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Hot Topic #1
Over and over the Torah enjoins us to welcome the stranger; to remember that we were strangers in the land of Egypt and how we were treated (that initially we were welcomed with open arms, and then in a 180° about-face we were enslaved). None of us are Native Americans in the technical sense. None of us came over on the Mayflower. Few, if any of us, are even direct descendants of the first 23 Jews who came to New Amsterdam in 1654. We (those who were born in the United States) are all either descended from immigrants or from refugees. All of this says nothing of the fact that the United States of America has, for the last century and a half, been a refuge, a beacon of light and a ray of hope for oppressed peoples throughout the world
. So how can we now turn our backs on refugees and immigrants?
At the same time, many of us have a not-so-irrational fear of terrorism - especially Muslim terrorism, both because the vast majority of terrorist acts have been perpetrated by Muslims and because present-day Islam is rife with Anti-Semitism. 9/11 is not ancient history to us; it happened "yesterday", and it still leaves many of us traumatized. And if we are gay, or have children or grandchildren who are, Orlando looms large in our thoughts and fears. These are not irrational feelings.
Our personal safety and national security have to be our primary concerns.
So how do we reconcile these (the underlined and bolded last sentences of the above paragraphs) seemingly exclusionary considerations? It's not easy. And I have neither an easy nor a convoluted solution. The smartest and the fairest thing that I have heard or read in the last few days about President Trump's Executive Order, placing a moratorium on refugees, was from a lawyer interviewed on the BBC: he said that compelling legal arguments could be made both for the constitutionality and un-constitutionality of the Executive Order - and that's what we have judges for...
And there is one interesting conundrum resulting from this Executive Order: what about Jews born in Arab lands who hold citizenship in Israel (or England, or France, etc.). Are they also subject to the moratorium that might prevent them from entering the United States?
Here is the answer from the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv:
Message from US Embassy Tel Aviv Consular Section:
If you have a currently valid U.S. visa in your Israeli passport and were born in Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen, and do not have a valid passport from one of these countries, your visa was not cancelled and remains valid. Similarly, we continue to process visa applications for applicants born in those countries, so long as they do not have a valid passport from one of those countries and have not otherwise declared themselves to be a national of one of those countries. Authorization to enter the United States is always determined at the port of entry. We have no further information at this time.
To read the Presidential Executive Orders signed by President Trump over the weekend,
click here.
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From the archives...
A related topic, sort of... (and also has some bearing on the President's Holocaust statement)...
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Hot Topic #2
And what about the official statement issued under President Trump's name in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, last Friday? How could they leave any specific mention of the Jews out of it? After all, as Jon Podhoretz rightly pointed out, the Final Solution was all about the Jews.
Is the new administration tone-deaf? Is a new administration simply a new administration, and this is one of their many slipups? Or was this a deliberate attempt to level the victim-hood playing field? Was this another instance where Jared Kushner was left out of the loop?
I am with Jon Podhoretz (not exactly known as a flaming liberal) on this one. Please read the article for his unequivocal rebuttal/statement):
Here are some other reactions:
Jewish Republican Groups Mildly Peeved at White House
The Republican Jewish Coalition and the Zionist Organization of America have tried really hard to stay on Mr. Trump's good side.
During the campaign, when Trump supporters unloaded vicious anti-Semitic invectives on journalists, the Republican Jewish Coalition condemned expressions of hate by supporters of all candidates. The Zionist organization latched on to Mr. Trump's America First program and backed his conservative, pro-settler pick to be ambassador to Israel, David M. Friedman.
But on Sunday, after Hope Hicks, a White House spokeswoman, confirmed that the decision to not mention Jews in the statement was intentional, the two Jewish groups were upset, mildly. Ms. Hicks justified the decision by saying, "Despite what the media reports, we are an incredibly inclusive group and we took into account all of those who suffered."
The Republican Jewish Coalition, not exactly sputtering with rage, released a statement:
"As supporters of President Trump, we know that he holds in his heart the memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust, and is committed not just to their memory, but ensuring it never happens again."
"The lack of a direct statement about the suffering of the Jewish people during the Holocaust was an unfortunate omission. History unambiguously shows the purpose of the Nazi's final solution was the extermination of the Jews of Europe. We hope, going forward, he conveys those feelings when speaking about the Holocaust."
Morton A. Klein, the national president of the Zionist organization, was a little stronger:
"Especially as a child of Holocaust survivors, I and Z.O.A. are compelled to express our chagrin and deep pain at President Trump, in his Holocaust Remembrance Day message, omitting any mention of anti-Semitism and the six million Jews who were targeted and murdered by the German Nazi regime and others."
Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, did not sound all that apologetic on NBC's "Meet the Press": "I mean, everyone's suffering in the Holocaust, including obviously all of the Jewish people affected, and the miserable genocide that occurred is something that we consider to be extraordinarily sad and something that can never be forgotten," he said.
Oh, and he mentioned that some members of Mr. Trump's family - alluding to Ivanka, his daughter, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law - are Jewish.
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Hot Topic #3
More on this from me next week...
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AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC
March 26, 27, 28
I have purchased a block of registrations and it would be my pleasure to have you join me! So please contact me...
And if you can't see your way to the Conference in DC,
how about making your way to:
Congregation Bnai Yeshurun
641 West Englewood Avenue
Teaneck, New Jersey 07666
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Great news for "the Venezuela 9", even if it wasn't a complete vindication!
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Settlers in West Bank
Wednesday's news was very interesting: every hour, starting at five in the morning on CBS radio I heard about further expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. It was the same story with the BBC. But CNN (yes, can you believe it? CNN!) carried this story:
Once you get past the sensationalized headline, this next article is pretty accurate and fair. In fact, the online subtitle take the headline down a notch: "Even as officials forcibly evacuated the illegal Amona settlement, two moves by Israel opened a forceful new phase of expansion into land the Palestinians claim for a future state."
There is also a subtle nuance in the article, which I would like to make explicit: many Israelis who live in the West Bank, while they are "settlers" in the technical sense, simply moved there because of the tax incentives/breaks and other inducements, like the developments are beautiful, scenic, have full amenities, and are convenient. And then there are the "settlers", like those in Amona were motivated by religious zeal to settle the entire biblical land of Israel. Many of them have little regard for the Palestinians.
In general, the Israeli settlements have been built on land, which is either ownerless, public or government land. The Israeli courts have been vigilant about investigating proper title in the West Bank. Now, however, there is a bill before the Knesset which would allow the Israeli government to confiscate or expropriate Palestinian land. One of my friends (and Israeli military lawyer) calls this bill "legalized stealing."
Last week I raised the question of what consequences Israel will face after Trump's four or eight years-- both from a new US administration and from the rest of the world? Now I'd like to offer some speculation from the other side of the coin: perhaps a more aggressive approach to settlement building by Israel is exactly want the Palestinians need to incentivize them to come to the negotiating table. The Palestinians cannot afford to watch more and more of the land in which they hope to build the state slip from their grasp. As they abide an aging, corrupt and passive leadership. Maybe this is what it will take.
And one final observation: years ago my friend, Danny Gordis, struck up a conversation with a Scandinavian UN observer stationed in the West Bank. Then he thought that for sure he was going to get an earful about Israeli policy, but he was surprised to hear this career foreign service official tell him that Israel had better hang on to the settlements because it is the only bargaining chip that Israel has left. Israel has already conceded everything else to the Palestinians while receiving precious little in return.
Israel's Hard-Liners Want to "Go Big": Annex a Settlement
Message to Bibi: Never Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
Well, this didn't take very long. In fact, it took much, much less time than I thought it would. Looks like the Israelis will be getting pressure from the Trump Administration with regard to expanded settlement activity almost from the Trump gets-go....Unless, of course, the President does another about-face when he meets with Bibi in mid-February.
Here are excerpts from a New York Times article published just this morning:
President Trump, after promising a radical break with the foreign policy of Barack Obama, is embracing some key pillars of the former administration's strategy, including warning Israel to curb settlement construction.
In the most startling shift, the White House issued an unexpected statement appealing to the Israeli government not to expand the construction of Jewish settlements beyond their current borders in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Such expansion, it said, "may not be helpful in achieving" the goal of peace.
New administrations often fail to change the foreign policies of their predecessors as radically as they promised, in large part because statecraft is so different from campaigning. And of course, today's positions could shift over time.
"While we don't believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace," his press secretary, Sean Spicer, said in a statement, "the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal."
The White House noted that the president "has not taken an official position on settlement activity." It said he would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel when they meet Feb. 15, in effect telling Mr. Netanyahu to wait until then. Emboldened by Mr. Trump's support, Israel has announced more than 5,000 new homes in the West Bank since his inauguration.
Mr. Trump shifted his policy after he met briefly with King Abdullah II of Jordan on the sidelines of the National Prayer Breakfast - an encounter that put the king, one of the most respected leaders of the Arab world, ahead of Mr. Netanyahu in seeing the new president. Jordan, with its large Palestinian population, has been steadfastly critical of settlements.
Our President isn't the only one whom is tone-deaf-and it falls to the formerly not-so-diplomatic Israeli President, Ruby Rivlin, to step up:
Rivlin Calls Pena Nieto, Apologies for Bibi's Border Wall Tweet
It's Twitter diplomacy at its finest, between Israel and Mexico
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Israel News
This is big news...but will it last?
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Traditional. Egalitarian. Modern...Masorti
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Join Masorti's Mission to HELP in Israel
F
ebruary 19th, 2017 - February 27th, 2017
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ear from rabbis and congregants who sustain our kehillot
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xplore Masorti programs; see how they make a difference
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earn about the challenges to religious pluralism
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ray with Women of the Wall on Rosh Hodesh Adar
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Exciting and urgent news! The Masorti Foundation is organizing a mission to Israel in support of our Masorti Movement rabbis, lay leaders and congregants.
We will stand with our Masorti brothers and sisters in Israel to protect our core values: religious freedom, pluralism and the right to observe Masorti traditions honored all around the world. These values are being challenged today by those who will not tolerate--and will seek to discriminate against--all forms of observance other than orthodox.
The purpose of the mission is recruit and develop champions to be ambassadors for Masorti in their communities so together, we can make change and help create the Israel we want for our children, our grandchildren and ourselves. We know this is short notice and you will need to decide quickly if you want to go or if you want to recruit someone from your community, but we believe that the time is now for us to go.
Please join us. Stand with us!
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Protect Masorti Rights
Masorti stands for tradition. It also stands for inclusion, religious freedom and modernity. Our rights in Israel are being challenged. Raise your voice in Israel. For Israel. Stand
with
Israel...in
Israel.
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Meet Knesset Members
On our mission, you will meet with Knesset members, with Executive Director, YIzhar Hess, with the director of Jewish Pluralislm Watch, with mayors, rabbis and lay leaders. Get behind the scenes. Deepen your understanding. And help Masorti take action to assert our rights.
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Visit Kehillah Moriah
This oldest Masorti/Conservative kehillah in Israel was badly damaged by the fires in November. But with your help, the kehilla is rebuilding and restoring. Meet with congregants and the rabbi and learn first hand how important it is to stand with Masorti.
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Ganze Megillah: Avner Moriah
In celebration of Purim, The Laurie M. Tisch Gallery is pleased to exhibit the stunning, large-scale illuminated Scroll of Esther created by the well-known Israeli painter Avner Moriah. This Scroll of Esther tells the ancient story by mixing Persian, Indian, and Islamic art miniature style paintings with Italian Renaissance styling and contemporary humor, politics and sensibilities.
Ganze Megillah (Yiddish for "The Whole Story") will feature 18 framed illuminated manuscript on parchment, along with process drawings and video of the artists.
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The Vaunted Bezalel School of Art in Design in Jerusalem
Presents...Guided Tours of 'A Walk of Art' with Curator Yaara Keydar
Join us on Sunday for an insightful and inspiring guided tour of our fashionable show 'A Walk of Art'.
Mr. Gaga
A True Story of Love and Dance
A Tomer Heymann Film
"One of the most important choreographers in the world" - New York Times
MR. GAGA follows choreographer Ohad Naharin at a critical turning point in his personal life. This spirited and insightful documentary will introduce you to a man with great artistic integrity and an extraordinary vision. Mr. Gaga tells Naharin's personal story of this controversial, political, and always entertaining figure, and his constant battle for artistic perfection. Eight years in the making, Mr. Gaga traces Ohad Naharin's artistic roots using personal family footage, intimate rehearsal footage, extensive unseen archive material and stunning dance sequences. Heymann weaves a marvelous tale of what it takes to be a genius, the exhausting toll dance can take on its performers, and finally, the beauty that art can bring to this world.
Q&As Will Follow Screenings:
2/4 - Film Forum - 7:10 p.m. Barak (producer)
2/5 - Lincoln Center - 2:15 p.m. Barak, Saar (producer, Gaga teacher)
2/5 - Film Forum - 4:50 p.m. Barak, Saar (producer, Gaga teacher)
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Creative Action Network
Creative Action Network and the Anti-Defamation League are teaming up to invite artists to illustrate refugee stories from across time and geography. Maybe your family fled pogroms in Eastern Europe, from Nazism, from political oppression in Iran or the Soviet Union. Maybe you know someone who fled Uganda or other countries that persecute members of the LGBT community, maybe you are concerned about how many today have to flee extreme violence and persecution. No matter where refugees came from or their reason for fleeing, each story is unique--but connected. We hope to build a collection of pieces that rise above the noise and hateful rhetoric by humanizing the refugee experience.
Crowdsourced, creative campaigns that enlist artist and designers to create work around different ideas and causes. All designs that meet the requirements in their respective creative briefs will be published and made available for sale as prints and other merchandise. Artists retain ownership of their work but grant us permission to promote, license and sell it in exchange for 40% of the proceeds.
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TORAH Page 374 HAFTARAH Page 395
BO
Moses insists that all the Israelites and their flocks and herds be allowed to leave Egypt, but Pharaoh will only permit the men to leave. So Moses brings on the eighth plague, locusts. Pharaoh pleads with Moses for their removal, but once this is accomplished he becomes obstinate once again.
The ninth plague, darkness, creates chaos and confusion in Egypt, and Pharaoh is now willing to let all the Israelites leave - but not their animals. Moses now warns Pharaoh of the dire consequences of the tenth plague: all firstborn in Egypt - men and cattle - would die at midnight.
God gives Moses instructions to the Israelites in preparation for the Exodus. The ritual they perform will serve as a commemoration for generations to come. A lamb or a year-old kid is to be sacrificed, roasted and consumed in haste. Its blood is to be sprinkled on the lintel and the doorposts. God will permit no harm to come to those whose doors are sprinkled with blood while He smites the firstborn of Egypt. Matzah is to be eaten for seven days. The significance of these rituals is to be explained each year.
At midnight, all in Egypt are affected by the death of firstborn males, and the Israelites are urged to depart in great haste. The Israelites' bread has no time to rise, and it hardens into unleavened cakes. Upon request, the Egyptian population supplies them with gold, silver, and garments.
The Israelites begin their march from Egypt on the fifteenth day of what will become the first month of the year. In further commemoration of the Exodus, the first born of all animals are to be consecrated to God, firstborn male children are to be redeemed, and tefillin are to be worn on the arm and head.
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