T orah P ortion
And God Remembered the Covenant
BY RABBI JASON BONDER
PARSHAT SHEMOT
THIS WEEK’S TORAH
portion, Shemot, begins with a
list of those who made their way
down to Egypt from Canaan.

While the Torah goes into
detail about their dramatic
stories back home, we know
very little about what it was
like for Jacob and his family
once they immigrated. They
presumably needed to learn a
new language, learn new trades
and begin the arduous process
of building a new life for their
descendants. While we don’t see all
their struggles in the text,
we do learn that their efforts
bore fruit. “But the Israelites
were fertile and prolific; they
multiplied and increased very
greatly, so that the land was
filled with them.” (Exodus 1:7)
The generation of those who
came to Egypt did the best they
could to set up a bright future
for their descendants.

Then that bright future
suddenly turned dim. “A new
king arose over Egypt who
knew not Joseph.” (Exodus 1:8)
Perhaps by happenstance, and
perhaps by willful ignorance,
this new Pharaoh did not
remember what Joseph did
for Egypt. This Pharaoh felt
threatened by the thriving
community of Israelites
instead of marveling at how
they worked so hard to create
a bright future. The new king
of Egypt lacked the imagina-
tion to anticipate that there
might be a baby born in that
Israelite community who had a
once-in-a-generation — even a
once-in-history — influence on
the world, as Moses did.

Imagine how lucky all
of Egypt would have been
if Pharaoh would have only
embraced and supported the
Israelites. In November of this year,
at a Central Bucks School
Board meeting, there arose a
man who knew not Joseph.

Nor did he know much of
anything at all. In his allotted
three minutes, he spewed false,
hateful, antisemitic language.

Either by passive or inten-
tional ignorance, this man
did not know how much the
Jewish people have positively
contributed, and continue to
contribute, to our United States
of America.

That man, and this week’s
portion, both serve as a warning
to us. Things can change
quickly. Antisemites can arise
at any time from anywhere.

Like the Israelites in the portion
who continue in their faith, it
is our job to fight back against
this ignorance in all its forms. I
hope the following example can
sustain us in this never-ending
fight against hate.

In this week’s portion, I
see a theological concept that
both challenges me and serves
as inspiration. The Torah tells
us that “... The Israelites were
groaning under the bondage
and cried out; and their cry
for help from the bondage rose
up to God. God heard their
moaning and God remembered
God’s covenant with Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob.” (Exodus
2:23-24). What challenges me here
is that God “remembered” the
covenant. Had God somehow
forgotten it? But as I contem-
plate that challenge, it leads
CAN DL E L IGHTIN G
Dec. 24
Dec. 31
me to realize something else.

Perhaps there is a lesson meant
for me in this perplexing verse.

Perhaps we are the more likely
party to forget the covenant.

Before I point fingers at God,
I should probably evaluate my
own behavior.

Modern history has shown
that we cannot wait for God to
hear our cries. So it is crucial
to remember that the covenant
is only something we can rely
on when we are also willing
to act as equal partners. When
we encounter a bigoted person
spewing antisemitism, let
us be the ones to remember
our covenant with God and
act accordingly. We can light
Shabbat candles, celebrate
Jewish holidays, participate in
the Jewish community, read
the Jewish Exponent or listen
to a Jewish podcast. All these
are equally important tools in
the fight against antisemitism.

Let each antisemitic rant
be a reminder to us that we
must build up our Jewish insti-
tutions. May each diatribe
remind us to double down
on our commitment to an
America that enabled — and
4:23 p.m.

4:28 p.m.

enables — Jewish people
to weave ourselves into the
tapestry of this great nation.

Celebration of
our traditions, building our insti-
tutions and strengthening our
commitment to America is the
perfect response to antisemi-
tism. Our covenant with God
is what has led us to be a light
unto the nations for millennia.

When antisemites spew
their nonsense, let us remember
our covenant with our Creator
and embrace our Judaism so
that never again will God need
to hear the groaning of our
people. l
Rabbi Jason Bonder is the
associate rabbi of Congregation
Beth Or in Maple Glen. The Board
of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia
is proud to provide diverse
perspectives on Torah commentary
for the Jewish Exponent. The
opinions expressed in this column
are the author’s own and do not
reflect the view of the Board of
Rabbis. Historian Details Antisemites’ World View
NATIONAL JARRAD SAFFREN | JE STAFF
CONSPIRACIES ABOUT
all-powerful Jews, like the
Rothschilds and George Soros,
offer a false sense of clarity
for some Americans facing an
increasingly traumatic society.

The larger problem, histo-
rian Jonathan Sarna told a
Zoom audience, is that you
cannot disprove an argument
rooted in fantasy.

“If only we gave up Israel, or
reshaped our noses, or gave up
the Sabbath, antisemitism will
disappear,” Sarna, a professor
20 DECEMBER 23, 2021
of American Jewish history
at Brandeis University, said
of the futile arguments Jews
often make to themselves. “But
antisemitism tells us much
more about the antisemite than
it does about Jews.”
And in the Dec. 15 lecture,
sponsored by the Haberman
Institute for Jewish Studies
in Rockville, Maryland,
Sarna explained the nature of
antisemitism today.

“Antisemitism is a cultural
code,” he said. “It tells us a
lot about the problems of the
day, and not about the Jews
See Historian, Page 23
Brandeis University professor Jonathan Sarna lectured on antisemitism on Dec. 15 over Zoom. 
JEWISH EXPONENT
Screenshot JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



C ommunity / mazel tovs
B I RTH
MARRIAGE AARON ELI HIRSCH
MAISTER-LEON Alan and Sheila Snyder of
Bensalem and Mitch Hirsch
and Sylvia Lifschitz of Lower
Gwynedd announce the birth
of their grandson, Aaron Eli
Hirsch, son of Josh and Stacey
Hirsch of Camden, Delaware.

Aaron Eli was born on
Oct. 25. He is named in
loving memory of maternal
great-grandfather Aaron
Snyder, and paternal great-
grandmother Eileen Hirsch.

Sharing in the joy are great-grandmother Rose Lifschitz, aunt
and uncle Allison and Scott Snyder and cousin Sophia Snyder.

Photo by Stacey Hirsch
www.jewishexponent.com Susan and Alan Flexner of Horsham, Eric Maister of Philadelphia, and
Florence and Michael Leon of Southampton announce the marriage
of their children, Ashley Jill Maister and Stefan Robert Leon.

The wedding took place at Normandy Farm in Blue Bell on Oct. 10.

Sharing in the couple’s happiness are their grandparents,
siblings, family and friends.

Ashley is a clinical pharmacy specialist in psychiatry who
works at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Stefan is an entre-
preneur and co-owner of S & B Sports Collectibles.

The couple resides in Philadelphia.

Photo by Barrie Anne Photography
WEISS-NEMTSOV Jill and Rich Weiss announce the marriage of their daughter,
Emily Lauren, to Elly Michael Nemtsov, son of Galina Nemtsov
Wohl and the late Louis Nemtsov.

The ceremony and reception took place at 1720 Nostalgia in
Chalfont on Oct. 2.

The matron of honor were Emily’s sister Carly Weiss and Elly’s
sister Estelle. Elly’s sister Celia Grin was maid of honor.

Emily is a sales and marketing analyst for the Kellogg’s Corp.,
while Elly is a motion graphics designer at US Health Connect.

The couple honeymooned in Hawaii.

Photo by Lindsey-Pulse Entertainment
COMMUNITYBRIEFS Congregation Beth Israel Completes ‘A Better Start for Babies’ Project
RECONSTRUCTIONIST CONGREGATION Beth Israel of Media wrapped up its
“A Better Start for Babies” project on Dec. 14, delivering 60 packages of basic supplies
for newborns to ChesPenn Health Services’ administration building in Woodlyn.

Beth Israel’s Social Action Committee worked with ChesPenn pediatricians to
focus on the 10 most-needed baby items, such as diapers and clothing.

The packages, each of which contained items valued at more than $100, were
packaged in colorful bags. The 60 packages doubled the number donated in 2020.

From left: Judy Kinman of Congregation Beth Israel, Tamara Fox of ChesPenn, Carol
Briselli of Beth Israel and Dr. Gary Davis of ChesPenn
Courtesy of Congregation Beth Israel
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Former Philadelphia-area Jews Lead Production of ‘The Oldenburg Suite’
Former Philadelphia area residents are playing a key role on the Jan. 2 production
of the “The Oldenburg Suite,” which is slated for 9:45 p.m. at Feinstein’s 54 Below
in New York City.

Composer Matt Rose, director Jen Wineman and actor Bryan Freedman all
hail from the Philadelphia area. Non-Jew Lizzy McAlpine, a singer from the
Philadelphia area, also is associated with the production.

The musical tells the story of three American immigrants who contribute
to modern art, including Claes Oldenburg — known locally for the Clothespin
Sculpture in Center City — his brother Richard, who was the director of the
Museum of Modern Art, and Dutch art historian Coosje Van Bruggen. l
“The Oldenburg Suite”
JEWISH EXPONENT
Courtesy of Feinstein’s 54 Below
DECEMBER 23, 2021
21