PM Netanyahu’s Remarks at Yad Vashem today in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Family Members Lost in Holocaust Unite
MDA Reunites Family Members Lost in Holocaust
Although it has been 70 years since the end of World War II, many Holocaust survivors are still searching for lost family members. Approximately 1,000 annual requests, from all over the world, are sent to Magen David Adom’s Restoring Family Links Department.
One heartwarming story occurred just last month. Eran Witt, a 77 year old Israeli from Kibutz Beit-Haemek, was reunited with his cousin, Tania Mak, from the Netherlands.
Tazpit News Agency interviewed Witt who spoke about discovering his cousin. “Tania Mak is my uncle’s daughter; she was born in the Netherlands in 1942. Because my uncle was murdered during World War II, his connection with my father was lost. I didn’t think I had any lost relatives,” Witt told Tazpit.
“I was approached by Susan Edel from Magen David Adom. She informed me that I have a cousin in the Netherlands. Susan gave me Tania’s phone number, and since then we rekindled our family tie,” Witt continued.
“The first time I spoke to Tania was very emotional, it felt like a fairytale. I hope I will get to meet her in the near future, in Israel or the Netherlands,” Witt told Tazpit.
Magen David Adom is Israel’s emergency medical service. In 2006, it was officially recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross as the national aid society of the state of Israel. The organization is also a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Through the connection between Magen David Adom and the Red-Cross, Tania was able to find her lost cousin Witt in Israel.
Susan Edel, a volunteer at the Restoring Family Links Department at Magen David Adom told Tazpit News Agency that the department receives countless requests for locating family members each year. “We get lots of requests from all over the world; a lot of them come from Israelis who immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet countries of Eastern Europe. It’s only recently, that they understood that there is a real chance of finding lost relatives.”
“It usually takes a lot of time to restore a broken family link; we search archives, the internet and governmental authorities. When we succeed, it is very emotional,” said Edel.
“I recall one successful story of a restored link, in which we were able to connect lost siblings, a brother and a sister. They hadn’t seen each other for over 60 years; it was very humbling and emotional,” she told Tazpit.
By Yotam Rozenwald
Tazpit News Agency
Two Rockets Fired from Syria
Hezbollah-Israel Conflict: an Unwanted Development
The two rockets fired from Syria that exploded in Israel’s Golan Heights at 1 PM today signifies a new peak in tensions being felt in Israel’s northern borders. Whether tensions on Israel’s northern front continue to flare or dwindle down remains to be seen.
Tensions began to flare on January 18, after the bombing of a Hezbollah convoy on Syrian territory. Twelve people were killed in the attack; all of them Iranian and Hezbollah soldiers. The bombing was widely attributed to Israel.
Since the convoy bombing, high levels of tension have been felt all along Israel’s northern borders. The main concern is a Hezbollah retaliation that could drag Israel into an unwanted military campaign.
In a couple of incidents during the last nine days, the IDF detected suspicious movements on the Lebanese-Israeli border. The immediate suspicion was that Hezbollah terrorists were trying to infiltrate Israel. Precaution measures were taken as roads were blocked and civilians were ordered to remain at home in the Upper Galilee region.
Tamir Duadi, a volunteer at Kibbutz Manara’s Emergency Squad, spoke to Tazpit News Agency about one of those incidents.
“We were on lockdown for about 90 minutes. It is not a common event but we do get high threat levels from time to time. Since the bombing of the Hezbollah convoy, IDF forces are much more present in our region,” Duadi told Tazpit News Agency.
Dr. Ely Karmon, an expert on terror and Hezbollah from the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, told Tazpit News Agency that he doesn’t think a war between Hezbollah and Israel is likely to erupt. “Hezbollah can’t handle a Syrian front and an Israeli front. Hezbollah has already lost more than 1,000 combatants in Lebanon; a second front will weaken their organization substantially.”
According to Dr. Yehuda Blanga, an expert on Middle-East politics from Bar-Ilan University, “respect and prestige will probably compel Hezbollah to retaliate against the alleged Israeli convoy bombing, though, retaliation will be specific and well measured, because Hezbollah does not want a war with Israel.” He told Tazpit News Agency.
The two rockets which were fired today compelled an Israeli retaliation. Artillery shells were fired into Syrian territory. In addition, roads were blocked by the IDF, and Israeli civilians were instructed to remain in proximity to protected spaces.
A security source told Tazpit News Agency that “Israel has no desire in a violent escalation. We hope our retaliation to the two rockets exploding in the Golan Heights will suffice. We are now waiting to see what will be the response on the Syrian side of the fence.”
By Yotam Rozenwald
Tazpit News Agency
Father of 8 with ALS Needs Your Help!
Rabbi David Frid was born in the US in 1953 and made Aliyah together with his wife Rochel in 1979. They lived in the northern town of Zichron Yaakov for the first 18 years, where Dovid learned and taught. In 1998, they moved to the Jerusalem area, where David continued his work and studies. They have eight children, four of whom are married and many grandchildren, who are their pride and joy.
R’ David was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and valiantly kept up teaching at home until January 2014, when he developed breathing difficulties. In February, 2014 he underwent an emergency Tracheotomy in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. After about a month in the hospital, he was able to come home with the support of his devoted family.
As a result of the operation, he cannot speak and is paralyzed from the neck down. He has had to stop teaching, but can still learn and write others via advanced computer technology provided by the communications department at Ezer Mitzion, in conjunction with the IsrALS organization. Under the guidance of Mrs. Debbie Ben Tal, David learned to use the Nav Smart device and The Grid, computer systems which allow him to communicate, use Skype, e-mail and virtually any other computer program. This has made life bearable and purposeful. We are truly grateful to Mrs. Ben Tal, Ezer Mitzion and IsrALS for their devotion and caring in our difficult situation.
As he is on a breathing machine, R’ David must have 24 hour surveillance, but government insurance does not cover this cost. Initially, family members tried to stay up for the night shift, but were not able to function at work and school during the day. On the verge of collapse, they were forced to bring in a night time caregiver also trained as a nurse to give David the proper care he needs. This, together with the purchase of necessary medical equipment, doctor’s consultations and supplies not covered by insurance, has completely depleted the family financially. In order to take care of their beloved father and spouse at home with dignity and respect, the family has set up a fund for caring people to help with the numerous medical expenses involved in his care.
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KOSHER HALFTIME SHOW DURING SUPER BOWL XLIX
THE NACHUM SEGAL NETWORK ANNOUNCES THE 2ND ANNUAL “KOSHER HALFTIME SHOW” DURING SUPER BOWL XLIX
SOULFARM WITH GRAMMY AWARD WINNING MUSICIANS TO DEBUT NEW SONG
NEW YORK – The Nachum Segal Network has announced the 2015 Kosher Halftime Show. Hosted by Jewish radio icon, Nachum Segal, the Kosher Halftime Show is the family oriented alternative to the pop culture musical and dance performance on broadcast television.
The program will stream and be available during halftime of Super Bowl XLIX, Sunday February 1, 2015, on www.nachumsegal.com.
The program will feature Soulfarm, led by Grammy Award winning guitarist C Lanzbom and lead singer Noah Solomon Chase. Together with drummer Ben Antelis and Grammy Award winning bassist Mitch Friedman, Soulfarm will debut “Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet.” This Hebrew song is a remake about wandering away from and then returning to Israel.
“Featuring a band with the magnitude and talent of Soulfarm makes the Kosher Halftime Show a real alternative for families during the Super Bowl,” says host Nachum Segal. “There are many families that enjoy watching the game together, but when the halftime show starts they are uncomfortable. We’ve created a family friendly entertainment venue that can be enjoyed by everyone,” Segal concluded.
Last year’s inaugural show received accolades from across the spectrum, attracting tens of thousands of viewers during and in the weeks following the game, for providing a family focused entertainment program during one of the most watched sports events of the year.
Aside from the debut of “Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet“, Soulfarm will perform two other tracks that are sure to entertain.
Nachum’s trademark humor and commentary on the Jewish music scene and Jewish community life will provide background for the entire program.
Following the game, the song “Shalom Lach Eretz Nehederet” will be available on iTunes, along with the rest of Soulfarm’s catalogue, and the entire Kosher Halftime Show will be available on demand on NSN’s website and the NSN YouTube channel “NachumSegalNet”).
The program’s presenting sponsor is the Friends of The Abe Naymark Foundation. Debuting Big Game commercials, Royal Wine Corp., American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem and The Religious Zionist Slate (www.votetorah.com) will air 30-second spots. Ables & Heyman and Gourmet Glatt are sponsors as well.
More information about the Nachum Segal Network is at www.nachumsegal.com and background on Soulfarm is at www.soulfarm.com.
The Nachum Segal Network – NSN (www.nachumsegal.com) is the Jewish world’s premier English-language streaming entertainment network. Guided by the principles of its founder, Jewish radio icon Nachum Segal, NSN is committed to providing quality Jewish programming that appeals to its sophisticated and informed international audience on a daily basis. NSN proudly features insightful, inspiring, and timely content that is rooted in family values and that encourages a life committed to spiritual growth and the love of Israel.
Home to JM in the AM – Jewish Moments in the Morning, the #1 Jewish Radio Show in the world and the radio program of record in the Jewish community for over 30 years, NSN boasts an impressive line-up of programs that touch on every aspect of Jewish life as well as the best mix of Jewish music.
Last Years Half Time Show
Analysis: Israel’s New Electoral Threshold Changes Political Alliances for the 2015 Elections.
Since the passing of the Governance bill legislation on March 11, 2014, new alignments have become to appear in Israeli politics.
The legislation raised the electoral threshold from 2% to 3.25% of the votes. By doing so, it created a strong incentive for parties and politicians to unite their efforts and combine parties.
The first significant unification is a historic one and it took place between three Israeli-Arab parties: “Hadash”, “Balad” and “Ra’am-Ta’al”, which are all considered far-left wing parties. It’s the first time all Arab parties of Israel’s Knesset have joined forces and created a joint list for an election.
Tazpit News Agency interviewed Emilie Moatti, the spokeswoman of the Israeli-Arab joint list who explained the necessity of the unification. “A joint list was a necessity due to the new “Governance bill”. Without the bill the unification probably wouldn’t have happened,” said Moatti.
“We see it as a blessing in disguise, and hope it will increase the voting percentage among Israeli-Arabs, enabling us to reach 16 seats in the Knesset,” Moatti told Tazpit.
The parties’ ability to cooperate for the long haul, however, remains an open question. “Hadash” holds a Marxist agenda while “Ra’am-Ta’al” and “Balad” holds an Islamist one. Ideological differences are found even between “Ra’am-Ta’al” and “Balad”, over their allegiance to different branches of the “Islamic movement”. “Ra’am-Ta’al” allies themselves with the more “moderate” southern branch, while “Balad” allies themselves with the more “hardline” northern branch. Therefore, differences and conflicts can errupt and threaten the joint list. Moatti claims “the common denominator overrides any differences between the parties.” Whether the unification succeeds or breaks after the election, remains to be seen.
Another two parties which tried to create a joint list are Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) a far right-wing party, and Haam Itanu (The Nation is With Us) a religious party.
Haam Itanu is a new party and was formed by former “Shas” (an ultra-orthodox religious party) member Eli Yishai, after leaving his parent party in December 2014. Otzma Yehudit was established in 2013, but failed to pass the electoral threshold, and therefore spent the last two years out of the Knesset.
Michael Ben-Ari from Otzma Yehudit told Tazpit News Agency that “the joint list will enable us to attract voters from all edges of the political spectrum”.
As for now, negotiations between Otzma Yehudit and Haam Itanu have broken down. The parties disagreed on the question of which party will claim the fourth and sixth spots on the joint list. Therefore, both parties are at risk of not passing the electoral threshold.
The possibility that the unification between these parties is just a means to the end of passing the electoral threshold is probable. The real question is whether joint lists will break down completely once passing the electoral threshold, or succeed and create new powers on the Israeli political map.
By Yotam Rozenwald
Tazpit News Agency
Deepest sympathies to
Josh Kahn & family on the loss of
Josh’s grandfather
Herbert Kahn z”l,
father of Tobi Kahn, father-in-law of Nessa Rapoport,
and grandfather of Joshua, Mattie and Doria.
The funeral was held in Israel. Shiva is being observed first in Israel untilMonday night and will continue Tuesday at the home of the deceased, located at 4525 Henry Hudson Parkway @246th Street, Apt. 510, Riverdale, NY 10471.
May God Comfort them among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
Who Will be Presenting at 2015 Parnassah Expo?
Parnassah Network has released Part Two of its video series, offering us a live taste of Parnassah Expo’s business conference section.
This short clip of the 2014 Expo’s CEO panel with audience Q & A’s, keynote addresses, The Accelerator investors panel, Women in the Workforce panel and business seminars includes business world giants Howie (Tzvi) Friedman, Ben Brafman, Charlie Harary, Kevin Cummings…and others.
In all, dozens of leading CEOs, lecturers, business advisors and motivational speakers presented at the Expo. These elite figures – who are usually impossible to get hold of – were accessible to all attendees, eager to answer individuals’ questions and launch one-on-one relationships.
Organizers are working round-the-clock to make the 2015 Parnassah Expo’s business conference section a bigger hit than ever.
The upcoming Expo – on March 17th and 18th – will once again feature a full schedule of seminars, keynote addresses, a Women in the Workforce panel, a CEO Panel, and more. Applications for a chance to present your business idea to the 2015 The Accelerator – and potentially walk off with a substantial investment/partnership offer – are already being accepted.
Who will be presenting this year?
…An exciting lineup of new superstar speakers and panelists, in addition to some of the previous Expo’s most popular ones. Stay tuned for details over the upcoming weeks!
To exhibit at the 2015 Parnassah Expo or to apply to present to The Accelerator, visit www.parnassahexpo.com or emailexhibit@parnassahexpo.com.
Auschwitz survivors Return For the First Time
AUSCHWITZ SURVIVORS RETURN TODAY TO THE INFAMOUS CAMP FOR THE FIRST TIME
AUSCHWITZ, POLAND– Fifteen Auschwitz survivors, aged 80-94, returned this morning, Monday January 26, to the infamous death camp, Auschwitz, some for the first time. Ahead of the 70th anniversary celebration of the Auschwitz liberation on January 27, the World Jewish Congress (WJC), the USC Shoah Foundation, organized the historic visit of the survivors and their offspring, who came from across the world.
“When I arrived in Poland, the tall trees made me immediately anxious. They reminded me of my arrival to Auschwitz — the same day my mother and little sister were gassed,” said Johnny Pekats, 80, one of the American survivors who returned to the death camp for his first time.
“For years I refused to return to this horrible place, but I finally decided to come back with my son. I wanted to say Kaddish with him there,” said Pekats.
“This is my first and last visit to Auschwitz and my message for the word is that it’s not enough just to remember; we have to make sure that this never happens again.”
More than 100 Auschwitz survivors from at least 19 countries arrived in Poland on Monday as part of the World Jewish Congress’ delegation to participate in the upcoming ceremony and events. From the United States, 21 American survivors of Auschwitz will participate in the January 27 observance of the 70th anniversary of the camp’s liberation for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Given the age and conditions of the survivors and the heavy emotional experience, the WJC also arranged a special medical team of 12 doctors, psychologists and nurses who will accompany the survivors throughout the visit.
“I deeply admire the courage of these survivors,” said Ron Lauder, WJC President, who joined the survivors today at Auschwitz. “For some of them, this was the first time they returned to the place of their nightmares. Each survivor is a living testament to the triumph of good over evil, of life over death, and they are my heroes.”
Lauder has been involved in the restoration and preservation of Auschwitz-Birkenau for more than 20 years and has helped to raise $40 million from 19 countries to ensure that the camp forever be preserved for future generations. He also financed the creation of the conservation laboratory at the Auschwitz Memorial, which preserves every shoe, every document, and every building that remained at the site.
“The World Jewish Congress is humbled and honored that so many of these aging survivors will travel with us to Auschwitz,” said Robert Singer, Chief Executive Officer of the WJC. “This may be the last major anniversary we will be able to remember with those who experienced the Holocaust firsthand. From this historic event, their voices will echo across the generations.”
The ceremony will host state leaders from Poland, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Croatia, and other countries. Other notable guests will include film director Steven Spielberg, founding chair of the USC Shoah Foundation; Israeli-American businessman Haim Saban; and other Auschwitz 70th anniversary committee members.
During the Holocaust, Auschwitz was the largest site of extermination of Jews in Europe since 1942. The Nazi Germans killed at least 1.1 million people there, most of whom were Jewish but also Poles, Roma and Soviet prisoners of war and prisoners of other ethnicities.
On January 27, 1945, the death camp was liberated by Soviet troops.
Anav Silverman
Tazpit News Agency
Jewish Congress; Photo #3 – Mordechai Ronen (Canada) hugging Ronald Lauder.
Shabbat Bo – the Eruv is UP
January 23, 2015 – 3 Shevat 5775
Shabbat Bo
– the Eruv is UP
The Eruv is sponsored this week by **Mount Sinai Memorial Parks.**
Mount Sinai provides generous support to keep our eruv available this week and every week.
Thank you to Mount Sinai for your service to the Los Angeles Jewish Community.