Poland revises its law on Holocaust responsibility
The American Jewish Committee has welcomed the action by the Polish Parliament to remove the criminal penalties provision of the country’s controversial Holocaust responsibility law.
“As long-time friends of Poland, correcting this counterproductive measure is an important step to restore confidence and advance ties among Poland, the Jewish world, and the United States,” said AJC CEO David Harris, who has visited Poland regularly over the past 30 years, been honored twice by Polish governments, and met with senior Polish officials in an effort to defuse the crisis sparked by the law.
In February, the Polish Parliament adopted, and President Duda signed, an amendment to the country’s Institute of National Remembrance law, making it a crime, punishable by up to three years in prison, to use statements, such as “Polish death camps,” suggesting the Polish state or nation had any responsibility for crimes against humanity committed by Nazi Germany.
While sympathetic to Polish concerns about the appalling misuse of the term “Polish death camps,” AJC immediately urged the Polish government to reconsider the ill-conceived law. AJC Central Europe, the organization’s office in Warsaw, led by Agnieszka Markiewicz, pursued advocacy efforts in Poland.
The law criminalizing speech regarding Polish responsibility during the Holocaust sparked a crisis in Poland’s relations with world Jewry, Israel and the U.S., as well as a rise in anti-Semitic speech and social media in Poland.
“The tremendous advances in Poland’s relations with American Jews, with Jews in Poland and around the world, and In which AJC proudly played a major role, suffered damaging setbacks in the wake of the bill regrettably adopted in February. Repairing those relations remains of utmost importance,” said Harris.
The U.S. State Department also issued a comment: “The United States welcomes the Polish Parliament’s passage of amendments to its Institute of National Remembrance Law. This action underscores Poland’s commitment to open debate, freedom of speech and academic inquiry. The Holocaust and the crimes of the Nazis are an unspeakable tragedy in the history of Poland and mankind.We agree that phrases attributing responsibility to the Polish state for crimes committed by the Nazis on occupied Polish territory, such as “Polish death camps,” are inaccurate and hurtful. Such misrepresentations are best confronted through free and open dialogue.”
–From American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the U.S. State Department
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Israel allocates $2.48 million for twinning programs with Diaspora schools
The Jewish Agency for Israel announced that the Israeli government will allocate up to 9 million shekels ($2.48 million) in the coming years to its Partnership Unit’s Global School Twinning Network, primarily to fund the expansion of the groundbreaking educational initiative that cultivates Israel-Diaspora connections.
The Global School Twinning Network, which successfully operates on The Jewish Agency’s Partnership2Gether Platform, provides hundreds of schools in Israel and worldwide with living, breathing connections that transform Israel and the global Jewish people from abstract concepts into tangible realities. School twinning changes the way students and teachers perceive their roles as members of an international Jewish community, fosters dynamic dialogue on Israel and Jewish identity, brings Hebrew alive and more. In the 2017-18 school year, the network included more than 600 schools, some 50,000 students and 2,000 teachers.
By enabling the School Twinning Network to evolve into its new format and expand to 500 additional educational twinnings between Israeli and Diaspora schools, Israel’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs are aiming to not only enrich the experiences of Israeli students and teachers, but also to deeply understand the relationship towards Israel in overseas schools and communities. In addition to its main purpose of bringing school twinning to new schools across the globe and in Israel, the government’s investment will also support the development of new pedagogical and curricular resources, online teacher training, branding and more.
The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Diaspora Affairs are bringing the new twinnings to students in grades 4-10, with the goal of twinning becoming an even greater part of participating schools’ fabric and culture through parent-teacher association sessions and other gatherings that feature discussions on global Jewry and Israel-Diaspora relationships. Both Ministries view the impact on Israeli students and teachers of equal importance to that of its impact on Diaspora participants.
Since its inception, the network has worked in fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Education enabling it to grow its expansion and depth, however this marks the government’s first monetary investment in the school twinning platform. Ultimately, Israel intends to provide a total of NIS 9 million ($2.48 million) for the network.
In many cases, school twinning is integrated into a community-wide P2G relationship. P2G is The Jewish Agency’s strategic initiative that connects 46 city-to-city and region-to-region partnerships. Through hands-on projects and personal interactions that engage 350,000 Israelis and Jews each year, individuals and communities learn from one another and experience the enriching reciprocal benefits of being part of the global Jewish family.
At the same time, a growing number of school twinnings are taking place in communities outside of P2G in the former Soviet Union, Latin America, and Europe.
“The Ministries partnership and investment in the School Twinning Network is an important recognition that the program is impactful on students and teachers in both Israel and the Diaspora,” said Andrea Arbel, Director of Partnership Unit at The Jewish Agency. “Twinning brings the ethos of partnerships and Jewish peoplehood to schools around the world, and it is extremely gratifying and exciting that the State of Israel will partner with us to take this initiative to the next level.”–From the Jewish Agency for Israel
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Minorities with IDF or National Service experience to receive preferences in job hiring
The Civil Service Commission will soon be implementing a new policy in which those who served in the IDF or National Service will receive employment preference in civil service positions, according to Im Tirzu
The new policy comes following a bill drafted by Jewish Home MK Moti Yogev with collaboration with the Zionist organization Im Tirtzu, which proposed granting preference to minorities who served in the IDF or National Service as a way of encouraging more minorities to serve.
The bill passed the preliminary Knesset reading by a large majority in December 2017, but has yet to advance due to objections from Arab and ultra-orthodox members of Knesset, whose constituents generally do not serve and would be negatively affected by the bill.
The new policy comes to replace the need for legislation, the Civil Service Commission announced.
Preference will be given based on a point system, with IDF or National Service representing one point. Additional points will also be awarded to those who serve in reserve duty or perform community service.
“The bill’s goal is to convey a simple point: it pays to serve,” said MK Yogev. “IDF and National Service represent an expression of loyalty to the state, and the giving of one’s prime years on behalf of the society. The State of Israel must reward those who are loyal and give to it, even at the risk of their own safety.”
“Minorities who served find themselves lagging behind their counterparts who have begun to study, work and acquire experience,” continued Yogev. “We must therefore reward them by giving them priority in order to balance out the playing field.”
Matan Peleg, CEO of Im Tirtzu, said the State of Israel has an obligation to encourage minorities to integrate into Israeli society.
“Strengthening and encouraging minorities who strive to integrate into Israeli society embodies the values of Zionism and is an important element for the continued existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state,” said Peleg.
“We have an obligation to create real incentives and laud those who have chosen this path, in contrast to those who opt for isolationism and continued battle against the State of Israel.” — From Im Tirzu
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Republican Jewish Coalition attacks congressional candidate in Pennsylvania as anti- Israel
The Republican Jewish Coalition responded today to Scott Wallace’s attack on the RJC’s television ad in Pennsylvania’s first district. RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said:
Politics is politics, but facts are facts. While Scott Wallace would like to have people believe otherwise, voting records show he has never voted in Pennsylvania. Rather, he has lived in South Africa and Maryland for most of his adult life.
It’s fine to say that you’re pro-Israel, but the fact is that the leading Jewish Democrat organization in Pennsylvania refused to endorse Wallace because of his views. He touts his family foundation, but the foundation gave $300,000 to organizations that are aligned with terrorists and anti-Semites and that support the BDS movement. His foundation supports groups that delegitimize Israel and undermine her security – that’s not pro-Israel. Wallace, a descendant of FDR’s Vice President Henry A. Wallace, claims that special interests are attacking him, but the U.S.-Israel relationship is not a “special interest,” it is a valued alliance that enhances U.S. security.
Wallace supported the Iran nuclear deal, which rewarded Iran with billions of dollars and paved the way for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons in just a few years.
Facts are facts and they clearly don’t support Scott Wallace’s latest attacks. The people of Bucks and Montgomery Counties will see through them. — From Republican Jewish Coalition
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Nationwide search for a CEO of Jewish Family and Children’s Service in West Palm Beach
Having recently obtained a PhD, Jenni Frumer, CEO of Alpert Jewish Family and Children’s Service and the Levine Jewish Residential Service of West Palm Beach, Florida, has announced her intention to begin a teaching career after 32 years with AJFCS/LJRFS, including the last five as the organizations’ CEO.
The process will soon begin, of conducting a nationwide search to identify a new executive professional leader. A search committee will be convened to identify, recruit and retain the highest quality professional leadership for the future.
During this interim period, Marc Hopin, CPA, Chief Administrative Officer will assume the role of interim CEO. Alpert JFCS is fortunate to have a strong, talented senior management team to lead the agency through this transition. In addition to Marc, Elyse Jacobson, LCSW, Chief Program Officer and Elaine Rotenberg, PhD, Clinical Director will continue to manage day-to-day operations and ensure the seamless continuity of vital services to the community. -From Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
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Tel Aviv University Student Film Festival honors women in movies
The Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival — one of the largest and most influential student film festivals in the world, according to CILECT, the International Association of Film and Television Schools — celebrated its 20th edition June 10-16 at the Cinematheque and other Tel Aviv and Jaffa locations.
“We focused on women in film,” said Danielle Angel, co-director of this year’s festival with Ori Aharon. “Fourteen of the 26 student films in the Israeli competition were made by women. Nelly Tagar, our opening ceremony emcee, is a woman. The opening teaser for the festival, which is screened before each program, deals with being a female filmmaker today. And both films screened at the opening ceremony — Rachel by Or Sinai and How to Swim by Noa Gusakov — are by women and based on personal narratives about women’s experiences.”
Among the prize-winning films were Invisibly by Hungarian film student Àron Szentpéteri, Well Done by Aryeh Asfari and Omer Ben Simon of TAU’s Steve Tisch School of Film and Television, and Intergalactic Samurai by filmmaker and actress Hagar Ben Asher.
The festival was founded by students from Tel Aviv University’s Steve Tisch School of Film and Television in 1986 and is now an annual event supported by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, the Israel Film Council and Tel Aviv University. The Tisch School is the only film school in the world where student filmmakers own the rights to their student films. The School’s admission policy is equally unique. All qualified applicants — high school graduates with appropriate college entrance exam scores, etc. — are admitted to the first-year BFA program. Sixty-five students are invited to continue on to the second year, after faculty and lecturers have had the opportunity to gauge the quality and artistic merit of their work.
TAU President Prof. Joseph Klafter recognized Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Zvika Serper, Head of the Steve Tisch School of Film and Television Prof. Raz Yosef and others who were at the opening ceremony.
“Tonight we are celebrating the festival’s 20th edition, in which it continues to promote young and original work,” Prof. Klafter said. “Each year the festival presents the future generation of local and international cinema and preserves the spirit of innovation and creativity by integrating students from the various faculties in all the management and production aspects of the festival.” — From Tel Aviv University
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Secretary of State Pompeo comments on demonstrations in Iran
The U.S. State Department issues the following statement by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Wednesday, June 27:
“The Iranian government is squandering its citizens’ resources, whether its adventurism in Syria, its support for Hizbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, or its ambitions for wastefully expanding its nuclear program, it will only add to the suffering of the people of Iran.
“As I have said before, it should surprise no one that protests continue in Iran. The Iranian people are demanding their leaders share the country’s wealth and respond to their legitimate needs. We condemn the government’s same futile tactics of suppression, imprisonment of protestors, and the denial of Iranians’ frustrations. The people of Iran are tired of the corruption, injustice, and incompetence from their leaders. The world hears their voice. ”
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University President and Britain’s future King meet in Israel
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev President Prof. Rivka Carmi, M.D. was among a select group representing academia and science invited to meet with Prince William, duke of Cambridge, during his visit to Israel.
A lively exchange ensued at the formal reception last night (Tuesday) at the British Ambassador’s to Israel’s residence when Prince William learned Prof. Carmi was a pediatrician. After the prince mentioned that there was a shortage of pediatricians in the United Kingdom, Prof. Carmi, who is leaving BGU at year-end, told the prince without missing a beat, “I’m available as of January 1.”
Prof. Carmi received an honorary knighthood, Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), in 2015. -From Ben Gurion University
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Sephardic Chief Rabbi condemns winemaker for excluding Ethiopian Jews
The Heart of Israel organization reacted Wednesday to a decision by the Edah Haharedit, an ultra-Orthodox organization that maintains one of the largest and most widely used Kashrut supervision authorities in Israel, to bar employees of Ethiopian descent at the Barkan winery from becoming directly involved in the production of wine.
“What is happening at the Barkan winery is just one more example of how the Ethiopian community in Israel is sadly oppressed,” said A.Y. Katsof, director of The Heart of Israel.
Katsof said that the late Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, maintained that the Jews of Ethiopia are as Jewish as any other Jews, even though when Ethiopians move to Israel they do a “just-in-case” conversion (giur lechumra). On Tuesday, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, Israel’s current Sephardic Chief Rabbi and the son of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, excoriated the Edah Haharedit. He called the organization’s ruling, “pure racism.” — From Heart of Israel
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Rachel Shemirani of Barons Market named a Top Woman in Grocery by Progressive Grocer
Progressive Grocer, a leading voice of the supermarket industry, recently unveiled its honorees for 2018’s Top Women in Grocery from across the U.S. This year, Barons Market Vice President of Marketing Rachel Shemirani was selected for her integral role at the family-owned market based in San Diego County.
Preceding culled from news releases sent to editor@sdjewishworld.com