C14 HAMODIA 29 TEVES 5774 JANUARY 1, 2014 Community  : Ruach in the Windy City Chicago Rabbinical Council Hosts Yom Iyun for Shochtim On Wednesday, December 25, the Chicago Rabbinical Council hosted a yom iyun for all shochtim who operate under their hash- gachah. Thirty shochtim from communities across the country, including Lakewood, New York, St. Louis, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Chicago attended the confer- Zechariah Wallerstein engages the crowd of over 500 at the ATT’s ence. community lecture. The day began with an oppor- tunity for the shochtim to show their chalafim (shechitah knives) to the heads of the CRC — Harav Harav Gedalia Dov Schwartz (R) and Harav Yona Reiss (L) checking chalafim Gedalia Dov Schwartz, shlita, at the cRc yom iyun for shochtim. Rosh Beis Din, and Harav Yona Reiss, Av Beis Din. “It is a time-honored tradition that shochtim show their knives to the Rav of the city, as a sign of respect and involvement with the Rav. The presentation also pro- vided the opportunity for the shochtim and the Rabbanim to shmooze and develop a stronger kesher,” explained Rabbi Sholem Pre-1A talmidim at the Veitzener Cheder found “frogs everywhere,” just as the Fishbane, kashrus administrator Mitzriyim did. for the cRc and coordinator of the yom iyun. The first lecture of the day fea- Rabbi Avi Bloch, cRc regional manager, and Rabbi Zvi Fishbane, at the cRc yom tured Harav Reiss, who discussed iyun for shochtim. various she’eilos relating to melichah — the removal of the blood from the animal through salting. Rabbi Zvi Fishbane then dis- cussed the question of whether veal today can possibly be consid- ered a “beheimah gasah,” which would significantly change the industry for veal meat. “It is my goal to have this issue looked at seriously by the beis din of the AKO (Associated Kashrus Organization) and the major Poskim in kashrus today,” asserted Rabbi Eliezer Gifter, rebbi in the Veitzener Cheder, speaking to Yeshivas Tiferes Rabbi Sholem Fishbane. L-R: Harav Gedalia Schwartz, Rosh Beis Din; Harav Shlomo Amar, Rishon Tzvi talmidim about his grandfather, the Telsher Rosh Yeshivah, Harav Rabbi Ayson Ganeles then dis- LeTzion, and Harav Sholem Fishbane, addressing the cRc yom iyun for Mordechai Gifter, zt”l, on his yahrtzeit. cussed the question of knives in a shochtim. slaughterhouse, and whether they Associated Talmud ing to work from that point, can be used for both kosher and Rabbi Shimon Indig discussed Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein focused Torahs Hosts Rabbi while showing trust at all treif meat. various points in regard to hilchos on issues related to nikur — the Zechariah Wallerstein times. Rabbi Wallerstein illus- Rabbi Yedidya Ohayon from treifos, and the need for commu- removal of the veins in the hind On Motzoei Shabbos, trated this idea effectively Lakewood delivered divrei hesped nity Rabbanim to be more knowl- quarter. The question arises as to December 21, over 500 com- through various life experi- on Rabbi Chaim Kein, z”l, a edgeable in the different she’eilos where the hindquarter begins — munity members attended a ences he shared with the audi- shochet for the cRc who was that arise. somewhere between the 12th and lecture sponsored by the ence. recently niftar. Rabbi Shimon Afenzer and Continued on page C15 Associated Talmud Torahs fea- This lecture is part of the turing Rabbi Zechariah ATT’s expanded program Wallerstein of Ohr Naava. The designed to address the needs lecture was entitled “You Can’t of our community. For more 982-2500 or [email protected]. please contact 773-973-6557 N’shei Meor HaTorah Get Where You Are Going information contact the or [email protected]. Special Event Until You Leave Where You Associated Talmud Torahs of Women’s Health Forum N’shei Meor HaTorah invites Are At.” Chicago at 773-973-2828. On Sunday, January 12, She’eilah of the Week the Chicago community to The presentation was NILI — Chicago Institute of Congregation Adas “FOCUS,” a Chinese Auction informative as well as enter- Hebrew Theological Women’s Learning will host a Yeshurun invites men of the event to be held on Sunday, taining, as it focused on strate- College’s Gourmet Torah Women’s Health Forum enti- Chicago community to attend January 12, at Agudath Israel of gies for effectively relating to Hebrew Theological tled “Staying Whole — Body the “She’eilah of the Week West Rogers Park. others. Rabbi Wallerstein left College’s next Gourmet Torah and Soul.” Shiur” on Thursdays from Men’s viewing hours will be the audience with the impor- at Shallots Bistro will take This event will be held from 8:45-9:30 p.m. Rabbi Zev from 5:00-6:00 p.m. At 6:00 tant message that one must be place on Thursday, January 2, 9:00-11:15 a.m. at the Wi-Fi Cohen will analyze a contem- p.m., Mrs. Etka Gitel Schwartz, willing to examine one’s beliefs from 12:35-1:15. Rabbi Pinchas Building, 8170 McCormick porary halachic she’eilah noted author, will give a writer’s and feelings to explore the pos- Zusis will speak on Boulevard in Skokie, and will beginning with the Gemara workshop entitled “The Pen Is sibility of self-growth and “Understanding the Exodus.” feature Aliza Rosenbaum, through Shulchan Aruch and Mightier Than the Sword” to change. Complimentary appetizers Tami Drapkin, Lynn Kraft, Poskim, concluding with the women of all ages. Women’s auc- In order for this to happen, as well as a discounted menu Jennie Rothner, Tziporah halachah l’maaseh. Each week tion viewing and prize drawings it is sometimes necessary for will be available for shiur par- Gelman and Dr. Amy Kaissar. is independent and open to all. will take place from 7:00-9:00 the “mainstream” person ticipants. Men and women are Chairwomen will be Elissa For more information please p.m. A lavish dessert buffet will (Rabbi, parent, teacher, princi- invited to attend. For more Weissberg and Wendy call the shul office, 773-465- be served. For more information pal, mentor) to accept anoth- information please contact Margolin. 2288, or email please call 773-465-0419, or visit er’s current status and be will- Rabbi Joshua Zisook at 847- For more information [email protected]. www.ymhtauction.org. Community 29 TEVES 5774 JANUARY 1, 2014 HAMODIA C15  Chicago: Ruach in the Windy City

Agudath Israel of Midwest Biennial Convention

Harav Mattisyahu Salamon speaking at the keynote address on A partial view of the crowd of over 1,800 people at the Motzoei A view of the dais at the Agudath Israel of Illinois Midwest Motzoei Shabbos at the Agudath Israel of Illinois Midwest Shabbos keynote address. Biennial Convention. Biennial Convention. Yom Iyun for Shochtim Continued from page C14 13th rib. They also discussed the inner and outer skirt. When buy- ing meat, especially rib meat or skirt steak, one should be aware of the practice of the certifying agency. Rabbi Avi Bloch, regional man- ager of Kansas slaughterhouses, highlighted preferred methods for sharpening knives. Harav Gedalia Dov Schwartz discussed the ideal portion of the throat on which to perform she- chitah, and how to respond to owners of the slaughterhouse who pressure shochtim to shecht at higher than optimum points of the throat in order to save them money. The assembled were very pleasantly surprised and honored by a visit from Harav Shlomo Amar, shlita, Rishon LeTzion, who is currently visiting Chicago. Harav Amar, who himself is a major expert in shechitah and the halachos of nikur, gave an inspir- ing and informative shiur on vari- ous issues relating to nikur, focus- ing on some of the differences between Sephardim and Ashkenazim in this area. The shiur was very well received by the shochtim. In an open forum, shochtim shared their thoughts and ideas on areas in which shechitah can be improved. In the final segment of the program, Rabbi Sholem Fishbane presented a synopsis of USDA requirements, especially in the area of humane slaughter and remaining sensitive to the pain of animals. The yom iyun was very suc- cessful and well received by all participants. Shiurim were on a high level, as presenters delved deeply into the sugyos, with much shakla v’tarya among the shochtim. As Rabbi Sholem Fishbane stated, “The goals of the yom iyun were to both provide a forum to discuss different issues that arise during the shechitah process and to provide chizuk to the shochtim, who display great devotion to a hard — and often thankless — job. We were very successful in both aspects.”