Rav Sternbuch attacks Mizrachnikim for hating religion

  Major update 4/10/13 Rav Sternbuch says the media distorted and added to his words http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2013/04/rav-sternbuch-media-reports-of-his.html

Bhol  Translation by RaP:

The Ra'avad [speaks out] Against the Mizrachnikim:

They are haters of the faith [Judaism]. Now they revealed their "true faces". First explicit [public] criticism. The Ra'avad [Rosh Av Beis Din] of the Eidah HaChareidis, the Gaon Rav Moshe Shternbuch, chose to speak out against the entire Religious Zionist [Mizrachi] sector: "The Mizrachnikim are haters of Judaism [sonei das]. Today they revealed their true faces." By way of distancing from the [Religious Zionist] entity he did not [even] agree to mention the name of [Naftali] Bennett [head of the HaBayit HaYehudi party]: "In holy places one does not mention such names."

From the time of the pact between Lapid and Bennett, for the first time a Chareidi leader comes out with a sharp [verbal] attack against the Religious Zionist community.

During a memorial meal [seudas  hillula]  in memory of the [second Satmar Hasidic Rebbe, Rav Moshe Teitelbaum] ADMO"R 'Beirach Moshe' of Satmar ZT"L [may his saintly memory be a blessings] that was held last night Motzei Shabbos [Saturday night] in the Bais HaMedrash of Satmar at Rechov Yonah in Jerusalem, the Ra'avad of the Eidah HaChareidis the Gaon Rav Moshe Shternbuch spoke out [nosei devarim], and [verbally] attacked Naftali Bennett and the Religious Zionist community. The Ra'avad distanced himself from [that] group/sect [kat] and did not even [stoop] to mention the [actual] name of Bennett: "In holy places one does not mention such names, but someone with a knitted kippa [kipa seruga] has [now] appeared before us [tzamech lanu] and has joined [in friendship] with people who rejected the yoke [of Torah and Mitzvos]. And [Bennett] has decided to lead a war. Not only with us but also with HaKadosh Baruch Hu [God]."

The Ra'avad did not leave it at that, but he [Rav Moshe Shternbuch] also chose to attack the entire Religious Zionist community: "For years we knew that the Mizrachnikim were haters of [our] faith [sonei das], but they were always careful to display themselves as "lovers" of [our Jewish] faith and that they themselves are "religious" [dati'im] and they came to preach [lidrosh] in synagogues, today they revealed their true [hypocritical double] faces because they have joined with the haters of the [Jewish] religion [sonei hadas].

[DT RaP left off this paragraph which I translate here] "The Zionists and the deniers are the Amalek of this generation that want to destroy religion. The Satmar Rebbe was against the Zionists and deniers from the beginning and he said that it is prohibited to join with them. This that some of them wear a kipa has absolutely no significance.

בהמשך חזר אחר האג'נדה האנטי ציונית המנחה את העדה החרדית: "הציונים והכופרים הם העמלק שבדור הזה שרוצים להחריב את הדת. "הרבי מסאטמאר זצ"ל היה מהתחלה נגד הציונים והכופרים ואמר שאסור להתחבר איתם, מה שיש להם כיפה על הראש זה 'שמעטקלה' כלום".  

Rav Yitzchok Hutner: Holocaust Jewish Observer 1977

   Rav Hutner - Holocaust 

Prof Kaplan's 1980 Tradition article

Also read  Professor Larry Kaplan's critique in Hakirah

How to run a sting operation to catch online child predators

Time   Online sexual predators are among every parent’s worst fears, and protecting children from them is difficult — by the time a parent learns of the issue it can often be too late. But one Detroit father decided to take matters into his own hands to keep his 13-year-old daughter safe from a man who was allegedly seeking to take advantage of her.

Antoine Martin told WJBK-TV that he suspected a one-time volunteer for a local youth organization was attempting to lure his daughter. But Martin set up a sting operation that turned the tables on the alleged child predator, and delivered the unnamed suspect into the custody of the Detroit Police.

Here’s how Martin saved his daughter “To Catch a Predator” style, in five easy steps:

[...]

4) Know the Law.

Martin had earlier looked up the Michigan Penal Code for citizens’ arrests and followed them to the letter. He also had witnesses present, and was careful not to coerce a confession out of the suspect. However, Charlie Langdon, a legal expert, told WJBK-TV that the confession could possibly be challenged in court. “Can the father do what he did?  The short answer is yes.  Now, does the suspect have some rights?  Yes.  I would say the first thing would be entrapment.”

5) Inform the Police as Soon as Possible.

After the confession, Martin promptly called Detroit police and explained the whole story. Cops took the suspect into custody, where he awaits arraignment. Martin also gave copies of the online conversations he had with the man while posing as his daughter to the police as well. A spokesperson for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan said the suspect has not been a volunteer there in three years and that they conduct background checks of all their staff.

“Just being around the kids, you’re supposed to be there to help the kids… to me it seems like he was taking it as an opportunity,” said Martin.  ”It’s not just for my daughter, it’s for my daughter’s friends, the other members of the club. I had to make sure that this stops.”

Cars and Sefira by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

5 Towns Jewish Times    New car sales, according to estimates, are going to be up this year.  Industry professionals are predicting that some 15 million new cars will be sold this year.  But many of the new car models are being packaged a little bit differently.  Both the AAA and Consumer Reports are warning consumers that many of the 2014 models have an air compressor and tire sealant instead of the standard spare tire.

All this new car chatter, however, brings up the question as to whether one may plan to purchase a new car during the first 33 days of the Counting of the Omer.

The Shulchan Aruch (OC 493:1) tells us that during this period it is our custom not to conduct weddings.  The Mishna Brurah explains that one should not partake in matters of great joy.  “Nonetheless,” he writes, “if it happens that one has the occasion to recite a Shehecheyanu, then he may do so.”

This sentence written by the Chofetz Chaim in the early twentieth century has developed a surprising amount of halachic literature over the years.  What exactly did he mean by the term “if it happens?”  Rav Nissin Karelitz in his Chut HaShani halachic work explains that the Chofetz Chaim means that one should not plan one’s happy purchases to occur during this time.  In applying his reasoning to our case, one should not a the outset plan to purchase a car during the Sefirah period.  If, however, one’s previous car has developed problems and a new car purchase is necessary, then, of course, one may make the purchase. [...]

A person should always strive to be like others - Me'urav im habrios?

While researching the issue of the obligation to be a nice person, the question occurred as to how does one understand the concept of me'urav im habrios. We see here in Kesubos it means that one should even lie so as not to upset others. The Rambam (Hilchos De'os 6:1) presents it as an inherent property of human nature to be like others and thus one should be careful in selecting one's friends. Such an idea seems to be diametrically opposed to the gemora's understanding. I would appreciate some discussion - especially with relevant texts.


update   Toldos Yitzchok (Bereishis 37:2-3): Our Sages say that a person should not stand when everyone else is sitting nor should he sit if everyone else is standing. He should not be sad when everyone else is happy nor should he be happy when everyone else is sad. Rather a person should always have the attitude to do what everyone else is doing (Kesubos 17a). We see also that Yosef acted self‑centered and conceited when he was with others who were that way. He acted as an immature adolescent when he was with other adolescents and as a wise man when he was with other wise men. Thus when he was with his conceited brothers who were the sons of Leah he would supervise and direct them and dominate them. In contrast when he was with the sons of Bilah and Zilpah he would act immaturely and be concerned with his hair. We also know that his father loved him more than any of his brothers since he was the son of old age. In other words he acted as if he were a comrade of his father – he behaved with the wisdom and maturity of his father

update Avodas HaMelech (Hilchos De’os 6:1): It is an inherent characteristic in man to be drawn after the views of others….and to act like others in society. Look at Derech Eretz Rabba (end of chapter 7), The general principle is that a person should not be different than his comrades and other members of society. Thus it states in Kesubos (17a), The attitude of a man should always be to get along  and fit in with other people. The Migdal Oz alludes to this. It also says in Shemos Rabba (47:5), If you go to a city, you must act according to their customs.[Moshe did not eat or drink when he was in Heaven while the angels ate and drink when they descended to earth]

Kesubos(17a): Beis Hillel said to Beis Shammai, Someone who made a bad purchase in the market, should one praise it in his eyes or deprecate it in his eyes? Surely one should praise it in his eyes! From here our Sages say that the attitude of a man should always be to get along 

and fit in with other people [me’urav im habri’os].

Rambam(Hilchos De'os 6:1) [translation Rabbi Tougher] It is natural for a man's character and actions to be influenced by his friends and associates and for him to follow the local norms of behavior. Therefore, he should associate with the righteous and be constantly in the company of the wise, so as to learn from their deeds. Conversely, he should keep away from the wicked who walk in darkness, so as not to learn from their deeds.

This is [implied by] Solomon's statement (Proverbs 13:20): "He who walks with the wise will become wise, while one who associates with fools will suffer." Similarly, Psalms 1:1 states: "Happy is the man who has not followed the advice of the wicked."

A person who lives in a place where the norms of behavior are evil and the inhabitants do not follow the straight path should move to a place where the people are righteous and follow the ways of the good.

If all the places with which he is familiar and of which he hears reports follow improper paths, as in our times, or if he is unable to move to a place where the patterns of behavior are proper, because of [the presence of] bands of raiding troops, or for health reasons, he should remain alone in seclusion as [Eichah 3:28] states: "Let him sit alone and be silent."

If they are wicked and sinful and do not allow him to reside there unless he mingle with them and follow their evil behavior, he should go out to caves, thickets, and deserts [rather than] follow the paths of sinners Jeremiah 9:1 states: "Who will give me a lodging place for wayfarers, in the desert."

Does Dov Lipman have foot in mouth disease - or "let them eat cake!"

The following was posted today by Dov Lipman on his Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/dov.lipman   See Kikar Shabbat concerning reaction to his comment. One obvious question is why he hasn't volunteered to sweep the streets yet? He did offer clarification which didn't help. If he simply wanted to suggest that people who have extra time on their hands should do chesed - he didn't have to refer to yeshiva students. Also please explain why he suggested that student volunteers do jobs for those who are paid to do the work. In short - his message was a classic example of misspeaking. This is especially misfortunate for a politician and one who is trying to convince chareidi world that he is not out "to get them"

His explanation of his words simply made no sense
====================================

By Dov Lipman

רציתי לשתף אתכם במחשבה שעברה לי הבוקר בזמן ריצה ברחובות בית שמש. ראיתי 3 מטאטאי רחוב - כולם בני 70 ולמעלה. חשבתי לעצמי - למה בחורי ישיבה מתוך עזרה לזולת לא יכולים בחודש חופש שלהם בניסן (בין הזמנים) לעזור להם בהתנדבות כדי לתת לקשישים הללו מעט חופש, או לפחות להקל עליהם מעט? סתם מחשבה...
I want to share a thought I had this morning as a I jogged through the streets of Bet Shemesh. I saw 2 street cleaners working - all over the age of 70. Why aren't yeshiva students, who are on their month long vacation during Nissan, volunteering to provide these older men with some vacation or to at least make their jobs a bit easier? Just a thought

Schlissel Challah – An Analysis by Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Five Towns Jewish Times   The custom of Schlissel Challah has become very widespread, not only in the Chassidish world but in many other communities as well.  Two years ago, an article written by Shelomo Alfassa appeared (http://www.mesora.org/Shlissel.html) that attempted to connect the custom known as Schlissel Challah to Christian or pagan sources. The Alfassa article, entitled “The Loaf of Idolatry?” stated that fulfilling this custom was, in fact, a Torah violation of following in the ways of the gentiles.   In this article, an attempt will be made to trace the origins of the custom and to examine the alleged connection to non-Jewish sources that appeared in the Alfassa article.  With due respect to Mr. Alfassa, it is this author’s contention that the allegations are quite spurious, error-filled and misleading, and have no connection whatsoever to this Chassidic custom. [...]

While Alfassa is correct in his assertion that the custom is not found in the writings of the Rishonim or earlier, for some reason he fails to point out the Chassidic origin of Schlissel Challah.  As a general rule, we do not find Chassidish customs in the Rishonim because the movement itself only began in 1740.  We, however, do find mention of the custom to bake Challah in the shape of a key in many, many Chassidish Seforim.  These Seforim were written by genuine Torah scholars, and it is difficult to propose that a Christian practice somehow entered into their literary oeuvre.  The Klausenberger Rebbe, the Satmar Rebbe, the Belzer Rebbe, Rav Moshe Aryeh Freund, and numerous Chassidishe Rebbes and Poskim all punctiliously observed this custom. [...]

In conclusion, there is no evidence whatsoever that this Chasidic custom was derived from or influenced by Christian practice.  The scholarship behind this allegation is faulty and error-filled.  This is a custom that has been practiced by the greatest of our Chasidic brethren and it is wrong to cast such aspersions on their practice.

Sources that it is permitted to rebuke a major talmid chachom

 Just received the following question

Do you have a sources on this. That if someone is m'zalzel in the Torah, Kavod HaTorah, Limud Torah, etc that one may "rebuke" such a person (perhaps a bad word, however at least point out that perhaps they are doing the wrong thing.) Even if this person is a "zakan" or "chacham"?

===================================

I replied:

Don't understand your question?

סנהדרין ו:

רבי יהושע בן קרחה אומר: מניין לתלמיד שיושב לפני רבו וראה זכות לעני וחובה לעשיר, מניין שלא ישתוק - שנאמר לא תגורו מפני איש, רבי חנין אומר: לא תכניס דבריך מפני איש.

בבא מציעא לא

אמר ליה ההוא מדרבנן לרבא: ואימא +ויקרא י"ט+ הוכח - חדא זימנא, תוכיח - תרי זמני? - אמר ליה: הוכח - אפילו מאה פעמים משמע, תוכיח - אין לי אלא הרב לתלמיד, תלמיד לרב מנין - תלמוד לומר הוכח תוכיח, מכל מקום.

ברכות יט:
אמר רב יהודה אמר רב: המוצא כלאים בבגדו פושטן אפילו בשוק, מאי טעמא +משלי כ"א+ - אין חכמה ואין תבונה ואין עצה לנגד ה' - כל מקום שיש חלול השם אין חולקין כבוד לרב. 

רמב"ם כלאים י:כט

הרואה כלאים של תורה על חבירו אפילו היה מהלך בשוק קופץ לו וקורעו עליו מיד, ואפילו היה רבו שלמדו חכמה, שאין כבוד הבריות דוחה איסור לא תעשה המפורש בתורה, ולמה נדחה בהשב אבדה מפני שהוא לאו של ממון, ולמה נדחה בטומאת מת הואיל ופרט הכתוב ולאחותו, מפי השמועה למדו לאחותו אינו מטמא אבל מטמא הוא למת מצוה, אבל דבר שאיסורו מדבריהם הרי הוא נדחה מפני כבוד הבריות בכל מקום, ואף על פי שכתוב בתורה לא תסור מן הדבר הרי לאו זה נדחה מפני כבוד הבריות, לפיכך אם היה עליו שעטנז של דבריהם אינו קורעו עליו בשוק ואינו פושטו בשוק עד שמגיע לביתו ואם היה של תורה פושטו מיד. 

רמב"ם דעות ו:ז

הרואה חבירו שחטא או שהלך בדרך לא טובה מצוה להחזירו למוטב ולהודיעו שהוא חוטא על עצמו במעשיו הרעים שנאמר הוכח תוכיח את עמיתך, המוכיח את חבירו בין בדברים שבינו לבינו, בין בדברים שבינו לבין המקום, צריך להוכיחו בינו לבין עצמו, וידבר לו בנחת ובלשון רכה ויודיעו שאינו אומר לו אלא לטובתו להביאו לחיי העולם הבא, אם קיבל ממנו מוטב ואם לאו יוכיחנו פעם שניה ושלישית, וכן תמיד חייב אדם להוכיחו עד שיכהו החוטא ויאמר לו איני שומע, וכל שאפשר בידו למחות ואינו מוחה הוא נתפש בעון אלו כיון שאפשר לו למחות בהם.

רמב"ם סנהדרין כב:ב

וכן תלמיד שהיה יושב לפני רבו וראה זכות לעני וחובה לעשיר אם שתק הרי זה עובר משום לא תגורו מפני איש ועל זה נאמר מדבר שקר תרחק, ומנין לדיין שלא יושיב תלמיד בור לפניו תלמוד לומר מדבר שקר תרחק.

שולחן ערוך חושן משפט הלכות דיינים סימן ט סעיף ז

תלמיד היושב בפני רבו ורואה זכות לעני, והרב רוצה לחייבו, חייב ללמד עליו זכות, ואם שותק עובר משום מדבר שקר תרחק (שמות כג, ז).

שולחן ערוך יורה דעה הלכות כבוד רבו ותלמיד חכם סימן רמב סעיף כב

ראה רבו עובר על דברי תורה, אומר לו: למדתני רבינו כך וכך. הגה: ואם רצה לעבור רק על איסור דרבנן, אפילו הכי צריך למחות בידו. (ת"ה סימן מ"ג). הרואה רבו עושה מעשה, ויש לו להקשות על זה, אם הוא איסור דאורייתא יקשה לו קודם המעשה, ואם הוא איסור דרבנן, יניחו לעשות המעשה ואח"כ יקשה לו, הואיל ואינו יודע ודאי שעובר, אלא שיש לו להקשות על זה (תא"ו נתיב ב').

Lashon HaRah: Repeating allegations from newspapers

Just received the following email from one of the readers of my blog:

I posted a comment to the article about rav berland and realized after that it had the email from the computer I was using.  I did not want that email address published because it was not mine. I do have a question. The article you put up was from Haaretz. There was no proof and no case. How could you post an article like that without it being lashon hora?  Thank you

I replied the following

The issue of lashon harah has already been discussed a number of times. Among the reasons that I publish it is 1) it is public knowledge already 2) there is a warning on the blog that comments on not necessarily true and must be further researched 3) Maharal states that something which is public knowledge if communicated in a way that you clearly are not concealing the transmission from the person being talked about is permitted 4) a person being a accused of such a crime is a possible danger to others and therefore it is necessary to warn others to at least be aware of the accusations.

You might also want to read Rabbi Menashe Klein's misguided and mistaken teshuva about not dealing with accusation of child abuse unless you have two witnesses as well as Rav Sternbuch's teshuva criticizing a principal who refuses to listen to accusations regarding teachers mistreating students because it is lashon harah.

here are some of the relevant links


http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2012/06/saving-kids-lashon-harah-high-price-to.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/12/lashon-harah-chofetz-chaim-permits-for.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/11/chofetz-chaim-accused-of-lashon-harah.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/05/lashon-harah-fear-of-reporting-abuse.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2008/07/child-abuse-lashon-harahharav-moshe.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/05/sin-of-not-saying-lashon-harah-rav.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2011/04/halachasizing-of-lashon-harah-mussar.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2008/09/foolish-piety-lashon-harah-protecting.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/12/lashon-harah-against-troublemakers-and.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/12/lashon-harah-as-public-chastisement-is.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/08/circumstantial-evidence-lashon-harah.html

Authorities that pasken that it is not lashon harah if it is public knowledge and you are publicly repeating the negative information

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/11/maharal-public-derogatory-speech-is-not.html


http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/11/meiriif-talked-about-person-is-sure-to.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/11/tosfos-public-knowledge-is-not-lashon.html

http://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/2009/11/avodas-hamelech-public-knowledge-lashon.html

Thousands of paroled CA sex offenders, felons easily disable GPS monitors

ArsTechnica  A February 2013 investigation by the Los Angeles Times showed that “thousands” of high-risk sex offenders and parolees were routinely removing or disabling their GPS tracking devices. And these individuals have little risk of being caught because California's jails are apparently too full to hold them.

On Saturday, the Times revealed significant portions of previously-redacted documents from state reports on two rival GPS tracking device manufacturers (3M and Satellite Tracking of People [STOP], based in Houston). Last year, California judges concealed significant sections of these after state officials argued publicizing such information could inform potential violators and "erode public trust" in the system. The newly released information shows just how problematic the tracking anklets made by 3M were.

California began this statewide monitoring program in 2008, splitting the device contracts between 3M and STOP. More than a year ago, California began testing the monitors currently in place on the nearly 8,000 convicted-but-now-released sex offenders, parolees, and felons within the state. As the Times reported regarding the 3M devices, “Corrections officials found the devices used in half the state were so inaccurate and unreliable that the public was ‘in imminent danger.’” State officials immediately ordered a mass replacement of all 3M ankle monitors in use, opting instead for the STOP products.[...]

Faith in L.A. kosher butcher is shaken in wake of video

LA Times   For five decades, Doheny Glatt Kosher meat market has been one of California's preeminent suppliers of food that meets the requirements of Jewish law, offering staples such as brisket and chicken as well as bison, prime steak and grass-fed beef.

But on Friday, the esteemed butcher was at the center of an angry debate that had spread across L.A.'s Jewish community. The owner of Doheny faces accusations of selling meat that was not properly certified under kosher rules. Longtime customers doing their shopping before Shabbat were forced to decide how much they trusted their butcher.

Earlier this week, a council of rabbis pulled Doheny's kosher certification and, in a statement Friday, raised the possibility of "legal action," a recourse to secular courts that would be rare. Other prominent rabbis have stood by the meat shop.

Charges of fraud on the one side have been met with accusations of favoritism on the other, with some of Doheny's defenders suggesting that the shop has been under attack by disgruntled competitors.

In a letter emailed to congregants Friday, the chief rabbi of one of the city's largest synagogues, Rabbi Adam Kligfeld of Temple Beth Am, urged continued patronage of Doheny "because by doing so we can make a statement that kashrut" — Jewish dietary law — "should be about kashrut ... and not monopolies or power plays or raising suspicions." [...]

The controversy started Sunday when a video taken by a private investigator surfaced, purporting to show Doheny workers bringing in boxes of meat late at night without the required supervision of the independent inspector, known as a mashgiach, tasked with overseeing the store. The video later aired on KTLA-TV Channel 5.

After viewing the videotape, the Rabbinical Council of California pulled Doheny's kosher certification.

A group of rabbis also met with Michael Engelman, Doheny's owner. According to the council, Engelman initially denied any wrongdoing but later "admitted to bringing unauthorized products to the store on two to three occasions."

Only for G-d: Inside Hasidism - National Geographic

FBI arrests Gershon Barkany for $50 million Ponzi scheme

FBI  Earlier today, FBI agents arrested Gershon Barkany based on a criminal complaint alleging that the Far Rockaway man defrauded investors by promising to use their money in “risk-free” deals to purchase and then immediately re-sell at a profit large real estate properties located in New York City and New Jersey. In fact, the complaint alleges that no such deals existed and the defendant defrauded victims of more than $50 million.

The charges were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and George Venizelos, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York Field Office. The defendant’s initial appearance is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson at the United States Courthouse in Central Islip, New York.

According to the criminal complaint that was unsealed this morning, Barkany induced at least five investors to wire transfer large sums of money supposedly to purchase real estate in Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. According to one of the investor victims, Barkany claimed that the sellers of these properties would only close on the real estate sales contracts after Barkany had located a purchaser who would be willing to buy the property from Barkany at a higher price. In that way, Barkany assured the victim that the real estate deals would be “risk free.” [...]

Shavei Israel appoints emissary to discover 'hidden Jews' in Italy

Arutz 7   Rabbi Pinchas Punturello, 36, has been appointed to serve as the new emissary for the Shavei Israel organization in southern Italy and Sicily. In his new position, Rabbi Punturello will serve as the area’s chief rabbi, and will work to strengthen the local Jewish community in regions such as Puglia, Campania, Sicily, and Calabria, while also reaching out to the Bnei Anousim (whom historians refer to by the derogatory term Marranos) throughout the area, many of whom are looking to reconnect with the Jewish people.

Shavei Israel, which reaches out to communities of “hidden Jews” and helps them to reconnect with the Jewish People and State of Israel, is undertaking this project in conjunction with the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, the official umbrella organization of Italian Jewry. It marks the first time that a rabbi has been appointed to work specifically with the Bnei Anousim of southern Italy and Sicily.

“We are pleased that Rabbi Pinchas Punturello has joined the ranks of Shavei Israel. This is a direct result of the expansion of our activity throughout southern Italy in light of the growing desire of Bnei Anousim to reconnect with Jewish life,” said Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund. “In recent years, a growing number of Bnei Anousim in southern Italy have begun rediscovering their Jewish roots and expressing a desire to draw closer to Israel and the Jewish people. It is incumbent upon us to reach out to them and help them to do so,” he said.