Jewish Standard June 29, 2018

YOETZET HALACHA ANSWERS WOMEN’S QUESTIONS page 6
UNIVERSITY SUSPENDS CONSPIRACY THEORIST page 8

LAMDEINU PRESENTS WOMEN’S VOICES page 10
MAGICIAN OFFERS ‘EVENING OF WONDERS’ page 36
JUNE 29, 2018

VOL. LXXXVII NO. 41 $1.00 87 2018
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2 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 29, 2018

Page 3
Rock star Perry Farrell — Lubavitch? Lovebavitch?
l Perry Farrell isn’t a very Jewish name,
is it? And most lovers of rock know Per-
ry Farrell as the charismatic frontman Perry Farrell performs at the
of the band Jane’s Addiction, and as Hollywood Palladium in Los
the creator of Lollapalooza, the popular Angeles on December 8, 2017.
music festival.
But wait! Perry Farrell started out
as Peretz Bernstein — he was born in
1959 in Queens and, yes, of course he’s
Jewish. And he’s been one of the more
prominent celebrity proponents of Kab-
balah, or Jewish mysticism.
And he seems to have moved on.
These days, Farrell is really into the
writings of the late Menachem Mendel
Schneerson, the influential leader of the
Chabad-Lubavitch movement. (Who as
an instance of things turning full circle
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Rhonda’s Kiss

is buried in Queens.) “Really into” might
be an understatement for full-on obses-
sion; he told Rolling Stone in an inter-
view earlier this month that he studies
Schneerson’s teachings through most
of the night.
“One of my heroes currently is the
great Schneerson. His writings and his
teachings are amazing. I’ve been read-
ing them like crazy lately,” he said when
asked by interviewer Brian Hiatt about
his heroes.
Hiatt asked Farrell if he calls himself a
Lubavitcher.
“I’m a love-bavitcher,” Farrell replied.
“I don’t know what you call it. I’m just
in love with the study. I study through ed in his Jewish heritage. He has ties to Purimpalooza and he went to a public existence of his servants,” he said there,
the night. I don’t sleep more than three the Jewish community of Los Angeles. Chanukah menorah lighting in 1998. MTV News reported.
hours at a time. I’d like to change that.” In 1999, he joined in a party there called “God’s existence is verified in the Gabe Friedman/JTA Wire Service
It’s not new for Farrell to be interest-
CONTENTS
Kapara eleichem, Prince William of Cambridge Noshes��4
l Traffic in central Tel Aviv stopped on briefly local�� 12
Wednesday morning when Prince William, cover story��16
Duke of Cambridge, and Netta Barzilai,
jewish world�� 21
Queen of Eurovision, went for a stroll on
Rothschild Boulevard. oPINION�� 26
Yes, William’s five-day trip included far d’var torah��34
more weighty moments, including his tour THE FRAZZLED HOUSEWIFE�� 35
of the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, a crossword puzzle�� 35
visit with Israel’s top political leaders, a trip calendar�� 38
to the West Bank, and a somber visit to the
obituaries��41
Mount of Olives, where his great grand-
classifieds�� 42
mother, Prince Alice of Battenberg (who
was the great granddaughter of Queen real estate�� 45
Victoria) is buried. Yad Vashem recognizes
Princess Alice as Righteous Among the Na-
tions for saving Jews in Athens during the
Holocaust.
But possibly none was a picturesque as PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT: (USPS 275-700 ISN 0021-6747) is pub-
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hot and really really humid — and Netta soon stopped for laughed when he got it. “You haven’t heard me sing!” he $45.00, Foreign countries subscriptions are $75.00.
gazoz, a carbonated soft drink, at one of the kiosks dotting said. “You wouldn’t want that!” The appearance of an advertisement in The Jewish Standard does
the tree-lined street. Kensington Palace later tweeted about the meet- not constitute a kashrut endorsement. The publishing of a paid
political advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of any
Netta gave William a looper, the digital sound mixing and-greet, using Barzilai’s trademark greeting “kapara candidate political party or political position by the newspaper or
tool that is a vitally important to her music. The prince eleichem” as a hashtag. any employees.
The Jewish Standard assumes no responsibility to return unsolic-

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ally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and subject
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Jewish
JewishStandard
Standardmarch
JUNE 29, 2017 3
3, 2018
Noshes
“I do a lot of things that make various ancestors
roll over in their graves, but this morning, I
enjoyed a bagel with hummus and
avocado and roasted red pepper on it,
so that’s it, I’m done, I have officially brought all
MUSICAL NOTES:
the shame upon my family.”
Allee sounds — Yonit Friedman on Twitter. Ms. Friedman writes the Emma Scoldman
a clarion call advice column for Jewish Currents magazine.
On June 14, at a in tears as he listened and Hemings descen-

ceremony in New to an induction speech dants proved that is was
York, ALLEE delivered by his son, ac- “very likely” that Jef-
WILLIS, 70, was inducted tor STEPHEN DORFF, ferson fathered children
into the prestigious 44. The elder Dorff’s hits with Hemings. Lesser
Songwriters’ Hall of include “Every Which known is the fact that
Fame. Eight songwriters Way but Loose” (an Monticello was falling
were inducted this year; Eddie Rabbitt hit) and into ruins in 1834 when
Willis is the only woman. “Through the Years” (a it was bought by URIAH
A multimedia artist, Willis Kenny Rogers hit). LEVY (1792-1862), a U.S.
is known best for writing NEIL DIAMOND, Navy admiral and a hero
such megahits as “I’ll Be 77, received the Hall’s of the War of 1812. Levy,
There for You” (the Johnny Mercer Award. It whose family had lived in
theme from “Friends”), is given to a songwriter Allee Willis Steve Dorff Ben Foster America for generations,
“Neutron Dance” (a who already has been was a great admirer of
Pointer Sisters hit), inducted (Diamond was Jefferson. His nephew,
“What Have I Done To in 1984) for “a history JEFFERSON MONROE
Deserve This?” (a hit for of outstanding creative LEVY (1852-1924), took
the Pet Shop Boys); and work.” Diamond closed control of Monticello
“September” (an Earth, out the ceremony by in 1879. He poured his
Wind & Fire hit). performing a rousing own funds (a fortune)
Willis won over the version of his megahit into restoring the build-
crowd first by telling a “Sweet Caroline.” ing and its grounds.
few real-life stories, in- Well, around 1910, some
cluding an amusing tale At the movies prominent non-Jewish
about how the sex life and on Netflix families, which had sat
of a frisky female friend The film “Leave No on their hands for gen-
was an inspiration for Trace” is opening erations and did noth-
many of her songs. Then on June 29. BEN Debra Granik Alison Brie Jackie Tohn ing to save Monticello,
she responded to what FOSTER, 37, stars as the decided it would be
she called the elephant father of a teenage script, great direction, BRIE, 35, in the lead role has been full of reports proper if a foundation
in the room — the fact daughter. For years, they and a breakthrough earned her a Golden that the Monticello room took over Monticello.
that she was the only live happily off the grid in performance by Jennifer Globe nomination this in which Jefferson’s slave There was more than a
female inductee. She a huge Oregon park. A Lawrence, who played year. Co-stars include Sally Hemings lived has whiff of anti-Semitism in
said”: “I really started mistake causes them to the teen, this film hit MARC MARON, 54, and been opened. Now, their comments. Levy, ill
thinking about how, at be discovered and a most viewers in the JACKIE TOHN, 36. finally, there is an exhibit and facing some finan-
the time, mentally painful social service agency kishkas, even though the at Monticello that cial difficulties, sold the
it was that the girls were places them in urban characters came from a New facts honestly addresses the property to the Jeffer-
not getting the chances shelters. They hate their milieu that is utterly on Monticello almost certain fact that son Foundation in 1923.
the boys were. So I just new surroundings and unfamiliar to most July 4, of course, Hemings was the mother Finally, in 1985, a new
want to say, ‘We’re here. attempt to return to the Americans. I suspect that marks the day that of six of Jefferson’s foundation head promi-
We’ve always been here. wilderness together. The Granik may work this the Declaration of children. nently featured the Levy
And we’re no longer the director is DEBRA same magic in Independence was The Thomas Jefferson family’s critical role in the
little wilting flowers that GRANIK, 55, who also “No Trace.” released to the world. Its Foundation, which runs preservation of Mon-
we were when it comes directed “Winter’s Bone” The second season principal author was Monticello, refused to ticello through onsite
to equality.’ So wipe off (2010), an acclaimed film of “Glow,” the hit com- Thomas Jefferson. His give any credence to the exhibits. Before then, the
the seats because here about a poor Appala- edy/drama about pro famous home, Monticel- centuries-old story of Levys, like Ms. Hemings,
we come.” chian teen’s struggle to women’s wrestling, lo, is in Virginia, near Jefferson’s relationship were virtually written
Country songwriter hold her family together. begins on June 29. The Charlottesville. In the last to Hemings until DNA out of Monticello’s on-
STEVE DORFF, 69, was Propelled by a good performance by ALISON few weeks, the media tests of known Jefferson site history. –N.B.
California-based Nate Bloom can be reached at

Want to read more noshes? Visit facebook.com/jewishstandard [email protected]

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Local
Answering women’s questions
Teaneck gets a new yoetzet halacha — a person
who responds to intimate halachic inquiries
ABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN her menstrual period; after that immersion,
she may resume physical intimacy with her
Fertility, contraception, sexuality, family husband. But the guidelines cover all stages
dynamics, and genetics. Those are among in a woman’s married life, and therefore
the complex and intimate topics about yoatzot field many inquiries about contra-
which Englewood native Tova Warburg ception, fertility, as well as issues arising
Sinensky has answered thousands of ques- postpartum and in perimenopause.
tions from Jewish couples over the past Typical questions yoatzot receive
five years. include: “We are doing IVF. Can you walk
This summer, Ms. Warburg Sinensky us through the process from the perspec-
returns to Bergen County to take up the tive of Jewish law?” “I have tried many
post of yoetzet halacha — female adviser contraceptives, and the adjustment phase
about the laws of family purity — for the is making our intimate life challenging.
Teaneck community. The outgoing yoetzet Any advice?” “I am going to an island for a
halacha, Shoshana Samuels, is moving to vacation where there is no mikvah. Can I
Israel with her family after seven years in immerse in the ocean?” and “My husband
Teaneck. and I do not engage in any physical contact
Women in the community are invited to at all when I am a niddah. We know this is
meet Ms. Warburg Sinensky and bid fare- do-able, but I just need some moral sup-
well to Ms. Samuels at the annual commu- port and tips!”
nity-wide Teaneck Yoetzet Initiative’s “fun- There are two other yoatzot halacha in
draiser and friend raiser” at Congregation Bergen County: Shira Donath at Congre-
Rinat Yisrael on July 18. (See box.) gation Darchei Noam in Fair Lawn, and
The yoetzet halacha certification pro- Nechama Price, the director of YU’s Grad-
gram was founded in 1997 by Chana Henkin, uate Program for Women in Advanced Tal-
the head of Jerusalem’s Nishmat Center for mudic Study, who is based at Congregation
Advanced Jewish Study for Women. Until Ahavath Torah in Englewood and Kehillat
then, Orthodox women had no choice but Kesher of Tenafly and Englewood.
to ask male rabbis their questions concern- In Teaneck, which brought in its first
ing “taharat hamishpacha” (family purity) yoetzet in 2007, the position is funded by Tova Warburg Sinensky
practices relating to a woman’s lifecycle in a consortium of three of the township’s 14
the context of her marital relationship. Orthodox congregations — Rinat Yisrael, the Teaneck Yoetzet Initiative. relationships and making people feel com-
Ms. Warburg Sinensky was one of five Shaare Tefillah, and Netivot Shalom — as “I am passionate about making Torah fortable and safe.”
women in the historic first cohort of U.S.- well as by individual members of other learning exciting and accessible to women Yoatzot can be most effective, she added,
educated yoatzot certified in 2013. (The shuls, Tirza Bayewitz, a Rinat member of all ages and stages,” Ms. Warburg Sinen- when they develop relationships not only
singular form is pronounced yo-EH-tset; and chair of the Yoetzet steering commit- sky said. She has a master’s degree in sec- with the people who ask questions but also
the plural is “yo-ah-TSOTE.”) tee, said. ondary Jewish education from Yeshiva with such stakeholders as the community’s
Today there are 119 certified yoatzot, Ms. Bayewitz said that members of all University’s Azrieli Graduate School and rabbis and their wives.
100 in Israel and 19 working in 21 diaspora the synagogues in Teaneck and Bergen- has completed YU’s Graduate Program for Striving to package halachic information
communities. field and women in faraway locales that Advanced Talmudic Studies for Women. in creative, appealing, and accessible ways
“The major contribution of yoatzot hala- do not have a resident yoetzet consulted Earlier in her career, she chaired the Tal- to meet the needs of each community, Ms.
cha is establishing an address for women with Ms. Samuels frequently. (There also mud and halacha departments at Ma’ayanot Warburg Sinensky has innovated unusual
and couples to feel comfortable sharing is a hotline for questions — (877) 963-8938 Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck and educational events. In one, women are pro-
more information when asking questions — as well as an online address for them, at the Kohelet coed yeshiva high school serv- vided with questions and halachic, medi-
of an intimate nature, so they can receive www.yoatzot.org.) ing greater Philadelphia. There she also was cal, and social/emotional “clues” and try to
halachically appropriate answers,” Ms. “In one three-month period in 2017, a “reflection coach,” mentoring new and answer them, in order to understand hala-
Warburg Sinensky said. Shoshana received about 100 calls or veteran teachers. This fall, she will mentor chic process. She’s led webinars for women
The cornerstone of taharat hamishpacha emails per month,” Ms. Bayewitz said. teachers and teach Bible at her alma mater, who can’t come to in-person events, and a
is a woman’s immersion in a mikvah (a rit- “That’s pretty consistent at different times the Frisch School in Paramus. “Taharat Hamishpacha Hacks” class offer-
ual bath) seven days after the cessation of during the year.” “I’m also working on a curriculum ing 10 pieces of advice based on frequently
Ms. Warburg Sinensky, a 37-year-old focused on intimacy and healthy relation- asked questions.
What: Community-wide Teaneck mother of three, just completed five years ships in a collaborative effort with the teach- Ms. Warburg Sinensky serves on the
Yoetzet Initiative fundraiser as the yoetzet halacha of greater Philadel- ers at Frisch,” she said. The material will be advisory committees of the Georgia-based
Where: Congregation Rinat Yisrael, phia and will continue as the yoetzet for the presented separately to boys and girls by Jewish Fertility Foundation and of the
389 W. Englewood Ave., Teaneck Young Israel of Toco Hills in Atlanta, which teachers of their own gender. Jerusalem-based Eden Center, whose goal
When: Wednesday, July 18, at 8 p.m. she visits several times a year. She has been “It has been helpful to me as a yoetzet is to enhance the mikvah experience and
the interim yoetzet halacha of the Riverdale and as an instructional coach to have a connect it to women’s health and intimacy
SPONSORS: American Friends of
Jewish Center twice. common skillset that I use in both of my education. On behalf of the Jewish Fertility
Nishmat, AMIT, Emunah, Lamdeinu,
Nechama Comfort, Project S.A.R.A.H., The job also involves planning and lead- fields to help people grow, and to connect Foundation, she created a sensitivity train-
Sharsheret, Yesh Tikvah ing community educational programs. The with them,” she continued. “I think the ing document used in sensitizing some
local schedule is on the Facebook page of most critical piece to success is establishing 100 Atlanta-area doctors who deal with

Local
Orthodox Jews.
Talking about the level of commitment
in the laws of taharat hamishpacha such as
rabbis Auman or Berger, Ms. Sinensky said.
The major contribution of
to taharat hamishpacha among observant Rabbi Yosef Adler of Congregation Rinat yoatzot halacha is establishing
Jews, Ms. Warburg Sinensky said, “I have
seen a growth mindset about this area of
Yisrael was the first Teaneck rabbi to hire a
yoetzet halacha.
an address for women and
law. People are open to learning and hear- “As the founding shul of the Yoetzet Hal- couples to feel comfortable
ing. The way the halacha is presented and
packaged is critical to it being observed
acha program in Bergen County, I and the
entire Rinat community are delighted to
sharing more information when
and adopted, and that’s something leaders welcome Tova Warburg Sinensky as our asking questions of an intimate
and educators really need to think about
in order for people to want to keep this
next yoetzet,” he said. “Our previous yoat-
zot, Shayna Goldberg and Shoshana Samu-
nature, so they can receive
area of law. els, have been invaluable additions to our halachically appropriate answers.
“As a yoetzet and as a female who shul and the broader Teaneck community,
can relate to this, I try to make it more and Tova has huge shoes to fill. I am fully halacha in the community “has increased empathy for each and every person she
palatable.” confident that with her scholarship and observance of critical areas of Jewish law interacted with. I deeply appreciated part-
The Miriam Glaubach U.S. Yoatzot Hala- experience in Philadelphia and Atlanta, and added to family harmony in a sig- nering with her over the years in dealing
cha Training Program, based in Teaneck, she, too, will significantly elevate our com- nificant fashion. The Yoetzet Halacha with questions of Jewish law and pastoral
involves two years of study with experts in munity to greater adherence to one of the program is part of a tapestry of positive challenges, as well as hosting her for vari-
halacha and in obstetrics and gynecology, most difficult areas of Jewish law to absorb.” developments that have emerged in the ous lectures over the years. We are look-
fertility, psychology, psychiatry, and lead- Rabbi Kenneth Schiowitz of Shaare Tefil- last three decades in the Modern Ortho- ing forward as Tova Warburg Sinensky, a
ership development, followed by a certifi- lah said that the Yoetzet Halacha program dox community, as a result of the growing talented educator and emerging leader,
cation exam. The program’s dean is Rabbi has greatly benefited his congregants “by access of talented and committed women steps into the role of yoetzet halacha here
Kenneth Auman, rabbi of the Young Israel providing a comfortable way for women to to the core halachic texts of our tradition in Teaneck.”
of Flatbush; longtime YU faculty member access additional religious, halachic, and and opportunities to receive training to Ms. Warburg Sinensky’s husband, Rabbi
Rabbi Gedalyah Berger of Teaneck is the personal guidance. Tova is a caring, com- serve in rabbinic, pastoral, and educa- Tzvi Sinensky, grew up in Teaneck. He is a
head teacher. petent educator and yoetzet halacha and tional leadership roles.” doctoral candidate at YU’s Bernard Revel
If a yoetzet receives a question requiring we very much look forward to welcoming Rabbi Helfgot said the Teaneck commu- Graduate School of Jewish Studies and will
rabbinic expertise, she will investigate the her into the community.” nity “owes a debt of gratitude to Shoshana be director of interdisciplinary studies and
opinion of the questioner’s own rabbi, if Congregation Netivot Shalom’s Rabbi Samuels, who served as yoetzet halacha community outreach at the Rae Kushner
there is one, or will consult with a specialist Nati Helfgot said that having yoatzot with such dignity, sagacity, and deep Yeshiva High School in Livingston.
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Local
WPU begins investigating professor

for conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial
University president responds to videos of anti-Semitic lectures posted by student
JOANNE PALMER engage in a formal investigation of miscon- which are among its core values. Therefore,
I
duct allegations, including but not limited to we urge the administration to take action
n our June 8 issue, the Jewish Stan- meeting with the professor and determin- regarding Professor Magarelli’s offensive
dard’s Larry Yudelson broke the ing appropriate action, including potential and prejudiced statements and put into
story that a longtime sociology pro- disciplinary action, in accordance with all motion all efforts to remove him from the
fessor at William Paterson University statutory and due process right,” she wrote faculty of our esteemed University.”
in Wayne, Dr. Clyde Magarelli, had regaled in the email. “As per standard procedures, “We are happy with President Waldon’s
his students with conspiracy theories, the professor will be relieved of all Univer- statement, and we are grateful for it as a first
prominently including Holocaust denial, sity responsibilities during the pendency of step,” Talia Mizikovsky, the director of Jew-
for years. this investigation.” ish student life for the Jewish Federation of
And for years the stories had been down- (Dr. Waldron is planning to retire at the Northern New Jersey, who leads the area’s
played, the students who reported them end of this month.) Hillels, said. “But we want to hold the uni-
ignored. But this semester, a Jewish stu- In response, William Paterson’s Hil- versity responsible for continued action and
dent, Benny Koval of Fair Lawn, whose offi- lel posted a petition at change.org, urging follow-up. We want to make sure this issue Dr. Clyde Magarelli
cial complaint was met with silence from the university and its incoming president, doesn’t disappear, as so many other issues
the university, videoed Dr. Magarelli on Richard Helldobler, not to drop the investi- have. and the video that accompanies it, was
her phone, and then posted the videos on gation, and to have it end in Dr. Magarelli’s “And we are proud that this is an oppor- made by the president of Paterson’s Hillel,
Twitter. removal from the school’s faculty. tunity for our community to come together Esther Fellin of Fair Lawn.
Now, William Paterson has reacted. “We thank President Waldron for sus- and share its voice and connections with It’s alarming that despite’s Dr. Magarelli’s
In a June 22 email addressed “To the Wil- pending Professor Magarelli while the Uni- the larger community, not only at William ideas — he’s “been recorded on video,” as
liam Paterson University Community,” versity investigates the misconduct allega- Paterson but with the larger community Mr. Yudelson wrote two weeks ago, “espous-
the school’s president, Kathleen Waldron, tions,” the petition reads. “With this first in northern New Jersey,” she added. “It’s ing a series of anti-Semitic beliefs about Jews
wrote that in response to the video, she step, we feel confident in placing our trust unfortunate to have to come together in — including the ideas that Askenazi Jews are
had requested a preliminary review of in the William Paterson administration to these circumstances, but it is an opportu- not genetically related to the ancient Israel-
Dr. Magarelli’s conduct. That review has maintain the highest academic standards nity to show our strength.” ites, that 175,000 German Jews found safe
been completed; now, “The University will and commitment to diversity and tolerance She’s also proud to say that the petition, harbor in the German army during the
‘Changemaker’ receives Diller Award

Local teen lauded for creative efforts to prevent drug addiction
LOIS GOLDRICH program go to an assembly where they Following each presentation, students
I
see a short informational video — which can ask questions. And they do, Stephanie
n the summer of 2013, when Stepha- Stephanie created — followed by a segment said, “sometimes going up to the speakers
nie Reifman of Upper Saddle River in which she interviews both a recovering after the session to hug them or offer their
was 13, Cory Monteith — one of her heroin addict and a parent whose child condolences.”
favorite actors — died of a heroin has died of an overdose. Now 18 and a recent graduate of North-
overdose. “I draw out their stories through inter- ern Highlands Regional High School in
“I was devastated,” she said. “I loved view questions,” Stephanie said. Allendale, Stephanie estimates that her
him and I loved ‘Glee,’” the TV program When she was 13, Stephanie approached program has reached some 15,000 students
he starred in. “I was also curious. I didn’t the alcohol and drug abuse division of the Indeed, her tremendous success in educat-
really know about the problem of drug Bergen County Department of Health and ing her fellow students has been recognized
abuse, so I started to do some research.” Human Services for advice on securing with a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award.
What she found as she continued to potential speakers. She was put in touch The statement announcing this year’s
explore the issue was that in 2013, 26 with Spring House, the county’s halfway awards noted that they “recognize young
people in Bergen County alone died from house for women recovering from alcohol changemakers who are committed to
a heroin overdose; in 2014, that number and drug abuse. undertaking the most urgent and pressing
rose to 42. “And it continues to climb,” she Since then, Spring House has provided challenges faced by communities around
said. “I know that law enforcement offi- speakers — generally ranging in age from the globe.” Fifteen students were selected.
cials go to schools to speak about this and 22 to 28 — for each of the 40 presentations Each will receive $36,000 “in support of
show montages of people who died, but I Stephanie has arranged for schools, syna- their philanthropic vision.”
thought that if I could tell my peers that gogues, and youth groups. The first one Stephanie Reifman In her application, Stephanie wrote,
this was something I cared about, it might was at her own middle school, and fea- “Upon researching heroin addiction, I
help them relate to it at a more personal tured a recovering addict. At other times, parents stepped forward also. It helps found that it was an epidemic and it was
level. And I wanted to incorporate them the speaker has been a bereaved parent. them to talk about it.” It helps other stu- right in my own backyard. I knew then that
into the conversation.” The network of speakers grew organi- dents as well. “Kids don’t think about the I wanted to prevent more senseless deaths
To accomplish her goal, Stephanie cre- cally. A father whose child died of an impact addiction has on relationships. Get- from occurring, so I created H.A.P.P.Y.
ated what she called H.A.P.P.Y. Week — overdose “read a news article about my ting to hear how it affects a parent — whose Week to educate students on the dangers
the acronym stands for Heroin Addiction program and reached out and offered only relationship now is putting flowers on of heroin.” As simple as it sounds, it was a
Prevents People’s Years. Students in the to speak,” Stephanie said. “Four other a child’s grave — is very powerful.” challenge.

Local More than 410,000 likes. PRESERVE
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disturbs the Jewish students who take his classes,” she
said. “Our petition uses the words competency and aca-
demic integrity.”
S U M M E R
It also accuses him of misogyny and purveying “crack-
pot history and science.”
Jason Shames, the Jewish Federation of Northern
New Jersey’s CEO, also reacted to the university’s email.
“I want to thank the Jewish Standard for breaking this
story, and giving the Federation the opportunity to
mobilize our expertise and resources around Profes-
sor Magarelli’s insensitive and offensive comments and
behavior,” he said. “We are grateful to President Wal-
dron and William Paterson University for their imme-
diate and appropriate response to our inquiry, and we
look forward to a successful conclusion to this unfortu-
nate incident.”
When she was 13, “I had to push people to believe

in me,” she said. “I had to fight to prove I could do it.
But the principal gave me a chance.” The Diller Award,
she said, helps validate her efforts. She is also excited
about the opportunity to meet and network with 14
other young social activists, and to talk about their
projects as well as her own.
Rabbi Shelley Kniaz, the director of congregation
education at Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley
in Woodcliff Lake, nominated Stephanie for the Diller
Award. Rabbi Kniaz said, “I knew that Stephanie was a
perfect candidate for this award. My biggest challenge
in nominating her was that she had so many chesed
and tzedakah activities and leadership roles that I
struggled mightily to limit my responses to the word
limits provided for each question in the form.”
Rabbi Kniaz has known Stephanie since 2008, when
LAST DAY WED. JULY 4th
she was in third grade. “She was an excellent student,
beloved by all her teachers and peers. When she
entered the eighth grade, Stephanie began volunteer-
Visit the
ing as a classroom aide on Sundays and on holidays. Boy’s Store
She is also very active in BBYO, which is housed in our at Emporio
building.”
For her work on preventing heroin addiction, Rabbi
Kniaz said, “Stephanie has been recognized as one of
the 50 CBS New York People to Know, received the
Prudential Spirit of Community Award, was invited by
her mayor to serve on the town council, and inducted
into the Hall of Fame by the American Association
of University Women. I am in awe of what she has
accomplished.”
Stephanie, who maintains a website, happyweek.
org, said that her 15-year-old sister, Melissa, who will
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Raising women’s voices in study

Lamdeinu in Teaneck offers series of four scholars teaching high-level Torah
JOANNE PALMER
R
achel Friedman of Teaneck,
the founder and dean of
Lamdeinu, is devoting her-
self to creating an institution
of learning that is as passionate as she
is, as in love with text, with the intellec-
tual and logical and spiritual engagement
with words and the ideas that underlie
them, as she is.
That is a tall order, but Ms. Friedman
is making progress. She has committed
her energies to creating a place that is a
home for Jewish learning and a magnet Rachel Friedman Shuli Taubes Miriam Krupka Berger Alisa Danon Kaplan
for Jewish learners.
Both men and women teach its classes, certain sense, whether in an obvious way
and both men and women are welcome or in a more subtle way. They are reshap- Women have a different way of
as learners, although some classes are for
women only.
ing those professions by virtue of their
advanced Torah scholarship, their com-
engaging with text. They bring
One of Ms. Friedman’s interests has munications skills, their charisma, their to it their own life experiences,
been in the development of women as
serious Torah scholars; the world of Jew-
dynamic natures — and also because
the Orthodox community is open to the
a certain sensitivity, a certain
ish text study is changing, she said, as voices of women as it never was before.” way of learning.
women have been given the opportunity Women’s voices are not the same as
to study more rigorously. Now they are men’s voices, she continued, although describing the Israelites’ journey from a professor of English at Yeshiva Univer-
teaching. On four Thursday mornings of course no one person’s voice is like enslavement to liberty, and their trans- sity. Like her mother’s father, he also had
in July, Ms. Friedman and three other another’s, gender notwithstanding. But formation from slaves to a goy kadosh, a chevrutah with his granddaughter.
women — Shuli Taubes, Miriam Krupka beyond that, “women have a different a holy people. She’s entwining that talk “Any time I was assigned a Shakespeare
Berger, and Alisa Danon Kaplan, will way of engaging with text,” Ms. Fried- with the idea of a tent, which represents play, he would come over and we’d read
offer classes. (See box.) man said. “They bring to it their own life a home, and what happens when that it out loud together,” she said. “We’d read
These talks — Torat Nashim, Women’s experiences, a certain sensitivity, a cer- holiness is violated. Milton together.
Torah, as it is called — are both similar to tain way of learning. But as involved as Ms. Friedman is with “I had a very blessed childhood.”
and different from classes at other insti- “One thing I’ve noticed, and that’s her own learning and teaching, she’s She wasn’t the only grandchild her
tutions in other historical periods, Ms. maybe because women often end up interested in providing the next genera- grandfathers studied with. “My Torah
Friedman said. According to Lamdeinu’s learning Talmud later than men do — tion of women scholars with a platform, chevrutah grandfather, who lived in Mon-
flyer, “What we believe is unique about men often start very young, in first grade, and in giving her students and commu- sey, had a bunch of granddaughters who
these women is that they represent a so they read the text before they learn nity the chance to learn from them. lived in Teaneck,” she said. “We would
new brand of female Torah scholarship the language — women tend to be more The first speaker, Shuli Taubes, lives order a pizza and learn high-level texts
in the Orthodox world that is largely con- focused on learning the language. in Washington Heights with her hus- together. His method was to talk to us as
nected to their advanced Torah scholar- “Each of these women is having an band; she’s chair of the Jewish philoso- if we were all very capable. He pushed us
ship rather than to ritual or title.” impact in a different way — but with- phy department and teaches Tanach and to think creatively.”
“The level of advanced Jewish educa- out their scholarship and the commu- comparative religion at SAR High School That background, ranging from Torah
tion that these women had is different nity’s openness to hearing the voices of in Riverdale. But she grew up in Teaneck, to Talmud to Shakespeare to Milton,
than what would have been available women, this wouldn’t be happening.” the oldest of the five children of Rabbi with its exposure to complexity and
to them 20 years ago,” Ms. Friedman Ms. Friedman will give the first talk. Michael and Bassie Taubes. subtlety and vast cultural differences
said. “I see this next generation of Torah Although she often uses the word Torah Learning was “the centerpiece of and assumptions, with its understand-
scholars, who are teaching both men and broadly to encompass a range of ancient everything we did in my home” when she ing of human nature in normal life
women, who are playing roles not just in Jewish texts, here she will discuss a lit- was growing up, Ms. Taubes said. That and in extremis, seems to have been a
women’s schools but in the professions, eral Torah text, from the book of Bamid- came not only from her parents but from perfect medium to grow a theologian.
are affecting the entire community in a bar — the book of Numbers. She’ll be her grandparents too. Ms. Taubes earned her undergraduate
“I had a chevrutah” — a learning part- degree at Barnard and then went to Har-
Who: Lamdeinu, led by its dean, Rachel Friedman nership — “with my grandfather, Chaim vard Divinity School. “I am very inter-
What: Offers “Torat Nashim” Shulman,” she said. “It started when I ested in the human/Divine relationship,
was 13. He died two years ago, so it lasted and about both what God expects of
When: On four Thursday mornings in July, from 10:15 to 11:30
for almost 20 years. My being a girl human beings and what human beings
July 5, Rachel Friedman teaches “Endangering Our Ohel: The Challenge of Baal Peor” didn’t affect it at all.” They learned Torah expect and mean about God. So God is
July 12, Shuli Taubes teaches “Ani Ma’amin: I Believe in the Coming of the Messiahs” together. the centerpiece of the way I think about
July 19, Miriam Krupka Berger teaches “Eicha: Analyzing a Language of Grief” And that wasn’t all. “My father’s father, meaning.” God is the lens through
Leo Taubes, and his mother, Rina Hyman which she sees the world.
July 26, Alisa Danon Kaplan teaches “Texts and Tachlis: Talmud’s Practical Advice on
Bikur Cholim” Taubes, were among the founders of She’ll teach about multiple messiahs
the Orthodox community in Teaneck,” at Lamdeinu. What does that mean?
Where: Lamdeinu is housed at Congregation Beth Aaron,
Ms. Taubes said. “They moved there in “We have an interesting tradition of
950 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck
the 1960s, and had a shul in their base- them,” she said. “Most people just think
How much: Each class is $25; the series is $90.
ment.” Her grandfather, who was a hid- of the Moshiach ben David” — the mes-
For more information: www.lamdeinu.com or [email protected] den child during the Holocaust, became siah who comes from the line of David

Local
— “but we also have an earlier concept, responsibility and agency.” can utilize these stories and ideas in the
a moshiach from the house of Joseph.” Miriam Krupka Berger of Teaneck is Gemara to actually impact visiting the sick
David descends from Judah; if you look the dean of faculty at the upper school and taking care of those in need.
at the two biblical characters, Judah and at Ramaz on Manhattan’s Upper East I take an “There are stories in the Gemara of peo-
Joseph, “Joseph represents physical and Side; she also chairs its Tanach depart- ple doing bikkur cholim,” she continued.
material power and strength, and Judah ment. At Lamdeinu, she will look at interdisciplinary “It’s walking in God’s ways — it’s imitatio
represents spiritual strength. You need Eicha, the Book of Lamentations that approach, with Dei. That’s doing God’s work.
both of those voices. will be read on Tisha B’Av, just a few “In Nedarim” — one of the Talmud’s
“The messiah son of Joseph would days after her talk. literature and tractates — “Rabbi Akiva enters the house
come first, the Gemara and the midrash “I will look at the female voice of history and of one of his students, who is sick, and
tell us. Rav Kook” — that’s Abraham Isaac Eicha,” she said. “It’s the voice of a what does he do? Either he or some other
Kook, the famous scholar and mystic who woman, a virgin, a bride, a widow, a philosophy and students sweep and sprinkle the ground in
became the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of daughter of the city. I will look at why the language, but front of the sick student. He cleans up.
mandatory Palestine — “made a reference language of tragedy is so feminized. “It is a reminder that bikkur cholim is
in his eulo�y of Theodor Herzl that Herzl “In Eicha, she is the city itself, and an you have to not just about saying nice things about
was not the messiah ben David but poten- outsider observer, a desperate observer know all of it to helping people who are sick. It’s not about
tially the messiah ben Joseph. He devel- looking at it,” Ms. Berger said. “Then the saying ‘Please let me know if there’s any-
oped the concept as the birth pangs of book moves into the first person singu- know Tanach. thing I can do for you.’ It’s about finding
the messiah.” lar, and then the first person communal. the things that have to be done and doing
There are other messiahs hinted at in It moves into the we. And then, in Perek who are getting infusion medication or them. It’s about saying ‘I see your shoes
other Jewish texts, she added; they’re Gimmel” — the third chapter — “it becomes radiation treatments. “It takes many need to be polished. Let me polish them
all intermediate steps to get to the one male. Why is that? There is a lot of mili- hours and many visits,” she said. “Patients for you.’ It’s about seeing a mountain of
whose coming will change the world tary imagery there, weapons, spears, war.” are often there for five, six, seven, eight unwashed dishes in the sink and saying
entirely. Then the voice becomes female again. hours, and a lot of issues come up during ‘May I wash them for you.’
“What I like about the concept of mul- “Why is it structured like that? that time.” “In the G emara, the disciple says to
tiple messiahs is that it gives regular peo- “You are taking just about every kind of As patients wait out their treatments, Akiva, ‘You have revived me. Doing this
ple some agency,” Ms. Taubes said. “We pain a woman can experience and trans- with not much else to do but sit and think was medicine for me.’”
can be harbingers of a better future. If lating it into Eicha. And it’s not just that about mortality, about life, about mean- Back at Lamdeinu, Rachel Friedman is
there is only one person who can be the women are more vulnerable. That’s obvi- ing, about fear and courage and hope and not saying nice, upbeat things about text
savior, that takes away our responsibility, ous. There’s more. love, they often ask chaplains for help. Ms. study, or about applying women’s voices
but if there are many, that gives us both “I want to look at the way the female Kaplan, who has masters’ degrees from to that study. Instead, “I spent a lot of time
voice is used in the rest of the Tanach. the University of Judaism and the Jew- now cultivating the next generation,” she
Is it different from the way it’s used in ish Theological Seminary, and who has said. “I am very excited about it.
Eicha?” trained as a chaplain by getting credits in “At Lamdeinu, I will never hire any-
Ms. Berger’s formal background is clinical pastoral education, is now part of a one who is not a good human being.
I will look at the more in Tanach and philosophy than in new initiative set up by the Jewish Federa- That is part of the program. All of our
English literature — her master’s degree, tion of Greater Metrowest, headquartered teachers, men and women, are aca-
female voice of from Columbia, was in Jewish philosophy, in Whippany. demically trained, religiously trained,
Eicha. It’s the and her thesis was about the mystic Isaac “I am going to be talking about bikkur and good human beings, who care pas-
Abarbanel — but her connection to litera- sionately about the future of the Jewish
voice of a ture is longstanding and deep. “I love to
cholim” — helping the sick — “and what the
Gemara has to teach us about the practi- community.
woman, a virgin, read, and I read all the time,” she said. “I cal details of visiting someone who is sick,” “If you want to bring along the whole
always have. I incorporate what I read into community, you have to make Torah study
a bride, a widow, my teaching, because I think that it is both
Ms. Kaplan said. There is much abstract
to be said about the importance of such part of everyone’s life. The Jewish commu-
a daughter of the relevant and beautiful. work, but there also is much practical nity will look different in 20 years because
“I take an interdisciplinary approach, of it, there’s no doubt. I think it is a won-
city. I will look with literature and history and philosophy
advice to be given, and there is a strong
case to be made for the greater founda- derful, fabulous thing.
at why the and language, but you have to know all of tional importance of the practical over the Because of Torah study, because of the
language of it to know Tanach.”

Alisa Danon Kaplan, also of Teaneck, is
theoretical.
“It’s what I refer to as tachlis,” Ms.
new generation of women whose voices
are being joined with their brothers’ and
tragedy is so a chaplain at the oncolo�y department of Kaplan said. It’s like getting down to the husbands’ voices, which always have been
feminized. Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livings-

ton, where she works with outpatients
brass tacks, the here-and-now reality.
“It is important to keep in mind that we
raised in learning, “I think we have a won-
derful future,” Ms. Friedman said.
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Briefly Local
Family open house and Shabbat dinner

The JCC of Paramus/Congregation Beth The shul is at East 304 Midland Ave.
Tikvah hosts an open-house dinner for The dinner is free, but reservations are
prospective religious school families and required. For information, call (201) 262-
their 4- to 13-year-old children, Friday, 7733, email eduDirector@jccParamus.
June 29, at 6 p.m. Regular Shabbat ser- org, or go to www.jccparamus.org.
vices follow at 8.
Abrams to serve as JFNNJ president

Roberta Abrams will federation since 2002, and
become the new presi- she’s been on the executive
dent of the Jewish Fed- committee for more than five
BARBARA BALKIN
eration of Northern New years. She also was president
Jersey on July 1. The orga- of Temple Beth Or and a par-
COURTESY JFNNJ
nization’s headquarters ticipant in the first cohort of
are in Paramus. Berrie Fellows.
Ms. Abrams, who was When discussing her upcom-
New officers for Teaneck shul born and raised in north-
ern New Jersey, attended
ing presidency, she said, “I’m a
planner, I’m a strategic thinker,
At Shabbat morning services on June 16, financial officer Emily Hodjis of Fair Lawn, nursery school at the YM/ Roberta Abrams I believe in consensus building,
Cantor Ellen Tilem, left, and Rabbi Ste- first vice president Nicole Falk of Glen YWHA in Hackensack, which became the I’m open minded, and I’m not afraid to
ven Sirbu, right, installed Temple Emeth’s Rock, president Amy Abrams of Tenafly, YJCC and now the JCCNJ without walls, take a stand when necessary.” According
new officers. and second vice president Flip Bernard and she went to Hebrew school at Tem- to Jason Shames, the federation’s CEO,
With them are assistant secretary Jill of Teaneck. ple Beth Or in Washington Township. In “I am looking forward to working with
Kantor of Leonia, financial secretary Third vice president Michael Goldberg high school she was active in BBYO and Roberta and her straightforward style,
Michael Robinson of Teaneck, treasurer of Teaneck and secretary Risa Rosenberg became president of the local chapter. decisiveness, and heartfelt commitment
Gary Richards of Cliffside Park, assistant of Tenafly are not pictured. She has been involved in the to our community.”
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Local
President, board
are installed at
Woodcliff Lake temple
Susan Bromberg, right, the outgoing president of
Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley, congratu-
lates the incoming president, Marc Mandelman.
The new Temple Emanuel board was installed on
COURTESY TEPV
Friday, June 15, after Shabbat dinner at the shul.
e
e Chana and Len Grunstein with Representative Hakeem Jeffries.
t COURTESY NORPAC
-
f Congressman Jeffries hosted
- Clifton shul celebrates 75 years at Teaneck Norpac meeting
Chana and Len Grunstein hosted a Nor- Communications Committee. During the
, The Clifton Jewish Center, an egalitarian community service programs to its con- pac pro-Israel meeting in their Teaneck meeting, Mr. Jeffries answered questions
Conservative congregation serving Pas- gregation and people in Clifton and the home to support Congressman Hakeem about the future of U.S.-Israel relations
o saic, Bergen, and Essex counties, cele- surrounding municipalities. In celebration Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Mr. Jeffries’s congres- in the Democratic party.
g brated its 75th anniversary at a gala at the of its 75th anniversary, the synagogue is sional district encompasses parts of He is serving his third term in Con-
Richfield Regency on June 24. opening its Hebrew school to unaffiliated Brooklyn, including Canarsie and East gress and is running for re-election this
h Since its inception, the Clifton Jew- families at a nominal cost. For informa- New York. Since 2017, he has been the year.
ish Center has provided religious and tion, call (973) 772-3131. chair of the Democratic Policy and
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Valley Chabad gala

celebrates chai life year
More than 350 guests celebrated at Valley experience. Bernie Gola, a Holocaust survi-
Chabad’s gala, “Celebrate 18. Celebrate vor and philanthropist, frequently talks to
Life,” on June 5 at the Rockleigh Country students and adults about his experiences.
Club. The party marked the 18th year of Warren and Esther Feldman were given Hindy and Rabbi Dov
Valley Chabad’s community-based ser- the Shem Tov award for the impact of their Drizin with Bernice and
vices to the Pascack Valley and Saddle many years of service to Valley Chabad and Bernie Gola, front.
River communities, and it honored key their community. The Feldmans stressed
members for their support of its educa- the love of family and appreciation of com-
tional and outreach programs. munity that powers their ever-growing list
The evening began with a musical “To of philanthropic achievements.
Life” tribute by Valley Chabad cantors Lawrence and Elana Bibi and their
Mottie and Yoni Zighelboim and their three children were the Young Leadership
band, with welcoming remarks from Jayne award recipients for service, learning, and
Petak of the Jewish Federation of Northern education. They were cited as exemplary
New Jersey, and from Rabbi Dov Drizin, members of a new generation with a drive
Valley Chabad’s executive director. Hindy for outreach and community involvement.
Drizin presented the awards, noting Valley Teen honorees Maddy Gold and Mitch-
Chabad’s mission of outreach and commu- ell Bloom were the Our Future award
nity service to people of all ages and across winners. Both are graduating high school
all Jewish denominations. seniors and outgoing CTeen leaders; they
Bernie and Bernice Gola received the share a passion for service. Maddy Gold,
Chai Life award for their decades of service an avid student and athlete, thrives on
and as champions of humanity. Bernice learning about her identity and giving
Gola talked about their commitment to the back. Mitchell Bloom, a varsity quarter-
Valley Chabad community and to helping back, has been a leader on and off the field
others, born of her husband’s own wartime in volunteerism.
Warren and Esther Feldman, center, with Rabbi Dov and Hindy Drizin.
Elana Bibi, back row, center, with her friends at the dinner.
Honoree Mitchell Bloom, center, flanked by his parents, Joyce and Eric Bloom;
his brother, Evan, left, and grandfather, Marty Weintraub, right.
Maddy Gold, honoree, left, with her parents, Sue and Shelly Gold, and brother,
David and Jayne Petak, center, with Rabbi Dov and Hindy Drizin. Billy. PHOTOS BY SETH LITROFF

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Cover Story
Among the many committees on which

Ms. Gaer sits is this one, about election
Felice Gaer fights

monitoring, at the Carter Center in Atlanta.
for human rights

Joanne Palmer When she was a child, Ms. Gaer’s father courses; it also had typing classes that the most significant thing I did.”
W
was in a business that must have made her were mandatory for all seventh graders, Ms. Gaer went to Wellesley College in
hen you meet Felice Gaer, the envy of all her friends. He owned a toy girls and boys alike. 1964; she was one class ahead of Hillary
you don’t immediately store in Englewood. “It was called Gaer “I was interested in science, and we had Clinton. “We were in a class together in my
realize that you are sitting Toys, and it was on the corner of Palisades advanced placement biology,” Ms. Gaer senior year,” she said.
across a café table from and Dean,” she said. “It was okay, having said. So she took it. But it wasn’t biology She majored in political science and
someone who has stared down dictators, him have a toy store. You’d go in and pick that set Ms. Gaer on the path she’d follow took as many classes as she could in Rus-
has listened to shattering stories of abuse out whatever you wanted, and he would for her entire career. It was Russian. sian history and “Russian-related stuff.”
and torture, and has had the brains, tenac- scowl, and then he’d say okay.” As a result of the launch of Sputnik in There had been no Russian-born stu-
ity, stomach, and overall decency to make Her father, Abraham Gaer, grew up on 1957, Russia’s first satellite, American poli- dents in her high-school class, she said,
a difference — a very real difference — in a truck farm in Patchogue, out on eastern ticians rushed to beef up U.S. education to and none in college either. “It was only
this often terrifying and senseless world. Long Island; her mother, Beatrice, grew up counter the threat of Russian technology when I was in college that we began to
You think, at first, that you are meeting in Hackensack and graduated from Hack- through the National Defense Act of 1958. hear complaints about Soviet Jewry. I
a calm, soft-spoken, certainly worldly but ensack High School. Schools adjusted to the challenge, offer- remember an argument on campus about
still regular person. “I have only positive memories of ing many more science and math classes. whether Russian Jews were treated worse
Then you ask about her life, and the Teaneck,” Ms. Gaer said. “It was progres- They also occasionally offered Russian. than or the same as other Russians.” The
more you hear, the more you stare in sive. I had a top-level education.” Stu- Teaneck High School was among those consensus back then was no, Jews were
wonder. dents had concerned, involved parents, schools. “I wasn’t going to sign up for Rus- not treated worse than other Russians.
Ms. Gaer has lived in Bergen County for who valued education. Many of them, as sian, but I couldn’t be in band and take After college, Ms. Gaer went to gradu-
most of her life. She was born in Engle- stereotypical as it seems, were Jewish. advanced math and also take the language ate school, studying political science in
wood and grew up in Teaneck; after she “And there were really smart kids in my I wanted — I don’t even remember what general and at the Russian Institute there
married in 1975, she moved to River Edge. grade, and in the school,” she added. The that language was anymore — so I took in particular. “I worked with Zbigniew
Now she and her husband live in Paramus. school offered many advanced placement Russian,” Ms. Gaer said. “It probably was Brzezinski and Marshall Shulman there,”
16 Jewish Standard JUNE 29, 2018

Cover Story
and said, ‘I don’t know if you have any idea Those commissions were the United
how important this woman has been to my Nations World Conference on Human
career and my life.’” Rights, the United Nations Commission on
Ms. Gaer was at Ford from 1974 to 1981. Human Rights, the United Nations World
“In my later years in graduate school, Conference on Women, and the World
and then when I was at Ford, the dissi- Conference on Human Settlements.
dent movement was growing in the Soviet During those busy years, Ms. Gaer and
Union,” she said. “I had gotten involved her husband had two children. Her hus-
in supporting Soviet émigrés when I was band, Dr. Henryk Baran, is a retired profes-
at Ford. They were professionals in the sor who was at SUNY Albany’s department
Soviet context — scholars, teachers, engi- of languages, literature, and culture; he
neers, social scientists — but they lacked specialized in Russian language and litera-
skills in the American context. We set up a ture. Unsurprisingly, he has had a highly
program to help them with their resumes, distinguished career. The couple’s two
with learning how to interview, and some- sons are Hugh, a filmmaker, and Adam, an
times we subsidized their first year. It attorney.
was an enormously important program. Meanwhile, she kept adding more pro-
Imperfect, but enormously important.” fessional commitments as well. “In 1999,
In 1981, she became the executive the Clinton administration nominated me
director of a small New York-based NGO, to be an independent expert member of
the International League for Human the committee against torture,” she said.
Felice Gaer’s work takes her around the world; here, she talks to women in Sudan. Rights. It was “closely aligned with “It’s a treaty-monitoring body adminis-
Andrei Sakharov, the dean of the Soviet tered by the U.N., but it has an indepen-
she said. Both were famous and influen- and worked on arms control. “We were dissident movement,” who won a Nobel dent mandate. I’m vice-chair.
tial statesmen and scholars. “Brzezinski trying to address the global desire of peo- Peace Prize. She also “worked on human “You get to engage with officials from
was Carter’s national security adviser,” ple in the military to have new toys,” she rights in the rest of the world outside all the ratifying countries,” Ms. Gaer said.
she said. “He was a hawk and a founder of said. “We looked at whether it was neces- Europe,” Ms. Gaer said. “I developed an “There now are 163 of them. We meet
the Trilateral Commission. Shulman was sary for what they needed to accomplish.” expertise on Chile, on China, on some face to face and raise issues of how their
a specialist on Russia for Cyrus Vance; he Her expertise in both analytics and in African countries, on how multilateral laws and practices conform with what the
was for détente and working things out. firsthand experience — her job then, like institutions really operate. treaty requires.
The two of them were very different.” She her job now, and all her jobs in between, “I was there for 10 years, and when the “The treaty requires criminalizing tor-
learned much from both of them. entailed huge amounts of travel — allowed Clinton administration was elected I was ture and taking a whole series of very
“I got my master’s degree and took her to put together the plan that she said asked to be what they called a public mem- specific measures to prevent it, includ-
my doctoral exams, and then one day “probably is the most influential thing I ber of some commissions.” Through that ing investigating alleged torture, provid-
I got a note asking ‘Would you be inter- did in my life. role, which no longer exists, “the commis- ing complaint mechanisms, and ensuring
ested in a job in New York?’ I said I might, “I decided that there was an enormous sions had State Department officials and that places of custody are inspected and
although I was told that it might delay my division between experts on Soviet East- also experts to serve the delegation and to that both torture and ill treatment are
dissertation. ern Europe and the people who worked be part of it. Some of the public members addressed.
“The note was from the Ford Founda- on arms control, on bombs and bullets,” were honorific — they didn’t work — but “It’s a 10-member committee, and we
tion.” The delay in writing her dissertation she said. One side knew about technol- not me.” divide the work up by country. When I
became infinite — she never did finish that ogy and the other knew about the emo-
degree — but Ms. Gaer’s move to the Ford tional truth of people’s lives, “but there
Foundation, as an assistant program offi- was an enormous gulf between them.”
cer, in 1974, “opened up another world. A The elegant answer to a gulf is a bridge.
world not of books and learning and the “So I came up with a dual program where
like, but of people and processes and insti- they would study each other’s stuff,” Ms.
tutions, and the power of philanthropy.” Gaer said.
As Ms. Gaer described the wide world Condoleezza Rice, later President
that opened in front of her as she left the George W. Bush’s secretary of state, was in
confines of uptown academia for the mid- that program. “Hers was an unusual appli-
town east glass tower that housed Ford, cation,” Ms. Gaer said. “She was a special-
with its hanging gardens and atrium and ist on the Czech army. That was unusual.
“huge doors of brass and leather with the And all the others were from the Ivies and
interior all glass, literally transparent for a Stanford. She came from the University of
nontransparent organization,” it sounded Denver. Almost all of the others were men
as if she were describing Dorothy opening — not all, but most. And she was African
the door once her house had landed in Oz, American. Not one of the others was Afri-
and going from the black and white of Kan- can American.
sas to the glittering land of Oz. “So we had a number of telephone con-
Of course, Ms. Gaer was an extraordi- versations, and I pushed for her, and she
narily sophisticated Dorothy. got it.” But as much as the two women
“I was responsible for a number of knew each other’s voices, they never met.
things dealing with Soviet and Eastern “And then, when I was on the U.S. Com-
European arms control,” she said. “I was mission on International Religious Free-
assistant program officer and then pro- dom in 2001, she came to the meeting,
moted to program officer and I was on the walked around to shake everyone’s hand, I
foundation’s public policy commission,” told her my name, she stopped dead in her
she said. She analyzed defense systems tracks, turned around to the rest of them, Felice Gaer beams, standing next to Andrei Sakharov, in the late 1980s.
Jewish Standard JUNE 29, 2018 17

Cover Story
started, it was five weeks a year; now, we places of torture and confinement, shrouded voluntarily, or with the consent of their “He created the institute; the focus
spend 12 weeks a year in Geneva, where we in secrecy. The first one opened in 1765, the parents. I said, ‘Consent. What does that on multilateral institutions came from
meet. We have challenged the Chinese, the last one did not close until 1996, and the Irish mean?’ We went through a scenario. I there, and we have stayed with it. It is
Russians, Saudi Arabia, the Uzbeks, Qatar, government finally offered apologies and asked, was the door locked? Was there our pre-eminent focus.
and Ireland. reparations in 2013. barbed wire? Were the girls locked in “I bring my philanthropic experi-
“I have been the person who pushed the “I will never forget the junior minister cells? If they escaped, did the police ences together with my advocacy expe-
issue of the Magdalene laundries at the U.N. in charge of justice for Ireland, when we bring them back?” The answers to all riences together here,” she said. “It’s an
level,” she added. The laundries were church- asked him questions about the Magdalene those questions were yes. unusual perch.”
run institutions that imprisoned women who laundries,” Ms. Gaer said. “First of all it was In fact, Ms. Gaer said, she as was told Her move was “logical,” she added.
were not considered adequately respectable run by the church, he said, and second of informally that one of the reasons that “When I got there, I was appointed,
or responsible; they were horrific places, all the girls who were there all were there the laundries ceased to exist might have first by “ Gephardt” — the Missouri con-
been human rights, but another was gressman who was the House Minority
“when they invested in automatic wash- Leader — and then Nancy Pelosi” — the
ing machines, all that went away. Californian who has that position now —
“This was a story about transparency,” “and the Obama administration, to the
she continued. “Before this, our meet- U.S. Commission on International Reli-
Sandi M. Malkin, LL C ings had been audiotaped, but now they

were videotaped. Someone took the clip
and sent it to the media and to the Irish
gious Freedom” — where she finally met
Condi Rice — “where I was able to bring
both a human rights and a Jewish per-
Interior Designer Senate, and there were exposes written
about it.
spective. I was the only Jew there for a
number of years.
(former interior designer of model “Within three weeks, the president of “I remember going there and saying
rooms for NY’s #1 Dept. Store) Ireland appointed a state commission to ‘What about anti-Semitism?’ There were
look into it, and within six months he a lot of evangelicals there, and a Catho-
apologized.” lic bishop, and they said ‘Anti-Semitism
For a totally new look using In 1993, Ms. Gaer left the League. “I is not a religious issue,’ and I said ‘The
your furniture or starting anew. went to the American Jewish Commit-
tee, where I have been ever since,” she
heck it isn’t religious.’ And I made sure
that we put a lot of effort into the issue.”
Staging also available said. She’s the head of the AJC’s Jacob She recalls talking to the Saudis about
Blaustein Institute for the Advancement anti-Semitism in meetings both in Wash-
973-535-9192 of Human Rights, “which works trying ington and in Saudi Arabia, which she
JS-SummerReg-0618.qxp 6/20/18 9:56 AM Page 1 to make the Universal Declaration of visited twice. “We sat there with the Sau-
Human Rights and other instruments dis’ minister of religious endowments. I
a little closer to reality.” The institute, asked about their textbooks, and the fact
according to its website, “focuses on that they appeared to teach the Protocols
pro-Israel, human relations, as well as of the Elders of Zion in higher education.
human and civil rights.” “The Saudi minister said, ‘We are
“Jacob Blaustein was an industrial- against anti-Semitism. I have to tell you
ist,” Ms. Gaer said. “He was the inventor that we opposed anti-Semitism. It is not
of the gasoline pump and a founder of accepted.
Amoco and a president of the Ameri- “‘But this book, the Protocols — well,
can Jewish Committee. He believed, as it is a different matter. It has quite a his-
people did in the 1940s, that you can’t tory in this country. My father used to
protect one group of people without have it at home. We are not prepared to
Courses at protecting all groups of people. You denounce it.’
Bergen Community College

can’t protect Jews unless you protect “And we said ‘This is a forgery. It pro-
everyone. motes anti-Semitism. It establishes Jews
Apply online today at bergen.edu/apply. “He was at the U.N.’s founding meeting as demons trying to establish world
in San Francisco, and he ensured that control.’ And he said, ‘Well, we will have
Summer sessions: human rights would be in its charter. to see.’
• Summer 2: July 2 - August 9 Russia and England didn’t want it, but “When you have a commission like
• Summer 3: August 6 - August 23 it’s there. And he stayed with the issue this, with the right people on it, you can
Questions? Email [email protected] of human rights until he died in 1970. raise issues like that. And we were able
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Classes Begin
Sept. 5
Ms. Gaer sits across a table from her Wellesley classmate, then Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton.

Cover Story
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When she went to Saudi Arabia, “I did
not wear a chador,” she said. “I asked
about it, and they said, ‘You are not Mus-
This is a terrible moment.
“We need more people to speak up,
because as Elie Wiesel said, ‘neutrality
Bright Life!
lim, so you do not have to. I would have helps the oppressor, never the victim.
in a mosque, as a sign of respect, but not Silence encourages the tormentor, never
in an office building.” the tormented.’
In all her work, “I raise individual “The Jewish community is stronger
cases within countries,” she said. “I ask when it sticks to its core values,” she
about people who were tortured or ill added.
treated. I also raised issues about gen- In May, the Jewish Theological Semi-
der-based violence.” nary gave Ms. Gaer an honorary doctor-
She makes a point to visit minority ate, honoring in particular her “stead-
religious communities whenever she fast advocacy on behalf of international
can, Ms. Gaer said. “That means Bahais human rights causes.” Discover exceptional senior living
in Egypt and Iraq. When we went to Rabbi Noam Marans of Teaneck is
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tant countries and with Protestants in people who are acknowledged leaders
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Now, at the AJC, “I am able to focus
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“She is among a handful of pre-emi-
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freedom, the protest against torture,
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The world is in a perilous place just at the AJC. care neighborhood
now, Ms. Gaer said, and she is not san- “Felice is one of those people who is
guine about the future. “We are not universally acknowledged as an expert.
seeing American leadership,” she said. Has anyone served longer on the U.S. Call Richard and Lindsay to
“Instead, we are seeing American Commission on International Religious schedule your personal visit.
leavership. Freedom? She has served five terms, sev-
201.817.9238
“Instead of mobilizing our resources eral of them as its chair.
and using our diplomatic clout, we are “And she does it as an expression of
55 Hudson Avenue • Tenafly, NJ 07670
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“Around the world, we haven’t been one who can blend the universal with

Cover Story
the particular, Rabbi Marans said. “If No. She is not welcome in these countries.
we don’t care about the world, we can’t “She writes reports about the lack of
expect the world to care about the Jewish religious freedom. That doesn’t make you
people. So we do it both because it is right, popular in the places that she visits.
and out of enlightened self-interest. Every- “I am glad that she is out there fight-
thing we do of course is on behalf of the ing the good fight not only for the Jew-
Jewish people, but it is clear that our Jew- ish people, but for all people who care
ish values are manifest in this seemingly about human rights and religious freedom
universal endeavor. and opposition to torture and women’s
“Felice is first and foremost about the enfranchisement.”
Jewish people. In an age where we have “I am so proud that the institution
to guard against Jewish particularism, it is that ordained my father” — Rabbi Arnold
this kind of work that enables us to mani- Marans — “and ordained my wife” —
fest our concern for the Jewish people by Rabbi Amy Roth — “and ordained me
showing that we show up for everyone had the good judgment to present Felice
who is in need. Gaer with an honorary doctorate,” Noam
“And what else is amazing about Felice Marans said.
is that she knows everything. She’s what One other thing. It’s striking that Felice
the Talmud describes as a well that never Gaer — who has worked on so many com-
leaks. Everything comes in, and she mittees and commissions and in so many
doesn’t lose any of her knowledge. She is a other important groups that we can’t list
voracious reader of the Jewish world. She them all here — is named as she is.
always knows something that most of us In Hebrew, Gaer means stranger. It’s
gloss over but she does not.” not clear where the name comes from; “I
And there’s something else. “Felice is a have seen ten different spellings of it,” Ms.
tough woman,” Rabbi Marans said. “She’s Gaer said. The family is Russian; “I always In May, the Jewish Theological Seminary gave Ms. Gaer an honorary doctorate.
like a sabra, tough on the outside and sweet have a crazy theory about it, that I have no
on the inside. And given what she’s done backup for whatsoever, that an Irish cus- Still, it is hard not to think that there helping outsiders, is named “stranger.” It
in her career, she has to be tough. Do you toms officer changed it, because Gaer is a is some meaning to this consummate is her mission to make sure that strangers
think she’s welcome in these countries? place in Ireland.” insider, whose life’s work has been remain outsiders no longer.
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0003574344-01_000357434
Jewish World
These academics want to mend Israel-diaspora relations

But can this marriage be saved across continents and cultures?
SAM SOKOL establishment of the Impact Center coalitions and opposition parties to the
for Research on Judaism in Israel and history, challenges, and support of the U.S.
JerUSALeM — When Adam Ferziger North America. Jewish community,” Assouline said.
wants to describe the “deteriorating” rela- What is needed, he said, is a “new para- According to a recent study by the
tionship between American and Israeli digm” for looking at the diaspora-Israel American Jewish Committee, the vast
Jews, he reaches back to a 2,000-year- relationship, one that he thinks will best be majority of Jews in the United States and
GRA
old divide. found through exploring the distinctions Israel believe in the necessity of both a
“To use a metaphor, we have a contem- and commonalities of the two divergent strong Jewish state and a vibrant diaspora.
porary Jerusalem and Babylon kind of forms that Jewish life has taken. However, the two communities begin
dynamic, with two truly significant cre- His center is only the latest addition to a to diverge when questions related to the
ative and vibrant Jewish centers develop- political and academic sector trying to find peace process and religious pluralism
ing across the world from each other,” Fer- that new paradigm. come into the picture.
ziger said. He’s a professor of history and Its establishment comes on the heels of More significant, nearly 70 percent of
contemporary Jewry at Bar-Ilan University the inauguration of a similar, though not Israeli Jews believe it is “not appropriate
in Tel Aviv. identical, master’s program at Haifa Uni- for American Jews to attempt to influence
Ferziger and others point to polls in versity. The Ruderman Program for Ameri- Israeli policy on such issues as national
recent years showing that not only are can Jewish Studies aims to educate Israelis Adam Ferziger cOUrTeSY ADAM FerZiGer security and peace negotiations with
American Jews increasingly distancing about their North American cousins. It is the Palestinians.”
themselves from both organized Jew- part of a larger push by the Boston-based Assouline, the Ruderman Foundation’s Naftali Bennett, Israel’s minister of dias-
ish life and the State of Israel, but Israeli Ruderman Family Foundation to reach out advocacy and communications director. pora affairs, tends to blame the problem
Jews are growing less and less interested to lawmakers, thought leaders, and other Among the foundation’s programs are on the assimilation of Jews in the United
in the views and opinions of their dias- influencers here. Knesset delegations that visit the United States, saying his goal is “saving the Jews”
pora cousins. “When we talk about bridging the gaps, States for an immersion in American there from disappearing. He also sees a
It is this growing divide that Ferziger often the proposed solutions are to teach Jewish communal culture. “Over the vast political divide.
said he is trying to mend through the American Jews about Israel,” said Dvir years, we’ve exposed MKs from multiple see ADADEMICS page 22
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Jewish World
Academics For his part, Assouline seems happy that Bar-Ilan Univer- “There are many, many well-intentioned and super-
from page 21
sity is pursuing a similar program on Israel and the diaspora. capable people who are aware of the tensions and
“What the poll reflects is that Israelis are going more right- “The more people understand the importance of con- gaps and conflicts,” he said, “but for the most part
ward and favoring more traditional Judaism, as opposed necting Israelis to American Jews, the better,” he said. “The what I’ve seen are two types of reactions: complaining
to secularism, whereas American Jewry are more to the result, of course, is that we are witnessing more activities on both sides” or superficial appeals to Jewish unity
left and more liberal,” Bennett, who heads the right-wing, in the field and more Israeli leaders who understand the that gloss over the gaps.
mostly Orthodox Jewish Home party, told AJC leaders in importance of this relationship.” Neither approach is particularly useful, Fer-
Jerusalem this month. “I’m not going to whitewash that, but Unlike the Haifa program, however, Ferziger said his will ziger said.
it shouldn’t be the reason for us to fall apart. So we don’t focus primarily on religion: “How religion is evolving in “The point of departure for this center is that Juda-
agree on everything, but we are all Jews, for heaven’s sake. Israel, how religion is evolving in North America, and how ism in Israel and America are already very different,
We’re all one family.” the gap is growing. and the distinctions between them are growing,” he
said. “Judaism as it’s been evolving the last 70 years
under a sovereign Jewish state is a very different
entity, and has unique characteristics that are truly
foreign to the privatized, voluntaristic, wonderful,
rich, intellectually powerful and spiritually broad and
sophisticated community in North America.
“What has developed in America has certain
things that are sui generis and very special and very
beautiful, but it is not the same as what’s happening
in Israel.”
The Bar-Ilan center will include a multidisciplinary
think tank side of the operation. That’s reminiscent
of such organizations as the Jewish People Policy
Institute in Jerusalem, which is affiliated with the Jew-
ish Agency.
Ferziger said the new center also will create a gen-
eration of leaders through its master’s program. The
most novel aspect of this undertaking, however, may
be what he calls a “framework for actually doing hard-
core negotiation.”
JULY 2018 SCHEDULE Register at lamdeinu.org The center, he elaborates, will also serve as a “back-
channel” that will bring together leaders from govern-
Sinat Chinam: Pirkei Avot & ment, religious organizations, and other groups “in
TUESDAY the Lessons of the Three Weeks
July 3, a completely private, non-publicized type of envi-
10:30 - 11:45 AM 10, 17
Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Open to men and women, Tuition: $70 ronment in order to do real-time negotiating, with a
caveat that this is unofficial. We are building on exist-
On Modern Orthodox Jews and July 10 ing models from diplomacy for how to move things
American Citizenship forward on a real practical level through these types
TUESDAY of backchannel environments.”
8:15 - 9:30 PM Everything I Needed to Know About Parenting July 17 Some scholars, including the sociologist Steven M.
I Learned in A High School Classroom
Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz , Cohen, who is a research professor of Jewish social
Open to men and women, Tuition: $36 for both or $20 each policy at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of
Religion and the director of the Berman Jewish Policy
Parashat HaShavua Archive, have said that while they find such efforts
WEDNESDAY July 11,
10:30 - 11:45 AM Analyze the parashah with classic & literary sources. 18, 25 worthwhile, there are major challenges standing in
Rabbi Hayyim Angel, Open to men and women, Tuition: $70 the way of bridging an ever-widening chasm between
two related but vastly different cultures.
TORAT NASHIM-FOUR FEMALE SCHOLARS TEACH THE MEN & WOMEN OF OUR COMMUNITY. “The challenge is that there are deep-seated dif-
Tuition: $90 for all 4, $25 per class
ferences and contexts and identities,” Cohen said.
Endangering our Ohel: Ani Ma’amin: I believe in He believes that while Jerusalem’s policies have had
The Challenge of Baal Peor the Coming of the Messiahs an impact on perceptions of the Jewish state among
Dean Rachel Friedman Ms. Shuli Taubes
American Jews, “it’s still the case that differences in
July 5 July 12
THURSDAY American Jewish identity shape American Jews’ reac-
10:15 - 11:30 AM tions to Israel more than Israel’s actions.”
Eicha: Analyzing a Texts & Tachlis: What Cohen calls the “distancing” of American Jews
Language of Grief The Talmud’s Practical
Ms. Miriam Krupka Berger Advice on Bikur Cholim from Israel is partially about a divide between Ameri-
Ms. Alisa Danon Kaplan can Jewish liberals and Israel’s right-wing electorate,
but mostly about the growing number of intermarried
July 19 July 26
and unengaged Jews who barely identify with the Jew-
New students are welcome to all classes. Try an individual shiur for $25. Please consider dedicating a class for a yahrzeit, simchah or refuah. ish state.
The same forces propelling these changes in
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Dean Rachel Friedman | Program Director, Ruth Hartstein
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I am careful not to draw absolute conclusions DANCE WITH US

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overly deterministic. I am an historian, the
world is fickle, and building too much on FREE DANCE LESSONS
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common ground difficult. However, he adds, it is pos- put billions of dollars into efforts to reach out to Jews
sible to have an influence by reaching out to elites and abroad and “create a strategic plan for the upcoming
opinion makers, although he suggests this may not yield 25 years that will include a common vision and more
dramatic results. importantly an implementation of new projects for the
Ferziger said that while he respects Cohen’s work, Jewish people.”
“we have really enslaved so much of Jewish policy Within two years, however, the Jewish Agency left
July 5
to demography.” the project, and by 2016 the program, now renamed Merengue
“I am careful not to draw absolute conclusions based Mosaic, was coming under fire for giving out grants to
on demography because it can be overly determin- primarily, but not exclusively, Orthodox organizations. July12
istic,” he said. “I am an historian, the world is fickle, The program ended up significantly smaller than origi- Salsa
and building too much on polls and census readings nally envisioned.
is detrimental.” Ferziger acknowledged the challenges that face any
August 9
In the early 20th century, Ferziger said, the prevail- attempt to revamp the Israeli-diaspora relationship, but Rumba
ing view, which was based on demography, was that he remained upbeat.
August 30
Orthodoxy was in decline and the future belonged to “In the end of the day no matter what, we are going Cha Cha
the Reform movement. Now, however, you see “Ortho- to succeed because we are going to begin a process of
dox triumphalism,” he said. creating a generation of Jewish leaders and thinkers and Sponsored by
“The point is that things are unpredictable.” activists who are knowledgeable,” he said. Cedar Lane Management Group
In 2013 the Israeli government announced the forma- Gur Alroey, who runs the Haifa University program, www.cedarlane.net • 201-907-0493
tion of a new initiative bringing together the diaspora also believes that Americans and Israelis can think their
Affairs Ministry, the Jewish Agency (itself a partnership way to a stronger relationship.
between the government and diaspora fundraisers) “I’m optimistic,” he said. “I believe in education and
and various American Jewish organizations. It would I believe in long-term learning.” JTA Wire Service
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Jewish World
Paul Krugman says Trump’s

immigration rhetoric is blood libel
BEN SALES like the age-old blood libel against the Jewish people.
The blood libel is an ancient, recurring smear
Lots of people have been comparing the U.S. government’s against Jews; it falsely accuses them of killing Christian
policy of separating migrant families to the Holocaust. children and using their blood for ritual purposes —
But Paul Krugman, the liberal’s liberal economics columnist drinking it, or baking it into matzah for Passover. The
at the New York Times, has a different Jewish historical anal- libel has shown up throughout the centuries across
ogy: He says the administration’s rhetoric on immigration is Europe and parts of the Middle East, and even in the
United States.
Krugman says the false, fantastical nature of the
blood libel is much like the accusations that Trump
and his allies throw at immigrants: that droves of them
Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey
Welcomes
take American jobs, commit a disproportionate num-
ber of crimes, and kill native-born Americans.
Krugman cites statistics showing that the oppo-
site is true. Immigration rates are not spiking.
Crime rates are lower in areas with a large number
of immigrants. And most economists don’t believe
that immigrants depress wages for uneducated low-
income Americans.
“I don’t know what drives such people — but we’ve
seen this movie before, in the history of anti-Semi-
tism,” Krugman wrote. “The thing about anti-Semitism
is that it was never about anything Jews actually did.
It was always about lurid myths, often based on delib-
erate fabrications, that were systematically spread to
engender hatred.
“In any case, the important thing to understand
is that the atrocities our nation is now committing at
the border don’t represent an overreaction or poorly
implemented response to some actual problem that
needs solving. There is no immigration crisis; there is
no crisis of immigrant crime. No, the real crisis is an
upsurge in hatred — unreasoning hatred that bears no
relationship to anything the victims have done.”
Some bristled at Krugman’s analogy.
“Krugman, don’t play around with Jewish anti-Semi-
tism and the Holocaust for you own non-parallel politi-
cal needs,” tweeted Yisrael Medad, a pro-settlements
THE IDEA SCHOOL is a brand-new, innovative, co-ed high school activist in Israel.
According to at least one expert on anti-Semitism,
opening September 2018 at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. however, Krugman’s comparison holds water.
Deborah Lipstadt, the prominent Holocaust histo-
THE IDEA SCHOOL builds curriculum around the passions rian, said that Krugman is right to note that anti-Semi-
and interests of the students. tism and modern American xenophobia share a basis
in irrationality.
THE IDEA SCHOOL weaves Torah, values and academics “It’s a conspiracy theory,” she said of the blood libel.
into an interdisciplinary engaging, educational experience. “It makes no sense. It sees Jews as the heart of the
problem, just like today crime is down, immigrants are
This is the empowering learning model at the Idea School. taking jobs that by and large Americans don’t want, but
there’s this myth of ‘immigrants are taking our jobs.’
Learn more. Donate today. Be a pioneer. There’s an irrational element to it, and a lack of logic.”
Lipstadt has no such sympathy for the comparisons
of family separation to the Holocaust, an argument
www.jfnnj.org/theideaschool she made in an Atlantic piece published Friday called,
bluntly, “It’s not the Holocaust.”
“But something can be horrific without being a
www.theideaschool.org genocide or a Holocaust,” she wrote. “Defenders of
the Trump policy self-righteously pounced on the
Tikvah Wiener, Head of School comparison, denouncing it as hyperbolic. Although
[email protected] there is nothing good that can be said about Trump’s
family-separation policy, it is not a genocide. Equat-
ing the two is not only historically wrong, it is also
strategically wrong. Glib comparisons to the Nazis
provide the administration and its supporters with a
chance to defend their position, something they do
not deserve.”
JTA WIRE SERVICE

Jewish World
This Orthodox rabbi just took

a job at an LGBT synagogue
BEN SALES around gender and sexual orientation,
I
Moskowitz says compassion for all people,
n many ways, Mike Moskowitz is a no matter who they are, was built into his
typical charedi Orthodox rabbi. traditionalist education. His rabbis advo-
He wears a black suit and black cated “people being themselves in rela-
hat. He sports a thick, curly beard tionship with God.” That idea led him, in
beneath a closely shaved head. He pep- Richmond, to reach out to intermarried
pers his speech with liturgical Hebrew couples, despite Orthodoxy’s prohibition
and Yiddish words. He quotes from Jewish of interfaith marriage.
legal texts. Moskowitz started counseling transgen-
Moskowitz sometimes closes his eyes der Jews three years ago, when he worked
when he talks, swaying back and forth with Columbia University students on
and rubbing his fingers together as if he’s behalf of Aish Hatorah, an Orthodox out-
engaged in deep Talmud study. He spent reach organization. He also met queer
years upon years studying at traditional Jews while serving concurrently as the
charedi yeshivas. Today he lives in Lake- rabbi of the Old Broadway Synagogue,
wood, the shore town with some 100,000 which draws a diverse crowd as one of the
residents, most of them charedi. only synagogues in Harlem. Around the
On a recent weekday afternoon, Mos- same time, a close family member began
kowitz is sitting in a Jewish study room transitioning genders, giving Moskowitz
at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in close personal exposure to the transgen-
Manhattan, in front of shelves filled with der experience.
tractates of the Talmud. But the rest of the In December 2016, Moskowitz pre-
setting is decidedly, um, unorthodox. The sented a sermon to the synagogue advo-
bathrooms around the corner are gender- cating acceptance of trans Jews, using an
neutral. A memorial plaque in the sanctu- obscure 16th-century Torah commen-
ary pays tribute to those who have died tary to make his point. At about the same
in the AIDS epidemic. The prayer book, time, he wrote a letter urging a Jewish day
published specifically for this synagogue, school not to expel a transgender student.
includes a special prayer for the weekend Shortly after he was let go from both jobs.
of New York’s Pride Parade. Four rainbow Neither gave his LGBT advocacy as the offi-
flags hang in the lobby. cial reason.
Most charedi rabbis probably would not “It’s the holiest among us that are often
take a job at a synagogue that serves New the most vulnerable because their light is
York’s LGBT community. Standard Ortho- the brightest,” he said in the sermon, refer- Congregation Beit Simchat Torah’s senior rabbi, Sharon Kleinbaum, and Rabbi
dox interpretations of Jewish law strictly ring to the symbolism of the menorah’s Mike Moskowitz stand in front of a rainbow flag. COURTESY OF CBST
prohibit not only same-sex relations but candlelight. “To such an extent that some
gender fluidity and cross-dressing as well. aren’t even aware that darkness exists. Are biblical injunctions and more about how On the day he talked to JTA, he also had
But Moskowitz says his new job as CBST’s we going to protect that light?” to embrace transgender Jews so they don’t phone conversations with three parents of
scholar-in-residence for trans and queer Moskowitz believes that Orthodox com- succumb to the transgender community’s young transgender Jews.
Jewish studies is a perfect fit. munities have much work to do in accept- high suicide rate. “He’s already working overtime,” Klein-
Moskowitz, 38, says serving queer Jews ing LGBT members. While they claim to be “Transgender as an awareness is just baum said. “The demand is like a flood-
is a fulfillment of his duty as an Orthodox warm, accepting places in theory, he says, a presence of understanding,” he says. gate has opened. People are reaching out
rabbi, not a contradiction of that duty. To often they fail to make space for the Jews “There’s no prohibition to acknowledge to him for pastoral help. Their kids are
him, this job simply is the best way to help who are the most vulnerable or on soci- the reality of something when it comes to trans, they are trans, they haven’t had an
those in dire need. ety’s margins. one’s identity. If a person says about them- [observant] rabbi to talk to who hasn’t said
“The religious community has a unique “There are absolutely ways that reli- selves ‘this is who I am,’ it’s not a space to them something besides ‘you’re going
responsibility to provide sanctuary, a lit- gion can be a system for oppression like of choice.” to …’”
eral sanctuary for people who are search- all others,” he says. “When it comes to the After leaving Columbia, Moskowitz Moskowitz still faces tension between
ing,” he says. “How can we broaden the theoretical, they’re quick to say ‘of course was a senior educator for Uri L’Tzedek, his professional and personal lives. Liv-
tent to allow people to feel communally we should be inclusive.’ When it comes to an Orthodox social justice group. He also ing in Lakewood, he receives hate mail
engaged in and taking responsibility for the practical, there’s a huge gap between began blogging for Keshet, a Jewish LGBT because of his work, and he has been
their unique relationship with God?” the ideal and the way in which it actu- organization, and even shaved his beard ostracized from synagogues and other
Moskowitz knows what it’s like to be an ally manifests.” for a time so he could fit in better with a institutions there.
outsider. He grew up in a secular Jewish Moskowitz also says that normative more liberal crowd. But the rabbi appears to take it in stride.
family in Virginia and encountered reli- Orthodoxy gets Jewish law wrong when He became connected to Congregation There is still a synagogue where he and
gious observance through USY, the Con- it comes to transgender identity. He says, Beit Simchat Torah when he met its senior his family are welcome. And the animos-
servative Jewish youth group. He went on for example, that the biblical ban on cross- rabbi, Sharon Kleinbaum. Both were ity he experiences, he says, is just a sliver
to study for four years at the Mir Yeshiva dressing is actually a prohibition on mis- arrested in January at the U.S. Capitol for of what transgender people have to deal
in Jerusalem and for another four years representing one’s gender identity — no protesting on behalf of immigrants. The with every day.
at Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, matter what it is — through clothing. synagogue hired him on May 1. Moskowitz “Do the right thing, you end up in the
two prestigious charedi institutions, and And he says the Orthodox commu- serves a dual function there — he connects right space, but it’s not geshmak,” he says
work as a kosher supervisor and leader nity places undue emphasis on gender the Jewish LGBT experience to the tradi- of his Lakewood experience. Usually that
of a Torah study program, or kollel, back and sexual prohibitions because of social tional Jewish texts he has spent decades Yiddish word means “delicious.” “But
home in Richmond. norms. Instead, he says, the Jewish reli- studying, and he counsels Orthodox LGBT again, this is what trans folks feel going to
Despite Orthodoxy’s clear boundaries gious community should worry less about Jews and their families. the grocery store.” JTA WIRE SERVICE

Editorial
The mother of exiles
KEEPING THE FAITH
The ‘Great Experiment’

T is under great strain
his is a different Fourth of July for
me, and I think for many of us.
T
Until this year, Thanksgiving
and the Fourth of July both have This is a wice each year, before the to 18-year-olds, mainly in recognition of
been major sources of pride. Thanksgiving, different Fourth Fourth of July and Thanks- the fact that if someone 18 years old was
in the cold dark cusp-of-winter autumn, is
about family; the golden-orange food — tur- of July for me, giving, I write about how
this country was founded on
qualified to die for this country, then he
or she also was equally qualified to help
key and sweet potatoes, for the more pro- and I think for “biblical values,” by which the founding decide who should lead this country.
saic among us — glowed with comfort. (No fathers clearly meant the values of our Our system nevertheless remains
comfort for the turkey, I know…) many of us. bible, the Tanach, and especially its first imperfect. Women have the right to
And the Fourth of July, with its green grass five books, meaning the Torah. vote, but they are not guaranteed the
and green leaves and blue skies and barbe- We know that there are more people who Our founding fathers studied those right to receive equal pay for equal
cued food, with its velvet darkness and glo- want to come to this country than even its laws, and chose them to be the moral work. In too many communities, either
rious, noisy, sky-streaking fireworks, was vast empty spaces can hold. We know that and ethical underpinnings for the new they still do not have the right to deter-
exciting and deeply moving. The words there have to be rules. We know that there nation they envisioned, for that “great mine what happens to their own bod-
behind it — Thomas Jefferson’s elegant, must be a process. But we know that caging experiment” in democracy they were so ies, at least when faced with unwanted
heartfelt words — were so powerful. I have children, separating families, turning away carefully creating. or life-threatening pregnancies, or they
always felt so proud to be an American. asylum seekers with their pleas unheard, To be sure, this “great experiment” was are seeing those rights being slowly
Last year, my husband and I went to the is not the American way. We know that not perfect then, and still is taken away from them.
Folksbiene to see “Amerike — The Golden banning people from this country for the not now. Despite the beau- There is more we need
Land.” I walked downtown alone (of the crime of coming from predominantly Mus- tiful claim that “all men are to do, but from the begin-
two of us, I’m the walker, he’s not), pass- lim countries is not the American way. It created equal, that they ning of its history, this
ing Fourth of July revelers, Americans of is, at any rate, not the way of the America I are endowed by their Cre- country has understood
all backgrounds, of all colors; in all sorts know and love. ator with certain unalien- that even the best system
of clothing and costumes; of all ages, from We at the Jewish Standard very much able rights, that among can be made better and
babies decked out in tiny little American- hope that the spirit of this great country these are life, liberty, and must be made better, and
flag baseball hats to little girls wearing returns, that the hate and division the pursuit of happiness,” that the moral and ethi-
sparkly red-white-and-blue tutus to teen- somehow go away, and that love and that was true for some, but cal values on which this
agers wearing whatever it is that they call pride reassert themselves. not for all. People of color Shammai country was founded
those things they were barely wearing to We would like to leave you with the who were slaves were con- Engelmayer must remain the building
parents to grandparents to the oldest peo- words at the base of the Statute of Liberty, sidered to be only three- blocks for an even better
ple, many of them, too, in the day’s red the sonnet called “The New Colossus,” fifths human, only partial America tomorrow.
white and blue. which of course we know were written by people. As for women, to quote Cornell Based on the history of the last 20 or
When we got there, we saw the Statute of an American Jew, Emma Lazarus. We take history professor Mary Beth Norton, they 30 years, however, I fear that we Ameri-
Liberty, holding her torch up high as she heart from them, and we hope you do to. “had no status in the Constitution of 1787.” cans are abandoning those very same
has done since 1886. Such inequities never fit in well with moral and ethical values. In very large
I know that that torch and that statue Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, this country’s vision and promise. As a part this is because we have allowed
and that Lady Liberty are what many — With conquering limbs astride from land to land; result, we continue to modify the sys- our politics to sink into the mire and
most? — of our parents or grandparents or Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand tem to bring it into greater harmony muck of partisanship, and our political
great grandparents saw as they came into A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame with the moral and ethical laws on discourse to plunge alarmingly into the
the harbor. It had been a harrowing trip for Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name which it was founded. rhetoric of divisiveness.
most of them — just trying to imagine what Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Slavery was eliminated, although it Right now, we are seeing this play out
steerage, with its lack of air and lack of light Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command took a Civil War to do so. The 15th Amend- in a most repulsive manner. Our politi-
and stench — would have felt like makes The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. ment removed racial barriers to vot- cians on both sides of the aisle have been
my stomach churn. But they made it, and “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she ing, and the 19th Amendment removed faced with an issue that should have been
if they weren’t turned back by the doctor With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, gender barriers. The 24th Amendment a no-brainer for them from the beginning:
who checked them for illness, they’d be in. Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, and the follow-up Voting Rights Act of the forcible separation from their parents
It’s a vast country, and there was room The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. 1965 removed a number of other dis- of nearly 2,400 children, from infants to
for them. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, criminatory barriers to voting. The 25th teenagers, and the housing of many of
This year, it doesn’t feel the same. The I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Amendment extended the right to vote these children in cages covered on top by
same Lady Liberty is holding up the same
torch over the same country, but the wel- We wish all our readers a glorious Fouth. Shammai Engelmayer is rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel of the Palisades,
come has soured. —JP now in Fort Lee.
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Opinion
barbed wire to prevent them from climbing out. (For the record,
in addition to these children, nearly 8,900 others are in deten- ‘Yes,’ I should have said then
tion because they came to the United States unaccompanied.)
The Democrats say they care about these children, but their Local rabbi tells his story of immigration and separation
M
actions say otherwise. They do not see suffering children, and
for now. at least, they care little about helping to resolve the y family and I have lived through the pain be together. All they would say is, “Without the right
underlying problems that got us to this point. All they can see of being separated at the border. papers it doesn’t matter.” I would ask, “If you were in
is an issue they can keep alive until the polls close on Novem- Our circumstances were different. Our my shoes, and you were separated from your daughters,
ber 6. To do what is right and just, to do what is moral and eth- circumstances were privileged. But for what would you do?” The response was, “I don’t have an
f ical, those are matters that will have to wait until they are back our children, and for the children of others, we cannot answer for you,” or “I’m not qualified to answer this for
in control. For now, the only question Democrats care about be silent regarding the horrific situation we are currently you,” or “Well, I’m not the one immigrating, sir. Now, is
is: “How can I take this to the polls and win in November?” witnessing. there anything else I can help you with today?”
At least the Democrats recognize there is a need to do what Few people know the depth of our story, so allow me I had no words. Buried in my own pain and sorrow,
is right and just, moral and ethical. The Republicans, on the to tell it in detail. I said nothing.
other hand, have their eyes focused entirely on their districts, I began my career as a congregational rabbi in 2006, “Yes,” I should have said then. “You can help by
and their only question is, “If I go against President Trump, serving Emanuel Synagogue in Sydney, Australia, for ensuring that parents and children remain together,
how will that play in my district?” seven years. I married an Australian woman, and our whether they have papers or they don’t, and you can
I am not saying this is true. Longtime Conservative Republi- daughters became dual citizens of the United States and help ensure that they are treated fairly, justly, kindly,
r cans such as the columnist George Will and the party strategist the Commonwealth of Australia. humanely, and sensitively, and that you try to under-
- Steve Schmidt, who managed John McCain’s 2008 presidential Seeking career advancement, I was appointed as rabbi stand the circumstances behind their departure from
- campaign, are saying this and much more as loudly as they can. of Temple Avodat Shalom in River Edge in 2013. We were their homeland.”
Schmidt last week announced he was leaving the GOP, told that it would take approximately five months for my “Yes,” I should have said then. “You can help by
y because it had become a “danger to our democracy and val- wife to obtain a visa and secure permanent residency. It doing what you believe is morally right and you can
y ues.” He called it a “corrupt, indecent and immoral” party took 11. I moved to New Jersey to begin the next phase work to reunite my family as soon as possible.”
filled with “feckless cowards.” He urged voters to sweep the of my career, while Lisa and our daughters, As I look at the horrors unfolding
Democrats to victory in November. then a preschooler and a toddler, stayed before my eyes, I recognize that now is
- Will, in his column last week, also wrote he was leaving the behind in Sydney. not a time for neutrality. And, by God,
Republican Party, and also urged voters to sweep the Dem- Thankfully, my new congregation was now is not a time for silence.
ocrats into power this year. That, he wrote, would give the kind and supportive. In October 2013, “Yes,” I say now. “You can help by
ousted Republican legislators the “leisure time to wonder why four months after I left Australia, my acknowledging what is grossly wrong
they worked so hard to achieve membership in a legislature synagogue granted (insisted) that I take about locking children in cages and you
whose unexercised muscles have atrophied because of people family leave for two weeks so that I could can help by speaking truth to power.”
- like them.” return to Australia to see my wife and “Yes,” I say now. “You can help by
Will said the GOP had become nothing more than President daughters. My wife came to the airport; making sure vicious behaviors perpe-
Trump’s “plaything,” and “to vote against his party’s cowering hugging me, with tears streaming down Rabbi Paul J. trated by the leaders of our government
congressional caucuses is to affirm the nation’s honor while her face, she said, “You’re really here?” Jacobson are stopped and those responsible are
r quarantining him.” and then asked, “Is it really you?” brought to justice.”
Those two questions — “How will that play in my district?” Our first stop was the home where our “Yes,” I say now. “You can help by
r and “How can I take this to the polls and win in November?” younger daughter was being babysat. She looked at me teaching that no human should stand for the cruelty
- —are not the questions to ask when children are being yanked with her wide eyes, and she burst out crying. It seemed we are witnessing, and no God teaches us to behave in
from their parents’ arms (one of “the worst abuses of human- as if she no longer recognized or realized who I was. such a fashion.”
ity in our history,” in Steve Schmidt’s words). Without words, on the heels of four months of FaceTime This situation may no longer be about my personal
They are not the questions to ask when children and adults conversations, she could have been wondering why I family. But this situation is about my human family. We
are murdered in schoolrooms by people who have no busi- suddenly had come out of the computer screen. Nearly may not know any single person at the border who is
l ness carrying guns of any kind, much less assault weapons 20 percent of her life had passed without me. Later that being separated from their children, separated from their
that have no place in society outside the military. afternoon, I picked our older daughter up from pre- parents. But I know my own story, and while living with
They are not the questions to ask when poor people are school. Her cry of “Daddy!” still rings in my ears. privilege, I still am a white American adult male, who for
t denied access to quality health care, or when pregnant mothers But my wife still didn’t have a visa then. So I separated six months was separated from his wife and daughters,
- are denied access to better nutrition, or when schools in poorer from my family again, the anguish so blisteringly real as and who knows the pain of those circumstances.
neighborhoods are unable to offer their students the same qual- I struggled uselessly to fight back my tears. I returned to I am ashamed that my own government would sepa-
ity education as schools in well-to-do neighborhoods. the United States, and waited another seven weeks, when rate parents from children and treat them worse than
: The values upon which this country was built are not finally, in the middle of December, I was able to bring my animals. We know what is right. No one should have to
reflected in those two questions, or in the behavior of the two family into the United States, to see our new home and go through what we went through. No one should have
major parties. Perhaps it is time to end the two-party system, meet our new community. to go through what we are witnessing right now. No one.
f which clearly no longer works for the best interests of our We are the lucky ones. We are the privileged ones. We Take our story. Reflect it through the lens of people
y nation. Perhaps we should adopt California’s so-called jungle had fortune on both sides of the earth, roofs above our who are seeking refuge, asylum, and fleeing their own
primary system, in which candidates face off against each heads, family, friends, and community who cared for us. country. Their circumstances are not ours. Their pain
other in a primary regardless of party, and the top two finish- But we were separated in the immigration process. We is not ours. Do not confuse the two. Don’t you dare con-
ers face each other in the general election. Elections become were a family but it was not possible for my wife and me fuse the two.
more about issues and less about party loyalty. The victors are to be together, to parent our children together. The anxi- But recognize that these are people, human beings,
then free (at least in theory) to vote their consciences, rather ety of separation between an infant or preschool-aged parents and children, who are in danger, and they are
than adhere to party lines. child and their parent is so very real. We see it and we seeking kindness, love, openness, and warmth. Keep-
Will such a system work? Is there a better solution? I do not feel it in our home with both of our daughters. While ing parents and children together is not about policy or
know the answer to either question. I wish I had the answers, we made the very correct decision of ensuring that our paperwork; it is about doing what is right, what is just,
but I do not. At least, though, I am asking the right questions. daughters remained with my wife, their mother, in Aus- what is decent, and what is moral. In order to form a
Until our politicians ask the right questions, our country will tralia, being separated from one another still has a pro- more perfect Union, we the people have to believe that
continue to backslide, until it reaches a point of no return. found effect on our family’s emotional well being. there is something in this nation that we value that is
God forbid that should ever happen. What we are seeing at our borders and what we worth fighting for, not only for ourselves, but for oth-
have experienced in the immigration process is cruel. ers too.
The opinions expressed in this section are those of the authors,
Throughout our lengthy ordeal, I would communicate
notnecessarily those of the newspaper’s editors,
publishers, or other staffers. We welcome letters to the editor. regularly with associates from the National Visa Cen- Paul J. Jacobson is the rabbi of Temple Avodat Shalom in
Send them to [email protected]. ter. I would express to them the need for families to River Edge.

Opinion
Biblical reference by Sessions is malign in every respect
I
cannot (entirely) fault Jeff Sessions, the attorney gen- heritage represents precisely the crisis that subordinate to him and they are judged by
eral of the United States, for his cynical, self-serv- Cool Cal foresaw. the degree of their fidelity to the dissoluble
ing, and spiritually bankrupt citation of Scripture in The Founding Fathers frequently cited covenant.”
defending the Trump administration’s immigration the Bible, predominantly the Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible insists that our Israelite
policy: the Constitution guarantees that “no religious test (which they knew as the “Old” Testament). forbears’ desire for a monarchy was a moral
shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or pub- They believed that the Israelite quest for lib- failing, an affront to the Divine King. It was
lic trust under the United States.” eration from a despotic Egyptian Pharaoh this defining biblical indictment of monarchy
That protection has redounded to the great benefit of Jew- prefigured their own struggle for liberty and that appealed to the visionary patriots of our
ish citizens and countless others since our nation’s found- independence. They perceived in the Israel- founding generation and to all who fought to
ing. Attorney General Sessions invoked Romans 13:1-2, “Let ite covenant a model for a society and govern- Rabbi Joseph throw off the political shackles of the despotic
everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there ment of laws. They cited the Bible as a way of H. Prouser George III. Tellingly, Romans 13 was the text
is no authority except that which God has established. The simultaneously elevating and democratizing favored by loyalist supporters of the Crown,
authorities that exist have been established by God. Con- political discourse, as a degree of Biblical lit- those who opposed independence (as it also
sequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling eracy was all but universal among the country’s founding was a favorite of those who in the next century sought to
against what God has instituted.” generation. justify slavery in theological terms).
While a crass and selective reading of Scripture is not Additionally, they focused their rhetorical attention on The Founding Fathers further understood that the kings
in and of itself disqualifying for the nation’s highest law the Hebrew Bible — the Tanach — so as to avoid controversy of Israel were not merely subordinated to the Almighty: their
enforcement official, Russell Kirk (author of “The Con- born of competing and mutually exclusive interpretations power, authority, and legitimacy were checked by the insti-
servative Mind” and “The Roots of American Order”) has of the Gospel among their diverse Christian denominational tution of the prophet. Israelite monarchy balanced power
observed that “without some knowledge of the Bible the fab- traditions. The Hebrew Bible (providentially for generations and leadership among king, priest, and prophet — a triune
ric of American order cannot be understood tolerably well.” of American Jews) represented a safe, cherished, common system of checks and balances with its own obvious parallels
My objection to the attorney general’s citation of Romans is heritage for the Founding Fathers. “It lies not in the compe- to the American constitutional system. Amos, Hosea, Isa-
not his misunderstanding of sacred writ; it is his misunder- tence of Government to adjudicate theological differences iah, and Jeremiah, among others, all reminded their earthly
standing of America. beyond those essential for the common good,” Michael sovereigns that their power was at best of a penultimate
The paradigmatic populist president Andrew Jackson put Novak told us in “On Two Wings: Humble Faith and Com- nature. They had covenantal obligations and remained sub-
it in still stronger terms: “The Bible is the Rock on which mon Sense at the American Founding.” ject to God’s universal moral law. “You are the man!” the
this Republic rests.” So, too, President Calvin Coolidge (who Yet of all the virtues of the Tanach and the legacy of bibli- Prophet Nathan charged the womanizing and sanguinary
retired to my native Northampton, Massachusetts, which cal Israel, the most fundamental was its revolutionary moral King David (a harsh, two-word Hebrew indictment, not to be
he had earlier served as mayor, and where he was fondly insistence that is it to God alone that individuals and nations confused with the colloquial affirmation, “You da man!”). “I
remembered by aging elders in the congregation of my owe their ultimate allegiance. The Hebrew Bible absolutely have sinned before God,” David confessed, acknowledging
youth): “The foundations of our society and our govern- rejected absolute power wielded by mere mortals. Roland that even kings (and presidents) are answerable to a higher
ment rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would de Vaux, the Dead Sea Scroll scholar, director of Jerusalem’s authority, law, and standards of conduct.
be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would Ecole Biblique, and author of “Ancient Israel: Religious The attorney general’s approving reference to Romans 13
cease to be practically universal in our country.” Institutions,” wrote: “The human rulers of this people are hearkens back to the unchecked power of absolute mon-
The attorney general’s perversion of the nation’s biblical chosen, accepted, or tolerated by God, but they remain archs — ordained by God — which was both the very cause
Mark your words ... whether written, spoken, or texted
W
hoever came up with that old adage “Sticks more than would sticks and stones. That’s (Well, that didn’t work.)
and stones may break my bones, but because the pain that results from negative One of the many reasons why I tend to
words will never hurt me” was in serious speech, whether that speech be of the child choose writing over other forms of commu-
denial about something. bully or abusive partner variety — and every- nication is that there’s more time to think
Of course, I have no idea what, as I gave up mind-reading thing in between — is internal. The speech about how to phrase the message I want to get
a long time ago. What I do know is that anyone who tells you affects the psyche. Much like mental illness, the across. As opposed to with the spoken word,
that they aren’t affected by other people’s words is either pain cannot be seen, and so it’s more difficult there’s more time to review it when it’s writ-
lying to you or lying to themselves. to identify or acknowledge as something that ten down. Of course, as an editor, there’s also
Let me clarify before someone starts getting all linguis- is “real” as opposed to all in your own head. more time to fuss about every little detail—
tic on me. I’m not referring to words in and of themselves. When a person then questions the legitimacy, Dena Croog and once the finished product is in print,
Technically, individual words and their meaning are neu- so to speak, of his own pain, a whole other layer there inevitably will be something I wish I had
tral. I am talking about words plus their meaning plus their of pain is draped over the original pain. changed. At that point, I mentally slap myself
intent. That is, the meaning that we, as a society and as users I think that’s a scenario with which most people can iden- on the forehead. (In my mind, there’s a permanent black-
of thesaurus.com, attribute to words that are said in a spe- tify. The internal pang that results from negative speech is an and-blue mark on that spot.)
cific situation. Other people’s words affect us in ways both emotional, as opposed to a physical, reaction. In that regard, The funny thing is, no matter what you write or how you
trivial and profound. And while this premise in itself isn’t all I wonder if this comparison might help people who have not phrase it, others inevitably will read the message in the
that profound, it shouldn’t be viewed as trivial, either. encountered mental illness to better understand its “real- wrong way — or at least in a way that doesn’t line up with
Regardless of what children or judges might declare, ness.” That certainly is an idea worth exploring. what you had intended. Okay, it’s not exactly funny, but
words, unleashed unto the world, can never be “taken Just as words can knock down, they also can build up. sometimes all you can do in certain situations is laugh about
back” or “stricken from the record.” This goes for words And you don’t need a lot of them to send a positive message. the absurdity of it all. You can take hours writing something
that come out of someone’s mouth or that are channeled One of the shortest and simplest sentences I know is also the just so, and within seconds, that intended meaning gets
through typing fingers. Once they’re out, they’re out. In the most powerful: “It gets better.” thrown out the window by the person reading it.
more pleasant and inviting voice of the great American poet, I like these three words strung together because of the sen- So then I reconsider my approach. Is the spoken word pos-
Emily Dickinson (for what is a column about words without timent’s universality and applicability. I actually can’t think sibly the better method of communicating? The spoken word,
quoting one of the greatest masters of them?): of a more powerful message than that. In fact, I might as well for the most part, tends to be quicker, more to the point, and
“A word is dead when it is said, some say — I say it just end this column right now. I won’t, because I’m not yet at the less permanent. There’s the same risk of being misunder-
begins to live that day.” allotted word count. Still, if you’d like to end on a high note, stood, but there’s also more room for second guessing what
The way I see it, sometimes words can damage a person stop reading when you get to the end of this sentence. exactly was said or how it was said. Which basically means

Opinion
of the American Revolution and the central motiva- political morality of Biblical Israel and the wisdom
tion behind the Founding Fathers’ spiritual and liter- of the Hebrew Bible.
ary attachment to the Hebrew Bible, which had so Many religious leaders, prominent rabbis among
unambiguously rejected that misbegotten form of them, have responded to the attorney general’s
government millennia earlier. I will not quibble with lamentable statement by citing the Hebrew Bible’s
Mr. Sessions over his chosen interpretation of Scrip- repeated injunctions to “love the stranger” — not to
ture. I must insist, however, that his understanding persecute or oppress the alien (see Exodus 22:21,
of the place of the Bible in the history of American 23:9; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:19; Jere-
governance — his attempt to arrogate divine sanc- miah 22:3, etc.). While such ripostes certainly are
tion to a presidential administration — is diametri- well placed, they misconstrue Mr. Sessions’ true
cally opposed to the vision of the founders of the offense. His sin is not a matter of preferring one bib-
republic. lical verse or another. His offense is in completely
Whatever Mr. Sessions’ familiarity with Holy misunderstanding — or in willfully subverting — the
Writ, the deficits in his understanding of America entire relationship between the Hebrew Bible and Camp Ramah alumni hike the Ojai Valley in California.
are egregious. the American experiment, which he consequently
Of course, Mr. Sessions was not citing the Hebrew
Bible. It should be pointed out, therefore, that Chris-
would place into existential peril. Still, his trans-
gression certainly is compounded by the fact that Love, nature, and
tian Scripture also reflects this central element
of ancient Israelite morality. In Matthew 22:21,
his civic illiteracy found specific expression in the
national conversation regarding immigration — and renewal at camp
E
the Christian savior is asked whether it would be the treatment of strangers and aliens — about which
proper to pay taxes to Caesar. As the Nazarene was the Hebrew Bible stakes out such a consistently xcitement and energy abound.
expected to answer in the negative, the question compassionate and morally demanding position. Smiles, laughter, friendship and
was designed to entrap him in a seditious public If Trump’s attorney general and the administra- joy permeate the soul. Jewish
statement. He shrewdly responded with the cryp- tion he serves are looking for divine sanction for its camps across North America
tic, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, course of action toward immigrants seeking a better are opening their gates this month for more
and unto God that which is God’s.” While this verse life in the United States, perhaps they would do well than 200,000 children, teens, and college-
often is understood inaccurately to signify a divine to ponder George Washington’s favorite verse from age counselors who will create connections,
mandate for submission to earthly authority, it is the Hebrew Bible, which our first President cited develop skills, and strengthen identities. We
best understood as ironic. “Silver is Mine and gold both in public documents and in personal corre- have entered our season of renewal, as the
is Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Haggai 2:8). “The spondence not fewer than 50 times: “And they shall fruit of the hard work of professionals and Jeremy
Earth is the Lord’s and all it contains” (Psalms 24:1). sit every one under his vine, and under his fig-tree; lay leaders can be seen in the intentionality of Fingerman
Ultimately, that is to say, all power and wealth are and there shall be none to make them afraid. the each day at camp.
God’s. No earthly leader properly lays claim either Lord of Hosts has spoken it” (Micah 4:4). Recently, I experienced the restorative
to ultimate power or unchecked material aggran- Or, perhaps, 2 Samuel 12:7. “You are the man.” powers of nature and Jewish camp firsthand while attending a wedding
dizement. So — render unto Caesar that which is at Camp Ramah in Ojai, California. The camp sits on hundreds of majestic
Caesar’s — nothing! Render unto God that which is Joseph Prouser is the rabbi of Temple Emanuel of acres nestled in the lovely hills of the Ojai Valley. In early December 2017,
God’s — everything! That was the carefully phrased North Jersey in Franklin Lakes. the Thomas wildfires torched thousands of glorious acres of property abut-
message of Matthew 22:21, solidly grounded in the ting the camp. The camp facilities were spared, thanks to the heroic efforts
of the California firefighters.
Prepared to witness the devastation of the wildfires, I was filled with
amazement and awe as I hiked up a trail above the camp and found green
brush amid the singed tree branches. Beautiful wildflowers dotted the
path, while chirping birds accompanied our walk among the remnants of
ashes. All around me — in a place where nature had been destroyed just six
that, if you want, you can claim that you didn’t mean Water. Fire. Danger. Coffee. months ago — nature was initiating its own powerful renewal.
what you said in the manner in which the other per- Though, come to think of it, maybe those words At the top of the trail, I looked down at camp to see the final prepa-
son says you meant it. were even more ambiguous than full sentences: rations for the Jewish-camp-love-story wedding I would attend later that
I don’t know. Is a person held less accountable if he “That caveman over there just said the word day, and where staff training would begin days later. The wedding also
talks, as opposed to writes, negatively? And if that’s ‘water.’ Is he informing me out of the goodness of was a meaningful demonstration of continuity and renewal. The bride
the case, doesn’t it also mean that the person doesn’t his own heart, so that I won’t die of thirst? Or does and groom met at camp years ago. The groom’s parents also met at the
get enough credit for saying something positive? he mean that he has water and will let me have very same camp, and the bride’s parents are longtime leaders in the camp
Well, now I’m all confused. some, but he’s really saying it begrudgingly? Or is he community.
It’s amazing how vague a person can be while taunting me by telling me that there’s water, but he’s On a backdrop of the singed landscape now beginning its rejuvenation,
writing a column about words. I’m aware of it, of keeping it for himself? Or is he telling me that there’s the young couple began their new life together. Buoyed by the place that
course, and it’s completely intentional. This way, water so that he can keep all the coffee for himself? brought them together, they enter into their Jewish future as a family. With
people reading can apply the concepts to their own So many possibilities! That’s so nice! That’s so mean! generations of families shaped by camp, and surrounded by the budding
life situations without specific examples getting in Why can’t he explain himself better? Oh no, now countryside, the day’s celebration was filled with unparalleled ruach
the way. Then again, anyone can take these words he’s throwing sticks and stones at me! Danger! Run!” (spirit) and simcha (joy).
and read into them any number of things that I For all these words about words, I sure haven’t As summer season 2018 begins, I am reminded that hopeful stories like
didn’t intend. said anything significant. Well, at least I didn’t insult these are being told and created across North America as families pack for
Maybe we all should stick to text messaging. It anyone. I mean, I don’t think I did. Did I? I’m start- camp — Jewish love stories, best friendships that span multiple generations,
takes qualities from both written and spoken words. ing to regret having written any of this. And now it’s and tales of the resilience inspired at Jewish camp, both in nature and in
Like spoken words, it’s often quick and to the point. already in print and I can’t do a thing about it. Next spirit. Jewish camp is the site of magical regeneration, as campers become
Like other written words, there’s sometimes more time, I’m going to write a column about nothing. Or counselors, and later still camp parents, and return for family camp and
time to think about phrasing. And of course, tone, did I already just do that? year-round community programming with children and grandchildren.
intention and meaning never ever are misinter- I am humbled that our holy mission — to support camps as they provide
preted over text. Dena Croog is a writer and editor in Teaneck and transformative, immersive, joyous Jewish experiences — contributes much
Maybe it would be easier to live in earlier times, the founder of Refa’enu, a nonprofit organization to this vibrant Jewish landscape.
when words were born out of necessity and there dedicated to mood disorder awareness and support.
was no positive or negative message behind the Learn about the organization and its support groups Jeremy J. Fingerman is the CEO of the Foundation for Jewish Camp. He lives
definition. Those days before thesaurus.com, when at www.refaenu.org, or email [email protected] in Englewood with his family; he is vice president of Congregation Ahavath
words were, indeed, neutral. with questions or comments. Torah there. Write to him at [email protected].

Opinion
Defend our borders, but don’t

forsake our Constitution and values
T
he U.S. Constitution prohibits the removal of asylum-seekers who land on our soil. that we cannot admit everyone who wants to
illegal immigrants from America without due U.S. Supreme Court cases going back 115 come to the United States. They all want our
process. U.S. law and every major faith on Earth years, as accepted by conservative and lib- borders to be secure and our immigration
also require that we welcome the stranger seek- eral justices alike, have held that the Constitu- laws to be enforced.
ing asylum. tion requires that “immigrants....once passed Also, on the subject of asylum, the U.N.’s
It is important to remember these facts when we con- through our gates, even illegally, may be 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Ref-
sider the message President Trump sent out last Sunday. expelled only after proceedings conforming to ugees, adopted by the United States in 1968,
As the Washington Post reported, while being driven from traditional standards of fairness encompassed says that people fleeing from persecution and
the White House to his Virginia golf course, the President in due process of law.” physical harm shall be welcomed, though
tweeted: “When somebody comes in, we must immediately, Justices Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Gins- Steven R. allowing for a reasonable and humane pro-
with no Judges or Court Cases, bring (sic) them back from burg, Clarence Thomas, John Paul Stevens, Rothman cess to determine if their claims are real. This
where they came. Our system is a mockery to good immigra- Sandra Day O’Connor, and Anthony Ken- follows the requirement of every major world
tion policy and Law and Order.” nedy, among many others, have accepted that religion that those seeking asylum from perse-
I guess someone forgot to inform Trump that it is settled proposition. cution, torture, or death shall not be turned away.
Constitutional law in the United States that our Founders Now don’t get the justices wrong. They all say that the Thus, since 1968, no children were separated from their
intended due process protections for illegal immigrants and Constitution is not “a suicide pact.” They all acknowledge parents in the United States during the consideration
Zero tolerance equals less than zero humanity
I
t all began quietly last autumn, not with a bang but a state. Recently we learned of group homes in The groups note that “many of these
whimper. It was quiet until this spring, when it came Harlem and Camden. The courts, where the migrant families are seeking asylum in the
out into the open that the Trump administration had parents were tried for misdemeanor pros- United States to escape violence in Central
initiated its most despicable policy to date. ecutions, have no idea where the children America. Taking children away from their
The bang arrived with “zero tolerance,” a program to halt have gone, or how parents and children will families is unconscionable. Such practices
immigrant families caught entering the country, refugees be reunited. Indeed, as far as the courts and inflict unnecessary trauma on parents and
without proper papers or families seeking asylum from hor- judges are concerned, that’s not their depart- children, many of whom have already suf-
rors at home. The country’s borders must be secure to save ment, and they have said as much. fered traumatic experiences.”
our republic and our “American way of life.” Moreover, to While the parents may be the targets of The signatories include the American Jew-
ensure the success of this heartless new policy, the govern- this terrorism, the children are its most sig- Mark Gold ish Committee, the Union for Reform Juda-
ment would institute the separation of children from their nificant victims. In a letter of protest against ism, the United Synagogue of Conservative
parents. There was to be no structure or plan for return- the Trump policy of family separation, the Judaism, the Anti-Defamation League, and
ing children to their parents once the adults’ cases were National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practi- Hadassah. But politically, the most significant
disposed. Although illegal immigration across our southern tioners wrote, “Traumatic life experiences in endorsement is that of the Orthodox Union,
border was the lowest it has been in years, the administra- childhood, especially those that involve loss which earlier had hosted Sessions as a key-
tion was convinced that this policy must be implemented, of a caregiver or parent, cause lifelong risk for note speaker at an event the group held in
and that it needed to happen now. cardiovascular and mental health disease.” Washington.
The program was ordered by Attorney General Jeff Ses- The policy has evoked a rising wave of Orthodox Jews, unlike Reform and Con-
sions and enthusiastically supported within the administra- opposition. Former first ladies, both Demo- servative Jews, awarded the majority of their
tion by Stephen Miller, a senior Trump adviser and one-time crat and Republican, have spoken out. Rose- votes to Trump and the Republican party in
aide to Sessions in the Senate. lyn Carter declared, ““The practice and policy 2016. The Orthodox Union, an umbrella group
“A big name of the game is deterrence,” John Kelly, today of removing children from their parents’ Hiam Simon for the Orthodox community, has expressed
Trump’s chief of staff, told NPR in May. care at our border with Mexico is disgraceful strong support for Trump’s policies on Israel,
Perhaps a more accurate term would be “terrorism.” and a shame to our country.” Hillary Clinton and also on key issues such as religion-and-
The program was implemented with the typical Trump wrote, ““Every parent who has ever held a child in their state questions and Trump’s judicial appointments.
thoughtlessness and lack of planning. Children were taken arms, every human being with a sense of compassion and Other Jewish groups praised the Orthodox Union for
from their parents and then labeled “unaccompanied decency, should be outraged.” Laura Bush tweeted, ““I live endorsing the letter on Friday. Michael Lieberman of the
minors” and dumped into the foster care system, where in a border state. I appreciate the need to enforce and pro- ADL said the group’s position is “always value added,” while
the administration often lost track of them. Since last Octo- tect our international boundaries, but this zero tolerance Ori Nir of Americans for Peace Now wrote: “The Orthodox
ber, at least 2,700 children have been taken from their policy is cruel. It is immoral. And it breaks my heart.” She Union has joined a letter by American Jewish organizations
parents, nearly 2,000 between mid-April and the end of added, “It is our obligation to reunite these detained chil- condemning the separation of children from their migrant
May. In some cases, the families were separated by deceit. dren with their parents — and to stop separating parents and parents when they cross the border. Kudos to all signatories
Juana Francisca Bonilla de Canjura described how her two children in the first place.” including the Orthodox Union. Kol Hakavod!” — ”good job”
daughters, Ingrid, 10, and Fatima, 12, were taken from her. Loud voices from within the Jewish community were not in Hebrew.
“Nobody knows anything. Nobody says anything — just lies. silent either. More than 25 Jewish-American organizations Caught in a firestorm of criticism, the administration
They said they were taking them for questioning, and we published a letter to Attorney General Sessions strongly pulled out all the stops to defend this travesty. “The party of
were only going to be apart for a moment. But they never denouncing the Trump administration’s policy of separat- family values” sent out Jeff Sessions, who took on the role of
came back.” ing migrant children from their families. It said: “This policy a Bible-thumping Elmer Gantry when he said, “I would cite
With the number of children growing beyond the foster undermines the values of our nation and jeopardizes the you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in
system’s ability to deal with them, makeshift places were safety and well-being of thousands of people.” Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God
found or created to hold them. We don’t know all the details The signatories added that “as Jews, we understand the has ordained the government for his purposes.”
but we are aware of 26 different facilities scattered across the plight of being an immigrant fleeing violence and oppres- Sessions elected to ignore the direct commandment from
country, from facilities in Washington State to warehouses sion. We believe that the United States is a nation of immi- Leviticus 19:34 that “The foreigner residing among you must
in California and Florida to a former Walmart in Browns- grants and how we treat the stranger reflects on the moral be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for
ville, Texas — and that’s just one of five shelters in that values and ideals of this nation.” you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

Opinion
of those asylum applications — until President Donald bracelets and turning them over to faith groups who will crimes, drug, and alcohol offenses than people born in
Trump’s administration announced the change in U.S. take responsibility for them until their cases are adjudi- the United States.
policy on April 6, 2018. Fortunately, under extraordinary cated, can and have saved many millions of dollars. We As long as he is president, Trump will try to remake
pressure from the American people, Trump announced can use those savings for detention facilities that are truly America in his callous, unconstitutional, and irreligious
that he was ending that policy on June 18. needed and to add to our border security. image, with Congress’ help. But we can deny him that
But now Trump doesn’t want any of those illegal immi- In addition, increased aid to Central American coun- opportunity.
grants, asylum-seekers or not, even to be given any con- tries and Mexico, to help people at the mercy of drug In the upcoming November elections, the American
sideration of their cases at all. He wants them to be sum- cartels and criminal gangs, would be an important invest- people can cast aside those members of Congress who
marily removed, without due process. ment to slow the march of desperate people toward the are determined to support every one of Trump’s policies.
While many bemoan the cost of detaining these undoc- U.S. border. The challenge of illegal immigration into the United
umented people and caring for their children until a fair Trump’s lies about illegal immigrants and crime also States is not new and it will continue. We must defend
hearing, that is what our U.S. Constitution and our reli- must be addressed. Overwhelming research has shown our borders. But we must never forsake our fundamental
gious traditions require. that undocumented immigrants are much less likely to laws and values.
But that doesn’t mean that we must spend exceptional commit violent crimes (murder, rape, armed robbery, and
amounts of money creating detention centers for all assault) and property crimes, than native-born citizens. Steven R. Rothman of Englewood is a Democrat and former
those who are undeterred. Alternatives to incarceration, Even conservative think tanks, such as the Cato Institute, member of Congress who represented New Jersey’s 9th
for non-dangerous illegals, like having them wear ankle acknowledge that immigrants are committing less violent District from 1997 to 2013.
As the cry to end this moral outrage grew, Trump initially it is no more than a bait and switch tactic. It’s unclear what numbers larger than can be accommodated either economi-
responded in his familiar fashion. He lied. “The Democrats Trump will do if the judge balks at his request. One option cally or politically in the developed world, we cannot allow
have to change their law — that’s their law…we can not end is for the government to just go back to taking the kids away ignorance, racism, and cruelty to taint our response. In
it with an Executive Order,” Trump said. In fact, there was from their parents indefinitely. more unguarded moments, Trump has exploded in tirades
not then and never has been any law requiring family sepa- Illegal immigration is not new. Previous administrations against migrants, describing them as animals and criminals,
ration of illegal immigrants. Trump administration officials all have had to deal with border security and large-scale revealing a racial animus that seems to be an essential ele-
continued the lies. “We do not have a policy of separating migration. President Obama was derided as deporter-in- ment in the creation of his policy.
families at the border. Period.” tweeted Homeland Secretary chief for the large numbers of undocumented migrants Trump’s administration policy is particularly focused on
Kirstjen Nielsen. This was explicitly contradicted by a Home- who were removed by his administration. His predecessor, asylum seekers and is particularly egregious. Many are ref-
land Security fact sheet, with a section called “Why Are Par- George W. Bush, initiated streamlined procedures for depor- ugees fleeing extensive gang violence and gender violence
ents Being Separated From Their Children?” which goes on tation hearings. What was common to both administrations in Central America. The administration is requiring asylum
to explain the new Trump administration policy. was that first-offenders and families were not prosecuted; seekers to apply exclusively through ports of entry, claiming
It was only when Republicans sitting in the Congress rather they were processed through administrative hearings that any other border crossing constitutes a crime. However,
began to recognize that this policy could threaten their and deported. It was this practice that Sessions and Miller the U.N. 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
success in the midterm elections that they managed to put worked actively and successfully to change. Their zero-tol- recognizes the severe difficulties that getting to a recognized
enough pressure on Trump to attempt to quell the protests. erance policy requires all entrants crossing outside of ports port of entry entails for a refugee and therefore prohibits sig-
Proving his previous lie, the president signed an order end- of entry, even entrants claiming asylum, to be prosecuted. It natories from imposing penalties based on a person’s man-
ing family separation. America breathed a sigh of relief is this change of policy that has resulted in family separation ner of entry into a country of refuge. Trump may not know,
— until we realized that while Sessions believes that God as an administrative tool of prosecution. or if he does, he choses not to care, but the United States is
ordained both the policy and perhaps the executive order The real issue behind the family separation crisis is a signatory to that convention. Once we were a proud signa-
to repeal it, as always, the devil is in the details. Trump’s use of a zero tolerance policy instead of using any tory, but thanks to our elected president’s innate racism,
The order is good only for 20 days. That’s because the kind of discretion, said Lori Nessel, a professor at Seton Hall this is just one more promise America has broken.
president has no intention of ending his zero tolerance University School of Law in Newark. “Discretion as to who Family separation is a terror tactic. The question is who
policy of prosecution. The only difference is that now chil- to prosecute, target for deportation, and detain, has been is being terrorized. Certainly the children are, and without
dren will be penned with their parents. However, there is a an essential component of immigration regulation through- a doubt their parents are too. But we would offer that the
21-year-old agreement, the Flores settlement, which restricts out prior administrations,” she said. “The Trump Adminis- entire political system, our republic, and its institutions are
the incarceration of undocumented minors to 20 days. That tration’s move away from discretion and prioritization for being threatened by this terrorist act. Many have said, and
fine print in the executive order can be found in Section enforcement and detention, and toward mass criminaliza- we agree, that Trump wants to use these children, these bro-
3(e), which orders Sessions to ask the Los Angeles court to tion of all immigrants, including those seeking asylum, is ken families, these tired, these poor, these huddled masses
modify the Flores settlement and allow the government “to costing taxpayers billions of dollars and threatening our yearning to breathe free, as nothing more than bargaining
detain alien families together throughout the pendency of core values as a nation.” chips to obtain concessions from Congressional Democrats.
criminal proceedings for improper entry or any removal or “We should not have to choose between separating par- The American dream is being threatened by this govern-
other immigration proceedings.” ents from their children and expanding the shameful prac- ment-sponsored terror.
Judge Dolly Gee had declined to waive this same decision tice of imprisoning families,” Beth Werlin, the executive
when the Obama administration was faced with an influx director of the American Immigration Council, said in a Dr. Mark Gold of Teaneck holds a Ph.D. in economics from
of unaccompanied minors from Central America. Stephen statement. Mark Hetfield, president of HIAS, a refugee-rights NYU. He is on the executive board of Partners for Progressive
Yale-Loehr, who teaches immigration law at Cornell Univer- group, said, “The problem with the policy boils down to the Israel, a member organization of the American Zionist
sity and doesn’t think the judge will modify it, said, “Assum- simple truth that children don’t belong in jails. Transitioning Movement and an affiliate of the World Union of Meretz.
ing Judge Gee bars the Trump administration from modi- from the cruel and inhumane policy of family separation to
fying the Flores settlement, the administration can either the cruel and inhumane policy of indefinite family detention Hiam Simon of Englewood is the past chief operating officer
cave, and blame the judge for illegal immigration, or defy cannot be the solution here of Ameinu, the leading progressive Zionist membership
the court, which will lead to more litigation.” Globally, humanitarian crises are propelling large move- organization in the United States. He lived in Israel for many
While Trump and his supporters hailed the executive ments of people to seek a safe haven, so immigration has years, where he was the dean of students at what is now the
order as a fix to a policy that sparked public outrage and become an issue of great concern. While these waves of Alexander Muss High School, and he served in the IDF as a
widespread condemnation, the fine print acknowledges that desperate men, women, and children are flowing at rates in noncommissioned officer in the artillery.

Opinion
Women of the Wall, one year later
I
t’s been one year since Prime Minister Benjamin Neta- wrote in a 2010 article in the Jerusalem Post, Court is once again dragging the process along
yahu’s coalition government reneged on a deal to pro- “Since its sovereignty was applied to the Old instead of moving forward swiftly to find a real
vide a designated place for egalitarian prayer at the City, the State of Israel maintains a clear policy solution,” Kirshner explained.
Western Wall. of tolerance and freedom of worship.” (In 2009, In an interview with Rabbi Donniel Hart-
King Herod did not live to see the wall, the retaining sup- Pope Benedict XVI came to the Western Wall. man at the Shalom Hartman Institute in 2013,
port built to hold the Temple Mount, completed. It may be Rabbi Rabinowitz requested that he remove Anat Hoffman expressed her position. “The
that Anat Hoffman may not see her aspirations for the Wall his cross; the pontiff declined. Ultimately, the problem is with the secular Knesset, the secu-
completed, either. Israeli diplomatic office overruled the rabbi.) lar police, the secular courts; with the secular
Ms. Hoffman, chair of the Women of the Wall as well as The Women of the Wall (Neshot HaKo- institutions which have decided to give (Rabbi
head of the Israel Religious Action Center, has been leading tel) hold monthly prayer services on Rosh Norman Rabinowitz) sole and complete” control over
efforts to allow women to hold prayer and Torah services at Chodesh exclusively for women, so that Ortho- Levin all aspects of prayer at the Kotel.
the Western Wall for nearly 20 years. Since 1988, the group dox members, who comprise more than a The ceremony installing the U.S. embassy in
has faced a legal battle for recognition of their right to pray quarter of the participants, may fully partici- Jerusalem, with the welcome inclusion of far-
here. Their presence is deemed offensive by Orthodox wor- pate, according to Elizabeth Kirshner, the organization’s right Christian pastors, demonstrated that Netanyahu pre-
shippers at the site, because many Orthodox Jews object to communications director. fers the rigorous support of 80 million evangelical Christians
the concept of women making up a minyan, wearing tallitot, Women have been subject to body searches to prevent to the tepid support of those American Jews who are critical
or reading from — even holding — a Torah. There have been clandestine smuggling of Torahs. of his policies. Moreover, with the violent protests by Gazan
many court proceedings to settle the issue. Until 2010, Women of the Wall would pray Shacharit and Palestinians on the border with Israel last month, American
On June 13, the first day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 30 Hallel at the Kotel and conduct Torah reading at Robinson’s Jews, recognizing Hamas’s malevolent intent, by and large
members of Women of the Wall assembled without public- Arch, further south of the Kotel plaza. But Rabbi Rabinow- have rallied to Israel’s defense. Netanyahu therefore faces
ity in the women’s section and held morning services with itz implemented regulations preventing women from gain- almost no negative political consequences for ignoring the
a Torah they brought in. The next day, as is the custom on ing access to Torah scrolls at the Western Wall. There are pleas and arguments for equal treatment under the law.
Rosh Chodesh, some 100 women gathered. This time, they 100 Torah scrolls for men’s use at the Kotel, but none for Religious and diaspora affairs Minister Naftali Bennett
were met with busloads of charedi children who had been women, and they have been forbidden to bring in Torahs was absent for the June 25, 2017, vote rescinding the agree-
brought to the site not to worship but to protest. of their own; Anat Hoffman has been arrested for doing so. ment. Bennett, a millionaire as a result of the sale of his
These detractors have been increasingly disruptive each This Catch-22 results in a discriminatory practice that high tech company, is an Orthodox Jew, and has dem-
month, as adult women and yeshiva girls are prompted keeps Torah scrolls out of women’s hands. Women have onstrated an unwillingness to provide a space, or even
to scream, shriek, and blow loud whistles during tefillot been subject to body searches to prevent clandestine Torah better security, for Women of the Wall, which has made
(prayers). The security force at the wall — that is, the unit smuggling; in April 2013, women were arrested at the Kotel. repeated attempts to meet with Bennett in order to negoti-
designated by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, not But in a court decision two weeks later, the Jerusalem Mag- ate a plan for pluralistic and women’s prayer at the Kotel.
the police department — has been negligent in providing istrate’s Court ruled that their arrest was inappropriate and He has consistently avoided and canceled meetings with
protection for the women. One video taken a year ago shows their actions were not unlawful. no explanation. His plan for a pluralistic space at Rob-
an Orthodox woman grabbing a woman from the progres- Then, in January 2017, the Israeli High Court ruled that inson’s Arch was, in Anat Hoffman’s term, a paltry sun-
sive prayer group in a headlock, with the security guard if the government of Israel could not find “good cause” to deck, a wooden platform that does not meet their need
standing there passively. prohibit women reading from the Torah in prayer services as a women’s (not a mixed) prayer group. Bennett erected
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, the organization at the Kotel within 30 days, women could do so. The Netan- the platform surreptitiously in the night, without any for-
the Israeli government designated to maintain and manage yahu government committed to honor the court’s decision. mal approval. (Minister Bennett failed to respond to my
the Kotel and the contiguous plaza and tunnel, has been con- Then, in a stunning reversal on June 25, 2017, Prime Minister repeated attempts for comment for this article.)
trolled by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who, as chairman of the Netanyahu publicly reneged on this agreement. Prime Minister Netanyahu had promised that physical
foundation, also has been the official rabbi of the Wall since In January 2018, the High Court ruled that the state had upgrades to the Robinson’s Arch area would be made to
1995. He has called the actions of the Women of the Wall “an to report on progress toward the complaint filed by WOW make the site more suitable. To date, the site is still unusable.
unbearable provocation” and earlier had authorized the arrest by April 15. Yet now, more than 60 days beyond that dead- Gideon Aronoff, executive director at Masorti Founda-
of at least five female worshippers for wearing tallitot. Yet, he line, there has been no response from the government. “The tion for Conservative Judaism in Israel, has been outspoken
Why we will always need a Charles Krauthammer
C
harles Krauthammer would have been an inspi- a speechwriter for U.S. Vice President Walter “Things That Matter.”
rational figure even if he hadn’t become a writer Mondale. But his sympathy for the views of Krauthammer’s work was treasured by his
and television commentator. Ronald Reagan — the man who would defeat many fans and served as an inspiration for
The Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist who Mondale and President Jimmy Carter — and many younger conservatives. Indeed, I count
died on June 21 at the age of 68 was laid low as a 22-year- conservatism would define much of his sub- myself as one of those who looked to him as a
old medical student when a pool accident left him a quad- sequent work. role model, and I’m particularly proud of his
riplegic. Knowing that people would consider his ability to Switching to political writing full-time at the generous comments about my work that he
“just muddle through life” a “great achievement” because New Republic and then the Washington Post shared in our few interactions over the years.
of what had happened, he resolved to carry on as if he had and Time magazine, Krauthammer quickly But it is particularly painful to lose him now
never been injured at all. Rather than accept that his dis- became not merely one of the most impor- Jonathan S. because this is a moment in history when we
ability would define his life, Krauthammer continued with tant conservative writers of his generation, Tobin need voices like his more than ever.
his medical studies at Harvard University and become a but one of the most influential of any politi- It’s not just because Krauthammer’s work
brilliant psychiatrist. cal stripe. A stalwart Cold Warrior and a foe was intellectually rigorous, that his arguments
But that was just the first chapter in a remarkable life that of Islamist tyranny, he helped lead the debate on foreign were to the point, and that his ability to hone in on the weak-
led to Washington, D.C., where, after working for the gov- policy and domestic issues for decades. In particular, he was nesses of his opponents’ arguments and to champion the
ernment as a medical expert, he caught the political bug. a valiant defender of Israel in an era when Zionism had gone basic principles of liberty and democracy were so spot-on.
A self-described New Deal liberal, Krauthammer worked as out of intellectual fashion. Suffice it to say, his keen analyti- We especially miss Charles Krauthammer today because he
cal mind, encyclopedic knowledge and sharp wit brought embodied a style of reasoned political argument that is rap-
Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNS. Follow him on insights to an enormous range of topics and a vast body of idly being marginalized, if not rendered extinct.
Twitter at @jonathans_tobin. work on, as the title of a collection of his essays read, the Ours is a time when serious intellectual arguments

Opinion Letters
in defense of egalitarian prayer at the conversions under the designated Trump is not good Kim kills people for not applauding enthusi-
wall. “You have a state that is Jewish management of the right-wing Ortho- for the Jews, part I astically enough. And what did Trump get for
and democratic that is having difficul- dox. Tales of Israeli soldiers killed In his June 8 op ed (“Is Trump good for the these concessions — absolutely nothing! Kim —
ties on both the Jewish part and the in battle defending the country who Jews? It’s an easy yes”), Rabbi Boteach writes who runs a regime that has imprisoned people
democratic part.” While he is proud were excluded from Jewish cemeteries that “he is not here to get political on this in concentration camps for three generations,
that the Masorti movement is well rep- are galling. Rabbi Michael Boyden of issue,” but, of course, he does. He has a never- that manufactures and sells heroin, and that
resented within the Women of the Wall Hod Hasharon’s Reform congregation ending appetite to bash Obama for the Iran peddles nuclear technology to rogue regimes
(one third of its members are Conser- Kehilat Yonatan expressed his frustra- deal. I seem to remember that there were a sub- such as Iran’s — suckered Trump, playing him
vative/Masorti affiliated, he stated), tion with the Heritage Foundation’s stantial number of Israeli military people who like a violin. Kim will get rid of his nukes the
Aronoff acknowledges that “Women discriminatory policies. “In the Six favored the deal and many who are as devoted same day Trump makes his tax returns public.
of the Wall was the driving force that Day War, 182 Israeli soldiers died taking to the welfare of Israel as he is also believed that In the last third of his column, Rabbi Bote-
launched this entire activity.” back Jerusalem and liberating the Wall, the Obama team got the best deal possible at ach discusses the Nazis and genocide, for rea-
However, Aronoff points out, and not one was charedi,” he said. that time. sons that defy logic completely. The topic is
Masorti is instrumental in making the There are three elements that are And, unsurprisingly, he then writes favor- completely unrelated to Iran, North Korea, or
Azarat Yisroel, the egalitarian prayer important to enabling non-Orthodox ably on President Trump’s dealings with Trump. Because invoking the Nazis has been
space, vibrant and active. “Every single services at the Western Wall: accessi- North Korea, as if there is a direct comparison shown to silence discussion, I can only sur-
day, people are conducting egalitarian bility, visibility, and independence. The between the two situations. Trump is a person mise that Rabbi Boteach was trying to silence
prayer at the Azarat Yisroel site.” But Wall is, after all, not a synagogue. It is a without a core of values and beliefs. I support criticism of the rest of his illogic. Well, two can
this is not to be confused with a desig- holy site — regarded as Judaism’s holi- his moving the embassy but fear that this lover invoke Nazis; after all, the president that Rabbi
nated place for women-only minyanim est — and should not be in the control of a deal, could easily sell Israel out. Those Boteach praises as “good for the Jews” has insti-
at the Kotel. of any one single faction. who choose to get into bed with our President tuted his own Vel d’Hiv and baby prisons on the
It is evident that the restrictions on Last Shabbat fell on the 17th of might live to rue the day that they chose him Rio Grande.
egalitarian and women-only prayer Tammuz, the day commemorating for a bedmate. Richard J. Alexander, Teaneck
in a public space is discriminatory. the Romans’ breach of the Temple Herb Steiner, Mahwah
Kirschner, Neshot Hakotel’s commu- walls, which led, three weeks later, to Keep a watchful eye
nications director, pointed out that the destruction of Jerusalem and the Trump is not good on kids around pools
“there is no ‘designated prayer space’ Temple. Our tradition holds that the for the Jews, part II We hope by sharing our story it helps oth-
for us established at the Kotel on a reg- calamity was a result of baseless hatred I was bewildered by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s ers. We are incredibly fortunate and pretty
ular basis.” There is a space carved out among Jewish factions. Perhaps it also June 8 column (“Is Trump good for the Jews? damn lucky.
by “the metal barriers (the ‘cage,’ as we serves as a metaphor for the violence It’s an easy yes”), proclaiming that Trump is Yesterday we went to our pool club for a
call it) that the Western Wall Heritage and antipathy that takes place at the good for the Jews. After all, Trump is the most quick swim. The first two rules for our fam-
Foundation will typically set up and Kotel every Rosh Chodesh. dishonest, malevolent, incompetent, ignorant, ily are sunscreen and swim vests. We did just
demand we enter and remain in for the Jews worldwide take pride in pro- self-serving national leader since Caligula — that. We ran into friends, and our kids played
duration of our prayer and claim that claiming that Israel is the only democ- hardly the role model to which Jews should together. Emma and her friend decided to go
we must agree to ‘waive our right to racy in the Middle East. If this trope aspire, and hardly comparable to Avraham. from the big pool to the baby pool, so I fol-
protection’ by the Western Wall Heri- means anything, it must mean respect- It was not until I read his June 22 column lowed. Emma asked if she could take her vest
tage Foundation guards if we refuse to ing the rights of the individual in the (“The difference between Obama’s Iran off and many asks later I said okay, thinking that
enter. It is usually set up on the very face of authoritarianism. As Elizabeth deal and Trump’s Singapore summit”) that I the baby pool is just one foot deep. Emma and
margin, a significant distance from the Kirschner told me, “we are fighting for understood that Trump, the self-styled “very her friend filled buckets and went to water the
Kotel itself. all Jews to be able to come here and feel stable genius,” provides cover for some Jews, plants on the grass near the fence. They were
“We should not have to choose that they belong here, too.” those who deal in half-truths, irrelevancies, nowhere near the big pool. I turned my head to
between our dignity and our safety.” and illogic. say goodbye to another friend and noticed that
The issue of accessibility at the Kotel Norman Levin is a retired synagogue To annotate Rabbi Boteach’s column would Emma’s friend was back but I didn’t see Emma.
for all Jews is part of a larger struggle. executive director. He also was the make this letter far too long. So let me high- Seth and I started running around searching for
The rites of life passage are affected marketing director at the Jewish light several points vis-à-vis Iran: 1) There is Emma. I found her face down in the pool.
as well, with control of weddings and Federation of Central New Jersey. no comparison between a multinational deal A good Samaritan jumped in without a
negotiated over at least two years and a quickie second thought, before I could even process
photo-op that required as much thought as what was happening.
choosing a pair of socks. 2) Obama did not Never in my life will I forget the blue shade
“give” the Iranians $150 billion. Rather, the of Emma’s lips. The man passed her to me.
Obama administration returned Iranian assets She was breathing. I passed her to Seth and
held in U.S. banks since 1979. (It apparently she puked, which apparently is a good thing.
Charles was much less than $150 billion.) 3) Obama did We brought her to the hospital and she was
Krauthammer not “lift” all major sanctions against Iran and transferred to St Peter’s, where she is doing
in his office in “save” its economy. The sanctions lifted were quite well.
Washington, D.C., those imposed by the U.N. Security Council. You always hear stories like this but you
on March 16, 1985. Sanctions imposed by the U.S. Congress and never think it’s going to be your story to
RAY LUSTIG/ other administrations remained in place. tell one day. If you are by a pool, keep the
THE WASHINGTON POST
VIA GETTY IMAGES And, in case Rabbi Boteach listens only to float on. Please learn from this. Like others
Fox News, the Iranians are resentful that their say, it’s a blink of an eye, a turn of a head.
economy has not improved since signing the Couldn’t be more true.
deal — precisely because Obama left the U.S. To the man who saved my daughter’s life,
sanctions in place. we are forever grateful to you.
largely have been replaced by parti- be scored was a symptom of the way Now, let us look at North Korea. There was To the lifeguard who thought Emma was
san shouting matches. We can place our political culture had shifted, not no deal of any sort between Trump and Kim. playing, I hope you learn from this. If there is
some of the blame for this on Presi- its cause. The support for Trump’s The vague communiqué promising to denucle- any question, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
dent Donald Trump, whose election counter-revolution against the elites arize the Korean peninsula has about as much A minute later could have changed the end to
Krauthammer vigorously opposed. and the dead hand of liberal politi- legitimacy as a degree from Trump University. our story.
But as Krauthammer understood, cal correctness were a function of Trump agreed to cease military exercises with Hug your kids a little tighter tonight and
Trump’s willingness to say anything both the left’s condescension to most our ally South Korea and praised Kim publicly, don’t take anything for granted.
about his opponents or ignore the Americans and the shameless liberal saying that Kim is a strong leader and that his We encourage others to share our lesson.
truth in pursuit of a political point to SEE KRAUTHAMMER PAGE 43 people love him — a sick joke considering that Seth and Tracy Katzenstein, Manalapan

D’var Torah
Parashat Balak: A prophet and his donkey
T
he story of Parashat Balak is Bilam saw, or is it teaching us leaps up like the king of study, and the dwellings represented the
well known. Balak ben Zipor, a that the only way Israel can beasts” (Numbers 23:24). beit tefilah, the house of prayer. According
Moabite king, is afraid of what survive, throughout the gen- Rashi says, “When they arise to Hertz, what Bilam saw when he looked
Israel might do to his people, erations, is by dwelling apart from their sleep in the morn- down upon Israel was the future strength
since he already knows what Israel did to from non-Jews, by not get- ing, they make themselves of Israel, the reason that Israel was (and
the Amorites. In an effort to stop Israel, ting too close to those who strong like a lioness or lion to still is!) able to survive so much destruc-
he seeks the help of Bilam, a non-Jewish are different from us? rush to do the mitzvot, such tion and calamity over so many centuries
prophet, asking Bilam to leave his home, Rashi, in 11th century as putting on a tallit, reading — dedication to study of Jewish texts and
find Israel, and curse it. After seeking advice France, understood Bilam’s the Shema and wearing tefil- prayer.
from God, at first Bilam refuses, but even- first blessing to mean, “I look Rabbi Joel lin.” In other words, Rashi is Bilam was a stranger to Israel, and yet
tually relents to accompany Balak’s men at their beginnings and at the Pitkowsky teaching us that the faith in when he saw Israel, he was able to identify
on the journey, although not without first first of their roots, and I see Congregation Beth God that Bilam spoke about characteristics that defined it thousands of
Sholom, Teaneck
saying: “Though Balak were to give me his them established and strong Conservative
is faith coupled with action, years ago, and that still help to define us
house full of silver and gold, I could not do as these rocks and as these faith that expresses itself in today: a deep appreciation for tradition,
anything, big or little, contrary to the com- hills through the matriarchs how we live our lives each an understanding that God is at the center
mand of the Lord my God.” (Numbers 22:18) and patriarchs” (Rashi, quot- and every day. of the Jewish experience and that we show
On the journey, Bilam is not able to see ing Midrash Tanhuma). In other words, Bilam’s third and final blessing contains our belief in God through action, and a
the angel of God blocking his path, some- Rashi understands that what Bilam meant the famous phrase “How fair are your belief that the three most important build-
thing that his donkey is able to see quite with his words was that the continued sur- tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel” ings in the Jewish world are the house of
clearly. (Not a very good seer, is he?) God vival of Judaism depended not on the geo- (Numbers 24:5). Rashi famously said study, the house of prayer, and the home.
opens Bilam’s eyes and then Bilam is able graphic reality of Israel (whether or not about this verse that what Bilam saw when All of these blessings come to us from
to see what his donkey could see the entire dwelling apart from other nations), but he looked down upon the tents of Israel a non-Jewish prophet, from a person who
time. Bilam ends up not cursing Israel at rather on Israel continuing its unique tradi- was their physical placement, and specifi- was initially less cognizant of the world
all, but instead blessing it three times. tions and laws. By having continuity with cally how the tent doors were positioned around him than his donkey was! Some-
Each blessing is powerful on its own, but the past, and by never forgetting those who to guarantee that the individual members times blessings are like that. We don’t see
together, the three teach us a great deal shaped the religion in previous generations, of families would have some privacy and the blessings we have even though they
about Israel’s understanding of the world. Israel can be as strong and permanent as therefore retain their dignity, despite the are right in front of us until someone else
The first blessing contains the verse: “As the rock and the hills. close quarters. points them out to us. May we all merit the
I see them from the mountain tops, gaze Bilam’s second blessing speaks mov- Rabbi Joseph Hertz (1872-1946, former day when we can see the blessings that are
on them from the heights, there is a people ingly about the power of faith and how Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and editor right in front of our eyes and continue to
that dwells apart, not reckoned among the Israel will not be harmed because God of the Hertz chumash) offers a different strengthen our faith, our actions, and our
nations” (Numbers 23:9). Is this verse just is with them. It ends with these words: commentary. He said that the tents rep- community, so that others may see those
describing the geographic reality of what “Behold, a people that rises like a lion, resented the beit midrash, the house of blessings as well.
Mazel tov to our editor Joanne Palmer on winning

three national awards in the 37th Annual
Simon Rockower competition
2nd PlAce
Excellence in Editorial Writing
“Hate should have no home here,” “More about the eruv,” “Save Bennie and Josh”
2nd PlAce
Excellence in Arts and Criticism News and Features
“Across divides: borders and boundaries in contemporary art”
2nd PlAce
The David Frank Award for Excellence in Personality Profiles
“Tuvia Tenenbom discovers America”

The Frazzled Housewife Kosher Crossword
“FOUNDING FATHERS” BY YONI GLATT
[email protected]
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: MEDIUM
The hotel with a mild

personality disorder
W
elcome to the Ganchrow leaving for camp came. Shabbos finally
Garden Inn. I am your ended around 9:20 p.m., and the packing
concierge, Banji. was to begin. No one was packing. With
Please feel free to 12 hours to go before we were to pack up
leave your luggage all over the living room the car, I started to unravel. Slowly but
and place your specific food and drink surely, I was descending into my normal
orders prior to your arrival. It is impera- state of madness. Why aren’t you pack-
tive that you let us know ing? What aren’t you pack-
about any allergies and if ing? WHY AREN’T YOU
there are any concerns you PACKING???????? It wasn’t
might have about your stay. pretty — but it did take me
Do you require one pillow five days to get there. So that
or two? Feathers or foam was something. Ya, that was
pillows? Do you need a something that everyone
blanket or just a sheet? Or forgot when my ears started
a sheet and a blanket and to spin and my eyes were
an extra comforter? Do you bulging out. But then, after
prefer a bottle of water by Banji totally scaring my houseg-
your bed or a glass? Flat Ganchrow uest (who, according to son
or sparkling? If needed, #2, was wearing his head-
please leave your laundry phones and didn’t hear any-
in a bag by the door and it will be done thing) will I ever know if that was true? I
before you return home from minyan in guess if he never comes back we will
the morning. know that he, indeed, heard everything.
Meals are served whenever you need In any event, I began to think about
them to be. There is a table filled with my behavior when the guests were in the
fruits, vegetables, and various cookies, house. And then about my behavior when
cakes, and snacks. The refrigerator is filled I think that no one is watching. And then, Across Down
with a vast selection of non-alcoholic bev- because all of the mussar that has been 1. He’s (still) in charge in the West Bank 1. Summer coolers, for short
erages. The alcoholic beverages are not for going on in my home since son #2 has 6. Coll. whose mascot is the Nittany Lions 2. ___’at HaOlam (creation of the world)
you. Just saying. And don’t worry about come back from Israel (what is mussar? 9. Gilbert and Hughes 3. Kind of Mitzvah?
14. Frasier or Niles 4. Late columnist Landers
throwing out your cups, plates, or bottles. Words of Torah that are told in a manner
15. Not well 5. Be very angry
That is the concierge’s job, and she does it than anyone can understand, even me) I 16. To be of use 6. Breads with pockets
with a smile. If you are interested in any 17. Name associated with gravity 7. Messy dresser
activities — ping pong, floor hockey, iron- 19. Pace 8. It parallels the radius
ing, or laundry folding — please put your 20. It finds itself in hot water 9. Took a load off
22. “Swell!” 10. Locale of Matthew Weiner’s hit AMC
name on the list posted by the hockey
room and someone will get back to you. What aren’t you 23. Yeshiva University’s neighborhood
27. Get off the ground
show
11. Asian noodles
Why am I writing about the Ganchrow
Garden Inn? Well, son #2 is a wonder-
packing? WHY 29. The United Nations often seems 12. Defender of Isr.
AREN’T YOU
biased against it 13. One driving fast in “Zootopia”
ful friend. And the week before camp, 30. It beats a heart, at times 18. How dogs kiss
he welcomed some of his friends to our
home for almost a week. The week before
PACKING??????? 32. Science class, for short
33. Ambassador Avner
21. All smiles
23. “American Idol” winner Taylor
35. Squared cracker? 24. ___ Chayil (Var.)
camp. When he should have been pack- 38. Nairobi’s land 25. Hurricane of 2011
ing and shopping in order to complete began to think that shouldn’t I be on my 40. Beer brand certified by Star-K 26. Like old meat
his packing. But why would he do that best behavior all of the time, because God 41. Jewish rapper whose father is the 28. Entry-level legal jobs: Abbr.
Prime Minister of Belize 30. A sukkah provides it
when he could entertain his friends from is watching? And then I began to think
43. Sault ___ Marie 31. Sneaker cat
London, France, and Israel? Why would that maybe God wants us to feel like he 44. Thingamajig 34. Those, in Mexico
he do that when he has a mother who he is part of the family and we should just 47. Wallach and Roth 35. Tippecanoe’s partner, in an 1840 cam-
thinks still will pack for him. Even though be who we are. More or less. In my case, 48. Barnyard honker paign
he is 20 years old… probably less. 49. Birds with showy plumes 36. “Hotel du Lac” novelist Brookner
51. Way to begin 37. Like buffalo wings, eating-wise
So the week before he is to go to camp, And then I began to think that I had
54. Oscar winner for “Amadeus” 39. Happenings
nothing is getting done. And I cannot gen- better help my kids pack or they will be 55. Early Palm smartphone 42. Title for Freud before Doctor
tly remind him that he needs to get his walking around camp for seven weeks 56. ___ and eggs 45. Expressions of delight
stuff organized (gently remind is code with one pair of underwear and flip flops. 59. Bird of Celtic lore 46. “Philadelphia” director
for scream my brains out because I am so So we will save the philosophical discus- 61. Mentions knowing (Jacob) Degrom, 48. Norman Lear character in two hit sit-
e.g. ...or a hint to solving this puzzle coms
frustrated that he isn’t doing anything to sion for another time, and I just hope that
66. Teens often care a lot about it 50. Group leaders around the Old City
start getting organized). Why can’t I gently I didn’t scare son #2’s lovely friends too 67. Erev 51. Coastal town south of Haifa
remind him? Because we have a house full badly… 68. Bratislava bucks 52. Set up
of boys who still might think that I am a Wishing everyone who is getting rid of 69. Palindromic dogma 53. Aired “I Love Lucy,” e.g.
normal and well adjusted mother. Ha ha their kids for the summer a wonderful, 70. Mich. neighbor 54. Hall of ___ (sports shrines)
71. He loved Potter’s mom 57. “___ car!” (game show prize)
ha, little do they know. I was on my very safe and healthy few weeks!
58. Kibbutz or Camp
best behavior. I even surprised myself and 60. Still
my kids. And husband #1. Calm mommy Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck is still 62. Seek a seat
The solution to last week’s
was a whole new personality. considering getting a dog because the puzzle is on page 43.
63. “... boy ___ girl?”
But then the night before we were house is way too quiet…. 64. Weasel’s sound?
65. Yosemite to Joshua Tree dir.
ARTS & CULTURE
‘Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders’
CURT SCHLEIER intimate setting that seats fewer than 300 Beckman, 36, left the Soviet Union for “It made me become more different,” he
L
people. We all have unobstructed views. Israel when he was 8 years old, shortly said in a telephone interview. “If you don’t
ogic dictates that you’re sit- Hidden strings and chicanery quickly after Mikhail Gorbachev opened the bor- walk a paved path, it is more difficult.”
ting in the Westside Theater in would become apparent. ders to Jewish emigration. Vitaly has only His ideas usually come “in the form of
Midtown Manhattan. There are How does he do it? Duh. It’s magic. It vague memories of being a “suppressed something visual. I observe things. I see
seats and audience members all must be. minority.” His parents — his mom is an falling leaves and I imagine leaves coming
around you, so, of course, you are sitting Vitaly, who is Jewish, was born in the economist and his dad is an engineer — out of a painting” — something he does in
in the Westside. Soviet Union, in what is now Belarus. It is had difficulty finding work. And according his show.
Yet there’s a sliver, a small part of you, why, he claims, he sounds like Borat (the to the stories he was told, his older brother He considers himself an illusionist. “But
that feels you’ve been transported to the character created by Sacha Baron Cohen) was regularly beaten by hooligans. I also think art is an illusion,” he said. “Art
Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wiz- and looks like Seinfeld. The family lived in Haifa. Vitaly dem- is about creating something out of noth-
ardry. And that Harry Potter has taken on But he performs like Houdini. No, that’s onstrated early talent in art, but when he ing. A painter does it with paint. A musi-
the form of Vitaly Beckman. not really correct. Houdini was an escape was about 14, he fell in love with magic, cian does it with sound. What I do is very
Beckman is the star of “Vitaly: An Eve- artist. Vitaly is — well I’m not sure how to “because I realized I had ideas I wanted to similar. I blur the lines between what is
ning of Wonders,” a night you spend with describe what he does. fulfill in other art forms besides painting. real and what is not.”
your mouth agape. At one point, he gets people to offer up Unlike what he would have had here in It is a mixture of both art and science, he
Beckman: their driver’s licenses. They he rubs them the United States, in Israel he didn’t have says, though he won’t tell you how he does
• Makes an apple fly through the air and they disappear from their photos. access to magic shops where he could buy it, even if you cry and promise to write a
unaided; And then they reappear in someone else’s tricks, and “there was no internet at the story about him.
• Draws a flower on a sheet of paper and license photo. time,” he said. “So I started to watch as The moment you would learn how
somehow pulls a real flower from the pad; He also does his most famous trick, in many magicians on television as I could. it works, it wouldn’t be as wondrous
• Makes a brush paint a picture without which he makes a still photo come alive. I tried to record them and do something anymore.”
anyone or anything touching it. It’s the trick that catapulted him to fame similar at family gatherings.”
And he does this all in a most appro- when he performed it on the Penn and The lack of access to pre-packaged mate- “Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders” is at
priate venue: a small theater, not some Teller TV show, “Fool Us,” and even they rial proved beneficial to him, because it the Westside Theater, 407 West 43rd
humongous Las Vegas show room. It’s an could not figure out how he did it. forced him to come up with original ideas. St., through September 30.

Arts & Culture
Tim Kalkhof as Thomas

prepares dough in a scene
from “The Cakemaker.”
‘The Cakemaker’
ERIC A. GOLDMAN extramarital relationship that begins when
S
Oren, an Israeli businessman, walks into a
ome of us were raised not to buy Berlin bakery to buy pastries for his wife,
German products, never to ride in Anat, back home.
a German-made car, and certainly When Oren goes missing, a series of
not to visit Germany. But that sen- events brings the baker to Jerusalem in
timent has been changing over the years, order to search for Anat, one lover seeking
as Germany has become one of Israel’s out the other. Before you know it, the pas-
greatest supporters and as the number of try chef is creating amazing cakes in Anat’s
joint ventures between the two countries new café, and she can hardly handle the
has mushroomed. Anyone who has visited business. But here we see the film director’s
Berlin in the last several years will have hand — this German is made to feel unwel-
heard Hebrew spoken on the street, Israeli come by Anat’s brother-in-law, and the Ger-
restaurants abound there, and a cadre of man’s cakes are deemed not to be kosher.
creative Israeli artists has made it home. Can this gentile turn on the oven and pro- Sarah Adler as Anat embraces Tim Kalkhof as Thomas in “The Cakemaker.”
As Tel Aviv has become a very expensive duce food for Jewish mouths? Through his
place to live, Berlin, with its cheaper rents, film, Graizer raises important questions mixed feelings about the new Israel-Ger- bowl of ingredients,” he said.
has become a go-to venue for artists, and it about inclusiveness and acceptance of the many love affair. It delves into questions Graizer succeeds in infusing these ele-
has evolved into one of the innovative and outsider, the other, in Israeli society. about family, sexuality, acceptance and ments into this powerful film. In it, the
creative centers of Europe, as it had been These days, when Anthony Bourdain’s nonacceptance of difference, and reli- baker, whether he is kneading dough or
a century ago. death eclipsed all other news, and where gion in Israel. It also magically pushes the simply opening the oven door to reveal
Undoubtedly the most pro-Semitic coun- Michael Solomonov’s “Zahav,” about the power of the Shabbat experience. the awesome product within, expresses a
try in Europe today, Germany is a place world of Israeli cooking, was selected as In an interview with the filmmaker, variety of feelings and passions.
where Israelis feel quite comfortable. the centerpiece of the Jewish Federation Graizer told me that he developed his This is Ofir Raul Graizer’s first fea-
As a result, we are seeing more German- of Northern New Jersey’s “One Book, One screenplay from the story of someone ture film. What a terrific way to begin
Israeli film co-productions, and many Community” program this year, cook- close to him who lived a double life. In his career! Sarah Adler, whom you may
Israeli movies are shot in Germany. Last ing and baking are very much a part of fact, he told me, he knew many people have seen in “Foxtrot” earlier this year, is
year, Avi Nesher’s “Past Life” described our lives. This was not lost on filmmaker who had these secret lives, and he wanted extraordinary as Anat, and the music, by
the journey of a talented musician, the Graizer. Not only do we go to the cake- to dig deeper. Graizer always has been Dominique Charpentier, is exceptional.
granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, maker’s bakery in his film, we also are proud of his Jewish and Israeli identities, This is a film definitely worth your consid-
who goes to Germany to study and search introduced to many German delicacies in he said; he moved to Berlin in order to eration. “The Cakemaker” opens nation-
out her grandmother’s “real” story. it. It makes us want to rush out of the the- “redefine himself,” as he put it. He felt wide today.
This year, in Eran Riklis’s thriller “Shel- ater for a taste. And in the Jerusalem café freer in Berlin to develop his film than he
ter,” Mossad agents provide a German where the pastry chef makes magic, Israe- would have had he stayed in Israel. He also Eric Goldman’s interview with Ofir Raul
safe house for a Lebanese informer, with lis seem just as excited about the sweets told me about his love for baking and how Graizer may be seen on his television
the supposed assistance of its intelligence on the menu. this culinary talent was so dynamic, draw- program, “Jewish Cinematheque,” this
services. Now, Ofir Raul Graizer brings As the film’s action shifts back and forth ing from many traditions and having sym- coming week over the Jewish Broadcasting
us “The Cakemaker,” a story about an from Berlin to Jerusalem, it touches on bolic meanings. “Just consider the mixing Service. Check local cable listings.

Calendar
Temple’s
summer
services
combined
From July 6 through Labor
Day, Temple Beth Tikvah in
Wayne will celebrate Shab-
bat in a single service every
weekend, at 7 p.m., begin-
ning Friday, July 6.
With a minyan, con-
gregants will welcome
ART BY LESLEE FETNER COURTESY JCCOTP

Shabbat, read the weekly
Torah parsha, hear a d’var
Torah, and sing the weekly
prayers and songs. By
bringing Friday night and
Saturday morning services
together for the nine Shab-
“Left to Their Own Devices” batot, the shul will ensure
that there will be a min-
yan during the summer
JULY Printworks by Leslee Fetner will be on weekends, even though
display in “Making an Impression” — many people will be away
2
“Kennebunkport”
including monotypes, etching, solar prints, on vacation. A regular Fri-
and more — in the Waltuch Gallery at the day night/Saturday morn-
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly, from July 2 to August 31. A meet-the-artist reception is ing Shabbat schedule will
set for July 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 411 E. Clinton Ave. (201) 408-1406. resume after Labor Day.
& Islam Through the

Friday Saturday Ages.” Refreshments
at 12:30 p.m., program Singles Friday
JUNE 29 JUNE 30 at 12:45. Series JULY 6
continues July 12, 19, Sunday
Shabbat in Paramus:
The JCC of Paramus/
Women’s song circle
in Teaneck: Join a
August 2, and 9. 1449
JULY 1
Shabbaton in Passaic:
The Shidduch Project
Announce
Anderson Ave., Fort
Congregation Beth z’mirot song circle, for Lee. (201) 947 1735 or
Seniors meet in West
hosts a Shabbaton for your
Tikvah hosts an open- women only, at Friends modern Orthodox/
house dinner for of Lubavitch of Bergen
www.geshershalom.org.
Nyack: Singles 65+ machmir young events
prospective religious County, 5-6 p.m. 513 meets for a social bagels professionals, 23-39, at
school families and Kenwood Place. Email Sunday and lox brunch at the Young Israel of Passaic-
We welcome announce-
ments of upcoming events.
their 4- to 13-year-old WomensZmirot+owner@ JULY 8 JCC Rockland, 11 a.m. All Clifton. Includes three Announcements are free.
children, 6 p.m. East 304 groups.io. are welcome, particularly interactive meals, oneg Accompanying photos must
Midland Ave. Free, but Casino trip: Hadassah’s those from Hudson, with speakers including be high resolution, jpg files.
reservations required.
(201) 262-7733 or www.
Thursday Fair Lawn chapter takes
a trip to the Tropicana
Passaic, Bergen, or
Rockland counties. 450
Rabbi Yaakov Glasser
of YIPC and Dr. Shani
Send announcements 2 to 3
weeks in advance. Not every
jccparamus.org. JULY 5 Casino in Atlantic City. A West Nyack Road. Gene, Ratzker, ice-breakers, release will be published.
bus leaves the Fair Lawn (845) 356-5525. round-robin speed Include a daytime telephone
Shabbat in Fort Lee: Rabbi David Fine
Jewish Center/CBI at dating, musical Havdalah number and send to:
Congregation Beth Israel and kumsitz bonfire with
Judaism & Islam: The 9 a.m.; be there by 8:45.
pr@jewishmediagroup.
of the Palisades hosts singer/musician Rabbi
CSI Scholar Fund of $30; includes $25 back com
its annual Independence Michael Nadata, meals,
the JCC of Fort Lee/ from the casino. Bring
Weekend barbecue, and housing. Hosted 201-837-8818 x 110
Congregation Gesher a valid ID. Park on the
6 p.m. 1585 Center by Rachel Ruchlamer
Shalom presents visiting street, not in the Jewish
Ave. Reservations, and Dr. Shani Ratzker.
scholar Rabbi David Center parking lot. 10-
(201) 945-7310. Shidduchprojects@gmail.
Fine of Temple Israel & 10 Norma Ave. Varda,
JCC in Ridgewood, with (201) 791-0327. com or (201) 522-4776.
a new series, “Judaism

Calendar
COURTESY TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH

Barbara Shapiro, left, with Debbie Laves, Professor Sarah Rindner, Rabbi Daniel
Fridman, Jonathan Mincis, and Herb Stern. MICHAEL LAVES Temple Beth Tikvah teens at an oneg Shabbat featuring DoNotHate.
Book club meets to discuss Muslim student group brings

Dara Horn’s ‘Eternal Life’ message of harmony in Wayne
The Jewish Center of Teaneck’s Leaves of Faith Book Club met recently to discuss Dara DoNotHate.org, a group of local Muslim The Muslim group’s five organizers
Horn’s new book, “Eternal Life.” high schoolers, recently joined Temple read Rabbi Simerly’s blog and sermons
Beth Tikvah in Wayne for a Shabbat on TBT’s website; they got in touch with
Muzikali service led by Rabbi Meeka her and told her about their work. Rabbi
Simerly. Rabbi Simerly feels particularly Simerly said that from the first time she
Keep us informed drawn to the group because they’re and the teens spoke via Skype, she was
We welcome photos of community events. Photos must
be high resolution jpg files. Please include a detailed
[email protected]
NJ Jewish Media Group
from Turkey, a country through which impressed by their sincerity and focus.
caption and a daytime telephone. Mailed photos will 1086 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck, NJ 07666 her mother’s ancestors lived before they That led to an invitation to speak to the
only be returned with a self-addressed stamped enve- (201) 837-8818 x 110
lope. Not every photo will be published. moved to Israel. shul’s teenagers.
BEST MUSICAL
2018 Outer Critics Circle & OBA Awards
Best music & lyrics 2018 drama desk awards
“
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Ghost writer revisits Amsterdam cellar

and relives her own Holocaust survival
CNAAN LIPHSHIZ Dubi-Gazan stood in the cellar where her
mother had given birth to her in anguished
AMSTERDAM — As a seasoned ghost silence. There was no medical assistance
writer who specializes in biographies, Mir- available. Miriam’s older brother, who
iam Dubi-Gazan says that there is no such then was 18 months old, was with her.
thing as a boring life story. Two months before Miriam was born,
Her attention to detail, creativity, and her mother narrowly escaped a raid after
editing skills yield satisfying results even a pro-Nazi milkman reported the family to
for clients whose resumes are not exactly the police, Dubi-Gazan said. As the Nazis
the stuff of spy novels (think retired bank- banged on the front door, Miriam’s heavily
ers, plastics manufacturers, midlevel civil pregnant mother jumped with her son over
servants, and family doctors), she says. a fence to disappear in the maze of gardens
But Dubi-Gazan’s own astonishing life that was the building’s interior yard.
story needs none of the tricks of her trade. “I can’t believe my mother lived through
Born in 1945 to Jewish parents in a cel- all of that,” Dubi-Gazan said in the room, vis-
lar in Amsterdam, where they were hiding ibly moved. But after a few minutes she was
from the Nazis, Dubi-Gazan was registered ready to leave. “I want to get out of here,”
falsely as the daughter of a Nazi collabora- she said. “Let’s go. This is enough now.”
tor. He didn’t know about it. It was part of After the Holocaust, her traumatized
a daring deceit by the Nazi’s own brother mother had deep emotional issues, Dubi-
— a resistance fighter — to keep her alive. Gazan said. “We couldn’t ride on the train
In December, during her first return to growing up — because the trains all went to
her birthplace, Dubi-Gazan, who has lived Miriam Dubi-Gazan, sitting, right, poses with classmates at the Rosj Pina Jewish Auschwitz,” she said.
in Israel since 1962, said that her rescue elementary school in Amsterdam on June 25, 1953. Living with the trauma of the Holocaust,
story demonstrates both Dutch society’s PHOTOS COURTESY OF DUBI-GAZAN Dubi-Gazan said she knew she wanted to
shame and its glory. leave for Israel when she was 5 years old.
At least 75 percent of the country’s Jews She attended the Rosj Pina Jewish school
were murdered during the Holocaust. That in Amsterdam in one of the first classes
is the highest death rate in occupied West- opened after the Holocaust.
ern Europe. Yet alongside widespread col- Her class had only a handful of stu-
laboration there were significant acts of dents. All were child survivors of the
disobedience on a scale unmatched by any 140,000-member Jewish community that
other country in Western Europe. lived in the Netherlands before the war.
The ideological divide between the two Today’s Dutch Jewish community, esti-
men at the center of her own survival story mated at 45,000, is heavily concentrated
— Simon Dekker, the Nazi collaborator, and in Amsterdam, where it has several cul-
his brother, the freedom fighter Ewert — tural centers and synagogues, as well as
is a microcosm of Dutch society during Miriam Dubi-Gazan with her brother an elementary and secondary school. But
the occupation. in 1945. it has failed to replenish its numbers. Out-
“It shows you how sharply divided side Amsterdam, once-prominent syna-
Dutch society was,” Dubi-Gazan, 73, said at a resistance safe house, have papers. gogues dot the Netherlands, but only a few
of the family of the resistance fighters Anyone caught with an undocumented of them still function as shuls.
who saved her. “Within the same house- baby risked a Gestapo interrogation that In the southern city of Middelburg,
hold you had people working for the Nazis was liable to end not only with the baby non-Jewish volunteers show the local
and people who were risking their lives to and her parents being dispatched to Aus- synagogue to visitors once a week. Up
stop them.” Miriam Dubi-Gazan chwitz, but to the exposure of the resis- north in Groningen, the synagogue is a
In 1941, the Netherlands saw the first tance cell that hid them, she explained. museum with a souvenir shop selling wine
mass protests anywhere in Europe over Yet Dutch police and many civilians This made Simon Dekker, the Nazi and kosher products from Israel. And in
the persecution of Jews. unreservedly enlisted in the Nazi project brother of a resistance fighter, the per- Deventer, in the east, a 207-year-old syn-
Following the roundup of 457 Jews by of murdering the Jews of the Netherlands fect person to be registered as the Jewish agogue is being turned into a restaurant
Nazis, hundreds of thousands of laborers and Europe. baby’s father. He would be above suspi- now that it has been sold to a Dutch-Turk-
answered the resistance call for a gen- Soon after the Nazis invaded in 1940, men cion, Dubi-Gazan said. ish entrepreneur.
eral strike that February. Dutch industry from the group known as the Henneicke Last year, Dubi-Gazan returned to the “I grew up with a lot of anger toward
ground to a halt for three days. The Ger- Column began hunting Jews for pay. Led by cellar where she was born. It’s on Jan the Dutch,” said Dubi-Gazan, who has two
mans cracked down on the strikers, killing a cabby named Wim Henneicke, there were Luijken Street, around the corner from the daughters. “I wasn’t raised to think of this
nine of them and imprisoning hundreds, some 80 bounty hunters. They were paid Van Gogh Museum. She was accompanied place as home.”
until the strike was broken by brute force. 5 guldens — the equivalent of a week’s pay by a film crew from the Israel Broadcasting But with time, she said, her attitude soft-
Underground, the resistance hid thou- for unskilled laborers — for every Jew they Corp. Before she went there, though, she ened. She recently honored the Dekker
sands of Jews and helped thousands more brought in. The bounty later was raised to met with Henk and Wisje Dekker, Simon family (“the good side, that is,” she said)
to safety. 7.5 and then to 40 gulden. This group alone and Ewert’s nonagenarian siblings. by planting a tree in their honor in Israel.
The Netherlands has 5,669 Righteous caught thousands of victims. Ewert, her rescuer, died a few years “It’s true that many collaborated. But
Among the Nations — non-Jews recognized Anne Frank, the teenager whose diary ago, she learned. So did Simon, a former many non-Jews also suffered, some for
and honored by Israel for having risked became one of the world’s best-known high school teacher who left the Nether- helping Jews,” she said. “They went to con-
their lives to save Jews. It’s by far the high- testimonials from the Holocaust, and her lands immediately after World War II, as centration and labor camps and their chil-
est figure in Western Europe and the sec- family may have been betrayed. the authorities moved to catch and punish dren, I’ve come to discover, were scarred
ond highest worldwide, second only to In that atmosphere, it was imperative Nazi collaborators. by that experience as deeply as I was.”
Poland’s 6,863 rescuers. that a baby like Miriam Dubi-Gazan, born In the half-light of an overcast morning, JTA WIRE SERVICE

Obituaries
Marvin Dinetz Deanna Frankel Ilse Reinach
Marvin L. Dinetz, 83, of Boca Deanna M. Frankel, née Tosk, 76, Ilse B. Reinach, née Stern, 95, of Fair Obituaries are prepared with
Raton, Fla., formerly of New Jersey, of Wayne died June 21. Lawn died June 20. information provided by funeral homes. Correcting
died June 26. She was a retired legal secretary. She was a member of the Fair Lawn errors is the responsibility of the funeral home.
Born in Newark, he was an Army She is survived by children, Jewish Center for more than 60 years.
veteran serving in the Berlin crisis, Kenny (Debbie), Lisa Gordon She was the only member of her fam-
and the retired owner of Marvin (Steve), and Jennifer Kessler ily to survive the Holocaust.
Gardens restaurants in Livingston
and Englewood.
(Scott); an aunt, Anita Tosk;
sisters, Sharon Nachimson (Alex)
Predeceased by her husband of 70
years, Carl, she is survived by chil- JARDINES
He is survived by his wife, Diane,
née Grubb, children, Greg of
and Arlene Neuman (Paul);
grandchildren, Nicholas, Ashley,
dren, Dr. Norman (Amy), and Linda
Reinach Friedland (Steven); grand-
EDWARD THOMAS
Colorado, Jack of Louisiana, and Rebecca, David, Alyssa, and children, Amy Cohen (Dr. Micah), June 21, 2018, of Marlton, NJ. Husband of Louise
Gaye Collins of Whippany, and Lucas, and nieces, nephews, Alexander and Alissa Reinach, Jason Jardines. Father of Vicki (Gary) Salzman, Penny
three grandchildren. and cousins. ( Jamie), and Michael and Jillian Klein, (Mark) Neisser, and Edward “Rusty” (Jacqueline)
Arrangements were by Eden Donations can be made to and great-grandchildren, Jonah and Jardines. Grandfather of Noah (Christina) Salzman,
Memorial Chapels, Fort Lee. the American Cancer Society, Jesse Cohen and Asher Klein. Maria (Bill) Kubitz, Elliot (Nancy) Joslow, Allison
Parents of Autistic Children of Donations can be made to the Fair Jardines, Maya (Kevin) Moon, Ashley Jardines, and
NJ, or the National MS Society. Lawn Jewish Center. Arrangements Matthew (Roxy) Neisser. Also survived by 8 great-
Arrangements were by Louis were by Robert Schoem’s Memorial grandchildren. Contributions in his memory may
Suburban Chapel, Fair Lawn. Chapel, Paramus. be made to Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org/
Donate. PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc.,
BRIEFS Cherry Hill, NJ.
— Paid Obituary —
Poland backtracks on controversial Holocaust law,
ends criminal penalties for ‘complicity’ references
After enormous international outcry, including from Israel imposed by the law,” its president, Ronald S. Lauder, said.
and Jewish groups, Poland has decided to remove the crimi- Lauder, who has lobbied both Morawiecki and Polish
nal provisions of its controversial Holocaust speech law. President Andrzej Duda Morawiecki to cancel the law,
The law first proposed earlier this year had sought added: “Poles are understandably upset when Nazi Ger-
criminal penalties for anyone accusing the Polish nation man annihilation and concentration camps are referred Funeral Planning Simplified
of complicity in the Holocaust but was widely condemned to as ‘Polish’ simply due to their location on German-
and threatened to undermine positive relations between occupied Polish soil, but it was an egregious mistake to
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“Those who say that Poland may be responsible for law that in its essence threatens Poland’s good name and 201.261.2900 | 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666
the crimes of World War II deserve jail terms,” Polish international standing.” Owner/Manager Daniel W. Leber, NJ Lic. No3186
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“But we operate in an international context, and we take nalization, are the key to understanding history and achiev-
that into account.” ing mutual respect between our two nations, which have a
Robert Schoem’s Menorah Chapel, Inc
The World Jewish Congress applauded the Polish govern- relationship dating back 1,000 years,” he said. Jewish Funeral Directors
ment’s move to rescind the criminal penalty from the “inher- Similarly, leaders at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial Family Owned & managed
ently flawed” legislation. “The World Jewish Congress is museum in Jerusalem, said the amendment to the law was a Generations of Lasting Service to the Jewish Community
pleased that the Polish government has recognized the unten- “positive step in the right direction.” • Serving NJ, NY, FL & • Our Facilities Will Accommodate
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Barkan Wineries announced that its Ethiopian workers and opposes any manifestations of racism or discrimina- 201.843.9090 1.800.426.5869
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of doubts about their status as Jews. and understood that we were being dragged into a political We continue to be Jewish family managed,
Last year, Barkan’s management decided to upgrade to [battle] of one sort or another — and since all our employ- knowing that caring people provide caring service.
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Eda Haredit. According to Barkan, the certifiers required the immediately instructed to not remove any workers from GUTTERMAN AND MUSICANT
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Changemaker those who tend to be excluded. H.A.P.P.Y. Week is not

Solution to last week’s puzzle. This week’s puzzle is FROM PAGE 9 her only chesed/tikkun olam activity. She organizes tze-
on page 35. is preparing to take over H.A.P.P.Y. Week. Melissa has dakah fundraisers through BBYO, raising over $20,000
been shadowing her older sister all year, learning for breast cancer research every year since she was in
about the program. Stephanie is confident that it will eighth grade.
continue to grow. “As exceptional as the H.A.P.P.Y. Week program is, it
Stephanie plans to go to the University of Michigan is even more amazing when you meet Stephanie. She is
in the fall; she wants to major in communications. And tiny, quiet, and modest. She overcame her shyness to
while she will look into creating a H.A.P.P.Y. Week pro- advocate for her program before social workers, school
gram in Michigan, she thinks the program is better suited administrators, and politicians, and to speak in front of
for middle schools and high schools, “to prevent people large audiences. She was determined and never took
from getting involved with drugs” at a young age. Still, ‘no’ for an answer.
she hopes to create a model drug prevention curriculum “In interviews, Stephanie needs to be flexible and
for other schools around the country. improvise,” Rabbi Kniaz said. “She has learned how to
“Jewish values inform Stephanie’s actions and imbue follow the lead of her interviewees and draw them out
everything she does,” Rabbi Kniaz said. “Her men- if they are nervous. In her relentless effort to save lives,
schlichkeit is evident in her everyday interactions with Stephanie transformed herself. She is a giborat hayil — a
others. I have seen her unite her peers and include mighty hero.”
that extolled the virtues of American liberty, his goal was

Krauthammer to make his readers and listeners think, rather than just
FROM PAGE 33
blindly follow partisan talking points. Just as important,
PARTY
bias that characterized most of the mainstream media’s he did so with the sort of good humor and humility that is
news coverage. particularly lacking in the debate between Trump and his
Krauthammer offered us something different than the supporters on one side, and a “resistance” determined to
PLANNER
mindless exchange of delegitimizing insults and ad homi- demonize both the president and his voters on the other.
nem personal attacks that have become the hallmark of Our public square has become a place where Krautham-
partisan gamesmanship from both left and right these mer’s style of commentary has been replaced by a tide of
days. A public intellectual in the best sense of the term, vulgar venom that passes for argument from both liberals
Krauthammer was a man of ideas, not merely opinions. He and conservatives. So while conservatives are sad that his
offered reasoned arguments, not just partisan assertions. powerful voice is now silent, so, too, should his ideologi-
He relentlessly advocated for principles, not momentary cal opponents mourn a man who challenged them to re-
advantages that win news cycles. examine their assumptions and biases.
His ability to meet them on their own turf caused many He deserves to be remembered for helping shape seri-
liberals never to forgive him for the drubbings he gave ous political thought during his lifetime. But if we are to
them. Some on the populist right bitterly resented him truly honor his memory, then all of us—both those who
Jewish Music with an Edge
for exposing their faulty thinking as well. venerated his work and those who opposed it—should try
Ari Greene · 201-837-6158 But in his weekly columns for the Washington Post and to emulate the reasoned style of commentary that he mod-
[email protected] in his appearances as a television talking head — most nota- eled for us throughout his life.
www.BaRockOrchestra.com bly, on Fox News’ “Special Report” program every weekday While there could be only one Charles Krauthammer,
night for the last decade — Krauthammer gave the American the best tribute to him would be for those who write and
people an ongoing clinic in how political debates should speak on politics, and their audiences, to try to be more
be conducted. Whether or not you agreed with him on all like him. If we were, our nation would be a far better place.
issues or identified with his neoconservative philosophy May his memory be for a blessing. JNS.ORG
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Jewish World
Did Kushner interview with Palestinian

newspaper hurt his peace proposal’s chances?
Charles Dunst Others in the foreign affairs
S
community, in publications
aying that a U.S. plan including the Atlantic, Foreign
for Middle East peace Policy, Jewish Insider, and the
would be released soon, Forward, criticized Kushner’s
Jared Kushner sharply remarks and the Trump admin-
criticized Palestinian Authority istration’s overall policy.
President Mahmoud Abbas in Ilan Goldenberg, a senior fel-
what appeared to be an inten- low at the Center for a New Amer-
tional gambit to drive a wedge ican Security and the director of
between the Palestinian people its Middle East Security Program,
and their leadership. rejected the one-sided nature of
Whether that strategy will the administration’s strategy.
bring Abbas back to the table “I don’t believe Kushner’s
or create momentum for new interview will hurt the chances of
Palestinian leadership, the his peace plan because the peace
move was met with skepticism plan doesn’t really have any
by many Middle East experts, chance of succeeding,” Golden-
who doubted the viability of berg said. “You can’t be a media-
any plan that does not include tor and propose a serious plan
the Palestinians. when one of the parties will not
In a rare interview with the even engage with you.
Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, “There are only two possibili-
Kushner, who is President Don- ties for the plan. The first is that
ald Trump’s son-in-law and the proposals are along the tradi-
top adviser on the Middle East, tional lines previously put down
strongly suggested that Abbas by Clinton and Kerry, in which
was responsible for the situa- case both sides will reject the
tion in Gaza and the struggles of plan. The other more likely sce-
the Palestinians. The Palestinian nario is that the plan will move
leader prioritizes his own politi- Jared Kushner listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on May 9, 2018. closer to the Israeli position, in
cal survival over alleviating the Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images which case Netanyahu might
difficulties of his people, Kush- accept ‘with reservations’ but the
ner added. “He has his talking points, which have of the Palestinians significantly, making it Palestinians certainly will not.
Throughout the interview, which was not changed in the last 25 years. To make clear that they are not equal partners in “Either way, this whole endeavor is
published on Sunday in Arabic during a deal, both sides will have to take a leap this equation,” Schanzer said. “The offer of almost certain to fail,” Goldenberg said.
Kushner’s multinational trip to the region, and meet somewhere between their stated a Palestinian capital in Abu Dis, the reduc- Daniel Shapiro, the U.S. ambassador to
he repeatedly blamed Abbas for the Pales- positions. I am not sure President Abbas tion in assistance to UNRWA, the reduc- Israel during the Obama administration,
tinians’ struggles. has the ability to do that.” tion in aid to the Palestinian Authority, and thought it “worthwhile” to speak directly
“I don’t think the Palestinian people After Al-Quds released the interview, the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s to the Palestinian people, but said it is
feel like their lives are getting better, and Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian nego- capital have all reinforced this message.” not a substitute for direct dialogue with
there is only so long you can blame that tiator, accused Kushner and the Trump Abu Dis is a suburb of Jerusalem that their leaders.
on everyone other than Palestinian leader- administration of attempting to topple the lies east of Israel’s security fence. Abbas “A plan that offers Palestinians a state
ship,” Kushner said. Abbas regime. has responded angrily to rumors that the on the 1967 lines with swaps and a cred-
The real-estate developer-turned-White- Members of the Trump administration U.S. peace plan might offer Abu Dis, saying ible capital in East Jerusalem would have
House-adviser used the terms “leaders” “are working and trying to work hard in it does not meet Palestinian demands for a chance to gain significant support, even
or “leadership” a combined 16 times a regime change because Palestinian lead- a capital in eastern Jerusalem. Earlier this including accepting concessions on secu-
in the interview, zeroing in on what he ership under the leadership of President year, the U.S. government cut more than rity, refugees and recognizing Israel as
deemed to be their previous and contin- Abbas wants genuine, lasting, compre- half of its planned funding to the United a Jewish state,” Shapiro told the Jewish
ued failures. hensive peace based on international law,” Nations Relief and Works Agency for Pal- Insider. “A plan that envisions a rump
“Now is a time where both the Israelis Erekat told reporters in Ramallah, in the estinian Refugees. Palestinian state in portions of the West
and Palestinians must bolster and refo- West Bank. This overall strategy, Schanzer said, Bank, or only islands of autonomy with
cus their leadership, to encourage them Abbas was elected only once as presi- places primacy on securing support from no characteristics of sovereignty and
to be open towards a solution and to not dent of the Palestinian Authority, in the Saudis and other Sunni states rather no serious presence in East Jerusalem,
be afraid of trying,” Kushner said. “There 2005, to a four-year term that has been than appeasing Palestinian leadership, an would not.”
have been countless mistakes and missed extended. A March opinion poll, however, alliance discussed at length in a recent arti- Veteran Middle East peace negotiator
opportunities over the years, and you, the found that 68 percent of Palestinians want cle in the New Yorker. Dennis Ross was skeptical of any plan
Palestinian people, have paid the price.” him to resign. “When the offer comes, and it is signifi- that would depend on the support of the
Kushner suggested that the United Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president cantly less than offers put forth by past Gulf states at the expense of a Palestinian
States, Israel, and the Palestinian people of the Foundation for Defense of Democra- administrations, the Palestinian leader- buy-in.
are united toward peace, while Abbas and cies, said that Kushner’s rhetorical alien- ship is almost sure to reject it,” Schanzer “Arab leaders need to be able to jus-
the Palestinian leadership are stymieing ation of Palestinian leadership reflects the said. “The key to success will be the extent tify their position by pointing to what the
the process. administration’s overall strategy on solving to which the moderate Sunni states rally Palestinians would be getting and what is
“I do question how much President the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. behind Trump despite Palestinian protests important to Arab audiences,” he told the
Abbas has the ability to, or is willing to, “The plan appears to be designed to — not whether the Palestinian leadership New York Times.
lean into finishing a deal,” Kushner said. challenge and even diminish the demands is satisfied.” JTA Wire Service

Real Estate & Business
Valley Health System earns re-accreditation for two Gold Standard programs
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Real Estate & Business
Hot outside — cool in the glass

GABRIEL GELLER hours, until the desired color, Drappier Brut Nature is made
A
which comes from the skins, is only from Pinot Noir, and is
fter a fairly long winter and a obtained. With this method the a Zero Dosage Champagne,
rather short spring, summer is skins release not only color but meaning no liquide de dosage,
here. It’s going to get hot! In our also phenols, which add flavor, sweet wine from the original
quest for ways to cool ourselves concentration, as well as tan- wine the Champagne is made
down, some of us just sit at home or at work nins. Rosé wines made with from was added to adjust the
in the air conditioning, while the luckier this method usually will fea- sweetness when the Cham-
ones get to chill by the pool. Or even bet- ture a fuller body and a darker pagne was disgorged during
ter, travel to places where the weather is color than those made with the the secondary fermentation
more moderate. bleeding method. The bleeding process. The result is a very
An easier, affordable, and quite enjoy- method simply is a byproduct aromas and has natural high acid- dry, sharp, yet elegant and
able method to refresh yourself is to drink of red winemaking. When the grapes are ity. Tabor in Israel has been making a classy Champagne, medium-bodied,
some delicious, well-chilled wines. There pressed with the skins, slightly pink-colored really nice rosé over the past few years, with vibrant, tight mousse, focused
is an amazing selection of very fine rosé, juice comes out of them. It is this grape juice which fully extracts and showcases medium bubbles, a harmonious texture
whites, sparkling, and even some light red that will be fermented into wine and become the Barbera’s attributes. It is light and with notes of apple, pear, roasted hazel-
wines that drink nicely on their own, but can a rosé. Most of the time, it will have a pale, almost fluffy in both body and texture, nuts, crushed rocks, lime zest with high
superbly complement salads, fruits, barbe- bright pink color and a light body. Rosé yet it is flavorful, with a nice balance acidity and a touch of crème fraîche lin-
cue meats, and even ice cream. wines can be fruity, a bit sweet, or really dry, between the fruity notes and the acid- gering on the long and classy finish. This
We often hear that rosé wines are confus- lean and austere. ity. Perfect to sip while relaxing by the is a remarkable Champagne.
ing, neither white nor red. So please let’s The Herzog Lineage Rosé 2017 is an inter- pool on a hot day. Bordeaux wines often are thought of
address those concerns. Rosé wines are esting wine made with the saignée method. If you are looking for a wine that is as elite, expensive, complicated wines
pink. Rosé simply is the way to say “pink-col- Made with no less than 12 grape varieties more substantial, complex, and can made for people for whom money is no
ored” in French. While it is true that blend- originating in Herzog’s family estate-owned even evolve in the bottle for a few object. That is a very inaccurate gener-
ing a bit of red wine in white wine would Prince Vineyard in Clarksburg, California, years, look no further than the Paci- alization. Sure, some of the world’s best
result in pink wine, that is not usually how it features a slightly darker color than most fica Riesling 2017. Pacifica is a gor- and rarest wines come from Bordeaux,
rosé wines are made. Basically there are two saignée-method rosés. With aromas and fla- geous estate winery; its vineyards are and they sometimes carry a really hefty
main methods to produce rosé wine, and in vors of ripe strawberries, papaya, and pome- nestled overlooking the Columbia price tag. There are, however, many
both cases they are made of grape varieties granate seeds, it is unique and should be Gorge and Mt. Hood, on the border Bordeaux wines that provide great plea-
that have a dark skin. They are skin macera- served very cold, with a fruit salad or even between Washington and Oregon. Its sure yet are affordable. Château Trijet
tion and saignée, which means “bleeding” a tuna tartar. newly released Riesling is a home run, 2017 is one of those wines, retailing for
in French. The Tabor Adama Barbera Rosé 2017 is featuring the perfect, harmonious bal- under $15. It is light to medium in body,
With the skin maceration method, the another nice rosé, this one made with the ance between lush fruit, earthy miner- offering the typical restrained fruit and
grapes are pressed and then the must — skin maceration process. Barbera is a grape als, and mouth-watering acidity. It can earthy profile generally associated with
the juice — macerates with skins from any- variety that originally comes from Italy. It accompany a wide array of foods, from the wines from that mythical French
where between a few minutes to a few is characterized by red berry and cherry fish and chips to spicy Thai red curry, wine-growing region. It even has the
through hot chicken wings, veal schnit- potential to develop some tertiary aro-
zel, or apple strudel. Brilliant wine, and mas with a few years of aging in the bot-
quite affordable, as well. tle but nonetheless is eminently enjoy-
SELLING YOUR HOME? One specific type of wine that goes

well with most foods, and is as nice to
look at as it is to drink, is dry sparkling
able now. It also is made with organically
grown grapes, meaning little to no pes-
ticides were used in the vineyards. It
wine. The best sparkling wines arguably would be perfect with a nice flat-iron
are those from the Champagne region steak or grilled chicken breast.
in France. They are made from Char- Have a cool summer with refreshing
donnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, or a and delightful wines!
blend of two or all three varieties. The L’chaim!
Jimmy the Junk Man

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SALES EF F ECTIVE: 7/1/2018 - 7 / 6 / 2 018
Filippo Berio 25.3 oz Vintage 12 pack French’s 20 oz Frank’s 12 oz
Extra Light Seltzer Classic Red Hot

Olive Oil Assorted
By the Case
Mustard Sauce
Original Only
BOGO 5
$ 99
ea
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5 2/$
5
Soy Vay Veri 21 oz Hellmann’s 30-36 oz Heinz 38 oz Paskesz 8 oz
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2/$
7 2/$
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7 2/$
4
Kvuzat Yavne 23 oz Poland Spring 12 pack Kikkoman 15 oz Quaker 8 pack
Cucumbers in Sport Water Low Sodium Chewy Bars

Brine 7-9 Bottles Soy Sauce Chocolate Chips, R/S Chocolate
Chip, or Chocolate Chunk Only
2/$
3 3
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$ 79
ea
2/$
5
Sabra 8 oz Les Petites 6 oz Chobani 5.3 oz Eggland’s Best 12 pack
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Assorted Assorted Assorted
Excluding Swiss
2/$
4 2/$
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5
Kineret 20 oz Ta’amti 14.4 oz McCain 20 oz Pepperidge Farm 17.3 oz
Onion Rings Cigars 5 Minute Puff Pastry

Potato or Fries Sheets
Vegetarian Only
2/$
6 3
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Chicken Combo Thin Cut American Black Angus Beef American Black Angus Beef
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Family Pack Steak Family Pack
2
$ 49
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$
1049lb 9
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Aaron’s 12 oz Jack’s 4 oz
Chicken or Cured Facon

Turkey Franks
2/$
5 5
$ 99
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While Supplies Last. No Rain Checks. We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities.

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YOETZET HALACHA ANSWERS WOMEN’S QUESTIONS page 6

UNIVERSITY SUSPENDS CONSPIRACY THEORIST page 8

JUNE 29, 2018

NORTH JERSEY THEJEWISHSTANDARD.COM

Felice Gaer of Paramus

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Fireworks July 3 & 4

VISIT njfair.com FOR MORE INFORMATION

2 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 29, 2018

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Rhonda’s Kiss

The Jewish Standard assumes no responsibility to return unsolic-

On June 14, at a in tears as he listened and Hemings descen-

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4 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 29, 2018

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16 Jewish Standard JUNE 29, 2018

Jewish Standard JUNE 29, 2018 17

Sandi M. Malkin, LL C ings had been audiotaped, but now they

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COURTESY TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH