The 5 Towns Jewish Times

$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 6 NO. 47 1 ELUL 5766 ohypua ,arp AUGUST 25, 2006

INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK SUCCESS ON THE LAWN Save The Pickles BY LARRY GORDON Hannah Reich Berman 24 MindBiz Esther Mann, LMSW 26 Israel’s PR Problem The Digital Sage It was a nice shot, the shot Josh Justic 30 from King David’s sling that took down Goliath on those The Doctor Is In ancient battlefields not too far David Rosenberg, MD 32 from Jerusalem all those years ago. Is it possible, however, Photo Prose that ever since that sharp- Gary Rabenko 47 The Yeshiva of South Shore Concert on the Lawn took place this past shooting effort of the then- Tuesday evening, captivating a sold-out crowd with its outstanding musical unsung hero of the Jewish entertainment. The concert, held at the home of Mayer and Elaine Blisko in people, David HaMelech, it’s Lawrence, was a benefit for the Heller Learning Center at the yeshiva. been all downhill in the pub- Pictured (L–R): Rabbi Dovid Kramer, executive director; Shimon Craimer, Kofi Annan shakes hands with concert co-star; special guest star, Ohad; Mr. Blisko; Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hasan Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky; and songwriter Yossi Green. Nasrallah, June 20, 2000. Continued on Page 5 See More Photos, Page 49 Letters to the Editor HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE

Dear Editor, Jewish Observer (published by Summer Bash! What a coincidence that Agudath Israel). Wagschall–Krieger the Five Towns Jewish Times Your experience with a Wedding. wrote about the tuition $150 tuition reduction is not BY LARRY GORDON or Labor Day, without Sy See Page 54 problem the same week as typical. Syms letting me know that it’s Mishpacha Magazine. The Bais Yaakov schools, For many years, there was the day on which his great The tuition problem has and many other yeshivas, are the annual rite of the Syms Bash comes to a conclusion? I been around for over 100 more lenient than that. Labor Day Bash. This was don’t live for the Syms Bash, years. Rabbi Jacob Joseph, Yes, there are those who much more than a simple sale but I have to admit that it has chief rabbi of New York City, lie and cheat the yeshivas as on clothing, shoes, belts, and been a watershed moment on wanted to institute a “kosher far as tuition goes. Having ties. It was an awesome the annual calendar. tax” on kosher meat to help pay served on the tuition com- undertaking—positively a reli- After all, why would we go for education. This was written gious experience. Now that there, if not to properly pre- up about 20 years ago in the Continued on Page 8 the Bash has already taken pare ourselves for a better and place mid-summer, how will I know that it’s Chodesh Elul, Continued on Page 10

Long Beach honorees Bernie An AVNET Grand Slam and Shellie Neumark. Homecomings See Page 42 WITH APOLOGIES Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 17 TO MEL GIBSON BY SHMUEL KATZ

We had a really difficult BY RABBI week. ANSCHELLE PERL It began well. Chaim (our oldest) finally joined us last The recent Mel Gibson week on Monday. He had story and the hurtful state- spent six weeks at Camp Ma- ments he made about the Na-Vu while the rest of us Jewish people have made me were busy acclimating to our think that I do not agree with new country, language, and exacting vengeance. Chabad Hebrew School. lives. With not much for him Vengeance hinders all of See Page 38 to do here, we felt that a sum- mankind from pursuing an mer in familiar surroundings approach that can actually would be good for him. make our world a better, CANDLE LIGHTING Yosef Wildes, a camper at HALB’s Avnet Country Day School, He was nervous about com- kinder place. Aug. 25 – 7:20 PM demonstrating his championship swing at a recent Avnet softball game. ing. Being in America and Mr. Gibson, you have my Sept. 1 – 7:09 PM The campers at Avnet all enjoyed a fantastic 2006 summer season. See More Photos, Page 55 Continued on Page 15 Continued on Page 8 2 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 3 4 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR dreds of millions? There’s got the mark when it comes to different messages? I believe mandate to fulfill the true Continued from Front Cover to be something off the our PR apparatus? We have that the first idea that Israeli Jewish modern-day destiny— charts about the math or people who can contribute leaders need to dispense with to dismantle the State of lic-relations realm for us? something wacky in our pub- millions and billions to Jewish is the notion promoted by Israel and distribute the land Somehow the little, tiny, lic-relations department. institutions and the support of many Arab leaders, which has to whichever Arab potentate geographically microscopic And that’s exactly what Jewish life, but for some rea- Israelis filled with guilt over has staked a claim to it. Am I state of Israel has managed to I’ve heard and am still hear- son we cannot get them to pay living in a country that, over reading this wrong, or have either turn herself—or worse, ing about Israel. It seems a first-class PR firm to assist the years, an increasing num- things turned around and now view herself—as the new that wherever you go or the State of Israel in getting ber of Israelis feel was unjust- instead of Jews in the Goliath, with the rest of the whomever you discuss this out its message. ly taken from the Arabs and Diaspora yearning for Israel, overwhelmingly large and with, you always hear the And let’s say we do figure should be returned to them. Israel is now yearning for a hostile world now seen as the same thing—that Israel has out a way to communicate Israel doesn’t need leaders new Disapora? Over the last new and vastly outmatched terrible public relations. effectively; what exactly is the like Ehud Olmert, Amir several months, many of us underdog that was once Is it possible that the message, anyway? Or is the Peretz, or Shimon Peres to say have witnessed the raving young David. How can we get Jewish people, so competent problem that the message one thing but in their hearts the momentum of the world in so many areas, are so far off would in fact be a hundred believe they’ve been given a Continued on Page 6 to come to a screeching halt, and have everyone take a closer look at the map, to ponder and realize how small Israel really is and how large the Arab/Muslim countries that surround her are? And then somehow get others to consider the question of what these people want from this little country that for many is impossible to see on a globe or a map without wearing reading glasses? What kind of country, oppressor, or men- ace can it possibly be if you just can’t find it on the map unless someone else points out its location? How did this Jewish minority manage to develop and cultivate this image of the domination and oppres- sion of people who surround and outnumber us by hun-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 5 FROM THE EDITOR Nasrallah has gotten in the way. claims to the land. No one has a prob- So what message can effectively lem with the Arab claim that G-d Continued from Page 5 counter this onslaught that has Israel wants them to have the land—but a lunatics of Neturei Karta haranguing presently in the throes of such down- Jewish claim to the land? Come on, P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 against the state of Israel, even joining hill momentum? Can official Israel let’s get serious. That’s even acceptable 516-984-0079 [email protected] their Arab compatriots in prayer now reverse course, and proclaim at face value for them, but we know [email protected] beseeching Allah to bring the violent that they are staying put, not moving better than that, don’t we? LARRY GORDON destruction of the State of Israel. and not negotiating anymore because So what of this notion of the Publisher/Editor I never thought I’d have to write this is the land promised by G-d to Promised Land and the Chosen ESTA J. GORDON these words, but how far in fundamen- the Jewish people? Well, many People, the Western Wall, and the Managing Editor talist reality is the Neturei Karta posi- Christians believe that, and my sense Holy Temple—not to mention all the YOSSI GORDON tion from that of the new Left in is that many Muslims know that is other holy places throughout Israel? Director of Sales Israel, which includes former hawks CHANA ROCHEL ROSS like Olmert and other ex-men of the Editorial Assistant Likud party? Working toward the ful- SIDI BARON, YAKOV SERLE, JERRY MARKOVITZ Sales Representatives fillment of the destiny of the Jewish The Palestinian negotiator, who insisted on people in the Land of Israel has SHMUEL GERBER Chief Copy Editor become a disgusting and dirty game. more of Jerusalem under Arab control, told his MICHELE JUSTIC, YEHUDIT SANDERS The Arab-speaking, dressed-as- Copy Editors Chassidim NKniks want to see the end CONTRIBUTING EDITORS of Israel because they believe that its Israeli counterpart, “You are too willing to Howard M. Adelsberg, Esq. existence defies the will of G-d and his Irwin Benjamin Hannah Reich Berman plan for the destiny of Am Yisrael. divide the baby; this demonstrates that you Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg Olmert’s plan also calls for the shrink- Yochanan Gordon ing and ultimate disappearance of Michele Herenstein are not the real mother.” Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky most of the Jewish State, but for dia- Esther Mann metrically opposite reasons. Rochelle Miller Olmert and the secularists—as Paula L. Simmonds well as some of the religious parties the reality, too. But they also know Are these just little slogans that have YOSEF BROWN, NECHAMA ROSENBERG, in his government—have swallowed that if they can get the Jews to incur been worn out and seen better days? MICHAL WEINSTEIN Staff Graphic Artists whole the UN propaganda about the the wrath of G-d, He will award the Are they just slick little references that IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Jewish state. “After all,” they must be Jewish Promised Land in some sort of help Israel-based organizations to raise Staff Photographers saying, “the UN created Israel; the custodial format to the Arabs until funds more effectively? Remember the FRANKEL & CO., CREATIVE DESIGN LLC UN can undo what they have creat- such time as the Jewish people get huge campaign a few years ago that Design & Production ed.” And the UN is also committed to their collective act together. was supposed to bring hundreds of TALIYE CORLEY Israel’s shrinkage, even if only a little If Israel’s leaders were to wake up millions of dollars into Israel? It was a Art Director bit at a time. First it was Gaza, now and say that this is the land given by yearlong celebration called “Jerusalem The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly newspaper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not its Shebaa Farms. They almost had a G-d to the Jewish people, our public- 3000,” tracing the roots of the attach- necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not pretty decent shot at most of the relations problem would, at least tem- ment of the holy city of Jerusalem to responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or West Bank and at least half of porarily, worsen on some levels. After the Jewish people from ancient times establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. Jerusalem—but for now, Mr. all, we would be mimicking the Arab to the present. The celebration was

6 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES soon followed by the Israeli govern- peacemaking. Before he could lead specifically train for daring mission of the stated reasons that require there ment’s offer to Yasser Arafat of more his countrymen to peace with Israel, under cover of night were sent into the to be an Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael in than half of Jerusalem and the surface he had to restore the pride his coun- Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil during the the world. Israel is not a plaything for of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. try lost in the Six-Day War of 1967. day despite their protestations, and diplomats and politicians to toy with so Hey, Jerusalem may be Jerusalem, but The 1973 war took care of this.” were quickly killed by terrorists. that in the twilight of their careers they business is still business. Yes, late Egyptian leader Sadat Mr. Olmert has much to answer for: can be awarded Nobel prizes. So how do we fight our way out of declared victory for Egypt following from his support of the Gaza with- The first step in a new public-rela- this diplomatic paper bag? You know its humiliating defeat at the hands of drawal, to his lunatic convergence tions war will probably be a painful the story of the Arab negotiator at the Israel in the Yom Kippur war of 1973. plan, to his awful performance in one for some. It will require as a mat- time of the negotiations over It was in this war that then general Lebanon. His failed approach has ter of priority dispensing with this the- Jerusalem in 1999 and 2000—he used Ariel Sharon led his forces across the damaged Israel and, in effect, the atrical nonsense on the part of Israel’s a King Solomon reference as to the dif- Suez Canal and surrounded the leaders of donning yarmulkes at reli- ference between the Jewish and the Egyptian forces, choking them off gious ceremonies like weddings, funer- Arab attitude toward Jerusalem. In dis- from their supply lines of military and als, and when they need to address the cussing how Jerusalem would be divid- other provisions. It was only the inter- Olmert went to war entire nation and for effect pull a head ed between Israel and the Palestinian vention of U.S. Secretary of State covering out from inside the lectern Authority, the Palestinian negotiator, Henry Kissinger that saved the when reading from the Bible. The who insisted on more of Jerusalem Egyptians from being militarily deci- the way that a Judaism of officialdom in the State of under Arab control, told his Israeli mated. Since that time, this is one of Israel needs to be more than just per- counterpart, “You are too willing to the greatest holidays in Egypt. What teenager goes to functory and something that is resort- divide the baby; this demonstrates that Egypt celebrates at that time each ed to for dramatic purposes. you are not the real mother.” year is that they were not defeated in This doesn’t mean that everything in In Israel you know that the govern- six days like they were in 1967. This is play video games in Israel needs to be taken over by and ment is hyperventilating and on the the great achievement that Secretary instantly infused with religion. It would PR ropes when you have a prime min- Murphy is referring to in his letter. an arcade. enhance Israel’s image in the world ister like Mr. Olmert having to declare Do Mr. Olmert and Israel have the considerably, though, if they took their victory in the very same fashion that luxury or the necessity of getting Judaism a little more seriously. ❖ Mr. Nasrallah has declared victory involved in these types of contorted Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at and other Arab leaders have declared declarations of victory? image of Jews everywhere in the world. [email protected]. victories throughout history, despite Is this the message that Olmert and Israel is a democracy, though, and the having suffered decisive and over- his government believe will serve political process will have to play itself whelming defeats. Former U.S. Israel’s interest in the United Nations out until Mr. Olmert is legally and Assistant Secretary of State for Near and in the world at large? Clearly properly removed from his position of WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? Eastern Affairs, Richard Murphy, Olmert’s thinking is flawed and his power and leadership. wrote in a letter to the editor in the government is in trouble. He went to Despite the immediate political WE WANT TO KNOW! New York Times last week (Aug. 19): war the way that a teenager goes to implications that a change may entail, “That Hezbollah stood up to Israel’s play video games in an arcade. It’s rap- there is still the continued and long- far superior military force has made idly becoming clear that reservists term image of Israel that needs to be E-MAIL US AT Arabs in many countries proud. The went into Lebanon completely unpre- dealt with. No one is asking for extreme [email protected] genius of Anwar el-Sadat was to rec- pared; some went without food and or radical personalities to be placed in ognize the importance of pride in water for days. Commandos who power. What is needed is a fine-tuning

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 7 Apologies To Mel Gibson er. Please accept my apologies. others is worthy of respect, nor one that I have to start thinking outside the Continued from Front Cover Please accept my apologies for having condemns others, entitled to admiration. box. Mel, please forgive me and my been brought up to know that each of us Can you find it in your heart to for- community. ❖ forgiveness, as a member of the Jewish is here for a purpose; that discerning give me for belonging to a people that Rabbi Anchelle Perl is the director of Chabad of community. But today it’s my turn to that purpose takes time and honesty, honors the world G-d created and called Mineola. He can be reached at 516-739-3636. make an apology to Mel Gibson. knowledge of ourselves, and knowledge “good” by searching for and praising the I live with terrible guilt each and of the world, but it is there to be discov- good in others and the world; that a every day for the kind of world I live in. ered; that the place where what we want word of praise can give meaning to It bothers me to no end that despite the to do meets what needs to be done is someone’s life; that by putting others LETTERS TO THE EDITOR global Jewish population being approxi- where G-d wants us to be; that even the down, we diminish ourselves, and by Continued from Front Cover mately 14,000,000, or about 0.02 per- smallest good deed can change someone’s lifting others we lift ourselves? cent of the world population, we have life; that it is not the honors we receive I apologize for believing that we can mittees of several yeshivas, I can received so many Nobel Prizes: that matter, but the honor we give. make a difference, and it is only by attest to that. Literature: 10, World Peace: 8, Physics: About 20 years ago, there were two 50, Economics: 11, Medicine: 40. Why incidents in California that brought the have we been wasting our time in these issue of tuitions into focus. In one inci- pursuits that cause so much progress Those who give to others dent, a parent won the lottery for more for the well-being of mankind? than a million dollars. The yeshiva tried I am irritated that the Jewish com- to collect all of the back scholarship munity is not demonstrating with their are the closest we come to funds that were previously granted to dead on the streets, yelling and chant- him. He refused to pay a dime! ing and asking for revenge. Please, I In the second incident, a man was apologize for this. meeting the Divine presence in fortunate to have bought a home 15 How come Jewish families are not years earlier that he was able to sell promoting the brainwashing of their this short life on earth. for a profit of more than a million children in military training camps, dollars. The yeshiva tried to collect teaching them how to blow themselves prior scholarship funds. The scholar- up and cause a maximum of death? ships were granted on the basis of his I apologize for not spending my life Please accept my apologies: I can’t making a difference that we redeem a heavy mortgage payments that he had planning to hijack planes, nor killing seem to shake these terrible aspira- life, lifting it from mere existence and to meet. The parent refused to pay athletes at the Olympics. I need my tions—that what counts is not how endowing it with glory; that those who anything, claiming “I am leaving the head examined for belonging to a peo- much wealth we make, but how much give to others are the closest we come community and moving to Eretz ple that does not have leaders calling of what we have we share; that those to meeting the Divine presence in this Yisrael, so why should I pay up?” for jihad and death to all the infidels. who spend at least part of their lives in short life on earth. The yeshiva wanted to force all I feel so guilty about the fact that I service of others are the most fulfilled And finally, please forgive me for parents on scholarship to sign a lien spend much of my life thinking about and happiest people I know. believing that the best way to receive a on their homes for scholarship life, observing people, reading Jewish Can I ever rid myself of the narrow blessing is to be a blessing; that if we reductions. The matter came to a books, searching for teachers and exem- thinking that there is no greater gift we listen carefully enough, we will hear rabbinical board in New York City. plars, trying to distinguish between can give our children than to let them the voice of G-d in the human heart The rabbis ruled that you can’t force what ultimately matters and what mere- see us sacrifice something for the sake of telling us that there is work to do and people to sign liens on their homes, ly seems to matter at one time or anoth- an ideal; that no religion that persecutes that He needs us. but parents have a moral obligation

8 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES to pay the yeshiva back for past scholarship grants. As far as the 5 percent for Jewish education, that’s a great idea. But the drawback is, what if a wealthy man writes it into his will and soon after becomes seriously ill? What will the rosh yeshiva pray for? You probably can write about the tuition problem for months to come. There are no answers. The voters in School District 15 keep voting down the school budget as a form of protest. The budget keeps on going up even though there is declin- ing enrollment. Name Withheld

Dear Editor, Your recent article about the per- ceived failures of the 5 percent plan, while eye-opening to the uninformed, fails to account for the time that it would take for a 5-percent-of-net estate plan to make a dent in the ever-increasing tuition hole. Let all the 5 percent donors (the volume of which has not been publicly identified) live and be well, but this plan relies upon people passing away. While death and taxes are a sure thing, it will take at least a generation before this fund will reach anywhere near the level of being able to show any promise (provided that there are donors who are still unknown). In the interim, creative and cost-effective means must be identified to save the educational system we love to hate. Michael E. Beer Woodmere

If a matter eludes you in judgment... then you shall rise and go... to the judge who will be in those days... (Devarim 17:8-9)

Can a person then go to a judge who is not in his days...? This is to teach us that although this judge may not be of the same stature as other judges who preced- ed him, you must listen to him, for you have only the judge who lives in your time... Shmuel in his generation is like Yiftach in his generation (Shmuel is regarded as the greatest of the prophets, equal to Moshe and Aharon together; Yiftach, who served as Judge in 982-962 BCE, came from a lowly background and was guilty of many failings).

(Talmud, Rosh HaShanah 25b; Rashi)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 9 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE the New York area. They routinely drawn out of curiosity to take a peek at have your jacket sleeves shortened have thousands of suits on their racks, what’s going on at Syms. I’m interested just because it’s a good deal. So what Continued from Front Cover thousands of sport coats, shirts, ties, to take a look to see how much prices if the jacket fits perfectly? more sartorial observance of Shabbos overcoats, pairs of shoes, etc., on a have been dropped and what kind of While I don’t know Syms personal- and the approaching Yamim Tovim? regular basis. Then, twice a year—tra- merchandise they are featuring. ly, I do know that he is somewhat of a Maybe the summer is, takeh, a Bash, ditionally around Labor Day and then It used to be that when I would buy philanthropist, having endowed the and now with the arrival of Elul, the around Presidents’ Week in a suit or two at Syms, I would just Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva Bash really is over: It’s time to get University. So you see, when you down to the business of crowning our spend money at Syms, in a way you King and saving, or at least renewing, are giving money to the community our lives. I’m used to hearing Sy and because, if nothing else, you are giv- Marcy Syms on the radio repeatedly So you see, when you spend ing him the cash and the impetus to conveying the same message: the Bash do more good work for the greater is almost over. At first, I thought that Jewish community. when Labor Day arrives, the prices on money at Syms, in a way you are Actually, you can say that about any the suits, sport coats, slacks, and shoes Jewish businessman that you are go up another $40–$50. But then it hit inclined to patronize. I tell that to me: that’s only the superficiality of giving money to the community. advertising customers all the time. I their message. What they are really try- tell them that advertising here in ing to communicate to us—and maybe these pages is a segulah for parnasah. this is why they had to repeat it over Even in the unlikely possibility that and over again so many times on so February—they drop their prices to take the suits with me and have the the advertising doesn’t do for you many radio stations—is that the unload some inventory and, no doubt, alterations done locally. But now they what you anticipate, you are providing month of Elul is here; the Bash is take in loads of cash. have salesmen and tailors swarming a living for people in our community indeed over. Of course, while I do a lot of shop- all over the place offering to do your who recycle the money you spend by For those of you who do not know, ping all year round at Suit Central, sleeves or your pant cuffs in one day paying yeshiva tuition—so how bad Syms is a huge clothing store with Boys World, Karako Suits, and so on for only $5. How can you say no to can it really be? The added attraction quite a few locations in and around down the line, I am still, nevertheless, that! It almost makes you want to is, by the way, that advertising here generates business and gets results. So it’s a nice package. But back to the Syms message for a moment. So this Bash thing means that they lower their prices as an

CALENDAR LUACH August 24 – Sept. 2 ZIP Code: 11516 30 Av Thursday, August 24 1st Day Rosh Chodesh Elul 1 Elul – Erev Shabbos Friday, August 25 2nd Day Rosh Chodesh Elul Daf yomi: Yoma 79 Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:19 am Sunrise: 6:16 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:59 am Gr’a 9:35 am Candle Lighting: 7:20 pm 2 Elul – Shabbos Saturday, August 26 Shabbos Parashas Shof’tim Pirkei Avos: Chapter 6 Shabbos ends**: 8:20 pm 72 min. 8:49 pm 8 Elul – Erev Shabbos Friday, September 1 Daf yomi: Yoma 86 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:26 am Sunrise: 6:22 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:02 am Gr’a 9:38 am Candle Lighting: 7:09 pm 9 Elul – Shabbos Saturday, September 2 Shabbos Parashas Ki-Seitzei Pirkei Avos: Chapters 1–2 Shabbos ends**: 8:08 pm 72 min. 8:38 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag 10 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES inducement to get you into their stores to buy stuff. Maybe you’ve never been there before. If you haven’t, just picture an airport termi- nal with nothing but suits—endless rows of suits—that’s Syms. Even if you don’t buy anything (and it’s hard not to) it’s just fun to thumb your way through the racks of suits until you suddenly stop because something catches your fancy. What is it about a man that puts him in a room with thousands of suits and gets his eyes to suddenly focus— or shall we say, become attracted to or set one’s eyes upon—one particular suit? It’s an odd thing, especially since I can tell you without hesita- tion, just sitting here at this computer screen, that you are most likely going to buy a blue suit, or if it’s not blue, then it’s going to be either gray or black. And if I’m wrong, how much am I really off by? One tiny little thing, as a pin stripe? Oh, that pin stripe makes a big difference in the look of your suit, doesn’t it! I’m certain that my first suit was purchased by my parents long before my bar mitzvah; but, for some reason, I have no recollection of being fitted for a suit before my bar mitzvah.It was on the Lower East Side, not far from my father’s office. This was where he bought his suits, so it must have been time for the next generation to be rolled out and in front of those mirrors in which you could see yourself from three different angles. The suit looked okay from straight ahead as well as from the left and from the right. If your peripheral vision was a little above average, you were even able to catch a glimpse of how you might look from behind. I don’t think it’s that important to see what you look like from the back, but I don’t think this exercise was about that. I think that mostly it was about making certain that the suit fit cor- rectly on your back. The only other time you get to see what you look like from the back— other than when you buy a suit—is when you get a haircut. For me, the only thing that looking at myself in a hand-held mirror from the back of your head means is that the haircut is just about over. Other than that, I have had the same recurring thought for decades now—why am I being shown this sight? Maybe it’s only a signal to test whether I am in agreement that the haircut is about to come to a conclusion. When I went to Syms a while back, I did not see the suits from the rear; there wasn’t even an option to do so. There was no three-way angled mirror, nor did any of the tailors offer to hold up a mirror so that I could see how the suit fell in the back, whether it needed alterations back there or whether the material on the back of the suit was indeed the same color or fabric as the rest of the suit. I guess you have to learn to trust the guys at Syms, where an educated consumer...you know the rest. Anyway, about my bar mitzvah suit. It was blue, and even though I have probably purchased hundreds of suits

Continued on Page 12 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 11 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE Okay, the rack. I know ing on how busy the season many of you find the thought is. Besides that, if you go in Continued from Page 11 of buying suits off the rack that direction, you will miss since then (and also discard- rather pedestrian. Why the complete experience of ed a similar number), I can should you buy suits that the Syms Bash. Are you sure still catch a glimpse, appreci- other people touched, others you want to do that? ate, and relive the experience tried on, and fits imperfectly The Bash is like a fraternal of how nice that little boy suit if, for just a few hundred dol- rush. It has to be something was so many years ago. You lars more, you can get one along the lines of the unoffi- see I have this huge bar mitz- custom-tailored to your speci- cial opening of yeshivas for vah album that not only fea- fications? I have purchased, the new term. New z’man, tures a pictorial history of over the years, a couple of new suits. It’s an event on the that great event, but I also custom suits and I really did level of a religious obser- have several color photos of not see the big difference vance—and that is not too far the bar mitzvah boy with his between them and some well- off the mark. After all, we may parents and siblings. And I made off-the-rack suits. think that we have this innate can’t get over what a sleek Usually when you want or desire to buy new stuff blue suit I chose (or was more need a new suit for a season because we like to look good likely chosen for me) back or a specific occasion, you (or as good as possible). And then. It’s like a midnight blue, kind of need it within a week that’s true—we do. But our the kind of blue you would or so. Very often with custom pulling shirts and ties off the pull off the rack today if you suits you need to wait as long shelves, trying on shoes and could find one. as six weeks or more, depend- posing for the tailors in our prospective new suits, is primarily meant to observe the approaching Yom Tov. So you think you’re going to the Bash, well, because it’s the Bash—but in this too you are driven to do so because you are so connected to who you are and what you need to do as a Jew. I bet you never looked at the Bash as a religious experience, have you? Evidently you cannot escape it; everything you do—from the simple to the more complex—is somehow related to who you are as a Jew. Perhaps that’s why this week’s Torah reading refers to you as a Jew by describing you as a simple, unobtrusive tree. As you know, that is what it says in Parashas Shoftim (20:19) just after Hashem is prescribing to the Jewish army of those days not to uproot and destroy trees while clean- ing out some of the enemy enclaves in the Holy Land. And the reason given for these instructions is that “man is a tree of the field.” Is that the reason not to destroy a tree? Is that the most apt Divine description that describes the nature and character of man? If G-d wanted to illustrate the nature of man in comparison to some other form of life, wouldn’t it have been more logical to compare him to something in the animal kingdom rather than to plant life? After all, our anatomical composition is obviously something much closer to the lives of animals than it is of plants or trees. So what’s up with the statement that man is a tree of the field? Chassidic thought discuss- es this matter at great length. Certainly there are greater similarities between animal life and the lives we lead, which are primarily distin- guished from theirs by our intellect and speech. Other than those major compo-

Continued on Page 14 12 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 13 attacks. Israeli national security would by an Israeli retreat behind the security be further eroded by leaving only small fence. In such a scenario, a key Move The Fence access roads to the three major settle- American ally would be left highly vul- ment blocs in Judea and Samaria. These nerable to stepped-up pan-Islamic fun- roads would become increasingly vulner- damentalist terrorist attacks. This BY KEN ABRAMOWITZ and Jerusalem, as well as the major able to attack from PA-controlled hills threatens Israel’s long-term economic settlement blocs around Ariel, Ma’aleh overlooking them. status, and eventually even its existence, An immediate Israeli government Adumim and Gush Etzion. The security fence must be moved but it also erodes America’s image and imperative must be to move the Judea- Israeli national security is being for better protection of Israeli air traf- her ability to project strength. Samaria security fence eastward by 5- impaired by the construction of the fic, motorways and civilians. In addition to undermining Israeli 10 kilometers. Failure to do so leaves fence a mere six miles away from Ben- If the fence is not moved, then U.S. and American national security, the the capital Jerusalem, major popula- Gurion Airport, when Stinger missiles national security will be impaired, as rise of pan-Islamic jihad organizations tion centers and thoroughfares, as well have a range of six to eight miles. Most well. The perception that the American in Judea and Samaria would also call as Ben-Gurion International Airport, of the types of rockets and missiles fired State Department is encouraging an into question the survival of the exposed to the threat of enemy mis- by the Hezbollah terrorists in the recent ally of the U.S. to retreat in the face of Kingdom of Jordan. Those Islamist siles. Failure to do so means leaving war have a greater range than that. terrorism encourages increased terror- organization’s state sponsors seek to Israel with indefensible borders. If territorial control were to be relin- ist threats to other U.S. allies, as well undermine the Hashemite buffer In other words, the current route of quished in areas currently outside the as to American troops on the front and state, as well. (Arutz Sheva) ❖ the fence poses an inordinate risk to fence northwest of Jerusalem, then to American diplomats in the field. Ken Abramowitz, Managing General Partner of the Israeli population, which is count- Highway 443 to the capital would be Furthermore, U.S. aid to Israel will NGN Capital in New York, is Chairman of er to both Israeli and American nation- surrounded by enemy territory. By giving require expensive augmentation in American Friends of Likud. al interests. the tomb of the prophet Samuel over to light of the dramatically increased In light of the recent missile attacks Palestinian Authority control, Highway 1 threats to the Jewish State. by the Lebanese-based terrorist organ- to Jerusalem—the main Jerusalem-Tel U.S. national security would also be ization Hezbollah, it is now very clear Aviv thoroughfare—would be vulnerable impaired when Islamic Jihad (backed by that the current positioning of the to rocket attacks from one mile away. Iran), Hamas (backed by Syria, Iran and HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE Judea-Samaria security fence is inade- Route 6, Israel’s major north-south toll Saudi Arabia) and Al-Qaeda (funded by Continued from Page 12 quate to protect Ben-Gurion Airport highway, would also be subject to such Saudi Arabians) would fill the void left nents, our existence is almost identi- cal. So why when attempting to describe the essence of man do you jump over the entire animal kingdom—with which we share so much— and explain in the simplest of terms that “man is a tree of the field”? Trees come in all different sizes and shapes. Many are tall and impressive, immense and beautiful. Some bear fruit, others exquisite arrangements of leaves with branches high, sometimes even wild and extending in all directions. If a lion is the king of the jungle, then the tree has to be the king of plant life. A tree seems heady and independent, as if the world that surrounds it is behold- en to its presence. There is, however, one thing about a tree that you cannot see or say about either humans or animals. And that is that no matter how breathtaking its centuries-old trunk or how tall it has grown or the wide expanse it is spread over, one thing is certain—it is always connected to the ground, its roots, its life source. Without that connection to the ground—no matter how long it has lived or wonderfully it has grown—it will cease to exist. And that’s why a Jew, says Torah, is like a tree in the field. Without our connection to who we are—our life source, G-dliness—we may still be able to walk around, talk, and func- tion, but in such a case, what do we amount to, really? Flesh and bones, just an aging phenomenon? Like a tree, a Jew must be connected to its source at all times. Severed from that connection, well, you know what happens to the tree. So maybe the summer does have signs and tinges of being one big Bash. But, as the Syms commercials said, “Labor Day is the end of the Bash.” The Bash is over; it’s time to look inside. Our suits have been tailored, and the King is in the field, accessible and reachable. We are connected to Him and He is to us, unlike anything else in existence, except, that is, the tree in the field. ❖ Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected]. 14 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Our Aliyah Chronicle cially irritated that day, because it Continued from Front Cover seemed like everyone else received their shipments but us. When I got hearing all the news reports about through to my shipping company, I got what was happening here, he the boss on the phone and really com- expressed genuine concern for his plained to him about the fact that we safety in “a war zone.” Although we seemed to be the only people who had reassured him that we were in a safe still not gotten their stuff from Greece. area and far from danger, I am sure Interestingly, for the first time, he that he was not thrilled. agreed with me. Apparently, he had However, as the date of his flight purchased the shipping space from a approached, he began to adjust, and reseller of cargo shipping space. They we would catch him saying things like, purchase large volumes of space from “When I come home…” or “Please just the main cargo ship line at a steep dis- make sure my stuff gets delivered count and then pass along some of home and isn’t still in Greece.” I think their savings to the end consumer. he slowly came to an internal decision While the main ship line had made that he needed to make the best of alternative arrangements to get con- things and try to make things work tainers from Greece to Israel, the (plus we told him that he would earn a reseller had not, and had been taking mid-year trip to America only by prov- quite a beating from his commercial ing to us that he is continuing to work customers about it. hard and learn well in school). My shipper then placed a series of When it finally came to flying phone calls (with me on the line) to here—on his own—he was really very find out when I might expect my stuff calm about it, with no issues about his to leave Greece. On our sixth phone arrival at the airport. call, about one hour after my initial His youngest siblings were so excit- call, we heard the magic words, ed that he was coming. When I called “Greece? What do you mean? That to tell Goldie that his flight had landed container was delivered by rail to and I had just spoken to him on his Ashdod yesterday!” cell phone, I could hear them cheering While I was definitely relieved to in the background. I must have gotten hear that the shipment had made it to eight cell-phone calls during the 45- Ashdod and had been in-country for at minute ride from the airport asking for least two days by then, I was quite progress reports. And the welcome he angry that my shipper had no clue received was really very nice. about that fact and would not have The morning of his flight, I made a known about it at all had I not called call that has become a regular ritual to prod him about it. with me—the “so has my stuff left Greece yet?” phone call. I was espe- Continued on Page 16

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 15 Our Aliyah Chronicle Continued from Page 15

They promised to call me back as soon as they got a more specific update, including when I could expect delivery. When they called me, they told me that they did not think that my container was actually in Ashdod, since there was no record of it being there. Since there was no record of it in Haifa, they told me it must still be in transit to Ashdod and would arrive later Monday or Tuesday. Still, when I headed off to the airport to get Chaim, I was excited that we finally seemed to be making progress. But by Wednesday, when they still couldn’t find the container, I began to get seriously worried. After all, where could it have gone? I must have called the shippers a dozen times on Tuesday and Wednesday and they kept telling me that they had no answers, that the ports were all overloaded, and that maybe their American agent (the origi- nating shipper) could help. Although in retrospect it seems as if we got all excited over nothing, the whole delay with the lift was extremely stressful and aggravating. We had made so many plans based upon getting the lift before we moved from the “temporary” home into the “permanent” home, and it just didn’t happen. I should say that the delay did help give us more time to make the decision regarding housing, and it gave our original landlord every opportunity to make things work. So there were definite benefits we got from the lift delay, but overall the process was tir- ing and maddening. Late Wednesday afternoon they finally called with the “good news” that a paperwork mess-up had given them the impression that my container was still in transit even though it was actually in Ashdod. They would have it straightened out by Thursday and hoped to have a delivery within another week, and also, since the shipment had arrived in-country, “here is your final bill.” I wanted to tell them that a paperwork mess-up had resulted in their check being mailed to Liberia, but I didn’t think that my container would get delivered any faster if I did that. Ironically, true to form, the initial “final bill” that they presented me was not correct and needed to be recalculated. Since my lift was finally in-country and the people whose house I was renting wanted us out of the house before they came back from their vacation, we also needed to settle our lease. We had made the commitment to take our “backup” house, and were negotiating specific terms with the landlords (the Weinsteins, a really nice couple from Teaneck). They were so accommodating to us and we really felt comfortable dealing with them from the get-go. Thankfully, the Weinsteins were in Israel on vacation during the week, so the major bar- rier to getting things done—the seven- hour time difference—was negated. They had sent us a draft of a lease from their attorney the week before and we had returned it with our attorney’s comments on it. Then, their attorney got called to 16 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES miluim in the army, so his wife (also an the government for an extensive tour office door on Thursday morning to Kotel and Machane Yehuda on Friday. attorney) took over the case. However, of the Northern border area as well as greet us! He had been given the week- However, on Thursday night, we she was busy taking care of the family, the South of Lebanon, the rest of the end off and stopped by to make sure went out to the car to drive to the so she really couldn’t give her full administrators and rashei yeshiva all we hadn’t messed things up too much. makolet and couldn’t get the car to attention to finalizing the lease— tried to assume some of his responsi- It was really great to see him. work. My brother has a satellite-con- which we needed done by the end of bilities so that we would open on time. Although he had to return to the trolled alarm system, and it doesn’t the week since we needed to move out. With enrollment almost doubling army after Shabbat, he hopes to be work well in Beit Shemesh. To make a The Weinsteins were trying to have this year, we made dramatic con- discharged from miluim in the middle long story short, it was not until 9:30 their vacation and finish the final struction expansions to the existing of the week and will certainly be back a.m. on Friday (after several hours on touches to the house while also deal- beit midrash and chadar ochel (din- in time for the beginning of the the phone with the alarm company, ing with their attorneys and us. Once ing room), and we added new class- school year. my brother in the U.S., and the car’s they got a different attorney assigned rooms and other facilities to accom- His family has had it tough. He had mechanic) that we were able to get to the lease, we all thought there modate the larger student body. My been in America for two weeks prior to the car working. would be quicker movement. However, Thankfully, we were able to get to this fellow doesn’t speak English very the Old City and had a chance to well, and was also hard to reach; there daven at the Kotel. While we were was a point on Wednesday night when I wanted to tell them that a paperwork mess-up there, there was a group of young boys I was sure that the deal was going to (possibly from a camp) in the outer fall through. had resulted in their check being mailed to Liberia, plaza who had an assembly and were The fact that my attorney was due to singing songs together. Goldie was leave the country Thursday morning but I didn’t think that my container would get really very moved by it. for his own vacation didn’t help things. In the morning, when we were still His partner took over for him quite unsure if the car would work at all, we admirably, but I certainly felt a sense delivered any faster if I did that. went to the makolet to buy the various of pressure. foods we had planned to get in However, by Friday the points had Machane Yehuda. When we left the all been ironed out, and we were com- boss was running the whole con- getting called up, and he really had Kotel, we decided to head off to Ben fortable enough that we had an agree- struction project, and his unexpect- very little chance to be with his wife Yehuda for lunch and for Chaim and ment (even though it wasn’t signed) ed absence left a big hole. and children over the summer. Batya (the other kids were in gan or that we went to pick up the keys and Although I was hired to take on Hopefully he will get a chance to camp) to have a chance to tour. have a walk-through of the house with some of his responsibilities, the organ- spend time with them when he comes I always find it entertaining to see the Weinsteins. On Saturday night we ization was not really prepared to just home (which is certainly much more whom we will bump into when we get moved some bags over to the house, have him suddenly be out of the pic- important than anything he has to do to a real tourist destination. This trip and on Sunday we moved in complete- ture for over a month, and it has been in the office) and maybe take them on didn’t disappoint, as we got to visit ly (or as completely as we could, con- a difficult time for the entire staff. vacation, if possible. with the Abbittan family and Murray sidering the fact that almost all of our This was compounded by the news Since Sunday is a full work/school Englard as we made our way to things were still in Ashdod). that the husband of one of our secre- day, Friday is family day for me; I have lunch. It was a real treat for us to see Along with all this activity, I some- taries had lost a cousin in the fighting. no work and I have the opportunity to familiar faces. how also tried to find time to do my job So it will be easy to understand how get things done at home or perhaps We were quite happy to have every- at the yeshiva. Since my boss, Rabbi excited we were when Rabbi Pflanzer tour around. Since Chaim had just Benni Pflanzer, had been chosen by unexpectedly walked through the arrived, we decided to take him to the Continued on Page 18

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 17 Our Aliyah Chronicle take care of, being the first tenants in Continued from Page 17 this house. There are so many different things that need tweaking and adjust- one together for the first time on ing. However, we are grateful that the Shabbat. We took advantage of the house was still available and are look- long day to stay inside and rest, know- ing forward to finally being able to set- ing that the beginning of this week tle into a normal routine there. would be tough. With all the ups and downs we had By Sunday afternoon our shipping in the last few weeks, this past week company had told us to realistically should not have been so difficult. expect a Tuesday delivery of our lift. However, I think that it is the combi- While there was still a chance that the nation of all the various frustrations customs people would want to hold it and setbacks that we had that finally up for a full inspection, the port is got to us. Which it did. incredibly overloaded and they just There were a lot of tears this week, want to get the stuff out. and certainly no shortage of frayed Sunday night our older girls were in nerves and short tempers. Yet, as a camp performance, so the boys all upsetting and truly trying the week went shopping for household items. was, we seem to be much further Of course, we couldn’t find even half ahead of where we were last week. of what we were looking for, and even Chaim is home. Our family has a those things we did find took us a home (finally). Our lift is about to be long time. I still don’t know where the home. My boss will be home by the bleach is, or the bug spray, or even the time you read this newspaper. We’ll Crock-Pot liners. We are sure to find have our phones turned on and (hope- everything eventually, but it’s very fully) our appliances all installed by annoying to go to the supermarket the middle of next week. In a week and and not come home with all the a half the kids will start school, and life things on your list. will really start off for us: No more We slept on air mattresses on vacation home, no more running Sunday night, and the air conditioning around—just the regular, everyday life on our second floor is not working of your (un)average Israeli family! ❖ properly. The first floor gets cold enough (and since we cannot figure Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in out how to tell what temperature the Jerusalem. Shmuel and his wife, Goldie (the units are set at, we keep pushing up telecommuting controller at Bnos Bais Yaakov and down on the remote control), but of Far Rockaway), and their six children (ages 1 to 15) made aliyah on July 5. Prior to his the second floor needs servicing and aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the we hope that it will be done this week. Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. If you have a specific question (beyond “Are you out of your We are beginning to realize how mind?”), please feel free to contact him at many different things we will have to [email protected].

18 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 19 places of clutter, so that is one aspect spiritual meaning in them, as well. Feng Shui And The Jewish Flow that has captured my imagination Which is why I was so moved last more than any other. year when I met a religious architect BY TOBY KLEIN ly intrigued by it. Feng shui is the I’ve begun reflecting on the clutter in who utilizes elements from the feng GREENWALD ancient Chinese practice of organizing “the corners of our lives.” It’s about shui approach to design buildings that a room, and placing objects within that more than extra storage. To me, “clear- incorporate the spiritual elements of I have a neighbor who is a comput- room, in a way that will best achieve ing the corners” means eliminating Judaism. I attended a talk she gave on er maven, and I call upon him regular- harmony. One of the problems that unneeded activities and thoughts, and the topic, hoping to find something to ly to fix my e-mail program or deal with feng shui attempts to alleviate is clut- not dwelling on hurtful comments or use in my own life and home. other computer problems. He laughs ter. on “unfinished business.” It means I found what I was seeking. at my messy desk and warns me that I Feng shui instructs us to clear the making room for loved ones, for the At the end of her lecture, Leah Salter should delete e-mail messages. When I clutter from the physical corners in spiritual, and for something that we will treated some women from her Gush finally lost the 10,000 messages in my our homes and places of work, and to be able to leave behind for the world. Etzion community to a tour of her newly inbox, I believed him. put something meaningful to “round” I think a lot about that lately—about designed mikveh in Alon Shvut. It is a Something had to give, and the loss the corner and make it significant. leaving something good in the world. mikveh that includes a special room of those precious messages did it for Supposedly, clearing the physical cor- Maybe it comes from living in a coun- used mostly by brides and converts. She me. I had heard of the design art of ners will lead to clarity and harmony. try where every day is a gift. I want the told me, “I’m doing spiritual things in a feng shui over the years, and was mild- Corners are also the favorite hiding corners of my life to be filled not with holistic way. You have to achieve a har- the sharpness of unforgotten insults or mony with yourself, your body, and your anger, but with the softness of prayer home. And if you’re working from home, and the harmony of chesed. this is a very important influence in your In my living room, I have Shabbos life.” The mikveh in Alon Shvut, she candlesticks in one corner and an arched says, is about “the woman’s cycle of life, rattan bookcase filled with happy family the wedding ring…” photographs in another. In one of my “I use this idea of the circle in dif- kitchen corners is a cupboard with crys- ferent ways—in the lighting, in the tal glasses for drinking l’chayim. In the banister, by giving the feeling of sky. corner of my bedroom, I’ve replaced the I’ve rounded corners to make the room old hat rack (hung with outdated purses) housing the mikveh ‘softer.’ There is a with a little table covered with a soft pea- gently flowing waterfall in the corner cock-patterned cloth and a clock in the of the bride’s personal mikveh. That shape of a flower. Time—that’s a com- room also includes ancient stones and modity that becomes more precious as ceramics and live foliage, while thor- one’s children have children of their own. oughly modern in its facilities.” It’s so clear to us that there is signif- A sadder assignment given to Leah

PhotoByTobyKleinGreenwald icance and joy in living nature, but I was to design a new simcha hall in feel that if G-d created inanimate nearby Elazar, called Simchat Shani.It objects and blessed us with the talent was in memory of a little girl from to construct “temples” for our homes Elazar named Shani Duek, who died in and places of work, where we spend a car accident several years ago. “I Simchat Shani, the new simcha hall in Elazar, dedicated in memory of Shani Duek. our days, perhaps there is potential for used warm material, arches and wood

20 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES PhotoByTobyKleinGreenwald

The waterfall room at the mikveh in Alon Shvut designed by Leah Salter. in the dancing area.” The mikveh is about rebirth, and the But the simcha hall was to include a simcha hall is about memorializing life. memorial corner, as well. “How does This is what I’ve taken from her one show neshamah?” asks Leah. “By buildings, from my own experiments at showing symbols of continuity. For me home, and from the world within us the neshamah was like this: Hashem is and without—a way to achieve harmo- planting a seed in the wall, we grow ny around us by raising the physical to up, and float back up to Hashem, and a level that will help us experience then back into the circle. We created a calmness, the better to serve G-d and tree trunk in the memorial corner, our world. which symbolizes life cut off, yet it is We will find it easier to deal with still something organic. And we used issues and events that are negative or various types of glass and different troubling if we work to fill the corners lights to make it sparkle, like the soul.” of our lives with the sparkle of soul- There is a connection between nurturing items, and with many pre- Leah’s mikveh and Leah’s simcha hall. cious souls. ❖

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 21 tree, even if it has a meager trunk and numerous and wide-spreading branch- few branches, leaves, and fruit. And if es, beautiful leaves, and lush fruit. But the roots are sound, the tree will reju- these must be equaled, indeed sur- venate itself if its body is damaged or passed, by its roots. Above the surface, its branches cut off. there might be much wisdom, profun- Faith is the least glamorous of our dity of feeling, abundant experience, spiritual faculties. Characterized by a copious achievement, and many disci- simple conviction and commitment ples; but if these are not grounded and to one’s Source, it lacks the sophisti- vitalized by an even greater faith and From The Chassidic Masters cation of the intellect, the vivid color commitment, it is a tree without foun- of the emotions, or the sense of satis- dation, a tree doomed to collapse faction that comes from deed. And under its own weight. The Human Tree faith is buried underground, its true On the other hand, a life might be extent concealed from others and blessed with only sparse knowledge, even from ourselves. meager feeling and experience, scant For man is a tree of the field. majesty of the tree’s body, the color- Yet our faith, our supra-rational com- achievement, and little fruit. But if its —Devarim 20:19 fulness of its leaves, nor the tastiness mitment to G-d, is the foundation of our roots are extensive and deep, it is a The tree’s primary components are of its fruit. But without roots, a tree entire tree. From it stems the trunk of healthy tree—a tree fully in possession the roots, which anchor it to the cannot survive. our understanding, from which branch of what it does have; a tree with the ground and supply it with water and capacity to recover from the setbacks other nutrients; the trunk, branches, of life; a tree with the potential to even- and leaves which compose its body; tually grow and develop into a loftier, and the fruit, which contains the seeds Our faith, our supra-rational commitment more beautiful and fruitful tree. by which the tree reproduces itself. The spiritual life of man also includes to G-d, is the foundation of our entire tree. Fruit And Seed roots, a body, and fruit. The roots repre- The tree desires to reproduce, to sent faith, our source of nurture and From it stems the trunk of our understanding, spread its seeds far and wide so that perseverance. The trunk, branches, and they take root in diverse and distant leaves are the body of our spiritual from which branch out our feelings, places. But the tree’s reach is limited lives—our intellectual, emotional, and to the extent of its own branches. It practical achievements. The fruit is our must therefore seek out other, more power of spiritual procreation—the motivations, and deeds. mobile couriers to transport its seeds. power to influence others, to plant a So the tree produces fruit, in which seed in a fellow human being and see it its seeds are enveloped by tasty, color- sprout, grow, and bear fruit. Furthermore, the roots must keep out our feelings, motivations, and deeds. ful, sweet-smelling fibers and juices. pace with the body: if the trunk and And while the body of the tree also pro- The seeds themselves would not rouse Roots And Body leaves of a tree grow and spread with- vides some of its spiritual nurture, the the interest of animals and men; but The roots are the least glamorous out a proportional increase in its roots, bulk of our spiritual sustenance derives with their attractive packaging, they of the tree’s parts—and the most cru- the tree will collapse under its own from its roots—from our faith in and have no shortage of customers who, cial. Buried underground, virtually weight. On the other hand, a profusion commitment to our Creator. after consuming the external fruit, invisible, they possess neither the of roots makes for a healthier, stronger A soul might grow a majestic trunk, deposit the seeds in those diverse and

22 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES distant places where the tree wants its own simple faith in what we are telling seeds to be planted. them and our own simple commitment When we communicate with others, to what we are espousing. we employ many devices to make our If the seed is there, our message will message attractive. We buttress it with take root in their minds and hearts, intellectual sophistication, steep it in and our own vision will be grafted into emotional sauce, and dress it in color- theirs. But if there is no seed, there ful words and images. But we should will be no progeny to our effort, how- bear in mind that this is only the pack- ever tasty our fruit might be. aging—the fruit that contains the (Chabad.org) seed. The seed itself is essentially Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher tasteless; the only way that we can Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of truly impact others is by conveying our MeaningfulLife.com.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 23 astronomers and scientists, Pluto may upon. Now suddenly it has become no longer qualify for planet-hood. And unclear if, due to its small size and dis- if we continue to refer to that little tance from our sun, Pluto truly quali- rock as a planet, the dozens of other fies as a planet in our solar system. little rocks tumbling around out there And should these astronomers decide must be accorded the same status. I’m to eliminate poor Pluto, it will render not sure which is worse; eliminating “my very excellent mother just served Pluto from the category, or adding us nice pickles” irrelevant. The phrase Save The Pickles more little rocks to it. Personally, I’m will cease to exist. After all, Mother not excited about either possibility. has to serve something, or the sen- The older I get, the more things tence will be meaningless. Of course, As a result of the month-long war we’re momentarily saddened, and after seem to change, and the harder it is for it could be changed to My very excel- between Israel and Hezbollah, I’ve a few sincere tsk tsks, and an occasion- me to keep up with those changes. In lent mother just served us nothing. But become something of a news junky. al oy, vey, we go about our business. grade school we were taught the fol- that wouldn’t reflect well on mothers. Even now, after the cease-fire, newspa- The producers and the announcers lowing mnemonic: My very excellent Maybe we should just let things be. pers alone don’t do it for me. I’m still that deliver the news always do their mother just served us nice pickles. And It’s not as if the other little rocks will in the habit of trying to catch hourly best to put some new life into their having learned that, I have never once be insulted if they’re not included as news broadcasts, which is pretty much broadcasts by constantly coming up faltered when someone asked me to planets. After all, who’s going to tell the way Israelis live their lives. By them? And if they don’t know, then necessity, Israel is a country that lives why can’t we just keep Pluto and keep by the news, and their news is always our collective mouths shut about it? compelling. Anyone who has ever According to recent studies by astronomers and But the biggest question of all is, if heard an Israeli news broadcast knows the decision is made to add more that the introductory music and the scientists, Pluto may no longer qualify for planet-hood. planets to the list, where will it end? tenor of the newscasters’ voices alone And if we continue to refer to that little rock as a It was hard enough to memorize the are enough to make one sit up straight meshugas about Mom and her pickles. and wait with breathless anticipation planet, the dozens of other little rocks tumbling around What will I do now? And, more impor- for the first announcement. tant, what will the schoolchildren do? That’s not the case here in the out there must be accorded the same status. What kid—or adult, for that matter— United States. Of course, with so will be able to remember the names of many of our boys in Iraq, we do get 20 or 30 (or more) new planets as daily bulletins about how many car these rocks are gradually added to the bombs went off in Baghdad and sur- with fresh information—on any topic. name the planets in order of their roster? All the mnemonics in the rounding areas, and how many casual- It might be political news, a “health orbits’ proximity to the sun: Mercury, world won’t help. ties resulted, but sadly, it’s no longer watch” bulletin, or a product recall. Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, There’s so much wrong in this crazy news. Additionally, in a country as So long as it’s something the public is Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Mind world we inhabit that one would think large as ours, many Americans don’t hearing for the first time, it qualifies you, since I left school a gazillion years the main focus might be on solving personally know anyone serving in as being suitable to put over the air- ago not many people have asked me to problems here on Earth without get- Iraq, so the death toll there, military waves. Last week it was a peek into name them, and it doesn’t often come ting nuts over the solar system. As my and otherwise, has become nothing our solar system. up in conversation, but it was always late father would say, “Mish zich nisht more than a sad fact of life. We listen, According to recent studies by nice to know that I could do it if called ahrayn.” Loosely translated, that means

24 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES to keep one’s nose clean and not get involved. Literally, “don’t mix in.” Unquestionably it would be simpler to leave things as they are. We can do without so much astronomical accuracy. No one has asked me, of course, but if I had any say in the matter, I would tell the scientists to spend more time concentrating on solving our big problems. They might want to start with the greenhouse effect and its associated weather issues. That heat wave in July nearly did me in. But timing is everything, so even before we resolve the greenhouse effect we need to get cracking on rampant terrorism. Maybe we should attempt to round up all the brilliant minds in the world and toss them into a single think-tank dedicated to finding a way to deprogram maniacal Muslim fanatics. In terms of defining “maniacal Muslim fanatic,” what comes to mind right now is the young British couple who intended to sacrifice the life of their baby while blowing up a plane. Of course the mom isn’t all bad, because once they were apprehended and led to a police station, her main concern was breast-feeding that same infant. Go figure! Admittedly, Muslims are by no means the only terrorists inhabiting the earth, but they are the chief worry right now. Millions of these fanatics all over the world are actively seeking new ways to destroy anyone whose first loy- alty isn’t to Islam. And they’re trying to pick us off a few thousand at a time. If we don’t survive what these nuts have in store for us, we won’t have to worry about the greenhouse effect. And we most assuredly won’t have to worry about other planets. It would make sense to successfully reign in the religious zealots who are out to get us, and then learn to stop polluting the atmosphere, before we go on to the issue of planet membership. But that’s not likely to happen, because everyone likes to do his own thing. So chances are that astronomers and scientists will continue working on this problem right now. If more planets are added, the upside will be that many jobs will open up. Millions of school books will need to be rewritten, encyclopedias will need updating, and those colorful solar-system charts will need to be reconfigured. Then, too, thinking of new names for the newcomers will provide work for many. Still, in spite of the glorious new job opportunities, I say, “Get a grip, guys. Right now there’s too much upheaval in the world to be adding new planets or eliminating an old one.” I vote that we do nothing. Let’s keep the pickles.

Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at [email protected] or 516-902-3733.

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, August 28 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 25 Dear Esther, I’ve never heard anyone talk this way, What I’m about to write to you is and I wonder if I’m the only mother in something that I would never tell any- the world who doesn’t care for one of one else—not even my husband or her children. Obviously it’s a touchy mother. But it’s been going on for a long subject, and who would be proud to time and is not getting any better. admit it? But am I alone in being part of I have four children. I’d like to think such a horrible scenario? that I am a good mother; however, I More important than that, what can don’t like one of my children. It’s I do? How can I make myself feel absolutely crazy. Believe it or not, it something that’s just not there? I real- began when he was still a baby. I didn’t ly need help. If there is any help for like his smell. Most babies smell so deli- me, I’m anxious to hear what it is. cious; but there was something about Guilty the way he smelled that turned me off. I think it may have had something to do Dear Guilty, with digestive issues, which did arise. Let’s start with the least important Subsequently, he was also very fussy; question first. Namely, are you alone in you could stand on your head before the experience of feeling as though you you got a smile out of him. I spent don’t relate to or care for one of your months holding him, rocking him, and children? I wonder why that would mat- singing to him, all with very poor results. ter to you, and I suspect that what you’re He’s nine years old now. I find that really asking is, “Am I normal?” I think I’m not attracted to his looks or his per- that the answer to that is most probably sonality. I just don’t relate to him. It’s yes, but you have much work to do. like I look at him and can’t figure out Do other parents feel the same way? where he came from. As you mentioned, this is somewhat of a I feel so guilty as I’m writing all of this taboo subject, and therefore people keep down. It’s something that on a certain these types of feelings very close to their level I haven’t even totally admitted to vests. However, it’s probably more an myself. I know it must sound so awful issue of degree. There are many parents and maybe even evil. I hate myself for who may not relate to their children for feeling this way, but I just can’t seem to various reasons. A father who has always change the way I feel. been athletic and now finds himself with

26 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES a son who can’t swing a bat may shake his head in disbelief and wonder how this could be. An extroverted mother may be dazed when observing her painfully shy child being unable to walk into a crowd- ed room. Fleeting moments of thinking “who is this child?” cross many a parent’s mind. And it could happen for positive reasons, as well. A homely mother may stare at her beautiful daughter in awe and disbelief; a father with “two left hands” may find it hard to believe that he fathered a son who can take apart and reassemble a computer. The genetic traits we pass on to our children can reflect those of many past generations. Putting that aside, I will try to guess what could have happened to bring you to this unacceptable state of affairs. (Mind you, this is all speculation and I’m just throwing out a possible theory.) You mentioned that your child’s odor was offensive to you. That can happen. But if that were not enough, it sounds as though he was quite colicky, and his dis- comfort made your life truly unbearable for a while there. Babies pick up on and react to our feelings toward them. They thrive when they feel loved and cher- ished; when they aren’t, they react to that, as well. Perhaps your son developed a sadness as a young child because he was in constant pain and didn’t feel loved the way he should have felt loved. The stage was set for constant yearning and possibly the fear of loss. That’s something for you to think about. O.K. So what do you do now with these feelings (or lack thereof)? Let me point out that nowhere in your letter did you mention not loving your son. What that tells me is that the love is most certainly there, but perhaps you have to dig deep to get in touch with it. Take plenty of time to ponder this notion. There is something lovable about everyone, if you take the time to look for it. Make a list of five lovable things about your son. If you have trouble During July and August doing this, ask yourself, “Does he have we will be closed on Sundays. friends?” What do you think they love Wishing all of our customers a about him? What positive reports have Happy & Healthy Summer. you received from his teachers? Discuss with your husband what he finds most lovable about your son. Ask his grand- parents, aunts, uncles—anyone you feel comfortable asking. Think long and hard about the answers you receive. Fake it. That’s right. Even if you have to win an Academy Award for your amazing performances, I want you to fake it so well that your son begins to think he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. What may start out as artificial behavior should ultimately lead to natural, authentic behavior as your son starts reacting to your positive attitude. It’sa cycle, and you’re going to make it start. My belief is that the feelings will most definitely follow. It’s hard to change behavior so dramatically. It takes enormous commitment and effort. But if you don’t, you have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Your son is no longer a baby, but he’s also not 21. I believe there is still time to turn things around for the better. And finally, what would my column be if I didn’t end by saying that if worst comes to worst, you can always try family therapy. Esther

Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in Lawrence. She can be reached at 516-314-2295 or [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 27 The beneficiary: This is the person a revocable living trust. First, an attor- or persons who will receive the income ney prepares a legal document called a or principal from the trust. This can be “trust agreement” or a “declaration of the grantor (and the grantor’s spouse) trust,” which is signed by the grantor during his or her lifetime and the and the trustee. Second, the grantor grantor’s children (or anyone else the transfers property to the trustee to be grantor chooses to name) after the held for the benefit of the beneficiary grantor’s death. named in the trust document. Q. What is a revocable living trust? manages it according to the terms of A trust is classified as a “living” trust The grantor ordinarily reserves, in How is it created? Can a revocable liv- the trust. The grantor often serves as when it is established during the the trust document, the right to amend ing trust be changed or revoked? Is a trustee during his or her lifetime, and grantor’s lifetime and as a “revocable” or revoke the trust at any time during revocable living trust an adequate sub- another person or a corporate trust trust when the grantor has reserved the his or her lifetime. This enables the stitute for a will? grantor to revise the trust (or even ter- A. A trust is an agreement that minate the trust) to take into account determines how a person’s property is Even though a revocable living trust may be any change of circumstances, such as to be managed and distributed during marriage, divorce, death, disability, or his or her lifetime and also upon considered the principal document in an estate even a “change of mind.” It also death. A revocable living trust normal- affords the grantor the peace of mind ly involves three parties: that he or she can “undo” what he has The grantor: This is the person who plan, a last will and testament should accompany done. Upon the death of the grantor, creates the trust, and usually the only most revocable living trusts become person who provides funding for the a revocable living trust. irrevocable and no changes are then trust. More than one person can be the allowed (for obvious reasons). grantors of a trust, such as when a Keep in mind that even though a husband and wife join together to cre- company is named to serve as succes- right to amend or revoke the trust during revocable living trust may be consid- ate a family trust. sor trustee after the grantor’s death or his or her lifetime. This is clearly entirely ered the principal document in an The trustee: This is the person who in the event the grantor is unable to different than an irrevocable living trust. estate plan, a last will and testament holds title to the trust property and continue to serve for any reason. There are two basic steps in creating should accompany a revocable living trust. This type of will, referred to as a “pour over” will, names the revocable living trust as the principal beneficiary. Therefore, any property which the grantor failed to transfer to the trust during his or her lifetime is added to the trust upon the grantor’s death and distributed to (or held for the benefit of) the beneficiary in accordance with the terms of the revocable living trust. Also, there cannot be an absolute assurance that all property will be transferred to a revocable living trust during the grantor’s lifetime. For instance, the probate estate of a person who dies as a result of an auto accident may be entitled to any insurance settlement proceeds. These settlement proceeds can only be transferred from the estate to the trust pur- suant to the terms of a will. Without a will, the proceeds would be distributed to the heirs under the New York laws of descent and distribution. In addition, a parent cannot appoint a guardian for minor children in a revocable living trust; this can be accom- plished only in a will. Property held in a revocable living trust at the time of the grantor’s death is not subject to probate administration. Thus, the value of the property is not considered when computing the statutory fee for the personal representative or the estate attorney. Also, the amount of any required bond for the personal representative will be reduced to the extent the property is held in the trust and not subject to probate administration. Certain expenses associated with the death of a person are not eliminat- ed. Deeds to real estate, transferring the property from the trust to the beneficiaries, must be prepared. Estate-tax returns must be filed when the total value of the property owned at death (including assets in a revocable living trust) exceeds $1.5 million (or, in certain cases, a lesser amount). The dece- dent’s final income-tax returns must still be filed, and income-tax returns for the trust must also be filed. Another advantage of a revocable liv-

Continued on Page 33 28 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 29 faster; 512MB DDR2-667MHz dual- card, you will notice a loss of quality channel SDRAM (2x256) for normal when watching video on your system, use or 1GB DDR2-667MHz dual chan- not to mention slow response time. nel SDRAM (2x512) if the system will For students, I do not recommend a The Digital Sage be used for video editing; 80GB 7200- wireless mouse or keyboard, as they BY JOSH JUSTIC rpm SATA hard drive for the average require more work to maintain, and have user or 250GB 7200-rpm SATA hard power sources that need to be recharged drive for those who download a lot of or batteries that need to be replaced. data files or expect to install many appli- For the monitor, LCD is the only Tools For Academic Success cations. A double-layer 16X max way to go; the question is how big. DVD+/–R/RW drive is a good idea if you Prices are so low that I recommend at Not to date myself, but I remember help instill a sense of achievement in need to create CDs, DVDs, or DVD least a 17" and preferably a 19" screen. when the toughest choices for back-to- earning the computer, which will lead to movies. If you think you will never need The price difference is small, and the school gear were Trapper Keeper versus better maintenance of the equipment. A to write data to such discs, just get a bigger the display, the more you can spiral notebook. Now, computers have sense of entitlement can often lead to standard DVD/CD combo drive, which work with on screen at once. become a necessary ingredient for school careless treatment by children. will allow you to install software and Always upgrade the warranty to success for children as young as 10 years Every summer, many friends and play music and movies. Stereo speakers 3 years; never settle for a 1-year warran- old. Does this mean that a family with ty. Odds are that you will use it. The five children needs to shell out $40,000 average life of a PC (or mean time for computers for everyone? No. between failure, as we call it in the Who needs a computer? I would sug- Always upgrade the warranty to 3 years; industry) is 4 to 5 years. That means 40 gest that a personal desktop computer percent of PCs experience a hardware would make a good gift for a student never settle for a 1-year warranty. failure within three years of purchase. entering high school. Until that age, Check out www.shopping.hp.com to children should share a computer in a Odds are that you will use it. customize your student PC. common room. Having an allotted time If your student needs a laptop, will also help avoid time wasted on The average life of a PC is 4 to 5 years. instead, consider that laptops have needless Internet surfing and such. twice the failure rate of desktops and High-school coursework requires more are likely to be lost, stolen, or damaged. research and typing, and therefore a A well-cushioned carrying case or back- personal computer becomes necessary. clients ask me what computer to buy are a must; I recommend a decent pair pack is a great idea. Also, a locking If the image of a credit-card bill with for their sons and daughters. My high- from Logitech. device is smart. If going to Israel, make over four digits gives you nightmares, est recommendation for a student PC Standard equipment includes a net- sure to get an Israeli compatible power consider options such as setting aside is Hewlett Packard (HP), and I think work card and modem for dial-up. I rec- supply. Also try not to get a bigger dis- bar- or bat-mitzvah money for this pur- the 7500y series is a good buy. It ommend choosing an upgrade video play than 15"—a large display consumes pose. You might also consider giving comes with Windows XP Media card instead of the built-in Intel graphics more battery power, and it will be heav- your child a no-interest loan toward this Center Edition 2005. accelerator. If your budget has room for ier. A 10-lb. laptop may not seem like computer, to be repaid with money Whatever system you buy for a desk- it, choose the NVIDIA GeForce 7300 or much, but it seems exponentially heav- made by babysitting or working as a top, the minimum recommended hard- higher. Systems offload a lot of graphics ier the longer you lug it around. Weight camp counselor, or other such earned ware configuration is Intel Pentium 4 processing to the video card. If you do is a key point in your search. Try to keep income in the future. These measures 524 w/HT Technology, 3.0GHz or not choose a better-than-mediocre video it to 5 lbs. I recommend a Thinkpad. It’s

30 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES just about the most durable and reliable system out there in its price point. Here is a nicely equipped system that you can buy today at www.lenovo.com: A ThinkPad R60e Model #06573QU that includes an Intel Core Duo processor T2300e (1.66GHz, 2MB L2, 667MHz FSB) (standard); Microsoft Windows XP Professional; 15.0" XGA (1024x768) TFT (standard display type); memory with 1GB PC2-5300 CL5 NP DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM; Intel Graphics Media Accel- erator 950 (standard); 3 USB 2.0, External Display (VGA), External Microphone/Line-In, Headphone/Line out (standard ports), a 60GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive; 24x/24x/ 24x/8x max CD-RW/DVD- ROM Combo Ultrabay En- hanced Drive Optical device; 56K V.92 Designed Modem (standard integrated modem); integrated gigabit Ethernet (standard); integrated Wi-Fi wireless upgradable (standard LAN); and a ThinkPad full- size (standard) keyboard. Make sure to purchase a high-capacity battery; no battery ever seems to last long enough, so you might as well purchase the highest capacity battery they offer (the 9-cell). Also choose a warranty service upgrade to a 3-year depot repair. Hopefully you will never use it, but if you have a problem, you will be very glad you upgraded. The online price for a system configured as such is $1,268. If this model happens to be out of stock, call Lenovo, and they will try to get a similar system for you. Your student may be able to share the family printer or print at a college or seminary printer station, but if he or she needs one for themselves, avoid bubble jet/inkjet. The cost of the ink cartridges is high, and they need to be changed frequently. Laser printers are faster, sharper, and far cheaper per page. I recommend the 2006 Small Business Computing winner, the HP LaserJet 1020 printer. It can print 15 pages per minute, prints 600 dpi, has 2 MB of memory, can handle a duty cycle of 5,000 pages per month, has USB connectivity, weighs just 11 lbs, and costs just $179 (retail). In next month’s article, I will cover the next-most- asked-question for student computing: software. Choices abound in both Judaic and secular academic tools, and I will highlight the most useful packages.

Josh owns New Technologies Consulting, Inc. If you have any questions or suggestions for future articles, please contact Josh at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 31 general malaise. They can then devel- them during viral infections unneces- op the telltale blisters on any combina- sarily exposes the child to possible side tion of the hands, feet, and mouth. effects. There are, however, medica- The Doctor Is In These blisters can be very painful at tions (such as Tylenol or Motrin) to times, and children with mouth sores help make your child more comfort- BY DAVID ROSENBERG, MD might refuse to eat or drink. The worst able. If your child refuses to eat due to of the symptoms usually lasts 3–4 the painful mouth sores, make sure days, but can linger for up to a week. they at least get plenty of fluids to pre- Dear Dr. Dave, occur primarily in the summer. Very rarely, coxsackie virus can vent dehydration. The virus is usually Every year my children come home There are 23 different “coxsackie A” cause more serious complications such self-limited, and children recover in from day-camp with a note warning viruses (and 6 “coxsackie B” viruses), as pleurodynia (painful muscle spasms 4–7 days, with no intervention needed. that “coxsackie” is going around the which helps explain the wide range of of the chest, abdomen, and testicles in Of course, it is always best to check camp. I have heard many different symptoms possible with infection. The boys), hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, with your doctor to rule out other things, but I am not really sure what to virus was first documented in 1948 meningitis, encephalitis, and causes of these symptoms. believe. What exactly is coxsackie? Is it during an investigation into polio; it myocarditis. Again, these complica- The good news, I guess, is that sum- the same thing as “hand, foot, and was named after the town in which it tions are extremely rare, and usually mer—and, with it, coxsackie season— mouth” disease? What can I do to pre- was found, Coxsackie, N.Y. (Where the occur in infected newborns or children is almost over. Until next year… vent my children from getting it? Note: I would like to take this Chavi in Cedarhurst opportunity to thank all of you for your comments and questions. Please keep Dear Chavi, The best preventative measure against coxsackie virus them coming. I will do my best to Although the terms “coxsackie answer as many of your questions as virus” and “hand, foot, and mouth (as well as most other infectious diseases) is proper possible in the coming weeks. disease” are often used interchange- The information provided in this column is ably, they are technically not the hand-washing. Children should always be encouraged to designed to be an educational aid only; if you same thing. Hand, foot, and mouth suspect that your child has an adverse medical condition, always consult a physician. disease is a viral infection usually wash their hands after using the toilet, and before meals. caused by a strain of coxsackie virus. Dr. David Rosenberg is a board-certified pediatrician whose practice, VIPediatrics, is It causes a blister-like rash that, as located at 945 Broadway in Woodmere. Please the name implies, involves the hands, call 516-569-2323 for more information. If you feet, and mouth. town got its name from is a good ques- with underlying immune deficiencies. have any suggestions or topics you would like to see discussed in future columns, please contact The coxsackie virus is a type of tion.) The most well-known coxsackie The best preventative measure him by e-mail at [email protected]. enterovirus, which means it lives in the A disease is hand, foot, and mouth dis- against coxsackie virus (as well as human digestive tract. It is fairly conta- ease—a common childhood illness, most other infectious diseases) is gious, and is usually spread by often produced by coxsackie A16. proper hand-washing. Children Deadline for Advertising unwashed hands. The virus can live on Not all children infected with cox- should always be encouraged to wash in the Next Issue is contaminated surfaces for several days. sackie virus develop symptoms. Older their hands after using the toilet, and It has even been reported to survive for children and adults often remain before meals. Monday, August 28 a time in swimming pools, even in asymptomatic or have very mild symp- Because antibiotics only work at 5:00 P.M. chlorinated water. In cooler climates, toms. Children younger than 5 years against bacteria, they can’t be used to Call 516-984-0079 such as ours, coxsackie virus outbreaks old often develop fever, fatigue, and fight viruses such as coxsackie. Using

32 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ASK THE LAWYER trustee are not ordinarily supervised by any court or other independent third Continued from Page 28 party, the selection of the successor ing trust is its administration. The trustee should be carefully considered. administration of a revocable living trust The grantor is not limited to naming at the grantor’s death is normally a pri- only one trustee. Two or more individ- vate matter between the trustee and the uals may be named to serve as co- beneficiaries. Unlike probate (where any- trustees, or a combination of individu- one can go to court and look at the doc- als and a corporate trustee may be uments), there are few public records to named. If an individual is to serve as reveal the nature or amount of assets or successor trustee, the grantor should the identity of any beneficiary. consider whether the trustee is to be Property can often be distributed to bonded. The grantor’s decision should the beneficiaries shortly after the be clearly stated in the trust docu- grantor’s death, avoiding much of the ment. If a bond is required, the bond delay encountered with probate admin- premium is normally paid by the istration. Also, Probate Court approval trustee from the assets in the trust. is not necessary to sell an asset in a A revocable living trust may be inap- trust, thus avoiding further delay. In propriate for certain assets. If stock is addition to the avoidance of probate owned in a Subchapter S corporation, administration in New York, “ancillary” the trust must comply with certain tech- probate administration in other states nical income-tax requirements to avoid where real estate is owned can be avoid- terminating the Subchapter S status. ed by transferring the out-of-state real Also, if the trust is named as the primary estate to a revocable living trust. For beneficiary of a qualified pension plan, those owning real estate in several retirement plan, or IRA account, a sur- states, (New York and Florida, for exam- viving spouse will be precluded from ple) this can be a significant advantage. completing a “spousal rollover” and If the grantor becomes physically or deferring the income tax until later. mentally incapacitated, property held in Remember, you should never sign a this trust remains available to the revocable living trust document with- grantor without the requirement of a out the advice of a New York attorney court-supervised guardianship. The suc- who practices in this field of law. He or cessor trustee named in the trust docu- she will be able to advise you whether ment takes charge, managing the assets a revocable living trust is right for you. in the trust and paying the grantor’s While there are advantages of a rev- bills. The successor trustee can be a ocable living trust, as with everything trusted relative or friend, or can be a else, there are also disadvantages. professional trustee such as a trust com- Since a revocable living trust is a more pany or the trust department of a bank. Since the activities of the successor Continued on Page 46

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 33 munity wombs, watching as their exporter in Israel—who began discus- Had there been no expulsion, the homes and livelihoods and dreams for sions with the Disengagement funds that went into third-rate trailer August Tears the future were bulldozed into obliv- Authority a year in advance discovered camps and to hotels for the Katifers ion, their fabulously successful farms that, contrary to the lies perpetrated in could have been, and should have BY TOBY KLEIN destroyed, even the graves of their the media, it made no difference; he been, used to replenish the army’s GREENWALD beloved—including heroic soldiers and received most of his compensation a store of weapons and bulletproof flak victims of terror—dug up. year after the expulsion. jackets (one paratroopers unit, it is The parallels of last August and this Left without their schools, syna- The collective Israeli memory shud- reported, raised money for their own), have been tearing at our hearts for gogues, mikvehs, or community gath- dered at the sight of Rav Netanel of not to mention food, which has been weeks now. ering halls, they were compressed into Atzmona, and others, carrying their reported scarce on the northern front The month of Elul will soon be little rooms and tents—the “lucky” Sifrei Torah into exile, calling to mind during the war. upon us, and it is time for all of Israel ones, after many months, allowed to that chilling 1973 photo of Hillel I have been remarking to my friends, to do a cheshbon ha’nefesh, an exami- set up house in little cardboard cara- Unsdorfer crossing the Suez Canal “G-d is treating the Jewish people as if nation of our deeds. vans that were “all made out of ticky- during the Yom Kippur War with the we have a problem with our reading Those of us who, last year at this tacky and all looked just the same.” Sefer Torah in his arms. comprehension; since we haven’t time, lived through the expulsion from Some of those cardboard dolls’ hous- And now, here we go again. behaved, collectively, as if we under- Gush Katif and the northern es were located in Carmia, in a kibbutz Thank G-d, last year there were no stand His straightforward Biblical texts, Shomron—whether ourselves, or vicari- that took direct Kassam hits—fired from casualties. Nobody died—no thanks to He decided to show us, with visuals and ously through relatives, friends, or the the very areas in Gaza where Jews used the government and the army (who with the use of real elements.” courageous settlers featured in the to live. But because the Disengagement were trained for six months in ruthless So now we have people from the media—remember the chilling sight of Authority had already paid rent to the psychological warfare), but thanks to North expelled from their homes, many dark-vested soldiers, with the ironic kibbutz, there was no money for their the patriotic pioneers who preferred to of which were physically destroyed, and patches of the Star of David on their residents to take their compensation go, for the most part, quietly, rather many of their businesses financially hats and clothing, leading or carrying all money (such as it was) and look for than lift a hand against another Jew. destroyed. The beautiful sands of Katif, the people away—old people and chil- housing elsewhere. now rampant with rocket launchers and dren, babies, mothers, and respectable When, after many months without They Got It Wrong This Time, Too terrorists, are mirrored by the barren, family men—to waiting buses, to an their clothes, school supplies, and During this last month, horrific scorched forests of the Galil, a million unknown future; a future that with each basic necessities, the Katifers opened accounts have emerged from our trees (according to the JNF) burnt by additional day proved to be even less the containers the government had troops in Lebanon about the battles, Katyusha fire. The children of the Galil, planned, less viable, and more cruel provided for their household goods, and disturbing accounts have emerged like the children of Katif, have been than the worst skeptics had imagined. they found that many of their posses- about the scarcity of basic necessities traumatized by the destruction and, With an overwhelming, tactile irony, sions had been battered, destroyed, or for the IDF and the lack of proper worst of all, the deaths. the memorial services for the southern even stolen. Those who attempted to equipment for the reserve units. The most bitterly ironic announce- communities of Gush Katif have been help them by looking for answers from The millions of dollars that went ment I heard on the news this month juxtaposed the last few weeks on the the authorities regarding who was into training and outfitting the was the complaint of the farmers of the distant rumble of tank and mortar fire responsible were sent from one office “Disengagement forces” could have North, who have lost “an entire agricul- from the North. to another. (The Ministry of Defense, been, and should have been, used on tural season.” One colleague of mine Last August, good people who had the Disengagement Authority, the preparing Israeli reservists, who in claimed, last year, that one of the answered the call of every elected Prime Minister’s Office…) the past have constituted the back- strongest lobbies for the Israeli government—to pioneer the People like Asaf Assis—a farmer bone of the IDF, for the inevitable wilderness—were torn from their com- who had been the largest geranium battle in the North. Continued on Page 45

34 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 1 2

3 4 PhotosByTobyKleinGreenwald

(1) Boys in a creative writing class in Atzmona-Shomria. (2) A group from Hatzor in the Galil, guests in Givat Washington. (3) Parents of Neve Dekalim (Gush Katif) ulpana girls, watching theater scenes about their current lives. (4) The housing in Shomria.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 35 Ackman. The three leading voluntary health organizations—the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association support the law. “By raising the legal tobacco purchasing age to 19, we can further Increase In Purchase Age For often on school grounds. reduce the prevalence of cigarettes in Tobacco Products “As a vast majority of high school stu- our high schools and keep teens from In April of this year, the Nassau dents are not 19, there should be no developing an addiction that threatens County Legislature approved a law rais- students ‘legitimately’ smoking on or their lives and jeopardizes their ing the legal age to purchase tobacco near school grounds,” Mr. Toback said. futures,” Toback added. “Often, 18- products in Nassau County from 18 to According to the Nassau County year-olds, especially those who are 18- 19. Called “Tobacco 19,” that law Health Department, tobacco vendors year-old high school seniors, will buy became effective throughout Nassau will receive letters of notification and cigarettes for their younger friends. A County as of August 24. Tobacco 19 will signage for their stores within the next recent California study showed 59 per- make it more difficult for younger few weeks. Vendors will also be cent of 18- and 19-year-olds were teenagers to “pass” for the legal age, required to take the New York State asked by an adolescent to purchase adding a substantial obstacle to their Certified Tobacco Sales Training cigarettes on their behalf.” ability to purchase tobacco products, said Course, and can contact the Health The law’s definition of “tobacco Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) is pictured with Jamie Law Nassau County Legislator Jeffrey Toback Department for more information at products” includes herbal cigarettes, holding a sign that will be displayed in Nassau (D-Oceanside), a co-sponsor of the law. 516-571-3232. bidis, rolling papers, pipes, cigarettes, County convenience stores prohibiting the sale According to Toback, chairman of the “Anything that helps to take tobacco cigars, chewing tobacco, powdered of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, Health and Social Service committee, products out of the hands of our youth tobacco, and other tobacco products. powdered tobacco, or other tobacco products, an informal study of local students is a positive move. Tobacco 19 may not With the exception of three states, the herbal cigarettes, rolling papers or pipes to persons under nineteen (19) years of age. shows that approximately 30 percent of be the full solution to teen smoking, legal statewide age for purchasing cig- the students at Nassau County high but it’s a step in the right direction” arettes is 18. In Alabama, Alaska, and schools smoke cigarettes every day, said Health Commissioner David M. Utah the age is 19. JCC Events On Thursday, August 31, from 6:00p.m–8:00 p.m. at North Wood- mere Park, the JCC of the Greater Five Towns Traumatic Brain Injury support program will host an end-of- summer BBQ. Come enjoy a relaxing evening with friends for a kosher BBQ and say farewell to the summer. Pre-registration is required. For further information, please contact Lisa Barnett at 516-569-6733 ext. 210. The Parkinsons Support Group is a support and activity center for parkinsonians and their spouses and family. The group meets on Tuesdays at the JCC (207 Grove Avenue, Cedarhurst), 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. For more information, please call 516-569-6733.

Pop-Up Campers In Israel Rabbis Shimon Brodie and Yerachmiel Landy, in the U.S. and Israel, were looking to help the housing crunch precipitated by the evacu- ation of the North. Cash was (and continues to be) raised by their program, and the need arose for a longer-term solution for modest aux- iliary residence space. Having had some background in real estate, Landy suggested the multi-faceted and versatile pop-up camper. Unlike larger RVs, a pop-up camper can fit in a parking space and run all the luxury utilities of a home, powered by propane gas or a charged car battery. The question was how interested displaced people would be in these units, which had never been brought to Israel. Ohr LaYehudim placed an ad in the newspaper, and the calls began flooding in. In addition to developing a waiting list for (hopefully) donated campers, the organization was able to place people, secure cash donations, and begin an outreach program that introduced displaced secular Jews from the North with hosts from places like Mattersdorf in Yerushalayim. Amongst the flood of calls: a family from Haifa who wanted to leave the neighborhood where missiles landed nearby but had nowhere to go. A chareidi family in 36 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Mattersdorf took in the family. The ference, which is being chaired by Dr. neys and livers. Issues such as car- The cost of the conference is free for grateful guest was apparently Edward Reichman, associate profes- diac and brain death in Jewish law YU students in advance, $5 at the impressed by the kedushah of his host sor at Albert Einstein College of will be addressed by Jewish legal door. For all other students, the cost neighborhood and soon after arriving Medicine. Rabbi Dr. Avraham experts Rabbi Hershel Schachter, is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. told his host: “I can’t seem to find my Steinberg, director of the Center for Rabbi Moshe Tendler, and Rabbi General admission is $15 in advance kipah, do you have an extra one?” Medical Ethics at Hebrew Mordechai Willig. Attendees will also and $25 at the door. Arrangements Since then the Ohr La Yehudim/ University–Hadassah Medical School have a chance to learn more about can be made for media to attend by Rabbi Brodie project has housed in Jerusalem and physician in pedi- the psychosocial issues of organ contacting [email protected]. dozens of people through connecting atric neurology at Shaare Zedek donation from Dr. Hindi The organizers have arranged for the needy to sources. Medical Center, will deliver the Mermelstein, clinical assistant pro- attendance at the conference to qual- Units are delivered and have a keynote lecture. fessor at the department of psychiatry ify as continuing medical education service team to help set-up for Dr. Reichman and Dr. Stuart at NYU Medical Center. for physicians. The credits have been $12,000. They have a queen bed- Greenstein, professor of surgery at The conference is a unique oppor- arranged through Albert Einstein room on each end, a full kitchen, full Albert Einstein College of Medicine tunity to hear many Jewish experts College of Medicine and provide 4.5 bath, and fold-out sleeping couch and consulting surgeon in the divi- speak about some of the most cutting- AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. and bench to sleep a total of six. sion of transplantation at Montefiore edge issues in medicine. Registration Plus, the unit has all utilities and Medical Center, will discuss live is required and can be submitted appliances. Donors can donate a organ donation, such as donating kid- online at www.yu.edu/medicalethics. Continued on Page 38 whole unit, cash towards a unit, or cash towards immediate relief in the form of hotel rooms. Also, the units are a nice inexpensive way to have a house in Israel. So, the organization gives the option to buy one to lend out during emergencies and have it for your own use in Israel during other times. Amidst the chesed being flooded to help the evacuees, there has been an offer by an Israeli town to give free storage for 45 units provided they are on reserve for security usage. That means the first 45 pur- chasers of units can end up with a free place to keep their unit in an ideal location and know their unit is helping Israel at the same time. Ohr La Yehudim looks to send its first shipment of units on August 20. For more information call 1-800-808-0393 or visit www.tzniusmobile.com. Checks can be mailed to OLY 633 Franklin Ave. PMB 165 Nutley, NJ 07055.

YU Hosts Conference On Organ Donation And Jewish Law What does “time of death” really mean? What halachic issues are involved in the donation of living organs, such as kidneys or bone mar- row? What instructions should we leave to our loved ones regarding end of life? All of these issues will be tackled at “Organ Donation: A Matter of Life and Death,” at noon, Sunday, Sept. 10, on Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus. “The conference will be a wonder- ful opportunity to explore in depth a complex and pressing issue and to interact with leading rabbis and physicians in this area of medical ethics,” said Yonah Bardos, a senior at Yeshiva College majoring in biology. Mr. Bardos and Stern College for Women biology major Zahava Sinensky are the event organizers and co-presidents of the undergraduate Medical Ethics Society. The conference has been organized by the Medical Ethics Society and Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future. Conference co-sponsors include Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, American Committee Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Yeshiva College Student Association, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva Student Union, and Stern College’s Torah Activities Council. Dr. Fred Rosner, professor of medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and visiting professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, will moderate the con- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 37 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 37 Not Your Mother’s Hebrew School We all know at least one person who speaks of his or her days in Hebrew school with the same tone of voice used when speaking of wisdom- tooth removal or chicken pox. However, you won’t hear any such talk from the attendees of the Chabad Hebrew School in Cedarhurst. Those moans and groans have been replaced with squeals of delight. It starts with Aleph Champ, an exciting Hebrew literacy education program that uses the karate model. Children move through the ranks of Rabbi Meir, Hebrew School director and reading instructor, reviewing the Alef Bet with white, red, and orange, all the way to Kimberly Paley, while other students review their Aleph Champ workbooks, each working at the highest level—Black Aleph his or her own champion level. Chabad Hebrew School Student Ben Eneman Champ. “The students love the per- practicing Hebrew reading and writing. sonal challenge and the fulfillment of progressing to another color,” said this important tool to ensure the Rabbi Meir, the Hebrew-reading future of Judaism. instructor. “Charting their own For more information, contact the progress keeps them motivated.” Hebrew School director, Rabbi Meir Also included in the curriculum is Geisinsky, at 516-295-2478 ext. 19 or study of the weekly Torah portion, [email protected] with an emphasis on the Land of may also visit www.chabad5towns.com Israel, Jewish history, an understand- to download forms, learn about ing of the Jewish holidays and Chabad’s unique approach, and obtain Shabbos, and finally—yet most essen- more information. tial—Jewish values. This unique Sunday School is ‘The Shadchan’ Magazine From geared for boys and girls ages 5 to 13 The Simcha Foundation who attend public school. Parents are The Simcha Foundation, Inc., a also included in fun days and in holi- non-profit organization founded by day lessons. The school’s enrollment Jeff Cohn of Baltimore, has initiated has doubled over this last year alone, an extremely innovative nationwide and Chabad expects the numbers to (and soon to be international) project keep rising as more parents learn of Rebecca Rothstein looks at the Aleph Champ board to see what level she is at. to help involve all of Klal Yisrael in

38 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the matchmaking process. CHAN. Once an individual becomes The foundation has developed The a participating shadchan, he or she Shadchan, a magazine that will fea- will be advised how to submit profiles ture, in a tzeniusdik manner, profiles to the magazine. of single men and women of all ages The idea behind The Shadchan is (never married, divorced, or widowed) to enable the greater Torah observant from across the Orthodox spectrum. community to become more involved The plan is for The Shadchan to be in the networking process. Many published 8 to 12 times a year. marriage-minded people have diffi- Profiles will be categorized by gender culty meeting suitable dating part- in different age groups. The goal is to ners since their networking capabili- mail this magazine to every frum ties may be limited. They may be household in North America. uncomfortable using an online dating All submissions must be made by service, or they may simply want to individuals who agree to act as a use additional resources. shadchan for the particular person They may live in small or distant they represent. In other words, the communities, may not have a wide individual submitting a profile need enough network of friends and rela- not be a professional or regular tives who can help them network, are matchmaker. As a matter of fact, The seeking a marriage partner whose Shadchan tagline reads: “You don’t hashkafah is different from those to have to be a shadchan to make a shid- whom they have already been intro- duch.” But, the one submitting must duced by the people currently net- be willing to do the follow-up work working on their behalf, have moved necessary once a call of interest is to a new community, or are uncom- received for the person whose profile fortable asking a large number of they have submitted. people to look for potential shid- As a security measure, one of the duchim for them. matchmakers—someone associated The Shadchan method allows some- with the magazine staff—will tele- one who knows a single well to serve as phone anyone with whom they are his or her advocate utilizing this very not familiar who submits a profile. tzenius approach. This introductory step enables The The individual submitting the sin- Shadchan to verify information about gle’s profile will be a third party go- the newcomer and to add him or her between who can, at least at the out- to its growing list of participating set, eliminate many of the difficulties shadchanim. that can occur with self-initiated Anyone interested in becoming a shidduch attempts. Acting as a shad- participating matchmaker can tele- chan, this individual can investigate phone The Shadchan and leave a voice mail message, at 1-888-SHAD- Continued on Page 40

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 39 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, wel- Political Science Department: In the College for Men. comes donations from contributors for fall, assistant professor Thomas “Both professors bring significant Continued from Page 39 dedication opportunities such as sim- Rozinski and adjunct professor John real-world experience to Touro and we whether a suggestion appears to be chos, l’refuah sheleimah, l’zeicher nish- Wirenius will be joining the faculty. are pleased they have decided to join suitable, weed out inappropriate sug- mas, etc. These donations will be Thomas Rozinski, a graduate of our faculty,” said Dr. Bernard Lander, gestions, provide additional helpful acknowledged by “plaques” printed in Harvard Law School, has been founder and president of Touro information regarding a potential the upcoming issues of this graphical- appointed as an assistant professor of College. “Both have served in New York match, and later intercede if helpful ly pleasing magazine, as well as by a political science and will be teaching City government, and worked in highly or necessary. genuine plaque sent as a token of constitutional law, political theory, regarded law firms. Both are excellent This process of matching up indi- appreciation to each contributor to and American government, primarily speakers and have a keen interest in viduals protects the privacy of the sin- display in their home or office. gles that are suggested by their repre- Advertising will also provide a sentatives. Each shadchan profile sub- source of funding to subsidize the mission form is coded for anonymous costs of production and distribution of identification. Any magazine reader the magazine. who finds a profile of interest may Individuals interested in learning telephone 1-888-SHADCHAN and more about donation and advertising leave a message indicating the code opportunities or submitting a profile associated with the profile in which may contact The Simcha Foundation, they are interested along with their 17 Warren Road, Suite 15A, name and phone number. Baltimore, MD; [email protected]; The magazine staff will screen or 888-SHA-DCHAn (888-742-3242). messages and contact the shadchan When The Shadchan magazine who submitted that profile. That comes to your door, please do not shadchan will then contact the caller throw it away! It is not junk mail! It is interested in the profile, obtaining a beautiful opportunity for all of us to whatever information he or she try to make shidduchim for the people deems necessary. The shadchan may we know and care about. The maga- determine that: zine is three-hole punched so that it Assistant professor Thomas Rozinski (left) and adjunct professor John Wirenius (right) will be a) the caller’s suggestion is not suit- may be placed into a three-ring joining the Touro College faculty in the fall. able for the profiled individual; binder for future reference. By all b) agree to suggest the shidduch; or means, safe-keep it in that binder, at Lander College of Arts and exciting students about the law.” c) suggest someone else who may be but make sure that you read it and Sciences in Flatbush. He will also Rozinski brings to Touro a broad better suited to the person the caller refer to it often! teach a course in American govern- background in academia, government has suggested. ment at Lander College for Men in service, and legal practice. From The Shadchan does not receive Two Legal Scholars To Teach At Queens. John Wirenius, a Harlan 2003 to 2005, he was an assistant shadchanus gelt when any of the indi- Touro College Fiske Stone Scholar at Columbia Law professor of law at the University of viduals profiled marries as a result of Touro College is broadening its School, has joined the faculty as an Michigan. He also taught at Harvard the publication’s efforts. Nevertheless, offerings in the areas of constitutional adjunct professor of political science, University, Yeshiva University, and this is an expensive venture. The law and American government with and will teach “The Supreme Court Baruch College. He served for seven Simcha Foundation Inc., a tax- the addition of two legal scholars to its and the Constitution” at Lander years in the Giuliani administration

40 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES as general counsel to two city agen- pool covers. from a low-flying helicopter. (also see In zip code 10303: cies and as Acting Commissioner of • Vases are prohibited in cemeteries maps at www.nyc.gov/health): • Marsh areas bounded by the for- Homeless Services. Prior to joining during West Nile virus season. mer North Shore Railroad to the the City of New York, he was a part- • Use mosquito repellent when out- Staten Island: north, South Avenue to the east, the ner in the law firm Anderson, Kill, doors in areas where mosquitoes are In zip code 10314: Arthur Kill to the west, and Goethals and Olick, where he specialized in active. Repellents containing the • Marsh areas bounded by Rich- Road North to the south. environmental insurance litigation. active ingredients DEET, picaridin or mond Terrace to the north, Holland In zip codes 10314, 10308: In addition to his law degree, oil of lemon eucalyptus are approved Avenue to the east, Western Avenue to • Marsh areas bounded by Rt. 440 Rozinski holds a bachelor of arts for use by the U.S. EPA and New York the west, and the former North Shore to the west, Richmond Avenue to the summa cum laude from Yale State for protection against biting Railroad to the south Area north of east, Arthur Kill Road to the south, University in economics and political mosquitoes. Products containing oil of Victory Blvd., south of South Avenue, and Park Drive/Main Creek to the science, and a master’s in govern- lemon eucalyptus should not be used and west of Travis to Arthur Kill Bay. north. ment from Harvard University. on children younger than 3. Always • Area bounded by Edward Curry • Area east of Richmond, north of Wirenius is the author of First read the repellent’s label and follow Avenue to the north, South Avenue to Arthur Kill, and south of Richmond Amendment, First Principles, a com- instructions for use. the east and south, and Chelsea Road Creek. prehensive study of the U.S. Supreme To report dead birds online, visit: and Bloomfield Road to the west. In zip code 10309: Court’s treatment of freedom of www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvbi • Marsh areas bounded by Goethals Area north and west of Arthur Kill speech, as well as ten law review arti- rd.shtml. To report standing water Road North to the north, Graham Road to Arthur Kill Bay. cles. Currently he is serving as deputy online, visit: www.nyc.gov/html/doh/ Avenue to the east, Teleport Drive and counsel of New York City’s Office of html/wnv/wnvwater.shtml. For more Edward Curry Avenue to the south, Queens: Collective Bargaining, where he information about West Nile virus, call and Gulf Avenue to the west. In zip codes 11361, 11363: supervises the adjudication of dis- 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/health/wnv. • Area south of River Road to • Marsh areas inside Alley Pond putes under the city’s collective bar- Edward Curry Avenue and west of Park. gaining contracts. He is also a former Areas To Be Sprayed Chelsea Road to Arthur Kill Bay. In zip codes 10354, 10356: Assistant Corporation Counsel for the The areas to be treated appear • Area south of Edward Curry • Marsh areas bounded by 20th City of New York, and litigated sever- below. Due to their size and difficulty Avenue, north of South Avenue, and Avenue to the north, 130th Ave/Ulmer al major constitutional cases during to reach by ground vehicles, these west of Chelsea Road to Arthur Kill the Giuliani administration. For the areas will be treated with larvicide Bay. Continued on Page 42 past five years, Wirenius was lead counsel in Nitke v. Gonzales, a First Amendment challenge to government restrictions on Internet communica- tion, which reached the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. He has also worked for three private law firms, the New York State Union of Teachers, and the Legal Aid Society of New York. He received a bachelor of arts summa cum laude from Fordham University, and a juris doctor from Columbia Law School. Touro College has experienced phe- nomenal growth since its opening in 1971, and is currently educating more than 23,000 students at locations in New York, California, Nevada, Jerusalem, Moscow, and Berlin.

Helicopter Larvicide Spraying Scheduled for Marshes in Staten Island, Queens, and Bronx The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will apply larvicide by helicopter for mosquito control in selected marsh and other non-residential areas of Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx. Weather per- mitting, larvicide is scheduled to be applied on Wednesday, August 23 through Friday, August 25 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. each day. If weather does not permit, larviciding will begin the morning of Thursday, August 24 or the next possible day. While three days are allotted for this activity, the application may be completed in less time.

DOHMH Recommendations to Reduce Exposure to Mosquitoes • Repair or replace all screens that have tears and holes. • Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property. • Dispose of containers that can collect standing water. • Make sure roof gutters drain properly and rooftops are free of standing water. • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 41 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS BACH Dinner Celebrates 60th Birthday In Grand Style Continued from Page 41 On Wednesday, August 16, the Street to the west, Ulmer steeet/28th Bachurei Chemed (“BACH”) annual Street to the south, and Whitestone dinner took place at the Lawrence Expressway to the east. Village Country Club, celebrating 60 In zip codes 11691, 11692: years of enriching the lives of the • Marsh areas bounded by Norton beach communities of Long Beach, basin to the east, Mott Point to the Lido Beach, and Atlantic Beach. north, Grass Hassock Channel to the Over 200 adults and children west, and Beach 65th Street/Decosta gathered to celebrate the revitaliza- Ave/Almeda Avenue to the South. tion of the BACH under the exciting leadership of the new educational Bronx: and outreach directors, Rabbi Eli In zip code 10475: and Rebbetzin Beila Goodman. • Marsh areas bounded by the Shellie and Bernie Neumark were Hutchinson River to the west and the guests of honor for the evening for south, New England Thruway to the their outstanding dedication to the north and Amtrak railroad to the east. institution; Mrs. Nettie Wertheimer VectoBac CG—a natural bacterial was awarded the Lifetime Achievement agent—will be used use for this aerial Award for her many decades of extraor- application. VectoBac will also be used dinary devotion to the BACH and local throughout the mosquito season to community; and Sam Grill was hon- (L–R): Bernie Neumark, Shellie Neumark, and Rabbi Eli Goodman. treat mosquito-breeding sites. ored with the Youth Leadership Award Additional surveillance activity is cur- for the model example he sets as a rently being conducted to determine young leader of the BACH. whether further application of larvi- The dinner was co-chaired by Mrs. cide in these areas will be necessary. Judy and Dr. Edward Steinberg and Sharon and Sinclair Haberman. ‘Forgotten Refugees’ Showing At Bachurei Chemed was founded in Lido Beach Synagogue 1946 by Simon Solomon, a’h. With The Lido Beach Synagogue cordial- its unique focus on children, the ly invites you to a showing of the film BACH’s vibrant youth movement has “The Forgotten Refugees” on provided a nurturing place for youth Saturday evening, August 26 at 9:30 to grow, embrace our rich heritage, p.m. in the synagogue’s ballroom (1 and gain the skills and self-confi- Fairway Road, Lido Beach). dence they need to become leaders of Discussion and refreshments will fol- our community. The BACH’s warm, low the film. The suggested donation open, and accepting environment is $10. Please call 516-889-9650 for any further information. Continued on Page 44 (L–R): Alexander Haberman, Andrew Haberman, and DJ Presser.

42 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 43 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS In light of the BACH’s focus upon the children, this year the dinner Continued from Page 42 committee chose an exciting theme makes it a home to all those who that included entertainment by bas- come through its doors. ketball sensation the “Hoop Wizard,” Now with its new undertaking, as well as the premiere of a video that BACH has expanded its youth- and showed all the amazing events that family-oriented mission to include have taken place at the BACH over Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach. It the past two years. has seen great success over the last For more information about the two years by developing exciting and many new educational and outreach cutting edge programming never seen programs please call 516-897-2473 or before on the South Shore. visit the website, www.bachyouth.com.

Rabbi Eli Goodman, Bernie Neumark, Dr. Eddie Steinberg, and Sam Grill. Sam Grill, Youth Leadership awardee.

44 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August Tears food, and activities in the bomb shelters. one bizarre coincidence, our Dor Kiryat Shmona and elsewhere. Continued from Page 34 • A little prayer. Stop saying, “We L’Dor Theater Troupe performed for Professor Shlomo Avineri, former will win,” and begin saying, “With the “evacuees” of the Gush Katif girls’ director-general of Israel’s Foreign Disengagement was that of the agricul- G-d’s help, we will win.” (This ties in high school (ulpana), and their par- Ministry, told Israeli TV’s Channel turists who lived outside of Gush Katif, with the first point.) ents, in a small hall in the Givat One, “It is an issue of life philosophy,” whose jealousy of the Katif’s farming Washington community, while outside and said that the Israeli public is success was overpowering. The farmers The Good News “evacuees” from Hatzor of the Galil involved in individualism, capitalism, of Katif have lost not one season, but The good news is the Jewish people. were walking around. and the stock market, rather than wor- many seasons—some, forever. Just as there were good Jews and In Efrat and elsewhere, people rying about social issues. Would that But there is a difference. schools and settlements that opened organized trucks taking food and other his criticism become a clarion call to Last year, as opposed to this year, no their homes and hearts and pockets necessities to the soldiers, and food, action, to a change in the fabric of all public bodies (with the exception of last year, so were there this summer, as games, and other essentials to adults of society—especially of the leaders— several privately administered reli- well. As a matter of fact, in many and children in bomb shelters. and not just the mantra of groups like gious-Zionist and haredi organizations) cases, it was the same people. Omanut L’am (a left-wing Tel Aviv those mentioned above. reached out to the expelled people of Rav Yigal Kaminetsky, who had been organization, that did no such thing Katif. No Tel Aviv or Jerusalem theater the chief rabbi of Gush Katif and is cur- for the Katifers) sent faxes to all its It’s All In The Bible directors said that people from Katif rently living in Nitzan, paid a visit to peo- teaching artists (of which I’m one) ask- We find it all in Parashas Eikev, in the could attend performances for free. ple who had been evacuated from the ing them to pay visits to the North to Sh’ma: that if we keep these command- No water parks or safaris or zoos threw North and were now under tents in a entertain the shelter-dwellers. ments, “your days will be multiplied, and open their gates, gratis, for the Jewish nearby nature reserve. He spoke to them Many of the same young people, the days of your children, in the land children of the Gaza expulsion. about courage and faith and stamina. especially from the religious Zionist which the L-rd swore to your fathers…” A friend of mine from Ofakim (near The Jerusalem Post ran daily ads communities, who spent last summer So here is my last list of the day: Be’er Sheva) claims that the lack of with the names and contact informa- entertaining the children of Katif May the bereaved be comforted. May caring and sensitivity to the Katifers is tion of people willing to open their spent this summer entertaining and our wounded heal quickly. May our also apparent in the attitude to those homes to Northerners. helping the children of the North. A enemies be foiled. living in S’derot, which has been bom- Kibbutzim took in large groups of young neighbor of ours who is a med- May our leaders acquire wisdom. barded with Kassams and rockets, Northerners, as did settlements in ical clown spent last year on the sands May our days be multiplied, in the even more so since the expulsion from Judea and Samaria and elsewhere. In of Katif and this year in the shelters of land of our fathers, in peace. ❖ Gaza. Could it be, he suggests, that those of the North—many from the secular Haifa and kibbutzim—are more worthy of national attention? In the wider Jewish world, organizations like the UJC/Federation JDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, who are running special campaigns now for the Northerners, did nothing last year, on a humanitarian basis, for the expelled and heartbroken families from Katif. Why, then, are we surprised to dis- cover that the population of the North suffered, this last month, in bomb shelters with no air conditioning, and some without even fans? That there were elderly and disabled who had no facilities to which to be evacuated? Why are we surprised at the arro- gance of Israel’s ruling politicians and generals, who were surprised at the war of the Hezbollah? Chief of IDF Halutz’s story of how, several days before the war, he called a northern resort to make reservations for his family’s summer vacation, raised more eye- brows than it did chuckles.

List Of Action For Israel’s Government Here is my list of the qualities that the leaders of Israel should acquire for themselves, very soon—like right now. They can think of this as summer studies, or, Five Things I Learned on Summer Vacation (short version): • A little humility. The Hezbollah caught them clueless. Following up with “Star Wars” firepower in the first few days (Halutz came from the Air Force) won’t let us forget that blunder. • A little foresight. For six years, the Hezbollah built up their forces on our borders. Did various prime ministers and chiefs of staff think that the cast of evildoers to our north would settle for a rehearsal without a run of the play? • A little preparation. Like the Boy Scouts. A food plan. A stock of bulletproof vests. Extra underwear. Special provisions for female soldiers. • A little caring. For the home front. For those who couldn’t afford a month in a hotel. For those who needed medicine, 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 45 ASK THE LAWYER A grantor who desires to manage his or her own financial affairs and Continued from Page 33 who is physically and mentally able complex legal document, it is often can (and ordinarily should) serve as more costly to establish. Also, deeds trustee. But provisions should be and other documents must be pre- made in the trust for a successor pared that transfer the grantor’s assets trustee to take charge in the event the to the trust, a process that can require grantor becomes unable to continue a substantial investment of the for any reason or in the event of the grantor’s time. grantor’s death. Or, the grantor may The use of a revocable living trust simply desire to be relieved of asset requires more ongoing monitoring to management responsibilities, whether ensurethatassetsremaininthetrustand temporarily or permanently. that newly purchased assets are titled in With a revocable living trust, you the trust. For instance, a grantor who can see your trust at work. ❖ transfers funds from one financial institution to another (perhaps to obtain a This column is designed for general information only, and should not be construed as formal better interest rate) must remember to professional advice. advisethenewinstitutiontotitlethenew The Law Offices Of Howard M. Adelsberg is a account in the trust. full-service law firm with over 20 years of After the grantor’s death, some of experience, and handles a variety of legal matters the income-tax rules applicable to a in the areas of personal injury, estate matters, real estate transactions and litigation, trust are not as liberal as those avail- commercial litigation, and family law. You can able to a probate estate. For example, a call the office at 516-569-6930. probate estate may elect to use some Readers are encouraged to send questions to designated fiscal year as its tax year, [email protected] or to Law Offices while a trust is usually restricted to the Of Howard M. Adelsberg, 445 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. calendar year. Trusts are also subject to tax rules that do not apply to probate estates. During the grantor’s lifetime, the Deadline for Advertising revocable living trust has no effect on the income tax which the grantor will in the Next Issue is owe. In fact, if the grantor is the trustee or a co-trustee, all income Monday, August 28 earned on assets held in the trust is reported directly on the grantor’s at 5:00 P.M. income-tax return, and the trust is not required to file a return. After the Call 516-984-0079 grantor’s death, the trust is taxed at the same rate as a probate estate.

46 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES tions should we be asking? from us, and what do we need cha? Why did that happen? What criteria should we be from him? Are there questions Was it the photographer him- applying in our selection of a and comments that will help self, his training and approach, Photo Prose photographer or videograph- the photographer do more? the environmental conditions, er? When we see a photo that the timing, or other circum- BY GARY GERSHON tographer using ordinary we like, is it possible that stances? No doubt you and the RABENKO words and thinking like an under those particular circum- photographer had different amateur, the photographer stances the shot was easy and Words. expectations. Words used in Most columns about pho- uses the right words in think- not an indication of serious advance might have prevented tography have pictures. This ing about his work. skills? Perhaps a photograph They are the that disappointment! new column for the most part Everywhere we look, we see of the infirm person who now The caterer, the florist, the will emphasize words. I’ve imagery. If we are planning a appears with strength and dig- only solution to decorators—each of them has noticed my best work often simcha, we look at albums and nity required much more skill a job to do, and they are very occurs when I can follow the websites and we visit studios and caring to produce than achieving the important in making the event little voice in the back of my to decide whom to entrust the beautiful kallah holding what it will be. Have you head. But words are every- with that all-important role of colorful flowers! thought about how those ven- where! Most do not realize how “creating our memories” and What is the photographer’s best results. dors’ interaction with the pho- important words are to making “capturing the moments.” We job? How should he be tographer can be of help in photography as powerful as it look at a photograph, and we approaching your project? making great photos that you can be. Words are ideas, and may like it or not like it. But After we have selected our Have you been at an event will continue to enjoy after the ideas lead to more ideas. do we understand—really photographer, how can we help where the photographer disap- simcha is over? What kind of When you view a photo- understand—what we should him to do the best for us? What pointed you, either when you graph, you might first notice be looking for? What ques- does the photographer need were a guest or the ba‘al sim- Continued on Page 50 the actual content. But then, knowingly or subconsciously, you start to interpret things that you see in it, or the feel you get from it. What leads to that feeling? What did the photographer do to help you get that feeling? Was it purposeful and intended, or was it accidental and unrelated to any special effort by the photographer? Often, people who visit our studio ask if I would give classes. Photography students frequently apply for assistant’s jobs, thinking that in a few months they can become photographers. Only years later can they understand how that which is most important is not taught in classrooms and is only rarely considered by most professionals in the industry. The fact is that while everyone wants to know how to take better pictures, very few really understand what that involves. It involves words! Words we hope to share here. Of course, good gear is important. Today we have the best gear and the most technically advanced approach to image production in the history of photography. Cameras need less light than ever before. But is photography better? No. Lenses cover wide ranges that the most advanced pros could not have dared hope for in the past. But are they used with skill, or mostly for convenience? Film is a thing of the past. Today we can shoot thousands of images without running out or having to reload. But how well do we pay attention to the little moments between the big ones? Will the photos of a simcha be more meaningful, more flattering, more exciting? Is photography better today? It could be better—if and only if the client and photographer are on the same page. That means they use the same words, and they think about how the photos and video can mean the most. It could be better, if instead of the pho- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 47 48 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Ohad Lights Up The Night At Concert On The Lawn, 2006 Photos By Ira Thomas Creations

A small portion of the capacity crowd that attended the Concert On The Lawn at the home of Mayer and Elaine Blisko in Lawrence, featuring Ohad, Shimon Craimer, and the sensational music of Neshoma Orchestra. Event co-hairmen were Aaron Goldstein, Danny Hiller, and Dov Herman. Proceeds benefited the Heller Learning Center of Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. BY MARTIN BENJAMINSON ley of delights that pampered both the of the evening, Shimon Craimer and Ohad Moskowitz, the latest singing Set in the ambience of a beautifully palates and ears of the hundreds of Ohad Moskowitz. sensation from Israel, Aaahh’d and arranged backyard, with a gorgeous inspired attendees who gave generous- The master of ceremonies, Neal Oh’d the crowd with his powerful yet barbecue buffet by Prestige Caterers, ly toward the real cause of the Wallin, peppered his introductions super sweet voice, belting out hits and nearly 350 people joined at the home evening—the kids! with subtle witticisms that placed then singing soft meaningful melodies of Meyer and Elaine Blisko for an The astonishing show, produced by smiles on the attendees while they sat that had tears flowing from the amazing performance by some of the Dov Herman in memory of his sister back amidst the beautiful ambience inspired crowd. greatest new stars in Jewish music. Basya Oratz Nissen, a’h, was led by and enjoyed the show. He got many of the audience mem- With the background of glowing tiki- Neshoma’s musical director, Steve Shimon Craimer, chazan at the bers involved by handing the mike to lights, and a waterfall on the beauty of Simcha Bill, who opened the evening Riverdale Jewish Center, wowed the them as they filled in the gaps of some a majestically manicured green lawn, with the superb string sounds of the audience with his melodious voice of the most famous hits in Jewish the crowd gathered to support the fiddler extraordinaire, Joe Deninzon of filled with true “heartz.” But the music. Ending with his legendary Yeshiva of South Shore’s Heller St. Petersburg, Russia. Together with highlight of the evening was the fea- V’eirastich, the hundreds of donors left Learning Center, the yeshiva’s the percussion genius of Bobby tured performer whose bubbly per- the Blisko home waiting for next year’s resource program for children with Schubowitz, the duo—backed by the sonality and amazing stage presence concert with only one question on special learning needs. great sounds of Neshoma—were an had the audience indeed declaring, their minds: “How are they going to The audience was treated to a med- appetizer for the two main attractions “Oh!” top this year’s show next year?” ❖

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 49 Photo Prose Continued from Page 47

coordination might exist between those vendors and your photographer? Events today often rival a Hollywood production with tremendous planning and design. But for the photographer, it is expected to be done in one take—with no room for error, no time for changes, and many expectations after the fact. Perhaps by consulting with the photographer before, many disappointments could be avoided. That is what this column will be about: things that should be considered; words that should be heard; questions that should be asked. A commercial shoot of a product can take days. Much time is spent setting up a shot and, very importantly, lighting it for just the right effect. Now consider the badeken. Consider a beautiful and unique structure that has been erected, under which the kallah will be sitting and through whose entrance the chasan will appear. Everyone is in awe of the artistic design and composition of this unique and different setting created especially for this wedding. But how is the photographer to shoot the actual scene when the moment comes for the groom to meet the bride? How is the photographer to show what is inside and outside, under and above, lit with bright sunlight, and shaded from even his flash by the cave-like structure—all the while making sure to show both mothers equally, the reactions of young and old, and the berachos of both fathers (including the one who turned his back to better get around the step that separated him from his daughter)?! Words. They are the only solution to achieving the best results— results where both the client and the photographer understand what can and should best be done. Perhaps if the step were wider? Perhaps if the entrance were higher? Perhaps if the caterer guided the crowd through the opposite door? Sometimes, things happen to make the best of intentions lead to less than ideal results. Often, a better understanding of the client’s concerns, or the photographer’s needs, would make all the difference. In this column, I hope to answer the hard questions, and ask meaningful ones. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Is that still true today? Where have the words gone? Where should they come from? We think in the terms we speak. Do photographers think the same as, or differently from, regular folks? What is a photographer? Does he think before, during, or after the “shot”? What is he thinking about? Does all this make any difference? You bet! Just as the best photographers use light in a purposeful way to highlight and enhance, as well as to strengthen and define, my intention here is to light the way to a better understanding of what photography can be, what photographers can and should do, and how you can help make the whole experience better, nicer, and sweeter. ❖

Gary Gershon Rabenko may be reached at [email protected]. Questions regarding photo- graphic philosophies are welcome. Rabenko Photography & Video Artists is located at 1001 Broadway in Woodmere. 50 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The World Of Real Estate And Mortgage Financing BY ANESSA V. COHEN In my 20 years in the real estate and mortgage financing business, I have been asked many questions regarding real estate and mortgage financing issues, whether from sellers, buyers, or homeowners needing information or assistance with short- and long- term planning. After so many years in the real estate and mortgage finance industry, there are many unusual and entertaining stories to share with you, so this ongoing column will feature stories and anecdotes that will enlight- en many people regarding what is otherwise often considered a confusing (though important) part of owning real estate. Over the years, I have been asked many times, “What is the craziest real estate deal you ever had?” My thoughts immediately go back to a deal (or should I say a wheeler deal) that came my way over 15 years ago, one sunny afternoon when I showed a customer a magnificent mansion whose asking price was more than one million dollars (an obscene amount at that time for a house not in Beverly Hills). Of course, as my dream became a reality, he made an offer for a million dollars, which was happily accepted by the seller, and we all danced our way to the contract table (most contracts were “sit down”s back then— unheard of today), each one dream- ing of the prize we had gotten…the buyer, his dream house; the seller, his money; and me with a commission that ordinarily would take me a year to make. There we sat at the contract table waiting for the buyer and the buyer’s attorney to arrive—the seller, the seller’s attorney, the contract of sale, and me. We waited, and we waited…lo and behold in walks the buyer with no attorney—but a certified check for $100,000 in his hands and a smile on his face, as he says, “Don’t worry, I don’t need an attorney—it’s only a contract, I can read it to him over the phone.” Never heard of it before, but okay; he had his down payment, so there was no cause for alarm. Everybody shrugged their shoulders, the contract was

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 51 52 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Real Estate ney. “Hello…are you there? The which the certified check was drawn times than fiction. ❖ $100,000 certified check bounced.” had been closed for at least 10 years. Continued from Page 51 Anessa Cohen is a real estate and mortgage And, of course, the buyer said, “It has How this guy got the checks and financing professional with over 20 years of signed, the seller’s attorney took the to be a mistake. Redeposit it; I tools to certify a check from there, I experience; her office is located in Cedarhurst. She is a licensed real estate broker (Anessa V certified check, congratulations went already called the bank.” This time never found out. In addition, he was Cohen Realty) and a licensed N.Y.S. Mortgage all around, and we left. the seller’s attorney asked his bank to wanted by Interpol for an interna- Broker (A.C. Action Mortgage Corp.), providing Everything sounds great so far—it’s look into how a certified check can tional scam (he created a non-exis- top-quality residential and commercial real estate services including sales, building manage- not a problem till it’s a problem, bounce. None of us could figure it tent village in Europe and sold time- ment, and mortgage financing services. She and right…? And, yessiree, that problem out—we had never heard of some- shares to people in the U.S). So the her staff of professionals can be reached at 516- 569-5007. Readers are encouraged to send any came home three days later when a thing like this. moral of the story is—there is no questions, or their own interesting anecdotes, by call came in from the seller’s attor- Well, it seems that the bank on moral; truth is more unbelievable at e-mail to [email protected].

Judges and officers you shall place at all your city-gates... (Devarim 16:18)

The human body is a city with seven gates -- seven portals to the outside world: the two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and the mouth. Here, too, it is incumbent upon us to place internal “judges” to discrim- inate and regulate what should be admitted and what should be kept out, and “officers” to enforce the judges’ decisions...

(Sifsei Kohen)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 53 A Five Towns Simcha Photos By Tommy Hahn

Tzvi Krieger and Daniella Wagschall, both of Brooklyn, were wedded on Sunday, August 20.

54 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 55 ly, even under the strain of the tragedy. “to help them become less marginal- After Actions During Seattle Tragedy, Klein delved into the communal and ized,” she said, including raising religious aspects of Judaism when she money to send an Italian student Pregnant Woman In Hero’s Spotlight moved to Seattle with her now-hus- aspiring to enter the rabbinate to the band, whose family lives in Haifa, two Leo Baeck College in London. BY TALIA S. COUTIN whizzing bullet, may never fully func- and a half years ago after leaving On the day of the shooting, Klein tion again. Bakersfield, Calif., she said. was in her office sending thank you It was only a phone call, but it “There’s no road map on what to do In January 2004, on her father’s notes to donors and making calls, changed everything. when you get shot as a pregnant per- yahrzeit, a colleague at the federation wishing people a peaceful Shabbos. Dayna Klein’s act of defiance halt- son,” she said half-jokingly. convinced Klein to attend the adult She then heard noises that sounded ed the shooting spree at the Jewish Throughout the interview, she b’nai mitzvah class at Kol like bubble wrap popping, she said, Federation in Seattle on July 28 and retains her composure, but her eyes HaNeshamah, a progressive Reform and then screams. Then she was shot made her a heroine. Now Klein, five glisten when she talks about Pam synagogue in Seattle—which became in the arm. The gunman then warned months pregnant, is sharing her Waechter, her colleague who was the first synagogue she and her hus- that anyone caught seeking help from story, urging all employers to take killed in the attack. band ever joined. the outside would be killed immediate- workplace security seriously, speak- Klein, a native of Long Island, N.Y., “The opportunity to have worked at ly. But Klein, 17 weeks pregnant and ing up for gun control and speaking grew up in a secular Jewish household. the federation really has expanded my wounded, crawled to her desk, picked out in the media against the kind of When faced with the choice of attending scope and interest in being a part of up the phone and dialed 911. prejudice that may have led to the Hebrew school or playing soccer, she Jewish community life,” she said. “Somewhere in my mind, I had the catastrophe. chose the latter, and first celebrated her At the federation, where she worked information I needed and because I Even with her left arm in a brace, bat mitzvah one month ago, as a 37-year- as the director of major gifts, Klein ini- was able to stay calm, everything her Israeli husband, Erez, at her side old. tiated projects to send impoverished rushed to the surface and I was able to she reports that she is able to slide her The speech that “I gave as part of my youths in Israel to summer camp—and do what I needed to do,” she recalled. wedding band on and off and can bat mitzvah was about all the wonder- for Russian children to travel to Israel The gunman caught her, infuriated. squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush. ful things I learned really as a kid play- to explore their religious heritage. He cursed at her, pointed a gun at her She still needs to see nerve specialists, ing soccer, about the commitment and As a side project, she worked head, took her hostage and launched and her arm, which she flung out to being on a team,” reflected Klein, a closely with the Reform and into anti-Semitic diatribe. He then protect her stomach and catch the brown-haired woman who smiles easi- Conservative movements in Europe demanded to speak with CNN. She thrust the phone at him with the 911 operators still on the line. He took it and talked with the operators. He relented. He put the gun down, and walked out. “One very unhappy person sadly took his aggression out and manifested his racism by hurting me and my friends and my community and I do not blame Israel nor would I ever blame Israel,” she said. “Israel is such a scapegoat to so many people who are just racists.” The alleged shooter, Naveed Haq, is in custody and awaiting arraignment, which is slated for Tuesday. Klein, who has a master’s degree in social work, attributes her confidence and aplomb to her training in crisis intervention and the skills she learned as a director of the American Red Cross. “It’s what saved my life, it saved my baby’s life, and I hope I saved a lot of other people’s lives in the process—and it’s just because I had a little bit more knowledge than the next guy and was able to use it when I needed to,” she said. As the SWAT team escorted her out the building, she saw her close friend and the federation’s campaign director, Waechter, sprawled on the stairs. Waechter died in the shooting, which injured four other women, in addition to Klein. “The most important thing to me is to maintain the integrity of Pam’s legacy. Pam truly does have a legacy for Seattle’s Jewish community,” Klein said of her friend and colleague. She says her son will carry Waechter’s name in some way. Klein is transforming the tragedy into a lesson plan while trying to heal from the physical and psychological wounds, offering to visit any Jewish organization to encourage that security precautions be taken and emergency planning provided. “Balancing being a heroine and recovering from what could potentially be a lifelong disability, you know, I’m going to take these really horrible lemons and make a … glass of lemon- ade, and hopefully just be able to save more people.” (JTA) ❖ 56 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 57 promote its message and launched a Anesthesiologists: A Painful Shortage new website (in Hebrew only) at www.hardama.co.il. This site supplies information about anesthesia, includ- BY JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH tinely ask who the surgeon will be, but Israel Society of Anesthesiologists during the roles and responsibilities of the few inquire about the name or qualifi- ing May’s “Month of Recognition for anesthesiologist. It also used an Until the first patient was put under cations of the anesthesiologist. Israeli Anesthesiology” found that 30 Internet campaign that included adver- general anesthesia by a Boston dentist According to an incisive article in percent of those polled didn’t know tising banners on health-related Israeli 160 years ago, surgery, dentistry and the April issue of the Israel Medical that the person who puts a patient websites, plus billboards stating “The other invasive procedures resembled Association Journal (IMAJ) by Prof. “under” is a physician and that he or Anesthesiologist: Your Safety During legal torture. Since then, and especial- Charles Weissman, head of anesthesi- she is responsible for the patient’s Surgery” placed near major hospitals. ly during the past few decades, anes- ology and critical care medicine at wellbeing during the procedure. Most Weissman’s study found that only thesiology has become a major medical Hadassah University Medical Center people are more afraid of undergoing 12.2 percent of all Israeli anesthesiol- specialty requiring doctors to undergo in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem and col- anesthesia than of having surgery, and ogists are graduates of Israeli medical five additional years of education schools, while 64.6 percent learned in before certification. The introductions the former Soviet Union. The percent- of epidural infusions into the spinal age of local graduates falls further (to column, which must be performed by 8.4 percent) among anesthesiology an expert, have added the option of “He recognizes the problem—that hospitals have residents under 40. Weissman, whose remaining awake during certain proce- survey encompassed 711 anesthesiol- dures, including labor. 30 percent fewer anesthesiologists than they ogists, found that only 1 percent of But will the current shortage of Israeli medical school graduates go anesthesiologists in much of the need, and that specialists are overworked, into anesthesia, even though anesthe- world—expected to get much worse in siologists constitute 4.5 percent of coming decades—bring us back to the creating a vicious cycle in which new doctors are Israeli physicians. In the U.S., there bad old days when childbirth always are 9.4 certified anesthesiologists per meant intense suffering, surgery was deterred from joining the specialty.” 100,000, and the European average is performed on conscious patients, and 10.8—but this reflects the growing children had to endure painful proce- use of nurse anesthetists there to aug- dures without relief? ment the medical specialists. Israel Many anesthesiologists warn that leagues, there are only 10.8 anesthesi- only half of those polled believe that has no nurse anesthetists, not only this will happen unless more MDs go ologists or anesthesiology residents per anesthesiologists can significantly because there is a shortage of nurses into the currently unattractive special- 100,000 Israelis, compared to 14.7 influence the outcome. Thus it seems there and a lack of frameworks for ty and major incentives are offered to fully qualified anesthesiologists per the general public believe this special- nurses to learn, but because the Israel encourage them to do so. At present, 100,000 in France, for example. ist who undergoes years of intensive Medical Association and the Israel anesthesiology doesn’t offer the oppor- Between 1990 and 2000, the major training just places a mask on the Society of Anesthesiologists claim it tunity for private practice and extra source of anesthesiologists was the for- patient’s face and turns the gas balloon would lower standards. earning of other specialties; there is mer Soviet Union, but this supply is on and off. There is no glamour or Weissman, born and raised in New much shift work; lawsuits are relative- drying up along with aliyah from that charisma in that. York City, immigrated to Israel in 1997 ly common; and the prestige is rela- part of the world. For its “Awareness Month,” the soci- after graduating from Yeshiva tively low. Patients facing surgery rou- A recent survey conducted by the ety hired a public relations company to University and studying medicine and

58 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES critical care at Columbia Presbyterian are historical reasons. But they can do they don’t know enough about it. The concluded. “We are receiving sporadic and the State University of New York’s only simple procedures, and as the ministry has conducted studies and reports from various hospitals in the Downstate Medical Center. “I am an population ages and suffers from made projections about doctors in gen- country that many more patients are aberration, as I first went into critical chronic illnesses, the work of nurse eral, but not focused systematically on asking about their anesthesia and care and only then into anesthesia. anesthetists has to be supervised.” the specialties that have manpower their anesthesiologist. But I don’t regret it,” said the Health Ministry deputy director- shortages. I fear that if we don’t pro- “However, the future of our profes- Hadassah specialist, one of the key general Dr. Yitzhak Berlovich, who duce significantly more highly trained sion depends on continuing a relent- physicians taking care of then-prime heads the ministry’s medical division, anesthesiologists, the whole surgical less campaign in all possible political, minister Ariel Sharon after his brain agreed. “There is a serious problem system will slow down and hospitals administrative and media channels, as operations and subsequent efforts to regarding the shortage of anesthesiolo- will have to set priorities, postponing well as putting increasing pressure on stabilize his condition. gists. We had held meetings on the elective surgery and dealing mostly the main public employers. Only Society president Prof. Azriel Perel, subject with the Israel Society, but with emergencies. It will also affect through a significant improvement in head of the department of anesthesiol- don’t yet have a program. Some doc- obstetrical analgesia, intensive care wages and working conditions will ogy and intensive care at Sheba tors went into anesthesiology after the and general pain relief.” anesthesiology achieve the status it Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, told collective agreement was signed, but The society provided Health deserves.” (JPost.com) ❖ The Jerusalem Post that a significant some were attracted by various other Ministry director-general Prof. Avi percentage of anesthesiologists are specialties,” Berlovich added. “There is Yisraeli with material on the subject women, just as half of medical school a shortage of specialists in a variety of two months ago, said Perel. “He recog- graduates are; as they are usually mar- fields, including internal medicine, nizes the problem—that hospitals have You shall not plant ried with children, some of them work pathology, neonatology, general sur- 30 percent fewer anesthesiologists part time. If an effort is carried out to gery and radiotherapy, and a lack of than they need, and that specialists are for yourself an persuade young doctors to study the certain kinds of medical paraprofes- overworked, creating a vicious cycle in specialty, he said, it must be made sionals. It takes years to balance it all which new doctors are deterred from asherah, any tree, “more friendly” to women. 20 years out. We have to study how some other joining the specialty. The manpower near the altar of G-d ago, anesthesiologists launched a countries have been successful in clos- shortage creates a bottleneck for 60 strike to protest their manpower short- ing the gap. We have to map out the percent of every hospital’s activities.” (Devarim 16:21) age and conditions, and a collective situation and prepare a comprehensive Among the proposals Perel has agreement provided some incentives. solution. The problem didn’t begin made are standing loans and other However, wage benefits, Perel added, today, and we have no timetable.” benefits for medical school graduates This verse includes two have long been eroded. Weissman added: “We are a profes- who decide to go into anesthesiology. “There is a risk that nurses will be sion in distress. But we are working “But this is not in the hands of the prohibitions: not to plant an brought in as nurse anesthetists,” with the ministry and the medical Health Ministry; it is up to the aseirah (idolatrous) tree Weissman suggested, “but it won’t association, which is currently in arbi- Treasury.” There have been sugges- work. There are too few qualified nurs- tration over wage structure and work- tions of encouraging the immigration anywhere, and not to plant es as it is, and for this work, they need ing conditions for all doctors. A special of young anesthesiologists from the any tree, or build any tree a master’s degree plus extra qualifica- demand for wage increases for anes- West, but they won’t be attracted by tion. Israeli nurses are not cheaper thesiologists will be put forward. Not the relatively low basic salaries, with on the Temple Mount. than doctors in this country because of only salaries are a problem, but also chances for more only from shift payments for shifts. In the U.S., there working conditions and hours. It could hours, Perel added. (Sifri; Rashi) have been nurse anesthetists going be that medical students are not It is too early to judge what the back as far as World War II, so there exposed enough to anesthesiology, so results of all this activity are, Perel

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 59 Just in case…” By this point they had successfully reached Har Nof and the soldier gave One Soldier’s Miracle my friend directions to his home. As it turned out, Menachem’s family BY NECHAMA FRANK, PH.D. duced himself as Menachem. will become part of the ground offen- lived just down the road from my As they journeyed they spoke in sive, our unit being the one that will friends relatives. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine halting Hebrew and got to know each enter deepest into Lebanon and we Stopping beside his house, the sol- traveled to visit family in Israel. He other a bit. The soldier shared with will not know how long it will be dier began to bid my friend farewell, had brought with him from the U.S. a but my friend said, “Wait! I have some- mezuzah in a beautiful silver cover as a thing for you.” gift for his relatives. Carefully drawing the beautiful Upon arrival, he rented a car and Then came the day he had so dreaded. His mezuzah encased in silver from his began his journey from the airport to carry on luggage, he unwrapped it the Har Nof neighborhood in and gave it to the boy, whose eyes Jerusalem where his relatives lived. Not relatives returned from the shuk … They knew opened in wonder. “I want you to far outside the airport he saw a group have it. Do you know what it is?” my of Israeli soldiers walking. Feeling sorry at once what must have happened, and friend asked earnestly. for them in the 105 degree heat, he The boy responded, “That’s a pulled over and asked if any were going mezuzah! At the home where we first in the direction of Har Nof and if they rushed to console him. lived in Tel Aviv we had them on every would they like a ride. Not able to door of the house. It was my brother speak fluent Hebrew, it took a moment who was in the army at the time and as they struggled with the meaning, we lost him during an ill-fated raid on and then one young man stepped for- my friend the purpose of his visit to before we see them again or even if in a suspected terrorist stronghold. He ward and said he was on his way to Har Har Nof. “Our sergeant informed us fact we ever will. So I go home not was the only one killed. Shortly after, Nof and would greatly appreciate a that tonight we are all to go home and just to spend time off with family but my parents decided to move us from ride. He got into the car, and intro- spend time with family. Tomorrow we to take leave of them and say goodbye. Tel Aviv to Har Nof, not able to live with the ghost of my brother in every room. They left all the mezuzahs behind, saying that’s what you do when a Jew buys your home. After we had moved I waited for them to purchase new mezuzahs to place around our new home as it had none, but days turned into weeks and I finally asked why they hadn’t put any up yet. My father said in a voice I’d never heard him use before, that G-d had forsaken us.” “Seeing my confusion and fear, my mother pulled on his arm, telling him that was enough. But he continued, ‘No, Ettela, the boy should know the way of the world.’ Turning to me he said, ‘It is true. We were G-d fearing Jews our entire lives—your mother and I. And what did we get in return? G-d took our firstborn son and some day you too will be forced to go into the army and who knows what will be?’ “I remember being terrified, thinking that if G-d had truly forsaken us, how would we continue to go on? These are still questions I ask, and now the time for me to serve in the army has come.” My friend handed him the mezuzah and said, “I want you to take this and place it in your shirt pocket. The Torah teaches that a mezuzah has the power to protect the home and those living in the home. And it is said that anyone on their way to perform a mitzvah will be provided with special protection. Do not go into battle without it. When you return from the war, you and I will put this up on your home together.” The soldier thanked him for the gift, saying, “I am named Menachem, which means ‘comfort,’ yet it is you who has brought me comfort.” They embraced and the boy turned one last time to wave before entering his home. My friend continued on to his relative’s home where he recounted the story of the soldier named Menachem whom he had been blessed to meet on the way from Tel Aviv. As the days passed, my friend became more and more concerned with the fate of the boy he had encountered on the way from the airport. For some reason, their journey 60 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES together made him feel deeply con- “I’m sorry I was responsible for caus- “It was my Menachem who was the days before. Embedded in it was a nected to this young man. He listened ing you such anguish,” the boy began. miracle,” said his father proudly. “The single bullet. avidly to the radio for updates, hearing “There was a mistake, as I had been way they tell it, Menachem, as a func- “Do you remember your promise?” of the Israeli soldiers killed during the unconscious and originally they took tion of being out in front, drew all the Menachem asked. ongoing war against the Hezbollah in me for dead, notifying my family and initial gunfire. His fellow soldiers saw “Yes, of course.” Lebanon. Then came the day he had announcing my name before realizing him fall but the distraction let them Hobbling to the front of the house so dreaded. His relatives returned from the mistake. You can imagine the aston- take down many of the Hezbollah Menachem opened the door. Watched the shuk, to find him seated at the ishment of my parents when I was fighters and the remainder, when they by those celebrating within as well as table, tears streaming down his face, transported home later that evening. saw the turning of their luck, with- by neighbors arriving from without, his arm draped over the radio still But there is more to the story than that drew, leaving the rest of the unit Menachem held the mezuzah in place, clutching the “off” knob. They knew at my friend, and it is a tale you must hear, entirely untouched. as my friend hammered the nails to once what must have happened and for you play the major role within it. “When they first told my wife and I affix it to the doorpost. rushed to console him. “We entered Lebanon as scheduled that our son had died, it was like reliv- Taking his hand away when they For days he was unable to leave the at nightfall, taking up our positions by ing what happened with his older were done he kissed it reverently as house but realized he must visit the midnight. When the word was given, brother. I railed against G-d for taking tears coursed down not only his home of the boy to pay his respects we began to attack but soon came to our second son exactly the same way as cheeks but those of his father’s, who while they sat shivah for a second son, realize we had been given faulty infor- he had taken our first.” stood beside him. The bullet from the their last child. As he walked down the mation and there were far more “As it turns out I had been shot in terrorist’s gun, meant for Menachem’s road leading to the boy’s home, it was Hezbollah than we had been led to the leg and through the heart.” heart, remains a part this special as if his feet were made of lead, and believe. We had fallen into an ambush. Menachem continued. mezuzah that helped save one hero’s with each step his heart beat faster and I was out in front. Suddenly, screams “The bullet missed then?” my friend life, to this day. seemed to need to work harder in sounding like banshee warriors broke asked. order to carry him the short distance to the silence and bullets were every- “No,” the boy replied, “It was dead on.” Nechama Frank, Ph.D. serves as the head psy- his destination. where. The rest had to be told to me as “So what happened?” he asked. chologist at Greenhaven Home for Boys and is an adjunct professor of psychology at Central As he neared the house, he thought this is all I remember. We miraculous- Silently, Menachem took some- Connecticut State University and Western he heard laughter and singing. ly won the battle, turning back the thing out from his shirt pocket. As he Connecticut State University. She is a member of the Farmington Valley Chabad House in Believing he had the wrong home he Hezbollah fighters though they must opened his hand, my friend saw the Weatogue, Conn., and can be reached at backtracked and approached again have outnumbered us 3 to 1.” silver mezuzah he had given him only [email protected]. from the other side, following the direction he had been traveling the night he came from the airport. Again he found himself at the same house and now distinctly heard the laughter and singing coming from the windows which stood open. Hesitantly, as is the custom during shivah, he entered the house without knocking. He was amazed by what he saw. Everywhere people were laughing and hugging. Several children were singing songs he recognized, songs of thanksgiving. Everywhere he looked food was heaped on platters, and banners were gently swaying in the breeze coming through the open windows. No one sat on footstools, and all the mirrors remained uncovered, not a normal sight in a house of mourning. Confused, he looked for a couple who might be the boy’s family. “Perhaps in another room,” he thought and began to make his way through the house. A middle-aged man came up to him, introduced himself as the father of the boy and asked if he was a friend of Menachem’s. Taken aback by all he had witnessed, he could barely stutter a “Yes”. Before he could get out the traditional words offered to mourners, the man broke into a huge smile, slapped him on the back and said something he surely couldn’t have understood right. It sounded like “You must come and see him then.” “But Jews don’t display the dead,” he thought, greatly disturbed by the possibility. But then again, this father had appeared quite mad, smiling with the death of his last child. He dutiful- ly followed the man down a hallway. At the end of the hall was a doorway, standing slightly ajar. The man pushed it open fully, and gestured my friend inside. Reticently, he entered, finally turning his head to see what was in the room. To his great shock and utter bewilderment, there lay the boy. Alive. His leg was in a cast but he looked otherwise unharmed and healthy. “What is this?” he cried. “But, but I heard your name read with the rest of the names of the dead on the radio just three days ago.” 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 61 Halutz Sold Investments Three Hours After Soldiers’ Abduction

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff between personal matters of the chief Dan Halutz went to his bank branch of staff and Israel’s national security is and sold an NIS 120,000 investment inappropriate, the army said. portfolio only three hours after two IDF The Israel Securities Authority soldiers were abducted by Hezbollah on commented that Halutz’s act had not the northern border, the Ma’ariv daily broken the Companies Law in respect newspaper reported. to insider information. Section H.1 Several hours after the abduction, rules that insider information relates Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared only to traded companies, not estima- war on Hezbollah and Israeli war- tions in respect to the general situa- planes began bombing targets deep tion of the market. inside Lebanon. However, that in itself does not end But as the country’s political and the affair. If it turns out that Halutz military echelons met urgently to dis- sold shares in marketing companies or cuss the possible declaration of war, banks, assuming they would be facing Halutz went at 12:00 p.m. on July 12 hard times during the war, then his to sell an investment portfolio. actions may be subject to investiga- In response to the report, Halutz con- tion. (Haaretz) ❖ firmed to Ma’ariv that he sold the portfolio on that date and at that time, but denied it had anything to do with the possibility of an imminent war. The IDF Judges and officers chief said he sold the portfolio because you shall place at all of recent losses he took prior to July 12. “It was my portfolio of shares, on your city-gates... which I had lost NIS 25,000,” Halutz (Devarim 16:18) told Ma’ariv. “It is true that I sold the portfolio on July 12, 2006, but it is impossible to link that to the war. At Do not judge alone, the time I did not expect or think that for no one can judge alone there would be a war.” but the One. The IDF Spokesperson said that Halutz has a bank account like any other Israeli citizen and needs to perform transactions in the account from (Pirkei Avos 4:8) time to time. Any attempt to link

62 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES difficulties and are forced to deal not Histadrut: only with the security, family, and In Life And Death, She personal risks, but with a serious financial crisis. Workers who are not Hundreds Missing being paid, and their families, cannot Pushed All Boundaries be the strong home front that stands July Paychecks strong in wartime.” BY RUTH SINAI In twelfth grade, Zilberstein said, Eini renewed his proposal that 300 the pupils completed a course at the Histadrut employees be placed—free Everyone who spoke about Sergeant air force base at Tel Nof. “Keren was so BY HAIM BIOR of charge—as inspectors in work- Major Keren Tendler agreed that “she enthusiastic and prepared her work so places to oversee implementation of was special”—both in life and death. well that even the boys were jealous. The Histadrut labor federation hot- the wage law. “I will provide the min- Tendler was the first woman soldier to She was better than they were in most line has received 200 calls from Haifa ister with the Histadrut staffers so die on active duty since the Yom subjects,” he said. and northern district employees whose we can ensure that salaried employ- Kippur War. But Keren was not only an excellent employers have informed them that ees in the North get their entire Tendler was a flight mechanic on pupil. Her teachers say she was popu- they do not plan to pay any or all of salaries on time.” the Yasur helicopter that had carried lar, always ready to help, friendly and their July wages. “Hundreds of workers Eini promised to transfer data on troops into Lebanon before it was always smiling. She was delighted at factories, workshops, and small the complaints received by the hot- shot down by a missile. The officer when she heard the school had an businesses in the North still have not line regarding failure to pay wages who knocked on the door of the agreement with the air force to allow received their entire July paycheck,” and associated sums to facilitate Tendler family home at 1:39 a.m., on pupils to join the force in technical said the union’s situation room manag- rapid enforcement of worker rights. a quiet street in Rehovot, told her par- positions. She was one of the few who er, Jihad Akel. He called on workers in the North ents that she was “missing and pre- succeeded in becoming a flight Akel said that the Histadrut estimat- who did not receive all or part of their sumed dead.” Nevertheless, Dan and mechanic and, after completing com- ed the total number of workers who salaries to call the situation room and Royana Tendler continued to hope for pulsory service, was often called up for hadn’t been paid all or part of their complain about employers who are hours that Keren was still alive. reserve duty. July salaries at three times the number violating the law. Together with her younger brother, After her service, Keren began of calls to the hotline. Zeev Weiner, the president of an and friends and relatives, they sat studying law at the College of Histadrut chair Ofer Eini called on umbrella organization for the self- waiting in the house for better news. Administration and soon joined a Industry and Trade Ministry Eli Yishai employed, called on the cabinet and “She was special, unusual,” said workshop for dealing with discrimina- to redirect resources from the min- members of the Knesset Finance Shosh Levy, her English teacher from tion. At the same time, she applied to istry to enforce legislation that Committee to enact regulations that the ORT technological school in join the permanent army and was requires July salaries to be paid. The will enable small-business owners in Rehovot. “She was just like her name, recently informed, to her joy, that she law was ratified about 10 days ago, Haifa and the North to receive unem- a ray of sunshine.” had been accepted. after the treasury, the business sector, ployment benefits for a limited period, Keren’s homeroom teacher, Victor When the war broke out, Keren and labor representatives hammered in order to prevent their financial col- Zilberstein, said that when she opted asked to participate in combat flights. out a compensation package. lapse. for the mechanical path at school, he “She was a real fighter,” one of her Thursday was the last date for paying Weiner stated, “Tens of thousands inquired why she wanted to pursue neighbors said. July salaries. of small businesses in northern Israel something that only boys did. “You’ll Keren’s friends decided to commem- Eini told Yishai, “Workers in the are in dire straits now and face imme- see. I’ll not only be like everyone, I’ll orate her by setting up a scholarship in North who are not being paid, and diate bankruptcy, and they have no be better,” she replied. And that’s her name. She was due to celebrate her their families, encounter financial employment alternatives.” (Haaretz) ❖ how it was. 27th birthday next month. (Haaretz) ❖

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 63 64 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 65 SERVICES LOST PROVIDED AND FOUND

Lost in the 5 Towns or Far Rockaway Simchas Naava Change Purse with key inside Share your simcha flowers! Be if found please call: 917-252-6423 m’sameach other simchas! Donate your fresh flower arrangements! We will match your simcha date with HELP simchas following yours or deliver WANTED them to nursing home residents. To donate or obtain flower arrangements, Direct Care-P/T: call 516-239-6066. In memory of a special friend, Woodmere–Seeking responsible and Naava Wassner Katlowitz energetic counselor to work with a

Plumbing and Heating: Sundial high-functioning 10-year-old boy on Plumbing. Boilers/water heaters developing fine motor skills, gross serviced and installed. All leaks fixed. motor socialization skills. Hours: Bathrooms, kitchens, basements. No 3:30-7:30 pm, 3 days per week. job too big or small. 718-252-1234. Cedarhurst–Looking for a mature New Table and Chair Gemach and creative counselor to work with a 740 Mador Ct. Far Rockaway. six-year-old boy on developing gross Call 718-471-0368. motor skills, eating independently, Too Much to Type? Too Much to Do? and cognitive skills. Hours: 4:30-7:30 College Reports, Simcha Lists, p.m. a few days a week. Ohel Bais Secretarial Support. Call Gold Star Typing Service for help. Reasonable Ezra phone: 718-686-3102, rates. Call 718-471-9712. fax: 718-851-6428, e-mail: [email protected]. Master Teacher Tutors Limudei Kodesh/Secular Subjects Part time Great Neck–Seeking Specialize grades 1-8. Adults; experienced counselor who can be Boys; Girls. Call 718-868-3968. firm and provide structure for young Stop yo-yo dieting. It's a cinch with adult female who lives in Great Neck. our inch loss plan. Guaranteed. For more information call Hours: from 4:45 p.m. weekdays. 718-486-0159. Please call Annie at Ohel Bais Ezra at 718-686-3484. Certified home help aid seeking F/T or P/T job. References available. Looking for driver for 15 passenger Please call Blossom 516-295-1067. van for daily trips from Far Rockaway to Brooklyn and back. With or with- AUTOS FOR SALE out van. Please call 917-662-0892. Office Assistant F/T—Kosher caterer. Oceanside organization, detail ori- Cars are 4 Door and automatic shift unless specified. Cars have a 1 year ented, computer literate to handle bumper to bumper warranty. diverse office duties and customer 2003 Chevy Venture—black, 28k relations. Call 516-766-2700. miles, leather, DVD player, power sliding doors, etc...... $11,900 Pre-School Assistant—Five Towns 2003 Chevy Venture—silver, 49k Yeshiva seeks warm and dedicated miles, leather. DVD, power sliding assistant morah for pre-school class. doors, etc...... $10,500 Call 516-791-2800. 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix—60k miles, silver, power everything ...... $5,799 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix—57k miles, brown, power everything, alloy wheels...... $5,500 2000 Ford Taurus—46k miles, silver, leather, power everything ...... $5,500 1999 Ford Taurus—32k miles, maroon, power everything...... $4,800 1999 Ford Contour—25k miles, black, sport v6, power everything ...... $4,500 Automaven 516-996-5555

66 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HELP REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE WANTED FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE

Far Rockaway—Newly constructed Office Position/Admin Assistant Cedarhurst/Lawrence—New con- 5 TOWN HOMES town houses for sale 3/4 BR, 2 car Manufacturer/Importer in struction, 2 five bedroom large cus- 516-569-5710 Oceanside. Shomer Shabbos. Must garage, hardwood floors, stainless tom homes, high-end finishes, ready. have good computer skills, including steel appliances, cac, and much more Full basement and attic. No brokers. CEDARHURST: Excel and Word. Accounting software starting at $625K. Call Equishares Price reduction. experience a plus. Basic Accounting/ Call builder 516-903-7070. OPEN HOUSES - APPT. ONLY and ask for Janet at 516-295-2703. Bookkeeping preferred. Full time. North Woodmere — Lovely 363 Marlboro - DRASTIC Please submit resume and salary Far Rockaway—Newly renovated 4 Updated Brookfield Ranch history to: Fax–516-977-3319 BR, 2 bths, house for sale. Stainless REDUC’n, NU Renovt’d, S/H Col. 4 Br, 3 NEW Baths, $699K. E-mail–[email protected] steel appliances, granite counter tops, 5Br, 3Bth, 2 dens...... $799K Must See! Call J. Kalman, new windows and fireplace, access to Prestigious market intelligence firm is 516-578-7537. a private beach. $599K. 359 Marlboro - NU Construc’n, seeking several qualified data entry Call Equishares and ask for Janet at Lawrence Bay Park C/H Col. 7Br, 4.5Bth, Lg EIK, individuals for immediate hire. 516-295-2703. Brand New to market Prime loc...... $1.250K Candidates must possess knowledge Ideal location of the following Microsoft programs: Lawrence Co-op: NU 2 Mkt, 1st NORTH WOODMERE: Beautiful sunny splanch. Word, Excel, Power Point and basic Flr, 3Br, 2Bth, Fdr, Lr, Patio, W/D, lo OPEN HOUSE - APPT. ONLY 4 lg Brs. 3 Bths. LR. Full DR. computer operations. These positions maint $439K. 5 TOWN HOMES Large den, Oversized Property. will offer opportunity for advance- 516-569-5710. 740 Eagle Dr. - Hi Ranch, 4+Br, Fully renovated all new floors, carpet- ment roles into Analysts. 2.5Bth, Over large prop...... $679K Cedarhurst Co-op for sale: ing, window, roof, walkway, updated Please e-mail your resume to: 833 Central Avenue. Beautiful, one systems Bsmt. Stone patio. 2 car [email protected] bedroom apartment, Shabbos elevator, garage. Low taxes. $1.24M. LAWRNCE: NU Construc’n, 6Br, you may follow-up immediately by call- 24-hour doorman. Call owner 516-239-0004. 5Bth, Lg. prop, Walk all, With all ing: 516-374-7883 (S-T-U-D-Y). Call Weisman Realty Condominium for sale, Far goodies. Plans can be seen in office. Salary commensurate with experience. 718-327-5600. STUDYLOGIC - Equal Opportunity Rockaway, Reads Lane property, CEDRHRST: 2Fam, 3Br/3Br, 2Fpl, Employer. ground floor of a two unit dwelling, Deck. All Nu, Great location, Your Real Estate, 3 1/2 bedrooms, eat in kitchen, living Seeking warm, capable, shadow Full bsmt...... Bring Offers room/dining room, 2 bathrooms, cen- for adorable first grade girl in local Service, tral air, spacious yard, low taxes and CEDRHRST: LgLr, Dr, EIK, Den, school beginning this September. maintenance, near schools and shuls. 5Br, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Lg prop., Experience with children a must. or Help Wanted Ad Please call 917-613-1399. Please call 718-612-0628. IGPool...... …$699K Here Every Lawrence—New to market, Prime Mortgage Processor for Lawrence- N. WDMR: HiRanch, 4br, 2.5bth, location. Juniper Circle, High Ranch, based Mortgage Company. Full time. nu kit, deck, over lg prop...... $679K Thursday low taxes. 4 BDRs, Office, Lg FDR, Must be experienced, motivated XLg Den, New EIK, 3 Full Bth. 5 TOWN HOMES organized, detail oriented and com- 50,000 readers look New boiler, roof, sprinkler, drvwy. C/A 516-569-5710 puter literate. Call 917-578-6873 or and Heat. 2 Car garage. Beautiful 917-865-6233 or fax resume to forward to what’s Landscaping, oversized private back 2 Co-ops — Lawrence — 718-732-2407. happening in the yard. Price: $905K. Call Sara: Immaculate Junior 4 converted Bookkeeper F/T in Cedarhurst. 5 Towns by reading 516-792-1300. No Brokers Please. second bedroom, fully renovated, new Strong knowledge of QuickBooks, kitchen appls with double sink and The 5 Towns Jewish Times. Inwood/Westville Park—Beautiful MS Word, and Excel. Fax resume to 4 BR house, inground pool, CAC, kosher dw, indoor parking, walk to all. 516-374-3310. Deadline is Monday new kitchen, 2 full bths, FPL, and Cedarhurst — Beautiful two bed- many extras. Must be seen. $625K rooms/two full baths, w/d, separate at 5:00 p.m. REAL ESTATE Call Equishares and ask for Janet at dining room, lots of closet space. 516-295-2703. FOR SALE 1 Week ...... $35 Weisman Realty 347-752-0948. Lawrence—House for sale. All new Cdhrst —*Open House* Sun. 8/27 2 Weeks ...... $60 renovated 2 BR, 2 full bths, all new appliances, access to a private beach. Classified Ads are **550 Arlington Rd** 11:30 - 1 3br, 4 Weeks ...... $100 $550K. Call Equishares and ask for Continued on the Next Page. 2.5bth main fl den...... $469K Janet at 516-295-2703. wants to hear all offers!!! Weekly Ads of up to 25 words Cdrhrst — 3br house rental like new, CAC, pkg, heat & water incl...$2,300 Call: 516-569-0502 ANESSA V COHEN REALTY 516-569-5007. Fax: 516-977-0608

Far Rockaway co-op — 2 bdrms, Or E-mail ads to: 1 bath, doorman building, newly ren- [email protected] ovated. Call 718-337-1469 or Include payment info. 516-456-2571.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 67 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Continued from Page 67 FOR SALE FOR RENT FOR RENT IN ISRAEL REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Rockville Center — Retail/Office House For Rent Brooklyn Lovely 2,400 sq. foot fully detached 5,000 sf, ALL NU, hi traffic, GRT for Madison Area — Immaculate home. Alon Shvut, Gush Etzion. financial or furniture. Will divide. 3 bedroom duplex, Large LR, DR, Lawrence — 6 bed 3 bath Dutch 5+bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms. Many Call 516-322-3555. EIK. Move-in condition!! Front/back Col, O/S prop, grt invest. opp., Space extras. Available immediately. Apartment for rent West Lawrence porches. Hardwood floors. to build 2nd house. Gan Eden Rental option. $390K / $1,300 — nice location. Near Sh’or Yoshuv, Call 718-645-0214. Realty, 516-569-2156...$669K. [email protected] private home, 2 BR, renovated Cedarhurst — Office For Rent Cedarhurst/Lawrence new con- 08 9285220. kitchen, summer rental considered, 1,000 sf, all services, grt location, also rooms for rent for frum men. struction. Two 5 bedroom homes, BUSINESS 718-337-5753 or 718-377-9327. GOOD rent. Call 516-322-3555. full basements, and attics. Hi-end FOR SALE quality construction. Must see! 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Far Rockaway — Beautiful 6 1/2 Call 516-903-7070. Cedarhurst — House Rental - 3br, rooms, 3 BR, 2 bths, new kitchen, 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt. $2,500. separate entrance, own thermostat Cedarhurst—1 family detached and laundry room. Best block in Far Law/Inwd: Estab. Gift, Lotto and Cedarhurst — Store For Rent house 40x100 lot size 3 BR, private Cell Store. Heavy traffic, Invent., Low $$. Call 516-695-1632. Rockaway. Call 718-868-1153. driveway, finished basement, back- fixt’s, avail., long lease. yard, nice location. North Lawrence — home for rent. By owner 917-885-9616. REAL ESTATE Deadline for Classified FOR RENT Large, private yard with parking. Far Rockaway — For Sale by owner 3-4 bedrooms, 2 EIK, 2 full bath. Advertising in the Legal 2 family-Detached corner of Excellent Mother-Daughter. Cedarhurst — House Rental - 3br, Next Issue is Monday, $1,800/mo. Call 917-642-4308. Beach 7th and Meehan. Access to 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt. $2,500. Call August 28 at 5:00 P.M. yard from both units. Near schools 516-322-3555. Far Rockaway – Lg. Hse Rental: and shuls. $749K. Call Freyda Lawrence — 2 Br, LR, 1 Bth, all nu 4br, 2bth, bsmt., Hi ceil’g, NU bths, Call 516-569-0502 718-337-2084. apt., own heat. 917-757-9351. W\D. Call 516-322-3555.

68 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 69 70 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES August 25, 2006 71 72 August 25, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES