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The Charlotte Jewish News - May 2000 - Page 2 In My Opinion Point of View l.iuh issm- (»l tlu' ('.|N IViitiirts ;m ;ir»icU‘ \u iUc‘ii l)> (»iu‘ ol (lu‘ ral)l)is iutiM- in llu* ( liarlolte ('(>ininiinit>. This Month: Rahhi Jim Hi niictt of leinple Beth Kl CONMXTIONS TO ISRAKL By Amy Krakovitz Montoni Last night when I went to sleep, there were two synagogues in Charlotte. This morning when I woke up, there were five congre gations here! Okay, so maybe it wasn’t that dramatic, but in a rather short peri od of time, three new congrega tions have arisen in our midst. There is now an exciting diversity here, unimaginable just a few years ago. Just a few months ago, Havurat Tikvah, a well-known mainstay organization in our community for at least 12 years, affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation. Last month, Chabad Lubavitch armounced the official organization of their synagogue. And this month, Torah Partners of Charlotte, a modem Orthodox congregation, is announcing their formation. See page 8 for their formal announcement. By Peter Ephross NEW YORK (JTA) — The war against hate on the Internet is heat ing up. Two major online booksellers agreed this week to post dis claimers about a 19th-century forgery that claims there is an international Jewish conspiracy to rule the world. But an online civil liberties group is questioning the moves by Amazon.com and bamesandno- ble.com regarding "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” calling them an infringement on free speech. The moves come amid increasing controversy about how to deal with hate speech on the Internet. Earlier this year, the Internet portal Yahoo! vowed to remove racist and anti-Semitic clubs that it is hosting online, and eBay banned the sale of hate material on its online auction site after pres sure from groups, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The note on Amazon.com read: “Please note that Amazon.com does not endorse the views expressed in this book or those in the publisher’s book description below.” “The book is considered a forgery,” bamesandnoble.com spokesman, Gus Carlson was quoted as saying. “In a situation where there is concern over the legitimacy of the book, it is our job to make certain facts clear.” In addition to their own dis- • •• More proof that our Judaic resources have grown and expand ed is apparent on page 27, where you can see a story and photos from the Annual Women’s Seder. The women’s role in the Passover story was largely ignored until just a few years ago, and now Charlotte has enough interested and enthusiastic participants to turn this into an annual event. Make plans to attend next year’s seder. Check out the special holiday section starting on page 20. I’d daresay that a lot of people don’t even Imow what Lag B’Omer is; others (like me) think of it as “the picnic holiday.” But these articles will explain the omer to you and give you stories of new Jewish heroes to tell. Don’t miss Phyllis Schultz’s moving account of her family’s story and the woman who is trying to make it all real again. Tum to claimers, the two companies are posting a rebuttal to the book pro vided by the Anti-Defamation League: “The Protocols of the Leamed Elders of Zion, circulated by the Czarist secret police at the turn of the 20th century, is plainly and simply a plagiarized forgery. The Protocols has been a major weapon in the £u*senals of anti- Semites around the world, repub lished and circulated by individu als, hate groups and governments to convince the gullible as well as the bigoted that Jews have schemed and plotted to take over the world.” The ADL’s negative reviews of dozens of other “objectionable” books are also included on Amazon.com. Abraham Foxman, national director of the ADLeague, empha sized that his group just wants potential customers to know what the book really is. “We are not in the business of banning books, no matter how reprehensible or indefensible they are,” he said. But Deborah Pierce, an attor ney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said the move “raises some flags.” She worries what would happen with situations that are not as clear-cut, referring to a hypothetical case involving a how-to abortion book. “This is the beginning of a slip pery slope,” she said. Marc Stem, the co-director of the American Jewish Congress’ page 18 to read her story of Yaffa Eliach. And you’ll be able to read a reprint of Phyllis’s original story of her trip to Eishishok with her brother. It was amazingly good fortune that led Phyllis to that dis play in the Holocaust Museum that opened up her past for her. Like most of our ancestors who emigrated from eastern Europe, her father had been silent about his past. My grandparents, too. Were almost secretive about where they came from and what their past lives were like. Phyllis was given a wonderful gift that she has appreciated these last few years. When you’re done with that, read everything else. My goal is to make most of this newspaper as local as possible. Even the nation al stories will have a local slant if possible (see the NRA story on page 5 with its mention of the upcoming Charlotte convention). Anytime you feel that you can contribute to the improvement of this newspaper, please feel free to let me know. ^ legal department, said that what distinguishes this case from other works that many would find objectionable is that by purporting to be written by Jews, the “Protocols” is not honest about its origins. “It really is a case of truth in advertising,” he said. At least one American Jewish organization is calling on Bames and Noble not to sell the book, calling the disclaimers “an insuffi cient half-measure.” “If Osama bin Laden tomorrow publishes a book to bomb an embassy and kill Americans, is that, too, fair game for reputable booksellers?” said David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, using a differ ent “slippery slope” argument. Harris says the bookseller has not been receptive to the AJCommittee’s calls, responding “Dear Rabbi, I know this will come as no sur prise to you, but this country is so incredible. Even though I have leamed about Israel, the Jewish State, since I was a little boy, I had no idea just how powerful it would be to actually be here. From the moment I arrived at Ben Gurion airport, every moment of every day has been filled with a sense of the greatness of this country and its people. Seeing the Western Wall filled me with an overwhelm ing feeling of connection to my people; I imagined my people standing in this very spot for so many years. My people, that is what I feel when I look around, even though some of these people are so dif ferent from me. Everywhere I look, there are Jewish people — driving the taxi cab, serving me at the restau rants, business owners, shop keepers, and workers in the streets. They are my people. I real ize what it means to be part of a people....” I received this letter some years ago from a student of mine who was in Israel for the first time. As I re-read his words, I began to realize the power of the State of Israel in our lives as Jews today. As we celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, this month, we rejoice with the people of Israel, giving thanks for the freedom and independence that have reigned for 52 years. Our tradition recognized cen- > turies ago that there is often a dis crepancy between our ideals and reality. The rabbis envisioned two Jerusalems — “Yemshalayim shel Ma’alah” or the “Heavenly Jerusalem” and “Yerashalayim shel Matah” or the “Earthly Jerusalem.” While the Heavenly Jemsalem represents our ideals of a city of peace and tranquility, the Earthly Jerusalem symbolizes the realities of this world, with all of its flaws and imperfections. Israel today can be seen through this same dual prism. As Jews, we have a dream and a vision of what we would like Israel to be. We long for a coun try at peace, a Jewish state that will be a model of democracy to all the nations of her region, and a Jewish state in which will flour ish Judaism in all its pluralistic expressions. The reality is very different. Israel faces many challenges; peace is still illusory, despite con tinued optimism for a settlement in the Syrian peace talks and the resolution of the Palestinian con flict. Jewish pluralism is a distant dream, as the orthodox establish ment repeatedly rebuffs and rejects the efforts of non-orthodox Jewish movements to establish political and religious legitimacy. Economic and social pressures continue to challenge the reality and the dream alike. Yet, the people and the land have a magnetic attraction for us. As American Jews, we must seek to renew and expand our connec tions to Israel, by caring about, supporting, visiting and advocat ing for Israel. Israel has faded from prominence in our local Charlotte Jewish consciousness, but it is our responsibility to renew our interest and our commitment. As Yom Ha’Atzmaut arrives this month, we might do well to seek a new understanding and connec tion to Israel. When Theodor Herzl spoke his memorable and prophetic words, he was challenging all of us to care about our people and our land. “If you will it, it is no dream,” he said ‘To live as a free people, in our own land, in the land of Israel and Jerusalem.” ^ The Charlotte Jewish News 5007 Providence Road - Charlotte, NC 28226 Office Hours Monday-Friday, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM Phone (voice mail after office hours) Office 944-6765 FAX 704 365-4507 email: amontoni@shalomcharlotte.org A Publication of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte Marvin Goldberg-Executive Director Amy Krakovitz Montoni-Editor Dana Gottheim and Ruthie Warshenbrot-Youth Page Editors Advertising Coordinator/Sales Rep: Rita Mond, 366-6632 Advertising Sales Rep: Pam Grossman, 841-1544 CJN Executive Board Co-Chairs - Bob Abel - Bob Davis Memt>ers: Evelyn Berger. Ann Langman, Linda Levy The CJN does not assume responsibility for the quaMy or kasruth of any product or service advertised Putikshing of a paid political advertlwment does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate, political pa.'ty or position by this newspaper, the Federaton or any employees Published monthly «xc^ July Copy deadline is the 1st of the month prvceding month of issue Layout Design tiy Erin H. Bronkar (Continued on page 27) SHALOM PARK AGENCIES DIRECT TELEPHONE LISTINGS Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte ....(704) 944-6757 Jewish Community Center of Charlotte ...(704) 366-5007 The Foundation of Shalom Park (704) 366-5007 Charlotte Jewish Preschool (704) 944-6777 Jewish Family Services (704) 364-6594 Charlotte Jewish News (704) 944-6765 Speizman Jewish Library (704) 944-6763 CAJE (704)944-6780 Consolidated High School (704) 944-6782 BBYO Local Office (704) 944-6734 Temple Israel...- (704) 362-2796 Temple Israel Religious School at the JCC (704) 944-6785 Temple Beth El (704) 366-1948 Temple Beth El Religious School at the JCC (704) 944-6789 Please help us to help you! CALL THE AGENCY YOU NEED DIRECT! I would like to make a contribution to demonstrate my sup port of The Charlotte Jewish News. Name Phone ( Address •) City •State. .Zip Enclosed In my check for $ $18.00 $25.00 $50.00 $100.00 Basic Annual Subscription Friend Patron Grand Patron Other Mail to: The Charlotte Jewish News Voluntary Subscrtption A|»peal 5007 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 2S226 Online Booksellers Label Notorious Anti-Semitic Forgery with Disclaimer A w — ISlmKI ■Hi V
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