The Bulletin
1.2.2020
1.Please Join the March
This Sunday, the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Relations Council of New York are sponsoring a Solidarity March in response to the recent wave of attacks in the NY metropolitan area. Thousands (I'm sure) will participate in it, reflecting the gravity of this moment to demonstrate solidarity against hate and fear. I know many Federations from New Jersey, Connecticut and farther are planning to bring groups. Given the late notice (and mainly because I will personally be away) I cannot attend in person. My son has promised to march for me. I encourage everyone to make their way to New York and participate. The march will leave from Lower Manhattan, cross the Brooklyn Bridge and will be followed by a rally in Columbus Park.

"A century later, with anti-Semitism back on the front page, these many historical examples of Americans targeting Jews and other out-groups during eras of intense social and cultural strain demonstrate the importance of distinguishing symptoms from diseases. America has experienced eras of crisis before, and Jews in America have been victimized before. In each case, anti-Semitism has been the symptom of larger social maladies, revealing more about the parlous state of American society than about Jews," writes Professor Jonathan Sarna in Times of Israel. With 2019 ending on such a horrific anti-Semitic note I encourage you to read the full article: "Anti-Semitism Is a Symptom"


2.Red Berets Step Up
The Guardian Angels will start patrolling Brooklyn after the increase in anti-Semitic attacks. Local leaders of the Lubavitch-Chabad movement asked for the group’s help.

Founder Curtis Sliwa believes the Guardian Angels patrols will stop the attacks. “We’re a visual deterrence in our red berets and our red satin jackets,” he said. “Nobody’s going to commit an attack when we’re around.”

I for one hope his confidence is well-founded.

3.It's About Thinking Different
Journalist Bret Stephens is under fire for a New York Times column on Jewish intelligence. Not the most politically correct move. But as an op-ed writer one can argue that daring and expanding the conversation are part of the job description. What do you think?

While reference to a controversial eugenics study has been removed, you can read the column for yourself here: "The Secrets of Jewish Genius."

"How is it that a people who never amounted even to one-third of 1 percent of the world’s population contributed so seminally to so many of its most pathbreaking ideas and innovations?" Read Stephens' piece for his take.
4.All Is Not Lost
Then there is this. Someone outside of our community made a donation to the Federation yesterday with this message: "Sending love from a gentile in this time of violence and hatred."

I know that the majority of people are in fact good. Timely reminders are always welcome.
5.PB&J It Is Not
Why are Israelis so obsessed with this flavor pairing? While I can't speak for an entire nation, I can tell you that I have no use for either peanut butter or jelly. But tahini and silan? I’ll have those all day and twice on Shabbat. 

"In Israel, though, the pairing is more often used in savory dishes. Char-grilled eggplant, where the eggplant is cooked directly on a burner until the skin is charred and the flesh inside is soft, is elevated with the tahini-silan treatment. Top with equal parts of both, then add pomegranate seeds or chopped parsley for freshness," says Nosher .

And from my silan and tahini secret stash:
1/8 cup of Silan, 1 tbsp of tahini, ¼ cup of olive oil, 1/8 cup of apple cider vinegar, and garlic to taste will dress your salad (for 4) like nothing else.

And for the minimalists, mixing equal parts of silan and tahini makes great Halva. (I often mix a spoon of each for a bite size sweet in literally seconds.)
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Tuesday, February 4, 5:00-6:30 PM
Lecture: "Jews in Brazil" by Shirley Nigri
UMass Dartmouth, Claire T. Carney Library
Shabbat Shalom,

Amir

The Bulletin is a weekly email from Amir Cohen, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Bedford. I welcome your feedback at [email protected].  
Jewish Federation of 
Greater New Bedford

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