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Governor Christie Finally Joins the anti-BDS Club!
Earlier this week, Governor Chris Christie became the 16th governor to support AJC's Governors United Against BDS statement, which "rejects efforts to demonize and delegitimize Israel - America's democratic ally in the Middle East - through the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement."
By signing the statement, Christie joins the governors of New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, Kansas, Texas, Maine and Utah, as well as the mayor of the District of Columbia.
In a public ceremony on Tuesday at the State House in Trenton, Christie highlighted the importance of the AJC effort which affirms "support for Israel as a vital U.S. ally, important economic partner and champion of freedom" and said that "standing with Israel, for peace and democracy, requires more than just pledging military defense and support. It is in all of our best interests to invest in and partner with Israel, while opposing any attempt to wipe out Israel, economically or otherwise."
At the ceremony, Christie also signed legislation that prohibits NJ State Investment Council investments in businesses engaged in the boycott of Israel and Israeli companies. South Carolina, Illinois and New York have already enacted similar measures. Remarking on the legislation, Christie said that "I'm proud to take this action today and help set an example for other states and nations throughout the world to join New Jersey by enacting similar laws against the radical 'BDS' movement, as well as our earlier divestment from foreign companies with equity ties to Iran and Sudan."
Click here for the Governor's remarks: "Unequivocal, Unashamed, Unapologetic Support of Israel Is the Policy of NJ"
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Touro Synagogue in Wednesday Morning's New York Times Feed:
Newport, R.I., home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, a famous jazz festival and Gilded Age mansions, is a popular tourist destination at this time of year.
Sometimes overlooked among those offerings is the Touro Synagogue, the nation's oldest in existence, which was founded by Jews from Spain and Portugal who fled the Inquisition.
It was at Touro on this day (August 17) in 1790 that the congregation's leader, Moses Seixas, wrote a letter to George Washington praising a government "which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance, but generously affording to all liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship, deeming every one, of whatever nation, tongue, or language, equal parts of the great governmental machine."
Washington, in his acknowledgment of the letter, basically repeated the words to express his belief in religious liberty. It was the first presidential affirmation of the new nation's dedication to freedom of religion for all Americans.
The next year, the Bill of Rights was adopted. The First Amendment to the Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Almost a century later, the poem "The New Colossus" gave voice to the nation's icon of such values, the Statue of Liberty.
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
It was written by Emma Lazarus, whose great-great uncle was Mr. Seixas. (I didn't know they were family! This is so amazing! kas)
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Black Lives Matter Platform & BDS
It took me about a week to put my finger on the essential flaw in the Black Lives Matter platform-even before I read the article below. The words of the platform's author (I posted it last week) confirm that the many of the code words he used bear only the most tangential relationship to their literal meaning. It's all about hyperbole - the hype. Ethnic cleansing - Genocide - Open-air Concentration Camp - Apartheid - Nazi/Nazi-like.... Everyone has to acknowledge how evil and repugnant these are. Each of these words/phrases are misused and are mischaracterizations of reality. But truth is sacrificed on the altar of the cause. That is what Israel suffers from at the hand of progressives, Students for Justice in Palestine, BDS and BLM. KAS
Last week, the Movement for Black Lives platform accused Israel of "genocide." Here's why that wrongful charge is so deeply disturbing.
It would be easy to subsume one of my identities to serve the other, but I choose instead to build bridges;.
BUT....
I don't understand him; Soros could do so much good
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Judaism, and other Countries
France Targets Foreign Funding for Mosques
Israel Seeks to Open New Markets in Latin America
New offices in Peru, Chile cement trade alliances for Israel. Agreements bring Jewish state closer to full membership in one of the world's largest trading blocs
The only synagogue in Iquitos, housed in a mattress shop, has become the last bastion for the Jews who remain as hundreds abandon the town for Israel. "All across the rainforest, you will find Jewish descendants, but in many cases, they do not know their origins." Click here.
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Israel News
Jerusalem's Botanical (Biblical) Gardens(video)
Leave it to NPR to sensationalize this, without bothering to compare it to other areas of conflict (not to mention areas where governments wage deathly campaigns against their own citizens) ir to contextualize it-and leave it to the NYT to headline it in their news feed:
On the other hand, the Times did run with this as their lead story on Tuesday morning:
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Pop Culture
I'm not sure about the Nathan's hotdogs being kosher; I'll have to check that one out and get back to you... The Best Jewish Food at Costco
The Yiddish theater star and Emmy-winning actor who passed away Sunday, was a living reminder of what had gone before and been lost on the streets of New York
And a 2-Part Interview
The game is a staple of Jewish summer camps. But where did it come from?
Rockleigh Jewish Home Video
My last 2 years as a student at JTS I had the privilege of serving as a special assistant to the Chancellor, Dr. Gerson D. Cohen, a brilliant man from whom I learned much. Already then his lecture, The Blessing of Assimilation, was a much-discussed topic. I am glad to see that the current Chancellor, Arnie Eisen, has called renewed attention to it.
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Camp Ramah-Ukraine: Powerful Expression of Love & Judaism with Ramahniks from 'Round the World
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The Olympics
President of the Rio Games
Carlos Arthur Nuzman (b. 1942) was born in Rio de Janeiro, the grandson of Russian-Jewish immigrants to Brazil. His father was very active in the Jewish community, and served as the president of the Rio Jewish Federation.
As a child, Nuzman started playing volleyball at the Brazilian Israelite Club. At 15, he began playing the sport professionally. A few years later, he made it to Brazil's national team, and competed at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He also participated in four Maccabiah Games in Israel.
Meanwhile, Nuzman studied in law school and became a successful lawyer in Brazil. In 1975, he became the president of the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation, a post he held for twenty years until he moved up to become the president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee.
Since 2012, he has been in charge of organizing the 2016 Olympic Games in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, which begin tomorrow. He has made sure that there is a large Jewish presence in these games, hiring two fellow Brazilian Jews as CEO and deputy CEO of the Committee, and ensuring there will be a ceremony to honour the Israeli terror victims of the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Nuzman has also hired Israeli firm ISDS, who will be working with some 30 other Israeli companies to provide security and logistics for these Olympics. His nephew is a rabbi at one of Rio's largest synagogues, which will be hosted a special Shabbaton for over 300 guests during the Olympic Games.
In 2007, Nuzman was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Cupping Takes the Olympics by Storm
"Es Hilfed Vie Ein Toten Bankes"
(It helps as much as a dead leech)
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cupping-and Some Stuff You Probably Didn't
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This film, written by, directed by, and starring Natalie Portman, is based on the life if Israeli novelist, Amos Oz.
The Israel Bookshelf
The Israel Bookshelf is an ongoing project to distribute books that illustrate Israel's multifaceted culture and society. The project is made possible by The Paul E. Singer Foundation and the
Harold Grinspoon Foundation-PJ Library, in partnership with
Jewish Book Council.
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Murmurs and Incantations
Murmurs and Incantations tells the story of a gay New York performance artist with creative block who fatefully travels to Poland in an attempt to revive his art career, only to be further confounded by the disapproving ghost of his grandfather, a rabbi killed in the Holocaust. Through the fictitious encounter, Mr. Hiuni gives voice to an ancestor who would have otherwise been lost to history. In finding this voice, Hiuni dignifies his great-grandfather's memory, commemorate his legacy, and stands witness to historical events. As Mr. Hiuni explains, "This aspect of art in general, and theater in particular, can be deeply moral and redemptive."
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Jerusalem Film Festival
Now in its 14th year, The Hampton Synagogue Film Series is proud to present a program featuring extraordinary films from Jerusalem, selected in cooperation with Yoram Honig, Director of the Jerusalem Film and TV Fund, and Eran Polishuk, Director of Film and Media, Office of Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Israel in New York. Come and enjoy a sample of the best that Israel has to offer direct to you from Jerusalem. All movies are followed by a discussion and dessert reception. Join The Hampton Synagogue on Mondays at
7:30pm
for films. All films are screened at the Hampton Arts Cinema on Brook Road across from the synagogue.
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Shai Tsabari & The Middle East Groove All Stars
Born in Jaffa to a family of Yemeni Jews, Israeli singer-songwriter Shai Tsabari, accompanied by the Middle East Groove All Stars, creates an upbeat, uplifting sound at the intersection of Middle Eastern music and contemporary rock. Drawing from the diverse musical influences of Tsabari's upbringing-his father was a cantor, his grandmother introduced him to Yemenite percussion instruments, and his older brother collected 1960s and 1970s American rock albums-Tsabari's music combines Middle Eastern instrumentation such as the oud, doumbec, and tar with guitar, bass, drums, trombone, and electronics. By experimenting with sounds and incorporating traditional Jewish liturgy into his lyrics, Tsabari is at the forefront of a growing movement of Israeli rock musicians who are redefining what it means to be both Middle Eastern and Jewish.
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Hill Start
A comedic drama about a bourgeois family on the brink of collapse. About a tough father an a gentle son, a single daughter, and a mother who falls into a coma. About a bride with a big mouth and a short temper. About a wedding that keeps slipping, a lot of passion, a driving test, and a moment of losing control that threatens to break up the party.
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Anat Propper Goldenberg
Israeli-British artist Anat Propper Goldenberg creates magnificent sculptures as compelling to the eye as they are heavy with meaning, conveying messages regarding themes like ecology, humanity, stillness, and self-awareness. Her art is intended to be emotive, transforming feeling, associations, and visual fragments into sometime universally meaningful to the viewer, but also personal. As Goldenberg explains, "Like an alchemist, I am purifying, maturing, and perfecting certain emotions and themes. By creating this illusive new state, I make the senses penetrate the boundaries of familiarity and touch the shadow of the unfamiliar."
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Nadine Bommer Dance Company
Women Making Work is an opportunity to see exciting works by talented female choreographers in multiple genres based in the arts hub of New York. Founded by Israeli choreographer Nadine Bommer, New York City-based Nadine Bommer Dance Company brings exciting dance theatre work to the Inside/Out series. Inspired by the film Team America, American Cinema is a theatrical dance comedy that explores cinematic characters' movement through dancers and marionettes.
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Avi Wisnia
Completing our summer concert series, GFS welcomes Avi Wisnia, with his eclectic mix of refreshingly original songs and a dynamic ensemble of talented musicians. The award-winning songwriter finds inspiration in Brazilian bossa nova, acoustic American folk, 1950's west-coast jazz and contemporary pop, captivating audiences around the world with his clever lyrics, smooth vocals and deft piano skills.
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TORAH Page 1005 HAFTARAH Page 1033
VA'ETHANNAN
Our Sidra continues the address to the people by Moses that began in last week's portion. Moses recounts how God denied his request to be allowed to enter the land of Israel; Moses must view the country from atop Mount Pisgah. He pleads with the nation to adhere to God's laws scrupulously - especially the laws regarding idolatry. Failure to conform to these laws will inevitably result in expulsion from the land.
Moses apportions three cities on the eastern side of the Jordan River to serve as Cities of Refuge.
In an effort to stress the importance of maintaining all the commandments, Moses recalls how awe-struck the people were at the time of the Revelation when they assembled at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. A slightly altered version of the Ten Commandments from the one found in the Book of Exodus is restated.
The most prominent of our prayers is found here: the first paragraph of the Sh'ma, asserting the exclusive relationship between God and Israel, and Israel's duty to study and observe the Torah at all times.
Future generations should be trained, not only in the observance of the Torah, but in the account of the deliverance from Egypt. A strict warning against intermarriage and idolatry is issued. The special relationship between God and Israel is stressed again: in love, God redeemed the Israelites from slavery; it is, therefore, their duty to observe the commandments
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Baton Rouge Flood Relief Fund
