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Madoff And Ponzi BY LARRY GORDON Yair Hoffman 22 MindBiz CAIR Package Esther Mann, LMSW 32 The organization known as denounce the idea of “terror- Words Of Wisdom CAIR has publicly called ism” whenever Islamic funda- Phyllis J. Lubin 35 upon Jewish leaders to con- mentalists engage in public demn a recent article pub- terrorist acts. Yet at the same Bad Year For Governors lished by the Five Towns time, not once has CAIR ever Hannah Reich Berman 42 Jewish Times about how to denounced Muslim killers deal with the rising incidence who act in the name of Islam. ‘Aliyah Chronicle’ #100 of Islamist terrorism. CAIR— Nor has CAIR ever called for Shmuel Katz 46 the Council on American- a reevaluation of the hate that Islamic Relations—is an many Islamic fundamentalists interesting organization. They feel toward or any other Governor Paterson at the governor’s Chanukah party at the Jewish Heritage view themselves as “similar to non-Muslims. Museum in lower Manhattan earlier this week. With him is Menashe Silber a kind of Muslim NAACP.” of the Soup Kitchen in Boro Park. The governor’s proposed budget Truthfully, it does often Continued on Page 10 would reduce aid to nonpublic schools by 44%. See Story, Page 69 KADDISH AND COTTON CANDY HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE BY RAV ARYEH Z. old Moishele Holtzberg and his Rabbinical Homecoming GINZBERG heart-wrenching cries for his CHOFETZ CHAIM CENTER Ima. For me, there is another Woodmere Shabbaton. vivid picture, as well, that I just BY LARRY GORDON See Page 55 For most of us, the tragedy can’t shake from my mind and in is somewhat heart despite the passage of The internationally re- behind us. The headlines in time, and that is the image of nowned White Shul—Cong- print and in our minds have Kaddish and cotton candy. regation Kneseth , locat- been replaced by financial Permit me to explain. ed just over the Five Towns scandals of colossal propor- At the very moment that I border in Far Rockaway—has tions, as the vivid images of the arrived in Eretz Yisrael, along long played an important role Mumbai , Hy’d, grow with my wife and our daugh- in our area, functioning as a dimmer with each passing day. ter, the levayos of the crossroads of sorts. And now it There is one image, however, kedoshim, Hy’d, were taking has passed through a cross- that will remain with many of place at various venues roads of its own, as it again us for days and weeks to come—the image of two-year- Continued on Page 24 Continued on Page 14 Rabbi Eytan Feiner

Marilyn Wolowitz and Devora Reich at the Bikur Cholim Camp Nageela Rebuilding Annual Brunch. See Page 84 Moving Up, HUNGRY TO Not Moving BE HEARD

On Eating Disorders In The B Y MRS. CHANI Frum Community SCHWARTZ B Y TO V A STULMAN ROSS The horrific murder of Rabbi Gavriel and Many young women in the Rivka Holtzberg and the other frum Jewish community are martyrs of Mumbai, H’yd, hit well aware of the pressures HAFTR to honor close to home, as it did for all that exist for them in today’s Danielle and Jason Bokor. Jews around the world. It is society. The shidduch world See Page 81 hard to erase the gruesome oftentimes has potential details from my mind. It is mates asking about body size CANDLE LIGHTING hard—it should be hard—to before character. Choosing After a devastating electrical fire at the JEP-LI Camp Nageela in Fallsburg Dec. 19 – 4:12 PM destroyed the dining hall, the effort to rebuild has begun. Funds are being move on. Truth be told, there between full-time work, being Dec. 26 – 4:16 PM raised to build a state-of-the-art expanded camp facility. See Story, Page 62 Continued on Page 19 Continued on Page 15 2 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 3 4 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 5 6 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 7 8 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Yisrael loved Yosef more than all his children… And his brothers envied him (Bereishis 37:3, 11) “Love is strong as death” (Shir HaShirim 8:6)—this is the love with which Yaakov loved Yosef… “Envy is harsh as the grave” (ibid.)—this is the envy of the brothers to Yosef.What can love achieve in face of envy? (Midrash Tanchuma) Said Resh Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah:A man must not discriminate among his chil- dren, for on account of the coat of many colors which our father Yaakov made for Yosef,“They hated him…” (Midrash Rabbah)

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 9 FROM THE EDITOR to citizens of Israel because they are FEATURES Continued from Front Cover not “innocent.” When terrorists rear their ugly heads in Israel, Islamic Around The Five Towns 54 The editorial staff of the Five Towns politicians usually issue a statement P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 Jewish Times decries the notion of any that condemns attacks against “inno- 516-984-0079 support of terrorism, and we fully sup- cent civilians.” The dirty little secret is [email protected] Aliyah Chronicle [email protected] port the United States government’s that, because all Israelis at one time or Shmuel Katz 46 War on Terrorism. As an Orthodox another serve in some capacity in the LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Publisher/Editor Managing Editor Jewish weekly, the 5TJT also rejects armed forces of Israel, these leaders YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON Ask The Sensei the demonization of Muslims, both in and spokespeople consider them to be this country and abroad. If any such neither “innocent” nor “civilians.” We Sales Managers Warren Levi 50 CHANA ROCHEL ROSS implication of supporting the terroriza- condemn such organizations, as they Editorial Assistant tion or murder of innocent Muslims are both supportive of terrorism and Classified Ads 78 SIDI BARON who do not support terrorists or terror- are deceptive in nature. YAKOV SERLE ist activities was made by an article in This is important to point out, JERRY MARKOVITZ Halachic Musings the 5TJT, it was due simply to a poor because the current executive director Sales Representatives choice of words—a slip of the author’s of CAIR, Nihad Awad, has publicly Rabbi Yair Hoffman 22 SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC pen, if you will. Read in its entirety, the stated his support for a known terrorist Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor article is clearly conveying the message organization. On March 22, 1994, at a CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Insights On The Torah that members of a community that symposium at Barry University in Irwin H. Benjamin, Hannah Reich Berman Anessa V. Cohen, Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg Rabbi Yanki Tauber 36 supports terrorists and allows them to Florida, he said, “I am in support of remain in its midst should not expect the Hamas movement.” According to Toby Klein Greenwald, Michele Herenstein Chevrah Lomdei 40 Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Miriam Horowitz to escape retaliation. At the same time, research published in the Spring 2006 Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky the 5TJT calls upon CAIR to unequiv- edition of the Middle East Quarterly Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann Letters To The Editor 13 Rochelle Miller, Martin Mushell, Naomi Ross ocally denounce all of its past and cur- (see www.meforum.org/article/916), Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher rent support of and for Islamist terror- CAIR, since its inception, has had MICHAL WEINSTEIN, BINYAMIN RHODES MindBiz ism, whether that support be direct or strong ties with known terrorist organ- DOV GORDON Esther Mann, LMSW 32 remote. We call upon CAIR to izations. In 1994, when this organiza- Staff Graphic Artists denounce Muslim killers who act in tion was first launched, it received IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS the name of Islam, and we call upon startup money from the Holy Land Staff Photographers Mother’s Musings CAIR to denounce and call for a halt Foundation. When the Holy Land FRANKEL & CO. Phyllis J. Lubin 35 to the hatred of Jews and non-Muslims Foundation was exposed by govern- Design & Production that many Muslims proclaim. ment prosecutors, a secret document TALIYE CORLEY Real Estate The Five Towns Jewish Times con- was found and presented at trial. Art Director demns organizations that refuse to Exhibit No. 003-0085, an internal SUZETTE LEE Anessa V. Cohen 34 condemn terrorism in the name of Holy Land Foundation document, Assistant Art Director Islam. The reason we are so specific is stated: The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- That’s The Way It Is! that there are organizations that pub- “The Muslim Brotherhood must paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not Hannah Reich Berman 42 licly qualify their condemnations of understand that all their work in responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or terrorism with the terms “innocent vic- establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. tims,” yet say that this does not apply Continued on Page 12

10 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 11

FROM THE EDITOR tary organization, “Virginia Jihadists,” Always have an attorney present when out the world to stop the senseless Continued from Page 10 while working for CAIR. According to answering questions.” If CAIR truly hatred of Jews and other non- the indictment, “AK-47-style rifles, tel- wished to stop terrorism, one would Muslims; and (3) Call upon Muslims America is a kind of grand jihad in escopic lenses, hundreds of rounds of think they should tell Muslims that to cooperate with all counterterrorist eliminating and destroying the ammunition and tracer rounds, docu- they have a duty to cooperate with and government agencies who will help Western civilization from within and ments on undertaking jihad and mar- talk to the FBI. The 5TJT would like to stop Muslims who murder innocents. sabotaging their miserable house by tyrdom, [and] a copy of the terrorist see CAIR issue a call to all Muslims to Will CAIR answer this call? May the hands of the believers so that it is handbook containing instructions on cooperate with all government coun- Allah give CAIR and its leaders the eliminated and Allah’s religion is how to manufacture and use explo- terterrorism agencies. strength to make the right decision. O made victorious over all religions.” sives and chemicals as weapons” were Indeed, many respectable Muslim Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at This was a document produced here found in the possession of the American leaders have publicly [email protected]. in the United States by associates of indictees. When the former CAIR denounced CAIR as an organization CAIR. Lest one think that there was not a two-way street between CAIR and the Holy Land Foundation, the And Yaakov Middle East Quarterly article has demonstrated that the CAIR website The CAIR website link to help settled… link to help victims of 9/11 redirected viewers to the Holy Land Foundation (Bereishis 37:1) website. This “Foundation” has fun- victims of 9/11 redirected viewers to neled money to Hamas. This is not Yaakov desired to settle in just “urban legend,” as CAIR has tranquility, but it pounced responded. It is the position of the the Holy Land Foundation website. United States government and was upon him the agony of proven at trial. Yosef. For when the Five past CAIR board members, associates, and employees have been civil-rights coordinator went to that “condemns terrorism on the sur- righteous wish to settle in arrested for illegal terrorist support Pakistan, he was trained by a group face” but endorses an ideology that tranquility, G-d says: and related activity. Ghassan Elashi, that gave him a letter of introduction helps foster extremism. The FBI’s for- the founder of the Texas chapter of to Al Qaeda. Yet a Google search has mer chief of counterterrorism has stat- “Is it not enough for the CAIR, illegally sent more than $12 not revealed any condemnation by ed that “CAIR, its leaders, and its million to Hamas. He also did business CAIR of its former employee. activities effectively give aid to interna- righteous what is prepared with Abu Marzook, a known terrorist In 2003, CAIR distributed a pam- tional terrorist groups.” for them in the Hamas leader. Yet CAIR has never con- phlet that encouraged American The Five Towns Jewish Times calls demned Elashi or the organization he Muslims not to cooperate in govern- upon CAIR to stop the deception and World to Come, that used to funnel the money to sponsor ment attempts to find terrorist activi- to once and for all do a service to all they also ask for a tranquil terrorism. A former CAIR civil-rights ties. This pamphlet included the fol- Muslims, in America and throughout coordinator, Ismail Royer, was convict- lowing statements: “You have no obli- the world. In short, CAIR should: (1) life in this world?” ed of “conspiracy to train for and par- gation to talk to the FBI, even if you Denounce—without qualification—all (Rashi) ticipate in a violent jihad overseas.” are not a citizen… You do not have to Muslim killers who act in the name of Indeed, he recruited for his paramili- permit them to enter your home… Islam; (2) Call upon Muslims through-

12 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES In Defense Of My Article “an eye for an eye,” the utility of this Dear Editor, device was proven in World War II After seeing the disingenuous way against the Japanese, a civilization that that CAIR attacked me for writing my also utilized suicide missions as a article “The Appropriate Response to means of warfare. The Japanese gov- Islamic Terror” published in last week’s ernment had been using poison gas paper, I am even more convinced of the against the Chinese, but when validity of everything I wrote. In addi- Roosevelt threatened to do the same to tion, I am also proud to have exposed them, they abruptly terminated that the way that CAIR chooses to demon- practice. Unfortunately, it seems that strate its jihadist philosophy by taking Muslims today do not yield to pure the sentence to which it objected delib- threats as readily as the Japanese did. erately out of context in a typical Moreover, the Jewish religion does attempt to fan the flames of hatred. not advocate the killing of innocent I never advocated the wanton killing civilians, but apparently Islam does. of innocent Muslims, only that What about the verse in the Koran Muslim terror be treated the same as which states that when the Muslim warfare, with similar regard for collat- comes, the trees will tell eral damage. Because it seems as if Muslims to kill the Jews that are hid- this common-sense approach has been ing behind them? So much for CAIR’s cowardly sidestepped by the West and allegations. Israel—to their severe detriment— Lawrence Kulak there was the need to explain it in seemingly blunt language. If Muslims or CAIR are offended by the methods of Realpolitik which I advocate, let WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? them complain to Muslim govern- ments, such as Pakistan’s, who rou- WE WANT TO KNOW! tinely violate international law by con- tinuing to harbor terrorists and permit- E-MAIL US AT ting terrorists to use civilians as [email protected] human shields. As far as my use of the concept of

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 13 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE wife, Aviva, and I are grateful for the mitted to serve. And he has found that through a series of rabbinical auditions,” Continued from Front Cover opportunities that are at hand as a result the kehillah has responded to his efforts says Mr. Feller, “but then unexpectedly of how events have transpired.” with a tremendous thirst for Torah we struck gold.” And it seems—to this finds its place as a pivotal destination Many senior members of the White learning and growth. observer, anyway—that the Feiners are for the members of the community. Shul find it to be a special treat shepping The White Shul pulpit itself can just as exuberant about the opportunity The shul, which had seemed to be so much nachas while also gaining inspire a young rabbi to reach even to serve and indeed to blaze a new trail somewhat adrift of late, has quickly inspiration from a rabbi whom they higher, as the storied history of the con- for the White Shul membership and the found its groove again over the past watched grow up. gregation, along with its international surrounding community. two months under the tutelage of the Rabbi Feiner, born and raised in the reputation, demands greatness. In his So far, Rabbi Feiner’s outreach has new interim rav, Rabbi Eytan Feiner. Five Towns, has lived for the last nine soft-spoken and humble way, it looks extended significantly beyond the White With growing frequency, the shul has years in Israel, while teaching in several like Rabbi Feiner understands the great Shul, with shiurim he has been giving at become the place to be, particularly at yeshivas and seminaries there. He has opportunity and possibilities at hand. Sh’or Yoshuv, Yeshiva of Far one of the services or shiurim on also been a lecturer for Gateways at their The rabbi is determined to be innovative Rockaway, the Sh’eefa Seminary, and Friday night or Shabbos day. yom tov programs, and is beloved by the and creative in his pulpit as he tries to other locations around the area. He’s No doubt a great many of the also been packing the house, so to changes—which basically translate to speak, at Kneseth Israel with his lots of new people davening there and derashah on Shabbos morning, his divrei joining as members—have taken place Congregation Knesseth Israel, one of Torah at shalosh seudos, and his mid- quickly at the shul, which many had sug- week classes both for men and women. gested over the last few years was past its “My wife and I are committed to and prime, as many other shuls and minyan- the most long-established shuls in the love teaching Torah,” Rabbi Feiner says. im started up in the area, drawing people “In a world plagued with problems,” he away from the White Shul. area, has become a shul filled with adds, “there are many answers in Torah “That’s one of the great strengths of and tefillah, and there is also a level of the White Shul,” says Nesanel Feller, who youthful exhilaration. emotional comfort that can be achieved has been the president of the shul since in the study of Torah.” June. “In the same minyan there are black Rabbi Feiner plans to be here for at hats, no hats, knitted yarmulkes, felt least the next year or so, and possibly yarmulkes, and so on. There’s a level of staff and campers of Camp Simcha/Chai return the White Shul to the premier longer. “We don’t know what the future comfort in the shul that makes everyone Lifeline, where he has been a rabbi for position of popularity it once enjoyed. holds,” the rabbi says. “We know this is feel at home.” And, Feller adds, a lot of the last seven years. This, however, is his It’s almost as if Congregation a wonderful community and we are very this new reality they are enjoying is attrib- first stint in an American rabbinical posi- Kneseth Israel, one of the most long- proud and pleased to be a part of it.” utable to Rabbi Feiner’s warmth and abil- tion. A variety of circumstances led to established shuls in the area, has virtu- And the White Shul kehillah is ity as a teacher and rav. his coming for an extended stay in the ally overnight become a shul filled responding with enthusiasm to their “We’re very fortunate to have him, U.S.—a fortuitous boon for the White with youthful exhilaration that can be new rav and his family and the intelli- and we are thrilled at the way things are Shul community. experienced by all. gence, warmth, and caring that he and working,” said Feller. For his part, Rabbi Along with his breadth of knowledge As I sat and spoke with Rabbi Feiner his wife exude. Maybe it’s one of those Feiner is just as excited about the unex- and vast scholarship, he brings to the and Mr. Feller on a recent weekday matches that was made in heaven. It pected match. “I was brought up in this job a unique zeal and ambitiousness to afternoon, it rapidly became apparent certainly seems that way. O shul and this community,” the rabbi share the great light of Torah with the that this was one of those accidental per- Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at says. I know many of the people, and my kehillah, the community he has com- fect fits. “We thought that we’d be going [email protected].

14 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Hungry To Be Heard only contributes to a sense of shame and Continued from Front Cover chagrin when a youngster’s body begins transforming into that of an adult. a stay-at-home mother, or a combina- As a member of the ’s tion of the two roles can drive the san- Young Leadership Cabinet, Diamond est to second-guess themselves. And, broached the topic of the film with the orga- as wonderful as living among other nization’s higher-ups for initial funding. The Jews in a tight-knit community is, it idea was given the green light, and she also leaves little room for errors in reli- quickly began raising the rest of the funds gious observance. for the project through parlor meetings and All these pressures have been cited as contacting various mental-health profes- reasons for the increase of eating disor- sionals as well as former and current eating- ders among young Orthodox women. disordered patients to appear in the film. Not many of us make it a mission to Among the cadre of professionals actively try and stem the tide of rising she communicated with was Sarah L. rates of anorexia, bulimia, and other eat- Weinberger-Litman, a health psychol- ing disorders. Luckily, Elisheva Diamond ogist who recently earned a Ph.D. is forcing us to do something about it: from the CUNY Graduate Center. her new film, Hungry to be Heard, is an Weinberger-Litman, who became one absorbing documentary that forces us to of the film’s producers, explains, “I was confront the issue head-on. so intrigued by what Elisheva was try- Diamond, a former resident of the ing to do that I quickly became Five Towns, served as executive produc- involved in all aspects of the project.” er. She originally got the idea for the Together, Diamond and Weinberger- project three years ago, after observing Litman have recruited an impressive ros- what she calls a lack of awareness on the ter of health professionals and rabbinic part of parents. “I would watch these authorities to address the various medical, very educated and intelligent parents psychological, and halachic issues just be totally clueless when it came to involved. They include Rabbi Dr. recognizing signs of eating disorders and Abraham J. Twerski, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh disordered eating,” says Diamond. “If Weinreb of the OU, Rabbi Steven Burg of they just had more information, perhaps NCSY, and Dr. Judith Rukay Rabinor, a the phenomenon of adolescents strug- renowned psychologist. Their interviews gling with those things wouldn’t have are intermingled with accounts from eat- become so widespread.” ing-disordered patients, both those who Diamond also discusses another rea- have recovered and those still struggling. son which she feels contributed to the Some footage was filmed at the Renfrew increase of these disorders in the com- Center in Philadelphia, one of the most munity: Body development is not some- prestigious and well-known treatment thing that is really discussed, especially in the more “right wing” schools; this Continued on Page 16

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 15 Hungry To Be Heard people who shared their stories actu- Continued from Page 15 ally told me that participating in the film was a healing experience for centers for eating disorders, where the them,” she said. staff graciously welcomed Diamond and Diamond’s film isn’t only for all- Weinberger-Litman. girls yeshivas; she, along with Diamond treated her subjects with Litman and Stareshefsky, believe the utmost sensitivity. In the film, many of them remain nameless, and their faces appear blurred—but not Aliza Stareshefsky’s. A former patient who lives in Passaic, N.J., Stareshefsky’s name and face have been made public in the film. Currently the director of student pro- gramming at a girl’s high school in New Jersey, Stareshefsky is candid and frank in her assessment of the situation. “When Elisheva called me, quite frankly, I was pretty skeptical that it would actually happen,” says Stareshefsky. “Thankfully, I was wrong. I think it is due time that the Jewish community take some respon- sibility for educating its members about such an important issue.” Stareshefsky was asked to speak about Aliza Stareshefsky her eating disorder and recovery at a local school some ten years ago, and since then she has been asked to speaking to boys about the issues is speak at various yeshivas and Jewish imperative as well. Stareshefsky, day schools across the country. “It was who has been asked to speak to a a little hard for me to speak about my male audience at experience before an audience at first, in February, comments, “It’s impor- but actually, a lot of my healing came tant to make males aware of the from speaking publicly about it. As a issues involved, because they might survivor, I need to be a voice for be unwittingly contributing to the change and give others hope that they, problem. Additionally, many of them too, can get past this to live a full and have sisters, wives, and friends who healthy life.” Diamond echoes Stareshefsky’s sentiment: “A lot of the Continued on Page 18

16 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 17 Hungry To Be Heard Continued from Page 16

are affected by the issues, so they, too, should have the tools to recognize a poten- tial problem when it exists.” Though the 40-minute film had its first showing at the OU Convention in in November, the film’s official premiere will take place in on Saturday night, January 10, at the Manhattan Jewish Experience. Diamond and Weinberger- Litman are going all out for the event, and have sched- uled a Q&A panel following the screening, along with a champagne reception at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. Rabbi Weinreb, executive vice-president of the OU and a clinical psychologist, explained, “Eating disorders are, unfortunately, a preva- lent problem in the Orthodox Jewish community, affecting mostly teenage women. It is one of the few psychiatric disorders affecting adoles- cents that carries a threat to life. As such, it is extremely important that our communi- ty address the problem at its roots and learn how to pre- vent and treat it. I viewed the film at the OU National Convention, and was impressed by its professional- ism, poignancy, and power. Hopefully, it will take our community one step further to confronting and solving the issue head-on.” “Something consistent that almost every patient stated was that they felt no one was listening to them or hearing what they had to say—which is where the title of the film came in,” says Diamond. “We didn’t just pick the title of the film to be cute or cheeky,” explains Weinberger-Litman, “but because we really feel we are giving a voice to this epi- demic and to the people who are its victims.” Both Diamond and Weinberger-Litman say their understanding and knowl- edge of eating disorders, and the issues that come along with them, have become much more sophisticated as a result of their journey towards completing the film. The duo plan to distribute DVDs of the film, at little or no cost, to schools and syna- gogues in an effort to get their message spread. Diamond comments, “It might be true that your own child won’t develop an eating disorder, but as a community member, isn’t it incumbent upon you to know the signs so you can recognize it in a friend’s child?” O 18 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Moving Up, Not Moving On seamlessly and lovingly. They were a his Ima. He will never throw a ball lifetime. And even after their deaths, Continued from Front Cover vibrant couple, selfless in their work with his Abba, or learn Torah with him. they continue to inspire. Their passing for others, surely bringing more He will never again feel their hugs and is not for naught. They taught through is no moving on. We are one family, kedushah into this world with all their kisses. His loss is monumental, his example and deed. To emulate them is and we collectively share this loss. gemilus chesed and ultimately through cries inconsolable. We all pray for him to live a pure and highly spiritual life. Every living Jew absorbs this tragedy the highest level of mesirus nefesh, that in the loving care of his extended One need not be a kiruv professional and integrates its jarring impact in one their death al kiddush Hashem. family (and his extraordinary nanny!) or to spread Torah way or another. When one Jew suffers, And baby Moshe. I see his face he will heal, be comforted, and grow and mitzvos. One need not travel far at we all suffer. I am certain that the all to find unaffiliated and assimilated Holtzbergs would not want their Jews, whose souls are yearning for a Jewish brothers and sisters to wallow taste of Torah. In addition to strength- in grief and indignation. They would ening our davening, Torah learning, not want us to act like victims and He even showed up randomly at and gemilus chesed in their memory, let hunted prey. But I also know that they us also increase our awareness of our would not want us to move on with our fellow Jews who are less fortunate than lives, unaffected and unchanged. They offices, delivering kosher lunches we. So many never had a Jewish edu- would not want to be just another sta- cation or experienced a Shabbos. tistic of our blood-soaked history. Whether it’s a neighbor, relative, or co- was a classmate to Jewish businessmen. worker, kiruv opportunities abound. of my youngest brother, Zalman, in Moving on is not our answer to the yeshiva in for seven years. Mumbai tragedy. We must move up, After Gavriel’s murder, Zalman and rung by rung, step by step, bringing the his former classmates had a reunion in everywhere. When I take my baby to up to be a true ben Torah who would light of Torah into the world. memory of Gavriel. Whoever could the pediatrician and watch the tots make his parents proud. That’s what Gavriel and Rivka not attend in person participated via playing in the waiting room, I think of If success is defined as avodas would want us to do. Hashem yinkom telephone conference. Indeed, there him. When I take my babies to the Hashem, then Gavriel and Rivka damam. O were many in far-reaching corners of park, Moshe’s cries of “Ima” haunt me. accomplished more in their 20-some- Mrs. Chani Schwartz is a teacher at Shalhevet the globe doing just the type of work He will never again go the park with thing years than most people do in a High School. that Gavriel had been doing before his cruel and untimely death. They all reminisced about Gavriel’s short but productive and holy life. They dis- cussed his ambitious drive to accom- plish the seemingly impossible. No task was too daunting, no job too menial, if it meant doing the right thing l’maan Hashem and for the sake of his Jewish brethren. He brought G- d and His Torah to , a spiritual desert. He would shecht 200 chickens weekly to ensure that kosher food was available eaten. He even showed up randomly at offices in the middle of the day, delivering kosher lunches to Jewish businessmen. A week before his death, he jokingly remarked to one of his friends in Brooklyn that “this week was an easy week—I only had to shecht 70 chickens.” Gavriel single-handedly raised over a million dollars for the in Mumbai. He and his wife Rivka, far from family and friends, worked selflessly and lovingly to turn this new venue into a model —a physical and spiritual oasis for any weary traveler, visitor, or tourist and, of course, for the members of the 4,000-strong Mumbai Jewish commu- nity. He did this despite the fact that he had already been operating a func- tional and successful Chabad House at their previous location in the city. He was a visionary, unsatisfied with the status quo. He knew that a bigger and better facility would ensure even more success. Notwithstanding complicated and even outrageous Indian bureau- cracy regarding financing and bank loans, he persevered. Even though Gavriel’s friends wept and mourned for him, there was an overwhelming feeling of resolve and determination to turn this tragedy into hope and acts of chesed and limud Torah. They knew that’s what he would do. A man of action, Gavriel tackled every challenge with z’rizus and simcha. He was the antithesis of complacency. And, of course, he was blessed with his beautiful wife, Rivka, his true partner in every aspect of their lives, embracing the roles of wife, mother, rebbetzin, and friend 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 19 reports that a majority of its endowment The Man Who Conned The World has been lost, a loss that would threaten the organization’s survival. Following the closure of the $600 Million In Jewish Charitable home after being turned in by his sons. Madoff’s scheme. Some organizations, Massachusetts-based Robert I. Lappin Funds Lost Prosecutors contend that Madoff, who however, already know they have been Charitable Foundation and the dramatic B Y HAVIV RETTIG GUR is free on $10 million bond, told hit, with many of them hit hard. Reports overnight disappearance of the much AND ALLISON HOFFMAN employees of Bernard L. Madoff are surfacing that Yeshiva University has larger Chais Family Foundation, these Investment Securities that he had lost lost far more than a reported estimate of reports do not bode well for a communi- At least $600 million in Jewish chari- as much as $50 billion in investor ty that has yet to catch its breath amid table funds have been wiped out by the funds and reportedly described his an avalanche of bad news. “It’s a major collapse of Bernard Madoff’s Wall Street operation as “a giant Ponzi scheme.” massive shock to the philanthropic sys- investment firm, a partial review by the For the worldwide Jewish community, Every other kind of Jewish tem. You have organizations that may not Jerusalem Post revealed Monday. Yet the fact that the man at the heart of what be viable entities without the resources much is still hidden about what may may be Wall Street’s worst-ever fraud was expenditure is going to that would have come either directly amount to the most spectacular financial an active member of the community have to move aside in from endowments or from significant disaster to hit Jewish life since the Great could be the worst news yet in a bad donors,” said Sandy Cardin, president of Depression, with unconfirmed losses recession period, as his close involve- order to allow for the aged the Charles and Lynn Schusterman totaling up to $1.5 billion. Furthermore, ment with the Jewish community has Family Foundation, which, he said, did these figures do not include billions of exposed vast amounts of Jewish commu- and the poor. not take a hit from the collapse. dollars lost to individual and family nal assets to the fraudulent scheme. Among the major losses announced investors, many of whom were the pri- Most of the Jewish leaders inter- over the weekend, the Los Angeles mary donors to Jewish schools, syna- viewed for this article said they did not Jewish Community Fund reported that gogues, and communal charities. yet know the extent of the damage to $100 million from its endowment fund, its $25.5 million investment in Madoff’s The Madoff scandal erupted last their own organizations because they though the university declined to firm had disappeared, the Carl and Thursday when the 70-year-old finan- were still checking with their major respond to an explicit query about the Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation may cier was arrested on a single count of donors and reviewing their investment rumor. The have lost as much as $145 million, and securities fraud at his Park Avenue portfolios to determine their exposure to also declined to respond to a query about the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology had some $6 million in funds invested with Madoff’s firm. But, contradicting rumors that the UJA Federation of New York had taken a sig- nificant hit as well, spokeswoman Jane Rubinstein said the federation had “no exposure” to Madoff directly and did not believe that any of its funds had been reinvested with Madoff through third- party money managers. “This is a tidal wave, a tsunami,” said a veteran advisor to Jewish nonprofits, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “You can live with a downturn in the economy, because there will be an upturn. But now we’re talking about foundations that have been wiped out completely, money that’s not recoverable.” Though observers agree it is still too early to ascertain the full extent of the damage, some estimates expect a 20 percent reduction in funding for U.S. Jewish federations. The cutbacks are expected to hit educational and Israel programs first, as the federations work to keep their local charity efforts going. “People who are starving are going to have to continue to be fed,” Avraham Infeld, president of the collapsed Chais Family Foundation, said on Monday. “That means every other kind of Jewish expenditure is going to have to move aside in order to allow welfare to take place for the aged and the poor.” According to Infeld, “this is proba- bly the hardest financial hit ever for the Jewish community. There will be major mergers, cutbacks, and once- and-for-all removal of duplications in the organizations. Why do I need both the Jewish Agency and the Joint [Distribution Committee] today?” The loss of billions of dollars to Jewish life already hit hard by a wors- ening recession will hurt everyone, said Infeld. “I don’t think there will be a single institution of Jewish life that will go unaffected. Nobody can sit by the side and say, ‘This will pass.’ It’s not going to pass.” The Madoff crisis marked an unprecedented loss to the “Jewish economy”—the networks of Jewish institutions, donors, and charities that include universities, schools, hospitals, and community centers, agreed 20 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Jonathan Sarna, a scholar of American Jewish history at Brandeis University. “I know of nothing [in history] on this scale,” he said. Sarna predicted that the wholesale destruction of fortunes and endowments would prove to be a turning point in American Jewish insti- tutional life, which over the past 20 years has moved from a model of com- munity funding—collecting small donations from a broad swath of donors—to focusing on a handful of “cowboy” mega-donors who launched hugely successful programs, such as , outside of the tradi- tional federation system. “The reduction of billions—not mil- lions, but billions—in the Jewish econo- my means that there is just not going to be enough money to sustain all the institutions and initiatives that have been created,” Sarna said. “We will be a poorer community for that. What’s been wiped out is an infrastructure that was particularly important in sustaining these institutions. The people who were invested with Madoff were the genera- tion that not only supported institutions like Yeshiva University or the Holocaust museums, but that created them.” Older donors from Florida’s Palm Beach community, where Madoff found many of his investors, might be replaced by a younger generation of Jews whose wealth was invested else- where, Sarna speculated. “It’s a differ- ent group of people who will be called on to step in. It’s almost impossible to imagine that the group that has lost so much money will regain it.” The challenge facing American Jewry will be saving programs and institutions that provide the most bang for the buck, a task complicated by the absence of a unifying organization to take the lead. “Are these decisions going to be made by the market…or are we going to ask for a communal bailout?” Sarna asked. “We don’t have anybody who can act with the speed and the authority of the federal gov- ernment, and it’s going to take time to sort this out and figure out how to make these decisions professionally.” The crisis triggered by the Madoff scandal was amplified by the scale of losses already sustained by nonprofit foundations and individual donors in the stock market over the past three months, which had already left many struggling to meet their budgets for the coming year. Most of the nearly $20 billion in losses already reported due to the Madoff scheme have been carried by financial institutions in the United States and Europe. As the bad news continues to pour in, some media reports are beginning to question the “disgraceful negli- gence” on the part of American finan- cial regulators, who reportedly exam- ined Madoff’s investment operation several times over a 20-year period without finding any wrongdoing. “There were a lot of very sophisticated people who were duped, and that hap- pens a great deal when you’ve had somebody decide to be unscrupulous,” said Harvey Pitt, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a regulator in charge of monitoring investment funds like the one Madoff operated. (Jerusalem Post, with material from AP and JTA.) O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 21 Madoff, Ponzi, And Halachah

B Y RABBI YAIR HOFFMAN scheme relies upon a constant stream of new investments from new By now most everyone has heard the investors. Such schemes will eventual- horrific details of the investment scan- ly collapse under their own weight or dal of the millennium. Indeed, in the during a recession when there is a run Five Towns community alone, it seems on money. Madoff’s scheme might that at least three investors have lost have lasted a few years longer but was huge sums of money. Perhaps never discovered early because people want- before in history has a crime of such ed to pull their money out. magnitude been perpetrated upon It will probably take the courts years innocent investors. Even Ponzi himself to sort out and clean up this mess.

The moneys were not invested, so the partners would not be entitled to the “ten percent” return.

only took nine million dollars; this What happens to those that pulled out scandal is more than five thousand early and got their money out? Do they times the size of the scheme that gave have to return it? How far back does name to the concept. this go? There is a legal concept known A Ponzi scheme is an illegal invest- as “fraudulent conveyance,” in which ment vehicle that pays off old investors those that got their money out might with money from new investors. It was have to return both the profits and named after an Italian con man, some of their investment money. If Charles Ponzi, who convinced Madoff started business in 1960, is it investors that he could give them a conceivable that the courts would go 400 percent return in a short amount back almost five decades? And if not— of time by investing in international if the courts go back only six or seven postal notes. By definition, such a years—is it not rather arbitrary and

22 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES capricious of the judge to allow the be entitled to the “ten percent” return All of the investors would be allowed more recent investors to go after the on their money. Since we would view to keep moneys that were given them, 24 Russian moneys of investors of the past six them as partners, however, they are up to the amount of their original years but not from investors of seven entitled to their original money back. investment—regardless of when or in Tourists In Bus years ago? What happens when one of the what time frame they invested. Any Also, what was the exact halachic partners wishes to take back his initial payment above their initial investment, nature of the violation? And, lastly, investment, but there is not enough even over a period of 10 or 20 years, Crash Near Eilat how does halachah view any invest- money left? In such a case, there is a would have to be returned to a big ment fund? Is it considered an “iskah” concept in halachah called “tefisah.” If “pot,” so to speak, which would be B Y TZVI BEN GEDALYAHU (business venture), a loan, or possibly one of the partners was able to get divided evenly by all of the investors even something else? Are all the hold of his initial investment, then he that were not paid the amount that At least 24 Russian tourists were investors considered as partners in is permitted to hold on to it, and the they had initially invested. killed Tuesday afternoon when their bus some grand business venture? If so, court is not allowed to take it back Some of those who did receive more overturned and fell more than 60 feet then are there not halachic guidelines from him to distribute to the other payments than they had initially invest- into a dry riverbed between Eilat and that the investors must follow as well? partners. In the case we are discussing, ed might wish to make the argument Ovdah. Their plane from St. Petersburg, Let us first deal with how halachah even though the initial distributions of that some of the moneys were invested Russia had landed shortly before in would view an investment fund. money were termed “profit distribu- in interest-bearing funds and notes, Ovdah, and the crash occurred less than Although it would depend upon the tions,” they were, in fact, not distribu- and that they should be entitled to the two miles north of Eilat. wording of the initial agreement, the tions of profits at all but a handing profits earned in those funds. This The Israeli Air Force flew three heli- most likely assumption is that every- over of other people’s seed money. The argument, however, is invalid, because copters to help rescue the survivors. At one in the fund would be considered a Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 81:30) discuss- the manner in which profits must be least 15 suffered serious injuries and partner in the business venture, and it es the believability of a partner in how distributed in a partnership is equally. approximately 10 others received would halachically fall into the catego- to view a profit distribution—whether Since in all likelihood some of the part- lighter injuries. Doctors and nurses ry of iskah, partners doing business. In it is profit or a return of initial invest- ners at that time had not gotten their were flown from the Be’er Sheva area to the Madoff case, it would perhaps best ment. Here there was never any profit, initial investment funds back yet, the help treat the wounded who were trans- be viewed as a case of a partnership so we would therefore look at these profits are not to be distributed. O ferred to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. where there are partners coming in distributions as a return of the initial Alon Peretz, an official of the private and out on a regular basis, and one of capital of each of the partners. The author can be reached at company that owned the bus, said that the partners used the funds in a man- All this is assuming that a Ponzi [email protected]. the driver of one group of tourists had ner that was not agreed upon. scheme is illegal and that the investors phoned to inform him of another dri- According to the Shulchan Aruch or partners were unaware that this is in ver’s reckless driving. He said the other (Choshen Mishpat, 176:11) the fact what was happening. If such an driver had passed his bus on a sharp halachah of a partner who uses the activity were legal, or if the partners Remember that article? curve where there is a steep downgrade. moneys given to him in a manner not were aware of what was happening, Visit our archive section In the middle of the conversation, the agreed upon is as follows: All profits then it could be argued that the pay- and find any issue of the latter bus careened off the highway as from these moneys would be split ments were a distribution of profits and the driver tried to return to the right between the partners. All losses not a return of the initial seed moneys. 5 Towns Jewish Times lane. Peretz said that he immediately entailed must be borne solely by the So to answer our initial question of online @ called for ambulances when the driver partner who misappropriated the how a beis din might look at this case www.5TJT.com informed him of the disaster. More than money. In our case, the moneys were if it were brought before them, the 20 ambulances participated in the res- not invested, so the partners would not answer would probably be as follows: cue operation. (Arutz Sheva) O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 23 Kaddish called out “Minchah.” I watched as the them to his side, he began to lead them cotton candy into his mouth while try- Continued from Front Cover children of the niftar began to pay slowly and deliberately in the saying of ing to follow along with his brothers. attention to their oldest brother, a boy Kaddish for their father. I couldn’t take The scene truly touched my soul. throughout the country. I very much of 13 (who is the oldest of 8 yesomim, my eyes off the two young boys, with What a tragedy! Children going wanted to participate, but by the time with the youngest only 10 months old) cotton candy in their mouths reciting through the motions of aveilus and we entered Yerushalayim, the proces- who told them to come stand next to Kaddish for their father, who was so Kaddish, but who are much too young sion was over. Not being able to share him. Immediately to my right were two devoted and so dedicated to each and to truly understand the depth of their our feelings with the families of the great loss. What a scene…Kaddish and victims was distressing, until a friend cotton candy… How sad, and how suggested that we go to one of the shiv- great is the loss! ah houses to offer words of nechamah. I couldn’t at first understand why We did just that. The following day, As the 13-year-old brother called them this scene touched me so, and then I we went to Meah Shearim to pay our thought that we are all so much like respects to the family of Rav Aryeh that little child. We mourn for our Beis Leibish Teitelbaum, Hy’d, the 37-year- to his side, he began to lead them slowly HaMikdash three times a day in old son of the Volover of Boro Shemoneh Esreih, without really giving Park and the son-in-law of the Toldos and deliberately in the saying of Kaddish. even a thought to what it really means. Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe. We’re asking HaKadosh Baruch Hu to Expecting a huge crowd, I was sur- “rebuild Yerushalayim,” to “restore his prised to see just a few people besides Shechinah to Tziyon,” and our hearts the aveilim themselves. I sat down and and minds are a million miles away. began to discuss the great pain felt by of the young boys (3 and 4 years old) every one of them (as his father Are we really any different than that Jews the world over, as well as to hear who had been given some cotton candy described moments earlier) and whom little child saying Kaddish with cotton a father describe, in terms that only a by their aunt a few moments before, to they will never again be zocheh to learn candy in his mouth? father can, the great character and fine keep them occupied. I watched as they with or to sit on the lap of during When a child is too young to even scholarship of his beloved son. thoroughly enjoyed this special treat Shabbos zemiros. And then, in the comprehend what he or she has really After the discussion, the Toldos and were grinning from ear to ear. midst of the Kaddish, I saw the three- lost, that’s the greatest tragedy of all. Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe’s gabbai As the 13-year-old brother called year-old slowly sneak another piece of When we as fellow Jews witness such terrible incidents, as we did in Mumbai, with six kedoshim and more than 70 people sitting shivah throughout Eretz Yisrael, and we can just go about our business as usual, then we truly are no different than a child reciting Kaddish while chewing on cotton candy. And that is indeed the greatest tragedy of all. I observed another noteworthy aspect of that shivah visit when one of the visi- tors shared a thought that someone had told him in the name of a particular rav, as to why the tragedy happened. The idea itself was extremely troubling. I shared with the mourners a comment by the great Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zt’l, that he once made to his grandson, Rabbi Mordechai Kame- netzky. Following a certain tragedy that had happened, Rav Mordechai told his saintly grandfather that a particular rebbe defined the tragic event in a man- ner reserved for those with Divine insight. And Rav Yaakov expressed his disagreement with that rebbe’s opinion and said, “Er veist? Er veist azoi ver ich veis.” “He knows? He knows like I know.” The Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Rebbe appreciated that insight from Rav Yaakov and began to discuss the con- cept of chevlei Mashiach, the birth pangs of Mashiach. The Chazon Ish, zt’l, was once asked if the tzaros that the Jews suffered during the Holocaust were part of chevlei Mashiach and whether it means that Mashiach’s arrival is imminent. The Chazon Ish replied that it is clear that every tzarah that K’lal Yisrael suffers means we have passed another stage of galus, but whether it’s chevlei Mashiach or not, we cannot say, as we know nothing of the Master Plan regarding the future of K’lal Yisrael. While we don’t know the reason for the tragedy, or what it’s supposed to represent to us—and any suggestion otherwise is mere speculation—we do know that when a child’s Kaddish is mixed with cotton candy, then the pain left behind by the loss of the Kedoshim is that much more profound. May HaKadosh Baruch Hu hear the cries of so many yesomim and wipe away their tears, along with the tears of all of K’lal Yisrael. O 24 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 25

about change to wither away, if we truly perhaps random comical videos here want this to be the last of all pain and and there, and recently expanded to An Armed Nation suffering that this world gets to know. posting news videos. I came across a We are all aware that G-d brings about video of Michael Savage lending his pain and suffering as a message for us, opinions about the events in Mumbai. BY YOCHANAN GORDON with the Rosenbergs and their grand- His beloved children. At this time, while I have not really heard Savage in the child, Moishele Holtzberg. we collectively mourn the loss of such past, although I have heard a lot about I am impressed with the sincere out- Who in those minutes, hours, and fine people who made this world a bet- him from others who have. So I decid- pouring of care, kindness, and comfort days could take their mind off of ter place, G-d too, so to speak, sits in ed to pay attention to his words of wis- that has come from the global Jewish Moishele and whether he does or does mourning over the ills of exile. How He dom. His main concern seemed to be communities in the aftermath of the not know that his parents are not here wants us to repent and return to Him in that innocent people remain vulnera- Mumbai terror attacks. For 60 hours, anymore? Who could turn aside from heart and soul so He can tear down the ble to the probability of such an event people the world over lost much sleep the ultimate shock of all the families, replaying itself unless the Jewish peo- over the plight of the unfortunate Jews the Rosenbergs, Holtzbergs, ple learn to physically fight back. caught up in a terror attack in Mumbai. Teitlebaums, Krumans, Schvartzblats, Echoing the fervent call of Meir Every hour, perhaps even more fre- and Orpazes who have to get used to We are an armed Kahane, who declared, “Every Jew a quently, we checked the news, online life with the absence of their nearest .22,” he was stressing the importance, and over the air, with Tehillim in hand and dearest? And so we all felt it our nation—but it especially at such a juncture, of train- and tears rolling from our eyes, hoping utmost duty and obligation to help in ing the youth to fight back as a way of for the best. Even after the dreadful any which way possible—to say a doesn’t help to be warding off the terrorists. During this news came out and the sad reality start- prayer, shed a tear, light a candle, or segment, he made reference to an inci- ed setting in, people could only think of perform a good deed—just something armed if we don’t dent which occurred in one of the how they could make a difference in to perpetuate their memory and fly the hotels under siege. An Orthodox Jew the lives of those immediately affected flag of goodness in the face of terror. know how to pull was holed up in his room, where he by this surge of terror. It’s now nearly three weeks since that decided to hide his tallis and in On every level, people from all dreadful day. People have returned to the trigger! the event that the terrorists ransacked walks of life forgot themselves and their daily routines. Even the families of his room and he had the opportunity to their needs and desires as they felt the the victims have sadly begun to shape get out (after which he could retrieve pain and sought to shoulder the bur- their new reality and to adjust to their his belongings when the dust had set- den of rebuilding from the ground up; losses. Soon, the sheloshim will come, wall that separates us and reunited with tled). The news reported that this man the very first Shabbos those in the and then with every passing year, anoth- us in a world that knows only joy! heard forceful knocking on the door, Chabad organization were preparing er yahrtzeit—as the world proceeds To that end, while the world at large so he cautiously approached the door, the meals and arranging services for toward the day of redemption. We stand is looking for ways to improve security stretching his neck to peer through the those stuck in Mumbai following the at risk of allowing the natural course of measures and update their foreign pol- peephole to see whether it was terror- attack; Zaka and its staff were engaged this world to lower the curtains on such icy to ensure things like this will never ists or the police to usher him out. in their never-ending work of identify- a tremendous tragedy that has brought happen again, we cannot forget Who is When he saw that it was in fact the ing the victims and getting them pre- us all together, as has happened so really behind this all. police, he took his belongings, opened pared for burial according to many times throughout history. While A week ago, I visited a blog called the door, and was safely escorted out halachah; and others were arranging the passage of time is necessary to heal “Gruntig!” (Gruntig.Blogspot.com). It of the building. for the hero nanny, Sandra Samuels, the wounds, we can’t allow this tragedy is a video blog which began with the to obtain a visa and come to Israel to become stale and its ability to bring posting of videos of Jewish concerts, or Continued on Page 28

26 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 27 An Armed Nation there are those who are meant to be on ing that ordinary people carry guns. If but most of us are unaware of just how Continued from Page 26 the front lines of the battlefield in pro- that’s the case, our prayer and learn- well-armed we are, because we don’t tection of their country and its civil- ing must be lacking in its potency to know how to pull the trigger. If there is Savage claimed that had there been ians, there are those whose job it is to ward off the forces of evil. We are an one way that we could guarantee that terrorists at the door and this man was occupy the spiritual battlefield. armed nation—but it doesn’t help to something of this sort never happens in possession of a gun, he could have Obviously someone in possession of a be armed if we don’t know how to pull again, it is not to learn how to shoot a opened up and fired between their gun who does not know how to operate the trigger! pistol or wield a sword or bow-and- eyes—protecting himself from falling it is just as vulnerable with a gun as he These are not my own words, but arrow—because there will always be prey to them. Then he said, “The Jew is without one. So, too, someone who rather those of an 11th-century Spanish those who can overcome our strength. should be armed. It’s not enough to pray does not know how to pray or how to sage, Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla (1248–1310). The one area that can guarantee our to G-d. Because if the Israelis would learn is just as vulnerable and runs the He wrote in the introduction to one of safety and our ultimate redemption have only prayed to G-d, then there same risk as he does without the phys- his sefarim, Shaarei Orah, that people would be to learn how to daven proper- would be no Israel. There would be no ical means of defending himself. daven for things and find that their ly and learn Torah properly—for exam- Israel today without the military, special So you suggest Learn how to shoot, prayers have not been answered. The ple, knowing why certain names of forces, commandos, or air force. It’s fine and I, too suggest, Learn how to shoot. answer to this seemingly inexplicable Hashem are used in certain instances to have a Bible in one hand, but you’d Our Patriarch Jacob went to visit his mystery is that they are using the wrong and other names in other instances, better have an Uzi in the other.” brother Esau with his sword and his key to enter into the wrong doors. and how to pray with sincerity. I know that there are people in the bow and arrow. Do you think he went I can relate to this very well. I am At that point, we wouldn’t struggle world pounding their fists on the table to fight him in the literal sense? The usually the first one to get to the with talking during davening or tuning exclaiming, “We have created this Targum tells us that the sword and bow office on Thursday mornings. At that out during learning, but we would be problem for ourselves and it’s about and arrow are a metaphor for praying point, I have to fidget with the many like a soldier on the battlefield who time that we put an end to it!” Others and studying as a means for protection. keys on my key ring (many of which understands his mission and knows his are saying, “Kahane was right.” Now I That is why Jacob sent angels to Esau play no real purpose in my life) to abilities. Let us leave the fighting for am not going to get into whether he before going himself, with a message find the right one to open the door. the soldiers, and let us use the arms was right or not, because that just cre- that he has dwelt with the evil, cunning So I stand there, trying to display a that our forefathers used in their ates unnecessary divisiveness. But we Laban and has not been affected. noble measure of patience, until I moments of danger and uncertainty. can’t allow ourselves for a moment to Many commentators struggle with stumble across the right key—at Then we will welcome the day when believe that we had the ability to pre- the relevance of Jacob’s fulfilling the which point I enter the office, open we will be reunited, one nation with vent this catastrophe from happening. Torah in the presence of the evil Laban. the other doors, and settle myself in Rivka and Gabi, Leibish and Ben- Allowing ourselves to sit in complacen- What does Esau care about the mitzvos for another day at work. Now, after Tzion, Yocheved and Norma, along cy, thinking that we can protect our- of the Torah? They answer that Jacob many weeks of doing this, I can usu- with all the Jewish martyrs throughout selves, will allow terror to rear its ugly was sending the message that he was ally spot the key amongst the oth- all of history with the rebuilding of the head another time. These events have able to take the evil atmosphere of ers—but it took some time for me to Temple in Jerusalem and the resurrec- been decreed, and we don’t know why, Laban’s house and channel it positively, make that distinction. Rabbi Gikatilla tion of all the dead—a time when the but the only way to prevent this from and that his force of evil is powerless posits that there is no reason that world will be filled with the knowledge happening again is by storming the and cannot overcome him any longer. someone should experience any set- of G-d and all pain and suffering, evil heavens in unison for Divine mercy. So we sit in our and we backs at obtaining something which and darkness, will be banished, never Now, I am not saying that there is pray and try to find times during the they deem necessary, if they would to return. May we speedily merit to see no need for a military. We live in a day or night to learn a word here and just daven properly and know which those days in our times. Amen. O dichotomous world of spirit and mat- there. But we are living in extraordi- key opens which door. Comments for Yochanan Gordon are welcome at ter, nature and above-nature. Just as nary times, when people are suggest- We have ammunition at our disposal, [email protected].

28 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

State of Israel, said, “A Jew Miracles And Dreidles who does not believe in mir- acles is not a realist.” The threats to our exis- BY RABBI ELIYAHU back and smile at the famous tence have come from exter- SAFRAN 1964 Look magazine cover nal forces and sometimes that confidently predicted from within the Jewish com- For many people, it sounds “The Vanishing American Jew” munity—as when we clam- ridiculous to characterize the (Look magazine no longer ored to assimilate into age of the Internet, gene ther- exists!) we can look back in Hellenistic culture during the apy, and biological science as history with a rueful smile and early years of the Hellenistic an age of miracles and won- note the fall of the powerful Empire. It was only the “mir- ders. To their ears, I might as empires that worked mightily acle” of Chanukah—and by well be a visitor from the to ensure our demise—from that I mean a good deal more Middle Ages, here to turn sci- the Akkadians to the than the oil lasting a full eight ence on its head and usher in Babylonians to the Persians to days—that once again a decidedly less enlightened the Third Reich. allowed us to survive as a ded- worldview. But trust me when Jewish existence defies icated people. I say that and I have rational explanation. We are Yes, we had survived and we the greatest regard for sci- a miracle. The miraculous is had achieved military victory ence. However, I do not so essential to who we are over a much more powerful believe that a genuine and that David Ben Gurion, the healthy respect for science first prime minister of the Continued on Page 30 precludes an embrace of mir- acles. Miracles happen all the time. The “rub,” as Hamlet might have suggested, is with how “miracle” is defined. A miracle is anything that “should not” happen in the logical, rational normal course of events; G-d’s hand can be seen in a genuine mir- acle. But a miracle is not fan- tastical. If we limit “mira- cles” to the “earth standing still” or events that run con- trary to physical law, then we not only tarnish the laws that G-d has established for the physical world but we dimin- ish our ability to see the mir- acles that play out in our lives every day. Over 300 years ago, King Louis XIV of France asked Pascal, the great philosopher of his day, to give him proof of the existence of miracles. Without hesitation, Pascal answered, “Why, the Jews, your Majesty. The Jews.” History does not tell us the king’s reaction to this proof, but we do know exactly what Pascal meant by his answer, because he explained it clear- ly in his masterwork, Pensees. He states that the fact that the Jewish people had sur- vived even to his day was proof enough for him that miracles occur. After all, what rational explanation existed to make sense of our continued presence upon the world’s stage? A more modern historian, Arnold Toynbee, wrote a ten- volume encyclopedia of human history. In the course of those many volumes the one thing that contradicted his “universal” rules that gov- ern the inexorable decline of every people on earth was the continued flourishing of the Jewish people. Despite history’s brutal attempts to destroy us, we have managed to defy all predictions and logical expectation of our demise. Miraculous. Just as we are able to look 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 29 Miracles And Dreidles Continued from Page 29

foe. However, it was not our military victory alone that constituted the mir- acle. There have been many improba- ble victories over time that were not miraculous. What makes a miracle a miracle, in addition to being an out- come that shouldn’t have happened, is the hand of G-d. Our miraculous vic- tory at Chanukah teaches us little about military strategy and everything about ourselves and the world, but about G-d as well. Without G-d, there is no miracle. Which brings us to our modest little dreidle. In its modesty, it teaches us a great deal about G-d. Just as the drei- dle spins around a central point and topples when it begins to lose its con- nection to that point, so too do we begin to “lose our footing” when we begin to lose our connection to our center, to G-d. The dreidle teaches us about our own psychology. We are only “whole” when all the aspects of our being— body, mind, and soul—are balanced and blended. When the dreidle spins, who can distinguish between each of the individual sides? No one! As we spin in perfect balance, on our central point, we are balanced and whole. Perhaps most important, the dreidle teaches us these powerful lessons by being fun! The dreidle connects us through the liturgical year. The Chanukah dreidle spins from above (the stem is on top), teaching us that assistance and salvation come from G-d, unlike the Purim grogger which spins from below, teaching us that there are times when our help must come from within. So, it is not the spinning alone that teaches us. It is something more. For on both Chanukah and Purim we Jews take pleasure in spinning objects. These objects needn’t be shining or beautiful in and of themselves. Each in its own way teaches us a valuable les- son of the holiday. Not only young peo- ple love to spin the dreidle at Chanukah or spin the grogger at Purim. But the two spinning objects are profoundly different. The one teaches us by how it lands and the other drowns out the cruelty of history. Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira, author of B’nei Yissaschar, explains the differ- ence as follows: G-d wishes to con- stantly bestow only abundant blessing upon His nation, but we must initiate with an “inspiration from below.” If we create an opening the size of the “eye of a needle,” then G-d, in turn, will respond by “opening up the gateway to a large banquet hall.” (Shir HaShirim Rabbah, 5:3) All that G-d asks is that we take that first step—no matter how modest— toward behaving appropriately in the world, and He will answer with such an outpouring of supernatural kindness that we will be astonished and our faith will be upheld and strengthened. Even a small amount of Torah, repentance, and mitzvos opens the gates wide, allowing boundless “inspiration from above” to come our way, inspiration which very often takes the form of miracles. During the time of Antiochus, our prayer and repentance were not sin- 30 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES cere. The people had assimi- lated. They were “as the Greeks” and so, in the begin- ning it was a mere handful of Hasmoneans leading the charge while most of our peo- ple failed to demonstrate the inspiration from below to earn G-d’s abundant blessing from above. And yet G-d showered us with miracles. Despite the people’s lack of faith, He pro- vided us, mercifully, with inspiration from above. This inspiration was unde- served—which made it all the more miraculous! And so, the specific miracles arrived and we emerged victorious; we rededicated the grand Temple and lit a miraculous- ly burning cruse of oil. On Chanukah we spin drei- dles upon which are inscribed the first letters of the words, “neis gadol ha’yah sham”—a great miracle happened there. (In Israel the letters on the dreidles spell out “neis gadol ha’yah po”—a great miracle happened here!) We rejoice with our dreidels, but we spin them specifically from their top part to constantly remind ourselves that Chanukah was a time when miracles came undeserved from G-d, when the Al-mighty bestowed His infinite compassion upon His people and things began to spin down to us in the form of undeniable miracles. How surprising that the dreidle, the silly top, should carry such weight—not only a theological truth and a state- ment about the role of the Jewish people in the miracle of Chanukah, but also insight and knowledge into powerful historical dynamics. The Kabbalah, the compendium of Jewish mystical teachings, teaches us another aspect of the dreidel. In this under- standing, the four letters do not represent a statement about G-d’s presence in the world—a great miracle hap- pened there/here—but rather they each represent one of four different historical empires—Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman— that tried to destroy the Jewish people. Four empires the likes of which the world had never seen. And the Jewish people? A relatively puny gathering of people ded- icated to study and the per- formance of G-d’s command. Is it any wonder that, when given the opportunity, we seek to assimilate and become part of these “great” cultures and empires? But something always holds us back. Internally and externally, we are different. We are “like,” but not the same.

Continued on Page 53 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 31 I feel like he’s thriving, doing better almost feel insulting to you. Why aren’t than ever, and I’m regressing, turning you enough to keep him happy and sat- into a needy child. What could be hap- isfied? Why does he have to look else- pening to me? I don’t even recognize where—out of the state, no less—to myself anymore. Any thoughts as to feel excited and stimulated? What is what is going on and what I can do wrong with you? These are questions about it? that you may be struggling with or they Lonely may lie just beneath the surface. Dear Esther, the airport terminal, tears start stream- I’m going to give your husband the I’m 55 years old and have been mar- ing down my face. My reaction is so Dear Lonely, benefit of the doubt and assume that ried for 33 years. My husband has intense that I have to work very hard to I guess the good news is that you this really has very little to do with you always been a hard worker and very control myself so I can drive back love your husband very much and and everything to do with his nature. dedicated to his job. I always thought home safely. All Sunday night I sleep clearly have had a wonderful marriage Some men just love the “hunt,” and that by the time we got close to 60, he very badly and feel terribly sad. The for 33 years. That’s something you going after business pursuits is one would start to wind down somewhat sadness stays with me all week, though should feel very proud of and grateful way of satisfying that need. New and we could spend more time togeth- usually by Wednesday I begin looking for. After that many years, many spous- opportunities and challenges keep er and enjoy traveling together, espe- forward to his return on Friday and I es would want nothing more than a lit- them engaged and excited. It doesn’t cially since our children are all grown start feeling a bit better. tle space and a bit of freedom. mean that he doesn’t love you as much and out of the house. Just so you know, I do have a life. I From what you are telling me, there as always, and it doesn’t mean that you Much to my surprise, last year my work part time, am close to my married are some fairly obvious things going on. don’t provide him with everything he’s husband totally switched tracks and, children and grandchildren, and feel I But, more important, there are proba- ever wanted from a wife. It just means rather than slowing down, he bought have a nice community of friends. And bly some issues that are not obvious that he needs more, in order for his life into a business which is out of town. yet I feel devastated at times by the and may require deeper work on your to feel balanced and fulfilled. He’s very excited about the prospect of new reality of my life. Frankly, it is part. Let’s talk about the obvious stuff Your dream is not playing out the building it up and managing so many shocking to me. I don’t understand first. First of all, your dream has been way you expected it to play out, and people, and he doesn’t seem to mind why I’m reacting this way. I try to dashed. Whether or not you ever dis- that is disappointing. Maybe your the three-hour flight he has to make understand what’s happening but can’t cussed it with your husband, in your dream will still come true, but at a back and forth each week. He also quite figure it out. I always thought I mind’s eye, you saw your lives together later date. For now, you have to come doesn’t seem to mind being away from was a pretty independent woman, and playing out in a certain way. You to terms with this fact and reconfigure me all week long. I’ve always known I never would have anticipated this assumed (which is never a great thing what this stage of your life needs to that he was somewhat of a workaholic, type of behavior from myself. to do) that as your children moved out look like. Time to go back to the draw- but now I’m seeing more than ever As I said, though I try to put on a and you and your husband reached ing board and figure out how to fill how true that is. Incidentally, it’s not strong face for my husband, he’s on to middle age, you two would begin a new those lonely evenings when he is out of like we need the money. Even if he me. I guess he can tell from my tone stage of life, centered on just the two of town. Sitting home and pining away never worked another day, we’d be when we talk on the phone that I’m you. Since finances aren’t an issue, for your husband is probably not the fine, thank G-d. not doing great. I think he is sympa- you’d be able to enjoy the fruits of your way to go. There is so much going on I am not coping well at all. As I drive thetic and even feels guilty that he is collective labor, work less, play more, in our community, day and night. Ask him to the airport every Sunday causing me this pain, yet I also sense and enjoy life together. Reality check: around, do a little research, and you’ll evening, I put on a happy face and try that he is resentful that I’m not han- Your husband’s idea of a good time is have more choices than you’ll know to act as though I’m fine, but the sec- dling the situation better so that he different than your idea of a good time. ond he waves goodbye and walks into wouldn’t have to feel guilty. On a fundamental level, this could Continued on Page 34

32 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 33 in a time of economic distress, it would MINDBIZ not matter, since values did not go down Continued from Page 32 over time, but rather seemed to consis- tently go up. So if the assessor used what to do with. Get busy and find numbers that were two years old, it usu- those things that can keep you stimu- ally worked in your favor, since the lated and excited. assessment values posted would usually On a less subtle note, it does seem Checking Your Assessment Values be lower than what the value was today. to me that the reaction you have every Since we all realize that this is not the Sunday evening, when you drop your Wouldn’t it be nice if the assessment problem is that during the last year or case any longer, and the closed sales husband off at the airport, is quite values on our homes would automati- so, the real-estate sales market has today do not represent the higher closed severe in nature. I would have to won- cally become the lowest of possible val- become so erratic that the assessment sales of, let’s say, two years ago, we now der whether there are past issues of ues (or even lower than that) when the numbers are coming out too high, as really have to take the incentive to abandonment or loneliness that are town assessment department reevalu- they are utilizing closed sales from pre- check the assessment values we will being triggered by this event. There ates our houses each year? Well, that is vious years, which are usually higher soon receive for the coming year and may be “old stuff” in your psyche that a nice dream, but it usually does not than the closed sales from this year. research whether the assessment num- is being provoked as you see your hus- play out like that, and many times the bers that have been posted for your band walk away from you. This is an assessed values placed on our houses homes are correct or whether they area that you may want to think about are higher than what they should be. The closed sales today might be too high. You might very well and even discuss with a psychothera- The formula that is supposed to be check those assessment values and find pist. You may discover that the extreme used to arrive at the assessment values do not represent the that they are OK and close to the value sadness you feel is not just about your for our homes each year is really a sim- you think your home is worth; but if you being left alone at this stage of your ple one. The powers-that-be take recent higher closed sales of check the assessment and think it might life, but that there is some past trauma closed sales from the previous year, uti- be too high, then you also have the right that has never really healed properly. lizing similar square footage and similar two years ago. to challenge the assessment posted on Examining this possibility may leave style, and compare lot sizes and the your home and file for a tax reduction. you healthier and happier than you’ve number of bathrooms, bedrooms, You can either do this on your own or ever felt before. kitchens, finished or unfinished base- New assessment values are usually hire a tax-reduction specialist to take Life is full of all sorts of surprises. ments, garages, and other amenities to posted in January for the following year, care of it for you, but either way check We can never really know for sure arrive at an assessment value that which means that the assessed values the values when they are posted to make what lies in store for any of us. As should be close to, if not exactly equal on which taxes are based this year are sure you are being taxed for the correct we’ve all heard so many times before, to, the value of your house if you were derived from data from sales that closed value of your home. O usually when one door closes for us, to sell it today. Based on those assess- nearly two years in the past. Confusing? another door opens up. I hope there ments, the tax department also figures Well, let’s try an example. If you receive Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a are many thrilling adventures waiting licensed real-estate broker (Anessa V Cohen your taxes and how much you owe for a letter in the mail this January 2009 Realty) and a licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker for you when you open your next door. that given year. It sounds like a good sys- advising you of your new assessment (A.C. Action Mortgage Corp.) with over 20 years Esther tem, and actually, since all the houses in value for 2009–2010, this value has of experience, offering full-service residential and commercial real-estate services in the Five Towns Nassau County were reassessed a few been arrived at by the assessor from his and throughout the tri-state area. She can be Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in years ago, it really was working pretty review of closed sales over the last six reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, Lawrence. Esther is a psychotherapist and life www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are encouraged to coach and can be reached at 516-314-2295 or well; the assessments were getting pret- months of 2007 and the first six months send questions or comments to [email protected]. She works with individu- ty close to the mark in most cases. The of 2008. Ordinarily, if we were not living [email protected]. als, couples, premarital couples, and families.

34 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES experience to see women coming out great (at Tea for Two in Cedarhurst) after a long day to learn Torah! The and the “learn,” given by Rabbi Topp, Words Of Wisdom weather outside was cold and wet, but was educational. Through the rabbi’s inside we were warmed by the enlight- teachings and the contributions of the ening words of Mrs. Franklin. Her participants, I learned a lot about our Another Mother’s Musings ance. He pointed out that there are insight into the life of Leah, our fore- forefathers. B Y PHYLLIS J. LUBIN two things that we can do to pay trib- mother, was very interesting—not Thursday night came, and I attend- ute to those lost in the terrible ordeal: something we were necessarily taught ed a Continuing Legal Education lec- A tragedy took place over First, give tzedakah so that the as youths. Leah had great spiritual ture at the Young Israel of Woodmere Thanksgiving among the Jewish peo- Chabad Center in Mumbai, the insti- insight, and the relationship between given by Joseph and Jeremy Feit, ple. Good people’s lives were lost, and tution for which Rabbi and Rebbetzin Rochel and Leah is something to be father and son attorneys, on the topic we can’t fathom a reason why. The age- Holtzberg literally sacrificed their admired. Thank you, Mrs. Franklin, of “Law, Politics, and the Forgotten old question reemerges: Why do bad lives, can be rebuilt; and second, the women who attended, and Chabad Jews of Ethiopia.” Although I did things happen to good people? It’s a learn Torah and make an effort to for giving me this opportunity to receive 1.5 CLE credits for this lec- question with no concrete answer. It’s understand our roles in life through expand my knowledge. ture, I think I gained religiously as a question that has plagued the Jewish well by learning about what is going people as a whole throughout history on with our brothers and sisters in and, on an individual level, it has Ethiopia and the strength that the affected all of us in our daily lives at Feits have demonstrated in trying to some time. Disease, tragic death, As I sit here Monday morning save these people and enable them to financial ruin, the destruction of a emigrate to Israel. My thank-you goes marriage, a breakdown of the family to the Young Israel of Woodmere for unit—these are all things that have contemplating my week, I am challenged sponsoring this event, and to my son, caused us to question G-d’s will at var- Naftali, for joining me at the lecture. ious points in our lives. We turn to our Naftali attended, not as an attorney spiritual leaders for the answers, but to make time for Torah again. needing credits (he is a sophomore in even they are ultimately at a loss. college, studying computer science), “Who are we to understand the ways of but as a person interested in G-d?” we are told. “Gam zu l’tovah— Ethiopian Jewry. In a couple of weeks this, too, is for the good” is something the word of G-d. On Thursday afternoons, my father, he will be volunteering in Israel at an often said, but how can atrocities be This past week I have been blessed Donald Davidson, religiously attends absorption center in Netanya that considered “good”? When we hear of a with many opportunities to learn the Young Israel of Woodmere’s houses many of the new Ethiopian death, we are instructed to say, Torah, and for the first time in a long “Lunch and Learn” program. Often I immigrants. I am especially proud of “Baruch Dayan HaEmes—blessed be time I made a concerted effort to take have thought about going, but some- Naftali for taking the time out of his the True Judge.” Do we really under- advantage of those opportunities. how made excuses why I didn’t have busy study schedule to accompany stand those words? On Tuesday night, Chabad of the time to take an hour out of my “busy” me to this lecture. Rabbi Wolowik, in his address to Five Towns hosted a lecture for day. Fortunately, this Thursday I Friday night arrived, and both my his congregants for the two weeks fol- women given by Mrs. Chaya Franklin. somehow made the time. Not only was husband and I braved the cold pre- lowing the atrocities that took place She actually gives this class once a this an opportunity to learn Torah, it winter weather to hear the scholar- across the world in Mumbai, with month, but this was my first time was a chance for me to spend quality tears in his eyes, tried to give guid- attending. What a spiritually uplifting time with my dad. The “lunch” was Continued on Page 37

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 35 them. Regarding Rivkah’s pregnancy, explain the commentaries, alludes to the Torah says, “Her days to give birth the fact that Tamar’s twins “were both were fulfilled; and, behold, there were righteous, while in [Rivkah’s] case, one twins in her womb”; with Tamar, the was righteous and the other wicked.” Torah writes: “At the time that she In other words, the “fulfilled” preg- gave birth, behold, there were twins in nancy of Rivkah produced a “deficient” her womb.” Our Sages, noting the dif- set of twins, while Tamar’s “deficient” ferent phraseology, explain that pregnancy produced a “full” and per- Rivkah’s was a “fulfilled” pregnancy of fect progeny. From The Chassidic Masters nine full months, while Tamar gave birth after an “unfulfilled” pregnancy Seeds Of Evil? of only seven months. But was Rivkah’s indeed a perfect Tamar’s Twins Our Sages also note that the pregnancy? The Midrash seems to Hebrew word for “twins,” te’omim, is imply that the wicked half of her prog- spelled differently in the two accounts. eny was already asserting his evil Among the numerous births died childless. When Tamar realized In Lashon HaKodesh, many words can nature while still in the womb. recounted in the book of Bereishis, two that Yehudah had no intention of mar- be written in either a “full” spelling or The Torah relates that “the children are of twins: the birth of Yitzchak and rying her to his third son, Sheilah, she struggled within her.” The Midrash Rivkah’s twins, Yaakov and Eisav; and disguised herself as a prostitute and explains: “Whenever she would pass a the birth of Peretz and Zerach, twin seduced Yehudah himself. When her house of prayer or house of study, sons of Tamar and Yehudah. While pregnancy became apparent, Tamar Nothing can be Yaakov would struggle to come certain similarities mark the two was almost put to death, on Yehudah’s out…and when she passed a house of births, there are also some significant orders, for harlotry; it was only when said to be truly idolatry, Eisav would struggle to come differences, both in the circumstances she produced certain personal effects out.” Rivkah, puzzled by the contrary surrounding the two pregnancies as which Yehudah had left with her as perfect unless it strivings being exhibited by her off- well as in the characters of the two sets collateral against his payment to her spring, “sought the counsel of G-d” of twins they produced. that Yehudah realized that the “prosti- possesses the and was told: “There are two nations in Yitzchak and Rivkah were married for tute” with whom he had cohabited your womb; two peoples will separate 20 childless years; they prayed for chil- with was his former daughter-in-law potential from your innards.” dren, each evoking the righteousness of and the twins in her womb were There are, however, other Midrashic the other in their appeal to G-d. Their fathered by himself. for struggle. accounts that describe Eisav and sacred union produced two very differ- Yet unlike the mixed progeny of Yaakov sharing a righteous childhood ent sons: Yaakov grew to become a gen- Yitzchak and Rivkah’s marriage, the in the holy environment of their par- tle scholar; Eisav, a crass and conniving twin sons born out of this morally ents’ home and under the tutelage of materialist. dubious union were both righteous a “deficient” spelling (i.e., lacking one their saintly grandfather, Avraham, and Tamar’s twins were conceived in far men. Indeed, all kings of Israel, from or more letters). In the account of that “only later did Eisav ruin himself less exalted circumstances. Tamar was David to Mashiach, are the issue of Peretz and Zerach’s birth, the word with his deeds.” This supports our ini- originally married to Yehudah’s eldest Tamar’s pregnancy. te’omim appears in its full spelling; but tial conception of an impeccable con- son, Er. Upon Er’s untimely death, she The inverse differences between in the account of Yaakov and Eisav’s ception, pregnancy, and birth, followed was given in levirate marriage to his these two pregnancies and births are birth, it appears in deficient form, younger brother, Onan; but Onan, too, alluded to in the verses that describe lacking the letters aleph and yud. This, Continued on Page 38

36 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Another Mother’s Musings Continued from Page 35 in-residence, Rabbi Shafier (of www.TheShmuz.com fame) at Congregation Bais Tefila in Woodmere. His insight into both (faith) and bitachon (trust) in G-d was very helpful in these troubling times. His insight contin- ued on Shabbos morning, as he gave a further “shmuz” that enlightened the listeners. Sunday morning I had the honor of attending the annual Five Towns and Far Rockaway Bikur Cholim Brunch with my daughter Rochel; my mother, Esther Davidson; and my mother-in- law, Bernice Lubin. The hundreds of women in attendance enjoyed a fete with a marvelous spread of delec- tables at the White Shul in Far Rockaway. The food was physically nourishing, while we received our spiritual nourishment from the inspir- ing words of chizuk (encouragement and inspiration) from Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein, executive vice- president of Project Chazon. He tied together the parashah of this past week’s Torah portion, the lights of Chanukah, and the work of these devoted women of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway Bikur Cholim. Every year I marvel at the wonderful work done by the volunteers of the Bikur Cholim. They sacrifice their own time to try to satisfy the needs of the infirm and needy in our community. And so as I sit here Monday morn- ing contemplating my week, I am challenged to make time for Torah again this week. The beauty of this community and the world we live in is that there is always a daily opportuni- ty to learn—even if we are just perus- ing the Internet! I don’t think we will ever know the answers to the big ques- tions of life, but if we try to learn just a little bit more we’ll be on the right track. We must always strive to learn even more than we are capable of, for, as Robert Browning said, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” O

Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst with her husband Leonard and six children: Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. She welcomes your questions and comments at [email protected].

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 37 FROM THE CHASSIDIC MASTERS Continued from Page 36

by a “deficient” progeny that is attrib- utable solely to the fact that Eisav, by his own free will, chose to follow a path of evil. But a similar contradiction is also to be found in our Sages’ remarks regard- ing G-d’s creation of the world. On the one hand, we have the Midrashic statement that “the world was created fulfilled,” i.e., fully matured and lack- ing nothing. Yet the perfect world which G-d created contains the poten- tial for imperfection—even evil. Indeed, this potential is an integral part of its perfection. The Midrash, citing the verse “And G-d looked upon all that He made and, behold, it was very good,” comments: “‘Behold it was very good’—this is the good inclina- tion; ‘and behold it was very good’— this is the inclination for evil… ‘behold it was very good’—this is good fortune; ‘and behold it was very good’—this is suffering… ‘behold it was very good’— this is paradise; ‘and behold it was very good’—this is hell… ‘behold it was very good’—this is the angel of life; ‘and behold it was very good’—this is the angel of death…”

The Two Delicacies A fundamental principle of the Jewish faith, writes Rambam, is that “freedom of choice has been granted to every man: if he desires to turn himself to a path of good and be a righteous person, the option is in his hands; if he desires to turn himself to a path of evil and be a wicked person, the option is in his hands.” Yet we observe that certain people are more susceptible to evil than others. The describes the prototypic vic- tim of evil, Iyov, protesting to G-d: “Master of the Universe! You have cre- ated righteous people, and you have created wicked people!” In the , Rabbi Schneur Zalman of explains that G-d indeed created “righteous people” and “wicked people.” “Righteous people” (tzaddikim) are individuals who, by nature, abhor evil and desire only good, either because they have been born that way or because they have transformed their negative drives into positive ones. “Wicked people,” on the other hand, are those individuals who are destined “not to be wicked in actuality, G-d forbid, but that the doings of the wicked should approach them, in their minds and thoughts alone, so that they must constantly battle to avert their minds from them and suppress the evil; for they would not be able to annihilate it completely—as can only be achieved by the righteous.” For G-d desires both these types of human beings in His world. “Just as in physical foods, for example, there exist two types of delicacies: sweet and luscious foods, and sharp or sour foods which have been spiced and garnished so that they are made into delicacies which gratify the soul,” so, too, “there are two kinds of gratifica- tion before G-d: one, from the com- plete annihilation of evil…by the righteous; the second, when evil is subdued while it is still at its 38 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES strongest and most power- ful…through the efforts of the intermediate man.” This is the deeper signifi- cance of the “two nations” which Rivkah was told dwelled in her womb. The gravitation to evil exhibited by one of her twins was not a deficiency; it was the poten- tial for the “second delicacy” craved by G-d. It was only later—when Eisav chose to surrender to his evil inclina- tion rather than battle it— that the duality of forces she birthed became a “deficient” set of twins. As they existed within Rivkah, however, Yaakov and Eisav constituted a “full” pregnancy, containing both of the two fundamental potentials that G-d implant- ed in His creation: the delight of utter goodness, and the distinct pleasure and sense of achievement that comes only from the struggle with adversity. Tamar’s pregnancy and delivery describe the reverse process: how negative circum- stances and actions can be sublimated so that the origi- nal perfection from which every potential in existence stems is restored. Indeed, when the potential for evil, suffering, hell, and death becomes actual, the opportu- nity exists for an even deeper perfection to be achieved, when these are vanquished and transformed into good.

The Ascent To Mount Zion Hence the paradox of our existence: perfection begets imperfection (as in Rivkah’s pregnancy), for nothing can be said to be truly perfect unless it possesses the potential for struggle, which means that it must be vul- nerable to imperfection. And imperfection gives birth to perfection (as in Tamar’s pregnancy) when that vul- nerability is exploited to reap the rewards of struggle and to attain the perfect twinship of pristine goodness and vanquished evil. The whole of history is the noble and painful progress toward the resolution of this paradox when, in the age of Mashiach, “the saviors [descendants of Tamar] shall ascend the mountain of Zion to judge the mountain of [Rivkah’s] Eisav,” uniting the vulnerabilities that are born out of the perfection of G-d’s creation with the perfection that is born out of the vul- nerabilities of the human condition. O

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com via Chabad.org. Find more Torah articles for the whole family at www.chabad.org/parshah. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 39 Mishnas Chayim On The Parashah

The Biggest Bang For Your Buck Yaakov Avinu was faced with one of the most difficult challenges in his Kindly take a moment to study Mishnas Chayim in the merit of Avrohom ben Yosef, a’h, a fellow life: the disappearance of his favored Jew who passed away with no relatives to arrange son, Yosef, which plunged the patri- Torah study on behalf of his neshamah. arch into a decades-long state of

Peace now? Yaakov Avinu’s career of hardship spanned many years. He was forced to leave his parents’ home, fleeing for his life from his wicked It is analogous to and vengeful brother; he spent many someone who won’t years at backbreaking labor, working for his unscrupulous and conniving give up his winning uncle, Lavan; his wife died in child- birth; and, as recorded at the end of lottery ticket because last week’s parashah, he completed a tumultuous sojourn in Shechem, he wants to use it as a where the misconduct of the city’s bookmark. nobles precipitated a bloodbath. In any event, the beginning of this week’s parashah finds Yaakov Avinu at home with his family in Eretz Yisrael, finally settling down to a peaceful mourning. What is particularly sur- “retirement.” prising about this tragic turn of Or so he thought. In short order, events is the apparent cause. Chazal

40 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

seem to state that the calamity dweller” (Bereishis 25:27), meaning occurred specifically because Yaakov that he excelled in Torah study (the hoped to live out the remainder of his “tent” referring to the beis midrash). As years in tranquility. Rashi (Bereishis far as the Mishnah is concerned, then, 37:2) quotes the Midrash, which the reward due him is not limited to states: Yaakov desired to (finally) the Afterlife. True, the principal is, but dwell in peace. Instead, the tragedy the by-products of the principal invest- involving his son Yosef was visited ment are there for the taking, to be upon him. Hashem declares, “A life enjoyed in this world. Why couldn’t of eternal ecstasy awaits the right- Yaakov Avinu enjoy the abundant fruits eous in the World to Come. Is that of his mitzvos in this world by living a insufficient for them? Must they serene life? Aren’t these peiros (fruits) desire to live peacefully in this world intended for this very purpose, as the as well?” Mishnah implies? At first glance, this statement of Making smart choices. Consider Chazal may seem perplexing. Was the value of a lottery ticket. Let us say there something inherently wrong that a certain individual possesses the with Yaakov’s desire to finally experi- winning ticket of a mega-million-dollar ence some peace and quiet? He had lottery. Now, the ticket may have value been through quite a bit already; was in its own right; as a straight-edged his request really so outlandish, to piece of cardboard, it could be useful the extent that he deserved such a for underlining a particularly notewor- severe punishment? thy (albeit short) passage in a book or Furthermore, it would seem that some other publication. On the other Yaakov certainly had a basis for his hand, a strong case could be made request, as we see from the Mishnah against merely holding onto it for such in Pei’ah (1:1): Certain mitzvos have a purpose. After all, if you hand it in to a “double reward” quality. One who the lottery commission, they will give performs them enjoys the “fruits” you a few hundred million dollars. [dividends] of the mitzvah in this Taking a somewhat nuanced world, while the principal reward approach to our Mishnah, the Alshich remains untouched and designated (Bereishis 37:1) explains the issue at for the World to Come. They hand in a similar vein. Technically include: honoring parents, acts of speaking, it is true: regarding the afore- kindness, bringing peace between mentioned mitzvos, the Mishnah did man and his fellow, and—greatest of outline two areas of reward to be all—Torah study. enjoyed in both worlds—the principal in Yaakov, as we know, was a complete the World to Come, and the dividends tzaddik, certainly proficient in all of in this world. However, the right to these areas. Specifically, the Torah attributes to him the quality of a “tent- Continued on Page 43

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 41 few crossed wires in his head. this menace remains the sitting gover- In the eyes of some, Blagojevich nor of Illinois and, until state lawmak- does have one thing going for him. But ers call a special election, Blagojevich it’s not what’s inside his head that’s has the power to fill that Senate seat. enviable; it’s what’s on the outside. If Illinois is rather special in that he ever agrees to donate his body to Blagojevich, a Democrat, succeeded medical science, I can think of any the former governor, George Ryan, a number of people who would want Republican who is now in prison on A Bad Year For Governors first dibs on his hair! What a mop! The corruption charges. Apparently, being packaging on this guy isn’t bad. Too crooked is a bipartisan thing. Surely Blagojevich! The name just rolls they’ll go to a group home. bad the inside is rotten. Illinois will get through this. Victims of off the tongue. The illustrious gover- It doesn’t normally occur to most But the man does get an A for fraud usually do. But what about the nor of Illinois is just the latest casual- folks that Senate seats can be for sale. effort. It takes a lot of nerve for family? The governor has a wife and ty in a long list of governors gone bad. But apparently it occurred to some- someone in Blagojevich’s current Blagojevich’s actions were pretty one—someone who, as of this writing, straits to insist upon staying the amazing. But more amazing is that he insists upon retaining his position as course. A week has passed, and so far professes not to understand why he’s governor. How perfect! He, who can’t he’s still managing to hang on. He’d in trouble. even govern himself, wants to contin- better hurry if he wants to appoint How perfect! Federal authorities in Chicago ue to govern an entire state. the next senator, because state law- arrested Rod Blagojevich, accusing Maybe, as a youngster, when little makers are racing to snatch away his him of attempting to benefit finan- Rod went to school, he was absent on power and to place it where it He, who can’t cially from his ability to name a suc- the days his teacher handed out belongs—in the hands of voters. cessor to the Senate seat vacated by vocabulary-word assignments. That’s Under the circumstances, any even govern . For good measure (or, a possibility, since he seems not to appointment made by this governor more likely, because he too was in on know the meaning of the word cor- wouldn’t be likely to produce a credi- the fraud), the governor’s chief of ruption. The only thought that comes ble replacement. The charges against himself, staff was also taken into custody. It’s to mind is that this guy, like so many him are of conspiring to commit fraud turning into a group crime. Hopefully who went before him, must have a and soliciting bribery. Still, right now wants to continue to govern an entire state.

two daughters. But the latest reports indicate that Patty Blagojevich is also in trouble, which probably means that he doesn’t have to worry about what to tell her with regard to his illegal activ- ities. Morally, she’s right there with him. These two must enjoy a remark- able marriage, because they’re true soul mates. And she’s likely to stand beside him in his time of trouble. Silda Spitzer stood with her bargain, Elliot, when he got into hot water. But the difference is that if looks could kill, Elliott would no longer be breathing air. Not only are the charges here vast- ly different, but the wives are not in the same category. According to the wiretaps, neither Rod nor Patty has any compunctions about resorting to vulgarity. The ques- tion is why would someone who knew the FBI was investigating him, and that his phone was likely tapped, let it all hang out in phone conversations? This guy has to be first-rate crazy. (At least he’s first-rate about something.) But how will Patty and Rod explain all this to their kids? It doesn’t look as if this family is destined to have a happy holiday season. For that matter, it doesn’t look as if they’re going to have a happily-ever-after life, either. If medical science ever does get the opportunity to analyze his brain, and to then publish a paper about the results, it would be a runaway best seller. Why does a powerful person who has solemnly sworn to uphold the law do what Blagojevich did or, for that mat- ter, what Elliott Spitzer did? And what about Jim McGreevey? McGreevey was never accused of any

Continued on Page 48 42 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES MISHNAS CHAYIM ful, the benefit one receives by peace and quiet to enjoy the could not bear to let him quality—literally. O Continued from Page 41 redeeming his ticket exceeds fruits of his spiritual labor? The “spend” his peiros on tranquility Mishnas Chayim is brought to you by that of a bookmark by astro- answer is that the ensuing trag- in this world. It would be prefer- Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah, a network of Torah scholars dedicated to bring- enjoy these fruits of labor in nomical proportions. ic events that befell him—as able and much more beneficial ing the merits of Mishnah study to the this world essentially applies This, explains the Alshich, is difficult as they were—were to Yaakov himself if he would greater Jewish public. Encompassing only to ordinary people. For the the true meaning of the seem- really not a punishment. As hold off and wait for Olam Mishnah, Gemara, and a variety of other services, Chevrah Lomdei righteous—the most beloved to ingly puzzling Midrash refer- explained above, Hashem wants HaBa to redeem his “ticket.” Mishnah primarily assists mourners Hashem on account of their enced above. Did Yaakov Avinu the righteous to receive the This way, instead of temporary interested in acquiring the merit of Torah study for their loved ones. They exemplary dedication to Him— deserve such a harsh punish- maximum reward possible. And and limited relief, the reward can be contacted at 732-364-7029 or Hashem has other ideas. Why ment just for desiring some so Hashem told Yaakov that He would be of an infinitely better at www.societyformishnahstudy.org. “use up” the peiros on the tem- poral and fleeting pleasures of this world? The peiros would be put to much better use if held over for the World to Come. In this way, not only will the tzad- dik have a substantial store of merit from his principal reward, but he will be able to convert his untouched peiros into an even greater share of eternal reward. As Chazal tell us (Avos 4:17), “Experiencing the pleasure of the World to Come for one moment is greater than all of the combined pleasures of this world.” Indeed, claiming the stake for one’s peiros in this world is analogous to someone who won’t give up his winning lot- tery ticket because he wants to use it as a bookmark. While bookmarks can be sort of use-

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 43 44 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 45 know it is getting boring hearing me rail He, too, was beaten and then told that on about the chareidim, but it’s news. if the chareidim ever saw him again Since the mayor assumed his office, it they would kill him. Climate Change appears that the more radical fringes of They only got away when a woman the chareidi community have felt called to them from her building (next Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 100 ) out of 24, and it seemed emboldened to step up not just their door) and they managed to run to her B Y SHMUEL KATZ strange trying to get back to a routine. rhetoric, but their actions, as well. apartment, where she kept them for over I cannot imagine how the people who It started with the mass resumption Traveling makes for a strange life. I travel eight to ten times a year can of the “Shaaabiiis!” shouters—our know there are plenty of people who manage. Thankfully, I am now home lovely neighbors who feel an urge to travel for their jobs on a regular basis, for six weeks straight and can finally remind us all just what day it is at 3 The only thing these but until we made aliyah I was not one get back to a “normal” routine. a.m. It continued when a group of of them and had really never thought I Two major events happened here in thugs (there is no other word for them) thugs respond to is the would join their ranks. the past couple of weeks. In the first, came into our neighborhood (not same thing that bullies I have to give credit to the families the slates for the national elections theirs) and threatened to beat up a of the traveling parent. I calculated were selected by each party. We now group of teenagers who were talking respond to. that the five or six trips I take each year know who the candidates are and in together in the street on a Friday translate into my being away for more what order they will get into the night. It hit its lowest point (so far) than 10 percent of the Shabbatot of Knesset. We also saw how flawed the when three teenage girls, all of whom the year. With little kids in the house, primary system for the parties is and were dressed appropriately, were an hour until the thugs left before she this is a significant amount of time for how easily the system can be manipu- accosted in the chareidi neighborhood and her husband walked them home. me not to be home, especially since it lated by our “leaders” (not that I have and verbally abused. Although the kids were not hospitalized, is the only day we get to spend togeth- any gripes about Feiglin’s treatment—I Two of them ran to safety. The third they were certainly terrorized and have er as a family (Sunday is a full am sure some other columnist in the did not escape what was quickly multiple bruises and scratches. work/school day here). This absence is paper will cover that angle for us). becoming a mob. They grabbed her, The initial response from the police certainly felt at home. The other major development, at threw her to the ground, and proceed- and city were muted. They took a This past month was my busiest least for Bet Shemesh, was the installa- ed to kick her. A local teen saw the report and then went back to business ever. I was home for 6 days (including tion of our new chareidi mayor. Yeah, I beating and ran to try to get her away. as usual. It was only after they were flooded with calls from the greater Anglo community that they stepped up to the plate to say that they were trying to find ways to address the problem. They will not find one. Unfortunately, the only thing these thugs respond to is the same thing that bullies respond to—someone standing up to them. I am convinced that some- one will have to be seriously injured before the “official” authorities step in, and I am absolutely positive that “unofficial” authorities will end up tak- ing matters into their own hands. There could be a real war here if things get out of hand. The tragedy is that none of this has to happen. In my opinion, if the mayor called a meeting with the most radical of the and told them that he will personally make sure that their schools’ discretionary funding will be cut, that the police will be scrutinizing their shuls and yeshivot for violations, that, quite frankly, he will make sure that the municipality does everything to make life difficult for them, they will eventu- ally cave in. I believe that a lot of their recent boldness is a direct result of their confidence that a chareidi mayor would never stand in their way (the same way that the general chareidi pub- lic, while not openly supporting these people, still do nothing to thwart them in their terrorist behavior). I know my neighbors are going to say, “How could you paint such a bleak picture of Bet Shemesh?” I can only answer that this is the truth of what we are living with in Bet Shemesh these days. I would also add that no commu- nity is free from infighting. Whether it’s the school-district election wars in the Five Towns or the infighting between the various chassidic sects in New York—all this amidst the anti- Semitism that is growing worldwide— tension is always just a step away. Hopefully we will get through this as well as we can. O

Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the in Hewlett. You can contact him at [email protected]. 46 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 47 THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! Continued from Page 42

fiscal wrongdoings, but critics maintained that he allowed corruption to flourish around him. And, at the time he resigned, there were a handful of active federal criminal investigations into his admin- istration and political associ- ates, with three fund-raisers going to jail. What a country! Craziness like this goes on all over the world, but understandably our main concern is what happens in our own backyard. Some politicians clearly abuse their power. Although countless others, such as sports heroes and performers, do the same, at least they haven’t taken any oaths of office; they simply misuse their celebrity and diss their adoring public. What’s hard to understand is why these people have fans. For instance, long after his civil trial, O. J. Simpson, who was found responsible for the deaths of two people and fined more than $30 million, could be found playing golf at coun- try clubs across Florida, where dozens of fans and well-wishers surrounded him and jockeyed for position to clap him warm- ly on the back in a show of sup- port. And where else but in this great country of ours could a brain-addled pop star wearing a surgical mask—straps flapping in the breeze—and sporting one sequined glove inspire masses of people to cheer and clap when they see him? I speak of Michael Jackson, of course. And there’s a postscript here. The latest bulletin about Whacko Jacko is that because he’s in such dire financial straits, his cherished glove is going on the auction block. One can only imagine how much money it will fetch. Frankly, at this time of year I’d be inclined to pay more for a pair of Isotoners. Still, right now, more fasci- nating than the sale of the gloved one’s most prized pos- session is the race to impeach the Illinois governor before he appoints a new senator. But by the time this is in print we’ll know. And chances are, we’ll know a lot more, as well. As this piece is being written, the scandal is still unfolding, but if history is any indication, we’ll be hearing all the gory details about it for the fore- seeable future, ad nauseam. That is, until someone else, politician or not, makes the scene in some other scandal. Bernard Madoff, anyone? Here we go again! O

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. 48 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 49 AskBY WARREN The LEVISensei

Dear Sensei Warren: your chin slightly tucked in towards My sister tells me that her son’s school your chest. As you reach up, your eyes reports have improved vastly since he should be looking about two feet above started doing karate under your guidance. your kneecap. And I have noticed that the muscle tone 3. Shoulders: Slowly curl upwards. in his midsection has greatly improved. Your shoulder blades should never be He says that it is because you make him more than 4-6 inches off the floor. do sit-ups during the class. I live far from 4. Stomach: You should feel the your dojo. Is it possible to give me advice contraction of your abdominal muscles on how to do the perfect sit-up? throughout the exercise. Reply: 5. Legs: Keep your legs bent at a 45 Yes, I agree with your sister. The dis- degree angle, 3-4 inches apart. This cipline taught in the style of karate forces you to exclusively use your that we teach can definitely contribute abdominal muscles. to increased concentration and focus 6. Feet: Your feet should be flat on and ultimately better school results. the floor and 6-8 inches away from your Your nephew’s chiseled midsection buttocks. Moving your feet farther away would not be limited to the sit-ups that from your torso will cause your back to we often do during the warm up. In bow and could result in injury. fact, the training undertaken in our 7. Knees: Check your knees dojo is probably toning and chiseling throughout each repetition to make his entire body. sure that they are not touching. However, I will try and answer your 8. Toes: Be sure your toes are flat on question and give you my advice on the floor and not pointing upwards. how to do a perfect sit-up. Remember that it is more effective 1. Arms: Cross your arms on your to do fewer sit-ups properly than it is chest and touch your shoulders with the to do numerous incorrect sit-ups. Let tips of the fingers of each opposite arm. me know when you achieve your new Keep your elbows relaxed. Don’t lift your washboard abs! O arms as you curl upwards as you will then be using momentum to lift yourself Sensei Warren Levi may be contacted at 516- 569-0808 or e-mail [email protected] and not your abdominal muscles. For more information about his programs visit 2. Neck: Keep your neck relaxed and [email protected]

50 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ple to review their spending and to cre- From Wall Street To William Street ate budgets. Yeshivas are no different. In truth every yeshiva has always had the responsibility to spend wisely; it BY MICHAEL SALZBANK ’87, the mini-crash of ’89, the reces- don’t spend, jobs are lost, and the didn’t start with the Dow’s decline. It is sion of the early ’90s, the dot-com era, vicious circle begins. Now, before just more urgent now. Wasting limited It wasn’t a particularly difficult and, of course, September 11, 2001. anyone panics, there are many steps k’lal money is acceptable neither in decision in the summer of 2006 to This is neither the place nor the time along the way that can help prevent times of prosperity nor in times such leave Wall Street after 23 years and for my opinions on the causes of reliving the 1930s, but we are talking as these. We are living through an era become the executive director of today’s financial crisis or what steps of a global crisis. that is forcing us to take a long and Ateres Yaakov (1170A William need to be taken; I leave that for more What are yeshivas to do in times hard look at our priorities. Street). After all, I had been an active educated people than I. My perspec- like these? The calls are just beginning Years ago, when my shul in Queens board member, my son had just gradu- tive now is as an executive director of to come from parents saying they will outgrew the basement of a local ated, and I had a lot of hakaras ha’tov a yeshiva who can offer firsthand be late with this month’s tuition pay- yeshiva, we needed to buy a property to the yeshiva. I was asked the same understanding from experience in the ment or it won’t be coming at all. But and erect a building. I distinctly question over and over again: “Are you financial world. there is little doubt that delinquencies remember one member asking a very out of your mind?” I soon began to probing question: “With all the realize that they weren’t really asking money we will need to raise, which me a question, but rather making a will serve K’lal Yisrael better—a new statement. In any event, I looked for- shul or some other purpose?” We did ward to the opportunity of stamping “With all the money we will need to raise, build the shul, and baruch Hashem it my imprint on a yeshiva that was has become a makom Torah and emerging as a true makom Torah in tefillah serving the entire community, the Five Towns. which will serve K’lal Yisrael better—a but the question is a proper one and Two years later, those very same needs to be asked again and again. Is people think I was a genius for leav- new shul or some other purpose?” K’lal Yisrael better served by opening ing Wall Street. I boast of no prophet- small yeshivas and in areas ic powers, and I don’t think I’ve where others exist? Are the subtle become any smarter in the past two nuances sufficient reason to dupli- years. It is impossible to say what my cate overhead and administrative positions would be if I were still an Most people relate to the news will rise, dinner receipts from the hon- costs? Mergers and acquisitions often options market maker on the floor of from the canyons of Wall Street as it orees’ guests will be smaller than lead to economies of scale and will the American Stock Exchange, and affects their personal portfolio. expected. Last year’s $5,000 donation save the limited precious resources of whether I would be suffering with the (“How much did I lose in my IRA, my will be this year’s $1,800 donation, our community. Some might argue gyrations or profiting from the daily 401(k), or mutual funds?”) No one and last year’s $1,000 contributor will that in an age of overspecialization, swings in the market. I certainly had should be at all surprised that the be unable to help as he has in the we too have created schools that no premonition at the time to leave; it impact will go well beyond your past. Those who, in the past, were cater to a too narrow range of stu- just seemed like the right thing for monthly brokerage statement. It will sources for bridge loans are now inun- dents—but that is an educational dis- me to do. leave its mark on Main Street as well. dated with requests and are suffering cussion for another time. I traded through the 1980s and The domino effect is simple econom- like the rest. remember quite vividly the crash of ics. Money becomes tight, people The financial fears have moved peo- Continued on Page 52

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 51 To William Street There is no doubt it would not take would save time for each school, and a the face of economic turmoil. Continued from Page 51 very long to determine if the yeshiva more accurate number would result. Finances can easily create enormous can cut expenses. Making the receipt Additionally, the embarrassing negotia- stress on an otherwise good marriage. Short-Terms Savings, of financial aid contingent on this tions between school and parent would A husband’s self-esteem can be Long-Term Disaster audit will result in higher efficiencies. be avoided. destroyed from being fired and facing Yeshivas need to spend wisely and Obviously, auditors with experience in More importantly, this impartial the overwhelming possibility of not to make cuts judiciously. We can ill yeshiva education and the community tuition committee, which represents being able to provide for his family. afford to make hasty and rash deci- are essential. all the scholarship requests for the We also need to prepare rebbeim and sions that will save money in the Central tuition committees. The community, carries much more clout teachers to recognize behavioral short term yet leave long-term prob- most difficult task in a yeshiva is to than the individual schools. This changes in children who cannot lems in their wake. We can’t afford to find capable people to sit on the would greatly reduce the wasted articulate their anxiety—an out- make cuts that negatively impact the tuition committee. There is nothing efforts of each yeshiva contacting the growth of the tension they may be level of education. Removing funding about the job that is easy or comfort- same few people for the same issues. experiencing at home. for healthy outlets in times when able. It is time-consuming and often Donors will have greater confidence Lobbying efforts. The rationale stress is mounting will inevitably cre- doesn’t yield the best results for the in the accuracy of the amount need- for the recent bailouts has been the ate a need for greater funding in the yeshiva. It is difficult to determine ed and will welcome the one call from need to stem the effects of the col- future. The old adage, “an ounce of what a family can afford, especially if the central committee rather than the lapse of major corporations and prevention is worth a pound of cure” they have children in multiple many calls from each yeshiva. institutions. If they go under, they directly applies. Cutting funding for schools. Most yeshiva tuition com- Employment/parnasah assistance. take with them the jobs of hundreds special programs like motzaei mittees are purely interested in their Job fairs and employment listings are of thousands of people through no Shabbos sports or learning groups, own school and do not take into nothing new, and each of us will fault of their own. Similarly, the which may save money in the short account the total tuition obligation a undoubtedly be asked if we “know of argument can be made that the term, would result in more disenfran- family may have. I believe that a cen- anything available” as people network. recent financial crisis puts at risk chised youth. tral tuition committee in each com- I believe that in conjunction with one of the key elements to any soci- We need the sage advice of our munity would be better suited to these efforts we need to provide free ety’s success—education. Yeshivas gedolim, the astute counsel of finan- determine the honest amount a fami- financial planning for these families. with a lack of funds due to no fault cial advisors, and the willingness to ly can afford. Such a committee, The sudden loss of employment and of their own will face tremendous sacrifice for one another. Creative comprising impartial members of the the accompanying fears are very unset- pressure, the impact of which will solutions and innovations are neces- community, knows the real cost of liv- tling and, for many, something they affect thousands of students and the sary. A number of targeted possibilities ing in that community and can best had never anticipated. Financial plan- quality of their education. come to mind. For example: ascertain the total a family can afford ning will help them create a budget, One proactive measure would be to Impartial auditing. There is no for tuition for their children. help them retain the necessary insur- petition the government to issue doubt that many yeshivas will require For example, after their fact-finding ance coverage, and, even better, help tuition tax credits going forward. some form of a bailout. Emergency process they determine that family “A” them cope. Since a healthy portion of our taxes funding will be necessary. Assistance can afford to pay $29,000 for their Emotional awareness and guid- goes to fund public schools, receiving should only be approved after an four children, who are all in different ance. Our community’s prominent a tax savings on all or part of our impartial audit. The very organizations yeshivas. They also determine the most rabbanim and mental-health profes- tuition fees is not unreasonable. and foundations that provide so much equitable way to distribute the amount sionals need to publicize the need for Considering the importance of the leadership and financial aid should between the different yeshivas. With heightened sensitivity and present cause, petitioning the government to create independent, local audits for this information in hand the parent lectures on how to maintain shalom actually refund—directly to the each institution requiring assistance. approaches the school. This initiative bayis—a calm and peaceful home—in schools—a percentage of the previous

52 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES year’s tuition fee is also warranted. Miracles And Dreidles eignty in their homeland. Who embargo on arms sales to the Middle Participation of communities Continued from Page 31 believed that the birth of this new state East. By that time, the Arabs had and individuals. We have begun to would happen at all? And even if it already purchased tens of millions of read articles that urge members of So, against this backdrop of world should be born, the logical thinking dollars worth of U.S. arms surplus. The the community to reassess their dis- history, are we simply spinning hap- was, it would quickly be extinguished Jews had nothing but their anemic sup- tribution and to focus on local needs. hazardly from one tragedy to another? by the much larger and far better plies and a dream. They didn’t have a I am not one to make absolute state- Or might there be some reason and equipped Arab armies. In those early chance. The rest, as they say in anoth- ments (hedging was a way of life as a meaning behind all the events that days, the Jews of Palestine built up an er well-worn quote, “is history.” trader). We cannot simply cut off have punctuated our history? The image of strength for political reasons. We Jews are a people of history, of funding for everything outside our dreidle teaches us its lesson when we They had to convince a doubting world time. G-d, whose name defines His community. Each of us has a respon- are facing times of hardship and that they were capable of surviving the nature as being outside of time, has sibility to help those institutions that tragedy—that G-d is our G-d and we birth pangs of nationhood. Their entered time to save us, to establish we directly benefited from, even if are His people. If we believe in that image was so persuasive that even the and to reestablish His relationship they are in distant communities. ultimate meaning of the Jewish peo- Arabs were fooled. How different the with us. That is the true miracle of our However, our attention must turn to ple; if we know that despite the dizzy- reality was from the image! lives—that in the thicket of history, we what is in our own backyard. There is ing blur of events in our history there The fledgling Jewish army could can be lost for so long and then found little sense to support others far away is some purpose to it all; and if we are barely arm a quarter of its men. It again. That is the miracle of the drei- when rebbeim and teachers in our prepared to fight to remain Jews possessed a few thousand rifles, less dle. It is our story, our history, told on own yeshivas are waiting for their pay. regardless of what history throws at than a thousand machine guns, and the sides of a modest little top, spun Each community needs to prioritize us, then we might just see a miracle sufficient ammunition for only three around in a child’s delightful game to its needs. We are strengthened by all and be reassured that there is a hid- days of fighting. There were no heavy celebrate the holiday of lights. O the community’s Torah institutions, den hand guiding the destiny of the armaments of any kind—no heavy Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Safran serves as senior rab- whether we are parents of students in Jewish people. machine guns, no artillery, no anti- binic coordinator and vice-president for commu- a particular yeshiva or not. It is Isn’t that the lesson in our modern tank or anti-aircraft guns, no real nications and marketing of the Orthodox Union’s Kashruth Division. A more comprehensive treat- important to note that local yeshivas state of Israel? Some 60 years ago, for armored cars. No air force. No navy. ment of the dreidle theme appears in his recently are not just geographic. A yeshiva can the first time since the Maccabees That was the good news. published Meditations at Sixty—One Person, Under God, Indivisible, KTAV Publishing, 2008. be located outside the community, defeated the Greeks, the Jewish people On December 5, 1947, the United Rabbi and Mrs. Safran possess an extensive col- but if a hundred boys attend that were on the verge of reclaiming sover- States government announced a total lection of dreidles displayed in their home. school, then the community is shaped by that yeshiva and should treat the school as its very own. Each rav of every shul has already begun talking of finding jobs for peo- ple and raising money for groceries, utilities, and mortgage/rent payments. They will need to include tuition pay- ments, as well. Chesed. Unfortunately, it takes times like these to heighten our sen- sitivity to acts of chesed. We will need to create discreet forms of assisting families in need (e.g., funded debit cards that can be used for groceries). We need to be acutely sensitive to others, both in our talk and in our actions. One simple means of helping a family that is “out of work” is to invite them for a Shabbos meal. Shabbos meals are a major expense; inviting them is not in the least bit embarrassing, and it saves them a lot. When people are struggling, every lit- tle bit of help and consideration eases the burden. Finally, be cognizant of what oth- ers around you are dealing with. It’s worth keeping in mind how painful it is to others when you talk at the Shabbos table, or wherever else you may be, about how expensive it was to go to Israel or how long the extension on your home is taking, when they can’t afford any vacation at all or even to paint their home. Discussing Pesach plans in a resort or the cool features of your newest BlackBerry, when others may be struggling to pay their mortgage, utilities, and food bills, can be cruel. Raising our sensi- tivity to others in these matters may also lead to a greater awareness in our talk on other potentially hurtful subjects. Lengthy talk of wedding plans for your daughter returning from seminary in front of a mother of a 30-year-old daughter still looking for her bashert; prideful talk of your son’s learning accomplishments when your friend’s son is “off the derech”— these are just two examples. In severe times of trouble, we have always risen to meet the challenge with emunah, bitachon, and unity. Today is no different. O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 53 Serving Chesed At Priority-1 a long school day. They enjoyed a beau- “A soup kitchen? But I don’t know tiful sunset over JFK airport, which put how to make soup!” them in the perfect mood for appreciat- The tenth grade at Priority-1’s Torah ing everything around them. They Academy spent the week of parashas arrived in Boro Park and found parking Chayei Sara learning the many hala- within one block of Masbia—surely a chos of how to properly perform the sign of being shluchei mitzvah. mitzvah of chesed. After a week of They were in for their first surprise being inspired by the story of Rivka when they entered the Masbia dining Imenu’s chesed, the class was eager to room. “I noticed right away how translate their learning into action. inviting it looked,” said Ben, a tenth With this in mind, a group of boys vol- grader at TALC. “The room was unteered to help out those who are less brightly lit and inviting with pictures A group of 10th-graders at Priority-1’s Torah Academy volunteered recently to serve suppers fortunate. They headed to Masbia on the wall. There were potted plants at the Masbia soup kitchen in Boro Park with their rebbi, Rabbi Binyomin Blumberg. Soup Kitchen in Boro Park with their between the tables that helped give a rebbi, Rabbi Binyomin Blumberg, to sense of decency and privacy.” (This earlier in the evening, before the stu- were eager to be able to do chesed help serve dinner. is especially important for those who dents arrived.) exactly the way it was described in the With a minivan packed with unfortunately have to use this facili- “It was very nice because no one Chumash.” teenagers and high anticipation for the ty as their family dining room on a could listen in to other people’s con- The boys hurried to the back room adventure that lay ahead, they headed daily basis; there were more families versations and no one saw anyone and quickly put on professional-look- down Rockaway Turnpike, at the end of with young children who had come else’s faces,” continued Ben. ”We ing white coats, aprons, and gloves and prepared to serve the next customers. After a quick set of instructions, they took their stations behind the line of smoking, hot chafing dishes and got ready for the busy night ahead. The method by which people are served at Masbia is special, too. “I was happy to be able to serve the people without them being at all embar- rassed,” remarked Eli, “The ‘cus- tomers’ do not come and stand on the food line with their plates extended, waiting for food. Instead, they sign a guest book upon their arrival and sit down at any available table and wait to be served, as they would in an upscale restaurant.” Another student, Yitzchak, had the sensitive job of noticing who came in and where they sat down (each table is numbered) and directing the rest of us to prepare meals for that table. “I saw this family come in—a moth- er, a father and four little kids—and they were able to sit down and have a hot meal for themselves.” said Danny, a TALC student. “It’s really nice that this kind of place is open for people who have such desperate need.” The meal that was prepared looked and smelled very delicious—sesame chicken, orzo, cooked beans, a steam- ing pot of vegetables, along with fruit for dessert. The dishes were kept hot in electric pots lined up in a row, a smorgasbord of delicious food. “We were busy the entire time and had to rush to keep up to the pace,” said Meir. “We didn’t want to keep people waiting because they might have not eaten the whole day.” When the next crew of volunteers arrived, the students left and stopped off for a well-deserved supper of their own. They concluded their trip with davening maariv at the famous Shomrei Shabbos shul in Boro Park. They were amazed at the huge selec- tion of coffee, cocoa, and tea that was available for anyone who wanted to partake. “It felt great to end off a night of chesed in such a place of holiness and chesed.” remarked Danny. The boys headed home, feeling good about what they had done and feeling grateful for all that they had. O 54 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Jewish Music Café First Annual Chanukah Concert, December 27 On Saturday night, December 27, Park Slope’s Jewish Music Café proud- ly presents its first annual Chanukah concert, featuring Jewish music sensa- tions David Ross and Aryeh Kuntsler, beginning at 9:00 p.m. The musical acts follow a special Chanukah Bash Carnival for children at 7:30 p.m. At 9:00 p.m., Aryeh Kuntsler will open the concert. Aryeh has played with such bands as Blue Fringe and Piamenta. His debut album, From the Depths, featuring such varied styles as pop, country, and hard rock, was extremely well-received. For more infor- mation and to hear some of Aryeh’s music, visit www.aryehkuntsler.com. The night’s featured performer will be David Ross, an established Jewish R&B singer and a former member of the groups Beat’achon and the Hamsa Boys. David has been a guest star on many hit albums such as Voices for Israel, on which he performed the hit single The Power to Be. He has been invited to sing at the White House Chanukah Party and in major U.S. cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, and Dallas. A featured singer of Kol Zimra, the premier Jewish a cappella group, David’s music can be heard by visiting www.davidevanross.com. The Jewish Music Café is located in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn, 401 9th Street. As always, the café will serve freshly made kosher pizza, bourekas, dairy dishes, and beer, wine, and coffee beverages. The cost is $5 for the carnival and $15 for the con- cert. Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information and directions, visit www.jewishmusiccafe.com. O

OHEL Happenings Bears 4 Kids. The holidays are always an especially cheerful time at Ohel. Ohel’s annual toy drive draws the participation of hundreds of volun- teers and communities and ensures that all children and adults in its care receive their “wish” for the holidays. The annual holiday party for clients, family members, staff, and friends is a key Ohel event and always a joyous celebration of dancing, singing, and socializing. This year, Ohel has formed an especially meaningful partnership with Bears 4 Kids. Founded in 2002 by Joseph B. Sprung, Bears 4 Kids’ mis- sion is to bring joy to the lives of chil- dren and adults with the ageless gift of a loving teddy bear. At this year’s annual holiday party, Ohel clients from throughout its 26 programs will be provided the oppor- tunity to sign up to deliver bears to others also in need, especially those facing a severe medical ailment. Each client will be empowered to decide to whom they wish to deliver bears—be it an individual in a nursing home, a sick child in a hospital, or other individuals in similar situations who need a pick- me-up. Mr. Sprung has donated a total of 700 bears to be delivered by Ohel clients. So this year, not only does Ohel get to enhance the holidays for its own clients, but Ohel clients are able to

Continued on Page 56 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 55 enhance the holidays for someone else! For more information on Ohel, visit www.ohelfamily.org. For more information on Bears 4 Kids, visit www.bears4kids.com. Woodmere Shabbaton. Over the past decade, many communities throughout the tri-state area have opened their homes to individuals with disabilities from Ohel Bais Ezra. Shabbatonim and other community events have taken place in Great Neck, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Kew Gardens Hills, Flatbush, Monsey, Manhattan, and Teaneck. Each community is unique; each Shabbaton is special. A Shabbaton recently took place in Boys from Ohel Bais Ezra enjoyed a Shabbaton in Woodmere organized by students at Mesivta . Woodmere through the planning efforts of five boys from Mesivta Toras Chaim. Through their efforts, in coor- dination with Ohel Bais Ezra’s special and this Shabbos was no exception. tion on hosting a Shabbaton in your ing a journal which will reflect best projects department and the Young Shabbos lunch took place in the Young shul, please call 718-851-6300. O wishes to the worthy honorees. Israel of Woodmere, an enjoyable time Israel of Woodmere and the clients, TAG’s esteemed Guests of Honor was had by all. their hosts, and the high-school stu- 46th Annual Dinner Of Torah are Yaakov and Susie Goldfeder, whose On Friday afternoon, 40 boys from dents all enjoyed a beautiful Shabbos Academy For Girls, January 11 involvement has benefited a vast num- Ohel Bais Ezra came to spend Shabbos meal together. Torah Academy for Girls will be ber of communal institutions. Yaakov in Woodmere. They were housed by On motzaei Shabbos, a melaveh holding its 46th Annual Dinner, iy’H, was one of the original talmidim of the families who have children in Mesivta malkah was held in the gym of Mesivta on Sunday evening, January 11, 2009 late and revered Rav Shlomo Freifeld, Toras Chaim as well as by families who Toras Chaim. This melaveh malkah at the Sands at Atlantic Beach. The zt’l, and he chaired Yeshiva Sh’or daven in the Young Israel of Woodmere. was led by Rabbi Driben, and a band of honorary dinner chairman is Dr. Yoshuv’s dinners for 18 years. He was Friday-night dinner was enjoyed by the boys from the high school provided the Boruch Adler, and dinner chairmen also an original founding member of host families, and an oneg was held in entertainment. Evan Genack, Tzvi Perl, and Jeff our local . Dedicated to the the Young Israel of Woodmere. This Everyone involved is looking forward Weinberg are busy working with exec- school that provided chinuch for his oneg was led by Rabbi Driben and in to the next Shabbaton! Ohel Bais Ezra utive director Dr. Shmuel Reisbaum only daughter, Chaya, he has served as addition to the Ohel Bais Ezra clients, is thankful to all who have helped in and Rabbi Baruch Lovett to coordinate a TAG board member and past chair- many boys from the high school came the past and continue to ensure these the dinner. Journal co-chairmen Rabbi man of the board. He also served on to join as well. Ruach and music are Shabbatonim are a special and uplifting Nachum Katz, Aroni Parnes, and the board of Yeshiva of South Shore essential to a successful Shabbaton, experience for all. For more informa- Yaakov Spinner are eagerly anticipat- when his sons, Yehudah and Yosef,

56 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

were students there, as well as on the board of Congregation Kneseth Israel. Yaakov is also a board member of the Davis Memorial Fund and has gone from being a board member at the Jewish Community Council to serving as its president. Susie, Yaakov’s devoted wife, has long worked in TAG and for TAG, and she even found time to successfully co- chair Women’s League supperettes. Susie, who is presently the preschool secretary, adds her enthusiasm, sense of humor, and dedication to her job. It seems that both Goldfeders have innate leadership abilities, and Susie has used her talents well. She served with distinction as part of the presidi- um of N’shei Sh’or Yoshuv, Yeshiva of South Shore, and the Far Rockaway/Lawrence . Susie is an accomplished balabusta who does not flinch at preparing a Pesach seder for 30–40 family members. As proud TAG grandparents of Shira Gibber and incoming talmidah Ilana, the Goldfeders are, baruch Hashem, reaping much nachas. The Goldfeders are most proud of their own children, Yehudah and D’vora, Yosef and Kiki, and Chaya and Aryeh Gibber, who will be receiving the Parents of the Year Award at the TAG dinner this year. It will indeed be most fitting for Torah Academy for Girls to bestow a tribute to this outstanding couple. The old adage that “the apple does not fall far from the tree” certainly holds true in the case of Aryeh and Chaya (Goldfeder) Gibber. Chaya has spent many a day at TAG—as a stu- dent, a proud parent, and a popular teacher in the junior high school. Chaya serves as yearbook advisor, and her rapport with the girls is evident as they work together to prepare beautiful memories of their years at TAG. Aryeh, a tax lawyer, is very involved in many facets of the Far Rockaway/Lawrence community. He serves with devotion as president of the Agudah of West Lawrence. During the Yamim Nora’im he uses his talents as a ba’al tefillah to daven for Rabbi Cherney’s Sh’or Yoshuv alumni minyan. Aryeh is also a member of the boards of directors of TAG and the Jewish Community Council. The Gibbers are proud parents of sons Meyer, Effy, and Menachem, who attend Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island. Their daughter Shira is currently enrolled in TAG’s fifth grade, and their baby daughter Ilana is eagerly waiting to join her sister for the September 2010 school year. The recipients of this year’s Kesser Shem Tov Award are Hillel and Alyssa Axelrod, who certainly have earned a wonderful shem tov in our community. Hillel, who serves as president of Holly Associates, always finds time to be involved in the community. He has served as journal co-chairman for the TAG dinners for the past few years and is an executive member of the board of Shaaray Tefilah. Hillel’s warm personality is an outgrowth of his chassidish upbringing with ties to Belz, and the entire family enjoys spending an uplifting Shabbos in Skver. Hillel is also a member in the Sulitzer Bais Medrash, where he

Continued on Page 58 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS The Kever Rachel Fund: that Kever Rachel is a place, The group works to ensure tours, and holiday activities Integrating Inspiration, Continued from Page 57 like the Kotel, that brings that the status of Kever have been organized at Kever Chesed, And Education At together Jews of all back- Rachel will be preserved and Rachel. Various sefarim, learns b’chavrusah with the Shalhevet grounds. For generations, the that the site will always be including books of Tehillim, Sulitzer Rebbe, shlita. Shalhevet High School stu- Jewish people have felt the open to visitors. The Ohel have been presented to the His eishes chayil, Alyssa, dents were privileged to meet protection of Rachel Imeinu Rachel maintains a soldiers there, as well as draws on her artistic abilities Mrs. Lisa Reich, who spoke to who, as a role model of chesed constant Jewish presence Shabbat candles for the chay- in her professional career as an art therapist. With her warm, caring nature and sim- chas ha’chayim, Alyssa is a wonderful mother who jug- gles many responsibilities. TAG is proud of the Axelrod girls: alumna Rachel, who is currently learning in Bnos Chava seminary in Eretz Yisrael, and current TAG talmidos Sora Shayna, Temima, Hadassah, Tova Gittel, and Elisheva. TAG shares the Axelrod family with Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, where son Dovid is in 10th grade. The Axelrod home strives to be a true mikdash me’at with shiurim and a women’s Tehillim group that meets weekly. Julie Harush, Deena Warshaw, and Bayla Bach prepare gift packages for Shalhevet students Shoshana Wagman, Michelle Weisblum, and Yael Bankoff With such a roster of Israeli bat mitzvah girls. in front of a mural of Kever Rachel installed at their school. deserving honorees, this din- ner promises to be a most enjoyable evening, and TAG them about the Kever Rachel and self-sacrifice, cries out there, with learning going on alot. Last Purim, 10,000 looks forward to greeting you Fund, Yeish Sachar and intercedes on behalf of day and night. In addition, a mishloach manot packages personally at that time. O l’Peulateich. She pointed out her children. women’s , seminars, were prepared by American

58 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES girls studying in Israel for the year and distributed to soldiers. Menorot dis- tributed for Chanukah were proudly lined up by the soldiers on their tanks. All of these programs provide spiritual guidance and boost the morale of the chayalim and chayalot who stand guard at Kever Rachel. In fact, the Kever Rachel Fund serves as an outreach organization because some of the sol- diers are learning about Judaism for the first time. There is a special bond between the organization and the sol- diers at Kever Rachel. In her presentation, which included a video describing the group’s work, Mrs. Reich also expressed an impor- tant idea to the high school girls: She noted that this organization was founded by one woman, Mrs. Miriam Adani, who took it upon herself to meet with Israeli government officials, border police, and members of the police department. She saw a need for action after the separation fence was constructed, making the site less accessible to visitors. She described groups of mothers and grandmothers who make it their business to visit Kever Rachel on a regular basis, and busloads of women from who come to attend a weekly shiur, estab- lished in memory of their friend and neighbor, Mrs. Sara Blaustein, a’h, a victim of terror. All of these, said Mrs. Reich, “point to the power of the woman to make a difference.” One of the many projects that Mrs. Reich works on, as part of her exten- sive volunteer work for the group, is making bat mitzvah celebrations at Kever Rachel for girls whose families have been victims of terror. She described how the Israeli girls are very moved when she gives out gift pack- ages prepared by American girls. “Just knowing that there are girls in America who care about them makes them feel that they are not alone.” The Shalhevet girls immediately accepted this project as their own. Upon hearing that Mrs. Reich was going to Israel, the girls decided to pre- pare the packages for her trip. Bayla Bach and Michelle Weisblum, under the guidance of Mrs. Andrea Schulman, director of student activities at Shalhevet, spearheaded the project. The girls shopped for small gifts and then the entire class packaged them. Integrating this chesed into their regular school day, the packaging was done dur- ing their Ivrit class, so that they could learn or review the vocabulary of the purchased items, in addition to writing beautiful notes in Hebrew to include in the packages, offering their best wishes to the Israeli bat mitzvah girls. Shalhevet students truly benefited from the entire program: a moving speaker and video presentation, an Ivrit learning experience, and a special chesed opportunity all in one! O

Why I Moved To Rochester, NY By Rabbi Aron Troppe, Third-Grade Rebbi at Derech HaTorah of Rochester I moved this August to Rochester, and I’m very happy that I did. Not that I disliked Kew Gardens Hills, where I’d been living for the last five years. It’s just that my dear wife and our three

Continued on Page 60 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 59 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS the sixth-graders, who could midresh, sitting down among Continued from Page 59 explain the new sugya that I the bachurim, and opening my had prepared for them before I sefer. The outstanding rebbeim children were getting a bit even taught it? Imagine all of are great to speak with in learn- cramped in our two-bedroom these students, well-behaved ing; I come sometimes to listen apartment, and we couldn’t for me (a substitute rebbi), to the inspiring mussar afford a house in Queens. So, eager to soak up words of shmuessen. Rochester also has when I was offered a job in Torah. Imagination becomes a girls’ high school, Ora Rochester, I didn’t look back! reality here at Derech Acadamy, and several Rochester is an incredibly HaTorah of Rochester. Orthodox shuls and minyanim warm, caring community. My It was easy for my family to around town. wife heard that her neighbor up visit Rochester and look for a Visit www.careerbuilder.com, the street had just given birth, house—and boy, are they type in “Rochester, NY,” and so she phoned her friends to cheap here! The local rav host- examine the well-paying jobs offer to deliver a meal. Friends ed us at his home. I saw beau- available here in the finance, and neighbors had already vol- tiful houses going for a small management, accounting, and unteered meals for the entire fraction of what they would be technology industries, as well week! That’s the way it is in New York. The whole place as opportunities in other pro- here—everybody cares. has a safe, quiet atmosphere. fessions. Want more informa- I’m an elementary-school When I walk home from shul, tion? Would you like to spend rebbi, with semichah from I see my talmidim playing Shabbos and see for yourself? Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. I love together outside. Call me at 585-266-2920 or teaching at professionally run It’s just a great place to Rabbi Mordechai Hochheimer, schools, where the principal is raise a Jewish family. rav of Bais HaKneses on top of the chinuch and is Rochester boasts a world- HaChodosh, at 585-406-7561 determined to meet the needs class yeshiva and mesivta, the for more information or to of every talmid in my class. Talmudical Institute of Upstate arrange a visit. O So, when I came to give my New York. I enjoy merely walk- model lesson at Derech ing into the humming beis Continued on Page 61 HaTorah of Rochester, I fell in love with the school at once. Imagine a class of second- graders, American kids, read- ing and translating unfamiliar pesukim with ease. How about

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AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS memory of these eight students. The vol- Continued from Page 60 unteer staff of B’Lev Echad is working to create an event that will unite Jews from B’Lev Echad: all over the world in the learning and cel- One People, One Heart ebration of the Torah which these eight By Aliza Abrams young men loved so very much. Eight Nearly one year ago in Jerusalem, as Torah scrolls are being written and dedi- students of the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva cated in their memory. Jewish literature and the Yashlatz high school for boys sat often compares a Torah scroll to a learning Torah in preparation for the fes- human being, and there is no better way tive month of Adar to begin, terrorists to commemorate this first yahrtzeit than entered their library, killing eight stu- with an event that will bring everyone dents and leaving dozens injured. What together, k’ish echad b’lev echad, as one was meant to be an evening of joy and people with one heart. dancing became an evening of terror and The B’Lev Echad project is not being suffering. This year, on the first anniver- funded by any specific organization, in sary of this tragic event, these young men the hopes that it will attract Jews from will be remembered for their passion and every background to join together for this dedication to their Torah learning. event. Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, the B’Lev Echad, a small grassroots regional director of Long Island NCSY, organization, is coordinating a historic hachnasas Sefer Torah, dedicated in the Continued on Page 62

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 61 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 61

was asked to work with this grassroots committee by Jeremy Joszef and Deena Klein as a way to bridge the affiliated and non-affiliated teens of Long Island. Elissa Schertz, another member of the commit- tee, already has over 25 SKA students learning Torah by phone with over 25 public school students to unite together, b’lev echad. Amanda Esraeilian, a sopho- more at Roslyn High, exclaimed, “It is so special to be studying Torah in memory of these young men. It’s especially meaning- ful that it is bringing so many of us from different backgrounds together. It makes me prouder to be a Jew.” The Torah dedications will take place at the above mentioned yeshivos in Jerusalem, on the evening of February 24, 2009. The event will be broadcast live over the Internet to enable people all over the world to be a part of this monu- mental experience. The staff of B’Lev Echad has created a number of ways for those outside of Israel to become involved, as well. Schools, synagogues, and institutions are encouraged to visit the B’Lev Echad website (BlevEchad.com) for detailed information on how to get involved. Participants can take part in the 8-for-8 mitzvah project, in which they will focus on performing a specific mitzvah in memory of one boy, on each of the eight days leading up to the yahrtzeit. Since the events’ launch just two weeks ago, over 2,000 students have signed up to participate in the siyum that will culmi- nate at the hachnasas Sefer Torah. To sign up your school or communi- ty, to volunteer, and for more informa- tion, visit BlevEchad.com or write to [email protected]. O

An Unexpected Opportunity: Rebuilding At JEP Center Eight years ago, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, the Suri Schwartz Jewish Experience Center opened under the auspices of the Jewish Education Program of Long Island. With that, the dream of a permanent home for JEP- LI’s famed Camp Nageela for Girls and Camp Nageela for Boys was realized. Unlike any other summer camp in the region, Camp Nageela offers a meaning- ful Jewish camping experience for girls and boys who come from limited Jewish backgrounds. Children throughout the country attend Camp Nageela for the individualized staff attention, exciting and innovative activities, and especially the beauty of living a Torah lifestyle for the summer months. In addition to its summer camps, JEP- LI, which was founded over 20 years ago, offers many programs throughout the year to help enrich the lives of Jewish children throughout Long Island. The staff, mostly volunteers, organize Shabbatonim, learn one-on-one with interested youngsters, and visit Hebrew schools for special monthly programs. Since its inception over 15 years ago, Camp Nageela has experienced tremen- dous growth. Since the center opened its doors eight years ago, Camp Nageela has nearly doubled its enrollment, to 225 participants this past summer. Additionally, the center is booked throughout the year for kiruv training events and Torah learning programs, 62 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES hosting weekly Shabbatonim for day schools, yeshivas, and various other communal organizations. Due to the enormous demand to enlarge these programs, the upstate campus was already in the midst of an expansion project to accommodate the increased enrollment and allow for its continued growth. However, on Thursday evening, December 4, the center suffered extensive damage to its main dining hall as a result of a serious fire. The dining hall, which was the only remaining structure on the site from the original purchase by JEP-LI, was the center of activity on the campus. Although a devastating setback in many ways, JEP-LI was not deterred. Restoration of the campus has already begun. Due to the heroic efforts of the director, Rabbi Dovid Shenker, his staff, and the board of the directors, this past Shabbos the center was up and running, providing an enjoyable Shabbaton expe- rience to this week’s group, and the facil- ity is expected to open for all of its upcoming events. JEP-LI is very thankful for the efforts of its friends in the Five Towns who have responded with admirable generosity. Particular thanks to The Party Source of Lawrence, and its pro- prietor, Mr. Eli Polatoff, who donated chairs to the facility, and to Mr. Glen Holman, who is spearheading an effort to replace the many books and sefarim which were lost from the library. But there is still much to be done. JEP-LI is poised to seize the moment and take this destructive event and turn it into an unexpected opportunity for growth and development. A newly refur- bished dining hall will enable JEP-LI to meet the growing demand to carry out its own programs as well as service other communal organizations. To help in this vital endeavor, please contact the JEP-LI office at 516-374- 1528 or visit www.jepli.org for further information. O

Yachad Workshop On Social Skills Training For Children With Special Needs At Yachad’s recent Parent and Professional Workshop: “Building Social Skills in Children with Special Needs,” held at OU Headquarters, the room was packed with parents of children with special needs and the special-education professionals who work with them. Yachad/The National Jewish Council for Disabilities is an agency of the Orthodox Union that provides educational and social inclusion programs through its two major components—Yachad, for children and adults with learning and developmental disabilities, and Our Way, for the deaf and hard of hearing. This workshop for parents and profes- sionals is vital because of the importance of social skills in our society, according to Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, national director of Yachad/NJCD. “While academics are important, if there’s one key to inclusion, one key to quality of life for an individual with special needs, that key is social skills. The rest is commentary,” he said. The event featured two experts in the field of special education: Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., and Julie Wolf, Ph.D. Dr. Weiss is an associate research professor

Continued on Page 65 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 63 64 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 63 at Rutgers University, where she also serves as the director of research and training at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center. She has published many books on autism spectrum disor- ders, including Reaching Out, Joining In: Teaching Social Skills to Young Children with Autism. Dr. Wolf works at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven and is involved in a number of federally and privately funded research projects on autism spectrum disorders. Both Dr. Weiss and Dr. Wolf dis- cussed the most progressive techniques in behavior and social-skills training for children with special needs. Their open approach and interactive methods with the audience allowed for a forum of dis- cussion and exchange among audience members. After their presentations, they participated in a panel discussion at which they answered questions from audience members. Yachad is consistently in the fore- front of inclusion and special-education methodology, nowhere more so than in training for children who have disabili- ties. It has designed a Relationship Building Course (RBC) that uses a cog- nitive–behavioral–social integration approach, emphasizing the teaching of social skills through discussion, model- ing, role-play, and problem-solving. Originally created for young adults with special needs, it has expanded to serve different age groups, specifically chil- dren, and is offered in many areas throughout the United States through different Yachad chapters. “The need to focus attention on social skills training to help achieve inclusion in the Jewish community is imperative,” said Dr. Lichtman. “Our RBC groups have been one element in this effort, which we recently broadened to include younger children with a wider array of challenges. We now have an afterschool children’s group meeting at Manhattan Day School, and another children’s group at Yeshivat Noam in Teaneck. These schools have taken the lead in partnering with Yachad because they understand the vital role that social skills play in a child’s life. In February, we have a group starting for young adults who have learning disabili- ties. We will continue to develop and bring these training programs to the Jewish community throughout the United States and Canada.” Dr. Michelle Orgel, family and clini- cal services coordinator of Yachad, who coordinated the program, said, “What stuck out in my mind about the event was that each presenter brought a differ- ent and cutting-edge approach towards implementing social skills for individuals with special needs. I think it really creat- ed an important paradigm for the audi- ence to use in daily life.” Dr. Orgel, who moderated the event with Dr. Lichtman, has a Ph.D. in developmental psycholo- gy from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University. Dr. Orgel continued, “Very few Jewish agencies or schools are providing programs that tackle the challenge of building social skills in children with special needs. Yachad is one of the few, if the not the only, Jewish agency that

Continued on Page 67 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 65 66 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Ideas for Chanukah,” Tuesday, December 21, 1:00–3:00 p.m. Continued from Page 65 December 16, 10:30 a.m. Russian Division Chanukah Holocaust Survivors’ Group Celebration. Sunday, Dec- offers social skills training Chanukah Celebration. Thursday, ember 21, 5:00–7:00 p.m. courses for children and December 18 at 10:30 a.m., Pre- Winter Camp. Beginning adults, and is providing inform- registration is required. Friday, December 26, 9:00 ative workshops that help par- LIFE members Chanukah/ a.m.–3:00 p.m. For further infor- ents and professionals work on Holiday Party. Sunday, mation please call ext. 218. O developing the social skills of their children with disabilities.” For more information about Yachad and social skills training groups, contact Dr. Orgel at 212-613-8172 or [email protected]. O

JCC Chanukah Events The JCC of the Greater Five Towns has a central location in Cedarhurst at 207 Grove Avenue and several satellite locations around the commu- nity. The central phone num- ber is 516-569-6733. Ongoing Events Cards and Friendship Group. Come alone or bring a friend for a fun afternoon at the JCC. Enjoy meeting new people, good conversation, and challenging games. Every Wednesday, 1:00–3:00 p.m. For further information, please call Lisa Stern (ext. 209). Come Alive Program at Sons of Israel in Woodmere. This pro- gram provides an opportunity for homebound older adults to participate in social, recreation- al, and intellectual activities. Kosher lunch will be provided and door-to-door transportation is available on a limited basis. For further information, please call Mary Sheffield (ext. 219) or Linda Balch (ext. 211). Parkinson’s Support Group. The purpose of this group is to bring together Parkinsonians, spouses, and their families in order to help them better understand the nature of the condition, gain confidence, and join in community activities. For further information, please contact Cathy Byrne (ext. 220). Remember When. This pro- gram is especially designed for memory enhancement and socialization. The cost includes a full range of thera- peutic activities, morning bev- erage, dessert, and a kosher lunch. Round-trip, door-to- door, handicapped-accessible transportation is available on a limited basis. Registration is limited, on a first-come, first- served basis. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) group at Sons of Israel in Woodmere. The goal is to offer a safe haven where clients and family members feel accepted for who they are. Takes place on Wednesdays. For further information, please contact Lisa Barnett (ext. 210) or Chana Pfeifer (ext. 213). Upcoming Events Kosher Culinary Institute. Gitti Allman of “Pastries and Petit Fours” will present a class on “Decorating with Fondant— 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 67 SEC Charges Bernard L. Madoff For assets for investors, and we are working closely with the criminal authorities to SEC Missed The Multi-Billion Dollar Ponzi Scheme hold Mr. Madoff accountable.” Andrew M. Calamari, Associate Signs In Madoff Case Director of Enforcement in the SEC’s New York Regional Office, added, “Our BY 5TJT STAFF complaint alleges a stunning fraud that appears to be of epic proportions.” According to regulatory filings, the The Securities and Exchange Madoff firm had more than $17 billion Commission is finding itself under in assets under management as of the increasing pressure to explain its fail- beginning of 2008. It appears that vir- ure to detect Bernard Madoff’s tually all assets of the advisory busi- financial wrongdoing for almost a ness are missing. decade. SEC Chairman Christopher Madoff founded the firm in 1960 and Cox said the agency failed to act on has been a prominent member of the “credible, specific” allegations about securities industry throughout his Madoff dating back to 1999. career. Madoff served as vice chairman Madoff was arrested and accused of the NASD, a member of its board of last Thursday of masterminding a governors, and chairman of its New York $50 billion investment fraud. Cox region. He was also a member of NAS- revealed that the earlier allegations of Bernard Madoff outside a Manhattan courthouse on Wednesday afternoon, where he appeared for DAQ Stock Market’s board of governors misdeeds “were repeatedly brought to a hearing to fix conditions for him to remain free on bail. and its executive committee and served the attention of SEC staff, but were as chairman of its trading committee. never recommended to the commis- The Securities and Exchange ly nothing,” that “it’s all just one big lie,” The complaint charges the defendants sion for action,” He announced an Commission last Thursday charged and that it was “basically, a giant Ponzi with violations of the anti-fraud provi- internal probe to review the “deeply Bernard L. Madoff and his investment scheme.” The senior employees under- sions of the Securities Act of 1933, the troubling” revelations. Cox said the firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment stood him to be saying that he had for Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the agency has no evidence of any wrong- Securities LLC, with securities fraud for years been paying returns to certain Investment Advisers Act of 1940. In addi- doing by SEC personnel. a multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme that investors out of the principal received tion to emergency and interim relief, the Bloomberg News reports that the he perpetrated on advisory clients of his from other, different investors. Madoff SEC seeks a final judgment permanently Madoff affair will be at the center of firm. The SEC is seeking emergency admitted in this conversation that the enjoining the defendants from future vio- planned congressional hearings on the relief for investors, including an asset firm was insolvent and had been for lations of the antifraud provisions of the reform of the SEC, according to a sen- freeze and the appointment of a receiver years, and that he estimated the losses federal securities laws and ordering them ior Senate official, speaking on condi- for the firm. from this fraud were at least $50 billion. to pay financial penalties and disgorge- tion of anonymity. The SEC has The SEC’s complaint, filed in federal “We are alleging a massive fraud— ment of ill-gotten gains with prejudg- already faced much criticism regarding court in Manhattan, alleges that Madoff both in terms of scope and duration,” ment interest. its connection with the collapse of informed two senior employees that his said Linda Chatman Thomsen, Director The SEC’s investigation is continuing. Bear Stearns Cos. and Lehman investment advisory business was a of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. The SEC acknowledges the assis- fraud. Madoff told these employees that “We are moving quickly and decisively to tance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Continued on Page 73 he was “finished,” that he had “absolute- stop the fraud and protect remaining the Southern District of New York. O

68 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Yeshivos Hit Hard In Paterson Budget Proposal

New York Governor David schools would suffer as a result of Paterson’s proposed budget for Governor Paterson’s proposed cuts in 2009-2010 includes cuts that will the mandated services and CAP pro- have substantial impact on nonpub- grams would exceed $60 million. As lic schools in the state, including Jewish school students represent yeshivos and day schools. The pro- some 23% of the state’s total nonpub- posal’s reductions in aid to the lic school population, the total loss to state’s public schools amount to 3.3% of current allocations, but the proposed changes that will affect nonpublic schools amounts to fully 44% of current aid. That aid largely comes from the Among those avenues is Comprehensive Attendance Program making the legal case for (CAP), which requires schools to keep careful records of students’ the state’s obligation to attendance of classes and to have policies in place to deal with fully reimburse absences and truancy. The state is required by law to reimburse nonpub- mandated services. lic schools for costs associated with implementation of the CAP policy. The governor’s proposed budget would eliminate CAP entirely, which would deprive New York nonpublic New York State yeshivos would be schools of more than $54 million dol- approximately $15 million. lars of constitutionally permitted aid. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, What is more, reimbursement for Agudath Israel of America’s incoming other mandated services—for which executive vice president, expressed the nonpublic schools should be enti- grave concern for the implications of tled to $87.5 million—would also be the proposed budget. “If the budget limited by the governor’s budget to Governor Paterson is proposing is rat- approximately $80 million, only 92% ified by the legislature,” he said, “our of the schools’ actual costs. Thus, the total loss nonpublic Continued on Page 73

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 69 such an opportunity. Another possible ‘Happy Chanukah’ And Chanukah Gelt interpretation of Josephus’s explana- tion of the name is that the transition B Y HARAV NOSSON DOVID lenge to offer a complete appreciation ubiquitous influence of the “Merry X- from subservience to freedom can be RABINOWICH of every commandment,5 is Chanukah. mas” wishes. In fact, in Yiddish, espe- described in terms of “light.” Freedom Chanukah is the only holiday that is cially in the Alte Heim, the wish was: A in the Haggadah of Pesach is also It is noteworthy that in all the not mentioned in Tanach.6 This satis- Lichtiger (or Lechtiger, depending on referred to as “Hashem taking us out of Rambam’s discussions of the various factorily explains the need for the one’s dialect) Chanukah; focusing on total darkness to be able to experience holidays in the Book of Zemanim, in Rambam’s uncharacteristic historical the primary commandment of the festi- the great light” (“Mai’afaila l’ohr his Mishneh Torah, he never shares discussion in the beginning of hilchos val: to create light. The meaning of the gadol”).14 The connection of “light” to with us the history of the event, i.e. the Chanukah.7 wish is simply that the shining lights of Chanukah can also be supported by the miracle, being commemorated by that In that interesting historical discus- Chanukah brighten your life. Indeed, religious Second Book of Macabees,15 specific festival.1 The only exception is sion of Chanukah, the Rambam calls Josephus,12 the first Jewish historian, which discusses a miraculous, great in hilchos Chanukah2 where the Chanukah, “Days of Happiness.” This, for better or worse, tells us that the fes- fire that descended upon the altar in Rambam devotes the first two halachos too, is a bit controversial because tival was actually called Chag Ha’urim, the Temple’s courtyard when the to a concise discussion of the histori- Chashmonaim were able to offer sacri- cal reason for both the festival and the fices again.16 We need not learn from rabbinical commandment to light a the Christians how to wish each other Menorah. In Brisk the proper explana- well during Chanukah. We have an tion for this stylistic nuance of the In that interesting historical discus- ancient and reliable mesorah as to how Rambam is well-known. The solution to accomplish that. is to be found in a controversial state- In the same vein, I strongly suspect ment he makes in the introduction to sion of Chanukah, the Rambam calls that the century-old Jewish-American his magnum opus, Mishneh Torah. He custom to give beautifully wrapped (X- writes concerning his work: Chanukah, “Days of Happiness.” mas style) Chanukah gifts to our chil- “….Hence I have entitled this work dren and even adults, is nothing but Mishneh Torah for the reason that a another unfortunate example of an person who first reads the Written Law unnecessary imitation of a non-Jewish and then this compilation, will know custom during this time of the year. from it the whole of the Oral Law, nowhere in rabbinic literature do we the “Festival of Lights.”13 However, sur- There is absolutely no mention of gift- without having occasion to consult any find this definition or requirement. prisingly enough, Josephus, who wrote giving in Chazal! What is mentioned, other book between them…” They are days of “thanksgiving and his works only about 200 years after however, is the giving of money, All the other holidays, including the praise,”8 of course, but there is no spe- the Hasmonean revolt, and should Chanukah gelt, to young children who rabbinical holiday of Purim3 since it cific requirement of “happiness”9 as we have been aware of the rabbinical com- seem to be expecting it, and some even took place after the destruction of the find in connection with the other holi- mandment to kindle lights, has no idea actively pursue these monetary gifts. first Beis Hamikdash, have their “his- days.10 Yet, interestingly enough we as to the reason or source for the name. This has been the Yidddishe custom for tory” already recorded in the Written always hear, at least in America, Jews He suggests that the “light” is a generations and should continue to be Law, the Tanach. The only holiday wishing each other a “Happy metaphor for the manner in which the practiced, especially in our times. We whose “history” the Rambam was Chanukah” or a “Freilichen Chan- opportunity to serve Hashem of our need not take lessons from the non-Jews required to discuss in Mishneh Torah, ukah.”11 I am convinced that this, own free will appeared out of nowhere, in order to abide by his very own chal- unfortunately, came about through the although we had already lost hope for Continued on Page 72

70 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 71 encircled and protected the Jewish people dur- Happy Chanukah ing their sojourn in the desert, and not the Continued from Page 70 booths that were set up for them, the Rambam avoids this discussion. The Rambam’s omission is noteworthy since according to Rabbi Yoel as to how to give gifts on our holidays. Sirkes, Bach, ibid. s.v. Ba’succos, this dispute The earliest halachic source for this has serious halachic ramifications. 2. Chapter three, halachos one and two. custom of “Chanukah gelt” is Rabbi 3. Of course, this is not entirely accurate. Its Avraham Gombiner (Poland; 1637- mention in Megillas Esther, a work of Prophets (see Megillah 7a) actually gives Purim a status 1683), in his very first comment on of “Divrei Kabbalah” (a commandment dis- Shulchan Aruch, Hilchos Chanukah, cussed or mentioned by the Prophets), which is chapter 670!17 The custom probably on a higher halachic level than a Rabbinical commandment, which does not appear in has to do with the primary explanation Tanach. of the holiday’s name, Chanukah, dis- 4. See Yoma 28a. 5. I stress this term because unlike most of the cussed earlier: the initiation and dedi- other early major codifiers (except perhaps, the cation (chinuch) of the Beis Hamikdash Sefer Ha’Chinuch), the Rambam structured his Mishneh Torah to be an all-encompassing dis- by the Chashmonaim. In that spirit, it cussion (of both its written and oral traditions) seems, the custom developed in order of the Biblical and Rabbinical commandments. to emphasize and encourage the initia- Indeed, the list of commandments printed at the end of the Rambam’s introduction is actual- tion (chinuch) of young children, both ly part of his introduction. It is therefore very boys and girls, to dedicate themselves strange that most publishers decided to use a completely different font and typeset for that more to the study of Torah and the ful- list. The same is also true for the Rambam’s fillment of its commandments. A great comments about rabbinical commandments way to accomplish this is to reward and his table of contents found after that list of commandments; they are all part of his intro- them, up front and unsolicited, with a duction and not a separate section or entity as monetary gift, which, in and of itself, is the typeset in most Rambam editions would indicate. also an important lesson in chinuch. 6. Its discussion in the various apocryphal Perhaps it is as if to say: “Let us see Books of Macabees (or Sifrei Chashmonaim, as what you do with the money, and more some of our codifiers coined them), is of no halachic/authoritative importance. They are the importantly, let us see what you will do “Outside Books;” see Sanhedrin 90a. with your life these next crucial few 7. I have recently seen this explanation quoted O by Hagaon Harav Michel Shurkin in his winter months.” Harerei Kedem, Jerusalem, 2000, page 271. He also shows how the Rambam in the beginning Harav Nosson Dovid Rabinowich, an acclaimed of his Hilchos Megillah, chapter one, halachah talmid chacham and historian, will once again one, makes an implicit reference to the fact be leading a Jewish Heritage Tour to Morocco that the historical aspect of Purim is already this Chanukah vacation (12/25-1/4). He also is mentioned in Tanach. the rav and scholar-in-residence at the acclaimed 8. See Shabbos 21b. mid-winter ski vacation program in Hotel Oasis 9. One must always be happy! I am specifically des Illes in the Laurentians, Quebec, Canada. referring to an obligation to perhaps indulge in He can be reached at JHTours@ gmail.com. drink or the consumption of meat, the active Notes: component of halachic “happiness”; see 1. Indeed, although Rav Yosef Karo, the mech- Pesachim 109a. aber, uncharacteristically, begins Hilchos 10. Cf., however, Tosafos to Ta’anis 18b s.v. Succah, Chapter 625 with the ruling of Rabbi Halachah, who seems to be saying that there is Eliezer in Succah 11b, that the holiday com- a requirement to drink and be merry on memorates the special glorious clouds that Chanukah, no different than Purim! What is

72 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES even stranger is that Tosafos seems to be quot- ing a “written” source for this! What written/authoritative source can he be referring Missed Signs the investigation by verify the compa- Japan, and HSBC Holdings Plc of the to? See my Binu Shnos Dor V’Dor, Jerusalem, Continued from Page 68 1986, pg.139. ny’s trades. Madoff claimed suspicious U.K. Yeshiva University in New York 11. In Eretz Yisrael, the wishes: “Chanukah trades were for advisory clients, a reportedly lost $110 million, mostly Sameach” or “Chag Ha’Urim Sameach” are not Brothers Holdings Inc. Senate Banking source with knowledge of the case said. through hedge funds controlled by troubling to me since there is, thank G-d, very little traces of X-mas there and, in addition, all Committee Chairman Christopher Instead of wielding subpoena power to trustee J. Ezra Merkin. holiday wishes there consist only of “happy” Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, and obtain information, SEC staff “relied U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel and the name of the holiday or simply: “happy holiday.” Senator Charles Grassley, an Iowa upon information voluntarily produced Gorenstein in Manhattan ordered 12. Antiquities 12,7,7 (325). Republican, have questioned its vigilance by Mr. Madoff and his firm,” Cox said. Madoff and his wife, Ruth, to surrender 13. Unfortunately, this name, which does not in enforcing securities laws. A House His company’s trades had been cleared their passports. The ruling came as a bail have any explicit religious overtones, see below, was introduced and popularized by the secular- panel will hold a hearing next month. through a single account at the hearing for her husband was postponed ists in Israel to this very day at the expense of Madoff’s responses during a 2005 Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., for a second time in as many days. The the name “Chanukah.” The name “Chanukah,” notwithstanding the popular explanation that SEC inspection of his brokerage opera- making it difficult to distinguish trans- number of co-signers on his $10 million ”they rested on the twenty-fifth [of Kislev],” tion should have raised suspicions and actions specifically for Madoff’s adviso- bond was reduced by Gorenstein from certainly refers to the dedication of the Beis Hamikdash, the main center of worship to prompted further inquiries, said two ry business. Other transactions were four to two after Madoff was unable to Hashem, an obvious religious connection., people familiar with the matter. In completed through foreign brokerages. find two additional guarantors. Madoff’s something the secularists would prefer to 2007, the agency closed a separate Rather than engaging in procedures to wife and brother, Peter, have co-signed ignore. 14. Here again, the secular Zionists interpreted probe into tips and press reports sug- persuade foreign regulators to collect the bond. Madoff, 70, will be subject to Josephus to be referring to the celebration of gesting his investment returns were too the data for those transactions, the electronic monitoring and a 7 p.m. cur- the establishment of the sovereign Hasmonean kingdom as opposed to their domination by the good to be true. Money manager Harry SEC investigators closed the case. few while his wife, Ruth, agreed to give Greeks. Certainly, this too is being commemo- Markopolos helped trigger that inquiry Victims of Madoff’s fraud include up homes in Montauk, New York, and rated by the festival, see Rambam, ibid, by suggesting Madoff may be running a Hadassah and Yeshiva University, Palm Beach, Florida if her husband halachah one, but Chazal, for obvious reasons, placed a much greater emphasis on the two Ponzi scheme or front-running, in foundations set up by Boston philan- flees. Madoff, who appeared briefly with religious aspects of the events surrounding which traders buy shares for their thropist Carl Shapiro, and Nobel lau- his wife in Manhattan federal court, was Chanukah: Hashem’s great miracle with the oil and the dedication of the Beis Hamikdash. The account before filling customers’ reate Elie Wiesel, and clients of glob- arrested Dec. 11 after telling his sons “independent” Hasmonean kingdom only lasted orders. Investigators focused on the al banks such as Banco Santander SA that his firm was “one big lie,” the SEC about 200 years. front-running theory but did not pursue of Spain, Nomura Holdings Inc of said. O 15. This book is unlike the First Book of Maccabees, which, although originally written in Hebrew, is essentially of a secular nature. 16. The 10th century, very popular Yossipon, quoted often by Rishonim, including Rashi and the Ramban, also mentions a miraculous heav- enly fire. 17. In addition to this halachic source, The Holy Maggid of Kosnitz (d.1805), in his classic Chassidic work, Avodas Yisroel (first published in Jozefow in 1842), offers a Chassidic under- standing of this custom while the holy Rabbi Chaim Palaggi, the famous Turkish Talmudist, prolific writer (he published 26 books!) and Kabbalist (d.1869), offers an original Kabbalistic approach in his L’kol Chai, Izmir,1861, Chapter 27, section 77.

Budget Proposal Continued from Page 69 community’s educational institutions, already under severe strain from the larger economic downturn, will be deprived of what, for many of them, is a major part of their own operating budgets.” Agudath Israel, he contin- ued, intends to “explore every avenue” in the hope of staving off the proposed cuts. Among those avenues is reaching out to the governor to make the case for retaining CAP; making the legal case for the state’s obligation to fully reimburse mandated services; and working with the state legislature and Board of Regents to prevent the cuts. In the interim, Agudath Israel’s direc- tor of education affairs, Mrs. Deborah Zachai, participated Wednesday in one of a series of ongoing education workshops in Brooklyn that her office had organized for representatives of yeshivos and day schools; close to 90 administrators attended Wednesday’s workshop. The Agudath Israel representative apprised administrators of the recent developments and their potential impact. Says Mrs. Zachai: “The news was met with deep disappointment and concern, as you might expect. “But there was an understanding, too, that what we have to do at this time is make whatever hishtadlus we can to prevent the cuts from coming to pass. The yeshiva community is fully com- mitted to doing whatever is necessary in this regard.” O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 73 74 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Your Ad Could Be Here

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 75 picked up the phone and identified man on the other end. Reflecting himself as an Urdu speaker. When upon all of this later on, I realized Talking With A Terrorist: Shemtov found out that I was avail- there had hardly been any tension in able and could speak Urdu, he called the voice at the other end—he had again and put the three of us on a been calm and collected. An Endless Call To India conference call. I had never before been in a situa- This was around midnight, and tion of this sort, and when I was when I got on the line I heard a low asked to get on the phone, I had no B Y P.V. VISWANATH give back. But the attack on Nariman male voice. Following Shemtov’s idea what was waiting for me. There House in Mumbai hit even closer to promptings, I asked the person where was a lot of trepidation in my mind— On the Wednesday night before home—I had visited Rabbi Gavriel he was. “You know where I am speak- would I understand his dialect of Thanksgiving I was in my office in Holtzberg, the Chabad emissary in ing from,” he said. (I did not take Urdu, would I say the right things at New York, preparing notes for a Mumbai, just last summer when I notes during these events; my the right time, would I perhaps upset finance class I was set to teach the was there with my son. Holtzberg and account of the conversation is from him and precipitate some undesirable next week. I grew up in Mumbai, his wife had hosted us then and at notes that I jotted down afterwards.) events. India, and I had heard earlier in the the previous Passover. And so I was This was the sort of uninformative At first I had a bit of difficulty with day from my brother about the terror- happy to have an opportunity to help response that was typical over the the speaker’s Urdu. Urdu is the ist attacks in my hometown, but I had out, even though the circumstances course of the next hours. national language of Pakistan, but it thought it was going to be over quick- were not pleasant. Given the long distance, and noise is also spoken by Muslims in India, ly. Then my nephew called. He told and I could not pinpoint where the me that the Chabad-Lubavitch move- speaker came from. As the conversa- ment was looking for Indian language tion continued, however, I got a better speakers to help them keep track of feel for the dialect and style of Urdu, developing news after terrorists took Imran told us that everybody was and my confidence increased. over the Chabad house in Mumbai. Although we didn’t know the This was the beginning of a nearly 17- speaker’s name in the beginning, he hour ordeal that soon had me in pro- fine; nobody was hurt and they later told us it was Imran; presum- longed negotiations with the terrorists ably, this was the same Imran Babar holed up in the Jewish center, moving had not touched anybody. who was reported as having called a toward a deathly denouement. television station in New Delhi. Right I was uniquely suited to help out, at the very beginning, we asked being both an Orthodox Jew and an Imran if everybody was all right. We Indian; in India I am known as P.V., asked him this several times and each in Jewish circles as Meylekh. I know Rabbi Levi Shemtov, a Chabad on both ends, at times I wasn’t sure time he said everybody was all right. several Indian languages, including emissary in Washington, D.C., had exactly what my interlocutor was try- At one point, we asked him if all the Hindi and Urdu, thanks to the 20 been among the many Chabad leaders ing to tell me, and I had to ask for people there were conscious, because years I spent growing up in Mumbai, trying to dial through to Holtzberg’s clarification. His voice was so soft we had heard reports that some of then called Bombay. During recent various phones since the terrorists that I assumed the connection must them were unconscious. Imran told professional travels around the world, entered the Nariman House. be bad, but Shemtov said he could us that everybody was fine; nobody Chabad emissaries have been unfail- Sometime before 10 p.m. New York hear me easily and asked me to speak was hurt and they had not touched ingly helpful to me, and I wanted to time, somebody on the other end had more softly so as not to agitate the anybody. “We haven’t even slapped

76 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

them around,” he said. that the Holtzbergs had been uncon- The bigger mission for us, on the scious when she left, so I did not hold call, was to try and find out what out great hope. It was only the next Imran wanted. His one demand was to day that I heard the definitive reports speak with someone from the Indian that all the hostages had died. government. “Put us in touch with the When I did make it home, I had Indian government and we will let the been awake for about 32 hours, and hostages go,” he said. should have been exhausted for Finding anyone to help us out was Thanksgiving dinner. But I found not easy. When we tried to call the something unexpected—a spiritual Indian authorities we were bounced energy. I had interacted with so many from one office to another. As this was people in Chabad that night, people happening, Imran made reference to who were completely focused on the reports that some of the other doing whatever was necessary to help attackers in Mumbai had been cap- the hostages, people with complete tured. He said he wanted his friend confidence that G-d would bring who had been captured brought to about a favorable result. I had origi- him. He added, once again, “Do this, nally responded to Chabad with the and we will let your friends go.” intention of providing them with During a later conversation, we Meylekh (a.k.a. P.V.) Viswanath on the phone with the terrorist, early Thursday morning. assistance, but I actually left with the asked him how many terrorists there feeling that Chabad had given me were. He expressed some annoyance at something. (CrownHeights.info) O this question and said, “It seems like I stayed on the phone constantly else in Mumbai, nor were we ever able you’re not interested in saving your with Shemtov, waiting for a connec- to contact Imran again. friends, that you’re asking all these tion to be established. When I need- During the night we had also tried irrelevant questions. Keep to business ed to, I would dash to the bathroom to reach somebody in the State For the next issue, matters and think of how to do what and quickly return. At the same time, Department or the FBI to help in our deadline for we are asking you to do.” we got steady reports from other ordeal. Ultimately an FBI team did Even during the few times that Chabad rabbis who were talking with show up, providing tips for dealing all graphics Imran expressed annoyance and sources in India and law enforce- with a hostage situation, but I never and uttered low-level threats, it didn’t ment authorities in the United States had a chance to put their advice into sound as if he felt pressured in any and India. practice. reserving way. The police had cut off electrici- At long last we did find an Indian I went home around three in the ad space is ty to the Nariman House and had police official ready to join our call, afternoon, having waited another surrounded the building on all sides, but when he did, we lost our connec- seven and half hours in the hope of Monday, December 22 including from the air, where heli- tion. During the final call with Imran, making further contact with Imran. I at 5:00 P.M. copters were keeping a watch, but at 5:30 on Thursday morning, we told had spoken with a friend of mine in Imran gave no indication of being Imran that we would try and find Mumbai, who had sheltered the Call rushed. somebody in the Indian police to nanny of the Holtzbergs—the nanny 516-984-0079 Throughout the night, we did not negotiate with him. Unfortunately, we who had escaped Nariman House always have Imran on the phone, but did not succeed in finding anybody with the Holtzberg’s son. She said

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 77

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80 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

HAFTR Announces Scholarship Dinner Honorees The Hebrew Academy of the Five ates— Gregory, who is currently fin- Towns and Rockaway has selected ishing his fourth year in the Brooklyn Cindy and Harold Parnes as Guests of College SUNY Downstate B.A.–M.D. Honor and Danielle and Jason Bokor program, and Jamie, who is a student as Alumni of the Year at the 31st at in Israel and Annual Scholarship Dinner. The din- will be attending Yeshiva University. ner is to be held on Saturday evening, Their son Benjamin is currently in February 21, 2009. 11th grade, and their son Michael is Cindy and Harold Parnes are happy in 8th grade. As a team, Cindy and to dedicate their time to HAFTR and Harold have worked for the better- enjoy taking an active part in its con- ment of the school, the children in tinued growth. They have been active attendance, and the entire staff and participants in the HAFTR family faculty. from their first arrival to the commu- Cindy grew up in Silver Spring, nity 16 years ago. They are members Md., and attended Stern College for of the Young Israel of Woodmere and proud parents of two HAFTR gradu- Continued on Page 85

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 81 82 December 19, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES make it to the Knesset one day.” that instead of just complaining about about her goals for her Knesset term, Tzipi Hotobeli: Margalit has written that her tal- the sorry state of Israeli politics, those she said, “For one thing, my goal in the ented and straight talk angered many of us who have the ability and the Knesset is to stop the next in and Labor, and that he was opportunity to try to actually do some- Disengagement. In terms of security Straight From Nationalist often pressured to remove her from thing to change it must do so.” and the , I am in Benny the show. “I said that if they ever suc- “I am happy that I got in to the Begin’s camp, very much in the nation- TV To Knesset ceeded in getting her off the show, I by the front door,” she said. “I alist sector. I am proud of our new would resign along with her,” spent these last three weeks meeting Knesset list’s hawkish stance; we pres- B Y HILLEL FENDEL Margalit wrote. the voters wherever I could… I spent ent a clear alternative to Kadima…” Voice of Israel radio talk-show host in total only about 60 or 70,000 “The Disengagement [from Gush Tzipi Hotobeli, who turned 30 last Yaron Dekel, interviewing both her and shekels—the same amount that some Katif and northern Shomron] was a month, is a religious woman who sur- Margalit, asked her, “Did it bother you politicians spend for Election Day very non-democratic act,” she feels, prised many by finishing in the top 16 that you were chosen to represent the “and when you read [then-IDF Chief in the Likud primaries—just weeks right-wing slot on that show?” of Staff] Moshe Yaalon’s book, you after she made an abrupt decision to Hotobeli responded, “That’s a bit of see how much corruption was enter politics. a strange question. The question involved… Binyamin Netanyahu has A skilled orator who has been a reg- should really be why there were four “I was neither enough integrity to prevent him from ular for three years on a weekly politi- left-wing and extreme left-wing veter- taking a similar path.” cal television program, Hotobeli says an journalists on one side, and only “My second goal is education. she plans to be active in three areas in one young woman representing the extreme right-wing [Outgoing Education Minister] Yuli the Knesset: keeping the Land of nationalist, Land of Israel camp. After Tamir tried to universalize the sys- Israel for the Jewish people, education all, everyone knows that within the tem, taking it far from tradition and and Jewish identity, and public rela- public, the voting patterns have shown nor lukewarm Judaism; I want to work to change tions for Israel. that the nationalist camp is much that. And third is hasbarah, making Veteran TV and print journalist stronger than that… I was very proud right-wing.” Israel’s case in the media, both inter- Dan Margalit is credited with giving to represent these views; as Dan said, I nationally and at home.” her a national name. “I met her by was neither extreme right-wing nor On this last point, Hotobeli recent- fluke a few years ago,” Margalit said lukewarm right-wing.” ly said, “I want to continue the has- “when we needed someone on very “I spent three years criticizing politi- barah work that I have been doing, short notice [for a short TV item], cians on that show,” she added, “and alone—and I was fortunate to have within the Knesset. It is not enough and someone happened to mention coming to realize the extent of the cor- the help of many volunteers… Yes, I for a Knesset Member to be a man of that she knew this girl Tzipi who ruption in the system, as well as the was totally surprised that I did so well action or a good parliamentarian; he could do it… She made such a posi- opportunism of Kadima, which spent [finishing 16th in the primaries]; as a must also be someone who can fight tive impression that I immediately all its time promoting not ideology, but religious woman, I attribute it first the PR war and someone who can per- offered her a spot on the new politi- its own political survival.” and foremost to G-d’s help.” suade. Although many people have cal debate show that we were starting Asked when she decided to join pol- As the polls continue to show that the woken up and realized how wrong the on Channel Ten.” itics, Tzipi said, “You might be sur- Likud will receive at least 35 seats in the Oslo process is, we need people who Hotobeli herself thanks Margalit, prised, but it happened about a month coming national election, two months can present our case very effectively, “and I told him that it’s his fault that I ago, when Mr. Netanyahu proposed from now, it is a given that barring given the fact that the Israeli elite in made it to the Knesset. He even told that I run in the Likud primaries and unforeseen developments, Hotobeli will media and academia are still in favor me, when we first met, that I might that he would support me. I believe soon be a Member of Knesset. Asked of dividing our Land.” (Arutz Sheva) O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES December 19, 2008 83 27th Annual Bikur Cholim Brunch Photos By Ivan H. Norman

The 27th Annual Brunch of the Bikur Cholim of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns took place Sunday, December 14 at the White Shul. The guest speaker was Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein (at left). The Tehillim awardees were Devora Reich and Gitty Spetner (above, center). Also pictured above are Tzippy David (L) and Marilyn Wolowitz (R).

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Women, where she earned a degree in mathematics and worked in the actuarial field. She has been actively involved in various PTA functions—membership luncheon, new parents’ night, bar mitzvah workshop, book fair, class mother, and the scholarship dinner. Cindy has served on the associate board and the selection committee for the board of trustees. Harold grew up in Cherry Hill, N.J., and Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended the seven-year accelerated B.A.–M.D. pro- gram at Downstate Medical School, where he graduated with honors. He is board-cer- tified in diagnostic radiology and neuroradiology. After completion of his training, Harold served as director of neuroradiology at Queens Hospital Center for four years. Currently, he is in pri- vate practice and is medical director of Omega Diagnostic Imaging in Brooklyn. He also serves as associate treasurer of the Medical Society of the County of Kings. Harold has been an active member of the HAFTR executive board and board of trustees for many years. He is currently one of the vice-presidents of the executive board and has also served as corresponding sec- retary. He has given endless time and worked on many school projects, including chairing and fundraising for a Torah dedication for the Middle School and fundrais- ing chairperson and member of the dinner committee for many years. Cindy and Harold are also involved in various other chesed and charitable proj- ects. Their goal is and has always been to contribute in a positive way to K’lal Yisrael and to instill in their children similar goals and values. Over the years, they have shown great devotion to HAFTR and our community. HAFTR is pleased to pres- ent the Alumni of the Year Award to Danielle and Jason Bokor. Both Danielle and Jason were HAFTR students since its inception in 1978. Their children Sean (7th grade), Andrew (5th grade), Margot (2nd grade) currently attend HAFTR, and they hope to send Sasha there, too. Danielle was raised in Woodmere and graduated from HAFTR in 1988. She studied architecture at the Cooper Union School of Architecture, then joined the firm of Skidmore, Owings &

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Merrill. Danielle currently has her own architecture and design firm. She has been published in Home, House, and Oculus magazines, and is also the winner of the 2008 Benjamin Moore Hue Award. Jason grew up in Oceanside and Woodmere. He also graduated from HAFTR in 1988. After attending Queens College, he continued his edu- cation at Fordham University Law School. Jason is a partner at Goldberg & Bokor, LLP, and the vice president

Harold and Cindy Parnes

Danielle and Jason Bokor

of Metropolitan Refunds. Danielle and Jason are extremely dedicated to their alma mater and their children’s education at HAFTR. Danielle is a member of the building committee and has played an integral part in the design of HAFTR’s new gym. In addition to serving on various committees, Danielle has been class mother every year since 2000 and is a lifetime member of the PTA. Danielle’s parents, David and Debra Segal, were honorees at the 2001 HAFTR dinner. Jason is a past mem- ber of the board of trustees and cur- rently serves as the liaison to the Middle School Division on the Board of Education. Jason’s mother, Linda Bokor, was past PTA chair, and his father, Leonard Bokor, a’h, graduated from HILI in 1958. Together, Danielle and Jason are actively involved in many local organi- zations, including Kulanu, Emunah, and I Shine. They are members of the Young Israel of Woodmere and Congregation Woodsburgh Minyan. For additional dinner information please contact Michele Segelnick at 516-569-3370 or e-mail dinner@ haftr.org. O

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