Wainwright
to contemporary art. “Scenes
from the Collection,” on the
museum’s third floor, will open
January 21. The museum is at
Announce your events
We welcome announcements of upcoming events. Announcements are free. Accompanying
1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street. Seder plate c. 1900, Vienna. Torah case finials, photos must be high resolution, jpg files. Send announcements 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
For information, call (212) 423- Cochin, India, 18th-19th century. Not every release will be published. Include a daytime telephone number and send to:
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seum.org.
2015, where he focused on dialogue between Before she moved to New York for
Indians and Pakistanis, as well as a leader- school, Hannah spent summers at Camp
ship session in 2016 and a Jerusalem trip this Ramah Darom, a Conservative summer
summer. The Steinberg family supported the camp in Clayton, Georgia. Ari Weiss also
organization and attended benefit events. attended the camp.
A fellow program participant, Paul Guen- “They were really stars, the two of them,
ther, 18, remembered William as supportive just shining bright,” camp director Geoff
and deeply caring. Menkowitz said of the siblings. “It’s a huge
“He was a real mentor and supportive fig- loss that we are all reeling from and heart-
ure at camp for me,” Guenther said. Irene Steinberg, far right, at the UJA-Federation of New York Scarsdale Women’s broken from right now.”
Guenther, who is not Jewish, said that Wil- Opening Event with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, October 26, 2017. As a camper, Hannah was involved with
liam taught him about Judaism when the two the organic gardening and sustainability
visited Jerusalem this summer. At a Shabbat mediation and negotiation seminar, would basically following in her footsteps. They program. “It was one of the things that set
dinner, William helped lead the group in cel- kind of lay the foundation for him for a life- were an incredible family.” her on the trajectory to be such an advocate
ebrations, and during a visit to the Western time of public policy and global citizenship.” The Weiss family — Mitchell and Leslie, for environmental issues and social justice,”
Wall, he helped give Guenther the lay of land. Irene Steinberg’s efforts for UJA-Federation both physicians; their daughter, Hannah, 19, Menkowitz said.
“He was telling me what to do so I wouldn’t of New York included serving on its Scarsdale and son, Ari, 16 — were members of Congre- Ari lit up the camp through music, playing
stick out,” Guenther said. Women’s Board. She raised awareness about gation B’nai Israel in St. Petersburg, Florida. guitar, bass and piano at concerts. “It’s not an
William was interested in pursuing a the organization’s work, participated in fund Hannah Weiss — a sophomore enrolled in exaggeration to say he was a rock star,” Men-
career in international affairs and believed raising efforts and organized events. Irene, a joint program at Columbia University and kowitz said.
that conflict resolution skills could serve as a who had worked as a social worker, was pas- List College, the undergraduate school of the This made Ari a big name throughout the
stepping-stone. sionate about Israel and social justice, said Jewish Theological Seminary — cared deeply camp, even among those who were not in his
“He very much was thinking about work- Tali Strom, a senior development executive about the environment. immediate circle of friends.
ing towards peace in the Middle East in either at UJA-Federation. On campus, she was involved in a hand- “It’s a rare talent when you have a ninth-
the State Department or a think tank or an “She really was someone who wanted to ful of organizations promoting sustainability, and 10th-grader who can excite the staff, the
NGO,” said Clarke Reeves, the programs and make a difference in this world and woke up and she hoped to double major in sustain- counselors,” Menkowitz said. “They were not
development manager for Seeds of Peace. every day and did that, and did that for UJA,” able development and Jewish thought, said politely clapping [for] him. He had fans that
“He felt that the program in Jerusalem, the Strom said. “She raised three boys who were Shuly Rubin Schwartz, dean of graduate and were real fans.” JTA WIRE SERVICE
Barbara Cornish butcher shops in the New York and New Jersey. He
Barbara I. Cornish, née Cohen, 77, of Hackensack, was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was
formerly of Fair Lawn and Paramus, died January 2. a former member of the JCC of Paramus.
Predeceased by her husband, Jack, she is survived by He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Toby,
children, Marci and Kelly Shaw (Scott). children, Scott (Diane) of Wyckoff, and Ronda Gross
Donations can be made to the American Heart (Dr. Michael) of New York City, and grandchildren,
Association. Arrangements were by Louis Suburban Sam and Carly Pomerantz and Benjamin Gross.
Chapel, Fair Lawn. Donations can be made to St Jude Children’s
Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society. Nancy Mandell
Sheila Gitkin Arrangements were by Louis Suburban Chapel, Nancy Mandell, née Razen, 77, a former managing
Sheila Marlene Gitkin, 84, of Paterson died Fair Lawn. editor of the Jewish Standard and the now-defunct
December 28. Jewish Community News, died on December 27, 2017.
She worked at Plaid Stamps, kept books for Norman Rosman She attended Smith College and pursued a career
companies, and held an interest in the family business, Norman A. Rosman, 86, of Clifton, died December 26. in journalism. A writer, she was a movie reviewer for
Eagle Furniture of Paterson. A Rutgers University Newark graduate, he was the Newark Star-Ledger and wrote for financial trade
Predeceased by brothers, Arnold Gitkin of Fair Lawn a licensed pharmacist and worked for various publications. She loved travelling, movies, and the arts.
and Seymour Gitkin of Arizona, she is survived by northern New Jersey pharmacies. He was a U.S. “She was a wonderful writer,” said Rebecca Kaplan
cousins, nieces, and nephews. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. Boroson, editor emerita of this newspaper. “She was
Donations can be sent to the March of Dimes. Predeceased by a sister, Eleanor Blender, a joy to edit — thoughtful, informed, curious. She
Arrangements were by Louis Suburban Chapel, he is survived by children, Pamela Weiner
was always interested in learning new things, and
Fair Lawn. ( Jonathan), of Flanders, Jennifer Smith (Edward),
communicated that interest through her writing. She
of North Arlington, and Michael of Nutley, and
was also a friend, and I miss her already.”
Leonard Pomerantz grandchildren, Zachary and Kaitlyn Weiner and
Predeceased by a sister, Jacqueline, she is survived
Leonard “Mook” Pomerantz, 85, of Hackensack, Nathan and Jillian Smith.
by daughters, Rebecca (Doug) and Meredith,
formerly of Paramus, died January 2. Arrangements were by Louis Suburban Chapel,
and beloved granddaughter, Cecilia Jaraczewski.
A butcher before retiring, he owned kosher Fair Lawn.
Donations can be sent to the American Lung
Association, lung.org. Arrangements were by Jewish
Memorial Chapel, Clifton.
Briefs
Neshama Carlebach responds to allegations against her father Obituaries are prepared with
Neshama Carlebach, daughter of the late Rabbi “I am in this conversation. I am also broken. I see, I information provided by funeral homes.
Shlomo Carlebach, in her first public comments since hear, I witness.” Correcting errors is the responsibility
the start of the #MeToo movement, said she is angry After Shlomo Carlebach’s death 23 years ago, sev- of the funeral home.
with her father over allegations of sexual misconduct eral women came forward with allegations of sexual
but that he was more than just his faults. impropriety against him. Since the start of the #MeToo
In a blog post published on The Times of Israel, Car- movement, more women reportedly have shared their
lebach also wrote publicly for the first time that as a stories. Some synagogues also have begun to consider
child she was sexually molested by “a trusted friend of stopping the use of Carlebach melodies during prayer Robert Schoem’s Menorah Chapel, Inc
Jewish Funeral Directors
my father’s, also a rabbi, a fixture in my home,” whom services, often called “Carlebach services,” the Times
Family Owned & managed
she did not name. of Israel reported.
Generations of Lasting Service to the Jewish Community
The post was part of a larger movement in support Neshama Carlebach, who also is a popular singer-
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The post follows new allegations of sexual miscon- I’ve read of how that very same music has triggered
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As family members die out the challenge will be
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