The 5 Towns Jewish Times

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$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 8 NO. 2 9 TISHREI 5768 ruphf ouh SEPTEMBER 21, 2007

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Don’t Read This! BY LARRY GORDON Jonathan D. Herman, MD 8 Our Aliyah Chronicle Meaningful Fasts Shmuel Katz 18 MindBiz There’s got to be something intrigued, for example, how Esther Mann, LMSW 24 special about these fasts of healthy adults often catego- ours. We approach them with rize the different fasts on our

Bring On The Bees awe and apprehension; it annual calendars. To many, Photo By Ira Thomas Cr Hannah Reich Berman 34 seems that only when we they are either “big” fasts or completely abstain from food “little” fasts. Lighting Candles intake are we able to feel the This thought was stimulat-

Toby Klein Greenwald 74 eations depth and seriousness of a sit- ed by the recent observance of uation to its very core. And the Fast of Gedalyah that was there appear to be various lev- observed last Sunday. Fasting The annual pre-Yom Kippur kaparos ritual, sponsored by Yeshiva Siach Yitzchok, was held at the parking lot of the White Shul in Far Rockaway and els to even this aspect of care- is difficult, particularly when at several other locations in the Five Towns area this past Sunday, September ful observance of halachic 16. Hundreds of men, women, and children came and purchased the birds, Jewish life. I’ve always been Continued on Page 4 later to be donated to poor families in the area. WHEN HEROES DIE HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE

BY RABBI YAIR HOFFMAN sense of the word. A Transitional Sukkos DIRECTOR, TIFERET CHAYA There is a Midrash (Sh’mos Bar Mitzvah of Josh Wein. PROGRAM FOR GIRLS Rabbah 35:4) where Moshe BY LARRY GORDON expected ritual. After all, our See Page 63 asks Hashem what shall guar- parents worked so hard and They were known as RL 17 antee the future of the Jewish Not so many years ago, the sacrificed so much to get us to and RL 51. people in case they deserve to arrival of Yom Tov meant where we were, the least we Sadly, the Five Towns/Far be destroyed. packing up our stuff, then could do was show up and let Rockaway community has Hashem answers, “I will packing up the car, then mov- them enjoy—shep a little endured a most profound then take one of their righting in with whichever branch nachas—from the fruits of all loss, that of two of its finest eous men.” Dayan Weiss, zt’l, of the family we were invited their labor. sons: Mr. Ira Feigenbaum, z’l, (Minchas Yitzchak 9:135) con- to spend Yom Tov with. But And for most, it seems this and Mr. Mark Davidman, z’l, nects this Midrash to the those were the early years, the continues to be the drill, two men—no, two heroes— salad days when we were still though there is a noticeable who were givers in every Continued on Page 16 so attached to the place from shift and communal balanc- whence we had come, and going home was a smooth, Continued on Page 12 Far Rockaway benefit for Chai Lifeline. NORPAC In The 5 Towns See Page 50 Assertiveness MY SECRET

Training BY IRWIN H. BENJAMIN BY MICHELE HERENSTEIN Until a few years ago, I I have a subscription to a thought it was my own discov- magazine which comes pretty ery, my own little secret, to be much every Wednesday or shared only with family and Thursday, except when it close friends. However, when comes on Friday or Saturday. my son Yosef brought this vort Okay, so it’s unreliable, to say to my attention, I knew the the least. But I do get it at secret would get out. There some point and always enjoy was no point in keeping it to Yeshiva of Far Rockaway’s 11th reading it over the weekend. A myself any longer. annual Kinnus Teshuvah. few months ago, however, the The secret is about daven- See Page 60 magazine didn’t arrive on ing. It has worked for me for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, many years, and I would now CANDLE LIGHTING Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky in Lawrence on or Saturday. The magazine like to share this “secret” September 9 with leaders of NORPAC. (L–R): Vice-President Jerry Sept. 21 – 6:36 PM Gontownik, Senator McConnell, Long Island Chapter President Stanley just never arrived. When I with you. Hopefully, in some Sept. 26 – 6:27 PM Stern, event chair Trudy Stern, Vice-President Jason Muss, and President Dr. Ben Chouake. See Page 44 Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 14 2 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 3 FROM THE EDITOR kind of easy way out of a difficult fast. Continued from Front Cover The additionally intriguing thing FEATURES about Yom Kippur is who fasts on this contrasted to the overabundance of day. Sure, plenty of Jews don’t fast on P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 food that is available everywhere these Yom Kippur, and certainly not on any Around The Five Towns 37 516-984-0079 days wherever we turn. I recall sitting of the other days that have been [email protected] Our Aliyah Chronicle in shul on Yom Kippur some years ago ordained as fasts long ago. On the [email protected] Shmuel Katz 18 with a friend’s father who was with other hand, there are a surprising LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Publisher/Editor Managing Editor him for the yamim tovim and listening number of Jews who may not do much Chassidic Masters YOSSI GORDON to him recall what life was like in the else to observe Yom Kippur, but they Yanki Tauber 30 Director of Sales Nazi concentration camps at this time do desist from eating for the entire CHANA ROCHEL ROSS of year. I remember him telling me long and difficult period. Classified Ads 80 Editorial Assistant that when he was in one camp, his Years ago, there was a very popular SIDI BARON Nazi handlers demonstrated an unusu- Israeli nightclub in Greenwich Village Five Towns Simcha 42, 63 YAKOV SERLE al type of additional cruelty at this time that was owned by an Israeli entrepre- JERRY MARKOVITZ of year: They fed the prisoners neur. The place was open 7 days a Insights On The Torah Sales Representatives absolutely nothing on the day prior to week, 24 hours a day, and it was Rabbi Yoni Posnick 28 SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Yom Kippur and then a bit more food extremely busy. It wasn’t unusual for Luach 10 Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor than usual on Yom Kippur day. I asked the place to be filled with people wear- CONTRIBUTING EDITORS him how he and others in the camp ing yarmulkes on a Saturday night Howard M. Adelsberg, Irwin H. Benjamin MindBiz Hannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen handled the situation. His answer, I until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. Esther Mann, LMSW 24 Danny Block, Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg believe, will stay with me forever—“We The place had kashrus certification Yochanan Gordon, Michele Herenstein fasted two days.” and I do not know the dynamics of the Real Estate Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky I am continually amazed at how we certification, considering that the Anessa V. Cohen 26 Shmuel Katz, Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller Rabbi Yoni Posnick, Naomi Ross have integrated the half-dozen fasts place was open on Shabbos, Yom Tov, that dot our calendar. The major ones, and all other times in between. I know That’s The Way It Is! Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Eli Shapiro Hannah Reich Berman 34 MICHAL WEINSTEIN, ROB FILONUK so to speak, are Yom Kippur and Tisha that no meat was served there and I Staff Graphic Artists B’Av. Other than our seforim and books will go out on a limb and say that back IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS of law referencing them as the so- in the 1960s and ’70s, kashrus was still Staff Photographers called important fasts, what is so big somewhat underdeveloped and was Due to Sukkos, FRANKEL & CO., CREATIVE DESIGN LLC and important about them? For not what it has blossomed into today. the deadline for placing ads Design & Production starters, they are our longest fasts of I met the owner in the early 1970s TALIYE CORLEY the year, beginning the night before because I was doing a story for a maga- in the next issue Art Director and running a full 25 hours. The oth- zine on Israelis living in New York. From of the 5TJT SUZETTE LEE ers begin at dawn and last through the time to time this man would play as part is Sunday, September 23 Assistant Art Director day, until nightfall. This type of sched- of a band at weddings and bar mitzvahs, at 5:00 P.M. The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- uling gives us an opportunity to rise, if and every so often I would see him at paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not we are so disposed, early in the morn- these functions. One of the last times necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or ing and consume that mandatory cup that I saw him, I said, “Menachem, are Call establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. of coffee or, if you prefer, a full break- 516-984-0079 fast. Yom Kippur doesn’t offer that Continued on Page 7

4 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 5 6 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR Nebuchadnezzar, following the mourn and reason to fast. Continued from Page 4 destruction of the First Temple over The Torah says that on Yom Kippur 2,500 years ago, appointed Gedalyah as we are to afflict ourselves. The Sages you still open on Shabbos?” governor of Israel. Though the Jews interpreted this directive as fasting. He said that he was, but then took were exiled to Babylonia, it is little Most will tell you that whether or not me aside and said that the year before— known that a small remnant of the you daven and however you choose to in 1973—he decided that he would Jewish people were allowed to remain observe Yom Kippur, the most important close on Yom Kippur and never open on living in Israel. Apparently there were aspect of the day is the fasting. And that day again. He said that it was severe political differences between indeed many Jews do little else except because of how close to the brink Israel Gedalyah and some other Jewish resi- fast on Yom Kippur. Over the last ten was pushed during the Yom Kippur War years or so, the wish from one person to a little more than a year prior. I don’t the next on the day before Yom Kippur know if Menachem fasted on Yom Something touched him has changed from the expression that Kippur or whether he ever attended you have “an easy fast” to the wish that services. All I know is that something about that Yom Kippur you have “a meaningful fast.” touched him about that Yom Kippur in I don’t know if there’s anything easy 1973 that moved his Jewishness up, if in 1973 that moved his about fasting, particularly with all that is only a small notch. at stake on a day like Yom Kippur. It’s About ten years ago, I saw an obitu- Jewishness up. the Day of Judgment for all things. It is ary in the New York Times with a photo- the day of final decrees for who shall graph of Menachem. He was an institu- live and who shall die, who shall be rich tion and a pioneer in the Greenwich dents of the territory. Gedalyah believed or who shall be poor, and so on. It’s a Village club scene. He made the village that since Israel was being ruled by a day without frivolity and distractions, a jump to the sounds of the Middle East. foreign entity, it was his function to day of solemn prayer and hope for a The obituary didn’t say anything about cooperate with those foreign rulers. Jewish future and the future of the Yom Kippur. Others, led by Yishmael ben Netanyah, Jewish people the world over. It’s a day In any event, last Shabbos was the felt that Jews had to fight for Jewish sov- of sacrifice, when we bring our daily date on which we normally observe ereignty and for a free Israel under all routines to a sudden halt and defer our Tzom Gedalyah, the fast of Gedalyah circumstances. Ultimately, Yishmael ben will to Hashem’s will so that in the com- ben Achikam, who once upon a time Netanyah murdered Gedalyah, which ing year He will hopefully defer His will served as governor of the land of Israel. resulted in the remainder of the Jews to our will. It’s a day filled with depth Since we have a practice of not fasting who were living in Israel either voluntar- and meaning, which makes it that much on Shabbos (except for Yom Kippur), ily leaving out of fear or being forced out more understandable why, with so the fast was put off until the next day, of Israel. The most sad part of this awful much going on in the world around us, which was last Sunday. My guess is episode in our history was that now we can actually bring ourselves to the that the Fast of Gedalyah is the least Israel was entirely void of Jews. This, in point where we will be able to say on appreciated fast day on our calendar. part, is what we mourn on Tzom next Sunday morning that we had a After all, the fast lives in the shadow of Gedalyah. Among other things, this was meaningful fast. the “big” one, Yom Kippur, which takes the result of Jewish infighting, when G’mar chasimah tovah to all. O place a week after the observance of one Jew refuses to tolerate the legiti- Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at Gedalyah’s assassination. mate attitudes of the other. It’s reason to [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 7 to my office, as she had been tested for her risks. Her plan included intensive It is expected that in 2007, about a BRCA gene mutation. breast surveillance (all imaging and clin- 178,000 women in the United States Don’t Read (A gene is a basic segment of DNA ical scans were normal) and the removal will be diagnosed with breast cancer; that controls hereditary characteristics of her ovaries and fallopian tubes. after treatment, less than one-fourth such as hair color, eye color, and Within a couple of weeks, we proof those women (about 41,000) will This Article: height, as well as susceptibility to cer- ceeded with her surgery, which was succumb to their disease. tain diseases. A gene mutation is a done laparoscopically, in a 45-minute, In that same year, it is expected that change or alteration in a gene so that it minimally invasive manner. Three days about 22,000 women in the United It’s About does not function in the proper man- later Dr. Anderson, her pathologist, States will be diagnosed with ovarian ner. A functioning BRCA gene helps called to say that in her opinion the cancer; after treatment, more than the body prevent cancer. A BRCA gene patient’s life was saved, as cancer had three-fourths of those women (about Cancer mutation [named improperly BR for invaded one ovary but was still confined 15,000) will succumb to their disease. breast and CA for cancer] makes it to it. Ovarian cancer is rarely found Most breast and ovarian cancers are more likely that a person will develop early. Because of the BRCA blood test not linked to known genetic factors— BY JONATHAN D. cancer. The “broken” gene promotes this time it was. This patient’s case only about 7–10%. We need to identi- HERMAN, M.D. fy those 7–10% families. A BRCA blood test can be done to find many of Everyone loves stories about preg- these families. The BRCA test can’t nancy, labor, delivery, and the birthing find all of them. BRCA only identifies process. Having delivered thousands of about 80–85% of genetic breast and babies over the past 18 years, I have Ovarian cancer is rarely found ovarian cancers. some favorites that I love to tell—twins; BRCA gene mutations affect 1 in triplets; babies delivered during black- early. Because of the BRCA blood 500 women in the general population outs and snowstorms. Some of them and 1 in 40 Ashkenazim. That is why, involve the very people who are reading although testing in the general popula- this article. (You know who you are!) test this time it was. tion is recommended only when two or The topic of this article is very dif- more family members have cancer, ferent. It is not an easy topic. It is Ashkenazim should consider testing about breast cancer and ovarian can- even when only one family member— cer. Please read it through, as I believe not only breast cancer but also ovarian shook me a bit. mother, sister, aunt, grandmother— you, your cousin, your next-door cancer; they are linked. In medicine, I still love to deliver babies, but with has breast or ovarian cancer. neighbor, or just someone you are Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer this “tipping point” event, my career An Ashkenazi family with one breast acquainted with will benefit if they are Syndrome, HBOC, is the term used took on a new direction. First, I began or ovarian cancer in it is a family at risk aware of this information. With knowl- when a BRCA mutation is found.) to review the literature, including hun- for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer edge comes power. The grandmother of this baby already dreds of citations. I thought about my syndrome until proven otherwise. All it Two years ago I delivered a baby boy knew a diagnosis of either breast or ovar- family, friends, acquaintances, patients, takes is a blood test to prove they are and eight days later I attended his b’ris. ian cancer or both was likely at some and office staff who could potentially not, with 80–85% confidence! And After the lox and bagels were served, point. She wanted to know if I would be a part of an HBOC family. Next, I remember, the broken gene may come the baby’s grandmother approached take care of her. She needed to know began to identify those that should be from the father’s side of the family. me. She asked if I was taking on new what I could do to help. In my office, we tested and I began to test. patients and whether she could come sat together and set up a plan to reduce Here are some basic statistics: Continued on Page 10

8 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 9 It’s About Cancer received his first positive test result for a implications for the entire family, too. Continued from Page 8 patient with both a personal and, I This article is about what I advo- CALENDAR believe, family history of breast cancer. cate—education. Please educate your- When a medical test is performed, it We discussed the situation. He men- self and those around you. To learn LUACH is understood that most testing will be tioned that he was going to encourage the more about BRCA testing, you can call negative. This blood test is no different. patient to have a risk-reducing BSO my office at 516-358-1200. In addition, Remember, even if a patient is identified (removal of the ovaries). He had left a I am sure that most hospitals in our Sept. 21–Sept. 29 for testing, the result is still likely to be message for the patient, but had not yet area offer education and testing. Long negative. For those who do test positive, had her come in to discuss the result, so Island Jewish Medical Center and ZIP Code: 11516 the risk of developing breast cancer by she did not know yet. While I was in the North Shore Hospital have counseling 9 Tishrei – Erev Shabbos the age of 70 can be as high as 87% (the office reviewing some items with the staff, programs available specifically for Friday, September 21 usual quoted number for the “every- the physician came back to speak to me HBOC. The Internet can also be of Erev Yom Kippur woman” is 7%). For those who test posi- again. He had just received a phone call value. Learn more at sites such as Kapparos tive, the risk of ovarian cancer can be as from the patient’s husband: the patient Sharsheret.org and FacingOurRisk.org, Daf yomi: Kesuvos 20 high at 40–60% (the usual rate is in the had just been admitted with ovarian can- which are great resources. Z’manim*: range of 1–2%). Ovarian cancers are one cer. All I can think is that if I had con- With help from Hashem, we Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:48 am of the most deadly cancers. Today there vinced this doctor to test a year ago, this should all live and live well, ad mei’ah Sunrise: 6:42 am are modalities like mammography, MRI, may have been prevented. If her oncolo- v’esrim shanah. O Latest Shema: ultrasound, medications, and surgeries gist had offered this simple test, she could M. Av. 9:08 am that can be employed to reduce the risks. have been helped earlier. These patients Dr. Jonathan D. Herman, M.D., FACOG, is an Gr’a 9:44 am Doctors can’t totally nullify the risk, but are not just tests. They’re real people that attending physician in obstetrics and gynecology Candle Lighting: 6:36 pm at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is also 10 Tishrei – Shabbos we can reduce it by 90 percent. we help! Hopefully, this information will a partner in private practice at Elite Women’s I want to share this e-mail I help this family prevent future “stories.” Healthcare. He serves as a national BRCA physi- Saturday, September 22 received this past June from a friend There is so much more one needs to cian educator for Myriad Genetics. Yom Kippur Dr. Herman has become a leader in the identifi- Yizkor whose job it is to promote testing: know about testing and how to use the cation, testing, and treatment of patients who are I was in an office speaking to a physi- results properly. In addition to the medi- at risk of HBOC. Dr. Herman has developed, Shabbos/Yom Tov ends**: cian who had just embraced testing a few cine and the statistics, there are social refined, and implemented strategies for testing 7:34 pm appropriate patients in the clinical office setting 72 min. 8:05 pm weeks ago. He let me know that he issues and psychological issues; there are and has lectured extensively on these topics. 14 Tishrei – Erev Yom Tov Wednesday, September 26 Erev Sukkos Eiruv Tavshilin Candle Lighting* (1st night): 6:27 pm 15 Tishrei – Yom Tov Thursday, September 27 1st day of Sukkos Candle Lighting* (2nd night): 7:30 pm (or later) 16 Tishrei – Yom Tov/Erev Shabbos Friday, September 28 2nd day of Sukkos Daf yomi: Kesuvos 27 Earliest tallis: 5:55 am Sunrise: 6:48 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:10 am Gr’a 9:46 am Candle Lighting (Shabbos): 6:24 pm 17 Tishrei – Shabbos Saturday, September 29 Shabbos Chol HaMo‘ed Shabbos ends**: 7:22 pm 72 min. 7:53 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Friday, September 21 LIRR holiday eve service: extra Far Rockaway train from Penn Station at 3:48 pm. Thursday–Friday, September 27–28 NYC alternate-side regulations suspended.

Due to Sukkos, the deadline for placing ads in the next issue of the 5TJT is Sunday, September 23 at 5:00 P.M.

Look for the next issue on newsstands Tuesday, September 25

516-984-0079

10 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 11 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE be. Then, of course, there’s the large familial needs. Maybe I was in a daze ed to fit into small spaces. Those early Continued from Front Cover bags of diapers, baby food, clothing or missing something, but I don’t baby carriages were like Cadillacs— for every conceivable baby circum- recall the use of what we now know first and foremost, they were big; ing act about who goes where to stance, and so on. Somehow you do it as SUVs being available for family everything else about them came whom, and when. For newlyweds, it once, then twice, and then maybe a use. Perhaps like the Internet in under the category of minor details. seems that the rule is firm—you don’t few additional times before you give in those days, the SUVs were manufac- At some point it just became easier stay in your own home or apartment to the natural pressure. tured exclusively for governmental or and more economical to get a larger under any circumstances come the And that’s when the proverbial tide military use. It was only years later, sukkah than a larger car. yamim tovim. Perhaps this hard-and- begins to turn. Suddenly you are no when the manufacturers discovered So there we were, married about fast rule was hatched long ago because longer a guest with all the amenities they could make a fortune marketing three years, when our parents piled newlyweds most likely lived in relative- and services in the home that you may those vehicles commercially, that into our rental apartment for Yom ly small apartments, meaning there have grown up in. It is now time for they became available to just about Tov. We were renting an apartment at was no room for anyone to come visit you to play host. This leads you or everyone. the time in a rather spacious two- them for the chag and stay over with- your significant other to finally blurt So back then, as the family grew— family house in Brooklyn. In fact, so out necessitating a huge reorganiza- out to your parents something along we had four children between 1980 excited was everyone about our new tion or upheaval. sukkah that our landlords—who did- Looking at today’s newlyweds, the n’t have their own sukkah and used to situation might be characterized as always travel to one of their parents somewhat jaded, but the fact for the chag—decided to stay home remains that regardless of the newly- Maybe I was in a daze, but I don’t that year, too, and we all piled into weds’ digs, the couple will hit the the sukkah. road once a Yom Tov is within reach. As I recall, it turned out to be a That phase of our evolving exis- recall the use of what we now know as tight squeeze that Yom Tov. All the tence was always a little eerie to me. men and some of the women in the There I was, time and again, feeling family fit into the sukkah on that like a stranger, like an invited guest in SUVs being available for family use. Sukkos. Fortunately the walls were my own home in surroundings that made of canvas, so they had a little could not be more familiar. I was a give and could be stretched (but only guest but I wasn’t a guest; I was at very slightly). home but I wasn’t at home. I suppose the lines of, “Just come to us for Yom and 1986—it was extremely difficult A few times over the years, I have it was part of a metamorphosis of Tov; it’ll be so much easier.” to move the whole family from house to admit, we tried hotels for Sukkos— some kind; I was in two different lives I’ve come to believe that back to house to satisfy all the family obli- which, by the way (in case you are at the same time. when this all started for me in the gations. Sometime during those years wondering) are no match for what But then, with G-d’s help, the chil- early 1980s, one of the biggest obsta- I did procure a new Taurus station hotels offer consumers who go away dren begin to arrive, and moving cles to moving the family, so to speak, wagon—which, looking in the rear- for Pesach. I was never comfortable around starts to become a significant must have been the transportation view mirror from the driver’s seat, with the idea, but when you weigh undertaking. You’ve got to pack in the issue. Going back to my 17th birth- seemed like a spacious vehicle. But how much domestic work needs to be carriage, bring a high chair, a crib (or day, I’ve always had a car, but with you have to remember that back then done to present Yom Tov at home, it something that can stand in for a crib) getting married and then starting a the carriages (except for some kind of tempts you to once again pack and yes, of course, you’ve got to bring family, somehow the mode of trans- strollers) really didn’t fold or allow the baby—or babies, as the case may portation did not keep pace with our themselves to be twisted and contort- Continued on Page 15

12 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Assertiveness Training a dish that is cold when it is supposed and respect. needs. To do so with respect and digni- Continued from Front Cover to be served hot, or perhaps the wrong This is true, as well, when it comes ty is to show ourselves as people who meal was served to them altogether, all to dating. When speaking to someone are not necessarily demanding, but will- checked my mailbox on Monday to see too often they feel awkward about on the phone for the first time, I will ing and able to be assertive. I believe if it had showed up yet, alas, there was speaking up, feeling uncomfortable sometimes request in a pleasant man- that this quality of assertiveness, if used no magazine. So I missed one week; and as if they are being a nuisance. I ner that we just meet for coffee to get in a polite manner, will be seen not as not a big deal. I bought that week’s try to convince them that if they are to know one another, instead of going brazenness or insolence, but as a will- issue at the newsstand. paying for something, as long as they for a three-hour, four-course dinner. I ingness to stand up for what we believe A week later, when I saw my mailman speak nicely and with respect, they are have many friends who feel uncom- in and what we need. putting magazines into the mailboxes deserving of what they have ordered fortable suggesting this; they feel they Being assertive often takes practice again, I asked him if the magazine I sub- and should let the waiter or maître d’ must go along with what the guy has and is often quite difficult if it is not in scribed to had been received by any of know of their complaint. Many of my proposed. However, if there is to be an one’s nature, but it may result in peo- the tenants that week, and he answered friends agree with me in theory, but are eventual relationship between two ple’s feeling happier with themselves in the affirmative. When I looked in my too ill at ease to put it into practice. people, standing up for what you want and more self-confident, as well as mailbox, my magazine wasn’t there. So I think it is important to ask for what or need is a solid foundation for start- having their needs met. this didn’t feel like just an “innocent” you want and to speak up if what you ing a relationship. So go ahead and try it. Be assertive. mistake anymore. I had officially missed are given is not what you have asked On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, State your needs to your spouse, your two weeks of my magazine. Again, not a for. I believe people feel more confi- we pray and ask for many things. Jews children, your parents, the storekeep- big deal; but since I was paying to have dent and learn more self-respect when are a humble people, yet we are still er, the guy/girl you’re on a date with, the magazine delivered, there was no they are able to stand up for themselves allowed and even told to speak to the maître d’, your boss, and your reason I should not have received it. So and are able to stand by what they Hashem, to cry to Him, to beg of Him. friends. Be respectful, be confident— I called the corporate offices and told believe to be right. If someone feels If we felt too uncomfortable to ask for and be someone whose needs will be them about my problem. maltreated, there is nothing wrong what we need, our prayers would be met, not because you demand it, but The representative was extremely with trying to rectify the situation in unsatisfactory, both to ourselves and, I because you asked nicely. That can pleasant and told me that I’d receive the nicest way possible. There is no believe, to Hashem as well. never be overrated. O two free weeks and the magazine reason anyone should feel stepped on In life, whether it be during prayer, at Michele Herenstein is a freelance journalist who should begin coming regularly again. I or marginalized. No request is inconse- work, with our families, in a store, or at lives and works in New York City. She can be told him that since I hadn’t received quential when asked for with dignity a restaurant, we must learn to state our reached at [email protected]. the magazine twice, I had to buy it from the newsstands, where it was at least double the price of what I was paying. He put me on hold to speak to his manager, and when he got back on the phone, he assured me that I would receive four free copies. I thanked him very kindly for his assistance, and I haven’t had a problem since. Growing up, I learned a very valuable lesson from my parents. If you’re “wronged,” whether on purpose or by accident, standing up for yourself in a polite and respectful way will go a long way towards righting the situation. Being embarrassed or uncomfortable will only leave you as the one who loses out. A couple of months ago, I went to get a haircut. For those who know me, you know that a haircut is a huge deal. I only get my hair trimmed once a year—twice if absolutely necessary—and all I ever want are the ends evened out. I have a fear of a stylist deciding that she would like to use me as a “dummy” and cut my hair in a bob, leaving me with super- short hair. But I digress, as I’m sure you’re not interested in my short-hair phobia. Anyway, I went to a salon on the East Side of Manhattan and was all revved up for my “haircut.” I specified to the hairdresser what I wanted and she seemed to understand. When I left the salon, I was unsure of whether my ends were perfectly even. Within a week, with the input of some friends, I was sure that they were not. I called the salon and expressed my concern. They offered me a couple of options. I was thrilled with the option of a free haircut anytime in the next year with the hairdresser I favored. If they hadn’t been agreeable, I probably would not have gone back there. But they were smart, helpful, and they kept a customer—me. I’ve experienced several other situations in the past year where I asked politely for something I felt I was entitled to, and whether they were in agreement with me or perhaps simply wanted to keep me as a customer, I was given some sort of recompense. I have been to restaurants on dates, or with friends, and when the person I’m with gets a dish they don’t like, or 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 13 My Secret when words emanate from the depths with observing the new moon, or the in Shamayim. They were desperate. Continued from Front Cover of one’s soul, when one cries out in date was off, they remained in their And it worked! Hashem listened to pain, that is when Hashem grants him graves for six more days. They did not their prayers, and he answered them small way these words will have a his wish—most of the time. I have die. They lived. They were zocheh to with Zakai—You will live! Hashem positive influence on the way you will proof from Chazal, and I have testimo- enter Eretz Yisrael. (As an aside, this is tore up His decree. They walked out approach davening during the yamim nial proof, as well. another reason why Tu B’Av is a yom of their graves. They entered Eretz nora’im. The Gemara in Rosh Hashanah (18) simcha for K’lal Yisrael.) Yisrael. There is no question that Hashem relates an interesting agadata about Listen to this analysis. It will send Another Chazal—and this will show hears us all. He hears everything we two individuals suffering from the shivers up and down your spine. the converse of the above example, but say or think. Whether we have little same terminal illness. Both pray. Only When the first 15,000 prayed, will be proof of the same idea: kavanah, or a lot, Hashem hears it all. one lives. there was no doubt they prayed with In the second perek of Makkos, the And He responds to us all. But how Rashi, in his inimitable, cryptic great kavanah; they prayed that they Mishnah says that the people in the the Eibishter responds, I believe, cor- fashion, states only one word: should live that year and not be part Orei Miklat prayed for the death of the responds to the level of intensity and “kavanah.” That’s all he says. One had of the 15,000 that were to perish. Kohein Gadol, because it was only purity of one’s tefillos, just how earnest more kavanah than the other, and But, of course, 15,000 of 600,000 through his death that they would be or how needy or how desperate are the that’s why he lived. represented a long shot as to whether released from the Orei Miklat and be person’s tefillos. In a sefer written by HaRav Eliyohu they would be included in the 15,000. able to return to their families and For example, a person can request Pinchasi, he comments on this Rashi The odds were not that great against friends. The end of the Mishnah tells the following: “Hashem, I would be so and brings an extraordinary Midrash, them. As a result, their tefillos were us an unbelievable event: The mother appreciative if my bank account which is what my son Yosef shared not desperate. of the Kohein Gadol would bring cakes reached $100,000 in the coming year”; with me. “Yes, I’ll pray; I truly hope that it and clothing to the inhabitants of the or, “Hashem, I would be so grateful if Because of the cheit ha’meraglim, won’t be me.” Year in and year out the Orei Miklat so that they not pray for my son does well in yeshiva”; or, Hashem was gozeir that during the 40 same thing happened. And as the the death of her son. “Hashem, please help my aunt recu- years, the dor haMidbar should die odds kept dropping, the sincerity and If it was not a holy Mishnah, one perate from her terrible illness.” There out and not live to enter Eretz Yisrael. desperateness increased. But unfortu- would have to laugh at the preposter- is no doubt that those bakashos are all The way the gezeirah was implement- nately it was not sufficient to tear up ousness of such a notion. For a cook- legitimate, and will assuredly be lis- ed was that every year on Tishah B’Av, the decree. ie and a T-shirt, they would give up tened to by the Eibishter. each person in K’lal Yisrael dug his Until the last 15,000. At that time, their aspirations and life’s dream of But if a person cries from the own grave, and then had to lie in it. At there was no one else. It was their freedom and returning to their fami- depths of his heart, and he begs, the end of the day, after Tishah B’Av turn. All hope was gone. No more lies? Do you really believe for one “Hashem, please, please, I beg you, was over, whoever was still alive arose percentages, no more odds. It was minute that they would stop praying grant me the z’chus to have my and walked away. Fifteen thousand their time. It could not be anyone to Hashem for the death of the Chaim become an ehrlicher Yid and a remained in their self-dug graves and else. Now, try, if you can, to imagine Kohein Gadol so they would be talmid chacham. That’s all I want in died each year in this manner. This the intensity of their tefillos. Can one released from the Orei Miklat? How life—please, nothing else in this continued for 39 years (15,000 x 40 = even begin to imagine their tefillos? could the mother of the Kohein Gadol world matters to me. I don’t care 600,000). The tefillos that those last 15,000 have been so naive to have ever imag- about riches or about anything else. When the 40th year arrived, and the people prayed to Hashem on that ined that these people would abandon My whole life will only be worthwhile last 15,000 dug their graves and went Tishah B’Av were so full of pain, so their life’s wish for such kleinerkeiten, if my Chaim becomes a tzaddik and a in them just as the others before them, full of sorrow, so back-against-the- for such mere trivialities? talmid chacham.” a strange thing happened. They did not wall-and-nowhere-to-go type of fear, The truth is, the prayers of the I have found and experienced that die. Thinking there was some mistake that it pierced the very Kisei HaKavod inhabitants of the Orei Miklat were

14 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES sincere, very sincere. The depth and operation. HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE the kitchen along with soft toys, bot- sincerity of their tefillos were The boy looks at one of the Charles Continued from Page 12 tles, formula, and pacifiers in assort- extremely strong and they were very Dickens books on the bookshelf. It’s ed locations around the house. There powerful. They were also desperate. colored green, except for the torn it all up and hit the road. are boxes of disposable diapers, bottle That’s why there was every chance in spine revealing gray cardboard bind- At this juncture I have to digress brushes, regular diapers, and other the world their tefillos would have ing. He stares at it. His eyes are fixed for a moment to make some observa- infant-related accouterments that we been answered, and the Kohein Gadol on the Charles Dickens book, but he tions about Sukkos in Israel. All need to have on hand. would have died, allowing them the doesn’t really see it. He inhales until around me, people are packing up to Sometimes I look around and I freedom they so fervently and desper- his chest almost explodes, and then spend Sukkos in Israel. And I’d like to think back on whether this was the ately prayed for. he lets it out and cries. do the same, believe me; however, for fashion in which I had to move from However, by the mother of the “Hashem, I go to yeshiva. I will be various reasons—and as I dream place to place just two or so decades Kohein Gadol giving them those bar mitzvah next month. I don’t have about it year after year—I just can’t ago. Last Sunday I actually had a goodies, no matter how insignificant a father. I just will not be able to walk seem to get it done. Instead of getting meeting with a sukkah builder to ana- that may have seemed, she took a into shul and face my friends at my away for the chagim getting easier, it lyze the width of our traditional small degree of desperateness out of bar mitzvah if I have no mother. It has become more difficult over the sukkah doorway to see what can be their prayers. They would still pray— took me a long time to get used to not last decade or so. And the main rea- done to make the carriages fit that little perk was not in any way having a father, but I got used to that son is that over more than the last through the doorway and to see going to dissuade them from not already; I will not be able to bear not decade—over the last seventeen years whether there will be enough room in wanting to go home—but just in case having even a mother to be with me to be precise—I have been committed the sukkah for people, high chairs, Hashem doesn’t answer us, and we at my bar mitzvah. Please, Hashem, for the most part to be in Israel for and perhaps a carriage or two should don’t get to go home, at least we will don’t take her away. Please. I need my father’s yahrtzeit, which occurs on the need present itself. have some material benefits of being her. I will not be able to go on with Chanukah. I know you read in these These are the blessings of new life fed and clothed. life without her.” pages about people who pop over to in the new year, and they are very That feeling, albeit so slight, was The boy cries and cries until from Israel more often than I go into special. G-d willing, with the com- enough to put a chink in their other- sheer exhaustion he drops to the Manhattan, but that’s just not in my mencement of the chag next week, we wise solid armor of complete kavanah. floor. He continues sobbing on the DNA. So I just let the Sukkos dreams will have four generations distributed Yes, the action of the mother of the floor, his clothing soaking wet from ride for now. around our home, and I’m sure at Kohein Gadol was, indeed, signifi- his hot tears. But in the meantime, some other some point we’re all going to try to sit cant. It took away the desperateness of A few minutes later the boy’s sister dreams have come to fruition. And around the biggest table we can find their tefillos. That’s all she set out to rushes into the living room, and those are, interestingly enough, made that will fit in our sukkah. O accomplish. And it worked. yells, “The operation’s over, Momma of the same blessed clutter that I Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at A testimonial: will live.” used to try to pile and press into the [email protected]. A little 12-year-old boy in tattered That lady lived not only to be at the back of a Taurus station wagon back short pants. He’s leaning against a boy’s bar mitzvah, but lived another 15 in the 1980s. It is composed of new mahogany bookcase in his living years to see him married and to see the life that has so quickly and naturally WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? room. His father had died years birth of all of his children. become such an essential part of our before. His mother is at this time I know the above story to be true, lives. Baruch Hashem there are some WE WANT TO KNOW! undergoing her fifth operation for because I was that little boy. And that Shabbosos and yamim tovim when E-MAIL US AT intestinal blockage. The doctors have was my secret. O there are three carriages parked in [email protected] already said that it was the end. She Irwin Benjamin can be reached at our living room. There are baby seats, would not be able to survive this last [email protected]. bouncers, and little baby walkers in

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 15 Two Heroes Continued from Front Cover

verse in Tehillim (116:15), “Yakar b’einei Hashem ha- mavsah la’chasidav—Precious in the eyes of Hashem is the death of His righteous ones.”1 It is with this thought in mind that we discuss the recent passing of Ira Feigen- baum, z’l, and Mark David- man, z’l. These were two men who wholeheartedly devoted themselves so that others may live. Both of them were dedicated members of Hatzalah who literally and figuratively brought life to others. There can be no greater act of right- eousness. Ira Feigenbaum was one of the founding members of Hatzalah here in our neighborhood. He was an extremely active member. He was not only involved in getting Hatzalah off the ground, but he supported the day-to-day nitty-gritty activities, as well. His involvement was all- encompassing. He made sure that the radios were always in proper working order, that the batteries were always charged and in top shape. He was in charge of the communications, too. Oh yes—and he also saved lives. Hundreds of them. He did so quietly and without fan- fare. Indeed, until the day he took ill, he was an active member. On the last call he made, he resuscitated someone suffering from a heart attack. “Ira was the personification of Hatzalah,” said Mordechai Vogel. “He was willing to give his all for anyone in need.” “What sums up Mark Davidman, z’l, was his willing- ness to do everything needed. Whether it was in the job description or outside of it, Mark Davidman did what was needed,” said one Hatzalah director. Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz described Mark Davidman in glowing terms. “He was kulo chesed—really. He would go out of his way for anyone, anywhere, and at any time of night.” Rabbi Gamliel Rabinowitz, a renowned mekubal from Yeshiva Shaar HaShamayim in Israel, said of Mark, “He was my rebbi in chesed.” But it was not just in matters of Hatzalah in which these two men shined. Rabbi Moshe Weitman, shli- ta, the dean of Torah Academy for Girls, worked closely with both Ira Feigenbaum and his father in regard to the school. “He was a leiv tov and had a wealth of knowledge and experience which he shared freely. He gave TAG an extraordinary amount of advice that saved us money in our construction. He

Continued on Page 20 16 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 17 sonally during the year that I down to us as we settle down. things that happened to us, would be especially charged, I Further complicating even though we had the sup- Welcome 5768 actually found a lack of feel- things for me was missing our port and concern of our ing as it approached. oldest son Chaim by my side whole neighborhood, when it Our Aliyah Chronicle, I had originally thought it We had gone through our for the first time (he was in was 8:45 p.m. on a Friday Part 57 would be a great experience, own personal Yom HaDin yeshiva, 10 minutes away). night and everyone was B Y SHMUEL KATZ but was too overwhelmed by (Day of Judgment) back in the Chaim has davened at my side asleep I had no one to talk to the sounds and sights to real- months of April and May and on chagim (holidays) and and tell them (about) the Although it seemed like ly get into it. There were too have been so engulfed with most Shabbatot for the past week… I had nobody I could 5767 lasted for three or four many people shouting for us davening for health and recov- ten years. With the next 3 sib- say two words or maybe even years instead of the usual 12 to hear our chazzan, and I did- ery (which continues) that I lings being girls, it will be just raise an eyebrow to in the months, the last few weeks of middle of Lecha Dodi and the year seemed to really fly have them know exactly what by. With the arrival of our joke I was making. new students, the beginning It isn’t often that we of the school year for our kids I’d been davening for a good result every remember to tell our friends (and four out of six going to how much they mean and new schools) and the prepara- have meant to us, and I want- tions for the yamim nora’im day—not just Rosh Hashanah, and felt that ed to just tell you how much I (High Holy Days) and miss being there with you. Sukkot, there suddenly there was nothing left in my emotional tank. Once the floodgates weren’t enough hours in the opened, I was a basket case day to get things done. for the rest of shul, and I On erev Rosh Hashanah, might have to replace the the yeshiva went to the Kotel pages from Unetaneh Tokef for Selichot at midnight. The n’t feel as inspired as I felt almost drained by the another year or two before in my machzor since they entire plaza was filled with thought I would be. time Rosh Hashanah arrived. Mordechai is old enough to were totally covered in tears. people and was definitely a I had privately told a couple I’d been davening for a good take Chaim’s place. So, thank you for that too. sight to see. The Sephardi of people that I was a little result every day—not just Chaim did join us for two Thank you for…breaking the minyanim were especially worried about getting motivat- Rosh Hashanah, and felt that meals on Yom Tov (with two ice for me and allowing me fascinating as they sang vari- ed for davening on Rosh there was nothing left in my other guys from yeshiva each to channel some of my feel- ous responses and songs with Hashanah this year. Although emotional tank. Plus, the meal), so we did get to see ings into tefillah. one voice—as loud as they you would think that having enormity of what we have him. However, I definitely N NN possibly could. gone through such trials per- been through is still sifting missed him in shul and I Even though things have know Goldie missed him as begun to get better and better well. I guess this is prepara- for us as we continue to adjust tion for when he goes to col- and settle in, sometimes I am lege. Sigh. reminded just how difficult For the first day of Rosh this transition has been. To Hashanah I was definitely restart your whole life at 40 is right about my davening.I not the easiest thing in the tried to concentrate and world, no matter how happy immerse myself in the daven- the kids may be or how much ing, but I just felt a little better we have settled in as detached. This is tough when time passes. davening starts at 7 a.m. and I know I’ve said this before, ends at 1:30 p.m. with no but we still do (and hopefully break (OK, so I came 20 min- always will) love and miss our utes late; I was still there for many friends (and family) hours). back in the U.S.A. For us (as I wrote an e-mail to a cou- opposed to many olim from ple of friends about the sec- countries such as Russia or ond day of Yom Tov. Here is Ethiopia), aliyah was not run- an excerpt: ning away—it was running NNN toward. So, I am not saying I sat in shul on Friday dur- that I want to be in America ing leining, and I watched one or that we aren’t happy with neighbor walk over to two where we are. Even so, just other fellows in shul and because we’re not looking to make a comment to them and go back at this time doesn’t see their interaction and mean that I can’t miss the interpersonal reactions and I friends and life we left started to cry. No way around behind. I do. admitting it… Have a g’mar chatimah When I saw the easy com- tovah! O fort those fellows had with Shmuel Katz is the director of each other, it really hit home Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon for me how much I miss you. It neighborhood in Jerusalem. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children is not easy to find friends with made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to whom you can say anything or his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva of South Shore hear them say anything to you in Hewlett. You can contact him at and know that they are OK [email protected]. with you. It is even harder to have friends with whom a 5 minute discussion becomes an At 5TJT.com “Oh my, I told the wife I was going to be home an hour and you can enjoy articles a half ago” and then still stay in 3 ways: schmoozing on for another 20 minutes anyway. 1. Read So I started to cry because 2. Print I simply missed my friends and the…life I had with 3. Email them. With all the different 18 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 19 Two Heroes Continued from Page 16

donated generously to the school, too. He was a geshmake person to spend time with.” Mark Davidman had an extraordinary chashivus for rabbanim. When a local rav was sick with cancer, he personally flew him to Israel, accompanying him, caring for him. He even rented a car in Israel so that he could take the rav to vasikin every morning. He did this for others, too. Imagine for one moment this remarkable act of chesed. He took time off work, out of his busy schedule, to enable a person who otherwise could not make the trip to Eretz Yisrael to do so. Rabbi Lefkowitz further elaborated: “Mark Davidman had two other passions. He had a profound love for Eretz Yisrael. He loved it from the bottom of his heart. His other passion was davening. He loved the opportunity to daven and would often daven at the amud. He was a very warm individual. He would just love to come to a kumzitz and sing. Mark was an extraordinary yarei Shamayim.” “Mark Davidman also was involved in doing chevrah kadishah work,” said Mark Gross, a fellow Hatzalah volunteer. “He considered this a true chesed shel emes. Chesed was a part of who he was.” Rabbi Herschel Billet said, “Mark’s chesed was all-encompassing. He always took the Hatzalah dispatching shifts that were the most difficult for others to do—the all- nighters on Shabbos. He went regularly to Russia to do b’risos on Jews. He started the vasikin minyan in our shul. He printed the monthly schedule for the shul. When his wife’s grandfather was alive, he took care of him like he was his own grandfather— even better.” Professionally, Mark was the director of operations at Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services. This opportunity opened up to him about a year ago. It was a perfect position for him, wherein he could continue giving even in his day-to-day work. Ira Feigenbaum was also a remarkable ba‘al tzedakah. His father, z’l, was a pioneer and supported many of our Torah institutions when they were yet fledgling mosdos in need of constant support. Ira Feigenbaum followed in his father’s footsteps, and did so quietly, without bringing attention to himself. He helped the Sulitzer Shul in many ways. His swimming pool was open on a hot day for anyone who needed to 20 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

cool off. Nussie Singer, a close friend, said, “Ira was an incredible individual who treated others with respect no matter what their age. He was one of the main reasons I was moving to Oak Drive. He never shied away from anything. Anything anyone every needed, Ira was there.”

When a local rav was sick with cancer, Mark personally flew him to Israel, accompanying him, caring for him.

“Even in the very painful period of his illness, he made a siyum on Tractate Berachos. He invited others to a barbecue siyum. His entire approach to his illness was not to be a burden on others, but rather to help remove bur- dens from others even in the midst of illness,” said Mordechai Vogel. Nussie Singer added, “Teenagers and kids who knew Ira Feigenbaum are taking his loss with great difficulty. When most adults pass away, other unrelated children usually are not visi- bly affected. Here it is different. That speaks volumes about the man.” From a philosophical perspective, what do we make of the loss of these two extraordinary individuals? We can only refer to the abovementioned Midrash. These ba‘alei chesed, who gave heart and soul of themselves so that we, the nation of Israel can continue, were taken before Yom Kippur for the very same reason—so that we can endure. We must examine ourselves, our own conduct, and look to make changes—significant ones. It is not just the Feigenbaums and the Davidmans who have lost someone. The entire community has lost two very special people. Ira is survived by his wife Esther, his daughter Gila, his sons, Shmuel, Moshe and Asher, and three grandchildren. His kevurah was in Wellwood Cemetery. Mark is survived by his wife Debbie and their four sons, Michael, Benjy, Josh, and Sammy. His kevurah was in Eretz Yisroel. May they both be a meilitz yosher for us all. O

The author can be reached at [email protected].

NOTES: 1. The first part of the Midrash asks a question about the Mishkan, the holy Tabernacle of Hashem. The boards used to build it were part and parcel of the Mishkan; in fact, most of its essence lay in them. If so, why does the pasuk (Sh’mos 26:15) say,“Ve‘asisa es hakerashim laMishkan…”—“And you shall make boards “laMishkan,” for the Mishkan…”? It should rather say, “And you shall make boards into a Mishkan…”! The Midrash answers that if the Jews ever become worthy of destruction, Heaven forbid, the Mishkan will be as a mashkon, a token of collateral guaranteeing Israel’s existence, something to be taken in their stead. Moshe then asks Hashem what is to happen in the future when there is no Mishkan and there is no Beis HaMikdash. Hashem responds that he will take the tzadikim as a mashkon, as a collateral pledge instead. The explanation of the extra lamed is to show that the word should read “as a pledge.” 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 21 First Yahrtzeit Of Avinoam Grossman, z’l Photos By Ivan H. Norman

The first yahrtzeit of Avinoam Grossman was observed prior to Rosh Hashanah at Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, where Avinoam was a student up until his untimely passing last summer. The siyum was led by his father, Rabbi Shmuel Grossman, and by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Bender. May Avinoam’s memory be a blessing for all of K’lal Yisrael. 22 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 23

Dear Resentful, the decision) that your challenges are I have no idea what kind of struggles not the essence of your existence, but you and your husband have been expe- rather—while I’m sure they are riencing for what seems to be quite extremely painful—peripheral to your some time. But pain is pain, and it existence. It begins with the age-old sounds like you two have not been able advice of counting your blessings. We to rise above your challenges. My first are all blessed in many ways, but it is thought is that you two should proba- so easy to take many of them for grant- Dear Esther, and knocked around much more than bly be speaking to your rabbi, rebbet- ed. What I would like you and your We just finished with Rosh we can bear. zin, or some spiritual advisor whom husband to do, individually or togeth- Hashanah. It was a very difficult holi- There was a time when I would be you both trust. Since you bring up the er, is to see how many blessings you day for me and my husband. We’ve “up” when my husband would be yamim tovim, it would seem that there can come up with. For instance, are been through a difficult and trying “down,” and I would sometimes help is a strong connection between your you loved? It sounds to me that you year. Actually, we’ve been going lift his spirits—and vice versa: when he hardships and your relationship with care deeply for your husband and he through many hardships for a number was doing all right and I was crum- G-d, and your ability to understand for you. That love is an enormous of years now. But I feel that this past bling, he would be there to support how He could be putting you through blessing. Who else in your life do you Rosh Hashanah, our spirits have me. But lately, it’s been way too much more than you can handle. So if you feel love for and from? A parent, a sib- dipped to an all-time low. for both of us. No one’s able to lift the haven’t already gone this route, I ling, a friend, a more distant relative? Usually, during davening I can hear other one up anymore. strongly urge you to do so. Each one of those individuals signifies my husband’s voice as he sings along We are feeling angry and resentful. Speaking strictly from a psychologi- a blessing in its purest form. Are you with the other men. It has always been We have a lot of questions, but no cal perspective, I can tell you that healthy enough to get yourself up and heart-warming and reassuring to me to answers. Rosh Hashanah didn’t feel resentment and anger can cripple a dressed and out in the morning? Can listen to his davening, so loud and filled special to us this year. In fact, it person. They are insidious emotions you take in the beautiful blue sky, with feeling and excitement. This year, brought out our sadness and anger in that grow and feed on the person who smell the scent of flowers, connect on both days of Rosh Hashanah, his full force. And I suppose my question succumbs to them. Once you lock with classical music, enjoy the laugh- voice was not to be heard. I struggled to to you is, how do we get through Yom horns with them, you can easily find all ter of children? These are all blessings. locate his familiar sound, but it was not Kippur? It’s such an important and the evidence you need to justify their Once you’ve assembled a list, I forthcoming. I thought maybe I was meaningful day, yet we’re both feeling existence. I have no doubt that you and would like you both to begin and end imagining it, or maybe he was sitting so much too depressed to get into the your husband have been put through each day reviewing your list of bless- far away that his voice couldn’t travel all right frame of mind for dealing with it. the mill. And though some people are ings, and to acknowledge out loud that the way to my seat. When I asked him I know I’m dumping some very quick to point out that we are only you are blessed. Let it serve as a mantra about it, he confirmed the fact that he heavy stuff on you. I’m not even sure given challenges that we can deal with, for the two of you. Hopefully, this will couldn’t bring himself to daven the way there is anything you can say to help I tend to disagree with this statement. enable a shift to take place within your he used to. He just wasn’t “feeling it.” us get through Yom Kippur and the fol- Some challenges are unbearable. Some thoughts so that the first thought that His voice was shut down. lowing holidays. But for whatever it’s people do not rise to the occasion, but pops into your head in the morning is The wind has been knocked out of worth, or maybe there are other people rather falter. At this time, it sounds as of a more positive nature. him—knocked out of both of us. Our out there reading my sad story and though this is exactly where you and Secondly, I wonder whether you and problems have taken so much out of us relating to it in their own personal way, your husband are teetering. your husband have tried absolutely and away from us. We are both feeling I wonder if there is anything you can I can give you some suggestions to everything within your power to “fix” it and really not doing well. We both say that might help. try. It boils down to deciding (and feel as though we’ve been beaten up Resentful sometimes it actually is about making Continued on Page 27

24 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 25 Recovering From The Mortgage Debacle

There has been much buzz in the ety of stock-market investor portfolios, last few weeks from different political such as hedge funds, pension funds, officials offering a variety of solutions insurance funds, etc. for the mortgage debacle everyone has Raising the Fannie Mae limit hap- been faced with these last few months. pens to be a great idea, since by raising One of the ideas being suggested is a the ceiling for purchasers or borrowers raising of the Fannie Mae (Federal with higher-priced homes who have National Mortgage Association) con- been eliminated from attaining mort- forming limits, to $625,000 from the gages in the jumbo or non-conforming current $417,000, so as to alleviate the market, they will create options for a loss of mortgage availability in the jumbo large group of home buyers for whom market in high-priced real-estate areas. the availability of mortgage funds was Conforming limits are the ceiling lost in the recent mortgage mess. dollar amount posted for loans This would open a large segment of approved by Fannie Mae, which are home buyers with good income and the easiest mortgages to attain— credit, who have been locked out of assuming that you have good credit mortgage financing, to the possibility and steady income which can be docu- of home purchasing and the ability to mented. Since Fannie Mae is govern- access mortgage funds with decent ment-regulated, lenders following its percentages. guidelines can always be assured that In turn, this would raise the number Fannie Mae will purchase back all of home buyers out there looking to loans guaranteed to have been purchase a home who have given up approved with those guidelines. looking for homes due to the difficulty This is in contrast to the situation of obtaining financing. with jumbo (non-conforming) and sub- Whether this plan actually goes prime mortgages, where lenders are through or not remains to be seen. But dependent on private investors or a vari- at least it shows some initiative on the

26 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES part of our Congress to try more inno- vative solutions to stimulate the real- s”xc estate and mortgage industry. Let’s stay tuned and see how this progresses! O

Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real estate broker (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and a licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker (A.C. Action Mortgage Corp.) with over 20 years of experience, offering residential, commercial, and management real-estate services as well as mortgage brokerage services. You are invited to visit her website at www.AVCrealty.com. She can be reached at 516-569-5007. Readers are encouraged to send any questions or comments to [email protected].

MINDBIZ Continued from Page 24 your problems. I know that many problems absolutely cannot be “fixed,” but maybe some of the ones you are expe- riencing can be remedied, or at least tweaked enough to make them less overwhelming. Have the two of you examined the situations from every angle, in the hope of perhaps discover- ing a new twist that could help? Have you tapped into the best professionals for advice? Besides speaking to a spiritual advisor of sorts, who else are the two of you speaking with? Somehow, when a problem is shared with a trusted individual, it often loses a bit of its power and grip over you. By putting it out in the universe, it can make the load that you are carrying feel a bit lighter. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to people whom you feel close to, either because of a desire for privacy or feel- ings of shame, guilt, fear or what have you, find a professional to talk to. Sometimes life is just too hard to nav- igate alone. Reinforcements often have to be brought in. As you pointed out, there are probably many readers who can relate to your situation, perhaps to a lesser degree. As we all reflect upon our lives more than ever during this holiday season, we are subject to acknowledging what’s working in our lives but also, sadly, what’s wrong within our lives. If denial doesn’t work for you, it can be a brutally painful experience. And as one year leads into the next and it appears that nothing has improved, but rather has gotten even worse, the door to our psyche is left wide open for negative emotions to storm in. Your job, then, is to seek out a way to shut that door and keep it closed, in whatever way you can. There are tools that can help, but you must learn how to use them. In the meantime, may I wish for you—and everyone else whose voices were silenced this year in shul due to sadness, anger, and resentment—a happier tomorrow, filled with satisfaction, successes, growth, and peace. Esther

Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in Lawrence. She can be reached at 516-314-2295 or [email protected]. Esther works with individuals and couples.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? WE WANT TO KNOW! E-MAIL US AT [email protected]

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 27 Kippur. On this day, our coming year is maggid of Yerushalayim, told the fol- sealed and finalized by Hashem, as we lowing mashal: say in our tefillos,“B’Rosh Hashanah There was a father who lived in yikaseivun, u’v’Yom Tzom Kippur Europe with his small family. When yeichasaimun—On Rosh Hashanah his children grew older, they decided they are written and on the Yom to move to America to make a better Kippur fast they are sealed.” life for themselves. The father, now This does not just refer to a person’s alone, missed his children very badly parnasah. Our fate and our future— and longed to see them. Every day he Our Abba K’lal Yisrael. On this day, every Jew has every detail of the coming year, all that would wait for his children to call him the power to come closer to Hashem will happen, our health and wealth, our and invite him saying, “Father, Daddy, than at any other time. experiences, our very thoughts, feel- we miss you so! Please come and see BY RABBI YONI POSNICK Chazal teach that the gematria of ings, and peace of mind—are about to us!” He waited and waited, as days “haSattan” (“the Sattan”) is 364, be sealed. Just as the Kohein Gadol turned into weeks and weeks turned We speak a lot about kedushah; it is telling us that the Sattan has the entered the Kodesh HaKadashim, the into months. Finally after many at the center of our thoughts and power to prosecute us before Hashem most holy place, on the holiest day, it is months, he decided he could take it no actions. Everything we do in Yiddishkeit 364 days of the year. However, one day specifically at this time that we have the longer and he had to see his beloved is designed to elevate our lives, to bring a year he is silenced and has no power chance to enter into the most intimate children. He sent word that he was much kedushah and sanctify every to prosecute—the day of Yom Kippur. closeness with our Father, our Creator, planning to come visit them. He action, thought, experience, and facet packed all kinds of presents and gifts of our lives and worlds. We elevate our for the adults and toys for the little lowly existence to one of closeness to ones, the grandchildren he had never HaKadosh Baruch Hu, the Holy One, met or seen. He waited for the day he the very Source of kedushah!m Yo He rushed outside, expecting his children was to leave with great anticipation. Kippur is a day when all the forces of Finally he was on the plane, on the kedushah come together. It is the holi- to be there waiting for him with open arms. way to see his children, the one thing est day of the year. On this day, as we he wanted more than anything in the read in the Kerias HaTorah, the Kohein world. He could barely sit still as the Gadol would enter the Kodesh But no one was there. plane landed and he quickly grabbed HaKadashim, to perform the special his bags and rushed outside, expecting once-a-year avodah of Yom Kippur. his children to be there waiting for him This is when kedushas ha’adam, with open arms. But no one was there. kedushas ha’makom, and kedushas Our tefillos on this day have particular and return in sincerity to build and He thought to himself, “Maybe it is too ha’z’man all meet: The holiest person, potency and effectiveness, for only our work on our relationship with Him. early in the day and they are still asleep. the Kohein Gadol, entered the holiest voice is heard before Hashem, and not By taking a few moments to stop, Perhaps they were so tired preparing place, the Kodesh HaKadashim, on the the Sattan’s. (For this reason we spend reflect, and really feel the power of the and getting things ready for me that holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. the entire day in tefillah and teshuvah). day, the tremendous once-a-year they were too exhausted to get up early The Kohein Gadol was representative The well-known Gemara in opportunity Hashem has given us, we and pick me up.” He took a taxi to the of all K’lal Yisrael with this avodah, and Maseches Rosh Hashanah tells us that will be better prepared to accomplish house, but no one was outside to greet indeed Chazal tell us that the Kohein beinonim receive their judgment and our avodah of this Yom Kippur. him. He walked up to the door and Gadol represents every individual in g’zar din, their final verdict, on Yom HaRav Shalom Schwadron, z’l, the knocked softly, still with great anticipa-

28 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES tion for finally being reunited with his dear children, whom he had waited so long and traveled so far to see. But all seemed quiet within and no one came to the door. Slowly the realization hit him like a ton of bricks—no one was waiting for him; they were all sleeping soundly within and no one was getting out of bed to even open the door. He stood there with an intensely broken heart and bitter tears streaming down his face, the bag of presents in his hand now suddenly weighing much more than before. His children slept happily within, forgetting that their father was coming, forgetting all about him. N NN All year long, Hashem, our Father, Who loves us more than anything in the universe, waits for us to make a move, to reach out, to come closer to Him, to engage Him in a meaningful relationship. He waits and longs for this day and finally He cannot bear it any longer and He goes to be close to His beloved and precious children, who are constantly on His mind. The Talmud tells us that during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, Hashem is closer to us than at any other time. He doesn’t wait for us to come to Him— He comes to us! He is banging on our door, waiting to show- er us with gifts and presents, all of His wonderfully incredible berachos! What is our response? Do we get out of bed? Do we make a move? We have only one day left, but it is the most powerful day. The Gemara describes the day of Yom Kippur as one of ultimate simcha. “There were no greater yamim tovim for K’lal Yisrael than Tu B’Av and Yom Kippur.” At first we may be taken aback. Yom Kippur? The biggest ta‘anis of the year, when we abstain from eating, drinking, and washing, when we cannot even wear regular shoes, and we go to shul to beg G-d for our lives and to forgive us all our sins—this is the greatest day of simcha on the Jewish calendar? Yes! No day is greater, no joy is more powerful, than when parent and child are finally reunited, when the long-lost child has finally come home and is secure in his Abba’s arms. We say in our tefillos,“Avinu Malkeinu .” Yes, HaKadosh Baruch Hu is without a doubt our Melech, the One who over- sees every aspect of our lives, but He is first and foremost our “Abba!” Let us each open the door and happily greet and reunite with our Father, Who so longs to see us again! O

The author may be reached at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 29 But are there ten days between Israel as “the nation close to Him.” Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? What does it mean that we are close to Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and G-d? There are three fundamental second days of Tishrei, while Yom aspects to our relationship with the Al- Kippur is on the tenth of that month. mighty and the manner in which it is Thus, the Ten Days of Teshuvah expressed in our lives. include Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Indeed, teshuvah is a dominant theme in the observances and prayers From The Chassidic Masters of both festivals. Yet the Talmud, in the above-quoted passage and in other Our Sages say that places, speaks of the ten days between Yom Kippur: Day One Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. on Yom Kippur, Chassidic teaching explains that while Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are “the day itself [The sages say:] Yom Kippur atones when He is near” (Yeshayah 55:6), the themselves days of teshuvah, they each only for those who repent. Talmud says, “These are the ten days embody a principle that goes beyond the Rabbi [Yehudah HaNasi] says: Yom between Rosh Hashanah and Yom concept of return: the essence of Rosh atones.” Kippur atones whether one repents or Kippur” (“Eilu asarah yamim she’bein Hashanah precedes teshuvah, while the one does not repent. Rosh HaShanah l’Yom HaKippurim,” essence of Yom Kippur supersedes teshu- —Talmud, Shavuos 13a Rosh Hashanah 18a). These ten days, vah. Thus, the Ten Days of Teshuvah On Yom Kippur, the day itself called the “Ten Days of Teshuvah,” are include the days of Rosh Hashanah and On the most elementary level, we atones…as it is written, “For on this day, the most solemn days of the year— Yom Kippur and, at the same time, are achieve connection with G-d through it shall atone for you.” days designated for soul-searching and the ten days between Rosh Hashanah our observance of the mitzvos, the —Mishneh Torah, return (teshuvah) to G-d. G-d is near— and Yom Kippur. Divine commandments. The mitzvos Laws of Repentance 1:3 more attentive to our prayers and more embody the will of G-d; by observing Citing the prophet’s call, “Seek G-d accepting of our repentance than on The Virtue In Sin the mitzvos and making their fulfill- when He may be found, call upon Him the other days of the year. The Torah describes the People of ment the substance and aim of our lives, our souls and bodies become vehicles of the Divine will. But when a person violates the Divine will, G-d forbid, he uncovers an even deeper dimension of his bond with G-d. The connection created by the mitzvah is exactly that—a connection created between two separate enti- ties. Taken on its own, this connection does not point to any intrinsic bond between the two. In fact, it implies that the natural state of the doer of the mitzvah is one of separateness and dis- tinctness from G-d—a state which is overcome by the act of the mitzvah, which bridges the gulf between the mortal and the Divine. But when a person transgresses a Divine command, a deeper bond with G-d comes to light. His inner equilibrium is disturbed; his soul finds no peace and is driven to compensate for its devastated identity with material excesses or pro- fane spiritual quests. His transgressions highlight the fact that there is nothing more unnatural than a soul estranged from her G-d. Teshuvah is a soul’s experience of the agony of disconnection from its source and its channeling of this agony to drive its return to G-d. Thus, our Sages have said that the sins of a ba‘al teshuvah (returnee) are “transformed into merits,” and that he attains a level of relationship with G-d on which “even the perfectly righteous cannot stand.” His transgressions become virtues, for the distance and disconnection they created have become the impetus for greater closeness and deeper connection. His sins have pro- voked—and his teshuvah has actual- ized—a dimension of his soul’s connection to G-d which a perfectly righteous life never touches.

The One Of The Year But there is also a third, even deeper, dimension to our bond with G-d. The two types of connection discussed above have one thing in com- mon: they both allow for the possibility of disconnection. The mitzvah relates to the level on which our finite and mortal nature set us apart from G-d—a state of affairs which the mitz- 30 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES vah comes to overcome. The transgression makes the opposite point (that connection with G-d is the natural state of every soul) with its very sever- ance of this connection, teshuvah being the consequential effort to restore the natural bond. Ultimately, however, there is a quintessential bond between the soul and G-d that is immutable. On the deepest level of our being, there can be no disconnection, natural or unnatural. This underlying oneness with G-d is the root from which the other two levels of connection stem. Every time we do a mitzvah, we draw from this quintessential unity with G-d the power to overcome our natural apartness and to connect to G-d through the fulfillment of His will. Every time we sin and experience the agony of disconnection from G-d, this is but another expression of the fact that, in essence, our soul is one with its Creator. And it is this unity with G-d that empowers us to restore our relationship with G-d— on the level on which our transgressions do affect it—through the process of teshuvah. These, however, are only glimmers of a deeper truth, expressions of unity rising to the surface of a life that is perceptively distinct and apart. But one day each year, our quintessential oneness with G-d shines forth in all its glory. This day is Yom Kippur, which the Torah refers to as “the one of the year.” Yom Kippur is more than a day of teshuvah. Teshuvah, “return,” implies that, in the interim, one has been somewhere else; Yom Kippur is a day on which we are empowered to actualize that dimension of our soul whose unity with G-d has never been disturbed in the first place. Thus, our Sages say that on Yom Kippur, “the day itself atones.” There is even an opinion, held by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi, that the day itself atones even for those who do not repent their sins. For on this day, we achieve atonement for our sins not only by exploiting them as an impetus for return, but also by uncovering that element of self that is never touched by sin at all.

Foundation And End During the Ten Days of Teshuvah, G-d makes Himself more accessible to us—on all three levels of connection discussed above. It is a period in which special mitzvos are commanded to us (sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, fasting on Yom Kippur, etc.), opening unique avenues of connection to G-d via the fulfillment of His will. It is a period of heightened opportunity for teshuvah—a time when our souls are more sensitive to the break from G-d caused by our transgressions and more driven to return. But the foundation and objective of all connection with G-d is the quintessential bond which requires no deed to effect it and which no deed can affect. In the Ten Days of Teshuvah, the foundation is laid on Rosh Hashanah and attains its ultimate realization on Yom Kippur.

Continued on Page 32 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 31 FROM THE CHASSIDIC MASTERS Continued from Page 31

The defining quality of Rosh Hashanah is that it is the day we crown G-d as king over us. What does it mean that we accept G-d as our king? The king–subject metaphor is one of many employed by the Torah to describe our relationship with G-d, which is also referred to in terms of the relationship between husband and wife, shepherd and flock, master and disciple, and others. The king–subject relationship is unique in that it is not defined by equivocal criteria (love, nurture, intellectual appreciation, etc.), but rather involves the abnega- tion of the subject’s very self to the sovereign. On Rosh Hashanah we relate to G-d as our king, affirming our bond to Him as the very essence of our identity. Our acceptance of G-d as king is the basis for our other levels of connection with G-d—mitzvos and teshuvah. The concept of a Divine commandment has meaning only after one has accepted G-d as the authority over one’s life; and a transgression is a transgression (and thus an impetus to teshuvah) only because it violates a Divine command. Thus, the Ten Days of Teshuvah are defined as the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They are preceded by Rosh Hashanah, since our submission to the Divine sovereignty is the basis for teshuvah—including the teshuvah we do on the two days of Rosh Hashanah (which are themselves part of the ten). And they are supersed- ed by Yom Kippur, since Yom Kippur, in addition to itself being a day of teshuvah, is the ultimate realization of the soul’s quintessential oneness with G-d—a oneness which teshuvah expresses and from which teshuvah draws its power, but which transcends the very concept of “return.” O

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com.

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32 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 33 immediately afterward. And it will be a notification would be followed by pleas major rush job. for new ones. When they complained Since we’re up to our elbows in hol- that the wind chimes had rusted, I ishkes (stuffed cabbage), and since understood and I usually agreed to buy we’re running around to stock up on a new set. I was somewhat less under- last-minute groceries and fresh bee standing about replacing garlands of traps, some of our personal reflection flowers and leaves made of plastic. But and repentance is done while simulta- I usually gave in after a while. I would Bring On The Bees neously slaving over a hot stove or driv- lower the flame on whatever I was ing to the store. There isn’t much cooking at the moment and rush out to choice in the matter, because it can’t a store to update our stock. We’re halfway home, in a manner of actually know what the judgment was. be put off. After Yom Kippur, there’s For 40 years, the Children of Israel speaking. Rosh Hashanah 5768 is a All we can do is hope that Hashem only a small window of opportunity for wandered through the desert, waiting to memory, and we’re now about midway finds our repentance acceptable and cooking and shopping. And, speaking enter the Promised Land. During this through the A seres Yemei Teshuvah favors us with a good year. only from my own personal experience, time, because they traveled from place (Ten Days of Repentance) from Rosh As we age, the intensity of emotion some of this time used to be spent sit- to place, they didn’t bother to build per- Hashanah to Yom Kippur. during this time period increases. And ting in the cheerleading section while manent houses. Mobile homes weren’t Every year during this time of reflec- with each passing year we get ever the menfolk built the sukkah.I never an option back then, so they lived in tion and repentance, a sense of quiet more bent out of shape. I’ve reached got involved in putting it up, but I did sukkahs which could be easily built and fear steals across our collective psy- the pretzel stage. cheer the workers on. just as easily taken down. ches as we daven for ourselves and our Also, in times past, many of the peo- families. On Rosh Hashanah we’re ple were farmers whose homes were inscribed in the Book of Life and on far from the fields. And because don- Yom Kippur the book is sealed. So we There seems to be a scheduling problem: keys and horses were the only available use this time wisely, and everyone does mode of transportation (like the afore- the very best he can in the personal mentioned mobile homes, SUVs were reflection and repentance department. There are only four days between Yom not yet available), the people would Nevertheless, right now, even during live in the fields. To protect themselves these ten days, I’m already wondering from the strong sun by day and the if I will repeat some of my less than Kippur and Sukkos. cold winds of the night, the farmers stellar behavior in the coming year. built sukkahs to live in. Without meaning to sound like I’m When the Temple stood in taking this lightly—I am not—it’s Jerusalem, the people would make pil- somewhat similar to going on a diet, Still, even during these Days of Awe, As soon as the sukkah was standing, grimages, several times a year; walking and at the same time hoping I’ll have there are mundane issues that need to I would hand the decorations to my on foot to bring offerings to the priests the willpower to keep it up. In short, it be dealt with. This is because there children, and the juvenile decorating in the Temple. Today, we celebrate the isn’t easy. But oh, how we try. The sigh seems to be a scheduling problem: committee would go to work. As a rule, harvests just as our ancestors did. But we will breathe once Yom Kippur is There are only four days between Yom the first complaint was logged in with- since most Jews aren’t farmers, the over has always baffled me. At the very Kippur and Sukkos, so anything that in about 15 minutes. Someone always best the majority of us could do in the least, I consider it to be premature. isn’t done right now, before Yom kvetched that last year’s decorations crop department would be to offer up After all, at the end of the day we don’t Kippur, will need to be attended to were not in pristine condition. This some homegrown tomatoes and a few

34 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES cucumbers. While the holiday of Sukkos has an agricultural link, our main participatory celebration right now comes in the form of building, and eating in, a sukkah. My question is, Why does Sukkos have to be four days after Yom Kippur? Couldn’t this celebration have waited a week or two? I’m not well versed in the art of farming, but my best guess is that crops aren’t harvested in a single day. And the pilgrimages couldn’t have been made in a single day, either. Nor could they have started on the exact same day each year. I’ll bet my Mah Jongg card that all of it—the harvest- ing of the crops and the walk up to the Temple with the offerings—had to have taken place over a period of time. So why the rush to get into the sukkah so soon after Yom Kippur? The timing causes complications. Every year, the same scenario is repeated. Shortly before Labor Day, I tell my boss and my co-workers that I won’t be in the office during the holiday season. They look at me as if I’m crazy. “Hey, we’re Jewish too, ya know; we won’t be in, either” is the typical response to my announcement. “Sure, sure, I know that. I just wanted to mention it,” I murmur as my face red- dens in embarrassment. At that point, I assume my co-workers remember that the holidays don’t end with Yom Kippur, and I say no more. But it never quite works out, and the day after Yom Kippur I go into my human calendar mode as questions are lobbed at me left and right. I explain that as Yom Kippur follows Rosh Hashanah, so does Sukkos follow Yom Kippur, and Simchas Torah follows Sukkos. The memory failure is not entirely theirs. It’s mine, as well, because I never remember that they don’t remember! The rapid-fire questions that follow are always the same. “What day is Sukkos? Is it a one- or two-day holiday?” Then, “What day is Simchas Torah? Is that one also two days?” No one ever remembers that, except for Yom Kippur, all the holidays fall on the exact same two days. If Rosh Hashanah is on a Thursday and Friday, so too will Sukkos and Simchas Torah be on those days. I don’t go into any detailed information about Shemini Atzeres, because by that time I don’t have the energy to answer extra questions. Note that I also don’t mention it for another reason: I’m never 100 percent sure of my facts. I always forget which day is Shemini Atzeres and which is Simchas Torah. My memory is no better than anyone else’s. I just hope I remember to buy the bee traps tomorrow. 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.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 35 Sounding The Alarm Over The Destruction Of The Temple Mount

Tekiah—Second Temple Is Being of the Temple Mount. Destroyed! Shevarim—Olmert gave During these Days of Judgment, no permission! Teruah—Jews are silent! one would want to be in the shoes of Tekiah—We must cry out! those Israeli leaders who both per- Manhigut Yehudit, the Jewish mitted this atrocity or of those who Leadership faction of the Likud, is could stop it but do nothing. It is sounding the alarm as the Arab Waqf incumbent on every Jew to protest (Islamic Authority)—with permission and to pray to end this destruction of from the Israeli government of Ehud our history and our identity, and Olmert—has been destroying the thereby to save nothing less than the Jewish People’s holiest site, the future of our people. Temple Mount and the actual Second Temple located just under the surface Manhigut Yehudit is the largest faction inside the Likud party, and strives to turn the State of the of the Mount, by digging a trench Jews into the Jewish State. For more information, across the Temple Mount and trying visit www.jewishisrael.org. to destroy all evidence of our 3,500- year claim to the Divinely given Land of Israel. This atrocity is occurring now, and the Jewish silence from all corners of Submit your photo to the the globe is deafening! The spiritually bankrupt, faithless Israeli Olmert gov- 5 Towns Jewish Times! ernment is gladly permitting, in the name of the false peace of the Oslo Accords and its successors, the ampu- You can upload your tation of these vital limbs of the Jewish people by letting the Arabs destroy our digital photos and see them most sacred site. printed in the weekly edition Jews everywhere must unite to stop this unspeakable act of desecration. of the 5 Towns Jewish Times Moshe Feiglin, president of Manhigut Yehudit, has stated that this action is a thousand times worse www.5tjt.com/sendphotos than if the Western Wall were being torn down, as the Western Wall is only a retaining wall, built by Herod,

36 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Diabetes And Your Eyes Five Towns Community Chest 23rd “The Effects of Diabetes on Your Annual Fall Fair Eyes” will be the topic of discussion at The Five Towns Community Chest the Diabetes Education Program at St. 23rd Annual Fall Fair is scheduled to John’s Episcopal Hospital that is be held on Saturday and Sunday, scheduled for Monday, September 24, October 13–14 in Cedarhurst Park. at 1:30 p.m. in the boardroom at St. On Sunday, the fair is scheduled to run John’s Episcopal Hospital (327 Beach from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each 19th Street in Far Rockaway). year, thousands of families and friends Ophthalmologist Richard Luck, from all over the area come together D.O., will be the presenter. In his for a fun-filled weekend featuring car- talk, Dr. Luck will discuss the eye dis- nival rides, games, kosher and non- eases often associated with diabetes, kosher food, and performances by area including glaucoma, damage to the entertainers. retina, cataracts, and preventable Back by popular demand, young- blindness. Dr. Luck will address how sters can ride the Carnival Carousel, to maintain good eye health as well as the Go Gator Mini-Coaster, the Mini- treatment options. Fire Engines, and more. They can Dr. Luck is the assistant program explore Kidstown, get their faces director of St. John’s residency in oph- painted, and hit the Moonbounce. Big thalmology and he is a clinical profes- kids can warm up on the Sizzler, take sor at Touro University College of a spin on the Rock ’n’ Roll, go for a Osteopathic Medicine in California. whirl on the Tornado, and glide down While providing expert information the Giant Slide. about living with diabetes, the month- “The Five Towns Community ly Diabetes Education Program offers Chest Fall Fair really honors families a forum where questions and com- and the community. Families come to ments are welcome. To find out more, the fair and have a great time togeth- please call the Diabetes Education er. Local families in need receive help Program at 718-869-7116. O via the proceeds of the fair,” said Craig Spatz, chairman of Five Towns Torah Tours Enriches Holiday Community Chest. Monies raised Celebrations In 65 Communities will support local agencies that pro- Students and alumni of Yeshiva vide child care, after-school pro- University, its affiliated Rabbi Isaac grams, senior services, mental-health Elchanan Theological Seminary services, assistance to families in cri- (RIETS), and YU’s Center for the sis, and more. Jewish Future (CJF) will enrich the Bring your appetite! The food court holiday celebrations of Shemini will feature King David, Mr. Softee, and Atzeres and Simchas Torah in more a tantalizing array of carnival fare. At than 65 Jewish communities around the main stage, see local entertainers, the world, including Long Island. including Jan Slow and the Vanishing As part of the annual Blanche Cowboys, The Dance Express troupe, Schreiber Torah Tours, groups of four Magic by Vinnie, a demonstration by to eight men and women plan to visit Shotokan Karate, the Lawrence High Orthodox congregations to infuse School Band, and much more. ruach (Jewish spirit and passion) into Corporate sponsors include com- the holiday celebrations. Torah Tours munity leading organizations with a group are scheduled to visit Eitz strong history of supporting local char- Chayim in West Hempstead and Young ities, such as Commerce Bank, the Israel of Great Neck in Great Neck. Nassau Herald, American Drive-In This year, more than 350 students and Cleaners, Coleman Country Day alumni have chosen to spend the holi- Camps, and Spiro Insurance and days away from their families to sing, Financial Services, along with many dance, and share Torah ideas with mem- other local businesses and individuals. bers of other Jewish communities They Come on down to Cedarhurst Park will also host activities for youth and for good old fashioned family fun for deliver lectures on Jewish-themed topics. the benefit of the community.For The Center for the Jewish Future more information call 516-374-5800 works with YU’s colleges, schools, and or e-mail [email protected]. affiliates to shape programs that will Member agencies of the Five Towns train Jewish lay and professional lead- Community Chest include the Peter J. ership, develop initiatives and DeSibio Five Towns Child Care strengthen existing ones, as well as Center,Five Towns Community deliver services to its students and the Center, Five Towns Senior Center, broader Jewish communities. Peninsula Counseling Center, and “This program engages our student Tempo Group Inc. body in what they do best: bringing Five Towns Community Chest also energy and enthusiasm into communi- allocates funds to ten other health and ties around the world,” said Rabbi human services affiliates, including Kenneth Brander, CJF dean. the American Red Cross, Kulanu, Five Torah Tours sponsors more than Towns Police Activities League, JCC 125 programs around the world and of the Greater Five Towns, and North during the year., including other holi- Shore-Long Island Jewish Health days and winter and summer breaks. System. O To participate in future tours, contact CJF at 212-960-0041. O Continued on Page 38 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 37 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS York City content-area teachers who A high school is considered “small” if it Continued from Page 37 are already working with English-lan- has fewer than 500 students. guage learners (“ELL” students). Participating teachers will earn nine Touro Awarded $1.5 Million For “This grant will make it possible for credits of course work in conjunction Education Research 200 New York City high-school teach- with Touro’s Teaching English to The Touro College Lander Center ers to better educate their students Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for Educational Research has been who are struggling to learn English,” program, a master’s-level program awarded a five-year, $1.5 million said Dr. Miller. “The methods that offered by Touro’s School of Education grant from the United States many high-school teachers are now and Psychology, Graduate Division. Department of Education’s Office of using typically do not adequately facil- The Lander Center operates as a unit English Language Acquisition. The itate learning or literacy instruction for of the School of Education and purpose of the grant is to provide English-language learners. It is very Psychology, which currently enrolls high-school teachers in New York City fitting that teachers will learn these over 5,000 students in its seven mas- with the skills needed to educate stu- skills at Touro College, which has a ter’s degree programs. dents who have limited proficiency in long tradition of helping the under- Teachers will also be provided with English. The program is planned to served in our communities.” 35 hours of professional-development begin this month. The need for more highly qualified opportunities to increase their knowl- The curriculum, entitled “Language content-area teachers who can effec- edge base and capacity to improve the Development in the Context of the tively teach high-school ELL students Dr. LaMar Miller, distinguished professor at literacy and academic language devel- Disciplines Program,” was designed by is reflected in national, state, and Touro’s School of Education and Psychology. opment of their English-language Dr. LaMar P. Miller, a distinguished local data as well as numerous learners. These activities will include professor at Touro College and direc- research studies. New York City those schools report no, or limited, summer institutes, conferences, and tor of its Lander Center, in close coop- remains one of the areas in greatest services to support these students. professional study groups, as well as eration with the New York City need. More than 10 percent of the Under the program, 40 teachers of access to pertinent web-based technol- Department of Education’s Office of students enrolled in the city’s small English language arts, global studies, ogy. The entire program is offered at English Language Learners (OELL.) high schools, towards which the pro- and history from the city’s 235 small no cost to the teachers. O The program is unusual in that it will gram is geared, exhibit limited profi- high schools with the greatest need provide specialized training for New ciency with English, and over half of will be chosen to participate each year. The Essential Traveler: KosherRestaurantsGPS.com By Rochelle Maruch Miller Necessity is the mother of inven- tion—just ask Yitzie Katz, who has rev- olutionized the course of kosher travel throughout the United States and Canada. “I had just bought myself a GPS about a year and a half ago,” said Yitzy, who resides in Kew Gardens Hills with his wife Elaine and their three children. “There I was, in front of Kosher Delight, experimenting with some of the features. Imagine how sur- prised I was when the restaurant didn’t even come up on my GPS.” Not one to be deterred, he tried to access information about other restaurants, as well, but to no avail. Much to Yitzy’s surprise, a database featuring such information was nonexistent. With his extensive background in the computer field, Yitzy’s interest was piqued. He soon discovered that, despite the existence of over 1,200 kosher establishments throughout the United States and Canada, there was no database that would provide this information to the kosher consumer. “There were websites that provide information about establishments, but they aren’t kosher, at least not to my standards,” he added. So Yitzy decided to design the ultimate resource for the kosher traveler, and the concept of KosherRestaurantsGPS.com was created. “I started the project because it just wasn’t there,” he explained. But it was a major task that would take several months to bring to fruition. With the demands of his full-time position in construction sales, the endeavor presented no small challenge, even for someone with Yitzy’s computer expertise. A true eizer k’negdo, Elaine provided the necessary encouragement and enthusiasm, cheering him on at every step of the way. Says Yitzy, “Elaine kept on prod- ding me to work on it slowly, adding five entries every night.” With meticulous attention to every detail, he devoted time and energy to orchestrating the project to perfection. In February 2007, the eagerly anticipated KosherRestaurantsGPS.com website was launched, providing a vital service to kosher consumers throughout North America. 38 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES KosherRestaurantsGPS.com is an features this disclaimer on its website, invaluable resource for comprehensive “It is up to the consumer to verify the kosher restaurant information for your information by requesting to see a GPS system. Now, observant individu- copy of the kashrus certification. als who travel extensively are able to Kashrus may change or certain private find a restaurant at a moment’s notice. kashrus may not be acceptable to you, KosherRestaurantsGPS.com offers so please verify before eating at a resources at one’s fingertips, providing restaurant. We do not vouch for the everything the harried traveler needs accuracy of the information submitted to quickly find a kosher establishment. to the database.” Featured are addresses, phone num- Subscribers to the website who have bers, and automatic directions to the downloaded the database wax poetic locations of choice. about its merits, and claim it is the “Now all those people like myself who best $18 they have ever spent. are on the go, in their own neighborhood Consider Abe C., whose business takes or in another state, and want to know him to destinations across the country. where to go to eat can do so in just a “KosherRestaurantsGPS.com is worth matter of minutes,” Yitzy said. “What I ten times its cost,” he told the Five developed is an add-on to GPS devices Towns Jewish Times. to find kosher dairy and glatt kosher He added: “There are many weeks restaurants, as well as bakeries. In addi- during the year that I’m on the road for tion, we now have a database of over four or five days at a time, meeting with 2,000 Orthodox locations to daven. We prospective clients and servicing provide this free, with every download of accounts. Every minute is accounted our restaurant database for $18.” for. Certainly, I don’t have the time or That Yitzy Katz’s standards of the inclination to search for acceptable kashrus for inclusion in this resource places to eat a kosher meal. And are stringent is not surprising. His because I won’t compromise my stan- father was a distinguished talmid dards of kashrus, I’ve had no choice but chacham who taught Chulin and Yoreh to exist on canned tuna, sardines, and De‘ah for 60 years. “My father’s whole nuts and fruits, particularly in certain life was learning,” Yitzy recalls. He was cities. It’s a phenomenal website—a the rav ha’machshir at Grossingers boon to the kosher traveler in every pos- during the resort’s last eight years. sible way. For just $18, subscribers “Food and impeccable standards of download the database, giving them kashrus are integral to our family. We access to clear, concise and comprehen- were in private catering 20 years ago.” sive information on 1,200 kosher Still, he realizes the diversity of our restaurants and bakeries, plus up-to- community, and respects the wide the-minute updates on the latest addi- spectrum of stringencies that exist. To that end, KosherRestaurantsGPS.com Continued on Page 40

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 39 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS abound. Hockey, basketball, and even Much thought and consideration Cedarhurst. Call 516-295-2478 or Continued from Page 39 a little weight-lifting doing Tomchei have gone into this enterprise. There’s visit www.chabad5towns.com for more Shabbos are available. Unfortunately, something there for everybody, from information. tions in fine kosher dining. that which is offered to girls is beginners to the more advanced—bal- Farbrengen for men . On Tuesday, “Kosher RestaurantsGPS.com gets me extremely limited. let, hip-hop, contemporary, tap, September 18, at 8:15 p.m., join in a there without delay. And as an added And what of artistic enrichment for stomp, acro, jazz, simcha dance, jump gathering commemorating the 6th of bonus, subscribers receive a comprehen- the frum women of our community? rope, and creative dance, just to name Tishrei, the day of passing of sive minyan directory at no additional How are we fostering G-d-given innate a few. If music is something you wish Rebbetzin Chana, mother of the cost. I am able to plan my entire itinerary talents? Where are the activities for to pursue, you might consider a class Lubavitcher Rebbe, o.b.m. knowing where and when I can find a girls, teens, and adults who seek to in keyboard, guitar, percussion, or Yom Kippur. Services are scheduled minyan. No matter where my business release the tensions of everyday life in recorder. In the not-too-distant future, to take place on Friday, September takes me in the U.S. and Canada, I’m an environment that is modest as classes in art and drama are to be 21, and Saturday, September 22, at able to daven b’tzibur and attend to my befits the girls and women of our com- available, as well. All instructors are HAFTR High School (635 Central business obligations, all thanks to munity? How about a place they can professional choreographers, musi- Avenue). Call for a complete schedule KosherRestaurantsGPS.com. I’m not one call their own, where talent and skill cians, and teachers, with years of of services. to be easily impressed, but I enthusiasti- can be developed while having fun? experience in their fields. Friendship Circle volunteer kick-off cally recommend it to everyone who trav- We want our kids to develop their Full-length wall mirrors, a skylight party. Are you a teen in Grade 9 or up? els, whether for business or recreation. talents and skills without having to above, and beautiful art create a warm, Come to Chabad on Sunday, And since I became a subscriber, I make compromise their emunah and values. fun atmosphere, while a state-of-the- September 23 (4:30–6:00 p.m. for sure that I never leave home without it!” So is there a contradiction between art surround-sound system, theatrical girls and 6:30–8:00 p.m. for boys). For more information about this the performing arts and living a Torah lighting, and a large, high-definition Bring your friends and learn more valuable resource, please visit www way of life? The answer is no. One can flat-screen display make the classes about this amazing volunteering oppor- .KosherRestaurantsGPS.com. O do both, and they can even comple- more sophisticated. tunity! Dougie’s dinner will be served. ment one another. That is the goal of a Unlike health clubs offering an occa- RSVP to [email protected] New For Women: Dancin’ Zone In new studio that is opening up this sional class for women, Dancin’ Zone or call 516-295-2478, ext. 13. Cedarhurst month in Cedarhurst—for girls and was created with women in mind. Holiday basics: Open forum with the As the Five Towns/Rockaway area women only. As an additional service to the com- rabbi. On Sunday, September 23, at continues to grow and flourish, baruch The Dancin’ Zone is a center for munity, the studio will also be available 10:30 a.m., Rabbi Zalman Wolowik Hashem, there are many wonderful dance, music, and performing arts for parlor meetings and small parties, will be sharing kabbalistic insights and shiurim to attend and lectures to hear. conveniently located in the heart of including bat mitzvahs. practical practices for the holiday of However, outside of school hours, in Cedarhurst, at 331 Washington As we leave the lazy summertime Sukkos. Open to all. addition to our academic and spiritual Avenue. To build self-confidence and days behind, it’s time to register for the Farbrengen for men . On Tuesday, enrichment, we also need to help cre- self-esteem is no small thing. Music, group that you want. Classes are in for- September 25, at 8:15 p.m., a gather- ate a healthy, well-rounded individual. dance, and art in a healthy, warm envi- mation. For information and registra- ing is scheduled to take place in honor The goal is nourishment of mind and ronment offer a wonderful form of tion material, contact dancinzone@ of the yahrtzeit of the Rebbe Maharash, body, as our gedolim tell us that we self-expression which ultimately pro- gmail.com. O the fourth Chabad Rebbe. O must take care of ourselves. motes self-growth and has a positive In America too many people are effect academically and spiritually. And Upcoming Events At Chabad Young Israel Demands Halt To Dig sitting around, and it’s not healthy. participants will improve their coordi- Unless otherwise noted, all events On Holy Ground For boys and men, after-school and nation and fitness levels in a fun-filled, will take place at the Chabad of the The National Council of Young weekend sports activities seem to positive environment. Five Towns, 89 Maple Avenue in Israel has arranged a telephone confer-

40 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ence to apprise its rabbinic able to Jewish researchers.” Israel Defense Forces, as the leadership on the controver- NCYI leaders referenced culmination of a major sial Muslim Waqf excavation reports of the destruction of fundraising project. The at the Temple Mount in Temple artifacts during the Chabad tradition, as set forth Israel. Participants will Waqf’s placement of electrical by the Rebbe, honors the peo- include the rabbinate of wiring underneath the Temple ple of Israel with daily prayers Young Israel’s 150 community plaza. “The current situation and tzedakah missions on their synagogues in North America inherently contradicts Israel’s behalf. Many famous Israeli and 50 communities in Israel, Protection of Holy Places politicians met with the Rebbe and non-Young Israel Law, which guarantees the to seek guidance on affairs Associate Members of the sanctity of all holy sites, and beyond their ken. The bar and Young Israel Council of makes it a punishable offense bat mitzvah youth who partici- Rabbis. to desecrate or deny freedom pated in Chabad of the Five On the call will be noted of access to them. There is no Towns clubs acted on this Hebrew University archaeolo- doubt that the law is to be Jewish DNA when they chose gist Dr. Eilat Mazar, who spe- applied to Jewish, Christian, a chesed project to honor their cializes in Jerusalem and and Muslim holy sites, to pre- Rabbi Wolowik (center) led the Chabad of the Five Towns mission to Israel, coming of age. Phoenician archaeology and serve the shared history and which included the donation of a recreational container to the Golani Most people planning a bar has worked on authorized holiness of the entire area,” Brigade. The Begun and Zisman families participated in the ceremony. mitzvah concern themselves Temple Mount excavations, said Shlomo Mostofsky, presi- with finding a DJ, choosing and Rabbi Chaim Richman, dent, and Rabbi Pesach of the community as a whirl- group of soldiers can easily invitations, and other vital the international director of Lerner, executive vice-presi- wind tour that leaves your answer the question. teenage concerns. These the Temple Institute. dent, of NCYI. O body and soul in great shape. Sue Fishkoff wrote a book ba‘alei chesed-in-training In a letter dated September The trips almost always describing Chabad emissaries organized a bowl-a-thon and a 10, the National Council I sraeli Army Visited By The include the Kotel, Tsfat, and as “The Rebbe’s Army.” The letter-writing campaign to implored Israeli Prime Rebbe’s Army Hebron, and this time there late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi raise $10,000 to buy a recre- Minister Ehud Olmert to halt “We are not travel agents,” were some new attractions, Menachem Mendel ational container. The soldiers the digging by the Waqf, who noted Rabbi Schneur Zalman such as horseback riding in Schneerson, inspired thou- of the 13th Division of the “in brazen disregard for history Wolowik in a derashah. “So Netanya and a picnic in Eretz sands to go to all corners of Golani Brigade live in tents and the significance of the site why do we visit Israel twice a Bereishis. The rabbi and his the globe to reach out to those and are often on the move, for Jews the world over, has year? To renew and recharge wife (also the planner, naviga- in spiritual need. On the with only small personal items already allowed for the our spiritual reservoir.” The tor, and all around “mom”) are recent trip, over 50 members such as books, flashlights, and destruction of artifacts and has semiannual Israel trip of hard-pressed to pick their of this “army”—rabbis, rebbet- transistor radios. The portable made discoveries about the Chabad of the Five Towns is favorite thing about their zins, and shul members—met Temple that remain unavail- well-known among members August trip, but a certain with members of Tzahal, the Continued on Page 42

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 41

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS iday draws near, the phones ring off the Continued from Page 41 hook with people looking for a holiday A Five Towns Simcha meal.” Because of the costs involved, the Photos By Richard Black Studios “rec room” will help the soldiers relax organization wasn’t sure whether it would in an easily transportable area and play be able to open on the holidays, but an games or use electrical devices. outpouring of support from people within The bar and bat mitzvah boys and the community made it possible. Limor Hila Brody girls presented their donation on a of Great Neck 105-degree day at the home base in celebrated her the Negev. We often forget that many Bat Mitzvah Israeli soldiers are themselves at Congregation teenagers, and being able to play video Beth Sholom games and watch TV provides much on Labor Day. relief for them. Pictured below Of course, it would not be a Chabad with her parents, Dr. Paul and event if Rabbi Wolowik did not help Drora, her someone put on tefillin, and hundreds of sisters (L-R) men put on tefillin that day with Rabbi Liat, Dana, and Wolowik at an army base in Kissufim. Tali, and her He also mounted the mezuzah. brother Joey. We hope and pray that Hashem pro- The simcha was tects these young men and women enhanced by just as they put their lives on the line Shloime Dachs to protect the lives of Jews every- and his orchestra where. O and Suri Brody of Ruach Masbia: Providing Holiday Meals Entertainment. For The Needy While most of us have been preparing for the holidays, one organization was busy making sure that even the neediest in Brooklyn—the capital of Jewish poverty—had a “sweet” New Year. In addition to the regular clientele, a Masbia, New York City’s only kosher letter went out to 400 single mothers noti- soup kitchen open five days a week, has fying them that Masbia would be serving served sumptuous meals throughout the food over the holidays, and Assemblyman Jewish New Year to meet the needs of Dov Hikind helped spread the word to some of the city’s poorest Jews. those in need on his radio show last week. “Masbia won’t be taking a holiday vaca- “Masbia was founded by a few indi- tion,” said Alexander Rapaport, one of the founders of the soup kitchen. “As the hol- Continued on Page 44

42 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 43 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS be open 24/7. We just need the money through private donations. Among good coming here. But more than that, Continued from Page 42 to be able to do it.” donors to this year’s holiday meals are our donors want us to go all the way— Masbia has been known to go out of Strauss Bakery, which offered to serve they don’t want to sponsor a skimpy viduals who believed that the rich in its way to help those in need. Recently, baked goods; Dagim, which offered fish; soup, they want to sponsor the best.” the community would jump to support a woman who had been kicked out of and Emi-Yoshi, which is providing fancy An average holiday meal at Masbia an organization like this, and that’s her home called the soup kitchen look- dishes for the meals to be served on. would go for roughly $80 at a New exactly what happened,” said ing for a meal. Masbia had already “Those who came for a hot meal got York restaurant. Tradition has it that Rapaport. “Donors pushed us to be closed for the night, but employees the best of the best,” said Rapaport. on Rosh Hashanah, known as the Day open on the holidays; they brought the arranged for the caller to be served at “Because there is often shame in coming of Judgment, Jews are supposed to eat money forward to make us open on the a local kosher restaurant. to a soup kitchen, it should at least be lavish meals that include meat and holidays,” Rapaport said. “We want to Masbia is funded almost entirely worth it, and we want people to feel very fish, honey and apples, and round bread that has no ends. Meals included salmon and whitefish, rib-eye steak, chicken, and a variety of kugels, accompanied by Herzog wines. Many eat pomegranates as a symbol that a person’s merits, represented by the fruit’s many kernels, will outweigh his transgressions. Another tradition is to eat a new fruit, so Masbia provided a plate full of exotic fruits. “We want everyone who comes to feel better than if they had cooked for themselves,” said Rapaport. O

NORPAC Hosts Senate Republican Leader In Lawrence NORPAC inaugurated its Long Island Chapter on Sunday, September 9, by hosting Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) at the home of Trudy and Stanley Stern in Lawrence. NORPAC is the largest and most active bipartisan political action committee promoting the U.S.- Israel relationship. Founded in the early 1990s in Englewood, N.J., NOR- PAC has been steadily expanding its membership and range over the past

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44 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS who was also in attendance, is the Continued from Page 44 associate principal of student life at HAFTR High School and attended several years with regional chapters in NORPAC’s 2007 Mission to Riverdale, N.Y., and Edison, N.J., as Washington with several students. well as events in Florida and else- Senator McConnell spoke about the where. “With Stanley and Trudy Stern “War on Terror,” the conflict in Iraq, leading the way, now seemed like the and his own position as a national best time to harness the generosity and party leader, before opening the floor Zionist passion of the Five Towns com- to questions. Philip Rosen of munity,” said NORPAC National Lawrence asked the senator’s opinion President Dr. Ben Chouake. on presidential hopeful Mayor Rudy Trudy Stern expressed why the Five Giuliani’s comments about how a two- Towns should be a hub of NORPAC state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian activity: “Being that we are so Zionist conflict may not be a real possibility. and send all of our children to Israel NORPAC Long Island Chapter and visit Israel and support so many Regional President Stanley Stern Senator Mitch McConnell surrounded by members of the Stern family: social welfare causes in Israel, this asked about the impact on foreign pol- Dana, Stanley, Trudy, Joseph, and Erica. goes to the heart of the survival of icy of America’s dependence on foreign Israel. This is the most effective way to oil. NORPAC has been advocating for leverage our dollars and our voice in passage of the U.S.-Israel Energy support of the State of Israel. It’s our Cooperation Act (H.R. 1838, S. 838) responsibility to help ensure the sur- for the past two years. The bill would vival of the State of Israel through establish a grant program for joint political action.” research by the U.S. and Israel into This past year, 75 people from Long alternative energy and energy efficien- Island took a day off from work and cy to wean America and Israel off the school to advocate for Israel on oil controlled by anti-Western tyrants. Capitol Hill during NORPAC’s annual Other topics ranged from the growing Mission to Washington. Long Island Muslim influence in Europe, the pos- residents filled two of NORPAC’s sev- sibility of Western-style elections in enteen buses that day. In comparison, Saudi Arabia, and how to prevent Iran in 2005, only two people from Long from gaining nuclear weapons. Island registered for the trip. NORPAC promotes the U.S.-Israel Over 50 people attended Sunday’s relationship by helping to elect and event. Among the many community reelect pro-Israel candidates to Senator McConnell puts on a NORPAC kippah. leaders were Rabbi Moshe Congress. Federal election laws limit Pictured also are Dr. Ben Chouake (L) and Stanley Stern (R). Teitelbaum of the Young Israel of the amount any one person or political Lawrence-Cedarhurst and Rabbi Zev action committee (PAC) can donate to campaigns. NORPAC gives directly to from individuals and then presenting Friedman, rosh yeshiva of Machon a candidate, so candidates must campaigns, but more importantly, it HaTorah. Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, achieve broad-based support for their bundles money: collecting donations Continued on Page 48

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AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS DC, to educate Members of Congress butions to his community. is situated in the heart of the vibrant Continued from Page 46 about the critical importance of the On Monday, Mr. Nadler congratu- West Hempstead community and U.S-Israel relationship and advocate lated Rabbi Fleischer on his appoint- housed in the newly renovated beis them to candidates with a statement for important legislation—such as the ment. “Rabbi Fleischer embodies the midrash of Congregation Anshei saying the donors support a strong Iran Counter-Proliferation Act (H.R. values of the commission,” he said. Shalom. The yeshiva is located within U.S.-Israel relationship benefiting both 1400, S. 970), a bill intended to stop “He most notably possesses the quali- convenient driving distance of Hofstra nations. In this way, NORPAC lever- Iran, through tougher sanctions, from ties and skills necessary to the com- University, Nassau Community College, ages donations from the pro-Israel gaining nuclear weapons—and for giv- mission’s important work. He will be a and Queens College, and counts among community into a collective voice that ing over $2.4 billion in aid to Israel. tireless advocate in identifying and its core talmidim young men who have merits national attention. Many mem- NORPAC Long Island Chapter promoting the preservation of signifi- graduated from yeshiva high school and bers of NORPAC recall stories of the Regional President Stanley Stern cant sites in Europe that are invaluable in most cases have spent one or more pleas of American Jewry falling on deaf hopes that the event for Senator to the commission.” ears during World War II. McConnell was only the first of Fleischer is a noted community NORPAC has raised nearly a half many to be held in the Five Towns leader from the Chassidic Jewish com- million dollars in 2007 so far. During area, and encouraged those at the munity in Borough Park and a promi- Senator Joe Lieberman’s tough race event to participate in the 2008 nent member of the Bobover dynasty. for reelection in 2006, NORPAC Mission to Washington. For more He serves on numerous boards of not- members raised and donated well over information, visit NORPAC’s web- for-profits in Borough Park and $200,000 to help ensure that a long- site at www.norpac.net. O devotes much of his time to helping standing ally of Israel would be able to the less fortunate members of the continue to lead in the Senate. “It is Rabbi Yitzchok Fleischer Appointed community. In particular, he has important that we line up support To U.S. Heritage-Preservation worked to provide for the well-being of before there is a problem,” said Trudy Commission many Holocaust survivors whose Stern. “So many people give charity to Rabbi Yitzchok “Jules” Fleischer has needs are becoming greater in the twi- Israel and visit Israel. Well, we can’t do been appointed to the United States light of their lives. O that if there is no Israel.” Jeff Daube, a Commission for the Preservation of former vice-president of NORPAC’s America’s Heritage Abroad. The com- Yeshiva Gedolah Breakfast, Riverdale chapter who moved to Israel mission, an independent government October 14 this month, wrote, “I feel safer making agency, works to protect and preserve The Yeshiva Gedolah of West aliyah knowing there are organizations cemeteries, monuments, and historic Hempstead second annual breakfast is like NORPAC back in the U.S.” buildings in Central and Eastern scheduled for Sunday morning, October In addition to its events for mem- Europe that are linked to the heritage 14, at 9:30 a.m. at Congregation Anshei Rabbi Allen Schwartz bers of Congress, NORPAC also issues of American citizens. Shalom (472 Hempstead Avenue in “Action Alerts” to thousands of con- Several members of the commission West Hempstead). The yeshiva, current- cerned citizens on its e-mail list, estab- are nominated at the suggestion of the ly in its third year, provides a warm and years learning in yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael. lishes relationships with key members Speaker of the House of nurturing environment for students who As part of the yeshiva’s commitment of Congress, and helps bring members Representatives. U.S. Representative recognize the importance of continuing to spreading Torah throughout the of Congress together on issues of Jerrold Nadler (8th Congressional their Torah study while attending college community, its weekly Thursday-night importance to the pro-Israel communi- District of New York) had asked Speaker or working. The yeshiva is an affiliate of mishmar program attracts boys and ty. This past May, NORPAC brought Pelosi to nominate Rabbi Fleischer in Kesharim, a national organization which men from West Hempstead and neigh- nearly 700 participants to Washington, recognition of his longstanding contri- promotes collegiate Torah programs, and boring areas. Throughout the year, the

48 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES yeshiva also arranges special shiurim Gedolah, Mel is in his element where living on the Upper West Side. He lished themes of Bible, rabbinics, and and presentations on topics of interest there is Torah in the air. seeks to make all kinds of religious halachah thought. Rabbi Schwartz to the general community. In addition, Rabbi Allen Schwartz is senior rabbi opportunities available to Ohab Zedek writes Bible curricula for Jewish day the yeshiva offers special evening shi- at Congregation Ohab Zedek in members and his goal for the commu- schools and lectures extensively for the urim for women, which are enthusias- Manhattan and has been teaching nity is to make every attendee a mem- Board of Jewish Education of New tically attended by women of all ages. Bible at Yeshiva University for the past ber of the larger community family. York and is on the educational staff of Guests of honor at this year’s break- 23 years and Manhattan Day School He was ordained at YU and has a Camp Mesorah. fast include Dr. Yosef and Mrs. Shira for the past 6 years. Rabbi Schwartz’s master of arts degree from there in For reservations or other informa- Zupnick, who are to receive the Oskim major focus at Ohab Zedek is to foster Bible, rabbinics, and halachah. He is tion about the breakfast, please con- B’Tzorchei Tzibur Award, and Mr. connections within the many different currently writing his doctoral thesis on Melvin Brody, who is to receive the age groups and constituencies of Jews the methodology of Rashi and has pub- Continued on Page 50 Ahavas HaTorah Award. The scheduled guest speaker is Rabbi Allen Schwartz. Shira and Yosef Zupnick have been dedicated to and involved with the West Hempstead community since their arrival in 1987. Yosef is an active partic- ipant in the Young Israel and regularly attends shiurim in the neighborhood. Shira was on the board of Emunah and sisterhood and was a recipient of the sisterhood Eishes Chayil Award. The Zupnicks are the proud parents of Eli Doni, Chanan, and Binny. Mel Brody has been engaged in a lifelong pursuit of learning Torah, and is committed to learning something new every day. He has homes in West Hempstead, Vacation Village, and Deerfield Beach, and in each location he faithfully attends shiurim at nearby yeshivos and shuls in order to continue his insatiable quest for limud haTorah. Whether having lively Torah discus- sions with his five grandchildren, learning Shabbos afternoons with Rabbi Yehuda Pearl of Congregation Anshei Shalom, attending shiurim with a group of colleagues, or arguing over Gemara with the bachurim (many years his junior) in the Yeshiva

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS future problems and optimize func- Continued from Page 49 tional fitness,” she added. Backed by over 25 years of skilled tact the event chairman, Mr. Andrew nursing services, the staff at Oceanview Scheer, at 516-565-6511 or scheer@ Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of optonline.net. O Queens County realizes that older adults wish to spend their retirement Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation years living at home, but at some point Program At Oceanview in their lives they are very likely to Oceanview Nursing and Rehabili- require help with the daily demands of tation Center in Far Rockaway, a life, or their caregivers—the family skilled nursing and rehabilitation members who live closest to them—will provider for those who can no longer need some assistance. Oceanview is remain independent in the community, here for these adults and their families. has opened a cardiac and pulmonary Oceanview’s main objective in short-term program to service the establishing this cardiac and pul- Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island monary rehabilitation program is to communities. Mr. L. Wolcowitz, owner rehabilitate, minimize disability, and and executive director, continually maximize strength, endurance, and offers high-quality care and services to confidence, so that the individual can elderly and medically compromised return home. O individuals. This skilled nursing center provides customized, professional care Far Rockaway Community Comes services for seniors and others who are Out For Chai Lifeline rehabilitating, convalescing, or dis- The moving account of a family’s abled due to disease, chronic condi- crisis and Chai Lifeline’s immediate tions, or aging. response enthralled a large group of “We are very excited about bringing Far Rockaway-area ba’alei batim a compassionate cardiac and pul- attending a reception at the home of monary rehabilitation program where Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Brown earlier caregiving may be individualized as this month. needed,” said Wendy Trimboli, admin- Scores of rabbis and laymen crowd- istrator. “The program can include up ed Rabbi Brown’s home to inaugurate to five stages of service. A guideline is the period of selichos. They were moved followed to ensure that the best care to tears by Rabbi Zev Brown’s story of standards are met. Heart disease may personal tragedy and how the trained be the leading cause of death for both volunteers and professionals of Project men and women. Oceanview providers C.H.A.I. assisted his family through support the resident and their families the awful first days and weeks of their in learning heart-healthy exercise and bereavement. His expression of hakaras lifestyle options that can reduce risk of ha’tov, coupled with a description of

50 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Chai Lifeline services and the promise it makes to help families who must cope with pediatric illness, medical crises and tragedies, and bereavement, went straight to the hearts and minds of the reception’s guests. Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chai Lifeline’s executive vice-president, linked the organization to the event, which took place on the first night of selichos. “This is the season when we vow to change our lives. Through its work, Chai Lifeline changes the lives of seriously ill children and their families. Your support makes you an agent of that change, and an integral part of

Rabbi Brown and Rabbi Scholar at a Chai Lifeline selichos event. our work.” “Chai Lifeline’s chesed, which affect the lives of thousands of children and adults, is possible only because the organization has so many friends and contributors. “Selichos, which inaugu- rates a period of teshuvah and introspection, is a particularly appropriate time to participate in Chai Lifeline’s chesed,” said Rabbi Laib Roberts, director of regional development. The reception marked the second time that Rabbi and Mrs. Brown graciously opened their home for Chai Lifeline. “It is truly an honor to host this reception,” Rabbi Brown told the group. “Chai Lifeline is made up of unbelievable people doing unbelievable things.” Said Rabbi Roberts, “We are indebt- ed to Rabbi and Mrs. Brown for making the evening an annual event. We have already planned the next one: it will take place on motzaei Shabbos, September 20, 2008, the first night of selichos. While you don’t need to wait to support the organization, I urge everyone to put the date on their calendars now.” O

OU Thanksgiving Mission To Israel In November To offer an insider’s perspective into the Land of Israel and the role of the OU there, particularly when Israelis are suffering, the Orthodox Union announced that its second mission of the year, the OU Thanksgiving Mission—Monday, November 19 to Sunday, November 25—will feature a visit to S’derot. The dual purpose is to bring comfort and consolation to the people of S’derot while demonstrating

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to mission participants the OU’s programs on behalf of the city’s belea- guered population, faced frequently with barrages of Kassam rockets. Another important aspect of the mission will be an opportunity for parents to attend a private yeshiva fair with their graduating high school seniors. Both boys’ and girls’ yeshivos will be represented on Tuesday, November 20. The Thanksgiving Mission will also feature opportunities to learn from renowned Torah educators, meet high- ranking Knesset officials, and tour restricted military locations. This mission follows the successful “You and the OU—Partners in Action” trip in late July. Information on OU Israel Missions is featured at www.ou.org/israelmissions. “We are looking forward to another OU group visit to Israel,” said Stanley Hillelsohn, chair of the OU Israel Commission. “The trip to S’derot will be an opportunity for participants to assure the residents of the city that they are not forgotten; that they are always in our prayers; and that the OU is doing and will continue doing all it can to strengthen and encourage them as Kassam rockets are fired at them,” he added. “The OU plays a vital role in the lives of Israeli citizens in S’derot and all over the country,” said Rabbi Avi Berman, director-general of OU Israel. “We are going to touch on different facets of people’s emotions, just as we did during our summer mission. The participants went from laughing to cry- ing, feeling spiritually reinvigorated to feeling an overwhelming desire to help, all within a short span of hours. We deliver such an authentic Israel experience that it can’t help but touch people’s souls.” Additional highlights of the trip will include visits to the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel’s Tomb near Efrat; to Nitzan, a community of people evacuated from Gush Katif; to northern communities in the direct line of fire in last summer’s second Lebanese war; and to OU-certified companies such as the Osem baked goods and the Strauss dairy factories. Participants will be inspired and uplift- ed by a spiritual and mystical Shabbat in Tsfat. The third mission, Yarchei Kallah and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Mission 2008, is scheduled from Monday, January 20 to Sunday, January 27, 2008, during the yeshiva break. For more information and to register, contact 212-613-8124 or [email protected] or visit www.ou.org/ israelmissions. O

Tzom Gedalyah Teshuvathon At Rambam Rambam Mesivta marked Tzom Gedalyah and the commencement of the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah with its Annual Teshuvathon featuring Rabbi Efrem Schwalb, the mara d’asra of Congregation Eitz Hayim in West Hempstead, on the topic, “Teshuvah Lifnei Hashem.”

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Rabbi Schwalb is a practicing litiga- tor at the firm Kaye Scholer, LLP, and a noted lecturer on topics related to halachah and the law and he will be giving regular shiurim this year on the subject of business and medical ethics. Parents, and in some cases grandparents, and their sons arrived at Rambam for morning selichos and tefillah, following which mar’eh meko- mos (study handouts) were distributed for pre-shiur preparation. Since no breakfast was served because of the fast, the program was held in the shul rather than in the gym, and many parents commented favorably on the new Rabbi Efrem Schwalb speaking about Rabbi Yotav Eliach leading students in teshuvah programs at Rambam. lighting and other improvements that teshuvah at Rambam. had been made to the room. The shul surroundings also lent an added “lifnei Hashem,” with a sense of awe G-d. Why, according to Rambam, is ness. It is almost a denial of G-d. The dimension of warmth and energy to “before G-d”? Most mitzvos can be per- teshuvah so different? sinner thus severs his relationship with the learning. formed through objective, technical Rabbi Schwalb suggested that the G-d. To restore that relationship— Rabbi Schwalb began his shiur by compliance—such as taking up the answer lies in a true understanding of which ultimately is the goal of teshu- posing a question from the Rambam: lulav and esrog, eating in a sukkah, eat- sin. When sinning, a person must, of vah—man must once again acknowl- Why does teshuvah, unlike virtually ing matzah, and so forth—without the necessity, block out the existence of edge G-d’s presence, and this is at the every other mitzvah, have to be done need for any sense of the presence of G-d from his mind and sense of aware- core of the requirement to do teshuvah “lifnei Hashem.” Rabbi Schwalb quoted extensively from the Gemara, Rishonim, and Acharonim, as well as some modern-day commentators. He read from the writ- ings of one contemporary rav who noted that, during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, he is often inundated with questions about compliance with the details of various mitzvos—but, he lamented, nobody ever asks him questions about compliance with the d’oraisa (Biblically ordained) mitzvah of teshuvah . We need to be more focused on the significance of teshuvah and the meaning of standing “lifnei Hashem,” Rabbi Schwalb con- cluded. His shiur was followed by spirit- ed questions and answers. Rabbi Schwalb and the program received accolades from the students and parents who attended. One mother commented enthusiastically about the clarity of Rabbi Schwalb’s presentation and his ability to get all the students engaged in the give-and-take discussion. Her conclusion: “Mothers, not just fathers, should also make an effort to attend these types of programs.” The Tzom Gedalyah Teshuvathon is the first of many opportunities that Rambam fathers will have to learn with their sons as part of the school’s regular programming. “We want the learning that is being experienced daily by our talmidim to be felt by their families, as well,” said rosh yeshiva Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman. “Shiurim where families can learn together create a wonderful kesher both between fathers and sons and between the families and the school. Intergenerational learning is a key component in transmitting our mesorah and in imbuing in our talmidim the love and value of limud haTorah.” O

MTV Producer Meets Rabbi, Spreads Wisdom What do you get when you mix a former CNN and MTV producer with an outreach rabbi? Torah Wisdom Productions. Torah Wisdom Productions is a non- profit new-media company producing Jewish educational content for home, educational, broadcast, and Internet 54 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES streaming uses. It’s the brainchild of needed to properly produce, promote, David Jasse, a former network produc- market, and distribute the next 13 er who fell in love with Judaism and is half-hour shows, entitled “The Circle committed to sharing it the way he of Life.” According to Torah Wisdom’s knows how—on video. “The Bible is board of directors, “if the shows don’t the best-selling book; why shouldn’t it have the look and feel of say, the be the best-selling video?” says Mr. Discovery Channel, you’re going to Jasse on his video streams at limit the audience, which defeats our Torahwisdom.com. mission of reaching all Jews.” To date, the company has produced Amazingly, as Judaism is so rich, even four short films and has sold them the Orthodox have a lot to learn and be around the world via the Internet and inspired by in these programs. How two DVD distributors. Recently, many Jews really know of a sinea—the Torahwisdom signed a deal with tray of candles carried at a Syrian b’rit Kultur Films International that will milah in honor of Eliyahu haNavi (fea- put at least one of its shows in over tured in “The Covenant of Abraham”)? 1,100 national retail outlets, including Whether it’s the facts behind the b’rit Barnes & Noble. “A Conversation with or the bar mitzvah, the reason the Rabbi Twerski” has already aired on Jewish people don’t cremate (covered Shalom Cable TV and sold over 2,000 in “The Reality of Death”), or how to copies in the first month. run your Passover Seder , it’s all por- Program-watching enthusiasts rep- trayed with real people in an upbeat, resent a broad spectrum, from Randi educational, and often humorous way. Altman, the editor-in-chief of a TV Featured speakers include Rabbi trade magazine, to a Lubavitch shali- Paysach Krohn, Rabbi Buchwald, ach in South Manchester, England. Rabbi Dr. Avraham Twerski, and According to Mr. Jasse, the half-hour Rebbetzin Jungreis, to name just a few. programs were very well received at The Torah Wisdom website features the CAGE trade show with its audi- bios and links to the video’s scholars ence of Reform and Conservative edu- and their organizations in order to pro- cators as well as the most recent AJOP mote Jewish education to the widest Orthodox outreach convention in possible audience. “The problem with Baltimore. According to the show’s outreach in America is that we have a producers, the programs focus on the few hundred people trying to reach a basics the Jewish people have in com- few million Jews. David’s Torahwisdom mon while at the same time the half- project is the way to reach the millions hour finely polished news-magazine- we’ve not been able to tap into,” said format program celebrates our differ- Michael Rothschild of the Chofetz ences while remaining true to Torah. Chaim Heritage Foundation. Currently the organization is well on its way to raising the $1.5 million Continued on Page 56

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS dents piled into Rabbi Moskowitz’s car Continued from Page 55 on Monday and headed to Ohel Bais Ezra for a barbecue, marking the kick- Like any non-profit, the organiza- off event for this year’s chesed program. tion is looking for support. Mr. HAFTR students were enthusiasti- Schottenstein opened the world of cally welcomed by Bais Ezra residents Gemara to millions via the Artscroll/ and were offered an extensive tour of Mesorah Foundation’s series, and now the facility and the chance to get to Torahwisdom believes the right person know their hosts. After some schmooz- will come along who has the merit to ing and setting up, HAFTR students reach the other 15 million Jews who joined with Bais Ezra residents to fire don’t even know what the Gemara is. up the grill and prepare a sumptuous For further information, contact meal that was enjoyed by all. David Jasse at [email protected] When the last of the plates was or call 516-284-6046. O cleared away, HAFTR’s chesed committee convened the planning session HAFTR’s Chesed Program: which would determine the focus and Ohel Bais Ezra BBQ reach of this year’s chesed projects. And Planning Session After a great deal of passionate discus- An excited group of HAFTR stu- sion and friendly debate, the students

HAFTR students and their sukkah decorations for Ohel Bais Ezra.

56 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES determined that they would initiate a series of fundraisers to raise money for a variety of community causes. The first of those fundraisers is beginning now, with students offering to build sukkahs in the community to benefit a school in S’derot which HAFTR is adopting. HAFTR students have also taken upon themselves the adoption of 40 needy Israeli soldiers in the hope of providing them with food and supplies as well as much-needed emotional support and chizuk. HAFTR’s chesed committee returned to school, but this will not be HAFTR’s final visit to Ohel Bais Ezra. After a week of designing decorations and purchasing materials, students will return to Bais Ezra on Friday to erect a sukkah for the upcoming chag. O

Young Israel Of Long Beach Chol HaMo‘ed Sukkos Activities Mexican Fiesta Family Night. Sunday night in the sukkah will feature great food and fun for the whole family. There will be special activities for the children including personal piñatas for each child. Hershey Park Chol HaMo‘ed Sukkos Extravaganza. In conjunction with NCYI, the YILB Youth Department will host a trip to Hershey Park on the third day of Chol HaMo‘ed Sukkos— Monday, October 1. Join close to 10,000 other Jews in one of the premier amusement parks on the East Coast. The park will be closed to the general public and will feature two huge sukkos, glatt kosher food, and Jewish music. Space is limited, so reserve your ticket soon. The Young Israel of Long Beach is located at 120 Long Beach Road in Long Beach. For more information or to make reservations for any of the above events, please call 516-385-5183. O

Second Annual Autumn Sampler On Sunday evening Sept- ember 9, just in time for the holidays, the Young Israel of Woodmere Sisterhood hosted a unique and delicious event at the Woodsburgh home of Dena Pilevsky. The Second Annual Autumn Sampler brought together over 300 women, who tasted over 70 different new and unique recipes—all while raising money for Chai Lifeline. Everyone went home with her very own cookbook filled with all the recipes from the event (see sample recipe below). The cookbook also had a spe-

Continued on Page 61 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 57 58 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES about a week, to wish them The Art Of Being Late (…Just In Time For Yom Kippur) mazel tov on their new home. We had a bottle of wine and BY SARAH SHULDIG out what I like.” One soon know I was coming, so they called the optician seven min- some food all ready, but every begins to see a pattern here. could wait for us. When utes before closing and asked night it got too late, and we We’re both over 42 and Shortly after we were mar- something didn’t fit right, my if they would wait for us. had to cancel. Finally, a week recently married. I guess you ried, we lived in a temporary undaunted and ever-patient Thank you kindly. (Sorry we later, we landed in their could say the marriage is a lit- rental apartment in a nice husband asked the owners if it didn’t buy from your store.) home, and they opened their tle late. Jewish community. True to would be a problem to go to Then comes my favorite. hearts to us. So was my husband—on form, my husband found the their house to pick it up. Regarding the watch I’m wear- Two weeks later, on a our first date, our second, and apartment only two weeks Furniture shopping: The ing on my wrist—we happened Thursday at 4:00 p.m. my our third. Until then, I had before the wedding. He wanted store is closed at 5:00 p.m. At to be parked in front of the husband received a call on his not known anyone to be late me to see it to comfort me 4:45 p.m., my husband says, jewelry store, talking in the car. cell phone from that same with such finesse. “I’m just about its functionality and liv- “I’ll run in and see if they have All of a sudden, the owner of friend (this is one of my hus- nearing the Belt Parkway. I band’s best friends) telling us should be to you in around 15 his son’s bar mitzvah is in two minutes.” The key is, always hours and if we left in an give an estimate that’s about hour, we could make it. What 10 minutes too early. After all, My husband called the optician seven minutes before closing chutzpah! Such a last-minute we can all handle a 10-minute and asked if they would wait for us. Thank you kindly. invitation! wait. So 15 minutes always Well, the mall closes its really becomes 25 minutes. (Sorry we didn’t buy from your store.) doors for the evening as we’re Another very important about to exit, and there’s only point is to let someone know one way out to the parking you’re only six blocks away, lot, so we have to walk around without cluing them in to the the entire perimeter to get to reality that there’s bumper-to- ability. We decided just to drive time to show us around.” the jewelry store began to pull our car. bumper traffic and they by (too late to make an appoint- Usually, they did. Often, they down the store gate. My hus- “Ribbono Shel Olam, please shouldn’t get their hopes up. ment) to see if the tenants weren’t really closing for band jumped out of the car, help us be on time for Yom Invariably, a normal six-block would let us in to see the apart- another 30 to 45 minutes. waving his finger in the air, Kippur. Please grant us a wait actually quadruples. ment. While we weren’t able to We went shopping for eye- and asked if we could come in timely pardon, and accept our The crème de la crème of actually get in, the owner took glasses and, as is our newly for just a few minutes. I did tefillos quickly, before the the art of being late is when us around to the backyard and evolved style, we had too many end up buying a watch. gates of Ne‘ilah close. Please you give the person who’s pointed to where everything other commitments crammed We tried to get to my hus- help us that next year, we waiting for you something was. I guess you can’t ask for in beforehand. My husband band’s friends every night for shouldn’t be so late.” O constructive to do. Let’s say more when you’re late. you’re meeting at the Home I suppose I should tell you Depot. “I’ll be there in about about the engagement ring. 15 minutes (really 25). Why We closed the store down sev- don’t you scout around and eral nights in a row. I had to see what you like in the mean- call in on my cell phone so my time? After all, I get to pick husband could let the owners

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 59 11th Annual Yeshiva Kinnus Photo By Ivan H. Norman

The 11th Annual Kinnus Teshuvah presented by Yeshiva of Far Rockaway and Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island took place last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Spiegel. Featured speakers at the event included Rabbi Yechiel Perr and Rabbi Aaron Brafman.

60 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 57 cial “Lazy Cooks” section filled with takeout menus from popular local restaurants. Debbie’s Flowers of Woodmere generously donated the beautiful floral arrangements while Gianni New York Gourmet Ices donated tubs of their delicious ices to sweet- en the palate. Suri Brody of Ruach Entertainment lent her party-planning expertise and helped in the presentation of all the delectable dishes. All in all, it was a tremendous community effort that successfully raised over $23,000 for Chai Lifeline, all while giving women new ideas for the upcoming chagim . To purchase a copy of the Autumn Sampler cookbook, visit Ketzy’s on Central Avenue or Brach’s Supermarket. Proceeds from the cookbook sales will go to Chai Lifeline.

Butternut Squash Pie With Coated Hazelnuts By Carrie Oliner Filling: 1 large butternut squash (yielding 1 1 ⁄2 cups) 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 1 1 ⁄2 tsp. baking powder 1 cup walnut oil 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup non-dairy creamer

Crust: 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 ⁄2 cup melted margarine

Topping: 1 ⁄2 cup flour 1 1 ⁄2 cups chopped hazelnuts 1 ⁄3 cup melted margarine 3 ⁄4 cup brown sugar

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Slice butternut squash lengthwise. Spray sheet pan with non-stick spray and place squash, flesh side down, on pan. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes or until soft. Scoop out butternut squash into a bowl and add flour, sugar, baking powder, oil, eggs, vanilla, and non-dairy creamer. Mix well and set aside. Mix graham cracker crumbs and margarine in a small bowl and put into pan. Spread out on bottom and along sides to form the crust. Mix together flour, hazelnuts, melted margarine, and brown sugar. Pour filling into crust then carefully place topping on top. Bake for 40 minutes. O

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 61

wall, except for special events such as in the morning while the women from The First Bat Mitzvah For Beit Bnei Rachel: the Rachel’s Children Reclamation Efrat held their weekly shiur in memo- Fund Tu B’Shvat seudah, the OU and ry of our dear Sara Blaustein, H’yd. Malka Bina Grunwald Emunah tour and lecture trips, and After all the preparations were com- the weekly women’s RCRF classes in pleted in the morning, Evelyn went to B Y EVELYN HAIES the IDF, had worked over the previous the beit midrash while Yeshiva Bnei greet the busload of relatives, guests, PRESIDENT, RACHEL’S CHILDREN weeks painting the large reception Rachel learned upstairs. He eradicated entertainers, and photographers com- RECLAMATION FOUNDATION room in Beit Bnei Rachel. He polished the mildew in the dome and took such ing to share this long-planned first and the rooms abandoned by the army and special care. Grandmother Evelyn much anticipated bat mitzvah in the August 14/Rosh Chodesh Elul— unused for about a year since the com- Haies decorated the walls and put the only Jewish-owned properties within Uncle David Haies, former sergeant in pletion of the Kever Rachel security platters and food on the buffet tables the Rachel Tomb Complex, of which grandmother Evelyn is the initial pur- chaser and majority owner. Guests were from America, across Israel, a spectrum of all Rachel’s children— Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Charedi, secular oleh, and Diaspora Jews. Danny brought his keyboard. Michael was ready to sing his gentle nigunim, Rut brought her tambourine. Mother Elissa brought the balloons and streamers to complete the decorations for this festive first. When the rented full-armored bus reached the entrance to Kever Rachel, Evelyn discussed the permit with the Border Police guards, and as usual expected its approval. She could not believe that with all the preparations, it would be denied. The food and platters were in the newly painted reception room. Everything was in place but the new unfamiliar border police were denying the permit even though entrance had been graciously permitted and supported just that morning, even after there were no longer bullet- proof 163 buses, even though Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation

Continued on Page 66

62 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES A Five Towns Simcha Photos By Captured Images

Bar Mitzvah of Josh Wein took place on August 25 at Ateres Nechama Leba Hall.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 63 become detached from the Jewish community, adrift in Siberia hundreds A Cantonist’s Yom Kippur Prayer of miles from their homes. All Jewish communities were faced with the tsar’s quotas for providing BY LARRY DOMNITCH The fact that Abraham Lewin’s claiming, “Father in Heaven, what recruits. The tsar issued the orders and Cantonist entered a synagogue on Yom should I pray for? I cannot pray for most leaders of each town’s kehal The concluding Ne‘ilah prayer on Kippur indicates that he most probably children for I never got married and (Jewish communal organization), under Yom Kippur represents the final had not succumbed to the pressure of have no hope to raise a family; I am enormous pressure, provided the chance through fervent and impas- baptism. Had he done so, he would too old to start anew. I can’t pray for recruits. However members of the kehal sioned prayer to appeal to the mercy of have been officially listed as a Christian life, for of what value is such a life? It justified their role, there were those who the Al-mighty on that holy day. One and prohibited from entering a syna- would be better for me if I died. I did profit from payments from the gov- short prayer on one Yom Kippur at gogue during the reign of Nicholas. cannot pray to be able to make a liv- ernment for providing recruits, and also Ne‘ilah encapsulated the trials and Levin relates that the congregation ing, since Nicholas provides for my from those who possessed sufficient tribulations of a tragic era in Jewish appointed the Cantonist to lead the daily food. The only thing I can pray funds to pay for their sons’ “exemp- history, moving an entire congregation Ne‘ilah prayers, recited at the most hal- is, ‘Yisgadal v’yiskadash Sh’meih tions.” The chappers (kidnappers) did to tears. Abraham Lewin, the author of the evil work of the kehal for a fee. a book in Yiddish entitled Kantonisten The recruitment decree caused divi- (Cantonists) relates a Yom Kippur inci- sions and resentment within the dent involving a Cantonist in an “What should I pray for? I can’t Jewish community, as it in effect unnamed Russian city. exempted the sons of those among the The Cantonists were child recruits wealthier classes while the poor were in the Russian military. Peter the pray for life, for of what value is generally the victims. How demoraliz- Great, the Russian tsar, devised the ing and traumatizing that era was for system in which young men were such a life?” the Jews of Russia! That, too, was no drafted to serve in the military for pro- doubt part of Nicholas’s strategy. longed terms. Tsar Nicholas On Yom Kippur, at the moment of Pavolovich (1827–1855) used this sys- Ne‘ilah, a congregation was confronted tem as a vehicle to force Jewish chil- lowed moment of the year. This was a Rabbah’—‘May Your Great Name be by the heartfelt words of a true hero— dren to accept baptism. The children great honor, especially for a guest. The exalted and sanctified forever.’” one of thousands who stood against were kidnapped from their homes and gesture clearly demonstrated great Upon hearing these words, the Nicholas and displayed a type of hero- forced to serve extended terms as admiration for the man who tenacious- entire congregation wept. They wept ism unusual for adults, let alone chil- trainees and then as soldiers when ly held onto his faith at all costs. over the plight of the unfortunate indi- dren—as he beseeched the Al-mighty’s they reached the age of 18. They faced The soldier of Tsar Nicholas made vidual and his difficult life of travail. compassion. He reminded the congre- severe pressure by all means—includ- his way to the front of the synagogue. They also wept for the tens of thou- gation of the sinners—and the many ing torture—to accept baptism. Having forgotten almost all the reli- sands of other Cantonists who were heroes—of that era. For those congre- Previous Russian tsars may have gious training he had received as a forced to endure the same hardships, gants on that Yom Kippur day, the repeatedly failed to induce the Jews of child, including the ability to read as well as their families and communi- moment of Ne‘ilah was truly one of the Pale Settlement to abandon their Hebrew, he could not recite, nor lead, ties. Many Cantonists had died from introspection and reckoning for all. O faith, but Nicholas was determined to Ne‘ilah. However, he expressed a the rigors of Tsarist Russia or had Larry Domnitch is an author and educator who enforce his will upon the children. powerful prayer from his heart, pro- accepted baptism. Others had simply resides in Efrat, Israel.

64 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 65

Beit Bnei Rachel away. All the while, more jeeps and from the women’s section. The guests and the perfection of the rooms so Continued from Page 62 Jerusalem police added to the confu- were part of this first and special exquisitely decorated by her uncle. sion. No explanation and pleading occasion and all wanted copies of If she missed her rightful full bat groups were learning there several could penetrate the iron-hearted high- Malky’s exceptional bat mitzvah mitzvah ceremony on her birthday, days a week. er command against entrance. Finally speech, which she delivered with August 14, in her grandmother’s Beit Evelyn Haies and a few guests some grandfatherly and kindly officers poise and dignity. Bnei Rachel, she plans to attend her marched between the walled street to went inside and brought out the plat- In the end, it was the most exciting uncle’s wedding there and make her Beit Bnei Rachel. Most of the guests ters, decorations, and food and the and memorable bat mitzvah. Malky got wedding there where she celebrated her were blocked in the bus. The army jeep party was transferred to adjacent holy to see her grandmother’s Beit Bnei first and second birthday parties, before raced ahead and blocked the front Kever Rachel itself. Rachel. The young border police the walls, when Kever Rachel was the door. The soldiers raced down the alley The music began and echoed with guards recognized that Malky and her kever pictured on all our homes. and blocked the side door so simcha in the narrow corridor used parents had come so far and led her to She said her Tehillim with a huge Grandmother Evelyn’s key could not for learning and special occasions in the house of Rachel’s children after rosh chodesh crowd in the room of the be used. Grandma Evelyn stood back, the building that houses two Rachel’s the party with high-powered flash- kever. She wrapped the red spools covered her eyes, and prayed that this Children Reclamation Foundation lights, and she and her parents were around the kever as she had planned, nightmare and confusion would go sifrei Torah. The Tehillim echoed amazed at the grandeur of the place and the many guests participated in this ancient ritual. Grandmother Evelyn considers the bendeles a reminder of the visits to Kever Rachel and an attachment to the “good ideol- ogy” and midos that merit our prayers being answered. Rachel Imeinu is a role model for Malky. She is proud that the confusion was a blessing that kept the next bat mitzvah girl from embarrassment. Her grandmother Evelyn was used to all the rigmarole of purchase, development, and gaining entrance to her own houses for her events. Once when she had a permit to celebrate the RCRF’s second donated sefer Torah, she had to wait for confirma- tion of the permit. Then, she was told the Torah could not enter. She advo- cated by saying that was why they were having four buses of guests from partner Yeshiva Beit Orot and all the festivities. When she was denied planting trees in the large Beit Bnei Rachel backyard this past Tu B’Shvat, she planted them inside. They are growing beautifully and waiting till after Shemittah to become part of a garden that includes a replica of the ancient Kever Rachel from before the enclosure and the Montefiore expansion. Besides planning a post Ulpana Medreshet Chaya Rachel and Ruth, already learning in Kever Rachel for years, she is planning a Museum of Jewish Aliyah. The resident IDF helped put up the first museum panel several years ago. Jeffrey Kelman, 2007 Rachel Imeinu Activist Awardee helped replace the new panel which is there today. The Cedarhurst guests to Tamar’s bat mitzvah did not need to suffer the degradations of being a landowning Jew in Beit Lechem, the place where Rachel gave birth to Binyamin, where Boaz lived and redeemed the land and fathered the line of Mashiach ben Dovid with the giyoret Ruth, daughter- in-law of Naomi. Less than two weeks later, Tamar Klein, another New York 12-year-old, who also admires Rachel Imeinu as a role model, was luckier. She had a glamorous catered bat mitzvah celebration. This bat mitzvah went smoothly, without embarrassment, because forerunner Malky suffered the battle for Jewish rights to land ownership of Jewish-owned property in Beit Lechem, Israel. The guests included her Israeli grandparents and relatives as well as the Diaspora side of the family, Rabbi Benny Eisner, her father David’s teacher (who as a

Continued on Page 72 66 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rabbis Ban Jewish Participation In ICEJ Conference

BY HILLEL FENDEL straight out that it is hoped, Jerusalem event were co- decision last month that was faith. “One who fears for his through various ‘friendship’ founder Rev. Raleigh later ratified by the two Chief soul will stay far away.” The Chief Rabbinate of organizations with Jews, and Washington—who said, Rabbis, resolved as follows: Jerusalem City Council Israel has issued a ruling by giving financial and politi- “when a Jewish person recog- A. [We] bless the tourists member Mina Fenton has welcoming the Christians cal support to Israel, that Jews nizes that Jesus is his messi- who will arrive in our Holy taken a strong stand against arriving for the annual Feast will start showing interest in ah, he becomes a Jew who has Land for the upcoming holi- the ICEJ event. She has writ- of Tabernacles conference— Christianity.” now found his messiah—and days, among them also those ten, “Missionary organization and banning Jews from par- Another featured Feast of Rev. Mike Bickle of Kansas of different religions. leaders will appear there as ticipating. Tabernacles speaker, Jack City, Mo., who used the B. It is forbidden for any the central speakers and Feast of Tabernacles is Hayford, was one of 1,100 phrase “unsaved Jews” and Jew to take part in the gather- preachers, working together sponsored by the Christian Zionists and said a Satan-like leader will be ings in the Binyanei HaUmah with a clear missionary agen- International Christian Messianic Jews who took part required to exterminate the Jerusalem Convention Center da while ‘adopting’ the Sukkot Embassy of Jerusalem, self- in the Road to Jerusalem con- Jewish race. and in the marches taking holiday as Christian… [They described as the world’s ference in California last year. place during the Sukkot holi- are] partners in musical, largest Christian Zionist He spoke there of helping the The Rabbis’ Decision day, because the information drama, and spiritual produc- organization. The annual get- church understand what God The Chief Rabbinate we have states that some of tions… Jews are invited to together is a week-long multi- is doing among Jews today Council’s Committee for the the bodies gathering there are attend, and missionary litera- cultural event held during the and how to relate to it. Co- Prevention of Missionary active, inter alia, in attempt- Sukkot holiday, which begins speakers at that Road to Work in the Holy Land, in a ing to convert us from our Continued on Page 70 this year on Sept. 27. It draws tens of thousands of Christians from around the world for a week of teaching, worship, and prayer, and cul- minates with a march through the streets of Jerusalem. The line-up of speakers at this year’s event, which will be held at Jerusalem’s Binyanei HaUmah Convention Center, includes David Pawson. In a speech entitled “God’s Eternal Covenant with Israel” (reprinted in Family Restoration Magazine), Pawson stated, “One day the people of Israel as a whole will become Messianic Jews [believing in Jesus - ed.]… Prayer for Israel is not enough; preaching is also necessary. The church’s silence over the Holocaust was bad enough; her silence about hell would be a worse betrayal… True lovers of Israel will speak on behalf of Jews to Christians and on behalf of Christ to Jews. To pray for the peace of Jerusalem must include that peace with God which only Jesus can bring.” “‘Zionism’ is only ‘Christian’,” Pawson stated, “when He [Jesus] has the pre- eminence.” In case it may be objected that it is offensive to the Jews to speak of such things, and that Christians must “comfort” Israel, Pawson explained: “There is no final comfort in a lie… We cannot help but be missionaries, and I have discovered that some Jews despise us if we pretend not to be…” Ze’ev Shtieglitz of the anti- missionary Lev L’Achim organization has presented evidence of actual missionary activity by ICEJ to the Chief Rabbinate. “For instance,” he recently said, “ICEJ Liaison Officer Doron Schneider is the head of the Messianic Jewish community in Maaleh Adumim… Dr. George Giacumakis, the one-time chairman of the board of trustees of ICEJ, has said 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 67 68 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 69 ICEJ Conference Continued from Page 67

ture will be disseminated…”

Spiritual “Help” For The Needy and Vulnerable A phenomenon recently revealed by anti-missionary elements involves the offer by a Christian Zionist organization of hundreds of dollars a month in pocket money to Jewish youths who have lost contact with their families. The organization then promises them high-paying jobs, after they complete their army service, simply to distribute food packages to needy Jews on behalf of the Christian organization. It is well-documented that missionary organizations throw in “spiritual help,” together with their offers of material help, to poverty- stricken Jews who are, invariably, more vulnerable than they would otherwise be.

Jews Disappear In The Play’s Fourth Act CBS reporter Bob Simon, in a 1992 60 Minutes program on Christian Zionists, asked, “What pro- pels them? Why do they love Israel so much? Because the return of the Jews to their ancient homeland is seen by evangelicals as a precondi- tion for the Second Coming of Christ. Therefore, when the Jewish state was created in 1948, they saw it as a sign. Israel’s conquest of Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967 deepened their excitement, heightened their anticipation… The final battle in the history of the future will be fought on this ancient battle- ground in northern Israel called Armageddon… And the Jews? Well, two-thirds of them will have been wiped out by [then], and the survivors will accept Jesus at last.” Simon’s show then screens Gershom Gorenberg, author of The End of Days, who says, “The Jews die or convert. As a Jew, I can’t feel very comfortable with the affections of somebody who looks forward to that scenario… They don’t love the real Jewish people. They love us as char- acters in their story, in their play, and that’s not who we are. And we never auditioned for that part, and the play is not one that ends up good for us… If you listen to the drama that they are describing, essentially, it’s a five- act play in which the Jews disappear in the fourth act.” (Arutz Sheva) O

For on this day, He shall atone for you

(Vayikra 16:30) On Yom Kippur, the day itself atones…as it is written, For on this day…shall atone for you.

(Rambam)

70 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES would laugh. How silly for a act according to their interest, boy to think he can com- and it is in Syria’s interest to A Lesson From The Army mand his mother not to keep the Middle East in the worry. It is yet another small news. Peace does not serve BY PAULA R. STERN ing, where. Around 4:00 p.m. Did Israel fly over? Did the sign that deep in the man their purpose; compromise is Israel time, the story broke. Syrians make the whole story remains the boy. not in their vocabulary. Any I thought I’d have time to The Syrians are claiming that up in order to increase ten- Syria will do what it wants peace without a full Israeli come to terms with this. I an Israeli aircraft flew over sions? All possibilities leave a to do. The political scientist in withdrawal from the Golan thought I’d have more time. their territory. “We warn the mother panicked beyond me (Barnard College, class of Time to adjust to being the Israeli enemy government words. Elie is calm. His unit is 1982) tells me that nations Continued on Page 72 mother of a soldier in train- against this flagrant aggres- ready. Their vehicles are ing; time to adjust to being a sive act, and retain the right there, armed and ready, if mother of a soldier on patrol; to respond in an appropriate needed. There are bunkers time to adjust slowly to the way,” the Syrian spokesman nearby; secure areas. Radar, inevitable unknown. We said. satellites. Nothing comforts recently celebrated Elie’s The gist of Elie’s response right now. father’s 50th birthday— to that claim can be summed I thought I’d have more another great milestone in a up as a denial. It’s not true, time to come to terms with man’s life, in a father’s life. he said. The Syrians are mak- this. I couldn’t get back to Elie had already gotten ing that up because they sleep after Elie called last permission to come home a have a reason. It won’t have night. “I told you not to few hours early and so we happened by accident, it worry,” Elie scolded me this settled on a plan to have the seems all agree. morning. At another time, I whole family together for dinner. I got a text message from Elie last night at midnight telling me he’d be on a bus at 6:00 a.m. and home by 11:00 a.m. Time to rest, relax, sleep a little and be refreshed for dinner. Elie called at 4:00 a.m. to tell me they’d been put on alert. Clearly something had happened, but I didn’t know what. Later, I would understand that he was calling me because he wasn’t sure if he’d have a chance to call before he was to have caught the bus home and didn’t want me to worry. But that was much later. For the rest of the night, I waited, worried, thought about what was happening. I checked the news…. Nothing. It’s the whole country, Elie had told me. I wondered what was happening in Gaza and why that should affect Elie. By the morning, it was clear that Elie couldn’t leave the base, but the reason still was- n’t clear. Around 11:00 a.m., Elie was told he could come home, but he called me to say there were no buses. “I’ll come get you,” I told him. It’s a two-hour drive, but the need to see him, to feel him safe, was strong enough that I didn’t care. “One of the guys has to get to Eilat. He asked if you could drop him in Tiberias,” Elie asked. “He’ll fly from there.” “No problem,” I said as I looked around for a map. “The other guys asked if you could bring them some snacks. And some cola,” Elie added. “Not diet.” That was probably the first smile I’d had all day. “No problem.” I loaded bags filled with Bamba, the national favorite snack, and added some chocolate, some drinks, and more. Map in hand… The phone rang. “They shut it down again. I can’t come,” Elie told me. I spoke to him on and off, each time wondering what was happen- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 71 Lesson 1973, Syria again attacked. Year. Now it appears that they could have been an intention- likely was, a fabrication of Continued from Page 71 The Golan Heights is the only won’t be able to release him. al incursion by the Israeli air the Syrian side. And so, we thing that stands between Syria He was to have come home force, but for what purpose? are back to the same ques- will be seen as a defeat for and almost 1 million Israelis. today, but is still in the north We can see all that there is to tion: For what purpose? Bashar Assad and so there can The Golan Heights is there as a tonight as the sun is setting. see by means of our satellites. Here, the answer can be an be no peace with Syria. If U.S. physical barrier. Whoever com- Tomorrow he might be able to Sending in a few planes at attempt to destroy, in efforts in November to bring mands the Heights, has the get here, we still don’t know. midnight is absurd, unneces- advance, any chances the about a peace agreement ability to secure, or destroy, And through all those sary, and unlikely. The Syrians U.S. plan had for success. It between the Israelis and the much of northern Israel. The unknowns is the deepest are unlikely to have actually could be many things. Palestinians are successful Golan Heights protects those unknown of all: What will seen anything, and since they For me, I have to find com- (something very few people vulnerable valleys, just as Elie’s Syria do, and where will my claim that the plane flew over fort, from day to day and believe is even a slight possi- unit and the other soldiers who son be when they take what- an uninhabited area and did moment to moment. At this bility), that success would are up there protect the Golan ever actions they will? The no damage, who then was moment, my son is safe. leave the Syrians on their Heights. lump that has been inside of there to say the plane Closer to danger than I would own. They have a vested inter- What I have learned today me since Elie entered the “dropped ammunition.” No, I like him to be, but safe. May est in seeing that those talks is that life in the army is full army seems so much larger would never credit the Syrians he and the protectors of Israel don’t succeed, and that might of unknowns. Not much dif- tonight that it almost blocks with actually telling the truth. have a safe and quiet night even mean going to war. ferent than other aspects of my ability to breathe. It could have been an acci- and may they each have the In 1948, Syria attacked life and yet, more frightening As always, I can see today’s dental crossing over a dark chance to be with their fami- Israel. In 1956, Syria attacked and frustrating at times. Elie events from many sides. The border late at night. Unlikely, lies soon. (Arutz Sheva) O Israel. In 1967, Syria, in con- was to come home for the Israeli in me refuses to be given the sophistication of the junction with Egypt, was upcoming holiday of Rosh intimidated. I don’t know Israeli air force, but possible. preparing to attack; and in Hashanah, the Jewish New what happened that night. It It could have been, and Beit Bnei Rachel Continued from Page 66

young soldier was first to reach Kever Rachel and wit- ness the 1841 Montefiore key being returned by the Jordanian-defeated occupiers to HaRav Shlomo Goren); Evelyn Haies, president of RCRF and Bnei Rachel Corp.; Chaim Silberstein, former executive director of Beit Orot; and Shlomo Zwickler, new executive director of Beit Orot, the RCRF initial partner. Beit Orot caterers served a gourmet luncheon. The two first bat mitzvahs at Beit Bnei Rachel remind us of the Rachel and Leah story, a story of caring, sharing, family, love, and unity that created the Jewish nation. Malky’s groundbreaking simcha and Tamar’s well-tuned simcha are a true lesson in emunah. Let their firsts be the beginning of many nexts, and let us share many simchas in proximity to Ima Rachel, who has cried for her children for 3,600 years and deserves to share Jewish nachas next to her ohel. If Evelyn is known for saying, “A visit to Israel without going to Kever Rachel is like going home and not visiting your mother,” Malky would advise, “Have your 12th-birthday party at Kever Rachel and recognize your Jewish role model as you undertake the mitzvos of being a Jewish woman. Donate to my grandmother’s foundation, Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation. Your donations will benefit all Rachel’s Children across the globe.” Contact RCRF, 60 West End Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11235 for details ([email protected], 718-648- 2610). Save the date, Tuesday, October 23, 2007, for the 13th Annual Gala New York Citywide Commemoration of the yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu. Rabbi Zachariah Wallerstein is to be the keynote speaker. O 72 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

longer alive; the urgency of providing In his role as advisor, Rabbi Nadich time, and the surrounding villages and Rabbi Judah relief to a significant proportion of the also became the liaison between the towns were off limits to them. Jews during the upcoming winter army and the United Nations Relief Smith’s response was swift. He months; the importance of resolving and Rehabilitation Administration , immediately called a number of the legal issues of how to recover confis- the JDC, the Jewish Agency, the World generals in the Third Army, including Nadich: cated property; the legal status of for- Jewish Congress, the American Jewish Patton, to demand that conditions be eign Jews in the country; and the diffi- Congress, and other Jewish organiza- improved. On September 15, Smith An Advocate culty of reuniting families. tions in the U.S., Great Britain, and conveyed the substance of Nadich’s After Earl G. Harrison, a former Palestine. report to Eisenhower. U.S. Commissioner of Immigration, After Eisenhower issued a memoran- For His People visited Germany and Austria to assess dum to his commanders to provide the the condition of the Jewish displaced DPs with adequate housing, nourishing, persons (DPs), his negative report General Eisenhower and sufficient food, allow them to guard B Y DR. ALEX GROBMAN about the plight of the Jews in Europe the camps themselves, and make regu- created a great deal of criticism reluctantly agreed to assign lar inspections to remove all incompe- Much will be written about Judah throughout the U.S. a chaplain as special tent personnel, Nadich explained why Nadich, rabbi emeritus of the Park President Harry Truman was disturbed much more was needed, especially in Avenue Synagogue and founding board that military government officers had not advisor on Jewish affairs. the Third Army area. member and honorary trustee of the provided the Jewish DPs with proper Judge Simon Rifkind, U.S. district Abraham Joshua Heschel School, who housing or treated them humanely. court judge, replaced Nadich after died recently. He was an icon in the As a result, General Dwight D. Eisen- arriving in Frankfurt on October 22, Conservative movement. hower, then Supreme Commander of On August 27, 1945, Nadich began 1945. Nadich remained for another During World War II, Rabbi Nadich Allied Forces in Europe, reluctantly a tour of the Zeilsheim DP camp out- three weeks to assist in the transition. was an American Jewish chaplain. agreed to assign a chaplain as special side Frankfurt. Two days later he He then returned to the U.S. where he After the liberation of Paris in August advisor on Jewish affairs to the Theater began an extended tour of the camps was discharged from the army. 1944, he served at the Office of the Commander of the U.S. Forces in in Bavaria, and then Berlin. He also Rabbi Nadich later wrote about his Theater Chaplain in the city. By virtue Europe, until a prominent civilian could made an extensive inspection around experiences in his book Eisenhower of his position, he became an unoffi- be appointed. Heidelberg under the command of the and the Jews. The American Jewish cial spokesman on Jewish affairs for The need to respond immediately to Seventh Army. chaplains played a vital role in helping the foreign correspondents of the New Truman prompted Eisenhower to find Upon his return to Frankfurt, Nadich the she’eiris ha’peleitah, the remnants York Times, the New York Herald a Jewish chaplain. Chaplains were met with General Walter Bedell Smith, of the Shoah. Rabbi Nadich will be Tribune and other members of the already in Europe, knew the issues fac- Eisenhower’s chief of staff, highlighting remembered for having been an advo- American press in the region. ing the DPs, and understood how the the importance Eisenhower attached to cate for the survivors at the highest He and other American Jewish army functioned. Nadich’s mission. level of the American military. chaplains alerted American Jewish Jacob Trobe of the American Jewish Smith was disturbed to learn that in Tehei nafsho tzerurah bitzror organizations and leaders about the Distribution Committee (JDC) recom- the Third Army area, under General hachaim–May his soul be bound in the problems confronting the Jews of mended Nadich for the position. George S. Patton, American soldiers bond of everlasting life. O France: the need to return to the Nadich was picked over another chap- stood guard at the gates of the DP Jewish community the children who lain because of his experience at the camps, Jews had to obtain exit passes, Dr. Grobman wrote about Rabbi Nadich in his book Rekindling The Flame: American Jewish were placed in convents, on farms and Office of the Theater Chaplain, and only 10 percent of the camp popula- Chaplains and the Survivors of European Jewry, elsewhere by parents who were no because he had impressed him. tion was permitted to leave at any one 1944–1948.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 73 longer. I didn’t just visualize each per- unmarried children, had been sur- son’s face; I thought about what I passed, losses notwithstanding. I think wanted for them in life, how I’d like demographers call it “population Lighting Candles G-d to help them. All of this was pre- replacement.” To me, the discovery was ceded, of course, by first having that after I had lost those who were dear BY TOBY KLEIN GREENWALD imagery, and since I’ve always been as kavanah, intent, for the actual words to me, even more had taken their place. connected to visual images as to of the blessing itself—“…Who has At that moment I understood what my Until I was almost an adult, I words, it wasn’t difficult. sanctified us with His commandments father said to me after his first grand- thought there was a long mysterious My method was simple. I would draw and commanded us to light the child was born. “Now,” he said, “I feel prayer that women said when they lit out the blessing while I imagined my Sabbath lights.” that my job is done. There is continuity.” Shabbat candles, beyond the initial various family members in my mind. And then I began to lose people. The greater discovery was that many blessing. This prayer took about 20 This didn’t take an enormous amount My older brother died of an aortic of the wonderful qualities that had exist- minutes. I assumed it was something of time. There was my husband and aneurism in his fifties. My mom passed ed in those loved ones who I lost were intricate that had been passed down myself, my two brothers and my par- away a year later. My father—less than present in the loved ones I had gained. through the generations, and I won- ents—plenty of time to focus on each. two years after my mom. Even when a This, more than the numbers, was the dered how I would ever succeed in As time went on, I added our children hectic week kept me from dwelling on most poignant defining moment of my learning it all by heart. to the mix. Since they came into our lives my losses, I remembered them at candle candle-lighting experience. When I went to Israel at 17, I dis- Today, my mind is, thank G-d, crowd- covered there really is a traditional ed during that blessing, and each time I Hebrew prayer that one can choose to light, I sense that my mother is looking say after the blessing, which takes over my shoulder, smiling with nachas, about five minutes, tops. And my Many of the wonderful qualities that had enjoying the crowd. I imagine her lock- mother didn’t know Hebrew. So on a ing eyes with her grandchildren and trip back to America, I asked her what existed in those loved ones who I lost were great-grandchildren, offering them it was that she said when she stood so love, comfort, encouragement—what- long at her candlesticks. She ever they need to enjoy a happier week. answered, “I talk to G-d.” present in the loved ones I had gained. There is a Chassidic belief that under I also talked to G-d, in addition to the wedding canopy we are joined not regular prayers. I talked to G-d when I only by our living family, but by those was worried about something, or when who have left us. That is what I feel I stood at the Kotel, or when I won- one at a time, I had about two years to lighting time, by their absence. every week at my candlestick tray. dered what it was that He wanted from learn how to fit in each new image while But then something wonderful hap- As the New Year begins, I will stand me. Sometimes I even remembered to saying that blessing. At one point, I was up pened. In the middle of these losses, at those candles for a very long time, talk to Him when something wonder- to 12 images, all together, including my two more daughters got married, and while I pray that there will be a year of ful happened. So I could relate. original nuclear family. You do the math. added more grandchildren—more joy, health, love, and faith—for all As for the candle-lighting talking to This was a stable number for a faces and personalities to join me on those gathered at my side and for all G-d—which I only commenced after I while, and then my oldest daughter got Friday night at my candlestick tray. those beyond it, who belong to other married—I found myself wanting to married, and started having kids of her On one Friday night I had a sudden families, everywhere. include everything into that first bless- own. Naturally I wanted to include the realization: The number that had been I may even say an addendum. O ing, not as an addendum. The only way grandchildren in my prayers, so I stood stable for some years, when I still had The author is the editor of WholeFamily.com I could do that was through mental at the candlestick tray longer and my entire original nuclear family and my and an educational theater director.

74 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES shouting matches neighbors say could century, as Jews fled from forced con- until the mid 20th century. But the Afghanistan: be heard down the street, and versions in neighboring Iran. establishment of Israel in 1948 and denounced each other to the Taliban The Jewish community in Afghan- the 1979 Soviet invasion combined to as spies for the Mossad. istan can trace its beginnings to the empty the community. Emigration to Both received beatings for their trou- exiles from Assyria in 720 BCE and Israel was forbidden until the end of The Last Jew ble. According to Simentov, the fight Babylonia in 586 BCE. There is mate- 1951, but 15 years later nearly 4,000 broke out nearly a decade ago when rial evidence that indicates a contin- Jews had emigrated. By the end of the BY JASON MOTLAGH Jewish elders told him to bring Levin— ued Jewish presence in Afghan territo- Soviet war, just 15 to 20 Jewish fami- more than 20 years his senior—to ry since the eighth century. Although lies remained in Kabul, all of which The first question Zebulon Israel. Levin would not budge, and each archaeological evidence is rare, textual soon moved away. Simentov asked his uninvited guest, man accused the other of wanting to sources in Arabic and Hebrew collect- Oddly, Simentov said he preferred the eyes wide open at the prospect, was, sell the synagogue for profit. When ed by the Karaite Yaphet ben Heli de Communist period and even the Taliban “Are you Jewish?” There was a tinge of valuable Torah scrolls went missing, the Basra in the 10th century cite that the to the current government, which he disappointment when the reply came blame game resumed until a Taliban “Land of the East” had Jewish inhabi- called a “mafia regime.” He said he was back negative, but the last Jew in court acquitted Simentov. The scrolls tants. At the time, this was understood a successful carpet and antiques dealer Afghanistan didn’t miss a beat. were never recovered. to include northeastern Iran, northern until state customs “stole” a container “Humanity is one, religion doesn’t So intense were their subsequent Afghanistan, and southern parts of full of $40,000 worth of his goods on matter,” he said. Moments later, a spats that Afghan police suspected Central Asia. bogus grounds, leaving him with noth- Muslim friend entered the room, Simentov of murder when Levin died, El-Idrisi, the Muslim geographer, ing but the synagogue. Although unfurled a prayer rug in the corner until a post-mortem showed natural mentions Kabul’s Jewish community in Simentov’s wife and two daughters left and bowed toward Mecca. An open causes. Now Simentov lives alone in one of his tomes. The city was a major for Israel years ago, he has no plans to box of Manischewitz matzah sat next the crumbling two-story building, entrepôt on the trade routes between join them any time soon. to an empty bottle of whiskey on a where wrought-iron railings in a Star Central Asia and India, and Jewish He is concerned there may be a prop- table nearby. of David motif could use a fresh coat merchants were considered to be erty dispute with Levin’s son over the Locals refer to Simentov, 47, simply of blue paint and the courtyard garden among the business elite. They lived in synagogue, which is worth a hefty sum as “the Jew.” Originally from the west- has gone to waste. a separate quarter, known as the for its central location in one of the cap- ern city of Herat, he wears a kippah With a brush of the hand, he dis- Mahall-i-Jehudiyeh, that is no longer. ital’s main commercial districts. “Go to with his shalwar kameez and swears missed having a change of heart since The other main communities were Israel? What business do I have there?” “half of Kabul” knows him—though his rival’s death. These days no one located in Herat, near the Iranian bor- he said, noting that he doesn’t speak probably not for the reasons he’d like comes to worship at the synagogue der, and Balkh, to the north. Smaller Hebrew. “Why should I leave?” to believe. anymore, but he continues to pray groups lived in the southern towns of In the courtyard below, Shirgul Amiri, His only other co-religionist in the every day and keep kosher, he said. Kandahar and Ghazni. 20, watered a bed of pathetic-looking country, Yitzhak Levin, died in January A couple of years back he paid a visit Hebrew was used for liturgy and reli- roses. He said he comes to the syna- 2005 and was later buried on to the rabbi of Tashkent in Uzbekistan, gious studies, but Judeo-Persian was the gogue a couple of days a week at his par- Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives. The pair who gave him the authority to slaugh- main language spoken. Dress was simi- ents’ request to keep Simentov compa- had lived together in the Flower Street ter his own animals, since no other lar to the Muslim population, while all ny, acknowledging that the old man is in synagogue through the Soviet invasion, qualified Jew could be found for hun- Jewish men wore a black turban. a grumpy mood more often than not. the civil war, and the Taliban regime. dreds of miles. This was not always the Because Afghan territory was never “He drinks a lot and is very impatient,” And they famously grew to hate case, Simentov said, explaining that fully colonized by foreign powers, the the boy laughed. “But if you had each other. Among other antics, they there were more than 40,000 Jews in Jewish population had almost no con- brought a bottle of whiskey, he would held separate services, had vicious Afghanistan at the turn of the 19th tact with neighboring communities have been in heaven.” (JPost.com) O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 75 The report aims to “detail how, for a I srael Takes Over From Jordan Tel Romeida, For Example Hevron’s Jews: generation, the State of Israel has been The Israeli Trustee received control Two Jewish-owned plots of land betraying its mission as the representa- of the property in 1967 following the (Bloc 34416, plots 52 and 53) at the Gov’t Must Return tive of the Jewish Nation in the City of liberation of the Biblical homeland heights of the Tel Romeida neighbor- its Forefathers, with disdain, disregard, areas of Jerusalem, Judea (including hood stand adjacent to an IDF base Jewish Property and even hostility vis-à-vis its historic Hebron), Samaria, and more. “It now and Jewish homes in the neighbor- mission of rehabilitating the ancient had a historic Jewish-moral opportuni- hood—yet the government bans Jews Hebron community that was destroyed ty to correct the injustice and restore from setting foot there. The land had BY HILLEL FENDEL by Arab rioters…” Jewish life to Hebron—but it did so been rented to an Arab, but the con- In short, the report presents what it only partially, despite repeated tract was stopped by the Civil The Hebron Jewish Community has calls “a major failure of legal, historic, requests by both the original owners Administration in 2000. released a sharp, detailed report accus- and moral significance.” and the Jewish Community of Hebron The Jewish Community of Hebron, ing the Israeli government of breach of that had received power of attorney to granted power of attorney by the own- trust, abuse, and hostility towards the What Happened When? settle most of the properties.” ers, has asked several times to be Jewish owners of Arab-stolen property T he report’s authors feel that a his- The function of the trustee is to act allowed to rent the land. In 2003, the in the City of the Patriarchs. toric perspective is necessary, and in the best interests of those he is rep- IDF Central Region Commander Entitled “The State of Israel’s Chapter One recounts the massacre of resenting, the report states, and to agreed—but to this day nothing has Management of the Stolen Jewish 1929, followed by the transfer of most ensure that the property does not been done to allow the Jews to move Property in Hebron,” the report was of the property to Jordan’s “Trustee of remain desolate. “Yet Israel constantly in, and it remains desolate. At the issued in honor of the 78th anniversary Enemy Zionist Property” in 1948. and systematically did the opposite… same time, the state/trustee also does of the Hebron massacre. In August With no one to stop them, the For instance, regarding Hebron prop- very little to stop Arab infiltration and 1929, Arabs brutally murdered 67 of Jordanians proceeded to bulldoze the erty that had been consecrated to a illegal usage of the area—whereas their Jewish neighbors in their homes Jewish quarter’s houses, stationing an Jewish religious trust, the Supreme Jews who have tried to enter the plots and in the local yeshiva. The Jewish sur- outdoor market there; destroy and des- Court ruled that Israel could manage it have been arrested and tried. vivors were then removed from Hebron, ecrate the Avraham Avinu synagogue, as though it owned it. At the same This is a perfect example, the report leaving behind their homes and land to building atop it a sheep sty, garbage time, regarding the Moslem Waqf states, of the government’s hostile atti- be stolen by the Arabs. Only after the dump, and public restroom; and properties in Judea and Samaria, the tude towards the Jews of Hebron: 1967 Six Day War did Jews return per- destroy and vandalize the ancient state does not intervene at all—even “These plots have all the necessary manently to reclaim their homes and Jewish cemetery, using the gravestones when the Waqf works in tandem with conditions—land owned by Jews who property. They soon found, however, for local construction. terror organizations.” have given official power of attorney to that doing so under Israeli rule was not Parts of the property were rented out The report says that by allowing many the Jewish Community, no Arab ‘third to be as easy as they thought. by the Jordanian Trustee to local Arabs, of the properties to remain vacant and party,’ security permits, and the sub- The report begins by terming itself a while other parts were ignored by the desolate, it is abrogating its basic obliga- mission of proper requests throughout “grave indictment” against those in the trustee, and were simply taken over by tions as a trustee: “The Trustee/State the years—and yet despite all, the government who, “for decades have private or public elements without being absurdly overlooks the Arab renters’ property remains desolate, in clear vio- been exploiting their standing and registered. “There is actually no proper obligations, while at the same time mak- lation of the owners’ will.” have tried to apply their full influence and full registration anywhere of the ing extra sure their rights are not to prevent the return of the Jewish stolen Jewish property in Hebron, harmed…thus ignoring its obligations Moving Into The Market properties to their owners, and to pre- because of faulty management by both towards both the property (by leaving it The area now known as the vent the correction of the historic the Jordanian conquerors and the Israel vacant and desolate) and the owners (by Marketplace—the part of the Avraham injustice of the 1929 pogroms.” Trustee,” the report states. not letting them move in).” Avinu neighborhood that the

76 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Jordanians turned into an outdoor property,” from several aspects: the Jewish property—especially in compar- Jewish entry into the storefronts. market—is undisputedly Jewish- eviction was not necessary, as the ison with the forgiving approach owned. After the IDF closed down the Supreme Court had ruled it permissi- towards Arabs who infiltrate into these Conclusion: End The Israeli Jordanian market because of the secu- ble, not obligatory; it was meant only areas. For instance, a Jewish teenager Trusteeship! rity dangers it presented, and after it to impart a lesson that “sinners should was caught sleeping in one of the refur- Israel’s hostile approach cannot be stood desolate for seven years, and not be rewarded”—when in fact it was bished apartments in the market area. due to its opposition to Jewish pres- immediately after the murder of the clear to all that their requests to move The police arrested him and demanded ence in Hebron, the report states: “The infant Shalhevet Pass by an Arab in had been ignored for years, leaving that he be distanced from the area for government of Israel has recognized, sniper terrorist, several Jewish families Jewish-owned property vacant and des- 60 days, claiming, “The state affirms ever since a cabinet decision in 1980, moved into the storefronts and turned olate; it was done against two families the existence of a policy, approved by the legitimacy of Jewish habitation in them into their homes. that had left peaceably on their own in the justice ministry, calling for extra Hebron—and even anchored this right This led to a drawn-out legal battle the past, based on a government prom- precautions to ensure that the Hebron in an international agreement, the in which the state demanded to expel ise that was not fulfilled; it was market area remains empty.” Hebron Accord of 1997.” the Jews. The state’s main claim was tremendously violent and destructive. The judge asked the state representa- “However,” the report continues, “as that families who moved in illegally the trustee of the property, Israel relates should not be rewarded. The report to the Jewish owners as an enemy. This notes the absurdity: “In the [state’s] is an absurd and intolerable situation eyes, the ‘sinners’ who must not be Their requests to move in had been ignored for anyone who sees Israel as the coun- rewarded are the Jews who acted in try of the Jewish nation.” accordance with the owners’ wishes The writers of the report therefore and by their request—and not the for years, leaving Jewish-owned property call upon the State of Israel to end its Arabs who murdered and threw out trusteeship immediately, “especially the Jews in 1929!” given the fact that in 1995, a peace Ultimately, at the end of 2005, an vacant and desolate. treaty was signed with Jordan—ending agreement was worked out according the state of war between the two coun- to which the Jewish occupants would tries, ending Israel’s status as an ‘enemy’ leave, to be replaced shortly afterwards vis-à-vis Jordan, and ending the need for by other Jewish families who would The properties were turned into tive about the closure order placed upon Israel to fill the shoes of Jordan’s rent the buildings. The Jews fulfilled ruins—in opposition to the trustees’ the apartments for “security reasons”: Trustee of Enemy Zionist Property…” their end of the bargain—but Attorney obligation to preserve the property, and “Why do these security reasons necessi- “Alternatively,” the report concludes, General Menachem Mazuz said the as an indication that the government tate only the closing of the apartments, “Israel’s policy makers must instruct all state need not fulfill its side, because meant to ensure that no Jews ever live yet allow people to walk by there? Is it the government echelons to immediate- of “legal and political considerations.” there. It was the first time since 1929 more dangerous for people to enter the ly stop the systematic harassment and After having been thus betrayed, that a synagogue had been destroyed apartments than to merely walk by?” discrimination of the owners of the two families moved back in to adjacent in Hebron—and the destroyers were The state’s representative answered, stolen Jewish property… The state must buildings—and were brutally and vio- Israeli soldiers and policemen. “This is the judgment of the central first repair the damage it did in the mar- lently removed by army and police commander…” However, he did not ket property, and then begin corrective forces last month. This expulsion, the Extra-Harsh add that the order was issued by the reverse discrimination, leading to the report states, is a “mocking symbol of The report also notes the state’s central commander at the behest of restoration of dynamic Jewish life in the hostility and disdain that the State extra-harsh approach towards Jews the deputy attorney general, Shai Hebron as it was before the pogrom of of Israel has for the stolen Jewish who wish to actualize their rights to the Nitzan, for the purpose of preventing 1929.” (Arutz Sheva) O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 77 78 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 79 AUTOS SERVICES FOR SALE PROVIDED

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Yeshiva of Belle Harbor looking for Part time Mh ashgiac , cashier, and Law: Hi Ranch. Must see, 4br, Far Rockaway: 2 Fam. All NU 3 over 3 Br. 4Fbth, Dr, Full bsmt n ursery-grade 5 English and maintenance needed at local bagel 2.5bth, fam rm, CAC, 2gar, lg prop. All features...... $779K Hebrew teachers. E-mail your store. Counter positions available also. Call 516-220-4100 ask for Joe...... $800sK Call 516-263-6417 resumes to m [email protected] 3-6 PM. Religious. Law: Nu Construc’n, 6br, 5bth, Woodmere/Cedarhurst Oppty! 12,000 sq. ft. approx. 90’x150’, Customer service rep for internet Assistant Manager wanted. Must lg prop, walk all, with all goodies. be early riser and energetic. Call Joel Colonial, 17 rooms, full bsmt. with hi retail co. in Hempstead. F/T. Heavy e- at 516-233-5808 Plans can be seen in office. ceilings, clean 2 car garage plus stor- mail correspondence, telephone, Ced: Nu2Mkt, 2Fam, 3br/3br, 2fpl, age, 6 space parking, 2 family, profes- office work, returns processing. Salary sional use, accountant, Esq., medical REAL ESTATE deck, all new, grt loc, full bsmt. $795K and/or educational and religious uses. commensurate with experience. Send FOR SALE Wdm: Reduced. Ranch, 3br, 3 bth, lg Grand colonial with charm and great resume to simchag@classicclose- possibilities. Available at once. outs.com, fax 516-538-1355 prop, grt loc, walk all...... $749K $875K Negotiable. 5 Towns Jan Kalman Rlty Oceanside: Col, renov’d, lr, dr, nu EIK, Owner 516-322-3555 — (Extended 1st Show! H ew Bay Pk. Ours Alone. den, 3br, fin bsmt. Best Buy! .....$439K North Woodmere 5 BR, 4.5 bth Exp Rnch. 70 Ac. Woodmere 400) Price drastically Cedarhurst: CH col., new quality reduced 7 BR, 3 FBA, Finished ...... $1.35M construction. 7 bedroom, 4.5 bths, Basement, Lg property 84x100, Ced. Attn Investors/Bldrs. 70x100 lot. Walking to 4 shuls. $679K den, LR, DR, oversized gourmet, House/poor cond...... $485K Call 917-238-0098 granite EIK, huge FDR, 9' ceiling, Law. Twnhse Rental. 2 BR, 2.5 bth. Far Rockaway — 2 Family House finished basement prime location. For Sale. Newly Constructed, 3 Gar, CAC...... $2,800 Asking...... $1.25M BR/2BA over 2 BR/1 BA, plus Bonus N.Wdm. 5 BR, 3 bth, R/Rnch. Nu Floor w/ Private Entrance...... $699K bths Wndws/ roof/ elec...... $699K 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 Call Owner 917-836-6838. Open Houses, Sept. 23rd Bayswater —"Forget Far Rockaway" 42 Carman, Ced (B/A) 5BR..$600s Move to this cozy Bayswater 1 BR apartment. Furnished or unfurnished, 427 Barnard, Ced (11-12:30) private entrance, washer and dryer. Your Real Estate, ...... $1.35M Call 516-374-3635. 23 East Av, Law (12-2) W/F..$399K Service, North Woodmere — Open House or 722 Park, N.W (2:30-5) 4BR..$600s Sunday. 6 BR, split, 3.5 bth, large 556 Leheigh,Wdm(12-2)4BR kitchen, dinette with skylight, deck/patio, large den, brick fireplace, Help Wanted Ad ...... $659K finished basement garage, CAC, all Here www.JanKalman.com systems. $738K Call 516-791-2711 516-569-5651 Every Thursday Luxurious apartments: Penthouse in Bucman, Modiin. 5 BR, balconies, 100,000 readers look N.Wdmr: HiRanch, 4Br, 2.5Bth, Nu Shabbos elevator, 2 sinks, 2.5 bths. Jerusalem Israel Shaarei Chesed Kit, Lg. Den, deck, Overlg Prop. $350K. Villa 6 BR, c/ac, parking, stor- forward to what’s 144 sq.meters apartment, newly reno- Reduced...... $659K age, backyard. $550K vated, private enterance. 175 sq.meter 718-471-8888 happening in the 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 private garden 5 bdrms Dov Shapiro Kings Point Delray Beach condo 5 Towns by reading Remax/Vision 718-689-1552 or in Lido Beach near houses of worship. for sale 1,100 sq. feet. 2 BR, 2 bths, The Five Towns Large 4 BR, 2.5 bth home, FDR, fam- Israel 052-553-3739 new European kitchen and appli- ily room, large LR with vaulted ceil- ances, updated bath, new carpets, Jewish Times. ings and wall of windows. Granite 24-hour guarded community. Golf, Deadline is Monday throughout, c/a, finished basement, theater, library. $199,999. Call 631-664-0075 at 5:00 p.m. oversized private driveway and backyard...... $899K. West Lawrence— detached brick, prime, 3 BR, study, den, DR, huge 1 Week ...... $35 Call Diamond Realty Group LR, 3 bths, EIK, basement, plus 516-432-2000 2 Weeks ...... $60 detached 2 BR rental...... $899K. 917-376-1472 or 4 Weeks ...... $100 Ced: Nu 2 Mkt. LgLr, Dr,EIK, Den, 011-972-506-302-793 5 Br, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Lg prop. Weekly Ads of up to 25 IG pool, Walk to all...... $699K Ced: Nu 2 Mkt. Col, 4Br, 2.5bth, All 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 NU, Den, Mrbl Eik, Full Fin. Bsmt, words walk to all...... $799K Far Rockaway: 2 Fam. All NU 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 Call: 516-569-0502 3 over 1 Br. 3Fbth, Grt Hewlett — Col. MIC, 4br., 2bth, Beach 3rd — 1 family house near Fax: 516-977-0608 Location...... $599K 2fpl, full deck, wood flr, Lg. den. beach. 3 BR, excellent condition, detached driveway garage...... $369K Call 516-322-3555 Walk to all...... $729K Or E-mail ads to: Don't miss it, must sell! Lawrence — NU 2 MKT. Legal Woodmere—New listing! Fully reno- 718-810-0001 [email protected] 3FAM. Lg. 3Br/2/2, Full FIN. bsmt., vated split 5 BR 3 bths, kosher Classified Ads are Include payment info. kitchen, home office, close to shuls, walk to all. NYU sep. mtr,htg & quiet block ...... $825K Wtr...... $949K Continued on the Next Page. Owner 516-791-8227 5 TOWN HOMES 516-322-3555 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 81 CLASSIFIED ADS Continued from Page 81 FOR RENT FOR RENT FOR RENT

REAL ESTATE Far Rockaway — Apartment avail- Far Rockaway — 2 Huge Office Cedarhurst — House Rental; kit, FOR SALE able. Brand new construction. Spaces. 6,000 and 2,500 Sq Ft. 2nd den, 3br., 2.5 bth. bsmt. $2,400 Furnished or unfurnished. 3 BR, Floor. Near Subway & LIRR. Build to 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 Suit. Can Be Divided. Far Rockaway- House For Sale 3 2bths. Cleaning and laundry services Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: Owner 917-359-9776. Br/ 2 Bath plus guest room. available. Perfect for the elderly. 4br, 2bth, bsmt., Hi ceil’g, NU bths, Renovated w/ New Kitchen, New Call Sherri 516-569-5450. Private office space in W\D. Call 516-322-3555. Bathrooms. Huge Master Bedroom. Hewlett/Woodmere — All utilities Store for rent. Prime location on Price ...... $499,000 2-3 BR rental apt 2 family house 2 included, conference room, on-site Central Avenue. 1500 square feet. Call Owner 917-836-6838 BR, lg LR, DR, EIK, den, quiet loca- parking, 24/7 Access. $600/mo. tion...... $2,200 516-792-9444 Also good for office. Far Rockaway/Lawrence- House 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 EquiShares Real Estate Call 917-417-5725 For Sale 2 BR/ 2 BA, Newly Renovated, Dead-end street, Price Cedarhurst—300 sq. ft. office. Warehouse Space in Office for rent—Prime location on ...... $539,000 Centrally located. Ideal for profes- Hewlett/Woodmere — 1150 Central Avenue. Approximately Call Owner: 516-750-9257 sional. 516-410-5928 Broadway 5,000-30,000 avail. Will 1000 sq. feet C/H C/A divide. 516-792-9444 Call 917-417-5725 Hewlett—Brand new construction, 5 Ced.—3+ br apt, 1.5 bth, lg fdr, new EquiShares Real Estate Enjoy New Years -week 52 - at bdrms, 2.5 bths, office, wood flrs, CAC, EIK, on quiet street, walk to all. Landry room on 2nd flr...... Marriott's Aruba Surf Club in your $799K ...... $2,200 Far Rockaway — 2 family houses: 3 Call Jackie 516-526-8841 luxurious rental beach front suite. N Wdm. — house rental bdrms, 2 full baths, granite countertops, Woodmere Park— Sprawling ranch hardwood flrs, double sinks, great loca- Sleeps 8. $7895 OBO. Hi-ranch in MIC. 4 br, CAC, den, on on deep property 4 bedrms, 3 baths, tion, near LIRR. Call 516-792-9444 Call 419-651-4286. quiet street. Master suite, walk to all. EquiShares Real Estate Website: Call Avi 917-512-5442 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 http://www.vacationclub.com/reso Mint Seasonal rental in Boynton rts/ac/default.jsp Cedarhurst Coop — Spacious 2br, CEDARHURST- HOUSE FOR RENT 2 bath, LR, DR, EIK, wash/dry, Beach, FL - Condo, Fully furnished, 3 BR/ 2 BA, Newly Renovated, Great Sheraton Jerusalem Plaza — Two Terrace. Price reduced...... $359K Second floor Corner Unit, 2/2, Near rooms available for Sukkos. Call Avi @ 917-512-5442 Location, Largest Backyard In All, Spacious, 4-6 months avail, Call 718-258-7405 Far Rockaway — Perfect Starter Cedarhurst. Asking $2900, $2,800 per month + utilities house in the best location. Newly ren- Call Owner: 917-836-6838. Kevin - 516-379-9063 Cedarhurst — House Rental ovated 3 bedroom 2.5 bath. new LR/FDR, den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt. Far Rockaway- House For Rent 5 Miami Beach—House for rent. Easy kitchen wall to wall carpets, full fin- $2,300. Call 516-322-3555. ished basement...... $499K BR/ 3 BA, Newly Constructed, High short walk to all shuls schools and Call Avi @ 917-512-5442 End Finishes, 2 Car Garage, Dead- shopping neaby, fenced yard w/pool Looking for short-term apt — Weissman Realty Group LLC end Street, Rent ...... $2900 and jacuzzi, 3BR 2Bth and office. Furnished or unfurnished. 516-791-6100 Call Owner: 917-836-6838 954-927-6035 Call 516-902-3373

82 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FOR RENT The deadline Store Rental (Commercial) Woodmere Hi Vis loc. Storefront. 700 sq. ft +Bsmt. Mun Prkg $1500 for placing Jan Kalman Rlty 516-569-5651 Far Rockaway—1 BR,, 2 BR and 3 classified ads BR apartments. some balconies. New kitchens, lots of closets, 24 hr door- man, security cameras. Close to White Shul, Shor Yoshuv and train. in the Call 917-512-5442

West Lawrence—prime location, next issue detached 2 BR, study, EIK, LR, 1.5 bths, beautiful, all new, ...... $1990 917-376-1472 or of the 5TJT is 011-972-506-302-793

FOR SALE Sunday,

Cemetery Plots — 2 cemetery plots September 23 located in Israel, Eretz Hachaim–YU section. Very reasonable. Call 516- 569-0995 or 516-569-0982 at 5:00 P.M. LOST AND Call FOUND 516-569-0502 Tefilin lost in Maspeth, Queens. The Rashi and Rabainu Tam bags bear the initials Yud Alef Shin. If found, please call 917-468-8585

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 83 students who want to go to Israel. Marla Iran Must Pay Terror Victim’s Family Bennett was a 24-year-old graduate student in Judaic studies when she was killed along with eight others on July 31, BY HILARY LEILA KRIEGER “The plaintiffs should be praised August 30. “Though it is impossible 2002 by a bomb placed in The Hebrew for their courageous and steadfast for this court to make the plaintiffs University’s Frank Sinatra cafeteria. Iran must pay $12.9 million to the pursuit of justice through legal completely whole again, the court Collecting the damages, however, family of an American victim of the means. This noble effort is made even hopes that this award helps begin the will be difficult. Previous victims of 2002 Hebrew University terror attack, healing process, and that one day the terror attacks who have successfully a federal district judge in Washington, plaintiffs’ hearts and minds will be sued Iran have sought money from DC, has ruled. The judge, Royce mended by the fact that some meas- frozen Iranian assets in America, but Lamberth, found that Hamas, which “Perhaps we could ure of justice—no matter how incal- those resources are limited. claimed credit for the attack, “is an culable—was done on their behalf.” Lamberth also awarded $2.65 billion organization supported by the Islamic “Nothing can really bring closure to the families of the 241 U.S. service Republic of Iran, dedicated to the wag- do some good for when you lose a child in such a members killed in the 1983 bombing of ing of jihad, or a holy war employing vicious, senseless way,” said Bennett’s the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, and terrorism,” and was responsible for the mother, Linda, reached by telephone reports suggested that they would be “willful and deliberate extrajudicial other people with at her San Diego home. “It will help if seeking international holdings of Iranian killing” of Marla Bennett. we see any actual money, as far as per- funds. Iran strongly criticized the $2.65 “This court is cognizant of the this judgment.” haps we could do some good for other billion ruling. “This is a baseless deci- extreme pain and suffering felt by each people with this judgment.” sion, some U.S. court issued a verdict of the plaintiffs in this action for losing Linda Bennett was referring to two without any investigation or listening to a person who, by all accounts, was a programs created after her daughter’s opinions from the other sides,” govern- shining light of the lives of so many,” more so when contrasted with the death to which she would particularly ment spokesman Gholam Hossein Lamberth wrote in awarding Bennett’s heinous and brutishly unlawful acts like to see the money go. One is a char- Elham told reporters here. “The verdict mother, father, and sister the damages undertaken by the defendants and the ity run through the local Jewish is not legally defendable, and we can see as compensation for their suffering individuals they support,” Lamberth Federation that helps Jews and non- the political pressure from the decision and Bennett’s lost income. continued in his opinion, dated Jews in distress, the other a fund to help to grab Iranian assets in America.” Iran did not defend itself in either case. The Bennetts’ lawyer, Edward Carnot, who welcomed Lamberth’s “well-reasoned judgment,” wouldn’t publicly discuss the family’s plan for collecting the money owed to them. But he stressed, “We’re going to make every effort to collect upon the judgment. This family suffered a tragic loss and the purpose of this case was to get some compensation for that loss.” The Hebrew University also recalled that loss, putting out a statement that it “pays tribute to the memory of Marla Bennett and all of the other victims of the terrorist attack and expresses satisfaction at the decision of the court, which perhaps will ease, if only slightly, the sorrow of the family.” (JPost.com) O

After the death of the two sons of Aharon who came close to G-d and died (Vayikra 16:1) They approached the supernal light out of their great love of the Holy, and thereby died.Thus they died by “Divine kiss” such as experienced by the perfectly righteous; it is only that the righteous die when the Divine kiss approaches them, while they died by their approaching it… Although they sensed their own demise, this did not prevent them from drawing near to G-d in attachment, delight, delectability, fellow- ship, love, kiss and sweet- ness, to the point that their souls ceased from them. (Or HaChaim) 84 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 85 86 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 21, 2007 87 88 September 21, 2007 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES