nation / world
Menorah From Iconic 1931 Photograph Returns to Germany
A brass menorah from a famous photograph taken during the rise of the Nazis made
its way back to Germany for a Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony in Berlin attended
by the country’s president, JNS.org reported
“This light is a strong societal symbol against hatred,” German President Frank-
Walter Steinmeier said. “Each of us must stand up against every form of antisemitism.”
During Chanukah in 1931, Rachel Posner, wife of Rabbi Akiva Posner, photo-
graphed the family menorah on the window ledge of the family home in the north
German port city of Kiel. In the background can be seen the Nazi party’s regional
headquarters with a large swastika flag.

On the back of the photo, which came to stand for the looming threat to European
Jewry, Rachel Posner wrote: “‘Death to Judah.’ So the flag says. ‘Judah will live forever.’
So the light answers.”
Yehuda Mansbach, the couple’s grandson, “wept openly” after lighting the candles
at Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the president of Germany, on Dec. 19. The
Posners’ granddaughter, Nava Gilo, 68, also attended.

Detroit Pistons Wish Kyrie Irving a Happy Chanukah
The Detroit Pistons wished Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving a happy Chanukah
on Dec. 18, the first night of the holiday, JTA reported
The Pistons appeared to be trolling Irving, who recently shared an antisemitic film
on Twitter and initially refused to apologize. The scoreboard displayed both a spinning
globe and a Chanukah graphic with a menorah while he was at the free-throw line.

The former references previous comments the controversial All-Star has made
about the earth being flat. The latter appeared to be a pointed reference to the recent
antisemitism scandal.

Irving was suspended for eight games in November after he tweeted an Amazon
link to “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” a documentary that promotes
the false idea that Jews were heavily involved in the Atlantic slave trade, denies the
Holocaust and says Black people are the real Jews.

Irving initially refused to apologize but ultimately did so multiple times.

German Woman, 97, Convicted of Complicity in 10,500 Nazi Death Camp Murders
A 97-year-old German woman whose trial for aiding Nazi crimes was briefly
derailed when she fled last year was convicted of complicity in 10,500 concentration
camp murders, JTA.org reported.

Irmgard Furchner was 95 when she was arrested and charged with crimes related to
her work as a secretary at the Stutthof concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland
during World War II. Tried in juvenile court because she was under 21 at the time, she
was sentenced on Dec. 20 to two years of probation, in what is likely to be one of the
final convictions related to crimes committed during the Nazi regime.

Furchner initially resisted prosecution, fleeing by a taxi from her old-age home on
the first day of her trial; she was soon apprehended. Furchner also had not commented
on the charges against her until recently, when she spoke briefly during her final court
appearance earlier this month.

“I am sorry for everything that happened,” she said, in a statement that local news
reports said had been a surprise. “I regret that I was in Stutthof at that time. That’s all
I can say.”
Unilever ‘Resolves’ Legal Battle With Ben & Jerry’s Board Over
Israel Sales
An extended legal battle over ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s operations in Israel
appeared to come to a close as its parent company announced it had reached an
agreement with the brand’s independent board of directors, JTA.org reported.

Unilever was embroiled in months-long litigation with the Ben & Jerry’s board
over Unilever’s sale of the brand’s Hebrew and Arabic licenses to an Israeli com-
pany that would sell the products in both Israel and the West Bank against the
board’s wishes. Those sales will now continue uninterrupted.

The terms of the agreement are confidential, a Unilever representative said.

Unilever sold off the brand’s Israel license to dodge the Ben & Jerry’s board’s
attempts, dating to summer 2021, to prevent the ice cream from being sold in
“occupied Palestinian territories” — a move that was met with severe backlash
from many Jewish and pro-Israel groups. JE
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
Exclusive Women’s Apparel Boutique
Made in USA
Mother of the Bride/Groom, Bar-Mitzvah
and all of your special occasions needs.

Plus and Petite Sizes
Custom Fit
Couture Fashion Collection
61 Buck Road
Huntingdon Valley,
PA 19006
elanacollection.com/shop (215)953-8820
By Appointment Only
Monday-Friday 10am-3pm
FREE ESTIMATES
PERSONALIZED SERVICE
SENIOR DOWNSIZING
DECLUTTER / HOARDING CLEAN OUTS
ALL ITEMS SOLD, DONATED, OR REPURPOSED
RESPECTFUL OF HOMES WITH
ACCUMULATIONS OF 30+ YEARS
JOLIE OMINSKY
OWNER SERVING PA, DE, NJ
JOCSERNICA@YAHOO.COM 610-551-3105
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 11