May 11, 2017
Distributed weekly in the Five Towns, Long Island, Queens & Brooklyn
Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper
L ’Chaim!
Pages 9, 10, 11, 13 & 51
GAD ELBAZ
Around the
Community
on His Music, His Mission and His Move to America pg
40 Outpouring of Community Support at Hatzalah Annual Dinner Event
90
Bobker on Lag B’Omer The Surprising Connection between Lag B’Omer and Facebook
42
pg
Shalhevet Celebrates Jerusalem at 50 at Annual Dinner
Special Gifts for a Special Woman pg Page 115
60 56 Sulitza Nesiya to Kerestir
– See page 3
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
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The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Dear Readers,
L
Just because my son was home with me all day doesn’t mean I was more of a mom to him; it just meant that I was a little more active in my “mothering.” But a mother is not always with us physically; she is there for us emotionally –constantly and consistently. She is the support we rely on and the pillar we fall back on. She is our sounding board and our advisor. She is our champion and our most caring critic. When we are young, our mothers are with us constantly. They take us on walks and introduce us to new foods, people and experiences. But as we get older, and are mature enough to explore on our own, they give us our wings and teach us how to fly. They coax us, encourage us, and guide us. They give us the confidence to go out into the world and know that we will only grow best if we can learn some things on our own. Even so, they help us remember our way back home, the place where we know we will be loved most of all. To all the mothers out there, who are there for us always, we wish you a happy Mother’s Day – on Sunday and every day.
ast week my son had a tonsillectomy. That sounds scarier than it really was – it’s a complex way of saying that he no longer has his tonsils. And although taking one’s tonsils out seems pretty routine, there’s a fair amount of recuperation needed after the surgery. As such, I had the privilege of spending some quality time with my son over the past nine days. The first few days were rough. He could barely swallow – and wouldn’t even eat the ice cream that was showered upon him by well-wishers. We finally found a few foods that he could take down, and he spent many hours resting on the couch, playing games, reading, doing homework, and watching videos. It occurred to me, as I was working at home one day with my son peering over my shoulder, that I was working full-time and being a full-time mom. It certainly required a little more Cirque du Soleil moves than I was used to. It meant trying to get everything done while keeping watch over someone who required extra care. I was happy to do it – and it was nice spending time together – I just had to do a little more “mom/work calisthenics.” The truth is, we’re all full-time moms.
Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
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The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
8
COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll
8
Community Happenings
40
NEWS
106
Global
13
National
26
Odd-but-True Stories
35
ISRAEL Israel News
21
A Pocketful of Dirt in Celebration of Israel by Elana Dure 88 PEOPLE
Stories of Inspiration: A Shining Jew
84
Gad Elbaz on His Music, His Mission and His Move to America by Tammy Mark
90
Yossi Ben Hanan by Avi Heiligman
120
PARSHA Rabbi Wein
70
Who Do We Serve? by Rav Moshe Weinberger
72
JEWISH THOUGHT To Consecrate or to Desecrate: That is the Only Question by Eytan Kobre 74 Motherless on Mother’s Day by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz 78
79
Bobker on Lag B’Omer
79
The Surprising Connection between Lag B’Omer and Facebook by Rabbi YY Rubinstein 82
Dear Editor, Rabbi Binyomin Kamenetzky, zt”l, was a man to whom the whole Five Towns owes their Yiddishkeit. If not for his vision and perseverance in the face of opposition, the Five Towns would look very different today. Perhaps it would just be a blip on the Orthodox community’s screen, a small community with a just a handful of Jews who send their children to schools in neighboring communities. May the many children and families who have been strengthened in Yiddishkeit through Rabbi Kamenetzky be a zechus for his neshama. All the best, Moshe Stern Dear Editor, I always enjoy reading Mr. Kobre’s articles weekly. He brings wonderful insight into the parsha and I often comment to my wife while I’m reading his piece about something that caught my eye. This week’s article, on tattoos – no less!, was superb. He brought the issue of tattooing to the fore and gave an amazing, deep, and profound lesson to us all.
I also came away with another lesson. He wrote about Holocaust survivors, and how they are forced to bear the marks of their horror daily. But, as he pointed out, those tattoos make them kedoshim. Sometimes we are forced to do something that we otherwise are not allowed to do, for example, eating on Yom Kippur when someone is in sakana, and it pains us to not be able to follow the mitzvos in the “normal” way. But we should keep in mind that by following halacha in those circumstances, we are showing Hashem that our love for Him is so great, that we will do whatever He wants us to do. Holocaust survivors can proudly show their tattoos on their arms as a symbol of their love and faith in Hashem, that they were persecuted just because they are Hashem’s People. Much hatzlacha, Abe Stewart Dear Editor, I am 42-years-old and I just made my first shidduch. I am jumpContinued on page 12
JEWISH HISTORY Memoirs of a Forgotten Rabbi: The Troubled Life of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber by Rav Pini Dunner 86 HEALTH & FITNESS Lag B’Omer and Emotions by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn
98
Want a Healthy Meal? Cook at Home by Cindy Weinberger, MS, RD, CDN
100
Do I Need Therapy? by Batsheva Bergida, LCSW
102
In Tribute to Mothers (and Grandmothers) by Dr. Hylton I Lightman 104 FOOD & LEISURE The Aussie Gourmet: BLT Salad
105
LIFESTYLES A Special Gift for a Special Woman Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW
106 94
From My Private Art Collection
122
Your Money
132
Shop Till You Drop? by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
134
HUMOR Centerfold Stroller Derby by Jon Kranz
68 126
POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes
110
Trump: “Normalized” but Still Scary by Charles Krauthammer
118
CLASSIFIEDS
127
It’s Mother’s Day! Will you be taking Mom out to eat on Sunday?
24
%
YES
76
%
NO
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Sale Dates: May 14th - 19th 2017
Weekly Glick’s Flour
All Purpose or High Gluten - 5 lb
5
2/$
Osem Bissli
12 oz Cheerios or 11.10 oz Honey Nut Cheerios
Assorted - Multipack
299
Tuscanini
Pasta Sauce
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Attributes .............
Ronzoni Pasta
Spaghetti, Thin Spaghetti, Elbows, Ziti Rigati, Penne Rigate, Rotini, Rigatoni, Medium Shells - 16 oz
5
5/$
Tuscanini Marinara, Pizza & Pasta Sauces 24.3 oz $ 99
Vintage Seltzer 1 Liter
Kemach 6” Graham Cracker Pie Crusts 9 oz
1
2/$
ITEM NUMBER
UPC
BRAND
730200 730201 730202 730203
7 10069 31200 5 7 10069 31201 2 7 10069 31202 9 7 10069 31203 6
Tuscanini Tuscanini Tuscanini Tuscanini
DESCRIPTION
Traditional Pizza Sauce Napoletana Pasta Sauce Classic Marinara Sauce Zesty Marinara Sauce
99¢
......................................................
Mishpacha Lasagna 16 oz $ 49
1
Tradition Chicken Cup-a-Soup Regular, Reduced Sodium, No MSG - 12 Pack $ 99
.................................................
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.................................................
UOM
10 oz
399
$
.................................................
$
.................................................
.................................................
.................................................
17 oz
20 oz
Osem Pearled Couscous 24.3 oz. 24.3 oz 24.3 oz 24.3 oz
3
Bloom’s Chocolate Chips Bumble Bee Solid White Wesson Canola Oil 48 oz 9 oz Tuna In Water or Oil - 4 Pack - 5 oz $ 99 3/$ $ 99
1099
......................................................
Assorted - 14 oz
99¢
Extra Virgin, Extra Light, Pure - 50.07 oz
1
Lieber’s Honey Grahams Oneg Fried Onions
3/$
Filippo Berio Olive Oil
40 tomatoes in each bottle! Italian tomatoes First imported kosher and authentic Italian pasta sauce Perfected recipe from the famous Parma region of Italy Made with freshly harvested Italian tomatoes Extraordinary taste and texture
Chocolate or Vanilla - 2.8 oz
$
499
$
Osem Pudding
CASE PACK
PRICE
12 12 12 12
$24.70 $24.70 $24.70 $24.70
Original Only - 8.8 oz
1
5
3
5
Tonelli Balsamic Vinegar
399
Mikee Garlic Stir Fry Sauce
299
.................................................
Zeta Flavor Infused Oils Assorted - 250 ml
549
$
$ 29
$
$
.................................................
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.................................................
4 lb Bag
7.33 oz
Gefen Salad Croutons Gourmet Glatt Cookie All Flavors - 5.2 oz Pops 9 oz $ 29 $ 49
1
2
Domino Sugar
5
2/$
Stacy’s Pita Chips
4
2/$
7
Mehadrin Leben Assorted - 6 oz
Friendship Sour Cream Assorted - 16 oz $ 49
10
10/$
1
...................................................... Miller’s Sliced Miller’s String Cheese Cheese 18 oz White Muenster, Edam, Mozzarella, $ 99 Smoked, Pepper Jack Only - 6 oz $ 99 ...................................................... Ha’olam Shredded Fresh & Tasty Cheese Whipped Cream
6
1
Sonny & Joe’s Hummus Assorted - 10 oz
4
2/$
.......................................
Philadelphia Cheesecakes
Assorted - 6.5 oz
5
2/$
Sabra Guacamole Assorted - 8 oz
3
2/$
.......................................
Fage Greek Yogurt Assorted - 5.3 oz
6
5/$
Friendship Cottage Turkey Hill Iced Tea Assorted Cheese Assorted - 16 oz
64 oz
2/$
2/$
.......................................
.......................................
4
Ha’olam Ricotta Cheese 16 oz
399
$
3
Mehadrin Farmer Cheese 16 oz
599
$
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
16 oz
Assorted 40 oz - 48 oz
8 oz
$
8 oz
Except Reduced Fat - 8 oz $ 99
McCain French Fries
Edy’s Ice Cream
Zevi’s Gefilte Fish
Cheese
1
1
$ 99
Assorted 20 oz/32 oz
Assorted - 48 oz
2
$ 99 $ 99 ...................................................... Pepperidge Farms Amnon’s Pizza Puff Pastry Sheets Original Only
2
17.3 oz
3
$
99
36 oz
7
$ 99 ...................................................... Mom’s Chicken Shapes Vita Tops Muffin & Nuggets Tops 28.8 oz
Assorted - 8 oz
$
$
899
NOW 2 locations!
Farms Creamery Margarine Sticks
99¢
Original Only - 20 oz
499
Starbuck’s Iced Coffee
549
$
Hanover Soft Pretzels
Farms Creamery Strauss Feta Cheese Cream Cheese Bars Assorted - 5.3 oz
1
$ 59
Dagim Tilapia 14 oz
329
Dr. Praeger Broccoli, Kale or Spinach Littles
$
13 oz
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
.......................................
13 oz
4 Pack
Assorted 24 oz - 28 oz
Oronoque Pie Shells 16 oz
2
$
69
99¢ NY Pasta Authority Tortellini or Ravioli
399
$
399
$
Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Bars
349
$
10 oz
399
$
Ta’amti Bourekas
429
$
399
Cedarhurst STORE HOURS
137 Spruce Street
(516) 569-2662
SUN -TUE: 7 AM-9 PM WED: 7 AM-11 PM THURS: 7 AM-12 AM FRIDAY 6:30 AM-2 HRS. BEFORE CANDLE LIGHTING
Woodmere STORE HOURS
1030 Railroad Avenue
(516) 295-6901
SUN - THURS: 7 AM-9 PM FRIDAY 7 AM UNTIL 2 HRS. BEFORE CANDLE LIGHTING
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
Sale Dates: May 14th - 19th 2017
Specials 2 PACK WHOLE OR CUT-UP PULLETS $ 29 lb. Cut in 1/4s
CORNED BEEF DECKEL
RIB STEAK
1499 lb.
$
2
699 lb.
$
Family Pack
Minute Steak
Shoulder Lamb Chops
1299 lb.
$
Family Pack ...................
................... Neck & Skirt
Shoulder London $ 49 9 lb. Broil ................... Neck & Skirt
4
$
Ground Beef
Family Pack
79
Boneless Fillet Steak
lb.
9
$
Family Pack
Red Radishes
Jumbo Green Peppers
69¢ ea.
79¢ lb.
Gala Apples
Postiv Romaine
Dark Chicken Cutlets
Ground Chicken
lb.
549 lb.
Chicken Drumsticks $ 69 2 lb.
new crop!
Seasoned Chicken or Beef Kabobs
$
Seasoned or Buffalo Wings
$
699 lb. 249 lb.
...................
Seasoned Beef, Chicken $ 49 6 lb. or Pastrami Patties
Family Pack
Nectarines
$
...................
$
Family . . . . . . . . . Pack ..........
699 lb.
Turkey London Broil
seasoned ready to grill or bake!
599 lb.
$
Family Pack ...................
Cello Carrots
Sweet Potatoes
$
4/$2
69¢ lb.
Florida Kirbies
Red & Green Leaf Lettuce
Sliced Mushrooms
199 lb.
8 oz
99¢ lb.
79
Family Pack
or 1/8s
...................
579 lb.
Family Pack ..................
149 lb.
$
Turkey Drumsticks $199 lb.
1199 lb.
$
$
Beef Patties
CHICKEN WINGS
1 lb Bag
$
89¢ lb.
Head $ 49
Bartlett Pears
Sweet Cantaloupe
Green Cabbage
Cello Onions
Spaghetti Squash
99¢ lb.
2/$4
2/$3
69¢ lb.
399 ea.
1
2/$3
ea.
3 lb Bag
39¢ lb.
24 VARIETIES!
Pasta, Cheese & Broccoli 2 lb Container $ 99
BBQ Grilled Cutlets $ 99 lb.
11
Sliced Fresh Turkey with Salad $ 99
7
Summer Slaw $ 99 lb.
4
7
order your shabbos platters early! 4 795
Giant $ 95 Mom’s Healthy $ Vegetable Delight Roll Roll ...................................................... American $ Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Roll .....................
495
Kani Pops
Salmon Rolled with Spinach $ 99 lb.
5
6
12
6
99 ea.
Package of 4
Dendrobium Orchids Bunch
1699 & up
$
995
$
Salmon Combo
1295
$
order your fish & salad platter for shalosh suda! Diet Spinach Kugel
Cinnamon Parve Assorted Color Bobka Cupcakes $
free grilling tuesday & wednesday
Tilapia Family Pack $ 99 lb.
Breaded Flounder $ 99 lb.
1195
Sweet $ Potato Roll
Onion Pockets Package of 4
Small White Bread
1
$ 49 ea.
3
$
99 ea.
Cymbidium Orchids Stem
1999
$
gourmetglattonline.com
Orchid Plants
2999& up
$
/gourmetglatt
largest variety of homemade dips! Matbucha
299ea.
$
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299ea.
$
Three Bean Salad
3
$
99 ea.
399ea.
$
Cabbage Soup
399ea.
$
Diet Ratatouille Salad
499lb.
$
Angel Hair Pasta
649lb.
$
We reserve the right to limit quantities. No rain checks. Not responsible for typographical errors.
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Continued from 8
On Monday, May 15, 2017 You can help feed hungry Israelis All you have to do is EAT! Join communities across the United States in dining at your favorite participating Kosher restaurant on May 15. 10% of proceeds will go toward funding Meir Panim’s RestaurantStyle Soup Kitchens in Israel. Invite all your friends and family - the more people that participate, the more meals will go to feed impoverished Israelis.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
ing out of my skin from excitement. I can’t tell you what it feels like to be by a vort, to look at the smiling chosson and kallah and to know that you were the shliach to bring them together. I am writing to let everyone know that anyone can do this! It’s not rocket science. The shidduch I made was between two people who I have known for years and it was only once I got inspired to try and make a shidduch that I thought about them. So, I urge everyone: think about the single people you know; don’t be scared to set them up. Make the phone call, ““Hi, have you ever heard of so-and-so? ... I will email you her resume, I think you guys may be a good fit...” and before you know it you too may be at a vort, watching with joy as a couple that you set up celebrates finding each other! Chana E. Dear Editor, I appreciated Dr. Lightman’s article about helping our children
deal with anxiety. I think, though, that the biggest issue is that parents have anxiety and that is transferred to their children. Aside for implementing the methods discussed in Dr. Lightman’s article, it would be helpful for us parents to work on our own anxiety issues and that will undoubtedly help our children. One great method to dealing with anxiety is meditation. There are hundreds of amazing books about mediation that anyone can pick up and learn about the technique. It happens to be that Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan’s book, “Jewish Meditation,” is written very well. Although it focuses more on the meditative aspects of davening, it does give a clear and comprehensive overview of meditation in general. It also happens to be that davening done right is one of the greatest meditation tools. As a parent, this is something worth investing in. Kol tuv, Yerucham Levy
For more information visit: americaeatsforisrael.com info@americaeatsforisrael.com | 877.736.6283
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The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
The Week In News
N Korea Detains another American
Macron to Lead France
The French people have spoken. Residents of France voted in Emmanuel Macron as successor to President Francois Hollande on Sunday. At 39-years-old, the former investment banker will be the youngest president in the history of the country. He took the record away from Napoleon’s nephew, Louis Napoleon, who won the presidency at age 40 in 1848. The former economy minister defeated anti-immigration nationalist Marine Le Pen. Le Pen, a strong conservative, had threatened to take France out of the European Union during her campaign. Macron received 66% of the popular vote and Le Pen got garnered 34%, a much wider gap wider than predicted by pre-election surveys. In his acceptance speech Macron humbly accepted his duty to please all of France and not just his supporters. “I know the divisions in our nation, which have led some to vote for the extremes. I respect them. I know the anger, the anxiety, the doubts that very many of you have also expressed. It’s my responsibility to hear them,” he said. “I will work to recreate the link between Europe and its peoples, between Europe and citizens.” Many chose Macron as the best of the worse, voting simply to ensure that Le Pen wasn’t voted in. Furthermore, many voters chose not to vote at all, signaling their distaste for both candidates. France had the worst voter turnout since 1969 with just 74% of registered voters turning up to vote on Election Day.
On Sunday, state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea has detained a U.S. citizen on suspicion of “hostile acts” against the regime. According to North Korea, Kim Hak-song is “a man who was doing business in relation to the operation of Pyongyang University of Science and Technology.” KCNA said the American was detained Saturday, but did not release more details on his alleged crime. There are now four U.S. citizens being held by North Korea. Haksong is the second American professor working at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology to be detained in recent months. In a statement, Pyongyang University of Science and Technology said Kim was doing agricultural development work with the university’s agricultural farm. The English version of the staterun Korean Central News Agency identified the detained citizen as Jin Xue Song, a Chinese version of the name Kim Hak-song. Kim, an ethnic Korean, was born in Jilin, China, and was educated at a university in California. He came to the U.S. in the mid-1990s and became a citizen in the 2000s. After about ten years of living in the U.S. Hak-Song returned to China. Two years ago he went to Pyongyang. “Professor Kim was a man who would call North Korea as his own country. He went to Pyongyang to devote himself to the development of North Korea’s agricultural technology so that the North can be self-sufficient with food,” David Kim, a classmate, said. Kim had been very concerned about the food shortage in North Korea. Three other U.S. citizens are detained by North Korea: Kim Dong Chul, the president of a company involved in international trade and
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
HOLD ON TO THEIR FUTURE
on Wednesday. The last public photo of Prince Philip was also last Wednesday as he attended an event.
Together, we can make a difference.
15th Annual David Z. Herman Memorial FD NOW Dinner May 18, 2017, 6 PM • The Sephardic Temple, Cedarhurst NY 2017 Honorary Dinner Chairman
Martin Elias 2017 Campaign Chairpersons
Guests of Honor: Channie and Dr. Michael Sosnay in tribute to Dr. Cyrus Sosnay, a”h
2017 Committee
Peri Avitan Mindy & David Bach Aryeh & Grace Bodner Dr. Jeffry & Shira Beer Brandi Begelman Jeffrey & Miriam Benkoe Ari Brand Allen & Barbara Herman Bodner Moshe Brand Annette Browdy Bonnie Bodoff Lauren Browdy Lynn Cabin Elliott & Lauren Cohen Lillian Chanales Allen & Jacqueline Herman Suri & Sheldon Chanales Joshua Herman Emily Cohen Jay & Lonnie Mostel Dov Eisenberger Rabbi Ilan & Tara Schimmel Aliza & Ruven Ellberger Dr. Michael & Channie Sosnay Lorey & Elliot Friedman Rabbi Ari & Deborah Rockoff Rick Fromewick Alan Weisberg Seth Gartenlaub Rabbi Moshe Gottesman Jeffrey Herman Shira & Yehuda Kessock Kimberly & Jonathan Krup
Brenda & Dr. Lawrence Levitan Neil Lippin Brad Markowitz Dr. Harold & Sandy Mostel Michael New Daniela & Jonathan Polk Meredith & Stephen Pyle Ricardo Ringel Deborah & Seth Rinn Eric Schimmel Marlene & Howard Schimmel Justin Schwartz Marilyn & Jack Sherman Glenn Skolnick Ann Slaw Rhonda & Joe Strassman Deborah & Martin Taub Shari White
Familial Dysautonomia, (FD), is a life-threatening and progressive neurological disease present at birth and caused by a genetic mutation that is primarily found in Ashkenazic Jews. Kids with FD live in very unstable bodies. They are prone to wide swings in blood pressure and heart rate, rapid decline of oxygenation, eye ulcerations, decreased ability to feel pain and temperature, spinal curvature, low muscle tone, inability to swallow, and worst of all, autonomic crisis. Without continued funding, our efforts to help those afflicted with FD will come to a halt. We need your help to fight FD now!
Donations, reservations and raffles: fdnow.org Questions? Please email fdnowny@gmail.com
hotel services; he was arrested in 2015. Otto Warmbier, a University of Virginia student, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in 2016 for removing a political sign. Kim Sang Duk, also known as Tony Kim, a university professor, was detained in Pyongyang in 2017 and accused of attempting to overthrow the government.
Prince Philip Steps Down from Royal Duty Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Philip will be stepping down from all official duties and public life as of September at the age of 95. Philip has been married to
the Queen for her entire reign – 65 years – and has regularly attended official engagements. The Queen has also been scaling back her public appearances at the age of 91. For now, she will continue to carry out her duties while being surrounded by other members of the royal family. The most recent engagement of the Queen was attending a meeting with the prime minister at the palace
According to those familiar with the plans of the royal family, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will move back to London from Norfolk in eastern England this year in order to carry out more duties. They will take up residence in Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana. The Duke, Prince William, recently announced that he will leave his job as a helicopter pilot with the East Anglia Air Ambulance service in order to fulfill royal duties. Before the announcement was made publicly senior royal staff members were summoned to London by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior member of Queen Elizabeth II’s household staff, to be told of the announcement prior to the public proclamation. This announcement isn’t a huge shock since five short years ago Prince Philip said he would “wind down” his workload. Even so, working takes a toll on a man his age. In 2016, he attended 200 events. In an interview with the BBC to mark his 90th birthday in 2011, Prince Philip said it was time to take a step back from his responsibilities. “I reckon I’ve done my bit, I want to enjoy myself now ... have less responsibility, less frantic rushing about, less preparation, less trying to think of something to say,” he said at the time.
Prosecuting at Nuremberg Ben Ferencz, a 97-year-old WWII veteran who prosecuted Nazis in Nuremberg, recently spoke with “60 Minutes.” 70 years since the trials, Ferencz recalls with chilling detail how blank the faces of the murder-
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
IN CONJUNCTION WITH
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ers he prosecuted were when they were confronted with their crimes. “I’m still churning,” Ferencz recalls. “Defendants’ faces were blank all the time…absolutely blank…like…they’re waiting for a bus.”
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jumped over the thing and put a bayonet right through one ear and let it come out the other.” Ferencz spent the remainder of his career focused on the establishment of the International Criminal Court in The Hague and the prosecution of war crimes.
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Ferencz had graduated Harvard Law School and then served in the U.S. armed forces. He fought bravely in many of the major battles of World War II. After being put in a unit tasked with investigating war crimes, he went searching through concentration camps seeking out evidence. He discovered a large, hidden cache of Nazi reports that documented the systemic killing of over 1 million people outside of concentration camps – in towns and cities throughout Europe. “They were 3,000 SS officers trained for the purpose and directed to kill, without pity or remorse, every single Jewish man, woman and child they could lay their hands on,” he related. When Ferencz had presented his newfound evidence to his superiors, the Nuremberg trials were already underway and his boss did not think there was enough staff to prepare the evidence for trial. Even so, he allowed Ferencz to prosecute based on the evidence he discovered, so long as he undertook all of the casework himself. The then-27-year-old put the trial together on his own time and led the ninth trial at Nuremberg on his own. When the Nazis at his trial were presented with the evidence, 22 commanders of the SS units called Einsatzgruppen pleaded not guilty. They did so despite Ferencz presenting their own handwritten reports of the murders they and their men had carried out. Ferencz recalls that one of the commanders was particularly flagrant in his denial. He recalled, “He gets up and he says, then uttering the words in German before translating, ‘What? The Jews were shot? I hear it here for the first time.’ Boy, I felt if I’d had a bayonet, I would have
Argentina has seen many protests this past week since two Supreme Court judges who were appointed by President Mauricio Macri made a decision that may lead to the early release of hundreds of convicted human rights abusers. The court ruling in question reduced the sentence of Luis Muina, who was given a 13-year prison sentence in 2013 for kidnapping and torture during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. Three of the five Supreme Court judges ruled that time served before conviction should be counted as double towards his final sentence. Their ruling is based on their interpretation of a controversial law that has since been repealed. Many activists have taken to the streets warning of the precedent this ruling sets. “The ruling will result in a cascade of appeals. It will have a domino effect that will lead to the release of most offenders,” said Rodolfo Yanzon, a lawyer representing victims of the dictatorship. “It’s a virtual amnesty.” Many argue that the ruling was made in order to downplay the abuse that the previous military regime rained upon the people of Argentina. Over 350 former military officers that have been condemned for their actions will benefit from the ruling. It came only a few days after the very influential Catholic Church pleaded for reconciliation between the military and their victims. Argentina’s bishops publicly called for a “the fraternal coming together of all Argentinians.”
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Venice: KebabFree
Walk through the streets of Venice, and you’ll be able to sample some of the delicious local cuisine: pasta, risotto, cheeses, seafood, soup and polenta. One thing you won’t be able to taste, though, is spicy kebabs. Last Thursday, the Italian city passed a law in order to “preserve decorum and traditions,” banning new kebab shops and other fast food outlets from opening. The new rule also limits shops that sell pizza by the slice. Only shops selling artisanal ice cream will be spared from the measure, long championed by the mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro. Paola Mar, the city’s tourism chief, said: “We want to put the brakes on types of activities which are not compatible with the preservation and development of Venice’s cultural heritage.” Mar said the city was not opposed to kebabs or other types of fast food, and stressed she did not have a problem with people eating outside, although the consumption of takeaway food in St Mark’s Square is prohibited. “The problem is that with a tourist city like ours, there is a risk of it losing its identity. There are local products that we must try to promote, this would be better for the spirit of the city and, at an environmental level, would be more sustainable.” There are also plans to develop picnic areas to deter visitors from eating takeaway food in tourist hotspots. Venice is the latest Italian city to limit the sale of fast food in a country that prides itself on its national cuisine. Last year Verona stopped the opening of new kebab shops, while Florence has attempted to clamp down on “foreign food” by ruling that all new restaurants and food shops in the city’s historic center must ensure at least 70% of their produce is local. In Venice, which receives millions of visitors each year, the authorities have long grappled with
how to protect the city and its environment. The tourist influx has angered local residents, with several posters appearing across the city last summer with the message: “Tourists go away!!! You are destroying this area!” Local authorities have experimented with various measures to manage the number of tourists and make the city more “liveable,” including making tourists wait longer at popular vaporetto [water taxi] stops on top of paying €6 more than locals for a ride. Recent reports also suggested Venice was mulling charging visitors a fee to enter St Mark’s Square. Mar said this might be something the city adopts on a trial basis, but no firm plan has been drawn up.
North Korea & Iran
More evidence is coming out linking the Islamic Republic of Iran and North Korea. This week, Iran attempted to launch a Jask-2 cruise missile from a “midget” submarine that intelligence officials say is based on a North Korean design. The same type of submarine sank a South Korean warship in 2010. The attempted launch failed, though it would have marked the first time such a missile was launched underwater. Experts on the matter have long thought that North Korea and Iran have been sharing missile-related information and technology. “The very first missiles we saw in Iran were simply copies of North Korean missiles,” says Jeffrey Lewis, a missile proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. “Over the years, we’ve seen photographs of North Korean and Iranian officials in each other’s countries, and we’ve seen all kinds of common hardware.” The Pentagon identified a ballistic missile that Iran tested in January as being based on a North Korean design. Conversely, North
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President Bashar Assad’s air force will enter in an effort to reduce violence in the war-torn Arab country. The agreement was signed in Kazakhstan this week in the capital city of Astana. The agreement was sealed among public protests to Iran’s involvement. Iran has been accused of throwing fuel on the destructive fire that is the Syrian civil war that has claimed over 400,000 lives. “Iran is a country that is killing the Syrian people and the killer cannot be the rescuer,” Abu Osama Golani, a rebel commander who was at Astana for the agreement signing, protested. This agreement is not the first signed in Astana meant to slow the conflict. On December 30, a ceasefire agreement was signed that lasted for a few weeks but eventually collapsed. All other attempts to peacefully end the conflict have failed as well. The sponsors of the deal hope that the safe zones will encourage displaced refugees to return to their homeland and bring relief for hundreds of thousands of Syrian civilians that have known only war for the past six years. Many, though, are skeptical of the deal. Heather Nauert, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said that America has “reason to be cautious” about the chances for success of the deal, though it does appreciate Russia and Turkey’s efforts in helping to lower the violence in Syria. She was very skeptical of Iran’s involvement, adding that “Iran’s activities in Syria have only contributed to the violence – not stopped it – and Iran’s unquestioning support for the Assad regime has perpetuated the misery of ordinary Syrians.”
Boko Haram Releases Captives Korea’s Taepodong missile looks almost identical to Iran’s Shahab missile. ”In the past, we would see things in North Korea and they would show up in Iran. In some recent years, we’ve seen some small things appear in Iran first and then show up in North Korea and so that raises the question of whether trade – which started off as North Korea to Iran – has started to reverse,” Lewis
added. Both Iran and North Korea have been losing friends in the international community. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spent some time last week trying to bolster support from Southeast Asian countries for more United Nations sanctions against North Korea. The Trump administration had put Iran “on notice” days after their ballistic missile test.
De-Escalation Zones Established in Syria Turkey, Russia, and Iran have all agreed to make designated areas in Syria “de-escalation zones” in which
For the last three years, hundreds of young Nigerian girls were held captive by Islamist militants. Last week, a deal was brokered through the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure the release 82 of
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
the hostages in exchange for several Boko Haram militant commanders. The group of young girls was welcomed back by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at his home in the capital city of Abuja on Sunday. The president greeted the group warmly. “I cannot express in a few words how happy I am to welcome our dear girls back to freedom. On behalf of all Nigerians, I will like to share my joy with you.” The meeting with the president took place after the girls were examined by doctors but before they were reunited with their relatives, symbolizing the hope that their release provides to the country. “Let me reassure Nigerians, especially relatives and friends of the remaining girls, that the Federal Government will spare no effort to see that they and all other Nigerians who have been abducted safely regain their freedom,” Buhari asserted. This deal is a highlight of Buhari’s administration, as securing the release of these girls was a talking point of his 2015 campaign. The group of girls was among a group of 270 schoolgirls kidnapped in April 2014 by the militant group Boko Haram. In the last eight years
the terrorist group has murdered thousands and forced millions out of their homes in an attempt to create an Islamist caliphate. The girls were originally abducted from Chibok, a remote town in northeastern Nigeria. Families there were anxiously awaiting the release of the names of those freed to be published. Boko Haram, which has pledged loyalty to Islamic State, is responsible for thousands of other kidnappings.
between 1996 and 2009. He was the tourism minister for two postings under Ariel Sharon before he was fired by Sharon for his opposition to the Gaza withdrawal plan. Rabbi Elon stopped serving the public in 2009 when he was placed on the Jewish Home party’s Knesset slate.
dren,” Rivlin said. Rabbi Elon traveled the world with his infectious love of Israel. He helped to promote a coalition with evangelical Christians and believed that non-Jewish support for Israel was important for Israel’s survival. He was principled, a man of faith, and a man of action. His father, Menachem Elon, was the Deputy Chief Justice of Israel. Rabbi Benny Elon, ob”m, is survived by his wife, journalist Emuna Elon, and their six children.
Fidget Fad Created After Trip to Israel Former Tourism Minister Dies at 62 Rabbi Benny Elon, former Tourism Minister of Israel and lover of Israel, died last week at the age of 62. Elon died of throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2006. Rabbi Elon served in the Knesset
President Reuven Rivlin remembered Rabbi Elon as “a big-hearted man, who dedicated himself entirely to the cause of education, and the public.” “As a minister, as a member of parliament, and as a man of action, vision, and of spirit, Rabbi Benny Elon was one of the great fighters and doers for the sake of the Land of Israel, for its residents, and its chil-
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that has kids across the globe very excited. It turns out that the inventor of the mesmerizing toy thought of the idea over 20 years ago while visiting Israel. Catherine Hettinger, of Orlando, Florida, has said that she was looking for a way to distract and soothe children. She sought to do so after overhearing a conversation about Palestinian children throwing rocks at Israeli police during demonstrations. The device was meant to give children a distraction. “It started as a way of promoting peace, and then I went on to find something that was very calming,” Hettinger said this week. The spinners have three prongs with a center bearing that allows it to rotate at very high speeds. Her first patent for the toy was approved in 1997. It then ran out in 2005 and independent manufacturers mass produced and marketed the toy. On May 2, the spinners made it to Amazon’s top 20 bestsellers in the toys and games category. Hettinger did not renew the patent when it expired because she could not afford the $400 fee. “I just didn’t have the money,” she explained. “It’s challenging, being an inventor,” she said. “Only about 3% of inventions
make any money. I’ve watched other inventors mortgage their houses and lose a lot. You take roommates, you get help from friends and family. It is hard.” The toys are so popular that more and more schools across the globe are banning them because they are distracting.
Turkish Prez Calls for Al-Aqsa Gathering
This week, the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called on Muslims to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the hundreds of thousands in support of the Palestinians
el adheres strictly to full freedom of worship for Jews, Muslims, and Christians – and will continue to do so in spite of baseless slander.” Later on Monday, Erdogan discussed ways to halt the so-called “Judaization” of Jerusalem with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. At a meeting in Istanbul the Turkish leader “confirmed the necessity of unifying efforts to protect Jerusalem against attempts of Judaization,” according to the Palestinian Ma’an news agency. In response, President Reuven Rivlin pointed out that Jerusalem has had a Jewish majority for over 150 years – including under Ottoman rule. “We have heard voices which attack Israel for building Jewish life in Jerusalem,” the president said in response on Tuesday. “I must tell these people, for the last 150 years there has been a Jewish majority in Jerusalem. Even under the Ottoman Empire there was a Jewish majority in Jerusalem.” Rivlin’s family has lived in Jerusalem since 1809. Modern Turkey is the successor of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled the Holy Land from the late 15th century until 1917.
and to protect the site’s “Muslim character.” His comments were made at the opening of the Istanbul-based AlQuds Waqf International Forum. “Turkey attaches great importance to the justified resistance of the Palestinians and will not yield to Israeli attempts to change the status quo in the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Erdogan proclaimed. “We as Muslims should visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque more often, every day that Jerusalem is under occupation is an insult to us.” He continued, “They [Israel] feel they are immune from punishment for their crimes, but the international community must stand up to them. Peace cannot be established in the region if international law is indifferent to massacres and cruelty.” Erdogan closed by saying that only a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital will bring peace to the region. He also praised a document that Hamas published last week as “an important step” on the road to a calm Middle East. Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded to the comments by pointing out that “he who systematically violates human rights in his country will not preach morality to the only true democracy in the region. Isra-
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New Bill to Palestinian Establish Israel as Terrorist in “Jewish State” Hotel Stabbings Indicted
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Israel will become known as “the national home of the Jewish people” if the Knesset passes a controversial law that has been proposed. The Ministerial Committee for Legislation has unanimously voted to throw their support behind Likud MK Avi Dichter’s Jewish State bill, which seeks to enshrine in Israeli law the status of the Jewish people in relation to the State of Israel. If the law passes it will become one of the Basic Laws which guide Israel’s legal system and are more difficult to repeal than other laws. “This is a small step for the Jewish State bill, which establishes that Israel is and will be a Jewish and democratic state, and it’s a big step toward defining our identity, not only in the eyes of the world but primarily for ourselves, Israelis. To be a free people in our land,” Dichter proclaimed. According to Dichter, the law is especially important as it will assist in countering Palestinian efforts to deny the Jewish people’s rights to Israel. “Events of recent months prove that this is a battle for the Israel’s image and national identity. The Palestinians no longer hide their goal of erasing the Jewish people’s nation-state,” he wrote. The bill was first proposed by Dichter in 2014. It was put on the backburner, however, after it received harsh criticism from both Arab opposition and liberal-minded members of Dichter’s own Likud party. Many other drafts of the bill have been brought forward since then, however none have been successful in gaining any traction in the Knesset. The latest version of the bill was able to get off of the ground because it made the necessary compromises, both in wording and in policy, to get the support it needs from a wider range of Knesset members.
On April 23 a Palestinian teenager stormed into a Tel Aviv hotel and began stabbing hotel employees. He injured four people before being apprehended by authorities. Last week, the terrorist, Imad Agbar, 18, from Nablus, was indicted by the Tel Aviv District Attorney on four counts of attempted murder and a terrorist act. According to the indictment, Agbar confessed to the attack, openly admitting that he sought to “kill Jews because they are Jews.” The indictment stated that Agbar entered the city with the NGO Natural Peace Tours. He had received a one-day pass to enter Israel, provided by the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. Allegedly he sharpened his belt buckle, which he later used as his weapon, allowing him to pass the security checkpoint to enter Israel from the West Bank undetected. Agbar left the tour group at Hayarakon Park in northern Tel Aviv and slipped away to carry out the attack. The terrorist’s first victim was a 70-year-old walking down the street. He then entered the Leonardo Beach Hotel where he used wire cutters to stab a clerk near the neck in the lobby’s antique shop. The clerk’s husband reacted quickly and began chasing Agbar back out into the lobby. As the terrorist attacked another employee in the lobby, the husband blocked the revolving door in an attempt to trap the suspect. Witnesses say Agbar charged at him and shattered the glass door in order to escape outdoors where he was met by police officers. According to the indictment, several months before the attack Agbar had plans to carry out a stabbing attack at the Dead Sea, in December 2016. After a taxi driver told him that the beach wasn’t crowded at that time of the year he decided not to carry out the plan.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Texas Says No to Sanctuary Cities
On Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that would ban sanctuary cities in the state. The bill establishes criminal and civil penalties for local government entities and law enforcement that don’t comply with immigration laws and detention requests. The new measure would fine government entities up to $25,500 for each day the law is violated. The ban also result in a misdemeanor charge for sheriffs, police chiefs and constables who fail to comply with detention requests and in removal from office for elected and appointed officials, Abbott’s office said.
“As Governor, my top priority is public safety, and this bill furthers that objective by keeping dangerous criminals off our streets,” Abbott said in a press release. “It’s inexcusable to release individuals from jail that have been charged with heinous crimes like ... assault against minors, domestic violence and robbery.” The measure goes into effect on September 1. “Sanctuary city” is a broad term applied to jurisdictions with policies in place to limit cooperation or involvement with federal immigration actions. Many U.S. cities, counties and some states have a myriad of informal policies and laws that qualify as “sanctuary” positions. Detractors of the bill were vocal in their opposition. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said the bill – which is called the “show me your papers measure” – “encourages racial profiling by untrained immigration agents” and it “removes democratically elected representatives from office should they fail to comply.” Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said it was “unfortunate that fear and misinformation” enabled the law the pass. Travis County is the only jurisdiction in Texas with an ac-
tive policy restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration officials. The Texas law is the first one of its kind to be signed since President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to crack down on socalled sanctuary cities in January. Trump’s order said it would “strip federal grant money from the sanctuary states and cities that harbor illegal immigrants,” press secretary Sean Spicer said. The order declared that entities labeled “sanctuary jurisdictions” by the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security will be “not eligible” for federal grants. It also directed the Office of Management and Budget to compile a list of federal grant money currently being doled out to sanctuary jurisdictions. In March, U.S.. Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened to cut federal funds from sanctuary cities and states that will not comply with immigration laws. “After years of the previous administration turning a blind eye to this issue, the federal government is sending a clear and necessary message that the laws of this land are going to be enforced,” Governor Abbott said at the time.
More Phones, Less Speech
In today’s day and age many babies are able to navigate an iPhone way before they take their first steps or say “mama,” but is that okay for our children’s development? According to a new study to be presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting, screen time can actually be very detrimental to a child’s cognitive growth. Researchers found that the more time children between the ages of six months and two years spent using handheld screens such as smartphones, tablets and electronic games the more likely they
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specifically handheld mobile devices,” said Michael Robb, research director for Common Sense Media. “What’s driving the effect is very important. The negative effects may be due to screen time replacing parent-child interaction (playing, reading, talking, singing, etc.) which are critical for healthy development,” Robb pointed out.
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Clinton to Lead Resistance PAC
She’s back! In case you missed the former first lady and presidential nominee, she is reentering the political game after spending months on the downlow mourning her shocking loss to Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton has organized a political organization committee (PAC) whose goal will be funding “resistance” groups that will stand up to President Donald Trump and conservative policies. According to undisclosed sources, Clinton is currently working with former aides and donors to establish an organization that will seek to fund and invest in groups that have impressed her since Trump won the 2016 election. In a recent interview Clinton labeled herself as an “activist.” “I’m now back to being an activist citizen and part of the resistance,” Clinton said in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Earlier this year Clinton hinted to her sentiments in Texas when she said, “Activism is more important than ever, and it’s working, from the women’s marches across the country and around the globe to helping to bring down the Republicans’ terrible health care bill. But we have to keep going.” This newly formed organization, Onward Together, a homage to her campaign slogan, will be like a matchmaker between groups and donors. Clinton will essentially fundraise for the groups.
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were to experience speech delays. “I believe it’s the first study to examine mobile media device and communication delay in children,” said Dr. Catherine Birken, the study’s senior investigator and a pediatrician and scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. “It’s the first time that we’ve sort of shone a light on this potential issue, but I think the results need to be tempered [because] it’s really a first look.” The study analyzed nearly 900 children aged 18 months, based on parental reports about time spent using screens. Researchers then used an infant toddler checklist, a validated screening tool, to assess the children’s language development also at 18 months. They looked at a range of things, including whether the child uses sounds or words to get attention or help, if they put words together, and how many words the child uses. Of the group, 20% spent an average of 28 minutes a day using screens. According to the findings, every 30-minute increase in daily screen time was linked to a 49% increased risk in expressive speech delay, which is the use of sounds and words. There was no link between the use of technology and other areas of social interaction like body language and gestures. The authors were careful to point out that although there was a correlation between handheld devices and communication delays in young children, more research is necessary to determine if the device use is actually causing the speech delay. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under 18 months, aside from video-chatting with family. Medical professionals have said that the high sensory input of a screen is distracting for young children and can often lead to a disconnect between baby and caregiver. For children over 18 months up to 24 months the group recommends highly monitored content with parental supervision so that an adult can explain to the toddler what they are actually seeing to make it an educational experience. According to a 2013 study by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization which is focused on helping children, parents and educators navigate the world of media and technology, almost 40% of children under age 2 have used a mobile device, an increase from just 10% in 2011. “This is an important study in highlighting some of the potential risks associated with media use, and
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Fastest Growing Cities
The U.S. population grew by less than 1% last year, among the slowest rates in decades. While nationwide population growth was slow, the trend of Americans moving from rural areas to metropolitan centers continued. Some urban areas are remarkably more popular destinations than others. The trend of Americans migrating from the countryside to the city is going strong. Over the last half decade, the populations of nearly 30 metropolitan areas increased by more than 10%, while the overall U.S. population only grew by 3.7%. Growth can occur by more births than deaths, called nat-
ural growth, or by migraters moving to new areas. For instance, the majority of the growth in cities was not attributed to natural growth. Migration was the primary, both domestic and international, catalyst for growth in cities. The single city with the most newcomers in 2016 was The Villages, Florida, which grew by 25.8% since 2011. The Villages is a popular retirement destination, which may explain its rapid growth. Surprisingly, in general, young people account for majority of migrants. In Provo-Orem, Utah, the 20th city with the fastest growing population, over half of the population is under the age of 25. A commonality amongst many of the fastest growing cities was a warmer climate. Another major attraction in cities was employment opportunities. In the majority of these fast growing metropolitan areas, January unemployment rates are far below the national rate of 4.7%. Here are our nation’s fastest growing cities: 1. The Villages, Florida 2. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-North Carolina 3. Midland, Texas 4. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
5. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida 6. Greeley, Colorado 7. Bend-Redmond, Oregon 8. St. George, Utah 9. Odessa, Texas 10. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
Puerto Rico Declares Bankruptcy
Thousands of school-aged children in Puerto Rico will be forced to switch schools as officials announce the impending closure of 184 public schools across the region. The news
comes just two days after the U.S. territory filed for a form of bankruptcy protection, called Title 3, for its monumental $70 billion debt. Yolanda Rosaly, spokeswoman for the Education Department in Puerto Rico, said the closures will involve transferring approximately 27,000 students for next school year. The list of schools closing was listed in El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Rico’s most popular newspaper. The change is expected to save more than $7 million. In the last 30 years, there has been a 42% drop in school enrollment, mostly because of the large numbers of residents migrating to the U.S. in search of a better life and better job opportunities. Many parents and educators are highly concerned about the closures saying that they believe officials did not consider transportation logistics and special education needs. Puerto Rico’s current population is about 3.5 million and it currently has 1,292 public schools to accommodate the estimated 365,000 students. Last Friday, President Donald Trump signed a federal government spending bill that included $295 million in Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico’s struggling health care system.
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The Title 3 bankruptcy that Puerto Rico filed last week was the largest ever registered in the municipal bond market of the U.S. Not declaring bankruptcy would have exposed the territory to myriad lawsuits – at least 22 have been filed already by creditors. Now Congress will form a management and oversight board to make fiscal policy decisions for the island. In general Puerto Rico has been run by a group of non-elected technocrats who are not accountable to Puerto Ricans. In January, the group demanded a set of draconian austerity measures, including large cuts to pensions, education and health spending, that would have led to catastrophic outcomes – including drops in economic activity not too different from the ones that Venezuela has been recently experiencing. In March, the board finally approved a slightly more moderate 10-year fiscal plan that is projected to lead to another lost decade for Puerto Rico. But now it’s time for Puerto Rico’s government and the board to outline a debt restructuring plan. And there
is much uncertainty about the role the board will play. Will it respect its mission of creating “the necessary foundation for economic growth and to restore opportunity to the people of Puerto Rico”? Or will it try to squeeze as much as possible from the island to maximize the payment to the creditors in the short run, even if that means seriously aggravating its troubles? Whatever happens, in this case, no man is an island and what happens in Puerto Rico certainly won’t only stay in Puerto Rico. Americans should be truly concerned for their friend to the south.
Comey Under Oath Last week, James Comey, the Director of the FBI, gave testimony to the Senate judiciary committee. While he mostly spoke about Russia’s meddling in the presidential election, he touched on many topics during his four hour testimony. Here
are a few highlights. FBI investigators believed that Anthony Weiner had the missing emails from Hillary Clinton’s private server. The belief that the thousands of emails that were missing from Clinton’s Blackberry account were on Weiner’s computer led to Comey alerting Congress of the findings and then lawmakers leaking the discovery to the media.
Many – including Hillary Clinton – have blamed Clinton’s loss in the election on the leak. By the time the investigators determined that the emails were not the ones missing from Clinton’s address, the damage had already been done. Comey said he felt stuck between a rock and hard
place when deciding to tell Congress that he was reopening the email investigation. Still, he defended the decision. “Look, this is terrible. It makes me mildly nauseous to think that we might have had some impact on the election,” Comey said. “But honestly, it wouldn’t change the decision.” Comey made it clear that the justice department will be investigating the leaking of classified information. “Leaks are always a problem, but especially in the last three-to-six months,” Comey admitted, noting that he wouldn’t confirm any specific investigations into leaks. “Where there is a leak of classified information, the FBI – if it’s our information – makes a referral to the Department of Justice.” Comey discussed Russia’s involvement in American politics. He said it was a fair assumption that the Russian government is involved in American politics and that creating “good troll armies” online to counter Russian disinformation campaign would be a wise countermeasure.
FBI Director Comey Fired Yet another political earthquake rocked Washington this week when President Trump abruptly fired embattled FBI Director James Comey. Mr. Comey, who was appointed director by President Obama in 2013, had seven years remaining in his term, but he serves “at the pleasure of the President.” Comey became a political lightning rod for both the left and the right this summer when he waded into presidential politics and waffled back and forth like a cheap weather vane. On July 5, he publicly addressed the Hillary email scandal and laid out a clear case for indicting her, but then stated that he found “no criminal intent,” a statement which perplexed and angered Republicans. Then, 11 days before the election, he sent a letter to Congress to inform them that he was reopening the Hillary investigation as new emails were discovered on the computer of Anthony Weiner, the husband of Hillary’s top aide, Huma Abedin. This announcement enraged Democrats. Two days before the election, he declared that he was once again closing the investigation as no new emails were uncovered. This left everyone mad. As troller-in-chief Mr. Trump
certainly sacked Comey at an opportune time – just hours earlier, it was revealed that Comey exaggerated last week when he testified in front of Congress about the extent of the emails that Clinton’s aide, Huma Abedin, sent to her husband’s computer. Comey stated that Ms. Abedin made “a regular practice” of forwarding “hundreds and thousands” of Clinton messages to her husband, “some of which contain classified information.” On Tuesday morning, the FBI issued a statement that Comey’s testimony was inaccurate and only a “small number” of more than 49,000 “potentially relevant” emails found on Weiner’s laptop had been forwarded from Clinton deputy Huma Abedin to Weiner – not hundreds and thousands as Comey had stated. This revelation made Comey look inadequate at best and biased against Hillary at worse. Within hours, Comey was fired by Trump. Mr. Comey learned of his ouster while delivering a speech to FBI agents in Los Angeles when a TV in the background flashed the news: “Comey Fired.” Mr. Comey thought it was a prank and laughed, but within moments his staff realized that in fact it was not a joke. In fact, the White House had delivered a letter to
the FBI several minutes earlier, informing Director Comey that he was fired. In the short letter, Mr. Trump noted, “While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the Bureau.” The media and Democrats quickly pounced on the news and compared Trump to, well, guess who? If you said Nixon, you are correct! “Mysterious Comey Firing Brings Back Memories of Nixon,” declared the New
York Magazine, while The New York Times blared, “Echoes of Watergate.” Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) decried, “This is Nixonian,” while Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) echoed, “This is nothing less than Nixonian.” Shortly after the news broke, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) held a press conference and called for a special prosecutor to investigate the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia. He argued that without such an independent probe, “every American will rightly suspect that the decision to fire Director Comey was part of a cover-up.”
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
FBI Report Highlights DePolicing
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walk on us for a After several highly publicized incidents in recent years where police officers were accused of resorting to fatal attacks too quickly, an FBI study has concluded that officers are now “de-policing.” According to the report, “Assailant Study — Mindsets and Behaviors,” police are being extra careful due to anti-police defiance that has influences a “new norm” and skewed the public’s opinion of cops. “Departments — and individual officers — have increasingly made the decision to stop engaging in proactive policing,” concluded the report by the FBI Office of Partner Engagement obtained by The Washington Times. Back in 2014, Michael Brown, 18, was killed by an officer in Ferguson, Missouri, prompting the Black Lives Matter protests which “made it socially acceptable to challenge and discredit the actions of law enforcement.” “Nearly every police official interviewed agreed that for the first time law enforcement not only felt that their national political leaders [publicly] stood against them, but also that the politicians’ words and actions signified that disrespect to law enforcement was acceptable in the aftermath of the Brown shooting,” the study said. The report also analyzed police deaths and concluded that many assailants used deadly force against officers in an effort to avoid being taken into custody and that 28% of the murders were motivated simply by pure hatred of police and a desire to “kill law enforcement.” “The assailants inspired by social and/or political reasons believed that attacking police officers was their way to ‘get justice’ for those who had been, in their view, unjustly killed by law enforcement,” the study read. Last year there was a shocking spike in the number of police deaths. Sixty-four personnel were shot and killed in the line of duty, a 56% increase from 2015 which is “the highest total in more than two decades,” according to the National
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Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The FBI report stated that 48% of the cops who died were white, 36% were black, 14% were Hispanic, and 2% were Native Alaskan. All the suspects in the murders were males; 86% had criminal histories, 60% had used drugs, and 32% were under the influence at the time of the attack. Additionally, 26% were under active warrants, and 24% had known gang affiliations.
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Is Social Media Responsible for Terrorism? Twitter, Facebook, and Google are under fire for allegedly “knowingly and recklessly” providing material that inspired the terrorists in the San Bernardino attack in 2015. Family members of victims that perished in
the terrorist attack have filed a federal lawsuit this week against the tech companies for providing “material support” that “enabled” the couple to perform the horrific attacks on innocent civilians. The suit, filed last Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, claims that the social media companies allowed ISIS to have accounts on their sites, which were used to spread extremist messages, endorse and in-
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spire attacks, raise funds and entice recruits. The suit postulates that without the use of social media the terrorist group would not have been able to become “the most feared terrorist group in the world.” The suit claims that Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, whose attack on the Inland Regional Center on December 2, 2015, left 14 people dead and 22 others injured was inspired by social media posts. The families involved in the suit are relatives of Tin Nguyen, Nicholas Thalasinos and Sierra Clayborn, all killed on that dreadful day. Attorneys for the families say that the tech companies are liable for assisting and allowing acts of international terrorism, providing support to a designated international terrorist organization, and wrongful death.
content – that’s in addition to the 4,500 staffers already dedicated to this cause. Twitter has suspended a total of 646,248 accounts for extremism from August 2015 to December 2016. This isn’t the first case involving social media companies and terrorism; similar cases have been filed before and some from the same attorneys representing the San Bernardino families. In past cases, the tech companies have contended that they are not liable for the content of their users, asserting protections under the Communications Decency Act, the federal law that provides immunity to internet companies that publish user content.
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Legal experts are saying that the claim could be difficult to prove since shortly after the incident FBI Director James Comey said that investigators found no direct evidence that the couple were explicitly directed by a terrorist organization. Comey did reveal, though, that the two suspects had been “consuming poison on the internet” and had become “homegrown violent extremists, inspired by foreign terrorist organizations.” Despite that, the source of inspiration is difficult to prove. According to investigators, on the day of the fatal shooting Malik “pledged allegiance” to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a Facebook post. In private messages obtained by investigators Malik expressed support for Islamic jihad. A Facebook spokesperson told HuffPost that there is “no place on Facebook for groups that engage in terrorist activity or for content that expresses support for such activity” and that the company takes “swift action to remove this content when it’s reported to us.” In recent months all three companies have amended their rules and have made stricter policies regarding threats of violence and the promotion of terrorism. Just last week Facebook announced plans to hire 3,000 additional employees specifically for policing users’ accounts for harmful
Want to live long? Stay away from the Dakotas. According to new research published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine, life expectancy at birth differs by as much as 20 years depending on the county in the United States. Dr. Christopher J.L. Murray, lead author of the study and director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, estimated life expectancy for each U.S. county from 1980 through 2014. Murray and his colleagues analyzed county-level data and then applied a mathematical model to estimate the average length of lives. Here’s the good news: life expectancy at birth increased by 5.3 years for both men and women – from 73.8 years to 79.1 years – between 1980 and 2014. During that time period, men gained 6.7 years, from 70 years on average to 76.7 years, while women gained four years, from 77.5 years to 81.5 years. But life length is not the same across the United States. In fact, there’s a 20.1 years gap between the counties with the highest life expectancies and those with the lowest. The counties with the lowest life
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The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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expectancy are located in South and North Dakota. Counties along the lower half of Mississippi, in eastern Kentucky, and southwestern West Virginia also showed lower life expectancies compared to the rest of the nation. The North and South Dakota counties included Native American reservations. At the other extreme, residents of counties in central Colorado can expect to live longest, Murray and his colleagues said. Summit County, Colorado, ranked with the highest life expectancy in the nation – 86.8 years. What’s the secret – and the source – of the problem? “For both of these geographies, the drastically different life expectancies are likely the result of a combination of risk factors, socioeconomics, and access and quality of health care in those areas,” Murray explained. Yet, socioeconomic factors are not everything, said Murray, explaining that “60% of the differences in life expectancy across counties can be explained by socioeconomic factors alone” yet that leaves a “substantial amount of unexplained differences.” “Behaviors like smoking and physical activity, along with risk factors like obesity and diabetes, are also
very important,” he pointed out. Thankfully, almost all counties showed improvement over time. Counties in central Colorado, Alaska, and along both coasts experienced larger increases than most other counties. Still, some southern counties in states from Oklahoma to West Virginia experienced either no improvement or very little over time. The most positive note is that, over the study period, all counties showed declines in the risk of early death for children under the age of 5 years old, say the authors. And nearly all counties (about 98%) showed declines in the risk of early death for people between the ages of 5 and 25, as well as those between 45 and 85. People between the ages of 25 and 45, though, showed an increased risk of death in 11.5% of counties over the study period. Despite the positive findings in the study, the disparity between counties is disconcerting. “The inequality in health in the United States – a country that spends more on health care than any other – is unacceptable,” Murray said. “Every American, regardless of where they live or their background, deserves to live a long and healthy life.”
Yates Yaps... Trump Trolls
What was supposed to be the Democrats’ “mic-drop” moment turned out to be just another snoozefest when Sally Yates delivered her long-anticipated testimony about alleged Trump/Russia collusion as a senate hearing this week. It was believed that Yates, who was the acting-attorney general before she was fired by Trump in February, would provide information that would prove that there was in fact collusion between Mr. Trump and the Russians – but she provided no such evidence. The only substantive information Yates provided was that she revealed to the White House counsel
that then-National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was not honest with Vice President Pence about the substance of a conversation that he had with the Russian ambassador during the transition. Flynn stated that he had not discussed lifting sanctions in that conversation, although he, in fact, did discuss it. Yates, who was an Obama-holdover, stated that Flynn’s lack of honesty made him “compromised” and subject to blackmail. President Trump ended up firing Flynn 18 days later. Although some in the left jumped on the timeline and argued about the fact that it took 18 days to fire Flynn after the revelation that he may have been compromised, the White House maintained that it was a reasonable timeframe and that due diligence was warranted before firing Flynn. James Clapper, who served as Obama’s Director of National Intelligence, also testified at the hearing. He quickly took the air out of the room when he confirmed at the beginning of the hearing what he stated in February on “Meet the Press”: that he has not seen any evidence indicating that there was any collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians.
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Both Yates and Clapper denied being responsible for the illegal unmasking of Flynn, which took place when someone within the government illegally exposed the contents of Flynn’s conversations to the media. Moments after the hearing was complete, President Trump tweeted, “Sally Yates made the fake media extremely unhappy today – she said nothing but old news!”
Cookie Blast Off
Oreo has done it again. This time, they’ve come out with a new flavor – which hit stores on May 8 – the Fireworks Oreo. At the center of the cookie crème blue and red “popping candies” are swirled, which taste like “fireworks” when they explode in your mouth. Want to make a statement on July 4? Buy some now – they’re a limited-edition – and, yes, they’re kosher. In the past Oreo has come out with other exciting flavors. Remember Mocha, Peeps, Swedish Fish, Brownie Batter, S’mores and Filled Cupcake – to name a few? But the cookie company keeps on going and they’re looking for more exciting flavors. The person who comes up with the next winning flavor will win a $500,000 prize and a trip to NYC for “unprecedented VIP access” to check out “never-before-released Oreo creations” in the “Wonder Vault.” Runners-up will see $25,000 in prize money. Winners are decided on “fan voting.” I’m thinking that a cholent-kishke flavor will definitely win over fans.
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Espresso Buzz Bagel. Also called Boosted Bagels, these round, chewy breakfast staples are infused with 32MGs of caffeine, equivalent to one third of a cup of coffee. According to the seller, they “are incredibly delicious and soar above the average breakfast.” For the coffee junkies among us, you may need more than a bagel to help jumpstart your day. But hey, have you ever tried lox in your coffee before?
Play-Doh, Donkeys and Glitter Sometimes we wonder when teens will grow up if they are still enjoying playtime in college. Today, college students are given so many ways to cope with the stress of final Continued on page 38
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exams it’s amazing that their mothers aren’t still making their sandwich lunches for them – or are they? Take the University of Pennsylvania. In its hallowed halls several different student groups are offered various study breaks, including a Zumba class, a video game stress reliever, and a “Chocolate and Chocolate Labs” event, according to the Daily Pennsylvanian. At Penn State, students enjoy a “De-Stress Fest,” which includes origami folding, Wii gaming, “brain massage music,” among other activities. The University of Michigan offers Play-Doh and more as a way to chill before finals. Want to know what else is offered? If you guessed glitter bottles, Legos and dominoes, you’d be correct. An annual tradition at the University of Illinois offers students a “Reading Day.” “In place of classes, the university hosts a variety of non-mandatory events aimed at helping students study and destress,” the Daily Illini says. At Temple University, its Student Activities group put together an all-inclusive “camping” event called Camp TU. Students had the chance to participate in de-stress-
ing activities by zip-lining, scaling a rock wall, watching the movie “Anchorman,” or eating from one of seven food trucks, says The Tab. According to the director of student activities, Christopher Carey, around 2,000 students showed. “I can say with certainty that students had a lot of fun. If having fun helped them relieve some stress or unwind a bit, that is great, too,” he said.
on a large board to show their level of stress, ranked 1 to 5, before petting the animals. On their way in, students tended to rank themselves a 4 or 5. On the way out, students seemed more at ease, giving themselves a 1 or 2.” Hope College and St. Cloud University also took the animal route, although St. Cloud offered dog destress therapy for staff and faculty as well as for students. Now we wonder why millennials have no interest in finding jobs.
down the aisle to her seat and presented her with a bottle of champagne and an envelope filled with cash containing the exact amount of money she paid for the ticket. The plane full of passengers applauded Richie’s celebration – and perhaps each of them was hoping the woman would share her champagne. We doubt she did.
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Flying High If students are afraid of heights and are pulling their hair out over exams, they can head over to Montana State University, where students scuttled over to the library to play with furry friends – including a group of dogs and a 900-pound donkey named Oliver. Furry friends may be better than a fidget spinner. According to the Chronicle, “Students were encouraged to place a marker
It’s been 22 years and 1 million passengers. That’s what Captain John Richie was celebrating when he brought a bottle of champagne onboard his Southwest flight from Denver to Pittsburgh this week. “Twenty two years ago I retired from the United States Air Force,” said Captain Richie over the loudspeaker to his passengers before the flight. “I had the privilege of flying F-16s, both as a combat pilot and as a test pilot. For the past 22 years I’ve been flying for Southwest.” This week, though, was special. Throughout his many years as a pilot on Southwest, Richie counted each passenger on his plane. This week, Richie flew his millionth passenger. In celebration, Richie – wearing a tie with blue and white stars – walked
Looking for a place to live? The village of Bormida wants you! This week, the mayor of the town announced that the village will be offering around $2,000 to those who wish to move there. The Italian town is home to 394 people, and the cost of living there is cheap. Monthly rent can run around $55 and up to $130 for something roomier. “We’re still working out the plan, but anyone is welcome to come and live here,” a local councilor told the local newspaper. “We’re a small community but very welcoming. We’re high up in a mountain area but also not far from the sea – it’s a healthy lifestyle, the air is very clean.” Around 1,000 people lived in Bormida in the 1950s. Since then, though, Italians have either moved to larger cities or have passed on. The town is hoping to see a revival with an influx of more residents. Those few who do locate will enjoy the town’s four restaurants, a pharmacy, and doctor who comes to town three times a week.
Chabad chassidus learns a core lesson from this: that all Jews must be seen in a positive and deferential light and that the only surefire antidote to brotherly hatred is unconditional brotherly love. Page 79
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Say Please, Pay Less
It pays to be polite. How many times has your mother told you that? Well, she’s right. At Café Café in Israel, you can get a steaming cup of joe for just 6 shekels – that’s two shekels less than usual. But the price decrease comes with a price tag: customers need to say “please” and “thank you” when ordering their drink. The sale on hot drinks brings the chain in line with their major competition, Cofix. According to Ronen Nimni, who owns the coffee chain, the price cut applies to all stores except those in Ben-Gurion International Airport. The company is trying to boost sales of coffees to-go, which don’t require table service or seating space. “A cup of coffee costs us 3 to 3.50 shekels [85 to 95 cents], so if we sell it at 6 shekels and sell a lot, we are still earning 80 percent to 100 percent on the product without having to provide service or a place [to sit],” he pointed out. Additionally, the company wants to encourage customers to purchase takeaway baked goods as well. Here’s a clue: when you get your brew – a cup or two – don’t forget to say thank you.
Butter: Elixir of Life
Abdul Satar is around 105-yearsold. No one knows for sure, as he
lives in Afghanistan and there were no standardized birth records in some rural areas at the time of his birth. Still, Abdul is active despite his hundred-plus years and collects wood, cuts stones, and builds houses. What’s his secret for longevity? Butter. Yes, the creamy spread is Abdul’s favorite treat. “It makes me very relaxed and strong,” Satar told Fox News. “In the winter when there is a lot of snow, the butter makes me
very warm and I am not affected by the cold.” It’s not just butter that keeps him young. According to Abdul, he lives in high altitude, sleeps just three to five hours a night, and makes sure to enjoy his hobby, hunting deer. “And things aren’t always happy, but I try just to be happy anyway,” Satar explains. “I tell people not to stress. I like a lot of organic food from the mountain, but the specific food
itself is not important. It’s important that people just enjoy it.” He adds, “Every day I dance, too, and laugh. Mostly at myself.” Abdul also says that he gives back to the community, helping to dig graves and giving advice. Want to live long? Make sure to eat butter for breakfast, don’t sleep, hunt deer, and dig graves. Thanks Abdul.
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Community Scenes from Hatzalah’s Annual Dinner Event Held on Sunday PHOTO CREDIT: NAFTOLI GOLDGRAB PHOTOGRAPHY
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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For more info: awartelsky@achiezer.org | To Donate: 516.791.4444 | Achiezer.org
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Midreshet Shalhevet Celebrates Jerusalem at 50 at Annual Dinner
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efilla. Unity. History. Belonging. Midreshet Shalhevet is succeeding in transmitting our mission of ahavat Eretz Yisrael to our students. In addition to a love of Medinat Yisrael and am Yisrael, we work to guide every student to a love of Torat Yisrael. Our ultimate goal is that our students continue to find Jerusalem a place for tefilla and that they continue to recognize and appreciate the miracle that is our homecoming after 2,000 years. Midreshet Shalhevet celebrated the upcoming 50th anniversary of Yom Yerushalayim at its Ninth Annual Scholarship Dinner on Sunday, May 7 at Temple Hillel in North Woodmere. “The Annual Scholarship Dinner is the cornerstone of the school’s scholarship campaign, the success of which ensures Midreshet Shalhevet’s longstanding policy to provide the best Orthodox Jewish high school education, regardless of financial capabilities,” said Rosh Mesivta, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman. “Midreshet Shalhevet has come a long way in nearly a decade. The dinner is an opportunity to reflect upon past achievements and future aspirations.” Menahelet, Mrs. Esther Eisenman, mentioned during her remarks, “We honor Jerusalem because Jerusalem is at the very heart of our school mission. In school, we teach support and advocacy for the State of Israel, and we recognize that the Torah of Jerusalem has shaped our limud Torah. It is incumbent upon us, at the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, to pay attention
to this miracle that has become part of the fabric of our lives.” Junior Gabriella Koegel of Brooklyn recently wrote on the topic of what Jerusalem means to me, “When I think about Jerusalem, I think of the thousands of years that my ancestors prayed facing East, hoping to one day pray at the Kotel. I think of the paratroopers who lost their lives in 1967 without knowing that Har Habayit will be ‘beyadenu’ just a few short minutes later, and all the others who sacrificed themselves to create our homeland. My love for Jerusalem is built by all these great people before me.” The evening opened with a moving video showing some of the highlights of the Six Day War. Using actual archival footage, as well as some commentary and diagrams, the crowd was really put in the correct mindset for the evening. Assistant Principal Mrs. Shaindy Lisker commenced the presentation with welcoming remarks and introduced Rosh Mesivta Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman. Rabbi Friedman addressed the crowd of the importance to world Jewry of the victory in 1967 –how the hashgacha of Hashem was manifest, and as a result re-instilled a measure of Jewish pride within the greater world Jewish community. He read excerpts of letters written by Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank and Rav Kahaneman of Poneveitz, zt”l, both of whom spoke about the nissim and geulah that Klal Yisrael experienced. People who were previously embarrassed to wear a kippah to work,
after the Six Day War, all of a sudden put them on. He recounted how the communal infrastructure that we have built since then reflects this pride, and most importantly, that 1967 was a turning point in Torah now flourishing from Jerusalem and nourishing all of us here in America. Yeshivot, as we know them today, would not be in existence if not for the strength and resolve we derived from our redemption and the victory in the war. For that, Midreshet Shalhevet chose to celebrate this year’s dinner in honor of “Jerusalem at 50.” Menahelet Mrs. Esther Eisenman then took the floor and spoke about Naomi Shemer’s iconic song, “Yerushalayim shel Zahav.” The song instantly struck a deep chord. Even 50 years later, the song stands almost as a second Israeli national anthem. The soldiers sang her song as they prepared to enter the Old City on June 6, 1967, and again at victory. Naomi Shemer, along with everyone in the country, was listening to the news and heard the broadcast of the victory in the Old City, “Har Habayit b’yadeinu.” She heard the soldiers singing her song and immediately revised it, adding a stanza about the return to Jerusalem. The emotion of that song and its uncanny timing still resonate today. Her evocative lyrics underscore both the pain of exile and the joy of reunification. As our students told us, we must fully appreciate what a gift it is to live at a time that Jerusalem is in our hands. Mrs. Eisenman then introduced the featured speaker of the evening, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Ex-
ecutive Vice President Emeritus of the Orthodox Union. Rabbi Weinreb, one of the foremost leaders of Jewish life in North America, discussed the importance of Yom Yerushalayim to those of us living in the United States. Using the writings of Rav Kook, Rabbi Weinreb presented a thorough and enlightening talk on the differences between Zion and Jerusalem. The name Zion refers to something distinct and is usually associated with har, a mountain, suggesting that Zion stands for something rigorous and unchanging. This represents the unique connection between am Yisrael, and G-d. Jerusalem, on the other hand, refers to all nations both looking towards and being seen in Jerusalem, in keeping with the vision of Yeshayahu HaNavi, when he says, “Ki beiti, beit tefilla yikrah likol ha’amim,” “My house will be a house of prayer for all nations.” Midreshet Shalhevet’s supporters recognize the school’s remarkable impact in Jewish high school education, and as a major force in growing and strengthening our Jewish future through the success of our graduates. Congresswoman Kathleen M. Rice, although unable to attend, sent her apologies with a Certificate of Special Recognition commenting, “Midreshet Shalhevet is making an outstanding contribution to the Five Towns community in raising the women, and leaders, of tomorrow. The eternal flame of Jerusalem was rekindled 50 years ago. Midreshet Shalhevet is carrying on that same tradition: the flame of learning is bright.”
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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HAFTR Students Take Honors at the Long Island Mathematics Fair
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ight students from the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) High School were awarded medals for their outstanding research at the Long Island Mathematics Fair on April 28 at Hofstra University. Daniel Friedman, Maxwell Greenstein, Erica Hilsenrath, Efrat Neu-
mann and Joshua Plaut were awarded bronze medals. Rachel Sacks and Amanda Schorr were awarded silver medals, and Miriam Kopyto was awarded a gold medal. All eight students worked with their mentor, Mr. Neil Bernstein, mathematics department chairman at HAFTR High School.
SKA Welcomes Incoming Ninth Graders
PHOTO CREDIT: IRA THOMAS CREATIONS
Operators are standing by, ready to take your call, 24 hours a day. Friday, late afternoon, is your last chance to sign up and have devout and holy men pray on your behalf at the kever of R’ Shimon Bar Yochai on Lag Ba’omer. Grab the opportunity to impact your life with the power of Tehillim!
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grams, Ms. Lisa Fogel, SKA Social Worker, Grade Level Advisors Mrs. Sheila Leibtag, Mrs. Danielle Sudwerts and Mrs. Estie Engel, and several SKA student ambassadors. Girls from various elementary schools bonded over team building activities designed to unite the grade and enjoyed a delicious lunch and ice cream cones from our special truck. Davening Mincha together capped off the program in an inspirational way. Welcome SKA’s Class of 2021!
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nticipating starting a new school can be intimidating, but not for the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls’ Class of 2021! The warmth, camaraderie and enthusiasm displayed on SKA’s Yom Chaverut, Sunday, May 7, was outstanding. The incoming ninth graders were welcomed by Mrs. Helen Spirn, Head of School, and Ms. Elana Flaumenhaft, Assistant Principal, together with Mrs. Deena Kobre, Associate Principal, Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, Director of Student Pro-
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SKA Head of School Mrs. Helen Spirn with members of the Class of 2021
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Judge Ruchie Freier at Shevach High School
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y story is not a story about crash courses or rushing.” Judge Ruchie Freier spoke before a large gathering of mothers, alumni, and students at Shevach High School on Tuesday evening, May 2. Following warm greetings and introductions by Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz, Menaheles, and Mrs. Nechama Mirsky, Associate Principal, General Studies, America’s first Chassidic female judge delivered clear and powerful messages with joy and finesse. Rachel “Ruchie” Freier began working in the 1980s, when there were practically “zero” higher education opportunities for women in her community. After working as a legal secretary to support her husband in kollel, she went on to become a paralegal and then a lawyer. Even though she started college at the age of thirty, Ruchie advanced in the legal profession and ran her 2016 campaign for Civil Court judge in Boro Park. She now works in criminal court. Throughout her professional advancement, Ruchie kept her focus on her family of six children and her commitment to Torah and mitzvos. How did she do it? How does she
do it? “I was an average student, no specific talents. I didn’t have my life figured out but I did ask a lot of questions…and my teachers answered them. I finished Bais Yaakov knowing a tremendous amount. When I needed my tests signed, my mother just wanted to know that I had done my best. She told me that I could do anything, as long as it wasn’t ‘illegal, immoral, or against the Torah.’ My parents were very encouraging. Let your kids get that message too.” Attending law school and working in legal offices presented many challenges. Ruchie made sure to create clear lines that she would not cross when interacting with fellow students and coworkers. While many of the stories she recounted were very funny, the underlying messages were serious and bespoke both difficult experience and perseverance. Ruchie’s emphasized the importance on davening (whether in a corner of law school or at Meron and Lizhensk), tzinius, and careful speech, and she shared some of her strategies to grow in ruchniyus. “People will respect you for sticking to your standards. They will know you as a person who won’t cheat or compro-
mise.” Nevertheless, Judge Freier admitted that along the way, “I did not pass every test; written, oral, or nisayon, and I was upset about some of my decisions. But you can’t think it’s over. Get yourself up.” While her family was very supportive of her professional path, she did encounter some opposition in the course of her endeavors. In addition to her professional choices, Judge Freier founded Ezras Nashim in 2011, an all-female EMS organization, became an EMT and paramedic herself, and created B’Derech for at-risk youth, all major and complex undertakings. How was she able to accomplish all this? Judge Freier explained that she has been inspired by Sarah Schenirer and others who faced opposition in their endeavors. Judge Freier stressed that acting al pi daas Torah is the key, and that shailos must be asked when navigating new and difficult terrain. Balancing professional life with motherhood is never simple. Ruchie made it a priority to communicate and share with her children while being attentive to their feelings, concerns, and their individual choices. Her family rallied behind her during her campaign with much creativity
and gusto. The audience at Shevach enjoyed hearing the campaign jingle in Yiddish, viewing family photos, and even the newly trimmed judge’s robe. Judge Freier connected with the audience in a personal and uplifting way. She told the audience to be aware of the endless opportunities to make a kiddush Hashem and to live life with a real belief in “Shivisi Hashem l’negdi tamid.” Jews should be proud of who they are and know that we have a lot to accomplish in this world. Parents and teachers should not underestimate their children and students, and the students should know that the excellent chinuch Shevach provides them, from sources such as Pirkei Avos and Mesilas Yesharim, gives them the tools to have an extraordinary understanding of people and life circumstances. Yiras Hashem, compassion, and determination have been essential to Judge Freier’s success in so many realms. Congratulations to Shevach High School staff, especially Mr. Barry Grossman and Mrs. Yael Rosenberg, for coordinating this impactful event.
Morning of Inspiration Event at Sh’eefa A Huge Success
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n Sunday, May 7, the women who attend Sh’eefa were privileged to participate in a unique Morning of Inspiration Event. A crowd of over 100 women from all over the Five Towns, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead, Great Neck, Queens and Brooklyn came to participate in the event, which featured Mrs. Chaya Newman, guest speaker from Eretz Yisroel, and Mrs. Jackie Bitton. The day of learning was dedicated by Felice Kutner and family, lilui nishmas Leah Pesha bas R’ Moshe a”h. Delicious refreshments were generously sponsored by Seasons. Breakfast was also served to all those in attendance. Mrs. Chaya Newman spoke on the topic of “Spiritual GPS: Maximizing Your
Personal Potential.” She cited examples from Tanach of individuals who were able to accomplish tremendous feats when they stretched themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of. She then made the concept relatable by telling stories of contemporary people who also stretched beyond what they thought was possible to accomplish great things. Mrs. Jackie Bitton spoke on the topic of “Sefiras Ha’Omer: Counting Your Personal Blessings.” In her trademark way, Mrs. Bitton dazzled the audience with personal stories and anecdotes, as well as practical advice about how to treat each person with honor, use our koach hadibbur properly, and infuse this crucial time of sefiras ha’omer with Torah and kedusha. Af-
ter the shiur, attendees had the opportunity to ask Mrs. Bitton questions and to speak to her individually. The women left Sh’eefa spiritually recharged and inspired. As one of the participants at Sh’eefa said, “Sh’eefa fills my Sundays with pur-
pose. They are just what I need.” Thank you to program director Mrs. Aviva Zakutinsky for arranging these vital programs for the women in our community. Thank you to all of the donors and volunteers who make Sh’eefa possible.
In addition to Sh’eefa’s full May schedule of shiurim scheduled, there is also a special Shavuos learning program planned for leil Shavuos! More details about leil Shavuos learning coming soon.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Moish Glenn, CEO and Chef of Saffron Culinary, gave a cooking presentation for Harmony Services, Kinor Dovid Chevra, this week
Israel Bonds Honors Young Israel of Woodmere Security Team with Col. Kobi Marom
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his past Sunday amid the packed schedule of community events was an extremely important and informative program.
Development Corporation for Israel/ Israel Bonds hosted a breakfast at the Young Israel of Woodmere honoring the members of the YIW Community
Security Service team. Guest speaker was counter-terrorism expert Colonel (Res.) Kobi Marom. The CSS team includes close to 60 synagogue members, including Rebbetzin Rookie Billet, who selflessly volunteer their time to take on the serious and challenging position, patrolling in all types of weather to help keep the congregation and the Jewish community safe. Col. Marom is an expert on Hamas, Hezbollah and other radical movements operating in the Middle East today and is currently a research associate at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism of the Interdisciplinary Center in Hertzliya. Col. Marom educated the crowd with
his insights on the multiple dangers surrounding Israel’s borders, including ISIS and the brutal ongoing conflicts in Syria, discussing the most viable avenues to address these issues while keeping Israel secure. Israel Bonds/Development Corporation for Israel has been advocating investment and pride in Israel since 1951, and ranks among Israel’s most valued and strategic resources. Praised for its dependability, the Bonds organization has helped build every sector of Israel’s economy. Proceeds from the sale of bonds have played an integral role in Israel’s rapid evolution into a global leader in high-tech, greentech and biotech.
There’s no love like a mother’s love for her children. Page 106
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Inspiration at JEM
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ast weekend, at the invitation of Rabbis Avi Zaitschek and Yerachmiel Anton, twenty four New Yorkers flew to spend Shabbos with the JEM faculty and Jewish students on campus at the University of Wisconsin. Accommodations were reserved at a luxurious lakefront hotel. There was an abundance of delicious, expertly catered meals served in the JEM dining room. Nechemia Brodt’s Shabbos tefillos and zemiros added a special ruach. Outside, the weather was cold and rainy, but indoors it was all warmth and light. The donors came
with the intention of giving chizuk to the mekarvim but found themselves on the receiving end, as students shared their life journeys and what JEM has provided for them. Ariella, the university student council president, revealed that she slept in the JEM building during a recent campus politics upheaval. In her words, “When you’re going through a hard time, where do you go? Home! And JEM is my Madison home!” Twenty-yearold Rhea shared that she became shomer Shabbos and kashrus this fall. She expressed her appreciation
Mich Cohen, Rabbi Gershon Vogel (Mekarev at JEM) and Dr. Yale Lipsett
for the JEM staff’s ability to appreciate where each student is coming from, where they are holding today, and where they are heading.
Cassie related how growing up with a Christian father exposed her to the fallacies of that religion and left her depressed. JEM introduced
her to her Jewish heritage which she now carries with pride and joy. The donors were very impressed with the intelligence and maturity of the JEM students as they interacted over the course of the weekend. After Sunday morning brunch, and packing up sandwiches for the road, the guests found it hard to part from such an inspiring experience. With promises to return, and a flurry of handshakes and hugs, the New Yorkers headed to the airport, with a firsthand understanding of the necessity of on-campus kiruv and a deeper appreciation of their role as supporters of JEM.
Pheffer Amato, Addabbo Inaugurate First NYC Ferry
O Sharona and Jeff Weinberg
Rabbi Penner speaking
The Long Island YUCOnnects Benefit Breakfast on May 7 th took place in the home of Sharona and Jeff Weinberg in Woodmere. Over 150 participants came to hear Rabbi Menachem Penner speak about the meaning of bashert as they learned about new resources and what YUConnects offers. YUConnects is a self-funded program which conducts unique social events, educational programs and targeted matchmaking. It is open to the entire Jewish community. Learn more at www.yuconnects.com.
n May 1st at 5:15am, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. took a ride on the inaugural trip from Beach 108th Street Ferry Landing to Wall Street, Manhattan, to officially inaugurate the new NYC Ferry. The Ferry opened one month ahead of schedule and is expected to reduce commute times for South Queens residents by up to an hour. The two elected officials spoke to the impact the ferry will have on their communities in terms of economics, tourism and transportation equity. Pheffer Amato and Addabbo have been pushing for transportation alternatives for years for South Queens, which is widely considered to be a transit desert. “This ferry is exactly what we’ve needed to give Rockaway residents something approaching a normal commute,” said Pheffer Amato. “To get that commute in speed and style, a month early? We’re over the moon. We’re glad the City is finally connecting South Queens to the rest of NYC in a workable way. This is a great day and it was so great to take the first ride with my neighbors!” “This day has been a long time coming,” Addabbo said. “At long
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. with the ferry’s captain
last, Rockaway has its ferry. The introduction of the new Citywide Ferry Service will give residents and commuters improved, credible transit options, taking them to-and-from Rockaway Beach, Brooklyn Army Terminal and Wall Street/Pier 11.” Pheffer Amato and Addabbo took the one-hour trip to talk to crew members, employees and neighbors, sampled the full-service concession stand, and led a chorus of “Happy Birthday” for a passenger. “This is the most exciting day I’ve had in a while,” said Pheffer Amato. “Two seventy-five to take the most gorgeous, easy commute. It’s an amazing day for the Rockaway Peninsula community and for New York City, to see all the hard work and dedication to this fight for better transportation options finally come to fruition.”
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
Around the Community
Midreshet Shalhevet Rings in Yom Haatzmaut
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idreshet Shalhevet celebrated Yom Haatzmaut with a little bit of “healthy competition.” The girls researched and presented a “travel agent” pitch for a vacation spot in Israel, they competed in a Gadna - Israeli military style obstacle course, challenged
each other in lip sync battles to popular Israeli music, and played a Family Feud type Israel trivia. After a fantastic daglanut performed by the students, they day culminated with an exciting Chopped! competition hosted by Naomi Nachman. An amazing time was had by all!
“Lilmod U’lilamed, To Learn and to Teach…” “Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn.” - John Cotton Dana
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his past week, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, HAFTR High School Principal of Judaic Studies, attended the Torah Umesorah Professional Seminar in Pennsylvania. The highlight of this Professional Seminar was a three part, eight hour workshop on the topic of Igniting Learning: Inspired Instructional Leadership presented by Mr. Kim Marshall. Mr. Kim Marshall has been a principal for thirty-two years in the Boston Public School System. In addition, Mr. Marshall is a wellknown author and consultant who teaches courses for school leaders with a special focus on teacher supervision, evaluation and time management. He also edits The Marshall Memo, a weekly summary of over sixty helpful educational and leadership articles for educators. Rabbi Oppen also had the opportunity to
Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen with Mr. Kim Marshall
meet, consult and discuss Judaic studies curriculum and current chinuch issues with many of the premier leaders in contemporary Yeshiva education, including Rabbi Yisroel Meir Rubinfeld, Educational Consultant for Torah Umesorah, and Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Klein, noted author and Torah Umesorah Director of Publications.
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YCQ Celebrates Yom Ha’Atzmaut
By Ahuva Shachar
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n Tuesday, May 2, the students of Yeshiva of Central Queens celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. The entire school had an Israeli theme, with students and faculty dressed in blue and white. The kindergarteners
made projects and sang songs related to Israel. The first grade students wore crowns with Israeli flags on them as they visited the 4th grade Israeli Fair, along with 2nd and 3rd graders. They enjoyed all the hard work and effort put in by the 4th grade students who offered the younger students a real Israel experience. Hannah Zakry, grade
PHOTO CREDIT: AHUVA SHACHAR AND MAXINE LIPSHITZ
6, said, “Each class is representing a different place in Israel and it was really nice they ended the program saying Tehillim for sick people.” Mrs. Cohen, assistant AP for general studies, said, “This program has been a tradition at YCQ and the students learn a lot and enjoy participating in the activities.” The Bnai Akiva, a religious Zionist
youth organization, sent volunteers to give their annual program to students in 3rd through 8th grade. They shared stories about the land of Israel. However, the most excitement came when all classes took turns out in the yard dancing with Israeli flags, classmates and teachers.
measure what the loss to the country would have been if civilian nursing service had collapsed, any more than we could measure the cost of failure at the Normandy beachheads.” Despite this acknowledgement of their vital contributions, Nurse Cadets never received veteran’s benefits or recognition for their dedication and years of service. Nearly 70 years after first donning her Nurse Cadet Corps uniform, Adele received a Congressional Proclamation from Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY), recognizing her service during WWII. Surrounded by other veterans, staff and family at Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center where she
currently resides, Adele thanked the Congressman saying that the proclamation was not only for her but “for all of us who served in the Cadet Corps.” Stuart Almer, Chief Operating Officer at Gurwin, who officiated the presentation ceremony, said, “Adele and her colleagues are among this country’s Greatest Generation whose extraordinary achievements on the home front made a significant impact to the war effort. We are pleased that Adele has been recognized for her wartime contributions with this proclamation from Congressman Zeldin and thank her for her service to our country.”
Unsung Hero at Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Honored for WWII Service
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t just 17-years-old, Adele Danon was determined to do her part to support her country during World War II. U.S. hospitals, already facing a nursing shortage, were on the verge of collapse as doctors and nurses shipped out overseas to support combat operations. The year was 1943 and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had just signed into law the Bolton Act to recruit young women to train and serve as nurses stateside in the newly formed U.S. Nurse Cadet Corps. Answering the call of duty, Adele enlist-
ed in the Corps, kicking-off a 68-year career as a nurse. As a U.S. Nurse Cadet Corps trainee, Adele and her fellow nurses-in-training pledged to actively serve in stateside hospitals for the duration of the war in exchange for an accelerated education and on-site training. These unsung heroes were credited by The American Hospital Association with having helped prevent the breakdown of the healthcare system during World War II. In fact, Thomas Parran, Jr., the U.S. Surgeon General in 1945 stated, “We cannot
Mr. Tap Water marrying Ms. Perrier? Not a good idea. Page 94
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
Beautiful Day it’s a
at
Margaret tietz!
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Special Siyum Held Liluy Nishmas HaRav Binyamin Kamenetzky, zt”l, at Yeshiva of South Shore
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky speaking to the boys about growing up with his father in Woodmere
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n a typical Monday night in the Five Towns, there is a tremendous kol Torah in Kehillas Tifereth Zvi. Over 100 boys ranging from 3rd through 5th grade join together to learn Navi with Rabbi Yitzie Ross, a fourth grade Rebbe in the Yeshiva of South Shore. Boys from across the area from West Hempstead, to Bayswater, and
even Great Neck join together in a wonderful Tanach initiative. The boys learn Tanach with Rabbi Ross in a three-year cycle that begins with Yehoshua & Shoftim, Shmuel Aleph & Shmuel Bais, and ending with Melachim Aleph and Melachim Bais. This past Monday, Rabbi Ross led the boys in a beautiful siyum in the Yeshiva of South Shore, after having
Rabbi Yitzie Ross and Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky with some of the talmidim who made a siyum in memory of Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky zt”l
finished Sefer Shoftim, liluy nishmas HaRav Binyamin Kamenetzky, zt”l. The siyum, catered by Traditions restaurant, was an inspiring event in which the talmidim heard from their rebbe and were zoche to hear divrei bracha from the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of South Shore, Rav Mordechai Kamenetzky. He told the boys some amazing stories about
his father and grandfather, Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zt”l, one of the gedolai hador. The talmidim left home feeling excited about learning Tanach, a limud well-known to be beloved by the Kamenetzky family. They are looking forward to starting Shmuel Aleph next year.
FD NOW to Host 15th Annual David Z. Herman Memorial Dinner Honoring Dr. Michael and Channie Sosnay
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welve and half years ago, our lives changed forever three weeks after our twin girls were born when we were told that our baby daughter had Familial Dysautonomia (FD). FD is a progressive disorder caused by a genetic mutation that is primarily found in Ashkenazi Jews. A life-threatening neurological disorder, FD affects every body system and its sufferers live in very unstable bodies. We were devastated to learn the prognosis and felt helpless in the face of what was to come for our baby girl. Thank G-d, very soon after, our uncle found Dr. Berish Rubin, the Head of the Laboratory for Familial Dysautonomia Research in Fordham University. Together with Dr. Sylvia Anderson, the Director of the Lab, Dr. Rubin had discovered the gene mutation that causes FD and began research on treatments for FD that followed from that discovery. We immediately began giving our baby girl the recommended treatments. It was the best decision
we ever made. Within a few weeks, our daughter stopped sweating profusely and we saw more moisture in her eyes. With guidance from a feeding therapist, we learned to thicken bottles and she began to eat without coughing on each sip. From deep despair we quickly had hope, as our beautiful girl continued to progress and develop. Over the years, our daughter has endured her share of “FD ups and downs.” There were febrile seizures and breath-holdings, swallowing difficulties and food- or infection-related crises, speech, occupational, physical and feeding therapy, scoliosis, eye abrasions, as well as several hospitalizations. However, with the introduction of a strict diet and each new treatment discovered by the Laboratory for Familial Dysautonomia Research, our daughter became crisis-free and her body became more stable and much stronger. This past fall, we were blessed to celebrate the bat mitzvah of our
daughters. It was a miracle we never thought possible when our daughter was diagnosed. Our daughter with FD goes to school every morning on a 7:15 bus alongside her twin sister. She is bubbly and charming and has a heart of gold. She is an enthusiastic student who excels in all subject areas and has many friends. Most importantly, she enjoys her life! FD NOW is a volunteer organization made up of families and friends of those with FD. Funds raised by FD NOW provide the sole support for the Lab for FD Reseach. As our story indicates, that research has been successful and lifesaving! Since 2003, Dr. Rubin and Dr. Anderson have made eight treatment breakthroughs, each of which has made a drastic improvement in the overall health and quality of life of those with FD. On May 18, 2017, FD NOW is excited to host its 15th Annual David Z. Herman Memorial Dinner at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst, NY.
Channie and Dr. Michael Sosnay have been great supporters of FD NOW and dear friends of our family. Their generosity in spirit and time and their patience and love are qualities that they saw firsthand from their parents, including their father, Dr. Cyrus Sosnay, z”l. We are so pleased to have them as our guests of honor at this year’s dinner in tribute to their father’s memory. We also honor Dr. Elaine Becker Sher with the 3rd Annual Philip Bach Memorial “Special Person” Award for her devotion as a physical therapist to many FD patients. Featuring a raffle and silent auction as well as entertainment and great food, the evening promises to be uplifting and fun. Please join us to see firsthand how research translates into better lives for Jewish children afflicted with FD. To register for the dinner or for more information, please visit our website at fdnow.org or email fdnowny@gmail.com. Written by an “FD Mom”
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Prepared to Respond: Top-Notch CPR/Safety Courses Offered by Achiezer
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hree years ago, Achiezer introduced its life-saving CPR courses; life-saving is no exaggeration. Just two weeks after taking the course, a local caregiver saved the life of a choking baby with the techniques she had learned. Since that time, the requests for instruction in these skills have skyrocketed. This year, The Jewish Home, dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the community, stepped forward to join Achiezer along with Hatzalah in sponsoring top-notch CPR courses for men, women and Spanish-speaking caregivers. Over the years, the interest in and demand
for this kind of education has been rising. “Hatzalah’s response time is unparalleled,” explains Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, President of Achiezer. “But in those crucial one to two minutes before Hatzalah arrives on the scene, proper training in how to respond can make a life-saving difference. We have raised awareness about this, and Baruch Hashem, we have seen how the interest in these courses has really grown.” In fact, this year’s classes were filled to capacity, attended by triple the number of people as when the program was first launched!
Central Celebrates Israel
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entral” to the mission of Yeshiva University High School for Girls is the commitment to Medinat Yisrael and to instilling a love of the country and its people in the student body. After morning davening on Yom HaZikaron, Mashgiach Ruchani Rabbi Josh Goller shared a story about a particular fallen soldier, communicating the special mitzvah he exhibited of sacrificing his life al kiddush Hashem. Throughout the day, students stopped by the “Remembrance Wall” in the lobby. Assembled by Ms. Rebecca Konigsberg and Ms. Leah Moskovich, the full-day exhibit featured pictures and bios of Israeli soldiers who fell in the line of duty. The school-wide tekes that afternoon opened with a video about Har Herzel and a moment of silence. The students and faculty were then privileged to hear from Central parent Mr. Dror Zar. In an interview with Rabbi Elie Weissman, Mr. Zar recounted his experiences as a lone soldier in the IDF and expressed his pride in his daughter Maya (‘17), who plans to enlist in the fall. Maya briefly shared with us how she arrived at this admirable decision. The program closed with a perek of Tehillim and “Hatikva,” and students looked ahead to the next day’s celebration of Israel’s independence. Central celebrated Israel’s 69th birthday with the school’s signature spirit and passion. The morning began with an inspirational daven-
The courses, which include training in CPR and choking procedures to be administered to adults, children and infants, are offered free of charge. This year they were held shortly after Pesach at the Hatzalah garage. Achiezer contracted Madison Programs, a highly professional company, to teach the necessary skills. Participants were enthusiastic about the clear, practical, hands-on instruction, with each participant actually practicing the techniques they learned. “I must have taken the CPR/ First Aid course at least eight times in my life, and I always leave a bit confused… This time was different.
The American Red Cross CPR course [offered by Achiezer and Hatzalah] was so informative and clear. It took out only an hour and change from my day, but it was well worth it,” shared one grateful participant. For Achiezer, this is just the beginning, as plans are in the works for various programs to educate the community about safety. Achiezer’s goal in creating this series is to empower the community to most effectively handle the unexpected, to remain calm in the face of emergency, and to ensure that victims have the best chance at recovery.
Art Institute Students Exhibit at Holocaust Museum
Maya Zar with her father
ing and outdoor Hallel. Each grade then took a “tour” of Israel with a “passport” in hand, stopping to learn about “Israel in Technology,” “Israel in Science,” “Israel in Jewish History,” and “Israel in Tanach.” Everyone enjoyed the annual “Israel Through the Arts” showcase from the performing arts clubs. A special yaasher koach to Mrs. Ofira Bashiry and Mrs. Naomi Bennun for choreographing and teaching a Daglanut to their sophomores, who executed the dance to perfection; and for developing a beautiful dance with the Israeli Culture Club, led by Eden Lavi (‘17) and Tohar Tsadok (‘17). The celebration then moved outside for an Israeli-style lunch before the student body split into four city-themed teams for Maccabiah 2017. Thank you to Ms. Leah Moskovich and the whole programming team for a fantastic celebration!
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ongratulations to students in the Art Institute program who have been selected to have their work exhibited in the 22st Annual Juried Competition at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. The theme of this year’s competition is based on the Martin Niemoller quotation “First They Came for…” and the consequences of choosing to make a difference or not. This year we had the outstanding distinction of winning three prizes in the high school division of the exhibit. First place winner was Mariyah Bibi, second place was Grace Chabbott and third place was awarded to Leora Gershkovich.
Drawings and paintings by the following students were selected to be exhibited: Veronica Ambalo, Mariyah Bibi, Grace Chabbott, Celia Cohen, Emily Cohen, Leora Gershkovich, Chloe Gottlieb, Sigal Karasanti, Zoe Klein, Miriam Kopyto, Sarah Kopyto, Shelley Horowitz, Perrin Rudensky and Kelly Wietschner. The Art Institute is under the direction of Mrs. Dale Malekoff. This year, with the help of Ms. Lauren Lillien in the English department, we also had one literature entry titled, “If Only.” This poem was written by Benny Waxman and Yonaton Sokol. The Awards Ceremony was held on Sunday, April 30, 2017.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Around the Community
Sofer R’ Sandowski, a safrus teacher, taught the boys how to write some of the Hebrew letters the way they are written in the Torah at Learn & Live this week. Each boy received a paper and some ink and a kulmos (feather) to write with. R’ Sandowski started with some easy letters and then went on to some more difficult ones. All in all the boys got some great experience into the art of safrus. For more information regarding L&L, please email us at learnandlivefr@gmail.com.
Chayalim Impact Shulamith Students
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n Friday, May 5, students of Shulamith Middle Division had the opportunity to hear from three IDF soldiers. The visit was arranged by Rachael Youra, a Development Associate for Friends of the IDF. The three chayalim, who were accompanied by Liron Kreitman, also of FIDF, spoke about their experiences in the Israeli army, and the seventh and eighth graders then had the opportunity to ask them questions. Twenty-two-year-old Commander Daniel Haly, one of eight children, is currently a Second Lieutenant in the Field Intelligence Unit and has 120 soldiers under his command. Despite his young age, Commander Haly has much experience behind him. He fought in Operation Protective Edge, has experienced the loss of fellow soldiers, and has saved countless lives. Lieutenant Ofir Asulin is currently a Company Lieutenant Commander of the Observers Training Course which trains soldiers to be able to spot danger and prevent terror attacks. Lieutenant Asulin was a victim of a terrorist attack and spent several weeks in the hospital. As soon as she
had recuperated, Lieutenant Asulin immediately returned to her post. Sergeant Mauricio Glucksman was born in Venezuela and was a lone soldier during part of his service in the army. During Protective Edge, Sergeant Glucksman was injured while attending officers’ school. He returned to duty shortly after having surgery and entered Gaza with a cast on his arm. He was injured in combat and had to undergo another surgery on the same arm. He is currently studying government and hopes to continue his service to Israel. The girls listened attentively to the three chayalim and asked questions including, “What was your most fulfilling moment as a combat soldier?”; “How does your family feel about you serving as a combat soldier?”; “What made you stay on in the army after you completed your initial enlistment period?”; and “Are you ever afraid?” The session was informative and engaging, and allowed students the opportunity to learn more about the IDF, to express their thanks to these three brave soldiers, and to achieve a greater appreciation for all those who protect and defend Israel.
Let’s Be a Part of the Solution – Starting this Shabbos
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any singles and parents of families find that wedding season can be a challenging time. People are happy for others at their chasanas, but it can also be hard. At the same time, the Jewish people can never give up; there is always hope. This Shabbos, the week before Lag B’omer, join CHAZAQ, National Council of Young Israel, Orthodox Union, Rabbinical Council of America, Vaad Harabonim of Queens and YU Connects in the Shabbos for Shidduch Solutions initiative. Saw You At Sinai has offered 1 month free to the singles at shuls that participate in this initiative via https://www.ou.org/events/ make-parshat-emor-shabbat-shidduchim-synagogue/. ”Shabbos for Shidduch Solutions” will be taking place on May 13th, the Shabbos prior to Lag B’omer. (The OU’s name for the program is “Shabbat Shidduchim: A Time for Sensitivity and Solutions.”) The goal is to show a selection of easy ways we can help singles in a solutions-oriented focus and demonstrate community-level support globally. A Facebook page has launched https://www.facebook.com/ ShidduchSolutions/ and everyone can make a difference. We’re challenging everyone in the community to play a part in the solution. When we all become active, by just taking on something simple, we can fix this. When a challenge touches so many in the frum community we all need to get involved – married and single people can take on easy things to help. Choose the one or two that speak to you. We can all be heroes and solve this situation together – as a community.
1. Tefila. Daven to Hashem, select a perek of Tehilim that speaks to you and have singles in mind when you say it once a day – or once a week – on their behalf. 2. Chessed. When we make efforts on behalf of others it becomes a zchus for us. There is a rav and rebbetzin who give chassan and kallah classes for free in the z’chus that their children should get married smoothly. 3. Make shul a welcoming place for a single. At least one person should be in the men’s section and one in the women’s section who notices when a new single comes to shul. Singles can easily get lost in our family-oriented society. Many singles avoid shul/kiddush because no one acknowledged them. 4. Each shul can have a shadchan or a shidduch committee. Then the shul shadchan can reach out to the other shuls and network. 5. Take on a role to help create a targeted Shabbos seudah for either men or three women – either choose to host, or help a friend identify participants, or assist with follow-up date suggestions post-meal. Make sure the invitees are in the same age range and hashkafic ballpark to maximize dates. 6. Choose one single neighbor or friend and make three phone calls this week on their behalf. We are all part of the community and have shared responsibility. When we do our hishtadlus Hashem takes us the rest of the way. And when you hear of a shidduch that results from this initiative, let us know so we can celebrate all those simchos together. We can bring more families in the world and build more Jewish homes – together.
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Around the Community
Priority-1 Celebrates 30 Years
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t is hard to imagine that three decades have passed since Priority-1 came onto the scene, trailblazing the path for addressing and preventing the challenges in the Yeshiva system. The unique challenges that today’s youth face, which were once taboo to speak about, are now openly discussed and addressed in the mainstream frum community. Over the years, Priority-1 has taken two approaches to enhancing the quality of chinuch: intervention and prevention. For the first two decades, Priority-1’s approach primarily focused on intervention; understanding and respecting the challenges faced by our children and addressing them through counseling and our alternative high school, Torah Academy of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. The approach was extremely successful, not only for the young men and families within our own reach, but also in overcoming a stigma in the community that allowed others to join in giving troubled youth an address to turn to. Over the past decade, in addition to the continued counseling of youth and their families, the approach has evolved into active prevention of the issues that many with similar ques-
tions and frustrations have experienced. This is accomplished through Teacher Training Seminars, Parenting Expos, Community Learning Initiatives, and Teacher Training in Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh, where the talmidim are imparted the knowledge and tools necessary to lead the next generation. The ideas used in the prevention arena are culled from the 30 years of experience that the Priority-1 staff has in this field. Please join us at our Yeshiva campus, 1213 Bay 25th St. in Far Rockaway, on June 7 to celebrate the accomplishments of Priority-1 over the past 30 years, which carried a singular theme: Enhancing Chinuch in America. We will be dedicating the Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh campus in memory of Rebbetzin Gita Cohen, a”h, the wife of the Rosh HaYeshiva and founder of Priority-1, Rabbi Shaya Cohen. Additionally, Mr. & Mrs. Zev Cohen will receive the Hakaros Hatov Award, and Mr. & Mrs. Yekusiel Sebrow will be presented the Young Leadership Award. For more information or to make reservations, please call 516-2955700 ext. 104, or go online to priority-1.org/dinner-2017.
Yachad and NCSY Celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut
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his past Thursday night, Yachad Long Island and NCSY of the 5 Towns participated in a Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration at the NCSY Center on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. The crowd was warmly welcomed by the NCSY Five Towns President, Hadassah Fertig, and Joe Stern, from RAMBAM Yeshiva. The Yachad members had the opportunity to play a fun Israel-themed trivia game, deepening their understanding and connection to Israel, followed by a pizza dinner, and the culminating event: Yom Ha’Atzmaut cupcake decorating using blue and white toppings. All of the participants had an amazing and inclusive experience, laughing and enjoying one another’s company at this special event. With an exciting Yachad favorite game of “Fruit Bowl” to conclude the Yon Ha’Atzmaut par-
ty, nobody wanted the fun to end. Yachad and NCSY are looking forward to the next inclusion event in the Five Towns. Yachad has many amazing events all year round and to participate in future events as either an advisor or for an individual with a disability, please contact sametm@ou.org.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
PRIORITY-1
30TH ANNIVERSARY
DINNER Celebrating
3 DECADES 2 APPROACHES 1 MISSION:
Enhancing Chinuch in America DEDICATING THE YESHIVA ZICHRON ARYEH CAMPUS IN MEMORY OF:
Rebbetzin Gita Cohen A”H הרבנית גיטל בת הרב אליעזר מנוח ע”ה
MR. & MRS.
Honoring
ZEV COHEN
YEKUSIEL SEBROW
Hakaras Hatov Award
JUNE 7, 2017 DINNER CHAIRMEN AVRAHAM BURGER MARK FRIEDMAN
MR. & MRS.
Young Leadership Award ON OUR CAMPUS
6:30 PM
1213 BAY 25TH STREET FAR ROCKAWAY, NY 11691 JAY KESTENBAUM IRVING LANGER DOV WOLOWITZ
HONORARY CHAIRMEN
DAVID BERKOWITZ BENTZION FRIEDMAN LENARD LIBERMAN DAVID STRIKS DAVID CHEPLOWITZ ABIE ROTENBERG CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
TORONTO, ONTARIO
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
COUVERT: $500 PER COUPLE FOR RESERVATIONS OR DEDICATION OPPORTUNITIES, PLEASE CALL (516)295-5700 EXT 104 OR GO ONLINE TO PRIORITY-1.ORG/DINNER-2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Sulitza Nesiya to Kerestir
At the kever of the Tosfes Yum Tov
Supper in Krakow
The Rebbe shlita at the kever of Reb Shayale
In Eihal at the kever of the Yismach Moshe
In Krakow at the kever of the Megaleh Amikos
Shacharis in Rimenov in the shul of R’ Mendel of Rimnov
At the kever of the Moer Ushumesh
In Rimonov at the kever of Reb Mendele Mrimoniv
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Around the Community
In Lancut at the kever of the Ropshiter Rav
Kever Ramoh
Walking in the streets of Europe
Kerestir
L’chaim in Lizensk
Another Breathtaking Bnos Melochim Worldwide Presentation
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s memories of the frigid winter fade away and the tender tendrils of spring blossoms scent the air, it’s time to take an honest, enduring, and entertaining look in the mirror. Once again, Bnos Melochim, the world-renowned organization dedicated to preserving modesty, presents an evening of inspiration and entertainment; a second look at ourselves, our mission, our goals and our journey. Join tens of thousands of women and girls around the globe, from Gateshead to Gibraltar, Cleveland to Cote St. Luc, Melbourne to Miami, and dozens of locations in between. Prepare to be inspired, enlightened, and enthused by world-renowned speakers. What is kedushah? How does one define holiness? And in a world of externals, where impressions are so powerful, how do we tune into the enduring power of our inner world?
Let some of today’s most beloved and prominent speakers lead the way. Meet Mrs. Tammy Karmel, a woman whose incredible optimism and enduring spirit shine through in her powerful words, who hasn’t allowed her ALS diagnosis to stop her. Mrs. Karmel, whose breath-taking classes have transformed the lives of thousands of women, shares her thoughts about how a true sense of self-worth connects us to our souls, empowering us to overcome our challenges. Born to Cuban parents and raised in an environment of externals, where clothes and fashion reigned supreme, Mrs. Miriam Sandler performed at the White House, for the Queen of England, and in high-profile venues around the world before discovering a life of true inner meaning and satisfaction. Share her fascinating journey to the far ends of the world, and to
the depths of her neshama. Be treated to pearls of wisdom from Rav Yitzchok Scheiner, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Kaminetz in Eretz Yisroel, whose heartwarming message and insightful grasp of today’s challenges bring the theme home in an enduring manner. Mrs. Dina Schoonmaker, a beloved lecturer and mechaneches from Eretz Yisroel, whose pithy insights into our psyche make her a beloved source of strength, will keep you riveted. In what way is our struggle compared to that of a child and an overflowing candy jar? How can we keep “grabbing” for ourselves and emerge a winner at the same time? Rabbi YY Jacobson (program B), whose passionate presentations have galvanized audiences around the globe, will provide a powerful perspective on emunah, on overcoming life’s challenges with a deeper understanding of our mission on
this world. Rabbi Naftali Reich (program A), renowned mashpia at Ohr Someach and internationally acclaimed lecturer, will take us on an inner journey, to the deepest part of our psyche and our innermost thoughts. Sit at the edge of your seats for a “hysterical” comedy that will have us wiping tears from our eyes as we laugh at the characters—and take a sober look at ourselves. Last but not least, enjoy a “Happy Ending,” one of two moving songs during this presentation, offering a glimpse into the star-studded future that awaits us in the world of eternity. Where are you? Are you Here? Be there. Don’t miss it. Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Check your local papers for details of the showing in your community. One night, and eternity.
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
America Eats for Israel – All You Have to Do Is EAT!
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n Monday, May 15, communities across the United States will join together in dining at participating kosher restaurants to feed hungry Israelis. 10% of proceeds will go toward funding Meir Panim’s Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchens in Israel. 1.7 million Israelis live in poverty – and 800,000 of them are vulnerable children. For more than a decade, America Eats for Israel has been a groundbreaking show of solidarity with the needy of Israel. Originally a Baltimore-based initiative led by students of Yeshivat Rambam and then Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, AEFI is now a national event. “This is a fun way to raise awareness in the U.S. that Israel has an epidemic of disadvantaged people who need our help,” said Danielle Rubin, Project Director for American Friends of Meir Panim. “We are hop-
ing that this project raises significant funds to help impoverished Israelis.” Meir Panim’s projects include free restaurants, meals-on-wheels for the homebound, prepaid food shopping cards, school lunch programs, and after-school youth clubs. Jewish students in multiple U.S. cities have recruited participating restaurants, are working hard to publicize the event, and are excitedly planning to “eat out for Israel” on May 15. Participating schools and groups include Atlantic Seaboard NCSY, Beth El Hebrew School, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, Krieger Schechter Day School, Ner Tamid Youth and Scouts, and Ohr Chadash Academy in Baltimore; Bruriah High School for Girls, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, and Torah Academy of Bergen County in New Jersey; Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, North Shore
Hebrew Academy High School, and Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls in Long Island; and Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) in New York City. “Since America Eats for Israel began…my family has enthusiastically eaten pizza, shawarma, hamburgers, donuts, Chinese food and more happily knowing that 10 percent of what we paid goes towards supporting our people in Israel,” explained Rabbi Sam Wach, Youth Director for the Ner Tamid Youth and Scouts. “As the day approaches, we can feel the excitement from participating students and community members... I can still picture in my mind the students standing on the road waving at cars to beckon them to share in this worthy mission. It is with great pride that Congregation Ner Tamid Youth and Scouts will be, once again, taking a lead in this project.” Elie Hirt, Assistant Director of
Student Activities and Recruitment at Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) in New York City, said that students are excitedly recruiting neighborhood restaurants for the event. “Americans are often unaware that many Israelis do not know where their next meal is coming from – many people, especially the elderly, must choose between buying medicine or food,” explained Rubin. “America Eats for Israel is a wonderful way to show solidarity with the needy of Israel, simply by eating out at your favorite restaurant.” For more information on America Eats for Israel, please visit www. americaeatsforisrael.com To donate to American Friends of Meir Panim, please visit www. meirpanim.org or call 877-7366283. Please mail checks to 5316 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
Tears of Hope at The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC
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ost of us associate tears with sadness. And we have all experienced tears of joy. At the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC last Thursday the tears flowed freely – both of sadness and of joy, but mostly of hope – as we hosted our unique and uplifting Yom Haatzmaut program for Holocaust survivors. As a meeting point and safe haven where Holocaust survivors from our local communities have been gathering weekly for 27 years, our social hall has long been the site of inspiring programming, socialization, support and healing. But on special occasions, such as our Yom Haatzmaut event where JCC staff and volunteers, speakers, students, guests and, of course, our survivors, came together in celebration and in commemoration, the atmosphere was charged with emotion. Despite the diminishing number of Holocaust survivors worldwide, the Gural JCC continues to seek out and attract this vulnerable and venerable population.
The program brought in over 100 survivors. They arrived in various forms of transportation, with family and caretakers, some even on their own. In the spirit of the occasion, many came dressed in shades of blue and white. All entered our festively decorated social hall with smiles of anticipation on their expressive faces. Every event planned for our survivors is done so with utmost consideration. This year’s carefully planned program began with introductory words from Deborah Kram, Outreach Manager from Claims Conference, an organization which has sought a small measure of justice for Jewish victims of Nazi persecution since 1951. Ms. Kram spoke passionately about Nazi victim entitlements and graciously met with many of our survivors individually after her introduction. Following the introductory remarks we were honored to have Mr. Richard Altabe, lower school principal of the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, address our esteemed
audience in a moving and powerful presentation. Mr. Altabe brought a number of fourth grade students with him to our program. The girls sang several stirring melodies during the presentation. Mr. Altabe asked his students to raise their hands if they were the grandchildren of a survivor. The many hands that went up were a moving testament to the fact that our Jewish nation has survived. It is a well-accepted idea that those who survived the nightmare of the Holocaust are considered to be holy and a blessing from them is
considered a most valuable gift. Mr. Altabe invited our survivors to approach his students and offer them their blessings. Several made their way to the front of the room, stood before the children and spoke eloquently and poignantly. It was an emotional and memorable moment. Next, a delicious Israeli themed lunch was served with the help of JCC staff, volunteers and a warm and attentive group of eighth grade Shulamith students. The lively girls stayed for the entertainment that followed the meal, engaging our survivors as the spirited songs of Am
Yisrael played. Survivors sang, clapped and, amazingly, many joined the students on the “dance floor.” The scene at the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC that day was an incredible combination of tears, joy, and, above all, hope. For more information on the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC’s programs for Holocaust survivors, please contact Lisa Barnett at 516569-6733 or Lisa.barnett@ guraljcc.org. The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC is a Proud Partner of UJA-Federation of New York.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Around the Community
The Marion and Aaron Gural JCC Early Childhood Center celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut last week in blue and white
South Nassau & Mount Sinai Health System Enter Talks toward Possible Affiliation
S
outh Nassau Communities Hospital’s Board of Directors has agreed to enter a period of exclusive negotiations with the Mount Sinai Health System to come together as part of a long-term strategy to improve care available for residents of the South Shore and Long Island. In the coming months, South Nassau and Mount Sinai will explore a formal affiliation agreement that could lead to an alignment of medical services, management and governance between the 455-bed Oceanside hospital and the world-renowned Mount Sinai Health System. If a final agreement is reached and approved, South Nassau, which has served Nassau County residents since 1928, would become the flagship institution of Mount Sinai on Long Island and be a part of Mount Sinai’s $8 billion health system that includes the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai – one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country, 7 hospitals in the New York metropolitan area and a network of more than 7,000 physicians. “Our Board of Directors has taken an important step to help secure the future growth of South Nassau for decades to come,” said Richard J. Murphy, South Nassau’s President & CEO. “This is the correct move at the right time and if a formal affiliation agreement is reached, it will translate into a higher level of care being available for the communities we serve on Long Island.” Joseph Fennessy, Chairman of South Nassau’s Board of Directors, said a partnership like the one envisioned with Mount Sinai has the promise to bring the expertise of a new
major Manhattan based health system into the Long Island health care market. “The South Nassau Board of Directors is excited to partner with the Mount Sinai Heath System to bring their state of the art clinical, academic and research capabilities to the people of Long Island. South Nassau has continued to advance its clinical capabilities over the past several years as it strives to provide a higher level of care to the communities we serve. This affiliation will accelerate this process dramatically.” Mount Sinai’s President & CEO, Kenneth L. Davis, MD, said, “We look forward to working with South Nassau on an agreement that could create a transformative health partnership. Our goal is that patients and families of Long Island have access to our high quality care and cutting edge treatments.” A special affiliation committee of the South Nassau’s board of directors has been studying the potential benefits of an affiliation during the last several months. The affiliation committee recommended Mount Sinai after a thorough search process. “The health care environment on Long Island is ever changing and one that requires us to be constantly evaluating what is best for South Nassau, the communities we serve and our patients,” said Murphy. “While South Nassau is today an excellent facility, we concluded that in order to grow and reach our goal of becoming a true tertiary level facility, we needed to partner and we believe Mount Sinai’s leadership shares our vision for what South Nassau can become.” The two institutions have signed a
nonbinding letter of intent, which will allow South Nassau and Mount Sinai to begin a more in-depth period of due diligence and exclusive talks leading up to a possible final agreement. The boards of Mount Sinai and South Nassau also would have to approve any final deal, as would the New York State Department of Health. The process could take until the end of the year to complete. The affiliation agreement will allow for continued local control of South Nassau while enabling for future growth with a world-class medical partner, renowned for a commitment to quality care. Mount Sinai has agreed to a significant investment in the physical plant and clinical programs of South Nassau. “We believe this partnership has the potential to improve the quality, breadth and depth of services available to residents of Long Island while allowing South Nassau to achieve our goal of becoming a true tertiary-level center of excellence,” said Fennessy. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to join forces with a world renowned institution whose name stands for quality.” South Nassau has strong clinical, fiscal and administrative leadership as well as its position as a premier provider of health services to some 900,000 residents on the South Shore, said Davis. If a final deal is reached, South Nassau would be a fully integrated partner of Mount Sinai and the Icahn School of Medicine, which is consistently ranked as one of the best and most competitive medical schools in the country, Davis said. “South Nassau will become the flagship tertiary hospital for the Mount
Sinai Health System on Long Island,” said Davis. “And South Nassau will also become a major clinical and academic affiliate of the Icahn School of Medicine. We are looking forward to a long and fruitful affiliation that will enhance services for all residents of Long Island.” South Nassau, a nonprofit medical center and teaching hospital with 3,500 employees and 900 affiliated physicians, is one of the few remaining independently controlled hospitals on Long Island. Independent hospitals across the region have sought affiliations in recent years to improve quality of care while finding efficiencies to reduce the ever-escalating costs of health care delivery. “Mount Sinai shares our vision of improving services for our patients and the South Shore communities we serve while maintaining a collaborative environment for our employees,” said Murphy. “Mount Sinai and South Nassau also remain committed to the residents of Long Beach and the other barrier island communities as we continue to restore and redevelop medical services after Superstorm Sandy.” More than 200 Long Island-based primary care physicians and other specialists who are already aligned with Mount Sinai have indicated they would embrace an affiliation with South Nassau. South Nassau currently provides a number of key specialty services found at a tertiary level hospital, including comprehensive cancer care, interventional cardiology, orthopedics and intensive care. The hospital also is the only Trauma Center on the South Shore of Nassau County.
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Around the Community
Sh’or Yoshuv Anniversary Dinner
T
he great founder of Sh’or Yoshuv, Rav Shlomo Freifeld, zt”l, was a remarkable visionary. He set out on a path to create a unique makom Torah in Far Rockaway and he let nothing deter him. Yet, as forward-thinking as he was, it is hard to believe that even he could have imagined what our community would look like in 2017. Could he have possibly dreamt of the impact Sh’or Yoshuv and its thousands of talmidim have made, not just in our neighborhood, but in the entire world? Indeed, that is the gadlus of a visionary; he sees not just the seed but the huge, flourishing tree which will emerge. With great Siyata Dishmaya, that vision has come to fruition right in our backyard. We are proud to invite the entire community to the 50th Anniversary Dinner to take place on Monday, May 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Yeshiva campus. Though the Yeshiva has grown exponentially b’ruch-
nius and b’gashmius over the years, the same unique kol Torah rings from its Bais Medrash day and night. Characteristically, the Yeshiva is not resting on its laurels. The devotion that drives a rebbi to give 110% to help his talmidim grow; the intensity that defines the Yeshiva’s derech ha’avodah; the enthusiasm that pushes its alumni to devote themselves to Klal Yisroel…those same emotions are now being channeled into developing the Yeshiva for the next 50 years. 50 years is just the beginning. B’ezras Hashem, the Yeshiva will continue to
actualize Rav Freifeld’s glorious dream and continue to impact more and more talmidim. To mark this major milestone, the Yeshiva’s annual dinner will honor individuals who have been integral to the Yeshiva’s growth and part of its fabric for many years. It is a great honor to recognize the amazing dedication of our esteemed Rosh Yeshiva, Horav and Rebbetzin Naftali Jaeger, at the 50th Anniversary Dinner. Rav Jaeger has stewarded the yeshiva for many years and set the tone for the atmosphere within its walls.
He is renowned for his great scholarship coupled with intense warmth and caring. Talmidim young and old attest to the Rosh HaYeshiva’s unique fatherly relationship with them. Despite his myriad responsibilities, he cares for every individual, and the entire individual, making sure he is always on a path for maximum growth. We are blessed to have a leader of his caliber in our midst and will demonstrate our appreciation and admiration at this year’s dinner. We will also honor two very special friends of the Yeshiva. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Jacobs are well-known in
the world of building. Mr. Jacobs was the mastermind behind our magnificent campus which was built 16 years ago. Since then, he has become a close friend of the Yeshiva and its staff. We are proud to bestow upon him the Legacy Builder Award. Mr. and Mrs. Aryeh Freund will receive the Rabbi Shlomo Freifeld Memorial Award. Aryeh is an alumnus of the Yeshiva and remains a close talmid of the Rosh HaYeshiva. He has always supported the yeshiva in its endeavors and maintains his connection whenever possible. We are very proud of his accomplishments. Please join rabbanim and community leaders as we celebrate this momentous occasion on Monday, May 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Yeshiva campus. We look forward to greeting you in person. To place an ad or make a reservation, please call 516239-9002, ext. 102, or email admin@shoryoshuv.org.
Bring Meron Home This Lag B’Omer By Yoel Krausz
B
onfires. Bows and arrows. Music. Upsherins. Dancing through the night. This is Lag B’Omer. Add the holiness of a special site and thousands upon thousands of people celebrating with you – and it is Lag B’Omer at Meron. Being at Meron on Lag B’Omer is an experience that stays with you for life – as kedusha, simcha, and energy permeate the air, leaving deep grooves of inspiration. But not all of us can be zoche to be at Meron each year or have the opportunity to tap into its spiritual blessings.
The daily minyan at the Tehillim Kollel location in Meron
But this year, you can! You can bring Meron into your home and life this Lag B’Omer, with the Tehillim Kollel of Meron. Throughout the year, devout men pray at
this holy site, completing the entire sefer Tehillim each day. But you can take advantage of the most special time of the year at the kever of R’ Shimon bar Yochai and en-
list these special messengers to engage in fervent prayers on behalf of your family. Whether you need parnassah, shalom bayis, children, shidduchim or any other ye-
shuah, you can entrust your tefillos to the ehrliche Meron Kollel, who will utilize all their powers of concentration and sincere devotion to storm the heavens with your requests. Tehillim Kollel is offering exclusive savings for Lag B’Omer day and also running special membership offers during this time. Late afternoon, this Friday, May 5th, is the last day to sign up for Lag B’Omer savings. For more detailed information, contact the Tehillim Kollel’s central office at (718) 705-7174 or email at info@ tehillimkollel.org.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Scenes from the Yeshiva Gedola of Carteret Dinner on Sunday
(R-L) Rabbi Dovid Yankelewitz accepting (R-L) Rabbi Azriel Brown, Mr. Eliyahu Ungar accepting the the Parents of the Year award with Rabbi Alumnus of the Year award with Rabbi Yaakov Mayer and Yaakov Mayer, Rabbi Azriel Brown, R’ Yaakov T. Biderman Roshei Yeshiva
(R-L) Rabbi Azriel Brown, Harav Moshe Brown, Rav of Agudath Israel of West Lawrence, Guest of Honor, Rabbi Yaakov Mayer, R’ Yaakov T. Biderman
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The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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1.
TJH !
You gotta be
kidding
A mother is trying to get her son to eat his carrots. She says, “You know they’re good for your eyes.” The son says, “How do you know that?” The mom replies, “Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?”
Centerfold ?
Riddle me
this?
For being good during their shopping outing, a mother gave each of her four children two candies. Jack had an orange candy. The child who had a red one also had a blue one. No child had two candies of the same color. The child who had a green candy also had a red one. Sara didn’t have a red candy and Danny had a green one. Miri didn’t have an orange one and Jack had no blue sweets. Knowing that there were two candies of each color, can you tell the colors of the sweets each child had? Answer to riddle: Jack had an orange and a green candy. Sara had an orange and a blue one. Miri had a red and a blue candy. Danny had a green and a red one.
Things My Mother Taught Me ANTICIPATION... “Just wait until your father gets home.”
ENVY… “There are millions of children who wish they had that toy.”
RECEIVING... “You are going to get it when we get home!”
IRONY… “Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about!”
JUSTICE... “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like
you...then you’ll see what it’s like!” CHALLENGES... “What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! Don’t talk back to me!”
LOGIC… “Because I said so, that’s why.” MEDICAL SCIENCE... “If you don’t eat those vegetables you will never grow.”
HUMOR... “When you fall down and break your foot, don’t come running to me.”
HYPOCRISY… “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate!”
WISDOM… “When you get to be my age, you will understand.”
ROOTS... “Do you think you were born in a barn?”
CLEANLINESS… “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning the floor.”
GENETICS... “You’re just like your father.”
RELIGION… “You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”
STAMINA… “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”
WEATHER… “This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”
The Jewish | MAY 29, 11, 2017 The Jewish HomeHome | OCTOBER 2015
1 2 3
4
5
6
You Mom
7
8
We Love
9
10
19. PTA 21. Sewing kit
15. Nachas
20. Sweater
13. Spaghetti
18. Love
12. Nap
17. Challah
7. Fever
16. Kiss
6. Carpool
14. Mitzva notes
5. Flowers
11. Laundry
4. Coffee
10. Patience
3. Milk and Cookies
9. Homework
2. Uncle Moishy
8. Lullaby
1. Thank You
Across
Down
11
12
13
14
15
16
17 18 19 20
21
Down
Across
1. What mom reminds you to say when going to your friend’s house
8. Song that puts you to sleep
2. Mom knows the lyrics to all his songs
9. Every night Chumash, spelling, math and science
3. After-school snack
10. Moms need an endless stream
4. Favorite morning pick-me-up
11. Don’t forget to add the fabric softener
5. What you should buy mom as often as possible
14. Letters to nursery teachers
6. What mom drives
16. First attempt to heal a boo-boo
7. Confirmed by hand to forehead
17. Nobody braids them better than Mom
12. What Mom would love to do on a Shabbos afternoon, once in a blue moon, at least
18. Unconditional ___________
13. Meatball’s natural partner
21. Tomato pincushion
20. What you wear when mom is cold
15. What all children should give their parents on silver platters 19. When parents get to hear what really goes on in school
TO MOM:
What’s for supper? I’m hot… I’m cold… Can I have…? Can you take me to…? Can you call…? Can you help me with…? Where is my…?
Where are you going? When are you coming home? When are we going to? Can you pick me up from…? Can you drop me off at…? Can we go shopping? Can I stay home from school? Can you tell him to stop bothering me? Can you help me with my homework?
Can you buy me a new Fidget Spinner? He took my Fidget Spinner! Where’s my Fidget Spinner? Can you fix my Fidget Spinner? If I behave can I get another Fidget Spinner?
TO DAD: Where’s Mom?
We Love You Mom!
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Torah Thought
Parshas Emor By Rabbi Berel Wein
I
n commenting on the double use of the verb “emor” and “v’amarta,” Rashi states that the lesson to be derived from this grammatical anomaly is that the elder generation is charged with instructing and guiding the younger generation. This apparently simple and very necessary and logical requirement is more difficult to implement than it was to state. Younger generations are noto-
riously loath to accept advice from their elders. They feel, and perhaps correctly so, that they are entitled to make their own mistakes on their own terms. But that attitude only increases the level of pain that making fundamental errors in life decisions creates. Raising the next generation has always been a daunting challenge. And every generation feels that its challenge is greater than those of previous times.
A little reflection, a lot of tradition, a ton of patience, and a strong family structure are great and usually necessary ingredients for success with the next generation. There are no guarantees, however. The Talmud taught us that there are irrational factors – good fortune or “mazel,” so to speak – that are always present when raising children. Nevertheless, we are also taught that we are not freed from our obligation to attempt to succeed no matter how unlikely complete success might be. Advice from the older generation may not be desired but it always is influential. And that influence is vi-
generations and antecedents. Crime, violence, psychological and social dysfunction are the products of such generational interruption. And this is true in Jewish society as well, in much of the Diaspora. The memories of Eastern European immigrants about the “golden country” have faded and in most cases disappeared, as have the hardships and sacrifices of the past. And with the disappearance of this family connection to religious observance, a traditional Jewish lifestyle also waned and many times completely vanished. To some extent, this factor helps in understanding demographic de-
This generational connection is the basis for our survival as a people and a civilization.
tal for the continuity of family life, especially traditional Jewish family life. A parent remains a parent throughout his/her lifespan. And this generational connection is the basis for our survival as a people and a civilization. I have written in previous years that the Torah bids the priestly clan to tell their descendants that they are the sons of Aaron. It is difficult to have a positive self-identity when one has no past to rely upon. One of the great plagues for a large section of Western society is that millions of children do not know their father, let alone any heritage from earlier
cline in American Jewry over the past half century. There once was a time that later generations knew traditional parents and grandparents and thus were not completely ignorant of their past and heritage. But that unfortunately is certainly no longer the case. We are in a time empty of a past, mired in a terribly competitive, materialistic present and without any soaring vision for future society. It was and is the imperative of the departing generation to guide and teach the arriving generation. That is a rule of Jewish life. Shabbat shalom.
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From the Fire
Parshas Emor Who Do We Serve? By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf
W
e recently learned that a Jew becomes holy by focusing on fighting the innumerable small battles in his daily life despite “the slow, constant grind of daily life.” Several people have approached me looking for something that they can think about to help them overcome the effects of the “daily grind.” I believe there is a powerful thought one can have, based on this week’s parsha, in order to focus himself in these daily battles. The Torah (Vayikra 22:11) says: “If a Kohein buys a person with money, he [the Canaanite slave] may eat of it [terumah] ... and he that is born in his house shall eat of his bread.” The pasuk permits a Kohein to feed his own Canaanite slave and animals his sanctified food, although he is otherwise forbidden to feed it to a non-Kohein, an outsider. The Rambam (Hilchos Terumos 6:1) states that Canaanite slaves belonging to Kohanim can eat terumah, sanctified food, seemingly as part of his obligation to care for his family. Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, zt”l, the rosh yeshiva of the Mir in Brook-
lyn, argues that while this may explain how the Kohein is permitted to feed sanctified food to the Canaanite slave, it cannot explain how the Canaanite slave himself is permitted to eat it. Canaanite slaves are personally obligated to observe all of the negative commandments and all of the positive commandments a Jewish woman is obligated to observe. How then is the Canaanite slave permitted to eat the Kohein’s sanctified food? The Rambam implies that although the Canaanite slave is considered an outsider, the above-quoted pasuk exempts him from the general prohibition against outsiders consuming terumah. Based on a nuanced reading of Rashi in Gittin 11a, Rav Berenbaum offers an alternative answer. He explains that according to Rashi, because the Canaanite slave is owned by the Kohein, he no longer has the status of an outsider. Rather, he is considered an extension of the Kohein himself. Rav Shmuel Bernbaum explains that we see a fundamental lesson from this Rashi. When one person is
owned by another, there is a relationship between them and the one who is owned becomes an extension of his owner. That is why the Canaanite slave loses his status as an outsider and is permitted to eat the Kohen’s sanctified food. Because the Kohein owns him, he becomes an extension of the identity of the Kohein, and he is somehow transformed and elevated because of this. The same principle exists in the case of a Jew purchased as a slave by a non-Jew. Rashi (Vayikra 26:1) teaches that the Torah commands a Jew who is owned by a non-Jew to keep the mitzvos just like every other Jew. According to Rashi, “The pasuk speaks to a person sold to a non-Jew, so that he should not say, ‘Since my master commits acts of immorality, I will do the same ... Since my master desecrates Shabbos, I will do the same.’” Rav Berenbaum asks how anyone could possibly think that just because he is owned by a nonJew, suddenly he would be allowed to break Shabbos and commit acts of immorality. He answers that if the Torah devotes
a special pasuk to teach that one is, in fact, obligated to keep the commandments even when he is owned by a non-Jew, it must be that without that pasuk, one would perhaps be exempt from the mitzvos when owned by a non-Jew. This strengthens the point that a person’s slave becomes an extension of himself.
TO WHOM DO WE BELONG? We can use this thought to strengthen ourselves to become Holy people in our war against the daily grind. Hashem says (Vayikra 25:55), “The Jewish people are My slaves.” With respect to our attitude toward mitzvos, there are two perspectives. For example, let us assume someone is prepared to do the mitzvah of comforting a mourner by making a shiva call. The Torah says (Devarim 28:9), “You should walk in His ways.” Before the person leaves to make the shiva call, he can think, “Hashem is in charge and he told me to do something so I will obey Him even though I am tired.” That is beautiful. But a person can have a higher perspec-
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
tive and think, “I belong to Hashem. I am on His team. Because it is His desire to care for people in need, and because I am part of Him, it is also my will to take care of people.” The second perspective demonstrates an identity between the Master and the servant, such that the servant acts because he is an extension of the essence of the Master. A Jew must recognize and contemplate the fact that Hashem has acquired each one of us as His servants. We belong to Him, and we are part of Him. We therefore have the ability to rise above the day-to-day grind of life, to be holy, and to live lives of holiness because we are part of something greater than ourselves and greater than any human power. We are part of the Life of all worlds and are therefore not bound to the strictures and pressures of mundane life. According to the Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Shmuel 139), “Hashem called out to the ministering angels and said to them, ‘Come and see this creature that I created in My world. He goes out to war knowing that he will be killed, he takes his sons with him and rejoices in the attribute of justice which is about to take his life.’” Why was it necessary for Hashem to show the angels that man is capable of giving his life for a higher cause and rejoice in his sacrifice? Didn’t they already know the nature of man? The truth is that there are two levels of man’s nature. The angels only understood man in terms of his natural abilities. That is why they said about man (Sanhedrin 38b quoting Tehillim 8:5), “What is man that You should remember him and what is the son of man that You should be mindful of him?” But the angels did not understand the second attribute of man, that he is the property of Hashem who draws his essence from the infinite nature of his Master. This is what Hashem was trying to show the angels. “Look how man gives his life for something
greater than himself! Such a thing is beyond natural human capacity. But a Jew can accomplish much more than what is humanly possible when he recognizes that he is part of Me.” A young man once came to me a
job description. He was strengthening himself by reminding himself, “I am a servant of G-d. I don’t deal dishonestly no matter what everyone around me is doing.” As we go about our daily lives, if
We are part of something greater than ourselves and greater than any human power.
few years ago after he had met with a non-observant therapist. He sought help from the therapist to free himself from certain very harmful activities with which he was involved. He told me that the therapist told him, “It appears that you are not capable of abstaining from succumbing to your baser desires. You must therefore give into all of your inclinations. If you do not do so, you will become psychologically unhealthy.” Someone who is not connected to a deeper reality, who does not know that a Jew is not limited by what is “humanly possible” from a purely natural perspective, cannot fathom that a young man can hold himself back from certain things. Hashem said (Vayikra 25:42), “They are My servants ... they will not be sold as slaves.” We belong to Someone higher than the world. We cannot sell ourselves short by enslaving ourselves to the pressures of everyday life. Before we face each of the little tests that would bring down our standards and sell ourselves short over time, we must declare, “I am a servant of G-d! That is not me!” Before Eliezer began his negotiations with Lavan and Besuel, he recognized that he was dealing with dishonest people. He therefore started off the whole conversation by announcing (Bereishis 24:34), “I am a servant of Avraham!” He was not informing Lavan and Besuel of his
we feel like saying a few words to our friend in shul, if we feel like visiting a website at work that we wouldn’t want our wives to know we saw, or if we’re changing the umpteenth dia-
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per that day (and the men at work are sometimes exposed to things much dirtier than diapers), a Jew should say, “Please Hashem, I am Your servant!” With that thought a Jew can remind himself that he is connected to the infinite Source of life, Hashem. With that he can rise above the constant, daily grind of life and attain holiness. May we merit to always remember that we are servants of Hashem so that we will attain the holiness of the Beis Hamikdash with the coming of Moshiach soon in our days.
Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and has served as Mashpia in Yeshiva University since 2013.
CAHAL
Joins the community in mourning the passing of
Moreinu HaRav Binyomin Kamenetzky z"l One of the founding Menahalim of CAHAL 25 years ago a great leader and Torah luminary who was filled with warmth and caring for all and who dedicated his life to helping others and building a world of chinuch for our community and the children of Klal Yisroel May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim
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MAY 11, 2017 The Jewish HomeHome OCTOBER 29,| 2015 | The Jewish
Between the Lines
To Consecrate or to Desecrate: That is the Only Question By Eytan Kobre
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anding in Israel at the end of December, the packed Tower Airlines flight was comprised of the usual Jewish travelers and the more seasonal Christian yuletide visitors. During the ensuing lengthy delay on the runway, many passengers began to pull their carry-on luggage from the overhead bins when a stewardess announced over the public address system, “To those standing, we wish you a Happy Hanukkah; to those still seated, we wish you Season’s Greetings” (Listen to Your Messages, Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Artscroll Publications, pg. 123). Whether accurate or embellished, sad or humorous, the anecdote rings true because we know that if it didn’t actually happen, it very plausibly could have. And that’s bad enough. Despite our penchant for making headlines for all the wrong reasons, we are commanded to “not profane my holy name, and I will become sanctified amidst the Jewish people” (Vayikra 22:32). The choice between sanctifying G-d’s name (kiddush Hashem) and desecrating G-d’s name (chillul Hashem) is binary (Darchei Mussar, Vayikra 22:32). There is no middle ground. There is
no status quo. There is no pareve and there is no lukewarm. If someone holds a door for us, for example, we can say “thank you” or not – if we do, we sanctify G-d’s name; if we don’t, we despoil G-d’s name. It is one or the other. G-d created the Jewish people and made them His on the condition that they sanctify His name (Yeshaya 43:21; Sifra 22:138; Rambam, Sefer
lives, lives that contribute to the universal adoration of G-d and which, in turn, enhance the glory and luster of the Torah, adding respect for the dignity of the Jewish people as a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation” (Selected Writings, R’ Shimon Schwab, CIS Publications, 1988, p. 213-16). That is our purpose and that is our duty. And that duty is heightened for
“Even if in my own eyes I am nothing, when it comes to chillul Hashem, I must act like the spiritual leader of the generation if that’s what people think I am”
HaMitzvos, Positive Commandment No. 9). So we are to not only love G-d, but to ensure that the name of G-d becomes beloved through us and through our actions (Yoma 86a). We are tasked with leading “exemplary
those from whom more is expected. “There are other deeds that are included in the category of desecrating G-d’s name, when they are performed by one great in Torah and piety…one who buys something but does not pay
immediately…one who indulges in frivolity or eating and drinking with unrefined people…one who speaks unpleasantly to others and does not greet them with a pleasant demeanor, but rather is a quarrelsome and angry person…” (Rambam, Yesodei HaTorah 5:11; Rambam, Dei’os 5:3). For R’ Yochanan, merely walking four cubits without tefillin and without learning Torah would be a desecration of G-d’s name; for Rav, it was purchasing fruits on credit and not paying immediately; for Abaye, it was purchasing something from two partners and failing to pay each partner separately (Yoma 86a). For other Torah scholars, it might be wearing stained clothing (Shabbos 114a; Pele Yoetz, Nekiyus). Whatever the specifics, our standard-bearers are held to even more exacting standards. But that doesn’t absolve us regular folk from being ever-vigilant of the fine line between sanctifying G-d’s name and desecrating it. The Chofetz Chaim once sent his son on a mission, and he cautioned his son to act only in a manner befitting a great sage, lest he defile G-d’s name. When his son protested that he was not in fact a great sage but a
simple Jew, the Chofetz Chaim countered, “To desecrate G-d’s name, you are enough of a great sage.” Or, as R’ Yisrael Salanter put it, “Even if in my own eyes I am nothing, when it comes to chillul Hashem, I must act like the spiritual leader of the generation if that’s what people think I am” (Tenuas HaMussar 1:283). We are sage and pious enough to warrant the strictest scrutiny from the world around us, and this is especially true for those of us who spend significant portions of time outside the confines of our relatively insular community. In my firm (as in my prior firms), I’m the rabbi – not by vocation or choice or merit, but by expectation. The people I work with (or against) – co-workers, clients, judges, adversaries – often assume I have all the answers (I don’t!), and they expect me to conduct myself accordingly. But we ought to relish the opportunity to showcase to society at large how a Torah-observant Jew should
act. And that begins with a heightened awareness that we are being watched – nay, scrutinized – by the world around us. Because, like it or not, we carry G-d’s imprimatur. “All who profane the name of Heaven in private are repaid in public; whether unintentional or intentional, [the punishment is the same] when it comes to desecrating G-d’s name” (Avos 4:4). Now, this seems to buck convention. After all, one who profanes G-d’s name in private should be punished privately, and we ought to differentiate between one who commits a sin unintentionally and one who commits a sin intentionally. But that would miss the point entirely. Underpinning the desecration of G-d’s name is a lack of sensitivity and awareness and vigilance that we are being hyper-scrutinized, at all times and in all settings. To society, everything a Jewish person does is both “public” and “intentional.” We must
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never allow ourselves to think that the world will overlook our “private” mistakes and forgive our “unintentional” sins. It is thus befitting that even private and unintentional acts profaning G-d’s name be punished publicly and as if done deliberately – because, in a sense, they always are. *
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Of course, there are the big moments. Shimon ben Shetach returned a gem to a non-Jew who had sold it to him unwittingly because “Shimon ben Shetach desires hearing [a nonJew utter] ‘Blessed is the G-d of the Jews’ more than all the wealth in the world” (Yerushalmi, Bava Metzia 2:5). Rabbi Noach Muroff returned $98,000 he found in a secondhand desk he had purchased from its original owner, who had left the money in the desk inadvertently. But sanctifying G-d’s name isn’t just about the big moments. It may be even more about the unrelenting
stream of seemingly-insignificant small moments. The way we talk and the way we interact with others and the way we conduct business and the way we dress and the way we treat the elderly and the way we walk down the street. It is in those moments – when no one seems to be watching, although surely they are – that we demonstrate just how attuned we are to the fine line between sanctifying G-d’s name and doing the opposite. R’ Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg reduced all of life’s complexity to one simple, stark inquiry: Will my next action sanctify G-d’s name or will it desecrate G-d’s name? And that really is the only question.
Eytan Kobre is a writer, speaker, mediator, and attorney living in Kew Gardens Hills. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail eakobre@outlook.com.
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The Observant Jew
Motherless on Mother’s Day In Honor of Blanche Davids Gewirtz a”h
By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
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his week, people around the nation will do something special for their mothers. The idea of Mother’s Day in the United States can be credited to a woman who never married nor had children of her own, Anna Jarvis. Her mother had often expressed a wish that someday people would take the time to thank and honor their mothers for their sacrifices and hard work. Anna never forgot that and when her mother passed away in 1905 she resolved to make it a reality. She started by sending carnations, her mother’s favorite flower, to her local church in Grafton, West Virginia. She then began a letter-writing campaign to people in positions of power asking them to establish a day for honoring mothers. Her efforts paid off, and in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a joint resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Over time, it became a much more commercial holiday, with focus on cards, flowers, and gifts, and by the end of her life, Anna Jarvis was disappointed that it had turned into something quite different than she intended originally. With that introduction, let’s go back in time to 2013. That’s when I wrote the following: This is the first Mother’s Day I can remember that I won’t be able to call my mother, hug her, or give her a card. She passed away barely two weeks ago, and it seems that the whole world is rubbing it in. E-mails bombard me with reminders saying, ‘Don’t forget Mom on her special day!” Billboards, commercials, and internet ads offer
up flowers, cakes, and various gifts, while signs near hotels proclaim, “Mother’s Day Brunch!” How can they intrude on me like this? Where is their sensitivity? Don’t they know that I don’t have a mother anymore? Why must they torment me and rub salt in the alltoo-fresh wound? Of course, these signs are meant
lieve and trust that when I act properly here on Earth, she is receiving pleasure, pride, and reward for her role in making me who I am. Perhaps I can’t send her flowers, but if I smile at someone and brighten their day, haven’t I done the same thing? I made the world a more beautiful place, and it’s because that’s what my Mommy taught me.
for everyone else. They’re meant for me to treat my wife, the mother of my children, to something special. But I can’t help thinking about MY mother when even the cashier at the supermarket wishes me a Happy Mother’s Day. But am I really motherless? I don’t think so. I still have the lessons she taught me; I still have the upbringing she gave me. I just don’t have her physical presence here. Is it too late for me to give her gifts and show her my appreciation? Thankfully, it’s not, because I believe in Hashem, in the afterlife, and in the eternal nature of the soul. I believe that the deeds I do earn her Brownie points in Heaven. I be-
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there is something I can do for my mother. It doesn’t cost $19.95, it doesn’t need to be watered, and I don’t even have to put on a suit for it. This Mother’s Day, I can get my mother a reputation. By behaving in a way that shows I had a mother, someone who guided me in how to live and how to treat others, someone who taught me to revel in the beauty of G-d’s world and be in awe of His meticulous planning, I’m teaching people that my Mom did a good job in raising me. Am I really motherless? Not at all. Everyone who meets me can see her influence and know that not
only did I have a mother, but I had a great one. So this Mother’s Day, I won’t forget Mom – and neither will anyone else. It’s now some years later and I still find myself doing things to honor my mother. However, it’s more than just an intentional desire to tell people about her. What motivated Anna Jarvis was hearing what her mother said. She took this in and it shaped her values. It’s the same for me. My life has been shaped by things my parents valued, and my children’s lives will be shaped by what I deem important. Recognizing the impact we have on others, and the impact others have on us, can go a long way to making sure that we prioritize the right things and convey appropriate values to those who will be influenced by us. Then, unlike Anna Jarvis, we will never have to regret that our efforts resulted in fluff and commercialism, because we will make the world a better place and give our mothers reason to be very proud. Jonathan Gewirtz is an inspirational writer and speaker whose work has appeared in publications around the world. You can find him at www.facebook.com/ RabbiGewirtz, and follow him on Instagram @RabbiGewirtz or Twitter @ RabbiJGewirtz. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. Sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly PDF Dvar Torah in English. E-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter.com and put Subscribe in the subject. © 2017 – All Rights Reserved
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BOBKER ON LAG B’OMER
THIRTY THREE – AND STILL COUNTING
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ag B’Omer is a one-day semi-holiday when the laws of sefira mourning (the ban on marriages, listening to B’Omer is a one-day music, agsaying tachanun, cutting semi-holiday theso one’s hair, etc.) are all when suspended laws of sefira mourning the Jewish world can play “catch-up” (the ban on marriages, liswith delayed simchas and special festening to music, saying tachanun, tivities. Has sefirat ha’omer always cutting one’s hair, with etc.) are all susbeen associated semi-mournpended so the Jewish world can play ing? No. In fact, a quasi-melancholy “catch-up” with delayed simchas omer period, although practiced and special festivities. sefiratto during Talmudic times,Has is nowhere ha’omer always been associated be found in the Torah nor in any rabwith semi-mourning? In fact, a binic texts before the No. eighth century. quasi-melancholy omer period, alThe earliest record of mandatory though practiced during mourning surfaces in the Talmudic Babylonian times, is nowhere to be found the responsa from scholars who,inunlike Torah nor in any rabbinic texts betoday, observed all the restrictions fore century. forthe theeighth full 49 days; a respite for The earliest record of mandatoLag B’Omer was totally unknown. ryItmourning surfaces inth the Bab-in was not until the 12 century ylonian responsa from scholars Spain and southern France that we who, today, observed all theto findunlike the first mention of ceasing restrictions for the full 49 days; a mourn on Lag B’Omer. Even the prorespite for Lag B’Omer was totallific Rambam makes no references ly tounknown. was not laws. until Why? the any omerItmourning th 12Because centurythe in omer Spain entered and southern Jewish France that the of first mention history aswe a find period anticipatory of ceasing to mourn on Lag B’Omer.
joy over the success of wheat crop harvests; only later was it stapled to the tragic plague in the first century CE that ravaged the yeshiva world of Even theAkiva prolificfrom Rambam no Rabbi “Accomakes to Antipareferences to any omer mourning tros,” finally ceasing on Lag B’Omer, laws. Why? Because the omer whose Hebrew gematria date en(yud tered Jewish history as a period of chet Iyar) cruelly equals orech chai, anticipatory joy over the success of a “long life.” wheatHow cropmany harvests; only later was victims were there? it We stapled the tragic plaguestatistics in the don’ttoknow. The death first century CE that ravaged the jump around: from 24,000 to 12,000 yeshiva world of Rabbi Akiva from to 48,000 to only three hundred. “Acco Antipatros,” ceasing The to number is not finally important. The onremembrance Lag B’Omer,ofwhose Hebrew the end of theirgesufmatria chet Iyar) cruelly fering date was. (yud Lag B’Omer is thus a celequals orech chai, a “long life.” ebratory tribute and homage to life; How many victims “an oasis of joy, in the were midstthere? of a sad We don’t know. The death period,” notes Rabbi PinchasstatisStolper. tics around: from 24,000 to Yetjump the day is riddled with ambiguity 12,000 to 48,000 to only three hunand historic obscurity. dred.The Thequestion number isisobvious: not important. If R’ AkiThe remembrance of the end of theirfor va’s students died as punishment suffering was.why Lag remember B’Omer is them thus ain their sins, celebratory tribute and homage celebration? And although there to is a life; “an oasis of joy, in the midst of general rabbinic consensus ominum a on sadhow period,” notes Rabbi Pinchas to commemorate Lag B’Omer, Stolper. Yet the day is riddled with there is none on why to commemoambiguity and historic obscurity. rate it. Consider: Rav Yosef Karo of The question is obvious: If R’
Shulchan Aruch-fame says it’s dedicated to the end of a deadly epidemic plague. His Ashkenaz counterpart, Rav Moses Isserles, says it’s simply Akiva’s students died as punishment a symbolic suspension. Rav Isserles forarrives their sins, why remember at this conclusion by them way of inmath. celebration? And although there If you start with 49 days (beis tween a general consensus Pesach rabbinic and Shavuos) and subominum onseven how days to commemorate tract the of Pesach and Lag B’Omer, there is none on why all the in-between Shabbatot and toRosh commemorate it. Consider: Rav Chodesh (because mourning Yosef Karo of Shulchan Aruch-fame is traditionally forbidden on these says it’s dedicated to the end of aIn days anyway), one is left with...33! deadly plague. His33 Ashkeother epidemic words, there is only days of naz counterpart, Rav Moses Issermourning anyway. les, says it’s heard simplyaarav symbolic susI once link the first pension. Rav Isserles arrives at this48 48 days of sefira to the Mishna’s conclusion by way wisdom. of math.But If sefira you ways of achieving start with 49 days (between Pesach is 49 days, I reminded him. The rav, and Shavuos) andand subtract themissing sevquick-thinking without enadays of Pesach and all the in-bebeat, said the extra day was “for tween Shabbatot and Rosh Chodesh summary.” (because mourning is traditionally Meanwhile, back to the Akiforbidden on these days anyway), va tragedy. Rabbi David Segal, the one left with...33! otherknown words,as 17 this-century PolishIn genius there is only 33 days of mourning the Taz – an abbreviation of Turei anyway. Zahav, the title of his commentary I the once heard aAruch rav link theson-infirst on Shulchan – and 48law days of sefira to the Mishna’s 48 of R’ Yoel Sirkis of Brest (Bach), ways of achieving wisdom. But sefi-
was very uncomfortable linking Lag B’Omer with the affliction of R’ Akiva’s world – so he pushed the fast forward button and pinned the mournraing is 49 days, I reminded The minhagim to the Firsthim. Crusaders rav, quick-thinking and without obliterating entire German-French missing beat, said theinextra Jewish a communities 1096day and was “for summary.” to Bogdan Chmielnicki’s Cossack’s Meanwhile,butchery back toof the Aki-in knife-slicing the Jews va1648-49 tragedy.–Rabbi David Segal, the both tragedies occurring th 17during -century genius known as the Polish sefira period. the Taz – an abbreviation of Turei A hundred years later Rav Moses Zahav, the title of his commentary Schreiber (Moshe Sofer), the most onpowerful the Shulchan Aruch –in and son-inrosh yeshiva Eastern Eulaw of R’ Yoel Sirkis of Brest (Bach), rope, disagreed. He rejected all the was very linkage uncomfortable linking calamity theories. He saw the Lag B’Omer with the affliction of day as celebratory. For what reason? R’To Akiva’s world – so he pushed the commemorate the first man that fast buttonWas and this pinned the fellforward in the desert. a unique mourning minhagim to the First spiritual insight? No. Like Rav IsserCrusaders entire Ger-on les it wasobliterating an observation based man-French Jewish communities in math tinkering. Here’s the Chasam 1096 and to Bogdan Chmielnicki’s Sofer’s timeline. Since the food supCossack’s knife-slicing butchery of ply (matzah) from Egypt only lasted the Jews in 1648-49 – both trageuntil the 14th of Iyar – the end of the dies occurring during hence the sefira pePesach time frame, its choice riod. as Pesach Sheni – the Jews went hunth A hundred later the Rav15Moses gry for three years days from to the th Schreiber (Moshe Sofer), the most 17 . Then they complained. And the powerful rosh yeshiva in Eastern
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puzzled. The traditional view is well articulated in Turkish Rabbi Yaakov Culi’s M’am Loez (1730), probably
Europe, disagreed. He rejected all the calamity linkage theories. He saw the day as celebratory. For what reason? To commemorate the first man that fell in the desert. Was this a unique spiritual insight? No. Like Rav Isserles it was an observation based on math tinkering. Here’s the Chasam Sofer’s timeline. Since the food supply (matzah) from Egypt only lasted until the 14th of Iyar – the end of the Pesach time frame, hence its choice as Pesach Sheni – the Jews went hungry for three days from the 15th to the 17 th. Then they complained. And the manna “appeared the following day” on the 18th of Iyar, i.e.: Lag B’Omer!
This was a pragmatic decision: for without study there can be no knowledge; without knowledge there could be no transmission of knowledge; without transmission there would be no future Jewish generations.
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he challenge of Lag B’Omer is the underlining R’ Akiva fault line. Its death statistics are simply incomprehensible no matter what the number. I have heard all the possibilities and am still left in the dark,
the most important and popular Judaeo-Spanish (Latino) sefer ever published. The late R’ Aryeh Moshe Kaplan, the creative kabbalist from
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rah Anthology in the 1970s. Rav Culi makes a stunning allegation. He indicts Rabbi Akiva’s students for ignoring R’ Eleazer ben Azariah’s advice: Shelo nehagu kovod zeh bezeh, “respect one another.” What makes this accusation so personally jarring is the extraordinary ethical qualities of their great teacher who taught that to “love your fellow as you love yourself” was the over-riding principle of Torah. Rabbi Akiva is suddenly stripped of his students; twenty-four years of teaching, gone! The dream has turned into a nightmare. So embarrassed is he that he warns another generation, “Be not like them!” Isn’t this also a denunciation of R’ Akiva’s methods? How is it possible? The punishment seems so much greater than the transgression. And so many put to the plague? How does R’ Akiva react to the personal cataclysm engulfing him? Any other ordinary Jew would have been crushed by this loss. Not so Akiva, who demonstrated such great faith for the future that he simply plunged right back into the muddy waters of Roman rule and rebuilt a yeshiva, with a unique capacity of seeing potential future redemption in the face of utter devastation. A casual observer of Jewish history would be forgiven if assuming that this, the first and second century, were exemplary periods of Jewish leadership. Torah giants
crisscrossed the Holy Land. Rabbi Akiva, R’ Eliezer, R’ Yehoshua ben Levi, R’ Simeon bar Yochai, R’ Meir, R’ Yochanan ben Zakai; a remarkable array of men who sustained Torah study during perilous times, laying the basic foundation of Torah she-be’al peh as we know it today. Remember: this was a time when the Jews not only lived in their own land, but their life revolved around a festive Temple, a judicious Sanhedrin, a saintly priesthood, regimented sacrifices – and enormous batei medrash, Houses of Torah learning. Rav Akiva’s yeshiva alone had ten times more students than Lakewood, Mir, or Ponevezh has today. Very few rabbis led a life as spectacular and as romantic as that of Akiva ben Joseph, a Jew who, through sheer discipline and determination, rose from the lowly status of a poor widowed shepherd and son of an impoverished stricken proselyte father (Joseph) from the Galillee, to become one of the greatest rabbinical figures of all time. This meteoric rise began in the aristocratic house of Ben Kalba Savua, a member of the tribe of Judah and one of the wealthiest men of Jerusalem. Akiva, a working boy, is smitten by Rachel, his employer’s daughter. The idea of Akiva as his son-inlaw caused Savua great pain. This young suitor was so deeply illiterate in Torah that he refused to give his daughter a wedding dowry. The self-conscious suitor, to his credit, knew his father-in-law was right, and, as the quintessential ba’al teshuva, one unable to distinguish between an aleph and a bet at the age of forty, accompanied his young son to cheder each day to learn together. What inspired Akiva? According to legend he noticed a rock with a hole that went straight through it. What, he pondered, could be so powerful as to carve a hole through a great stone? Akiva then saw a drop of water fall into the hole and concluded, “If a soft drop of water can make a hole in a hard stone, then the soft words of Torah can penetrate an ignoramus as myself.” It was the constant dripping that eventually made an impression, however it still took the first drop (e.g.: learning alef beis) to begin the
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process that chipped away at the rock (of ignorance). Eventually, with his wife’s encouragement, Akiva bids farewell to family and home and goes off to the formidable Yeshiva of Lydda, rising in the ranks to become the respected head of Bet Hillel and the leading scholar in Judea. But his prominence catapulted him to the top of the government’s hit list. As Number One on the Roman’s Top Ten Most Wanted list, Jewish history was in turmoil. Judaism, during the First Temple, had revolved around the Torah and the prophets; now, during the Second Temple it revolved around the Talmud and the rabbis. With the Temple gone, nothing was left but the Scholar and the Sage. The national idea had shifted from warrior and priest to student and teacher; wealth no longer being measured by aristocracy or assets, but by wisdom, learning, knowledge. Sensing an imminent victory, Roman’s Rufus released his terms of Jewish surrender: Jews could become fully protected Roman citizens in return for abandoning such “primitive superstitions” as circumcision, Shabbos, Torah study. A concerned rabbinate, their backgrounds as diverse as their opinions, met secretly in Lydda, just south of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coastline, to decide how to respond (the Haggada recalls this war-council). Rabbi Eliezer came from a wealthy farming family who was forced to eke out a living as a smith after his father disapproved of his studying Torah. Rabbi Joshua’s parents were poor, pious, and proud of their son’s Torah brilliance (as he worked making charcoal). Rabbi Tarfon was a priest from a middle class family, a celebrated teacher and a victim of enormous personal losses (all his sons died one after another). Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya, a descendent of Ezra, had yichus and wealth (his annual tithes were “12,000 calves!”). When ben Azaryah declares, “I am ‘like’ a man of 70,” we ask, why did he pick this number? Because it had been 70 years since the destruction of the First Temple and R’ Elazar was frustrated: “Hey, it’s been
Rav Akiva’s yeshiva alone had ten times more students than Lakewood, Mir, or Ponevezh has today.
70 years! When are we going to do something about these Romans?!” Some urged that the Edict of Rufus had to be defied in its entirety regardless of how bloody the consequences. Others disagreed: hadn’t G-d given the Torah so that “man should live by it”? Since Rabbi Akiva was the leading rav of the day, despite his embarrassment of endorsing the “fallen” Star of Kochba, his decision was final; physical survival he declared, but only within the Laws of Moses. R’ Akiva approved the (temporary) suspension of certain laws (Shabbos, kashrus, prayer) but only on condition that Torah study continue unabated. Why? Because Torah “is your life and the length of your days.” This was a pragmatic decision: for without study there can be no knowledge; without knowledge there could be no transmission of knowledge; without transmission there would be no future Jewish generations. As the Romans hounded and hunted those who dared teach and study, Rabbi Akiva set the example, raising the bar of Torah study to unprecedented heights.
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een in this context, the death of R’ Akiva’s students, risking their lives in the face of Roman ruthlessness, as a punishment for a lack of middos seems incongruous, a self-contradiction. Thousands of R’ Akiva’s “disciples,” the very backbone of Talmud Torah in the Holy Land, lacking civility? All of them? Lapsing in common courtesy? How is this possible? How did such a golden age of potential piety deteriorate into distrust and disunity? Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh and last Lubavitcher Rebbe, linked the appalling internal disrespect to their inability to agree with each other’s interpretation of Rabbi Akiva’s words of Torah. Rather than agreeing to disagree in respect, they did so with venom, a behavioral virus that reflected poorly (chillul Hashem) on the whole spectrum of Torah. Chabad chassidus learns a core lesson from this: that all Jews must be seen in a positive and deferential light and that the only surefire antidote to brotherly hatred is unconditional brotherly love.
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Consider the contrast: the rabbis of the Talmud reacted to Lag B’Omer as a devastating reminder of how a House Divided could lead to unbridled catastrophe and designated this day as a reminder of a martyred generation of outstanding Jewish leaders who displayed enormous courage by risking their lives to maintain the study of Talmud under a turbulent Roman governorship. Today’s generation approaches Lag B’Omer as a warm, nature-loving semi-Jewish festival – to get a haircut. Are there any parallels with our own times? Yes. After the Holocaust we experienced not the end of the Jewish people but a restoration of Jewish independence and witnessed a Jewish army scoring miraculous multiple victories against overwhelming odds. Although Adolf, ym”sh, destroyed the great European centers of Torah scholarship, the survivors went on to rebuild yeshivas in Israel and America that led the way for a massive revival of Torah study and opened the gates for an unprecedented teshuva movement. Yet, although Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, and Judea-Samaria are once again under Judaic sovereignty there are fierce and hostile enemies still at the gates, well on their way to nuclear weapons. And, once again, at a time when the leaders of the Jewish folk are entrusted with a great and awesome responsibility, as more students learn Torah than at any time in Jewish history, will they, when the Third Jewish Commonwealth is at risk, abort their bad habits of disrespect towards each other? That is the lesson Lag B’Omer.
Joe Bobker, alumnus of Yeshivas HaRav Kook in Jerusalem, is the former publisher and editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Jewish Times, author of the popular Torah With a Twist of Humor and the 18-volume “Historiography of Orthodox Jews and the Holocaust,” the first of which, “War Against the Rabbis: Hitler’s Assault Against Judaism,” will be published this year around Shavuos. Mr. Bobker can be reached at jbobker@gmail.com.
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Another L
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The Surprising Connection between Lag B’Omer and Facebook By Rabbi YY Rubinstein
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en years ago, a young Jewish student had an idea. It was a way of students to keep in touch with each other and share comments and pictures. Today it has grown to a community of two billion users and Facebook may well be the most powerful company the world has ever known. As it grew in size, it grew in scope and sophistication. In 2006, it introduced the “news” feed allowing users to see what things your friends were doing. If Mark had just posted on David’s wall – who was not someone you had made your Facebook friend – you still got to see it. Protests followed from those objecting this invasion of privacy. Facebook ignored the protests and kept on growing bigger and bigger. Facebook’s algorithm (that’s the operating system that makes the whole thing work) comes to life the moment you log into your page. It analyzes what you have looked at and crucially what you have liked. The more things you tell Facebook you like, the more it understands who you are and it matches that to the products and services it advertises on your page. Dr. David Stillwell, a lecturer at Cambridge University, did research that explains just how well Facebook gets to know its users. If you like 9 things, it is able to predict your personality as well as one of your co-workers. If you like 65
things, it knows you as well as one of your friends. If you hit the like button 125 times, it knows you as well as a family member. The average user has 225 likes, which means Facebook’s algorithm knows you as well as your spouse! You thought you were telling your friends what you liked and disliked. You were also telling Mr. Zuckerberg’s company (now are you getting why it’s so powerful?). But Facebook also matches you to people...people who like the same things that you like. If you admire Donald Trump, they will suggest you might like to be friends with others who do too. If you like Hilary Clinton, then Facebook will suggest you say sholom aleichem to Greg Berg in Idaho who thinks she is just peachy. Eli Pariser is someone with a leftwing political viewpoint. He tired of reading posts on Facebook from “friends” who think exactly like him, so he started “liking” people who saw the world from a conservative viewpoint to challenge his thinking. He noticed a strange thing. His conservative FB friends started to disappear. This promoted him to look a little deeper into how Facebook’s algorithm works and write a book called, The Filter Bubble. It turned out that Facebook was tracking his activity and noticed that he was not liking the newspapers and other sites that his conservative friends were. It therefore assumed
he was not actually interested in those with conservative views after all and deleted them. Eli Pariser calls this the reversal of the so-called “Copernican Shift. Nicolaus Copernicus launched a revolution in the sixteenth century when he claimed that the earth was not the center of the universe – the sun was. Facebook’s algorithm reverses this. It makes you the center of your very own little universe. Only things or people sympathetic to you, who travel in a perfectly synchronized orbit around your ideas, appear on your horizon. Others are left to fly off into the cold darkness of cyberspace. An idea that grew out of a Jewish student’s mind to make it easier for people to communicate and keep in touch with each other is in reality making users jettison whole sections of people. A unifying tool has become an isolating and separating one.
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he Talmud reports that “Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 pairs of talmidim,” and, of course, everyone knows that they all died between Pesach and Shavuos. We mark the end of their deaths on Lag B’Omer. The Talmud explains why they died: “They didn’t respect each other.” The Maharsha elaborates. They did not value and, in fact, disparaged each other’s opinions and understanding of the Torah. This was
despite their teacher’s most famous teaching, “V’havta l’reiach kamocha,” love others as you love yourself. This was despite the fact that Rabbi Akiva had designed his yeshiva to be a place where 12,000 pairs of talmidim worked together, not 24,000 separate individuals who worked alone. Why, though, did they die during those seven weeks and no others? Think of the names of the greatest rabbis of all time and the name of the Rambam will be near the very top. In his commentary to the Mishna at the end of tractate Makos he makes a very perplexing statement: If someone keeps just one mitzvah perfectly they will merit the World to Come. This enigmatic assertion seems to fly in the face of what happened at Mount Sinai. There, each and every one of us was given 613 mitzvos, not one. The Shem MiShmuel offers an explanation that echoes the flaw in Facebook’s algorithm. No one can keep all the mitzvos. That is an impossibility. Some mitzvos apply to women and some to men. Some are for Kohanim or Leviim. Other mitzvos concern a Jewish King. If you are an ordinary Yisrael, your life is very different than that of Jews who have no connection to their mitzvos. Yet if you are part of the Jewish people – and that means all of the Jewish people
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– and you have perfected your part, your one special mitzvah, then your unique specialty compliments theirs and their roles compliments yours. Each Jew becomes interconnected with the rest and so in a very real sense each joins with the other’s mitzvos. We were never meant to all be the same. The Jewish people began with twelve brothers who founded Tribes. When Joseph’s portion was split between his sons, Efraim and Menashe, the Tribes became thirteen. The oneness of the Jewish people is expressed by combining the different gifts and viewpoints of each of the different Tribes. The numerical value of the word echod, One, is, in fact, thirteen. Klal Yisroel’s oneness is expressed through its differences. Rabbi Dessler addresses this in an essay entitled, “Digelei HaMidbar.” Each Tribe had their own flag, which bore a symbol that reflected Yakov Avinu’s unique blessing to each of them; Yehudah’s was a lion, Dan’s a snake, and so on. There Rav Dessler talks about three different types of “seder,” order. There is the order you see when
you look at the soldiers guarding the Queen of England outside Buckingham Palace. They come from the Elite Guards Regiment. Soldiers are selected for their height (six foot is the minimum) and they move in perfect order. Rabbi Dessler calls this “order for order’s sake”
gine and the starter motor, the fuel pump and the carburetor. Here everything has to be in the right order or nothing works. That, says Rav Dessler, is the sort of order that applies to the Jewish people. The Tribes were indeed very different from each other. Yet if one
Klal Yisroel’s oneness is expressed through its differences.
Then there is the kind of order you find in a library where all the books are arranged in the correct order according to subject matter. That order is then recorded in a catalogue, so that people know where to go to find the title they want to read (my books, surely!). If a book isn’t in order, you won’t find it, but the library still works, you can get all the other books! Lastly, there is the sort of order you see when you lift the hood of a car and look inside. There’s the en-
part was missing, Klal Yisroel, like the car, doesn’t work. That’s was the message Rabbi Akiva was striving to build his yeshiva upon. It was to be a place of 12,000 pairs of talmidim coming together, not 24,000 individuals who thought that everything revolves around only them and people in their orbit, and no one else. Of course that was the opposite conclusion we reached at a mountain called Sinai. There we knew that other Jews, different Jews, had a part to
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play to complete each other. It was there, as Rashi explains, we achieved the perspective that we were like “one body, with one heart.” If those talmidim didn’t get the message during the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuos – of all times— and instead wanted to build their world on Facebook’s model, then their shrunken and tiny world had no place in Rabbi Akiva’s vast universe. Lag B’Omer marks more than the deaths of 24,000 Jews; it marks the fate of an idea that has no place in Klal Yisroel. This Shavuos we should remember that Jews are meant to be different and we daren’t disparage or “unfriend” any Jew simply because their opinion and understanding of the Torah is different from ours. After all, remember what happened to Rabbi Akiva’s talmidim when they chose their friends according to Facebook’s algorithm...instead of Hashem’s.
Rabbi Y Y Rubinstein is a writer and author who speaks all over the world. He lives in Inwood.
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S T O R I E S O F I N S P I R AT I O N
A Shining Jew By Rabbi Eugene Labovitz z”l and Dr. Annette Labovitz
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ebbe Avraham of Slonim had occasion to spend a few days in an isolated inn located on the estate of a wealthy poretz. The
inn was leased to a Jew. Each morning, when he emerged from his room to join the other guests for breakfast, he
noticed that the innkeeper had a shining countenance and seemed exceptionally happy. He wondered why the innkeeper could possibly be so happy, day after day. “Inn keeping is not a lucrative business,” thought the Rebbe. “It is apparent that this Jew barely ekes out a living. He has to serve peasants all day long. He has to keep the inn spotlessly clean. He is responsible to the poretz for the rent. I have to find the reason for his peaceful countenance.” After the other guests had gone, the Rebbe approached the innkeeper and introduced himself. “I am Rebbe Avraham, the Rebbe of Slonim,” he said. “I have been traveling, and I decided to stay in your inn a few days to rest. From the day I arrived, something has intrigued me. Can you please tell me to what you attribute your cheerful face?” At first the innkeeper was hesitant. “I’ve lived in this isolated area, far from a Jewish community all my life. I never had the benefit of a decent Jewish education. In fact, by most standards, you might call me an ordinary or illiterate Jew. I have very little contact with any of my people. I try to earn an honest living, but, believe me, it is very difficult to provide for my family.” The Rebbe still did not know why
the innkeeper had such a contented look. He persisted. “You live like many Jewish innkeepers, but none I have met have this special look that you have. Please, tell me your secret.” The innkeeper sighed. ”I do two things to remind myself that I am a Jew because I never had the opportunity to learn how to pray from a siddur. However, I do know that a Jew is supposed to pray. So every morning when I wake up, I recite: ‘Mo-deh ah-ne l’fah-neh-cha, I thank you Almighty, Master of the world, that while I slept, You have given my soul a soul bath, and I wake up pure and refreshed, ready to do Your will each morning.’ And every evening, before I retire for the night, I recite this one prayer: ‘O Master of the Universe, if You don’t think that I will live up to Your expectations tomorrow, then don’t awaken me. However, if you think that I will fulfill Your Will, then please bless me with another day.’” Joyful tears streamed down the face of the Rebbe. He had never heard such profound prayers. He now understood why the innkeeper was blessed with that look of peace and contentment. Reproduced with permission of the authors from A Touch of Heaven: Spiritual and Kabbalistic Stories for Jewish Living.
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Jewish History
Memoirs of a Forgotten Rabbi The Troubled Life of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber By Rabbi Pini Dunner
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abbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber (1883-1966) was a Lithuanian-born Torah scholar who spent most of his adult life as the spiritual leader of a small community in the West End of London. He remained there for over 50 years, struggling to maintain his dignity and his principles in a setting that was completely indifferent to the things he found important. His relationship with the lay-leadership of his community, as well as with his fellow employees, was fraught with difficulty and tension, as they were all people devoid of any sensitivity to Jewish ritual law and they tended to run the synagogue as a moneymaking operation, without taking Jewish law or the rabbi into consideration. Rabbi Dunner has already introduced us to Rabbi Ferber’s memoirs in his previous articles, allowing us to glimpse the life of this revered rabbi for the very first time since he began recording it in vivid detail in the year 1938. This is the next excerpt from the memoirs and continues the story of Rabbi Ferber’s brother, Rabbi Eliezer Lipman Ferber, whose great scholarship and piety seemed to forestall a great future. The translation is not a word-forword rendition of the original Hebrew, although Rabbi Dunner has stuck as closely as possible to the original, except when the rabbinic Hebrew makes an exact translation difficult or where ambiguities need to be corrected. The material has also been abridged where necessary, excluding details that disrupt the narrative or expanding where more details are required.
THE LIFE OF MY BROTHER, RABBI ELIEZER LIPMAN FERBER When the time arrived for my brother to get married, he came to the attention of a wealthy, G-d-fearing man by the name of Chanan Barkovsky, who lived in Shaki. Barkovsky was so intent getting my brother for his daughter that he promised him 1,500 rubles – which was an absolute fortune in those days – to become his son-in-law. Bar-
chief rabbi of Shad. He later moved to London, where he became the rabbi at Great Garden Street Synagogue, in London’s East End district. Barkovsky’s fourth son-in-law was Rabbi David Kabinet, son of Rabbi Yehuda, who became chief rabbi of Lubova, near Kalvary. After my brother’s marriage to Barkovsky’s daughter he began to travel around the country for business, while his partner looked after their finances. But in truth, my brother was far more suited to Torah scholarship than he was to business, and within a very short time he lost
His words would reach deep into people’s hearts, even the toughest and most cynical of those who heard him, making an indelible impression.
kovsky had four daughters in all, but no sons, and he was determined for all his daughters to marry only the finest Torah scholars. His first sonin-law was my brother. The second was also a great scholar, Rabbi Isaac Sapir, who later authored a number of learned books and was the chief rabbi of Ratzk in Lithuania, although he eventually moved to Jerusalem, where he passed away. Barkovsky’s third son-in-law was Rabbi Eliyahu Shalom Regensberg, son of Rabbi David Regensberg,
most of the money he had only just received from his father-in-law and was left with about one hundred rubles, which he then used to marry off our sister, Feige Beila. When my mother heard that my brother had lost all his money, she had a complete meltdown, but he consoled her and told her how happy he was to be free of all that money, which had occupied all his time. Now that he had lost it, he told her, there was plenty of time for him to devote
to his beloved Torah studies. As soon as it became known that my brother was no longer able to support himself, he was headhunted by a number of communities and offered a range of distinguished rabbinic posts. In the end he accepted the position as chief rabbi of Koznitza, a small town near Grodno. The rabbi who preceded him there was a man called Rabbi Mordechai, a great rabbi who regularly corresponded with Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, the acclaimed Netziv of Volozhin, and one of their exchanges was published in the Netziv’s halachic book, Meishiv Davar. But although he was a brilliant Torah scholar, Rabbi Mordechai suffered endless indignities in his role as the rabbi of Koznitza. There was another rabbi who served in Koznitza called Rabbi Avraham Aaron Yudelevitch, author of the halachic work “Beit Av” who afterwards served as the rabbi of Kapolia, near Minsk, and later as a rabbi in Manchester, England, and then in New York, where he passed away and was buried. He was a celebrated scholar and a highly impressive orator, but he nonetheless endured terrible treatment at the hands of the Koznitza community. There was, for example, one incident when a Kotzker Chassid slapped Rabbi Yudelevitch around the face. It happened during his public eulogy for the recently departed Rabbi Raphael Yomtov Lipman Halpern, chief rabbi of Bialystok, and author of the halachic responsa Oneg Yom Tov, who had been known for his vehement opposition to the Chassidic rabbi of Radzyn and his controver-
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munity that there would be a door open from his house into the adjacent alleyway on Saturday night after Shabbat was over,so that the stolen items could be returned in secret. That night all the stolen items were returned, and the parents of the bride and groom were overjoyed by this turn of events. The wedding went ahead with great festivity and elation, and my brother also attended and joined in the celebration.
MY BROTHER’S SCHOLARSHIP AND PIETY
Rabbi Avraham Aaron Yudelevitch sial book on the Talmudic tractate of Toharot. The violent reaction by the Kotzker Chassid was prompted by Rabbi Yudelevitch’s public recitation during the eulogy of the “Dayan Ha’emet” (True Judge) blessing, including G-d’s name, which indicated his exceptional respect for the recently deceased rabbi. I once heard from Rabbi Arye Bernstein, the rabbi at Bethnal Green Synagogue in London’s East End, who was previously a preacher in Grodno, which was close to Koznitza, that when my brother became the rabbi of Koznitza in around the year 1880 many people in the community dismissed and disparaged him, figuring that he was a feeble inexperienced novice from Lithuania with a prejudice against Chassidim, not worthy of their respect. He complained bitterly that he would never prevail against such hardcore opposition, but it did not take long for him to gain their respect, and it soon became apparent that those who antagonized him would never get the better of him. He was a powerful speaker and always made a strong impression, and soon enough everyone in the community began to take him seriously.
MY BROTHER’S WISDOM IN HIS DEALINGS WITH PEOPLE On one occasion a wealthy wedding party arrived from Warsaw to
celebrate the marriage of their children in Koznitza. While at a local hotel all of the bride and groom’s clothes were stolen, along with many other valuable items that they had brought with them on their trip. Evidently, they were completely devastated, and they came to see my brother deeply distressed by what had happened. He advised them to postpone the wedding until after the weekend and invited them to his join him for all the Shabbat meals at his home – which was hardly surprising, as he was well-known for his incredible generosity and hospitality and for taking care of guests just like a father looks after the needs of his children, as well as concerning himself for widows and orphans, looking after all of their needs and giving them a Torah education. That Shabbat in the synagogue my brother addressed the community, and expressed his deep disappointment at the tragedy that had been endured by this family from Warsaw, and while he made it clear that he was not suggesting anyone in the community was guilty of the theft, surely there was someone who knew something about this awful crime and unless they did something to rectify the situation, they too would be guilty. His words generated a lot of unease among those who knew something about the theft, as they knew it did not bode well for them if they did nothing. My brother informed the com-
As a young man, my brother’s diligence and concentration while studying Torah was exceptional – he studied literally day and night with complete absorption and nothing whatsoever could distract him if he was in middle of his studies. Even when he became a full-time community rabbi, nothing changed. He was constantly engaged in his Torah studies, and there was no difference between night and day as far as he was concerned. He studied on his own, and he also taught others. Moreover, he was incredibly pious
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in his Judaism – I clearly remember his annual visits to my parents and how he prayed the weekday evening services with such devotion – he was devout with every fiber of his being. His public addresses cut deep into people’s hearts. Although all his speeches were themed around aspects of Jewish law, he would always insert ethical ideas into them that would resonate with the audience, an expression of his integrity and authenticity as a person. His words would reach deep into people’s hearts, even the toughest and most cynical of those who heard him, making an indelible impression. I recall his wondrous eulogy in Slabodka in 1883, at the old synagogue, for the leading rabbi of our time, Rabbi Yisrael Salanter – and despite the fact that he was a mere 29-year-old at the time – Rabbi Salanter’s primary student, Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer, made sure to attend so that he could to hear my brother deliver his superlative tribute. To be continued... Rabbi Pini Dunner is the Rav of Young Israel North Beverly Hills in California.
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On the Streets of
Israel
A Pocketful of Dirt in Celebration By Elana Dure
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once read a story about a wealthy European man whose most treasured possession was a small velvet pouch filled with the dirt of Jerusalem. As a ninth grader whose valued treasures were her pink iPod Nano and gray Hollister sweater, I couldn’t understand what could be so special about a handful of dirt. Sure, I loved Israel – or at least tried to convince myself that I did – but as a teenager who only saw the country through photographs, I preferred to yearn for something more comprehendible like a new Juicy sweatshirt. It was only once I visited Israel for the first time as a 17-year-old that I recognized the value of the country and its significance as the Jewish state. Since the moment I stepped off the plane, my five senses tingled with admiration and awe. My eyes reveled in the beauty of the historic sites. My ears perked at the sounds of the Shabbat prayers and melodies. My nose breathed the eclectic fragrances of the Shuk (bazaar). As a Jewish girl in the land of her ancestors, my heart filled with a feeling of belonging. It’s not every day that one feels welcome in a strange land; in a land where the language is not her own, the food is not her norm, and the
mentality is not her practice. Yet I recognized a certain kinship in Israel that connected me to the woman I passed at the Western Wall, the child I saw in the Yarkon Park, and the vendor I smiled at during my stroll on the Tel Aviv beach. During my second trip to Israel, I met a former soldier who, after speaking to me for about an hour, invited me to his home for a Shabbat
another. Their kinship and comradery run deeper than any superficial difference that may pull them apart. I’ve never experienced this phenomenon as clearly as I did when I partook in the country’s Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut festivities. Israel Remembrance Day commemorates the nation’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. The 24-
As a Jewish girl in the land of her ancestors, my heart filled with a feeling of belonging.
experience. The gesture, which may seem overly friendly and borderline creepy in the U.S., was commonplace in Israel because the atmosphere of the land is one of hospitality and love. Kol Yisrael areivim zeh la zeh. All the people of Israel are responsible for one another. This phrase from the Talmud is just as true now as it was in its early inception around the year 200 CE. Israelis care for one another. They feel connected to each
hour period of bereavement and grief is immediately followed by joyous Independence Day celebrations. This stark juxtaposition builds a bridge between those who sacrificed their lives to fight for Israel’s freedom and those who continue to live in their merit. After all, freedom is not free and those in Israel are constantly reminded of that. As a community within the Jewish diaspora, we can learn to stand united despite our differences, as do
Israelis. We need to remember that the diversity among us is a strength worthy of embrace, no matter the challenges it may bring in the interim. Israel is not perfect. I will be the first to admit that. As with any other country, it has its fair share of domestic and global struggles. However, when push comes to shove, the people of Israel are there for one another. They go out of their way to help, just like the soldier did when he offered his hospitality to me, a foreigner in need of a meal. During a past trip to Israel, I worked on two farms through WWOOF. Over the course of the trip I toiled with the soil; I played with the holy ground that serves as a witness to the beauty of the Israeli people. My shoes are still stained with blotches of dirt, a reminder of the physical and spiritual work the Israeli nation put into their land. For once, I finally understand the value of a small velvet pouch filled with the dirt of Jerusalem. Elana Dure is a resident of Woodmere and recent graduate of the University of Maryland. She is currently teaching English in Petach Tikva through Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program.
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Photo Credits: Hoshen PR, Chana Blumin, Shimi Kotner
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o Jewish celebration these days is complete without a loud and joyful rendition of his most famous song. As “Hashem Melech” gets played continuously around the world, Israeli superstar Gad Elbaz understands that with this popularity comes responsibility, and it’s one that he doesn’t take lightly. Elbaz is on a mission to spread a message of unity through his music, and he has recently relocated to New York to help fulfill it. In addition to working on his long awaited new album, L’Chaim, Elbaz has been collaborating with the American branch of Kesher Yehudi, the Israeli movement that has connected thousands of Jewish people from diverse affiliations. Lending his talents to the cause since the initial launch event last year, Elbaz recently joined the 5T Kesher Yehudi to celebrate its first community-wide production that brought together children from across the Israeli and American Jewish community. Between his hectic performance schedule at venues around the world, settling into his new home with his young family, and making time to greet his adoring fans, Elbaz takes a break to talk about his latest album, his mission, his move and his wife’s modest fashion line. Tell me a little bit about your new album “L’chaim,” and about your favorite or most meaningful songs of all of them.
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This album L’Chaim is the first album I’ve done almost entirely in English. It’s 16 tracks – with one song in Spanish, one song in Russian, and
sic out there. I like the more soulful spiritual songs, but I know they need this beat and they need this fire that they get unfortunately from the oth-
The most important thing as a Jew is to feel like you belong to something.
a little bit of Hebrew. The reason I did it is because I know that in today’s generation there is so much bad influence in music here in America, and they need more cool Jewish mu-
er side. My personal favorite song that I really love is called “If Only” and that song talks about unity amongst Jews and amongst the world and
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that really, really gives me a lot of chizuk. This album I was working on for a year and a half. I did duets with people who weren’t famous at the time – Nissim Black, and today Baruch Hashem he’s big, he’s under our wings on our record label – nother guy named Roy Edri, who soon everybody is going to hear about after this album – we’re going to do a music video together – and Avi Benjamin. Besides that, I think this album is going to be like a shaliach for me. I just moved temporarily to America to spread more and to do more entertainment in the Jewish world all over America. I’m also trying to crossover to the non-Jewish world to be more spiritual, and in order to bring that spirituality and message of peace from Israel. So big plans are ahead. You’ve partnered with the Kesher Yehudi organization on quite a few projects – the launch last Chanukah and more recently your “WeR1” video. Are you familiar with Kesher Yehudi’s work in Israel as well? I know them both. What they are doing here is remarkable. In Israel, first of all, there’s no such thing as community at all. People are Israelis and that’s it. Either you’re religious, Sephardic, Ashkenaz, you’re not part of a community – you’re just you, your family, your business and that’s it. Even at the shul there’s no
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community and there are no events for the community. Outside of Israel people are more united. In Israel there’s much more separation, unfortunately. So it’s very hard there for a religious singer like me to succeed and I worked hard for that. It took me years to be played on the radio stations because it’s very “lefty” and they think I came to make everyone religious. Overall, here in America, community is something big. And Israelis aren’t used to this – they feel they need to live the same as they lived in Israel. And then Kesher Yehudi comes and tells them that there is in America something called community – you’re part of something bigger just because of you being Jewish. So it’s hard to make them understand that. But when they do see a community, when they do get involved in the community and all kinds of activities, then they fall in love with it like I did. Tell me about your personal connection to Kesher Yehudi and how you feel about their mission and message of community unity here in the Five Towns. I’m Israeli and I come here and travel all over the world, and no matter where I go I see the beauty in a community. I see that there are Sephardim and Ashkenaz, yes there are differences, but you’re part of a community. If you chose to be in the Five Towns community, you’re part of that community. The most important thing as a Jew is to feel like you belong to something. If you feel like you belong to nothing, you don’t have Jewish pride in you and that takes you as a teenager to the wrong places. So as parents, if you want your kids to be closer to Judaism – not in a scary way, in a
very lovable way – know that Kesher Yehudi is going to make a big impact on the people here in the Five Towns. I really wish for them to be able to grow to more and more communities to really duplicate this. With Esther Wein and Anita Koren of 5T Kesher Yehudi
How does your Judaism affect your life and how important is your connection with Judaism? In every single aspect. I became religious, that means I chose it for myself. My father became religious but my mother didn’t, and slowly we kept this and this and that – but my teshuva was when I was almost 19-years-old. So when you chose G-d you have a better relationship with Him, not just because you’re the son of someone who believes in G-d. Then you start to learn more and do it because you love to do it and not because anybody forced you or told you that it’s right. My connection to Judaism – I express it the most through music. And I see my slichut as part of creating more good Judaism in general. Why? The entertainment in America in the Jewish world was very bad ten years ago. When I started doing music videos and I started doing big concerts, people started copying that – not because they’re copying me but because that was my goal. So people would do more entertainment, more concerts, more duets. There’s no infrastructure in the Jewish industry for artists. Few succeed and they are Ashkenaz Chassidic music and people need alternatives. That alternative is a must. So my shlichut is to create more music and touch more Jews and make more cool Jewish entertainment. You’ve done a lot of work in the Five Towns recently. How did you enjoy creating the mu-
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sic for the recent production of “Yosef”? Yosef is an amazing figure. It’s like, you’re living in Mitzrayim – like today’s generation – and you’re surrounded by everything and you’re still a leader of Judaism and you become more religious and more religious. So that’s Kesher Yehudi also if you think about it – you’re coming here as an Israeli and you need to find your roots. How do you feel when you hear “Hashem Melech” played worldwide and when you see the excitement and anticipation building up in your fans as the first notes begin? “Hashem Melech” is a surprise for me too. I feel like I’m so thankful for Hashem that I have the zechut that this song came to the world through me, and my dad (singer Benny Elbaz) by the way, and I did it now a second time with Nissim. When it plays and people scream that G-d is the King – and I have something to do with it – it’s a huge responsibility and you can’t play around anymore. It means you really need to think before you act; what you speak onstage, what songs you sing. The responsibility becomes so big because you just gave a crown to Hashem Yitbarach in the lower world and He looks at you much more and I’m probably being judged much more. So I wish to always be a shaliach of Hashem Yitbarach and not to be confused between fame and my cause and my goals. So baruch Hashem I brought my entire family here, my wife and my kids, in order to maintain that and to watch myself make the right moves in the Jewish music industry. Where did you move and how has this move been for you and your family? We moved to Forest Hills and so far baruch Hashem. It’s hard, for me I feel the galut in America – I see
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the truth, I see what’s underneath. Without the shlichut and all those kids happy to see me and me spreading G-d’s name I don’t see a reason for me to be here – but this is what Hashem wants and this is what I need to do so I’m doing it.
I wish to always be a shaliach of Hashem Yitbarach and not to be confused between fame and my cause and my goals.
Is it easy to walk down the street anonymously in Israel? In Israel, if I go to Hertzelia or Tel Aviv among non-religious people I can go freely; if I go in Jerusalem or Bnei Brak or all the southern places I’m more famous. Masorti, traditional, connected people listen to my music. It’s very hard for me to cross over because of politics. My father was a part of Shas political party and they see I’m his son, so the radio stations have trouble putting me on, also on TV. I did a lot of duets to make them realize that I’m singing with non-religious people these spiritual songs. So it’s going to break – the ice is melting already. Do your children know that you’re famous and do they like the attention? They came into the world when I was famous so they’re used to it. Your wife, Moran, is a designer with a recently launched clothing line for modest fashions. How is that going? Do you help each other out in either in creative process or on the business side? We’re now opening a branch right here in New York. It’s called Mi Reina Modest clothing but is very fashionable and the slogan is “Modest is Fashionable.” She’s doing great in Israel and now we are copying it here and it’s going to be in the near future, 2 or 3 months, also wigs. We’re going to grow from there to Toronto, G-d willing, and to other places. Yes, we definitely help each other – on the creative side more.
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Dating Dialogue
What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
I went out with a guy who took me to the movies. Since it was our third date, I felt comfortable telling him that I was very thirsty and asked him politely if he wouldn’t mind buying me a bottle of water. When we walked over to the concession stand and he heard the ridiculous price of a bottle of water (and it was ridiculous), he said that he wouldn’t spend that amount of money for water. The fact is, for some reason, I was terribly thirsty and really needed some water. I pulled out my wallet and bought the water for myself. After that, he seemed kind of cold toward me and said he felt I was being very wasteful. (He nevertheless did ask me out again.)
On our second date, when we went out to dinner to a restaurant that was moderately expensive, and the waiter asked if we wanted dessert, he immediately said no, without asking me if I wanted any. I probably would have said no, but was surprised he didn’t even ask. There were a few other instances when conversation surrounding money left me thinking that he was raised in a very frugal home and that he is quite cautious about money. I grew up in a comfortable home and we definitely enjoyed “living.” Every Sunday evening we go out to dinner and my father doesn’t hold back. We vacation once a year, and in general, I’m not used to hearing “no” to something I want. I don’t feel I’m spoiled or take advantage of my parent’s generosity, but we all live nicely. This particular young man is a hard worker. I don’t think he comes from a comfortable home and has worked hard for everything he has. I admire his work ethic and his sense of responsibility. There are many other things about him that I admire as well and we connect in many other areas. I just wonder whether something like a bottle of water and what it represents is a serious matter and something that I should take seriously. My father says, “No,” and my mother says, “Yes.” What say all of you?
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.
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The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.
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ou have seen the young man act more than once with insensitivity, lack of consideration and with strong control, ignoring your interests. Why do you think he is still to be considered? Why are you rationalizing his cheapness and lack of decency with explanations about his family background and work ethic? Search within yourself and seek some help to explore why you are even entertaining the thought of continuing a relationship. You are at risk of marrying someone who will abuse you.
believes that, once financially more secure and with the guidance and encouragement of a loving, generous wife, he will probably loosen the purse strings. If you’re willing to risk that possibility, have a frank conversation with the guy about your different spending styles. After hearing his opinion on money matters, you can better decide whether to bail or invest your future with him.
The Shadchan Michelle Mond
I The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, P.A.
O
ur chachamim have taught us that to really judge a character, one must observe him “b’kiso (his pocket)…” In real terms, is he generous or a cheapskate? The thinking goes that one’s attitude towards spending may extend to other areas of life. One who is – ahem – more “budget-conscious” may be less generous of spirit in other areas of life (e.g., withholding compliments, controlling the family budget, prohibiting his spouse to “do her own thing”). From that perspective, you have observed a young man with a diametrically different attitude towards spending than your own and your families’. Mr. Tap Water marrying Ms. Perrier? Not a good idea. But wait! In the interest of full disclosure, my husband had an entirely different take on your dilemma. He felt that the young man, because he is probably in the early stages of career or, perhaps, still in school, has a more restricted budget. Why spend money he doesn’t have to try and impress you? From that point of view, he was demonstrating fiscal responsibility. My husband
t is possible to have a loving, long-lasting relationship with somebody who has different opinions about finances – if you are able to communicate these differences and come to realistic terms and a respect and mutual understanding. That being said, it seems as if the two of you are coming from opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to ideas about money. There are many girls who would turn away immediately when the cashier asks for $4 for a bottle of water and drink from the water fountain instead. In this sort of circumstance, she wouldn’t have any issue with him turning away the possibility of getting an expensive drink. She would actually find it a bonus that he had that similar mindset. You seem to be coming from opposite ends, and although it bothers you, you do still value many of his respectable traits. Firstly, you should note that doing these things on a date so early on shows how engrained it is into who he is, so don’t go into a marriage thinking you will change him. You say you are used to many luxuries and a high class lifestyle. If that is undoubtedly the life you’re looking to live, this shidduch does not
seem suitable for you. If, however, you have dated a while and have yet to meet anyone who has the many wonderful qualities that he has, I suggest you have a very open discussion with him about the topic so that you know what you’re dealing with. You will have to be willing to change your lifestyle and adapt to his mindset, as well as communicate to him the things about your lifestyle that you would find hard to live without. If you can mutually agree on working together to create an equilibrium, where he bends towards your needs and you bend towards his needs, you’ll work through it and feel like a million bucks. If, however, after the con-
Mr. Tap Water marrying Ms. Perrier? Not a good idea.
versation you see he is very set in his ways and there is a “no compromise” attitude, you will have to consider your personal feelings around marrying somebody with such a different attitude toward spending and lifestyle. This is not something your parents (or anyone) can answer for you. It is indeed something you will need to think about and decide for yourself, as it is not easy to suddenly live a completely opposite life from what you’re used to.
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The Single Tova Wein
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here are important things that two people have to agree upon in order to have a harmonious marriage and then there are IMPORTANT things that must be agreed upon! One’s relationship with money falls under the latter category. Money is meaningful in a marriage because it signifies so many different things. It can be used as a tool for control; it can represent one’s desire to be generous, hopeful and kind. Money also represents the lifestyle that one has become accus-
tomed to. You obviously come from a comfortable background and money has enabled your family to live quite beautifully. It sounds like this young man has never experienced the comforts that you have and probably finds the things you do to be frivolous. He certain doesn’t relate to it. It’s not a matter of who is right and who is wrong. It’s a matter of what you are both used to. Though we’re only talking about a bottle of water, of all things, it does tell a story. If you told him that you’re feeling really thirsty, even though the water was totally overpriced, you believe your comfort level in the moment is more important
Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
oney differences aside, I find the way he speaks to you distasteful. The following statements are potential red flags to me: 1. “After that, he seemed kind of cold toward me and said he felt I was being very wasteful.” You bought the water for yourself after he said he wouldn’t spend that kind of money. I am not judging his sensibilities about spending his money wisely or carefully. I am more interested in his behavior toward you after you made the decision to spend your own money. I would like to understand more about his “coldness.” How does he feel about the woman in his life disagreeing with him or doing what works for her? Will he always respond coldly? Some people ignore their spouses for lengthy periods of time after a disagreement. The spouse of such a person is usually not a very happy
camper. Additionally, we usually reserve our strong opinions for much later in the dating game. Telling you “you are wasteful” so early on signals to me that this young man feels inappropriately comfortable with you on your third date. He is more concerned about money than your feelings. From the way you describe his behavior, I have to wonder if these are the red flags unhappy spouses wish they would have recognized earlier on. 2. “On our second date, when we went out to dinner to a restaurant that was moderately expensive, and the waiter asked if we wanted dessert, he immediately said no, without asking me if I wanted any.” Whether this is a sign of immaturity or something more ominous in nature, he did not take a moment to consider your needs. Yes, we
than being practical. He doesn’t. That says a lot about where the two of you are coming from. Though there’s nothing wrong with being practical and economical, that’s not the world you’re used to and, my guess, not the world you want to live in. For that reason, I think you two would be looking at a future of serious disagreements on a very important topic if you continued together. Lucky you – you seem to have a lot going for you. So hopefully, you will continue to have opportunities come your way. And when the next wonderful man does come along, you’ll be working with a therapist who can figuratively hold
are only talking about dessert on a second date… I understand that. Most people would have the emotional intelligence and sensitivity to turn to the other human being present and acknowledge their existence in that moment. Even if his reason was that he could not afford the dessert, the right thing to do would have been to make eye contact with you and even give you an embarrassed or uncomfortable look. There is a lack of emotion here that is worrisome to me. I am starting to sense a pattern. 3. You mentioned there were a few other instances in which the conversation around money left you wondering if he was raised in a frugal home. I am curious whether the other conversations around money left you feeling badly – like the two instances you were specific about. In conclusion, there are two issues here. The first is the different ways you two spend money. The second is the way he interacts with you around the topic of money. If he does not take your thoughts,
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I am more interested in his behavior toward you after you made the decision to spend your own money.
your hand and help you get past your anxiety so that you can move on with your life in a meaningful way.
needs or feelings into account (that is not to say he spends money because you want him to, but that he speaks to you respectfully) that’s a far more serious issue in my book. If you notice a pattern of this behavior, you will have to ask yourself if you want to deal with this for the rest of your life. Dating is a time to get to know someone and figure out if they are suitable for you. I understand that you connect in other ways, but if this bothers you now, you cannot assume it will go away or that it won’t bother you in the future. It is my opinion that in this situation Mother knows best. Sincerely, Jennifer
Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are licensed psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 516.224.7779. Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@ gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.
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Dr. Deb
Lag B’Omer and Emotions By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
I
n our Mishlei class, Rabbi Feiner just informed us that while everything Hashem does is for the best, we are not only allowed to cry at personal tragedies but we are expected to. Why? Because in His infinite wisdom, He created us with feelings. And we’re supposed to use them. So much so, he went on to say, that a person who did not cry at such a time would need to be removed from the Court because he was not utilizing all of his G-d-given capacities to be human and might not be understanding of someone who was suffering. This – ahem – makes me feel very good about last week’s article reviewing Daniel Siegel’s work on the neuroscience of emotions (The Developing Mind). It also validates the focus I have put with clients in noticing their feelings and using the information those feelings give them to understand themselves and those around them better. The reality is that this world of feelings is at the foundation of the problem Rabbi Akiva’s students had and why they had to die: They were, after all, in many ways, tzaddikim. They certainly were learned and presumably would courteously say, “Hello” when they saw one of their peers. So what did they do wrong? They had incorrect feelings. You see, it was not simply that they didn’t “show honor” to one another. This problem couldn’t have happened if they truly took joy in the intelligence, capabilities, and superior wisdom of their colleagues. Had they felt in the privacy of their own hearts, “Boruch Hashem, I’m with such smart people!” then the missing kavod would not have been
missing. This takes anivus, humility. Humility is the result of truly accepting the fact that G-d runs the world. After all, He gave you your brains, your sharp, analytical mind, and your ability to deeply recognize Torah truths. These are His blessings and we must accept them with gratitude rather than start comparing ourselves to someone else. Hey, I’m as guilty as the next one of doing this no-no. It’s natural; that’s why Rabbi Akiva’s students fell into this trap. But we must fight it. It’s no surprise, therefore, that during this period of time, we should be studying the middos we can learn from the sfiros. The enormity of the deaths of 24,000 people should strongly motivate us to improve ourselves even if we are good people already. But here’s my point:
es. So let’s get a little further into Siegel’s book.
E
motion has been thought to originate in the limbic system which was considered a “primitive” part of the brain. However, current research shows that
This problem couldn’t have happened if they truly took joy in the intelligence, capabilities, and superior wisdom of their colleagues. it may be easier to change behavior in a desired direction if we can face the feelings at the root of that behavior. Not “easy” – just easier. According to Siegel’s comprehensive look at the brain, emotions permeate everything. But knowing what we are dealing with gives us a roadmap for making healthy and helpful chang-
the limbic system governs much more than just bare emotion. Rather, emotion is linked to all these activities: • Appraisal of meaning or value of stimuli • Social cognition • Face recognition, affiliation • “’theory of mind’ (the view that another person has a
subjective experience of mind)” (p. 122) Furthermore, while emotions do need to be regulated, the findings also show that “emotions perform regulatory functions” (p.123). Even more surprising, Siegel goes on to cite a colleague, saying, “Kenneth Dodge states that ‘all information processing is emotional, in that emotion is the energy that drives, organizes, amplifies, and attenuates cognitive activity and in turn is the experience and expression of this activity’” (p. 123). Wow. Simply put, our thinking is emotional, whether we like it or not. This really explains why the yetzer hara can succeed so well sometimes. Here we are, often thinking that we are being rational, thinking things through carefully, when in fact, our emotions have thoroughly influenced out thoughts. Why would we be created this way? What is good about such a way of operating? Siegel explains that what is termed the “appraisal system” of the brain must evaluate all incoming stimuli so that we are prepared to handle them. Danger,
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for example, requires firings of neural circuits and release of hormones meant to ready us to respond quickly. In other words, we evaluate the meaning of what we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell so as to be able to respond appropriately. Because our responses to stimuli are so critical for safety and social life, these appraisal systems are acutely sensitive; they have to be. Not only that, the more they are activated, the more sensitive they become. This shows that there is a dynamic relationship between these neural systems and the outside world, kind of like what the gym coach would always say regarding exercise: use it or lose it. The more in use, the stronger it gets, referring both to muscles and the attention the brain gives to incoming information. Children who learn that their caregivers’ responses are, for example, frightening, might quickly withdraw their attention from those caregivers. Their brains have helped them to cope by turning their attention away from their own emotions. When they grow to adulthood, such people seem to be out of touch with their own emotions. Citing a particular individual with this reaction, Siegel says, “We could say that for some reason, the representations of his emotional state – things like his bodily response or shifts in his mental state – did not get linked to his lateral prefrontal attentional processes... The lack of connection between consciousness and the arousal-appraisal system does not mean that there is a lack of emotion, however. Instead, we can state that there is a lack of binding of emotion to consciousness” (p. 136). The bottom line here is that we all have emotions and – whether we are conscious of them or not – they will influence our thinking and our behavior. It seems logical, then, for us to work on, first, noticing what we are perceiving; second, noticing the effect those incoming stimuli have on our emotions; third, wondering if our emotional reactions are the result of our early attachments; fourth, if they are skewed by early attachment relationships, to inter-
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ject healthier thoughts – along with deep breathing – into our reactions. So, for example, the man in the above scenario, when becoming aware that he did not really know how he felt, could start making a point of paying attention to his emotional reactions to everyday things: How does the weather make him feel? How did he like the shiur he just heard? He could go on to won-
der about surprising reactions that he had: why was he upset at the relatively innocuous thing his wife said? Could it have come from a fear of being blamed? This sort of introspection is an absolute necessity for improving relationships. And let’s not stop doing it on Lag B’Omer just because the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying on that day. The more you do
that introspection, the more connected to yourself you’ll be. And to the people in your life.
Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. She can be reached at 646-54-DRDEB or by writing drdeb@ drdeb.com.
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Health & F tness
Want a Healthy Meal? Cook at Home By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN
H
ow many times a week do you order fast food? Family night at a restaurant on Sunday night, pizza on Thursday night; let’s not forget about ordering in lunch at least once or twice a week. The U.S. is the birthplace of fast food. Studies show that Americans eat fewer than 70 percent of their meals at home. This, together with the growing obesity epidemic, calls for a change in our eating habits. A return to home cooked meals may offer significant health benefits. Our food choices and diet determine whether or not we are getting adequate amounts of the nutrients our bodies need to function properly. According to a study performed in Seattle, eating home cooked meals may lead to better health outcomes than eating out frequently. Hopefully the following information will motivate you to make time for nutritious home cooked meals. What is so bad about eating out? The problem with constantly eating at restaurants is that commercially prepared foods are notoriously high in fat, calories, salt and sugar. Such foods are fine on occasion, but not part of a regular diet. It is no surprise that cooking at home is healthier than eating out. According to the author of the study Adam Drewnowski, “Frequent eating out was associated with lower diet quality, more ‘empty calories’ and higher diet costs.” By cooking at home you have complete control over what you add into your food and the method of cooking.
You can substitute ingredients for healthier choices, bake instead of fry, and cut down on certain ingredients. For example, in most recipes you can cut back on the oil, salt, and sugar, leaving you with a healthier dish that is just as tasty. So preparing your food at home gives you control over what goes on your plate and into your mouth. Restaurants also tend to serve extra-large portions. And let’s be honest, if the food is in front of you,
and/or sugar will eventually free you from cravings. All in all, eating more meals at home improves overall health. The study demonstrated that those who ate more frequently at home scored higher on the healthy eating index than the others. And what’s more is that eating at home actually saves you money. Those who ate more frequently at home also spent less money on food overall than those who ate out more often. What can be better
What can be better than eating healthy while saving money?!
and you paid for it, you’re eating it. Home cooked meals allow you to ration your food as desired, and even if the portion is bigger than recommended, it is most probably lower in fat and calories than a normal sized portion at a restaurant. Furthermore, studies found that home cooked meals tend to contain more fruits and vegetables and less fried food, soda and transfat. Additionally, cooking at home improves your creative cooking skills. You can experiment with flavors and healthy ingredients while learning new cooking techniques. Preparing your food at home also allows you train your palate. Slowly cutting back on salt
than eating healthy while saving money?! The problem is, cooking at home is not cut out for everyone. Some lack basic cooking skills, while others are short on time. But cooking at home does not have to be time-consuming or anything fancy. Simple dishes that make a healthy, balanced meal meeting the dietary guidelines are ideal. If you are crunched for time when it comes to preparing a healthy home cooked meal, slow cookers can be your best friend. Simply throw in some ingredients before work and by time you come home you will have a delicious hot meal all ready to go. Another option is cooking in
advance, dividing the meals into portions and freezing them for a later date. If you don’t mind leftovers, cook in bulk at the beginning of the week, and eat it all throughout the week. Look for simple, quick recipes that don’t require too much prep time. For those of you who don’t consider yourselves cut out for the kitchen, invest in a few cookbooks that have simple, basic recipes. “Every meal does not have to be a masterpiece,” states Lona Sandon, a Dallas nutritionist. “Start simple with something like mac and cheese. Add a side of steamed broccoli and carrots with grilled chicken breast or salmon, and you have a balanced meal.” Start with the basics, and work your way up. Within a few weeks, you’ll get the hang of it and feel like a gourmet chef. Cooking at home is the first step towards a healthier lifestyle. More meals cooked and eaten at home is healthier, cheaper, and may help combat the obesity epidemic. Next time you’re heading towards that fast food store, turn around and head home. Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@gmail.com.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
He is Hagaon Harav Shmuel Kamenetzky , Harav Noson Kamenetzky, Harav Mordechai Kamenetzky,
Harav Tzvi Kamenetzky, Rebbetzin Rivka Diskind, Rebbetzin Sarah Knobel, Rebbetzin Esther Wilhelm and Rebbetzin Shani Lefkowitz
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Ph.D., Menahel Mark Gold, President Rabbi Meir Braunstein, Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Gedolah Rabbi Sam Rudansky, J.D., Principal Rabbi Yehuda Horowitz, Mashgiach Ruchani Rabbi Yossi Bennett, M.S., S’gan Menahel/Assistant Principal Rabbi Yirmi Lasker, Executive Director
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Health & F tness
Do I Need Therapy? By Batsheva Bergida, LCSW
“I
’m not really sure if I should be here. I don’t really think this is right for me. I mean,
I’m just a normal person…” It’s our first session and as I look at the 21-year-old girl sitting across from
me, I can feel the waves of uncertainty, confusion and embarrassment coming off of her. As a therapist in the frum community, I have heard this statement many times. “Well,” I reply, “why don’t you start off by telling me what prompted you to come see me?” The answer can consist of anything: difficulty with parents, their spouse, stress from work or school, dating anxiety, parenting struggles, poor body image, bad eating habits, disorganization, difficulty with friends, relationships, and on and on. The problem is not that those seeking treatment cannot be helped. In fact, I find that once an individual is ready to embrace change, half the battle is already won. The client’s readiness and willingness to work for change is what determines if there will be success in therapy. What is sad to me is that even in this day and age people are hesitant to seek treatment. Worse, they are often ashamed even if they know that the therapy will make their lives better. Allow me to shatter a common misconception: people do not go to therapy only as a last and final attempt to heal or when one cannot function and has nowhere else to turn. A therapist is someone who can
help clarify issues and the roots of problems and guide a client in improving their quality of life. The therapist-to-client relationship is very unique. Client to therapist confidentiality creates an environment of trust and safety. Because the therapist is not integrated in the person’s life, there is a unique opportunity for the client to have the freedom of being open about themselves in a way that they cannot with others. The therapist is also able to view the client without the influence of friendship, history, or familial influences altering their sight of the client. The role of the therapist is to be completely non-judgmental, open-minded and understanding about everything and anything the client presents. So, “who needs therapy?” The real answer is that therapy can be useful for everyone. An individual doesn’t need to be sick or dysfunctional or dealing with a catastrophe in their life to go to a therapist for help and guidance. Every person has problems; every person could benefit from appropriate guidance, sympathy, and validation. So now you might be wondering: if the therapist is so helpful, and therapy so beneficial, why is there such a stigma and hesitation against seeking out therapy? I believe that there is a problem
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
within our community. (Not the problem of 30 years ago where people were immediately labeled as “crazy” if they were in therapy, though that stigma still amazingly persists in certain specific, unfortunate circles.) No, now therapy is fabulous; it is accepted; it is positive. That is, as long as it is someone else going to a therapist, not the individual who professes to be in favor of therapy. There is a pressure amongst people in the Jewish world to be “super” these days. One must be thin, learned, working on themselves, have children, money, run chessed projects, and have a career. One must host opulent meals, have a showroom home, dress stylishly but not inappropriately, and other such ridiculous pressures. Somehow, we have created a world of people who are overachievers – or at least of people who feel pressure to try to be overachievers. In this world, acknowledging the need for help and
guidance is wildly out of the question. Please allow me to address those who want to try therapy but are scared to reach out for help.
the importance of connecting with someone who can help a person as an individual and aid them in their growth process. This essentially defines the role of a therapist.
Every person has problems; every person could benefit from appropriate guidance, sympathy, and validation.
The Mishna in Pirkei Avos states, “Asai lecha rav, uknei lecha chaver – Make for yourself a teacher and acquire for yourself a friend.” This is not only speaking of a teacher to learn Torah from or a friend to spend time with. This Chazal is discussing
Growing up and learning Torah at home and at school, we did not learn about paradigms who were perfect. The Torah is filled with people who struggled and made mistakes. Why? Because making mistakes is what makes a person great. The strug-
gle itself is what gives a person the opportunity to grow, improve and become a better person than they were before. We have to realize that therapy is for those who are brave enough to seek treatment, and that it is a wholly Jewish concept. What is therapy other than a means in which to have someone help a person on their path to self-improvement? Improving one’s emotional health will help them to be a better Jew without question, and it will also help them in their relationships, in their daily life, and in accomplishing any and all of their goals. The very question itself, “Do I need therapy?” is the problem. The word “need” implies a necessity such as water and air, implying that therapy is only appropriate if the “need” for it is desperate and critical. Instead ask yourself, “Do I want therapy?”
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Health & F tness
In Tribute to Mothers (and Grandmothers) By Hylton I Lightman, MD, DCH, FAAP
Granny with her great-grandson Menachem in Johannesburg in March 2014, three months before she passed away at the age of 98.
I
love mothers and grandmothers. I’m surrounded by them nearly every day of the year. No one will form and do for a child the way Mom will. It’s that time of the year to reflect on these two formative women in my life. My maternal grandmother, Nadja, whose memory should be for a blessing and whom we called “Mum,” lived with my family. Every day when I returned home from school, she greeted me with a snack and a “shmooze.” As delicious as the food was, I loved Mum’s company and her stories and insights into life: they still warm my heart and shape my view of the world. I’m not sure what level of education Mum achieved during her school years growing up in Russia. She immigrated to South Africa and mastered the English language. In fact, I spent many happy hours in this country locating novels in Russian which I sent to Johannesburg for her enjoyment. Mum understood life. You respect your parents and elders. Family is paramount. Schooling is essential and never to be taken for granted. Twice weekly, she’d take me by the hand when I returned home from school and we’d stroll across the road from our home to the store to purchase a cup of ice cream costing a
“ticky” (about 2 ½ pennies). Time alone with this aristocratic looking woman who was dedicated to her family are moments I still savor decades later. One day, I took the “ticky” Mum stored near the front door for our ice cream forages and purchased an ice cream for myself. Mistake, mistake,
a colorful personality with salty language who called the spade the dirty shovel that it was. She was a proud South African who worked hard as a bookkeeper, helping to support the family. She lavished respect and attention on her family, especially her parents, grandparents and only younger sibling Mildred. When Aunt
Time alone with this aristocratic looking woman who was dedicated to her family are moments I still savor decades later.
mistake. Meeting me at the front door, she took the beloved treat from my hand and threw it into the garbage pail. She turned to me, and said sternly, “It’s a privilege, not a right.” It was a lesson learned for life. How she loved being a Jew and she was a proud one. She kashered meat with salt and a bucket and made sure that Pesach happened in our home. Preparing for and bringing in the holidays was always a joy, never a burden. I called my mother “Mummy”; the world knew her as “Granny.” Granny, may she rest in peace, was
Mildred was sick with cancer, Granny nursed her through the debilitating treatments, often sleeping on a chair in her room to assure she was well cared for. How Granny loved her grandchildren and great-grandson. She traveled 10,000 miles each way twice yearly for nearly three months at a time just to be with the family. Nothing brought her more joy than to attend Tehillim assemblies, birthday parties and our children fought over who would sit next to her at the Shabbos table. Her charisma extended beyond the family. People
invited themselves to our home to enjoy this nonagenarian whose Cape Town accent didn’t diminish one iota over time. Granny made the grueling trans-Atlantic journey without ever complaining until she was 95-yearsold when was hospitalized. Thank G-d, she emerged from the ICU intact, although she was adamant about never flying again, even for the weddings of her two oldest granddaughters. While she wasn’t present physically for the simchas, her joy was palpable. Never feeling sorry for herself, Granny blessed each of us to live and grow and make The One Up Above happy. Henry Ward Beecher said that the (grand)mother’s heart is the child’s classroom. How true. I learned, and continue to learn, much from each woman. The world may call you “Mum,” “Mommy,” or whatever – to us children and grandchildren, you are the world.
Dr. Lightman has been a pediatrician in the Far Rockaway and Five Towns communities for 30 years. He can be reached at drlightman@totalfamilycaremd.com. Follow him on Instagram at dr_lightman or on Facebook at Total Family Care.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
In The K
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tchen
BLT Salad – Beef Fry, Lettuce and Tomato
Ingredients 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce 1-2 cups multicolored cherry tomatoes, halved 1 package Grow and Behold beef fry (crisped up in a fry pan) ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup low-fat mayonnaise 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice ¼ tsp Dijon mustard
By Naomi Nachman I’m always looking for new salads to make for Shabbat lunch. I like to bulk up my salads with some protein. For a weekday meal, I typically add cheeses – but for Shabbat meals I add different kinds of meats. With beef fry (a/k/a beef bacon) being all the rage these days, I decided to make a take-off of the BLT sandwich by placing the ingredients of a BLT sandwich into a great big salad. The result was both healthy and filling.
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley 1 cup store-bought or homemade croutons
Preparation Combine salt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and parsley in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Set aside. Place lettuce at the bottom of a bowl and toss with tomatoes. Scatter beef fry and croutons across the top and drizzle with dressing.
Homemade Croutons Ingredients 4 cups bread, cubed into little squares (you can use rye bread, leftover challah or sourdough) 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon parsley ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Preparation Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine the bread, garlic powder, parsley and salt. Drizzle olive oil over bread while tossing. Spread the cubes into an even layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
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A Special Gift for a Special Woman By Susan Schwamm
It may be cliché, but it’s true: every day is Mother’s Day. A mother’s love is constant and continuous. And although most of her work is centered around loads of laundry, homework, shopping, cooking suppers and doctors’ appointments, shve does it all with love. Because there’s no love like a mother’s love for her children. This Sunday is officially Mother’s Day. Although we can thank Hallmark for making it such a celebrated event, make sure to pick up the phone and call mom to thank her and show her your love and appreciation. And while you’re at it, why not buy your mother something she can enjoy and cherish this year? She will remember your kind gesture, shep nachas at the wonderful child that she raised, and will read your heartfelt note over and over again. To all the wonderful mothers in our community, we wish you a very happy Mother’s Day.
A Hug in a Mug This gift is for the mother who wakes up bleary-eyed and stumbles into the kitchen, just to press the button on the Keurig. She lives for her coffee and never becomes fleshigs – what would she do without her coffee with a splash of cream? Consider purchasing Mom another mug – perhaps one with your picture on it. After all, shouldn’t she be thinking of you always? Better yet, include a gift card to her favorite coffee shop in her newest cup. Mom knows you can never have too much coffee.
On a High Note Although technology has taken over our lives, Mom knows the value of the (hand) written word. A gift of classy notecards will be enhanced with her perfect handwriting, probably extolling the virtues of her children to all her friends! www.papyrusonline.com, $9.95/14 cards
Headlines When you visit Mom, she’s always leafing through a magazine. She has stacks on the table and clips out her favorite articles. Although you know TJH is her favorite paper to read, perhaps she’d enjoy another subscription, geared just to her taste. Ask her what she’d like – or just try to order something that you think calls her name. Present it to Mom with a classy magazine rack. Believe us, there’ll be more than enough magazines to fill it!
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
Cooking with Class Mom makes the best kugel in town. You also love her cholent, meatballs, apple pie, coffee cake and ice cream dessert. But the best cooks are always learning – and Mom would love to enhance her cooking skills. Treat Mom to a cooking class or two. Even better, spend the day – or evening – with Mom as you join her at a cooking class. Both of you can have fun trying out new recipes at home – and Dad will enjoy too! www.kosherculinarycenter. com
Say it with Flowers What can we say? A woman can never have enough flowers in her home. Surprise her this Sunday with a beautiful vase filled with her favorite blooms. But don’t just stop there. Make sure you drop in every erev Shabbos carrying more vibrant blossoms that she can use to enhance her Shabbos table.
More than a Thousand Words There’s nothing more precious to a mother than her children. This year, take a family portrait – yes, all the children and grandchildren! – and present it to her so she can gaze at her nachas all year long. www.irathomascreations.com, 516-791-7230
Game On! A Day at the Museum Spending time with mom is the best time spent. Take her out one day to tour the museums of Manhattan. The City isn’t just home to the Museum of Natural History; consider the Frick, MOMA, the Met, the Guggenheim, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Choose one and explore its halls. Then, of course, end the day with a dinner for just the two of you.
All moms are different. Some may enjoy a walk in the park, while others enjoy shooting some hoops. Still others relax as they get into their downward dog position or dance to the beat. So what does Mom like? Surprise her this Mother’s Day with something she’ll love – tennis lessons, membership at a gym, bowling, tickets to a Yankees’ game, new sneakers... You know Mom, she’ll be happy that you put in the thought and went the extra mile to get her something special.
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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”
Give me salt and vinegar and I’ll eat his liver. - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on what he would do if his police catch any radical Islamic terrorists in his country
I’m calling on all the assistance we can possibly get because I can’t imagine going into our summer months with our crime rate where it is today, what that’s going to look like by the end of the summer?! Murder is out of control. - Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, one year after Black Lives Matter took to the streets of Baltimore and essentially convinced police that doing their jobs will only result in them getting into trouble
I believe that George Soros must not be underestimated: he is a powerful billionaire of enormous determination who, when it comes to his interests, respects neither G-d nor man. - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in a speech in the European Parliament, defending its actions regarding immigration and against American financial speculator George Soros
On Twitter this morning, Donald Trump suggested the U.S. needs a “good shutdown” to fix a deadlocked Congress. I don’t think Donald Trump realizes that the government is not like a computer. You can’t fix it by turning it off and turning it back on again. - James Corden
I guess they’d be forced to read a book or a magazine or talk to their kids. - Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on CNN talking about a proposal that would prevent laptops and similar devices from being brought on planes
An Australian family managed to save the life of a lizard they found at the bottom of their pool by performing CPR on it… I consider myself a confident guy. But I have never ever, not even after six drinks, thought to myself, “I could probably give CPR to a lizard.” That family revived the lizard by performing CPR for 30 minutes. I give up looking for the TV remote after 25 seconds. - James Corden
Defendants’ faces were blank all the time… absolutely blank…like…they’re waiting for a bus. - Ben Ferencz, 97, who was one of the prosecutors at the Nuremberg trials, recalling in a “60 Minutes” interview the lack of remorse that the Nazis exhibited during the trials
The Republicans cruelly ignored a rapidly spreading epidemic as they crafted the partial repeal of Obamacare that passed in the House yesterday: They failed to include any provision in AHCA that provides mental health benefits for balmy liberals whose thin tether to sanity has been severed by the success of the GOP and President Trump. - David Catron, The American Spectator
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The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Hamas believes in, and adheres to, managing its Palestinian relations on the basis of pluralism, democracy, national partnership, acceptance of the other and the adoption of dialogue. Hamas believes that the message of Islam upholds the values of truth, justice, freedom and dignity and prohibits all forms of injustice and incriminates oppressors irrespective of their religion, race, gender or nationality. Hamas is of the view that the Jewish problem, anti-Semitism and the persecution of the Jews are phenomena fundamentally linked to European history and not to the history of the Arabs and the Muslims or to their heritage. Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. It provides an umbrella for the followers of other creeds and religions who can practice their beliefs in security and safety. -Most laughable lines from Hamas’ just released policy document
Today, FBI Director James Comey said the thought that he helped Donald Trump get elected president makes him “mildly nauseous.” Comey then excused himself to attend a meeting of Underreacters Anonymous.
I was thinking, when I watched those forced smiles yesterday at the White House, this is what it’s like in Pyongyang, in North Korea, where you have to have the same expression for Kim Jong-Un or else you get executed. They didn’t look truly spontaneously happy, but fixed grins and smirks all around. - MSNBC’s Chris Matthews reflecting on the Republicans’ White House ceremony after the House passed the Obamacare repeal bill
What else do I have to prove? Seriously, what else would I have [to do]? I’ve won championships, I won my first one, and I’ve won for my teammates; I came home and won. There isn’t anything I have left to prove. - Lebron James, in an interview with Cleveland.com
- Conan O’Brien
There’s a part of Israel in every F-35 that’s ever been built. - Lockheed Martin senior executive Gary North speaking at Israel’s Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye. - The childish chant that Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats on the House floor chanted when the Obamacare repeal bill passed, based on their belief that it will cause the Republicans to lose their majority in the House
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China should no longer try to test the limits of the DPRK’s patience. China had better ponder over the grave consequences to be entailed by its reckless act of chopping down the pillar of the DPRK-China relations. - North Korea’s official state-run news agency rebuking China for trying to pressure North Korea to curb its nuclear ambitions
A company has come out with a robot that makes salad. So finally – a robot that’s not going to take away any American jobs! – Conan O’Brien
It started as a way of promoting peace, and then I went on to find something that was very calming.
Look, it is none of anyone’s business what someone who is a member of the private sector decides to accept in terms of compensation. With all due respect to anyone who chooses to comment publicly on what Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or anyone earns as a member of the private sector, it’s just MYOB.
- Catherine Hettinger, who invented fidget spinners, telling CNN that she originally invented the gadget after a visit to Israel to help prevent Palestinian kids from throwing rocks at Israelis
- Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla, former head of the Democrat National Committee and one of the most prominent “anti-one percenters,” when asked on CNN about Obama getting paid by a Wall Street firm $400,000 for one speech
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is confident that fake news will not harm her chances in Germany’s election. In fact, Merkel is so confident she’s going to win, she’s not even going to campaign in Wisconsin. - Conan O’Brien
Jim Comey didn’t tell her not to campaign in Wisconsin after the convention. Jim Comey didn’t say not to put any resources in Michigan until the final week of the campaign. And one of the things that hindered her in the campaign was a sense that she never fully was willing to take responsibility for her mistakes, particularly that server. And, you know, so if I were her, if I were advising her, I would say don’t do this, don’t go back and appear as if you are shifting responsibility off of yourself. She said the words I am responsible, but everything else suggested she doesn’t feel that way and I don’t think that helps her in the long run. So if I were her, I would move on. - David Axelrod, Obama’s former chief strategist, on CNN responding to Hillary Clinton’s assessment last week that she only lost the election because of then-FBI Director James Comey
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
9
Political Crossfire
Trump: “Normalized” but Still Scary By Charles Krauthammer
W
ith near unanimity, my never-Trump friends confess a sense of relief. It could have been worse. They thought it would be worse. A deep apprehension still endures but the international order remains intact, the republic still stands, and no “enemy of the people” has (yet) been arrested. Admittedly, this is a low bar. And this is not to deny the insanity, incoherence and sheer weirdness emanating daily from the White House, with which we’ve all come up with our own coping technique. Here’s mine: I simply view President Trump as the Wizard of Oz. Loud and bombastic. A charlatan. Nothing behind the screen – other than the institutional chaos that defines his White House and the psychic chaos that governs his ever-changing mind. What to do? Ignore what’s behind the curtain. Deal with what comes out in front: the policy, the pronouncements, the actions. And so far they hang together enough – Neil Gorsuch, Keystone XL, NATO reassurances, Syria strike, Cabinet appointments – that one can begin to talk plausibly about the normalization of this presidency. Hence the relief. But there are limitations to the Wizard of Oz approach. Some things do extrude from behind the curtain that are hard to ignore. And here I am not counting the gratuitous idiocies that can, despite their entertainment val-
ue, be safely ignored – for example, Trump’s puzzlement as to why the Civil War was not avoided and how Andrew Jackson, who’d been dead 16 years, was so upset by its outbreak. These are embarrassments, but they don’t materially affect the course of his presidency or of the country. Some weirdnesses, however, do. Such as, Trump’s late-April pronouncements on South Korea. Being less entertaining, they were vastly
And by the way, that 5-year-old U.S.South Korea free trade agreement is a disaster and needs to be torn up. Now, South Korea is in the middle of a highly charged presidential campaign. The pro-American president was recently impeached and is now under indictment. The opposition party is ahead. It is wary of the U.S., accommodating to North Korea and highly negative about installing that THAAD system on its soil. We had agreed with Seoul that
What is it with this president insisting that other people pay for things we want?
underreported. Here’s the context: Trump is orchestrating a worldwide campaign to pressure North Korea on its nukes and missiles. He dispatches (finally) the USS Carl Vinson strike group to Korean waters and raises the possibility of a “major, major conflict” with Pyongyang. Meanwhile, we are working furiously to complete a THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea to intercept North Korean rockets. At which point, out of the blue, Trump tells Reuters that Seoul will have to pay for the THAAD system.
they would provide the land and the infrastructure, and we would pay the $1 billion cost. Without warning, Trump reneges on the deal, saying South Korea will have to foot the bill. This stirs anti-American feeling and gives opposition candidate Moon Jae-in the perfect campaign issue. What is it with this president insisting that other people pay for things we want? And for what? In a $4 trillion budget, $1 billion is a rounding error. So self-defeating was the idea that within three days national se-
curity adviser H.R. McMaster had to walk it all back, assuring the South Koreans that we would indeed honor our agreement and send no $1 billion invoice. But the damage was done. Moon’s campaign feasted. The pro-American party was thrown on its heels. And the very future of THAAD – and a continued united front against Pyongyang under a likely Moon administration – is in doubt. As for the trade deal, the installation of THAAD has so angered China that it has already initiated an economic squeeze on South Korea. To which Trump would add a trade rupture with the United States. The South Korean blunder reinforces lingering fears about Trump. Especially because it was an unforced error. What happens in an externally caused crisis? Then, there is no hiding, no guardrails, no cushioning. It’s the wisdom and understanding of one man versus whatever the world has thrown up against us. However normalized this presidency may be day to day, in such a moment all bets are off. What happens when the red phone rings at 3 in the morning? I’d say: Let it ring. Let the wizard sleep. Forward the call to Defense Secretary Mattis.
(c) 2017, The Washington Post Writers Group
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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Forgotten Her es Yossi Ben Hanan By Avi Heiligman
The rescue mission of Brig. Gen. Yossi Ben Hanan, with Yoni Netanyahu, during the Yom Kippur War
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uch has been written in recent months about the Netanyahu brothers and their service in the IDF. One particular incident that involved Yoni Netanyahu has made its rounds. However, there is more to the story than Yoni rescuing a tank commander during the Yom Kippur. Yoni received the Medal of Distinguished Service for his rescue of a badly wounded officer. That officer, Yossi Ben Hanan, was awarded a medal a step higher for actions that preced-
ed Yoni’s dramatic rescue. Yossi Ben Hanan was born in 1945 in Yerushalayim while it was still under the British Mandate. His father, Michael Ben Hanan, was a top commander in the Haganah before the 1948 War of Independence. When he was just 16 Yossi joined a military school in Haifa and became a tanker upon conclusion of his schooling. During the Six Day War in 1967, he was a member of the 7 th Brigade and was involved in the action that liberated the Sinai Pen-
The famous cover featuring Yossi Ben Hanan
insula, Gaza and parts of the Suez Canal. He was featured on a famous cover of Life magazine after the war which showed him, as a young soldier, triumphantly clutching an AK47 rifle while standing in the waters of the Suez Canal. Fighting between Israel and her neighbors continued in the years following the Six Day War. It was called the War of Attrition and it mainly involved raids and quick actions taken by both sides. Yossi was a tank commander on the Suez Canal during this time. After the death of Egyptian President Nasser in 1970 there was relative peace for almost three years. Intelligence failures have changed the course of history. During WWII the U.S. failed to act on any info they may have gotten on Japanese preparations to attack Pearl Harbor or the German attack on their lines during the Battle of the Bulge. Being able to know where and when the enemy will strike is vitally important to military strategy. Israeli intelligence failed to pick up on the Arabs’ plan to attack on Yom Kippur, October 6, 1973. A large portion of the IDF is made up of re-
servists and most were not at their stations during the surprise attack. There were only a handful of tanks on the northern front. The Syrians had caught the Israelis looking the other way when they attacked in the Golan Heights. One reservist, Zvika Greengold, hitchhiked to the front and singlehandedly became a one man tank destroyer. However, commanders were needed, and soldiers began appearing from all over during the first few days of battle. Ben Hanan was on his honeymoon in Nepal when he heard of the attack on Israel. It took him three days and a series of flights to reach the 188th brigade’s command post on the Golan Heights. What he saw was a desperate situation. Many of the tanks had been knocked out, and the brigade had been decimated. Tankers were without tanks and leaders. Another officer, Shmuel Askarov, had pieced together a scratch fighting force of mainly Centurion tanks. Already wounded in the fighting, Ben Hanan was tasked to lead this force of about twenty tanks. As a lieutenant colonel he was given command of what was left of the brigade and upon arrival
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
immediately set up the command to become a fighting force again. He recruited men from supply depots and even walking wounded from the hospitals to man the tanks. There was a desperate battle between the IDF’s Centurion tanks and the Syrian’s T-62 Russian-built tanks. Ben Hanan managed to stabilize the situation by linking up with other units. They were behind enemy lines and starting firing on anything that moved – tanks, halftracks, and armored personal carriers all received direct hits from Bar Hanan’s unit. Besides the material damage to their tanks and armored vehicles, the psychological damage caused to the Syrians was immeasurable. The Syrians had failed to break through and soon enough had an intelligence failure of their own. They failed to realize that the Israelis were exhausted, had no reserves left, and were down to only a few shells per tank. The success that Ben Hanan was
having at the expense of the Syrian force came at a price for the remaining IDF tanks. They had driven into a Syrian minefield and many of the
Netanyahu to his position. Despite being wounded and unable to fight Ben Hanan used his forward position to call in artillery strikes on the
Despite being wounded and unable to fight Ben Hanan used his forward position to call in artillery strikes on the Syrian tanks.
tanks were disabled. His own tank was hit by a Sagger anti-tank missile and he was stranded on the battlefield. A rescue attempt had failed once so the best forces in the area, a detachment of the Sayeret Matkal, were called in for the next attempt. In a recording that recently became available to the public Ben Hanan can be heard directing Yoni
Syrian tanks. Yoni’s force of commandos reached Ben Hanan’s position and sent him to the hospital. The Syrians were in retreat due to Ben Hanan’s scratch unit, and even though he wasn’t on the battlefield anymore the Syrians lost their will to fight. Only a day later the Israelis controlled the entire Golan Heights. Yossi Ben Hanan was wounded
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four times in that battle and was awarded the Medal of Courage for his actions. Yoni continued fighting with the Sayeret Matkal and was the only commando killed in the dramatic Entebbe rescue mission in 1976. After the war Ben Hanan rose to the rank of major general and served as the commander in several units including the 7th Brigade and the Armored Corps. Unlike many soldiers during a surprise attack, Ben Hanan and many other IDF soldiers ran towards the fighting and not away from the battle. Ben Hanan is not as well-known as many heroes from the Yom Kippur War since he never entered politics but his story was written down for others to learn about his dedication to his country.
Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@ gmail.com.
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MARCH 23, 2017 Jewish Home MAY 11, 2017 | The| The Jewish Home
From My Private Art Collection
MaryWorld Cassatt,Renowed the Beloved Nineteenth Artists Century Artist from Pennsylvania
with Disabilities By Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg
By Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Claude Monet
Henri Matisse
The Boating Party by Mary Cassatt
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different quality emphaHenri Matisse livedand from 1869sis in his or her work. This 1954. He was a well-known collage ZKR VXɣHUHG IURP FKURQLF isDUWLVW an expression of their individual illnessByand visual problems. His vision. using the visual elements helped complete ofassistants point, line, tone, him and color the eye-catching artworks. was acartists aspire to produceThis a result in complished by asking them to tape which they can be proud. Rhythm, papers tomovement, a surface and using balance, andthen pattern a long stick part with in a drawing toolthe atplay a large developing tached to complete the pictures. composition. Each artist uses differPierre-Auguste Renoir lived ent variables which create the final IURP VXɣHUHG IURP results. Paintings+H are the product of rheumatoid arthritis and conan artist’s personality and was are sub¿QHG WR D ZKHHOFKDLU +LV DVVLVWDQWV jective. By studying the artist’s life alsowhat helped him complete eye-catchand influenced them we can ing artworks. This was accomplished further understand the kind of artby asking them to attach paintbrushwork that was produced. es to his arms so that he could conMary Cassatt was born in 1844 tinue to produce amazing paintings. and lived until 1926. She was an Claude Monet lived from 1840American who came from an upper 1926. He was a respected artist who middle class family. Both her parents were not particularly interested
in art and IURP were not excited about her VXɣHUHG FDWDUDFWV 'HVSLWH becoming an artist. People from her this condition he persevered to cresocial standing tookartworks trips around ate artworks. These were created with paint. After Europe; she mostly becameredfamiliar with undergoing for the art at a verysurgery young age andcataracts loved to he was She able pursued to see much and paint. her clearer interest in paint other colors well. art bywith attending the as Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. After much Holland she went to Paris to discussion, Vincent Van Gogh from study as a young adult. lived She stayed 1853-1890. Heher was not emotionally there most of life. wellMary and unfortunately spentbymuch was influenced the time in Impressionists. institutions for the French Shementally exhibitLOO at 'XULQJ KLV OLIHWLPH KH PD\ ed the National Academy ofKDYH Desold only oneYork. painting, butfelt fame fol-a sign in New Mary that lowed him after hisindeath due to to bear recwomen’s vocation life was RJQLWLRQ RI KLV PDJQL¿FHQW FUHDWLRQV children, therefore, she loved paintand talents. ing scenes of mothers and children. She is famous for these scenes with Italy mothers, children, portraits, etc. Michelangelo Buonarotti lived Unfortunately, Mary Cassatt did not from 1475-1564. He was an architect, marry or have children of her own. Even though Mary was a foreign-
er, she and received a Legion of Honor painter, sculptor who produced from the French government for her IDQWDVWLF DUWZRUNV GHVSLWH VXÉŁHULQJ amazing talents and works. She an was from bipolar disorder. This was incredible accomplishment. greatly influenced by the artwork of /HRQDUGR 'D not 9LQFL IURP Manet. She did relyOLYHG on produc1452-1519. was an inventor, aring art forHe a living and encouraged chitect, artist, and artworks musiciancreated who her friends to buy contributed to the art French scene by variousgreatly contemporary GHVSLWH GHDOLQJ ZLWK $'+' DQG G\Vpainters. lexia.Mary This was was aantremendous extremely chalinflulenging for him. ence onjourney American taste at the time and developed her own style. Her
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Frida Kahlo from place 1907-in pressionist showlived that took 1954. was an accomplished artist 1879.SheMary Cassatt produced artwho seriously a car acciworkwas painted in hurt true in Impressionist GHQW IURP PDMRU styleDQG thatVXɣHUHG placed emphasis onEDFN light, problems. The creative ability to do a color, and composition. Her ImpresVHOI SRUWUDLW ZKLOH FRQ¿QHG WR EHGUHVW sionist paintings were the first to be was achieved by placing a mirror unshown in America. She exhibited at der the canopy of her bed. This talentthe Pennsylvania Academy of Fine ed individual was capable of working Arts in 1876, 1878, and 1879. Mary’s later works were influenced by Jap-
anese art thatWKDW hadDSSHDUHG a strongLQ emphaRÉŁ WKH LPDJHV WKH sis on color and patterns. She mirror and to produce a self-portrait.purchased a chateau that was used as a As I continue to instruct adult studio art workshops forpaint people withof allher location to sit and many kinds of challenges, I have found that magnificent works of art. the common is awith deepthe Cassatt denominator did not change desire forShe them tonot share inner feelings times. did enjoy the Modern through the venue visual communi-one movement and of was considered cation. They arewoman all extremely motivatof the best painters of all edtimes. and quite inspiration. of women Theanemancipation and female artists increased treRebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg is a promendously during the nineteenth fessional and decenturyart as educator, did their artist, recognition. signer.Mary She holds a Master Arts: Cassatt enjoyedof creating M.A. in Adultthat Learning (MA.AL) paintings reflected theand conpublished a thesis for a temporary life,titled and“Template so, her themes Community-Based Adult Art Program.â€? were taken from the happenings of $PRQJ KHU NQRZQ DUWZRUN LV D Ă€RUDO the day, her reality, the everyday sculpture presented to Tipper Gore, Blair life. For example, “The Boating ParHouse, Washington, D.C. For workshops tyâ€? was an event that actually took and lectures call (917) 886-7474 or email place. She painted the exact image naominherzberg@gmail.com. as seen by her eye and not what was imagined. It is shown in pure color;
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Boating by Gabriele Munter
Boating by Manet
even the shadows are broken down into pure color, maybe lighter. This was a new phase in art. She learned this technique from Manet. The traditional practice was changed to include paintings that reduced depth by flattening the color and spread-
ing the colors over large areas so that light and dark colors would come together. Mary used simplified color forms and flat composition. This painting is an example of mother and child. We see a mother holding an infant. There is a lot
Mother about to Wash Her Sleepy Child by Mary Cassatt
of character in it. The features and skin were painted in a subtle form through the use of shading. The picture is painted from an unusual viewing angle that brings the painting close up with a hint at the top of the dawn – the reality is up front. The woman is at its apex, completely central in the composition. She is holding the child with a maternal instinct, while the man is rowing, showing how strong he is and in control. The colors show the mood. She uses simplified patterns on the woman’s dress that is a sure sign of her style. The intensity of light changes the color and so we see how the colors of blue and green are used and not shadows of grey but various tones of the same color. The brushstrokes are flat and covering large areas. There is movement in the water created by the use of shading in light and dark of the same color. There is a sense of balance in the triangular composition that is up close and very solid. It is a statement of the times when men were strong and in control and women were feminine and maternal. It is interesting to compare the likeness of her painting to “The Boating” by Manet. Also, compare this painting to the twentieth century woman painter Gabriele Munter and her painting “The Boating.” It has a much more formal flavor than Mary Cassatt’s painting. Here, the male is at the apex and the central figure. To me, the Impressionist period
was a time of optimism, happiness, and a delight in things the way they were. The study of light, how it affected the subject, and capturing a fleeting moment of a particular subject or happening was important. It was really the artist’s non-interpretation and senses that created the picture. With the development of science, technology, and the invention of the camera the role of an artist began to change. The question arose: “What were the artist’s responsibilities and domain?” In final analysis, I must say that there is no better way to understand and gain an appreciation of actual artworks than by studying them, seeing their brushstrokes, texture, and the actual quality of the paintings. Looking at a painting and dissecting it is quite a complex visual experience. We can only gain so much by looking at reproductions, but it is extremely beneficial to become familiar with artworks of talented artists until such time as you can view their originals.
Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg is a professional art educator, artist and designer. Among her known artwork is a floral sculpture presented to Tipper Gore, Blair House, Washington, D.C. Please feel free to email naominherzberg@gmail.com with questions and suggestions for future columns.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Good Hum r
Stroller Derby By Jon Kranz
I
f you want to accurately gauge whether a particular synagogue is declining or thriving, simply count the number of strollers. The more strollers parked outside on Shabbat morning, the brighter that synagogue’s future will be. In other words, every stroller carries not just a person, but also the hopes and dreams of the entire congregation. A stroller may be cradling the next Yehudah HaMaccabee, Queen Esther or Sandy Koufax. A stroller may carry the next David Ben-Gurion, the next Golda Meir or the next person to open an all-youcan-eat falafel stand on Ben Yehuda. (By the way, offering an all-you-caneat option to “essen & fressen” Jews basically means you want to file for bankruptcy. No, not Chapter 7 bankruptcy. We’re talking about Chapter “Ate.”) Of course, not every stroller can hold a winner. Many strollers hold nothing more than a little vilde chaya who one day will become a bigger vilde chaya. While communities should welcome strollers and the newest members who ride in them, synagogues should consider establishing some simple stroller-related guidelines. I’m not talking about draconian measures to wallop the wheeled. I’m talking about sensible rules to govern the pushing of the pampered. So, the question is: how can we make the synagogue stroller scene, which is filled with congestion and confusion, more manageable? For starters, do not park your stroller directly in front of the synagogue’s entrance. When strollers block the doors, it creates an evac-
uation hazard. For example, if the synagogue announces at the end of the service that the kiddush is “sponsored by the shul” – which means the kiddush likely will be incredibly underwhelming – there will be a massive stampede exiting the building that will destroy anything in its path. So, if your stroller is part of a baby blockade near the doorway, kiss it goodbye. (For this reason, do not leave your kids sleeping in their
about you, especially if you insist on treating your precious little darling like Antoku, the former child emperor of Japan. Speaking of Japan, strollers and rickshaws seem to have an awful lot in common. The word “rickshaw” originates from the Japanese word “jinrikisha,” which means human-powered vehicle. According to some scholars, the rickshaw was invented in Japan in the late 1860’s
Do not pack your infant in a rolling suitcase. Do not cart your kid around in a wheelbarrow. Do not strap your child to a skateboard. strollers or, if you do, wrap them up in sufficient and breathable bubble wrap.) Parking your stroller directly in front of the synagogue entrance also creates a dangerous social hazard because of the message that it sends. Just imagine if right before Shabbat begins, the rabbi’s car (a/k/a the “Rab-Mobile”) is parked right in front of the synagogue’s entrance just so the rabbi, after Shabbat ends, can make a quick getaway and avoid having to deal with congregants, board members and the paparazzi. Some might be offended by the rabbi’s parking selfishness and thoughtlessness. Well, if you park your stroller right in front of the synagogue entrance, some may feel the same way
after the lifting of a ban on wheeled vehicles. Can you imagine if Jewish communities banned the use of strollers? That would almost be as bad as a Jewish community banning knishes, kibbitzing and kvelling. When it comes to purchasing a stroller, do not succumb to peer pressure. In other words, do not purchase the exact same stroller as your friends. When everyone buys the identical make and model, it only exacerbates the post-synagogue chaos. (Of course, if your child is acting like a total kvetch, you may secretly be hoping that someone mistakenly takes home your stroller and its cantankerous contents.) When buying a stroller, think outside the box and go with something unique, even if it
means you will be socially shunned. But do not go overboard just to prove a point. Do not pack your infant in a rolling suitcase. Do not cart your kid around in a wheelbarrow. Do not strap your child to a skateboard. Do not force your newborn to rollerblade. These are extreme and ill-advised alternatives so stick with a parentally- (and rabbinically-) approved stroller and stay within your wheelhouse, so to speak. Can we all agree that when a child reaches a certain age, it is no longer appropriate for that child to ride in a stroller? For example, if your child can scale Masada, needs a shave or has a driver’s license, then enough with the stroller! I actually believe that if some overly-protective parents had their druthers, they would continue stroller-ing their kids to synagogue at least up to the child’s bar or bat mitzvah. Doing so could be incredibly humiliating and debilitating for any bipedally-capable child and some studies show that children who are overly-strollered are ten times more likely to have an overbite and twenty times more likely to act like a total nudnik. Bottom-line: People operating strollers should follow a few basic rules of safety: (i) do not enter your stroller in a roller or demolition derby, (ii) never let go of your stroller at the top of a hill, and (iii) always remove your child before folding your stroller. Jon Kranz is an attorney living in Englewood, New Jersey. Send any comments, questions or insults to jkranz285@ gmail.com.
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Classifieds HELP WANTED COMPUTER TEACHER, for elementary school, Sept 2017, email fivetownseducators@gmail.com Yeshiva Ketana of Queens Looking for Energetic & Inspiring Female GENERAL STUDIES TEACHERS 2017-2018. Grades 2-5 Email Resume Rlswia@aol.com 718-969-1000 EXT 105 The Yeshiva of Central Queens is seeking dynamic, experienced Elementary School General Studies and JHS Math teachers for September 2017. Candidates will have a Master’s degree and NYS Teacher Certification. If you are interested in joining our exceptional and dedicated faculty, please forward your resume and cover letter to mlandsman@ycq.us REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT COMPANY is looking for an experienced Investor Relation associate to raise capital for sponsor/investor relationships. Compensation will be offered thru partnership/commission. Contact info@zreny.com 718-285-0941 WARM, LOVING, HEIMISHE PLAYGROUP IN FAR ROCKAWAY – AGES 2 ½ TO 4 – IS LOOKING FOR ASSISTANTS AND SUBSTITUTES. PLEASE CALL 516-371-6848 CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers, Title I Boro Park, Williamsburg and Flatbush Schools *College/Yeshiva Degree *Teaching experience required *Strong desire to help children learn *Small group instruction *Excellent organization skills Competitive salary Send resume to: Fax: (212) 480-3691 ~ Email: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com Immediate openings for Middle School Language Arts Teacher and Limudei Kodesh Maternity substitute in Hebrew Academy of Long Beach - afternoons only. Resumes to ulubetski@halb.org OVERNIGHT \WEEKEND COUNSELOR Responsible and exp’d staff to live in a beautiful group home & work 3 nights\week 7pm - 9am. Staff are not req’d to remain awake after 11pm. Staff are req’d to work two weekends per month. Free rent & food. Stipend given as well. Great for college girl. For additional info contact Frayde Yudkowsky at 732.948.4636 or fyudkowsky@evolvetreatment.com
MISC SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURES Tickets + Safari Valid any operating day $40 Parking passes $20 Call or text Shua @917-923-0011 RAMAT BEIT SHEMESH ALEPH Comfortable 1.5 bedroom vacation rental -- perfect for your next visit to Ramat Beit Shemesh. Elegantly furnished with luxurious orthopedic beds, spacious living/ dining area, modern bathroom with all the amenities. Ground-floor entrance, with room for parking -- five-minute stroll to the shopping area. Sleeps up to five. A/C, Wifi, washer/ dryer, kitchenette. Please contact us for daily and weekly rates. Mordechai +972-58-4804238 Email: mgreiver@outlook.com FIVE STAR SHAVUOS FAMILY RETREAT! Lowest rates. Best program Speakers include renowned educator Rabbi Binyomin Ginsberg, Rabbi Benzion Shafier, Mrs. Chanie Juravel and more. Gorgeous accommodations, inspiring program, superior childcare and a gourmet menu that will delight body, spirit and soul! Contact sk@oravsimcha.org or 845.216.3970 for details
SHIDDUCH DATING? NEED PLACES TO GO? Check out Pegishaplace.com WIG GEMACH Everyone in our community deserves to look great! Donate used wigs and make a world of a difference. For appointments to see wigs or to donate, call Deena 845-304-6668
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
Your
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Money
The Taxing History behind Cinco de Mayo By Allan Rolnick
A
mericans are great at taking perfectly serviceable holidays and turning them into excuses for parties. On St. Patrick’s Day, millions of Irish-for-a-day drinkers belly up to their favorite fake Irish bar to down pints of Guinness and shots of Jameson. Next on the calendar is Cinco de Mayo, when all those same St. Paddy’s fans become Mexicans for a day to down bottles of Corona and pitchers of margaritas. (We can’t wait to see what the hospitality industry dreams up when they discover Talk Like a Pirate Day lurking on the September calendar.) How many know the role that taxes played in putting those tangy salt-rimmed cocktails on your Happy Hour menu? Back in 1862, we were struggling in the midst of a wrenching civil war. And south of the border, Mexico had just finished one of their own. The ruling liberals had passed a series of laws that, among other things, let the government tax the dominant Catholic Church. The rival conservatives objected, with the dispute ultimately leading to war. After three years of fighting, the liberals prevailed. But incoming president Benito Juarez
found his Treasury empty, and he issued a decree suspending foreign debt repayment for two years. French Emperor Napoleon III wasn’t willing to just write off the loss. More importantly, he also spied a chance to take advantage of the turmoil here in the U.S. to reestablish French influence in the western
from 2,000 poorly equipped defenders. Everyone expected a rout — but it was the Mexicans who did the routing, firing downhill to pick off the advancers. The few French who reached the top faced machete-wielding Zacapoaxtla Indians, with depressingly predictable results. It was a small but symbolic
It was a small but symbolic victory that gave the Mexicans hope that they could repel the European invaders.
hemisphere. So he sent his army to the port of Veracruz to collect what Mexico owed. And his troops began marching down the road to Mexico City. Unfortunately for the French, that road led through the hilltop town of Puebla de Los Angeles. On May 5 — Cinco de Mayo — 6,000 French troops marched up Guadalupe Hill to take the town
victory that gave the Mexicans hope that they could repel the European invaders. Victory was short-lived. A year later, the French reached Mexico City and installed the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico. But France wasn’t willing to actually support their new puppet-monarch with their
army. So, after three more years of chaos, Ferdinand and his top generals found themselves on the business end of a firing squad. Cinco de Mayo remained a little-noticed holiday until the 1980s, when beer marketers began using it as an excuse to promote their sudsy wares. Ironically, it’s barely celebrated at all in Mexico. We realize it’s a stretch to say that Mexico’s decision to tax the church led to your Cinco de Mayo celebration. But when you’re in the tax business, like we are, you see way too many things through that lens. And isn’t that what you want? A vigilant sentry, standing guard over your finances, wielding tax-saving strategies like a tribe of bloodthirsty Zacapoaxtalas wielding machetes? So call us when you’re ready to celebrate paying less ... and have a margarita on us! Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 yea rs in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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MAY 11, 2017 | The Jewish Home
Life C ach
Shop Till You Drop? By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
M
any may think that all women love to shop. But, here’s an interesting realization I have come to: there are women who love to shop, and there are women who really don’t. When you see a woman carrying a few boxes of recently purchased shoes, a new purse, and 4 new outfits, you can probably bet you’ve just seen a woman who will tell you she hates to shop. Surprised, huh? Doesn’t that seem counterintuitive? Then what in the world would someone who loves to shop be dragging behind her? A trailer? The idea is that if you hate it, you usually want to get it over with in one shot because who knows when you’ll be willing do this again. But the real connoisseur buys a little bit each time. They know the best designers and the best sales. There is a science to their methodology. They can see right through your clothing to your tag. They absolutely know the name written on it without reversing your shirt. This is a sign of a seasoned shopper. They know the brand of every shoe, pocketbook, scarf or dress you have on, just by appearances. I’m actually good with that in a supermarket! I can recognize the bottle shapes and cereal boxes! I wonder if there’s a market
for that talent. There is no shame in knowing or not knowing. Everyone has their interests and talents. A not-so-devoted shopper is usually blessed if they have a friend who has a seasoned eye and is willing to shop with them. It’s not that they might not have found the same dress on the sales
Suddenly, you need a resuscitator! The dress that fits you has an added zero at the end – and it’s not in the “cents” column. Are they kidding?! Can that dress make your phone calls for you? Can it clean your house? What’s it done to command that kind of a price? It has sported a name label.
In this case, I’d say, one (wo)man’s Gucci is another man’s Grouchy.
rack themselves and even bought it. But without that expert there they would not know to get extremely excited about the amazing bargain. And who wants to miss out on one of life’s pleasures?! Moreover, if that still wouldn’t do much for them, just imagine how happy they could make their friend! Sometimes, you look at a dress. It looks nice. It’s stylish. It’s funky. It’s even got a very decent price, but it’s not available in your size. Not far from it, you find a similar one. Very nice, not quite as interesting in your opinion, but they have it in your size.
One that your friend can see a mile away! Perhaps you need your eyes checked?! But even if you checked the name on the label, it probably had only vague recognition to you or no meaning at all. You know the saying: one man’s meat is another man’s poison. In this case, I’d say, one (wo)man’s Gucci is another man’s Grouchy. Shopping just wouldn’t be some people’s first priority. Going to the mall for a non-shopper is more about looking for the frozen yogurt stand! Do these people understand one another? Perhaps on some level.
One can’t imagine why the name matters, while the other can’t imagine why it doesn’t. One can’t remember to check the label, while the other can’t forget to. One feels happy simply to be wearing clothing, while the other feels happy to be wearing an Oscar or a Cardin. Shopping for one is an art form, a labor of love. And for the other, a necessary means to an end. After all, they need to wear something! One feels clothed, while the other feels crowned. Is there a right or a wrong to it? Absolutely not! Well, maybe if you ask a clothing designer! It’s what makes for the spice of life, variety, even the opportunity for professional shoppers to exist to help others. All I can say is that perhaps I’ve given a different look at the myth that all women universally love to shop. Though, maybe with a little training, encouragement, and a blank check... who knows?!
Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com
The Jewish Home | MAY 11, 2017
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