Jewish Connection Mourns the Loss Ment Targeting Israel Finally Died Its RABBI of Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum ZT”L, the Death—In a Clinical Sense, at Least

Week of February 12-19, 2016 • 2-10 Adar 1, 5776

Vol. 9 • Issue 11

FLAKEY JAKE presents 38 PASSOVER 2016 PAGE3

PAGE 19

PESACH CELEBRATION 2016 37

YOUNG MEN WITH NO YESHIVA AGUDAS YISROEL OF STATEN ISLAND HOSTED THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED HANACHA K’HALACHA TEFILLIN PROGRAM (ALSO KNOWN AS THE TEFILLIN AWARENESS PROJECT). FLOCK TO YESHIVAS MEISHEV NEFESH AS 3RD YEAR BEGINS should properly be seen as an- BDS after the Boycott ti-discrimination measures, and 38 BEN COHEN welcomed on those grounds. No against its adoption. 2016 may well be remembered U.S. state should contract with These anti-boycott bills CONT. ON P34 as the year that Boycott, Divest- ment and Sanctions (BDS) move- The Jewish Connection mourns the loss ment targeting Israel finally died its RABBI of Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum ZT”L, the death—in a clinical sense, at least. TANNENBAUM Rov of B’nai Israel of Linden Heights in LEVAYA OF Boro Park and director of the Rabbinical RABBI BELSKY, ZT”K Across the U.S., state legislatures are passing bills that will out- Alliance (Igud HaRabonim) of America. Rabbi Tannenbaum was a columnist for law state authorities from investing The Jewish Connection and he wrote about IN THIS WEEK’S public funds in, and entering into many topics including events of The Igud contracts with, companies and other HaRabonim. He leaves behind his wife, ISSUE entities that engage in a boycott of Rebbetzin Sarah Tannenbaum, his children The Center of the World Israel. This doesn’t mean that en- Rabbi Chaim Tannenbaum, Rabbi Yitzchok Roy Neuberger...... 8 gaging in a boycott of Israel is ille- Zev Tannenbaum, Mrs. Bracha Holtzer and Mrs. Malky Haimoff. The Levayah took place at The World According to Me gal, but for anyone who cares about Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz...... 15 Cong. B’nai Israel of Linden Heights, 4502 9th their bottom line, the legislation Ave. Brooklyn, on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Healthy Spinach Kugel should provide a powerful incentive Orly Gottesman...... 22 Popsugar She Just Doesn’t Meet My Needs Slain Israeli policewoman was still in Racheli Fried...... 22 WE ARE BECOMING A SOCIETY OF DISPOSABLE basic training, prevented larger attack JNS NEWS...... 30 MARRIAGES AND RELATIONSHIPS. EMUNA BRAVERMAN YEHUDA SHLEZINGER, EFRAT FORSHER, YORI YALON Train Your Brain Rabbi Moshe Goldberger...... 32 Whoever thought I’d wax nostalgic for the good old days Members of the family of Hadar Cohen, the Israeli Border of Disney movies – the destructive messages of serendipi- Police officer who was killed in a Palestinian terrorist attack tous meetings at royal balls, fortuitous shoe fittings, happi- in Jerusalem on Wednesday, gathered at their home in Or ly-ever-afters and falling in love with the heroine while she Yehuda on Thursday to mourn their loss. is asleep. Her aunt, Zehavit Cohen, expressed her dismay that the Those of us raised on these movies and these messages 19-year-old rookie policewoman who had not yet completed ,urb ,eksv CONT. ON P4 CONT. ON P3 3 Adar 1 t rst "d Assessing Obama’s Mosque Pregnant? For Your Baby’s Health, Parashat Speech on Islam Eat Fish, But Make Sure It’s High in Terumah DANIEL PIPES Omega-3 and Low in Mercury 5:08 P.M. FIVE TOWNS DR. JOSEPH MERCOLA 5:09 P.M. STATEN ISLAND Wishing to address growing anti-Islamic sentiments among 5:09 P.M. BROOKLYN the American public, Barack Obama ventured on Feb. 3 to the Omega-3 fat is important for prop- 5:09 P.M. TEANECK, NJ Islamic Society of Baltimore (sadly, a mosque with unsavory er energy storage, oxygen transport, 5:54 P.M. MIAMI BEACH, FLA. Islamist associations) to talk about Islam and Muslims. The cell membrane function, and regula- 4:43 P.M. JERUSALEM 5,000-word speech contains much of interest. Here’s an in- tion of inflammation. It’s also critical for healthy develop- CONT. ON P5 CONT. ON P6 2/12/16

saw how pained Hashem was during moments when it makes sense to us. ALEC BORENSTEIN our stay in Egypt, and the imagery But often it’s just the opposite. We related to bricks because that is what can’t see the puzzle until much later, Feeling Sick This Winter? Use the Jews were building. if at all. Your Pain! The question is asked - why was When Hashem saw the Jews cre- the image of “sapphire” brickwork ating bricks, Hashem felt for what specifically? The Jews clearly did we went through, but He also saw When I think about this time of times in between. But Hashem con- not create sapphire bricks - why were and knew the whole picture. Hashem year (February), I think about pain. trols all of them. the bricks made of sapphire in the knew that all of the pain the people I think about lots of snow, I think Including our painful times. In last vision? went through had a purpose. To about colds, I think about the flu. In week’s Parsha (Mishpatim) the To- The answer relates to how we Hashem, each brick wasn’t a brick my own house my boys rotate sick- rah relates an amazing image of the see the world in relation to how made of crude materials - it was a ness, strep today, coughing tomor- elders having seen Hashem sitting on Hashem sees the world. Hashem perfect, beautiful puzzle that culmi- row, a virus another day. My wife “sapphire brickwork.” The commen- sees the world as a perfect, beautiful nated in Jewish independence and in got sick in the last round, thankfully I tators talk about this image of Hash- puzzle that makes sense. Each piece our receiving the Torah. have been spared (for now). em in the sense that the elders saw a is placed precisely where it needs Thus, each brick was sapphire be- Such is life, there are good times, vision of what Hashem went through to be. We are lucky in that there are cause each brick was created to make there are bad times, and there are when we were in Mitzraim. They the Jews that much greater. Each brick was indeed made of sapphire (metaphorically speaking) because they were the beautiful cause of our nation’s independence. Hashem gives us pain in our lives ESACH 2 016 because He wants us to grow. You P see, when you are in pain you grow. Your Choice of 6 Magnificent Passover Destinations You have to. It’s the only way to sur- vive the pain. And when you grow, BOCA RATON, FLORIDA PALM BEACH, FLORIDA RYE BROOK, NEW YORK you become better, on all levels. Boca Raton PGA National Westchester Which is why you never want to Resort & Club Resort Hilton waste your pain. Just because Hash- A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT em gives you a painful experience does not mean that you will necessarily learn the lesson of your pain. Hashem gives us the lesson, the pain, and it’s up to us to learn it and take it to heart. 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SHLEZINGER ran an obituary on Wednesday deep sorrow over Cohen’s death CONT. FROM P1 saying, “The city of Or Yehuda is Alsheikh replied, “We fight to on Wednesday. protect civilians. The price is a basic training was posted at bowing its head over the murder painful one, but this is our duty. Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate—a of Cpl. Hadar Cohen, a resident “May your hands be strengthened, I have no doubt that the terrorist spot notorious for being the site of of the city, in a heinous terrorist keepers of Jerusalem’s walls,” cell, having attacked with such numerous terrorist attacks. attack in Jerusalem this morning. President Reuven Rivlin said upon We extend our condolences to a large arsenal of weapons, learning that Cohen was killed. intended to carry out a mass- “After a mere two months of the dear Cohen family. May you casualty attack. Your response, service, I think it was too much,” never know more sorrow.” Rivlin said he spoke to the your efforts to make contact and Zehavit said. “She was still in commander at the scene and your determination, undoubtedly basic training and wasn’t familiar A number of Facebook pages “heard from him how the fighters’ prevented a much larger tragedy. I with the area. So they gave her a were set up to honor Cohen’s alertness served as a protective salute you. bulletproof vest. So what? They memory, where users praised her ” wall for us.” are still little children. To go out actions during the attack. Cohen s commander commented into the field after two months, I ’ Prime Minister Benjamin on the allegations that the two think it’s too much.” “A great loss for the people of Netanyahu wrote on his Facebook Israel,” one user wrote. “A true young policewomen were too page, “Border policewoman Hadar green to be posted at such a “[Hadar] was a good girl,” she hero. Blessed be her memory.” Cohen was murdered today by dangerous spot, saying, “They continued. “She was gorgeous. terrorists. Hadar displayed great were teamed up with a veteran Whatever she wanted, she would The surviving border courage and determination, and border policeman who knows say, ‘I will work at it and achieve policewoman who was wounded she gave her life to save the lives the area. They were trained to it.’ Everyone loved her. She really in the attack recounted the of many others. We all grieve confront incidents like this. They wanted to enlist. She fought to incident to Israel Police with her family.” reacted exactly the way they enlist. She dreamed of being Commissioner Roni Alsheikh were expected to react, with there. She told me, ‘Auntie, I’m from her hospital bed on Public Security Minister Gilad determination.” having fun, I’m happy. It’s a little Wednesday. She said, “We are Erdan remarked that “thanks hard but we will fight and get here to protect civilians. That is to the border policewomen’s All three terrorists were killed in through it.’ I told her, ‘You’re why we enlisted and that is why resourcefulness and courage, a far the course of the attack, one of larger than life and you will get we’re here. I have no doubt that larger attack was prevented today. them by Cohen. through it.’” Hadar, may she rest in peace, Our way of life and our insistence knew that, and that is why she CONT.ON P20 Israeli officials also voiced their The Or Yehuda municipality behaved the way she did.” -2,129(5*8(676 î$77+(9(5

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BRAVERMAN to them has its effect. They seep bars) or our parenting (helicopter are watching (at least until they CONT. FROM P1 into our consciousness – and that or free range – are we parenting acquire car keys). require some serious deprogram- of our children. They cloud our chickens?), it’s getting ever more ming before we understand the expectations and influence our difficult to be on the same page And two, talk about it. I know amount of work involved in build- viewpoints. and see our way forward. you’re tired and just want to zone ing a successful marriage and to Critical Thinking and Discus- out at the end of a long day but appreciate that, as wonderful as it “This isn’t what I signed up sion these really are our teachable may be, marriage has few (if any) for,” an unhappy young woman moments. It can be a simple con- galloping off into the sunset mo- confessed to me, as images of ex- I think we all need to take a versation with a profound impact: ments. otic vacations and dream homes step back. We need a little more What was that show suggesting were trampled by needy children introspection, evaluation – and about men? Women? Their re- But I feel a fondness for those and the financial recession. conversation. lationships? Do you agree? Dis- good old days because, as damag- agree? Why or why not? ing as those messages were, they “She just doesn’t meet my We have a responsibility to are nothing compared to today’s! needs,” kvetches a longer-married stop before allowing ideas to just Parenting is not just a full-time (Yes, it’s official. I’ve become man to my husband, completely permeate our minds without care- job when our children are young. an old fogy). The objectification oblivious to the self-centered na- ful examination. What did I just It continues and gets progressive- of women has reached new lows ture of his complaint. read? Does that idea make sense? ly more complex throughout their with an exclusive emphasis on A Jewish life is a conscious life. lives. We need to be constantly physical pleasures following close While our own reactions may Our job is to choose what we let aware of the messages that are behind. If a relationship is too be more subtle, we would be in, not just be passive receptacles bombarding our family and avail- difficult, it is usually discarded; it naïve to assume that we are not for any idea, no matter how ill-ad- able to challenge or discuss them. is time to move on. Commitment impacted, that some version of vised or destructive. (No parental speeches; just open has become a dirty word with the what Hollywood (and all mass dialogue, at the right time.) latest trend being the promotion of media) sells hasn’t wormed its The same applies to television “serial monogamy”. (C’mon, mar- way into our subconscious. and movies. I’m not about to take It is our job to prepare our chil- riage was never meant to last for- on Hollywood or the TV industry dren for marriage by giving them ever. It’s too hard. It goes against Whether it’s our material aspi- but I have two suggestions for its a clear-eyed vision of its opportu- man’s nature, so the argument rations, our expectations about our fans who are going to watch any- nities and responsibilities and the goes.) physical relationship (probably way. The first is to watch together realistic and practical tools to deal more polarized than ever from as a family. The advantage there with both, no matter what Holly- As appalling as we may find the viewpoint of each gender) or seems obvious. It is, at the very wood tells them. these ideas, constant exposure the types of conversations (clever least, a modicum of family time and snappy – in coffee houses and and you will know what your kids Aish.org

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PIPES like innocent bystanders when due to Muslim violence. Reason- Islamist enemies. CONT. FROM P1 there’s a perfectly reasonable ably, non-Muslims worry that a depth assessment of its key points: fear of them due to (1) so much co-worker will behead them or at- it is undeniable that a small frac- violence emanating from this 1 tack them at a party, that they’ll be tion of Muslims propagate a per- OBAMA: a lot of Americans percent of the U.S. population and bombed attending a sporting event, verted interpretation of Islam. have never visited a mosque. To (2) non-violent Muslims showing or rammed into by planes when the folks watching this today who sympathy for the violent ones. working at their offices. To blame Here we go again, Imam Obama haven’t — think of your own non-Muslims for this commonsen- declaiming on what the proper and church, or synagogue, or temple, The Muslim American commu- sical, life-preserving fear is to con- the perverted interpretation of Islam and a mosque like this will be nity remains relatively small—sev- fuse symptom with cause. are. He’s done this before, as have very familiar. This is where fami- eral million people in this country. many other non-Muslim leaders, lies come to worship and express For more than a thousand years, including prior U.S. presidents. It’s their love for God and each other. This is a coy way for Obama to people have been drawn to Islam’s silly and embarrassing. There’s a school where teachers walk back his exaggerated 7 mil- message of peace. open young minds. Kids play base- lion figure of 2009 without explic- right now, there is a organized ball and football and basketball itly saying so. Some converts, to be sure, have extremist element that draws se- — boys and girls — I hear they’re been attracted to the peaceable side lectively from Islamic texts, twists pretty good. Cub Scouts, Girl recently, we’ve heard inexcus- of Islam but many others have seen them in an attempt to justify their Scouts meet, recite the Pledge of able political rhetoric against Mus- it as a militant force and converting killing and their terror. Allegiance here. lim Americans that has no place in as joining a winning team. Look our country. at the Western converts who have It would be more accurate to re- PIPES: All true, but what about gone to ISIS as one subset of these. place this with “right now, there is the dark side, the unique and re- A veiled critique of Donald Again, Obama just focuses on the a organized extremist element that peated role of mosques in parlaying Trump that Trump deserves. cheery dimension and ignores the draws on medieval Islamic texts totalitarian ideas and fomenting unpleasant one. and interprets them in medieval violence? That goes unsaid in the No surprise, then, that threats ways to justify their killing and president’s rose-colored presenta- and harassment of Muslim Ameri- the very word itself, Islam, their terror.” tion. cans have surged. comes from salam — peace. as Muslim Americans, you How can a person in a position Part of what’s happened in the [worry that] your entire community That’s ridiculous. In so far as of responsibility say something so Middle East and North Africa and so often is targeted or blamed for there has been a surge of threats patently wrong? Islam means sub- other places where we see sectarian the violent acts of the very few. and harassment – and this is open mission, and does not derive from violence is religion being a tool for to doubt given the disreputable peace. As I explained in 2005, another agenda — for power, for Obama makes Muslims sound nature of the reporting – this is “There is no connection in meaning control. between salām and islām, peace and submission. These are two This is typical left-wing mate- distinct words with unrelated meet- rialism, which sees religion as a ings.” Shame on Obama. vehicle for something else, usually connected with economic benefit. For Christians like myself ... No, the Islamists are true believers who engage in violence to pursue Standing in a mosque, Obama their vision, not for power as an end presumably feels a need to remind in itself, as Obama insists. his audience that he’s not a Mus- lim. He would be more convincing Thomas Jefferson’s opponents if he could get his autobiography tried to stir things up by suggesting straight. For example, he some- he was a Muslim – so I was not the times declares he has “always been first. No, it’s true, it’s true. Look it a Christian” and at other times that up. I’m in good company. he “didn’t become a Christian” until after college. It would also I did look it up – in Jefferson’s help if he could date this important Religion, a 2007 book by Stephen J. milestone rather than offer, in the Vicchio, and found no evidence that view of Jason Kissner, an associate Jefferson was called a Muslim. His professor of criminology at Califor- opponents called him names such nia State University, Fresno, there as “French infidel,” “confirmed infi- are “two completely contradictory del,” “howling atheist,” and “fanat- accounts” regarding its time frame. ic,” but never “Mahometan.” just as faith leaders, including Muslim Americans keep us safe. Muslims, must speak out when They’re our police and our fire- Christians are persecuted around fighters. They’re in homeland secu- the world – or when anti-Semitism rity, in our intelligence community. is on the rise – because the fact is, They serve honorably in our armed is that there are Christians who are forces. targeted now in the Middle East, despite having been there for cen- Again true, but again not men- turies, and there are Jews who’ve tioning the other side – the per- lived in places like France for sistent penetration of American centuries who now feel obliged to

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The key take-home point is to greater levels of anxiety. This Dr. Joseph Mercola avoid virtually all refined vegeta- despite eating a healthy diet from ble oils. Not only do they allow birth, onward. As reported by Pregnant? For Your Baby’s Health, you to overconsume them but they Medical News Today: Eat Fish, But Make Sure It’s High in are also highly susceptible to oxi- “The team performed the first Omega-3 and Low in Mercury dation and are typically damaged comprehensive measurement of CONT. FROM P1 by the time you use them. lipid metabolites in the developing I personally consume about 10 brain; they identified that metabo- ment in utero, especially for eye shows, such a lopsided ratio to 15 grams of omega 6 oils a day lites of omega oils are vital and brain development, and plays during pregnancy can have severe but not one microgram is refined. regulators of neural stem cells a role in the length of gestation. health consequences for your They are all in the form of seeds — the cells that go on to develop Recent research has again con- baby. and nuts that I eat raw, or freshly into fully fledged brain cells. firmed the importance of omega-3 Another Major Concern With grind them immediately prior to In the rats with diets heavier fats during pregnancy, and the Your Oils eating. on the omega-6 than 3, the neural danger of too much omega-6. The Another major factor that has I also eat about 4 ounces of stem cells developed more rapid- former you get primarily from contributed to a large percentage clean fish a day in the form of ly, to their detriment. The results fish, whereas processed vegetable of the amount of chronic disease wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, ... show that increased levels of and seed oils — staples in the present in Western nations is the or anchovies. That and my seeds omega-6 produce an increase in standard American diet — are the introduction of refined vegetable give me nearly 10 grams of ome- omega-6 oxides. These omega off- primary sources of the latter. oils. ga-3 fat a day so my omega 6:3 shoots cause premature aging of The ideal ratio between these Prior to 1900, the average in- ratio is about 1.5:1. fetal neural stem cells. two essential fats (“essential” take of vegetable oils was less Lopsided Omega-3 to Omega-6 The study’s authors conclude: meaning your body cannot pro- than a pound a year and in 2000, Ratio Harms Brain Development ‘These findings provide com- duce them, so you have to get that had increased to 75 pounds In the featured study, animals pelling evidence that excess ma- them from your diet) is 1:1, but a per year. We simply never had the fed a diet in which the omega-6 ternal consumption of omega-6 processed food diet provides FAR ability to consume this much veg- to omega-3 ratio matched the combined with insufficient intake more omega-6 than omega-3. etable oil prior to food processing. standard American diet produced of omega-3 causes abnormal Unless you avoid vegetable Refined oil contributed to the offspring whose brains were brain development that can have oils and either eat plenty of fish massive distortions in the omega much smaller than those fed equal long-lasting effects on the off- or take a high quality omega-3 3:6 ratios. There is nothing intrin- amounts of omega-3 and ome- spring’s mental state.’ [Emphasis supplement, you may be getting sically wrong with omega-6 oils if ga-6. mine] around 16 times more omega-6 they are consumed in their native Once the offspring reached Fish Consumption in Pregnancy than omega-3 from your diet. form, which is typically in unre- adulthood, they also developed Linked to Better Brain Health As one recent animal study fined seeds and nuts. emotional problems, exhibiting CONT.ON P10

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PIPES State, Daesh) could not care less CONT. FROM P5 what Obama or other non-Mus- leave because they feel themselves lims think of it. It cares only about under assault — sometimes by the views of Sunni Muslims. So, Muslims. Obama can deny it legitimacy all he wants; ISIS won’t notice or It’s not a complete or coher- care. ent sentence but it does correctly demand that Muslims speak out the notion that America is at against religious persecution and war with Islam ignores the fact that it does note that Jews in Europe the world’s religions are a part of are “sometimes” (really, nearly who we are. We can’t be at war always) attacked by Muslims. It’s with any other religion because the a relief to see the dark side peek world’s religions are a part of the through for an instant. very fabric of the United States, our national character. the suggestion is somehow that if I would simply say, these are all By this infantile logic, Hitler “Islamic terrorists,” then we would could not have been at war with actually have solved the problem Judaism because Jews were part of by now, apparently. (Laughter.) the very fabric of Germany. the best way for us to fight ter- This is a cheap laugh line. No rorism is to deny these organiza- one thinks the problem of Isla- tions legitimacy and to show that mist violence would be solved by here in the United States of Amer- Obama using the right wording; ica, we do not suppress Islam; we many, including me, however, say celebrate and lift up the success of that he can’t properly address the Muslim Americans. problem unless he accurately iden- No, the best way to fight Mus- tifies it. lim violence is by (1) getting out of the way of law enforcement Groups like ISIL are desperate and others on the front line and for legitimacy. They try to portray (2) helping anti-Islamist Muslims themselves as religious leaders and find their voice. we can’t suggest holy warriors who speak for Islam. that Islam itself is at the root of the I refuse to give them legitimacy. problem. That betrays our values. It alienates Muslim Americans. It’s In fact, ISIL (or ISIS, Islamic CONT.ON P18

Mitchell First ESQ. Understanding Personal Injury Law in New York State: Accidents due to an Uneven Sidewalk People often fall due to an uneven But if the person falls on a sidewalk in New York City and sustain sidewalk alongside a one-, two- or injuries. Do they have a remedy? Who three-family residential property, such is responsible? as a private home, then the City of New York remains the responsible party. For many years, it was the But in order to recover against the City City of New York that was legally of New York, one must prove that the responsible for maintaining the Dept. of Transportation of the City of sidewalk. But in 2003, the City was New York had written notice of the able to have the law changed. In unsafe condition prior to the accident most situations, it is now the adjacent or that the City of New York created building owner that is responsible for the condition. Normally, these are very the uneven condition. hard to prove.

There are many types of Most people that consult us were buildings that might be adjacent to an injured on sidewalks in commercial uneven sidewalk. For example, the areas or alongside apartment buildings. adjacent building might be an apartment Thus, we are able to provide them with building, a store, or a private house. a remedy against the building owner. Under the law in effect since 2003, The settlement will be paid by the when the adjacent building is a store, or insurance company for the building an apartment building, the owner will owner. be responsible. CONT.ON P12 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 7 2/12/16 Roy Neuberger THE CENTER OF THE WORLD

Years ago, there was a movie Thousands of years later, with called “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” the giving of the Torah at Har Why are the nations of the world Sinai, Hashem gave His children obsessed with the Ark of the Cov- the means to return to that per- enant? Why is Yerushalayim Ir fect world. Hardly had that event Hakodesh the center of world at- passed, but our ancestors repeated tention and Har Habayis the most the mistake of Adam and Chava, coveted location on earth? causing the luchos to be cast down “Al naharos Bavel … By the and smashed on the ground by rivers of Babylon, there we sat and Moshe Rabbeinu. But once again, also wept when we remembered as in the days of Adam and Chava, Zion. On the willows within it we the kedusha which Hashem had hung our lyres. There our captors implanted within us manifested its requested words of song … How presence. The Children of Israel can we sing the song of Hashem did not give up. Like our earliest upon the enemy’s soil? If I forget parents, they tried to rebuild the you, O Yerushalayim, let my right shattered world. Moshe Rabbeinu hand forget its skill…. Remember, himself chiseled new, physical Hashem, for the offspring of Edom rock, and Hashem wrote upon it. … for those who say, ‘Destroy! Both the original, shattered Destroy! To its very foundation!’” set of luchos and the second set (Tehillim 137) of luchos were placed in the Aron “Destroy! Destroy!” That is (see Berachos 8b and other sourc- all they want! es). This, I would submit, is a clue And we want life! They want to the eternal power contained the Aron for their despicable pur- in the Aron, which animates the poses and – lehavdil -- we want entire world even when we do not to find the Aron to return to life, know its exact location. For the he was still lacking the ground- writes upon material objects. He to sanity, to sanctity! The entire power of Am Yisroel lies in our work of Kabalas ha Torah. This takes a stone and writes upon it! world wants the Aron! What draws eternal ability to rebuild and renew teaches … [a] principle: Don’t He decrees Eternal Life for flesh the Children of Yishmael and the kedusha, even under the most cat- yearn for tranquility. Sometimes and blood! Only for Am Yisroel Children of Esav to Yerushalay- astrophic conditions. it’s the trying times that bring us does He do this! The nations of the im? They all want what belongs to Imagine: we survived the to great revelations….” (Peninai world shout “Aru, aru … Destroy! us! So should we, but obviously Churban! We survived two thou- Daas on Parshas Yisro) Destroy!” but they cannot destroy, we have not yet merited to reclaim sand years of Golus! We survived My friends, the history of the because Hashem has blessed us it. the Shoa! world, and particularly the history eternally. In the words of Bilaam, What is the Aron’s power? I We have kept the broken of Am Yisroel, is not an arbitrary “How can I curse? G-d has not would suggest that the entire life luchos as a reminder of what we series of events. History is a gi- cursed! How can I anger? Hashem of Am Yisroel is encapsulated in have lost! We have never stopped gantic lesson in how to regain the is not angry!” (Bamidbar 23:8) that Aron. That is why the other striving to return to that perfect perfection of Gan Eden and pre- May we soon see the day of nations, who hate us “with all their world. And Hashem helps us! He pare ourselves for eternity by unit- “Gladness and joy, while anguish heart,” desperately desire it. maintains the Bris. Just as Moshe ing with the Ribono shel Olam. and sighing will flee, when [we] At the beginning of history, Rabbeinu carved new luchos upon The only nation which has the return to Yerushalayim!” (Kinnah Hashem created a perfect world. which Hashem wrote, so His loy- power to recover from calamity 31, Tisha B’Av) At the apex stood Adam and Cha- al children take blank sheets of is Am Yisroel, because we forever va, perfect beings endowed with paper and fill them with Divrei retain the broken luchos which Roy Neuberger’s latest book, free will. Tragically, they used that Torah which sustain us through remain in the Aron. Every day we WORKING TOWARD MOSHIACH, free will erroneously and, as a re- the Golus until the day when we thank the Ribono shel Olam be- has been released in Israel and will sult, were ejected from that perfect return to the World of Purity. soon be available in the U. S. cause He is “ne’eman … faithful His book 2020 VISION is available in world. But they did not commit Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lef- in t’chias hamaisim … reviving suicide (which, al-though pro- kowitz zt”l asks why Yisro “did ENGLISH, HEBREW, SPANISH, FRENCH, the dead!” No other nation has RUSSIAN & GEORGIAN. hibited, would have been under- not merit to participate in … Ka- been subject to such calamities as Roy is also the author of FROM CENTRAL standable). They somehow found balas haTorah” even though he Am Yisroel. No other nation has PARK TO SINAI: How I Found My Jewish the strength to continue, trying to joined Am Yisroel at Har Sinai. He suffered what we have suffered. Soul, available in ENGLISH, HEBREW, use their shattered lives to regain quotes Rabbi Aharon Kotler zt”l: And we continue to be the unique RUSSIAN & GEORGIAN, the perfect world they had lost “Since [Yisro] had not been en- object of worldwide scorn and and WORLDSTORM: Finding Meaning & through their own terrible mistake. slaved with the cement and mortar hatred. “Am levadad yishkon… Direction Amidst Today’s World Crisis. ROY AND HIS WIFE LEAH SPEAK Adam in fact gave seventy years [of Mitzraim] but sat in serenity, they are a nation that will dwell PUBLICLY ON TOPICS RELATED TO HIS of his life to enable his descendant he was not primed to participate alone.” (Bamidbar 23:9) Dovid to live and found the mon- in Kabalas haTorah. Though Yisro BOOKS AND ARTICLES. In fact, we are the unique Email: [email protected]. Website: archy which would one day restore later left his tranquil position and object of Hashem’s special provi- www.2020vision.co.il. sanctity to this tortured world. did earn the virtues we mentioned, dence and bracha. For us, Hashem 8 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 forced to pay. It wasn’t some the ephod, or the one who contrib- “THE SHMUZ” despot demanding an exorbitant uted the gold for menorah. bribe. This was a moment in his- Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier tory-- the Chosen Nation was be- If every contribution was ing given this great opportunity to given willingly, the entire gen- The Mercy of Hashem be a part of building the house of eration had enough to give, and HASHEM, and they understood it was a great honor to give, why PARSHAS TRUMAH it for what it was. Why would would HASHEM be concerned Moshe have to speak softly? Sure- that Moshe gently coax them into giving? “Speak to the Jewish people ple themselves: “from each man ly they would give willingly. and they should take to Me tru- whose heart so motivates him.” The Jews were fantastically rich The answer to this question mah; from each man whose heart can be best understood when we so motivates him, you should take It should come as no surprise The question is even more focus on man’s relationship to his My trumah.” — Shemos 25:2 that the people offered their do- pointed because the Jewish people Creator. nations to the Mishkan with zeal were fabulously wealthy. HASH- The entire Jewish nation — and enthusiasm. After only a short EM promised Avrohom Avinu HASHEM’s relationship to man every man, woman, and child while, Moshe had to turn away that when his children would — experienced the revelation of more donations; there was more The Chovos Ha’Levovos ex- leave bondage, it would be with plains that if you to take the most HASHEM on Har Sinai. They saw collected than could be used. great riches. Right before the Jews HASHEM as clearly as humans generous, loving person that you Interestingly, the Bal left, they went to their Egyptian have ever met and then multiply can, and they attained a level of masters and “borrowed” gold, prophecy. Now they were being Ha’Turim explains that when HASHEM told Moshe to ask for silver, and all types of valuables. CONT.ON P11 offered one of the greatest gifts They despoiled Mitzrayim, walk- imaginable: HASHEM Himself contributions, He told him to ask in a gentle tone. Since it means ing out with wealth that had been was going to dwell amongst them. gathered for hundreds of years. They were going to experience that people will have to part with HASHEM’s presence regularly, their money, please speak softly. They were being offered to they are being given the opportu- It was all voluntary convert some of that wealth into nity to participate in the building one of the greatest honors given of the greatest edifice ever creat- This Bal Ha’Turim is very to man- to become a builder of ed — HASHEM’s dwelling place difficult to understand, why would the Mishkan. This was a singular in this world. The gold, silver Moshe have to make this appeal event in the history of mankind-- and copper, the wood, hides and in a gentle manner? This wasn’t For eternity to be the one who oil will all come from the peo- a tax that the people were being provided the precious stones for

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Recommendations for Pregnant of omega-3s, which is more than Women most Americans ingest in a week. While fish have always been an Only walnuts and flaxseeds pro- ideal, rich source of omega-3 fat, vide more. Another benefit is that the presence of pollutants such it has a nicely balanced omega-3 as PCBs and mercury does make to omega-6 ratio. caution advisable. It’s not a reason Other species with lower mer- to ditch ALL fish from your diet cury content include pollock, tila- though. pia, and cod, along with smaller As detailed in a presentation fish like sardines and anchovies. by a leading expert from Harvard There are some questions as to Medical School, it’s important the sustainability of anchovies to understand both the risks of though. consuming high-mercury fish and According to Wild Planet, the benefits that low-mercury fish anchovies are an abundant and provide. prolific fish stock, and a fine sus- Your total mercury exposure tainable choice, but the Safina depends on two factors: which Center’s Sustainable Seafood fish you eat and the amount of fish Program and The Environmental you eat. The challenge is to select Defense Fund give Mediterranean fish that qualify as low or very and Black Sea anchovies a poor low in mercury. eco rating. Fortunately, the U.S. government has finally seen the light and Avoid tilefish, and king mack- is now specifying that pregnant erel, as these four have the highest women should be careful to select mercury levels of any fish tested. low-mercury seafood. The FDA/EPA also wisely rec- The joint recommendation by ommends limiting white albacore the U.S Food and Drug Admin- tuna to 6 ounces per week due to istration (FDA) and the Environ- its elevated mercury content. Tuna mental Protection Agency (EPA) is by far the largest source of mer- regarding fish consumption for cury exposure in our diet —espe- pregnant women, those who may cially for children — and anyone become pregnant, breastfeeding who wants to reduce their mercu- mothers, and young children is ry intake should eat less tuna. 8 to 12 ounces of fish per week According to a 2012 report by MERCOLA or about four servings) of fish per CONT. FROM P6 from choices that are lower in the Mercury Policy Project, young week was linked to a 2.8 point mercury. children should eat light tuna no A second study strengthens increase in IQ score. This link was In their estimation, this max- more than twice a month, and the argument by showing that the particularly strong for large fatty imizes the benefits of omega-3 albacore tuna should be avoided brain benefits of omega-3 appear fish, including tuna, even though while minimizing the risk of mer- entirely. The report also rec- to outweigh many of the hazards tuna also has some of the highest cury exposure. According to the ommends that if your child eats associated with mercury exposure. levels of mercury study above, this may even be a tuna once per week or more, you Here, the researchers looked Fish intake during the first tri- conservative estimate. should have their blood tested for at 2,000 pregnant women, who mester also had the strongest asso- Resources for Identifying Fish mercury. If the result is over 5 reported their seafood intake — ciations, compared to higher fish Low in Mercury micrograms per liter (ug/L), his including the specific species of intake during the second through So where can you find informa- or her consumption should be re- fish — via food questionnaires, fourth trimester tion about the mercury content of stricted. starting in their first trimester. Above 600 grams of fish per any given fish species? Here are At What Level Does Mercury On average, the women ate about week the cognitive benefits ta- three resources: Become a Health Hazard? three servings (500 grams) of fish pered off, suggesting this may be The FDA has a Webpage list- Mercury is extremely toxic, so per week during pregnancy. an ideal level, above which the ing and ranking seafood based on ideally, you don’t want to be ex- At birth, the umbilical blood risks of mercury exposure could their mercury content posed to any. However, given the was assessed for omega-3 DHA, begin to outweigh the benefits For a list that you can print level of mercury pollution in the mercury, and PCBs. The children I was not aware of these in- out for reference, please see the world today, this probably isn’t underwent cognitive tests and au- triguing results but find it inter- Mercury Policy Project’s guide to feasible. You’re bound to ingest tistic spectrum disorder evaluation esting in light of my transition to mercury levels in fish. or be exposed to some here and at the age of 14 months and again 4 ounces most days of either an- The National Resources De- there, be it via air, water, of fish. at age 5. chovies, sardines or Vital Choice fense Council has a mercury cal- Keep in mind that methylmercury The results showed that: Alaskan salmon. This is around culator you can use to give you an harms a person’s nervous system Higher fish consumption during 700 grams a week. idea of how much mercury you’re to differing degrees depending on pregnancy was associated with in- Additionally, many are con- getting from any given fish spe- how much mercury you’ve accu- creased cognitive scores, and de- cerned about Fukushima radiation cies mulated. creased risk of autistic symptoms contaminating fish. While I don’t Best and Worst Fish Choices At above average doses, brain in the children doubt it is an issue for some fish, I On the up-side, several fish functions such as reaction time, For every additional 10 grams personally test the fish I consume species that are low in mercu- judgment, and language can be of fish per week over 500 grams, from Vital Choice with a $1,000 ry are also high in omega-3s. impaired. At very high exposures, there was a corresponding im- Inspector Geiger counter and it Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is mercury can affect your ability to provement in test scores has never measured anything one example. Just one 3.5-ounce walk, speak, think, and see clear- Eating 600 grams (21 ounces, higher than background radiation. serving provides around 2 grams CONT.ON P11 10 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16

SHMUZ mitzvahs. Granted it is for their wealth, and HASHEM, if it could mility and concern for us, and the CONT. FROM P9 good, and granted it is the greatest be, felt badly. extent to which He is sensitive to that mercy by ten thousand ten investment that they could ever our feelings. When we focus on It was as if HASHEM was thousands, you won’t begin to make, but, it means parting with the loving kindness that HASH- saying: “Oy, it must be difficult. reach the love that HASHEM has things valuable to them, and if it EM showers upon us daily, we You have that precious gem, that for each of His creations. The one could be, HASHEM feels badly. grow in our apperception of that beautiful gold. I feel badly, even concept that must be firmly em- HASHEM is the Giver, always love, and then reciprocally, we asking.” Even though the act of bedded in the mind of every Jew wishing to share of His good, to feel an overwhelming sense of ap- giving has taken something fleet- is that HASHEM is more con- give more — not to take. This preciation and love to our Creator. ing and turned it into the greatest cerned for his good than he is, and seems to be the answer to the investment, something that will For more on this topic please HASHEM loves him even more question on the Bal Ha’Turim: remain with them for eternity, at listen to Shmuz # 173- Children than he loves himself. There is no doubt that the chance to contribute something towards the moment that the person gives of HASHEM This love manifests in many the Mishkan is a great honor. over those stones, it was difficult The new Shmuz on Life book: Stop on some level. HASHEM felt his Surviving and Start Living is now in ways. Chazal tell us that HASH- Anyone whose donation would print! It is a powerful, inspiring work EM has mercy on the money of be accepted would bear a mark of pain, and said: “Moshe, please be that deals with major life issues. Cop- ies are available in sefarim stores, or Yisrael, as if to say HASHEM nobility that he would cherish for gentle with them.” at www.TheShmuz.com, or by calling feels badly that the Jewish people years. But it involved his giving. 866-613-TORAH (8672). This is a fantastic illustration have to spend money, even on He had to part with some of his of the extent of HASHEM’s hu- PIZZAZZ my mother in Philadelphia. She And I went out and I went out ever made in my life was to tell had illness that had affected her and I went out and I went out, but my mother the good news. Now AND LOVE physical condition, but her fight- still hadn’t found my bashert so she had something very joyful to ALAN MAGILL ing spirit was unconquerable. I kept going out and out and out keep her mind off of what else It seemed that one of the things and out. And wouldn’t you know was going on in her life. And I I got to thinking about a mem- she looked forward to the most it? I met the right one and we got was thrilled that wedding prepa- ory of my mother, may she rest was to see me get married. I also engaged, baruch Hashem. rations were now the order of in peace. A number of years ago, wanted to get married so we were the day and I was about so settle when I was single and living in of the same mind on that one. CONT.ON P24 New York, I would often visit One of the sweetest calls I

MERCOLA fish can, and most likely does, is why it’s so important to use dis- red, courtesy of its natural astax- CONT. FROM P10 outweigh the risk of methylmer- cernment when selecting seafood. anthin content. Sockeye salmon cury provided you don’t overdo Beware of Farmed Fish actually has one of the highest ly. it, and stay away from fish known While the FDA/EPA recom- concentrations of natural astaxan- One 2012 study that evaluated to be high in mercury. Again, the mends salmon, they do not specify thin of any food. the effects of mercury on cogni- featured study found NO addi- the type of salmon. I strongly dis- Wild salmon is also very lean, tion in otherwise healthy adults tional cognitive benefits for eating courage consumption of farmed so the fat marks — those white found that those with blood mer- more than 600 grams/21 ounces salmon due to their inferior nutri- stripes you see in the meat — are cury levels below 5 µg/L had the of fish per week, which is about 4 tional profile, their environmental quite thin. If a fish is pale pink best cognitive functions. Mild servings. drawbacks, and potential health with wide fat marks, the salmon impairment was evident at blood A more cautious recommen- hazards. is likely farmed. Avoid Atlantic mercury levels of 5 to 15 µg/L dation would be to limit your fish Unfortunately, recent investi- salmon, as salmon bearing this la- and above 15 µg/L, cognition was consumption to a maximum of 12 gations have shown that as much bel are almost always farmed. significantly impaired. ounces of high omega-3/low-mer- as 80 percent of the fish marked The two designations you want When it comes to infants, cury varieties and take a high as “wild” may actually be farmed, to look for are: “Alaskan salmon” studies have associated prenatal quality omega-3 supplement. and that includes salmon. In (or wild Alaskan salmon) and methylmercury exposure with If you believe your health prob- restaurants, 90 to 95 percent of “sockeye salmon,” as neither is al- impaired development of sensory, lems may be related to mercury salmon is farmed, yet often listed lowed to be farmed. Canned salm- motor, and cognitive functions, toxicity, get tested for heavy met- on the menu as “wild.” on labeled “Alaskan salmon” is a resulting in learning difficulties, als, and if need be, take appropri- Given these inaccuracies, how good bet, and if you find sockeye, poor coordination, and inability to ate action to detoxify. That said, can you tell whether a salmon re- it too is assured to be wild (pro- concentrate. it’s undoubtedly easier to avoid ally is wild or farmed? The flesh vided it’s not mislabeled; again be mercury exposure than it is to of the salmon will give you a clue. sure to visibly inspect the fish and But bear in mind that the ben- detoxify once it has built up. This Wild sockeye salmon is bright CONT.ON P39 efits of the omega-3 you get from

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To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 11 2/12/16 FIRST York had written notice of the unsafe CONT. FROM P7 condition prior to the accident or that STRATEGIES | Rifka Schonfeld the City of New York created the The remedy against the building condition. Normally, these are very Director of S.O.S. (Strategies For Optimum Success) owner applies even though the reason hard to prove. Building owners are for the uneven sidewalk may be the Growing Your Potential also not responsible for the curb, i.e., growth of roots from trees planted by the edge of the sidewalk. Under the the City of New York! The building 2003 New York City law, the curb Picture this: you are in your last theory that there are two mindsets owner is still the responsible party. remains the responsibility of the City year of high school, you get a C+ when it comes to intelligence, I have only discussed of New York. on an essay, you get a parking personality, and learning: fixed responsibility for the sidewalk in the ticket, and your best friend cancels and growth. The reason that the 2003 New City of New York. The responsibility plans for that evening. What’s York City law exempts owners of The Two Mindsets for an uneven sidewalk varies from your response? one-, two- or three-family residential city to city. The law in the City of properties from responsibility for the a) My life is terrible. Dweck’s research reveals New York is not typical. In most sidewalk is that it was felt unfair to that people have views about cities, there is no law making the burden smaller, non-affluent property b) I’m a failure. themselves that change the adjoining landowner responsible. owners with this responsibility. way they interact with others, Rather, the cities remain the c) I need to work harder on But this exemption only applies respond to failure, and deal with responsible party. But the cities enact my next essay, talk to my if the premises is “in whole or challenges. These views about laws making it difficult to win these teacher, pay my parking in part, owner occupied” and themselves are labeled mindsets: suits against them. ticket, and talk to my the view you adopt for yourself. “used exclusively for residential friend. Even within the City of purposes.” So if the owner lives · Fixed. If you have a fixed New York, the above discussion somewhere else, or if there is a d) I can be more careful mindset, you believe that of the liability of building owners business being operated at the one- and change thing for the your qualities are carved applies only to sidewalks. Building , two- or three-family residential future. in stone. You believe that owners are not responsible for unsafe property, then the owner of the one- According to psychologist Carol you have a certain amount conditions in the roadway, where , two- or three-family residential of intelligence, a certain vehicles travel. When an injury property is still responsible for the Dweck, PhD, if you answered “a” or “b,” you fall into one personality, and a certain occurs due to an unsafe condition in sidewalk under the New York City moral character. This the roadway, the City of New York law category. If you answered “c” or “d,” you all into another category. creates an urge to prove remains the responsible party. But Mitchell First Esq. has been a personal yourself over and over one must prove that the Dept. of injury attorney since 1985. His office is For many years, Dweck studied in Manhattan and he can be reached at achievements and success. Her again. Transportation of the City of New [email protected] or 1-800-710-7250. research propelled her towards a CONT.ON P13

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SCHONFELD the question above, most likely the situation and gaining insight likely to fulfill your potential, CONT. FROM P12 you have a fixed mindset. If you for the future, people with the maintain fulfilling relationships, · Growth. The growth answered “c” or “d” most likely fixed mindset shut down. On and enjoy yourself too! you have a growth mindset. Those the other hand, those with the mindset is based on the Mindsets Can Be Changed belief that your basic with a fixed mindset will view growth mindset, the pain of qualities are things that themselves as a failure if things go rejection is just as real. However, Mindsets are an important part can cultivate through your wrong, and those with a growth instead of labeling themselves as of your personality, but it is efforts. This mindset is mindset will look at places where unlovable, those with a growth possible to change them. If you founded on the idea that they can improve themselves and mindset attempt to learn from the are interested in changing your you can change and grow change for the future. relationship for the future. With mindset, just learning about this mindset, you believe that through application and These mindsets apply to learning, the different mindsets and their experience. This means every relationship teaches you characteristics, you can take steps but to relationships as well. When more about who is right or wrong that you a person’s true someone with a fixed mindset to change them. potential is unknown and for you. has a negative interaction with Here are some suggestions: therefore anything can a friend or loved one, they Which mindset ends up be accomplished through immediately project that rejection succeeding in the long run? · Think about a really hard work and passion. onto themselves saying: “I’m Dweck argues that if you have a successful person. Do you If you answered “a” or “b” to unlovable.” Rather than evaluating growth mindset, you are more think this person achieved his or her success with little or no effort? If so, go do some research. Chances are this person worked really hard to get to where he or she is. Inevitably, Save the Date! that person encountered a few failures along the way.

· Reflect on a time you Sunday Night, april 3, 2016 failed and someone else didn’t. Now, consider the idea that perhaps the other person studied harder, prepared more thoroughly, The Big or worked through more obstacles. Those options are available to you too.

· Don’t get stupid. When you feel yourself calling yourself a failure or stupid, stop, If you are in a situation that your intelligence is questioned, get yourself into a growth mindset. Think about learning and improvement Event IV – and then work toward it. Don’t focus on the failure.

a night of Unity and Inspiration · Stay away from labels. Dweck is not the first featuring Great Music, Renowned lecturers person to mention this (nor is this the first time and Unforgettable memories! that I have mentioned this in my column). However, Dedications Limited those with a fixed mindset Stay Tuned... Corporate tend to label themselves in Memory as “smart,” “funny,” or Refuah Shlema Sponsorships “stupid,” or any other of a Loved one Details Coming Soon! available... descriptive adjective. The available... growth mindset argues that you have to stay away from labels. Instead, your actions can be “smart,” “funny,” or “stupid,” but 917-617-3636 or 718-285-9132 you yourself are able to [email protected] change and grow. www.CHAZAQ.org · Banish stereotypes. CONT.ON P14

To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 13 2/12/16 Judaism Alive.” answer a question by raising REVIEWS | Daniel Keren Rabbi Hier demonstrates that it is another question,” I began. “The a delicate balance between being question I’d Like to raise is, ‘Why Rabbi Marvin Hier Tells true to those values in the Torah are so many of you wearing fur that can’t be compromised and the coats’ I know it’s cold here in A Most Interesting Memoir reality of respecting non-Orthodox Calgary. But if the purpose of Jews with the hopes of bringing wearing fur is to stay warm, then (“Meant to Be: A Memoir” by An Orthodox rabbi, “Meant to why not put it on the inside of Be” begins with the author’s them closer to authentic Judaism. Rabbi Marvin Hier, 342 pages And of course as he explains, that your coats? hardcover, The Toby Press, 2015) charming and nostalgic recollections of a childhood spent when treated with dignity many “Since your furs are all on the Rabbi Marvin (Moishe) Hier in the famed Lower East Side of of these non-Orthodox Jews can outside, there must be another is perhaps one of the most Manhattan where so many pre- become the greatest donors to reason you are wearing them. My publicized Jewish communal Holocaust Jewish immigrants yeshivas and Torah educational guess is that you want to show leaders in America today in his from Europe first settled before programs. everyone how proud you are role as founder and director of the dispersing to other parts of the One of the problems Rabbi Hier of your husbands, who bought Simon Wisenthal Center, a human Big Apple, the Metropolitan encountered in his outreach to you those coats. How ironic that rights organization dedicated to region and the rest of America. assimilated Jewish teenagers was when it comes to fur coats we are promoting a greater understanding It is obvious that Rabbi Hier comfortable sharing our pride, but of the Holocaust so that a similar developed a style of “chutzpah” when it comes to our heritage, we abuse of Jewish and human that would serve him well in frown upon it.” dignity can be prevented. adult career as a Jewish rabbi and Obviously Rabbi Hier’s title It appears to be that Rabbi Hier’s educator. “Meant to Be” has a strong ring very interesting memoir is written Now it was thing to experience a of authenticity as you read the for a general Jewish audience that strong style of Jewish life when fascinating hashgacha pratis would span the spectrums from one lives in a dynamic community events and beyond normal help unaffiliated to Orthodox Jews as was the Lower East Side back and interventions that constantly and at the same time would be of in the 1940s and 1950s. But occurred in his career. In reading interest to the non-Jewish reader after marriage and acceptance of his memoir, I stand in awe of who finds a fascination in modern an assistant rabbinical post in a the author’s accomplishments Jewish history. Rabbi Hier is both Distant Place (Vancouver, British as well as his strong beliefs. I a natural born charismatic speaker Columbia, Canada) the challenge honestly can’t say that I agree and thinker and his story offers as mentioned in the title of the with everything Rabbi Hier writes much that a general reader can second chapter was to “Keep about the purpose of his current appreciate. and most famous project – The Simon Wisenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance or his movie projects. But perhaps there MAZE the fear this generated in their are many unaffiliated Jews who parents that perhaps the rabbi will come closer to Torah Judaism was making fanatics out of their as a result of these efforts. kids. Once when speaking as “Meant to Be” is an enjoyable a young rabbi to a community book to read and one that I would center in Calgary, Alberta he was heartily recommend for one to challenged: give as a gift to an assimilated “Rabbi, how can you teach Jew. And for the more committed students that it’s okay to wear Jew, there is much in the tzitzis (prayer shawl fringers) fascinating success story of Rabbi outside their clothes when we Hier that we could utilize in our live in a predominate non-Jewish own efforts to reach out to those society?” asked one skeptic. fellow Jews in distant places or in “Aren’t you taking us back to the own lives and careers. Middle Ages?” asked another. “Meant to Be: A Memoir” “Isn’t it disgraceful to set by Rabbi Marvin Hier is available ourselves apart from the in both Jewish and general communities we live in?” raised a bookstores or by contacting the third. publisher by clicking www. tobypress.com “In the Jewish tradition, we often

SCHONFELD also making statements CONT. FROM P13 about ability. The growth Stereotypes are the bread mindset challenges you and butter of the fixed to allow everyone to learn mindset. If you abide by and change their potential. stereotypes (girls are bad at math, boys are bad The Connection to Pessimism and at reading), you are not Optimism only labeling, but you are CONT.ON P23 ANSWERS ON PAGE 36

14 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 connected and running according together the watch runs smoothly. to plan. Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz The world is just like that. We “The Observant Jew Maybe when my daughter missed are all inter-connected, spinning school, that snow day helped a and moving in our own directions, The World According to Me dozen or two other people as well. yet sharing a united function as Perhaps they were happy to have well. Should one gear stop, or The world revolves around me. someone the way HaShem loves their kids home so they could one spring pop, the whole watch There, I’ve said it. Everything me, you’ll do anything for them help prepare for Shabbos or some would be broken. that goes on in the world is and that’s what He did that day. other reason. Maybe there was That should make you feel because of me. Want an example? (Sure, we could have just let her a teacher who needed extra time tremendously special that the No problem. miss school but she didn’t want and the snow day was made for world really does revolve around to. She is just that devoted.) them. We were going away for Shabbos you, and that HaShem will create on a winter Friday when sunset is But wait! Am I saying that the The fact that we all benefited in and maintain all manner of on the early side. We were faced whole world revolves around me our own ways doesn’t minimize circumstances just so you get what with the challenge of getting my and no one else matters? Not the fact that HaShem, by sending you need. It should also give you daughter to our destination since in the slightest! Here’s another that storm, gave ME what I a new appreciation for your fellow she goes to school in another city. example. I downloaded a shiur needed, and gave HER what man, because HaShem does the We toyed with the idea of driving to listen to in the car. As they she needed. The world revolves same for him. in separate cars but Good news! were beginning, a fellow in around each of us in perfect Now, if I’m so important that She was able to find a friend the audience asked a question. consonance, something achievable the world revolves around me, going there too. At least I THINK he asked a only by the Al-mighty. that also means that if I don’t do question. You couldn’t hear Well, while we arranged a ride for Imagine the world as a finely- what I’m supposed to do, I’m him on the recording, just the her from school, she got home late crafted timepiece. (It’s essentially throwing everything off kilter. lecturer answering back. From and didn’t have time to pack the the same as a watch but when It’s a huge incentive to be the best the responses it seemed that the night before. She would have to you start talking about the really me possible. After all, HaShem is question was premature and not pack early in the morning. And expensive ones they become “watching.” well-founded. I found myself that’s when I realized the world “timepieces.”) So this fine wondering why on earth this man Jonathan Gewirtz is an inspirational revolved around me. Confused? timepiece has a collection of writer and speaker whose work has was allowed to keep going. Did I mention it was winter? That gears, wheels, weights, and appeared in publications around the Just as he finished, the door springs, that keep it running world. You can find him at www. night, a storm blew in and school facebook.com/RabbiGewirtz and follow was canceled! No problem of in that room opened and the perfectly. The hands move at the Rabbi welcomed someone to the him on Twitter @RabbiJGewirtz. He getting her packed early and back rate they should, coming to rest also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, from school. We now had plenty shiur. “You’re just in time!” he at precisely the right spot, and where you can order a custom-made of time. But one second, would remarked. “We’re just about to the individual gears manage to speech for your next special occasion. start.” I realized right then that move at different speeds as they Sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly we be able to make our trip? Yes, PDF Dvar Torah in English. E-mail info@ we would! Within a couple of HaShem had not just allowed the interlock and create movement. other fellow to ask his questions, JewishSpeechWriter.com and put hours the sun came out, the snow Each part is doing its job and Subscribe in the subject. melted, and people wondered why but made it happen so the school had been canceled at all. latecomer wouldn’t miss anything. But I knew. How cool is that? I knew that HaShem arranged You see, the world DOES revolve all of it since it made my life so around me, but it revolves around much easier. Now, you may say everyone else too. HaShem, like that making a whole storm and a man spinning plates on sticks in shutting down numerous schools the circus, is able to do a delicate is a bit much to do for one person, and intricate balancing act so but I disagree. When you love that everything in the world is Baron Hirsch Cemetery Association, Inc. 1126 Richmond Avenue • Staten Island, New York 10314 The Challah (718) 698-0162 by Devorah Rosenberg [email protected] Learn the art of baking and braiding. Discover the mitzvah and meaning 10% DISCOUNT Women & Girls behind Challah making. WITH THIS AD Schools, Camps, For more information or to Bas Mitzvahs & Individual plots and family plots available Other Parties schedule a class in your area contact $2500-‐$5500, Credit Cards Accepted Private Sessions Please call for more information Also Available H- 718-524-7333 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 15 2/12/16 Rabbi Aharon Ziegler Rabbi Naphtali Hoﬀ PARASHAT TERUMA COOKING UP AN UNETHICAL 2016 - 5776 CONCLUSION

TORAH STUDY CONNECTS US (25:22). The idea that we understand Despite the general impression cooking a child in its mother’s TO THE SHECHINA” from this is that without an Aron that this week’s parsha focuses milk is most striking. Milk serves which is the symbol of Torah there It is undeniable that Ma’amad almost exclusively on torts and as the lifeline of a young child; it is no Mishkan. and the Mishkan Har Sinai (the Revelation on Mt. damages, the fact is that much is through its mother’s personal enables the continuation of the Sinai) was a most extraordinary and of Mishpatim deals with the nourishment that a kid manages dwelling of Shechina in the midst of uplifting spiritual experience for our interpersonal side of human through its most delicate stage Bnei Yisrael people, the nation of Israel. The relations, even when no physical of infancy. To “cook” it in that question is how could Bnei Yisrael Thus, our connection to HaShem is harm has been caused. milk is to somehow use the very continue the positive elements they not only through bringing korbanot And whoever kidnaps a man, life source in a way that is most gained by these expressions of the (sacrifices) but with the ongoing and he is found in his possession, damaging and destructive to the Divine Shechina well beyond the involvement of Torah study, which shall surely be put to death. And youngling. one-time event of Matan Torah? had started with the powerful Divine one who curses his father or his Laws are created to maintain Presence at Sinai. The Luchot are mother shall surely be put to death. order, to allow for healthy, The answer is found in the in the midst of the Aron which is (Shemos 21:16-17) productive societal function. In a beginning of our parasha. Bnei in the midst of the Mishkan. Their In his commentary on the Torah society, they go one step Yisrael would donate for a Mishkan, presence enables Moshe to continue above pesukim, Rav Samson further, providing a context though which would be a place where receiving the Torah lessons from Raphael Hirsch suggests that, which we are to view each other the Shechina (Divine Presence) HaShem, which he can share “stealing people is actual and our duties to our neighbors would dwell on an ongoing basis with the entire nation. This center destruction of the dignity of a and our Maker/Lawgiver. When (25:8). Key among the elements of service and of Torah, which human being. Towards a father the Torah speaks of not cooking a of the Mishkan was the Aron (ark started in the Mishkan, continued and mother one does not need kid in its mother’s milk, it is telling containing the Luchot, upon which for hundreds of years in the Beit to go so far, even expressing us to refrain from manipulating the Ten Commandments were HaMikdash, continuing the Sinaic the desire for their ruin incurs a particular dictum by using the written). The Aron was covered by experience to this very day. capital punishment.” Subsequent “milk” that sustains it in a manner a Kaparot, out of which rose up the concepts continue along the theme that is not only inconsistent with cherubim, and the voice of HaShem Through Torah study then, we can of empathy and interpersonal its intended purpose but runs spoke to Moshe from that point CONT.ON P25 consideration, for such matters directly counter to it. This is true as not accepting a false report, whether your goal is self-service not serving as a false witness, not or even leveling the social playing following the majority for evil field. purposes, and not oppressing a Neither shall you glorify a poor stranger. man in his lawsuit. (Ibid 23:3) You However, the pattern shifts shall not bestow honor upon [the THE abruptly in the second half of the destitute man] by deciding in his JEWISH SERVING THE ENTIRE JEWISH COMMUNITY fifth aliya. There, the pesukim favor in his lawsuit, saying, “He transition to discuss shemitta, is a poor man; I will decide in his Shabbos and the three primary favor and honor him.” (Rashi) festivals. The aliyah concludes So often, we find ourselves in Get your FREE with the seemingly incongruous situations where we rationalize our prohibition of cooking meat and decisions and conduct based on the milk together. “You shall not cook ends that they provide. The pull copy of a kid in its mother’s milk.” (Ibid of profits, social standing or social 23:19) justice may motivate us to place At first glance, this last dictate a personal spin on a concept, to would appear to have no relation understand justice in a manner that The Jewish to anything that had appeared fits neatly within our own agendas. beforehand. Certainly, it does This is where shemitta et al come not have any obvious connection in. Connection with the general theme of The mitzvos of Shemitta, mishpatim, the laws that govern Shabbos and the chagim teach us, interpersonal relationships and each in their own way, that we delivered to you civic responsibilities. What is it are not the final arbiters of life, about this mitzvah that justifies sustenance and integrity. Despite its selection as the culminating our many efforts in the field or by Email. message of mishpatim? And how the workplace, we are reminded do such concepts as shemitta that there is a higher Source, one and Shabbos / Yom Tov serve that ultimately provides for us and as a proper bridge between this determines the outcome of our Send your request to particular prohibition and the many labors. We are told to step back laws which precede it? and to rest, to reflect upon the Perhaps the answer lies within special relationship that we enjoy [email protected] the powerful symbolism suggested with our Maker. And we are also by the precept. The imagery of CONT.ON P18

16 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 dependence creates a sense of we can impact our own lives, we helplessness. This is the source lose the will to do anything that of superstition: it sets in when we takes effort — especially that THE INFLUENCE OF lose the capacity to distinguish which does not have a direct and between what we can and cannot guaranteed pay-off. SELF-ESTEEM PART #1 control in life. The relationship To be emotionally healthy, between cause and effect is we need to believe that if we blurred. This can make us virtual take action X, it can influence To the degree we lack self- Even the most minor task triggers slaves to rituals and compulsive result Y. Learned helplessness, esteem our psyche is plagued by annoyance. Would you work hard behaviors. We need to feel some a term coined by psychologist desires, fleeting impulses, and for or invest in, let alone love and sense of control, so we draw Martin Seligman, occurs when urges that twist and pull at our respect, an ungrateful and out-of- our own correlation between an a person feels that since he is thoughts. When we are alone, in control person? event and a behavior. If we knock not in control, he might as well order to quiet the unconscious A Mind in Prison three times, then the meeting will give up. Seligman maintains voice that whispers, “I don’t like The egocentric person go well, and so on. These types that people have a perception of me,” we do whatever we can to indulges his impulses and seeks of behavior give us a feeling of helplessness when they believe feel good and numb the pain. the approval of others. In other empowerment. that their actions will not be able We spiral downward, because a words, his life is not his own; this When we do not believe that to influence their outcomes. (The person who has a poor self-image CONT.ON P24 often seeks the temporary, hollow refuge of immediate gratification, and gives in to his impulses instead of rising above them. When the ego reigns, our LASKO GETAWAYS emotions cloud our thoughts, and our choices are unproductive and sometimes harmful. When we do not like who we are — which again, is true for all human ASSOVER beings, to varying degrees — we punish ourselves with activities P that are disguised as pleasurable: 2016 excessive eating, alcohol or drug abuse, and endless, meaningless distractions. We desperately want TURNBERRY to love ourselves, but instead we lose ourselves. Unable to invest in our own well being, we substitute illusions for love. These ethereal pleasures mask our self-contempt, ISLE MIAMI and because the comfort sought is rewarded instead by greater pain, we descend further into despair. (The egocentric person demands to know, “Why is this is happening to me?”, until the pain becomes too intense for his ego to deflect. At that point he begins to ask, “Why”’ from a place of humility and utter helplessness. One reason why an addict may finally get better after hitting rock bottom is because his ego is so dented that he can see what has become of his life with an acuity and clarity that had been long gone). Have you ever chatted pleasantly with someone whom you did not like very much? How about spending an hour or Entire Resort Reserved for Our Guests 2 Golf Courses, Tennis Center, Spa & Fitness Center an entire day with someone who got on your nerves? It’s almost Luxurious, Spacious Accommodations Infant Care, Day Camp & Step-It-Up Teen Programs painful. What if you lived with that person . . . and that person Ashkenaz and Sephardic Minyanim Gourmet Glatt Kosher Cuisine by New Star Caterers was you? Everything in life is draining for the person who does not like Call for Information and Reservations: who he has become. It’s like working for a boss you despise. 1-855-415- 4040 | LaskoGetaways.com

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PIPES repeatedly and consistently con- ultimately, I’m confident that the stumble, even if we sometimes fall CONT. FROM P7 demning terrorism. overwhelming majority will win short, we never stop striving for hurtful to those kids who are trying The equation of “reject[ing] ex- that battle. Muslims will decide the our ideals. We keep moving closer to go to school and are members of tremist ideologies” and “condemn- future of your faith. And I’m confi- to that more perfect union. We’re the Boy Scouts, and are thinking ing terrorism” reveals Obama’s dent in the direction that it will go. a country where, if you work hard about joining our military. facile understanding of the Islamist I would phrase it quite different- and if you play by the rules, you This nicely summarizes the challenge, reducing it merely to ly but I endorse these sentiments. can ultimately make it, no matter Establishment mentality that one wanton political violence. Stop If you’re ever wondering wheth- who you are or how you pray. It must not publicly connect Islam to that violence and the problem is er you fit in here, let me say it as may not always start off even in the violence; just whisper this behind solved. Hardly; for lawful Islamism clearly as I can, as President of the race, but here, more than any place closed doors. poses a deeper threat than some United States: You fit in here – else, there’s the opportunity to run Muslims around the world have bomb-totting fanatics. right here. You’re right where you that race. ... a responsibility to reject extremist this is not a clash of civiliza- belong. You’re part of America, After more than 200 years, our ideologies that are trying to pene- tions between the West and Islam. too. You’re not Muslim or Ameri- blended heritage, the patchwork trate within Muslim communities. This is a struggle between the can. You’re Muslim and American. quilt which is America, that is not a Here at this mosque, and across peace-loving, overwhelming ma- I endorse this as well. weakness, that is one of our great- our country and around the world, jority of Muslims around the world We are blessed to live in a na- est strengths. It’s what makes us a Muslim leaders are roundly and and a radical, tiny minority. And tion where even if we sometimes beacon to the world. These are unusually patriotic and warm words for the United States from a leftist who rarely has much good to say about his own country. Good to hear them. In all, this speech gets much more wrong than it gets right, from factual mistakes to evasions to distortions. It does get a few points right, especially toward the end, but as a whole, it’s a typically shoddy Obama production.

HOFF CONT. FROM P16

directed to make His will ours and allow for the timeless principles that emanate from His word to guide us in every circumstance. Ethical leadership is a form of leadership that emerges from strong, timeless values. It exists when leaders tap into a reservoir of principles to govern how they approach their position and the many challenges that come with it. At a time when prominent politicians and other leaders are once again in the public spotlight for all of the wrong reasons, such as political payback and misappropriating federal dollars for self-aggrandizement, we must once again circle back to the enduring values of Mishpatim as a way of gaining clarity and direction so as to live a most fulfilling and complete existence. “Rav Yehudah said, ‘He who wishes to be pious must fulfill the laws of Nezikin.’” (Bava Kama 30a)

Rabbi Naphtali Hoff is an executive coach and president of Impactful Coaching and Consulting (ImpactfulCoaching.com). He can be reached at 212.470.6139 or at nhoff@ impactfulcoaching.com.

18 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 Illit, also signed the Megillas Hanachas Even Hapinah For Yeshivas Hayesod and as a person who Acheinu Graced By Gedolim has often hosted the Acheinu bachurim in his house for vaadim BY CHAIM GOLD he was especially pleased about The feelings of emotion were HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, the Megillas Hayesod was the yeshiva. Rav Finkel was in overwhelming. The Gedolim were shlita, HaGaon HaRav Chaim particularly poignant, because it fact slated to participate in the transported to the building site Kanievsky, shlita, HaGaon was Rav Shteinman who, after hanachas even hapinah but had in three large jeeps as the huge HaRav Yaakov Edelstein, shlita, Acheinu’s first Kiruv Conference to cancel at the last minute due to crowd watched. HaGaon HaRav HaGaon HaRav Shimon Baadani, ten years ago, approached Rav health reasons. Shimon Baadani, shlita, Rosh shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Hofstedter and asked him to open Yeshivas Rosh Yeshiva Torah Finkel, shlita, as well as numerous a Yeshiva L’Tzeriim for bochurim Tailor-Made Tefillos for a V’Chaim of Bnei Brak and a others who signed on the special from Torani schools who could Tailor-Made Yeshiva member of the Moetzet Chachmei Megillas Hayesod scroll in honor not be mainstreamed into regular HaTorah, was one of the gedolim of the hanachas even hapina. yeshivos. Both the Acheinu A massive crowd gathered who poured the cement into the Yeshiva in Modiin Illit and the near the new location where foundation of the new Yeshivas Acheinu Yeshiva in Yerushalayim the yeshiva will be built. The Acheinu L’Tze’eirim in Modiin were founded as a result of Rav beautiful dais was graced by Illit. The powerful, generator- Shteinman’s request. At the virtually all of the prominent fueled lights illuminated the entire meeting with Rav Shteinman, Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva of area, infusing the maamad with an Acheinu’s hanhalah gave him Modiin Illit as well as HaGaonim, additional aura of kedusha. an update on the yeshivos and Rav Shimon Baadani, Rav the future plans. He was deeply Shimon Galei, Rav Chizkyahu Rav Baadani was flanked by other gratified to hear of the successes. Yosef Mishkovsky, Rav Yisrael Gedolim as well as Rav Dovid Zicherman and Rav Moshe Meir Hofstedter, Nasi of Dirshu, the Similarly, Rav Chaim Kanievsky Kessler, shlita. umbrella Torah organization of Rav Shimon Baadani pouring cement at signed the Megillas Hayesod and the Acheinu event which Acheniu is the kiruv arm. expressed his pleasure regarding The evening began with special After pouring the cement, Rav the hanachas even hapinah. In tefillos that Rav Yaakov Edelstein Baadani spoke from the heart, A Binyan Mikdosh Me’at and addition, he offered important wrote in his own hand writing to exclaiming, “I have a special, the Ultimate Kavod Shamayim advice regarding Dirshu’s Daf be said at the event. In a booming abiding love for Acheinu! Why? HaYomi B’Halacha program. voice laced with emotion, Rav Because Yeshivas Acheinu is Rav Yaakov Edelstein noticed Galei recited the Tehillim that Rav unique. Many other yeshivos seek that in the Megillas Hayesod it Rav Aryeh Finkel, Rosh Yeshiva Edelstein recommended, passuk first states the day of the week, of the Mirrer Yeshiva in Modiin only metzuyanim, outstanding CONT.ON P20 bachurim who will reflect well on “Wednesday” and then it states the yeshiva. Acheinu just wants to the day of the month, “24 Shevat”. work with bachurim and bring out Rav Edelstein pointed out that the best in them!” generally, throughout Tanach it puts the date before the day of the Senior Gedolei Yisrael Sign week. Only in two places is the on Yeshivas Acheinu Megilas day of the week stated first. “The Hayesod first,” Rav Edelstein said, “is with regard to the building of the Beis Last week’s hanachas even Hamikdash and the second is in a hapinah for a new building to pasuk regarding kavod shamayim. serve as home for Yeshivas “How appropriate it is that it was Acheinu L’Tzeirim in Kiryat written this way in the Megillas Sefer was a deeply inspiring Hayesod of a new yeshiva maamad of Torah and tefillah that building, especially one for baalei will not be easily forgotten. The teshuva which is truly a binyan yeshiva, which was established mikdosh me’at and the ultimate ten years ago at the behest of kavod shamayim!” HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, shlita, has inculcated At the meeting with Rav Baadani, the foundations of Torah learning he mentioned the unique factor and Torah living into an entire that so engenders his deep love generation of talmidim. – the fact that Acheinu doesn’t only seek metzuyanim. Rav Due to the yeshiva’s success and Dovid Hofstedter, the nasi of growth, the need for a new state- the yeshiva, remarked that the of-the art building became an yeshiva’s uniqueness is that they imperative. The hanachas even don’t take in metzuyanim but by hapinah was held in the presence the time they leave the yeshiva of numerous Gedolei Yisrael and they are metzuyanim due to talmidim of the yeshiva both past Acheinu’s tireless effort to give and present. individualized chinuch to each of In advance of the event, senior their charges. members of Acheinu’s hanhalah The meeting with Rav Aharon visited the homes of the senior Leib Shteinman where he signed Gedolei Yisrael, HaGaon

To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 19 2/12/16 GOLD opportune time to daven that the The bachurim in Yeshivas yeshiva pointed out that one of CONT. FROM P19 yeshiva continue to have success Acheinu, the evening’s guests the most beautiful moments of by passuk. This was followed and that Klal Yisrael should of honor, also sang beautiful the event was watching talmidim by a heartfelt public recitation witness great yeshuos. niggunim in a special choir from five and ten years ago return of teffilas hashelah. Afterwards, presentation that they had to the yeshiva for the event and a handwritten letter by Rav Rav Dovid Hofstedter also gave prepared. rekindle old relationships with Yaakov Edelstein was read by a masterful speech invoking the friends and members of the his son-in-law, HaRav Rom, zechusim of his parents and in- After the ceremony, the singing hanhala. “When I look at how far wherein Rav Edelstein gave his laws, Holocaust survivors who and dancing as the bachurim and these bachurim have come, when heartfelt bracha for the yeshiva’s were moser nefesh for Yiddishkeit. their parents danced spiritedly I see what Yeshivas Acheinu has hatzlacha. He attributed so much of the together with the Rabbonim of the accomplished thus far without the Siyatta diShmaya that he has city displayed the palpable simcha Rav Shimon Galei, prominent Rav ideal facilities, without its own witnessed to their awesome of the establishment of another building, I am filled withsimcha and Mekubel from Bnei Brak, zechusim. Rav Zev Hofstedter, makom Torah that will bring gave a powerful address. He said over the opportunities that the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas nachas to Hashem. new building will provide us in that the laying of a cornerstone Acheinu delivered a powerful for a new yeshiva is a special, Rav Michoel Berlin, R”M at the reaching our goal of turning every address. one of “Acheinu,” every one of our brothers into true bnei Torah!”

SHLEZINGER CONT. FROM P3

on holding on to this land are being attacked by the murderous Islam. A nation whose sons and daughters include heroes like Hadar, may she rest in peace, will overcome the threat and defeat it.”

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat visited the scene and called on residents of the city to resume their daily routines while maintaining vigilance.

“We saw that willingness [by the border policewomen] to suspect and check was what made the initial contact, and they saved lives with their bodies,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Ministry slammed CBS News over its report on the Damascus Gate attack, which carried a headline reading, “3 Palestinians killed as daily violence grinds on.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon blasted the media outlet’s “gall” for focusing solely on the deaths of the Palestinians and ignoring the fact that they were terrorists. This was “unprecedented chutzpah, a slanted and false headline,” Nahshon said.

After the Foreign Ministry, as well as Israel’s National Information Directorate at the Prime Minister’s Office and Government Press Office, all contacted CBS, the headline was changed to “Israeli police kill 3 alleged Palestinian attackers.” It was later changed again, to “Palestinians kill Israeli officer, wound another before being killed.”

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To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 21 2/12/16 Healthy Spinach Kugel Balsamic Roasted Mini ORLY GOTTESMAN Peppers This recipe for Spinach Kugel Serves 8 - 10 is healthy, quick, and always a Ingredients: JAMIE GELLER winner at Shabbat lunch. While 2 boxes frozen spinach, thawed Easy to make and flavorful these qt. rectangular dish and drizzle most kugels require at least a 3 eggs roasted peppers can go along with with olive oil , vinegar, and Dijon tablespoon of flour as a binder, 3 tablespoons olive oil any meal. Serve with meat or fish mustard. Add rosemary, garlic this recipe is completely grain mayonnaise or just eat as a snack. powder, and salt and toss until free. The proteins from the egg 1 fried onion peppers are nicely coated. Bake bind it together so that it won’t 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Ingredients for 35-40 minutes. fall apart. This kugel is naturally 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt 2 lb. multicolored sweet mini bell gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar- or sea salt peppers free. Make it with olive oil mayo sprinkle freshly ground pepper 1 red onion, diced for an even healthier version. Directions: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Combine all ingredients together 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon garlic powder kosher salt to taste 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

Preparation Preheat oven to 430 F. Cut larger mini peppers in half, leaving the smaller ones whole. Arrange peppers in a 3

tuck them away for impromptu it around my neck right away gift items for any occasion-a and it’s like Popsugar just Popsugar friend’s birthday, a hostess gift, knew that was exactly what I RACHELI FRIED a get-well gift, you name it. needed. Sigh. Who says you It’s days like today that I really and I could swear I saw a little This month’s box is filled with can’t look cute and cozy when appreciate the mailman. I’m twinkle of sunshine between the so many good things. you’re sick, huh? stuck in the house all day with leaves of my tree right outside As soon as I opened the box The next item is a Nourishing 102 fever and an awful cough my door. the packaging made me smile. Cleansing Balm by that came completely out of What on earth is Popsugar you Everything was wrapped in Beautycounter. It promises to nowhere. It’s cold out and pink heart tissue paper-perfect cleanse your face and remove overcast and not a glimpse all dirt and makeup while of the sun to be found-the also moisturizing your skin. weather completely reflects It comes with a muslin cloth how I’m feeling. to rinse it off. Nice! My face But the doorbell just rang and is so dry and sensitive from I heard a plop at the front door being sick and sneezing all and that could only mean one day that this is exactly what thing...I got a package-woo the doctor ordered. We are hoo! It’s not like I don’t get two-for-two! daily Amazon Prime packages Next I pulled out a small box with mundane items like and I just knew this would toothpaste or the erasable pens be good. Great things always that my son just ordered. This come in small packages, plop was different. I just knew right? Inside was an adorable what it was. It gave me the adjustable ring in the shape energy to roll out of bed and of an arrow. It’s gold and has put on my hoodie sweatshirt “diamonds” and it’s perfect and fuzzy socks and hobble ask? For those that haven’t read for stacking with other rings down the steps. And there it my previous articles, Popsugar for a girly girl such as myself. or for wearing alone. Love! was...the pink and white box is a monthly subscription My own heart squealed for It also came with a 30% was smiling at me through the service filled with goodies just a moment-or was that off coupon to the company slits of the window blinds on and surprises with the best in just me wheezing? Either JewelryStorm where it came my front door. fashion, beauty and home worth way, I unwrapped the first from. My monthly Popsugar over $100 for only $39.95 a item and it’s a grey and white The next item made me subscription service. YES! It’s month. Very often the items heart silky-soft scarf with the impossibly happier. Very Chanukah in February! All of a are too good to pass up but they cutest fringes at the ends by a often when I receive food sudden I heard the birds chirp are wrapped so beautifully that I company called Tilo. I wrapped CONT.ON P36

22 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 SCHONFELD CONT. FROM P14 Vegan Chocolate Espresso A lot of this mindset research Milkshake sounds like pessimists (fixed) vs. optimists (growth), but there is a GABRIELLE ST. CLAIRE subtle difference in the way these 1 teaspoon vanilla extract two concepts work. Your mindset If you long for classic coffee ice 1 teaspoon coffee extract is about the way you view yourself cream and the vegan and parve Vegan chocolate syrup and the ability to change yourself. options fail to deliver or you 1/2 cup chocolate chips In contrast, optimism and simply are craving chocolate and 1 shot of espresso pessimism is the way you view the also need a little pep in your step, Preparation: world around you. The two, do then this recipe For a Chocolate In a food processor combine however, overlap. If you believe Espresso Milkshake is the answer! frozen bananas with coffee , that your characteristics are fixed Ingredients: vanilla extract, coffee extract, and therefore unchangeable, you 1 cup coffee 1 shot of espresso, and coconut are more likely to be pessimistic 1 cup coconut milk milk. Top with chocolate syrup when things go wrong. On the 1 1/2 cup frozen bananas and chocolate chips. CONT.ON P24

unhealthy cravings, consider how when fighting a cold. TRUE HEALTH | YAEL TUSK you feel after the drink. Drinking excessive quantities Too much fruit juice is rarely a of oranges and their juice can CAN TOO MUCH WATER BE A BAD THING? good idea. Specifically, orange cause more harm than good. juice which has developed a Aside from mucus production, reputation for being packed with orange juice can exacerbate One winter, a patient came to can be equally unhealthy! It is vitamin C and therefore has been hyperactivity, eczema and me complaining of muscle pain best to drink water in measure. alleged to ward off the common asthma. Again, these things can and lethargy. I asked her about Without utilizing a measuring cold. There are two problems often be easily perceived just by her fluid consumption, and she cup, listen to your body’s with orange juice. Firstly, OJ looking at the body’s short and told me that she drank at least cues and drink when you feel is packed with sugar. Second, long term reaction. 8-10 cups of water a day. After thirsty. Everything is better in orange juice produces a lot of evaluating her constitution, moderation, and it is even possible mucus in the body, which is the Interestingly, orange peel is the I recommended that she try to overdose on water! opposite of what one would need reducing her fluid intake. I Some individuals never CONT.ON P29 suggested that she try to become experience thirst. While lack more aware of her body’s cues of thirst may be a sign of your and drink when she felt that she body’s needs, there are people needed to, and stop drinking when who become dehydrated because she felt she’d had enough. they never get the thirst message. The following week she came The key here is that if you never back, and reported excitedly, that feel thirsty but tend to experience after following my advice and symptoms of dehydration reducing fluid intake, her body felt (headaches, dizziness, nausea, lighter and more energetic. She abdominal pain, fatigue etc.) then also realized that while abiding you should probably not rely on by her previous regimen of 8-10 your body’s cues for hydration cups of water, her digestion was needs. sluggish, and she felt bloated Often patients tell me that they constantly. drink tons of fluids but are We always hear that water then running to the bathroom flushes out and cleanses the body; immediately afterward. If this is therefore, the more the better. the case, what they are drinking In actuality, the kidneys have to is not being absorbed at all! work to flush water out of our Ironically, these people may system, so over-consumption can absorb fluids better by drinking actually be quite taxing. less. Even if you are very thirsty, A standardized one-size-fits-all it is better to drink small amounts fluid volume recommendation frequently than guzzle a large does not make much sense when amount all at once. you take into account the wide variety of physical constitutions. Some people find that they do not We should also be aware that our absorb plain water well. These bodies needs change depending on individuals may benefit from the season. Most people do not adding a squeeze of lemon or a need the same amount of fluids drop of apple cider vinegar to in the winter as they do in the their water. They also may feel summer. better if they drink tea or juice. While not drinking enough gets a To differentiate between healthy lot of attention, drinking too much messages from your body and

To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 23 2/12/16 LIEBERMAN tethered in this way since they CONT. FROM P17 were young and weak. After Not a Victory but a Bitter Defeat healthiest mentality is when we trying repeatedly to break free Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the put forth our full effort, while without success, they give up. As Western Wall and Holy Sites recognizing that we do not adult elephants, they could easily cause the outcome. This is quite tear the whole circus tent down Last week, the government throughout all the years of its different from one who does not and move about at will, but they voted on a decision that ideally long exile. Jews in Morocco and feel that his actions will impact, have learned to be helpless, so would never have come into Poland, in Persia and England in any way, his happiness and they don’t even try. being. For the first time since did not yearn for a wall of stones. wellbeing). the Temple was destroyed due They yearned for the Divine As an analogy, full-grown To be continued… to the sin of baseless hatred Revelation that appears when circus elephants are kept tethered For in-depth psychological insights (sinat chinam), the Western the tribes of Israel gather in and Torah-based tools and strategies with small ropes looped around for better living, pick up a copy of my Wall Plaza was divided among Jerusalem. “And He was King in one leg. They don’t try to break newest book “How Free Will Works” tribes. Alongside the traditional Yeshurun, whenever the sum total free because they have been the next time you’re in your local bookshop, or visit Feldheim.com. Western Wall Plaza, where Jews of the people was gathered, and have prayed with devotion for the tribes of Israel were together”. centuries, there will now be an There have always been different SCHONFELD cultivate a growth mindset, argues additional plaza for streams that opinions and different ways of CONT. FROM P23 that you can change yours. I’d are new and that renew. doing things, but Jerusalem was flip side, if you see yourself as argue that it’s worth a try! the place that unified everyone. improvable, you will look for An acclaimed educator and education Had our forefathers and Jerusalem was the place to which solutions when presented with consultant, Mrs. Rifka Schonfeld has mothers been able to participate one came with humility, not failure. served the Jewish community for close to thirty years. She founded in the government’s deliberations, with a sense of ownership and and directs the widely acclaimed The research points to one clear educational program, SOS, servicing they would have surely reminded privilege. All this was lost at the all grade levels in secular as well as us of the terrible price that our outcome: those who believe they Hebrew studies. A kriah and reading vote yesterday. It was lost to all specialist, she has given dynamic nation paid for separatism and of us. can learn and grow even from workshops and has set up reading labs adversity are more likely to be in many schools. In addition, she offers jealousy. They would have evaluations G.E.D. preparation, social told us in tears about the camps successful as spouses, parents, skills training and shidduch coaching, For many years, I worked in focusing on building self-esteem and fighting one another leading ways that were both manifest and and professionals. Check and see self-awareness. She can be reached your reaction to failure: do you at 718-382-5437 rifkaschonfeld@ to bloodshed in a besieged hidden in order to restore peace gmail.com. You can view the web at Jerusalem, while all around the to the Western Wall. I agreed shut down or attempt to learn rifkaschonfeldsos.com. Register now for an Social Thinking workshop by Romans were already constructing to far-reaching compromises in from it? Do you judge yourself or Michelle Garcia Winner on November reevaluate for the future? Dweck, 16,2016. Please call Mrs. Schonfeld at siege towers. They would have the belief that “peace is greater”. someone who constantly works to 718-382-5437 for more information. reminded us how high the price But in the face of the zealous and was the last time different streams incessant attack on the Western tried to enforce their ways on all Wall by various organizations, of Jerusalem. If our forefathers and the poisonous atmosphere that and mothers could have was spreading, the government, participated in the vote on tearing with no choice and with a heavy the Western Wall into camps and heart, had to accept a divisive factions – the proposal would decree, and remove from the have been tossed out in disgust. Western Wall Plaza the flame of Dividing the Western Wall? dissent that threatened to destroy Separating Jews at this holy site? everything in its wake. Rejecting every compromise as long as every person gets, at Now that the decree has been the Western Wall, the stage on made, we have only to pray that which to express his religious a path will be found to reunite. innovations? Who could have “Have we not all one father? Has imagined such a thing? not one God created us? Why should we betray, each one his Nobody won the vote last brother, to profane the convenant week. All of us, all of Am of our forefathers?” (Malachi 2). Yisrael, and our descendants and The Heavens know that I did all their descendants, lost. We lost that I could to prevent this schism. the rare unity that was created Now we must do everything we around the Western Wall and was can to pave the way back to unity the symbol of the Jewish nation in Jerusalem.

MAGILL I was responsible for paying CONT. FROM P11 for certain parts of the wedding down with a wonderful woman. party, including the entertainment I wanted the wedding to be a and buying the benchers and the special night for everyone in- yarmulkes. I wanted to go first volved. I wanted to have as many class. And although I didn’t have appropriate “bells and whistles” all the money for what I needed to liven up the event as much as to do, I thought it was important possible. enough to borrow it. So I called my mother and asked her if she CONT.ON P33 24 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 The Flatbush Basketball League one in amazing fashion. The Ponzak ZIEGLER brothers scored 38 points collectively CONT. FROM P16 Week #8 Recap for Batampte as Mordechai Lebovits continue our direct connection to also helped out with 10. Yitzi HaShem. In practical terms it means Waxman and Shaya Lichtfield tried that Torah study is not merely a to stop the damage, as they scored 18 course of study or a subject that and 10 for Horsepower. Too little too one engages in for the purpose of late.David where are you?? intellectual pursuit, but rather, Torah study becomes a profound religious Senior Division experience that uplifts and connects Visual Image 47 Pizza Nosh 36- Tzvi us with the Shechina. That is why Baruch (14 points) and Co. were able Ezra and his Beit Din had originally to hold off Pizza Nosh in this close ordained that one must not study game. Although at halftime the score Torah without first going to a was 22-8 Visual Image, they were able Mikveh, or at least washing hands. Junior Division 5TJT gang another win; however, to catch up and close in the gap. Pizza Rami’s Pizza- 33 Jewish Connection- his 14 points were not enough. This takana was later abolished Nosh was able to have all their players but many still do wash their hands 22: In a close game between the Look for Oh Baby and Rami`s in the in the scoring column; however, #2 seed and #3 seed, Chaim Tzvi Championship Game in a couple of before beginning Torah study. That their points did not match a stronger is why it is written in Pirkei Avot Guttman was on fire together weeks. Visual Image team. We are expecting with Mutty Izsak scoring 12 and [3:3]: “If two sit together and words Intermediate Division a visit from Neil Sombrowsky at this of Torah are between them, the Holy 14 respectively for Rami’s. Efraim years Championship Game. Obermeister’s 13 points and Yitzi Buzz Magazine shocked China Glatt Shechina rests between them. And Ponzak’s 10 tried to help pick up the as star player Leiby Leibowitz was not ITP 53 Plaza Auto Leasing 45- Mendy even if one person sits and occupies pieces to no avail. in attendance for China. Yitzchok Schiffenbauer was to his usual scoring himself with Torah the Holy One, Devor was on fire scoring 40 for Buzz 17 points together with Zevi Tepper’s Blessed is He determines a reward Oh Baby -24 5 Towns Jewish Times- and Zevy Finkelstein knocked down 14. They were able to hold off a strong for him” 23. Ezzy Shain and Yoni Wolf tried 18: Oh Baby continues to show their PAL as Naftali Waldman scored 19 So the next time we sit down to to help out China Glatt crew; their 16 true abilities as they win game in and without a blink. The game was close, learn Torah keep in mind that we are and 10 points respectively were not game out, (besides for that 1 loss a few but not close enough for PAL. ITP is about to engage and connect with enough this week. weeks ago). In this game, Jonathan now 8-0. Donny did you hear that ??? the Shechina of HaKadosh Baruch Batampte Pickles 61 Horsepower Tzubary and Dovid Senderovitz were ITP is 8-0. Hu, so that our learning must be Electric 43- As Howies Batampte has the factors that helped Oh Baby gain with greatest awe and reverence. been struggling ever since their star yet another win. Yossi Harar made You are invited to the Flatbush No Beracha need be recited for Shimon Greenwald has been out with a valiant effort to try and give his Basketball Leagues Champioships. this awesome event because our an injury, they were able to win this Which will iyh take place this Motzei morning Beracha of Ahavah Rabba a Shabbos Feb 13 @ Hudde Jr High covers our total daily Torah study. Nostrand Ave & Avenue K . First [Berachot 11b] game @ 715 Pizza will be served to all attendees.Come shep Nachas . Shabbat Shalom Bring the NOISE Rabbi Aharon Ziegler [aharonlibby@aol.

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26 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16

To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 27 2/12/16 about their security and the influence are diminished as a END THE MADNESS! STOP the LIBELOUS security of the settlements. Jews result of what he says. SLANDER AGAINST THE HILLTOP YOUTH! today residing in Judea and Samaria are treated as second It has just been reported that Demolitions in Samaria being planned! class citizens living under Ya’alon is planning further By Robin Ticker AFSI Brooklyn. military rule of law. Therefore home demolitions in Judea and they do not have the same rights Samaria. We learned from the Gush Katif fiasco, that Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot. In the meanwhile we need to as other Jews or even Arabs. demolitions were preceded with com (abridged) Meir Ettinger counter the blood libel with the Arabs build illegally yet in psychological warfare against the grandson of the late Meir opposite, with positive speech. comparison significantly fewer the Settlers. Kahana ob”m hy”d is presently There are so many positive such homes are demolished. on a hunger strike sitting in things to say about them. They Arabs continuously throw rocks, We need to turn the tables and isolation in perhaps the one are beautiful kids. They are firebombs, shoot at innocent call a spade a spade. Branding of the highest security prisons idealistic. They love the land Israeli’s and Jews are often hilltop youth as a terrorist group in Israel, surrounded by Arab with all their heart and soul. interrogated excessively when is nothing short of a blood terrorists, with no charges They love the Torah and they they try to defend themselves. libel. It is almost certain that brought against him. They call it love their fellow Jew. They In fact, they are under terrible our enemies has and will blow Administrative Detention. are hardworking kids who scrutiny, under constant such libelous slander out of surveillance, as if they were There are so many beautiful have learned the professions of proportion and then Middah building construction, organic the ones who were perpetrating Keneged Middah, the “Jewish things to say about the hundreds of terror attacks communities of Judea and farming and shepherding. They hilltop terrorists” persona will lead a wholesome simple life. weekly as documented in HaKol morph into simply Israeli and Samaria, the same communities Hayehudi their website. This that nurtured these hilltop youth. Many of them have experienced Jewish terrorists. Israel then serious trauma being thrown alienation in turn has alienated will ponder why the world is It is crucial that we put a stop out of their homes and/or are them from the mainstream slandering Israel with all kinds to the slander on Meir Ettinger friends with others who were Rabbis and the government of lies and false reports? When and the hilltop youth. It has so traumatized. Living in the who betrayed them and their will we comprehend that had become literally a blood libel of Shomron, they are subjected families for allowing this modus we not fueled the false reports Jews against their fellow Jew. to terror on a daily basis. And operandi to continue. Their against the Hilltop Youth it Either there is a fair and just trial they are being framed by the community is infested with ISA never would have mushroomed for those incarcerated or under Shabak as being “violent Jewish agents, and many hilltop youth into a full grown blood libel house arrest, or these Hilltop terrorists”. have been placed under house against ourselves and the entire Settlers should be released. arrest some incarcerated and Jewish nation? The government has been lax tortured under administrative detention. This surely doesn’t Yeshayahu- Isaiah - Chapter 1 help endear the kids to the establishment. 25 And I will return My hand upon you and purge away your Meir Ettinger, is a selfless Jew dross as with lye, and remove all whose only concern is for the your tin. people of Israel. He loves Jews, he loves Torah and he loves 26 And I will restore your Eretz Yisroel. He wishes to judges as at first and your actualize yearnings of the Jewish counselors as in the beginning; people for a government that is afterwards you shall be called governed according to Torah. City of Righteousness, Faithful City. His ideology threatens one who has power and control over the 27 Zion shall be redeemed settlers in Judea and Samaria through justice and her penitent and those whose power and through righteousness.

TREES-4-EZRA

Tu B’Shvat, the Holiday of the endorsement and blessing of Trees which was just celebrated, Ezra’s parents. took on a great new meaning as hundreds of people from all The moving, one minute video walks of life planted trees in on the website www.trees4ezra. memory of Ezra Schwartz in the org shows Ezra’s parents and newly established Ezra Schwartz grandparents talking about Vineyard in Israel. Ezra was the Vineyard and shows them the young American Yeshiva planting its first trees. They student from Sharon, MA who encourage others to plant trees was tragically murdered while as a meaningful and supportive learning and volunteering in gesture with their hope that Israel, and the newly created the Vineyard will become a Vineyard has the complete beautiful and everlasting tribute CONT.ON P31 28 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 a day reading or working under seek the professional help of an these lights. Some advise at experienced psychotherapist. FAMILY MATTERS | Dr. Ari Korenblit least four hours under lights containing ten times the usual Time-honored cures for the THE WINTER OF DISCONTENT OR wattage. Spending time outdoors “winter blues” can include: plan CONTENTMENT: ADDING COLOR TO or simply sitting at a sunlight a vacation, decorate the house, window is also recommended. clean clutter, bubble baths, hot THE WINTER BLUES The very best antidote for chocolate, getting together with depression is aerobic exercise, friends, change a routine, take a While feeling the “blues” is not problems due to a weakened accomplished in ways a simple class/course, add more romance necessarily a season-specific immune system compromised as taking a twenty minute brisk to your relationship, or get into ailment, many people feel by depression. walk at least three times a week. a meaningful relationship if you mildly depressed during the For some it might behoove are not in one yet. winter, with some suffering Many clinicians diagnose this them to do this daily. If the Dr. Ari Korenblit is a licensed form of depression as Seasonal psychotherapist and marriage severe bouts. Various etiologies depression is unshakeable and counselor working with children, of depression are suggested: Affective Disorder or SAD, a interferes with one’s ability to adolescents, singles and couples with offices in Brooklyn and genetic predisposition, form of depression or mood function, it would be best to Manhattan. Phone consultations environmental triggers, disorder affected by the seasons. are also available. 718-258-3735 unconscious factors, somatic The emotional state might be causes, or an admixture. normal during the summer, but However, it is indisputable, as the winter approaches the TUSK the food interacts with our body. that winter is a sure portent feelings “darken”, ranging from CONT. FROM P23 Hopefully, once we become aware for increased instances of mild to clinical depression. One of our bodies needs, we will be theory has it that it is due to an remedy for the juice; dried orange able to improve our family’s “feeling down”, sleep and eating peel can be decocted in a tea to disorders, loss of libido, lack increased level of the chemical health with our own intuition. melatonin – the hormone our reduce phlegm, or it can be grated of energy, and an inability to into oatmeal. Beware of scale Yael Tusk, M.S.O.M. is a general concentrate. Inevitably, there is body naturally releases when practitioner of Chinese Medicine in it gets dark -- which makes us insects that like to make their Jerusalem. She has been treating both a concomitants rise in flu, colds, homes on the surface of oranges. adults and children for over a decade. sleepy. She is a medical researcher who takes back problems, migranes, and pride in debunking pseudo-science and other ailments. This is attributed empowering people to take control of A cure that seems to be effective What we can learn from oranges their health. Feel free to contact her to sufferers being more in treating SAD is Light is that we can’t just look at the at [email protected] to schedule vulnerable to infections and a phone consultation or to receive Therapy using “full spectrum” nutritional content of a food; we her free newsletter. Look out for other illnesses especially gastro- her upcoming myth-busting book on light bulbs and “sunlight also must become aware of how health. intestinal and muscular-skeletal lamps”: spending a few hours

The Shem Mishmuel by the of those of lower status. Other Rabbi Eliyahu Kirsh Sokochover Rebbe, Zt’l, explains bad character traits can go with that the word that the Torah these crowns as well, potentially. From the Kli Yakar and the Drashos of Rav Moshe Feinstein, Zt’l uses for crown is zer is similar to Being this is the case, all of these Teruma-The Fourth Crown- the word nazir. A nazir abstains crowns had a rim around them from wine to live a life dedicated perhaps symbolizing limitation of Keser Shem Tov to a higher purpose. Similarly, some sort. Where do we find the a crown shows a sense of being crown of a good name in the Bais above usual desires and being in a Hamikdash? In the menorah. The altar for incense. The crown on In Avos 4:13 Rabbi Shimon higher world metaphysically. The Menorah gave off pure, perfect, the Aron represented the crown says that there are three crowns: Shem Mishmuel further explains holy light. Every individual in Klal of Torah. The Crown on the altar The crown of Torah , the crown that the other crowns have a Yisroel could attain these holy for incense represented the crown of kehuna and the crown of potential for negativity. Great lights. There was no potential for of kehuna. The crown on the table kingship. But the crown of a good as the crown of Torah is, it can any bad. Therefore, the menorah of the showbread represented the name is above all of them. There lead to arrogance if not utilized had no rim, symbolizing ever- crown of kingship as this table were three items in the Mishkan properly. Similarly, the crowns of growing holiness. This was indeed symbolized Hashem’s kingship and later in the Bais Hamikdash Kehuna and kingship can lead to the fourth crown, the Kesser Shem and control of all of the wealth in that had crowns: The Aron, the arrogance and taking advantage Tov. table of the showbread and the the world.

But what Why couldn’t I Meir, you can’t So how did Well, my Dad if I can’t do it do good in school?! I have Zundel do you break out of was helping me with myself?! always had my brother your homework your house? my homework, but he do my homework... anymore. wasn’t so good at it…

I’m your Father and I will always be here for you. I’ll help you with your homework.

By: Yeshaya Suval Under the direction of Emunah Publishing

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Ted Nugent blames terrorists killed in recent months during Operation Protective ruling, Zoabi, who has a long Jews for gun to their families for burial. Israel, Edge—is advancing rapidly. history of anti-Israel actions which currently holds the remains “Israeli technology will not be and has faced Knesset discipline control: of 10 Palestinian terrorists, has able to stop the resistance as long before, will be suspended for four Taking to his Facebook page on conditioned their return on as Hamas exists,” Hamas official months along with Ghattas, while Monday afternoon, legendary low-key funerals, as the services Mahmoud al-Zahar told Oman- Zahalka will be suspended for musician and gun rights advocate held for terrorists killed since based Alwatan News. “Even if two months. Despite the bans, the Ted Nugent posted an image of the current surge in violence Israel is able to uncover a tunnel, Knesset members will still be able Jewish public figures under the erupted in October have often or two, or 10, they [the tunnels] to vote at the Israeli legislature. tagline, “So who is really behind turned into public spectacles of run deep under Israel, beyond “We will not accept a situation gun control?” The post features incitement. According to one Gaza, into 1948 territory.” in which members of Knesset Palestinian official, the families support the families of the a collage of Jews such as former 3 Arab Knesset New York City mayor Michael had agreed to hold nighttime murderers of Israeli civilians, and Bloomberg, civil rights attorney funerals for their sons, attended members stand in memory of those who Alan Dershowitz, and both U.S. by close relatives only. Palestinian suspended for murdered our children. There’s senators from California (Dianne media quoted several Ramallah meeting with a limit. There’s such a thing as officials as saying a deal has been national respect,” Israeli Prime Feinstein and Barbara Boxer) terrorists’ families: with the Israel flag pictured in the reached. According to reports, Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israel was expected to release told the Knesset upon the lower left corner of each of the 12 Three Arab members of the the bodies of two terrorists, both announcement of the suspension. images. Nugent’s accompanying Israeli Knesset—Haneen Zoabi, residents of the eastern Jerusalem The Joint Arab List condemned message reads, “ Know these Basel Ghattas, and Jamal neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, to “the campaign of incitement punks. They hate freedom, they Zahalka, all of the Joint Arab their families on Tuesday night. led by Netanyahu, which led to hate good over evil, they would List party’s Balad faction—were Should the families keep their the miserable, anti-democratic, deny us the basic human right to suspended by the Knesset Ethics word and hold low-key funerals, and unethical decision of the self defense & to KEEP & BEAR Committee for meeting with the the bodies of eight other terrorists committee”. ARMS while many of them have families of Palestinian terrorists will also be returned. tax paid hired ARMED security! who murdered Israelis during Netanyahu: new Know them well. Tell every 1 the current wave of violence. Hamas operative CONT.ON P31 you know how evil they are. Let According to the committee’s us raise maximum hell to shut killed in another them down!” Nugent’s remarks tunnel collapse: DOVIE’S were condemned by the Anti- Defamation League (ADL), which A Hamas operative was reportedly pointed out that the image was killed in Gaza on Monday in the not created by the Detroit native, third deadly tunnel collapse to EA but has appeared previously occur in the coastal enclave in WEAHow to solve a searchTHER and Find Puzzle The words can be located in the diagram by reading forward, backward, up , on anti-Semitic websites. “It less than two weeks. According down and diagonally. All words will be found in a straight line with no letters should go without saying that to Palestinian sources, the tunnel being skipped. As you ﬁnd each word, circle it in the diagram and cross it o was located under the border the word list. Letters may be used more than once and words will often overlap. anti-Semitism has no place in All the letters in the diagram may not be used. the gun control debate. Nugent with Egypt and collapsed due to should be ashamed for promoting flooding caused by the Egyptian anti-Semitic content, and we military. According to other hope that good people on both sources, the collapse was caused sides of the gun control debate by dirt ramparts being built by the will reject his tactics and his Egyptian military along the border message,” ADL CEO Jonathan A. with Gaza. Israeli Education Greenblatt said in a statement. Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Nugent has recently been called Home) recommended during a out for his “likes” on social media recent cabinet meeting that Israel for posts blaming Israel for 9/11. carry out a military operation to He has also penned opinion combat Hamas’s underground articles advocating peace for tunnel threat instead of waiting Israel by eliminating the Jewish for the next round of hostilities state’s enemies with “superior with the Palestinian terrorist firepower.” group. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Deal in the works Moshe Ya’alon rejected the idea. for Israel to A statement released by the Prime BAROMETER FLOOD ICE STORM Minister’s Office said, “We do not BLIZZARD FLURRIES LIGHTNING SUNNY return bodies of comment on cabinet discussions CELSIUS FOG MIST TEMPERATURE CLOUDS FORECAST MONSOON THERMOMETER eastern Jerusalem in general and on the IDF’s COLD FREEZE OVERCAST THUNDER terrorists: operational plans in particular.” CYCLONE FROST RAIN TORNADO A senior Hamas official warned DOWNPOUR HAIL SHOWER TSUNAMI Senior Palestinian sources DRIZZLE HOT SLEET TYPHOON last week that the group’s effort to DROUGHT HUMIDITY SNOW VISIBILITY confirmed Monday that a deal rebuild its terror tunnel network— FAHRENHEIT HURRICANE SQUALL WINDY is being negotiated to return which Israel destroyed in 2014 the bodies of eastern Jerusalem ANSWERS ON PAGE 36 30 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16

JNS those who were viciously the West Bank village of Kabatiya, The three terrorists killed 19-year- CONT. FROM P30 murdered,” Rivlin said.Prime occurred despite a closure of the old border policewoman Hadar U.S.-Israel security Minister Benjamin Netanyahu village by Israeli security forces, Cohen and critically injured aid deal may not wrote Facebook page, “I expect the Jerusalem Post reported. another female officer in an attack the international community Earlier on Friday, Israel handed near Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate. be reached under to condemn the desecration of over the bodies of the terrorists to The terrorists, who were wielding Obama: a synagogue, an act that is the the families on the assurance that machine guns, pipe bombs, and result of incessant Palestinian they would not use their funerals knives, were shot dead by police Prime Minister Benjamin incitement.” for a political rally or procession. at the scene. Netanyahu told Israeli government ministers at Sunday’s U.N. chief feels cabinet meeting that talks with the ‘ashamed’ over TREES FOR EZRA communal organizations have United States on a new 10-year CONT. FROM P28 also recognized that people memorandum of understanding Israeli-Palestinian to the young man they lost. want to be part of this important on security assistance are peace process initiative and have opened ongoing, but that a deal may not stalemate: People from all across the world up the opportunity to their be reached until after President are being asked to plant trees in members. Among the many Barack Obama’s successor takes United Nations Secretary General this special vineyard at www. schools which are involved are office next January. “It’s not yet Ban Ki-moon said he feels trees4ezra.org Ezra was proud HAFTR, NorthShore Hebrew certain that we will reach an “ashamed” over the ongoing of his heritage and his land, and Academy, Yeshiva Central agreement,” Netanyahu said. stalemate in the Israeli-Palestinian loved his fellow Jews, literally Queens, SAR Academy, Yavneh “We are demanding an answer peace process. “I feel guilty, until his last breath. He was so Academy, The Frisch School, to Israel’s security needs and ashamed of the lack of progress,” young, yet his enthusiasm and Westchester Day School, Ben there are discussions. Either we Ban said at a Chatham House vitality were infectious, sadly, Porat Yosef, Yeshiva University will finish this with the current think tank event in London, even after his tragic death. This High School, Nancy Reuben administration or we will need to AFP reported. “Basically it’s project is a way for everyone School of London, Torah Day reach an agreement with the next up to the leadership of Israel to join the Schwartz family in School Atlanta, Mazel Day administration.” Acting Israeli and the Palestinians to put an carrying on Ezra’s legacy. School, Denver Academy, National Security Adviser Yaakov end to the conflict,” he added, Gross Schechter Day School, Nagel briefed the ministers on emphasizing that he is “not Schools across the world Shulamith of Brooklyn, Hebrew the strategic situation facing working for a particular country have joined the effort and Academy Day School of Tampa Israel in 2016. Nagel said that or a particular policy, but for are sharing this opportunity Bay, Ida Crown Academy Israel is seeking around $5 billion the people in the region.” Ban with their students. Temple, (IL), Solomon Schechter High in annual security aid from the drew widespread criticism late shuls, synagogues, houses CONT.ON P32 U.S., up from the current total of last month for saying regarding of worship and religious and around $3.1 billion. the current wave of Palestinian terrorism that it is “human Torah scrolls set nature to react to occupation.” ablaze in Gush Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Etzion: Netanyahu accused Ban of “stoking terrorism” through Suspected Palestinian arsonists those comments. But the U.N. WHEREVER YOU GO... set fire to Torah scrolls on Friday leader doubled down on his in a synagogue located in Givat statement in a New York Times Sorek, within the Gush Etzion op-ed titled, “Don’t Shoot the region of Judea and Samaria. Messenger, Israel.” “No one can AMIGO! The Givat Sorek outpost was deny that the everyday reality established atop a hill overlooking of occupation provokes anger the site where three Jewish teens and despair, which are major (Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach, and drivers of violence and extremism Naftali Frenkel) were kidnapped and undermine any hope of a by Hamas terrorists in the negotiated two-state solution,” summer of 2014. The vandalized Ban wrote. synagogue, comprising a prayer tent that housed the Torahs, was Thousands of named after the three boys, who Palestinians turn Sim Cards & Cell Phone Rentals were murdered soon after their out in honor abduction. Investigators found of terrorists For International Travel a trail of evidence leading to the nearby Palestinian village of who killed Halhul, prompting the authorities policewoman: to conclude that Palestinian perpetrators were behind the Thousands of Palestinians on arson attack. Israeli President Friday turned out to honor Reuven Rivlin described the sights three Palestinian terrorists who from the scene of the arson attack murdered an Israeli policewoman as “heart-wrenching.” “The affront earlier in the week. The large to the sanctity of our people turnout for the funeral of the hurts even more when it happens three terrorists, Ahmed Abou Al- in a place that commemorates Roub, Mohammed Kameel, and 888.AMIGO.US | WWW.AMIGO-US.COM Ahmad Rajeh Ismail Zakarneh, in To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 31 2/12/16

to get a head start. By praying and Saul M. Berger CFE, CPA, CFF Rabbi Moshe learning, your whole day will be Goldberger exciting. PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM FRAUD PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM FRAUDETHICS Loving Your The First Word IN THE BUSINESS WORLD-PART Greatest Gift: The first word of the Torah already Torah contains all of the secrets of life. Every day, we are confronted by of fraud why he did it; he said that ‘Breishis’ means the ‘Beginning’ situations where we need to make his bosses were doing it, so that Train Your Brain and also the ‘head of’: The first two decisions or take certain actions. made it acceptable to him! We need to learn how to think letters of the word ‘Breishis’ and the Many factors go into the decision Consequences for not including different ways about our challenges. last two letters form the word ‘Bris’. making process, whether it is ethical considerations into corporate For example, “Avraham woke up One explanation is that this refers to regarding what to eat for breakfast, attitudes may include loss of early in the morning,” Breishis 22:3. the Torah, which is called ‘Bris,’ the or whether to pull the trigger on revenue, loss of market share, Why does the Torah make such a covenant or bond between Hashem that multi-million dollar deal. A and irreparable harm to a firm’s seemingly simple statement? Rashi and us. factor that is a key ingredient in our reputation. More importantly, the explains, he was energetic to rise He gives us His Torah – the greatest decision making thought process impact of being ethically challenged early to perform a Mitzva. is unique to each individual; this affects an individual on a personal gift possible, and we bond with This is a simple lesson, yet it is very characteristic that I am referring to level and could result in jail time, Him to accept to fulfill His Torah, important. We need to get in the is the ethical behavior makeup of losing professional of licenses Mitzvos and to love Him 24/7. habit of starting earlier to get things each person. and severe financial and legal ~~~~~~~~~~~~ One place where ethics plays done on time. consequences. “As water reflects one’s face, so too, an important role is in the business ~~~~~~~~~~~~ The word, ethics, originated our love and Hashem’s love reflect world. I am not here to preach from the Greek term, “ethos”. Look ahead and get it done on time! back to each other,” Mishlei 27:19. halacha; I will leave that to our Basically, this refers to how people spiritual leaders! What I am here perceive a person’s character. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ for is to make you aware of certain Webster’s defines it as “principles of “Hashem gives us wisdom, from Knowing that Hashem created “red flags” that might suggest that conduct governing an individual or His mouth comes knowledge and everything and He is always in the attitude of an employee could a professional”. understanding,” Mishlei 22:6. charge is the secret to all growth. lead to unethical behavior. Whether Black’s Law Dictionary, defines ~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is nothing negative…even you are an employer, a supplier, the word in part as “treating of gloom and doom is time for a vendor or “just” a customer, being moral feelings, duties or conduct; Get up early person to bloom. aware of what symptoms you should containing precepts of morality; You can use your morning be able to identify in the workplace professionally right or befitting; or supermarket is valuable in conforming to professional preventing you’re becoming a standards of conduct.” fraud victim. Of course, a big factor Most of today’s employees are in determining the ethical health not robots; what will be in 2020, I of a company is accomplished do not know. People have feelings by analyzing the state of their and emotions that can very easily corporate culture. As I have written impact on their job performances, in the past, the “tone at the top” which in turn might lead to lower has a tremendous impact upon the production for the company as a employees’ attitude and behavior – I CONT.ON P33 once asked a client of mine accused

TREES FOR EZRA aspects of Jewish agricultural CONT. FROM P31 law.

School, Politz Day School, Visit www.trees4ezra.org and Magen David, Moriah, Hebrew plant trees in the new Ezra Educational Alliance (CO), Schwartz Vineyard. Israeli Donna Klein Jewish Academy farmers will plant and care for (FL), Hebrew Day School the trees and the vineyard can be Sullivan County, Hillel Torah visited by anyone at any time. Suburban Day School (IL) By inviting people from all over and Striar Hebrew Academy the world to take part in this (Sharon, MA) . Many others will project, it will unite people who be joining shortly. love Israel in an important way.

This project which started on This project is endorsed by the Tu B’Shvat, will continue for RCA (Rabbinical Council of several months. It is being run America) and NCYI (National by “Zo Artzeinu – Israel Trees,” Council of Young Israel). an organization that has planted For more information or to have 150,000 new fruit trees in Israel your school or shul involved, please and whose farmers keep all contact [email protected] or call (516) 371-2474 32 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16

BERGER Financial policy emphasizes and that they actually have an CONT. FROM 32 the company and not the individual. long-term growth So therefore, look for ethical outlet to share their concerns and whole. Management must foster a Especially nowadays, with the considerations in the decision ideas. When employees sense good work environment that would economy so weak, many companies making process. that they are “part of the team, lead to high company morale; hence, are trimming payroll and make do they take pride in their work the company picnic, holiday parties, with what they have. Businesses A code of ethics exists. and contributions. This in turn bonuses, raises etc. Human resource may decide to take shortcuts or A “code of ethics” is written steers them away from unethical departments of companies exist “fudge the numbers” to keep the to state and clarify the values and behavior. What is even better is to ultimately benefit the company shareholders/owners happy. As principles that represent the purpose the public acknowledgement of itself. Companies try to maximize a result, this pressure for current of the organization. It also defines employees’ contributions. The their resources, and in this case, results meeting expectations might the responsibilities, actions and best way to demonstrate this is the resource just happens to be motivate management to condone conduct of its employees in order to simply by suggesting that you “humans”. Notice the coldness in unethical behavior for monetary conform to the code. watch an episode, any episode, of the term “human resources”- if one gain. A policy that focuses on short- With a code of ethics, a Undercover Boss. human isn’t fitting the corporate term financial results may earn corporation seeks to gain an identity Other signs of a company with culture, trade him or her for another management immediate praise and and the ability to promote its social good communication practices human. Wouldn’t it be more bonuses, but eventually the ruse will stances, as well as be effective in are establishing an “open-door” appropriate to call it “Employee be exposed in the long-term. You controlling individual employee policy, producing and adhering Resources” or even the old term, want to see a long-term strategy behavior. Responsible and well- to organizational charts, taking “Personnel Department”? Yes it for company growth; short-term publicized social stances may force employee concerns seriously and would, but the fact that it is not says strategies are fine if they are not corporations to be ethical and not just referring every issue to it all. standalone, but part of a bigger plan. responsible because the penalty the legal department, informing Patterns of actual unethical of consumer reactionary behavior employees of company news and behavior are not always predictable Decision-making process or governmental fines may be updates and periodic employee or easily detectable. Management does not only focus on financial perceived as a threat. reviews. should recognize external elements, objectives. Using a corporate code of In Part II, I will discuss the attitudes they themselves Sometimes, employees feel ethics properly means including employees’ attitudes that could lead communicate as well as their pressure to engage in unethical the implementation of internal to unethical behavior and what to employees’ attitudes in the way in conduct in order to achieve business monitoring. This results in strong do to eradicate it in the workplace which they conduct business. objectives. If a company encourages employee loyalty and adherence to and society in general. Here are some corporate decision making to include some ethical behavior. Saul M. Berger, CFE,CPA, Saul CFF factors that are not financial based, is President businesses and individuals management attitudes that can at very reasonable rates. Saul can be it indicates that the decisions are contacted at and CEO of EPIC On-Point reassure you that the chances of Effective communication Consulting, LLC, which specializes unethical behavior are minimal: being made in the best interests of Companies that provide in turnaround strategies, forensic accounting and fraud detection & “suggestion boxes” let employees prevention for [email protected] know that they are respected or 516-225-6594.

MAGILL my budget. On the night that my CONT. FROM P24 wife and I got married I don’t could lend me a certain sum of think there was anyone there who money that I would pay back, so thought that anything was miss- that I could add some pizzazz to ing. I can still see in my mind’s the wedding festivities. I thought eye my mother saying, “This is she would be thrilled. After all, the happiest night in my life.” she had been looking forward to Pizzazz can’t hold a candle to this night for decades. I asked true love. and she answered, “No.” I was stunned. Speechless. Had I heard wrong? I couldn’t understand Alan Magill offers custom- what was going on. ized writing, including picture/ “Why not?” I asked. poems for a variety of occa- sions. He is a humorist who Her answer stays with me to gives audience interaction pro- this day, warms me to this day, grams such as “Still Laughing inspires me to this day. After 5776 Years.” He can provide one on one recreation for “Because,” she said, “I don’t the elderly who live at home. want you to start your marriage Mr. Magill is a playwright. A thinking that you could always free staged reading of his play spend more money than you actu- -- “The Snow Maker” -- by ac- ally have.” Amazing. She would tors and actresses is scheduled give up all those special extras, for Sunday, February 28, at because she wanted us to start off 2:30 p.m. at the Kings Highway on more realistic footing. Library lower level meeting room, 2115 Ocean Avenue, I thanked her for her words of Brooklyn, 718/375-3037. He wisdom and I set out to make the can be reached at part of the wedding I was pay- [email protected] ing for as nice as I could, within

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COHEN speech and in action, in Amer- CONT. FROM P1 ica the advocacy of a boycott entities that enforce discrimina- of Israel remains protected tory policies—and boycotting speech. As the Lawfare Project Israel in the expectation that pointed out in an incisive anal- doing so will contribute to the ysis of current objections to the Jewish state’s demise is, by anti-boycott bills, “Individual definition, an act of discrimi- consumers, acting in their own nation. Why should taxpayer individual capacities, cannot be funds subsidize such bigotry? punished for refusing to pur- Why should jobs and revenues chase Israeli products, regard- be sacrificed in the promotion of less of motivation. Supporters hatred towards an entire nation? of BDS are also free to stage protests, circulate petitions, and As we’ve learned over sever- otherwise exercise their First al years, however, in the invert- Amendment rights to advocate ed world of the boycotters, this for boycotts of Israel, Israeli same hatred is regarded as love goods, and Israeli persons.” and this same discrimination is Further, with regard to the regarded as justified resistance. specific allegation that the an- Hence the BDS movement’s ti-boycott bills violate the First depiction of the anti-boycott Amendment, the Lawfare Proj- bills as a conspiracy of “special ect counters that the statutory interests” aimed at crushing free prohibitions apply only to busi- speech for Palestinian advo- ness conduct that is discrimina- cates. tory, and not “advocacy, picket- ing, or other forms of speech in This is, of course, the sort of furtherance of boycotting.” distortion that we have come to expect from the boycotters. You have to imagine that, The truth is that, unlike France, at a certain point, the smarter which in October 2015 deter- inhabitants of the BDS move- mined that BDS, as a form of ment will figure out that they discrimination, is outlawed in CONT.ON P36

34 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16

pope, welcomed and embraced effectively given a green light to the Isi Leibler Iranian President Hassan Europeans and others to intensify Rouhani, without even referring pressures against Israel. No more illusions: Come home to these abominations – not to mention Iran’s appalling human Fortunately, two factors have rights record. Nor did they take inhibited Obama from going much Objectively analyzing recent political agitation will, in all further. The shameful silence of the events can only lead to the dismal likelihood, lead to even more into account that much of the $150 billion of frozen assets the Jewish leadership cannot detract conclusion that the status of extreme policies toward Israel. from the fact that committed Jews Diaspora Jewry, bad as it is, is only Despite lip service to the contrary, Iranians retrieve will be directed toward strengthening their at the grass-roots level are still likely to deteriorate. anti-Semitism will continue to an influential force and remain thrive. terrorist surrogates. The horrific escalation of the loyal to Israel. More importantly, global anti-Semitic and anti- Moreover, there is the constant European Jews who fail to see the American public opinion is Israeli tsunami extends to areas danger of terrorist acts against writing on the wall are simply overwhelmingly pro-Israel and the that are not even inhabited by Jews by jihadists who entered living in denial. powerful and growing movement Jews. The United Nations Human the country posing as refugees or of evangelical Christians in But Jew-hatred is not restricted to America (and throughout the Rights Council and other human by second-generation Muslims Europe. Jews in South Africa face rights organizations, hijacked by incubated by extremist European world) has now emerged as Israel’s an equally grim situation and anti- most fervent supporter and ally. Muslim and far left elements, have jihadi mullahs. Jews in Europe Semitic forces in Latin America, been transformed into anti-Israeli have been murdered and attacked encouraged by Muslim migrants But there are concerns. hate fest arenas, employing blood in the streets and armed guards and Iranian influence, have also Bipartisanship, which prevailed libels against the Jewish state as a or military forces are required to increased dramatically over the over the past few decades, has surrogate for the Jewish people in protect schools and synagogues. past decade. frayed considerably with the a similar manner to anti-Semites University students face concerted leftward lurch of the Democratic throughout the ages. The global anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli The situation in the United Party, accelerated under the community demonizes the only hostility, both casual and violent. States, Canada and even Obama administration. democratic state in the Middle Jews are warned not to draw Australia, while not comparable East while downplaying the sea attention to themselves and avoid to Europe, has also taken a More worrying is the hardening of barbarism that pervades the being publicly identified as such. massive downturn since U.S. of liberal policy against Israel; region. President Barack Obama the toleration and support of the To top it off, most European assumed office. By its constant boycott, divestment and sanctions The epicenter of global anti- governments, even those like the undermining and pressuring movement in academia; and above Semitism is the Arab world, French that have experienced of the Israeli government, the all, the intensity of frenzied anti- where hatred of Jews has become jihadi terrorism, still direct their Obama administration has CONT.ON P36 endemic among both Sunni and foreign policy to placate their Shiite religious extremists. The Arab minorities by haranguing Palestinians are the most fiercely and applying their double anti-Jewish Arab sector. After standards against Israel. They being brainwashed and incited refuse to recognize that the by Arafat, Abbas and the Hamas murder of Israeli civilians is a mullahs, their hatred of Jews direct consequence of Palestinian has evolved into a murderous incitement of religious frenzy religious frenzy. and continuously condemn Israel for defending itself. They now Muslim migrants who settled seek to pressure Israel to create a into enclaves in Europe have Palestinian state despite the fact imported their hatred and formed that such a criminal entity would unholy alliances with traditional represent an existential threat anti-Semites and political and merely prepare the ground leftists – including organizations for a takeover by the Islamic State purportedly promoting human group. rights – to foment an environment of Jew-hatred reminiscent of the The absence of any sense of moral 1930s, immediately prior to the compass is highlighted by the rise of Nazism. despicable groveling of European countries toward the Iranian The ongoing influx of millions terrorist regime. The continent of Muslim refugees will that was drenched with the blood massively reinforce the existing of 6 million Jews during the Muslim anti-Semitic elements Holocaust is currently hosting the and permanently alter the leaders of a state that repeatedly demographics of Europe. Unlikely calls for the elimination of Israel to be reversed, it will enable from the map and obscenely Islam to become an immensely engages in Holocaust denial, powerful political force in many even stooping to the grisly depths West European countries. The of state-sanctioned cartoon implications for European competitions lampooning the Jews are horrendous, as the Final Solution. Yet in return combination of the prevailing for trade opportunities, most virulently anti-Israeli public European leaders, including the opinion and extremist Islamic To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 35 2/12/16

LEIBLER have also grown considerably over Jewish army, a Jewish police force must formulate policies to ease CONT. FROM P35 the past few years, anti-Israeli and a Jewish community – which their integration and open up Israeli and anti-Semitic activity and BDS activities at university is significantly different from a every opportunity to provide on campus. BDS in the United campuses have proliferated, and non-Jewish military presence employment. States (as in other parts of the for the first time, armed guards grudgingly provided to protect world) is intimidating Jewish have been deployed to protect Jews in the Diaspora. Despite the inevitable spread students, many of whom resist Jewish schools. of anti-Semitism, we will not confrontations to avoid social As a former Diaspora Jew, I be witnessing an overnight stigma. The Diaspora Jewish situation urge you to review the situation ingathering of the exiles. But can therefore be summed up as objectively. If you are a European the message to committed Jews Since Justin Trudeau displaced disastrous in Europe and South and want your children to be who wish to ensure that their Stephen Harper as prime minister, Africa and worrisome in North proud Jews, you should seriously grandchildren remain Jewish is to Canada has rapidly followed America and Australia. weigh leaving now! objectively review their situation, the Obama approach to Israel. consider coming home or at least Canadian Jews were appalled But thanks to the existence of Those in the U.S., Canada encourage their children to make when Trudeau’s International Israel, today most Jews are able or Australia should consider aliyah to the Jewish homeland. Holocaust Remembrance Day to determine their own fate. Now encouraging their children to message, like that of many is the time for Diaspora Jews to settle in Israel, their only true Those remaining in the Diaspora European countries, omitted any honestly review their situation homeland. should intensify their efforts to mention of Jews. and plan for the future. ensure that their Jewish heritage The Israeli government and the is transmitted to their children. Australia still retains a strongly Yes, Israel is currently undergoing Jewish Agency must get their acts Above all, despite the vicious pro-Israel government and is one a difficult period. Yes, there are together. This is a historic moment anti-Israeli climate, they must of the most hospitable countries threats. But we should bear in and every effort should be made to appreciate the centrality of Israel toward Jews. Yet there are today mind that the Israel Defense encourage Jews in countries under in their Judaism, without which growing sections in the opposition Forces have never been as siege to come to Israel rather than their Jewish identity will wither Labor Party, partly influenced by powerful and are capable, if relocating to another Diaspora and they will be lost to the Jewish Muslim electoral pressures, which necessary, of defeating all our community where they are likely people. have become virulently anti- adversaries simultaneously. to lose their Jewish identity. To Isi Leibler may be contacted at ileibler@ Israeli. Anti-Semitic outbursts achieve this, the government Above all, here in Israel there is a leibler.com

COHEN the boycott of their Israeli col- FRIED table as a stunning piece of CONT. FROM P34 leagues will introduce the BDS CONT. FROM P22 decor. I love how versatile this are campaigning for a set of movement to their students as items from these boxes, they month’s box is. demands that, in effect, cannot a case study of a non-violent, aren’t kosher. But this time The last three items are from be implemented, because the socially progressive grassroots I was pleasantly surprised to a popular woman’s store in sanctions that potentially come campaign that has been bat- see the giant OU symbol on the mall. One is a $20 gift with implementation are too tered, mercilessly, by a conspir- the package. And it’s oh so certificate towards anything in great. So where, then, will this acy of unprincipled legislators, cute! It’s a heart cookie mix the store. The second item is movement go? conservative media agitators, with a sugar cookie ingredient a pair of sports socks with an It will not, sadly, disappear. and intimidation on the part of bag and pink sugar sprinkles extra cushioned sole and arch Instead, BDS will adapt. To the “Israel Lobby” (in the pejo- to add to the top. It came with support-I’ll use those as soon start with, the movement can rative use of that term). Again, an adorable little heart shaped as I feel better, IYH. The last now portray itself as a victim, it will be presented as emblem- cookie cutter all nestled inside and final item from this glorious so expect to read lines like “Zi- atic of Zionism’s international a drawstring burlap bag. Did I box is a coconut milk hydrating onist oppression in Palestine has reach, from the refugee camps mention it’s Kosher???!!! I’m body lotion and it smells divine. been extended to those of us in of Gaza to the state legislatures pretty sure I’m baking this as I just looked at the retail prices America who wage solidarity of middle America. soon as my Tylenol kicks in. for these items and the scarf with the Palestinians under oc- As a community, we would As if I needed anything more to alone is $125! cupation.” What this means is be sensible to try and under- make my day, there were still I am a happy camper. Who that, rather than campaigning stand how a movement like this four more items left to open. needs the sunshine and 70 for the actual implementation of can evolve, particularly when The next item is a kiln-fired degree weather and oh yeah, a boycott, the BDS movement legal obstacles are placed in its elegant glass tray that I can use a temperature of 98.6 to be will now campaign for the right path. For while the practicality anywhere in my home. It’s so happy, eh? Thanks Popsugar for to implement a boycott—in our of BDS will have been defini- beautiful. I may put it on my making my day! If you want to understanding, an act of dis- tively checked, the ideological vanity to place my jewelry on get your hands on a Popsugar crimination. venom underlying the move- it at the end of the day or I can box you can visit their website Simultaneously, those ac- ment may well grow more in- put it on my living room coffee at www.popsugar.com. Enjoy!! ademics who have embraced CONT.ON P39

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively. ANSWERS TO THIS WEEK’S Sudoku Puzzle

36 To advertise in THE JEWISH CONNECTION call: 718.761.2626 • [email protected] 2/12/16 Torah Connection

LISKA REBBE’S YARZEIT YOUNG MEN WITH NO YESHIVA FLOCK TO YESHIVAS MEISHEV NEFESH AS 3RD YEAR BEGINS OBSERVED

THE HIVNOVER ROV BENTCHING

REB DUVID MOSKOVITS ROSH K HILLAH SKULEN - Israel MECHUTEN OF LISKA REBBE, RAV Venture TZVI WEISS - UHELY REBBE, LISKA REBBE Network Launches Innovative Ivn-Yozma Fund, UJA Federation Of NY Contributes $500,000

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RABBI FRAND RABBI YISROEL BELSKY, ZT”L SPEAKS AT CHAZAQ EVENT LEVAYA

Harav Reuven IDF INAUGURATION Feinstein speaking at the AT THE KOTEL Levaya

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MERCOLA account (including potentially ra- CONT. FROM P11 dioactive contaminants). look for the telltale signs). This is particularly important My favorite brand of wild for pregnant women and young Alaskan salmon is Vital Choice children. Sustainability is yet an- Wild Seafood and Organics, other factor that is worthy of con- which offers a nice variety of sideration. The good news is that high-quality salmon products that even when all of these factors are test high for omega-3 fats and low taken into account, you have still for contaminants. have a number of good, viable op- In addition to PCBs and mer- tions available. cury, radiation from the leaking To reiterate, wild-caught Alas- Fukushima power plant in Japan kan (not Atlantic) salmon is very is another concern, and many have high in omega-3 and among the simply given up on eating fish lowest in mercury. It’s also still for fear of radioactive contamina- a sustainable choice, plus it’s not tion, or they opt for farmed fish, allowed to be farmed — another thinking it’s a safer option. I dis- benefit — and it has not been ge- agree on the latter point. Instead, netically engineered, so the like- I would suggest contacting the lihood of accidentally getting the distributor of whatever wild fish now approved GMO salmon when you may be interested in, and ask buying wild Alaskan is limited. them whether or not they test for If you avoid fish, an omega-3 radiation. supplement becomes an absolute If You Choose Wisely, the necessity. If you’re pregnant, I Benefits of Fish May Still Out- would highly recommend taking weigh Its Risks the “better safe than sorry” route, As you can see, the situation and limit fish to about 12 ounces is complex. You absolutely need per week, and supplement with omega-3 fats, as your body can- omega-3. not make it, but it’s not as easy Dr. Mercola is the founder of the world’s most visited natural health as saying “eat more fish.” You web site, Mercola.com also need to take pollutants into

COHEN 1970s. As Dave Rich argues in CONT. FROM P36 a superlative doctoral thesis on tense. this under-analyzed episode of Unable to attack Israel di- contemporary Jewish history, rectly, the BDSers will turn a general anti-fascist policy increasingly turn their sights that “was intended to provide on the majority of Jews around a practical tool for excluding them. (To a great extent, this racists and fascists from British is what they have always done, campuses...came to be used to as the primary harm that comes exclude Zionism.” with their efforts has typically been felt by local Jews, and not If this is, indeed, how the the State of Israel.) On college BDS movement twists and campuses, for example, events turns over the coming years, we showcasing Israel or involving shouldn’t simply assume that its Israeli participants will find appeal will fade as it becomes themselves more vulnerable. more transparently anti-Semit- Numerous incidents during the ic. As to the really interesting last decade, in South Africa and question—whether those pro- Europe as well as in the U.S., gressives who have made vogu- have demonstrated that there is ish anti-Zionism a part of their a corps of BDS supporters with worldview will follow the BDS few qualms about violence. movement along this particular path—I guess we’ll find out It might even be the case that soon enough. the BDSers will conveniently Ben Cohen, senior editor of The- park their First Amendment Tower.org & The Tower Magazine, commitments, by trying to ban writes a weekly column for JNS.org Jewish associations and societ- on Jewish affairs and Middle Eastern politics. His writings have been pub- ies unless these explicitly reject lished in Commentary, the New York Zionism. For those who think Post, Haaretz, The Wall Street Journal, that’s an improbable notion, and many other publications. He is the author of “Some of My Best Friends: A well, it happened, in the British Journey Through Twenty-First Century student movement during the Antisemitism” (Edition Critic, 2014).

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