Street Box Drama the PRIORITY-1 DIFFERENCE

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$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 9 NO. 35 20 SIVAN 5769 l,ukgvc ,arp JUNE 12, 2009

INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK DID TERROR DOOM FLIGHT 447?

MindBiz BY LARRY GORDON Esther Mann, LMSW 30 Squirrel Saga Continued Refreshing Loneliness Hannah Reich Berman 33 Sometimes it is indeed ultimate fate of the Jewish Once Upon A Time desirable at the end of a day people and our natural rela- Anessa V. Cohen 38 or at the end of a process to tionship to the Land of Israel. simply kick back and enjoy On numerous occasions our One Good Deed the quietude of being alone. sages liken the existence of Rabbi Avi Shafran 74 Loneliness—the good kind, Am Yisrael, the Jewish people, that is—features a stillness to that of a lamb surrounded

Stretch Your Dollar D e

that can put you in touch by seventy wolves, which rep- b k a

David Weintraub, CPA 75 F I L

with your true, undisturbed, resent the nations of the E serene essence. world. One does not need a Questions were raised this week about the possibility of terror playing a role in Arguably, solitude seems to degree in zoology to under- the crash of Air France flight 447 over the Atlantic Ocean last week. Above, be the most outstanding fea- divers recover the tail section of the A320 jet from the water off the coast of ture of both the history and Continued on Page 4 Brazil. All 228 people on board died in the crash. See Page 16 THE PRIORITY-1 DIFFERENCE HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE

BY ARYE NISONSON and educate our young yeshi- Street Box Drama va students who may have a Long before you may have proclivity to wander a bit too B Y LARRY GORDON is under surveillance. Thomas–Klein wedding. even realized there was a far in the direction of modern Now that I have your atten- See Page 73 problem with some young day distractions. Just because you’re para- tion, let me inform you, the men and women—often Next week, as Priority-1 noid doesn’t mean they’re not reader, that this is a matter teenagers and younger—step- celebrates more than two after you. Over the last few that caught me completely off ping out of the parameters of decades of service to the months it’s been brought guard. Perhaps if I were of the Yiddishkeit, Rabbi Shaya community, they will be look- home to me that no, I don’t paranoid or suspicious type I Cohen and Priority-1 were ing back at a series of accom- actually believe that I am would not have been taken already working on the solu- plishments along with educa- operating with any level of aback, but in this instance I tions. Today, 22 years later, tional innovations that have paranoia, but at the same time genuinely was thrown for a Priority-1 has written the I could not help concluding manual on how to motivate Continued on Page 14 that an aspect of my existence Continued on Page 9 The YDT Wiz Team LAWRENCE VILLAGE Munkaczer Rebbe to be in The Cycle Five Towns on June 21. ELECTIONS, JUNE 17 See Page 57 Of Life BY DAVID WILDER BY LARRY GORDON

Over the years I’ve It’s expected to be an authored articles on many uneventful yet very impor- varied topics; some political, tant Village of Lawrence some personal, some satire, trustee election that will take some sad, some happy. Today’s place on Tuesday, June 17. is a real mix. Up for reelection are two A few nights ago I attended trustees—Joel Mael and Eighth- and ninth-graders at Yeshiva Darchei Torah placed second at the a special wedding in Kiryat Michael Fragin. Until two Gildor Science competition held earlier this week at Yeshiva University. The Dr. Joseph Frager and Noam YDT students created a method for desalinating ocean water, making it suitable Arba. The chasan is the son of weeks ago, when her election Shalit at Israel Day Concert. for drinking. The New Jersey-based Kushner Academy was awarded first place. See Page 50 See Page 78 Continued on Page 12 Continued on Page 18

CANDLE LIGHTING June 12 – 8:08 PM See Ad June 19 – 8:10 PM Page 6 2 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 3 FROM THE EDITOR possible that over 150 member coun- Continued from Front Cover tries of the UN felt one way and that Israel and just a few of her allies saw stand the nature of the relationship things another way, and still there was between a wolf and a lamb. a quasi-legitimate suggestion that the In the aftermath of President minority position was the right one Obama’s and Secretary of State and the rest of the world was wrong. Hillary Clinton’s assertion that the Barack Obama seems to have been United States will demand an won over by Mr. Anan’s argument. absolute cessation to all building in There is an additional report in the Judea and Samaria, that is precisely Israeli press this week that a potential where we as Jews and supporters of confrontation between Israel and the Israel are left—alone. There are few U.S. is being contrived so that the out there in the world who will be U.S. can be viewed as being on the willing to go out on a limb and dis- outs with Israel, in an effort to bol- agree with Mr. Obama at this stage ster relations between this country of the game. The erudite and glib and Muslim nations. The prime Prime Minister Netanyahu, has, in a objective here is to help pave the way sense, been cornered, and though he for the U.S. to extricate itself from has announced that he will address Iraq, This, they believe, cannot be the issue of the settlements in a done without assistance from other major speech to the Israeli public Arab countries in that neighborhood. next week, he has been left little lin- According to these media reports, guistic wiggle room. the idea to go up against Israel was At the same time as we seem to initiated by two top Obama aides, consistently revel in one kind of iso- Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod. lation or another, as a people there is Both had the American Jewish com- nothing that we desire or crave more munity and even the Israeli people than to be welcomed with open arms, excited that two Jews were going to unconditionally, into the family of be so influential in the Obama man. But there is always something, administration. It is unfortunate an event or an experience, that some- that they are most adept at using how always sets us back to the begin- their influence to undermine rather ning. Time and again we are put on than help Israel. But there’s no notice that the world is over here on shock there either. We’ve been there this side, and over there, on the and done that. other, is Israel and the Jew. The key here now is for Netanyahu When Kofi Anan was Secretary to stand strong and not conduct him- General of the United Nations he was self as if he were a fifty-first American known to pontificate on more than several occasions about how it was Continued on Page 6

4 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 5 FROM THE EDITOR That Israel’s international isolation FEATURES Continued from Page 4 would come about at this highly advanced juncture in history was fore- Around The Five Towns 40 state, or as Menachem Begin once said seen by the ancient non-Jewish prophet P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 when America was trying to push Bilaam whose words we will read in a 516-984-0079 Aliyah Chronicle Israel around to achieve similar objec- few weeks. He was retained as a consult- [email protected] Shmuel Katz 25 [email protected] tives: “Israel is not some kind of ant by the ancient King Balak to curse banana republic.” Let’s hope Israel the Jewish people as they prepared to LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Ask The Sensei Publisher/Editor Managing Editor Warren Levi 66 doesn’t act that way. exit the desert and enter the land of YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON It’s important for Israel to step away Israel. Their goal at that time was to Sales Managers Classified Ads 70 from the quagmire and not be maneu- build settlements throughout the land, CHANA ROCHEL ROSS vered into the trap that is being set. natural growth and all. The mission of Editorial Assistant Daf Yomi Insights Everyone involved in the process will Balak and Bilaam was to freeze those Rabbi Yosef Sebrow 22 SIDI BARON have more respect for Israel if she plans or actually do away with the YAKOV SERLE The Dish stands firm and conducts business in Israelites altogether. JERRY MARKOVITZ Elke Probkevitz 32 the best interest of her citizenry. In Parashas Balak (Chapter 23:9), Sales Representatives That Israel will ultimately have to go the gentile prophet Bilaam looks down SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Five Towns Simcha it alone should really come under the at the people of Israel as they traverse Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Ira Thomas Creations 73 heading of “Nothing new under the the final section of the desert and says, CONTRIBUTING EDITORS sun.” The idea that we are just one of “I see them from the head of the rocks; Hannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen, Insights On The Torah Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, Toby Klein Greenwald, R’ Ben Tzion Shafier 35 the many nations of the world is only I look at them from hills; It is a nation Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Miriam Horowitz, true in a very superficial sense. As has that will dwell alone; And will not be Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, Shmuel Katz, The Legendary . . . been demonstrated, Israel has much to reckoned with the nations.” Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller, . . . Danny O’Doul 20 offer the world—from high tech inven- The Lubavitcher Rebbe explained in Martin Mushell, Elke Probkevitz, Naomi Ross, tiveness to agricultural innovation. At a discourse that Bilaam had to speak in Rachael Schindler, Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Letters To The Editor 60 Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher the same time, the anti-Semitism that parables because simple everyday lan- DOV GORDON, ELISHEVA ELEFANT Luach 8 dominates the Islamic world negates guage was incapable of capturing the Staff Graphic Artists all the positives Israel has to offer. I essence of the Jewish nation. (Maybe IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS MindBiz like to think of it as Israel’s natural role that’s why diplomats speak the way Staff Photographers Esther Mann, LMSW 30 in the world—that it is the Divinely they do today.) The Rebbe explained ordained fate, after all is said and that Bilaam used the metaphor of FRANKEL & CO. Mother’s Musings Design & Production done, for the Jews to be successful and rocks to describe the extraordinary Phyllis J. Lubin 55 TALIYE CORLEY admired, but only after being isolated strength of the Jew “but in truth the Art Director Real Estate and vilified, and to be forced—as the Jewish soul is stronger than stone. It is SARAH GREENBAUM Anessa V. Cohen 38 case is here—to go at it alone. therefore possible that nothing can Assistant Art Director This should not catch any of our erode the rock-like connection The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- That’s The Way It Is! readers by surprise. We, who subscribe between a Jew and G-d. paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not Hannah Reich Berman 33 to the holiness of the Jewish people But that doesn’t mean that the necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or Travel 44 and the holy nature of the Land of Jewish people or the Jewish nation establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. Israel, also understand that we are part cannot be pushed around. It appears of one constantly evolving continuum. that what our leaders don’t know or

6 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES perhaps don’t care to know is that the one another, that doesn’t mean that it’s welcome mat of friendliness extended going to stay that way. The situation to the State of Israel by the nations of surrounding Israel can turn in the the world has an expiration date blink of an eye. attached to it. Bilaam the prophet said Regardless of the form of the so; Moshe said it as well as he blessed process taking place, whether the end the people in Devarim. game is ridding Iran of a nuclear Even more interesting is why the capacity or really finally establishing a praises and the blessings of the Palestinian state, at the end of the day Jewish people have to come from a Israel stands alone. It looks like and source—Bilaam—whose original feels like we are one nation, swimming intent was to curse and destroy the upstream, with everyone and every- Jewish people. If you can answer that thing moving in the opposite direction. then you probably understand why Oddly enough, when we find our- the seed of Mashiach had to be selves in these troubling situations, planted from the incestuous relation- that is the precise moment that we ship between Lot and his daughters, know, by looking back into our history, in the curious and suspicious liaison that the future is bright, and that all of Yehuda and Tamar, and through will be well for the people and the the circuitous route that led Naomi Land of Israel. O to Boaz, the great, great grandpar- ents of David HaMelech. Our commentators say that the Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at nature of the opaqueness of this diffi- [email protected]. cult physical world and the evil that naturally dominates it require that the spirit of salvation and redemption enter the world through these seem- WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? ingly illicit circumstances. It is as if that which will eventually save the WE WANT TO KNOW! world from itself has to be snuck in through a rear, unguarded door. E-MAIL US AT Whether the clash that is reportedly about to take place between the [email protected] Obama administration and Prime Minister Netanyahu is real or not is OR UPLOAD not the issue. Even if the attempt to YOUR COMMENTS AT draw Israel into a diplomatic conflict is fabricated, orchestrated, and contrived www.5tjt.com this time to bring the U.S. and Moslem countries in the Middle East closer to

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 7 CALENDAR LUACH June 12 – June 20 ZIP Code: 11516

20 Sivan Friday, June 12 Daf yomi: Bava Metzia 48 Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/tefillin: 4:16 am Sunrise: 5:24 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:33 am Gr’a 9:09 am Candle Lighting: 8:08 pm 21 Sivan – Shabbos Saturday, June 13 Shabbos Parashas Beha‘alosecha Avos: Ch. 2 Shabbos ends**: 9:18 pm 72 min. 9:39 pm 27 Sivan Friday, June 19 Daf yomi: Bava Metzia 55 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 4:16 am Sunrise: 5:24 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:34 am Gr’a 9:10 am Candle Lighting: 8:10 pm 28 Sivan – Shabbos Saturday, June 20 Shabbos Parashas Sh’lach Blessing of Chodesh Tammuz Avos: Ch. 3 Shabbos ends**: 9:20 pm 72 min. 9:42 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Monday, June 15–Wednesday, June 24 NYS Regents Exams. Tuesday, June 17 Village of Lawrence elections.

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8 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

BAGEL STORE Continued from Front Cover loop. By way of background, it’s important to point out that over the last several years the Five Towns Jewish Times has significantly expanded its areas of distribution. Yes, just like in the Five Towns and surrounding areas, the paper can be found in a number of stores and in some shuls elsewhere. The paper can also be found in those handsome and sturdy newspaper dispenser boxes that you see up and down Central Avenue and on Broadway, which are also located in front of post offices and train stations in other areas as well. The objective is—as always—to make it possible for you to easily get your hands on the paper each and every week and I hope we’ve accomplished that. When we started publishing the 5TJT almost ten years ago—time does fly, it seems, whether you are having fun or not—one of the great liberties afforded to citizens of our great democra- cy with a free press was to lib- erally distribute the paper through various methods. Some research made it clear to us that distributing the paper in a number of fash- ions was covered by the First Amendment of the Consti- tution of the United States, that is the free speech provision that you are most likely well aware of. Under this same law, by the way, street vendors in Manhattan can sell books, tapes, and other litera- ture while vendors of soup or pretzels require permits from the city. Sure, freedom is good, but even the most far reaching liberties have to have some con- straints and regulations attached to them—otherwise we’d probably have more chaos than freedom. So it was with mixed emotions that a few months ago I began receiving letters and notices from the New York City Department of Transportation, Highway Inspection and Quality Assu- rance, Street Assessment/ News Racks (HIQA). The gist of their correspondence was that although I was certainly within my First Amendment rights of free expression, this division of NYC government was charged with another aspect of the law that does not infringe on any of our consti- tutional rights. And this was the substance of their communiqué: Even though it’s okay to have these newspaper dispenser boxes [which they do not deny are nice-looking and impressive]

Continued on Page 10 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 9 BAGEL STORE New York City street corner landscape. combination of things. One was that in with the safety of the boxes on the city Continued from Page 9 Courtesy of the First Amendment of two locations in Brooklyn—on Avenue streets. our Constitution they may even be a K and Coney Island Avenue and on What happens if you don’t respond on the streets of Brooklyn, Manhattan, bit extra territorial, protected by the Avenue I and McDonald Avenue, the to these notices? Well, according to Queens, and Staten Island, this divi- beautiful freedoms that make America boxes seemed to be protruding into the the paperwork, we had seven days to sion of the DOT did not like the place- work. sidewalk portion of the crosswalk. respond—which we did—but if you ment of some of these boxes and was While I found the attention being While I don’t believe that it’s likely just ignore them and don’t implement giving me about two weeks to have paid to my newspaper dispensers inter- someone would trip over these boxes, the suggested change in box location, them moved before we would be cited esting, I also pictured in my mind all of course anything is possible and the you can be subjected to a Notice of and fined. the boxes that I see sitting on street city is just doing its job both legally Violation returnable to the At first I was just slightly both corners here in Nassau County and and properly. Environmental Control Board that can impressed and flabbergasted that the the five boroughs—very often So naturally, our delivery crew impose a penalty of between $250 and city of New York during these trying unchained and unsecured—of news- unchained the boxes in question and $500. and quite difficult times has the man- papers that have ceased publishing relocated them to a nearby spot where This new insight into the life of pub- power to assess the position of news- lishing and distributing a newspaper paper boxes on the streets. Then I reminded meof those first few months studied the paperwork they sent, and I when we started publishing the 5TJT. have to admit that I was impressed At the time we were thinking about with their thoroughness—particularly I was flabbergasted that the city has delivering door to door so as to make on this matter. There it was: neatly sure that we got people’s attention by folded up in a manila envelope, clear getting the papers into their homes. black and white pictures of my news- the manpower to assess the position We distributed in that fashion for paper boxes on the streets of Brooklyn about six months. It was costly and and Queens. The small print beneath time consuming. I was told at the time each photo described the exact loca- of newspaper boxes on the streets. that while we could, by law, throw the tion where the box was located and papers onto people’s lawns and drive- what the city inspectors found objec- ways, we could not, however, place tionable about said boxes. them in mailboxes as only the post I am impressed with the manner in long ago. Are those sometimes rusted, they would not get in anyone’s way. office can do that. which this box matter is being han- old, garbage-filled boxes beyond the When I received the first letter from Late one night I received a call from dled. Each of these pricey boxes is scope of the HIQA? I guess if there’s the DOT just before Pesach, I called a man who said, “Excuse me but your chained to a nearby utility or other no one to write to and tell that their the person who signed the letter to newspaper is in my driveway and I kind of poll for a variety of obvious rea- boxes are not correctly or safely inquire about the nature of the law don’t want it there.” Okay, I thought, sons. The first is that a box all alone on placed, then, I suppose, they just sit and whether I was mistaken about the that’s a reasonable position to assume. the street through long dark nights there year after year. boxes being protected under the free So I said to the person on the other is—like people in some areas—not Maybe it was the strong sturdy speech provision of the First end of the phone that I was sorry about really safe. We’ve had our experiences attractiveness that drew the attention Amendment. She said that while the that and that we would not deliver to with the vandalism of some of these of the DOT-HIQA people. Okay, I’ll First Amendment stands, New York his address in the future. But he was boxes, but I have to admit these events tell you what made them notice the City policy was adjusted in 2003 not to not satisfied. He said that that week- are extremely minimal. Newspaper 5TJT’s rather otherwise unobtrusive interfere with the distribution of the end’s paper was still in his driveway street boxes are part of the everyday and innocuous boxes. It was actually a periodical but rather to concern itself and that it disturbed him.

10 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES I suggested to him that he just take the paper and throw it out if he really doesn’t want it, to which he responded: “You put the paper there, you throw it out.” Frankly, I thought that this was an unreasonable request and I told him so. I told him that there are lots of things thrown into his driveway and mine; some of those things sit there for weeks. It’s funny how they can lay there in their plastic bags in all kinds of weather and we don’t bother to bend down and toss them out. I kind of understood where he was coming from but I wasn’t going to go out there and pick up the paper. Anyway, that was a long time ago and part of the learning process. The street box communication with DOT reminded me of those first weeks of distribution in our salad days. At the end of the day we are pleased to be in compliance and also pleased that they have noticed us. O

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 11 The Cycle Of Life that’s no problem. The Ma’arat also forbidden, because it ‘looked one of them, as did someone else Continued from Front Cover HaMachpelah Authority is notified like’ wine. with the other, while Andrea, unob- and they handle all the necessary However, this did not deter the trusively whisked the newborn baby a friend, whom many of you may have details. However back then, 28 years Cooperbergs. Due to the fact that the inside without anyone paying any heard of. Gary and Andrea ago, it wasn’t so easy. At that time, bris was to take place on Shabbat of attention. Cooperberg moved to Kiryat Arba in A few minutes later, towards the 1981, just a month or so after my wife end of the morning prayer service, and I settled there. Andrea is a dedi- before anyone had any idea what was cated nurse in the local medical cen- happening, the bris milah was per- ter. Gary has been working with Avi Yitzhak was probably the first formed in the largest and most Yeshivat Nir Kiryat Arba for many important room at Ma’arat years and is well known for his arti- HaMachpelah, the Isaac Hall, known cles, titled: A Voice from Hebron. Jew to have his bris in Ohel Yitzhak in Hebrew as Ohel Yitzhak. This The Cooperbergs then lived in an room contains an opening in the floor apartment adjacent to ours, and when in literally thousands of years. leading down into the actual caves of Andrea left to give birth in Jerusalem Machpelah and is called “hapetach on a Shabbat morning, she sent her l’Gan Eden”—the entrance to the other children to spend the day with Garden of Eden. us. That night we received the happy The baby was given a name in news: a new baby boy now belonged to celebrating a bris at the Ma’arah was Sukkos, many people were worship- accordance with the site. Avi Yitzhak their family. prohibited. Supposedly, according to ing at Ma’arat HaMachpelah. The was probably the first Jew honored to The bris milah was scheduled to Islam, Moslems are forbidden to presence of an unusually large crowd have his bris in Ohel Yitzhak in liter- take place eight days later, which drink alcohol. Therefore, in order to didn’t stir up suspicions. Andrea ally thousands of years. happened to fall on Shabbat, chol ‘honor’ (appease) the Arabs, any acts, walked from Kiryat Arba to Hebron Almost 28 years later, Avi Yitzhak hamoed Sukkos. Gary and Andrea such as a bris, which necessitated use with the baby in a carriage, but this Cooperberg is an ordained rabbi and decided that their son’s bris would be of wine, were banned at this holy too was normal. At the entrance to continues his Torah studies at one of at none other than Ma’arat Jewish site. Of course, grape juice, a the building were two soldiers; some- the finest yeshivas in Jerusalem, HaMachpelah, in Hebron. Today, permitted substitute for wine, was one struck up a conversation with located in the Old City, adjacent to the Kotel. A few days ago he married Ester, a lovely woman whose family are friends of mine. Originally from England, Ester too has made her home in the Holy Land. Their beautiful wedding, overlooking Hebron, seemed to be a wonderful ending to the week. However, that joy was soon shat- tered. About 16 years ago, a Yemenite family from the Israeli city of Rehovot moved to Hebron. The father, Rabbi Inon, is a Torah scholar who has made study and education his life’s work. Orna, the mother, is also a teacher. They too were privileged to raise a large family in Hebron. But life in Hebron is not without its perils. Some 14 years ago Arab terrorists shot a missile into their home. Fortunately it didn’t explode and no one was hurt. In later years, three of their sons were wounded by terrorists in Hebron; one was seriously stabbed and the other two were shot while standing on their apartment balcony. They all recovered. But this past Friday was different. Their daughter Chenya Meshulam’s name is very special. Chen means grace or charm. And she certainly was a very charming young woman. The second part of her name hints at the name of G-d. In other words, she embodied the grace of G-d. Just over 17 years of age, she was on the verge of graduating from a women’s religious high school in Beit El. Next year she planned on participating in a program for women’s volunteer national service if she didn’t get married first (as do many young women just out of high school.) Last weekend, all of the girls in her class were having a special ‘parents- daughters’ Shabbat at her school. For some reason, Chenya came home to Hebron on Thursday and that night, at about midnight, she invited her friends to a late-night party. She ordered pizza and asked them what they’d like to drink. When the others answered ‘hot chocolate,’ she went upstairs to her home and prepared it 12 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES for them. At 1:00 she gave all the girls a hug and kiss and went home to sleep. The next day, Friday, Chenya spent about an hour and a half at my apartment with my daughter and another friend, preparing for the upcoming Shabbat. When she left Hebron at about 1:30, catching a ride into Jerusalem, heading back towards her school, she called another friend from her class, also from Hebron, and asked that they give her parents a ride, later on, to her high school for the special Shabbat. At about 2:15 the car Chenya was in was hit by an Arab vehicle, which refused to yield right-of-way. By the time an emergency crew was able to get Chenya out of the wrecked car, it was too late to save her. The pain and anguish upon hearing of her sudden death was almost unbear- able. A few hours later, just before Shabbat, Chenya Meshulam was brought to rest at the ancient Jewish cemetery in Hebron. It seemed so unreal, that this beautiful young woman was no longer here, was being buried following such a hor- rible, unnecessary accident. Yet there was nothing left to do but return home and bring in Shabbat. Saturday night: Shortly after the conclusion of Shabbat, with the pain of Friday still throbbing, we received notification: Please pray for Porat Yosef ben Shunamit. This four-and-a- half year old boy was the son of a couple who grew up in Hebron. The child’s grand- parents, Ronen and Anat Cohen, and Yisrael and Miriam Ze’ev still live in Hebron. Their married children live in the mountains of Samaria. That Shabbat, while visiting friends, the child went outside to play. At some point he must have fallen into a pond, where he was later found. Despite attempts to revive him, the child didn’t survive, and he too was buried in Hebron, across the field from Chenya, on Sunday afternoon. Two funerals in three days, both so heartbreaking, very difficult to emotionally deal with. But as life will have it, our story does not end here, on such a sad note. Tonight, Monday night at Ma’arat HaMachpelah. A joyous atmosphere, singing and dancing in the air. A chupah is outlined on the background of the huge ancient building atop the caves of

Continued on Page 21 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 13 Making A Difference than 50 students and is proud to have the attention is paid to each talmid’s peaked, Rabbi Cohen says that he Continued from Front Cover six members of their Kollel Ner specific needs as they are imbued really does not believe that to be the Yehoshua celebrating receiving semi- with a love for learning. case. “I think that it is the opposite, influenced and impacted upon liter- chah from Rav Moshe Heinemann, The Priority-1 institutions try to and that these problems unfortunate- ally thousands of yeshiva students shlita, at this year’s dinner. steer their students towards careers ly continue to rage as the community right here in our backyard as well as The organization has also launched in education. “It’s absolutely clear to grows, although the good news is that around the world. The dinner will Mesivta Yam HaTorah, a boys’ high me that rebbeim and teachers are many of those who go off are coming take place on June 17 at the school in Bayswater, that maintains the key to a successful Jewish back, to some extent.” Lawrence Country Club. small classes and individualized qual- future,” says Rabbi Cohen. “We have Still, Rabbi Cohen optimistically “While it’s true that Priority-1 is ity attention for each student. “Our an obligation to develop qualified, prepares for a great future in Torah best known for our high-profile work focus,” says Rabbi Shaya Cohen, “is trained teachers and leaders for the education as Priority-1 and their with children at-risk,” says founder affiliate institutions will be celebrat- and director, Rabbi Cohen, “we have ing on June 17 at their annual dinner. also accomplished—over the last few The guests of honor at the dinner will years—extraordinary things with four be Mesivta Yam HaTorah Parents of outstanding mainstream educational “We have an obligation to develop the Year, Mr. and Mrs. Leibish institutions.” Kamenetsky, and Yeshiva Zichron Today, in addition to hosting semi- Aryeh Alumnus of the Year, Mr. and nars for educators both here in the qualified, trained teachers and Mrs. Leon Landsman. In addition to United States and Israel, Priority-1 is the honoring the recipeints of the also very active in developing a series leaders for the next generation.” semichahs, the dinner will also fete of “mainstream” Torah institutions the tenth graduating class of Priority- that are now thriving. Their post-high 1’s Torah Academy Alternative High school beis medrash in Bayswater, School. Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh, features more For more information and dinner personal attention, interactive learn- next generation and, Baruch reservations call 516-295-5700 or visit ing, and creating an excitement in Hashem, we’ve had remarkable suc- www.Priority-1.org. O limud haTorah.” Rabbi Cohen imbues cess in that direction.” his rebbeim and teachers with the Rabbi Cohen adds that he has vast experience that he has acquired found that just as important as from his rabbeim and as a result of teacher training are the parenting his decades of experience as a pre- workshops that Priority-1 organizes You can now upload mier educator. and is involved in around the country. Rabbi Cohen is particularly pleased “As a community, we’ve been through your display ad directly with their new post-high school yeshi- some tough times and we are confi- va, Or Hatzafon, in Jerusalem. “I dent that our contribution to the via our website at believe that sending kids right out of process has helped to stem the some- high school to Israel can, for some, be times downward tide that has www.5tjt/com/ad wrought with potential problems,” wreaked havoc in some very young Rabbi Cohen said. In Israel, as well as lives.” Asked if he feels that the so- here in the U.S., Rabbi Cohen says, called “at-risk” experience has

14 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 15 Terrorism Not Ruled Out In Air France Crash Mystery A week after Air France A330’s caused the plane to be lost.” such as a bolt of lightening or Tuesday, June 9, a BBC aviation unexplained fatal dive into the This sort of comment by a U.S. extreme turbulence. Both theories expert wondered whether it was “an Atlantic on June 1, DEBKAfile reports president and America’s active involve- were quickly dismissed; large airlin- un-commanded disengagement from Paris that U.S., French, and ment in the investigation of a foreign ers are designed to withstand extreme prompted by some other systems fail- Brazilian investigators have begun air disaster when the plane is not of weather conditions. ure, or whether the pilot took control going through the list of more than U.S. manufacture and no Americans in a valiant but ultimately failed 200 passengers on the flight from Rio were aboard is unusual—unless a seri- attempt to rescue his aircraft.” to Paris with a tooth comb. They are ous crime or terror is suspected. So too Sophisticated American sonar looking at the victims’ countries of ori- is Sarkozy’s request to Obama for French equipment will be deployed to trace gin, family, social, and denomination- active U.S. participation in the search the black boxes in several hundred al associations for possible clues to without consulting with Air France. square kilometers of deep Atlantic the mysterious disaster. Aviation authorities recall that investigators Ocean 1,000 km northeast of Brazil’s After the recovery of 24 bodies, another Air France flight from Fernando de Noronha islands. The some personal possessions and large Buenos Aires to Paris was grounded suggested that the locators can detect pings to a depth sections of the doomed aircraft, there temporarily on May 27 because of a of 6,000 meters. They will be working is still no understanding of what hap- telephoned bomb threat. The tri-bor- cockpit was empty against the clock since these signals pened aboard the craft in the few der region where Brazil, Argentina, begin to fade after 30 days. After July short minutes before the crash when and Paraguay meet is home to a large when the plane 1 the recorders will be lost. its automated monitoring systems Muslim population with a history of If found in time, French deep- transmitted a series of 24 error mes- militancy. dropped into the water unmanned subs aboard the sages indicating the shutdown of crit- Aviation experts were first puzzled oceanographic survey ship Pourquoi ical systems. by the time the airline took—an hour ocean. Pas will be lowered to retrieve the As long as the fog surrounding the and a half—to disclose that the plane boxes from the ocean floor. tragedy remains impenetrable, a man- had failed to land at Charles de Meanwhile, the recovered vertical made disaster cannot be ruled out. Gaulle after dropping off radar stabilizer which must have sheared Both the French defense minister and screens. Later, Paris radio announced The French government came out off the plane shows no signs of burn Pentagon have said there were no signs that there was no hope of survivors with its first official statement only marks. One expert says this does not that terrorism was involved in the among passengers and crew, but when it was forced to admit it was mean much since an explosion or fire crash. This was short of an outright offered no information to support stumped. Later, French investigators in the fuselage would not necessarily denial. But some terror experts are not this presumption. The delays, accord- suggested that the cockpit was empty reach the tail section. excluding a terrorist attack. ing to our Paris sources, indicated when the plane dropped into the Investigators are also looking at the Saturday, June 6, when the that French government and security ocean. They offered no theories possibility that external speed moni- French and U.S. presidents held a officials were themselves scrambling about whether the pilots had left the tors iced over and gave dangerously news conference at Caen, Barack frantically for information to estab- cockpit voluntarily or not. The auto- false readings to cockpit computers in Obama commented, apparently off lish the cause of the tragedy. They pilot was also disengaged shortly a thunderstorm. The sensors aboard the cuff, “…it’s not clear yet what tried to impose a news blackout until before the stream of error messages flight A330 had not been replaced as happened to the plane but the two they were wiser, but the dearth of went out. Airbus, the manufacturer, had recom- countries want to discover what facts only gave rise to wild rumors, In a detailed analysis published mended. (DEBKAfile.com) O

16 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 17 Lawrence Village Elections Continued from Front Cover

petitions were disqualified, Lawrence Association President Jacqueline Handel was expected to challenge the incumbents. The process does not have candidates oppose one another but rather elects the two that receive the highest vote total. Traditionally, trustees who sought reelection have run unopposed as a comment and endorsement of the camaraderie and unity of thought on the matter of village affairs. However, as the village has developed along with the influx of many new families, quite naturally, different attitudes and approaches to matters inevitably come to the fore. While, as of today, a few days prior to the election, it seems that both Fragin and Mael are running unopposed, there is a sense that Ms. Handle may be quietly organizing a write-in campaign in support of her so far failed candidacy. Since even the winners in these village elections usually muster no more than 200 or so votes, a carefully orchestrated write-in campaign can indeed upend a candidate that believes he will easily win reelection. So both candidates are keeping an eye on that possibility and urging the community to come out to vote at the Village Hall in Lawrence on Tuesday, 12:00-9:00 p.m. Running for reelection may be the most exciting thing that trustees endure in their service to the village, but there are certainly a number of more mundane yet essential matters that require a great deal of their attention in order for the village of Lawrence to function efficiently. In the coming year, Mr. Fragin, who also serves as Village Fire Commissioner, says that one of the projects on the agenda is sewer consolidation— which means that Nassau County will be taking over the management of our sewers, saving the village as much as 20 pecent in the cost of sewer rent. In fact, Mr. Fragin points out that the village completes each fiscal year with a budget surplus and he hopes that ultimately that will translate to further property tax reductions for village residents. Overall, both Mr. Fragin and Mr. Mael have shown that they stand for transparency and openness in government and have done away with private sessions for trustees, the zoning board, and the board of village design. All such meetings, Mr. Fragin said, are held in public—which is an important innovation in that residents can now be more involved in the process of village governing. This annual election is usually uncomplicated, and let’s all hope that it remains that way and that Michael Fragin and Joel Mael are reelected on June 17. O

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18 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Security Guard Killed In Shooting At U.S. Holocaust Museum

An elderly gunman opened Obama of the events and the detectors at the entrance, and U.S. memorial to the to build a fertilizer bomb—like fire with a rifle inside the chief executive was “obviously bags are screened. Holocaust, opened in 1993 the one used to destroy an crowded U.S. Holocaust saddened by what has hap- Linda Elston, who was visit- and has been a target of at least Oklahoma City federal build- Memorial Museum on pened.” Only last week, ing the museum, said she was one domestic terrorism threat ing—to blow up the Holocaust Wednesday, killing 39-year-old Obama visited the site of a on the lower level of the muse- in the past. In 2002, prosecu- museum. Authorities said the security guard Stephen Tyrone German concentration camp um watching a film when she tors said two members of white two had plotted to incite a race Johns before being shot. The at Buchenwald in Germany, and others were told to evacu- supremacist groups had plotted war. (JPost.com) O assailant and his victim were where he noted, “There are ate. “It was totally full of peo- both hospitalized, and the those who insist the Holocaust ple,” Elston said. “It took us a guard later succumbed to his never happened.” He added, while to get out.” She said she wounds. Washington Mayor “This place is the ultimate didn’t hear any shots and did- Adrian Fenty said that the gun- rebuke to such thoughts, a n’t immediately know why man was in critical condition. reminder of our duty to con- there was an evacuation. The front those who would tell lies experience left her feeling “a about our history.” little anxious,” she said. The museum normally has a A museum official said a heavy security presence, with few thousand people were In 1983, he was guards positioned both inside inside the facility when the and outside. All visitors are shooting broke out. convicted of required to pass through metal The museum, the largest attempting to kidnap members of the Federal Reserve Board.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said the gunman appeared to have acted alone. He was “engaged by security guards immediately after entering the door” with a rifle, she said. “The second he stepped into the building he began firing.” One law enforcement official said James Von Brunn, a white supremacist, has been identified as the shooter, and a second official said the elderly man’s car was found near the museum and tested for explo- sives. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss the investigation just beginning. Von Brunn has a racist, anti- Semitic website and wrote a book titled Kill the Best Gentile. In 1983, he was convicted of attempting to kidnap members of the Federal Reserve Board. He was arrested two years earlier outside the room where the board was meeting, carrying a revolver, a knife, and a sawed-off shotgun. At the time, police said Von Brunn wanted to take the members hostage because of high interest rates and the nation’s economic difficulties. The museum, which draws about 1.7 million visitors each year, was closed for the day after the shooting, and nearby streets were cordoned off by police. Surrounding roads were closed and blocked off with yellow tape. Police cars and offi- cers on horseback surrounded the area. At the White House, just a few blocks away, press secretary Robert Gibbs said he informed President Barack 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 19 Sephardic comic sensation Benny The Legendary Danny O’Doul Is Too Tired Gamal, to write the rest of this column. The Legendary Danny O’Doul is B Y DANNY O’DOUL AND ent veto of the innovative HAFTR logo approved vendors and in acceptable now signing off and wishing everyone a BENNY GAMAL patch settlement. As it was explained to styles was made by the HAFTR adminis- Great Good Shabbos. And, now, ladies me by Rabbi Dovid Kupchick, the able tration, at least partially, so that the and gentlemen, put your hands togeth- Unfortunately, I am unable to write and dedicated menahel and director of young ladies wear suitably modest attire, er for the Sephardic Sultan of a full column this week because I am both in a level of tznius (religious mod- Comedy: Mr. Benny Gamal. just plain tired. Tired of the current esty) and in fashion restraint (so that NNN state of world affairs, in which our gov- there will be no competition for the lat- Shalom everyone. I am Benny Gamal ernment treats Israel like a rogue ter- I understand that this est styles and designers). and I just flew in from Morocco—and, rorist state in which human rights Additionally, some boys also tend to boy, are my arms tired. You know they abuses are as rampant as unsanitary decision was made be slaves to fashion, and this “uni- served shwarma and chumus on the falafel stands. Tired of a U.S. govern- form” embroidered shirt will ensure plane, but we hit some really bad turbu- ment which appears weak, sleazy, two- with more care and that no one will buy a really fashion- lence and the shwarma rotisserie fell faced, untrustworthy, and shameful, able shirt and slap on a HAFTR logo and a small fire broke out on board. especially in its blatant silence and reflection than a patch. While some of this actually In fact, it was the first time the air- inaction on the North Korean nuclear makes sense to me, and I understand plane meal was hot in years! Thank tests and communist-style justice surprise Obama that this decision was made with more you, thank you very much. against two of my Western journalist care and reflection than a surprise You know, growing up Sephardic has sisters. And the whipped cream on the Stimulus Package. Obama Stimulus Package, I am tired many advantages over being raised pudding is that these two writers were of trying to inject a note of prudent fis- Ashkenaz—not only do you have two employed by none other than Mr. Heat cal responsibility and being the cham- thin nylon yarmulkes to buy (one black himself—Al Gore. pion of the concerns of those to whom and one white), but we also look really These are just a few of the reasons the HAFTR Middle School, and a good such fiscal responsibility is now a nec- good in designer jeans. We also know why I am very tired. Perhaps most note- man whom I respect, the decision to essary fact of life. what a lafah is. I’ll give you a hint: it’s worthy is the now global issue of the require that uniform shirts with embroi- So, being so tired and drained, I not used to scrub your back in the HAFTR school uniforms and the appar- dered logos and skirts be purchased from have asked a dear friend of mine, the shower. Thank you, you’re too kind. So, you know, I am getting married soon—oh, thank you—mazel tov gam lecha—well, I will be turning 40 in August and my kallah, she is lovely and wonderful and will be, b”H, graduating from high school next week. And, don’t think that she is too mature, she still is quite youthful. Oh, the lady in the back just got that one—thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Well, people ask me, “Benny Gamal, what will you be wearing to your wedding?” Wow, you guys said that all together beautifully. Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll be wearing to my wedding—a tuxedo designed by Giorgio Armani and a kip- pah designed by Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef! You know, under the chupah at a Sephardic wedding, the bride walks around the groom 14 times. Why 14 times? Well, she really needs to think it out. But, once the kallah actually decides to go through with it and marry her chattan, she treats him like a king. My dear grandmother, from the mother country, always treats my grandfather like King David. But a lot has changed during the past 40 years in America. The women still treat their husbands like kings—but now it’s more like Priscilla treated Elvis Presley (a.k.a. the King). Oh, thank you, thank you very much. It’s good to know we have some Elvis fans out there. Well, I must say you are a fantastic audience. I’d like to take you home with me for some kibbah and shakshu- ka, but, after all you all can’t fit into my Mitsubishi Eclipse! Thank you and may you all be blessed with a little “Sephardic” in your lives. Good night, and Shabbat Shalom. Editor’s Note: The Sephardic comedy stylings of Benny Gamal are reported to be an upcoming feature (soon-to- be-announced) of the Kosher Komedy Tour Presented by Kenny Gluck, at King David’s Glatt Kosher Deli. Last week, I had the pleasure of seeing Brad Trachtman and Chris ‘Lumpy’ Wilkes, who were very entertaining. Consult your local listing for this much-anticipated performance by Benny Gamal. O 20 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Cycle Of Life s”xc Continued from Page 13

Machpelah. The chasan and kallah, standing side-by-side, become man and wife, and the festivity begins. But this is no ordinary festivity. The chasan, Shilo, is one of 14 children, brought up here in Hebron. He is one of the few people who had the privilege to grow up at Tel Hebron, the home of Abraham and Sarah, Yitzhak and Rivka, Ya’akov and Leah, as well as the sons of Ya’akov, Bnei Yisrael, who became the 12 tribes of Israel. The kallah, Hadas, is the daughter of Gilad Zar, Hy”d, security chief of the Shomron, who was killed by Arab terrorists a number of years ago. She is also the niece of Anat and Ronen Cohen, who buried a grandchild yes- terday. How is it possible to dance at such a wedding? In August of 1929, 67 Jews were murdered by Arabs during a pogrom in Hebron. Over 20 of those killed were yeshiva students, who studied at the famed Slabodka yeshiva in the city. A week after the massacre, one of the yeshiva students who survived was to be married. How would the other students act, still in shock and mourning following the awful events of the previous week? The rabbis of the yeshiva decreed: All of the yeshiva’s students would attend the wedding; no excuses would be accepted, no exceptions were to be made. At the wedding all the students would dance as they’d never danced before. A wedding is a happy, joyous occasion. There’s a time to mourn and a time to celebrate. At weddings, we all celebrate. And so it was then. And so it was tonight. Under the stars, next to Ma’arat HaMachpelah, all joined hands to sing and dance, to celebrate the festive beginning of a new family, here in Hebron. The chasan and kallah radiated a unique elation saved for newlyweds. All those attending, including most of those who had participated in the two funerals, sang and danced as if they too were not only standing at the entrance to the Garden of Eden, but were actually there, in the Garden itself. That is Hebron. That is the cycle of life. O

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 21 coins (i.e., silver coins without a face Adam was able to focus on his pur- value) is lemehadrin min hamehadrin, pose—the pursuit of spiritual perfec- Daf Yomi Insights even though these bullion coins can’t tion and purification of his body— be used as a medium of exchange. without toil. Man’s physical needs did- n’t overwhelm his ability to pursue his Special Supplement: Talkin’ Taklin future. In other words, if I accumulate History Of Money spiritual needs. Once Adam sinned, (Part 1) more of whatever “money” is, I am The study of economics is the study the yetzer hara became internalized. BY RABBI YOSEF SEBROW richer. Finally, money is supposed to of “the relationship between ends and The balance between good and evil act as the common barometer for scarce means which have alternative became tilted decidedly towards evil. My brother Avrohom asked me to determining worth. In Israel, dollars uses” (Lionel Robbins, 1932 essay). As a result, Hashem changed the write a supplement to his daf yomi arti- are readily accepted, but the measure Economics is a study of how infinite world. Man now had to toil for his cle. The daf yomi is coming up to perek of payment is shekels. Diamonds are a desires are matched up against the bread. Mankind’s needs became much hazahav in Bava Metzia, which dis- store of wealth, but are not accepted as scarcity of goods to meet those unlim- harder to meet, and man began imag- cusses the ancient monetary system. a medium of exchange. A hyperinflat- ited desires. Money is the usual solu- ining wants to be needs. Man became This is a rather poorly known area of consumed by jealousy and irrational the Talmud, since it deals with the desires. Achieving the spiritual perfec- monetary facts on the ground of 2,000 tion for which one was created became years ago. that much harder. It is very difficult to This series of articles is written to It’s also easier to convert a coin into small realize that true happiness comes from help people understand this area of a relationship with Hashem (Mesilas Talmud. (We will explain the title in a change: “Excuse me, you got change for a Yesharim, chapter 1) when your mind later installment.) It is based on is telling you that true happiness knowledge and research picked up cow?” “Yeah sure, have a stomach and a comes from the next trinket or honor. from having a hobby of collecting This new reality of scarcity, both ancient coins. I am not a professor and small intestine.” real and imagined, and jealousy of the never formally studied this subject. other’s possessions, created the econo- This article contains my opinions as my and civilization. The Midrash well. If you spot an error, feel free to Rabbah (Bereishis Rabbah 9:9) says write in and correct it. ing currency can be used for exchange, tion to resolve the scarcity problem—if that Hashem declared the yetzer hara Some basic information to start but is not a store of value as its value you have the money, you have a right “very good,” as it causes people to with: a Troy ounce has 31.1 grams. A deteriorates significantly by storing it. to the scarce goods. If everyone has build houses, get married, and perform regular ounce has 28.3 grams. The rashei yeshivah (Divrei Yechezkel, what they need, and nobody wants other vital functions of civilization. Birchas Shmuel, et al.) reduced money more than what they have, then there The very same pursuits which are an What Is Money? as defined by the Rashba and Ran to is no need for money. anathema to the spiritual goals of a In classical economics textbooks, two functions: shavyus (value) and When Hashem created Adam and Jew are in fact a boon to the rest of the money is usually defined as “the most yotzei behotza’a (accepted as a medium Chavah, He placed them in Gan Eden. world. People need and want things. common medium of exchange,” that of exchange). The Rambam defines They had what they needed. There was Nobody gives away something unless is, what people most commonly give to money as “actual silver,” although its no need to work for food, and there he gets something, perceived to be of buy things or pay for things already value equivalents are good enough. was no internal yetzer hara telling equal value, in return. This can be bought on credit. Money also has to According to the Rambam, paying for a them that they would be happy if only have value, both now and in the pidyon haben with five silver bullion they acquired object A or service B. Continued on Page 24

22 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 23 Daf Yomi Insights survival point of view. They can’t be Continued from Page 22 eaten or used to make anything necessary. Their sole purpose is to provide accomplished through an exchange of ornamentation and beauty. On the goods, better known as barter. Barter is other hand, the fact that they were inefficient in that it requires a “double accepted as money made transactions coincidence” to work. Person “A” has a lot easier. It’s much easier to trans- to want the object of person “B,” and port a few silver coins than sackfuls of person “B” has to want the object of grain. It’s also easier to convert a coin person “A.” Money obviates the need into small change: “Excuse me, you for barter. Society agrees to value got change for a cow?” “Yeah sure, “money”—something so wanted that have a stomach and a small intestine.” it’s readily accepted as payment. This Clearly, coins are the better way to enables goods to be freely traded. go, as well as being less bloody when you need to get change. It is perhaps Early Forms Of Money Small weight found in Eretz Yisrael from the Small Roman “bull’s-eye” weight. for this reason that the Gemara in Ancient society would have laughed time of the avos. Small weights such as these Pesachim 54B calls the nature of peo- at our idea of money: intrinsically were put on balance scales to weigh out ple to accept coins as money a creation corresponding amounts of silver. worthless pieces of paper with pictures be easily counted. Larger animals can from Hashem. of dead presidents on them, backed by be used for transport or field work.) nothing but government fiat, with not to be worth something. Early money • Non-precious metals like iron and Biblical Examples Of Money much separating it from the play consisted of commodity goods desired bronze (needed for weapons and The first time we see money refer- money sold in the toy aisles of chain enough to always be accepted, but implements) enced in the Torah is Parashas Lech drug stores. When the Midrash common enough to be easily available • Precious metals (desired for orna- Lecha (Bereishis 12:16). When Tanchumah (Parashas Terumah, for transactions. Some examples are: mentation and rarity) Pharaoh was paying off Avram for tak- Paragraph 7) predicted this, it must • Grain (always needed) The first three commodities help in ing Sarah, he gave Avram all sorts of have come as a complete shock to a • Animals (provide meat, leather, human survival. Precious metals, on movable property—cows, sheep, don- society used to the idea that money has and bones for making implements, can the other hand, are worthless from a keys, and slaves. A few pesukim later (13:2), we find a description of Avram as being heavily loaded with “cattle, silver, and gold.” All of these are examples of early money. In fact, the word used for “cattle” in 13:2 is “mikneh,” which clearly comes from the kuf, nun, hey Hebrew root meaning “buy” or “possession.” The Kirgiz, a Turkic ethnic group found primarily in Kyrgyzstan, until recently used horses and sheep for money. This phenomenon is reflected in the English language as well. The word “pecuniary,” meaning “monetary,” is clearly related to the Latin word pecus meaning “cattle.” Similarly, the words “chattel,” “capital,” and “cattle” are all related (Glyn Davies). In those days, having a cow was a good thing. Parashas Chayei Sarah has two references to early money. First, Avraham Avinu pays 400 silver shekels for the Machpelah cave, “acceptable as payment for merchandise globally (Onkelos translation of oveir lasocher). Avraham Avinu weighed out (shakal) the silver until it equaled 400 set amounts of weight, known as shekels—“weights.” In the days before coins were widespread, silver and gold were carefully weighed on balance scales until the required weight was reached. “Oveir lasocher” either refers to the large size of the shekel (Rashi) or the purity of the silver. In modern society, the Israeli shekel, the British pound, and Mexican peso are all examples of currencies whose name means “weight.” Furthermore, the English words “spend,” “expenditure,” and “pound” are all related to the word “weight.” The next time you buy a product with bilingual packaging and notice that it says “peso neto” (“Net weight” in English), you will be able to turn to your wife/buddy/total stranger going shopping next to you and say, “Do you see how peso and shekel both mean ‘weight’ and ‘money’”? (I don’t recommend doing this more than once to the same person.) To be continued… O

Rabbi Yosef Sebrow is a musmach of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem and an alumnus of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. He is currently the IT Director at Star Financial. He thanks his wife for her patience while he composed and researched this series. He can be reached at [email protected]. 24 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Spying Out The Land Again

Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 117 ed when he was Minister of Finance in BY SHMUEL KATZ the previous Likud government) put Israel in a strong position to withstand It has been a few weeks, hasn’t it? the worst of the crisis. The shekel has For reasons that will be clearer next proven to be a strong and resilient cur- week, I took a mini vacation from writ- rency and inflation looks to be as sta- ing. However, knowing that this week ble as can be expected in these reces- is Parashas Shelach (in Israel; you sionary times. Make no mistake: we chutz la’aretz guys messed things up by are suffering here too with layoffs, pay having two days of Shavuot and miss- cuts, and a loss in income and assets, ing the right week to hear Nasso, but it but it isn’t as bad here as it is there is OK—you will catch up in a couple of (although that is hard to prove to weeks), I couldn’t resist the lure of the someone who is out of work). keyboard. 9. Vacationing in Israel is much Last year, in response to Nefesh cheaper. There is a connection to this B’Nefesh’s request that olim send a list land that keeps so many of you coming of reasons (à la the original meraglim) back on a regular basis and/or sending to come live in Israel, I wrote a column your children here for a visit or even a entitled “Spying out the Land” giving year. Even with the recently lowered the top 10 reasonsto come live in Israel cost of airfare, it still costs several (in correlation to the 10 meraglim who thousand dollars for a family to make recommended against entering Israel) the trip here before they even embark which I urge you all to reread by visiting on a single day trip. www.5tjt.com/pdfs/20080620_Issue.pdf. Europe is much closer too. When However, if those reasons weren’t you are looking for that additional enough, here are another 10 reasons treat, the flights are incredibly cheap you should embark on an aliyah adven- at times. Some of the deals require ture of your own. very little notice, but if you are flexible 10. It’s the economy, stupid. you can take advantage of great pric- Although Israel has struggled along ing. For instance, airfare for a week- with the rest of the world, most indica- long trip to Italy was priced at $188 tors tell us that (gasp) Binyamin Netanyahu’s financial reforms (enact- Continued on Page 26

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 25 Aliyah Chronicle Even non “Israeli” foods are great outside of Israel. This is reflected in the want to benefit the Jewish shopkeepers Continued from Page 25 here. There are a host of wonderful fact that in some (social) ways, you in as much as possible. kosher restaurants overseas (that galut enjoy more achdut than we do (a While this is relatively easy to do in this week with similar deals for means over there), but you cannot fact I have lamented often). Bet Shemesh, it becomes harder in Hungary, Spain, and a host of other experience the great range of options On the whole, being part of a united major cities. Almost all Jewish shop- European destinations. we do unless you live in a major metro- community vastly outweighs the nega- keepers are aggressive and incredibly 8. Gentile neighbors are a thing of politan area. Even then, the sheer pop- tives but I have to be honest and this knowledgeable and helpful (as the past. Unless you live in a major ulation advantage of kosher consumers point cuts both ways. opposed to civil servants or those who urban area or are specifically looking we enjoy here allows for a much broad- 5. Leining the “right” parshiyot. We work in service industries like bank to be in a mixed-religion community, er spectrum of choices and opportuni- are technically all in galut. You are just tellers). They understand that their your family will not have that much to ties for a great meal. in the furthest galut, being outside of eagerness to please and their help in do with people not like you. Yes, I may Theme restaurants are kosher. Israel. Last year I talked about having identifying just the right product leads rail on about some of the chareidim in Where else in the world can you enjoy only one day of yom tov for the chagim, to loyal customers and more business. Bet Shemesh (not all of them; only an the experience of eating a delicious but this year another funny quirk We have a couple of local “variety” acknowledged minority) but they are kosher meal in total darkness, served popped up—the last day of a yom tov type stores in Bet Shemesh about 200 still Jews and they are still more like by blind waiters? How about enjoying fell out on Shabbat. feet from each other. One is more for me than most of my former neighbors a meal from one of our several all-you- We celebrated one day of Shavuot as hardware and the other is more for from Woodmere. I may not can-eat Brazilian steakhouse chains? always (with Megillat Rut, Akdamot, housewares. They are owned by a like/approve of their actions, but we Pizza Hut? Sbarro’s? We even have a and Yizkor all done on the same day— father and son and you could not find are all one nation. (mehadrin) kosher KFC (I think their beginning at 4:30 a.m. after Tikkun friendlier and more helpful people. There is very little chilul Shabbat in coating is way too salty)! Leil Shavuot). The next day, although One of the main reasons we like them our neighborhood—maybe 12-20 cars 6. Fitting in. This is both a positive flowing naturally from Shavuot, was a (aside from their good natured friendli- each week and even the most irreligious and a negative. Here in Israel, there regular Shabbat for us and we read ness) are the little things that they do people have a basic “Jewish education” are so many communities that there is Parashas Nasso. You (as noted above) and know. We recently bought some including Tanach and Jewish history. somewhere for everyone, no matter still had that day as Shavuot and read coffee glasses in the housewares store Bet Shemesh is a hamlet of sorts, as is what their religious practices and/or a special yom tov leining, delaying and as Goldie peeled the labels off, she Chashmonaim, Efrat, Neve Daniel, etc., political leanings are. There are like- Nasso until the next week (when we commented on how easily they came but a main attraction of all these small minded people for almost everyone, read Bha’alotcha). Through July you off. The owner responded that he stocks communities, which seem to be Anglo which makes for a comfortable exis- will be a week behind us (you catch up a specific brand of glasses and price tags magnets (aside from the English), is tence and life. with a double parashah on Matot- in order to make it easier to peel the their existential Jewishness. However, this also provides a natural Masei). I am not in any way saying labels off prior to dunking them in the 7. The food. I have always been a fan breeding ground for disagreements and your way is wrong but wouldn’t it be mikvah. That is service. of Israeli food, enjoying falafel and shwar- antagonism. Since we Israelis share a better to do it the way it was originally We patronize a local appetizing store ma as much as the next guy. Or at least I common bond as Jews, we have to look intended to be? owned by really nice Gerrer Chassidim. thought I did. When I began to eat harder than you do to find the things 4. The shopkeepers. We try to shop The owner greets us personally every “Israeli food” in Israel, I realized what a that make us different. Our distaste for “Jewish” whenever we can in order to time we walk into the store and makes poor imitation I had in the U.S. No insult those who do not share the same support other Jews. While it is almost sure to wish us a Gut Shabbos before we to the “Israeli” places in the U.S., but I beliefs/values is much stronger than we impossible to totally avoid buying non- leave. At the shuk in Machane Yehuda, a rarely eat in them when I am on a trip to experienced in the U.S. (I am guilty as Jewish/Arab products (for instance, storekeeper once told me that I could the U.S. Once you go authentic, you well) and emboldens people to do the overwhelming majority of cucum- can’t go back to the imitation. things they never would consider doing bers here are grown on Arab farms), we Continued on Page 28

26 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 27 Aliyah Chronicle hitting you with. We are therefore less ly with Israel turned out to be prophet- hearing your opinions, since you too Continued from Page 26 tied in to a specific school and it is not ic in a way. Your support has seen us will have made the sacrifice of uproot- a big deal to send kids to different through many of the trials and tribula- ing your family and committing your- not shop in his store for Pesach products schools, allowing you to send each kid tions we have faced and comforted us self to the future of our country and because his ingredients were kitniyot to the school that is best for him/her as when we needed it most. our nation. Having walked a mile in and I am Ashkenazi. an individual instead of them all being Yet, it is practically impossible to each other’s shoes, I have a suspicion They might all be out to make a buck lumped into the same building for con- please everyone. I have heard it all: that you might not be as critical of me (or shekel as the case may be), but they venience/cost. “Katz is too religious,” “Katz isn’t reli- as you are now. Or you might be. We’ll are super friendly and their recognition 2. Davening. There are many won- gious enough,” “How could you have never know until you move in. of halachah and the value we place on derful shuls and chazzanim outside of done that in public” and of course, my I am a total advocate for everyone to halachah (even if the shopkeeper him- Israel. However, most of the people in all-time favorite “Katz is a jerk for beat- come here and add to the mosaic that self is not religious) is comforting. those shuls don’t fully understand the ing up on the chareidim because we is the population of our homeland. In 3. Tuition, tuition, tuition. This is words they are saying. Hebrew is a for- identify with them.” another few years we will have 50%+ the only repeat from last year. I should eign language to them. Even people Firstly, you only think you identify of the Jewish people resident in Israel really repeat my points about the holi- who have studied the davening and can with them. I complain about those for the first time in thousands of years. ness of the land, doing mitzvot in literally translate them don’t fully who do things that no one in the Five Mitzvot specific to Israel will become Israel, being in the land of the Tanach, appreciate what they are saying. Towns would even dream of doing obligatory from the Torah then. Who or any of the other ones dealing with Almost all of davening (all of Tehillim) and behave in such an immoral way wouldn’t want to be a part of that? the fact that Jews belong in the land is poetry written by David HaMelech. that it is impossible to defend them. On a separate note, mazal tov to that was given to us and that it is the Most of us cannot fully appreciate I have repeatedly said that I under- Goldie’s brother David and his wife holiest place for us to be and enhances Italian, Greek, or Latin poetry, even stand that the majority of the charei- Marcia on the engagement of their our every action (both good and bad). when it is translated to English because di public are nice people and want to daughter Tova to Yitzy Klapper of However, as a regular reader of the we lack the fluency to understand the live their lives the same way I do— Hillcrest. We are very close with Five Towns Jewish Times this past year, nuances that make the poetry especially without interference from outsiders. David and Marcia (and especially I have seen a recurrent theme in its beautiful and meaningful. The same My complaint to them is that they Tova who was in seminary in Israel pages: “The Tuition Crisis” and “The holds true for davening. (by their silence) enable the worst when we initially made aliyah). We Cost Of A Jewish Education.” The Israeli born Jews do not have such a elements in their community to ter- owe tremendous appreciation to costs are incredibly high and I am handicap. Even immigrants stack up bet- rorize us all. them for all they have done for us amazed that in this time of recession it ter than foreign Jews because they are Yet no matter how many times I say over the years. They have always is still possible to pay up to $30,000 to forced to be somewhat fluent in order to this, there are always a handful of peo- been staunch supporters of our send a single child for a year to high conduct their everyday lives. Most of us ple who think I am an agent of evil and aliyah, when other relatives were not, school. What are you people thinking? know where the accents are supposed to have no “right” to say (in a column that and we feel a special bond with I may earn less and pay higher taxes, be and pause at the correct moment. is supposed to be a journal of my per- them. Hopefully Yitzy and Tova’s but the benefits in health care and Singing a tefillah that you understand sonal experiences and thoughts in aliyah plans will come true. O education are incredible. I pay less (especially as a group) is unbelievable. making aliyah) anything negative than a 5 digit dollar figure to send all 5 1. Write your own Chronicles. I have about this minority of people who have kids to school, and there are so many enjoyed tremendous support from the tried to enforce their standards on me Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in schools to choose from here. overwhelming majority of my readers. and my neighbors. So please, come Jerusalem. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six None of our schools have building Larry Gordon’s vision of enabling the prove me wrong. children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of funds, dinners, or any of the other fees average reader to visualize the aliyah I would eagerly look forward to the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can and taxes that your yeshiva has been process and connect a little more close- reading about your experiences and contact him at [email protected].

28 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 29 Dear Esther, real estate company and ultimately I work for a government agency. I paid me from his own profits, I might can’t give too many details, but suffice take some issue with doing things that to say that there are government grants I feel should be done by his wife, but involved in the work that I do. At my my salary would ultimately come out agency, I report directly to a man who is of his pocket. But as far as I’m con- obviously my superior. He moved into cerned, we are both getting paid by the this position several months ago, when government and why should I be my previous boss retired. I had a very responsible for his personal matters? comfortable working relationship with I am constantly complaining to my my last boss and we got along just fine. husband about this problem. He is I’m having some serious issues with absolutely opposed to me saying any- my new boss and don’t know how to thing to my boss. I can’t afford to lose handle it. In general, I’m not crazy my job and my husband fears that if I about him nor do I think he is a partic- say anything I will surely get fired. We ularly impressive individual. But that’s depend on my salary to make ends not why I’m writing to you. Though he meet and I know that my boss could does many things that irk me, the one make up some story and get me fired. thing that really drives me crazy is that I wonder if I should go above him he uses me to handle many of his per- and let his superior know how he is sonal matters. For instance, he might abusing the system and me. It’s not ask me to call several electricians to that I’m necessarily looking to get him get quotes for a personal job at his fired, but it disturbs me how much he home. Or even worse, he might ask me takes advantage of me and his position. to make calls that his wife should be I find that every day it gets harder and making, like booking vacations or mak- harder for me to go to work, as I won- ing calls to request camp applications. der about the next inappropriate task It’s crazy; he has no shame. The things that he will have waiting for me. It’s he asks me to do are so incredibly driving me crazy. inappropriate. Any suggestions on how I can con- I suppose if I worked for him in a front my boss or his superior, without business that he owned I would feel any risk to my job security? differently. If, for instance, he owned a Frustrated

30 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Dear Frustrated, tion and take it in stride. You can make extension of people behaving badly. It Whether we remain in control of our I don’t know that I have any con- it a big deal, bring it home with you, happens. Your challenge is to find thoughts or whether we allow our crete solutions to offer you. I can, and go on and on about it to your hus- meaning in the work that you do that thoughts to control us, thereby creat- however, validate your feelings. I can band, or you can decide to let it go. It’s is relevant and real. The other stuff, ing uncomfortable emotions that certainly understand your frustration. really that simple. the stuff that you shouldn’t be doing, might lead to behavior that is ulti- You seem to be caught between a rock Life often does not feel fair. We’ve doesn’t have to wield any particular mately self destructive, is within our and a hard place. Whichever way you all had teachers that we believed sin- power over how you feel. You can react power to manipulate. turn is likely to cause trouble for you. gled us out for unjust treatment. Many to it as background noise…a bit dis- You can always keep your eyes and I agree that your boss is taking ears open in case another job opportu- unfair advantage of his position and of nity comes along that might be a better you. He has no right to expect you to fit for you. But from what I’m hearing, handle his personal matters. And very these days, jobs are few and far possibly, if his superiors knew about Perhaps his superior is doing the between. You’re fortunate to be gain- his behavior, he very well might be the fully employed. Focus on that and try one looking for a new job. But maybe to appreciate the fact that you are still not. There’s no way of knowing what very same thing as he. Therefore, getting a paycheck at the end of every his relationship is like with his superi- week. Not everyone is that fortunate. or. Perhaps they are great friends. it’s risky business going to his boss. Your boss can certainly use a reality Perhaps his superior is doing the very check, and I have no doubt that some same thing as he. Therefore, it’s risky day he will get it, but I don’t think it is business going to his boss. in your best interest for you to be the If you weren’t counting on your job one to show him the light. to pay bills, you would have much of us have had encounters with certain tracting and even kind of annoying, Esther greater leeway in terms of your family members that didn’t feel right, but nothing to lose sleep over. options. You could afford to take risks. and the majority of us can remember Ultimately, our greatest freedom in Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in However, since you can’t afford to get past jobs that involved working for any situation is the freedom we all Lawrence. Esther is a psychotherapist and life coach and can be reached at 516-314-2295 or fired, particularly when unemploy- bosses who didn’t necessarily behave possess that influences how we will [email protected]. She works with individu- ment is so high and so many people in an aboveboard fashion. It’s all an react and deal with challenges. als, couples, premarital couples, and families. would be thrilled to find a job, any job, you have to play it cool and safe. Though I generally preach openness and honesty, I don’t feel comfortable advising you to confront your boss with your complaint. Not knowing anything about his personality, but fearing that he could be a loose can- non, just waiting to pounce on any excuse to make your life even more miserable, I wouldn’t chance it. I think your only recourse is to work on your own reactions to the predica- ment you find yourself in. You have a choice in determining how you want to respond to this situation and frankly, all situations that come up for you. You can get angry, stew, and grow increas- ingly upset with each passing day, or you can choose to rise above the situa-

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 31 PERSONAL CHEF

Grilling Like A Pro, Part II to coat the surfaces. Do not oil the grill There’s nothing like a cookout in the itself—oil burns instantly and becomes summer: great weather, great friends, sticky. This works against you when and great food right in your own back- trying to get food to remove easily from yard. In addition to the fire and the the grill. heat, the other important element of Once you’ve oiled your food, make flavorful grilling is what you put on the sure to season well with kosher salt and food. First, you want to lightly coat just freshly ground black pepper. Kosher Marinades. Seasoned mixtures, gen- can be brined for 12 to 24 hours. about everything with a little olive oil. salt is better than regular table salt erally containing something acidic, that Rubs. Dry mixtures of salt, pepper, This helps keep the natural juices because the large grains stick to the food soaks in for at least 30 minutes but dried herbs, and spices that are gently inside the food and promotes surface of the food better and get nice- generally no longer than two hours. rubbed into food to add flavor and a bit caramelization and those wonderful ly crisp once they go over the heat. If They add flavor and help tenderize food. of crust. grill marks. If you don’t oil the food it you have good raw ingredients, all you Brines. Solutions of salt and water Mops. Thin savory sauces that are may stick to the grate, and its natural really need to make great tasting food is (and often sugar) in which food is mopped on during cooking. They are juices will evaporate, leaving it dry and olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper. soaked to add moisture and flavor. used mostly with authentic barbecue unappetizing—this is especially evi- If you want to add additional flavor, They are often used for lean cuts of to keep the meat moist during the dent when grilling vegetables. You there are a number of tools you can meat, especially chicken and turkey, long, slow cooking time. don’t need to use a lot of oil. To get the use: marinades, brines, rubs, mops, that might be dry otherwise. Smaller Barbecue Sauces. Include a variety right amount, place the food and oil in and sauces can all be used alone or in cuts can be brined for 15 to 30 min- of regional American sauces that are a sealable plastic bag then gently shake combinations. utes, while larger cuts or whole turkeys basted on during the final stages of cooking, as well as sauces that are dipped into after cooking. Most barbecue sauces contain a lot of sugar, which burns easily if brushed on the food too soon. Once you’ve gotten used to using these methods, you can experiment, mixing and matching to create your own unique flavors.

Marinated Flank Steak With Cherry Tomatoes And Olives

Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp. salt 1 1 ⁄2 tsp. ground black pepper 1 2 ⁄2-lb. flank steaks 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes 1 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 ⁄4 cup coarsely chopped pitted Kalamata olives 1 ⁄4 cup coarsely chopped pitted green olives 1 ⁄4 cup chopped fresh basil 1 ⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. sherry wine vinegar

Directions: Mix first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Place steaks in large glass baking dish. Brush steaks with olive oil. Rub with herb mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. Season tomatoes to taste with salt and pepper. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill steaks until cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium. Transfer steaks to cutting board. Cover with foil. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steaks across 1 grain into ⁄2-inch-thick slices. Arrange steak slices on large platter. Spoon tomatoes with juices over steaks and serve.

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. 32 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

and waited. wonder why so many squirrels were It didn’t take long. Within an hour suddenly finding their way to our prop- we heard a clink and looked out to see erty. Arnie would capture one, release a squirrel sitting in the cage slurping it into the field and then return home, up the peanut butter. Arnie picked up only to find another one in our yard a the now occupied cage, put it in his day later. While we were wondering, car and drove off to an empty field Arnie decided to do some research. He some 15 minutes from our house. discovered that squirrels are able to Squirrel Saga Continued Once there, he opened the latch allow- find their way back to a specific loca- ing the rodent to escape and then he tion from distances of up to three Continued from last week… ened by them. It was a clear case of picked up the empty cage and returned miles, and sometimes further. Uh oh! Having bid a fond farewell to the role reversal—the yard was the squir- home. Success! I congratulated Hubby Were we trapping the same squirrel squirrel that had invaded our home, life rels’ domain and the children were the on his victory. over and over again? went back to normal. But what passes intruders. Something had to be done! But within days we had another It appeared that my congratulations for normal in the Berman household is Determined to get rid of them but squirrel in our yard. Hubby repeated were somewhat premature so I not necessarily considered normal by not wanting to be cruel, Hubby, a.k.a. the process. He slathered more peanut rescinded them and pointed out to most people’s standards. My Hero, shopped around for a gentle butter onto the floor of the cage, set it My Hero that, four jars of peanut but- We never had another visitor in our ter later, and goodness knows how basement because immediately follow- much money spent on gasoline for the ing my unpleasant encounter with the car trips, this had been a costly error. ‘black’ squirrel, my husband, Arnie, Now there was no choice. If in fact it hired someone to put a screen over the was just one animal, it had to be top of our chimney. The screen pre- What a family! They leave out a trapped one final time and be done vented any type of animal from gaining away with. After all, it posed a risk for entrance to our castle. So while we terrific dinner of peanut butter in our children, not to mention being a often saw squirrels scurrying around threat to our Sukkah decorations. our property at all hours of the day, we With a heavy heart, Hubby said he didn’t worry about it, for a while. a comfy little enclosure. would do what he had to do. But he Then, on Sukkos, when we hung didn’t. Instead, he paid our gardener colorful ears of corn as a decoration, to permanently dispose of the critter. the squirrels took over. We entered the And then Arnie walked around with a Sukkah one morning to bentch lulav, way to get rid of them. He found some- down and waited for this second heavy heart and a guilty conscience looked around, and discovered that thing known as the Have a Heart Trap. unsuspecting critter to take the bait. for a long time thereafter. half of those ears of corn had been It was a cage and it came with instruc- When it did, Arnie once again loaded We knew right away that it had eaten. It was not a pretty sight. tions to leave the cage on the ground, the caged squirrel into the car and been just one squirrel all along that It dawned on us that these squirrels place some food inside it, and wait for made a return visit to the field. Again Arnie had been trapping because, posed a serious danger to our children a squirrel to enter. Once the squirrel he released the squirrel, watched it once that one little bushy tailed when they played in the backyard. The was inside, the door would slam shut run away, and then returned home rodent was gone, we never saw anoth- children weren’t infants but they were but would not harm the animal. So with the empty cage. er one in our yard. In truth, we kinda’ young enough to be unafraid. They Hubby put a large scoop of peanut but- Oddly this was now happening with could get bitten if a squirrel felt threat- ter inside the cage, set it on the ground increasing frequency and we began to Continued on Page 34

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 33 THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! door to the enclosure closes behind and another ride. How great is that? right back at us before brazenly going Continued from Page 33 you and at first it’s a little scary but in The guy is a prince!” about its business. The children got the end, it’s not all that bad. The next For a long while that was our final married (or not) and moved out, leav- missed the little guy. I often pictured thing that happens is that the mister, close association with squirrels. We ing just Hubby and me in the house him in happier times and imagined who is a sweetheart of a guy, takes stopped hanging corn in the Sukkah and when we did see a squirrel in the him telling stories to his little squirrel you on a nice ride, and then he lets and the children got older so we wor- yard it no longer posed a problem— friends. “Hey, you should go over to you out to play in a field. And when ried less about the occasional squirrel until recently. the Berman place. What a family! you get tired of playing, all you need we sometimes saw. When we did see While our former squirrelly prob- First of all, they leave out a terrific to do is scamper back to the Berman’s one we would glare at the critter and lems were resolved many long years dinner of peanut butter in a comfy yard where, if you hang around long it would do nothing more than stand ago, once again, just last week, the little enclosure. Once you enter, the enough, you will get another meal stock still for a few seconds and glare critters came back to haunt us. But this time they were bothering me and my bird friends. It was back to the drawing board so stay tuned. O To be continued...

Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at [email protected] or 516-902-3733.

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34 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES This alone would seem like a logical always hates the Jews? It seems that all reason for anti-Semitism: the Jews things change—movements come and have proven to be smarter, more go, ideologies pass with time, systems enduring, and more successful than of governments evolve—except for the peoples of the lands into which hatred of the Jews. Rich or poor, pow- they were exiled. erful or weak, dominant or oppressed, The Scapegoat Theory. To gain the Jew is hated—and then blamed for power or distract the population from causing that very hatred. their suffering, a monarch would look for a place to put the blame. What The Shmuz On better place than the eternally despised Jew? By arousing the masses to Jew-hatred, an individual seeking All things The Parashah power could use this energy as a galva- nizing force to bring together masses of unaffiliated individuals. We have change except Enemies of Yisrael The Jealousy Theory. Jews brought seen many instances of this during the Are Enemies Of G-d economic wisdom and acumen to the past 2,000 years. R’ BEN TZION SHAFIER various countries they inhabited; Jews The “We Killed Their God” for hatred of became advisers and confidants to Theory. The average person would When the Holy Ark would travel, kings and governors. The Jewish con- agree that deicide is a sound reason to the Jews. Moshe would say, “Arise Hashem and tribution to the cultural, scientific, hate a people. After all, it certainly let your foes be scattered. Let those and technological evolution of civiliza- doesn’t sound very friendly, charitable, that hate You flee from before You.” In tion is nothing short of astounding. and kindly to kill god. this pasuk, Moshe Rabbenu is equating Whether in academics, politics, the The Chosen Nation Theory. As is hatred of the Jews with hatred of media, or the professions; from curing clearly written in the Torah, the Jewish Beginning with Avraham Avinu Hashem. Rashi is bothered by the polio to discovering atomic energy; People have been given a unique role to almost 4,000 years ago, there has been comparison. Why does Moshe call the from Hollywood to Wall Street—Jews play amongst the nations: to be a light, an endless stream of reasons to hate enemies of the Jews, “enemies of have had an extraordinary influence on a guide, and Hashem’s most beloved the Jew. And that itself is a most curi- Hashem?” Maybe they are just ene- human progress. In business, politics, nation. Is it any wonder that throughout ous phenomenon. In whatever country mies of the Jewish People. Rashi art, theatre, science, and social move- the millennia we have been hated? the Jews found themselves, they were answers, “Anyone who hates Yisrael ments, the Jews are at the head of But these aren’t the only reasons. loyal and industrious citizens, yet they hates Hashem.” It seems clear that every movement. With contributions There are many, many reasons present- were always hated and always for dif- Rashi assumes that the root cause of as diverse as those made by Freud, ed to hate the Jews. How does Rashi ferent reasons. anti-Semitism is hatred of G-d. Spinoza, Trotsky, Kafka, Jerry Seinfeld, explain that anyone who hates Jews Despised in one country for being This concept of attributing hatred and Albert Einstein, the Jew excels. hates Hashem? Maybe it is simply one too powerful, then trampled in anoth- of Jews to hatred of Hashem seems From 1901 till 1990, over 22% of of the reasons above. er land for being too weak…segregat- difficult to understand. Historically, Nobel Prize winners worldwide were ed into ghettos then accused of being we see many reasons that Jews were Jewish, even though Jews constituted The Answer: There Is No Answer separatists…hated as Republicans hated and they had nothing to do less than one quarter of 1% of the Why is it that the one constant with hating Hashem. world’s population. throughout history is that everyone Continued on Page 36

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 35 THE SHMUZ sees Hashem, and that image is not Continued from Page 35 always attractive to him. This concept carries a huge lesson and Democrats, Socialists and for us. While we may forget our holi- Anarchists; accused by capitalists of ness and our destiny, the Gentile being communist and hounded by nations are always there to remind us: communists because they were all we are different—we are unique, and capitalists…hated for killing a reli- our role is unlike that of any nation. gion’s god yet equally despised in civilizations that don’t worship that god…called “children of the devil” and the devil himself…blamed for the Bubonic Plague and typhus, for poi- Accused by capitalists soning wells and using sacrificial blood for baking matzahs… of being communist With such varied and assorted ratio- nales, it seems that there is no short- age of creativity when it comes to hat- and hounded by ing the Jew. The only consistency in reasoning is: we hate the Jews. Why we communists because hate them doesn’t matter; the only thing that really matters is that we they were all truly, truly hate them. Rashi is teaching us that there is capitalists. no plausible reason for anti- Semitism—it can’t be explained because it makes no sense. When one looks into every cause, not only does- n’t it answer the question as to why, If we recognize our greatness and one quickly finds another circum- live up to our title of the Chosen stance where that cause wasn’t pres- People, we are then exalted, revered, ent, yet the hatred was still as power- and respected. When we fail to recog- ful and pervasive as ever. nize our unique destiny and absorb the cultures of the times, then we are The Jew Represents Hashem sent reminder after reminder of our The pattern that emerges is that unique role amongst the nations—we there is no logical reason for anti- are Hashem’s chosen people. O Semitism until you focus on the real cause—that the Jew represents The Shmuz, a life-changing mussar shiur, is Hashem. We are Hashem’s people. available online at www.TheShmuz.com or on When the Gentile looks at a Jew, he Kol HaLashon at 718-906-6400 (press 1,4,1).

36 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 37 available for another two weeks since want to help me until I find a job. It’s her money would not be available till not a big deal.” The landlord told her then. Our sweet homeowner was a lit- she would have to leave since she could tle concerned, but when she got the not deal with this situation and it was money two weeks later, figured “this completely different from what the ten- was a fluke, next month will be better.” ant had told her prior to moving in. The The next month rolled around and this tenant then told her, “You’ll have to take Once Upon A Time that she was hoping for. time when she asked for the rent, the me to court which could take months I sometimes share stories that are She very quickly got a call from an tenant asked why she was bothering and by then who knows, maybe I will hard to believe. Some true stories are older woman who said she was a legal her for rent right now when she only find a job.” stranger than fiction and beat all secretary who had been ill but was going got money from her two weeks before. Needless to say, our sweet landlord attempts by writers to “do one better.” to be taking temporary assignments Didn’t the landlord understand how now had a situation on her hands—one Here’s an example: from temp agencies until such time as difficult it was to go collecting money that necessitated calling her lawyer and Once upon a time there was a love- she would have permanent employ- from all her sources to pay her rent, having him take over. Those few extra ly, sweet homeowner who had a beau- ment. The older woman explained that and now she had only a little money dollars which she thought would come in tiful finished basement. Some of her when she had heard about the base- left over, and needed it to have her hair handy had now turned into losses which children had already left the nest and ment apartment from one of the organ- done since she had a date that evening? would continue accumulating until the she decided “Why not rent out my izations that she had contacted, she Needless to say our sweet landlord lawyer could get this tenant into court beautiful basement and collect a few realized that this would be a wonderful, was now in a state of apoplexy. What and have her evicted. The moral of this extra dollars that will come in handy?” interim, inexpensive rental until she had she done? Who was this strange story is, under any situation when you She figured that there were always would be working permanently again. woman who had seemed so nice but decide you are going to rent out space in plenty of people around who needed a Our sweet homeowner quickly rented now all of sudden off-the-wall? Our your house—whether a basement (which relatively inexpensive and clean place this woman the downstairs unit think- sweet landlord asked her “What about is not legally rentable) or an apartment in to live in a great location with a won- ing “How nice this will be. Having a your temp jobs?” “Temp jobs?” answered a two-family or multi-dwelling—take derful landlord and that it would be a mature woman should be a nice, quiet, the tenant. “Do you know how far away some serious time to investigate whom win-win situation for all. and secure arrangement for us both.” those temp agencies are? How do you you are renting to. Get a credit report, Because there was no kitchen in her The new tenant handed our sweet expect me to get to them? I have no car.” check out their employment, even talk to basement, anyone renting it would homeowner a month’s rent and one “But I thought you already had things the last landlord if possible, since if you have to be willing to manage with just month’s security and moved merrily into going and were just waiting for a perma- do not research whom you are renting to, a microwave and a toaster oven, but her new space. nent job…” said the landlord. you could find yourselves in a nightmar- she figured with the price she was ask- Everything went well for the first “Oh, I turned those things down,” ish situation such as the one “our sweet ing together with the fact that it was a month, the new tenant keeping the the tenant answered. “Can you imagine, landlord” fell into. O bedroom, living room, and full bath, apartment in good condition and the they wanted me to work for $10 an someone needing to economize but sweet homeowner thinking how nice hour? Me, a legal secretary. I would Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. wanting something updated and in and easy an arrangement this turned rather stay home.” mortgage broker with over 20 years of experi- good condition would still consider this out to be. The second month, our “But,” said the landlord, “how are you ence, offering full-service residential and com- a bargain. Since she wanted to prefer- sweet homeowner went to collect the going to live and pay your rent?” mercial real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and mortgaging services (First Meridian ably get someone from the frum com- rent and started to realize that things “Rent?” said the tenant “You want Mortgage) in the Five Towns and throughout the munity, her phone calls seeking a nice were not as simple as she had me to pay rent for this basement with no tri-state area. She can be reached at 516-569- 5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. tenant were restricted to the places she assumed—her new mature tenant told kitchen? Who would give you rent for Readers are encouraged to send questions or felt would get her the type of tenant her that she would not have the rent this disgusting apartment? You should comments to [email protected].

38 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 39 Inspiration From Itamar they were one of ten families who Just one day after marching in the moved to the new yishuv, setting up Salute to Israel Parade, Shalhevet stu- homes on the hilltops. There were con- dents were privileged to welcome a frontations with the Arabs from the day special couple from Israel with an they arrived, and the struggles contin- important message to impart. ue to this day even as the community Rav Moshe Goldsmith, the mayor of now numbers 150 families. They also Itamar, joined his wife, Leah, after her have to deal with the Israeli govern- shiur tracing the Biblical sources of ment’s response to American pressure kedushat Eretz Yisrael. Following in the to remove these hilltop communities. Rav Moshe Goldsmith, the mayor of Itamar, visiting with Shalhevet students. footsteps of the avot and of David The Goldsmiths were in America to Hamelech, she described the cities of publicize why they and other families Hebron, Shechem, and Yerushalayim like them live in Itamar. Their goal is ing this community and watching it as the backbone of the State of Israel. to ensure that the holiest places in grow and blossom, the Goldsmiths are We learn from these Biblical personal- Eretz Yisrael remain in Jewish hands. painfully aware that there is always a ities, she pointed out, that although They visited to offer an opinion rarely shadow of a doubt about what the Hashem gave us the land of Israel, we expressed in the media—that the pro- future will bring. They charged the have to do our part to obtain it. posed two-state solution would strike Shalhevet girls with a mission of The Goldsmiths have been doing at the heart of the Jewish state by chizuk: Write letters of support to the their part for the past 25 years in removing its holiest Biblical sites. teenagers of Itamar, write letters to Itamar. After their marriage and aliyah, Having devoted their lives to build- their congressmen to support our

Leah Goldsmith

Biblical claims to Eretz Yisrael, and visit Itamar on their next trip to Israel! The people of Itamar came to life in the mayor’s video collection, including pictures of their own family, the community, and the projects they are involved in. In response to students’ questions, he described the work he does as mayor, addressing the daily needs of the yishuv while, on a grander scale, planning and building for the future of the Jewish people. Leah looks back at the choices they made and the life they lead in Itamar as a sign that Hashem leads you on your path and gives you the strength to do that which is important. The Shalhevet girls were inspired by this dynamic couple who are modern-day leaders of the Jewish people. They understood their message that a secure Itamar is a safe Israel. To contact the Goldsmiths, visit www.friendsofitamar.org. O

HANC High School Boys’ Torah Bowl Team Metropolitan League Champions The HANC High School Boys’ Torah Bowl Team defeated Flatbush, RTMA, and TABC in a four-way match between the four division winners in this year’s hotly contested Torah Bowl Competition. After 80 questions and four lead changes between HANC and Flatbush, HANC emerged victorious. In the four period match, Flatbush led by 5 points after the first period, and by 4 points after the second period. HANC gained the lead in the third period, only to lose it again to Flatbush in the fourth. Down 33-32, HANC’s team went on an 11-5 run to regain the lead and secure a 43-38 victory over second place Flatbush. RTMA and TABC came in third and fourth place, respectively. Congratulations to Coach Rabbi Shimon Chrein and the entire HANC team: Sammy Banilivy, Jeremy Boley, Michael Djavaheri, Ariel Kamel, Dov Levine, Daniel Namdar, Jason 40 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES (L-R): Rabbi Eliach, Mr. Blumenstein, Benjamin Parnes, Yael Schein, Jessica Lovett, Alana Warhit, Rachel Bandler, Jennifer Graber, Mr. Bernstein, and Ms. Lippman.

The HANC High School Torah Bowl Team with some of their supporters. Back row (L-R): Rabbi Shimon Chrein (Torah Bowl Advisor), Ariel Kamel, David Taber, Dov All six students worked with their Boquet River. Levine, David Rosen, Sammy Banilivy, Daniel Namdar, Shawn Aziz (team supporter), Jason mentor, Mr. Neil Bernstein, chairman The Five Towns Jewish Council Neman, and Jordan Zimilover (team supporter). Middle row (L-R): Jeremy Boley, Daniel Kirshblum (team supporter), Alex Daitch (team of the mathematics department at the acknowledges their untimely passing supporter), Kevin Hochhauser (team supporter), Michael Djavaheri, and Jakey Taber. Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and promotes the qualities of selfless Front: Josh Fellus (team supporter). and Rockaway. O service to humanity by annually presenting The Award for Devotion and Kulanu Senior Honored At Baco Commitment in Action to local students. Neman, David Rosen, David Taber, dinality of numbers, and Yael did Boys Ceremony In nominating Yigal, the Kulanu fac- and Jakey Taber. research in algorithms in game theory. Kulanu senior Yigal Rosengarten ulty noted his participation in Tomchei Other students who received out- was among the 15 individuals given Shabbos, delivering food to the needy HAFTR Students Take High Honors standing recognition were Jennifer Awards for Devotion and Commitment before Shabbos, and his participation At The Long Island Math Fair Graber, Jessica Lovett, and Alana in Action at a ceremony at Temple in the Kulanu Fair where he is instru- HAFTR is happy to report that on Warhit. Jennifer won a silver medal for Hillel on Thursday night, May 14. mental during early morning setup, May 1, six of its students were awarded her PowerPoint presentation on the What has been termed “The Baco Boys working a full day and assisting in medals for their outstanding work at enigmatic nature of prime numbers. Award” was established by the Five cleanup at the end of this annual the Long Island Math Fair, which was Jessica Lovett and Alana Warhit were Towns Jewish Council in memory of event. Mr. Michael Trotta, the school held at Hofstra University. Rachel gold medal winners. Jessica did four teenage Camp Baco counselors: coordinator, and Mrs. Melissa Sornik, Bandler, Benjamin Parnes, and Yael research on the cardinality of infinite David Altschuler, Adam Cohen, Jonah social worker, noted that Yigal’s Schein won bronze medals. Rachel did sets and Alana did work on Euclidean Richman, and Jordan Satin, who demonstration of chesed on a daily research on the use of stochastic matri- and hyperbolic tessellations in two and drowned while heroically attempting ces, Benjamin did research on the car- three dimensional space. to save each other in the rain-swollen Continued on Page 42

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 41 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS lor of science (B.S.) degree in health Continued from Page 41 sciences and master of science (M.S.) degree in occupational therapy. basis was the overriding reason for his Classes at the Bay Shore campus begin nomination. During the school day, in the fall of each year and are present- Yigal is known to intercede in class- ed in six sequential academic semes- mates’ interactions, ensuring that the ters. Fieldwork is incorporated by way underdog is fairly represented. of three strategically-placed full-time The administrators and faculty clinical experiences during the three- members of Kulanu are proud to year commitment. acknowledge Yigal’s accomplishments The School of Health Sciences was and wish him a hearty yasher koach. O launched in 1972 with the initial founding of its physician assistant pro- DRS Intel Science Winners gram. Other programs in the health- Seven boys from the DRS Yeshivah care field were gradually added and High School for Boys participated in today it encompasses a wide range of Intel’s NYSSEF (New York State disciplines, ranging from undergradu- Science and Engineering Fair) com- ate preparation for health sciences petition for ninth and tenth graders careers to graduate programs in multi- (Nebula Division) on April 29 at the (L-R): Meir Schein (Woodmere), Ilan Portnoy (Lawrence), Harvey Feldman (Principal of DRS Yeshivah ple fields of allied health care. These Deer Park High School. Four of the High School for Boys), Shalom Willner (West Hempstead), and Shalom Rosenbaum (Woodmere). programs serve more than 650 stu- boys, all in the tenth grade, were dents at campuses in Bay Shore, Long invited to the awards ceremony on Island, and New York City. May 20, also at the Deer Park High Touro College’s School Of a minimum grade point average of 3.5. Touro College has experienced phe- School. Shalom Rosenbaum and Occupational Therapy The induction of the three students nomenal growth since its founding in Shalom Willner received an award in Honor Society brings the total of Alpha Pi inductees 1971, and is currently educating the medicine and health sciences Three occupational therapy stu- at the Bay Shore, Long Island campus, approximately 17,500 students at loca- category for their project entitled dents were recently inducted into the where the OT program is headquar- tions in New York, California, Florida, “The Effect of Varying Magnetic Flux Alpha Pi honor society at Touro tered, to 100. Nevada, Jerusalem, Moscow, Berlin, Intensities on the Cardiac Cycle of College’s School of Occupational “We applaud the induction of these and Paris. Touro College continues to Daphnia Magna” and Ilan Portnoy Therapy, a division of its graduate three exceptional students into Alpha have a profound impact on the lives of and Meir Schein received an award School of Health Sciences. Alpha Pi is Pi,” said Dr. Louis H. Primavera, dean of its students and on the Jewish and gen- in the animal sciences category for the Touro College chapter of the Pi the School of Health Sciences. “The eral communities. For further informa- their project involving the effect of Theta Epsilon honor society for occu- induction is a testament not only to their tion, visit www.touro.edu/media. O gravity on the embryos of brine pational therapy students. academic achievements, but also to their shrimp. All of the boys participate in The inductees are Alissa Alongi of determination and commitment to their Drisha’s Associate Dean Captivates the science honors program at DRS. Oceanside; Helaine Birnbaum of professional development. We wish The Crowd With New Insights Into The students’ research was per- Cedarhurst; and Estee Greenberg of them much success in their careers.” Megillat Rut formed under the direction of DRS Woodmere. Among other criteria for The OT program at Touro College Women and men from the Five faculty members, Dr. Winston and nomination, members must be in the offers a three-year, upper-division cur- Towns and beyond flocked to hear Dr. Rosalie Peck. O top 35 percent of their class and have riculum leading to a combined bache- Mrs. Rachel Friedman, Drisha

42 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Institute for Jewish Education’s associate dean, deliver two innovative shiurim about Megillat Rut. In introducing Mrs. Friedman, Rabbi Herschel Billet, rabbi at YIW, lauded her as being on the forefront of creative Biblical pedagogy. Her close textual readings of the megillah left attendees spellbound.The first class, “Naomi: Finding Her Biblical Voice” explored the speaking voices of the main charac- ters and demonstrated ways to glean meaning from the text by analyzing what is said and what is omitted. The second lecture, “Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz: Paths of Return,” explored the individual paths taken by the three Biblical figures as well as paths of teshuvah and different behavioral mod- els for addressing life’s challenges. Avi Schreier of Woodmere commented, “Being used to the high quality of shiurim given at the Young Israel of Woodmere on a regular basis, I now add Rachel Friedman to that list. Her presentation was excellent and her mastery of Tanach was clear from the ensuing question and answer period.” Several generations were represented at the lectures. Elaine Riff of Lawrence, who attended with her daughter, Candace Plotsker-Herman, enjoyed the way that Mrs. Friedman explored the differences in the ways Rut and Orpah responded to the same familial and economic challenges. Helen Baum of Lawrence attended the class with her daughter, Sharon Senderowicz. Mrs. Baum loved the high level of Rachel Friedman’s classes and was reminded of how much she enjoyed Drisha when she attended 20 years ago. Mrs. Senderowicz, who currently attends Drisha, would be thrilled to have Mrs. Friedman give a regularly scheduled class in the Five Towns. Rose Friedman of Forest Hills commented, “Rachel Friedman is a master teacher. In her study of the Book of Ruth she has woven an extraordinary tapestry of events, commen- taries, and biblical figures in which personal, familial, and historical con- nections are explored.” She attended the classes with two of her daughters, both of whom are Jewish educators. Ariella Friedman Fine, a middle school Tanach teacher at the Shulamith School for Girls, lives in Woodmere. Yael Friedman Farkas, who teaches at the Talmud Torah program of Temple Israel of Lawrence, lives in Far Rockaway. Both were extremely impressed with the high level of the presentations. For more information about the Drisha Institute of Jewish Education visit www.Drisha.org. To learn more about the Young Israel of Woodmere’s comprehensive Adult Education program, visit www.yiwoodmere.org/ adult_ed.html. O

Five Towns Breakfast For Kolel Shomre Hachomos Reb Meir Baal Haness, An Overwhelming Success Residents of Lawrence and surrounding areas showed their staunch support for Kolel Shomre Hachomos, the largest network of Torah and chesed, by participating in the annual

Continued on Page 46 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 43 TRAVEL SECTION

Hadassah Young Judaea Year Course Experience

BY RAFI ABRAHAMS a tight budget; washing laundry in a bucket; retrieving said laundry after it You have all probably seen one fell from my clothesline on to my incarnation of that singular, ubiqui- neighbor’s balcony; finding both local tous piece of memorabilia, the “I Went and intercity transportation all over to Place X and All I Got was this Lousy the country via train, bus, and T-Shirt” T-shirt. Well, I went to Israel sheirut—and this was merely the day- for a year, and boy did I get some lousy to-day stuff, the in-between instances T-shirts. But unlike the wearer of such of independence that make the real a shirt, I got far more than just a clev- experiences possible.

If I were to try to capture Year Course in its entirety on a T-shirt, it would have to be at least an XXL.

erly sloganed garment. I went for Year I didn’t sign up for Year Course to Course—Hadassah’s program in Israel mop. Rather, I enrolled for opportuni- for recent high school graduates for ties including teaching English in Bat study, ulpan, community service, and Yam public schools to Russian and touring. Ethiopian immigrant students; taking Over the course of nine months I wonderfully taught classes on Judaism, learned life skills such as cleaning an Zionism, and politics in the real-life apartment; cooking for sustenance and context of the Gaza War and this past for the sustenance of four dependents years’ elections in the epicenter of all (my roommates); managing to do so on the action, the capital city of

44 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Rafi Abrahams is a graduate of HAFTR Jerusalem; and spending my went parasailing and my match or Tel Aviv’s Rechov try to capture Year Course in High School and participated in the last three months at a navy nights out with friends at ven- Florentine street party on its entirety on a T-shirt, it Shalem program, the Orthodox section of Hadassah’s Young Judaea year course preparatory high school in ues like Beitar Yerushalayim’s Yom Ha’atzmaut. would have to be at least an program that also features a three Acre, where I sailed to Teddy Stadium for a soccer In conclusion, if I were to XXL. O month intensive study in Jerusalem. Herzliya and back, hiked from the Mediterranean to the Galilee, and shot in a gun range with a real M-16. An especially important experience of my past year was my participation in Kuma, Year Course’s annual trip to Poland. Taking in the sites and infrastructure and material remnants of the Holocaust with a group of about 50 of my peers really put my year into perspective. My week in Poland accentuat- ed the necessity of the country in which I was spending my year as a permanent refuge for the Jewish nation. In addition to all of its own programming, Year Course also gave me the opportunity to explore Israel on my own. It was during these breaks that I’ve had some of my greatest moments, like my 24-hour stay in Eilat, where I

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Miller was chosen to represent of across the world including Israel, Italy, a side dish and indulge in prime rib- Continued from Page 43 Kolel Shomre Hachomos from Iraq, Alaska, Argentina, and others. eye steak, or many other dishes. Yerushalayim at this great event. He The restaurant is impeccably clean Luscious desserts and an expansive breakfast reception on Sunday, May 10. gave a detailed report of the enormous and bright; a quick glimpse shows a beverage list round out the menu. For the past few years, this event budget of Kolel Shomre Hachomos in bustling—extremely clean—kitchen Equally impressive as the menu, is has been hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Alex New York and in Eretz Yisrael, which that is under constant observation. All the first-rate ambience and service. The Edelman, who have graciously opened amounts to over $8 million. of this illustrates why several reviewers restaurant and facilities are as clean as their home and hearts for this worthy Thereafter, the guest speaker, Rabbi are stating, “this is exactly what the the menu is delicious. Everything is cause. This year, Mr. Edelman once Eytan Feiner, rav of Congregation Five Towns needs.” spotless; the kitchen and all appliances again prepared for the grand reception Knesseth Israel of Far Rockaway, elec- At the heart of Fusion Toast Bar’s are state-of-the-art. There is abundant and invited his acquaintances to join trified the gathering with his eloquent fresh, innovative cuisine is the Panini, light, which provides an airy, upbeat him in this great mitzvah, supporting words, impressing upon the partici- the Italian specialty that is now a global atmosphere throughout. Equally breezy thousands of needy families in Eretz pants their obligation to support the favorite. Panini (called “toast” in Italy, is the service: waiters are cheerful and Yisrael. However, on the Friday before institution of Torah, tzedakah, and and elsewhere) are made from a small knowledgeable, attentive, but never the reception, his mother unfortunate- chesed of Reb Meir Baal Haness. loaf of freshly-made bread, grilled in a overbearing. Additionally, all Panini are ly passed away. That Friday was Pesach The Satmar Rebbe then encouraged sandwich press, and filled with a multi- ready in less than 10 minutes, and Sheini, the yahrtzeit of the great tanna, the supporters of Kolel Shomre tude of tasty ingredients. Yet, Panini are guests are immediately welcomed with Reb Meir Baal Haness. Mr. Edelman Hachomos to continue their efforts, just the launching point: Fusion Toast appetizers upon entering. All sauces are insisted that the event take place on and in the merit of their support of this Bar’s forward-thinking cuisine includes made on premises and have less fat Sunday according to plan. He asked a worthy cause, which provides for thou- representatives from across the planet. than mass-produced alternatives. good friend and neighbor, Mr. Joshua sands of needy families, they will be Argentinean Toast features the highest- Fusion Toast Bar is the brainchild Gutman, if he could open his home for blessed with shefa brachah v’hat- grade, thinly-sliced steak with garlic and of a recent Israeli Hasidic emigrant this event. Mr. Gutman wholehearted- zlachah always. O onions; Italian toast uses crispy chicken family. They are the driving force ly agreed, and the successful reception breast and fried eggplants with melted behind the menu’s global approach, went on as planned. Fusion Toast Bar Brings Healthy, pareve cheese and rustic marinara sauce. and have an adventurous, sponta- The Nezer Gabai Kodesh was award- Hearty Global Cuisine To Five Towns Other exotic locales are represented: neous approach to menu creation. ed to the devoted askan for Kolel Walk through the door of Israeli toast (with baby chicken in Israeli They are particularly proud of the fact Shomre Hachomos in the Five Towns, Cedarhurst’s newest restaurant, spices), an Iraqi-Sabih toast (featuring a that Fusion Toast Bar’s menu is as the esteemed R’ Berish Sober. R’ Berish Fusion Toast Bar, and you immediate- scrumptious, authentic sauce) and inspired by the patrons as it is by their is a longtime dedicated gabai, and his ly realize that you are in for a com- Indian Panini (with spiced curry), to vision. “We took the time to listen to many friends and acquaintances came pletely new dining experience. The name just a few. Whole-wheat Panini what our friends and neighbors want in his honor. The crowd was privileged restaurant is beautiful; a unique offer guests a lower-carb alternative. in a restaurant. We are inspired by to greet the revered guest, the Satmar design seamlessly fusing both contem- While Panini are the centerpiece of them, and are continually adding Rebbe, who graced the reception with porary and modern classic looks. Fusion Toast Bar, it is not the only items to the growing menu.” his presence. Three big digital screen menus allow highlight. Hearty soups are offered in Fusion Toast Bar is located at 422 R’ Mechl Rubin, longtime dedicated guests to see menu offerings; the over- generous portions, as well as seared Central Avenue in the heart of treasurer of Kolel Shomre Hachomos, all look is very upscale. Plates emerge tuna salad, grilled chicken, and salmon Cedarhurst. The restaurant is open greeted the participants. R’ Mechl per- from the kitchen piled high with deli- salad, and homemade soups made 11:30 a.m.–midnight, Sunday through sonally acknowledged a special guest cious-smelling Panini, hearty soups, daily in small batches, ensuring fresh- Thursday and on Fridays, 11:30 a.m. from Eretz Yisrael, Rav Y. Miller, a and appealing appetizers and desserts. ness and taste. Guests that prefer a to three hours before Shabbos. Fusion descendant of the Chasam Sofer. Rav A closer look reveals cuisine from bread alternative may have the toast as Toast Bar specializes in office parties,

46 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES birthdays, sheva brachos, and many as well, because you’ve streamlined the We’ve heard from a number of people network. Both TAB and the E-Dinner other events. Delivery and takeout are whole pre-event process. What’s that if they had to guess which yeshiva reflect the understanding that our available. The restaurant may be planned for the actual event? How does introduced the E-Dinner concept, those community needed a hybrid option— reached at 516-612-7730. O one participate in an organizational “in the know” about the chinuch land- one that reflects a sense of “why not?” event “on their own terms”? scape would invariably associate it with rather than simply asking “why?” Torah Academy Of Brooklyn Dinner, A. By letting the community know TAB. Do you find that surprising? For the E-Dinner that “why not?” June 17 that we understand that the day-to-day A. First of all, thanks for the compli- was the response to “Why not have an On June 17, TAB (Torah Academy demands put on most everybody’s ment—it shows that we’ve spent the event that’s less formal—yet in no of Brooklyn) will be holding their 28th already limited time often makes it last 30 years making a difference. way less focused. And for TAB that Annual Dinner at Mendy’s of challenging for them to “be there” to When Rabbi Davidowitz and I opened “why not? was in response to “Why Brooklyn. Called the E-Dinner, this the degree they’d like to. So rather our doors three decades ago, it was in not create an environment that will event is already becoming one of the than have an event that’s “all or noth- response to a situation that wasn’t on produce graduates with the knowl- more talked about events on an already ing” we’ve structured the E-Dinner to the radar yet—though when we pre- edge and desire to be accepted by vir- busy community calendar. To better enable people to pretty much enjoy it sented the concept to Rav Moshe tually any yeshiva or beis medrash—in understand why, Y.S. Haber asked on their terms so they can; Feinstein he didn’t just give us a the States or Eretz Yisrael? Why not Rabbi Moshe Rubin, dean of adminis- • Come when they want—anytime haskamah he gave us a brachah as well. ensure that their academic education tration to share some insights. from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The amount of chizuk we got from that provides the foundation for learning a Here’s the question on everybody’s • Come how they want—straight meeting and continue to get from his parnasah—not just the ability to say mind: What exactly is an E-Dinner? from the office in suit and tie, or stop family among others, is why we try and “I’m a high school graduate”? A. Simply put, the “E” in E-Dinner at home first to change to shirt and make sure that everything we’re Both reflect the individual: The stands for “Everything”—as in every- slacks. We appreciate that people are involved with reflects the same motiva- structure of the event is there will be thing you always wished was incorpo- making time for us, so why burden tions we had 30 years ago. In fact, when no structure or “schedule-driven” pro- rated into the typical organizational or them with a “dress code”? you think about it, TAB and the E- gram; nothing to compel people to stay yeshiva dinner. Though once people • Stay as long as they want—the Dinner have a number of similarities; longer than they want, though based started finding out what the compo- evening’s program is “fluid”—not set in Both reflect the times; Like TAB, the on who we’ll have there, we think nents of the E-Dinner are, the general stone, so regardless if people are inter- E-Dinner is a response to a situation they’ll be staying longer than they ini- feeling was that “E” could just as well ested in being a part of Nachum Segal and like TAB it’s designed to engage tially imagined. stand for “Enable”—as in we con- and the Radio Roundtable broadcast, people by showing “we know you don’t We ran this “unstructured struc- ceived this dinner to enable people to enjoying Mendy’s “Gourmet Casual” want to “do away” with anything, you ture” idea by a number of people— participate on their terms. buffet, catching up with other TAB just want something that better reflects people who have more organizational Case in point, our specially created supporters, or all the above—it’s their your thinking and objectives. dinners on their calendars than din- interactive component at call. It’s also why we’ve arranged for Both reflect the need: There are ners at home. They all loved the idea tabedinner.com. From “One Convenient Nachum to broadcast the entire essentially two kinds of organizational and psychologically when you connect Location” people can log on, choose evening on 620 AM—like this, you can fundraisers; The formal dinners, with a place because you feel it con- which of our alumni honorees, han- leave the dinner yet still stay tuned melaveh malkahs, etc. and the informal nects with you, you tend to be more halah, or board members they’d like to into what promises to be an evening Chinese auctions, outings etc. supportive of that organization. Plus, place a journal ad for, actually enter the that’s insightful, engaging—and Chinuch also has essentially two kinds as you are looking forward to their message (or choose a “ready to go” one), thanks to appearances by performers of yeshivas—the “mainstream” and the event, you tend to stay longer and see a preview of what it will look like, like Yehuda Green, entertaining as “anything but” mainstream—where the enjoy it more. and even pay for it! well. Come to think of it, maybe the yeshiva will be matzliach with the stu- So the “E” seems to stand for “Easier” “E” should stand for “eagerly awaited!” dent as long as the student stays in that Continued on Page 48

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the programs themselves embody. Continued from Page 47 The Rabenstein Learning Center began as a small resource room cater- That’s the TAB dynamic. We connect ing to the academic needs of students with individuals—and not just as a stu- who struggled in mainstream sub- dent or ba’al habos but as a person. jects. It has grown into a state-of-the- Whether it’s about off-site extracurricu- art resource room in its own right, lar programming where students see and continues to expand with multi- they’re unequivocally accepted with no ple programs that meet the needs of judgments—otherwise, why would a our community. rebbi choose to spend off hours with After introductions by Mr. Moshe them—or an event like the E-Dinner Wolfson, who with his wife, Arielle, host- which has a decidedly “off site” mentali- ed the event in their lovely home, Rabbi ty, the message is the same. At TAB we’re Shimon Dachs, director of the Weiss about what works for you—not what Vocational Program (and principal of works for us. Mesivta Chaim Shlomo) spoke about That’s why if you look at our board, the program’s new division: the Weiss student body, all the elements that com- Institute for Continuing Education. prise the “face” of TAB, you see an When it became clear that many (L–R): Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, rav of Chofetz Chaim Torah Center, and Larry Gordon, almost unprecedented mix of Ashkenazic neighborhood breadwinners were los- publisher of the Five Towns Jewish Times. and Sephardic names. We’ve geared our- ing their jobs, Mr. Ronald Lowinger, selves to boys who are serious, goal-ori- president of the yeshiva, formulated ented, and looking for an environment the idea to create a low-cost educa- where they can grow as individuals. tional facility offering classes for peo- Connect with the individual—it’s ple to expand their resumes, or total- the theme of TAB—and the E-Dinner. ly change their job venue. For more information or to make His vision was realized in a mere six reservations please call the yeshiva at weeks. Rabbi Dachs pointed out that 718-339-8833. O the yeshiva now boasts the ability to educate community members from the Successful Breakfast For Rabenstein time they have an upsherin, through Learning Center of YDT post-kollel. By Chaia Frishman The vocational program is graduating The weather at this year’s annual successful mesivta students who now benefit breakfast for Yeshiva Darchei support their families as well. Rabbi Torah’s Rabenstein Learning Center Yaakov Bender, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva and Weiss Vocational Program did not Darchei Torah, introduced the guest look promising. Cloud cover and speaker after sharing some personal humidity promised rain. The positive nachas, when speaking of a Weiss turnaround to sunny and clear skies Vocational graduate of the plumbing reflected the hope and happiness that program. This young man now earns a (L-R): Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Moshe Wolfson, and Norman Rabenstein.

48 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Rabbi Shimon Dachs, director of the Weiss Vocational Program.

Rabbi Chaim Nosson Segal applauded action, not merely words. wonderful salary, supporting his family because he is doing something he loves—and he learned his skill at the yeshiva. He points out that when a child has difficulty learning, he often shuts down. When student find something they are successful in, they have the strength and focus to be able to put more energy into their service of Hashem. “Once a person feels good about themselves, they want to learn,” Rabbi Bender reflected. The guest speaker, Rabbi Chaim Nosson Segal, director of community development at Torah Umesorah and rav of the New Springville Jewish Center on Staten Island, expanded on this goal in his moving speech. He began by relating the story of his meeting a gentleman on an airplane. This man bought a seat for his cello. When Rabbi Segal asked him about its value, he mentioned that this musical instrument was over 350 years old and cost over $400,000. Noticing Rabbi Segal’s obvious curiosity, the man said the following: “Why are you so surprised that I took this instrument with me? You are religious, and you have a holy Torah. If,

Continued on Page 50 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS would quit. Shabbos became precious lence in all academic areas. It is no an invention which addresses a given Continued from Page 49 to him, because he was precious to Rav surprise, therefore, that Darchei stu- societal issue. This year, the task Shechter. The Torah that Rav Shechter dents have been participating in the assigned reflects a grim reality in the G-d forbid, something happens to your so loved was valuable—like that cello, Excellence 2000 (E2K) program since State of Israel: Israel’s water sources can Torah, it is tragic. Yet you take it out of lehavdil—and he did not want this man its inception, as one of the stated goals no longer meet the country’s demands. the ark every week. Anything worth- to be separated from it. of the program is the development of For the first time this year, the water while and valuable should be shared “We don’t need speeches of words, diverse abilities among students— level in the Kineret (Sea of Galilee) is with people. It shouldn’t be locked we need speeches of action,” Rabbi including independent thought and expected to fall below the “black level.” away.” Segal declared. Rising to the occasion learning, motivation, scientific and If this happens, the damage done to the Rabbi Segal went on to relate anoth- and creating programs when no one mathematical thought and research water quality will be irreparable. er story about his rosh yeshivah, Rav else will, is action. “Rabbi Bender is a abilities, as well as the ability to ana- The directors have therefore decid- Aaron Shechter, who attended Rabbi man of action. When he wanted to lyze and solve problems. It is a further ed that this year’s Gildor Project Segal’s daughter’s wedding. Rabbi open up the Weiss Vocational testament to Darchei’s commitment to assignment will focus on the develop- Segal introduced a shul member who Program, people said it would never excellence that the yeshiva has been ment of an environmentally friendly still worked on Shabbos because he happen. But try to find anyone in edu- selected to be one of only three (“green”) system for water desalina- felt he couldn’t leave his job. cation who hasn’t heard of Yeshiva schools in the United States, and 12 tion. With the Mediterranean Sea at Rav Shechter, he found out, spent Darchei Torah now!” worldwide, to compete in the presti- its doorstep, and with Israeli compa- 25 minutes at the wedding seeking out By focusing on the individual, and gious Gildor Project, one of the high- nies leading the way in this technology, this fellow. Once he did, he outlined helping them find their place in the lights in a string of activities included the search is on for improved and for him ways to minimize his chilul Jewish community, Yeshiva Darchei in the E2K program. increased efficiency in this field. Shabbos until he would be ready to Torah’s call to action speaks louder The Gildor Project is a technical “The finished product must be keep Shabbos fully. than words. O competition based in Israel which has portable, assembled from no more The fact that Rav Shechter took been extended to Jewish schools in the than five parts weighing no more than such an interest in this man had a pro- Darchei Torah Team Participates In United States through the efforts of the 12 kilograms each, and powered by found impact on him. Within six Prestigious Science Competition Gruss Foundation’s Center for green energy,” says Rabbi Nachum months he went to his boss and gave By Ilana Keilson Initiatives in Jewish Education. The Dinowitz, the yeshiva’s science pro- him an ultimatum that if he wasn’t Yeshiva Darchei Torah has long yearly contest requires teams to gram coordinator and advisor to its given Shabbos and yom tov off, he been known for its dedication to excel- research, design, build, and implement Gildor Project team, “and all this on a specific budget! It is certainly the most difficult science competition I’ve ever overseen participation in.” YDT’s team is comprised of ten students from eighth and ninth grades, each of whom focused on an aspect of the project that best suited their personal area of interest. Participants were selected by Principal Rabbi Yitzchak Goldberg and Rabbi Dinowitz on the basis not only of their interest and ability in science, but their motivation and commitment to seeing the project through to completion. The team has been working on the project for an average of two hours a week throughout the school year. “The level of knowledge needed on an eighth and ninth grade level is astounding,” says Rabbi Dinowitz. The boys spent the first several weeks of the project researching the existing technology of desalination. Two methods that seemed most promising for their purposes were reverse osmosis and thermal powered systems. The team ultimately chose the former option because it was more efficient, and could more easily be accomplished through “green” energy. After months of effort and trial-and- error, the boys have accomplished their goal. Their finished device uti- lizes human energy to turn pedals which set a series of pulleys in motion. The pulleys activate a pump, which in turn provides the pressure needed to force water through a membrane at 800 psi (pounds per square inch). This membrane filters most of the salt from the water, and an additional membrane then purifies it further. The project has provided a unique challenge to the boys. There is no substitute for the experience gained and skills learned while developing a sense of innovation, incorporating scientific principles, and engaging in teamwork. “Whether we’re winning or losing [the competition], there’s a tremendous amount gained by the boys from the process,” Rabbi Goldberg emphasizes, “both in their own personal development, in terms of gaining self-confi- dence, and in terms of their academical- ly and educationally [reaching] places they never thought they could reach.” 50 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The semi-finals took place last Sunday at Yeshiva University and were attended by hundreds of people, including the boys, their parents, and teachers. Clad in light-blue shirts embla- zoned with the logo of their ‘company,’ which they named Saline Extractors (SAL-E for short), the team described their project in detail with the help of a PowerPoint presentation and demonstrated its effectiveness. Each member of the team also made succinct and impressive remarks from the podium. The participating Darchei students were Moshe Feitman, Avi Goodstein, Shlomo Keilson, Yitzchak Klapholtz, Aryeh Laufer, Naftoli Pfeiffer, Gavi Rosenbaum, Shlomo Satt, Meir Schwab, and Tzvi Smith. The other participating schools were the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy of Livingston, N.J. and the Jewish Educational Center of Elizabeth. O

Learn-A-Thon For Levi Wolowik Raffle Drawing, June 17 It is estimated that over 1,000 local children have been learning Torah as part of the Torah 4 Levi program—and it is still not too late for you to join! The learn-a-thon features an exciting format, age-appropriate learning mate- rials, and fun prizes to encourage children ages 5-15 to learn Torah. This serves as an aliyah for the neshamah of Levi Yitzchok Wolowik, a 9-year-old boy who loved to have fun, learn Torah, and help with the community and certainly would have enthusiasti- cally participated in this program. Community members are encouraged to help sponsor the program since the proceeds are allocated to pay for a sefer Torah in memory of Levi. The raffle drawing will be held on June 17 at Chabad of the Five Towns, 74 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, at 5:00 p.m. Children who have participated can earn tickets and potentially win prizes such as a bicycle, an American Express gift card, and more. The grand prize is a $500 shopping spree at Z Berman books. Every participant will receive a prize at the Torah completion ceremony. Let the learning continue! For more information or to receive a learning tracking form, visit www.torah4levi.com or call 516- 295-2478. O

Help Get Standing Together Back On The Road Standing Together, www.stogether.org, an organization dedicated to giving people all over the world the opportunity to show appreciation to the people protect- ing Israel, runs a truck that pulls a trailer equipped with a generator, freezer, oven, and coffee machine. David Landau, Standing Together’s director and founder, travels with the truck to areas all over Israel to give out treats and gifts to Israeli soldiers. Standing Together volunteers personally greet and thank the soldiers for the sacrifices that they make on behalf of Jews all over the world. On a recent fundraising trip to the U.S., Miriam Gottlieb, Standing Together’s director of development, raised funds for a new freezer that allows the truck to remain on the move while it keeps the ices and ice cream cold, as long as the freezer has been plugged in

Continued on Page 52 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS gated. The addition of polyphenols or Continued from Page 51 white tea to an instant hand sanitizer destroyed Staphylococcus aureus and overnight. This is especially necessary in Bacillus cereus. In the absence of the order to travel long distances during the additives, the hand sanitizer was inef- long hot Israeli summer. fective, it was observed. Unfortunately, at the moment, the “The convention featured hundreds of truck is not operational. On the way to presentations from microbiology laborato- deliver 1,000 ice pops to soldiers in ries and universities from around the Shechem and the surrounding areas, world,” said Henya Sandhaus of Crown the Standing Together truck broke Heights, Brooklyn, who was one of the down. Full of volunteers, the truck Touro students who participated. “The that pulls the ice cream trailer stopped event was truly awe-inspiring and demon- running. The engine died and strated the depth of knowledge in the field

Standing Together needs to raise the P of microbiology. At the same time, it con- h o t o funds to purchase a new engine imme- B veyed many unanswered questions and y A b b

diately in order to continue its impor- y hypotheses whose answers are sought out M o s tant work. The cost of a new engine for k in laboratories around the globe.” o w i t the truck is approximately $7,500. z In addition to Ms. Sandhaus, other Standing Together depends on the (L–R): Max Shenberger, Yechiel Weiss, advisor Dr. Milton Schiffenbauer, Rivkah Borger, Henya Touro students presenting the research generosity of people who care in order Sandhaus, Abby Moskowitz, and Dina Kupfer. included Rivkah Borger of Flatbush; to continue to serve the soldiers who Dina Kupfer of Crown Heights; Abby serve Israel 24 hours a day, 7 days a Moskowitz of Denver; Max Shenberger week. The website to donate online is recently in Philadelphia. cate that the tea plant and templar white of Flatbush; and Yechiel Weiss of www.stogether.org/truck or checks can They were one of the few undergradu- tea may have positive implications in the Toronto. Chaya Baras of Crown Heights, be made out to Standing Together and ate groups invited to present papers at treatment of potentially pathogenic Yocheved Stern of Borough Park, and sent to 453 Argyle Rd., Cedarhurst, NY the convention, according to their advi- microorganisms.” Aryeh Grossman of Flatbush also con- 11516. O sor, Dr. Milton Schiffenbauer, a microbi- For more than a year, the Touro tributed to the research paper but did not ologist and professor in the department College students tested the effects of attend the conference. Six Touro College Undergrads of biology at Pace University’s Dyson polyphenols and white tea on 11 strains The Lander College of Arts and Discover That Tea Compounds College of Arts & Sciences, who also of bacteria and have found that both Sciences in Flatbush, with separate Inhibit Dangerous Microbes teaches at Touro College. The ASM is white tea, which is high in polyphenol divisions for men and women, is locat- Six undergraduate biology students the oldest and largest life science mem- concentration, and pure white tea ed at Avenue J and East 16th Street in in Touro College’s Lander College of bership organization in the world. polyphenol are very effective in killing the Midwood section of Brooklyn. Arts & Sciences, Flatbush, who “Most impressive were our findings numerous varieties of disease-causing More than 1,000 students in separate researched the antimicrobial effects of that these natural additives destroyed bacteria. They also discovered that cer- men’s and women’s divisions are polyphenol, a natural ingredient found MRSA, a drug-resistant Staphylococcus, tain compounds added to the tea, such as enrolled each semester at the Flatbush in teas and fruits, were invited to pres- and VRE, a drug-resistant Enterococcus skim milk, soy milk, and rice milk, inhib- campus. Students are pursuing studies ent their research findings at the faecium, two extremely dangerous path- ited the effects of the polyphenols. in more than 20 different majors, pre- 109th annual American Society for ogenic bacterial organisms,” Dr. The antibacterial effect of an professional, and professional fields. Microbiology (ASM) convention held Schiffenbauer said. “Our findings indi- instant hand sanitizer was also investi- To learn more, visit www.touro.edu. O

52 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Bazooka Candy Brands’ Top Selling Ring Pop Certified Kosher Bazooka Candy Brands, a division of Topps Inc., announced recently that Ring Pop, its bestselling candy, has been kosher certified by the Orthodox Union. Production of the newly kosher Ring Pop, with brand new packaging bearing the “OU” symbol, began this month with the candy shipping to retailers nation- wide in August. Ari Weinstock, director of marketing, Bazooka Candy Brands, said, “Working with the Orthodox Union, the top organization for kosher certification in the world, we can now bring Ring Pop to an entirely new, and discerning, con- sumer base that has never before been able to enjoy our products.” Rabbi Eliyahu Safran, OU Kosher’s vice president of communications and marketing, expressed “great satisfac- tion in having Bazooka Candy Brands join with leading confectionery pro- ducers who have attained OU certification in recent years. It was gratifying for OU Kosher’s team, headed by Rabbi Mordechai Merzel, to collabo- rate with Bazooka Candy Brands’ team and bring the much sought after Ring Pop products to an ever growing kosher marketplace.” The Orthodox Union engages in rig- orous monitoring of all aspects of production. It supervises the process by which the food is prepared, examines the ingredients used to make the food, and regularly inspects the processing facilities to make sure that its standards are met. “The solicitousness associated with the OU certification process is what makes kosher products appealing to both Jewish and non-Jewish consumers. We believe that parents pur- chasing Ring Pop for their children will feel reassured that the production of this candy is closely supervised,” added Weinstock. Ring Pop was first introduced in 1977 and has consistently ranked among the top-selling non-chocolate candies. Available in over ten different flavors including strawberry, blue rasp- berry, watermelon, twisted berry blast, and strawberry-banana smoothie, Ring Pop is Bazooka Candy Brand’s most popular confection. Referred to as “edible bling,” Ring Pop candy has been spotted by the paparazzi in the hands of many celebrities over the years, with photos running in maga- zines such as Interview, People, and US Weekly. The Orthodox Union, which is supervising the production of Ring Pop, has maintained the highest stan- dard of kosher certification for over 80 years. Today the OU supervises more than 400,000 products produced in 6,000 plants in 80 countries, making it the world’s largest and most respected kosher certification agency and symbol. The kosher-certified Ring Pop is part of the recently re-branded Bazooka Candy Brands line of candy, which also includes Baby Bottle Pop, Push Pop, and Bazooka gum. For more information about Ring Pop, visit www.topps.com. O

Continued on Page 57 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 53 54 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES that difficult for me. The classes are with Yussie on Thursday nights with sometimes interesting and tend to the ANCHOR program—so in Certification keep me well versed in a variety of essence, I haven’t swam much in the topics. It’s also a nice way to bond past year. It’s not that I didn’t have with fellow attorneys and give us all high aspirations…as every summer Another Mother’s Musings your credits from companies that opportunities to network. comes to a conclusion, I make a res- B Y PHYLLIS J. LUBIN offer the CLE credits for free. Usually My part time summer job’s olution that I will keep up with my title closing companies offer free accreditation requirements are a bit lap swimming during the year— In the legal profession, all those courses in the hopes that you will uti- more difficult. As many of my read- sometimes it actually comes to actively working in the field and lize their services in the future. ers know, I have been a swim fruition, but this past year was not admitted to the Bar of New York Another interesting nuance to this instructor/lifeguard at Avnet one of those years. State must complete at least 24 con- whole CLE mandate is that you can Country Day School for the past 13 The requirements for the test are tinuing legal education credits every actually take the same class multiple years. Besides needing to become to swim a two lap (50 yards) sprint, two years. That number sounds omi- times and receive more credits. Of certified in CPR every year—which and to then swim eight continuous nous to one who is out of school, and course you might want to take differ- requires showing our skills to the laps (200 yards) in freestyle (not it tends to imply that all attorneys actually “free”—freestyle is another must remain up to date on current name for front crawl, not one of my law to maintain their accreditation, favorite strokes), followed by retriev- but to those in the know (namely ing a brick from the bottom of the attorneys) we understand that what diving tank and demonstrating the the mandate entails is merely sitting I reminded the instructor that various saves, concluding with a through various classes that total 24 written exam. If you do not complete hours. We do not get tested on the any of the physical activities along material, nor is there any homework most people are bigger than bricks the way, you must return and com- to do. Basically we need to set aside plete the entire exam again. time to literally sit through the lec- and would be easier to find. I hadn’t thought much about the tures. The lectures need not be in actual taking of the exam beforehand. your field of expertise, and as long as I told myself that I would try my best, you sign in before the class begins and if I didn’t pass, at least I tried. And and complete a form upon its conclu- so I came to the June 3 test planning sion, the credits are yours. ent courses with different instruc- instructor and taking a written to fail. Before I began my laps I asked If you are going to spend the time tors or the entire venture might exam—we also need to renew our the instructor to have pity on me at the lecture, chances are you will become a bit boring. In addition, as Nassau County lifeguarding certifi- because I am practically a senior citi- want to be somewhat interested in the part of the 24 credits we need to cation every three years. That might zen. She didn’t even crack a smile and topic, since, as they say, “time is keep ourselves in good standing, we not seem like much at first glance, just said that she remembered me from money.” Many courses are rather need to include 4 credits in the area but for me, every three years I am last time (I guess I am memorable? I expensive, and it only “pays” to sit of ethics and professionalism. It’s inevitably three years older. hadn’t done this in three years!), and through those courses if you are actu- actually mandated that lawyers My time to renew my certification that I should just start swimming. And ally going to gain something from should be taught ethical behavior! came last week. The only swimming swam I did! It was as if all the pent up them. However, if you are someone Although time consuming, acquir- I have done over the course of the like me, you tend to try to find most of ing 24 credits over two years is not year has been going to Echo Park Continued on Page 56

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 55 Mother’s Musings hand, basically gasping for air, I ing. The incorrect answers offered As I conclude this article, I would Continued from Page 55 reminded myself that the deepest seem to be there just to trick the test be remiss if I didn’t recognize another pool at Avnet is only 8 feet. taker. I especially love the answers: few milestones in our family. My eld- energy I hadn’t displayed over the past With the laps and the brick behind “not ‘a’ or ‘d’,” or my favorite, “none est son Naftali turned 21 on June 4. year was packaged into this one night! me it was smooth sailing. Remember, of the above.” Somehow I managed to Not only does that make him a full- The first four laps were like a breeze. I have been lifeguarding for quite a pass the exam with only three wrong fledged “grown-up,” it also makes it At lap five I felt as if I was running out while now and I think I know how to (you were allowed to get eight wrong, more difficult for me to be in my of air but I reminded myself that I was save someone if necessary. We teach and I had question marks next to at twenties anymore… The day after almost finished and that if I passed out the various saves to the older girls in least ten of my answers)! Naftali turned 21, my father-in-law maybe I would gain sympathy points. I camp. The kids I have had the need So now I’m an officially certified celebrated his birthday. This Shabbos, completed my laps without passing out to “save” over the years have wanted Nassau County lifeguard for the next my husband Lenny celebrates his and I was ready to not get the brick to be saved. The “victims” at the test three years! Having just completed English birthday. His Hebrew birth- from the bottom of the diving tank. were specifically trained to be as dif- my biannual renewal of my admis- day coincieds with Father’s Day. (Yes, I reminded the instructor again ficult as possible—and these weren’t sion to the Bar this past October, I children, Daddy gets two presents.) that the actual test requires picking My mom’s birthday comes one week up a brick from “only” ten feet of later, and we are all thankful that we water, but this diving tank was 13 will celebrate her birthday with my feet and special dispensation should dad home from the hospital! Happy be offered to compensate. To say the The “victims” at the test were birthday to all my birthday celebra- least, she still wasn’t smiling and tors! I am certifiably happy to be cel- told me to just get the brick. I asked ebrating with all of you! O if I could do a test run that would specifically trained to be as not be counted unless I actually got Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & the brick and she actually agreed difficult as possible. Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst with a small smile on her face. I put with her husband Leonard and six children: Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and my head into the water sans goggles Lea. She welcomes your questions and comments (since you would not necessarily at [email protected]. have goggles on while saving someone from the water), and was not little day camp kids, they were fully am not only able to legally appear for happy. The water looked foggy and I grown lifeguards themselves! And so you in any court within New York could hardly make out the form of the saves weren’t as simple as I had State, with this lifeguard certifica- At 5TJT.com the brick. As I came up from my test envisioned, but somehow I succeed- tion under my belt, I can now also run I reminded the instructor that ed. With only the written test left to save you if you fall into any pool in you can enjoy articles most people are bigger than bricks take I was almost home free! After Nassau County! This milestone in in 3 ways: and would be easier to find, but she all, they don’t change the test much my life also means that summer is wasn’t interested. The thought of over the years and I had passed it a upon us. This summer will be my 1. Read having to repeat the laps again few times already. 14th summer at Avnet Country Day, pushed me to sink deeper and deep- Why are multiple choice tests so but with a new twist: my daughter 2. Print er into the water until I had my difficult? They don’t have to be, and Rivka will be joining the ranks as a 3. Email hands on the prized brick. As I came one usually thinks it won’t be, but lifeguard as well! There will be two up the 13 feet with the brick in somehow they end up being confus- Lubins at the pool this summer!

56 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS which will be held at the shul for fam- Continued from Page 53 ily and friends. The Rebbe is also slated to attend Munkaczer Rebbe To Attend the annual breakfast to benefit the Lefkowitz Family Hachnasas Sefer Munkaczer Yeshiva, Chaim V’Shalom. Torah, June 21 In what has become an annual tradi- Preparations are under way for the tion, the fundraising breakfast will be visit of the Munkaczer Rebbe, shlita, to held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence. Much interest and enthusi- Yussie Ostreicher at 184 Wildacre asm have been displayed towards this Avenue in Lawrence on Sunday, June visit, which will take place iy’H on 21 at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 21. This will also be the The Munkaczer Rebbe, shlita, first time that the Rebbe will be address- resides in Brooklyn, where the center ing the Five Towns Jewish community. for Munkaczer Chassidus is based, but One of the focal points of the day sits at the helm of a vast network of will be the Rebbe’s participation in the international Torah institutions. In grand hachnasas sefer Torah for the addition to being an accomplished newly completed Torah commissioned Torah giant whose daas Torah is looked by the esteemed Mr. and Mrs. Moshe upon and valued by all of K’lal Yisrael, and Judith Lefkowitz in memory of he has gained the admiration of Jews their noble parents, z”l, and in honor across the spectrum for his dedication of their children and grandchildren. to helping a Jew in need regardless of The Lefkowitzes are pillars of strength his or her background. The Rebbe in their community and are longtime devotes countless hours every day to friends and supporters of Munkacz. helping Yidden who find themselves in The final letters of the Torah will be the most dire of situations—be they written at the home of the Lefkowitzes’ financial, medical, legal, or spiritual. daughter and son-in-law, Jay and The Rebbe’s home is a much sought- Malky Spector, on 12 Waverly Place in after address for people worldwide Lawrence. As is customary, the from all walks of life who seek his Munkaczer Rebbe will write the very advice and berachos. last letter in the Torah scroll. The Today’s Munkaczer Torah institu- Rebbe will then conduct a customary tions worldwide are a continuation of lechayim tisch celebrating the comple- the vast network established by the pre- tion of the holy Torah. The Torah will vious Munkaczer Rebbes and are being then be led through the streets escort- continued and expanded by today’s ed by a festive procession, making its much respected Munkaczer Rebbe. way towards its new home in Young Grand Rabbi Moshe Leib Rabinowitz, Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst on the current Munkaczer Rebbe, is the Spruce Street in Cedarhurst. The procession will be followed by a banquet Continued on Page 58

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 57

grandson of Rabbi Chaim Eluzar Spira, zt”l (1872- 1937), revered Munkaczer Rebbe and renowned author of Minchas Elazar. Yeshiva Chaim V’Shalom, one of the jewels in the crown of Munkacz Torah Insti- tutions, is under the dynamic leadership of the Rebbe’s son- in-law, HaRav HaGaon Rav Yosef Horowitz, shlita, a scion of illustrious rabbinic families. He is a noted talmid chacham who imbibed Torah at the feet of Torah giants such as Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveitchik of Brisk and of Rabbi Elya Ber Wachtfogel of South Falls- burg. Thus, he absorbed the yeshivishe derech that enlarged his Chassidishe warmth. This unique blend of Torah and ahavas Yisrael ignites the hearts of his students. This special combination reflects that of his holy father-in-law, the Munkaczer Rebbe, shlita, who in his youth ingested Torah learning in the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland as well as at Beis Medrash Elyon in Spring Valley. A dedicated group of local askanim is tirelessly working out all the arrangements to ensure that the visit is a success. The breakfast will serve as a unique opportunity for members of the community to personally meet and hear divrei Torah and chizuk from the Munkaczer Rebbe, shlita. O

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58 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 59 thought that someone had some cre- potentially result in a $47,000 savings ative new ideas that would lead to an per school. Nice, but hardly enough actual affordable tuition solution. I money to significantly resolve the chal- was disappointed to discover that the lenges our schools are facing. three solutions provided were: control Particularly when the article states energy costs, keep more money in the that three of our schools are five community, and raise more money. months behind on payroll! Really? The affordability team has If these are the best solutions this Real Tuition Solutions affront to your misleading article title been around for two years and this was team has, then I have some serious Dear Editor, “Affordable Tuition” (June 5). Once the best they came up with? The ener- questions about the ten days of con- At this point I have to take a serious again, for a millisecond, I honestly gy savings that Eli Shapiro outlines sulting that the three schools will be getting. Is training on how to be more proactive with boards really going to help that much? How about some training on business analysis, forecasting, cost cutting, and managing a P & L? Some of our schools have been around for 30+ years; they have been through economic ups and downs before. Are they looking at historical data, market conditions, and prudent business analysis to determine their likely income for the 2009-10 year? Are they basing their budgets on these forecasts? Ein somchin al haneis. It’s OK to do some budgetary forecasting. We have created an unsustainable model that needs to be fixed immediately. We need to fix it. I don’t want to be seen as just a complainer, so allow me to make some suggestions that can have a significant impact even in the short term. 1. Cap free tuitions for rabbeim and teachers. Not all schools have free tuition for rabbeim, but the ones that do put a serious strain on their overall budget. Imagine a boy’s school of eight grades, with two classes per grade and 25 children per grade. Tuition is $10k per student, based on the cost of run-

60 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ning the school divided by the number of students. After all it is a not-for prof- it. So the school’s potential income is $4,000,000. The school has 16 rabbeim. Let’s assume that each rebbi receives free tuition for his children and has two children in the school—not unreasonable. However, this now means the school’s budget will fall short $320,000 or 8%. The cost of educating the child doesn’t go away, just the income. The cost is now either reallo- cated to the rest of the student body’s base tuition or someone has to raise the funds for it. This equation does not account for any administrators that get free tuition or teachers that also often get a significant tuition break. This perk, which based on two children is the equivalent of a $30,000 pretax bonus, is not even an equitable one. What if one rebbi has four boys in the school and another has none? Does that just mean one rebbi is getting $40,000 in “free tuition” and the other gets nothing? Remember, this is not “free tuition”—the money comes from somewhere. I agree that rabbeim are underpaid and deserve to be paid more—I was a rebbi once myself. I am suggesting that a manageable cap be put in place so that this perk doesn’t bring down the whole structure. The cap could be a pool similar to a scholarship fund that is equally divided up, a maximum amount per rebbi or a limit on how many children per rebbi qualify. 2. Separate P & L’s. Our schools, Baruch Hashem, have grown exponen- tially over the years; they are now multimillion dollar organizations and need to be addressed as such. The dinner that used to raise scholarship money for a 500 student school is now expected to raise scholarship money for 1,000 students. The same with all other fundraising initiatives. In addition, many schools have prof- itable divisions that suffer because their income is being used to supplement other divisions’ shortfalls. This is just a bad management practice. From a fiscal standpoint, schools should be divided into divisions with individual P & L’s. Income from the division should stay within the division so that if there is a shortfall, it doesn’t impact the entire structure of the school. Fundraising should also be split out by division so that there is clarity as to where the money donated goes to. Shortfalls could be identified much sooner as the income being tracked is on a much smaller scale. This is a strategy most businesses use when they manage multiple products or services. Yeshivas are not businesses, but there are some pretty good ideas that can be borrowed from the business world. 3. Make cuts now. If schools have not yet made at least a 20% cut to their budget, they are being unfair to the staff and their students. Don’t promise what you currently know you can’t deliver on. Find every creative way to cut budget. Involve everyone in the brainstorming process. Save paper and stamps, use e-mail only. The last thing any school wants to have happen is to fall behind on payroll. As professional

Continued on Page 62 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 61 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to try to come up with an affordable my hope that the yeshivas can find the frum community of Norfolk, Va. I am Continued from Page 61 solution for me to be able to stay. In the necessary solutions, as difficult as they a former resident of the Five Towns course of the meeting the elementary may be, to continue to provide the chin- and from time to time I read your arti- as any rebbi or teacher is, not getting school principal also got involved. It uch for our future generations. cles when visiting. For the last seven- paid puts a strain on everyone. turned out that the elementary school Sincerely, teen years I have made Norfolk my One year when I was a high school had an opening and if I was willing to Avromi Singer home. While Norfolk is certainly not rebbi, the yeshiva was, unfortunately, take it I had a job. I took it. Involve New York in the size and scope of its not doing well financially. I was told everyone in creating solutions. In Praise of Norfolk Community Jewish community, your impressions that they could no longer afford to keep We live in a tremendous community Dear Editor, gleaned from your very brief visit to me, but before they let me go we would with amazing yeshivas; I would not want It was with great dismay that I read Norfolk were far from accurate. sit down and have a brainstorm session to raise my children anywhere else. It is your front-page article describing the First of all, you bemoaned the fact that a small community like Norfolk cannot get a minyan at a shivah house. I don’t know why the Gottliebs did not want a minyan at their house, but when someone wants one they have it. As a matter of fact, this past week we maintained a shivah minyan in addition to the minyan in shul all week and three minyanim when unfortunately another member passed away at the end of the week. As for kosher food, yes, our bagel store makes kosher bagels in the back of the store and one can only buy bagels without accompaniment. Had you asked someone in shul you would have heard that we also have an Israeli grocery and restaurant called “Little Israel” where the Israeli owner makes authentic falafel and schwarma with “chips” made from fresh potatoes on the side. For dairy you could go to the JCC, where you would be served pizza, wraps, salads, or soups. Most importantly, while you were searching for kosher bagels in Norfolk, you should have perused the shul’s website, where you would have found my e-mail address and phone number listed under hospitality. This week I set

62 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES up a family from Savannah at one of build a settlement. A justification for our incredible machnisei orchim. Over constant turmoil in the Middle East the last few months we’ve had guests must be found and settlements are the from Israel, Baltimore, South America, bone of contention. and, of course, New York. Every newspaper is covering For those of you who are looking President Obama’s latest demand for a nice place to visit or to relocate stating “that a freeze on settlements your family, consider our warm, including natural growth is part of Southern community where everyone Israel’s obligations.” A zero-tolerance “counts” and is valued, whether for a policy of construction will halt the shivah minyan or a simcha! natural growth of every settlement, You can come check us out causing harsh conditions and a lack Sunday, June 14, at the OU’s Small of housing while outlawing building Communities Wxpo at Lander of shuls, schools, medical clinics, College for women in Manhattan and stores. With the population (60th Street between 10th and 11th explosion of families living in these Avenues) and hear all about job areas, the need for additional hous- opportunities in Norfolk as well as ing is imperative. President Bush’s affordable housing. prior agreement with Israel to allow Most important, you will meet expansion of communities within some of the people who make up this large settlement blocs is being fabulous community and have an denied, abolished, and buried. opportunity to ask about all that Now that the cards on the table, the Norfolk has to offer! question is: Which communities are Lea Schwartz, considered settlements? Various President, answers are expounded depending on Bina High School whom you ask. The media, including Jewish publications, are delineating Which Are The Settlements? different types of settlements. There Dear Editor, are those established for ideological The international world contends and/or political reasons and others that Middle East peace is being established to alleviate a crushing hijacked by continuous building and housing crisis. For example, the resi- growth of ‘settlements.’ Is this true? dents of Modi’in Illit (Kiryat Sefer) do During the years of 1948-1967, not define themselves as settlers, when Arabs refused to negotiate peace rather their choice was to live in a with Israel, it was forbidden for Jews to Torah-observant community offering live in the West Bank. Subsequently, reasonable housing options. three difficult wars were waged Are we awarding certain ‘settle- between the Arab nations and Israel before even one stone was lifted to Continued on Page 64

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 63 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 1982 a battle took place in the Bekaa Continued from Page 63 Valley of northern Lebanon between an Israeli tank unit and a Syrian ments’ a stamp of approval and others armored unit. As a result of this battle not? When Interior Minister and Shas three Israeli soldiers, Corporal Yehuda leader Eli Yishai tackles the housing Katz, Sergeant Zachary Baumel, and crunch in Kiryat Sefer and Betar he First Sergeant Zvi Feldman were uses the following explanation. “The reported missing-in-action and are still residents’ of Modiin Illit need for fur- unaccounted for. ther land acquisition is not prompted As responsible people, as concerned by a desire to take over new land (like citizens, as individuals with a sense of others!!) rather they are justifiably obligation to others, it is important motivated to provide adequate housing that we remember these men—that we for their growing population.” remind elected officials, synagogues We can not allow the ‘settlement and organizations of the situation issue’ to drive a wedge within Klal regarding these men. We must pray for Yisrael. There must be joint efforts to these men: Zachary Shlomo (ben find solutions for struggling families in Miriam) Baumel; Tzvi (ben Penina) Modiin and Betar and in Shilo and Bet Feldman; Yehuda (ben Sarah) Katz. El. As brothers there is a need to In addition, Gilad (ben Aviva) pledge unanimous concern for all resi- Shalit, an Israeli soldier, was kid- dents of Yerushalayim, Yehudah, and napped in an action by Hamas terror- Shomron. ists who entered Israel illegally June Keep in mind that the Arab world 25, 2006. He has been held by Hamas considers those living in Tel Aviv since that day and has not been seen (which just celebrated its 100 anniver- by any Israeli or international humani- sary) as unwanted settlers. tarian group in violation of all recog- Mrs. Caren V. May nized standards. The parents of Gilad Shalit were in Pray For Israeli MIAs New York for the Israel Day Parade and Dear Editor, marched with tens of thousands of The month of June means weddings, others. They were interviewed on tele- graduations, picnics and other celebra- vision and met with a variety of digni- tions. For three families in Israel, June taries and community leaders. 11 (and probably every other day) is a Ron (ben Batya) Arad has been reminder that their sons are not home missing since October 1986. Guy (ben with them enjoying the daily events and Rina) disappeared from his army base special celebrations which families on the Golan during the month of observe together. There is an empty August 1997. chair every Shabbat and every yom tov. Let our prayers and our voices be Twenty-seven years ago, June 11, heard for them. Let the world know that

64 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES we care…that we shall not forget them. gious Jews, in order to keep them con- whose Torah greatness rivaled that of In regard to reliance upon Synagogues and organizations nected to their Orthodox brethren. rabbis in other countries. Rav American gedolim, one of the rabban- should make these men honorary The implication is that Rav Weinberg Weinberg was determined that these im cited by Rabbi Ginzberg is the members. Their names and photos did not actually favor the institution of gedolim, along with the other Chazon Ish, who, last I checked, was should be displayed in synagogues, Yom HaShoah. Holocaust martyrs, be remembered on not a Yankee. More important, Rabbi centers, and schools. It is imperative Leaving aside the remarkable impli- a “special day of mourning and com- Ginzberg insisted in his original article that we continue our commitment to cation that Rav Weinberg did not mean memoration.” This is hardly a teshuvah that to support Yom HaShoah “brings Israeli’s missing soldiers. what he said, I suggest that Rabbi that would have impressed a non-reli- to question the basic and fundamental Ask yourself: What would I do if the Ginzberg read Rav Weinberg’s teshu- gious audience. Rabbi Ginzberg’s argu- understanding of the tochachah in the missing soldier were my son, my hus- vah carefully. The thrust of the respon- ment (and by extension Rav Hutner’s) band, my brother, my nephew, my sum is that there were German rabbis does not stand up to scrutiny. Continued on Page 67 cousin, my neighbor, my friend, my grandson? Please do for these men what you would do for your loved one. Judith Shapiro

The Yom HaShoah Debate Continues Dear Editor, In response to Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg’s insistence that gedolim unanimously opposed the creation of Yom HaShoah, I noted that both Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (Seridei Eish 2:30) and Rabbi Yitzchak Herzog (Heichal Yitzchak, Orach Chaim 61) favored a separate Holocaust day of remembrance. Rabbi Ginzberg replied that he was referring to “our gedolei hador in America,” and that he believes there is no need to shop the world in search of rabbanim who disagree with this “united opinion” in opposition to a Yom HaShoah (Letters, June 5). Rabbi Ginzberg insisted further that according to the late Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner, who was a friend of Rav Weinberg, the latter addressed his pro- Yom HaShoah responsum to “the community at large,” specifically non-reli-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 65 can be harmful and may cause an At first makiwara training seems a injury. To reach the point where you little scary since you are striking a are in a position to break wood and wooden board with your bare knuck- tiles requires a lot of dedicated karate les. However, the purpose of hitting training, correct technique, and the board is not to damage the fist. AskBY WARREN The LEVISensei makiwara work. The makiwara is a The purpose is to toughen each strik- wooden board that is mounted to the ing surface that you use in your daily floor of a karate school or practice training. Dear Sensei, it occasionally to test my skills and to space. The practice is important to The makiwara does not have to be Can you break wood and tiles, and ensure that my punches are still the karate practitioner in that it limited to punches. You can also kick if so, how do you do it? effective. Attempting to do this with- toughens the various striking surface a makiwara, as well as deal palm and A. Yes, I can do this, but I only do out proper training and supervision of the body. elbow strikes. The wood/tiles technique includes, but is not limited to the following:

• your limbs must be properly con- ditioned • the correct body line • the correct stance • exact distance • accurate rotation of hips • positioning of elbows and the aim- ing of your fist • correct breathing • positioning of the wood/tile • your knuckles to be in a strong condition • your energy to be behind your punch. This is acquired by a union between your mind and body. You must believe that you can do it! Within each of us, there is a hid- den store of energy and determination which we have the ability to release when faced with any challenge in life and not only for break- ing wood. O Sensei Warren Levi, owner and operator of Warren Levi Karate & Mixed Martial Arts in Lawrence, took a team of young competitors to Kai Leung's karate tournament on May 17. The tournament, known as one of New York's largest, features competitors from all over the tri-state area. Team Warren Sensei Warren Levi, B.PhysEd., holds a fifth- Levi had an extremely successful tournament. All the members who competed placed in their respective divisions. The team brought home six gold, five degree black belt and can be contacted at 516- silver, and three bronze medals. Back row (L-R): Shelly Goldman, Ahuva Ross, Sensei Mamdouh Ibrahim, Sensei Warren Levi, and Nachi Ross. Front 569-0808, [email protected], or via row (L-R): Katie Urias, Moshe Farber, Orlando Bernal, Daniel Guttman, and Ryan Langdon. www.warrenlevikarate.com.

66 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR gogues and organizations in Yom benefit children in Israeli hospitals. money. Checks can be made out to Continued from Page 65 HaShoah commemorations is ample Last year, over 250 stuffed animals “Miles of Smiles.” Donations will be proof that survivors want their experi- were distributed! Money is also col- collected up until June 21 and can be Torah, of basic Chazal, and the writ- ences to be uniquely inscribed in our lected to purchase games, crafts, toys, sent to 379 Arbuckle Avenue, ings of many of our greatest commen- national consciousness. and art supplies from Israeli stores to Cedarhurst, NY 11516. There is also taries throughout the ages.” I assume, Avi Goldstein stock up the Bikur Cholim Hospital a blue/green drop off bin located on I hope correctly, that he is referring to playroom in Jerusalem. There are two the back porch. the view that all our national tragedies Miles Of Smiles Toy Drive ways to donate: either by dropping off Thank you! should be marked on Tishah B’Av. Dear Editor, brand new stuffed animals (hospital Miles of Smiles Which leads us to ask: Is it only We’ll be collecting donations for infection control is strict that it (Devorah Gerber, Shayna American gedolim who are bound by this year’s Miles of Smiles toy drive to should be brand new) or by donating Leshem, and Chavie Adler) this purported outlook of Chazal? Clearly not. Thus, it is clear that Rabbi Ginzberg’s intent was as I stated: that all gedolim, without excep- tion, opposed the institution of Yom HaShoah. I have demonstrated that this is incorrect and that there is ample precedent for designating a date to mourn particular events. As I noted, the primary model is the volun- tary fast of 20 Sivan (which occurs this week), in commemoration of the Chmielnicki massacres. Further, even if Rabbi Ginzberg were correct that we should not desig- nate a special day of mourning, Yom HaShoah would not violate this guide- line. As observed today, Yom HaShoah is simply a day for recollecting the Holocaust. It is not a fast day; no specific rituals have been created for Yom HaShoah. Thus those who participate cannot be accused of violating Chazal’s guidelines, even as conceived by Rabbi Ginzberg. Finally, we have not mentioned the most pressing argument in favor of Yom HaShoah: K’lal Yisrael has demonstrated that it requires such a day. The participation of countless Orthodox syna-

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Mon-Thurs, 12:20-4:30 516-569-8887 pm. Fax resume 718-337-9160 att: Mrs. Katz. Phone: 718-337-6000 ext. 320 Open House 6/14 1:30-3 Lawrence — 1 Rosalind Place 2K. Sunny 1 BR, (JR4) co-op with terrace. REAL ESTATE Indoor parking, closets, storage . $169K FOR SALE Prudential RE. Ronnie 516-238-4299 Far Rockaway: 2 Fam. All NU 3 over 3 Br. 4Fbth, Dr, Full bsmt Ready to move in, Woodmere Co-op, 2 All features ...... $779K Large BR, Walk-in closets throughout, 2 Call 516-263-6417 full renovated bths, renovated EIK, new stainless steel appliances, hard floors Miami Beach — Tower 41. Ocean View. throughout, 2nd floor elevator building, 1 bdrm, 17th floor. Stunning. walk to shuls. $249K 516-680-0658 732-522-0813 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 71 CLASSIFIED ADS COMMERCIAL REAL Continued from Page 71 ESTATE FOR SALE FOR RENT FOR RENT REAL ESTATE Far Rockaway commercial space. Far Rockaway —apts for rent. 4 BR, Bayswater — 3 BR apt, 1.5 bths, with FOR SALE Brand new construction. Ideally suited new construction. Near all. New appli- fin. basement, large backyard, great for medical professional offices or com- ances. First floor includes backyard location. $1700. Call 917-709-2564 munity facility. High ceilings. Very $1,900. Second floor $1,750. 516-445-4048, Cedarhurst: Nu to Mkt. Handyman West Hempstead — 7 BR house, 4 bths, bright and airy. Many amenities, ocean ask for Barry. Special/ Builder, 50'x100',Quiet Block, FDR, LR, den, lots of extras. Call views, reasonable rent. Call Prime loca'n, Quick Sale: . . . . . $329K 917-496-6553 Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 Rockville Centre — 3,500 sq ft, fully 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710 wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. Cedarhurst — House Rental LR/FDR, Call 516-322-3555 den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt . . . . . $2,300 5 Towns Jan Kalman Rlty Call 516-322-3555 Open Houses, June 14th FOR RENT Nicest house rental in Far Rockaway. Ced. 425 Ced. Av (1:30-3) Cust 5BR, Beautiful, Ready to move in, 5 BR 3.5Bth Col. Lg prop...... $875K Cedarhurst office space available for house on excellent block in Far Ced 589 W. B’way (1:30-3) 8BR, 3Bth rent/lease for any amount of time! Col. Updates. 1/2+ ac ...... $7s Lawrence — Beautiful 4 BR new gran- Rockaway. Brand new kitchen and very Reception area adjoins 3 rooms; fully ite kitchen, 2.5 new bths, asking $3800 Wdm. 1034 Dartmouth (12-1:30) Exp spacious backyard. furnished, soundproofed, A/C, prime with option to buy. H/R. Renov 6BR...... $925K Call owner 917-617-0768 Basement 2 BR, LR, and kitchen, large, location, wireless internet, cleaned Wdm. 1038 Dartmouth (12-2:30) Unique light, real nice, separate entrance, weekly 516-617-3416 Renov 5BR. Res ...... $1.049M Cedarhurst — Central Avenue. Two parking. Asking ...... $1295. [email protected] Wdm 546 Howard (11:30-1) Move right 516-901-9770, 516-647-0045 executive offices for rent. 200 and 120 in! Mint Exp Rch ...... $455K square feet. Offices available together Cedarhurst — Nu House CH Col. LR, JanKalman.com 516-569-5651 or individually. Windows overlooking Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 4BR, 3BTHS. Central. Call Lauren 516-569-5959 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. Bsmt. For Rent ...... $2,500 Pugatch Realty Open Houses June 14 Call 516-322-3555 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Hewlett — 139 Midgely Dr, 2-4 . $799K Cedarhurst — NU House, CH Col., LR, Hewlett — 124 Woodside Dr, 11:30-1:30 FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 4BR., 3BTHS...... $875K Room for rent in lovely home in Far Rockaway/West Lawrence —Studio Bsmt ...... $3,200 Hewlett — 1579 Moffitt Ave, 1-2:30 Cedarhurst. Perfect for college or semi- apt for rent. Private house, good loca- 5 TOWN HOMES ...... $529K nary girl or older female adult. Price is tion, near Shor Yoshuv, synagogues, Inwood — 109 Roger, Ave, 6/13 12-1:30 negotiable. For more information, call 516-569-5710 yeshivos, and public transportation...... $399K 516-792-5950 Good for office. 718-337-5753 or 347-461- Lawrence — 250 Central Ave A202, Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place 6034 1-2:30, ...... $295K Lawrence — New to Market. Pristine Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning No Woodmere — 881 Cliffside Ave, cul-de-sac, best location . . $4K monthly 12:30-2, ...... $549K house on quiet cul-de-sac. 5 bed 4 full Far Rockaway — 2 Huge Office Spaces. Call Irene 516-652-7099 Woodmere — 1077 Highland Pl, 12:30-2 bath. Oversized master suite with 6,000 and 2,500 Sq Ft. 2nd Floor. Near ...... $729K Jacuzzi. Cac. Walk to all. $4,500 Neg. Subway & LIRR. Build to Suit. Can be Avromy 347-752-0948 Woodmere — 950 Midway Dr, 12-2 Far Rockaway — Large One Bedroom divided. Owner 917-359-9776 ...... $849K Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 Apartment for rent. Beautiful elevator Woodmere — 564 Saddle Rdg Rd, 12-2 bldg. Nice tenancy. 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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 73 ness, I didn’t remember ever round hole and then burrow- noticing the hole. ing an inch or so into it before That was on the second day abruptly turning at a right of Shavuos, just as I complet- angle to continue her tunnel One Good Deed ed a session of Torah study. horizontally. Eventually the (The deck is my special study hollowed-out area will be BY RABBI AVI the second story, there was a the insects to crawl on, and retreat, weather permitting.) SHAFRAN halachic need—as per the escort them outside. Later in the day, I noticed that Biblical law of ma’akeh, or “roof Bumblebees, though, with the bee had tunneled into the It looked like a bumblebee, enclosure” (Devarim 22:8)—to their amazing flight maneu- hole; puffs of sawdust could After the holiday, but something was odd. It extend the deck’s waist-high vers, have always been a per- be seen emerging from it; seemed too shiny and too railing upward. Hence the sonal favorite. And this one eventually all that was visible I did some black, too large-limbed and homemade wooden extension was strange. of the animal was its research and lumbering. Maybe, I thought, the bee had discovered. What he did was even hindquarters. After the holi- it was just an aged member of I have always enjoyed the stranger, crawling to the day, I did some research and discovered that the species. company of bees. As a child I underside of the wood and discovered that the bee was a I watched as it crawled slow- would watch them, capture just parking himself there, she, and not a bumblebee at the bee was a she, ly across a wooden beam that I them, observe their behavior, upside down. Investigating, I all, but a carpenter bee. had mounted last summer and occasionally endure their saw that he had found, and The female of the species, I and not a bumble- above the metal railing of the stings. Even to this day, in the apparently found to his liking, learned, prepares a nursery bee at all, but a deck outside our dining room. sukkah, as others recoil at the a perfectly round hole, about for her offspring by excavating Since our home’s main floor, sight of yellow-jackets, I will a half-inch in diameter. the underside of a piece of carpenter bee. including the dining room, is happily hold out my hand for Compounding the strange- wood, creating a near-perfect

where the bee lays her brood. She will partition off different areas of the tunnel, pro- viding each “room” with a wad of pollen and nectar, and then lay one egg on it before sealing it off. Each egg will become a larva that will subsist on its personal manna until it devel- ops into a pupa and then, finally, a new bee. The young bees will then break through the partitions and escape into the outside world. I can’t wait. Rambam characterizes the path to fulfilling the command- ment of ahavas Hashem, loving G-d, thus: “When a person ponders [G-d’s] great and won- drous acts and creations and perceives in them His limitless wisdom…he loves and praises and extols [G-d] and is filled with a deep and great desire to know [Him]…” (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah, 2:2) The awe-inspiring is all around us, if we care to look and think, and are not fooled into imagining that nature’s fantasticalness is a phantasm, the meaningless yield of ran- dom meetings of molecules. Watching the carpenter bee was, for me, a new step on the path Rambam describes. It reminded me of a Talmudic aphorism: “The consequence of a mitzvah is another mitzvah” (Avos, 4:2). Had it not been for the mitzvah of ma’akeh, which had required me to build a suffi- ciently high railing for my deck, I would not have been able to study Torah—another mitzvah, of course—on my deck. The ma’akeh had led to Torah-study. Had I not been studying Torah on my deck, I might never have met the carpenter bee, who I truly feel advanced me on the path leading to a most important mitzvah, ahavas Hashem.

© 2009 Am Echad Resources. Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America. 74 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES charge any fee for this service.) I ity of a provision in the next tax bill found none for myself, but six for my that interests me. This provision Stretch Your Dollar brother’s family. would give a trade-in voucher or A tax accountant’s column is not credit, possibly up to $4,500, to an B Y DAVID WEINTRAUB, complete without some tax thoughts. individual original owner who trades CPA, MBA which I am not aware, this could be a Being that I spend too much time in an old clunker for a new car, and source of much-needed cash flow—if I thinking about taxes, I can share the thereby improves his/her mileage by My most recent employer has grant- could recover such an asset. following thoughts with you: more than 4 or 5 mpg (miles per gal- ed me an unpaid sabbatical, albeit To check for this possibility, I visit- My family owns a running 11-year- lon). I think I will hold on to my involuntary on my part. Those near Chevy Venture until I get more and dear to me have told me that a job details (especially since the Chevy search is a full-time job. So I decided Venture is a classic that is no longer to make constructive use of my over- During my working years, I bemoaned the lack of manufactured). time hours. Since we are generating less taxable During my working years, I income this year, we may be able to bemoaned the lack of time to take time to take advantage of deals about which I take advantage of all the tax deduc- advantage of deals about which I tions and credits included in the read during my leisure time. Now, I read during my leisure time. Now, I decided, is recent tax bills provided for people decided, is the time to practice what who are less than wealthy. Please I preach. the time to practice what I preach. check with your tax advisor or knowing I heard about the doomsday predic- relative for additional details. tions of a 23% increase in commuter Last but not least, the average IRA train fares. I purchased 10-trip off- owner may believe that withdrawals peak fare tickets online at the MTA/ ed www.osc.state.ny.us/ouf. (Claimant old Chevy Venture. I have been try- for such a retirement plan cannot be LIRR website (www.mta.info/lirr). I beware: You may need to wait awhile ing to decide the best way to dispose taken without severe tax penalties. received the regular 15% 10-trip off- before your claim is processed and of it when its operating life ends. I Under certain limited circumstances, peak discount (as compared with the the cash and/or property is returned hear that President Obama and this may not be true. We can discuss price for 10 individual off-peak tick- to you. Note: New York does not Congress are discussing the possibil- this further in a future article. O ets), plus the additional online 5% discount at pre-increase prices. These 10- trip tickets are good for one year. When I present them on a peak train, I am assessed the difference between the peak price and the discounted off- peak price—now $3.25. No additional penalty is collected. At the end, fares were scheduled to increase by “only” 10% as of Sunday, May 31. Should we choose to take the LIRR to the city, my family will use my 10-trip off-peak tickets, having paid 30% less than those buying individual off-peak tickets that day. I have been eager to join BJ’s Wholesale Club since we started receiving the 60-day trial membership offers. After all, BJ’s accepts manufacturers’ coupons and lets you pay with most major credit cards. Upon submitting my application and trial offer at BJ’s, the young lady behind the counter informed me that BJ’s was running an extra-special pro- motion—if I purchase a one-year membership instead of the trial offer, BJ’s would give me a 14-month membership, plus a $10. coupon off my first purchase. Who am I to pass up such an offer? Next I checked for information about any ‘abandoned property’ or missing family assets, including the following: a. Dormant bank and brokerage accounts with no recent activity. b. Uncashed payroll checks. (Your final paycheck after leaving a job, which was not forwarded to you as promised.) c. Unclaimed security deposits with utilities or prior landlords. d. Uncashed dividend checks and interest coupons, as well as the securities themselves; the securities having been kept in a safe deposit box and for- gotten. The legal owner may have passed away and addresses of the heirs were not forwarded to the company that issued the stock or bonds. Any of these that show no recent activity or claim by the New York owner, would be “escheated” or surrendered to the New York State Office of the State Comptroller. Since this is money about 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 75 The Sun Orbits The PLO State

BY PROF. MK ARIEH recorded history bear witness to many raphy and history of the Land of Israel how Yasser Arafat defined his Theory of ELDAD attempts to destroy the people of Israel and knew that a Palestinian state Stages. So today, everyone who sup- or to prevent its political independ- would always be an irredenta longing ports the establishment of a Palestinian For hundreds of years, the Catholic ence. Indeed, the first time the nation to take over Israel and inherit the land. state west of the Jordan River is trying Church believed that the sun orbits of Israel is mentioned in human histo- As a doctor, I know that he who to implement Arafat’s plan. the Earth. Whoever dared oppose this ry outside of the Bible is on the stele of wrongly diagnoses a disease cannot But why is the establishment of a view was branded insane or a heretic. the Pharaoh Merneptah, on which is hope to cure it. The most widespread Palestinian state west of the Jordan Religious dogmas are not over- written, “Israel has been destroyed, its error made by those considering the not only impossible for anyone who turned by logic. An argument between seed no longer exists.” They tried in conflict between Jews and Arabs in the wants Israel to continue to exist, but the believers of different faiths is rarely the past, they’re still trying, and appar- Land of Israel lies in the diagnosis that also unnecessary? resolved by rational argument. The ently they’ll continue to try. it is a territorial dispute. If it were a Because there already is a Palestinian prophet Habakuk says, “The righteous However, when the demand to territorial dispute, it should be curable state, and it is Jordan. 70% of its citizens man lives by his faith.” establish an independent Palestinian by a territorial compromise. Dozens of are Palestinians. Jordan is Palestine, de But political positions are not mat- state comes not from an attempt to such attempts have been made in facto and de jure. Nonetheless, those ters of mystical faith. They are sup- serve the proponent’s interests, but recent centuries, and all of them have who believed that the sun orbits the posed to be logical. At their best they rather as part of a “search for justice,” ended in bloodbaths or war. But he Earth now say that one Palestinian state serve the interests of he who pro- or under an assumption that one is who recognizes even at the most basic is not enough; and because the pounds them. Occasionally, they fail benefiting Israel, we can no longer level the attitude of Islam towards Palestinians are demanding another one because the analysis on which they are relate to the demand with the tools of Jews, and the status of the Land of west of the Jordan, if they are granted based is faulty. We can understand logic. This is a sort of “religious Israel in Islam, knows that for Islam that state, then peace will come to the countries that demand Israel accept dogma” that will be difficult, if not the Land of Israel is a wakf—holy land Middle East. the program of “two states for two impossible, to contradict by reason. granted forever to Muslims, where Samuel Huntington, in his book The nations” because they think that the The establishment of a Palestinian they are enjoined from recognizing Clash of Civilizations, counted over 130 creation of a Palestinian state west of state will necessarily bring about the rule by heretics. armed conflicts around the world in the the Jordan River serves their interests. destruction of Israel. Whoever blindly Thus, the Arabs can sign a political year 2000. Approximately 95% of these If, Heaven forbid, such a state is estab- and closed-mindedly repeats the agreement, even a peace treaty, with were between Muslims and their neigh- lished and, as a result, the State of mantra “two states for two nations” the State of Israel, but they will never bors. Islamic borders are bloody. Almost Israel falls, then their own interests can apparently not understand this, recognize it as a Jewish state; and no everywhere on the planet, Muslims are will be hurt, but this will simply be one just as the popes in the Middle Ages such peace treaty will prevent them attempting to expand at the territorial more political miscalculation in a his- could not be convinced that the sun from fighting a war with Israel, expense of their neighbors. The illness tory full of miscalculations. does not orbit the Earth. whether from within or without, in is global. But for some reason, the We can even understand those who The late Yitzchak Rabin said, “A order to turn it into a bi-national state believers think that the conflict in the demand the creation of a Palestinian Palestinian state can rise only on the and then, at a later stage, an Arab state. Land of Israel is local, of a different state alongside Israel because they are ruins of the State of Israel.” He under- The creation of an independent nature, and territorial concessions will hostile to Israel and wish to help stood that the Arabs desire to destroy Palestinian state in the Land of Israel resolve it. In like manner did many Arabs. More than 3,500 years of Israel. He was familiar with the geog- serves this purpose well. This is exactly Europeans believe in 1938 that territo-

76 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES rial concessions to Hitler would satisfy his hunger and bring peace. For who could believe then that Hitler wanted to take over the world? And who believes today that Islam wants to take over the world? Nonetheless, the solution of two states for two nations should indeed be accepted by everyone. Fortunately, the Jews have a state in Israel and the Palestinians have a state in Jordan. If they don’t want a Hashemite king using a Bedouin minority to control 70% of the population, then they should change that regime. But a Bedouin minority subju- gating a Palestinian majority in Jordan should not be the reason for the creation of another state at Israel’s expense. With worldwide assistance, the Palestinian refugees can easily be resettled in the expanses of Jordan, and energy and water sources, along with housing and employment, can be promoted with sums much smaller than those that have been invested by the world for over 60 years to maintain the refugees in appalling conditions in their camps. Settling refugees in Arab countries and mainly in Jordan will not completely resolve the conflict, because this is fundamentally a religious conflict, and Islam will never accept Jewish rule in the land of Israel. But this is a necessary humanitarian solution which will also dif- fuse many of the bombs that continue to be detonated in the Land of Israel. Perhaps after the refugee problem has been solved, and after the West stops funding the teaching of hatred and terror in UNWRA institutions, and stops mouthing platitudes instead of resettling the refugees, maybe then we will see two sustainable states, Israel and Jordan, living side by side quietly. Maybe then an Arab living in Ramallah as a citizen of the Palestinian- Hashemite State of Jordan can vote for the parliament in Amman and live peacefully in the Land of Israel. But those who intend to establish another Palestinian state west of the Jordan at the expense of Israel step outside, look heavenward, see the sun shining in the east, moving along the sky and setting in the west towards evening, and they know: the sun orbits the Earth, and another Palestinian state is necessary to bring peace. It won’t help to tell these people the facts; facts would only confuse such people. (Arutz Sheva) O

Professor Arieh Eldad, a 25 year vet- eran of the IDF medical corps (Brig.- Gen.) and a department head at Hadassah-Ein Kerem Hospital, is a representative of the National Union faction in the Knesset. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 77 At The 16th Annual Israel Day Concert Photos By Barry Brown Studios

Above (L–R): Nachum Segal, MC of the 16th Annual Israel Day Concert, which took place in Central Park on Sunday, May 31; Dr. Paul Brody (co-chairperson for the concert along with his wife, Drora) holding framed placard with Dr. Joseph Frager, concert organizer; Moshe Goldsmith, Mayor of Itamar; Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, Director of Igud HaRabbanim; Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue; and Shloime Dachs. The speakers and performers focused on the themes of a united Jerusalem, saying “No!” to a PA/Hamas terrorist state, and standing up to the mullahs of Iran. The concert also advocated the release of Gilad Shalit and Jonathan Pollard.

“And so it shall be proclaimed…” Many important proclamations regarding the unification of Israel and Jerusalem were made at the 16th Annual Israel Day Concert in Central Park. NYC Councilman David I. Weprin, 23rd District, Chair of the Finance Committee and candidate for NYC Comptroller, presented proclamations from the Council of the City of New York to three individuals who spend countless hours each year to produce the meaningful, message-filled event. In foreground (L–R): Drora and Dr. Paul Brody of Great Neck, concert chairpersons, holding their proclamation draped with the Israeli flag; Councilman Weprin; and Dr. Joseph Frager of Jamaica Estates, longtime concert organizer, holding his proclamation. Standing behind them are Shloime Dachs and Nachum Segal.

Free them now! Noam Shalit, father of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, was presented with a framed placard commemorating the 16th Annual Israel Day Concert in Central Park, which called for Gilad’s immediate release. Gilad’s picture is prominently displayed atop the artistic placard along with Jonathan Pollard’s. Flanking Noam Shalit are (L–R) Dr. Joseph Frager, concert organizer; Dr. Paul and Mrs. Drora Brody, concert chairpersons, and their son Joey, holding the Israeli flag; and Nachum Segal, concert MC. Aviva Shalit, Gilad’s mother, was in the audience, many of whom wore “Free Gilad Shalit NOW” T-shirts. 78 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES June 12, 2009 79 80 June 12, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES