1.Yom HaShoah

On Monday, we gathered at the Holocaust Memorial in Buttonwood Park for our Yom HaShoah commemoration. Speakers Mayor Jon Mitchell and Federation President Manya Bark spoke in recognition of the many who lost their lives in the Holocaust. We never forget.

2.Yom HaZikaron/HaAtzmaut

Israel’s Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron) begins at sundown on April 21, followed immediately by Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut). If you can pick a time to be in Israel, those two days should be at the top of the list, followed by Yom Kippur.

"For those who have experienced it, the contrast is mesmerizing. A nation wallows in tragedy and then jumps right into ecstasy.

It sounds jarring, and it is.

"On their Memorial Day, Israelis mourn their fallen soldiers and victims of terror, halting everything (cars stop, pedestrians stop, everything stops) during two national sirens. Given that Israeli sirens these days are prompts to rush to bomb shelters, one can only imagine the angst should one of those sirens coincide with a memorial siren.

"In Israel, though, angst is a way of life, what my friend Yossi Klein Halevi calls 'neurotic zen.'

So, after a long, solemn day of ceremonies throughout the country, including visits to cemeteries and special services at schools and public institutions, by nightfall the nation is unleashed in a burst of joy."

Read more from Jewish Journal editor David Suissa in "Israel and the Lessons of Memory."

3.Oh, Bibi, Where Art Thou?

You all know my rule about "longer than 1,000-word essays" -stop mid-sentence at 999!

With that in mind, David Abitbol's piece in Isralicious (which is part of Jewlicious) is profound and important. While I tried to find points to disagree with, I could not.

His preface is a superb intro and history lesson about the evolution and toxicity that led to Israel's worst government ever and Bibi's endless reign. David also delivers a detailed look at antisemitism (on the left and right) in the US, and gets tactical with his ideas showing no fear. He goes back to bookend the piece with the pain he feels as a modern Israeli living under a messianic government that has long ago abandoned Israelis. Extra credit: His introduction of the Soviet refusenik history in this essay is unique and intelligent. Please read it and let me know what you think.

Earlier this week Bibi's friend Viktor Urban lost the elections and his lengthy rule in Hungary finally came to an end. Are you watching, Israel?

4.In Defense of Israel - Only Just

"A record number of Senate Democrats voted on Wednesday to block the sales of certain weapons to Israel, marking a sharp rise in the number of senators backing the move.

"Wednesday was the third time in as many years that the Senate voted on resolutions to limit weapons sales to Israel, introduced and promoted by the Vermont independent and progressive leader Bernie Sanders.

"In 2024, 19 Democrats voted for at least one of the 'Block the Bombs' resolutions on the table at the time. Last year, 24 senators endorsed the move. Now, 40 senators — all but seven Democrats — voted for at least one of the two resolutions they faced on Wednesday, more than doubling the support in two years. The new backers include several Jewish moderates who describe themselves as pro-Israel as well as multiple senators who are seen as likely 2028 presidential candidates."

Read more in JTA: "In major shift, all but 7 Senate Democrats vote to block weapons sales to Israel."

5.Fan Fiction

As noms de plume go, hers is a good one. I may be biased, but I happen to think her real name is even better. Best-selling author Freida McFadden is actually Sara Cohen.

"McFadden, the prolific writer behind best-selling thrillers like the Housemaid series, many of which have been adapted for TV and film, revealed her real identity in an exclusive interview with USA Today. She was 'tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men,' referencing theories that have been posited by internet sleuths. She added that while she used a pen name so that she could keep practicing medicine, the 45-year-old, who treats brain disorders, now only works as a doctor perhaps 'once or twice a month.'

"Cohen was raised in Manhattan, with a psychiatrist father and a podiatrist mother, the daughter of two doctors who both instilled in her a love for books. She met her husband, an engineer, in computer science class, and the two live in Boston. The couple has two teen children — a son and daughter. The Daily Mail identifies her father as the late Carl Cohen, who passed away in 2024. An obituary from his colleague uses the Passover song Dayenu to recount his many accomplishments in the field of psychiatry."

6.Debut Novel Not to Be Missed

Hazel Says No is perfect for your Jewish book club. So says the Jewish website heyalma anyway. In honor of the paperback release, coming June 2, open the link for a list of discussion questions perfect for any Jewish book club — courtesy of Jessica Berger Gross, herself.

"Author Jessica Berger Gross’ debut novel follows 18-year-old Hazel Greenberg Blum, a Jewish girl from Brooklyn finding herself, literally and metaphorically, after her family moves to small-town Maine. While there, Hazel is forced to turn down the untoward advances of her new principal and deal with blatant antisemitism, all while trying to get into college and become a writer. The book is authentic to Jewishness and young womanhood, proudly defiant and has oh-so-much heart."

7.Indian Street Food From Iran(i)

Molly Irani makes the best Indian food I have ever had. With a James Beard award to show for it, I am not alone in that opinion. Food is not the first thing that comes to mind when we think Iran (or Irani), but if you find yourself at Chai Pani in Asheville, Decatur or D.C., you may change your mind. With Molly and Meherwan Irani in mind, here are some Indian recipes today. If you'd like to check out Chai Pani's actual menu, here it is

Don't believe there is a Jewish connection to Indian food? Read on.

From Nosher: "This Indian Jewish Cuisine Has a Fascinating History"

And BBC: "The surprising landscape of Indian Jewish food"

8.Scholarship Application Deadline Near

If you are a Federation member (donor), now is the time to encourage your children and grandchildren to apply for Federation scholarships for school, camp and Israeli travel programs. Email your application (describe the program and explain the cost and need) to office@jewishnewbedford.org by Memorial Day.

9.Deni Avdija

Imagine that this winner by Israeli superstar Deni Avdija was his 41st point on the night. This 25-year-old kid took the Blazers to the playoffs virtually by himself. 

WOW.

For Your Calendar