Henny Brenner: A Jewish Destiny in Dresden

The Allies bombing of the city of Dresden on mid-February 1945 saved the life of Henny Brenner (born Wolf) and to many other Jews who were ready to take the road to concentration camps. Henny, the mother of Munich-based historian Michael Brenner (his father is also a Shoa survivor) shared her story of survival during those terrible years with a journalistic detachement. 

People, situations and political circumstances are displayed in a slow moving cinematic chain of events. It is a relatively short book, but informative enough to request at least two additional readings. One, about the situation of Jews married with non-Jews and the other regarding the anti-Semitism in the ex-GDR.

Henny was the only child of a family with a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father. This situation delayed at a certain extent the moment of the deportation to the concentration camp, although the family properties were seized and she and her mother were obligated to do forced arbeit for ZESS Jena factory. Although mistakenly taken as an example of the pure 'Aryan race' by a teacher, she was expelled from school and suffered under the absurd anti-Semitic measures directed against Jews: among others, the interdiction of using the public transportation, to get a normal hair cut, to go to cultural events, to use the services of a non-Jewish doctor. However, her book also includes testimonies on the Jewish (reform) religious life in Dresden.

Henny and her mother lives' were saved by the Allies bombings, but what followed after the war was over in the so-called Nazi-free Germany was not pleasant either. Following the patterns of the set-up trials against Jews members of the communist establishment, the GDR leaders followed and put into prison representatives of the local community. Adviced by the wise - probably the only after the war until today - leader of the Berlin Jews, Heinz Galinski, Henny and her family will escape to Berlin, before the Wall and from here, she will further move to Bavaria after marrying Hermann Brenner. 

Henny Brenner book about her experiences as a young Jew in Dresden adds on to the literature about those times. It shares some new and detailed information about those times and outlines the horrors of facing on a daily basis racism and discrimination. Another dramatic testimony of a disturbing and haunting human experience.

Rating: 4 stars

On Dating with Mental Disorder

Once upon a time, when my friends and some of my relatives realized that I am past 25 and not married yet, I was recommended - pushed towards - to give a try to the traditional matchmaking methods to find the one and only. (Scientifically, the recent results say that it might be more than one that you can consider as a soulmate in a lifetime, so give it a try again, singles).

The process started as any serious top management job search. With a very detailed CV, pictures and interviews with various shadhanit - matchmakers. The fact that I was in my early 30s, educated - actually, too much educated as one of the kind ladies confessed - and with a mixed background of religious and non-religious family, including many people with - oy gevalt - way too much high education - it was a disadvantage, apparently. The fact that I was also working and building my own career and being - again oy geval - independent - including not living with family and living in a secular world with secular friends was again problematic.

At the end of the many interviews and after dozens of phone calls, I started to be offered matches. Mostly bochurim - single men - in their late 30s, never married and as I was told once by one of the ladies matchmaker - 'a bit special'. When insisting to find out more about those special features, I was considered a bit insolent and replied that...'after all, what do you expect to get at your age, all the good ones are already given'. In fact, as I would have find out myself, without getting through interviews and other human resources procedures, those 'special' ones were in fact people that had specific mental health disorders. Apparently, most of them were never treated properly and therefore, their issues were just hidden under the carpet in the hope that sooner or later some 'special' lady will ignore them and just go on with the match. 

In my case, it was not meant to be and I pursued on my own the search for my soul mate, with all that involves in the secular world, including failures, heartbreaks and way too many hopes. However, the concern about how mental health issues are tackled in the community. Although there are lately therapists belonging to the community and with a certain sensibility and knowledge of the everyday problems and the religious challenges in general, the stigma remains and often taking the right measures is way too late for an appropriate intervention. 

And dating with a mental disorder in general, remains an issue - not only for the religious world, by the way. People with mental disorder are not easy to cope with and the immediate relatives and people that care for them might be direct victims and special knowledge, love and love again is needed. However, my main frustration was the way in which those issues were never acknowledged openly. Being offered someone 'special' was an example of the wrong way in which such issues are addressed, especially when it comes to dating and social relationships in general. 

This article I've read at the end of the last week is in fact a good contribution to this discussion. Especially this quote: 'Threability in mental health is largely a function of access to high-quality evidence-based care and willingness on the part of the patient to do whatever it takes to get better'. Recent epigenetic studies outlined that mental disorders are inherited only if certain genetical and social conditions are met. A good education, life standards and professional integration, plus an appropriate therapy are chances of getting out of most of the mental disorders. In the case of a couple, being able to assume together the weight of the relationship makes everything much easier and bearable and helps to save the relationship in the end. 

It is a matter of will, but taking the right decision based on the correct data is crucial to a relationship, including in the religious world. 

Rav Pinto on Assignment in Morocco

This Motzei Shabbes, in a ceremony where representaties of the King and local muslim leaders took part, Rav Yoshiyahu Pinto was confirmed as the kashrut inspector and chief rabbinical judge in Morocco. 

Counted in 2012 by Forbes among the wealthiest rabbis, Pinto spent one year in prison for attempting to bribe a high-ranking police officer. His list of problems was much larger and complex, and included embezzlement. A Kabbalist, Rav Yoshiyahu Pinto is the grandson of Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira - or Baba Sali - but he studied extensiely in Litvishe and even Satmer yeshivas. At the age of 37, he founded a yeshiva in Ashdod, very popular among Jews of North African and Iraqi descent, including people who returned to religion. 

Among his followers - and also sponsors of his extended network of institutions under the umbrella of Shuva Israel - there are many non-religious wealthy businessmen, like Nochi Dankner, Ilan Ben-Dov, Jacky Ben Zaken or even Yossi Harari main job: mob boss. Harari even accompanied Rav Pinto during his annual pilgrimage to Silistra, in Bulgaria, to the tomb of Rav Eliezer Papo. Born in Sarajevo in the 19th century, Rav Papo - also known as Pele Yoetz, after the name of his main book on musar ethics - encouraged in his writings to consider that money is coming rather from Gd and earning a livelihood should not be a topic of preoccupation for the believers. Apparently, Rav Pinto had a more bold, modernist reading of his writings. Among his services count the offer of financial advices with a pinch of Kabbala, and during his stay in USA in 2008, he tried his hand advicing - not for free and through translator, as he does not speak any English - the basketball player LeBron James.

There are even more stories about Rav Pinto's experiences and achievements, that will be maybe for another time. The question is, how does it help Moroccan Jews - around 2,500 - his nomination? Among the Jews living there, there are also a couple of Israelis from the category of Yossi Harari. As between Morocco and Israel there is no extradition treaty, some of them are living in Morocco without the fear of being taken back to their country of origin prisons. Among them, a couple of years ago, it was another 'famous' Rabbi: Rav Eliezer Berland and his followers set tent here for a while, while trying to escape serious criminal allegations, especially of sexual nature.  

One Tuesday After...

The Tuesday 9th was one week ago, and gone are also the excitement, emotions, anger, thoughts and worries.

People had elected what they considered the best for them. With or without other people's worries, they, those people with the right to express their vote, decided what is the best for them, their families and the future of their children. The elections were fair, people went to vote in a relatiely higher number - although it is a bit not so inspired to make elections' day a free day when the young people will most probably go to the seaside or to Eilat instead of going to vote. But the big majority knew exactly what they are voting for, what is the discussion about corruption, who is acccused for corruption and what does it mean voting the person accused of corruption for another mandate. The voters also had enough time - 13 years - to figure out if that person is worth being in the office again. Or what will it happen when more religious parties will be present in the government. Or how good will it be for the country to have a stronger voice of the Kahanists heard in the Parliament or in the public opinion. 

That's how things are and there is nothing to do against or for. How things will be, people who voted decided the last Tuesday. They are the one responsible for their future and it will be their future from now on. 

Democracies gave the people's right to decide about their future. Including about a future where democracy is rather a memory. 

'Senseless! Heartless! Torah-less and Reckless!

Der Yid, the oldest and the most widely circulated Yiddish newspaper among the Orthodox Jews in America and abroad, published this Friday, 12.04, an extensive article that was translated into English too - which is a not a normal occurence - aimed at convincing people to vaccinate their children. Founded in 1953 in New York by the Satmer Hasidim, it is nowadays read among many other Jewish religious groups in the USA and in other parts of the world.

Here are a couple of quotes, from the English translation:

'When there is an emergency, one rushes to call Hatzalah.

When there are doubts if to fast on Yom Kippur, one asks a regular doctor - not one who may have good advice on diets'.

'The small groups of antivaxers spoke to the press and tarnished the image of observant Jews, as if we can't be trusted to make the right choices for our children, and as if we spread infections.

We heard of instances in certain areas where people warn to distance from Jews to avoid infections. It reminds of medievals libels that Jews are causing plagues which led to horrible antisemitism. This may, G-d forbid, sart a fire of hatred to Jews.

The entire fight is conducted in a short-sighted non-Jewish manner, which only harmed their interests and brought a terrible defamation of Hashem's name...'

Der Yid runs since a couple of weeks ads on the front page aimed at encouraging people to vaccinate their children. The national American media aired in the last days many interventions of Jewish groups and 'outraged citizens' that openly opposed the vaccines, for apparent religious and medical reasons, although in reality none of those arguments really apply. What is sure is that a more active involvement of the religious leaders both in America and Israel will save not only the honour of the community, but especially lives. 

In the last months, an outbreak of 285 cases of measles were reported in New York City, from a total of 465 nationally. Ongoing outbreaks were also recorded in the last months in Ukraine and in Israel. The opposers of vaccines are also among parents sending their children to Waldorf School, Amish communities or extreme Christian groups. This March, Rockland County situated in the Northern part of New York City, where tens of thousands of Hasidic Jews mostly in Monsey, New Square and Kaser, declared state of emergency for 30 days. According to the measures, unvaccinated children should be barred from attended public schools and being present in public spaces for 30 days. 

There are several rabbis and institutions that until now opposed the vaccines, using the usual hoaxes as for instance an connection never proved scientifically between the measles vaccines and autism.

For instance, the group called PEACH - Parents Educating and Advocating for Children's Health - an ironic name - , which advertises its false opinions via a hotline and magazines. Rabbi William Handler of Brooklyn, belonging to the extreme group of Neturei Karta, which also pledges for keeping the sexual predators safe from the juridical state action. Members of the Agudath Israel's highest council on Jewish law, Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky and Rav Malkiel Kotler, head of Beth Midrash Govoha, one of the largest yeshiva in the country, also expressed in the past various opinions against the vaccinations.

The measles outbreak in the Jewish community in Rockland started last September, shortly after the High Holidays. 

Kibbuzim versus Settlements - The Hilltop by Assaf Gavron

Very often one can read in the media opinions, news and condemnations of the 'settlers', 'settlements' and 'hilltop youth'. Who are they, what do they believe in, what are they fighting for, and against whom?

Kibbutzim versus Settlements

Instead of thinking in terms of religious choice and ideological apologies, the literary setting is the best for an easy immersion into this new 'political soul'. At the very beginning of the state of Israel, the kibbutzim, with their revolutionary communist perfect social and political matrix were the main ideology. Money and children education and daily working tasks were shared among the members, whose membership was accepted only by a explicit decision of the va'ad - local committee. It was a fascinating adventure that fascinated not only the European Jews that escaped the WWII horrors, but also non-Jewish visitors from all over the world, inclulding the ayatollahs' advisor Jalal Al-e Ahmad who even wrote a book The Israeli Republic where he shared his enthusiasm about this political and social setting (more about this book on another occcasion). The members of the kibbutzim were deeply non- and anti-religious. Some religious kibbutzim - or rather moshavim, where a certain form of property was allowed - were later created in order to answer a newly need for religious expression. 

After the 1970s, with an Israel more self-aware and confident in its military strength and political identity, new religious waves, both among the locally-born Jews (the sabras, literally translated as cacti, with their rough character but with a juicy soul ) and the new immigrants, especially from America. Some might say that those ones brought from the exalted Evangelist communities a certain fanatical approach to religious fervor, introducing music and dance and outbursts of feelings as part of their new 'born-again' identity. The traditional Hasidic/Haredi Jews will rather stay away of those. Those 'born-again', among them highly educated intellectuals and rabbis, will rather prefer to settle themselves and their growing families in the 'settlements', communities created in Shomron, Gush Etzion or the late Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip that Ariel Sharon brought to an end in 2005.

Therefore, as the kibbutzim are slowly dying, and they lost their appeal, especially among young people, and many of them even went through a relative 'privatization', they are replaced by the settlements. A religiously-centered Zionism is what for many is the right vision of a country that against all odds insist to exist. Based on the religious learning attributed to the Rav Avraham Isaac Kook - as most of his learning was not written by him and during his lifetime, but collected and turned into volumes by his son Zvi Yehuda - the settlement movement infused a different layer into the original Zionism, with a Biblical basis and a spiritual direction. It is not the time and the place to delve into a deep critic/analysis of it.

Meet the Hilltop people

This was a very basic introduction to the 'settlement' movement as a counter-reaction to the kibbutzim phenomenon, as The Hilltop by Assaf Gavron is mostly building his story along those lines. Gavron, which is considered one of the most important Israeli writers of the 'new generation', wrote part of the book in a cabin in a West Bank settlement. 

His people and their animals - a camel cow (whose milk is apparently kosher enough to feed the holy people) or a dog called Condoleezza - are populating a fictional community neighbouring an equally fictional community called Ma'aleh Hermesh. How they succeeded to settle there, survived and easily escaped several attempts to get evicted, only the complicated kafkaesque Israeli bureaucracy can answer. But when officials - of any kind - are appearing in the book, be sure that you are guaranteed a good laugh, exactly as in the everyday reality. 

The members of the community are equally hilarious and tragi-comical. Gabi, the born again Breslav, Shin Beth informers, teenagers 'bravely' fighting against Arabs in Second Life. Each of the characters present in the book are interesting, but I've find most of the time their interaction rather uninteresting, repetitive and relatively boring. It's like you have a lot of good cards on your hand, but at the end, the final combination is predictable. When the novel is over 400 pages, you might have a lot of good expectations, actually.

However, although the construction is relatively sloppy sometimes, and especially if you have a realistic and direct experience of life in the 'settlements' once in a while it is boring to tears, for someone not familiar with it, it might bring some good information and insights and a comical edge that is obviously missing in the (only) tragical media reports. 

Rating: 3 stars

About Tuesday

A couple of years ago, when Obama was president, the decision makers in Israel shared more than once the opinion that Washington shall understand that 70 years after its founding the Jewish state is entitled to take its own decisions and be responsible for them. An opinion perfectly available that would have make a break in a certain level of inter-dependence between the two countries, each with specific strategic, geopolitical and economic interests.

After 13 years in powe as prime minister - anyone remembers Thomas Moore's quote: 'Laws could be passed to keep the leader of a government from getting too much power'? - 'Mr. Security' Benjamin Netanyahu announces that he succeeded - in fact - to convince the American administration about: the need to recognize unilaterally the Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights, eventually over the West Bank soon, the moving of the embassy to Jerusalem etc. What would it have to say when a new administration will be installed - at least the mandates of the American presidents are wisely limited to eight years - and will decide to reverse those decisions? 

If on Tuesday, the first Benjamin - or Bibi - will win against the second one - Benny Gantz - as the polls are already showing, what future for the Israeli democracy? There will be probably negotiations for creating a coalition, and the president Rivlin has an important word to say. But the Kahanists will be in the Parliament and together with them, way too much religious people. Fortunatelly, there are still some normal heads among the religious establishment wise enough to know that religion and politics shall be separated otherwise the poison is dangerous for both sides.

The predominance of an unique religious mindset already estranged the diaspora organisations. For years, the Kotel - the Western Wall - is a place of confrontation and exchange of curses. An abnormality despicable for all those involved in the bashing, will be about to become normality. 

Bibi's extremists friends, from Orban Viktor to the Austrian far right party and the Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines will rejoice, but this is the place where the Likud, created in 1973 by Menahem Begin and Ariel Sharon belongs to? Not forget about Putin...Or the Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

Journalists are permanently under threat as the prime-minister and its family hates it. Using a rhetoric familiar to his American friend, he and his wife and the son Yair are labelling easily every news daring to criticize them as 'fake news'. Israel Hayom and the dozen of thousands of boots and fake accounts and media brigades are 'real'. In psychological language it's called being delusional.

If the polls are to be believed, the day after Tuesday will be a sad day, with a new round of witch hunting, with a media under new threats and a deeper division not only between the Jewish/Israeli electorate and the Arab electorate - whose demonization is also part of the current 'Mr. Security's discourse - but between the Jewish/Israeli electorate and the Jewish/Israeli electorate. This division will go far beyond between the Tel Aviv 'party' people and the Haifa 'working people and the Jerusalem 'praying people', but between those who want a better and safe future for their families and children and the one family who's concerned about its own wellbeing. Europe, America and the world, there will be mor and more 'yordim' coming. 

Democracies are dying too and there is nothing that might stop the decline.