In Transition Opportunity to Tell You and Rav Mattisyahu Salomon in Your Readers About the JCC of by LARRY GORDON One Direction Or Another

Queens Section SEE PAGES 72-73

$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 6 NO. 38 20 SIVAN 5766 JUNE 16, 2006 INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK A LIVING MEMORIAL It’s All Lennon’s Fault BY LARRY GORDON Moshe Feiglin 20 MindBiz End Of The Innocence Esther Mann, LMSW 31 When I first heard the him. They were certain that Truth In Advertising story, I stood there weak- he was no longer alive, though Hannah Reich Berman 32 kneed and stunned. I was in for all those years, his family Michal Weinstein’s office in did not know the circum- In-Laws her Woodmere home when stances surrounding his Ima Shneer 40 she told me that a story was death. He never had a proper PhotoByIvanH.Norman going to hit the news and that burial, and therefore the fam- The Digital Sage 54 she wanted to tell me about it. ily could never mourn their Josh Justic She said it was about an loss in a dignified and appro- Orthodox Jewish man who priate manner. had disappeared under myste- She took an old photograph A Sefer Torah was dedicated last Sunday morning at Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv in Lawrence in memory of Ruchama Jaeger, a’h, daughter of rosh yeshiva Rav rious circumstances almost from the side of her computer Naftali and Rebbetzin Tehillah Jaeger. The Sefer was dedicated by friends of two decades ago and no one the Jaeger family. Above, Rabbi Jaeger, holding the Torah, celebrates along ever knew what happened to Continued on Page 5 with Rabbi Avrohom Halpern. More Photos, Page 59 Letters to the Editor HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE

Dear Editor, Thank you for giving us the In Transition opportunity to tell you and Rav Mattisyahu Salomon in your readers about the JCC of BY LARRY GORDON one direction or another. 5T’s. See Page 16 the Greater Five Towns, as Just here in my little world, well as to respond to the arti- June is a beautiful month— in the four cubits of my cle entitled “Losing Twice,” a prelude to a (hopefully) idyl- household, we have a son get- which appeared in the May 22 lic and much anticipated ting married, another coming edition of your paper. We feel summer. It’s the time of year home from a year of study in that our response is necessary when everything seems to yeshiva in Israel, and still because of the numerous change, or at least shift another graduating from ele- inaccuracies in the article. around. It’s a month of mentary school and looking change and transition; a time ahead to high school. Aside Continued on Page 8 Temple Israel of Lawrence. when plans made for summer from the aufruf, the wedding, begin to be realized and everyone seems to move around in Continued on Page 10

The Daphna boys win. Flying High For Israel’s Future See Page 45 How Do We Spell Pressure? BASEBALL A-L-I-Y-A-H MANIA BY MICHELE HERENSTEIN Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 8 BY SHMUEL KATZ For those who know the men in my family, you know that one I had originally planned to of their favorite subjects is write last week about our expe- baseball. I grew up in a house rience marching with the where three things were dis- Nefesh B’Nefesh contingent at cussed, in detail and at length, HALB at the Salute to Israel the Salute to Israel Parade in pretty much all the time: poli- Parade. See Photos, Page 14 Manhattan on June 4. Since I tics, business, and baseball. I got sidetracked, I thought I have always claimed to be would share some brief obser- adopted, because these three CANDLE LIGHTING Excitement was in the air at the Salute to Israel Parade in Manhattan on vations with you this week. topics interest me very little. I June 4. Above, the parade float of Israir, Israel’s newest airline. June 16 – 8:09 PM Israir offers low prices and non-stop service between New York and Tel Aviv, I thought the parade was have certainly learned to hold June 23 – 8:11 PM and its newly aquired status as an official Israel air carrier promises to inject tourism dollars into the Israeli economy. Continued on Page 12 Continued on Page 18 2 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 3 4 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR You’ve certainly seen the story on the news or read about it through the Continued from Front Cover extensive coverage in the newspapers. and showed it to me. The man was The world is replete with similar types Israel Greenwald. He was a handsome of human tragedy, and while they occa- man, and the picture Michal was hold- sionally strike with recognizable dis- ing portrayed an intriguing smile. He tance, this time it was an extremely up- found success in his jewelry business, close experience. which allowed him to take care of his Even talking to Michal a week after young family. He went to work one day when Michal was only nine years old. She remembers him giving her a kiss as she waited by a bus stop near her Unbeknown to home for her ride to school. Israel Greenwald was Michal’s father. She Mr. Greenwald, the never saw him again, and could not sit shivah for him until a little over a year papers were stolen ago, after his remains were discovered in Brooklyn and his family took him to securities, and their Israel to be buried according to Jewish law. movement resulted in I was introduced to Michal about two years ago by a mutual friend. It the FBI’s placing him quickly became clear that she is a very talented graphic artist, one who can under surveillance. work speedily and remain unflustered under the pressure of a newspaper deadline. I met her husband, Jonathan, and, on occasion, her very the conclusion of the court proceed- young children. Everything seemed ings and with her philosophical per- rather routine and conventional—until spective on what occurred to her and she began telling me the tale of what her family, beneath the surface you happened to her dad and what she could still feel palpable pain and anticipated unfolding in the year or so sometimes fascination for how ahead of her (the period that just unusual these events were and, ended with the conviction and sen- through our human experience, how tencing to life in prison for the two for- close we can come to them. mer New York City detectives who for Now that her father has been buried some reason were moonlighting for a and the rogue cops are in jail, one still series of unsavory characters during the 1980s in New York.) Continued on Page 6

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 5 FROM THE EDITOR Street asked him to take some papers involvement in a matter needed his with him to London. Unbeknown to attention at the local precinct. Continued from Page 5 Mr. Greenwald, the papers were Needless to say, there was no ride cannot help wonder what those 19 stolen securities, and their movement down to the precinct. Instead, the P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 years of knowing, but not exactly resulted in the FBI’s placing him detectives took him to a garage near 516-984-0079 knowing, were really like. Sitting and under surveillance. Upon his return Brooklyn College, where he was mur- [email protected] [email protected] talking with Michal, I can see up close to New York, he was greeted by two dered and buried. LARRY GORDON and in a personal way the literal mean- The shock of the loss and the added Publisher/Editor ing of what it is to have one’s child- shock of the lack of knowledge about ESTA J. GORDON hood stolen away. “It’s not just that,” where their husband and father had Managing Editor she says. “As a family, for years we The family was quickly met his end nearly destroyed a family. YOSSI GORDON were adrift. We had to move out of our Certainly it was only inner strength, Director of Sales home and at times had to reach out to maneuvered into a and assistance from Above, that CHANA ROCHEL ROSS others for help with our daily suste- helped Mrs. Greenwald and her two Editorial Assistant nance.” financial bind that daughters get through this impossibly SIDI BARON, YAKOV SERLE, JERRY MARKOVITZ The implications of the situation trying period. In conversation the Sales Representatives were far greater than many would other day, Michal said that while she SHMUEL GERBER would ultimately force Chief Copy Editor imagine, says Michal. Because there was only nine years old when her was no body or death certificate, even father went missing and was killed, MICHELE JUSTIC, YEHUDIT SANDERS them to move from Copy Editors though her father had life insurance, when she was twelve, her mother had CONTRIBUTING EDITORS the insurance company refused to pay their home in Far sat her down and told her definitively Irwin Benjamin any claim. Additionally, no Social that her father was gone. Hannah Reich Berman Security payments were forthcoming. One can only make an attempt to Rabbi Arye Z. Ginzberg Rockaway and later Yochanan Gordon The family was quickly maneuvered feel the extra pain that Michal, her Michele Herenstein into a financial bind that would ulti- settle in Brooklyn. sister, her mother, and her extended Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky mately force them to move from their family must have felt after all those Esther Mann home in Far Rockaway and later settle years of not knowing the full story of Rochelle Miller Arye Nisonson in Brooklyn. their father’s fate. How the latest Paula L. Simmonds Israel Greenwald was a successful agents, who pointedly wanted to chapter in this story ultimately DOV M. GORDON jeweler, with international contacts know who gave him the securities unfolded is a story unto itself. It Operations Director and a broad customer base in Europe. that he had delivered to London. deals with an aging prisoner named IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS So well-known and trusted was he Reluctant to freely talk to law Burton Kaplan and his desire to Staff Photographers that some countries awarded him enforcement about a colleague and unburden a heavily troubled con- FRANKEL & CO., CREATIVE DESIGN LLC diplomatic status, allowing him to fellow Jew, Mr. Greenwald sought science as he aged in jail. He opened Design & Production travel freely. This included a feature authoritative halachic direction on up to investigators about the two TALIYE CORLEY that allowed him to bypass customs how to proceed. He was advised not police detectives and their murder- Art Director inspections in some countries. It was to talk with the investigator and to ous antics (they killed as many as The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly newspaper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not precisely this privilege that probably warn his colleague of the situation. eight people). necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not got him into the situation that would It was a short time after that that he Over the last year, the two were responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. end his life at 34 years of age. was stopped by the two New York City released on bail at one point, as the A fellow jewelry person on 47th police detectives who told him that his two were at first charged with conspir-

6 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES acy to murder—a charge on which the statute of limitations had already expired. It was only later that they were charged with the actual murders for which they were recently convict- ed. For Michal Weinstein and her family, there is indeed a sense of relief. It has been a long and arduous trek of emotional ups and down accompanied by a great deal of pain and suffering. This week she said that as she looks back over the last year, she can now say that it was a good year for her. “It’s a little odd and maybe even difficult to understand, but in this last year, I found out how exactly as a young child I lost my father. But this year I feel that I found him, as well.” ❖

Larry Gordon can be reached for comment at [email protected]. Watch his interview with Michal Weinstein on www.5tjt.com.

CALENDAR LUACH June 16 – June 24 ZIP Code: 11516

20 Sivan – Erev Shabbos Friday, June 16 Daf yomi: Yoma 9 Z’manim*: Earliest tefillin: 4:16 am Sunrise: 5:24 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:33 am Gr’a 9:09 am Candle Lighting: 8:09 pm 21 Sivan – Shabbos Saturday, June 17 Shabbos Parashas Beha`alosecha Pirkei Avos: Chapter 2 Shabbos ends**: 9:19 pm 72 min. 9:41 pm 27 Sivan – Erev Shabbos Friday, June 23 Daf yomi: Yoma 16 Earliest tefillin: 4:17 am Sunrise: 5:25 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:34 am Gr’a 9:10 am Candle Lighting: 8:11 pm 28 Sivan – Shabbos Saturday, June 24 Shabbos Parashas Sh’lach Month of Tammuz is blessed Pirkei Avos: Chapter 3 Shabbos ends**: 9:21 pm 72 min. 9:42 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Wednesday, June 14–Wednesday, June 21 NYS High School Regents Exams Sunday, June 18 Father’s Day Friday, June 23 Lawrence/Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools: Last day 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Soviet Union? • Collaborates with shuls, schools, Continued from Front Cover and other organizations from all seg- For instance, at no time did our board ments within the community? of directors pass the resolution to work • Has a board that represents the with any outside group. The group entire community? mentioned in your article approached • Offers the only “Kosher Culinary the JCC to work with them only after Institute” in New York? Tom Suozzi, Nassau County Exec- • Offers adult education classes for utive, advised them to work with the all segments of the Jewish community existing JCC. and beyond? The JCC of the Greater Five Towns Finally, the JCC has a mission state- has been in existence for the last 26 ment that reads, “The JCC of the years. We recently received an award Greater Five Towns is dedicated to from the JCCA for our accomplish- enriching the quality of life for the ments for the last 25 years of opera- Jewish community and to strengthen- tion. The JCC is more than a pool, ing the bonds with the State of Israel. gym, etc. Did you know that the JCC We serve people of all ages in the of the Greater Five Towns serves more Greater Five Towns through programs then 9,000 different individuals per in the areas of Jewish culture, recre- year? ation, education, and socialization, Did you also know that the JCC: while acting as a meeting place for the • Serves over 400 children in our entire community. The JCC of the Nursery School—96 percent coming Greater Five Towns is a non-profit, from the Orthodox community? non-sectarian community agency.” • Serves 420 Holocaust survivors? Two years ago, our nursery school • Has special programs for frail eld- moved to Temple Israel, which gave us erly and well elderly all over the com- the opportunity to expand our services, munity? and also gave us the perfect location in • Offers special activities for TBI the middle of town. At the same time, (traumatic brain injury) patients, for we are very aware of our neighbors and people who are physically disabled, we respect their needs. The board of and for children with special needs? directors prefers the Temple Israel loca- • Serves 280 latchkey children, as tion, and approved to build there rather well as over 360 children in our enrich- than going to a location that is out of ment programs and almost 100 the community, once housed a garbage teenagers? dump, and is surrounded by oil tanks. • Feeds 96 families from our kosher We see it as our responsibility to offer food pantry every month? the best and safest environment to our • Gives services to children, fami- children and their families. lies, and the elderly from the former The JCC of the Greater Five Towns

8 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES observes Shabbos and the kashrus laws. On Monday, our executive director, Rina Shkolnik, met with Rabbi Eisen from the Five Towns Vaad to discuss the Vaad’s supervision. Our goal is to work with the entire community and meet the needs of the different populations that is our community. Again, we thank you for giving us the “bimah” to represent ourselves. We look forward to continuing to serve the Greater Five Towns community and to be able to offer a full-service facility that will serve as a home for us all, respecting the needs of the different segments within our community. This community deserves it! Sincerely, Michael Rattner, President Rina Shkolnik, Executive Director

Dear Editor, On behalf of Chabad, I would like to thank the 4th Precinct for all that they do for the community in general and particularly for the Chabad Center. There is no task ever too difficult or triv- ial, and they’re always ready and willing to service the community with a smile. Their involvement has enabled Chabad’s Gan Chamesh Preschool to have the most beautiful outdoor graduation. We could not have done it without them! We consider ourselves lucky to have such a great police force looking out for us and constantly being of assistance. Chabad of the Five Towns Rabbi Shneur Z. Wolowik, Director

Continued on Page 50

Speak to Aharon and say to him: "When you raise light in the lamps..." (Bamidbar 8:2)

Aharon did not bring an offering (for the Sanctuary's dedication -- see previous Parshah) with the other princes of the tribes, and so he thought:Woe is me! Perhaps it is on my account that G-d does not accept the tribe of Levi? G-d therefore said to Moshe: "Go and say to Aharon: Fear not, you have in store for you an honor greater than this...The offerings shall remain in force only as long as the Temple stands, but the lamps shall always give light..."

(Midrash Rabbah; Rashi)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 9 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE for a number of reasons. The warm and summer days with a crystal-clear blue has gone out of the Catskills; there is sometimes steamy weather is only part sky surrounding a sharply penetrating still a great deal of beauty in those tree- Continued from Front Cover of it. More than anything else, the tran- and impossible-to-look-up-at yellow covered mountains. Most of what is left and the sheva berachos, there’s the sitions that exist in summer make it so ball of sun, with day after day temper- up there, however, seems to be leftover preparation and thought process about special and sometimes unusual. atures hovering at about 86 degrees. from all the effort and energy our par- what to talk about at the mini-simchas I’ve had two tiers of difficult sum- There I was in my office, in a suit with ents and grandparents put into Sullivan that surround the wedding. Then there mers, many years ago and not-so-many a shirt and tie, looking out the window and Ulster counties. is getting the young couple ready for years ago. Many years ago, summer of my office in midtown Manhattan Sometimes when I reflect on those their new life together, immediately meant the end of an almost year-long and taking note that while I was in days, and even when I try to look ahead thereafter packing the kids off to sleep- routine, getting ready for summer here, out there on the other side of just a bit up the road, I can’t help but away camp, adjusting into the always camp or whatever else was planned for these brick walls was another gorgeous get the feeling that, more than anything slower pace of a summer mode, hoping this or that particular summer. It summer passing me by. else, it is our laser-guided DNA that is to get away for at least a week or so to meant as a child being separated from Those were our Catskills days, and in control of the choices we make and Eretz Yisrael, and juggling all that the things we do. Today, when I think without missing any days of studying back to those summer weeks at work in Tractate Yoma, which will carry Daf the city and the main focus of our lives Yomi studiers through the summer. Years after that, long after I was married and being those long weekends, I can’t help All year long, we seem to be laboring but recall in vivid detail that this was and emotionally contorting ourselves to the very same way in which my father somehow get to this month of June, that had small children, I found myself missing all conducted his summer schedule in the is the corridor of summer for so many. 1950s and 60s. June is a mix of anticipation fulfilled and the hubbub of the summer transition. It doesn’t take a lot to vividly recall greater anxiety and frustration that is part his car pulling up alongside our two- and parcel of change. For human crea- bedroom bungalow in Pine View Hill in tures of habit like us, while change is fre- Ulster Country in the middle of the quently new and exciting, many times it parents for a few short weeks that frequently I had to incur significant sac- night between Thursday and Friday. No is also inconvenient and even troubling. seemed unusually lengthy. It also rifice and a great deal of aggravation in matter what time it was, he would Contrast June with the eight or nine meant getting acclimated to a new rou- exchange for some long weekends off. always come into mine and my younger months that precede it, and you will note tine—but as soon as I slid into stride, This would mean getting upstate some- brother’s room and give us a kiss that a perceptible difference. Somehow, from it would come to an end and I’d have time late on Thursday night and then I’m guessing most of the time we were October through May, with the exception to get reacquainted with the new-old whizzing off in the cover of darkness too deeply asleep to even feel. There of the 10-day interlude of Pesach, our routine all over again. back in the direction of the city, rolling were, however, enough times for me to and our children’s daily routines remain Years after that, long after I was ever so slowly across the George recall being roused out of sleep and for the most part intact. married and had small children, I Washington Bridge back into that sum- feeling his presence in our room and And then comes the usually meteoro- found myself missing all the hubbub of mertime rat-race reality. Now the being able to just catch a sleepy glimpse logically attractive month of June, the summer transition. During this Catskills are somewhat spent, though of his wide-eyed and broad smile all which can sometimes make you feel like rather long period (though now happi- the streets of Woodbourne and a few brought on by just seeing us again after you are inching your way up to the start- ly a thing of the past), I had a couple other tiny municipalities still spring to three or four days away in the city. ing line for participation in a race (call it of jobs in companies where January life as June dissolves away and the real And I did the same thing from about a 40-yard sprint) called “summertime.” was indistinguishable from June or summer months take center stage. I’m 1981 to 1991. I made sure my young And it seems that summer is what it is July. I can recall some July or August not going to say that life as we knew it children were tucked away in the coun-

10 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the majority, but will the majority of The Convergence Ghetto Mentality Plan Jews be alive? The alternative plan would be to stay in the areas where the Jews are BY ALIZA KARP so open-minded, how are we going One could argue that hiding the minority: give the Arabs the mes- to keep all these people in our bor- behind the security wall is different. sage that this is our land and we Government public-relations depart- ders without making them full citi- Now, we have an army. But Hamas intend to live on it; show zero toler- ments come up with some pretty good zens? The notion of the Jews being also has an army. The main differ- ance for Arab violence; and treat the ways of making the most foul of things the landlords and the Arabs being ence between our army and that of non-terrorist Arabs fairly, but without smell sweet. The Disengagement Plan the serfs does not sit well with liber- Hamas is not the technology; it is the making them citizens. sounded so much more innocent than al Jews. The fact that the Arabs difference in the willingness to pull The struggle would continue—ter- “Deportation and Destruction Plan.” would still be treated better in the or to not pull the trigger. ror will not just disappear, it is some- The phrase “painful concessions” Jewish country than in any Arab The illusion that when we retreat thing that is perpetual—and the quiet sounds so righteous and good-hearted, country was not enough justification the Arabs will calm down can no would have to be maintained, just as when the “painful” part should truth- to quell the anxiety associated with longer be comforting. The facts show most things in this world need mainte- fully be called “abuse of settlers” and being a ruling class. that the Arabs who previously targeted nance. But our chances for survival the “concessions” part called “reward- So, here we are, barely 60 years the Gush Katif communities are now would be better than if we are cor- ing terrorism.” from the ghettos of Europe, and we are attacking cities inside the Green Line. nered targets of Hamas. The The latest buzzword is building a fence and moving into our The same can be expected following Convergence Ghetto Mentality Plan “Convergence.” How practical and self-imposed ghetto. each retreat. seems like a quick fix for an era of efficient! The Convergence Plan. Or Prior to the Holocaust, the Jews So, we can be pretty sure that when peace and quiet, but it may very well should it really be called the “Ghetto endured such harassment that when we are snuggled behind the security lead to a similar peace and quiet that Mentality Plan”? they were told to move to the ghetto, fence, we will still have deadly fire- now reigns in the ghettos of Europe. The Jewish authorities have not they did so willingly. They knew it works vaulting the wall. And if (Arutz Sheva) ❖ known what to do about the Arab would be crowded and unsanitary, but Hamasland becomes a legitimate state, population since the territories were at least they would be safe. The rest is they will be shooting more than Aliza Karp is the administrator of Friends of Families of Hebron. She writes about issues of concern to the first liberated in 1967. At that time, history. The ghetto was a major facili- Kassam rockets. Jewish world, including the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s we could have given the Arabs a dol- tator for the extermination. Behind the fence, the Jews will be perspective on defending Israel. lar each and sent them to one of their own countries. The Arabs would have been thrilled to get away with their lives. But the open-minded, good-will-towards-all-men government insisted the Arabs stay and play nice. The problem then arose: If we are try for the summer and did not have to deal with the hot city streets, which we were always warned lacked an appropriate summer spirit. Those weekends always seemed too fleeting, with Sunday night always rolling around much too fast. It didn’t even pay to sleep with both eyes shut, because before I knew it, I would have to be up and on my way down Route 17 to take care of my other life-sustaining obligations. Now it seems that life is somewhat different, even though I keep mentally drifting back to the concept of the well- worn cliché: the more things change, the more they stay the same. Somewhere along the line during my childhood years, my parents managed to subtly convince me that time does have a way of standing still and we have some kind of innate ability to secure just such a place for ourselves in life if only we make that effort. I was satisfied with that, but as the years progressed, the theory began to come unglued. So now, summer is here again, and we’re getting ready to make a wedding, welcome a child home from Israel, get the younger ones ready for camp, actually deal with no one being home, and try to sneak away on vacation as if everyone were home, because I don’t know that we can do it any other way. I’m not sure if I prefer the diligent sameness of the October-through-May weeks and months or if I welcome the realization that we have, with G-d’s help, successfully managed our way to another summer season. I basically know two things: One is that both ways are pretty good. And the second thing is that there really is little choice. ❖

Larry Gordon can be reached for comment at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 11 A-L-I-Y-A-H Hey, Hey Goodbye song, which was watching their reaction as soon as they understand how I can spend hours Continued from Front Cover also kind of cute as we said goodbye realized that we were with the NBN checking specs on websites and call- to America. group and making aliyah. We had a ing for price quotes without buying more sparsely attended than in previ- Another thing I noticed was the great time, and I know that the kids something and still feel as if I have ous years. With six kids to chase, we immediate roar of the crowd as soon as will always remember the day they got accomplished something. She needs stopped regularly attending the parade they realized who we were. The sup- to march in the parade. to know that the appliances have several years ago when it became too been ordered and will be on our lift, difficult to keep track of everyone. so that she can cross that item off her Somehow the crowd seemed smaller list. Until it is crossed off of her list, than we had remembered from the The municipality prefers that the student populations of she feels as if we are wasting time past. Even the obligatory protest con- each yeshiva be more representative of the population at that could be better spent buying tingent of Neturei Karta “Chassidim” something or at least packing it. and their Arab allies were much fewer large, so they will limit the amount of English speakers This theory applies to anything that in number. needs to be done for our aliyah. Having never experienced the admitted to those schools, assigning them instead to Schools for the kids? It doesn’t matter parade from inside the barricades, I how many e-mails we send or phone was struck by how quickly everything other, more Israeli schools. calls we make; until the kids are offi- went by. We sang L’Shanah Haba’ah cially enrolled, she feels as if we B’Yerushalayim almost the entire way haven’t really set things up. In fact, up Fifth Avenue. We even sang a spe- port and encouragement the specta- As we get into the home stretch— schooling presents its own unique cial round (after Goldie came up with tors expressed for new olim was heart- with less than a month to go—we find challenge. Most schools in Israel are the idea) of B’Chodesh Haba’ah warming. It was especially exciting to ourselves literally exhausted all the time. public schools. Even though we have B’Yerushalayim. We also sang the Hey, see people we have known for years, There is so much to do. At work and at requested specific schools for the home, we are both at wit’s end, trying to kids, since the school assignments are tie up as many loose ends as possible. made by the municipality, it is really While I think there is certainly up to them to determine who goes enough time to get everything done where, no matter what the parental that is in our control done, Goldie is preferences are. a listmaker and scorekeeper. So she In Beit Shemesh/Ramat Beit really needs to finish things before Shemesh, there has been a trend for she can feel accomplished, while I olim to populate certain schools. am content with simple progress. For Accordingly, those schools have a high instance, I am quite happy to shop percentage of English speakers as stu- for appliances, trying to get the best dents. The municipality prefers that price. I figure that as long as the the student populations of each yeshi- appliances end up in our lift, we are va be more representative of the popu- okay. I also feel accomplished by lation at large, so they will limit the speaking with vendors about our amount of English speakers admitted needs, since each conversation brings to those schools, assigning them us one step closer to a final purchase. instead to other, more Israeli schools. Goldie, on the other hand, cannot Since we are dealing with public

12 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES school, it is not easy to undo extremely concerned that the many social obligations relat- both low mileage and in excel- pressure. We are still excited the municipality’s decision. transitions to our replace- ed to our aliyah to attend to. lent condition). We can only to go and are looking forward This creates a tremendous ments be smooth—much The parade. A JUF farewell hope that we thought of all the to our new life. amount of angst for those more so than an average party for olim in Manhattan. other things to do. It has simply gotten to a who are assigned to schools departing employee. So we Various goodbye parties for All these various pressures point that we just wish the whose ideals and hashkafah spend hours each working the kids. The Yeshiva of South result in a tremendous whole process could be fin- may be different from the day doing our utmost to leave Shore’s special event in honor amount of stress. I have found ished already. We are ready to student’s family’s ideals and “neat desks” for those who of all the yeshiva’s olim. that at times we are so open a new chapter in our hashkafos. will follow us in the work- Different tzeischem l’shalom focused and pressured that we Book of Life, but it seems like As the entire process is out place. Simultaneously, we kiddushim. And so on, and so seem to wake up for days on we can’t seem to turn the of our control, I don’t really need to bring our replace- on, and… end “on the wrong side of the page from the last chapter worry about it. I figure that I ments up to speed with Then there are the stresses bed.” We can feel the without suffering a few will either be happy or unhap- where things stand on many over which we have no control. increased tension in our lives creased pages. ❖ py with the decision being different issues that will (Here come some shameless and in our home, and it defi- Shmuel Katz is the executive director made and will fight it out only remain open. Of course, plugs and free advertising…) nitely takes its toll both physi- of the Yeshiva of South Shore. His if I feel I can make a signifi- since they will be doing We still haven’t sold or rented cally and mentally. wife, Goldie, is the controller at Bnos Bais Yaakov. Together with their six cant difference by saying things in their own way, we our house (anyone interested Don’t get me wrong here. children (ages 1 to 15), the Katzes something. Goldie worries need to constantly remember in a five-bedroom Colonial There isn’t necessarily any- will iy’H be making aliyah this July. about these things all the time. not to mix in and to allow with approved plans to expand thing wrong with what we are Mr. Katz can be reached at [email protected]. There are many other per- them to do whatever they to a seven-bedroom, please experiencing, and I am sure In response to the many requests sonal issues that also need to feel works best. give me a buzz). The cars are that many of the other fami- Shmuel has had for reprints/copies of the prior articles, he has published be dealt with. What will we Further complicating mat- still ours, too (1998 Town & lies making the move this year them on the web at drive until we buy a new car? ters is the fact that we have so Country and 2001 Durango— also have a lot of stress and aliyahchronicles.blogspot.com. Which health plan is best for us? Which bank? What about property insurance? The list is endless, but needs to be taken care of in the next three weeks. So, while we were busy running from one thing to another, packing boxes, sort- ing through old clothes and tying up our affairs, we also spent each day this past weekend in a constantly anxious state, worrying about the many things that we still need to take care of and haven’t. Then there are the well- meaning but incredibly repeti- tive questions. Are you guys all excited? (Answer: Most of the time. Some of the time we just have a feeling as if we are standing on the train tracks while the train bears down us). What are you going to do if…? (Answer: We have no clue. We will take each challenge as it comes). Are you ready? (Answer: See below) While we are thrilled that people are interested in us and our aliyah, we sometimes feel as if we need to just sit in a quiet cor- ner and decompress. The workplace is no easier. We are both trying to close as many open items as we can so that there is less confu- sion when we leave. Working for our schools has allowed us the unique opportunity to mentally and emotionally invest in our careers. We are both extremely dedicated to our respective (yeshiva) employers. We are therefore

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, June 19 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 13 DRS, SKA, And HALB At The Israel Day Parade

HALB Elementary School, SKA, and DRS marching at the Salute to Israel Parade. HALB is proud to be affiliated with Central Perk Cafe, who sponsored them at this event.

14 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Al-Zarqawi Lived s”xc For 52 Minutes After Strike

BY KIM GAMEL

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi lived for 52 minutes after a U.S. warplane bombed his hideout northeast of Baghdad, and he died of extensive internal injuries consistent with those caused by a bomb blast, the U.S. military said Monday. Col. Steve Jones, command surgeon for Multinational Forces, said an autopsy concluded that al-Zarqawi died from serious injuries to his lungs. An FBI test positively identified al- Zarqawi’s remains.

“Blast waves from the two bombs caused tearing, bruising of the lungs, and bleeding.”

Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Baghdad, said U.S. forces arrived about 28 minutes after a fighter jet bombed al-Zarqawi’s hideout outside Baqouba on Wednesday. Medics secured al-Zarqawi’s airway but his breathing was shallow and labored, and he expelled blood from his mouth. “It was very evident he had extremely massive internal injuries,” Caldwell said. Al-Zarqawi died 24 minutes after coalition forces arrived, he said. Jones said the autopsy conducted Saturday showed that al-Zarqawi died from injuries to his lungs. “Blast waves from the two bombs caused tearing, bruising of the lungs and bleeding,” he said. “There was no evidence of firearm injuries.” The al-Qaida in Iraq leader also suffered head and facial wounds, bleeding in his ears and a fracture of his lower right leg. Caldwell said an F-16 dropped a 500-pound bomb on the house at 6:12 p.m. A second bomb followed immediately after. U.S. troops arrived at 6:40 p.m. and found Iraqi police at the site. He said a coalition medic treated al-Zarqawi, who lapsed in and out of consciousness. “At 7:04 p.m. on June 7, Zarqawi was dead,” Caldwell said. He added that no decision had been made on what to do with the remains of al-Zarqawi and his spiritual adviser, Sheik Abdul-Rahman, who was killed instantly in Wednesday’s air strike. “These autopsies were performed to make a definitive determination as to the cause of both Zarqawi’s and Rahman’s deaths,” Caldwell said. “The scientific facts will provide irrefutable evidence regarding the deaths of terrorists and will serve to counter speculation, misin- formation and propaganda.” (AP) ❖ 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 15 Revival Of Jewish Life In Russia

BY BLUMA BRODT not a shred of hope for the child, and taharas ha’mishpachah, which proved to the mother, in desperation, came run- be a formidable undertaking in the On Sunday morning, June 12, 2006, ning to a shaliach in her town, begging Ukraine, in the city of Lvov. A trip to the Mr. and Mrs. Yitzy Stefansky were the him to pray for a miracle for her child. mikveh involved a 13-hour train ride to gracious hosts at a breakfast reception At this trying time, she recalled that Kiev, turning the observance of this at their home in Monsey, New York, on her mother had always told her of the mitzvah into a two and a half day behalf of the Vaad L’hatzolas Nidchei powers of a tzaddik to accomplish process, but one that the couple happi- Yisroel. More than delicious food was great feats for people. The terrified ly undertook. At this point, the husband on the menu, as guests were held young mother implored the shaliach— felt that he and his wife could not prop- spellbound by the fascinating tales of the tzaddik—to appeal to the Al- erly keep taharas ha’mishpachah in his the world renowned mohel, Rav mighty for her child’s life. Anxious to uncircumcised state, and determined Rav Mattisyahu Salomon. Yitzchok Aron Fischer, who engaged help, the shaliach initiated Tehillim to that he must have a b’ris. his audience with an assortment of be recited on behalf of the child, and As it happened, Rav Fischer had the required waiting period would be stories describing the mesiras nefesh when the mother returned to the doc- come to Lvov and the man approached completed on the following day. that has been demonstrated time and tors two weeks later for tests, only an him and implored him to perform a However, Rav Fischer was due in again by Jews in Russia as they per- innocuous cyst remained in place of b’ris for him. While assessing the situ- Moscow the next day, where a long list form the mitzvah of b’ris milah. the dreaded terminal disease. ation, Rav Fischer discovered that the of people awaited his services. One particularly moving story that In gratitude, the mother agreed to man was recovering from a grippe that Undeterred, the man said he would Rav Fischer related began in 1991 in attend lectures offered by the shaliach; was accompanied by high fever. travel to Moscow for his b’ris. the city of Lvov, with a non-observant soon she was joined by her husband, as Knowing that seven days must elapse Unfortunately, travel delays brought young couple who had a five-year-old well, and gradually they were drawn to following recovery from fever before a him to the mohel 15 minutes after daughter that was r”l diagnosed with a becoming observant. Kashrus and sh’mi- b’ris can be performed, Rav Fischer shekiah, too late for the b’ris to be per- terminal illness. The diagnosis, espe- ras Shabbos were only the beginning. asked a she’eilah, and was told to wait formed that day. Once again, not to be cially in Russia at that time, offered The couple soon undertook to observe the required seven days. In this case, deterred from his goal, the man pro- posed returning the next day. This, too, proved problematic, since Rav Fischer was scheduled to leave the next morning. Rav Fischer called Eretz Yisraelto ask a she’eilah and was told he could perform the b’ris early in the morning, before he was due to leave. After having his b’ris, the man had to spend several weeks in recovery, an interval the couple happily accepted, as they preferred to wait as long as necessary so that they could live together in a state of sanctity. Today, this couple lives in Israel with their family. This story is only one of many that illustrates the lengths to which newly observant Russians Jews are prepared to go to practice their religion, as they rediscover their ancient heritage and take pride in doing things “right.” In story after story, Rav Fischer recount- ed the heroism of ordinary Russian Jews of all ages, some well into their sixties, who have undertaken to perform the ancient covenant of Avraham, under all sorts of circumstances, with determination and fervor. These stories serve to inspire those at the Vaad with renewed vigor as they continue in their efforts to bring Torah Judaism to unaffiliated Jews in the former Soviet Union, a task to which the Vaad has been dedicated since 1981. On Sunday, June 18, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Eisenberg will host a breakfast reception at their home in Lawrence on behalf of the Vaad, at which HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon, the Vaad’s spiritual mentor, will address the audience. A number of openings are still available on the chizuk mission that Rav Salomon will be leading to Russia this coming October. For further information on joining Rav Salomon on this inspirational journey to Russia, please call the offices of the Vaad at 718-252-5974. ❖

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, June 19 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

16 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 17 Baseball Mania the best consequences, and many other couldn’t do the same to me. However, hate to admit it, but they were real Continued from Front Cover baseball issues, none of which had any and through no fault of my own, I did- scaredy-cats. So they can talk the talk, meaning or held any importance to me. n’t learn to like the same things my but they can’t walk the walk. my own among family discussions when I do believe that if sports fans want to brothers liked. In fact, I’d have to the- When I visit my parents and the politics are discussed or when business go a little gaga over baseball, there is orize that if my brothers had let me phone rings, nine times out of ten it’s is analyzed, but when baseball is brought nothing I can do to stop that. I think, play sports with them, I would have one of my brothers calling to discuss up, I tune out. When I’m with my however, there should be a compromise. grown into more of a tomboy. the latest baseball play with my dad. My friends or among coworkers, I always I would not mind listening to a small dad, fearful that my mom will roll her have a lot to add to the discussions on amount of baseball chatter if the base- eyes yet again, speaks in a whisper that books, psychology, writing, movies, and ball fans would be quiet for a minute or my mom and I can hear only too well. more. I would guess that my family has two and listen to me. I would not even I skated with the My mom and I look at each other, a distorted view of me, thinking I am mind going to a baseball game, as long knowing nothing will ever change. Boys quiet and shy, when really I am just try- as the details were patiently explained Rangers in will be boys. We love my dad and we ing to steer clear of any discussions cen- to me and, most importantly, we left the love my brothers, but enough is tered on baseball. game fairly early—third or fourth Rockefeller Center enough. Baseball can be broken down When I was growing up in the Five inning at most. very simply; it’s a bunch of men holding Towns, I wrote a letter to the editor of Just like any other sport, I’m sure and appeared on this weapon-like stick thing called a bat, the Nassau Herald, complaining about there is a fun side to baseball. I just which they swing wildly, trying to get the obsession with baseball that had haven’t found it yet! “Fox Five News” this hard round thing called a ball as far taken hold of my father, my brothers, Okay, before you go crazy calling my as possible away from these placemat- and their friends. The reason this is so dad and brothers on the phone asking with them, wearing like things called bases. If this doesn’t memorable to me is because most male where I come from and if I really sound silly, tell me what does. members of the Five Towns teased my belong to the Herenstein family, let me my Rangers jersey. I really should stop while I’m ahead, brothers mercilessly after the article explain to you my side of things. I am as Larry Gordon might not even pub- came out, asking them how my broth- a female, with three older brothers. lish this article, being the baseball fan ers “let” me publish such a scandalous When my brothers played baseball that he is. And I might not make it article. The letter went like this: when we were kids, they let me chase Did I eventually come to like sports? through the weekend if my brothers To the Editor: the ball and bring it back to them. Yes, very much. To my brothers’ chagrin, find out where I am. I really just want- Once, twice, three times you’re out… When they played basketball, I would I became a Rangers fan, along with my ed to enlighten you as to what goes on Yes! Baseball season is beginning be allowed to shoot every once in a dad, while my brothers were and are in my parents’ home: sports, sports, again. I thought perhaps people would while, but mostly I sat on the side avid Islanders fans. And I like going to and more sports. I think you should all forget about it this year, but no such luck. watching, probably with a crush on basketball, baseball, or hockey games as razz my dad and brothers this weekend I entered my house this past Sunday some of my brothers’ friends (if you long as I have my kosher food and a when you see them, and explain to after returning home from a friend’s think it was you, it was not). But I was friend in tow. In fact, I skated with the them that there’s more to life than bridal shower. My good cheer was imme- treated like a delicate female, one who Rangers in Rockefeller Center and baseball. But hey, I love my dad and diately shattered as soon as I heard the played with her dolls, liked clothes, appeared on “Fox Five News” with brothers and I say again, boys will be incessantly loud baseball talk. My broth- and was a mother’s girl and a daddy’s them, wearing my Rangers jersey. And in boys. (Sigh.) I suppose there are worse ers and their friends were very seriously girl at the same time. This was not a terms of being physically active, when things in life. ❖ discussing the rotisserie league which bad thing. I loved being the youngest we traveled up North in Israel several Michele Herenstein is a freelance journalist liv- they are a part of. Who would be whose and the only girl. I was allowed to years back, I was the only “adult” in my ing and working in New York. She can be partner, which trade would bring about “play-punch” my brothers but they immediate family who went rappelling. I reached at [email protected].

18 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 19 easier to surrender to diffusion and to return to the state of chaotic formless- It’s All John Lennon’s Fault ness. That is the great idolatrous entice- ment. That’s the magic in Imagine. I do not want to see the different BY MOSHE FEIGLIN and by the way, there is a traffic jam on no dark, no good and no bad. nations and cultures erased. I want FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, the Ayalon Highway…” Everything can be bought and sold. We them to come to the Holy Land on the MANHIGUT YEHUDIT It’s a good thing she brought me will continue to cultivate the present festival of Sukkot as is described in back to reality because I suddenly real- and its “serenity” with no ambitions Neviim. I want there to be peace. Not Who is responsible for all of our ized that, without notice, John Lennon beyond it. Lennon at his best. the false “peace” that comes from the troubles in the last decades? It’s not had injected directly into my veins the In my opinion, what we are facing unwillingness to differentiate between Peres or Clinton, not Rabin, Bibi or complete opposite of what should be here is modern-day idolatry. “In the good and bad but real peace that Barak. This entire mess is because of flowing there. He gives me a directive beginning… the earth was chaos and comes from separation between good …John Lennon! to dream his dream, and I, the void” is the foundational negative real- and bad, life and death. I want to see You probably know his song, pushover, along with a few billion oth- ity. It is death. The idol worshipper the nations ascending to Jerusalem Imagine. Who doesn’t? It’s the type of ers who have heard his song, surrender gives up on the constant uphill strug- because they are pulled to the good song that sticks in your head. That is and dream his dream. He doesn’t need gle against chaos that ceaselessly that will once again emanate for all to just what happened to me one day a baton to make us dream. All he needs crushes humanity. Idolatry sanctifies see and feel from the Temple Mount. when Imagine came over my car radio. is a hypnotic melody. It’s as if he is not the natural forces that resolutely Now that we understand what lies What a heavenly, relaxing melody. And asking anything of me at all, and all my evolve toward entropy. Ambitions for behind Imagine, I invite you to sing it the words? Simply magical: early warning systems remain silent. life and for good require a constant with new words: Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if Technology pumps the song quickly struggle against the natural slide Imagine no more evil. No poverty or you try. throughout the world, and now we all toward faceless uniformity—or in John need. No hell below us. Above us only sky. dream John’s dream together. Lennon’s words, “No countries… Everyone knows his mission. No jeal- Imagine all the people. Living for What does Imagine have to do with nothing to live or die for…” It is no ousy or greed. today… our present reality in Israel? wonder that the hippies adopted idol- Imagine all the people. Serving G-d Essentially, it has the same message related motifs—Krishna, Zen and as one. Imagine there’s no countries. It isn’t that Shimon Peres wrote in his book, other sheet-wrapped icons. Imagine there’s a country. Where hard to do. The New Middle East. Peres simply Today, this drive to surrender to G-d’s light shines clear. Nothing to kill or die for. And no reli- duplicated John Lennon’s dream and formless vacuity is hidden behind nice A place to truly live for. Where truth gion too. tried to paste it on to our country. A words: Merge with nature, flow with and morality are dear. Imagine all the people. Living life in Shangri La vision in which there are your life—the main thing is to let go, Imagine the Jewish People. Lighting peace… no countries and no religions. In his be swept downstream in heedless bliss up the world. book, Peres writes openly about the back to sweet fusion. You may say I’m a dreamer. But our You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m new Middle Eastern nation that will be In order to bring life to our world, the fathers dreamt before me. not the only one. created in Israel. In other words, on Creator made divisions. The light is I hope that soon you’ll join us. To per- I hope someday you’ll join us. And erasing the Jewish nation. It all gets here, the darkness is there. There is fect the world for the the world will be as one. mixed together in a relaxing nirvana: good and there is bad. Separation allows Holy One, Blessed Be He ❖ It went on and on until the DJ inter- We have no more visions, no more one to choose his direction. But if you This article, translated and excerpted from Moshe rupted the idyll and said that “This is ideals. There’s nothing above us and choose good, it means that you will be Feiglin’s new book, The War of Dreams, was the song that awakens the most hope, nothing below us. There is no light and doing battle all your life. It is so much originally written in Elul 5760 (Sept. 2000).

20 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 21 Web Clock Continues Chilling Countdown To Wedding That Will Not Be

BY JACK KHOURY, TOMER phone; she didn’t answer and a search say to him, “Moni, just don’t die and train,” Mihlin recalled yesterday. LEVY AND ZAFRIR RINAT of the hospitals didn’t turn up any- leave me alone.” “I called him, but he didn’t answer. thing. Then we got the word to go to Paz was a well-known figure in the We were best friends from eleventh Lilach Suzin, 27, and her fiance, Effi, Abu Kabir [Institute of Forensic bay area suburbs. After making colonel grade. He matured so much in the an air force captain, who had been Medicine]. in the Israel Defense Forces, he went army; and I called him ‘my positive together since they met two years ago in Lilach was a graduate of the educa- to work as a motor pool officer at the energy.’ He livened things up wherever their home town of Acre, were deeply tion department of Oranim College, Rafael Armament Development he went. He was a simple, responsible involved in plans for their wedding, to and had recently begun her master’s Authority. “Moni was always smiling, and modest guy, and he was my best have taken place on August 15. They degree studies in business administra- always saying you had to get ahead, and friend and my energy. He was a child had even opened an Internet site with a tion at the University of Haifa. “She always giving of himself,” his brother’s of the sea and loved capoeira,” Mihlin countdown to the big day. This week, a was the joy of the family and the spe- grandson, Moshe Avi, said. Paz is sur- said sadly. few hours after Effi and Lilach’s family cial pride of our mother,” her sister vived by his parents, his wife, two sons, Sorek is survived by his parents, received the bitter news of Monday’s Dani and Elisheva, and five brothers. fatal train accident near Natanya, the clock continued its chilling count-down. Recently Returned To Israel Effi, who arrived at the Suzin home Lior Albala, 30, was born and grew a few hours after identifying Lilach’s I never imagined a thing like this up in Herzliya, and served in the IDF’s body, could not stop his tears. At Intelligence Corps. For the past year, home, Lilach’s parents, Aliza and could happen and I would he had been living and working in Asher, were waiting together with her England, and returned to Israel just a three sisters, ages 33, 32 and 23, and few weeks ago. He was at work, as a many other relatives and friends. “I lose her in a second. food vendor on the train, when the want to say what an amazing girl she accident occurred. was, and what a girl the universe has His mother, Etti, said Lior was very lost. I loved her with all my heart. happy to have found work on the train. Everything was ready, even the plane Talli said. Lilach is to be buried in Acre. who received news of his death while “He wasn’t concerned about accidents tickets for the honeymoon in in Holland, and a daughter. at all,” she said. Thailand. I never imagined a thing Second Tragedy In The Family Friends and relatives spoke of like this could happen and I would Moni Paz, 54, of Kiryat Bialik in the On His Way To A Day Of Fun Albala’s love for soccer, and his avid lose her in a second.” Haifa Bay area, was to have celebrated Sergeant Alon Sorek, 20, from Atlit, support for Maccabi Herzliya. Because Effi saw Lilach off at the train sta- his 55th birthday in two weeks. was killed on his way to a day of fun of his love for soccer, Albala had asked tion in Tel Aviv that morning. “She had Yesterday he was on his way back from with his close friend, Natalie Mihlin. to work the early shift yesterday, so he laser surgery on her eyes because she a trip to Jerusalem with his brother Sorek, the youngest of six brothers could get home in time to watch the didn’t want to wear glasses at the wed- and sister-in-law. Another brother had who all served in elite Israel Defense World Cup. ding. She said she could see fine, and been killed in Kenya about 20 years Forces units, recently completed a Albala’s stepfather, David Damari: at 9:30 I brought her to the station at ago, and his memorial ceremony was medics course in the army. “He was a good soul, a guy who loved Azrieli. A little while later the accident to have taken place this week. After the “I heard about the accident and I life, and all who knew him loved him.” happened. I started calling her cell accident, Moni’s brother managed to knew he was supposed to be on the (Haaretz) ❖

22 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 23 Daniel Pipes: ‘The Muslims Are More Zionist Than The Jews’

BY TOBY KLEIN Claim to Jerusalem.” The award was Rosenthal, Sir Martin Gilbert, Bhagavad-Gita, the Taoist Tao-Te GREENWALD presented by Mrs. Ingeborg Rennert, Herman Wouk, William Safire, Ching, the Buddhist Dhamapada and who sponsors the Ingeborg Rennert Charles Krauthammer and Cynthia the Zoroastrian Zend Avesta”—which Strange indeed, but that was the Center for Jerusalem Studies at Bar Ozick, most of whom wrote warm con- is to say, not once. message of Daniel Pipes at the recent Ilan University. gratulatory letters to Pipes, published In his congratulatory letter to Pipes, Guardian of Zion Award Ceremony Present at the dinner were previous in the dinner brochure (including one published in the Rennert dinner pro- held at the King David Hotel the last award winners Elie Weisel, Ruth Wisse by the late Rosenthal, dated February gramme, Arthur Cohn wrote, “Very day in May, where he gave the distin- and producer Arthur Cohn. Other pre- 1). Also present at the event were for- much to the point was also your offer of guished Rennert Lecture “The Muslim vious award winners included A.M. mer ministers Uzi Landau, Effie Eitam and Beni Elon, and a plethora of other politicians, academics and senior media personalities. Pipes said that whereas Pipes said that whereas Jewish Jewish Zionism has been Zionism has been around for 3,000 years, Muslim Zionism is conditional, around for 3,000 years, to be pulled out when it is expedient and politically necessary. He ran Muslim Zionism is through a long list of examples, noting when Muslims did not talk about conditional, to be pulled Jerusalem, and when they did. “Each out when it is expedient time that Jerusalem has emerged as a focal point of Muslim religious and and politically necessary. political interest since the seventh century, is has been in response to specific utilitarian needs,” said Pipes. He said this cynical pattern has repeated a million dollars to anyone who finds itself six times in the last 14 centuries. the name Jerusalem in the Koran or Pipes pointed out that “Jerusalem your insistence that the Palestinians appears in the Jewish Bible 669 times have repeatedly shown that they are and Zion (which usually means quite prepared to sacrifice the Jerusalem, sometimes the Land of prospects of better living conditions if Israel) 154 times, or 823 times in all. doing so will further the cause of oblit- In contrast, Jerusalem and Zion appear erating Israel.” [on his website he quotes columnist Following are some excerpts from Dr. Moshe Kohn here] “as frequently in Pipes’s Rennert lecture: the Qur’an “as they do in the Hindu An account in the Koran tells how

24 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES rial control. After Jordanian forces seized the city in 1948, however, interest again plummeted. It revived only in 1967, when the whole city came under Israeli control. Muslim passion for Jerusalem has soared over the past four decades, to the point that Muslim Zionism closely imitates Jewish Zionism. Note two sim- ilarities: • Emotional significance: Ehud Olmert, today the prime minister of Israel, said in 1997 that Jerusalem represents “the purest expression of all that Jews prayed for, dreamed of, cried for, and died for in the 2,000 years since the destruction of the Second Temple.” The Palestinian Authority’s Yasser Arafat

PhotoByRebeccaKowalsky echoed his words in 2000, declaring that Jerusalem “is in the innermost of our feeling, the feeling of our people and the feeling of all Arabs, Muslims, and Christians.” Daniel Pipes. Eternal capital: Israel’s President Ezer Weizman reminded Pope John Paul II en G-d instructed Muhammad in 622 to route to his visit to Jerusalem in March pray toward Jerusalem and 17 months 2000 that the city remains Israel’s “eter- later redirected him to pray toward nal” capital. A day later, Arafat wel- Mecca… comed the pontiff to “Palestine and its The same utilitarian pattern holds in eternal capital, Jerusalem.” Jewish and modern times. Ottoman neglect of Muslim religious leaders meeting with Jerusalem in the 19th century prompted the pope likewise spoke of Jerusalem as the French novelist Gustav Flaubert to their eternal capital. describe it as “Ruins everywhere, and Generalizing, the analyst Khalid everywhere the odor of graves. … The Durán observed in 1999 that “there is Holy City of three religions is rotting an attempt to Islamize Zionism … in the away from boredom, desertion, and neg- sense that the importance of Jerusalem lect.” Palestinian Arabs rediscovered to Jews and their attachment to it is now Jerusalem only after the British con- usurped by Palestinian Muslims.” quered it in 1917, when they used it to rouse Muslim sentiments against impe- Continued on Page 26

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 25 Pipes Message Israelis are willing to divide Jerusalem; the exception that the Wakf has been Continued from Page 25 just last month, the Olmert government destroying the archeological base that Peretz: announced its plans to divide the city, to would prove Israel’s history, with the (Interestingly, this follows a larger pat- little outcry. Israeli authorities ignoring this.” Hamas Halted Qassams Due tern of Palestinian Arab nationalism Therefore, I conclude that the Pipes said that the international imitating Jewish nationalism.) Muslim use of Zion represents a more community accepts the Muslim claim To Threat Of Idf Operation This effort is working, to the point powerful force today than the Jewish to Jerusalem because they are said that, as secular Israelis increasingly find “with conviction and fervor” and that BY AMOS HAREL, GIDEON themselves unmoved by Jerusalem, “the Israeli response should be in kind, ALON AND MICHAL Muslim Zionism is emotionally and expressing the love of Zion…There is GREENBERG politically more fervid than its Jewish “No, I don’t think we an appreciative decline in sentiment. original. Note the example of rival The current Israelis are making plans Defense Minister Amir Peretz told Jerusalem Days. can make progress when to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Israel’s Jerusalem Day commemo- one side is denying the Palestinians…the fervor is no longer Defense Committee on Wednesday rates the city’s unification under its there. Muslim Zionism is today that Hamas halted Qassam rocket fire control in 1967. But, as Israel Harel other side’s history.” stronger than Jewish Zionism.” on Israel, apparently due to the threat writes in Ha’aretz, this tribute has After dinner, Dr. Pipes told this of a wide-scale Israel Defense Forces declined from a national holiday to writer that part of the solution is to operation. just “the holiday of the religious com- talk about the issue and work on get- But Wednesday afternoon a Qassam munities.” By contrast, the Muslim love of Zion. ting the message through. “That’s rocket landed in the western Negev, not version of Jerusalem Day—instituted Dr. Pipes answered questions from what the left has been doing for years, causing any damage or casualties. It was 11 years later, by Ayatollah Khomeini the audience, and regarding one about promoting their ideology,” he said. not immediately clear which Palestinian in 1979—attracts crowds of as many the peace process, he said, “No, I don’t “Man doesn’t live by bread alone, he group was behind the attack. as 300,000 people in distant Tehran, think we can make progress when one lives by ideas.” Peretz noted that Israel’s message serves as a platform for rousing side is denying the other side’s history.” A more complete excerpt from the on the matter had been relayed, open- harangues, and is gaining support About the Temple Mount: “Anything Pipes lecture, and other articles on the ly and through secret channels, and steadily around the Muslim world. about the Temple Mount is volatile…the topic, can be found at had reached the senior echelons of the A 2001 poll found that 60 percent of status quo in general is satisfactory with www.danielpipes.org. ❖ Hamas government. Peretz said that Israel relayed messages to senior officials in the Palestinian Authority, according to which if Qassam rocket fire on Israeli towns continued, an IDF Forces operation would be launched. “It has been quiet over the past day, and Qassams weren’t fired at Sderot. Apparently, the messages we relayed were effective, and Hamas ordered its people to halt the launch of Qassam rockets,” Peretz said.

Wanted Tanzim Militant Killed During IDF Arrest Raid In Jenin IDF troops shot dead wanted Tanzim militant Muhammad al-Wash, 26, during an arrest raid in the West Bank city of Jenin early Wednesday. According to a Palestinian security source, another armed individual was wounded by IDF fire in the incident, and was later arrested. In a separate incident, shots were fired at IDF troops operating in the Qabatiya refugee camp, in the West Bank. Militants and soldiers later exchanged fire near a hospital in Jenin. Some 13 wanted Palestinians were arrested in the IDF’s overnight raid. On Tuesday, an Israeli security guard was lightly wounded while guarding the separation fence near Jerusalem. The guard had gone into the village of Bir Naballah to buy something and got into a fight with some Palestinians. During the course of the fight, the Palestinians tried to seize his weapon, and one of them shot the guard with his own pistol, wounding him lightly in both hands. (Haaretz) ❖ Mazel Tov! We would like to wish Fraydie and Abba Klok a mazel tov upon the birth of their son, Binyomin Aryeh. May we be zocheh to share many more simchas together The Gordon - Hirsch Family and the Five Towns Jewish Times.

26 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES In a manuscript that recently came to cubits from east to west and 20 cubits light (Reshimat Hamenorah, written in from north to south. The Mishkan was Paris in the year 1938 or 1939), the divided into the “Holy” which occupied Lubavitcher Rebbe explores the spiritu- its eastern two-thirds, and the “Holy of al significance of one of the basic com- Holies” which comprised the western ponents of the Holy Temple—the third of the Sanctuary. Menorah—and its position within the Each westward progression was an space of the Temple. ascent to a higher level of holiness, requiring a greater degree of sanctity for From The Chassidic Masters Alignment Of The Lights admittance. The Holy of Holies, the The four walls of the Holy Temple most westerly and holiest part of the were aligned with the four points of the Sanctuary, was off limits to all except for Spiritual Space compass, and the entire edifice implied the Kohen Gadol (“High Priest”), and he, a progression from east to west. One too, could enter there only on Yom entered the first of a series of court- Kippur, the holiest day of the year. In the And G-d spoke to Moshe, saying: So the physical dimensions of the yards—the “Women’s Court”—from the words of our sages, “The Divine pres- Speak to Aharon and say to him: When Holy Temple are a model for the spiritu- east, and proceeded westward to the 15 ence is in the west” (American and you light the lamps [of the Menorah], al landscape of the soul. The Holy steps ascending to the “Israelite Court.” European Jews face east in their prayers the seven lamps should give light toward Temple consisted of numerous At the western end of the Israelite Court because the site of the Holy of Holies is the face of the Menorah. domains, chambers and “vessels,” and were the steps leading to “Priestly east of them. The Jews of Sefad, for —Bamidbar 8:1–2 scholars and mystics throughout the Court,” where the Outdoor Altar stood example, face south when praying, while Our sages tell us that the physical generations have written on how each of and much of the Temple service was the Jews of Yemen face north. Within the universe is the last of a series of worlds these correspond to another element of performed. West of the altar were the Temple, the direction faced was west). generated by the Creator, the final link the inner life of man and illuminates its steps ascending to the Mishkan. First The greater sanctity of the west was in a “chain of evolution” (seder hishtal- Divine function and purpose (see, for one entered the “Hall” which extended also reflected in the “western lamp” shelut) from the abstract to the tactual example, BeChayei on Sh’mos 25:9; across the eastern face of the Sanctuary; (ner hamaaravi) of the Menorah, the and from the spiritual to the material. Shaloh, Parashas Terumah, 324b; Torat west of the Hall was the Mishkan itself, In other words, everything we see or HaOlah by Rabbi Moshe Isserlis; et al) an oblong structure measuring 600 Continued on Page 28 experience in the physical world also exists in a higher, more spiritual form. If the physical world contains objects such as water and stones, these are but material incarnations of spiritual reali- ties in the higher spheres of creation; if the physical world consists of four “kingdoms”—the mineral, vegetable, animal and human—these four grada- tions of vitality likewise exist within the realm of the spirit; and if our physical selves inhabit the physical phenomena of time and space, these are the product of a “spiritual time” and a “spiritual space” inhabited by our souls. The ultimate physical representation of “spiritual space” was the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple in Jerusalem—the place and edifice chosen by G-d to serve as a meeting point of the supernal and the terrestrial. For while all of physical space mirrors its metaphysical prototype, a veil of con- cealment interposes between the material world and its spiritual source. A “holy” place, however, is a place where this veil is less opaque, where the spiritual soul of reality can be more readily glimpsed. The Holy Temple was the holiest place in the world: the place where the veil was most translucent and—in its innermost and holiest chamber—altogether dissolved. [Thus the space of this chamber—called the “Holy of Holies”—was not physical or metaphysical, but neither and both in one. As the Talmud (Yoma 21a) relates, the Holy of Holies measured 20 cubits (approx. 30 feet) by 20 cubits. In its center stood the ark, also of a specified size (2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cubits). Nevertheless, the ark did not occupy any of the space of the chamber that housed it, so that the distance from each of the ark’s outer walls to the interior walls of the Holy of Holies was ten cubits. This was more than mere transcendence of physical space: the ark did possess physical area (indeed, its spatial dimensions were pre- scribed by law and integral to its status as a holy object), yet at the same time, it did not occupy any of the area of the Holy of Holies. This demonstrated the truth that G-d simultaneously tran- scends and pervades the parameters of His creation.)] 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 27 INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH 98b) records two opinions regarding the It would seem that according to Rabbi among the sages in a matter of Torah position of the Menorah in the Yehudah, at least, identifying the “west- law, proclaiming: “These and these are Continued from Page 27 Sanctuary. According to Rabbi Yehudah ern lamp” is a simple matter: if the lamps both the words of the living G-d.” seven-lamp candelabra that stood in HaNassi, the Menorah was positioned ran from east to west, the “western Since both opinions are based upon the Mishkan and symbolized the Holy along the length of the Sanctuary, so lamp” would be the one at the the Divinely ordained methods of Temple’s role as a source of light for that the seven lamps were aligned from Menorah’s western extremity—the lamp Torah interpretation, and both have the world. The Menorah consisted of a east to west. Rabbi Elazar is of the opin- furthest from the entrance to the been arrived at by individuals utterly central stem, from which six arms ion that the Menorah stood to the width Mishkan and closest to the Holy of committed to the Divine truth, both extended—three on each side—to the of the Mishkan, so that its lamps extend- Holies. Indeed, this is how Rambam are “the words of the living G-d.” Both full height of the Menorah. Each of ed from north to south. (Commentary on the Mishnah, Tamid are Torah, G-d’s articulation of His these were topped by a lamp, forming But if the Menorah was aligned 3:9) understands the opinion of Rabbi wisdom and will via the human mind. a row of seven lamps which were lit north to south, which was the “west- Yehudah. Most of the other commen- In actuality, only one viewpoint can each afternoon and which burned ern lamp”? Rabbi Elazar explains that taries, however, are of the opinion that be implemented. The Menorah in the through the night. The “western lamp” the “western lamp” is in fact the mid- the “western lamp” according to Rabbi Holy Temple stood either to the length was unique in that though it contained dle lamp—the lamp atop the Yehudah is the second lamp from the of the Mishkan or its width—it could the same amount of oil as the others, it Menorah’s central stem. The reason it east (sixth from the west), and derives its not have been aligned both ways at the miraculously burned longer than the is called the “western lamp” is that its name from the fact that it is to the west same time. The Torah itself instructs rest; often, it was still burning when wick faced westward, toward the Holy of the most easterly lamp (see Rashi on what to do when those empowered to the kohen came to light the Menorah of Holies, while the other lamps were Talmud, Shabbat 22b and Menachot interpret its laws disagree—“follow the the next day. The western lamp was turned toward the “western lamp”— 86b; Ramban, Ran and Me’iri (Shabbat, majority” (Sh’mos 23:2). But if only also the source of light for the others: the three northern lamps facing south- ibid.); Rabbeinu Gershon (Menachot, one of two equally valid expressions of the other six lamps of the Menorah ward and the three southern lamps ibid.); Raavad and Bartinura (Tamid, the Divine wisdom can be realized in were lit from the western lamp, while facing northward. (This explains the ibid.); Rashba (vol. I, section 309)). the definitive realm of physical action, the western lamp was lit from the fire meaning of the words in the opening this is not the case in the nebulous of the Outdoor Altar. verse of our parshah, “the seven lamps The Axis world of the soul. The heart can simul- Which lamp was the “western lamp”? should give light toward the face of the The Talmud relates how, on one taneously be attracted and repelled; The question is more complicated than Menorah,” the “face of the Menorah” occasion, a heavenly voice made itself the mind can simultaneously be aware it seems, since the Talmud (Menachot being the Menorah’s central stem.) heard regarding a difference of opinion and forget. In the spiritual applications of Torah, the dictum, “These and these are both the words of the living G-d,” can be implemented most literally. What is the spiritual significance of the argument whether the Menorah stood to the length or to the width of the Mishkan? In spiritual space, a thing’s “length” is its extent—how far it reach- es, how low it descends. The concept of a “chain of evolution” described above is a typical example of spiritual length: a thing evolves from an abstract, ethereal state to successively coarser and more mundane forms. The distance of its lowest incarnation from its initial state is the measure of its “length.” Spiritual “width” is a thing’s mani- festation in numerous parallel forms and expressions. As the term “width” implies, we are not speaking of greater and lesser forms or of closer and more distant expressions, but of parallel faces of a single truth, each as closely related to the original as the others. These definitions of spiritual “length” and “width” are evident in the structure of the Holy Temple. The length of the Temple ran from west to east, so that a thing’s position in the longitude of the Holy Temple was also the measure of its proximity to the Holy of Holies. In the Holy Temple, more westerly is more holy. On the other hand, a thing’s position in the width of the Temple—its southerness or northerliness—did not imply its greater or lesser holiness, but its particular place in the spectrum of expressions of a particular level of holiness. “The soul of man is a lamp of G-d” (Mishlei 20:27). If all components and elements of the Holy Temple have their counterpart in the human soul, the Menorah is the soul, the axis of the spiritual life of man. [As opposed to the “table,” which stood opposite the Menorah in the Mishkan, and which represents the needs and life of the body. (The ark, which was inside the Holy of Holies, represented a state of utter union with G-d, a state that is neither physical nor spiritual but tran- scends them both).] What is this axis? What defines man? This is what lies at

Continued on Page 30 28 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 29 INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH of all personal prejudice. In terms of Torah to the six primary areas of ence in the west”—the Holy of Holies spiritual space, the intellect is a “wide” human life—represented by the containing the ark that held the Two Continued from Page 28 thing. Ultimately, there are no greater Menorah’s six arms. (The six “orders” Tablets of the Covenant, upon which the heart of the debate between Rabbi or lesser truths: something is either are: 1) Zera’im , “Seeds,” which deals G-d Himself had inscribed the Ten Yehudah and Rabbi Elazar. For the true or it is not. There are, of course, with the laws of agriculture and food Commandments, the essence of the position of the Menorah—the ques- variant expressions of truth, as an consumption; 2) Moed , “Times”—the Written Torah. For the Written Torah is tion of whether its seven lamps were objective reality is perceived in many laws of Shabbos, the festivals and the the sole source of Divine truth—the aligned with the length of the Holy and various contexts; but this is a pro- Jewish calendar; 3) Nashim, other six lamps derive their lumines- Temple or with its width—turns on the jection to the width rather than to the “Women”—marriage and divorce; 4) cence from its light. Nevertheless, the question of what the Menorah is: is it length. No expression of a truth—if it Nezikin, “Damages”—torts, business, six lamps are spatially as westerly as the the “long” element or the “wide” com- is truly an expression of the truth—is civil and criminal law; 5) Kodashim, “western lamp,” for every expression of ponent of the human soul? “further” from the abstract axiom than “Sacred Things”—laws of the Temple truth is as true as the written “original.”

Intellectual Latitude Emotional Longitude The human soul possesses many The seven lamps of the emotional attributes and faculties, but there are The law regarding “an ox who gored a cow” Menorah are the seven attributes or two that stand out as the definers of its middos of the heart: chesed, gevurah, personality: the intellect and the emo- tiferet, netzach, hod, yesod and tions. Indeed, we commonly categorize is no “further” from the essence of the malchut—love, restraint, harmony, people into two general types: “intel- competitiveness, devotion, bonding lectual” people, or those who predicate Divine truth than “I am the L-rd your G-d.” and receptiveness. [Each of the seven their lives upon their reason and attributes is actually an entire field of understanding; and “emotional” indi- human emotions. Only the original, viduals who are primarily motivated by Hebrew names of the middos capture their feelings, intuitions, convictions any other. Rather, the many faces of service; 6) Taharot, “Purities”—laws of the full array of primary emotions and and commitments. truth are parallel to each other, being ritual purity and impurity.) the many nuances of feeling and sensi- In other words, the soul has both an the same quality of truth as expressed The “intellectual” Menorah stands bility each middah includes. The intellectual and an emotional in different areas of reality. to the width of the Mishkan. Its seven English “translation” offered here is “Menorah,” as both the mind and the The soul’s tool for the attainment of lamps are all the same distance from but a partial and arbitrary description heart can serve as the “guiding light” of truth is the Torah, in which G-d the Holy of Holies, for all of Torah law of each middah’s general nature; alter- a person’s life. In certain individuals, the revealed His wisdom and will to man. is in equal proximity to its Divine nate translations would be equally intellectual Menorah dominates, while Thus, the Menorah of the mind con- source, regardless of which area of life valid and equally inadequate. (For a in others the Menorah of the heart is sists of seven lamps, corresponding to it governs. The law regarding “an ox detailed discussion of the seven middos the core of their spiritual personality. the “Written Torah” (Bereishis, Sh’mos, who gored a cow” is no “further” from see A Spiritual Guide to the Counting Intellect, by definition, is the capac- Vayikra, Bamidbar and Devarim), the essence of the Divine truth than “I of the Omer (VHH, 1996) and Ten Keys ity to conceive a truth, hold it in one’s which is the essence of the Divine am the L-rd your G-d.” for Understanding Human Nature mind, focus upon it and apply it to communication to man, represented The “western lamp” in this Menorah (Zichron Press, 1994).] one’s experience. In this sense, an by the central stem of the Menorah; is the center lamp, which represents the The emotional Menorah stands to the “intellectual” is one who sets the and the six “orders” of the “Oral Written Torah—the “stem” from which length of the Mishkan. Unlike the mind, objective truth as the basis for every- Torah”—the Divinely empowered the six branches of the Oral Torah thing in his life, to the utter disregard human endeavor to apply the Written derive. It alone faces “the Divine pres- Continued on Page 33

30 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES level. Not everyone feels comfortable If I could get away with looking the way taking a friendship to a serious “feeling you do without having to put on my place.” It’s got to feel right for you to face, I’d be thrilled! I probably wouldn’t attempt to go there. But if it does feel even bother putting on any makeup safe for you, go for it and hope that whatsoever.” Frankly, I think this is Susan responds appropriately. about as far as you can go in terms of On a practical basis, is it possible for bringing it up to Susan, without hurt- you arrange to spend some time with ing her feelings. Hopefully, she’ll Dear Esther, driven by very deep and painful feelings Susan and visit a department store for understand what you are trying to say. I’m writing to you about my friend such as not feeling loved or loveable or makeovers? Or if you want to be really I think your question is an excellent Susan. We met because our children worthy in some way. Since it’s impossible extravagant, you might consider hiring a reminder for all of us not to judge a became very good friends in school, and to cover up one’s feelings with a stroke of makeup artist for the two of you before book by its cover. Though we’ve all it forced us to get to know one another. a makeup brush, one can at least attempt a mutual simcha or dinner. (You may heard that phrase repeatedly from our Honestly, had this not happened, I to remedy the pain in a concrete way. want to give the makeup artist a head’s mothers from the time we were quite doubt that I ever would have taken the Does this make any sense to you? up, so that she understands the situa- young, sometimes it’s important to be time to get to know her. Here’s the prob- If I’m somewhere in the ball park tion and goes lightly with the makeup.) reminded of it. Had your children not lem. She wears a ridiculous amount of regarding my analysis as to why Susan It could be a lot of fun, and when the brought the two of you together, as you makeup, to the point where she looks chooses to cover up her pretty face makeup artist completes her master- mentioned, you very possibly could almost like a joke. When I first laid eyes with a silly mask of sorts, I guess the pieces, it could be a perfect opportunity have joined the ranks of the other on her, I wondered what her problem real issue here is whether or not there for you to bring home the point that women who misjudged Susan. By was. But as I got to know her, I realized is anything you can do to help her. “less is more,” and that you both ought doing so, you would have lost out on a that she is such a sweet, special per- Since I assume that you are not a to try to implement some of the tech- wonderful opportunity of connecting son—very caring, loving, and warm. therapist, it would be difficult for you to niques that you were just shown. with a very special friend. It could have She’s someone whom I can call on any try to help Susan get in touch with what Or, if you drop in on her again unex- been a lose-lose situation all around. time and I know she’ll be there for me. is really causing this particular behav- pectedly, and find her bare-faced and Esther She’s become one of my closest friends. ior, which is clearly complex and looking lovely, you may want to say Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in I care very much about her. painful. But maybe you can consider if something like, “I can’t believe how Lawrence. She can be reached at 516-314-2295 The problem I suppose is two-fold. the two of you can connect on a deeper gorgeous you are without any makeup. or [email protected]. I’ve heard women talk about her and suggest that she is “cheap-looking,” or worse. I think people look down on her based solely on how she presents herself cosmetically. It hurts me to hear people judging her so harshly and falsely. So my first concern is for her. But honestly, I have to wonder what people think about me also, when they see us together so much. I worry that maybe they think that I’m also something that I am not. I feel kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. I don’t know if I can possibly say anything to Susan without hurting her feelings. I know that she is very sensitive. On the other hand, I feel guilty not doing anything. And I certainly wouldn’t dream of ending our friendship, even though I’m concerned about what others might think or say about me. This is a very sensitive situation. I wonder if there is any way that I can help Susan and myself for that matter. Is there a way to tell her to lighten up on her makeup? By the way, Susan happens to be very, very pretty. You’d hardly notice with all of the cover-up. But I’ve seen her without makeup once or twice, when I dropped in on her unan- nounced, and was struck by how pretty she is without any makeup at all! That’s the craziest part of this whole thing! Concerned Dear Concerned, Straight away, I want to give you credit for sticking to your guns, and not dropping Susan, despite the fact that you suspect that it could hurt you socially, or at least cause you to be labeled falsely. Some women in your shoes might consider running for the hills. You’re a loyal friend, and Susan is lucky to have gotten to know you and become your close friend. I think it would be helpful to gain some insight into what exactly is happening here. Though not having spoken to Susan myself, I can only suspect that her heavy-handed makeup application is masking something much deeper than a blemish or two. Often women who suffer from low self-esteem hide behind ridiculous amounts of makeup, clothing that resemble costumes, or other means of disguises. Susan’s insecurities may not even be based on her looks per se, but 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 31 movie already in progress, which is for a blood spot. I’ll never know. what usually happens. I can’t count Suddenly it dawned on me that how many movies I’ve watched several these paid performers weren’t using times without ever having seen the frying pans. Their cookware of choice beginning. Alternatively, there are some was some cockamamie machine that movies that I catch right at the opening was a multipurpose piece of equipment credits, and then have to leave in the that absolutely no homemaker should Truth In Advertising middle because I need to get to work. be without. Or so they said. In fact, The net result is that I’m often search- according to the cheerful Charlies bop- The other day, I turned on the televi- changing channels,” is what we were ing for movies I’ve already seen. In ping around in the television kitchen, sion to keep me company while I was told when the cable box was installed. some cases I’m hoping to find the “Once you use this you will never go making the beds. Usually, I go directly to Being good listeners, we never again beginning, and in others I’m angling to back to using ordinary cookware a news channel and then shut the tele- touched the buttons on the set. In fact, see the conclusion. again.” I sat down on the half-made vision off when the beds are made or I went so far as to tape a piece of paper But on this occasion, when I’d gotten bed and decided to give the program when the news is too upsetting— over those buttons so that Lucy, my stuck with the infomercial, I was treated five minutes of my time. whichever comes first. On this day, the cleaning girl, won’t touch them when to the sight of two adults, a male and a Spread all over the counters of the program on the screen was an infomer- she’s in the room. (I refer to Lucy as female, smiling and yukking it up as TV kitchen were foods of every variety, cial, so I reached for the remote control, “my” cleaning girl only because my they prepared omelettes together. Now, texture, and classification. I saw eggs, intending to change stations. But the beloved has no shaiychus to her whatso- I’ve made a considerable number of fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, coffee schmitchig (a.k.a. remote) had gotten ever. He doesn’t care if she shows up or omelettes in my day, and I have beans, nuts, raw chickens, and dessert caught in the twisted blanket, so I was- not, and with what she’s been charging absolutely no memory of ever having a fixings. Apparently the machine they n’t immediately able to get to CNN. And lately, he probably hopes she doesn’t.) good time while doing it. But these two were trying to sell was good for cook- I couldn’t do it the old-fashioned way, Getting back to the television pro- were acting as though preparing eggs ing, baking, roasting, frying, grinding, because hubby and I are the proud own- gram: By the time I finally retrieved the was the highlight of their lives. Who and even juicing. I was becoming so ers of a television cable system that pre- schmitchig, I had become somewhat knows? Maybe cracking eggs directly enthused about the versatility of this cludes using the controls on the TV set. engrossed by what was on the screen. into a bowl is more fun than first put- product that I momentarily considered “Always use your remote control Although I’m not a lover of infomer- ting each egg, one by one, into a clear ordering it. It was only when I realized when powering on and off and when cials, it’s preferable to tuning in to a glass to check (top, side, and bottom) they were making their own peanut butter, fresh-squeezed tomato juice, breakfast muffins, and a host of other foods that my sanity returned. Freshly squeezed tomato juice? What is that all about? Canned or bottled juice is good enough for me. Grinding my own coffee? No, thanks—Starbucks ground is just fine. And as for muffins, my idea of freshly baked breakfast muffins is opening a store-bought package and heating them in the oven. I won’t even go into what I think of the concept of making my own peanut butter. Skippy isn’t good enough? I never did get bogged down with how the two poised performers prepared the chickens, because I couldn’t get past the thought that in all the years I’ve been buying chicken I’ve never had the good fortune to come home with anything as clean as the birds they had to work with. Not a single pinfeather or a drop of fat was visible. “Why can’t I get chickens that look like that?” I wondered aloud. That’s when reality set in. It occurred to me that while Chatty Kathy and her cooking buddy were busy dancing around the kitchen extolling the virtues of this multipurpose piece of equipment, someone else had done all the hard work. Prepared in advance for the dynamic duo was a veritable mountain of fruit and vegetables that had been peeled, sliced, and diced, as well as chickens that had been plucked bare. Additionally, a huge quantity of peanuts (for the peanut butter no doubt) had been laid out, and a measured amount of flour and sugar (how else does one make muffins?) had been poured into bowls. Once I figured out that assembling the ingredients had taken a heck of a lot longer than actually cooking the food, I realized that this was not for me. Fortunately, that was just about the time that I located the remote control. Taking pains to eschew the movie channel, I quickly clicked directly to CNN. So what if the news was bad? Anything was better than watching two bozos with plastic smiles planted on their kissers sashaying through a make-believe kitchen. ❖ 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. 32 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH Continued from Page 30 the heart is subjective and equivocal; it includes lofty and coarser emotions, sophisticated and simple feelings, purer and more biased sentiments. Its seven lamps extend from west to east—from potent, altruistic “love” to pedestrian, malleable “receptiveness.” Yet the heart can yield a depth of commitment and drive that the most “intellectual” life cannot equal. This is achieved when the sixth lamp—the heart’s capacity for connection and bonding— serves as the “western lamp” and kindles the other emotions. When a person negates all personal desires and aspi- rations to bind his soul to G-d, his “subjective” heart will be illuminated with a Divine light and guide his life toward its ultimate fulfillment. [Hence the sixth middah is called yesod, which literally means “foundation,” as it is the foundation for an emotional self aligned with the soul’s mission and purpose in life. Rambam, however, has a different conception of the emotional Menorah—that its first and most westerly lamp, corresponding with the attrib- ute of love, is the “western lamp.” This is based on his vision of a life motivated by love of G-d as the ultimate realization of the soul’s potential (see Mishneh Torah, Laws of Repentance, 10:2-3)] “These and these are both the words of the living G-d.” Rabbi Elazar places the Menorah from north to south, seeing the mind and its capacity to apprehend the Divine truth revealed in the Torah as the gist of the spiritual endeavor of man. Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi places it from west to east, expressing a vision of the heart and its capacity for self-abnegating connection with G-d as the primary activity of the soul. Both are valid conceptions of our mission in life; both are to be realized in the life of every soul to the utmost of its capacity, in accordance with its nature and its G-d-given potentials. (Chabad.org) ❖

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com.

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, June 19 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 33 Q. We are buying our first home and ever, is not to insure against known are trying to save on expenses. Do we defects, but to insure against really need to purchase title insurance? unknown defects. A. I tell all of my clients, YES!! Unknown defects can include for- Of all the types of insurance, title geries, fraud, improper court pro- insurance is perhaps one of the most ceedings, missing heirs, recording misunderstood. While property and mistakes, and numerous other poten- casualty insurance (homeowner’s, tial title defects that could be next to auto, life, etc.) insure you for things impossible to uncover, even during an that may happen in the future, title extensive title search. insurance insures you for things that Title insurance is relatively inex- may have happened in the past. pensive, considering the amount of Title insurance guarantees the pol- coverage provided. While title claims icy holder (you, the individual, or the are rare, they tend to involve large lender who holds a mortgage on prop- sums, due to the value of the under- erty) a marketable title. In other lying real estate. Also, the premium words, if you have title insurance, for title insurance is only paid once, you are insured that your property and will protect the homeowner for can be conveyed to another without as long as he or she owns the proper- any defects or encumbrances. ty—and in some cases, longer. Also, title insurance protects the Lenders (such as banks and other policyholder from claims against the financial institutions) almost univer- properties of others. For example, if a sally require that a loan policy be pur- neighbor claims he owns part of your chased to protect their interest. If the property and decides to sue you to owner’s policy and the loan policy are that effect, your title policy will pay purchased simultaneously at the time to defend that claim up to the of closing, the cost of the required amount of your policy. loan policy is issued at a much Many home buyers erroneously reduced rate. believe that if a thorough title search Title insurance rates are set by the is conducted on a piece of property New York State Insurance Depart- then title insurance is not needed. ment, the agency charged with regu- The purpose of title insurance, how- lating title companies. By law, a title

34 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES company or agent may charge neither more nor less than the rates set by the department. All title agents are required to charge for related title services based on their actual costs for things such as real-estate clos- ings, title searches, and title exams. Title insurance is intended to protect against losses suffered as the result of having accepted defective title to real property. Title is defective, or not, at the time title passes from one party to another. That is why title insurance looks backward; it insures the title as of the date it is transferred. Defects that arise after the transfer of title are not covered by title insurance. That is why a new title policy is issued each time the property changes hands.

Lenders will usually demand a mortgage policy of title insurance to protect their mortgage. The mortgage policy is not the same as the owner’s policy.

Title to real property may be defective for a number of reasons, and some defects are passed along the chain of ownership each time the title is transfered. Title can be encumbered by liens or mortgages, and may be burdened by easements or other agreements regarding use of the property. Some title defects, such as those that result from fraud, incompetence, or mistake during past conveyances, are difficult or impossible to uncover. Others, such as liens, loans, ease- ment, and other encumbrances, are usually more visible but may be difficult or impossible to remove. Keep in mind that most real-estate sales contracts contain a clause that deals with title insurance. Typically, the clause will require the seller to furnish the buyer with a preliminary title report showing the condition of title to the property. Buyers need to very carefully exam- ine such reports and object to any conditions they consider unaccept- able. If the buyer does not object, they will be deemed to have accepted the state of the title as evidenced in the title report. If the buyer does object, the seller will often have an opportunity to try to correct the matter. If the seller cannot correct the matter, the buyer may be able to withdraw from the transaction. Typical title insurance clauses found in real-estate sales contracts require the seller to purchase a standard owner’s policy of title insurance for the buyer. An owner’s policy insures “record title.” That means the policy is based on the public record of title kept by the county clerk in the county in which the property is locat-

Continued on Page 36 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 35 ASK THE LAWYER to play odds, go to Atlantic City or Las Vegas. For the amount of money Continued from Page 35 you will be paying to buy your house, ed. It also means that the policy will do you really want to gamble? If you not cover matters not shown on the still have doubts about buying title public record, such as unrecorded insurance, then consider the follow- easements or judgments. ing examples of title errors that If there are defects in title shown became known after closing: on the public record, the title insur- 1. Someone purchased a tract of ance company will usually exempt the land for purposes of developing the defect from coverage. Standard poli- land into individual residential lots. cies do not cover claims based on The purchase occurred during the adverse possession. winter, and there was no evidence of All this can make title insurance a any adverse possession on any por- difficult subject. The type of title tions of the real estate. As part of the insurance needed will vary depending planning process, notice was given to on the type of property and the state all of the joint surrounding owners of of its title. Lenders will usually the subdivision of the land. demand a mortgage policy of title In April of the year after the prop- insurance to protect their mortgage. erty was purchased, the owner The mortgage policy is not the same noticed an adjoining neighbor cutting as the owner’s policy. Typically, the the grass on approximately two acres seller will pay for the owner’s policy of the tract of land, and the neighbor and the buyer will pay for the mort- had also located his equipment shed gage policy as a loan expense. on this two-acre parcel. An inquiry If the state of the title is not certain, disclosed a duplicate chain of title or the record shows a potential defect, with the adjoining land, involving a the buyer may want an extended cov- tax deed in 1956. The tax-mapper erage or “ALTA” policy. Extended cov- had simply misidentified the tax par- erage policies cost more than standard cel sold, and two sets of owners had policies. The type of policy can be a been paying taxes on the two-acre matter for negotiation between buyer parcel of real estate for more than 40 and seller after the preliminary title years. The neighbor filed suit to eject report has been issued. the purchaser from the two acres. There are few things as important 2. Someone purchased a lot in as title insurance when it comes to which the right-of-way crossed an buying or selling real property. If you adjoining lot to get to the public are looking to save money and cut highway. After the purchase, the corners, title insurance is not the owner of the adjoining land unilater- place to do it. Don’t take chances and say “What are the odds?” If you want Continued on Page 38

36 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 37 ASK THE LAWYER paid. The builder’s realtor heard this statement, but failed at settlement to Continued from Page 36 mention to the attorney that the car- ally decided to “gate” the right-of-way pet guy had called just before she left for security purposes, but as a con- her office looking for his money. cession to the owner offered the Three weeks later, the carpet owner a key for entry purposes. installer, HVAC (heating, ventilation, 3. A deed in the chain of title, and air conditioning) technician and some seven years ago, recited that the the lumberyard filed their liens seeking grantor was executing the deed as the payment for bills unpaid, totaling over guardian for an infant child. In all $20,000. The builder relocated to another respects, the deed appeared to other state shortly after the closing. be normal. However, a check of the Title insurance would have protect- courthouse records indicated that no ed the purchasers in these situations. suit had ever been filed for the You decide. In any real-estate transac- judge’s approval for the guardian to tion I conduct, when the clients tell execute the deed. Therefore, no title me they do not want title insurance, I passed to the purchaser. always get a release from the client The attorney who did the deed said stating that I advised them of the “oops,” but declined responsibility for risks. Let that be your guide. ❖ fixing the problem. 4. A seller told the realtor that she The Law Offices Of Howard M. Adelsberg is a full-service law firm with over 20 years of could not be present at settlement experience, and handles a variety of legal matters because of a conflict with another in the areas of personal injury, estate matters, appointment. However, she said that if real-estate transactions and litigation, commercial litigation, and family law. You can the attorney let her sign before the set- call the office at 516-569-6930. tlement, she would arrange to show up Readers are encouraged to send questions to [email protected] or to Law Offices and sign the deed and other docu- Of Howard M. Adelsberg, 445 Central Avenue, ments. The realtor set up the alternate Cedarhurst, NY 11516. signing meeting, but did not attend. A woman appeared at the appointed time and signed the documents, but refused to provide any ID. The buyer Deadline for Advertising refused to pay, and later learned that the seller had decided she was too in the Next Issue is busy with the move and sent her sister Monday, June 19 in to sign the documents. (The Patriot Act now requires the production of ID at 5:00 P.M. for these transactions.) Call 516-984-0079 5. A builder signed an affidavit and advised the attorney that all bills were

38 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 39 bothered to acknowledge them. I was class, and so on—all the things that one about maturity. The things they were too busy. When I was busy with my deals with when going to college, talking about were really what I learned In-Laws school, my mother-in-law would send because she never experienced that. in school for 12 years. It was about a kugel or a cake on Friday to help me Does that mean that the “older” college derech eretz, chesed, and kibud av va’eim. out, but I could never find the time to student lacks maturity because she I began to see my in-laws quite dif- BY IMA SHNEER call her personally and show her my doesn’t know about college? ferently. They were people who wanted thanks. Our one-year anniversary I feel that I am a mature person. I to adopt me into their family. When I got married, I didn’t know came along and we received a gener- am a college graduate with a Master’s. Somehow to love your own kids is easy much about “in-laws.” I looked upon ous gift certificate. I know my mother- I have a husband, a baby, a car—I have but I hear from adoptive parents that them as people to help my parents in-law probably took care in sending quite a complete life, but I just haven’t to love an adopted kid is special. They finance the biggest day of my life. As that gift in her own special way but I yet experienced what an in-law is. I wanted me to be the recipient of their the wedding plans were put into pro- couldn’t make the effort to call her knew a lot about dating and I knew a greatest love. I got married because I duction, everything centered on me. I personally and tell her how excited I great deal about who I got engaged to. wanted a family and here I did have a was the kallah! The star of the show! was to be eating out in such a fancy I only wish that my kallah teacher had family that wanted to love me and As sheva berachos ended, I knew nor- make me a part of their life. I wanted malcy would finally settle in. Just me to make my chasan a part of “my” fam- and my adorable chasan to play ily’s life also but somehow I just didn’t house—how grand. But that wasn’t It would be priceless if chasans and kallahs know it. I wasn’t looking past today. If entirely the case. My chasan came with I had, I would see the people who my a family, but I couldn’t be bothered kids would call Bubbe and Zaidy (peo- with them. I did not get married to be would only realize that they are the glue ple of history), the people who would a part of these strangers. Getting mar- tell my kids about Jewish life long ago, ried is just “not getting left behind.” between the two families and their minhagim. and the adults who would take my kids My friends are pushing baby carriages when I was busy. If I didn’t “know” so down Central Avenue and I didn’t want much, I would see that they know a lot to miss out. I couldn’t be bothered and wanted to help us in life. with my husband’s family. I was in love place. I left an impersonal message on brought up the important lesson of Please don’t tell me to make my own and I was much too busy. I had my her phone when she was at work. I who an in-law is and how much they mistakes. Mistakes can cost us our lit- friends to talk to, schoolwork, and, of could go on and on about how I didn’t play a part in my life. Did I look at my tle savings! course, my own family who I was so try to incorporate my new husband’s in-laws as “long-term?” They were to Whatever I love about my chasan I close with. family into my life. I didn’t realize that be as permanent a part of my life as my know is the product of these people we My family is a big part of my life. I being nice to my in-laws was like being new husband—I wasn’t clear on this. call the “out-laws.” I am glad I had the thought my chasan’s family weren’t my nice to my husband. When I took my classes, it might have chance to extend my hand back to my concern—or were they? Even though People say that part of this whole sit- opened up my eyes. in-laws. They have tried so hard and my in-laws gave me their greatest cre- uation is immaturity, but I choose not One Shabbos in shul, I heard two now it is my turn to try back. I really ation—my new husband—I didn’t care to take that position. I look at it sort of older women sitting in front of me talk- love it when my husband calls my par- about them or make any effort. My like a 65- or a 75-year-old woman who ing about their daughters-in-law. They ents to wish them a good Shabbos. It chasan’s family left me messages of goes to college for the first time. That said the issues they were having with makes me feel so warm inside that he welcome and love, sent holiday gifts, senior student has no knowledge of their young-marrieds were due to matu- loves my family, but have I loved his mailed recipes, sent pictures of us at matriculation, credits, parking passes rity (again, this maturity issue!). A bell family back? Maybe I missed the boat. the Purim party, etc., but I couldn’t be for the lot, getting her books in time for went off in my head! It really wasn’t But it is never too late. Whenever I

40 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES have gotten a gift from my in-laws, like my maternity clothes or gifts for my home, I really should have acknowl- edged it in a bigger way. Not only from a financial standpoint that they went out of their way to buy something for me to make me feel good but also to be respectful, that I understand that things do not just fall out of trees and it represents so much that these people want to be nice to me. I guess being “grateful” is really classy! I must open my heart. I hope that other kallahs out there will realize how hard it is and how warm it is that the in- laws want to be a part of your life. Don’t let anyone poison your relation- ship with your new family. Remember, “poison” can kill!! Tell them what you are doing. They don’t want to be nosy, in most cases. My in-laws want to feel that they have gained another child and it is my responsibility to reach out to my in-laws. Just a quick call to say, “Hello Mom and Dad, I love you.” It would be priceless if chasans and kallahs would only realize that they are the glue between the two families and their minhagim. The new couple is creating their own history by bringing to their new little family all that they learned from their “own” family and what they have accepted from their new families. Every chasan and kallah can feel that they make a contribution to Klal Yisrael by incorporating both families together to create their own history. It is a beautiful thing. Don’t miss out on it. ❖

There were certain persons who were contaminated by [contact with the dead body of a] human soul (Bamidbar 9:6)

Who were they? Rabbi Yishmael says, they were the ones carrying Yosef's coffin. Rabbi Akiva says, they were Mishael and Eltzafan, who contaminated themselves for the bodies of Nadav and Avihu (cf.Vayikra 10).

Rabbi Yitzchak says: If they were Yosef's pallbearers, they had ample opportunity to purify themselves; if they were Mishael and Eltzafan, they had ample opportunity to purify themselves. So who were they? People who contaminated themselves for the sake of a met mitzvah (a "charity case" who has no one to attend to him). (Sifri)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 41 A Jewish Community Grows In Idaho

A momentous event has just part of the fabric of the community. As Esther went ahead to the hospi- with over 15 families now observing occurred in the history of the Idaho Everyone knows their mailman by tal, Rabbi Lifshitz remained behind to kashrut. This figure continues to grow. Jewish community. A contract has just name and the mailman, in turn, knows lead the davening. Everyone present Two years ago, making a bar mitzvah been signed to buy a piece of land on everybody else. was filled with anticipation. Little did in Idaho would have been impossible. which the state’s first mikveh will be “Hi, I’d like to introduce myself,” they know that Esther had already However, consider the story of 13- built. This mikveh will serve the largest said the mailman. “I’m your new mail- given birth by the time davening was year-old Eric Lancet. Eric’s Bar geographic area of any mikveh in the man, Herschel. Welcome to Idaho.” over and that Idaho had its first native Mitzvah celebration last month turned continental U.S. However, the real Rabbi Lifshitz and his wife Esther ‘frum from birth’ Jewish resident. out to be a one-of-a-kind event. The miracle is that prior to two years ago, could not believe their ears. Rabbi Lifshitz had missed the birth of small shul in the Lifshitz’s family room no infrastructure to support observant “Herschel?” “A ‘Herschel’ in Idaho?” his son but had witnessed a different was packed to capacity. Jewish life existed at all in Idaho. Could their new mailman be Jewish? kind of birth instead. He had wit- The Torah that Eric read from was In April of 2004, Rabbi Mendel “So, tell me, Herschel. Where are you nessed the birth of a new, increasingly the very one that had been personally Lifshitz, then 27, together with his from originally? And your parents? And observant Jewish community. welcomed by then Idaho Governor wife Esther, then 23, moved from the their parents?” asked Rabbi Lifshitz. A lot has happened since that (now Secretary of the Interior) Dirk comforts of their home in Crown Not only was Herschel Jewish, but Shavuos two years ago. The Jewish Kempthorne together with members of Heights, Brooklyn to Boise, Idaho. he knew of other Jews along his route. community has continued to grow by the Jewish community at the Idaho Although their preliminary research Within a short period of time, one leaps and bounds as more and more State Capitol building upon its arrival had indicated that there were several contact led to another and more people started connecting with their in Boise last September. thousand unaffiliated Jews in the State Jewish individuals came to be known Yiddishkeit. Before the Bar Mitzvah, Eric was of Idaho, they made the courageous to the rabbi and his wife. Rabbi and Rebbitzen Lifshitz now presented with a high-quality pair of move out west personally knowing only With Shavuos rapidly approaching, have three little children. They and tefillin by Steve Israel, a retired U.S. two Jews in the entire state. Rabbi and Rebbitzen Lifshitz figured their young Jewish playmates will, Army Sergeant Major. Israel, upon As they moved into their new home they had met enough Jews to attempt a within a few years, form the nucleus of making his presentation, spoke these just one month before Shavuos, they minyan over Yom Tov. The only problem Idaho’s first Jewish day school. words to Eric. wondered out loud how they would be was that Esther, pregnant with their Two years ago, finding a minyan to “For 27 years, I served in the U.S. able to connect with the mostly assim- second child, was one week overdue. say Kaddish on a yahrzeit would have Army in order to serve my country. ilated Jewish population that existed in “It’s all in Hashem’s hands,” said been very improbable indeed. Today, However, I ignored my Creator. I mar- a state with no Jewish infrastructure. Rabbi Lifshitz. “We do our part and there is a regular minyan virtually ried outside my faith and was only There had never been even as much as Hashem will take care of the rest.” every Shabbos. Many people who had recently reintroduced to Judaism, to a local Jewish Federation or Hadassah Sure enough, on the first day of Yom not walked into a shul in decades are my own soul. A year ago, Rabbi group. They knew there was much Tov, enough Jews came out of the now Shabbos regulars. People who had Lifshitz helped me put on my first pair work to be done but few clues as to woodwork to make the first minyan no idea of what tefillin are, now wear of tefillin. I now daven three times a how to proceed. organized by a local Orthodox rabbi in them daily. day. While I am not perfect, I am mak- Then the first miracle occurred in the history of the State of Idaho. And Kosher meat was almost impossible ing positive strides to becoming an the form of a knock at the door. It was sure enough, that’s just when Esther to find in Idaho a couple years ago. observant Jew. Here is a pair of tefillin the mailman. In Idaho, the mailman is went into labor. Today, there is a kosher food co-op for you, Eric. This is my way of making

42 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rabbi Lifshitz and then-governor Dirk Kempthorne (now Secretary of the Interior) At Hebrew school. meeting on Chanukah at the Governor’s Office. on the land. This will be followed in for June 30, time is very much of the Place, Boise ID 83714. For credit card time by a shul with communal facilities, essence. Those wishing to participate in donations and possible naming oppor- Shomer Shabbos housing, a day school this important mitzvah are urged to tunities, please contact Rabbi Lifshitz and eventually a yeshiva or kollel. send their donations to the Idaho directly at 208-853-9200. With the closing on the land now set Mikvah Fund, 6114 N. Cape Arago Tizku l’mitzvos.

Rabbi and Rebbetzin Lifshitz. up for so much lost time. I promise to come by your house and make sure you wear them properly.” As Steve Israel spoke these words, there was not a dry eye in the room. However, as more and more people reconnect with their faith, there is the awareness that something is desperate- ly lacking. No community can function without a mikveh. The nearest mikveh is 350 miles away in Salt Lake City. While increasing numbers of women have made the commitment to go to mikveh, the majority are not yet up to the level of observance that they will travel the six-hour drive each way to Salt Lake City. Further need for a mikveh is demonstrated by current growth projections for the Jewish community in Idaho. Major high-tech companies as well as other businesses are relocating to Idaho in growing numbers bringing many Jewish employees into the area. In fact, Idaho is the third highest growth area in the entire country, spurred in part by its highly rated quality of life and proximity to superb outdoor activities and world-class skiing. Many visitors to nearby Yellowstone National Park inquire each year about the availability of a mikveh in Boise. Until the Jewish infrastructure of Idaho is fully developed, there is a crit- ical need for outside assistance to help fund the mikveh project. The mikveh, in accordance with the teachings of Chazal, will be the first structure built 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 43 Learning to cook with the Aussie Gourmet.

Cooking Classes At Gourmet Glatt and cooking techniques, recently Emporium demonstrated her recipe for Wasabi- Naomi Nachman, “The Aussie Crusted Sea Bass, to the delight of stu- Gourmet,” is now giving regularly dents. scheduled cooking classes at the New Contact Ruby at 516-569-2662 in Gourmet Glatt Emporium. “Naomi’s Ossie’s Fish Dept at Gourmet Glatt flair for preparation of food is amazing,” Emporium for further details. said Judy Schoenfeld, of Ossie’s Fish Dept., “the customers love the opportu- Orthodox Union Documentary nity to learn new dishes at the same On Eating Disorders time as having the convenience of Recognizing that eating disorders shopping for their families’ groceries.” such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge Naomi, Australian born with a eating are increasingly found within delightful accent and superior taste the Jewish community, the Orthodox

44 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Union is producing a docu- very impressive and compre- to have a high radiation mentary film, Dying to be hensive science project that count. They eliminated vari- Thin, to focus on the problem examined the electromagnetic ables in their project by using and to raise community emissions of modern cell the same model phones with awareness. phones. This project, well pre- different service providers. The concept for the docu- pared and extremely well pre- There are two types of radia- mentary belongs to Elisheva sented used an EMF detec- tion; ionizing and non-ionizing Diamond, a member of the tion gauss meter to measure radiation. Ionizing is the dan- OU’s Young Leadership the amount of electromagnet- gerous type. For example, when Cabinet. According to Ms. ic emissions from numerous you take an X-ray, you wear a Diamond, “Eating disorders cell phones. They hypothe- leather vest to protect yourself. present a growing crisis in our sized that radiation is emitted Non-ionizing is typically safe community. It is vital that from many objects we use and not enough to cause any everyone—parents, children, daily. The results showed that long term damage to the tissue. teachers, and rabbis—are cellular phones whose service This type of radiation is the well informed about the provider is Verizon emit the radiation released by cell prevalence, consequences, lowest amount of radiation. phones, but according to some and warning signs of these The cell phones with the researchers, non-ionizing radia- pernicious diseases. As a highest amount of radiation tion can still cause illnesses community, we need to know emissions were Cingular. such as cancer, brain tumors, how to recognize the cries for They also tested the sleek new Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and help and how to respond phones of many of the service appropriately.” Moshe and Avraham Daphna. providers and they happened Continued on Page 46 The OU Department of Development is now engaged in a campaign to raise the funds to proceed with the project. To initiate the campaign there will be a fundrais- ing parlor meeting in Lawrence, on Monday, June 26. Ms. Diamond will give the introductory remarks as well as a brief overview of the project. Shayna Oppen, LMSW, Director of Student Health for the Board of Jewish Education (BJE), will address the guests on the dangers of eating disorders and the alarming growing crisis in the Jewish community. There will also be a guest speaker who will give a grip- ping account of her experience with eating disorders. According to Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, who is a clinical psychologist in addition to being a rabbi, “It has become clear that eating disorders require the attention of the Orthodox community to confront the problem and to seek solutions. The OU has undertaken production of Dying to be Thin to galvanize the community to take action.” The documentary, which will be directed by Rick Magder, Director of Media and Broadcasting at the OU, will be endorsed by the OU and distributed through its synagogue network. For more information about the parlor meeting or to support the documentary, contact Elaine Grossman at 212-613-8350 or grossmane@ ou.org.

Y.O.S.S. Brothers Win First Place In Science Fair Avraham and Moshe Daphna, eighth grade students at Yeshiva of South Shore captured a first place prize at the Inter-Yeshiva Science Fair which was held at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach. The Daphna boys created a 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Darchei Torah Breakfast The Rabenstein Learning Center and Continued from Page 45 Weiss Vocational Program of Yeshiva headaches which may occur if cell Darchei Torah are internationally rec- phones are used excessively. ognized as peerless intervention pro- “We are all very proud of these grams turning around youth positioned two fine young men and expect their for failure. Where does one find these scientific knowledge to grow in the programs? Although they are physically years to come,” said Rabbi located on the main campus of the Schwebel, Principal of Yeshiva of yeshiva, their true heart lies in the stu- South Shore. dents who, with the help of dedicated rebbeim and teachers, gain the neces- Colorful Parade At Gan Chamesh sary confidence to achieve academic The children at Chabad of the Five success. The Breakfast Reception is Towns Gan Chamesh Early Childhood being held in support of the Rabenstein Center celebrated the end of the school Learning Center and Weiss Vocational year with a grand graduation parade on Program It will be held at the home of Friday, June 9. The festivities began at Evan and Chaya Sara Genack, 533 10:30 a.m. All classes, ages 3-5 (115 Reads Lane, Far Rockaway, on Sunday, children) and their morahs (20 staff June 18, at 9:30 a.m. Rabbi Yaakov members) marched down Maple Avenue Bender, shlita, Rosh HaYeshiva, will which had been closed off for the event. offer divrei brachah, and the guest Wearing colorful T-shirts and holding up speaker for the morning will be Mr. banners, children beamed as they rel- Richard Altabe, Dean of Secular ished in their year’s accomplishments. Studies at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, For many, it was their first time learning Executive Vice President of TOVA, and about holidays, aleph bais, Torah, sci- Vice President of CAHAL. ence, math and literacy. Parents, grand- The Rabenstein’s groundbreaking role parents and friends cheered them on in Jewish education for over 23 years has during the procession and enjoyed the not only offered countless opportunities to musical finale during this special event. the children of our community, it has also After the event, the children returned to become an invaluable resource for yeshiv- their classrooms for some refreshments as and Jewish schools throughout the and to pick up their well-earned diplo- country and throughout the world. On mas and yearbooks. any given day, a call will come in from Los Thank you to the Village of Angeles or Eretz Yisroel, with a distraught Cedarhurst and the local police precinct parent seeking a solution for his or her for ensuring a smooth and safe parade. child. They call because they are seeking Mazel Tov to all the graduates! For more answers, and they find them in the information about Gan Chamesh, warmth and support of the center’s staff please call 516-295-2478. members. The center is run by Rabbi

46 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Yitzchok Goldberg, whose warmth and gram should bear his name. professionalism is a source of inspiration Housed on the Mesivta Chaim to everyone at the yeshiva. In the mold of Shlomo campus, the vocational pro- its founders, Rabbi Yaakov Bender and gram is a singular role model for all Mr. Norman Rabenstein, the center is other yeshivas throughout the country. committed to helping each child reach his Students are offered a variety of techni- full potential. The children are helped cal courses as part of their General through resource room assistance as well Studies program. Technical courses as self-contained classroom instruction. include woodworking, construction, Teachers are welcome to confer regularly plumbing, electrical training, culinary with the center’s staff to help students classes, computer graphics, and oph- succeed in modified learning programs thalmology. Courses offered in con- created and monitored by outstanding junction with the Mesivta’s General professionals. Academic challenge is met Studies program are photography, art, and often overcome. computers, science, global studies, The Weiss Vocational Program was English, math, and business math. founded by Rabbi Yaakov Bender and Classes are kept small to maximize stu- combines an outstanding Hebrew edu- dent involvement and accomplishment. cation with a well-rounded secular pro- The yeshiva cordially invites the gram that also includes career-oriented entire Far Rockaway/Five Towns technical classes. The program is communities to join in this special named after Mor Weisz, the grandfa- opportunity to support the education ther of the Lowinger family who was of our children—all our children—so known as a great baal chesed until his that no child is left behind. Toward untimely petirah at the age of 52 in that goal, Yeshiva Darchei Torah is 1944. Besides his tremendous efforts eternally committed. on behalf of the individual needy, he For more information, contact the established several charitable enter- yeshiva at 718-868-2300 ext. 219. prises. One was a free kitchen for poor people, which began as a special Seeing Is Understanding With The Shabbos kitchen for those who had New Meoros Daf HaYomi Gemara nowhere to go for their Shabbos meals. The highly successful Meoros He also established two separate voca- HaDaf HaYomi program in Eretz tional programs in Hungary addressing Yisrael, which is predicated on the daily the need for Shomer Shabbos jobs. He learning of the Babylonian Talmud by personally housed young men to whom using a specially designed Gemara that he taught his trade of baking in addi- boasts 3-D color illustrations to eluci- tion to other trades. He also placed all date the intricacies of the Talmudic these young men, once trained, by con- text, has just been released in the U.S. tacting businesses to hire them. How fitting that the Yeshiva’s Vocational pro- Continued on Page 48

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS tions and photos, we are allowing Jersey; Deana Brenner, Staten Island; more and more people to enjoy the Fran Chesir, Suffern, New York; Ronni Continued from Page 47 experience of daf yomi,” the Essrog, Brooklyn; Jeanne Kaufman, for the Maseches Yuma cycle. spokesman added. “At the present Riverdale; Ruth Singer, Queens; and The debut of the Meoros Gemara in time, there are 480 kehillos (syna- Arlene Strauss, Staten Island. the U.S. was specifically timed to coin- gogues) in Eretz Yisrael that are using AMIT enables Israel’s youth to realize cide with the daf yomi learning of the Meoros Gemara in their daf yomi their potential and strengthens Israeli Maseches Yuma, so that daf partici- learning. This does not include the society by educating and nurturing chil- pants would have access to a Gemara thousands of lawyers, university stu- dren from diverse backgrounds within a that could enhance their understand- dents, diamond merchants and sol- framework of academic excellence, reli- ing of this fascinating masecha. diers who are also sitting down with gious values and Zionist ideals. “In Eretz Yisrael alone, there has our maggidei shiur each and every For further information, contact been a great awakening and interest day to learn the daf yomi using the Barbara Goldberg, Director of in Maseches Yuma, since there is a Meoros Gemara. In addition, we have Communications at 212-477-4720 or real interest in understanding what one of the most sophisticated learn- e-mail [email protected]. happened in the Beis Hamikdash and ing websites in the Torah world, the priestly service on Yom Kippur. where one can sit down and learn the Susie Fishbein, Queen Of Kosher By using 3D color graphics and pho- daf yomi by downloading a shiur in Cuisine, Comes To South Shore tos in the Meoros Gemara, we are four languages—Hebrew, Yiddish, enabling avrechim, bochurim and French, and English. We’ve discov- Rasha Sklar, of Lawrence, was honored at the 2006 Annual AMIT Spring Journal business professionals who are ered that over 7,000 people learn the Luncheon. studying the daf yomi, to see, feel daf yomi each and every day from our (photo by AMIT / Julia Holtkoetter) and understand the text like never organizational website before,” a spokesman for the Meoros (www.hadafhayomi.co.il).” HaDaf HaYomi organization The release of Maseches Yuma is not tatives of local area AMIT chapters revealed. a one-time effort for the Meoros honored for their efforts on behalf of One of the other learning divi- HaDaf HaYomi organization. In the the organization. More than 300 dends found in the Meoros Gemara coming months, the organization is friends and supporters of AMIT were is a “back of the book” section, endeavoring to release a new illustrat- in attendance. which contains a detailed explana- ed Gemara that will coincide with the All proceeds from the luncheon will tion of the daily halachos that per- ongoing daf yomi cycle. benefit the more than 16,000 children tain to the maseches. Having enthu- The Meoros Gemara/Maseches Yuma and young people in AMIT’s more than siastically embraced the Meoros is available throughout the metropoli- 60 schools, youth villages, child care Gemara/daf yomi concept, the tan region at select bookstores. facilities and other programs in Israel. gedolei Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael have Audrey Lookstein, a resident of encouraged the learning of at least AMIT Luncheon Manhattan, and wife of Rabbi Haskel two halachos a day. The Annual AMIT Spring Journal Lookstein of Congregation Kehilath “The idea is to connect people to Luncheon was held at The Museum of Jeshurun, was honored as AMIT Susie Fishbein. an ancient text that is as relevant Jewish Heritage in New York City. Woman of the Year. Other outstanding today as it was 2,000 years ago. By Rasha Sklar, a resident of Lawrence, regional AMIT leaders honored includ- The Beaches Jewish Women’s living the learning through illustra- was among the outstanding represen- ed Abrah Besser of Teaneck, New Circle invites you to join in on an

48 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES enriching and entertaining evening of and Atlantic Beach. To RSVP or for Kosher culinary delights. On more information, call Beila Thursday, July 6 at 6:45 p.m., the Goodxman at 516-897-2473 or BACH Jewish Center is proud to play e-mail [email protected]. host to the “Queen of Kosher Cuisine,” Susie Fishbein, author of Sh’eefa the wildly successful kosher cook- Sh’eefa is a part-time seminary book series, Kosher By Design. based in the Five Towns/Far Join them for an evening of tanta- Rockaway community, with the goal lizing delights as they explore the of creating a warm environment for dietary laws of kashrut and enjoy the women to be inspired, strengthen innovative culinary expertise of Susie their hashkafos, gain a strong connec- Fishbein. The evening will be com- tion to rebbeim, and forge close rela- prised of a hands-on cooking demon- tionships with other women who, like stration, tips on kosher food prepara- them, want to grow spiritually and to tion, table décor, the ability to taste a have a rav or a rebbetzin with whom variety of delicacies from her latest they can speak to about all aspects of cookbook and an exclusive book sign- their lives. ing session. All shiurim will take place in the Susie Fishbein has spent this past Young Israel of Far Rockaway. Every year on a media tour traveling Sunday morning there will be shi- around the country giving cooking urim on various topics, such as demonstrations. She has appeared halachah, hashkafah, mussar, on The Today Show with Katie Tanach, and tefillah. There will be Couric, Allie & Jack, Sheila Bridges specific time allotted for eitzos and Designer Living, as well as several hadrachah, as well. A delicious network news cooking segments. In brunch will also be served. Every addition, she has taught at the pres- Wednesday night there will be a tigious Degustibus cooking school in shiur on parashah/hashkafah at New York. approximately 8:30 p.m., with an The inspirational evening will take “Ask the rav” session to follow. place at the home of Steven and Eve In addition, there will be sporadic Milstein, 353 Harbor Drive, Lido Shabbatons in Far Rockaway with an Beach, NY 11561. The program cost oneg Shabbos at night and a shiur dur- is $36 per person. The Kosher By ing the day. The women will be host- Design cookbook series will be avail- ed by specially chosen families there- able for purchase. Reservations and by creating an opportunity to form a pre-payment are necessary. Seating is kesher with them. Many of these fam- limited to 30 people. All proceeds will ilies would be more than happy to benefit BACH Jewish awareness programs throughout Long Beach, Lido Continued on Page 50

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS and Rebbetzin Myrna Weinberger. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ate the host having to turn their In addition, Rebbetzin Judy Young house upside down. If they choose to Continued from Page 49 Continued from Page 9 will serve as a full-time mechaneches contribute in this wonderful way, have women as their guests on any in the seminary. Rebbetzin Young is a Dear Rabbi Ginzberg, they can still pay for the breakfast at Shabbos throughout the year, as well. dynamic and inspirational speaker In response to your article “Out Of the shul. The seminary will also be focused on and teacher who has lectured exten- Ideas,” I would like to offer an idea. This will also alleviate the kavod facilitating shidduchim, creating and sively on many topics pertaining to When one makes a wedding, haTorah issue of having a small show- organizing various chesed opportuni- Jewish women. She has lectured and bar/bat mitzvah, or even a yeshiva ing of people. It’s a pretty sure bet, if ties in the community, and growing run programs for Aish HaTorah in dinner, one is requested/required to there is a choshuve person in the together in all aspects of life. They Los Angeles and Yerushalayim, for confirm their reservation. The lack of Shacharis minyan and the olam is will also look to incorporate other Ohr Sameach in New York, for Neve a reservation indicates that one is not invited downstairs after davening, activities, such as baking and exercise Yerushalayim, and for Gateways. She going to be attending the event and that most of us will come. (Probably classes, into the curriculum if there is has founded a number of programs does not want the host to incur the what it won’t take care of in a sub- enough demand. that provide learning opportunities cost of an uneaten dinner. If parlor stantial way, is having large donors. Rabbi Ephraim Frenkel is the for women, including Bena in New meetings would similarly start But they weren’t getting it at the par- menahel of the seminary. York and Atlanta and Ashreinu in Los requesting reservations, the host lor meetings anyway if no one was Some of the rebbeim who will be Angeles. She has taught in girls’ high could determine ahead of time if showing. And for those donors who giving shiurim are Rav Yaakov schools for over 20 years in Los planned attendance will warrant hav- have an organization’s interest close Feitman, rav of Kehillas Bais Yehuda Angeles, Atlanta, and New York, and ing or canceling these events. to their heart, they can arrange to Tzvi; Rav Binyomin Forst, rav of K’hal is currently a senior teacher at Bais Nachum Rhodes have it in their own shul, or go to the Nesiv HaTorah and rosh kollel of Yaakov Machon Academy in Queens. shul where the speaker will be that Kollel Zichron Ephraim, who also She is also warm and personable, Dear Editor, Sunday.) serves as rabbincal advisor for and it will truly be a privilege for all I would like to respond to the arti- This would have to be organized by Sh’eefa; Rav Aryeh Ginsburg, rav of of us to learn from and be inspired cle Rabbi Ginzberg wrote about the one person or organization such as the Chofetz Chaim Torah Center; by her. parlor meeting/kavod haTorah issue the Vaad so that no one shul gets dis- Rav Naftali Jaeger, rosh yeshiva of The seminary plans on having with a recommendation. Rather than proportionately inundated with guest Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv; Rav Moshe numerous sessions throughout the have parlor meetings in private speakers/fundraisers and that all Katzenstein, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva year: Session I will run from Sept- homes, where the hosts have to be shuls have this opportunity. Gedolah of the Five Towns; Rav ember 10 through September 27, matriach themselves for a very small Respectfully, Yehoshua Kurland, maggid shiur in 2006; Session II will run from October showing of people who have to plan Nechama Nekritz Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv; Rav Menachem 22 through December 17. Future ses- busy days around attending these Far Rockaway Pfeiffer, rav of Agudas Yisroel of sions will be announced at a later date. meetings, I recommend the follow- Bayswater and maggid shiur in They are now accepting registration ing: Have a guest speaker/yeshiva Dear Editor, Yeshiva Darchei Torah; Rav Dovid forms for Session I; the cost for this representative go to a designated I am writing in response to Rav Weinberger, rav of Shaarei Tefillah; session is only $30. shul/shteeble Shacharis minyan and Aryeh Z. Ginzberg’s article on the and Rav Moshe Weinberger, rav of If you are interested in being a part daven with the olam. Immediately front cover of last week’s Five Towns Aish Kodesh. of this special new program, or have after Shacharis everyone goes down Jewish Times, entitled “Out of Ideas.” Some of the women who will be giv- any questions or comments, please to the dining area and enjoys a light Rav Ginzberg discusses the current ing shiurim are Mrs. Debbie feel free to send e-mail to breakfast with the choshuve person situation in the Five Towns regarding Greenblatt, Rebbetzin Adina [email protected] or call 516-610- and he gets a chance to speak divrei Katzenstein, Rebbetzin Hindy Sitnick, 4316. ❖ chizuk or fundraise. This will allevi- Continued on Page 52

50 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 51 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and others that have now gone on to Dear Editor, While I wish you and the 5TJT play major roles in Israel. My sugges- Regarding your recent “Bagel much success, it’s clear that there’s, Continued from Page 50 tion to the Five Towns would be to Store” column about the New York lehavdil, an exorable decline of print the many visits by rashei yeshiva or dis- create a community-wide fund, Times, I don’t know whether to laugh newspapers, and the NYT in particu- tinguished rebbeim and the difficulty supervised by a well-chosen commit- or cry. Was this satire, or a serious lar. Their print ads have declined. that the combined communities have tee, that would be charged with the work? I’m trying very hard to be dan Even the Canadian newsprint compa- in paying appropriate respect to such responsibility for all such outside l’kaf zechus, after all; you are a jour- nies supplying them have experienced dignitaries because of the often appeals (as opposed to those funds nalist/editor with a professional need significant losses. Their studies show duplicative conflicting schedules and which are raised from within the to read the Times to see what they’re that they dare not move to a fully fee- the utter multitude of events that are community to fund community caus- up to. (This reminds me of the based online model lest they lose sig- created to feature the causes that es, such as local yeshivas and day Morgen Journal editor who asked the nificant readership. So enough these visitors support. schools, mikvehs, etc.). New York Times editor at a journalism already with the NYT, the Modern Permit me to offer a suggestion that The committee’s responsibility conference to reveal the secret of Orthodox daf yomi! comes from the experience of the would be to schedule all such events how the Times already knew today Or maybe you were just being face- West Hempstead community. Our so that they do not conflict with each what the Morgen Journal was going to tious? community is widely known as a Torah other (that means having a communi- publish tomorrow.) CS community that supports Israel-based ty-wide calendar to which all should Your article seems almost schizo- Kew Gardens Hills religious institutions, and the historic subscribe), do the simple “due dili- phrenic. In the first part you laud the rate of aliyah from our community is gence” to ensure that the funds NYT for its journalistic integrity, etc, Dear Editor, probably one of the highest rates from raised are directed to the appropriate and later admit to their consistent I’d like to highlight the dangers of any similar Orthodox community in beneficiaries and not funneled distortions of everything pertaining to “The Dangers Of Midrashim” (article the United States. For many years, we through intermediaries who take a Israel, and their glee at reporting any- by Rabbi Pinchas Rosenthal, May 19, were beset by a multitude of sh’lichim percentage of what is collected, and thing disparaging of Jews—the Page 64) and Avi Goldstein’s follow-up and visiting rebbeim who came to our create the appropriate vehicle for Orthodox in particular. You write in the June 1 issue (Page 22). doorsteps seeking funds. In the early receiving all such visiting dignitaries. about your law school professor It is truly a sad reflection of the 1970s, we started a Combined Israel The function of such a committee friend’s struggle with the Times’ current state of Judaism when the Appeal (CIA), through which we have would be publicized, so that anyone “integrity.” Which side are you on? leader of one of our community’s created a community-wide fund, contemplating such a visit would Why this obsession with the blue schools determines his hashkafah by which has a volunteer committee that know that there is a process which is plastic bag on the lawn? I too had been how he’d be viewed in a college class. receives all such applications, makes orderly and dignified and which an NYT addict for many years, folding Chazal say (Idyis, Perek 5, Mishnah 6) decisions, and raises and hand-deliv- shows proper sensitivity for such visi- it carefully on the train, reading it that it is better to be viewed as a fool ers the funds to the beneficiaries in tors and events. Here in West cover-to-cover, doing the crossword your whole life than to be evil before Israel. Hempstead, our system has proven puzzle in ink, etc. but gave up in dis- Hashem for even a moment, and Through our CIA, we have helped itself many times over, and our shul gust with their anti-Israel, anti-Jewish emunah v’daios is no exception. If build shuls in Israel, supported members have delivered an estimated bias in purportedly neutral news arti- that wasn’t bad enough, instead of a yeshivot hesder, and raised funds and amount of close to $2 million to the cles. While it may be very minor, I rebuttal from the rabbanim, the only support for religious communities. beneficiaries over the years. refuse to contribute in any way to their response was from Mr. Goldstein, We have helped jump-start and sup- Isaac Blachor, revenue stream. If need be, I can scan who jumped on the bandwagon. port many social-service agencies; we Founding member of their stories on the Internet, after The fact is that both Rabbi were one of the first to bring signifi- Young Israel reading a multitude of other web news Rosenthal and Mr. Goldstein are ran- cant support to Yad Sarah, Migdal Or, of West Hempstead CIA sources. So I won’t see their ads! domly drawing lines in determining

52 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES how to understand what happened in liberty of telling us that the Midrash us this. It is not up to any person who emunah and bitachon in Hashem and the Torah. The Ramban at the end of that Rashi brings down that says picks up an ArtScroll Chumash to recognizing that He truly is beyond Parashas Bo says the whole purpose “Vachamushim” means “armed” is lit- make that decision. nature. Because if we are not strong of the makos was to show the eral, and the Midrash that says it I do agree that it is of utmost in them, then I would hate to see Egyptians that Hashem has full con- means “one-fifth” is not. But who has importance for Midrashim to be what happens in the next day’s lesson trol of the entire world and is not the authority to decide which taught with the lesson Chazal are in Queens College when they discuss bound by the laws of nature. That Midrashim are allegorical and which coming to teach us. After all, the pur- the legend of the Jews receiving the being the goal, why then does it are literal truth? Who is to determine pose of the Torah—both Written and Torah directly from G-d—and 53 “make sense” that Hashem can make which Rashis are literal and which Oral—is not to be a history book, but members of your class turn to stare at millions of frogs come to Egypt, but are not? Since Rashi’s stated goal was rather to teach us the important les- you and ask, “Do you believe that He can’t create one big frog to start it to say p’shat, it is probably safe to sons in how to live our lives. But that actually happened?” off (as Rabbi Rosenthal suggests)? assume that the vast majority of his has no bearing on whether or not Zechariah Porter Why does it only “make sense” that peirush is p’shat. It may very well be Midrashim are allegorical. Like both Far Rockaway all of the native animals of Egypt that what Rashi was telling the the Rambam and the Raavid that were involved in arov, and not ani- Rashbam (in the beginning of Rabbi Rosenthal brings down say, mals from the entire world with their Parashas Vayeishev) was that there there is great depth in the Midrashim environments (as Mr. Goldstein were a handful of times where he and they shouldn’t only be under- WHAT’S YOUR believes)? If the whole goal of these could have said something that was stood simply; that, however, does not miracles was to show Hashem’s more p’shat-oriented. Even the mean that they didn’t happen. OPINION? absolute control over nature, then Rambam that Rabbi Rosenthal There are many beautiful lessons surely we must be very cautious in quotes isn’t discussing all Midrashim, that we learn from Midrashim, and it WE WANT TO KNOW! suggesting a diminution of their singling out those Midrashim that is so important that our children be magnitude. discuss d’varim hanimnaim (things taught those lessons with the Mr. Goldstein mentions an impor- that are impossible). Are we to deter- Midrashim. But that can be done E-MAIL US AT tant point when he says, “Midrashim mine what those are? Only the ris- without cynically comparing are often not to be taken literally,” honim and acharonim and the gedolei Hashem’s miracles to comic-book [email protected] which means that even he agrees that ha’dor who had a mesorah and spent superheroes. some are literal. In fact, he takes the their lives immersed in Torah can tell We need to work on improving our

And this was the work of the menorah: it was hammered [of a single piece of] gold (Bamidbar 8:4)

We find that Moshe experienced more difficulty in understanding the construction of the menorah than he did in that of all the other vessels of the Sanctuary. So G-d said to him: Take a talent of gold, cast it into the furnace and take it out again, and the menorah will assume shape of its own accord.Thus the verse says (Sh’mos 25:31): “Its cups, its knobs, and its flowers, shall come out of it”...

Moshe smote [the piece of gold] with a hammer and the menorah took shape of its own accord. For this reason it says,“of hammered work it shall be made” (tei'aseh)—implying that it shall be made of its own accord.

(Midrash Rabbah)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 53 The Digital Sage BY JOSH JUSTIC

Welcome to the third installment of you have installed yourself (such as “The Digital Sage.” I have two decades AOL or Instant Messenger), or com- of experience in the technology field puters on your local network. and have seen it all—from computers Virus scanner. Anti-virus software, larger than most bathrooms to PDAs such as Norton or McAfee, is a must. smaller than credit cards. My experi- To be effective, the virus scanner must ence in serving all of the technology be a recent version, such as Norton needs for global corporations, enter- Antivirus 2005 or 2006, and—a detail tainment companies, non-profit organizations, schools, small businesses, and individuals has given me a lot to write about. Each month I will write from a frum perspective about the Be wise about issues that affect you.

Cleaning Out The Bad Stuff what you In May, we addressed the good (clearing out the normal clutter that install on your accumulates on your PC and optimiz- ing perfomance); we will now address the bad (viruses and spyware). computer. In order to keep your computer safe from all the dangers of the Internet, you need the following pieces of software protecting your computer: even more often overlooked—your PC Firewall. You can use the one must have recent virus definitions, included with Windows XP SP2, or a which are updated frequently by the third-party product such as Symantec software providers. Using your com- Norton Internet Security or Zone puter without a virus scanner or up-to- Alarm. If you are using the XP firewall, date definitions is about as advisable make sure it is activated. Only allow as driving without insurance; you are exceptions for trusted resources, such completely vulnerable to whatever nas- as websites you visit often, software tiness can arrive in your e-mail Inbox.

54 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Your virus scanner should be config- ured to scan all open files and perform a full system-wide virus scan monthly or, if you download a lot of files, on a weekly basis. Spyware and adware remover. The latest scourge to plague the computer user of the 21st century is that of spyware and adware. Current estimates report that adware and spyware have caused users far more grief than the most successful virus strains. Adware and spyware are prevalent on the majority of unprotected computers. And the fact of the matter is that it’s not hard to prevent spyware and adware from infect- ing your computer. To start out, let’s define what spyware and adware are. Adware and spyware are pieces of software that get installed on your computer without your knowledge, and then the software redirects your computer’s resources for its own purposes. Adware is the lesser danger of the two unwanted PC menaces. Ever wonder why your computer browser starts to develop a mind of its own, directing you to websites you didn’t ask for or hijacking your home page to someplace you didn’t want to go (sometimes somewhere very embarrassing)? That means you have adware, the result of evil online marketers who want you to pay attention to their website at all costs. Adware is their software taking over you browser, for their means. Spyware, on the other hand can be far worse—and far less noticeable. Spyware can employ software to track your Internet usage and sites visited, usually for marketing purposes. The scary part about spyware is that it can also be used as a keystroke logger that tracks all your Internet access, any keys you pressed—even credit-card and other sensitive information—and then directs that information to the maker of the software. The only difference between adware/spyware and viruses is that adware/spyware usually requires the user to allow it to be installed, whereas a virus spreads from one computer to another on its own. Adware/spyware can be packaged with free software, such as Bearshare, Kazaa, Comet Cursor, or any of hundreds of software titles offered on the Internet to “enhance” your computer experience. Little do you know when you are installing that computer screen- saver or nice-looking Internet Explorer add-on, you are installing a Trojan Horse that allows the maker of the software to have an open door into your computer. The first method to prevent spyware from getting on your system is to be wise about what you install on your computer. Most users don’t realize that every time you install a piece of software, you are fundamentally changing the way your computer works. Only install what you really need, and if you share your computer with children, do not allow them full system rights on your computer to install software; do not grant them “administrator” rights to the PC. Be wary of websites that require you to install add-ons to view their content. If you are not accessing a site that is trusted and respected, or if you have any

Continued on Page 57 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 55 56 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES THE DIGITAL SAGE several spyware scanners on the mar- rity/spyware/software). against you, it’s likely that there is spy- ket. Spybot Search and Destroy is a From my tests, this has proved to be ware or adware on your system. Continued from Page 55 free scanner that is quite effective. I the most effective tool for blocking Now that we have protected your com- doubts about it, do no allow the website also recommend WebRoot Spyware spyware from arriving on your system puter from the dangers of the Internet, to push its software to your computer. Sweeper, a commercial-grade scanner and an excellent tool for removing it. we will focus on protecting your children This is a another method of deploying that has reached maturity. Recently, Currently it is still free, but that could from the Internet next month. spyware and adware. Microsoft has created a highly effective change should Microsoft decide to In addition to being careful about spyware sweeper, cleaner, blocker, and start a subscription service for spyware Josh Justic is the owner of New Technologies what software or websites you load remover called Microsoft Defender, definition updates. So if your comput- Consulting, Inc., located in Woodmere. If you have any questions or suggestions for future onto your computer, you can also which can be downloaded from er is running slow, your browser is act- articles, please feel free to contact him at install a spyware scanner. There are Microsoft (microsoft.com/athome/secu ing funny, and your PC is working [email protected]. What Are The Odds?

Sammy Fein of Cedarhurst was excited to celebrate his birthday last week. He looked forward to the usual presents, cake, and his friends coming over for a birthday party. But this year there was a twist, as Sammy was born on 6/6 in 2000, so he turned 6 on 6/6/06! What are the odds?

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 57 NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Hosts Jewish Heritage Event At Gracie Mansion

Mayor Michael R. Council of New York (JCRC) During the speaking pro- Bloomberg hosted New York and the Sephardic Community gram, Mayor Bloomberg said, City’s Annual Jewish Heritage Federation. Other attendees “New York City’s immigrant Reception at Gracie Mansion included Israeli Consul history is a major part of its on Tuesday, June 6. The event General Arye Mekel, U.S. success, and the city’s diverse marked the start of Jewish Congresswoman Debbie Jewish communities have Heritage New York 2006, a Wasserman Schultz, Mayor’s been a big part of that history. month-long celebration that Community Assistance Unit From the arts and entertain- honors the history, culture, and Commissioner Jonathan ment, to politics and business, contributions of New York’s Greenspun, and JCRC to science and philosophy, our vast and diverse Jewish com- President Matthew Maryles vibrant Jewish communities munity and is sponsored by the and Executive Director have helped shape every Jewish Community Relations Michael Miller. aspect of public life.” PhotoByKristenArtz

Mayor Bloomberg with Jewish rock band Blue Fringe, who provided the entertainment for the Annual Jewish Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion. Blue Fringe (Dov Rosenblatt, guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist; Avi Hoffman, composer and lead guitarist; drummer Danny Zwillenberg; and Hayyim Danzig on bass) will also appear at the New York Jewish Music and Heritage Festival, to take place September 10–17, 2006. The festival is expected to attract 25,000 New Yorkers at venues across the city.

Now you can SUBSCRIBE to The 5TJT online.

www.5tjt.com

58 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Sh’or Yoshuv Torah Dedication Photos By Ivan H. Norman

Pictured above (L-R) carrying the new Sefer Torah dedicated to the memory of Ruchama Jaeger are Rabbi Amos Bunim, Kalman Renov, and Sandy Herschkowitz, some of the friends of the Jaeger family instrumental to the Torah dedication.

And this was the work of the menorah... from its shaft, to its flowers (Bamidbar 8:4)

The menorah also represents the Torah, the source of Divine light in the world. This is alluded to in the menorah's design, which is detailed in the 25th chapter of Sh’mos. The Menorah had seven branches, eleven knobs, nine flowers, twenty-two goblets and was seventeen hand-breadths in height.These numbers represent the five books of the Written Torah: the first verse in the book of Bereishis has seven words, the first verse of Sh’mos has 11 words, the first verse of Vayikra has nine words, the first verse of Bamidbar has 17 words, and the first verse of Devarim--22 words.

(Divrei Noam)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 59 60 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 61 62 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 63 Jerusalem Echoes Of A Searching Generation Real-life social and business ethical issues raised by students and alumni of Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem, which have relevance for every Jew. BY RABBI MENDEL WEINBACH Lions And Lambs Q. Is it proper for a nation to wage war against the government of another nation that it sees as a threat to its security? A. This question is the one being raised at all of the demonstrations throughout the world as a result of the American-led coalition invasion of Iraq. The answer is obvious from the perspective of Torah law that commands us to take preemptive action against one who intends to slay us. Those who ignore this Divine wisdom are also ignoring the lessons of history. World War II, with all of its agony, could have been averted if the European nations threatened by Nazi Germany would have made a realistic appraisal of that threat and demonstrated determination rather than appeasement. Seeking “peace in our time,” the appeasers allowed Hitler to annex Austria and swallow up Czechoslovakia. The rest is a tragic chapter in history, which may be summed up in a little parable: A retired diplomat from the appeasement school was appointed as director of a biblical zoo. Utilizing his skills and experience, he succeeded in drawing tremendous crowds to visit the zoo. The main attraction was a cage occupied by a lion and a lamb, illustrating the prophetic vision of peace. An old friend who was so over- whelmed by this scene asked the director how he managed to have the “lion and the lamb lie down together,” a feat reserved by the prophet for the end of days. “Simple,” answered the great appeaser. “Every day another lamb!”

Cross On The Green, Not In Between Q. As a “professional pedestrian” who must contend with a large number of traffic lights along the route I walk to and from work, there are always occasions when I face a red light although the street before me is completely free of oncoming cars. Is there anything wrong with ignoring the light and dashing across to save precious time? A. This question, equally relevant to motorists, invites a takeoff on an old Ogden Nash verse about an epitaph for a driver and his rights: Here lies the body of Jumpy Jimmy Dean / Who couldn’t wait for the light to turn green / He felt right, dead right, as he dashed along / But he’s just as dead as if he would’ve been wrong. Laws for public safety are intended not only for the individual situation, but also as methods of educating people to exercise caution for their pro- 64 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES tection and the protection of others. When one develops a respect for the warning of a red light, even when he sees no reason for it at the moment, he is less likely to take the risk of crossing when he thinks he can beat the oncoming car and ends up instead like the “hero” of our verse. The large number of pedestrian deaths each year as a result of jay- walking or crossing against the light tragically testifies to how many times a gamble to save a little time ends up with an irreplaceable loss. The Torah exhorts every person to be extremely careful in guarding the life entrusted to him by his Creator. Just as in regard to religious law each performance of a Divine command develops a person spiritually, so too does each exercise of patience and restraint in waiting for the light to change develop in him a greater regard for life. Add to this the bad example you would show for those watching you— people younger or less careful than you, who will extend your defiant atti- tude to truly dangerous situations. The conclusion must be “Cross on the green, not in between.”

The Limits Of Privacy Q. I am aware that there is a cheirem (ban), instituted about a millennium ago by Rabbeinu Gershom, against reading someone else’s mail. But I have reason to believe that a neighbor of mine is planning to send a letter whose contents may unjustly harm me. Under such circumstances, is it permissible for me to open that letter to see if it poses a danger to me? A. Rabbeinu Gershom also instituted a cheirem on polygamy, and a funny story is connected to these two bans. At a military academy, which had some married students living away from home on its campus, a Jewish secretary had instructions to open and screen the letters for reasons of national security. Upon opening one such letter he rushed to share its contents with its recipient. “Mazal tov,” he excitedly informed him, “Your wife had a boy!” “Which one of my wives?” he asked. “You mean to say that you violated the cheirem of Rabbeinu Gershom by taking more than one wife?” was the incredulous response. “And did you not violate the cheirem on reading another’s mail?” From an ethical point of view it is reasonable to assume that the cheirem against reading another’s mail was never intended to protect the privacy of someone who intends to exploit it in order to unjustly harm another. Legally speaking, writes one of the great halachic authorities, the ban against reading another’s mail is based on the principle that borrowing the property of another without his permission is tantamount to theft. It follows, then, that just as someone may enter another’s property without his permission in order to recover an item that belongs to him, he may also invade the privacy of a letter that may cause him damage. (Based on a ruling of Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein, rabbi of the Ramat Elchanan community in Bnei Brak.) ❖ 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 65 66 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES enriched uranium from Russia that are pared to reward that country’s genocidal Direct From Jerusalem well below weapons grade. While it is leaders with billions in economic incen- possible that Iran will reciprocate with a tives? This is a perfect example of how short-term halt in its enrichment activi- not to fight terrorism, and mirrors the BY SHLOMO WOLLINS Iranian “blink” of agreeing to the ties under unified global diplomatic gross mistakes of Israeli leaders in the EDITOR, ISRAELREPORTER.COM American precondition of total cessa- pressure, it is certain that they will use last two decades vis-à-vis Arab terrorism. tion of nuclear enrichment has yet to the threat of renewed enrichment to The response to a rogue regime with 5TJT Update: June 6, 2006—What an occur. I am hard-pressed to believe that sabotage the diplomatic process. a cult ideology (like fundamentalist incredible turn of events! Breaking a Iran does not recognize that its enrich- How does this impact on the possibil- Islam) should be a clear ultimatum: quarter-century of diplomatic isolation, ment capabilities, albeit crude, have ity or timing of an American military Cease your enrichment activities or face the United States, along with other major become a pre-nuclear, strategic asset— attack on Iranian nuke facilities? While overwhelming and utter military force. global powers, has offered Iran a package thereby providing a quasi-nuclear deter- it starts the countdown clock to sanc- But the current offer amounts to a form of economic and diplomatic benefits as rent in potentia. Therefore, even a sig- tions and possibly military intervention, of economic Chamberlainism, appeas- an incentive to forgo its steady drive nificant reward structure and a global it also has provided Iran a face-saving ing the Iranian threat with diplomatic toward nuclear weapons technology. diplomatic “Welcome home!” may not method to step down from the inten- recognition, enriched nuclear fuel, and Awash with an estimated $50 billion contain sufficient incentive for Iran to tional and provocative nuclear enrich- a lessening of trade barriers. war chest from oil profits, Iran has no willingly relinquish its nuclear technolo- ment activities that were developed and It will certainly impress the Iranian immediate financial concerns. However, gy acquisition program, which has brought online in violation of its nuclear leadership with the idea that nuclear the super-“carrot” of this deal is the become a focal point of Iranian nation- disclosure requirements. One thing is ambiguity provides the dual benefits of a offer that the U.S. engage in face-to- al pride and unity in a highly segmented for sure: the ball is in Iran’s court—and virtual shield from military attack and a face diplomatic talks with Iran. The and oppressive society. this is the problem. constant bargaining chip to extract fur- condition: Iran must bring all uranium What are the bottom-line effects of What is the world doing here? Is this ther concessions from world powers via enrichment activities to a complete halt, this diplomatic initiative? That will not a form of terrorist appeasement? the threat to resume internal enrich- in preparation for an outsourcing rela- depend entirely upon Iran’s position Iran is the leading state sponsor of ter- ment unless demands are satisfied. In tionship whereby Russia will enrich the regarding enrichment. The U.S. state- rorism in the world, and its president has this way, the threat of (or actuality of) uranium needed and deliver certain ment clearly and explicitly supports declared the desire to wipe Israel off the renewed enrichment activities will quantities at preset enrichment levels. Iranian rights to nuclear energy plants face of the map numerous times in the become an ongoing form of extortion U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza that receive pre-measured amounts of last few months. Why is the world pre- and international blackmail. ❖ Rice outlined this historic and somewhat unexpected initiative as a public gesture to either prevent war or to soft- en the inevitable military attack by “exhausting all diplomatic options.” Let’s explore the basic issues here under these new ground rules. Uranium enrichment activities in Iran represent the battlefront through which the nuclear-haves (5 NPT original co-signers) are struggling to prevent a landslide of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and Far East. The crit- ical argument over the “ticking bomb” theory on Iranian nukes is the level of enrichment as measured by percentage. When Iran announced that it had successfully conducted secret enrichment activities, sources have reported that the enrichment rate achieved was roughly three to five percent. While this is still significantly below the enrichment threshold of 20 percent for nuclear fuel and far away from highly- enriched 80 percent uranium required to achieve weapons grade, the news nevertheless sent shock waves felt all the way to Washington, DC. Another reason for the intense concern regarding the Iranian nuclear issue is the extensive array of intercontinental missile systems developed in Iran under the Shihab program. And, recent and repeated public statements of genocidal madness by the Iranian president against the State of Israel have been convincing demonstrations of the necessity of “global oversight” in Iranian nuclear affairs—translation: the disarm- ing and neutering of the Iranian nuclear chain by surgically removing all internal enrichment activities and technologies. The key question is, Will Iran agree to cease enrichment activities and thereby meet the U.S. precondition for direct talks? Certain pundits point to the enor- mous economic incentive package, which might include a relaxing of the American economic trade freeze with Iran that has dominated U.S.-Iranian relations in the years since the painful hostage crisis. And even now, we did hear certain wording from the Iranian president seeming to indicate that negotiation might be forthcoming. However, the key 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 67 U.K. ‘Regrets’ Teaching Union Boycott Of Israel Academe

BY TAMARA TRAUBMANN such academic boycotts are counter- productive and retrograde. Far more The largest university and college can be obtained through dialogue and lecturers’ union in Britain voted in academic cooperation.” favor of a motion recommending that Triesman himself served as deputy its members boycott Israeli academics general secretary of NATFHE in 1984 and institutions that do not publicly and was general secretary of the declare their opposition to Israeli poli- Association of University Teachers cy in the territories. The motion trade union from 1993 to 2001. passed with 106 in favor and 71 Israeli and Jewish organizations in against. There were 21 abstentions. The 69,000-member National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) Under the boycott, debated the proposal for the boycott at its annual conference in the north- union members also ern English city of Blackpool. Under the boycott, union members also will will not submit not submit articles to Israeli research journals. articles to Israeli The British government expressed its regret at NATFHE’s decision to research journals. boycott Israeli academia. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Lord Triesman issued a statement saying: “We regret today’s decision by the the U.S. and U.K. ran campaigns National Association of Teachers in against the boycott, including a series Further and Higher Education of petitions against the motion. (NATFHE) to vote in favor of boy- On Saturday, the Guardian pub- cotting Israeli academics and institu- lished a letter signed by over 600 aca- tions. The British Government has a demics calling for the motion to be record of supporting academic free- dropped. The NATFHE president, dom for academics throughout the John Wilkin, also received a petition world. We also recognize the inde- with 4,725 signatures from Scholars pendence of NATFHE. We believe that for Peace in the Middle East, an

68 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES American organization whose mission once again that despite all the obsta- statement includes encouraging aca- cles, boycotting Israeli academic insti- demics “to develop effective respons- tutions due to their complicity in main- es to the ideological distortions, taining Israel’s special form of apartheid including anti-Semitic and anti- against the Palestinians remains promi- Zionist slanders…” nent on the agenda of Western progres- Recently, NATFHE Secretary sives and human-rights activists.” General Paul Mackney surprised the “This is a significant accomplish- union with a speech against the ment, considering the campaign of motion prior to the vote on the boy- intimidation and bullying waged cott. “Most of us are very angry about against proponents of the NATFHE the occupation of Palestine. But this academic boycott initiative by Israeli isn’t the motion and it isn’t the way,” networks and powerful Zionist lobbies Mackney said. He also said that in in the United Kingdom and the United order to adopt a decision to boycott States,” the statement read. Israeli academia, a much more com- “At this stage of the international prehensive debate on the issue must boycott movement, Palestinian boycott be carried out. advocates,” they said, aim first to keep “We need to develop a coherent and alive an open debate on the need for sustainable policy,” Mackney said. boycott and sanctions against Israel The Palestinian Campaign for the “until it fully complies with interna- Academic and Cultural Boycott of tional law and universal human rights. Israel said, “The NATFHE vote proves (Haaretz) ❖

And Aharon did so (Bamidbar 8:3)

Imagine standing in the Sanctuary, before the holy menorah, and to be capable of actually lighting the lamps -- to place the wicks in position, and to fill the lamps without spilling the oil on the floor! This was truly an exceptional achievement on the part of Aharon.

(Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 69 Public Prefers Rabbi Lau To Ex-Speaker Rivlin For President

BY YOSSI VERTER 47 percent of the vote went to Lau and 28 percent to Rivlin. Among Israelis prefer Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Likud supporters, however, Rivlin Yisrael Meir Lau for president over garnered 50 percent of the vote, as former Knesset speaker Reuven opposed to Lau’s 33 percent. Lau Rivlin, according to a Haaretz-Dialog won a majority among Kadima voters, poll. The poll revealed that 26 per- the party supporting him for the post, cent supported Lau, a former Ashkenazi chief rabbi, compared to the 8 percent who expressed support for Rivlin. Rivlin has somewhat of However, the greatest number of those surveyed—32 percent—voiced an advantage: At the top support for Galilee and Negev of the list of those polled Development Minister Shimon Peres for the office. was “grassroots,” Some 16 percent of those polled said they wanted to see outgoing followed by “liberalism” Supreme Court President Aharon Barak as president, and only 4 per- and “good manners.” cent said they supported Infra- structure Minister Benjamin Ben- Eliezer. The position of the public has no as well as among supporters of direct effect on the choice of presi- Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox parties. dent, who is chosen by means of However, 25 percent of those polled secret ballot in the Knesset. said they did not want to see either as The poll, conducted by Prof. Camil president, or had no opinion. Fuchs of Tel Aviv University, was In questions that sought to deter- taken last week among a representa- mine what Israelis expect from their tive sample of 515 respondents (with president, Rivlin has somewhat of an a 4.4 percent margin of error for each advantage: At the top of the list of question). those polled was “grassroots,” fol- When those polled were presented lowed by “liberalism” and “good man- with the choice of Lau versus Rivlin, ners.” More religious respondents

70 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES and Europe understand such measures, IDF Steps Up Special-Forces Activity In N. Gaza given the ongoing rocket threat against civilians living in Israeli communities BY AMOS HAREL undermining the Kassam-launching ior officers also noted that this prac- near Gaza. cells’ sense of security and restricting tice enables Israel to hit terrorists with According to the IDF’s Southern The Israel Defense Forces have been their freedom of action. precision, reducing the risk of civilian Command, there has been a 40 percent stepping up ground operations by special “The IDF’s large-scale activity casualties, which sometimes occur drop in the number of Kassam launches forces in the northern Gaza Strip. against Kassam rocket launches in the during aerial strikes or artillery bom- since military activity against the Senior officers said that special- strip will continue by air, sea, and land bardments. No civilians were killed in launches was stepped up in late March. forces operations against Kassam rock- in order to stop the firing,” Defense the above-mentioned operation. The launches have also become less et-launching cells have proven fairly accurate. And while there is as yet no effective, while the international com- sign that the terrorist organizations— munity thus far has been understand- mainly Islamic Jihad and the Popular ing of this practice. “The IDF’s large-scale activity against Kassam Resistance Committees—have decided In one such operation near the end to end the rocket fire, a debate has of May, an Israeli special forces unit rocket launches in the strip will continue by air, begun on the issue within Jihad. The killed four Palestinian members of a organization’s second thoughts are due Kassam-launching cell in northern sea, and land in order to stop the firing.” not only to the fact that the rockets thus Gaza as they were preparing to fire a far have not inflicted significant dam- rocket at Ashkelon. age, but also to the fact that it has lost The IDF said that small special- more than 40 of its operatives via IDF forces teams have been operating in Minister Amir Peretz pledged at a cab- Israel’s announcement about the raid operations in Gaza in recent months. northern Gaza for about two months, inet meeting. elicited a relatively muted response from Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail but it finally decided to publicize it The IDF believes that infiltrating the international community, despite the Haniyeh of Hamas said two weeks ago because the results of the recent opera- Gaza does not place the soldiers at fact that it represented Israel’s largest that rocket fire is “problematic” at the tion were impossible to hide. The senior unreasonable risk, since they are incursion into Gaza since it withdrew its present time. However, there is no officers explained that such operations skilled, experienced teams and operate forces from the Strip last September. indication that Hamas has demanded generally have a cumulative effect, by with a broad backup network. The sen- The IDF believes that the United States its cessation. (Haaretz) ❖

said they sought “religiosity,” the fourth most popular category. Rivlin was perceived as problematic in terms of the fifth most popular char- acteristic “political moderation.” On other political scores, only a month after the cabinet was formed, only 35 percent said they were satisfied with the new Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert. Some 30 percent said they had yet to form an opinion on the man. As expected, following his successful visits to the United States and Egypt, most people see Olmert as rat- ing highly in the area of foreign policy, at the expense of security and the economy. The poll accorded Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni a 53 percent job approval rate. The third most senior minister, Defense Minister Amir Peretz, is still seen as the wrong man in the wrong job. Only 31 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with his work, as opposed to 41 percent who were not. Peretz can be comforted by the fact that his job approval rate among Labor voters was 64 percent. As for the job of Likud chairman, the public showed little preference for either Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu or Silvan Shalom, who lost the race for the post. Third run- ner-up for Likud chairman among those polled was President Moshe Katzav, whose term is up in about a year and is reportedly considering the position. When asked who they supported as Likud chairman, Netanyahu came in first, with 28 percent of support among all respondents; Shalom fin- ished second, with 21 percent; and Katzav came in third, with 19 percent. However, Likud respondents gave Netanyahu 67 percent of their support, which shows that in spite of the blow he suffered in the last elec- tions, this group remains loyal to him. (Haaretz) ❖ 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 71 conflicts have been diverted, with all par- Young Israel of Forest Hills and Young 5TJT QUEENS SECTION ties involved agreeing that Queens is the Israel of Kew Gardens Hills have estab- most suitable area for the newlyweds to lished new minyanim specifically for Adam Okun, Associate Editor begin their lives. Forest Hills, Kew these new residents. Other synagogues Gardens Hills, and Kew Gardens have in the area, such as Ishei Yisrael and R’ become a hotbed for this lively demo- Arieli’s, have also been saturated by graphic, with droves of young couples couples under the age of 30. going from the chuppah to Queens. Two- And why not? There is a lot to offer in From The Chuppah To Queens bedroom co-ops and rentals in the area this often-overlooked borough. Firstly, have skyrocketed, with 800-square-foot these communities are in a central loca- BY ADAM OKUN the children should make their own apartments fetching $1,500 a month. tion. With many young adults finishing choice. Of course, the children them- “Young marrieds” minyanim have college and beginning the commute to There are many sensitive and difficult jobs in Manhattan, living in Queens decisions young couples are faced with affords the possibility of a half-hour trip following the announcement of their to work, while maintaining a reasonable engagements. Where to marry? Who My mother often jokes that the best way to 20-minute drive to Long Island. Even should be mesader kiddushin? How the dreadful trek to Monsey or Jersey many sheitels and tallisos should be pur- resuscitate a dying community is to build a kollel appears less daunting when the journey chased? But perhaps none is as signifi- commences in Queens. cant as the question of where to live. in the area, as it instantaneously acts as a Additionally, the structure of the The decision of residency is of the community allows itself to be inhabited greatest magnitude—not just to the chil- magnet for young couples. by a young crowd, as there is a plethora dren, but to the parents as well. The girl’s of housing available. Many develop- side insists the tradition in their family is ments have transformed into co-ops and for the couple to live by the kallah’s fam- condos, enabling those who are just ily. The boy’s side, getting nervous that selves generally aren’t sure where they sprouted up in numerous local shuls, married and incapable of purchasing a the girl’s parents are corralling too much want to live or of anything else. and, by and large, the minyanim actu- house in this overheated real-estate cli- control in the marriage, protest, arguing Recently, though, some impending ally comprise young married people. mate to acquire a living space, taking the first step towards home ownership. The situation has become contagious, with one building structure after another turning co-op and more couples moving in to snatch up the properties. But perhaps the biggest reason for the evolution of Queens is the active yeshiva and college life in the area. Many students feel connected to the community from their days of schooling and learning, with others continuing their studies well into marriage. Queens College has become a favorite choice of college-age Orthodox kids, with Rabbi Marc Penner of Young Israel of Holliswood establishing the increasingly popular Ateret Seminary program. Ohr Hachaim, Shaar Hatorah, Chofetz Chaim, and other yeshivas in the neighborhood have built nests of kollel communities centered around the respective mesivtas. My mother often jokes that the best way to resuscitate a dying community is to build a kollel in the area, as it instantaneously acts as a magnet for young couples. The question that remains is whether this growth will prove itself to be sustainable as this age group moves into middle age or whether it will simply remain an early-marriage destination resulting from a convenient string of circumstances that have made Queens enticing for this limited age group. All early signs indicate that in fact it will have a significant carryover effect, as many people have gotten comfortable in the community and all that it offers. Maybe those 18-foot houses aren’t tempting enough to keep everyone, but the reality is that with the large number of people starting off their lives in Kew Gardens Hills, Forest Hills, and the surrounding areas, Queens is assured of retaining a vibrant Jewish community for many years to come. ❖

For Advertising or Comments Contact Adam Okun at [email protected] or 917-650-2316

72 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis Honored By City Of Los Angeles

In an award ceremony at Los Angeles City Hall, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis was awarded a citation by the President of the City Council. Pictured above (L–R): Rebbetzin Jungreis; Eric Garcetti, City Council President; and Andrew Friedman, Esq., member of the L.A. Board of Fire Commissioners.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 73 U.S. Student Kidnapped, Freed

BY HILLEL FENDEL some Arabic-speaking friends, and that an Arab man, “with a pistol, a grenade, Benjamin Bright-Fishbein, a Brown and a machine gun,” then arrived and University student studying at Hebrew soon proceeded to “dismiss” the University in Jerusalem, was freed by his friends. Palestinian terrorist kidnappers just hours Asked if he was kidnapped, Fishbein after he was abducted in Shechem. said, “Oh yes, I was definitely kid- The drama began around midnight napped.” After offering to skip over some Saturday night when word was details of the “long story,” he was asked received that a foreign citizen had been how he was released. Fishbein respond- kidnapped by armed Arabs in the PA- ed that the kidnappers realized that they controlled Samaria city of Shechem were “in over their heads,” had “no idea (Nablus). Israeli sources, while saying what they were doing and were going that the information had not yet been crazy talking on the phone,” and had not verified, made it clear that they were planned the action well in advance. taking it very seriously. It was reported late this morning that “If we discover that this is a classic kid- the yarmulke on his head in the original napping,” said one Israeli security offi- video was placed there by the terrorists. cial, “we will not be able to pass over it.” The kidnapping is the latest indica- Within three hours, however, the tion that the Hamas-led Palestinian story was over, and the student was Authority appears to be on its way released—first to Arab officials in the towards following the lead of other PA, then to IDF officials at the Hawara extremist, anti-Western Islamic states checkpoint south of Shechem. He was such as Afghanistan, as well as the Iraq questioned there, and then freed to that rebel groups want to form. Just last Jerusalem. week, an American air strike killed Abu The kidnappers first released a video Musab al-Zarqawi, the Iraqi Al-Qaeda of Fishbein, wearing a knit yarmulke— terrorist leader who was responsible for generally identified with the religious- many abductions of Western citizens in Zionist public—saying, in Arabic, that Iraq, as well as the beheading of some if Israel does not release Arab prison- of them. ers, he would be killed. Critics of U.S. President Bush’s two- After he was freed, around 3:00 in state solution, which the current and pre- the morning, another video was taken, vious Israeli governments have also adopt- this time of him answering questions as ed, have long warned that it would lead to to what had happened. He is seen an Iran-backed Hamas terrorist state telling an Arab reporter how he was sit- threatening Israel, Jordan and the stability ting in a coffee house in Shechem with of the entire Middle East. (Arutz Sheva) ❖

74 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 75 Five Towns Simcha Gallery Photos By Jeff Neckonoff

Bat Mitzvah of Batsheva Feldman on June 11 at Young Israel of West Bat Mitzvah of Julie Katz on June 11 at the White Shul. Julie attends Yeshiva Hempstead. Batsheva attends HANC in West Hempstead. Mazel Tov to her Har Torah. Mazel Tov to her parents Michael and Jill and sisters Sarah and parents Richard and Sheri. Entertainment was provided by Azamra DJ. Rebecca. Entertainment was provided by Azamra DJ.

76 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 77 thought it would be for several weeks. army job in Tel Aviv, rather than live in I see the Hebron mountains. Closer It lasted eight months. Eventually Ir HaEmunah), I am happy my daugh- still and I see a barbed-wire chain Shomria most of the tents were “upgraded” to ter and her family will find some peace fence. I’m sitting in the front passen- rickety old caravans. The Atzmona by reuniting with their community. ger seat with an open atlas, unable to Talmud Torah—the educational The Israeli government suggested believe my eyes. Ultimately, these peo- The Transplanting Of Home “pearl” of Gush Katif—reopened, and that the Ir HaEmunah people relocate ple who were removed forcibly from BY TOBY KLEIN uprooted Katif parents bused their to Shomria, a kibbutz that was estab- their home in Gush Katif, with the GREENWALD children there from their various lished in 1985 by the non-religious, government telling them they would “Diaspora” caravan camps. Communist Hashomer Hatzair move- now be safer, have been resettled by We’re on our way to Shomria to They lived there, in substandard ment. Nearby are two other kibbutzim that government about half a kilome- meet up with our daughter Naama, her conditions, until about ten days before from the same movement—Dvir and ter away from the green line and less family, and her in-laws. Naama was Pesach. But they say they had it easier Lahav, which is the home of Meretz than a kilometer from the closest hos- uprooted from her home in Atzmona than their friends who were in “gilded MK Haim Oron, who was helpful tile Arab village. last August, along with her husband They have gone willingly, because and three children. At the same time, they are still idealists, and still believe her in-laws were uprooted from their in settling outlying areas, and perhaps home of 27 years in Ganei Tal, also in Eventually the members of Shomria voted to also because of the beauty and isola- Gush Katif. tion. It is no wonder that its original Naama and Avner would like us all leave, with each family receiving members chose this area to make the to see the community—and the cara- land bloom. van—where they will be making their compensation of $370,000, an amount that, But it hadn’t been easy. Shomria new home. was trying to hold its own, but it had The deeply religious community of according to Zevulun Kalfa of Atzmona, was dwindled to 13 families. Only six peo- Atzmona spent the first five weeks of ple worked on the kibbutz itself, grieving, following the expulsion, in “twice as much” as Atzmona people received either in agriculture or in the cow the Spartan dormitory rooms of shed, according to Yigal Aflalo, head Yeshivat Shaalbim. Then about 30 for similar size families and homes. of the kibbutz secretariat. Others families relocated to Yated, on the bor- worked on the outside and gave a por- der of Egypt, with hot sand and desert tion of their earnings to the kibbutz. air as far as the eye can see. With them Aflalo says that there were basic went the well-known pre-army cages” in hotels, who were given the before and after the disengagement to necessities that were not being prop- Atzmona preparatory program, headed unceremonious boot out only a few the Gush Katif people, his opposing erly provided by the government, and by a rabbi who is also a combat pilot, days before the holiday. political views notwithstanding. that in general the state was not help- where five yeshiva students were mur- As we drive, I have sorely mixed feel- About an hour and a half from ful to small communities. dered by terrorists in 2002. ings. On the one hand, the first part of Jerusalem, on the way to Beer Sheva, Negotiations between the govern- A few families scattered temporarily, this road is familiar to me, but I know there is a turn to the left and one ment and the Shomria residents and another 57 families set up the that this time the journey doesn’t lead drives until he feels he’s reached the dragged on for months. Eventually the famous tent camp in an abandoned to the sand and sea of Katif at the end. end of the world, and a little beyond members of Shomria voted to leave, hangar on the outskirts of Netivot, in On the other hand, after a basement that is Shomria, surrounded by with each family receiving compensa- the Negev, which they called “Ir rental in Nof Ayalon (Naama and her rolling flatlands, hills, and forests in tion of $370,000, an amount that, HaEmunah”—“City of Faith.” They husband decided to stay close to his the distance. according to Zevulun Kalfa of

78 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Atzmona, was “twice as much” as as much as us. Those cows are waiting spinmasters dubbed “caravillas,” as if bedroom,” she said. Atzmona people received for similar in Beer Tuvia,” says Aflalo. “But Basi giving them a classier name could We stop by to visit the caravan of size families and homes. In addition, said, ‘I have to build them a cow shed, make them more attractive to their Odeya Pachenik, who, like Rutie, like there are Atzmona evictees who, like the same size that they lost,’ but the inhabitants. Naama’s mother-in-law, others, has tried to make it home. Over others from Gush Katif, have still not only available area is an ecological area Rutie Cohen, whose sister and broth- the door is a sign that reads, “It is good received partial or full compensation. where it’s prohibited to build a cow er-in-law, Rachel and Dov Kol, were to give thanks to G-d, and to sing to The Shomria people received half shed; the only place left was our cow the last to be murdered on Tzir Your Name on high.” Books and toys while they were still there and the shed. Now, I try to look forward.” Kissufim before the disengagement, fill the cardboard house. other half shortly after they left. They Odeya’s daughter is dressed in a did not have to go through the dracon- bunny costume. Why a bunny cos- ian nit-picking of providing 20-year- tume? “Because when it was Purim, old electric bills to prove their residen- “As empathetic as I felt for the evictees before their we were still in Ir HaEmunah without cy, as did the Katifers. our costumes, so she wants to wear it Aflalo has since moved into a car- eviction, I didn’t know how it felt till we went now.” avilla on Kibbutz Dvir, where he plans There is a hush over the communi- to build along with eight other through it ourselves, and in some ways I feel it was ty, a combination of the exquisite isola- Shomria families. Two families have tion in the wilderness, and the nature moved to Lahav and another two went worse, because we made the decision ourselves.” of the people. Women are dressed privately to moshavim elsewhere. modestly, men are in white shirts, and The Rebbetzin of Atzmona told me children play on the narrow pathways. last autumn that, “We would be willing Fledgling plants and transplanted trees to live in Shomria and have the origi- We drive through the area of the tells me with a bitter laugh that when are being nurtured in the new little nal residents stay there. They don’t original kibbutz homes, rich with someone from the Disengagement yards. My own grandchildren are want to live together with us.” Aflalo foliage. A peacock crosses our path- Authority came to open another door happy to see the friends that they’ll be claims that a representative from the way, remnant of a dream of one of the in their “caravilla” in Yad Binyamin, rejoining in a few months, and they Disengagement Authority told him, “I original kibbutz members. We pull he cut open the wall with her kitchen fearlessly climb among the piles of dirt spoke with the rav of Atzmona and he into a makeshift parking area by a knife. “And after the rain I wake up to said that the Atzmona people don’t neighborhood of what Ariel Sharon’s a puddle of water on the floor of my Continued on Page 80 want to live together with you.” But in a follow-up call to the rav of Atzmona, in light of Aflalo’s comments, he said that no one at any time ever asked him if the people of Atzmona would be willing to live together with the people of Shomria. Aflalo says that some Shomria people had expressed a fear that, “The Atzmona people would make us wear kippot, ask that we not drive or smoke on Shabbat…” When asked if he was ever told that by anyone from Atzmona, he said, “No, but…” The original plan, says Aflalo, was that the people of Atzmona would live there for only two years until a permanent community could be built for them elsewhere. “The fact is,” says Aflalo, “we’ve been living here, over- lapping, for the last few months. Had we known then what it was like to live with the Atzmona people, we might have been willing to stay and live together. Having said that,” he adds, “after the trauma they have gone through, I believe now that what they need is to be alone, to do deep work on healing their wounds.” In a parallel vein, Rav Netanel of Atzmona calls Aflalo, “A precious Jew, a tzadik.” “My army reserve unit took part in the disengagement, though I wasn’t there, personally. They told the people from Atzmona, ‘We’re the same ones who did that; now we will help you rebuild’,” says Aflalo. “I wasn’t happy about the decision to leave, but the majority decided. It was a terrible time. Not everyone felt as secure as others; couples began to argue. We felt we were falling apart as a community. “As empathetic as I felt for the evictees before their eviction, I didn’t know how it felt till we went through it ourselves,” says Aflalo. “And in some ways I feel it was worse, because we made the decision ourselves.” But one evictee said, when Aflalo’s comment was repeated to her, “It’s worse to be evicted by force by your government who has sent you there. And at least they can go back and visit their former home.” “They had a cow shed that delivered five million liters of milk a year, twice 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 79 Shomria how I did it last year, in our beautiful been a direct road connecting the two ordered to move into caravillas that Continued from Page 79 home in Atzmona. But we have to go areas, as Amatzia is a traditional, right- weren’t totally ready for them. on now, and start living again.” wing Herut community. Such is the Most of the families in Amatzia and unpaved areas. They want to see Outside his home, three teenage reality in the State of Israel today— moved in during the week before where their school and kindergarten girls whiz by on bicycles, orange that roads are determined not by geog- Pesach but some families moved in will be. They’re wearing T-shirts that streamers between the spokes of the raphy, but by politics. later and had to spend the Passover say, “The best, best home” over a wheels. A tractor is leveling the In Amatzia I meet with Naama holidays in the guest house in child’s drawing, on the front, and ground where another street will be. Zarbiv, head of the secretariat of Ashkelon. They had been in dire “Gush Katif Forever” on the back. Someone has saved the sign “Kerem Moshav Katif, whose members are straits, Naama says. They included a My daughter reconnects with her Atzmona,” from the neighborhood being resettled there. She shows me woman who was undergoing cancer neighbors, and checks out, together that was an offshoot of the original the curtains she has hung in their treatments, and a mother who gave with her husband, the caravilla slated community, and it is propped against bedrooms, anxious to live “normally”. birth to her ninth child only two weeks for them. They measure the tiny their home. No TV antennas adorn She’s salvaged a piece of her old before Pesach. Yet, the Disengagement kitchen area, and get down to the Authority had ordered the hotel to stop tedious discussions of any couple providing meals for them. Naama had moving into a new and different to arrange food for them from her new space. I watch her eyes. The view “We know you’re a religious community. We have a home in Amatzia. Now they were final- from her kitchen window is a beauti- ly with the community. ful landscape, and maybe that, along pool, and we’ll happily provide you with separate Dangerous pits remained open in with the everyday business of setting the area for three weeks after they up a new home and deciding what moved in. They still have electrical and desk to buy for her first-grader, will days for men’s and women’s swimming, but tell me, other problems with their homes, but help numb the pain a little. since they moved in, says Naama, the People try to be upbeat, rather than do we have to change the water in between?” Disengagement Authority almost total- dwelling on what has been taken from ly stopped fixing things. them. A family invites us to spread out “There is a family who is still in a our picnic lunch on their “patio” table. hotel because they’re eight people Every second word from the man of the rooftops. No secular newspapers kitchen from Gush Katif and this lit- and were supposed to have an addi- the family—a rabbi and teacher—is, are on the coffee tables. tle bit of home is like balm to her. She tion built to their house of 75 “Baruch Hashem, Baruch Hashem.” Other visitors pile out of cars. tells me that the original community meters,” says Naama Zarbiv. “Another One of the guests with us cannot con- Everyone wants to see the new loca- received them with open arms, and family put up a tent to accommodate tain herself and before we leave, she tion of Atzmona; everyone is wonder- couldn’t do enough for them. One of their eleven children.” asks him, on the side, if he doesn’t feel ing what this magical community will the Amatzia people even called her Naama relates how two young chil- any sense of sorrow, of anger. He do with the new deck of cards it has and said, “We know you’re a religious dren got stranded on a steep hill out- becomes more animated. “Of course I been dealt. community. We have a pool, and we’ll side the fence when they ran after a do.” He recalls the Passover holiday. We drive back the way we came, and happily provide you with separate kippah that flew off in the wind. The “Do you think it was easy for me to on the way pass a loping camel caravan days for men’s and women’s swim- hill began to crumble and they had no check for chametz the night before led by local Bedouins, entrancing in ming, but tell me, do we have to way back. They screamed and cried for Pesach in this place? My children the sunset. We continue on a round- change the water in between?” an hour, until a father heard and res- couldn’t even bring themselves to join about road to Amatzia. It is only 15 Their welcome was comforting, cued them, and ended up in the hospi- me. We did it alone, and I’d remember kilometers away, but there has never since the Moshav Katif people were tal with a wounded arm in the process.

80 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES “The Disengagement Authority put up the preschool caravans right next to the gas station, which of course the Ministry of Education did not allow, so we took over two empty caravillas, and now the ministry is telling us they’re ‘unsafe’ because the teacher can’t see the children from every cor- ner. For three weeks we had no tables or chairs in the preschool. We had transferred our playground equipment to the settlement of Psagot before the expulsion, but we’ll have to pay 50,000 shekels of our own money to transport it all back. Right now the children have no slides [or] swings—nothing.” Perhaps the saddest missing piece at Amatzia for the children is the one thing that there was always an abun- dance of in Gush Katif. There is no sandbox. Like a “cut-out,” one can visit, in the same day, the pas- toral beauty of Shomria, and the pitfalls of Amatzia, and be reminded that the big picture of the Disengagement is so much more than any one frame, and will continue to haunt us for many years to come. ❖

Toby Klein Greenwald writes for the Center for Near East Policy Research on the aftermath of the Disengagement (www.israelbehindthenews .com/katif.htm).

If any man of you, or of your future generations, shall be unclean... or be on a journey afar off, he shall keep Pesach to G-d on the fourteenth day of the second month... (Bamidbar 9:10-11)

The meaning of the "Second Pesach" is that it is never too late; there is always a second chance.

(Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 81 82 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 83 SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED PROVIDED

Principals/Parents—retired rabbi, Simchas Naava principal, and teacher available Share your simcha flowers! Be m’sameach other simchas! Donate for F/T or P/T teaching of your fresh flower arrangements! We Chumash, Nach, and Gemara. will match your simcha date with Also B/N preparation. simchas following yours or deliver Call 516-317-6224. them to nursing home residents. To Strengthen reading skills through donate or obtain flower arrangements, the summer. Maximize your child’s call 516-239-6066. potential using reading and math In memory of a special friend, strategies. Certified teachers will have Naava Wassner Katlowitz your child reading using creative fun and interactive methods. Special Plumbing and Heating: Sundial phonics techniques used for Pre 1A- Plumbing. Boilers/water heaters Grade 3. Call 917-797-4539. serviced and installed. All leaks fixed. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements. No job too big or small. 718-252-1234. LOST & FOUND New Table and Chair Gemach 740 Mador Ct. Far Rockaway. Call 718-471-0368. A multi-strand pearl bracelet was Too Much to Type? Too Much to Do? found on Sunday, May 28, 2006, on College Reports, Simcha Lists, Central Ave. across the street from Secretarial Support. Call Gold Star Carvel and outside Upper Class Hats. Typing Service for help. Reasonable If you have any information regarding rates. Call 718-471-9712. the owner of this lost item, please call 718-544-4860. Study with Steve Tutoring/ Training. High School & Elem. Math, Math Regents, Computers. HELP Call 516-371-5522. WANTED

Master Teacher Tutors Teachers – Excellent Opportunities - Limudei Kodesh/Secular Subjects Junior High School in Far Rockaway Specialize grades 1-8. Adults; has available vacancies in the General Boys; Girls. Call 718-868-3968. Studies Department, grades 6-8, in Carpets! Carpets! Carpets! Math, Language Arts, and E2K Located in the Five Towns Science for the 2006/2007 school Residential/Commercial. Mohawk, year. Qualified and interested appli- Shaw, Beaulieu. Come to our show- cants are invited to fax resumes to room or we’ll bring our showroom to TAG, attention Mrs. Cecile Wieder, at you. Wholesale prices guaranteed. 718-868-4612. $9-$39. Call 917-349-9471 or Looking for a Heimishe after- 516-216-4007 noon babysitter 3.5 to 4 hours a Complete Construction day. Good pay. Call 718-771-1021. All home renovations (interior as well Yeshiva Darchei Torah is seeking ele- as exterior). Brooklyn/Five Towns mentary school teachers for grades Poor man’s prices…rich man’s work. Call 917-349-9471. 2-4 in the secular studies department. Candidates should have a background Do you own property in Israel? in balanced literacy and be able to Are you looking for an American demonstrate previous successful Company to care for your home? We specialize in Property Management — teaching experience. Fax resume to within Jerusalem and surrounding Richard Altabe at 718-868-3003 communities. Call Rock Rega! Now or e-mail [email protected]. with 2 offices!: Jerusalem Tel: 972-0527-637-915, NY Tel: 917-254-4091, [email protected] References available upon request Trust Rock Rega Supervision and begin to manage your home by remote control and with peace of mind!

Electrician—Recessed lighting, ceiling fans, security lighting, all electrical repairs/installations. Telephone lines. Switches and outlets installed or replaced. Guaranteed. Shomer Shabbos. Call Robert Schwartz 718-327-9320.

84 June 16, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HELP HELP HELP REAL ESTATE WANTED WANTED WANTED FOR SALE

Bookkeeper Assistant P/T. Part time Great Neck–Seeking Ohel Bais Ezra End-of-summer 5 TOWN HOMES programs serving children with Queens Special Ed pre-school. experienced counselor who can be 516-569-5710 Immed opening. Computer literate. firm and provide structure for young special needs. For more info please contact: Brooklyn (male counselors) Proficiency in Excel a must. adult female who lives in Great Neck. NORTH WOODMERE: Pinny 718-686-3475, Brooklyn Fax resume to Ann: 718-205-0178 Hours: from 4:45 p.m. weekdays. Open House: 12-2 (female counselors) Tova or e-mail: [email protected]. Please call Annie at Ohel Bais Ezra at 718-686-3477, Queens/LI coun- 740 Eagle Drive $679K Fast paced "Support Israel" credit 718-686-3484. selors Batsheva 718-686-3478. Hi Ranch, 4+Br, 2.5 Bth, Over Large card company seeks FT and PT Property. telemarketing reps. Pleasant phone Teachers - Preschool Morahs and REAL ESTATE LAWRNCE: NU Construc’n, 6Br, manner and computer knowledge a assts. for innovative, child-centered FOR SALE 5Bth, Lg. prop, Walk all, With all must. Great hourly wage and excel- yeshiva preschool for 2006-2007 goodies. Plans can be seen in office. lent commission. E-mail resume to school year. Excellent salary, fax to [email protected] or 212-874-5706 or e-mail Walk To All from this beautiful JR4 CEDRHRST: NU constrc’n, C/H call 516-295-7600 to schedule [email protected]. converted to a small 2nd BR/Office or Col. 7Br, 4.5Bths, Lg. EIK, Prime an interview. DR. New Kitchen w/Pergo Flrs. loc…$1,250K. Office Position/Admin Assistant Updated Bath. Spacious Master BR Part-Time to Full-Time Office Manufacturer/Importer in w/Custom Wall to Wall Closets. CEDRHRST: NU Renovt’d S/H, Help – 25-30 hours per week, flexi- 5Br, 3Bths, 2 dens, LR w/fpl, full Oceanside. Shomer Shabbos. Must Parking. Storage Bin. Reduced to ble hours, computer experience, pho- $229K! Owner Motivated and bsmt, quiet street...$885K. tography interest, graphic/Photoshop have good computer skills, including Negotiable! Call Holly at Prudential experience desired. Call Ira at Excel and Word. Accounting software CEDRHRST: 2Fam, 3Br/3Br, 2Fpl, Douglas Elliman 516-456-2516. 516-791-7230. experience a plus. Basic Accounting/ Deck. All Nu, Great location, Bookkeeping preferred. Full Time. Best location - Far Rockaway/ Full bsmt...Bring Offers. Five Towns Yeshiva looking for Please submit resume and salary West Lawrence - $715K CEDRHRST: LgLr, Dr, EIK, Den, Full-Time Academic Secretary history to: Fax–516-977-3319 4+1 bedroom, 3 full baths, Beautiful 5Br, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Lg prop., with strong computer background E-mail–[email protected] fin. basement, C/A, deck. IGPool…$699K. including Microsoft Office, Davka Call 917-642-3179. Writer, and DDC. Must be able to Administrative Assistant — N. WDMR: HiRanch, 4br, 2.5bth, LAWRNCE CO-OP: NU 2 Mkt, 1st multitask. Fax resume to Small, friendly office in Hempstead nu kit, deck, over lg prop. $679K Flr, 3Br, 2Bth, Fdr, Lr, Patio, W/D, lo 516-374-9376. seeks an organized and responsible N. WDMR: NU 2 Mkt, NU maint $439K. 5 TOWN HOMES Sales associates HAS Advantage “sup- administrative assistant. Must have constrc’n, C\H col 4Br, 3Bth, lg. gran- 516-569-5710. it kit, Full bsmt, SD14…$929K. port Israel Credit Card” seeks FT excellent communications and com- and PT sales associates to pro- puter skills, including Excel, Word Far Rockaway - 305 Seagirt Ave. HWLT: MIC, 3+Br, 2.5Bth, full mote its credit card to businesses and Outlook. Applicant should be 4,000+ sq.ft., 3BRs + office/guestrm, bsmt, Lg Prop. Priced to and potential card holders.You able to multitask. Car a plus. Chinese 4Bths, EIK, FDR, LR w/14' ceiling Sell...$589K. a plus. Salary commensurate with make your own hours. Excellent and fireplace. Mrbl MstrBth w/Jacuzzi HWLT: Lg. C/H, Col. 4Br, 3Bth, experience. E-mail resumes to: salary and benefits. Please fax resume Fin. bsmnt, deck, C/A - MINT! SD14, Lr, FDR, EIK, Den, Full bsmt, to 516-295-7611 or e-mail [email protected] Call 516-455-5364 - $925K neg. All Systems, CAC, quiet tree-lined [email protected]. street...$759K. Cedarhurst - Co-op for sale Nursing home in Long Beach is seek- Your Real Estate, 833 Central Avenue. Beautiful, one 5 TOWN HOMES ing a full time accounts receiv- bedroom apartment, Shabbos elevator, 516-569-5710 able/payable employee. Salary 30K Service, 24-hour doorman. + we offer health insurance benefits 2 Co-ops — Lawrence — Call Weisman Realty plus other benefits. For an appoint- or Help Wanted Ad Immaculate Junior 4 converted 718-327-5600. ment please call Marty Dicker at second bedroom, fully renovated, new 516-889-1100 x 214 or fax resume Here Every Thursday Cedarhurst/Lawrence new con- kitchen appls with double sink and to 516-431-0398. 50,000 readers look forward to struction (2) 5 bedroom homes. Full kosher dw, indoor parking, walk to all. Local yeshiva seeks organized what’s happening in the basements and attics hi-end quality Cedarhurst — Beautiful two bed- administrative assistant; excellent construction. Must see! rooms/two full baths, w/d, separate 5 Towns by reading people and word processing skills, Call 516-903-7070. dining room, lots of closet space. correspondence, phones, project/data- The 5 Towns Jewish Times. Weisman Realty 347-752-0948. base management. Part-time to start, Far Rockaway - Prime location 2 Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m. excellent salary. Contact Yosef new construction homes: 6 bedrooms, 516-374-7070. 1 Week...... $35 5 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms, 3 bath- Classified Ads are rooms, full basement, quality con- Continued on the Next Page. 2 Weeks ...... $60 struction. Call 516-903-7070. 4 Weeks ...... $100

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 16, 2006 85 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Continued from Page 85 FOR SALE FOR RENT FOR RENT REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Lawrence Co-op For Sale: MIC, Cedarhurst—Office For Rent Far Rockaway – 2br, semi-bsmt., 2 Large Bedrooms, 2 Full Modern 1,000 sf, all services, grt location, rea- washer/dryer, carpet, large EIK all new, Beach 12 Street/Lanett Ave., Baths, Large Modern Kitchen with sonable rent. Call 516-322-3555 Condominium For Sale – Far pvt. house, light & airy, quiet block, Dinette, Many Extras. Walk to Shuls, Rockaway, Reads Lane property Rockville Center—Retail/Office easy parking. $1,150. Shopping, LIRR. $375K. Call 718-539-4472. Ground floor of a two unit dwelling, 5000sf, all new, hi traffic, grt for Contact Ben 917-803-3029. 3 1/2 bedrooms, eat-in-kitchen, living financial or furniture. Will divide. Bayswater/Far Rockaway Apt. room/dining room, 2 bathrooms, cen- Call 516-322-3555. For Rent - 3 Large Bedrooms and 2 REAL ESTATE Full Baths Large EIK-Dishwasher tral air, spacious yard, low taxes and FOR RENT maintenance, near schools and shuls. Far Rockaway – Lg. Hse Rental: with large LR/Dining Room Area. Washer/Dryer. MIC. Ask $1,250. Please call 917-613-1399. 4br, 2bth, bsmt., Hi ceil’g, NU bths, Call 718-471-1282. W\D. Call 516-322-3555. Far Rockaway - large 5 br house, in House For Rent Brooklyn 5 TOWN HOMES Bayswater – 3 bedroom apartment, TAG area, central air, new EIK, fresh- Madison Area — Immaculate 516-569-5710 ly carpeted and painted, large yard 1.5 baths, washer/dryer. 3 bedroom duplex, Large LR, DR, with deck. $760K. CED: Col. Hse: 3br, 2.5bth, Available July 1st. EIK. Move-in condition!! Front/back Call 718-868-1790. Fin. Bsmt…$2,500. $1,300 including heat. porches. Hardwood floors. Please call 718-337-1327. Call 718-645-0214. Lawrence - 6 bed 3 bath Dutch Col, Lawrence — 2 Br, all nu apt., O/S prop, grt invest. opp., Space to own heat. Call 917-757-9351. build 2nd house. Gan Eden Realty, Deadline for Classified Advertising Far Rockaway — Studio & one bed- 516-569-2156...$669K. room apts available in beautiful eleva- in the Next Issue is For sale Boca Raton Florida, tor bldg (1st floor). Great location, Montoya Circle condo 3 bedrooms, Monday, June 19 Neilson & Cornaga. Reasonable rents 2.5 baths, next to Orthodox BRS Shul Pool, lake view, immaculate, new AC include heat & hot water. Rent at 5:00 P.M. $335K. Call 516-889-1374 or Stabilized bldg. Call 718-377-0708 Call 516-569-0502 718-225-4129. leave message.

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