Kosher 911 At

See Page 6 $1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 11 NO. 16 24 TEVES 5771 trtu ,arp DECEMBER 31, 2010

INSIDE FROM THE UNITY AND THE SMR DEBATE EDITOR Elon For Ilan Rochelle Maruch Miller 36 BY LARRY GORDON

Stuttering This was probably the reverse Uri Schneider, CCC-SLP 61 of one of those lavish testimoni- al gala dinners that laud the Baby Flat Head Syndrome accomplishments of their guests Rochelle B. Silberman 68 of honor until they cannot Rabbinate And Politics endure the praise and accolades. Nison Gordon, z’l 74 In this instance, the guest of honor sits in a medium-security Eating Disorders prison cell as the community on Tanya Berg, RD, CDN 75 the outside—that would be us— works vociferously to seek justice while making certain that the jail cell key is not thrown away, leaving him stranded for Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the Novominsker Rebbe, addresses the community rally in support of justice for Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin. The event filled Congregation Kneseth Israel in Far Rockaway last Wednesday evening. Continued on Page 4

WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW BUT DON’T HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE

BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN name of Yoel Lorberbaum, apologizes for his “sharp tone” Kosher 911 At JFK Last week’s Five Towns which he laments is “a necessi- Jewish Times featured an opin- ty in light of the content” of BY LARRY GORDON Ohel at the Garment Center ion piece that judged a recent my article. Synagogue. See Page 50 essay of mine in Ami Magazine His apology is accepted—at Yanky Brach fiddled with the “mind-bogglingly deceptive” least with regard to his tone. tight plastic wrap on yet anoth- and that characterized me as He didn’t offer an apology for er stylishly-laid-out platter of assuming readers are “half-wit- misleading readers, though, cold cuts, this one on the floor ted” and accused me of inflict- and so forgiveness on that of Terminal 4 at JFK Airport in ing on them “slick propagan- front will have to remain in Queens. It was Monday evening, da” on behalf of President reserve for now. a day that the snowstorm, or Obama and of “abandon[ing] Rabbi Benzion Klatzko (L) and Israel.” The writer, going by the Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 10 Yanky Brach at JFK. A Blizzard Barbecue Hamas And PERSPECTIVE The Holocaust REALLY COUNTS Boxer Dmitriy Salita in the B Y SAMUEL SOKOL Knesset. See Page 57 MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT Our Aliyah Chronicle B Y SHMUEL KA T Z Hamas last week denounced a United Nations effort to edu- As the “holiday season” cate students from the Gaza approaches, we once again pre- P

h Strip about the Holocaust, call- pare for the arrival of overseas o t o B

y ing an UNRWA program in visitors who come to Israel over A v r a h which selected high-school the vacation. It is an exciting a m T z

v students were brought abroad time for me personally, because i M a r k to tour Holocaust memorials I get to visit with some former The Braun brothers, students at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, enjoy a snack at the block’s barbecue on Seagirt Boulevard celebrating the blizzard of 2010. Continued on Page 23 Continued on Page 22

MK Tzipi Hotovely to speak at One Israel Fund dinner. See Page 24

CANDLE LIGHTING Dec. 31 – 4:19 PM Jan. 7 – 4:25 PM P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 516-984-0079 [email protected] [email protected] LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Publisher/Editor Managing Editor YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON Sales Managers CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Editorial Assistant SIDI BARON DOV GORDON YAKOV SERLE Sales Representatives SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, Yoni Glatt Toby Klein Greenwald, Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Ron Jager Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, Shmuel Katz Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller Elke Probkevitz, Dr. Rachael Schindler Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Rabbi Avi Shafran Rabbi Ben Tzion Shaﬁer, Rabbi Meir Orlian Eli Shapiro, Dr. Ari Sher, Samuel Sokol ELISHEVA ELEFANT Staff Graphic Artist IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Staff Photographers FRANKEL & CO. Design & Production TALIYE CORLEY Art Director

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2 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 3 FROM THE EDITOR tence in a situation where the prosecutors Continued from Front Cover in his bank-fraud case asked for a 25-year sentence. This, as you have read here and the next two and a half decades. in countless other forums, is the story of a The event, long in the planning, drew first-time offender, where similar cases upward of 2,000 people on a blustery win- exposed to the justice system that ended ter night on the Far Rockaway–Five Towns in conviction resulted in sentences of border. The location was Congregation three and a half years on average. Kneseth Israel—the White Shul—a convenient location with spacious rooms in addition to its main sanctuary, which was filled beyond capacity on this evening He wasn’t drawing a with both a multiplicity of supporters and a great deal of hope. specific parallel to the The announcement that our community would flex its economic muscle to case of Jonathan Pollard, do our part to supply the large sums of but stated clearly that money needed for the ongoing legal appeal of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin’s the attorneys 27-year sentence was roundly supported and signed on to by 36 community rabbis representing Mr. Pollard and roshei yeshiva. Few if any of us were there to call for for years have never special treatment for Mr. Rubashkin taken any fees at all. because he is one of us—an Orthodox Jew. We would not suggest that a special brand of justice be reserved for one of our own, even someone who is well known for his charitable heart and profound acts of kind- Jews in communities around the coun- ness that reached into all communities. try that have rallied to Mr. Rubashkin’s Still there were, surprisingly, leaders case do so because they are particularly who were skeptical and chose not to sign shocked and even stunned at what looks on or participate in this very special like “special justice” that has been dis- evening. Call it rare or even impossible for pensed in this case. our Jewish community—or even any com- Amongst the speakers at last week’s munity, anywhere in the world—to Rubashkin rally was one of his attorneys, approach an issue with a united stance, Brad Tollman, a former U.S. Attorney from regardless of how heart-rending or emo- the state of Utah. He’s not a rabbi, not a tional the issue or case may be. member of the Orthodox Jewish commu- And that is the Rubashkin case. A 51- year-old man has been given a 27-year sen- Continued on Page 8

4 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 5 6 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 7 FROM THE EDITOR feeling is that this is not an issue for K’lal Continued from Page 4 Yisrael, the entire Jewish community, to rally behind. nity or any Jewish community. Tollman is Another rabbi, who asked not to be not Jewish, but is a longtime prosecutor identified, said, “Of course we are con- who has worked on some of this country’s cerned about the well-being of every Jew, most notorious criminal cases. He told but we also need to be concerned about the audience that he was astonished by the great chillul Hashem that was commit- the nature of the injustice delivered by ted here instead of calling for the commu- the court in the Rubashkin case and that nity to utilize all its resources to turn Mr. he is working with a legal team to have Rubashkin into a martyr.” that verdict overturned and hoping to win About the fact that Rubashkin received a Mr. Rubashkin the opportunity to proper- stiff 27-year sentence while his cellmate, ly defend himself at a new trial. who was convicted of murder, is serving a While the organizers of the rally in the sentence of 18 years, Rabbi Kalish says that Five Towns and Far Rockaway communi- he has spoken with criminal attorneys ties believed that this was one issue that who indicated to him that an oddity today had the ability to bring the entire diverse in American jurisprudence is that not infre- Orthodox community together, they quently crimes like bank fraud are dealt quickly found out otherwise. And it was- with more harshly than even murder. n’t because—as some might speculate— Some of the rabbis and community that Rubashkin is ultra-Orthodox or origi- leaders we spoke with over the last few nally from the Lubavitch community in days said that they thought the language in Crown Heights. That might be an issue for the original document protesting the some people, but for two of the rabbinical harshness of the sentence also intimated a leaders that we spoke to this week who rationalization that subtly condoned crim- refused to sign on to the campaign with inal activity, which is something they felt 36 other rabbis and roshei yeshiva, there uncomfortable with and could not afford are deeper issues associated with the case to sign on to. that profoundly impact on the image and Indeed, on the day of the event last future of the overall Jewish community. week at the White Shul, Rabbi Kalish, “I did not sign on to the original procla- along with several of his colleagues at the mation,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Kalish, rav Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, including the of Bais Medrash of Harbor View, “but that rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yechiel Perr, signed a does not mean that I do not have tremen- letter that was e-mailed to parents of the dous compassion for Mr. Rubashkin and yeshiva urging them to attend the rally for his family; I certainly do.” He added that Mr. Rubashkin. There were differences after researching the totality of the case, even amongst this small group of col- he came to the conclusion that while Mr. leagues on the language of the endorse- Rubashkin may have been dealt with ment letter. One version of the letter severely and even with judicial excess, his requested that people have mercy and

8 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES help Mr. Rubashkin in light of the harsh prison sentence he received, while one rabbi did not want to address the issue of the sentence, because, despite its severity, it was within the sentencing guidelines laid down by the system. Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, publisher and editor of the popular Yated Ne’eman, who has almost single-handedly undertaken to champion this cause of redress- ing what has occurred to Mr. Rubashkin and has organized a multiplicity of similar rallies around the New York area, says that this group has drawn a misguided conclusion about the case and that Rubashkin was singled out in such a fashion that clearly smacks of discriminatory conduct. He says that a number of legal professionals—including six former attorneys general of the United States—have pointed out that the case features indulgence on the part of the judge in judicial overzealous- ness. Rabbi Lipschutz also added that he is more surprised at the assumption of this position from rabbis on the right than the refusal of rabbis identified as non-chareidi and more to the left. The rabbi I mentioned earlier who felt that being identified by name would not be helpful in making the sorrowful Rubashkin situation better, is more of a centrist. He felt that in this instance a public rally is not the proper way to pro- ceed. And he added that it was his feeling, and that of the Torah sages that he con- fers with, that the Rubashkin situation is not pidyon shvuyim, or a classic case of seeking the release of someone wrongful- ly held or imprisoned. As for the claim from leading Torah luminaries that this case was unmitigated pidyon shvuyim, the rabbi recalled the days in the 1970s and 1980s when three million Jews were being held in the Soviet Union, with the Kremlin refusing to let them go. “We approached the Moetzes Gedolei Torah at that time,” he said, “and they told us that they were opposed to public demonstrations and rallies, and preferred working quietly behind the scenes to make progress on releasing those millions of captives,” he noted. This rabbi indicated too that he greatly empathizes with the Rubashkins and the ordeal that they are enduring. But he said what the rally for Rubashkin amounted to was strictly raising money for legal fees. He wasn’t drawing a specific parallel to the case of Jonathan Pollard, but stated clearly that the attorneys representing Mr. Pollard for years have never taken any fees at all. “There’s a problem in our community,” the rabbi said, “and that is that it’s OK to play fast and loose with the law.” He added, “We need to teach our children, the next generation, first and foremost, respect for the law.” The debate and the bickering will not change the bitter reality for a man with a wife and ten children who continues to languish in prison. The scholarly delibera- tions and analysis on our halachic obligations are a wonderful cerebral indulgence. But it seems to the average man or woman in the street who attended that rally and who reads all the literature available on the subject of Rubashkin that the debate is a wonderful and even interesting project, but there is a time for scholar- ship and a time for action. More than anything, we need those in leadership positions to decide which one this is. O Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 9 BAGEL STORE Continued from Front Cover blizzard, or whichever you prefer, wreaked havoc with many of our daily routines. With so many businesses shut down by the weather and all the late- morning minyanim in our shuls, this snowy Monday quickly began to garner that Sunday or long-weekend feeling. “I received a call early Sunday morning asking me if I could put together a quick breakfast for a hundred people and deliver it to a home in Far Rockaway,” Mr. Brach said. As you may have read, with thousands of flights unable to depart from New York–area airports, travelers were left with the option of either hunkering down on the floor of the airline terminal, surrounded Yanky Brach and some of the stranded passengers grateful for his and the community’s generous hospitality by their luggage or, if possible, returning during their ordeal at JFK Airport resulting from this week’s snow storm. home and hoping that things would be clear by the next day. But for over 200 young men and ate challenge. The group was composed twenties looking for inspiration, adven- from taking off if it is at all humanly pos- women gathered at JFK and waiting for of a confluence of kiruv organizations, ture, or both as they prepared to spend sible. Despite the strong winds and the their Sunday-evening flight to Israel to including Aish HaTorah, Ohr Somayach, their winter break in the Holy Land. sometimes-blinding snow, the Israel- take off, the lingering in the terminal and Shabbat.com. They were mostly A frequent traveler at JFK told me that bound 747 pulled back from its berth and began to border on turning into a desper- young people in their late teens or early the conditions rarely stop El Al flights began to slowly taxi down the runway. A young man who was aboard the jet said that it started and stopped several times until it came to a full stop and then did not move for hours. The groups boarded the plane on Sunday at 7 p.m. and were on the runway, the jet’s wheels stuck in the snow that quickly turned to ice, until 3 a.m. Monday morning, when they moved back to the terminal and were allowed to leave the plane. As the sun rose and the new day dawned, there were thousands of people milling around JFK. One thing became rapidly clear: many of the food shops and coffee vendors were unable to make it into the airport to open their shops. The result was nothing to drink—no coffee, no water—and no food. That’s when an e- mail went out from one of the group leaders, Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, asking if anyone nearby would be able to help them out. This is the point where disparate individuals and small groups, unbeknownst to one another but harboring that spirit and burning desire to reach out and help others in need, sprang into action on a snowy morning. Amongst them was Izzy Grossman of Lawrence, who received the e-mail communication and was waiting at the entrance of Brach’s for them to open. He and his kids filled up a shopping wagon with foodstuffs and made it through the snow-covered streets to Terminal 4 to begin handing out food. In the meantime, members of the Wolfson and Safir families in Far Rockaway contacted Yanky Brach about the food. Together they mobilized friends to drive their minivans and SUVs to the airport to bring some of the young people to their homes to shower and rest a bit before returning to JFK. Word began to spread on various websites. The Brach’s team furnished breakfast to the two homes where some of the people had gathered and also made a run to the airport with water, milk, cereal, cakes, snacks, juice, and soda. They staked out a spot in the corner of Terminal 4 and set up shop. Later in the day and with the flight first rescheduled for 7 p.m. and then delayed to 9 p.m., others started to pitch in. Yossi Farber purchased 20 pizza pies and delivered them to the terminal. Later 10 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES in the day, in addition to an impressive spread displayed by Brach’s, Carlos & Gabby’s also pitched in with a few dozen chicken wraps. At about 6 p.m., I accompanied Yanky Brach and Eli Shapiro (an occasional columnist here and a board member at the White Shul), along with Mr. Brach’s assistant, Moshe Glaser, to JFK to deliver dinner. We helped transport boxes filled with food from the SUV that brought us to the airport. As we entered through the front doors of the terminal, I was instantly struck with the idea that something was amiss. There were long lines strung around, people lying on the floor trying to get some rest. As we stepped our way through the crowd, the language I heard spoken around us was mostly Arabic. That was because we were passing by the Emirate Airlines counter, which was followed by the Qatar Airlines counter. A few steps away from the entrance to the International Synagogue was a man stretched out, fast asleep, with his head resting on his suitcase. Inside the shul there was a chassidic man of whom I inquired in Yiddish where he was from and how long he had been in the terminal. He said he was from Jerusalem, was trying to get home, and at about 6 p.m. on Monday he had already been in Terminal 4 for over 30 hours. Yanky, Eli, and others began to lay out the food in the corner of the terminal, not far from where the remnants of the refuse from breakfast and lunch were still in evidence. In one corner were cereal boxes and milk, bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice. No one had col- lected any garbage in the terminal all day long. Nor was there any evidence of any kind of security, either outside or inside the terminal. I was thinking that the surveillance in this terminal is so professional and so comprehensive that you cannot even tell whether it was there or not. But then we pushed in one of those wagons that the skycaps use, piled way over all our heads with cartons stuffed with food. No one asked us what we were doing, where we were going, or what was in the boxes. There wasn’t a skycap anywhere in evidence to tell us that we were not allowed to commandeer his equipment. There was lots of snow outside and I think the skycaps stayed home. By this time the word was out—the culinary angels from Brach’s, Carlos & Gabby’s, David’s Pizza, and Gourmet Glatt were back with more good food to eat. Two young ladies walked up to Yanky and me and asked him if he was the person who was bringing the food in all day long. “You don’t understand how much this means to us,” one of the young ladies said. “We had no idea where our next small bit of food was going to come from, and then this. This is way more than any of us expected, and we just wanted to say that we will always remember this and cannot express how grateful we all are.” One of the group leaders from Baltimore, Rabbi Aaron Eisemann, who had been at JFK since early Sunday afternoon, told me as he placed a Carlos & Gabby’s wrap on a plate alongside some Brach’s southern fried chicken, “It’s been worthwhile being stranded here in the airport just to be a part of this great kid-

Continued on Page 26 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 11

delivered to her last night! Thank you, here helpless in Arizona, it is so wonder- thank you again. ful to know that others cared enough to Allison provide food for our children. It certainly was the highlight of their day. You are Dear Mr. Brach, very special in our eyes. Thank you for Please accept my sincere todah rab- being there for us. bah for your generous offerings of Sincerely, food and refreshments for the stu- Irene and Leonard Magerman Brach’s To the Rescue! It was a great mitzvah that sets an amazing dents who were stuck at JFK. May Dear Mr. Brach, example for the rest of our community. Hashem return upon you the many Dear Mr. Brach, As the executive director of the Thank You, kindnesses you have demonstrated to My daughter Gaby was so excited to Hasbara Fellowships program of Aish Netanella Refael stranded strangers. receive so much food from you and your HaTorah, I want to send a tremendous New York Campus Coordinator Stan Reichgott friends yesterday. She had been in the air- thank you to Brach’s Five Towns Hasbara Fellowships Brookline, Massachusetts port for so long, and although we had Supermarket for their tremendous chesed packed her two bagels, that did not last and ahavas Yisrael. Hi and thank you to the wonderful Dear Mr. Brach, very long. She really appreciated the food. Hasbara Fellowships had 70 students New York community, Thank you so much for your extreme Please accept our sincerest gratitude. and staff stuck at JFK airport due to the Thank you for taking the time and the kindness today! You made us a lot happi- Best wishes, terrible weather conditions. Our students effort to take care of our young adults at er in this uneasy time! Paula Gantz and staff were supposed to leave on a the airport. I am a parent in Chicago, def- Thanks, 6:00 p.m. flight to Israel on Sunday initely used to travel and used to snow— Erica Feldman Hi, evening (Dec. 26) and as of Monday but not as much snow as you have wit- I am one of the Hasbara fellows stuck evening, they had still not left the airport! nessed in the last day or so. My family is Dear Mr. Brach, in JFK and I just wanted to say thank you After having heard about the situa- grateful to the bond our Jewish people Thanks so much for your amazing gen- again so much for all of your help in tion, Brach’s 5 Towns Supermarket sent have and grateful to all you have done for erosity! Your community made a bad sit- feeding us! You made us all feel at home food, drinks, snacks, etc. to the group as our college students. uation into an enjoyable time with food away from home; your kindness was there was no kosher food available in The tears were rolling through my cell and conversation! Thanks so much :) really a blessing. the airport. phone from my daughter. She has never Sarah Neubauer Thanks again, This is a tremendous chesed, especially experienced such a travel dilemma. The Karen Reichgott in light that these students are going to food and the treats definitely helped cure Jack Brach and everyone involved who Israel to learn more about their Jewish the tears. sent food for our families, Dear Friends, identity and connection. What a kiddush Thank you for all that you have done. Earlier our daughter told us that the I can’t thank you enough for your gen- Hashem to start their trip with this amaz- They have arrived safely in Tel Aviv this Five Towns Jewish Community had sent erosity and fast action in delivering all ing act of ahavas Yisrael! morning so all is well. food for delayed passengers at the El Al these goods to the children at JFK. It Thank you to Brach’s and everyone Best Regards terminal. It brought tears to my eyes. warms our hearts to know that they are else who helped make this happen. Helaine Katz-Ratskoff She is one of the campus leaders travel- being taken care of and getting all the Sincerely, ing with the Hasbara Fellowship goods you have delivered. Elliot Mathias Hi Jack, Program. Each of those students has Thanks so much Dear Mr. Brach, Just wanted you to know that my parents somewhere across the U.S. or Liat’s parents (Berkeley, CA) Hasbara Fellowships greatly appreciat- daughter called me, totally astonished Canada worrying and waiting for their ed the food that you brought to us today. and hysterical, when her lasagna was safe trip to Israel and back. As we sit Continued on Page 18

12 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES What We Think very real sense, Mr. Lorberbaum vividly whether it would advance to the quoted by JTA on May 6 as characteriz- Continued from Front Cover confirmed my thesis. International Criminal Court, which— ing the reports as distortions. Mr. Oren He also, rightly, insists that intellectual thanks, at least in part, to the White reportedly told a private group, among What seemed to particularly exercise integrity and truth should be sacrosanct. House, it didn’t. A White House official, other things, that unofficial meetings the writer was my “manipulation” of I agree. And so now to the “buts” in Mr. moreover, stated that the Obama admin- like the one at issue (it was held only readers with a presentation of laudable Lorberbaum’s piece. istration would use the U.S. veto at the when the president’s plans for an over- moves by a president regarding Israel and The very writer quoted by him as neg- UN Security Council to deal with any “dif- seas visit were put on hold) do not religious rights before identifying the atively interpreting an Obama adminis- ficulties” arising out of the report. include photo-ops; that Mr. Netanyahu mover as our current commander-in- tration representative’s silence at one The administration also told the did not enter, as some had claimed, chief. That, Mr. Lorberbaum contends, is point during a Durban Conference draft- Palestinian Authority that Washington through the back door but the front “the technique” of “tricking the reader,” a ing meeting, Anne Bayefsky, mere weeks was not pleased with a PA petition to one; and that the Israeli prime minister, “ruse” that enticed people to actually read later (in a March 17, 2009 column) bring the report’s allegations against not the president, ended the first part of further. I thought it was creative and acknowledged the clear and principled Israel to the International Criminal the meeting. effective writing. Propaganda, I suppose, The Israeli ambassador also said that is in the eye—no matter how jaun- his relations with top U.S. officials diced—of the beholder. were “as good as or better” than his Nothing in my list was remotely inac- predecessors’. curate, of course. Mr. Lorberbaum con- Propaganda,I suppose, is in the Mr. Lorberbaum derides Mr. Obama for cedes as much by quoting each item and opposing settlement construction in then commenting “true, but . . .” or “yes, Israel and backing the “two state” solu- but . . .” I will get to the “buts” below, but eye—no matter how jaundiced— tion. Whatever any of us may think of want to point out at the outset that my either of those positions, they have been essay posited that the items I listed are of the beholder. part of American policy for long before unrecognized by many among us. My sus- Mr. Obama appeared on the scene. picions were in fact borne out by the Mr. Lorberbaum writes that I large number of responses I received to “accus[ed]” my “own constituency” of my Ami essay from people—some admir- being anti-black. Although I have in fact ers of Mr. Obama, some who are not par- conditions for the conference set down Court; and that the administration con- encountered racism, disturbingly, among ticularly pleased with him—who by the administration, and the fact that sidered the report flawed from its con- some Orthodox Jews and did raise the acknowledged that they had not known the conditions had not been met. And, as ception because it presumed Israel had issue in my essay, it was, pointedly, in the of the facts I recounted, and that they a result, Mr. Obama did not allow our committed war crimes and ignored context of stating my hope and belief considered them important to be taken country to participate in the Durban gath- Hamas’s role in prompting the war that prejudice plays no part in the ani- into account. ering—because he felt Israel would be through its rocket fire into Israel. mus for Mr. Obama in some of our cir- And that, as it happens, was all that my unfairly targeted for criticism. “Look what he [Mr. Obama] did to cles. As to my “constituency,” the writer article—which used Mr. Obama only as a Mr. Lorberbaum also claims that I was Netanyahu on that visit!” exclaims Mr. mistakenly implies (both there and else- “hook”—was intended to do: remind mistaken in stating that the Obama Lorberbaum, presumably referring to where) that my Ami column is written in readers (and myself) that it doesn’t administration rejected the Goldstone reports that the president treated the my role as Agudath Israel’s public affairs behoove a Jew to make judgments with- Report, citing our ambassador to the UN Israeli prime minister shabbily during director. That is not true. As my self-intro- out weighing all the evidence, and that, as expecting it to remain before the an unscheduled meeting in the summer. duction in Ami’s pages to its readership particularly regarding politics, we do that Human Rights Council. Well, yes. That’s Perhaps he did, but Israeli Ambassador all too often and all too vociferously. In a where the report was born. The issue was Michael Oren didn’t think so. He was Continued on Page 15

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 13 Rabbi Shafran’s Hechsher On Obama

BY YOEL LORBERBAUM Holocaust or names streets after mur- two cases where reputable journals approval” has been placed on someone derers of children? The conversation crossed that line.” who has a track record of stopping settle- Before we get to an analysis of the has shifted. Who cares if murderers of The Washington Post reporter pressed ments and, in all probability, trying to “facts” as presented by Rabbi Avi Shafran children get a hero’s welcome home? him further: “Can Israel put the genie ultimately cede a good part of concerning both the Obama administra- What is perhaps worst of all is that we back in the bottle?” He sighed and Yerushalayim and Har HaBayis to a tion’s behind-the-scenes jousting regard- made it happen. paused. “I don’t know.” Palestinian state that he envisions him- ing Israel and its general record on Israel, Thomas Friedman is so enamored of And the shift in conversation is get- self having a hand in creating. a short introduction may be in order. the shift that for the first time he felt ting more and more dangerous. The What is particularly disturbing is that Rabbi Shafran speaks of wisdom—of confident enough to give a vicious terms “two-state solution” and a “right the Shafran piece appeared on the Cross- knowing what one does not know. tongue-lashing to the head of the Israeli of return” for Palestinian Arabs and Currents.com website (“Our Not-So- When exploring wisdom, however, it consulate in New York. their descendants are bandied about Humble Opinions,” December 19) with- behooves us to begin with what we do In a recent interview with the more and more. The moratoriums on out chance for a response—comments know. And what we do know is that in are closed, thank you. It is up for every- regard to Israel, the conversation is slow- one to read, but alas no dissenting voice ly but surely changing. is permitted. This is not the forum of Those of us old enough to remember, The United States pulled out at the learned and intellectual discourse; it is recall a time when murderers of inno- more reminiscent of propaganda. cent children and civilians were not wel- And, to borrow a phrase from the come in polite circles. No longer. Now end, thankfully. But a boycott? president, “Make no mistake,” Rabbi they are welcomed with open arms. Shafran’s endowing the Obama adminis- Those of us old enough to remember, tration with a hechsher and seal of recall a time when Menachem Begin Hardly. approval on all matters of Israel is a refused to deal with the Yossi Sarids of colossal error. Primarily this is because the world because they undermined the the president’s previous attacks on Israel country and wanted to take a chunk of have eroded the bipartisan support that the heartland of Israel. They wanted to Washington Post, Israeli Ambassador building and settlements in our own Israel used to enjoy. give it to the Palestinian leaders—lead- Michael Oren noticed it as well. He said land and the artificial distinction As Caroline Glick has previously ers who were not quite like Ghandi; that he used to be asked if the “Israel between east Jerusalem and west pointed out, in the midst of the Obama leaders with blood indelibly stained on lobby” existed. Now, he said, “I’m asked Jerusalem shift it, too. administration’s assault on Israel over their hands. what the Israel lobby thinks. And they’re And, truth be told, irresponsible arti- construction for Jews in Jerusalem, 327 The shift has most assuredly hap- not talking about AIPAC. They are talking cles such as the one penned by the gen- congressmen signed a letter to Secretary pened. Now, more and more people about some shadowy group of bankers erally well-regarded Rabbi Shafran serve of State Hillary Clinton calling for an end argue for the reality of putting Eretz and people who control the media.” He this cause well. to the public attacks on the Israeli gov- Yisrael on the chopping block. Who continued, “I’m not a Middle East media- Articles such as R’ Shafran’s shift the cares if the Palestinian leader denies the watch person,” but there were “one or conversation in that a “hechsher of Continued on Page 16

14 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES What We Think Mr. Lorberbaum begrudging- for President Obama. I wrote done for Israel and for the Part of wisdom is knowing Continued from Page 13 ly acknowledges the president’s clearly that “there may well be cause of religious freedom in what one doesn’t know. And part request of Congress (later grant- reasons to feel negatively our country. And I used the of modesty is acting accordingly. clearly states: ed) to approve an unprecedent- toward the current administra- example to illustrate my essay’s And part of propriety, it occurs My work here, however, will ed missile defense package for tion (certainly many people, and essential point: to me, is hakaras ha’tov, recogniz- consist of personal, not organiza- Israel. “But let’s not forget,” the they are hardly limited to our So often we seem to feel a ing the good others have done for tional, commentary, musings and writer chides knowingly, “this community, do). History will need to embrace absolute, take- one. So I would like to thank the the occasional Torah thought. was right before the November have its say in time.” no-prisoners political opinions; to editor of the Five Towns Jewish I will continue to put forth the election . . .” I simply called attention to reject any possibility of ambiva- Times for giving me the opportu- Agudah’s official positions in It was in May. how some people seem so bent lence, much less any admission nity to present some facts here— other venues above my name There’s more, but I’m not (for reasons I honestly don’t of ignorance. and “Mr. Lorberbaum” for, even if and organizational title. Here, inclined to take even more understand) on disliking him Certitude is proper, even vital, inadvertently, confirming my though, my name alone will space here. It’s time for a reality that they focus on real or imag- in some areas of life. But in the essay’s point. O appear, and it will be my person- check. So, some more truth: ined negative actions of his and realm of politics it can be, in fact utterly ignore (if they even are Rabbi Shafran writes here as a al thoughts and points of view I bear no personal (and cer- usually is, an expression of over- columnist and editor-at-large at Ami that I share. tainly no organizational) brief aware of) positive things he has confidence or worse. Magazine.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 15 • “Mr. Lorberbaum also claims that I the host country and your own country, Mr. Obama in some of our circles.” Hechsher On Obama was mistaken in stating that the Obama so what is going on here? It’s called I am sorry, but this is Terrible with a Continued from Page 14 administration rejected the Goldstone “patching things up.” This is what ambas- capital “T.” This is melamed z’chus on ernment. Of the 102 members that Report, citing our ambassador to the UN sadors do. Oren claiming that “no photo- K’lal Yisrael ? Readers are at a loss refused to sign the letter, 94 were as expecting it to remain before the ops” is the norm on non-state visits is whether to respond with “How dare he?” Democrats. Human Rights Council. Well, yes. That’s just posturing. It isn’t true and wasn’t or “How could he?” To lay aside that Jews R’ Shafran’s hechsher opens the door where the report was born.” true at last year’s visit either. are concerned about his track record and for more of this. Sorry again. Congress rejected the R’ Shafran knows that it was a snub to claim that it might be the color of our Now, let us get to R’ Shafran’s “facts,” Goldstone report in a November 3, 2009 and also knows that Oren was laudably president’s skin that drives our view of point by point. vote. It was HR 867 and the vote was 344 to trying to patch things up. He is being his record is unconscionable and • “Mr. Obama did not allow our coun- 36. They called on the Obama administra- disingenuous here. requires an apology. try to participate in the Durban gather- tion to reject the report. Obama did make • “Mr. Lorberbaum derides Mr. Obama • R’ Shafran went to pains to point ing—because he felt Israel would be clear that he was uncomfortable with the for opposing settlement construction in out that this article was his own view unfairly targeted for criticism.” Goldstone Report, but, in the words of Israel and backing the “two state” solu- and he was not speaking on Agudah’s Sorry. It was because of pressure, and Israel Today, “refrained from making any tion. Whatever any of us may think of behalf. Two words: “Thank G-d.” the “pullout” was very last-minute. The decisive statements on the matter.” either of those positions, they have been • A last thought for now. The point whole world knew Durban’s track record. When Congress calls on you to do part of American policy for long before was stressed that the missile defense As late as February of 2009, the Obama something, it is indicative that you didn’t Mr. Obama appeared on the scene.” package was good for Israel. It was also administration announced that the State do it yet. Not really. Policies change from pointed out that right before a mid-term Department was sending a delegation to Bottom line is that the president administration to administration. And election in which a president can lose a “engage” in preparatory negotiations did not reject the report. Congress did. realities change too. The rise of Hamas lot of ground in the House and Senate, it February 16–19 for Durban II. This was He did not respond when they called has thrown such a kink into the “two- is prudent to position oneself wisely. R’ just weeks before the conference. him to do the same. R’ Shafran’s use of state solution” that even Egypt and Shafran said, “This was May.” Everyone was scared as to what was the “Well, yes” expression is, I am Jordan are reconsidering it as a viable Yes, it was May. Six months before the going to happen next. “It is weeks sorry to say, deceptive and propagan- option. The world has enough problems election. That’s when you start position- before, and the president still wants to distic in nature. with one Islamist militant state, in Iran. ing yourself wisely according to all polit- participate?” was the hue and cry • Is R’ Shafran seriously trying to Pursuit of these two agendas in these ical advisors. This was exactly on cue. throughout activist circles. And now argue that President Obama didn’t mis- times is dangerous—both for Israel and As noted by Rabbi Shafran at the this whitewash? treat Netanyahu at that March 23, 2010 for the world. R’ Shafran arguing that beginning of his piece, in a previous arti- When Hillary Clinton was running for meeting? I read it again. And again: “they have been part of American policy” cle I had described his article as “mind- president, she said that she would “lead “Perhaps he did [mistreat Bibi], but for a long time is another disingenuous bogglingly deceptive.” a boycott of the conference should cur- Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren didn’t way of arguing. Begrudgingly, this description must rent efforts to rein in the forces of hatred think so.” That’s right. On May 4, he first • R’ Shafran raised the possible accusa- remain, on account of the shortage and fail. We must not accept, condone, or explained that it was not a snub—42 tion that religious Jews disagree with the natural limitations of adequate superla- participate in a conference that can be days later. Obama administration not on his track tives in the English language to describe hijacked by an agenda of hatred, and we In other words, a full six weeks after record but possibly because of racism. He the sheer audacity of the smokescreen. So, must work strenuously to ensure that every paper and media outlet in the writes, “Although I . . . did raise the issue for the time being, it will have to do. O our friends do not do so either.” country reports a snub, it takes six weeks in my essay, it was, pointedly, in the con- The United States pulled out at the to issue a correction? An ambassador’s text of stating my hope and belief that The author may be reached at end, thankfully. But a boycott? Hardly. job is to ensure good relations between prejudice plays no part in the animus for [email protected].

16 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 17 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ered later that he forgot the sandwiches, deliver kosher hot food to the many pas- facts. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu accepted Continued from Page 12 fruit, and cheese we prepared in the sengers who had nothing with them. brain death as death and supported fridge. This morning he trolled the ter- Thank you for thinking of Klal Yisrael at organ donation, as does Rav Zalman minal only to find coffee, kosher pret- this time. Nechemia Goldberg. Period. Full stop. Dear Editor, zels, and hummus. Aviva and David Horowitz Their responsa and articles quoting Please acknowledge Mr. Brach of My husband and I are touched Teaneck, New Jersey them can be found on the website of the Brach’s 5 Towns for his wonderful kind- beyond words at your generosity. While Halachic Organ Donor Society ness in supplying cartloads of food to extremely sleep-deprived, our son and Dear Editor, (www.hods.org). There, one can also find the El Al passengers stranded at his group have been well fed and are so My daughter is part of the Hasbara a video of Rabbi Tzvi Flaum publicly say- Kennedy Airport. appreciative of the outpouring of your fellowship group that was stranded at ing that it is problematic for Jews who Elaine Herskowitz community. Please let us know if there JFK airport due to yesterday’s storm. is a tzedakah to which we can contribute Many thanks to Mr. Brach of Brach’s Dear Mr. Brach [and others who in your honor. (Five Towns) for the chesed that was helped feed our kids at JFK], Really, words cannot thank you shown to our children, delivering deli- CALENDAR Our son is one of the students strand- enough for taking care of these kids. You cious varied wonderful kosher food ed (en route to Israel) at JFK during this not only fed them, but you set an amaz- and treats. As the parent of a stranded snowstorm. He woke up yesterday ing example of what a community is for! child I appreciate it. And thanks for the LUACH morning at 4:00 a.m. in order to try to Kol hakavod and many thanks. timely response. get on a flight from Boston that would Susan Fuld Ms. Lawless leave earlier than the one on which he Dec. 30–Jan. 8 was scheduled because of the impend- Dear Mr. Brach, A Dialogue Regarding Halachic ZIP Code: 11516 ing storm. He has been traveling and On behalf of my daughter and all the Organ Donation stranded since then. stranded passengers at the El Al Dear Editor, 24 Teves Before he left, I was able to talk him Terminal I would like to thank you for The article about brain death and Friday, December 31 into taking some food with him . . . just your most generous delivery of food organ donation written by Dr. Leon Daf yomi: Zevachim 51 in case. He had a couple of bags of trail during the recent storm. As residents of Zacharowicz [“The Truth About Organ Z’manim*: mix, instant soup, and oatmeal. You can NJ we were in a state of emergency and Transplants,” December 17] gives the Earliest tallis/teﬁllin: 6:20 am imagine how upset I was when I discov- unable to travel yet you were able to wrong impression about a number of Sunrise: 7:19 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:02 am Gr’a 9:38 am P’lag ha’minchah: 3:39 pm Candle Lighting: 4:19 pm 25 Teves – Shabbos Saturday, January 1, 2011 Shabbos Parashas Va’eira Blessing of Chodesh Shevat Shabbos ends**: 5:24 pm 72 min. 5:51 pm 1 Shevat Thursday, January 6 Rosh Chodesh Shevat 2 Shevat Friday, January 7 Daf yomi: Zevachim 58 Earliest tallis/teﬁllin: 6:20 am Sunrise: 7:19 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:03 am Gr’a 9:39 am P’lag ha’minchah: 3:44 pm Candle Lighting: 4:25 pm 3 Shevat – Shabbos Saturday, January 8 Shab bos Parashas Bo Shabbos ends**: 5:30 pm 72 min. 5:57 pm * All times from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Thursday, December 30–Sunday, January 2 NYC meter and alternate-side parking regulations suspended. Thursday, December 30 New MTA fares and tolls go into effect. See www.mta.info/mta/ fares_discounts_101230.html Friday, December 31 Transit services on modified schedule. Saturday, January 1 Local post offices closed; no regular mail delivery; transit services on modified schedule; no garbage collection scheduled. Monday, January 3 Public schools back in session. 18 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES reject brain death to accept organs from a person who is brain dead. The hypocrisy of doing so is clear. Why Rabbi Flaum’s opinion was not even mentioned in the RCA paper that he himself is a signatory to is problematic and calls for an explanation. The yarchei kallah conference that Dr. Zacharowicz touts as a great learning opportunity might benefit from inviting speakers such as talmidei chachachamim Rabbi Dovid Feinstein, Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg, and Dr. Rabbi Avraham Steinberg—all who disagree with Dr. Zacharowicz. Robby Berman Founder and Director Halachic Organ Donor Society Dear Mr. Berman, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, zt’l, has explained that in 1986, when he approved brain death determination using electrophysiology and other methods (methods no longer employed by neurologists), he relied solely on the information provided to him by two physicians—information that has since been shown to be incorrect. Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg, with whom I spoke this past summer, has not approved Berman’s mistaken representation of his nuanced view. I speak to him frequently, as he has in fact presented a shiur virtually every summer at our Jerusalem yarchei kallah. Dr. Avraham Steinberg, too, has spoken at our Jerusalem yarchei kallah. Rabbi Dovid Feinstein has been invited as well to give a shiur at our New York yarchei kallah. As to Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch’s position, in his T eshuvot v’Hanhagot (Volume 5, Chapter 399, page 589), he states: “Recently, the government here in Eretz Yisrael has passed a law that a person is considered dead when the activity of the brain stem has ceased and it is permitted to remove organs from him. This contradicts the opinion of all the great halachic authorities who have agreed that since the heart is still alive at the time of [removal for] transplant, the person is therefore considered alive and he who removes organs from him is considered as killing his soul.” The halachic definition of death is a complex issue and not one with regard to which laymen should be “picking favorite” approaches, advocat- ing one position or another, or publicly questioning the integrity and wisdom of our rabbinic leaders. Every observant Jew should consult in such matters with his or her rabbinic authority. Leon Zacharowicz, MD, MA 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 19 Kiddush on liquor when there is wine available, he can hang his hat on the Mishnah Berurah, right? Well sort of. The Mishnah Berurah writes that if someone uses liquor for Kiddush, “he must be careful to use a cup that holds a revi’is and to drink from it a malei lugmav, which is most of a revi’is.” There is some dispute as to what exactly the shiur of a revi’is is. The smallest shiur I Gemara Cups have ever heard is 2.9 ounces; 3.3 ounces

is probably more mainstream. When it PhotoByChaimKazan Being of Litvish stock, I always insist The halachah seems to be clear: One comes to Kiddush Friday night, we are on making Kiddush on grape juice or should not use beer or schnapps for generally more stringent and use a cup wine. However, occasionally I attend a Kiddush if wine is available. Chalk up one that holds around 4.5 ounces. Kiddush where wine and grape juice are for the Litvaks. The Mishnah Berurah does not even Yaakov Gross (L) and Binyamin Pretter (R), hard to come by. Those of the Chassidish But the Mishnah Berurah continues, quote anyone who disputes the halachah students at Mesivta Kesser Yisroel, persuasion have no problem filling up a “However, in our countries, where wine that the cup must hold a revi’is. So while demonstrating the preferred way to hold a schnapps cups with Black Label and is expensive and most social drinking is it may be OK to make Kiddush during the Kiddush cup—in the palm of one’s right hand (for righties) and with the fingers making Kiddush on one ounce of that with other drinks, even the gedolim are day on schnapps, one has to use a cup extending upward to envelop the cup. Note warming liquid. not accustomed to using wine for that holds at least 3 ounces. Further, one that the use of a plastic cup for Kiddush is There are two issues that need to be Kiddush on Shabbos day, and they rely must drink at least 1.6 ounces, as this con- frowned upon by some poskim. settled. The first is the appropriateness of on those that are lenient. Kiddush dur- stitutes malei lugmav. For those of you using anything other than grape juice or ing the day is only a rabbinic mitzvah who enjoy schnapps, this should not be a wine. The Shulchan Aruch (272:9) writes, (and therefore the halachah is more tough halachah to swallow. drunk in the time span of k’dei achilas “In a place where wine is not commonly lenient). Someone who nevertheless The Mishnah Berurah does offer an p’ras, the time it takes a person to eat a available, there are those that say one can makes Kiddush during the day on wine alternative to drinking this amount, piece of bread. There are various opin- make Kiddush on beer and other [signifi- is definitely doing the mitzvah in the although he does not consider this solu- ions how long this is, and the range is cant] drinks . . . And there are those that best manner.” tion preferable. You can distribute the between 2 and 9 minutes. The Mishnah say that you can’t make Kiddush on beer In the next paragraph, the Mishnah schnapps to other people listening to Berurah writes that if someone wishes and other [significant] drinks.” Berurah is even more lenient. He rules your Kiddush. As long as 1.6 ounces of the to employ the leniency of having sever- The Rosh’s view is that on Friday night that if one prefers whiskey to wine, he schnapps from the Kiddush cup ends up al people drink schnapps to constitute a if wine or grape juice is not available one may use that lechatchilah for Kiddush being consumed by the Kiddush partici- malei lugmav, they must all finish their should make Kiddush on challah; during during the day. Okay, so chalk this one up pants, you have fulfilled your Kiddush schnapps within the time span of the the day, if wine or grape juice is unavail- for the Chassidim. obligation. Once again, this is considered same k’dei achilas p’ras. able, one should use chamar medinah— There is some discussion as to what b’dieved, because initially the person mak- The Afikei Yam finds this halachah to significant drinks. We follow the Rosh’s drinks qualify for this leniency. Beer and ing Kiddush should drink the entire malei be bizarre. It is one thing to say that one opinion. The Mishnah Berurah (29) adds liquor definitely qualify. Seek guidance lugmav himself. person must consume a certain amount in explanation of the Rosh’s opinion, from your rav about other drinks, such as However, the Mishnah Berurah adds within a limited time to qualify as one “However, where wine is available one orange juice, coffee, milk, and soda. an interesting addendum. The halachah act of consumption. If a person takes should certainly use it.” So if you see someone making is that the entire malei lugmav must be too long to drink or eat something, it

20 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES would necessarily be deemed be one act of eating. Yet the Kiddush must contain a mini- rebbes. It would seem that those tic cup for Kiddush. It is possi- to be two distinct acts. But Gemara does consider k’dei achi- mum of a revi’is, or around 3 whose fathers or rebbeim fol- ble that a plastic shot glass is where several people are com- las p’ras to be a factor even in ounces of liquid. There is the lowed the minority opinion of even worse than a disposable 7- bining to drink the required this case. opinion of the Taz, however the Taz may also follow it. ounce cup, because plastic cups shiur, this already consists of This proves that k’dei achilas who holds that the shiur of Otherwise, they should make may be used a few times before separate acts of drinking being p’ras is relevant even when two revi’is is only applicable to wine Kiddush using a cup that holds they are disposed of, whereas performed by different people. people are consuming a requi- or beer. When it comes to at least 3 ounces. plastic shot glasses are fre- The fact that they consumed it site shiur. Hence, the Mishnah schnapps, we consider the There is one more issue that quently used only once. in the span of nine minutes Berurah has support for his amount that is usually drunk in I will just mention in passing. Regardless, it seems that the should be irrelevant. halachah that even if two peo- that locale. A serving of In the past, when the custom now is to be lenient However, to support the ple are drinking the malei lug- schnapps is a shot, or about 1 Chassidish rebbes made even with regard to a 1-ounce Mishnah Berurah, the Biur mav from Kiddush, they should ounce. Consequently, he holds Kiddush using a 1-ounce cup, it shot glass. I’ll drink to that! O Halachah cites a Gemara we do so within 2 to 9 minutes. that a 1-ounce cup can be used was made of metal or some learned several weeks ago in As we mentioned, the for Kiddush if schnapps is being other durable material. There is Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood the daf. The Gemara discusses Mishnah Berurah rules unequiv- used. This opinion was fol- a halachic controversy whether Park in West Hempstead. He can be the halachah that inappropriate ocally that the cup used for lowed by numerous Chassidish one may use a disposable plas- contacted at [email protected]. intent by a kohein can invali- date a sacrifice. If, while performing one of the required procedures with the sacrificial blood, the kohein has in mind that a kezayis of the meat will be consumed after the appropriate time, the korban is invalid. The Gemara (Zevachim 31b) concludes that if the kohein had in mind that two people would each consume half a kezayis of the meat after the appropriate time, the korban is also disqualified. If we were to follow the Afikei Yam’s logic cited above, the shiur of k’dei achilas p’ras should not be relevant to this latter halachah, since two separate intended acts of eating are involved—and the shiur of k’dei achilas p’ras is applied only to determine whether all the food consumed can be considered to

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 21 ALIYAH CHRONICLE I successfully completed my first instead of pounds. normal weather patterns. Almost as jeal- Continued from Front Cover round just after Sukkot and have re- Even my outlook on the weather has ous as you are of our “good” weather. upped for another round, along with five changed. My obsession with the Kinneret The weather eventually turned, and students whom I may not have seen for or six neighbors who were inspired by and rainfall has become a part of me. I we had a nasty storm the week after several years. Some of them are guys my success. The program was even fea- find myself literally disgusted with the Chanukah. The storm’s very high winds whom I developed very good relation- tured in the Jerusalem Post, and I was pic- sunny and warm weather that we have caused several million dollars of damage. ships with and I really enjoy seeing how tured, with three other men, on the front had here this winter. It might be great for Yet the storm also brought us our first they have matured and finding out about page of the paper. At this point, I have lost tourists and visitors, but the dry winter is uptick in the water levels of the Kinneret; their lives. 37.5 pounds and am almost halfway to just terrible for the country. the water levels went up 9 centimeters. I was visiting a couple of them earlier my long-term goal. I have been told that As I have previously mentioned, we are But that has been it. We have dropped a this week when I had another “Oh my the difference is noticeable. experiencing one of the driest winters ever couple of centimeters since then, with no gosh, am I really that acclimated?” As I was chatting with the alumni, one recorded. Coupled with the low level of rain rain in sight yet again. moment. Unlike an “only in Israel” of them commented on my weight loss in four of the last five years, this current At this rate, we are almost certain to moment, this moment is a realization on and asked how much weight I had lost. I problem could not have come at a worse get to disastrous water levels. The my part that I have changed the way I Kinneret and other sources of water will think so viscerally that the new outlook reach levels that may cause salination has become almost a reflex on my part. and other contamination of their waters. People who have not met me proba- Much of this damage may be irreversible. bly are not aware that I am overweight. They didn’t like the established The government water authority confi- At times, I have been very overweight. dently announced that there really is no About seven years ago, I went on a concern that we will hit the bad levels this major diet and lost about 50 pounds. I targets, so they moved them and year, pointing to the fact that they redrew felt terrific and was very focused on the levels several years ago. The redrawn keeping the weight off. Unfortunately, “solved the problem.” level is at least a year or more away, and aliyah and our early medical crisis they are hopeful that temporary measures made this very difficult, and over the will bridge the gap from now until the past four years I have put the weight (still mostly under construction) desalina- back on—and added another 30 pounds tion plants we have been building and for good measure. responded that I am down 17 kilograms, time (well, it could, but I shudder to think slowly bringing up to operating capacity Just after Purim, I found out about a and they did a double take, asking me about it). Day after day of sunny and hot will ease the crisis significantly. group of Anglos in Bet Shemesh who how much that is in pounds. I knew the weather is turning into a terrible situation Essentially, what they did was redraw were running a support group with finan- answer, but was struck by the fact that for us. We have had a couple of public fast the curve. It is kind of ridiculous, actually. cial incentives. They called it “Olim my first thought was a “kilo” thought and days and we all bemoan the situation, with- They didn’t like the established targets, so Yordim–The Bet Shemesh Biggest Losers.” not a “pound” thought. out an idea of how to solve the problem. they moved them and “solved the prob- It is not a competition against anyone, In truth, I still don’t understand kilos I know, you wish you had less precipi- lem.” Now that is an “only in Israel” but rather a program with financial as much as I do pounds. But the contest tation. If I had a dollar for every person moment. O incentives (you are essentially putting weigh-ins (every other week) are conduct- who volunteered to donate the New money up and need to earn it back ed in kilos, and all records are kilos, so at York/New Jersey snow to Israel, I would Shmuel Katz, his wife Goldie, and their six through weight loss or lose the money). I least as far as this goes, I think in kilos. have 5 bucks more than I had before. But children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the quietly joined it and began to work on About two months ago, I even changed it is a real problem here, and we are pret- Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can losing weight. the home scale to measure in kilos ty jealous of you who are experiencing contact him at [email protected].

22 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Hamas look like it’s not run by” the Parliament, Bedein pointed out writer wished “glory and ever- UNRWA encouraged terrorism Continued from Front Cover Islamic movement and promot- that UNRWA facilities have lasting life to the pure sha- by funneling money to the ing the trips to “cover up for been used to promote suicide heeds, quick recovery to the families of “martyrs.” “On “suspicious.” December 29, 2008, UNRWA’s “We cringed when reading an workers’ union in Jordan article in the British Guardian announced their support for newspaper and watching a film and solidarity with the it prepared about a trip for 16 Some Palestinian critics have charged that Palestinian people in their war ninth-grade students to New against Israel and decided that York during which they were every worker would contribute briefed about what happened UNRWA is aware of Hamas’s infiltration, the salary of one day’s work in on September 11 and then taken January 2009 and the money to the Museum of the Jewish despite its inability or unwillingness to would be donated to support Holocaust,” a source within families of shaheeds and the Hamas’s refugees department wounded,” the report read. announced. screen for suspected militants. “The funds would be trans- The United Nations Relief ferred to the beneficiaries by and Works Agency is the UN the UNRWA’s relief and social bureau tasked with caring for services department.” the Arab refugees who fled [the lack] of Holocaust educa- terrorism amongst Palestinian wounded, and liberty for the Hamas’s list in the 2006 Israel following the country’s tion in Gaza.” youth. The report cited a June prisoners of freedom.” UNRWA elections won all 11 1948 War of Independence. The In a research report commis- 2006 circular sent to UNRWA Beside praise for militants, agency runs hundreds of sioned by the European workers in Gaza, in which the the report also alleged that Continued on Page 26 schools for Palestinians throughout Judea, Samaria, and Gaza as well as in surrounding Arab nations. In 2009, UNRWA issued several statements to western media outlets indicating that the agency intended to introduce Holocaust education into the curriculum of schools in the Hamas run coastal enclave. Speaking with the British newspaper The Independent in 2009, UNRWA director of operations for Gaza John Ging affirmed that “No human rights curriculum is complete without the inclusion of the facts of the Holocaust and its lessons.” The director said that he was “confident and determined” that the Holocaust would be taught to Palestinian students and that Hamas would not interfere with the running of UNRWA schools. However, in response to an inquiry by the Jerusalem-based Center for Near East Policy Research this past May, Ging wrote that “there is no ‘Holocaust curriculum’ as such in UNRWA schools and there are no plans to introduce one.” Ging’s statement echoes that of UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen Abu Zayd, who in 2009 told the Palestinian Maan News Agency that she wished to “refute allegations that UN school curriculum includes anything about the Holocaust.” David Bedein, director of the Center for Near East Policy Research, commented that while UNRWA officials were telling western news outlets about plans to teach the Palestinians about the Holocaust, Hamas was taking over the day to day operations of the United Nations agency. Ging’s statement, he charged, “comes after six months of news items in the media stating that UNRWA had instituted a Holocaust curriculum in the camps.” “Hamas runs the personnel in the [refugee] camps,” he said, accusing UNRWA of “doing everything possible to 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 23 ling communities of YESHA [the external pressure to abandon One Israel Fund Hosts Gala Hebrew acronym for the areas this land, nothing you do will of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza]. stop them.” At the time, there were Flash forward 17 years. Today, 17th Anniversary Dinner, given away and its residents an organization called One shouts from friend and foe there are over 140 flourishing January 12 uprooted, all in the name of a Israel Fund was created, in small alike, shouts similar to “What communities comprising over B Y SCOTT FELTMAN peace process which has part as an antidote to the Oslo good can you do? With 75,000 300,000 residents—and this is EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, without Gaza, which was tragi- ONE ISRAEL FUND cally abandoned five and a half years ago. And the overwhelm- In 1994, the infamous Oslo ing majority of land is still in Accords were signed—thus cre- The recent elections in the U.S. clearly show our hands. One Israel Fund has ating the continuous cycle contributed tens of millions of whereby Israel is commanded that the American people are not at one with dollars in crucial humanitarian to make concessions for peace aid such as medical clinics and while the Arabs never recipro- emergency medical centers, cate. Since that time, Israel’s the vision of the current administration. educational buildings, youth citizenry have lived in an ele- centers and playgrounds, syna- vated state of terror—no small gogues and mikvaot, armored matter for a nation which has transportation for special needs not experienced peace with its brought nothing to the country signing. One Israel Fund was residents living in YESHA, it’s a children, and bulletproof vests neighbors since its founding. save for death and war. founded to bring vitally needed fait accompli that when the for civilians, including young In addition, land has been 1994 was also the year when humanitarian aid to the fledg- government suffers enough children. One Israel Fund has also provided other preventive security and emergency medical equipment and training as well as a host of other lifesaving and life-enhancing support. And yes, in more than a small way, One Israel Fund has played a role in the continuous growth of our biblical heartland and helped build strong roots which will continue to ensure Jewish own- ership of our G-d-given land. Not since its creation in 1948 has the world been as united in its hostility to the Jewish state as it is today. And it’s no longer just Muslim countries; post- modern western European nations and third word dictator- ships seek to eviscerate Israel by cutting out its historic heartland. The global virus has now reached America, infecting its corridors of power. Although the recent elections in the U.S. clearly show that the American people are not at one with the vision of the current administration in many arenas, this administration shows no sign of changing tactics. Therefore, it is even more imperative for concerned Americans to stand up and be counted on behalf of the Jewish nation’s right to safety, security, and growth in the Land of Israel. The world does not cease in its words and deeds to make Judenrein the areas of Judea and Samaria. In fact, if you believe the headlines, the entire world would witness peace if only Israel would abandon these brave, productive, citizen-soldiers of Israel and their communities. Imagine, 300,000 doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers, and other law-abiding citizens living within the boundaries of Eretz Yisrael are the key to global peace. If Israel would uproot the “settlers,” the NATO forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan would be safer, America and Europe could focus more of their efforts on the global economic crisis, and everyone could gather ‘round the camp- fire singing Kumbaya. With each passing day, these 24 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES “settlers” are told to prepare for the Hotovely will serve as the keynote speak- found,” expressed Steven S. Orlow, presi- were seven years old. Brocha and her fam- destruction of their communities and er at the gala event. MK Tzipi Hotovely is dent of One Israel Fund. ily all pitched in to ensure its success and exile from the heartland of Eretz Yisrael, the youngest Member of the Israeli David and Shari Shapiro: Shomrei she has been involved ever since. the cradle of Jewish history. It’s part of a Knesset, the head of the Committee on Yisrael Award. David and Shari, Lawrence Ryan Khordipour: Young Leadership horribly familiar strategy whereby offi- the Status of Women, and one of the ris- residents, recently returned from another Award. Ryan truly understands the cially sanctioned denigration of Jews ing stars of Israel’s political world. She is trip to Israel where they presented vitally importance of this award, and, as he put leads inexorably to decimation of entire a doctoral candidate in law, and a proud, needed emergency medical equipment to it, “Without the next generation getting communities. observant Orthodox woman who breaks the medics in the Shomron as well as involved and supporting these communi- Yet, if you visit Judea and Samaria the mold. MK Hotovely is emerging as a equipment for Mifgash, a school for spe- ties and dedicated citizens of Israel, an today, the last thing you will experience central figure in Israel’s future and in the cial needs children in Shilo. organization like One Israel Fund cannot is anything resembling panic. On the con- renewal of the Zionist movement in Gi and Brocha (nee Herzog) Orman: succeed.” Ryan came to One Israel Fund trary! As those in the secular elite demon- Israel and the world. Keter Shem Tov Award. During the past during a very difficult time—right after strate on behalf of Arab murderers, the Rabbi Irwin and Judy Borvick: Guests four years, Gi and Brocha have become 9/11 and during the height of the intifada. sons and daughters of Judea and Samaria of Honor. Rabbi Borvick joined One Israel integral components of One Israel Fund. Ryan began an internship in the One continue to volunteer for positions in the Fund as its first executive vice president Gi, the founder of Big Productions, has Israel Fund office and, though he has elite IDF units in disproportionately high back in 1994 and, upon making aliyah to been turning One Israel Fund’s devoted moved on in his professional career, his percentages. Jerusalem in 2000, has continued to over- work into top caliber videos which has heart has always remained with the mis- The Fatah and Hamas murderers bray see the Israeli operation of the organiza- transformed its donor base. These videos, sion of One Israel Fund. It is Ryan’s hope for the dismantling of ‘settlements’ and tion. His beloved wife, Judy, has been an presented each year at the annual dinner, and goal to bring many young profession- the eviction of Jews from Hebron, Elon equal partner in guiding One Israel Fund have become quite popular on the inter- als to the event in the hopes that they, Moreh, Eli, Shilo, and other historic throughout the years. “It is an incredible net as well and have become another tool too, will begin to understand the impor- Jewish sites. Yet Jewish life continues. opportunity which we have before us in the arsenal of defending our home- tance of supporting the cause. Despite efforts to halt any and all this year to pay tribute to the builders of land. Brocha’s involvement goes back To make reservations and attend the growth, these communities continue to this illustrious organization, for without nearly a decade when her younger twin event in person or to submit a journal ad, thrive with new factories, farms, Irwin and Judy Borvick, there would be brothers began raising funds to purchase please contact the offices of One Israel orchards, and schools burgeoning every- no One Israel Fund today and, dare I say, an armored van through One Israel Fund Fund by calling 516-239-9202; e-mailing where. The highest growth rate in the the enormous growth of our people in for transporting special needs children to [email protected], or via the web- country is amongst these 300,000. YESHA would not have been as pro- and from school. At the time, her brothers site at www.oneisraelfund.org. O Finally, while those of us who love Eretz Yisrael tremble in fear for our brothers and sisters in the Jewish heartland, they remain resolute and opti- mistic—fortified by an emunah that is simply breathtaking. Clearly they know something we don’t. They know with absolute conviction that “Hashem oz l’amo yitein, Hashem yevarech et amo bashalom,” G-d will give strength to His people, G-d will bless His people with peace. These 300,000 stalwart citizens of Israel need and deserve chizuk, the strengthening that comes from knowing there are others who are standing behind them through thick and thin. On Wednesday evening, January 12, 2011 you can give them this chizuk and so much more at the One Israel Fund 17th Gala Anniversary Dinner at Bridgewaters in South Street Seaport. This very special evening of solidarity allows participants to demonstrate their unequivocal partnership with the 300,000 plus Jews of YESHA. This is your opportunity to stand side by side with these brave pioneers who literally and figuratively defend our Biblical heartland for the entire Jewish people. Benjamin Brafman has graciously agreed to serve as the master of cere- monies and Chaveira Knesset Tzipi

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All graphics for ads must be in by T uesday, January 4 at 5:00 P.M.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 25 Hamas from the 1967 war because it does not and adopting radical Islamic values BAGEL STORE Continued from Page 23 collect information on those persons,” according to the Hamas and Islamic Continued from Page 11 the report stated. Jihad spirit,” according to the European seats of the leadership of the teachers Some Palestinian critics have charged Parliamentary study. dush Hashem.” union and dominated all other UN affil- that UNRWA is aware of Hamas’s infiltra- Regarding the limited Holocaust edu- A chassidic couple from Brooklyn were iated unions in Gaza. Following com- tion, despite its inability or unwilling- cation granted to selected Gaza stu- sitting nearby, observing the goings-on, plaints by Israeli and Jewish groups, ness to screen for suspected militants. dents travelling abroad, Hamas and after one group had departed with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton According to a report by the Palestinian announced that “UNRWA does not have their dinner came over to us and said, “I demanded that UNRWA vet its employ- Press News Agency, a group of con- the freedom to teach as it sees fit.” have to tell you that this is something ees to ascertain if they have ties to ter- cerned parents wrote to Director Ging, According to Hamas, the agency replied that a lot of people would like to do or rorist organizations. UNRWA “launch[es] complaining that dozens of teachers in that it “was committed to teaching think about doing—but you are doing it.” investigations upon receiving informa- UNRWA schools were affiliated with the along the programs adopted in its five Brach told them that this is something he tion from Israel, us, or anyone else about Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s areas of operations, and should abide thinks that anyone would be glad to do if any staff member engaging in inappro- military wing, and that they were scared by that program in Gaza, one of those they just had the wherewithal. He added priate or illicit activities. They are actual- for their children’s safety. five areas.” Hamas stated that that his store manager, Benny, had relat- ly investigating staff members right now While deciding not to pursue Palestinian children were unable to ed to him that in the course of the day who were elected in internal elections Holocaust education due to widespread “comprehend the oppression of all the about 15 individuals came to the store within Gaza,” Clinton said after relaying Palestinian opposition, UNRWA has world’s peoples. The oppression and asking if he knew what they could pur- her concerns to the United Nations allowed representatives of Islamic suffering of the Palestinians by the chase that might be needed at the airport Agency. youth groups affiliated with Islamic hands of the Jewish occupiers is a good for the stranded group. Benny told them According to an August 2010 Jihad and Hamas to operate freely in enough example.” that he had firsthand knowledge of the Congressional report, however, UNRWA local educational institutions. “Al-Kutla Responding to allegations regarding fact that there was already an abundance only screens its personnel “for terrorist Al-Islamiah” (the Hamas’ Islamic bloc) UNRWA laxity in the matter of terror- of food at JFK. ties to Al-Qaida and the Taliban.” and “Al-Jama’a Al-Islamiah” (the Islamic ist ties, agency spokesman Chris In a world of chesed projects of various UNRWA has fired several teachers for Jihad’s Islamic group) are said to “main- Gunness said in 2009 that UNRWA has incarnations, this one had to stand out if ties to militant groups, but has also “said tain large-scale programs in UNRWA “a rigorous approach to ensuring that for no other reason than its spontaneity. that it is unable to screen those of its schools, including ideological incite- its staff are not involved in militant or I cannot help but be reminded of the old beneficiaries who are displaced persons ment towards jihad and against Israel, political activity.” O story told by Rabbi Berel Wein about the young man whose car tire went flat on a dark road in the middle of the night. He reached into his glove compartment, pulled out a yarmulke, and placed it on his head and went to stand near the car on the side of the road. No sooner did he do that than a young yeshiva student pulled up behind his car and offered to assist in changing the deflated tire. As they were working on changing tires, the yeshiva student noticed a crucifix dangling from the driver’s neck. He was taken a little bit aback and asked the young man to reconcile the apparent contradiction. “Oh, this?” he said, pointing to his yarmulke. He then went on to explain that he was not in fact Jewish but his mother told him to always keep a yarmulke in his car. She explained, he said, that if he ever got stuck on the road, to just place the yarmulke on his head and she assured him that someone would stop to assist him. A variation of that theme occurred on Monday at JFK. These kids and their group leaders were stuck, with little expectation of finding assistance with what quickly began to look like an end- less and difficult nightmare. Just as the young man in the Berel Wein story knew that someone would stop to help him, these young people—from far-flung communities around the country and from families that mostly featured minimal religious observance—knew nothing about the innate and reflexive desire of Five Towns and Far Rockaway residents to help those in their time of need. Now they know it well. O

Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected].

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26 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 27 28 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 29 Seriously? I understand how hundred feet long, and you keep vacuuming is better than what running over it, and then, when Suck Up Your Problems we had to do in the olden days, you want to move on into the which was go outside and beat next room, it suddenly decides BY MORDECHAI kicking things under the couch. and a large part of writing the carpet with a twig, and then that it’s only four feet long. “I SCHMUTTER Everyone does this. We all clean involves staring at a blank cough our way out of a thick don’t want to go around that like crazy before people come screen and waiting for profes- cloud of dirt. I also realize that corner.” And of course you don’t Nobody likes housework, over, because we want our sional sentences to appear in it’s better than the very first vac- want to keep unplugging it because it’s hard and dangerous. house to be as clean as theirs your head, and, while you’re uum cleaner, which was horse- every time you switch rooms, Most housework involves stick- was the last time we saw it, even doing that, you notice that the drawn, and when you turned it because the cord will just snap ing your head in the oven or though the truth is that theirs floor needs to be swept. So you on, the horses would get scared back and hit you in the shin, so kneeling down in the filthiest, was only that clean because they go off and sweep the floor, and and run away, dragging you you just keep the unit where it most germ-infested parts of went into a frenzy five minutes then you come back and realize down the street by the hose. But is and try to reach as far as you your house and spraying poison before we showed up. And no that while you were gone, no I don’t understand why, with all can into the next room with the into the air, and then scrubbing one acknowledges that they did professional sentences have our advances in technology, vac- hose. That’s good enough. and scrubbing until you’re all that cleaning, because the appeared in your head or on uum cleaners still make that It’s also very annoying how breathing it in as heavily as pos- first words that come out of your screen or otherwise. So noise. It’s like having a chainsaw you can clean a whole room, sible. their mouth when you walk in then . . . Oh my goodness! This or a jackhammer, but inside and then there’s one little piece At our house, most of our is: “Please excuse the mess.” And desk is filthy! your house. And why does it still of paper that the vacuum just housework is done about five you’re thinking, “This is a mess? But the thing that I dislike weigh as much as our hot water refuses to pick up. So you keep minutes before guests show up. What about my house?” most, of all the different parts of heater? running the unit back and forth We go into a frenzy—scrubbing I always feel that way about cleaning, is vacuuming. I even I also don’t like how the over it, back and forth, until you and spraying and wiping and my house, because I am a writer, hate the word vacuum. Two U’s? wires get into moods. First it’s a finally give up. So you bend down, pick up the paper, and feed it into the bottom of the vacuum cleaner. The other problem with vacuum cleaners is that they’re designed to be powerful enough to pick up stuff that they’re really not supposed to pick up. They can suck up a plastic bag, or your drapes, or any toys that your kids left on the floor. You’re going along, and you come across a penny, or a screw, and you figure, I’m not going to go around it. And if I was going to bend down to pick up every inappropriate thing I don’t want to vacuum, then why am I vacuuming in the first place? I could just get down on the floor and pick things up manually! So you just vacuum the screw, and you hear it going up the hose, CRACK CRACK CRACK. Then you keep going, and you see a single sock on the floor. You should probably go around— SLURP! Never mind. And then you come across a string. Look, a string on the floor! So you start vacuuming the string, and then you find out, after about a minute of vacuuming the same string, that it’s really attached to something bigger, such as your blanket, or the edge of the carpet, which is slowly unraveling, and you’re about to lose your entire carpet into the vacuum one strand at a time. So you panic and try to pull the string out, fighting the vacuum, and then you smell something burning, and your vacuum stops picking things up. So now you have to open up the bottom, and the whole house is filling up with dust that you already vacuumed, and now you can’t vacuum it again because the unit doesn’t work. And while you’re at it, you figure maybe it’s the hose, so you peer into the hose to see if you can see light at the other end. Then you put your mouth on the end and blow, because whatever the vacuum cleaner wasn’t able to suck up, with its powerful engine that can swallow a small animal, you’re going to be able 30 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES to dislodge with the power of your Well, actually, laziness saved their life. breath. And when that doesn’t work, you So I was thinking that maybe we try to see if you can stick a broomstick up should buy a Roomba. It’s small, so we the hose. can keep it under our sofa along with all I don’t vacuum a whole lot, because we of our other small items, and then we can keep our vacuum way down in the base- have it roll around the house all day and ment. We do this because our house is, disturb my writing process, and maybe tragically, lacking any kind of closet on pick up an occasional field mouse. Yes,

It can roam around your house and bump into walls and eat things off the floor, sort of like your toddler.

the ground floor, because one of the pre- we have the occasional field mouse come vious occupants decided at some point, into our house, always the same time of “Hey, who needs coat closets?” and the year, presumably to get inside for the ripped it right out. He must have decided winter. Or maybe it’s because our house- this during the summer. I bet it was the work is that bad. same guy who thought it was a good idea But it’s only the Roomba that can save to put an electrical outlet in our fireplace. you from scary creatures. In September, So we make do with a coat rack, but it’s an 85-year-old man in Phoenix tried to very hard to hide a vacuum in the coat use his vacuum cleaner on a hornet’s rack, so we keep our vacuum in the base- nest, and he was stung hundreds of times. ment, and every time we want to vacu- I guess the noise alerted them that he was um, we have to drag it upstairs and then coming, and they all attacked him at crawl into the fireplace to plug it in. once. The problem is, of course, that hor- We also happen to have the worst luck nets fly, and it’s very hard to suck them with vacuum cleaners. We’ve had count- out of the air one at a time. I do wonder, less vacuum cleaners over the years, and though, what his plan was for emptying at any given point, our vacuum isn’t the vacuum cleaner bag. working properly. Sometimes the belt So after reading these articles, I went melts off, sometimes the broomstick gets downstairs to have another go at my vac- stuck in the hose, and a few months, ago, uum cleaner. I opened up the bottom and the first time I vacuumed after Pesach, I peered inside. I guess I was hoping that could not understand why everything I there’d maybe be a snake in it. That way I vacuumed was flying all over the house can say, “Oh, there’s the problem. There’s (until my wife pointed out that I’d forgot- a snake in it.” And then go to shul and ten to put in a new bag). But sometimes, bentch gomel. But I didn’t find a snake. such as right now, we have no idea why What I found was a massive strand of the vacuum isn’t working. Sure, we can go hair that was probably miles long. I don’t out and buy a really expensive unit, but know what kind of tremendously hairy we’d probably just vacuum up a sofa cush- being these hairs came from, but I am ion or something. glad my vacuum scared it away. O Or maybe we should buy a Roomba. A Mordechai Schmutter is a weekly humor Roomba is a small vacuum that has a columnist for Hamodia, and has written two motor in it, so that it can roam around books, both published by Israel Book Shop. He also does freelance writing for hire. You can send your house and bump into walls and eat any questions, comments, or ideas to things off the floor, sort of like your tod- [email protected]. dler. But the great thing about the Roomba is that you can turn it on and leave your house, and by the time you come home, it will have cleaned your floors and made supper and done your laundry. Okay, that’s not true. Your laundry will be missing, and the Roomba will be smoking and making weird beeping noises. And you’ll have to buy a new belt. But Roombas can definitely save your life. I have here a November article from an Israeli newspaper about a poisonous snake that came into a house in the Galil while the family was out, and was sucked up by their Roomba. When the family came home, they found their Roomba beeping wildly, so they opened it up to find the deceased snake wrapped around one of the brushes. Now what I would have done, and I suppose many of you would have done the same, is shriek like a little girl and throw the Roomba through the window. But the family had the pres- ence of mind to take pictures and contact Roomba, who for some reason is sending them another vacuum cleaner. So it turns out that vacuuming saved their life. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 31 and leadership would cause an uprising. brilliant than the highest form of angels, According to Moshe’s claim, the All and give him free will to choose “bad?” A Powerful Master of the Universe sent him malach has no temptation to sin. He rec- on a mission. There was only one ques- ognizes that every sin damages him, and tion: was he telling the truth? If he was a every mitzvah helps him. If man is wiser representative of G-d, then both the than the greatest of celestial beings, how Jewish Nation and Pharaoh had better lis- does he have free will to damage himself? ten. If he wasn’t, then who cares what he He would never do it! Kiruv: The Message said? The words and the style of his deliv- To allow man to actually have free will ery weren’t relevant. Either he was sent in a practical sense, Hashem created man by Hashem or he wasn’t. What difference with many temptations and desires that And The Medium does it make how clearly he spoke? pull him in different directions. Further, The wonder of free will. The answer to to actually allow the ability to choose BY R’ BEN TZION SHAFIER from that point on, he had difficulty these questions is based on understand- either side, Hashem created in man a with speech. Now many years later, ing one of the wonders of Creation: free powerful, active imagination that allows And Moshe spoke to Hashem saying, Moshe assumed that the reason his will. To allow man to shape himself into him to create his own view of the “The children of Israel haven’t accepted words weren’t accepted was because of what he will be for eternity, Hashem put world—his own reality. Of everything in me, how will Pharaoh listen, when I am of his speech impediment. Effectively he him in a position where he can freely Creation, man alone has true free will blocked lips?” was saying, “I am bringing good news to choose his path—where he can just as because he alone was created with com- —Sh’mos 6:12 peting natures. He alone possesses the Hashem said to Moshe, “Go to Pharaoh power of imagination, which allows him and tell him to let my people go.” Moshe to shape his worldview as he so desires. responded, “The Jewish People haven’t He can believe what he wants to believe. accepted my word. How will Pharaoh lis- Being an effective educator isn’t This seems to be the answer to the ten?” Rashi explains that this is one of the question on Rashi. Whether Moshe was ten kal vachomers written in the Torah. telling the truth or not was only part of The Sifsei Chachamim clarifies: “The mes- based on being right, it’s based on the question. The crux of the issue was, sage that I am carrying is for the good of “Do we want to believe him?” To the the Jewish people, yet they have not my message being accepted. Jewish people, he was bringing news of accepted it. Surely then Pharaoh, to redemption. As such, they wanted to whom this message is detrimental, will believe him. On the other hand, Pharaoh reject it.” had a strong interest in not accepting However, Moshe added one more Moshe’s words, so he was unlikely to phrase, “When I am of blocked lips.” The the Jews, yet they don’t believe me easily choose the “bad” as the “good.” If he believe him. actual statement that he said to Hashem because of my lack of clear speech. chooses “good,” he is credited with shap- But Moshe understood that there was was, “The Jewish People haven’t accepted Surely Pharaoh, who is biased against my ing himself into that form of perfection another element that would influence my word. How will Pharaoh listen when message, will not accept it either because that he reaches. If he chooses the “bad,” whether his words would be received as I am of blocked lips?” The Sifsei of my unclear speech.” he is held accountable, and he will forev- truth—what kind of impression did he Chachamim explains that this was the This Rashi is difficult to understand. er suffer the consequences. make? Was he handsome? Did he cut a pivotal point of the kal vachomer. As an Moshe wasn’t a salesman selling a prod- Here lies one of the great dilemmas of good figure? Would people want to infant, Moshe burnt his tongue, and uct. He wasn’t claiming that his charisma Creation. How do you take man, more accept him as a person? Because he was-

32 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

n’t of perfect speech, Moshe assumed this would greatly influence his chances of acceptance. He understood human nature. We accept that which we like, and we believe what we want to believe. We are all teachers. The reality is that we are all teachers of the Torah way. Whether we teach by standing up in a classroom, modeling proper behavior to our children, or inviting not-yet-religious neighbors for a Shabbos meal, there is an obligation upon every Jew to influence his fellow Jew. We are all in the business of kiruv—kiruv rechokim and kiruv kerovim. And so we must understand how to be effective in this role. Before they accept my message, they must accept me. Being an effective educator isn’t based on being right, it’s based on my message being accepted. However, before they accept my message, they have to accept me. And before they accept me, they have to like me. When we don the robe of educators, whether to our children or to our peers, we need to focus on both the truth of our message as well as the method we use to present it. It must be pleasing and readily acceptable to others, otherwise it just won’t be heard. O

For more on this topic please listen to Shmuz #128—Kiruv: The Message and the Medium. The new Shmuz on Life book: Stop Surviving and Start Living is now in print! It is a powerful, inspiring work that deals with major life issues. Prerelease copies are now available at www.TheShmuz.com. The book will be released in sefarim stores March 1, 2011.

So there was hail, and fire flaring up within the hail (Sh’mos 9:24) Imagine two fierce legions who were always at war with one another, but when the king needed their services for his own battle, he made peace between them, so that both should carry out the orders of the king. Likewise, fire and water are hostile to each other; but when the time came to do war with Egypt, G-d made peace between them and both smote the Egyptians as fire within the hail. (Midrash Rabbah)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 33 Tidbits From Israel

B Y RON JAGER

Nothing New Under The Sun: The “New” American Policy The recent shift in the American approach for running the peace process in the Middle East, as represented in the statements of both U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell, might have been considered positive—had the Palestinian Arabs agreed to engage in a serious presentation of their positions, including the recognition of Israel as the Jewish National Homeland. There is nothing new about the “new American policy” announced by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently at the Saban Conference. Clinton’s speech was a classic example of the historic and failed U.S. approach. Almost every sentence was crafted to convey absolute evenhanded- ness. Every ounce of praise or pressure on one side was carefully balanced by an equal weight on the other. Such neutrali- ty is both deliberate and axiomatic: it is a pillar of U.S. Middle East diplomacy, but even more so under the current Obama administration. Another pillar of the current “new American policy” approach is that it is overwhelmingly local. There were brief mentions of the Arab states and Iran. But the Israeli-Palestinian problem is treated as just that: a problem between two parties that radiates outwards. Both of these pillars represent fundamental misunder- standings of the conflict. The conflict is not symmetrical or local; it is asymmetrical and regional. U.S. policy is built on the premise that both sides want peace and are equally held back by shortsighted leadership. The reality is that the conflict is asymmetrical: Israelis, both people and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, are much more ready for the two- state solution than is the Arab world. This can be seen by the long, tough road Israelis have taken over the past two decades, compared to where the Arab world is today. Instead of putting forward a serious and a complete negotiating position on final status issues including borders, settlements, Jerusalem, and security, Abu Mazen orchestrated the latest Palestinian effort to prevent any serious negotiations with Israel by co-opting Brazil and additional small South American nations to declare their recognition of the virtual and nonexistent “free and independent” State of Palestine. Never mind that Arafat declared the same declaration in Algiers back in 1988, and nothing came out of it. Abu Mazen, never missing the opportunity to make a strategic mistake, has embarked on a path that will only ampli- fy the climate of hostility and push even further away the prospects for a solid and long-lasting peace. Such a virtual nonexistent state will be based on reinstatement of the 1967 borders—which are not real borders at all, but rather armistice lines—and the establishment of East Jerusalem as its capital. Such an unhealthy formula could reach the United Nations during 2011, where an automatic anti-Israel majority can be expected to vote for recognition. The Palestinian Authority 34 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES will seek international support to force a total Israeli withdrawal, the redivision of Jerusalem, and the evacuation of 350,000 settlers from Judea and Samaria, as well as Israel’s acceptance of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Palestinian Arab refugees. Inevitably, when Israel fails to comply, she will be accused of violating international law and find itself subject to sanctions. This will eventually be followed by a Security Council resolution recognizing an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. To counter this effort by the Palestinian Arab leaders, all that Secretary Hillary Clinton had to do was demand that the Palestinian Arab leaders openly admit the most basic tenets underlying a two-state solution: that there is a Jewish people; that Jewish temples stood under independent Jewish sovereignty for centuries; and that Jewish moral, legal, and historic rights to sovereignty are not inferior to those of Palestinian Arabs. Saeb Erekat explained on Ynet.com, “agreeing to the Israeli demand for recognition of Israel as a Jewish state would empty negotiations on the refugee problem of all content . . . and completely negate the Palestinian narrative.” In other words, the Palestinian position states that what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine: you have no right to live in a Palestinian Arab state, while Palestinian Arabs must have the right to “return” to the Jewish state. The Palestinians claim to support a two-state solution while accepting none of its basic premises. Even worse is that no Western leader will call a spade a spade. But the asymmetry goes even deeper. For Arabs, the two-state solution represents the abandonment of a century-old dream: the eviction of the Jews from Palestine. It would be a defeat, not a victory. While a Jewish state of any size is a victory for Zionism, the Arab world has spent the last century convincing itself that a Jewish state of any size is a defeat for Arab honor and rights. There are, therefore, two fundamental requirements for peace. First, the West must demand that the Arab world accept Jewish peoplehood and historic rights, just as vociferously as it has demanded that Israelis accept the same for Palestinians. Second, the West needs to recognize that the Arab world will not accede to this demand so long as the radical Islamist camp is on the brink of achieving strategic immunity by way of an Iranian nuclear umbrella. So once again the Palestinian Arabs are enabling and cooperating with the latest neighborhood bully in the Middle East— Iran. They are helping her evade international attention and scrutiny concerning her nuclear ambitions. Instead, Abu Mazan, the unelected president of the Palestinian Authority has decided that now is the right time to initiate international support for a virtual nonexistent Palestine. Sadly, this maneuver will probably be the last missed opportunity for Abu Mazen to miss an opportunity. O

Ron Jager is a 25-year veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, serving as a field mental-health officer. Prior to retiring in 2005, he served as the commander of the central psychiatric military clinic for reserve soldiers at Tel-Hashomer. Since retiring from active duty, he has been providing consultancy services to NGOs, implementing psychological trauma programs in Israel. To contact him, e-mail [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 35 out the community and beyond, Rav Within a few hours, Rabbi Moyal Avraham Moyal, an esteemed gadol in instructed Rachel to consent to the sec- Elon For Ilan: Jerusalem was called. His sage advice was ond surgery to remove the remainder of explicit: The second surgery was not to be Ilan’s skull. A Celebration Of Miracles performed; rather, drops of water that That Ilan is alive is a miracle from Rabbi Moyal had given to a friend should Hashem. Through extensive rehab, he can be placed on Ilan’s lips, as well as on speak in full sentences, walk with nomi- BY ROCHELLE MARUCH MILLER nent vegetative state, or do nothing other parts of his body. The doctors were nal help from therapists, and has dis- and have Ilan face certain death with- incredulous; immediately, the pressure played problem-solving skills through Ilan Tocker is a medical marvel. Just in the ensuing hours. Ilan’s parents on Ilan’s brain dropped from dangerous card games. Recovery has been a slow and five months ago, the Cedarhurst resi- arduous process, but Ilan is persevering dent and father of four suffered a trau- against all odds. Tehillim and challah-bak- matic brain injury that nearly claimed ing groups the world over continue to his life when he fell and hit his head on With Ilan Tocker on his way to recovery, accrue zechusim for his complete recov- a marble floor while exiting an Atlantic ery as individuals and groups commit to City restaurant with his good friend and performing mitzvos in Ilan’s merit. business partner. though rehab is still very much needed, a Hashem has responded to our heartfelt In order to alleviate the pressure on tefillos, the hours of shiurim, and mitzvos his brain, surgeons removed half of comedy show on Chanukah, a day we have undertaken by making Rabbi Ilan’s skull but were alarmed when Moyal’s prediction that Ilan would be at they observed swelling on the other celebrating miracles, just seemed so apropos. the Kosel one year after his accident a side of the head, as well, His wife, realistic goal. Rachel, and other close family mem- The Ilon Tocker Foundation helps pay bers were given a heartbreaking the $40,000 monthly medical cost of choice; a second surgery to remove the had made aliyah mere weeks prior to to normal levels. Initially, the doctors had rehabilitation for Ilan. Following its time- other half of Ilan’s skull, which would his accident and Rachel was faced with feared that this was indicative of a brain honored tradition as a paragon of chesed, give him a ten percent chance of sur- an extremely difficult decision. hemorrhage and inevitable brain death; 350 members of our community attended vival, and most likely result in a perma- As Tehillim groups convened through- however, a CAT scan proved otherwise. Elon for Ilan, an elegant and festive fundraising event that raised $63,000 for the Ilan Tocker Foundation. I spoke with Michal Weinstein who, together with Deena Segal, orchestrated this enchanted evening. RM : How did you bring this concept to fruition? MW: This event was the brainchild of myself and Deena Segal, and the effort of a very large committee filled with many talented women and men. Around mid- September Deena and I were brainstorm- ing ideas to raise money for the Ilan Tocker Foundation. RM : Were you acquainted with Ilan and Rachel prior to the event? MS: Deena is from New Jersey but she met the Tockers at Beaver Lake. Although she only knew them for three short weeks, she became very involved in all our endeavors to help the family. RM : How did Elon Gold become part of the endeavor? RM: We recalled meeting Elon Gold during the summer and mused about how cool though unlikely it would be if he performed for Ilan. Elon for Ilan was the concept, but we never believed it would come to fruition. We figured we had nothing to lose and we contacted Elon. Immediately he said yes. He had heard of the story and was touched. Since it was most appropriate for this event to be in the vicinity of the Five Towns, considering most of Ilan Tocker’s family and friends live here, I then began putting together a small committee in the Five Towns. As word spread, more and more people asked if they could help and our small committee grew to 30! Every person gave their talents and skills to make this event happen. RM:How did you coordinate all 30 people so effectively? MW: We further subdivided into groups, such as sponsorships, food, video, playbill, gift bag, publicity, ticket sales, etc. Doing this enabled us to perfect every aspect of the event, resulting in an incredible evening, with no detail lost. We also utilized our local connections to help offset our costs and enhance the event. RM: Who were some of those connections? MW : Jason Meyers from Portraits by Jason Michael was our photographer and 36 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES videographer. New York Fun Factory donated the cool lighting as well as the red carpet. We also had free printing for all our print materials. Toby Schwartz from Imprint Indeed designed our professional playbill. Pearl Bakery donated our desserts. Kiss & Makeup donated our gift bags filled with a delicious smelling candle and a custom Chanukah cookie from Cake Chic. Morrell Caterers of Temple Israel went above and beyond giving us the space and food for a very reasonable rate and throwing in extras we never expected. RM: How long did it take to orches- trate the event to perfection? MW: All in all, the event was put together from conception to completion, in under three months. RM: What was Ilan Tocker’s response to the event? MW: Ilan Tocker was amazed by the outpouring of love and support. He thoroughly enjoyed himself at this event. He laughed hard along with everyone else at Elon’s brilliant comedy and overall seemed to have an incredible time. RM: What will the funds be used for? MW: The funds will go to offset Ilan’s high medical costs related to rehabilitation. Any extra money will be distributed to other local families experiencing similar crises. The goal of the Tockers is to continue this foundation in order to give back to the community that helped them through their tragedy. RM: What inspired you to get involved? MW:I happened to have been with Rachel at Beaver Lake when Ilan was injured. Witnessing such a tragedy led to the feeling of wanting to do something to help. That led to a bunch of us at Beaver Lake putting together a cookbook to raise much needed funds. With the success and incredible reception of the cookbook, it seemed natural to try and continue the momentum. With Ilan Tocker on his way to recovery, though rehab is still very much needed, a comedy show on Chanukah, a day celebrating miracles, just seemed so apropos. RM: What was Elon Gold’s reaction to the turnout and to the purpose of the event? MW: Elon Gold was completely touched by the way the community pulled together for a fellow Jew, even tearing up for a moment in the beginning of his act, and he seemed impressed with the grandeur and quality of the event. He gave an incredible and hilari- ous performance and seemed to have really enjoyed himself. RM: What are your thoughts about the role our community played in the event’s success? MW: This event would not have succeeded without the support of the community and local establishments who so generously gave. From our incredible raf- fles, all donated by individuals and businesses, to the fact that we sold out in two weeks and made the very wise decision to move to a bigger venue, allowing us to have 100 more people and more space, every effort made to raise money has been met with such enthusiasm and generous support from friends and strangers alike, that I believe the community really was responsible ultimately for the success. O

To learn more or to donate, visit ilantockerfoundation.com. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 37 that we actually learn something—beyond rocky ledge, is their location: downtown Grime And Grandeur geology—from the experiences. Paterson. We’ve found some wondrous falls in One drives through grimy streets look- upstate New York and Pennsylvania. But a ing for them, almost certain that some BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN take, thank G-d, are for family happy occa- waterfall we almost missed, en route to mistake has been made, that there must sions and such. But we try to take two or another one more distant, was the “Great be another Paterson in New Jersey, or Paterson, New Jersey is not an impres- three days off each summer for a car trip— Falls,” a part of the Passaic River. They are that it’s all a joke and the “falls” are only sive city. In fact, it’s a rather depressed, effluent from some industrial sewage and depressing, one. pipe. And after managing to find the sign The second most densely populated and entering a rocky, rudimentary park- large city in the United States after New ing lot, things don’t look much more York, its population—largely a tapestry of For some of us, loving our fellows, promising. After a moment’s walk, Hispanic, South American, and Middle- though, one is transported suddenly into Eastern immigrants and their progeny— another world, one of astounding power suffers from high unemployment and despite all the homage we may pay and beauty. low income. The sudden materialization of pristine The city’s downtown area has been the ideal, can be one of the most splendor amid urban squalor made an struck over the years by massive fires. A immediate and deep impression. Its larg- visitor to Paterson, even on the sunniest er lesson for life took a little longer to day, is confronted with a gloominess born challenging commandment we face. congeal, but eventually it did. of decaying and abandoned structures, We humans, like lesser creatures, are seemingly aimless people, and litter. masses of tissues and organs and digest- Paterson is also the site of one of the ing food. And yet within our physical most beautiful panoramas on the East selves soar souls. And just as “Paterson, Coast, as my wife and I discovered last in recent years, in search of waterfalls. We said to be the second-highest falls on the New Jersey” now conjures for me not the summer. enjoy the sounds and sight of cascading east coast (second only to Niagara). More filth but the falls, so is it important to We’re not big vacationers, both by tem- water, are rejuvenated by the grandeur of striking, though, than the mighty torrent know, I realized, that not only our physi- perament and economics. Most trips we the Creator’s handiwork, and often find of water the falls send thundering over a cal selves but the physical world itself, harbors holiness. It’s not a terribly original or unobvious thought. The Torah’s commandments, after all, are, overwhelmingly, physical acts, utilizing our physical bodies and physical objects. That was, of course, what Moshe, according to the Midrash, told the angels when G-d asked him to respond to their insistence that the Torah remain in the heavenly realm: ethereal creations do not inhabit the material world, a world for which the Torah serves as a blueprint. Something more, though, was also made sharper by the Paterson falls: How often does it happen that we find certain other people . . . well, tiresome . . . grating . . . unpleasant? For some of us, loving our fellows, despite all the homage we may pay the ideal, can be one of the most challenging commandment we face. Klal Yisrael (the Jewish People), after all, is easy to love; Reb Yisrael (the individual), oftentimes, less so. Yet each of our fellows, no matter how superficially unimpressive or even dis- agreeable, holds a spark of holiness. Well- hidden though it may be, somewhere, in its own place, it glimmers. And, like the beauty that can sometimes lie well-con- cealed amid city grime, we need to search it out. O

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38 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 39 My street remains unplowed, and one of the first to be plowed and it was that’s disturbing to me. Why? I don’t plowed repeatedly throughout the day. know! It’s not like I have someplace to But no longer! go, because if I left the house where As of 5 p.m. today, no plow had come would I park? Without having surveyed anywhere near our block. No official the outside world for the past 24 hours, plow that is. But private citizens were I know from past experience that there helping out all over the area during the are mounds of snow piled high in front day, and at exactly 5:00 p.m., a most of parking meters and that there will be major detours to get into any of the Snow Frustration stores. But that doesn’t prevent me from wanting to get out of the house and into Help! I’m a prisoner in my own phone, a computer, and a good book— a store—any store. At this point I’m not Since only one home! If I don’t get out soon, I’ll be fin- and I’m still bored! One might think I’ve particular. Even a hardware store or a ished. To start with, the chill in my been held captive here for several weeks, Laundromat sounds appealing right person took me up house is palpable—not so much but that’s clearly not the case. This is now. All that I want is to be able to see because of any problem with my home being penned late Monday evening, other people. on the offer of heating system, but because of how after just one day of incarceration. The fact of my street being unplowed often I’ve opened the refrigerator door Yesterday, Sunday, the day that the snow is driving me bonkers. Chances are that during the day. And, in fact, were I not began to fall, I was out and about most I’m spoiled. For 41 years, I lived next door coffee, I will assume sitting at the computer right this of the day and didn’t arrive home until to a public school, but two years ago all of minute, I would most likely be opening after 4:00 p.m. that changed. No, I haven’t moved and that word of my it again, despite the fact that the hour is In general, I am, thankfully, in reason- the school hasn’t been demolished; but it late. There’s something about a heavy ably good health, but apparently there is was closed, and that makes all the differ- coffee-making skills, snowfall and being cooped up at home an exception. My mental immune system ence in the world during and after a that makes me want to eat. is more delicate than that of most, and it major snowfall. For the entire 41 years, or the lack of them, I have at my disposal every type of takes only one day for me to come down each time there was a snowstorm, my entertainment—a television, a tele- with cabin fever. street was a priority for the county. It was has gotten around.

kind individual who owns a plow did show up. There was only one problem: two young ladies had decided to go driving, and they got stuck in front of my next-door neighbor’s house. Their vehicle was blocking the street, preventing the plow from coming through. Just great! Undoubtedly the gals who were stuck were shivering and miserable, and after several unsuccessful attempts to get out of the rut in the snow that their wheels had created, they were waiting for someone to come help them. Odds are they used their cell phones to call a friend or relative. It was perhaps the sixth or seventh time this had happened during the day. I lost count, but I did see several cars that had gotten themselves into the same situation. Most of them were eventually able to dig themselves out, but I counted three drivers that had to wait for a tow truck to do the job. It’s not likely that I saw all of the vehi- cles that got stuck, because I visited my front window only sporadically during the day. I spent most of my time reading, watching television, and eating. In fact, at this time I believe that, according to my Weight Watchers points allotment, I’m up to Friday’s lunch! But getting back to the frustration of not having my street plowed: I watched as the girls’ car remained in the same position, unable to move, and I also watched as the same private plow returned twice more, only to again be diverted. My blood pressure headed due north each time it happened, and I wanted to scream at those two girls who were responsible for blocking the road. In my distress, I had exhausted my normal supply of pity. All compassion had deserted me. But I have neighbors who are nothing short of angels. This couple had spent the daylight hours not only shoveling their snow but shoveling for their neighbors as well. That included me. They

Continued on Page 42 40 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES would say, “You just don’t get divorced.” letter about my wife or our marriage. I’ve been married ten years now, and My question is actually completely dif- though I thought I did it right from the ferent. At this point, I’m kind of giving up start, I am saddened to report that on our marriage. It makes me very sad things between my wife and me are and this is not something that I ever saw awful. We’ve really grown apart so much coming. I have been brainwashed to during our marriage. When I met my believe that divorce is not an option. wife, she was a shy, “eidel” young However, I’m a young guy, a good guy, Dear Esther, This left its mark on my mother, so woman who was very fine and agree- and I feel that I deserve happiness in my We all grow up hearing certain mes- one of her favorite speeches was about able and easy to be with. We were on life. Despite the tension in our home, our sages repeated over and over again from the necessity of making a marriage work, the same page with most things. I don’t children seem to be doing very well. The our parents that become the mantras of or at least staying married. The “D” word want to get into why she changed or only time they get really out of sorts is our lives. As a parent myself, I understand (divorce) was considered obscene as far as who and what I can point fingers to, but when they see my wife and me fighting. now why my mother did it—hoping that she was concerned. she isn’t the same person I married. Frankly, I don’t think I would have to by repeating the same message again and By the way, I would describe my par- She’s pursued a career—which I often twist my wife’s arm to get her to agree to again, we can save our children from ents’ marriage as lackluster or downright feel is the most important thing in her a divorce. In that regard, at least, we’re on making the same mistakes that we made miserable. She and my father have very life right now—and she has gotten the same page. and regret. My problem is that I’m terrified of My mother really was the one who telling my mother. We’ve managed to was always giving my two sisters and me shield her from our problems, not want- the life lessons. My father wasn’t as ing to upset her. When we’re with my par- involved in our upbringing—or most The “D” word (divorce) was ents, I think we all put on a convincing goings-on in our lives. He was always act for their sake. But I’m really worried kind of in the background, doing his about how my mother will handle this thing. Kind of disconnected. considered obscene as far as she news. I remember her going through a Our mother did teach us many valu- very serious illness about six years ago. able lessons about working hard, doing was concerned. (Thank G-d she’s doing fine now.) And at the best we can, and living solid lives. one point she made some kind of com- Additionally, she constantly spoke ment about nothing she was going about the importance of staying mar- through could be as bad as the aftermath ried, “no matter what.” It seems my of a divorce. mother’s parents divorced when she little in common. Maybe when they mar- much more modern than she was when When I’m feeling really insecure about was young, leaving a very big hole in her ried 34 years ago they had a lot in com- we first met. I look at her and don’t telling her, I wonder whether I can spend heart. Divorce is bad enough for chil- mon, but from what I can see, there’s not know who she is anymore. the rest of my life in a loveless marriage dren, but in my mother’s case, way back much going on. I don’t recall ever seeing We have tried couples therapy with (as she has done) to, according to her when, divorce wasn’t heard of all that them hug or hold hands—or even have three different therapists, but somehow belief system, protect my children. Some much. So my mother felt like the weird an interesting conversation. But I know she never stuck with it once it started days I decide I too will be a sacrificial one, the strange child in her class. She that the word divorce will never be feeling uncomfortable for her. But she is lamb and just carry on. Other days I feel never brought friends home, because uttered between them, and they will going to her own individual therapist, like I can’t survive another minute living the shame she felt was too great for her most likely live out long lives together, as who I feel is supporting her new behav- to deal with. a married couple. Because, as my mother ior. But I really don’t want to make this Continued on Page 42

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 41 THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! MINDBIZ to live our lives for the sake of others, and I believe your greatest worry relates Continued from Page 40 Continued from Page 41 is it our job to secure the mental well- to how your mother will handle the being of others?” I will attempt to answer news, should it come to you telling her. were exhausted and every bit as anxious this lie and feeling no love or support the second part of the question first. Sometimes people surprise us and as I for our block to be plowed. They, from my spouse. Though I believe that we are all connect- react to bad news entirely better than too, were frustrated that the plow was I do love my mother very much and I ed to one another on a visceral level— we might have predicted. This may prevented from getting down our block, do want to protect her. How far does a and it is this connection that lends enor- happen. Possibly, your mother has but did they let bitterness get the best of son have to go to protect his mother? mous joy and value to our lives—we are been doing some of her own soul- them? Absolutely not! And if you believe that I can’t live my life all obligated to work on ourselves and searching and at this stage of her life The wife went outside to offer each of according to her value system, how can I ultimately save ourselves. For better or can also see the downside to staying in the girls a cup of hot cocoa. That’s some- tell her in a way that doesn’t destroy her for worse, we don’t have the power to a bad marriage; she might even shock thing I might have done too, and in fact and all the work she has put into me and save others from themselves, if they are you by being supportive of your quest I had done it. Several times during the my siblings? not willing to be saved. for happiness. day I had thrown open my window and Torn Your mother had a traumatic child- If not, and your mother has the reac- called out to those that were stranded Dear Torn, hood. It left wounds that have never tion you fear most, I suggest you try your directly in front of my house, offering You ask a very difficult question—one healed. The raw emotion that she experi- hardest to get her into therapy as soon as them coffee. Being allergic to chocolate, that touches upon the issues of kibud av ences when the word divorce comes up is possible. A strong therapeutic relation- I don’t keep cocoa in my house. Since va’eim, moral obligations, philosophical something that she needs to work ship can not only help her deal with your only one person took me up on the offer questions, and more. You are not asking through . . . or not. Sadly, because she choices, but finally enable her to deal of coffee, I will assume that word of my me about the benefits of staying in an never wanted her children to go through with her past experiences as a child of coffee-making skills, or the lack of them, unbearable marriage versus dealing with the pain she went through, she tolerated divorced parents. It could force her to has gotten around. Nevertheless, I con- the consequences of divorce as it impacts a marriage that maybe should not have look deeply within herself and may ulti- tinued to make the offer to anyone who upon the children involved. Nor are you been tolerated, and she sacrificed her mately be very good for her. was stuck. asking me whether I believe there are own prospects for finding a loving soul Regarding the question whether we But at that hour, when darkness had things you and your wife should be doing mate in the process. should be living our lives for the sake of already fallen and the car that these girls to help save your marriage. It does sound That was her choice. Hopefully, she others, there is no yes-or-no answer. were in was preventing that plow from as though the two of you have made will never regret the choice she made. There is a continuum upon which we doing what I had been waiting anxious- some effort, though I suspect there prob- But I believe you have to make your ultimately determine where our choices ly for all day long (having the street ably are other avenues to pursue in that own choices. When it comes to mar- fall, so that we are able to live our authen- plowed), I couldn’t bring myself to offer regard; but, again, that is not the point of riage, to sharing your life with the one tic lives, while still being sensitive, them anything. I never even called out your question. person who should be the most respectful, and courteous to others. We to them. At first I was ashamed of Your question is whether I believe important person in your life, I don’t all struggle to find that fine balance. I myself. Vindictiveness isn’t a nice thing. you are obligated to remain unhappily believe another person has the right wish you much luck in navigating your But I got over the shame by telling married because you fear what a to dictate what you must do. A great life in such a way that allows you to make myself that, considering how my coffee divorce might do to your mother. You marriage is one of the greatest bera- choices that lead to inner peace and har- usually tastes, that might have been the worry that the impact on her will be chos one can experience, enabling a mony all around you. girls’ good fortune. O devastating, since she seems to be so person to get through all of life’s hard- Esther very damaged already by the divorce of ships in the best way possible. A mar- Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a her own parents. riage in name only can leave a person Esther Mann, LCSW, is a psychotherapist in licensed real-estate broker associated with Lawrence. Esther works with individuals and Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at Let’s break this down a little further. feeling raw, alone, and unfulfilled. It couples. She can be reached at [email protected] or 516-902-3733. Perhaps the question is, “Are we obligated can feel like purgatory. [email protected] or 516-314-2295.

42 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES My father used to always tell me that Is there an elderly neighbor next door when you shovel your sidewalk, don’t or on your block that may be snowbound just shovel the snow to the very edge of and need someone to shovel their walk? your boundary line, like a demarcation of Or just an elderly neighbor that needs to what you are responsible for and where it be checked on to see if they are okay and ends. He always said, “When you shovel, that the heat is on in their house and they go beyond your property line and show have been able to get to the store and get you are a friendly neighbor, not just a milk or other food items? boundary line—going to the edge of the We are all eager to get out there and boundary line is just plain offensive.” finish the shoveling as soon as we can Snow Etiquette This is certainly something that should and then get back inside to the warmth of be in “snow etiquette.” the house. We have a tendency to forget, Well, for those of you who are homeowner’s responsibility by law to What about neighbors who have not when everything is so quiet and no one is unaware, it snowed on Sunday, and it clean the sidewalks in front of his or her been well and might not be able to outdoors, that there may be people continued to snow Sunday night. When house—a real bummer for those on the come out and shovel snow? I suddenly indoors who are embarrassed to ask but you got up Monday morning, anywhere corner who need to clean the sidewalks realized that all of us should take the need a little help from a nice neighbor from one to three feet of snow—depend- on two sides of the property. Of course, time to think beyond the box when it who takes a moment to knock on their ing which way the wind blew, and it blew door and check if they need a little help. plenty—sat waiting on your driveway, That’s snow etiquette. O your sidewalk, your steps, and a number of other inconvenient places that would Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a require a large chunk of time and defi- When you shovel, go beyond your licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, nitely a lot of effort to remove. offering full-service residential and commercial While thinking about when I really real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and property line and show you are mortgaging services (First Meridian Mortgage) in wanted to get started with making a dent the Five Towns and throughout the tri-state area. in this massive amount of snow that had She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or via her a friendly neighbor, not just website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are so inconveniently fallen on my car and encouraged to send questions or comments to property and was now blocking any pos- [email protected]. sibility of exiting my driveway, it a boundary line. occurred to me that I have never seen a written form of “snow etiquette” suggest- ing the right way of approaching snow At 5TJT.com shoveling and snow removal for the aver- you can enjoy articles age homeowner. the first stab of the shovel usually goes comes to days such as these when there Besides the obvious issue of just get- near wherever the car is sitting, to clear is a lot of snow on the ground and it in 3 ways: ting rid of whatever snow is outside your the way for a getaway as soon as possible, needs to be shoveled and cleaned. house and blocking the variety of exits as well as clearing the entranceway to the Maybe another part of “snow etiquette” 1. Read and entrances, what other things should house and the steps that may be there as should be that everyone take a little 2. Print we really be considering as part of “snow well. But is this all that we should be extra time when preparing to go out etiquette”? thinking about when we think of “snow and shovel the snow to consider what is 3. Email Certainly most of us know that it is a etiquette”? going on around him.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 43 bles can all be incorporated into a hearty, soothing soup. So stay warm and have fun in the kitchen, or just enjoy the day off and relax. They’ll be back in school before you know it.

Triple Chocolate Cookies Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter, softened Snowed In 1/2 cup dark brown sugar the spot instead. A dollop of honey, a fresh 1/4 cup granulated sugar As a child, when I saw the flurries up different cheeses, and put out tomato squeeze of lemon, or some fresh mint can 1/4 cup canola oil begin to fall I hoped enough would stick sauce, and your pizza party is ready to go. make ordinary tea a little more special. 1 egg to cancel school for the next day or two. Your kids will love creating their own piz- Bake cookies. Baking is a great way to 1 tsp. vanilla As a parent, I still look forward to a snow zas and will devour their creations. get many hands involved. Take turns 1/2 cup all-purpose flour day with my kids, getting cozy in our cracking eggs, measuring the ingredients, 1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour pajamas or venturing outdoors to make a and stirring. It’s a fun way to keep kids 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder snowman. After the first couple of hours, busy, and they feel proud that they’ve cre- 1/4 tsp. salt though, it gets a little tough to come up Cookies can be prepared ated something so delectable. Cookies can 1/3 cup dark chocolate, with ways to keep the kids from bounc- be prepared easily and they bake quickly, coarsely chopped ing off the walls. easily and they bake so you don’t have to wait too long to 1/3 cup milk chocolate, I’ve found that no matter how old the enjoy them. The smell of fresh-baked coarsely chopped children are, the kitchen is a fun place to quickly, so you don’t cookies will put everyone in a good mood. 2/3 cup chopped pecans, optional get creative and whip up something Make challah. Even if it’s not close to Directions: yummy. When you know the storm is have to wait too long to Shabbos, making challah can be fun any- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, coming, make sure to stock up your enjoy them. time. They can get involved in making cream butter and sugars with a fork until fridge and pantry with the basics, as well the dough, and they’ll love braiding and well combined. Add oil and egg and beat as some fun ingredients to cook with. shaping their own challahs. The challahs until creamy. Mix in vanilla. In medium Here are some ideas for fun kitchen activ- can be frozen raw and then defrosted and bowl, whisk together flours, cocoa pow- ities on snow days. baked right before Shabbos, or you can der, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet Make pizzas. I always have some pizza Hot drinks. After some fun in the snow, enjoy them any day for a special treat. ingredients and mix well. Stir in choco- dough in my freezer that I can defrost at a good hot drink will hit the spot. Hot Comfort foods. Everyone wants some- lates and pecans and mix well. Using a any time to make a quick and easy din- chocolate is a cold-weather favorite. You thing warm and comforting when it’s tablespoon, scoop batter onto an ner. For an occasion like a snow day, it’s a can make a hot chocolate bar with differ- cold outside. Whipping up a big pot of ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes. perfect way to keep your little ones busy ent add-ins such as marshmallows, soup is easy enough, and it can be made while they make their own meal. Give whipped cream, flavored syrups, cinna- with whatever you have on hand if you Eating quality, delicious meals is easy when all the work is done for you. Hire a personal chef to each child a ball of pizza dough dusted mon sticks, and candies. They can even didn’t have time to shop for specific prepare your dinners, Shabbos meals, or small with flour and a rolling pin or large drink- add in a scoop of ice cream and watch it ingredients. Canned beans, vegetables in parties. For more information, contact Take Home Chef personal chef services by calling 516-508- ing glass, and let them roll out their melt away. If you’re not in the mood of the crisper, cartons of chicken or veg- 3663, writing to [email protected], or dough. Meanwhile, cut up veggies, slice such a sweet treat, hot herbal tea can hit etable stock, any pasta, and frozen vegeta- visiting www.TakeHomeChef.net.

44 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Isaac Lati and Morris Jaradeh, both stu- this concert along with the Lawrence dents at Magen David Yeshiva in music department. He noted, “The Brooklyn, who won for their invention, Lawrence Public Schools can serve as a Winergy, a wind turbine that captures positive force in uniting our community hot air released by central air condition- as we share the rich cultural backgrounds er condenser units and recycles it back of the diverse groups of people in the into the unit, thereby saving building Five Towns. Music and art serve as a owners both energy and money. bridge for bringing people together.” LCM Entrepreneur Of The Year best five plans and all contestants will be The second-place prize went to the Addressing the grim statistic that 65% Competition For Yeshiva notified of their contest status by April team of Eric Forkush and George of students enrolled in the Lawrence High-School Students 20. The five finalists will then have the Bangiyev, both students at Rambam School District are at or below the feder- Dr. Moshe Sokol, dean of Touro opportunity to present their plan to a dis- Mesivta High School, for creating head- al mandated poverty level, Lawrence College’s Lander College for Men (LCM), tinguished panel of judges on Sunday, phones that inflate to fit snugly inside Public Schools, in collaboration with the has announced the 2010-2011 Lander May 1, at the Queens campus of Lander one’s ears or over them. The third-place Five Towns Community Chest, Nassau College for Men Student Entrepreneur of College for Men in Kew Gardens Hills. prize went to Gilad Katz, a student at County District Attorney Kathleen Rice the Year Competition. Now entering its Each finalist will have eight minutes to Rambam Mesivta High School, for his and her Community Affairs Division, Our third year, the competition is designed to present their plan and twelve minutes to idea for Cat Café, where people who love Lady of Good Council, St. John’s Baptist help cultivate the creative talents and answer any questions from the judges’ cats but for whatever reason cannot Church, First Baptist Church, Outreach entrepreneurial acumen of yeshiva high panel. Computer and projector equip- own one, can visit a lounge, have a Church, and the Inwood Community school students from throughout the ment, as well as a slide viewer, will be drink, and engage with cats that reside Group, have created an organizational New York metropolitan area. available to accommodate finalists. on the premises. structure. Together, they seek to meet the “Once again, we look forward to Winners will receive cash awards Further information about the 2010- clothing, food, shelter, and social service receiving impressive business plans from ranging from $1,500 for first place; $1,000 2011 Lander College for Men Student needs of those most vulnerable. Working the best and brightest of our region’s for second place; and $500 for third Entrepreneur of the Year Competition is closely with our local yeshivas and syna- yeshiva high school students,” said Dr. Ira place. The winners’ respective schools available from Dean Sokol at 718-820-4888, gogues, Five Towns One Community Teich, competition director. “This year, will also receive a plaque recognizing Rabbi Barry Nathan at 718-820-4884, or Dr. mobilized to take action during the criti- for the first time, we are allowing previ- individual winners or teams. This year’s Teich at 718-820-4864. O cal winter months. ous winners to act as mentors to current competition is sponsored by the Teich “The Five Towns is not immune to the contestants.” Family and The Dean’s Fund of the Five Towns One Community current economic downturn; actually, the Interested students are asked to sub- Lander College for Men. Presents Chaim Dovid And Que numbers of our neighbors in need, espe- mit—either by themselves or as part of a “We are delighted to present this com- Swing Urbano, January 5 cially children, is mind boggling,” said team—a brief, one- to two-page summary petition for the third consecutive year Five Towns One Community will hold Bob Block, chest campaign chair. The up to 500 words of their idea or inven- and we’re proud of the way it has grown a unique benefit concert on Wednesday, monies raised and allocated will allow tion. Summaries must be submitted by in popularity and attracted interest from January 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., in the Five Towns One Community representa- January 21, to Dr. Teich at [email protected]. those in the business and technology sec- Lawrence High School Auditorium. tives and school social workers to pro- Students will get constructive feedback tors,” Dean Sokol said. “Each year, the Internationally acclaimed singer and vide much needed services and tangible and then be asked to submit a full busi- plans we receive from students surpass recording artist Chaim Dovid will per- goods to those who either have no place ness concept plan, which may contain up our expectations and we expect this year form in concert with the Latin music sen- to turn or are reluctant to seek assistance. to 10 pages, by March 7. to be no exception.” sation Que Swing Urbano (an all men So far, $8,000 has been raised. A selection committee consisting of The previous competition’s grand group). Gary Schall, deputy superintend- LCM business faculty will choose the prize winners consisted of the team of ent Lawrence Public Schools, planned Continued on Page 46

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS a remarkable coming together of two week by County Executive Edward confirmation that my colleagues and I are Continued from Page 45 musical worlds.” Mangano. Building on the county execu- doing exactly what Nassau County voters In addition to the performance, this tive’s balanced no-property-tax-increase elected us to do,” says Legislator Kopel. Other events included a Holocaust art event will honor student philanthropic budget for 2011, the additional cuts in Referring to complaints dismissing the project and collaborative plays, such as organizations from all of our local unnecessary spending will save taxpayers $23 million savings as a ‘drop in the buck- “Little Women,” which was produced by schools. Light, kosher refreshments will another $23 million each year. “These et,’ Legislator Kopel says, “Based on the Lawrence, HAFTR, and HALB Middle be served after the event. Admission is cuts signal strong leadership,” says size of the deficit we inherited last Schools. According to Schall, a sports free but donations are encouraged. For Legislator Kopel. “The only way to close a January, I’m not surprised that some con- event and another musical event are on more information, to become a program $343 million deficit is to slam the door on sider $23 million a drop in the bucket.” the calendar as well. sponsor, or to have your student philan- the unfunded mandates and government Paraphrasing the late Senator Everett Chaim Dovid has a unique history of thropic organization included on this waste we’ve seen for the past decade. It’s Dirksen’s famous quip about runaway working together with LPS. Schall program, please call The Academy Of Fine time to put the county’s finances back in spending, Legislator Kopel, says, “‘A mil- explains, “A few years ago the Lawrence And Performing Arts At Lawrence High order.” The county executive’s savings lion here, a million there, and soon you’re High School Marching Band was asked to School, 516-295-7084. O announcement included $15 million talking about real money.’ If the previous play at an Orthodox Jewish wedding. from a countywide hiring freeze on non- majority would’ve known the value of a Some of the music the band performed Rabbi Saul Berman At essential employees, $5 million from dollar instead of frivolously spending all included songs by Chaim Dovid that were Congregation Beth Sholom, spending reductions on supplies and con- our taxpayer’s hard-earned money, we arranged specifically for this event. The January 15 tracts, $2 million by merging several wouldn’t be in such a mess.” O kids loved the music. When Choim Dovid On January 15, Rabbi Saul Berman will county departments to increase efficien- came to New York shortly after the event, be the scholar in residence at cy, and an additional $1 million by elimi- T he Sweetness Of Biodegradable I had the opportunity to meet with him. Congregation Beth Sholom, located at nating 5,000 unused telephone lines. Plastics He came to Lawrence High School to per- 390 Broadway in Lawrence. Rabbi Since taking office, County Executive Environmentalists around the world form for the kids. It was a big success and Berman is on the faculty of Stern College Mangano and Legislator Kopel blocked agree that plastic bags are choking our Chaim Dovid has been in touch with and Columbia Law School. He is a leading former-county executive Tom Suozzi’s landfills and polluting our seas. Now a Tel them ever since.” teacher and thinker of Orthodox Judaism. plan to raise Nassau County property Aviv University researcher is developing The Latin band, Que Swing Urbano, He has extensively contributed to taxes by $325.1 million over four years, new laboratory methods using corn was featured at another LPS event. Schall women’s Jewish education, to the role of and shielded taxpayers from another $160 starch and sugar to help sustainable plas- explains, “It was also a huge success and social ethics in synagogue life, and the million burden by repealing the infa- tics—those that biodegrade and are even was the first time that the Hispanic com- understanding of the applicability of mous energy tax. tougher than those made from petro- munity came out in large numbers to a Jewish law to contemporary society. In October, despite the county’s histor- chemicals—compete in the industry. Lawrence School event. After hearing At 11:00 a.m., he will give a derashah ically unprecedented $343 million deficit, The answer to the problem, Professor this incredible Latin Band and knowing entitled, “Why Do We Bless Children County Executive Mangano and the leg- Moshe Kol of Tel Aviv University’s that Chaim Dovid was coming into town With Birchat Kohanim?” and at 4:30 p.m., islative majority honored their campaign School of Chemistry says, is a new vari- in January, I asked him if he would be he will speak about “A Study in Self- promise to not raise taxes, and brought ety of catalysts—substances that initiate willing to perform on the same concert Definition: The Weekday Amidah.” O the 2011 budget into balance by cutting or sustain chemical reactions in other with the Latin band as a means of attract- $148 million in government spending and substances. His team has already devel- ing an audience that would not necessar- Legislator Howard Kopel Praises reducing the county’s bloated payroll. oped several of these new catalysts, and ily come out to hear his music. He not New Cost-Cutting Measures Payroll reductions for 2011 will bring the it’s currently expanding its activities in only agreed to perform on the same con- On Friday, Legislator Howard J. Kopel county’s workforce to its lowest level partnership with the University of cert but agreed to do a couple of his own stated his enthusiastic support for new since the 1950s. Aachen in Germany and the University songs together with the Latin band. It is cost-cutting measures ordered this past “These new spending cuts are further of Bath in England.

46 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Professor Kol is improving the process a plastic substitute would cut down on of making these “green” plastics stronger fuel consumption, and replacing a water and more heat-resistant, allowing them pipe made of concrete or metal with one to be used in a variety of ways, from the made of corrosion- and crack-resistant automotive industry to Starbucks coffee plastic may improve the quality of our cups. The type of plastic the partners are drinking water. working on, polylactic acid or PLA, is a For disposable items, a perfect plastic kind of biodegradable plastic made from material would be a polymer made from renewable plant sources such as corn, renewable resources that degrades to its wheat, or sugarcane. It’s already used in original non-toxic form. Plastics made bottles, bags, and film, and like polyester from corn sugar are the most desirable in can even be woven into clothes. the industry at the moment. The new catalysts enable the polymer- The preliminary results of Professor ization of lactide, which is the building Kol’s efforts are in, and the plastics that block of a corn-based plastic. he and his team produce in the lab look Conventional catalysts have limited con- and feel like polystyrene, which could be trol of the way in which these building used for making drinking cups, for exam- blocks—the corn-based molecules—are ple. Rigid and transparent, the drinking assembled, and they may be toxic. But cups currently only work for liquids Professor Kol’s catalysts can be used more under 122 degrees Fahrenheit, but they safely and efficiently, making “green” represent a first big step into greening Participants at the Agudath Israel special yeshivos meeting. plastics more commercially feasible. plastics and the chemical industry. O “The structure of these corn-based plastics depends on several parameters. Yeshiva Services Division Of liaison between the approximately 350 mandated services, a state program that The most important is the character of Agudath Israel Holds Special Jewish day schools/yeshivos across New reimburses nonpublic schools for their the building blocks, like Lego blocks, that Meeting York and the State Education costs in carrying out certain state man- hold the material together,” says Approximately 100 principals and Department. dates. The mandated services session is Professor Kol. He aims to make sustain- administrators of New York State yeshivos As Mrs. Zachai observed, “The meeting one of a series of workshops the yeshiva able corn-based plastics complement or attended a meeting at the end of gave Dr. Cunningham a firsthand, first- services division conducts throughout replace the petroleum-based plastics November hosted by Agudath Israel of time glimpse into the yeshivos in our the year. Other workshops include such which can take a millennium to degrade, America’s yeshiva services division, under community, their particular strengths topics as the federal e-rate program, leaving harmful pollutants in the soil and the direction of Mrs. Deborah Zachai. The and unique needs, and afforded Dr. which provides discounts to schools for in water. Corn-based plastic wouldn’t meeting was designed to introduce Dr. Cunningham the opportunity to explain telecommunications services (including cause any adverse health effects and Deborah Cunningham, coordinator for her new role in serving the yeshivos and local and long-distance phone charges); would be expected to biodegrade in a educational services management at the other nonpublic schools across the state.” and the four New York State loan pro- compost bin in a matter of months. New York State Education Department to As part of her presentation, Dr. grams, which provide funding to nonpub- Plastics won’t be going away any time the yeshiva principals and administra- Cunningham highlighted new Board of lic schools to purchase textbooks, library soon, Professor Kol suggests, pointing to tors. Dr. Cunningham recently assumed Regents initiatives which may benefit material, instructional software, comput- the movement from concrete or stainless many of the duties of the New York State yeshivos. er hardware, and other items such as steel to plastic in a variety of industries. Education Department’s Office of Dr. Cunningham’s presentation was Replacing the steel manifold of a car with Nonpublic Schools, which serves as a key followed by a workshop on the subject of Continued on Page 48

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS hope to the world but for teaching the Continued from Page 47 world the true meaning of freedom, democracy, and liberty.” SmartBoards for use by the students. Quoting the late David Ben Gurion, the At this recent session, Rabbi Nissan first prime minister of Israel, Ido Aharoni, Gewirtzman of Yeshiva Consulting Consul General of Israel in New York, Services and a member of the State said, “Being a realist in Israel means that Education Department’s Workgroup on you must believe in miracles. Our very Mandated Services, discussed strategies existence as a people since the dawn of to use in the collection of data, and time has been solely dependent on the advised participants on how to respond mercy and compassion of the G-d of to the state’s request for additional infor- Israel and tonight we celebrate the her- mation and/or a state audit, followed by itage that we clung to and sacrificed for questions and answers. throughout the millennia.” Mr. Aharoni Agudath Israel’s yeshiva services divi- praised John Liu as being “a courageous sion helps guide yeshiva personnel in bridge between Israel and New York City.” New York and across the country through Helen Freedman of the Americans For the maze of applicable laws, regulations, A Safe Israel said in an interview, “It is and assistance programs. O wonderful to see so many supporters of Helen Freedman of AFSI and NYC Comptroller John Liu at the Surrogate Court building in Israel and the Jewish people gathered Jewish Heritage Celebrated In Manhattan for a celebration of Jewish heritage. here tonight. As the nation of Israel faces Lower Manhattan the most difficult and challenging times, By Fern Sidman we are deeply indebted to people like An overflow crowd gathered in the cav- and sex therapist, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, remarks, Mr. Liu mentioned that he had John Liu and other non-Jewish friends ernous lobby of the stately New York radio personality Nachum Segal, Helen just returned from his second trip to and allies.” Surrogate Courthouse in lower Freedman, executive director of Israel and found it to be “a most magnifi- Among those honored at Jewish Manhattan on Monday evening, Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI), New cent experience in every way” and Heritage of New York were Anna December 20 for a moving evening dedi- York State Assemblyman David Weprin, extended his thanks to the Jewish Rachmansky, the president of the cated to the majestic heritage of the Consul General of Israel Ido Aharoni, for- Community Relations Council for spon- Shorefront YMHA of Brighton Beach. Ms. Jewish nation. Sponsored by the Agudath mer New York City Councilman and cur- soring this trip and his previous trip Rachmansky arrived in the United States Israel, the Jewish Community Relations rent deputy comptroller for budget and which took place in 1999. “I was extreme- 30 years ago from the former Soviet Council (JCRC), the Met Council on accounting of the City of New York ly honored to visit Israel for the first time, Union and has dedicated her efforts Jewish Poverty, and the UJA-Federation of Simcha Felder, Judith Shapiro of Jewish along with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who towards creating a wide variety of social New York, the Jewish Heritage celebra- Heritage NY, and NYS Assemblyman had lived in Israel after World War II.” service programs that assist the Russian- tion was the brainchild of New York City Michael Miller. Mr. Liu made reference to his partici- Jewish community. She is also the chair- Comptroller John C. Liu, a native of “I not only consider myself a friend to pation in Chanukah menorah lighting cer- person of the Russian leadership division Taiwan, who was the chief organizer of the Jewish community, but one who emonies and his introduction to eating of the UJA-Federation of New York and the event. developed a true appreciation and under- hamantaschen on Purim. “Being a part of recently delivered remarks at “The Wall Among the dignitaries, elected offi- standing of the rich cultural and religious these traditions is very important to me Street Dinner,” a premiere UJA fundrais- cials, and celebrities present at the event traditions of this timeless and eternal and I salute the Jewish people for not were German-born Jewish psychologist nation,” said Mr. Liu. In his introductory only representing a beacon of light and Continued on Page 50

48 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS side other rescue workers, Hatzolah vol- Ohel At The Garment Center Synagogue Continued from Page 48 unteers risked their lives to rescue, treat, and transport countless victims of the ter- ing event. She also works closely with the rorist attack. In the process, they earned Jewish Community Relations Council. great respect from their peers in the “We must never forget that there are emergency service community. those out there who struggle with hunger Deborah Hes, the executive director of and poverty on a daily basis,” declared the Jewish Community Center of Alexander Rapaport, who was honored Washington Heights was honored for her for operating soup kitchens in the diligent efforts in helping Russian Jews Borough Park section of Brooklyn. With integrate into the complex network of the the invaluable assistance of the Met New York City community. Also being Council on Jewish Poverty, Mr. Rapaport honored was Steven Goodman for his four serves over 500 meals every day to those decades of Jewish communal service in need. through his work with the YMHA system Praised for his work of saving Jewish of programs that help the less fortunate. O lives 365 days a year through his work with Hatzolah, was honoree Rabbi David A Snowy Shacharis Cohen. Hatzolah, as an organization, is By Eliezer Cohen the largest volunteer ambulance service This past Monday, despite nearly two in the world. Chevra Hatzolah in New feet of snow and drifts of four to five feet, York has more than 1,000 volunteer EMTs people came from all areas to daven Norman Gildin, Chief Development Officer, of OHEL Children’s Home and and paramedics who answer more than vasikin at the Agudah. With mispallelim Family Services presented a plaque to Marc Abramson, the Garment Center 250,000 calls each year with private vehi- coming from as far as Cedarhurst and Synagogue Executive Vice President, and Jack Ratusch, President of the cles and a fleet of more than 70 ambu- Bayswater, the vasikin minyan went on as shul, for their continuous support over many years to OHEL’s many camp lances. Hatzolah members were among scheduled. Some walked for 45 plus min- programs. These contributions provided for essential scholarships to needy the first responders to the World Trade utes, others took nearly an hour to drive. OHEL Bais Ezra clients so that they could attend the camp programs. Center on September 11, 2001 and along- But to serve HaKadosh Baruch Hu in his

50 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES we’re committed to highlighting the many benefits that come with Pesach in Israel,” he says. Walles points out that even with the added costs of flights to get to Israel, an Israeli hotel package is highly competi- tive for families who typically choose hotels closer to home. “The nature of our market enables us to offer highly compet- itive rates while still delivering the con- Shovels and siddurim at the Agudah. sumer the best cuisine and programming.” Other factors like the mild Israeli weather and the overall benefit of spend- proper time, the snow was no obstacle. Leonardo Plaza in the Dead Sea. This clas- ing Pesach in the Jewish homeland make All were welcomed with typical Agudah sic beachfront resort hotel will feature it the natural choice for those in search of hospitality and nice, hot, fresh-brewed fine (non-kitniyot) glatt kosher cuisine, the best possible holiday. “Pesach is a coffee. Mi k’amcha Yisrael! O ongoing entertainment for all ages, amaz- great time to get to truly experience Israel ing natural surroundings overlooking the and celebrate a chag with your Israeli Pesach With Eddie Dead Sea and much, much more. The brethren, and Eddie’s Travel welcomes For many, Pesach means hard work, entire hotel will be under their opera- the chance to help you discover a truly excessive cooking and cleaning, and little tions to produce a fantastic Pesach memorable chag—one that you’ll be relaxation. But for an increasing number atmosphere. David Walles, CEO of Eddie’s looking forward to returning to the of families, Pesach has come to mean Travel, says that these product offerings moment the holiday ends,” Walles says. choosing from a variety of programming are in large part designed to make Israel a For more information about Pesach in and hotel offerings. For over 25 years, choice destination for families all over Israel or kosher travel around the world, Israel-based Eddie’s Travel has been help- the world looking for top-quality holiday visit www.koshertravelers.com. O ing families and individuals in search of offerings. “We strongly believe that Israel the optimal Pesach program in Israel. is the best place to spend a yom tov and Eddie’s Travel’s exquisite Pesach offerings. Continued on Page 53 Eddie’s Travel, with decades of experience offering top-tier luxury kosher travel programs around the world, is proudly offering no fewer than three venues to choose from for Pesach 2011. For this upcoming Pesach, the company will have programs all across the Israeli landscape from the Dead Sea in the south, to the wonders of the Kinneret in Tiberias. For those looking to stay in the nation’s capital, a Jerusalem resort is also available. All three programs will be located in choice venues with luxurious accommodations, selected for their attention to top-tier customer service, good location, and excellent kosher cuisine. The gem of the Eddie’s Travel program takes place at the Leonardo Plaza in Tiberias where the company has been personally hosting international and Israeli guests for 25 years. Leonardo has quickly become Israel’s fastest growing hotel chain, defined by luxury, great cuisine, and an international sense of customer service and commitment to the guest’s satisfaction. Tiberias is an ideal holiday spot with great weather and countless touring and hiking options in the region. But with an inviting pool, kid’s day camp activities, health spa, gym facilities, and a 24-hour snack room, you won’t even need to leave the hotel grounds. Jerusalem is the site of the second Pesach option at the 164-room resort hotel, Ramat Rachel. The newly renovated and modern rooms are an ideal base for those wishing to enjoy the holiness and unique holiday feelings that define Jerusalem as the center of the Jewish world. A diverse menu, programming for children, and a 300-seat theater hosting nightly entertainment for holiday guests are just some of the many features that attract people to Ramat Rachel. Pesach also serves as an ideal time to visit the Dead Sea, which is the perfect combination of a secluded resort town, yet with all the amenities to make a vacation complete. The Dead Sea program is a partnership between Eddie’s Travel and LD Events where customers will benefit from over five decades of combined experience between the two companies. Guests will enjoy the luxury of another member of the Leonardo family, the 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 51 52 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS alienation have also taken a devastating Deutsch, who is now shomeres Shabbos idle since World War II. The new Aron Continued from Page 50 toll on Europe’s Jewish community. It due to Rebbetzin Jungreis’s influence. Kodesh was dedicated by Mr. and Mrs. was with this knowledge that Rebbetzin “We felt it imperative that her crucial Deutsch in the hopes of revitalizing the Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis Speaks Jungreis’s trip was sponsored by Robie message which calls upon all Jews to community. The synagogue was filled to In Budapest and Adrienn Deutsch, two Hungarian return to a Torah life be heard through- capacity on Shabbos Chanukah as thou- By Fern Sidman Jews, whose lives were significantly out the Jewish community of Budapest,” sands gathered to hear Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, founder impacted by the timeless wisdom of the she continued. Jungreis’s inspiring words of Torah. and president of Hineni, the internation- Torah, as taught by Rebbetzin Jungreis. The historic venue for Rebbetzin “Judging from the incredibly enthusiastic ally renowned Torah outreach organiza- “My life has been transformed because Jungreis’s programs was a synagogue that response from the community, it is clear tion, recently returned from a most spe- of the soul-stirring impact of Rebbetzin had recently been restored to the Jewish cial trip to her native Hungary, where she Jungreis’s words of Torah,” said Mrs. community in Budapest after remaining Continued on Page 54 addressed overflow audiences in the city of Budapest. It has been noted that the Jewish population of Budapest currently stands at about 95,000, although the great majority of these Jews are bereft of an authentic Jewish education and do not acknowledge their Jewish roots. The soaring rates of intermarriage, assimilation, and youth

Rebbetzin Jungreis

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 31, 2010 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS providing a yeshivah education to elemen- Continued from Page 53 tary-school-age boys based on Chabad chassidus. O that the rebbetzin’s words reached the hearts and souls of the community, as a MAY Community Learning great majority have now expressed inter- Program, January 3–February 21 est in returning to the faith of their ances- Join Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff, well- tors,” said Mrs. Deutsch. known teacher of chassan classes, for an Especially poignant moments in the eight part Shov’vim series of shiurim cov- rebbetzin’s program came on motzaei ering in-depth halachic analysis of hilchos Shabbos when her new and critically niddah. The shiurim will cover many acclaimed film entitled, Triumph of the common and practical situations and Spirit, was screened for the entire com- questions. Participants will develop a munity. The 22-minute film documents newfound insight and deeper under- the rebbetzin’s experiences as a child dur- standing of these intricate and critical ing the Holocaust and the unwavering halachos. faith in G-d and Torah that was exempli- Rabbi Sokoloff is a musmach of fied by her family. O Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah, and a longtime member of their Mei Torah Kollel and “Tele-Learning” Allows Cheder Bais Medrash. Rabbi Sokoloff is a 12th Students To Weather The Blizzard grade rebbi at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov and Despite the biggest snowstorm in delivers shiurim in various high schools recent New York City history, Cheder at and shuls in the Five Town and Queens. the Ohel boys continued to learn via con- He trained in hilchos niddah under Rav ference call. Students from Cheder at the Shmuel Munk of Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah Ohel come from all over Long Island, and Rabbi Peretz Steinberg, head of the Queens, Crown Heights, and even Vaad Harabanim of Queens. Connecticut. School was unable to open The shiurim will take place at Mesivta on Monday due to the tremendous Ateres Yaakov Bais Medrash Katan, 131 amount of snow and poor driving condi- Washington Avenue in Lawrence on tions. The hanhalah and rebbeim did not Monday evenings, 8:45-9:45 p.m. from want the children to miss out on their January 3–February 21. O learning. Each class was able to learn with their teachers on the phone. This Catch A Rising Star At Chabad, gave the children a sense of cohesiveness January 8 and chiyus. Even as the frigid wind blew Don’t settle for a ho hum motzaei outside, the boys were still able to experi- Shabbos. Chabad of the Five Towns ence the warmth of Torah. invites everyone to enjoy an entertaining Cheder at the Ohel, founded in 1996, and uplifting night, featuring an up and located minutes away from the Learning with their Cheder rebbeim on the phone (clockwise from top): coming star in the Jewish music scene. Lubavitcher Rebbe’s ohel, is dedicated to Aharon Moshe, Chaim, and Mordechai Rosenzweig. On Saturday, January 8 at 8:30 p.m., enjoy

54 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION the exciting and intelligent music of Baruch Sholom Blesofsky, one of the most popular finalists of “A Jewish Star,” a popular new singing competition. Blesofsky has a background in chazzanus but is now focusing on using technology to enhance his work, giving his music a new, modern sound while retaining the Jewish ele- ments. A special door prize will be awarded to one lucky music lover: an i-Pod Touch, 8gb, 4th generation. The night will also feature a full dairy buffet, includ- Award presentation for the Jabotinsky Essay Contest winners. ing a salad, soup, and coffee bar, dairy pastas, and a delicious cheesecake dessert. To help rium of the Knesset building in build the right spirit, the night Jerusalem for the award presen- will begin with some games tation to the 15 winners of the with everyone working together. 2010 Ze’ev Jabotinsky National The chairpersons for the Essay Contest. evening are Sholom and Pessy Sponsored by the Americans Jacobs and Sruly and Chaya For A Safe Israel (AFSI), and an Krinsky. There is a $25 admis- Israeli group called Misdar sion fee and RSVP is appreciated. Jabotinsky, the ceremonious Please call 516-295-2478 or visit event marked the 70th yahrtzeit www.chabad5towns.com to of the prescient Revisionist reserve your spot. O Zionist leader and founder of the Betar (Brit Trumpeldor) Essay Contest Exalts youth movement. A towering Memory Of Jabotinsky figure amongst pre-state Zionist By Fern Sidman leaders, Jabotinsky is known as Zionist visionary and leader a powerful and prolific states- Ze’ev Vladimir Jabotinsky, was man, writer, journalist, and elec- Ze’ev Vladimir Jabotinsky remembered on December 19, as trifying orator. hundreds of Israeli high school In stark contrast to his students from across the coun- Socialist-Zionist contempo- fight for their civil rights within try gathered in the main audito- raries who encouraged Jews to the countries of their origin, Jabotinsky was skeptical of this avenue of emancipation, pro- claiming that salvation for Always Gourmet Jews—both on a personal level and as a national entity—lay Photo By Tzipi Perlstein only in the resettlement of the entire land of Israel. Jewish self- defense was at the epicenter of Jabotinsky’s socio-political philosophy, both as a physical imperative and as a wellspring of pride and self confidence, capable of “ennobling” the Jewish spirit. The essay contest covered five categories of Jabotinsky’s life, written works and political activities which included such headings as “The individual and the nation in Jabotinsky’s thought,” “Social reform according to Jabotinsky,” and “Jabotinsky, builder of Hebrew military power.” Offering first, second, and third cash prizes, the essay contest was projected by AFSI as the first step in an extended campaign to stimulate interest in Zionist history both in Israel and beyond its borders. In the United States, AFSI plans to launch, “Zionism 101,” a filmed series of internet programs covering the 120-year history of the contemporary Zionist movement. According to William Mehlman, the Jerusalem chair- Gourmet Glatt not only serves the greater area as one of the person of AFSI and contributor leading supermarkets, it also serves humanity when we find to their “Outpost” newsletter, ourselves battling inclement weather—as we did this past Jabotinsky’s link to Zionism’s week. Shlomo Perlstein leads Ahron Shalom, his son, with his feet wrapped in all-purpose plastic shopping bags. Continued on Page 56 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 31, 2010 55

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Kleiner, together with Emanuel Weiser of presented by Education Minister Gideon Prepare your palate for the four unique Continued from Page 55 the Jabotinsky Order, spoke of Jabotinsky Sa’ar and Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin. Van Gogh varietals . . . as a “revolutionary” in the most positive Describing Jabotinsky as Zionism’s most • 100% Organic Colombian Supremo. A heroic past was underscored in essay sense of the word. “He revolted against existentialist figure, Knesset Speaker medium roast coffee that’s full-bodied after essay on the saga of “Aliyah Bet,” the British occupation, against a Jewish Rivlin said he was “not just a thinker, but and has a deep robust flavor. his British blockade-busting enterprise establishment that seemed satisfied with a doer.” In his remarks to the students, • Starry Night. The signature flavor that brought more than 100,000 a stateless Jewish status quo and while Education Minister Sa’ar, said that as a infusion combining all natural and organ- European Jews to Palestine between others remained silent, he marched high school student in 1980 he took sec- ic vanilla and caramel that’s as lusciously 1936 and 1940; his World War I formation across Europe in the 1930s imploring Jews ond prize in an essay contest commemo- dreamy as Van Gogh’s Starry Night itself. of the “Zion Mule Corps,” the first organ- to leave before it was too late.” rating the 40th anniversary of • Hazelnut. A rich, toasty hazelnut with ized Jewish fighting force in 1,800 years, A polemical aspect surrounds the essay Jabotinsky’s passing and lauded his a hint of sweet cream, browned butter, and his subsequent establishment of contest as well, due to a decision made by teachings as timeless. O and the lightest touch of chocolate. both the Haganah (which grew into the the Israeli Education Ministry in • Espresso Roast. Dark and bold, this IDF) and the Irgun Z’vai Leumi (IZL), the November of 2008 “to exclude the Van Gogh Coffee & Tea “espresso-inspired” roast is truly a work underground resistance force that was founder of the Revisionist movement in It is well known that Vincent Van of art. instrumental in driving the British out Zionism from the list of 100 personages Gogh was a master of the arts. But did Vincent Van Gogh gourmet coffee uses of Palestine. studied at Israeli schools. Three years sep- you know that he also appreciated a good a unique flavor infusion that is revolu- AFSI chairman Herbert Zweibon said arated the passing of the Jabotinsky Law cup of coffee? In a letter to Emile tionary in today’s coffee market. Most the essay contest “marked the culmina- (2005) and erasure of his philosophy from Bernard, a French postimpressionist other companies flavor their coffee using tion of a 10-month effort to rekindle an local textbooks” as reported in Haaretz. painter, Vincent wrote: “To do good work a chemically based liquid solvent or pow- intimate relationship with Zionism The decision was then reversed by the one must eat well, be well housed . . . and der that is poured over the roasted coffee among Israeli youth, undermined by Education Ministry as of early December drink one’s coffee in peace.” beans. This results in a higher concentra- decades of high school teaching that 2010 and according to Haaretz, the min- Van Gogh Gourmet Coffee is a mas- tion of artificial flavor, and less natural made Zionist history and their attendant istry is “actively supporting a privately- terpiece in its own right. Made with flavor, with more chemicals soaking into heroes hostage to universalist myths and sponsored essay contest on Ze’ev the finest Gourmet Arabica coffee the beans and your cup. ‘narratives,’ that smacked of blatant ant- (Vladimir) Jabotinsky and urging students beans, 100% Organic and Fair Trade Van Gogh Gourmet coffee is the inspi- Zionism.” to participate in it.” Certified—because Vincent wouldn’t ration of founder Jordan Weisz. “Visiting Former Member of Knesset Michael The prizes to contest winners were have it any other way. my grandmother’s home as a child, I saw her passion for painting. Her favorite artist was Vincent Van Gogh and I watched time after time, as she created paintings that she displayed throughout her home. It was her love of art and life that inspired the creation of Vincent Van Gogh Gourmet Coffee.” It is also the reason that a portion of all profits is donated to Americans for the Arts (www.ameri- cansforthearts.org) and The Shadow Box Theatre (www.shadowboxtheatre.org) to help young aspiring artists that do not have the finances to receive art education and the culture they rightfully deserve. Vincent Van Gogh Café LLC is located in Astoria. Their coffees are available at gourmet retail stores throughout metro NY and online at www.vincentvangogh- cafe.com. They will be sponsoring demonstrations at Moishe’s Kosher Super- market, 325 Avenue M in Brooklyn, on January 5, 12:00-4:00 p.m.; Jandi’s Natural Market, 3000 Long Beach Road in Oceanside, on January 6, 12:00-5:00 p.m.; and at Rockland Kosher Supermarket, 27 Orchard Street in Monsey, on January 12, 12:00-4:00 p.m. O

MediGuard Here To Protect You A fractured ankle while climbing Masada. A nasty bee sting in the Galil. A broken tooth at a restaurant in Jerusalem. A heart attack, G-d forbid, in Tel Aviv. It can happen to anyone. And it happens to Americans visiting Israel more often than most think. Tourists of all ages, from young children to senior citizens, are not immune to accidents and illness. When a medical emergency happens, it can get very expensive and stressful. Your wonderful vacation is ruined by hundreds, even thousands of dollars in emergency medical or dental bills. Worse yet, when illness or accident occurs, visitors have no idea where to turn for help. The language barrier can be both daunting and costly—and not understanding what is being said can even result in a wrong diagnosis or treatment. The good news is that now there is MediGuard comprehensive health coverage for American tourists in Israel. And the cost is only $7 per day. That’s $7 a day for peace of mind, knowing that you are covered for every medical con- 56 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES tingency. MediGuard provides a total Please help serve these very special ‘single call’ solution to any unforeseen children. Donate at www.youngisrael medical or dental emergency while rabbis.org.il/donate.htm. O you’re in Israel. For a single low fee, you enjoy comprehensive 24/7 coverage for Salita Overseas ambulances, emergency rooms, physi- Dmitriy Salita is on an official visit to cians’ fees, diagnostics, prescription Israel sponsored by Ezra USA to celebrate medications, hospitalization, and, when his recent victory, help promote sport of necessary, repatriation. boxing in Israel, and arrange a potential MediGuard’s medical coverage is pro- mega fight there in April. Dmitriy met vided by the Ayalon Insurance Company, with several Israeli officials, including Ltd., through service providers, Terem Israeli foreign minister Avigdor clinics, and Leumi Fund clinics and hos- Lieberman; Daniel “Danny” Ayalon, for- pitals nationwide. Their switchboard is eign affairs; Alex Miller, member of the staffed by a trained English-speaking Knesset; and Stas Misezhnikov, minister medical team 24/7, who will direct clients of tourism. O to the appropriate health care provider. Most people don’t even think about health coverage when traveling and those who do either purchase traveler’s insurance or believe that their existing health insurance policies in America cover them when they travel overseas. Unfortunately this is rarely the case. Even when a policy does offer coverage, it is for reimbursement only. You have to pay cash up front for your treatment. Only then, if you have official receipts in English, can you file a claim that may or may not be honored. Reimbursement, if it comes at all, comes months later, and is subject to your insurance company’s prevailing lower rates. With MediGuard protection, you never have to hand over a credit card or fill out long insurance claim forms. Just provide your ID number and medical services are rendered. MediGuard coverage also includes trip cancellation and Dmitriy Salita and Avigdor Lieberman. baggage loss. Don’t allow a few dollars to get in the way of jeopardizing a trip that costs thousands of dollars for airfare, hotels, food, and tours. Ask your travel agent about MediGuard, a service of the Uno Travel Club. O

CYIR Judaic Heritage Program For Israel’s Deaf And Hearing Impaired The need to educate and teach Judaism and Jewish heritage to Israel’s deaf community is overwhelming. This deficiency is exacerbated by the fact that most come from poor, secular, or minority families with little means or ability to educate these children themselves. For most in the program, it is their only expo- sure to Jewish tradition and values. Established in 1995, The Council of Young Israel Rabbis (CYIR) Judaic Heritage Program (JHPIDHI) is the only program providing Israel’s deaf, hearing impaired, MK Alex Miller with Mr. Salita. and deaf-blind with this critically needed religious education and the social empowerment tools to function as active complete Jews. Every year, CYIR trains more than 50 deaf boys and girls in the basics of Judaism and the ethics of Jewish adulthood. During the course of these lessons, they learn Jewish Heritage, Bible, about the holidays, the centrality of Torah, the importance of community, and such pre- cepts as love your neighbor, unity and peace, and the essence of the bar/bat mitzvah celebration. Their many months of study and training culminates in a joy- ous and unique ceremony where these young people and their families celebrate their “rite of passage” to adulthood just like other Jewish children. After the ceremony, all boys receive a tallit and set of tefillin and girls receive Shabbat candle sticks. Each child also Dmitry Salita with Stas Misezhnikov, receives their own siddur. minister of tourism. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 57 The commentaries see this Divine Divine name, to the Patriarchs; they knew communication as the continuation of Me only by the name E-l Sha-dai which the exchange between G-d and Moshe at represents a more limited manifestation the end of the previous parashah. G-d’s of My being. They accepted that they mention of His relationship with the could never comprehend My infinite, Patriarchs—Avraham, Yitzchak, and unknowable essence. You, on the other Yaakov—is interpreted as a rebuke to hand, to whom I have revealed My truth, Moshe. G-d indicated to Moshe: “I regret question My ways (Rashi; Ramban). the loss of those who have passed away This is how the opening verses of From The Chassidic Masters and are no longer found. Many times I Va’eira are interpreted by the Midrash, revealed Myself to Avraham, Yitzchak, Talmud, and Biblical commentaries. The and Yaakov; they did not question My Chassidic masters delve deeper into these What Is G-d’s Answer? ways, nor did they say to me, ‘What is verses, and find there more than a rebuke Your name?’ You, on the other hand, to Moshe: in G-d’s words they also see an asked from the start, ‘What is Your name?’ answer (of sorts) to Moshe’s question, and Last week’s parashah concluded with made Myself seen to Avraham, to and now you are saying to Me, ‘You have also a justification of his outcry. the epochal exchange between Moshe Yitzchak, and to Yaakov, by the name of E- not saved Your people!’” (Sanhedrin 111a). and G-d over the mystery of human suf- l Sha-dai, but by My name . . . I did not Rashi comments: “You questioned My The Pendulum Of Life fering. Moshe protested, “My G-d, why make Myself known to them.” G-d then ways; unlike Avraham, to whom I said, All life, say the Kabbalists, is character- have You done evil to this people?”; and goes on to reiterate His promise to the ‘Yitzchak shall be considered your seed’ ized by a to-and-fro movement called G-d replied: “Now you shall see what I Patriarchs to give the Land of Canaan to and then I said to him, ‘Raise him up to ratzo v’shav (running forth and drawing will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand their descendants, evoking the “four Me as an offering’—and still, he did not back) or mati v’lo mati (reaching and shall he let them go, and with a strong expressions of redemption”: “I will bring question Me.” retreating). The heart contracts and hand shall he drive them out of his land.” you out; I will save you; I will redeem G-d also says: “By My name . . . I did not expands; the lungs exhale and inhale; the This week’s reading, Parashas Va’eira you; I will take you,” which chronicle the make Myself known to them.” This is body sleeps, extinguishing its more ele- (“And I made Myself seen”), opens with a various stages of the redemption, culmi- understood by the commentaries as G-d vated faculties (cohesive thought, sight, new communication from G-d to Moshe, nating in Israel’s election as G-d’s chosen saying to Moshe: “I did not reveal My hearing, etc.) in order to rejuvenate its in which G-d says: “I am G-d (Y-H-V-H). I people at Mount Sinai. quintessential truth,” represented by the energies; the mind meditates, emptying itself of prior conceptions in order to receive fresh insight; the earth enters night and winter, enduring periods of darkness and hibernation in order to attain a new dawn or spring. The same is also true of the flow of vitality from G-d to His creation: this flow also pulsates, running forth and drawing back, reaching and retreating. And the more elevated the bestowal is, the more intense is the withdrawal to precede it. Thus, times of extraordinary illumination from Above are always preceded by periods of profound spiritual darkness. Thus Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi explains G-d’s words to Moshe regarding the difference in the quality of His relationship with the Patriarchs and His newly unveiled revelation of the Divine name. “To the Patriarchs,” G-d says to Moshe, “I revealed Myself only as E-l Sha- dai, relating to them only via the con- straints and limitations that define My investment within the created reality. But to you and your generation I shall reveal, for the very first time, the name that con- notes My quintessential truth.” For the very purpose of the Exodus (as G-d said to Moshe at the burning bush) is the revelation at Mount Sinai and the communication of G-d’s Torah, which is the very embodiment of His wisdom and will. “You ask why My people must suffer so terribly in their exile. You ask why My face is hidden, why I have seemingly withdrawn My providence over their lives. But this seeming withdrawal is an integral part of the tremendous revelation to come, which shall herald a new, unprecedented intimacy between man and G-d.” Indeed, adds the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the revelation of the Exodus and the con- cealment that preceded it are two faces of the same reality. In order for the People of Israel to relate to the quintessential truth of G-d revealed at Sinai, they first had to unearth their own quintessential truth—which could manifest itself only in the nadir of their Egyptian galus. “Truth” is that which is consistent and unchanging, the core reality of a thing that remains unaffected by all external cir- cumstances. The quintessential truth of the Jewish soul is its loyalty and attachment to G-d; but loyalty and attachment 58 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES to G-d under conditions of spiritual the other hand, goes this line of thinking, potent abilities are unleashed only under there is gain without pain, in which the enlightenment and material prosperity a person with a sensitive heart will not conditions of challenge and trial. Finally, best in man could be realized without the cannot, in themselves, attest to this truth, accept any rationalization of evil, howev- there can be no denying the axiom that threat and challenge of evil, and in which as there is no indication that the relation- er undeniable its logic. without a truly free choice between good the highest peaks of life could be scaled ship would endure under less ideal condi- The truth, says the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and evil, nothing we do could possibly be without the momentum of its lowest tions. But when the Jewish soul perse- is the very opposite. Indeed, the differ- of any significance. descents. veres in its loyalty and attachment to G-d ence between one who cannot reconcile These explanations are all valid, in This perfectly logical question has no in the darkest hour of galus, it manifests himself to the existence of evil and suffer- their way; indeed, we have presented one logical answer. Thus, the mind of the the truth of its bond with G-d, demon- ing in G-d’s world and one who can such “explanation” in the first part of this believer will never accept the “necessity” strating that this loyalty and attachment accept it is the difference between mind article. But when they are approached for evil and pain. is, in fact, the unalterable core of its being. and heart; but it is the mind-driven per- from a purely rational standpoint, the The heart also perceives the pain— “I am Y-H-V-H,” said G-d to Moshe. “I am son who incessantly questions and chal- mind of the believer will not be satisfied indeed, it senses it more deeply than the in the process of revealing My quintes- lenges the way things are, whereas it is by any of them. Because, after all is said objective mind. But while the mind cate- sential self to you. But the only part of the one with “heart” who can find it in and done, after each of these explana- gorizes reality into compatible and non- you that can apprehend this revelation is compatible suppositions, the heart toler- your own quintessential self. And your ates contradiction. Can you “prove” to a own quintessential self rises to the sur- mother that her child is undeserving of face of your souls only under the terrible “This seeming withdrawal is an integral her love? It’s not that she is blind to his conditions of galus.” deficiencies and transgressions; it’s sim- part of the tremendous revelation to come, ply that they are irrelevant to her love. Mind And Heart Outrage and devotion, judgment and The difference between Moshe and acceptance, pain and pleasure—a heart the Patriarchs is also explained by the which shall herald a new, unprecedented that loves has room for them all, simulta- Chassidic masters as deriving from the neously, in its warm embrace. different places they occupy within the intimacy between man and G-d.” This, says the Rebbe, is the deeper sig- total “body” of Israel. Avraham, Yitzchak, nificance of G-d’s evocation of the and Yaakov are identified with the attrib- unquestioning faith of the Patriarchs in utes of Love, Awe, and Harmony (Chesed, His words to Moshe. “Moshe,” G-d is say- Gevurah, and Tiferes), while Moshe repre- himself to accept the most terrible of tions is examined and the questions that ing, “you are the mind of My people—the sents the attribute of Wisdom incomprehensibilities. can be asked on them are posed and mind that is the instrument for appre- (Chochmah). Otherwise stated, the It is true that logical explanations for resolved, there remains one final ques- hending My truth and, with it, illuminat- Patriarchs are the heart of the Jewish evil and suffering have been presented by tion: Why must it be this way? ing the world. You will even comprehend People, while Moshe is the mind. a succession of philosophers and theolo- All these explanations, the mind will ‘higher’ aspects of My truth than did the Often, a person who calmly accepts the gians. For example, it is proposed that suf- inevitably argue, are predicated upon our Patriarchs. But as a ‘mind,’ you question painful realities of life is described as “tak- fering refines the human being, teaching understanding of human and universal My creation of evil and suffering, and can ing it philosophically,” while one who him compassion and sensitivity. It has also nature. But G-d is the creator of nature find no rationally satisfying answer. Yet agonizes over his own or others’ troubles been explained that there is no greater sat- and logic; He could have made the nature you, too, are a child of Avraham, Yitzchak, is seen as “being emotional.” Behind these isfaction than the overcoming of adversity of things to be other than what they are. and Yaakov. You, too, have inherited from categorizations is the notion that, in pure- and no greater pleasure than the conquest He could have made significant what them the Jewish heart, the intrinsic bond ly rational terms, the cause, or even need, of pain. The philosophical mind can also logic dictates is of no significance. He for human suffering can be explained. On appreciate that a person’s finest and most could have created a reality in which Continued on Page 60

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 59 CHASSIDIC MASTERS fathers.” But the verse itself says, “I had Continued from Page 59 made Myself to be seen to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov . . . ,” and every Solution To Last Week’s Puzzle: with your G-d that cannot be shaken by schoolchild knows that Avraham, the most terrible of contradictions.” Yitzchak, and Yaakov are the three fathers of the Jewish nation. What is Bad Men Seeing Is Believing Rashi telling us? Therein also lies the significance of the The Jewish people are suffering, and word va’eira—“and I made Myself seen”— G-d’s promises seem to only make things with which G-d describes His relation- worse. To Moshe’s anguished words, G-d ship with the Patriarchs, and which gives replies, “Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov our parashah its name in the Torah. never lost faith; they saw Me.” Yet Moshe There are many ways that a person and his people are obviously not may come to believe in a certain truth. He Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—that’s may hear of it from a reliable source, it why they reacted the way they did. So may be proven to him logically, or he may what is G-d telling them? see it himself. Yet there is an essential dif- Therefore Rashi explains: G-d’s ference between the perception of sight response to Moshe is that He “made and all other senses. The other senses are Himself seen” to the fathers. Avraham, refutable—they merely prove something Yitzchak, and Yaakov are the progenitors to the person; subsequent developments of the Jewish people in every sense of the can undermine the initial conviction. But word. Just as a child inherits the physical sight is absolute. The thing perceived may and psychological characteristics of his be denied by the entire world—it may be parents, in the same way, each and every utterly illogical—but the person who has Jew inherits the qualities of Avraham, seen it knows it is true. He saw it. Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Their every trait, Faith can exist on many levels—faith experience, and achievement are comparable to the conviction in some- stamped in our spiritual genes. thing that is heard, for example, or faith Because our fathers’ faith in G-d was as as powerful as a logical fact. But the most absolute and unequivocal as sight, the powerful faith is faith on the level of potential for such faith exists within each sight. Faith as sight is absolute; the most and every one of us. No matter what our blatant rational contradictions cannot more external senses perceive, we can shake it. The Patriarchs, the “heart of delve into our own selves for the inher- Israel,” saw G-d. That is why their faith in ent ability to see G-d: to sense His com- Him was not shaken by even the most mitment to us even in the “darkest” of agonizing “contradictions.” times. (Chabad.org) O This also explains a puzzling passage Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; in Rashi’s commentary on our parashah’s adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com via Chabad.org. Find more opening verse. On the words “I made Torah articles for the whole family at Myself seen,” Rashi comments: “to the www.chabad.org/parshah. Puzzle appeared on Page 68 of the December 24 issue.

60 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES because of his stuttering. Stuttering: As illustrated by Eitan and Mo, stuttering is not merely a speech error which requires correction. Stuttering is an issue Straight Talk From that affects people in different ways, and treatment decisions must fit the person who stutters—not just the disorder. In The Experts that sense, stuttering is a unique speech disorder. Unlike articulation problems BY URI SCHNEIDER, MA, (such as a lisp), stuttering can significant- CCC-SLP

Stuttering affects 5 in 100 children and 1 in 100 adults around the world—more than most people would think. Current Treatment U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is a person who stutters, as well as many high achiev- decisions must fit ers throughout history and many leading rabbis and professionals in our own com- the person who munity today. stutters—not just Examples Eitan is an outgoing, athletic, and bright 16-year-old. He participates in class, the disorder. has many friends, and was elected to be class president. He also stutters quite often, with repetitions of sounds and words; sometimes when he opens his ly impact a person’s overall confidence mouth, no sounds come out. While his and life choices. (Think of Moshe parents and teachers worry about his Rabbeinu in the Torah when he tells G-d, stuttering, Eitan seems untroubled by his “Lo ish devarim anochi—I am not a man speech and generally speaks freely. of words.”) Mo is a quiet 35-year-old man who is professionally overqualified and socially What Is Stuttering? underactive. He avoids the phone like the The latest research identifies stutter- plague and uses text, e-mail, and social ing as a speech disorder with a neuro- media for most of his communications. physiological basis. That means it is not When situations arise that require speak- psychological, it is not emotional, and it is ing, he changes his words to avoid words not a cognitive issue. It has to do with the that he anticipates stuttering. Mo aspired to be a teacher, but gave up his dream Continued on Page 62

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 61 Stuttering Preschoolers, school-age children, and and adaptations, as well as deal with Consult with a competent profession- Continued from Page 61 teens/adults comprise three distinct the person’s attitudes and feelings al. A licensed speech-language patholo- groups of people who stutter, each with about the communication. There is no gist should possess training and experi- way our brains are wired, and there is their own therapeutic needs and abili- therapy approach, no pill, and no ence in treating people who stutter (as some physical glitch in the speech motor ties. For example, current research shows device that eliminates stuttering 100 a consumer, it is appropriate to ask a system. that we can now treat preschool children perecent. Beware of anything that professional about their training and It may be helpful to think of stuttering (3–6 years of age) who stutter, in highly makes that claim. experience treating people who stut- as an “allergy” in your speech mechanism, effective ways that prevent future years Each person deserves unique and ter). A professional should treat you “as much like an environmental allergy to of struggling. personal answers, given his/her life cir- a person,” address your concerns, and dust or pollen. Dust and pollen are not In dealing with preschool children, it cumstances, his/her stuttering severi- provide personalized care with profes- the cause of reactions; rather, a person is important to be mindful of two ty, and his/her stage of life, but the fol- sionalism and respect. with allergies is sensitive to triggers such things: (1) Although most children who lowing points will address the most Don’t disengage. Don’t turn away or as dust or pollen. Similarly, a person who stutter outgrow it in their early years common concerns and offer the best otherwise disengage during the stuttering stutters is sensitive to certain triggers— (with or without intervention), some general advice. moment. Don’t overreact. such as fatigue, arousal, rate of speech, children continue to stutter. (2) The best Become focused on communication. Don’t assume. As a listener, don’t feeling nervous—that can cause a glitch assume anything about the person who in his/her fluency. stutters. He may not want you to finish After millennia of speculation, ever his words and sentences. As a speaker, since Moshe Rabbeinu and Demosthenes, don’t assume that you cannot communi- there have been many theories and After much research activity since cate or that people will not listen to you beliefs about the causes of stuttering. unless you speak fluently all the time. Thankfully, some have been thoroughly the early 20th century, the disorder Don’t give off-the-cuff advice or knee- disproven. This includes the old (and still jerk reactions. Advice and reactions like popular) diagnosogenic theory that false- “Take a breath,” “Slow down,” “Calm ly claims that overreactive parents said continues to be a mystery. down,” or “He’ll grow out of it” may not things and did things that caused their be helpful. O children to continue to stutter. However, after much research activity RESOURCES: 1. National Stuttering Association: since the early 20th century, the disorder www.westutter.org continues to be a mystery. We know that current research indicates that new As a listener, become an excellent listen- 2. Stuttering Foundation of America: www.stutteringhelp.org stuttering sometimes runs in the family treatment approaches can increase the er. Listen to what a person has to say, 3. Lidcombe Program for preschoolers: genes, but there are many people who likelihood of eliminating or significantly not how he says it. As a speaker, express www.fhs.usyd.edu.au/asrc/clinic/parents/lidcom stutter who have no family history. The decreasing the severity of stuttering in yourself in ways that are sincere and be.shtml latest research guides our practice, and preschool children. authentic, whether you speak fluently Uri Schneider, MA, CCC-SLP, is a partner in competent professionals see good out- In dealing with school-age children, or stutter. Schneider Speech Pathology, a private practice comes from intervention, but there is still teens, or adults, a professional consulta- Seek out good advice. Many people, with offices in Nassau, Queens, and the Bronx. He more to be learned about stuttering. tion is strongly recommended. A com- websites, and professionals provide con- specializes in stuttering, voice, learning, and public speaking, working with both children and petent speech-language pathologist can flicting advice (at best) and harmful adults. Uri is also on the faculty of the Summit Treatment determine the appropriateness of thera- advice (at worst). Seek out up-to-date and School of Queens and presents locally, nationally, and abroad. For questions or comments, contact Treatment must take into account the py. Any therapy should include a com- credible information and stay away from [email protected] or visit age of the person who stutters. ponent that addresses speech behaviors the rest. (See references below.) www.schneiderspeech.com.

62 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

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Short wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. at 5:00 P.M. walk to YIW, Island Shul, DRS Call 516-322-3555 included ...... $1375 ...... $575,000 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Call 516-569-0502 Lovely split-level home on pleasant 2 offices for lease $1350 Central Ave tree-lined street, cathedral entrance, Loc. Back entrance to Muni Lot. Cedarhurst — House for rent. New to spacious LR, DR, large family room, Beautifully maintained building market. Freshly painted, LR, FDR, 3BR, 2.5bths, 2-car garage, backyard Prime Retail store on Spruce St. 2000 large kitchen, 3BR, 1.5bths, basement, Classified Ads are w/patio, all systems. Estate Sale. sq. ft. (old AHC). Steps from Gourmet Contact: Est. Rep — Daniel Friedman, Glatt and Club Central in prime location, walk all . . . . . $2250 Continued on the Next Page. Esq. at 516-361-7398 Weissman Realty, LLC 516-791-6100 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 65 5TJT Puzzle: Do You Speak Yiddish?

BY YONI GLATT

Across 65. Blu-ray remote button 1. One at Port Authority 66. Lava flow 4. Make fun of 67. Newly popular party 10. Big elevator name 68. Yesterday, e.g. 14. Bat wood 69. Many a thug 15. Balancing device 70. First name in ice cream 16. Helper 17. Fun vanent kumstu? Down 20. Taxing one 1. Sob 21. Cinematic Chaney 2. Theatre employer 22. Israeli spy Cohen 3. Minim number 23. They might be shechted 4. “______many movies.” 24. Now! (cinephile’s boast) 27. Nishto farvos! 5. Close 32. Delivery letters 6. ___endipity 35. Letters following N on a hit CBS 7. Function show 8. Hide out 36. Bits 9. End of a countdown 37. Heavy weight 10. Fool 38. Vus machs da? 11. Get sleepy Solution to appear next week. 41. “___ nobler…” 12. Top American show 42. American islander’s shalom 13. Half 44. Hatzolah letters 18. Frosty 45. Number of sons Dan ben Yaakov 19. Take off a mic, perhaps 34. We just had a lot of it 53. 10 Things ______…. had 24. Opera solo 38. Where you might see pictures of 54. Feathered 46. Vi alt bistu? 25. Examiners the kids 55. It might come with a cane 51. Remove (in whaling) 26. ___ friendly 39. Hook’s henchman 56. It might turn a light bulb on 52. Col. 28. “Yuck!” 40. Conservative org. for kids 57. Corleone or Giovanni 55. It might be ajar on a jar 29. Simpson’s character often seen in a 43. Where only the best NBA or NFL 59. Words before “saw Elba” in a 58. Baseball’s Roush who’s in the 43- 1-Across players go, respectively famous palindrome Down 30. Common street 47. Take off 60. 6/6/1944 59. Major Melbourne stadium or 31. Road curve, perhaps 48. Words of introduction 62. Mashuganeh Middle East airline 32. Where to find Moab today 49. Beginning 63. Simon and Levi, e.g. 61. Ikh farshtey dos nit! 33. Kind of shirt Lauren is known for 50. Squad 64. Arm part with ow

66 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES happening again, but it was. to stay indoors if they could. But I needed As the day progressed, I prayed that the to be there to give support to my Dad and snow would not come. I am not a great my Mom. Thanks to the able navigating of snow driver, and I wouldn’t voluntarily Rivka, we made it home in one piece. consider driving in the snow if I could Suffice it to say that not being an inno- avoid it. Fortunately, we live close to cent bystander to this particular storm, but Central Avenue and in walking distance an active participant, has given me new to my office. When it has snowed in the respect for those who live in Alaska where past, (even sans a blizzard) I stick to my snow is second nature. Every bone in my Stay Off The Roads feet as my mode of transportation. body is in agony from all the shoveling that But the snow came regardless of the was done Monday morning to get the car It was this past Sunday morning. Typically 8:00 in the morning. I was all dressed and fact that I was at South Nassau Hospital. It out to be able to make it back to the hospi- the busiest shopping day of the year. But ready for our shopping venture. I called was amassing at a quicker rate than we tal. Obviously it was a family affair, with rather than worrying about sales at Macy’s, my parents’ home and Rivka answered— first anticipated. Leib was able to beat the everyone pitching in to get the driveway we were all on high alert. The weather she had been there for Shabbos. crowds at Brach’s that morning for some dug out. I thank every member of the reports were in: blizzard warning until “Zayde fell and the ambulance is here.” needed staples and even managed to get Lubin clan for all their efforts. Monday evening. The snow was supposed to Shock overtook me as I went into autopi- Lea to the party in his trusty Nissan The usual shoveling after a storm was to get increasingly heavier as the day progressed lot. Somehow my coat was on and I was Sentra. But we decided it would be a bet- be expected, but the added “forced exercise” and we were all warned to stay indoors if we on Monday afternoon was an added bonus. could for the latter part of the day. After making it back in one piece from the We had a plan. Leib would go to his hospital, and making sure we would be back usual morning minyan on Sunday, and Yes, we were two of the crazy people in the neighborhood before darkness fell, then we would make our rounds at the my eldest daughter who was riding “shot- various supermarkets to stock up. I felt who were on the road Sunday night gun,” thought it might be a good idea, while super energetic. I even thought that we were out already, to zip into Gourmet maybe we could even squeeze in a couple Glatt for some extras. We made our purchas- of department stores before the big snow when the reporters were es as quickly as possible and were back out would begin. to the car by 4:30. As we were looking for the There was an excitement in the air— recommending everyone stay indoors. nearest exit from the lot, suddenly my sort of a beat-the-clock type of feeling wheels locked. We were stuck. After trying before any traveling would become too without results for 15 minutes, we called hazardous. I was hoping that the weather AAA—only to be told that they could not get was not going to be at its worst until 3:00 mechanically driving over to the house. ter idea for me to pick her up in our anyone out of snow situations. or 4:00 in the afternoon. After all, Lea had The rest of the morning was spent getting stronger Honda Odyssey. The wind was I saw a police truck across the lot and Molly’s birthday party to go to at Hot to the hospital and waiting for test results. already moving at record speeds and was told that they would come over to Skates from 12:30 to 2:30, which would end At first we were worried that it might be somehow I was managing the currents. help after they helped the two other peo- just in time before the weather reports said his hip and his leg, but when the various After getting Lea safely home, Rivka and I ple stuck in the lot. We were not alone in things would get too bad. X-rays came back, it was determined that were back on the road to South Nassau. our misery. A few minutes after Leib’s return from the leg was not broken, but unfortunately Yes, we were two of the crazy people who Upon my return, suddenly, out of the shul, he told me that we had just missed his hip was. We had been down this road were on the road Sunday night when the a call from my Mom. It was a little after before in May of 2009. This couldn’t be reporters were recommending everyone Continued on Page 69

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 67 Baby Flat Head Syndrome: One Mother’s Story

BY ROCHELLE B. favorite positions, I quickly learned. I SILBERMAN did whatever I could to keep her off her back. Nothing changed. I cradled my three-and-a-half-month- I was frightened and concerned. Was old baby in my arms and listened to her everyone around me taking this too rhythmic breathing. All was right with lightly? I pictured my beautiful little girl the world. I cupped my hands under her growing up with a deformed head. If tiny head and cooed. Then I noticed it. there was anything I could do to help Something was wrong. Her head did not my baby, I was willing to try. feel smooth and round like my other That’s when my professional insights babies’ had. The shape of Avigayil’s head kicked in. My two decades as an ortho- The shape of a baby’s head with Avigayil wearing her helmet. somehow felt different in my right and tist—fitting orthotics and braces (no, positional plagiocephaly. left hand. I lifted her up to get a closer they’re not just for feet)—taught me the look and make sure I wasn’t just a para- wonders of the right splint or appliance campaign coincided with the rise of noid mother imagining things. and, most importantly, about my right Nature’s wisdom restrains the skull portable car seats used as baby carriers. Only a mother would notice this, but to seek a second opinion. I asked my bones from suturing together, so that Between the two, babies were spending I could tell Avigayil’s head was flat on pediatrician to refer me to a pediatric they can slide over each other in the more time with their heads against flat the back, towards the right. The front neurologist and promptly made an birth canal. The fontanels or soft spots surfaces. Babies’ soft skull bones were was round and curved, but the back of appointment. Avigayil was four and a on a baby’s head are there until the paying the price. her head was flat. Was I getting carried half months old at the time. bones seal together. Shockingly, when the first wave of away, or were her ears uneven, too? I Since 1992, when the National “Back to Sleep” babies turned up with a went to my pediatrician in a panic and Back Sleeping: A Caveat For A Institutes of Health created the “Back to higher incidence of plagiocephaly, doc- explained what I saw. He examined her Lifesaver Sleep” campaign, the number of babies tors reached for their scalpels instead of and tried to calm me, but I was still nerv- Dr. W., Avigayil’s neurologist, said that with positional plagiocephaly has been other measures. They misdiagnosed ous. He said that Avigayil’s head would she had a condition called positional on the rise. To prevent sudden infant babies as suffering from craniosynosto- reshape itself in a few months. He pre- plagiocephaly. In other words, the bones death syndrome (SIDS), parents were sis, a serious condition that occurs scribed more tummy time, repositioning of her skull were not the usual, symmet- instructed to flip babies on their backs when the bones of the skull fuse togeth- at night, and I complied. rical shape. This was something I was for naps and nighttime. In due course, er too soon. Cramped brains don’t func- I waited. I tried positioning her on extremely familiar with as an orthotist, occurrences of SIDS dropped by 38 per- tion as they should. Risky four-hour sur- her right side. I tried positioning her but as a mother it shocked me. Avigayil’s cent since 1992. However, because geries were scheduled to resolve the on her left side. I bought an condition was a common problem with babies now spend more time on their problem … and they were performed ExerSaucer so she would be motivated a simple solution. backs, cases of positional plagiocephaly, unnecessarily. In Children’s Hospital in to play while upright. I listened to her A little physiology lesson first: The or poor positional molding, rose by 70 Denver, 215 babies underwent the sur- scream in frustration when I placed skull feels like one large hard bone, percent in the same time. gery in one year. Once the correlation her on her stomach—not one of her but it doesn’t start out that way. Furthermore, the ’92 back-sleeping between back sleeping and positional

68 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION molding was made, the num- MOTHER’S MUSINGS “Yeah, I’m getting married our nameless friend at the wheel back and forth from the hospi- bers plummeted. Since then, Continued from Page 67 next week and I picked up the and Leib and my husband push- tal somehow gave me the hope the same hospital performed swords for the ceremony.” It ing from behind, the van was that my Dad will be able to only a small fraction of that darkness, a very Good Samaritan seems our good friend Mark is finally dislodged at 6:00 p.m. At overcome this hurdle as well! number of surgeries. offered his assistance. He might in the Marines. that point, my eldest daughter Please keep him in your have something in his car to get “If you are getting married and I had been on the job for an prayers (Aharon David ben Baby Helmets Help under the van to dislodge some next week you better be care- hour and a half. Leah Gittele) and with During Avigayil’s appoint- of the ice I couldn’t get to (and ful!” I warned. As I sit here on Tuesday Hashem’s help, he will be able ment, Dr. W. prescribed a spe- believe me, I had been on the After Mark was joined by evening, and the worst of the to navigate this storm! O cial helmet, also known as a ground trying to get out whatev- another Good Samaritan (I never blizzard is just about behind us cranial remolding orthosis. er I could). Our good friend caught his name) and my faithful (although we just got word that Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with The helmet, made of ultra- Mark returned with what husband Leib walked over to the there is still no school tomor- Rosenfeld & Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst with her light plastic and other state-of- appeared to be a sword. lot with a gardening edger to row), I am amazed at the driv- husband Leonard and six children: the-art orthopedic materials, “You just happened to have a break the snow and ice (he ing that I accomplished! Just Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. She welcomes your questions would guide Avigayil’s head in sword in your car?” I asked ten- walked in the freezing icy dark- being able to maneuver all the and comments at a controlled growth to a more tatively. ness for almost a mile), between twists and turns on the road [email protected]. rounded shape. To benefit from the therapy, Avigayil would have to wear the helmet 23 hours a day for three to four months. The initial fitting for the helmet (which looks like a bike helmet but cuter) was similar to a fitting for a first pair of shoes. Avigayil squirmed, but it was over within a few minutes. The entire procedure was completely painless. After a week of wearing the helmet, which covered her forehead and the back of her head with an opening at the top, I could feel Avigayil’s head returning to normal. My relief made me want to shout the news from the rooftops. However, one day during the third week that Avigayil

Continued on Page 70

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 31, 2010 69

Flat Head Syndrome met worked wonders. Continued from Page 69 Since then, I have fit many, many babies for their helmets. I can really was wearing her helmet, I was grocery relate to frantic parents because of my shopping with her in the stroller. experience with Avigayil. During the ini- Another mother shopping in the store tial fitting, I spend more time calming kept peeking around the aisles and star- nervous parents than soothing the ing at my baby. By now I was used to baby! I feel confident reassuring parents this. Some people would just stare, that the helmet works wonderfully, some would politely coo “how cute” … because I know my own Avigayil did so and some would actually come up to well with it. ask me about it. Either way, I didn’t really care. I just kept reminding myself of What I Wish I Had Known the outcome. I knew why Avigayil I offer you the lessons I’ve learned attracted attention: how many helmet- from this experience—as a mother and as wearing babies have you seen? The an orthotist. woman finally came up to me and Speak to your doctor and ask ques- asked me about the helmet. I was more tions. Practically every parent I’ve met than happy to explain it to her. with a child with a misshaped head tells me that they noticed it right away, but A Prescription For Greater didn’t know where to turn. Turn every- Compassion where! Your pediatrician or a pediatric I left the store feeling a much lighter neurologist is a great start. They have load on my shoulders. Through her nosy answers! Don’t wait. With helmet thera- questions, the woman unveiled a glim- py, time is of the essence. mer of insight into the reason why, by Make sure your practitioner is accessi- Divine intervention, my own Avigayil ble. When I make a helmet for a baby, I had positional plagiocephaly. I realized give the parents my cell-phone number that the condition was, in fact, a special and explain that during that time I con- gift to me. Because of my personal expe- sider the helmet babies “my babies”; the riences, I could now share authentic parent may reach me at any time during empathy with my patients and offer the “therapy” with any concerns. them hard-won, heartfelt answers to Choose an orthotist with an office their concerns. that’s convenient. Because a baby’s brain After three months, Avigayil didn’t and skull nearly double in size during have to wear the helmet anymore, the first two years of life, the helmet because her skull was deemed nice and needs to be checked every 10 to 14 days round. Avigayil is older now, and when I and is often readjusted. You want this to show people pictures of when she was a be a pleasant and convenient experi- three-month infant, no one can believe the difference. That simple plastic hel- Continued on Page 72

70 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 31, 2010 71 Flat Head Syndrome Continued from Page 70 Does My Baby Need A Helmet? ence, not a hassle. How to prevent a flat head. Make sure your baby has plenty of “tummy time.” Helmets are cute. Some parents are Even though she should be put to sleep on her back, put her on her stomach or very worried about the aesthetic look of upright in an infant play area, like an ExerSaucer, when eating and playing. the helmet. For this reason, I create hel- Additionally, stay away from infant swings; the gravity “pull” can wreak havoc on mets with fun, colorful designs laminat- the baby’s skull shape from extended use. If your baby really finds these posi- ed onto the surface, such as bows and flowers for girls and trucks and planes tions uncomfortable, start slowly! Five- to ten-minute intervals go a long way in for boys. the long term. Though it’s scary to see that your baby What to look for: has a head that doesn’t look quite right, it • Does your baby face the same way every time he sleeps? is something that can be fixed. If your • Flat spots—even minimal ones—in the back or side of the head. baby’s head is flat or bulged on one side, • Slight bulges in the forehead it needs to be taken care of immediately—the younger the better. Take your • Ears not even; one may be more “forward” on the head than the other. baby to the pediatrician and explain your What to do if your baby’s head looks misshapen: concerns and then get her fitted for a hel- • Don’t panic. Most cases are easily treatable. met as soon as possible. It’s a short thera- • Make an appointment with a pediatrician and explain your concerns. py for a lifetime result! O • If your doctor agrees, get your baby evaluated for a helmet. • Don’t assume “it will fix itself.” Rochelle B. Silberman is an orthotist specializing in pediatrics. She’s been designing Follow-through is essential for optimal results. The “window of opportunity” to and fabricating orthopedic and neurological correct this problem is a very small one. Don’t wait it out; be proactive. The helmet braces for over 25 years. Ms. Silberman has lectured on this topic internationally. For more does not squeeze the head into a corrected shape. It has a loose fit and is designed to information, you can contact her at Splint Arts (Kidi-Splints) at 516-256-9306 or visit her website simply provide a pathway for controlled growth. O at www.kidisplint.com.

72 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 31, 2010 73 there are other names of American rabbis rabbis and 40% people of note. Rabbinate And Politics who might be interested in the position. The fact that under HaRav Toledano’s From his tone it is noted that they were leadership of the Religious Ministry, the not in the running. Mapai would actually have the major say BY NISON GORDON, Z’L time when he was angry with the At a meeting in his office in in appointing the Chief Rabbi, awakened Mizrachi because of the “Who is a Jew” Yerushalayim, I asked the Minister of in those loyal to the Chief Rabbinate a Why is it so difficult to manage elec- question. Mizrachi left the coalition and Religion how he intends to eliminate all fear that the strong opinion of the gov- tions for a Chief Rabbi? Ben Gurion is try- the Sephardi Rabbi of Tel-Aviv, HaRav the obstacles in electing the two Chief ernment would influence the voters. The ing to take over control of the Rabbinate, Yaacov Moshe Taledano, z’l, had been Rabbis. His answer was that the changes Toledano episode made it clear that it is making changes in the election proce- appointed Minister of Religion. that have been put in place in the elec- possible to have as a Minister of Religion dures for the Chief Rabbi. It has been four It is already more than three years tion procedures have, at last, disposed of a person who is in opposition to Mizrachi years that Israel has been without an since HaRav Toledano, who carried a the many apprehensions which until and is friendly with the premier, which Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi. The election of a grudge against Mizrachi, passed away. now were present. would make it possible to elect a Chief new Chief Rabbi to replace HaRav Mizrachi re-entered the coalition, Ben In general, the method for the election Rabbi who distances himself from Yitzchak HaLevi Herzok, zt’l, has during Gurion is no longer premier, and the of the Chief Rabbi stems from the time of Mizrachi and is closer to the government. this time, unfortunately, become a politi- Mizrachi leader, R’ Zorach Wahrhaftig, is the British Mandate which in turn was This was the procedure until changes cal issue. This has irritated many of the sure that this winter of 1964 there will be inherited from the Turkish power. The were made to remove “the teeth” from party leaders including Ben Gurion. elections for two Chief Rabbis, an role of the former Vaad Leumi was taken the original committee of eight. There was a time when Ben Gurion Ashkenazi and a Sephardi. over from the government, which had According to the new election system, the was satisfied to conduct elections for a The elections for a Chief Rabbi has four members in a closed election com- Guf Habocher will choose the Chief Chief Rabbi without delay. However, now sparked interest in America as well, mittee of eight persons. The other four Rabbi. It will consist of 125 persons, 75 he was not ageeable because the Mizrachi where there is the only candidate on had to be rabbis who belonged to the rabbis and 50 lay leaders. The rabbis will movement, which supports the institu- whom all sides would agree if only he Council of the Chief Rabbinate. be chosen from all over the land and the tion of the Chief Rabbinate, opposed the would accept. The candidate is well This committee of eight, four rabbis lay leaders from the local religious coun- method of elections and requested that known to everyone—HaRav Yosef Dov and four members of the government, cils which are the religious advisors in first there should be changes to the way Soloveitchik, with whom Ben Gurion per- choose what is called in Israel “Guf each city in Israel. From the original com- the Chief Rabbi is elected. Ben Gurion’s sonally met when he last visited America. Habocher”—an administrative body of 70 mittee of eight there remained enough haste to choose a Chief Rabbi was at a A prominent personality in Israel noted persons, which must be made up of 60% power to appoint five of the seventy-five but no more. The rabbis who will appoint the Chief Rabbi will be selected from the rabbis without interference from the government. This change, Minister Wahrhaftig believes, clears the way to conduct the election for a Chief Rabbi. For a Jew who knows how difficult it is for rabbis to agree among themselves, it is easy to imagine a situation where the rabbis of the country will not be able to unite in choosing the 75 rabbis who will select the Chief Rabbi. Envisioning that the rabbis will not be able to unite, the new election law stated that the government, which means the Ministry of Religion, will decide who the rabbis will be, noted the Minister of Religion. The problem that now exists is that “our original difficulty is back in its place.” Again it means that the government and not the rabbis will have the final say, and who knows who will be the Minister of Religion. It is the overall feeling that the candi- dates who have the best chance to be elected as Chief Rabbis are HaRav Yitzchak Nisim as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi and HaRav Isser Yehudah Unterman, the present Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, will be elected as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi. HaRav Shlomo Goren, the Chief Rabbi of the army, is also very strongly mentioned. He is also known in America for his many visits on official assignments. He is known as a Talmudic scholar and presents himself, in his para- chute uniform, as the new type of rabbi of the young country. However, his candi- dacy does not seem to be a good prospect because he is by nature an independent person and cannot go in any well-worn path. HaRav Goren’s name was strongly mentioned as the one whom Ben Gurion supported at the time of HaRav Toledano’s “regime.” HaRav Nisim’s election is expected not because he is so strongly liked by all circles but mainly because it would be a poor precedent to overthrow a rabbi from his rabbinical office. HaRav Nisim has a lot of opposition among those who eight years ago crowned him as Sephardic Chief Rabbi. Among the Sephardim there are those who complain that he is an Iraqi, a Babylonian, and not a Sephardi. The previous Chief Rabbi’s lin- 74 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION eage was directly from the Sephardic expulsion during the Inquisition. Eating Disorders In The Orthodox Community There are those who say that the opposition to HaRav Nisim stems from the fact B Y TANYA BERG, RD, CDN any age group—and in recent years we daily. In school, group dieting among that he refuses to “step out and deal” have begun to see this illness in adults— classmates and friends may result in pres- more independently. My impression, The Orthodox community is not they are most commonly found in sure to restrict one’s diet and fear of eat- from an evening with HaRav Nisim, is of immune to the various diet and health teenage girls. There are numerous behav- ing in public. This, in turn, leads to con- a very impressive person, one who is misconceptions that contribute to the ris- tinuous restrictive eating habits, skipping deeply concerned with everyone’s probing numbers of eating disorders, includ- meals and snacks throughout the day, or lems. He also gave the impression of a ing both anorexia nervosa and bulimia binge eating once home in a “safe” envi- lonely person who is happy to entertain a nervosa. We are surrounded by pressures “I eat exactly what my ronment, away from the eyes of friends. guest who wants to hear his opinion. to be thin. Popular weight-loss diets Other disordered eating behaviors If one thinks that after the elections replace healthy diets. Today, our society mother eats—iced include picking at food, cutting food into take place that the Chief Rabbinate believes underweight is normal weight very small pieces, and taking an exces- would become the recognized umbrella and normal weight is overweight. coffee for breakfast, sively long time to complete a meal or rabbinate for all religious Jews in Israel Young people striving to reach what snack. Be suspicious if your child begins he is making a mistake. The Minister of they feel is their “ideal” weight will frozen yogurt for lunch, saying that she doesn’t like what used to Religion admits that though the Agudat often omit all carbohydrates from their be her favorite food, or insists frequently Yisroel is not as opposed as before, they diet and will exercise excessively in and salad with grilled that she is not in the mood for certain still do not accept the authority of the order to lose weight. Some parents, with foods, or complains of feeling nauseated Chief Rabbinate. They find it difficult to good intentions, will allow their daugh- chicken for dinner.” or sick after eating. These are red flags attach themselves to a central Rabbinical ter to sustain herself on a diet consist- that something is wrong! corporate body. No one can guarantee ing mainly of salads. These ideas may be Eating disorder thoughts and pres- who will be on the top tomorrow. They considered socially acceptable, but sures tend to be even stronger on believe the rabbinical leader should not when presented to a vulnerable young iors that parents, friends, and educators Shabbos and yom tov, when surrounded be chosen at the ballot box but should individual, can trigger the nightmare of should be aware of and concerned about. by an abundance of food. The individual emanate from among the people. eating disorders. The individual with an eating disorder R’ Zorach Warhaftig is not fooled that Although eating disorders can affect struggles with her thoughts and pressures Continued on Page 76 the election will overnight solve this problem of Torah authority in Israel. However, it could create a representative rabbinic body which would be responsible for the operation of religious func- tions which the government relegated to the Rabbinate. This is what he hopes to accomplish with this year’s election. O

Translated from the Yiddish by Victor Cohen. A Segment from Alt Un Noy In Israel.

And Moshe spoke before G-d, saying: “Behold, the children of Israel have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me?” (Sh’mos 6:12) The previous verse, however, states the reason that the Children of Israel did not listen to Moshefor anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. Why, then, did Moshe deduce from this that Pharaoh would not obey him? But Moshe knew that the power of a leader derives from his people. If he had not succeeded in penetrat- ing their hearts, he would not be able to achieve anything on their behalf. (Sfas Emes)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 31, 2010 75 Eating Disorders Shabbos is over. vidual at risk for heart complica- gling with an eating disorder mended weight loss, this should Continued from Page 75 The anorexic or bulimic will tions and other life-threatening usually believes the number to only be done under the supervi- often turn to a quick-weight-loss conditions. These patients be much lower—between 1,200 sion of a doctor and registered will “save” her calories during diet. These fad diets, which require frequent blood tests— and 1,500 calories per day. dietitian! the week in order to indulge on eliminate entire food groups, up to two or three times per A healthy diet must include a What, if anything, can we do Shabbos or yom tov, but this are very harmful. They can lead week—to check their potassium variety of foods from all food to prevent eating disorders? usually leads to either bingeing to unhealthy rapid weight loss, levels and often end up in the groups—carbohydrates, protein, Although we can’t control all or further restricting, due to the lack of protein, and vitamin and emergency room or admitted to fats, fruits, and vegetables. Each external influences, we can set intense fear of overeating. mineral deficiencies. One of the the hospital because their potas- of these provides the necessary examples and model healthy The anorexic may begin to most common mineral deficien- sium level is too low. nutrients needed for proper eating behavior for our children. omit traditional Shabbos foods, cies seen in anorexia nervosa is Excessive weight loss also growth, development, and a Too often a patient will come in skipping the fish, chulent, or calcium deficiency, which can results in slow metabolism, long, healthy life. Adolescents with significant weight loss and kugel, or even the challah. manifest itself as osteoporosis thereby slowing down the gas- are still growing and developing report that the whole family is However, the bulimic differs or osteopenia. Although osteo- trointestinal system and causing and need all of these nutrients! on Weight Watchers, or she will from the anorexic in that she is porosis is often associated with constipation and the uncom- Aside from basic nutrition, it say, “I eat exactly what my triggered by all the Shabbos older women, it has been found fortable feeling of being bloat- is healthy and normal for ado- mother eats—iced coffee for food and tends to binge and in very young girls with a histo- ed. These are some of the most lescents to eat a certain amount breakfast, frozen yogurt for purge more on the weekend. ry of restrictive eating, poor cal- common complaints from of “junk food” during the course lunch, and salad with grilled The inability to participate in cium intake, and the loss of patients with eating disorders. of a day. Eliminating all kinds of chicken for dinner.” formal exercise on Shabbos may menstruation. A teenage girl needs, on aver- sweets and treats, when it is not Our children and teenagers lead the individual to take In bulimia, we often see elec- age, 2,000–2,400 calories per day medically necessary, is inappro- observe everything about us— extensive Shabbos walks or rush trolyte imbalances from fre- to maintain a healthy weight. priate at this age. In the event the way we treat other people, out to the gym as soon as quent purging, putting an indi- However, an individual strug- that a physician has recom- our choice of activities and friends, and also our eating habits. It is important to be aware of the type of messages we are sending our children. Do they hear us talking about our own weight? The weight of others? Dieting? Feeling fat? Are we having family meals, and are the conversations at the table appropriate and non-diet-related? Eating disorders are serious ill- nesses, and if untreated will continue to intensify, both physically and emotionally. Gastrointestinal symptoms, osteoporosis, and fer- tility issues will worsen, and emotional issues will become more challenging. If you suspect that someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please help them seek treatment immediately. The pediatrician or school psychologist are great starting points. They will be able to assess the situation and make appropriate referrals to eating- disorder specialists, including doctors, psychologists, and nutritionists. The sooner one is treated, the greater the chance of recovery. O

Tanya Berg, MS, RD, CDN is a pediatric and adolescent nutritionist. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, specializing in pediatric and adolescent nutrition, including eating disorders, weight management, and lipid disorders. Her expertise also extends to pediatric diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and food allergies. Tanya’s practice uses science- based nutrition and exercise research to treat each individual’s needs and achieve the best results possible. Tanya can be reached at 516-458-4070 or [email protected].

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76 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION are generating enough dissatis- the unopened invitations buried catalyst for malaise. Overcoming A Clutter Crisis faction, i.e., the emotional energy in the pile. Often some necessary Every day she would waste so that compels you to move into paperwork remained mysterious- much emotional energy in a the next stage. ly misplaced despite various struggle against feeling messy, BY YEHUDIS my fault that once in a while …” Stage five is where you begin search-and-rescue missions. Other disorderly, and out of control. As SASHITZKY At the third stage, you acknowl- to take some action. It is impor- important statements or receipts Sarah spoke, the awful toll clutter edge that indeed you have a prob- tant to try and stay in stage five suffered a similar fate. There had was taking in her life began to A common, everyday event: lem with clutter. It really does until the habit is completely been so many of these frustrating sink in, her determination to take You put aside a bill to take care of take some mental work to arrive changed. Some fluctuation incidents lately that she felt her on the challenges ahead solidify- later, a note you want to keep but at this point of understanding. between stages four and five life spinning out of control. ing. This client’s time had come. don’t know just where to file, a Nevertheless, congratulations might be inevitable, but as long as By asking Sarah gently prob- I instructed Sarah to picture an new photo a friend sent you— would be a bit premature— you don’t rest on your laurels, and ing questions, the “soil” in which empty desktop, with all the para- but all your photo albums are full. although you feel strongly dis- you consistently return to stage the “seed” of change was to take phernalia put away in an organ- The important thing-a-ma-jiggy turbed about your problem, iner- five, you’ll get the job done. root was cultivated, her feelings ized fashion. I asked her how that that surely belongs to something. tia is stronger still. To bring this theory to life, let’s surrounding wanting change would make her feel. She was Just as soon as it is discarded, it When you often find yourself look at a case in point. One of my becoming more focused. In relat- silent for a moment, envisioning will become clear to you that it thinking about what to do about clients, whom we’ll call Sarah, ing how clutter made her feel, this miracle. Then, with enthusi- was imperative to the proper your problem, you are in the wanted to reclaim an area of her Sarah described her frustration asm, she described her feelings of functioning of a vital piece of fourth stage. As your realization home that had become a favorite whenever she needed to find liberty and empowerment. She equipment you own. And so you that your disorganization in life dumping ground for bills, books, something. She related how the said the cleared desktop would keep it … forever. Slowly these is substantially hindering said papers, stray Lego pieces, etc. pile of clutter, located between release her from feeling out of items accumulate, giving birth to life, your unhappiness becomes Weddings would come and go and in full view of both her entry- more of the same. Before you more intense. At this point you without her family realizing it, way and kitchen, was a constant Continued on Page 78 know it, you have the makings of your very own landfill! This phenomenon, commonly known as clutter, creeps up on you insidiously, catching you unawares. One day you see the shiny, cleared granite desktop; the next day, it is overcome with “stuff” and its surface has become but a fond memory of neater days. Clutter starts innocently enough with a few nondescript “homeless” items. But we don’t realize the tremendous magnetic powers of clutter! Everything within a two-mile radius that is not nailed down slowly begins to be pulled toward that pile of vagrant objects. One fine day you do a double take. Sadly, it has become undeniable: Clutter has taken over and you are no longer in control. Now what? Although there is a lightheart- ed side to clutter, the victims of clutter know that the chaos it brings about is no joke. If this sounds familiar to you at all, you are invited to take a closer look at clutter, how to firmly resolve to change your cluttering habits, and, finally, how to take action. In general, when you want to make changes in your life— especially when the changes are large ones, such as changing an old, well-worn habit—there are stages, or states of mind, you must pass through. Oblivion could be considered the first stage. In blissful oblivion, you are totally unaware that there might be a problem requir- ing you to make changes. If you are here, you believe clutter may be everyone else’s problem, but not yours. You might be so sure of yourself, you might want to skip this article and find something that really pertains to you. In the second stage, you experience some vague, nebulous sen- timent that there might be a problem. However, the human condition, being comfortable with the status quo and not too keen on change, protects us with a defense mechanism called denial. “What are you talking about? My home is always very neat. It’s not 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 31, 2010 77 Clutter Crisis backs them, encouraging them through it. of planning to have folders, boxes, and var- Having the support she needed to Continued from Page 77 I guided her in thinking out her begin- ious other supplies handy to expedite her think her way through, she was empow- ning action steps. This support, and a step- project’s fulfillment. She spoke about put- ered to reclaim her supremacy over her control and overwhelmed. by-step outline of what to do next, makes ting into place a filing system, and I asked chaos. She was becoming mentally ready As she pictured herself experiencing the project seem less threatening to the her to think through some of the details. to tackle all the new projects that would these newfound feelings of freedom, she client and she feels more capable of suc- At first, she spoke about using large generate good things for her that had for- related that being organized would sup- cess. In envisioning what small steps she blocks of time to “attack” the project. merly been held back by clutter. O ply such a mental release of anxiety that felt ready to take between sessions and When she thought it out a little more, guid- Yehudis Sashitzky of Coaching Empowers is a it would free her up to be ready to tackle what she felt ready to do, I was asking her ed by more gentle but probing questions, personal-growth, life-changes, and relationship many other important home and busi- for accountability. She knew that when we she realized she might not have many large coach. She graduated from Touro College with a double major in psychology and education. She ness projects that had been neglected met again, I would be hoping that she had blocks of time to do it all in. She decided has worked for P’eyim/Lev L’Achim for the past 16 because of the negative emotions the accomplished the tasks she had delineated that she could do even 15 minutes at a time years as a tzedakah party organizer. She is clutter had been generating. for herself. to chip away at her pile, making it more certified as a professional coach by the Darco School of Coaching. Yehudis lives with her When Sarah pictured the many benefits A little hand-holding by an encouraging and more manageable as she went along. husband and blended family in Flatbush. she would glean, her energy and excite- partner will give you the support you need Lastly, I asked her what obstacles Experience for yourself the rewards of clarity and insight that coaching will bring you with a free ment around this task picked up in a palpa- to contemplate working on a project that might prevent her from accomplishing first session. Phone coaching is available. Yehudis ble way. We both realized that a switch had seems overwhelming. In seeking a partner, her goals. She named some possible prob- can be reached at 718-258-4020 or 917-324-3125. been tripped: she would never again view try to choose someone who will bring to lems that might arise; with the right ques- her problem with clutter in quite the same the fore your own ideas to put into tions, she was able to make plans to An Exercise To Reduce Clutter way. She was energized to make plans and action—not someone who will push for a counteract each one. As long as your organizational system, take action and begin to get a handle on system that you might not be comfortable When Sarah called me the next week, or non-system, kind-of works for you, you her clutter. with. Your own ideas are the ones that suit she was almost breathless with excitement don’t have any inclination to change a To ensure Sarah’s success, it was now you and empower you best. This is where over her progress. She reported going to habit. By internalizing how deeply an issue necessary to ask her to think through a coach might be more effective in helping Ikea to get the filing items she needed. wreaks havoc with your time, schedule, some concrete steps and visualize doing you gain your desired results. When she got home with them, she almost organization, errands, health, commit- the work. When a task is felt to be over- To minimize the danger of her getting couldn’t wait to get started! The area was ments, relationships, or life in general, you whelming, a person feels more ready to “stuck,” I asked Sarah to consider what she really getting cleared up, and she only had become more and more ready to contem- figure out what to do with a partner who might need to get the job done. She spoke a little more to go to reach the finish line. plate, and then plan, change. Therefore, take the time right now to consider the following, thinking deeply, thoroughly, and jotting down your answers: How long has the issue of clutter been disturbing you? How much time have you spent thinking about what to do about it? In what ways does clutter get in your way? What other ways? What else does it affect? What difference would there be in your life if clutter were no longer an issue? What else would change? Please elaborate. Making a move away from old habits is usually difficult; the emotional energy and motivation need to be strong enough to propel you to carrying the change all the way through. When you look back in dis- may at just how long you have been dragging this albatross around your neck, you start generating positive change energy. To generate the energy to want to face the nitty-gritty of getting the project completed, doing an “imagining it done” exercise is powerful. The benefits of accomplishing your goal become clearer to you, giving you the positive momentum and strength of commitment you need to change. Imagine that a miracle has occurred and all your clutter is gone, everything is in its place, and your space is completely cleared. What one word would best describe how you feel? What other adjectives would describe what you are feeling with this picture in your mind? What would you be able to do now, that you couldn’t do before? What else? What small steps are you prepared to do to get the job started? What else might you do? What else? When will you be doing these tasks? What other times might work for you? Who might be willing and able to help you? What tools will you need to get the job done? What else might you need? What else? When are you going to get these items? Where? What obstacles might arise to prevent your completion of your job? What else? What might you do to counteract each obstacle? Everyone’s mind works differently, and everyone’s situation is different; therefore you must ask yourself the above questions and find your own answers. It is important that you sit yourself down with pen and paper and do all the exercises and create your own step-by-step plan for accomplishing something that you are serious about. O 78 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 31, 2010 79 80 December 31, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES