After 3 months and 5 days, the synagogue at Chabad headquarters reopens to unmasked crowds

By Shira Hanau

(JTA) — It closed with dancing and it reopened with dancing.

The main Chabad synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn reopened to a large crowd Monday, more than three months after it shut down amid mounting restrictions meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The raucous service was documented in a video posted to Instagram by COLlive, a local Orthodox news site in Crown Heights. No one in the video, which shows dozens of men singing and dancing, appeared to be wearing a mask and most did not appear to maintain social distancing.

The reopening is the latest evidence that some parts of New York City’s Orthodox community have largely returned to normalcy after three months of lockdown, despite the fact that the city only began its second phase of reopening Monday and social distancing and mask wearing are still recommended.

The synagogue, located in a complex that includes the former office of the late leader of the Chabad movement, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, waited until much of the city had shut down before closing its doors, for the first time ever, late on March 17. The synagogue is located within the same building complex as the Chabad movement headquarters but is controlled by independent synagogue leaders, called gabbaim, who coordinate services.

The decision to close the synagogue, which is known for hosting dozens of services and hundreds of visitors each day, came days after many synagogues in New York City canceled their Shabbat services. After rabbis in the community ordered the building and other synagogues closed, men stayed at the synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway and danced late into the night.

In keeping with New York’s rules for houses of worship, the building reopened last month to a service of 10 men, the number needed to form a prayer quorum called a minyan needed to recite certain prayers.

Monday’s service was the first at the building to make possible some of the activities that typically characterize prayer at the synagogue. Under the newly widened restrictions, houses of worship may now admit up to a quarter of the people they are designed to hold — 250 for the synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway, according to COLlive. (Gov. Andrew Cuomo accelerated the pace by which houses of worship could open amid pressure from religious New Yorkers, including Orthodox Jews, and left it up to each one to create its own mask and distancing rules.)

New York City’s new rules coincided with Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of a new month on the Jewish calendar, a day that is marked with special prayers and, in some synagogues, dancing.

Nefesh B’Nefesh signs deal with El Al for 14 ‘Group Aliyah Flights’

(JNS) — The NGO Nefesh B’Nefesh, which facilitates immigration to Israel from North America and the United Kingdom, announced that it had signed a contract with EL AL Airlines for 14 “Group Aliyah Flights” from New York to Tel Aviv over the course of the next three months.

The announcement comes in the wake of an unprecedented spike in interest from North American Jews to move to Israel, with Nefesh B’Nefesh reporting its highest number of applications in May since the organization’s founding in 2002.

During the first half of June, more than 900 applications for aliyah were submitted to Nefesh B’Nefesh, as compared with the entire month of June last year, when only 399 applications were submitted.

Many of those making the move said that the coronavirus crisis helped prompt a decision they long had in the making, especially those from countries hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Nefesh B’Nefesh operates in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA.

“We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of our olim [immigrants to Israel] as we navigate aliyah together during this unprecedented time,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “It is incredible to witness and take part in this moment, where there is an unparalleled increase in aliyah interest. With hundreds of seats now available for olim, we look forward to taking a large step forward to ensuring that we can assist in the fruition of these aliyah dreams.”

Israel steps up enforcement measures as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

(JNS) — Israel on Monday approved a series of steps regarding the country’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, including beefing up enforcement measures and authorizing the creation of a new national enforcement authority.

Among the steps approved following a meeting on Monday of the country’s so-called “coronavirus Cabinet” were an increase in the fine for not wearing a mask, from NIS 200 ($58) to NIS 500 ($145), stepped up enforcement by municipal inspectors and the creation of a new national enforcement body under the aegis of the Public Security Ministry.

In addition, testing and protective measures for at-risk populations, especially the elderly, will be increased, and the government will also evaluate, in coordination with the Civil Service Commissioner, the possibility of employees returning to work in “capsules,” meaning restricting the numbers of workers in any particular workplace.

School activity and private camps during the summer months were also approved.

In addition to the stepped-up enforcement measures, the Cabinet unanimously approved the setting of an “outbreak scenario,” according to which the health system will be instructed to prepare for an additional 2,000 intubated COVID-19 patients, as well as an additional 2,000 patients requiring intubation for other illnesses.

According to a statement put out by the Prime Minister’s Office, this scenario’s purpose is to guide preparations and procurement by the health establishment and does not constitute a forecast. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who chaired Monday’s meeting, stressed that all preventive measures must be taken to avoid reaching the outbreak scenario.

At the opening of Monday’s meeting, the Israeli prime minister said, “We are facing a systematic increase in morbidity. We see this not only here, but I regret that we also see it around the world. Various countries have already been forced to deal with this, and we here in Israel as well.”

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Israel has surged in recent days to more than 4,940, with 45 people in serious condition and 29 patients requiring intubation as of Tuesday morning. To date, 309 Israelis have died of the disease.

The number of cases has risen over the past two weeks as the country has reopened its economy, and the daily figure has now reached between 200 and 300, up from a single-digit low in mid-May.

Iranian Navy seeking to establish base in Gulf of Oman, entry to Indian Ocean

(JNS) — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is attempting to establish a new permanent base in the Gulf of Oman and the entry to the Indian Ocean, said its top admiral on Monday.

Alireza Tangsiri told the semi-official Fars News Agency that the base would assist in combating pirates and foreign vessels, and could be finished by March 2021. Tangsiri did not say where exactly the base would be located.

Tensions have risen between the United States and Iran since the former withdrew in May 2018 from the 2015 nuclear deal, reimposing sanctions along with enacting financial and other penalties in what the Trump administration has called a “maximum pressure” campaign.

That campaign has also consisted of building up a U.S. military presence in the region in an attempt at deterring the Iranian regime from future aggression.

New York Times hires opinion editor from The Intercept, a news site that’s harshly critical of Israel

By Gabe Friedman

(JTA) — Weeks after The New York Times drew a barrage of criticism after publishing an op-ed calling for the military to be deployed in American cities, the newspaper has hired the editor of a progressive news site that is harshly critical of Israel to help lead its opinion efforts.

Charlotte Greensit has been the managing editor of The Intercept, a site launched and co-edited by the prominent journalist Glenn Greenwald, since 2015. Before that she worked for more than a decade at Time magazine.

Starting July 6, she will be managing opinion editor and associate editorial page editor at The Times, the newspaper announced Monday. She is one of three hires following a shakeup after the resignation of editorial chief James Bennet earlier this month.

Some of the Intercept’s critics raised questions about Greensit’s appointment at The Times, pointing to articles critical of Israel that she shared on Twitter.

Greenwald, The Intercept founder, has relentlessly criticized Israel and its political leadership, and at times has invoked tropes of dual loyalty in attacking the pro-Israel community. The publication’s reporters have frequently scrutinized Israel’s right-wing government, along with AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby. Its political reporting team, led by Ryan Grim, has published multiple stories about Democratic candidates who receive funds from pro-Israel groups. A podcast last year was dedicated to “The case against AIPAC,” the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

On Tuesday afternoon, Greensit said on Twitter that she had tweeted her colleagues’ stories but not edited them — something she said was not her role at The Intercept.

Founded in 2014, The Intercept made its name by publishing scoops on government surveillance and leaks from Edward Snowden, who is close with Greenwald. But it has since become more focused on Washington politics. Last year, Politico called the site “the loudest voice attacking Democrats from the left.”

Ben & Jerry’s joins campaign to boycott Facebook advertising

By Marcy Oster

(JTA) — Ben & Jerry’s is the latest company to join the campaign to boycott Facebook advertising until the social media giant changes its policies regarding hate speech and targeted harassment.

In a statement Tuesday, the ice cream maker said it would join the #StopHateForProfit Campaign by pausing all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram in the United States beginning on July 1.

“We call on Facebook, Inc. to take the clear and unequivocal actions called for by the campaign to stop its platform from being used to spread and amplify racism and hate,” the statement said.

The campaign, which was announced last week, is being spearheaded by the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP and several other civil rights groups. The groups are protesting Facebook’s unwillingness to police hate speech or monitor posts for misinformation.

Ben & Jerry’s joins clothing retailers Patagonia and The North Face; outdoor gear company REI; and Upwork, a freelancing platform, in halting ads on Facebook for the month of July.

Susan Rice among key Democrats to warn Israel against annexation

By Ron Kampeas

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Susan Rice, who reportedly is on the shortlist to be Joe Biden’s running mate, was among an array of senior Democrats who warned Israel that annexing parts of the West Bank would harm ties with the United States.

“It would make this traditionally bipartisan strong support for Israel that much harder to sustain,” Rice, President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, told an online forum convened Tuesday by the Israel Policy Forum, which is dedicated to the two-state outcome.

Joining her were Michele Flournoy, a former undersecretary of defense who often has been touted to become the first woman defense secretary, and John Allen and Daniel Shapiro, who held top Obama administration posts handling the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he wants to launch the process to annex parts of the West Bank by July 1. He is basing his plan on the Trump administration’s peace plan unveiled in January. The plan itself allows for annexation, although according to some readings only as part of a final-status solution and not before negotiations start.

Flournoy said it could affect U.S. defense assistance to Israel.

“I would hate to see some in Congress decide they’re going to hold hostage our security systems to Israel as a way of protesting their policies in the West Bank,” she said.

Also speaking was Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is Jewish and one of Israel’s most stalwart supporters in Congress.

“Our ardent support for Israel does not mean that we lose sight of the goal supported by Israeli prime ministers and presidents of both parties of two states living side by side in peace and security,” the Senate minority leader said. “This is especially urgent today as a unilateral act of annexation of territory in the West Bank is being considered, an action that I do not support.”

Jewish gravestones from 17th century discovered during renovations of castle in Austria

By Marcy Oster

(JTA) — Some 28 Jewish gravestones dating from the 17th century were discovered in the foundation of a wall built to protect a castle in Austria.

They were discovered during restoration work earlier this year on the Ebenfurth Castle in the state of Lower Austria, according to Jewish Heritage Europe.

The gravestones, and fragments discovered with them, are dated between 1622 and 1669, Johannes Reiss, the director of the Austrian Jewish Museum in Eisenstadt, said in a post on the museum’s blog. He called it a “sensational find.”

The gravestones will be restored and displayed at the castle, according to the report.

The wall in which the gravestones were discovered was built to protect the castle from the Ottoman invasion in 1683.

Jews were up to 30 percent of the population of Ebenfurth by 1671, when the Jewish community was expelled.

Michael Douglas introduces special artifacts at Museum of the Jewish People

By Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Actor Michael Douglas in a special video statement introduced a series of videos featuring special artifacts that will make up the new core exhibition of the Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.

Douglas’ father, the late screen legend Kirk Douglas, first visited the museum, also known as Beit Hatfutsot, in 1982 and was a longtime supporter.

The first two featured artifacts are a 16th-century Sephardic Book of Esther scroll and Nobel Prize-winning novelist Isaac Bashevis Singer’s typewriter. 

The new core exhibition will expand into 66,000 square feet of additional gallery space, featuring over 800 images and 450 works from the museum’s collection, 40 film and multimedia displays, and 22 interactive stations.

During the coronavirus crisis, the museum also is providing activities for students and families to do from home.

Israel immigration group reports highest number of applications since its founding

By Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that helps North Americans immigrate to Israel, said it has received the highest number of applications since its founding in 2002.

In the first half of June, over 900 applications have been submitted to the group for making the move to Israel, or aliyah, compared to 399 in June 2019.

The organization, in conjunction with The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth Le’Israel and JNF-USA, has scheduled 14 group flights for North American Jews moving to Israel this summer. The organizations signed a contract with El Al Airlines to provide the flights.

Last week, Israeli Immigration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata told the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs that Israel can expect the arrival of 90,000 immigrants, or olim, by the end of 2021, compared to 35,463 in 2019.

The French news agency AFP reported that since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, there have been three times as many requests for aliyah from French Jews as last year.