The Blast e-mail from this past Thursday provoked considerable reaction [including notification that an old-friend (Bernice

Fishman) wrote of her experiences during WW-II (A Lone Candle) and being informed of a survivor who was 40 when the nazis took her)], but none has obviated the plan to travel on Monday [Holocaust Remembrance Day] to Harrisburg; herein, I will name names to illustrate the depths to which Hank Butler of the PJC has dipped [directly and indirectly] to forestall what will now emerge publicly as a split in the lobbying efforts of two major Jewish organizations. That this is predicated on $$$ is all the more sad, for one would think the goal of ensuring all High School Grads have been exposed to the basics of Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations as a unit would be a no-brainer; specifically, the Holocaust Museum doesnt want a dime of public-$$$, whereas the PJC wants $$$ via creation of a precedent [implementing an elaborate Continuing Education system, conjoined with imposition of a top-down curriculum which the PDE already has conceptually rejected]. Thus, if for no other reason than to expose how politicians are enticed to make sausage by those who harbor ulterior motives [here, sadly, $$$-based], you will read of how the PJC is destroying its credibility in this venue; its admittedly-false letter now stands revealed as the tip-of-the-iceberg of its deceit; anything anyone wishes to state in rebuttal of anything in these e-mails will be dutifully re-circulated but, otherwise, data [e.g., Hanks admission that he has always supported a mandate] are controlling. I was contacted [directly, as well as via her e-mail to Guzzardi] by Ms. Laura Goldman
From: Laura Goldman [mailto:laurasgoldman@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 2:08 PM To: rsklaroff@gmail.com Subject: Holocaust Education Mandate Bill

I understand you are lobbying legislators on the Holocaust education mandate bill. [I] am the daughter of survivors and also working on the Holocaust education mandate bill, Can you be in touch? Bob Guzzardi said you just sent him an update. My number is 215-254-4647. http;//nakedphiladelphian.blogspot.com leading to her having provided the PDEs letter [from Hank], as blasted previously. Through Laura, I have been receiving enhanced levels of unambiguously deceit from Hank Butler. Thus, after having been asked to summarize the situation, I sent the following both Laura and to Hank: The PDE-letter unambiguously concurs with what I want, for it precludes issuance of a top-down curriculum composed/implemented/enforced on the state-level. Indeed, this would create precedent in a carved-out topic [including CE-credits], inasmuch as the overall approach is to afford local-control over curriculum-writing. I want the topic-mandated on the state-level and implemented on the local-level; all students must be exposed to this triad of interrelated historical-facts/forces. And for Hank to mutter Well, Ill discuss it with the Education Committee is a disingenuous-deflection, for the bill has been passed by both House/Senate entities. He lied in his letter and, just like a good politico, he keeps lying instead of admitting he lied, all for $60K-annually [which is NOT coveted by Chuck as you suggested].

I then received a response that Laura admitted had been sent directly to her by Hank:

The statu[t]es you sent are requirements of graduation not curriculum so they are irrelevant. The House is never going to vote for the mandate because other groups will ask for a mandate to teach their history. The money that will go to the Holocaust teachers used to be in the budget until Rendell cut it out.
I must confess that I lost it when talking with Laura for, after I requested her to give me a micro clarification of her e-mail and she couldnt, she confessed she was functioning solely as a pass-through; then, I blurted-out a request that she allow information flowing between her ears to stick somewhere within her cerebral cortex. In any case, the above provoked a reflex-rejoinder that served to reinforce my claim that Hank is disingenuous, as was first evident [to me, directly] after having rebutted his letter; the more this guy attempts to lobby, the tighter is the corner in which he becomes self-painted. First, he invokes a non-sequitur when somehow trying to draw a distinction between what may be taught as one of the topics included statutorily and the ultimate result of the educational experience, graduation. Specifically, these are requirements BOTH for graduation AND for the contents of a curriculum [that inevitably would be leading inextricably and unambiguously to graduation]. Thus, citation of existing-statute is not irrelevant because it illustrates the precise tweak of existing law that we seek. Second, he creates a straw-dog argument, predicting [falsely] that the House wouldnt pass this bill due to the possibility that other groups would seek comparable status; inasmuch as the mandate would encompass such concerns of other groups [unnamed] as they relate to the highly-germane UNIT that would be necessarily taught [Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Violations], he fingers an ominous threat on the dust of a window-pane. {I just conjured that metaphor as the typed words magically appeared on the computer.} Specifically, such a concern would not forestall the reasonable legislator from recognizing the unique nature of this UNIT and the priority that it be included within the mandated curriculum; indeed, paradoxically, Hank is arguing AGAINST ensuring such an educational experience would be transpiring. Third, his statement reveals his core motivation, namely, to receive reimbursement for Holocaust-teachers; indeed, Laura impugned Chuck by suggesting that he would compete for these funds [despite the fact that he consistently states that the Holocaust Museum will continue to provide educational materials and volunteers, gratis]. Confirming what Id surmised was Chucks subsequent e-mail: We would love to have some money to do some teacher training, but that is not our goal. Part of our exponential growth has occurred because Federation agencies have divested themselves of Holocaust education (JCRC in Philly as an example) and "partnered" with us by handing over their Speakers bureau calls and assignments to our operation. We thanked them and did the work. Without compensation. So, yes, in exchange for the mandate we would not seek the crumbs of funding given by the

Commonwealth. Our goal is Holocaust Education. We are not an employment agency. We are still coming on Monday, regardless. We would like a show of support and would gladly share the platform with as many Republican and Democratic elected officials to celebrate the impending passage of a mandate. {Currently, speakers are being organized via Rep. Brendon Boyle, I believe.} We will happily hug any and all folks who have made this happen. Hank is thus hung-out-to-dry [on his own petard] after a fair reading of his own words. Those who are aware of the give-and-take of lobbying/negotiation would think nothing of these data; those who innocently wish not to know how low a Federation-lobbyist would go, you may be nauseated. Id hoped that Hank would talk to his people on Friday andby the end of businessagree to the educational mandate leading to graduation [regardless of whatever else might be appended thereto]; as a quid-pro-quo, Id stop calling him a liar and would aspire to work with him in other arenas. Thus, this e-mail was withheld [embargoed until 10 a.m. Friday, a self-imposed deadline that was extended as the days events unfolded, vide infra]; because the PJC has not signed-on with the mandate [as per the Appropriations Committee version, as just amended], this memo is now being blasted to ~750 people [350 via e-mail, 400 via Facebook], subject to be re-tweeted by a friend who claims to reach thousands. Understandably, perhaps, the only [oblique] reference to this legislative-issue in the jewish exponent article about last Sundays program that had been led by Chuck [friendship-of-fate-between-survivor-and-liberator] mentions there being support for a Holocaust education bill thats being considered by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, despite my having directly educated the author of the piece [Thank you for taking the time to send me the information. In the end I think the article is going to focus more on the personal side of Greenbaum and Gross' connection (and less on the Holocaust education bill). If I need more info on the bill as changes develop, I know who to contact!...(Me: PLEASE at-least MENTION the bill, and note that it would NOT create an unfunded mandate and would simply mandate a topic be taught to everyone.). The bill is definitely mentioned in the context of their talks at the JCC Klein.] Below is the e-mail remitted late last week, illustrating what I was typing while Laura was calling offices in Harrisburg [per information fed-back to me Friday-p.m. via two sources] to complain that I was threatening State Senators in some fashion; to the contrary, as Chuck just emphasized in an e -mail, As we all know, you do not speak for the Museum. Nevertheless, the critical reader wants data, revealing that the only perceived-threat was that which was being endogenously experienced by Hank:

[me, to Laura, Thursday-p.m.] I just left an extensive v.m. with Chuck and told him that I asked that you get a definitive e-mail from Hank stating that he concurs with the Mandateby NOONso that the lobbying-trip could be obviated. Frankly, I wanted to disgorge the info you provided before I forgot it; I stopped talking when he tape expired, but know that I praised your good offices and recognized the fact that you have other commitments.

So that its clear, although I am not the decision-maker, I would suspect that Chuck would agree to most anything Hank would want to add to the bill [as long as the legislators wouldnt mind], under these circumstances. But Hanks commitment must be iron-clad and in-writing, for the buses will roll @ 8 a.m. on Monday if there is any doubt that the Mandate would not be adopted; Im told the speaker-list is already full for the noon Press Conference in the Rotunda. Regardless of what transpires, I recognize with appreciation your capacity to interface in such electric situations, and I truly look forward to working with you in other arenas; those on the cc-list are invited to read only the attachment, for it will bring-you-up-to-speed. [I have agreed to refrain from exercising my freedom-of-speech, for now.] [Laura] We are not going to hear by noon. I have work which my boss wants me to do. I am attending a panel at noon. You may be your own boss, but I answer to a boss. [me, to Laura, Thursday-p.m.]
That is why I included Hank overtly in the cc-list; I want him to feel-the-heat! [Look, Im testifying on Monday so I cant be thereso Im not really in-power.] Id love it were the key-players to talkwith neither you nor I involvedASAP!
From: Hank Butler [mailto:hank@pajewishcoalition.org] Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 6:13 AM To: 'Robert B. Sklaroff' Subject: RE: A Deal May Be In The hank@pajewishcoalition.orgorks!

Sent to you directly I cannot tell Dr. who I am talking with he has screwed this up with the mandate and his e mails he is sending This has to come from me if there is any chance of being accepted He has to calm down and stop telling the world Acceptance of this proposed language is a long shot to begin with -

[me]
Everyone needs to harbor a complete database, so this missive is also being disseminated to the key-players [as should your reply thereto].

You are now talking with the guy who is relentlessly exposing your deceit, a process that yielded your admission that the current bill is c/w PJCs goals. I have screwed-up your effort to divert Republicans from implementing principles that the PDE articulated, to wit, no curriculum should emerge from Harrisburg. I will NOT calm down when faced with a guy who uses his moral/political position to misrepresent the truth [a.k.a. knowingly lie] regarding current statute and priorities. And if he now postures himself as attempting to seek approval of long shot lingo, then he is only confronting a problem of his own doing, for his amendment creates an unfunded-mandate. So I will continue to tell the world of his doings, now remitted directly to me, but I will not compromise as common ground is soughtfor even he now concurs with the core-principle of a MANDATE. * Whenever someone tries to silence someone else by, in this case, asking me to stop [my] comments, it suggests THAT someone may try to manipulate the world while we thought the Appropriations Committee version was going to sail into law unscathed. No, absent prompt dissemination to the ENTIRE Senate by the PJC that you have always said that we want ALL students to be taught about the Holocaust, I will continue to pursue your deceit relentlesslybut maybe Sherrie Savett should chat with Chuck. Do you really think thatabsent your interference [and flailing to control the outcome]this perceived-split in the Jewish Community would have publicly emergedwhen its actually ALL ABOUT $$$ [the restoring the $60K after Rendell stripped it]???

From: Hank Butler [mailto:hank@pajewishcoalition.org] Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 8:24 AM To: 'Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.'; 'Laura Goldman' Cc: gardened@comcast.net; jrafferty@pasen.gov; 'Brendan Boyle' Subject: RE: A Deal May Be In The Works! Please Dr. Sklaroff: Like I said I want to work with you and reach a compromise that can work most importantly pass through both chambers and into law Please refrain from your stated deadlines and statements of distrust we want to work with you, but you have to work with us and not be so threatening

The PJC wants ALL students to learn about the Holocaust, but after 5 years of pushing this effort we are faced with either getting the issue moving forward or losing more time with a defeated bill. I am reaching out to explore your idea and see if it can work it will take time Please have patience I will most likely not have an answer today Your rally is important for the cause teaching Holocaust education Enjoy the day on Monday. [me]
You have obfuscated, but I will remain crystal-clear. Chuck is committed to the mandate, come what may. You plead for time when you know its the last-minute. Justification for distrust abounds, manifest even last night. Im not sorry if my truth-telling is threatening [your reputation]. Now you admit The PJC wants ALL students to learn about the Holocaust. Then say THAT at the Monday rally, for it is precisely what the current bill seeks. Allow the issue to move forward through the Senate in that precise fashion, unscathed. The current versionabsent your nefarious doingsenjoyed bipartisan-support, so let it happen!
From: Hank Butler [mailto:hank@pajewishcoalition.org] Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 8:49 AM To: 'Robert B. Sklaroff' Cc: gardened@comcast.net; jrafferty@pasen.gov; 'Brendan Boyle'; 'Laura Goldman' Subject: RE: A Deal May Be In The Works!

The PJC has always said that we want ALL students to be taught about the Holocaust I wish to work with you and help pass this into law Please stop your comments and let us TRY to work with you

[me]
As they say when playing bridge, lets review the bidding cogently, so that you can chat HONESTLY and CANDIDLY with your people and reach the proper conclusion, ASAP. There is now [suddenly revealed] unity that a MANDATE should exist, for everyone wants ALL students to be taught about the Holocaust; alas, you forgot to state that in your letter. The current GOP-control of both houses of the Assembly and the Gubernatorial Mansionplus the commitment of the Dems to this emotional causeSHOULD yield legislative/executive unanimity.

The lean/mean approach could still be altered in 15 [under altered circumstances, politically, granted], but the proper outcome would have transpired in the interim, according to your own admission, herein. So, get the MANDATE and get $$$ for an OPTIONAL level of GUIDANCE from above [without creating precedent that, even you confess, could create a maelstrom] if you desire, but COMMIT to the MANDATENOW!
From: Hank Butler [mailto:hank@pajewishcoalition.org] Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 9:18 AM To: Robert B. Sklaroff Cc: gardened@comcast.net; jrafferty@pasen.gov; 'Brendan Boyle'; 'Laura Goldman' Subject: RE: A Deal May Be In The hank@pajewishcoalition.orgorks!

Ok I am sorry you feel that way

[me]
Rather than now lamenting my posture, do something productive RIGHT-NOW. Get SS to chat with Chuck, and commit to supporting the Mandate publicly @ the Monday-noon event. If, in the interim, you need to request grant-$ be added [as a face-saving sweetener] for the generation of potential programs, so be it. The fruit of any such efforts would NOT properly be imposed on local School Boards, however, but they could channel the combined concerns of SS and Chuck. And the legislature would assuredly be relieved to place this entire issue behind it, and we could all enjoy a kumba-ya moment @ the bill-signing ceremony, by months end.
From: Laura Goldman [mailto:laurasgoldman@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 10:56 AM To: rsklaroff@gmail.com; hank@pajewishcoalition.org Subject: Sklaroff Stop

Bob, please stop sending these emails and ccing legislators. It is unprofessional and counter productive to getting anything done. I find your threats revolting. I don't operate this way. [me]
You take the high road and Ill take the low road [in your universe]for I care not who arrives first [as long as we all get there]! Let SS and Chuck effect the outcome I have sketched-out, to preclude further exposure of Hanks hypocrisy [and worse].

You failed to refute my analysis, so ponder the benefits of promoting my synthesis of what should now transpire. In response to the prior e-mail, Laura removed herself from this string [Please do

not contact me again. I am not taking the high road. I just want these legislators not to be so disgusted by your antics that they continue to vote for issues that are important to the Jewish community like Israel. Don't contact me again.]; in my
view, this e-mail is self-contradictory [perhaps due to emotion] but, regardless, these legislators will welcome a forthright effort to achieve consensus, unblemished by mendacity. * As a result of all of this back-and-forth [noting that my antics are rooted in truth-telling, even if Hank and Laura wish that others not be apprised thereof], it may be wise to delay a Senate vote due to the necessity to expend energies undoing the manipulation Hank appears to have promulgated. Im told any modification of the House bill will prompt its return to the Education Committee chaired by paul-clymer [who is retiring], but it is possible that it could be thrashed-out during a House-Senate Conference Committee [which would involve the leadership and, perhaps, selected individuals]. Regardless, after having experienced the above-events, I remain convinced the Mandate can pass both the Senate and the House, notwithstanding dire warnings emanating from Hank [perhaps rooted in a desire to promote a self-fulfilling prophesy]; a strong bipartisan Senate vote should do the trick in the House [because Brendon would only need one GOP-vote to flip, so as to attain majority support for the Mandate].