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--~---~ ------"·-.. ------···------.... --.... ____ ------RABBI MATIS ROBERTS

Struggling With Success

GROWING PAINS IN THE THE ARK AND THE level of competence in all of them. Not WORLD TABERNACLE so the yeshivos. Students were expect­ ed to master the functional disciplines s everyone knows, the yeshiva To a great extent, the difficulties fac­ on their own. The heart and soul of yeshi­ world is undergoing very diffi­ ing the yeshiva world are the products va life was the study and analysis of A cult times. Many of the ills that of its astonishing success. Rabbi and its com1nentators. 1~hat is pervade society around us have found ., .. ,,,, noted that the what occupied the bulk of a student's their way- albeit on a much smaller scale deals with the construction of two very time, energy, and interest. The shiurin1 - into our homes and institutions, and different edifices. One is the ark of Noach, (lectures) were geared accordingly, chal­ the results are catastrophic. which was built as a sanctuary for sur­ lenging them to ever higher levels of aca­ People often focus on specific aspects vival. The other is the Mishkan - the tab­ demic excellence. The schedule, too, was of the problem, dwelling on who is to ernacle erected by the Jewish nation in extremely rigorous. Intensive Torah blame for a particular issue and how it order to "house" the Divine Presence. study filled nearly every waking could be resolved if only this or that were The great bastions of Torah that illu­ moment. done differently. But such approaches minated European Jewry for generations take things out of context, for they ignore were modeled after the Mishkan. The the general framework in which all of foundation upon which they were erect­ FACING THE CHALLENGES these problems exist. The truth is that ed is the loftiest of all human endeav­ the difficult conditions we face are ors, Torah lishma - the study of Torah Today's yeshivos are the successors to integral to the times in which we live. for its own sake. These institutions were their European counterparts. Their core Current circumstances virtually guaran­ designed primarily to serve the elite, to function continues to be the noble enter­ tee an ongoing wave of crises and con­ mold a select few into the Torah lead­ prise of Torah lishma, and their primary flicts. They are not grounds for ers of the next generation. Students products are the outstanding scholars condemnation, and we need not react accepted into the major yeshivos had who will provide Torah leadership and defensively to suggestions for change. But already shown outstanding scholastic transmit the Torah's teachings to the next we must explore and tackle the big pic­ ability. They were highly motivated to generation of . But America is not ture if we hope to resolve these problems study Torah diligently, requiring little - by any stretch of the imagination - pre­ effectively. encouragement or supervision. World War II Eastern Europe. The structure of yeshiva learning Transplanted in the American spiritual RABBI ROBERTS IS THE /\.fASHG/ACH RtJCHANIOF

Y~:SHIVA SHA1\R HATORAH - GROONO or reflected these realities. Most education­ wasteland, the have assumed an QUEENS. His ESSAY. "FROM Yo~ i TO You -THE ROAD al systems offer a broad-based curricu­ additional role. Here, they must also repli­ TO MEANINGFUL PRAYER," WAS FEATUHED IN JO, lum, providing familiarity with many cate Noach's ark, serving as sanctuaries different subjects and fostering a basic for survival a1nidst the roaring sea of alien I. ''"· ·_o.------·----··· --- values.And if we try to copy the yeshiv­ ing scholars often do not coincide with disappointment whenever possible, rob­ os of Europe in every detail, we will lose the requirements of the masses. A bing them of the chance to learn how to the essence of all that they achieved. that demands the pursuit of excellence cope with adv·:rsity. And when they enter In its early years, the American yeshi­ is likely to overwhelm and discourage yeshiva, they are likely to be more con­ va world comprised a new elite- the few those who are average or weaker. A cur­ cerned with the quality of their food and individuals who heard the echoes of Sinai riculum that is broadly inclusive will not accomn1odations than with the caliber above the din of An1erican materialis1n. impel the highly gifted to push themselves of their learning and avodas Hashem. But over ti1ne, what began as a system to their limits. Yet the yeshivos must Yet, the products of all of these homes for the few mushroomed into a n1ass someho\v meet the educational needs of are viewed as essentially similar; they are move1nent, far exceeding anyone's most all of these different students. all considered budding b'nei Torah. optimistic predictions. This incredible And the yeshivas are expected to cater reality is the legitimate source of a great to their varied- and conflicting- needs deal of pride. In a remarkably short peri­ DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, effectively, and to cultivate in all of them od of time, the yeshiva world has radi­ ONE APPROACH? the same devotion to Torah growth and cally broadened the Torah horizons of development. vast segments of American Jewry. Torah Then there are the different back­ scholarship at its highest levels - once grounds from which young men come considered a hopeless dream on this con­ to yeshiva. Some are sons of roshei yeshi­ CONFRONTING THE tinent - is now commonplace through­ va; others come from lay fan1ilies. Some WORLD AROUND Us out the land. Within a large segment of grew up in intensely religious kehillos, American Jewry, yeshiva life has become others in smaller Jewish co1nmunities of Our situation is further aggravated the norm- upon finishing eighth grade, various sizes and with varied religious by the problem of exposure to the out­ every boy goes to yeshiva high school. environn1ents. Still others were raised in side world. The effects of a society Countless laymen are involved in daily, homes that were not religious at all. steeped in corruption, depravity, and substantive in shuls and And these differences in background moral relativism are clearly not con­ yeshivas across the country, while many are just the tip of the iceberg. The vari­ ducive to producing Torah life and val­ more are tuned in to shiuriln on tape, ables mentioned, an1ong many others, ues. Thus, we have been forced to raise on the telephone, and over the airways. create some very substantive disparities barriers from within, to build artificial Once again - as was true throughout our that greatly affect a child's preparation walls that insulate us and our children I exile, but was once very rare on this side for yeshiva life. from general society and its values. But I of the Atlantic - the fondest hope of Given the affluent society in which we we live in a world where distances and many Jewish parents is that their sons live, our concepts of a viable life-style are natural boundaries have been neutral­ develop into true talmidei chachamim very different from those of previous gen­ ized by modern technology. There is no and their daughters marry the same. And erations. Nevertheless, some homes still escape from the world around, no avoid­ the pursuit of that dream, which used subscribe to the ideal of limited mate­ ing its influence. And even minimal con­ to bring only scorn and derision, has rialism, and raise their children to be sat­ tact can provoke a strong desire to become the accepted standard among the isfied with that which in our world is partake of the forbidden fruits outside many thousands studying in yeshivos and considered simple living. The pursuit of - fruits that are readily accessible to all Bais Yaakovs. excellency is reserved for the goals and who seek them. But new realities - even spectacular ideals that really matter. Such children With total seclusion unattainable, ones - bring new challenges. Instead of enter the gates of yeshiva fueled by the there are different views as to what is the the ridicule that once hampered the ideals of devotion and dedication. proper degree of insulation. Should we growth of 1nany A1nerican b'nei yeshi­ Others, however, have fully bought in isolate ourselves as much as possible, va, they now face the opposite pitfall of to the American Drea1n, and live a life shutting out the influences around us to complacency. Today's yeshiva bachur has of ongoing self-indulgence. No conven­ the greatest extent possible? Or do we no need to validate his decision to stay ience is too extravagant, and no luxury need to seek a more delicate balance in learning: "Everybody is doing it." too outlandish.Along with this standard between the protection we desire and the Consequently, many never undergo the of living comes a mentality that is com­ exposure that cannot be avoided? intense soul searching that once preced­ pletely foreign to Torah values. Leisure Both of these approaches have their ed such a decision and the solemn co1n­ and recreational activities are viewed as advantages as well as their risks, their suc­ mitment it involved. Accordingly, they the highlights of life, while moral cesses as well as their failures. Controlled also do not experience the ascent to true endeavors are relegated to the realm of exposure is a very appealing idea - at least greatness that such commit1nent pro­ "should" and "shouldn't;' "must" and in theory. But temptation and confusion duces. "must not." Children from such homes are powerful forces that often upset the Furthermore, the needs of outstand- are often protected from hardship and equilibriu1n, and their impact is much

7 '------·-·--- --·------·------·------·------·-----~--.. J U N E 2 0 0 5

more compelling once the door has been men - deeply infused with Torah and its themselves to serious Torah study - at slightly opened. values, but well prepared for interaction any level - without the reinforcement On the other hand, total seclusion with the world beyond. provided by that pride? Surely, many breeds fierce hostility to the outside world This approach, however, is fraught would lose even the sanctuary that yeshi­ and a negative view of all that it with grave danger. The age of entry into va life provides, let alone the chance for includes. This makes it very hard for the yeshiva is no longer the cutoff point significant Torah growth. many who must eventually confront that between those who do and do not suc­ Nor can we disregard the realities of world to do so in an appropriate man­ ceed. Many outstanding students blos· parental vanity. Even now, there are many ner. In addition, those who are raised to som only after several years in yeshiva, parents who refuse to recognize their chil­ view other life-styles with total disdain sometimes well after graduating high dren's limitations. Instead, they insist on do not always distinguish between that school. The approach in question would placing them into scholastic settings that which is immoral and that which is mere­ exclude all such individuals from the exceed their capabilities and offer them ly different. This often creates tragic bar­ upper echelons of Torah scholarship. little chance for success. How much more riers of distrust between various groups Furthermore, we cannot ignore the prevalent would this be if there were a of Jews who are fully committed to Torah track record of the past half century. clearly defined line dividing "real" living. Countless individuals who would never yeshivas from other institutions of In any event) here we have another fac­ have gone to yeshiva in Europe have Torah learning? tor that generates significant variations developed into exemplary b'nei Torah. Clearly, then, there are no simple, in outlook and life-style among those They may not all be towering giants of sweeping solutions that will eradicate the who enroll in the same yeshivos. And, erudition, but their lives are governed by problems we face. Any apparent alter· once again, All of the rivers flow into the the Torah - its laws, its values, and its native to the system that has developed sea - the yeshivos must meet all of their priorities - and they are regularly is likely to create more problems than different needs within the same gener­ engaged in serious Torah study. What's it would solve. Instead, we need to deal al structure. more, many of them have profoundly with the difficulties within our system influenced congregations, schools, and as it exists. even entire con1munities across the SEEKING SOLUTIONS country. How much of this would be lost if we were to split our educational sys­ ONE SIZE FITS ALL? So what can be done about this sit· tem? uation? Some contend that the time has Another important point is the pit· The issues we've discussed open up come to restore the European model. Let falls that a new setup would create. For a vast array of pressing questions - the exalted title "Yeshiva" be reserved for many, the pride that comes with the title questions that pertain to anyone those institutions that are wholly ded­ ben Torah - or yeshiva bachur- is what enrolled in a yeshiva. What is the best icated to producing first-rate Torah schol­ gives them the strength to prevail. How possible balance between cultural ars. Beyond that, let us build an many youths would resist the endless isolation from the outside world and educational system to produce Torah lay· temptations around them and devote controlled exposure to its influences? How much time should a yeshiva stu­ Uncle Moishy, Dedi dent leave himself for rest and recre­ Traveling Abroad? ation? How much - if at all - should Avrohom Fried, he be involved in other activities for and other leading the sake of personal development? Jewish entertainers What type of lifestyle is appropriate are available for him - what constitutes too much materialism and what is an unrealis­ to visit tic level of self-denial? At what point seriously ill should he consider steps to prepare for children a livelihood? What about bein ha'ze· manim - vacation? Should he spend ~~'!AS CHAVA .~ ~.:~.~..:· ··~· Rent a cellular or satellite ~hone all his free time learning; should he use .,.. l' :Ji'Y' ., ro nm • and stay in touch worldwide. it to expand his experiences by work· AChes;ed project run by Incoming Free in Many Countries ) Agndath Israel of Amerka ing or teaching; or should he just take in conjunctio11 with TmvelCelI,/ a break? Suki & Ding Production$ t Global Cellular Rental Solunons To set up an appointment, ta!!: , , . The approach to these and similar (212) 797-9000 Ext.235. 877-CELL PHONE www.travelcell.com questions tends to develop communal- ly. Whatever standards take hold e~ L-~------···------=lTJ-IE JEWISH 0HSEl{VE~ ···----·---·----·------... ------·---"'-·------···------·--·------·--"·--... --... --.... ------... ___ ..,_ . a very strong pressure - placing peo­ themselves impossible standards. ple's pride and prestige very much on Worse yet, it affects their acceptance the line. For those who can meet such by others. People who are comfortable standards, this can be very construc­ with the existing structure can be very tive. As Chazal tell us: Envy of schol­ critical of those who do not fit in. They ars increases wisdom, for it provides the expect everyone to confor1n to the pre­ n1otivation to persevere in the face of vailing lifestyle in all of its aspects - difficult challenges. even facets that are not really essen­ We make "housecalts" But the larger our society grows, the tial. Failure to do so often brings cen­ (718) 972-4003 more different types of people it sure and disdain - so1neti1nes even includes. And the same dynamic that outright rejection. Ultimately, this :i-·.,~­.,b:;)tv so benefits some is extremely harm­ pushes people into all kinds of ful to others. It pressures them to pur­ predicaments that they are not Specializing in small batim for a perfect fit. sue inappropriate goals and to set for equipped to handle.

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The truth is that all such questions ily distort his judgment. Nor should SUMMARY ' I need to be resolved on an individual we underestimate the influence of sta- · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · basis. They depend greatly on each per- tus and prestige. No one wants to be Ultimately, our objective is quite I son's particular strengths and limita- considered second-rate, especially ambitious. We seek to enable every child tions. What is his background? How well among those who share his values. to find his proper place in the yeshiva I, prepared is he for the challenges before Thus, all too often, those who set out world, and to fill that place successful- him? How intense and consistent is his to seek what is most noble end up pur- ly. But for that to occur, we have to make !. diligence? How idealistic is he - how suing that which is most gratifying. some serious adjustments. Within our '[ co1n1nitted to personal growth? How But to live by the Torah, we have to communities, we need to allow more suited is he to the world ofchinuch, and apply it to the reality that is, not to the breathing space to accommodate the ris- what are his vocational options beyond way we wish things would be. Thus, ing numbers of distinct personalities our 1 that? it is vital for every ben yeshiva to have society has come to include. In the And then there are issues of char- a rebbi whose judgment he really trusts, yeshivos themselves, students need to I acter. How susceptible is this person to a mentor who knows and understands be taught the vital necessity of having the effects of negative influences? him well and is willing to face his real- a rebbi- in the fullest sense of the word. I Conversely, how likely is he to succumb ity-whatever that may be- and guide And within our homes, we must work to the pitfalls of extreme insulation? Is him accordingly. Such a rebbi will harder to align our values and priori- I he emotionally steady, or subject to fre- encourage him and help him to reach ties with those that foster a life devot- quent ups and downs? How well does the limits of his abilities, while steer- ed to Torah. he deal with adversity- both practical ing him clear of waters too deep for As individuals, each of us can help and emotional? These are just a few of him to tread. But others, too, must those whose lives we touch by applying the variables that affect the answers to respect that process. They need to rec- these principles. And if we can weave the questions mentioned earlier. ognize that we cannot all fit into the these ideas into the fabric of our com- But someone devoted to an ideal exact same mold, and that the prop- munities, we will radically improve the does not give up easily on his dreams. er approach to the issues we've men- ability of our youth to integrate them- The investment of pride, energy, and tioned can vary widely among selves into the Torah world, and the world commitment is very great and can eas- different people.. of Torah into their lives. ffiJ

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'VENISHMARTEM ME'OD LENAFSHOSE/CHEM - YOU SHALL GREATLY BEWARE FOR YOUR SOULS" (OEVARIM 4,1S). GUARDING ONE'S HEALTH IS NOT ONLY WISE AND PRACTICAL, IT IS A TORAH COMMAND. (SEE RAMBAM, HILCHOS ROTZE/'ACH, 11:4)

DR. DON. ZWICKLER

we Eat to Live THE TORAH VIEW OF to guard ourselves against gluttony. jar for a little lick of its sweetness. But GLUTTONY: A DEAD END According to one interpretation, even the if he flies too low, he'll fall into the depths "Al Cheit" of"rnaachal umishteh (food and become mired in the sticky sub­ few years ago, I spent Shabbos and drink)" in Viduy (the Yorn Kippur stance. As soon as he realizes he's in a in Lakewood, and had the confessional) can refer to overeating. We death trap, the honey loses its sweetness A zechus to meet Rabbi Chaim not only confess transgressions such as and takes on the bitter taste of doom. Kreiswirth 7"l/l. During the course of our mistakenly eating food vvith an unreli­ Indeed, too much of a good thing is not conversation, I mentioned 1ny profession able hechsher or accidentally eating good at all. as an endocrinologist, and he in turn milk products before meat was fully The incident of Kivros Hataava in the informed me that he was struggling with digested, we also confess to the sin of eat­ Midbar (desert) is another illustration Type 2 diabetes. We discussed various ing for absolutely no reason at all. For of the Torah perspective on eating. In the options for treating his ailment, and as the times \vhen we ate a four-course seuda Midbar, Hashem provided Bnei Yisroel our discussion drew to a close, Ilabbi followed by dessert, and then visited a with the manna so they could focus on Kreiswirth remarked that his diabetes had neighbor who offered a plate of good­ spiritual pursuits rather than struggle to taught him a practical lesson in helping ies that appeared irresistible, we have to feed themselves. Each family gathered hi1n overcon1e his desire for sweet ask forgiveness. This applies to the their portion of manna and discovered foods. This disorder brought home to scene at a shul kiddush as well: People that, despite efforts to add or subtract him the Torah's message that gluttony devour kugel and cholent and cake, only from their share, they always returned is dangerous-not only to the spiritual to eat an identical, if not 1nore elaborate, home with the exact amount Hashem wellbeing of a person, but to his phys­ meal upon arriving home from shul had commanded them to take-no ical health, as well. twenty minutes later. The Torah's view more, no less. Hashe1n knew precisely The Torah is very clear about this. To is ages old. It is far more advanced than what each person needed to satisfy his be sure, temptation is all around us; that modern science, emphasizing the physical hunger. That should have been cannot be denied. But one cannot hide importance of moderation, and the dan­ clear proof to Bnei Yisroel that their phys­ behind the excuse of "I simply can't gers, both physical and spiritual, that ical needs were being attended to. resist." As Torah Jews, we are often warned overindulgence causes. However, they craved meat, which rep­ We are meant to enjoy this world, not resents the carnal appetite of a human DR. ZWICKLER, WHO LIVES IN MONSEY, IS AN drown ourselves in its pleasures. being. They did not feel that the manna ENDOCRINOLOGIST IN ROCKLAND COUNTY. HE IS Imagine a winged insect buzzing above was sufficient, even though, according A .\.fVSMAC'H OF RABBI 8E!tEL WEIN. a honey dish. He dips to the edge of the to the Gemara (Yoma 75b), they could

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conjure up any food they craved and the his hunger, has the opportunity to for at least 15 years. 1 manna would adopt that taste. They thaul< Hashem. Unlike one who can never The metabolic syndrome is a condi­ wanted 1neat, and complained to fully satisfy his cravings, he who eats to tion of insulin resistance or insensitiv­ Moshe, asking Hashem to send it to them. sustain himself for the service of ity, which essentially means that fat cells, They rejoiced upon seeing the slav (a type Hashem recognizes that Hashem provides liver cells, and muscle cells are not ade· of fowl) rain from the sky, and stuffed his every need, and will feel a gratitude quately responsive to their own insulin. themselves to a sickening degree. Their that expresses itself in thanking Hashem. This results in high insulin levels, into!· overindulgence was punished, and their Indeed, the latest breakthrough in erance to glucose, and other abnormal· taava (desire) for bassar, which was a recent health studies leads researchers to ities, such as high triglycerides, low HDL taava of the guf, the physical body, led conclude that overeating is a dangerous (good cholesterol) and high LDL (bad to their den1ise at Kivros Hataava. habit. Articles speculating the effect that cholesterol) levels, which can eventual· Surprisingly, in Parashas Re'ei, Bnei overeating has on metabolic functions ly lead to heart disease. Furtl1ermore, the Yisroel are encouraged to indulge in what exhort the general population to control subtypes of HDL and LDL in this syn· is referred to as bessar taava after enter­ their urge to overeat. These articles, which drome are more atherogenic (leading to ing the Eretz Yisroel. In fact, the passuk are currently the popular columns in coronary heart disease), leading to a states:" Bechol avas nafshecha tochal bas· leading health and fitness magazines, greater incidence of clogging of the arter· sar- Eat meat to your heart's content." indicate that obesity is no longer an ies than in the normal population. Other What distinguishes the bassar taava in unsightly problem; it is downright fatal. symptoms of the metabolic syndrome Bretz Yisroel from the slav ( taavas bas· include centripetal or truncal obesity, also sar) in the Midbar? The answer is that known as "apple obesity;' which means in Parashas Re'ei, the \'\/Ord taava is always MORE THAN A MATTER OF that fat in adipose tissue settles around coupled with the word nefesh, teaching "POOR BODY IMAGE" the person's waistline and excess fat is us the i1nportance of eating to sustain deposited around the liver. The insulin our nefesh so that we may engage 1nore Though obesity certainly lends itself resistance also triggers oxidants that are easily in the service of our Creator - that to a poor body image, the dangerous toxic to the endothelium (blood vessel is, eating to live. By contrast, the pesukim aspect of obesity is the high risk of med· wall lining) to circulate in the blood about the slav in the Midbar do not men· ical co1nplications linked to overeating. stream. tion the word nefesh. There, the intent The most notorious aspect of obesity is The statistics concerning the metabol· was clearly to live for the sake of eating, metabolic syndrome, as the majority of ic syndrome are staggering. To date, it an inappropriate habit which only led the obese population is more susceptible is estimated that nearly 30 million peo· to burial in rl1e cemeteries of taavas haguf to this metabolic disorder than individ· pie in the United States are genetically (physical indulgence). uals of normal body weight. Also known susceptible to the metabolic syndrome. The Torah states in Parashas Eikev as Syndrome X or the Insulin Resistance In the Ashkenazi Jewish community, the (8,10):" Ve'achalta vesavata uveirachta­ Syndrome (IRS), this dangerous syndrome occurrence of obesity has tripled from And you will eat and you will be satis· is a major risk factor for diabetes and ath· less than ten percent to a more than thir· fied and you shall bless the Creator." The erosclerotic heart disease. In fact, for those ty percent rate in the last 10 years alone. Kli Yakkar asks: How do we reconcile tl1is with metabolic syndrome, risk of

13 ··---··-···-·-··-··-·-·-···-··-·-·-·-·-··-- ···---····-····-··-·-··-··-··-··-·~-- r-=·~···-- J !J N E 2 0 0 5 Given the primary cause of the meta­ bolic syndrome, which is body fat, the most effective treatment is diet and exer­ cise. Dropping just 5-7% of body weight can improve insulin sensitivity, meaning that the cells regain their ability to fol­ low insulin's signals. Also, the hormon­ al imbalances of obesity that often contribute to infertility can be correct - ed by losing just 5% of body weight. Such weight loss can significantly improve chances of conceiving. New research at Cornell University has also found that overweight women produce less of the hormone prolactin in response to their nursing babies. Low prolactin produc­ tion in overweight women can often cause trouble nursing, while generous prolactin levels help ease the flow of milk. Studies reveal that the most effective insulin-sensitizing weight loss plans maintain a low and steady blood sugar This sefer "Chazaras Hashas" is unique. and are packed with produce and low­ It will be of great help to the scholars, Yeshiva and Daf Hayomi students. fat dairy products. Reduce the carbohy­ drate intake, and such a diet can also be What benefits can one derive from it? beneficial in lowering the cardiovascu­ lar risk factors of this syndrome. In a large Magid shi'ur. All 1ninute details for the lesson are prepared for you. controlled study that compared a low­ Yeshiva students: Your bki'us seder made easy, and fruitful. Guaranteed! Now you can fat diet to a low-carbohydrate diet, there prepare a shi'ur based on Ramban1, Ra'vad, Shulchan Aruch and Me'iri. was a significant reduction in blood sugar Talmidey Daf Hayomi and triglycerides in the group on low Before the Shi'ur: Preview the dafahead of tiine. Kno,,ving what it is all about carbs. In addition, the HDL increased sig­ beforehand, will help you to concentrate and understand the Ge1nara fully. It will also nificantly in this group. No considerable enable you to participate in class discussions. difference in weight loss (approximate­ After the shiur: Review intensively the psak halacha relevant to the daf ly 5- 7%) between the two groups was Test Yourself: Find out how well you have reviewed the daf You will note that the first noted. However, in the case of patients lines of each halacha are highlighted, while the balance is not. This will help you test who already have the metabolic syn­ yourself by looking at the highlighted lines, and thereafter see vvhether you know the rest. drome, most physicians recommend a Your : When you test yourself - as indicated above - you serve as your own low-carbohydrate diet to boost the chavrusa, you ask the questions and you answer them. body's response to insulin. Mastering the daf: Now you will have the ability to have the Rambam, Shukhan Aruch, the Me'iri on the tip of your fingers. INACTIVITY SEALS THE This sefer has the Haskamos of Roshei HaYeshivos SYNDROME and Torah Scholars throughout the world.

Seder Zra'im, Moed, Noshim and Nezikin covering 28 gen1oros, have been printed by Body fat is not the only problem, now. Each set is in two volumes, and cost only $35.00 per set. though. Inactivity exacerbates the syn­ Seder Kodshim, Taharos are being printed in Israel, and will be available in book stores drome. Without exercise, the body relies lMY"H around Shavuos time. This will con1plete the whole in eight volun1es and even more on insulin and insulin recep­ 39 n1assechtos. tors to transport sugar into cells. And in the case of metabolic syndrome, the insulin Seforim may be ordered directly from the Mechaber at: is being resisted; it's not doing its job. (718) 544-6544, or from the following distributors: Therefore, exercise proves to have dramat­ In New York: HAMOER (718) 437-0054, Fax: (718) 437-3514 ic benefit for these patients. Several stud­ In Israel: HAMASURA (02) 535-6413 ies indicate that patients who exercise 4 ------THE .IEWISll OllSERVER

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to 5 times weekly for 30 to 45 minutes sity-related health problems due to an me'od lenafshoseichem" is a precept that reduce their risk of developing diabetes unhealthy lifestyle - the increasingly instructs us to protect the bodies that or cardiac disease. This holds true even common metabolic syndrome. Clinical Hashem entrusted to us. just as obesity for people who are genetically suscepti­ investigators indicate that these women is a threat to one's health, statistics about ble to developing diabetes, because insulin are metabolically obese, despite their anorexia nervosa indicate that starving sensitivity, too, improves with exercise. Jn young age and normal body mass index oneself is decidedly dangerous, as well. fact, if symptoms are diagnosed as the (BM!, a measure of weight in relation General estimates suggest that as many metabolic syndrome in their early stages, to height used to indicate body fat). as I 0 to 15 percent of eating disorders, then even patients with a genetic syndrome Those who showed no signs of outward such as anorexia, are fatal for those affect­ can reduce their chance of developing dia­ obesity, but are termed "metabolically ed. The Torah teaches us the guidelines betes by up to seventy percent. obese;' had high percentages of body fat, of nzoderation; neither excessiveness Researchers are struggling to devise less muscle, lower physical activity ­ nor deprivation is the right approach. tests that can detect the early signs of els, lower peak oxygen uptake (meaning Everything, especially food, should be in metabolic syndrome. In the interim, they a lower level of cardiovascular fitness), good measure. propose detailed diet and exercise plans and higher cholesterol levels. In addition, The phrase "Eat to live, don't live to to address the needs of the escalating the metabolically obese, normal-weight eat" should be our mantra, aiding us in number of metabolic syndrome women were less preoccupied with the struggle to maintain a healthy patients. Although effective in many cases, restraining or monitoring what foods lifestyle. The medical risks that accom­ crash diets often backfire, resulting in they ate - the notorious habit associat­ pany obesity and the metabolic syndrome boomerang weight gain.An overweight ed with metabolic syndrome. should urge each individual to examine person who goes on a diet to lose about his eating habits and overall lifestyle ten percent of his bodyweight will find choices. From a Torah perspective, the that his metabolic rate slows tremendous­ THE ONLY LONG-TERM damage that overindulgence can inflict ly because his body automatically tries SOLUTION: A RE-EVALUATION upon people should be considered care­ to conserve fat. If he reaches his target fully, as well, as it could lead a person loss and then reverts to his former eat­ A joint diet and exercise plan can to overlook the fact that Hashem knows ing habits, the lost weight will return, and help treat and sometimes prevent the exactly what we need, and in what quan­ perhaps bring an additional couple of metabolic syndrome. The only long­ tity we need it, in order to live. pounds with it. This failure of the diet, term solution to this widespread Our increased self-control in all though, can be prevented if the person problem of obesity, however, is a areas of our lives will help usher in the follows with a maintenance diet that's complete re-evaluation of lifestyle. We era of Moshiach, a time of healing, and consistently lower-calorie. must ask ourselves the following a time when there is no longer a crazed A recent Hong Kong study of over­ provoking question: Do we eat to live, hunger for food, only an insatiable weight and obese preadolescents ages 9 or do we live to eat? appetite for devar Hashem. As the to 12 proves that extra pounds - long Bear in mind that the Torah's instruc­ Prophet said: "Lo raav lalechem ve'lo tza­ known to damage adult arteries - tions to guard against gluttony do not, n1ma lamayim ki im lishnzoa eis divrei attack children's blood vessels, too, by default, condone deprivation. The Hashem - Not a hunger for bread, nor resulting in stiff arteries. When these chil­ Torah's disapproval of overeating is not a thirst for water, but to hear the words dren ate a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks, a license to "undereat."" Venishmartern of Hashem" (Amos 8,11). !ill their arteries grew more flexible, cutting the risk for high blood pressure and, ulti­ NEVE YERUSHALAYIM INSTITUTIONS mately, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Those who also exercised twice MAALOT· NV a week saw the biggest improvements. However, only the children who contin­ FOR A HIGHER DEGREE · OF SUCCESS! ued exercising (just once a week for a SEMINARY & POST-SEMINARY year) maintained this supple-artery PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS advantage; among those who stopped WITH THE ERETZ YISRAEL FLAVOR! their fitness regi1nen, stiffness returned regardless of diet. HUNDREDS OF SUCCESSFUL GRADUATES · WORLDWIDE! The real eye opener in new metabol­ Professional Program or Lishma ·Full Day, Half Day or Part Time ic syndrome studies is that it is possible Optional Summer in Yerushalayim! to be obese on the inside but not on the Rabbi Sholom G. Ginzber - Dean I outside. This study shows that normal- • ct women may be headed fo~o=------______is.... : ABlessing or a Curseil A plethora of premarital, prenatal and newborn genetic testing has become a standard service offered by medical professionals, social service organizations and government agencies to their constituencies. The purpose of this article is to help readers familiarize themselves with the potential benefits and serious concerns associated with these tests as they relate to the Torah-abiding community.

ska medical professional about how it can impact on families within our the genes inherited by an individual is the importance and benefits of community. defective (i.e. a person is a carrier for the A genetic testing and you will genetic disease), there is no impact on probably receive the following reply: It the health of the individual because the depends. Is the testing to be done prior WHAT ARE GENES? other gene contains the information to marriage or after marriage? During needed for the body to function normal­ pregnancy or on newborns? Also, what Genes are specific pieces of informa­ ly. For a person to be affected by a reces­ types of tests are being performed? Are tion in the DNA, or genetic material, which sively inherited condition, such as Tay they reliable? How will the results of the we inherit from our parents. They tell our Sachs, (CF) or Familial tests be presented to the patient? And, bodies how to develop and function. It is Dysautonomia, he/she must inherit a par­ finally, how will the patient deal with the estimated, according to some scientists, ticular mutated gene from both parents. information received? that each person has as many as I 00,000 Thus, if only one of the parents is a car­ If you are, like most of us, uninformed genes. They are contained on 23 pairs of rier of a mutated gene for a recessive con­ in the science of genetics, this response chromosomes and make up our genetic dition, although that parent might pass will probably make your head spin. profile. When a change occurs to the infor­ the recessive gene to a child, the child will Because medical professionals are mation contained within a gene, the gene not be affected with that condition. increasingly availing themselves of might not function properly. This type of genetic testing, it is important for change is called a . observant Jews to have at least a super­ WHAT IS GENETIC TESTING? ficial understanding of the subject and How GENES INFLUENCE Normally, a blood sample is taken and SHIAMARKOWITZ OF MONSEY. NY, A PARTNER OF RECESSIVE DISEASES a genetics lab performs special tests that THt-: GOl.DMARK GllOUP, WHICH HAS BEEN DESl(;NJNG THE )F.U/(S'H Oas1<:RVE'R AND analyze the individual's genetic materi­ PREPARING IT FOR PUBLICATION FOR OVF,R Genes come in pairs, with one copy al by looking for genetic . - l'WENTY-FIVE YEARS, IS AC'f'IVI'.: IN COMMUNAL inherited from each parent. As we have Though there has been an increase over AIRS. two copies of each gene, if only one of the past decade in the number of dis-

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eases that an individual can be tested for, EXCERPT OF A LEnER · genetic tests are only available for a frac- I tionofthemanygeneticconditionswe FROM AN EXPECTANT MOTHER I -~ The voice on the other end pletely fell apart. I pleaded with the I sounded extremely tense. Before I doctor to give me a more detailed PREMARITAL TESTING AND could recognize who was on the line, description of the disease and pos· THE CONCERN OF GENETIC Dr. G. bluntly said, "Your blood test sible remedies. At this point, the doc- LABELING came back positive for Gaucher tor explained that he really was not Disease (GD). It's a fatal disease that familiar with the details of the dis- The ability of genetic researchers to is caused by a fatty substance that ease and recommended that I see identify specific mutated genes that cause collects around the kidney and a genetic counselor. A friend of mine particular diseases has produced a sort stops it from functioning. You have suggested that I call Dor Yeshorim of conundrum for 1nedical profession­ a chance of passing it on to your chil· and tell them about my story. Rabbi als. Though such research helps spawn dren. In order to confirm this, we (Yoseif) Ekstein (Dor Yeshorim's the possibility of new cures and treat­ must test your husband as soon as founder and current Director) lis- possible!" tened with compassion and ments for those already affected by dis­ I called my husband immediate- explained in detail what the disease ease, the information generated by such ly and he rushed out of his office to is all about and how mild some of tests can stigmatize individuals who arc be tested the same day. Our long wait the symptoms usually are. He also only carriers and create unnecessary con­ for results seemed like it would never informed me that many individuals cern about one's responsibility for pass­ end. The torture we experienced live their entire lives without real- ing the disease on to future generations. every day is indescribable. At night, izing that they are affected with.GD. Halachic and medical literature are in I lay awake haunted by the thoughts Even in those rare instances where agreement regarding the problem of stig­ of giving birth to a sick child and see- the disease takes on a moreaggres- matizing carriers, and advise that, when­ ing his condition deteriorate: My hus' sive nature, treatment has been ever possible, an individual not be band's and my appetite became developed that helps these individ- labeled as a carrier of a particular poorer day by day. I almost could- uals carry on their life in a normal mutation. Scientific research clearly n't swallow anything at all. I felt fashion. He further noted that his indicates that it can be traumatic to indi­ myself disconnecting with reality and office was receiving many similar calls viduals to learn that they are carriers of falling into a new world - one full each week . a genetic mutation. To address this issue, of fear. I cried, my husband cried, and Author's Note: The NIH (National Dor Yeshorim (DY), an organization ded­ it seemed like the entire world was Institute of Health) Technology icated to preventing Jewish recessive crying along with me. My Tehillim Assessment Conference determined genetic diseases, has made confidential­ became soggy from the tears that that widespread application of Hashem genetic screening to detect Gaucher ity the cornerstone of its program and must have known came from the depths of my heart. Disease not appropriate at this time has received endorsements from leading is After two stressful and traumat· and that the medicaf value for such rabbinic and medical authorities world- ic weeks, the doctor called back and testing has not been established. (The wide. Because of its success over the past informed. us t.hat my husband was Journal of the American Medical two decades, nearly 200,000 young also a carrier for this disease. I com- Association, February 21, 1996.) adults entering marriageable age have been tested and have no knowledge of, or concern about, their carrier status. A 11,5), they, too, have no knowledge of al practitioner hours devoted to analyz­ simple phone call to the DY office at the their specific carrier status. ing and checking test results, as well as time of a proposed informs the more time devoted to patient interface and potential couple whether their match is follow-up. The reality of the situation, genetically compatible. The organization POST-MARITAL TESTING AND however, is often the opposite. As more has informed over 700 couples who were THE BURDEN OF KNOWLEDGE of the physician's client base turns to considering each other as potential HM Os for insurance, he/she finds him­ shidduchim that their match had signif­ We have recently entered an era of self in the unenviable position of receiv­ icant risk of producing children with increasing prenatal genetic testing and ing little or no reimbursement for severely debilitating fatal genetic diseases. enhanced sonogram imagery. This has spending a disproportionate amount of For those very few individuals who presented physicians with an entire time with certain patients. With more choose not to test at all and rely on the menu of moral challenges and respon­ patients to see and less time to spend with dictum of"Shomeir pesa'im Hashem - sibilities. In theory, this increase of each one, most doctors are usually Hashem protects the simple" ( Tehillim knowledge should translate into addition- unable or unwilling to take the time

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necessary to thoroughly explain line of"more harm than good:' For the testing process and results. PEDIATRIC AFFILIATES, P.A. thetinyresidualnumberofDown SP£CIAU;".!NG IN INF/l.N"I"~. C

and who need effective co1nmu- February 28,-2005 down every last umarker:' we put nication with, and the support of, at least 10% of all pregnant Shia Markowitz their physician, are too often left Chairman, ExeeutiveBoard of Dor Yeshonm women with perfectly healthy feeling apprehensive and unnec- fetuses through a great deal of essarily stressed. Far too 1nany ~ ;\ir. Markowlli, worry. · Ja.minreceiptofyourpaclc:e1. Prenetaltcs1ina:iscrearingagreatdealofunneccssaryaru;iety Th' ' 't b d t h expectant moth ers are leav1ng andanguigh !Or expectant mot!tc:rs and it is a problem Id~l w1ih all rile time. lt is imperative lS lS Wrl ten ya OC Or W 0 medical fucilities confused, and are that the rabbonim become BWIG of bow severe this problem is, and educBle themselves re- does not share Torah values and garding this issue, so that they themselve11 can deat with ii when approached with shaalos and ill prepared to cope with the news perhapsa.lsohelpcducatc prospective parents. My time is limited but! will lend an the sup- whose patients have the choice of port rcan. that they are carriers for a debil- terminating a pregnancy if the child 'tating recess1've genet1'c disease. ! sin=tlyregret not being able to grab theopportunityofgct!ingmore involved in this Avo- will not be percectly healthy. Even l d&s Hllkodesh as my si;hedult: is already severely overeJ;AH.AWJJN OHOWfl.t.L cllJUCJ; 1 Medicine, authored by Dr. Roy ~:.~~·;;:'"~'' .~~i-);',,":" ;:,~z~~,!'.~~""" ;::.. ·~~·~;;»> ~~t;~;;;;.;;~"H""''' we have nothing possible to gain? -,,.,_.,.,<1'1.0"10 ")..... ,,,_,,._...,,., T~-""'°''"" TC;O!M 1'!·1. '';!•5"0010 Filly. The title of the published hl'1'lll«IA})Tl::..">) '·" l)2."'1j~lM r,. ;;;;.iMm Over the more than twenty years article, "Obstetrical Sonography: "------• of my involvement with the pre- The Best Way to Terrify a Pregnant From my vantage point, the iden- vention of Jewish genetic diseases, I have Woman;' tells most of the story. The tification of certain "abnormalities" found that any contemplated testing and author's statements tell the rest: in low-risk women has crossed the medical procedure should meet these cri­ teria: it must be helpful in preventing or helping find a cure for a disease, and must always do so without creating collater­ al damage to the person and family test­ ed. Many times, as the record has proven, the rush to bring a specific genet­ ic test to the public created greater prob­ lems than it solved. Dr. Lainie Friedman Ross, a pediatrician and medical ethicist at the University of Chicago, questioned the performance of certain genetic test­ ing, and said, "We don't know what to do with the information. Reporting test data, for which there are no systems in place for follow-up testing and treat­ ment ... , is patient abandonment!" Call me today for the attention you deserve. (718) 268-1700 PRACTICAL AND HASHKAFA Martin Levy REASONS To SAY "No" To 103·20 METROPOLITAN AVENUE PRENATAL GENETIC TESTING FOREST HILLS [email protected] It is now commonplace for obstetri­ Allstate, cians to order an array of genetic tests You're in good hands. for expectant mothers. Many physicians Call for a free quote. I, do this without informing the patient of their intentions to test for certain genet-

lnsurance subject to availability and qualifications. Allsta1e Insurance Company and Allstate Property and Casualty ic diseases. WhiJe their concern for the 1 I. looomooe Comp'°y. Northbmok, llhooi' t2004 All'""'"'"""" Comp,,y. h l h f h f' ' l d bl many ~

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\ i physicians fail to realize two important facts that relate to Jewish patients. 1) An overwhelming majority of patients from the Orthodox Jewish com­ munity have already been tested for Personal responsibility throughout service - NOT JUST "PAPERWORK" recessive genetic diseases through their ORIGINATOR OF THE PRESENT RABBINICALLY APPROVED METHOD participation with the Dor Yeshori1n Highly recommended by Gedolai Hador- Here and in Eretz Yisracl premarital testing program. Over the past two decades, Dor Yeshorim has 1043-42ml Street, , }\IY 11219 added diseases to be tested for, as reli­ Day &Night phone: (718) 851-8925 able genetic tests have become available )))P>r.IN1~0Nj7 ))l"j7 - )'i~ 11-!l nlr.lY)) 'll~ to the public. Thus, for the couples that Kavod Haniftar with Mesiras Nefesh and compassion for the bereaved family. have been determined to be compati­ TAHARAS HANIFTAR SHOlllD NEVER BE COMMERCIALIZED ble, there is no risk of having a child with the disease that the parents were pre­ viously tested for. (It is still possible, however, that the fetus will be a carri­ er for the mutated gene.) It is likely, hovvever, that certain patients have not been tested for the complete menu of genetic tests that are available today. This is because certain genetic tests were not yet available to the public at the time that they were tested. The obstetrician might consid­ er telling these patients that they are candidates for only these genetic tests. Though this group of patients does remain at risk for these untested genetic diseases, they still should not be tested because of the following sec­ THEVORT • The menu for the seuda is ond fact: • The celebration is to be limited to 3 courses followed by a 2) Jn almost all instances, halacha for­ Vort regular dessert bids the termination of a pregnancy even discontinued The L'chaim (held at if the fetus will suffer from a debilitat­ the time that the engagement is • No Viennese table and no bar ing genetic condition. It thus would serve announced) should also not turn no purpose to test the expectant moth­ into a Vort THE MUSIC er - regardless whether she tested pre­ THE WEDDING • A band may consist of a maximum viously for potential genetic diseases - • For typical families, only 400 invit of 5 musicians (one of the musicians when the mother will surely not termi­ ed guests may be seated at the chas­ may act as a vocalist) or four musi nate the pregnancy. At this juncture, our suna seuda. (The Guidelines make cians and one additional vocalist poskim agree - with the exception of provision for exceptional circum extraordinary situations - we should fol­ • A one man band is recom stances see full text) low the words of our Chazal, "Shomeir mended pcsa'im Hashem." • The kabbo/as panim smorgasbord FLOWERS & CHUPA DECOR Because of concern for the patient and should be limited to basic cakes, the child's well being and/or potential fruit platters, a modest buffet, and • The total cost of these items for malpractice complaints, the physician the caterer's standard chicken or the entire wedding should not might press the patient to accept a pro­ meat hot dishes exceed $1,800 posed series of genetic testing. In such a case, the patient should request to sign FOR THE FULL VERSION OF THE SIMCHA GUIDELINES a waiver for these tests or ask for time WITH ITS RABBINICAL SIGNATORIES AND THE to consult with a rav to detennine ACCOMPANYING KOL KOREH, please email whether genetic testing is warranted, [email protected] or call 212-612-2300 based on her situation.

19 --~------·------·-·-·-----···----·------·------···-·----~---' J lJ N I-: 2 0 0 5

THE CONSEQUENCES OF Health to test all newborns for cystic (2001; 8:51), reports that there is "insuf­ NEONATAL SCREENING fibrosis. It is beyond the scope of this arti­ ficient evidence that neo-natal screen­ cle to explain the potential benefits, if any, ing for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is Adding more confusion to the mix is which may exist for this type of testing. worthwhile." What is significant is the the mandate from both the New York and Suffice it to say that the distinguished hysteria that can be created when con­ the New Jersey State Departments of publication, Journal ofMedical Screening veying results of CF testing (see sidebar).

traumatized for a long time. The following day was Yorn LETTER FROM Kippur, and I kept vomiting, since I had not eaten any solids in the past several days. And for what reason? A NEW MOTHER Because a doctor couldn't or didn't Baruch Hashem, three months ago, recommended that I shouldn't read have the time to accurately explain I gave birth to my child. Everything anything regarding CF until they con­ the initial test results! I decided to was perfectly OK, or so I thought. On firm the diagnosis because it would call Dor Yeshorim to ask if I could Wednesday, I got a call from Staten be too terrifying. have children, since I wasn't sure Island Hospital, where my baby was I left his office in a state of shock. exactly what being a carrier meant. delivered, asking if I received the let­ I cried on the street, overwhelmed The DY representative spent time ter concerning my newborn's screen­ with the thought that I would with me and explained in detail that ing results. Since I had just moved and have very little time to spend with a carrier is perfectly healthy and that the mail had not been forwarded, I my baby. I held her so tight all of the I could look forward to raising a said, "No, I didn't receive any mail." time - as though, by not letting go, healthy in the future. The nurse became hysterical and prac­ I could save her precious life. I walked Please publicize my letter so tically ordered me to get in touch with toward my parents' house and met that the public will not go through my doctor immediately. I begged her my father outside. Upon seeing that what I did. May Hashem help that to tell me what the problem was, but I could barely speak, he took me you spare parents-to-be the agony she told me, "Sorry, this is against the home and there I finally expressed that I went through. rules and regulations." I pressed her the emotions that lay so deep Sincerely yours, and she finally told me that some­ inside, all the while still sobbing. In Mrs. T. thing in the results came back abnor­ short time, my entire family joined mal and I should see my pediatrician me in my distress. To fully appreciate the situation, the read­ Erev Yom Kippur ASAP! The next day, I received the let­ found me sit­ er must know certain facts. Only 85% of ter from the hospital by FedEx ting with my husband and baby in CF mutations have been identified for the Overnight, stating that the results the hospital waiting room. The general world population. Since a DNA came back abnormal and that it was room was filled with sick children, test cannot assure that the child is not urgent that I see my doctor. each suffering from different dis­ carrying one of the unrecognized muta­ Since I was panic-stricken and I eases. I tried pushing away troubling tions, a "Sweat Test" is usually required, hadn't decided on a doctor for my thoughts. Perhaps our child will look even though it is not always reliable, to baby yet, I randomly chose Dr. D of like these sick children in a few help rule out the possibility that the new­ the Health Center. The nurse months from now. My husband born has the CF disease, This is in con­ trast with Ashkenazic Jews, where all weighed my baby while the doctor must have been thinking something known CF mutations have been identi­ looked at the results. I saw his face along the same lines as he burst into fied. Consequentially. DNA tests for this changing colors as he asked the nurse tears watching the scene in front group are far more reliable than a "Sweat to leave the room. I burst out cry­ of him. Together we prayed to Test." Hence, when a child born to an ing, begging the doctor to explain Hashem to spare the life of our pre­ Ashkenazic Jewish family is tested via the to me what was wrong with my cious little girl. After a few more DNA process atthe time of birth and the baby. He said that he sees a very high hours of apprehension and agony, results come back that the child is only reading for CF. After imploring him the doctor reported that everything a carrier, no more testing is necessal)I. Why to explain the reading to me, he told was Baruch Hashem fine! The child would anyone feel the necessity to per­ form a completely pointless "Sweat me some symptoms. I recognized is simply a carrier for CF!!! Now both Test'" on the newborn at this time? It sim­ that some of these were noticeable my husband and I cried again, but ply shows that some of the medical pro­ in my baby. He told me to make an this time it was a cry thanking fessionals involved Jack the fundamental appointment for a "Sweat Test," as Hashem for the chessed He did understanding of basic genetic testing, this will determine if my baby is for us. The aftereffects of these and therefore apply the same testing stan­ healthy or not. Before departing, he three unforgettable days left me dard to all ethnic groups. - SM

20 "We hereby wish to alert the community to the recent proliferation of genet­ doctors who agree not to perform these aforementioned tests. For, have _ic and chromosomal tests ordered by Ob/Gyh physicians to check for var­ we not been chosen by Hashem, from all the other nations? The estab­ ious illnesses and deformities that can be found in an unborn fetus, G-d lishment of a Jewish home is for a unique purpose, distlnct from other nations. forbid. -Hbwever, these tests serve no pUrpose because it is forbidden tb By following these principles we will fulfill the directive 'You will worship terminate a pregnancy. Furthermore, experience has shown that these tests G-d with-faith and loyalty.' cause women unnecessary fear, anxiety and extreme distress. Therefore, "Of course, lt is understood, that If there are special and extreme these tests are highly destructive (of course, this dbes not refer to tests circumstances that would warrant the need for such tests, one should seek that are for the purpose of maintaining the health of the mother or for guidance from a competent flalachic authority. remedying illnesses wlthiri the uiiborii child, as well as premarital genet­ ic tests which are very beneficial and a great mitzvah). "And in the merit of this, Hashem Yisborach will help His natiOn Am Yisroe/ and send His blessings to heal_them and spare them from destructive forces "Therefore, we state our 'as Torah opinion, that expectant women and bless them With healthy, vibrant offspring, Ad bi'as goel tzeddek." should not take these tests, and should make every effort to only go to

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As stated above, all couples tested by DY medical community aware of the It is up to each family to be vigilant after 1994 and found to be compatible valuable role genetic services can regarding these issues and recognize that are assured that their offspring will not play within the health care systems. the science of genetic testing is only in be afflicted with the CF disease, even The goal is to create programs and set its infancy. There are many research though the infant may be a carrier of the standards to ensure that these serv- teams worldwide currently working on CF gene. ices are delivered in a manner that projects relating to the advancement of Institutions such as the World addresses social, ethical and safety con- genomics. Some are already on the hori- Health Organization recognize that the cerns of the world at large - but not zon, and will be offered to the public results of a genetic test can have seri­ those of our Jewish community. in the near future. These are matters ous impact on the life and family of the When a professional is inundated with that gedolei rabbanim will need to cope patient. In one of their health updates, material and participates in confer- with and rule on, as the world of genet- they report, "It is essential that the qual­ ences, where some of what he/she ics expands around us. ity of the test be assured and that results reads, hears or sees does not conform In conclusion, once we have done all be reported by a professional who can with and is sometimes even contra- that is necessary and should be done in help patients better understand what dictory to Torah values, he/she can be conformance with halacha and hashkafa the results mean." swayed by the standards set by the pro- standards, as banim attem laShem Medical professionals receive a fession. Therefore, even if the physi- Elokeichem, we must trust in Hakadosh proliferation of literature and have cian you are seeing is a shomeir Baruch Hu. Hopefully, in this merit, He access to even more reading materi­ Torah umitzvos, there is no guarantee will bless His children with healthy off- al via the Internet. All of this infor- that everything you are being told con- spring of sound body and mind, so that

..__m_a~tion ~-d-istnbute_d_t~_m_a_k_e the--fo-r-m~~-aa-s To-ra_h_ ------th-ey c-an-se-r-ve--H-1m_w_i-th joy. ~ ··-··-··------·-··------Ju NE 2005

--... ~--·-·- . . ---- - . . .

YONOSON ROSENBLUM

I Anatomv of a Slander I

APOLOGY UNDELIVERED

n early May 2000, shocking headlines appeared in some of the most I widely read media outlets in the I. THE ACCUSER world: "Book Blasts WWII " (Associated Press); "New Book Slams US The book referred to in the above- Orthodox WWII Rescue Efforts" quoted news stories is The Response of (Jerusalem Post). Those blaring headlines Orthodox Jewry in the United States to the were followed in each case by an almost Holocaust: The Activities of the Vaad ha­ identical lead paragraph. Hatzala Rescue Committee 1939-1945, by The in the AP story sent to Dr. , director of the Simon thousands of media outlets worldwide Wiesenthal Center in Israel. The fact that captures the flavor: "During the ering figures as Rabbi , Zuroff wears a yarmulke and his book Holocaust, ultra-Orthodox American Rabbi , and Rabbi Avrohom was published by 's rabbis focused on saving several hundred Kalmanowitz- acted with "disregard for KTAV Publishing House gave added cred- Talmudic scholars, ignoring the suffering other endangered Jews" (Jerusalem Post). ibility to his charges. of millions of other Jews who were even- The instigator of these charges has The nearly identical language in the consistently refused to correct the huge lead paragraphs of the most prominent RABBI ROSENBLUM, WHO l.IVES IN JERUSALEM, IS A CONTH:IBUTING EDITOR TO THE.: ]f;WJSH damage done by the quoted news sto· news stories points to an orchestrated 0BSERVJ::R. HE IS ALSO DIREcrOR OF THE ries. It is clear from his own book, and campaign to market Zuroff's book. ISRAELI OIVISION OF AM !':CHAD, THE AGUDATH by implication from his own public state- And, indeed, quotes from Zuroff were ISl~AEJ.-JNSPIRED F.Dl!CATJONAL OUTREACH ments, that he knows the quoted state- laced throughout the stories. Ef'FORT AND MEDIA RESOl_IRCE. THE AUTHOR ments to be gross distortions. And yet, It is questionable whether the writ- WOlJl.I) LIKE TO EXPRESS HIS APPRECIATION TO DR. DAVID KRANZLER, WHO HAS DEDICATED HIS his consistent response, including as ers of the news stories had even read l.IFE TO CHRONICLING ORTHODOX RESCUE WORK recently as last year, to all efforts to gain Zuroff's book, which does not support I DURING THE !'101.0CAlJST, I'OR MUCH OF THE a retraction of the vile claim that great the charge of Orthodox indifference. In INFORMATION ANO INSIGHTS ON WHICH THIS rabbinic figures were indifferent to the his Afterward, for instance, Zu~:Joff· .o\WrlCl.E IS BASED. fate of the vast mass of European Jewry describes the Vaad's most lasting lega-

22 ------·------·------The Orthodox world did not take the CttAREIDI BAITING chillul Hashem lying down. Dr. David Zuroff showed a considerable animus Kranzler, Joseph Friedenson, and l towards the chareidi con1n1unity to responded to the charges being used to Anyone with first-hand comple111ent his flair for dra1natic accu­ sell Zuroff's book in a wide variety of knowledge of previously sations. (He has consistently refused to venues, and he and I debated publidy.2 unpublished stories acknowledge that most of the rabbinic The responses focused on Zuroff's two should kindly submit them to: members, if not the leadership, of the main points: (I) the Orthodox were Vaad were identified with Mizrachi.) indifferent to the fate of the mass of Extrapolating from his alleged "findings;' European Jewry; and (2) the Orthodox Zuroff offered 's departed fro1n a co111munal framework Marilyn Henry a blistering critique of dedicated to rescuing as 1nany Jews as or please leave a message at: today's chareidi world and rabbinic lead­ possible. 718-851-6452 ership. "[The chareidim] are plagued by this sectarianis1n and particularism that ORTHODOX INDIFFERENCE infects everything they do," he said. He REBUTTED contrasted that approach with that of the Zionists, who "did not leave or under- The attitude of the Orthodox lead- inine the con11nunal fran1ework." Jn addition, Zuroff accused European roshci yeshiva of having passed up opportunities to get visas for their stu­ dents and of having been literally Press dragged by their students to safety in • On Parsha or Tanach ...... 1 Lithuania. He speculated that chareidim • Oaf Yomi ...... 2 in Israel today refuse to observe Yon1 • On Mitzvos & Halacha .... 3 Hashoah because it is "difficult for listen & Enjoy them [to admit J the historical mistakes that were made by Orthodox leaders, people who are deferred to in almost Digest of Meforshim ·r:;r;-~- R-~~P-;;~~~-~-i"Q-;fh~do~-1~;,-;;; f~:-t1~;;- ~-~-~1~;:: cuts Zuroff's public accusations in a nu1nber of 1p7 in:i 1p7 \'<'ays. He shows, for instance, why an independ­ ent organization like the Vaad was necessary for 7""lll 1VV7N 7Nl?JV l"71T.1?'.l any effort to rescue roshci yeshiva and yeshiva stu­ Available at dents. Though the Joint Distribution Committee provided assistance to the yeshiva students who LEKUTEI found temporary refuge in Vilna, and subsequent­ c/o Yitzchok Rosenberg ly contributed part of their transportation costs 1445 54th Street to Shanghai {the bulk of the n1onies were col­ Brooklyn, NY 112 I 9-4228 lected by ()rthodox activists like Irving Bunin1 718-854-6701 on ShablJO~), the leciders of the JDC were prima­ 20 Volumes on Torah, Perek, Medrash, rily drawn from the German-Jewish aristocracy, Megilos, , and Tehilim. and as such, had little feeling for yeshiva students or their needs. The leaders of the JDC and other Proceeds of sales distributed a1nong n1ainst reain organizations were very concerned Ycshivos and used for reprinting of volun1es out-of-print with anti-Semitis1n in America, and fe

Weissmandl in Slovakia that reached New hiding in Polish forests over the border and girls fanned out across New York City York on a Shabbos morning in into Hungary for $250 a person. In collecting. There is no example of any Novemher, 1943. Rabbi Weissmandl response, the yeshivos and seminaries other Jewish group showing a compa­ wrote that it was possible to bring Jews were closed for three days as young boys rable sense of urgency. On more than one occasion, leading Orthodox Jews, including prominent rabbis, publicly vio­ lated Shabbos to collect money for urgent ranso1n schemes.

A DEVIOUS DEBATER'S TRICK For careful attention to your The lie that Orthodox rabbis and lay­ individual needs, call us today! men alike focused exclusively on the res­ cue of yeshiva students and roshei (845) 354-8445 yeshiva is based on a cheap debater's trick: the equation of the activity of the Vaad between 1939 and 1941 with all GEFEN IP~ Orthodox rescue work. True, the Vaad was initially formed in 1939 for the pur­ pose of rescuing 3,000 yeshiva students FINt-o~9.ALf... trapped in Vilna. But the efforts of the Regi;tered Mmtgage Bcoker' ..... Vaad were only one small part of the NYS Dept. of Banking •• panoply of Orthodox relief and rescue Co1µmat€ Headqwners: ]lf>4 V>etory Blvd.,. Stale" Island, NY 10314 efforts, a fact which Zuroff has repeat­ Phone 718-983-9272 • 914-MORTGAGE edly refused to acknowledge. Many of 973-MORTGAGE • 212-983-1000 those other efforts were led by the same rabbis who headed the Vaad. After the German occupation of Poland, Agudah-affiliated groups were the only ones to defy a British embar­ go on sending food parcels to trapped Jews. The services of Agudah were available to any Jew who wished to send a food package. Offering Shiurim in Gemara, Halacha, Moreover, between 1939 and 1941, the Tanach, Be'ur Tefilla & Hashkafa by a -~i!f,ti~ same years the Vaad was involved in the registration professional & dedicated staff for Elul rescue of roshei yeshiva and yeshiva stu­ Development of learning skills dents, Zeirei Agudath Israel was busy & a love for learning almost around the clock procuring Where each student's ability visas for Jews in Europe. Again. Zeirei's is turned into achievement services were available to all Jews. In that • Daily physical outlets (basketball, gym, period, Zeirei's visa office provided martial arts) advice and assistance to 7,500 people. • Recreation room (pool & ping pong Between 50 and 60 cables reached the tables, weights) office per day. Unpaid young volunteers laboriously filled out visa forms that were • Night Seder with Kolle! Avreichim four feet long and had to be filled out • Thursday night Mishmar in Meron manually in sextuplet. Louis Septimus • Rosh Chodesh trips • Monthly stipend and other Zeirei members gathered hun­ dreds of affidavits of financial support For information or registration contact: Rabbi Yaacov Orimland, from clients, friends, and even complete strangers. Mike Tress, the head of Zeirei, TEL: 011·972-4-692-4894, or 718-360-8275 (local call to Israel) traveled to Washington, D.C. weekly to Email: [email protected] argue appeals of those whose visa requests had been turned down. He suc­ ceeded in reversing the consular decisions

24 ---·---··------·------THE JEWISH 0RSERVJ::R

in about 25% of the cases. Bundist sources. He did nothing other stance of the Riegner and Sternbuch Most important, the Vaad's efforts to than send the cables to the State cables, the major resolutions passed all procure visas for the leading European Department for confirmation. dealt with Reform leader Abba Hillel rabbis were not at the expense of efforts Only when Jacob Rosenheim, head of Silver's call for the creation of a Jewish to save other Jews. The Vaad sought to , received a simi­ state. Rescue was mentioned in only the bring those rabbis and roshei yeshiva into lar cable from Isaac Sternbuch in most general terms. the United States on Special Emergency Switzerland (through the Polish govern­ Not only did the leading figures of Visitors Visas, an initiative pioneered by ment-in-exile diplomatic pouches, American Jewry respond apathetically to the Jewish Labor Committee. Since which only the Orthodox were willing all rescue efforts, the internecine fight­ these visas were above quota, and to use to evade State Department cen­ ing between various Zionist groups sig­ reserved only for persons of exception­ sorship), did things begin to move. nificantly undermined whatever efforts al distinction, they did not take away from Rosenheim and Rabbi Avrohom were made. In March, 1943, the visas available to other Jews. Kalmanowitz pressured Wise to call a Revisionist Zionists mounted a pageant, Moreover, only a very sma11 percent­ meeting of all Jewish groups. At that entitled "We Will Never Die;' to dram­ age of the Special Emergency Visitors September 6 meeting, Wise accused the atize the plight of European Jewry. Visas went to roshei yeshiva. EventuaUy, Orthodox of spreading "atrocity tales" Starring Edward G. Robinson and Paul 2,000 artists and intellectuals entered the and made all participants swear secre­ Muni, it drew a record crowd of 40,000 country on such visas compared to no cy so as not to embarrass the president. to Madison Square Garden, and subse­ more than 40 Torah scholars. Why, one The September 6 meeting eventu- quent productions drew 60,000 viewers wonders, does Zuroff only condemn Orthodox particularis1n when every Jewish group was availing itself of the program in the same way and trying to save those most closely affiliated with it?3 NOT ONLY DID THE LEADING FIGURES OF AMERICAN JEWRY RESPOND APATHETICALLY III. AN APATHETIC AND TO ALL RESCUE EFFORTS, THE INTERNECINE DIVIDED MAINSTREAM FIGHTING BETWEEN VARIOUS ZIONIST GROUPS LEADERSHIP SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERMINED WHATEVER Far from being dedicated to rescue, EFFORTS WERE MADE. as the news stories surrounding publi­ cation of Zuroff's book claimed, the mainstream Jewish organizations were characterized by"complete paralysis," in the words of Raul Hilberg, author of the classic The Destruction ofEurope's fews. ally led to the creation of the Jewish in another five cities. Mainstream Jewish Mainstream leaders were unable to Emergency Co1nmittee, but after a organizations, however, pressured local break out of their business-as-usual December meeting with FDR, in sponsors to withdraw support, and the approach, according to David Wyman, which the president regaled the Jewish pageant was not performed again. the foremost authority on American leaders for most of the time and not In the Fall of 1943, Congress began responses to . one concrete rescue proposal was debating a Revisionist-sponsored On August 28, 1942, Stephen Wise, advanced, Wise disbanded the JEC. By Rescue Resolution calling for the United the most prominent American Jewish the time the Pittsburgh Conference of States government to establish a body leader of the time, received a telegram Jewish Organizations took place the charged with saving the remaining Jews from Gerhart Riegner of the World next month, rescue was again on the of Europe. Again, mainstream Zionist Jewish Congress describing Hitler's plan backburner. 'fhe original invitation groups, fearful of Revisionist influence, to wipe out all European Jewry. Wise had spoke only of "the post-War status of worked behind the scenes to scuttle the previously received similar information Jews and the building of a Jewish Rescue Resolution. of the extermination of Polish Jewry from Palestine:' Only Orthodox protests sue- Contrary to Zuroff's description to 3-N~"f;~~-i~-;~-~~~~--1 ~~;-;;-~~iltY-~fp;;t·i~~l;~i~~ili-a~ ceeded in placing rescue on the agen- the Jerusa!e1n Post's Marilyn Henry of the Zionists. With nearly 70,000 Palestine certifi- da at all. Zionist unity around the cause of res- eat cs in its control, the Jewish Agency did not issue At the American Jewish Conference cue, then, there is no gainsaying David a single one to the 3,000 Torah scholars strand- at the end of August, 1943, nearly a year Wy1nan's conclusion: "[D Juring the ~ 11 1 .__c_d_~V~~ ------after ~~sev~t~ad~onfirmed the-su_b__ :ol~c~u~~~:ader~1p ~ Am~i:J ----_--_ --, ... ':-,-,; --.-0-0 -5 -. -. -- .. _···-._-_-_·-._···-__·-_· . - ' --======- HAT PLUS (the best organized segment of American Jewry) concentrated its major Hats • Shirts • Ties • Accessories force on the drive for a future in Palestine. It consigned rescue to a dis­ Your #1 Stop Emulating tinctly secondary position." for Our Creator The only allies the Revisionists found Quality Hats Based on the in their battle to arouse the American teachings of public and push the Rescue Resolution WE AlSO ORY ClEAN LARGEST SELECTION & RESHAPE HATS OF CHOSONIM TIES IN Rav Avigdor Milici; zt"I were the Orthodox rabbis. Four hundred (All work tlone nn premises) BROOKLYN Orthodox rabbis marched in 1368 Coney Island Avenue Washington, D.C. on October 6, 1943, as a dramatic prelude to the introduc· (71 S) 377-5050 Rabbi A1·1gd,1r \hlkrS for\ OUT>IDI' ' flight of the Mirrer Yeshiva to Shanghai. ------~''~"--'~J'>\_ i Address CJ 3years CoverPrice$105 Yourcost$69 $114* (The potential of the "end" visas was dis· -~------; CitY----·--··------covered by Nathan Gutwirth, a Telshe Q 2 years Cover Price $70 Your cost $48 $78" ; State Zip ______---- Yeshiva student from Holland.) But the 0 1year Cover Price $35 Your cost $25 $40* : ::l*" Srnd gift card from:---·----·- Curacao "end" visas were only of use in ::Jewish .":::J Enrlos('(l: $ conjunction with Japanese transit visas OBSERVER or Charge m.v: ':::J Ma~tcrCard :J Y1SA issued by the temporary Japanese con­ 42 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 Account No·--·------­ sul in Kovno against explicit orders. As fhe J1·wish Ob<;en..rr i5 publislwd monthly except July and l\ugu;l. ' Exp. Date: (month/year) ---·--·-·- !'lfa~t allow 4 • b week> for d\·h\..-ry. : Zuroff notes in his book, it did not take "Outside U.S./\. price rdlcct> $1 s extra per year to dcfo1y air 3 diUit security code .. long for the Japanese to discover that the shipping rosh. Foreign paynwnt must be madt· in \J.S. dol\al'>. dthL'"l" ---- by rhtrk drawn on a bank in the \I.SA or by VlSA or MasltrC"~rd. Signature Curacao "end" visas were invalid, and to I stop honoring them. In the end, only I 26 ---~---··--·-·-----·-·--·-·----·----- r--- :__ -:-____ ... ·.. ; ,;:;-, ~ ;, '"--;; "'; '" ;" ~ .•• .------..• ·=-i

2,000 of the 3,500 Curacao "end" visas Saly Mayer, the JDC representative in Zuroff reviewed the hook effusively I issued were ever utilized. Thus, there is Switzerland, refused to provide money in The Jerusalem Post, and fully concurred ' no reason to believe that this route could for these fake passports.4 with Kook's bitter indictment of the have been exploited further. In his lengthy response to Dr. mainstream and Zionist leadership of Nor is the hesitancy of the roshei yeshi- Kranzler, Zuroff did not so much as men- American Jewry. va hard to fathom, even with the bene- tion one of Kranzler's ten points about He wrote: fit of 20/20 hindsight. They knew of the Orthodox rescue efforts. Rather, he "[T]he leaders of the major brutal suppression of religion under largely confined himself to a recitation Jewish organizations .. ., and partic- Stalin and were afraid of being caught of the history of the founding of the Vaad ularly Zionist leaders Stephen Wise in his web.At the outset of the war, thou- in 1939, and the dismay of the JDC with and Nahum Goldmann, invested sands of Jews in Lemberg opted to return the Vaad's insistence on running sepa- considerable time and resources in to Nazi-occupied territory, rather than rate fundraising campaigns. undermining [the Emergency remain under Russian control, so Yet, as Zuroff n1akes clear in his book, Committee'sJ activities. For the most intense were the fears of Stalin. Further, the amount of money raised by the Vaad part, they behaved as if large-scale res- the roshei yeshiva were afraid that they from non-Orthodox sources, including cue operations by the American would be treated as enemies of the Soviet the Federations, was a minisculc government were either impossible state and possibly executed for seeking $22,000. From the outset, he has been or doomed to failure:' to leave the Soviet Union. They knew, challenged repeatedly to show how All this, as Zuroff noted in his review, as Zuroff mentions in his book, that the lives were lost because of lack of funds, has been well known since the 1984 pub- NKVD had been busy photographing especially in the first period ofVaad activ- lication of Wyman's monumental work, those applying for visas in Kovno. ityfrom 1939-1941, which constitutes the The Abandonment of the Jews. Finally, Zuroff confuses daas Torah primary focus of his book. He has never So much for the description of an with prophecy, something no one has ever picked up the gauntlet. American united claimed for gedolei Torah. At the begin- around rescue and pressuring recalcitrant ning of the war, a young man asked Rabbi politicians. , .. ,,., which of two V. NEW EV IDEN c E Of course, there was more in Race courses of action he should take. Reb · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Against Death. As Kook makes clear, the Elchonon was not embarrassed to reply same rabbis who headed the Vaad were that he had no clarity on the matter. AN IMPLICIT CONCESSION the Bergsonites' closest allies and the most The overwhelming evidence refuting determined proponents of rescue in the the negative pcrtrayal of Orthodox res- organized Jewish community. The IV. THE PUBLIC EXCHANGE cue activities thatZuroff offered gullible Orthodox rabbis, explains Kook, were · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · reporters has been well-known for "more courageous .... [They] were sim­ The debate over Zuroff's charges lay decades. Recent developments - in par- ply more responsive, more - more relatively dormant until 2002, when ticular, tacit, if unacknowledged, admis- Jewish, in a sense. They were more sen­ Jewish Action puhlished a lengthy refu- sions by Zuro ff himself - have sitive to the issue, and less affected by the talion by Dr. David Kranzler, the lead- discredited his charges. environment:' Specifically discussing ing expert on Orthodox rescue work The first of these developments was his close relationship with Vaad ha­ during the Holocaust. Dr. Kranzler the publication in 2003 of Race Against Hatzala, Kook comments, "They oper­ raised ten specific points. Death: Peter Bergson, America, and the ated on the old Jewish theological Most of those points dealt with ways Holocaust. The bulk of the book consists concept of' He who saves one soul, saves in which the Orthodox had departed of two interviews with Hillel Kook (alias the whole world:" from the petty legalisms of other Jewish Peter Bergson) conducted by non- Needless to say, Zuroff made no men­ groups, including the Joint Distribution Jewish scholar David Wyman. Kook, a tion in his review of Kook's Orthodox Committee (JDC), and, unlike these Revisionist Zionist from Palestine and allies. other groups, elevated the imperative of the nephew of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak pikuach nefesh (saving lives) above all else. Kook, organized the Emergency ANOTHER MAJOR RETREAT One example given by Dr. Kranzler was Committee to Save the Jewish People of An even more astounding concession the purchase of false Latin American Europe, and was one of the great from Zuroff was yet to come. In a let- passports for Jews in Nazi-occupied unsung heroes of Holocaust rescue. ter to me after one of our many duels Europe. The utility of these passports was in print, Zuroff writes, "My major crit- I discovered by Recha and Isaac 4M~Ye"~;~~g;Ji~-;;--k~~~~~b~·~~-d~~A7th;-b~gii;~ icis1n of the activities of the Vaad ha- I Sternbuch in Switzerland, and these pass- n1ng of the v.

rather to their decision to continue fund­ the news of the Final Solution became its initial efforts to save roshei yeshiva and ing the educational activities of rabbis public and they themselves had devised yeshiva students is truly shocking. 5 Each and yeshiva students in Shanghai and a means of sending funds into Nazi-occu­ of the news stories generated by his book Central Asia (who were not in danger of pied Europe where money was being focused on the formation of the Vaad in imminent murder by the Nazis and were used to save lives" (emphasis added). 1939 to rescue roshei yeshiva and yeshi­ simultaneously receiving help from Zuroff's statement that his primary va students, and those efforts were cited other Jewish relief organizations) after objection to the Vaad has little to do with as the primary proof of rabbinic indif­ • • ference to the fate of other Jews. And in his lengthy response to Dr. Kranzler in Jewish Action, Zuroff again concentrat­ Tomche Shabbos of Queens ed almost exclusively on the efforts of the extends its heartfelt appreciation to Vaad between 1939 and 1941 to rescue the staff and administration of yeshiva students from Vilna, following his usual modus operandi of equating the Agudath Israel of America Vaad's efforts with the totality of Orthodox rescue efforts and then criti­ for helpin<;l us provide emer11ency food to cizing those efforts for their particular­ needy members of our community for ism. Only towards the very end of his the past 13 consecutive years' response does he mention Vaad monies sent to Shanghai and Central Asia in 1944. Mr. & Mrs. Yitzi Laub WHY DIDN'T THEY CLOSE Mr. & Mrs. Simon Pelman THEIR GEMAROS? Mr. & Mrs. Yitzcho~ Katz In our public debate, Zuroff fairly for the administration of Tomche Shabbos of Queens shouted, "Why didn't they close their Gemaros in Shanghai?" And that, it now • appears, is what it all comes down to, as far as he is concerned. r.------~ In 1944, the Vaad sent $265,000 to ARE MOVING? yeshiva students in Shanghai and You Central Asia That same year, the UJA sent IS YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PRINTED $10,000,000 to agricultural settlements INCORRECTLY ON THE JO MAILING LABEL? in Palestine, the Jewish Labor Committee spent $500,000 on combat· We need your help to ensure proper delivery of the Jewish Observer to your home. Please attach current mailing label in the space below, or print clearly your address and ing anti-Semitism in America, and the computer processing numbers that are printed above your name on the address label. World Jewish Congress an equal amount vainly trying to secure a con­ gressional resolution in favor of a post­ war Jewish state in Palestine. Neither Jews Affix old label here in Palestine nor Jews in America were in immediate physical danger in 1944, yet these vast sums of money do not both­ Name ______er Zuroff one whit. Just the money sent to Torah scholars. Why? New Address Nor was the problem in Europe pri- City, 5·-Zuro_ff_'~ktt~~·;;;~~-~tain;·-~~oth-;~;~~ial ______Zip admission. He acknowledges that it was State, Orthodox rescue activists in the United States and Europe who "devised" means for getting crucial Date Effective ------­ funds to Europe. And it was Orthodox activists Send address The Jewish Observer in Europe who were behind almost every major changes to: Change of Address ransom and rescue scheme. So the Orthodox are condemned for not doing nlore of what main­ 42 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 stream groups refused to do because of their con­ Please allow 4-6 weeks for aH changes to be reflected on your mailing label. We will not cern with legal niceties and refusal to negotiate be responsible for back issues missed unless you notify us 6 weeks prior to your move. .J L ------with the Nazis. 28 ------.... --.... ------... --.... - ..... --..... ·------·... - .... ------... ---·... ------·------·· T 1-1 1·: J E W I S H 0 B S !-: R V E ft

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- manly one of a lack of funds. The JDC ars, as Zuroff admits in his book, played This is not so much a criticism of the raised approximately $16 million dollars an indispensable role in the rebuilding JDC as an acknowledgment of the dif- in 1944. Saly Mayer, the JDC represen- of the entire world of Torah learning in ferent perspectives of the JDC and the tative in Switzerland, had access to far the post-War period. Anything the Vaad leaders of the Vaad. The Joint saw itself more money than the Vaad spent in did to ensure their survival and ability as serving all the survivors, and religious Shanghai. He continually stymied a host to continue to learn Torah should be a rehabilitation was only one of many of ranso1n initiatives and rescue sd1en1es point of pride to every Torah Jew. 6 items on its agenda, and by no 1neans hatched by Orthodox activists, like the the top priority. In time, the JDC would Sternbuchs and Rabbi Michael Ber THE FINAL PIECE OF provide the primary financial support Weismandl. The timidity and the petty THE PUZZLE for most of the yeshivos and seminar- legalism of those controlling the money, The appearance of Dr. Alex ies in the Allied Occupied Zones. A not the lack of money itself, was the pri- Grobman's Battling for Souls: The Vaad number of the representatives sent by mary problem. Moreover, the tiny Hatzala Rescue Committee in Post-War the Joint to Europe to attend to the Orthodox co1n1nunity) through the Europe served to fill in so1ne further details needs of religious survivors were men Vaad, raised more money in 1944 for res- of the story. Grohman chronicles the vast of exceptionally high caliber, including cue and relief than any group besides the differences in outlook between the Vaad Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg, Dr. JDC. The vast majority of that money activists and the leadership of the JDC, Samuel Schmidt, and Rabbi Michael was spent on Orthodox-generated res- both during the wartime period and in Munk. These e1nissaries were hampered, cue schemes in Europe. the post-war period. From his account, however, by a lack of staff caused by the Finally, let us consider the situation of it is clear that, but for the for1nation of Joint's preference for using social work- thosc Torah scholars. Their story is one the Vaad, few of the 3,000 yeshiva stu- ers with years of experience, even of unparalleled spiritual heroism. The dents who fled to Vilna at the outset of though they might have little knowledge refugees in Shanghai were herded into a the war would have ever been saved. They of European and culture, ghetto. Avita1ninosis and dysentery were were sin1ply not a high enough priority and little ability to co1nn1unicate with ran1pant, and the rations were near star- in the eyes of the pri1narily secular lead- the survivors. vation levels.Allied bombing and the pos- ership of the JDC. Zuroff also concedes Rabbi Aharon Kotler summarized the sibility that the Japanese would adopt the this point in his book. difference between the perspective of the policies of their Nazi allies were constant In the post-war period as well, the Joint and the Vaad: threats. !vlost of the Torah scholars had spiritual resuscitation of the survivors "Yiddishkeit and ininistering to lost their entire families. And their finan- was well down on the Joint's list of pri- religious needs is only one phase and cial situation \'\las far '"'orse than that of orities. The cry of a Jew: "It is not enough a rather small one in a large and most of the refugees. Unlike the German to remain alive- f want to remain a Jew!" extensive program [of the Joint] ... and Austrian refugees who had fled with was not one easily comprehended by the The JDC will not initiate the estab- some of their possessions, the yeshiva stu- leaders of the Joint. Kosher food was in lishment of yeshivos, kosher dents escaped with only the shirts on their often in short supply for the survivors. kitchens, mikvaos, and other religious backs. And despite all this, they contin- Joint employees were required to work needs. It will only answer a specific ued to learn 14 to 18 hours a day. on Shabbas, and many cultural events in request and only within the realms And what would they have done if the Displaced Persons camps were of their budget and other consider- they had closed their Gemaros? Stared scheduled on Shabbas. ations. Not so with the Vaad at the walls and gone insane? These schol- Dr. Koppel Pinson, the JDC educa- haJ-latzala. The Vaad haHatzala was -·- ·- - tional director in Germany and Austria, created to answer the specific religious 6 -Nlo;~~;~-r~z-~;rotf'~~;;·t~~~-~;~i~~;j;~-t~ it-~,;; sought to make the JDC an active force needs of our people.)) only due to the Vaad that the JDC was able to transfer any inoncy at ail to Shanghai in 1944. "in 1naking Je\¥ish life richer, broader, All that remains to be answered is the After Pear! Harbor, the JDC stopped all inoncy and more tolerant:' He viewed tradition- question: W11y? VVhy has Zuroff persist- transfcrs to Shanghai and Central Asia. Even v11hen al as "harping on the ed in portraying the work of the Vaad the Treasury Dep

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obsessed with $265,000 sent to starving yeshiva students in Shanghai and Central Asia in 1944, but not with the millions wasted by mainstream groups on futile congressional resolutions or sent c:e to farmers in Palestine? Surely, the for all age groups desire to sell more books cannot have for the Orthodox Jewish community. been his sole motivation. Ultimately, the only one who can !?Jzbbinical references available answer these questions is Efraim Zuroff Home: (718) 338-1765 himself.7 Pager: (917) 486-5655 As for us, we must never lose sight of the vast gulf between the response of Orthodox Jews, raised on the imper· ative of pikuach nefesh, to the news of the annihilation of their fellow Jews in It hurts Europe, and that of the secular Jewish 10 c II leadership. l!ol I 7 H~re, too, 6~. Grobm~~'s book~~ay offe~· at leas~ a partial clue. The last two chapters of his book are devoted to the Central Orthodox Committee (COC), brought into existence in 1947 by the JDC, at least in part to destroy the Vaad. Using its mas­ sive financial clout, the Joint prevailed upon other ()rthodox groups to join together to form the • C()C, which would serve as an advisory commit­ tee to the JDC on the needs of religious survivors. The COC representative in Europe from March, 1948 was Samuel Sar, a dean at Yeshiva University. Sar was a bitter critic of the Vaad. Though he left for Europe filled with enthusiasm for the task of helping religious survivors, his expe­ It hurts rience was not a happy one on hvo accounts. First, he was not very successful in persuading the JDC to devote larger resources to the religious needs of survivors, even though a COC rabbinic fact­ finding con1mittee at the end of 1947 found that the kosher kitchens in almost every DP camp were inadequate to service the demand. And secondly, as Dr. Grobtnan noted, he had difficulty establishing relationships with the sur­ vivors. Three years after the end of the war, they It feels better just to talk about it. That's were not interested in hearing from an American, why we're here. Our staff ls made up of newly arrived on the scene, what they should do. caring and sensitive individuals. Together, On one occasion, Sar convened a conference of we can help you explore your options. We all Talmud Torah teachers, at which JOO rabbis can refer you to recognized professionals were expected to attend. But in the end, the con­ for counseling, legal advice or help in ference was boycotted because of Sar's failure to finding a safe environment. We can also consult in advance with the local Agudath put you in touch with some very special Harabbonim. At a June meeting with the rabbis Rabbis. But in order for us to reach out to in , the rabbis "stressed that it was unde­ you, you must first reach out to us. sirable under the existing setup of the COC to turn over any of the work of the Vaad Hatzala Confidential Hotline 1.888.883.2323 to the Ct)C ...."Sar returned to the States short­ (Toll Free) ly thereafter, his health severely impaired and bro­ 718.337.3700 ken in spirit. (NYC Area) As a professional historian, Zuroff should have Do it for yourself. mentioned that San111el Sar was his grandfather, Do it for your children. Shalom Task force is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and how that fact may have colored his attitude towards the Vaad. I I~ ------·~ it was even printed in the Israeli news­ paper Hatzofeh. 4. Numerous important rabbis sup­ port me and the work of IFCJ, includ­ ing the current Chief Rabbis and , former Chief Rabbis Rabbi and Rabbi Lau, Rabbi , Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman, Rabbi Shear Yeshuv HaCohen and many others. Under the theme "New Vistas 011 the Here are so1ne facts your magazine Moreover, Orthodox groups and insti­ Israeli Scene," The Jewish Observer failed to mention: tutions-from Karlin to Chabad, and even (March '05) featured an article, "Buying l. Over the years, hundreds of thou­ Agudah itself, including Rabbi Porush - Jewish Souls," by Mayaan Pase-Jaffe, sands of Jews in Israel and throughout have received funds from IFC). Written which reported on how Evangelical the world have been helped by hundreds endorsements from these and other Christians offer substantial financial sup­ of thousands of our Christian donors. individuals and groups would gladly have port and food for impoverished , Indeed, The Fellowship supports over 250 been provided had you bothered to while their underlying nJotive is to convert projects in 93 cities in Israel (including request them. their beneficiaries to . The arti­ the soup kitchen in B'nai Brak headed 5. You write: "Eckstein backs organ­ cle focused on the role of Rabbi Yechiel by the Moetzet Harabbanim) and izations in Israel that have missionary Eckstein and the organization he heads, throughout the former Soviet Union agendas" - simply untrue. I carefully the International Fellowship ofChristians (through local rabbanim, the JDC and the choose to cooperate with Christian and fews, and how the bridges of under­ Jewish Agency), helping tens of thousand organizations on the basis, and condition standing and support that he has built of Jews daily. At no time has any IFCJ that they do not proselytize Jews. Indeed, between the two religious groups has also donor ever contacted even one benefi­ this has been my immutable principle for provided an opening for the Evangelicals ciary. Nor has there ever been even a sin­ the 28 years I have been working with to attempt to proselytize their Jewish recip­ gle attempt to urge anyone to do Christians. ients of help. The letters that follow anything in exchange for the support 6. You write:" ... later, representatives respond to this article. given to them- all contrary to your arti­ from the group ... come to the door of cle's depiction. the recipient and ask to come in and talk;' PROTESTS"DISTORTIONS ... 2. Contrary to your article, the !FCJ suggesting that this is IFCJ's mode of con­ AND DOWNRIGHT LIES" and I, as its president, enjoy the over­ duct. But a phone call to any of the hun­ whelming support of many important dreds of organizations supported by IFCJ To the Editor: Jewish leaders in Israel and abroad, and in Israel and the former Soviet Union I am writing in response to your arti- have received the endorsement, approval would have exposed this as a lie. In the de, "Buying Jewish Souls" (March '05), and expressions of appreciation ofliter- 22 years of our existence, this has never by Maayan Pase-Jaffe. In addition to con- ally dozens of Jewish groups and noted happened. Never. taining numerous distortions and inac- rabbis. Moreover, again contrary to 7. You write that IFCJ provides curacies, the article did not include your article, no rabbinical ruling against donors with the names and addresses of anything from my interview with the me (or againstthe idea of accepting IFCJ the olim they are helping. This, too, is writer. She also chose not to contact any funds) was made by Rabbi Yosef Shalom untrue. The IFCJ takes very strict meas- of the numerous (Orthodox) rabbis who Elyashiv, nor is there any intention on his ures to keep the identity of the partici- support our work, and she gave voice only part to issue such a ruling. Quite the pants hidden from the donors and vice to our most extreme critics. opposite - he has given his hetter to a versa, with the intention of avoiding exact- Ms. Pase-Jaffe, in addition, blindly number of rabbanim to accept our ly such unwanted outcomes. Again, accepted information without cross- funds, which they do. These rabbanim though we've contributed well over l 00 checking her sources' accounts, let alone have even told your editor, Rabbi million dollars in recent years to help tens seeking a response from us. Further, she Wolpin, of Rabbi Elyashiv's permission of thousands of Jews, not one donor presented her own opinions and those for them to accept these funds. knows, has ever met, or even has infor- of others-including downright lies - as 3. Had your reporter even bothered mation on how to contact the people they facts. to call Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu's office, helped. I In short, The few1Sh Observer engaged she would have learned that your state- 8. The single quotation taken from my I

in the most tawdry form of rech11lus and ment regarding his ostensible ruling book was completely out of context. Had ·1 I motzi sheun ra barabbim, not to mention against IFCJ was untrue ... and yes, we your reporter actually read that book, she amatory and shoddy journalism. have his endorsement in writing! In fact, would have understood it was a w:Jrkof

31 L ------~------·--·---··--·--J __U_N_E - .... ·-.-~-0-... 5---·------~~~--···~~~------~--·==------===-···___ '

fiction, not my personal diary. And had is for the benefit of Kial Yisrael. I do not you would have done even a basic" der­ i she read only the one page before this expect everyone to agree with everything isha vachakira" - at least as 1nuch as you I quotation, she would have understood I say and do, but it is highly insulting to would have done before paselling a my actual meaning. refer to me as "this so-called rabbi." chicken! 9. You write: (( ... to those concerned It is clear that your reporter and her I am saddened by the lack of judg­ about the spiritual integrity of the editors never read the Chafetz Chaim's ment, fairness and civility that produced I Jewish people, however, Eckstein's work works, nor do they realize that" hachay­ an article like this. Casting aspersions on is a curse." What incredible audacity and im vehan1avet beyad lzalashon."Your arti­ Christians who anonymously (and with­ chutzpah! My semicha is from the late cle violates not only every basic out seeking any kavodwhatsoever) help Rabbi Yoseph Dov Soloveitchik 7"'t. I am journalistic standard, but every moral and poor Jews through difficult times with­ a shomer mitzvotwho completed learn­ halachic premise as well, including" Lo out any conditions attached is nothing ing all of Shas (and I have supported my teileich rachil be' amecha" and" betzeddek other than a chillul Hashem. Taking ad son-in-law's learning in for three tishpot amitecha." One would have hoped hamine1n shots at 1ne, couching them in years, including at the Mir). My life's work that before making a rav or ben Torah treif, lies and distortion, is a violation of jour-

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nalistic integrity, at the very least, and cer­ ating IFCJ with individual Christian lead­ says that for every donation of $350 or tainly not behooving of a publication ers who repeatedly call for the mission­ more the donor will receive a card with reputedly representing the Agudah com­ izing of Jews. In the face of Rabbi the name and address of the Jewish immi­ munity. Eckstein's protestations to the contrary, grant his donation sponsored. I certainly believe a retraction and I will reiterate and elaborate each of these Another example is the newest IFCJ apology are in order so you can set the points. video for "Isaiah ss;' a program for bring­ record straight. ( l) JFC)'s own facilitation of mission­ ing food, clothing, medical help and other RABBI YECH!EL ECKSTEIN ary activities: Despite Rabbi Eckstein's aid to elderly Jews in the Former Soviet President, International Fellowship of denials, IFCJ does indeed facilitate direct Union: Christians and Jews contact between Christian donors and "A gift of $50 will provide both a Jerusalem Jewish recipients - at least if he honors food box and three hot meals a week his own representations to the donors. for a month to one elderly Jew .... "BUYING JEWISH SOULS": Example: On the IFCJ production "On When you call, you will receive an A RESPONSE BY THE AUTHOR Wings of Eagles," a promotional video Isaiah 58 care packet, with pictures that airs on Christian TV, Rabbi Eckstein and information about individuals I was not shocked to see a critical let­ ter to the editor by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, referring to my article "Buying Jewish Souls;' which ran in the March edi­ tion. l was, however, taken aback by his accusation of "numerous distortions Obtain the precious negatives from your and inaccuracies" in my article. The accu­ Wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or other event.

sation is belied by documented facts. Please provide the following information: What follows is a detailed response to Date of your Simcha/event -----... --.... - .... ··------Year·--.. ·- the points Rabbi Eckstein raises. Rather Family names: Groom .... --... ----·------... --··- than respond point by point to his nine Bnde______numbered assertions, J will organize my Mail your check, with this form, in the amount of $120.00, made pcyable response along the lines of the three broad to: Zelman Studios Attn: Negatives. Mail to: 623 Corte/you Road, WEDDINGS& Brooklyn, NY 11218-4803. Your negctives will be shipped within 30 days. arguments he makes: (l) Rabbi Eckstein BAR and the lFCJ (International Fellowship [Please print] Your name ---·---'"---·------"·---- Since 1966

of Christians and Jews) do not in anyway Address ______Tel.-----·------facilitate missionary activities or work 623 CORTELYOU ROAD ST Zip------·----~ (Off Ocean Parkway) with missionary groups (Points I, 5, 6 and 7 in his letter). (II) Many rabbinical lead­ Email - Email: zze!man@compu~erve.com BROOKLYN, NY 11218 ers support the work of Rabbi Eckstein Mci/ Orders only. (718) 941-5500 and the IFCJ, including some of those cited in my article as opponents (points 2, 3 and 4). (lll) My citation of a passage from Rabbi Eckstein's book, The journey MOTHERS AND FATHERS ALIGNED SAVING KIDS Hon1e, and other aspects of 111y article dis­ torted his views and unfairly impugned Support for Parents of Children·ln·Conflict him on a personal level (points 8 and 9). Copies ofall information presented in this CONFIDENTIAL HOTLINE response are an file. Parent Support Groups Yeshiva Liaison I. MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES E-Mail Support Group In my original article, I wrote that Sibling Support Groups Rabbi Eckstein and the IFCJ facilitate mis­ STARR Female Sibling Program sionary activities in at least three differ­ Private Consultation ent ways: ( l) by releasing the identities Referrals of/ewish recipients of IFCJ funding to Educational Forums the JFCJ's Christian donors; (2) by sup­ Prevention and Awareness porting the work of"Bridges for Peace;' Parent Mentoring Group an organization that actively engages in Lending Library I 1nissionary activities; and (3) byassoci- _j ~

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being helped by the program. thank-you card identifying the Bridges for Peace: In my original article, Become a partner in Isaiah 58 now." Russian-Jewish emigre(s) the church I wrote that Rabbi Eckstein and IFC) sup­ Identification of IFCJ recipients can has sponsored." port the work of a group called Bridges be documented as far back as 1996. There is also this postcard, sent by the for Peace (BP). While Rabbi Eckstein does Consider the following excerpt from one IFCJ to a donor: not deny this, he apparently believes that of IFC)'s 1996 Shoresh newsletters: "Dear Ray and Joyce, BP is not involved in missionary work. "Between now and spring, On Shalom from Jerusalem! The indisputable facts, though, demon­ Wings ofEagles will be working with Your generous gift to On Wiugs of strate otherwise. churches and Sunday schools to Eagles was received and enabled BP, even more so than IFCJ, forges con­ sponsor a special freedom flight Katrina Vilenski to be airlifted from nections between its Jewish beneficiar­ from Russia to Israel. ... Once the proj­ Baku to Israel. ies and Christian benefactors. A few ect is completed, participating Thank you and God bless you for examples: churches will be listed in the Shoresh caring, praying and helping, The July-August, 1997 BP newsletter: newsletter. In addition, the On Wings of Eagles" "Now through Bridges for Peace Fellowship will send each church a (2) Rabbi Eckstein's support of you can adopt an immigrant .... The name of your sponsored family, a fam­ You can! Tust call ily photo, names of family members, The Yitti Leibel origin of the family, vocations, edu­ Helpline. cation, ages, talents, hobbies, etc. will be sent to you .... Be a part of Bible HOURS: Monday-Friday ...... 8a1n -I2pm prophecy .... Adopt an immigrant Monday-Thursday ...... 8pm -l lpn1 today!!!" Sunday ...... 9am -l 2pm, 9p1n -11 pm In a 1998 newsletter, it reads, ~~ 718-HELP-NOW "Upon receipt of your first gift, you \~.,q; (718) 435-7669 will be sent the name and profile of your adoptee, iucludiug a photograph Chicago ...... •.•.••..... (800) HELP-023 Lakewood ...... (732) 363-1010 (if available). We encourage the Cleveland ...... (888) 209-8079 exchange of letters between you and Baltimme ...... (410) 578-111 l your adoptee, and we will assist in Detroit ...... (877) 435-761 l translation." San Diego ...... (866) 385-0348 These statements can also be found in Tornnto ...... (416) 784-1271 The Phyllis Weinberg Branch of the Yitti Leibel Helpline numerous other Bridges for Peace publi­ ;i"r n7v;i7i11 111J 7:-rn::rv ·1 :rr:::; N't',.T ,,.,n r:nt') i17i•7 (;.,)\'.'r: '1"N N'' ;T1\;"!))) cations. i1'l.l 11N1J 111 i11!')J '1 p ;i·ii"V' '"'\ lrT71'.'Ji" )\'D 'J '1P0Jl An "adoption agreement" [referred to Dedicated b Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Boruch Wilhelm in B above], signed by Marissa Mott, director of this BP program: "IMMIGRANT: Larisa Andrianov MARITAL STATUS: Divorced FROM· ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL: Jan 21, 1999 * US$ FROM: Omsk, Russia ADDRESS IN ISRAEL: Maaplim 15 .90 71/7, Beil Shemesh PER DAY CHILDREN: Alex -12; Ilana 4; Natan, 8 BIRTHDATES: Larisa: January FIAT PUNTO 3 DR 11, 1961; Alex: June 26, 1986; Ilana: OPEL CORSA HYUNDAI GETZ 1.3 September 19, 1993;NatanAugust27, TOYOTA COROLLA 1989." MAZDA6 The agreement goes on to tell about MAZDA MPV the family, their hopes and aspirations, B.M.W 520 and their life in Israel. U.S.A A July 21, 1998 letter from Ms. Mott Tel: 1-800-938-5000 to a Christian contributor from Illinois: 7111-998-5500 www.eldan.co.il "If you would like to send your adopted family a letter, you may use

34 .______,_ ---·------·------the preaddressed envelope. We will be (3) IFC)'s association with mission- credibility in the Christian community very happy to translate your letter if ary leaders: Jn raising money for the JFC), to which the IFC)'s fundraising efforts this is necessary .... New immigrants Rabbi Eckstein relies heavily on are devoted. The problem is that, while also enjoy receiving pictures of you, Evangelical Christian leaders who are well Rabbi Eckstein may thereby be gaining your home, your country or any other known as ardent proponents of prose- credibility among Christians, might he fun information that they can learn lytizing. Let me focus here on two such at the same time be conferring credibil­ about you and your culture:' leaders in particular - Jack Hayford and ity upon people like Hayford and Falwell, Aside from facilitating communica- Jerry Falwell - both of whom work close- and upon their broader evangelical tions between individual donors and lywith Rabbi Eckstein in promoting IFCJ. agenda, among spiritually vulnerable recipients, BP is also involved in more Jack Hayford is pastor of The Jews? direct missionary activity, as described Church on the Way, The First at some length in my original article. For Foursquare Church of Van Nuys, II. THE VIEWS OF example, I quoted excerpts from a letter California. Hayford started the church GE DOI.EI YISROEl. to the American Jewish Committee in 1969 with 18 people; it is now the In my article, I made reference to written by an Israeli im1nigrant fron1 Kiev, l a r g e s t F o u r s q u a r e C h u r c h numerous rabbinical authorities who have in which the immigrant describes how (Pentecostal) in the U.S. - about 9,000 come out against the work of Rabbi BP befriended his family, sending them members, with weekly attendance Eckstein and the IFCJ. Rabbi Eckstein food packages with Russian-language between 8,500 and 10,000. Hayford also challenges my inclusion of Rabbi Yosef messianic literature and taking them on runs the King's College and Seminary, Shalom Elyashiv and Rabbi Mordechai trips to Christian holy sites. In the immi- where men and women are Eliyahu on the list of his opponents. He grant's words, "This situation is very equipped "for effective and godly lead- also cites several rabbanim who affirma- humiliating for me. It is as if I was bought ership in the Church and comm uni- lively support his work. The picture he off by these gifts to accept the Christian ty. The vision of the institution is to paints, though, is quite distorted. faith." train mature servants who are spir- (I) The position of Rabbi Elyashiv: Further, note this letter sent to the itually vibrant, biblically strong, It is true, as I noted in my original arti- by a new immigrant: theologically balanced, Spirit- cle, that Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv "When we were in the country for empowered, ministry-equipped, and has not put out any statement in a short while, people from the group culturally sensitive. The school seeks writing regarding the IFCJ. However, Bridges for Peace came to my parents. to integrate biblical and theological a reliable source, Rabbi Ze'ev Shtigletz They started helping us ... with trainingwith practical skills essential - head of Lev L'Achim's anti-mission- food and money .... They introduced for effective witness and ministry.... " ary division - has testified that Rabbi our family to a family from America, ("Witnessing'' is the word used by Elyashiv has, in fact, condemned the which also started helping us.... Evangelicals for proselytizing.) work of the IFCJ. They [the family from America] Jerry Falwell is an American funda- According to Rabbi Shtigletz, Rabbi came to visit us and brought with mentalist Baptist pastor, televangelist and Elyashiv has been asked three times about them books about Christianity. Later, founder of the Moral Majority. Here, in taking money from the IFCJ. The first they took us ... to pray at a church. his own words, are his views regarding time he said it was a chillul Hashem. The There they introduced us to many the Jewish People: second and third times he said it is for- other people who started to visit and "The Jews are returning to their bidden to take money from the IFCJ, and ... tell us about Christianity. Then my land of unbelief. They are spiritual- that this should be made public through father, brother and sister became ly blind and desperately in need of the media. Christians. My mother almost con- their Messiah and Savior" [Listen, Moreover, the following statement can verted. I feel that my family was America!]. be found in a letter from Rabbi Avraham bought .... They gave us food. But for On the IFC)'s most recent Isaiah 58 Shapira: "As I have been told, the opin- this we had to accept their faith .... I video, Falwell tells listeners, ion of Rabbi Elyashiv, shlita, is that tak- knowthat our family isn't the only one "I believe that this man [Rabbi ing the money of Christian institutions to whom this has happened ... :' Eckstein] is doing noble work wor- is a chillul Hashem:' If Rabbi Eckstein, as he claims, "care- thy of our support and understand- (2) The position of Rabbi Mordechai fully choose[ s I to cooperate with ing. I hope that every friend I have out Eliyahu: While it is true that Rabbi Christian organizations on the basis of, there will make this work and this Mordechai Eliyahu, former Sephardic and condition that, they do not prose- Fellowship a part of your religious of Israel, originally offered lytize Jews:' I would respectfully suggest budget:' a blessing to Rabbi Eckstein and the IFCJ, that he look more closely at BP. This is There are other pro-missionary evan· he later retracted his statement, stating an organization whose agenda clearly gelical leaders as well with whom Rabbi that he had not had sufficient informa- Ludes missiomzing_. - ·-·-···-·-Ec~tem~socia:in orde~ ~1~ ~on. Below is ~opy of Rabbi Eliyahu's 1 35 J U N E 2 0 0 5

most recent letter: "Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu" month: "Clarification - Rabbi Mordechai (3) The view of other rabbanim: "In clarifying the matter [re: my let­ Eliyahu, shlita Following receipt of Rabbi Eckstein's let­ ter to Eckstein - Chicago], Eckstein's "I wrote a letter on 29 Nissan, 5762 ter, the current Rishon Letziyon, Rabbi letter was one among a group of let­ (2002) ... and Ithoughtthen tbatthe Shlomo Amar, was contacted regarding ters of blessing I received upon being matter [of taking money from the his alleged support of the IFCJ. In a pri­ appointed Sephardic Chief Rabbi of IFC)] was kosher. Now it becomes vate meeting between him, Rabbi Simcha Israel. The letter Eckstein received was clear to me otherwise, and therefore HaCohen Kook and Jerusalem City the standard letter of blessing I sent I am joining Rabbi Councilor Mina Fenton, Rabbi Amar to all in return. When I sent the let­ in his statements, written in , completely denied his support for the ter of response, I did so without check­ 5764. organization. He said that Rabbi Eckstein ing into the letter I received or into "Therefore, my words and writings is utilizing a form letter sent by the rabbi's the rabbi who signed it:' from before this time are nullified, and office to all those people who wrote let­ Similarly, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, I am joining in banning what is ters of congratulations following Rabbi Chief Rabbi of 1el Aviv and former referred to in Rabbi Shapira's teshuva. Amar's appointment as Chief Rabbi. Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel, told this "This is my purpose in writing. Rabbi Amar wrote the following last reporter that he at no time gave a bless- KARKA IN ERlTZ YISROEL Call Rabbi Gavriel Beer for information on obtaining cemetery plots in Beth Shemesh just oneyear at .. and other locations in Israel. 011-972-2-656-9427 =i.ia l''Tnn .lP»t n~:J ,,,tJo The '"' . 1lili.1YMkor I T N B S CHEVRA OSEH CHESED s.111;,arrJ HE EW AIS YMKOV EMINARY OF AGUDATH ISRAEL ... opens tfi.e t!Oor to a '!fetime ifpossibilliies! BURIAL PLOTS Our students have been accepted Adelphi U. has established academic scholarships in IN ERETZ YISROEL to the finest graduate schools! addition to Financial Aid Interment in a Shomer Shabbos M Speech Pathology "'PT I OT PELL, TAP, ETC. Beis Olam near Beis Shemesh !!«:Education M: Social Work ISEMINARY SCHOLARSHIPS I AVAILABLE Please phone or write to: M: Special Education !!«:Business ----···----- Chevra Oseh Chesed of Agudath Israel REBBETZIN SORA F. BULKA, n7MJO RABBI YESHAYA LEVY, 7nin pv MRS.GITTIE NEUFELD, ASST.PRINCIPAL 42 Broadwa1. New York, NY 10004 - --- . --·- (212) 797-9000 2600 OCEAN AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11229 M: 718.769.8160 le FAX: 718.769.8640 Not just a cheese, a tradition... Haolam, the most trusted name in Cholov Yisroel Kosher Cheese. A reputation earned through 25 years of scrupulous devotion to quality and kashruth. With 12 delicious varieties. Haolam, a tradition you'll enjoy keeping.

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36 '---r-----·------~ ------ing to Rabbi Eckstein. According to Rabbi often dreamed about hiking up to article cast an important light on an Lau's aide, as well as his son-in-law, Rabbi Mount Sinai and hand in hand urgent problem regarding Evangelical Sorotzkin, the rabbi "never once met with receiving God's holy word - he as a Christians' attempt to infiltrate Israel. At or spoke with Yechicl Eckstein regarding Christian, I as a Jew. This dream last, it's been explained what the word the International Fellowship of showed the love we shared for one "evangelical" means - evangelicals Christians and Jews:' They further said another and the spiritual nourishment believe that they have a religious duty to that the rabbi has met Eckstein at vari­ we drew from each other's religious evangelize, i.e., teach anyone and every­ ous functions to which they were both traditions" [vii]. one about their faith and try to coax them invited, and "like any good person, Let me be clear: I do not mean to to their point of view. Rabbi Lau said hello to Eckstein, but noth­ accuse Rabbi Eckstein of being a That Evangelical Christians are wear­ ing beyond that." Messianic Jew, or in any other way to chal­ ing sheeps' clothing by trying to provide I do not know whether the other rab­ lenge his personal" chezkas kashrus." But economic and political relief for Israel and bis mentioned by Rabbi Eckstein do or a book like The Journey Home, even if it needy Israelis comes as no surprise to me. do not support his work - though I is only a novel, should reinforce the con­ Their own scriptures approve of decep­ confess to so1ne degree of skepticism cern that Gedolei Yisroel have expressed tion for the sake of proselytization'. From in light of Rabbi Eckstein's misstate­ about the nature and danger of Rabbi statements from their own scriptures, we ments regarding Rabbi Elyashiv, Rabbi Eckstein's work at the IFCJ. can see that to fulfill their agenda, evan­ Eliyahu, Rabbi Amar and Rabbi Lau. (2) My intemperate language: Finally, gelists will say anything and do anything, Be that as it may, the bottom line is clear Rabbi Eckstein objects to my referring and cannot be trusted to be our friends. that numerous Gedolei Yisroel and to him personally as "this so-called I understand that Israel desperately rabbinic authorities, from various cir­ rabbi;' and to his work as "a curse:' Strong needs political allies and money from cles, are strongly opposed to the work language, indeed. all sources. But just as Israel would not of the IFCJ, as was mentioned in the In retrospect, I do regret using the accept foreign aid if it were conditioned article. (This list includes Rabbi phrase "this so-called rabbi:' Far be it from on letting terrorists kidnap Jews, simi­ Shmuel Auerbach, Rabbi Shlomo me to pass judgment on his rabbinical larly, we cannot accept aid from Aviner, Rabbi Nissim Karelitz, Rabbi bona-fides; I leave that question to per­ Christian organizations who want to kid­ , and the six highest author­ sons wiser and greater than myself. nap Jewish neshamos. In my hnmble ities of the rabbinical court, Beis Din Be that as it may, I have no qualms opinion, taking money from mission­ Tzeddek of the Eida Hachareidis, as well about my statement that "to those con­ aries is sort oflike letting a famous enter­ as others mentioned in the text of this cerned about the spiritual integrity of the tainer, rumored to be a pedophile, take letter.) If there are others who hold a Jewish people, [Rabbi] Eckstein's work your family on an expense-paid vaca­ 1nore positive view, I wonder if they are is a curse:' I don't believe that one's inap­ tion and help you out with your med­ aware of some of the facts outlined propriate actions can be justified simply ical bills, provided he gets to play with above. In any case, I would humbly sug­ because he holds a rabbinical certificate, your children. Do we really need the gest that their position appears to be no 1natter where it is from. And what money to take the risk of what he might in the 1ninority. Rabbi Eckstein is doing is opening the do to our children? No. door for inissionary groups to carry out BRUCE JAMES Ill. PERSONAL MATTERS their missionary agendas. This is indeed Silver Spring, MD (I) The Journey Home: Rabbi Eckstein a curse, a terrible curse. (The author of the above letter con­ criticizes my citation of an excerpt from MAYAAN PASE-JAFFE verted to on 26 Shevat, 5740, in his book, The Journey Home, in which the Jerusalem Silver Spring, Maryland. He is gabbai shei­ narrator states "In son1e respects, that is ni at Young Israel Shomrai Emunah in exactly what I have become ... a Jew for Silver Spring, and just completed Sh as far J ... " This excerpt, Rabbi Eckstein says, HELP FOR ISRAECS POOR: the first time as a DafYomi participant. con1es fro1n a work of fiction, and, in any MISSIONARIES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING He is an attorney for the Federal case, is taken out of context. Government, in Washington, DC.) Herc I concede that I should have iden­ To the Editor:

tified The journey Hon1e as an ostensi­ I know many people who will look at ,.-----"-·---·------··-··-·----~------In Philippians I: 18, Paul wrote "What then? Only ble work of fiction. But this is no mere Mayaan Pase-Jaffe's article, "Buying that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, novel. As Rabbi Eckstein himself admits Jewish Souls;' as a slanderous attack of is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, I will in his introduction to the book, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and his rejoice." In I Corinthians 9:20, Paul is even more The Journey Home ''has its seeds International Fellowship of Christians and specific about his motives and methods: "And to in actual events and a real friendship Jews. However, as someone who was once the Jews I become as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, I had with Evangelical Christian a Christian and converted to Orthodox though not being myself under the Law, t]atI ' pastor Jamie Buckingham .... We Judaisn1 25 years ago, I believe that this might win those who are under the Law."

37 ...._ ___ ··--·-··-··-·---·-·----·---·-·---·-··-·-··-·-··--- THE NIGHT BEFORE teacher by profession, Bruce had a need to February 28: teach what he learned in Torah to others, As I look out the window at the so he arranged Friday night "dinners" at snowflakes that are thickening by the which he got together with friends to dis­ moment, threatening to put a damper on cuss the portion of the week and other Jewish the glorious event that will take place less difference allowed me to learn with Bruce philosophical ideas. Bruce was hungry to than 24 hours from now, another concerns when there was nothing else to interfere leave the abstract world of Kabbala and eat gnaws at me with similar import. While with my learning, much as does my 4:45 the meat-and-potatoes of Gemara, so we meteorologists have warned that we're going a.m. daf shiur. There the only obstruction decided to learn Masechta Berachos. Bruce to get 6-10 inches of snow during the storm to learning is the desire to remain under lapped up the learning like a thirsty man that began a few hours ago, and a large nwn­ the covers a few more minutes - don't does water, and there was never a session ber of New York Metro Area Jews worry worry, you can overcome it!) that went by when he didn't thank me whether the flurries bode ill for the A few years ago, Bruce decided to come enthusiastically for learning with him, despite Eleventh Siyum HaShas scheduled for 5:30 back East, where he was born, to spend a the fact that l may have been near­ tomorrow night, all I can think of is whether week and a half at my house, where we met slwnber rambling in those late hours (don't Bruce will make it here or not. for the first time. Bruce spent that time forget the 4:45 a.m. shiur). Bruce taught me You see, Bruce is flying in from learning at Ohr Somayach with a young what it meant to have a love for Torah dur­ Bakersfield, California, on a red-eye flight friend from Bakersfield that he had made ing each one of our sessions. due to get him here tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. frum and who had gone to learn at Ohr The years have passed and we've both (if the 2 -3 hour arrival delays announced Somayach in Israel, the second baal teshu­ changed. Bruce has steadily solidified his at Newark don't push that time later). He'll va from Bakersfield. And Bruce got his first commitment to and knowledge of catch a few winks at a friend's house before real taste of Shabbos in a frum communi­ Yiddishkeit, gathering around him a cadre I pick him up to take him to Continental ty, although he had done his best to in1pro­ of committed and sincere individuals who Arena for the Siyum HaShas, after which vise Shabbos in Bakersfield according to his have been drawn to drink from the well he'll catch another few winks and fly back of Torah learning. He has been the impe­ to Bakersfield the next morning. The tem­ tus for people to go to Israel and learn in pest outside threatens not only the travel yeshiva, and was the magnet that drew plans of the tens of thousands of siyum­ Chabad to Bakersfield a year or two ago. goers, but also Bruce's plans to come from He has been a spiritual guide to wander­ the other end of the continent. ing Jews in a place where there was no other Please understand that for Bruce and to tell them what the Torah says, and he me, this period of time represents more did his best to impart the Mesora as best than just the culmination of my own 7 1/2 understanding. He fit right into the he could. He has certainly mainstreamed, years oflearning Shas1 and the celebration Mousey community with his big, bushy even going on to become a mentor to other with the rest of world Jewry of a relative­ beard and black kippa. But he confided to neophyte Partners in Torah. ly new and historic event in Jewish world me as he left that he was not looking for­ So Bruce is coming, G-d willing, if the history. For you see, Bruce is making a ward to going back to a world which knew weather allows, and he and I will partic­ siyum on Masechta Berachos. At the pace no Shabbos and where he felt like an alien, ipate in a worldwide Jewish event that is of one hour a week over the last six years after having tasted the delicious world of probably the most spectacular event short and over the phone, Bruce and I have slow­ Shabbos in Monsey. of the Coming of Moshiach that we may ly but surely edged our way through see in our lifetime, "T"o:J. And while for Masechta Berachos, line by line, week by BRUCE: NOT MUCH some, it is a conclusion, for Bruce and week, life event by life event, and we stand OF A CHALLENGE myself it is only the beginning, with at the summit of the Hadran that repre­ Masechta Berachos nnder our belts, of what sents Bruce's first siyum masechta. I must admit that learning with Bruce may be a lifetime partnership of Torah Bruce and I have Partners in Torah to was not much of a challenge, in contrast learning that has transformed both of our thank for this glorious event, for it was they with the situation for most Partners in Torah lives already, and promises to be an inte­ who introduced the two of us six years ago. chavrusos. Bruce was the self-styled rabbi gral part of our lives in the years to come. Only then, Bruce was a phone nwnber and of Bakersfield, knowing far more than the (Hey, at the rate we're going, it will only an IDT calling card and a faceless voice on Conservative and Reform officiates who take us 17 4 more years to finish Shas!) li'l claimed the title in that town. He had come the other end of the receiver late on a 1 Sunday night or a Motza'ei Shabboswheu through the world of"Kabbala" and had even My shi;·;r has the u~iq~e distin;~;·;n of acl~·~j= ly having finished Shas, '\Vhile most shiurinz have Shabbos ended early. (The three-hour time gotten a Distance Learning Semicha (oy!). only finished ShasGemara. Rabbi Shmuel Adler's AHARON SUDAR. A CONSULTANT ON COMPUTER Still, biking was a passion and he somehow brilliant idea of learning Mishnayos Yomi as a sup­ TECHNOLOGY. LIVES IN MON SEY, NY. WHERE ME justified 50-mile bike rides on Shabbos as plement to the Dafinsures that our shiur has real­ ly finished Shas. 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