See Page 31 S ee Page 4

$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 11 NO. 41 29 SIVAN 5771 ,ej ,arp JULY 1, 2011 See Page 17 INSIDE THE LOSS OF TWO TORAH LUMINARIES FROM THE EDITOR What’s Important To You Provided by Avi Ashkenazy 22 B Y LARRY GORDON South Carolina Legislature Same-Gender Samuel Sokol 36 Conundrum Interview With Noam Shalit Shmuel Katz 53 Is it truly a matter of civil Guardian Of Zion rights or is it yet another symp- Toby Klein Greenwald 60 tom of the decaying of the moral fabric of our society? Last Orthodox Opposition week, after years of resistance R’ Nison Gordon, z’l 62 PhotosByTsemachG and hesitation, the New York State Senate passed legislation that legalizes and makes it possi-

lenn ble for people of the same gen- This week, we mourn the loss of two Torah giants. Rav Chaim Stein, zt’l (L) inspired many as the rosh yeshiva of der to wed in the same fashion Telze Cleveland. Rav Michel Lefkowitz, zt’l (R) was the venerable dean of the Ponevezh Yeshiva. Rav Lefkowitz passed away on Sunday at the age of 97, and Rav Stein on Wednesday at 99. See Pages 23, 69 Continued on Page 4

“THE REBBE KNOWS” HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE AS TOLD BY RABBI MARVIN TOKAYER My Old Shul: A Memoir

Phillip Goldfeder for Assembly. As a Yeshiva University stu- BY LARRY GORDON a young man at the time per- See Page 51 dent in the early 1960s, I used to haps as much as a half century attend a Thursday night class on Aaronson was a friendly old his junior—I always referred to Chabad philosophy. The class man from our first encounter him as Mr. Aaronson. was interesting and highly until the last—which took place Aaronson was the point man informative, and I was never shy fairly close to the end of his life. or, shall we say, the welcoming about asking questions. How I never knew Aaronson’s first committee of the little shul at could you say such-and-such name and I still do not know it the corner of the street where I when other Jewish philoso- today. He was just Aaronson and grew up in the Crown Heights that’s what people called him. Continued on Page 13 Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt’l When I would speak to him—as Continued on Page 14 No Clowning Around Here The Concept TALMID X, Of Time In Rabbi Simcha Kook to visit ONE LAST TIME Lawrence next week. The Afterlife See Page 45 The Year In Israel BY DR. BERNIE KASTNER BY TALMID X

“Eternity” is a concept that is And so it ends. After a solid 10 above “time” as we know it in months in Israel (and 13-plus this world. In eternity, there are months writing this column), no limitations as in past, present, my Shanah Aleph is over. It’s a and future—everything in eterni- weird feeling, to stand here at Nassau County Legislator Howard J. Kopel presenting legislative citations ty is in present tense, all at once! the completion of such a signif- to local teens in recognition of their volunteer work for Lev Leytzan, a local organization that teaches the art of therapeutic medical clowning. Continued on Page 17 Continued on Page 17

Berel Schwartzblatt z’l. See Page 41

CANDLE LIGHTING July 1 – 8:11 PM July 8 – 8:10 PM 2 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 3 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Front Cover

as a conventional wedding or union between a man and a woman—which is the bedrock and foundation of a Judeo- Christian civilized society. Why did this occur at this point in time and what relevance does it have to us? I believe that under any other cir- cumstances, a matter such as this—that in our opinion attempts to mainstream and legitimize deviancy—would have probably been justifiably ignored. But the way that this same-gender marriage bill made its way through the New York State Senate last week with great fan- fare and spectacle begs for commentary on the matter. On the one hand, just as the old dis- pute over the legalization of abortion in this country had minimal relevance to everyday life in our communities, it’s very much the same story with this latest mar- riage bill. I seriously doubt that there will be any same-gender marriages anytime soon in our targeted readership audience. Still, while it does not necessarily impact on us as a community directly, the victory, as Governor Cuomo called it, has the ability to wear us down in ways that we may not even realize. Last Sunday, I attended a reception for our State Senate representative in Albany, Dean Skelos. The Senator has served our core geo- graphic area for many years with distinc- tion. He is the majority leader in that gov- erning body and has fought vigorously for his constituents and the better good

Continued on Page 11

P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 516-984-0079 [email protected] [email protected] LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Publisher/Editor Managing Editor YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON Sales Managers CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Editorial Assistant SIDI BARON DAVID FOX DOV GORDON YAKOV SERLE Sales Representatives SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, Yoni Glatt Toby Klein Greenwald, Rabbi Yair Hoffman Ron Jager, Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky Dr. Bernie Kastner, Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller, Rabbi Meir Orlian Elke Probkevitz, Dr. Rachael Schindler Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, David J. Seidemann Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, Rabbi Avi Shafran Eli Shapiro, Dr. Ari Sher, Samuel Sokol ELISHEVA ELEFANT Staff Graphic Artist IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Staff Photographers FRANKEL & CO. Design & Production TALIYE CORLEY Art Director

The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times.

4 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 5 6 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 7 8 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 9 10 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR lines that have been handed down over Continued from Page 4 the millennia, why the pressing need to cross those lines and foist those feelings of all New Yorkers. and attitudes—no matter how long they The criticism of Skelos on this matter may have been maintained—on society is that as majority leader he could have in general. maneuvered so as to table the marriage The legislation itself features aspects resolution at this time and let it surface of fascination as well as frustration. yet again on another day. Skelos appar- Senator Skelos in his remarks on Sunday ently looked around and saw the hand- writing on the wall, that the Governor had outflanked him, and with the aid of Republican donor money had successful- Frankly, it’s difficult ly recruited four senatorial Republicans from upstate New York to defy conserva- to accept that it’s tive sentiments and vote in favor of the matter despite the overwhelming oppo- sition to the bill in their districts. about rectifying a When the four—James Alesi, Roy McDonald, Mark Grisanti, and Stephen discriminatory Saland—come up for reelection, it is the governor, and the money he has specifi- wrong. cally now stockpiled for their reelection campaigns, who will support them and fight for their reelection. I think there is a good chance that the support they expect said that he was satisfied with what he from the governor will not be as forth- feels are the legal and legislative safe- coming as they anticipate. They will most guards that are built into the new law. likely look back someday at their crossing According to reports, the provision that over to the other side and realize that it legalizes and makes possible the “mar- wasn’t such a good idea after all. riage” of two people of the same gender The larger longstanding question is also has built into it provisions that do what is it about people who demand to not require religious institutions—that is be identified almost solely by their sexu- shuls and churches—to perform these al orientation. And regardless of what services if they object. that is, why is it so important that the Additionally, built into the bill is what lifestyle—whether you agree or disagree is referred to as “inseverability”, which with it—has to be accepted by society at Skelos explained means that if any part large with the previous status quo being of the current structure of the legislation unacceptable. If as a people we are going to live with some fundamental guide- Continued on Page 12

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 11

FROM THE EDITOR accept that it’s about rectifying a dis- Continued from Page 11 criminatory wrong. That is a bogus claim. Same sex marriage has been legal is successfully challenged in court and in the nearby state of Connecticut and found unconstitutional by a judge, the Massachusetts for years. Forcing it on us decision renders the bill void and it is in New York is not exclusively about the struck from the law books, which the need or desire to be married. It’s about Senator said means that there will be no the attempt to redefine tradition, defy same-gender marriage. long and strongly held beliefs, and con- One of the questions that was asked tribute to weakening of faith and belief but not answered at the Skelos forum in G-d and the laws carefully laid down was why these ceremonious unions in our holy books. had to be deliberately characterized as Judah Z. Cohen is an affable and “marriage.” State after state, along with intelligent young man who resides in a multiplicity of cities and municipali- Hewlett. I received an e-mail from him ties, have legally defined marriage as the other night that announced he only taking place between a man and a would be offering a shiur in his home woman. Insisting that same-gender on Wednesday night. The lecture was unions also be referred to as marriage is entitled, “Gay Perspectives: A Biblical tantamount to throwing down the Narrative.” I could not make it to the gauntlet and crossing clearly defined shiur so I called Judah and asked him to red lines. share his premises and theories on the So is this a matter of attempting to subject with me. rectify age old discriminatory wrongs or “Throughout Tanach, when there are is it just a matter of people being worn attempts to legitimize homosexuality down and when it comes down to the and other types of promiscuous behav- final analysis not really caring or being ior,” he said, “this has always been fol- too concerned about whether it is lowed by a form of affliction on socie- important or not that gays can legally ty.” To illustrate his point, Rabbi Cohen wed in New York. Frankly, it’s difficult to says that “Jewish law is clear and unequivocal; the act of homosexuality is forbidden under any and all circum- stances, as the Torah says, ‘It is an abom- FEATURES ination.”(Vayikra 18:3). Cohen cites a number of other sources on the subject, Around The Five Towns 38 including an article in the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society. Aliyah Chronicle “Homosexuality and Judaism” by Rabbi B. Freundel and “Judaism and the Shmuel Katz 53 Modern Attitude Toward Classified Ads 66 Homosexuality,” by Rabbi Norman Lamm published in the Encyclopedia Daf Yomi Insights Judaica Yearbook in 1974. Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 31 In his lecture, Cohen cites periods in history in which an age or a generation The Dish was known for its particularly outward Elke Probkevitz 30 promiscuous behavior and the apparent consequences that ensued. There was the Five Towns Simcha instance of the biblical Noah’s encounter Naomi Cohen - Glamorous Pics 76 with his son Chom and the destruction of Ivan H. Norman 72 the great flood of that time. There was the matter of the men in the corrupted city of Insights On The Torah Sodom who sought to sodomize a guest R’ Yanki Tauber 71 in the house of Lot (that’s the obvious ori- gin of the word). Luach “The same was true of the society of Calendar 15 Egypt during the Jewish enslavement and even the tribe of Binyamin as is Middle East News recorded in the Book of Judges in the Samuel Sokol 25, 36, 64 account of the Pilegesh B’Givah,” he MindBiz says. Cohen adds: “These repeated Hebrew words evidence each of these Esther Mann, LCSW 34 societies’ proclivity and validation of Mother’s Musings sexually proscribed illicit conduct, lead- Phyllis J. Lubin 27 ing to their downfall.” Which leads us to New York in 2011. News From The Hills Far be it from us or any editorialists Chanita Teitz 21 to attempt to understand or prognos- ticate in any fashion about G-d’s mys- Puzzle terious ways. Clearly it is one thing Yoni Glatt 70 for a society to indulge in activities that are frowned upon by the majori- Real Estate ty of civilized society and a signifi- Anessa V. Cohen 33 cantly different matter to legitimize it and make it lawful. None of us That’s The Way It Is! know what the future holds. Looking Hannah Reich Berman 32 back over thousands of years from the perspective of our history, it is Tidbits From Israel easy to conclude with trepidation Ron Jager 74 that moving forward things do not look very promising. O Travel Special Travel Section 55, 71 Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected]. 12 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Rebbe Continued from Front Cover phers posit other theories? How do you reconcile their disagree- ments? The teacher’s recurrent answer was, “The Rebbe knows,” referring to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of saintly memory. Although the teacher was familiar with Chabad philoso- phy, he was not as informed about other Jewish philoso- phers like Maimonides and Rabbi Saadiah ben Joseph (882–942), known as Saadiah Gaon. One day, after another round of my incessant questioning, the teacher suggested, “Why don’t you write a letter to the Rebbe requesting a private audi- ence? There you can spend some time with Rebbe, ask him all your questions, and receive the answers you need.” I wrote a letter to the Rebbe, in Hebrew, outlining what I was studying, and explained that I had some philosophical ques- tions that I would like to discuss with him, if possible. Within a couple of days, I was contacted by the Rebbe’s secretariat and given an appointment for three weeks later at 3:00 a.m. On certain nights of the week, the Rebbe would begin holding private audiences just after the time that most people would be com- ing home from work, continu- ing throughout the night until everyone had had their turn. When the time arrived, I trav- eled by subway to the Rebbe’s office at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Before entering the Rebbe’s room I was instructed to listen closely for the sound of the bell, signifying the end of the audience. At that time there were no mini-tape recorders, and I did not write any notes during the audience. Nevertheless, I remember the discussion quite well. I asked the Rebbe my ques- tions about the development of Jewish law and tradition. I was curious to know how Jewish law and tradition evolves and changes over time. After all, we don’t dress like the Jews who lived during the biblical period, and we don’t speak like them, either.I wanted to understand the evolution of Jewish thought and practice. After a few short minutes the bell rang, and I excused myself, thanking the Rebbe. But the Rebbe said, “No, no, ignore the bell. Please continue.” We con- tinued talking, and each time the bell rang, the Rebbe instruct- ed me to stay. We were getting into a seri- ous dialogue. In all, I was with

Continued on Page 20 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 13 BAGEL STORE priority it should be. Continued from Front Cover I barely knew these men, except for the very superficial impressions that I neighborhood of Brooklyn. The shul is conjured up from my brief weekly oppor- still there today on the corner of tunity to interface with them. As a child, Montgomery Street and Kingston I viewed these men as characters in some Avenue. The men who made the shul kind of staged drama and did not devote their second home are long gone. The too much attention—or perhaps none at memory of them, however, lingers and all—to the humanity and personalities lives with an unusual freshness on my that existed in these men’s lives beneath mind. the surface. Anytime an adult who was not one of Some others stood out, though upon the usual parishioners would enter the reflection now I really didn’t even know

The men who made the shul their second home are long gone. The memory of them, however, lingers and lives with an unusual freshness on my mind.

shul, Aaronson would race to greet them most of their names. One who stood out, at the door to hand them a prayer shawl however, and still stands out today, was and show them to a seat. And he always Chazzan Appleman. I don’t know where greeted them the same way—with a he was a cantor or whether he was a pro- phrase that my younger brother and I still fessional or not. All I knew from being use today when we see each other some- there, watching and listening, was that he times—“Welcome to our city.” had a booming voice that could literally Going to shul probably kept most of shake the windows in the rather small these men alive much longer than any- shul at the corner. one thought they would live. They cared Appleman was a robust man with sig- and took pride in the place; after all, it nificant girth. He seemed to always be was their shul. I suppose that one of the smiling and to enjoy the attention that lessons learned from this experience was came along with the opportunity to lead how important shul is and how high of a the services. His son, Martin, was my

14 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES classmate and friend in yeshiva. After school was over, we went our various ways and I lost touch with Marty for years. The next time I saw him in the shul, he was dressed in a U.S. military uni- form and serving as a chaplain in the Army. After that last time I saw him we really lost touch and I never saw him again. Like so many other families in Crown Heights, they eventually moved out of the neighborhood to who knows where and that was the end of that. While Appleman had this impressive singing voice, he was not without compe- tition for this type of attention in the shul. There was this older gentleman always present at the Shabbos morning services; his name was Levy. Levy also had a great voice, though not as powerful as Appleman’s. Levy’s thing was to try to harmonize with Appleman when the for- mer led the services, even though this annoyed Appleman to no end. I always thought that he had the impression that Levy was trying to eclipse or outshine him—not a wise thing to do to a chazzan. Still, despite the few small things that

Continued on Page 16 CALENDAR LUACH July 1–July 9 ZIP Code: 11516

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General Calendar Monday, July 4 - Independence Day. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 15 BAGEL STORE Poland, which was also sometimes opened it up to my haftarah—Nachamu, ened, and apparently, I was also observing Continued from Page 15 Russia as it changed governmental and Nachamu Ami—and there were the pen- and absorbing whatever it was that was military hands around the time of the cil marks on the page underscoring the going on around me. My mother’s par- set members minimally at odds with one war years in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. words and the nuances of the pauses ents lived across the street from this shul another, it looked to my very young eyes Rav Mendel did not give me bar mitz- that makes the haftarah presentation so it was convenient for them to pray and ears that things in the shul were, let’s vah instructions, as that was someone what it is to this very day. there. I have to say that in all my years I say, harmonious. else’s job in the community. He did, how- Years later, I would meet Rav Mendel never saw anyone who was so concerned Dave also stands out in my memory— ever, for some reason, study my bar mitz- on on the streets of Crown Heights, and and so responsive to her parents’ every a quiet, mild mannered, smiling man vah haftarah with me until I knew it we always stopped to chat and catch up need like my mother was to her parents. whom I would estimate to have been in flawlessly. Why I had one teacher for the on how we were each doing. I under- It was really something to learn an impor- his early sixties. There was Jacob, the reading of my Torah portion and another stood that years later, after his wife tant lesson from. perennial president of the shul. I’m not for the haftarah is still beyond me. Maybe passed away, he moved to a retirement My father rarely davened in this shul sure whether he was always reelected as when I did with my Zaide. He attended president or there was never an election there on occasion on a Friday night. and he was just in that position for life When he was there, he drew a lot of for obvious economic reasons. attention with people gathering around And there was Murray, an occasional Why I had one teacher for the him after davening to discuss this or that attendee to Shabbos services that a lot of subject of the day. the men fawned over when he was pres- reading of my Torah portion and One thing I can say most definitively ent and I’m not sure why. Then there was is that I lived with the impression that a man everyone referred to as Uncle those years were somehow frozen in Harry who resided in the same building another for the haftarah is still time and would never cease to exist. I as my grandparents directly across the deluded myself fairly well because as street from the shul. Harry had a brother beyond me. you can see I’m still to an extent holding in the building by the name of Max. They on to those precious years and impor- were two very different personalities, one tant experiences. was cheerful and robust and the other This is the first of an extended series of quieter and more reserved. articles on the shuls that I frequented The rabbi, Rav Mendel, was older and I was a tough case or maybe my dad just home in Boro Park where he passed while growing up. It was through this very friendly. Despite the passage of the knew that Rav Mendel would do a great away at close to the age of 100 just a few period, by the way, that on the one square years, I fail to understand how this rabbi job delivering me through the melodious years ago. block that we lived I could have attended was matched up with this congregation. circuitry of the haftarah. You may wonder why I, a kid of maybe any one of nine shuls without crossing a He was a man with Chabad roots at a The two of us worked out of this spe- 12-years-old at the time, would be going to street. There were a lot of shuls scattered time when, while Chabad perhaps domi- cial haftarah book with large letters even shul on Shabbos with a motley crew of around the community, not counting the nated the community population wise, though I was still more than 30 years senior citizens instead of my friends. main shul at Lubavitch world headquar- there were still many other shuls of a vari- away from requiring reading glasses. Well, that’s a good question that also has ters at 770 Eastern Parkway. I spent many ety of compositions and customs. Come to think of it, the large letters were a plausible explanation. My Zayde prayed a Shabbos there too, a subject that I hope Rav Mendel had a unique and special for Rav Mendel more than for me. A few in that shul on most mornings and sever- to get to in the weeks ahead. O relationship with my father and I came decades later, while visiting my mother al times on Shabbos. Basically I was doing to understand that their connection in the neighborhood over Shabbos, I dis- my mother a favor by accompanying my Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at was rooted back in the old country—in covered the old volume in the shul. I grandfather to shul. I sat with him, I dav- [email protected].

16 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Time In The Afterlife view of the window and nothing more. then the joy felt would be one that Talmid X Continued from Front Cover Such is man’s life—he experiences the knows no bounds. Such is eternity—at all Continued from Front Cover present. Once the present moment pass- moments one can experience the full This concept seems inconceivable. es, it becomes a memory of the past, weight of the past, present, and future. In icant period in my life and contemplate How does one rationally reconcile this? while the future has yet to be revealed. effect, one mere moment of eternity con- the significance of the completion. What Fortunately, I came across an explana- If, however, we were to remove the tains the full impact of eternity. do I mean “it’s over”? While I could say tion by Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, covering from the map, we would see the There are those among us in this world something cheesy about how “it really is o.b.m., Talmudic scholar and Jewish entire landscape all at once, including all who live purely for the thrill of the the beginning” or whatever, I’ll spare you, philosopher of the 20th century. He is the dots—not piecemeal, but as a whole moment—they don’t let the past haunt and instead try to analyze my emotions. known through the collections of his unit. This, then, is what eternity is—the them nor the future to worry them. They I’ll do my best to describe my honest writings published posthumously by his past, present, and future all spread out in take each day and try to enjoy life to the pupils, most notably Michtav M’Eliyahu. full view in one conglomerate. fullest. Why obsess about the past if one cannot change it? And why worry about the future if one cannot control it? Then, I’m sure that this is again, there are those who remain mired in their past, unable to move forward. an exponential This, then, is what eternity is—the Likewise, those who live in a fantasy world of dreams and of unrealistic expec- equation—the more tations also land in great disappointment. past, present, and future all spread out By taking into account our individual you know, the more histories and simultaneously considering in full view in one conglomerate. in which direction we are pointed, we you realize how can perhaps get a taste of eternity by prac- ticing living more in the present. One much you don’t. technique that is a powerful tool in increasing our awareness of the present Rav Dessler compares the hidden Another example given to explain this is called “mindfulness.” There are many nature of time in our lives to a map of the phenomenon is as follows. If we were to types of exercises one can employ, such thoughts without using the vague world, whereupon each dot represents a experience continuous joy and happiness as focusing on one’s breathing, or chew- “growth,” “development,” or “maturation” city or town. The entire map is covered over the course of a ten-year period, each ing one’s food slowly while paying atten- family of words. with an opaque overlay; however, there is moment of joy would stand on its own tion to every sensation during the chew- As I look back, I distinctly remember one small window through which one merit. We could only feel the joy of that ing process, remaining in a heightened each small segment of time individually, can see a specific dot. All of the rest of the moment, the feeling of the present only. state of alertness, and by enjoying just linking how I felt at that occasion to dots are not seen. If one were to move the The feeling of joy from the past is but a “being.” We can all achieve the peace and what was going on in yeshiva then (nor- window to another point on the map, memory—its feeling is not as powerful as tranquility that often eludes us, if we mally connected to what was happening another dot could be seen, and the previ- the feeling of joy represented by the pres- only will it. O on the Jewish calendar). I also join with ous dot would be covered, as would all ent, and the future feeling of joy is only as those two factors what my schedule was Dr. Bernie Kastner is a psychotherapist in private the potential future dots that could con- good as one’s imagination. practice with offices in Jerusalem and Ramat Bet like at that point in the year, who my ceivably be viewed at any given moment. Were it possible to collect all of the Shemesh. He is also the author of “Understanding closest new friends were, and how well the Afterlife in This Life” and “Masa El Haor.” For each time the window is moved, we joyful feelings from the entire ten-year Feel free to visit his website at drbkastner.com. are allowed to see only that which is in period into one moment in the present, He can be reached at [email protected]. Continued on Page 18

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 17 Talmid X hashkafah, machshavah , some Jewish ple, it was easy to assume I knew every- tell you I’ve personally experienced Continued from Page 17 philosophy—during my breaks, and I thing or close to it; after all, the little I noticeable growth. found the wider breadth of passed-down grasped only revealed a bit more that I The same is true for all midosm. I’ my old friends from high school were wisdom to be quite enlightening and didn’t. Presently, I recognize the sheer angry far less often. I couldn’t care less doing. The combined amalgamation of provocative. Slowly but surely, my limit- vastness and richness of Torah more about competition (particularly in the different aspects that would contribute ed scope of life was broadened, and the acutely, since I see so much more of it; realm of religion). I smile more. The more to my overall mental, spiritual, and phys- lens through which I viewed the world thus it is no surprise that I am sorely I think, both about my actions and ical wellness pinpoints what my “mood was repolished for additional clarity. This humbled and aware of my own meager- thoughts themselves, and the more I of the month” was at each point. The affected me in many practical ways, ness. I fear a little for next year, since now learn, the more refined I see my character results, quite fortunately, are in totality which I’ll touch upon shortly. I’m sure that this is an exponential equa- become. People love to criticize the fact rather positive. I also learned (and learned, and tion—the more you know, the more you that yeshivos teach “Toy-reh, and not how I had a lot of ups and downs. To put it learned . . .), both qualitatively and quan- realize how much you don’t. to be a mensch,” but to a serious and sin- better, I did a ton more thinking this year titatively far more than I had in past years Where does this leave us? Sincerely, cere student, the two go hand in hand. So than I have ever done before in my life, many of my friends, as well as myself, and thus watched as my heartstrings have worked all year and are now seeing were pulled this way and that. Thank G-d, that; why assume they are contradictory I went in with an extremely determined People love to criticize the fact that and not complementary? I thank and resilient attitude, willing to fight Hashem daily that I’m going back for through whatever hardships I’d come yeshivos teach “Toy-reh, and not how to be another year—not so much because I across, in order to succeed despite (and necessarily enjoy all the internal perhaps because of) them. Had I not, I upheavals and the constant laboring in worry that I might not have made it, cer- a mensch,” but to a serious and sincere the beis, but more because I enjoy who I tainly not in the yeshiva I was in. Others, become because of it. I can testify, did not. student, the two go hand in hand. To focus on enjoyment a bit more, I’d If I can advise anything at all, I would also like to note how happy I am. I won’t beg anyone going off to yeshiva next year lie to you, dear readers: the beginning to be prepared to work, and to steel one- wasn’t easy, nor was it fun. Enjoyment, self with both the resolve to keep holding of my education. I had really started to profoundly, practically changed. How? happiness—those two guys were rather on, no matter the situation, and with the take Gemara seriously in the 12th grade, Examples, please? Sure. squarely pinned to the mat by mental knowledge that in the end everything but this year was a whole new ballpark. I If you fear G-d, and understand better and physical exhaustion. But because of will turn out all right. laugh when I think back upon some of how much you are hurting yourself and the aforementioned attitude, I stuck What did I think so much about? Well, the ways in which I approached an unfa- your friends when you speak lashon through it, and persevered, and now for mostly topics that had never really miliar piece back then, and how differ- ha’ra, you begin to honestly avoid the the past few months I’ve been reaping pierced the bubble of my “frum-from- ently I would do it now. Even ignoring stuff. It bothers you to talk about peo- the fruits of my labors. The fulfillment birth but relatively robotic” teenage self. gained textual skills and amassed infor- ple; it kinda disgusts you to imagine and inner joy kick in—oh, and powerful- For example, the fact that G-d exists, is mation, I have developed so much just in that other guy squirming if only he ly—but you’ve just got to wait out the always monitoring me, and expects cer- understanding concepts that I barely rec- knew what you said about him, and you storm. To quote some superhero movie or tain things from my humble essence. ognize myself compared to the start of start to really loathe hearing all the neg- another, “It’s always darkest before the What it means that that is real, and that I the year. atives about people you like and dawn.” Please, do yourself a favor: grab should actually remember it and be cog- Only now do I truly see how little I respect. I’m not perfect, not by a long that indomitable attitude, tell yourself nizant of it. I read voluminously— know. Back when everything was so sim- stretch, but this is one area where I can you’ve got an inexhaustible motor within

18 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES you that’ll keep you pumping, and keep Now that it’s over, do I have any entire 5TJT family for allowing me this on trying. When the rabbis said, “happi- regrets about writing this column? special opportunity and this unique For the next issue, ness in this world as well as the next,” Thank G-d, the answer is no. I’m quite column. I truly appreciate their flexibil- take it from me that they meant it… happy that I had the opportunity to do ity in dealing with a kid a seven-hours’ deadline for In short, I am impossibly glad that I this. Writing helped me keep track of my time difference away and without easy reserving ad space spent the time that I did in Eretz Yisrael, thoughts and keep note of my feelings computer access. and I eagerly await more of it. I’ve and experiences—all without objectify- Lastly, I’d like to deeply thank all the and all changed so much, yet am still so much ing them too much, as some initially readers of this column. Thank you for fol- myself; “flipping out” was absolutely one feared it might. I got a chance to essay- lowing my journey and for often taking graphics for ads of the dumbest concerns I’ve ever con- write regularly and often—something I the time to share your advice and must be in by cerned myself with (and I barely did, I love to do—and I had the privilege to thoughts, and I hope you found what I assure you). Nothing has to be insincere share my work with such a large and var- wrote to be interesting, entertaining, and Tuesday, and superficial. If you go in with an open ied readership. informative. It has been an utter privilege mind and the will to succeed, your reli- Hopefully, it was an experience that to write for you. May Hashem bless us so July 5 gious life will become anything but. has positively influenced my writing that we know only happiness and success at 5:00 P.M. N NN career and, more importantly, that has in all our future endeavors. Is this my last “Talmid X” column for serviced its readers (or their children) This has been Talmid X, signing off . . . O the Five Towns Jewish Times? As a set and cast light upon a rather shadowy “Talmid X” graduated last year from a high school thing—yes it is. However, I may touch topic in the modern, Orthodox Jewish in the Five Towns/Far Rockaway community and Call base with you all at various points over experience. I pray that I helped dispel was enrolled in a well-known yeshiva in Israel for the 2010–2011 academic year. Comments and 516-984-0079 the course of the next year, to update you nasty rumors, skepticism, and miscon- questions for him are welcome at folks back home a bit on how Shanah Bet ceptions about “The Year,” and also that [email protected]. is going. Additionally, I’ve spoken with a I didn’t say anything disparaging about couple of publishers, and there is a the Holy Land, even backhandedly. chance that these articles (along with Will I reveal myself, and tell the read- added info, of course) will be compiled ership my actual name, now that I’m into a book sometime in the future. If penning my last official article as Talmid everything works out, that may keep me X? The answer to that is nay, I shan’t, as busy over the summer… I see too little gain in doing so. Sure, it’d Was this column a story that tells be cool to have everyone finally know exactly what someone heading off to who I am. But there’s a good chance that Israel for the year will experience? Of those of you who know me well already course not. Let’s not be silly—I’m one know it’s me. And those who don’t know guy, in one yeshiva. I shared my experi- me well, I’d prefer you meet me before ence, not everyone’s. Nonetheless, while assuming that all there is to me and my I am merely a case study, there is a personality is Talmid X. decent chance that some of your experi- I’d like to end off by thanking ences might match up pretty closely Hashem for everything that He has with some of mine. This applies particu- bestowed upon me. I’m ever grateful larly if you attend a similar type of yeshi- and ever in debt. Within that, I’d like to va as the one I did (do). thank editor Larry Gordon and the

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 19 The Rebbe eyes. I looked into his eyes and tion and interest, and that able to quote the next word or approach to Judaism was very Continued from Page 13 he looked into mine. They were amazed me, for it is hard (or the next line. He was absolute- close to the approach outlined the most intriguing and beauti- almost impossible!) for most of ly and totally familiar with in Maimonides’ Guide to the the Rebbe for a couple of hours! ful eyes I had ever seen. I felt us to do that. He was a unique everything I mentioned. Perplexed, a difficult and com- I asked the Rebbe my ques- that the Rebbe was looking deep personality, genuinely interest- When we discussed plicated volume. The Rebbe and tions about the development into my heart and soul. It is hard ed in me as a human being, fel- Saadiah Gaon, the Rebbe Maimonides were trying to do of Jewish law and tradition. I to convey this, but I felt he low Jew, and future rabbi. I had pointed out when he lived, the same thing: teach us how to was curious to know how understood me more than I his complete interest and con- the events that took place dur- live as intelligent, modern, Jewish law and tradition understood myself. centration. ing his life, and the philosoph- devout, and strictly observant evolves and changes over time. Jews in the modern world. The Rebbe explained to me In my meetings with the that when it comes to the evo- Rebbe, I was overwhelmed and lution of Jewish tradition, we felt like I was in the presence of can add to the tradition to The Rebbe was familiar with everything a spiritual giant. He was a giant enhance and protect it, but we in his mental abilities. He was a may not subtract from the giant in his learning. He was a practice. Tradition that has and concerned about everyone. giant in his scope of knowl- been practiced for generations edge. The Rebbe was familiar is hallowed in time by our He was in a class of his own. with everything and concerned scholars. about everyone. He was in a I asked the Rebbe where class of his own. Chassidism comes from. Frequently a movement is Chassidism did not exist 4,000 judged after the passing of its years ago, or even 500 years ago! I knew that the Rebbe was My impression of a chassidic ical issues of his time. leader. Frequently the move- The Rebbe explained that one person, carrying an entire rebbe was one who had inter- Saadiah Gaon’s book is titled ment fails because the charis- Chassidism is an addition to movement on his shoulders. est in all human beings, an Emunot Vede’ot, “Basic Beliefs matic leader is no longer there. Jewish tradition, reiterating Nothing was happening with- interest in fellow Jews, and an and Knowledge.” The Rebbe With Chabad, the energy creat- that we have the right to add to out his knowledge and unparalleled understanding of spoke about the knowledge ed by this charismatic leader has and enhance the tradition. approval. Thousands of people human nature. What surprised and belief during the life of maintained itself. The dedica- By the time we finished, we were coming to discuss thou- me was that the Rebbe was also Saadiah Gaon, who lived from tion and devotion has main- had discussed a wide variety of sands of matters with him, yet I an excellent scholar. I cannot 882 CE to 942 CE. He also tained itself. There is still a great subjects, and it was almost time knew that during the time I say that I was a scholar at that explained the challenges the deal of energy and enthusiasm. for the morning prayers. spent with the Rebbe, the Rebbe time, for when I met with the Jewish community faced at The Rebbe’s legacy lives on. [ed. My clearest memory from my was focused on me alone. I felt Rebbe I was still a student. But that time, and how Saadiah note: Next week is Gimmel discussion with the Rebbe is his that I had 110% of his concentra- whatever text I cited, he was Gaon rose to the occasion. Tammuz, the Rebbe’s 17th In addition, he described the yahrtzeit.] (Chabad.org) O issues that Rabbi Judah Halevi, who lived in Spain and From an interview with Dovid Zaklikowski. authored the philosophical Rabbi Marvin Tokayer is a noted work Kuzari, had to deal with. scholar and historian residing in Great Neck. For many years he was the only During his lifetime he had to rabbi living in Japan and served as the contend with atheistic, vice president and director of culture, Christian, and Muslim philoso- religion, and education for the Jewish communities of the Far East. Rabbi phies, and explain how Judaism Tokayer has written 20 books in can counteract them. Japanese on Judaism and Jewish life, and upon returning to New York he During my audience, I felt founded and led the Cherry Lane that the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Minyan.

20 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES News From The Hills s”xc

B Y CHANITA TEITZ

On Thursday, when this edition hits the streets, it will be my wedding anniversary. Forty years, b’li ayin hara! Boy, I feel like we’ve become our par- ents—and I used to think my parents were old even when they were younger than I am now. These numbers astound me. Isn’t a 50th anniversary for “old” peo- ple? But it’s only 10 years away. Our per- ceptions are different than the reality. But I imagine that our children think we’re old, and our grandchildren for sure think we’re ancient!

“Bubbie, if you’re married 40 years, are you 39”?

Just this past Shabbos, two of my daughters and my granddaughters were sitting with me, shmoozing about anniversaries. Shoshana wanted to know, “Bubbie, if you’re married 40 years, are you 39”? The number 39 sounded good. I can be 39, like Jack Benny. Shoshana was very accepting of me being 39 and said that her mother is 31. Boy, I must have been really young when I had her! Older sister Rivky realized that was kind of stretching things, so she figured I must be around 50. That was a better estimate, but since their mom isn’t my oldest, I still would have been too young when my oldest child was born. We really do live in a time warp, think- ing we’re still young, until we realize how old our children are. When did they grow up and hit 30-something? I can’t fool myself—even though I like to think I’m still in my twenties, until I try to stand up and I’m stiff and achy. And then there’s the insomnia that hits mostly on motzaei Shabbos. If I sleep on Shabbos afternoon, I’m up that night. And if I don’t sleep on Shabbos, I walk around like a zombie all afternoon, forcing myself to stay awake. I used to be able to stay up Shabbos afternoon entertaining my kids, go out motzaei Shabbos, and still get up early Sunday morning. Ah, youth!

Upcoming Events Sunday,July 3, there will be a street fair on Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills between 71st Road and 72nd Avenue, 2–4 p.m. Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim is once again having its $25,000 summer raffle. Call 661- 772-7601 or e-mail [email protected] for more information or to buy raffles. The Kaliver Rebbe will be available in Queens on Sunday, July 3, 1:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m., at Beth Gavriel, 66-35 108th Street in Forest Hills. For more information, call

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22 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, zt’l

BY RABBI YAIR HOFFMAN AND VINNEWS

The Oheiv Yisrael of the generation has passed on, and we are bereft not only of leadership, but of a leadership that per- sonified an Ahavas Yisrael that knew no bounds. Truly. Rav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, zt’l, the presence of Avrohom Avinu. Avrohom from Rav Michel was the sure sign of suc- chesed, show that chesed yourself in all passed away at 97 and was beloved by all. Avinu and Aharon haKohein—all cess—precisely because of his love for all that you do. Make whatever you are A personal story. Approximately 30 wrapped in one. He took the time to others and his huge gadlus in Torah. teaching a part of you,” he would say. years ago, three young men travelled to speak with each of us, finding out all Rav Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, zt’l, Once I quoted Rav Michel’s mehalech Bnei Brak from Yerushalayim to see the about us, our learning, our families. And was a talmid muvhak of Rav Shlomo in a blatt shiur in Bava Kamma given by a Steipler, zt’l. Before they left, the he did so in a remarkably loving way. Heiman, zt’l, of the greatest of the roshei certain rosh yeshiva. The rosh yeshiva dis- Mashgiach of their yeshiva, Rav Avrohom Never before, or since, had we encoun- yeshiva of the last century. Afterward, Rav missed that mehalech because of what he Kanarek, said, “Please do me a favor. tered such a deep, sincere, and genuine Michel came to Eretz Yisrael, and became perceived as problems. I took it as a per- There is another remarkable gadol in Bnei ahavas Yisrael. After an hour, he asked us a talmid of the Chazon Ish. sonal blow and resolved to stay up the Brak who has written sefarim. They are what our purpose was in coming. We told Rav Michel was a mechanech par excel- whole night if need be thinking how to filled with depth. We need them for the him, but our purpose had now changed. lence, specializing in the equivalent of defend the pshat. At about 3:00 a.m. I had yeshiva’s otzer hasefarim. Please buy Each of us wanted copies of the sefarim our second year high school, teaching in the answer. In the morning, I told that them for the yeshiva. It would also be of this remarkable Oheiv Yisrael. They Ponevech’s Yeshiva. He had American rosh yeshiva and he agreed. Later, I told it kedai to meet him.” were titled Minchas Yehudah. talmidim too. Rav Michel Yehudah under- over to Rav Lefkowitz, zt’l . He smiled lov- The three of us went to Rav We devoured them. And Rav Kanarek’s stood, lived, and breathed chinuch. ingly and said that was indeed the pshat Lefkowitz’s home. It was sparsely fur- assessment, as in everything, was Mechanchim from across the country and he had in mind but did not write it down nished. There were not enough chairs for unequivocally accurate. The profound from abroad would flock to him to pres- in the Minchas Yehudah so as not to con- him and the three of us and the elderly depth of each piece in the Minchas ent a question about a particular talmid, fuse the reader. rav went to the neighbor to bring two Yehudah shone brightly. or for a general derech in how to teach. One accomplishment of the sefer was extra chairs. We protested, but he would His ehrlichkeit, impeccable honesty, His most important lesson to those of us that it was simultaneously very deep and not hear of anything else. and profound love and concern for oth- who sought out his advice was to teach yet very simple too. This is something His hachnasas orchim was so extraordi- ers earned him a huge following among and do things by example. nary that each of us thought we were in the yungerleit of Eretz Yisrael.A berachah “To teach your talmidim to be a ba’al Continued on Page 24

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 23 Rav Lefkowitz Continued from Page 23 that every author would love to accom- plish. Yet few do. Years before modern day mechanchim knew about the importance of building the self esteem of a talmid, he would do it and teach others to do it too. And he believed it. Former talmidim would remark how Rav Michel was the first rebbe who encouraged and believed in them. These were talmidim who had him when he was already past 70. In hearing them describe Rav Michel, one would think that they were referring to a rebbe in his young twenties. Rav Michel Yehudah was a rebbe for well over five decades, and he had talmidim who were the grandchildren of his earlier talmidim. Three generations of talmidim all enjoyed his presence and would speak lovingly and glowingly about him. Two years ago, a sefer came out delin- eating his thoughts on chinuch, on mar- riage, and on all other aspects of life. The lessons in that sefer are both timely and timeless. Centuries from now it will still be used as a sourcebook for da’as Torah guidance in the pathways of life. Not only yungeleit and mechanchim recognized him. Rav Lefkowitz, zt’l, was a member of Degel HaTorah’s Moetzes Gedolei Torah and he was revered by every gadol since the Chazon Ish. Rav Shach, zt’l, and the Steipler held him in the highest regard and esteem. He signed upon a number of kol korehs and tried to give each of them the most profound reflection and thought. Rav Michel Yehudah has two sons and three daughters. All are engaged in har- batzas haTorah. The eldest son, Rav Moshe Dovid, is the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Dovid and the mashgiach in the Yeshiva of Beer Yaakov. His next son, Rav Avrohom Yitzchok, is the rosh yeshiva of Beis Medrash Elyon in Eretz Yisrael. The eldest son-in-law, Reb Binyomin Korlansky, zt’l, who passed away five years ago, served as Rav Lefkowitz’s right hand all his life. He taught side by side with Rav Lefkowitz in Ponevech. His second son-in-law is Rav Binyomin Dovid Elyashiv, shlita, the son of Rav Elyashiv and author of Y ad Binyomin on Shas. The third son-in-law is Rav Moshe Eliyahu Schwartz, the rosh yeshiva of Meor Yitzchok in Chemed. Rav Michel Yehudah leaves us with two legacies. He was a personal example of a modern day Aharon haKohein and an A vrohom Avinu.Yet he also showed us all how one can combine this with out- standing erudition. O

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24 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Palestinians See Delays In Implementing Fatah- Hamas Accord As Bad For Economy

BY SAMUEL SOKOL MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT

The noted Dr. Nabil Kukali of the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion announced recently that almost half of Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip believe that “lingering on the constitution of a transi- tional government would negatively affect the Palestinian economy.” Asked if they believed that in “light of the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas . . . the economic situation in the country would improve, retreat, or remain unchanged,” 48.8% of Palestinians replied that it would be negatively affected. The poll covered a random sample of 1,020 Palestinians 18 years and older. The Palestinians, Kukali stated, “are now hoping that the economic situation in the Palestinian Territories after the reconciliation will improve as it’s expected that the political stability and security should revive the role of the dif- ferent economic sectors such as the local industries, particularly that of tourism, increase the trade exchange between the West Bank and Gaza Strip and encourage investments in the Palestinian Territories.” Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad received good marks in the poll with 55.3% of respondents evaluating his performance in the economic field as “good.” Fayyad was tapped by PA President Abbas as Fatah’s candidate for leadership of the new unity government but was rejected by Hamas who said that the Islamic party would refuse to allow him to lead any new administration due to the persecution of Hamas activists in the West Bank under his watch. “Dr. Kukali showed that there is a cau- tious optimism among the Palestinians with regard to the building of the Palestinian economy after the reconcilia- tion as the rate of the optimists (49.1 %) and that of the pessimists (48.7 %) are almost balanced,” the poll stated. Another poll of West Bank and Gaza residents, conducted by the Jerusalem Media & Communications Center, a Fatah affiliated organization, indicated that support for reconciliation remains high and that Palestinians overwhelming- ly view the Obama administration as biased towards Israeli concerns. Asked if the United States is biased towards Israeli or the Palestinians, 91.8% replied that U.S. policy favors Israel. Following President Obama’s speeches at the State Department and AIPAC, 44.4% of Palestinians indicated that they feel “more pessimistic on finding a solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict.” Despite indicating that it supports the continued use of violence in order to destroy the state of Israel, almost 80 per- cent (79.1) of Palestinians view reconcilia- tion with Hamas as “a positive step that serves the national interests.” By the

Continued on Page 26 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 25 Fatah-Hamas Accord Continued from Page 25 same token, 81.1% of Palestinians were either optimistic or very optimistic regarding the implementation of the rec- onciliation agreement. As in the PCPO poll, the respondents to the JMCC expressed more support for Fayyad to lead a national unity govern- ment than any other “Palestinian inde- pendent figure” with 26.5% of those asked picking him for Prime Minister. Hamas’ Ismail Hanieh came in fourth with only 2.7% of candidates endorsing him for premier. Regarding President Abbas’ stated intention to go to the United Nations for recognition of Palestinian statehood in September, 64.6% of respondents said that the move would be a “good step that serves the Palestinian national interests.” Hamas, which won the last Palestinian elections, came in second to Fatah with only 16.6% of Palestinians polled saying that they trust the Muslim Brotherhood offshoot the most out of all Palestinian factions. Fatah topped the list at 39.2. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine received 2.5% and Islamic Jihad received a meager 1%. Efforts by President Abbas to sideline rival Muhhamad Dahlan has evidently borne fruit as only 1.5% of Palestinians listed him as the Palestinian personality they trust the most. Abbas came in first with 22.2% of Palestinians supporting him and Hamas’ Ismail Hanieh came in second at 13.6%. The largest bloc, 28.5%, stated that they “don’t trust anyone.” O

News From The Hills Continued from Page 21 917-617-3636 or e-mail [email protected]. A new shiur given for women by Rabbi Zvi Lew began this Wednesday night, July 6, and will continue every Wednesday night through August 17, at 8:30 p.m. at Cong. Ahavas Yisroel, 147-02 73rd Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills. The shiurim are free of charge. Call 718-896-8251 for more information. The next meeting of CNG, Community Networking Group, will take place on July 6 at 7:45 a.m. at Bagels and Co., 188th Street and Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows. E-mail me your profession or business information and I will tell you if there is a slot open.

Chavrusa in Israel If you are planning a vacation this summer in Israel and would like a chavrusa for yourself or your son, get in touch with my son, Rabbi Dov Teitz, at 718-689-1637 or 02-643-3862. O

Chanita Teitz is a real-estate broker at Astor Brokerage with offices in Kew Gardens Hills and Fresh Meadows. For all your real-estate needs in Queens, call 718-263-4500 or e-mail [email protected].

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? E-MAIL US AT [email protected]

26 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Swimming Again

I’m back at Avnet Country Day. It has appreciation of Hashem’s creations as been an entire year since I’ve been here, the sun shines on your back as you but it’s like I never left! The Avnet pools glide through the refreshing waters of are my second home. They are famil- an outdoor pool. In our neighborhood, iar—I know all the cracks and crevices, that thrill can typically only be satisfied and I know when they will be welcom- in the summer months (although I do ing and when they might seem a bit try to recreate it on the annual Polar frightening. Bear plunge in Long Beach on For those of my readers who don’t Superbowl Sunday). recall, I spend my summer mornings teaching swimming at Avnet Country Day. After an invigorating morning pool- side, I have even more energy to tackle the important work at Rosenfeld & It is truly satisfying Maidenbaum, LLP. What a great way to spend the summer! to see the smiling It’s exciting to see the various reac- tions the campers have when they return to the pool. Some of my expert faces on the swimmers suddenly have “amnesia” and the new lifeguards on deck who don’t campers as they know the particular children will get the impression that they can’t swim! master a new skill Thank goodness that I’ve been here six- teen seasons—I know better! Then in the pool. there are some youngsters who are sure that they do know how to swim only to find the waters too deep or unfamiliar. We have a lot of work to do this sum- mer, and I know that I will enjoy every How fortunate am I to have a place to minute of it! call “work” while at the same time enjoy- I have an interesting situation at the ing the refreshing waters at the same pool this summer. Amongst my swim time! It is truly satisfying to see the smil- staff are two young women who are ing faces on the campers as they master a daughters of former Avnet lifeguards— new skill in the pool. my former colleagues! How interesting it Another perk to my summer venue is is to see these new lifeguards carrying on the fact that the facility is on the Long the torch of the prior generation. Good Beach boardwalk. Although I have yet to luck Adina and Talia—I know you will actually walk on this particular board- strive to emulate the expertise that your walk this summer, just knowing that we Moms contributed to Avnet. are in such close proximity and that I As for me, I am very glad to have my can breathe in the invigorating ocean own daughter Rochel, joining me at the air at the pool gives my heart a reason to waterfront! She began her tenure at be happy! Avnet as a young eight-month-old with a I hope we at Avnet can impart that mother’s helper, and has traveled through love of the water to all of our campers. her years at Avnet and finally ended up Here’s to a safe, relaxing, educational, and alongside me at the pool. enjoyable summer! O Swimming, as many of my readers Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & know, is my favorite form of exercise. Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst Outdoor swimming is truly my prefer- with her husband Leonard and six children: Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. ence. As cozy as a few laps in an indoor She welcomes your questions and comments at pool might be, nothing replaces the [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 27 28 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

These are the Waters of Strife (Bamidbar 20:13) It is written (Tehillim 66:5): “Come and see the doings of G-d, His awesome plot on the children of man.” For G-d had already decreed that none of that generation shall enter the land… But as soon as Moshe said to them,“Hear now, you rebels…” G-d said to him:“…therefore you will not bring this congrega- tion into the Land…” Thus, it was “an awesome plot.” (Midrash Tanchuma) G-d said to Moshe:“With what face do you request to enter the Land?” This may be illustrated by a parable. It is like the case of a shepherd who went out to feed the king’s flock, and the flock was abducted. When the shepherd sought to enter the royal palace, the king said to him:“If you come in now, what will people say? That it was you who have caused the flock to be carried off!” So, too, did G-d say to Moshe:“Your greatness is that you have taken the 600,000 out of bondage. But you have buried them in the desert and will bring into the land a different generation! This being so, people will think that the generation of the desert have no share in the World to Come! No, better be beside them, and you shall in the time to come enter with them.” Therefore it is written “You shall not bring this congregation…”—rather, you must bring the other, the one that you had taken out of Egypt!

(Midrash Rabbah)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 29 Use direct heat. When cooking meats that take longer to cook, a combination of direct and indirect cooking methods are used—first directly to get grill marks, and then indirectly to the side of the heat source to finish cooking. Most vegetables cook rather quickly, and get- ting that nice char on the outside is what you want to achieve. Closing the lid will help ensure the vegetables are Grilling Veggies cooked through. Have your tools ready. You will need a A couple of weeks ago, my family and With a freshly grilled meal, our candlelit good pair of tongs, baking sheets to I went away for a weekend getaway to Friday-night dinner couldn’t have been spread out sliced vegetables, basting the Poconos with friends. When we better. In the end, our weekend was one brush, oven mitts for handling hot arrived, we were greeted by a neighbor of the most memorable and enjoyable items, metal or wooden skewers for who informed us that because of a vacations we’ve ever had. smaller vegetables, and sometimes a grill recent storm in the area, there was no The beauty of the grill is that you can basket. A grill basket is another great power or running water. She said it was take it anywhere and you don’t have to way to grill vegetables that are too small due to be on by 9 p.m. that evening, but rely on electricity to get it going. It takes and thin to place directly on the grill, it was erev Shabbos and there were no us back to ancient times when food was such as green beans. so they’ll be cooked through. You want guarantees. prepared over an open flame with no Prepare your veggies properly. Slice them to cook through in the time it Preparing for Shabbos with five kids frills or fuss, just the way it was meant to vegetables on a diagonal so they are takes to brown both sides, so slice up and four adults under these conditions be. Almost anything can be made on the longer and don’t fall through the grates. to 1/2” thick. was no small feat, but luckily we came grill. Cooking a variety of vegetables on Make sure to slice them to uniform size Wrap in foil after grilling. To finish off prepared with a grill and a cooler filled the side of the usual burgers and chicken so they all cook in the same amount of vegetables that are thicker, wrap in alu- with food. We stocked up on ice and can- will spice up your repertoire and make time. Don’t cut them so thin that minum foil so that the residual heat will dles and made the best of the situation. grilling a little more interesting. they’ll burn; but not too thick, either, guarantee the veggies are cooked all the way through. They will have a more ten- der and pleasant texture as well. Coat well with oil. It is important to coat your veggies well with oil, either by tossing them in a large bowl or shak- ing them up in a ziplock bag until well coated. This is important for two rea- sons: so the vegetables won’t stick to the grill and to help evenly distribute the heat around the vegetables. This will also prevent dried-out, under- cooked vegetables.

Grilled Summer Vegetable Platter This recipe can be doubled for a larger crowd. Ingredients: 2 red bell peppers, whole 1 bunch asparagus, tough ends removed 4 Portobello mushrooms, and gills removed 3 green zucchini, ends trimmed, sliced on a diagonal 1/2 tsp. to 1 tsp. kosher salt, to taste extra-virgin olive oil for coating 1/2 lemon 2 tsp. fresh basil, mint, or cilantro Directions: Preheat grill to high heat. In a large bowl, toss vegetables carefully with salt and olive oil, making sure not to break the mushrooms and asparagus. Be liberal with the olive oil, making sure vegetables are coated well. Arrange vegetables on the grates so that they are evenly spaced, and close the lid. Cooking times are as follows: aspara- gus, 1 minute per side; bell peppers, 2–3 minutes per side, till blistered; mush- rooms, 5–7 minutes per side; and zuc- chini, 3–4 minutes per side. Make sure you achieve grill marks on the vegeta- bles and they are cooked all the way through. Peel peppers after cooking and cooling, and then slice peppers and mushrooms. Arrange cooked vegetables on serving dish. Drizzle with olive oil and squeeze lemon over top. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Want to learn how to cook delicious gourmet meals right in your own kitchen? Take one-on-one cooking lessons or give a gift to an aspiring cook that you know. For more information, contact Take Home Chef personal chef services by calling 516-508-3663, writing to [email protected], or visiting www.TakeHomeChef.net. 30 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES not my minhag” would really be mislead- boards are meritorious, our Gemara in ing. One of my daughters really hates left- Menachos says that it is a curse. There is a overs and I hope she doesn’t read my arti- verse in Devarim (28:66) that is part of the cle and get any ideas. She doesn’t mind eat- tochachah which states, “Your life will hang ing our relative’s leftovers or a neighbor’s in the balance, and you will be frightened leftovers. There is just something wrong night and day, and you will not be sure of with ours. Perhaps she is makpid on this your livelihood.” Rebbe Chanin expounds very Zohar and can’t stand the fact that we the verse as follows: “Your life will hang in are not in compliance with divrei Kabalah. the balance” refers to an individual who She holds our family to a higher standard! Taster’s Choice While the Zohar advises that empty cup- Continued on Page 33

There are certain minhagim that men should keep in their back pocket. One such example is the mitzvah of tasting Shabbos food on Friday. When your wife asks you why you are touching the food that she worked so hard to prepare, you should state, “I am fulfilling the verse of toameh chayim zachu.” Admittedly, the mitzvah is to taste the Shabbos food to see if it needs more salt or spices, not just to satisfy one’s gastronom- ical urges. But that is just nitpicking. Another custom that is good to follow is the practice of not eating leftovers. If you call home and ask, “What’s for dinner?” and your wife answers, “Leftovers,” your response should be, “It’s not my minhag.” I am exaggerating a bit, but not by much. There is nothing wrong with eating left- overs per se. To wit, the Mishnah Berurah (157:4) quotes the Zohar that states that one should not cook food for the next day, nor leave over food for the next day. The upshot of this practice is that with an empty fridge and pantry, one’s prayers for sustenance will have an added urgency. It also means that you’ll have to visit the supermarket every day. Once the food has already been left over and is available there is no custom not to eat it. So the retort “It’s

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 31 Due to a recent bout of pneumonia, I which basically means that they’re ordi- am on temporary leave from my real- nary folks, just like you and me. Well, estate job. Due to the need for some R & maybe they’re not so ordinary, because if R, I’m forced to take it easy, and, accord- one pays attention to the testimony it ing to conventional wisdom, it will take becomes patently obvious that this is one several weeks to feel strong again. “Take it very dysfunctional family. Nevertheless, slow and don’t push yourself,” one doctor they’re ordinary people and they could be told me. But he didn’t have to tell me, anyone’s next-door neighbors. That’s part because I feel so weak and tired that of the attraction, in addition to which the Courtroom Junkie pushing myself isn’t much of an option. tragedy of the child’s death provides the At any other time I would be filling human-interest angle. these days by reading, sitting at my com- But I’m not so sure of myself this time. As a courtroom-TV junkie, I am having that time, and when I wasn’t working I puter, and doing some television watch- Back when OJ was being grilled, I was the time of my life right now. was shopping, running errands, and ing. Scratch the reading and forget about (and still am) convinced that the former Unfortunately, my unbridled enthusiasm doing all of the mundane things that the computer; I’m spending my life glued football hero offed (more police jargon) for courtroom drama, which is currently many housewives do. But, in late after- to the television and the trial. Not since two innocent people. But in this case, it’s providing me with some much-needed noon, the minute I walked through my OJ’s trial 17 years ago have I been so enter- hard to tell exactly what went down. Did daily entertainment, comes at the front door I would head straight for the tained. This is not comedy nor is there Casey Anthony intentionally kill her own expense of a two-and-a-half-year-old television and tune in to the live court- any music or singing and dancing, so it’s child, or was it an accident? Did the child child. I am mesmerized by the trial of room drama. It was my daily dose of not lighthearted entertainment. It’s seri- drown, as the defense claims, or did she Casey Anthony, a young Florida woman excitement, and I loved every minute of ous business; the woman is on trial for die of an overdose of chloroform, which accused of murdering a little girl back in it. Unfortunately, the end didn’t turn out her life. But I must admit that it both Casey routinely administered in order to June of 2008. The little girl in question as I had hoped it would, and I was devas- entertains me and consumes me. get the tot to sleep so that she could go was her daughter Caylee. tated because OJ walked. (Note: People Unlike OJ’s trial, this hits closer to out and party with friends? In 1994, when OJ Simpson was on trial who watch programs such as Law and home. That might be because Casey It has been established by both the pros- for the murder of his wife Nicole and her Order, Cold Case, The Closer, Forensic Files, Anthony never achieved celebrity status ecution and the defense attorneys that the friend Ron Goldman, I watched as much The Investigators, NCIS, and CSI love (at least she hadn’t until now). And her defendant is a pathological liar; but does of the trial as possible. I was working at using attorney and detective jargon.) family is very much involved in this case, that make her a cold-blooded killer? It has also been shown that her behavior after her child’s death was unlike anything one might expect from a grieving mother. But does that make her a killer? Is she simply a pathological liar, or is she a sociopath? Or maybe she’s a psy- chopath? It would be my pleasure to explain here the difference between the two conditions, but I’m unable to do so because, despite having read about the disorders, I don’t see much of a difference in the symptomatology, which means that I don’t totally understand what I’ve read. The only thing that is clear is that the sociopath tends to be nervous and easily agitated, is unable to hold down jobs, and usually lives on the fringes of society; while the psychopath is likely to have a charming personality, is manipula- tive, and often gains people’s trust. The rest of it is confusing to me. Having long ago willingly confessed that I’m a person who vacillates, I have no shame in admitting that I revise my opin- ion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant with the testimony of each new witness. Normally I confuse others with my inability to make a decision and stick with it, but now it’s gotten to the point where I’m confusing myself! A life hangs in the balance here, and if that isn’t cause to be open to everything, what is? On the other hand, I’m not on the jury, so what I think or what I decide doesn’t make a difference. Court is normally in session Monday through Friday, but last Friday I learned that the judge declared that court would be in session on Saturday. I was so disappoint- ed about having to miss the Shabbos ses- sion. On Sunday, however, I learned that the Saturday session never happened. There was a problem that caused the judge to cancel court and send everyone home until Monday. I was thrilled that I didn’t miss anything, but I doubt that the sequestered jurors saw it that way, as they were stuck in their hotel rooms with noth- ing to do for 48 hours. Hopefully someone got up a mah-jongg game. I would have. Court resumed Monday morning, and for one heart-stopping moment it appeared that the trial might be halted. The judge had canceled the Saturday ses-

Continued on Page 36 32 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES DAF YOMI INSIGHTS curse or blessing. If an individual takes Continued from Page 31 advantage of his empty kitchen to develop a relationship with Hashem, then there is has enough food for one year but is unsure no greater berachah. Hashem gave the dor about the following year. “You will be hamidbar a chance to come ever closer to frightened night and day” refers to an indi- Him and to develop a relationship with vidual that always purchases food on a Him. They developed true bitachon, weekly basis and worries about attaining reliance on Him, as a son relies on his food for the following week. “Your life will father. This relationship engenders true hang in the balance” refers to an individual happiness and bliss. On the other hand, an Color Power who buys food daily. He constantly worries individual who has no bitachon or reliance if he will have funds to purchase food for on Hashem, is truly cursed. If his cupboard No matter how many homes you walk to almost any paint job by adding sharp the following day. This verse refers to a is bare, he doesn’t know where tomorrow’s into, each one has a color scheme which contrast to the wall color. It can also give punishment that Hashem will mete out if food will come from. His days are filled portrays the homeowner’s personality as the illusion that the space is bigger than his mitzvos are not followed. with cumbersome worry and fear. That reflected by the designs and colors being its physical dimensions. How is it possible that a situation that truly is a living Gehinom. showcased from room to room. Amazing to think that color can repre- the Zohar considers advantageous could We should view all the trials and tribula- I read an article written by a color sent so many moods and feelings with- simultaneously be considered a curse? tions that we as humans inevitably suffer expert at the Paint Quality Institute in out ever uttering a word! O Further, this was the exact situation that from as a chance to develop a true relation- Philadelphia, and although I have always Hashem lovingly put the dor hamidbar in! ship with Hashem. Once we reach the realized that color reflects the mood of a Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a Each day the Bnei Yisrael had to daven for highest level of bitachon, we will no longer room, I was struck by how she presented licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. sustenance. They had to pray daily that the have to eat leftovers. O mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, this and decided to share it with you. offering full-service residential and commercial man would come down from the Heavens. Paint can powerfully alter the mood of real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and There were no leftovers from the man Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz mortgaging services (First Meridian Mortgage) in Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead a room. “In fact, paint color is so power- the Five Towns and throughout the tri-state area. available to be eaten the next day. Was this and runs a high-school program in Brooklyn She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or via her considered a punishment? called TIA–Torah In Action, designed to make website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are Torah more exciting through weekly outings to encouraged to send questions or comments to R’ Chaim Shmulevitz states that in fact see halachah come to life. He can be contacted at the very same scenario could either be a “You can [email protected]. [email protected]. take comfort in purple’s proven ability to stimulate brain activity.”

ful that it can influence not just our state of mind but even our physiology,” says Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute. Purple. Zimmer suggests that people reserve this color for their daughter’s room. “Odds are she’ll love it, and you can take comfort in purple’s proven ability to stimulate brain activity,” she says. Blue. Blue has been shown to slow pulse rate and lower body temperature, making it great for bedrooms. “The ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, and many other peoples used color to heal.” Green. Popular and versatile, green has a soothing effect. It also represents renewal, youth, and vigor. “Because it is calming, green paint is a good color choice for the bedroom,” Zimmer says. Yellow. Great interior color! It imparts happiness and optimism. Studies have shown that the brain actually releases more serotonin when the eye takes in yel- low, creating positive psychological vibes. Orange. More attention-getting than yellow, orange has an energy and warmth. Muddy shades are useful in many rooms, but vivid tones may appear raw and flamboyant. Red. It bespeaks energy and excite- ment, actually making the heart beat faster. Because red is associated with desire and passion, it’s a perfect color for dining rooms and master bedrooms, says Zimmer. What about non-colors? Black is a great accent color indoors or out, imparting elegance, formality, and sophistication. But don’t get carried away; too much black can be depressing. White conveys peace, simplicity, and spaciousness. It can provide a crisp finish 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 33 This week’s letter is being answered by stems from that insecure, anxious place Jennifer Mann, LMSW. of self-doubt? I think many readers, espe- Dear Jennifer, cially girls and women, can relate to you. I am at a crossroads with my friend Many of us have found ourselves in a Gitty. I met Gitty a few years back and we relationship where we allow another to have become good friends. I hate to think consistently berate us, no matter how this, but I believe her to be jealous of me. minor or insignificant the nature of the It is very important that you understand comment. The question is why we allow it. that I am not one to feel that people are I will give you my opinion of Gitty’s jealous of me. As a matter of fact, I proba- remarks, but more importantly I want to bly suffer slightly from low self-esteem. address the person who allows the remarks. I’m always apologizing for everything I I don’t know anything about Gitty do, whether it’s when I serve a Shabbos other than what you have presented. meal to company, when I’m at work, or Hopefully she is a lovely human being in with my family. My husband can’t stand many other ways that you have not men- it when I apologize for the chicken being tioned, and that is why you choose to too dry. I never feel that I am up to par, in give her the gift of your friendship. From many ways. So you can imagine my sur- the way you describe Gitty, it seems to prise when I began to notice that Gitty me that there are two insecure people in has been exhibiting some jealousy this relationship. toward me. Your insecurities manifest internally.

It seems to me that there are two insecure people in this relationship.

For the past few years or so—well, actu- You experience doubt, worrying about ally, since I’ve known her—if I ever get your part in interactions and whom you something or my child does something may have offended. Gitty’s insecurities noteworthy, she immediately is conde- manifest externally via jealousy, rude scending but in a very roundabout way. comments, and the need to “one up” you. When she says it, I mostly do not notice it As hard as it may be for a sensitive, caring right away but begin to question her and person like you to understand this, people myself afterward. My husband bought me who consistently give “zugs” (below-the- a special necklace for our 15th anniversary, belt comments) feel just fine afterward; and Gitty asked to see it. I showed it to her they may even feel the release of pent-up and she told me that she would have insecurity of which they are unaware. picked out something different. When I Gitty places her own insecurities on told her how well my son did in the sixth you and feels better for the moment. For grade, she was quick to inform me that example, imagine the following conversa- seventh grade is much more difficult. tion between you and Gitty. I am always doubting myself in my Chavi: “I just got these new shoes at interactions, so I wanted to get my hus- Loehmann’s for a great steal!” band’s opinion. I was surprised to hear Gitty: “I love those shoes! But I’m not a that he thinks Gitty has always been like bargain shopper.” this but I am just noticing it now. He In this imaginary conversation, if Gitty thinks I am being too sensitive and weren’t jealous or insecure she would be should just let it roll off my shoulders. So able to tell you how much she loves your I am left questioning my friendship with shoes, period, without including that last Gitty, her intentions, and why I don’t comment about herself. She did that to have a thicker skin or more confidence. you in both the necklace and sixth/sev- Should I stop sharing my simchas with enth-grade scenarios. Finally, Gitty may her? Do you think she may feel that I be completely unaware that she has have shown off in any way? Should I offended you in the slightest and might even be worried about this, or is it very deny having ever made those comments trivial and silly? to you in the first place. Sincerely, And now, Chavi, the spotlight is on you. Chavi We all want to feel acknowledged in our Dear Chavi, relationships and, dare I say it, made to Gitty’s insensitive remarks are of con- feel special. If Gitty does the opposite and cern to you, enough for you to write me. is depleting you, then perhaps you may This tells me the issue is neither trivial want to ask yourself what you are gaining nor silly, and we are all certainly entitled from this relationship. What is it that has to our worries, whatever they may be. kept you from speaking up in the past? You mention that you are an overly What is it that allows you to tolerate her apologetic person and feel you suffer behavior? I encourage you to speak up and from low self-esteem. Am I off base to feel find your voice with her. Tell her you don’t that asking if your worries are trivial like her comments, ask her to stop, and 34 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES then see if she does. Next time only one over whom you have good friend should be your she jabs, kindly but firmly call any real control. biggest supporter, you have to her out on it. So, take the reins and change be your own number-one fan. She may completely surprise things u—and speak up! It’s Sincerely, you and stop this negative your choice, but if you let it fes- Jennifer Your Ad behavior altogether. Give her a ter and never address the issue, I chance to be a better friend, if have a sneaking suspicion the P.S. Next time you are serving you desire. At the same time, be Gittys of the world won’t be dry chicken, whether real or imag- prepared that she may not live done with you. The universe has ined, take a deep breath, throw Could Be Here. up to the challenge. And then a way of teaching us a lesson, caution to the wind, and tell your the choice is yours as to and the relationships we are in guests, “This is the best chicken whether you want to go on with and the encounters we have are you’ve ever tasted!” Comfortable? the status quo or get out of the never coincidental and often No! Liberating? Yes! Call 516-569-0502 relationship. You may feel fear- feel familiar. This is no easy task Jennifer Mann, LMSW, is a social ful that she won’t live up and and there is no quick fix. It will worker at Ohel. She can be reached at you will lose a friend. That is a take time and practice. While a 718-908-0512 for private coaching. very scary and uncomfortable possibility, one over which you have no control. You mentioned that you are overly apologetic, and I feel this is important to address as it directly relates to the issues in your relationship with Chavi. “Sorry, the chicken is dry.” “Sorry, I didn’t have a chance to clean the bathroom.” “Sorry, I can’t stay for three hours of unpaid overtime.” “Sorry, I can’t take you to your fourth playdate this week.” You can’t control if your guests like your food or whether they will talk about your dry chicken on the walk home. You can’t control if your children are disappointed or think you are the worst mother in the world (assuming you aren’t). By apolo- gizing to everyone and not ver- balizing your true feelings to Gitty, you have lost yourself, the

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 35 any control over foreign policy in the THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! South Carolina Legislature United States, the measure is a harsh Continued from Page 32 indictment of the President’s current han- Unanimously Endorses “United Israel” dling of affairs in the region. sion because he wanted the defendant Clemmons stated that he has sent to have a competency testing. He copies of the bill to neighboring states appointed three professionals—a psy- BY SAMUEL SOKOL “the State of South Carolina and the and that “while I have not yet heard back chologist, a forensic psychologist, and a nation of Israel have enjoyed cordial and from other states, I’m hopeful that my psychiatrist—to interview her and ren- The South Carolina state legislature mutually beneficial relations since 1948, a resolution will encourage others to speak der an opinion. I held my breath as I has unanimously passed a bill calling on friendship that continues to strengthen out to show American solidarity with the waited for him to make the report. She the state of Israel to retain control over with each passing year.” people of Israel.” was judged to be competent and the trial the West Bank and highlighting what it A copy of the bill was also sent to will resume. terms the “cordial and mutually benefi- Settlement Council head Danny Dayan, As of this writing, the prosecution cial relations” enjoyed by Israel and who read from it publically at a sympo- has long since rested its case and the South Carolina since 1948. “While I have not yet sium in Jerusalem promoting Israeli defense attorneys are getting ready to The bill, which was authored by annexation of the West Bank. wrap up theirs. Next comes the rebuttal Representative Alan Clemmons (R), was heard back from other “My hope was to show the people of part of the trial, which will be followed adopted on June 2 and was intended as Israel that while South Carolina is a by the summations. So it appears that it an indictment of President Obama’s states, I’m hopeful small state, with an even smaller Jewish won’t be long before the start of jury Middle East policy, Rep. Clemmons told population, they were not alone in their deliberations. the Five Towns Jewish Times in an exclu- that my resolution struggles,” Clemmons told the Five And where am I in all this? I’m hoping sive interview. Towns Jewish Times. “That average hot- that things go my way. While I desperate- The state lawmaker took issue with will encourage others dog-and-apple-pie-eating-Americans rec- ly want to feel stronger as soon as possi- the President’s belief that Jerusalem must ognize that Israel’s hero-settlers are set- ble and get back to my normal routine, be divided and that Israel return to the to speak out.” tling and defending the lands inherited that would mean spending most of the 1967 lines, he said. from their forefathers, who received it day out of my house, and I don’t want to Obama “said that that was what the from G-d, and that we support them in miss a minute of the conclusion of this American people wanted. I remember their efforts.” trial. Hopefully, I’ll feel better at the exact that I said to my wife when I heard this Quoting several Biblical verses and “The residents of Israel’s settlements moment the trial concludes! Once the on Fox News, ‘that’s not what the citing the importance of scripture have long reminded me of the American jury goes into deliberations, I don’t need American people who I know want!’ The among Christians, the bill resolved that Pioneers of the Western United States in to watch any longer. I would be fine with next day I started drafting the “the members of this body support Israel the latter half of the 19th Century.” hearing the verdict when it comes over Resolution.” in their natural and God-given right of Peace “cannot come through divi- the airwaves on my car radio or wherever Clemmons “visited personally with self-governance and self-defense upon sion,” Clemmons told the Five Towns I happen to be. each of the 124 members of the South their own lands, recognizing that Israel Jewish Times, explaining that he and I certainly hope everyone involved Carolina House of Representatives to is neither an attacking force nor an occu- his constituents “believe that peace will take my recovery schedule into invite their support,” he said. “Many pier of the lands of others, and that in the region can only come to a consideration. O chose to cosponsor the bill, which later peace can be afforded the region only united Israel with one law for all of passed unanimously.” through a united Israel governed under her citizens.” Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with According to the bill, Israel’s enemies one law for all people.” The Palestinian Authority did not Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at are also those of the United States and While local legislatures do not enjoy respond to requests for comment. O [email protected] or 516-902-3733.

36 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 37 a full breakfast; a BBQ on the course; a Israel Advocacy Program Coming cocktail hour reception, and sit-down To North Woodmere, July 6 awards dinner at the conclusion of the The National Council of Young Israel, tournament, when the winning four- the Young Israel of North Woodmere, and somes and raffle winners were the David Project are presenting two spe- announced and the prizes awarded. cial programs focusing on Israel advocacy. Winners included: first place four- The first program, “The ABCs of Israel some Danny Abrams, Dan Lewis, Baruch Advocacy: Understanding the Mideast Ohel Golf Classic Benefits Children and perfect weather matched the perfect Kleinman, and David Braka; second place Conflict,” took place on Wednesday, June A great day of golfing fun, camaraderie enthusiasm and fun had by all players foursome Donny Frenkel, Michael 29. The second program, “Advocacy for a great cause, and great prizes, give- and sponsors at the event. Rosenthal, Josh Greenbaum, and Ohad Training: Responding to the 30-Second aways, and sumptuous food took place Best of all—all proceeds benefitted Rosenthal; and third place foursome Sound Byte,” will take place on recently at the Glen Oaks Country Club in Ohel’s Children Home and Family Gregory Rhein, David Flamholtz, Eli Wednesday, July 6 at 8:45 p.m. at the Old Westbury when more than 200 Services—a winning event for players Goldschmidt, and Shawn Rosenthal. Young Israel of North Woodmere, which golfers teed off to benefit Ohel. Players and Ohel. President of Infinity Land Services is located at 634 Hungry Harbor Road in were spread out over three 9-hole courses A fantastic day featured a scramble for- LLC, Marc Herskowitz, sponsored the North Woodmere. and there were contests for the top four- mat; special gifts for every golfer, includ- Ping Putters. “I’m honored to be the Ping The programs are part of the somes, closest to the pin, longest drive, ing a Ping Putter, courtesy of Infinity Putter sponsor at this premier golf event. renowned Israel advocacy series, and hole-in-one as the players competed Land Services LLC; and numerous raffles My business associates, colleagues, and “Winning the War of Words: Become an in the tournament. The clear blue skies with super prizes. Hungry golfers enjoyed friends are proud to support Ohel and Effective Advocate for Israel,” which is had a wonderful day golfing at this won- presented by the National Council of derful tournament. It gives me great Young Israel and the David Project. pleasure to know that my sponsorship Participants will learn about the skills helps an Ohel child and family and I am and strategies needed to be effective glad that many of my friends and col- advocates for Israel in their schools, leagues who joined for the day learned places of employment, and communities. about this great organization and how it The program will focus on the education makes a difference in the lives of so many and training necessary to properly com- individuals and families,” said Ohel board bat the wave of anti-Semitism that has member Marc Herskowitz. resulted from the Arab-Israeli conflict. Golf Classic proceeds will benefit the The programs are presented by Rabbi thousands of children and families served Bini Maryles, a noted educator and well- by Ohel Children’s Home and Family known Israel advocate. The programs are Services. Ohel acknowledges the dedicat- free of charge and open to all. Advance ed chairpersons and Golf Classic commit- registration is requested. Refreshments tee headed by Ben Englander, Izzy will be served. The programs are being Kaufman, Mordy Schwartz, Jonathan sponsored by the Friedlander family in Marks, and Michelle Sulzberger, who loving memory of Suzanne Friedlander. worked tirelessly to create this special To register, or for more information, Ohel Golf Classic committee (L–R): Ben Englander, Mordy Schwartz, Michelle Sulzberger, event for a special cause. Ohel also is visit youngisrael.org/content/yiadvocacy Jonathan Marks, and Izzy Kaufman. grateful to its many corporate sponsors. O .cfm, call the National Council of Young

38 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Israel at 212-929-1525, ext. 100, or e-mail their position, for instance being [email protected]. O denied government funding for their social service projects. Agudath Israel Decries This is especially surprising, consider- “Capitulation” Of NYS Legislature ing that the law does extend such protec- on Marriage tions with respect to a religious organiza- Friday night’s decision in Albany that tion’s refusal to make its facilities or serv- New York State will follow the example ices available for a same-sex marriage cer- of five other states, the District of emony. Why wasn’t the same protection Columbia, and an Indian tribe in against penalty also made available with Oregon and will issue marriage licenses respect to a religious organization’s to couples of the same gender was employment policies? denounced by Agudath Israel of America “What is more, the law offers no pro- as a “capitulation to a lamentable con- tection whatsoever to religious individu- temporary Zeitgeist.” als. If a wedding-hall owner or baker con- The national Orthodox Jewish organi- siders a same-sex ceremony to violate his zation’s executive vice-president, Rabbi or her sincere religious convictions and Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, warned that the opts to not provide services to a same-sex legislation not only decrees “an couple, that will, outrageously, constitute ‘Orwellian’ redefinition of marriage” in a violation of state law.” the Empire State but endangers the reli- Asks Rabbi Zwiebel: “Since when are gious rights of Orthodox Jews and other individuals less entitled to religious liber- traditionalists. ty protection than organizations and Although the legislation includes cer- institutions?” tain limited protections for religious Over recent weeks, Agudath Israel organizations and educational institu- mobilized New York members of its con- tions, the Agudath Israel leader said that stituency—New York’s population “unfortunately, in the realm of the practi- includes the largest concentration of cal, granting religious organizations per- Orthodox Jews in the country—to let mission to act in accordance with the their legislators know their views on the tenets of their faiths—who would have matter of redefining marriage. In addi- ever thought that such ‘concession’ tion, organizational officials spent several would ever be necessary in a free coun- days in Albany meeting with key legisla- try?—is insufficient to protect New tors and government leaders. Yorkers’ religious rights. Agudath Israel also laid out for mem- “For one thing, while the law per- bers of the New York State Assembly and mits religious groups to not recognize Senate the moral case against redefining same-sex marriages with regard to their marriage; forwarded a statement signed employment policies and employees’ by Agudath Israel and five other benefits, it does nothing to protect such groups from being penalized for Continued on Page 40

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 39 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the eternal truths of Sinai, they have no of Lawrence (Rabbi Gruber’s Shul) for a attitude that enabled the program to be Continued from Page 39 permanence or value. leaders’ appreciation dinner. JIL is a free so successful this year. Each JIL leader “Let us use this shocking development mentoring program that pairs public was then presented with a certificate of Orthodox Jewish groups (Central to remind at least ourselves, as believing school children and yeshiva students, appreciation for her countless hours of Rabbinical Congress of the U.S.A. and Jews, that right and wrong are deter- with branches throughout Long Island hard work, along with a sefer, Lilmod Canada, National Council of Young Israel, mined not by partisan politicians but by and many other areas of the U.S. It is Ulilamed on Nevi’im, as a token of grat- Rabbinical Alliance of America, humankind’s Creator.” O part of the Jewish Education Program itude from the JEP-LI office. As JIL coor- Rabbinical Council of America, Union of of Long Island (JEP-LI) kiruv network dinator Yehudis Moskowitz called up Orthodox Jewish Congregations of Celebrating JIL that includes Camp Nageela. After a the leaders of each branch to receive America) expressing the unanimous con- By Shira Leff, TAG Senior scrumptious spread courtesy of Carlos their gifts, clapping and cheering viction of Orthodoxy in support of tradi- JIL Oceanside Head ’10-11 & Gabby’s, Rabbi Yitzchok Wurem, resounded throughout the room, a tional marriage; and circulated a compre- The room was small, but the ruach director of operations at JEP-LI, spoke reflection of the enthusiasm these stu- hensive analysis, by six law academics, of was anything but slight. On Monday, to the gathered JIL leaders. He dents brought to the organization. how a redefinition of marriage without June 13, over 50 high school volunteers expressed hakaras hatov on behalf of After the certificates and sefarim were adequate safeguards would conflict with of the Jewish Individual Learning (JIL) the JEP administration for the girls’ distributed, the leaders were treated to a religious liberties. program convened at Bais Avrohom Zev incredible devotion, ruach, and positive moving speaker who highlighted the Religious rights ramifications aside, Rabbi Zwiebel averred that “the passage of this law tragically illustrates how flimsy the notion of ‘morality’ is in a secular society. “What was once universally acknowl- edged as a deviant lifestyle is now grant- ed the name marriage—just as what was once considered murder is today simply a woman’s constitutionally protected ‘right’ to ‘reproductive freedom.’ When moral standards are disconnected from JEP’s Jewish Individual Learning program

effects of their tremendous efforts. Shaina Kaye, currently a ninth grader at John F. Kennedy public high school, had attended the Plainview JIL location for three years in elementary school. She told the girls how the JIL program had first ignited her spark for Judaism. In that weekly hourlong session, she learned that Judaism was fun and Orthodox girls could be normal. Shaina related how the JIL leaders, along with the Camp Nageela staff, had inspired her to grow more committed to Judaism as she matured. She contrasted her JIL experience to other Hebrew schools that distanced kids from Judaism rather than facilitating their commitment. As she currently attends public high school, Shaina shared with the audience how she keeps Torah and mitzvos to the best of her ability, and brought tears to her listeners’ eyes as she told of her walk to and from school on Shavuos, trekking over 12 miles over two days to refrain from desecrating the yom tov. Rabbi Dovid Greenblatt, executive board chairman of JEP-LI, concluded the program with a few words. He said it is an honor to assist JEP-LI in any way possible because he sees how much the organiza- tion accomplishes. The girls walked away from the dinner feeling deeply moved with a newfound appreciation of their efforts and influence. The Jewish Individualized Learning Program (JIL) is one of JEP-LI’s year- round programs. Over 75 high school girls from TAG, SKA, Shevach, and TMM volunteer each week to spread Torah, traveling to locations as far as Brookville, Merrick, Great Neck, Roslyn, and Plainview or teaching in the local Hewlett and Oceanside area. Additionally, close to 50 yeshiva high school boys from YFR, South Shore, DRS, Tiferes Yisrael, and Chofetz Chaim in Manalapan teach Torah across the tri-state and New Jersey area. Dedicated post-high school vol- unteers carve time out of their busy schedules to drive the JIL leaders to their various locales. JEP-LI would like to express hakaras hatov to all those who helped make the JIL Program a tremendous success this year! O 40 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES RCCS Annual Garden Barbecue college credits for courses they already The Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society held took with COPE to facilitate their earning its Ninth Annual Barbecue hosted by Aron a B.S. in business with a concentration in and Rachel Solomon/Tuli and Rachel accounting. This 120 credit degree, with Tepfer on June 5 in support of the hun- an additional 30 credits, will allow stu- dreds of cancer-stricken patients in our dents to sit for the uniform CPA exam as communities. All proceeds are being used well as fulfill the education requirement to subsidize insurance policies for cancer for CPA licensure in New York. This is patients within the Five Towns and Far done through a combination of college- Rockaway. Nearly 250 attended the event level classes and Jewish subject exams.” O which featured Rick Catering and a wine tasting courtesy of Chateau de Vin. Jerusalem Municipality Issues Nine years ago, a group of young people Order To Halt Construction Of sought to make a difference. The Young Illegal Mosque On Har Hazeitim Initiative Committee (YIC) of Queens was The Jerusalem Municipality, headed by formed by Chaim Kurz in an effort to sup- Mayor Nir Barkat, has issued a “stop port the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society order” on construction of a mosque a (RCCS). Since then, the committee has mere 10 feet from the gravesite of former expanded and contributed to an ever Prime Minister Menachem Begin on Har An illegally constructed mosque just 10 feet from the gravesite of the late prime minister spreading cause. Shlomo Z. Weiss, chair- Hazeitim. The order, made public Menachem Begin is nearing completion on Har Hazeitim. man of the Cedarhurst/Woodmere branch, Wednesday afternoon, called for all those introduced the evening and thanked involved in the construction to “cease all everyone for their attendance and contin- building activity” at the site. The illegal The mayor’s order to halt construc- Brooklyn activist and businessman, ued support. construction is to expand the Ras al- tion comes in the wake of a letter sent noted that the situation on Har Rabbi Feiner and Rabbi Hershel Amud Mosque, much of it built illegally by the International Committee for the Hazeitim continues to deteriorate, say- Kohn, founder of RCCS, both described on Israeli land, which is part of the 3,000- Preservation of Har Hazeitim to Mayor ing, “Local Arabs have worked around the lifesaving efforts on behalf of the year-old cemetery that includes some Barkat. In the letter, the committee, patients being helped right here in our 100,000 graves. headed by Mr. Avrohom Lubinsky, a Continued on Page 42 community. Together they proved to us that every dollar contributed to RCCS can make a difference. Over the past 13 years, the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society has paid approximately $25 million on behalf of cancer-stricken patients, resulting in half a billion dollars of medical care. In the past 12 months, a total of 320 patients were paid for, 16 of them from the Five Towns and Far Rockaway; over $200,000 in insurance pre- miums were covered for these patients. If you missed the event, you can still donate to the cause that saves lives and help someone in our community afford the healthcare necessary to fight cancer. For further information about the RCCS, visit www.rofehcholim.org. O

COPE Women’s CPA Students Hear About Maintaining Spirituality In The Workplace Women in COPE’s CPA program partici- pated in a seminar conducted by Mrs. Ahuvah Ribner, CPA, a comptroller at Tessler Developments. This important and well-received workshop was for CPA stu- dents who graduated from COPE’s junior accounting program, and who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree at COPE to enable them to sit for the New York State CPA exam. Drawing on real life anecdotes to make her point, as well as literature in the field, Mrs. Ribner discussed appropriate guide- lines for maintaining a professional rela- tionship with colleagues and business associates. She offered suggestions for recognizing the potential pitfalls women will encounter in the professional world, and stressed the importance of maintain- ing a rapport with a mentor or rabbi who can offer advice and guidance. “The positive feedback indicates that students recognize that COPE offers a unique situation that is in keeping with the mission of Agudath Israel, and that lectures like this set COPE apart from other programs,” says Yaakov Gelbard, assistant director for marketing and development. “Students commented that ethics, morality, and integrity can never be stressed too much to young women on the brink of entering the workforce.” COPE Education Services was designed to help eligible COPE Institute alumni advance their careers by utilizing 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 41 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS HAFTR Class of 2011 Continued from Page 41 HAFTR High School’s Class of 2011 cele- brated their graduation with more than the clock to complete this mosque 1,500 attendees on Thursday evening, June which will distort the Jerusalem the 23, at York College Performing Arts Center. Prime Minister so cherished . . . Instead Featured speakers included valedictorian of the peace and tranquility that the Rebecca Klahr and salutatorian Lauren sanctity of the area deserves, it will be Hoffman. Faculty members presented dis- violated by Muslim worshipers who will tinguished scholar, outstanding scholar, no doubt use the access roads to Har and special awards to exceptional stu- Hazeitim as a parking lot.” The letter dents. Ms. Naomi Lippman, principal, gen- firmly requested that Mayor Barkat eral studies, and Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, “urgently put a stop to this ultimate des- principal, Judaic studies, awarded diplo- ecration of our ancient cemetery, to the mas to the 109 graduates along with almost defilement of the burial site of a nation- 30 alumni parents who presented diplo- al leader, and to the total disregard for mas to their graduating child. HAFTR wish- national and municipal laws.” es the new alumni a wonderful summer In addition to being built right near and good luck in their future endeavors. O graves on Har Hazeitim, the expansion of the mosque would have meant that Berel Schwartzblatt, z’l: A Life Of Arab worshipers would turn Har Sweetness And Song Hazeitim into a parking lot, further By Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, Kehillas Bais denying mourners and visitors the Yehudah Zvi respect normally accorded to people vis- The sweet music ended on Friday. iting a cemetery. It would have obstruct- Berel Schwartzblatt lived a life of shi- ed the view of the Jerusalem that Mr. rah and harmony. Davening beautifully Begin so loved and cherished. for the amud, leading shalosh seudos, Mr. Lubinsky expressed the hope that mesibos, and kumsitzes or making a the police in Jerusalem would move sholom zochor come alive, Berel elevated swiftly to enforce the order, putting a every event into an opportunity to sing halt to the desecration of Har Hazeitim Hashem’s praises. But he was no DJ, CD by seeing to it that the entire illegal player, or human juke-box. The joy that he structure is summarily dismantled. He felt at everyone’s simcha was real and pal- said that the ICPHH in the U.S. and Israel pable. One of the reasons virtually every- would continue to monitor the situa- one loved Berel was “kamayim hapanim tion. Mr. Lubinsky added, “We congratu- lapanim” (Mishlei 27:19) that everyone late the mayor and the municipality for knew that Berel loved them totally, with taking this action and implore the police no conditions, “ahavah she’einah teluyah to quickly put an end to this shameful b’davar” (Pirkei Avos 5:16). disregard for the holiest and oldest Who was Berel Schwartzblatt? I con- Jewish cemetery.” O fess that I did not know, for who can HAFTR High School Class of 2011

42 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES know an angel? As many of us looked final parashah, parashas Korach. During the 2010-2011 academic year, “Through this incredible program, the back these devastating few days of his On the way back from the levayah of some 400 teens have participated in J- next generation of leaders is not only shivah, we realized that we had never put the Sefas Emes, his eldest son, the future Teen Leadership initiatives. This year’s inspired to share our commitment to social it all together. The endless ahavas Yisrael, Gerrer Rebbe, the Imrei Emes, remarked efforts have included a social-action trip action—they’re actually doing it,” Medin the ceaseless simchas hachaim, the con- to his brother, Reb Moshe Betzalel, “der to Nashville to help flood victims; a teen- continued. “They’re helping to strengthen stant emunah and bitachon, the ubiqui- tatte hut gehat arichas yomim”—our led humanitarian trip to Havana, Cuba, communities and they’re caring for the vul- tous sever panim yafos, the perpetual dan father lived long. Reb Moshe Betzalel where teens raised more than $6,000 for nerable who rely on the generosity and l’chaf zchus, were simply superhuman. In looked incredulous, for the Sefas Emes supplies and donations; participation in a goodwill of others for a better life.” addition, I can testify that during his long had died young. Reb Avrohom Mordechai literacy carnival and book giveaway at The grant will help expand and assist valiant battle with his dreaded illness, vir- turned to his brother and responded to the Eugenio Maria de Hostos J-Teen Leadership as it collaborates tually none of these middos were dimin- the unasked question, “not long years, Microsociety School in Yonkers; and with other teen providers throughout ished by an iota. So, who was Berel? I but long days. He made every day count.” involvement in the Teen Philanthropy the community, such as synagogues, think maybe now I understand a bit bet- Berel, too, will not be forgotten by the Summit: Facing Hunger and Poverty. Jewish community centers, and other ter. He was one of those tzadikim whom young men of our bachurim minyan, According to the recently released youth movements. O Hashem plants in every generation (Yoma which he led with mesiras nefesh and “Volunteering + Values, Repair the World”’ 38b). His holy neshamah did not need to inspiration. He will not be forgotten by study on Jewish young adults, only 10 per- Shavuos In The Five Towns come down to earth. We were the ones anyone who benefitted from one of his cent of Jewish young adults indicated Once again, a standing-room-only who needed to encounter him, even if for incandescent smiles. He will not be for- that their primary volunteer commit- crowd came to hear the Ten a tragically brief time. gotten by anyone who heard him lift his ment was organized by Jewish organiza- Commandments at the Jean Fischman I don’t know if this is any consola- voice to Hashem in shir and shevach. tions. A substantial number of respon- Chabad of the Five Towns and enjoy the tion to his wonderful partner in life, May his dear family be consoled by the dents—23 percent—indicated that their delicious dairy buffet and ice cream party Mindy, or his amazing children Aliza, eternal legacy he left behind. lack of familiarity with volunteer oppor- sponsored by the Popack family. This Eli, and Avi, but they were chosen by HaMakom yenachem eschem b’soch tunities available through the Jewish year, Hewlett residents could enjoy as Hashem to be his vehicle for influenc- shaar avlei Tziyon v’Yerushalayim. O community was a major reason they did well with an ice cream party at SKA pre- ing all of us, because of their own good- not volunteer with Jewish organizations. sented by the Chabad Hewlett division. ness and special middos. UJA-Federation Of New York There is also the perception among Over 150 children and adults participated One of Berel’s shining moments every Fosters Teen Leadership And this cohort that Jewish organizations do and Rabbi Tenenboim thanks Rabbi week was shalosh seudos, when his face Social Action Through Major Grant not address causes that most resonate Wolowik and SKA for their help with this was radiant with the joy of kedushah, as As part of its commitment to encour- with them. J-Teen Leadership, where the successful event. O he led us rapturously from nigun to aging the next generation of leaders, teens choose and organize their volun- nigun. For his shattered family, for his UJA-Federation of New York has com- teer activities, offers a Jewish community Rambam Graduation: grieving friends, his 46 years on this earth mitted a major grant to J-Teen vehicle that speaks to the causes that Tradition Meets New Tradition were far too short. But for him, they were Leadership. J-Teen Leadership is a pro- most interest them. On June 20, Rambam Mesivta graduat- replete with accomplishment, growth, gram that provides a platform for teens “UJA-Federation’s mission involves car- ed its 16th class in a student-led night of inspiration, and, above all, the harmony to develop a collective voice, address ing for people in need, inspiring a passion humor, warmth, and celebration of of thousands of beautiful melodies join- issues confronting society, connect to for Jewish life and learning, and strength- Torah, middos, and excellence. ing into one symphony of praise to his one another, and be agents of change in ening Jewish communities, and J-Teen Following renditions of Hatikvah and beloved Creator. repairing the world. Recognizing that Leadership is an initiative that speaks to the Star Spangled Banner by seniors Jason Last Shabbos, that excruciating day teens are critical thinkers who can all legs of this mission,” said Mark Medin, Giller, Azariah Hacohen, and Abie Lieber, after his passing, I shared with our shul mobilize their peers, J-Teen Leadership UJA-Federation’s senior vice president for the words of the Lev Simcha, in Berel’s is organized and led by teens. financial resources development. Continued on Page 44

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 43 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS in a Hesder Yeshiva, commemorating Continued from Page 43 Yom HaShoah at Yad Vashem, and visiting the graves of fallen Israeli soldiers. He the night’s masters of ceremonies, seniors also stressed that this graduating class Aaron Kattan and Yosef Rosenthal, enter- once again followed in the tradition of tained the assembled crowd of hundreds previous graduating classes in netting of rebbeim, teachers, and family, with approximately $40,000 per capita in aca- props and light-hearted jokes about their demic scholarships. experiences in Rambam. They introduced Rabbi Friedman and Rabbi Eliach the rosh mesivta, Rabbi Zev Meir shared a few kind words highlighting the Friedman, who shared with the boys interests and accomplishments of each words of guidance and Torah. He exhort- graduate as he approached the stage to ed the boys to, above all else, continue to receive his diploma. The students were conduct themselves as bnei Torah in also given Masters of the Mesorah: Early Israel, college, and beyond. Rishonim, by Rabbi Zechariah Fendel, a’h, Salutatorian and Intel semifinalist and the book Endless Miracles, which Nathan Akhavan addressed the gradua- Rambam’s graduation mezinka. chronicles the story of Jack Ratz, tion class by paying tribute to the style of Holocaust survivor and grandfather of his rebbi, Rabbi Jonathan Muskat, by graduating senior Aaron Fine. beginning his speech with a joke. He tran- Benjamin Goldman; and Computer Steinfeld; National Merit Scholarship Mr. Goldman concluded the night’s fes- sitioned into delivering a very moving Science: Dovid Septimus. Program Commended Students: Benjamin tivities by inaugurating a new Rambam speech in which he thanked his parents, Awards for Merit, Service, and Goldman, Chezky Hartman, Elisha Pearl, Mesivta tradition: the graduation mezin- rebbeim, and teachers for helping him Excellence. Mr. Jack Isseroff Memorial David Salman, and Yechiel Schwab; The ka. The school took the opportunity to achieve his success. Award: Shmuel Berkovitz and Eliyahu Lawrence Association Community Service recognize parents who had sent all of After Nathan’s oration, Rabbi Petrikovsky; Dr. Howie Guterman Award: Chezky Hartman; and Long Island their sons to Rambam and were now Friedman, principal Rabbi Yotav Eliach, Memorial Chesed Award: Aaron Kattan; Blood Services 2011 High School Blood graduating their youngest son. Dr. and assistant principal Hillel Goldman, and Mr. Marvin Hochbaum Memorial Award: Drive Scholarship: Aaron Kattan. Mrs. Alan and Mona Goldman, Mr. and director of college guidance Mr. Ira J. Daniel Zargari; Moshe Litvintchouk Following the senior awards ceremo- Mrs. Alan and Shaindy Hammer, and Mr. Schildkraut distributed the following Lema’an Achai V’Reiai Memorial Award: ny, the valedictorian, Yechiel Schwab, and Mrs. Howard and Esti Schwab were merit-based awards: Aaron Kattan; Yomam V’layla Award: took the stage and proceeded to deliver a called up to receive certificates that read: Awards for Excellence in Limudei Azariah Hacohen; Oseik B’Tzarchei Tzibur beautiful dvar Torah as well as a complex “This award acknowledges your contin- Kodesh. Gemara B’Iyun: Yechiel Schwab; Award: Elisha Pearl and Yechiel Schwab; guide explaining “How To Become ued commitment to the Rambam Gemara B’kius: Elisha Pearl; Halacha: V’Halachta B’Drachav Award: Nachum Valedictorian.” Mesivta and your confidence in us that Nathan Akhavan; Tanach: Daniel Lichtman; Zachor Award: Evan Linder; Since virtually all of the boys from the each of your sons, each in his own way, Blickstein; Masmid: Elliot Steinfeld; and The Torah Communications Network senior class will be studying in Israel next would receive the unique education and Doresh Emes: Yosef Roth. Kesser Shem Tov Award: Chezky Hartman; year, additional words of advice were warmth he deserves. Several sons, but Awards for Overall Excellence. The MVP Award: Yosef Rosenthal; Nassau then shared by Rabbi Eliach who out- one home and one family devoted to one Sciences: Nathan Akhavan and Benjamin County Office of the Comptroller lined a list of things that must be experi- school.” The mezinka music was then Goldman; The Math: Josh Herzberg; Achievement Award: Andrew Lustbader; enced in Israel next year by the boys who played as the surprised, elated, and appre- Social Sciences: Azariah Hacohen and New York State Scholarship for Academic would be learning there. They included, ciative parents accepted their awards. David Salman; English Literature: Excellence: Jacob Rogelberg and Elliot among other things, spending a Shabbos The masters of ceremonies announced

44 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

that the official graduation was over and Featuring a superb staff of profession- everyone proceeded to an adjacent room al, dedicated rebbeim, L’TOV will match for refreshments. Every student had his your son with a rebbe who will learn with own cake with his name on it, which him at the time and location of your allowed for each family to share in a little choice, at your convenience. Ensure your private nachas before the music started, child’s Torah future by contacting and dancing broke out. Learning Torah on Vacation (L’TOV) to As the graduates danced with fathers, customize a daily learning schedule for grandfathers, their friends, teachers, and your child that will maintain his bren for rebbeim, the feeling of accomplishment learning, while working with your vaca- was palpable. The Rambam class of tion plans. Torah never takes a vacation! 2011/5771 leaves behind a legacy of leader- For further information, visit ship, middos tovos, and academic excel- www.torahonvacation.com. Have a lence that is in a class by itself. O wonderful, well-deserved, Torah- enriched vacation! O Summer Of Much Content: Learning Torah On Vacation Unity For The Jewish People Is Not Maintains The Momentum A Dream By Rochelle Maruch Miller By Shoshana Lesser As parents who are yirei Shamayim If there ever was a personality who is and shomrei Torah u’mitzvos, imbuing our capable of unifying Jews across the children with a love and enthusiasm for board, it is the charismatic Rav Simcha learning Torah is of paramount impor- Hakohen Kook, who today is not only tance to us. We invest our energy, efforts, Rehovot’s chief rabbi, but also the rav of and time working in tandem with our the famous Churva shul in the heart of sons’ rebbeim and yeshivos, doing every- the Old City of Jerusalem. thing we can to ensure that our children On Friday nights, Rav Kook can be seen grow in learning and in middos. With in this historic shul lecturing to groups of meticulous attention to every detail, we soldiers on Jewish Torah values. The painstakingly select what we feel will be young men come up to the old Jewish the best yeshiva to provide the ideal quarter after having prayed at the Kotel. learning environment for our sons to As they enter the shul, it is an emotional “shteig” in learning. moment. Standing in front of them with Great is the nachas that we derive as his welcoming smile is the rabbi whose we take pride in our sons, who represent own ancestors settled in the houses the very essence of bnei Torah. around. How fitting that after years of Throughout the academic year, learning involvement in directing the rebuilding is the focal point of a yeshiva boy’s day. of the shul, Rav Kook should be chosen as But as the school year draws to an end the rav to preside over a magnet that and the glorious, sun-drenched summer draws thousands of Jews every year. days beckon, parents begin planning fam- Interviewed in a rare spare moment, ily vacations. Inundated with a plethora (“spare “meaning on one of his many car of travel, lodging, and touring plans to journeys and just before a hesped he had consider when planning a yom tov or to give!) Rav Kook recalled that his great summer vacation in Israel, it is vital for grandfather on his mother’s side was Rav parents to accord the same attention to Boruch Mandelbaum, rav of Tureva in their sons’ learning schedule as they do Russia, and had a great love for the Holy throughout the year. After all, limud Torah Land. On his way to settle in Jerusalem, never takes a vacation. he managed to get an appointment with Which is precisely what makes the great philanthropist Baron Learning Torah On Vacation (L’TOV) so Rothschild in Paris. The result: the baron unique. The brainchild of Rabbi Raphael built 50 housing units in the impover- Monczyk, who brings over a decade of ished city, enabling many great sages to experience successfully teaching boys make their home in what came to be from diverse backgrounds, L’TOV can called “Batey Machase.” Batey Machase is ensure that your child will maintain his in the Old City of Jerusalem near Yeshivat academic momentum while on vacation. HaKotel and part of it is used today as the Originally from Far Rockaway, Rabbi Silberman School. “My great-grandfather Monczyk has resided in Yerushalayim wrote a book of halachot, dedicating it to with his wife, Sara, and their six children Baron Rothschild in gratitude. Later, my for the past 16 years. He learned in grandfather, Rav Simcha Mandelbaum Yeshivos South Shore, Ner Yisroel, Mercaz whose home later became the famous HaTorah, Sh’or Yoshuv, and Mir. After Mandelbaum Gate after the War of learning with vacationing boys in Independence, opened up a sock factory Yerushalayim for several years, Rabbi for Jerusalem women who much needed Monczyk realized the need to make more employment,” Rav Kook related. parents aware of his unique program; Over the years, the family has indeed hence, Learning Torah On Vacation had links with many parts of Israel, (L’TOV) was created. including strong roots in Tiberias, where “Families come to Israel for the sum- Rav Kook’s father was the Chief Rabbi. mer and yom tov,” Rabbi Monczyk Today, his grandson, the saintly Rabbi explained. “They make arrangements for Dov Kook, and his family are spreading an apartment, hotel, food, car, and plane the light of the Torah, and Tiberias has trips. While planning a vacation, it’s undergone a virtual spiritual revolution important to arrange time for your son to in recent years. learn Torah, in order to maintain the Rav Kook, in his early eighties (but momentum and the level he’s reached with a schedule that would leave anyone during the year. We will work with you breathless), is not only involved with within the parameters of your vacation Jerusalem and Rehovot, but also in many schedule and be available where you activities on the national front. It was he want and when you want, making who convinced the Sharon government arrangements for Gemara, Mishnayos, not to demolish the shuls in Gush Katif. Navi, halacha, kriyas haTorah, or any other topic of interest to you.” Continued on Page 46 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS ing. And perhaps the greatest aspect of his community, and every individual suffers race or religion and that did not prohibit Continued from Page 45 vibrant and caring personality is that he from this top-down educational system add-ons or impose detailed regulations is able to give each Jew he meets the feel- that runs contrary to America’s founding on start-up service providers would end Creating a spirit of unity, it was Rav Kook ing that he counts. principles of limited government and up helping the poor more than a charity who years later sparked the campaign to Rav Kook will be our guest in maximum individual liberty. voucher—not instantly, but after a brief match each Israeli soldier who set out to Lawrence from Sunday, July 3– Even the United Nation recognized, in period as competition did its work. Just fight in Gaza with a Jew in the world Wednesday, July 6 and will be hosted by the Universal Declaration of Human as the breakup of the Ma Bell monopoly who would pray specifically for him. And David and Barbara Martin. O Rights, Article 26, that “Parents have a led to a revolution in communications, a what of the thousands of pairs of tzitzit prior right to choose the kind of educa- breakup of the school monopoly would that were distributed among the soldiers, Overturning Sodom tion that shall be given to their children.” lead to a revolution in schooling.” giving them spiritual protection in those By Israel Teitelbaum There is no greater government-sanc- This bill is now being cosponsored by terrible days? Rectifying any situation requires us to tioned violation of civil rights in America Senators Michael Doherty (LD23), Steven Rav Kook tells of the miraculous event determine the source of the problem. than denial of parental choice in educa- Oroho (24), Robert Singer (30), and Gerald that occurred when, during the Following thousands of years of accepted tion. Keith Benson, vice-president, Cardinale (39), along with Assemblymen Operation Cast Lead Gaza War in January family practice, how did we regress—in Camden County East NAACP, recently Domenick DiCicco (3), Michael Patrick 2009, an Israeli helicopter mistook Israeli less than one generation—to Sodom’s wrote, “Emancipation was choice for the Carroll (25), and Alex DeCroce (26). soldiers for terrorists. As the helicopter moral standard of 3,800 years ago? body—free from the oppression of forced This bill could not have come at a better swooped down on the “terrorists,” the The obvious source is our nation’s edu- participation in unproductive labor. time. Now that the family, which compris- Israeli soldiers realized what was about cational system, where children are School Choice is choice for the mind— es the very fabric of society, is fighting for to happen and in that pivotal moment taught not only reading, writing, and free from the oppression of forced partic- survival, the restoration of parental rights had the inspiration to take out their tzitz- arithmetic. Educrats have taken it upon ipation in unproductive schools. The to raise and educate their children with it and wave them in the air. Thus their themselves to entirely replace parents in effects are the same.” minimal government intrusion is desper- identity was suddenly recognized and all cultural matters, including family Senator Anthony Bucco, Sr., and his ately needed. New Jersey voters now have their lives were saved! practices formerly regarded as strictly the son, Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, Jr., of the opportunity to promote this bill by Other areas of Rav Kook’s involvement domain of parents. This transfer of juris- New Jersey’s 25th District, are spearhead- calling their State Legislators (800-792-8630) include giving shiurim to the secular diction can be traced to President John F. ing legislation to correct this injustice. to urge them to cosponsor the bill. Municipality, inviting members of the Kennedy’s Executive Order 10988, in They are prime sponsors of the NJ New York voters also have the opportu- police force for get-togethers, and being January 1962, that guaranteed to public Parental Rights Program Act (A4033/S2914), nity to urge their representatives to spon- right out there to comfort the belea- employees the right to organize as which would provide parental choice and sor a similar bill in the New York State guered S’derot residents or neglected and unions, inclusive of collective bargaining. equal educational opportunity for every Legislature. They can find their State forgotten Gush Katif evacuees. This gave teachers’ unions the power to child in New Jersey by having the educa- Assemblymen at 800-792-8630, and their Many Russian immigrants will recall take control of our nation’s educational tional funding follow the child to the State Senators at 518-455-2800. O emotional moments at refusnik reunions system, ultimately leading to control of school of the parents’ choosing. Israel Teitelbaum serves as secretary of Alliance hosted in Rav Kook’s dining room. His the media, culture, and most government This is the first bill of its kind in all of for Free Choice in Education. He can be reached home, open to secular and religious alike, entities—with devastating results. America that follows most precisely the at [email protected]. is an embodiment of his belief in the Along with the decline of our culture plan urged by the late, great free-enter- future of the Jewish nation. and government ethics has come a steady prise economist Milton Friedman. “An Reb Yaakov Barzideh “Lounges” In Always there to answer a question or decline in the quality of life, such as educational voucher of reasonable size, Great Neck encourage and strengthen in his unique increased crime, enormous costs for though less than the current government Fifteen years ago in Great Neck, there modest, gentle manner, it isn’t surprising social programs, and weakened American spending per student, that was available lived a boy. He was a Jewish Persian that Rav Kook’s phone never stops ring- leadership abroad. All the world, every to all students regardless of income or youth enrolled in the Great Neck public

46 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES school system where he made a name for trek he has. He is compelled to quell the means pizza, sushi, and plenty of nosh). Carlebach at the age of five. Despite his himself as a champion, award-winning agitation with action. Languishing on The draw, aside from being a place to tender age (or perhaps because of it), wrestler. His name was Jackie Barzideh. the sofa, bemoaning the fate of family “chill out”, is the opportunity to connect Yehudah immediately connected with At some point, Jackie got hold of the and friends, is just not his way. So, utiliz- to Jackie/R’ Yaakov. Shlomo’s sincere—almost spiritual— children’s sefer, The Little Midrash Says, ing his G-d-given talents and his inner Recently, Charlie Harary was the fea- soulfulness on a truly “organic” level. and began to read the “stories”. He was drive, R’ Yaakov has been a one-man kiruv tured speaker. Approximately 100 people Rather than imitate it, his youthful inno- particularly drawn to the story of force in Great Neck for the last 10 years. attended, filling the lounge to capacity. As cence and exuberance enabled him to Avraham—a young boy who had the He befriends Persian youth, offering Mr. Harary is known to do, he appealed to “absorb” its essence into his “musical emotional and intellectual maturity to them the stability of a wise mentor, pro- the kids on a visceral level—talking to DNA” and ultimately into his signature recognize that life had more to offer than viding them with the “cool” factor they them about how to make Hashem a real performance style. that to which he had been exposed. need to feel comfortable and the fire in presence in their lives and why they must The concert is being presented in con- Jackie began to feel the same way. Sure, his soul which yearns to kindle the flame live and love life in the moment. The junction with the Young Israel of Long he enjoyed wrestling. He really loved in theirs. impression he made was simply electrify- Beach. The concert will take place on the wrestling. And his cool clothes. And hang- R’ Yaakov is a star in Great Neck. He is ing. Mr. Harary was surrounded by kids at boardwalk and Long Beach Boulevard on ing out with his friends. But, he knew popular, beloved, and respected by the the conclusion of his speech, asking—no, Monday night, July 11 at 8:00 p.m. This somehow that life had to add up to more young members of the community. beseeching—for more insights and inspi- event will serve as a welcome to the than the sum of those parts. “Hey, Jackie!” “How’s it goin’, Jackie?” In ration. The Persian culture is an emotion- many families who come to Long Beach He began to ask questions of any rabbi stores, on the street, wherever they al one. There is an inherent attachment to to enjoy their summer vacations. It is just he could find. Jackie was clearly being meet their coolest of cool rabbis, he is spirituality which becomes evident once one of the many activities and special guided by Hashem, because all the rabbis greeted with genuine love. R’ Yaakov has you just lightly graze the surface. Their events being planned at the Young Israel he “found” just happened to be Orthodox. used this powerful connection to send respect for rabbis is legendary, as is their this summer. All their answers pointed him in one some of the kids to Eretz Yisrael to learn pride in the religiosity of their ancestors During the summer months, there is a direction—Torah study. Torah, they all in Aish HaTorah and Neveh despite the in Iran. All they need is more people like large influx of families from the greater said, will help you locate what your soul typically strong familial resistance. His Yaakov Barzideh to ignite what’s smolder- metropolitan area that come to the City seeks. So, at 18, Jackie enrolled himself in most recent venture is a lounge, most ing right beneath the surface. O by the Sea to enjoy the magnificent Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv, determined to find appropriately called “The Lounge”. The boardwalk, relaxing atmosphere, and out what his hero, Avraham Avinu, had Lounge is located at 770 Middle Neck YILB Annual Concert By The Sea, amenities. The Young Israel of Long discovered almost 4,000 years ago. Road, an easily accessible area in Great July 11 Beach sees as part of its overall mission Now, 14 years later, Rabbi Yaakov Neck and is appointed in the style his The City of Long Beach will kick off the need to provide for the overall reli- Barzideh is still learning in Sh’or Yoshuv. clientele appreciates. Comfortable its 2011 annual summer concert series gious, spiritual, social, and cultural needs He is married, b’H, to a lovely Ashkenazi couches are scattered around the room, on the boardwalk with the music of of the summer guests. To meet this girl who is the product of a frum home pop-art pictures enhance the wall space, Yehuda Green. responsibility, the Young Israel has insti- and a Beis Yaakov education. They have and sleek, modern light cubes add While the world of Jewish music has tuted several programs and initiatives. O an adorable son. Yet, all is not perfect in atmosphere to the room. It is in this become saturated with “Shlomo-style” R’ Yaakov’s world. According to a reliable lounge that, for the first time, Jackie’s performances and performers, none have Being Frum And Being A Caregiver source, in just one of the Great Neck pub- kids can gather on a regular basis for the captured the hearts and souls of audi- “The need is tremendous and keeps lic high schools, there are at least 1,000 events he arranges. Sometimes he will ences around the world with the soft-spo- growing by the day,” says Rabbi Boruch Jewish students. R’ Yaakov is in a con- show them a film about Eretz Yisrael; ken success of Yehudah Green. Ber Bender, describing the challenges stant state of agitation about these and sometimes he’ll hire a dynamic speaker; Born to a prominent Chassidic family that face the frum caregiver today. other members of his Persian communi- sometimes they have game night; and, in Jerusalem, Yehudah received his first ty who have not yet made the spiritual always, there is good food (that usually exposure to the music of Reb Shlomo Continued on Page 48

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS our Chumash class (Sefer Devarim, Continued from Page 47 parashas Re’eh.) During the in-depth learning of this topic, the morah con- “People are thrust into a confusing maze stantly emphasized that everyone can be of issues that must be handled properly, involved in the mitzvah of tzedakah while each decision is fraught with emo- since, in essence, tzedakah is not only tional turmoil over the well-being of their about helping others monetarily but also loved one.” helping in any area someone is lacking! As founder of Achiezer Community In addition, we learned numerous ways Resource Center in Far Rockaway, Rabbi in which we can practically contribute Bender has seen the number of care- money. Now comes the exciting part . . . givers seeking assistance steadily climb we put our learning into practice! A over the past two years. “The increase in “Tzedakah Campaign” was launched and full- or part-time caregivers in our com- we were challenged to come up with a munity is not surprising, given the over- clear and realistic plan as to how we can all increase throughout the country. But help the community or raise money for the unique challenges that a frum per- an important cause. Groups were formed; son faces when caring for an elderly rel- we eagerly thought of ideas, and then ative or parent are something that needs over the past few months we got to see our community’s attention. People are our dreams come into reality. simply overwhelmed and don’t know Flyers were hung up encouraging stu- where to turn.” dents, teachers, and the entire communi- Mrs. Dasi From, Achiezer’s staff social ty to bring in clothing for a clothing drive. worker, agrees. “The responsibility is Many bags were collected and the girls daunting. Changes have to be made to felt a sense of accomplishment as they the home and family life is drastically loaded the bags into the organizations’ altered. Medications must be given care- vans. Tamar Genuth reflected on her suc- fully, doctors’ appointments abound, cessful campaign and said, “If you have finances and insurance must be man- extra clothing and you are not using it, aged. The list goes on and on. And after all then why not give it to people who can of that, the caregiver has to figure out actually benefit from it?” As people how to carve out some time for spouse, cleared their homes of chametz, one children, and family.” group organized a pre-Pesach food drive. At the behest of its board of directors, The girls thought of this plan after hear- Achiezer decided to address some of ing their shul rav explain how the neigh- these difficulties. The single most com- borhood food bank was low. Talia mon problem they have encountered is Edelman, one of the girls involved in col- that people are simply unaware of all of lecting for the food drive, said, “There are the resources available to caregivers. many people who don’t have food and “There are organizations that maintain aren’t as fortunate as we are. It’s nice to entire offices just to assist families in this know I am helping people who live in my situation. Achiezer is now acting as a community. I really enjoyed it!” clearinghouse for caregivers’ needs as Other groups made creative “Shabbat- well as filling in the gaps in services left grams” and “friendship-grams.” They sold open by other organizations.” them for a small amount and spread hap- Aside from its ongoing assistance for piness as they placed them on their class- people in need of insurance and medical mates’ lockers, along with some candy. advice, Achiezer is presenting a major One of the places they chose to give their event next month for frum caregivers in proceeds to is the Hebrew Free Burial the New York area. ElderCare 2011 will be Association, as they wanted to help the first event of its kind, bringing togeth- ensure that all Jews are given a proper er experts from a variety of fields to edu- burial. Other items were also sold for a cate the public about vital information nominal fee, like the gifts one group sold they need to give the best care possible to before Mothers’ Day. Picture frames and their loved ones. It will give participants other lovely things that moms would access to renowned professionals who appreciate were bought in the dollar deal with our community, and address store and then sold for a bit more (we issues that specifically affect the frum also learned some good business tactics!) caregiver. That group raised around $150 that will Rabbi Bender is very bold in his goal be given to Chai Lifeline. The girls were for ElderCare 2011. “Achiezer was created blown away by their successful sales over to tackle community needs that were just a few lunch periods. One of the lead- not being met, and, as we have seen, ers of that group, Charlotte Bassalian, rec- caregiving is certainly an area that needs ognized “that it is easy to help and it more awareness. ElderCare 2011 is just makes you feel good!” the beginning. We are going to A few more campaigns were geared announce two new valuable initiatives towards helping sick children. An array at the event, both of which can have a of fun art projects and toys were pur- great impact on the lives of people who chased and will now be able to bring joy care for a loved one.” and entertain the children in Winthrop “I strongly urge anyone who is facing Hospital. After much planning, time, the challenge of caregiving to call our and phone calls, the girls excitedly deliv- office at 516-791-4444 or visit Achiezer.org ered their goods to the child life center. to sign up for Eldercare 2011. It’s an event It was an experience that they say they that you cannot afford to miss.” O will remember forever. As Avital Listman said, “I have never felt so good HANC Middle School Changes The ever . . . it was so amazing being able to World One Mitzvah At A Time give to the children there and bring By The Eighth-Grade Talmidot smiles to their faces!” Often tzedakah is thought of as a mitz- Yad Eliezer has a program in which, vah that is mainly applicable to adults, as by giving just one dollar, you can feed a one would think you have to “make baby in Israel who suffers from malnu- money to give money.” This past year, we trition. Eliana Kaufman and Allison learned about the mitzvah of tzedakah in Weinick aspired to collect $360 in order 48 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

L–R: Avital Listman, the Child Life specialist at Winthrop University Hospital, Lauren Selevan, and Eliana Liebman with the toys they just donated to the Child Life room. to be able to feed a baby for an entire Shatzman, for all her guidance and year. With enthusiasm and dedication encouragement throughout each cam- they approached classmates, teachers, paign. Morah Shatzman explained, “I neighbors, and relatives. Over a pretty want my students to recognize that they short amount of time they surpassed have the potential to significantly help their goal! Eliana said that she learned others. They are the leaders of the from the project, “You only need to take future and, hopefully, now they have a a few minutes each day to do a monu- little more confidence to organize pro- mental good deed.” grams that will enhance the world. I am Donating old eyeglasses and deliver- very proud of all my talmidot. It is amaz- ing cards to nursing home residents are ing what teenagers can accomplish just some more of the many tzedakah when they are motivated!” It looks like campaigns that were designed and the message was learned, as Brielle implemented this year by the girls of Broder reflected on the results from the the class of 2011! Thank you to our dedi- food drive, “I learned that children real- cated principal, Rabbi Elliot Hecht, for ly can make a difference!” O his constant support. Thank you to our Chumash teacher, Morah Daniella Continued on Page 50

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the missions department along the way. Pomegranate’s Chef Boris Grills Up Continued from Page 49 She feels fortunate to have personal- A Great Time For Ohel Bais Ezra ly visited almost every aspect of SibShop Participants Fran Hirmes Begins Her Term As Emunah’s work in Israel: from the Fifteen girls, aged 10-16, came together Emunah National President babies’ emergency shelter, to the chil- this Monday evening, June 27, for an Fran Hirmes of Woodsburgh began her dren’s homes, day care centers, counsel- evening of delicious fun coordinated by term as national president of Emunah of ing centers, midrashot, high schools, Ohel Bais Ezra’s SibShop Program, gra- America on July 1, succeeding Mindy college, emergency crisis centers, and ciously hosted by Pomegranate Kosher Stein of Teaneck, who will assume the the golden age centers. Supermarket in Brooklyn. role of chairman of the board. Fran brings Fran heralds from a family that has Ohel Bais Ezra’s SibShop program pro- to the leadership role of Emunah of long been deeply entrenched in Zionism vides dynamic support groups and servic- America her strong background in Jewish and charitable activities. Her grandpar- es for the brothers and sisters of children activism, volunteerism, and prior leader- ents were among the founders of Yeshiva and young adults with disabilities. ship roles both within Emunah and other of Flatbush, and her parents, Lennard, Pomegranate’s accomplished Chef important Jewish institutions. a’h, and Sissy Greenberg, were involved Boris (the market’s talented chef and a Her sense of excitement about assum- in the Hillel School (which is now contestant on Hell’s Kitchen) taught the ing her new role as national president of Fran Hirmes HAFTR) the school that Fran attended. As budding chefs how to prepare healthy Emunah is obvious. “I feel extremely a youth, she was very involved with the and easy summer fare, including grilled proud to have the opportunity to make a Zionist youth group, Betar. She graduat- fish, spicy marinades, fresh vegetables, difference, help in new ways, and move Zionism committee of the school. “As ed from St. Johns University undergradu- and a luscious fruit salad. Kitchen safe- the organization forward. I want others part of the trip, we visited Bet Elazraki ate and law school, then embarked on a ty and cleanliness, safe knife-handling to share in this opportunity too,” she says (Emunah’s children’s home in Netanya). career in law with the U.S. skills, and appropriate use of kitchen with fervor. “People know a little, but We were just blown away by what we Environmental Protection Agency. Her and grilling fire sources were also on don’t really know the full scope of how saw,” Fran recalls. community activities included serving as the menu. Emunah influences the daily lives of so After returning to the U.S., Fran decid- president of the sisterhood of the Young The cooking program was one of ten many Israelis. I want to help change that.” ed she wanted to make a difference in the Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. sessions designed to bring girls—all of She looks forward to initiating new lives of the children she had met. While Fran is married to Alan Hirmes, a real whom have siblings who are develop- directives which will help move the she continued organizing Emunah/ estate investment banker, former presi- mentally disabled—from across organization to new heights, reaching out HAFTR missions to Israel, her work at dent of HAFTR, and they have two chil- Brooklyn neighborhoods together, to to many new friends throughout the Emunah grew to organizing a wide vari- dren, Justin, married to Riki, parents of participate in recreational and educa- country—an initiative set by her prede- ety of missions. She was committed to Zev and Shayna, and daughter Kim, mar- tional activities, learn from each other, cessor, Mindy Stein. “Bringing Emunah’s bringing as many people as possible to ried to Chaim. Fran’s in-laws, Greta and share their challenges, and enjoy the mission to new communities is vital. witness firsthand what she had just seen Eli Hirmes have had a long history of company of new friends. Emunah accomplishes an extraordinary for herself—the life-changing work being Jewish/Zionist involvement as well. They Separate groups have been formed for amount of social welfare and educational done for the children who had suffered were and are involved with the Hillel fathers and mothers. While SibShop par- work in Israel. When people learn about so much in the past. For nine years, she School/HAFTR, YU, Bar Ilan University, ticipants come from diverse back- the extent of our work, they will want to has continued to successfully move the Congregation Beth Sholom, and serve in grounds, neighborhoods, and schools, get involved,” Fran predicts. missions department forward, together numerous community service roles. they share the experience as the sibling Her involvement with Emunah began with Melanie Oelbaum, the department Her hobbies include photography, of someone with a disability. The chance 10 years ago during a HAFTR mission to chairman and honorary national presi- hiking, sports, and, of course, her to talk openly about their experiences, Israel which she initiated as chair of the dent, assuming the role of co-chairman of grandchildren. O continue to break down stigmas and

50 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES stereotypes, and support each other is a special and important opportunity. Despite his own challenges—last week Chef Boris broke his leg!—he conveyed, “I couldn’t disappoint these girls!” His shared culinary skills, great sense of humor, warmth, and commitment to help the community through Ohel Bais Ezra SibShop participants endeared him to all. “This food is awesome!” said one new cooking enthusiast. “I never had grilled fruit before, but I’m going to try it at home with my mom and siblings,” said another. “I like shopping here. I’ll be back with my mom to buy some of the ingredients.” After the demo, the girls headed to the Ohel Bais Ezra Day Hab Center in Brooklyn for pizza and games. But, their time at Pomegranate hasn’t ended. The evening was so terrific for the girls and for Chef Boris—who leads these sessions as an Ohel volunteer—that he has invited them back for a pre-Rosh Hashanah cooking demo! Staff and participants thank Gabe Boxer, general manager of Pomegranate, for his help with this special evening and for his ongoing concern and dedication for providing for the food needs of Ohel Bais Ezra’s consumers. Ohel’s SibShop program receives no government funding and is part of Ohel Bais Ezra’s commitment to serve the needs of all family members. They are proud to partner with Pomegranate Kosher Supermarket, which has long shared their dedication to the communi- ty and a commitment to quality service. For more information about SibShop support groups for the brothers and sis- ters of children with disabilities, please contact Batsheva Gutwirth at 718-686-3497 or e-mail [email protected]. O

Goldfeder Gains Early Support By Eli Shapiro There has been a lot of buzz in recent weeks about the candidacy of Y. Phillip Goldfeder for the New York State Assembly seat vacated by Audrey Pheffer. While the campaign will officially kick off at an event on July 11 at the home Mr. and Mrs. Zvi Bloom, that did not stop the many friends and supporters of Phil Goldfeder from having a pre-campaign reception at the home of Leah and Naftali

Phillip and Esther Goldfeder with daughter Eliana and son Asher.

Solomon. Participants had the opportuni- ty to meet individually with Mr. Goldfeder and talk about the issues and concerns they had for the future of the 23rd Assembly District. Mr. Goldfeder reinforced his commitment to responsive

Continued on Page 52 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 51 government and community service. Phil Goldfeder brings with him years of experience, having worked in the City Council, for NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and for U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Phil’s knowledge of the politi- cal process and his relationships in gov- ernment are unparalleled. His many years of dedicated service to community have resulted in many accolades, includ- ing the “Top 40 Under 40” award by City Hall News in 2009. His work on behalf of the greater Rockaway community has benefited residents and organizations in the community. As a husband and a father of two, L–R: Phillip Goldfeder and event host Phil also understands the needs of fam- Naftali Solomon.

L–R: Richard Altabe, Phillip Goldfeder, and Rabbi Dov Silver of Madraigos.

ilies and has already shown an ability Come out on July 11 and show your sup- to cut through the red tape to help our port for Phil Goldfeder. Help Phil help yeshivas, which ultimately helps us all. our community. O Running In Their Parents’ Footsteps

Liat Brody (L) of Great Neck, daughter of activists Dr. Paul and Drora Brody (chairpersons of the recent 18th Annual Israel Day Concert in Central Park) and Stephanie Weprin (R) of Holliswood, daughter of Assemblyman David Weprin and Mrs. Ronnie Weprin, each came in first place in their respective age divisions at the 11th Annual L’Chaim 5K Run/Walk for Israel, hosted by the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates, which raised substantial funds to assist many Israeli victims of terror. 52 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

An Interview With Noam Shalit Last July, as my family celebrated the corner, I expected to learn of a frenzy of fourth anniversary of our aliyah, I wrote an activities, rallies, and demonstrations article for the Five Towns Jewish Times being orchestrated by the family and was about Gilad’s fourth anniversary in captivi- surprised to learn that they were not plan- ty, which was marked just days before our ning any major events to mark the date. anniversary (the article, “Sitting Alone in a According to Aynat, “We have chosen not Room,” was updated for the second issue to mark that day because there hasn’t been of Koleinu, available at www.issuu.com/ any efficacy in marking that in the past.” koleinu). I reflected upon our personal Although their efforts at PR and aware- accomplishments and the many mile- ness have definitely been successful, I stones we had passed in the years since our noted that they have not achieved their aliyah. I was amazed to reflect upon the ultimate goal and asked Aynat what the tremendous growth our children have average person can do to help. She undergone here. I added that in all that replied, “We believe that the primary rea- time, with all that has passed for our fami- son that results have not happened yet, is ly, Gilad Shalit has been a prisoner some- because Bibi Netanyahu is using a tactic where, in unknown but certainly unpleas- of scaring the Israeli population . . . ant (at best) conditions. where if we release terrorists, we are I feel an inextricable link to Gilad endangering everybody else.” She added, Shalit. Each time a milestone of his cap- “It’s not that we are eager to release these tivity passes, a similar milestone passes terrorists . . . but it has been five years for our family. As the June 25 anniversary and nothing has happened, not militarily marking five years in captivity for Gilad and not diplomatically. As we know, Shalit approached, I sat down with Aynat politicians work off of what they believe Libman (a volunteer who helps deal with is public opinion . . . The more we can English-speaking media and other let them know . . . that this is something English PR issues) and then Gilad’s father, that has widespread support, I think that Noam, to discuss their efforts, the is what we as individuals can do.” upcoming anniversary, and how they are She also invited people to visit moving forward. With the fifth anniversary around the Continued on Page 54

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 53 ALIYAH CHRONICLE Continued from Page 53 www.gilad.org, to see when and where there will be events near them and then to show up at events and show support. They believe that the demonstration of support at their events and rallies shows the politicians that the country supports them.

“It is sad for Israel if we cannot handle the increased threat that a release of terrorists would lead to.”

I have written about my uncertainty regarding the potential security risks. The Shalits, as Gilad’s parents, have an obliga- tion and moral imperative to push for the freedom of their son without other con- siderations. Yet, the leaders of the country have an obligation to weigh the costs against the risks and try to make decisions for the benefit of all. It is too easy to say, “We must do this or that” without at least considering the potential consequences. Thinking that she seemed to be saying that we need to pay any price for Gilad’s freedom, I asked her what she thinks we should tell the parents of a future victim of one of these terrorists, should they be released and resume terror activities. Aynat told me, “Past heads of the Mossad and Shabak—people who know much more about Israel’s defense situation than you or I do—say, ‘Israel can handle this.’” She added that it is important to note that terrorists are trying to kidnap our sol- diers and/or kill us on a daily basis. These efforts are thwarted by Tzahal, which is, she said, “in a different place than it was and is handling these situations.” She referred to a recent press confer- ence where former Shin Bet heads Ami Ayalon, Carmi Gilon, and Yaakov Perry, alongside former Mossad head Danny Yatom and former IDF Commander-in- Chief Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, came out in favor of an exchange. In that news confer- ence, Carmi Gilon is quoted (by Nana10) as saying outright, “It is sad for Israel if we cannot handle the increased threat that a release of terrorists would lead to.” Since those people and others like them, who know more about protecting the State of Israel than the average person knows, are in favor of an exchange, the Shalit family believes that such an exchange will not unduly increase the risk to Israeli civil- ians or military. The final part of the argument in favor of an exchange (according to Libman) is the fact that as Jews, “when talking about the potential risk to others, there is one potential and then there is a life we know we can save. Are we really going to not take any chances and make Gilad rot in some Hamas prison? As Jews, how can we do that to another Jew?” In light of the worldwide pressure for Israel to negotiate with a unified PA/Hamas governing authority, I asked 54 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Aynat what the Shalits would say to President Obama and other world leaders about dealing with such an authority. She answered by referring to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s open declaration to the U.S. Congress that dealing with a group that includes a terrorist organization is simply not an option. She also referred to a demonstration they held recently in front of Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz’s home protesting the fact that our govern- ment recently released $300 million in funds to the PA, saying, “That’s not some- thing that should be happening.” A few minutes after concluding my dis- cussion with Aynat, Noam Shalit emerged from a private “staff only” section adja- cent to the tent, where he had been on the phone. As I waited for him, I realized that despite the suspension of their lives to focus on doing their utmost as parents to gain their son’s freedom, they must still have other obligations and commit- ments to fulfill. I was boggled to consider how difficult it must be to run parallel lives, their public lives on the one side and their family lives on the other. SK: Five years later, in hindsight, is there anything that you regret either hav- ing done or not done? NS: There could be many things. We are generally thinking forward, not back- ward . . . We certainly make mistakes. We did not learn in a university how to struggle in a hostage situation; there are no courses like that in university. SK: What’s your response to Nabil Sha’ath’s May 25 interview with IMRA (audio available on YouTube), in which he says that upon the completion of a reunifi- cation deal between the PA and Hamas, it is his opinion that the PA should take responsibility for Gilad Shalit yet not release him. Sha’ath states they would rather continue to hold Gilad and eventu- ally exchange him for prisoners in Israel, despite the fact that in the past, the PA has traditionally returned soldiers who were seized in PA-governed areas directly to Israel without an exchange. [I believe Noam had not heard the statement prior to our interview.] NS: If they establish a new govern- ment—in the meantime, it is all just talk—it would be a new situation . . . We will see that the [unified] Palestinian authority is responsible to free Gilad. It will not be us alone, but also the leaders of the world . . . The French president told me last week that he too will push such a government for this. It is not logical that they will continue the crime of holding as hostage an Israeli and European citizen against the Roman Convention [I believe he meant to say Geneva Convention]. It is not logical that they would continue a war crime that has gone on for five years. SK: Many immigrants (such as myself) come to Israel too old for military service. We thus have very little understanding of what it means to be in the military until our children experience it. What are your feelings toward military service? I know you have a daughter who is currently in the military (who was enlisted after Gilad’s kidnapping). Knowing what you have gone through so far, would you agree to her serv- ing in a combat unit? NS: It is only a hypothetical question, but not all children even ask for permis- sion to serve in combat.

Continued on Page 56 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION July 1, 2011 55

ALIYAH CHRONICLE NNN Continued from Page 55 As I ended my visit, I reflected on how the Shalits’ quiet dignity and ability to SK: After all you have been through, keep the nation focused on the plight of would you advise other parents to avoid their son Gilad is simply amazing. military service for their children? Without rancor or malice, they await the NS: [emphatically] No . . . To advise greatest of pleasures of any parent, to not to perform military service? We hold their son in their arms, welcoming would not say such a thing. him home after his long absence. O SK: Combat duty? NS: Also no, but one has to worry Shmuel Katz is the editor of Koleinu [switches to English] be worried about it, (www.koleinu.co.il), a new Israeli newspaper affiliated with the Five Towns Jewish Times. about what happened. [Returning to Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children Hebrew] This is not the first time that a made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva soldier who has been captured has not of South Shore in Hewlett. You can contact him at returned home. [email protected].

Sign across the street from the Shalits’ protest tent facing the prime minisiter’s residence.

56 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION lay down her knitting to chat with visi- Being In The tors and return to it as they left. Even though I knew it already, I was reminded that here was someone’s mother. I was struck by a specific girl who Shalit Tent stopped in the tent. She could not have been older than 13 or 14 and may have BY SHMUEL KATZ been as young as 10. With her backpack on her shoulders, it was clear that she Sitting for an hour in the “Shalit tent” had stopped in on her way home from a couple of weeks ago, I was struck by the school. She was definitely a “regular” vis- humanity of the atmosphere. It has been itor, as the women greeted her by name almost a year since Noam and Aviva when she entered. She sat in the chair Shalit concluded a 12-day march across closest to the exit, barely speaking, the country and moved in to the tent on despite several attempts by the women Jerusalem’s Rechov Aza, just outside the to engage her in conversation. I do not prime minister’s residence. The tent had think she was embarrassed as much as actually been open for more than a year shy. And she stayed for perhaps 10 or 12 by that time, serving as a base for aware- Gilad Shalit’s parents spend their days inside this tent, minutes before leaving. ness and a constant reminder to the to which there is a constant stream of visitors. What struck me was the fact that prime minister (first Olmert and now this single girl, who barely spoke 20 Netanyahu) that Gilad Shalit is still in words (if that much) in the time she captivity and, organizers hope, as a spur in. There were tour groups and youth and wishes to Aviva Shalit, Gilad’s was there, was a comfort to all those in to the prime minister (and government) groups there, and the tent was a lot more mother, and left. the tent, not just Aviva Shalit. They to do “what is required of him to return congested. In contrast, I arrived to an Another group brought a poem with were happy to see her and she was Gilad to his family and home.” almost serene atmosphere, with much them, which they presented to Aviva. clearly proud to be there. Here was a Although I had driven and even walked less tension than I anticipated. When they left, Aviva and the two women girl who simply wanted to make a dif- past the tent many times over the last few As I entered the tent, a group of teens who were sitting with her commented ference in the lives of the Shalit family, years, this was only the second time I preceded me, quietly entering and read- upon the beauty of the work and that it showing her desire for Gilad’s return stopped in. I expected to be uncomfort- ing the different signs and posters on had been done by an eighth-grader. It was and her support for his family. For able (I was) and for the atmosphere to be the walls. Some of them are publicity clear that despite the fact that they must most of the time she was in the tent, extremely tense and nervous (it wasn’t). posters; others are works presented by have gotten hundreds, if not thousands, of there were only five of us there, includ- Even though I had scheduled an interview individuals who simply wanted to similar works of art or expression, each ing me. No one really talked. We just for that time, as I approached the tent, I express their support for Gilad and his one continues to provide encouragement sat together. felt like an interloper, intruding upon family. The teens stayed for no more and support to the family. Another man came by and asked if he their ongoing tragedy. than four minutes in total, not even sit- Throughout the time I was there, could grab the sports section of the Last summer, my family walked to the ting down in one of the 15 or so chairs Aviva Shalit sat calmly at the back of the paper sitting on one of the chairs to the tent on a summer Shabbat afternoon, just provided for visitors; they simply took a tent, knitting, with a knitted blue baby’s a few weeks after the Shalits had moved look around, expressed their support hat on the chair next to her. She would Continued on Page 58

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 57 In The Shalit Tent throughout the country) as “reserved for two to preface the interview. As I sat support. They have committed to stay Continued from Page 57 Gilad.” Yet, as with other things in life, with Noam Shalit, Gilad’s father, I there and keep the focus upon Gilad one adjusts. expressed my desire not to cause him until he comes home. side. He chatted with everyone for a Living in that tent, spending every day any more anguish and apologized if It is my fervent prayer that they are minute, got his newspaper section, and there, at some point becomes if not rou- something I was about to say was offen- able to shut the tent down today or

Noam Shalit (left, in white shirt) and Aviva Shalit (right, in striped shirt) inside the tent. Next to Mrs. Shalit is an empty chair that is “reserved for Gilad.”

went on his way. tine, then habitual. They are there for a sive. Halfway through, he waved me off. tomorrow because its goal has been I was not prepared for the casual, purpose and have a specific goal, one The sentiment, although appreciated, accomplished. However long it is there, I everyday atmosphere. Not to say that that has only one measure of success— did not need to be said. encourage you to stop in. I did not realize this minimized the importance of what seeing Gilad safely home. Yet, through- They know that we wish them well. how deeply each visit touches until I saw they were doing there; the shadow of out their ordeal, they manage to convey They know that we want Gilad home. it myself. If not for your own sake, then Gilad’s absence was felt throughout, per- a sense of dignity, love, and respect to They know that we are often awkward visit for the support and encouragement haps no more so than in the empty chair those around them. and uncomfortable. And they are there, of the Shalit family. Even if you feel that to his mother’s right that was marked (as In my trepidation of intruding into day after day, greeting and welcoming us you have nothing to say, your presence are other chairs in public locations their pain, I had prepared a sentence or and appreciating our encouragement and makes a difference. O

58 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Young Israel Of Far Rockaway’s Dinner Photos By Ivan H. Norman

Presentation of Kesser Shem Tov Award to Morty Grossman.

The Young Israel of Far Rockaway’s 46th Anniversary Dinner took place on Monday, May 30, at the Ateres Nechama Liba Simcha Hall.

Above (L–R): YIFR Vice-President Nochum Wolf, Rabbi Shaul Chill, Ruth and Yitzchak Vidomlanski, Akiva Fried (R), recipient of the Yad and President Michael Steinberg. Guests of Honor. Award, with his father, Yaakov Fried.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 59 Dore Gold Recognized As Guardian Of Zion, 2011

BY TOBY KLEIN GREENWALD Israeli ambassador to the UN from 1997- orator on the centrality of Jerusalem, on panied Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the 1999, is a prolific author and outspoken Israel, and on the Middle East. He accom- 2003 Aqaba Summit with President Fifteen years ago, when Bar Ilan George W. Bush and has advised Prime University first bestowed the Guardian of Minister Binyamin Netanyahu during his Zion Award on Nobel Prize laureate terms in office. He has become identified Professor Elie Wiesel, the idea that some- with the “defensible borders” project, day the State of Israel would be in a gen- which he spearheads in his capacity as uinely fierce battle to prove her legiti- the president of the Jerusalem Center for mate claim to Jerusalem seemed to fall in Public Affairs, a multidisciplinary, inde- the province of doomsayers and cynics. pendent think tank. His books include But times have changed, and the The Fight for Jerusalem: Radical Islam, the unthinkable has become an accepted West, and the Future of the Holy City, standard that is flown at high mast even Hatred’s Kingdom: How Saudi Arabia above parliaments in the western world. Supports the New Global Terrorism, and, For this reason, it is significant that Bar most recently, The Rise of Nuclear Iran: Ilan’s Ingeborg Rennert Center for How Tehran Defies the West. Jerusalem Studies, directed by Professor The award ceremony took place on Joshua Schwartz, which created the June 6 at the 80-year-old King David award to honor persons who have dedi- Hotel, whose history is, itself, a symbol of P h o t cated their lives to the strengthening of o Israel’s struggle for freedom. Previous B y Y

Jerusalem, has chosen Ambassador Dore o recipients present that evening included n i R e i Gold to be this year’s recipient of this f Prof. Elie Wiesel, Academy Award win- prestigious award. Guardian of Zion Award recipients, left to right, Producer Arthur Cohn, ning producer Arthur Cohn, journalist Ambassador Gold, who served as Ambassador Dore Gold, Professor Elie Wiesel, and journalist Caroline Glick. Caroline Glick, David Be’eri, and Rabbi Yehuda Maly of the Ir David (City of David) project, and Mordechai (Suli) Eliav of the Cotel Tunnels. Other previous recipients include Dr. Charles Krauthammer, Dr. Daniel Pipes, Sir Martin Gilbert, Herman Wouk, and the late former New York Times editor A.M. Rosenthal. Last year’s recipient was Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chair- man of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Bar-Ilan University President Prof. Moshe Kaveh praised U.S. Jewish commu- nity leaders Ingeborg and Ira Rennert for establishing the Center in Mrs. Rennert’s name at the University. According to Professor Schwartz, the Ingeborg Rennert Center provides the research and publica- tion forum for the presentation of most of the initial archaeological research that takes place today, and maintains academ- ic and research cooperation with numer- ous institutions and scholars abroad regarding Jerusalem throughout the ages.

Great Legal Minds On The Sovereignty Of Jerusalem Amb. Gold opened by stressing that, “Forty-four years ago, at the end of the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israeli paratroop- ers reached the Western Wall and their commander, Motta Gur, announced ‘Har Habayit beyadeinu” (the Temple Mount is in our hands), there was no doubt over the fact that Israel had waged a just war.” From there he proceeded to cite legal experts who made the case that the secu- lar legal claim of the Jewish people and the State of Israel on the city of Jerusalem is as cogent and solid as the religious-his- torical claim. Among those were scholar Stephen Schwebel, who eventually became legal advisor of the U.S. Department of State, and then the President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague. Schwebel opposed the opinions of Secretary of State William Rogers—who claimed that Israel was only entitled to “insubstantial alterations” in the pre- 1967 lines—and to the Nixon administra- tion which “had also hardened U.S. poli- cy on Jerusalem as reflected in its state- ments and voting patterns in the U.N. Security Council.” Gold said that “the 1967 lines were not an international bor- 60 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES der. Formally, they were only armistice asked if indeed the parties had never public has not lost faith, and that lines from 1949 . . . [Schwebel] explained been so close. Dahlan replied in Hebrew “According to a poll conducted for the that when territories are captured in a slang: “Kharta Barta” (baloney). Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Please daven for a refuah sheleimah war, the circumstances surrounding the There were other attempts that failed, released on June 6, 2011 . . . 85 percent of for the following: outbreak of the conflict directly affect but each time, “It seemed that there was the Israeli public still believes a united the legal rights of the two sides upon its a shared interest by those who engaged Jerusalem should be preserved.” Naftoli Yitzchok termination. in this activity in binding Israel to the ben Malka Mirel “Two main facts that influenced diplomatic record of failed negotiations Only A Free And Democratic Israel Menachem Mendel Schwebel’s thinking were that, first, Israel and to the concessions of previous Israeli Will Protect Jerusalem ben Esther had acted in the Six-Day War in the law- governments.” Amb. Gold outlined the attitude and Shimon Fishel ful exercise of its right of self-defense” behavior of the Arab leadership and ben Chana and, secondly, “The Jordanian invasion of Denying The Jewish Claim To public toward the holy places of Binyomin Zev HaKohen the West Bank, and Jerusalem, 19 years Jerusalem Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel over ben Sharrone Rivka earlier in 1948 had been unlawful . . . and Amb. Gold also described the goal of the last century, a story of destruction Sholom Daniel no right can be born of an unlawful act the Arab world to promote a “revisionist and the attempted ethnic cleansing of ben Leah (ex injuria jus non oritur) . . . Jordan’s claim history,” which described the Jewish peo- Jews from Jerusalem. Devora Rivka to sovereignty over the West Bank was ple as “Colonialist latecomers, who have Internationalization is not an answer bas Leah Henna not recognized by anyone, except for no claim to Jerusalem . . . Arafat rejected for Jerusalem either, said Amb. Gold. “In Chaya Gittel Pakistan and Britain. Even the British all ancient Jewish connections to 1947 . . . The only force that protected bas Recha Devora would not recognize the Jordanian claim Jerusalem by even denying the very exis- 100,000 Jews in Jerusalem from certain Rochel Leah in Jerusalem itself.” Gold said that the UN tence of the Temple . . . destruction were the forces of Israel . . . bas Serel Aidel Security Council Resolution 242 from “These doctrines of Temple denial in by protecting Jerusalem under Israeli Ruchama Chava Baila November 22, 1967, “did not call for a full the Palestinian narrative have spread like sovereignty, the State of Israel also serves bas Chaya withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the wildfire in recent years,” he said, even a universal mission of keeping the holy territories it captured in the Six-Day War.” among Western audiences. city truly free and accessible for peoples He recalled that Arthur Goldberg, as the of all faiths.” O B’soch Sheor Cholei Yisroel U.S. ambassador to the UN in 1967, point- The Will Of The People For the full text of Ambassador Gold’s lecture, see ed out in 1980 that Resolution 242 did not Amb. Gold emphasized that the Israeli www.5tjt.com. even mention Jerusalem. “Goldberg, a previous Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, never described Jerusalem as “occupied territory.” Schwebel was joined in his opinions by Julius Stone, the Australian legal schol- ar, and Professor Elihu Lauterpacht of Cambridge University, who for a time served as a judge ad hoc of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. “Lauterpacht argued that Israel’s reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 was legally valid. He explained that the last state, which had sovereignty over Jerusalem, was the Ottoman Empire, which ruled it from 1517 to 1917.” The fourth legal authority quoted by Gold was Prof. Eugene Rostow, the former dean of Yale Law School and Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs in the Johnson administration.

Misconceptions, Misrepresentations And Myth- Making Regarding the erosion of Jerusalem’s Jewish status both in the West and in the international media, Gold said, “Some misconceptions were the product of mis- information. Others were the result of deliberate efforts to misrepresent what happened in past negotiations and to mislead the public.” Among those events that led to and exacerbated this cracking of the diplomatic armor, he said, were the Oslo accords of 1993, and the Beilin-Abu Mazen understandings from 1995, which Gold described as part of the “intellectual industry that has been busy trying to prove that an Israeli-Palestinian deal on Jerusalem is doable.” Regarding one idea that was floated, Gold said, “In typical fashion, Arafat managed to pocket Israeli concessions without undertaking firm Palestinian commitments himself . . .”

Disconnect Between Reality And Fantasy “At the end of the Taba talks [in late 2000],” said Amb. Gold, “Israel’s foreign minister, Shlomo Ben Ami was inter- viewed on Kol Yisrael Radio and asserted that the parties had ‘never been so close to reaching an agreement.’ The Israeli interviewer then went to Muhammad Dahlan, the Gaza Security Chief, and 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 61 The Orthodox Opposition In Israel

BY R’ NISON GORDON, Z’L Agudas Yisroel—the Agudas Yisroel is the against being represented in the govern- government under the present circum- only one which is outside the present ment as long as its main demand for stances. Why the Torah giants, the From the 1964 book “Alt Un Nei In coalition. She is outside, not because the improving the condition of religion in Chasidic Rebbes, and roshei yeshivos are Yisroel.” Translated from the Yiddish by Mapai does not want her in the govern- the state is not met. It is even possible against being in the government is a Victor Cohen. ment. On the contrary, even before Ben that the political leaders of Agudah chapter unto itself. Perhaps they main- The worst kind of luck that can hap- tain that being in the government some- pen for a political leader of a party is to be times binds them “hand and foot” and pushed into the corner for being in oppo- does not allow them to express their sition and away from the prestigious appropriate opposition to the demands “government table.” This also means If the religious people would have of a government whose majority are sec- being further away from the various ularists. Perhaps, another aspect is that opportunities which are at the disposal of the Torah world of the Rebbes and roshei a party sitting at the helm or near it. united in the elections, they would yeshivos has not come to a clear conclu- A small party must hold onto the sion about what Israel is. What place horns of the coalition at the helm—it is have received more votes. does Israel have in the Torah view? truly a matter of life and death for them. We cannot accuse the party leaders of This is especially true when the party Agudah of circumventing the pressure chooses its destiny to be in the opposi- of the Torah Giants’ ruling against being tion and forgoes all the possibilities that in the government. One can agree or dis- would come with being in partnership Gurion and now Eshkol, the government would, no matter what, work it out with agree with the isolation of the Torah and the responsibilities it brings. Of the has often stretched out its hand to the Mapai. But the political leaders have greats. Whatever the opinion, one must three religious parties in Israel— Agudah with an invitation to join them. above them the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, recognize that the Agudah is the only Mizrachi, Agudas Yisroel, and Poalei However, the Agudah, in principle, is who are thoroughly against being in the religious party which sacrifices her everyday party interests for a principle which it maintains as holy and dear— the principle of obeying a Rebbe or a rosh yeshiva. If the Agudah would have been in the government, her number one minister would definitely have been R’ Itche Mayer Levin. He was already a minister in the first government which Ben Gurion had put together immediately when the state was established. Minister number two would probably have been the mid- dle-aged member of the Knesset, R’ Menachem Porush. He is a frequent guest in America and carries, so to speak, the burden of the movement in the land. Officially, R’ Menachem Porush is the political secretary of the Agudah in Israel and his office is on Yeshayahu Pras #2 in Yerushalayim. I received the impression that he is more than a political secretary and his officialdom is much bigger than the room in which he has his desk. R’ Menachem Porush impressed me as a person who wants to make up for lost time and find out what was lost. He is an outstanding sociable person who, in the Knesset, has the ability to be on friendly terms with the very same person with whom he had recently sharply debated. He also knows and feels the hardship of being a latecomer and moreover being in the corner of the opposition. He has- tens to close the gap that exists. Today’s Mizrachi movement in Israel is better known as the Religious National Party. It has, ke’ayin ha’ra, a tremendous wealth of kibbutzim and settlements, people and institutions, banks and housing developments—the result of many years of pioneering work which is as old as modern Zionism. Today it is represented by three ministers in the government (Moshe Shapiro, Dr. Yosef Berg, and R’ Zorach Wahrhaftig) and twelve mem- bers in the Knesset. The Agudas Yisroel, taking in account the beautiful wealth of exemplary kib- butzim and settlements of the Poealey Agudas Yisroel, (which today are com- pletely separated from the Agudas Yisroel), were late coming on the scene by many years. Why Agudah came late on the scene is a chapter unto itself and belongs to another question for which many give a lot of reasons. It is in essence 62 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES a part of the mystique of the Jewish lot, from various homes or more correctly Menachem Porush spends considerable other economic facilities, and through which gives validity to the saying, “Why from various broken homes. Here in “Beis time with his extraordinary persistence them be a more participating factor in is there speculation about what the Devorah” is their home for all year round and energy. He mentions he wants to everything that is in the land. Master of the Universe conceals?” for they have no other home. give American Jewry a regards. They Agudah definitely is in the opposi- Though it came late, Agudah is today a Several overseers take care of the little should be proud of the work that is now tion but is not “making Shabbos for completely prominent power and partic- children with motherly love. In Israel, going on in Israel with their help. We itself.” It is an integral part of the build- ularly so in Eretz Yisrael. It now finds taking care of homeless children is more can start with the “United Jewish ing block and is working and striving itself in the main center in all its univer- than a job. It is an extraordinary privilege Appeal” including even the smallest with all its strength that the spirit of the sal activities. Plans are now being formu- which comes, unfortunately, as a result of modest institution. At the crossroads to new state of Israel remain true to the lated for a K’nesiyah Gedolah this com- broken families that cannot get accus- every new settlement, there is a sign old Eretz Yisrael. O ing summer in Yerushalayim. Today, tomed to the environment of a new with the name “United Jewish Appeal” From the 1964 book Alt Un Nei In Yisroel; Agudah has four members in the Knesset home or for other tragic reasons. and Keren HaYesod, and the names of translated from the Yiddish by Victor Cohen. and the Poelei Agudas Yisroel has two Inside lies a young child on a clean bed American Jews shine out from the walls members. If the religious people would who explains in Hebrew that he is not of the glorious buildings of many yeshiv- have united in the elections, they would outside because he has a fever. This “Beis os, institutions, and hospitals, which I have received more votes. Even today, Devorah” children’s home in Arnonah saw during my short visit. the religious parties together have 18 and another similar home in the Zichron R’ Menachem Porush appears many members in the Knesset and have the Yosef neighborhood in Yerushalayim times at mass gatherings discussing the power to present itself as the second were built by a Jew from Los Angeles and ideology of the Agudas Yisroel. What largest power after the Mapai. R’ Nevada—Jack Entratar in memory of his impressed me the most was Menachem Menachem Porush appears to be the mother, Devorah. HaRav Porush informs Porush, the practical person, the person dynamic power of the Agudah whose me that HaRav Moshe Sherer of the of action. Today there is no time for goal is to consolidate its ranks after the American Agudas Yisroel played a major speeches in Israel, only action of concrete great destruction of Europe where its role in establishing these homes. work. Porush maintains that if Agudah strength, leaders, and soldiers were In all of these Monos Yeladim which I wants to have a presence on the morrow unequaled and concentrated. He carries, visited, I noticed the names of generous in Israel, then it must put in a great deal in great measure, the responsibilities of Jews from America, South Africa, of work today by expanding the “Chinuch the maintaining of the “Chinuch Atsmai” Mexico, and other countries, where R’ Atzmai.” It must build more housing and the educational system of the Agudas Yisroel. He is mindful that a member of the movement and an ordinary student of Torah should be able to provide a “roof over his head” without first mortgaging more than “over the head.” On the left side of the mountain immediately leaving Yerushalayim to Tel Aviv, Agudah erected accommoda- tions of 120 apartments with capital from investors whom Porush had inter- ested to invest in Israel. Instead of hav- ing to speculate and make dealings, reli- gious couples first starting out to build a home would have these apartments with reasonable rents and not be bur- dened with the tremendous sum of “key-money” required in Israel to rent or buy an apartment. It was refreshing to see the apartment of such a young cou- ple. The new apartment was beautified with a bookcase from which radiated the backs of the new Shas and other newly acquired books. Porush is acquainted with Jewish life and with the outlook of Jewish homes. He looks at the filled bookcases of the new home of the young couple in Yerushalayim. From his look, one sees the joy of the “Jerusalem otherness.” Porush is a sev- enth generation Jerusalemite. If a movement in Israel wants to hold its membership and get new ones, it must give something besides “the other world.” After a Jew has an apartment, he must have a place where he can quickly receive gemilas chesed. On his trips abroad, Porush had to interest many individuals to sponsor a gemilas chesed under their names. Eighty four such gemilas chasadim were established with separate accounts in the bank under the names of the founders, distributing weekly loans in the thousands of pounds. With no less pride, he shows a “Monos Yeladim”—one of the thirteen such children homes where lonely and homeless children from the age of two to six years old are brought up. Arnonah is a section in Yerushalayim south of Talpiot. There we find a building upon which there is a sign “Beis Devorah,” where little children, about four or five years old, run around playing inside and outside. All the games are played in Hebrew, however, from their appearance it seems that they come 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 63 Settlers, Journalists, And Academics Call Orthodox Union’s Israel Center, “would- creation of a Palestinian state would lead n’t reduce the number of Arabs on the to successive intifadas within the state of For Alternatives To Two-State Solution west side of the Jordan by one.” Israel’s borders which would then be Outlining the scenario she deemed indefensible. BY SAMUEL SOKOL that he will ask the United Nations to rec- likely should Israel withdraw from the The Israeli left, Glick alleged, can “drop ognize a Palestinian state on the 1967 an idea in the media and expect it to Settlement Council head Danny lines unless a breakthrough in made become policy within a decade.” Dayan came together with several jour- before September. According to Glick, many Israelis are wary nalists and academics, including Israelis have become increasingly Settlement leader Dayan of the establishment of a Palestinian Jerusalem Post deputy managing editor frustrated with the Palestinians over claimed that the two state but the idea of annexation as a Caroline Glick, in Jerusalem recently to this matter and several politicians, viable alternative has not become part of call for the extension of Israeli sover- including Likud MKs Danny Danon and Intifadas were caused by the national discourse. Many people, she eignty over the West Bank as an alterna- Tzipi Hotovely, have issued increasingly claimed, would support this idea if it tive to the two-state paradigm. strident calls for Israel to incorporate Israel’s “lack of were better promoted. Those in attendance, including for- the West Bank into Israel as it did previ- Glick, a conservative nationalist, mer Israeli diplomat and Government ously with East Jerusalem and the determination” and a called for a grass-roots campaign of Press Office director Yoram Ettinger, Golan Heights. show of backbone political pressure to bring the idea of Begin-Sadat Center researcher Dr. Speaking at the gathering, Glick, annexation into the halls of the Knesset Mordechai Kedar and journalist Yoel summing up the sentiments of her fel- would deter aggression. and to give the media little choice but to Meltzer, arrived to present their visions low speakers, asserted that the “only cover the issue. for the territories captured in the 1967 viable strategic option facing Israel Surprisingly, none of the speakers Six Day War at the conference, entitled today is Israeli sovereignty over west- expressed any concern that annexation “The Preferred Option: Israeli ern Israel.” territories, she postulated that such a would lead to a military conflict with Sovereignty Over Judea & Samaria.” “Even if the worst demographic fore- course of action would “incite Arabs in Israel’s neighbors. Speaking with the Five The calls for annexation come at a casts are correct, instead of lies,” she said, the Galilee and the Negev to seek an Towns Jewish Times, settlement leader time of high tension over a stalled peace “it is strategically insane to transfer sover- alliance with a Palestinian terror state in Dayan claimed that the two Intifadas process and are most likely a response to eignty over these areas to terrorists.” the West Bank or Gaza.” were caused by Israel’s “lack of determi- Palestinian President Abbas’ ultimatum Doing so, Glick told a packed house at the Glick warned the audience that the nation” and a show of backbone would deter aggression. “That’s the least of our concerns,” Dayan said. Dayan told the audience that Israel has the only legitimate claim to the land. However, “even if you are not a Zionist,” he asserted, “you must admit that in the circumstances of the current conflict, the only just solution is that the party which has been the victim of aggression time and again and has accepted compromise” must receive the entirety of the land. Repeated Arab aggression, Dayan claimed, “completely cancelled the validi- ty of partition as the just solution.” “Only we have a valid right,” he announced. Dayan read from a bill recently passed by the South Carolina legislature calling for “a united Israel,” as proof of grassroots American support for annexation. The bill, mailed to Dayan by Myrtle Beach Representative Alan Clemmons, stated that “Israel is neither an attacking force nor an occupier of the lands of oth- ers, and that peace can be afforded the region only through a united Israel gov- erned under one law for all people.” Not all speakers completely agreed with the idea of a one-state solution, however. Mordechai Kedar, a 25 year veteran of Israeli military intelligence and a popular observer of Arab affairs, put forward what he termed the “Eight State Solution.” Rather than creating two states side by side as currently envisioned, Kedar sug- gested that the major Palestinian popula- tion centers of Tulkarem, Jenin, Kalkilya, Nablus, Jericho, Ramallah, and the “Arab part of Hebron,” be turned into independ- ent city states. The Palestinians “already have a state in Gaza,” Kedar stated, launching into an explanation of the role of tribal loyalty in Palestinian and the wider Arab culture. Each West Bank city already has a dominant tribe and there is already very little social mixing between Palestinian clans, he claimed. “Tribalism is alive and kicking. Let those tribes have emirates just like in the Gulf.” Each city already has its own leader- ship ready to take over, Kedar said, calling for an end to what he termed the “artifi- cial leadership of the PLO.” O 64 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 65 SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED PROVIDED

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Physical therapy office looking for Open House By Appt. Call Irene Steiner Cedarhurst — 1st show. New exclusive North Woodmere — New to market. Physical therapy assistant (PT/FT) in Woodmere — New Listing! — 3BR CH regal 2 family, brick, all new, LR w/ Custom 6BR (4 on one level), new gran- Five Towns. If interested please call Colonial, Den, Fin Bsmt, Reduced $529K fireplace, FDR, large kosher EIK, 3BR ite kitchen, LR, FDR, 2 dens, quiet tree- 516-650-5756 Woodmere — “Great” 4BR Splanch, each apt, c/ac, alarm, basement, great lined street. Walk all shuls. . . . . $679K Bsmt, Nice Yard ...... $649K location. Walk all...... $759K Owner. 516-902-8908 Preschool teacher assistant position Lawrence — X-Lg 5BR Exp Ranch With 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 available for Sept. 2011 Den, Huge Basement On X-Lg Property Lawrence/Far Rockaway — Far Rockaway, NY 8:30-3, Friday to ...... $980K Woodmere — Mint 6 BR 3.5 Bath Col. 833 Central Ave. Spacious 1 BR, light and 12:00 Back Lawrence — Spacious 7BR CH Col New attic & roof. Master suite w/ bright, doorman/elevator building, walk Phone # 718-471-8444 ext. 218 W/Hi Ceilings On Private Rd In Eruv, bath. Fin Bsmt, BR, LR, playroom, all. Price reduced ...... $179K Huge Rooms, IGP, Waterviews . . $POR closets. Granite kitch, all new appli- 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Shevach High School, Queens — Seeking Hewlett Neck/Woodmere — Beautifully ances. Den, wide DR, oak flrs, F/P. Lawrence — Gracious brick c/h col. LR teachers with Master’s Degree for Renovated 7BR CH Colonial On Lg Sprinklers, o/s gar. with fireplace, FDR, large EIK, den, September 2011: College Math, English, Property, IGP, Cabana ...... $1.550M Gem!...... $649K 516-569-1684 4BR (1 level), 3bth, finished basement, Psychology, Living Environment. *Great Apartments, Co-Ops & Condos 5 Town Homes 516-569-5712 great location, quiet block . . . . . $895K E-mail resume to: [email protected] For Sale/Rent* Cedarhurst: NU 2 Mkt. Lg LR, DR, 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 or fax 718-263-3759 Call Irene Steiner Direct 516-652-7099, E-mail: [email protected] EIK, Den, 5BR, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Pugatch Realty Corp. Lg prop, IGPool, Walk to all. . . . $659K COMMERCIAL REAL REAL ESTATE Woomere/Woodsburgh — Best location Inwood — New to market. Charming ESTATE FOR RENT INVESTMENT Near Broadway on Wood Lane, c/h, all Victorian on quiet tree-lined street with NEW kitchen, cent. a/c, 5 spacious bed- water view. 7BR, great for large family. rooms, 4.5 baths, huge great room with A must see!...... $499K Rockville Centre — 3,500 sq. ft., fully Monticello — 23 acres, 5 ranch houses high ceilings, FDR, large finished base- 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. all-year-round, swimming pool, near ment, oversized backyard. Walk to Call 516-322-3555 shul and Wal-Mart. More homes can be LIRR. For further details call agent: Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth 516-818-0002, owner: 516-521-2100 built on property. Call 845-796-1690 or Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K Cedarhurst — Office rental: Executive 2 917-601-3002 Call 516-322-3555 Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., Lawrence — 82 B. 2nd St. Charming CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 3BR col., private beach rights Woodmere — New Construction ...... $449K 1:30-2:30 REAL ESTATE Classic 5BR c/h col. Large property. New store for rent on Spruce! 1000 sq ft- Woodmere, Woodsburgh, N. Woodmere FOR SALE Walk to YI of Woodmere and Aish. completely rehabbed, new shelves, cor- by appt ...... $1M+ ner space, across from Club Central, 776 Arbuckle Ave. — Grand 5BR col. Old Woodmere — Open House – municipal parking. Low Rent! Call den, basement...... $769K Hewlett — Beautiful 5 BR, 3 bths, split. Sun. 12-2PM 656 Colfax Pl. — 4BR split den finished Weissman Realty 516-791-6100 All updated, in SD#14. Separate Quality New Construction basement ...... $515K 3-4 5BR – basement – huge yard. Too much entrance can be M/D with proper per- Cedarhurst — 2 room suite, fully carpet- 776 University St. — Mint 4BR bi-lvl to mention...... $975K mits. Owner motivated, reduced. ed, second floor, very, very private, 24- ...... $499K waterview...... $545K Cedarhurst — Must sell, present all hour building $795 includes all utilities. 5 Towns Home Realty 516-569-5710 552 Derby Ave. — 5BR contemporary offers! Cedar Bay Park. Open House by 136 Cedarhurst Ave, Cedarhurst. Owner. new construction ...... $1.2M appointment. Lawrence — Ours Alone!! 560 Woodmere Blvd. — 6BR exp. ranch Totally renovated. 4 BR, new kitchen, 516-295-1551 Brick, C/H COL, Stately brick, w/old ...... $800’s 4-5 p.m. huge den and bsmt...... $500’sK Cedarhurst office for rent— 2 small world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 bths, Far Rockaway Open House Hewlett Neck — New construction locat- ed on spectacular 1/2 acre lot. 6BR, 2- offices on Central Ave. 1 flight up, C/H, Kosher EIK, Lg. FDR, Library, Fin. 1056 Neilson St. — New Construction story entrance foyer, 9’ ceiling. . .$1M+ C/A. Call owner 917-417-5725 Bsmt., Lg Prop., walk all. Apts. For Rent 12:30-1:30 Hewlett Neck — 1/2 acre , buildable lot, 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 225 B 11th St. — Renovated 2-family for sale...... $750K duplex. New kitchen and bths South Shore Estates 516-569-4980 Oceanside — Brand new construction...... $600’s 11-12:30 p.m. FOR RENT Beautiful CH col. Large 4 BR (1 level), Milky Forst Properties Inc. 516-239-0306 Cedarhurst — Co-op. 1st Flr, large LR, 2.5 bths, granite EIK, FDR, den with fp, Far Rockaway — 2 Family. All NU, FDR, EIK with new appliances, 2BR, full bsmt, in cul-de-sac, walk all, best 3 over 1 Bdrm, 3 full baths. Great 2bths, hw floors, Terrace. Views of Lawrence — Coop Rental. 1BR. 1NU price ...... $675K Location ...... $599K Gdns, W/D, Lo maint, Grt. loca’n, Walk Bth, LR, DR, EIK...... $1,300 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Call 516-322-3555 all. Asking...... $319K 5Town Homes ** 516-569-5710 Woodmere Hewlett — 4BR cape, wood floors, EIK, 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 Bayswater — First floor. New house. Waterfront, 6BR, 5bth, all new renovat- updated bath, large finished playroom, ed. Good for large family . . . $969K neg. block from YoSS, owner sacrifice. $299K Five Towns — Woodmere, Beautiful condition 3BR, 2bth. Co-op. Spacious 2BR, 2bth. Under mar- Short sale. Church Avenue References a must...... $1,560 Call 347-539-1332 ket value ...... $165K neg. Completely renovated CH colonial in Call 718-812-4106 Prudential. 516-763-6154, Dalia 2004/05. Hardwood floors throughout. 8BR, Howard Beach — Co-op 2BR, 2bth, total- Far Rockaway Apartment Rentals: 1, 2, ly renovated. Maintenance includes 5 full baths, custom kosher EIK, stainless Cedarhurst — New construction. First gas, electric, heat and parking space. steel appliances, FDR, home office, full and 3 BR available, completely renovat- show. Col. 9’ ceilings, 5BR, 2.5bths, full Great buy. Asking...... $150K finished basement, kids’ game room & ed, 24 Hr Doorman, Large LR/DR area, basement, on quiet tree-lined street. 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 home gym and so much more. Close to LIRR. Call for details...... $799K Asking ...... $1.5M Weissman Realty, LLC 516-791-6100 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Woodmere — MIC, Lovely 4BR, 3bth For more information & virtual tour visit split. New kitchen– granite countertops, www.abcwoodmerehouse.com. Cedarhurst — Garden apt. Nu 2 Mkt. Woodmere/Cedarhurst Oppty! Formal LR/DR, den, many closets, Call 516-640-8646, or Oversized 1BR, 1Bth, Mint, 1st Flr, heat 12,000 sq. ft. approx. 90’x150’, deck, large backyard, prime location. Colonial, 17 rooms, full bsmt. with hi Low taxes. Open House Sun. May 8th, e-mail [email protected] & prk incld ...... $1,600 ceilings, clean 2 car garage plus stor- 391 Howard Avenue 1pm-3pm. 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Lawrence/Far Rockaway — Co-op age, 6 space parking, 2 family, profes- Asking...... $639K Freshly painted large 2BR, 2bth, kosher Far Rockaway — Renovated, new EIKs sional use, accountant, Esq., medical Call 516-750-3691 kitchen, LR, FDR, terrace, 24-hour 1 or 2BR, (3 rooms) hardwood floors, and/or educational and religious uses. Center of Far Rockaway — Vacant doorman, Shabbos elevator. Walk all. modern bth, parking ...... $850 Grand colonial with charm and great Land for Sale — aprox 15,000 sq ft on ...... $279K Studio. private entrance, available now possibilities. Available at once . $875K Meehan Avenue. Asking...... $525K 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 ...... $850 includes utilities Negotiable. Call 718-858-9805 203-387-9991 Owner 516-322-3555 North Woodmere — Decorator’s Dream. Cedarhurst — First show. LR, FDR, Beautiful bi-level, large granite kosher Hewlett — Col. MIC, 4br, 2bth, 2fpl, full new EIK, 4BR, 2 new bths, finished EIK, FDR, large LR, den, 4BR, water- Classified Ads are deck, wood flr, Lg. den. Walk to all. basement, cream puff condition, quiet view, all systems, walk all shuls. Owner ...... $729K street, walk all, low taxes . . . . . $500's motivated. Present all offers. Continued on the Next Page. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-322-3555 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 67 VACATION FOR RENT RENTAL MISCELLANEOUS LOST AND FOUND

Far Rockaway — Large, bright 3BR, Alexander Hotel, Miami Beach — 2BR Helping poor brides is a big z’chus to Jewelry found on Shavuos in the 1.5bths apt in 2-family house. Great apt. Breathtaking views, 2bths, southern find a shidduch! Donate to Yad P’sucha Woodmere-Cedarhurst area. location off Reads Lane. Includes heat exposure, 10th floor. Available for Pesach. Hachnasas Kallah. Call 718-972-3699 Call 646-210-3664 and parking. Priced right! 516-581-2058, 516-374-4001 or e-mail [email protected] 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710

Far Rockaway — Brand new 4BR, 3bth, Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, duplex apt. Prime location. Available LEGAL NOTICE 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. July-August. Call 917-822-1405, Call 516-322-3555 e-mail [email protected] Deadline for Hewlett — House for rent. Updated Notice of formation of Quatro 3BR, 2bths, new EIK, SD#14, walk all. Consulting, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Classified Available immediately ...... $2,600 MISCELLANEOUS the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 2/22/10. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of Lawrence — Newly-restored manor Advertising process. SSNY shall mail copy of any house. Cent’l location. Hi Ceilings. Wd Jewish Cemetery process served against the LLC to 264 Floors. 4 large BR, Library, FDR, EIK, 1 plot, 2 graves Den. New chef’s kitchen ...... $4,250 Call 718-776-3275 Grove Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. in the 516-316-3176 Purpose: any lawful purpose. The Ocean Corp. 10840 Rockley Road, Cedarhurst — All updated charming Not. of Form. of 533 Bayview Realty next issue is Houston, Texas 77099. Train for a New Col. New granite EIK, FDR, LR with LLC. Art. of org. filed with SSNY on Career. *Underwater Welder. fireplace, 4+ BR, CAC, in the heart of 01/27/11. County: Nassau. SSNY is desig- Cedarhurst. Walk all. Commercial Diver. *NDT/Weld nated agent of LLC to whom process be Monday, Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 Inspector. Job Placement Assistance. served. SSNY may mail a copy of any Financial Aid available for those who process to LLC, 29 Frost Lane, Bayswater — Hartman Lane — Large 2- July 5 qualify. 1-800-321-0298 Lawrence NY 11559. Any legal act or 3BR, 2bths, EIK, walk to shuls. Use as 2BR $1200, use as 3BR $1350 neg. activity Call Blue Key RE 516-812-9575 Yeshiva of South Shore has some mem- at 12 Noon Not. of Form. of ML Resource Fund XII bership openings in its burial society. LLC. Art. of org. filed with SSNY on By purchasing an individual, couple or VACATION 02/11/11. County: Nassau. SSNY is desig- family membership, you will be ensured Call RENTAL nated agent of LLC to whom process be of select plots in one of several New served. SSNY may mail a copy of any York area cemeteries of your choosing. process to LLC, 29 Frost Lane, 516-569-0502 Vacation Village — 2 fl, 4 BR, LR, 3 For more information on burial society Lawrence NY 11559. Any legal act or new bth, playrm, WD, beautiful view membership, contact Eliezer Allman at activity July/Aug 516-967-8370 347-417-3777 or [email protected]

68 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rav Chaim Stein, zt’l Solution To Last Week’s 5TJT Puzzle:

BY RABBI YAIR HOFFMAN “He argued with others as to the best way to proceed. Those that listened to Straight Flush Rav Chaim Stein, the rosh yeshiva of him, survived. Unfortunately those who Telze Cleveland, passed away on didn’t listen, were killed, r’l.” Wednesday afternoon at the age of 99 “Rav Stein knew Shas. He was inti- years, after a year of illness. mately familiar with all the yeshiveshe (The levayah is to take place first at Torah and reid. He was a baal mussar the yeshiva, at 9:00 a.m., and then in extraordinaire.” New York, at the Telze minyan, 16th “All the roshei yeshiva of Telze respect- Avenue and 53rd Street in Boro Park, ed him, any halachic shailah that came at approximately 2:00 p.m. The niftar up they would direct to Rav Stein. He is then to be flown for burial on Har was the poseik in yeshiva. Yet, often, in Hazeisim via a 7:00 p.m. flight from his anivus, he would send the shailah to JFK Airport.) Rav Bloom in Cleveland Heights.” Rav Stein came to Telze in Europe “One could see him working on his from a small town in Russia. While in middos. When he gave the mussar yeshiva, he quickly became one of the shmuess in yeshiva—he spoke to most outstanding talmidim of the himself as well, not that he needed yeshiva. “He was a mushlim in every it. But he was always working on sense of the word,” remarked a mena- himself,” remarked a second-genera- hel of a Bais Yaakov in Brooklyn, who tion talmid of Telze. studied under him. He gave mussar to his talmidim out Aside from Rav Stein’s brilliance in of love. One student recalled how when Torah learning, he was well known as an he first came to yeshiva as a bachur of extraordinary pikayach, having led a 18, he would ask questions constantly. number of fellow talmidim out the Rav Stein put his hand on the talmid’s Churban that was Nazi-occupied shoulder and said lovingly, but forceful- Europe. Until his last days, the talmidim ly, “You are working hard not to under- of Telze and others that he led through stand. You have got to work hard to the dangerous abyss that the Nazis cre- understand.” The talmid later recalled, ated felt a tremendous hakaras hatov to “It was a lesson I never ever forgot. Rav Stein—whose sharp pikchus There is a mitzvah to understand. This enabled them to find an escape route. was a profound lesson in life for me The roshei yeshiva of the yeshiva were and I quickly dropped that attitude that in America raising funds, and the elder I had just to ask a question for the sake talmidim were the ones who had to lead the way out. Continued on Page 77 Puzzle appeared on page 74 of the June 24 issue.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 1, 2011 69 5TJT Puzzle: Summer Options

BY YONI GLATT

Across 41. Commercial for a small insect 1. Kind of tense 43. MDs associates 5. Looney Tunes brand 44. Myanmar officially 9. Small organism (var.) 47. Teen travel option that experiences 14. Female sitcom legend Yellowstone and Yosemite 15. Cut 50. Slick 16. Lebron, Bosh, or Wade (to the 52. Batman and Robin, e.g. Mavericks) 53. Excuse 17. Paddan-___ 57. Massachusetts university 18. CBS has an Amazing one 61. Persian prophet? 19. Work by Dovid Hamelech 64. Boys learning summer option 20. Co-ed summer option in Lakewood, 66. Hen house Pennsylvania 68. Berry popping up in many drinks 23. Sukkahs, e.g. 69. Started a swim race 24. Form option for some exams 70. Shalom, on a U.S. island 25. Former fortress 71. Strip or mini 27. Was 72. Make some 40-Across 29. Unpack a new home 73. Paradise Lost character 33. Worldwide Lubavitch camps 74. Backside 39. Stephen King state 75. Consumes 40. Frothy drink Solution to appear next week.

Down 1. Locale 2. Angels might have them 3. Cons 4. Kettle drum (var.) 5. Land measurement 6. Canyon 7. Starbucks flavor option 8. Fencing swords 9. Swiss peak 10. Bnei Akiva camp 11. Uncle of Levi 12. Suspenders alternative 13. Guns, e.g. 21. Bill the Science Guy and family 22. Sacrificial animal 26. Comedian DeLuise 28. Pitchers stat 30. Ireland, to the locals 31. They have keepers 32. One is involved in sheluach hakahn 33. Says lashon ha’ra, perhaps 34. Last year’s sr. 35. Roman emperor, 54–68 C.E. 36. Tennis star Ivanovic 37. List ender 38. Singing syllable in The Sound of Music 42. VHS follower 45. Jewish camp since 1964 46. Had Shabbos lunch 48. Kind of mobile 49. So called 51. Solo of the stars 54. Rascal 55. Major Hollywood trophy 56. African antelope 58. Plant life 59. Month with a fast 60. Lots (of) 61. Ages 62. Writer Emile 63. Cheer 65. Scottish garb 67. Make leather

70 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES its own even if the Torah had not com- levels of involvement—a domain in manded them (e.g., the prohibitions which life is not divisible into ends and against murder and robbery); (b) eidos means, but constitutes an integral, singu- (testimonials, laws whose function and lar fulfillment of its Creator’s will. utility are understandable, although we In truth, every mitzvah is a chok, an might not have formulated them our- unequivocal expression of Divine will. It selves—such as Shabbos, the festivals, is only that many mitzvos come tefillin, etc.); and (c) supra-rational enclothed in garments of varying ration- mitzvos, called chukim (decrees). ality, for G-d desired that they be integrat- From The Chassidic Masters Prime examples of a chok are the laws ed into our rationally structured lives. But of tumah v’taharah, ritual purity and then there are those mitzvos that reach us impurity. It is not only that these laws unencumbered by finite garments, free of Life Without Bumps cannot be explained by human reason, all that quantifies, qualifies, and classifies but that they defy the organization and their Divine essence. priority structure which characterize the We need structure and priorities—it’s There can be no order, no program, no their violation of the day of rest. It distin- logical mishpat and the rational eid. If a the only way we know to lead construc- achievement, without priorities. Life, as guishes between civil and moral laws, person touches an impure object, he is tive lives. But we also need those we envision and try to live it, consists of between active and non-active transgres- rendered ritually impure; it makes no dif- moments and experiences that bring us important and less important things, pri- sions, between laws that apply to a specif- ference whether this contact was deliber- in touch with the underlying integrity of mary and secondary goals, severe and less ic time and place and laws that have no ate, unintentional, or even against his life—moments that impart to us the severe setbacks. Reason, our compass in such prerequisites, and so on. will. Nor is the type of contact conse- recognition that, in the final analysis, our our journey through life, is the capacity There is, however, a certain category of quential—the same degree of impurity is every deed and endeavor is of equal, ulti- to make these distinctions, to determine mitzvos that defies such rational structur- effected whether he grazed it with his fin- mate significance. O what must give way before what and ing. Generally speaking, the 613 mitzvos of gernail or he ate it. what should be reciprocated with what. the Torah fall into three categories: (a) In other words, the chok introduces an Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; mishpatim (judgments or “laws”), which element of absoluteness into our lives, an adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com via Chabad.org. Find more the Talmud defines as laws that the area in which there are no major and Torah articles for the whole family at The chok human mind would have conceived on minor things, no primary and secondary www.chabad.org/parshah. introduces an element of absoluteness in our lives.

Priorities and gradations also exist among the Divinely mandated laws of the Torah. The Torah commands “You shall not murder,” but it differentiates between premeditated murder (punish- able by death), murder resulting from negligent behavior (punishable by exile), no-fault murder (which carries no penal- ty), and killing in self-defense (permissi- ble and a duty). It commands to aid a fel- low in need, but it delineates eight levels of charity, advises to whom one should give and in what order, and sets the mandatory, ideal, and maximum percent- ages of one’s income to be contributed. It commands the Jew to rest on Shabbos, but it also differentiates between various categories of work and the severity of

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION July 1, 2011 71 A Simcha In Jerusalem Photo By Ivan H. Norman

Mazel tov to the Norman, Gelerinter, and Rutta families on the bar mitzvah of Dovid Moshe Gelerinter, son of Rabbi and Mrs. Laivy Gelerinter. Four genera- tions celebrated at the seudah, which took place last Thursday night in Jerusalem. Dovid Moshe is pictured with his mother, Baila Gelerinter of Jerusalem, his great-grandmother, Mrs. Shirley Rutta of Oceanside, and his grandmother, Mrs. Mona Norman of Far Rockaway.

72 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION

The Burning Of The Talmud In Paris

B Y HARAV NOSSON DOVID nized by Jew and Christian alike; RABINOWICH 2. The Talmud overtly fosters anti- Christian attitudes and actions; The first and most famous public burn- 3. The Talmud, in its puerile descrip- ing of the Talmud recorded in Jewish his- tions of the deity, constitute sacrilege tory took place right at the beginning of against God; the sixth millennium, in Paris in 1242 C.E. 4. The Talmud blasphemes J___ and The background for this tragedy actually the leaders of the Christian faith; began two years earlier. The apostate 5. The Talmud is in a general way Nicholas Donin charged before the morally and intellectually offensive. Church authorities in Northern France Upon the basis of Donin’s accusations, that the Talmud contained blasphemies Pope Gregory IX ordered that all Talmud against J___ and other leaders of the books (i.e. manuscripts) were to be seized Christian faith. This was only one of his by the Dominicans and Franciscans pend- 35 charges. Donin’s charges essentially ing clarification of Donin’s charges. The claimed the following: clarification took the form of a public dis- 1. Jewish emphasis on the sanctity of putation between Donin and four great Oral Law, is in itself a blasphemy of sorts against the holiness of Scriptures recog- Continued on Page 75

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION July 1, 2011 73 that we have been taught to believe are (“from Egypt”), “El Hourani” (“from the Arab part of Hebron, and so forth. Gaza is The Eight-State true have been exposed to be entirely Houran, Syria”), which testify that they already a state of its own. The Eight State based on wishful thinking and anti-Israel are originally not from Palestine but that Solution Israel will prevent the hills of agendas. The Gaza disengagement proved they came from: Iraq, Egypt, and Syria. Judea and Samaria from becoming a Solution: beyond a shadow of a doubt that the idea But they don’t want to return to those Hizbullahstan or Hamastan. of “land for piece” is deceiving and places. They would rather live in Israel— Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a senior The Only Alternative unfounded; we gave land we got missiles, a democratic state that honors human researcher at the Begin-Sadat Center for thousands of them. Now after Obama’s rights, religious freedom, and a robust Strategic Studies at Bar Ilan University Tidbits From Israel demand that Israel withdraw to “suicide free economy. Why go back to Syria and author of the Eight State Solution, has BY RON JAGER borders” while agreeing that the “right of when they shoot you in the street for based this concept on a sociological and return” for Palestinian Arab refugees whistling? In Israel, a Palestinian Arab’s historical analysis of Arab tribes and the In the past weeks, as President Obama remain on the negotiating table, it proves complaint of being detained for five min- consequent concept of Arab tribal city- repeatedly ignored Palestinian Arab once and for all that the idea of a two- utes at a security checkpoint is consid- states. Dr. Kedar proposes the creation of refusal to negotiate with Israel, he pro- state solution, like “land for piece,” is sim- ered a major violation of international no less than eight independent and sepa- posed a seemingly well-thought out for- ply another deceptive idea proven false. law. rate Arab city-states within the West Bank, mula for reviving negotiations. As usual, The idea of a “right of return” is unique So if we imagine a future Palestinian in addition to Gaza. Of course, Israel Obama clearly avoids blaming the Arabs. to the conflict in the Middle East. No Arab state forcibly integrating competing would comprise the ninth. He writes: At the same time, Obama demands of other people in the world have been clans and tribes, what are we really talk- “There is no reason to assume that a Israel to agree to a high-risk territorial awarded the “right of return.” Hundreds ing about? Those of us who live in Israel Palestinian state will not become another compromise without simultaneously of thousands of Arabs who came to Israel know that Arabs who live in Hebron, failing Arab state, due to the fragmented making it crystal clear that there will be from all over the Middle East prior to the Jericho, and Shechem never intermarry. If society in the West Bank and Gaza, tribal- no “right of return” for Palestinian Arab 1948 war and had lived here even for less they will be incorporated into one ism, and lack of awareness of nationhood refugees. This being the case, it’s no sur- than a decade or for even a year are Palestinian Arab state we’ll have another as demonstrated by the failing perform- prise that the idea of a two state solution demanding the “right of return.” These failing state which will export its conflict ance of the Palestinian Authority since its seems not only detached from reality but Arabs were foreign workers in Palestine to Israel. The idea of the Eight State establishment in 1994 . . . Social stability is reminds most of us of Arafat’s’ staged before 1948 with no prior residential sta- Solution is to give one state to the people the key for political stability . . . the only plan for Israel’s destruction. tus. Many of them till today carry names in Jericho, one to the tribe of Nabulus successful model for an Arab state is the In recent years many of the “givens” like “El Iraqi” (“from Iraq”), El Masri (Shechem), one to Ramallah, one to the one which is based on a single consolidat- ed traditional group such as each of the individual Arab Gulf Emirates.” This actually makes sense. The Arab Gulf Emirates have been relatively success- ful because their inhabitants are, with some exceptions, largely homogeneous in terms of tribe, ethnicity, and religion. The Arab Middle East has always been com- posed of many tribes, religions, sects, and ethnic groups, all at war with each other and with the government. The colonial imposition of a central, western-style nation-state has not served the interests of the indigenous people but rather the inter- ests of dictators and large corporations. Thus, according to Dr. Kedar, there is essentially one tribe that “governs” in Ramallah, another tribe entirely which does so in Nablus, yet another which pre- sides over Jenin, etc. A small city-state might be able to become productive and join a confederation of similar city-states. After all, size alone does not determine the success or failure of a state. For exam- ple, Monaco, Lichtenstein, and Luxembourg are small states with a high quality of life, while Algeria, Libya, and Sudan are large states with poor quality of life. According to Dr. Kedar: “The towns that will receive independ- ence (from both the Palestinian Authority and Israel) are Hebron (the Arab part), Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Tul- karem, and Qalqilya . . . Bethlehem will require further consideration.” The Eight State Solution can be a prac- tical solution for the Palestinian Arab leadership who are unable and unwilling to accept Israel’s right to exist. Israel has extended her hand for peace many times, yet a real peace process is far from sight. As long as the Palestinian Arabs desire to replace us, rather than to live alongside us, we should adopt the Eight State Solution as the only solution possible in the coming years. O

Ron Jager is a 25-year veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, serving as a field mental-health officer. Prior to retiring in 2005, he served as the commander of the central psychiatric military clinic for reserve soldiers at Tel-Hashomer. Since retiring from active duty, he has been providing consultancy services to NGOs, implementing psychological trauma treatment programs in Israel. Today, Ron serves as a strategic advisor to the Director of the Shomron Liaison Office. To contact him, e-mail [email protected]. To contact him: [email protected] 74 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION Burning Pope Innocent IV, Pope G-d . . . But of the laws and doc- prohibited, and copies of it pub- serious decline in its status from Continued from Page 73 Gregory’s blatantly anti- trines of the prophets, they licly burned throughout France which it would never recover. In Semitic successor, continued make their sons altogether igno- during the 13th century and fact, R’ Yechiel and many of the rabbis: R’ Yechiel, the rosh the “holy” work of his prede- rant. They fear that if the forbid- even as late as 1309 “we hear of Ba’alei Tosafos, having no hayeshiva in Paris; R’ Moshe of cessor. He made the following den truth . . . be understood . . . three large wagon-loads of choice, opted to leave France Coucy (Semag); R’ Yehudah of suggestion to the king of these [children] would be con- Jewish books publicly burned altogether in the middle of the Melon; and R’ Shmuel of France, Saint Louis IX: verted to the Faith and in humil- in Paris.” Even in 1315, after King thirteenth century. Chateau-Thierry who lived in They, displaying no shame ity return to the Redeemer. Louis X permitted the Jews, However, the Jewish people Falaise. Although the end result for their guilt nor reverence for Indeed, our beloved son, the who had been expelled from have their sweet revenge. “Lo was predetermined and was just the honor of the Christian Faith, Chancellor of Paris, and the doc- France in 1306, to return, the sit- Alman Yisrael.” I was recently a matter of time, R’ Yechiel, the delivering shiurim in Basel, leading spokesman of the Switzerland and was invited to group, attempted various visit a successful yeshivah defenses to the outrageous ketanah and gedolah and thriv- charges. He: Bernard Gui, the Inquisitor in Toulouse ing Jewish community right 1. defended the reasonable- over the border, in France, ness of Talmudic passages; (1307-1323), burned two wagonloads of the between Mulhouse and Basel. 2. demonstrated that scrip- That town is called Saint Louis ture itself contained asser- and its patron is King Louis IX! tions similar to those mocked Talmud in Toulouse in 1319. The beautiful sounds of Gemara by Donin; reverberate daily throughout 3. pointed to the willful dis- this little town. Once again, tortion of the Talmudic state- Hashem has kept His promise: ment that allegedly encouraged throw away and despise the tors, the Regents of Paris, after hav- uation did not improve. “He will bring retribution upon the killing of gentiles; Law of Moses and the prophets, ing at the command of our prede- Bernard Gui, the Inquisitor in his foes!” O 4. maintained the need for a and follow some tradition of cessor . . . read the above-named Toulouse (1307-1323), burned work that would clarify the legal their elders . . . book of abuse these as the com- two wagonloads of the Talmud Rabbi Nosson Dovid Rabinowich, a noted talmid chacham, scholar, and code of the Bible; In tradition of this sort, they mentaries which have been exam- in Toulouse in 1319. historian, will be leading a Jewish 5. insisted that the pagans of rear and nurture their children, ined and condemned by them, Until the middle of the 13th Heritage Tour to Paris and South the Talmud were legally distinct which traditions, are called should at your order be burned in century, the Ba’alei Tosafos had France from August 10-18. He will also serve as scholar in residence on some from the contemporary “Talmud” in Hebrew. It is a big fire wherever they can be found made France the Torah center of other Jewish Heritage Tours this Christians; book among them, exceeding in throughout your kingdom. the world, attracting students summer and fall: Italy (July 17-26; August 21-30) and Portugal (October 6. made the striking claim size the text of the Bible. In it The Talmud continued to be from all over Europe. The tragic 30-November 8). He can be reached at that the “J___” occasionally are found blasphemies against officially condemned, its study events described above caused a [email protected]. denounced by the Talmud lived before the “Christian J___” and, consequently, had nothing to do with the founder of Christianity. R’ Yechiel’s courageous attempt failed and 24 cartloads of Talmud, containing thou- sands of hand-written volumes, were burned on the streets of Paris by the order of the crusad- ing king of France, Saint Louis IX (1214-1270). In the aftermath of this mass Talmud burning, the eventual leader of German Jewry and stu- dent of R’ Shmuel of Falaise (one of the disputants), R’ Meir (Maharam) of Rothenberg, com- posed a very moving lamenta- tion “Sha’ali Serufah B’Aish.” This emotional dirge is still recited by Jews to this very day every Tishah B’Av. R’ Zidkiyah Ha’Rofe, the thir- teenth century Italian author of the classic halachic work Shibbolei Ha’Leket, was proba- bly the first halachic authority to record the tragedy and the fast day instituted in its com- memoration. He writes: Since we are discussing the laws of the Fast Days and the subject of the Torah’s burning, we have written the following to commemorate what occurred in our times because of our many sins: the burning of our G-d’s Torah in the year 5004 [1244] to creation on the sixth day of parashas Chukas when about 24 wagons loaded with the Talmud, halachos, and aggados, were burned in France, as we have . . . And from that day on, they established for themselves [a fast day] each year on the sixth day of parashas Chukas ... Only about two years later, 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION July 1, 2011 75 A Five Towns Simcha Photos By Naomi Cohen of Glamorous Pics

Rivka Zimmermann, daughter of Sherri and Robbie Zimmerman, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on June 20 at Rockwood Park Jewish Center. Rivka is a student at HALB. Great music was provided by Gary Wallin and a wonderful time was had by all.

76 July 1, 2011 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION

Rav Chaim Stein, zt’l Continued from Page 69 of asking.” One could palpably see when it was Elul on his countenance. One would see his aimas hadin. All the talmidim strove to be like him. They loved his learning. They loved his broad grasp of all aspects of Torah knowledge. One student, by the name of Moshe, he lovingly referred to as “Moshe haMechuna Marvin.” Rav Stein married the daughter of Rav Moshe Yehudah Leib Zaks, a brilliant rav in Russia, who was extraordinarily impressed with his son-in-law. Rav Stein leaves two sons, Rav Shmuel Zalman Stein, a rosh yeshiva in Yeshiva Birchas Chaim in Lakewood, and Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein, who lives in Wickliffe, OH, who is married to Sara Itel daughter of the late Harav Dovid Lifshitz, zt’l, and two daughters, one married to Rav Menachem Levine in Telze and the other, Tzipporah, is mar- ried to Rav Matis Weinberg. He lost one son, Rav Shalom Yehudah Stein, a few years ago to illness. The rosh yeshiva led a difficult life, but managed to be a beacon of light to those who sur- vived the churban and to thousands of talmidim later on in America. Rav Stein had extraordinary talmidim. Rav Yitzchok Silverberg, cur- rently a rosh yeshiva in Gerrer in Eretz Yisrael, was one of his closest stu- dents—his talmid muvhak. The narrative of how he led others from the abyss of Europe has been docu- mented thoroughly and discussed in numerous accounts: In October 1940, a group of students led by Rabbi Chaim Stein escaped from war-ravaged Lithuania as it was overrun by the Nazis, y’s. The original faculty, their families, and most of the student body left behind in Europe, were killed in Lithuania by Nazi forces and Lithuanian collaborators. Escaping to Russia as the war ravaged Eastern Europe, another war was taking place in the Pacific—the very direction that the students led by Rabbi Chaim Stein were headed. The students achieved safe pas- sage via the Trans-Siberian Railroad to the Far East. The group had somehow acquired visas from the renown Chiune Sugihara, and became beneficiaries of his admirable action to risk his life so many persons from war-torn Europe were given the opportunity to seek refuge elsewhere in the world. Shortly after, the students traveled to Australia. Being that there were some students that were British subjects in possession of British passports, such as Rabbi Shlomo Davis, their visas were granted. Upon arrival in Australia, they were greeted by the small but vibrant Jewish community in Brisbane. As they planned out their next course of action, the group of students reached out to improve the Jewish quality of life amongst the native Australians. O

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