See Page 24 See Page 12

See Page 17 $1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 11 NO. 37 1 SIVAN 5771 tab ,arp JUNE 3, 2011

INSIDE YDT: NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND FROM THE EDITOR From Oprah To Israel Toby Klein Greenwald 36 B Y LARRY GORDON Torah, Tennis, And Teens Thoughts Rochelle Maruch Miller 41 Making Our Days Count On Jerusalem Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 46 The city of Jerusalem has Winding Down been in Jewish hands for the last Talmid X 70 44 years. On those fateful days in June 1967, Israeli paratroop- P

h ers, covered by ground forces,

French Connection o t o B Rabbi Avi Shafran 73 y penetrated Jordanian defenses I r a T

h and recaptured the city. It was o m a s

C this week that we marked this r e a t i o momentous anniversary, which n s The annual breakfast reception for the Rabenstein Learning Center and Weiss Vocational Program of Yeshiva arrives in the chilling aftermath Darchei Torah took place on Monday morning, May 30, at the home of Chaim and Bracha Schulhof. Above (L–R): Rabbi Zev Bald, Ronald Lowinger, Chaim Schulhof, and Rabbi Yaakov Bender. See Page 88 Continued on Page 4

HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE

The LettersRedistricting Debate to thetive districts Editor need to be adjusted Continues to make sure each has about the A Smashing Shabbos Dear Editor, same number of voters according BY LARRY GORDON Rivkah Laufer Bikur Cholim Legislator Howard Kopel has to the most recent census data. and feels that after all these annual luncheon. turned his back on the Jewish This year, the Legislature fast- years he is in the right place. See Page 54 Orthodox community that he tracked the redistricting pro- Fred Savoy cannot explain it It all actually started about a represents. He and the Repub- cess—despite legal precedent despite his attempts to. He year and a half ago when an licans in the County Legislature and outcries from the voting became a little teary-eyed as we eighteen-wheel tractor trailer have passed a redistricting plan public. To make matters worse, talked about what is happening collided with a car on the that will unacceptably divide the Republican majority’s plan to him. Actually, it is a long George Washington Bridge the democratic power of our would slice apart the Five story, a tale that is as long as life heading in the New York direc- community. Towns, pushing most of Inwood itself. He says that he doesn’t tion. It is not uncommon that To ensure fair representation know where it’s taking him, but for everyone in Nassau, legisla- Continued on Page 13 he is at peace with his decisions Continued on Page 11 March Of The Living Grading SHAVUOS Time The Yom Tov Margaret Tietz Rehab Center Of Kavod HaTorah eiruv extension. From The Other Side Of B Y RAV ARYEH Z. See Page 88 The Bench GINZBERG B Y DAVID J. CHOFETZ CHAIM TORAH CENTER SEIDEMANN, ESQ. Over the last few years, with The end of the school year is the spread of Internet access drawing near, not only for my and the proliferation of web- children, but for the students I sites, it has become open season To mark Yom HaShoah, thousands of Jewish teens from around the world teach at Touro College in for attacks on our gedolei Torah. marched from Auschwitz to Birkenau on May 2, as part of the March of the Living educational program. See Page 80 Continued on Page 18 Continued on Page 22

Achiezer celebrates second successful year. See Page 59

CANDLE LIGHTING June 3 – 8:02 PM June 7 – 8:05 PM 2 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 3 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Front Cover

of President Obama’s call for Israel to use P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 the pre-1967 lines as the basis for renewed 516-984-0079 talks with the Palestinians. [email protected] Much has been written these past two [email protected] weeks about how Mr. Obama may just LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON not, “get it,” or just refuses to understand Publisher/Editor Managing Editor what the attachment of the Jewish peo- YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON ple—wherever we may live in the Sales Managers world—is to Jerusalem. The intention CHANA ROCHEL ROSS here is not to try to understand where Editorial Assistant the president is coming from but to put SIDI BARON DAVID FOX the matter into some kind of graspable DOV GORDON YAKOV SERLE Sales Representatives perspective. As is well known, the president and his SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor family were members of a church— Trinity United in Chicago—led by CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen Reverend Jeremiah Wright, where the Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, Yoni Glatt worst kind of racist anti-Jewish venom Toby Klein Greenwald, Rabbi Yair Hoffman was spewed from the pulpit on a regular Ron Jager, Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky basis. The anti-Jewish and anti-Israel ser- Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann mons and lectures were part of the rou- Rochelle Miller, Rabbi Meir Orlian, Elke Probkevitz Dr. Rachael Schindler, Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow tine everyday fare at the church. The inter- David J. Seidemann, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier nal newsletter at the church published Rabbi Avi Shafran, Eli Shapiro, Dr. Ari Sher articles from leaders of Hamas and the Samuel Sokol Nation of Islam—both groups whose ELISHEVA ELEFANT hatred of Jews and Israel is unbridled. Staff Graphic Artist Barack and Michelle Obama wor- IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS shipped at the Trinity Church, which at Staff Photographers one point had over 8,000 members— FRANKEL & CO. which means it was what is commonly Design & Production referred to as a mega-church. So many TALIYE CORLEY more tens of thousands of worshippers Art Director heard the anti-Israel diatribes over and The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- over again to the point where it became a paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not fundamental part of their idea of reality. necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not It was not all those people, however, that responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. Continued on Page 10

4 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 5 6 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 7 8 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FEATURES

Around The Five Towns 47 Aliyah Chronicle Shmuel Katz 66 Classified Ads 76 A Clever Title Goes Here Mordechai Schmutter 34 Daf Yomi Insights Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 46 Insights On The Torah R’ Yanki Tauber 86 Luach Calendar 20 Middle East News Samuel Sokol 72 MindBiz Esther Mann, LCSW 39 Mother’s Musings Phyllis J. Lubin 27 News From The Hills Chanita Teitz 85 Puzzle Yoni Glatt 81 Real Estate Anessa V. Cohen 37 That’s The Way It Is! Hannah Reich Berman 32 Tidbits From Israel Ron Jager 69 Travel Special Advertising Section 82 The Year In Israel Talmid X 70

For the next issue, the deadline for all display advertising is Friday, June 3 at 12 Noon Call 516-984-0079

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 9 FROM THE EDITOR When it came to news of the war in there is a misunderstanding about Jews taneously keep it somewhat whole. At Continued from Page 4 Israel, those kids became big-time heroes and Jerusalem, rather there is this inabili- one point in the early stages of negotia- as somehow their radios were allowed to ty to comprehend. There is a lack of tions on this topic, an Arab negotiator would someday become President of the be placed on their desks with the volume understanding about the relationship conjured up the story of King Solomon United States. turned up loud so we could hear the anx- between a people—the Jews—and an and the two mothers who claimed the So the president and others he sur- iety-ridden reports from those covering otherwise seemingly inanimate land. In same baby. The wise king suggested that rounds himself with—Jews and non- the war for their respective networks. We fact, this was true by the late Yitzchak the baby be split to which one mother Jews—think of at least part of Jerusalem heard news about what they called dog- Rabin, the Prime Minister of Israel during gasped and reacted with absolute refusal. as a city occupied by the Israeli military fights between jet fighters over the the Oslo Accords period. The mother that refused to divide the in the aftermath of the 1967 Six Day War. Mediterranean Sea. We listened to child was the real mother, the King said. The overwhelming majority of the world reports about troop movements, how five So it was with this Palestinian negotia- sees things the same way. So if you’re Arab armies were surrounding the Jewish tor who declared to his Israeli counter- Barack Obama and everywhere you look state. And then we heard news of So it was with this part, “You want to divide the city because all you see are people—including many Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser Palestinian negotiator you’re not the real mother.” The reality is Jews—who do not understand the rela- announcing that the Arab armies were that no Israeli leader or negotiator, tionship between Jews and Jerusalem, experiencing victory on all fronts and who declared to his regardless of which party they belong to, then what are we to expect? that their goal to obliterate the Jewish whether Likud or Kadima or Labor, will Those of us who were around in those state was on the mark. Israeli counterpart, “You ever be able or will ever really genuinely days can never forget what it was like. I Thankfully that was our first dose of want to divide Jerusalem. It’s a plan or a was an elementary-school student in pre-teen Arab propaganda, as the reports want to divide the city concept that is simply unworkable. 1967, with the awareness of the State of emanating from other media and other because you’re not the Perhaps it cannot be sufficiently under- Israel being nothing even close to what it sources seemed to contradict everything stood, explained, or even effectively is today. We were just kids for what Nasser was saying. While we didn’t believe real mother.” communicated to others. But Jerusalem seemed an eternity, going to yeshiva, col- him, it seems that the late King Hussein of and the Jewish people, whatever our lecting baseball cards, playing stickball, Jordan fortunately did. Jordan, the country level of commitment or wherever we doing homework, and trying to grow up that occupied East Jerusalem and Judea reside, is one. slowly but surely. and Samaria at that time was begged by At that time there was a great debate I saw a clip on the Internet the other It was June and we could smell the fin- Israel to stay out of the war. Israeli officials between Israeli and Palestinian negotia- night of Israeli ground forces pouring ish line of school days for yet another one were not interested in upsetting the status tors. The dispute was over sovereignty of through the fortress-like stony gates that of those endless years. We would shortly quo. As far as they were concerned, the the Temple Mount. Rabin wanted to serve as entrances to the Old City. It was be getting set for a summer of jumping, Jordanians could remain where they were know whether it was prudent to not 1967 and the forces were accompanied by running, and all around fun. But then this as long as they did not enter the fray. That reach a peace deal because of an argu- a reporter and a cameraman. They ran idea of war and Jews along with relatives was not the case, and Jordan went on the ment about the sovereignty over “rocks down ancient stairways with the reporter in Israel invaded our simple, seemingly offensive, firing their guns into Israel and and dirt.” It doesn’t look like the Arabs see breathlessly exclaiming, “I see it!” He uncomplicated existence. I had to admit forcing a response. it that way and fortunately, we don’t see then added, “I am not a religious man but that there were at least two kids in my Miraculously and swiftly, the IDF pen- it that way either. I see it. There it is! My hand is touching class who would regularly bring small six etrated Jordanian lines and liberated the For years, there was nascent talk about the Wall.” And then he wept uncontrol- transistor radios to class so that they Old City and its environs from a 19-year somehow dividing Jerusalem in some lably for all to hear. O could listen to either the Yankees or Jordanian occupation, a period during amicable, doable fashion. The Israeli Mets—when they played day games— which no Jews were permitted to pray at negotiators tried every which way to slice Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at during recess. the Western Wall. Today, it’s not that the city apart, to both divide it and simul- [email protected].

10 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES BAGEL STORE how long it would be until he could get Continued from Front Cover the car back but he also took an immedi- ate interest in the non-automotive spiri- when one of those giant trucks hits a pas- tual side of Mr. Savoy. The rabbi quickly senger car there is extensive damage and learned a great deal about Fred just as hopefully nothing more. The driver of the this writer had done this past Friday. His car was Rabbi Zalman Wolowik of grandparents were rigorously Orthodox, Chabad of the Five Towns in Cedarhurst. his parents less so but still kept a kosher The car incurred extensive damage and home. After Fred’s stint in the Army his insurance agent sent him to a shop in Reserves, along with the downward spi- Inwood authorized to do the company’s ral of so much religious observance dur- work—Lamberg Collision Experts on ing those years in the American Jewish Sheridan Boulevard. community, there was not much left. It Fred grew up in Brooklyn, joined the is not that unusual but rather the com- Army Reserves, and was stationed in Fort mon history of an inordinate number of Benning, Georgia as well as here in New American Jews. York. For the last 40 years, he has been When Rosh Hashanah was arriving ear- residing in the Five Towns and watched lier this year, Rabbi Wolowik asked Fred the changes take place around him basi- about his plans for the holidays and serv- cally unfazed. For many years he was a ices. He told the rabbi that he did not member and, he points out, even an have any definite plans and was not sure usher at the East Rockaway Jewish what he was going to do. The rabbi told Center. But a couple of years ago the Savoy that he had a seat for him and his rabbi, who was a close personal friend, wife, Sara, at the Chabad High Holiday retired. “When the rabbi retired, that’s services that are held in the HAFTR audi- when I retired from going to synagogue,” torium to accommodate the usual over- said Fred. flow crowds that attend. Zalman Wolowik is an engaging, per- “When I walked in planning to sit in sonable, and determined young man the rear of the auditorium, Rabbi who is charged with—as all Chabad Wolowik spotted me, came to the back, emissaries are in their communities— and sat me down right near him in the bringing a change for the better into the front of the shul.” Fred says. “And then on world by creating an environment that top of everything else I’m called to the allows all Jews, on their own level, to Torah for an aliyah. I was overwhelmed connect with G-dliness. If you asked Fred and I have to say that I immediately felt Savoy about G-dliness in his life a year or just as comfortable on my first day in two ago, he says, he would just stare at Chabad as I did throughout my 14 years in you blankly and probably be unable to my Temple.” relate to the inquiry. After a few months of fairly regular When Rabbi Wolowik brought his car into Fred’s shop, he wanted to know Continued on Page 14

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 11 12 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continued from Front Cover and Woodmere and parts of Hewlett and Cedarhurst out of District 7. The plan was crafted in an exclusive and partisan fashion, without any con- sultation with the Democratic legisla- tive minority or community activists and leaders. Howard Kopel admitted the true nature of the process in a recent article on the Five Towns Patch, saying “It is a political thing, let’s be honest about it.” In the same article, Legislator Kopel announced his support for the Democrat- led lawsuit against his party’s redistrict- ing plan, saying, “I’m kind of hoping that the court says no, you’ve got to run on the old lines . . . If it stays like that, I’d be happy.” Mr. Kopel, if you preferred the existing map, why did you support your leadership’s illegal plan to redraw the dis- tricts in the first place? All excuses aside, Legislator Kopel cast the deciding vote for a plan that divides our growing influence as a powerful vot- ing group and ignores the unique cultur- al identity that unites the Five Towns. It’s clear that Kopel doesn’t care about representing the Five Towns. This fall, let’s make it clear that we don’t care for him, either. Sincerely, Tova Plaut Cedarhurst, NY

Legislator Kopel responds: Dear Editor, Ms. Plaut’s letter is not only dishon- est and disingenuous, but it also rais- es some important issues that I’d like to address. While it’s easy for Ms. Plaut, a donor to my predecessor’s campaign, to distort positions by lifting quotations out of context and twisting them to mean the opposite of how they were clearly intended, there are many inconsisten- cies, distortions, and dangerous ideas in her letter. Ms. Plaut gives lip service to the legal necessity of adjusting legislative districts so that they do not result in over- or under- representation. However, she insists that her particular desires be hon- ored, even if they, in effect, violate the sacred principle of “one man/woman, one vote.” There is no contradiction in follow- ing the law, as explained to me by the county attorney, and still hoping that a court might preserve whole, for the time being, the district that I represent, know, and like so well. And yes, while redistricting is required by the law, leg- islative district lines are the result of a political process, pursuant to constitu- tional guidelines. This exact process, which Ms. Plaut criticizes, enabled me to bring virtually all of Cedarhurst back into District 7 together with all of Lawrence, Old Woodmere, and the over- whelming majority of Hewlett. Ms. Plaut is correct that I represent the Orthodox Jewish community. She forgets, however, that I also represent everyone else in the 7th Legislative District—the overwhelming majority of which is not Orthodox, or Jewish. This is a good thing. Orthodox Jews are not monolithic. We are liberals and conser-

Continued on Page 15 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 13

BAGEL STORE Granted that it is extremely difficult for doing, are very supportive and encour- the rabbi that I was committed to close Continued from Page 11 observant Jews from birth to grasp a full aging but uncertain where exactly this one day but I don’t know if two is possi- understanding of what a 62-year-old intel- is going to lead. ble.” One can see from the look in Fred’s attendance at Chabad Shabbos services, ligent man grapples with as he contem- The two Chabad young men who visit eyes that he is being pulled simultane- Rabbi Wolowik asked Fred when he was plates and indeed begins to implement this area of Inwood putting tefillin on the ously in two directions. The momentum planning to close his business on drastic changes to what he has grown local Jewish businessmen every Friday of the past four decades of the business Shabbos. “Saturday is a busy day, proba- accustomed to. “I am attached to my busi- have become close friends with Fred says that it is crazy and even irresponsi- bly the busiest day of the week for us,” ness and I really never leave,” Fred says. Savoy. Dovid Kotlarsky and Doniel ble to just close shop for two days in the he said, “but it’s very difficult to say no His wife has been battling illness of late Goldberg join us for part of our meeting middle of the week. But you can also to Rabbi Wolowik.” Ironically enough and still travels with friends instead of last Friday and the two seem to be beam- hear in his voice that considering all the ,around the same time the Geico insur- with Fred who feels he just cannot leave. ing with pride as they listen to Fred Savoy factors and details of his new experience, ance company was looking for a colli- “I have to be here because I’m the face of talk about the metamorphosis of slowly that he is going to take that leap and sion company that could handle their the business. I don’t have anyone who can but surely undertaking Jewish obser- close for the yom tov. claims and automotive restorations for do what I do for my customers,” he says. vance. “It’s a long process wrought with “What can I tell you other than it is their customers. Fred is in a battle of very difficult to say no to Rabbi sorts with another collision entity in Wolowik?” The rabbi told me on Sunday Merrick but just learned last week that that he had spoken to Fred Savoy and he may have inadvertently or perhaps that he decided to close both days of fatefully positioned himself to get the “I said to him, ‘Ephraim, Shavuos. He has to close, Fred said; he contract. Since Lamberg Collision wants to be in shul. O closed on Shabbos about two months Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at ago, they are now open for business on Is this why you closed on [email protected]. Sunday instead. Geico told him last week that they are looking for a compa- Shabbos? To attend a meeting?”’ ny to handle Sunday claims as just about all the shops they have explored Become a Facebook fan of are closed on that day. “When I get to Chabad on Shabbos, I 5 Towns Jewish Times. feel a sense of completion,” Savoy relat- Rabbi Wolowik says that Fred, or great but also simple challenges,” he says. Receive daily messages ed in our conversation. He adds that he Ephraim as he refers to him, told him He explains how he was frightened about really can’t say where this feeling is recently that he was not sure if he would what would happen if he closed on with news, events, deals, coming from and cannot explain it. Fred be able to make it to shul for one of the Saturday which is hands down the says that he was telling one of his sup- recent Shabbosim. He explained to the busiest day of the work week. He says and more! pliers about how he feels and how the rabbi that he had some meetings that he that over the last few months—since he Participate in discussions new relationship with Chabad has must attend. “I said to him, ‘Ephraim, Is closed on Shabbos—he has found that changed his life. He said that the sales- this why you closed on Shabbos? To those customers who ordinarily would and contests. man told him, “Fred, you are sliding into attend a meeting?”’ The meeting was have come to the shop on Shabbos are this much faster than you think.” Fred rescheduled and Savoy was in shul. now coming on Sunday instead. facebook.com/ shrugs his shoulders and says he’s not The Savoys have grown children with Fred says that the day before our 5TownsJewishTimes sure that this is the case. All he knows is children of their own. Some are meeting, Rabbi Wolowik told him about that it feels right. intrigued by what their parents are the upcoming Shavuos holiday. “I told

14 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continued from Page 13 vatives, Democrats, and Republicans. Like everyone else, most of us are overbur- dened by taxes. For the most part, we have the same issues as everyone else. We should not want to set up a dangerous “us versus them” confrontation, as Ms. Plaut and others desire. We would lose such a contest, by virtue of numbers, and we should lose, by virtue of simple principles of right and wrong. This “us vs. them” idea advocat- ed by Ms. Plaut is the tactic of certain self-proclaimed minori- ty advocates in recent hearings, and this tactic was reprehensi- ble, to say the least. I did not run as the “Orthodox” candidate, and do not plan ever to do so. I run as the person who wants to bring good government and lower taxes back to our communi- ties—all of them. That doesn’t mean that I “turn my back” on the needs of Orthodox Jews. As a member of the community, I may understand certain issues better than someone else. That is why, for example, we will finally have reconstruction of the sidewalk along Branch Boulevard this summer after years of false promises and delays under my Democrat predecessor. I know that we walk more than others because of Shabbat and yom tov, and we cannot keep expos- ing baby carriages to traffic. And, when there is an issue pertaining strictly to Orthodox people, be it in the Five Towns, or out of the 7th District alto- gether, I am there. The redistricting plan was not crafted, as alleged by Ms. Plaut, in secret, and without par- ticipation by others. In fact, I am proud of the differences between the way it was done this time, and the last time, under the Nassau Democrats. The inconsistencies in the Democrats’ position now vis-à- vis 2003 are startling, starting with their cynical demands for commissions, since they com- pletely ignored the ideas of the bipartisan commission appoint- ed when they were in the majority. This year there were open hearings, and the ideas of others, including my ideas of bringing more of the Five Towns back into the 7th District, were included in the final map voted on. With the issue now being in the courts, the county charter mandates a further look after the elections. If I am reelected, I pledge to advocate for this. However, more importantly, I will continue to represent the needs of all of the people of

Continued on Page 16 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 15 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR able to attend to be out there on Fifth the court’s eyes, this crime is worse than we keep our views of the court system to Continued from Page 15 Avenue in person, waving to the cameras, the crime itself. Martha Stewart served ourselves while we beseech our Father in while hundreds of thousands around the time not for any securities fraud, but for Heaven to save all Jews in whatever situ- the 7th Legislative District—and of the world join in spirit. lying to the FBI and shooting off her ation they may be found. Five Towns, where I have lived for As the general media usually makes lit- mouth in a press conference. Abba Shmuel Novak, Esq. many years. tle mention of the parade, it’s time for The very first case I was involved in at Howard J. Kopel donors and other sponsors to step for- the U.S. Attorney’s Office 30 years ago Fan Appreciation ward more assertively to help assure that (all I did was make photocopies) was the Dear Editor, Celebrate Israel this annual New York event can be appre- arrest of four Williamsburg Chassidim I must admit I could never understand Dear Editor, ciated by everyone who supports and cel- who hijacked a truck being followed by precisely what propelled me to go out The Salute to Israel Parade, now ebrates Israel—wherever they may be. A the FBI from North Carolina which was week after week and pick up the 5TJT renamed “Celebrate Israel Parade,” is a live broadcast option will give the parade illegally transporting cigarettes to New from the drop box at Yeshiva of Flatbush. popular annual event for many New the attention it deserves and invite a larg- York without paying any taxes. The FBI There is so much reading material avail- Yorkers and others who make the trip, er audience to be a part of a special event was following mafia guys and they were able; so why am I going out, even in the but unfortunately misses large segments that has no equal. astounded that Jews had the temerity to rain and snow, to get your paper? of the local Jewish population who either Judah S. Harris hijack a truck from the mob. Every day However, upon reading your editorial don’t feel comfortable associating with Photographer and Filmmaker of the trial the courtroom was packed [May 27] I finally understood. Your digni- modern day Zionism for religious rea- with Chassidic men showing support fied embrace of a giant brought to his sons, or feel that there’s a sameness to the Pause To Reflect for the defendants. This action infuriat- knees, your genuine pathos and empathy event from year to year, even if the word- Dear Editor, ed the assistant U.S. attorneys and the for the public humiliation and excoria- ed or visual theme changes. Your recent editorial [May 20] about judge. tion of a fellow Jew, brought tears to my If your child is marching in the parade, the harsh sentence meted out to Wendy Financial crimes are the most difficult eyes. Here’s a mentch! An editor who you’ll grab an early spot behind the blue Runge (10 years) and your numerous arti- to win. Even with the best lawyers, there wields his mighty pen for the betterment wood police barricades, but clearly the cles on the “over the top” sentence given is often a guilty verdict on some of the of man! Your heart and soul shine forth in JCRC and parade organizers have been to Sholom Rubashkin should encourage charges. Cognizant of this sad reality, I your writing, week after week. wrestling with how to excite more of the a reevaluation of the efficacy of the frum have often begged clients to take an early May Hakadosh Baruch Hu grant you masses who’ve seen the parade two, community’s often very vocal and opin- plea and cooperate; however they were the good health and peace of mind to three, or more times, and no longer con- ionated reaction to the U.S. judicial sys- dissuaded from doing so by their rav and continue being mekadesh shem sider it a must-attend, especially if they tem prior to sentencing. Additionally, were advised instead that these cases Shamayim for many years to come. are not organizationally affiliated with a the defendants themselves need to be often collapse and they should keep say- Sincerely, school, synagogue, or other group that is more aware that whatever they or their ing Tehillim. I fear we Jews have an over- A Brooklyn Fan actively participating. proxies do and say flows back to the ly optimistic view of the U.S. court sys- A name change will help stress the judge who often will sentence them. I tem. Innocent people do sometimes sit in Where Are Israel’s Democrat essential goal of the parade (be it to see nothing to be gained by calling the jail and with a conviction the defendant Friends? “salute,” “celebrate,” or “support” Israel), prosecutors, or the judge for that matter, finds himself at the judge’s mercy. With Dear Editor, but the long-awaited live television or anti-Semites. Calling the judge names all the pretrial commotion in both the It has been over a week since internet broadcast option with profes- always backfires. They hate people who Rubashkin and Runge cases, the defen- Obama’s speech calling for Israel to sional coverage and on air talent (it’s been do not show remorse, be it the defen- dants were standing before two angry return to the pre-1967 borders and there attempted but never successfully real- dants or their supporters. Nothing gets a judges. Since the Gemara says there is no has been no critical response as of yet ized) should breathe new life into the judge more angry than when she per- berachah except for things that are hid- from the Democratic establishment in event and provide added reason for those ceives someone obstructing justice. In den from the eye, I would recommend New York State (or, for that matter,

16 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES throughout the country) to the contin- Satan” and Israel is the “Little Satan.” ued betrayal of Israel and the United America’s Jewry would do well to note States itself. The Senators from New that there is no good reason to continue York, the site of 9/11, have so far been to make “common cause” with the silent. While the majority of the world Democratic Party. A party which does not came out in support of the justice have America’s interests at heart cannot recently exacted against Bin Laden, have the interests of Israel or of Jews any- Hamas objected and is now part of the where at heart either. group which Obama fantasizes as Yours, Israel’s “peace partner.” Ploni Almoni What have New York’s Schumer and Gillibrand said or done so far in Existential Danger response to Obama? Nothing. Schumer, Dear Prof. Seidemann, a lawyer by schooling and politician by I would like to express to you how profession, should well know that the angry I am about an article published in maxim of the law is “qui tacit consen- last week’s (May 27) paper. The article tire”—silence gives consent. Has was entitled “Existential Danger” and Schumer (who never met a camera that presents your opinions on, amongst he did not like) not spoken out because other things, Jewish children attending a photo-op situation has been lacking? public school. Are the Senators who “represent” New In this article, the story of a Jewish York waiting, as usual, for the results of mother is presented who, based on her research polls, to ascertain which way experience attending public school, they think the wind is blowing that will “knew it would be the end of [her son’s] be most advantageous to their own per- neshamah” if he ended up attending pub- sonal political fortunes? Are they inca- lic school. pable of taking a principled stand for In ideological agreement with this that which is right? statement, Prof. Seidemann then pro- While the Democratic Party has histor- claims that the “finest public school in ically attracted Jewish votes and financial the land is no place for a Jewish child. support, there has been a definite shift That, my friends, is the equivalent of over the years in the ideals of the Auschwitz borders.” He then concludes Democratic Party, with significant ero- the article with the following mini- sion of ideals. This has become a party Jeremiad: “Unless we stand up now, with that grovels before the world and apolo- a strong unified voice, Israel will be in as gizes for America’s “arrogance.” If not for much existential danger as a Jewish child America, the outcome of World War II in public school. Neither can be expected and world history would have been vast- to survive among us for long.” ly different. Nevertheless, the Democratic With all due respect, such statements Party appears to agree in principle with Iran that America itself is the “Great Continued on Page 20

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 17 Other Side Of The Bench ings toward one another as expressed passages in the Talmud, one so power- time the rabbi had intended to welcome Continued from Front Cover during the school year were genuine. ful and painful that it does not appear him back, but unfortunately was in the So my students will receive their in many versions of the printed middle of davening just then. He Brooklyn as well. I am having a fantastic grades, my daughters will receive their Talmud. It serves as a powerful lesson motioned to the student to return in a time and look forward to teaching again grades, and we will all undoubtedly judge for all educators. few minutes, but the student mistakenly this fall. The end of the year also brings and mark the schools and the teachers as The Talmud, in Tractate Sotah, relates believed that he was being rejected again. the traditional negotiation period for well. But we must also be careful to judge the story of Yehoshua ben Prachya, who He left, never to return, and became an “grades.” Many of my students actually ourselves. We as parents must grade our- was returning to Israel from Alexandria. idol worshipper. Actually, he became hire lobbyists to advocate on their selves in terms of the level of involve- He stopped at an inn whose hostess more than just an idol worshipper; he behalf, trying to convince me to depart ment we maintained in our children’s rose out of respect for his scholarship. became the founder of Christianity, from my conscience and award high schoolwork. Did we take enough of an Rabbi Yehoshua complimented her according to most commentators. marks for, shall we say, less than stellar active role in their educational process? character, and one of his students Rabbi Yehoshua ben Prachya did not achievement. mean to dismiss the student. He meant I expect to hear from such noteworthy only to tell him to come back in a few organizations as AIPAC (Attempted minutes. But the rabbi was unclear, and, Influence of Professors’ Academic as they say, “now you know the rest of Calculations). So devising a final exam, The wrong message, or the right the story.” grading the final, and assigning grades How careful our teachers must be in will present a formidable challenge. The the messages they send to their students! greatest challenge, however, will relate to message delivered in the wrong The wrong message, or the right message my traditional end-of-year barbecue. delivered in the wrong way, can spell the Last year, I taught at the Flatbush divi- difference between a life of Torah and a sion of Touro, and the students were way, can spell the difference life of intermarriage, a life of Judaism or a from mostly similar backgrounds. This life devoid of Judaism. year, I taught in the Boro Park division, between a life of Torah and a life The second passage I came across is and it was like sitting at the UN General from Tractate Zevachim. It is a powerful Assembly. I had traditional Ashkenazic lesson for parents. The piece explains a Litvish students, one guy with earrings, of intermarriage. verse in Sefer Bamidbar that describes the and a cadre of chassidim, all from differ- death of two of Aharon’s sons. The verse ent sects. I had a few Lubavitchers, a chas- says that they died because they offered a sid from Ger, one from Pupa, one from “strange fire unto the L-rd,” and then it Satmar, and at least one chassidish stu- states that they were childless. The dent who boasts a Bobover background. Did we assist them with their homework, thought he was being flirtatious with Talmud says that had they fathered chil- So the overwhelming challenge this time attend PTA, and genuinely let our chil- the young woman. The student made a dren, they would not have died. The will be finding a hashgachah for the meat dren feel that their accomplishments comment regarding the woman’s Nachalas Tzvi asks, if they died because I intend to serve at the barbecue that will were important to us? Believe me, they appearance, and Rabbi Yehoshua ben they did not have children, where else do be acceptable to all of them. know the difference. They tell me when Prachya excommunicated him. we see that the failure to procreate is Seriously, I am happy to report that I they sense I am paying lip service to their The student asked for forgiveness on deserving of the death penalty? And if was enthralled by the mutual respect academic accomplishments. numerous occasions, but his teacher was indeed they died because they offered a each had for the other during the course In grading ourselves and our schools dismissive. Finally, after many attempts, strange fire on the altar, why would hav- of the school year, and I believe their feel- this year, I came across two frightening the student returned one last time. This ing children have nullified that decree?

18 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Nachalas Tzvi explains that indeed s”xc the death sentence was imposed because they offered a strange fire on the altar. However, if they had had children at the time the death sentence was pro- nounced, the death sentence would have been commuted. Says the Nachalas Tzvi, if a person’s days are numbered but he still has children to raise, his death will be postponed until he has finished raising his children. This is a very difficult passage to understand, as we all know men and women who have left this world leaving young children behind. I can’t explain that fact of life nor reconcile it with the aforementioned passage. Obviously the apparent reality is a bit different, at least from man’s perspective. But one thing is evident from that passage: The greatest insurance policy one can buy for himself is to invest time and energy in the educational process of his children. So it gave me great pleasure to meet last week with Mr. Yitzchok Zimmerman, the newly appointed executive director- in-waiting at the Shulamith School for Girls here on Long Island, which my daughters attend. Three months into the job as the heir apparent to Rav Moshe Zwick, Mr. Zimmerman has revitalized, reorganized, and reenergized Shulamith. Some 11 years ago, when the school opened here on Long Island, we took a chance. Our eldest was just old enough to enter school, and we decided upon Shulamith, which boasted no permanent building of its own, limited facilities, and limited resources. We made a tough deci- sion. We made the right decision. I give them an A. Mr. Zimmerman has reached out to a significant portion of the parent body and will continue to do so over the next few weeks. His message to me was music to my ears, as he reaffirmed the Shulamith philosophy of Torah, of schol- arship, of middos, and of a strong sense of identification with Eretz Yisrael. Mr. Zimmerman and I spent over an hour together, discussing a myriad of issues that affect not only Shulamith but Jewish institutions and Jewish children worldwide. I left feeling very encour- aged that as Shulamith enters its “bat mitzvah” year out here on the Island, the new captain of the ship has charted a meaningful course. As we concluded our meeting, a special treat arrived. It was none other than the person whose steady hand and acumen have led Shulamith for the last 40 or so years, my dear friend Rav Moshe Zwick. We embraced as we always do when we see each other, kissed each other on the cheek, and bade each other wishes for a good yom tov. But before I left, I gave him one last hug and thanked him for helping my wife and me raise our daugh- ters these last number of years. For the time being, Mr. Zimmerman gets an “A.” My “A+” is reserved for Rabbi Zwick—and for all the wonderful teach- ers at Shulamith who have nurtured my daughters’ souls since the day the school opened here almost 12 years ago. To them I say, Enjoy your summer vacation. You deserve it. O

David Seidemann is a partner with the law firm of Seidemann and Mermelstein and serves as a professor of business law at Touro College. He can be reached at 718-692-1013 or [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 19 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR the opposite is true. Continued from Page 17 It is because I attended public school that I am religious now. In day school, I are the epitome of nauseating preten- was mocked on account of my weight tiousness, gross insensitivity, and more- and bullied. I had no desire to be associ- than-readily-apparent ignorance. I, a frum ated with a Judaism that permitted this woman in her thirties, grew up in a sub- type of behavior and I detested our reli- urb of Boston, Massachusetts. I attended gion completely. In short, day school day school for six years, at which time, taught me hatred of Judaism. because of health reasons, I had to with- If you think that because your children draw. At the time, there was no other or other children that attend Jewish day Jewish school that I could attend, so my school are somehow inoculated from parents enrolled me in public school. committing such acts, abusing drugs, or I attended public school from seventh engaging in inappropriate sexual rela- grade until I graduated from high school, tionships solely because they attend and by some miracle, according to your Jewish day school, then I’m sorry to say standards, Prof. Seidemann, my that you are completely misguided and “neshamah hasn’t been lost.” In fact, quite live in a delusional fantasyland. I have family members who are admin- istrators in a Jewish day school, and they frequently tell me that problems of the type I have mentioned are commonplace. CALENDAR Putting your children in a Jewish day school thus does not guarantee anything, LUACH and, in certain cases, can actually lead to going “off the derech.” In addition, I have had experiences with June 2-June 9 the children and teens not only in my neighborhood who attend day school, but ZIP Code: 11516 in the Five Towns, and more than a few 1 Sivan have been disrespectful and rude, thereby Friday, June 3 poking yet more holes in your underlying Rosh Chodesh Sivan premise of the superiority of day schools. Daf yomi: Menachos 86 Is “kol hamalbin es p’nei chaveiro b’rabim Omer: Day 45 k’eeloo shofech es damav” not part of the Z’manim*: required curriculum anymore? Earliest tallis/tefillin: 4:19 am It is thus abundantly clear to me—and Sunrise: 5:26 am should be to the thousands of Jews who Latest Shema: attended public school in the past and M. Av. 8:33 am attend now—that your arrogant premise Gr’a 9:09 am of the moral and religious superiority of P’lag ha’minchah: 6:47 pm day schools over public schools simply Candle Lighting: 8:02 pm because public schools do not (and can- 2 Sivan – Shabbos not) teach Jewish values is a complete Saturday, June 4 canard. There is simply no religious Parashas Naso monopoly on good character and whole- Avos: Ch. 6 Shabbos ends**: some values, which public schools can 9:12 pm teach, and of which I am the proof. 72 min. 9:34 pm In this regard, I am not sui generis. 5 Sivan There are plenty of people just like me, who could not attend day school and/or Tuesday, June 7 Erev Shavuos cannot do so now, for many valid rea- Omer: Day 49 sons, be they economic, sociological, or Candle Lighting: 8:05 pm personal. These people, like myself, are 6 Sivan – Yom Tov frum Jews who are upstanding members of the community and are certainly not Wednesday, June 8 1st day Shavuos “lost” by any means. Candle Lighting: 9:19 pm or later To be sure, it is not easy to be frum in 7 Sivan – Yom Tov a public school. However, it can be done, and in certain rare cases, such as mine, Thursday, June 9 2nd day Shavuos facing and meeting the challenge actually Megillas Rus, Yizkor can make you a better Jew. Yom tov ends**: I would ask that the next time you put 9:15 pm pen to paper, please be a little more open- 72 min. 9:37 pm minded and less myopic than you were in * All times from MyZmanim.com “Existential Danger.” We are taught that ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to the reason the second Beis HaMikdash your minhag Municipal Calendar was destroyed was sinas chinam, baseless For 5 Towns and NYC hatred of others. Perhaps if you publicly apologize to me and the thousands of Thursday, June 2 and frum Jews who have attended and current- Wednesday–Thursday, June 8–9 ly attend public school, you can undo NYC alternate-side parking regulations some of the damage you have caused. suspended. Sincerely, Michele Weinreb Dear Ms. Weinreb, Deadline for Advertising Please let me set the record straight. in the Next Issue is Three of my seven siblings attended pub- lic school and are totally frum, cover their Friday, June 3 hair, keep kosher and Shabbos, their kids at 12 Noon are black hatters, etc. So surely my point could not have been as you assume that Call 516-984-0079 Continued on Page 23 20 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 21 Shavuos deviate from it, it then becomes open explain this. He said that the Gemara, in dards—is fine, as long as some rabbi says Continued from Front Cover season for every individual, from the describing the brilliance and the qualities it’s OK, no matter how great or small his most considerate to the most bitter, to of Reb Yochanan ben Zakai, says about knowledge of Torah and his connection While criticism, both public and pri- voice his thoughts and opinions in a him, “Mei’olam lo amar davar shelo shama to mesorah. vate, of gedolei Yisrael of the present or public forum (most often anonymously) mei’rabbo,” he never said over any state- A popular refrain that we hear today past generations is, unfortunately, not a in the most disrespectful manner. ment that he didn’t hear from his own (and we have heard it in every previous new phenomenon, the opportunity to do We cannot allow all these comments rebbi. It is because of that very midah that generation as well) is that “Fifty years ago so on such a public scale and to do so and attacks to diminish our own respect hashgachah selected him to carry the we had real gedolim, unlike today.” Rav anonymously is something new. And it and admiration for our gedolei Yisrael, mesorah to the next generation. Pam, zt’l, the late rosh yeshiva from does not bode well for K’lal Yisrael. and we must truly appreciate the value of The most significant aspect of our Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, addressed this very As the yom tov of Shavuos approach- transmitting our valued mesorah to the gedolei Torah is that they carry and trans- issue in a powerful presentation to his es—the yom tov dedicated to Kabbalas next generation. mit to us and to the next generation the talmidim a short while before his passing. haTorah and kavod haTorah, the words of Chazal describe the 80 talmidim of mesorah from previous generations. One He said, we find in Parashas Shoftim the saintly Chofetz Chaim, zt’l, are as Hillel ha’zakein and say that the “katan of the most outstanding Torah giants of that you should go to the “shofet asher important as ever. On the pasuk in shebekulam,” the least of that distin- our day once bemoaned the sorry plight yihyeh ba’yamim ha’heim,” the judge who Parashas Yisro by Kabbalas haTorah will be in those days. And Rashi explains (Sh’mos 19:12), the Torah instructs K’lal that this teaches us that even if the judge Yisrael, “Kol ha’nogeia ba’har mos yumas,” in your days is not as great as previous “Whoever touches the mountain (Har For someone to say that the gedolim of judges, you still must listen to him and Sinai) will surely die.” The Chofetz Chaim respect him, as you have only the shofet says that from here we learn a kal today’s generation are insignificant b’yomecha, the judge who is in your days. v’chomer: if a mountain, which has no The Midrash describes a conversation da’as, no intellect, and does not feel any- between HaKadosh Baruch Hu and the thing, became so holy just by the fact that compared to earlier generations is nothing Sattan. The Sattan says to Hashem that the Torah was given to Moshe Rabbeinu there is no one like Avraham. And as he stood atop it that any Jew who more than the words of the Sattan. Hashem replies to the Sattan, “What touches it deserves to die, imagine what about my Iyov; did you see my Iyov?” The happens to a person who “touches” the Sattan responds, “Yes, I saw him, but com- honor of a talmid chacham who has pared to Avraham, he’s insignificant.” learned that Torah and who has da’as, has guished group of 80, was Reb Yochanan of our times. In earlier generations, when Rav Pam explained that we learn from intellect and emotions; imagine what ben Zakai. Yet the Rambam, in his intro- an innovation was needed and created, it this Midrash that for someone to say that kind of punishment awaits such a person. duction to Sefer Yad, describes the trans- was in the sole purview of the gedolei ha’- the gedolim of today’s generation are A powerful message, indeed, as well mission of the mesorah from generation dor to decide on its implementation and insignificant compared to earlier genera- as a frightening perspective. Yet, the to generation. Beginning with Moshe to its boundaries. tions, and therefore do not have the sta- attacks on gedolei Yisrael continue and Yehoshua, etc., and then the transmission When Sarah Schenirer wanted to cre- tus of gedolim, is nothing more than the get louder and uglier with each passing from Hillel to Reb Yochanan ben Zakai. ate the Bais Yaakov movement, she didn’t words of the Sattan. day. In particular, when gedolei Yisrael But if he was the least among the 80 stu- go to her corner rabbi, but she went to Rav Shlomo Lorincz, z’l, the late head cry out in pain at the innovations and dents of Hillel, why was the mesorah the Chofetz Chaim, Rav Chaim Ozer, and of the Agudah party in Eretz Yisrael, a foreign ideas that creep their way into transmitted through him? the Gerrer Rebbe, zt’l, amongst others. It position that he held for more than 50 our community, and they tell us that we I heard a profound insight from seems that today, any innovation—from years, describes in his wonderful sefer the need to follow our mesorah and not HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, to women’s issues to new kashrus stan- lifetime of insights and lessons that he

22 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES learned from his close relationships with in hand, or rather put our fingers on the kavod haTorah of so many people who bility. Nothing more nothing less. You the gedolei Yisrael during his career. There keyboard and prepare to send into cyber- feel free to say whatever comes to mind said it yourself in your letter that evolv- is one classic story that stands out above space words of disrespect for our gedolei about someone whom I have heard ing as you did going to public school was all the others, at least for this writer. Torah, let’s listen carefully to the voice of described by other gedolei Yisrael as the “rare.” Read the article again and you will In the 1950s, there was a monumental the much beloved Rav Pam that it is oheiv Yisrael of our day. realize that it was not an attack on public battle between the secular government “ma’aseh Sattan.” It is my fervent hope and prayer that as schools or on Jewish children that attend and the chareidi community that was A case in point: Everyone is troubled Yidden the world over celebrate Kabbalas public school. unlike any other battle before or after, by the painful events that took place haTorah in the next few days, in the Rather it was a commentary on yeshiv- and that was the issue of giyus banos, recently in the town of Sqvere. No one words of the Chofetz Chaim, z’l, we will as that dismiss students as opposed to the drafting of girls into the army. The really knows the details of what hap- also use this wonderful opportunity of getting their hands dirty dealing with battle was led by the Chazon Ish to the pened (except, of course, for all the blog- Shavuos to celebrate the value of our some of the same lack of respect from last ounce of his strength. In matter of gers who seem to know everything); what gedolei Yisrael, the transmitters of our their students that you encountered. My fact, his family related during his shivah we do know is that a great tragedy took mesorah to the next generation and join point was that before a yeshiva tosses a that they felt that the efforts he expend- place and it was a chillul Hashem. And together k’ish echad b’leiv echad to not child into the public school system ed in this battle caused his early death. yet, someone e-mailed me some com- allow the Sattan who spreads himself which could pose a threat to the child’s At the height of this battle, one of the ments from (of course) anonymous through the press of a button or the click hashkafah, the yeshiva should exhaust heads of the Mizrachi movement, who Yidden attacking the distinguished rebbe of a mouse to enter into our homes, into every possibility in dealing with the real was a great admirer of the Chazon Ish, of the community in the most disrespect- our hearts, or, most importantly, into the problems that affect children today came to him with wonderful news that ful manner. Yes, the Sattan couldn’t have hearts and minds of our children. whether they attend yeshiva or public he had met personally with Prime said it better himself. Wishing you and yours a chag kasher school. Kids are kids and their problems Minister Ben-Gurion and had worked I have absolutely no idea of the details v’sameiach! O are universal. We can no longer bury our out a compromise. (I invite the reader to of the case, and neither does anyone else. heads in the sand. Having said that, I still refer to Rabbi Lorincz’s sefer for details I do know that K’lal Yisrael is fortunate believe that, in theory, Jewish children of that compromise). and indeed blessed to have in our genera- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR belong in Jewish schools. The challenge is The Chazon Ish refused to accept this tion a person whose heart overflows with Continued from Page 20 to raise the awareness of the heads of compromise. His visitor was very frustrat- unlimited love for all Yidden. I just recent- those schools to deal with the real issues ed at his response and asked him with ly brought three families that I am attending public school means one won’t that affect children these days. great respect, “Rebbi, where does it say in extremely close to who were going end up shomer Torah u’mitzvos. Thank you so much for writing to me the Torah that this is forbidden?” The through difficult times to meet the On the other hand I receive numerous and sharing your concerns. All the best. Chazon Ish turned to face his guest and Rebbe. For all of them, this was the first phone calls a week about yeshivas that David Seidemann then tore open his shirt, exposing his time they were meeting him, and possi- are destroying our children. I know of heart and pointed to it and said, “It is bly for some of them may even be the last drugs, alcohol, suicide, pregnancy, etc. all written right here.” The message is, there time. Yet all were deeply touched by the emanating from the halls of our yeshivas. is a special syatta d’Shmaya that the love and concern he had for each and So surely my point could not have been WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? gedolim of each generation have in trans- every person who sat with him. It didn’t as you posit that the yeshivas are the mitting the truth of Torah to that genera- matter how many people were waiting answer to all our problems and are a guar- WE WANT TO KNOW! tion, whether there’s an open source for it for his attention, or that these are not antee of a wholesome lifestyle. in the Torah or not. It is a special promise people that are part of, or will ever be part So what then was my point? The term E-MAIL US AT that Hashem made to K’lal Yisrael, that of, his kehillah. It was just plain old-fash- Auschwitz borders as it applies to Israel we will never lack qualified Torah leaders ioned ahavas Yisrael for every single Jew. and by analogy to a Jewish student in [email protected] in every generation. Before we take pen How painful indeed to see the lack of public school refers to a sense of vulnera-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 23 24 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 25 26 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Summertime Freedom

It’s Friday morning. The Lubin chil- is certainly a break from worrying about dren are busy in school or hard at work. I whether my children have completed have taken a brief break from all my their homework, or if they have a test the other obligations (work, driving kids to next day. doctors’ appointments, etc.) to scoot over the Atlantic Beach Bridge to take my pic- ture for my identification card. This sum- mer I have officially become a card-carry- ing member of the Sunny Atlantic Beach Little did I know Club. Until this point in my life I have only been a visitor . . . someone’s Wednesday free guest, but now I can visit that a “locker” at the Beach Club at my leisure—provided I have a moment to spare. This morning I carved out such a a beach club was moment in my schedule. The challah dough had been prepared and shaped an actual room! Thursday night, and after sitting in the refrigerator all night, the loaves were out on the counter rising. The food hadn’t been cooked yet, but it was a long day. I had enough time to take a trip to the I know—it is only the end of May (by beautiful seashore. press time the beginning of June), but I love the summer! I love the freedom summer is in the air. And where better to from coats and sweaters, and the joy that take in the beautiful almost-summer air you can walk outside in the morning to than at the seashore! A few weeks ago, for get the newspaper without fear of catch- Mother’s Day, my folks surprised me with ing a cold (at least most of the time). I a membership to the club. This is just enjoy the freedom from school; no, I haven’t returned to school myself, but it Continued on Page 28

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Invites you to the Ninth Annual RCCS Garden Barbecue

at the homes of ARON & RACHEL SOLOMON / TULI & RACHEL TEPFER 370 & 376 Rugby Road, Cedarhurst, New York

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2011 – 6:30 PM

SAVE THE DATE

Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society maintains medical insurance on behalf of cancer-stricken patients who lack the financial resources to make policy premium payments while enduring life-sustaining treatments. The existence and maintenance of health insurance grants these patients access to superior healthcare providers and greatly enhances their chances for survival.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 27 MOTHER’S MUSINGS Continued from Page 27 what the doctor ordered—an opportuni- ty to participate in exercise that I enjoy! After all, we all know that if we don’t enjoy what we are doing, chances are we won’t keep it up. My Tuesday-morning Zumba class and my Wednesday-morn- ing belly dancing class at Club Central are both means of attaining my goal of becoming more physically active, but as the weather has improved and the days are longer, I now have the opportunity of adding something very inviting to my exercise regimen—swimming! As many of my readers know, I am an avid swimmer and I spend my summers teaching swimming at Avnet Country Day. I can’t say that I am an expert, but I certainly enjoy the refreshing feeling that I receive after I complete a few laps! After taking my ID picture, I was shown my locker, which is very conve- niently located right next to the pool. When I originally envisioned a “locker,” I pictured a small compartment with a small metal door, much like what I had as a high-school student. Little did I know that a “locker” at a beach club was an actual room! A room to store my stuff while also a big enough place to change. Being right next to the swimming pool, this was an ideal location for me. I do enjoy relaxing on the beach, but I espe- cially enjoy cooling off while exercising in my most relaxing way—swimming! Not only did I manage to take my pic- ture, I also was able to actually take a dip! With an hour of time available between my various appointments, I chapped in a few laps. At 9 a.m. the club is officially open, but the pool is basically free until later in the morning when the families arrive. At that point, especially with Friday not being a day off for most peo- ple, I was fortunate enough to have the pool to myself with the very pleasant life- guard making sure I was safe and sound. I am happy to report that as of today, a bright and sunny Tuesday morning, I have been able to enjoy my swimming experience Friday, Sunday, and Monday morning. The added feature of this partic- ular swimming experience is that the pool is heated! So even if the sun is not actually shining, Sunny Atlantic’s pool is nice and warm. And so, with the Memorial Day week- end behind us, and beginning a short- ened work week, be sure that at some point today I will be enjoying the waters at beautiful Sunny Atlantic. O

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

At 5TJT.com you can enjoy articles in 3 ways: 1. Read 2. Print 3. Email

28 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 29 30 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 31 And, just as I did all those many years ago, and stick with it hasn’t improved with age, I always agree with the person who is it’s a blessing that, while I’ve been called to telling me the story, and then I change my jury duty on several occasions, I’ve never mind if and when I hear the other side. I’ve had to serve. Who knows? Maybe my rep- been known to go back and forth, always utation precedes me, and the judges and siding with the last one I speak to. As a attorneys have heard about my indecisive- result, if someone is really anxious for me ness. I was once called to jury duty on a to see things his or her way, the explana- murder case and I was dismissed, but the Confessions Of A Mindless Soul tions can go on ad infinitum. reason for the dismissal had nothing to do One of my sons-in-law has four sib- with me. It’s a story for another time—and If there’s one quality I sorely lack, its fight, someone always has to “start” it. lings, and he once expressed surprise at it’s a beaut! decisiveness. Admittedly, there are a num- If telling their story to Hubby didn’t earn my penchant for vacillating. That’s As a lover of courtroom drama, howev- ber of other fine qualities that never them the recognition that they wanted, because his own mother is exactly the er, I’ve spent many hours watching live found their way into my persona, but it is telling me was even worse. That’s because, opposite. She always believes the first trials on television. Recently, I’ve been the inability to stick to my guns that is the in telling me, each child got a false sense of keeping my eyes and ears glued to the most troubling—the reason being that it support, a few seconds’ worth at best. I’m a Casey Anthony murder trial. For those doesn’t affect only me; it is burdensome somewhat mindless soul who has a ten- After three years of being who may have forgotten, Casey Anthony to others, particularly those closest to me. dency to believe whatever anyone tells is the young Florida mother who stands When my children were small and had me—until I hear the other side of the story. certain that she was guilty accused of murdering her two-year-old fights, the cause of each disagreement So I would immediately tell the first snitch daughter, Caylee. The child’s remains would vary, but their solution never did. that he or she was in the right; but, as soon of murder, in less than one were found three years ago, and the They would do as children have done as I heard the other version, as told to me media has had a field day ever since, with since the beginning of time; they would by snitch number two, I would revise my hour I had completely speculations and the supposed details. bring the “she started it” tale to mommy opinion. In short, I always believed and revised my opinion. “Well, The very first time I heard a television and daddy. Unfortunately, they never sided with the last person I heard from. news report about this murder, I decided received the response or the resolution Why I sided with anyone was foolish, but I’ll be darned! She really that the mother was guilty. And when I that they were seeking. Telling their sto- that’s the way it was. read the sordid details in the newspaper, I ries to Arnie, their adoring father, wasn’t Unfortunately, I remain mindless until didn’t do it.” became even more certain of it. “Of course particularly helpful, because Hubby was this very day. And while my children are she killed her,” I thought; “she’s a monster the quintessential peacemaker; so deter- now well into adulthood, they do occa- who deserves the death penalty or, at the mined was he to make peace that he sionally still have a disagreement. Because person to tell her a story and she never very least, to spend the rest of her life in would pay little attention to which of they are mature adults, the disagreements changes her mind, not even when she jail for what she did to her defenseless lit- them was the actual culprit. Instead, he are not physical; they occur infrequently hears the other side. I find this to be a tle girl.” I was convinced of her guilt would find a way to bring the kids togeth- and I am rarely told about it. But every now most admirable quality. Would that I because I was told that she was guilty! er and restore quiet to the household. and then one of them will want validation could be as decisive! Of course, that That’s it; nothing dramatic. Just the same While this was a good thing, it wasn’t and give me the “wait till you hear what approach also has its problems, because old me, always believing what I hear! what the kids had in mind. Each of the lit- she did” tale. It’s no longer about wanting any time two of his sisters have a quarrel, The case has finally come to trial and it’s tle snitches would have preferred to be me to take sides, but some vestiges of that they practically break their legs rushing being televised. I sat glued to the television told that he or she was indeed the injured need for parental approval remain. to the phone to call their mother. Each of through several days of jury selection, but party and that the other one would be Therefore, I do occasionally hear about a them wants to get to her first! punished for “starting” it. In a child’s gripe that one of my kids has with another. Since my inability to draw a conclusion Continued on Page 35

32 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 33 way. (“Don’t 4get 2 0mer <|{:^O ) 2day is “Who’s we?” Remember The Omer! the 2enty 4st, which is thr33 w33ks and My most disappointing mistake was n0 :~( days 2 the 0mer. LOL, B”H!”) the year I davened Mincha-Maariv every There is also another service, called night and then omered at home, and BY MORDECHAI putting your reminder inside the fridge, “Sefirah Dial,” that will call you on the then, while counting in shul on motzaei SCHMUTTER taped to something you are likely to look phone and has a whole range of plans Shabbos, I realized that I’d been one day for every night. you can choose from. Their most expen- off for the entire week. You will be happy to know that I am still Another way to remember to count sefi- sive plan, at $150 a year, guarantees that a “Wait, why is everyone counting 31? omering (apparently that’s a verb now) with rah is to ask other people to remind you. live person will keep calling you over and Am I ahead? Did everyone else forget one a berachah. There are a lot of creative ways That way, if you forget, you can blame over until you pick up, and then will per- night, or did I count twice?” that people use to try to remember the them. (“This is all your fault! I was counting sonally count with you. I think what happened was that I’d omer. For example, many people use some on you! No pun intended.”) This method is The issue with both of these plans, of spent a whole day telling myself, sort of mnemonic device, such as their extremely popular with women. And the course, is that they can’t reach you on “Tonight I’m going to count 25. 25. 25.” refrigerator. They put a big omer chart on night that their husbands usually forget to Shabbos. The best they can do is call you And then the night came, and I said, the fridge, the theory being that they’re remind them is motzaei Shabbos. on motzaei Shabbos and say, “Sorry, you “What’s tonight? I seem to remember say- going to see it all the time, just like all the ing ‘25’ already.” other things hanging on their fridge that So this year, I’ve come up with a way to they see all the time, such as the grocery remember, and it has worked so far. But list from Pesach, the past three or four shul bear in mind that this won’t necessarily schedules (each one stuck to the fridge “Don’t 4get 2 0mer <|{:^O ) 2day is the work for everybody. My theory is that the directly over the previous one), and the reason we forget is that there’s such a invitations to weddings that already hap- 2enty 4st, which is thr33 w33ks and small window to remember. It’s like pened in a totally different country. birthdays. So many times I tell myself: I can’t tell you how many houses I’ve “Okay, in three days I have to call my walked into around Sukkos time, where I n0 :~( days 2 the 0mer. LOL, B”H!” mother and wish her a happy birthday!” found, on their fridge, an omer chart that “Okay, now two days.” was crossed off until about Day 29. And any- “Okay, tomorrow. One more day. I’m way, the entire conceit of using your refrig- gonna call.” erator only works if you, unlike everyone But now, thanks to technology, there missed it.” And then they’ll prorate your And then the next thing I know, my over the age of 45, are willing to actually eat are services you can sign up for that will bill. Although I think that, for $150, they wife is saying: “Hey! Wasn’t your mother’s after 8 p.m. So, most likely, you are never gladly take the blame off of your hus- should actually walk over to your house birthday last week?” going to look at the fridge on the way to for- band. For example, there’s a service called on Friday nights. But my point is that there’s a small aging for leftovers and go, “Hey! Sefirah!” “Sefirahcount,” which sends text mes- That’s actually one of the biggest forget- window—you can’t count too early, and But I do know people who do it the sages to your phone every night. ting nights, though—Friday night. you can’t count too late. Even if you other way around. They remember sefirah This is really helpful if, like me, you Especially if you make early Shabbos, and remember early, you can’t do anything on their own, so they go into the kitchen have never quite figured out how to get the gabbai just announces in shul that you about it; you have to wait around and risk and read it off the fridge, and then they text messages off your phone, and are should remember to omer after the meal. forgetting about it. use that as an excuse to open up the fridge pretty sure that it will cost you like $60 a Apparently, the gabbai doesn’t know you So what I do, at some point in the and look around. “Hey! Farfel!” month if you do. And that’s a lot of very well. Or maybe he does, which is why afternoon, as soon as I remember, is I put I think that if you’re going to use the money to pay, considering you might not he announces it again on Shabbos morning: a small box of breath mints in my shirt fridge to remind you, you are better off be able to understand the messages any- “Last night we counted 42.” pocket. That way I make annoying noises

34 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES when I walk, and when my wife goes, THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! “What’s that making noise in your pock- Continued from Page 32 et?” I can say, “Oh, right. Sefirah.” And then I have a mint. (The package says 50; yesterday the actual trial began. The prose- let’s see if that’s true.) And even if no one cuting attorney made his opening state- stops me, I’m anyway going to check my ment and I was mesmerized—and con- shirt pocket every night before I throw it vinced! That was it for me. “I knew it from in the laundry. day one. Why bother wasting everyone’s But, of course, this method won’t work time and the taxpayers’ money by going for everybody. The only reason it works on with this charade? She’s obviously for me is that, thanks to my wife’s con- guilty. Lock her up and be done with it!” stant advice (it’s not “nagging,” it’s “con- Those were the thoughts that raced stant advice”), I change my shirt every through my head—up until the minute day. If I kept my mints in my pants pock- the lead defense attorney started to make et, for example, the only thing they his opening statement. And then, after would do is remind me when it’s time to three years of being certain that Casey say Birkas HaChamah. Anthony was guilty of murder, in less than But it doesn’t really matter what you one hour I had completely revised my do to remember. What matters is that you opinion. “Well, I’ll be darned! She really have some kind of reliable system, and didn’t do it.” Those were my thoughts after that you don’t forget. Shavuos is all about hearing her lawyer speak. remembering. Like remembering to buy Of course, this is far from over. The trial flowers, for a change. Or remembering, is just beginning. As of this writing, not a when you’re budgeting time for cooking, single witness has been called and no that you’re going to have to cook milchig forensics have been presented or chal- food, clean up the kitchen, and then cook lenged. But there’s no doubt that, in the fleishig food, and that you’re best starting days and weeks to come, I’ll be changing all of this a couple of days before Shavuos my mind every time a different witness (especially if you’re attempting to roll testifies. It’s exhausting. I even tire myself homemade sushi, which takes longer out! In the end, however, it will be the last than actually cooking the fish) so that you attorney to make a summation with have time for a nap. Speaking of memory, whom I will agree. Thank goodness I’ve I do not remember the last time I actual- never been on jury duty because, if I had, ly managed to fit in that nap. It’s like when it was time for deliberations, I Shavuos always sneaks up on me. For would have driven everyone crazy. I know some reason, I never see it coming. O this to be true because I did it to my kids all these years. Sometimes I still do. O Mordechai Schmutter is a weekly humor columnist for Hamodia and has written two books, both published by Israel Book Shop. He Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a also does freelance writing for hire. You can send licensed real-estate broker associated with any questions, comments, or ideas to Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at [email protected]. [email protected] or 516-902-3733.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 35 From Oprah And Spider-Man To Home In The Holy Land

BY TOBY KLEIN site of a former soccer field that he visited GREENWALD as a child. It has a porch filled with flow- ers, upscale Israeli art on the walls, and When I ran into Sabena Basch walking one painting of her own (“The only one I with a friend one Shabbat, I remembered ever did”) of the pyramids. But this is one that we had met several years earlier apartment not for rent. It is the headquar- when she gave me a journalist’s tour of ters of My Jerusalem Apartments the first Curves in Israel. But as we (www.myjerusalemapartments.com), but strolled under the warm winter sun, I also the living space of Basch, a former intuited there was a larger story here, and New Yorker who created the full-service my questions led her to regaling me with company in 2008 for those looking for a anecdotes of her business enterprises temporary home away from home at the that began at the age of seven and includ- heart of the holy land. ed some bold areas where few Orthodox Basch had brought Curves to Israel women venture. when she made aliyah in 2006. “I loved it. We met again in her beautifully It was exciting: renovating, decorating, appointed white leather and glass apart- doing a promotional card for Curves”— ment overlooking the King David Hotel. she shows me “before” and “after” holo- My Israeli husband tells me it is on the gram views of a woman working out—

Sabena Basch

“and designing all the furniture. When I was left with the addition for eleven and a had everything, I became bored watching half months. ‘What a waste,’ I thought; women exercise six days a week, from ‘maybe a tourist wants to stay here.’ And morning to night. I needed to create that’s how my new career started.” something new, to take a stone and bal- Today Basch manages 60 apartments ance it. So I sold Curves.” There are now in Jerusalem, owned by people who don’t 17 branches in Israel. (Full disclosure: I live there most of the time. She explains exercise at the Efrat branch.) the owners’ motivation thusly: “I was living in a one-bedroom apart- “Americans are realizing that they cannot ment. This was fine for me on my own but invest in the U.S. anymore; things are I realized that when my children will consistently going under, and the future come from America to visit, they won’t looks bleak, whereas in Jerusalem it’s have anywhere to stay. So, I added an extra steadily going up, up, up, and these unit with a separate entrance. My kids ended up coming only once a year and I Continued on Page 38

36 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES with an adjacent screened-in porch to home in Israel, preferably in keep the mosquitoes and flies at bay. Jerusalem, walking to town, walking to Definitely an inviting choice, especially the Kotel, with 5 bedrooms (a person if you can take a rowboat onto the lake can dream), 4 baths, central air condi- and relax with that fishing rod, tossing tioning, a huge eat-in kitchen, dining a line out there for the catch of the day room, and 20 x 20 sukkah porch. A for dinner. beautiful garden would also be nice for If you really like “water,” a more just sitting back and relaxing; and, of interesting option might be a large course, a nice shul nearby that pre- Second Home Hunting houseboat, with all kinds of space pares a nice kiddush on Shabbos. I def- down below for sleeping and cooking, initely see possibilities in this choice Although we have been dealing with the gobs of family and friends that might and plenty of lounging and scenic of a second home—don’t you? an economy that is sagging, annoying, come out to visit you. People who have space—mostly outdoor space, of Chag sameach to all! O and anemic, somehow that urge for hav- large homes like this near the beach with course, which you can use to your ing that second house or vacation home a pool and lots of bedrooms typically heart’s content, while you mosey down Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. somewhere out there has not fallen by have many friends—and even more new that river or brave the waves out on the mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, the wayside for many. friends after they purchase this property. ocean or bay. offering full-service residential and commercial The second-home dream for some I can’t imagine why! For those for whom water is not the real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and mortgaging services (First Meridian Mortgage) in may have been downsized due to the thrill, there is always that cute house in the the Five Towns and throughout the tri-state area. economic belt-tightening that most mountains with the wraparound porch She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are folks have been experiencing these with views and rural quiet to relax by. encouraged to send questions or comments to last few years, but nonetheless giving People who have And then my favorite—that second [email protected]. it up seems to not be in the cards, since the second-home market contin- large homes like this ues with a flourish. Just what kind of second homes (or near the beach with vacation homes) are people buying? Obviously that varies, depending on a pool and lots of the individual interests or hobbies peo- ple shopping for that second home bedrooms typically might have. The most popular second homes usu- have many friends. ally figure “water” in the mix. “Water” may mean a cozy little beach house with water views from the windows or porch, or a beach so close to home that putting “Water” can also mean a cottage or on shoes to go from the house to the bungalow on a lake—certainly this beach is optional. It could also mean a option has always been the economi- larger home near the beach with an addi- cally more modest destination. A place tional swimming pool and lots of bed- to put your head, a large refrigerator, rooms and large entertainment areas for and an open, comfortable kitchen,

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 37 Basch staff a plumber, an electrician, a handy- Lily, Sunflower, or Megiddo. They are Christian volunteer group. “They came Continued from Page 36 man, people who do housekeeping, and a located in all the choicest neighborhoods here over the long Thanksgiving weekend quality control person. I look for creative of Jerusalem, including in the Old City, to volunteer in haredi soup kitchens in the investors are bright and savvy enough to ways to satisfy the customers. I provide overlooking Har Habayit. Sabena says Geula and Meah Shearim neighborhoods. realize that this is the place to invest. sanitary toilet seat strips, assuring high that one out of every five people who I didn’t want them to use the kitchen uten- “For example, I have an apartment cleanliness quality, and now am in the stay in her apartments want to buy their sils or dishes in the apartment, which are somebody bought two years ago in midst of creating my own shampoo, con- own and they ask her to renovate or dec- kosher of course. So, I provided a glatt Rehavia. He paid $485,000 for it and can ditioner, and bath gel—all Dead Sea prod- orate or both. “What’s exciting also is that kosher chef for their entire stay.” They sell it today easily for $895,000.” Basch ucts—as complimentary gifts for my I get e-mails from all over the world and I wrote to her, “Comfort, security, and rest only rents apartments to tourists. “The clients. My goal is for everything to be per- recognize some of the names—they may are all vital ingredients to success for such wonderful thing about buyers investing is fect. But there are some amusing stories. be old friends, or children of old friends, a working trip and all these needs were that if they don’t want to stay in the apart- more than met at your wonderful ment themselves, they just book it out Megiddo apartment.” Another visitor, and they have a nice weekly income from Stephen Luner, wrote, “. . . the location was the renters. They also have their invest- There are some surprises about show superb. We walked everywhere—to the ment, which is appreciating, so they’re Kotel, the Central Bus Station, the Israel building a nice portfolio with real estate. business. “Wearing makeup and dressing Museum, the Knesset . . .” That’s why it’s so exciting. I even have peo- Items that the company supplies, for a ple who can’t afford to buy an apartment fee, are phones (she will obtain a phone in Israel so they do something creative— up fancy when going on auditions,” she for them for $75 that they can use when- they rent apartments and they give them ever they come to Israel, only paying for to me to sublet. I have a third group of says, “is a no-no.” the time used), a chef, babysitters, a car clients—the young couples who are here service, fully arranged trips, cleaners, who go back for Pesach or the summer. take-home food, cribs, and answers to We rent out their apartments for them, questions such as: “Where is the closest describing them as ‘slightly used’.” “One man sent me an e-mail that I had or people I haven’t met in years. My mikveh?” “Where can one buy a nice said the apartment was fully furnished Jerusalem apartments are tying the whole piece of jewelry?” “Where can one find a Clients’ Stories but, he said, there was no paring knife. I world together.” shul with a particular nusach?” And more. Basch runs a tight ship, with only one replied, ‘I’m sorry, I think the best thing to Some clients are so thrilled, says Basch, “We are full service,” she says. trusty assistant. She oversees the renova- do is for you to buy exactly what you that they bring her gifts, like Raquelle What does her week look like? “I go to tions, does all the decorating on her own, want and I’ll reimburse you,’ so he wrote from Chile, or another client who had sleep between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. because and handles all the advertising and rental back that he had gone to ten stores and he such a bad experience with a different I get up at 2:00 a.m. The reason is two- negotiations. She offers a price-range from hadn’t found a paring knife, and if I didn’t company that after staying in one of her fold. First of all, so I can reach my kids in luxury to mid-level, with sizes ranging find one, he would pack up, get a refund, apartments, he left a $1,000 tip. the U.S., and secondly, that’s when the e- from five bedroom to studios. Like with and go to a hotel. So I told him, ‘That’s a Her clients come from across North mails are coming in from America. It’s any business, and especially the short- good idea.’ He ended up staying but thank America, including many from the Five very exciting. In the morning, my assis- term rental business, she has stories to tell. G-d I don’t hear from him anymore.” Towns, and from Australia, South Africa, tant and I finish the e-mails that came in “Our apartments are fully furnished Her apartments, like children or New Zealand, Holland, Sweden, throughout the night and then I go out to from A to Z, American style. Very high end, places, have names, personalizing them. Switzerland, and Germany. see new apartments. I check how the con- sophisticated, and classy, with oversized People don’t just stay in “four luxury Basch shows me e-mail testimonials, beds with excellent mattresses. I have on rooms,” but in the Esther, Penny, Chaim, including a letter she received from a Continued on Page 40

38 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES This week’s column is brought to you by blindsided by this. Jennifer Mann, LMSW. I am sure you have deep feelings for Dear Jennifer, your daughter and didn’t want her to go My beautiful and talented daughter, through the painful process of divorce. Rachel, was divorced two years ago, at You also didn’t get to make the decision, age 24. She had been married for three and you weren’t involved in the ins and years, and she claims there was no spark outs of Rachel and Josh’s intimate per- between her and her ex-husband, Josh. sonal relationship. Very often, when any She claims they went for intensive ther- couple we know gets a divorce, it can apy and did everything they could to come as a complete shock, especially if save the marriage. There were no chil- they seemed happy to the outside world. dren from their marriage, which is a We are often left wondering, “What hap- good thing, as their divorce was swift pened? They seemed like the perfect and amicable. couple.” This feeling is magnified expo- In the three years they were together, nentially when the divorce involves Josh came to be a son to us. My husband your own child. and I grew very close with him, and when they divorced our earth was shat- tered. We envisioned Josh as part of our family for the long haul. If I am being At this point the ink on completely honest, on some level I dis- tanced myself from Rachel when she was the get is dry. What you going through this mess. Rachel claims that the divorce did not destroy her and find attractive in a mate she has been in therapy ever since. She says she feels good about how things for your daughter might happened and is at peace with her deci- sion. We still miss Josh and would love to not be what she is be in touch with him, but I don’t know how appropriate that is. He moved down looking for. to Miami and we feel abandoned by him, as he never calls us. I love Rachel and respect her deci- sions, but I could never get on board From your description of Rachel as a with this one. My husband and I were beautiful and talented woman, it very involved in our daughter’s dating, as appears that you respect her worth, and we were involved with all our other chil- you write that you respect her decisions. dren. Josh is everything a girl could ever From where I am sitting, it seems you want. He comes from an amazing family, have a few emotional journeys to make is gorgeous, is set to make a great living, before you walk Rachel down the aisle and was the sweetest guy. The thing that (part II). I have known families who kept gets me is that Rachel agrees with that close relationships with their in-laws description of him! What more could after divorce. For whatever reason, that she have wanted? works for them. Perhaps there are chil- Now, Rachel is 26 years old and she has dren involved, so the families decide to found someone else. He is no Josh. He is stay family though they are no longer short, not particularly good-looking, has legally bound. horrible table manners, and is generally This is not the case for you, as neither goofy. Josh was polished and Yitzy is the you nor Josh have chosen to contact one opposite. Rachel met Yitzy on her own another. But I’m not sure that is a bad and claims she is madly in love with him thing. Have you asked Rachel how it and wants to be with him for the rest of would make her feel if you stayed in her life. Their engagement is imminent. I touch with Josh? That might make her would never tell her that she can’t be incredibly uncomfortable. And at the end with Yitzy; I just don’t get the attraction. of the day, your allegiance as a mother What if she finds out the spark isn’t there lies with your daughter. Making the deci- after she marries Yitzy? I couldn’t bear her sion to divorce is an incredibly tough one having more heartbreak, and my heart is for most mature people, who do not view just not in this. Thanks for your help. marriage as temporary. Sincerely, At this point, you can choose to feel Mother of the Bride, Part II good about your daughter’s maturity, which is evidenced by the intensive ther- Dear Mother of the Bride, Part II apy she went through and continues to Divorce can be ugly and painful. It go through. You can be grateful that there doesn’t only affect the couple and their were no children involved, so at 26 children, though of course they bear the Rachel can start fresh, with no strings brunt of its impact. It affects the couple’s attached. You can choose to be incredibly parents, their siblings, and even their happy that Rachel has found someone in friends. Just as a tornado has a center but a short period of time whom she is crazy can destroy a much larger radius, the about. Many people are not as fortunate same is true of divorce. It seems that to find a new mate, and so relatively even though Rachel has made peace soon. You have to move on from that part with her divorce and that part of her life, of your life and re-envision your future you are not quite there yet. You loved with a new son-in-law. Try to clear out the Josh like your own son and he is now completely out of your life. You were Continued on Page 45 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 39 Basch ated it, I had it. They wanted someone for Continued from Page 38 a Michael Jackson video; they wanted someone without an arm. There were fea- struction people are working on my exist- tures about my company in the New York ing apartments and I shop for furnish- Times, the Wall Street Journal, and in ings, take care of other issues, then it’s Israel there was a six-page spread in usually 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. Those are the Maariv about 14 years ago.” hours that I have meetings with people who want to do joint ventures with me Growing Up Struggling and then it’s usually 7:00 a.m. and I get to Basch knows about some of the chal- eat breakfast. It’s insane but I love it.” lenges of “real people.” She was born in Germany, in Felderfing, a displaced per- How It All Began sons camp near Bavaria, to parents who Basch was a guest on Oprah’s first were Holocaust survivors. She was two show. She ran a modeling and acting years old when they came to New York, to agency for 29 years, placed people in soap the Lower East Side, where they lived until operas, print ads, on Broadway, and in Sabena was seven years old, at which time major motion pictures. Reeve Carney, they moved to Boro Park. She started her who plays Spider-Man on Broadway, first business at the age of seven, when she started with her when he was seven years bought a bag of sunflower seeds for 19 old, when she placed him on Dave’s cents and sold ten seeds for a penny. World. His mother tracked her down on “Then I invested in licorice,” she says, Facebook when he was cast as Spider- “making $20 a week. That was a lot of Man. “I hadn’t seen him since he was money in 1954.” Her father made almost seven and now he’s the most stunning that much. He was a sweater cutter and guy you’ve ever seen. I went backstage her mother was at home. She attended a after the show and it was so emotional— Lubavitch school. “It was great because how he hugged me and kissed me and now my Yiddish is fluent; I can read and introduced me to everyone.” She has write and speak it.” She went to Esther placed over 100,000 people, and became Shoenfeld for high school so she also known for babies and children. She says became fluent in Hebrew. she placed 492 extras in Once Upon a Sabena married at 18, had a baby at 19, Time in America. and divorced at 50. Have her children fol- Following Oprah, Basch was on lowed in her footsteps? “My daughter Geraldo, Good Morning America, Regis, Debi has a resale store called ‘The and Joan Lunden. “I started the first Emperor’s Old Clothes’. She takes design- agency for real people. Black people have er clothing that was gently worn or not a right to eat, too. Hispanic people have a worn at all and resells them. She and her right to clothing. I also had kids who husband, Michael Rudensky, have three were overweight, or who had freckles, or big ears or noses. I used to say, if G-d cre- Continued on Page 44

40 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Yesh also offers a sports ing courses provided to Torah, Tennis, And Teens program in which students campers, perfectly balanced may choose to attend the with daily tefillah, Torah learn- Julian Krinsky School of ing, and chesed activities to give BY ROCHELLE devoted to Torah study and writ- sonal talents and skills through Tennis, School of Golf, or the campers a well-rounded MARUCH MILLER ing, Reb Eizel was renowned for a schedule they build for them- School of Basketball at experience in all areas of their the communal and charitable selves. Students choose from an Haverford College’s state-of- lives,” Mr. Krinsky explained. Even when Julian Krinsky activities he undertook in what- array of challenging programs in the-art facilities. “After attending Yesh, I feel a was garnering acclaim as an ever community he lived in. The which they can channel their At Yesh, Shabbat’s enchanting strong connection to Judaism international tennis star, the deep respect and honor of bear- personal interests and passions and powerful aura is palpable. that lasts me throughout the pintele Yid was burning brightly ing such a cherished legacy pro- into a fun, constructive, and The atmosphere, tefillot, year,” said Arianna Breslauer of deep within his soul. Originally pelled Krinsky to give back to growth-oriented summer. Shabbat meals, and zemirot com- London, England. “Shabbat is a from South Africa, the charis- the community, in the tradition All of Yesh’s programs offer bine to create a unique Shabbat beautiful experience and my matic former tennis star and of his venerable ancestor. a unique and diverse selection experience that infuses each friends from Yesh all relate to acclaimed tennis coach was Which is precisely what of courses which will satisfy new week with inspiration. my enhanced Jewish identity.” ranked number 7 in his home inspired him to found Yesh even the most eclectic tastes. Indeed, a vital component to Yesh Shabbat’s program for country and played at Wimble- Shabbat. Providing world-class The high school enrichment the Yesh experience is the Summer 2011 includes a huge don, the French Open, and the educators and courses within a program includes courses in warm, nurturing, family-like range of sports, arts, and educa- Italian Open, as well as at the positive Jewish framework are business, music, cooking, and atmosphere that conveys a tional courses, all of which are Maccabi Games in Israel. the two pillars of Julian fashion design, but also offers deep appreciation and love for taught by professional teachers But for all his professional Krinsky’s Yesh Shabbat. a broad range of minor and Judaism within a Shomer and instructors within a Shomer accomplishments, there was Attracting tweens and teens elective classes from photog- Shabbos and glatt kosher envi- Shabbos, glatt kosher environ- something pushing the tennis from all over the U.S. and raphy to fencing, mathemat- ronment. Through observing ment. Through teaching chil- icon to give back to his commu- abroad, the highly-acclaimed, ics to video-game design. halacha, fully engaging in Yesh’s dren to value both their rich nity. After learning of his great premiere pre-college summer Similarly, Yesh offers an chesed program, and delving religious heritage and the great-grandfather, Rabbi camp has become a nonprofit Xploration program that pro- into our shared heritage with importance of contributing to Yehoshua Yitzhak Shapira, wide- organization. It is Julian’s desire vides instruction in fields Torah-related discussions and modern society, Yesh Shabbat ly known as Eizel Charif, and his to give back to his community ranging from debate and pub- seminars, Yesh helps prepare hopes to foster another genera- outstanding love for Yiddishkeit, that is the motivation for this lic speaking to the martial students for future success and tion of Jewish children who Julian wanted to inspire Jewish change of priorities. arts. Hip-Hop, team sports, art, imbues them with a seep love will contribute to the world youth so that they, too, would “When I learned about my engineering, creative writing, of Judaism. around them while maintain- love their heritage. lineage and the impact my and many other options are “What is really special about ing their religious identity. Born in Lithuania in 1801, ancestors made in the Jewish all offered at Yesh to provide Yesh is the combination of a tra- To learn more about Yesh Eizel Charif was a child prodigy. world it made me realize my for the diverse skills and inter- ditional, observant community Shabbat, please visit www. By the tender age of nine he had responsibility to the Jewish peo- ests of today’s students. with the challenging and fulfill- youtube.com/jkyeshshabbat. O already learned the entire ple,” Julian said. “I started Yesh Talmud and knew the entire Shabbat and established it as a treatise of Jewish law by heart. nonprofit organization to give Reb Eizel became one of the Jewish students a sense of most important Torah luminar- Jewish identity and the same ies of his time and authored opportunities afforded to other numerous works on Jewish law teens in sports and summer pro- and texts, including one of the gramming.” most important commentaries Julian Krinsky’s Yesh Shabbat on the Jerusalem Talmud ever overnight camp redefines the written, Noam Yerushalmi. And summer camp experience, and despite the myriad hours he helps teens develop their per-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 41 YDT Takes The Gold With Shabbos Wheelchair Lift

3 B Y EILEEN FINE sentation of the yeshiva and yeshivaleit SET 20.20 competition sponsored by ity of Jewish education throughout the with supreme derech eretz.” the Center for Initiatives in Jewish United States, by upgrading the technol- A hard-working year in a challenging This past fall, Yeshiva Darchei Torah Education (CIJE). The CIJE was founded ogy and programs available to Jewish science competition had paid off royal- was invited to participate in the new in 2001 to enhance and enrich the qual- day schools and yeshivos for world-class ly, as 23 talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei education. SET3 stands for Science- Torah—21 from eighth grade and 2 from Engineering-Teamwork-Technology seventh—earned the gold with their Training. The project was designed to Shabbos wheelchair lift, in a presenta- give students a robust experience of tion on Monday, May 23 before a panel applied science. In addition to provid- of judges that included a physicist ing initial exposure to engineering, it entrepreneur. required a sound understanding of con- It was a sweet victory for the winning cepts in physics to design and build a team, for the yeshiva’s junior high school non-electric, energy efficient wheel- principal Rabbi Yitzchok Goldberg, proj- chair lift capable of raising a peer ect facilitators Dr. Don Engelberg and weight of 125 lbs. The Darchei model, Rabbi Nachum Dinowitz, and for the standing 6 feet high and nearly 7 feet yeshiva, which has built a rigorous secu- long, was a 25% scale version of a com- lar studies program reflecting a strong mercial machine. SET3 also offered a commitment to graduating young men strong taste of what it is like to work as who are equipped to navigate a complex part of a technology-oriented product world. “I am extremely proud of our team and cultivated skills that will be talmidim and their outstanding accom- necessary for workplace success in the plishment,” exclaims Rabbi Bender, “not The Yeshiva Darchei Torah team with its winning design of a Shabbos wheelchair lift. The year 2020. only for their scientific and engineering team took first place in the prestigious SET 3science competition, sponsored by the Center for The lift had to satisfy rigorous func- feat, but also for their exemplary repre- Initiatives in Jewish Education. tional and other requirements set by the CIJE, and the construction cost could not exceed $300. Notably, Dr. Don Engelberg and Rabbi Nachum Dinowitz were restricted to a coaching role, pointing out where students might need to do their own research, critiquing proposed designs, and pointing out missing or ques- tionable elements. However the students were directly and exclusively responsible for the design decisions and construction. Joel Javitt, supervisor of the CIJE’s engi- neering program, made frequent visits to the yeshiva, bringing supplies, providing feedback, and clarifying the rules. The model was judged not only on its technical merits, but also the students’ demonstrated understanding of the sci- entific knowledge underlying their machine, as well as the quality and per- suasiveness of their sales presentation to the judges, whose questions they had to answer without assistance from their facilitators. The boys even came up with a creative idea for conducting market research, contacting some of the local shuls to explain their project and ask for input about what a shul would be look- ing for in a product presentation if it were considering purchase of a Shabbos wheelchair lift. “The competence, poise, and self confidence the boys exhibited were something that Darchei can truly be proud of,” said CIJE Director Judy Lebovits with gusto. How were the bachurim able to so impressively carry the day? “The boys really owned their knowledge, choices, and design,” shared Rabbi Dinowitz. “This was a key factor that pulled them through.” Dr. Don Engelberg, physics teacher in Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, was the project facilitator. Throughout the academic year, he met with the team on Mondays through Thursdays, teaching the neces- sary science material and working with the students in the computer lab, where they mastered use of formulas in Excel and production of Excel charts that are essential for real-world engineering projects. The bachurim also learned how to use PowerPoint software and computer graphics, which they called on to craft their compelling business presentation. Rabbi Nachum Dinowitz, the junior high school’s science coordinator as well 42 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES as a rebbi and science teacher, met with Bunim Golding, Yona Greenblatt, Tzvi the team after yeshiva hours each week. Gruenbaum, Yehuda Hardoon, Moshe The students worked with him on micro- Kopelowitz, Menachem Kovitz, Eliyahu projects that help them develop their Kramer, Dovid Lesser, Eliyahu Lowinger, knowledge of physics and its application, Shmuel Mintz, Zalman Naftali Sandler, in anticipation of design and construc- Yeruchem Schiff, Naftali Schuss, Moshe tion of the mechanical lift. He assisted Yechiel Sittner, Gavriel Sontag, and with the development of the business Binyomin Chaim Terebelo. side of the project. CIJE Director Lebovits offered expan- Initially, the bachurim were broken up sive praise for all the bachurim. “The into teams, and three different lifts were teamwork the boys demonstrated designed using different engineering throughout the project, the respect they approaches. Part of the SET3 growth showed for each other and for their dif- experience was the challenge of honestly ferent opinions, the way they conducted evaluating which design was superior themselves during the presentation and and offering the entire team the best with the other SET3 participants . . . the chance at winning. In the end, the boys boys really represented Yeshiva Darchei decided to integrate the strengths of two Torah in a most exemplary manner.” different designs, leaving behind the The competition was a full day event third proposal. The experience of yielding that was hosted by the Westchester Day to the best interests of the group School in Mamaroneck, New York. In addi- stretched the bachurim and brought tion to the Westchester Day School, them real gains in maturity. “This was Yeshiva of Flatbush, Jewish Educational one of the greatest parts of the experi- Center of Elizabeth, the Hillel Day School ence,” asserts Rabbi Dinowitz. of Deal, and Carmel Academy participated. “No one boy had all the qualities need- SET3 was a multi-dimensional learning ed to build a winning machine,” says Dr. and growth experience. By combining Engelberg, “but as a team, they were able the study of physics with its application to design and build the lift and create a in a substantial engineering challenge, it sales presentation and a technical presen- brought science to life as never before. tation that reflected the individual tal- The bachurim learned how to navigate a ents of each contributor.” complex collaboration on a scale that The scientific and technical presenta- most, if not all, had not experienced tion was made by Noach Moshe before. New computer skills were Bornstein, one of the two seventh graders acquired, an introduction to the elements on the SET3 team, and Yosef Keilson. Yoel of business and sales presentations was Pfeiffer and Yisroel Rubin made the sales gained, and the bachurim had exposure presentation. The other members of the to public speaking. No less important, Darchei Torah team included Efraim SET3 was an opportunity to learn the Blau, Tzvi Yosef Zundel Dembitzer, value of teamwork and the growth in Avichai Jacobs (seventh grade), Simcha middos it requires. O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 43 Basch Continued from Page 40 girls—Chloe, Olivia, and Julliet. My daughter, Penny Basch, has a high fashion modeling agency and a son Zac. My son, Tully Basch, lives in Chicago. Donny and Jodi Basch and baby Aryeh live in Boulder, Colorado, where Donny has a stock brokerage firm.” In between she wrote three books, Future Star, Million Dollar Baby, and Show Biz Bible. I read the third. Its title is deceiving, as much of it includes tips for life in general, such as showing up on time and not pestering potential employ- ers from whom you are waiting to hear. There are some surprises about show business. “Wearing makeup and dressing up fancy when going on auditions,” she says, “is a no-no.”

Outward And Inward Bound Sabena traveled the world before she began to bring it to Jerusalem. She has been on safari in South Africa, in Botswana, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Gibraltar, and Egypt. What about family in Israel? “I made aliyah and it’s been very tough because the children and grandchildren did not move with me. It’s difficult being on my own. I do go back several times a year and I wish they’d see the light and move here.” What made her decide to make aliyah on her own? “I’m very, very spiritual and I feel very connected to the land even though I’m sitting in the house and work- ing 20 hours a day. I feel that my soul belongs here. When I go back to America, it’s a strange feeling. I feel like I’m a robot there, as if I’m going through the motions, and like a magnet is pulling me back and I don’t feel whole. “When I’m here, I feel complete. I feel like I belong and like it belongs to me. I can go to the Kotel every day and start crying and I don’t know if I’m crying for me or for the history of the Jews or for the tough life that people have. I don’t know the reason for my crying; it just happens. I also have very unusual occurrences happen to me two or three times a week. It’s very excit- ing. For example, I’ll have to have a meet- ing with somebody and I’m sitting on a bus and it turns out I’m meeting her sister. “There is no such thing as coincidence. The Hebrew word mikrah (coincidence) is an acronym for ‘rak meiHashem’—only from Hashem. We’re all puppets with strings being controlled from above. For example, I hadn’t gone out on a date in months. Someone introduced me to a nice man. He wasn’t for me, but it turned out that he supplies tzimmers all over Israel with towels and linen and pots and pans and dishes.” Basch recently returned from a month- long trip to India, which she went on with 20 other women. She is gearing up now for the summer and clients. One can hear her passion in describing every venture she ever undertook—from selling sunflower seeds, to owning one of the most successful modeling agencies, to starting My Jerusalem Apartments. “I give people the kind of service that I would want others to give me.” O

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44 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES MINDBIZ Continued from Page 39 no longer helpful mental energy expend- ed on Josh, and on what was, and on what was supposed to be, so you can make room for this next, more joyous chapter in Rachel’s life. It is clear that you do not understand Rachel’s choice. You disagree with the divorce and distanced yourself from Rachel, either because of disapproval, your own hurt, or your own personal agenda. Make no mistake, even the best mothers have their own (well-meaning) agendas for their children. In your estima- tion, Josh was Prince Charming, riding in on his white horse. He fit the bill for your agenda for your daughter. He and Rachel didn’t work out, and your task is to choose to accept that. When Rachel was little, you could pick out her outfit and even to an extent choose the friends you wanted her to play with. It is clear to me you only want what is best for your daughter, but it is time to let her out of the nest to make her own decisions and watch her soar. It is not too late to surrender to Rachel’s reali- ty. I don’t know what happened to end their marriage, but at this point the ink on the get is dry and it doesn’t really mat- ter for us. What you find attractive in a mate for your daughter might not be what she is looking for. It sounds as though Rachel has found her bashert. How fortunate that she has that special feeling of needing to be with this man for the rest of her life. Have you ever asked her if she felt that way about Josh? Try to come from a supportive place, rather than a judgmental or inquis- itive one. I think a respectful conversa- tion, one in which you value Rachel’s decision to divorce her husband, might take you a long way. As long as he is a solid citizen and treats her well, I suggest getting on board with this relationship, or you may find that you have not only lost Josh, but Rachel as well. If all goes as planned for Rachel, she is going to be a kallah very soon. Imagine put- ting this pain behind you and experiencing the joy of your daughter’s new relationship together with her. I know that you would like a signed and sealed guarantee that this marriage will work out and stick. We all want that for every aspect of our lives. But I’m sure that, as a mature adult, you know firsthand that life offers no guarantees. Every day that we get up and out of bed is a leap of faith to some extent. If you find yourself unable to move on and cannot fully enjoy this simcha, then you may want to consider professional counseling. You deserve to experience Rachel’s happiness along with her. And Rachel deserves the support of her moth- er during this exciting time in her life. I wish you and your family all the best! Sincerely, Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LMSW, is a recent graduate of Adelphi University. She is presently working as a life coach, as she pursues a job as a psychotherapist. She can be reached at 718-908-0512.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 45 that the counting of the Omer on the same meal. So when one finally gets to first day (the second day of Pesach) shul after his seudah on Shavuos night, should be done at the earliest possible it can be after midnight. Further, most time of the night. One could argue that shuls try to daven Shacharis Shemoneh even a slight delay would cause the Esreih at sunrise. So davening starts seven weeks not to be complete. As a between 25 and 45 minutes before that. matter of halachah, counting as early as There aren’t that many hours left to possible may be prefered, but one would learn. Just for the sake of argument, I certainly fulfill the mitzvah of counting will present a rationale to allow one to Making Our Days Count at any time on that first night. daven early on Shavuos based on a The same idea is mentioned by the novel answer to a rather obvious ques- Acharonim regarding the end of Sefiras tions. (This is just to provide fodder to There is a widespread custom that (Menachos 66a d”h Zecher) quotes the HaOmer. If we would accept Shavuos those that need to say something inter- men stay up the entire Shavuos night and Hilchos Gedolos that if one forgot to early before the sunset of the 49th day, esting to their chavrusa who has just learn Torah. Of course the entire night count one day of Sefiras HaOmer he can then we would not have seven com- dozed off. It certainly is not meant to be really isn’t that long. This is partly due to no longer continue counting with a plete weeks. We would be lacking the relied upon.) another custom: we do not accept the berachah. In his opinion, that would be a moments that were cut off of the seven Tosfos on 65a asks what seems to be a holiday of Shavuos early. Within a few violation of “temimos”—being complete. weeks by starting Day 50 early. There is blatant question. Why do we count only blocks of my house there are at least four The individual cannot complete the some discussion if this means we 49 days? The Torah specifically man- minyanim that daven Kabbalos Shabbos count of 49 days, if he missed one day. should not daven Maariv early or just dates “Tispiru chamishim yom”—You before sunset, each one starting at a diff- Another facet of temimos is men- that we shouldn’t make Kiddush early. should count 50 days. (Vayikra 23:16). ent time. Why is the same leniency not tioned in the Gemara. The Gemara The upshot is that davening starts very Tosfos suggests in one answer that what employed on Shavuos? (Menachos 66a) states that the signifi- late on Shavuos night. Most shuls wait is intended by the verse is that we The pasuk states, “Sheva Shabbasos cance of temimos is that we start count- until nightfall which can be anywhere should count up until the 50th day but temimos tihiyena”—They shall be seven ing the Omer at night. If we waited until from 35 to 72 minutes after sunset. Yom not the 50th day itself. This would be an complete weeks.” This a special mitzvah the day, one night would be lacking tov meals usually take a long time. This example of the dictum of ad v’lo ad bich- that the seven weeks of the Omer that we from the first week. The Ran in Pesachim is especially true for those that have lal—up until but not including. count must be complete. Further, Tosfos quotes an opinion that it is preferable milchigs followed by fleishigs in the Alternatively, the Rosh suggests that it is the derech of the Torah to sometimes round up by one. The mitzvah really is to count 49 days but the Torah, in stating the number of days, rounded it up to 50. He offers a few examples of this phe- nomenon. One example is the verse describing the punishment of 39 lashes. The Torah writes (Devarim 25:3) “He shall hit him 40 times.” The Torah rounded up by one. One controversial example is the verse that counts the number of Yaakov’s family members that descended to Egypt. The verse states (Bereishis 46:27) “All the souls to the house of Jacob that descended to Egypt were 70.” A careful count produces only 69 people. Perforce the Torah rounded up by one. (The con- ventional understanding is that Yocheved was born as they were cross- ing into Egypt.) However, the Aderes Eliyahu offers a radically different answer. Really there is a mitzvah to count 50 days. We don’t actually count it because the Kiddush we recite on Shavuos night which declares the sanctity of the holiday is tantamount to counting the 50th day. What is Shavuos, if not the 50th and final day; the culmination of all our preparation for matan Torah. Counting it as the 50th day is superfluous because by definition that’s what Shavuos is! (The Sfas Emes lends cre- dence to this understanding but only as a means of explaining Tosfos’s initial assumptions.) If we were to accept this answer then presumably we wouldn’t have to wait until nightfall to recite Kiddush on the first night of Shavuos. The mitzvah would be for the 50 days to be complete. Instead, we would wait until nightfall for reciting Kiddush on the second night of Shavuos at the con- clusion of day 50. Most shuls anyway wait until nightfall on the second day of yom tov before davening Maariv because food preparations are forbid- den until that time anyway. Hopefully you can count on this vort to keep you awake Shavuos night. O

Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead and runs a high-school program in Brooklyn called TIA–Torah In Action, designed to make Torah more exciting through weekly outings to see halachah come to life. He can be contacted at [email protected]. 46 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES America and Israel. He and his wife were the plight of Jonathan Pollard. Other speak- founders of Arutz Sheva and the National ers will highlight Gilad Shalit’s plight. Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP). The Special performers include a burst of concert/rally also salutes noted Jewish musical and singing talent: Avraham activists and philanthropists Dr. Manfred Fried, Shalsheles with Shalsheles Jr., Avi R. Lehmann, z’l, the event’s first chair- Peretz and Ouri Bitton, Elram Amram and man, and Rose and Reuben Mattus, z’l, of Shlomi, Israeli performers of Yemenite Haagen-Dazs fame. background direct from Israel, Jerry Let Your Voices Be Heard, Now 72nd Street), Sunday, June 5 (the 44th The guest speaker will be the eloquent Markovitz, Izzy Kieffer with Heshy R., and More Than Ever—For The Sake Of anniversary of the miracle of the Six-Day MK Danny Danon, Deputy Speaker of the the debut of Yitzy Bald’s New York Boys Jerusalem War and the reunification of Jerusalem), Knesset and Chairman of World Likud. Choir. Musical accompaniment will be The 18th (Chai) Annual Israel Day from 2:30-7:30 p.m., rain or shine, free Special appearances will be made by lead- provided by the Shloime Dachs Orchestra Concert in Central Park, Carl Freyer, z’l admission, after the Salute to Israel ing political and religious leaders and and singers. Light Intonation, a new Tribute, Dr. Manfred Lehmann Memorial Parade. 20,000 people are expected for Jewish activists, focusing on the event’s all- group comprised of yeshiva boys, will be event will be held at Central Park’s the concert, which effectively is the important themes. There will be represen- introduced. Haitian George, whose danc- Summer Stage (enter at Fifth Avenue and largest rally of its kind in North America, tatives of the World Committee for the ing career was salvaged by a rescue IDF possibly in the world. Land of Israel, Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem team in Haiti and at Tel HaShomer Dr. Joseph Frager, long-time organizer, Chai (JRP), The Hebron Fund and One Israel Medical Center, will poignantly remind and Dr. Paul and Drora Brody, chairpersons, Fund. Rabbi David Nesenoff, who was us just what Israel is capable of when he have announced the concert’s themes: responsible for exposing the hate-spewing, once again dances on the Summer Stage. Jerusalem United Forever—never to be anti-Semitic White House correspondent, divided again, No further concessions of Helen Thomas, will focus his remarks on Continued on Page 48 any part of the Land of Israel, standing up to the mullahs of Iran, and calling for the release of Gilad Shalit and for the release of Jonathan Pollard after 25 years. The concert is sponsored by the Israel Concert-In-The-Park Committee, associat- ed with Young Israel Chovevei Zion and the National Council of Young Israel. It pays special tribute this year to Carl Freyer, z’l. Carl, together with his wife, P h o t o Sylvia, founded the concert in response B y b a

r to a call by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief r y b r o

w Rabbi of Efrat, to mount some form of n . c o m protest to the notorious 1993 Oslo (L–R): Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Karen Frager accords. Mr. Freyer, who passed away en and Dr. Paul and Mrs. Drora Brody of the route to Israel before Sukkot, was a leader annual Israel Day Concert/Rally in Central Park holding a previous concert of the Nationalist camp and a supporter placard including cover image of the 5TJT of numerous causes for many years, on Central Park’s Summer Stage. impacting every aspect of Jewish life in

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS recreated on Motzaei Shabbos YOSS World’s Fair Continued from Page 47 when masses of frum Jews As the world becomes more came to celebrate Lag B’Omer captivated and ensnared by the Hatikva, Avinu Shebashamayim, with the Nikolsburger Rebbe, myriad advances in technology and the theme from Exodus Rav Mordechai Jungreis, shlita, every day, we have become less (“This Land is mine, G-d gave in front of his beis medrash at cognizant of those around us this Land to me”) will be ren- 16th Avenue and 49th Street in and less engaged with our fami- dered by Chazzan Chaim Dovid Boro Park. With the Rebbe fer- lies and communities. The stu- Berson of The Jewish Center in vently leading the dancing, dents in the elementary division Manhattan. Nachum Segal will along with a live band and pro- at the Yeshiva of South Shore again emcee. fessional singers providing the took a step back and studied Delicious, strictly kosher food joyous music, people of all families and communities. and drinks will be available, sup- ages joined hands and danced Under the guidance of Rabbi plied by Aron’s Kissena Farms of in lively circles to commemo- Mair Wolofsky, director of edu- Kew Gardens Hills fame. Special rate the yarhrzeit of the great cation, and the teachers, every thanks to the indefatigueable sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Nikolsburg Lag B’Omer celebration in Boro Park. boy was assigned research to Aron Hirtz, co-organizer of this who, at the time of his passing, complete and produce a final event, for his tireless efforts. revealed the secret wisdom of project to display what he Bring your ruach, determination, Kabbalah to his students and prominent rabbanim—includ- the year for Boro Park residents. learned. and Jewish pride, together with thus brought great joy into the ing Rav Nosson Schechter, the Under the dynamic leadership The first grade studied family your family and your friends, to world. eldest son of Rav Aharon of the Rebbe—who is well- structure and interaction, creat- this massive concert/rally. Early For many among the huge Schechter, rosh yeshiva of known for his personal warmth ing family crests and dioramas. arrival is advised as there will be crowd, a highlight of this annu- Yeshiva Chaim Berlin—and and successful kiruv activities— The second grade studied com- added security checks. Anyone al Lag B’Omer gathering community leaders. Adding it features a kollel, as well as a munities, creating models of interested in joining the spon- occurred when the Nikolsburger even more to the majesty of the special program on weeknights their homes and other main- sor/VIP list, contact 917-650-5623 Rebbe—in a display of his char- evening, the Rebbe sang several that offers an interesting shiur stays of a community such as immediately. O acteristic openness to all and nigunim of his own creation, and a delicious supper to young shuls and grocery stores. The desire to foster achdus within and bestowed repeated bless- adults. “We are thankful to all third grade studied family histo- Lag B’Omer Celebration Klal Yisrael—danced separately ings for success in all areas of those who came out to cele- ry; and the fourth grade studied Recreates Spirit Of Meron with many individuals, includ- life upon everyone in atten- brate with us on Lag B’Omer,” New York. In Boro Park ing the numerous young men dance. noted Rav Jungreis, “and we Alongside their magnificent By Boruch Shubert who flock to his shul through- Rav Jungreis’s shul—Bais look forward to continue serv- exhibits, the boys displayed The spirit of ultimate sim- out the year for Torah learning Medrash Khal Nikolsburg—has ing the Boro Park kehillah in a their art portfolios that they cha that prevails in Meron and inspiration. The Rebbe was become a popular center of manner that meets everyone’s have been working on all year in each year at this time was also joined by a number of Torah and tefillah throughout needs in ruchniyus.” O art class. Some of the works

48 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES were the students’ own renditions of Paul Klee and other famous artists, along with their very own style using their knowl- edge of coloring and shading. O

Madraigos Evening Of Inspiration, June 6 Ephraim and Rena Kutner are this year’s hosts for the annual Five Towns reception to benefit Madraigos. The event will take place on Monday evening, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. in their home, 41 Lawrence Avenue in Lawrence. This event will raise funds to enable Madraigos to continue to provide innova- tive programs for the hundreds of teens, young adults, and their families in the Five Towns and surrounding communi- ties who are currently utilizing their serv- ices. Madraigos is thrilled to have the opportunity of having Rabbi Eli Mansour, a world-renowned speaker, address the crowd and share insights and inspiration for Shavuos. Eitan Katz will provide a beautiful kumzitz as befits his reputation. Ephraim and Rena Kutner have been active supporters of Madraigos since its inception eight years ago. Ephraim serves on the board of directors and plays an integral part in the day-to-day operations of the organization as well as its future development. “We thank Ephraim and Rena for all their dedication and loyalty over the years. We clearly wouldn’t be where we are today without his involve- ment. We specifically appreciate their gracious involvement for this special upcoming event.” commented Rabbi Dov Silver, founder and executive V.P. Ephraim Kutner mentioned, “My wife and I are looking forward to personally greeting all of Madraigos’s friends and supporters. This evening will surely enlighten and inspire all who attend.” “Madraigos is growing by leaps and bounds in programming and services, and our stellar reputation is growing nationwide. We invite the community to come and learn more about our programs and celebrate our growth and plans for the future. We appreciate the growing involvement and active participation of our committee that came together to make the coming evening a success. With these partnerships, Madraigos will be able to continue helping our teens take the next step in becoming the leaders of tomorrow.” stated Rabbi Josh Zern, exec- utive director. For more information about Madraigos or the evening of inspiration, visit www.madraigos.org. To make a dona- tion, call 516-371-3250, extension 5, or visit www.madraigos.org/kutner-reception. Madraigos is a 501c3 not-for-profit that provides a wide array of innovative pro- grams and professional services designed for teens and young adults who are not able to cope with the everyday challenges of life. The goal is to provide members with the tools and skills to enable them to lead a healthy lifestyle and to take the next step in becoming the leaders of tomorrow. O

YU Student Leaders Help Combat Israel’s Long-Term Water Challenges Sixteen undergraduate fellows from Yeshiva University’s QUEST student lead- ership program arrived in Israel on May 30 to spend a week working on various

Continued on Page 50 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 49 water reclamation projects across Israel. The trip serves as the culmination of a successful fundraising campaign during which the students worked in partner- ship with the Jewish National Fund to raise $20,000 for the Parsons Water Fund, the JNF’s comprehensive plan to combat Israel’s ongoing water crisis. “The goal of the program is to inspire and train undergraduate students to improve their leadership skills and take an active role in the Jewish communal landscape,” said Yehezkel Jesin, program manager for the leadership training divi- sion of YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF). “This mission brings us one step closer to reaching that goal by educating the QUEST fellows about long- and short- term strategic planning against the back- drop of Israel’s water crisis and present- ing the students with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their cause.” In addition to honing their fundraising abilities, the QUEST students spent the last several months practicing other important skills such as public speaking, time management, team building, and event planning. They were also treated to a host of guest speakers, a perk that allowed them to analyze various styles of successful leadership. “Our hope is that this mission inspires our students to become dedicated to Jewish communal causes and share that passion with their peers,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, the David Mitzner Dean of the CJF. “As we see it, our work is not complete until they recognize their responsibility to engage with the Jewish community as professional or lay lead- ers.” While in Israel, the mission partici- pants—select YU students from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom—will visit and work on sites that are benefitting from the Parsons Water Fund, including the water installa- tion project in the Galil and the riverbed cleanup initiative in Beit Yalin. In addi- tion, the group will visit Yemin Orde to learn how the drought in Israel played a significant role in the devastation caused by the Carmel forest fire last December. Following the QUEST mission, the CJF will be running 11 additional summer pro- grams, including a service mission to Louisiana and Alabama to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina and the recent tornadoes; student kollels for Jewish communities in Georgia, Colorado, California, Kansas, New Jersey, and Illinois; and student-run “Counterpoint” summer camps for children from dis- tressed and unaffiliated communities in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the Israeli towns of Arad, Dimona, and Yemin Orde. O

SKA Junior Wins Good Deed Award Of Nassau County A “heart”y yashar koach to Stella K. Abraham High School junior Devorah Adler upon receiving the Good Deed Award of Nassau County for creating “Heart to Heart,” dedicated to raising money for children with heart problems at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Hospital of North Shore-LIJ. SKA is so proud of Devorah who also

Continued on Page 52 50 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the opportunity to really grow in learn- He is a talmid of Rabbi Tzvi Kaplan and in Continued from Page 50 ing, one immediately pictures an elite the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway Kollel. Rabbi and prominent yeshiva with a crowded Hartman notes that the boys are all good organized a successful raffle this year for beis medrash in an established Torah boys who learn well and are well round- the program which ran in five schools! O community. It was refreshing to learn ed young men. Rabbi Yisroel Meir David that a group of talented young beis is a son of Rav Usher David, rosh yeshivas MAY ARISTA Honors medrash bachurim are indeed shteiging in Emek Halacha and is a talmid of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov celebrated its their learning in a relatively new yeshiva Philadelphia Yeshiva and of Yeshiva of annual honors awards night, inducting 49 in Oceanside, Long Island, minus the Springfield. Rabbi David gives a shiur at students into the National ARISTA crowding but nevertheless accomplish- night to the beis medrash boys in Society. “Academic excellence and refined ing their goals. Oceanside and speaks highly of the middos is something that we stress in the Although most beginnings are humble bachurim and the rosh yeshiva. “The yeshiva. To see so many of our talmidim and even difficult, Yeshivas Bais Shmuel, atmosphere in this yeshiva bring out the successfully meet these high standards is under the able direction of Rav Ari Leiser, best in the bachurim and the rosh yeshiva very rewarding” noted Rabbi Rudansky, has, b’H, experienced a successful start is very patient with the talmidim,” points general studies principal. and has brought a newfound Torah out Rabbi David, also noting that the The mesivta also recognized the many atmosphere to Oceanside. The town of talmidim are excellent boys who have a achievements of its students in limudei Oceanside, which is located in near prox- wonderful rapport with the rosh yeshiva. kodesh and limudei chol, as well as in imity to Far Rockaway and the Five Towns Rav Leiser is pleased to report the tefillah and middos. Special awards were is still removed from some of the outside Rabbeim of Yeshivas Bais Shmuel opening of a mesivta and plans are also given to the mock trial team who influences, and the neighbors are excited of Oceanside. already in progress for a ninth grade for reached the countywide quarter-finals, about the new makom Torah and the pos- the Elul zman, with the berachah and and to the Torah Bowl Team who were sibilities it brings to the community. guidance of HaRav HaGaon Avraham division champions this year. The yeshiva is located in a beautiful ly selected first and second year beis Chaim Levine, shlita. The beis medrash One rebbe put it most succinctly, “The suburban setting with nearby Oceanside medrash bachurim who are ba’alei midos bachurim will iy’H have a wonderful evening is the perfect showcase for our Park available for recreational use. The and who have created a cohesive unit and influence on the high school boys and yeshiva. You see how the boys are actual yeshiva building is a large house get along well. “They exude an ahavas through the same values and goals, the excelling in learning, davening, middos, with more than adequate dorm facilities, haTorah and yiras Shamayim,” says Rav younger boys will achieve a sipuk in chesed, academics, competitions, and a beis medrash, and a shiur room. The Leiser proudly. It is obvious that the learning. Rabbi Yisroel Meir David will sports.” Ateres Yaakov offers many oppor- premise of the yeshiva becomes quite yeshiva is filled with a ruach of yiras iy’H be the upcoming ninth grade rebbe tunities for the boys to shine . . . and clear when speaking to the rosh yeshiva, Shamayim that is transmitted through and Rabbi Hartman will also act as mena- shine they do! O Rav Ari Leiser. Rav Leiser, a talmid of simcha and warmth from Rav Leiser and hel of the mesivta. Rabbi David stresses Telshe Chicago and of Springfield, New two dynamic rebbeim, Rabbi Avrohom that a main goal of the high school will Yeshivas Bais Shmuel Jersey, is warm and charismatic and aims Hartman and Rabbi Yisroel Mayer David. be to enjoy the learning and that coming Choosing the right yeshiva for a high to bring out kochos in every bachur and Rabbi Hartman, who is a second seder to shiur should never feel like a burden. school or beis medrash bachur has always create an atmosphere where the boys shoel u’meishiv in the beis medrash is also An excellent English Studies curriculum been a daunting task for any parent. really enjoy learning. The program at the the rosh kollel at Kollel Ateres Mordechai, will be provided and will be run by frum However, the prospect seems even more yeshiva is well structured but is geared to a night kollel hosted at the Sulitzer Bais local educators. trying in today’s challenging times. When benefit talmidim who want a good yeshi- Medrash in Far Rockaway and currently The yeshiva has already made a lasting hearing that a young man seeks a makom va within a small-town environment. learns first seder at Yeshivas Tal Torah impression on the surrounding communi- Torah with few outside distractions and Currently, the yeshiva consists of careful- headed by Rabbi Moshe Meir Lederman. ty and the neighbors are impressed by the

52 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES talmidim and hanhalah. B’H, a group of will be donated to OHEL Children’s yungeleit come to join the first seder shiur Home and Family Services. and a number of baalei batim come to “One of the things that makes HANC learn at the bais medrash each night. The such an exceptional school, is that we local residents wish the yeshiva much teach our students the values of tzedakah hatzlachah and hope that the yeshiva con- and chesed, and the importance of being tinues to grow and contribute to the com- a part of the broader Jewish community. munity. The rosh yeshiva’s energy has We are incredibly proud of our students,” quite obviously impacted the quiet neigh- said Bob Shelly, HANC executive director. borhood and the town of Oceanside has Congratulations to HANC students experienced a welcome added infusion of for serving as role models for tzedakah ruchniyus and limud haTorah. O and chesed for the entire Long Island community. O HANC Takes Home Prize For Tzedakah HANC Students Perform Concert The Hebrew Academy of Nassau Under the direction of Mr. Tice and the County took home an honorable men- Malverne School of Music, students at tion and a $1,000 prize in the Cablevision the Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Charity Champions competition. The Elementary School, in West Hempstead, Charity Champions competition, part of showcased their musicality and per- HANC Elementary School trumpet players. Cablevision’s Power to Learn initiative, formed a concert for fellow students and promotes volunteerism and helps to raise family members. Students performed money for a school’s chosen charity. pieces on the violin, trumpet, clarinet, friends,” said fourth-grader Emma dents’ growth and teaches them the dedi- HANC was awarded the Nassau County and flute. The HANC music recital is the Haynes, who performed on the violin. cation and discipline it takes to learn a Honorable Mention in recognition of the culmination of a music elective offered “We are very excited about our partner- new craft. It also gives the students a toy drive and fundraiser that students ran to students in fourth-sixth grade. ship with the Malverne School of Music. tremendous amount of pride and accom- for underprivileged children in the weeks “It was really exciting to learn a new Offering students the opportunity to leading up to Chanukah. The $1,000 prize instrument and perform in front of my learn a musical instrument enhances stu- Continued on Page 54

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Cholim, named for the mother of Pearl they will merit a refuah sheleimah. Your was first recited. Afterwards, candles were Continued from Page 53 Pinter, treasurer since the inception of the sponsorship will enable the Rivkah Laufer lit and special prayers that were submit- organization, has done amazing work to Bikur Cholim to continue its vital work of ted by and on behalf of donors were indi- plishment when they realize what they help those in need in the Jewish commu- chesed. The cost of the luncheon is $50 per vidually recited. The holiness of the hour have learned over the year,” said Rabbi nity. The organization’s volunteers visit person; each reservation must be accom- was highly palpable and the charged Benjamin Yasgur, menahel/principal. patients in the hospital on a regular basis panied by a donation. If you are unable to emotions of those assembled reached a Congratulations to all the outstanding and arrange for home-cooked Shabbos attend, your contribution will be greatly deafening crescendo as the final Yehi performers. O meals, accommodations for family mem- appreciated. For more information please Ratzon prayer was recited in unison. bers to stay near the hospital, bedside call 516-295-3336 or 718-969-0093. O The holy charity fund Rabbi Meir Baal Rivkah Laufer Bikur Cholim 46th refrigerators, financial support, and Haneis Salant was established in 1860 by Annual Luncheon, June 14 almost anything non-medical in nature to Extraordinary Prayer Rally In the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi As the Rivkah Laufer Bikur Cholim’s facilitate the recovery of a patient. Tiberius On The Yahrzeit Of Rabbi Shmuel Salant with his father-in-law, the annual event is approaching, the The Rivkah Laufer Bikur Cholim has Meir Baal Haneis great tzadik Rabbi Zundel Salant, to save Manhattan/Queens division is paying no operating expenses; it is entirely a vol- As his legacy to all future generations, the poor of Israel from ruin. To this very tribute to those who have been involved unteer organization and every dollar that 2,000 years ago, the great and holy Tanna day, Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis Salant contin- since the organization’s inception over 45 is raised goes to underwrite medical and and miracle worker, Rabbi Meir Baal ues to save and comfort thousands of years ago. ancillary expenses of the patients. Haneis, vowed to personally intercede in Israel’s most destitute; orphans, widows, Fran Laufer, who will be receiving a spe- The young leadership committee, Heaven on behalf of any person in crisis the sick, the aged, the handicapped, and cial recognition award at this year’s spring referred to as The Next Generation, was or distress who gave charity to the poor others in unfortunate circumstances. luncheon, cofounded this outstanding established last year by a presidium of in Israel in his memory and evoked his Their charitable activities span diverse pro- organization with Miriam Lubling togeth- Jaclyn Glicksman and Suri Sternberg name by repeating the ageless mantra grams such as: Shabbos and holiday meals er with other hardworking volunteers, and Rozner. The committee includes daugh- “Elakah d’Meir aneini.” Reciting prayers distribution, holiday clothing vouchers, has presided over this remarkable charity ters and granddaughters of founding and lighting candles at the sacred tomb of orphan and widow fund, bridal dowry and from its inception in 1965. members of the organization. They are fol- Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis on his yahrzeit, wedding fund, Passover special distribu- On Tuesday, June 14, the Rivkah Laufer lowing the path of women who have pre- when his holy power is at its peak, has for tion, emergency medical crisis fund, hous- Bikur Cholim has scheduled its annual ceded them by continuing the efforts of centuries brought miraculous salvation ing assistance, and many others. spring luncheon at Terrace on the Park, the organization through a young leader- to thousands of people. Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis Salant con- chaired by Sara Teicher and Celia Rapp ship that is The Next Generation of volun- This past May 18 was the yahrzeit of ducts these special prayer rallies on the and Rosanne Rosenthal as coordinator, teers for this noble charity. Their goals are Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis. Throughout the yahrzeit of Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis, on along with Lorraine Nelson, the Queens aligned with that of the founding mem- day, thousands of Jews from all over the every erev Rosh Chodesh, and on special Chapter President. The guest of honor is bers, to get the next generation of young world converged on his holy gravesite in occasions. At these auspicious times the Sheila Zachter from Staten Island; the women involved with the day-to-day activ- the city of Tiberius to offer prayers and gates of heaven are wide open and the rofeh award will be presented to Dr. Leon ities of this reputable organization, raising supplications in the merit of this won- merit of the holy sage Rabbi Meir Baal Schwechter of Great Neck; and the awareness and money through fun and drous sage. Tuesday night, after midnight, Haneis is at its crest. May it be the will of memorial tribute will be made to Fred interesting events and enlisting new vol- Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis Salant conducted Hashem that He accepts all the prayers of Cohen, z’l, beloved husband of Chavie unteers within the community. a massive prayer assemblage of promi- Klal Yisrael. Amen. Cohen, devoted children Debbie and Please respond with an open hand and nent rabbanim and roshei yeshiva, to tap Anyone who wishes to have candles lit David Weintraub, Shaindy and Allen a full heart to honor and support those in to the miraculous powers of Rabbi and prayers recited for themselves and Hammer, Helen and Steven Myers and who seek their help and consider the Meir Baal Haneis on behalf of all the sup- their loved ones at an upcoming prayer grandchildren and great-grandchildren. cholim to be the true guests of honor this porters of the Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis vigil can submit their request to the U.S. Over the years, Rivkah Laufer Bikur year. It is our tefillah that in this z’chus Salant charity. The entire sefer Tehillim office of Rabbi Meir Baal Haneis Salant at

54 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 15 Negba Street, Lakewood, N.J. 08701 or call a dentist and has his own practice in 1-877-772-5268. Requests can also be made at Sheepshead Bay and is an avid learner in www.RabbiMeirBaalHaneis.com. O the yomi method, learning daf, Mishnah, and Mishnah Berurah daily. Malka cur- Shalhevet Celebrates Its Third Year rently works for Ami Magazine as a proof- At Annual Dinner reader, copyeditor, and writer and is a Last month, as Shalhevet High School member and contributor to a Friday is finishing its third successful year and morning learning group. The Eisenbergs looks forward to its first graduating class feel a tremendous gratitude to Hashem next year, they held their annual dinner. for giving them the opportunity of help- This year’s dinner honored Dr. Steve and ing to start a school and keeping it going, Mrs. Malka Eisenberg as parents of the not just for their daughter Devora but for year, assistant principal Mrs. Suri future students as well. Boiangiu as educator of the year, and Susie and Yitz Elman were both born guests of honor Mr. and Mrs. Yitz Elman. in Brooklyn and are graduates of The honorees were recognized for their Brooklyn College, and are raising their integral role in furthering the aim of children in the same city in which they Shalhevet, in infusing its students with a grew up. They are now actively involved love of Torah and general studies learn- Above, Dr. Steve and Mrs. Malka Eisenberg with rosh yeshiva Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman. in the same shul in which they davened ing, promoting scholastic and individual Below, left, assistant principal Mrs. Suri Boiangiu. Below, right, Yitz and Susie Elman. as children, Kingsway Jewish Center. achievement, and fostering intellectual Susie is a CPA and works at First New and personal growth. Each one is a role York Securities, a brokerage firm in model who embodies this special mis- Manhattan. She works part time in order sion of Shalhevet and helps teach by to be home when their three children example Shalhevet’s model of being a arrive home from school. Yitz holds an leader within one’s community, an ideal LMSW and is the director of mental shared by Shalhevet’s brother school, health services at Ohel Children’s Home & Rambam Mesivta. The honorees lend Family Services. The Elmans have accept- their spirit of family to the warm atmos- ed being guests of honor as a small token phere of Shalhevet and have helped the of their way of saying thank you to school in its marvelous growth over the Shalhevet, Rabbi Friedman, and staff for past year, with the help of a dedicated their vision and leadership. staff and enthusiastic menahelet. It is for Suri Boiangiu was born and educated reasons like this that Shalhevet is fast in Brooklyn. For the last 26 years she has becoming the school of choice for stu- been involved in Jewish education. This dents from over 10 different elementary is Suri’s second year at Shalhevet. She schools from the New York area. As Mrs. serves as director of college guidance, Eisenman, the menahelet, pointed out so assistant principal, and English instruc- gracefully in the name of the Rav, we whether it be the education of our chil- Malka and Steve Eisenberg have been tor. She finds the Shalhevet experience to must each take part in the world around dren or the support of the Jewish nation married for almost 30 years and have four us and respond to the needs of the time, throughout the world. children and two grandchildren. Steve is Continued on Page 56

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS focused and successful leader who con- and fresh produce, the JCC distributes Continued from Page 55 tinually reinvents the wheel to keep the vouchers through its “Neighbor Helping JCC in pursuit of meeting new and Neighbor” initiative for families in need be unique and inspiring. “The girls are so emerging needs of a diverse Five Towns to use at local supermarkets. warm and caring. They are more like fam- community. Under her direction, the JCC Since taking the reins of the JCC in ily members than students,” she says. “I has been able to triple its budget and 2002, Ms. Shkolnik has overseen the relish working with the girls in so many expand vital programs for children, organization which today serves around capacities. I am privileged to nurture adults, and senior citizens. 16,000 individuals through 18 different them educationally, and I follow their Such programs include Connect to sites throughout the community. During high school careers with pleasure.” O Care that helps residents coping with that time the nursery school has doubled unemployment and other hardships as a its enrollment and has opened a daycare Rina Shkolnik Named One Of result of the economic decline. The free center for working parents. The JCC’s 50 Most Influential Women In service, run by licensed social workers, Russian elderly department has tripled in Business On LI offers assistance in employment and offering socialization and companion- Often termed a best-kept secret, the career transition, debt counseling, and ship for the region’s burgeoning immi- JCC of the Greater Five Towns is no secret budgeting assistance, bankruptcy and grant population from that country, and anymore as Rina Shkolnik was recog- foreclosure prevention, and health insur- new and innovative programs have been nized as one of Long Island’s most influ- ance options. Over 350 residents from created to meet the needs of the frail and ential women in business by Long Island their 20s to those nearing retirement age elderly in the Five Towns. Business News at a recent awards ceremo- have been helped by Connect to Care, Ms. Rina Shkolnik Addressing the needs of the communi- ny at the Crest Hollow Country Club in which sees an average of four new clients ty’s children, especially those with physi- Woodbury. The Top 50 Most Influential each week. cal or intellectual disabilities, the JCC is Women in Business Award honors Similarly, the expansion of the kosher mental food assistance. again at the forefront in providing oppor- women like Rina for their business acu- food pantry from a cramped corner of the For over 200 local families, many of tunities with such innovations as Camp men, mentoring, and community JCC’s basement to a storefront on Central whom are not eligible for food stamps or Friendship, a highly acclaimed day camp involvement. Avenue in Woodmere has been a rapid other assistance, the pantry provides non- which integrates special needs children As the executive director of the JCC of response to the growing need among perishable kosher food products and per- with their mainstream peers. Pizza with the Greater Five Towns, Rina is a highly those in the community seeking supple- sonal care items. For meat, poultry, dairy, Pals is a social skills program for teenagers with special needs. On a global level, the JCC has forged bonds and built partnerships with Jewish communities in Argentina, Bulgaria, and Israel and has integrated those interna- tional relationships with many of the area’s synagogues and schools. As part of business and cultural exchange programs with Jewish communities around the world, Ms. Shkolnik is sharing knowledge and ideas in building Jewish communities. While the JCC continues to be a life- line for so many in need, whether it is those with economic difficulties, special- needs children, teens, or the elderly, the JCC is still a central point within the com- munity, offering many of the traditional elements that a JCC is known for. You can still find a variety of arts, cultural, and recreational pursuits appealing to just about anyone in the Greater Five Towns, making the JCC truly an “organization with heart.” The Jewish Community Center of the Greater Five Towns is a beneficiary agency of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) Federation of New York, a member agency of the United Way of Long Island, the Jewish Community Centers Association and an affiliate of the Five Towns Community Chest. It serves the communities of Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Far Rockaway, Hewlett, Inwood, Lawrence, Lynbrook, Malverne, Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Woodmere. For more information, please contact the JCC at 516-569-6733, or visit www.fivetownsjcc.org. O

HASC Center’s “Special” Evening In The True Sense By Ratzy Szimonowitz The event was set for May 17 at 8:00 p.m. As one of the four chosen panelists, I arrived punctually at the top of the hour and watched as female family members of special needs individuals arrived eager- ly to listen to divrei chizuk from other sib- lings and mothers who shared similar— but never quite identical—situations. This was to be one in a long chain of sup- port evenings sponsored by the Binuryni Parent Support Network, a wonderful service provided by HASC Center to the frum community. And what an evening it was! I still rel- 56 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ish the sweet success of the meeting. I feel privileged to have been invited to sit on the panel, and feel heartened by the positive vibes that pulsated from the audience. The energy was nearly palpa- ble! To quote one participant’s exuberant observation: “I am beyond amazed at the level of acceptance and simcha these young mothers displayed!” The challenges faced by the partici- pants were daunting and ran the gamut on the disability spectrum; autism, con- genital birth defects, and severe physical and mental disabilities. The list was as varied as the faces that were turned toward the podium, where I sat feeling humbled and, at the same time, uplifted by the strength of character and hopeful determination that radiated from each of the listeners. As my eyes scanned their smiling countenances, I felt a renewed pride in being part of a community where people facing life’s greatest chal- lenges could nevertheless overcome their personal pain and smile in the face of adversity. In that short hour we gathered a wealth of information. We heard about the eight-year-old child who has yet to be diagnosed, and who, at the age when her cohorts attend school and acquire life- long friendships, languishes bedridden and as helpless as any two-month old infant. Yet her family manages to main- tain a steady equilibrium and a keen sense of all that is wonderful in their oth- erwise rich lives. We listened to a young woman, who has been divorced, and who, for most of her formative years, has had to care for a sibling who suffered from a severe form of acquired Autism. This disorder was manifested, in part, by bizarre behaviors such as smearing feces on the walls of her home at the early hour of 3:00 a.m., and emptying the entire contents of her fam- ily’s refrigerator onto her bed near mid- night when her exhausted family mem- bers had fallen asleep. I’ll always remem- ber her concluding words, “Remember to hold on tight to Hashem and to tell Him, ‘Dear Hashem, You and me are partners here so please don’t let go ‘cause I need You!’” She encouraged us to tackle life’s curveballs that inevitably come our way, while gently chastising us to maintain our simchas hachaim at all times. Perhaps the most exhilarating part of the event was the question and answer session. Mothers proudly proclaimed their pride and joy in raising special chil- dren. Young siblings wanted to know how they could best deflect the taunting and staring from neighbors and passers- by. Their sweet, melodious voices filled with pain and their beautiful faces turned

Continued on Page 58

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 57 a crimson red as they recalled agonizing episodes when their special needs sib- lings were turned away from joining in neighborhood games. In truth, we have come a long way in our attitudes toward our special family members. We’ve learned to embrace them and to welcome them into our midst as never before. But as many of the participants at this event have attested, we still have a way to go. To that end, we need to continue to participate in various support groups and help brainstorm on methods and means to achieve the ulti- mate lofty goal—that of completely erad- icating all traces of prejudice expressed toward those who have in some way earned the title of “special.” HASC Center and its Binuryni Parent Support Network are indeed proud to offer this kind of support. O

WWOR-TV MY9 Presents Celebrate Israel Parade On June 5 New York’s annual Celebrate Israel Parade will be televised live on WWOR My9 June 5 from 12:00-2:00 p.m., announced WWOR My9 and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Anchored by WWOR My9/WNYW FOX 5 reporter John Huddy, the broadcast will feature the parade’s 30,000 marchers from 160 participating organizations, 40 bands and floats, and notable Israeli and American talent. Huddy and co-anchor Becky Griffin, an Israeli TV host, will interview partici- pants, performers, and attendees on the corner of 68th Street and Fifth Avenue, where the broadcast will originate. WNYW FOX 5 reporter Carolyn Gusoff will conduct interviews along the route. Special guests include Sesame Street mup- pet Grover from Sesame Workshop’s Shalom Sesame. The two-hour live broadcast will be simulcast on Israeli news sites such as Mako (www.mako.co.il), the companion site of Israeli TV’s Arutz Shtayim, and Ynet (www.ynet.co.il), Yediot Ahronot’s website. To commemorate this annual event and honor the State of Israel, the Empire State Building will shine its tower lights in blue and white on June 3, 4, and 5. In making the announcement, WWOR My9 general manager Lew Leone stated, “We are proud to celebrate our many diverse communities and to share the first-ever televised Celebrate Israel Parade with our viewers. The rich culture and festive display brings history to life.” “The live telecast on My9 gives us an opportunity to reach additional audi- ences. Hopefully, those watching at home will be energized by what they see, and if they are able, it will encourage them to join us on Fifth Avenue next year,” added Michael Miller, executive vice president and CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. Musical acts include platinum-selling Israeli rock band Beit Habubot and Israeli pop sensation Israela Asago, who was first discovered on Kochav Nolad / A Star is Born, an Israeli talent show. The parade will feature more than a dozen marching bands, including Excelsior Drum & Bugle Corps (Troy, NY), Maracatu NY (Brooklyn, NY), Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps (Elizabeth, NJ), and Shabazz High School Marching Band (Newark, NJ). 58 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES For more information on this are given at HAFTR High School job as a speech therapist. Chani bration of Achiezer’s tremen- thank Achiezer for all the help event, visit www.celebrateisrael- and at their Brooklyn center at B. had to undergo brain surgery dous growth. they give the community. parade.org or the parade’s Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary in order to survive. The Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender The word help encompasses Facebook and Twitter pages. O School. Advance registration is moments flew past her as her founded Achiezer over two many things in the Achiezer requested and advised; walk-ins family, friends, and even local years ago. He began the program office. It means dignified men- Making The Grade: Regents are accepted. To register for doctors desperately sought a by pointing out that in tal health support, eldercare Success—The Premier Regents Success, please call Mr. way to pay the specialists. It was Bamidbar, last week’s parashah, programs, financial aid, hospi- Prep Program For Scoring Eddie Martin at 516-568-7996 or doubtful that an emergency each Jew in Klal Yisrael was tal support and patient advoca- Higher Mr. Rader at 888-955-5700 fundraiser would collect the counted through the donation cy, and, of course, insurance By Rochelle Maruch Miller between the hours of 6:00-10:00 $70,000 necessary. of half a shekel. “Because” as assistance. That Regents Success is the p.m. Please see their ad 0n page Time was running out. Rabbi Bender noted, “a Jew is Which is where Achiezer prep program of choice of high- 36 for course dates. O This past Memorial Day, in never whole when others are in came in to help Chani. As soon school students and their par- an overwhelming showing, need.” To that end, he presented as the case was brought to ents is not surprising. Historic Turnout For nearly 500 members of the Far the hakaras hatov award to Mr. Achiezer’s office, they went to Coordinated by Eddie Martin, Achiezer’s Second Annual Rockaway community took Phil Goldfeder, director of inter- work. Hundreds of e-mails and an educator par excellence who Far Rockaway Event time out from their evening to national affairs in Senator calls were exchanged between established the program twenty By Chaia Frishman gather and reflect on the Charles Schumer’s office. Rabbi insurance companies, hospitals, years ago, Regents Success has Chani B. just didn’t have incredible work that Achiezer Bender thanked him for all his and New York State government helped thousands of high- enough time. The 25-year-old has done for over 900 families constant assistance in making offices. Achiezer appealed school students throughout the mother did not lack hours since September 2010. Hosted sure that others in need are directly to the heads of the Five Towns and Brooklyn pre- because she was busy tending to in the beautiful home of Rabbi taken care of with alacrity and insurance companies, and vari- pare for and score high on the her three young children. Nor and Mrs. Zvi Bloom, the barbe- professionalism. In turn, Mr. New York State Regents exams. was she too wrapped up in her cue was an appropriate cele- Goldfeder said that he wished to Continued on Page 60 So successful is this superb program that Mr. Martin begins receiving inquiries regarding registration for the courses offered as early as in November. At Regents Success, mediocre scores are never an option. Every one of the courses offered features six hours of intensive topic-by-topic review with an emphasis on key questions. Regents Success provides stu- dents with a comprehensive review of all topics, as well as test-taking strategies to help stu- dents maximize their scores. To fully prepare students for each of the three New York State Regents examinations in mathe- matics, Regents Success offers 6- hour intensive prep courses in Integrated Algebra, Geometry, and Math B. The Living Environment, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics courses are outstanding in scope, as are those offered in Global History, Geography, U.S. History and Geography, as well as English. “Every one of our teachers is New York State licensed and cer- tified,” Mr. Martin said. Each teacher is a consummate profes- sional and is an expert in the subject and Regents examina- tion material he or she teaches. Prior to teaching their respec- tive courses, all of our teachers spend months of prep time familiarizing themselves with the details and intricacies of the most recent Regents exams. All of our teachers return year after year and each one is an integral part of the Regents Success team, working in tandem to maximize every student’s score. Two of the math regents curric- ula have recently undergone drastic changes; our teachers have written the Regents exams and are eminently qualified to prepare our students for Regents success. In addition to teaching their respective topics and test-sophistication skills, our teachers infuse their stu- dents with a sense of confi- dence and truly prepare them for Regents success.” Regents Success prep courses 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 59 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS DRS HALB Honors Continued from Page 59 Students Who Serve On Lag B’Omer, the DRS HALB ous officials. Achiezer staff members Yeshiva High School for Boys held its went so far as to rush to Manhattan in inaugural Nedivei Lev Service Society order to meet the executive director of induction ceremony. The society, which the insurance company, on his way home recognizes those DRS students that have from the office. shown exemplary service to their school Just 72 hours before the surgery was and community, was developed earlier scheduled to take place, faxes and e- this year as part of a multiyear partner- mails began to buzz, and with true siya- ship with Yeshiva University’s Institute ta diShmaya, the insurance was for University School Partnership, part approved, leaving Chani time to go of the Azrieli Graduate School for through the surgery with a promise of a Education. The Institute’s RUACH pro- normal future. gram, designed to research and improve It is not just the services that they pro- levels of “Religious Purposefulness” vide, it is the real people that they help among Modern Orthodox high school and the lives that they change—families students, provided a variety of resources are kept intact, anxiety is relieved, dignity to DRS, including tools for the school to is preserved, crisis is averted. People are L–R: Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, Rabbi Zvi Bloom, Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, do a self study and better understand given peace of mind knowing that there Rabbi Yaakov Bender, and Rabbi Elchonon Zohn at the Achiezer event. the mindset of current students. is a caring expert at their side to help Additionally, noted education and men- through their difficulty. tal health professionals, including Rabbi Yissachar Frand lauded the work Institute Director Dr. Scott Goldberg of Achiezer noting that they are the “One and Dr. David Pelcovitz, have worked Stop Shopping” of organizations because, with the DRS administration to develop regardless of the complexity or nature of programs and strategies to promote the issue that may arise, Achiezer’s vast growth among the students. resources are always ready to respond. The Nedivei Lev Service Society was Achiezer acts as a triage when an existing one of the programs developed in con- resource is there, and become interven- sultation with Yeshiva University, and it tional when a service is needed to be pro- began this year as a pilot program for the vided. This saves time and resources for current graduating class of DRS. The our community. induction ceremony honored 13 mem- Time is precious. Every moment is an bers of the senior class who have served opportunity and gift from Hashem. With their school and larger community with the amazing work of Achiezer and its cur- distinction. The ceremony was attended rent bank of over 110 volunteers, Achiezer by the entire student body, as well as fac- minimizes the stress of those who seek ulty and parents. Rabbi Kenneth Hain, its help. Achiezer is not only a timesaver, it’s a lifesaver. O Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, Baruch Chiya Aryeh, and Rabbi Zvi Bloom, host of the event. Continued on Page 64

60 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 61 62 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 63 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS commitment to serving others. What induction certificates to seniors Max friendship with him as well. Mrs. Anet Continued from Page 60 made the program truly unique was the Ottensoser, Yoni Pollock, and Daniel Kaufman and Mrs. Dina Intrator of Chai participation by some of the recipients Genachowski. He thanked the boys for Lifeline’s iShine program for siblings and rav of Congregation Beth Shalom in of the chesed done by the DRS students. coming to his home each and every day children of those fighting cancer, com- Lawrence, served as the keynote speaker, Mr. Faivy Fuchs, a neighbor of the yeshi- to help him put on his tallis and tefillin, mended Benji Renov and Mordechai and he praised the students for their va with limited mobility, presented and in doing so, developing a strong Aryeh on their exemplary leadership and

Some of the DRS students receiving their induction certificates.

selflessness in working with the children on the program. Mr. Gideon Bari, former- ly of the Eliezer Project, presented induc- tion certificates to Elliot Samimi, Ilan Portnoy, and Mayer Schein, in honor of their hard work raising money and dis- tributing food to those in need as part of the DRS Tomchei Pesach program. DRS faculty members Mr. Daniel Stroock and Rabbi David Friedman presented certifi- cates to Jared Bruh and David Freilich, editors of the yearbook and D’varim Hayotzim Min Halev Torah publication, respectively. David Shetrit was honored by Mr. Steve Gormley for his service to the school and community by coordinat- ing several blood drives, and Adi Pasternak was honored by Rabbi David Shenker, director of JEP, for his hard work in reaching out to unaffiliated Jewish youngsters. Finally, Mr. Elan Shimmel honored Aryeh Bodner for his efforts in raising funds to find a cure for the disease Familial Dysautonomia (FD). Mr. Shimmel, whose daughter suffers from FD, expressed his profound thanks for Aryeh’s determination and leadership, and for setting an example for others to follow. DRS menahel Rabbi Kaminetsky noted that all of the participants and guests were profoundly moved by the event: “Having the beneficiaries of our students’ chesed programs here today has shown all of our students that when they give of themselves, they can absolutely change another person’s life.” DRS Director of Student Activities Rabbi Eli Brazil, who coordinated the creation of the society and organized the induc- tion ceremony, noted that “this program is important not only because it gives recognition to those have who have devoted their energy to helping others, but it also serves as an inspiration for our younger students to hopefully fol- low in the footsteps of these student leaders in giving back to the community. We are grateful for Yeshiva University’s help and support in coordinating this program, and we look forward to contin- uing to partner with them to help our students realize their potential.” O

Continued on Page 80 64 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 65 I Have An Accent?

In the months before our aliyah, Batya It isn’t as if my Hebrew is so incredibly would constantly express her greatest awful. My vocabulary could use some fear to me, the fear that she would not be work, but on the whole, I deal with able to communicate. “Your Hebrew is so Hebrew speakers on a daily basis and good, Abba. I will never speak Hebrew as rarely have a problem making myself good as you,” she would lament. “Batya,” understood. Which is my only goal. So

They often beg us to “please not talk” when such-and-such friend is in our house, because it is “soooooooo embarrassing.”

I would reply, “in less than a year your long as people understand me, I consider Hebrew will be so good that you will myself successful. laugh at my mistakes.” To my kids though, nothing is more True to my prediction, Batya did embarrassing than having your friends indeed laugh at my Hebrew mistakes in a notice that you are different in some way lot less than a year’s time after we made from them. They just want to fit in, espe- aliyah. All the kids did. In fact, not only cially the teenagers. The problem is that do they laugh at us, they are often embar- rassed by us and our poor Hebrew skills. Continued on Page 68

66 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 67 ALIYAH CHRONICLE Shaalvim High School. “Don’t worry,” she said. “My father has encouraging thought. My grandparents Continued from Page 66 We were chatting in the car, with been here for almost 30 years (I assume (or great-grandparents, depending upon 3,000 copies of the paper still in the back. there is a gap in the time when they lived which generation is the one who came to whenever they have a friend over or call Somehow, the subject came to speaking in the U.S. before returning to Israel) and the U.S. as immigrants) all led successful the house, Goldie or I invariably open our Hebrew and the fellow commented that his accent is as bad as yours!” lives in the U.S., with fluency in English mouths to talk and the older kids are in his opinion, Americans’ Hebrew are As bad as mine? I was crushed. Even and children who thrived. I realized that mortified. They often beg us to “please almost always better than Israelis’ though I am proud of my ability to com- we have just as much reason to think we not talk” when such-and-such friend is in English. While I am not sure of that, I municate, my foreignness stands out will be successful, despite the difficulties our house, because it is “soooooooo told him that a primary reason it is easi- strongly and in a way that I am not even we still experience (I still can’t under- embarrassing,” which of course only er for us to become comfortable in cognizant of. Our accents are just terrible, stand my bank statement and have not serves to encourage me to talk even more Hebrew is the fact that we learn it from a the kids always say. And I don’t even hear balanced my checkbook in five years)— (you would think the kids would pick up young age. Aleph-bet is something we it. I know that my vocabulary is weak and we have every reason to believe that we on this, but they don’t seem to). start on in preschool. As such, we gain I know that I cannot get all the lilts of the too will fully integrate at some point. They constantly complain about how the building blocks at the best age for words or guttural letters, but I don’t con- We might always think in English and American we (their parents) sound. It real- language development. sciously hear the difference between communicate best in it, but eventually, ly hit me earlier this week. I was driving Israelis only begin to learn English in what I say and what they say. we can become so fluent and comfort- all over the country distributing copies of third or fourth grade. The delayed start And then I thought about all our grand- able in Hebrew that the difference no Koleinu (to see the latest issue, visit translates into weaker skills. Well, at least parents and neighbors, people who came longer matters to us. www.5tjt.com). With all the driving I do, I according to my theory. to America from other places and had a N NN have become quite comfortable in pick- I told them about Batya’s language con- foreign accent for all of their lives. I real- With Shavuot around the corner, I ing up hitchhikers, something I never cerns and that my prediction came ized that many of them probably had no look forward to celebrating with you in used to do. I was leaving Nof Ayalon (the through. One of the girls in that backseat idea that they had an accent or how Yerushalayim. I will be the overweight community of Yeshiva Shaalvim) and piped up, in English, that my Hebrew is strong it was. They may have known it Kohein with the salt and pepper hair— heading to Modiin, the next city over— not so terrible. We chatted for a minute intellectually, but I doubt that they actu- just ask for Shmu. I will be proud to help maybe a 10 minute drive. As I left Nof and I learned that she was also an olah ally heard a difference between the you bring your korbanot and to help (if Ayalon, I stopped at the bus stop and who came here when she was very sounds they made and the sounds every- selected) in the Korban Mussaf that day. picked up three hitchhikers, a 20-some- young. And then she made a comment one else made. Hope and pray that this is the last time I thing man and two teenage girls from the that just destroyed my pride. Upon reflection though, it is an have to write the next words, which I write too often . . . if by some strange occurrence we are still in galut, I wish you and your family a chag sameach! O

Shmuel Katz is the editor of Koleinu (www.koleinu.co.il), a new Israeli newspaper affiliated with the Five Towns Jewish Times. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can contact him at [email protected].

The Five Towns Jewish Times would like to wish a Mazel Tov to contributor Shmuel Katz and his wife Goldie on the celebration of their daughter Batya's bat mitzvah.

68 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES gle against the Jewish nation-state is part ly retired Shin Bet chief, Yuval Diskin. have yet to succeed, as of now. Tidbits From Israel of their collective Palestinian Arab iden- The security-service director apparently We must recognize the fact that this tity. They see nothing contradictory in told the American official that many is the reality that Israel is facing and not The Next Existential Challenge: benefiting from the fruits of the Land of Israeli Arabs “take their rights too far.” let the conflict with the Palestinian Israel’s Arabs Milk and Honey, while working towards Diskin noted with satisfaction, howev- Arabs distract us from this ever-increas- BY RON JAGER Israel’s destruction as a Jewish state. ing threat and challenge to Israel as the Israeli Arabs are increasingly electing home of the Jewish nation. We must Arab Israelis are trying to destroy the radical representatives, and their elites thwart their aims to destroy Israel, Jewish state, and there is no solution in are committed to the more radical ver- They see nothing albeit through democratic means. Yet, sight. They are unwilling to accept a solu- sion of the struggle against the Jewish we should not delude ourselves about tion that is less than what is perceived as state. In the political arena, the radicals contradictory in the nature of their struggle against the the Jewish nation-state’s suicide. We are are almost the only ones who are given benefiting from the Jewish nation. As Israel prepares for the dealing with a minority that is position- public expression and held in high Palestinian Arab onslaught this ing itself to supersede the Palestinian esteem as role models. The Israeli public, fruits of the Land of September at the United Nations, we Arabs in a complete rejection of the for the most part, are fed media-generat- must make it more difficult, if not Jewish state. ed messages by Israel’s Left, brainwash- Milk and Honey, while impossible, to enable Israeli Arabs to Israel and her supporters must pre- ing us to reconcile ourselves to this transform themselves into in-house pare to contend with a large minority of unavoidable outcome. A major result is working towards Israel’s agents of the Palestinian Arab struggle more than a million Arab citizens who that Israel affords its Arab citizens more destruction as a against Israel. O are fighting from the inside against freedom to sympathize with the enemy Israel’s Jewish, democratic character and than what is granted to any minority in Jewish state. Ron Jager is a 25-year veteran of the Israel identity. Even if a solution is found to any democratic state in the world. This Defense Forces, serving as a field mental-health officer. Prior to retiring in 2005, he served as the the conflict with the Arab world and must come to a stop, and now. commander of the central psychiatric military with the Palestinian Arabs, this will be The urgency of the matter has been clinic for reserve soldiers at Tel-Hashomer. Since retiring from active duty, he has been providing the next major conflict used by the glob- highlighted by the recent latest round of er, that despite the Israeli-Arab political consultancy services to NGOs, implementing al coalition of de-legitimization to WikiLeaks cables, which exposed a leadership’s attempts “to take the Israeli- psychological trauma treatment programs in Israel. Today, Ron serves as a strategic advisor to attack Israel. Israel’s Arabs are not inter- report by the U.S. ambassador in Israel Palestinian conflict in a new direction the Director of the Shomron Liaison Office. To ested in “the ’67 borders with land about his conversation with the recent- and give it a new ‘national color’” they contact him, e-mail [email protected]. swaps.” They are seeking no less than transforming Haifa, Lod, Ramla, and Beersheba into Arab cities. Israel’s Arabs are demanding a recog- nized status of their Palestinian Arab identity as a national minority, while eroding the State of Israel’s national Jewish identity to the point of annulling it. The Jewish nation-state is illegitimate in the eyes of the main camp within Israel’s Arab minority, even if a Palestinian Arab state is established alongside Israel. The strategy is to attack the Jewish establishment from the inside, using the democratic means of the state and of society, in the name of democracy, pluralism, and human rights. Their use of universal messages such as “a state of all its citizens” hides a whol- ly different purpose: An attempt to estab- lish a bi-national state on the ruins of the Jewish state that will gradually change its demographic balance by rejecting the Law of Return and adopting the right of return. After achieving this, they plan that the new demographic balance will dic- tate an Arab state. Despite the growing integration into Israel’s society and econ- omy, Israel’s Arabs are committed to undermining the Jewish state in its cur- rent form as the national homeland of the Jewish nation. Yet in all honesty we should ask our- selves, does their conduct seem any dif- ferent than that of other minorities worldwide? Israel’s Arabs are a special case. We are not dealing with just a majority and a minority, but rather a minority with the mentality of a majori- ty, vis-à-vis a Jewish majority with the mentality of a minority. Israeli Arabs are not holding on to their Israeli citizen- ship based on a desire to form a joint Israeli identity. For them, the joint iden- tity’s objective is to water down the state’s Jewish democratic identity. The determination not to lose their citizen- ship stems from the realization that no Arab regime will grant them the high standard of living and free lifestyle that they can maintain in Israel—thanks to the Jewish majority, a fact that always manages to elude them. This doctrine is especially prevalent among the younger and more educated Israeli Arabs who have adopted the belief that their strug- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 69

does justice—monstrosity? behemoth?) though, considering we were celebrating go up in flames was just too cool. the survival and rejuvenation of the Oral Winding Down Although, I’m still not so sure of the con- Torah and all . . . nection it has with the legendary Tanna N NN Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the 18th of YU’s representatives have been here The Year In Israel rate; but with an ounce of determination Iyar (if you tell me “ner neshamah,” why nonstop the past few weeks, dealing with B Y TALMID X and a healthy volume of calls and texts, it did we all stick hot dogs in it?), but it shiur placement and Hebrew-language shouldn’t be an issue. made for a fun motzaei Shabbos and a assessment exams. Registration for which It’s crazy. Absolutely crazy. I can hardly I remember how nervous I was last sick barbecue. classes and with which teachers became believe that I’ve already graduated from June about losing a whole bunch of spe- The local kids had been preparing their the hot topic around the dinner tables, high school, let alone nearly finished my cial bonds over the upcoming year. Now, Tower of Assorted Burnable Things since and I couldn’t help but listen in with sin- first year in Israel. Shavuos is approach- though, I know there’s nothing to fear, as sometime like Sukkos, and the finished cere interest. Most guys have no clue ing, summer camp’s on the not-so-distant long as I don’t slack off on maintaining product was certainly something to gape what they want to do with their lives, horizon, and slowly but surely more peo- some contact. However, I’m actually at. Particularly when one of the nearby other than something with job security, ple are actually starting to play basketball strongly considering creating a Facebook trees caught fire. (I’m serious. Don’t that honestly helps people, and doesn’t during break. It’s an emotional time, too, page (an urge I resisted throughout high worry, moms; we had a hose ready rela- take away too much time from learning as for many guys these are the last few school) when I get back, just to make the tively nearby, and no one was hurt.) One and future families. (The rest of the guys, weeks of learning with no real other of course, are excited to begin profes- responsibilities. sions as lawyers. I’m kidding. Relax. Not only does that mean that those of Please don’t sue . . . ). Personally, I’m not us fortunate enough to stay for Shanah Bet thinking about that yet—I’ve still got will be losing some newly developed close time—but that didn’t mean I wasn’t curi- friendships, but it also is a sober reminder The local kids had been preparing ous to check out some of the core that, before long, we’re all gonna have to requirements. I’m not looking forward to end this awesome “incubation” stage of their Tower of Assorted Burnable “Intro to Calculus,” that’s for sure. our existence and get on with the rest of N N N our lives. It makes you appreciate the free- I’d like to note how much better I dom and the ability to grow as a person, Things since sometime like Sukkos. understand my iyun shiur at this point of and it makes you savor the serenity and the year than I did at the beginning. My bliss of a quiet pre-summer evening sitting Hebrew skills have undoubtedly beneath a palm tree in Eretz Yisrael with improved (although I still sound like an open Rambam in hand . . . some sort of confused tourist when I try To backtrack a bit—about those newly whole ordeal that much more convenient. of our younger and more dynamic to speak it), and the clarity with which I developed close friendships. I don’t plan Lag B’Omer in yeshiva (and all of Israel, mashgichim spoke while we all sat grasp my rebbi’s style has increased mani- on discarding those, mind you. And if for that matter) was roughly a thousand around the great conflagration, and that fold. It’s not an easy shiur—I feel for next there’s one thing this year has helped times more intense than in America. Oh, was followed by kumzitz-style song and year’s new recruits and their imminent teach me, it’s that just because you might of course a part of me missed the annual dance. bafflement—but at least I’m glad to not get to physically see your best friends class outing to North Woodmere Park; The next day itself was nothing out of announce that it does get better as time all that much, that doesn’t mean the rela- who wouldn’t, after so many years? On the ordinary (we didn’t even go on a goes on. You just gotta stick through it tionships are doomed. Sure, if you don’t the other hand, watching a swimming- tiyul), which means we basically sat and and put in the effort (what else is new?). make an effort, they’ll quickly deterio- pool-sized wood entity (no other word learned all day. Seemed appropriate, N N N

70 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Shavuos this year kind of feels like a NNN bit of a downer. Naturally, we are all more By my reckoning, I should pen about capable learners than we were a couple of two more articles (I truly cannot get over months ago, and we definitely enjoy how fast this year’s gone by). I figure I’ll studying more now than back then as write one filled with some “Year in well; but there just seems to be so much Review” tips and thoughts on my impend- less intrigue in staying up all night to ing departure (maybe speak about Yom study. After a solid nine months of practi- Yerushalayim and Shavuos a little), and a cally pulling all-nighters anyhow, it’s hard final article addressing some of the key to wrap one’s head around the idea of aspects of my self-observed growth, matu- Shavuos being any different. Quite ration, and development over the past frankly, I’m not even sure I’ll stay up this year. Feel free to e-mail me particular year, considering it’ll really just unneces- requests for any topics you’d like me to sarily wreck the next day’s sedarim (not a bring up. Looking forward to ending this real concern in the high-school years, I year with a final strong push in the (hope- know; but now it actually seems counter- fully) right direction, and I hope you all productive). Don’t get me wrong, though; have a meaningful Shavuos! O I’m very much looking forward to the “Talmid X” graduated last year from a high school chag itself. I doubt I’ve ever been this in the Five Towns/Far Rockaway community and excited for it. But not because I think I’ll is enrolled in a well-known yeshiva in Israel for the 2010–2011 academic year. Comments and be acting particularly different on either questions for him are welcome at of the two days. [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 71 fied authority” following reunifi- PA’s security services, declined Shaath: cation of Gaza and the West Bank. comment, saying that he, as a sol- “We should proceed as soon as dier, does not feel comfortable in PA To Gain Control possible to exchange Shalit with discussing a “political” matter. as many Palestinian prisoners as Shaath also commented Over Shalit possible,” he continued. “In the regarding Palestinian security past we did not have authority prisoners in Israeli jails. The for- BY SAMUEL SOKOL over Shalit.” mer Palestinian Authority Prime Sources in Ramallah were Minister told IMRA that “it was Nabil Shaath, a member of quick to dismiss Shaath’s words. not by mistake that [Palestinian the Fatah Central Committee Palestinian spokesman Ghassan prisoners] were taken by the and close advisor to President Khatib denied that there are any Israeli authority and they are in Mahmoud Abbas, has called for plans to shift responsibility for Israeli jails and they have to be the Palestinian Authority to take guarding Shalit to PA security also freed. I’m not for the pris- over responsibility for holding forces, saying that he “doubt[s] oning [sic] of Shalit or for the captive IDF serviceman Gilad that Nabil Shaath would say that.” prisoning of any Palestinian Shalit, following the comple- Meanwhile, presidential political prisoner.” tion of reconciliation between spokesman Nabil Abu Rudaina “All political prisoners must the rival Palestinian factions. hung up on the Five Towns Jewish go, must be freed,” he demanded. In an interview with journalist Times when asked for clarification, Shaath continued, calling Aaron Lerner of IMRA, Shaath stat- ignoring several calls for com- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ed that Shalit’s captivity “should ment. By the same token, General plan to deport newly released be the responsibility of the uni- Adnan Damiri, spokesman for the security prisoners “ridiculous” and said that the PA “will not allow deportation again of Palestinians.” Aviva Shalit, Gilad’s mother, expressed little emotion over Shaath’s words. Speaking with the Five Towns Jewish Times, Shalit stated that “for the first year [of his captivity, he] was in the hands of Fatah and they did not do any- thing. Hamas took over after Gilad was captured.” Shalit called upon Fatah to “pressure Hamas to return Gilad.” The Israeli government has also expressed skepticism regarding Shaath’s words. “It seems odd that Shaath would take responsibility for holding Shalit and for the negotiation with Israel,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor. “I don’t think the PA has authorized him to take this responsibility on its behalf, and he’s speaking for himself on this. Otherwise, the internation- al community should demand that the PA arrange a Red Cross visit to Gilad Shalit, in accor- dance with international humanitarian law.” Neither Shaath, nor spokes- men for Hamas, responded to repeated calls for comment. The new unity government in Ramallah is expected to be announced on June 6. In a statement, Zionist Organization of America President Martin Klein criticized Shaath, saying that his “statement to IMRA illustrates clearly the direction the new Fatah/Hamas PA regime is taking.” “When Nabil Shaath foreshadows that the PA, once having come into authority over all Palestinians in Gaza, will not immediately free Shalit but, on the contrary, will use him as a bargaining chip, he tells the world that Fatah is no different from Hamas as a criminal, terrorist out- fit. This tells us that Fatah/Hamas/ PA, which in any case has never accepted Israel as a Jewish state, arrested terrorists, or ended incitement to hatred and murder against Israel, must be rigorously sanctioned and isolated. As a start, the U.S. must cease all funding to the PA at once.” O 72 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES French Connection

BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN It was in 1943. After more than three years of German control over France, the The latest marchers in the long Great Synagogue of Lyon continued to parade of horribles anxious to murder function. That December 10, however, the in the name of a religion of peace are Lyon Milice, the Vichy government’s two feckless young men, Ahmed shock troops, decided to put an end to Ferhani, 26, and Mohamed Mamdouh, Jewish worship in the city. 20, natives of Algeria and Morocco, The shul’s rabbi survived the war to respectively. They were arraigned last tell the tale, which is recorded in a book week in New York on charges of plotting about Klaus Barbie, the infamous to blow up synagogues. “Butcher of Lyon” (and the title, in fact, of

Armed with three hand grenades, he intended to lob them into the crowd of worshippers from behind.

Mamdouh, according to prosecutors, is the book, by Brendan Murphy on tape saying he hated Jews; and (Empire/Harper & Row, 1983). A member Ferhani, according to the complaint, of the Milice quietly entered the rear of planned among other things to use hand the sanctuary that Friday night during grenades; and relished the thought of services. Armed with three hand “pulling the pins and throwing them into grenades, he intended to lob them into the synagogue.” the crowd of worshippers from behind, That image—now, thankfully, con- and to escape before the explosions. fined to harmless words in court After silently opening the door and enter- papers—conjured in my mind a similar ing the room unnoticed by anyone but one, of another time, another synagogue, and other hand grenades. Continued on Page 74

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 73 French Connection in an inspirational speech but in a Continued from Page 73 well-researched history book, duly detailed and dated, well, it can’t help the rabbi (who stood facing the congrega- but draw our attention. Not as a “for- tion), he pulled the pins. tification of belief” but as special What he saw, though, at that cause for us already-believers to feel moment, grenades armed and the keener gratitude to the Creator for His crowd of Jewish men standing with kindness. their backs toward him, so shook him The story of the Lyon shul often vis- that he froze, wide-eyed and uncompre- its my mind on Friday nights in shul, as hending, for a crucial moment, manag- I myself turn to welcome Shabbos. Its ing only to toss the grenades a few feet ending is compelling reason to give before fleeing in shock. Several wor- thanks, even 68 years later, to the shippers were injured by shrapnel but Shomer Yisrael, the Guardian of the not one was killed. Jewish People. What had so flabbergasted the Nazi As is the nipping-in-the-bud of the was the sudden, unexpected sight of his plans of the North African terrorist intended victims’ faces, as the congrega- wannabes currently sitting in deten- tion, as if on cue, turned as one on its tion. (And, if their guilt is established, heels to face him. may they remain there for many years The would-be mass-murderer had to come.) entered the shul precisely at “bo’i No mortal can identify the special b’shalom,” the last stanza of Lecha Dodi, merit of the Lyon worshippers. when worshippers traditionally turn Maybe it was the fact that the city’s toward the door to welcome Shabbos. Jewish community had provided Talk about timing. sanctuary for Jewish refugees from I’m not a fan of happy-ending or other parts of France. Maybe it was just-deserts stories. So many of them the very fact of the synagogue stub- simply aren’t true or, at very least, are bornly continuing to hold services not definitively sourced or corroborat- during such trying times. Or some- ed. Even many of the most famous thing else, unknown. Or many things. tales may be fictions. (Stories don’t But merits there were. become more factual with repetition.) And no mortal can know where the What’s more, every story that doesn’t next plot against Jews is currently being seem to end happily or neatly testifies planned. What we can know, though, is no less loudly to G-d’s plan. that we have a Guardian. And that we Hashgachah, or Divine Providence, is must strive to merit His protection for every bit as operative in the missed the future. O plane that didn’t end up crashing as in the one that did. © 2011 Ami Magazine. Rabbi Shafran is an editor But when an account appears not at large and columnist for Ami Magazine.

74 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 75 SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED PROVIDED

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Boca Raton — 3BR, 3bth, Montoya Lawrence — Ours Alone!! Estate. Newly painted and carpeted, Brick, C/H COL, Stately brick, w/old very large kitchen, LR, and DR. world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 bths, Community pool. Kosher EIK, Lg. FDR, Library, Fin. Contact Alan 954-253-0399 Bsmt., Lg Prop., walk all. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — First show. LR, FDR, new EIK, 4BR, 2 new bths, finished Oceanside — Brand new construction. basement, cream puff condition, quiet Beautiful CH col. Large 4 BR (1 level), street, walk all, low taxes . . . . . $500's 2.5 bths, granite EIK, FDR, den with fp, 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 full bsmt, in cul-de-sac, walk all, best price ...... $675K 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Classified Ads are Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K Continued on the Next Page. Call 516-322-3555 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 77 REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL REAL FOR SALE FOR SALE ESTATE FOR RENT FOR RENT

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78 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FOR RENT MISCELLANEOUS

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 79

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS porary Judaic texts provided the students Continued from Page 64 with a newfound appreciation for the rel- Solution To Previous 5TJT Puzzle: evance and insight found in the Jewish March Of the Living tradition and how the wisdom that is On May 2, thousands of Jewish teens contained in Judaism transcends any age Around J-Town from around the world shared in a once- or location and can impact and empower in-a-lifetime experience as they marched almost any individual. three kilometers from Auschwitz to With the information gained from Birkenau to commemorate Yom JSI–Gesher, Rebecca Grossman, a MOTL HaShoah. These teens were part of the participant and junior at the Hebrew March of the Living (MOTL), a two-week Academy of Nassau County (HANC), international educational program that expressed her thoughts on the MOTL, “JSI brings teens to Poland each year to tour taught me a lot about Judaic texts that I the concentration camps and then to never learned in school and helped me Israel to observe Yom HaZikaron and Yom understand the Holocaust in a new way. HaAtzmaut. Among this year’s partici- When I saw the concentration camps pants, a bus of public school and yeshiva with my own eyes, I understood how day school students from New York, New much more I have to learn.” Jersey, California, Nevada, Utah, and The following are the powerful, lasting Arizona marched with pride and paid feelings and thoughts of a few of the homage to the Jews that perished in the MOTL participants: Holocaust. Rivka Carl, an NCSY program chaper- As part of their preparation for the one, commented, “From the moment the March of the Living, students from the trip landed in Poland, the only thought New York area took a course taught by on one’s mind was deportation, destruc- the associate director of New York NCSY’s tion, and death. However, the first stop JSI–Gesher, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, was a visit to the Ronald S. Lauder Jewish which focused on Chassidus and mysti- School in Warsaw.” Carl said, “There, the cism. Through JSI–Gesher the students teens saw the potential for a Jewish earned college credits from Long Island future in Europe, a glimpse of Jewish life, University’s CW Post Campus, learned Jewish continuity, and tradition.” about the history of European Jewry, and Raquel Plaut, a MOTL participant and familiarized themselves with the cities senior at Yeshiva University High School and sites they would be seeing in Poland. for Girls (Central) wrote in her journal, “In In addition, Rabbi Bashevkin intro- Auschwitz, I wrapped my Israeli flag duced the students to passages from pro- around me. Thousands of people had lific European rabbis, texts from the Israeli flags just like mine. It was the most Galileo Affair, Malcolm Gladwell’s incredible feeling to see 10,000 blue and approach to success, and the Harvard white marchers commemorating the six Business Review. This combined study of Puzzle appeared on page 86 of the May 27 issue. Jewish history, philosophy, and contem- Continued on Page 87

80 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5TJT Puzzle: Children’s Books

BY YONI GLATT

Solution to appear next week.

Across Down 1. Fleeting fashions 1. Vampire tooth 5. Russian ruler 2. Declare 9. ___ off (started) 3. Jumped in 13. Swear 4. Adds sugar 14. Taking out the garbage, e.g. 5. Lowly criminal 15. Demolish 6. Devorah is known for one 16. Actress Campbell 7. Some curved paths 17. ___back 8. Puts up again 18. Land measurement 9. General manager, at some deadlines 19. Children’s book about a treif 10. ___ to his own breakfast? 11. Return prophet 22. Grand ___ino 12. Judge 23. Was 14. Comedian Oteri 24. Children’s book for Tu B’Shvat? 20. Not happening 31. African charger 21. It’s needed for a swoosh 32. Summer treat 24. Item 33. Division of the Library of Congress 25. Knowledgeable about 35. Bites 26. Da ___ 36. Nada 27. Cake topper 37. 406, to the Romans 28. Survivor: Marquesas runner-up 38. Black or red crawler 29. ______an era 39. Adolescent woe 30. Pertaining to a Lord of The Rings race 40. Modify 31. Genetics letters 41. Children’s book occasionally read on 34. Title for Newton Saturday night? 37. Garb 45. Wager 39. An old TV probably has one 46. Partake in a siyum 40. Torah length 47. Children’s book close to chatzos? 42. Heeded 56. Like Kever Rachel 43. Marina __ Rey 57. Vow 44. Tropical freshwater fish 58. Inactive 47. Make like some turkeys the day 59. Domed building before Thanksgiving 60. Nigerian currency 48. Last word of The Shawshank 61. Zilch Redemption 62. Garden woe 49. or ___! 63. Choral voice 50. Young meat? 64. Wife of Agassi 51. Correct 52. Black emperor? 53. Smell 54. Arm bone 55. Australia has a great one

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 81 Agudath Israel Dinner Spotlights US-Israel Relations, Celebrates TAP Legislative Victory

BY BORUCH SHUBERT the three tiered dais that greeted guests as unprecedented attempt in certain cities to declared. “Thinking Jews have come to they walked into the dining hall. turn the right to perform bris milah into a respect what we stand for.” On Sunday, May 29, the New York In his opening remarks, dinner chair- political issue, and the Conservative move- The evening’s focus turned to the orga- Hilton played host to multitudes of man Avi Weinstock noted that achdus ment’s latest efforts to “inject their own nization’s advocacy activities in the halls Orthodox Jews of diverse backgrounds as (unity) can change history for either bet- interpretation of kashrus into the realm of of power as Rabbi Yehiel Kalish, Agudath they—along with government officials ter or worse. Agudath Israel, he said, cre- established kosher supervision.” He then Israel’s national director of government and rabbinic leaders—showed their sup- ates an achdus within Klal Yisrael, and extended this “anxiety” to encompass the affairs, elaborated on Agudath Israel’s port for Agudath Israel of America at its conducts its activities solely under the actions of the Orthodox community itself, close relationship with elected officials 89th annual dinner. Among the many direction of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah emphasizing that “the vulgarity of the out- across the United States. issues that were spotlighted, two com- to ensure that this achdus will have a pos- side world has invaded our lives” through Following a video presentation which manded special attention—the concern itive outcome on society. He then intro- website discussions that “demean talmidei depicted the persistent—and ultimately over perceived United States government duced Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, rosh Agudath chachamim” and acts of blatant chilul successful—efforts by a range of commu- pressure on Israel and the recently passed Israel, the Novominsker Rebbe, shlita. Hashem. The Rebbe asserted that “allow- nal activists to ensure the passage of TAP New York State legislation authorizing Expressing the anxiety that all Jews feel ing Torah to permeate our lives” is essen- legislation, Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Tuition Assistance Program payments to for their brethren in Eretz Yisrael who are tial to keeping the frum world shielded Agudath Israel’s vice president for commu- needy students at rabbinical colleges. threatened by their neighboring enemies, from such harmful influences. nity affairs, joined Rabbi Kalish to pay trib- Even before the program began, it was Rabbi Perlow stated that, “We hope the Responding to critics of Agudath ute to New York State Senate Majority obvious that this was an Agudath Israel powers that be will be sensitive to the land’s Israel’s stances on various issues, Rabbi Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker dinner. Senior roshei yeshiva, rabbanim, history and particular need for protection.” Perlow stated that the Moetzes Gedolei Sheldon Silver for the key roles they played and admorim from a broad cross-section Shifting his concern to the current HaTorah devotes extensive time to delib- in getting the legislation approved. of Klal Yisrael—including members of American scene, the Rebbe noted the erate on each issue before issuing its Noting that the Tuition Assistance the Moetzes Gedolei haTorah and the Orthodox community’s apprehension opinions.“ We are not swayed by the man Program can potentially award up to Nesius of Agudas Yisroel—were seated on regarding such developments as an on the blog or the man on the street,” he $5,000 of tuition payment to a rabbinical

Tribute to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Rabbi Dovid Oberlander received the Moreinu Yaakov Rosenheim Memorial Award.

82 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION Rabbi Aaron Kotler received the HaGaon Rav Aharon Kotler Memorial Award. Menachem M. Shayovich received the Rabbi Moshe Sherer Memorial Award. student for an academic year, Senator had one question to him in response— to our moral values,” Rabbi Zwiebel ques- Jewish community. These included the Skelos stated that, “Agudath Israel “How many members does your organiza- tioned, “does anyone believe that there is Moreinu Yaakov Rosenheim Memorial worked for years on this legislation. This tion have?” This, said Rabbi Zwiebel, less of a need for Agudas Yisroel today than Award, which was presented to Mr. Dovid is a shining example of how years of per- demonstrates the power that an organized there was 99 years ago when the gedolim Oberlander, director of Mosdos Pupa, who severance can finally bear fruit.” koach harabim can have in advocating for founded it in Katovice?” has overseen the expansion of the Pupa In his comments, Speaker Silver point- the interests of the community. “When we Rabbi Zwiebel went on to preside over educational system beyond its base in ed out that 40 years ago—when New York are faced with an array of challenging the presentation of the evening’s major State instituted TAP for students in secu- issues—threats to bris milah, to shechitah, awards for outstanding service to the Continued on Page 84 lar advanced schools—the government was affirming that every student has a right to higher education. “This year,” Silver emphasized, “the state said that stu- dents of advanced religious studies are just as entitled to obtain tuition assis- tance as their secular counterparts.” In keeping with the theme of govern- ment-related activity, the large crowd was further addressed by Congressman Anthony Wiener, who delineated his record of sup- port for a number of crucial concerns to the Orthodox community, including Homeland Security funding for religious institutions, the ongoing efforts for justice for Sholom Rubashkin and Jonathan Pollard, and the desire of the Israeli government to proceed in peace negotiations without undue out- side pressure. Senator Charles Schumer expressed everyone’s pride in the recent successful effort by the United States Navy SEALS and the intelligence community to assassinate the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. Shifting gears, he then referred to a recent speech on the Middle East by President Obama, and avowed that “No one should set any preconditions on the boundaries that Israel and the Palestinians will negotiate over” in future peace talks. “Our job as Jews and Americans,” Schumer went on, “is to tell the world that there is no peace due to Arab intransigence, and that the United States and Israel are bound together firmly.” In a special tribute to Avrohom Lubinsky for his pioneering efforts as Chairman of the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeisim, a dramatic video revealed how—in response to the shocking dis- covery of widespread vandalism and esca- lating physical attacks by Arab youth at the ancient cemetery in Yerushalayim— the honoree ensured the initiation of such countermeasures as security cam- eras, a notable police presence, and repairs of broken gravestones. Following an award presentation to Mr. Lubinsky, Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel, addressed the audience. The Agudah leader reminisced how, many years ago, after he had testified in detail to Congress on the importance of government aid to yeshivas, a senator only 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION June 3, 2011 83 Agudath Israel Dinner Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin, Agudath Continued from Page 83 Israel’s executive vice president for finance and administration, presided Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and has also over a tribute to a group of individuals worked to significantly benefit the entire who were presented the organization’s yeshiva community; the Reb Elimelech avodas hakodesh award for their tireless Tress Memorial Award, given to Frank efforts on behalf of Klal Yisrael. Mandel in memory of his father Armin Describing how the awardees “give of Mandel, a’h, who was chiefly responsible themselves so much for the sake of the for building the infrastructure of yeshivas tzibur,” Rabbi Gertzulin urged those in and mosdos in Los Angeles in the mid-20th attendance to “think of what you can do century; and the HaGaon Rav Aharon Kotler to make our world better.” Memorial Award, presented to the venerat- He then introduced a video that vividly ed gadol’s grandson, Rabbi Aaron Kotler, depicted the unique communal activities who—in his role as administrative head of of each honoree. These included Eliyahu Beth Medrash Gevoha in Lakewood, New Neiman, a leader of Pirchei Agudath Israel; Jersey—has enabled both the yeshiva and Shea Rubenstein, who serves the burgeon- the greater Orthodox communities of the ing Orthodox community of Brooklyn’s state to achieve impressive levels of growth Marine Park through leading its Jewish and government recognition. Community Council; Naftali Tepfer, who The last of the major awards was the has helped create the new Kollel of Rabbi Moshe Sherer Memorial Award, Willowbrook in Staten Island and culti- conferred upon Menachem M. Shayovich, vated an increase in local adult shiurim; who—as chairman of Agudath Israel’s Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, director of the commission on legislation and civic chevrah kadisha of the Vaad Harabbanim action, and special assistant to former of Queens, who toils ceaselessly to ensure New York Governor Hugh Carey—worked kovod hames; and Yoily Edelstein, who closely with Rabbi Sherer to address criti- received the Wolf Friedman Memorial cal needs of the klal. Award, which recognizes young leader- After accepting the honor, Mr. ship, for his effective activism for Agudath Shayovich offered some appropriately Israel in the Five Towns. meaningful thoughts. “The creation of the As the evening came to a conclu- world is Hashem’s ultimate act,” he mused, sion, the excited discussions among “yet—in our daily tefillos—we place our the departing attendees—and the gen- focus on yetzias Mitzrayim. The reason is eral atmosphere of optimism—indicat- because Chazal tell us this was Klal Yisroel’s ed that the event had clearly galva- salvation, and we have to give constant nized everyone present with a spirit of hakaras hatov to Hashem for His favors to achdus and a renewed desire to further us. Similarly, I give hakaras hatov to my Agudath Israel’s goals of being mentor, Rabbi Sherer, z’l, who personified mekadesh sheim Shamayim barabbim kiddush Hashem and devotion to the klal.” on a daily basis. O

84 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION

News From The Hills

B Y CHANITA TEITZ

I am writing this column before Yom Yerushalayim and I still vividly remem- ber the Six Day War. It’s one of those major world events when we never for- get where we were, and what we were doing when we heard of the event. The Six Day War broke out on a Monday and we heard the news in school. We were all worried and frightened because intelligence reports warned of high casualties and Prime Minister Levi Eshkol was concerned how and where all the victims would be buried. Prior to the outbreak of the war, the constant threats from Nasser of Egypt that they would throw the Jews into the sea was a threat not to be ignored. We said Tehillim and everyone contributed to numerous appeals to send needed funds to help the war effort. As the Israelis quickly massacred the Egyptian air force and disabled planes on the ground, the Egyptian soldiers ran in fear from the Jewish Goliath. By the third day, we heard that Yerushalayim was in our hands. What unbelievable euphoria, reaching its height when the war ended on the sixth day. I couldn’t believe it. Wars usually lasted years! Over 25 years ago, we were in Israel for the summer with our children, and we took a tour of the Old City and walked the “ramparts,” the top of the wall that surrounds the Old City. I point- ed out the notches in the stones, meant for soldiers to be able to aim at the street below and shoot the enemy. I asked my children to think who had the better position, soldiers above, protect- ed by the wall, or soldiers in the street below, trying to get into the Old City through the heavy iron gates? Certainly, the higher position was superior. But the Jordanian soldiers who held it couldn’t hold back the Israeli soldiers on foot and in tanks who broke through the gates and fought their way, street by street, all the way to the Kotel. Yerushalayim Shel Zahav and Sharm El Sheikh were the songs of the day and we sang them with pride. Slowly, build- ing began in East Jerusalem. Ramat Eshkol was the first neighborhood built after the war and was named for the Prime Minister. Do the young, American kollel couples who have settled there in the past ten years know the significance of the street names? Maavar Hamitla— the Mitla Pass—was a strategic corridor between Israel and Jordan in “no man’s land.” Fierce fighting took place on Givat Hatachmoshet—Ammunition Hill—and Mishmar HaG’vul lets you know exactly how close the border was with Jordan. Hevron, Bais Lechem, Kiryat Arba, Efrat. Our kids and grandchildren take these cities for granted, but we remember when we went to the Mearas Hamachpela and to Kever Rochel for the first time. It is appropriate that Yom Yerushalayim falls out right before Shavuos, so while we thank Hashem for Matan Torah, we can also thank Hashem for the miracles He did for Klal Yisrael, “Bayamim haheim,” in those days (in our days), at this time.

Continued on Page 89 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION June 3, 2011 85 man, she becomes a sotah, forbidden to Even this she can do only because G-d live with her husband unless she agrees has “set her up” to it by His “jealousy.” In to be tested with the “bitter waters.” The the case of the sotah, simply secluding woman is warned that if she has indeed herself with another man does not make committed adultery, the “bitter waters” her a “wayward wife”—unless such seclu- will kill her; if, however, she has not actu- sion has been preceded by a warning ally been unfaithful, the drinking of these from her husband. In other words, it is waters exonerates her completely. In fact, the husband’s “jealousy” which makes the Torah promises that, having subjected her act a betrayal, not the act in and of From The Chassidic Masters herself to this ordeal, her marriage will itself. By the same token, a soul’s “hiding now be even more rewarding and fruitful herself” from G-d is possible only because than before her “going astray.” G-d has allowed for this possibility by The Hiding Wife As applied to the marriage between G-d proclaiming, “Do not have any other gods and His people: before Me,” thereby giving credence to The Prophets speak of the bond tery, but rather one whose behavior Israel can never truly betray her G-d; at the illusion that there can be anything between G-d and Israel as a marriage, and makes her suspected of having done so. worst, she can only be like a sotah, a wife other. Were it not for this Divine con- of Israel’s sins as a wife’s betrayal of her Her faithfulness to her husband must whose behavior gives the appearance of trivance, sin—that is, a denial of the husband. Following this model, the Sages therefore be established before the mar- unfaithfulness and causes a temporary rift Divine reality—would not be possible. of the Talmud see the sotah—the “way- riage relationship can be resumed. between herself and her husband. The To continue the analogy: When the ward wife” discussed in Parashas Naso— A woman becomes a sotah through a process began at Mount Sinai, when G-d, Jewish people act as a sotah, they are test- as the prototype of all transgression two-stage process: “jealousy” (kinui) and like a “jealous” husband, warned: “Do not ed with the bitter waters of galus (thus: against the Divine will. The Chassidic “hiding” (setirah). The first stage occurs have any other gods before Me.” But no “Because of our sins we were exiled from masters further investigate this proto- when a husband suspects his wife of an matter how far the Jewish soul strays, she our land”). Indeed, two thousand years of type, finding in the particulars of the laws improper relationship with another man never truly gives herself to these “other exile have proven that, despite all appear- of sotah insight into the deeper signifi- and warns her, before two witnesses, not gods”; she is only “hiding” from G-d, ances, the Jewish soul is inseparable from cance of transgression. to be alone with that individual. If the indulging the illusion that there exists a her G-d. The Jew may be persecuted for The sotah is not a woman who is woman disregards this warning and pro- dimension of reality that is outside of G-d’s centuries, may assimilate for generations, known to have actually committed adul- ceeds to seclude herself with the other all-pervading presence and providence. but ultimately there comes a moment of truth, a moment which lays bare the question of who and what we are stripped of all distortion and self-delu- sion, and our innate faithfulness to G-d comes to light. And like the bitter waters of the sotah, galus is more than just a test. It is a “descent for the sake of ascent,” a crisis in the marriage which ultimately deepens and enhances it by unearthing deep wells of loyalty and commitment which remain untapped in an unchallenged relationship. The trials of galus call forth the quintessential powers of the Jewish soul, intensifying the bond between G-d and His people. O

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com via Chabad.org. Find more Torah articles for the whole family at www.chabad.org/parshah.

Please daven for a refuah sheleimah for the following:

Naftoli Yitzchok ben Malka Mirel Menachem Mendel ben Esther Shimon Fishel ben Chana Binyomin Zev HaKohen ben Sharrone Rivka Devora Rivka bas Leah Henna Chaya Gittel bas Recha Devora Rochel Leah bas Serel Aidel Ruchama Chava Baila bas Chaya

B'soch Sheor Cholei Yisroel

86 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS mega-speakers are competing for attention of authentic Judaism. testimony well. Continued from Page 80 with over 300 super-charged voices, This entire weekend, organized and run I feel privileged to have been there to singing the songs I grew up with, singing by educators who understand education, see this, to experience this; to know million Jewish souls lost in the the songs I sung throughout my years in has been a study in organizational efficien- that it exists is a comfort and I have Holocaust.” camp and yeshiva, but singing them with a cy and excellence. There is a sense of been changed as a result of my time Michelle Weisblum, another MOTL heart and a feeling and an energy that I focus, a direction of intent, that is so clear- there, as well. participant and junior at Central, said, have never seen in any of those places. ly defined, so finely tuned, that watching Yaakov Gold was the licensed EMT at “The March changed my life forever. After These are not yeshiva boys and girls, the program unfold, one feels the appreci- New York NCSY’s spring regional walking through the camps, I had a feel- yet there is a spirituality shining on their ation usually reserved for watching skilled Shabbaton in Camp Romimu, which was ing of strength knowing that the Jews sur- faces, there is a fervor in their voices, and craftsmen or artisans at work. held from May 27–May 30. Gold, a vived the Holocaust. If we survived the for one extraordinary evening, these kids Every word spoken, every speech Brooklyn native, was introduced to NCSY camps, we can survive anything. This was are not merely connecting with each given, every smile, every handshake, just days ago and wrote his powerful, elo- the best experience of my life and I thank other like never before. Right now, it is every game, every activity was created quent recount of the Shabbaton on his everyone who made it possible.” easy to believe that the purity of these with the same goal in mind—and like a Blackberry just seconds after Shabbos The overall reaction to this year’s young souls is supporting the entire passerby who sees a group of people star- ended. He commented, “Right after MOTL was powerful and the feedback world. The world rests, we are taught, on ing intently in one direction, one is com- Havdalah I had tears in my eyes. I had was positive. The March of the Living, on three things: on Torah, on avodah, and on pelled to follow their gaze. never experienced anything like this Yom HaShoah, proved to both the partici- gemilus chasadim. It would have been an That’s the feeling of an NCSY Shabbos in my life. I had to write it all pants and the world that the Nazis had economy of words to simply say, “The Shabbaton. You are awed by the artistry down so that I could remember every failed and the Jewish people, and Jewish world is supported by NCSY Shabbatons.” of Judaism being reduced (and elevated) detail better tomorrow.” spirit, would not and could not be This entire weekend has been an extraor- to its purest, most basic form—and then NCSY is the International Youth destroyed. Rabbi Bashevkin commented, dinary showcase of these three middos. transmitted with efficiency and passion Movement of the Orthodox Union. For “The combination of the educational por- Candlelight flickers on two groups of by a staff of educators who are masters of more information, call 516-569-6279 or e- tion of JSI–Gesher and the MOTL pro- kids, on either side of a dividing row of their craft. mail [email protected]. O gram proved to have a lasting and impact- benches, concentric rings of girls and sep- Then, there are the faces. The faces tell ful affect on all of the teens. I would rec- arate rings of boys are linked, arm-in-arm, a story that no words ever can. I won’t ommend these programs to all teens and swaying to the rhythm of the song. even try to describe it. To do so would be interested in broadening their under- Verses from Tehillim, Hallel, and tefillah to taint the purity of the experience. You Become a Facebook fan of standing of Judaism and specifically the are passing their lips as the band transi- simply must see them for yourself. In the 5 Towns Jewish Times. Holocaust.” O tions from song to song. middle of zemiros or bentching, during Love cannot be faked, and the sponta- Havdalah, these faces tell the story of a Receive daily messages At An NCSY Shabbaton, neous expressions of love, the tears, the little spark, and how it has somehow with news, events, deals, It’s Easy To Believe smiles, the hugs, and the intense singing managed to survive the very worst that By Yaakov Gold are as genuine and honest as anything history has thrown at it. and more! The room is shaking, but it’s shak- I’ve ever experienced as a religious Jew. NCSY cradles that spark, in cupped car- Participate in discussions ing in the best kind of way. I am expe- Tonight I am seeing Yiddishkeit in its ing hands, and gently blows and wills it riencing the way Shabbos ends at an purest form. There is no room for politics to life. The spark glows into an ember. and contests. NCSY Shabbaton—and never have I here; there is no place for posturing. It’s The ember flares, and soon flames are facebook.com/ seen the Shabbos Malkah receive a all about these kids; it’s all about tighten- burning brightly. The many advisors I more royal sendoff. ing the tie that binds us all. This entire met who were themselves the product of 5TownsJewishTimes The band is playing loudly, but even the weekend in fact, has been a celebration NCSY’s transformative process, bear that

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION June 3, 2011 87 Community Supports Learning Centers Queens Eiruv Expands Photos By Ira Thomas Creations

Rabbi Yaakov Bender, rosh yeshiva of Darchei Torah, addressing supporters of the yeshiva’s Rabenstein Learning Center and the Weiss Vocational Program at their annual breakfast.

The Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a member of the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, welcomed the extension of the eiruv joining the neighborhoods of Hillcrest, Kew Gardens Hills, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, and Holliswood with the Rehabilitation Center. Queens Borough Aron Solomon and Rabbi Zechariah President Helen Marshall joined community rabbis with a proclamation Wallerstein, director of Ohr Naava, who Chaim Schulhof (right) with celebrating this milestone which allows families to spend Shabbos together was the guest speaker at the breakfast. Menash Oratz. with their loved ones.

88 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION

News From The Hills Continued from Page 85 Upcoming Events This Shabbos, Parashas Naso, has been designated as a special community Shabbos in support of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. A breakfast on behalf of the yeshi- va will be held on Sunday, June 5 at 8:45 a.m. at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, 150-05 70th Rd. Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld will address the gathering. This Shabbos, Emunah is having a shiur for women on June 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Rabbi Shapiro’s shul, Main St. and 75th Avenue, Kew Gardens Hills. Mr. Aaron Kinderlerer will be speaking. The shiur is spon- sored by Mrs. Chaya Brandwein in memory of her dear husband, Arthur Brandwein. Avigdor’s Helping Hand, established in memory of Avigdor Glaser, is having its annual pre-Shavuos bake sale on Sunday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Dr. Ari and Alyson Walfish, 138-14 78th Drive, Kew Gardens Hills. In addition, on Monday, June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. the bake sale will be held in Cedarhurst at the home of Uri and Devorah Dreifus, 303 Buckingham Road. AHH helps families who have lost their pri- mary breadwinner, giving need- ed chizuk and financial sup- port. All work is done through volunteers. To date, they have given out $2,000,000 for almanos and yesomim. Come and check out the array of cakes and other delectable treats to enhance your yom tov meals. What a delicious way to give support to this worthy chesed. Tizku l’mitzvos! Queens JEP Testimonial Breakfast will be held on Sunday, June 19 at 9:00 a.m. at the Young Israel of Hillcrest, 169- 07 Jewel Avenue, Hillcrest. This Sunday, June 5 at the Salute to Israel Parade, the New York Boy’s Choir will be per- forming. Mordechai Weiss and Dovid Moskowitz of Kew Gardens Hills are two of the fea- tured soloists.

We Have A Winner! Last week, I asked the sev- enth grade girls of Bais Yaakov of Queens, who recently went on their class trip to Philadelphia, to e-mil me the inscription on the Liberty Bell, and I offered a prize to the first girl who would respond correctly. The winner is Devora Schwartz of Kew Gardens Hills. Devora has won a gift certificate to Max and Mina’s on Main Street. Great job, Devora! O

Chanita Teitz is a real-estate broker at Astor Brokerage with offices in Kew Gardens Hills and Fresh Meadows. For all your real-estate needs in Queens, call 718-263-4500 or e-mail [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 89 90 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 3, 2011 91 92 June 3, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES