Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

From now on, May will be Canadian Jewish Heritage Month across the country.

The bill proclaiming the annual event passed third and final reading in the House of Commons on March 28. The vote was unanimous.

The Canadian Jewish Heritage Month Act, known as Bill S-232, passed in the Senate before heading to the House. Its expected to receive royal assent and become law in the coming weeks, meaning next month should be the inaugural Jewish Heritage Month.

Sponsored by Conservative Sen. Linda Frum and Liberal MP Michael Levitt, the bill was introduced in December 2016, though the groundwork for it was laid in 2015, when former Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler introduced the substance of the bill.

Canadian Jewish Heritage Month will provide an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on and celebrate the incredible contributions that Jewish Canadians have made to our country, in communities across Canada, said Levitt in a statement.

I am delighted that Canadian Jewish Heritage Month will be enacted into law in time to celebrate in May, Frum said in a statement to The CJN. Jewish Heritage Month will provide many opportunities for all Canadians to learn about the significant contributions of the Jewish community in Canada.

READ: THE CASE FOR JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH

The evening before the bills passage, several MPs spoke warmly of the Canadian Jewish communitys history and contributions to the country.

Referring to Torontos Jews, Liberal Julie Dabrusin said, We have made our mark in the city, showing all the things we can contribute in so many ways through our cultural centres, art and food.

She noted Torontos many Jewish cultural offerings, including the Ashkenaz Festival, the Toronto Jewish Film Festival and classes at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre.

Jewish Heritage Month is going to be a chance to celebrate so much of what we have, Dabrusin said.

British Columbia Conservative MP Dan Albas said that in virtually every Canadian endeavour, in virtually every decade since the 1930s, Jewish Canadians have made significant and important contributions to virtually every area of Canadian life.

It was a proud moment in February 2016 when 229 MPs passed a motion condemning the global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel, Albas stated.

Jewish Canadians have made significant and important contributions to virtually every area of Canadian life. Conservative MP Dan Albas

He made special mention of those running the Okanagan Jewish Community Centre in his riding.

London NDP MP Irene Mathyssen mentioned Canadas none is too many policy in regards to the admission of European Jews between 1933 and 1945, and of the ship SS St. Louis, which carried 907 German Jews and was refused entry to Canada in 1939, sending 254 passengers to their deaths in the Holocaust.

In the years following the Second World War, nearly 100 Holocaust survivors found their way to London, Ont. Many became active in the life of London as business leaders, doctors, academics, retailers, developers and political activists. They also developed religious organizations, corporations and charities, Mathyssen said.

She noted the launch in 2006 of the Shoah Project at Londons Jewish community centreto record survivors testimonies, and she quoted from them.

Luc Berthold, a Quebec Conservative, noted that Canada is not the first country to create a Jewish heritage month. In 2006, former U.S. president George W. Bush signed a resolution proclaiming the month of May as the time to celebrate the contributions of the American Jewish community.

Berthold praised Quebecs Jewish community and listed many household names from the province: poet and singer Leonard Cohen; television host Sonia Benezra; Alan B. Gold, who, in 1970, became the first Jew appointed Chief Justice of the Provincial Court of Quebec (now the Court of Quebec), and then the Chief Justice of the Quebec Superior Court in 1983; Dr. Victor Goldbloom, the first Jew appointed to a provincial cabinet; Maurice Pollack of Quebec City department store fame; real estate tycoon Marcel Adams; grocery magnate Sam Steinberg; and the Reitman family, owners of the womens clothing chain.

In his remarks, Levitt paid lengthy tribute to Cotler, his dear friend and mentor and one of the worlds pre-eminent international legal minds and human rights advocates.

This type of initiative helps Canadians understand one another by allowing different communities and cultures to be showcased and celebrated, stated Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Understanding and appreciating the contribution different communities make to Canada brings us close together as Canadians.

To mark passage of the bill, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center has released a 72-page resource guidebook, available to community groups and school boards across the country, to enhance participation in Jewish Heritage Month.

Ontario passed the Jewish Heritage Month Act in 2012. It, too, sets aside each May to mark various events on the Jewish calendar, including the UJA Walk for Israel, the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, Jewish Music Week and Israels Independence Day.

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

In an incendiary lawsuit filed earlier this month, an attorney with the countys Public Defenders Office accuses Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Gregory J. Elvine-Kreis of verbally and physically assaulting him during a Memorial Day celebration at Shasta Lake last year.

Evline-Kreis

Plaintiff Rory Kalin, who has worked for the county as a deputy public defender since October of 2017, alleges that during an attorney-filled party on a boat this past May, Elvine-Kreis got drunk and belligerent before verbally and physically attacking Kalin, repeatedly calling him Jew-boy and then throwing him overboard.

The suit, which was first reported by the Times-Standard, says the physical attack exacerbated a traumatic brain injury Kalin had suffered the previous month. He wound up hospitalized for nine days and began suffering from seizures, increased anxiety and panic attacks, according to the complaint.

The suit further alleges that after the attack, Kalin was subjected to harassment and discrimination at work, and that his bosses, including former Public Defender Marek Reavis, took part in an effort to cover [the incident] up.

Elvine-Kreis spent years working in the Humboldt County Public Defenders Office before he gotappointed to the bench in 2017, and Kalins suit suggests that hes still tight with that crew. It says the get-together, which took place on May 25, 2019, at Antlers RV Park and Campground in Shasta County, had been arranged by the wife of Kalins immediate boss, Luke Brownfield.

Many of the attendees were employed in the Public Defenders Office, as well as their spouses, families and other acquaintances, the suit says.

Is it appropriate for a judge to party with attorneys who regularly appear before him in court? Well, that behavior appears to fall into a gray area, ethically and legally. A 1994 advisory opinion from the California Judges Associations Committee on Judicial Ethics says that before attending an attorney-hosted social event with free food,beverage or entertainment, each judge must determine in advance of the event whether it isethically proper to attend.

The opinion also states, A judgeshould not attend such an event if attendance would undermine public confidence in the impartiality ofthe judiciary or promote the private interests of another.

The Outpost left a message with the Humboldt County Superior Court seeking a comment from Elvine-Kreis. Well update this story if and when we hear back.

The lawyer representing Kalin is former Eureka City Attorney Cyndy Day-Wilson, who appeared to dodge disciplinary action or outright termination by agreeing to resign from the city in June of 2018. Day-Wilson is also representing former Humboldt County Counsel Jeffrey Blanck in a lawsuit against the county.

Kalins suit seeks unspecified damages as well as attorney fees and $50,000 in civil penalties. Hes suing Elvine-Kreis for battery, assault, violation of his civil rights, negligence and infliction of emotional distress.

A screenshot of houseboats for rent from Antlers Resort and Marina in Shasta County. | Website.

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His suit recounts the alleged attack in some detail. It says the party, which consisted of about 25 people, was aboard a boat that Brownfield had rented from Antlers RV Park. Kalin observed Elvine-Kreis drinking large quantities of alcohol and becoming belligerent and intoxicated, according to the complaint. Plaintiff also observed the Defendant acting inappropriately with women, making inappropriate remarks about women, and flirting with other mens wives, it says.

About half an hour into the boat ride, Elvine-Kreis began calling [Kalin] a Jew Boy and making fun of his Jewish heritage loudly, the complaint states. He laughed loudly while making these statements. Defendant also referred to Plaintiff as Jew-boy while speaking to [Kalins] wife.

Kalin kept his mouth shut during all this abuse, the suit says, because Elvine-Kreis is a judge one he regularly has to appear before in court. Even more troubling, the suit says, is the fact that Mr. Brownfield, [Kalins] supervisor, stayed silent and did not intervene during the anti-Semitic insults.

The shove overboard came without warning, the suit says. Kalin was fully clothed at the time, and the contents of his pockets included his keys, his wallet, prescription medication and the iPhone he used for work.

[Kalin] was understandably shocked and embarrassed at what had just happened, the complaint says. When the boat arrived back at shore, [he] went to his tent where he remained until after [Elvine-Kreis] had left the next morning. While in the tent [Kalin] experienced a severe anxiety and panic attacks as a result of Defendants action.

The suit says that, several hours after returning to shore, Elvine-Kreis asked Kalins wife, Wheres your girlfriend? referring to Kalin.

Weeks after the incident, Kalin began suffering seizures, increased anxiety and panic attacks, according to the complaint. The suit says Kalin had been hit in the head with a golf ball just weeks before the boat-shoving incident, and the pair of head injuries triggered this severe physical reaction, which left Kalin hospitalized for nine days.

Ten months later, Kalin remains on medical leave.

Before thehumiliating events of Memorial Day weekend, Kalin was a highly valued member of the Public Defenders Office, having received high marks on his employee evaluations, according to the complaint. Upon returning, however, Kalin was not treated with the same respect among his colleagues .

The suit says Brownfield is close friends with Elvine-Kreis and accuses the former of making false accusations against Kalin accusations that allegedly came from the bench that [Elvine-Kreis] sits on.

The accusations led to an adverse employment action against Kalin, despite his objections and in direct contrast to his excellent performance reviews and recent promotion, the lawsuit alleges.

Neither Brownfield nor Reavis, the former public defender, are named in the suit. Just last week, at a special meeting devoted mostly to talking about the COVID-19 outbreak, the Board of Supervisors appointed Meagan OConnell interim public defender. Reavis had mysteriously disappeared from the position after less than two years on the job.

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DOCUMENT: Rory Kalin v. Gregory J. Elvine-Kreis, et al.

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

While venues remain closed throughout the state, theres one venue -- the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities in Cape May -- thats never going to open again.

At least, not under that name.

The center, located at 1048 Washington St., is officially changing it name as of April 1 to the (somewhat) less clunky Cape May MAC (Music+Art+Culture).

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the brand launch originally was planned for a reception March 27 for the now-postponed opening of the organizations Carroll Gallery exhibit, 50 Years of MAC." With the governors orders related to COVID-19, instead, the launch will be made virtually, via email to the organizations members and via social media posts and a switchover to a new website April 1.

STATEWIDE

Rutgers University announced all public events scheduled at the university through the month of May are suspended, including Rutgers Day and commencements at all campuses. Visit rutgers.edu for more information.

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Murphy has ordered the indefinite closing of all Atlantic City casinos.

Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City has postponed events at least until its May 9 Mothers Day concert with Fantasia and Keith Sweat. Visit boardwalkhall.com/events.

The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival at the Atlantic City Convention Center has been moved from April 3-4 to Aug. 7-8. Visit acbeerfest.com for details.

The Stockton University Performing Arts Center on the Galloway campus has erased its schedule of all events through May. For more information contact 609-652-9000 or visit stocktonpac.org.

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey has rescheduled the opening reception for its latest exhibit Talking about HERstory, at Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City, to April 11. Visit aahmsnj.org or call 609-350-6662.

BERGEN COUNTY

Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood has canceled, postponed or rescheduled shows through May 13, some of which already have secured new dates later this year. For information visit bergenpac.org or call 201-227-1030.

The Hackensack Performing Arts Center in Hackensack is canceling all events through April 16. For more information visit hacpac.org.

The Belskie Museum of Art and Science in Closter is closed until further notice. Visit belskiemuseum.com or call 201-768-0286.

The Mahwah Museum in Mahwah is closed until further notice. Lectures scheduled for April 2, April 4 and May 7 have been postponed. Visit mahwahmuseum.org or call 201-512-0099.

BURLINGTON COUNTY

The Roebling Museum in Florence has suspended all public programming through April 8 or later. Visit roeblingmuseum.org.

CAMDEN COUNTY

The Adventure Aquarium in Camden has suspended operations, but assures proper staffing will be maintained to care of the aquatic life and animals on site. It hopes to reopen in May. Visit adventureaquarium.com or call 844-474-3474.

The Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood has postponed or rescheduled concert dates through at least May 1. It will be hosting #supporttherite night! virtual fundraiser Friday, April 3, from 6 to 10 p.m. with comedians, magicians, musicians and dancers. The live feed will be available via the auditoriums Facebook page and Youtube. For information visit scottishriteauditorium.com or call 856-858-1000.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities in Cape May -- newly renamed Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) -- has canceled or postponed all public programming, including tours of the Physick House Museum, the Cape May Lighthouse, the World War II Lookout Tower, and all Trolley Tours until further notice. It has posted a virtual tour of the Physick (youtu.be/z0Do-QPq3vM) and a virtual climb of the lighthouse (youtu.be/f5_D_s9P0kA). Its cooperative event with local nonprofit and business partners, the April 3-5 Negro League Baseball Weekend also has been canceled.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

The Landis Theater in Vineland has opted to to postpone all shows and gatherings of any sort on theater property until further notice. Visit thelandistheater.com for updates.

The Levoy Theatre in Millville has rescheduled or postponed its slate of shows through May 15. Visit levoy.net or call 856-327-6400.

Wheaton Arts and Culture Center and the Museum of American Glass in Millville have suspended public programming until further notice. Keep tabs at wheatonarts.org or call 856-825-6800.

The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville has closed until further notice, canceled all workshops and its planned May 30 spring fundraiser. Call 856-327-4500 or visit rrcarts.com.

ESSEX COUNTY

The Prudential Center in Newark has closed its facilities, offices, the Grammy Museum Experience and the RJWBarnabas Health Hockey House. New Jersey Devils games and events scheduled for the month of March and concerts until April 24 have been postponed. The May 16 Prince Royce concert has been canceled. For questions, email guestservices@prucenter.com. For the up-to-date information, visit http://www.prucenter.com or http://www.newjerseydevils.com.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark has suspended all performances through June 1. All NJPAC arts education and community engagement programming also is canceled. For information call 888-466-5722 or visit njpac.org.

South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange has halted all shows through May 14. For information, call 973-313-2787, email boxoffice@sopacnow.org or visit sopacnow.org.

Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn has postponed its April production of Sister Act to a date yet determined, canceled three March childrens stage productions and suspended classes for eight weeks. It also announced it was putting its May world premiere production of The Wanderer on hold and canceling its May 15 fundraiser. Visit papermill.org or email boxoffice@papermill.org.

Luna Stage in West Orange has postponed its spring productions of Hooray for Ladyland! Gay History for Straight People" and "Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal until further notice. Visit lunastage.org.

Wellmont Theater in Montclair has postponed all shows on its schedule through May 14. For information visit wellmonttheater.com or call 973-783-9500.

Peak Performances April 2-5 world premiere of Kate Sopers opera The Romance of the Rose at Kasser Theater on the Montclair State University campus in Montclair has been postponed and the May 7-10 staging of Familie Flozs Hotel Paradiso is bumped to next season. For updates, visit peakperfs.org.

Outpost in the Burbs, based at the First Congregational Church in Montclair, has postponed all seven concerts on its bill, rescheduling some of them to fall dates. Visit outpostintheburgs.org.

The Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck has canceled April events. Visit puffinculturalforum.org or call 201-836-3499 for updates.

The Newark Museum of Art in Newark is closed until May 28. Visit newarkmuseumart.org or call 973-596-6550.

The Montclair Art Museum in Montclair is closed until further notice. For updates, visit montclairartmuseum.org or check social media pages.

The Jewish Museum of New Jersey in Newark has canceled its Reinventing Eve exhibit and is closed to the public. Visit jewishmuseumnj.org.

The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Montclair is shut until further notice. Look for updates at yogiberramuseum.org.

The Nutley Museum in Nutley has canceled all events through April. Call 973-667-1528 or visit nutleyhistoricalsociety.org

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Broadway Theatre of Pitman has closed its doors through May 15. Call 856-384-8381 or visit thebroadwaytheatre.org.

The Heritage Glass Museum in Glassboro will be closed until further notice. Contact heritageglassmuseum.com or call 856-881-7468.

HUDSON COUNTY

The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is closed until further notice. Those who purchased advance tickets will have the option of a refund or donating the ticket price to the center. Visit lsc.org or call 201-200-1000.

HUNTERDON COUNTY

Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville has put its productions on hold, aiming to raise its curtain again for the June 12 opening of Anything Goes. The April 11-May 2 young audience production of Disneys the Lions King Experience Kids will move to a date to be determined. Visit musicmountaintheatre.org for more information.

The Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton is closed until further notice but has posted three Virtual Exhibitions online: Explorations in Felt in collaboration with Fiber Art Network; Yael Eisner -- Member Highlight" and Young Arts Showcase. Visit hunterdonartmuseum.org.

The Red Mill Museum Village will be closed until further notice. The planned April 19 Retro Ride and Picnic has been canceled, but the May 17 Wheels for the Wheel car show is still on the schedule. Visit theredmill.org.

The ACME Screening Room in Lambertville is closed but has made virtual screening of its bill of films available online. A $12 ticket makes the selected film available for five days. Visit acmescreeningroom.org/upcoming-events.

MERCER COUNTY

McCarter Theatre in Princeton has suspended all performances, classes and other events through June. For information, visit mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.

Passage Theatre at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton has pushed its production of Mother (and Me) to June 19-21. Look online at passagetheatre.org.

The New Jersey State Museum in Trenton is closed until further notice. Visit state.nj.us/state/museum.

The 1719 William Trent House Museum in Trenton has suspended operation until further notice. For information visit williamtrenthouse.org or call 609-989-0087.

Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is closed until further notice but has opened a new online exhibit titled When Women Vote: The Old Barracks and the Anti-Suffrage Movement. For more information visit barracks.org/whenwomenvote.

Mercer County has shut down activities at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, forcing the cancellation of Disney on Ice later this month. Next event tentatively scheduled for the venue is the Adam Sandler show on April 23. For information visit cureinsurancearena.com.

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is closed until April, postponing the opening of Ellarslie Open 37. Visit ellarslie.org.

The Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market at Roebling Wire Works in Trenton has been moved from April 4-5 to May 30-31. Visit trentonprfm.com or email trentonpunkrockfleamarket@gmail.com

The Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton is closed until further evaluation. Programming has been canceled through May 5. For information, visit groundsforsculpture.org or call 609-586-0616.

All Princeton University public events are suspended and the Princeton University Art Museum is closed until further notice. Visit Princeton.edu for updates.

Kelsey Theatre on the Mercer County Community College campus in West Windsor has canceled the Playful Theatre production of Parade" and has postponed the rest of its schedule through July. The theater will contact ticket holders to make further arrangements. Visit kelsey.mccc.edu for more.

1867 Sanctuary in Ewing has postponed all events until further notice. For information visit 1867sanctuary.org.

Rider University Arts has canceled on- and off-campus Westminster Choir College and Rider events through May 15. Visit rider.edu/arts.

Morven Museum and Garden in Princeton is closed until further notice. Visit morven.org.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick has canceled or postponed most programming through May 15, though tickets were still being sold for the April 25 Itzhak Perlman and April 28 Diavolo concerts as of March 30. For more information visit stnj.org or call 732- 246-7469.

Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick has pushed back its opening for Freedom Rider from April to Sept. 10. Visit crossroadstheatrecompany.org or call 732-545-8100.

George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick has suspended the remaining performances of Conscience" and has shifted its April 21-May 17 performances of A Walk on the Moon to next season. Contact 732-246-7717 or georgestplayhouse.org.

The Avenel Performing Arts Center in Avenel has Bodiographys April 3-5 performances to Oct. 2-4. Contact 732-314-0500 or avenelarts.com.

East Jersey Old Town Village and the Cornelius Low House Museum in Piscataway are closed until further notice. Season opening weekend scheduled for April 4- 5 and the Liberty Base Ball Club home opener on April 4 have been canceled. For updates, text CULTURE to 56512.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank has postponed performances through mid-April, with some events already rescheduled for later this year. Ticket holders unable to make any new dates should contact the box office at 732-842-9000 to make alternate arrangements. The April Count Basie Center Teen + College FilmFest screening have been shifted to a free online streaming. Visit thebasie.org for updates.

Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal has suspended all productions through May 1, including Matilda the Musical, Satchmo and Friends in New Orleans and Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater. For information call 732-531-9106 or visit axelrodartscenter.com.

The Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan has postponed shows through May 17. Visit algonquinarts.org for updates.

Monmouth University Center for the Arts in West Long Branch has postponed scheduled events through April 10. It will be offering streaming of back productions from the Metropolitan Opera Live and National Theatre Live series. Visit monmouth.edu/mca for updates.

The Asbury Park Boardwalk has temporarily closed venues along the Asbury Park waterfront, which include The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre; it also encompasses the Grand Arcade (the passthrough located between the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall) and its retailers, restaurants and public restrooms. For all other establishments along the boardwalk, refer to that businesss website and social platforms for their policies and updates. For information, visit apboardwalk.com.

Two River Theater in Red Bank has suspended all performances through May 10. Look online at tworivertheater.org for updated information.

New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch has canceled its remaining April dates of The Promotion. Visit njrep.org.

The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County has suspended all programming through April. Visit jhmomc.org.

The Monmouth Museum in Lincroft is closed until further notice. Visit monmouthmuseum.org or call 732-224-1995.

MORRIS COUNTY

Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown has suspended performances through May 7. All ticket holders will be contacted with more details. For information, call 973- 539-8008 or visit mayoarts.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has postponed both its April 18 gala and its April 28 unveiling ceremony honoring Gov. Thomas H. Kean. The companys annual gala, which will honor artistic director Bonnie J. Montes 30 years with the company, is rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, and a new date for the unveiling ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks. Both events will happen at STNJs Kean Theatre Factory, located in Florham Park. In the meantime, the theater is moving forward with plans for its 2020 season, set to kick off on May 20 with Matthew Barbers Enchanted April.

Drew University in Madison has canceled its public events through May. Visit drew.edu for more information.

The Morris Museum in Morristown and its Bickford Theater will be closed to the public until further notice. All upcoming ticketed events have been postponed and will be rescheduled for later dates. For information, call 973-971-3700 or visit morrismuseum.org.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum in Morristown has canceled programming and will remain closed until April 10 or later. Visit macculloughhall.org or call 973-538-2404.

The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts has postponed public programs and plans to issue daily updates at metc.org.

The Folk Project has canceled its April slate of weekly concerts and will reassess its plans for May. Visit folkproject.org or call 973-335-9489.

Roxbury Arts Alliance has rescheduled the The Music of John Denver and the Great American Country concert with Charlie Zahm and Friends at Investors Bank Theater in Roxbury to May 29. All other events through May 16 and have been postponed with new dates to be announced. Visit roxburyalliance.org or call 862-219-1379.

Morristown National Historical Park in Morristown announced all buildings, grounds, trails and parking areas are closed until further notice. More information and online exhibits can be found at nps.gov/morr.

The Boonton Historical Society and Museum in Boonton is closed until further notice. Visit boonton.org or email boontonhistory@boonton.org.

OCEAN COUNTY

Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor have temporarily suspended operations and will delay its season opening until mid-May or later. Those who have prepaid tickets or season passes will received date extensions. For more information visit sixflags.com/greatadventure/coronavirus.

The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts on the Ocean County College campus in Toms River has postponed its lineup of shows through May 16. Visit http://www.grunincenter.org/events or call 732-255-0500.

The Strand Center for the Arts in Lakewood announced its temporary closure in accordance with Gov. Murphys directive. Ticket holders are directed to monitor the Strands website at http://www.strand.org or on social media for more details.

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Coronavirus in New Jersey: What concerts, festivals and shows have been rescheduled, canceled. (3/31/20) - NJ.com

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

Chen Ng of Centennial was walking his dog near the Southlands mall in metro Denver a few weekends ago when he said he had a scary run-in with a stranger.

Someone on a skateboard just called me names," he said. The person added, "Go back to where you come from.

Ng teared up relaying the story.

He thinks President Donald Trumps insistence on calling the new coronavirus the Chinese virus has fueled harassment against people like Ng.

Its just not helping, what he said, Ng said. Anywhere I go, I just dont feel comfortable out and about.

Ng isnt the only person of Asian descent who has had an experience like this. Some have reported the incidents. The Anti-Defamation League has found more than 48 reports since January of racist threats or harassment towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide.

In Denver, We've dealt with two targets of discrimination, said Scott Levin, the ADLs mountain states director. That doesn't include the scores of people that contacted our office in response to the liquor store that was in Louisville.

Union Jack Liquor posted a sign outside its store on March 19 with white supremacy messaging and the words Thanks China written on it. The liquor store apologized and removed the sign. But Levin said just like derogatory names like the "China virus," the sign in Louisville had already sent a very powerful message.

Any of those things do nothing more than to reinforce discrimination, he said.

That kind of bias can hurt people like Alex Nguyen, a student at the University of Colorado Boulder, who uses the pronoun "they." They said before the school shut down because of the virus, they couldnt walk outside their apartment without getting strange looks from people. On the bus, people avoided sitting next to them.

It was really painful to just sit there and watch people like, anytime you even just sniffled, for people to just look at you, to just jump and look at you like you were going to give them something, they said.

Although they're staying with their parents now and not spending a lot of time outside because of social distancing, Nguyen is still worried about safety if they even cough in front of strangers.

Im kind of scared to go out in public now, Nguyen said. I feel like I have to carry a water bottle with me at all times and make sure that my throat is never dry even if Im just coughing a little bit.

Colorados state historian William Wei said this isnt the first time Asian people have experienced blatant racism.

Asians in Colorado have almost from the get-go experienced persecution," Wei said. "Because people have viewed them with considerable concern because of the so-called threat they seem to pose."

Taken to the extreme, Wei said the persecution can massively violate the civil rights of Asian people living here. Thousands of Japanese and Japanese Americans were held in concentration camps like Amache in southeastern Colorado in the years after Pearl Harbor. Wei said most political leaders learned from that history.

Its a lesson that hasn't necessarily persisted to the present, given Donald Trump's use of that unfortunate term, Wei said. Consequently, [the president] has backpedaled and has said that Asian Americans are blameless. And this was belated. It has already, of course, caused considerable damage.

Levin, with the ADL, said people should report harassment and call out bias and racism when they see it. Wei hopes that when the coronavirus pandemic is over, people will be able to look back with some dignity and unity.

I hope that they will remember that they had worked together in order to combat this health scourage that is causing so much damage in our community, he said.

But for now, Wei is disappointed to see that the kind of harassment that Ng and Nguyen have experienced is still happening.

We havent evolved as much as I had hoped.

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Fear, Avoidance, Being Told To Go Back To Their Country: What It's Like To Be Asian In Colorado In The Time Of Coronavirus - Colorado Public Radio

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

DENVER -- Name calling and assaults.

There are claims that harassment and attacks, against the Asian-American community, are on the upswing in Metro Denver.

Some of that harassment is being blamed on the coronavirus.

In a letter to the CU-Denver community, posted last Friday, CU-Denver Chancellor Dorothy Horrell said there has been a recent increase in discrimination and harassment "directed at those perceived to be Chinese, or more generally, of Asian descent."

CU clarified its message today saying they have "not seen an increase in discrimination or harassment. Rather, we were made aware that some students have been facing this out in the community."

The school's media relations and communications specialist, Sarah Erickson, said they chose to address the issue and outline action items to ensure it doesn't continue.

Epithets

Chien Ng, the owner of a coffee shop in Denver said he was called a derogatory name and told to go back where he came from, while minding his own business and walking his dog, last weekend, near SouthGlenn in Centennial.

Mr. Ng declined an on camera interview, saying, "What good would it do?"

He told Denver7 by phone that he has experienced more prejudice in the U.S. than anywhere else.

"I grew up in Singapore," he said. "It's a multicultural country. This doesn't happen there."

The coffee shop owner said this wasn't the first time he's been harassed.

"Thirty years ago, when I first came here, someone spit in my face," he said.

Ng's wife said even while working at the coffee shop he owns, some customers don't want him waiting on them.

"I have to come out front," she said, "to take care of those customers."

White Supremacist Message?

The Chair of Denver's Asian American Pacific Islanders Commission told Denver7 about another recent incident.

"There was a liquor store that posted on their outdoor signage a very sarcastic message saying, 'Thanks China,' and what is even more devastating," Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa said, "is that they included the numbers 14.88."

According to the Anti-Defamation League, those numbers are well known white supremacist symbols.

The number 14 refers to a 14 word slogan, "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

The number 88, stands for Heil Hitler. (H being the 8th letter of the alphabet.)

"It's very unfortunate that things are happening like this, but it is on the rise," she said. "We've gotten stories about...a coffee shop. One of the employees actually targeted an Asian American and yelled at them to stay 6 feet away, and didn't say anything to the other employees who were there," Medeiros-Tuilaepa said, "and people are getting spit on, people are having derogatory terms yelled at them."

In her letter to the broader CU-Denver community, Chancellor Horrell wrote: "It is important for all of us to reject anti-Asian discrimination and harassment, even as represented in the guise of people expressing fear of COVID-19."

"The blaming game is pretty stupid," said a man, who asked to be called Tony.

He said he was in an elevator recently when several people walked in and accused him of "wasting a mask."

"That was stupid," he said, "because you need a mask all the time, to protect yourself from getting infected by the coronavirus."

Tony said he senses some frustration behind the harassment.

"I think people are blaming Asians to divert attention away from the domestic problem, of the economic crisis."

Whether it's the economy, or the virus, Medeiros-Tuilaepa said the anger is misplaced.

"The virus is not choosing sides," she said. "It's not choosing ethnicities. We're all together, and to use this time to fear monger and to abuse another ethnicity or another race is just ridiculous."

Medeiros-Tuilaepa added that anyone who is harassed or assaulted should file a report with police.

"They want to keep it from escalating into something much more severe," she said.

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Reports of COVID-19 related anti-Asian harassment, assaults on upswing in Denver metro area - The Denver Channel

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

William C. Bartholomay ("Bill"), of Chicago, Illinois, died peacefully on March 25, 2020 in New York City following a brief illness. Bill was an international icon in the insurance industry, a trailblazer in major league baseball, a respected civic leader, a loyal philanthropist, and a treasured patriarch.

Known affectionately as Bill, Dad, Daddy, Papa B, Billy B, WCB, and Mr. B by his loving family and countless friends, he was born in Evanston, Illinois on August 11, 1928 and raised in nearby Winnetka, spending summers at the family home in Lake Geneva, WI. He attended high school at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, where he was president of his class and captain of the basketball team. He spent his freshman year at Oberlin College (Oberlin, OH) where he played the trumpet, sang, and developed a lifelong love affair with music. Bill went on to receive his BA from Lake Forest College in 1955, which later honored him with a Doctor of Laws. During this time, he also served in the United States Navy Reserve.

Bill launched a chain of toy stores called the Surprise Shop, and a candy company, Mrs. Stevens Candy Company, which later became Candygram. He joined the family insurance brokerage firm, Bartholomay and Clarkson (Chicago, IL), beginning a 60-plus year career in the insurance industry. He served as a principal in Alexander & Alexander, formed Olson & Bartholomay Insurance Brokerage, was Senior Vice President and Vice Chairman of Frank B. Hall & Co. and President of Near North National Group. When Bill joined Willis Group Holdings in 2003, Willis Chairman Joe Plumeri described him as "a man of unquestionable integrity and forthright leadership." Bill was also Vice Chairman of Willis Towers Watson, Vice Chairman of Willis Group Holdings, and a member of the Willis Group's Executive Committee. At the time of his death, Bill was the Legacy Vice Chairman and Senior Consultant of Willis Group Holdings.

While insurance was Bill's profession, baseball was his absolute passion, ignited at the age of four when he went to his first Major League ballgame with his parents and Lake Geneva neighbor, Chicago Cubs owner Phil Wrigley. In 1961, Bill became a director and shareholder of the Chicago White Sox. The following year, Bill and his partners in a Chicago-based group, purchased the Milwaukee Braves. In 1966, amidst great controversy, they moved the Braves to Atlanta, the first major league sport of any kind to locate in the Southeastern United States.

The Braves' move to Atlanta is widely considered a catalyst for Atlanta's multi-faceted development. This was one of Bill's proudest accomplishments, and he continued to use baseball as a conduit to successfully build bridges and relationships, both professionally and personally, throughout his life.

With the Atlanta Braves, Bill served as Chairman of the Board and President and was Chairman Emeritus at the time of his death, winning 16 Division Championships (14 in a row), five National League Pennants and one World Series. Bill is believed to be the only man in baseball who met every Major League Baseball Commissioner dating back to the first one, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Other highlights of his storied career include welcoming Braves right fielder and future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron as he crossed home plate breaking Babe Ruth's longstanding, "unbreakable" home run record in 1974, and his 1968 signing of 62-year old Negro League and Major League pitching great Satchel Paige solely to ensure he qualified for a major league pension after 19 other teams turned him down.

In 1976 after he and his partners sold the Braves to Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) founder Ted Turner, Bill remained with the team as Chairman and joined TBS Board of Directors as Vice Chairman. Bill also held many positions in the operations of Major League Baseball including membership on its Executive Council, Ownership Committee (Chairman), Finance Committee (Chairman), Opportunity Committee, and Players Pension Committee.

"Going to a ballgame with our dad was always an adventure" says his son Bill. "No matter the park, he seemed to know everyone by name, from fellow owners to ushers and they all knew him. He was an encyclopedia of baseball history and statistics with an uncanny ability to call pitches and plays before they occurred. When his beloved Braves were playing, he "managed" the action from his seat. He also liked a good ballpark dog, mustard only."

His numerous awards and honors during his 68 years in baseball include the Anti-defamation League of Atlanta's Human Rights Award (1968); The Braves 400 Club's Ivan Allen, Jr. "Mr. Baseball" Award (1994); induction into the Braves Hall of Fame (2002); recognition for his 50 years in baseball at the Civil Rights Game (2011); and the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award (2019) awarded to him by Commissioner Rob Manfred and presented to him by former Commissioner and close friend "Bud" Selig.

While Bill spent a great deal of time in New York, Palm Beach and Atlanta, Chicago was his home. He was devoted to his community and strongly believed in giving back. He served as a director, trustee or member of many civic, business and educational institutions including: Commissioner and President of the Chicago Park District (serving under four mayors over 22 years), Commissioner of the Chicago Public Building Commission, Trustee of the Illinois Institute of Technology, Board of Directors of the Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Forest College where he established two scholarships benefitting minorities and women.

A consummate gentleman, and a man of wit, integrity and unshakable loyalty, Bill's diverse friend group encompassed political leaders, business executives, celebrities, and a broad generational cross-section of countless individuals from every walk of life. His favorite pastimes included most sports, reading, crossword puzzles, music, backgammon, and pleasure travel. His limitless curiosity and enthusiasm were infectious and kept him "ageless." When asked on his 90th birthday what the single most memorable moment of his life was, Bill quickly responded, "I'm still waiting for it."

A treasured patriarch, Bill was the epicenter of his large family's universe as advisor, advocate, mentor, confidante, uncle, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was preceded in death by his father Henry C. Bartholomay, his mother Virginia (nee Graves), his older brother Henry Bartholomay III and grandson Trey Duffy. Bill is survived by his long-time companion, Bethine S. Whitney; his sister-in-law, Judy Bartholomay; his children, Ginny Bartholomay (Gary Butterfield); William T. Bartholomay (Cathy); Jamie B. Niemie (Russ); Betsy B. Benoit (Jim); Sally B. Downey (Tim); and Karen L. Baldwin; as well as 14 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Trey Duffy Foundation, ATTN: Susan Bailey, 3309 N Whitney Avenue, Hapeville, GA 30354.

A celebration of his life will be held later in the year.

This obituary was submitted by the Bartholomay family. The views expressed here are the author's own.

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North Shore Native Who Moved Braves To Atlanta Dies At 91 - Patch.com

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

Saudi Arabias King Salman has been in power now for justover half a decade. He and his son CrownPrince Mohammed have been credited with carrying out a comprehensive reformagenda to modernize the kingdoms economy and liberalize its society.

Some outward signs of a more open country are certainlyevident. The austere dress code has been relaxed. Women are permitted to driveand are increasingly found in different sectors of employment. Crucially though,have these visible signs of progress been reflected in education? Is thegroundwork being laid by Saudi Arabias schools for a different future?

Following up on severalrecent studiesof the Saudi curriculum by ADL, the Institute for Monitoring Peace and CulturalEducation in School Textbooks (IMPACT-se) just completed a longer, comprehensivereview of Saudi textbooks since 2016, using standards for peace andtolerance outlined by UNESCO as a benchmark.

The results are eye-opening, including the examination oftextbooks for the 2019-2020 academic year that are currently in use. In somerespects, progress has been made. Hostility towards Christians has beensoftened in some regards. References to Christianity as a colonial force andan invalid and perverted religion have been removed from the latest Saudicurriculum. Unlike previous curricula, terrorism perpetrated by Muslims isspecifically and sharply criticized. Importantly, the latest textbooks makeclear that self-sacrifice for the sake of jihad, such as suicide bombings, isprohibited. Previous curricula had sought to justify jihad against so-calledinfidels.

Although the current curriculum does not promote genderequality, it does endorse female employment, entrepreneurship and the right todrive. Tellingly, a Grade 6 Social Studies and Civics textbook features acartoon in which a girl says, I am Saudi: I will be, Inshallah, an outstandingphysician, and I will discover more medical inventions. Teaching femaleambition in such a way would have been unthinkable only a few short years ago.

Yet, on the other hand, the latest Saudi curriculum remainsplagued by intolerance. Non-Muslims including Christians and Jews are stilldemonized in the latest books as infidels, who are described as enemies of Godand all Muslims. Shiite Muslims,referred to derogatorily as polytheists, are similarly marginalized andcondemned.

Meanwhile, vicious incitement against gay men continuesunabated. They are still presented in this years books as scapegoats forsocietal misfortune, with children taught that society will be punished withdisease and disaster for the sin of homosexuality. The kingdoms lessonscontinue to teach that the proper penalty for men having sex with men is death.

In addition, the kingdoms official textbooks still containnumerous messages of anti-Jewish hatred. Jews are described at one point asmonkeys and blamed as assassins of Islamic prophets or caliphs throughouthistory, although some of these references have been cut out since 2017. Jews are portrayed in several instances aseternally treacherous, guilty of committing evil and determined to harm Muslimholy places. Jews are repeatedly accused of plotting to destroy the al-AqsaMosque in Jerusalem. For example, the textbooks authors teach the blood libelblaming Jews or Israeli authorities for setting fire to the mosque in 1969, anact that was actually perpetrated by a mentally ill Christian man fromAustralia.

Fighting and killing Jews is presented in the Saudicurriculum as a precondition for the End of Days. Some limited improvementshave been made in the 2019 curriculum, finally removing a longstandingreference to the slanderous claim that Jews have a secret plan to take over theworld, a conspiracy theory that had been highlighted in 2018 on thecover of an ADL research report. Yet, this is wholly overshadowed by whatremains a bleak and damaging portrayal of Jews.

In essence, the latest Saudi curriculum seems to besomething of a contradiction. On the one hand, there appears to be a realattempt to move away from jihadism. On the other, deep and destructiveprejudices remain, including those that are used by extremists to justifyreligious violence against people demonized as the other. Progress in thecurriculum has been tentative and unsure, with stark limits in some of the mostimportant areas. Although the kingdom has undertaken rapid reforms in severalother policy areas such as expanding womens rights and curtailing theabusive religious police the kingdoms rulers have yet to show that they aregiving similar priority to the urgent removal of incitement fromgovernment-published textbooks.

Marcus Sheff is CEO of the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se). David Andrew Weinberg is the Anti-Defamation Leagues Washington Director for International Affairs.

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Saudi textbooks revised, but still incite hate - Long War Journal

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

(JTA) If you glanced at my work calendar, you might not know that the world is turned inside out. As a cantor and rabbi at a Los Angeles synagogue, I am continuing to lead services and counsel congregants. But like so many others, all of my meetings have been commuted to digital platforms.

That shift has created new sets of dynamics in each virtual room. Some I anticipated, some surprised me.

Some dynamic shifts obviously are for the worse. Many of us are unpracticed at the art of teaching, learning and leading by digital means, at least on this global scale. We pride ourselves on how we usually walk into a room or step in front of a crowd with competence and confidence.

Sitting at my laptop, I find myself fumbling. Can I post a link to a Sefaria page here, or get the right .pdf of a siddur posted there? Whose microphone is squeaking, and is it OK for me to ask them to mute themselves for the 17th time?

In an age of chaos, the digital channels are often pathways to more chaos when all I want, for just 30 minutes, is at least the pretense of some composure.

Were also disembodied by means of these online channels, and every meeting starts with some manner of attendance-taking that would be wholly unnecessary if we could just eyeball who was in the room. And its usually something like Whos showing up as the initials BW, and by the way, do you want to lead mincha?

Theres an eerie quiet as we gather after Shabbat in the online space and hit the collective mute button, a digital hush that threatens the authenticity of even the sweetest moment of Havdalah as we train our eyes on the candle glowing at the corner of our screen. We even name these experiences as feeling far away: We call our homeschooling adventure distance learning because we feel, well, distant.

Despite this extended separation, I am experiencing a deeper intimacy in my interactions. When I logged on to our daily minyan for evening worship the first time, a thrill ran through me as face after face lit up the screen each of us physically directed eastward but every one of us panim el panim, face to face in the Toraitic description of closeness.

Standing in a typical minyan room, we would be at least arbah amot, four cubits apart. In a physical space we would be at least six feet apart to be safe if legally gathered. In my living room, I can crowd my computer screen with 22 minyan-goers (best attendance in months!) safely, lovingly, intimately. Its touching.

My default setting on Zoom videoconferencing is active speaker view, which means that the moment someone speaks in a meeting, their face fills my screen and my attention goes straight to their features. I find myself watching the contours of their head, their micro-expressions, their brief brow furrows and smirks. Im able to listen with a deep connectedness to their full self in a way thats transformational to my work and interpersonal relationships. There have been moments of matter-of-fact reporting among team members when Ive watched anxiety and exhaustion flicker through the eyes of a colleague, and Ive stopped to note that I should reach out.

And I watch myself watching myself I watch my own face lose focus midway through a pastoral conversation. I self-correct, recenter and give myself over to the conversation.

I have more frequent pastoral conversations lately, more time set aside to sit with community members and tease through the tensions of the moment. The natural cascade of cancellations created an initial pileup of work that has now given way to a great pregnant pause in synagogue programming. In sacred partnership with my clergy team, Im choosing to fill much of that vacuum with the kind of spiritual care giving that lets me slow down and spend substantive time listening to the angst of my congregants. B.C. (that is, Before COVID-19), I would have considered an hour of counseling over coffee, just for the sake of checking in, as the kind of generous time I could afford once a week at best. Now its a part of the fabric of my work, woven among everything I used to think of as what cantors do.

I remember an era long before FaceTime existed when someone described to me the eventuality of our being able to hold phones in the palm of our hand and speak to people around the world while looking into their eyes. There is no way I could have appreciated the dynamism made possible by virtual proximity, how intimacy could grow beyond tone and inflection when coupled with a face-to-face connection. And intimacy is precisely what Im craving, and what I imagine so many others are craving, at a time where nearly nothing thats intimate is permissive.

All sacred touch is in the category of restriction: the holding of a hand at a hospital bedside; the handshake on Shabbat evening; a hug at shiva; a hand wrapped around a dollar bill for tzedakah; baking challah for a friend. What a blessing that a screen can be an open window leading back to that holy corridor of intimacy.

True story: Last week, I was booted off our videoconference in the middle of leading weekday maariv. This arrangement still feels glitchy, and Im sure some of what I misattribute to as inauthenticity is simply what I miss of my in-person experience. I miss our people, I miss our building and I miss tangible communal practice. I pray that health, normalcy and peace are soon restored to all of us.

But for as long as this lasts, I will not take for granted the intimate experience of looking someone in the eyes as I say amen to their Mourners Kaddish.

Hillary Chorny is a rabbi and cantor at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

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I thought the coronavirus would make my congregants feel far away. In fact, I'm seeing them more closely than ever. - JTA News

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

By Bethann Hromatka, Ph.D.

Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry is under the umbrella of European ancestry, but its clear from numerous studies that people of Ashkenazi ancestry are distinct from the European population at large. Most people with Ashkenazi ancestry trace their DNA to Eastern and Central Europe. But many also have Middle Eastern ancestry, which is just one reason for their genetic uniqueness.

Its clear that people with European ancestry are genetically distinct from those of Asian or African descent. What is less obvious is that genetic variation also exists within European groups. In these plots from a study by Elimear Kenny, you can see the genetic variation between major ancestral groups (left) and within a population (right). Jewish groups fall into the European cluster on the left. But people with Ashkenazi ancestry (blue) form a unique cluster that is largely distinct from Caucasian (CEU; green) and other Jewish populations (various colors) on the right. Individuals who are part Ashkenazi fall in between the Caucasian and Ashkenazi clusters.

The challenging history of Jewish groups has also contributed to their genetic uniqueness.

During the Jewish Diaspora or migration of Jewish people from the Middle East to other parts of the world the vast majority of Jewish individuals married and raised families within their faith. Many generations later this means that Ashkenazi Jews can appear more genetically related than they actually are.This genetic isolation has had important implications for health.

People with Ashkenazi ancestry are more likely to carry genetic factors that cause single-gene recessive Mendelian disorders where you need two bad copies of a gene to get the disease. Examples include Gaucher disease, Canavan disease, and Tay-Sachs disease. Because of this higher likelihood, screening for these genetic variants in prospective parents is standard practice for Jewish individuals starting families.

(23andMe tests for most mutations routinely screened in the Ashkenazi Jewish population for these conditions).

A number of multi-gene conditions are also more common in people with Ashkenazi ancestry. A multi-gene condition are conditions caused by genetic variation in a handful of genes.

One example is Crohns disease. People with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry are two to four times as likely to develop Crohns compared Europeans in general. Although its not yet clear why the rates are higher in this population, its likely that genetic factors specific to Ashkenazi ancestry play a role.Knowing about your ancestry can teach you about your familys heritage and your risk for certain conditions. More knowledge means more informed decisions.

You can learn more about your ancestry and your genetic health with our Health + Ancestry service. Find out more here.

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The Uniqueness of Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry is Important ...

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Posted By admin on March 31, 2020

The Knesset Intelligence Subcommittee at press time on Monday was moving toward approving the Shin Bets surveillance of coronavirus infected citizens.

Even as they approved most of the surveillance program, Chairman Gabi Ashkenazi (Blue and White) and MK Eli Avidar (Yisrael Beytenu) pushed hard to inject limits and continuous oversight on the Israel Security Agencys use of technological surveillance.

In multiple instances where the government might have wanted broader and vague language regarding the surveillance program, the committee members insisted on a more explicit list of what the agency could and could not do with the new surveillance powers.

However, Frankel Shor recommended approval of the program, subject to limitations and continuous oversight in light of the overarching goal of saving lives and the unique dire nation of the situation.

A major controversial point was when Ashkenazi lashed out at Defense Minister Naftali Bennett and media reports that Bennett wanted to give NSO Group a role in the surveillance or storing of surveillance information of Israeli citizens.

Ashkenazi called this intolerable and demanded to know from government officials if the reports regarding NSO were true and something was in the works.

The answers from government officials were mixed.

A lawyer for the Shin Bet said that they had heard very general preliminary information about this idea, but that it was a defense ministry initiative that had nothing to do with the agency.

Deputy Attorney-General Dina Zilber said that there were ongoing discussions about some kind of initiative relating to civilian companies taking part in the surveillance or storage of surveillance information, but that the issue was not yet mature enough to have reached Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit.

Essentially, government legal officials were admitting that Bennett wanted the idea considered and that they were considering it, but that the Knessets approval Monday night would not approve any such program, since the y themselves had not yet signed off on it, and might not.

During the exchange, Avidar raised his voice against the idea, implying that everyone in the room was allowing the opening of Pandoras Box and that there would be powerful officials who would later try to use the information collected by the Shin Bet in ways the Knesset did not intend.

While the hearing was mostly respectful, at one point Ashkenazi pushed for the Health Ministry to agree to limit the Shin Bet from collecting information of third persons who came into contact with an infected person for less than 15 minutes.

Over, committee member MK Moshe Yaalons (Telem) objection that the committee should not micromanage the Shin Bet, Ashkenazi said that unless an infected person came into direct physical contact with a third party, that there should be a tight leash on what kinds of people it could technologically surveil.

Referring to what information the Shin Bet can collect from infected citizens cellphones, the committee limited this to information providing: personal identification, location and details of who an individual contacted, and excluded the content of communications with others.

Further, the committee said that the Shin Bet should transfer only those limited aspects of that collected information to the Health Ministry which were imperatively necessary for saving lives.

The committee also pressed the government that the surveillance program be shut down if either the country went into lockdown or if the coronavirus began to spread so widely that Shin Bet surveillance lost its utility.

Regarding the legal basis for extending the surveillance program, the committee chose to allow it to continue based on a government approval of an extension of aspects of the already existing Shin Bet Law.

Though there might have been positives to the Knesset passing its own new law on the issue or amending the Shin Bet Law or another law, overall, the committee found that a government decision would leave a smaller long-term footprint in terms of legal changes.

Leaving a smaller legal footprint was important to the committee to make it clear that its approval of Shin Bet surveillance against ordinary Israeli citizens was limited to this incredibly unique situation and would not set any precedent for the future.

The hearing was a far cry from the earlier hearings on the issue dating back to March 19 when the committee felt that the government was trying to bulldoze it into approving a massive, amorphous and potentially dangerous expansion of Shin Bet powers to invade citizens privacy rights.

The committee heard from Shin Bet, Attorney-Generals Office, Health Ministry, police and human rights representatives.

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Knesset to approve Shin Bet surveillance of coronavirus infected citizens - The Jerusalem Post

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