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INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK INWOOD MOVES FORWARD Spare Me, Please BY LARRY GORDON Hannah Reich Berman 27 MindBiz Mercaz, Mumbai & Bus 19 Esther Mann, LMSW 29 It’s been almost a year since antly struck with a sense of Comics And Halachah a murderous Palestinian, a shock and disbelief. How Rabbi Yair Hoffman 56 former employee, infiltrated could this happen to young the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva people with such bright Rabbi David Hollander high school in Jerusalem. In futures and with unlimited P h o t Reb Nison Gordon, z’l 64 o

just a minute or two he man- potential, especially as they sat B y J e r

aged to kill eight young men, in their beis midrash on just r y M

Bullish Thinking e y

most of them only in their another otherwise uneventful e r S

Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 72 t u

teens and all exceptional stu- school day? d i o dents who excelled at their Too often when evil rears s Torah studies and aspired to its ugly head, it picks up a At the Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island Chanukas HaBayis–Building Inaugural Dinner last Saturday night at the yeshiva’s new campus in Inwood, Rabbi even higher levels. frantic speed and a momen- Dov Edell, recipient of the Educator’s Award, dances in celebration with On that day—it was a Rabbi Tzvi Bajnon, the yeshiva’s menahel. Thursday—we were all inst- Continued on Page 9 See Photos, Page 79 Letters to the Editor HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE Yeshiva Education solutions. I am simply a par- Traveling Matzah Is A Necessity ent who read a piece on the The Big Event Dear Editor, topic and had some thoughts. BY LARRY GORDON way of galloping in our direc- with Lipa Schmeltzer, et al. I would like to respond to Naturally, the only solution tion—or we in its direction— See Page 51 Gershon Distenfeld’s well- to this problem—and all It’s an anomaly of sorts, once the hamantashen arrive. stated article addressing the problems, financial and oth- even a contradiction—taking The ovens at the matzah bak- yeshiva tuition crisis. Please erwise—is from the Ultimate the entire extended family to eries are working at full throt- note the following disclaimer: Donor. These are just some Hawaii or Puerto Rico for tle, waiting for us to get to the I am not, nor do I claim to ideas of other efforts we Pesach during a global as part of our holiday list (near be, a maven in this area. I could pursue. well as communal economic the top somewhere) that says, know there are many noble While it’s probably true for downturn. How will this be “Buy lots of matzah.” members of our community, many mosdos that communal reconciled? It may be some time yet rabbinical as well as political, donors are the financial back- One thing is certain: it’s before the springtime warmth who have been working on bone, there are very few indi- getting closer. Purim is less is able to break through the this problem for many years, than three weeks away, and and that there are no simple Continued on Page 13 you know how Pesach has a Continued on Page 22

Yeshiva of Far Rockaway 40th Annual Dinner. Caring For Others The Criminal TOO QUIET See Page 82 Act Of Having BY PHYLLIS J. Too Many Kids L UBIN

BY SHMULEY It’s quiet. Almost too quiet. BOTEACH Rivka left last night for a Tizmoret Shoshana retreat in It’s open season on large Baltimore, and my folks left families in America. Ever this morning for a weeklong since Nadya Suleman became cruise in the Caribbean. Not infamous as the unemployed that my parents actually live welfare mom of octuplets, the with me, but the fact that they focus has been not only on will be away for an entire Who is this guy? her irresponsible behavior in week leaves a void on See Pages 42, 55 becoming artificially impreg- Westwood Road (where they nated with eight embryos live and where I grew up) and CANDLE LIGHTING after she already had six chil- in the Lubin household on Feb. 20 – 5:18 PM The children at HAFTR’s Early Childhood Center sent packages of toys, dren, with no visible means of nearby Grove Avenue. Feb. 27 – 5:26 PM clothes, and handmade cards to children in S’derot. The children not only learn about chesed, they live it. Continued on Page 69 Continued on Page 21 2 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 3 4 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 5 6 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 7 8 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

FROM THE EDITOR sacred environs of a yeshiva. The inten- Continued from Front Cover sity of the sadness that accompanies these tragedies as they happen possibly tum that has the ability to cut through never wanes. After the passage of time, pure and innocent goodness like a however, for us on the periphery of raging blaze unsatisfied with the dam- these events all that is left is the memo- age it can do until the awful deed is ry and the appropriate memorials that done. This is what happened that are constructed as the annual yahrzeit is Rosh Chodesh Adar day, as the buds marked and observed. on the trees outside soaked in the Carrie Devorah is a photojournalist comforting warmth of an early who lives and works in Washington DC. Jerusalem spring while, inside, young If you are not familiar with her name, blossoming yeshiva students were you may recognize her brother’s name, being inexplicably cut down in a hail Yechezkel “Chezi” Goldberg. He lived in of bullets. Betar Illit and worked as a mentor and And now it’s a year later, with the counselor to great numbers of at-risk time to mourn dissolving and shifting Israeli youth. He was also a journalist into a time to remember. All the victims widely published in the Anglo-Jewish were teenagers, except for one who was media on the same subject. Chezi was 26 years old. Needless to say, the event on the Number 19 Bus on January 29, shook their families, the people of 2004, as it wound its way through Jerusalem, and all of Israel—and indeed morning traffic in the Rechavia neigh- all of us around the world. It would only borhood of Jerusalem. A Palestinian be some nine months later when the entered the bus near Hadassah Hospital shock and revulsion would replay itself and sat down in back of the bus, right with the massacre of young innocents in near Chezi, and a few seconds later det- the Chabad House in Mumbai, India. onated the bomb that was strapped to One can never become acclimated or his back. The bus exploded, killing adjust one’s emotions to absorb this type eleven passengers including Chezi. of wanton murder of Jews by the out-of- Unfortunately there were many such control terrorist scourge that has some- bus bombings right in “the Times Square how found a place for itself in everyday of Jerusalem,” with Israel obviously able life in our modern world. Even before to do very little to prevent these attacks at the incidents mentioned above, we were the time. At that point, Israel was effec- forced to deal with the heavy dose of tively convinced or had duped itself into bus bombings and suicide bombers det- believing that it was on the cusp of gen- onating themselves in cafes and restau- uine peace with the Palestinian popula- rants around Israel. The brazenness of tion and that these attacks were just one the terrorists knows no bounds. They’ve more “painful concession for peace,” as murdered people in their homes, in their cars, on the streets, and in the Continued on Page 10

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 9 FROM THE EDITOR ernment, as it evoked some short-lived FEATURES Continued from page 9 sympathy for what the average Israeli was going through and had to deal with they liked to call them at that time. on a daily basis. Around The Five Towns 40 P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 Fast-forward five years, as the yahrzeit From the Netherlands, the bus frame 516-984-0079 for her brother has speedily rolled around was sent on a tour of the United States Aliyah Chronicle [email protected] once again. Ms. Devorah is in Israel try- in the possession of a group named [email protected] Shmuel Katz 54 ing to win back her brother’s memory, “Christians for Israel.” If you go to their LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON which she feels has been exploited by website, you can read an extensive pro- Publisher/Editor Managing Editor several entities, including the Israeli gov- Israel, pro-Zionist, and, of course, anti- Ask The Sensei YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON ernment. Unlike other buses before it terror pitch that talks to Christians Warren Levi 52 Sales Managers and after it as well, the burnt-out frame around the world and solicits donations CHANA ROCHEL ROSS of Bus 19 would not just be relegated to to support the group’s activities, both Classified Ads 74 Editorial Assistant a scrap heap somewhere. here in the U.S. and in Israel. SIDI BARON The Bus 19 tragedy happened at Ms. Devorah says that the images of YAKOV SERLE Daf Yomi Insights JERRY MARKOVITZ around the same time that Israel was her brother and the other victims of Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 72 Sales Representatives vociferously constructing the security Bus 19 have been misused by the Israeli wall that surrounds Jerusalem and its government, as well as by two Jewish SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Five Towns Simcha Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor environs. As it turned out, the 30-foot- groups that raised money in the terror Suri Adams Photography 81 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS high concrete wall has been very suc- victims’ name, in addition to Christians Irwin H. Benjamin, Hannah Reich Berman cessful in keeping the terrorist miscre- for Israel—with little or none of the Anessa V. Cohen, Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg ants out of many of Israel’s most vulner- money finding its way to the families. Halachic Musings Toby Klein Greenwald, Michele Herenstein able population centers. Palestinian So last week she was in Israel trying to Rabbi Yair Hoffman 56 Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Miriam Horowitz leaders, upset with the obstacle to ter- wrestle back her brother’s good name, Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky ror placed in their midst, took their case in the belief that while the tragedies Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann Insights On The Torah to the International Court in The that Israel has endured belong, to an Rochelle Miller, Martin Mushell, Naomi Ross Rabbi Yanki Tauber 28 Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher Hague, mostly as a publicity stunt to extent, to us all, the sacred personal Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah 35 MICHAL WEINSTEIN, BINYAMIN RHODES show how Israel has no regard for the aspects of the experience should still be DOV GORDON Arab population in the territories and the private property of the families. Staff Graphic Artists how the wall just split them up, dividing And it’s been quite an ordeal for her. Luach 25 IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS residents from their farmlands and The Israeli government has refused to Staff Photographers dividing up families whose members give her the contact numbers for the MindBiz FRANKEL & CO. live on opposite sides of the wall. families of the other victims of the Esther Mann, LMSW 29 Design & Production To demonstrate to the justices in the bombing. After the bombed-out bus TALIYE CORLEY Netherlands what it is that Israeli citi- made an appearance at The Hague and Real Estate zens were up against, the Israeli govern- was paraded around the country by Art Director Anessa V. Cohen 36 ment shipped the mangled frame of Bus Christians for Israel, it ended up in a The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- 19 to the Netherlands for all to picture Maryland scrap-metal yard. While it paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not That’s The Way It Is! necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not in their minds what it might mean to be was there, a passerby noticed the responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or on one of these blown-up buses. It was Hannah Reich Berman 27 establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. a nice publicity stunt for the Israeli gov- Continued on Page 12

10 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 11 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from page 10

Hebrew lettering on the bus and was instrumental in salvaging all that was left of it. The bus was taken in and put on display by Camp Shoresh in Adamstown, Maryland. The camp hopes to create a memorial garden around the bus, where it can be viewed by visitors and become both a tourist attraction and an eternal remembrance for the victims of the attack. Carrie Devorah believes that the sacred souls of the victims linger about and are in a sense attached to the left- over metal that was once this bus. She does not understand how the vehicle that was supposed to show the international community the brutal result of what a bus bombing is ended up in a junkpile in the U.S. The first yahrzeit next week of the eight boys who were murdered at the Mercaz HaRav high school is of course something else, but their story still in some way resembles the Bus 19 attack. Yakov Cohaney, the communications director for the Mercaz HaRav high school, told me this week in a phone call from his Jerusalem home that there are a series of events planned to commemorate the first anniversary of the attack. Some, he said, will be public events, and others will be quiet, personal, and private. In talking with him about the Bus 19 situation, he said he understood the issue but pointed out an important difference between the events. The victims of Bus 19 were brought together by a tragic twist of fate, he noted. “It’s different here, because all the families share the same hashkafah, the same values, goals and interests,” he said. Mr. Cohaney says that there were just a couple of instances in the past year when they believed that organizations were using the boys’ images and unfortunate experience for their own fundraising purposes. He doesn’t believe that it was necessarily exploita- tion, but looks at it as overzealousness by those believing that these tragedies are public property. And in a way they are, but in a way they are not. To commemorate the yahrzeit, the school has published a memorial book, Princes Among Men, which includes a collection of impressions of the boys along with divrei Torah written by family members, friends, and teachers at the yeshiva. To further commemorate the lives of those who were killed on that very sad day, the project “B’lev Echad” will be completing eight sifrei Torah, each of which will be presented to a family that lost a child in the attack. The project, which was sponsored anony- mously, will, G-d-willing, be completed with the writing of the final letters of each sefer on Rosh Chodesh Adar. Also, this Shabbos, students from the yeshiva will be joining the families of their friends who died in the attack in their communities around Israel so as to strengthen them and be there with them to share this special time. The students will spend Shabbos in Kochav HaShachar, Jerusalem, Neve Daniel, Shilo, Elkana, Ashdod, and Efrat.

Continued on Page 14 12 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR field of Lawrence Middle School, Continued from Front Cover while your children are possibly crowding into makeshift windowless viduals to whom that point can really classrooms in a shul basement. apply. In truth, most of us are in the What seems to be the most fair and other category mentioned by the logical way to ease the burden is to author—those working hard to cover promote legal acknowledgement of our expenses, and either just getting by reality. Private and parochial schools or falling a little short. For many of us, in the religious communities are not tuition costs exceed our mortgage the luxury choice that they are in the expenses and stand out as our highest intellectual “preppy” culture. The monthly bill. So giving more is not decision to send a child to yeshiva such a realistic option. rather than public school is not analo- There is another avenue which I gous to sending a child to NYU rather would add to his list of suggestions, than Queens College. Any mental- one which is far from original but nev- health professional could easily make ertheless has not yet been fully a case to show that a child being exhausted in actuality. A portion of our raised in a strictly halachic manner tax dollars goes toward public educa- would be culturally and socially mal- tion. That means that you are paying for the lawn-mowing of the football Continued on Page 17

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 13 FROM THE EDITOR now—only a year later—because they Continued from page 12 didn’t wear black hats, because they Although I had never met them, I wore knitted yarmulkes, or because Remembering paid a visit to the Avichayil family— At the time of the Mercaz HaRav mas- their rabbis believed in and articulated as did countless strangers who were sacre last year, some chareidi editorialists their belief in the Zionist dream? driven to comfort these eight families wrote, “Today, we are all Mercaz HaRav,” Whether it’s a few months later, a The Neighbor during the shivah week. I timidly or something that expressed those senti- year later, or five years later, we are all— joined the crowds overflowing from their front door as I craned my neck I Never Knew to get a glimpse of the grieving parents of Segev P’niel Avichayil, Hy’d. I was afraid of what I would see and B Y LAURA BEN-DAVID hear, but I never expected to hear them comforting their visitors. With a A whole year has passed since the strength I could never have sum- brutal murder of eight young stu- moned, they were reassuring people, dents at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva. speaking words of Torah and unwa- The horrifying events of that evening vering faith. I thought I had come to instantly made the iconic institution comfort them, but it turned out that more well-known for the tragedy than the opposite was true. for nearly a century of producing I never had the pleasure of meet- elite Torah scholars. That terrible ing Segev, but, through an unfore- night, and the heart-wrenching seen chain of events, I had the rare funeral the next morning, are embla- opportunity to get a glimpse of the zoned in my memory for so many rea- extraordinary young man who was sons. The brutality, the youthful Segev, through the eyes of his par- innocence of the victims, the tear- ents. It was when, several months The cover of the book “Princes Among Men.” streaked faces of the thousands who later, I received an e-mail from an came to pay their respects, and the Italian reporter named Giulio Meotti. ments. And indeed we were, because despite what is said or written—still fact that my own neighbor was one of He was looking for the Avichayil’s when the terrorist entered that yeshiva Mercaz HaRav, Mumbai, and Bus the victims all struck me like a physi- contact information, as he was writ- building on that Thursday afternoon, he Number 19. There might be some cal blow. As a parent, I felt anguish ing a book about Israeli victims of was looking and gunning for all of us. innate, habitual, or even traditional dis- and grief knowing that the parents of terror and wished to interview them. And the same was true of the Mumbai comfort at joining together on these eight young people would never hug Unwilling to give their information terrorists. They weren’t checking for occasions, as inexplicable as that is. But their child again. without their permission, I called hashkafic nuances in our different ways that’s why we have leaders. They might Rabbi Elishav and Mrs. Moriah them first to see if they would agree of doing things. That one was a Jew was be ridiculed and even criticized for weak Avichayil were two of those parents. to this, assuming I’d be finished with sufficient qualification to be a victim. and invalid reasons. But that’s why they Living just blocks away from me, the my part in this the moment I hung up But you weren’t there; they were. And are the leaders and we, the people, are modest and unassuming couple’s life the phone. now all they have left, from our perspec- the followers. O was to be changed in a way no parent tive, is to be remembered by us. Are we Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at should ever have to experience. Continued on Page 16 going to distance ourselves from them [email protected].

14 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 15 Remembering Segev then that I needed to do more with that Segev would always greet him. time. On her own she became reli- Continued from page 14 this story than just sending it off to Once Segev saw that he was having a gious, and came on aliyah to Israel. Rome. I only hope that my translation hard time, so Segev helped him empty Rabbi Elishav’s father is Rabbi Eliyahu The parents agreed to the interview. and my pen do justice to the memory the garbage. After the attack, when Avichayil, who was born in Israel. However, the reporter only spoke of Segev P’niel Avichayil. the man found out Segev was one of Rabbi Eliyahu is a very popular, well- English and Italian, and the Avichayils Who was Segev? the victims, he was deeply upset and known rabbi whose organization helps only spoke Hebrew. They were at an Segev was a good person with a very said that Segev had been the only stu- bring back the “Lost Tribes” of Israel. impasse before they even started. The good heart. He saw the good in every- dent who actually cared about him. Rabbi Elishav was born in Paris, reporter asked if I would be willing to one. Whether he was with his friends, In fact, Segev would say thank-you but his family was only there for a conduct the interview for him, in his family, or even strangers, Segev to his teachers after every lesson. He month or so at the time. He lived from Hebrew, and then translate it to loved to help, and he showed interest really cared. then on in Israel, mostly Jerusalem. English for him. With no small in every person. He was very honest. After they were married, they lived amount of panic, but unwilling to He smiled at others and genuinely in the Old City of Jerusalem for five avoid this delicate challenge, I accept- cared about them. As a child, he had years. Then Rabbi Elishav became the ed the task. With much trepidation, I his own charity box for needy people “Segev was the rabbi of the neighborhood Adurah, in made an appointment with the and he would be responsible for col- the southern Hebron Hills region. It Avichayils for the difficult interview. lecting the money each month. is a mixed religious/secular yishuv. The reporter had given me just four He was very deep and very smart; exact opposite of Rabbi Elishav is also a teacher in questions to ask Segev’s parents: he put a lot of thought into every- Michlala College (where his father is Who was Segev? thing. In school, his teachers praised also a teacher) and in a yeshiva in What is the family’s background? his abilities, while he always remained such hatred. He Beersheba. Why do you think the terrorists modest. He was always a great learn- They moved to Efrat, and then nine chose Mercaz HaRav? er, while at the same time a “normal years ago to Neve Daniel. Segev was Has the attack caused you to ques- kid.” He rode his bike, played with his was full of love.” born when they were living in Efrat. tion your faith? friends; he was like everyone else. Moriah is an artist who does soft- They were four loaded questions. I Segev was very intelligent. He sculpture (art with fabrics) and is also hoped my mediocre Hebrew would be learned the technical script used in a teacher. She did the beautiful pero- adequate for the difficult task ahead. I writing a Torah scroll. In fact, he What is the family’s background? chet (curtain) hanging before the ark had no real idea what I was in for. But learned things like an adult. Talmud, Moriah’s mother was in Belgium in the main synagogue of Neve Daniel. I knew I was in it to my core. This was general studies, things that were usu- during the Holocaust; part of her fam- Why do you think the terrorists not simply a job or a favor; it was a ally very hard, Segev learned with rel- ily was killed in Auschwitz. Her grand- chose Mercaz HaRav? responsibility. ative ease. From when he was small parents were from Belgium. Her The terrorist was a bus driver for I arrived at the Avichayil home with he would participate in classes of grandfather was a great rabbi there, Jewish schools. His father was a con- my stomach in knots. I sat down with higher learning and ask intelligent with many students and followers. tractor for Jewish homes. It seems Segev’s parents without knowing what questions. Moriah herself was born in Israel. that he veered toward this path as an to expect. What I got was astonishing. Segev was “complete”—intelligent Rabbi Elishav Avichayil’s mother adult, as it doesn’t seem he was One hour—and pages and pages of and with a good heart. Whoever met was in the Holocaust, too. She hid brought up this way. But he simply notes—later, I walked away from the him could feel all this in him. alone, as a young girl, in a village in interview a changed person. I knew A janitor from his school reported France. She was not religious at the Continued on Page 18

16 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR labus) of our yeshiva day could high. If so many other coun- Mrs. Liss, an educator, mar- the manner suggested by Continued from Page 13 be considered mandatory edu- tries can find a way around it, riage and family therapist in Mr. Distenfeld, i.e. commu- cation, and then receive gov- I believe that in this great private practice, and tuition- nally, so tuition costs are adapted, not to mention reli- ernment funding toward secu- country we can too. We just paying mother of five, can be much lower. giously compromised, in a lar components of schooling— need to build a viable case, reached at [email protected]. In terms of cutting costs, public-school milieu. including salaries for the secu- and make ourselves heard, to I’m sure there is a signifi- We are also not, primarily, lar-studies teachers, mortgage, legislative authorities—and to Trimming The Fat From cant amount of “shmaltz” in a group for whom this spend- utilities, resource, enrich- the Divine Management. We Our Yeshiva Budgets our mosdos. Just to cite one ing is in proportion to the rest ment, labs, and extra-curricu- will get through this just as we Dear Editor, small example, we receive of our lifestyle; it is clearly a lars. This would significantly have through other challeng- The article “Getting several mailings a week from sacrifice. Surely a demo- defray the expenses of yeshiv- ing times. May the economy Serious about the Tuition our daughter’s school; why graphic distinction can be os, perhaps allowing for lower be the worst of our problems, Crisis” in the February 13 can’t they be combined to drawn between religious tuitions. and may we see nachas, edition was very insightful save on the postage? observance and academic I have heard that America is health, safety, and hatzlachah and illuminating. The chas- In this vein, I would like to elitism. Apply the principle of the only country in the world in the chinuch of our children. sidishe communities support freedom of religion, and whose yeshiva tuitions are so Elisheva Liss their mosdos and operate in Continued on Page 18 observe that tens of thousands (or more) who are enti- tled to, and via taxes are paying for, public education are not benefiting from that right. If, theoretically, we would all enroll our children in public schools next year, there would be no way for them to absorb our population, even if only in terms of numbers. I once heard someone quip that we should all agree to do just that. Then the public-school system would be forced to cut a deal with the yeshivos. I am not suggesting we go that far. But to begin by having tuition become a tax deduction would certainly make a difference, both to parents and yeshivos. Ultimately, what would be ideal is if there were a formula to compute what percentage (in terms of time and syl-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 17 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Remembering Segev never said one hateful word about his a big mistake. Every war against terror Continued from Page 17 Continued from page 16 attackers, only to wonder why they is a war of light against darkness. The can’t just let us live here in peace. Jewish people want goodness to tri- commend the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway decided to kill Jews. Segev was as different from a ter- umph against terror. and the Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island Any place that had Jews would rorist as love is from hate. He simply There is tremendous pain; pain [as well as the Hebrew Academy of have sufficed. He hated Jews, and believed in goodness. If only people that is impossible to describe. But our Long Beach] for moving the venue of simply wanted to kill them. But if he would wish for goodness like Segev faith? It is stronger, it is better than their dinners to their yeshiva campus- did specifically choose this place, it is did—without all the fundamentalism ever. es. I’m sure there was a significant sav- because it is a place of deep faith— and hate—there would be goodness On the night of the attack, Segev ings with more of the money collected faith in the Jewish people, faith in the for all. had finished learning with his high- going to the yeshiva. land of Israel, and faith in the Torah. Has the attack caused you to school class, and there was to be a Sincerely, But it would not have really made a question your faith? party for the new month of Adar. They [email protected] difference. He would have killed in I [Rabbi Avichayil] believe that were all told to leave the study hall so any place. [Radical] Muslims hate everything in life can strengthen the it could be prepared for the party. The Working Together anything that is not Muslim. In par- strong and weaken the weak. Nothing boys suddenly found themselves with To Solve The Tuition Crisis ticular they hate the Jewish people will ever change this. We believe in free time. Segev said to his study part- Dear Editor, because we live here, in the land of the Jewish people, in the Land of ner that they should continue learn- Thank-you to Gershon Distenfeld Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Israel, in the State of Israel—because ing in the library of the Mercaz for his timely article about today’s It says in the Koran a number of G-d believes in them. G-d gave the HaRav yeshiva (where the post-high- tuition crisis (February 13). As par- times that “Israel belongs to the Torah to the Jewish people—having school students learned). They ents of school-aged children, Jewish people.” Most Muslims do not this strength and belief can weaken learned for a while, and were told it around-the-Shabbos-table conversa- know this. In fact, once, over 100 bullets. All eight families are stronger was time to stop. Segev said, “Another tions with our peers invariably turn years ago, Jews purchased land from now after the attack. five minutes.” This was a perfect to this topic. Arabs in Rechovot. Arabs came to the The terrorists want to break our example of the way Segev always It’s an apparently unwinnable tug- Jews and started throwing stones at motivation, but in reality the opposite learned: with his heart, not through of-war. On the one side, our kids them. An elderly Arab approached occurs. We are even stronger because obligations. He wanted to finish calm- need the best education available, and said, “Never hurt a son of of it. Even more dedicated and com- ly, and not abruptly. It was exactly and our rebbeim and teachers need to Abraham and Isaac!” But such Arabs mitted to the Land of Israel, to the then, in those extra five minutes, that earn livable wages; but on the other, are few and far between. Most of State. The thing is we don’t always the terrorist attacked. our backs are breaking under the bur- them just don’t want us to live here; remember our strength. Sometimes it The Jewish nation has powerful den of paying for it all. they hate us. The hate is in their takes something horrible like this to strengths. All those who try to hurt us Over the years, a number of good hearts. remind us, and renew our strength. in reality only remind us of our ideas have been raised, from assess- Segev was the exact opposite of All the families together create strengths. From the time of Abraham ing a minimal voluntary “tax” on local such hatred. He was full of love. something that was not there when until today, try as they might, they can businesses, to adjusting the school Three years before he was killed, he we were apart, without this tragedy never break us. But we must always day and school year to increase was traveling with his father to binding us. Like fragrant plants, one maintain our faith. O teachers’ productivity, to different Adurah when they were shot upon by little leaf is very delicate, but a whole forms of consolidation or cooperation terrorists. Segev was wounded. He bouquet will be quite strong. Laura Ben-David is the author of Moving Up: between the schools, and so on. prayed to G-d to save him, but he Anyone who helps terrorists makes An Aliyah Journal (Mazo Publishers). Continued on Page 20

18 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 19 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR other living expenses and would not Continued from Page 18 under any circumstances be able to pay $40,000–$70,000 per year on Granted, none of these ideas are per- tuition. That’s at least half of what they fect or complete, but they may be make! The sad fact is, many families good starting points. The problem is, don’t even make that much. The any idea that is ever raised is coun- schools are not to blame, because tered with, “That would never work unlike public schools they have the because…” high expense of two departments, Here’s the thing. It’s not going to English and Hebrew. The bottom line get better unless we step out of the is that the current system is not ten- box and try some creative solutions able and there is no easy solution. that may minimize the deterioration Public school is not the answer; expos- of this problem, even if they don’t fix ing your children to that environment it entirely. It’s not going to fix itself. I will lead to massive assimilation. find it hard to believe that in a com- [email protected] munity of educated, creative, commit- Cleveland ted, accomplished people, we can’t get a handle on this. I propose we set Dear Editor, up a group of concerned parents, Although some of what Mr. teachers, and administrators from all Distenfeld wrote is true, I think that the local schools to sift through ideas we as communities need to push all from the public and put together a local governments to allocate money or plan. It will only work if we’re all in it vouchers for our children. together and if we’re all willing to I truly believe (and I speak from my make the painful concessions and community) that if 3,000 children compromises that it will take. But the suddenly show up for public school future of K’lal Yisrael may just rest on registration, the county would not be us getting it done. able to handle such an influx of chil- Sarah Yastrab dren. Participants would have to take on the possibility that they may have to More Responses To ‘Getting send their kids for a week or two, or Serious About The Tuition Crisis’ even just a day. Dear Editor, What would be the difference, if The only problem with this article is we pay the Jewish schools anyway that it returns to the same so-called while this was occurring? The money solutions, such as “spend less money would be tax-deductible, since our on simchas,” etc. The bottom line is children would be in public school that a family making $100,000 a year and not receiving any services from is going to spend almost all their their Jewish schools. It would be a money just on rent or mortgage and full write-off to a tax-deductible

20 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES organization, while our chil- many places in the tri-state Mother’s Musings the blink of an eye. When we although my parents live less dren get a brief exposure to area it is very expensive! Continued from Front Cover can’t, we feel more alone. than a mile away, there are public school for free (with Twenty years ago, the cost of It’s 11:30 a.m. Sunday days that we don’t see each our tax money already being a home was one-fourth of I just tried to reach Rivka morning, and I was finally other (busy with work and allocated to other, non-reli- what it is now. on her cell phone and she able to get through to my par- the kids, etc.), but just know- gious students). 2) The economy is terrible, doesn’t answer. It’s not her ents. They made it to sunny ing that I can see them if I concernedsilverspringer@ as we all know. People are los- fault that she doesn’t Miami Beach and are on the want to gives me a sense of yahoo.com ing jobs, taking pay cuts, and answer—I’m sure she is very cruise ship ready to go. My calm. Being disconnected for losing whatever money they busy learning new singing mom warned me that she an entire week is frustrating, Dear Editor, may have started to invest for methods and meeting new probably won’t be able to talk if not frightening. Well said; however, a com- retirement. We will never people—but I miss the to me when the boat is at I was also able to connect munity-wide communal fund make the money or see the sound of her voice. In this sea—partially because she is with Rivka this morning. She will be very difficult to coordi- economy like we did 10–15 age of cell phones and the not sure her phone will work, sounds like she is having a nate. I suggest that you get years ago. We live in a different Internet, we’ve become and partially because she for- good time. “Sorry I couldn’t one shul to set up such a spoiled and are usually able got to take the charger. fund. The publicity and Continued on Page 59 to connect with people in Please keep in mind that Continued on Page 25 excitement that it will gener- ate will set the example and pave the way in terms of management, trustees, etc. That energy will get the others moving. [email protected]

Dear Editor, Well said! Many people who read this article are oblivious to what is going on out there. First of all, I think people making the most comments on how we have to grin and bear it are either done with sending their kids to school or are almost done. Older people need to understand that the young married couples who are just starting out have many issues right now: 1) Home price. Yes, they are going down a bit, but in

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 21 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE itors looking for gold or at least some and comprehensively. the business. Although the programs Continued from Front Cover shekels on the streets of New York. One thing you don’t see in this new are going to be opening for Pesach So how are you doing? Or better yet, economic downturn is people taking across the board, it is understood that chill that surrounds us like a frigid how are we doing? I don’t know if we over hotels for the first time because the hotels are not going to be full. shell during the long, cold, and ardu- will be able to tell from the sales gen- they think they have something inno- The unanswered question is what ous winter. Our trees are struggling to erated by pre-packaged shalach manos vative to contribute to the market. The happens next year, when all these peo- push out their buds; ads and inserts in baskets or other presentations, but we programs and hotels that will host and ple who had never spent a Passover newspapers and magazines are touting should be able to get a somewhat bet- have been hosting our people for holiday at home decide that it may not colorful shalach manos presentation ter assessment of the situation by what Pesach are—for better or worse—out be so bad and that they may want to try pieces, and we are wondering what happens over Pesach. You know that there and ready to deliver as they do it again regardless of the economic Purim charitable collections—a long- the American economy can usually tell every year, with some having done so environment. Responses and reactions time and steadfast tradition—are going how well or poorly it is doing by how for decades. However, the Pesach mar- to the experience may be mixed. My to be like this year. guess is that some will find that being Organizations are soliciting volun- home—not needing 18 wardrobe teers to join their small groups that changes or 9 suits with 22 neckties for will spread out around Jewish commu- Pesach—is somewhat liberating. Then nities in the tri-state area and beyond there will be the other school of in order to solicit contributions and This might be the most opportune time thought, making itself heard in a voice take advantage of the giving spirit of that can be heard across town, that is Purim. In the past—and who knows, that’s come around in a long while to not happy with all of the cleaning, the perhaps it will happen this year too— food preparation for so many meals the frum landscape has become dotted and so many people, etc. with signs of opulence and plenty in pack everyone up, lock up the house, sell Some veterans of the “must go away the form of gaudy and extravagant somewhere—anywhere—for Pesach” stretch limousines as the vehicle of group feel that on the other hand this choice to transport these well-meaning the chametz and go away for Pesach. might be the most opportune time do-gooders. that’s come around in a long while to Is that going to change this year as pack everyone up, lock up the house, tzedakah organizations try to work sell the chametz and go away for within the parameters of fiscal con- consumers behave—i.e., spend—over ket is in uncharted territory this year, Pesach. And the reason is that some straints or at least attempt to project the secular holiday season. so even those already in the business bargain hunters feel that just like it an image of economic frugality as the It’s been said that the going-to-a- do not know what to expect. might be time to buy stocks (that is, if financial realities continue to be rede- hotel-for-Passover industry generates You’re probably right if you think you know what you’re doing), this fined? Over the last several months the about $100 million annually. I know that many people who always go some- might be a great year to start calling flow of people from Israel who go that the knee-jerk reaction to that where for yom tov will be staying home around to see what kind of deals there door-to-door and office-to-office col- unofficial statistic is that if everyone this year for a change. And the biggest are out there. lecting money, either for an organiza- would just stay home—like in the old danger to the industry is not what is Already for the first time in many tion or for themselves, had slowed con- days—for this one Pesach and redirect going to happen this year; it’s next year years (though it has been done before) siderably. But then fuel prices plum- that money, then our problems with that they are already concerned about. some Passover hotels are offering an meted and airfares plunged, and that yeshivas and caring for the less fortu- It’s understood by the hoteliers that seemed to reopen the floodgates of vis- nate could be taken care of efficiently this is going to be an unusual year in Continued on Page 60

22 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 23 24 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Mother’s Musings s”xc Continued from page 21 answer the phone before; I was ‘in the moment.’ I just can’t talk on the phone when I am in the moment.” Her “moment” is when she is singing. She sings all the time: when playing cards, doing homework, wash- ing dishes, and, of course, in the show- er. Not only does she sing songs that she’s heard on the radio or learned in school, she sings her own songs. “Sing me one of your own songs, Rivka,” I beseeched her this past Shabbos. As she began to sing her own cre- ations, I sat in awe. I’d heard her and her sisters sing these songs before, and I thought they were songs from the radio! I’ve always known that Rivka was a talented singer, but I never realized that she was a songwriter and lyri- cist as well! Rivka has always been a

Continued on Page 26 CALENDAR LUACH Feb. 20-Feb. 28 ZIP Code: 11516

26 Shevat – Erev Shabbos Friday, February 20 Daf yomi: Bava Kamma 54 Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:48 am Sunrise: 6:42 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:49 am Gr’a 9:25 am Candle Lighting: 5:18 pm 27 Shevat – Shabbos Saturday, February 21 Shabbos Parashas Mishpatim Parashas Shekalim Blessing of Chodesh Adar Shabbos ends**: 6:19 pm 72 min. 6:50 pm 30 Shevat – 1 Adar Tuesday–Wednesday, February 24–25 Rosh Chodesh Adar 3 Adar – Erev Shabbos Friday, February 27 Daf yomi: Bava Kamma 61 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:38 am Sunrise: 6:32 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:43 am Gr’a 9:19 am Candle Lighting: 5:26 pm 4 Adar – Shabbos Saturday, February 28 Shabbos Parashas Terumah Shabbos ends**: 6:25 pm 72 min. 6:57 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Week of February 16–20 Public schools closed. Wednesday, February 25 NYC alternate-side parking regulations suspended. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 25 Mother’s Musings Continued from page 25 it). Of course my mom had to agree our song ready; the creative-writing A Musical to let me take part in it. So on girls had their poems written; the poet. She feels things more than some, motzaei Shabbos I was picked up drama girls, under the advisement and that gives her a warm heart and a and was on my way to get a deeper of Ms. Jessica Schechter, had their great deal of understanding. The rap- look into music and singing. little skit prepared; and the cham- port that she has with her siblings Experience Right when I stepped into the ber-music girls, under the direction speaks volumes! I have lost count of Pearlstone Conference and Retreat of Mr. Mark Singer, had their piece how many times I have been asked center and saw the eager smiling rehearsed. when Rivka was coming home. faces of the other girls, I knew that The performance was a huge “Why is it so important that you A Sibling Speaks the long four-hour trip would be success. I opened the show, know the exact moment when she will BY RIVKA LUBIN worth it. After getting to know singing a song I wrote, called arrive?” I asked Rochel the fourth time everyone’s names and being greeted “Music.” Then each group showed she inquired. It is 11:33 p..m. and I have just by Mrs. Ellen Singer, founder of the everyone what they had been “I just miss her, OK?” Rochel admitted. experienced one of the best two days program, everyone split up into working on. I have to say that as I Rivka is scheduled to come home of my life. This past weekend I took groups. There were girls who were was watching everyone, I was just late Monday evening and my parents part in “A Taste of Tizmoret there for vocal music, chamber so happy that we were all getting are due back next Sunday. I hope they Shoshana.” Tizmoret Shoshana is a music, art, drama, and creative an opportunity to do what we love all enjoy their respite, but I will be glad summer program held in Baltimore writing. Me and about three other doing. After the big show, we all when they are home! O where frum girls can express their girls were working on vocal music. went into our rooms, got cozy, and talents in a nice and Jewish environ- We were under the instruction of had such a meaningful sing-along. Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst ment. This weekend served as a Mrs. Treine Kheel. We learned how Jessica Schechter read one of her with her husband Leonard and six children: “taste” of what is to come in the to use our voices correctly. We favorite books to us. It is called I Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. She welcomes your questions and comments upcoming summer. For more infor- worked on a song that was to be Knew You Could. I think it’s my at [email protected]. mation, you can view the website, sung at the performance at the end favorite book now, too. It’s all www.tizmoret.org, and/or contact the of the day. about following your dreams and program at tizmoretshoshana@ After an hour and a half of prac- not giving up. yahoo.com. ticing, we all took a break for lunch. The next day, before we all said How did I become part of a pro- This was a great time to get to know our good-byes, everyone went gram in Baltimore? Through Mrs. everyone. We then heard a great around and said what they got out Debra Landau, that’s how. I spent shiur on how to get closer to of this experience. When it came to this past Simchas Torah with her Hashem everywhere you go. my turn, I said: No matter what and her daughter Shana at my Whether you are at home, in anyone says, don’t let them bring friend’s grandparents in Commack, school, or even eating breakfast, you down. Don’t try to be someone New York. The holiday was filled there are so many ways to make else. You should just be yourself and with singing and music. As an avid your relationship with Hashem real- be happy with what you are doing. reader of my mother’s column, Mrs. ly special and great. Finally, after Follow your dreams. If you have a Landau kindly e-mailed her, another few more fun hours of talent and you want to show it, just explaining this program (she hap- practicing, everyone was ready for go and do it, and in the end you will pens to be one of the directors of the performance. We vocal girls had succeed. O

26 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

ed. Actually, my compassion was never Such is life. But now I’ve finally got- for her, but rather for the 14 children ten a bit of a grip on the situation. I she has brought into the world. It’s a used to simply delete e-mails contain- serious situation. ing political messages, jokes, or other Big news stories—serious stories— nonsense without bothering to read always start out the same way. The them. These types of e-mails are easi- public is horrified and appalled, and ly distinguishable. When the e-mail the press laps it up and doesn’t let up addresses of a dozen others show up Spare Me, Please for a minute. Every 24 hours they find along with mine, and when the tag some new detail to report. This is pri- “Fwd:” appears, it’s a dead giveaway. marily because they get so much of it In time, I discovered that people who Jokes don’t do it for me. Especially political messages. And that, of course, wrong in the first place. For example, share my e-mail service (AOL users) Internet jokes. People just love e-mail- is clearly my own fault. it was initially reported that the six can check the status of what they’ve ing those things, with the result that By necessity, jokes often follow the older children born to the mom of the sent. They know if it was read and my mailbox gets fuller every day. It latest headline topics. Bernie Madoff octuplets were three sets of twins. when it was read. They also know if it takes precious time to delete each has been a hot commodity on the Then, within days, we learned that was deleted! I feel as if Big Brother is message, and if I should happen to humor circuit for the past few there is only one set of twins and four watching. So I now open it first and miss a day on the computer I often weeks—although, what is funny about single-birth children. In one publica- then close it. That’s so if the sender find up to 50 or more e-mails waiting what that creep did still escapes me. tion it was reported that one of the six bothers to check, he or she won’t for me. It’s not hard to figure out that the next children is handicapped, and the very know that I haven’t actually read it. Political messages aren’t my batch of jokes will be about the “octu- next day we learned that three of And when I’m questioned about the e- favorite thing to receive, either— plets mom,” a woman I’ve come to them have special needs. I’m not sure mail, as I often am, I usually just although I confess to having sent a detest. While it’s patently obvious that how or where reporters get their smile and say, “Yes, it was terrific— handful of those in my computer life- she’s a sick woman in need of help, my information, but accuracy doesn’t very funny.” O time. In my defense, however, I only compassion for her situation is over- seem to be a requirement. send those with petitions attached to shadowed by the fact that I’ve already Still, the jokes will continue. They Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with them. And that’s because I feel an heard enough about her to last a life- will be about this topic or that, and Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at obligation to spread the word, so that time. And the jokes haven’t even start- there will always be new material. [email protected] or 516-902-3733. as many people as possible will contact the White House, the United Nations, or their local representatives. This is usually on behalf of Israel and against her enemies. Other than being part of a public- service message that would possibly benefit our tribe, I eschew most political messages along with the dreaded jokes. On countless occasions I’ve made it clear that I don’t want to receive jokes, but does anyone listen to me? Absolutely not! Or, at least very few people listen. I often wonder what that’s all about, but I think I have it figured out. The likelihood is that it’s because everyone wants to be heard—or read. And every person who sends jokes is convinced that his or her jokes are worth it. The dreaded words, when I speak to an e-mailing friend, are, “Did you read what I sent you?” Many people are offended when they think that what they sent hasn’t been read, so I inevitably feel the need to reassure them that I will go back and reread the material. This is pressure! Now and then I fess up and admit that I simply dislike receiving e- mail jokes. The results are 50/50. Some people will say, “Okay, I won’t send them to you anymore,” but others persist. Those are the ones with whom I always have the following conversation. “How did you like what I sent you the other day? You did read it, didn’t you?” Me: “Uh, no-oh. Umm, well, I’m not sure.” “I’m sure I sent it to you.” “I’m not sure if I read it, but I’ll look for it. I’m not really into jokes.” “But you know that if I send something to you, it has to be good.” (The emphasis here is on the word “I.”) Knowing full well that many of my friends read this column, I can now expect to get asked by at least a dozen people, “You didn’t mean me, did you?” To this I will undoubtedly respond with, “You? Oh no, not you. What you send is always terrific.” The obvious result will be that I will continue to receive jokes and cartoons, along with 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 27 the property of the lender. From the loaned money becomes the property of moment the borrower receives it, it is the borrower, a rented object remains his in every respect (it is only that in the property of its owner.) receiving the loan, he assumes the obligation to make a payment for the Body And Soul same amount to the lender at some The Zohar states that the Torah has future date). So if the lender were to both a body and a soul. The Torah’s collect a fee or percentage in return for “body” is its physical dimension: its the benefit that the borrower is deriv- recounting of the physical history of the From The Chassidic Masters ing from the money, he would be col- universe and its instruction of the phys- lecting a reward for the fact that the ical life of man. Animating this body is money had once been his, not for a soul—a spiritual dimension in which Doing Business With G-d something that he is contributing now. every law and event, in its every detail, This the Torah forbids. has its metaphysical significance. When you lend money to My people, funds extended to one’s fellow. In a On the other hand, in the case of a Body and soul complement and ful- to the poor person [who is] with you, heter iska contract it is stipulated that heter iska agreement, the money fill each other. The body is a vehicle for you shall not behave toward him as a the money is not a loan but an invest- remains the property of the investor the soul, extending the soul’s reach to lender; you shall not impose interest ment in a joint business venture, with (in partnership with the one to whom areas it could not touch on its own; the upon him. profits to be shared between the owner the money has been entrusted), and body of the Torah is its soul’s imple- —Sh’mos 22:24 of the capital and the one who has the compensation he receives is not menter, realizing its ethereal concepts If your brother grows poor, and his as concrete truths in a concrete world. means fail, you shall support him [with On the other hand, a body without a a loan]… Do not take interest and usury soul is dark and cold: often, a law or from him… I am the L-rd your G-d, event in the Torah might seem dry, pro- who has taken you out of the land of For ten rubles a day the peasant would saic, or trivial, until it is viewed in the Egypt…to be your G-d. elucidating light of its spiritual import. —Vayikra 25:35–38 The same applies to the laws of From these [concluding words], our model his hay-pitching technique in usury and heter iska. Viewed solely in sages have derived: One who accepts terms of their application to our finan- upon himself the prohibition of usury the nobleman’s drawing room. cial lives, these might seem highly accepts upon himself the yoke of technical or even pedantic; heter iska Heaven; but one who rejects the prohi- sounds like an elaborate loophole by bition of usury rejects the yoke of which to circumvent the prohibition of Heaven. usury. Is there really that much differ- —Sifra, ibid. been granted the right to use it and “free profit,” but profit that his money ence between these two ways of being The Torah strictly forbids the collec- deal with it. is currently generating. (This is also rewarded for granting use of one’s cap- tion or payment of usury on a loan Why is interest on a loan forbidden the difference between extending a ital to another—a difference equiva- granted from one Jew to another. while profit-sharing on an investment loan in return for interest, which is lent (as the above-quoted Sifra states) However, there is a procedure, called is permitted? forbidden, and renting a home or other to the difference between accepting heter iska (a partnership clause), by The legal difference is that in the object to another in return for pay- which it is permitted to profit from case of a loan, the money is no longer ment, which is permitted. While Continued on Page 30

28 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Dear Frustrated, cept. I thought it was brilliant how, Though it’s great when parents try particularly in such a large family, his to give each child a sense of excellence parents made sure that each child had in at least one area, everything can be his own separate identity and belief taken to an extreme. I remember that he or she did something rather when, years ago, my son had a friend remarkable and distinctly different come over for the first time. This par- from his siblings. I loved the idea and ticular friend happened to have been quickly tried to find what my own chil- Dear Esther, sisters who love each other very much one of nine children. I overheard this dren’s specialties were. My sister and I grew up feeling and accept each other just as we are. child asking my son what his specialty Clearly, your parents had the same pretty close to each other. It was just I’m not her therapist, so I don’t feel was. My son had no idea what this idea. Or maybe their intention wasn’t the two of us, and we are two years comfortable going into this childhood child was talking about and basically simply to give each of you your own apart in age. “Mindy” was always con- stuff with her. But I would like to know said so. The friend explained that in sense of individuality and uniqueness; sidered to be the smart one. I was the if there is anything I can do to make his family, each child had a specialty. maybe they were simply remarking on pretty one. Right or wrong, that’s how matters improve. His particular specialty was music. I relatives often referred to us. And Frustrated was extremely impressed with the con- Continued on Page 34 even my parents would sometimes describe us that way to our faces. In fact, I used to think that my mother had different expectations from me and my sister. She kind of assumed and expected Mindy to bring home all A’s. My role was to always look adorable. Mindy always did great in school. She knew what she had to do and always worked very hard to produce the great grades. Though I would have liked to have gotten A’s as well, I really didn’t have the patience to sit and study as hard and as much as Mindy. I do remember being a little jealous over the fuss my parents made when she was chosen as valedictorian, but in the long run it just wasn’t worth it to me to sacrifice my good times for better grades. My parents and I seemed to be OK with my B’s. I wasn’t aware of Mindy being jealous over the attention I got for being considered very pretty. Looking back now, I don’t understand how she could have not been jealous. I was almost like a little doll that my mother loved to dress up in the best clothes. Everything looked good on me, whereas Mindy was a little chubby, and shopping for her wasn’t as easy. So now we’ll fast-forward. Mindy and I got married within a few months of one another, and she moved to Florida while I remained in New York. We have both been married for over 15 years, and so I’m writing about an ongoing but old problem. We talk on the phone at least twice a week. Our phone con- versations are always great. I can con- fide in her about almost everything, and Mindy is very open with me. However, when we see each other, which is probably four or five times a year, it’s just not comfortable. The ease and trust that is so natural over the phone is not there in person. It’s really quite strange. It’s almost like the two sisters who talk on the phone are different from the two sisters who are together in person. I happen to think that Mindy has aged very well. She’s never looked this good before. She is no longer chubby and is definitely an attractive woman. But when we are together, she seems to be constantly making excuses for her messy hair, her “old schmatta,” or something. She seems uptight and self-conscious. And she’s always com- menting that “You New Yorkers always look so glamorous.” It’s really such a shame, because we should be having a much better time together. I wish she could get past who we were as kids and just act like two 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 29 CHASSIDIC MASTERS Continued from Page 28

the very notion of G-d’s authority or rejecting it, G-d forbid? For this we must look to the soul of this law, to the concept behind its material incarnation.

Before And After Our sages tell us that G-d Himself observes all that He commands us to do. A closer examination of their words reveals that there are, in fact, two aspects to G-d’s observance of the mitzvos. Quoting Tehillim 147:19, “He tells His words to Yaakov, His statutes and His laws to Israel,” the Midrash states: “G-d’s way is not like the way of a flesh-and-blood [king]. The way of a flesh-and-blood [king] is that he instructs others to do, but does not do so himself. G-d, however, what He Himself does, that is what He tells Israel to do and observe.” In other words, the mitzvos originate as Divine deeds (His statutes, His laws); then, as a result of the fact that these are “what He Himself does,” “He tells Israel to do and observe” them. On the other hand, other sources imply the reverse: that our observance of the mitzvos causes G-d to respond in kind (e.g., Yalkut Shimoni, Eichah, section 1034: “When one studies Torah, G-d sits opposite him and studies with him”). Thus, there are two levels to G-d’s observance of the mitzvos: the level on which it precedes and enables our observance, and a second level, on which G-d is “moved” to do these deeds in response to our doing them. A mitzvah is an embodiment of the Divine will; doing a mitzvah creates a connection (the word mitzvah means both “commandment” and “connection”) between man and G-d, between its human imple- menter and its Divine conceiv- er. This is why G-d must first “do” a mitzvah before we can do it. Creating this connection is obviously beyond the capacity of finite and earth-bound man; it is G-d’s initiation of a particular connection that empowers us to do the same. But why does G-d follow our observance with an observance of His own? Certainly He, the paradigm of independence and perfection, is not “moved” or “affected” by anything—unless He chooses to be affected. Why, then, did G-d desire that our fulfillment of His commandments should stimulate a similar response in Him?

The Empty Pitchfork The answer to this question lies in another, more general 30 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

question: why did G-d command us to do mitzvos at all? Certainly, He does not need anything from us. As Elihu the Bozite says to Iyov (Iyov 35:6), “If you sin, how have you affected Him? If your transgressions are many, what have you done to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give Him? What can He receive from you?” So why didn’t G-d, who is “benevolent, merciful…bountifully kind” and “good to all His creatures” create a world free of demands and restrictions on its inhabitants? Because a life free of work and responsibility—a life whose blessings are not earned but handed out without cause or restriction—is a life devoid of the only true joy there is: the joy of achievement. G-d’s greatest kindness to us is His “burdening” us with the “yoke of Heaven”—giving us a program for life that we are responsible to uphold, and making our material and spiritual well-being contingent upon it. But G-d did more than hand down a list of do’s and don’ts. For work alone is not enough. Unless work has a function, the worker will derive no satisfaction from it, even if it is amply rewarded. Achievement for the sake of achievement is hollow and unfulfill- ing—something objectively significant must be achieved. The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, illustrated this point with the following parable: A nobleman was touring his estate and came upon a peasant pitching hay. The nobleman was fascinated by the flowing motions of the peasant’s arms and the graceful sweep of the pitchfork through the air. He so great- ly enjoyed the spectacle that he struck a deal with the peasant: for ten rubles a day, the peasant would model his hay-pitching technique for an hour in the nobleman’s drawing room. The next day the peasant arrived at the mansion, hardly concealing his glee at his “new line of work.” After swinging his empty pitchfork for an hour, he collected his ten rubles— many times his usual take for a week of backbreaking labor. But by the following day, his enthusiasm had somewhat abated. Several days later he announced to his master that he wished to quit his new employment. Said the nobleman, “I don’t understand. Why would you rather labor outdoors, in the winter cold and summer heat, when you can perform such an effortless task in the comfort of my home and earn many times your usual pay?” “But master,” said the peasant, “I don’t see the work.” So to grant meaning and fulfillment to our lives, G-d caused that our every action should have an objective significance—that they should affect Him. Indeed, this is the only objectively significant effect there can be, since G-d is the only objective reality—any other objective is, by definition, contrived and artificial. And to extend this significance to every aspect and detail of our deeds, He caused that our deeds should affect Him in a manner that reflects their particular earthly nature and

Continued on Page 32 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 31 CHASSIDIC MASTERS Continued from Page 31

function. He caused that when we put on tefillin—a mitzvah whose function is to underscore the mind’s guid- ance of and involvement with the emotions—this causes Him, too, to put on tefillin, to cause the involvement of the Divine “mind” with the Divine “emotional” attributes. The same is true of all 613 mitzvos of the Torah: each has a corresponding impact on the Divine reality. Life is thus neither a humiliating free lunch, nor an empty pitchfork pitching imaginary hay, but true “work”—work that earns the blessings it generates and has a true impact and effect.

G-d’s Money Thus, the prohibition against usury embodies the very concept of the “yoke of Heaven”—of G-d’s imparting true work and achievement to our lives. If G-d’s observance of the mitzvos were only to precede observance, but not also result from of it, our relationship with Him would be as a usury- paying borrower. G-d does the mitzvah, granting us the ability to do the same, but there His involvement ceases. The “capital” is now wholly in our domain, our efforts at His behest disconnected from anything that is truly His—we are only making a “payment” in return for what He has given us, like a borrower who pays the lender for the fact that he has extended him a loan. But G-d’s contract with us is not that of a usurious money-lender, but of a heter iska investor. He extends us the capital and insists on payment in return, but He stress- es that this is a partnership, an ongoing involvement. He retains His stake in the capital throughout our use of it, being affected, as we are, by the ups and downs of the market of our lives. G-d desires that we emu- late His relationship with us in our relationship with our fellows, that the nature of the “profit” He exacts from His creation should dictate the manner in which we profit from what we extend to one who has need for the resources in our possession. One who disregards the prohibition of usury rejects the Divine partnership in his life, a partnership that makes our every endeavor a true and fulfilling achievement. O

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com via Chabad.org. Find more Torah articles for the whole family at www.chabad.org/parshah. 32 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 33 MINDBIZ since it’s such a great cut. If you are it doesn’t mean that you can’t attempt hurtful it may have been for her to Continued from Page 29 one of those “glamorous New Yorkers,” to have a real conversation with feel like the ugly duckling next to the try to dress down somewhat when vis- Mindy, straight from the heart. You beautiful swan (at least in her mind), what was so obvious to them. But iting Florida. Because of the warm might start by talking about how you will be giving Mindy an opportu- when roles are assigned and, some- weather, most people there do tend to overboard you felt the role assign- nity to talk through and release some where along the way, get cast in stone, dress in a more relaxed way. Try leaving ments were during your childhood old pain, shame, and even anger. Talk it can become difficult to break away is good—especially among sisters from the old titles. who clearly love each other as much I don’t think this should come as as the two of you do. any surprise to you, as you were the Good luck, and I hope that your one to bring up all the evidence need- When roles are assigned and get face-to-face time becomes as wonder- ed to understand why Mindy, when ful as your phone time. she is in your presence, can never Esther seem to feel as pretty as she may nor- cast in stone, it can become difficult mally feel. It’s a shame that this is so, Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in but it’s certainly not your fault and it’s Lawrence. Esther is a psychotherapist and life to break away from the old titles. coach and can be reached at 516-314-2295 or really not about you at all. It’s all in [email protected]. She works with individu- Mindy’s head, and she is the one who als, couples, premarital couples, and families. needs to do a bit of internal work to move forward into today’s reality. I can make a few suggestions about the five-inch heels and beautiful and how you believe it wasn’t fair or Deadline for Advertising things you can do, but I can’t give you baubles at home (if such things are ultimately helpful for either of you. any guarantees that it will help. Firstly, part of your normal wardrobe). These You might share some of your own in the Next Issue is be very complimentary toward Mindy. are practical changes that could help experiences with jealousy over her Tuesday, February 24 Ask her where she bought certain Mindy feel a bit more at ease. But, as I scholastic achievements. By opening at 5:00 P.M. items she may be wearing. Or ask her said before, the real changes need to yourself up to her, you hopefully will whom she went to for a haircut, take place on a deeper level. allow Mindy to reciprocate in kind. Call 516-984-0079 because you’d like to try that person Though you are not her therapist, Just by being able to verbalize how

34 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Mishnas Chayim On The Parashah

The Key To Becoming A Talmid R’ Eizele traveled to the famed yeshiva Chacham of Volozhin and presented his challenge to its august student body. The talmidim Kindly take a moment to study Mishnas Chayim in the merit of Esther Devorah bas Chayim, a’h, a fellow Jew who passed away with no relatives to arrange Torah study on behalf of her neshamah. The aspiring talmid The grand prize. One of the best minds and most prestigious talmidei chacham must chachamim of his time was the leg- “convince” the Torah endary R’ Eizele Charif. When it came time to choose a husband for his daugh- itself to allow him to ter, he had quite an impressive array of outstanding prospects. Almost any grasp its teachings and Talmud scholar worth his salt would jump at the opportunity to become the unlock son-in-law of this Torah giant. its mysteries. R’ Eizele devised a plan to help him select the most worthy candidate: He would pose a most intricate Talmudic question, one which only a scholar of immediately set about the formidable the highest caliber would be capable of task of resolving the difficulty, each one resolving. The prodigious yeshiva stu- hoping to emerge the “victor.” After por- dent who supplied the answer would become the new chasan. Continued on Page 37

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 35 discussion in the House and Senate, neighborhood stabilization activities for if we do not know the full meaning for the redevelopment of abandoned of these packages, how are we to and foreclosed homes has been decide where we stand with them or if authorized, although no specifics have we even want to pay for them? been released as yet. Here, though, are some details I Also developing momentum are pro- have gleaned; they have not been final- posals for the modification of loans ized, but whispers are escaping that with changeable (adjustable) terms, So, What Is The Plan? some of the important housing provi- which have caused massive defaults sions will include the following: and foreclosures and were one of the We have all listened the past week and we’re removing 27 pages that are Homebuyer tax credit. Eliminating major causes of the housing debacle. to the continuing antics of Congress too stimulating.” the repayment provision of the first-time One of the main areas of agreement and the White House in their quest for “But what are you leaving in?” homebuyer tax credit going forward, and stress is the need to modify these the ideal “stimulus package.” As most “We are leaving a great plan, and increasing the limit from $7,500 to types of loans in order to create some of you know, between the back-and- now I will send it to the House for real balance to the housing market and forth theatrics of the Republicans and them to approve.” to also create some type of modifica- Democrats in the Senate and House, “OK, but what is the plan?” tion program for those owning homes many of us needed a chiropractor to fix “It is a great plan, and all will be If we do not know the whose value is below what they the kinks in our necks from looking revealed.” presently owe to the banks, preventing back and forth—almost like watching Why am I trying to make you laugh full meaning of these them from selling when they get into two or three tennis matches at the at such a critical situation? Joking difficulties. By getting back some con- same time. By the time they were all about a situation that affects all of us trol over these two areas of the hous- through, what was left was a $790 bil- in such a serious manner is the only packages, how are we to ing market, hopefully this will start the lion economic stimulus package. So I way to keep our blood pressure down. healing process necessary for stabiliza- keep asking myself, now that all these That’s just it! This is so serious, and decide where we stand tion of the real-estate industry. people are finished playing—What is the politicos in Washington are so busy Again, since we do not have com- in this package that is good for us?? pontificating at each other that they with them? plete breakdowns of what exactly the And, what did they really resolve with are forgetting about the most impor- final points in the stimulus package all this theater, other than giving us all tant point—which is presenting and are, these are all ideas that are in vari- front-row seats with free admission? explaining in detail a stimulus plan ous stages of discussion. Let us hope If it were not such a serious issue, I that the American public can not only $8,000, and extending the timeline of they will roll up their sleeves soon and would think they were creating a new understand, but support, since in the the credit to first-time home purchases get down to specifics. O Abbott and Costello comedy routine— end they are the ones who are going to from January 1 to December 1, 2009. you know, like “Who’s on first.” It pay for it and hopefully play a part in FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker (Anessa V Cohen might go something like this: its subsequent success. Mac loan limits. Specifics have not Realty) and a licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker “I’m presenting a plan.” I understand that the president been released, but reports indicate (A.C. Action Mortgage Corp.) with over 20 years “Yeah, so what is the plan?” plans to go on television in the next few that the 2008 conforming loan limits of experience, offering full-service residential and commercial real-estate services in the Five Towns “It’s a great plan, and it will solve days to explain this package in more have been reinstated for 2009. and throughout the tri-state area. She can be everything.” depth, but I hope in the future he will Foreclosure mitigation and neigh- reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are encouraged to “Solve everything? What’s in it, explain the packages he puts through borhood stabilization. Funding for send questions or comments to because I think it will solve nothing Congress in greater detail prior to their states and local communities to use for [email protected].

36 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES MISHNAS CHAYIM Continued from Page 35 ing over the problem for hours, however, the talmidim remained stumped. Resigned to the fact that he would have to return to his daughter empty-handed, R’ Eizele prepared to leave. Just as his wagon was about to depart, one of the yeshiva bachurim suddenly came running up from behind. “Wait! Wait!” he cried. Hope rising in his heart that a suitable chasan might yet be found, R’ Eizele turned to face the anxious student. “Yes, yes, what is it?” he asked. “Have you perhaps found the answer to my question?” “No, I’m afraid not,” the young man answered. “Then why have you hailed me down?” asked R’ Eizele. “I realize that I have not succeeded in your challenge,” the bachur answered, “but please, before you go…could you tell me the answer? I just really want to know what the true answer is.” R’ Eizele was moved. Peering at the boy, he saw in him an earnest thirst for Torah knowledge. Making up his mind then and there, R’ Eizele declared: “You will be the chasan.” Of course, R’ Eizele’s impromptu choice was no mere rash decision. Apparently, the great love for Torah which this bachur possessed was proof for Rav Eizele that he was looking at a true talmid chacham. Reciprocity. Such a notion is described by Chazal in a well-known Mishnah in Avos (4:1): Ben Zoma states, “Who is wise? One who learns from every man.” Why is the willingness to learn from every person an automatic guarantee for gaining real wisdom? Rabbeinu Yonah (ad loc) explains that this willingness is indicative of the very trait discussed above: a true love for Torah knowledge. It is a thirst for Torah that propels one to seek it from wherever it may be found and from whoever may possess it. This love of Torah wisdom ensures that a person will find it. This formula still needs some clarifi- cation, however. Someone who loves math doesn’t automatically become a mathematician. By the same token, even someone who despises the subject can still ace the exams if he works hard enough. What is it about Torah that pos- sessing a love for it is a precondition— and a guarantee—for mastering it? Who’s the boss? This week’s parashah continues with the depiction of the experience at Har Sinai and the Jews’ enthusiastic acceptance of the Torah. As R’ Yeruchem Levovitz, the great mussar master, explains (Da’as Chochmah U’mussar, vol. 2, sec. 70), this episode contains a yesod (fundamental principle) that can help us understand the relationship between love of Torah and mastery of its teachings. The Shacharis prayer for Shavuos (Yotzros for the second day) actually contains a “history lesson.” A liturgical com- position portrays the little-known “history” of the giving of the Torah. Apparently, the Torah had originally “set its eyes” on Adam haRishon, hoping to be given to him. Adam disqualified himself by par- taking of the forbidden fruit. The next

Continued on Page 39 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 37 Hamas Agrees: Shalit Deal To Precede Cease-Fire

Hamas has no objection to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s demand that a deal for the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit be finalized before a cease-fire agreement, as long as Israel releases all of the prisoners on Hamas’s list, a senior member of the organization was quoted by the London-based Arabic daily Al-Hayat as saying Tuesday. Olmert’s spokesman Mark Regev said that Israel hoped that Shalit’s return would also help promote the truce. “If the Shalit issue is resolved we can also bring about an advance- ment of other issues,” Regev was quoted by Al-Hayat as saying. According to the Hamas official, the organization’s delegation to Cairo has requested that Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman apprise the other Palestinian factions of the details of the emerging agreements with Israel in order to ensure that they accept the terms of the cease-fire. The security cabinet is to convene to decide on Israel’s final stance on a deal that would see the release of Shalit. “We will make a decision on this, and I hope these decisions will be a basis with which to facilitate a solution within a short period of time—even if it’s not within the term of the present government,” Olmert said. The prime minister also reiterated that the soldier’s release is at the top of Israel’s list of priorities, along with halting terrorist rocket fire from Gaza and arms smuggling into the Strip. Meanwhile, Shas leader Eli Yishai sent a letter to Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter, saying that as part of a deal with Hamas to secure Shalit’s release, Jewish security prisoners convicted of attacks on Palestinians should also be freed. “I turn to you with a request to advance the release of these prisoners so that the wider Israeli public can feel that gestures are made on both sides,” wrote Yishai, explaining that he was referring to a number of Israeli citizens who were convicted of various hate crimes. “Many Israeli citizens are asking why Israel is not freeing Jewish prisoners who were sentenced for crimes they carried out due to the security situation,” continued the letter. Yishai stressed that he was calling for the release of prisoners who con- fessed that they had erred in taking the law into their own hands and had pub- licly expressed remorse for their actions. The Shas leader claimed that, as opposed to many of their Palestinian counterparts, no Jewish security prisoner that had been released had re-offended. (JPost.com and Herb Keinon) O 38 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

MISHNAS CHAYIM Continued from Page 37 potential “candidate” was Noach; however, the Torah became uninterested following the episode of the vineyard (Bereishis, end of ch. 9). Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov are also listed as having been considered, but for various reasons did not merit being given this gift. Finally, Moshe Rabbeinu emerged—after a considerable struggle with the celestial beings—as the one through whom the Torah would be granted to K ’lal Yisrael. A watershed revelation is contained within this “historical narrative.” Through this sacred hymn, Chazal provide us with a window into the true nature of Torah. As R’ Yeruchem explains, the Torah’s essence goes well beyond mere factual information and certain academic properties. Had it been just another subject or discipline, then anyone with the skills, intellectual capacity, and determination could master this “field.” Torah, however, is no mere subject; rather, it is an entity in and of itself, fashioned by the Creator of the Universe and imbued with an infinite measure of Divine sanctity. As such, the Torah has a “mind of its own,” so to speak. Being its own “boss,” the Torah itself determines who can attain its wisdom. Mastery of the Torah is not up to the individual; one can excel in its study only if the Torah allows it. Hence, Adam, Noach, et al., were unable to acquire the Torah. It was only Moshe Rabbeinu to whom the Torah acquiesced to be transmitted. Understanding this fundamental concept is crucial for excelling in learning. Since the Torah itself ultimately decides who will “acquire” it, the aspiring talmid chacham must “convince” the Torah itself to allow him to grasp its teachings and unlock its mysteries. And it chooses to give itself over only to those who persevere in toil- ing to attain it and demonstrate their love for it. As the verse in Mishlei (8:17) states, “I (the Torah) love those who love me; and those who seek me out shall find me.” Next week, we will see, G-d willing, a most incredible man- ifestation of this idea in K’lal Yisrael’s venerated declaration uttered at Har Sinai: “We will do and we will hear.” O

Mishnas Chayim is brought to you by Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah, a network of Torah scholars dedicated to bring- ing the merits of Mishnah study to the greater Jewish public. Encompassing Mishnah, Gemara, and a variety of other services, Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah primarily assists mourners interested in acquiring the merit of Torah study for their loved ones. They can be contacted at 732-364-7029 or at www.societyformishnahstudy.org. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 39 Inspirational Shabbaton At The ancestral past with a community of Center For Return bright and creative women. The On Shabbos Shirah (February Shabbaton was amazing!” 6–7), the Center for Return hosted a The Center for Return is an organi- women’s Shabbaton at the Bayit, its zation dedicated to reaching out to off-campus facility in Kew Gardens Jewish college students with little or (Queens). One woman commented, no background and providing them “The Shabbaton this past weekend with the opportunity to learn about allowed me to experience Shabbat in their roots and experience authentic such a personal, meaningful way. Torah Judaism in a non-pressured set- This makes the traditions come alive ting. For almost three decades, Center and helps me feel more connected to for Return has offered a full calendar the Jewish community.” Another of events and activities on campuses said, “Thank you for providing me throughout the metropolitan New York with an opportunity to explore my area. O

Havdalah at the Shabbaton.

40 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Nefesh B’Nefesh Upcoming Events Many yeshivas and congregations Financial Planning Seminar. March participate and help raise the monies 1, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Nefesh B’Nefesh for the purchase of the mishloach will be joined by a financial planner manot for the soldiers. All mishloach and tax authority with expertise in both manot are purchased in Israel, which the North American and Israeli mar- also helps the local economy. The fol- kets giving you key information to help lowing is a partial list of schools that plan your aliyah more effectively. are helping to raise funds and whose Retiring in Israel Seminar. March 1, students are writing letters and draw- 7:30-9:30 p.m. Gain valuable infor- ing pictures for the Purim baskets: mation about retiring in Israel from a Bnos Shulamith, Brandeis School E.S., Nefesh B’Nefesh retirement expert, Central High School for Girls, Joseph plus hear from a financial planner and Kushner Hebrew Academy, Nefesh tax authority with expertise in both the Academy, Shulamith School for Girls, North American and Israeli markets. Sinai Academy, and Stella K. Abraham Aliyah Medical Seminar for Medical High School for Girls. Some of the Professionals and Students. March 15, congregations lending their time and 1:00-5:00 p.m. Hear from leading efforts this year to the success of the doctors in Israel about the medical project are: Anshe Chesed, NY; Beth El field, meet with top officials in Israel’s Synagogue, Margate; Flatbush Park Ministry of Health, and learn about Jewish Center, Brooklyn; Israel Center medical licensing, certification for of Conservative Judaism, Flushing; nurses and psychologists, and other Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, career opportunities. Brooklyn; Ocean Avenue Jewish For more information about these Center, Brooklyn; and Torath Israel programs or to register, please visit Sephardic Congregation, Brooklyn. www.nbn.org.il/workshops. All semi- “We need your help to make this nars are scheduled to be held at the Purim especially joyous for our sol- Doubletree Hotel JFK Airport, 135-30 diers in Israel,” said Mr. Margules. 140th Street, Jamaica, NY 10024. O “They are our defenders and our mishloach manot project gives us a ZOA Mishloach Manot Project For chance to express our appreciation. Israeli Soldiers Writing a note gives us a chance to say On Tuesday, March 3 Rubin a personal thank you. How small the Margules, president of ZOA Brooklyn task, yet how big the reward.” Region, will be leading a group of vol- Anyone wishing to participate in unteers to Israel on his ninth annual Project Purim 2009 is invited to visit Mishloach Manot Project for Israeli www.zoabrooklyn.org or call 718-339- soldiers. “Each year,” he said, “we dis- 8301 for further information. O tribute Purim baskets to IDF soldiers throughout Israel.” Kosher Naturals Bakery Debuts Last year over 2,500 packages were Gluten-Free Challah Muffins distributed to soldiers at bases Allentown, PA—Kosher Naturals throughout the country. Included in Bakery, under the tutelage of master each basket is a personal handwritten chef and food gourmand Abe note to each soldier. “It is unbelievable Pinchuck, has released a new line of seeing the enthusiasm these soldiers premium, gluten-free challah muffins display in reading these notes and let- to a variety of kosher grocery stores ters written by students and contribu- and upscale health food outlets in the tors thanking them for defending our metro New York-New Jersey region, biblical homeland,” said Mr. Margules. Baltimore, and Chicago. “We come to thank them and they The muffins, which can be found in can’t stop thanking us.” the frozen food section, feature four fla- “This year, due to the stressful situa- vors—Original, Blueberry, Toasted tion of our fellow Jews in parts of south- Onion, and Chocolate Chip. These fluffy ern Israel caused by ongoing Hamas “heat and eat” delights feature the Star-K rocket fire, we will be organizing Purim kashrus symbol and are pas yisroel. parties of song, dance, and fun as well Mr. Pinchuck, who has been pro- as delivering mishloach manot to over ducing a wide variety of kosher food 500 children participating in ‘Makom products for both the general market- Balev’ (Israel’s NCSY) programs in the place and private label industry since targeted communities of Kiryat Gat, 1994, is endeavoring to meet the grow- S’derot, Gedera, Kiryat Melachi, and Netivot.” said Mr. Margules. Continued on Page 42

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 41 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 41

ing needs of health-conscious consumers who are looking for quality and quantity within the gluten-free health and wellness food sector. According to the National Institute of Health, over three million Americans suffer from different forms of celiac disease (an inability to digest glutens found in wheat). Millions more are completely unaware that they suffer from celiac and other digestive maladies. Gluten-free food products represent the fastest growing sector within America’s health and wellness marketplace. Kosher Naturals Bakery is on a fast track to create and release a variety of gluten-free products to both the kosher and mainstream food markets during the coming year. You can visit the company’s website at w ww.koshernaturalsbakery.com. O

Who Is This Guy? By Arye Nisonson He’s exacting, punctual, efficient, innovative, and creative. He’s a contractor and all-around level-headed gentleman who lives in Woodmere and has already made his mark in his industry. You’ve seen his trucks parked in front of better homes and near his office on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. Who is this guy? Well, he’s Avi Ackerman, founder and owner of the company that is displayed in the 5TJT pages each week in his very noticeable trademark yellow color, the man behind the I Know A Guy company, which is licensed and insured in Nassau County and the five boroughs of NYC. Avi is young and energetic, something that most people prefer in a contractor. He has a wristwatch and a cell phone, and he likes to be at the job at the time he says he’s going to be there. He also likes to keep you up-to-date using modern communication tech- nology, so he may text you on your cell phone to tell you that he will be there in a half hour, or that his guys are pick- ing up supplies and that they will be in your office or home in an hour. It’s a nice feeling knowing where your contractor is sometimes. Here’s the big news about I Know A Guy: It’s tough out there, people are holding back, looking for a little less, but Avi and the boys are busy as usual. “Actually,” Avi says, “I find the market less cluttered today. In a sense there’s less competition and that’s probably because there’s less work.” But his crews are busy. Asked why that is, he speculat- ed that it’s his professionalism and reliability. He says that he knows that people are looking for better quality for less money, and that he and his people are committed to providing precisely that. Charles and Rivka Levine of Far Rockaway recenty bought a new home and hired I Know A Guy to do a full interior renovation. “We were very impressed with Avi. He knew we had a deadline to get into the house, and he and his crew were there every morning until late at night until we were done so that we were able to move in.” Charles adds that even though he

Continued on Page 45 42 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 43 44 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the job in his good hands without wor- against each other to argue the affir- Asher Roberts, and David Drory. Continued from Page 42 ries, especially in a day and age where mative and negative positions on a Rambam handily won both competi- every dollar counts. “case” involving libel. tions on “points,” which is the scoring spent a lot of money on an architect, Call Avi and tell him you want to Rambam’s “legal team” practiced protocol for these matches. he found that working with Avi was as meet to discuss that next renovation. diligently and was well equipped for The next week, on February 11, the if he had a contractor, interior design- Even if for some reason you don’t hire this competition, which is sponsored team returned to the courthouse to face er, and architect all in one. him, you’re going to at least meet a by the Nassau County Bar Association off against Massapequa High School What kind of work does Avi do? very fine, energetic, and top-of-the- and many other legal membership and represent the plaintiff in the same Well, it’s just about everything, from line construction mensch and profes- organizations. Max Plaut, Yaakov Fein, libel case. This time around Max Plaut, basements completely revitalized, to sional. Here’s his cell number: 516- and Gabi Guterson were “defense Gabi Guterson, and David Drory were kitchens, bathrooms, extensions, addi- 216-0605. O counsel” in this civil suit, in which a plaintiff’s counsel, while Avi Atkin, tional floors on a home, full renova- student reporter was being sued for Yaakov Fein, and Gaby Novick played as tions, and so on. Avi is the kind of guy Rambam Mesivta’s Mock Trial publishing a libelous article about his witnesses. Unimpeachable testimony to whom you can give the keys to your Team Comes Out Ahead principal, which led to the ruination of by the witnesses and quick thinking house so that you can go away for a On February 4, the Rambam the plaintiff’s career. The attorneys from all three attorneys led the team to few days, knowing that when you come Mesivta mock trial team scored higher turned in stellar performances by pos- its second straight victory. back the work will be done and every- than the Stella K. Abraham team at the ing legal objections which kept their The team was accompanied by their thing will be in its place. Supreme Court in Nassau County in a adversaries on the defensive through- coach and attorney mentor, Professor One of his pet peeves, and I don’t competitive mock trial tournament. A out the trial. The Rambam team wit- Stevens-Bair, who has provided guid- know where he got this obsession total of 46 teams were paired off nesses were played by Yossi Szpigiel, ance to the team throughout the year, from, is that he knows how important and by Rabbi Peretz Hochbaum, asso- it is to clean up the mess this type of ciate principal of Rambam Mesivta. work creates at the end of the day. The team is preparing for Tournament Don’t underestimate that or regard it Round III, set to take place on February as a little thing. Cutting tile, doing 25 at 4:00 p.m. at the Mineola Supreme molding, placing drywall, and so on Courthouse. This time the team will be creates lots of dust and dirt. Come the playing the defense in the same libel case end of the day, you will always see the against their new adversary, Oyster Bay I Know A Guy crew with brooms, shov- High School. O els, and garbage bags in hand, sweep- ing and cleaning, restoring the home Modzitzer Rebbe To Conduct they are working in to the way they Chizuk Mission In New York Area found it that morning. The Modzitzer Rebbe, shlita, has If you’re thinking of doing some work, arrived from B’nei Brak on a ten-day make a meeting with Avi Ackerman, mission to the United States to pro- a.k.a. the Fynshmeka. That’s one of those vide chizuk and inspiration. The profound Yiddish words that has no real- Rebbe will utilize the month of Adar ly good translation. Loosely translated it as a springboard to raise the spirits of means that he knows how to sniff out Jews everywhere. top-quality work; he likes good stuff, a high-class look. That’s why you can leave Rambam Mesivta’s mock trial team with Rabbi Hochbaum and Professor Stevens-Bair. Continued on Page 47

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 45 Five Towns Hockey Winning Team

Pictured above, members of Team 6, the 5th/6th-grade Five Towns Hockey champions, with Mr. Geoffrey Miller, the team’s coach: Gabriel Miller (goalie), Sammy Schechter (MVP), Gabriel Leifer, Justin Lish, Ben Silverstein, Jules Bienenfeld, Ben Nierenberg, Baruch Weissman, and Sammy Weingarten.

46 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS lizing a melodic trance as his BeYavneh, numerous hesder Mosdos Modzitz recently an expansion of its main beis Continued from Page 45 sole anesthetic, is legendary. yeshivot in Israel, Ohr HaMeir began the renovation of its The unique blend of neginah, Yeshiva in Peekskill, and yeshiva ketanah building and Continued on Page 48 The Rebbe is the seventh in Torah, outreach, and personal Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far the dynasty originated by warmth that exemplifies Rockaway. Most recently, he Rebbe Yechezkel of Kuzmir, Modzitz is even more pro- was a featured guest speaker at zt’l, in the 19th century. He is nounced in the Rebbe, allow- the Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav renowned as being well- ing him to embrace the full memorial ceremony conducted steeped in chassidic literature spectrum of the religious in memory of the kedoshim, as well as a noted talmid Jewish world. His erudition Hy’d, martyred there last year. chacham in the classic and incisive analysis, coupled Modzitz has experienced Lithuanian tradition. The with his penetrating insight exponential growth in the Rebbe studied in Yeshivas into people’s nature and needs, past few years, opening new Ponevezh for many years and have made him a speaker of battei midrash in Modi’in emerged as a star student of choice in many diverse circles, Illit, Brachfeld, Kiryat Sefer, both HaGaon Rav Shmuel such as Yeshivat Kerem Ashdod, and Yerushalayim. Rozovsky, zt’l, as well as HaGaon Rav Aharon Leib Steinman, shlita. The Rebbe also maintains a warm and personal relationship with the current rosh yeshiva, HaRav Berel Povarsky, shlita. The Rebbe has delivered many shiurim in Yeshivas Ponevezh and in many Lithuanian-style and Chassidic yeshivos. The Rebbe served for over 20 years as rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Imrei Shaul in B’nei Brak, until assuming the admorus of Modzitz upon his father’s passing. Modzitz is synonymous with Jewish song (neginah). The powerful impact of Modzitz melodies has been employed by generations of Modzitzer Rebbes to reach and touch the souls of all Jews. The story of the first Modzitzer Rebbe, who underwent a major surgery uti-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS CD of the most recent Modzitz Continued from Page 47 melodies is to be distributed. For consultations and personal meet- midrash in B’nei Brak. It has also ings with the Rebbe, shlita, please call started new Modzitz kehillos in 718-253-7006 or 917-940-6416. O London, Mexico City, Bet Shemesh, and elsewhere. Yeshivat Ofakim: An evening of chizuk, neginah, and How The Negev Bloomed Torah is to be hosted by Mr. B. David The Negev. The driest region of Schreiber, Rabbi Chaim Baruch Eretz Yisrael. Forty years ago it was Shenker, and Dr. Moshe Susman at as devoid of Yiddishkeit as it was of the Schreiber home at 3 Regent Drive vegetation. There was no shomer in Lawrence, on the second night of Shabbos presence anywhere in the Rosh Chodesh Adar (Tuesday, region, which includes more than a February 24) at 8:00 p.m. The inter- dozen towns and villages. Today the nationally acclaimed Chazan Yaakov majority is frum, with hundreds of Motzen, along with “the father of shiurim delivered weekly by yun- Chassidic music,” Modzitz’s Rabbi Ben geleit and alumni of R’ Yosef Zion Shenker, will sing beautiful Goldenthal’s yeshiva. Modzitz melodies, accompanied by As an 18-year-old yeshiva bachur, leading members of the Modzitz choir Yosef Goldenthal had been sent by from Eretz Yisrael. A complimentary P’eylim to try and encourage some local

48 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES youth to study in yeshiva. He was sta- tioned in what was then a small town called Ofakim. He succeeded in sending numerous boys to yeshiva. The locals were very antagonistic toward him and his fellow P’eylim workers. They threw stones at them and would say, “We want lechem (bread) and avodah (work), not Torah.” (One young man whom R’ Goldenthal sent to yeshiva was Moshe Karp. His father was infuriated and wanted to take R’ Goldenthal to court. Today R’ Moshe Karp is a rav and posek in Kiryat Sefer.) After several years as a successful activist, R’ Goldenthal married and planned to return to Ponovezh full- time as a kollel member. However, R’ Shach told him that he must open a yeshiva in Ofakim; “You will make the entire Negev lichtig,” he said. When the cornerstone of the yeshiva was laid, R’ Shach declared, “Hayom nihiyasa l’ir, Ofakim.” (Today, Ofakim, you have become a city.) R’ Chaim Kamil later joined as rosh yeshiva. R’ Chaim at the time was magid shiur in the Mir Yerushalayim, where he was the rebbi muvhak of the current rosh yeshiva, R’ Nosson Tzvi Finkel, shlita. Fifteen kollelim have been established by alumni of the yeshiva throughout the region, including in Be’er Sheva. Chadorim and Beis Yaakovs were opened for the children, then high schools, then seminaries. Talmidim of the yeshiva have branched out to all the surrounding cities and towns. Today, from the bor- der with Egypt to as far inland as Yeruchum, all the towns and moshav- im have at least one kollel, and the majority of residents are frum. The girls’ seminary, where R’ Goldenthal teaches a course, has 700 students, including many from overseas. The entire region has changed. In Moshav Gilad the mikveh hadn’t been used in 20 years. Today, Moshav Gilad hosts a kollel and other institutions of Yiddishkeit. The majority of the town is shomrei Torah u’mitzvos thanks to the efforts of R’ Goldenthal and his talmidim. In Ofakim today, 80 percent of the 30,000 residents are shomer Shabbos. The town has numerous shuls. The alumni from the yeshiva brought in R’ Shimshon Pincus, zt’l, to be the rav in the main shul that they started. After the petirah of R’ Chaim Kamil and R’ Shimshon Pincus, the mantle of leadership has passed on to talmidim who were mekurav through the yeshiva and grew into leading talmidei chachamim. R’ Goldenthal will iy’H grace us with his presence on Tuesday evening, February 24, at 8:30 p.m. at the Scheiner residence at 1136 Harris Street (off Empire Avenue, west of Doughty Boulevard) in Far Rockaway. O

Young Israel Of Plainview Honors Past And Celebrates Future, February 22 The Young Israel of Plainview (YIP) is to hold its annual journal dinner, honoring those whose commitment and dedication have built the synagogue and helped the community to flourish, on Sunday evening, February 22. Since its humble beginnings

Continued on Page 50 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the education committee (in particu- Continued from Page 49 lar, he is famous for his Mishnah Berurah class, and his role as the almost 40 years ago, Plainview has Yamim Nora’im Mussaf ba’al tefillah). grown into a large Jewish community Debbie has assisted in various mikveh that now boasts four Orthodox syna- activities, was in charge of the HANC gogues, a yeshiva day school, a mikveh, PTA afterschool program, and served various kosher eateries, a full-service as class mother, among numerous vol- butcher, and a JCC. Kosher supermar- unteer activities. kets and other establishments are Eddie is the executive vice-president, often frequented by those from all over chief operating officer, and chief medical Long Island, and community events, officer at St. Mary’s Healthcare System such as the shiurim at the Young Israel for Children, and Debbie is the director of Plainview, attract local residents of special services at HANC. Their chil- and those from outside of the area. dren are Rachel and Rabbi Dovid Two pillars of the community Sussman (and granddaughter Rivka responsible for this success are Debbie Meira, 2) who live in Beitar Illit, Israel; and Eddie Simpser, who will be hon- Michal and Bradley Goldsammler, who ored at the dinner. When they first live on campus at Yeshiva University’s moved to Plainview in 1988, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Simpsers were immediately made to where Michal is a second-year student; feel at home by the community, yet Shlomo Yosef, 19, who is learning at they knew that Plainview had the Yeshivat Lev HaTorah in Israel; and potential to become something more. Dovid, 14, who attends Har Torah and Eddie immediately identified a need lives with his parents in Plainview. for a summer learning program, which YIP will also honor two members of he took upon himself, along with its young leadership, Lynda and Billy Rabbi Moshe Portnoy, z’l, to bring to Last. The Lasts’ devotion to YIP is evi- life. Debbie decided she was going to dent through their involvement in contribute to the Young Israel of almost every important project. Since Plainview’s sisterhood, which she moving to Plainview in 1998, Billy has accomplished by serving on a variety of served as YIP’s volunteer treasurer, committees, including simcha and managing fiscal and financial matters, condolence, siddurim and chumashim, while Lynda has volunteered tirelessly and mishloach manot. Today, these as president of the YIP sisterhood and programs are utilized by close to all of on the youth committee, taking an YIP’s 150 member families. Since active role in planning and implement- arriving in Plainview, Eddie has also ing youth events, developing strategy, served as an officer and a board mem- and recruiting talented youth directors ber, tasked with such important posts and group leaders. Billy serves as con- as first VP of fundraising and chair of troller at Breslin Realty Development

50 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Corp., and Lynda is a resource room Wharton Business School and an All Jewish Market: nities instead of seeking the same serv- teacher at HANC Plainview. Their MBA from New York University. The Community Classifieds On The Web ices at your local shopping mall, we children are Sarah, 10, and Sam, 7. program’s faculty—including senior Two brothers-in-law from Far absolutely have the ability to strength- The Young Israel of Plainview wel- professors at the school and some Rockaway, Chanan Mittel and en the economic landscape in our comes you to honor its past and cele- yet-to-be-announced new faculty— Menachem Ostreicher, were sitting communities,” said Ostreicher. brate its future at Crest Hollow hold Ph.D.s and conduct and pub- together two months ago discussing In its first five days since launching, Country Club on February 22. At the lish research, qualifications the terrible worldwide economic crisis the website has seen over 200 classified event, YIP will fete its honorees’ won- required by the New York State and wondering aloud how they could ads posted. “We are thrilled that the var- derful contributions and celebrate the Board of Regents. possibly help with the effect that this ious communities are responsive to the community’s continued growth. The master’s program begins this crisis is having on the Jewish commu- concept. It highlights that there was in Often described as “the New York summer with co-ed classes on the nity. They decided to create a free fact a need for this service,” said Mittel. community with the out-of-town feel,” Beren Campus, conveniently located community classifieds website at The site currently features nine regions YIP homes are always open to those for those working in accounting firms www.alljewishmarket.com. in New York and seven in New Jersey, as who would like to visit for a Shabbat. in midtown. Students in the account- “We repeatedly heard stories of well as Florida and Israel. “We are For housing arrangements and for ing program will have the option to people who we know being laid off adding the cities as our visitors request more information about the journal take full- or part-time courses, but and losing their jobs with nowhere to them. We hope the word continues to dinner, please call 516-433-4811. O must complete a total of ten cours- turn for help. People are being more spread and that more and more people es—including two tax courses that Sy conscious with their spending and can benefit from the site,” added Mittel. Sy Syms Business School Adds Syms students will have completed looking for secondhand goods for a AllJewishMarket.com is currently Master’s In Accounting prior to the MS program—to earn far better price. Why not create a uni- turning away multiple requests from This summer, the Sy Syms School their degree. In order to accommo- versal marketplace where Jewish peo- companies looking to put up large of Business at Yeshiva University date students’ work schedules, two ple can obtain the goods and services paid advertisements on the site. plans to expand its curriculum to courses will be offered during the that they need from fellow Jews? We “Eventually we will need some rev- include a master of science in summer, with four courses offered in realized that we can create a market- enue to sustain the site. For now, we accounting, the first graduate-level each of the Fall and Spring semesters. place for these items and much are just happy to have the opportuni- program in the school’s 22-year histo- As Dean Ginzberg pointed out, more,” said co-founder Mittel. ty to offer this service.” O ry. “We are broadening our vision of there is an immediate need for the AllJewishMarket.com offers every- the business school,” Dean Michael MS in accounting program, since, thing from job openings to services, The Event: Bigger And Better Ginzberg said. “We have a unique effective August 2009, accounting items for sale, real estate, community Anticipation continues to build for approach to business education that majors will need 150 hours of busi- events, and various gemach (charitable The Event coming on March 1 at the places Jewish values and ethics front ness accounting and liberal arts cred- borrowing) categories. There is no WaMu Theater at Madison Square and center. We’ll always be dedicated its in order to be licensed in New York charge to view or post any classified ad. Garden. The show, starring the inim- to undergraduate education; now state. “Students graduating with just “We are required as Jews to be itable Lipa Schmeltzer, promises to be we’re ready to apply our mission to a normal bachelor’s degree will not be involved in the needs of our communi- both entertaining and inspirational in a graduate and continuing education eligible to become CPAs without fur- ties. By offering our job openings to way that Mr. Schmeltzer excels. Joining for the community at large.” ther education,” he said. “We wanted each other instead of posting them on forces with impresario Sheya The school hired Dr. Joseph to make sure we are doing everything nationwide job search engines, by buy- Mendlowitz, whose signature has been Kerstein, previously associate pro- to help them get qualified.” ing and selling our goods to one anoth- affixed to some of the greatest shows in fessor of accounting at Baruch For more information, contact Dr. er instead of doing so by means of the history of Jewish music, the presen- College, to direct the master’s pro- Joseph Kerstein, director of the MS pro- Internet auction sites, by utilizing the gram. Kerstein holds a Ph.D. from gram in accounting, at [email protected]. O services available in our own commu- Continued on Page 52

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the audience with their vast repertoire of Continued from Page 51 popular and chassidish Jewish music. The Young Israel of Long Beach, the tation promises to break new ground in cornerstone of the Orthodox Jewish the annals of Jewish entertainment. Long Beach community, led by Rabbi AskBY WARREN The LEVISensei The all-star show will also feature a Dr. Chaim Wakslak, features a full ros- memorial tribute to the late great ter of adult, community and youth pro- Rabbi Eli Teitlebaum by songwriter gramming, including many unique Under Pressure technique required of them. I believe Abie Rottenberg, and will feature per- learning and social opportunities. Q. I recently failed my testing for that it is unfair to the student to formances by Dedi and the Pirchei Rabbi Wakslak and Mr. Joseph purple belt. I trained hard and felt that award them a belt when they are not Choir. In this difficult economic time Langer, a past shul president, conceptu- I was well prepared for my new rank. ready for it. people are looking to the event as a alized this scholarship concert 15 years On the day of the testing the pressure three hour getaway from the pressures ago. YILB has been very fortunate in that became too much for me and I failed my of everyday life and an opportunity to time to use the proceeds from the con- test. I cannot understand why a test be both uplifted and inspired. cert to fund yeshiva education and cannot be undertaken in a more infor- This “Lipa is a one-of-a-kind performer overnight camps. Three years ago, Bob mal and relaxed environment. who is in touch with what we are feel- Chiger, a young vibrant member of the A. It is important to bear in mind psychological ing as a community,” said an avid con- congregation was niftar. Because of that intense testing criteria are pur- certgoer and Lipa Schmeltzer fan. “He Bob’s unique connection to the youth of posefully never designed to be pressure is as speaks to the common man dealing the synagogue in terms of their religious unpleasant. Testing is designed to with everyday struggles and under- and character development, and because place the karate-ka under pressure. much part of stands how to relate,” he said. he was a strong proponent of the YILB This psychological pressure is as With just two weeks to go, it looks like youth and sports programs, it was decid- much part of the test as anything else the test as the show will be close to a sellout, break- ed that his memory would be most because if you have to use your karate ing records as more than 5,000 people appropriately perpetuated by renaming as a form of self-defense in a danger- anything else. join together for this event featuring the the scholarship fund as the Robert ous situation you cannot doubt your- top performers in Jewish music. O Chiger Scholarship Fund. This concert is self. Hesitation, no matter how brief, strongly supported by Beth, his wife; his and the lack of self confidence can YILB Concert, Featuring Baruch daughters and their spouses Michelle prevent the successful execution of In life, it is important to master Levine, Acheinu, And Shira, and Eric Ehrenhaus and Andrea and your technique. the ability to overcome failure with February 21 Ariel Gans; and sons Elliot and David. Failing a new rank test does not dignity and tireless persistence. The Young Israel of Long Beach has Join the Young Israel of Long Beach mean that you are not good at karate. Failure is often the cornerstone for scheduled its annual Robert Chiger for this wonderful evening of music and It just means that you are not quite success. When you are awarded your Scholarship Concert for motzaei camaraderie. For further information or ready for the next level. Personally, in next belt, be proud of it but remem- Shabbos, February 21, at 8:30 p.m. It will to order tickets, call 646-285-5301. O my dojo, I am very reluctant to pass ber that you have a responsibility to take place in an intimate setting at the students just to please them. This uphold the high standard required of Young Israel of Long Beach (120 Long Hair Today, There Tomorrow sometimes causes me much anguish, your new belt. O Beach Boulevard in Long Beach). The By Jay D. Homnick but I take pride in knowing that the concert will feature the renowned musi- “The sheitel saved Orthodox For questions or comments, call Sensei Warren Levi students that test in my dojo have 516-569-0808, e-mail [email protected], or cal entertainers Rabbi Baruch Levine, Judaism,” a major scholar once told me. attained the requisite standard and visit www.warrenlevikarate.com. Acheinu, and Shira, who will entertain Wearing a wig instead of various ker-

52 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES chiefs and snoods gave women back a dignity they feared was slipping away. Once halachah is perceived to be diminishing, rather than enhancing, one’s essential humanity, the exit door from Jewish practice looms awfully close. Having someone else’s hair on your head is still a difficult test for a woman, but a nice wig can be the difference between alienation and self- respect. Still, there is a long way between the wig that looks lustrous in the ads and luxurious on the shelf to the one lovingly framing your own face. Somehow those impersonal strands have to mold themselves onto the contours of your head. The sheitel macher—half hairdresser, half plastic surgeon—gives a snip and a tug and a clip and a stretch until it is yours. No, more than just yours…it is you. Whether or not it winds up looking as good as you imagined, this much is clear, it will cost a pretty penny for the wig and a handsome fee for the cutting and styling. It’s the Orthodox Catch-22: you can’t get a nice job without a nice wig, but you can’t get a nice wig without a nice job. What to do? Call the gemach. The Hebrew term gemach is an acronym for gemilut-chasadim, granting favors. It is used loosely for any charitable service, from free-loan soci- eties to placing various key items at the public’s disposal for short-term usage. There are gemachs to supply bridal gowns to poor girls. The bride pays for any necessary alterations and for dry- cleaning; beyond that, she saves a bun- dle on a one-time item. Others offer chairs and tables for parties, medical devices, even prescription medicines for when the pharmacy is closed. “Why not wigs?” asked Shani Greenfield, and the naysayers said nay. A wig gemach was absurd and impossible, like a baal teshuvah yeshivah, a growing Orthodox community in the 21st century, the State of Israel, or a falafel that doesn’t leak. The Greenfields are not the type of people who are intimidated by words like “impossible”; if anything, they are ener- gized by the challenge. Sure enough, the proof is in the putting…on of over 1,000 sheitels. Here is how it works. Women around the world tire of their wigs or they just never liked the way it looked on them. After a few years, there is a hunger for variety. If they can afford it, there is no reason to stay married to the same clump of hair. Time to dump this one and move on. Whoa! Wait up. Why discard it? Out there in the big world, especially in Israel, are women for whom that wig—your boring, tapped out, overexposed, coming-out- of-your-ears, wig—is the answer to a dream. One woman’s old hat is another woman’s crown. Enter Shani’s Sheitel Gemach. Instead of tossing your hair, you can make it a gift. You dash off a quick e- mail to [email protected] and a well-oiled operation kicks into gear. You are contacted for a convenient pickup/dropoff or they’ll send you a postage paid envelope and your wig makes aliyah. The receipt will be for the full appraised value of the wig based on its quality and age, and rep-

Continued on Page 58 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 53 with us, and having experienced the Upon entering the school, we went It was actually a pretty quiet day. voting process in the mayoral elections to the classroom assigned to our dis- Toward the evening we seized the Coalitions just a couple of months ago, they knew trict and checked in. Each eligible opportunity to spend some family time exactly how to vote. voter is mailed a voting card to tell together and went out for dinner Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 107 It is important to remember that in him where he should vote and what (kosher food court at the mall). This BY SHMUEL KATZ Israel votes are cast for the political district he is in. Voters can vote with- turned out to be a pretty popular activ- parties—not for the candidates them- out having the card in hand, but it is ity nationwide; the papers all carried Wanting to vote in the first Israeli selves. The leader of each party is easier to show the card. Once a voter stories the next day about the incredi- national elections for which I am a usually the person at the top of their checks in, he is handed his ballot ble amount of people who turned up at registered voter, I made sure to Knesset candidate list. Knesset mem- envelope and votes. the malls on Election Day. schedule my arrival from the USA for bers are elected on a proportional Unlike the municipal elections, the Since I don’t understand the TV the morning of Election Day. As I basis, calculated from the popular atmosphere (at least in Bet Shemesh) news well enough yet, I got most of mentioned last week, there are no vote results. Israeli law does not was pretty low key. The parties had my election result information online. absentee ballots in Israel for the aver- Exit and pre-election polls here are age citizen. The only people who vote not so terrifically accurate, so it was absentee are government workers, hard to tell what the final results were such as embassy employees or Jewish going to be, but we had a pretty good Agency representatives. Everyone I think some of Kadima’s strength idea what was happening by the time else must be in Israel on Election Day we went to bed. in order to vote. I had been concerned about this In Israel, Election Day is a nation- also came from a panicky type of result. The results clearly al holiday. All schools close (well, showed a Right leaning electorate probably not the chareidi schools) and a repudiation of the “make peace and many offices close as well. This is anti-Lieberman crowd. at any cost—even if it is our end” done for two reasons. One is to policies of the Left. However, the encourage people to vote. The other Right’s splinter parties definitely is because almost all the polling sta- weakened the Likud’s mandate, and it tions are in schools, and the kids allow for a party to have less than their information/lobbying booths set is not the largest faction in the would not be able to attend in any three seats, so there is a mathemati- up outside the polling places, but Knesset. I still believe that case. We had been told that Israeli cal formula to calculate how many there was none of the frenetic “color Netanyahu will be the next prime Election Day would be a big party, seats each party actually gets. war” type of politicking we had seen in minister, but his position is definitely with people having BBQ’s and other Voters are divided into districts, November. With the exception of the weakened by having his party come in family/community activities. Any with each district having its own bal- immediate vicinity of the polling second place. national day off would be treated this lot box. In Bet Shemesh the districts place, there wasn’t the blizzard of I think some of Kadima’s strength way because we have so few off days are divided geographically and often campaign literature littered through- also came from a panicky anti- since Sunday is a workday. consist of a couple of blocks (our out the streets, and to the relief of my Lieberman crowd. I think that the Since the kids were off, Goldie block alone has over 150 families in little kids there was almost no disturb- growing strength of his party in the brought the younger ones with her to it). The polling place (as I said, usual- ing the peace with “victory parades” or pre-election polls got many people pick me up at the airport and we went ly a school) is divided up by districts taxis running around with roof- who would have voted Likud thinking straight from the airport to the voting as well, with three to five districts mounted loudspeakers blaring voting twice about supporting Likud (who booth. The kids were very excited to be assigned a joint ballot box. instructions. would be the most ideal coalition part-

54 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES P h o t o B y Y i s s a c h a r R u a s P h o t o g r a p h y

The Katz family outside their polling place after voting in the recent elections. ner for the Lieberman-led Yisrael Beiteinu party) and they cast their votes for Kadima—not in support of Kadima, but rather as a rejection of Yisrael Beiteinu and a diminishing of Likud’s mandate. They wanted Likud to win, but not by much. So now we are going to be stuck with a government that has a chip on its shoulder, since the largest party will be in the opposition and will constantly be sniping at its heels. Alternatively, there could be a national unity government, which would mean that Netanyahu made a deal with the devil to get them in. Any such deal would probably be less than thrilling to those who voted the Right in, but would be a direct result of all the factionalized voting that ended up splitting the Right into a whole bunch of smaller parties instead of a unified large party. Now that the elections are over the rest is up to the politicians, and we can go back to regular life. We have been having a major drought here. Even though it rained a couple of times this week, this has been the worst rain season since they started keeping records and follows two below average rain seasons as well. The economic crisis is catching up to us here (many employ- ers have instituted across the board mandatory wage cuts of 10–20 percent, CPI is down and continues to fall and economic growth is expected to decline for the first time in years), and we are growing more and more concerned about the rising threats of our neighbors (specifically Iran). On the personal front we are coming to realize that our oldest son is going to fly the coop in a matter of months (four) and it is startling. The kids’ report cards just came in (Yay!— at least for the most part). We have begun to prepare for Purim and Pesach and are looking forward to having the Zaidees and Bubbees with us on yom tov. Life continues… O

Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can contact him at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 55 Halachah, Comics, and the Auschwitz Museum

BY RABBI YAIR infamous Nazi Dr. Josef back, but the museum won’t The museum, however, “In January 1973, using the HOFFMAN Mengele. Some of the art- give it to her. claims that the artwork right- opportunity of being in Paris, work is now in the possession “I’m at a total loss,” Mrs. fully belongs to them, as they Mrs. Gottliebova came to Some Five Towns Jewish of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Babbitt wrote in an e-mail purchased it from someone Poland and gave the muse- Times readers may already um…testimony concerning know about the following her stay in the camp and the case from the pages of 5TJT Gypsy portraits painted there. competitor the New York At the conclusion she said: ‘I Times (August 9, 2008). It is as if the items were discarded in deep am happy having survived the Dina Gottliebova Babbitt is a camp and I am happy to be talented comic artist who has alive. I would be grateful if I drawn comics for a genera- waters where they will definitely be lost. could obtain photographs of tion of Americans. Daffy the Gypsy portraits, originals Duck is Daffy Duck because of which are in possession of of Dina Babbitt. Dina is also the museum and which I a person who survived two Memorial and Museum in message to the New York who had it, and that she never painted in the camp.” years at the Auschwitz con- Poland. Mrs. Babbitt, 85 Times. “I feel just as helpless made a claim for them. The “It was [her] first and centration camp by painting years old and living in as I did when I was at camp. Museum’s position on this only…contact with the watercolor portraits for the California, wants the artwork Totally disempowered.” case is as follows: museum until the second half of the ’90s. In December 1973 a written copy of the recorded testimony was sent to the author and [in accordance with her wish] two sets of photographs of the Gypsy portraits. Because the letter had not been answered and the package had not been returned either, during the next few years the museum tried to get in touch with Mrs. Gottliebova by sending other letters. [Those letters also] remained unanswered and not returned by post. The museum concluded then that Mrs. Gottliebova, in regard to tragic memories connected with the camp, did not want to stay in touch with the institution and recall the tragic past… “Throughout the period of the camp[’s] existence, hundreds of thousands of documents had been created. The majority of them [are] the creation of [the] Nazi bureaucratic machine keeping registers of prisoners, and companies cooperating with the SS during construction [work] on both the camp and gas chambers… “All these objects are close- ly connected with the place of extermination of Jews, Poles, Gypsies, Russians, and others. They are [an] integral part of [the] former Auschwitz concentration camp, which 20 years ago was included in the UNESCO [World Heritage list]. Every lost piece of this tragic world’s heritage is a tremendous loss to all the people who come here to commemorate the victims and to conduct historical research… “It should be also stressed that our institution is not just a ‘regular’ museum. The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum is unique of its kind. Every square yard of it is covered with blood of the victims of the Nazis: Jews, Poles, Gypsies, Russians, and other people murdered here. 56 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The main objective of this site is to dence of crimes committed here. It is circumstances, it no longer belongs to shel yam. Since they are holding on to make it available to hundreds of also a warning for…future genera- them. The Shulchan Aruch (Choshen the artwork, they can say, “Kim li thousands of pilgrims as well as tions. Neither documents nor [proof] Mishpat 369:1) rules that if there is k’hani poskim”—“We are sure that the researchers, and to document as of Nazi criminal [activities] based on no yiush on the part of the original law is in accordance with these widely as possible the crimes commit- the theory of destruction and exter- owner, then the item must be poskim.” ted here. mination should…be removed from returned to the owner. However, there is another “The latter activity obliges us moral- here or placed somewhere else. Only The Shach discusses another rele- halachah that may not be so well- ly to preserve all evidence dating back here, in O wi cim, [do they] serve vant issue, called the takanas ha’shav- known. The Shulchan Aruch (C.M. ś ę to the wartime and related with the science, history, and hundreds of im. This is a rabbinic enactment that 369:2) rules that it is forbidden to Auschwitz concentration and death thousands of pilgrims visiting this prevents problems for innocent buyers derive benefit from stolen items— camp and to prevent this evidence place every year.” of items. If the new purchaser was even if there was yiush! Therefore, from being dispersed in any way. Once The question is, how would unaware that the item was purchased neither the museum nor the visitors again we want to stress: every single halachah view the case between Babbit from a thief, then the original owner may derive any benefit from the art- loss of even the smallest part of the and the Auschwitz museum? should reimburse him what he paid. If work at all until the matter is recti- documentation will be an irreparable When examining matters of not for this enactment, there would be fied to Mrs. Babbitt’s satisfaction. loss and a shadow on the memory of Jewish law it is important to remem- some serious economic repercussions. There is a growing movement to Auschwitz concentration camp vic- ber that we must go wherever the The takanas ha’shavim does not apply support this 85-year-old struggling tims. The water-colors are scarce sur- halachah takes us, notwithstanding if the purchase was made from a Holocaust survivor. The greatest viving documents on the Holocaust the emotional issues involved in a known thief. comic-book artists of the generation committed on the Roma people. Both particular case. So what is the law here in our case? are backing up her case, among those Roma people who survived the Torah law is often quite different Was there yiush? Maybe or maybe them Neal Adams and Stan Lee. mass murder and the representatives from secular law, and in this case not, but some poskim say that it may Indeed, Neil Adams recently illus- of European Roma organizations share there is a concept that Torah law con- not really matter. Many poskim have trated a comic book on her behalf, our viewpoint that the portraits should siders as central, but secular law does ruled that the Holocaust has the and the matter has also been remain in O wi cim. not. The concept is known as yiush, halachic status of “zuto shel yam,” brought up in Congress. O ś ę “Everything that remained from giving up hope. If the original owner which mean that The museum could [the] Auschwitz concentration camp or his or her heir gives up hope of ever claim that she gave up hope and that The author may be reached at belongs to all people and is the evi- recovering an item, then, under usual the Holocaust has the status of zuto [email protected].

If you see the donkey of your enemy collapsing under its burden, and are inclined to desist from helping him, you shall surely help along with him (Sh’mos 23:5) The Hebrew for donkey, chamor, also means “material.” Thus, this verse also instructs us as to the proper attitude toward the body and physicality: “When you will see the chamor of your enemy”—initially, you will see your material self as your enemy, as something that obstructs and hinders your spiritual growth. “collapsing under its burden”— in such a state of animosity between body and soul, the body resists the Torah and its commandments, making them an unbearable burden for it. One’s first inclination may be “to desist from helping him”— to shun the body, suppress its instincts and deny it its wants. Says the Torah:“you shall surely help along with him.” Aid the material self with its “burden” by training it to recognize that the Torah is the vehicle for its own refinement and elevation. (Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS gets which wig is facilitated by Shani Many beautiful individual stories bors are still wondering why she left in Continued from Page 53 Greenfield’s expertise, honed over have emerged. Privacy concerns pre- a sheitel that day and came home in years as a sheitel macher. She will vent us from giving out details, but a someone else’s hat. resents a tax-deductible contribution make the adjustments and cuts neces- number of women have expressed a The experience has been deeply to charity. Once your wig gets to sary, for no extra charge, to let the major shift in attitude, viewing this gratifying to everyone involved. It has Israel, it is washed and set to look its purchaser feel they are wearing some- mitzvah positively for the first time. proven once again the tremendous very best. Then it goes to a low- thing ideal rather than provisional, Some of the Israelis are newly obser- benefit of Jews working together to income woman in Israel, a cancer first-class rather than secondhand. A vant and bring irreligious relatives share their merchandise and their patient, or someone who would’ve lot of happy tears are shed in her hair- along for their fittings. More than once skills. A little bit of goodwill can go a otherwise not covered her hair, who styling chair, as people who walked in these relatives have been inspired to long way, helping some people learn to will give it a loving home. downcast walk out with an updo. They commit to improving their own levels give and helping others fill an impor- The Greenfields have found that don’t automatically live happily ever of observance. tant need. Just because you can’t use showing the wigs unwashed or giving after, but they do get a head start in Okay, one little story, this one your hair anymore doesn’t mean you them away leaves the recipient feeling that direction. involving Shani’s own wig. She was can’t use your head. Moshe and Shani cheapened by the process. Instead As this service has become more using her training as a make-up artist Greenfield have shown us that this they turn their living room into a popular, it has continued to expand. to help a newly religious kallah in can indeed be done, nicely and gra- salon, open to the public by appoint- Now the gemach actually does wig Israel prepare before her wedding. The ciously. Anything is possible, that is ment only. Each item is tagged with a shows in large rented halls, hiring mother of the bride was keeping up a their message; the leak-proof falafel price, about 10% of its actual value, extra staff to give demonstrations and line of patter about how she personal- cannot be far off. between $18 and $180, money which advice to potential buyers. Wig manu- ly was not observant but she would To donate a wig, or offer to shlep gets cycled back into charitable pur- facturers have begun to use it as an agree to cover her hair for her daugh- some with you to Israel, please con- poses. Even these prices are flexible, outlet for products which may not ter’s wedding except she cannot find a tact [email protected] or 917- shrinking when customers are needier. have moved so well in tonier circles. wig that works for her. Of course, she 763-8028. O New brides get a huge discount. The They sell to the gemach for a drastical- added, “If I had a wig like yours I general attitude is to provide the great- ly reduced price, and eventually an would be fine.” “I will give you mine,” Events At Beth Sholom est benefit at the least cost to dignity easier-to-please young lady is wearing Shani said, “and you can keep it if you Rabbi Klaperman To Be Honored. and self-respect. a beautiful brand-new wig at a price agree to wear it more often than just Congregation Beth Sholom is set to The process of determining who she can easily afford. this wedding.” Shani’s nosier neigh- honor its Rabbi Emeritus, Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, this Shabbos, February 21, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of his bar mitzvah. Rabbi Klaperman served Congregation Beth Sholom as its rabbi for 38 years, from 1950 to 1988. Rabbi Kenneth Hain has served as the congregation’s rabbi since 1988. Everyone is invited to Kiddush in honor of Rabbi Klaperman’s birthday, immediately following services. Annual Dinner. On saturday night, March 14, Beth Sholom will hold its annual dinner, at which Tammy and Avram Schreiber will be the guests of honor and Harold Wohl with receive the lifetime achievement award. Dinner is emceed by Ben Brafman and will be held at Beth Sholom. O

Tammy and Avram Schreiber

Harold Wohl 58 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR and getting an after-school Who Will Rate The Raters? mean to disparage Ezer ratings for organizations Continued from Page 21 rabbi for three hours to Dear Editor, Mizion or its wonderful work. whose revenue is declining teach their kids. This to me I was disappointed to see Here are some problems and must therefore cut back world and things must change. is the future, as it was when that a newspaper of the with the Charity Navigator on programming. But if a 3) School tuition keeps my parents were growing up stature of the Five Towns rating system: going up! How can tuition (cheder and public school). Jewish Times would publish an 1. Charity Navigator lowers Continued on Page 63 keep going up when every- They were able to do it, so article that features Charity thing else is coming down (or why can’t we? Navigator ratings (“Ezer at least trying to come down)? For those who say I have Mizion: In Top 11% for 4) Camp prices are going no idea what I’m talking Efficient Use of Funds,” up! Yes, the $5,000–$10,000 about, note that I went to a February 13). that camp costs for two black-hat yeshiva for 12 Charity Navigator’s rating months is not a luxury any- years, I went to reputable, system is fatally flawed. By more, but a requirement for well-known schools, I am in giving prominence to Charity many people, since both my early thirties, and I live Navigator, we do a disservice parents work. in New York. to many worthwhile charities 5) School debt for those I see this coming down that get low ratings under this who went to law school or the road, and unless the meaningless system. That medical school is three times schools lower their tuition hurts deserving charities and what it was years ago! or figure something out, the their stakeholders, including Given the above, making younger generation will have the community at large, the $300,000 a year before taxes to do some drastic things. charities’ beneficiaries, and is just scraping by now. Years Name Withheld donors. Of course, I in no way ago had I said a couple brought in $250,000 before taxes that would be considered fantastic. One of the big problems I also have with this is that the education is terrible in many Jewish schools, excluding high-end schools such as Ramaz, SKA, SAR, and North Shore. However, those schools come with a price in excess of $20,000 per child. So should I send my children to a bad Jewish school and get a bad education, or send them to public school and get a better education (obviously you would need to be in a good public school district)? People bring up the idea that public school can be a terrible environment and exposes children to many things. I agree with this to a degree. But anyone who says this has turned a blind eye to some of the problems that have existed even among Jewish schools. Sure, you may be around Jewish kids, but some of the things they are doing I would not want my kids exposed to. I was exposed to all of this growing up and have seen many fall off the deep edge. Another point is that staying Jewish (Orthodox or not) is in your heart. I know many people who went to yeshiva (some modern and some black-hat) who are no longer religious and classify themselves as unaffiliated. You may think that this is a minority, but it happens a lot more than you think. To summarize, something must be done. The cost is a bit outrageous and needs to come down. If it does not, this article will be a vision for the future to come. I have heard many young people (age 25–35) who are starting their family now that have suggested this idea: They plan on sending their kids to public school 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 59 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE of town for the holiday begins to nudge Continued from Page 22 itself ahead of the wonderful being-at- home feeling. all-inclusive group price that is sold And you can rest assured that just per room instead of per person. If your about all of the hotels offer—in addi- family or group of friends is a collection tion to their sumptuous cuisine—first- of let’s say 20 or 30 people, then you rate shiurim and other Torah-study might be able to call the shots and put opportunities throughout the yom tov, together a pretty fair deal for yourself during the day and at night. It’s not and your group. There are rooms out just this year that it’s a matter of the there in those hotels, all set aside for money; for many, that’s always the Pesach and ready for someone to move main consideration. The point of all in. Why shouldn’t that someone be you? this is that in these new economic I know that if you’ve never gone times, when it seems a fait accompli away and would not leave your home that you are going to be home, it may for Pesach then this entire discussion be a good time to think again, check is foreign to you. The thought might out the Pesach ads, and make some even occur to you, something along calls. There’s a great yom tov and prob- the lines of, “What’s this guy talking ably some good bargains to be had. O about? Does he think everyone in the Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at world goes to hotels for Pesach at [email protected]. $3,000–$5,000 per person? And does- n’t he [that would be me] realize that doing that with the whole family could For the next issue, cost us $40,000 or more when you factor in the airfare and amenities?” deadline for reserving Well, just for the record I’ve been ad space is home plenty of times for Pesach and Monday, February 23 I’ve gone away for the chag plenty of times too. And I’m still not sure which at 5:00 P.M. I prefer. Both are nice and fulfilling on a number of levels. It’s a wonderful experience to be home with children All graphics for ads and grandchildren, parents, in-laws, must be in by siblings, and others joining you to relive the Exodus from Egypt around Tuesday, February 24 your own table in your own home. On at 5:00 P.M. the other hand, when you factor in the weeks of food preparation that is involved and usually falls almost exclu- Call 516-984-0079 sively on the wives, then escaping out

60 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 61 62 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continued from Page 59 worthwhile charity is struggling to raise money, that may be exactly where I want my tzedakah to go. 2. Charity Navigator gives higher scores to organizations that have higher amounts of working capital relative to operating expenses. However, a donor may legitimately want to avoid charities that have large amounts of cash and liquid assets, which may imply that the charity doesn’t know what to do with its money. Jewish tradition discourages the accumulation of large amounts designated for the poor, because the poor always have urgent needs. 3. Charity Navigator gives high marks to organizations that spend the least on overhead. However, research shows that too little spent on overhead can lead to poor management. An article in the December 2008 issue of the Harvard Business Review concludes that “the phenomenon most to blame for inefficien- cies in nonprofits is…resistance…to supporting overhead… Nonprofits’ most common and pernicious response to this phenomenon is to both underinvest in infrastructure and underreport what they’ve spent.” 4. Financial data tell only a small part of the story. Evaluations of charities should also include consideration of such nonfinancial factors as the quality of programs, the effec- tiveness of the stewardship of resources, and the ethical behavior of management. Our organization, Tzedakah, Inc., has prepared the booklet Smart Tzedakah: How to Evaluate Charities Before You Give. It is available free of charge online at www.just-tzedakah .org/resourcesSmartTzedakah.asp. Our website, www.just-tzedakah.org, is slowly working to develop a data bank providing easy-to-read profiles of Jewish tzedakos, and a new Israeli website is doing the same (www.midot.org.il). For donors who want meaningful evaluations of general (not necessarily Jewish) charities, I suggest the Standards for Excellence Institute (www.StandardsForExcellenceInstit ute.org) and the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org). Ira Kaminow, President, Tzedakah Inc.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 63 profile of Rabbi Hollander written by The Rav Who your father, Nison Gordon, z’l, that appeared in the old Yiddish-language Tog–Morgen Journal newspaper in Fights For 1963, when Rabbi Hollander was about to receive a life contract as rabbi of the Separation Of Mt. Eden Jewish Center in the Bronx. I attach it to this letter. May Rabbi Hollander be a meilitz Orthodoxy yosher for us, all of K’lal Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael. Sincerely, BY REB NISON GORDON, Z’L A friend of the niftar TRANSLATED BY RABBI PESACH SCHMERLING NNN There is a saying in the name of Editor’s Note: A correspondent Rav Yisrael Salanter that “a rav whose recently sent the following letter, congregation does not attempt to accompanied by a copy of an article remove him from his position of lead- about Rabbi David Hollander written ership is not a rav, and a rav whose by my father, Reb Nison Gordon, z’l, in congregation succeeds in removing 1963. Below are the letter and a trans- him from his position of leadership is lation of the article, published here in not a man.” honor of Rabbi Hollander for his This vort of the great ba’al mussar sheloshim. expresses the responsibility that a rav —L.G. carries, the strength that is required Dear Editor, of him in his function as a leader, and I enjoyed reading your recent remi- the respect that his personality is niscences of Rabbi David Hollander, z’l. supposed to evoke even from those He was a great and memorable fight- who aren’t always on the same page er for Torah Judaism. I knew him per- as he is, and who may often collide sonally and he made an impression on with him. me, as, unlike many people, he did not When Rav David Hollander, who is just tell you what he thought you want- well-known to the readers of the Tog- ed to hear. Rather, at times he told you Morgen Journal from his fascinating what you were not expecting and what travel reports, will be presented this might offend you, if he thought that it Sunday with a lifelong k’sav rabbanus was right, l’ma’an ha’emes, for the sake [contract to be hired as rav] by the of truth. Jewish Center in the Bronx, it will not On the occasion of the sheloshim only be a triumph for a rav who does- this week since his passing, I would like n’t turn shy when confronted with a to share with you and your readers a fight, as long as he believes that there

64 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES is what to fight for; it will views his counterpart in the the barrage of opposition he deemed “muktzeh machmas movement appears with the also be a moment of great Conservative and Reform encounters has taken its toll. miyus” [repulsive]. However, “hechsher” of American importance and honor for a institutions as a spiritual In moments of openness, he these same rabbinic figures Orthodoxy and wants to shul which treats its rav with leader among Jews; he sits admits that his conscience conclude that openly uproot true Judaism from the proper respect due to with him on the same plagues him, creating a hint denouncing the rabbis who Sinai and fill the vacuum with him, despite their differences bench, in one rabbinic of self-doubt about the lead the centers and the a Judaism “made in America.” in opinion in regard to his organization; the Orthodox necessity of his mission. temples, proclaiming that “What value does our bat- activities concerning Jewish congregation, faithful to the “This,” he says, “causes me they are outside Hashem’s tle against the removal of the life in America. tradition of Torah from more unrest than the isolation congregation, will create a mechitzah between men and Over the last eight or nine Sinai, is affiliated in one forced upon me by colleagues, backlash among American women during prayer have, if years, Rabbi Hollander has organization with those and the personal damage this Jewry that could destroy the rabbanim themselves sit endured some of the fiercest where the parking lot is isolation brings me.” Orthodoxy. without a mechitzah to sepa- opposition in the ranks of the open on Shabbos, and with However, at the same But this argument does not rate themselves from the so- modern Orthodox rabbinate, Reform temples where there time, Rav Hollander lists placate him. On the contrary, called rabbis, giving them the during which time those who is no faithful hint of Judaism many great contemporary he says, blurring the bound- prestige of spiritual leader- were closest to him during whatsoever. leaders who have morally aries between a shul and a ship?” thunders Rav his yeshiva days have dis- When addressing this supported his cause, private- temple, between a rav and a Hollander in his dynamic tanced themselves from him, topic, Rabbi Hollander is ly echoing his sentiment rabbi, represents the gravest oratorical style. becoming his most extreme girded for battle. He candidly that for Orthodox rabbanim danger for everything accom- Perhaps Rav Hollander’s opposition. He is the most accuses his colleagues of to join with Conservative plished by Orthodox Jewry till outspokenness and his lack outspoken non-conformist to conferring the status of legit- and Reform spiritual lead- this point—not only here in of political correctness may ever appear at every conven- imacy upon the Conservative ers—treating ignoramuses America, but in Israel, as well. tion of the histadrus ha’rab- and Reform movements. And as equals—should be There, the Conservative Continued on Page 66 banim, of which he served as president from 1954 through 1956. With his cunning tongue, he sharply criticizes individuals and organizations every motzaei Shabbos on his weekly radio program, called “Eis L’Daber.” The flag under which he threw himself into war was the clear separation of Orthodox Judaism from the Conservative and Reform movements. He drew a clear distinction between the rav and the “rabbi,” between the shul and the “center” or “temple.” Whenever he addresses this lamentable topic, one can see the sparks flying and feel the sting of his hot words. Whoever has not been in attendance at one of the rabbinic conventions where Rav Hollander fights for his well- known amendment that would forbid an Orthodox rabbi to join a religious organization with Conservative and Reform rabbis—whoever has not witnessed the battle between the representative of the opposition and the chairman of the session, fighting on the other side, not allowing the question to be brought up for a vote—never saw a parlia- mentary battle between two well-armed sides, who open fire with Gemaras as well as other juristic ammunition. For the time being, Rabbi Hollander has not been successful in having his amendment, which targets the New York Board of Rabbis and the Synagogue Council, adopted. But he does not get disheart- ened. Overlooking the obsta- cles in his path, before each convention he again collects petitions and seeks to renew the fight for his cause. His position is that all great difficulties endured by religious Judaism in America stem from the lack of clear demarcation between the original and the fraud. The Orthodox rabbi himself 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 65 Rav Hollander When he concluded his speech, a the fellow’s profession, and knowing members of Conservative syna- Continued from Page 65 thick silence engulfed the entire hall. about psychoanalysis, Rav Hollander gogues. The event was quickly brought to an couldn’t contain himself. Seeking a This is the mode of battle of Rav best be illustrated by an incident that abrupt end, and the Jews hastily left possible subconscious motivation for Hollander, who, considering his happened to him, as he himself the hall—including the Jew who his own contrarian actions, he asked many talents, could have been wide- relates, in a certain town in New would drive the guest to the airport him, “Do you think I am a ly popular, but who instead chose to England. for his return flight to New York. masochist, looking to be a martyr?” use these very talents to wage war For many years he had been dele- Rav Hollander at that moment also The doctor looked at him intently over issues that he felt demanded a gated from the central office in New felt uncomfortable, but it didn’t and sternly replied: “Why do you strong opposition, sometimes leaving York to address the annual fundrais- bother him at all that he did what he need to use all this psychiatric jar- himself abandoned even by those he er of the local Orthodox organization did. He went outside and waited for gon? Why shouldn’t you ascribe it to relied upon. in that New England town. His a taxi. the fire of truth which burns in your Even his opponents agree that he speeches would be well-received All of a sudden, a Jew came run- heart?” is an honorable adversary, a man to every year, and as soon as he would ning over to him, telling him: Three years after this incident, reckon with and whose words conclude his speech there was an demand an audience, even though onslaught of handshakes with thank- they wouldn’t concede to his you’s and “yasher koach’s.” Each approach of “yikov ha’din es ha’har” year, after the conclusion of the pro- (“the law should split the mountain,” gram, a gentleman from the congre- “What value does our battle against the removal of i.e., nothing can justify compromise). gation would personally drive him to The purpose of his battle is obviously the airport for his return flight to the mechitzah have, if the rabbanim themselves sit more than to cause trouble at a rab- New York. binic convention. His goal is some- This idyll between Rav Hollander without a mechitzah to separate themselves from the thing different—a revolution that and the nice Jews of this New threatens to bring about a popular England town continued for many uprising—which is why others fear years, until one gloomy day when he so-called rabbis?” him. At the same time, his appear- found out that the main leaders of ances express the conscience of a that Orthodox organization that he minority, which would not get a word had been addressing are in fact in edgewise if not for him. members of a big Conservative cen- “Rabbi Hollander! You acquired an Rav Hollander once again came as a On his milestone day, and in this ter, and that one of them teaches daf entire entourage of enemies, except guest speaker to the same town, auspicious time for his congregation, yomi for the chevrah Shas in the one… I will take you in my car to where he was hired to address a par- which appreciates his actions as basement of the center. the airport.” ticular yeshiva dinner. Again Dr. L. their rav and spiritual leader, Rabbi That year he again was dispatched These words were like balsam for approached him and offered him a Hollander has earned the well wish- from the New York office, but instead a broken heart. Rav Hollander ride to the airport. During the ride, es of friends and foes alike. These he of sticking to his usual topic, he thanked that Jew profusely for his Dr. L. reminded Rav Hollander deserves with respect, as a rav who spoke out, as only he could, con- friendship and entered his car. The about the earlier incident and remains unwaveringly faithful to the demning the unheard-of wrongdoing man introduced himself as “Dr. L.” assured him that he had never again principles through which he envi- of Orthodox Jews learning a blatt Rav Hollander asked him if he was crossed the threshold of that other sions the salvation of Judaism in Gemara while simultaneously identi- indeed a doctor. “Yes—a psychia- organization, which considered itself America, ignoring how unpopular fying with a Conservative center. trist,” answered the man. Hearing Orthodox but whose leaders were his ideas are. O

66 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 67 68 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Too Many Children er I go. Those articles sparked an ava- the shrinking populations of many thing I have ever received in the form Continued from Front Cover lanche of letters from families across countries in Europe, especially Italy of worldly goods. And I had a choice America with five children or more and Germany, where the birthrates that needed to be made every day of support, but on the primitive choice of who told me that friends and family have fallen well below the death rates. my life. I could either work my guts having lots of kids in the first place. always put them on the defensive for Amid the worst economic crisis in out to afford one of these things, or I One female pundit on CNN said that wanting a lot of kids. And they always 70 years, all brought about by greed could work less and spend more time women who choose to have lots of find some sinister motive behind it. and misguided materialistic values, with my children. children are usually uneducated, The fact that perhaps we just love chil- one would have thought that To be sure, having nine kids is not extremely religious, and bereft of any dren and feel they are life’s most pre- easy. When we go on a trip it takes a career. cious gift is something they can’t large amount of work to prepare. Now, I’m not defending Suleman accept. As I always tell my friends who Tuition at religious schools is expen- whose actions are clearly objection- ask me why I have a large family, “As sive. Food is equally so. But it’s worth able. But aren’t we overdoing our soon as I find something I enjoy as “As soon as I find every penny. Watching our children hatred of her? Since going on the air- much as my kids I will have a lot of laugh, learn, and interact with each waves and talking about her decision that as well.” something I enjoy as other has no parallel to any joy in the to have 14 children, she has had innu- My wife and I travelled to Australia universe. Often women ask me merable death threats. Through her recently as guests of Qantas Airlines much as my kids, whether a particular man is husband- website she has received 55,000 mes- for a book and media tour. The airline material. I tell them to look first and sages, nearly all angry and negative. could not have been more family foremost at whether he likes chil- Her publicist (yes, I agree, a bad idea) friendly and accommodating to the I will have a lot of dren. If he does, it means he loves Joan Killeen said she dropped her baby we brought on board. A succes- playfulness, imagination, and little client after receiving hundreds of sion of both male and female flight that as well.” cute critters who bring out his own death threats of her own. “They hope I attendants came by to play with the innocence. If he sees children as a die, they hope my business goes under, baby. When I asked one 40-something burden then he might be just a little they want to rip her uterus out. They female flight attendant who was hold- too much into himself. say I should be anesthetized and put ing our daughter whether she had chil- Americans would begin to get it, that We can debate all we want as to down like a dog.” dren of her own, she answered, “My we’d return to things that are truly whether Nadya Suleman should have What was Suleman’s main crime? husband and I thought of it but decid- valuable like family, spirituality, and 14 kids or not. But once these children Her babies will have to be supported ed against it. I guess we couldn’t find a community. But there it was in the are born, the debate is over. The kids by taxpayers. Fair enough. But have compelling reason to have a baby.” newspapers this week that Saks Fifth are alive. They need our support and the CEOs of AIG, Merrill Lynch, and After she departed, my wife said to me, Avenue was opening a new boutique love, not our criticism and condemna- Citibank, who cost taxpayers infinite- “There she was holding the most beau- for men with suits beginning at $7,000 tion. Children are of infinite value. ly more money to buy $30,000 com- tiful thing in the world in her arms and a pop. I was in Miami Beach, where I And the debate as to whether they modes and give their employees that wasn’t a good enough reason?” grew up, for a lecture this weekend. should be or not be, once they in fact bonuses with which to buy Ferraris Over the years many women have My brother Chaim and I walked to the are, does not reflect our truer, inner received the same threats of vio- told me that they wanted more but boat show where multi-million dollar goodness. (JPost.com) O lence? Is this woman really the could not afford it. Can we afford the yachts lined the streets. As I walked by Shmuley Boteach has just released his latest world’s worst criminal? vacations, cars, and dresses that we these behemoths, it dawned on me book, The Kosher Sutra: Eight Sacred Secrets I have written several articles in the shove onto our maxed-out credit that sure, I’d love to own one of them. for Reigniting Desire and Restoring Passion for Life. He has also launched a national Friday past as to how, as a father of nine chil- cards? The New York Times Magazine But to be honest, the pleasure I get night family dinner initiative. For more, visit dren, I find myself apologizing wherev- ran a cover story last summer about from my kids by far outweighs any- www.shmuley.com.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 69 70 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 71 so, the cats reached terminal veloci- ha’rabbim), that is at least 40 inches ty. Thereafter, they hypothesized, the (10 tefachim) deep. If an ox falls into Daf Yomi Insights cats relaxed and spread themselves the pit and dies, the one who dug the out and assumed the best position pit must pay damages. (There are for impact, thereby minimizing many conditions; I am just discussing Bullish Thinking the Journal of the American Veterinary injuries. general rules.) Rav said that one is B Y RABBI AVROHOM Medical Association. Two veterinari- (Some have disagreed with the responsible only for damages that SEBROW ans examined 132 cases of cats that vets’ interpretation, pointing out that were caused by the noxious air com- had fallen out of high-rise windows the study is only based on cats monly found in a pit. Shmuel says that There is a worrying epidemic called and were brought to the Animal brought to the hospital. Cats that one is also held liable for damages “high-rise syndrome” that affects Medical Center, a New York veteri- fall from above seven stories will caused by the physical impact with the many New York families. Cases are nary hospital, for treatment. On aver- either be in somewhat good shape bottom of the pit. more prevalent in the summer age the cats fell 5.5 stories, yet 90 with a decent chance of survival or The Gemara says that the practical months. One New York City hospital percent survived. (Many did suffer will be in an obvious cat-atonic difference between the two opinions reported three to five new cases a serious injuries.) When the vets ana- state, in which case they wouldn’t be is in a case where one made a 40-inch week in the summer. The sad part is, hill with a cliff in middle of a public experts say that it is almost entirely thoroughfare. If an ox walked up the preventable. The good news is that the hill and fell off the cliff, Shmuel survival rate for high-rise syndrome would say the creator of that hill can be as great as 90 percent. What The ability to assume the most must pay for damages to the ox, exactly is this malady? It is the phe- whereas Rav would say the creator is nomenon of cats falling out of win- exempt. The reason is that since we dows that are more than two stories beneficial position for impact are discussing an above-ground fall, high (not a joke!). there is no noxious air present. What leads to the high survival rate mid-fall is not limited to cats. According to Rav, the Torah does not for high-rise syndrome? For starters, a obligate the creator of an obstacle in falling cat’s terminal velocity (maxi- reshus ha’rabbim to pay for damages mum fall speed) is about 60 mph, that came about because of an whereas that of a falling man in a impact with the ground, and is only free-fall position is about 130 mph. lyzed the data they found that, as one brought to the hospital at all. This obligated for damages due to the nox- This is due in part to their small size, would expect, the number of broken skews the statistics.) ious air that he caused to be present light bone structure, and thick fur. bones and other injuries increased The ability to assume the most ben- by the digging of a pit. But in Further, a cat may spread out its body with the number of stories the cat eficial position for impact mid-fall is Shmuel’s opinion, the creator of the mid-fall to increase drag and slow its had fallen—up to seven stories. not limited to cats. It can apply to hill is liable for the damages caused descent. Another trick in the cat’s Above seven stories, however, the bulls, as well. Although, I would not by the impact. arsenal is the ability to right itself number of injuries per cat sharply want to see the result of a 1,000- Rashi asks the obvious question: while it is falling. They can orient declined. In other words, the farther pound bull falling from the seventh Why didn’t the Gemara say the prac- themselves mid-fall to land on their the cat fell, the better its chances of floor of a high-rise! tical difference between Rav and feet, preventing cat-astrophe. escaping serious injury. The Gemara in Bava Kama (50b) Shmuel is where an ox fell into a pit There was an interesting study that The authors explained this by say- discusses the liability of one who digs was done in 1987 and published by ing that after falling five stories or a pit, in a public thoroughfare (reshus Continued on Page 80

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All NU Kings Point Delray Beach condo for ...... $2+M or $10K/mo. 3 over 3 Br. 4Fbth, Dr, Full bsmt Woodmere/Cedarhurst Oppty! sale 1,100 sq. feet. 2 BR, 2 bths, new Cedarhurst — 3 BR colonial. . . . $399K All features ...... $779K 12,000 sq. ft. approx. 90’x150’, Colonial, European kitchen and appliances, Call 516-263-6417 Woodmere — 3 BR ranch. Mint . $499K 17 rooms, full bsmt. with hi ceilings, updated bath, new carpets, 24-hour Smolinsky Properties 516-295-4444 clean 2 car garage plus storage, 6 space Law: Hi Ranch. Must see, 4br, 2.5bth, guarded community. Golf, theater, parking, 2 family, professional use, fam rm, CAC, 2 car garage, large prop Attention: Large property, corner library ...... $199,999 accountant, Esq., medical and/or educa- Call 631-664-0075 ...... $800sK Cedarhurst and Woodmere 150x100 apx. Ced: Nu2Mkt, 2Fam, 3br/3br, 2fpl, deck, tional and religious uses. Grand colonial 13 large rooms, 3 baths. Good for all new, grt loc, full bsmt...... $795K with charm and great possibilities. Luxurious apartments: Penthouse in kindergarten, elementary school, yeshi- Bucman, Modiin. 5 BR, balconies, Cedarhurst: CH col., new quality con- Available at once . . . $875K Negotiable struction. 7 bedroom, 4.5 bths, den, LR, va, synagogue, or other institution. Shabbos elevator, 2 sinks, 2.5 bths. Owner 516-322-3555 ...... $350K DR, oversized gourmet, granite EIK, Parking garage for 4 cars and 2 buses. Villa 6 BR, c/ac, parking, storage, back- huge FDR, 9' ceiling, finished basement Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place Immediate. Reasonable. yard ...... $550K prime location. Asking ...... $1.25M Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning Call 718-471-8888 Owner 347-439-8234 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 cul-de-sac, best location ...... $850K Call 516-902-0936 Far Rockaway/Lawrence: 2 BR/ 2 BA, Newly Renovated, Dead-end street, Lawrence — New to market — Totally Price...... $539K restored grand 3 story grand brick col Call Owner: 516-750-9257 7+ BR, many details large property. For Rent Miami Beach — Tower 41. Ocean View. 136 Sutton Pl. — Renovated 5 BR home 1 bdrm, 17th floor. Stunning. in park setting 732-522-0813 376 Central Ave. — Beautiful 1 BR, 1.5 bths, luxury bldg 24-hr doorman Cedarhurst: Nu to Mkt. Handyman Woodmere — By appt. Special/ Builder, 50'x100',Quiet Block, 1031 Dartmouth Lane — 5 BR, park set- Prime loca'n, Quick Sale: . . . . . $329K ting...... $600's 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 137 Park St. — 6 BR, c/h col, beautiful Tree St. area ...... $800's 63 Captains Rd. — Multi-level home Your Real Estate, with waterview ...... $600's 75 Wood Lane — Woodsburgh. By appt. Service, or Ren. 5 BR home on beautiful property. West Lawrence — 156 B. 9. New condo Help Wanted Ad bldg — Steps to beach. Sale or rent. Here Every 12-2 p.m. Milky Forst Properties Inc 516-239-0306 Thursday Woodmere — Brand new construction on 100,000 readers Clubhouse Road in the heart of Woodmere look forward to Park. Contemporary style home. 6 BR, 4 what’s happening in the Bths, custom granite kosher kitchen, 5 Towns by reading Radiant Heat, Alarms, Camera equipped, hardwood floors, plus much, much more. The Five Towns Price reduced ...... $1.55M Jewish Times. Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Woodmere Park — Brand new Deadline is Monday Mediterranean style construction. 6 BR, 3.5 Bths, kosher granite kitchen, Radiant heat, at 5:00 p.m. Alarms, Camera equipped ...... $1.5M 1 Week...... $35 Far Rockaway — Beach 3rd. 4 BR, 2.5 bths, townhouse, finished basement, 2 Weeks ...... $60 EIK...... $650K 4 Weeks ...... $100 Call Weissman Realty Group 516-791-6100 Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 Weekly Ads of up to 25 words Valley Stream: Nu 2 Mkt. Brick ranch, Call: 516-569-0502 great condition, quiet street. Nu EIK, LR, Den, Lg Prop ...... $439K Fax: 516-977-0608 For Rent ...... $2,500 Or E-mail ads to: 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 [email protected] Classified Ads are Include payment info. Continued on the Next Page.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 75 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE Continued from Page 75 FOR SALE FOR RENT FOR RENT REAL ESTATE House for sale in Far Rockaway. Semi- Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place Cedarhurst: Garden apt. Nu 2 Mkt. FOR SALE attached, 3 BR, large deck and play- Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning 2BR. 2Bth, Mint, 1st Flr, heat & prk room. Great location. Near TAG. incld. $2,500. cul-de-sac, best location. $4K monthly Asking ...... $549K. Call 718-337-6999 5Town Homes 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — Open House Sunday 1-2:30 Call Irene 516-652-7099 Far Rockaway — 2 Huge Office Spaces. PM Lawrence — Updated 3 br, 3fbth Ch Inwood — 8 offices available for rent. 451 Summit Avenue — 5 BR, 2.5 Bath, Colonial, large granite EIK, den fin- 6,000 and 2,500 Sq Ft. 2nd Floor. Near Total 3000 square feet. Newly renovated. 50x150 lot, low tax. Price reduced!$499K ished basement ...... $895K Subway & LIRR. Build to Suit. Can be Can also be used as a warehouse. Jessica Silver Realty 516-295-0306 pugatch.com or 833-6004 divided. Owner 917-359-9776 For more information, Danrich Realty Lawrence: OURS ONLY!! 718-441-28008 BRICK, C/H COL, Stately BRICK, w/old Woodmere — Academy Area Fabulous 5 Rockville Centre — 3,500 sq ft, fully world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 br, 3 fbth Colonial, LR with fpl, den, wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. Woodmere — House for rent. 3 BR, 2 BTHS, Kosher Eik, Lg. LR W/FPL, Lg. fbsmt, new roof, sd 14 ...... $699K Call 516-322-3555 FDR, Library, Fin. Bsmt., Lg Prop., pugatch.com or 295-3000 bths, garage, washer/dryer, Academy area. Call 718-938-4918. Asking $2,350 a WALK ALL. Woodmere/Cedarhurst — 2 BR avail- 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Woodmere — Prime Location…Gracious month, plus utilities. able. Secure buildings, new EIK, close 4 br, 3 fbth Stone Colonial, den with to all and train station ...... $1,600 Far Rockaway: 2 Family. All NU, fireplace, large formal dining room Far Rockaway — Apartment available. 3 over 1 Bdrm, 3 full baths. Great ...... $745K Brand new construction. Furnished or Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Location ...... $599K pugatch.com or 295-3000 unfurnished. 3 BR, 2bths. Cleaning and Far Rockaway listings: Call 516-322-3555 laundry services available. Perfect for Plainview/ Beach 11 — 3 and 4 BR, 2 Woodmere — Best Buy…4 br, 3 full bath Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth the elderly. Call Sherri 516-569-5450 bths, new construction, plenty of clos- Colonial with den, bsmt sd 14 . . . $399K Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K ets, washer/dryer hookup, parking, no pugatch.com or 295-3000 Call 516-322-3555 Far Rockaway — Large One Bedroom rental fee. Reduced rent. Call Avromy 347-752-0948 Charming 6 bedroom, 3 full bath (mar- Apartment for rent. Beautiful elevator Woodmere — Exclusive 3 BR ranch. Neilson Street — 4 BR, 2 bths in 2 fami- ble), completely renovated. Large bldg. Nice tenancy. Great location at Mint ...... $499K ly house. Brand new construction. kitchen (granite countertops), hardwood Neilson and Cornaga, near Shor Yoshuv, Young 4 BR, 2.5 bth, col. Mint . . $740K Washer/dryer hookup, parking, reason- floors, central air-conditioning, balcony, transportation, and shopping. Lawrence — 4 BR, 3 bth, ranch, pool. two-car driveway, spacious backyard. able rent. Call Weissman Realty Group Asking $1,100. Call 718-692-2525 ext. 180 ...... $1M+ Mahogany doors/wooden window frames 516-791-6100 6 BR, 7 bth, contemp. 1.2 acre $2.799K/ throughout...... $900's Hicksville Road — 2 BR, 1 bth, ground Call 646-554-4170 Cedarhurst — All new, bright 3 BR, 1.5 rent $10K floor, new windows, new kitchen, per- bths, ground floor apt in 2-family house, Condo 2 BR, 2 bth, encl porch, 2 spots fect for elderly, available immediately. LR, FDR, EIK/ w new appliances, new pkg $1,350. Call Weissman Realty Group carpet, w/d included, yard and parking. Smolinsky Properties 516/295-4444 FOR RENT Walk all ...... $2,250 516-791-6100 Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 Cedarhurst— lot 56x140 col. 6 BR, 2.5 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 bths, EIK, large DR, deck, finished Cedarhurst: Office rental: Executive 2 basement, near shuls, 2-car garage, low Free Foreclosure Listings — Over N Wdm. — house rental. Hi-ranch in taxes...... $649K by owner. 400,000 properties nationwide. Low down MIC. 4 br, CAC, den, on quiet street. Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., 917-559-1828, Call for appointment. payment. Call now. 800-846-1841. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555

76 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES COMMERCIAL The Orthodox Dress Code FOR RENT FOR RENT BY SHOSHANA CHEN The wish to respect others is praise- worthy. But let’s take it all the way. Nicest house rental in Far Rockaway. Hewlett — Warehouse over 3000 sf. POR. I had to rub my eyes three times The Orthodox community has its own Beautiful, Ready to move in, 5 BR Office about 1,100 sf...... $1,500 when I saw the white rug Tzipi Livni codes of dress, and before one goes to house on excellent block in Far Hempstead — Offices from 1,000-4,500 placed on her head when meeting a social function or event it would be Rockaway. Brand new kitchen and very sf. Also front office or store. POR. spacious backyard. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef recently. The good to do some homework. This is Dalia Fritz 516-374-4411 Call owner 917-617-0768 inexplicable garment reminded me not a sign that one is becoming reli- of a lace curtain from the 1950s. gious, but rather, an indication of Lawrence — 247 Rockaway Tpke, Where did she get this piece? Where proper education and conduct and Spacious house for rent, newly renovat- MISCELLANEOUS ed, 4/5 bedrooms, 2 Bath, LR, FDR, new was her stylist? Why wasn’t there truly democratic thinking, which granite kitchen, fireplace, large yard, anyone out there who could buy her espouses respect for others. There garage ...... $2,700 a reasonable hat? should be no problem with making an 917-642-4308 or [email protected] DIRECTV Free 4 Room System! 265+ Yet Livni is not alone. I often see effort to learn. Channels! Starts $29.99/month. Free photos of secular politicians who There is no need to learn the Lawrence — Furnished basement apt. HBO + Showtime + Starz! Free Extra large room plus separate new DVR/HD! 130 HD Channels! No Start head out for a quick visit in the ultra- nuances of each group and this is kitchen. Leave message with details. Up Costs! Ends Soon! Local Installers! Orthodox community or encounter also not about huge investment of 516-239-2571 1-800-973-9027 seculars who find themselves at an money. All that is needed is to ask Orthodox family event or a meeting those who know (after all, everyone Cedarhurst — Nu House CH Col. LR, Free DIRECTV 4 Room System! 265 with a senior rabbi and I cannot knows someone in the Orthodox FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 4BR, 3BTHS. Channels! Starts $29.99/month. Free believe my eyes. community) how to cover one’s head Bsmt. For Rent ...... $2,500 HBO + Showtime + Starz! Free 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 DVR/HD! 130 HD Channels! No Start I see serious people putting on without looking like a joke and Up Costs! Ends Soon! Local Installers! strange and delusional combinations becoming conspicuous in a kilometer 1-800-306-1953 Fountainbleu Hotel Miami Beach, of clothing: Women wearing kerchiefs radius. Florida— Magnificent studio apt, 800 Want To Purchase minerals and other that look like they belong to Polish vil- For example, pants are out for square feet, can sleep 4-6. Rent per day oil/gas interests...... Send details to lagers; shiny white kippas made of women who wish to respect their or week. Also available for Passover. P.O.Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201 satin-like fabrics and looking like a hosts, even if we are dealing with 347-804-4666 pyramid on top of a man’s coiffure; pants that are as wide as a tent. Ocean Corp. Houston, Texas. Train for New Career. Underwater Welder, and skirts that were taken out of the Meanwhile, even the classiest jack- Cedarhurst — NU House, CH Commercial Diver, NDT/Weld Inspector. attic or borrowed from an old Purim et would not correct the impression Col.LR,FDR, Kosher Eik, Den,4BR.3BTHS. Bsmt...... …$3,200 Job placement and financial aid for costume. formed by an undershirt that is the 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 those who qualify, 1-800-321-0298 In short, they boast a look that size of a handkerchief. Any reason- turns them into a joke, and this was able person who goes to the theater Cedarhurst — House Rental LR/FDR, Deadline for Advertising in the certainly not their intention. After is aware of the specific dress code den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt . . . . . $2,300 all, we are talking about men or and won’t arrive wearing the sweat- Call 516-322-3555 Next Issue is Tuesday, February 24 women who wanted to show respect shirt he wore at the gym. Those who at 5:00 P.M. Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, to their ultra-Orthodox friends, yet insist on doing so should not be sur- 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. Call 516-984-0079 ignorance created a comic-tragic prised by the response. Call 516-322-3555 result. (YNetNews.com) O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 77 Doctor Who Slammed Gaza Violence Supported 9/11 Attacks BY SHAHAR GINOSAR

Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert entered the Gaza Strip several days before Israel launched its military offensive there. In the course of the operation Gilbert spoke to numerous media outlets, presented himself as “an objective physician” and repeatedly condemned the IDF’s actions in Gaza. However, it recently became known that Gilbert might have been less impartial than he claimed to be. The only Western doctor allowed into the Strip during the fighting, Gilbert is a member of the Norwegian socialist party, Red, and a man who in the past expressed support for al-Qaeda’s September 11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York. In an interview to Dagbladet newspaper the in wake of the terror attacks, Gilbert said: “The attack on New York did not come as a surprise with the pol- itics the West has followed the last decades. I am upset by the terrorist attack, but I am at least as upset over the suffering that the U.S. has caused. It is in this context that 5,000 dead has to be seen. If the U.S. government has a legitimate right to bomb and kill civilians in Iraq, the oppressed has a moral right to attack the U.S. with the weapons they may create as well. Dead civilians are the same whether they are Americans, Palestinians, or Iraqis.” When asked if he supported a terrorist attack against the U.S. he answered: “Terror is a poor weapon, but my answer is yes, within the context I have mentioned.” During the Gaza operation Gilbert gave dozens of interviews to leading television networks such as ABC, CNN, al-Jazeera and Sky News. Wearing a white robe and standing in a corridor of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the doctor reported on the IDF’s “deliberate attacks” against women and children. He also blamed Israel for waging “an all- out war against Gaza civilians.” When asked by the BBC what was his response, as a “neutral observer” to Israel’s claims it was only out to target Hamas, Gilbert replied: “This is a totally ridiculous state- ment. Of the hundreds of injured we’ve treated, only two were fighters. (YNetNews.com) O 78 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES YKLI Chanukas HaBayis Dinner Photos By Jerry Meyer Studios

Top (L-R): Mr. Eric Stern, dinner chairman; Rabbi Dov Edell, associate principal; Rabbi Joel Beritz, VP of the Gross Foundation; Rabbi Zvi Bajnon, Menahel; Rabbi Shalom Sigfried, director of development.

Center (L-R): Rabbi Naftoli Jaeger of Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv congratulates Guest of Honor Aron Felder.

Bottom (L-R): Rabbi Sigfried with Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Bluth, supporters of the yeshiva. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 79 Daf Yomi Insights Continued from Page 72

and broke its bones? Obviously the broken bones were caused by the impact of the fall and not by noxious fumes. Wouldn’t Rav say that the one who dug the pit is absolved from any responsibility to pay for the broken bones, since they were not

A cat at ground level.

caused by the fumes? Shmuel, on the other hand, who holds that the digger of a pit is liable even for damages caused solely by impact, would say that the digger must pay for the broken bones. The answer, according to Rabbeinu Peretz, is that we generally assume that the noxious air in a pit plays a role in any injuries sustained by the falling animal. If not for the fumes breathed in by the animal, the animal would have better positioned itself and avoided injuries. Even in mid- fall, the ox could have reoriented itself somewhat to avoid major injuries if not for the hindrance to its mental faculties caused by the fumes. Although the fumes are only a contributing factor and we can’t be certain that the fumes did indeed play a role, nevertheless the digger of the pit is obligated to pay. For if not so, according to Rav there would never be an obligation for the digger of a pit to pay any damages. He could always claim that the damages were not caused by fumes. How could we refute him? Yet we know that the Torah does indeed obligate the creator of a pit to pay damages in at least some cases. It must be that if it is possible that the fumes played a role in the injuries sustained by the ox, the Torah obli- gates the digger of the pit to pay. So, even according to Rav, the creator of a pit must pay for all physical injuries to the animal, because we can argue that the fumes stopped the animal from taking preventive measures. This article barely scratches the sur- face of the cat-egory of damages called bor, but hopefully it was enough of a cat-alyst to make you crave meore. O

Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hempstead and is an outreach professional at JEP of LI. He can be contacted at [email protected]. 80 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Five Towns Simcha Gallery Photos By Suri Adams Photography

Mazel tov to Shira Leifer, daughter of Miriam and Ezriel Leifer of Lawrence, on her bas mitzvah. The celebration took place on February 15 at Beth Sholom. The entertainment was provided by Atara DJ.

Gina Rosenblum and Dr. Jack Levenbrown were married Sunday, February 15 at the Lawrence Village Country Club. The bride graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago and received a master’s in Fine Arts from Northwestern University of Chicago. She is a daughter of Dresla Hirsch of Forest Hills and the late Mayer Hirsch. The bridegroom is the chief of pediatric radiology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. He was the mayor of the Village of Lawrence from 2002 to 2008; previously he was its police commissioner and a village trustee. He graduated from Yeshiva University and received a medical degree from George Washington University. He is a son of the late Esther Levenbrown and the late Arthur Levenbrown, who lived in Brooklyn.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 81 Yeshiva Of Far Rockaway 40th Annual Dinner

L-R: R' Josh Winkler and R' Chaim Balter, Dinner Co-Chairmen; Mr. Nochum Aber, Guest of Honor; Rabbi Yechiel Perr, Rosh Yeshiva; Mr. Ben Brafman, Esq., MC; Dr. Eli Adler, Distinguished Alumni Awardee; Rabbi Moshe Brown, Marbitzei Torah and Rabbinic Leadership Awardee; and Rabbi Aaron Brafman, Menahel.

Left: Dr. Eli Adler receiving his award. Right: Mr. Nochum Aber being presented his award by Rabbi Perr and R' Chaim Balter.

82 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES February 20, 2009 83 84 February 20, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES