April 19, 2024 | 11 Nissan 5784
Candlelighting 7:46 p.m. | Havdalah 8:48 p.m. | Vol. 67, No. 16 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
NOTEWORTHY
S
LOCAL Lenda voloreifor ciendi non re nus A new pulpit a seasoned rabbi
Iran’s attack draws Israel and US closer together after weeks of growing tension
Temple Ohav Shalom hires Rabbi Aaron Bisno Et odictiumqui andae amusam quistium si de net voloritat Page 2 LOCAL
$2
While war in Israel causes divide, rabbis say Passover can bring peace at home
Page X
The continuing kosher conundrum LOCAL Ovit, ommodi remos ero
President Joe Biden meets with his top Cabinet and National Security officials to discuss Iran’s attacks on Israel, at the White House on April 13.
Photo courtesy of the White House
By Ron Kampeas | JTA
A history of fleishig restaurants in Pittsburgh Page 5
LOCAL Fodictiumqui aut entis andae asimuss A life filled with love and learning Page X LOCAL Minto volupta ssimim
Beloved Hebrew tutor Susan Loether has died Page 7
FOOD A sweet treat for Passover Lenda nus dolorum re pro mi, cuptati ntibus.
Page X
Easy-to-make almond bars Page 17
W
ASHINGTON — Unqualified public expressions of support for Israel from President Joe Biden. The United States and other nations scrambling to protect Israel from rockets. Congress accelerating defense assistance to Israel. When Iran attacked Israel on Saturday, it pulled Israel out of the isolation it was sinking into due to its war with Hamas. But if Israel chooses to strike Iran, it could renew tensions: According to multiple sources, Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would not support or participate in any retaliatory attack against Iran. Still, when it became clear that Iran was set to launch hundreds of drones at Israel, Biden scrambled from his Delaware beach house to the White House on Saturday. The statement from the White House National Security Council spokeswoman, Adrienne Watson, was unequivocal: “President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad,” Watson said. “The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.” Most of the missiles and drones fired by Iran were shot down. A young girl was seriously wounded but no one has been reported killed in the attack. Biden met and consulted through the afternoon and the evening with his top national
security staff. Toward the end of the evening, he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone. They have spoken throughout the IsraelHamas war, but in recent months, Biden has only spoken to Netanyahu to berate him on Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Previously, Biden reportedly raised the possibility of conditioning aid to Israel — a step he had once ruled out. This time, however, Biden was ready to shift into diplomatic overdrive to isolate Iran, according to the president’s statement summarizing his call with Netanyahu, which emphasized how close the relationship remains. “Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” Biden said, referring to a group of seven major industrial powers. “My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders.” Netanyahu, who has lashed out at Democrats and at the Biden administration for their criticism, expressed gratitude. “We appreciate the U.S. standing alongside Israel, as well as the support of Britain, France and many other countries,” he said in a video address. Joining the U.S. military in assisting Israel in repelling the drones were the militaries of Britain, France and Jordan — all countries that have in recent months excoriated Israel to
The Haggadah offers keys for understanding.
Photo by Israel_photo_gallery via Flickr at https://rb.gy/umcimk
By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer
U
nlike matzo, the conversation this Pesach won’t be stale. Whether recounting the exodus leads to discussing Israel, statehood or the Diaspora, seder celebrants have plenty on their plates this year. More than six months into the Israel-Hamas war, local rabbis recognize the upcoming holiday will spark different reactions around the table. Leaning into that sense is helpful, according to Temple David’s Rabbi Barbara Symons. “I think inviting guests to each bring an item — whether edible or not — for the seder table to display, or taste, how they feel about the situation would be powerful,” she said. Placing a basket of cherry tomatoes next to the shank bone may raise some eyebrows, but that’s the point. “It would potentially open up conversation in a creative way,” Symons said. For those seeking to talk about text, the rabbi pointed to the Haggadah’s final line: “Next year in Jerusalem.” Exploring that passage “before the end of the seder would allow it to have deeper meaning,” she said. “Is it about Jerusalem or Israel as it is?
Please see Iran, page 18
Happy
Please see Rabbis, page 18
Passover