Doers Vs. Bloggers Heard in the Bagel Store B Y Rav Aryeh Z

See Pages 3, 4 & 5

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INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK MAKING OUR PRAYERS COUNT

MindBiz BY LARRY GORDON Esther Mann, LMSW 30 Now What? Not Forgetting Jerusalem Hannah Reich Berman 31 There are people in Jeru- I first met Arieh King in New Selective History salem who just don’t like Arieh York a few weeks ago, and his Rabbi Avi Shafran 36 King. He makes them feel story, told in these pages, imme- Reflections uncomfortable, and their diately inflamed the passions of Steven Genack 58 attempts to vilify and deni- the Jewish National Fund as grate what he does were bound well as other organizations in The Price Of Gold to head in his direction sooner Israel who Mr. King insisted are Stuart W. Mirsky 62 or later. Mr. King, a resident of helping to facilitate the growth East Jerusalem, is on a mission of Arab housing throughout to restore housing justice in Jerusalem as well as in other the city while at the same time areas of Israel. I knew as soon as HaRav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, of Aish Kodesh in Woodmere addressing the joint Orthodox Union/Yeshiva University symposium on enhancing fortifying its Jewish character I met him that we would have our everyday prayers. The program was held on Sunday, December 6 at and population for many years DRS HALB and also featured Rabbi Eli Mansour to come. Continued on Page 5 and Rabbi Mayer Twersky. See Page 42 DOERS VS. BLOGGERS HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE B Y RAV ARYEH Z. Yidden who live for others, For Argument’s Sake GINZBERG whether it’s delivery for CHOFETZ CHAIM TORAH CENTER Tomchei Shabbos, giving up BY LARRY GORDON experiences that have made a Bat Mitzvah of Elisheva Lichtman. their Shabbos and yom tov deep and lasting impression See Page 77 The world has always been menuchah to go on Hatzalah It seems that because of the somewhere in the area of my divided into two categories, the calls, or even dedicating the lit- nature of my occupation, when brain that, well, packages and doers and the non-doers: the tle free time that they have to I walk the streets of Israel and stores these things. minority who dedicate their work for their shul or local breathe its air I turn into a pack- We did many things in Israel days and nights for the commu- yeshiva. This minority compris- ager of experiences. (Granted, I over the last ten days, over nity at large, and the majority es, for the most part, passionate should take notes—and on Chanukah. I don’t know if it’s who are content to just sit on and concerned people who some occasions I do—but it just me, but I cannot find any the sidelines and be passive want to make a difference in the would look silly to walk around rest in Israel other than the half- observers to all that goes on world during their few years the streets of Israel’s cities with dozen sleeping hours used to around them. that Hashem has awarded them a notebook, jotting things simply recharge our souls so It is no different for K’lal down.) As a result, what you get Yisrael. There are a minority of Continued on Page 12 here is a series of situations and Continued on Page 11 Supermarket Sweep Senatorial ILLEGAL ARAB TAG dinner in memory of Rabbi Moshe Weitman, z’l. Candidate See Page 48 Bruce BUILDINGS Blakeman LEGITIMIZED B Y RABBI YAIR B Y SAMUEL SOKOL HOFFMAN ISRAEL CORRESPONDENT

Bruce A. Blakeman, 54, the The Jerusalem municipality Republican candidate for New announced Monday that several York State comptroller in 1998, hundred illegal Arab dwellings recently announced that he will be granted retroactive per- would seek to run against mits as part of a plan to rezone Kirsten Gillibrand in next year’s the western slopes of the neigh- Preschoolers at the Hollander Early Childhood Center of Yeshiva of South Shore collecting food for Tomchei Shabbos and the Eliezer Project last election for U.S. Senator from borhood of Silwan. Structures HALB Dinner honorees. week. The children filled the wagon with food, just like Yosef HaTzadik did in Parashas Vayigash. Gourmet Glatt provided the wagon. Continued on Page 14 Continued on Page 16 See Page 73

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4 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR The big criticism of Arieh King from a Continued from Front Cover JNF official is that he is running a business and may be making a commission to meet in Jerusalem so I could see up on the sale of some of the properties. close what he is working on and talking That is hardly a legitimate accusation, as about. while it seems that King is motivated by King founded and runs the Israel Land great altruism, that doesn’t mean he is Fund. Its purpose is to purchase homes in not entitled to make a living to support Israel from current Arab residents and, where there is no cooperation, to have Arab squatters evicted from land and homes legally documented to be owned The carpets by Jews, sometimes for over a hundred years. And once you meet Arieh King on his turf in Jerusalem these locales do not were covering seem to be difficult to find. We met on a sunny and unusually warm winter day in his office in the cen- headstones ter of town. From there he whisked us over to the controversial Sheikh Jarrah with Jewish part of town—perhaps more familiar to many as the Shimon HaTzadik neighborhood. This is where the Israeli gov- names carved ernment began evicting illegal Arab ten- ants and bulldozing unauthorized struc- on them. tures as a result of the Israel Land Fund’s efforts. It is about this very neighborhood of East Jerusalem that the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said earlier this his family. year that she wants to see the demolition And indeed exciting things are hap- of Arab homes immediately halted. It was pening in Shimon HaTzadik. A once-Arab an indication at the time that the ulti- neighborhood that was probably dis- mate U.S. policy is to solidify the Arabs’ counted by Jerusalem officials now has hold on sections of Jerusalem. That might great promise to one day be a vibrant be a sentiment filled with honorable addition to the active and animated intent, but it is also contrary to the law. Jewish growth in Israel’s capital city. One So, King is busy going about his business, of those positive indications is a large securing these homes either for new resi- sign on a property there that says the dents or for the families of the rightful Jewish owners. Continued on Page 6

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 5 FROM THE EDITOR homes in what is also known as the “I later came to believe that it was an One discovery led to another. Continued from Page 5 Silwan area of the city. offense and desecration to the dead lying Headstones were taken from homes and “The residents of those two houses are here—that their place of rest should paired up with records of burials and site is the future home of Yeshiva Ohr the aunt and cousins of Yasser Arafat,” become a shortcut for shoppers and stu- their locations—work, Mr. King explains, Somayach. King says. He adds that they are very dents,” he says earnestly. But that’s not that still goes on today. He says that the Additionally, King points out, while grateful for the Jewish buildings that are what set him on his course to utilize his night before our meeting, there was van- there are frequent leftist demonstrations going up literally all around them. He energies and abilities to bring honor and dalism of some headstones on the Mount against the evictions, the government has says they have told him as well as the respect to this place, to Jerusalem, and to of Olives and that there are continuous stopped sending riot police and is now world press that frequents the area that all of Israel. He explains that as he incidents. Today, he says, sections of the sending the immigration police to these with the new building going up they are approached the area to go to school one cemetery are monitored by video surveil- demonstrations instead. The reason is that now certain the area will remain under day over a decade ago, he was invited in lance, but that does not stop brazen many of the leftists who show up at these Israeli sovereignty, and they prefer that to for tea by an Arab couple whose home he youngsters who live nearby or hang out locations are in Israel illegally, and it has any new Palestinian administration passed by nearly every day and who with their friends there at night from become an easy and convenient way for assuming control. resided in the shadows of the burial inflicting damage. the Israeli government to round them up So how did Arieh King get started on grounds. For Arieh King, the only way he envi- and send them back to wherever they this mission of his? It began about 12 “I’m sitting there and I see that the came from. years ago, when he was a student at the entire floor is covered with an assort- Continued on Page 8 An hour or so after visiting these areas, Hebrew University studying Arabic. He ment of colorful carpets,” King told me. we were near his home in what is today lived in Jerusalem and, like so many oth- “When I had a moment and the couple sioned the possibility that these desecra- known as Maale Zeitim, in the shadows ers, used the cemetery at Har HaZeitim as would not notice, I peeled back one of of Har HaZeitim (Mount of Olives) and a shortcut to make it on time to class. the carpets to see what was underneath.” Ir David the Har HaBayit (the Temple Mount). Indeed, sitting nearby last week, we were The carpets were covering headstones— King and his family live in an apartment able to watch young people, no doubt with Jewish names carved on them— building with 50 other families. Nearby both Arabs and Jews, some with book taken from the mount and used for floor- Foundation there is another construction site, where bags slung over their shoulders, saunter- ing in this home and probably in the oth- a building is near completion that will ing their way through the jagged lines of ers that dot this hill. “I decided at that house another 60 families. He points to a burial headstones on their way to school point that this cannot go on and dignity complex of what looks like two private or wherever else. must be restored to the dead.” Uncovers Second Temple Pilgrims’ Road, Water Channel

BY SAMUEL SOKOL

The Israel Antiquities Authority has recently uncovered a road used by pilgrims as they ascended from Jerusalem’s lower city to the Temple Mount during the Roman period as well as an underground channel that funneled excess rain water away from the city, according to the City of David Foundation. The City of David Foundation’s director of external communications, Chen Harkov, took Larry Gordon, the editor of the Five Towns Jewish Times, and this correspondent on a tour of recent archaeological excavations being conducted in the City of David national park by the Israel Antiquities Authority. Harkov said that she believes that the dig sites, currently closed to the public, should be opened for tours within the coming year. The pilgrim’s road consists of a series of landings separated by two steps. Pilgrims coming up from the ritual bath at breihkat shiloah would take this road to arrive at the Temple. According to Harkov, the water channel which runs underneath the path for part of its length, has been identified as the channel mentioned in Josephus Flavius’s history of the Jews, in which thousands of people took refuge from the slaughter during the sacking of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple. Ash on the walls has been attributed to fires set by the Romans in attempting to flush the Jewish sur-

Continued on Page 23

6 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 7 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Page 6

tions would cease was to build up the Jewish presence around the area, and this has become not just his life’s work but also his obsession. “There is no question that Arabs living here want to sell to Jews and get out, but they are afraid of what will happen to them or their families if they sell,” he says. That’s true of Arabs in Silwan or Ir David as well as in areas like Shimon HaTzadik, which is a former hotbed of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel activity just across a large street from what has been a solidly chareidi area of Jerusalem for years. In order to effectuate some of the sales, King has to develop what he calls “straw men,” that is buyers—even some who live in nearby Arab countries—who pretend to be buying the property for themselves but then turn it over to the rightful Jewish owners through the Israel Land Fund or Ateret Cohanim, the organization active in Ir David as well as in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem. In fact, Arieh King says, during the past several years he has had to make several surreptitious trips to Jordan to meet with these “straw men” in order to structure sales without bringing any harm to the Arab families living in these areas. As we stand under an increasingly hot mid- morning sun, he points to the vast area around the Mount of Olives and says that a great deal of the area where homes were illegally built was on cemetery property. “The Israeli government turned a blind eye to this building, and only of late have the courts and the local government begun to pay attention to what’s going on around here.” Indeed, as you drive past the usual left turn to the Jaffa Gate and the entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem, there is a steep hill and then a small parking lot to the right. Directly across the street is the entrance to a beautiful gated park and a sign that says, “Welcome to Ir David— The City of David.” There is much to see and do here, including some extraordinary excavations that open one’s eyes to the ancient Jewish attachment to this area. We will explore some of those dis- coveries in this space next week. For now, though, it’s important to understand how David haMelech came to this rocky terrain almost 2,900 years ago on his way from relocating the capital of his monarchy from Hebron to Jerusalem. How did he come to the conclusion that the mountain up there in front of us (where there are currently two mosques) is in fact the location of the foundation stone of the world, the location of Akeidas Yitzchak and the future location of G-d’s manifest presence on earth in our Holy Temple? According to the recorded history as well as references in the Talmud, King David looked round and saw barren areas bounded on four sides by mountains. He surveyed the area and came to the conclusion that this is the place, because this area is encircled by mountains in the same fashion that Hashem sur- rounds the Jewish people. And the rest is history—our past as well as our future that lies just ahead. O

Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected]. 8 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 9 10 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

BAGEL STORE of the privilege of paying at least $53 a think they are open anymore. Then he discount without her manager overriding Continued from Front Cover day for the very same car. That is, unless adds that it costs only 70 shekels to keep the charge on her computer, and that she you call Yigal (718-338-6537) or probably the car over Shabbos, so I might as well could not reach him at the moment. that we can keep going the next day. Yes, any number of other travel agents that just spend the time trying to find a parking In the meantime, we took our stuff out I did take a break last Sunday afternoon, can do the same thing. space instead of trying to get the rental of the car and walked around the car with went back to the apartment we were stay- Last week I had the car on Friday guys to take the car back before Shabbos. one of the employees, who then turned the ing in, and just relaxed on the couch for a morning but wanted to return it before Well, that’s about $17. That’s not bad, car around to line it up with the other cars. half hour, after which I felt ready to once Shabbos, as there was really no need for considering that you can use the car on While I’m standing there waiting for again take in the sights and experiences it over the weekend. I did have the car Saturday night—which we did not, only something to happen with the Shabbos of those holy slopes and hills. most of the week, but there were parts of because we found a terrific weekend discount, she’s rifling through the paper- There are many things I’d like to relate— the day that I left it parked in Rechavia parking spot. But when I finally decided work and then says to me, “You know, I’m certain you’ve experienced many of and just took a taxi. I mean, I had such a to return the car on Sunday, the young you brought the car back with a flat tire.” them as well—but for some reason first good parking space I just could not see lady in the agency told me that there was I say to her, “What are you talking about? and foremost I have to discuss renting a car myself giving it up. Aside from that, mov- no special price for keeping the car over I drove it throughout the day and drove it and driving in Israel, which I find people in here and there was no flat. Not only are conflicted about. Ask the average Israel that, but I have a copy in my pocket of traveler about his or her automotive experi- the walk-around car inspection, and it ence there, and you will hear opposite opin- doesn’t say anything about a flat tire.” ions. One is that driving in Israel is not dis- It seems that is what people like to I was starting to feel minimally similar to driving in New York. The other is incensed at this point, not so much with that Israeli drivers are mad and that you’d do in Israel—disagree about the assertion about the flat, but with the best stick to buses, taxis, or just plain old- time I’m wasting in this garage on a beau- fashioned walking. And the odd thing is tiful day just so I can save $12. As long as that both opinions seem to be accurate. anything, so long as you can I’m standing there waiting for the Shabbos The reality is that the adventure of rent- discount guy to call back, I tell the young ing a car in Israel begins long before you debate the matter. lady to take a look at the car. “You see the get behind the wheel. As I’ve related in the way the car is facing? I brought it in from past, in Jerusalem and probably at the air- the other direction. Your man moved the port as well, there is a great divide in the car since I arrived, and if there’s a flat price structure of car rentals. I only found maybe he’s the one responsible,” I say with out by accident last year that you could get ing around the central portions of Shabbos. I explained to her that this was some mild indignation. a daily rate on a car in Jerusalem for half Jerusalem has become increasingly diffi- the only reason I kept it—that is, the low And that’s exactly what I mean. There I the price of walking in with a smile and a cult over the last year or so. cost of the whole thing (which I have to am arguing with her about the most passport, if you just make the reservation Anyway, I pull up to the rental agency at admit sounded ridiculous, considering ridiculous thing possible. And so what if I from a guy in Brooklyn before you leave. about ten minutes to one o’clock on Friday that the regular price is only $29). caused the flat? I didn’t puncture the tire And the same was true this year. I afternoon, and when the guy sees me he But it seems that is what people like to with an ice pick. Had she not relented at reserved a very comfortable Mazda 3 for looks at his wristwatch and starts shaking do in Israel—that is, disagree about any- that point, I would have required her to just $29 a day. Walking in to any one of his head to indicate displeasure. I ask him thing, so long as you can debate the mat- show me where in the pages of paperwork those storefront rent-a-car places waving where I can return the car, and he points ter; it almost makes no difference what it says that the customer has to fix or pay your New York driver’s license and your to a place a few blocks away, but—still the subject is. She finally explained to me American passport makes you the winner shaking his head—says that he doesn’t that she could not give me the Shabbos Continued on Page 19

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 11 Doers vs. Bloggers ed, but many express themselves in a the most brutal terms, all while hiding comments on a blog (that have been sent Continued from Front Cover brutal and cruel fashion. behind a computer screen? to me) from Torah-orientated Jews who A case in point is the painful tragedy In truth, often we are our own worst speak with such bitterness, hatred, and with health, wealth, and the ability to do of the Sholom Rubashkin trial. Here is a enemy. There is an observation by the dismissal of so many wonderful people, for others. man who has been for years a pillar of Targum Yonasan ben Uziel that is organizations, and even, chas v’shalom, of Then there are the majority of Yidden, the community, a renowned ba’al extremely painful to read, but unfortu- gedolei Yisrael, almost always in an who busy themselves with their own chesed, and a son, husband, and father nately has much truth to it. In Parashas anonymous fashion, is to witness a fright- lives and the lives of those closest to of a large family who is facing Bo (Sh’mos 10:28) Pharaoh tells Moshe ening phenomenon in K’lal Yisrael that them, and generally have no interest in (Rachmanah litzlan) a life sentence. Rabbeinu, “for on the day that you see hasn’t existed before. the greater needs of the community. Here again, the doers in K’lal Yisrael (a my countenance, you will die.” Explains Do the bloggers think that HaKadosh Maybe they are not indifferent, but they small minority, as always) have come the Targum Yonasan that Pharaoh threat- Baruch Hu doesn’t know how to tap into surely are not passionate about getting together to try to help him and his fam- ened Moshe that if he would see him the world of blogs? Do any of the blog- out there to help make changes for the ily in whatever way possible during this again, he would deliver him into the gers believe that lashon ha’ra against general community. terrible ordeal. Then we have the silent hands of Dasan and Aviram, who previ- other Jews and organizations will go This is not necessarily a bad thing; it’s unpunished, and that in the world of just the way it has always been. Look at cyberspace “leis din v’leis dayan” (there is your shul, for example. For every hun- no law and no judge)? dred families, most often it’s five or ten I read recently a great story about the that shoulder the bulk of the burden Do the bloggers think that rosh yeshiva of Sh’or Yoshuv, Rav Shlomo and expend great efforts to do what Freifeld, zt’l. He was once sitting with a needs to get done, while the silent HaKadosh Baruch Hu group of talmidim, during the Yom majority are content to be just that, Kippur War, when someone made a dis- silent. They don’t really feel too strong- paraging remark about the soldiers, com- ly one way or the other. doesn’t know how to tap menting that they didn’t keep the In the last few years, that has mitzvos. Rav Shlomo pounded upon the changed. With the introduction of blogs into the world of blogs? table and thundered his protest: “In Egypt into the world—in particular the Torah we were at the 49th level of tumah, in the world—we now have a new category of depth of impurity, and a mere seven people. There are people who do care weeks later we stood at Har Sinai. Be care- about the general community and are ful how you talk about a Yid!” indeed passionate about their beliefs majority who see but don’t want to be ously wanted to kill him. I wonder what the rosh yeshiva would and feelings, but rather than becoming heard; it’s not their problem. Rav Moshe Sternbuch, shlita, in his say if he read some of the thoughts “doers,” they are satisfied to just become Now we have the new group of blog- sefer Ta’am V’daas, explains that we can expressed in these anonymous blogs and “bloggers.” gers, who have spent valuable time with see from this that it is worse to fall into the disparaging remarks made about They hide behind the anonymity of hundreds of blogs and comments on the hands of an evil person in Yisrael than Torah-orientated Jews by other Jews— the computer screen, where they can say whether he deserves or doesn’t deserve into the hands of a gentile, for in many often about gedolei Yisrael or leaders of what they want, how they want, and this terrible fate. What has happened to instances the evil Jew bears more animos- the community who dedicate their days when they want, regardless of the conse- us? Where is the Yiddishe compassion for ity towards his righteous brethren than and nights on behalf of K’lal Yisrael. In quences. Many of these bloggers are a Jew, and for his wife and children? does a gentile. truth, he probably wouldn’t say anything; indeed passionate about what they What makes one Jew spend his time How frightening, how devastating— he would just tear k’riyah. believe in and what needs to be correct- attacking another Jew and judging him in and, yes, how true. To read some of the While I have long been disturbed by

12 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES this assault upon our Torah values by the ment in both the choice of venue that he infiltration of the “bloggers” in our com- had made to express his thoughts and the munity and the great harm that it has great loss that the greater community has brought us, recently that concern has as a result of qualified people with so been significantly increased. I attended a much to contribute, in word and in deed, simcha several days after returning from having left the “world of doers” and the Agudah convention on Thanksgiving entered into the “world of bloggers.” They weekend. I met an old friend, who is a accomplish nothing, but create a venue leader in his field and a prominent phi- for others to vent their frustration and lanthropist as well. Several years ago, I hatred towards the individual and/or the tried to convince him to join me at that community at large. year’s Agudah convention, where I felt his The Agudah convention was a great acumen and concern for the community kiddush Hashem . Hundreds of Yidden all at large would make him a perfect candi- joined together to hear from gedolei date to benefit from and provide guid- Yisrael, to talk openly of our problems ance to the convention. He agreed to join, and of our faults, and to discuss how to and only a last-minute family conflict help solve these problems. Issues are dis- forced him to cancel his reservation. cussed in open forums, where every per- He asked me about this year’s con- son can voice his or her position and vention, and with great enthusiasm I show concern for K’lal Yisrael,. Each year shared with him the highlights of what new ideas from those discussions are put was a remarkable convention. Difficult forth and put into motion to make a real and painful subjects were discussed difference in the Torah world. Shuvu, publicly, and important solutions and Vaad l’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel, and, last ideas were presented and implemented. year, the Emergency Parnossah Initiative I told him how important it is for him are just a few of the wonderful organiza- to come and participate in these work- tions that had their conception at an shops and symposiums, as so much has Agudah convention. been accomplished and can be accom- And here this wonderful, bright, and plished as a result of these frank and dedicated and concerned Jew doesn’t feel open discussions. motivated to become a “doer” like his He responded that he doesn’t need to father and grandfather before him, but is participate, because he does so in a differ- content on using these talents to become ent venue. He described to me his “blog an anonymous blogger. name” and how he feels liberated to say K’lal Yisrael has a myriad of problems, whatever he feels and thinks to an open and we have enough non-doers. What we forum, without anyone knowing its desperately need are more doers. One source. He then took the liberty to show thing we definitely do not need is more me some of his blog comments over the bloggers in our community. May last week. HaKadosh Baruch Hu protect us from I could not conceal my disappoint- ourselves. O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 13 Bruce Blakeman not what they bargained for. Things are Y.H.: Speaking of the Nobel, what did Continued from Front Cover much worse. So yes, I do think that New you think of Obama’s speech at the Nobel York is ready again for a Republican sena- acceptance ceremony? New York. Ms. Gillibrand was appointed tor. B.B.: It was actually a very good speech. to fill Senator Hillary Clinton’s seat, and is Y.H.: What kind of bills will you be He said the right things. His words, how- considered vulnerable to a strong chal- sponsoring if you are elected? ever, frequently do not turn into his lenge in the next election. The 5TJT spoke B.B.: Firstly, I would sponsor bills that deeds. I find that often he talks the talk with Mr. Blakeman last week: create job growth. You do that by helping but he does not walk the walk. While I Rabbi Yair Hoffman : Mr. Blakeman, we businesses rather than punishing busi- was grateful for the things he said, I did will be asking questions that are of inter- nesses. The health-care debate has put not believe that his record was in accord est both to New Yorkers in general and businesses on hold. They cannot plan with his speech. then to the Jewish community. Do you with predictability. They need to buy Y.H.: What is your position on school feel New York is ready to elect a equipment, and then they can hire. vouchers for private schools? Republican senator now? I would push for tax relief. B.B.: I support a school voucher pro- Bruce Blakeman:I believe that the vot- Bills that would increase our intelli- gram. Parents and children need to have ers in New York State are angry, frustrat- gence capabilities and assets. choice, and choice is a good thing when ed, and worried. They are angry about I would also submit a bill requiring Bruce A. Blakeman, 54, a Republican seeking it comes to education. what is going on in Washington. Huge that terrorists like those being tried in to replace Kirsten Gillibrand as Y.H.: What is your position on keeping deficits will be left for them, their chil- New York City be tried by the military U.S. Senator from New York. Jerusalem united? dren, and their grandchildren for years to rather than civilian courts. B.B.: I am completely for a united come—a very, very serious issue. They are I would submit legislation to cap Jerusalem. My position is that Jerusalem angry about the health-care system, spending and reduce the deficits. We the service, we need a goal and a plan. shall and must always remain the capital which, for better or for worse, was work- must learn to live within the revenue that Y.H.: What are your thoughts about the of the State of Israel. Israel may work out ing and is now being systematically dis- we have and not spend more than we bank bailout package? a solution regarding breaking up various mantled by the Democrats in take in. Just like every family has to do it, B.B.: I think the bank bailout program responsibilities. For example, who would Washington. that’s what the government needs to do. was a failure. The money is not getting to be in charge of various municipal func- They are concerned about the econo- Y.H.: Obama gave himself a B+ recently. the people that need it the most. The tions—police, garbage collection, etc.? To my and the stimulus package. No one can How would you have graded the presi- banking crisis was not as profound as it that extent I think it is up to Israel, but I point to any real jobs being created. The dent? was depicted. My position is bearing fruit am for a completely united Jerusalem. people are angry at the manner in which B.B.: My grade for the president would now, to the effect that many of the banks Y.H.: I see. What is your position on this administration has been conducting be an “F.” I think that the president’s stim- are paying back the loans because they moving the United States embassy to the war against terrorism. Angry about ulus program is a failure. His health-care don’t want the regulation or strangula- Jerusalem? investigations of intelligence officers proposals are failures. His strategy for tion. The government must get out of the B.B.: I think that the embassy should who were only doing their jobs, listening Iraq and Afghanistan is also a prescrip- banking business and the auto business. be in the capital of the country it is in. I to the directives of the government. tion for failure. It is not a good thing for America. am disappointed that it has not yet Angry about the terrorists being brought Y.H.: But didn’t he push for more sol- Y.H.: Time’s Man of the Year: Ben moved there. to New York City, which gives them a diers in Afghanistan? Bernanke. A good choice or a bad choice? Y.H.: I understand you received a soapbox to spew. B.B.: Yes, but I don’t hear the president B.B.: A curious choice. Ben Bernanke Hatzalah “Lifesaver Award” at a Hatzalah The public voted for the Democrats. talking about winning this war; he is talk- was on the job when we had the crisis. I dinner. What are your thoughts about They thought they would get improve- ing about managing it. When we risk the found that very curious. Not as curious as ment with change. They got change, but lives of our young men and women in Obama winning the Nobel Prize, though. Continued on Page 19

14 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 15 Arab Buildings There are 71 structures with valid that they will exacerbate the problem represented the left-wing Meretz party Continued from Front Cover demolition orders in this area of of illegal Arab building. in the Jerusalem city council. In Silwan but only 10 of those currently King told the Five Towns Jewish November, Margalit resigned his posi- up to four stories tall in the residential exceed four stories in height. According Times that Barkat is “fulfilling the tion to protest the demolition of Arab section of the neighborhood will be to city officials, the mayor’s plan “pro- dream of the radical left in Jerusalem” homes in Jerusalem. ICAHD describes included in the move, which doubles the vides solutions for the lack of afford- by making it clear to Arab residents itself as a “group originally established current limit of two floors. able housing in the area and allows for that building illegally will be rewarded. to oppose and resist Israeli demolition Mayor Nir Barkat personally present- about 90 percent of the housing viola- ed the plan to the Municipal Planning tions to be theoretically legalized.” and Construction Committee, where it Silwan is located in the Kidron was passed as official policy. The plan Valley, across from the Shiloah Pool is scheduled to be brought to a vote in and the City of David. The name Silwan

“It is vital to show true Jewish sovereignty in all sectors of the city, especially in the Arab neighborhoods”

the next city council meeting in is derived from the Siloam which itself January, after which it will become the is a derivation of the word Shiloah. official policy of the relevant planning Between 1886 and the late 1930s, The Israel Land Fund is an organiza- of Palestinian homes in the Occupied departments throughout the Silwan was the location of a Yemenite tion working to reestablish an Israeli Territories.” Municipality of Jerusalem. Jewish village. During the Arab revolt presence in neighborhoods such as Margalit contends that Arabs build According to the municipality, “such of 1936-1939, the British Mandatory Silwan, where Jewish life was inter- illegally in Jerusalem because the city a rezoning would allow for legalized authorities expelled the Jews following rupted by the Arab-Israeli conflict. is stingy in issuing permits. housing for about 500 families in a series of Arab pogroms. Arabs subse- According to the ILF, there are over According to the municipality, 200 Silwan and an addition of 500 new quently inhabited the Jewish homes. 700 illegal Arab structures in Silwan. construction permits were requested in housing units to be issued permits, Arieh King, the director of the Israel Dr. Meir Margalit is a founder of the East Jerusalem during the past year. totaling an addition of 1,000 housing Land Fund, has expressed concern over Israeli Committee Against House Sixty one percent of these projects were units to the area.” the mayor’s actions and has posited Demolitions (ICAHD) and until recently granted permission to proceed. During

16 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the same period, 63 percent of prepared to act in the eastern inspectors and seriously increases permit requests were granted neighborhoods of Jerusalem, it’s a the budget to handle the illegal in West Jerusalem. most positive sign, as it is vital to building in Arab neighborhoods, “The Arabs are building on show true Jewish sovereignty in and if all Arabs will have to show purpose where they are not all sectors of the city, especially in true ownership to the properties Your Ad allowed, and they are keeping the Arab neighborhoods,” he said. on which they have built before for themselves for the future However, Luria quipped, receiving any retroactive the areas where they have a “Giving into the reality and simply approvals, then maybe one could permit to build,” says King. accepting all the illegal Arab build- see some merit in the new deci- Could In 2007, journalist Aaron ing may not be the right method. sion. Klein reported that “270 acres Will the right message be received “However, without these basic in the northern Jerusalem by the illegal Arab builders? If the conditions, Barkat’s new decision neighborhoods of Qalandiya new decision re building rights is is very problematic and question- Be Here. and Kfar Akev…and about 50 also coupled with house demoli- able to say the least. Sadly, I’m not acres in…Shoafat” belonging tions in all Green zoned areas, and sure whether these most basic to the Jewish National Fund if the Municipality adds building conditions will in fact be met.” O have been appropriated by Arab residents of Jerusalem. Daniel Luria is the executive director of the Ateret Cohanim Jerusalem Reclam- ation Project, an organization similar to that of Arieh King’s which operates primarily in Jerusalem’s Old City district. He told the Five Towns Jewish Times that “the reality over the years has, unfortunately, been to close a blind eye to illegal Arab building. The Arabs have sensed weakness and so have built thousands of units in the eastern sector of Jerusalem with impunity.” Luria was supportive of Barkat’s decision to increase municipality involvement in East Jerusalem, but has reservations over the decision to retroactively grant permits. “When a mayor of Jerusalem is

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 17 Saved By Chaverim residents at Woodmere Rehabilitation Dear Editor, and Health Care Center. I would like to As I was driving home from Brooklyn extend great appreciation to the many during that horrific snowstorm Saturday individuals, groups, schools, and organi- night, it got to the point that I just could zations that have been so kind as to share not drive in it anymore. Anyone who was their Chanukah spirit and joy with our Photo By Leba S driving the roads that night knows exact- residents. Having community members ly what I mean. I was scared as anything, come here to sing, dance, light Chanukah onneber and I had just had it. I was in my little candles, party, and celebrate with us Chevy Malibu and was skidding from side tremendously enhances the holiday g to side. Finally I pulled over and called a experience for the residents of this facili- Eleventh graders from SKA High School—Aviva Kopolovitz, Aviva Mansbach, Rebecca Bari, Atara Friedman, Lani Stahler, Jessica Wernick, Ayelet Lerman, Shira Gunsberg, and few friends to see who had a 4 x 4 to ty. I cannot thank you enough or tell you Rachel Simon—with their teacher, Jaclyn Sova, at Woodmere Rehabilitation and Health come help me. No one was available. how much it is appreciated. Care Center. They came on Wednesday, December 16 to sing and dance with the I then called Chaverim and I immedi- Among the many who visited during residents at the Chanukah party. ately spoke with Binyamin Lipsky, coor- the week were Kulanu, the Morgenstern dinator of Chaverim, and he made efforts School, Shulamith, HAFTR, DRS, SKA, to come rescue me and my passenger. I Yeshiva of South Shore, Forestview Bryk, Aryeh Mazel, Shimmy Hirsch, Ben A Freeze In Israel would like to publicly thank Binyamin Senior Citizen Center, the National Frager, Benjamin Pianko, Binyamin Dear Editor, and the other Chaverim member, Naftali Council of Jewish Women, and the Zwicker, Daniel Katz, and Zachy Adler. A visit to Israel is always a delightful Feitman, for coming out in the terrible Rothman Family. Thank you to Rabbi Eli Brazil for coordi- trip. Having the opportunity to travel weather and making sure we got home Special mention and hakarat ha’tov nating. the roads of our Avos in Biblical Israel safely. Never hesitate to call Chaverim if goes to the lovely young ladies from SKA And, of course, I thank any others is an added spiritual endeavor. During you ever need help with your car. High School (see photo and caption) and who I may have inadvertently omitted the month of November, I joined a Samantha Fox their teacher, Jaclyn Sova, who came to to name. group interested in meeting residents Editor’s note: The emergency phone join our Chanukah entertainment pre- It is very gratifying for me to live and of the Shomron, toured various com- number for Chaverim of Five Towns and sented by Zvi Lampert of Rikud Orchestra work in the Five Towns community, munities, and visited homes, yeshivos, Far Rockaway is 718-337-1800. To make Singers and Jerry Markovitch. Thank you which gives so much in so many ways to kiruv centers, wineries, and off-the- donations or to volunteer, please call 516- to Mrs. Yaffa Storch for coordinating. so many people. beaten-path batei knesses. We planted 467-9887. Special mention and hakarat ha’tov Leba Sonneberg, fruit trees in a small community, all the goes to the outstanding young men from Director of Marketing and while surrounded by the panorama Chanukah Joy At Woodmere Rehab DRS High School who came each night to Community Relations viewed by the Avos on a daily basis. Dear Editor, light the Chanukah candles, sing, dance, Woodmere Rehabilitation and Health I am writing this letter on behalf of the and share stories for the residents: Mark Care Center Continued on Page 20

18 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES BAGEL STORE Continued from Page 11 for a flat tire. Maybe the tire was bald or otherwise no good in the first place. The end of this episode is that I paid only 70 shekels for Shabbos and I did not pay for the flat tire. At the same time, however, I found it mind-boggling what I had to be subjected to, just for simply returning a car to a rental agency. At one point I asked the young lady who was handling my return why everything in the country had to be a rip-off. As soon as I said that, I was hoping she didn’t understand what I meant, but I just knew deep down that of course she had to know what that means. At that juncture I was already being overcharged and had also received too little change from two different cabdrivers. Another cabbie made believe he never heard of the street that we were staying on, and he just kept driving until the meter said 50 shekels for what is usually a 22-shekel ride. When he finally found the address, I asked him how much he really wanted for making believe he’d never heard of this main street. He said 35 shekel; I gave him 30. I was really having difficulty fathom- ing these annoying occurrences, until the man driving us to the airport this past Monday told me why he loves Israel so much and especially the everyday craziness. He said that a few years earlier he moved to Vienna, Austria, where he had hoped to settle down. “I spent three months there,” he said, “and I have to tell you something—the place is boring.” He said that at times he was so bored that he found himself going down to what is known as the Arab Market in Vienna just to get into heated discussions with some of the vendors. Finally—after only a few months—he came back to Israel, he said, because that’s where all the action is. There’s something about that way of life, he said, that he just loves and could not live without. That’s a position that’s hard to argue with. O

Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected].

Bruce Blakeman Continued from Page 14 this organization? B.B.: I am a big supporter of Hatzalah; I think they do a great job. I am all for vol- unteerism. We need this type of activity in this country. I have also worked to help HASC [Hebrew Academy for Special Children] in the past. Y.H.: It seems like you know the Jewish community well. B.B.: Yes, I am very familiar with the religious Jewish community. I am good friends with Rabbi Kamenetsky and I very much like Rabbi Billet from the Five Towns. Y.H.: Unfortunately, Rabbi Kamenetsky took [ill] . .. B.B.: Yes, I know; how is he doing? I hope he is recovering well. Y.H.: Yes, I believe he is steadily recovering. Anyway, it was a pleasure speaking with you. B.B.: The same here. I hope we will be in touch. O Rabbi Hoffman can be reached at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 19 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continued from Page 18

While the parashas ha’shavua spoke of the praises, beauty, and promises of Hashem of Eretz Yisrael to the children of Avraham, I had the z’chus to be at Elon Moreh, Shilo, Bet El, Ariel, Psagot, Itamar, and elsewhere. The grandiose Har Gerizim, Har Eival, and the sprawl- ing city of Shechem were constantly in the background. Construction was in a secret fren- zy, with waiting lists of prospective families wanting to join these communities. We met a dedicated group of yeshiva families in Ariel who have set up a nightly kollel, adult-education programs, and Shabbos groups for the residents of the city. Their homes and beis midrash are still in caravans, as they await the required OK to expand and build. Numerous children are learning in half-built ganim, eagerly anticipating a new classroom someday soon. In contrast, every Arab village that we passed is expanding—constructing huge edi- fices mostly financed from U.S. tax dollars. Since this trip, the Obama government has demanded a construction freeze throughout Yehuda, Shomron, and Yerushalayim in order to entice the Abbas/Palestinian team to rejoin the peace talks. Many think this freeze is a bunch of empty words with nothing to really worry or complain about. There were those who believed (or hoped) the construction freeze would pertain to the settlers, little communities or out- posts only. Unfortunately, the true reality has seeped in: building cranes, cement trucks, and Arab workers with construction equipment are being evacuated and stopped upon entering Beitar, Efrat, and areas of Yerushalayim proper. Even homes that are in mid-construction have received summonses from the civil administration to stop immediately or be fined. Are you aware of the consequences of this action? No medical clinics, nurseries, shuls, yeshivas, grocery stores, sukkah porches, or extensions are allowed to be built, whether in mid- construction or with a cement foundation. When hundreds of people are born and just as many getting mar- ried in Beitar in one year, b’H, where are these beautiful neshamos to live? Permission to close in a porch or add an extension is against the law, with a looming fine or jail sentence in tow. This freeze is causing untold misery and sorrow, while strangling our growing Eretz Yisrael kehillos .. . and for naught, as the countries of the world shake their head in disappoint- ment as building continues in parts of Yerushayalim. What can be done? Probably not much in the real sense, as Jewish destiny continues its path toward the geulah sheleimah. Yet there is always room to show empathy, feel the pain and sorrow of our brethren in Eretz Yisrael, daven, and be a knowledgeable ambassador of what is happening in Israel. Letters to our president and political leaders can always make a difference. (Vote at every election, too!) Mrs. Caren V. May 20 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES A Small Sampling The Choftez Chaim writes—but ultimately decides not to send—a letter to the Vatican asking the Pope to more vehemently protest the Soviet Union’s efforts to “…remove [G-d’s] name from the world’s living memory…If we do not protest with such means as we have, if we do not stand against them Great Jewish Letters with our bodies and with our souls, it will be a culpable sin.” A collection of classic and inspirational Gaon of Vilna, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman In response to a woman’s complaint writings of Torah personalities, by Rabbi Auerbach, Rashi, the Gerrer Rebbe, the that her husband—claiming his wife Moshe Bamberger Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, had a major physical defect of which he For millennia, the Jewish sages have, Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, Rabbi had not been informed prior to the mar- through their writings, shared their bril- Yitzchok Hutner, Rabbi Shlomo riage—had expelled her from their liant understanding of Torah with the Wolbe, and more are included as voic- home without paying the amount stipu- Jewish people. Less readily accessible es of authentic Torah greatness translated in the marriage contract, Rashi has been the wisdom and insights mitting their innermost thoughts and writes: “Since no defects were visible… in her father’s house… the husband has contained in camps, impoverished and no claim against her. Moreover this man ashamed…Our greatest heartache is has demonstrated evil conduct… Had that 100 men have to share a single Between the lines of each epistle lie this man concentrated on bringing her tallis when they pray. The men must closer to him with the same intensity wait for hours to don a pair of tefillin that he concentrated on distancing her and recite the first passage of Shema. entire treatises attesting to the from himself, her charm would have The holy Jews who survived… the fires grown on him.” of the crematorium must stand strength of character and spiritual Despite his personal grief at having crammed together to glance from afar lost his wife and 11 children in the at a page of the siddur. purity of these Torah giants. Holocaust, a few days before leaving Translated into English from the the DP camp in Germany in September original Hebrew, the letters span the of 1945, the Klausenberger Rebbe wrote centuries from the Gaonic period until a strongly-worded appeal to the Jews in recent times. They are arranged by expressed through their personal com- unique perspectives regarding the free countries to help ease the suffer- topic and each is prefaced by a brief munications with family, friends, and times in which they lived, the human ing of the survivors: “The Jews have biographical sketch of the author and a disciples. The 120 letters collected in condition and the relationship been wandering from place to place, few lines of historical context. Lavishly Great Jewish Letters, a magnificent new between man and his Creator. each one searching for his loved designed with photos—many of them book by respected scholar Rabbi Moshe Between the lines of each epistle lie ones…We are lost and confused in the exceedingly rare—and illustrations, Bamberger, offer just that. entire treatises attesting to the land of the enemy that has murdered Great Jewish Letters is an elegant and Rambam, Rabbi Chaim Berlin, the strength of character and spiritual our family members…All the doors important work of Torah thought and Alter of Slabodka, the Brisker Rav, the purity of these Torah giants. have been slammed in our face…We are Jewish history. O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 21 CALENDAR LUACH Dec. 24–Jan. 2 ZIP Code: 11516

8 Teves Friday, December 25, 2009 Daf yomi: Bava Basra 126 Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/teﬁllin: 6:18 am Sunrise: 7:17 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:00 am Gr’a 9:36 am P’lag ha’minchah: 3:35 pm Candle Lighting: 4:15 pm 9 Teves – Shabbos Saturday, December 26, 2009 Shabbos Parashas Vayiggash Shabbos ends**: 5:20 pm 72 min. 5:47 pm 10 Teves – Ta’anis Sunday, December 27, 2009 Asarah B’Teves Dawn: 5:49 am Midday: 11:56 am Earliest Minchah: 12:27 pm Fast ends: 5:13 / 5:21 pm 15 Teves Friday, January 1, 2010 Daf yomi: Bava Basra 133 Earliest tallis/teﬁllin: 6:20 am Sunrise: 7:19 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:02 am Gr’a 9:38 am P’lag ha’minchah: 3:40 pm Candle Lighting: 4:20 pm 16 Teves – Shabbos Saturday, January 2, 2010 Shabbos Parashas Vayechi (Chazak) Shabbos ends**: 5:25 pm 72 min. 5:52 pm

* All times from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC December 5–December 27: Free parking at metered spaces in Cedarhurst municipal lots: Monday–Friday after 12 noon (all day Saturday–Sunday). December 24–January 3: Winter recess for public schools. Thursdays, December 24 and December 31: Extra LIRR Far Rockaway train from Penn Station at 3:48 p.m. Fridays, December 25 and January 1: NYS banking holiday; local post offices closed; no garbage collection; parking regulations suspended (except where in effect 7 days a week). Transit: Sunday schedule.

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

22 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Ir David Foundation Continued from Page 6 vivors from hiding. Up to 5,000 men, women, and children hid in this narrow stone passageway for two weeks, until forced to leave. Pottery and coins have been found scattered on the floor of the tunnel, some of which had been inscribed with phrases indicating a hope for the immediate appearance of the messiah. The City of David is the original site of King David’s capital and archaeologists have identified a large structure at the top of the site as the King’s palace. Arab residents of the neighborhood of Silwan, adjacent to the City of David, filed a motion in conjunction with Peace Now to have the excavations halted, claiming damage to the Arab homes that lay above the underground tunnel. In September, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected the petition, citing a lack of evidence of significant damage to the Arab structures and the overriding historical importance of the archaeological finds. According to the court, “it’s not merely a lack of something in the petition... there is no basis for the claims made throughout the petition.” In the summary of its decision, the court noted that “though Israel is a young country, it has deep roots in the history of mankind and throughout the length and breadth of the country, the earth is saturated with the remnants of ancient civilizations that lived in and created on this land for thousands of years, both before and after the common era.” (Pet. 8497/04) All the more so, these things are true with regards to the area called the ‘City of David.’” The City of David Foundation (city- ofdavid.org.il) responded to the court ruling saying, “We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision which will enable the continuation of the exposure of the rich national and international heritage hidden in the City of David. ‘Peace Now’ failed in yet another attempt to deny our deep roots in Jerusalem.” The City of David is a national park and is administered in part by the City of David Foundation. The park is unique in that it is not merely an archeological and tourist site, but that people, Jews and Arabs alike, live within. The foundation describes its activities as “continuing King David’s legacy and strengthening Israel’s current and historic connection to Jerusalem through four key initiatives: archaeological excava- tion, tourism development, residential revitalization, and educational programming.” The foundation was founded in 1986 by David Be’eri, who had visited the site of David’s capital during the mid-1980s and was shocked to see that “the former excavations that had once been conducted were once again concealed beneath garbage and waste.” Today, the City of David is one of Jerusalem’s most successful tourist attractions. O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 23 And Yosef could not restrain himself (Bereishis 45:1) The confrontation between Yosef and Yehudah, to what was this comparable? To an ox who was running about and all animals were fleeing from it, for it was kicking the one and butting the other, until the lion appeared, and the ox retreated. (In Bereishis 49, the sons of Yaakov are compared to different animals: Naphtali is a gazelle, Dan a serpent, Binyamin a wolf, etc.;Yosef is likened to an ox, and Yehudah, to a lion). (Midrash Tanchuma) Regarding the encounter between Yehudah and Yosef it is said:“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Mishlei 20:5).This may be compared to a deep well full of cold and excellent water, yet none could drink of it.Then came one who tied cord to cord and thread to thread, drew up its water and drank, whereupon all drew water thus and drank thereof. In the same way Yehudah did not cease from answering Yosef word for word until he penetrated to his very heart. (Midrash Rabbah)

And his brothers could not answer him, for they were terrified before him (Bereishis 45:3) When Rabbi Elazar would come to this verse, he would weep:“Now if the rebuke of flesh and blood be such, how much more so the rebuke of the Holy One, blessed be He!” (Talmud, Chaggigah 4b)

Behold, your eyes see…that it is my mouth that speaks to you (Bereishis 45:12) He showed them that he was circumcised, and that he speaks the Holy Tongue. (Rashi)

24 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES No More Music At Ma’arat HaMachpela?

BY DAVID WILDER ness in a residential neighborhood. and in the Machpela courtyard. There is playing Jewish prayer music from the Ochana, who also directs a store and no need for this because these areas are speakers (with far less intensity than the For the first time in years, probably a banquet hall inside the building, was not used for Muslim prayer (excepting Muslim prayer calls), from the Gutnick as a result of a direct order from the summoned, interrogated, and warned. 10 days a year.) Two years ago, a profes- Center, an area allocated for Jewish wor- new Commander of the Central Region, His speakers were disabled, and the sional examination was carried out in to ship with the specific goal of creating an it will be forbidden to play Jewish music which has delighted the hearts measure the noise level compared to atmosphere of Jewish worship. Much prayer music at the Ma’arat of the visitors to Hebron was silenced. conventional criteria. The results, deliv- graver is the threat that he would be HaMachpela courtyard. As a result of these baffling meas- ered to the Hebron DCO reported that arrested immediately if he dared to For years, Jewish visitors arriving at ures, the organization Human Rights in “if the regulations to prevent hazards again play Jewish music in this area the Ma’arat HaMachpela have been Yesha wrote a letter to regional police (unreasonable noise) from 1990 were while no similar criminal steps were greeted by Jewish music, played from commander Itzik Rachamim protesting applied in this case, the noise levels taken towards the Arab muezzin. If the loudspeakers atop the Gutnick Center criterion which you utilize to examine outside Ma’arat HaMachpela. The lyrics the decision whether to conduct a crim- of all the songs are taken from the inal investigation and threaten deten- Jewish liturgy, changing from time to “I ask you to explain why this extreme tion is a suspicion of “breach of peace” time reflecting the time of year—the (the language of Section 194 (a) of the Ten Days of Repentance, Sukkos, step was taken and why you do not Penal Code), then there is enough to Shabbat, etc. push the public Jewish worshipers at On December 19, for the first time in enforce the law equally, allowing the Ma’arat HaMachpela to take steps years, these prayer melodies were which will be understood to reveal that banned. Ofer Ochana, a resident of their welfare and tranquility have been Kiryat Arba, was summoned by the freedom of expression and worship violated by the muezzin’s call to prayer. police, interrogated, and charged with a Is unadulterated strength the way in criminal offense. equally to the two religions.” which you think law should be Following the investigation, he was enforced? Your actions yesterday can warned that if he dared to again play only be defined as selective law enforce- music over the speakers he would be ment, and represent serious denial of arrested immediately. From information the selective law enforcement regard- recorded very highly exceed permissible freedom of expression and freedom of received by the Jewish community of ing loudspeakers in the vicinity of levels.” Despite these official inquiries, worship, and encourages violent reac- Hebron, this is probably a direct order of Ma’arat HaMachpela. nothing was done to stop the daily dis- tions. I ask you to explain why this the new Commander of the Central The letter reads as follows: turbances which greatly impaired daily extreme step was taken and why you do Region, who ordered the police to care- “For years Jewish worshipers at Jewish worship at the site. This, despite not enforce the law equally, allowing fully examine the law and find a crimi- Ma’arat HaMachpela have complained the fact that the Supreme Court recog- freedom of expression and worship nal offense that could be attributed to about the unreasonable and illegal nized the right of prayer as one the fore- equally to the two religions.” Ochana. After tedious searches, the noise of loudspeakers sounding the most human rights A copy of this letter was sent to the police discovered several laws relating to Muslim calls to prayer into the area In light of this, it is very puzzling why Minister of Religious Affairs, and to other noise being publicly broadcast via a busi- assigned exclusively for Jewish worship, Mr. Ofer Ochana is being invested for ministers and Knesset members. O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 25 An hour later, during the intermis- p.m., and staying up past 11 is staying up sion, somehow I convinced my younger late! I can clearly remember when if my children that it was time to return home, parents told me to be in bed by 9, I felt as we left Rivka and Rochel eagerly I was being punished—but when I can awaiting the second half. When I left the do that now, I treat it as a reward! Alas, high-school building, I could still feel loud music certainly doesn’t give me the the drums resonating in my head, and I thrill it used to. could still hear the amplified guitars— Should I apologize for that, or should I and the noise of the audience raising the take it as the normal course of time? volume yet more! There are things that I appreciate now Rivka and Rochel returned home a lit- that I never did as a younger person: the Volume Control tle over an hour later and informed me beauty of a ballet, the depth of a knowing that after the intermission, the audience poem, or the delight in a beautiful view. I “really went wild!” Oy! If that was wild, think at a certain point in our lives we no The first big snow storm of the season of the audience, Mom,” explained one of what was it before? longer appreciate some things, but our surely was a blizzard! my high-schoolers. “Mommy, you are just too old for these eyes are more open to other wonders of I love the snow. It blankets the most “But why? I love Blue Fringe—Daddy kinds of things.” the world. wilted lawn with a lovely layer of pure and I listen to their CDs all the time!” I now more fully appreciate the whiteness. I don’t even mind shoveling, “That’s different . . .” smiles on Yussie’s and Lea’s faces along but I like being the “first shift.” I like to be In fact, I think my husband “discov- with the extreme joy that Lenny the first person outside to dig into the ered” the value of their music before our At a certain point receives as he schleps them on the sled frozen droplets. After the first path has children did! The concert ad didn’t speci- along Grove Avenue. And so maybe my been made, I am more than willing to fy an age requirement. And I seem youth- in our lives we no body is no longer interested in shovel- give the job over to the next crew. ful, don’t I? ing the entire driveway, but somehow But I wasn’t always like that. I used to “Don’t think we are sitting together . . longer appreciate that doesn’t matter. enjoy doing the job from start to finish, . we’ll be with our friends.” some things, but This week we celebrate the wedding almost without an utterance of com- “Don’t worry, I’ll have Yussie and Lea to anniversary of my parents. I am glad- plaint. I enjoyed the sense of accom- keep me company.” our eyes are more dened by the strength I have seen in both plishment of completing the task with- We arrived on the scene a few minutes of them—their ability to support each out too much assistance. What’s hap- early, and of course Yussie and Lea chose open to other other in simple times and the more diffi- pened to my drive to complete the job seats right in front—this way we would cult times of life. Mazel tov to them! on my own? surely not miss a word! wonders of the world. As I see the snow slowly melting on Fortunately, Lenny—along with The band began—three guitars and a the roads, I am prepared for the next Naftali and Rochel—did the bulk of the set of drums. Yussie and Lea were in heav- “shift” of life, and am happy to retire my work, and our shoveling was complete. en, as was the rest of the audience. They love of loud rock-and-roll for the purity of Last week I went to a Chanukah con- were all clapping and dancing and singing Was it true? Were they right? Was I a beautiful quiet sonata. O cert with a few of my kids, namely Rochel their hearts out, as I wondered to myself, like one of the old fogies telling the Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & and Rivka (my two high-school daugh- “Do we really need to be sitting right in younger folk to “lower the volume”? Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst ters) along with Yussie and Lea (nine and front?” I loved this music while listening What was happening to me? Somehow with her husband Leonard and six children: Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. seven). to it in the comfort of my own car, but I’ve changed places with a stranger. I am She welcomes your questions and comments at “I think you will be the oldest member here there was no volume control! now someone who is in pajamas by 8 [email protected].

26 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 27 28 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 29 shouldn’t be all that important to us in how awaken your mother to the down- the first place. Often these messages help side and the toxicity of her behavior. us define who we are, for better or for However, I would like to remind you worse. And the more repetitive these that we are all the gatekeepers of our own messages are, the more power they take spirits. We can always decide which mes- on in shaping our identities. sages we want to let in and influence If we are healthy individuals, we strive how we see ourselves, and which mes- to surround ourselves with people who sages we determine are banned from our sprinkle our psyches with love, validation, very being. Ultimately, we all possess that Dear Esther, Nothing else seems to impress her. And and encouragement. We want to stay power. The words you use to respond to My mother is gorgeous. She is tall, thin, somehow, when I’m around her, I forget close to those individuals who exude pos- your mother are not as important as the and stunning. She dresses beautifully and, about all the other parts of my life that I itive energy and offer uplifting inspira- words you use to reassure yourself that though she is in her early sixties, she is still feel good about. I feel like a total disap- tion. That’s why friendship was invented! you are a worthy, accomplished, success- a head-turner. My entire life, people have pointment to her and to myself. We get to choose alliances that motivate ful individual who should not be judged always told me what a beautiful mother I Over the years, I’ve tried various tactics us to be the best we can be, with people according to your dress size, but rather on have. As a young girl, I was always proud to to get her to stop torturing me about my who tell us we’re more than OK, particu- all of your other impressive merits. be her daughter, and I still am. Except that weight. I’ve been angry at her. I’ve tried larly when we’re feeling down, and cheer I wouldn’t be at all surprised if your at some point I started realizing that I making light of her comments and laugh- us on when that’s what we need most. mother is proud of who you are and all looked nothing like my mother. In fact, I ing it off. I’ve tried just ignoring her. Certainly as important, if not more so, that you’ve accomplished. And it’s possible take after my father, who is short for a man, Nothing helps. She’ll keep on at it, mak- we look for a spouse who will love us for that she even verbalizes some positive tends to be on the chubby side, and doesn’t ing hurtful comments to me, regardless who we are, appreciate and value our messages in these areas, but maybe you have particularly wonderful features. of what I do or say. I actually do want to strengths, and contribute to our level of only hear and take away the negative mes- Growing up in the shadow of someone lose weight, but it’s just not happening confidence. In that regard, it sounds as sages with you. Try paying closer attention so great-looking and not measuring up is yet. I know I would look better, feel bet- though you did a fine job and were lucky to everything that she says to you. If I’m reason enough to write in to you. It’s not ter, and be healthier if I were thinner. I’m to find the right person. Kudos to you. right, you may be surprised to notice some easy. But actually, my question is not the not arguing with any of that. But my When it comes to family, however, we wonderful compliments that go right over obvious one. My problem has to do with mother acts as though my not being thin don’t get to choose the people who are your head, because you have become con- figuring out how to handle my mother, is a personal attack on her. the best fit for us—yet it is from our fam- ditioned to be on high alert for the nega- who, after all these years, still tortures me Is there something I can say that ilies that we get much of our identity, tive words, and perhaps have gotten into about my weight. I’m not obese, but I would get her to lay off? I really don’t often passively accepting their views. the habit of inviting into your psyche only could stand to lose a good 25 pounds. want my weight to be the bane of our You’ve tried various tactics to encourage those words that hurt. So expect to hear This has been the story of my life. relationship. There is so much more to your mother to move off the weight good things, and hopefully you’ll be pleas- Lucky for me, I have a wonderful hus- me. There is so much more to her. How theme and just let it go. Nothing has antly surprised. If not, allow your husband band who doesn’t seem to care that I do we just push this weight thing off to worked. Apparently, she doesn’t want to and the other uplifting people in your life don’t look like a model. (In fact, he thinks the side and appreciate one another on a hear you, doesn’t want to accept the fact to confirm all of the good things you know my mother is too thin and pinched-look- deeper level? that she can’t fix it, doesn’t want to respect in your heart to be true about yourself. ing.) Additionally, I am a professional and Searching your sensibilities, and is basically respond- Esther I feel very good about the work I do. I am Dear Searching, ing to her own limited view of the situa- a good mother, wife, friend, and daughter. We are all flooded every day with mes- tion and her own needs. That’s unfortu- Esther Mann, LMSW, is a therapist and life coach in Lawrence. Esther can be reached at 516-314- Yet it feels like my mother sees me as an sages, from people we care deeply about nate for her and for you. Sadly, I have no 2295 or [email protected]. She works with overweight girl who is seriously lacking. and also from people who probably magical words to offer you that will some- individuals, couples, and families.

30 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES in total agreement about where we did chuckle. And I smile back. and did not want to go, as well as about When I mentioned to my friend Joan what we did and did not want to do. recently that I used to always put the It’s possible that men do this sort of blame on Arnie, she told me she does thing, too—hanging the blame on the lit- exactly the same thing. She puts the tle woman—but I don’t really know. I blame on her husband, Allan, all the time. believe it to be mostly a female thing. In fact, being the pal that she is, Joan said, But now I will have a problem. Because, “Hey, I know—just blame it on Allan; he in addition to having lost the man I loved won’t care.” It was nice of her to lend me and lived with for 47 years, I’ve also lost her excuse. What a gal! Now What? my excuse. Of course, given the fact that But of course Allan is not my husband, my devastating loss is so recent, I’m able to so putting the blame on him for anything get away with a multitude of sins—if is of absolutely no value. Arnie was my Untold numbers of women do it. excuse. But there were a few times when he indeed they may be considered sins. What hubby and my favorite fall guy. No one They’ve been doing it for years, and they wasn’t altogether thrilled that I had put the that means is that I’m excused from doing else will do. So I now need to dispense do it well. My mother did it; my aunts did blame on him, because he knew full well anything I don’t want to do or going any- with my old game plan. I’ll just have to it; and some of my friends do it. The “it” that I, too, didn’t want to go. And he could- where I don’t want to go. come clean when I receive an invitation that I refer to is the art of being some- n’t understand why I didn’t just say no right “Do whatever makes you comfortable,” that I don’t wish to accept. I will simply what disingenuous without telling an away and leave him out of it. is what my friends and my loved ones tell have to say, “No, thank you,” and hope my outright lie. This isn’t a particularly easy It was at those times that I, in my inim- me over and over again. People under- friends won’t be offended by my refusal. thing to do, but most females have mas- itable fashion, would attempt to defuse stand where I’m at right now, and most And while I’m at it, I had also better hope tered it, and that includes me. the situation by saying, “Oh, Arnie, don’t be people are inherently kind. But it seems a that none of my friends reading this will Not wanting to think of myself as a liar, upset—every wife does it.” And that much pity that it took this, my new situation, wonder if perhaps I’ve pulled that ruse I have always thought of this art simply as was true. At least in my world it was. The for others to give me permission to do as with them at one time or another. O taking evasive action, albeit in the social only time it caused a problem was on the I wish. Hubby would have gotten a laugh arena. Many people do it. A boxer does it rare occasion when it was something he out of this. Sometimes I can hear him: Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with when he holds on to his opponent to pre- actually would have liked to do. But that “You lost your best excuse, Hannah. No Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at vent the other guy from hitting him, and a was indeed rare, because we were usually more blaming me!” he whispers with a [email protected] or 516-902-3733. football player does it by holding an arm straight out against an opponent to ward off a tackle. For that matter, airline pilots do it to avoid a collision and, as anyone who drives a car knows, sometimes taking evasive action is necessary on the road. Taking evasive action is nothing more than an adroit maneuver in times of need. But, as women have discovered, not all evasive actions are physical in nature. In the past, if I was shopping in a store and suddenly found myself being pressured by an aggressive salesperson who wanted me to buy something, I would sense the need to take a form of evasive action, and I would go into my routine. “Unh uh; I don’t think my husband, Arnie, would like this one on me. I’ll go home and describe it to him, or maybe I’ll bring him back to see it.” That wasn’t exactly a lie, because I could actually describe it to him; who’s to say I wouldn’t? And, although it wasn’t likely, maybe I would come back to the store with Hubby in tow to see the garment in question. While the likelihood that I would do either of those things was slim at best, it was still a possibility. So I told myself that it didn’t come under the heading of telling a falsehood. Now and then I would do the same thing when I received an invitation that I didn’t want to accept. It might have been an invitation for a get-together in someone’s home, or a dinner date, or a movie date, or whatever.I would respond by saying, “I’ll ask Arnie and get back to you on that.” Sometimes I asked Hubby and sometimes I didn’t. There were two reasons why my response was a form of subterfuge. One was that Hubby and I lived together long enough for me to know (or to think I knew) that he wouldn’t be interested in going, so I really didn’t have to ask him and very well might not even bother to. The other reason was that I already knew that I myself didn’t want to go, so again there was no point in bothering to put the question to Hubby. So I would wait a respectable amount of time—ostensibly because I was checking with my better half—and then I would call back to let the person know that Hubby had said no. The only person I wasn’t disingenuous with was Hubby himself. After the fact I would, of course, let Arnie know what I had done. Most of the time he was in complete agreement with me, and he didn’t care that I had used him as my 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 31 and son were reunited. The joy and emo- brought my son back to me.” He recog- tion of the moment is difficult to imag- nized Hashem with an unparalleled sense ine—deep yearnings of the heart finally of appreciation and proclaimed the realized. Yosef was so moved that he majesty of Hashem with a level of com- kissed his father, and then hugged him plete clarity that he may well never have and cried, not just with tears, but with reached before. profuse crying. However, Rashi notes that This wasn’t the first time that Yaakov Yaakov did not kiss Yosef, nor was he cry- said Shema. Yaakov had accepted ing. He was reciting the Shema. Hashem’s dominion on a daily basis for This appears as a rather odd activity. Of decades and decades. But this was a new The Shmuz On all times, why did Yaakov see fit to read level of understanding that he was only the Shema right then? able to obtain through these powerful Yaakov was locking in the emotion. It emotions. would seem the answer to this question Emotions wax and wane. This concept The Parashah is that Yaakov felt such intense emotions has great relevance to us. In the course of at that moment—possibly more intense our lives, we experience highs and lows, joy than he had ever experienced—that times of great joy and times of deep sor- Locking In The Moment Jewish nation. he wanted to capitalize on those feelings. row, times of excitement and enthusiasm B Y R’ BEN TZION SHAFIER When the brothers came back with the He didn’t want them to simply pass; he and times of boredom and listlessness. report that Yosef had been murdered, wanted lock them in, to put them into There are times when we are passionate And Yosef hitched up his wagon and Yaakov was inconsolable. The tragedy concrete form so that they would and fervent, and there are times when we went up to greet his father, Yisrael, towards was so profound that none of his chil- become eternal. He wanted to take that are apathetic. None of these states Goshen, and he appeared before him, and remains for long. Like waves of an ocean, he fell on his neck and he wept, and he fell they come and they go, and when they on his neck more. are gone, we remain the same as before— —Bereishis 46:29 unchanged. A most joyous reunion. Yosef was the Rashi notes that Yaakov did not Emotions are tools for growth. The most beloved of Yaakov’s sons. All of the ability to capture the moment, to convert Torah that Yaakov learned, he taught to it into something permanent, is one of Yosef. In Yosef, Yaakov saw brilliant intel- kiss Yosef, nor was he crying. He the keys to growth. If a person has a dra- ligence and wisdom. In Yosef, he saw all matic realization, if an event occurs that the attributes of his beloved Rochel—the was reciting the Shema. is the undeniable result of Hashem’s kindness, the beauty, and the leadership direct involvement in his life, there is a qualities needed to head a nation. In sense of appreciation, of recognition. But Yosef, he recognized all of his own life that feeling will pass. That sense of clari- events playing out in parallel. ty will leave. When Yaakov gave the kesones pasim dren and none of the dignitaries who extreme sense of joy and completion that Sometimes we are so moved by a sud- to Yosef, it was a symbol that established came to visit could comfort him. For he felt and use it to reach a new level. den turn in circumstances that we say, “It Yosef as the leader of the brothers. To years, the intensity of mourning didn’t With the high that he experienced, he is hashgachah!” But obvious as it may be Yaakov, Yosef represented the greatest of leave Yaakov. His beloved son was gone. proclaimed Hashem’s sovereignty over the Shevatim and the future of the Finally, after 22 painful years, father all. “You, the Master of the universe, have Continued on Page 34

32 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

still many who felt their assessments we in fact once again being over-assessed remained inaccurate. They therefore had due to changes in home prices for which need to “challenge” them in hopes of bring- the Nassau County Assessor’s office is at ing down the value documented by Nassau least one year behind? County more in keeping with actual mar- And if so, what recourse do we have to ket values of similar properties sold recent- protect ourselves? ly in their area. However, the number of First, we should all keep tabs on the homeowners challenging their property property assessments being placed on our assessments were a fraction of that previ- homes. Each year every homeowner ously experienced by Nassau County prior receives a letter from the tax assessor’s Checking Your Property to the property assessment overhaul. office itemizing what they have document- My concern now is how the recent ed your home’s value as on their books. If Tax Assessments downturn is affecting the way the proper- you feel there is an error, there are several ty assessment appraisal system is being ways to challenge the value placed there. We have spoken of many new experi- they should have in property taxes. This conducted, since although property Applying for assessment corrections ences that we have had in real estate was finally addressed by a complete assessments are updated each year, they can be done by filing an application with since the economic turndown the last overhaul of the property assessment sys- are effectively done a year prior to being the Assessment Review Commission couple of years, but there is one issue that tem several years ago, when all Nassau posted. For example, the assessments between January 4, 2010 and March 1, is particularly relevant now that the tax County properties were reappraised and posted for 2009–2010 were actually 2010. You may check your existing assess- year is coming to a close: How accurate ment and also file a grievance online at are the tax assessment values being www.nassaucountyny.gov/arc. You may placed on our homes today after the vari- also request a paper application by call- ety of drops in market values we have ing 516-571-2391 or by visiting the witnessed in recent times? Are we again being over-assessed Department of Assessment’s office at 240 I think this is a very important topic to Old Country Road in Mineola. There are consider. Many of us have spent years try- due to changes in home prices for also many tax-reduction specialists who ing to reconcile property tax assessment can take care of all this for you, and you values that have been placed on our can consult with one of them and take homes by the Nassau County Assessor’s which the Nassau County Assessor’s advantage of their expertise. Either way, office with actual market values in our make time and be vigilant—check your area. In past years there have been vast property assessment documentation at discrepancies between real market values office is at least one year behind? least once a year to be sure it is correct. O and Nassau County’s often inaccurate inflated market values. Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. Years ago, assessment values were mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, rarely updated systematically by the brought to more or less accurate market appraisals done in 2008 in preparation offering full-service residential and commercial Nassau County Assessor’s office, and values and were at long last updated on for 2009–2010. Given that real market val- real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and mortgaging services (First Meridian Mortgage) in over many years such discrepancies have a yearly basis. ues in 2009–2010 are actually lower than the Five Towns and throughout the tri-state area. developed—usually at the expense of Whereas I mentioned “more or less,” they would have been in 2008, are we She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are the taxpayer—that many homeowners nothing is foolproof, and after the new now being assessed for the correct value encouraged to send questions or comments to found themselves paying more than property assessments came in, there were of our homes in a given tax year, or are [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 33 THE SHMUZ Continued from Page 32 at the moment, ten minutes later that sense of clarity is gone. The only way to prevent it from passing is to put that emotion into action, to take that understanding and make it permanent. Thank You, Hashem. Sometimes even an elementary action—something as simple as saying “thank you”—can have a profound effect,. If a person says the words, “Hashem, I recognize that these events were not by chance. I see that it is You Who orchestrates this world and I thank you,” this statement can take a fleeting recognition and make it lasting. Even though the concept was already clear, going through the process can have a dramatic effect on whether this understanding actually remains and changes one’s perception. On the good and on the bad. On the opposite side of the spec- trum are painful experiences— loneliness, suffering losses, failing in business. Nobody wishes for them and nobody wants them. However, when experiencing them, a person does have a very different perspective on himself and on life. Gone is the feeling of independence, gone is the illu- sion of infallibility, and gone is the aura of superiority. In that sense, these are peak moments, moments of extraordinary clarity. Ironically, the pain will pass and be forgotten. The question is: will the gain pass with it as well? If a person doesn’t take concrete steps to make that vision permanent, it too will pass and become just part of a distant memory. When a person reaches a new level of understanding, that experience can be an event of life that happens and passes. But with one small step, it can become a permanent part of the person. By training ourselves to lock in these peak moments, we can take life experiences, moments of unique lucidity, and make them part of ourselves. Often, all it takes is a simple conscious action, a decision, or a small change to make lofty concepts and emotional highs permanent—changing who I am forever. O

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34 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 35 The myopia morphs into truly monu- the focal point of the Jewish people. And mental chutzpah with the documentary’s over the centuries since, Christians and Selective History droll observation that today, “the Muslims have not been praying—and cer- Crusades are seen by many Muslims as tainly not thrice daily—that G-d “gather evidence of unceasing Western aggres- us to our land” and “return in mercy to BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN Christian rule over Jerusalem, negotiating sion against their faith,” and that since “it Jerusalem, Your city,” or that “our eyes see a treaty with Saladin that allowed is the Jews who control most of Your return to Zion.” No, only Jews have One hardly expects the British Christian pilgrims to enter the city. All of Jerusalem . . . many Muslims see that as ever done that; only Jews, in fact, have Broadcasting Corporation to present an this is dutifully reviewed by the program. a continuation of the crusaderism.” been doing that without interruption for objective or comprehensive picture when The Crusades, of course, had great The microphone is then offered to Dr. thousands of years. it addresses the Middle East. But a recent impact on Jewish communities as well. Mohsen Youssef of Birzeit University, The ugly icing on the rancid cake BBC radio documentary may set some Thousands of Jews in communities along who endorses that view and adds a pre- whipped up by the BBC consists of the sort of record for myopia. the Rhine and the Danube were massacred diction: “It took the Muslims 200 years to sentiment conveyed by the sole Jewish The second installment of a series enti- by participants in the first Crusade; and get rid of the crusaders; many Muslim speaker featured in the installment, a pro- tled The Crescent and the Cross, aiming to Jews fought and fell alongside Muslim people believe that they will defeat Israel fessor at Hebrew University. Asked about examine “turning points in the relation- defenders of Jerusalem when the Christians in much less time than 200 years.” the fact that Arabs identify contemporary ship between Christianity and Islam,” invaded. Unknown numbers of Jews were And so, an ignorant but attentive stu- Jews with the crusaders of the Middle focuses on the Third Crusade. Not long slaughtered in subsequent Crusades as well. dent of the BBC will conclude from the Ages, his response provides the install- after the death of Islam’s founder, in the But the documentary’s concern, as per its network’s history lesson that Jerusalem is ment’s final comment. “It is nonsense,” he early 7th century, Muslims captured parts title, is the Christian/Muslim nexus. Jewish sacred to Christians and Muslims, and responds. “What is the relevance of what of the holy land, including Jerusalem. But victims of the era’s wars, no matter their that adherents of the two faiths have happened 800 years ago to the present?” Jerusalem, the documentary text explains, numbers or the hatred directed toward fought over it for centuries. He will fur- The professor thus dismisses history as “had great religious significance not only them, are regarded by the program as ther be given to understand that the city bearing no pertinence to the present. He for Muslims but for Christians too.” And peripheral casualties. has been usurped in our own day by is, of course, astoundingly wrong, and is thus were born the marches of death and What is remarkable, though, is that Jewish newcomers who, understandably, given the last word by the documentary destruction known as the Crusades. In while the documentary amply describes are regarded by the Muslims who held it not to promote his point of view but 1099, Christian soldiers took the city. the conflicting claims of Muslims and before 1967 as new crusaders. rather to expose his utter cluelessness. At the end of the 12th century, after Christians to Jerusalem, it somehow neg- What our novice historian won’t have The BBC knows well that the import of nearly a century of Christian rule, lects to note that the original revered edi- been taught is that the Jewish people, the past on the present is both real and Jerusalem was re-conquered by Saladin, fice that stood in Jerusalem—what initi- too, have an ancient connection to the critical. What it somehow misses, or Sultan of Egypt. Pope Gregory VIII called ated its veneration as a holy city—was Holy Land and the Holy City—in fact, an chooses to ignore, is that history extends for a Crusade—the third—to retake the the Holy Temple, the Beis HaMikdash. older and stronger one than anyone else. farther back than 800 years. O city, and Richard I of England (“the The BBC treats the Temple’s site as if it Neither Christianity nor Islam, after all, © 2009 Am Echad Resources. Rabbi Shafran is Lionheart”) captured much of the Holy came into being ex nihilo in the even existed when the Beis HaMikdash in director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of Land but stopped short of asserting Byzantine Period. Yerushalayim functioned for centuries as America.

36 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION

Dutch Ovens

You might have heard of a Dutch heat can be radiated evenly throughout oven—maybe you’ve glanced at a recipe the pot. In addition to cooking stews, you requiring one of these pots and moved can use Dutch ovens to cook heavy casse- on, or used a heavy-bottomed pot to sub- role dishes, soups, and roasts. stitute. For anyone who has tried to use a Dutch oven but has been unsuccessful, or those who are interested but intimidated, I encourage you to learn about this won- Meats prepared in a derful tool that creates mouth-watering Dutch oven are meals fit for even the most discriminat- ing palates. delectable. They have a A Dutch oven is a large, heavy, casse- role-type of cooking pan. A true Dutch flavor and aroma you oven is made of cast iron and has three legs, a wire handle, and a lid that has both will never duplicate a handle and a large lip around the edge using any other of the top. Dutch ovens were originally made for campfires and fireplace hearth cooking method. cooking. Today these pots are available for the home cook and used in standard ovens to cook just about anything. The primary use of a Dutch oven is for Basically there are two types of Dutch braising and stewing tough meats and ovens available on the market. One is vegetables. It has a tight-fitting lid, so it made of cast iron and the other one is a will hold in moisture. Most of the more more modern version, with a smooth modern versions are used on a stovetop. enamel base and made of aluminum. However, the older cast-iron ones are more often used in an oven so the oven’s Continued on Page 38

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 25, 2009 37 THE DISH open fires. However, aluminum Dutch Continued from Page 37 ovens do not retain heat as well nor distribute it as evenly as cast iron. The flavor- Aluminum Dutch ovens weigh about ing of foods produced will also be differ- one-third less than their cast-iron coun- ent. Aluminum ovens sometimes give a terparts. They require no curing (a chalky flavor to foods, whereas iron process that keeps the pot from rusting ovens give a smoked flavor to foods. and prevents food from sticking), and, Meats prepared in a Dutch oven are like the cast iron pots, can be used over delectable. They have a flavor and aroma

you will never duplicate using any other to produce a good covering of oil on the cooking method. While the taste is bottom, heat the oven, and then put the always exquisite, some people have diffi- meat you want to cook in the oven and culty producing a visually appealing meat sear or brown it well. This will seal in nat- from inside the steamy oven. The secret ural juices and provide the outer texture is simple: regardless of the spices and fla- and color more typical of grilled meats. vorings you use on any meat or poultry, Once the meat is well browned on all always brown the meat first. To brown sides, add whatever seasonings you like, the meat, place some oil in the hot oven put on the lid, and cook the meat for 30 to 35 minutes per pound of beef or lamb, or 25 to 30 minutes per pound of poultry.

Lamb Shank Stew With Russet Potato Top Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour kosher salt freshly ground black pepper 3 lamb shanks (about 8 ounces each), cut in half extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, chopped 4 large carrots, cut into coins 1 large onion, cut into chunks 1 bay leaf 1/4 bunch thyme 2 cloves 3/4 bottle (750 ml) red wine 1 quart low-sodium beef stock 3/4 cup barley 6 large russet potatoes parsley sprigs, for garnish Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. On a large plate, season flour with plenty of salt and pepper, then lightly dredge the shank pieces. Set a large, heavy-based pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 swirls of olive oil to coat pot, then care- fully add the shanks to the pot and brown all over. Remove the shanks to a plate and set aside. Toss in the garlic, carrots, onion, bay leaf, thyme, and cloves. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, browning the vegetables, then add wine and beef stock, and then the barley. Return the shanks to the pan. Cover and roast in the oven for 2 hours. When the 2 hours are almost up, peel the potatoes and cut in half lengthwise. Remove from oven and arrange potatoes on top to completely cover the stew, cut side down (you may have to cut some of the potato pieces smaller to fit). Place back in the oven uncovered and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through, until the potatoes are cooked. Garnish with parsley sprigs before serving. O

Eating quality, delicious meals is easy when all the work is done for you. Hire a personal chef to prepare your dinners, Shabbos meals, or small parties. For more information, contact Take Home Chef personal chef services by calling 516-596- 8865, writing to [email protected], or visiting www.TakeHomeChef.net. 38 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 25, 2009 39 Kosherica Presents ‘Pesach Hotel Of The World’ Program

Kosherica’s 2010 Pesach hotel program gets under way this spring at the Miami Biltmore Resort and Spa. The program combines a five-star vacation experience with signature glatt Kosher, chalav Yisrael, and pas Yisrael gourmet meals at affordable prices. While some Passover programs easily exceed $4,000 or $5,000 per person, Kosherica’s seven-day luxury Passover packages—complete with full board and Sedarim—start at $3,480 in the United States or Israel. And Kosherica value- added cruises begin at $1,600. (All price quotes are per person, double occupancy.)

“Kosherica’s long-established tradition: combining the best in luxurious kosher travel with affordable pricing.”

Since its founding in 1996, Kosherica has brought more passengers to international ports of call at affordable prices than all other kosher cruise companies combined. “As the company that started it all, we’ve set the bar high. And we keep setting it higher and higher,” says Kosherica owner and CEO Yehuda Shifman. “No other company knows better how to combine honest value with five-star luxury. Our new leading Pesach Hotel of the World program is the perfect example of Kosherica’s long-established tradition: combining the best in luxurious kosher travel with affordable pricing.” Kosherica has set new standards at sea—with an extensive menu of luxury cruises to exotic ports of call—and on land, with luxurious Passover programs. And it’s no secret Kosherica’s full-service packages nourish both body and soul. This family-owned business offers everything from meaningful Shabbos services, inspiring lectures with scholars-in-residence, daf yomi classes, and minyanim to top-notch live concerts with Jewish head- liners, all-women’s dance classes, movie screenings, mixers, and more. For a Passover vacation different from all others, escape kosher l’Pesach style to three fantastic venues: Miami’s legendary Biltmore Golf Resort and Spa, Israel’s wonderful Moriah Plaza Tiberias, and Ramat Rachel resort in Jerusalem. Packages begin erev Pesach, Tuesday, March 30, with optional pre- and post- holiday hotel night add-ons at each location. Shorter packages are also available at adjusted rates. 40 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION The elegant and tranquil Enjoy wet and dry saunas, hot and sedarim. York harbor. Packages, which Benjamin Warschawski, Aaron Miami Biltmore Golf Resort and cold Jacuzzis, an outdoor include all meals, singles pro- Shifman, Yanky Rosenfeld, and Spa is a European-style pool, and a wealth of spa treat- Cruises gramming, and one complimen- Binyamin Helfgot, Shloma national historic landmark list- ments ranging from Swedish, A cruise-within-a-cruise, all tary pre-cruise session with a Simcha, Barol Zucker, Daniel ed among the luxurious sports, and tai, to shiatsu, Reiki Kosherica sailings are well sup- seasoned dating coach, start at Gildar, and Amiran Dvir & Band. “Leading Hotels of the World.” meditation, Aior-veda, and ported by Jewish programming, $2,350. This cruise is already sell- Note: additional singles pro- Grand hotel rooms and suites more. Nearby attractions Shabbos services, Jewish musi- ing out fast, so book soon for gram is available in conjunction are paired with a world-class include the legendary Hamat cal entertainment, specialized optimal cabin selection. For with JSinglesCruise.com. spa offering a plethora of treat- Tiveria hot springs, boating, excursions of Jewish interest, more information, visit jsingle- Underexplored Mediterranean, ments, as well as a 10,000- water skiing, parasailing, and midnight buffets, and much scruise.com, write infojsingle- June 20–27. Features world- square-foot modern fitness cen- easy access to the best of Israel’s more aboard five-star luxury lin- [email protected], or call 917- renowned Cantor Motzen. Say ter, an 18-hole Donald Ross- excursions, including horseback ers. Fine dining on all Kosherica 952-4033. hello to colorful Italy, Spain, and designed golf course, 10 tennis riding, wine tasting, and day cruises is strictly glatt kosher, Western Caribbean, January Malta from the decks of the courts, and the renowned over- trips to the historic holy city of chalav Yisrael, and pas Yisrael, 17–24. Escape the winter blues brand-new Costa Cruises sized Biltmore pool. Tsfat. This year’s scholar-in-resi- with gourmet cuisine prepared when Costa Cruises Fortuna Pacifica. Departing from Rome Keeping with its tradition, dence is Rabbi Daniel Beller. by a full professional culinary hosts Kosherica’s Yeshiva and surrounded by the Medi- Kosherica invites a brilliant Seven-night packages include all staff and maritime mashgichim. Week/Spiritual Wellness Cruise terranean’s turquoise waters, thinker and teacher for insight- meals, tea room, Jewish pro- Prices begin at $1,600 for an to Nassau, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, explore exotic underexplored ful classes, holiday derashos, and gramming, and Sedarim. inside stateroom, based on dou- Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. ports of call in Tunis, Malta, and on-site rabbinic leadership. Last In the pine-covered hills of ble occupancy. Cabin and all Special guests in residence: Sicily in luxury. year’s scholar-in-residence, for the Jerusalem forest, the Ramat meals are included. Spa services, renowned psychotherapists Best of Mediterranean, July example, was Rabbi Marc Rachel Hotel complex merges excursions, gratuities, and Rabbi M. Gary Neuman and Dr. 26–August 2. Newsweek named Schneier, named by Newsweek with the city’s green belt of nat- round-trip transportation to Yael Respler. Rabbi Marvin Hier the “number magazine as one of America’s ural woods and picturesque point of departure are addition- Eastern Caribbean, January one most influential rabbi in top 50 rabbis. Seven-night pack- landscape. Here, in the heart of al costs. 24–31. Join Kosherica’s Jewish America.” All Aboard Holland ages starting at $3,480 include the Jewish world, the Old City JSinglesCruise.com. It’s not Music Festival at Sea as it sails to America and cruise the all meals, a sumptuous tea calls, archaeological remains too late for singles to get a head St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Mediterranean and you will room, Jewish programming, and testify to the history of the start with Kosherica’s upcoming Rico, and Grand Turks aboard experience Europe the way it is two complete glatt kosher Jewish people, and an exclusive joint venture aboard JSingles the Costa Cruises Fortuna. Enjoy meant to be experienced—on a Passover Seders. Interested country club, spa, swimming Cruise, August 1 with a romantic an astounding roster of special glatt kosher gourmet cruise that physicians should register early pool, and fitness center cater to journey along the beautiful musical guests: Dudu Fisher, visits some of the most thrilling for medical conferences. modern needs for rest and coast of New England. The luxu- Avraham Fried, Benzion Miller, cities in the Mediterranean— On the shores of Lake relaxation. Seven-night pack- rious Celebrity Summit offers a Naftali Hershtik, Yaakov Rome, Barcelona, Cannes, La Kinneret, the Moriah Plaza ages include all meals, tea convenient departure with Motzen, Yaakov Stark, Netanel Tiberias indulges the senses. room, Jewish programming, round-trip sailing from New Hershtik, Avi Albrecht, Continued on Page 43

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 25, 2009 41 Gala Chanukah Concert Held To by the Yitzy Bald choir. In their first per- Benefit Cahal And Tova formance ever, the 30 young boys Cahal, the Community-Wide Special between the ages of 7 to 13 amazed every- Education Program, held its third annual one with their poise, sweet voices, and fundraising concert on Motzaei Shabbos melodic harmony. Yehuda Green dazzled Chanukah, December 12 at Lawrence the crowd with his Carlebach-style ener- High School. As part of their joint getic singing and dancing. It seemed as if fundraising campaign, the Tova Shlomo himself was performing. Shloime Mentoring Program also benefited from Dachs, a favorite amongst the attendees, the proceeds of the concert. The concert gave another spirited, crowd-pleasing per- featured Shloime Dachs, who also coordi- formance. His 13-year-old son, Dovid, sang nated the entertainment for the evening, beautifully in segments with him and the Yehuda Green, and the debut perform- choir. The crowd of mostly families with ance of the The Yitzy Bald Boys Choir. young children was inspired by the per- Exceptional music by the Shloime Dachs formers and their beautiful songs. At sev- Orchestra accompanied the performers. eral times during the concert, men and The concert was sold-out with nearly 800 young boys jumped up into spontaneous people in attendance. dancing with the performers on stage. Avi Begun opened the show, followed The ruach was incredible and the entire

Top: Shloime Dachs and the Yitzy Bald Boys Choir. Middle: Yehuda Green. Bottom: Shloime Dachs and his son Dovid.

night proved to be a true simchas Chanukah celebration The many sponsors who contributed to the concert helped make the event a huge success. This is Cahal and Tova’s largest fundraising event of the year. CAHAL is a special education program of self-contained classes for children with learning disabilities from kindergarten through high school. Since 1992, Cahal has educated hundreds of Jewish children with learning disabilities in the Five Towns, Far Rockaway, greater Nassau County, Queens, and Brooklyn. This year Cahal is educating 110 children in 12 classes in 11 local yeshivas. The TOVA Mentoring Program, established in 1997, provides a big brother or sister to our local children who are demonstrating at-risk behavior. Tova is mentoring nearly 100 of our yeshiva students this year. O

Meaningful Prayer: A Personal Experience In Woodmere By Rachael B. Goldberg One recent Sunday morning, I watched more than 400 people; adults and students, parents and children, young and old, fill the DRS beis midrash in Woodmere—flooding to an event that didn’t even provide bagels and coffee.

Continued on Page 44 42 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION Kosherica Continued from Page 41 Valleta, Trapani, and Santa Margerita. Ancient Mediterranean, August 6–16—Orthodox Union cruise featuring Steve Savitsky and Rabbi Weil of the OU. Rome, Naples, Santorini, Ephesus, Athens, Corfu, Debrovnik, and Venice await during ten luxurious nights aboard the stunning new ship Celebrity Equinox. Enjoy classic architecture and a glimpse of the ancient Roman Empire as you explore remnants of a lost world. This cruise sails round- trip from Italy. Bermuda, July 25–August 1. The stunning sands beckon during this summer escape to the ports of Bermuda: St. George’s and Hamilton. Travel in luxury round trip from New York. Canada and New England, August 1–8. Windswept head- lands, charming lighthouses, and historic ports are among the sweet sights aboard this Celebrity Summit departure from Cape Liberty for Portland, Maine. Additional ports of call include Bar Harbor, Maine; St. John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Gems of the Baltic, August 8–15. Featuring Rabbi Riskin (founding rabbi of the Lincoln Square Synagogue and head rabbi in Efrat). From the Little Mermaid’s Copenhagen, embark on a Northern European adventure. Taste the grandeur of St. Petersburg, the hospitality of Stockholm, the fascination of Helsinki, and the charm of Old World Tallin Estonia on this memorable exploration of far- away lands. Take an archipelago cruise or tour the Arctic Circle, and immerse yourself in the history, culture, and beauty of the Baltic. Alaska, June 20–27 and July 25–August 1. Featuring Rabbi Elazar Muskin, spiritual leader of Young Israel of Century City (June 20) and scholar-in-residence Rabbi Basil Herring, chief executive of the Rabbinical Council of America (July 25). There is no better way to explore Alaska’s breathtaking beauty than a cruise. With Kosherica’s Inside Passage tours aboard the five-star Holland America’s Osterdam, you’ll witness the breathtaking natural beauty of this wild country. Stunning blue glaciers, majestic humpback whales, and misty fjords are just a few of the mem- ories you’ll bring home from Seattle, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria (British Columbia). For more information and reservations, visit www.kosherica .com, write information@kosherica.com, or call 305-695-2700 (Florida), 02-991-0044 (Israel), or 877-724-5567 (toll-free). O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION December 25, 2009 43 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 42 Both the first and second floor of the beis midrash overflowed with attendees. Some even stood in the doorway, eager to participate in a presentation about a pressing issue for the Jewish community; not anti- Semitism, not Israeli politics, not the economy, but tefillah. The Jewish people often focus on shiurim and community issues such as kashrus and tzedakah which are of undeni- ably crucial importance to our religion. While doing so, however, we frequently neglect the status of our relationship with G-d through prayer—on Shabbat, during the week, in a minyan, and even while praying alone. Rabbi Ephraim Epstein Rabbi Mayer Twersky

With one hand on a cell phone texting, our minds wandering with thoughts about work, school, and bills, and one foot out the door before we finish saying Aleinu, it’s no wonder we need a symposium on tefillah. We are distracted and detached. Perhaps it’s not only due to tech- nological toys, but also a lack of understanding of our prayers and their powerful nature. Thankfully, the Orthodox Union, in partnership with Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future, addressed this oft-neglected, yet beautiful component of Judaism by inviting three well-known rabbis to share their profound reflections and suggestions on the topic. The program is part of the Orthodox Union’s Tefilla Initiative, under the direction of Frank Buchweitz, OU director of community services and special projects. The purpose of the initiative is to help inspire a greater appreciation of and participation in tefillah, geared for both rabbis as well as congregants. Rabbi Ephraim Epstein of Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, NJ, who writes the OU’s weekly Tefilla Tips that can be found on the oucommunity .org website, began the program with a d’var Torah. Rav Moshe Weinberger of Aish Kodesh in Woodmere began, “The very fact that a person prays at all demonstrates his trust in Hashem, in the Creator.” In his presentation, the rav provided confidence and optimism for the Jewish community. It seems that growth in the area of prayer might require a boost in self-confidence: “Believing in G-d isn’t enough,” Rav Weinberger said. “We have to believe in our own existence; that at every moment our neshamah is praying to G-d… longing for the Creator without any interruption at all.” As Rav Weinberger elaborat- ed on the nature and importance of prayer, I understood 44 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES TRAVEL SECTION

that perhaps neglecting tefillah is a result tion about its magnitude. of underestimating its power. It is quite I understand that the OU will be going disheartening that in a synagogue that I to many communities in the Metropolitan attended recently for Shabbat, the rabbi New York area with a variety of speakers to requested quiet from the congregation underscore the importance of a greater more than five times in one service, while understanding and appreciation of our there were numerous disruptions result- tefillos, which will only lead to a stronger ing from congregants’ late arrivals. When connection with G-d. I told this story to one tefillah sympo- Tefillah is the way in which we main- sium attendee, she nodded her head in tain a relationship with G-d and cope agreement, informing me that, for a with the anxieties of life, “sharing” our while, she stopped attending shul burdens with Him, so to speak. Without Rosh Mesivta Zev Meir Friedman, Principal Yotav Eliach, and Associate Principal because she found it too distracting. preparation, concentration, and consis- Peretz Hochbaum congratulate the future YU honors students at Rambam. While it’s wonderful that we pray, Rav tency, we cannot maximize our prayer. As Weinberger said, there is nevertheless a young adult, I feel blessed as I am in a something missing in our faith in G-d. unique position to establish meaningful December 14, with notices that they had with the honors program designation. Until we truly realize that we are capable tefillah as part of my daily life, and to been accepted to the prestigious program. The program requires a minimum GPA of communicating with our Creator, we carry it over into my adult life as well. The Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein of 90 and at least 1270 combined score in will be unable to pray properly. As the rav Rachael B. Goldberg is a senior at Stern Honors Program at Yeshiva College chal- critical reasoning and mathematics on fervently declared from the lectern, College. O lenges outstanding students to reach their SATs. The four Rambam seniors “Daven to G-d in your own language. Make their full potential. The program stresses greatly exceeded those requirements. every moment a dialogue with G-d.” The YU Accepts All Four Honors critical analysis, creativity, cultural Among them, the GPAs ranged from 96.26 audience sat thoughtful and attentive. Program Applicants From Rambam enrichment, research, individual mentor- to 101.21 and combined SAT scores from It was clear to me that as long as we Jacob Bernstein, Jonathan Drory, ing, and both oral and written communi- 1390 to 1490. They had to submit letters of view prayer as a burdensome, boring, Shmuel Herzberg, and Gavriel Novick suc- cation skills. Students who fulfill all of recommendation from faculty members meaningless, and rote ritual, we cannot cessfully undertook the rigorous Yeshiva the honors program requirements have or school officials, write an essay, and be improve our relationship with G-d. Each University Honors Program application the honors distinction noted on their rabbi presented a different perspective process and were rewarded on Monday, transcripts and receive special diplomas Continued on Page 46 on this idea. After Rav Weinberger, Rabbi Mayer Twersky, rosh yeshiva of RIETS at Yeshiva University, approached the stage and discussed the anomalous nature of prayer, noting that we seem to approach G-d with a laundry list of requests. Rabbi Twersky emphasized the need for prayer in submission to G-d, and reminded the audience that all our needs are depend- ent on G-d alone, that our tefillah should be urgent regardless of what we perceive as an emergency. “Kavanah isn’t an optional aspect of prayer,” Rabbi Twersky said. “It’s crucial. And it’s almost impossible to have without proper preparation and meditation. Without hachanah (preparation), prayer is guaranteed to be a losing battle.” Although we sometimes approach prayer with a “come late, leave early” attitude, prayer cannot be “coasted through,” Rabbi Twersky explained. “We need to have an understanding that G-d is right there and we are standing in front of the King of Kings.” Designating adequate time for prayer is difficult when one’s schedule is packed. And I’m sure that many college students, like me, are engaged in an ongoing war with their alarm clock. But it’s true: immersing oneself in prayer is difficult in a state of sleep deprivation or while hur- rying out the door. The final speaker, Rabbi Eli Mansour of Congregation Bet Yaakob of Brooklyn, introduced the concept of prayer as a device not only to request new things, but to sustain the already existent bless- ings in one’s life; and to sustain one’s own existence. “The Jewish people as a nation have survived through prayer,” Rabbi Mansour declared. Listening to three insightful presenta- tions on prayer and witnessing the pas- sion and commitment demonstrated by such a strong turnout at a Sunday-morning symposium, I felt renewed, relieved, hopeful, and encouraged—eager to embrace and promote the attitude that tefillah is an opportunity; it is the Jewish people’s most powerful tool on an individual and collective level; not burdensome, but empowering. One symposium attendee told me that he often contem- plates the idea of “being G-d’s child” as a premise to meaningful prayer and reflec- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS General Schwarzfork teaches survival Continued from Page 45 techniques for eating at the kiddush. Marc tells funny stories and uses uproari- interviewed by YU admissions officials. ously funny and inventive Jewish props Their educational careers at Rambam to keep everyone laughing. The New York have been extremely challenging, marked Times calls Marc Weiner “a gifted comic,” with many honors and advanced place- and many may recognize him from his ment courses. All four also had an exten- shows on Nickelodeon and his spots on sive list of extracurricular activities rang- Saturday Night Live, Comic Strip Live, ing from academic to athletic teams, and Comedy Central, and many other shows. out-of-school activities including tutoring The evening begins at 8:30 p.m. with a and advanced scientific research. Chinese buffet. Admission is $25 per per- Rabbi Murray Sragow, YU associate son. Reservations are appreciated. Call director of undergraduate admissions, 516-295-2478 or visit www.chabad thanked Rosh Hamesivta Zev Meir 5towns.com. O Friedman, Principal Yotav Eliach, and Associate Principal Peretz Hochbaum for Bnot Shulamith sending the university “four extremely Joins Science Revolution well qualified candidates… We are excited Magnets, Matter, and Man-eating at the prospect of continuing the work Plants—that’s only the beginning of the that you have done with these wonderful powerful push at Bnot Shulamith to Bnot Shulamith fourth-grade students exploring electromagnetic circuitry. students. These students will be leaders encourage interest and ability in science of the Jewish community in the next gen- education. The push is against the tide of eration, and we are honored to be part of research findings that show girls are far cant advantage in science studies. related questions. their education. We wish you many years less interested in science by the time “It’s never too early to help the girls During a trip to the Queen’s Farm of continued pride from all these out- they reach eighth grade, compared to develop a sense of curiosity about sci- Museum this November, Bnot standing students.” O eighth grade boys. A new science pro- ence,” says Mrs. Borah. “The Bnot Shulamith’s first grade was shocked to gram in Bnot Shulamith elementary Shulamith program is unique because of discover that pumpkins float despite Have a Ha Ha Havdalah! At Chabad, school is a step in the right direction to its focus on the earliest grades,” she says. their enormous size. Back in school, the January 9 reverse the trend. “When the girls have a chance to actually girls dissected a pumpkin to study its var- Chabad of the Five Towns invites This September, veteran educator Mrs. do the experiments themselves, they’re ious parts and count the seeds, before everyone to enjoy a night on the town Andrea Borah joined the elementary boosting their knowledge, skills, and con- recording their findings in “leaf books” including kosher food and kosher come- school faculty as the elementary school fidence in science.” and charts. dy—you can daven there too if you science coordinator. Her “rolling science The rolling science lab schedule The third graders directed their atten- want—all at the Jean Fischman Chabad lab” goes from classroom to classroom in and activities are connected to week- tion to a considerably lighter matter. Or, Center, 74 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst. a unique effort to expand and enhance ly classroom science units, and con- perhaps not… During a science lab ses- Enjoy the comedic stylings of Marc the science curriculum in Bnot form to the current New York State sion devoted to exploring the properties Weiner as he discusses “Kiddush—the Shulamith’s first through fourth grades. science curriculum. In each lab ses- of gas and air, using balloons and scales, Ultimate Battleground.” The rolling lab program is part of an sion, Mrs. Borah groups students into the girls discovered that air, which In this funny and delightfully insight- increasing, across-the-board emphasis in small teams to perform hands-on, age appears to be weightless, is actually ful look into becoming a traditional Jew, Bnot Shulamith to give the girls a signifi- appropriate experiments and answer quite heavy!

46 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Meanwhile, it took an entire month Mrs. Bowe agrees. “My students are a for the fourth grades to complete their complete delight. Using sign language fil- exhaustive study of magnetism and ters into every aspect of their lives. In electricity. Mrs. Borah divided each class addition to signing Hebrew and English into smaller groups which were asked songs, fairy tales, and short stories, girls to explore magnets, create their own have even learned to sign the Pesach magnets and magnetic fields, and to cre- Seder. Some have used their newly ate a closed electric circuit to power a acquired knowledge to teach their sib- light bulb. lings sign language.” Taking on a rather different form of The girls are equally effusive in their magnetism, the second grade class was praise. A former student relates, “In introduced to the “man-eating” Venus-fly- addition to the growth I experienced in trap, and prickly desert cacti, in their study Mrs. Bowe’s class, I connected with a of plant and animal environments. O culture that I was previously unfamil- iar with; ASL is not typically taught to The Roar Of Silence: Mrs. Phyllis Bowe and her 9th-grade class at SKA demonstrate the sign for family. hearing people.” Sign-Language Classes At SKA However, with the latest trend of “It’s so much fun! I love it and I’m learning sign language to communicate learning so much! It’s one of my favorite classes. The sign-language segments also proud to see our girls integrate with babies, SKA students are certainly classes!” are some of the most inspiring parts their sign-language skills with their ahead of the curve! O American Sign Language has become of SKA’s Shabbaton and Production; chesed work with the special-needs one of the most popular foreign lan- performing songs using the skills population of the broader community.” Continued on Page 48 guages taught in high schools and univer- they’ve acquired, girls put their abili- sities across the country; recent estimates ties to use during their high-school claim that it is the third-most-common careers. Many girls have also incorpo- language used in the United States. rated what they’ve learned into their The Stella K. Abraham High School for post-high-school activities, enabling Girls in Hewlett has been offering this them to pursue careers as interpreters class to the 11th and 12th grades since the for the deaf. early years of the school. This year, the How did ASL become one of the 9th-grade students were given the oppor- most well-liked classes in the school? tunity of taking this class to fulfill the Mrs. Helen Spirn, SKA’s principal, foreign-language requirement, as an explains, “Originally, this course was alternative to Spanish. SKA is the only presented as a senior elective in yeshiva to offer sign language to fresh- response to students’ requests. As its men, a move that met with a very enthu- popularity expanded in such a positive siastic response! way, we thought it would be wonderful Calling American Sign Language to offer it to our 9th-grade girls, given “pretty” and “unique,” students each that sign language is so visual and is year eagerly enroll in Mrs. Phyllis accessible for all students of varying Bowe’s interactive and entertaining skills and abilities. They love it! We’re

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Sunday evening, January 31, The one’s deep feelings of loss. Continued from Page 47 dinner chairmen, Moshe Feuer, How can one adequately Evan Genack, Tzvi Perl, and Jeff describe a legend? An individual TAG Dinner, January 31 Weinberg feel that as the first who impacts upon thousands, Torah Academy for Girls will yarhzheit approaches on Shevat an individual who changed the dedicate its 47th Annual Dinner 28, this dinner will be a concrete face of a community, an individ- in memory of their beloved and way for the TAG family to ual whose legacy will live on unforgettable dean, Harav demonstrate its appreciation for long after he is gone. Who can Moshe Weitman, z’l. The dinner all that Rabbi Weitman, z’l, forget the anguish, the terrible is scheduled to be held, iy’H, on accomplished along with every- sense of loss, when after months of illness our mentor and role model, the unforgettable Rabbi Weitman, left this world? The news reached the high school girls at the conclusion of the second performance of their outstanding concert and as they bravely concluded, they could not contain their tears backstage and sought comfort from each other and their heart- broken teachers. It is hard to visualize the Far Rockaway community of 1964. The idea of a Bais Yaakov was not welcomed by many in the community who did not understand the need for an all girls school. So, with a student body of 70 students in grades K-7, the founders of the school sought a menahel who would literally build a Bais Yaakov school that would win acceptance for its excellence in limudei kodesh and limudei chol. They found such a person in Rabbi Moshe Weitman, a young dynamic rabbi with obvious leadership qualities who had previously served the Monticello community. One has only to look at the amazing growth of TAG to appreciate how much koach, energy, determination, and, of course, siyata dishmaya went into building the school. The growth of TAG has directly influ- enced the growth of not only Far Rockaway but the Five Towns as well. Through the efforts of many dedicated parents, community members, principals, and teachers, the dream of a vibrant Bais Yaakov has become a reality. At the helm, actively directing each aspect of the school, was Rabbi Moshe Weitman, whose loss can never be adequately meas- ured but whose hadrachah will always be treasured. Rabbi Weitman forged a personal kesher with so many of his students. During the shivah, hundreds of stories were recounted regarding some of the seemingly unimportant issues which meant so much to a young girl and left such a deep impression. The words that the rabbi was “like a father to me” kept repeating themselves over and over. This connection left an indelible imprint on so many of his students. Many pointed out that although their families were not typical TAG families and even though quite often their parents were unable or unwilling to pay even a mini-

Continued on Page 50 48 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS of not accepting honors and being duly Continued from Page 48 recognized for the myriad contribu- tions that he has made to our commu- mum amount of tuition, Rabbi Weitman nity, Dr. Moshe Katz, with his wife would accept them into the school based Hinda, has agreed to accept the inaugu- upon the fact that they sincerely wanted ral Rabbi Moshe Weitman Memorial to grow and develop into Bnos Yisrael. So Award at the Annual Dinner of Torah many former students feel that the main Academy for Girls. Receiving this award reason that they are so different from the is a natural outgrowth of the special rest of their extended families is due to bond and mutual admiration that Rav the fact that they were given the opportu- Moshe Weitman and Dr. Moshe Katz nity to attend TAG. shared for over 45 years. Beyond shar- Rabbi Weitman derived much nachas ing first names, they shared a dream to from “his girls.” Nothing made him happi- create a Bais Yaakov in the wastelands er than having an alumnae return to TAG of what was Far Rockaway in the 1960s! with her own daughter, anxious to pro- He also joined together with a group of vide her child with the same exemplary like-minded friends to establish the TAG chinuch that she was privileged to Yeshiva of South Shore. But Dr. Moshe receive. Lately, quite a few granddaugh- Katz was no stranger to dreams. He Dr. Moshe Katz, recipient of the ters of original students have enrolled at Dr. Marc Friedman, lived through the nightmare of the TAG Parent of the Year. Rabbi Moshe Weitman Memorial Award. TAG. As a noted mohel, the rabbi often Holocaust, as he so vividly portrays in brought the sons of his alumnae into the his bestselling book Nine Out of Ten. Dr bris of Avraham Avinu, strengthening the Katz feels he has a mission to teach the kesher even further. The rabbi was also be featured at the dinner. There will also Moshe Weitman Memorial Award to be next generations about the Holocaust involved in performing brisim for many be a special memorial section in the jour- presented annually to those who exem- and he lectures whenever he is asked. Russian olim and helped raise money to nal. Honorary Dinner Chairman, Dr. plify the ideals that Rabbi Weitman He teaches a Holocaust study course in sponsor seudos mitzvos for them. Boruch Adler, notes that the board of espoused in his life. TAG High School and in the Yeshiva of A moving video memorial tribute will directors of TAG has instituted the Rabbi Despite a long standing family policy Far Rockaway. Dr. Katz became the first president of the TAG Board of Directors and has served as president for many terms. It is TAG’s good fortune that it never believed in “term limits.” Through all its ups and downs, building campaigns, hir- ing of new principals, and most certainly budgetary crises, Dr. Katz worked hand in hand with Rabbi Weitman. As he so poignantly puts it “Ours was not only a working relationship. It was a close loving relationship as well. As a confidant, I got to see so many things that I admired about him. His sincerity, his determination to do the right thing, his strong stand to preserve his principles, and his wealth of Torah knowledge and proper hashkafas were real life lessons that he shared with all his students, including myself.” As a successful businessman, Dr. Katz worked hard not only to support his family but to help support TAG as well. Almost every yeshiva or community insti- tution has its roots in the Katz home. He remembers when Harav Shlomo Freifeld, z’l, came to his home to describe the kind of yeshiva he wanted to found here in Far Rockaway. Dr. Katz helped arrange for the yeshiva to use the Agudah’s shul. If Dr. Katz was the president, his wonderful wife Leah, a’h, could be considered the first lady. Soft spoken and a lady in every way, Leah was active in the Women’s League and supported all of her husband’s efforts on behalf of the school. Today, the TAG High School auditorium proudly bears her name as a fitting memorial to her kesher .with TAG Blessed with finding a second wife, Mrs. Hinda Katz is a true eizer k’negdo. She is supportive of all his communal activities which include being a much sought after mediator, along with being active in Agudath Israel of Long Island where they daven. Mrs. Katz regularly attends the Ohel Sara Amen Group and enjoys the many shiurim that take place there on a regular basis. Her bright, warm, and cheery personality have won her many new friends in the community. Journal Chairmen David Klein and Yaakov Spinner are delighted to share the news that TAG has selected Marc and Sharon Friedman to receive its Parents of 50 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the Year Award at the dinner. Marc and Sharon Friedman are the proud parents of six children, bli eiyin ha’ra. Their TAG girls, Aliza, who is in fourth grade, and Deena, who is in kindergarten, are enjoying the special TAG chinuch and bringing their parents tremendous nachas . TAG looks forward to welcoming baby Rikki as soon as she is old enough for nursery. All the Friedman boys, Shauli, Azi, and Yoni, attend Yeshiva Darchei Torah. Marc is extremely busy in his real estate and development firm, yet he always finds time to learn and has spent many years learning in Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv. Sharon works as a school psychologist in Yeshiva Darchei Torah and still finds time in her busy schedule to serve as Treasurer of their Women’s League. The Friedmans daven in Sh’or Yoshuv which is a second home to the Friedman family. The Friedman mishpachah forged a special kesher with the illustri- ous and electrifying Reb Shlomo Freifeld, z’l, which resulted in the establishment of Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv. This kesher has been strengthened through the involvement of the entire Friedman family since the yeshiva’s inception. Sharon’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Schuster, are also wonderful role models and were actively involved in mosdos in their community of Riverdale. The Friedman home is imbued with Torah values and as any Shabbos guests can attest, the atmosphere is full of good food along with the special aura of an authentic Shabbos table. The Friedman home and yard attract many young guests who join the Friedman children every Shabbos. While the Friedmans shun the lime- light, hakaras hatov is so ingrained in them that they were motivated to graciously accept this award. They are truly grateful that their daughters are thriving in TAG with wonderful moros, teachers, and principals who are instilling in them a love for learning and hashkafos that will be the very foundation of their lives. TAG is indeed fortunate to have such dedicated parents who are true partners in its efforts to produce authentic Bnos Yisrael. It is obvious that Marc and Sharon are both beneficiaries of a Torahdik mesorah with a strong emphasis on communal responsibility handed down from their parents. We are confi- dent that their children will be the ultimate beneficiaries as they pass the torch to the next generation. For more information about the dinner, please visit www.tagdinner.org or call 718-471-8444, ext. 214. O

Continued on Page 52

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS learning groups, executive learning in Continued from Page 51 business offices, women’s programs and events, high school programs, Shabbos Aish Connecticut Chanukah Party placement, Shabbattons, world The all new Aish HaTorah of renowned speakers, and more! O Connecticut hosted a huge Chanukah celebration in Fairfield just days after three Invest With AMIT And Gain masked men carrying Nazi flags and Valuable Tax Benefits! shouting obscenities disrupted the Since 1925, AMIT has enriched the Chabad’s candle lighting ceremony in the lives of thousands of children in Israel. same neighborhood. The event, spon- Today, more than 20,000 children and sored in conjunction with the JCC of young people study and are cared for in Eastern Fairfield County, drew an AMIT’s schools, youth villages, child unprecedented crowd from the local havens, and other facilities in 23 cities, Jewish community, including elected development towns, and other commu- officials, dignitaries, and the Chief of nities located throughout Israel. By par- Police, all of whom attended to show ticipating in AMIT’s Planned Giving their solidarity with the Jewish celebra- Program, you can help the children of tion of Chanukah. The Neo-Nazis fled Rabbi Yisroel Tepper lights the menorah at Aish HaTorah of Connecticut. Israel for generations to come. when the police arrived. AMIT has designed a host of planned Aish HaTorah of Connecticut, under giving opportunities that can be adapt- the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Yisroel majority of whom are not observant. The Yisrael, and special training in a kiruv ed to your individual lifestyle and cir- Tepper, is a new and important resource Aish HaTorah office is planning to extend semichah program in Aish HaTorah cumstances. It is a service that AMIT for the Jewish community of Fairfield, its reach to all of Connecticut. Areas such Yerushalayim. offers at no cost to you and at no obliga- Connecticut. Rabbi Tepper led the can- as Greenwich, Stamford, and Wallingford “It is a source of deep satisfaction tion on your part. AMIT will work with dle lighting ceremony, and along with have already shown interest. when I see how meaningful our con- your advisors to help in the design of his devoted wife Sarah, created an Rabbi Tepper is passionate about the cern is to other people. After staying your financial, estate, and tax plans. inspiring evening that featured live work he is doing in Connecticut. “I look with us for a Shabbos, a young woman Your Planned Gift provides valuable tax Jewish music, traditional Chanukah del- at my work in a very personal way. For sent us a beautiful and emotional card benefits; provides life income for your- icacies such as latkes and doughnuts, each individual whom I meet, I believe in the mail. It’s amazing how a simple self or a loved one; allows you to main- Chanukah gift packages, and profession- that if I don’t reach out to that person, gesture to another person truly touches tain or even increase your own income; al family photos. Many unaffiliated no one else will,” he explains. “My goal them and may change their lives,” allows you to honor or memorialize a Jewish families participated in the is to make Yiddishkeit alive and real to observes Sarah Tepper. Along with her loved one; allows you to retain control event, which is an indication of many people, so that they can live it, enjoy it, husband, she is busy creating a vibrant over your assets; and lets you designate great things to come from the new Aish and pass it on to future generations.” and welcoming center for Jewish life in a legacy to AMIT. HaTorah facility. His warm, energetic personality is per- Connecticut. A strong Israel begins with the chil- Having opened just before Rosh fectly suited to the task at hand—that is, Aish HaTorah of Connecticut will be dren. Your generosity to AMIT today will Hashanah, the new Aish HaTorah of to bring Yiddishkeit to the entire unaffil- offering the following services and help fulfill their dreams for tomorrow. To Connecticut has been warmly welcomed iated Jewish population of Connecticut. events: weekly classes at the JCC, chil- find out about the many Planned Gift by the local and surrounding communi- Rabbi Tepper’s broad range of training dren’s Shabbos get togethers, children’s programs offered by AMIT, please call 212- ties, which boast over 110,000 Jews, the includes years of learning in Eretz programs, Discovery Seminars, home 477-4730 or visit www.amitchildren.org. O

52 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

When Taking Is Giving By Sharon Weissman On the nineteenth of Kislev, December 6, the Far Rockaway/Five Towns community mourned the death of a very special woman, Naomi Sochet a’h, who was nifteres at the young age of 45. There are many lessons to be learned from Naomi’s life. Those who knew her said that, despite her illness and her frequent setbacks, Naomi never once questioned Hashem and never complained about her lot. During the shivah, visitors spoke of the beautiful chesed that Naomi brought to our community, allowing so many, through her illness, the opportunity to give. These accounts can serve as lessons to us all, but

Naomi Sochet there was one story in particular that had a profound impact on me, one which I hope will remain with me forever. During the shivah , Naomi’s husband, Yechiel, related to me the following story. After Naomi had already been sick for a number of years, a neighbor came over to ask if she could borrow a cup of sugar. With tear-filled eyes, Yechiel told me that with her simple request for sugar, the neighbor had unknowingly done the greatest chesed of all. She gave his wife the ability to give. How much Naomi must have wanted to give! She was so excited for this opportunity! This taught me a new form of giving. A giver is not only one who gives, but one who allows others to give by being open to receive. While Hashem does not “need” our mitzvos,He allows us to do them and “give” to him for our own benefit. By allowing others to give even when we may not need, we are emulating Hashem. On yud tes Kislev the Baal Hatanya was released from prison. It was suggested that on yud tes Kislev,Naomi too was released from prison. She will no longer suffer the yissurim of this world. She is finally at peace. May the many lessons we learned from this very special woman guide us in the future and may Naomi be a melitzah yesharah for her family, the community, and for all of K’lal Yisrael. O

SHACDoes It Again! On Thursday, December 10, SHAC, the Shmiras Halashon Action Committee, held its annual yom iyun at the Jewish Center Nachat Zion in Flatbush. Two hundred and fifty girls representing nine

Continued on Page 54 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS schools across the country and in Continued from Page 53 Canada. Mrs. Jacobs mentioned that the third Beis HaMikdash schools in the greater New will be rebuilt, iy’H, when we York/New Jersey region partici- combat lashon ha’ra, and all pated in the gathering held in members of SHAC will be very Rabbi Gil Frieman’s shul. The proud to see its plaque hanging girls came from as far as the Rae in the Beis Hamikdash. She spoke Kushner Yeshiva in Livingston, about the power of speech and New Jersey to Hebrew Academy the impact that one word can of Nassau County in West have. Speech can either be posi- Hempstead. The yom iyun was At the annual yom iyun. tive, empowering people around sponsored by the Chofetz us, or it can be negative, destroy- Chaim Foundation and focused Jacobs, founder of SHAC. She said between her and other friends school, HANC. From that talk ing those around us. People must on shmiras halashon. that the organization was created who were trying to do some kind SHAC was born and is now a be sensitive to others. The power The first speaker was Elana from a high school discussion of chesed program for their high vibrant program in 21 high of life and death is in the tongue. The keynote speaker was Mrs. Jackie Bitton. She spoke about instances in which she felt so strongly about a person, and a single negative comment by another person completely broke down the high esteem that she held for that first person. She held the girls on the edge of their seats as she told story after story of how the power of the tongue can build up or bring down. Asked their impressions of the event, Shevi Daar from SKA said, “I think it’s a really good program. It reaches out to all kinds of students in all kinds of schools. It helps you grow.” Daniella Bodoff from SKA said, “It stops me from saying lashon ha’ra.” Corrinne Malach comment- ed, “SHAC has helped me become more aware of the

54 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES power of my speech and has Israel of Woodmere. To learn at Ateres Chaya in Boro Park. helped me remember to not say more about the Yom Rishon pro- Together with entertainment lashon ha’ra. Through SHAC I grams, view an upcoming sched- provided by the Shloime Dachs have gotten many of my friends ule, or to hear audio recordings Orchestra, the festive evening to join, and I’m sure it has an of past shiurim visit www.kollely- included fun-filled activities effect on them in an amazing omrishon.org and such as face painting and bal- way as well.” www.midreshetyomrishon.org. O loon making and refreshments Shaina Katz from YU High such as cotton candy and jelly School for Girls said, “SHAC OHEL Brings Warmth And doughnuts. has empowered me to think a Fun To Hundreds At Annual Other highlights of the lot before I talk and really be Chanukah Party evening included singing conscious about what I say OHEL Children’s Home and from Shloime Dachs and his and how it affects people and Family Services clients from son Dovid, as well as an my friends.” OHEL Bais Ezra, OHEL Mental appearance by Yosef Chaim Elana Jacobs, SHAC founder Health Services, and many Bloch. The evening was gener- and coordinator, explained, “The other programs celebrated a ously sponsored by Lea and main purpose of this event is to wonderful Chanukah evening Sammy Trencher, long-time bring girls together from so many together with OHEL board friends of OHEL. schools and so many places with members, OHEL friends, sup- OHEL’s Annual Chanukah the one purpose of awareness porters, and staff. Party is a unique opportunity about being careful about shmi- This year’s party took place for the clients and staff of OHEL ras halashon. The purpose was to on Wednesday night, December to come together and celebrate inspire the girls. It helps them 16, the sixth night of Chanukah, the holiday of Chanukah. O take SHAC to a new level. The organization has two new goals. First is the cell phone and e-mail campaign. If each of the 500 SHAC members contact 10 new members either by cell phone or e-mail to inspire them about the power of speech, that would mean that 5,000 new people would be more aware of the importance of shmiras halashon. The other idea is “Just One Hour.” Starting December 10 until January 10, the SHAC members should work on just one hour, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., to guard against lashon ha’ra. O

YU Learning Program Comes To The Five Towns, December 27 Yeshiva University’s (YU) Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) will bring their popular Yom Rishon series to the Five Towns community this Sunday, December 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the Young Israel of Woodmere, 859 Peninsula Boulevard in Woodmere. Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, senior scholar at the CJF, will discuss “Asarah B’Tevet: From ancient times to the 21st Century.” The lecture, an initiative of the YU Regional Council of the Five Towns, is open to men and women and is free of charge. Yeshiva University introduced the Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon for men and the Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon for women as part of an initiative to strengthen Jewish communal life and learning. The program brings hundreds of men and women to YU’s Wilf Campus in Washington Heights every Sunday morning to learn Torah and hear lectures from various YU rabbis and scholars. The Yom Rishon series has spread to Toronto, Los Angeles, and other cities across North America. Sponsors of Sunday’s program include congregations: Anshei Chesed, Aish Kodesh, Beth Sholom, Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, and Young 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 55 in] learning to balance two curricula for Yeshiva Education And Careers establishing life balance, and in providing a sense of belonging and continuity which are necessary components of hap- BY RABBI YAIR HOFFMAN of their Talmudic training,” says Richard a more well-rounded social worker than piness.” She also pointed out that the Altabe, principal of Magen David Yeshiva otherwise. I end up using a lot of exam- Torah and Tanach provide wonderful Children who study in yeshivos have High School in Brooklyn. ples from Jewish culture in therapy with stress management advice. to perform double duty—they study a Dr. Fran Walfish, a leading Beverly my Jewish clients. The education you get Melissa Chapman, a columnist and full Judaic studies curriculum as well as Hills psychotherapist, responds, “I truly from a Jewish day school is just incompa- WCBS parenting blogger says, “After hav- a complete secular studies program. To believe that yeshiva education helped rable. Stephanie attended HALB and ing gone to Yeshiva of Flatbush from 1st be accepted into a good college they stimulate in me from a very young age HAFTR. “It helps me give explanations to through 10th grade, I can honestly say it need to maintain a high GPA, and must the capacity to think analytically. I stud- the culture, why this holiday is celebrat- laid the foundation for working hard and prepare hard for the SAT and, quite ied Chumash, Rashi, Tanach, Mishnah, ed. I also give a ‘Judaism 101’ class and hav- I credit my work ethic to my yeshiva edu- often, the ACTs. Pirkei Avot, and even Gemara. All of the ing the background of a yeshiva educa- cation. Everything that came after paled The Judaic studies curriculum is any- in comparison.” thing but simple, often involving master- Others, however, are not so sure. Kivi ing another language, deciphering diffi- Bernhard, an in-demand keynote speaker cult texts, and unfolding latent processes known as the “Orthodox Crocodile of reasoning inherent in the text of the “It was like brain muscle boot camp. Dundee,” identifies Orthodox Judaism as Talmud in a difficult and terse mix of an integral part of his career. “It is very Babylonian Aramaic and Hebrew that much part and parcel of my brand and dates back 1,600 to 2,000 years. And that We were taught to keep our minds has tremendously enhanced the launch is just in the Talmud class. Bible classes of my new book last month. Yeshiva, per involve deciphering and outlining a pas- open, as well as speed thinking.” se, I am not entirely sure about, but cer- sage of the Biblical commentaries of tainly being a “frum” Jew on the world- Nachmanides, Gersonides, and of course, wide speaking platform [has],” remarked Rashi, the father of all commentators. Bernhard. Does a rigorous yeshiva education The conclusion? The experience of the help in one’s career? Do the challenges focus on interpretation and speculative tion makes it very easy to pass on. It also dual-curriculum is a difficult one but one involved in translating, understanding, analysis fostered a rich ability in my makes it easier for me to talk to volunteer with many benefits. O and debating religious and legal texts thinking capacity for expansive possibili- high schools that have chesed programs from long ago assist in meeting today’s ties and for multi-analysis all at the same because I also experienced that.” workplace challenges? time. It was like brain muscle boot camp. Sarah Jacobs, from Manhattan, designs “There is no question that yeshiva edu- We were taught to keep our minds open, clothing and makes Jewish ritual items in Deadline for Advertising cation provides students with a unique as well as speed thinking.” fabric. “My work is much more interest- in the Next Issue is skill set in critical thinking and analysis Stephanie Small, a geriatric social ing than the average because I studied so that is critically needed in today’s market- worker at Jewish Family and Children’s much text as a kid,” Jacobs stated. Debbie Monday, December 28 place. I know numerous stories, not just a Service of Pittsburgh, does psychothera- Mandel, a stress-management expert and at 5:00 P.M. handful, but numerous stories of young py and care management. Small remarks, author of Addicted to Stress (Wiley and men that entered into law school light “What it did is give me an excellent back- Sons) identifies three areas where a yeshi- Call 516-984-0079 years ahead of their counterparts because ground in so many areas that it made me va education helped her, “[It helped me

56 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Practical Lessons From Life And Torah

A Formula for Proper Living, by Abraham J. own.” The book includes a host of exam- bidden fruit that extenuated our natural Twerski, Jewish Lights Publishing, 2009, ples of psychological difficulties and instinct for doing good.” One might want 126 pages how they can be overcome, such as the to reject this or some other ideas, but the BOOK REVIEW ubiquitous problem of self denial and source of Twerski’s teachings is irrelevant. B Y ISRAEL DRAZIN the handling of adversity. Disagreement with some of his sources One may be bothered by Rabbi will actually heighten interest. More sig- Dr. Avraham Twerski is a tenth generation descendant of the founder of Jewish mysticism, the Baal Shem Tov, a man who inspired millions. He is both a psychiatrist and a rabbi and draws his Inasmuch as a person is blind to teachings from both secular and Jewish sources, with a reliance and emphasis on the latter. one’s own faults, G-d arranged it to Rabbi Twerski writes eloquently about many subjects that can help peo- see them in other people. ple live better lives. He describes what drives people, the meaning of freedom, the unconscious, self esteem, feelings of Dr. Israel Drazin is the author of 15 books, inferiority, the death instinct, preparing including a series of five volumes on the Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible and a series of for the worst, how to overcome prob- Twerski’s agreement with the 12th centu- nificant are the ideas and treatments four books on the 12th century philosopher lems, and finding the valuable diamond ry Jewish teacher Nachmanides that Twerski derives from his sources and Maimonides, the latest being Maimonides: Reason Above All, published by Gefen Publishing embedded in our personality, to mention humans were created with good whether they work. Twerski shows that House, www.israelbooks.com. just a few. Twerski’s insights are sharp, instincts, but it “was eating from the for- they do. O incisive, and frequently surprising. For instance, a person with feelings of low self-esteem will have difficulty accepting favors from other people because “receiving help from anyone can trigger feelings of inadequacy.” Rabbi Twerski raises questions which can prompt readers to alter their atti- tudes and behaviors. For example, can emotions such as love and jealousy be legislated? Twerski answers “yes.” Affection is determined by deeds: “You can generate love for another person by acting in the way you would if you indeed loved that person.” Twerski writes that the common notion that “you give to those whom you love” is backward. “You love those to whom you give.” His insight reflects the adage: A sad person can become happy by smiling. He quotes sparkling maxims, such as: “The world is a mirror. Inasmuch as a person is blind to one’s own faults, G-d arranged it to see them in other people. The defects you see in others are your

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 57 The episode that defines Yehudah’s Yosef’s character, however, is fraught personality is his cohabitation with with self-importance and hopes designed Reflections Tamar. Though labeled as an illicit union, toward perfection. He reflected splendor it’s a relationship that encompassed ele- and grandeur. He prophesized out loud ments of humility, prayer, and ruach that his father and brothers would bow BY STEVEN GENACK house of Eisav, only to perish and be haKodesh. Tamar knew through ruach before him—a treasonous act since mourned by all of Israel as foretold in haKodesh that the sons she was to bear Yehudah already had the status of being Did you ever look in the mirror and Zechariah 10:12, “They shall mourn him as for Yehudah would be the forerunners to king. Yosef’s choice to act as a leader (with contemplate who you are? Did you ever one mourns an only child,” Sukkah 52a. the Messianic dynasty. In a stroke of sur- “rabbanus”) in the face of his mighty worry that you haven’t reached your However, Rav Saadia Gaon (Emunos vival, Tamar throws Yehudah’s three sym- brothers caused him to perish before potential? Did you ever worry whether VeDeyos 8:6), and Rav Yonason Eybeshutz bolic belongings before the court with- them (Berachos 55a). His life was cut you exercised your free will properly? in his Kreisi uPleisi (end of 110) explain out mentioning who they belonged to short—from 120 years to 110—because he Were you ever infatuated with the conse- based on the Gemara Sanhedrin (98a) if (Bereishis 38:25). This was done so Tamar didn’t object when he heard Ya’akov’s quences of your actions? Did you ever Israel repents, Mashiach ben David will would survive a burning of the skin with- name referred to as “your servant” ten regret an action you performed and wish appear immediately, bypassing the need out compromising Yehudah’s identity, times without objecting. The Vilna Gaon you can do it again? Did you ever want to explains since the verse about respecting relive history one more time and change one’s parents guarantees long life, as it it for the better? says, “Honor thy father and thy mother These questions are encapsulated with- that thy days may be long” (Sh’mos 20:12) in the story of Yosef and his brothers, More Though Yehudah comes to greet the reverse is true as well—failure to specifically, Yehudah and Yosef are defined respect one’s parents properly can short- by two episodes that peg their essence and en one’s life, as was the case with Yosef. leave an imprint by which to remember Yosef in this story, in the end of Yosef reaches the level of viceroy. He them. Yosef’s episode takes place after his must look in the mirror and see his reflec- meeting with Yehudah; Yehudah’s takes days it will be the exact opposite. tion or, as Rashi (Bereishis 38:1) points out, place before his meeting with Yosef. The view his “father’s image” (of which his meeting summons both of their personal- was a replica) and exercise free will in ities to act according to their essence. deciding not to have relations with Though Yehudah comes to greet Yosef Potiphar’s wife. Yosef overcame his evil in this story, in the end of days it will be for Mashiach ben Yosef to appear at all, thus teaching, “It’s better to be burned inclination, certainly an achievement the exact opposite. Mashiach ben Yosef much less be slaughtered in the war of alive in this world than lose a share in the that came through reflection, introspec- will perish and then Eliyahu will Gog and Magog. world to come” (Sotah 10b). Yehudah’s tion, and inner strength. announce the coming of the Mashiach What changed? Why does Yosef enjoy words (Bereishis 38:26), “Tzadkah mi’meni” In the beginning of the parashah, ben David (See Maharsha; Sukkah 52a; the upper hand in the beginning and (“she is more righteous than me”) will Yehudah comes to beg for Binyamin. noting that Mashiach ben Yosef will pre- Yehudah the upper hand at the end? Why always be associated with his essence. Yosef pronounces the famous words cede Mashiach ben David) and then the reversal of fortune? Why two Using these words, he admits that Tamar (Bereishis 45:3), “I am Yosef. Is my father Mashiach ben Yosef will be slaughtered in Mashiachs? Why must Yosef fall to the was more righteous than him. A king— still alive?” Children of three should the war of Gog and Magog. Ovadiah 1:18 sword while Yehudah completes the the forefather of Mashiach—saw his know the Beis Halevi’s (Drashos) explana- has a personification of Yosef’s spiritual redemption? What compels the necessity reflection clearly and humbled himself tion of the Midrash on these words. existence as a flame that will burn and of having two seemingly opposite personal- before a prophetess who would stand as Bereishis Rabbah (93:10) records that Yosef consume every living remnant from the ities combine towards one common goal? the mother of the future Mashiach. said, “Woe is to us on this day of reckon-

58 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ing and woe onto us on this day of included Melech Yehudah. But, to his rebuke.” The Midrash understands Yosef’s credit, he overcame his evil inclination, a And Israel took his journey with all that he words to be ones of judgment, reflection, unique legacy that will always be associ- and reckoning After all, how could Yosef ated with his name. had, and came to Be’er-Sheva ask such a simple question, when One can look in the mirror with confi- (Bereishis 46:1) Yehudah is asking for Binyamin so that dence by subrogating one’s own ego to Binyamin can be returned to “their” G-d, his parents and his fellow man. It’s Why did he go there? Said Rabbi Nachman: He went to cut father. Obviously then Yosef knew that important to respect and pay attention to Ya’akov was alive. one-time opportunities that present down the cedars which his grandfather Avraham had planted As the Beis Halevi explains, Yosef was themselves. A decision to embrace or disin Be’er-Sheva.These cedars were then taken along when the giving words of rebuke to his bothers. He pel any given opportunity can forever B’nei Yisrael left Egypt, and were used for the construction of was verbalizing a contradiction by remark- change one’s destiny. Reflecting on and ing to the brothers, “Here you are so overcoming the power of the yetzer ha’ra the Mishkan in the desert. adamant about getting Binyamin back to will secure a lasting legacy. No one can (Midrash Rabbah) his father, yet 22 years before you weren’t fall short of their potential when they concerned about obliterating my exis- focus on these pursuits. For all the years that the B’nei Yisrael were in Egypt,Yaakov’s tence from our father’s conscience.” The In the end of days the reflection of cedars served as a link to their past and a promise of their Beis Halevi derives from Yosef’s words an humility will overpower the shadow of future.“This is not your home,” the growing trees said.“You, important lesson. Every person must look imagination. [If Mashiach ben Yosef must into themselves and reflect on whether appear, a seemingly undesired scenario] like us, hail from a loftier, holier place.And soon you will their actions are hypocritical. In the world Yosef will bring all of Israel together leave this depraved land, to be reclaimed by G-d as His peo- to come, hypocritical behavior will be through his powers of persuasion and he exposed and out in the open. It’s a fright- will fight the great wars with G-d by his ple.You will then uproot us from this foreign land and carry ening reality, but must inspire one to con- side, but his Messianic destiny will be us triumphantly to Sinai, where you will construct out of us a sider whether their words are really a short lived. Yosef perishes before Yehudah dwelling for the Divine presence in your midst.” reflection of their own condition. and not vice versa because Yosef reflects One should certainly reflect on the all- oration and calculation whereas Yehudah (The Lubavitcher Rebbe) encompassing mitzvah of v’ahavta l’ray- reflects humility and subrogation. O acha kamocha, ani Hashem—You shall love your neighbor as yourself, I am Hashem (Vayikra 19:18) to bring clarity in measuring whether one’s actions are pure and consistent or tainted and duplicitous. Hillel captures the essence of this mitzvah by attacking its negative quid-pro- quo implication; “that which you hate don’t do to others” (Shabbas 31a). Hillel gives insight into a mitzvah that can mis- takenly be viewed as fanciful and idealistic. He gives it a set definition and conse- quential muster. Everyone knows what they hate and despise yet must often live through the hardships. Those same hardships and ailing feelings shouldn’t be released onto your neighbor. Staying on message, Hillel also says, “Don’t judge your fellow man until you reach his place” (Avot 2:5). In Hebrew the word place is written as “makom,” one of G-d’s names. The hidden message inherent in Hillel’s words is not to judge your fellow man until you reach G-d’s place or “Makom,” a logical impossibility, thus stripping away man’s entitlement to judge anyone. The briefest axiomatic statement made by Hillel, “If not now when?” (Avot 1:14) exemplifies the subject of reflection, consequence, and fate. Failure to seize the moment and “act now” can derail one’s future destiny. Forfeiting one opportunity can change the course of history for all potential participants. Now the striking difference between Yehudah and Yosef is clear. Yehudah approaches Yosef as a slave. Yehudah’s sole mission is to get Binyamin back. He’s reflective of duty and obligation. He’s not preoccupied with judgments or giving words of rebuke. His humility is synony- mous with his royalty. He easily pronounces about a supposed harlot that she is more righteous than himself. Only a king who approaches others as a slave can rule a nation. Yosef’s core was “sold” to judgment and rebuke. Yosef reflected pride, grandeur, and splendor. He used his imagination to predict happenings no matter the consequences. He made specific cal- culations about how and by what means the brothers should do teshuuvah. He manipulated situations to teach lessons, even to his gargantuan brothers that 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 59 60 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 61 dictator Hugo Chavez, while cultivating relations with other American adversaries The Rockaway Irregular including Russia and China. While Tehran lunges toward a goal of global power and a dream of a restored BY STUART W. MIRSKY hapless Carter administration by seizing about this, but, with so much else going Islamic caliphate under Iranian suzerain- and holding American diplomats hostage, on, it looks like business as usual to the ty, the American president and the rest of they’ve pursued a xenophobic national average observer. Indeed, it seems like Washington fiddle with domestic con- The Price Of Gold foreign policy which has taken them to many of us have grown used to the blus- cerns intended to increase spending and President Obama’s recent decision to war with neighboring Iraq; led to secret ter and stalling tactics employed by the our national debt while drawing funds up the ante in Afghanistan, akin to his assassinations of dissidents abroad; a fat- Iranian regime as it drives relentlessly away from needed defense efforts (most predecessor’s prior decision to do the wah marking English writer and subject, toward its nuclear goal. They’ve already recently evidenced by the ratcheting same in Iraq, was welcome news to those Salman Rushdie, for death; support of al tested long range missiles capable of car- down of homeland missile defense pro- of us who believe we have real national Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents against the rying nuclear warheads to Israel and parts grams). As Washington argues over the interests at stake in those conflicts. More, post-Saddam regime in Iraq; numerous of Europe. Over the past dozen years validity of global warming claims, the real it demonstrates this president’s under- warming grows apace in a nation ruled standing of the reality of those interests by religious fanatics who take delight in and his willingness to defend them. A thwarting us and believe they are divine- president unprepared to do that would People who revere suicide bombings may ly situated to bring about the return of be an American disaster. But despite get- the Hidden Imam, the Shiite messianic ting it right in Afghanistan, at least for the well count it a small thing to blow up some redeemer who, their tradition holds, will moment, the president has a much bigger restore Islamic glory and superiority. problem looming on his radar—where While American jihadist fanatics shoot the real test of his and our national of their own and spread radioactive clouds up military bases at home or rush over- resolve will come. seas to fight against us and our allies, we While we scramble to meet the chal- across a good portion of the Middle East. dither over ensuring captured terrorists lenge of a resurgent Taliban in their “constitutional rights.” The presi- Afghanistan, the rulers of that country’s dent, to be sure, has a lot on his plate, not next door neighbor to the west continue least being the situation in Afghanistan. to press their efforts to achieve regional seizures of American and other foreign they’ve developed a far-flung infrastruc- But, as the recent report of departing hegemony and make themselves a feared nationals from international or foreign ture within their borders to conceal International Atomic Energy Agency global player by gaining nuclear weapons territory; imprisonment and execution of nuclear facilities (many buried deep (IAEA) head Mohammed el-Baradei makes capability, despite the protests and pleas internal protesters and; of course, a underground and some built in popula- clear, the Iranians have played us for of the international community. The relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons. tion centers and holy sites). Most recent- fools as they’ve played for time to build a mullahs of Iran have been on a collision Along the way high officials of the regime ly, Iranian president Mahmoud bomb. Successive American governments course with the rest of the world since have called for the demise of fellow Ahmadenijad has announced that his have not figured out how to deal with gaining power in the seventies when they United Nations member Israel, while dis- government plans to build ten more such this, let alone how to stop it. booted out the ill-fated Shah of Iran, a cussing their own potential for achieving facilities, in the face of broad internation- Perhaps we’ve just become used to the Western ally, and they show no signs of that end with the nuclear weapons they al disapproval. At the same time the idea of Iranian nuclearization by now stopping now. are set on gaining. Iranians have been actively reaching out because few alarm bells went off in the After humiliating America during the The world is right to be concerned to America’s foes, like tin pot Venezuelan media or elsewhere when el-Baradei’s

62 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES final report was presented. Yes, Russia feel at ease with the use of force while it a small thing to blow up some of their over it, could dramatically reshape the and China finally consented to go along the risks of an Iranian pre-emption own and spread radioactive clouds across international community for years to with America, Britain, and France in con- going wrong are substantial because of a good portion of the Middle East, via the come. Whether we try to stop the demning the Iranian regime and in mak- the size of the territory, the rugged ter- hot desert winds, in order to see their reli- Iranians or not at this stage of the game, ing formal allusions to tougher actions rain, and the extensive underground gious dream fulfilled. it’s going to be messy. that may, just may, be forthcoming. But if infrastructure. The only nation that Just as worrisome, though, is the possi- Does anyone seriously think the oil the past is any guide, that’s little more might actually have the will to try is bility that Tehran will quietly slip a few will flow as it once did in the halcyon than bluster, too. Israel, but the odds are even less favor- nukes into al Qaeda pockets and wave days of the 20th century afterwards? Or Tough sanctions, the only feasible able in their case since their resources the jihadists merrily off to Western that enough stability will persist to alternative to military action, remain are more limited. And, if they do it, suc- Europe or America. Or that it may aid enable the international trade that has unlikely, given Russian and Chinese eco- ceed or not, the world will be outraged, some of them to develop these capabili- fueled increasing global prosperity in our nomic ties with the mullahs and their the Muslim world especially. ties for themselves—all as their acquisi- lifetimes? Which population centers will tacit appreciation at seeing America dis- If nothing is done, on the other hand, tion of strategic and long range nuclear be left undamaged if the onrushing insta- comfited. But even if actually implement- and the Iranians complete their efforts to warheads gives them the clout to enforce bility tips us into global conflict? ed, sanctions have rarely worked in histo- acquire these deadly weapons, can we Iranian regional hegemony. This last A decision to finally send more troops ry and, if and when they do, they tend to hope they will moderate their rhetoric must surely prompt a nuclear arms race to win in Afghanistan can only be a down take a long time while Iran doesn’t look and behavior as the Soviets once did? in an already dangerously unstable region payment on what needs to be done, if to be more than a couple of years, if that, There’s little reason to think so and yet and/or the blackmailing of our former anything still can, to head off this grow- away from its goal of going nuclear. the proximity of a large Muslim popula- friends and allies to get them to sever ties ing Iranian-made crisis. Is it any wonder, The alternative to an internationally tion to the tiny state of Israel may serve with us, thus closing off the Middle East then, that the price of gold, along with enforced sanctions regime—an aerial as some kind of a deterrent. Adherents of and its oil to the West. Whether the U.S. other commodities, has been making assault on Iran’s nuclear installations— Islam claim to hold Jerusalem as sacred as or Israel acts preemptively or not, new highs for months now? O looks to be beyond the Obama adminis- Jews and Christians do. Would they want increased global instability seems to tration’s capacity. It took them some six to obliterate it in a mushroom cloud? already be in the cards. Stuart W. Mirsky is a Rockaway-based writer and former New York City official. He is the author of months to decide to up the ante in Still, if their aim is to bring about a reli- While the president and Democrats in two books, The King of Vinland’s Saga, a Afghanistan, after all, which is a far cry gious apocalypse to hasten the return of Congress argue over our current national historical novel about Vikings and Indians in 11th century North America, and A Raft on the River, from the risks entailed in a pre-emptive the missing Imam, then people who preoccupations, the world lurches fitfully the true story of one 15-year-old girl’s escape from Iranian operation. They simply do not revere suicide bombings may well count toward a precipice which, should we fall the Nazis in eastern Poland during World War II.

And Yehudah approached him… (Bereishis 44:18) Said Rabbi Yehudah:The verb “he approached” (vayiggash) implies an approach to battle, as in the verse (II Shmuel 10:13),“So Yo’av and the people that were with him approached unto battle.” Rabbi Nechemiah said:The verb “he approached” implies a coming near for conciliation, as in the verse (Yehoshua 14:6),“Then the children of Yehudah approached Yehoshua.” The Sages said: It implies coming near for prayer, as in the verse (I Melachim, 18:36),“And it came to pass at the time of the evening offering, that Eliyahu haNavi approached…” Rabbi Elazar combined all these views:Yehudah approached Yosef for all three, saying: If it be war, I approach for war; if it be conciliation, I approach for conciliation; if it be for entreaty, I approach to entreat. (Midrash Rabbah)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 63 duction to the distribution event. “It The Future Of Jewish Education: took a silent crisis around affordability of Jewish education and brought it to the forefront.” He explained the goal of NNJKIDS Celebrates First Distribution NNJKIDS is to change the day-school model by shifting the tuition burden from the parents to the larger Jewish By Rochelle Maruch Miller educators and rabbinic, organizational, nity responsibility, premised on the community. Five months after its inception, and lay leaders who have been meeting understanding that the spiritual and aca- “This is the future of Jewish educa- Northern New Jersey Kehillot Investing regularly to develop far-reaching, trans- demic foundation provided to our chil- tion,” said Rabbi Larry Rothwachs. in Day Schools brought a nearly impossi- formational solutions to ensure the dren assures the strength and continuity Addressing the audience, Rabbi ble dream to fruition. United as one, resi- future viability of their schools. They of our community as a whole.” Rothwachs, who serves as spiritual leader dents of the communities heeded the have also researched solutions imple- Acclaimed as one of the most ener- of Congregation Beth Aaron of Teaneck calls of their rabbis, day-school leaders, mented by Jewish communities across getic and inspiring attempts to address and is president of the Rabbinical and advocates, responding with an Council of Bergen County, added, “The unprecedented show of support. Their only way we will continue is by remem- initial efforts culminated in a historic cer- bering that we are here shaping the emony that took place last month at the He explained the goal of NNJKIDS is to future of the Jewish people.” Moriah School in Englewood. At this NNJKIDS is working with Orthodox landmark event, NNJKIDS, as the organi- change the day-school model by shifting the and Conservative synagogues to encour- zation is called, distributed over $180,000 age donations. The organization plans to area schools. to make four distributions to the Sparked by the nation’s economic cri- tuition burden from the parents to the larger schools each year, with the allocations sis which brought the problem of high based on each school’s percentage of day-school tuition to the forefront, the Jewish community. students from the UJA Federation’s Orthodox Union convened day-school catchment area. This first distribution leaders and advocates last January in an represented more than 800 donations effort to seek solutions. Concurrently, from $5 to $500, according to Mr. Congregation Ahavath Torah in Toronto the country, which are grappling with the devastating effects of the tuition cri- Distenfeld. “We think we’re going to began galvanizing local day-school lead- identical stresses. sis, the Kehillah fund is a prime example build momentum with this event,” he ers, parents, and rabbis from Orthodox The essence of the kehillah fund is its of what a small group of creative, talent- explained. “The shuls, the rabbis of the communities as well as from those in sense of achdus. The operative word in ed, and idealistic individuals can accom- shuls are very supportive. We have plans the Conservative movement. This the description of NNJKIDS is “our” in its plish. Since its website was launched in and volunteers in every shul to drive marked the creation of Jewish logo. “These are our kids and our fami- June to raise and distribute money to the participation even higher.” Education for Generations, a nonprofit lies; ‘our’ represents the essence of a community’s day schools, the fund has NNJKIDS distributed the funds it had organization to explore solutions to community,” says Gershon Distenfeld, reported that it expects to deliver collected through the end of October. what many deemed a tuition crisis. who serves as chair of NNJKIDS and $250,000 per year if donations remain at With about $30,000 raised since then, the Since its creation last May, the group treasurer of JEFG. “”While raising money the current rate. organization is on schedule to deliver has been pursuing several options, is essential, the method is equally impor- “The economic crisis was a blessing $370,000 annually to the schools. The including NNJKIDS. tant. The Kehillah fund is specifically in disguise in at least one regard,” said average donation is $40. JEFG comprises a broad coalition of designed to reinforce a sense of commu- Sam Moed, chair of JEFG, in his intro- “On the one hand, we’d like to have a

64 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES lot more people signed up,” he said. “On asked to contribute $1 each day or $30 the other hand, if you had told us we’d per month as a minimum, more crucial have 800 families signed up in five to the project’s continuing success is months, you would have been laughed full community participation at whatev- out of the room. In five months, with just er level of financial commitment fami- the help and support of rabbis and com- lies can afford. munity leaders, we’ve done a lot of good NNJKIDS does not purport to solve and made a lot of progress.” the school tuition crisis on its own. It is, More than merely generating money, however, an essential first step in a com- Northern New Jersey Kehillot Investing prehensive solution. Says Distenfeld, In Day Schools creates achdus and it “Through establishing a sense of unity instills in each member of the commu- and working together toward a community a sense of responsibility for their nity response, our goal is to progress educational institutions. Not content to toward a long-term viable solution. We rest on its laurels, JEFG views its accom- hope our actions will serve as a model plishments as only the beginning. that will serve to foster a national net- Future plans include meeting to imple- work of support for day schools. This ment additional endowment programs show of unity and strength is vital in and initiatives to address the challenges order to effect change.” O facing the communities and their families. JEFG will continually seek potential support from local, state, and feder- al sources, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. What makes Bergen County the Submit your photo to the exemplar for successfully dealing with 5 Towns Jewish Times! the tuition crisis is the enthusiastic support NNJKIDS enjoys from the community at large. Working in tandem, the community rabbis spearheaded the You can upload your campaign by introducing the project to digital photos and see them their respective shuls, encouraging their mispallelim to participate. Moneys are printed in the weekly edition collected monthly via credit card or checking account. A small group of of the 5 Towns Jewish Times advocates from each shul contacts members personally and enlists their participation. All collections are allocat- www.5tjt.com/sendphotos ed on a per capita basis, based on the number of preK-8 students in the local day schools. While donors are being

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G'Mach Chasdei Yisroel — Lending Or E-mail ads to: money to people in Klei Kodesh & for Klei Kodesh purposes. In the Far [email protected] Rockaway-Five Towns area. Please call 917-822-9910 for more info. Or email Include payment info. [email protected]. In Memory of R' Yisroel Ben Binyamin, a"h. 68 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL REAL HELP WANTED FOR SALE FOR SALE ESTATE FOR RENT

FT/PT gen’l help wanted mini House for sale by owner Far Lawrence/ Far Rockaway Co-op — Far Rockaway commercial space. mart/butcher shop. Valid driver’s Rockaway, Brunswick Ave, Legal 2 New to market. Jr. 4, spacious, light Brand new construction. Ideally suited license needed. Shomer Shabbos. Fax family, MIC, All new, 50x150 property, 3- and bright, doorman/ elevator building. for medical professional offices or com- resume 516-280-4122 4 BR over 2 BR+ finished basement, ...... $239K munity facility. High ceilings. Very over $2000 rental income, asking 5 Towns Home Realty 516-569-5710 bright and airy. Many amenities, ocean Seeking Experienced Gourmet Chef for $750,000 call 917-295-5288 views, reasonable rent. new girls sleepaway camp. Position House for sale by owner, on a very cute Call Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 available this summer. Send resume to Law: Hi Ranch. Must see, 4br, 2.5bth, block in Cedarhurst, 3 BR, 1 1/2 Bath, [email protected] Fax: fam rm, CAC, 2 car garage, large EIK, LR/DR and Finished Basement. Rental Store for Rent in Cedarhurst 718-337-9160 prop ...... $800sK Priced to sell. For more info please call 2600 sq ft store on Central Ave in Ced: Nu2Mkt, 2Fam, 3br/3br, 2fpl, 516-569-1685 (leave a message if no Cedarhurst Center ~Attention Speakers and Trainers~ deck, all new, grt loc, full bsmt answer). EquiShares, Inc 516-792-9888 Excellent $$$ opportunity. No experience ...... $795K Oceanside — Brand new construction. necessary. Send resume: 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Rockville Centre — 3,500 sq ft, fully Beautiful CH col. Large 4 BR (1 level), [email protected]. Go to wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. 2.5 bths, granite EIK, FDR, den with fp, www.explorefreedom.com/tig for details. Lawrence — Large house on deep prop- Call 516-322-3555 erty. 5BR, 4 bths, high ceilings, LR, DR, full bsmt, in cul-de-sac, walk all, best Looking for F/T executive secretary. office/ den, hardwood floors throughout, price ...... $675K Far Rockaway — 2 Huge Office Spaces. Computer literate, good phone skills, prime location, close to all. Reduced! 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 6,000 and 2,500 Sq Ft. 2nd Floor. Near excellent typing. Send resume to fax: ...... $699K Subway & LIRR. Build to Suit. Can be Far Rockaway: 2 Family. All NU, 718-337-9160, e-mail: Lawrence — Bank owned property. divided. Owner 917-359-9776 3 over 1 Bdrm, 3 full baths. Great [email protected] Brick col, convenient location, great value...... $589K Location ...... $599K Beautiful 12 family apt. building, in the Call 516-322-3555 heart of Far Rockaway, stable tenancy, Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Far Rockaway — 2 houses New to market! Brand new construction. income producing. Call Weissman Care Center, a Glatt Kosher facility in Woodmere/Cedarhurst Oppty! Detached 1 family house, 3 BR, 2.5 bths, Realty Group 516-791-6100 the heart of Queens, Seeking Culinary 12,000 sq. ft. approx. 90’x150’, Colonial, beautiful kosher kitchen, private drive- Service Manager to supervise, cook and 17 rooms, full bsmt. with hi ceilings, way, full basement, porch +2 balconies, Cedarhurst: Office rental: Executive 2 improve upon our food and dining expe- clean 2 car garage plus storage, 6 space convenient location. Priced to sell. . . . Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., rience. Prior culinary experience parking, 2 family, professional use, ...... $479K CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 required. Excellent salary and benefits. accountant, Esq., medical and/or educa- 2 family 3/3, 4.5 bths, beautiful kosher E- mail resume to [email protected], tional and religious uses. Grand colonial kitchens, parking, full basement. Only Fax: 718-591-0400 Att: Mindy with charm and great possibilities...... $599K Available at once . . . $875K Negotiable FOR RENT Call Weissman Realty 516-791-6100 Owner 516-322-3555 Internships available Open House. Hewlett/Old Woodmere — 1149 East Broadway Sunday, December in editorial, Far Rockaway: 2 Fam. All NU 27 1-3 pm. Large unique charming Rechavia, Israel — Beautiful new luxu- 3 over 3 Br. 4Fbth, Dr, Full bsmt classified production, and home. 7 BRs 4 Bths. Heart of Hewlett. ry 2 BR, 2 bth apt available for short- All features ...... $779K Immaculate condition ...... $950K term rental only. Fully equipped kosher advertising departments. Call 516-263-6417 Call Shira at Weissman Realty 516-410-5505 kitchen. W/D, prime location. Call E-mail to arrange interviews: Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 Hadar 347-306-1552 Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth [email protected] 5 Town Homes 516-569-5712 Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K Cedarhurst — Beautifully renovated 1- Cedarhurst: NU 2 Mkt. Lg LR, DR, Call 516-322-3555 family house. High ceilings, hardwood EIK, Den, 5BR, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, and marble floors, 4 BR, new bathroom, Brooklyn Community Rehabilitation Lg prop, IGPool, Walk to all . . . $659K COMMERCIAL REAL kosher kitchen, half block off Central and Medical Center is looking for Full Ave. Very reasonable. 516-732-0111 time PTs to work in Far Rockaway/ Lawrence: OURS ONLY!! ESTATE FOR RENT Belle Harbor areas long term care facil- BRICK, C/H COL, Stately BRICK, w/old Cedarhurst — Nu House CH Col. LR, ities. Jeff 845-826-0060 world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 4BR, 3BTHS. BTHS, Kosher Eik, Lg. FDR, Library, Shared Office Space- Bsmt. For Rent ...... $2,500 Earn P/T and F/T $$$ — Independent Fin. Bsmt., Lg Prop., WALK ALL. Cedarhurst/Woodmere All utilities inc 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 MonaVie Distributors— Watch BC for ...... $995K + free internet & conf room Starting at details at www.networkfordollars.com 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 $500 Far Rockaway — 1 and 2 BR apart- EquiShares, Inc 516-792-9888 ments. some balconies. New kitchens, REAL ESTATE 4 BR, 2 bth house for sale in heart of lots of closets, 24 hr doorman, security Cedarhurst. Close to all shuls. Asking Cedarhurst — Available for immediate cameras. Close to White Shul, Shor FOR SALE $649. If interested please call Matthew occupancy! Corner building on Central Yoshuv and train. 516-316-1856, e-mail Ave. Quiet, professional environment Call Sherri 516-297-7995 [email protected] (above Capital One Bank). 10x13 ft. Far Rockaway — Beach 12th. 2 BR, 2 Cedarhurst: 1st Show ultra clean space, new carpeting, paint, bth, w/d included, walk-in master clos- 1st FLR, FDR, 2BR. 2BTHS Terrace. Woodmere — Large split 5BR, 3.5bth, private entrance from main hallway, et, $1,400 including utilities. Views of Gdns, W/D EIK, DR, LR, Den, Finished Bsm’t, office has separate door entrance lead- Call Avi 516-351-3061 Lo maint, Grt. loca’n, Walk all.. $319K Gar. Near all. Excellent location. Under ing into a professional space, with full Far Rockaway — On beach. Brand new 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Market Value. $539K access to our conference room, copiers, building, 1 & 2 BR available. Granite Dalia Fritz Realty 516-374-4411 kitchen. Office comes furnished with up kitchens, balconies with water views, West Lawrence/ Far Rockaway — by to 2 full-sized matching desks/ chairs. Shabbos elevator, w/d hookup, parking. appt Lawrence — Wonderful c/h col. house Optional: Unlimited Internet @ $35/mo. No renter’s fee! Starts at $1200. Contemporary c/h col. high ceilings, on the nicest cul-de-sac there is. Brand Optional: Daily office cleaning @ $20/mo. Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 skylights, fpl ...... $859K new kitchen, finished basement. Asking Ideal for insurance, attorney, account- Cedarhurst — NU House, CH Col., LR, Brick legal 2 family+ basement $875K Call 516-902-0936 ant, etc. Rent $599/mo (Utilities includ- FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 5BR., 3BTHS., Location! ...... $850K ed) 2-year lease minimum. Call David at Woodsburgh — C/H brick col. 6 BR, 5.5 Full Bsmt., Lg Bkyd...... $3,200 516-526-5027 for an appointment. Brick Dramatic Young 5 BR Col cul-de- bths, full finished basement, pool, tennis 5 TOWN HOMES sac MIC ...... $900’s. 516-569-5710 court, beautifully landscaped on 1+ Office space for rent. Cedarhurst — Semi Attached 3 BR col...... $300’s acre. Owner. $1.850M Call 516-680-6422 Prime location on Central Ave. 1-4 Far Rockaway — 3 BR house, 2.5 bths, Open House Sunday 11-1 p.m. rooms, 1 flight up, c/a c/h, neg. plz. EIK, deck, backyard, driveway, w/d Hewlett — Col. MIC, 4br, 2bth, 2fpl, full 146 B9 and 156 B9 condos new construc- Call 917-417-5725 hookup. Beach 6 and Jarvis (across deck, wood flr, Lg. den. Walk to all. from TAG Elementary School) available tion for sale or rent ...... $729K Cedarhurst Office Space for Rent 1,000- 1250 B12th St 3 BR, 2 bths 5 TOWN HOMES 516-322-3555 1/1/10. 516-643-9204 3,000 sqft avil Start at ...... $1500 For Rent EquiShares,Inc 516-792-9888 351 Cedarhurst Ave Ced — .... $2600 Valley Stream: Nu 2 Mkt. Brick ranch, great condition, quiet street. Nu EIK, Classified Ads are 304 Atlantic Ave. Ced. mint .... $3000 LR, Den, Lg Prop ...... $409K Williamsburgh — Penthouse office Continued on the Next Page. 1047 Magnolia Pl. Wdmr ...... $3600 For Rent ...... $2,250 space available. 3,000-7,000 sq. ft. rea- Milky Forst Properties Inc. 516-239-0306 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 sonable rate. Contact David 917-417-5262 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 69 CLASSIFIED ADS BUSINESS Continued from Page 69 FOR RENT OPPORTUNITY LOST AND FOUND

FOR RENT Lawrence/Far Rockaway — 833 Central Become an Acai Berry Juice distribu- Found: black pair of glasses on ave. Jr 4 (2 BR) Spacious doorman/ ele- tor and earn commission immediately. December 15 on Central Avenue. Call vator building, walk all ...... $1,500 Online trainer, work from home, no 516-314-4609 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 investment, e-mail [email protected] Bayswater — 1 BR, washer/dryer, frum neighbors, great kitchen private back- Kew Gardens Hills. Beautiful fully ren- How a mother of five from Boca Earns yard. Very reasonable. $700 516-374-3635 ovated 1 family home, detached 40x100. a Six Figure Income from home by 4 BR, 2.5 bath, finished basement, back- helping others… MISCELLANEOUS Far Rockaway — Large One Bedroom yard, patio, driveway. Best location. I am looking for a few key dynamic Apartment for rent. Beautiful elevator Reduced! $3000/mo, buy $719K neg. people that would like to be part of an bldg. Nice tenancy. Great location at Call Aaron: 917-519-6110 exciting business venture, new to the Neilson and Cornaga, near Shor Yoshuv, Hillel Realty Group Ocean Corp. Houston, Texas. Train for transportation, and shopping. North American Kosher community. New Career. Underwater Welder, Asking $1,100. Call 718-692-2525 ext. 180 Flatbush — AveN/E4 Newly renovated, Life-transforming nutritional technolo- Commercial Diver, NDT/Weld Inspector. 4BR, 2Bath, LR, DR, EIK, W/D, ter- gy for weight loss and vibrant health. Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place race, in pvt house. Near shopping, Call Karen now for more info Job placement and financial aid for Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning transportation, shuls and schools. 561-620-2626 those who qualify, 1-800-321-0298 cul-de-sac, best location . . $4K monthly Call 718-253-1142 Call Irene 516-652-7099 Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, Cedarhurst — Garden apt. Nu 2 Mkt. 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. 2BR. 2Bth, Mint, 1st Flr, heat & prk Call 516-322-3555 incld ...... $2,300 Deadline for Advertising 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — All new, bright 3 BR, 1.5 bths, ground floor apt in 2-family house, Valley Stream — All new beautiful large in the Classifieds for LR, FDR, EIK/ w new appliances, new 2 BR, EIK – FDR, upper of 2 family carpet, w/d included, yard and parking. house, quiet residential street, includes heat and parking...... $1,700 Walk all ...... $2,150 Next Week is 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710

Cedarhurst — All updated charming Kew Gardens Hills — Beautiful 1 BR Monday, December 28 Col. New granite EIK, FDR, LR with apt with terrace in semi-attached 2-fam- fireplace, 4+ BR, CAC, in the heart of ily house. Brand new granite kitchen, 5:00 P.M. Cedarhurst. Walk all. excellent location, new carpeting. $1,400. Please call 718-544-1912 Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 North Wdm. — house rental. Hi-ranch Call 516-569-0502 Lawrence — Coop Rental. 1BR. 1NU Bth, LR, DR, EIK...... $1,300 in MIC. 4 br, CAC, den, on quiet street. 5Town Homes ** 516-569-5710 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710

70 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 71 of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi on BATF, Wine, Vinegar, And The Talmud the next daf. Do we follow ta’am, taste, or do we follow rayach, smell? The Halachic Musings the limit is 1.2 grams per liter. Bava Basra (95b) has a debate tastes like wine, it is wine. This final halachah (Orech Chaim BY RABBI YAIR For wines that are to be between Rav Yehudah and Rav is also the position of Rabbi 204:3) is that the blessing of the HOFFMAN exported out of this country Chisda as to what the limit of Yochanan on the next daf. Rav wine follows the taste, not the the limit is .90 grams per liter. vinegar in wine is for it to still Chisda holds that if it smells smell. If people do not drink the The Bureau of Alcohol wine anymore as wine because Tobacco and Firearms regulates of the taste, then the blessing how much vinegar is allowed becomes shehakol and not borei in wine in order for it to still be It may smell like vinegar, pri haGafen. Kiddush may not sold as wine. The Talmud regu- be recited on such wine either. lates how much vinegar is The Vilna Gaon points out that allowed in wine in order for but if it tastes like wine, it is wine. when wine goes sour the smell the blessing on wine to still be goes first, then the taste. recited. Some big wine companies, The technical term for vine- however, will try to fix a batch of gar in wine is volatile acidity. The limits of the International be considered wine. Rav like vinegar, even though it sour wine by placing it through a The legal limit of vinegar Organisation of Vine and Wine Yehudah says that the lowest tastes like wine, it has lost its process and also mixing it later allowed by the BATF for red (OIV) are .98—slightly higher quality wine that is still sold in identity as wine, and a shehakol with wine with no volatile acidi- wine is 1.4 grams per liter. For than what this country allows stores is still considered wine. It must be recited on it if it is con- ty issues. When the vinegar-tast- white wines and dessert wines for exports. may smell like vinegar, but if it sumed. This is also the position ing wine which is shehakol is mixed with real wine, what percentage of real wine is necessary for the blessing to be hagafen on the whole thing? Do we need 50% or more real wine? Or is it enough just to have the final mix- ture no longer detectably vinegar? Preliminary research has shown that we may rely on the latter view—but stay tuned. O

This article was previously published as part of VINdaf Views and has been sponsored for the refuah shleimah of Sara Miriam bas Tamar who had contracted a severe case of swine flu. Sponsorships of the daf l’ilui nishmas are also available. For further information please e-mail [email protected].

And Serach their sister (Bereishis 46:17) When Yaakov’s sons returned from Egypt with the news that Yosef is alive, they said: “If we tell him straight- away, his soul will fly from his body.” So they told Serach to play on her harp and sing,“Yosef lives,Yosef lives, and he is the ruler of Egypt,” so that he should absorb the message slowly. Said Yaakov to her: “The mouth that informed me that Yosef lives shall not taste death.” Serach was among those who came out of Egypt and among those who entered the Land; She was the “wise woman” who handed over Sheva ben Bichri to Yo’av (II Shmuel 20); in the end, she entered Paradise alive. (Sefer HaYashar;Tzror HaMor)

72 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

HALB Announces Honorees

HALB is pleased to announce the Guests of Honor at its 55th annual dinner, Shani and Jay Gelman (left). In addition, Rachel and Marc Fries (above) have graciously accepted the honor of Rabbi Dr. Armin H. Friedman Parents of the Year. The dinner will take place at HALB’s Woodmere Campus at 700 Ibsen Street on Saturday evening, March 6, 2010.

And the sons of Binyamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Geira, Na’aman, Eichi, Rosh, Muppim, Chuppim, and Ard (Bereishis 46:21) When Binyamin was brought before Yosef,Yosef questioned him:“Have you a brother?” “I had a brother, but I do not know where he has gone.” “Have you a wife?” “I have a wife and ten sons.” “What are their names?” “I named them all after my brother,” said Binyamin. “Bela—he was swallowed up from me; Becher—he was his mother’s firstborn; Ashbel—he was taken away captive; Geira—he became a stranger in a strange country; Na’aman—his deeds were seemly and pleasant; Eichi—he was my brother; Rosh—he was my superior; Muppim—he was exceedingly beautiful; Chuppim—I did not see his chuppah (marriage canopy) and he did not see mine; Ard—he was like a rose-bloom.” (Midrash Rabbah)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 73 Solution To This Week’s 5TJT Puzzle: Chassidus

Puzzle appears on page 76.

74 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES and former chair Omar Ahmad expressed day. The authors remind us that in the Muslim Mafia the need to strengthen “the influence with aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, President Congress.” He argued for using Muslims as Bush appeared alongside officials from an “entry point” to “pressure Congress and CAIR and other outwardly benign Muslim Inside the Secret Underworld That’s the decision makers in America” to change groups that weren’t properly vetted at the Conspiring to Islamize America, by U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and Islamic Center of Washington in a display P. David Gaubatz and Paul Sperry other policies.” of “unity.” The unsuspecting former presi- BOOK REVIEW CAIR’s far reaching tentacles have even dent announced, “It is my honor to be B Y FERN SIDMAN permeated corporate America, say the meeting with leaders who feel just the authors, as they and their sister organiza- same way as I do. They’re outraged, they’re The Muslim Brotherhood, an Egyptian- tion, the Islamic Society of North America sad. They love America just as much as I based Islamic terrorist organization, blackmail Wall Street firms who do not do.” These words would come back to appears to be alive and well and cloaking comply with Islamic financing principles. haunt the president as facts concerning itself in legitimacy in our nation’s capitol The authors also spotlight CAIR’s use of CAIR’s zealous legal representation of under the guise of a front group, say intrep- intimidation tactics in silencing their polit- Muslim Americans charged with terrorist id undercover agents P. David Gaubatz and ical opponents as evidenced in their efforts activities came to the fore and as history Paul Sperry in their new book, Muslim to unleash a vitriolic campaign to blacklist would record, certain members of CAIR’s Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That’s such media personalities as Bill O’Reilly, Dr. own leadership would turn out to be unin- Conspiring to Islamize America (World Net Laura Schlesinger, Glenn Beck, and Michael dicted co-conspirators in helping to Daily Books, 2009). Investigative journal- Savage while pressuring the National finance terrorist organizations. ism reaches new levels in doughtiness and Review to acquiesce to their demands. As the burgeoning and pernicious concludes with a shocking crescendo in While elected officials from both sides scourge of global radical Islam continues moment too soon. To say that the informa- this tome, as Gaubatz, his son Chris, and of the aisle, including former president to proliferate in an unfettered manner, it is tion published in these pages is a real eye Paul Sperry infiltrate the shady George W. Bush, have legitimized the dubi- clear that within our borders the threat to opener is an understatement of monu- Washington, DC-based organization ous organization with governmental our cherished democratic values and prin- mental proportions. It is a must read for known as the Council on American-Islamic recognition and ceremonial gravitas, ciples are all too real. The release of this anyone the world over who still clings to Relations (CAIR); the nation’s largest and CAIR’s underlying credo remains seditious book of paramount importance by the hope of freedom, peace, and liberty purportedly mainstream Muslim- and rabidly anti-American until this very authors Gaubatz and Sperry hasn’t come a that Western civilization represents. O American “civil rights” advocacy agency. The frightening facts published in this book are supported by more than 12,000 pages of confidential CAIR documents and hundreds of hours of video captured in this unprecedented undercover operation. Through painstaking and nuanced research of internal memos and documents, the authors establish the fact that CAIR is the ideological cousin of the notori- ous Muslim Brotherhood and their leadership is inextricably tied to the promulga- tion of an explosively violent “jihadist” agenda. Utilizing doublespeak and a wide variety of cleverly devised subterfuges, CAIR manages to ostensibly present itself as a law-abiding, pro-American organization, however the authors expose their unbri- dled mendacity in its most egregious form. Mr. Gaubatz served for 12 years as a former agent with the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations and is a career military coun- terterrorism specialist as well as a US State Department-trained Arabic linguist. Joining him on this six-month-long covert foray into the nefarious machinations of CAIR and its overt ties to Muslim terrorists of all stripes are his son Chris, who worked undercover as a convert to Islam, and Paul Sperry, a veteran investigative journalist and author of Infiltration: How Muslim Spies and Subversives Have Penetrated Washington. This book could effortlessly take its rightful place among classic hair-raising espi- onage thrillers if it’s tragic geo-political reali- ties weren’t so terrifying. The authors scrupu- lously document CAIR’s foreign fundraising sources including exceedingly large donations from the Wahabi-dominated Saudi Arabian government that gave birth to the 9/11 hijackers. Not to be outdone, CAIR also assumes the role of benefactor, as the recipi- ents of their financial largesse include such heinous terror organizations as Hamas. Moreover, the authors offer shocking rev- elations about CAIR’s infiltration of key U.S. law enforcement agencies including local police departments, the FBI, the CIA, and the State Department as well as their heavy handed influence operations against members of homeland security committees on Capitol Hill, and their insertion of Islamic spies in congressional offices. According to the authors, FBI wiretaps reveal that, “During a secret Muslim Brotherhood meeting he organized last decade, CAIR founder 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 75 5TJT Puzzle Page: Chassidus

BY YONI GLATT

Across 37. Sheep sounds 1. Chassidim with 7 Rebbes 39. Switzerland’s second largest city 7. Where to watch the NCAA 40. Father of Chassidus Championship 43. Taxi driver 10. Chassidic sect started by the Sar 45. Tolkien tree people Shalom 46. Hurt 14. Largest of the Polish Chassidic sects 49. Undershirt option 15. Expression that might go with a 50. Plus thumbs-up 51. Assistant 16. Cookie with its name on each side 52. Title for Elton John 17. Imprison 53. Start to child’s chant 18. Invitation letters ____P 55. Chassidim with only one Rebbe 19. Try again 58. Opening 20. Where Anna met the king 59. Cry from a dog 22. Marine bird 60. Rome has one of great significance 24. Gold-making process? to the Jews 27. Copper or iron 63. Accessory for a messy eater 28. ___vail or ___view 65. Irish language 31. Like Tsfat 69. Greenwald Chassidus 32. Pilot Solo 70. Eggs 34. Achier 71. Cut into 36. Long ___ 72. Mets or Yankees Solution on Page 74.

73. Experienced soldier 74. Chassidic sect with a headquarters in Kiryas Yoel

Down 1. Many F/X today 2. Line on a skirt 3. Give a gun to 4. Comb-like North Carolina mountains? 5. High nest 6. Nightmare, e.g. 7. Could be a clunker 8. Chassidic city in America 9. Chassidim with Chernobyl ties 10. ___ yesterday 11. Previously, to the bard 12. Showed the way 13. Place for a lion in New York 21. Oh ___, ___ it been that long? 23. Turns a stopwatch to zero 24. Eureka! 25. Journal 26. Thrash 28. Win 29. Accelerate an engine 30. Mishnaic, Geonic (e.g.) 33. Pasty 35. Yoko ___ 37. The world’s deepest lake 38. Hops and malt beverage 39. Clock setting in Eng. 41. One of the first TV stations 42. “Make sure you ______midnight!” 43. Pharmacy chain 44. ___ l’dodi 47. Words at non-Jewish wedding 48. Modern Asher of note 50. Not lazy 51. Part 54. Halberstam Chassidus 56. Beloved TV host 57. Common Jewish “tree” name 58. Part of Diaspora dreidel motto 60. Letters before 2F or 3B? 61. Regret 62. Test for some at Goldman-Sachs 64. Go to the plate 66. Humorous poem with erick? 67. A rose ______rose 68. Ballet dan___

76 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES A Five Towns Simcha Photos By Naomi Cohen of Glamorous Pics

Elisheva Lichtman, the daughter of Miriam and Yossi Lichtman of Lawrence, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah with her friends and family. The Bat Mitzvah took place at their home and then moved on to Aviator, where they had a great time ice skating. Elisheva is a student at TAG. Catering for the affair was by Bageltown of West Hempstead and music was provided by Sima Gefen.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 77 78 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 25, 2009 79 80 December 25, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES