The 5 Towns Jewish Times It Is No Illusion That the Economy Is in a Recession and Our Enemies Pose Real Threats

$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 8 NO. 43 15 TAMMUZ 5768 xjbhp ,arp JULY 18, 2008

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MindBiz B Y LARRY GORDON Esther Mann, LMSW 21 Visiting Day Hannah Reich Berman 23 Wasn’t Built In A Day The Kiruv Experience I’m in Italy this week to take vacation more exhausted than Rabbi Meir Goldberg 27 a first-person look at some of when I left. the things that I’ve read and The city of Rome repre- Daf Yomi Insights studied about for so long. I sents many things to the Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 30 spent Monday and Tuesday in world. It was once the seat of Rome, the capital of the coun- power for some of history’s Breaking The Luchos try and historically the source most ruthless and murderous P

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particularly on the Jewish peo- of Israel and those who per- 9 ple. From there it will be on to fected the debauchery associ- 0 The bodies of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser were returned to Israel in a Florence and Venice. Two ated with a deep and pro- multistage prisoner swap. They were placed in coffins, draped with Israeli days in Rome reminds me of flags, and transported to the Shraga Base, south of Nahariya. why I always come back from Continued on Page 7 See Story, Page 57 SUPREME ARROGANCE HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE The Devolving have been written by an Israeli On Line To Eat Value Of Life Supreme Court justice, so In memory of BY JONATHAN lacking was it in anything bor- BY LARRY GORDON Manhattan. There is certainly Diana Libin, a’h. ROSENBLUM dering on coherent analysis. a plethora of glatt kosher See Page 48 A five-to-four majority of As much fun and as socially restaurants today—more than About one thing Aharon the court ruled that imposi- enjoyable as it may be, I still ever before—for us to enjoy. Barak, former president of the tion by Louisiana of the death find it somewhat unnatural to My inspiration for writing Supreme Court of Israel, is penalty on Patrick Kennedy leave the confines of home to this piece (which was first right: constitutionalism—the for brutally raping his 12- eat dinner in a room filled published in this column last imposition by judges of their year-old stepdaughter and with perhaps hundreds of June) came as I was driving moral intuitions on an unsus- inflicting internal injuries far noisy people. I’m talking about back and forth on Central pecting public—is on the rise too gruesome to describe eating out in some of our Avenue shuttling my kids to everywhere. The opinion of would constitute cruel and finest and most interesting different classes in prepara- Justice Anthony Kennedy of unusual punishment. Accord- restaurants here in the Five tion for their upcoming the U.S. Supreme Court in Towns on Central Avenue or Kennedy v. Louisiana could Continued on Page 9 in Queens, Brooklyn, or Continued on Page 6

OHEL Golf Classic. See Page 43 Baseball By The Sea A Speech To SURPRISE! Remember Another Mother’s Musings B Y STEVEN GENACK B Y PHYLLIS J. L UBIN 1:09:55–1:10:16… Renting a DVD offers many What is it about a surprise advantages that are lost in the that makes us so excited? (I theater. In a theater, you can’t am referring to good surpris- rewind the film, see special es; bad surprises are a topic features, or get the résumés of for another week.) Even as starring actors. In addition, infants, the game of “peek-a- Rabbi Eliezer Feuer and when watching a DVD, you boo” is based on our enjoy- Mr. Richard Altabe at have a time indicator that ment of being surprised or

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p the exact time of a scene. It I would cover my eyes, and July 18 – 8:04 PM The Brach’s League Burgers Bar Bears of Simcha Day Camp, began 1 hour, 9 minutes, and then the laughter that erupted July 25 – 7:58 PM led by all-star coach Yisi Langer. See Page 69 Continued on Page 14 Continued on Page 11 2 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 3 4 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 5 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE Continued from Front Cover

Regents exams. My route passed the Burgers Bar restaurant in Cedarhurst several times, and I noticed that there was a line of people extending out the door and onto the street, ostensibly for the purpose of getting inside to eat some burgers. I would have liked to get on that line, but first it had to subside somewhat. Also, I needed to decide that I wanted to dine on one of those larger-than-life and great-tasting burgers with all the relish you can possibly conjure. I just was not doing it yet because for the most part, I’d stopped eating out since I returned from a trip to Israel in February. You see, before leaving for Israel I was on a diet, and I was doing well on it. While for some reason I am always conscious of the need to lose or at least maintain my weight, I have become increasingly aware of how easy it is to be pulled into the out-of-control spin cycle of overindulgence to the point where nothing fits anymore— which leads to additional associated misery. I knew that sticking to my diet in Israel was going to be nearly impossible. And boy was I ever right. The evening that we arrived, some friends whisked us off to this place on Agripas Street near King George called Mike’s Grill. It’s a large off-the-grill place or, as the Israelis like to call it, al ha’eish. We sat down and, as if on cue, one of the waiters started funneling all kinds of spicy salads onto the table. Then the toasted-garlic and pepper-laden pitas began flowing in our direction, followed immediately by skewers of chicken, chopped meat, lamb, and—most titillating for the taste buds—excellent chicken livers. Okay, so far so good. You tell yourself that so far it’s mostly high protein—except for the pita. But wait, that feeling of peace is short-lived, because as quick as you can say “pass the hot sauce,” the assortment of fries begins to make its appearance. There were large regular fries, spicy fries, fries with chicken fat poured over them, and so on. All of a sudden we were 5,600 miles away from New York but even further away from anything resembling a diet or healthy eating. We tried walking it off that night, but I would have had to walk to Eilat to get rid of it all. Things improved after that, as we only ate one “big meal” per

Continued on Page 8 6 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR and the Catholic Church could think FEATURES Continued from Front Cover about as they planned an assortment of ways to obliterate Jews and, if possi- found paganism that called for man to ble, even Judaism. Aliyah Chronicle P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 worship and serve nothing but himself. Yet, this is the precise point of all 516-984-0079 And there is also Vatican City, the seat the pomp out here on the streets of Shmuel Katz 45 [email protected] [email protected] of power of the Catholic Church as Rome. Millions stream in and out of embodied by the Pope. St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Around The Five Towns 39 Publisher/Editor Managing Editor The ancient edifices and statues that Chapel in search of religious fulfill- YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON dot the city are remnants of that period Sales Managers of militaristic bravado that left waves of Ask The Sensei devastation wherever ancient Rome CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Warren Levi 29 Editorial Assistant raised its ugly stone head. Remnants The pagan leaders SIDI BARON and artifacts along with ruins testifying YAKOV SERLE to the reality of these historical periods Classified Ads 64 JERRY MARKOVITZ are just about everywhere. To a casual and then the leaders Sales Representatives observer Rome is a tribute to the metic- Daf Yomi Insights SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC ulous recording of history or what of Christianity could Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor might be better understood as a “text Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 30 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS message” to 2,000 years in the future. not rest until they Irwin H. Benjamin, Hannah Reich Berman Perhaps most fascinating in Rome is Anessa V. Cohen, Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg Insights On The Torah Toby Klein Greenwald, Michele Herenstein how the ego-driven emperors, after destroyed Jerusalem. Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Miriam Horowitz years of battling and murdering one Rabbi Yanki Tauber 32 Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky another, became allies of the popes Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah 19 Rochelle Miller, Martin Mushell, Naomi Ross and were able to turn their attention Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher and fury on the Jews and Jerusalem. ment as they grapple with the nature MICHAL WEINSTEIN, BINYAMIN RHODES Why the pagan leaders and then the of man and our relationship with G-d. Luach 17 DOV GORDON leaders of Christianity could not rest After two days of taking it all in, it Staff Graphic Artists until they destroyed Jerusalem and seems to me that the Vatican is off MindBiz IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS enslaved tens of thousands of Jews message. While the biblically inspired Staff Photographers remains a question that history will art is everywhere, it is the deep sim- Esther Mann, LMSW 21 FRANKEL & CO. still have to deal with. plicity that is the key to plugging into Design & Production After spending most of a day survey- G-dliness that seems to be missing. Real Estate TALIYE CORLEY ing this massive edifice known as the It’s a subject of debate as to whether Art Director Vatican, I am left pondering how huge or not a Jew should be present inside Anessa V. Cohen 26 SUZETTE LEE and overpowering the church has been the confines of these buildings and Assistant Art Director and even continues to be and how in facilities. Does our presence lend a The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- contrast the number of Jews seems so dimension of credibility to the church That’s The Way It Is! paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not minuscule and otherwise insignificant, that we are better off avoiding? Hannah Reich Berman 23 responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or at least on the surface. Yet it seems establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. that this is all the Holy Roman Empire Continued on Page 16

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 7 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE pizza with bananas. I suppose you digestive system as well as cast asper- Baal Shem Tov says that the hunger, Continued from Page 6 really can’t explain people’s tastes, sions in some communities on your the growling and even squeaking of but if you could, this one in particu- character and that of your family. the stomach, is really the soul—the day aside from some fruit and coffee lar would need lots of explaining. Twenty-five or thirty years ago if you neshamah—calling out for spiritual for the rest of the day. The kids went nuts (I think that was ate out that late you were, well, just nourishment—more Torah, mitzvos, Places like Burgers Bar and others, a topping, too) over the idea. You eating out late and that was it—noth- and chesed. As simple human beings, while presenting fabulous fast-food were able to e-mail your order and ing else. I may be going out on a limb we don’t always recognize this, but menus, are indeed meant to bring you pick it up an hour or so later. here (not a pulka) by suggesting that rather think we are feeling a want for to that dreamy detachment from every- Now at that same approximate loca- quite possibly these long lines for food something and that a ziti slice or day reality that being in and dining in tion, a new “al ha’eish” restaurant, The have little to do with hunger for food. some Cajun sole can satisfy that Israel really is. And now that rich Grill Point, is further changing the way Could it be the social interaction on desire. So you see, the lines to get dreaminess is right here on Central we eat here in the Five Towns. these lines and the opportunity to into the restaurants are a good and Avenue in Cedarhurst, which features The lines outside these stores are meet and greet people, to see and be positive thing. If you’re standing on an array of excellent places to dine. really nothing new. I’ve stood on line at seen, is just as satisfying as two all- line for a burger and fries at 3:00 There’s the wonderful and long-estab- a.m., then it just may be that you are lished King David Restaurant, and a not that far away from being ready to little further down the road, in serve Hashem mamush day and Lawrence, there’s Traditions—both a night. throwback to the good old Bernstein’s We tried walking it off that night, Can it be that because our commu- on Essex Street of yesteryear. nities are so steeped in Torah and I’m fascinated by new restaurants but I would have had to walk to chesed that this is also the reason we and how the masses respond to the have so many restaurants wanting to idea of a new place in town. The line open all the time? I don’t know, but it’s for food at Burgers Bar was going Eilat to get rid of it all. definitely something to chew on. O out the door when the place first Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at opened. [email protected]. A couple of years ago, we had a new shop in town by the name of the restaurant I mentioned above— beef patties with special sauce on a Pizza Professor. A shop by the same Schmulka Bernstein’s—on many a sesame seed bun? name (I believe it’s a franchise) con- Saturday night in those days. Frankly, I have to say that all this At 5TJT.com tinues to flourish in Queens. Here in Schmulk’s—as the connoisseurs of hunger I’ve been observing in and the Five Towns, however, it was an good food used to call it—had lines out near restaurants is a good and you can enjoy articles instant wild craze, but a passing one, the door on a weekend sometimes encouraging thing to see. You see, as well. Those first couple of weeks it until after 3:00 a.m. Can you imagine the Baal Shem Tov explains in anoth- in 3 ways: was like you had to know someone in sitting down for a steak or some er context that the hunger a person 1. Read order to get into the place. It was an Chinese food with friends at 2:00 a.m. feels is really not in essence simple interesting concept in food, but not or thereabout on a Sunday morning? hunger for a steak sandwich or a 2. Print necessarily something that drew my Well, we did it, but does that mean juicy hamburger. As physical beings, fancy—pizza with a variety of unusu- that it’s not crazy? we believe it is simply hunger that 3. Email al toppings. Two that I can recall Today if you eat out in a restaurant can be satisfied by some high-calorie now are pizza with peanut butter and too late at night, it can mess up your intake of one sort or another. The

8 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Supreme Arrogance particular—and drugs for the brain can be dissected, Life Human,” Azure, Spring Eugenics, and Racism in Continued from Front Cover physical and psychological altered by drugs, and extin- 2008). Germany: There is no funda- enhancement threaten to turn guished by a sharp blow. To Such materialist reduc- mental distinction between ing to Justice Kennedy, the human beings into byproducts which philosopher Dr. Leon tionism dominated German humans and animals; human Constitution contemplates of technology rather than the Kass effectively replies: science long before the Nazi beings do not possess a soul that in the end “our [i.e., the result of two human beings “[Pinker] does not under- rise to power, and it paved that endows them with any justices] own judgment” will joined in an act of commit- stand that the vital powers the way for the murder of rights or superiority to any be determinative. Yet the only ment and faith. of an organism do not reside thousands of German “defec- other species; among human argument he offered for why Like cosmonaut Yuri in its constituting materi- tives” before the Nazis beings there are “inferior” murder, alone of crimes Gagarin, who claimed to als…but emerge only when embarked on their Final and “superior” individuals, against individuals, may be have disproved the existence those materials are formed Solution for the Jews. and inferior and superior punished by death is that of G-d because he did not and organized in a particular Richard Weikart describes races; and it is the iron will murder victims are dead. see him from his spaceship, way… The empowering the congeries of ideas that of nature that species should Such profundity is Kennedy’s Harvard psychologist Steven organization of materials— dominated German science evolve through the survival trademark. Pinker “proves” that there is the vital form or soul—is not in From Darwin to Hitler: In ruling that the death no soul from the fact that itself material” (“Keeping Evolutionary Ethics, Continued on Page 10 penalty may not be imposed in even the most serious cases of child rape, Justice Kennedy purported to be giving voice to the “evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society.” It may well be questioned, however, whether in our respect for the value of human life that evolution has been upward. We are witnessing a sus- tained assault on the traditional view of man as the height of creation. Evolutionists deny any difference in kind between human beings and other species. Global-warming activists speak of the duty to not reproduce, and they view human beings as the enemy of nature’s order. New reproduc- tive technologies—cloning, in

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 9 Supreme Arrogance ness is. (Harvard psychologist Daniel cators nor good doctors. Sometime irreversible and permanent coma, Continued from Page 9 Gilbert explores this phenomenon in after the Winnipeg doctors tried to with the least amount of brain func- Stumbling onto Happiness.) For that remove Golubchuk’s life support, he tion that a person can still have and of superior members and the death of reason, disabled persons and their was described as “awake, alert, sitting be considered alive.” the inferior. advocates are in the forefront of every up in a chair at times, more interactive, As it happens, little Haleigh had Today, many doctors again claim legal case in which doctors insist on and shaking hands purposively.” already begun to show signs of that their scientific knowledge their unique ability to determine which In nearby Calgary, doctors put a responsiveness a week before the imbues them with some special lives are no longer worth the effort. “do not resuscitate” order in the file Massachusetts court entered its judg- insight into which lives are worthy of They know that once “quality of life” is of a Mr. Jin, whom they claimed ment. (The day before judgment was preservation. The doctors in viewed as something quantifiable, and would remain in a permanent vegeta- entered she began to breathe inde- Winnipeg, Canada, who sought to one life is compared in value to anoth- tive state as the result of a fall. His pendently.) Nevertheless, the doctors disconnect Samuel Golubchuk, an er, the slope is very slippery indeed. family took the hospital to court, and insisted that her chances of recovery elderly religious Jew, from his ventila- were absolutely zero and told the tor and feeding tube asserted that the Department of Social Services that decision was theirs alone, regardless there was no need to inform the court of Golubchuk’s wishes. And the of her improvement. Remarkably, in Canadian Medical Association fully When confronted with severely the Poutre case, the doctors deter- supported that claim. mined that she was in a permanent Such decisions are not about the vegetative state after only eight days, “best interests” of the patient, as the disabled people who profess to be even though the medical definition of doctors claimed, but about which life a permanent vegetative state refers is worth preserving. And that is a happy, our typical reaction is to only to those who have been in such moral, not scientific, decision for a state for at least a month. which doctors have no special That case, writes Dr. Daniel expertise. assume they’re lying. Eisenberg, an expert in Jewish medical To think otherwise is an example of ethics, is a good example of the slide into what Kass calls “soulless scientism”— the abyss of allowing ethical decisions to the failure to recognize that science is be outsourced to doctors “who all too morally neutral and exists on a differ- A hospital in Wales, for instance, Jin recovered well enough to speak, often do not view life as intrinsically ent plane than moral reasoning. In recently informed the parents of write, and read. That did not prevent valuable.” So much for the progress of a Kass’s words, “Science seeks to know Amber Hartland, six, who suffers from the doctors from appealing the court maturing society. (Jpost.com) O only how things work, not what things Tay-Sachs, that it would not readmit order limiting their discretion. are and why. Science gives the histo- her to the pediatric intensive care unit, On June 17, 2006, the Supreme ries of things, but not their aspirations after five such visits in four years, Judicial Court of Massachusetts or purposes.” absent a court order. Without such granted the request of the None of us is capable of evaluating periodic interventions, however, Massachusetts Department of Social GREAT NEWS! another’s life. When confronted with Amber will choke to death. Services to cut off the respirator from severely disabled people—e.g., con- Scientific knowledge does not imbue Haleigh Poutre, an 11-year-old girl You can now upload your ad joined twins—who profess to be happy, doctors with any special moral insight, who had been savagely beaten by her online at www.5tjt.com/ad our typical reaction is to assume they’re and those who assume otherwise often aunt and stepfather. The court was lying or don’t really know what happi- turn out to be neither good prognosti- informed that Haleigh was “in an

10 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Mother’s Musings surprise parties in my day. To Michal came from Israel to suspected something, but evi- a bit of a hint without giving Continued from Front Cover this day, however, I have never visit this past Shabbos, and I dently she actually believed away the surprise complete- been the recipient of a sur- really didn’t know how we us when we remarked that ly. But that wouldn’t work— after the “boo” was endless! prise party that I didn’t figure would impart to her that we there would be no party. In it was all or nothing. It was We would laugh and laugh out beforehand! I guess I am were having this surprise fact, a few of her friends truly amazing that Lea didn’t and the kids would beg for just a good detective, and no party without Rivka finding came over Shabbos after- give away the secret! more! Even now, I can still one has been able to pull the out! In addition, my eldest noon, and she kept reminding We gave my folks and elicit a chuckle from both wool over my eyes yet! daughter (who shall again them that it was her birthday. Michal the task of keeping Yussie and Lea with that This past Sunday was my remain nameless) was having Even then, no one gave away Rivka entertained while we game. daughter Rivka’s 15th birth- her prospective roommate the surprise! organized at the home front. And the scary rides at the day, and yes, I oversaw yet over for Shabbos, and I There were a few Somehow they managed to amusement parks are all another successful surprise! thought that for sure during moments when I wanted to keep her occupied, and she based on the same premise: There were many curve balls the course of conversation, tell her. I didn’t want her arrived on the scene exactly The roller coaster “surprises” (all good) in the way, but we someone would somehow slip believing that no one was on time. She thought my in- us with a drop down a steep came out with flying colors. up. The entire Shabbos, I making a big deal about her hill, even when we are fully At the last minute my niece really did think that Rivka big day! I wanted her to have Continued on Page 17 prepared for the drop! Kids can wait on never-ending lines just to get the thrill on those frightening surprises! For some reason, besides the enjoyment of being surprised, we love the thrill of surprising others. It’s not just my kids who enjoyed the “boo” part—it was just as much fun for me! And how about a “surprise party”? Don’t we love the fun of planning them, arranging the surprise, and the eventu- al “Surprise!” It’s such a let- down if they don’t look actually surprised…if somehow someone let the cat out of the bag, so to speak… I love a good surprise party! I love the excitement that goes into the perfect surprise. I must admit that I have organized a few successful

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 11 all, it was our anniversary. quarters of an hour, and we were on opens at 5:30 p.m. for dinner, it was What to do in the city… I immedi- our way. We had been told by some out of the question. It wasn’t too much Hey, Taxi! ately crossed the Empire State friends that before making our way longer until we were notified that La Building and Statue of Liberty off the uptown on Madison Avenue, where Carne as well as all the other upscale New York Edition list, because although I still feel like a the shops are located, we should check restaurants in Manhattan close shortly BY YOCHANAN GORDON tourist in the city, I do not like walking out Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. For after lunch to turn the restaurant into around with a fanny pack and sun those of you who have not heard of dinner mode. Wanting to make the It is still less than a month since my visor—the typical dress code that I this place, it is a museum filled with most out of our day, we made a 5:00 wife and I celebrated our second imagine people walking around with in people and accomplishments that you reservation at La Carne, hoping to anniversary. I spent some time before- those areas. Although we do spend a are sure to look at twice or three times make the train back shortly thereafter. hand thinking about how we were lot of our off time shopping (which is to make sure you’re seeing correctly. Having taken the train to the city, going to spend the day, but I sort of fig- what we both enjoy, to a certain Exhibits include the tallest man ever, we had to hitch cabs from one side of ured out that it would be somewhere extent), we thought that the city offers longest shoe, and biggest hand ever Manhattan to the other and back. This in New York City. For some, visiting the opportunity to shop in a way that recorded. In the front of the museum meant we would not have to be the the city has a “been there, done that” ones weaving in and out of traffic and feel. They prefer to go somewhere circling the blocks looking for parking. exotic or more original, to do some- While the parking garages are a great thing that will create a lasting memory option, it would have led to a lot of for years to come. The truth is that It sounded to me that he was Sephardi, so wasted time with our constant running while I have spent some quality time from place to place. over the years in the city—going to a in a friendly tone I asked, “Atah It must have been a while since I ballgame or out to eat with family or last took a cab in the city. I just never friends—in recent years I have really Sepharadi”? To which he answered, “Lo, ani realized that practically every livery not gone often, which explains the driver is apparently Muslim. tourist feeling I have when I go today. Aravi.” Then I began to worry. My family took a trip to Israel this The next question that arises is year in celebration of our youngest whether to drive or take the train. brother’s bar mitzvah. When you’re in There are advantages and disadvan- Israel, you are certainly more con- tages to both, but in our case we decid- we are not used to—vintage shopping. at the ticket counter you can see wed- scious of which cab you step into. At ed to take the LIRR in the morning There are certain people, my moth- ding gowns made out of toilet paper. It least I am. My parents, on the other from Cedarhurst. We thought that it er being one of them, who really know is definitely worth a trip if you have not hand, are in it more for the experience would add to the relaxing atmosphere how to take advantage of or find a good been there, and I especially recom- every step of the way—even the cab we were hoping to create. Our only buy—or a “steal,” as it is referred to— mend it for a family outing. It will be rides. Our schedule during our six-day son, Nison, goes to a babysitter four while vintage shopping. Others, such remembered and talked about for stay was to go to Bnei Brak and visit days a week. We planned to leave as ourselves, always run the risk of some time after. the gedolim. My father carefully and shortly after dropping him off so we buying something that we could have After we finished on that side of thoroughly planned each trip, ensuring could return at or around the time of bought elsewhere for less, out of town, we were planning to hit the that we made the most out of our short his pickup at five. Just in case things eagerness to buy something. shops and have a late lunch at La stay, and he had hired a driver to take were running off schedule, my parents We arrived at the city uneventfully. Carne Grill. The choice was really us to Bnei Brak. It turns out that the had offered to pick him up and keep a The whole trip, with the stopover at between La Carne and Mike’s Bistro, driver who took us was a young Arab. watchful eye until we returned—after the Jamaica station, took roughly three but after finding out that Mike’s first Whether he had a license to drive or

12 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES not, I could not say for sure, but there were certainly times that I was prepar- ing to jump out of the car while I was still able to. My wife, on the other hand, seems to have her finger on which cabs are Israeli and which are not. I guess you could say I felt more reassured getting into a cab with her. Most of the time we were driven around by an Israeli cab driver who made our stay very pleasant and meaningful. Before I got married, I stayed with a friend in the Kings Hotel in Rechavia for a week. Once while visiting family, I decided I would take a cab on my own to the Kotel for Shacharis. Following Shacharis I made my way to the taxi stand to get a cab back to my hotel, which was just minutes away in the center of town. I spotted a vacant cab parked by the curb, so I made my way, peeked in, agreed on a price, and entered. The driver was on the phone for practically the whole ride. All the while I was trying to eavesdrop on his conversation. It sounded to me that he was Sephardi, so in a friendly tone I asked, “Atah Sepharadi”? To which he answered, “Lo, ani Aravi.” Then I began to worry. I thought I heard him talking on the phone to someone telling him that I was the only one in the car and where I was picked up from—it could’ve been my imagination, though. Either way, my palms began to sweat as I hoped that I would reach my destination uneventfully. Thank G-d things worked out, but I certainly hoped that it would be my last time taking a cab on my own. Well, back in the city, on our anniversary we too stood on street corners hailing cabs. The difference is that it is New York City, and I guess not having been there or done that for a while, we just were not conscious of which cabs we were getting into. After we were done shopping, we were looking to head back downtown towards Lexington and 39th, where we had our dinner reservation. We positioned ourselves on the right side of traffic with our thumbs up looking for the first available cab. In only a matter of minutes we hailed him down. I ran to the front window, lowered my head, and

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 13 Speech To Remember to set the moral bar. If we play our role learn from Lavan’s ways was really The singular figure in the Torah Continued from Front Cover correctly as the Am haNivchar, we mussar to himself. When Lavan did who exemplifies passion for the good should succeed in elevating the stan- something improper, he did it with is Pinchas. Pinchas is a zealous priest 55 seconds into the film, and it ended dards of morality which would in turn much enthusiasm and energy. Yaakov who kills a Midyanite woman and her 21 seconds later, at 1 hour, 10 min- deliver us from any physical or spiritu- was saying that his goal in the pursuit Israelite lover at the entranceway to utes, and 16 seconds. The “sound al attack upon our people. of good deeds did not compare to how the Tent of Meeting. The zealot is the byte” was from a speech given by the The reality of Esav sonei l’Yaakov Lavan felt in doing evil. He says of one who acts fearlessly—without hes- religious leader of that generation has now arrived in full force. If we himself: Although I lived with Lavan itation, without stopping to ask per- regarding a new spiritual awakening analyze the original episode involving and observed all 613 commandments, mission. He translates the yearnings taking place. Though they were spo- the meeting between Yaakov and I am upset that I did not emulate and guidance of the heart into bold, ken within a film mired in the super- Esav, we are given insight into how to Lavan’s enthusiasm. Lavan was pas- decisive action. natural, the words resonate with The plague that Pinchas ends is the truth. It’s ironic that a film called The tragedy of our perceived powerless- Illusionist can stir up such a reality. ness. This plague takes the form of an In his speech, the spiritual leader inability to act deliberately and deci- says, “The spirit has been reaffirmed in Yaakov guarded the sively in the name of the love and the face of modern scientific material- righteousness inside us. As this plague ism. The work of spiritualism will ends, the blessing of eternal priest- rouse humanity to a new moral commandments, but not with as hood is bestowed upon us—and, with earnestness.” it, the Covenant of Peace. The present-day application of this much enthusiasm as Lavan Our priesthood gives us the power to dialogue is undeniable. In our times, stand courageously between Life and the success of a materialistic society is Death and embody the yearnings of the being tested. Wall Street is tumbling, engaged in his evil ways. heart for the good of all. In overcoming the dollar is weak, and inflation is our powerlessness and paralysis, we soaring. The present-day conversations receive the blessing of wholeness, are dominated by faith, religion, and which is the Covenant of Peace. devotion to G-d. The world of belief win this war. In preparation for their sionate about his evil. He was relent- The Chofetz Chaim would, no and religious convictions are supplant- meeting, Yaakov sent messengers to less in his attempt to thwart Yaakov. doubt, tell us the same thing about ing materialistic desires. Esav with the following message: “I He wanted to destroy him in every one’s relationships with his neighbor. According to Shlomo haMelech, have lived with Lavan (im Lavan possible way. It’s true that Yaakov One must act as a zealot in addressing this financial predicament is of lesser garti), and tarried until now” guarded the commandments, but not the needs and concerns of his fellow. significance, since one “who loves (Bereishis 32:5). Rashi cites the with as much enthusiasm as Lavan It’s necessary to conjure up any possi- money will never be satisfied with famous rabbinic comment that the engaged in his evil ways. ble torment that one’s neighbor is liv- money” (Koheles 5:9). Thus did the word garti (“I lived”) has the numeri- Our passion for good must surpass ing with and remain attuned to it and Sages comment, “Man does not die cal value of 613 (Taryag), indicating our enemies’ passion for evil. This do something about it. with even half of his desires in his “I lived with the wicked Lavan, but I would ensure that the Jews win all Surely the Muslims support their grasp.” observed the 613 commandments, their battles and reach a new moral brethren in inciting hatred towards In the political realm, spiritualism without learning from his evil ways.” earnestness to achieve victory and us. Surely they gather in unison to has already roused humanity to a new The Chofetz Chaim explains that overcome the looming threat of Esav moral earnestness. We, as Jews, need Yaakov’s implied claim that he did not sonei l’Yaakov. Continued on Page 18

14 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Hey, Taxi! along the way, these stories working in Jewish institutions fallen upon us resulting in and it is our land? It is not Continued from Page 13 regarding the prohibition were when there are Jews in desper- thousands of fatalities, captiv- worth the consequences! We posted. Following the terror ate need of work?” ities, and life-threatening value life and they value death asked, “Lexington and 39th?” attack at Yeshivas Mercaz What is the difference injuries. It takes so long for when it brings the death of oth- We got in and were on our HaRav, Rav Chaim Kanievski whether he did or did not say such a supposed prohibition ers as well. When we finally way. was reported to have said that it? It is common sense that to be decreed? Our lives are realize that we are in exile and Traffic was kind of slow at Arabs should not be permitted the Arabs are looking to kill supposed to be valuable, to that G-d created this world that point, as it was the to work for Jews, as it creates Jews. Why must we put our- the point where in most cases ultimately for the purpose of beginning of rush hour. a dangerous situation. selves in their line of vision or we are obligated to transgress bringing the redemption and Looking from side to side out Following that report, rumors provoke them to that end, set- the Torah’s commandments if bringing an end to all suffering of each window onto the came out that he never said ting ourselves up for disap- its fulfillment involves risking and tragedy, we will storm the street, I realized that my wife that. Rather, after he found pointment? Furthermore, why our lives. gates of the Heavens, begging was silently trying to catch out about the attack and that did this story only come out Are we prepared to give up for an end to this world and its my attention. Her head was the perpetrators worked in the after the Mercaz HaRav inci- our lives or even put our lives trials and the imminent usher- moving in the direction of yeshiva at one point he dent? Hundreds upon hun- in danger to prove to a bunch ing in of Mashiach and the the guy’s name on the back remarked, “Why are Arabs dreds of terrorist attacks have of savages that we have rights geulah speedily in our days. O of his seat. I glanced over noticing that his nametag read “Mohammed Islam.” I tried as best I could to not pay too much attention to it. The name immediately reminded me of Mohammed Salameh, who bombed the World Trade Center in 1993. However, he had been sen- tenced to life in prison shortly after the attack. My motivation to write this story was prompted by recent articles on Yeshiva World News and Vos Iz Neias regarding the supposed prohibition by the gedolim of riding in Arab taxi cabs. After the most recent terror attack by an Arab who drove a bulldozer-like vehicle through the main thorough- fare of Yerushalayim, toppling buses and smashing cars and killing and injuring people

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 15 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Page 7

Perhaps that is something to ponder conceptually rather than practically when standing here surrounded by large numbers of religious seekers. After consulting rabbinical authorities on the matter, it becomes a matter of knowing where and when to go more than anything else. Standing among the throngs with our heads covered with yarmulkes, we felt that our being here was more of an expression of the negation of all the Vatican stands for and has sought to stand for over the millennia. It’s not unlike the matter of the biblical villain Bilam in the Torah portion named for the equally culpable Balak who endeavored to curse and do damage to Jews. A portion in the holy Torah is named for the evil man, a potential destroyer of Israel. Still, there it is—a portion in Torah named for him. Our commentators explain that the intent of the naming of a sidrah for Balak is to be considered as a matter of the result it produced. Ultimately Balak’s hired hand— Bilam—ends up lavishing great bless- ings on Am Yisrael. And that’s how I felt standing here this week in the hot penetrating sunshine under the blue Italian skies. Our being here may have been a blessing for Jews. Tucked away into a corner of this city is what’s known as the Jewish ghetto, once a community that the oppressors of the ancient Jews squeezed into a few square blocks. Once it was home to 5,000 Jewish residents. Still, our guide, Rabbi Nosson Dovid Rabinowitz of Brooklyn, insisted that Italian history has been kind to the Jews when one considers that unlike other European countries, there was never a time when Jews were forbidden from living in Italy. The Jewish ghetto today features one of the most magnificent shuls that you will see anywhere in the world. It is awe-inspiring and magnificent to behold. The rest of the ghetto is filled with shops, snack stands, and some kosher restaurants. In comparison to the large numbers who visit the Vatican daily, the numbers who visit the ghetto are remarkably small. I suppose that the masterful art of Michelangelo and the dusty ruins of the ghetto are difficult to compare. Yet in the ruins of this ghetto, which runs all of a few small streets, you can see signs of a pure and abid- ing dedication to Hashem. Our people never abandoned Hashem and never gave up hope despite the signs that all seemed lost and destroyed. It is the faith of a complicated, diverse, but also simple people who believed with all their hearts and souls that the words of the prophets were accurate and true because that was the tradition handed down from father to son for generations. Today, Italy is home to some 35,000 Jews, about 5,000 of whom are observant in the Orthodox fashion. The people are helpful, hospitable, and friendly. There will be much more to say and write in the days and weeks ahead. O Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected]. 16 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Mother’s Musings Continued from Page 11 laws had come over to “surprise” her in honor of her birthday, so when she came into the house, she announced, “And now I will make my grand entrance.” And as she entered the dining room, her friends who were hiding yelled “Surprise!”—and was she ever! At least she says she was. Isn’t that always the case, too? Don’t you always spend most of the surprise party reviewing whether you think the birthday person was actually surprised? Well, whether she was actually surprised or not, I hope she had a good time. Happy birthday, Rivka! Until 120 plus! O

Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst with her husband Leonard and six children: Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. She welcomes your questions and comments at [email protected]. CALENDAR LUACH July 18-July 26 ZIP Code: 11516

15 Tammuz Friday, July 18 Daf yomi: Gittin 7 Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/tefillin: 4:35 am Sunrise: 5:40 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:44 am Gr’a 9:20 am Candle Lighting: 8:04 pm 16 Tammuz – Shabbos Saturday, July 19 Shabbos Parashas Pin’chas Avos: Ch. 6 Shabbos ends**: 9:10 pm 72 min. 9:34 pm 17 Tammuz – Ta’anis Sunday, July 20 Fast day – “Three Weeks” begin Dawn: 3:59 am Midday: 1:01 pm Earliest Minchah: 1:38 pm Nightfall: 9:09 pm 22 Tammuz Friday, July 25 Daf yomi: Gittin 14 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 4:43 am Sunrise: 5:46 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:47 am Gr’a 9:23 am Candle Lighting: 7:58 pm 23 Tammuz – Shabbos Saturday, July 26 Shabbos Parashas Mattos Blessing of Chodesh Av Avos: Ch. 1 Shabbos ends**: 9:03 pm 72 min. 9:28 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 17 Speech To Remember been reaffirmed in the face of mod- Continued from Page 14 ern scientific materialism. The work of spiritualism will rouse humanity to defeat us. If so, we must unite in a a new moral earnestness.” more creative fashion. New possibili- However, it is also no illusion that ties must be conjured up. Being these ideas and issues have already mindful of the need to relentlessly been addressed with clarity. In regard pursue new ways to remain attuned to our enemies, it is clear that the way to our neighbors’ problems is a neces- to succeed is through carrying out all sity, not a luxury. the mitzvos with passion and zeal. In The story is told of the Vilna Gaon’s regard to measuring our wealth, the wife, who had a neighbor with whom determination of financial security is she was very close. The two women based on each person’s satisfaction made a pact: The first of them to pass with his or her own life. The only poor away would come to the surviving one man is one who fails to understand in a dream to tell something of what it that his possessions are not the true is like in Heaven. barometer of happiness. It’s no coinci- One of them passed away and, dence that Mashiach himself will some days later, came to the surviving come empty-handed—“a pauper riding one in a dream, just as they agreed. on a donkey” (Zachariah 9:9)—and The soul said, “Let me tell you one “the son of David will not come until thing about Heaven. Do you remem- the penny vanishes from the purse” ber one time you and I were asked by (Sanhedrin 97a). O a poor person for money for a need? You and I walked together to a rich man’s house to ask him to provide the Submit your photo to the needed money. When we were across the street from his house, he was just 5 Towns Jewish Times! then coming out of his house. One of us raised a hand to get the rich man’s attention. So exacting is the reward You can upload your for good deeds, so thorough is the reward for every gesture and detail, digital photos and see them there is eternal reward in Heaven for the raising of that hand for the sake printed in the weekly edition of our mitzvah.” of the 5 Towns Jewish Times It is no illusion that the economy is in a recession and our enemies pose real threats. Indeed, the 21-second speech spoken in The Illusionist is www.5tjt.com/sendphotos one to remember: “The spirit has

18 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Heaven forfend. In fact, it was not even obligatory. The lesson of our even R’ Elazar’s cow; it was his neigh- parashah is that the most effective bor’s! Yet, since R’ Elazar possessed way to rebuke and truly influence the stature and ability to lodge a others’ behavior is through personal protest, and did not, the violation was example. As the Chazon Ish states, attributed to him, as if he himself had “Students learn more from their perpetrated it. Rebuke is often necessary and Continued on Page 20 Mishnas Chayim On The Parashah Change The World

There are many idealistic people well, the Mishnah states: “One’s don- who sincerely desire to have an key should not venture outside on impact. In this week’s parashah, the Shabbos wearing an unfastened Torah shows us how it can be done: cushion…nor can a cow go out with a Concealed Identity. A grave dese- strap tied between its horns. R’ Elazar cration of Hashem’s Name occurs ben Azaryah’s cow would go out with when a Jewish tribal leader commits a such a strap on its horns, which dis- brazen act of impropriety in full view pleased the Sages” (Shabbos 5:4). of the people. This deed leaves him The Gemara (Shabbos 54b) clarifies subject to a punishment sanctioned by that the great R’ Elazar ben Azaryah the Torah in only a few rare instances certainly never meant to intentionally of particular gravity: execution at the flout the will of the chachamim, or to hands of zealous avengers. Pinchas be lax with Shabbos observance, rises to the occasion, and impales the violator on his spear. At this point, we observe something curious in the Torah’s portrayal of these events. When recounting the actual transgression (at the end of Parashas Balak), the perpetrator is not named; he is merely referred to as “an Israelite.” Only in the beginning of this week’s parashah, when reviewing Pinchas’s heroism in dispatching the sinner, does the Torah first reveal the transgressor’s name: Zimri. What is the purpose of this arrangement? Based on the words of R’ Moshe Feinstein in Darash Moshe, one may arrive at the following explanation. When people learn of a sinful act committed by an individual—especially an individual of high stature—they tend to be influenced. The news of this act makes a great impact, often for the worse. People tend to imitate such behavior. Therefore, to minimize the effect, the Torah deliberately conceals the name of the perpetrator when first reporting the deed. Only after Pinchas “takes care of him” does the Torah reveal his name. At this point, the potentially negative influence that may have followed from Zimri’s deed would be neutralized by the fact that he was stopped dead in his tracks. From this episode, R’ Moshe per- ceives a vital lesson concerning one’s conduct. We see how much impor- tance the Torah placed on the influence which someone’s behavior can have on others—so much so, that the perpetrator’s name had to be tem- porarily hidden to minimize the effects. The same holds true, however, on the other side of the coin. In R’ Moshe’s words, when one conducts himself properly, causing others to learn from and emulate his example, it is “worth more than all of the admoni- tions combined.” Actions Speak Louder Than Words. Of course, rebuke has its place. In fact, rebuke is highly encouraged, as the following Mishnah attests. When discussing the obligation to refrain from carrying on Shabbos, which applies not only to a person, but his animal as 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 19 MISHNAS CHAYIM contacted various rabbanim and com- focusing on a narrower target. Yet even ously. He worked on his midos and Continued from Page 19 munity leaders, hoping to galvanize his own shul wasn’t interested. Not increased his hasmadah in learning support for his teshuvah campaign on a even his family. Torah. Soon his family began to take teacher’s actions than they do from grand scale. “This is ridiculous,” Yankel told notice. They discovered a more his shiurim” (Emunah u’Bitachon, Alas, his efforts did not bear fruit. himself. “The world wouldn’t listen; patient, gentle Yankel. His boys were ch. 4, sec. 16). Although people sympathized with the sincerely impressed by his devotion to Real Change. The Klausenberger idea, many were overburdened with learning. In short order, they tried to Rebbe used to beautifully illustrate the their own communities’ needs, or felt emulate his hasmadah and pious ways. power and impact inherent in one’s the idea wouldn’t work, etc. As much The metamorphosis that his family actions with the following story. A cer- as he tried to exhort the masses to join “Students learn underwent did not go undetected. In tain idealistic individual—let’s call him the campaign, they were not biting. shul, people noticed the extraordinary Yankel—full of fervor and enthusiasm “Maybe I’m shooting too high,” davening and the exemplary midos of wanted to change the world. If only thought Yankel. He modified his goals more from the entire family. They were duly people could be persuaded to mend somewhat, and decided to concentrate impressed by the sincere devotion to their ways and improve their mitzvah on his own city. Yet here, too, the their teacher’s mitzvos displayed by this family, and observance, the geulah sheleimah results were not much different. He they yearned and strove to duplicate it. would be imminent! He immediately made further attempts, each time Soon the shul itself underwent a actions than transformation and gained a reputation as one of the most respected places of they do from Torah and yiras Shamayim in town. When other shuls got wind of this, they also felt it was time to raise their stan- his shiurim” dards. As time progressed, the entire city transformed into a veritable makom Torah. And so it went… O

my city wouldn’t listen; my shul Kindly take a moment to study Mishnas Chayim wouldn’t take up the cause; I couldn’t in the merit of Avrohom ben Nosson, a’h, a fellow Jew who passed away with no relatives to even get my family to go along. Well, arrange Torah study on behalf of his neshamah. I tried not to be selfish. I was con- Mishnas Chayim is brought to you by Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah, a network of Torah scholars cerned about everyone, and tried to dedicated to bringing the merits of Mishnah get all of them involved; but there study to the greater Jewish public. were no takers. I guess, at this point, Encompassing Mishnah, Gemara, and a variety of other services, Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah I’m on my own. I have no choice but primarily assists mourners interested in to devote all my attention to my own acquiring the merit of Torah study for their loved ones. They can be contacted at personal growth.” 732–364–7029 or at Yankel started to learn mussar seri- www.societyformishnahstudy.org.

The eighth day shall be a time of retreat for you…and you shall offer a fire-offering to G-d, a sweet savor: one bullock (Bamidbar 29:35) Said Rabbi Elazar:To what do the seventy bullocks that were offered during the seven days of Sukkot correspond? To the seventy nations.To what does the single bullock of the Eighth Day correspond? To the unique nation (Israel).This may be compared to a mor- tal king who said to his ser- vants,“Prepare for me a great banquet”; but on the last day he said to his beloved friend,“Prepare for me a simple meal that I may derive pleasure from you.”

(Talmud, Sukkah 55b)

20 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Dear Esther, me when I heard about the impending My husband, “Josh,” is 34 years old. divorce. Of course it’s sad, I suppose. We’ve been married for just over 11 But it just seemed inevitable, and I years. Recently, his parents informed guess they are both still young enough him that they will be getting a divorce. to find spouses with whom they can They both desire it, and it sounds as enjoy good marriages. though it will happen quickly and The problem is the way that Josh is smoothly, since neither of them want reacting to the news. He has been to delay the process at all. In fact, they really depressed since the moment he are working with a mediator, so it found out. He is constantly calling seems like before we know it the deed both of his parents, trying to con- will be done. vince them to work it out. Of course Personally, I am not in the least bit they have no intention of making any surprised. From the moment I met such effort; both of their minds are Josh’s parents, I felt that they were a made up. But Josh can’t seem to very odd couple. They seemed to have accept this reality. He hardly talks virtually nothing in common. I don’t about anything else lately, and he remember ever seeing them laugh keeps saying how he doesn’t under- together, enjoy a good time together, stand it and wishes that they would or even really talk to one another. try harder. They are different in so many ways, At first I felt sorry for Josh, but I’m and I remember wondering, when I getting kind of fed up with his imma- first met them, how the two of them ture reaction. He seems to me very ever got together in the first place. I’m childlike in his inability to move on. I used to a very different type of rela- think he must have been living in tionship, because of what I saw grow- denial all of these years if he really ing up with my parents. My mother believed that his parents had any sort and my father always seemed to love of marriage worth saving. I have to each other; they have a lot in common wonder how he can be so out of touch and, from what I can tell, they enjoy with reality. being together. So I can’t say that there was any shocked reaction from Continued on Page 22

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 21 MINDBIZ Dear Miserable, miserably, that they wished they would else. They don’t want to worry about Continued from Page 21 Divorce hurts—a lot. Not only is it get divorced. But it’s rare to hear that. who they should share holidays with, painful for the couple that is going Far more often, despite high levels of who should get prioritized when a We were supposed to take a trip through the divorce, but it also pain and suffering, most children choice has to be made, who to sit with this summer to Israel. I’ve been look- spreads its tentacles in all directions, would still rather have their parents at a simcha, and so on. It’s complicat- ing forward to it for many months bringing down parents, children, sib- stay together than get divorced, some- ed, and it presents stress that the chil- now. Josh recently told me that he’s lings, and even friends. It touches times against all odds and all sense of dren never asked for or thought they canceling the trip. He says that he everyone who was close to and logic. Sometimes even despite the fact would ever have to deal with. And can’t imagine going away while all of when I say “children,” I mean chil- this craziness is going on with his dren of any age—children who might parents and that he needs to stay already have their own children and local in case anyone needs him. possibly even their own grandchil- When I told his mother about the I understand that it is compromising your dren. It’s messy and rarely is it com- canceled trip, she was very upset and fortable for anyone involved. told him that we most certainly level of “fun” this summer, but I think there Secondly, when parents get should take our trip. But Josh will divorced, it’s not unusual for their chil- hear nothing of the kind. dren (again, of any age), to wonder I feel like I hardly recognize my is a much greater story going on here. what they might have done to con- husband anymore. He’s a mess, he’s tribute to or create this catastrophe. no fun to be with, and he’s not acting They also wonder whether there is very mature about the whole thing. something they can do to salvage the How do I get him to accept what involved with the couple getting that the parents seem to be killing chaotic situation. Children often tor- everyone else in the family appears to divorced. It’s serious stuff. each other. ture themselves over feelings of guilt be able to accept and move on—for The belief and desire for an “intact There are several reasons for this and assuming responsibility that really his sake, for my sake, and for our family” is one shared by young chil- phenomenon. For one thing, most is not theirs to own. children’s sake. We’re all suffering dren, but also by grown children. Once people don’t want to feel different. And, of course, children worry because of him. in a blue moon, I will hear someone They want to be, and also be per- about the welfare of their parents. Miserable tell me that their parents fought so ceived as being, just like everyone Will they be all right being alone? How will they manage? Daddy never cooked for himself before. Mommy doesn’t know how to manage a check- book. Who will look out for them? Will it all fall on my shoulders? There’s a lot to worry about. Once the divorce takes place, no matter how awful the marriage was, there is still a grieving process that everyone goes through. It is the end of an era, and endings often need to be acknowledged by a sense of mourning. I’m sharing some thoughts on divorce with you because from your letter, it appears that you lack much of a sense of compassion for Josh. I understand that it is compromising your level of “fun” this summer, but I think there is a much greater story going on here that you don’t seem to be in touch with. Your husband is in pain. He’s feeling very sad and over- whelmed. He may be feeling guilty, worried, and like his world is falling apart. Despite the state of his parents’ marriage, he was clearly blind- sided by their announcement of divorce. What he needs from you at this time is compassion, understanding, and support. Allow him an opportunity to mourn and feel extreme sadness. It’s his right and is absolutely understandable. There will be other summers, G-d willing, to take trips to Israel. For now, stand by his side, acknowledge his pain, and allow him to grieve. Don’t judge him, just love him. Should his sadness continue for an amount of time that seems extreme, you may then have to take a closer look at whether there is something else going on. Perhaps the divorce struck a chord in him that he needs to deal with professionally. This is something to keep in the back of your mind. But for now, I doubt that he is overreact- ing, and therefore you should not overreact to his reaction. Esther

Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in Lawrence. Esther is a psychotherapist and life coach and can be reached at 516-314-2295 or [email protected]. She works with individuals, couples, premarital couples, and families. 22 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

How To Spend Camp Visiting Day

As promised, this is another Public ever that means. And should I wax nos- Service Message. Parts are reprinted talgic on that day (an unlikely possibil- from a previous year, but much of it is ity), I can always employ the few sim- new. The reason for this is that as the ple measures that I’ve devised. In the years go by, I think of new ways to sim- past, these have gone a long way ulate the Camp Visiting Day experience, without actually making the trek. Note: This piece is intended to help only those grandparents who fear Another ruse one can they may feel guilty about not going. Many of us do not; we got over it a employ is to create the long time ago. I no longer do the camp visiting-day feeling of an obstacle scene, having retired from that annual event several years ago. In truth, one course, which is could say that I took early retirement, basically what camp since I went only one time. My first time was also my last time, and that grounds are. was back in 2002. The following July, when my children informed me of the visiting day date and told me what time they would pick me up, I kept a towards giving me the feeling of being straight face and carefully phrased my up at camp with the family. And it’s response this way: “Drive by my that feeling that quickly reminds me house, and if I’m not standing outside why I no longer go. Pay attention; you waiting for you, just keep driving.” can do this. They never asked me again. Hooray! For starters, keep all windows It’s not clear to me if I quit or if I was tightly closed, and turn off the A/C. fired. But who cares? With the house hermetically sealed, From that time on, each summer, as you will be guaranteed a few hours of visiting day approaches, I let everyone know that I’ll be there in spirit—what- Continued on Page 24

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 23 THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! and a blanket, and you must keep it Continued from Page 23 up until you’re breathless with exer- tion. Note: To ensure effectiveness, shvitzing time, just as you would if the A/C should still be off at this you were up at the camp, marching point. The combination of excessive around in the relentless sun and deal- heat and exercise should make you ing with the effects of the high feel that you’re at camp, while simul- humidity. In my case, this tends to taneously easing any guilt you may affect both my breathing and my hair. feel for not being there. It’s true that For difficulty in breathing I use my inhaler. But for the frizzies, I find that nothing helps. You, of course, will decide for yourselves which prob- You might want to place lem causes the greater angst, and how to treat it. a brick on top of it to Another ruse one can employ is to create the feeling of an obstacle ensure that it has that course, which is basically what camp grounds are—an obstacle course. crushed, misshapen Since no one in his right mind would gouge holes in the floors of his home, appearance that the solution is to litter the floors of the house with objects large and sandwiches take on. small. Clutter on the floor will have the same effect as the holes that abound on camp lawns everywhere; to avoid what could be a nasty fall, you won’t have the pleasure of seeing you must step gingerly around the the grandkids, but then you probably clutter just as you would around didn’t see all that much of them when holes in the ground. you did visit. If the above-mentioned heat, plus My experience was that I received self-created obstacle course, isn’t hugs and kisses when we arrived— enough to make you feel that you’re and that was it until the end of the up in camp with the crew, you can go day. The true purpose of parents’ and to work on the hill climbing. Hill grandparents’ visits becomes appar- climbing is another scintillating fea- ent immediately following the initial ture of the visiting-day experience. All greeting. That purpose is to allow the that’s necessary is to jog up and down kids to schlep weary adults to their a full flight of stairs in your home bunks (to show off neatly made twenty to thirty times. But you must beds), to arts-and-crafts rooms (to do this while carrying a beach chair show off projects), and to the pool (to

24 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES show off any swimming ability that s”xc they may—or may not—have acquired). Back in 2002, which was when I made the pilgrimage, it was midway through our wanderings, just as we were getting ready to hike down to the lake for a canoe ride, that I wised up. I took a good long look at the sloping terrain and quickly realized it was another one of those monster hills. Knowing I’d never make it back up when the canoe ride ended, I decided to skip the jaunt to the lake. So I promptly bid the family goodbye and headed off to find a shady spot. I planted myself on a chair and did- n’t move a muscle until it was time to leave for home. It was at that juncture that I received my second and final round of hugs and kisses. Then, grate- fully (but not gracefully), I climbed aboard the SUV, conked out, and did- n’t open my eyes again until we stopped for ice cream. When the kids, who were my seat- mates for this excursion, finished their ice cream, I went into cleanup mode and used every last moist wipe to remove sticky messes from their faces—and from myself. It didn’t matter that I didn’t have an ice cream of my own. When it comes to messes, kids like to share. When my cleanup detail was accomplished, once again I dozed. And this time I didn’t regain consciousness until we were in front of my house. I’ve never forgotten a moment of that day—or at least I’ve never forgotten a moment of those parts of the day for which I was able to stay awake. Still, this message is intended for you, the reader, and not for me to reminisce, so read on. Come visiting day 2008, if you’ve decided to skip the trip and should nostalgic thoughts continue to kick around in your head, you can make one last stab at trying to give yourself the camping sensation in order to ease your con- science. And this is easy. Simply fix yourself a tuna sandwich, wrap it in foil, and leave it out in the warm sun. Additionally, you might want to place a brick on top of it to ensure that it has that crushed, misshapen appearance that sandwiches take on after a long car trip with a bottle of Snapple pressed in close. As regards the temperature of the sandwich, even with a cold drink next to it, and having trav- eled in an insulated bag, the sandwiches are usually warm. And if by some miracle they do retain any ves- tiges of coolness, they will be a mess because the bread will be soaking wet thanks to the moisture generated by the tuna salad having soaked into it. Follow my instructions, and you’ll know if you were successful as soon as you take that first bite. If none of the above suggestions work—if they don’t help you to feel as if you’re up at camp—and if you still have a case of the guilts, you’ll simply have to muddle sadly through the day. You may suffer, of course, but you’ll get by. I know. I do it every summer. O

Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at [email protected] or 516-902-3733. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 25 approved at competitive rates with a nal ceiling of $417,000, the interest large range of options open to them. rates are higher than the traditional Today that number has crept up. rates being offered for mortgages less Borrowers with scores under 720 than $417,000. may be subject to added penalties, so This new category of loans, featur- they would not get the best rates ing mortgage amounts of $417,000– available. Although it will not affect $729,000, is called “Conforming Reinventing How We Get Mortgages their getting approved for a mort- Agency” or “Jumbo Conforming gage, the idea that a borrower with a Agency,” added to the already existing This past year has brought us into mortgaging since the beginning of score of 700–719 today might not be “Conforming” and “Jumbo” loan pro- new realities of dealing with a changed time. You present your income and considered the best credit option for grams. economy. As a result of the tumultuous assets—monies in the bank for the a bank is absurd. The upside of this new category is ups and downs on the stock market, last three months, enough to show that it has made more monies available the professionals telling us we are in a the bank that you have the funds for for borrowing with higher mortgage recession or not in a recession, and the down payment and for the closing amounts than was available previously. banks cutting back and closing out costs, as well as some money left over Previously, once you hit that $417,000 entire divisions of their mortgage for food and living. Sounds fairly cut- They want to now figure, the only open mortgage pro- offerings, the public now has to read- and-dried, right? Except that as the gram for the borrower was a regular just its previous conceptions of what craziness of the last year has been check your “Jumbo” program. With many kind of mortgaging is available for the playing out, you now have a new phe- investors pulling those jumbo pro- buyer of today. nomenon—fear and paranoia. Banks income-tax returns grams out of the banks, the few jumbo Previous to the explosions of the not only want to check your income programs that were left had very high mortgage industry in the last year, all and assets, they want to now check against what you interest rates. By creating this middle kinds of mortgage products were avail- your income-tax returns against what category through Fannie Mae and able to the prospective buyer or to the you have officially sent to the IRS to have officially sent Freddie Mac, an option was available homeowner looking to refinance. make sure that they match. They are at lower interest rates than would be Plenty of different products were avail- also calling and checking with to the IRS. available through jumbo pricing. able to one and all—full income, low employers prior to the closing to Now everyone must just get used to income, stated income, no income, make sure your employment status is this new system of mortgaging and some income, etc., all with varying still the same as it was when you prepare their paperwork accordingly— rates and terms but very inviting began the loan process. They are When the feds approved raising but first you’ve got to find the house to nonetheless. even changing the way they are com- the ceiling of the conforming Fannie go with the mortgage! O In the ashes of the previous year’s puting overtime or bonuses if they Mae and Freddie Mac limits several burnout, nearly all of the no-income have not been consistent over previ- months ago from $417,000 to Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker (Anessa V Cohen and stated-income products have gone ous years. $729,000, we all thought, “Wow! Realty) and a licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker into extinction, except for the odd one There have also been changes That will be a great boon for the real- (A.C. Action Mortgage Corp.) with over 20 years or two banks still selectively offering related to credit scores, which have estate market.” And it was, although of experience, offering full-service residential and commercial real-estate services in the Five Towns them at high interest to those brave always been the chief criteria used in many would-be borrowers have and throughout the tri-state area. She can be enough to take them on. the approval process. In the past, a found, to their disappointment, that reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are encouraged to So that leaves us with the full- credit score of over 700 always when applying for these mortgages send questions or comments to income mortgage, the mainstay of assured the borrower of being and requesting more than the origi- [email protected].

26 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES sefarim, the pages became wrinkled and had a somewhat unpleasant odor. We were asked to box the sefarim and The Kiruv Experience bring them into Rav Bressler’s new house. As we were bringing them into the house, Rebbetzin Bressler was BY RABBI MEIR GOLDBERG cept of “lighting our menorah on the that didn’t prevent him from thinking directing us where to put them. She outside of our houses,” as it were, was about the feelings of the cook. took one of the sefarim out of the box back in force. The SMA”G (Sefer Mitzvos Hagadol) and looked at the badly damaged Kiddush Hashem Perhaps the most basic way for in mitzvas aseih No. 74 writes that one sefarim with a frown, upset at their Chanukah. The mere mention of its every one of us to reach out to our sec- of the reasons that Mashiach doesn’t sorry condition. She exclaimed, “The name brings a smile to one’s face, a ular brethren is to be conscious of the come is because Jews aren’t honest in insurance agent told us that since the hop in one’s step, a rush of enthusiasm kiddush Hashem imperative. The their business dealings with non-Jews. sefarim were damaged, we could claim and vitality to one’s spirit. It’s much Gemara in Yoma 87a instructs “sheyhei If Mashiach would come while Jews their value on the insurance report. more than the sizzling latkes on the shem shamayim misahev al yadcha,” aren’t completely trustworthy, the non- But Rav Chaim didn’t want to because frying pan or the mouthwatering smell that Hashem’s name should become Jews would say, “See how Hashem he felt he could still use them.” of fresh doughnuts. It’s the lighting of beloved through us. chose for His portion a people of Often, we can inspire a person with- candles which infuse our flagging spir- When I was a bochur in the thieves and frauds.” out realizing it, by what we do l’shem its with the fire of Torah and warmth Scranton Yeshiva I often remember the I remember as an 18-year-old Shamayim. I once read a story of a sec- of Yiddishkeit. Rav Shamshon Rafael rosh yeshiva, Rav Chaim Bressler, com- bochur in Scranton that Rav Bressler’s ular Israeli who became frum. He Hirsch expressed these ideas through ing downstairs to the dining room after house got partially destroyed from a wrote that what first inspired him to the nature of the mitzvos hayom. We Shacharis. On his way to the rebbeim’s fire. The fire department managed to look deeper into Yiddishkeit wasn’t a light the menorah in each and every dining room he would invariably stick save most of his sefarim though they shiur or a book. Rather, he was once home, not just in shul, for Yiddishkeit his head into the kitchen and wish the got severely water damaged. The walking down a busy street in has to permeate one’s home and not non-Jewish cook a good morning. Rav sefarim were spread out in one of the Yerushalayim, where he saw a just be relegated to shul. Lichatchila, Bressler is a person who is completely rooms in the yeshiva until they were Yerushalmi coming his way. He sud- the mitzvah is done by each member of involved in running the yeshiva with completely dried out. Unfortunately, as the house so that this spirit affects many worries and responsibilities. But often happens to water-damaged Continued on Page 28 each one of us. We seek to use only pure olive oil, to signify that the Torah and mitzvos must be performed in the purest of ways. We light the menorah at the entrance of the home on the outside so that this flame of Torah should spread to all; and only during times of danger, when we light the menorah inside our homes for nobody else to see, are we content to keep Torah to ourselves. We see that part of the Chanukah message is that we cannot be content to keep our Yiddishkeit to ourselves, but rather we must proactively strive to be mekadesh shem shamayim. During these past few years that I have been actively involved in kiruv, I often encounter Chabad chassidim who wonder why there is this renewed interest in kiruv amongst those that aren’t affiliated with Chabad. They have been involved in reaching out to secular Jews virtually since Rav Yosef Yitzchok Shneerson zt”l, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, arrived in America in the early 1940s. “Why,” they ask, “are there so many non-Chabad Jews involving themselves now?” The answer, I believe, lies with the foundation laid down by Rav Hirsch. When many of our gedolim arrived on these shores some sixty plus years ago, the Torah world was taking its first baby steps. Other than the heroic efforts of Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz and a few others, there was very little in the way of Yiddishkeit as had been practiced in Europe, on these shores. It was, in the spiritual sense, a “sha’as sakanah,” a time of danger. The gedolim felt that before we reach out to others we must establish American communities as bastions of Torah, pulsating with the spirit of Yiddishkeit. Only when we have strengthened ourselves can we hope to reach out to others. Even Torah Umesorah, established in the 1940s, was primarily a vehicle for chinuch al taharas hakodesh, more so than kiruv as it is known today. Slowly but surely, as Torah regained its preeminence and prominence among our communities were we ready to reach out, so the con- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 27 The Kiruv Experience opportunity to go to the yeshiva, I did.” and was looking forward to his special- the man. “You were about to eat it and Continued from Page 27 The man is now a fine ben Torah and ly ordered kosher meal. The stew- you put it down.” Shlomo didn’t know an important askan. ardess gave him the double wrapped what to say. Finally he explained to denly noticed the Yerushalmi quickly Interestingly, we were later told by and sealed kosher meal. He him that observant Jews don’t eat meat turn away as an immodestly clad that rosh yeshiva the reasons why he unwrapped the seal, revealing a lacking proper supervision. woman walked by. He was shocked by advised this man not to go to his yeshi- scrumptious looking cold cut sand- “Your G-d obviously is looking out what he saw. va at that time. When the rosh yeshiva wich. He excused himself as he for you. I got curious as to what differ- “What gives this Yerushalmi such was asked that question, he was climbed over the person in the aisle ence in taste there is between kosher discipline and self control even while unclear as to what to tell this young seat and went to wash netilas yadayim. and non-kosher meat. So when you got seemingly nobody is looking to see man. He took the shaila to Rav Yaakov He came back to his seat, picked up up I replaced the meat in your sand- what he does?” He subsequently Kaminetsky, zt”l. Rav Yaakov told him the sandwich and was about to make wich with the meat in mine.” decided to look into Yiddishkeit and This year may the light of Torah burn became frum. so brightly within us that it illuminates On the topic of l’shem Shamayim, I not only ourselves and our families, but was recently told a story of teshuvah the entire Klal Yisrael as well. O by a man who is successful in the Often, we can inspire a person business world and in kiruv. When Rabbi Meir Goldberg is the director of the Rutgers Jewish Xperience, a kiruv organization at this man was 26 he met the rosh yeshi- Rutgers University. He resides in Lakewood with va of a small but prestigious baal without realizing it, by what we do his wife and four boys. He can be reached at [email protected]. teshuvah yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael. He Reprinted with permission from Hamodia, where was so impressed by this rosh yeshiva l’shem Shamayim. this article appeared originally. that he wanted to attend the yeshiva. However, he had just accepted a job with a prominent Wall Street invest- ment firm. He could not decide Submit your photo to the whether to join the yeshiva or join this several reasons why the young man hamotzi when he realized that he had firm. He went to the rosh yeshiva to shouldn’t go to the yeshiva. Among left his sandwich uncovered and 5 Towns Jewish Times! ask him what to do. He fully expected them was that this young man had unsurpervised for some time, render- the rosh yeshiva to tell him to leave signed a contract to work for that Wall ing it possibly not kosher. As he put it the firm and have him join the yeshi- Street firm. One wouldn’t be allowed down, he debated to himself. What You can upload your va. However, due to a number of fac- to break a contract and cause a chillul was the likelihood that the food was tors, the rosh yeshiva told him to stay Hashem even if it meant giving up tampered with and replaced with non- digital photos and see them in the firm. going to yeshiva to learn! kosher food? Why would anyone even He exclaimed, “I’m sure this rosh Sometimes we may feel uncomfort- be interested in his sandwich anyway? printed in the weekly edition yeshiva had donors who expected him able about being midakdek b’mitzvos On the other hand, halachah is of the 5 Towns Jewish Times to fill up enrollment in his small yeshi- in front of those who aren’t frum. We halachah. As he battled this internal va. He could have easily told me to go have to try to get over that fear. The struggle within himself the man in the and put another check on his list. following story is instructive. Shlomo next seat asked, “Why aren’t you eat- However, he did what he felt was right (not his real name) got on a plane ing your food? www.5tjt.com/sendphotos for me. That really impressed me, so going from New York to Miami. He “I’m not hungry,” he replied. after a while, when I did have a better had not had a chance to eat in a while “Is there something wrong?” asked

28 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AskBY WARREN The LEVISensei Exercise For Retirees

Dear Sensei Warren, • improving balance and coordina- Q. Since my father retired, he sits tion, which is often a risk factor for and sleeps on the chair all day. It is very falls; and upsetting for me to see this, as he had • improving breathing. always been so energetic. A. No matter what a person’s age is, The exercise routine undertaken it is never too late to exercise. must be appropriate and must be Inactivity is a major risk factor at any modified to take into account any spe- age, but particularly in old age, and it cific limitation or disability, such as can often be a contributing factor in the need for special access. It is frailty. important to exercise regularly and to You could encourage your father to enjoy the exercise routine. Depending undertake an exercise routine by draw- on the activity chosen, exercise can ing his attention to the preventative also have social benefits, including and rehabilitative effects of keeping interaction with others and forming muscles and joints active and flexible, new friendships. namely it can contribute to postponing Medical advice should also be the onset of physical frailty by: sought prior to beginning a new exercise program. It is necessary to warm • improving blood circulation; up your muscles at the beginning of • regulating blood glucose levels; your workout and to progress slowly. • reducing incontinence; Exercise should be stopped if at any • improving sleep and reducing time it causes pain or dizziness, and insomnia; it should not be undertaken if you • decreasing muscular tension and feel ill. joint pain; To set up an appointment with Sensei • assisting with the control of osteo- Warren Levi, he may be contacted at porosis; 516-569-0808, or you can visit his web- • helping to control obesity; site at www.warrenlevikarate.com. O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 29 Daf Yomi Insights

BY RABBI AVROHOM The Gemara records a dispute regard- SEBROW ing whether or not proper intent (lishmah) is required when writing a get. Mazel Tov to all those who finished According to R’ Elazar there is a require- Sota. Daf yomi participants began learn- ment when drafting a get that it be done ing Masechta Gittin this week. But for the sake of the couple that is getting before the daf, let me share some mili divorced. Let’s say, for example, a scribe d’alma. is practicing his handwriting on a mock “Dumpster diving” is the practice of get. He picked random entries from the sifting through commercial or residen- phonebook and compiled a get using tial trash to find items that have been those names. Sure enough, the next day discarded by their owners, but which a man approaches him and requests that may be useful to the dumpster diver. he write a get. After inquiry, it became The practice of dumpster diving is also evident that his name and his wife’s known variously as urban foraging, bin- name are identical to those used in the ning, alley surfing, curbing, D-mart, practice get. May the couple use this get? dumpstering, garbaging, garbage pick- R’ Yehuda and R’ Elazar say no. R’ Meir ing, garbage gleaning, skip-raiding, skip disagrees—he is not concerned that diving, skipping, skip-weaseling, tat- there be any intent during the writing, as ting, skally-wagging, or trashing. long as the witnesses sign the get at the Another use of the term is as a request of the husband. The dispute “sport” mostly practiced by youngsters centers on what the words “V’kasav lah” who directly dive into the dumpsters, in the Torah are referring to. Are they often filming it to show others the best referring to the actual writing of the get dives, as one could do at the beach or or the signing of the get? Whichever pool when diving into water. It carries activity the Torah was referring to needs the risk of injury on broken glass or to be done with proper intent, i.e. for the other dangerous or disgusting objects sake of the couple getting divorced. (source: Wikipedia). The Gemara then records a state- I will focus on the first meaning as it ment from R’ Nachman quoting R’ relates to our daf. The question can be Meir: (loose translation) “If a man asked, “Did a dumpster diver discover finds a get in a pile of refuse and he had Divine direction to dutifully divorce his witnesses sign it and he gave it to his darling dearest, or was he derelict in wife, then it is kosher.” This dumpster doing due diligence?” To answer that diver, while looking for something valu- query some background is needed. able, finds a piece of paper and exam-

30 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ines it. It turns out to be a get. Not only Hashem is telling me this wasn’t meant that, it has his name and his wife’s to be.” But perhaps the message is just name on it. On the spot he decides, the opposite. Hashem has so much con- there’s no time like the present. He fidence in him that he’ll succeed despite procures witnesses to sign it, gives it to the trials and tribulations and wants to his wife, and feels happy that he saved give him great reward for doing so. Or himself a few bucks that he would’ve perhaps Hashem is testing him to see had to pay a sofer to write it. R’ Meir whether or not he will persevere in the says that this frugality is frankly fine face of challenges. In previous genera- because the writing of the get does not tions, gedolim could interpret events but have to be done with the intended cou- we can no longer do so. ple in mind. Even if the get was written So, what should one rely on for direc- for a different couple with the same tion? The Vilna Gaon writes that in the names it is still valid. absence of the urim v’tumim one should However, Tosfos questions the phrase- rely on tefillah. One should daven to ology the Gemara employs. The Gemara Dumpster diving: You never know what you’re gonna get. Hashem to provide him with clarity to implies that R’ Meir only says it is valid make the right choice. That clarity may post facto, after the dumpster diver gave finally showed up the ceremony began. This story highlights the difficulty in come in the form of a talmid chacham the get to his wife. If he would ask us As the chasan was about to put the ring deciphering Divine signals. who provides him with da’as Torah or a initially upon finding the get whether or on the kallah’s finger, it slipped and fell Indeed, I heard from my rosh yeshiva, new insight, or perhaps he’ll discover new not he may use it, it seems we would to the floor. People in the crowd began zt”l that we should not attempt to inter- facts that he was unaware of. In any case answer in the negative. This is evi- to murmur, “This wedding wasn’t meant pret events as Divine signals. For exam- one should always look Above for direc- denced by the Gemara’s use of the past to be. First, the ring was left at home. ple, what if someone was trying to estab- tion and not to what he finds below. O tense. He found it, procured witnesses, Then right before he was about to place lish an elementary school and met with gave it—then it is valid. If the Gemara it, it fell to the floor. It’s a Heavenly great resistance? First, he couldn’t find Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz meant to say that the urban forager can sign.” The Brisker Rav said, “Indeed it an appropriate location, then some sup- Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead and is a rebbi at Machon HaTorah-Rambam use the get even lechatchilah, the wasn’t meant to be…until now. porters backed out, and then some par- Mesivta. He can be contacted at Gemara should have said “If one found However, now is the perfect moment.” ents backed out. He may say, “Obviously [email protected]. a get, he should procure witnesses to sign it and he may give it.” However, Rabbeinu Tam concludes that according to R’ Meir one may indeed initially use a get written for someone else (provided the names are the same.) His explanation for the Gemara’s imprecise phraseology is somewhat unclear. I saw a p’shat in a sefer (which shall remain nameless) in the name of a great rosh yeshiva of the previous generation. “The Gemara used the past tense because if the Gemara would have used the future tense, ‘he should procure witnesses to sign,’ one would mistakenly think that the dumpster diver would be obligated to use the get. Why? Because of a Heavenly sign directing him to do so. Think about it. This alley surfer was looking for dinner, and he chances upon a get that has not only his name on it but his father’s name, his wife’s name, and his father-in-law’s name as well. (On a get a person must write ploni ben ploni.) And just for added measure, the location mentioned on the get is where he lives! Can there be a clearer sign from Shamayim that he should divorce his wife? One might think that the beraisa is telling our D-mart shopper to follow that Divine direction. To preclude that line of thinking, the Gemara’s statement was recorded in the past tense as if to say, one doesn’t have to do anything with the get, but whatever he chooses to do is fine. I met up once with an individual who was aware of this p’shat being said in the name of the great rosh yeshiva. He said “Whoever related that p’shat to the author of the sefer misunderstood. The rosh yeshiva was saying an example of what is not p’shat in Tosfos!” Be that as it may, I came across a story about Divine signals. The Brisker Rav was attending a wedding in Yerushalayim. When the chasan and kallah were ready for the chupah, it became apparent that the chasan had left the ring at home. Someone suggest- ed they buy a ring from someone wearing one in the audience, but the Brisker Rav wouldn’t hear of it. He sent someone to the chasan’s house via taxi to retrieve the ring. Meanwhile the gathered crowd had to wait. When the ring 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 31 this provision eluded Moshe and the prince in Israel?!’ Therefore, G-d traced entire Jewish leadership. Only his lineage to Aharon.” (Pinchas’s Pinchas remembered it and had the maternal grandfather was Yisro, who, fortitude to carry it through. He prior to his conversion to Judaism, was a killed Zimri and the Midyanite pagan priest). woman, stopping a plague that had This explanation, however, seems to begun to rage as the result of G-d’s raise more questions than it answers: wrath against His people. (a) What set “the tribes of Israel” against Pinchas? The animosity of one From The Chassidic Masters The Grandfather Issue tribe, the tribe of Shimon, would be The Talmud, referring to G-d’s understandable: he killed their leader opening words to Moshe quoted and put an end to their pagan orgy. But above, asks: The Torah has already why was he condemned by the entire The True Zealot told us who Pinchas is, back in the community of Israel, most of whom sixth chapter of Sh’mos and again, were outraged by Zimri’s act and were but a few short verses before, in doubtless grateful that Pinchas And G-d spoke to Moshe, saying: cuity,” he said to Balak, the Moavite Bamidbar 25:7. Why does the Torah stopped the plague? “Pinchas, the son of Elazar, the son of king who had hired him to place a again refer to him as “Pinchas, the (b) Of what possible relevance is Aharon the Kohen, turned away My curse on Israel. “Corrupt them with the son of Elazar, the son of Aharon?” Yisro’s past? If Pinchas acted wrongly, wrath from the Children of Israel with daughters of your realm, and you will then he is guilty of much worse than his zealotry for My sake… Therefore…I provoke His wrath upon them.” having a grandfather who fattened shall grant him My covenant of This time, Bilam succeeded. Many calves for slaughter. “Murderer” would peace…” Jews, particularly from the tribe of If Pinchas acted wrongly, be a more apt epithet than “fattener’s —Bamidbar 25:11–12 Shimon, were enticed by the Midyanite grandson.” And if it was acknowledged Pinchas’s deed evokes many associ- harlots who descended upon the then he is guilty of much that killing Zimri was the right thing to ations—courage, decisiveness, and Israelite camp in the Shittim valley, worse than having a do, why was the young hero and savior religious passion are several that and were even induced to serve Baal of his people being mocked? come to mind—but peace hardly Peor, the pagan god of their consorts. grandfather who (c) If, for whatever reason, Pinchas seems one of them. Pinchas, after all, When tribunals were set up by Moshe is to be faulted because of Yisro’s idol- killed two people. True, what he did to try and punish the idolaters, Zimri, fattened calves for atrous past, why dwell on the fact that was condoned by Torah law, and his the leader of Shimon, sought to legit- he “fattened calves for slaughter”? doing so saved many lives; still, one imize his tribe’s sins by publicly taking slaughter. What about the fact that he was a does not usually think of killing as a a Midyanite woman into his tent, pagan priest who (as the Midrash tells peaceful act. before the eyes of Moshe and the eyes us) had served every idol in the world? As the Torah tells it (see Bamidbar of the entire community of Israel. Rashi, quoting the Talmud and (d) Whatever the complaint against 25; Rashi, ad loc.; Talmud, Sanhedrin Moshe and the nation’s elders Midrash, explains: Pinchas was, how is it refuted by the 81b–82b, 106a), the wicked prophet were at a loss. Torah law does not “Because the tribes of Israel were fact that he was Aharon’s grandson? Bilam, having failed to undermine the provide for any conventional, court- mocking him, saying ‘Have you seen this People of Israel’s special relationship induced punishment for such an son of the fattener, whose mother’s Who Is A Zealot? with G-d by harping on their past sins, offender. There is a law that gives father fattened calves for idolatrous sac- The nature of Zimri’s crime made his had an idea. “Their G-d abhors promis- license for “zealots to smite him,” but rifices, and now he goes and kills a killing an extremely sensitive moral

32 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES issue. On the one hand, the Torah elty, and proceeded to clothe it in the was cited in praise, the wicked one’s descendant of Shimon, whom Yaakov deems what he did as deserving of holy vestments of zealotry. lineage was cited in detriment.” But rebuked for his heated and violent death. On the other hand, it does not So G-d explicitly attached Pinchas’s what detriment is there in Zimri’s nature. (“Cursed be their anger, it was entrust the carrying out of the sentence name to Aharon, the gentlest, most being a Shimonite prince? fierce,” said Yaakov of Shimon and to the normal judiciary process, ruling peace-loving man that Israel knew— Those who looked with a negative Levi, rebuking them for the massacre instead that “zealots should smite him.” Aharon, the “lover of peace and pursuer eye on Pinchas’s motives saw his cruel- of Shechem and their plot against Who, then, qualifies as a zealot? of peace, one who loves humanity and ty even more strongly underscored Joseph, “and their wrath, for it was When a sentence is carried out after brings them close to Torah.” In charac- when contrasted with the motives of cruel”—Bereishis 49:5.) the due process of a trial and convic- ter and temperament, G-d was attesting, the man he killed. Pinchas slew a man, Indeed, the Talmud describes a hyp- tion, there is less of a need to dwell on Pinchas takes after his other grandfa- while that man was engaged in an act of ocrite as one who “does the deeds of the motives of the judges and execu- ther, Aharon. Not only is he not inclined love; Pinchas was giving vent to his own Zimri, and asks to be rewarded like tioner: they’re going by the book, and to violence, it is the very antithesis of his violent passions, while Zimri acted out Pinchas.” Zimri’s kindness was the we can check their behavior against natural temperament. Pinchas is a man of a selfless concern for his con- ultimate hypocrisy: instead of fulfilling the book. But the motives of the zealot of peace, who did what he did with the stituents, putting his own life on the his role as the leader of his people by who takes unilateral action are sole aim of “turning away My wrath line (for surely he knew that some prevailing upon them to cease the extremely important, for his very qual- from the Children of Israel.” zealot might take it upon himself to kill behavior that was destroying them, he ifications as a zealot hinge upon the him) to save his tribe through his bold pursued the fulfillment of his own pas- question of what, exactly, prompted Two Hypocrites attempt to legitimize their sins. If sions, without regard to the terrible him to do what he did. Is he truly moti- This also explains the significance Pinchas did the right thing, these critics consequences to their spiritual and vated to “still G-d’s wrath,” or has he of another statement by Rashi. After were saying, he did it for all the wrong physical well-being—all the while dis- found a holy outlet for his individual emphasizing that Pinchas was reasons; whereas Zimri might have guising his act as selfless and self-sac- aggression? Is his act truly an act of Aharon’s grandson, the Torah writes: done a wrong thing, but was motivated rificial. In contrast, Pinchas’s deed was peace, driven by the desire to reconcile “And the name of the smitten Israelite, by an altruistic love for his people. “hypocritical” in the positive sense: an errant people with their G-d, or is it who was smitten with the Midyanite, G-d, who knows the heart of every ostensibly violent and cruel, but in an act of violence, made kosher by the was Zimri the son of Salu, a tribal man, spoke to dispel this distorted pic- truth a selfless act of peace. O assumption of the label “zealot”? prince of the Shimonites.” On which ture. Pinchas, He attested, inherited Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher The true zealot is an utterly selfless Rashi comments, “On the same occa- the peace-loving nature of his grandfa- Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of individual—one who is concerned only sion that the righteous one’s lineage ther, while Zimri was every inch a MeaningfulLife.com. about the relationship between G-d and His people, with no thought for his own feelings on the matter. The moment his personal prejudices and inclinations are involved, he ceases to be a zealot. (This may be why the law that “zealots smite him” falls under the unique legal category of halachah v’ein morin kein, a law that is not instructed: if a would-be zealot comes to the court and inquires if he is permitted to kill the transgressor, he is not given license to do so [Mishneh Torah, Laws of Forbidden Relations, 12:5]. Indeed, the very fact that he has come to ask dis- qualifies him—someone who needs to ensure, in advance, that he is backed by the court, is no zealot. The true zealot has no thought for himself: not of his feelings on the matter, not of his personal safety, not even of the moral and spiritual implications of his act on his own self—he doesn’t even care if what he is doing is legal or not. He is simply determined to put an end to a situation that incurs the Divine wrath against Israel.)

Aharon’s Grandson According to this, the questions posed above answer each other. The tribes of Israel knew that the case of Zimri warranted the law that “zealots smite him.” But they were skeptical of Pinchas’s motivations. Why is it, they asked, that no one— not Moshe, not the elders, nor anyone in the entire leadership of Israel—was moved to assume the role of zealot, save for Pinchas, “the youngest of the band”? Was Pinchas the most caring and selfless one of them all? Far more likely, said they, that what we have here is an angry young man who thinks he found a Torah-sanctioned outlet for his aggression. A bit of digging around in the skele- tons of Pinchas’s family closet only reinforced their initial doubts. “Of course,” they said, “look at his grandfather!” Few professions are as inhu- mane as the fattening of calves for slaughter. The fact of Yisro’s idolatry is not what is relevant here, but his nature and personality. Pinchas, the “tribes of Israel” reasoned, must have inherited his grandfather’s natural cru- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 33 34 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

U.S. Court Rules For Chabad

BY GRANT SLATER

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that a decades-old struggle between Chabad-Lubavitch and the Russian government over a seminal Lubavitch archive can proceed in the American courts. For decades, Chabad has appealed to the Soviet and later Russian governments to return the texts to the movement’s main library in Brooklyn, said Rabbi Shalom Dov-Ber Levine, the head of the library for Agudas Chasidei Chabad in Brooklyn.

The religious texts dating back to the 18th century shared the fate of Russian Jews in the first half of the 20th century.

In the opinion released June 13, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said that Chabad should have a chance to make its case before a judge. Since the suit was filed in 2004, a back-and-forth succession of appeals has focused merely on whether U.S. courts had jurisdiction to hear the case at all. The more than 12,000 religious texts and an archive of some 25,000 handwritten pages on Chabad philosophy and Jewish law dating back to the 18th century shared the fate of Russian Jews in the first half of the 20th century. The Bolshevik government seized a portion of the library after the October Revolution in 1917 as the Lubavitcher Rebbe fled the country to Poland. The texts were stored in the Lenin Library, later known as the Russian State Library. The Nazi army confiscated the remainder of the archive around 1939 as it marched across Eastern Europe. It was later taken back by the Russian government and currently resides in the Russian State Military Archive. The texts are central to Chabad philosophy, Levine said. Though Chabad yeshiva students have been able to study the archives through copies, the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe, Menachem Schneerson, predicted that when the texts were returned to the group, the approach of the messi- ah would come close behind. The U.S. case, first filed in 2004, was a last-ditch effort in a long-running legal and diplomatic battle that began on Russian soil. The most promising legal effort to return the archives to Chabad fell prey to a bureaucratic veto around 1992 when a Russian court ruled that the books should be returned to Chabad. But a

Continued on Page 50 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 35 The wedding ceremony between the daughter of the Grand Rabbi of Nikolsburg and the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe of Yerushlayim which took place in the courtyard of the Nikolsburger Rebbe.

36 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Grand Rabbi of Nikolsburg and the Toldos Avraham ace in the courtyard of the Nikolsburger Rebbe.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 37 38 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Taba Rochel bas Necha, is $10 per per- that will be on loan from Rabbi son or $30 per family. Deutsch’s Living Torah Museum. Torah Connections also plans to offer On Monday, July 21, Rabbi Deutsch a series of Tishah B’Av lectures on the is to speak on the subject of “The Period night of August 9 and the day of August of the Bayis Rishon (the First Temple).” 10 at a site yet to be determined. This Rabbi Fischel Schachter, popular Torah Tishah B’Av program will also be broad- lecturer and storyteller, will discuss Torah Connections Lectures tragic events that led to the destruc- cast live to various video outlets by the “K’lal Yisrael in the Midbar: Before and For The Three Weeks tion of our Beis Hamikdash, first by Jewish Teleconferencing Network. After the Meraglim (Spies).” By Daniel Keren Nebuchadnezzar and then by the On Monday, July 28, the focus of Shivah Asar B’Tammuz Lectures Romans. Lessons of History for the Three Weeks Rabbi Deutsch’s lecture will be “The at Parkway Paradise. American-born Jews have been A special three-part series of fasci- Period of the Bayis Sheini (the Second Torah Connections, a Flatbush- blessed with the opportunity to grow nating lectures titled “Lessons of Temple).” Rabbi Yossi Eisen, a rebbi in based group, is offering a series of three up in a medinah shel chesed where one History for the Three Weeks” is to be the Hillel Academy and Yeshiva chizuk lectures to the public on the fast can live as a proud Jew and not fear held at Merkaz HaSimcha, 1898 Bay Schools of Pittsburgh and author of day of Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, Sunday, legal persecution for observing Torah Avenue (near Avenue M and East 18th Miraculous Journey, published by July 20, at Parkway Paradise, which is mitzvos. For many of us it is often dif- Street) in Flatbush on consecutive Targum Press, will highlight important at 1200 Ocean Parkway (corner of ficult to emotionally connect with the Monday nights—July 21, July 28, and aspects from “The Period of the Avenue L, in the basement of Yeshiva of major national tragedies that befell our August 4—during the Three Weeks. Rishonim and the Crusades.” Brooklyn). The Torah Connections pro- people almost two thousand years ago. The three-part history series at Rabbi Deutsch will address the gram will also be available on live video This was definitely not the case with Merkaz HaSimcha will focus on the sig- topic of “The Period After the Churban outlets via the Jewish Teleconferencing many of our parents and grandparents nificance of the major tragic periods in (the Destruction)” on Monday, August Network, for those who cannot come to who immigrated to a New World in our nation’s history. With this knowl- 4. Concluding the three-part series of the Brooklyn location. order to escape from the oppression of edge, one can better understand why historical review will be a lecture by The program begins with Minchah the Iron Curtain, or the Ottoman we are still obligated to mourn and do Rabbi Yossi Weiser titled “Holocaust: at 5:30 p.m. The theme of the lectures Turks, or the rise of Arab nationalism teshuvah during the Three Weeks for The Key to Redemption.” is “We Wait for Your (Hashem’s) after World War II, or who barely sur- the loss of the Beis HaMikdash, our The program, which is open to men Salvation!” Program highlights include vived the horrors of the Holocaust. holy Temple in Yerushalayim. and women, will begin at 7:45 p.m. inspirational talks by Rav Yechiel To help us realize how terrible is our Torah Connections has arranged to with Minchah and conclude with Yitzchok Perr, rosh yeshiva of Derech loss that we continue to suffer because have Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch, Maariv. Admission is $10 for a single Ayson/Yeshiva of Far Rockaway; Rav we can’t perform the spiritual service founder and director of the Living lecture or $20 for the entire series of Yitzchok Sorotzkin, rosh yeshiva of the unique to the Beis Hamikdash, the Torah Museum in Boro Park, open three history lectures. Telz Yeshiva and Mesivta of Lakewood; three lecturers will highlight why each of the three Monday-night pro- For more information on “Lessons of and Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn, world- everyone should sincerely shout to grams with interesting talks relating to History for the Three Weeks” and Torah renowned mohel, lecturer, and author Hashem the heartfelt plea, “We Wait a different aspect of what K’lal Yisrael Connections’ special lecture programs for of the ArtScroll “Maggid” book series. for Your Salvation.” mourns during the Three Weeks. the fast days of the 17th of Tammuz and For almost 25 years, Torah The program will conclude with A special treat for those who come Tishah B’Av, e-mail TorahConnections@ Connections has sponsored the lecture Maariv and light refreshments. to listen to the lectures will be the earthlink.net. or call 718-998-5822 or programs in Flatbush on the summer Admission to the Shivah Asar opportunity to view specially selected 718-377-7091. O fast days of the 17th of Tammuz and B’Tammuz program, which is being authentic period artifacts from the the 9th of Av, on which we mourn the dedicated to the refuah sheleimah of Bayis Rishon and the Bayis Sheini eras Continued on Page 40

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 39 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS The highlight of the event was the Continued from Page 39 pinning ceremony, a symbolic bridge linking nursing’s past to nursing’s Yvonne J. Graham Delivers Keynote future. At the ceremony, the students At Touro Nursing Awards Ceremony dedicated the actual pinning to family Yvonne J. Graham, assistant to members and/or faculty who guided Brooklyn Borough President Marty and helped them along the way. Markowitz, addressed 23 graduates of Dr. Alona Harris, chairperson for the Touro College School of Health the Department of Nursing, welcomed Sciences last month at a pinning and the attendees, thanked families, facul- awards ceremony that attracted a ty, and administration for their contin- crowd of approximately 300. Sur- ued support, and hailed students for rounded by their families and friends their accomplishments. Dr. Joseph at the June 22 ceremony at the Weisberg, dean of the School of Renaissance Ballroom in Brooklyn, the Health Sciences, told the graduates, candidates were recognized for associ- “You are about to start practicing your ate in applied science degrees with a nursing skills and you will be working concentration in nursing. with others as members of the medical

L–R: Dr. Alona Harris, chairperson of the Department of Nursing at Touro College School of Health Sciences, and Yvonne J. Graham, assistant to the Brooklyn Borough President. Ms. Graham delivered the keynote address at the school’s recent pinning and awards ceremony.

40 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES team. Please do not be shy. Ask questions. If you do, you will make fewer mistakes, and you will grow professionally.” Ms. Graham told the graduates, “Where you go in your lives shall have an impact on your profession. Always remember where you received your education; always remember Touro College.” She continued: “Your warmth and sensitivity as a nurse will always have an impact on those you come in contact with. Make an effort to join the political network to advocate for your nursing profession and your community at large.” In her closing remarks, Ms. Graham reminded the graduates that “being compassionate and caring will yield immeasurable results.” Ms. Graham has been a pioneer in the arena of public health for over 20 years. Before coming into office, she founded and was executive director of the Caribbean Women’s Health Association (CWHA), which provides comprehensive, culturally sensitive health- care, immigration, and social support services to diverse communities. In her present position, Ms. Graham oversees health-care policy and all human services for the Brooklyn Borough President’s office. Her vision was critical to the 2005 founding of Brooklyn’s first Center on Health Disparities, which is working to reduce cardiovas- cular disease, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, infant mortality, asthma, and diabetes among minority communities. Ms. Graham is an R.N. and holds an undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s College and a master of public health degree from Hunter College. She also completed the executive program in business administration at Columbia University and recently received an hon- orary doctor of law degree from St. Joseph’s College. She lives in the Clinton Hill sec- tion of Brooklyn. Ms. Graham has served on the Mayor’s Committee on Immigration, the New York City HIV Planning Council, and the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women. O

Pilot Program To Double NYC Parking Meter Rates After his plan to charge people more to drive during peak hours failed, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has come up with another idea to reduce traffic— “congestion parking.” City officials confirmed that they plan to implement a pilot program this fall that would double parking-meter rates during peak hours. The goal is to increase turnover in parking spots, so

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OHEL Bais Ezra Milestones And Achievements 30th Anniversary of First OHEL Bais Ezra Residence “If you don’t provide the mortgage for us to purchase this Jewish home, we will begin picketing outside your bank.” The loan was approved. Hard to believe, but this was the action leveled by Lester Kaufman, OHEL Bais Ezra’s first executive director, to a major bank in New York 30 years ago, in securing the first residence for Jewish develop- mentally disabled individuals in New York State. On Thursday, July 10, OHEL celebrated the 30th anniversary of the opening of this first residence. OHEL, founded in 1969 as a foster care agency, has since evolved into a leading provider of social services, delivering over 30 diverse programs and touching the lives of thousands of individuals every day. Today, OHEL operates over 100 residences and apartments, and continues to pioneer new developments—opening the first Manhattan residence in January of this year. The celebration held at OHEL’s first residence—the Rosenfeld residence on 43rd street, was attended by OHEL board members, staff, and, of course, residents themselves— many of whom have been living in the home since its opening. The residence is named in memory of Avraham Shalom Rosenfeld, Bais Ezra’s first president. His wife, Chaya, now married to Dr. Tzvi Neuberger, both board members, presented flowers and a gift to each of the ten women living in the home. David Jacobson, former president of Bais Ezra and an active member of the board, welcomed all the guests and acknowledged the presence of Lester Kaufman, OHEL’s first executive director. Rabbi Phillip Goldberg, also former president of Bais Ezra and instrumental in the opening of this home by providing seed money, said the philosophy of OHEL was always “to give the individuals we serve better than we would give ourselves.” A parent of a client described how she and her husband came to visit the home in early 1978 when it was just a shell. She praised the vision of the OHEL board and especially the self-sacrificing love, and

Continued on Page 44 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 43 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS cer, expressed deep appreciation for Continued from Page 43 the many dedicated staff who managed the home over the years, and care of staff, whose devotion to her especially to Rachel Lewitter, who daughter she described as “looking after began her career as a counselor in the one of their own.” home and is now responsible for Asher Fogel, chief operating offi- many programs and services through-

L–R: Izzy Kaufman; Jon Marks, winner of the longest-drive contest; and Ben Englander.

out OHEL Bais Ezra. Leah Persik, A Hole in One for OHEL’s residence manager, and Alex Mintz Children! were also thanked and special recog- A full field of 144 golfers recently nition was given to Mira Ibragamov participated in the OHEL Golf Classic L–R: Asher Fogel, COO Bais Ezra; Lester Kaufmann; Dr. Newberger; David Mandel, CEO and Shira Herskovic who have worked ’08 held at The Inwood Country Club OHEL Bais Ezra; Rabbi Philip Goldberg; Mr. David Jacobson; and Dr. Kipust. in the home since its inception. in Inwood. The tournament featured a scramble format, a variety of contests, sumptuous food, great prizes, and superior giveaways for all players. Proceeds for the Classic were earmarked for the benefit of the thousands of children and families served by OHEL. OHEL acknowledged the dedicated chairpersons and Golf Classic committee headed by Ben Englander, Izzy Kaufman, Mordy Schwartz, and Michelle Sulzberger. Their tireless efforts ensured the success of this major fundraiser. OHEL recognized the many sponsors of the day including Marc Herskowitz, president of Infinity Land Services LLC for sponsoring the Hawke clothing ensemble and the Rosenberg family as Diamond Sponsors, Every player received a Hawke & Co. jacket, sweater top, and golf shirt. OHEL also thanks its friends and supporters at Net@work for sponsoring the use of the golf course. Special thanks to the Englander family for sponsoring the dinner and to all the sponsors of the event. Pictures of the successful day are available on the OHEL website. The real winners are the thousands of children and families who depend upon OHEL—they are the beneficiaries of the day! OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services is a pioneering social services agency that delivers a breadth of inno- vative programs and services for individuals and families at risk, and individuals with developmental or psychiatric disabilities, in both residential and outpatient settings. Founded in 1969 and with close to 100 residences, apartments, and over 30 diverse programs, OHEL services have been consistently ranked #1 by New York City. Touching the lives of thousands of individuals at every stage, and every day, OHEL’s professional services are available throughout New York, New Jersey, and South Florida. These services include housing, foster care, outpatient counseling, at- home-based services, school-based services, abuse services, and camps. For further information, call 800-603-6435, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.ohelfamily.org. O

Continued on Page 46 44 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ner—I would prefer not being investigat- and using the media for personal gain. Ehud Olmert, NBA Ref ed for corruption), I am willing to give it The job of an NBA ref is to call fouls a go and work on the other issues. and try to keep players in line. I am also somewhat confused about The politician constantly flip-flops Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 88 really takes is a bit of money and 100 what happens when people who spend on the issues and basically says what- BY SHMUEL KATZ people to join the party. I have a name their entire lives saying things like “We ever his current audience wants to for the party—Olim Chadashim (new will never give away land” or hear. NBA refs? Well, there must be a I have been asked several times why immigrants), and I believe that the “Jerusalem undivided” seem to sud- reason the common belief is that the I avoid writing about current Israeli agenda of making Israel more user- denly change their minds when they home team seems to get the benefit of political issues. After all, politics is friendly (less bureaucratic) as well as a are sitting in the seats of power. It is the doubt from them. such a major part of Israeli society, and little more responsive to the needs of almost as if once they become the Of course, when the NBA ref makes what happens in the political arena has immigrants after they arrive, rather than leader of the country they are given a mistake at his job, the worst thing that a huge impact on our day-to-day lives. merely recruiting them heavily, would certain information that none of us happens is not very significant overall. A backroom deal here or there and be an interesting approach and attrac- have and that leads them to change A politician can make a mistake that voilà—our child-support payments go tive to foreign-born citizens. their minds. I have no clue what it costs lives and endangers a nation. So I up (every family gets paid for having According to the information I found could possibly be, but the list of politi- think I am less comfortable knowing children in the household until the online, it appears that about 72,000 cians who were elected saying “We will that the politician is willing to stick it to kids turn 18). A coalition-building deal votes is enough to win the minimum of not negotiate with terrorists” and who the people where personal gain is con- may bring thousands of shekels toward three seats that the smallest parties in end up doing just that is endless. cerned than I am about an NBA official after-school programming one day and the Knesset are awarded. Nefesh Another reason I don’t like comment- cheating on his taxes. cancel the program a few weeks later. B’Nefesh just brought its 15,000th ing on politicians is that I really think they I am obviously engaging in a little bit There are demonstrations and count- immigrant to Israel last week, and con- are all corrupt in one way or another. If of absurdity in suggesting that the two er-demonstrations galore, and trying to sidering the number of olim who have so, the fact that one of them steals better are comparable. If an NBA official publicize political corruption seems to come from various corners of the world, than another is not really worthy of com- cheats in one area, the concern is that be a major part of the jobs of the police it would not be unheard of (even though ment. Yet, with the latest round of corrup- he will cheat in others. That might not and attorney general. it is extremely unlikely) for something tion news (and spin), I can’t hold back. be a concern for the politician. There In truth, part of the reason I don’t like that to happen. At the very least, it After all, it is not often that a head of might even be an argument to be made write much about politics is the fact would be a wonderful civics experience state’s position is threatened because he that we need smart and crafty people to that I still don’t really understand the and an incredible chance to bring the followed the lead of a few NBA referees serve as our leaders so that they can use system here too well. I have no idea Israeli election process to life for the (no, not the one who gambled). For their “less than honest” talents for the how to register to vote, or how the thousands of us who really have no clue those of you who aren’t up to speed on benefit of our country. political primaries (if they even exist) how everything runs. this, several NBA referees downgraded Then again, some of those NBA offi- operate for the various parties. I am Of course, the $15,000 filing fee their first-class tickets to coach, pocket- cials are now out of jobs—so perhaps sure that Nefesh B’Nefesh will eventu- would be a bit of an issue, as would hav- ed the price difference, and failed to there is a correlation to be made here ally (at a date closer to the actual elec- ing to campaign and really develop a report the money as income on their tax after all. O tions) issue a primer to all the new platform on all the major issues (espe- returns. At least one of them was con- immigrants on what/how/when/where, cially considering the aforementioned victed and served house arrest. Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in but until then I remain clueless. lack of clear understanding of how The similarities are striking. The Jerusalem. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six I researched how to form a political everything really works). However, if politician is always claiming that the children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of party and register it in the elections for anyone is really interested in helping to legislators beneath him play in a foul the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can the Knesset. It is not so hard to do; all it solve the first hurdle (in a legal man- manner, lying about him and his policies contact him at [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the growth of mold colonies, common- attic, and storage rooms. For more information or to make an Continued from Page 44 ly seen as a downy or furry coating You can become exposed to mold by appointment for an inspection, call growing on food or surfaces. breathing in spores from the air or by Five Boro Mold Specialists at 718- The Mold Invasion While some molds serve an impor- skin contact with mold-infected areas. 677-6653, 1-888-5Boro-911. O By Alisa Arepyeva tant role in our ecosystem, many cause Exposure to bacteria and fungus in Did you know that there are thou- a lot of danger. Molds can be toxic or indoor air is a significant health prob- YINW Selects Rabbi Yehuda sands of mold species living around nontoxic, meaning some can damage lem in residential environments as well Septimus As Rabbinic Leader you, affecting your everyday life and in human health while others are not as in occupational settings. Mold The Young Israel of North Woodmere some cases even leading to death? harmful to humans. But how do you spores can be allergenic, causing irrita- (YINW) recently announced that Rabbi Mold is much more serious than one know which is which? tion of the eye, nose, throat, skin, and Yehuda Septimus has been selected to might think; it kills and destroys every- Some molds can be both seen and lungs—they may even cause miscar- be the synagogue’s mara d’asra begin- thing it touches! smelled. The smell of mold can be riage in pregnant women. Those with ning in September. Rabbi Septimus has Like all fungi, mold gets its energy described as earthy or musty. Some existing respiratory conditions, such as worked as the assistant rabbi at not through photosynthesis but from may excrete liquids or gases. Not all allergies, chemical sensitivities, or Riverdale Jewish Center and he has also the organic matter on which it lives. can be detected by smell. Some of asthma, persons with low immune sys- served as a visiting rabbi at the Young Molds can be found almost anywhere; them are not even visible, because they tems, infants and children, the elderly, Israel of Scarsdale and scholar-in-resi- they can grow on practically any organ- hide in the cracks of your walls, floors, and pregnant women have greater dence at the Young Israel of Plainview. ic substance, as long as moisture and or carpets, behind the posters, or in any risks when exposed to mold. Rabbi Septimus received his semichah oxygen are present. There are molds humid place, so you may not even Mold growth in buildings and homes and bachelors degree in English from that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, know if you are being exposed to them. can lead to a variety of health issues. Yeshiva University in 2002. Rabbi foods, and insulation. That is why it is very important to do a There are many ways to get rid of mold Molds reproduce through small spores mold inspection at least once in your in buildings, most important of which is that replicate themselves, enabling them home, to prevent you from being to reduce moisture levels that can facili- to spread faster through the air continu- exposed to any risks. tate mold growth. The next step is to ally. When mold spores land on a damp Some of the common causes of mold remove all affected materials. It is spot indoors, they may begin growing contamination include flooding, leaky important to dry water-damaged areas and digesting whatever they are growing roofs, sprinkler spray hitting the house, and items within 24 to 48 hours to pre- on in order to survive. Many are able to plumbing leaks, humidifiers, sewage vent mold growth. Fix leaky plumbing or survive extremely high temperatures and overflow, dampness in the basement or other sources of water. If you are not pressure, which makes it harder to kill crawl space, steam from showers or sure what type of mold is present at your them. Certain molds can survive such cooking, overly moist house plants, house, you should call a professional for harsh conditions as the snow-covered clothes dryers ventilating indoors, wet a consultation and a possible checkup. If soils of Antarctica, refrigeration, highly clothes drying indoors, dysfunctional the molds are toxic, you can’t get rid of it acidic solvents, and even petroleum vents, and foundation seepage. on your own without being exposed; this products such as jet fuel. If any of these circumstances apply is why it is recommended that you do a Although mold grows on dead to your home, you may have mold. It is house inspection followed by an extermi- organic matter everywhere in nature, recommended to look behind and nation of the mold as well as a clearance their presence is only visible when underneath materials such as carpets, test to prevent future contamination. mold colonies grow. In artificial envi- wallpaper, flooring, furniture, sinks Anyone who has health problems ronments like buildings, humidity and and cabinets, and pipes throughout due to mold should consult a medical temperature are usually the cause of the house, including the basement, professional. Rabbi Yehuda and Rebbetzin Lisa Septimus.

46 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Septimus is also working on completing member families in a close, family-like his doctorate, from Yale University, in atmosphere. In addition to daily rabbinic history and literature (Dec. minyanim, the shul has a vibrant youth 2008) and he will be the Gruss Scholar department, and sponsors many social, in Residence at the New York University sporting, and special holiday programs, School of Law in 2009. making it one of the most active syna- “We are proud and excited to have gogues in the Five Towns. To learn someone of the caliber of Rabbi more, visit www.YINW.org. O Septimus lead our congregation,” said Stuart Katz, president of the YINW. Independence Day Weekend “Rabbi Septimus has a unique combi- Concert At The Hampton nation of exceptional Torah knowl- Synagogue edge, outstanding personal midos, and Rabbi Marc Schneier and Mr.

an ability to connect with people that Russell Simmons introduced Israeli P h o t o will greatly benefit our synagogue and Grammy Award-Winner Miri Ben-Ari B y J e f the entire neighborhood.” to an audience of over 700 on Sunday f L e a Commenting on his appointment, night, July 6, at the Hampton n Rabbi Septimus said he and his family Synagogue’s Sixth Annual Rabbi Marc Schneier and Russell Simmons are very confident they have found a Independence Day Weekend Concert. perfect match in terms of the YINW and The concert was held for the benefit of the greater North Woodmere neighbor- Miri Ben-Ari’s nonprofit organization, Respect—It’s A Brooklyn Attitude! hood. “We are very impressed by the Gedenk, which sponsors Holocaust On Tuesday, July 15, Brooklyn warmth, openness, and diversity of the awareness and education in American Borough President Marty Markowitz North Woodmere population, and we schools. gathered with community leaders and look forward to building on the exciting Miri Ben-Ari is a celebrated hip-hop Brooklynites of all faiths and ethnicities growth and potential of YINW and the violinist who has collaborated with to announce “Summer 2008 Respect,” entire community. Rabbi Septimus con- Kanye West, Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Britney an initiative designed to champion a tinued: “As its spiritual leader, one of my Spears, and Janet Jackson. She message of respect and bring goals will be to help maximize the shul’s received the Humanitarian Award Brooklynites together in celebrating the role as a community of outreach to the from the Jewish Federation for her borough’s diversity. Participants wore broader Long Island Jewish community, leadership in Gedenk. “Respect” shirts and wristbands distrib- to Israel, and to all humanity.” Rabbi Marc Schneier is the founder uted at the launch. Rabbi Septimus’s wife, Lisa, teaches and president, and Russell Simmons is Among those joining Markowitz on limudei kodesh at North Shore Hebrew the chairman, of the Foundation For the steps of Borough Hall were special Academy High School, and they have Ethnic Understanding, a national non- assistant to the borough president two children, Lea and Avi. profit dedicated to strengthening rela- Yvonne Graham; councilmember

Starting from a humble converted P tions between ethnic communities. Letitia James; councilmember Karim h o t o house on Golf Drive in 1977, the Young B For more information about the Camara; the NYPD; the Crown Heights y J e f Israel of North Woodmere (YINW) f Hampton Synagogue, please contact the Youth Collective; the Crown Heights L e a today inhabits a beautiful building on n synagogue office at 631-288-0534. O Hungry Harbor Road, and has over 90 Miri Ben-Ari Continued on Page 48

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Democrats of Brooklyn; United Puerto Jewish Community Relations Council, Continued from Page 47 Rican Organization of Sunset Park and Brooklyn students of all ages. (UPROSE); Council of Peoples “As different as we are, there is one Community Council; Homecrest Organizations (COPO); We are all thing that we all want, one thing that we Community Services; Brooklyn Heights Brooklyn; Crown Heights Community all need, and one thing that we all Association; Lambda Independent Mediation Center; Project CARE; deserve—and that is respect,” says BP Markowitz. “Respect is an essential ingredient of that ‘Brooklyn attitude.’” BP Markowitz is urging all Brooklynites to organize—and invite him to—“Respect” events in their own neighborhoods this summer, and those that attended today’s event are being encouraged to wear their “Respect—It’s a Brooklyn Attitude!” shirts and wristbands at upcoming National Night Out events on August 5. O

Diana Libin, A”h Friends and family gathered at the Libin family’s Woodmere home to his wife’s gentleness, sensitivity, and observe the shloshim of their daughter- unique ability to intuit and provide in-law Diana Libin, a”h, who passed what he and others needed. Chief away at the age of 28 in Jerusalem on among her admirable midos was her June 13. commitment to hachnasas orchim. This Shimmy Libin, who met Diana when dedication was so profound that she (L-R): Caption goes here to fill this space please. Write something to fill this space. both attended the Hebrew Academy of designed their Jerusalem home to cater Photo Credit By Kathryn Kirk the Five Towns and Rockaway, recalled more to their guests’ comfort than to her own. She loved hosting Shabbos meals that featured not only delicious menus but also insightful conversation. Another trait, one that many aspire to observe for even a single daily hour, was her devotion to shemiras halashon. Diana would neither speak nor listen to malicious rumors or idle gossip, preferring to maintain a sense of innocence that Shimmy described as “almost magical.” Shimmy spoke fondly of the simple pleasures of their all-too-short marriage: sharing thoughts, feelings, dreams, and, most of all, their love for their newborn daughter, Emunah Ella. Beverly Libin, a founding member of the Young Israel of Woodmere, recalled landing at Lod airport and being whisked away to Haddasah Ein Kerem, where Diana insisted that she, the great- grandmother, carry Ella out of the hospital. “Diana,” said Mrs. Libin, recalling this act that epitomized Diana’s gen- erosity of spirit, “wanted me to have that tremendous zechus.” Two friends conducted siyumim in Diana’s honor. Avi Feinberg, a family friend, conducted a siyum on Sotah. Moshe Wyszkowski, a lifelong friend of Shimmy’s conducted a siyum on Megillah. Their words added additional layers of meaning to a tribute that, like Diana, was infused with dignity. As an example of his wife’s graceful way of attending to the needs of others Shimmy mentioned his difficulty with buttons, a result of an injury. “Diana simply, quietly, buttoned my buttons.” Somehow, the passing of Diana Libin, a beautiful and talented artist, wife, and mother is too great to encapsulate in words. Yet, the random missed empty button holes on Shimmy’s cuff spoke volumes about this young husband and father’s loss. In addition to her husband, Shimmy, and five-month-old daughter, Emunah Ella, Diana is survived by her parents, Katherine and Alex Berkovitch, her brother Eric, her in- laws, Suzy and Elly Libin, and sisters and brothers-in-law Shani and Gavri, Haviva, Yair, and Josh. O

Continued on Page 52 48 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 49 Court Rules For Chabad Either in an appeal or in a trial on the Continued from Page 35 merits of the case itself, Carey said the Russian government would argue that post-perestroika power shift stripped Russia wants to maintain the overall that court of its authority to make the integrity of the collections. Scholars decision and the newly minted often come to study the Russian State Russian government continued to Library’s large collection of Jewish stonewall for 10 years, according to writings, Carey said, adding that the Chabad officials. Levine and others collection would be diluted without from Chabad made frequent trips to the Chabad archives. Allowing Chabad Russia, where eventually they were to take the thousands of volumes allowed to assess the archive and would set a dangerous precedent for determine its authenticity. museums and historical archives In the early 1990s, the U.S. govern- around the world, leaving them open ment stepped in, lobbying for Chabad to restitution claims from a variety of from the highest levels. Al Gore, when groups, she said. he was vice-president, and current Seth Gerber, a California-based Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice lawyer for Chabad, said Russia’s have been among those who have claims that the U.S. legal system had pressed the case to Russia over the no right to hear Chabad’s case were past two decades. Most recently, in considered an “affront to the court,” 2005, all 100 members of the U.S. which could attach damages or proper- Senate and more than 350 members of ty claims to its ruling to gain leverage the U.S. House of Representatives with the Russian government if the signed on to requests to have the court does rule in Chabad’s favor. library returned. Carey said that any ruling of dam- “We felt that all this has past and ages against the Russian government there are no results, so we went to the could create an unpalatable situation federal court in the States,” Levine said. for the U.S. State Department. “It’s a Lawyers for the Russian government very hostile act for a foreign govern- argued that Chabad had exhausted its ment to try to attach property,” she avenues for the return of the archive in said. the Russian court system and had Gerber rejected that notion, assert- nowhere to go outside that system. ing that the Russian government has Sarah Carey, the lawyer for the provided no meaningful explanation as Russian government, said her to why it would hold on to the archives clients—the Russian Ministry of and library. “The time is here to do the Culture and libraries where the collec- right thing,” he said. “The country that tion is held—had not yet reached a liberated Auschwitz should not be decision on whether to appeal the June holding hostage the sacred texts of vic- 13 ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. tims of the Holocaust.” (JTA) O

50 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Horiyos by many members of Continued from Page 48 the kehillah. In a quiet, residential cor- Nikolsburger Chassidim ner of Monsey, Rav Yosef Celebrate In A Mass Siyum Yechiel Michel Lebovitz, Of Mesechta shlita, the Nikolsburger Crowning the efforts and Rebbe, has established a diligence of a year’s devotion flourishing center of Torah to learning spearheaded by and Chassidus. The Rebbe, an the Nikolsburger Rebbe, a adam gadol widely revered for large group gathered at the his work in harbotzas haTorah central beis medrash of the and well known as an out- Nikolsburg kehillah last week standing mechanech and to celebrate the completion of mechaber sefarim, is deter- Maseches Avodah Zarah and mined to be a marbitz Torah the beginning of Maseches around the world, starting with his own kehillah. pleted Masechtos Sanhedrin magid shiur in the Nikolsburg Toward that end, at his and Avodah Zarah. Yeshiva emphasized the signifi- tisch on Shavuos 5767, the Respected rabbanim and cance of the whole chaburah Rebbe embarked on a far- community leaders joined to working towards a common sighted new project—commit- pay tribute to this admirable goal and the powerful impact ting members of the kehillah venture and to the Nikolsburg its members gain while they to learn five blatt Gemara a kehillah. Rav Chaim Avrohom are all involved in the same week in the same masechta. Horowitz, noted rav of Boston- daf. Indeed, this was exactly The daf hachaburah has com- Ziditchev in Monsey and a the intention of the Rebbe when he embarked on the project—to unite the entire chaburah in an atmosphere of Torah. “When one friend meets another, their discus- sion will center on the daf they’re both learning,” the Rebbe envisioned. The highlight of the evening was the eloquent message delivered by the Rebbe, a noted speaker who inspired his audience to work on their middos as a prereq- uisite to learning Torah. The Rebbe linked the masechta just completed—Maseches

52 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Avodah Zarah—to Maseches Horiyos, Menachem Aumann established the he stayed in his uncle’s house, he got organization that Rav Aumann has set the masechta the chaburah is about to Miktze Ha’aretz organization, he his early training in bringing Jews up. It is not very well known, though begin. proved that the Jewish spark is much back to their heritage. its scope of activities is enormous; but The Gemara in Avodah Zarah says, stronger than it might seem. “That was a long time ago,” says it is like its founder: quiet and modest, “Kol hamisga’eh ke’ilu oved avodah While Rav Uri lived with his uncle, Prof. Aumann, “and I don’t remember yet very intense. zarah (one who is haughty is com- the now-famous Professor Aumann, a great deal from the time that he lived Miktze Ha’aretz has been reaching pared to one who serves idols).” In he first became acquainted with with us; but one thing I can say. I out to immigrants from the former Maseches Horiyos, we are also taught kiruv. Prof. Aumann had not yet remember that he was always some- Soviet Union for about 19 years. to practice hachna’ah (humility) and received the Nobel Prize back then, thing special—quiet and modest, and Seminars, home visits, classes, lec- anavah (modesty) before the beis din. but he did much kiruv work. While yet very intense.” Our avodah must center on young Uri’s parents were abroad and This is an apt description of the Continued on Page 54 hachna’ah and anavah, in order to be worthy of kabalas haTorah, the Rebbe explained. The Rebbe also referred to Moshe Rabbeinu, the anav mikol adam who gave us the Torah, and Har Sinai, the most insignificant of all the mountains where the Torah was given. To the Rebbe’s satisfaction, the inspirational evening was so successful that many new members have joined the daf hachaburah, thus furthering the universal goal of yagdil Torah v’yaadir. O

If There Were A Nobel Prize For Yiddishkeit The year is 5750 (1990), and the teshuvah movement in Israel is growing rapidly, with thousands of new ba’alei teshuvah every year. But it seems that the Jews of the Soviet Union are not much in the picture. The teshuvah organizations make little headway with them: “The Russians are difficult people” is the general opinion. But one Jew did not give up. He took up the challenge and has created a revolution. When HaRav Uri

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS questions, assist in solving problems, Continued from Page 53 supply books, tapes, and videotapes— Your Event… Simply Spectacular and on and on. tures, conventions, weekends, a lend- Out of thousands of olim over the ing library—whatever works. years, hundreds are today genuinely Volunteers knock on doors, conduct observant. A survey conducted three shiurim and meetings, and make years ago found that an astounding phone calls to families. They answer one-quarter of seminar attendees had

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54 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

is turned on only between sedarim. ered that he did have spiritual aspira- stay, he was sure that he could stay at “We tried to convince him to buy him- tions. It was a long haul, with many Prof. Aumann’s house. That’s what self an office chair, but he absolutely ups and downs; anyone else would happened with one student: he came refused,” says R. D. have gone out of his mind. The rav to stay a while, became a ba’al teshu- Needless to say, he receives not a actually took the man into his own vah, and eventually became the profes- penny for his efforts, even though he home for several months. And, in the sor’s son in law. O has a large family to feed, b”H, and is end, he came out just fine. Today, b”H, under strained circumstances. Rav he keeps Torah and mitzvos, learns reg- Gates To Accept Hebrew U. Award Aumann sold his apartment in order to ularly and works. And, of course, he is, By Jacob Berkman cover his organization’s debts, and his b”H, completely clean.” Usually a “mazel tov” would go to family is now living in a government Not long ago Rav Aumann was asked the person being honored, but the rental apartment. by a certain organization to arrange a American Friends of the Hebrew We asked Prof. Aumann whether he meeting between secular youths and University is accepting congratula- knew of all this. “No,” he said, “I did- charedim (as part of a study program tions for convincing one of the n’t know. I didn’t know he was working including meetings with Arabs, gone on to total mitzvah observance, on a volunteer basis, and I was not Christians, and Bedouins). The rav and many more had gotten as far as aware of the fact that he had sold his sensed the great potential of such a being “tradition-observing.” Another apartment.” meeting and arranged what amounted to large percentage are attending shiurim “Does it surprise you?” a concise seminar. A letter he received regularly and are interested in raising “If it were anybody else, I would be afterwards from the director of the pro- their level of observance. Incredibly, surprised. But of all people, I am least gram contained the following sentence: over 91% indicated continued interest surprised to hear that sort of thing “Our program is full of attractions and continued contact with Miktze about him. He was always something and trips, but it was really impressive Ha’aretz staff. of a tzaddik, a lamed-vavnik.” to see how most students noted your What more can one add? Only that A lamed-vavnik: a modest person, meeting as one of the most meaningful the survey dealt with participants from who is not charismatic, who has no experiences in the tour, and even in four years ago, and lately Miktze personal magnetism, but has succeed- their lives.” Ha’aretz has been holding twice as ed without it better than others have. A note from R’ Gavriel Rubin, a many seminars. When there is siyata dishmaya, nothing kollel student and teacher in Ohr The director of such a huge organi- else is required; and with such mesiras Somayach: I was brought back to zation no doubt rides around in an nefesh, one merits siyata dishmaya. Yiddishkeit by Professor Aumann, as William H. Gates III expensive car and sits in a well- “There is another reason, too,” says were many others. It’s not that he tried equipped office, right? Not quite. R. D: “his stubbornness. He never to make us do teshuvah—his personal- world’s richest men to accept an Actually, he is a rosh kollel—one who gives up on any Jew. For example, one ity is what got many of the Jewish (and award. sits and learns all day. “It’s truly amaz- day a man appeared in Rav Aumann’s non-Jewish) students to become inter- Microsoft founder Bill Gates will ing how a Jew so totally devoted to home. He had severe substance abuse ested in religion. Many people who vis- receive the inaugural Einstein Award, Torah manages to run such an organi- problems, with several suicide ited him became ba’alei teshuvah; the American fundraising arm of the zation,” says R.D., who works with attempts behind him. Several attempts there were even some converts among Hebrew University in Jerusalem Miktze Ha’aretz. And, of course, he at rehabilitation had failed—he always them. Their house is so open and so announced recently. The award, which has no car of his own. He answers ran back to his drugs. Everyone had friendly that we felt like part of the calls on his (kosher) cell phone, which given up on him, but the rav discov- family. If someone needed a place to Continued on Page 56

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS thropic scene these days are pointing YIWest Hempstead Little League Champs Continued from Page 55 to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since its launch in 1994, will be presented to Gates in the foundation has given away more December at a gala dinner in New than $16 billion. And its efforts appear York, is named for Albert Einstein, who only likely to increase, with Warren helped found the university. It will be Buffet announcing in 2006 that he given only rarely to those who have would donate some $30 billion of his made a significant impact on humani- wealth to the foundation. ty, according to the organization’s exec- Gates stepped down last month utive director, Peter Willner. from his job at Microsoft to work full American Friends officials say this time at the foundation. is the first time that Gates is accept- The vast majority of the founda- ing an award from a Jewish or Israeli tion’s money has gone to health and organization. “We have been talking humanitarian projects in the develop- for a long time about creating the ing world. In January, the foundation award and giving the award,” Willner gave $875,242 over three years to said. “But we recognized that if we Hebrew University to develop novel gave the award, it would be given methods for controlling mosquito vec- infrequently because it has to go to tors of malaria and other diseases, an individual that has not only according to a database of grants on changed the world in terms of what the foundation website. they have done in changing their own Proceeds from the dinner will help On Sunday, June 15, the Young Israel of West Hempstead little-league industry, but in changing humanity.” fund cutting-edge plant and animal 2nd/3rd grade girls defeated CBEY 12–5 to win the Young Israel Only Gates was considered to be the science research at the Hebrew championship. Back row (L–R): Mickey Aboff, Yael Torczyner, Suri Aboff, first recipient of the award, which University’s Robert H. Smith Faculty Sharoni Borenstein, Esty Awendstern, Elana Miller, Leora Ciment, has been in the works for six years, of Agricultural, Food and Racheli Lovy, and Rebecca Wein. Front row (L–R): Arielle Goldschmidt, Willner said. Environmental Quality Sciences in Arley Bornstein, Tamar Pollock, and Shoshana Rockoff. American Friends, which raises Israel. “We are honored that The Not pictured: Atara Sprung and Miriam Radinsky. about $60 million annually for Hebrew Hebrew University of Jerusalem and University, was in discussions with the American Friends of the Hebrew Gates for about a year and a half University have chosen Bill Gates as before he accepted the award. the recipient of the first-ever Einstein You shall observe to offer it to Me in its appointed Ultimately, according to Willner, Gates Award,” the Gates Foundation wrote time, two each day, a regular offering decided to attach his name to the uni- in an e-mail statement. “Both Bill versity because of its vast work and and Melinda believe deeply that all (Bamidbar 28:2–3) research in sustainable agriculture. lives have equal value and began their The “appointed time” of the regular offerings is every day. Whereas the Rockefeller Found- foundation to help ensure that ation was perhaps the most influential inequities are reduced in the United (Rashi) charitable foundation in the 20th cen- States and throughout the world.” tury, many observers of the philan- (JTA) O

56 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES be back,” Avni said. “I would like to thank Captured Israeli Soldiers Were Killed In Initial Attack the prime minister and the government of Israel for making the right decision, Two years of uncertainty came to a the fate of every one of our soldiers is close to 200 bodies of Lebanese and which made the deal come through. We bitter end on Wednesday as the bodies the glue that binds us as a society, and Palestinian gunmen to Lebanon. would like to thank the public who sup- of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser it is this which allows us to survive in In Nahariya, Ehud’s father-in-law, ported us for the last two years; it gave us were returned to Israel in a long and a region that is surrounded by enemies Omri Avni, told reporters: “It is a difficult courage and strength,” Avni said, adding multistage prisoner swap at the Rosh and terrorist organizations.” moment for us the family, and for me that the public’s support had helped Hanikra border crossing. Officials said The IDF said military rabbis would bring the two men home. an initial examination of the bodies, recite Psalms next to the coffins Earlier, Shlomo Goldwasser, Ehud’s transferred by Hezbollah, revealed that overnight, and then they were to be father, also expressed appreciation for both soldiers were killed during the taken to military cemeteries in the morn- the support he received from the public. assault on their border patrol two years ing for burial, Goldwasser in Nahariya “In the last two years “In the last two years we discovered ago, an attack that sparked the Second and Regev in Haifa. The soldiers were what a wonderful people [the Jewish Lebanon War. given posthumous promotions. we discovered what a nation] is,” he said. “We would like to Goldwasser, officials said, suffered a Minutes after the bodies left Rosh thank the entire Jewish nation. This lethal wound to the chest from a rock- Hanikra, Palestinian Liberation Front wonderful people [the nation is our answer to [Hezbollah et-propelled grenade, and Regev murderer Samir Kuntar and four leader Hassan] Nasrallah, who is trying appeared to have been shot in the Hezbollah guerrillas caught during the Jewish nation] is.” to play with our emotions.” Tzvi Regev, head, perhaps when trying to escape war arrived at the border and crossed the father of Eldad, echoed Goldwasser: their burning IDF Hummer. into Lebanon, where they were met by “I thank the Jewish nation, the media, The bodies of Goldwasser and Regev the top Hezbollah leadership and and all who have intervened on our were unloaded on the Lebanese side of thousands of supporters. After the five personally, after two years of meetings, behalf. We hoped Udi and Eldad would the crossing early Wednesday morning, crossed into Lebanon, another coffin, traveling, talking, writing and being in return alive; now we will have to adjust bringing an end to last-ditch hopes that containing body parts belonging to the process of trying to bring Udi back to a new reality.” (JPost.com) O one, or even both, men were alive. In IDF soldiers from the Second Lebanon home.” He said he wanted to thank Ofer the morning, the families gathered in War, was transferred to Israel. The Dekel, who had negotiated the deal. “Udi Yaakov Lappin, the Associated Press, and their respective home towns, the IDF then facilitated the transfer of and Eldad are back. We wanted them to Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report. Goldwassers in Nahariya and the Regevs in Kiryat Motzkin. Here, away from the media, they first heard the bitter news on television and then waited for final words from the army. With the exchange complete, defense officials said Wednesday evening that the IDF would raise its level of alert along the border out of concern that Hezbollah would use the period following the swap to strike at Israel in retaliation for February’s assassination of arch-terrorist Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus. The identification process took several hours due to the bodies’ poor state. The final identification was done using an advanced imaging system, specially brought to Rosh Hanikra, that scanned the soldiers’ teeth. DNA tests were also conducted at the crossing. Before the identification process could begin, sap- pers inspected the coffins to ensure that they were not booby-trapped. The process ended at close to 4 p.m. and both bodies were placed in coffins, draped in Israeli flags, and carried by noncommissioned officers from the Golani Brigade to military trucks that transported them to the Shraga Base, south of Nahariya, where the families—as well as Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi—paid their final respects. Also present was Lt.-Gen. (res.) Dan Halutz, the chief of general staff during the war, who had asked Ashkenazi for permission to attend the intimate ceremony. “My throat is dry, my eyes are tearing, and my heart goes out to the families who struggled without a sign [of life], and didn’t lose hope until the very last moment,” Olmert said following the swap. “This is a day of removal of doubt. Certainly with regards to the fate of Udi [Ehud] and Eldad, may their memories be blessed, but also regarding the moral and ethical power of Israel.” “By virtue of this power we decided to return the boys, even with the heavy price of releasing a despicable murderer,” the prime minister said. “Nobody else will understand what every Israeli understands well: The concern over 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 57 if we use the Regev-Goldwasser above-discussed men. But in my measuring stick, what difference does opinion, that’s not enough. If I Forget Thee… it make? Why have the IDF and the Hamas terrorists are not stupid. If, Israeli government totally forgotten as is expected, Israel receives two bod- about these three men? Why aren’t ies for killer Kuntar, Hamas is going to BY DAVID WILDER sources, having studied the newly they household names, as is Ron demand an even higher price for a ‘live’ THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF HEBRON released photos of Arad, taken about Arad? Why didn’t Israel demand a full Israeli. That price will almost 20 years ago, the pictures were taken report from Hezbollah concerning undoubtedly include Marwan Wednesday’s planned prisoner not in Lebanon, but rather in Iran. the fate and location of these three Barghuti, a convicted murderer and exchange is very bittersweet. Almost Perhaps Ron Arad is still alive, wast- men just as they did concerning Ron leader of the second intifada which everyone has an opinion and all sides ing away in an Iranian dungeon. Arad? Why doesn’t the Israeli media claimed thousands of Israeli lives— have some element of legitimacy. On However, with enigma surrounding exert pressure on the government and dead, maimed, and wounded. one hand, the price is so very high; on Ron Arad and the fates of Regev and IDF concerning them, as they did The present Israeli government will the other hand, we have a responsi- Goldwasser, at least people know their concerning Regev, Goldwasser, Arad, almost assuredly okay the deal. bility to bring our soldiers home, names and show some concern for and Shalit? Why does Gilad Shalit’s However, Israel must demand more dead or alive. A soldier entering bat- them and their families. Unfortunate- name continue to make headlines, than the release of POW Gilad Shalit. tle must know that anything and ly, it’s not that way with all Israeli while most Israelis, 22 years later, After all, Barghuti will only be one of everything will be done to bring him MIAs and POWs. There are those have no idea who Katz, Feldman, and the hundreds of terrorists freed by home, be it to his family, or to ‘kever who, for one reason or another, have Baumel are? Israel. Israel must look towards its Yisrael,’ a Jewish grave. Yet, perhaps been forgotten, despite that fact that I have an answer, but don’t really best friend and ally, put its foot down, the swap will serve as motivation to they wore the same uniform as the like it. As a matter of fact, I despise and tell the United States: look at capture more soldiers, and exchange others, fought for the same country as what I think. It really stinks. It’s even what we are being forced into in order them for other terrorist killers. But, the others, and whose fate is just as worse than that. But I can’t think of to release one Israeli soldier. What is who can forget the unbelievable unknown as the others. any other viable reason. the price of one man? Is there a price? mesiras nefesh, total dedication, of Ron Arad was captured in October These three men came from the Yet, the price is too high. We must Rabbi Shlomo Goren, then chief 1986. Four years earlier, in June wrong side of Israeli society. They all bring home more than one POW. rabbi of the IDF, to wade through 1882, during the battle of Sultan had kippos on their heads. They When we release Barghuti and Hamas enemy minefields to recover bodies of Ya’akub, Israel lost three of its finest. belonged to religious tank units. Their releases Shalit, you must free Israeli soldiers killed in action. During the battle commanded by families were not left-wing supporters Jonathan Pollard. If we can do it, so It’s something of a catch 22—what- Ehud Barak, three tank warriors— of ‘peace,’ Labor, and Arabs. The men can you. ever you do is right, and whatever you Tzvi Feldman, born in 1956, Yehuda weren’t media lovelies. Rather, they At every Jewish wedding, the happi- do is wrong. I know that I’ve asked Katz, born in 1959, and Zacharia were young idealistic patriots, who est day in a person’s life, we repeat the myself countless times, ‘what would I Baumel, born in 1960—disappeared. fought for their country, their people, words, ‘If I forget thee Jerusalem….’ do if, (G-d forbid), it was one of my They may have been killed during the and their belief. Their belief hasn’t sons.’ In truth, I don’t know. brutal fighting. However, there were betrayed them, but their country and I add: Of course, with the release of two accounts of people who saw them dis- their people have. If we forget thee, Tzvi… Israeli soldiers, a huge dark cloud played during a parade in Syria. Their It’s clear that serious negotiations If we forget thee Yehuda… shadows their return: where is Ron families have gathered accounts over for the release of Gilad Shalit will If we forget thee Zacharia… Arad, whose fate is still unknown? Is the years which raise a reasonable continue between Israel and Hamas. If we forget thee Jonathan… he dead or alive? Is he in Lebanon or doubt as to their fate. Perhaps they Clearly, Israel should demand infor- If we forget all of you, who are we, Iran? According to Israeli intelligence are long gone. But perhaps not. And, mation and the release of the three what are we, why are we? O

58 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Palestinian Group To Sue British Gov’t Over Israel

B Y KHALED ABU TOAMEH lecting signatures over the weekend from Palestinian youth in the West A Palestinian youth group Bank, Gaza Strip, Israel, and overseas. announced that it plans to demand Rami Masharaka, director of compensation from the British govern- Watanuna Palestinian Youth, said the ment for “committing a series of lawsuit would also refer to the time of crimes” against the Palestinians. the British Mandate for Palestine. He Representatives of the Watanuna (Our said his group had begun collecting Homeland) Palestinian Youth said the testimony and other evidence about biggest crime the British government Britain’s practices back then, especial- committed was when it promised a ly “its policy of expelling the Arabs homeland for the Jewish people in the from their homeland.” 1917 Balfour Declaration. They said Calling on all Arabs to support the they were also planning to collect a initiative, Masharaka said hundreds of million signatures from Palestinians in volunteers were planning to visit support of the lawsuit against Britain. Palestinian refugee camps in Arab Ali Ubeidat, a spokesman for the countries in the context of prepara- youth group, whose members include tions for filing the lawsuit. Other vol- many university students, said prepara- unteers would collect evidence from tions had already begun to file the suit Palestinians living in Europe and the in a British court. He said the decision U.S., he added. The organizers did not to go after the UK government came say how much money they were plan- after a thorough study of all the legal ning to demand from the British gov- aspects related to Britain’s responsibili- ernment. (JPost.com) O ty for the Palestinians’ “nakba” (catastrophe), the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. “We hold Britain responsible for the suffering of the WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? Palestinian people over the past 60 years,” Ubeidat said. “It’s time for WE WANT TO KNOW! Britain to bear the moral and political responsibility for this suffering. The E-MAIL US AT British people should be among the [email protected] first to support the rights of the Palestinians.” The organizers began col-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 59 United Frum List Would Earn 30-35 Seats

BY YECHIEL SPIRA against the odds to unite the parties ty in Knesset, eliminating the need “to for the polls show 30-35 seats, a possi- for the common good, to give religious seek favors from the other parties.” ble major step up from the current 27 Perhaps the most frustrating reality voters a serious powerbase, seeking to He also believes in phase two, that seats as the parties are divided— is that frum parties uniting could stop the current reality in which frum the religious bloc can become power- National Union/National Religious emerge as a major political entity, one parties must seek the mercy of their ful enough to form the next govern- Party (9), Shas (12), and United Torah that would have unprecedented input Judaism (which is Degel HaTorah and in the governmental decision-making Agudas Yisroel) (6). process, but unfortunately, at present, While Rav Shmuel echoes the despite optimistic polls, it appears wishes of his father, Rav Mordechai some of the religious parties would [Tzemach ben Mazel Tov] Eliyahu, have an easier time uniting with the “The Lithuanian chareidi world who remains in serious condition in Arab lawmakers than their frum politi- Shaare Zedek Medical Center, for cal rivals. does not count us and does not Rav Yaakov, this is not known to be The last time all the religious parties the case; Rav Ovadia, shlita has never united was 60 years ago, when dati indicated he favors efforts towards leumi and chareidim joined forces. The recognize us” such a unified Shomer Shabbos list. Agudas Yisroel party joined with Poalei Unfortunately, at present the Agudah, Mizrachi, and HaPoel momentum that existed in the last Mizrachi, emerging with 16 seats. election, with members of the dati Today, two sons of prominent secular colleagues. ment and that would mean the next leumi camp probing towards reaching gedolei hador, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, According to Rav Eliyahu, the chief prime minister would come from the a deal with the chareidi parties, this the son of Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, rabbi of Tsfat, he sees two phases of united party list, a Shomer Shabbos time the enthusiasm seems to have shlita, and Rav Yaakov Yosef, the son of the plan, with the first resulting in the prime minister. dissipated. Rav Ovadia Yosef, shlita, are working religious bloc becoming a major enti- His optimism is not without reason, On the one hand, the B’Sheva weekly newspaper, described by the daily Haaretz as more ‘chardali’ (chareidi - dati leumi), affiliated with Arutz Sheva, dedicated its weekly question to such a possibility, a united religious bloc. The comments of some leading voices in the dati leumi camp, primarily elicited as a result of the ongoing controversy surrounding Rav Chaim Druckman’s shlita, beis din and con- versions, signals such a unified list is all but an impossibility. One well-known dati leumi personality is Rabbi Dr. Benny Lau, who stands at the helm of the Yerushalayim-based Morasha Beis Medresh, and is also affiliated with the Pelech and Himmelfarb schools, well- known dati leumi institutions of learning. Rav Benny Lau feels that regarding the chareidim, the principle of Jews being responsible for one-another only applies for chareidim within the chareidi camp, and it is not a comprehensive all-inclusive concept engulfing all of Am Yisrael, i.e. the dati leumi stream. Lau feels the chareidim do not feel that they share the same plight as the remainder of the residents of Medinat Yisrael. “Their sons are not sent to the front line and their daughters do not commit to national service. They sustain themselves from charity and yet refuse to take part in the bur- den of Klal Yisrael,” states Rabbi Benny Lau. He adds that they [chareidim] cyn- ically comment on the small contribu- tion of the dati leumi rabbonim, who are there to give a supporting shoul- der to the general public. Regarding Shemitah year and the conversion controversy, Lau is a strong proponent towards the establishment of a beis din and religious services that more closely reflect the value system of the modern state. Rav Yuval Sherlow, rosh yeshiva of the Petach Tikvah Hesder Yeshiva, has a similar philosophy as was heard in his remarks during a recent gathering in Bar Ilan University to mark the yahrtzeit of Zevulun Hammer, a former government minister and long-time leader in the dati leumi camp. In his comments regarding the concept of a 60 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES united Shomer Shabbos bloc, he called members of the chareidi community, it a “powerful dream which cannot be explaining “the kashrus is not to our realized.” standard.” The same holds true, he Muslim Terrorists “The Lithuanian chareidi world feels, for the occasional chareidi does not count us and does not recog- ‘schnorrer’ who comes to one’s door nize us” Rav Sherlow added, express- to explain he is not conforming to ing similar views towards chassidim their standard. “Due to the declara- May Be Trying To and the Sephardi chareidim. Rav tion of war made against the dati Sherlow goes on to question the con- leumi community by the chareidim cept of unity when “I stand before the over recent years, we cannot assist Sink the Dollar biggest rav and he tells me my kitchen them,” stated Rav Gross. is treif because I use heter mechirah While the polls stand behind the BY TZVI BEN GEDALYAHU “The dollar can expect two addition- shemitah vegetables.” dream of Rav Yaakov and Rav Shmuel, al blows that will break its back… Rav Sherlow also feels very strong- current realities would suggest such a Mujahideen Muslim terrorists may [namely] the announcement of the ly regarding the issue of frum women move is far from a realistic event at be behind the sinking American dollar return of the [religious rule of the] MKs and he is unwilling to compro- present, sadly a commentary on much as part of a campaign to cripple the Caliphate…” and the reinstatement mise on this issue, making him that is wrong with the frum/Shomer American economy, the Middle East of the gold standard in international incompatible with chareidi parties. Shabbos/Dati Leumi streams since Media Research Institute (MEMRI) monetary trade. It urged Mujahideen “We will not sell out 51% of the reli- without such unity, the frum parties reported. The media watch group, “to get rid of American dollars” gious Zionists in the name of unity,” in Knesset will always remain behold- which specializes in tracking Arabic before an “imminent” terrorist attack he concludes. en to their secular colleagues, not an language websites, said that postings that “will put an end to the so-called In a related matter, Rav Sherlow is ideal formula for building a Torah way on websites the past two years reflect United States of America and destroy no less concerned regarding recent of life. (The Yeshiva World News) O a move toward waging an economic its economy completely.” splits within the dati leumi camp. war against the United States. MEMRI concluded, “Given that it is To further complicate unity mat- Mujahideen terrorist groups that highly atypical for Al-Qaeda to give ters, last week, Rav Chaggai Gross, a operate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and prior warning of its attacks, the mes- former general manager of other countries “have come to the con- sage is probably an attempt to pressure “Rabbanei Tzohar,” an organization At 5TJT.com clusion that it is financial, rather than Muslims to sell dollars, in order to founded by dati leumi rabbonim military, losses that will prompt the U.S. generate pessimism in the dollar mar- towards creating an entity that fits you can enjoy articles to change its policies in the Middle East ket and thus accelerate the drop in its the personality of the modern state, and elsewhere,” according to MEMRI. value.” (Arutz Sheva) O came out strongly against chareidim in 3 ways: An article recently posted in Sada after Rav Chaim Druckman, shlita Al-Jihad (Echo of Jihad) magazine was the target of character assassina- 1. Read and posted on several Muslim web- WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? tion by chareidi rabbonim in relation sites, discusses the September 11, to the ongoing giyur (conversion) 2. Print 2001 attacks on the U.S. as having WE WANT TO KNOW! controversy. In a bold move, he even influenced the decline in the dollar. suggests that members of the dati 3. Email It also cited the cost of the war in E-MAIL US AT leumi camp consider boycotting sma- Iraq and Afghanistan as draining the chot (weddings, bar mitzvahs, and the American economy. [email protected] like) if they are hosted by family Another recent posting stated,

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Also look- Available at once . . . $875K Negotiable Sale 2 BR/ 2 BA, Newly Renovated, reconciliation, accounts payable, wire ing for assistants who love working Owner 516-322-3555 transfers, commissions, minimum 3-5 with children. Please fax resume to Dead-end street, Price ...... $539K years experience. Located on border of 718-337-9160 att: Preschool. Call Owner: 516-750-9257 Astoria, Queens. E-mail resume to Kings Point Delray Beach condo for sale 1,100 sq. feet. 2 BR, 2 bths, new [email protected] Experienced secretary wanted for elec- Law: Hi Ranch. Must see, 4br, 2.5bth, trical business in Hewlett area. F/T. European kitchen and appliances, fam rm, CAC, 2 car garage, large prop 5 Towns high school seeks P/T teacher Hebrew speaking a plus. updated bath, new carpets, 24-hour ...... $800sK of Arabic. Knowledge of Sephardic Fax resume to 516-812-7607 guarded community. Golf, theater, Ced: Nu2Mkt, 2Fam, 3br/3br, 2fpl, deck, Jewish History a plus. E-mail library ...... $199,999 all new, grt loc, full bsmt...... $795K [email protected] Cedarhurst: CH col., new quality con- Bnos Bais Yaakov's Preschool in Far Call 631-664-0075 struction. 7 bedroom, 4.5 bths, den, LR, Rockaway is looking for teacher's Service Coordinator F/T position avail- assistants who love working with chil- DR, oversized gourmet, granite EIK, able. Bil Hebrew, Spanish or Russian a dren. Please fax resume to 718-337-9160 huge FDR, 9' ceiling, finished basement plus at Queens location. Far Rockaway, att: Preschool. prime location. Asking ...... $1.25M 5 towns area a +. BA in Human 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Services or related field required. Excellent Benefits Package. Bayswater — 1 BR apt, private house, Fax Resume: 718-851-3392 or e-mail: washer/dryer, new kitchen, new appli- [email protected] ances, nice frum neighbors, private entrance. 516-374-3635 Brooklyn yeshiva seeks Pre-1A General Studies AM. Also 1st General Studies Far Rockaway: 2 Family. All NU, PM; 5th & 6th boys General Studies 3 over 1 Bdrm, 3 full baths. Great PM. Also H.S. boys remedial English Location ...... $599K PM. Call 718-642-6800 ext. 108, fax Call 516-322-3555 resume 718-642-4740 Woodmere — Brand new construction Seeking experienced and qualified on Clubhouse Road in the heart of Earth Science, AP US History, and Art Woodmere Park. Contemporary style teachers. Masters degree required, for home. 6 BR, 4 Bths, Radiant Heat, Shevach HS for September 2008. Please Alarms, Camera equipped, 85X100. fax resume to 718-263-3759 or e-mail: Buyer has ability to customize interior [email protected] before completion ...... $1.899M $$$$ Sign on Bonus* $$$$ Call Avi 917-512-5442 $500 for full time,* 300 for part time.* Woodmere Park — Brand new Work with boys with Autism Spectrum Mediterranean style construction. 6 BR, Disorders in Cedarhurst, Long Island. 3 Full Bths, 91X100, Radiant heat, Direct Support Professionals: Full Alarms, Camera equipped. Buyer has time Afternoon/Evening (Sunday 12-10 ability to customize interior before com- pm & Monday-Thursday 3-11 pm) pletion ...... $1.899M $14.00/hour. Part-time Sundays (12 - 10 Call Avi 917-512-5442 pm) $14.00/hour. Awake Overnight Hewlett — Brand new construction, 5 (Sunday 10pm-8am) $11.45/hour. Part bedrms, 2.5 baths, office, wood flrs, time Shabbos (Friday 1:30 pm-Sunday CAC, Laundry room on 2nd flr . . $699K 12 pm once per month). $9.15/hour. Call Jackie 516-526-8841 Senior Direct Support Professionals: Woodmere — Sprawling ranch on deep Full-time Sunday-Thursday 3-11 pm property 4 bedrms, 3 baths, Master (Bachelor degree required) $16.00/hour. suite, walk to all ...... $999K Part time: Registered Nurse, Reduced - Very motivated seller. Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Call Jackie 516-526-8841 Speech Therapist, Nutritionist, Cook, Weissman Realty Group, LLC Housekeeper, Maintenance. Careers at 516-791-6100 Ohel Bais Ezra: Phone: 718-686-3102, Fax: 718-851-6428, E-mail: Lawrence: Ours only! Brick, C/H Col, [email protected] Hi ceilings, 5 BR (1 level), Kosher EIK, Lg LR, Lg. FDR, Library, Fin. Bsmt. *for initial staff hired by opening day, Lg Prop ...... $1.250K upon passing probation. 5TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710

Teachers All-boys Queens Yeshiva Luxurious apartments: Penthouse in Grade 1 - General Studies Bucman, Modiin. 5 BR, balconies, Mon-Thur Noon-4 PM, Fri 11-1 PM Shabbos elevator, 2 sinks, 2.5 bths. Assistant Teacher – Noon-4 PM ...... $350K Computer Lab Technology Manager Villa 6 BR, c/ac, parking, storage, back- Mon-Thur Noon-4 PM yard ...... $550K Call 718-471-8888 Send Resume to: Principal, Yeshiva Tifereth Moshe 83-06 Abingdon Road Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Classified Ads are Fax 718-441-3962 Email [email protected] Continued on the Next Page. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 65 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE Continued from Page 65 FOR SALE FOR RENT FOR RENT REAL ESTATE FOR SALE North Woodmere (Sale-Rent) Woodmere/Cedarhurst— 1 and 2 BR Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, (Extended Woodmere 400). Price drasti- available. Secure buildings, updated 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. cally reduced! 7BR, 3FBA, Finished EIK, Shabbos elevator close to all and Call 516-322-3555 Basement, Lg property 84x100, Walking train station. Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Lawrence — NU 2 Mkt. Col., Brk., to 4 shuls...... $639K Lawrence — Home For Rent, 4+ BR, Far Rockaway— 1 BR and 2 BR apart- Large property, near ALL, 5Br, 3.5Bth, Call 917-238-0098 3.5 Bath, L/R, D/R, Den, Finished basements. some balconies. New kitchens, Den, full bsmt ...... $1.9M ment, Fireplace. Near Far Rockaway, Call 516-322-3555 Miami Beach — Tower 41. Ocean View. lots of closets, 24 hr doorman, security walk to all. $4,000. Owner: 516-302-7394 1 bdrm, 17th floor. Stunning. cameras. Close to White Shul, Shor Woodmere — Lovely col. On dead end, 732-522-0813 Yoshuv and train. 4 BR, 4 bths, large FDR, skylit den, Far Rockaway — Walk-in Apt on Beach Call Sherri 516-297-7995 huge master, office, finished basement 9. Newly renovated. Close to syna- with wood built-ins, 60x100, close to N. Wdmr: Open House 1-3pm 6/22 Weissman Realty Group, LLC gogues ...... $675 including all shuls, train, MIC ...... $679K 732 University St...... $739K 516-791-6100 Call 646-342-4030 or 718-350-6303 Must see 516-569-2156 owner/broker Nu 2 Mkt, MIC, Deco Dream, Nu Granite EIK, Nu Bths, Wtrvu, 4 BR, 2.5 Hewlett — Col. MIC, 4br, 2bth, 2fpl, full Far Rockaway — 2 Huge Office Spaces. Bth, spa in yd. deck, wood flr, Lg. den. Walk to all. Woodmere — Renovated 1BR/Jr.4, lg. 6,000 and 2,500 Sq Ft. 2nd Floor. Near Fyr, ss/granite, lots of storage, elevator 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 ...... $729K Subway & LIRR. Build to Suit. Can be bldg. ID/OD prkg avail, Near All. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-322-3555 divided. Owner 917-359-9776 Owner 917-402-6630 Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K Far Rockaway — Apartment available. Attention: Large property, corner Call 516-322-3555 Brand new construction. Furnished or Far Rockaway/ Lawrence 833 Central Cedarhurst and Woodmere 150x100 apx. unfurnished. 3 BR, 2bths. Cleaning and Avenue— Beautiful, bright, junior 4. 13 large rooms, 3 baths. Good for North Woodmere— Relocating. New to laundry services available. Perfect for Doorman, Shabbos elevator, laundry kindergarten, elementary school, yeshi- market. High ranch, 5 BR, 2.5 bths, the elderly. Call Sherri 516-569-5450 facilities, furnished/ unfurnished. Call va, synagogue, or other institution. updated, hardwood floors, all systems, 718-471-4385 or 917-226-3026 Parking garage for 4 cars and 2 buses. fenced, near shuls, will consider all Cedarhurst: Office rental: Executive 2 Immediate. Reasonable. offers. Low $600's. Owner 516-791-2884 Miami Alexander Hotel — Short or long Owner 347-439-8234 Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., term rental. 2 BR, 2 bths, luxury, CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 Shabbos elevator, swimming pool, bal- West Lawrence/Far Rockaway — cony, parking, beachfront. Open Houses FOR SALE Cedarhurst — House Rental LR/FDR, Call Zeev Kolman 212-245-1715 156 Beach 9, Sunday 12-2 den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt . . . . . $2,300 New Construction - Condo bldg. or 917-287-5858 Call 516-322-3555 Sale or Rent Summer Promotion — 2/3 bedrooms, Moving out of state — Reasonable. luxurious designer kitchen and bths, Cedarhurst — House Rental; kit, den, Selling entire contents of apt. Mirrors, Shabbos elevator. Steps from beach 3br., 2.5 bth. bsmt ...... $2,400 dining room table (Mica) grey and six MISCELLANEOUS Vacant Land in prime location. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 New Contruction 3-4 bdrms, 2 bths con- upholstered chairs, wall unit, 3 piece leather grey sleeper sectional mirrored dos - Sale or Rent Ced. — 3+ br apt, 1.5 bth, lg FDR, new Granite kosher EIK, hardwood floors, end table, mirror console table, lamps, EIK, on quiet street, walk to all . . $2,200 Succah balcony, cac, laundry, huge pictures, paintings, Queen-sized Stearns Get a New Computer! Brand name, property, parking. & Foster mattress, bedroom set— N Wdm. — house rental. Hi-ranch in Laptops & Desktops. Bad or No Credit, Milky Forst Properties, Inc. clothes and more, plus Arga rugs, throw MIC. 4 br, CAC, den, on quiet street. No Problem. Smallest weekly payments 516-239-0306 pillows, fixtures. Call 516-431-9290 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 avail. Call Now 1-800-840-5439

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For the next issue, deadline for placing a classified ad is Monday, July 21 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-569-0502

66 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

any action until he knew with absolute certainty that the nation was acting The Breaking Of The Luchos improperly. Moshe achieved that degree of certainty only upon seeing the Jews dancing and singing around A Judgment Call Calf, he broke the Luchos. Moshe felt that perhaps the people had the Golden Calf with his own eyes. B Y RABBI YEHUDAH The Talmud tells us that we learn an some explanation behind their actions. Consequently, Moshe broke the PRERO important rule from an aspect of Perhaps they were not really denying Luchos only upon seeing the nation Moshe’s behavior. From the fact that G-d’s providence. Our Sages explain worshiping the Golden Calf. And from We fast on the 17th of Tammuz we see Moshe did not break the that Satan fooled the nation into think- here we learn that we cannot judge because the Luchos, the tablets con- Luchos until he saw the nation ing Moshe had died by placing a vision based on an estimation. taining the Ten Commandments, were engaged in idol worship, we learn that of Moshe lying on his deathbed into The 17th day of Tammuz marks the broken on this day. In the Jerusalem a person cannot judge based on an the heavens. Moshe thought that per- beginning of the end of the Holy Talmud (Ta’anis 4:5) there is a discus- estimation. Though Moshe heard the haps this was why the nation took the Temples. The Temple was destroyed, sion of the events leading up to the nation’s celebratory noises and had a action that they did. He gave the peo- our Sages tell us, because of baseless breaking of the Luchos. Moshe ascend- clear picture of what was occurring, he ple the benefit of the doubt. hatred. Because people did not treat ed Mt. Sinai to receive the Torah, and did not break the Luchos until he saw However, G-d, who knows what is in each other properly, the Temple was told the nation that he would be there with his own eyes that the nation was the heart of man, knew that from the destroyed, and the Jewish nation was for 40 days. After what the nation erro- not deserving of the Luchos. time the nation heard the Ten sent into an exile which has not yet neously assessed to be 40 days, Moshe The Chasam Sofer, in explaining this Commandments, there were nonbe- ended. In Pirkei Avos (Ethics of Our had not reappeared, and the nation Gemara, notes that G-d informed lievers. Now that they thought that Fathers) our Sages tell us that we began to fear that Moshe would not Moshe that the nation had become Moshe was dead, they had a seemingly should always be careful to give every- return. People approached Aharon, corrupt even before he descended the valid pretense for idol worship and one the benefit of the doubt. If Moshe, Moshe’s brother, asking him to “create” mountain. In fact, Moshe asked for their true colors came out. Moshe did who was told information by G-d about a new leader, which was the Golden forgiveness for the nation before he not know that this was the case when the Jewish nation, still gave the people Calf. As they were creating and then descended. So why then did he wait Hashem told them the nation was cor- the benefit of the doubt and did not act worshiping the Golden Calf, Moshe before breaking the Luchos? rupt. Only when he heard the songs of until he knew the circumstances with was still receiving the Torah from G-d. The Gemara explains that Moshe the people was he able to detect that certainty, we, who usually do not have G-d informed Moshe to descend the broke the Luchos because of a judg- something was amiss. Moshe detected a source as reliable as G-d for our mountain, as “your nation has become ment he made: If, by the Pesach offer- an element of joy in those songs that information, should certainly give oth- corrupt.” Moshe went down, and met ing, we find that a male who is uncir- was not present when the nation ers the benefit of the doubt and not Yehoshua, Moshe’s devoted student cumcised, lacking in only one respect received the Torah. He knew that the jump to conclusions. It is fitting that and assistant, who had been waiting for in his observance, cannot take part, a people did not deserve the Luchos. on the day we begin to mourn a Moshe. Both heard sounds coming fortiori the nation, who were denying Hashem’s statement was confirmed. destruction that occurred because of from the camp. Yehoshua thought the G-d’s providence by worshiping the The small doubt, that Moshe previous- our interpersonal relations, we learn an sounds might be those of battle. Moshe Golden Calf, could not take part in ly had, vanished. So why did Moshe important lesson about these relations responded that the sounds were not the receiving the Torah and the Luchos, wait before breaking the Luchos? from another tragedy that occurred sounds of war, but rather the sounds of upon which were engraved the Ten Moshe had to see that the Jews were many years before on the same day. song. Moshe then continued down the Commandments. For this reason, G-d engaged in this behavior before he ren- May we all merit to see the Temple mountain, and when he saw the nation did not want Moshe to bring the dered judgment. Being almost sure rebuilt speedily, in our days. engaged in the worship of the Golden Luchos down to the people. However, was not enough. Moshe could not take (Torah.org) O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 18, 2008 67

Bayswater Fundraiser Breakfast Photos By Sharoni Botwinick

Guest speaker was Rabbi Menachem Feifer.

Bayswater breakfast benefiting the TOVA Mentoring Program took place at the home of Alan and Sharoni Botwinick. Pictured (L-R): Assemblywoman Audrey Pfeffer, Baruch Ber Bender, Alan Botwinick, Rabbi Eliezer Feuer, Rabbi Yakov Shapiro, Rabbi Shmaryahu Weinberg, and Fishel Hirth.

And you shall place of your glory upon him (Bamidbar 27:20) “Of your glory”—but not all your glory.The elders of that generation said:The countenance of Moshe was like that of the sun; the countenance of Yehoshua was like that of the moon.Alas, for such shame! Alas for such reproach! (Talmud, Bava Basra 75a) Pictured (L-R): Rabbi Eliezer Feuer, Richie Altabe, and Alan Botwinick.

68 July 18, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Simcha Day Camp Baseball Leagues Photos By Simcha Day Camp

Counterclockwise from top left: Nafshenu League 5 Towns Jewish Times Tigers, Gourmet Glatt League Aliminators, Brach's League Chosen Islanders, Brach's League Carlos and Gabby's Cowboys, Nafshenu League Kosher World Wildcats, Brach's League King David Kings, Brach's League Grand Central Pharmacy Slammers, Nafshenu League Dave’s Famous Pizza Warriors.

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