An Important Message from Hatzalah. See Page 30

$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 6 NO. 27 24 ADAR 5766 MARCH 24, 2006 INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK UNDER CONSTRUCTION MindBiz BY LARRY GORDON Esther Mann, LMSW 34 High Call Volume Getting Out The Vote Hannah Reich Berman 36 The 15-Minute Chef This is the first in a series of these articles will be quoted Jamie Geller 38 of articles that will appear in out of context to create a sub- this space leading up to the terfuge for readers about the Gosh! My Gashmius! all-important and possibly his- true position vis-à-vis the Rabbi Ben Nathan 40 toric school-board election upcoming election, the school scheduled to take place on budget, and so on. Last year, Wedding Prisoners 73 Lag Ba’Omer, Tuesday, May for example, I suggested that Nissan Rosenthal 16, 2006. The election comes perhaps as a gesture of good at a time when the schism faith it might be advisable to between the school board, the make an effort to get the district administration, and school budget passed in an The partly demolished Red Shul in Cedarhurst, shown above earlier this week, the community has never making way for the congregation’s new and improved synagogue building. been greater. Bits and pieces Continued on Page 6 But will it be red? See “Heard In The Bagel Store,” Page 12 Orthodox And Secular ISRAEL SOLIDARITY Planting New Roots In The Negev Ezer Mizion Far Rockaway SHABBOS BY JODI BODNER reception. See Photo, Page 64 BY ARYE NISONSON Haruv, a new community in “We feel that it’s important the northeastern Negev, is not that we mark and celebrate David Perlmutter’s first resi- our solidarity with Israel,” dence in Israel. The Rockville said Phil Fuchs, a Cedarhurst Centre native made aliyah in businessman and prominent 1982, married, and began to long-time member and officer raise a family in Beit Shemesh. of the Young Israel of But tiny Haruv—where only 22 families currently call Continued on Page 18 Cantor Naftali Herstik home—is in full alignment Mr. and Mrs. David Perlmutter Continued on Page 19 and family. HAFTR students protest Iran’s Sefer Torah Dedication At YFR president. See Photos, Page 78 The Legacy DON’TGIVEUP BY IRWIN H. BY AYELET BENJAMIN THE KOSHER KOMIC Beatrice was my best friend. We shared every- I’ve spent my life quitting thing—the food we ate, the all kinds of things: school, places we went, and even the jobs, relationships, projects— games we played. During the just about anything that I years 1953 to 1955, Beatrice once had interest in doing. As Leon Mayer Fund and I were inseparable. Not soon as things got a little too delivers for Pesach. only did we have similar hard to handle, I gave up. See Page 46 dreams and aspirations, we When I was living in New Photo By Ivan H. Norman even had the same birth date. York and struggling to become YOSS FATHER/SON LEARNING But there were differences. a successful actress, I spent Mar. 25th 7:40 PM & 8:10 PM I was five feet, ten inches; lots of time in my agent’s Beatrice was six feet, seven office. I would go in and help CANDLE LIGHTING Attorney Benjamin Brafman of Lawrence dedicated a Sefer Torah to inches. I’m white; Beatrice, out, keeping my eyes peeled Mar. 24 – 5:53 PM the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway on Sunday, March 12. On his right is an African-American. And for any opportunities to get Mar. 31 – 6:00 PM his brother, Rabbi Aharon Brafman, Menahel of YFR. See More Photos on Page 61 Continued on Page 21 Continued on Page 20 2 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 3 4 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 5 FROM THE EDITOR issues, that things in the district would At this juncture and with the elec- improve for the public schools as well tion less than four weeks away, it is Continued from Front Cover as for those attending the private important that the issues that are at effort at reconciliation between those schools in the area. stake become perfectly clear to all who P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 with differing outlooks on this issue. After years of work on these issues, reside here and have children in the 516-984-0079 But that didn’t help. My suggestion two things have become apparent. One educational system—private or public. [email protected] [email protected] was taken out of context as an is that community residents beyond Over the coming several weeks, this LARRY GORDON endorsement to pass the budget the private schools have had their fill space will be dedicated to exploring Publisher/Editor unequivocally, which it was not. of a board seemingly consumed by cre- and analyzing those issues from vari- ESTA J. GORDON The idea at the time was to recom- ating ways to express their ire with ous perspectives, as well as comparing Managing Editor mend that voters be a little giving, in those who live in the community but that which currently exists in the dis- YOSSI GORDON the hope that this would create a quid do not send their children to the pub- trict to the way things could be just by Director of Sales pro quo—but that never happened. lic schools. Clearly there is a frustra- effectuating some simple changes. CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Instead, the condescending attitude tion at so much time being spent plan- For now, the major issue is making Editorial Assistant and even vitriol of some board mem- SIDI BARON, YAKOV SERLE, JERRY MARKOVITZ bers on the subject of District 15 Sales Representatives private-school needs continued un- SHMUEL GERBER abated. At the time I asked, “Where The only way to combat this effort to Chief Copy Editor was the good faith or even a little bit of MICHELE JUSTIC, YEHUDIT SANDERS a down payment on good faith?” But Copy Editors there was, unfortunately, absolutely confuse the real issues is to come out and CONTRIBUTING EDITORS none. Today, as the demographics in Irwin Benjamin Hannah Reich Berman the district continue to shift—as the vote in full force on Election Day. Rabbi Arye Z. Ginzberg private-school population grows and Yochanan Gordon the public-school population shrinks— Michele Herenstein and after three years of resounding Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky Esther Mann defeats, by a cross section of the com- ning and plotting on issues that have certain that everyone who is eligible to Rochelle Miller munity, of the school’s budget, the nothing to do with educational activi- vote is registered to do so—and then Arye Nisonson opportunity is currently at hand to ties in the district. And secondly, that goes out to do so on Election Day. The Paula L. Simmonds make things right in what could and the voter numbers are present to sad reality is that many people are not DOV M. GORDON should be an outstanding and harmo- return a sense of balance to the school registered to vote; and, amongst those Operations Director nious school district. board and, through the board, to this who are, many just do not vote. Those IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Staff Photographers You can rest assured that if the community. who are eligible to vote are those who school-board candidates who are more People have a right to choose where are 18 years of age or older. The com- FRANKEL & CO., CREATIVE DESIGN LLC Design & Production closely identified with the private to educate and how to educate their munity has demonstrated the ability to schools community in the district are children. At the same time, because a bring out the vote on Election Day and TALIYE CORLEY Art Director victorious on May 16, then all the chil- student does not attend a public score decisive victories on issues that The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- dren of the district will be the victors. school does not mean that he or she is are dear to many district residents, paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not I would have to say, knowing these entitled to any less of an education or including matters valued at millions of necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or people and where their hearts and related opportunities than a child who dollars—all that come out of the pock- establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. minds are on the most important does attend public schools. ets of local taxpayers.

6 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The saddest thing about the process these last several years is that so much energy and so many resources are spent befuddling the real issues. Of those issues, the one that is constantly abused and offered up most often is that the money that the law requires and that deservedly is earmarked for private-school education somehow forces the district to reduce services to public-school students. This is patently false, and is offered up despite widespread knowledge of this fact. And you can be certain that it will be raised again this year over the next few weeks leading up to the election for the school board and the budget. The only part of all this that is still somewhat confusing is whether or not those distort- ing the reality genuinely believe what they are saying, or whether these things have been repeated so often that, by virtue of the repetition, they are now believed. The only way to combat this effort to confuse the real issues is to come out and vote in full force on Election Day. “Full force” means that now is the time to register to vote for the election if you are not already registered. If you are registered to vote in the gen- eral election, then you are also registered to vote in the school-board and budget elec- tions. The key point at present is to register to vote all those who have turned 18 years old since the last election, and particularly the hundreds of students who will return from yeshiva and seminaries in Israel in the next few days and stay over Pesach. In addition to needing to register, these young people will have to also ask to vote by absentee ballot, since they will return to Israel after the holiday but before the school elections. Additionally, for the many scores of families who have moved to the district during the last year and are not familiar with these issues, it is vitally important that you reg- ister to vote and familiarize yourselves with the issues relating to the schools. Just because your children attend yeshivas does not mean that this election or these issues do not affect you. Over 60 percent of your property taxes—which are already very high—are earmarked for the education of all the children in the district. Despite the gains of the last few years, this is the first year that candi- dates with appropriate sensi- tivity to the uniqueness of the character and composition of this school district have a very

Continued on Page 8 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 7 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Page 7 real chance to win a majority on the board. A change in the dynamics of the board will bring a new sense of stability to the fashion in which a responsible school board should function. It cannot be reiterated enough, however, the impor- tance that is attached to every vote present in each and every district family. The Lawrence School District, in addition to the Village of Lawrence, also includes Inwood, Cedarhurst, and parts of Woodmere and Atlantic Beach. Of the 7,400 children who reside in the dis- trict, over 4,000 attend yeshiv- as and other private schools. For more information on the election, voter registration, or absentee ballots, contact the Alliance for Voter Awareness at [email protected]. ❖

And the silver... was a hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and seventy five shekels, after the shekel of the Sanctuary (Sh’mos 38:25) The Roman general Controcos questioned Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai: If each gave half a shekel, there should have been 201 talents and 11 maneh of silver.... Was Moshe your teacher either a thief or a swindler or else a bad arithmetician? He gave a half, took a half, and did not [even] return a complete half? Replied Rabbi Yochanan: Moshe our teacher was a trustworthy treasurer and a good arithmetician; these talents were measured in “the shekel of the Sanctuary,” which is double the common measure. (Talmud, Bechorot 5a)

8 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 9 CALENDAR LUACH March 24 – April 1 ZIP Code: 11516

24 Adar – Erev Shabbos Friday, March 24th Daf yomi: Pesachim 66 Earliest tefillin: 4:58 am Sunrise: 5:52 am latest Shema: M. Av. 8:20 am Gr’a 8:56 am Candle Lighting: 5:53 pm 25 Adar – Shabbos Saturday, March 25th Shabbos Parashas Vayakheil-Pekudei (chazak) Parashas HaChodesh Chodesh Nissan is blessed Shabbos ends**: 6:53 pm 72 min. 7:25 pm 1 Nissan – Rosh Chodesh Nissan Thursday, March 30th 2 Nissan – Erev Shabbos Friday, March 31st Daf yomi: Pesachim 73 Z’manim*: Earliest tefillin: 4:46 am Sunrise: 5:41 am latest Shema: M. Av. 8:13 am Gr’a 8:49 am Candle Lighting: 6:00 pm 3 Nissan – Shabbos Saturday, April 1st Shabbos Parashas Vayikra Shabbos ends**: 7:01 pm 72 min. 7:32 pm

* from MyZmanim.com for ZIP code 11516 ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Thursday–Friday, March 30–31 NYC: No public school Pre-K–8 Saturday night/Sunday, April 2 Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00 a.m.: Turn clock ahead 1 hour.

And Moshe assembled the entire congregation of the Children of Israel, and said to them... a Shabbos of Shabbosos to G-d (Sh’mos 35:1-2) This teaches us that Moshe instituted the practice to assemble on Shabbos to listen to the reading of the Torah.

(Midrash)

10 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 11 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE Shul Business BY LARRY GORDON not deal with shuls which are undergo- ing or would like to undergo a form, If strangers were to arrive at JFK and shall we say, of internal, or political, lose their way and find themselves here construction and repair. Whether the in the Five Towns, they may be struck construction is internal or external, it Photo By Ira Thomas Creations by an odd but also very fascinating and is important to take a step back and developing phenomenon. Just about witness that all the activity is an everywhere you turn (your car), you expression of the vitality of the Five inevitably land on a block that features Towns and surrounding communities a shul that looks like it is being disman- as Orthodox Jewish life affirms and A portion of the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, as seen from tled or picked apart. The reality is that reaffirms its interest in populating sub- Broadway and Spruce Street in Cedarhurst. there just so happens to be an inordi- urban New York. It’s nice out here, and nate number of shuls in a relatively consequently people want to move should have to walk on Shabbos (with people intelligent and discriminating small area—all simultaneously either here and raise their children here. As a or without their children) to get to a enough to figure out where they feel being partly or completely bulldozed to result of that, the older parents of the shul suitable for them. Certainly as the most comfortable davening. Opening a make way for new shul construction or young people who are recent immi- years have passed, the estimation of shul or creating a shul cannot contin- being built for the first time. grants to the Five Towns also want to distance has been continuously short- ue to be, if it ever was, governed by The reaction to all the construction move here. This creates the ingredi- ened and the result here and else- rules or laws calling for limitations or hustle and bustle is varied, but one reac- ents of one rather healthy and massive where is more shuls. distance between one another. Shuls tion is clear and unequivocal: My, how movement in this direction. As far as this observer can see, there today operate on a free-market system. things have changed! There was a time, While this is happening and the are never too many shuls in a commu- They can compete and offer engaging not too long ago, that the last thing any- population shifts and adjusts, one of nity. There are some who disagree and speakers, dinners, melaveih malkahs, one would think about, much less talk the first orders of business for any who feel that there should be a certain and other types of programs, but that about, was dotting the community with frum community is to see to it that all distance between shuls so that they do is the extent of it. People can no longer newly rebuilt and totally new shuls. religious needs are taken care of. This not compete, so to speak, with one be coaxed, cajoled, or even convinced That mindset has clearly changed, even reflexively is defined by securing a another. I’ve observed, however, that in that they belong in a particular shul. It though there are still critics who are nearby yeshiva, a mikveh and—most other big cities with significant is a decision made by the individual or very vocal about their criticism—for a importantly, because of the prohibition Orthodox populations—places like individual family based on family his- number of different reasons. of car travel on Shabbos—a shul. This Chicago and Los Angeles—many of tory and personal and pastoral rela- This piece will focus on the nuances is probably the most subjective of the the shuls are lined up one right near tionships, among other considerations. and plans for the shuls under con- big three needs, because everyone has the other, either on one block or over struction or reconstruction and will a different feeling about how far they several blocks in the same area, with Continued on Page 14

12 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 13 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE to, or your feet walk to, without your being too contemplative. I think the Continued from Page 12 central consideration in contributing Why some shuls are jammed to the to a person’s decision of where to go to rafters and others are more than half shul is comfort. This doesn’t mean that empty is a rotating dynamic that peo- the seats need to be soft or offer a level ple have grappled with here and else- of back support. This means that when where for years. Some shuls are fad- you walk in, you feel a certain emo- dish and only temporarily on a popula- tional comfort and ease while davening tion upswing, and their challenge is to and while socializing at post-davening keep their people, make them mem- gatherings. bers, keep them interested, and—most I know that some will say that shul importantly—make their attendance to is not a place that one has to be neces- their shul habit-forming. In other words, it’s the place your car takes you Continued on Page 17 Photo By Ira Thomas Creations

The new shul under construction, known for the time being as the Wedgewood Shul, on Central Avenue and Wedgewood Lane in Lawrence.

14 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 15 16 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE and enlarge part of their shul to include already hired an outstanding Torah per- after the passing of Rabbi Gruber, z’l, a state-of-the-art youth center and sonality to hopefully join the new shul about two years ago. Continued from Page 14 more. The newest shul to develop from at the beginning of the coming Jewish As more people move into the area sarily comfortable in. Rather, some the beginning is temporarily called New Year. A couple of blocks further more of the seats in these shuls will be would argue that when entering the “The Wedgewood Shul” (on Central east, Congregation Bais Avrohom, also filled. Some shuls complain that there presence of G-d to pray, one should be Avenue and Wedgewood). It is getting known as Rabbi Gruber’s shul, is also are not enough people to fill all the filled with awe and even tension. And I ready to take its place amongst the pre- interviewing candidates for the position agree. But I still think that today’s con- mier shuls in the Five Towns, having of rabbi, which was left sorely empty Continued on Page 26 gregants pick a shul based on feeling that awe and tension in a comfortable context. It may seem somewhat con- tradictory, but it is what it is. s”xc And it just may be all this that has led us to all the ongoing construction. Yes, more room is definitely needed, but all the construction is also a form of accommodating the comfort needs of ever-increasing membership rolls. Perhaps it is that people want shuls that can conform to them and their lifestyle rather than having to contort them- selves in some fashion to fit a mode of a specific shul. Now that’s not a criticism of building onto existing shuls or of building new shuls. It’s just a suggestion of a philosophy to ponder when driving around the area and observing all the shuls in their current state—either par- tially or completely bulldozed. However you see the issue, one thing that most will agree on is that all the activity speaks to the vibrancy of the Five Towns and surrounding areas. One may have thought it had reached its poten- tial, but recently must come to the con- clusion that “We really ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” I guess that’s why when you drive up West Broadway and see the beautiful edifice constructed by Rabbi Spiegel’s shtiebel congregation and then drive a little further and see the famous red building that gave the Cedarhurst con- gregation the famous name, “The Red Shul,” you can’t help but marvel at all that’s going on. A little bit further up the same street, Rabbi Arye Ginzberg’s Blue Shul is planning an expansion…and on and on it goes. The Island Avenue Shul has purchased the surrounding homes, and is getting ready to build, as is the Chabad Shul on Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst. In Woodmere, the Yeshiva Gedola of the Five Towns is getting ready to embark on a major building campaign that will be a force in that community. Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence, the area’s oldest Orthodox shul, is just about concluding their expansion which has beautified the shul. Then heading back in the other direction, though it’s a relatively new and impressive structure, the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst has brought in the Caterpillars to rebuild

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 17 Cantor Naftali Herstik, Chief Cantor of the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem, will accompany the Tel Aviv Cantorial Choir.

Israel Solidarity Shabbos 31, as a Shabbos to display the close Shabbos will be the presence of Cantor Friday night and Shabbos Services. Continued from Front Cover connection that exists between our Naftali Herstik of the Jerusalem Great On Saturday night, April 1, the can- community through our shul and Eretz Synagogue who, along with the 24 tor and the choir will present a special Woodmere. “And that’s why we’ve set Yisrael,” he said. voices of the Tel Aviv Cantorial Choir, solidarity concert at the Woodmere aside next Shabbos, beginning March The focal point of the special will accompany the chazzan at both synagogue. Sponsorships are available; general admission is $18. Cantor Herstik and the choir have for many years enthralled those who attend services at the Great Synagogue. Tourists and local Jerusalem resi- dents head en masse for this flagship house of prayer in central Jerusalem every Shabbos in order to hear the cantor and his choir and to pray inside the hallowed walls of this landmark institution. The connection between Jerusalem and New York, particularly the Five Towns, is best defined by the relation- ship between and the activities of the Great Synagogue and a shul like the Young Israel of Woodmere, one of the largest Orthodox synagogues in the United States. In general, a great deal of Orthodox Jewish life in the United States is tied and even committed in very extensive ways to life in Israel. Many of us here in the Five Towns and in similar types of communities around the world have children resid- ing in Israel, and many more have teenage and older children studying in Israel for a year or more at a time. As a result, many thousands of fami- lies here are inextricably connected to daily life in Israel. That’s why for a shul that serves a community like Woodmere, a Shabbos weekend like the one planned for next week reverses the roles of the agents that make relations between our communities and the people in Israel so close. Bringing Cantor Herstik and his choir for Shabbos and a Saturday night concert transplants a piece of Jerusalem into the Five Towns for a weekend. It will be a unique event that will also, in a sense, unify our var- ious communities as we all gather together for a Shabbos and an evening to share a bit of something that we generally enjoy at our own pace when in Jerusalem. The special solidarity Shabbos committee is composed of Irwin Jacobs, Shlomo Zuller, Phil Fuchs, Jerry Pinsky, George Wertheimer, Ruby Bumenthal, and Jake Weicholz. For more information call 516-295-0150. ❖ 18 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Orthodox And Secular to school in Kiryat Gat. David is a Continued from Front Cover tour guide. The Perlmutters lived in Beit with his ideals. Shemesh where they were physically Now working on the wording of their comfortable in a home 50% bigger than social charter that will define how they their current accommodations but felt envision the relationship between the something was missing ideologically. secular and the observant, the commu- Currently, Haruv boasts the caravans, nity was founded by people like David a public building, a bomb shelter (not and his wife, Tamar—people who yet finished), the playground and one wanted to be part of a new community, short road. But the children love their “and part of the ideology where reli- freedom and with the need for less gious and secular Jews live side by side supervision, they are outside all the time. because they want to, not just because The residents meet every two weeks that’s where they ended up,” explained with an organization that teaches peo- David. “We wanted to be part of the ple how to bridge gaps. Weekly, they kind of community that actually func- study the Torah portion together and tions as one and shares community learn it two ways—from each perspec- activities. We found that in Haruv.” tive—Orthodox and non-Orthodox. The Erected in September 2004, Haruv harder part admits Elad Topel, one of sits on its temporary site abutting the residents, will be when they build a Moshav Sheqef, 15 kilometers south- synagogue and a school. How will they east of Kiryat Gat. Its permanent home teach so that everyone will feel comfort- beckons from a hilltop 850 meters able? He is not sure, but is firm in his north, uninhabitable until the neces- belief that they will figure it out. sary infrastructure is provided. The With a vision of growing to about generation of Moshav Sheqef residents And the playground will remain, blueprint for the permanent communi- 210 families upon completion, Haruv’s (currently about 42 families). Every offering families hours and hours of ty was just approved and it is anticipat- temporary site will be used for the next two caravans will equal one lot size. good, clean fun in the Negev sun. ❖ ed that infrastructure development should commence within a year. The residents live in caravan-type housing, which is small but utilitarian. The temporary site is pretty bare save for the playground just put in by the Jewish National Fund. As part of its Blueprint Negev initiative to make the desert habitable for an additional 250,000 people over the next five years, JNF-Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael has part- nered with the OR Movement to create new communities and bolster existing communities. Haruv is one of those new communities. In addition to the playground, KKL bulldozers cleared the ground and JNF-KKL helped develop the necessary infrastructure. JNF’s Blueprint Negev initiative is part of Israel’s National Strategic Plan for the Development of the Negev— essential to Israel’s future. The Negev represents 60% of Israel’s landmass, but only 8% of its population lives there. Overcrowding and a strain on resources in the center of the coun- try—92% of Israel’s population resides on 40% of Israel’s land—further underscore the importance of this plan. The plan’s goals include increas- ing the Negev’s population while pre- serving and protecting the environ- ment, increasing employment by pro- viding greater opportunities, offering educational opportunities and better- ing the lives of the current Negev resi- dents including the 170,000 Bedouin. Founded in 2000 by four men from Petach Tikvah, OR believes the Negev and the Galilee are treasure chests of opportunities for the people of Israel. They saw the need for an organization that would help build communities and have founded six to date—five in the Negev (Haruv among them) and one in the Galil. Currently, about 1,500 fami- lies are in their database looking for information and guidance on places to move to. In 2005, 410 families moved into the Negev; they’re hoping 2006 brings an additional 600 families. Despite the cramped quarters and the semi-barren landscape, the Perlmutters love their new home. Tamar, a jewelry designer, opened a studio in Sheqef and the children go 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 19 Don’t Give Up any time my agent wanted to illustrate even more rejection, failure, and loss. I look at the beauty of the Torah and Continued from Front Cover my quitting nature, he used the same When G-d was offering the Torah to see in it qualities that I admire, and it analogy. “You left the money on the the nations of the world, He went from makes me want to emulate G-d. I don’t work for myself. floor!” or “You left the project on the place to place, seeing if anyone was want to give up because I’ve been The office was a mess. There were floor!” He saw in me the nature of a quit- interested. All the other nations turned rejected. What if G-d gave up? Would literally thousands of actor’s photos ter. And it wasn’t just with the pictures down the Torah because of how it life today be an existence of random lying around everywhere. My brilliant chaos, where murder, theft and adul- idea was to completely reorganize all of tery were deemed appropriate, because the actor’s files into categories. So we wouldn’t have Torah to guide us? while more and more pictures ended “You open for me a small opening like the eye There is a Chassidic story about a up in piles on the floor, the cabinets family who was childless. They went to and tables were getting emptier. I was their rabbi to ask for a blessing. The off to a very successful start. of a needle, and I shall open for you a space rabbi told them that they will have a My life, however, wasn’t going quite child within a year. Still childless one as well as my filing. One day, I just large enough for a wagon to pass through.” year later, they returned and asked decided to run away to Los Angeles. I “What happened?” The rabbi asked if grabbed a last-minute ticket and flew they truly believed the blessing they to the West Coast, far away from all were given. Did they go out and buy a my troubles back in New York. on the floor. My life was on the floor. imposed on the lives they had chosen crib? Did they prepare themselves for a Well, have you ever heard the saying Everything I did ended up on the floor. to live. If murder, adultery, and steal- new baby? Did they really, truly think “wherever you go, there you are?” In It’s hard to keep my life off the floor. ing are not allowed, then why would that they were going to have that baby? L.A., my troubles were still with me. The easiest way out is to leave projects they want these rules? The couple admitted they did not. And after a few weeks, I returned to on the floor. And sometimes when I fol- The Jewish nation saw the light of They went out and began to prepare New York. low the advice to “quit while you are the Torah and chose it for them- for their new baby. And the blessing With my pride barely intact, I slinked ahead,” it’s not because I really am selves—as a guide, a rule book, and a came true within the year. back into my agent’s office. He took one ahead, but merely because I see a lack of tool to aid them in finding the best Part of trying is believing. If I don’t look at me and said, “You left the pic- success in the future and would rather path for the most fulfilled and believe in myself enough to know that I tures on the floor!” From that day on, quit now than to keep trying and find enriched lives. am able to succeed, then why would I bother trying? The desire to quit stems from the lack of ability to foresee suc- cess in the future. I’ll never make it any- way, so why bother trying? But in human nature lies the ability to over- come that, and change at any time. The mystics state, “The path down which a person chooses to go, he or she will be led.” If the person has the desire, he or she will be taken along the correct way to accomplish their goals. From the Midrash Rabbah in Shir HaShirim, we learn, “You open for me a small opening like the eye of a needle, and I shall open for you a space large enough for a wagon to pass through.” The mere desire and the most deli- cate effort toward our goals allows the opportunity for amazing successes. When we are on the right path and choose to start our journey, it’s almost unbelievable how many doors open in that direction. When I was set to produce my first comedy CD, my backers fell through. But rather than give up and leave my CD “on the floor,” I began to tell people what I needed, and little by little, the means to make it happen came my way. In the editing studio, the time was limited, and the work was incredibly frustrating. I would have left the CD on the floor. There was only one thing that kept me in that studio, persistent- ly working. To say it was sheer willpower, or the inner strength that I suddenly found from within, would certainly be very nice. I’d love to say that I suddenly thought of my agent and decided, “I will not leave my CD on the floor! This one’s for you!” The truth is, often times that after- noon, I thought of quitting. The urge to grab my things and run out was at times overwhelming. The only thing that kept me there, focused, working, and forging ahead, was the girl working at the next desk. She was sitting there quietly, patiently working on editing her own project. It was clearly not easy for her either, as she kept working on it over and over again. Her project’s background song continuously filled the room with the tune that inspired me to stay. It’s the 20 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES song that helped me get up off the floor. he gave me his fruits and vegetables. And every time it began again, I just Beatrice had lived in Brownsville had to chuckle to myself and know that with his mother, and was named there was more in this than just a song. Beatrice because of an “awnt” who had It was more like a Divine message. been good to his mother. He was a The song that kept playing over and pretty intimidating figure, people over again? “Don’t Give Up.” And I thought twice before coming up didn’t. against him—or even attempting to When I had my final product, it was poke fun at his very unlikely name. His not only something in which I took body was solid steel, his hand, a pleasure for what it meant to me as my sledgehammer. Yet how strong and first professional CD. It was the proof powerful his body, that’s how soft and that my life was no longer on the floor. I kind was his neshama (soul). had the strength to finally see some- My tefillin had somehow unwrapped thing through. And although it was very during our trip, and I was rewinding difficult, I didn’t leave it on the floor. them when Beatrice asked me what the There’s one more thing I quit. But black boxes were. I explained they con- this time, I think my agent will be tained G-d’s name, and they testified to proud of me. I quit leaving my life on the supremacy and majesty of G-d over the floor. ❖ the world. He listened intently, his black eyes boring into me in a way that appeared he was trying to see and understand what I was made of. The Legacy I wound up with the upper bunk. At Continued from Front Cover a very early hour, while still quite dark, the whole company arose to loud despite the ridiculous name, Beatrice music, yelling, cursing; the new sol- Best was a man. diers all trying to outdo each other by It was our first day at the Army Base establishing themselves and their turf; at Fort Dix, New Jersey, ready to begin behaving like they thought soldiers our basic training. Because of the were expected to behave. alphabetical closeness of “Benjamin” I put my pants and shoes and socks and “Best,” we wound up sharing the on. I climbed down from my bed, faced same double bunk beds. As we the outside window, and, surreptitiously, unpacked our duffle bags, I asked began davening while putting on my Beatrice whether he wanted the upper tefillin. Then, without warning or notice, or lower bunk. He deferred to me; I I heard Beatrice’s booming voice: deferred to him, and so began a close “QUIET! While Benjie’s putting on relationship that would last many his straps and holy boxes, I don’t want years. At mealtime we exchanged foods; I gave him my meat and chicken, Continued on Page 22

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 21 The Legacy his mouth, and literally had to hold his Continued from Page 21 hand and pat him, quietly assuring him everything would be all right. Of to hear any cuss words, or no radio course, all of this was knowledge not playing until he’s finished.” Beatrice known to our fellow soldiers, and care- established the law. That was it. fully hidden from their view. Beatrice stood in front of my bunk like Over the months and years we were the genie from Aladdin’s lamp, his mus- together, I became Beatrice’s closest cled arms bulging, folded in front of his confidant. We stayed up many nights massive chest in a daring gesture. No dreaming together about how, when we matter how much I pleaded with got out, we’d work hard, make a lot of Beatrice, telling him that it was unnec- money—enough to buy a car—get mar- essary to do that, he would not listen. ried, and make a really good life for our- This lasted for the entire eight weeks of selves. Beatrice told me frightening sto- basic training. When we shipped out ries of his childhood. And he also told oversees, I emphatically told him I did me about his “special window,” the win- not want him to continue doing that, as dow where he had all his dreams. it had a negative effect on many of the There was this dirty cracked window other soldiers. But, of course, I in his living room, where, as a little boy, thanked him for being so sensitive to he looked out and dreamt. He looked my religion and for being such a caring down and saw the dirt-strewn yard. The person, and good friend. music was loud and crass. He saw dirty Although we were a total mismatch, little boys jumping and fighting like we did have some important things in rats scampering around in a hole. common. Neither Beatrice nor I had a Windows opened and garbage flew out father. We were both poor. And we down to the yard. The kids cursed as both had similar dreams; a great desire they dodged the filthy, slimy missiles. to make something of ourselves. “When I get older,” he would say, “I’m Beatrice had an unusual phobia: not going to live here. No, I will live in needles. Large, small, it made no differ- a quiet neighborhood. I will have a nice ence. They terrified him. And in the house, with trees and flowers.” Army, where one is constantly lining up When the First Division returned to for one kind of shot or another, he lived the States, Beatrice and I were separat- in perpetual fear. The mere thought of ed; me going to Fort Riley, Kansas, and a needle penetrating his skin caused Beatrice going to Sarasota, Florida. him to break out in a cold sweat and After we finished hugging each other to hives. He’d actually regress into child- say goodbye, Beatrice asked me to lend hood, becoming like a little baby, cow- him $20, because, as he described it, ering and putting his thumb into his he “was dead flat out busted.” mouth. As we stood on line awaiting our shots, I would take his hand out of Continued on Page 24

22 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 23 The Legacy legs were attached to a man, she prac- framed the large double windows. later, while going to Williamsburg, Continued from Page 22 tically fainted. Beatrice Best, obviously After spending some time together, driving down Atlantic Avenue, I began seeing the state my mother was in, said and laughing over old Army stories, wondering about my old Army buddy. I One month later I was discharged. I that he was a friend of mine, handed Beatrice turned serious. The newborn hoped he got his wish and got out of did not hear from Beatrice for a couple her an envelope, and quickly left, not baby was crying in the next room. He the neighborhood, and was able to ful- of years. And then, one summer wanting to cause my mother any fur- walked me over to the dirty broken fill some of his dreams. But then, on evening, as I came home from work, I ther fright. It took my mother two days window, the same “special window” impulse, I decided I would take a was greeted by a frightening scene. My until she regained her composure. which he had told me about while we chance just in case he was still there. mother sat on a chair, limp, with cold The envelope contained a $20 bill were in the Army, and asked me to look He was. This time the apartment compresses on her head, my sister with a note expressing his apologies out with him. looked dark. Beatrice had grown heavy. busily fanning her with one of her why it took so long to pay me back, but Filth and slime dotted the dark His black hair had a fringe of gray hard-covered notebooks. he was glad he was able to finally pay alleyway. A brisk business of drugs and around the temples. His eyes were a “What’s going on?” I yelled out, it back. He then told me he got mar- other illegal items were being conduct- little deeper, a few more lines at the “What happened?” My mother raised ried, had a son, and asked me to come ed openly. Occasionally a gunshot sides of the cheekbones a touch more her voice to me, which was rare, and up to visit with him. I was saddened could be heard. pronounced. Even his once rich ebony said: “Farvos hus du mir nit gezact az when I saw the address, because it was “No,” Beatrice said to me, “no, no. skin had taken on a gray pallor. The du hust ah zelchenir freynt!” the same address he had lived at Maybe I could not get out,” he said, apartment seemed to have aged as (Why didn’t you ever tell me what before. I assumed he moved into his “but my little son in there”—pointing well; tired, threadbare. One side of the type of friends you had?) mother’s apartment. I had kind of to the bedroom—“will have it better heavy drapes was off its hinge, hanging My sister explained what happened: hoped he would have moved out of than this. A house with a garden and down on to the floor. One leg of the There was a ring at the door. My moth- that awful ghetto he hated so much. trees, with different colored flowers. coffee table was kept up by a milk er, who was an elderly, short woman, A week later I drove to Brownsville I’ll make sure of that. Oh, yes. No crate. The once clean white paint had opened the door, and looked out. It for a visit. The apartment seemed question about it, Benjie, you’ll see. I turned a dirty pale yellow. Overflowing was summertime, and obviously bright. The living room had a fresh coat promise you.” ashtrays and trashcans were spotted all Beatrice had worn short pants, so all of white paint over it. The furniture was I guess we both got busy with our around the living room. Although my mother saw when she opened the the type you would buy secondhand separate lives, and as a result, I had no happy to see me, he looked uncomfort- door, were two long black legs. Then from the office of failed dentist; inex- contact at all with Beatrice for many ably self-conscious over the obvious when she looked up and saw that the pensive, but nice. Heavy dark drapes years. And then, about 10 or 12 years deterioration, trying unsuccessfully to hide everything with his huge body as he accompanied me to my seat in the living room. We talked a lot and tried to catch up on things. I was about to leave when he plead- ed with me to stay with him a bit longer, just sit with him, like old times. I did so, and I had the same feeling I had when holding his hand while awaiting the shots. We then kind of fell into a feeling of just relaxing; Beatrice reading the paper, and me looking at a magazine, not saying anything in particular; just enjoying each other’s company. Suddenly, Beatrice’s young son walked in. He was tall and thin with a high afro. He was neatly dressed. His sneakers were scuffed and old, and his striped woolen sweater needed mend- ing. He smiled, and politely said hello. He walked slowly over to the window, the same old cracked window Beatrice and I had looked out of years before. As he looked out, his smile vanished. His stare became intense. He continued looking down into the courtyard for a few minutes; his expression strained. Beatrice and I watched him. When Beatrice looked at me, I could not meet his eyes, and forced myself to look back into my magazine. The boy then picked his head up and clenched his fists. After wiping the tears that had welled up in his eyes, Beatrice looked back into his newspaper, and contin- ued reading. ❖

Irwin Benjamin can be reached at [email protected]. His book, My Secret, can be bought at your local Judaica store, or by visiting his website at www.irwinbenjamin.com.

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, March 27 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

24 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 25 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE daven and study Torah. Our tradition tells us that ultimately Continued from Page 17 all the houses of study (yeshivas) and all pews, chairs, benches, or whatever the houses of prayer (shuls) will in the seats there may be. That, however, is time of Mashiach (recently made bound to change over a relatively short famous by reggae-rapper Matisyahu) be time, as those shuls feeling the pinch transplanted to Eretz Yisrael. This theo- will make inevitable adjustments to ry supports our efforts to build up these their range of offerings to entice institutions in the Diaspora without prospective members. Discussing shuls them being a demonstration of our in this space is a very sensitive matter, entrenching ourselves too deeply out- as people feel very strongly and passion- side of Israel. ately about the shuls they have become Perhaps the accelerated construction personally attached to. There is no and our close proximity to the airport intent here to step on anyone’s toes, so are somehow related factors in what to speak, and any effort to interpret seems to be going on around us. Then these words as such would be misguid- again, if shuls are going to be flown over ed. The important thing is that with to the Middle East, if you really think every nail banged into a wall and shin- into it, it’s doubtful that runways or air- gle laid on a roof, this area fortifies its ports are really going to be needed. Our reputation as one of the globe’s most shuls are almost ready; hopefully we’re beautiful and outstanding locales to not too far behind. ❖ Photo By Ira Thomas Creations

The site of the Agudas Yisroel of The Five Towns on Peninsula Boulevard and Cedarhurst Avenue.

26 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES From The Chassidic Masters Passive Labor

One of the greatest paradoxes of a life be happy and it will be well with you.” of faith concerns the need to work for a What David haMelech is implying, say living. If G-d is the source of all bless- the Chassidic masters, is that the labor ings, why toil to earn a livelihood? And if in which a person engages for his mate- we do work, how can we avoid the rial needs (so that “you will eat”) should thought that it is our labor alone that be only “of your hands”—an activity of produces material results? We seem torn the outer man, not an inward involve- between absolute passivity and the ment. One’s “hands” and “feet” should denial of G-d’s involvement in the world. attend to one’s material endeavors, while Thus the believer engages in what one’s thoughts and feelings remain can be termed “passive labor.” In the bound up with G-dly things. This is the opening verses of Vayak’hel, Moshe same concept as that implied by the instructs the people of Israel: verse, “Six days shall work be done.” One Six days shall work be done; but on the does not do the work; it is “done,” as if of seventh day there shall be to you a holy its own accord. The heart and mind are day, a Shabbos of Shabboses to G-d… elsewhere, and only the person’s practi- Not “Six days shall you work,” but cal faculties are engaged in the work. “Six days shall work be done.” The pas- The Jew works not to “make a living,” sive form suggests that even during the but only to fashion a keli (“vessel”) to week’s six workdays, when the Jew is receive G-d’s blessings. This is what the permitted and obligated to work, he Torah means when it says, “And the L-rd should be occupied, but not preoccu- your G-d will bless you in all that you pied by his material endeavors. do.” Man is not sustained by his own This is how Chassidic teaching inter- efforts, but through G-d’s blessing; it is prets the verse (Tehillim 128:2), “If you will eat the labor of your hands, you will Continued on Page 28

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 27 FROM THE CHASSIDIC MASTERS The Double Shabbos atoned for and rectified the sin of the Rambam traces the origins of idolatry This explains the phrase Shabat Golden Calf. Ostensibly similar (both to the fact that Divine providence is Continued from Page 27 Shabbaton—“a Shabbos of the Calf and the Mishkan were a “con- channeled through natural forces and only that G-d desires that His blessing Shabboses”—used by Moshe in the secration” of physical matter, particu- objects. The original idolaters recognized should realize itself in and through “all above verses. Shabbos is not a day of larly gold), the Mishkan was, in truth, that the sun, moon and the stars derived that you do.” Man’s work merely pro- rest following six days of active labor. the very opposite of the Calf: the their power to nourish the earth from vides a natural channel for the divine Rather, it is a “Shabbos of Shabboses,” Golden Calf was a deification of the G-d, yet they attached divine significance blessing of sustenance, and man must at a Shabbos following six days that are to them. Their error was to regard them all times remember that it is no more themselves “Shabboses” of sorts—days as objects of worship, whereas they are than a channel. Though his hands pre- of passive labor, in which one’s work no more than the instruments of G-d, pare the channel, his mind and heart only engages one’s external self with The materialist’s like “an axe in the hands of the hewer.” must remain focused on the source of the true focus of one’s attention in a preoccupation with In a certain sense, the excessive pre- the blessing. higher place. occupation with business and the mate- The Chassidic masters take this a Indeed, a true day of rest can only material things is a rial world is also a form of idolatry. For step further. In truth, they say, man be one that follows such a week. Citing this, too, involves the error of attaching should really not be allowed to work at the verse, “Six days you shall labor, and form of bowing the significance to what is no more than a all. For of G-d it is said, “I fill the heav- do all your work,” the Sages say: “On vessel or channel of Divine blessing. The ens and the earth” and “The whole the Shabbos, a person should regard head, of misplaced materialist’s preoccupation with material earth is full of His glory.” The proper himself as if all his work were com- worship. things is a form of bowing the head, of response to the ever-present nature of plete.” This is true rest—rest in which misplaced worship. Only when a person G-d would be to stand in absolute pas- one is utterly free of all workday con- sees his workday effort for what it truly sivity. To do otherwise would be to be cerns. If, however, during the six days, is—a way of creating a natural channel guilty of what the Talmud calls “mak- a person had been preoccupied with material, while the Mishkan was a sub- for the blessings of G-d—will his work ing gestures before the king.” If a per- material concerns, on the seventh day jugation of the material to serve the take the passive form and the focus of son standing in the presence of a king anxieties will invade him; even if his Divine. So on the day after the first Yom his thoughts be on G-d alone. were to do anything other than devote body ceases work, his mind would not Kippur, immediately following G-d’s full This is how idolatry—whether in its his attention to the king, he would be at rest. On the other hand, if he has forgiveness of Israel’s sin, Moshe con- overt or its more subtle forms—is surely forfeit his life. So it is only given his work its proper place during veyed G-d’s instructions to the people to atoned. Six days of passive work in the because the Torah itself permits, the week, the light of Shabbos will illu- build Him a “dwelling place” in their sense of mental detachment and the indeed commands, “Six days shall work minate him, and it will be Shabbat midst; that very day, the people donated realization that human work is only an be done” and “The L-rd your G-d will Shabbaton—a Shabbos twice over. For their gold, silver and copper to the mak- instrument of G-d, culminating in and bless you in all that you do,” that work Shabbos will then permeate his whole ing of the Mishkan. inspired by a “Shabbos of Shabboses” is permissible and desirable. But to go week, and when the day itself arrives it First, however, Moshe gathered the that focuses utterly on the source of beyond the level of involvement sanc- will have a double sanctity. people of Israel and commanded them our blessings—are the corrective for tioned by the Torah—beyond the “pas- in G-d’s name: “Six days shall work be and the denial of the instincts of idol- sive labor” of making a “vessel”—that The Day After Yom Kippur done; but on the seventh day there atry. (Chabad.org) ❖ would be, in the first place, to show a This also explains the context in shall be to you a holy day, a Shabbos of lack of faith that human sustenance which Moshe addresses the above verses Shabboses to G-d…” This implies that, Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher comes from G-d; and secondly, it would to the assembled congregation of Israel. like the Mishkan, this commandment Rebbe. Excerpted from Torah Studies (Kehot, 1986), an adaptation of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's be “making gestures before the king”— Our Sages elaborate on how the is a refutation of, and atonement for, talks, by Britain’s Chief Rabbi, Dr. Jonathan an act of rebellion in the face of G-d. building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) the sin of idolatry. Sacks.

28 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 29 30 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 31 was real. That’s why a keystone of my cated crime statistics released on the campaign was the proposed hiring of eve of an election asserting that crime 400-plus police officers to better pro- was down when the contrary was true. tect our neighborhoods. The statistics It was only a matter of time before

The statistics now show that robberies and Dear Editor, reported, and said that Five Towns Robberies jumped an astounding 75 crime was actually down for 2005. abductions are happening with alarming fre- percent in the Five Towns in 2005, Apparently the surge in crime in our contributing to an increase in overall neighborhoods was a mirage. In the serious crime in our area in 2005, Herald’s words, from its editorial in the quency, as was the case just a couple of weeks according to newly released crime sta- Oct. 27, 2005 edition endorsing my tistics from the Fourth Precinct, as opponent: “Katz has tried to make an ago to a man on his way to morning prayers at reported in the lead cover story of the issue of crime, backed by the police Nassau Herald’s Mar. 16, 2006 edition, unions… It turns out we were using the Young Israel of North Woodmere. “Crime Rises in the 5T’s.” Area resi- outdated 2004 numbers to make the dents have understandably been con- comparison… The nine-month figures cerned about escalating crime, and the show that major crime decreased 9 news media have reported continually percent…” now show that robberies and abduc- reliable crime statistics for 2005 would about the disturbing trend. The lead Were Five Towners simply “losing it” tions are happening with alarming fre- be released. At least now they were cover story in the Herald’s Aug. 3, by hallucinating about crimes that quency, as was the case just a couple of reported honestly by the Herald, since 2005 edition, for example, reported were never committed? Now, five weeks ago to a man on his way to no election is coming up. Little conso- that overall major crime in the Five months after the election, the truth morning prayers at the Young Israel of lation for crime victims. Towns was up 32% for the first half of emerges. As the Herald has just report- North Woodmere. The real “fictitious Sincerely, 2005, with robberies jumping an ed, serious crime in the area in 2005 issue” in the campaign were the fabri- Jeff Katz unnerving 114%. was indeed significantly up, not down, Two weeks before last fall’s election, including a 75% surge in robberies however, “new” crime statistics were that we residents are unfortunately released by certain Democratic candi- aware of. dates and their political appointees. But why did the Herald swallow— Now for the first time, you can SUBSCRIBE to The 5TJT online. Apparently sensing a campaign issue hook, line, and sinker—new statistics important to district residents that that were suspicious on their face, could oust the incumbent Democratic coming as they did just two weeks legislator, the Herald fell on its sword, before an election and contradicting claimed that its prior reporting on the crime statistics reported long before issue had been all wrong, and—just election season? two weeks before the election, in the Might it have had to do with influ- www.5tjt.com heat of a contentious political cam- encing the race for the area’s legisla- paign—reversed facts it had previously tive seat? The increase in crime is and

32 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 33 you have available to you, let’s look a lit- means that it’s hard to be “giving” all tle closer at the shame you seem to feel day long, and some women find it about how you experience being home harder than others. But no one said it all day with your daughter. Truth be would be easy. Rewarding—yes, but told, many women would describe this not easy. In your excitement to finally stage of life as difficult, tedious, boring, become a mother, did you romanticize stressful…. I can go on. On the flip side, the entire experience and forget about it can be the most rewarding, loving, the reality of the constant feeding, dia- Dear Esther, time homemakers. My mother always tender, fulfilling stage of a woman’s life pering, soothing, entertaining, etc. I used to have a wonderful career, stressed the importance of being home as well. Usually, it’s a combination of all that goes into a typical day of parent- which I gave up recently because I was for your children and that the alterna- of the above. And it can change from ing? Of course, one delicious hug can about to have a baby. A baby I was real- tive would be damaging to children. Her moment to moment. often make it all worthwhile. ly excited about having and looking for- children turned out pretty well, and I Many women have been taught to Perhaps you need to get in touch ward to. I didn’t get married until I was guess I always assumed that I’d fall into only share their positive emotions. As with what your expectations were and 25, and it was several years before I got line once I had children of my own. they say, “never let them see you decide whether they were realistic or pregnant. So, as you could imagine, My husband has been encouraging this was a long-awaited and thrilling me to go back to work, seeing how event in our lives. unhappy I am. But I’m very conflicted. There are many outstanding children and Our daughter is now 11 months old I’ve really bought into “the good moth- and I can no longer give myself excus- er” role model that I grew up with and adults who have, or had, working mothers. es for not being a happy homemaker. frankly, can’t even imagine telling my For several months after I gave birth I mother and sisters that I want to leave was cranky and moody, but figured it my young daughter at home with a care- Often, these individuals learn to be more could be attributed to postpartum taker and go to work. It’s not like we mood swings. Or maybe I had to adjust really need the money. I feel like they independent and responsible. to my new body—which I wasn’t would disown me! So in addition to feel- thrilled with. I thought maybe I was ing unhappy, I also feel like a coward. irritable because I hadn’t had a full I hope you can help me figure this sweat.” These are the women who tell not. Be sure to take into account the night’s sleep and was always tired. thing out. you that they absolutely adore being fact that since you first became a At this point, we have our daughter Coward with their children all day, and there is mother in your late twenties, you grew on a pretty good schedule. She sleeps nothing they would rather be doing. I accustomed to a lifestyle that your through the night. I’ve lost my preg- Dear Coward, suppose this is true for some women. mother and sisters possibly never even nancy weight and fit into my old It sounds like you feel trapped and But I would venture to guess that experienced. Also, just because your clothes. I don’t feel particularly tired. unable to truly be your authentic self. many women wait breathlessly for mother and sisters stayed home, does- But I’m not very happy either. I would- Peer pressure is a tough thing to deal their children’s bedtime, often count- n’t mean that they had a thrilling time. n’t admit this is anyone, but I’m really with, even if it’s coming from your ing down the minutes, so that they can They did what they believed was the kind of miserable staying home with mother and sisters. exhale and spend a few moments alone right thing to do. And that was enough my daughter all day. I miss my old However, you describe your dilemma while enjoying the temporary respite of for them. Or so they say. life—the excitement of a fulfilling in a very “black or white” fashion. As I being unaccountable to anyone. Having said that, I would venture to career and the challenges it offered me. see it, you have many options. But That doesn’t make them bad moth- My mother and sisters were/are full- before I go into some of the options that ers, or even selfish mothers. It just Continued on Page 39

34 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 35 for the heck of it. But apparently with someone, I hate to say goodbye. that’s the prevailing theory. Otherwise So, long after my question has been why would the company representa- answered, and there’s no need to con- tive start by asking for my name, tinue the dialogue, I still don’t end address, and birth date? And his quest the call. Hey—when you’re drowning for knowledge ends only when I’ve and someone throws you a buoy, it’s told him my mother’s maiden name. hard to let go, even when dry land is Frankly, in order to get down to busi- within reach. High Call Volume ness, I’d tell him whatever he wanted I like to keep the representative on to hear—so long as he doesn’t ask for the line. It’s not because I feel any my weight. A person can be only so particular attachment to him, but Due to high call volume all our man on the totem pole in his work- truthful. I have my limits. because it took so long to reach him. representatives are busy assisting place, so it’s possible that he has no Strangely, the problem that led me When I spend half an hour trying to other customers. Please continue to idea just how much power he wields to make the call is usually solved in a get through to someone, it’s nice to hold and we will be with you momen- in my life—for the moment. lot less time than it took for me to get have more than 60 seconds on the tarily. It’s hard to think of a more It’s so thrilling to hear a non- to speak to him. But my wait time is phone with the guy. A secondary com- bone-chilling message. But it’s the ponent to this equation is that after one we most often hear—and fear— I’ve absorbed the information I when calling any of a dozen large received, I might possibly have a fol- business concerns that we are period- Due to high call volume all our low-up question. And the last thing I ically forced to deal with. A recorded want to do is call back and restart the message about high call volume process. So I stall. And without a implies that on some days there must representatives are busy assisting other shred of embarrassment or apology, I be a low call volume, which makes ask my telephone helper to repeat me wonder how it is that I never everything. He does what I ask, and I place these calls on those days. customers. Please continue to hold picture him shaking his head in dis- The worst part about calling these belief as he wonders about just how establishments is the loneliness, and we will be with you momentarily. dense I am. When he’s finished going since essentially I’m on the phone over all the information a second with no one but myself. I know how- time, I then repeat everything he ever that if I respond to commands, said—like ‘Little Sir Echo’. In short, I by pressing the appropriate buttons, recorded voice that I don’t even mind never idly spent, because I put the keep my helper on the line until I’m eventually I’ll have company. So I live the question and answer session. time to good use by praying. And my sure I’ve got at all straight. Only then for the moment when the recorded There’s always a mini quiz before a prayer is always the same—that I do I end the call. And I finish as I voice disappears and is replaced by a caller is entitled to get to the subject won’t be disconnected as I’m being started—with a prayer. Only this time live person. This requires time and at hand; the subject being the reason transferred from one department to my prayer is that I won’t need to call patience on my part, but when it hap- for the call in the first place. The test another. What I can’t figure out is this place again.❖ pens I’m ecstatic. I wonder if the is easy since I inevitably have the cor- why I never get to the right depart- Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a shmegeggy who eventually speaks to rect answers. One can only wonder ment on the first try. And although licensed real estate broker associated with Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached me knows how grateful I am to have why Herr representative thinks I I’m not in the market to make new at [email protected] or by calling finally reached him. He may be low would give a phony name and call just friends, when I finally do get to speak 516-902-3733.

36 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 37 Secrets Of The 15-Minute Chef a fall that I have been wearing uncut quality time with baby and hubby and One Bowl Amazing and unwashed for months. Hitting the some re-writing, re-jiggering and re- Chocolate Cake Pampering Yourself, gym for classes other than the ones I putting off of my to-do lists. Prep Time: 10 minutes teach is a desire that I’ve had for the last I look exactly the same as I did a Cook Time: 45 to 50 minutes Or At Least Trying nine months! Oh well, I‘m sure you get year ago when I left the company. I am the picture. still pregnant although I have a differ- Yield: 8 servings BY JAMIE GELLER But most importantly, numero uno, I ent bun in the oven this time. My for- Ingredients: was going to spend tons of good quality mer co-workers might not believe me if 2 cups flour Okay, this time with my baby and hubby—whom I I don’t bring pictures, but who has 1 1/2 cups sugar week will be a feel I’ve seen less and less of as I sat in time to print out the 653 pictures sit- 1 cup liquid non-dairy creamer quickie. And I’m front of my computer writing more and ting on my digital camera chip? 1/2 cup canola oil 1/2 cup mayonnaise not just talking more of a book that only seemed to grow And I still feel like I need a major 3 eggs about the recipe; as I worked on it. That was No.1 on my vacation, and it’s a year later! 1 (4.1 ounce) package chocolate I’m also talking agenda and I obviously didn’t need to The point is, I just have to get in instant pudding and pie filling about the article. find my list to remember that priority. some of that pampering time or I am 2 teaspoons vanilla And it’s not just cause I’m into quick And then, like clockwork, as if they’ve fearful that I might not make it through 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder things; I literally don’t have much time. been spying on me with a telescopic the next few weeks. Whether it’s a pedi- 1 tsp. baking soda I finally finished the manuscript for lens or had some sort of satellite imag- cure, a good book or your favorite mag- Steps: the book. Congratulations are defi- ing of my home, my life and my sched- azine (mine are home decorating maga- 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. nitely in order. It’s only the hugest ule, my old company called. That cable zines—I am a frustrated interior design- project I have ever done in my entire TV network I used to work for so hard. er—if only I had a little more time I 2. Grease a Bundt pan with non-stick life. Well, it’s not done-done—we now The one I put in so many long hours for would try my hand at that too!) However baking spray. enter the photography and design I might as well have given up my apart- you define pampering, take time for 3. Mix all ingredients in mixer on stage, but the first stage, the biggest ment and just lived there. They wanted yourself—whether it’s five minutes, or medium speed for 5 minutes. hurdle, the completion of the rough to know if I could freelance for them on should I say 15? But do something: 4. Pour into prepared Bundt pan. manuscript, is done. a job for the next few weeks. spoil, indulge and treat yourself to what- So now, I was about to celebrate and I was just about to relax; it felt so ever you need to keep going, keep cook- 5. Bake at 350° for 45 to 50 minutes, enjoy a few weeks of spa treats, gym real, so tangible. I already felt like a ing, and keep living life. or until a skewer inserted in the cen- workouts and tying up loose ends. I was new woman without even taking one Sometimes for me, it’s a slice or two ter comes out clean. Let cool before finally going to attend to the pages and step into the spa. It was a mental and (or three) of chocolate cake. It’s deca- serving. pages of my multiple to-do lists, which I emotional sense of renewal, rejuvena- dent, indulgent, sinful and delicious If you can squeeze an extra second have been mentally compiling for the tion and relief. And then they called and, when I can’t make time for a facial, or two out of your day go for the glaze: past four months but have not yet had a and, of course, I said yes. Tomorrow I I find savoring a slice of cake in peace Place 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 chance to get to. Lists such as doctors’ am off, not off off, off to work and and quiet holds me over one more day cup non-dairy frozen ready-to-whip appointments to be scheduled for me, back to my old job for a few frantic or one more year until I finally get liquid topping, thawed, in a small the baby and the hubby, passports that weeks until Pesach. around to making my appointment with saucepan. Heat until melted. And need to be procured for me and the baby I took one day to pack in all the the esthetician (which I usually have to pour it over the top of your yummy for a trip that’s in less than three weeks, must-accomplish agenda items that I cancel last minute because inevitably amazing cake. shopping for the items I need for that had planned to leisurely tackle over something comes up). Here is my no If you really need to relax, forget the trip, picking up a sheitel that has been at the next few weeks. It was a frenetic longer, not-so-private, secret, amazing glass of milk and go for the goblet of the sheitel macher for weeks and cutting day of errands, rest, a little pampering, indulgence… wine. As always, courtesy of Ernie

38 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Weir at Hagafen Cellars we have this money is not a problem in your house- week’s suggestion: hold. Have you considered getting help “The Hagafen 2005 Napa Valley Late for three hours a day, and during that Harvest Zinfandel, because chocolate time, finding part-time work? If part- cake needs to be paired with a wine that time work isn’t available, what about will accent the chocolate—and the volunteer work, or taking a class or two? sweet strawberry jam of this Late Something that feels challenging, excit- Harvest Zinfandel will do that well.” ing and fulfilling. A few hours of “me time” may be just enough. Till next week eat well, be well and Maybe you’re just feeling a bit too cook quickly! ❖ isolated and not enjoying any adult con- tact. Are there other women around with young children who you could get MINDBIZ together with? Have you tried “Mommy and Me” type of activities? I think that Continued from Page 34 perhaps your friends are all from your say that buying into the philosophy that former career days, and you haven’t met a working mother damages her children enough women who are home and avail- is simply silly. Look around you. There able. There is so much you can enjoy are so many outstanding children and doing with your daughter and other adults who have, or had, working moth- mother-daughter twosomes, and these ers. Often, these individuals learn to be activities may be enough to break up more independent and responsible. your day and add the interest and fun Furthermore, entertaining the that you seem to be looking for. thought that your mother and sibs Should none of these compromises would disown you is also somewhat work for you, and your husband sup- silly. They may not “get” you, but my ports you returning to your full-time job, guess is that they would accept your you can always return with confidence, decision and hopefully do so without knowing that you tried your hardest to judgment. If they can’t accept your be a stay-at-home Mom, but staying decision, perhaps they need to do home wasn’t in your nature. And a happy some soul-searching of their own. mommy sets the tone for a happy family. You may want to consider your con- Finally, try not to take for granted flicted emotions as indicative of the pos- the precious gift that you have been sibility that though your day may feel blessed with. Having a healthy child is long and hard, there is a part of you that a spectacular miracle. Be sure to really believes it is correct to stay home honor that miracle every day. with your young daughter. But why does Esther it have to be all or nothing? Maybe all Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in you need are a couple of hours a day to Lawrence. She can be reached at 516-314-2295 pursue other interests. You mention that or by e-mail at [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 39 (in his Ohr HaTzafun), the essential take—that of the Rambam or that of the aspect of Pesach that we celebrate is Alter—should be determined by analyz- Gosh! My Gashmius! true freedom—spiritual freedom—the ing which method has the most chance freedom from gashmius. That’s right— of success with your own particular tem- BY RABBI BEN NATHAN 8] Do you have in your possession the Yom Tov of Pesach celebrates free- perament. It may even pay to seek the TIFERET HIGH SCHOOL, LAWRENCE, NY right now more than three catalogues? dom from gashmius.] advice of an intelligent friend or yeshiva There are tests in life. For example, 9] Is your davening rote and non-ener- mashgiach as to which way to go. Either there are SAT’s. There are also ACT’s, getic? Treating The Trait way, however, one form of attempt GMAT’s, LSAT’s, and MCAT’s. But did 10] In your davening this past month The Rambam in Hilchos Dayos (2:2) should be made. you ever hear of SGAT’s? did you ask for “things”? tells us that when we need to improve a It is interesting that the Rambam It stands for the Self-diagnostic 11] Do you read the 5TJT more for its character trait, we should temporarily does not give us a timeframe for how Gashmius Affinity Test, and here it is: ads than for its spiritual content? adopt the opposite extreme until we are long the opposite extreme should be 1] To get out of depression, do you 12] Do you know what Hearttail is? able to eventually reach that golden adopted; the language that he employs ever shop? (Or even how to spell it correctly?) middle path—a happy medium. For is merely “zman merubah,” a long time. 2] Have you ever lied to someone If you answered yes to fewer than four some people, this approach should be But for how long? about how much you’ve spent on an of these questions, Baruch Hashem, you adopted in order to lessen their The Ramban in his commentary to the item? have a low Gashmius Affinity. If you Gashmius Affinity level. Eishes Yefas Toar in Parashas Ki Seitzei 3] Do you do less than four hours per answered yes to more than five but fewer There is also an alternative treatment. tells us that it takes a month in order to week of chesed (helping out at home is than seven, you have a medium affinity to The Alter of Slabodka (Rabbi Nosson make a change more or less permanent. also chesed)? gashmius. If you answered yes to seven or Tzvi Finkel) advised that other people This is why the Eishes Yefas Toar mourns 4] Do you spend more time shopping more you need Gashmius Therapy. might benefit more from a baby steps her previous ways for 30 days. than with your family? Gashmius Therapy? What would that approach to improving the trait. That is Deprogram-ming takes a month. Noting 5] Do you talk more about things than type of therapy be, exactly? We can divide to take small, bite-size steps to alleviate that changing a character takes a while, ideas? it into three different parts: Treating the the flaw or deficit. According to the we must not give up after a week or two, 6] Do you spend more than 20 min- trait itself; reassessing and refocusing; Alter’s method, one does not step over but keep at it for at least a month. utes per week looking at catalogues? and simplifying our lives. the line of what would be an extreme 7] Do you drink more soda than [We must also realize, by the way, opposite. Reassessing And Refocusing water? that according to the Alter of Slabodka The question as to which approach to Another tool that we can use is to reassess what we are, in fact, doing here. What is our purpose in life? What does Hashem want of us? Have we lost our way? There is a fascinating dvar Torah by Rav Leib Chasman z”l in his sefer Or Yahel concerning the posuk “Vayaraik es chanichav.” The Gemara tells us that in the battle that Abraham joined against the kings, he brightened the faces of his people. How did he do this? One of the answers that the Gemara in Nedarim (32a) tells us is that he did this with gold. He provided them with gold prior to their “mission” of rescuing Lot in order to make sure that they not get sidetracked. While they were looking for Lot, they might find some nice items in battle, and get preoccupied in pursuing them. They might forget the main objective, lose focus, and endanger the mission. Rav Leib Chasman pointed quite clearly to the parallel. If Avrohom Avinu’s students could possibly be sidetracked on a temporary mission, how much more so can we become diverted, while here on earth? The Chofetz Chaim also gives a mashal concerning this thought: A small foreign country needed seeds to plant wheat. They pooled together their financial resources and elected a messenger to go buy wheat for their small little country. This messenger would be their “ambassa- dor” especially delegated to procure grain. The messenger spent a fortune on pas- sage, thinking “I now represent the coun- try of ______. And why shouldn’t I travel first class?” On his way off the boat, he took a first-class coach with the same rea- soning. Prior to arriving at the grain mar- ket he visited the tailor to arrange for a suit that would be commensurate with his newly gained stature. He needed enough money of course for the return coach and ticket, and consequently spent very little on the grain. When he returned home, his fellow countrymen castigated him for losing focus. The purpose was to purchase wheat. Nothing more. How could he have lost focus? The Chofetz Chaim explains that we are that messenger. Hashem placed us here on earth for a purpose. The wheat represents mitzvos. We are here to acquire mitzvos, not to 40 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES spend our time, energies, focus, and money on gashmius. To assist us in this endeavor of reassessing and refocusing, R’ Shlomo Wolbe zt’l, in Alei Shur (vol.1, p.160) writes that a person should keep a jour- nal in which he records all of his actions, feelings and thoughts of the day. This will certainly help us in reassessing our real and true purpose in life. If we focus on thoughts of gashmius in this journal, then we can better understand ourselves. Do we want our descendants 100 years hence to read this and judge us based upon these entries? Do these entries really matter in the long run, in Hashem’s grand scheme of things? Does doing the things that we do lead to us exercising our values? This tool can eventually redirect our thinking in the proper way.

Simplifying The ideal of course is to realize that there is great pleasure and satisfaction in living simply. Doing it actually evokes and develops a natural contentment with things that allow us to see a com- plete picture. The Mesilas Yesharim writes that outside actions affect our inner perceptions. Thus taking outward steps toward living simply will help us develop that natural inner contentment. There are a few steps we can take which will help us experience this thought. Here are ten such examples. (It is impor- tant to do them happily.) Davening at the yeshiva minyan instead of the quicker one. Walking instead of driving. Drinking our tea or coffee without sugar. Repairing our shoes instead of buying new ones. Shutting off the cell phone for a while. Throwing out all our catalogues. Not looking at ads for the month. Drinking water instead of other drinks, and enjoying it. Washing the dishes ourselves. Making your own pizza instead of buy- ing. Clean joyfully for Pesach. Living simply also enables us to han- dle the vicissitudes of life in the proper Torah way. There is a mitzvah known as Ivdu es Hashem BeSimcha. It is an important one. Yet, for some people, this mitzvah presents their greatest difficulty. Life will invariably contain disappoint- ments. These disappointments will be in business, friendships, marriage, chil- dren, rabonim or Torah mosdos. The key is to retain our simchas hachaim not only in spite of these disappointments, but through these disappointments. Living simply imbues us with the strength to retain that inner joy which Hashem desires that we have and develop. All midos improvement is difficult. The Tnuas HaMussar cites a saying of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter “Kasheh lisakain midah achas milaavor al kol hashas, that it is more difficult to improve one char- acter trait than to complete the entire six orders of the Talmud.” Gashmius is about the acquisition of things—“rechush”— the almost single-minded devotion to things physical. But the true things, the true belongings of what Hashem desires us to acquire lie in a different realm. Rav Yisroel Salanter often said, HaMiddos hain rechush haodom, midos are the only real belongings of a man.” ❖ 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 41 42 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 43 program by going to the following web er document within the same applica- sites: www.Jewishscouting.org, www.trcb- tion and to another application. sa.org. They also need shuls to sponsor Copying both text and graphics will be scouting units. For more information or addressed; April 3: Learn how to create questions, please call Cubmaster an e-mail using some of the more popu- Michael Horowitz at 516-526-2492, or lar e-mail providers, including several e-mail [email protected]. free Internet e-mail applications such as Celebrations Of Freedom At In contrast to the well known seder, Yahoo, Hotmail, Lycos and more. In this Chabad Of The Five Towns many have not heard of the Meal of JCC Of The Greater Five Towns class you will learn how to get an e-mail Each year, Jews worldwide, for over Mashiach at all. The Baal Shem Tov, Announces Upcoming Events address, send, receive, forward and two millennia, have partaken of the founder of Chabad, established a tra- The JCC of the Greater Five Towns, reply to e-mail. After you have mastered Passover seder. What does this symbolic dition that on the last day of Pesach we located at 207 Grove Avenue in the basics, you will learn how to attach meal mean to you? Though seder means eat a special meal, the Mashiach Cedarhurst, invites the community to files, photos and images to the e-mail “order” in Hebrew, this ordering of sym- Seudah, complete with matzah, wine its upcoming events. Unless specified you send, and download attachments bols to remember Jewish slavery in and chassidic songs. Rabbi Heshy otherwise, registration is necessary for sent to you. Also addressed will be virus- Egypt actually represents a celebration Epstein, director of Chabad of S. these events. Register by calling Susan es, hoaxes and ways to minimize junk of freedom for all-time. Try to imagine Carolina, will lead the seudah at at 516-569-6733 ext. 222. mail. The fee is $20 per session. No reg- Holocaust seders, Iraqi Jewish seders and Chabad of the Five Towns. Learn the fine art of cake decorating istration required. the seder of victims of terror in Israel. For more information and reserva- with Gitti Allman of Pastries and Petit Rosh Chodesh Lunch and Learn Through the ages, Jews commemorate tions, call 516-295-2478 or visit them Fours. This time, Gitti will focus on (Sponsored by the JCC of the Greater this low point in history and celebrate online at www.chabad5towns.com. springtime cake and cookie creations Five Towns and Congregation Beth the miraculous turnaround. They iden- Please RSVP by April 5. on May 2. Demonstrations include an Sholom of Lawrence) will take place at tify with it as they think of other strug- elaborate centerpiece cake and learn- Congregation Beth Sholom, 390 gles in Jewish history and hope for the Cub Scout Pack 652 ing how to make a mini daisy tea cake Broadway in Lawrence. Enjoy a deli- miraculous turnaround now as well. The first Jewish Cub Scout Pack in and stunning pinwheel cookies. The cious dairy luncheon (beginning at However, for all too many, the seder Nassau County is looking for boys in lessons will take place at 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.), followed by an inspiring has become a caricature of itself. If grades 1-5 to join Cub Scout Pack 652. and 7:30 p.m. The fee is $36 and thought-provoking lecture (from your seder means getting giggly on They welcome all boys from Hebrew Yoga will continue on Tuesdays at 9:45 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.). The fee is $2 at Manishewitz and ever-rising stakes for Schools and Yeshivas. Enjoy the follow- a.m. at Temple Israel in Lawrence. the door. Upcoming dates are March afikoman finds, or if you have no seder ing activities: arts and crafts, parties, Relax...and enjoy the magnificent art of 29, April 26, and May 24. to go to, join Chabad of the Five Towns trips, earning lots of scout badges and yoga. Andrew Kahn, Yoga and Holistic The Book Club at the JCC of the for a meaningful seder with traditional earning the Jewish awards, going camp- Health Instructor, will teach how to let Greater Five Towns will discuss The song, stories and lively chassidic dis- ing and hiking, making lots of friends go of stress and get in shape at the same Last of Her Kind by Sigrid Nunez on cussions. The main event takes place and having lots of fun, following the time. The fee is $15 per class. Thursday, April 6 from 10:00 a.m. to this year on Wednesday, April 12, at Jewish scouting program. They have Learn computers for grown-ups from 11:30 a.m. The next session will take 8:00 p.m. at the Chabad Center, 74 dens from all over Nassau County. The 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Upcoming place on Thursday, May 11, book to be Maple Avenue, Cedarhurst and costs next pack night is Monday March 27. classes include March 27: Learn multi- announced. $36 per adult and $25 per child (under They will have a Lag Ba’Omer Bonfire tasking, working with graphics and Finally, learn Israeli Folk Dancing at 10 years old). Sponsorship opportuni- and Family Picnic on May 16, and using Windows drawing and pointing the JCC of the Greater Five Towns with ties are also available for a donation of Jewish Awards Breakfast on June 18. tools, and using copy and paste and cut $180 which includes two reservations. Learn more about the Jewish Scouting and paste within a document, to anoth- Continued on Page 46

44 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 45 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 44 Danny Uziel. The level is intermedi- ate/advanced. Classes take place every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The fee is $10 at the door. If you are interested in a Beginners Israeli Folk Dancing Class, please contact Susan at the JCC, 569-6733 ext. 222

Leon Mayer Fund Pesach Food Distribution Project For weeks in advance the bachurim of the 11th grade at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov prepare themselves for the tremendous job of packing and deliver- ing large quantities of food to needy families for Pesach. They prepare them- selves mentally for the grueling 10-12 hour day. They prepare spiritually by saying the special tefillos of Yom Kippur father Leon Mayer, z’l. meat or chicken after Pesach. There was once a widow with six Katan on the day prior to Rosh The program is set up so that various The deliveries are designed to children; three children were married Chodesh Nissan. It seems that many needs are met. Families who can pay include some food items which can and three younger ones were single. years ago, participants experienced var- cost or reduced subsidized rates do so. last for months so that they won’t go Although many people invited her for ious unusual accidents during the day Others pay pennies on the dollar and from feast to famine. How enjoyable Yom Tov after her husband’s passing, of deliveries. A 50 pound box of pota- others who cannot, receive their order can Pesach be if you know that in one she very much wanted her children toes landed on someone’s foot and cost-free. Privacy and dignity are the week the freezer will be empty? How together for the first night of Pesach. broke it, a delivery van was in an acci- bywords of the program. Recipients are much freedom can one feel if a few She wanted to have the sedorim in her dent, and a bochur fell down a flight of coded by number to protect their iden- short days later, she will once again be own home, but, she had no resources. stairs carrying a case of chicken. The tity and deliveries are made in rented enslaved to hunger? The Yom Tov is so The bachurim delivered all she need- Steipler Gaon z”l was consulted and he unmarked vans. How would a family much more enjoyable when people ed to feed everyone for all of Pesach. promised that all volunteers who recite feel if a van marked “Chesed Laniyim” know that the “weeks of plenty” are The tears of joy soaked her face. Yom the tefillos of Yom Kippur Katan will not or “charity for paupers” pulled up in upon them. Meat, chicken, fish, pota- Tov would now be a time of healing suffer any harm. Thank G-d, there have their driveway? The families draw up an toes, onions, grapefruit, oranges, for the family. subsequently been many years of acci- order well in advance of Pesach to allow apples, lemons, shmura matzos, potato A rebbe took ill. He needed treat- dent-free deliveries. With all the prepa- the organizers to estimate the base ton- starch, oil, grape juice, wine, candles, ments for over a year. His yeshiva ration and organization, they are pre- nage of food needed. Then the fund eggs, cookies, hard cheese, apple juice, found a substitute to finish out the pared for the varied stories which take adds to that. After all, if one does not orange juice, and much more. year and felt that they could not pay a place each year. The fund was estab- have money for meat for Pesach, he Sometimes there are even special can- lished by Shlomo Mayer in honor of his probably does not have too much for dies for young children. Continued on Page 48

46 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS neighborhood. The bachurim were passed away and his father-in-law was check should be delivered to him! confused. At first they became a bit very ill, he had to make Pesach with When her check was given to him, he Continued from Page 46 annoyed. “Why can’t they just sell a his family. But he couldn’t afford it. took out an envelope with cash and rebbe who was not working in the few faucets? Let them sell their house Enter the organization. They provided counted out $339. He then copied the classroom. Someone came to the and scale down….Why is this him with a delivery so he could enjoy account number of her check and dis- organization and asked for assistance tzedekah?” After much prodding, one Yom Tov. A few years later he was able patched someone to the bank to for that family. The bachurim delivered of the organizers spoke with the boys to pay cost. Today he is a supporter deposit cash into her account so that two pallets of food. The rebbe was sit- and said that although he cannot because he wants others to enjoy a there would be money to cover the ting at his dining table burying his pain reveal the specifics of the situation, Pesach the way he once did. check. The entire operation is true and maybe a bit of shame in his they should know that in the world of A woman in her sixties received a chesed with chesed, and most of the seforim. After the bachurim made business, if a prosperous businessman “shopping list.” Chicken was 39 cents recipients are made to feel good about numerous trips, he offered them drinks starts to sell his properties, or seek out a pound, meat 79 cents a pound, grape receiving. and asked if he could at least “tip personal bank loans, or sell much juice as little as $3.50 a case and so The bachurim involved in packing them” offering a beautiful d’var Torah. stock, the “word” can leak out and on. She placed a $1,500 plus order. and delivery are amazing. They are a The bachurim once complained many creditors or suppliers will start to The bachurim delivered. An hour later diverse entity dressed in jeans and T about the enormous quantities being call in losses or payment. In a very she called to complain that two shirts, or in a yeshiva-style or possibly delivered to a home. They felt that it short time, a person who is cash poor, pounds of carrots were missing. The in a bekeshe with payos flying. would not be possible to finish the food even if he is property-rich, can be driv- rebbe was ecstatic! If she thought she Sephardim and ashkenazim work with even if you ate non-stop for a year! The en into bankruptcy—basic economics. was a “chesed” case she would never each other to make it happen. Older rebbe patiently explained that this was We subsequently found out that that call to complain! and younger joyfully carry huge loads a drop off house for numerous families family made a significant contribution Another woman placed an order. of food as they work in an atmosphere who were too embarrassed to receive to the organization just one year later! One of the organizers called to make of organized chaos. They simply are deliveries directly to their homes. Some families who many years ago sure she would be home to accept uplifted by the fact that they are giving On yet another occasion they were received free food now pay cost, or delivery. The actual value of the food and providing. They are not delivering taught another lesson in looking favor- actually help support the effort. They being delivered was probably in the boxes, they are delivering Simchas Yom ably at all situations. An order totaling shared the feeling of receiving the vicinity of $1,500. She was paying Tov. They come away exhausted and over $1,000 worth of food was deliv- packages. One was learning kollel. $339! The rebbe firmly told her that exhilarated, weary and fulfilled. Many ered to a mansion in a very exclusive During the year in which his father she must pay by check and that the have said that their involvement has given greater appreciation for what they have, and they find themselves living with a greater degree of content- ment. And many of the donors are pleased just to know that they are helping. Some physically join in the actual packing and delivery—total chesed, total benefit. According To Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, project coor- dinator, “There are no administrative costs associated with this chesed. All donations go directly to those in need.” You can participate in this endeavor by sending your tax-deductible donation to The Leon Mayer Fund, 112 Spruce Street, Cedarhurst, New York 11516.

Poem About The Project Written By One Of The Students A wonderfully rewarding mitzvah has come my way One whose importance remains with me day after day I learned about the mitzvah of giving without getting to Yiddishe families in need who will not soon be forgetting How rewarding it was for us, the bochurim in question Who witnessed dire straits and deep needs too sad to mention. The Pesach Packing Project was just what was required to help me to realize that one can never be too tired to help those children: families who are found in such a situation of need Yet find the strength and courage to accept our help graciously indeed. It is only with Hashem’s help to give us chizuk in body and souls That we do not find ourselves in a reversal of roles.

Videoconferencing Center Comes To Cedarhurst GoShip.us and Quantalytics, Inc. are pleased to announce, effective immedi- ately, the opening of Cedarhurst’s first, and only, videoconferencing center at goShip.us’s office at 86 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY. Using Polycom equipment, customers can now video- conference using a 37” TV with other users worldwide. Videoconferencing takes place over the Internet using the internationally accepted H.323 stan- 48 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES dard. In addition to videocon- ferencing, users can collaborate in real-time by sharing a PC desktop, as well as obtain a DVD recording of the video conference for later playback. Videoconferencing with Polycom equipment is not like using a web camera and a PC. Instead, videoconferencing uses televisions and the Internet, to give a much more immediate and personal virtual presence. According to Jacob Lambden of goShip.us, “Video conferencing is very, very close to being there in person, at a fraction of the cost.” In addition to the immediate presence videoconferencing provides, the technology also enables the sharing of a PC’s desktop and applications so as to be able to do real-time col- laboration. One can work on the same document, spread- sheet, presentation, etc. with someone half a world away at the same time. This is a power- ful way to increase personal productivity. Finalizing a docu- ment, a spreadsheet, or any other project through a real time, videoconference collabo- ration saves hours of e-mailing back and forth. Another classic use of video- conferencing is interviewing. This can include job inter- views, and for attorneys, depo- sitions and hearings. Being able to see, as well as hear someone adds much more to communication. Body lan- guage and facial expressions can “speak” volumes that are only caught in a video confer- ence or in person, but not in a phone call. By using Polycom equipment, videoconferencing at goShip.us will give cus- tomers a complete communi- cations experience when com- pared to using a telephone, or, as Arthur Carp of Quantalytics puts it, “A telephone call is a blind person’s video call.” Videoconferencing is avail- able by appointment. The videoconferencing center is available to accommodate conferences spanning differ- ent time zones—including evening hours. For scheduling and rates, please contact either Arthur Carp of Quantalytics at 516-295- 3230 or Jacob Lambden at 516-467-2291.

Passover In Boca Raton The traditional Passover seder has always been the high- light event of the Jewish calen- dar year. More than gourmet meals and time-honored songs, the annual seder signifies a magnificent and meaningful family experience. For the Katz-Schick Families, with their impres- sive record of warm and genial

Continued on Page 50 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS A diversified teen and day camp pro- gram, supervised by experienced coun- Continued from Page 49 selors, will offer youngsters a fun Yom- hospitality, the focus of the entire Tov experience while allowing parents Passover holiday still remains on the to relax and enjoy the amenities of the “Family Experience.” Beyond the com- hotel. With trips and attractions, crafts fort of newly renovated rooms, the fla- and entertainment featuring Uncle vor of catered meals, or the rich cul- Moishy, the day camp will fulfill every tural programs and performances, the child’s needs and interests, and pro- Katz and Schick families are the quin- vide a memorable vacation for the tessential hosts of elegant family-ori- entire family. ented Passover programs in Florida. Meeting the highest expectations of With care for every guest and atten- their guests, Michael Schick is actively tion to every detail, the Katz & Schick planning creative menus of glatt kosher program hosts will again welcome their banquet meals under strict rabbinic loyal guests, this year at their newest supervision. For the discriminating facility, the Hilton Hotel in sunny palate, gourmet chefs will prepare lav- Deerfield Beach/Boca Raton. Together ish breakfast and lunch buffets, as well with a veteran hand-picked staff, they as succulent dinners including a wide will create a joyful and sociable Yom- assortment of appetizing and healthful Tov atmosphere filled with friendship delicacies. All meals will be exquisitely and camaraderie. designed to please all five senses and Nestled between Palm Beach County will be served by courteous and experi- and Broward County and within two enced waiters. Viennese dessert recep- miles of the beautiful East Coast tions will include scrumptious cakes, Beaches, the Hilton Deerfield chocolates, candies, fruits and nuts, Beach/Boca Raton hotel proudly stands hot and cold drinks, and an array of as a prestigious building in Boca Raton, delicious “goodies.” Florida. The Hilton hotel offers a quiet To enhance the holiday spirit, guests retreat, in close proximity to charming will have a choice of religious services, residential neighborhoods, and remark- shiurim, and stimulating lectures by able cultural diversity. scholar-in-residence Rabbi Benzion Offering world-class Hilton service, Bamberger. Nightly Chol HaMoeid the hotel features a large outdoor pool, entertainment will feature musical state-of-the-art fitness center with cardio- Superstars Dov Levin, Yehuda, and vascular equipment, a neighboring golf Yisrael Williger. Additional programs will course and pampering spa, tennis courts include a kumzitz with spirited singing, and jogging trails. Located minutes away optional trips, and a game room. from a water park at beautiful Deerfield Moreover, private, semi-private and Beach, guests will enjoy snorkeling, boat- communal seders will meet the prefer- ing, waterskiing and much more. ence of each guest, and special dietary

50 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES requests will enhance the culinary The seven founding members of the requirements of everyone. Best of all, society, who also serve as the Executive the entire holiday package is afford- Board and initial set of Officers, have able, without compromise of quality, worked diligently over the past one and sophistication, or charm. one-half years to create the organiza- The guestrooms and suites in the tion and promote its value among the Hilton vary slightly in size and view. All target audience. The society’s first rooms feature new furniture including membership meeting was held on comfortable beds, desk, two phone March 6 and the official roster is lines with data port connection, daily already nearing 40 individuals. newspaper, iron and board, hairdryer Robert Shelly, Co-President, is a 20- and in-room safe. Complimentary year veteran of the fire service in shuttle service is available all day to Nassau County including 12 plus parks, beaches, shopping etc. years in the Lakeview Fire Department All in all, the Katz & Schick where he is still an active member. Mr. Families Passover program at the Shelly currently serves as Lakeview Hilton Hotel Deerfield Beach/Boca Fire Department’s Vice President and Raton is the choice location for cele- is a former Commissioner of the brating a festive Passover 2006 in Lakeview Fire District. style, elegance and affordability. Shoshana Weiner, Co-President, is an active member of the Lawrence- New LI Organization For Jewish Cedarhurst Fire Department where Firefighters And EMS Personnel she has served for almost six years. The Ner Tamid Society of Long Ms. Weiner, a firefighter and para- Island, Inc., a new fraternal organiza- medic, was recently named tion, held a kick-off event for potential “Firefighter of the Year” by the members on February 12. The society Lawrence-Cedarhurst Department. is designed to enhance the common “With the growth of Jewish mem- bonds and shared heritage of Jewish bership in the Fire Service and Firefighters and Emergency Medical Emergency Medical Service on Long Service personnel serving in the Island, we feel the time is right to approximately 200 Fire Departments launch an organization that will foster and Volunteer Ambulance Corps in camaraderie among the Jewish mem- Nassau and Suffolk County, New York. bers of these entities,” said Co- The society’s primary objectives are President Robert Shelly. to promote the fraternal and religious Co-President Shoshana Weiner spirit of its members; to promote social added, “Anecdotally, we believe that interaction and strengthen friend- there could be as many as 250 or more ships; and promote each other’s wel- Jewish members of the various fire fare as well as to cooperate in the gen- eral welfare of the community. Continued on Page 52

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS • Adina Leon, Secretary, is a four-year women located outside of Israel, Factor member of the West Hempstead Fire will also run a three week intensive Continued from Page 51 Department. Ms. Leon is both a summer program in Israel for girls departments and volunteer ambulance Firefighter and Emergency Medical between the ages of 16-18 this August. corps on Long Island, and that is Technician-Critical Care (EMT-CC). Ms. “I am looking for a girl who has a love enough of a critical mass to make a Leon also recently served as Secretary of for the arts, connects to it, and in some fraternal organization such as Ner West Hempstead’s Victory, Chemical and way needs it,” explains Factor. “The Tamid Society of Long Island viable.” Hose Co. No. 1. summer program will be morning to Other founding members of the Ner The Ner Tamid Society of Long night classes to develop not only the Tamid Society of Long Island, Inc. are: Island, Inc. can be contacted via skills of the performance, but also of the • Michael Koppel, Vice President, is a e-mail at: [email protected] or by artist herself. The healing power of the 14-year member of the Lakeview Fire writing to Ner Tamid Society of Long theater is all based on self expression.” Department and currently serves as its Island, Inc., P.O. Box 355, Woodmere, The girls participating in the pro- Junior Captain. Previously, Mr. Koppel NY 11598. gram will write and perform personal served as Senior and Junior Lieutenant as monologues based on the model of well as EMS Director for the Lakeview The Factor Factor Factor’s one woman show. This model Fire Department. Mr. Koppel is both a By Miriam Cohen of performing is borrowed from an Firefighter and Emergency Medical When Rachel Factor converted to exercise Factor used to do with her Technician. Orthodox Judaism, she assumed that peer theater group in New York back in Rachel Factor • Jeffrey Moskovic, Vice President of the talents which enabled her former her Broadway days. Legal Affairs, is a firefighter with the career as a Broadway actress and dancer Feeling limited in the confines of out that summer programs for the arts Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department would have to be put to rest along with the roles they had to play on stage, already exist in the Jewish community. since 2003. Besides his firematic role, Dr. all those scooping necklines. Factor and some of her fellow perform- For the girls who participated in a per- Moskovic is both a dentist and attorney. Once Factor began performing her ers got together to dramatize their own formance following Factor’s model that His legal skills were instrumental in suc- one woman show JAP to an Orthodox personal struggles and experiences. functioned as a preview for the summer cessfully incorporating Ner Tamid Society female audience, the positive feedback “We successfully created a perform- program, it is nothing less than a long of Long Island. she received was overwhelming. ance that was very truthful and power- awaited, direly needed, lifeline. “It is • Mitchell Froehlich, Treasurer, is a Inundated with e-mails, phone calls, ful. It was a great catalyst for ourselves hard for Orthodox girls with talent in four-year member of the Woodmere Fire and letters, Factor understood that, personally. The group was able to con- the creative and performing arts to find Department where he is a certified pump while the scooping necklines would nect with each other and build bridges opportunities that are equal to those in operator. Mr. Froehlich is also a partner have to stay put, her talent could not in that way,” reflects Factor. “It was the secular world, and not feel that they and chef in K&T Caterers at the Hewlett remain in obscurity. more powerful than traditional theater, are missing out on something because East Rockaway Jewish Centre. Factor’s realization translated into even more powerful than the theater of their religion,” says Ariel Pollack, a • Jay Goldmark, Financial Secretary, is the creation of the Center for Theater we were working in.” participant in the performance. an Emergency Medical Technician with Arts in Jerusalem, officially called This kind of artistic intimacy is pre- Dalia Caplan describes the experi- the Woodmere Fire Department since Hamachol shel B’nos Miriam [The cisely what Factor hopes to recreate in ence of performing as “extremely liber- January 1993 and currently serves as Dance of the Daughters of Miriam]. the summer program. ating. It was a great way to combine Lieutenant of Rescue Company. The center offers classes in dance, The importance of a program of this singing, dancing and acting as well as Previously, he has held Department drama, voice, and writing for girls and nature and the demand for such a pro- giving a voice to the frustrations that Secretary and Captain positions in the women in Jerusalem. gram may be scrutinized, and deemed Woodmere Fire Department. To meet the needs of the many frivolous by some. Others have pointed Continued on Page 54

52 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS lecturer, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, is Yeshiva Har Torah Judaic and general studies. in full support of the program and offers 17th Anniversary Dinner Esther, who is studying to become a Continued from Page 52 advice and answers for the questions Israela and Stephen Perlitsh of drug addiction counselor, has served we all experienced by being stifled in that crop up along the way. Woodmere will be the Guests of Honor on many committees and has served as this area, [of performing arts] despite The balance between a high level of and Esther Geffner of Holliswood will YHT’s PTA treasurer for seven years. our love for Judaism.” training and strong religious ideals will receive the Aishet Chayil Award at She remembers being impressed with One of Factor’s main aims for the be struck, in part, by the training and Yeshiva Har Torah’s 17th annual din- the intense level of parental involve- program is to provide a space and experience Factor requires of all the ner to be held on April 2 at 6:30 p.m. ment in the school when she and her venue for religiously observant women teachers on staff. Factor herself, as the at Temple Hillel in North Woodmere. husband Neal enrolled their son Josh who feel their talents can never be artistic director, has over two decades of This past fall, Yeshiva Har Torah (YHT) in the fall of 1994. Since then, their realized within the structure of main- experience to her credit. Factor’s staff opened its new state of the art building son Josh and the Perlitsh’s daughter stream Orthodoxy—a value they are will be composed of women who, despite located in Little Neck, New York. “It Melanie and son, Zachary have gradu- unwilling to compromise on. professional experience and successes, now has a beautiful building to match ated from YHT. Both couples have In response to any individuals who have chosen to embrace an Orthodox the beautiful sound of Torah and sons in eighth grade, Kevin Perlitsh might feel hesitant about a program sole- lifestyle. “Not only do I have substantial tefillah that emanates from the class- and Aaron Geffner, who will graduate ly devoted to the arts, Factor admits, “I training in professional theater, I have rooms and beis midrash,” says Stephen from YHT this June. realize that up until recently art has been many women who work with me and Perlitsh, whose three children have all Both Kevin and Aaron are on YHT’s more of something that is valued in the who share that background and a love of attended Har Torah and who serves on hockey team and along with the rest of secular world. I understand how someone Torah Judaism,” says Factor, of her the school’s Board of Directors. “We the eighth grade, were chosen to be part from a religious background could be teaching staff. She adds that, aside from feel that the true guest of honor this of a national contest sponsored by nervous. But the whole goal is to use art the obvious professional benefits of her year is the school itself, especially, this Smith Barney. YHT was one of 50 for Torah, not to take away from Torah.” staff, they may also serve as inspiration being our first year in the new build- schools around the country chosen to Factor acknowledges the either/or for the girls participating in the sum- ing,” adds Israela, who has been participate. The classes picked stocks to rule of thumb when it comes to mer program and in the center. involved in the school in many capaci- track over the next 12 weeks and the Orthodoxy and the arts. Programs “Secular lifestyles can often seem ties that require an eye for detail and a students with the winning portfolio will which boast professionalism are often glamorous, even tempting to someone demand for organization. She is also be awarded with one share of Citigroup lax in the spiritual and halachic arenas. raised in a more sheltered environ- the Administrator at Stephen M. stock. In addition, both boys are also On the flip side, many staunchly reli- ment. We are living proof to hopefully Perlitsh, P.C., a law practice specializ- involved in numerous chesed projects. gious-minded venues are lacking in inspire girls to know that the life they ing in immigration law that Stephen “Besides a reputation for academic terms of quality training. are living and the life they have been founded. excellence, Yeshiva Har Torah (YHT) “I hope to fill the void between the given is a privilege and a much higher Twelve years ago, when Stephen and is known for nurturing its students two. There is a big space between level than the lives we have left Israela, Forest Hills residents at the into caring and dynamic young lead- them. I hope to create something on a behind,” says Factor. time, were looking for an elementary ers who are involved in their commu- high level of theater and on a high level When asked if she ever dreamed she school for their daughter, Melanie, they nities,” says Rabbi Menchel, Yeshiva of religion as well. The key to my focus would be opening an Orthodox summer chose Yeshiva Har Torah. They had Har Torah’s Principal. The whole will be truth. That will bridge the gap,” program for the arts, Factor laughs. “I heard about its unique approach to edu- school is involved in different chesed says Factor. never dreamed my life would have taken cation that sought to combine an opti- projects. For example, the whole Factor stresses that everything me on these journeys. I also never mal learning environment for each child school participated in ‘”Free throws expressed and dramatized for theatrical dreamed I could have this type of unity while instilling middos, chesed, Torah for Tzohar.” Tzohar is an organization use will be filtered through the lens of and fulfillment.” For more information values, and a love for Medinat Yisrael Torah and halachah. Noted scholar and please visit www.rachelfactor.com. with a superior academic program in Continued on Page 56

54 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS hosted the members of neering group of concerned To Israel On A Mission cases, students spending their Continued from Page 54 OHEL, conducted a phone parents and community lead- By Michele Wienmann year in Israel have a highly fundraising drive for Gush ers along with Rabbi Meir While people travel to and positive growth experience in in Israel that assists mentally Katif and are involved in an Bilitzky founded Yeshiva Har from Israel all the time, partic- Torah education and maturity. and physically handicapped ongoing program to visit the Torah. It began with one ularly during Presidents’ Week, The need for better communi- children. “I really admire how elderly at Parker Geriatric grade and just 18 students. few visitors to Israel accom- cation stems from the Yeshiva Har Torah gets our Center. Today, enrollment stands at plish as much as a small contin- increased number of youths children involved in helping “When Councilman David close to 400 students in gent of educators, mental who are being drawn to harm- others,” says Esther Geffner, Weprin needed students to grades nursery through health professionals, and par- ful activities—both spiritual who will participate, along help him deliver food to the eighth. Over the years, YHT ents achieved this past and physical—while attending with her husband and several elderly, he asked our stu- has emerged as a premier ele- February. With one short visit, yeshiva or seminary. other YHT parents, in a 300 dents to help out,” says Alan mentary school, with a repu- this group touched off a These problems involve mile bike ride from Jerusalem Steinberg, YHT’s Director of tation for attracting a superb renewed determination to pro- excessive drinking, drug use to Eilat to raise money for Development, who currently staff of teachers. The student tect the potential of every and other behaviors that are Alyn Pediatric Hospital and has four children attending body comes from all parts of Jewish child, both at home and clearly no less a problem in Rehabilitation Center in YHT and whose daughter Queens, Great Neck, Wood- while overseas. Israeli yeshivas as they are in Israel this coming November. Tara will graduate with Kevin mere, and West Hempstead. Priority-1’s ‘Partnership for America. In many instances, Kevin and Aaron, along with and Aaron in June. Council- “To appreciate the true fla- our Future’ mission to Israel the problems in Israel are the rest of Yeshiva Har man Weprin has been instru- vor of the school, come visit was organized for the purpose worse. According to Rabbi Torah’s eighth graders pre- mental in helping us acquire us,” says Israela. Yeshiva Har of widening avenues of com- Shaya Cohen, Dean of Yeshiva pared mishloach manot for our new state of the art Torah is located at 250-10 munication between yeshiva Zichron Aryeh and founder of the poor. They also recently building in Little Neck. Grand Central Parkway in educators in the United Priority-1, who led the mission organized a carnival and Seventeen years ago a pio- Little Neck, New York. States and in Israel. In most to Israel, despite the over- whelming success of the Israel experience, many youths who are cautious about their behav- ior while home, due to the watchful eyes of their parents, neighbors, and friends, go overboard experiencing inde- pendence for the first time. “Kids who have led shel- tered lives while at home,” says Rabbi Cohen, “find them- selves for the first time in a mature, unsupervised situa- tion. Israel is a very free coun- try where the legal drinking age is 18 and many things are easily accessible.” Rabbi Cohen describes outcomes that range from a wasted year to substance addiction to hos- pitalization, incarceration, and even drug-related fatalities. “While the more extreme out- comes are, Baruch Hashem, still isolated, the fact that there is any growth in their frequency is a cause for seri- ous concern,” he says. Despite the challenges, Rabbi Cohen returned confident and with a deep sense of satisfaction that “the wheels of progress are beginning to turn.” Foremost, a very successful Chinuch Forum, which took place at the Renaissance Hotel in Jerusalem on February 24, brought Roshei Yeshiva, Menahalim, and educa- tors from some of the finest and largest Israeli yeshivas and sem- inaries catering to American stu- dents together to candidly dis- cuss a number of constructive methods to help make every stu- dent’s year in Israel more pro- ductive and safe. Accompanying Rabbi Cohen and the parents on the Mission to Israel was Dr. David Pelcovitz, a well known child psychologist, author, and expert on at-risk youth, and Barry Wilansky, a renowned substance abuse counselor and founder of the Tempo Group substance abuse clinic. Both of these esteemed professionals spent a great deal of time with the representatives of the Israeli yeshivas and mental health professionals discussing 56 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the dangers some youths face in a per- Especially poignant was a visit to Kikar missive environment, along with solu- Zion (students call this drug-infested tions to protect students without hangout “Crack Square,” rachmana severely curtailing their first experi- litzlan!) as well as other areas where ences with independence. American students can easily access The suggestions were diverse, but alcohol and other stimulants. all encompassed ways to maintain “Dialogue, understanding, commu- close ties between the yeshivas in the nication, and the resolve to improve United States and those in Israel. For the lives and experiences of our chil- instance, one suggestion included dren,” Rabbi Cohen exclaims. “This is establishing an active forum for educa- what we intend to achieve by working tors in Israel and America to share together. By sending a message to par- ideas from both countries. Essentially, ents that we’re taking the initiative to through the forum, along with a corre- keep their children safe, we can insure sponding joint association for Israeli- that the life-changing experience of U.S. yeshiva educators, participants spending time learning in Eretz Yisroel can readily exchange articles, sugges- maintains its kedushah and impact for tions, concerns and current informa- the next generation.” tion between all schools and organiza- tions involved with American students Chabad’s Events Calendar For April in Israel. Another idea was to set the Chabad of the Five Towns invites stage for ongoing teacher-training pro- everyone to join in on some exciting and grams to provide teachers in all areas illuminating events this April. Unless with specialized training to address the specified otherwise, events will take psychological and emotional issues our place at the Chabad Center, 74 Maple children face. Avenue in Cedarhurst. For more infor- Additionally, the participants agreed mation, call 516-295-2478 or visit them to begin organizing a major conference online at www.chabad5towns.com. of Israeli and American educators and On April 3 at 8:15 p.m., Mrs. Chaya mental health professionals to take Franklin will hold her monthly evening place early next year in Israel and to cre- class discussing the spiritual powers ate a detailed survey about every yeshiva and kabbalistic meaning unique to the in Israel in order to help parents make month. On April 9, at 9:00 a.m., more informed decisions about which Chabad will organize a community trip school is best suited for their child. to the Ohel for men, women and chil- Parents and American educators par- dren. Meet at Chabad for the opportu- ticipating in the mission also were given nity to pray at the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s the opportunity to visit certain “hot resting place in Queens. Back at the spots” frequented by certain American Chabad Center later that evening, at students to see for themselves the lures students face when arriving in Israel. Continued on Page 58

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS ing campaign in local Jewish weekly newspapers. Saran Wrap and take to work Continued from Page 57 In addition, dozens of Tnuva USA instead of a sandwich. 8:15 p.m., they will host a farbrengen brand name products will be on dis- Comment: This is a low carbohy- for men in honor of the birthday of the play featuring “Kosher For Passover” drate/low sugar food. Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt’l. labeling at metro area grocery stores On April 12 at 8:00 p.m., they will and supermarkets. Dairy products car- hold their annual communal seder. rying the “Kosher For Passover” sym- Low-Carb, Low-Sugar Stuffed Peppers With Eggplant Join Chabad for an unforgettable bol include: the entire Emek Cheese Lettuce Wrap And Cheese Passover Seder Experience. Advance (Yellow & Mediterranean) Collection, reservations required. On April 20, at Tnuva White Cheese, Tnuva Butter Ingredients: Ingredients: 6:15 p.m., they will host their annual and Karlo. 3 wide lettuce leaves 1 eggplant Mashiach Meal—the “Mashiach Meat products that will feature the 2 Tbs. TNUVA Low Fat Creamy 6 green peppers Seudah,” a customary Chassidic meal. “Kosher For Passover” label include Soft Cheese (3% or 5% Milk-Fat) 3.5 oz. TNUVA Light Bulgarian Feta April 22 is Birthday Shabbat. the entire Tirat Tzvi line of packaged 3-5 strips of pepper Type Cheese, grated Beginning at 11:45 a.m., children delicatessen. (different colors) 2 eggs 1/2 carrot cut into thin slices share their Jewish birthday with Tnuva places an extra-special 2 Tbsp. chopped chives Handful of sprouts or roquette leaves 1 Tbsp. olive oil Chabad friends born during the month emphasis on kashrus supervision dur- 1.75 oz TNUVA Light Bulgarian Feta of Iyar. ing the Passover holiday season. Type Cheese A drop of fresh lemon juice On April 27 at 8:15 p.m. at the home Several weeks ago, members of the 2 slices (1.75 oz) EMEK Light Pinch of white pepper of Mrs. Chanie Ivry, 1103 Fulton Vaad Mehadrin, Tnuva’s special kosher Cheese Street in Woodmere, Chabad will hold certification committee, which con- 1 Tbsp. mustard or 1 tsp. pesto Steps: its monthly Rosh Chodesh Farbrengen sists of respected rabbinical luminaries 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. gathering for women. from every major Ultra-Orthodox (i.e. Steps: 2. Cut off the tops of the peppers On April 30 at 8:15 p.m. they will Haredi) faction in Israel, personally 1. Lay out the lettuce leaves on a and remove the seeds. Bake the hold a farbrengen for men in honor of visited the company’s various facilities paper towel. the birthday of the Rebbe Maharash, throughout Israel, where they wit- eggplant in the oven or on the 2. Spread TNUVA Creamy Soft the fourth Chabad Rebbe. nessed the cleaning preparations for stove top until the peel is slight- Cheese on the lettuce leaves the Passover production lines. Only ly burnt and the inside is soft. Special Passover Campaign Slated after the members of Tnuva’s Vaad leaving a little space on the Peel and mash. For A Variety Of Tnuva USA Mehadrin were satisfied with the sides of the lettuce. Scatter the Products cleansing process, could the compa- peppers, sprouts/roquette leaves 3. Put the mashed eggplant in a As part of its Passover 2006 cam- ny’s various production lines begin and put TNUVA Light Feta bowl and add all remaining paign, Tnuva USA will offer several their Passover manufacturing phase. Cheese and EMEK Light ingredients. Fill the peppers special promotional deals on a select Cheese on top. Spread on mus- with this mixture. Place on bak- Gush Katif Benefit group of popular brand name prod- tard or pesto. ing sheet and bake for about a ucts including Emek (Low-Fat) A reception for the benefit of the half hour. Cheeses, as well as Karlo, the king of families of Gush Katif will take place in 3. Wrap up so that the paper children’s chocolate mousse pudding Lawrence on Tuesday, April 4, at 8:00 towel holds the wrap together. Serving Suggestion: Serve on bed desserts. The promotional deals will p.m. at 7 Sutton Place, hosted by the Serving Suggestion: Wrap in of small lettuce leaves. be highlighted in a colorful advertis- Renov-Rosenwald-Stahler families. ❖

58 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Simply Homemade BAKING

BY FAY KIRSCH

With Pesach fast approaching it’s time to use up our flour supply. Cake can be healthy and taste great if you use the right ingredients. Pumpkin is highly nutritious as are the whole-wheat flour, walnuts and Steps: raisins in this recipe. I recommend Preheat oven to 350°. slicing and freezing individual por- Grease 8x8 inch pan. tions, which can be used as a quick breakfast or snack. Combine all dry ingredients (except nuts, raisins and chips). Pumpkin Cake Add oil, eggs and pumpkin to dry ingredients. Ingredients: Set electric mixer to low and mix until 1 cup whole-wheat flour all ingredients are incorporated. 1 cup flour Increase speed on mixer and beat 1 1/2 cup sugar until batter becomes smooth. 2 tsp. baking powder Add nuts, raisins and chips by hand 1 tsp. baking soda and pour batter onto previously pre- 1 tsp. cinnamon pared pan. 1 tsp. nutmeg Bake for approximately 50 minutes. 1/2 tsp. salt Cake is ready when toothpick inserted 3/4 cup oil in center comes out clean. 1 can pumpkin (15 oz can) Fay Kirsch specializes in creating recipes for easy 4 eggs and healthful meals that anyone can prepare. Fay is available for private cooking lessons, 1/3 cup walnuts specifically geared towards kallahs, the weight 1/3 cup raisins conscious, and those requiring special diets, and can be reached at faysimplyhomemade@ 1/3 cup chocolate chips yahoo.com.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 59 come every opportunity—whether it In the pursuit of this rigid form of leads to a promotion or future benefit, success, have we perhaps forgotten that or whether it is simply an opportunity there are many paths to contributing? Opportunities of serving G-d in our world. The greatest path, I believe, is what I remember how, years ago, my old- we had inborn as a child: the simple est son came home from school one day joy in using each and every opportuni- BY CHANA WEISBERG As we mature, we rob ourselves of with a wistful look in his eyes. He must ty as a means for growth and, thereby, this simple joy by turning our focus to have been seven or eight at the time. serving our Creator in the manner that Yesterday, I watched my child eat a our goals and ambitious achieving, to “I wish I didn’t have blond hair,” he He has gifted us. slice of her favorite chocolate cake. our successes and failures. We con- confided. Not because of where it will lead us. She savored each bite and licked her struct rigid parameters for how we “Why?” I asked in wonder. Not because it looks good on a resume lips clean, enjoying every crumb. define our success as people. We com- “Because I don’t think blond is or because it will improve our commu- Today, I watched my child drawing, pete in our careers, we compete in our learned. I don’t think that Moshe nal reputation or prospects. Not concentrating on perfecting her mas- fitness centers; we compete with our Rabbeinu had blond hair.” because it is considered important or terpiece with glitter and glue. Her face colleagues, with our friends and with I remember feeling sad that his held in high esteem. Not even because full of concentration, she was relishing the role-models of our lives. childhood optimism had begun to we take pleasure in doing it. every line, every gold glitter. But simply because this is an oppor- Not too long ago, I watched my tunity that G-d has provided us in our child climb to the top of the tall, yel- life to use, like all other experiences, to low, twisty slide. She giggled in antici- The next time your child is relishing the discover some growth. pation as she climbed, and then The next time your child is relishing laughed out loud with utter glee as she the moment, in whatever pursuit she is slid down. She loved every bump of her moment, in whatever pursuit she is engaged in, watch her face carefully. adventurous ride. Watch how she uses her activity to I watch my child’s face. I feel her engaged in, watch her face carefully. bring greater joy into our world. emotions. She radiates an optimistic And then try to discover the radiant joy for life, a love for being alive, a joy in her eyes reflected in your own. gratitude for being here and being able (Chabad.org) ❖ to experience these moments. There’s always someone or some- erode. It was the first dent in his Chana Weisberg is the author of Divine Hers is not a narcissistic or self- thing to make me feel utterly insignifi- inborn innocence of being able to “be Whispers: Stories that Speak to the Heart and serving pleasure. I watch her and see cant. There is someone who is doing the greatest you” through whatever Soul and three other books. Weisberg is a noted educator and columnist and lectures worldwide the same glowing joy as she prepares to something so much better—or more— unique character, talents, intellectual on issues relating to women, faith, relationships present me with a gift of her work, or than I. And when it’s not someone else, resources or outward garb one has and the Jewish soul. to “help” me with a daily chore. it’s myself, with a new, self-imposed been gifted. It is a joie de vivre. It is simply a pleas- goal that tells me I must fret over what In the unyielding, artificial boxes of Deadline for Advertising ure for the moments that life bestows I haven’t yet accomplished, or what I defining achievement that our society in the Next Issue is on us, the opportunities and challenges cannot do. has constructed, we lose not only our that come our way. She isn’t trying to be An urge for doing and achieving is individuality, but also our optimism in Monday, March 27 a “somebody.” She is simply pleased to positive if it drives us to bring more forging our own path to make our at 5:00 P.M. “be,” and in being, to grow as a person good into our world. But if that were world a better place—in our own Call 516-984-0079 through her daily opportunities. really the incentive, we would wel- unique way.

60 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Sefer Torah Dedication At YFR Photos By Ivan H. Norman

On Sunday, March 12, Lawrence resident and noted attorney Benjamin Brafman dedicated a Sefer Torah at the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. Clockwise from top left: (1) Mr. Ben Brafman (center) with his brother, Rabbi Aharon Brafman (at right), menahel of YFR; and Mr. Brafman’s son David (at left), of Jerusalem. (2) Father and son celebrate, following the Hachnasas Sefer Torah. (3) The yeshiva joins in the celebration. (4) Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yechiel Perr with the Sofer, Rabbi Elimelech Bloch (son-in-law of Rabbi Brafman) of Kiryat Sefer, Israel.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 61 62 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Red Shul Father/Daughter Event

On Sunday, The Red Shul had its first annual father/daughter event. The girls had breakfast with their fathers, and after bentching, they made Havdalah sets and listened to a D’var Torah from the Rav, Rabbi Feitman. Top: Rabbi Feitman with Stuie Nussbaum and his daughters, Meira and Ayelet. Bottom: Beryl Gelbstein, with his girls, Sima, Daniella, and Chaya. On opposite page: Purim-day learning at Yeshivas Mordechai HaTzadik.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 63 Trupa Rebbe In The Five Towns Ezer Mizion Reception Photo By Ivan H. Norman Photo By Ivan H. Norman

A reception for the benefit of Ezer Mizion was held last Sunday, March 19, The Trupa Rebbe (Rabbi Avrom Ber Blatt, Rosh Yeshiva of Pischei Shearim) at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mordechai Vogel. The featured speaker was was welcomed at a Melaveih Malkah in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Hoenlein, vice-chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jonathan Heimowitz. (L–R): Jonathan Heimowitz, Rabbi Blatt, Jewish Organizations. (L–R): Shimon Vogel; Mordechai Vogel; Irving Hackel, Aaron Heimowitz, and Daniel Heimowitz. executive director of Ezer Mizion; and Mr. Hoenlein. Project Kavey Seminar Photo By Ivan H. Norman

Rabbi Dov Brezak, founder of Project Kavey, was in the Five Towns last weekend, lecturing on “Raising Children In These Turbulent Times.” Rabbi Brezak’s books and tapes are available at local Judaica stores.

64 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 65 Not One More Dime For The Palestinians BY LEE KAPLAN in 1964. Arafat himself was born in Egypt, not Palestine. The PLO’s pur- The Hamas win in the Palestinian pose was to work with the Arab League elections really changed nothing in the that herded Arab refugees from the so-called peace process. All it really did 1948 war against Israel into camps, was clarify in simple language what the where they could rot until Israel’s Jews Palestinian Liberation Organization and were finally displaced for another Arab its leadership have sought through state in Israel’s place. The PLO is an deception, and force America to face umbrella group composed of different reality. The election results could be a factions with the same goal—destroying boon for the American taxpayer, who Israel. (For example, the PFLP faction is has been fleeced unceasingly since composed of Christian Arabs and 1993 to support a terrorist protection Communists, and Fatah is largely secu- racket masquerading as a “nationalist lar but mainly Islamic. The Muslim fun- movement.” damentalists of Hamas are newer.) Our naive elected representatives in The “right of return” is a non-nego- Washington and the opportunists and tiable theme which maintains that career hacks in our own State these refugees can never be assimilated Department are finally discussing into the Arab world. Since 1948, Arabs holding back funds from a Hamas-led who were forced to be “Palestinians” government, voting 418 to 1 to cut off have left the camps, but had to tithe foreign aid. Hamas has been regarded their income to Arafat. The tithes were as separate from Fatah and the PLO, collected by the governments of any but both terrorist organizations signed Arab state, where they were living only an agreement in 1996 to work togeth- as alien residents. Meanwhile, the er, making Hamas a de facto part of United States and other Western the PLO. nations’ taxpayers helped support those U.S. taxpayers have literally been in the refugee camps. The Arab pouring their hard-earned tax money League’s donations were always mini- into the PLO unnecessarily. Created in mal, and PLO money was usually spent the mid-1950s by Gamel Abdul-Nasser on training and weapons. of Egypt, the late secular, pan-Arab From 1964 on, Palestinian terrorism nationalist, it solidified into a terrorist became a protection racket, as Saudi movement and protection racket under the late terrorist war chief Yasser Arafat Continued on Page 68

66 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 67 Not One More Dime large amounts of money invested in Wall controls 93% of all investments in the Despite all this, the PLO was still rak- Continued from Page 66 Street and in stock exchanges in Tokyo, emerging “State of Palestine.” ing it in at the height of the “peace Paris, and Frankfurt, including a large The PLO even expanded its opera- process.” Direct aid and funds through billionaires and the Arab League paid share of Mercedes-Benz. Airlines in the tions to the illicit drug trade. Sallagh non-governmental organizations exceed- the PLO to roil the conflict with Israel’s Maldives, Caledonia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Dabbagh, the PLO former treasurer, ing at least $125 million a month—for Jews and keep their own impoverished and Nicaragua and duty-free shops all only 3.2 million Palestinians in Gaza and populations distracted from their lead- over Africa are also in the portfolio, since the West Bank. That came from the U.S. ers’ personal opulence. The PLO they serve as covers for moving terrorists Saudi and Arab emirate The EU and the Arab League (that only became a big business during those around and providing them travel docu- gives nominally) saw PLO leaders buy- years, renting itself out to the Soviet ments—all while turning a profit. donations were usually ing and smuggling guns to destroy Israel, Union and KGB, and allying itself to Mandatory tithing to Arafat by while rewarding Arafat’s wife an annuity revolutionary causes from the IRA to Palestinians living in other Arab states earmarked for worthy of a potentate. the Basque Separatist Movement to generated some $50 million a year, “martyrdom” operations This doesn’t include millions in UN Castro’s Cuba by providing training by while the Saudis and Gulf states funds for UNWRA, the United Nations its military wing. donated billions of dollars to the like suicide bombings. Welfare Relief Agency, that is run not The PLO also went into legitimate PLO. Intelligence agencies have esti- by the UN but by the Palestinians businesses. By the 1970s, the PLO mated that the PLO added $5 million themselves. It is estimated that that established SAMED, an Arabic acronym per day to its coffers during the 1970s stated, “The entire future of the PLO Palestinians received $300 a year per for Palestinian Martyrs’ Sons Enter- and ’80s, and British National operation for liberation may hinge on person in handouts as “refugees,” the prises. SAMED is actually a worldwide Criminal Intelligence Services in our exporting more drugs around the highest figure given to any refugees in conglomerate swimming in money. Its 1994 estimated the PLO’s net worth world.” Other illegal enterprises the world. While many an average portfolio includes farms, restaurants, at $10 billion. Besides SAMED, the included counterfeiting U.S. currency, Palestinian may be poor due to graft by retail stores, factories, and even oil Palestine Commercial Services money laundering, arms smuggling, the leadership, terrorists in the Al-Aksa refineries. It holds real-estate invest- Company today has a monopoly in murders for hire, and bank robberies. Martyrs Brigade were being paid ments in France, Spain, and England, flour, cement, cigarettes, oil, and con- The Guinness Book of World Records $50,000 a year—a salary many Ameri- and owns several newspapers. It even struction material in the Palestinian estimated PLO-organized bank rob- cans would love to make, but a fortune has controlling interest in a Monte Carlo Authority. The Palestine Development beries in Europe netted in excess of in the Middle East, where $800 a radio station. The portfolio also includes and Investment Company (PADICO) $100 million. month is considered a good income. Even fewer Americans know that Edward Abington, the former U.S. State Department consul general in Jerusalem, went to work for the PLO as its chief lobbyist in Washington at a salary of $2.5 million annually—right after he had agreed, in his former capacity, to donate $400 million of USAID taxpayer money to the Palestinian Authority. If you ever won- dered who lobbies for the PLO in Congress, now you know: another state department retired hack. Saudi and Arab emirate donations were usually earmarked for “martyr- dom” operations like suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks. President George Bush has yet to strongly cen- sure Saudi aid to Hamas, and even walked hand in hand with Crown Prince Abdullah at Crawford. So, President Bush’s announcement that the U.S. will not give aid to Hamas may be good news, if it finally gives the U.S. taxpayer a break. Condoleezza Rice, however, has discussed possibly giving foreign aid money to “non-gov- ernmental” organizations in the Palestinian Authority, instead of to the Hamas-led government. It’s time to turn off the spigot. It is up to the American taxpayer to stand up for once and say to our own government, “Not one more dime!” for a terrorist protection movement that already is swimming in money, but prefers not to disburse it to its people. This year’s projected U.S. taxpayer handouts to the Palestinians are said to be $224 million, considerably less than the $600 million President Bush want- ed to give them. That’s $224 million for American schools, roads and infra- structure that should be withheld from the Palestinian Arabs for two reasons: 1) They don’t really need it and can obtain funding from the caches of their leadership (or throw them out for good); and 2) The American taxpayer is tired of being ripped off by a terrorist racket that is not serious about peace. (Arutz Sheva) ❖ Lee Kaplan is senior intelligence analyst with the Northeast Intelligence Network and a contribu- tor to Front Page Magazine. He is also the national director of Dafka.org and heads Stop the ISM. 68 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Police: Stabbings To Replace Suicide Bombings In Jerusalem Area BY JONATHAN LIS

According to data presented by Jerusalem District police, in 2005 there were no mass terror attacks in the capital, and exactly one person was murdered in a terror attack. Police believe that the motivation of terror organizations has not decreased, but the security fence surrounding Jerusalem made it hard for the organi- zations to carry out planned attacks. Therefore, according to the police, in the next few months suicide attacks and bombings will be replaced by stab- bings, incendiary devices, shooting at Jewish neighborhoods and bombs thrown at Border Police patrols along the fence. These attacks are easier to carry out and security forces will have a harder time foiling them. In the past few months there has been a significant increase in the number of attempts to bring knives and incendiary devices into Jerusalem, and this trend is expected to continue. Jerusalem District police command- er Ilan Franco said that as the con- struction of the fence advances, terror organizations would find it harder to transfer terrorists and explosives into the capital. About half of the security fence in the Jerusalem area has been built so far, and its construction is expected to be completed at the end of 2006 or the beginning of 2007. (Haaretz) ❖

Gold, silver, and copper (Sh’mos 35:5) “Gold” represents the purity and perfection of the tzaddik.“Silver” represents the great yearning of the Baal Teshuvah (“returnee” or penitent) for closeness to G-d—a yearning many times more powerful than that of the tzaddik, because it is a yearning from afar (“kessef,” the Hebrew word for silver, also means “yearning”); copper, the lowliest of metals, represents the good deeds of the sinner. G-d’s home on earth is complete only when it includes all three.

(The Lubavitcher Rebbe)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 69 Break Out Your Orange Shirts Again…

BY C. WILLIAM KATZ tion of 9/11 firsthand. Many members have other thoughts on how the con- British intelligence announced gressional budget should be spent. The recently that Iran will have nuclear Iraq war is a lot more expensive and capability within a few months. With lengthy than anyone ever imagined, their president announcing his goal of and constituents are tired of hearing wiping Israel off the map, we face a seri- about it. ous problem. This reminds me of how Should we break out our orange brilliant the Israeli Air Force was when shirts and sit helplessly in front of CNN they secretly flew through Arabic air- again? If Israel were attacked, how space, speaking to air traffic controllers many of us would leave here and go in Arabic, to bomb the nuclear reactors fight for Israel? Maybe just a quick stop being built in Iraq in the early 1980s. at Toddy’s for a bagel to go and then Israel was publicly reprimanded for this. we’re off. You know what? Maybe make Iran has thought it smarter to it two bagels; this might take a while. defend against this type of attack by It might be smarter for us to do building their reactors in populated something now. Doesn’t AIPAC handle areas. We all hope that these reactors that sort of thing? Yes, they do; howev- will be bombed again before they have er, AIPAC consists of mostly non-reli- nuclear capability. But this time, gious Jews who, are a dying breed. things seem different. Israeli jets could Statistics show that as time goes on, reach the targets but won’t be able to there are less and less freiy’er Jews and refuel anywhere to come home. more religious Jews. It seems that President Bush is not standing in a frummies might have to take the trip to good light to attack again after the Washington to fight for Eretz Yisrael invasion of Iraq. Congress seems divid- sooner rather than later. ed as to how to go about handling a NORPAC is an organization com- nuclear Iran. As radical as Iran may posed mostly of frum Jews who sit with sound, there are members of Congress congressmen and senators, face-to- who feel that we still have to pursue a face in their offices, to strengthen solution through diplomacy and sanc- U.S.-Israel relations. This enables tions for as long as it takes. Some feel NORPAC to decide which candidates we have no right to decide who should to support. It also helps candidates and shouldn’t have the Bomb. become more informed on issues con- Not all members of the House and cerning the Middle East. Senate are from New York, where peo- On Wednesday, May 17, NORPAC ple experienced the massive destruc- will host its annual one-day mission to

70 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Washington, DC, to meet with over 250 Attendees will be briefed on the congressmen and senators. I have gone major issues on the bus ride down. on this trip in the past, and it is excel- Congressmen hear a lot of different lent. Divided up into groups of four, things from a variety of different lobby- people will meet with four or five con- ists. Our voices need to be heard. gressmen or senators, in their individ- If you are interested in paying and ual offices, throughout the day. This is going, having someone sponsor you a very organized day. Attendees receive to go, or sponsoring someone else to bios and voting records of each of the go, please visit www.norpac.net or representatives they are to meet. call 201-788-5133 to register and Attendees also receive a list of their find out more. Don’t wait to make key contributors, along with dollar friends in Washington until it might amounts. Key voting dates involving the be too late. ❖ Middle East are coming up. Discussing these issues with legislators is impor- tant, since they have so many things to vote on, they cannot attend each vote I will pass through on the floor and they cannot know all of the land of Egypt this the facts behind each issue. This is an exhilarating day to feel night, and will smite that you make a difference by creating, all the firstborn in renewing, and strengthening relation- ships with elected officials. We need to the land of Egypt... show support to the members who and against all the stand up for Israel. They will be more gods of Egypt I will than happy to keep in touch with you after your meeting through e-mail, let- execute judgments: ters, or phone. I am G-d If we can all just take one day out of our busy schedules to help our home- (Sh’mos 12:12) land, it will benefit Israel and us as people, too. Instead of just sending “I will pass” — I, and no half of our paychecks in taxes to angel;“I will smite” — I, and Washington, let us go tell them how no seraph;“I will execute” we want it spent. The day lasts from 6:00 a.m. through — I, and no messenger; 10:30 p.m. The cost is $90 for students “I am G-d” — I am He, and $150 for adults. This includes trans- and no other. portation and three glatt kosher meals. There is a $25 discount for registration (Passover Haggadah) before April 3. Rabbis attend for free.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 71 Olmert Briefed U.S. On Plan For Future Withdrawal BY ALUF BENN officials “presented the matter, the moved at certain points, and Israel ment, recognizing Israel, and accepting United States became an enthusiastic would maintain security control over previous agreements. However, if the Before presenting to the Israeli pub- supporter of the disengagement,” he the Jordan Valley. The settlements out- Palestinians maintain their rejection, lic his “convergence initiative” to pull told Army Radio. side the fence would be evacuated. Israel would set the border, after reach- out of most West Bank territory, Acting In interviews, Olmert said he intend- The settlement blocs would be ing an internal consensus and obtaining Prime Minister Ehud Olmert briefed ed to set new borders for Israel by 2010. strengthened, and Israel would build international backing. the Americans earlier this month on The new lines, he said, would include up the disputed E-1 zone between East Olmert has been airing these ideas the main thrust of the plan. for two and a half years. The latest ver- Olmert formally unveiled the plan in sion, which was presented to the interviews to Israeli media. Americans and the public, was formu- According to government sources, “In the end, we want the international lated with the prime minister’s advisor Olmert wanted to avoid surprising the Dov Weissglas, who played a pivotal Americans with his statements on the role in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s future of the political process. The community to prevent the Iranians from disengagement plan. Weissglas told Americans understood the message senior American officials about the and refrained from public comment. developing non-conventional capabilities” option of a pullout from areas deep Senior Kadima candidate MK Haim within the West Bank, and it has been Ramon said that Washington would debated extensively in the media. ultimately come to support Olmert’s However, this is the first time that plan as the only means of dealing with large settlement blocs—Ariel, Ma’aleh Jerusalem and the settlement of Olmert has given it official backing. a coming Palestinian Authority govern- Adumim and Gush Etzion—and the Ma’aleh Adumim. His decision to dispense with the ment led by Hamas. Old City and adjacent neighborhoods Olmert said Israel would first wait for “ambiguity” enveloping Kadima’s cam- “At first, the disengagement plan in East Jerusalem. the new Hamas-led Palestinian govern- paign and present a detailed plan for was most unacceptable to the United The border would be marked by the ment to accept the “threshold condi- the political process reflects a devia- States,” Ramon said. Only after Israeli separation fence, which would be tions” of renouncing terror, disarma- tion from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s line. Sharon always avoided clear-cut positions in order to maintain his freedom of action. Senior Kadima sources said Olmert wished to persuade voters fluctuating between Kadima and Labor. The party’s polls show that Kadima is weak- er on its left flank, opposite Labor, while Likud deserters tend to remain in Kadima. The sources assumed Olmert would veer to the right this week after the appeal to the left. The move to brief the Americans is compat- ible with Olmert’s basic approach to secure international support. That is also the basis of his policy toward Iran. “Israel is part of an international alliance against Iran,” Olmert said, “and it will not act alone. “In the end, we want the interna- tional community to prevent the Iranians from developing non-conven- tional capabilities,” he said. These statements were made before former chief of staff Moshe Ya’alon spoke in Washington about Israel’s ability to take military action against Iran. (Haaretz) ❖

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, March 27 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

72 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Wedding Guests—Participants Or Prisoners?

BY NISSAN ROSENTHAL longstanding minhag. The much antic- mon phenomenon at many weddings, album is the most memorable part of ipated bedecken triggers excitement for and no one is happy about it. When the the wedding, and family pictures are Mazel Tov! “Shehecheyanu, v’kiy- the chasan and kallah and sets the soup course has been cleared, and the an integral part of a chasunah album, manu, v’higiyanu la’z’man hazeh!” Your tone for the chuppah.) couple are still occupied with the pho- the baalei simcha seemingly have no child is engaged. Now the planning choice. If the baalei simcha have a begins. Decisions about which hall to large mishpachah, with married chil- book, the date of the chasunah, the dren and their families, picture-taking photographer, invitations, etc., need to Halevai, through this effort, baalei simchas seems to take an eternity. be contemplated. Are you wondering how taking a few The baalei simcha should also antic- family pictures after the chuppah could ipate potential trouble spots that might will have an increased awareness of the take a half hour or more? It is no small cloud the joy at the chasunah and plan feat for the photographer to arrange how to deal with them. This article importance of a chasunah’s scheduling, and each person in proper order and proper focuses on being sensitive to the needs position. Ties have to be adjusted, hats of the wedding guests. It aims at digital wedding photography will become a straightened. Then, inevitably, some resolving one of the problems guests people have to be found. One man went commonly experience at a frum wed- universally accepted practice. to daven Ma’ariv. A child got his shirt ding—the long wait between the end dirty and needs a cleaning/change. of the chuppah and the beginning of Usually, by this time it is after 9:00 p.m., the first dance—the mitzvah of sim- past bedtime for small children. It is not chas chosson v’kallah. Others avoid the problem of waiting tographer, the guests are kept waiting uncommon for small children to miss The oft-used wording in the by having the entire meal served before beyond their comfort level. this group picture altogether because response card enclosure of the wedding dancing. However, the wait for the This pressure is also felt by the invitation expresses the baal hasimcha’s chasan and kallah to reappear is a com- baalei simcha. Since the wedding Continued on Page 74 genuine feeling, “Your presence will enhance our simcha.” As the saying goes, “Mentschen machen a simcha (people make a simcha).” For their part, the invited guests sincerely desire to be mesamei’ach hachasan v’hakallah. However, when the wedding drags over a long period of time, the guests find themselves in conflict. They have their own pressing schedules; they need to get to bed at a decent hour. Often, guests are forced to leave the chasunah before the main course is served. As we all know, a major cause for the delay is picture-taking. According to Ashkenazic custom, the chasan and kallah are not allowed to see each other before the chuppah. Therefore, all pictures of the chasan and kallah together must be taken after the chup- pah, but before dancing. The taking of family pictures after bentching is usu- ally not a viable option. Sephardim, who do not have this minhag, take all their family pictures before the wedding. (Some Ashkenazim make an exception to the minhag for picture-taking only, and there are poskim who recommend this procedure. However, there is some- thing to be said for preserving the

Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses (Sh’mos 12:19) On the eve of the fourteenth [of Nissan] a search is made for leaven by the light of a candle... Why a candle? So that it can be brought into holes and chinks [in the wall].

(Talmud, Pesachim 2a, 8b)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 73 Wedding Guests courses before the main course. Digital Unusual Trade: Israel Exports Continued from Page 73 technology saved a half hour or more. Some people actually thanked me! Surplus Apples To Syrians they have fallen asleep. This also allowed more time for the Recently, we, b’li ayin hara, married simchas chasan v’kallah. Because the BY SCOTT SHILOH growers as well, by stabilizing prices on off our fifth child. We were determined wedding hall will not delay serving the the local market, said Giora Sela, direc- to keep our guests waiting as little as main course, lengthy picture-taking For the second straight year, Israeli tor of the Israel Farmers’ Federation. possible. To our joy, we had heard after the chuppah takes time away from apple growers are expanding their cus- In another twist, Sela said Israel’s about a solution made possible by dig- the first dance. The time remaining for tomer base to include an unlikely, but surplus of apples stems from the inabil- ital photography. Both sets of dancing could be less than 20 minutes. eager, purchaser of their surplus pro- ity of growers to market the produce in mechutanim agreed, for the sake of our This can be unfortunate, as many duce—Syria. guests, to use a photographer skilled in guests leave before the second dance, Using the United Nations as an this technique. [Depending on the cir- and a short first dance does not give intermediary, Israel has plans to export The Syrian importers cumstances and family size, this sug- enough time for dancing with individ- about 10,000 tons of apples from the gestion will work well even for one side ual friends. If family pictures are done Golan Heights to Syria this week, dou- will probably resell the of the wedding party]. before the chuppah, the first dance can ble the amount exported last year. Before the chuppah, we took the last more than 30 minutes, if desired. The growing trade in apples apples to states in the customary picture of the kallah with Another advantage to pre-chuppah between the two countries, which are all her immediate family. Then the photography was that we, the baalei technically at war with each other, is Persian Gulf. photographer expertly repositioned the simcha, felt less pressured, knowing that an interesting anomaly in a region rid- people to leave space for the chasan. our guests were relaxed. We were also dled with violence and virtually end- The chasan was photographed alone in freed from the pressure of family mem- less internecine conflict. the Gaza district, due to the prolonged the appropriate pose, to be included bers having to regroup for pictures with Faced with a surplus of apples, the closure of the Karni border terminal. later in the photographic studio. The the chasan and kallah. This scheduling Israel Agriculture Ministry turned to Israel shut the terminal down after same procedure was done with the can be burdensome for the family par- the United Nations peacekeeping receiving warnings that the terminal chasan’s side, the family taking a sec- ticipants as well as the guests. Lacking a force on the Golan Heights in a bid to was being targeted by terrorists. ond picture leaving room for the picture-taking schedule, family mem- export the excess produce to Syria. The Sela expressed satisfaction that both kallah. The photographer can also bers do not know when they’ll be called Syrians, apparently short on apples, Israel and Syria stood to benefit from construct the picture by taking an in to pose. Those who patiently wait for unexpectedly agreed to the deal. the unusual transaction. Syrian con- excerpt from another appropriate pose, the photograph miss the soup course. Ironically, Israel’s apples are grown sumers, however, may not able to taste rather than photographing the chasan Those who stay for soup have to be mainly in the Golan Heights, an area the Israeli apples, which are known for or kallah alone. Other photographers searched for when it is time to join the which Syria considers occupied terri- their quality and sweetness. The might feel it will look more natural to family picture. tory ever since Israel conquered it in Syrian importers will probably resell leave a space for both the chasan and Conditions prior to the chuppah the 1967 Six Day War. the apples to states in the Persian kallah and insert one of their poses. lend themselves to better photographs. The produce will come from Druze Gulf, where prices for such produce The entire interval from the time the The ladies’ gowns and makeup are two- apple growers. Though full-fledged cit- are much higher. chasan broke the glass until the couple and-a-half to three hours fresher. Also, izens of Israel, many Golan Druze still When it comes to apples, this time entered the dance floor—including a young children are more alert, their identify with Syria and maintain exten- in the Middle East what’s likely to win prolonged yichud—was less than one clothing is neater, and no one is crying. sive family ties across the border. out is not military force, but the force hour. During this time, our guests dav- The deal is expected to help Jewish of the market. (Arutz Sheva) ❖ ened Ma’ariv and were served all of the Continued on Page 76

74 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 75 Wedding Guests I am told that if you use a good pho- courses (which are pre-paid) never have any regrets about having taken Continued from Page 74 tographer, it will be difficult to tell the meet their destined guests because the altered digital family pictures with difference. You may want to ask your people couldn’t wait any longer and the chasan and kallah? I was told that on the same day as photographer to show you samples of left? Actually, the baalei simcha are like- Only one: You will wish you had our wedding (January 5, 2006) the his work. Of course, the more ly to incur greater expenses from time- known about this when you made your Wall Street Journal, coincidentally, resources you are willing to devote, consuming picture taking after the previous chasunahs. published an article about digital pho- during and after the chasunah, the chuppah: overtime pay for the photog- Here are two suggestions that will tography with a similar application. more successful the outcome will be. raphy crew and for the band, as well. In ensure that your guests’ waiting will be Now, an inquiring mind might wonder, some cases, the waiters might also have kept to a minimum: “Why would the celebrations of the to be paid overtime. Coordinate family members’ early gentiles need altered photos of the How much time should be allotted for arrival at the wedding hall so pictures bride and groom, or any loved one? Honoring their guests is the interval after the chuppah and will be completed before the scheduled Who in the world would need his or before the chasan and kallah re-enter? time for the kabbalas ponim. This is her photo to be added later?” The a kavod to the chasan When family pictures are taken especially important for the kallah’s side, answer is, a person in prison. The arti- and kallah. after the chuppah, it is impossible to which is customarily the first to be pho- cle described the new, growing market predict how much time it might take. tographed. However, most families will for digital photos of prisoners, trans- However, when family pictures are want to arrive at the wedding hall early. ferred into pleasant surroundings next taken before the chuppah, it is possible It is very important to keep to the to their loved ones. (May our use of But, the fact remains that these pic- to predict and hold to a schedule to times printed on the wedding invita- digital photography be only for yiddishe tures are not real. keep your simcha running smoothly. tion. Additionally, if at all possible, care simchas. Ashreinu.) The cheesecake served at many wed- While the couple is in yichud, you can should be taken prior to the printing of My family is not the first to make use dings is also not real. (It is non-dairy.) ask the caterer how much more time is the invitations that the baal hasimcha of digital technology for wedding pic- Not everyone at the wedding takes needed to serve the desired courses should confirm with the mesader kid- tures. However, because I sympathize cheesecake; but everyone benefits by before the couple’s entry for dancing. dushin an achievable time the tenaim strongly with the waiting guests and the baal hasimcha’s considerate sched- The photographer will know how will start. If the chuppah has been also with the baalei simcha, who are uling. If eliminating the wait is as indis- much time will be required for the scheduled for 7:00, even with the caught in the middle, I wish to publi- pensable to you as taking the picture, chasan/kallah and parents’ poses (per- “Jewish time” allowance, the bedecken cize this innovation. I feel this is an then digital photography is a solution. haps 15 minutes). The balance of time should take place no later than 7:15. “eitzah tovah,” which benefits everyone What about the cost? will allow the chasan and kallah to Wouldn’t it be wonderful if not only involved in the simcha. Halevai, There is an additional charge of have a longer yichud. With proper co- the simcha would run on schedule, but through this effort, baalei simcha will approximately $75 for each picture in ordination, this interval could be less also your honored guests would be have an increased awareness of the which the chasan or the kallah must be than 45 minutes. given the consideration of not having importance of a chasunah’s scheduling, added. For how many pictures is this How will the chasan and kallah feel? an extended wait before the simchas and digital wedding photography will pertinent? Usually, two: one of the Shouldn’t their honor come first? chasan v’kallah? Correcting these com- become a universally accepted practice. chasan’s family and one of the kallah’s. It is said that one who gives honor to mon inconveniences in the timing of Before arranging for digital pictures In some cases there are four pictures, others receives honor. In my opinion, your wedding will certainly enhance for your wedding, you might need some the aforementioned two, with and with- honoring their guests is a kavod to the your guests’ simcha. May their appreci- questions and concerns answered. out grandparents/extended-family for chasan and kallah and an appropriate ation be a catalyst to increase the sim- What is the quality of the altered dig- each side. way to start off their “binyan bayis cha of the chasan and kallah—at the ital photo, as compared to the tradi- In my opinion, the benefit outweighs ne’eman b’Yisrael.” wedding and during their ensuing life tional wedding photo? the additional cost. How many main What are the disadvantages? Will I together, until 120! ❖

76 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 77 HAFTR Protests Iran’s President

On Taanis Esther (Monday, March 13), HAFTR Upper School sent a busload of student volunteers to a rally outside of the Iranian Mission to the UN. The rally was organized by the AMCHA organization, and its purpose was to protest the vicious remarks of Iranian President Mahamoud Ahmaninejad. HAFTR senior Caroline Stern addressed the rally.

78 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Olmert: Israel Will Try PFLP Men Seized In Jericho Prison Raid

Palestinian militants seized by Israel Defense Forces troops in last week’s Jericho prison raid and suspected of killing Israeli minister Rehavam Ze’evi will be put on trial in Israel, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Russian radio on Sunday. “These are killers and of course we will try them in an Israeli court,” Olmert, speaking from Jerusalem, said in an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio. Olmert dismissed any notion that a Palestinian court’s conviction in 2002 of the four members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) for the killing of Ze’evi in 2001 ruled out any trial in Israel. “They were convicted by Palestinian courts in a hearing that lasted 20 min- utes,” he said. “It was a farce. It was not a democratic court. They will be tried as they ought to be, that is what the Israeli government has decided, in an Israeli court.” The four men, along with PFLP leader Ahmed Saadat, were seized by IDF troops who raided Jericho prison last Tuesday after U.S. and British monitors supervising their incarcera- tion left the facility. They were transferred to the jail in 2002 in an internationally brokered deal that ended Israel’s siege that year of Yasser Arafat’s compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where the men were holed up. Saadat was jailed by the Palestinians in connection with Ze’evi’s assassination but was never convicted of the charge. Saadat’s lawyer said Thursday his client, held in an Israeli detention cen- ter in Jerusalem, denied involvement in the killing, which the PFLP said it carried out to avenge Israel’s assassina- tion of one of its leaders. (Reuters) ❖

This chodesh (new moon, month) shall be to you the head of months; it shall be for you the first of the months of the year (Sh’mos 12:2) G-d showed Moshe the new moon at its moment of rebirth, and said to him: “When the moon is reborn, mark the beginning of a new month.”

(Mechilta)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 79 80 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES “We need to say, ‘We’re this colorful, loud, challenging, innovative place on After Lengthy Search For Leader, campus, come be a part of us.’ It’s the exact opposite of when I was in college, when everyone was trying to look less Hillel Chooses A Youthful Insider Jewish, to assimilate,” Firestone said. “Today there’s a desire to define BY SUE FISHKOFF social justice, Firestone said. “We’ve Jewish identities within the context of yourself as you choose. This will be an always been doing it in small pieces, but their larger society—and non-Jews are important wave for us to ride as we After a search of more than three 9/11, and then the tsunami and Katrina, welcome to participate. reintroduce ourselves to the communi- years, the largest Jewish student organi- brought a different level of understand- Firestone doesn’t shy away from criti- ty and to young people.” zation in the world has a new president. ing that there are people out there who cizing himself or the organization. He Noting that today’s college students, Wayne Firestone, 42, a former attor- need our help and attention.” says his greatest challenge will be members of a group sociologists call ney, academic and longtime Jewish That energy, passion and focus on “breaking through the stereotypes,” such “the millenials,” are proud of their community professional who has been expressing Jewish identity through as the “student perception of clique- Jewish identity but leery of institution- executive vice-president of Hillel: The al affiliation or organizational life, Foundation for Jewish Campus Life Firestone pledged that Hillel would since last September, was tapped continue to evolve and experiment to Friday to replace the group’s interim “He’s a talented administrator, a strong meet their needs, rather than “impose president, Avraham Infeld. an agenda” on the students. The promotion, which was leader, a visionary and a real Hillel success “We’re not asking them to be a announced by the board of directors’ member of anything. We’re saying, nominating committee, will become ‘Here we are, ready to listen and be official after a vote of the full board in story, having risen through the organization part of your lives,’ ” he said. two weeks. Firestone would take the It’s all part of the group’s new five- helm of Hillel, which is represented on from student activist to top professional. year plan, which Firestone helped 500 college and university campuses develop as staff director of the organi- around the world, on Sept 1. zation’s Strategic Planning Committee. So how is Firestone planning to cel- He’ll do an outstanding job.” Major goals are doubling the number ebrate? On Sunday morning he was to of students Hillel reaches and creating grab a hammer and some nails and hop a $100-million endowment. a plane to Gulfport, Miss., to join 750 righteous action are typical of what iness, a lack of openness” at Hillel. The selection committee felt Hillel students spending their spring Firestone brings to an organization “We need to be forthcoming about Firestone’s work in planning Hillel’s break helping to rebuild homes that has been aggressively reposition- that and address it,” he said. future direction put him in a strong destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. ing itself on campus. Hillel needs to abandon “self-defeat- position to implement the new vision. “It’s our largest alternative spring The organization’s focus used to be ing attitudes,” Firestone said, such as “We are thrilled to see Wayne assume break project ever,” Firestone said getting Jews together, as represented the assumption that religious and secu- the presidency of Hillel,” said Lynn Friday in a phone interview with JTA. by its old motto of “doing Jewish with lar kids won’t hang out together, to Schusterman, a vice-chair of Hillel’s “It’s the real manifestation of what” other Jews.” focus on finding common interests that International Board of Governors. “He’s Infeld “came in to do, when he started Now the emphasis is more univer- students can rally around, while main- speaking the language of tzedek,” or sal—on helping students develop taining their diversity. Continued on Page 82

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 81 Hillel Continued from Page 81

a talented administrator, a strong leader, a visionary and a real Hillel success story, having risen through the organization from student activist to top professional. He’ll do an out- standing job.” Firestone joined Hillel in 2002 as executive director of the Israel on Campus Coalition, a partnership of Hillel and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. The ICC, formed at the height of the Palestinian intifada, was tasked with improving Israel’s image on college campuses and combat- ing anti-Israel agitation. Firestone’s on-campus Israel work is one of his major strengths, observers say. “Wayne has an instinctive feel for the Jewish community and its many organizations, and a very keen understanding of the Israel-Diaspora relation- ship,” said Jonathan Kessler, director of leadership develop- ment for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Kessler, who led missions to Israel for college students with Firestone, said Firestone was able to balance Israel education and advocacy. “He just has a magnificent rapport with students,” Kessler said. Dana Raucher, executive director of the Samuel Bronfman Foundation, who was on the board’s nominating committee, said: “Wayne reflects Jewish values in his life, family and his profession- al career. He knows how to lead with a grace and style that is very unique.” An attorney by training, Firestone worked as a high- tech executive in Israel follow- ing a 1995-1998 stint as an administrator and lecturer at Haifa’s Technion—Israel Institute of Technology. He headed the Anti-Defamation League’s Israel office for a year before joining Hillel in 2002. Firestone is lauded for his extensive experience in Jewish communal work, as well as his long history with Hillel, dat- ing back to his days as a stu- dent activist at the University of Miami. “He knows Hillel as well as anyone coming in, certainly better than the other candi- dates,” said mega-philanthro- pist Michael Steinhardt, a vice- chairman of Hillel’s board. “He’s familiar with the system, he’s committed, intelligent, he’s attractive and he’s got great motivation to do the job.” At the same time, Steinhardt said he is con- cerned about Firestone’s rela-

Continued on Page 85 82 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 83 Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia Serbian Jews Satisfied, Disappointed broke away and became independent countries during a series of wars that left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions. Following Slobodan Milosevic’s Death The wars also challenged the sense BY RUTH ELLEN GRUBER of identity and loyalty of local Jews, some said they feared his memory everyone is sorry that the verdict of the with those in Croatia and those in Jews in the former Yugoslavia shed could now become a rallying point for International Criminal Tribunal for Serbia being pressed to support the few tears over the death of Slobodan extreme nationalists. the Former Yugoslavia was not deliv- actions—and ethnic feelings—of the Milosevic, the man most observers “He was not administered justice, ered,” he told JTA. “Now Milosevic will respective nationalist forces. consider the main architect of the he is going to be seen as a martyr by become a martyr, a real Serbian hero Milosevic’s brutal policies, mean- series of wars that convulsed the many Serbs,” architectural historian murdered by the West.” while, isolated and economically Balkans in the 1990s. ruined Serbia. Political repression, The former Serbian president had economic woes and the 1999 NATO been on trial since 2001 for genocide bombing to halt Serbian attacks on and other war crimes at the U.N. “Milosevic will be remembered as ethnic Albanians in Kosovo all con- International Criminal Tribunal for tributed to a “brain drain” of young the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague. someone who caused a lot of troubles, people. As many as 300 to 400 younger He was found dead in his cell on Jews left Serbia for Israel, North Saturday, apparently the victim of a America and elsewhere. heart attack at age 64. death and catastrophes for this part of Throughout Milosevic’s regime, Journalist Aleksander Lebl, a long- individual Serbian Jews took personal time Jewish community leader in the world, and will be remembered as political stands, with many opposing Belgrade, said the reaction of Serbia’s Milosevic. Official Jewish organiza- 3,000 Jews, most of them highly inte- tions made it a strict policy not to grated, secular and often intermarried, a real villain of our times.” openly assume a political position, was similar to that of other citizens. fearing reprisal and manipulation. “Generally speaking,” Lebl told JTA, Jews did, however, openly join the “not as Jews but as citizens, most of Rudi Klein, who was born in Serbia Milosevic, Finci said, “will be street protests in 2000 that ousted them didn’t like Milosevic’s policies and now teaches at universities in remembered as someone who caused a Milosevic from power. (JTA) ❖ and actions, which caused the disinte- Budapest and Tel Aviv, told JTA. lot of troubles, death and catastrophes gration of Yugoslavia—a country most “The Hague tribunal, on the other for this part of the world, and will be Ruth E. Gruber is JTA’s senior European corre- of them loved—wars and ethnic hand, will be seen as a plot,” he said. remembered as a real villain of our spondent. Based in Rome, she travels and writes extensively on Jewish affairs in Italy, Central and cleansing, a surge of nationalism, “It will give rise to conspiracy theories, times.” Eastern Europe and other European countries. A xenophobia, sanctions and economic which will put the blame on the West, From the beginning of the Yugoslav former UPI reporter, she has also written for The collapse.” particularly on the Americans—anoth- crisis in the early 1990s, Jews in the New York Times and the Encyclopaedia Judaica. She is also the author of several books: Some Jews, in Serbia as well as else- er regrettable fact.” former Yugoslav Federation were Virtually Jewish: Reinventing Jewish Culture in where in the former Yugoslavia, Bosnian Jewish leader Jakob Finci caught somewhere in the middle. Europe, Jewish Heritage Travel: A Guide to East-Central Europe and Upon the Doorposts expressed frustration that Milosevic’s agreed. Their close-knit community was of Thy House: Jewish Life in East-Central sudden death had cheated justice, and “From the Bosnian point of view, divided when Slovenia, Croatia, Europe, Yesterday and Today.

84 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rumsfeld: Leaving Iraq Now Is Like Hillel Firestone will be held up to that Continued from Page 82 impressive yardstick. Several top Jewish professionals Handing Germany Back To Nazis tive youth, saying the new position “is turned down the job over the past few a major step up in responsibility and years, and the organization publicly Leaving Iraq now would be like battalions of several hundred troops complexity. It’s a very public position.” relaunched its search last year. handing postwar Germany back to the each are in the fight, and 49 percent “I hope he has the breadth to do it,” Firestone’s expertise and experience Nazis, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald control their own battle space,” Steinhardt said. lies more in programming than Rumsfeld said in a column published Rumsfeld wrote. Firestone is stepping into the large fundraising, but he says his appoint- on Sunday, the third anniversary of the Thousands of anti-war protesters shoes left by Hillel’s longtime former ment does not signal a turn away from start of the Iraq war. gathered in cities around the world for president, Richard Joel, who served the continued need for fundraising. “Turning our backs on postwar Iraq demonstrations on Saturday to mark from 1988 until 2003, when he left to He’ll focus on “identifying new today would be the modern equivalent the anniversary of the U.S.-led inva- become president of Yeshiva University. money,” Firestone said, appealing to a of handing postwar Germany back to sion of Iraq. Infeld, an Israeli and longtime new generation of donors that hasn’t the Nazis,” he wrote in an essay in The Doubts about the Iraq war have Jewish educator and leader, took over been giving heavily to Jewish causes. Washington Post. helped drive down President George W. as interim president, a title that was (JTA) ❖ Rumsfeld said “the terrorists” were Bush’s approval ratings to their lowest extended in 2004 but still was known trying to fuel sectarian tensions to level. In a Newsweek poll released on to be a temporary post. Sue Fishkoff, a special correspondent based in Northern California, covers American Jewish spark a civil war, but they must be Saturday, only 36 percent of Americans In his first seven years, Joel virtually issues, with a special focus on Jewish identity “watching with fear” the progress in said they approved of his performance transformed Hillel, quadrupling its and affiliation. She also serves as a contributing the country over the past three years. as president. 65 percent disapprove of budget and getting new funding from editor, responsible for coordinating JTA’s cover- age of the former Soviet Union. She is a former In London, former Iraqi Prime his handling of the situation in Iraq, the Schusterman and Steinhardt foun- staff writer for the Jerusalem Post, has written Minister Iyad Allawi said on Sunday once one of his strongest suits. dations, and securing Hillel’s inde- extensively for a variety of national Jewish publi- cations and is the author of The Rebbe’s Army: that Iraq is in a civil war and is nearing Bush used his weekly radio address pendence from its parent organization, Inside the World of Chabad-Lubavitch, pub- the point of no return when the sectar- on Saturday to urge Americans to B’nai Brith. lished by Schocken Books. ian violence will spill over throughout resist a temptation to retreat from the Middle East. Iraq, but opposition Democrats “It is unfortunate that we are in civil pressed him to offer a plan for drawing war. We are losing each day, as an aver- down U.S. troops and said Iraq was Six days work shall be done; and the seventh age, 50 to 60 people throughout the moving closer to a civil war. day shall be holy... country, if not more. If this is not civil Rumsfeld wrote that if U.S. forces (Sh’mos 35:2) war, then G-d knows what civil war is,” leave Iraq now, “there is every reason to he told BBC television. believe Saddamists and terrorists will fill Here the Torah describes the Jew’s work in the course of the Rumsfeld’s view was that the Iraqi the vacuum—and the free world might week as a passive endeavor—”Six days work shall be done” insurgency was failing. “The terrorists not have the will to face them again.” seem to recognize that they are losing A recent Le Moyne College/Zogby (not “six days you shall do work”). For the Jew regards his in Iraq. I believe that history will show poll showed 72 percent of U.S. troops workday endeavors not as the source of his sustenance, but that to be the case,” he wrote. serving in Iraq think that the United merely as a “vessel” in which to receive G-d’s blessing. He said 75 percent of all military States should exit within a year. Nearly operations in Iraq include Iraqi securi- one in four said the troops should (The Chassidic Masters) ty forces. “Today, some 100 Iraqi army leave immediately. (Reuters) ❖

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 85 86 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 87 SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED PROVIDED

Simchas Naava Have you lost a small fortune in Share your simcha flowers! Be the stock market using a stock m’sameach other simchas! Donate broker? your fresh flower arrangements! We Stock Market Recovery Consultants, will match your simcha date with Inc. specializes in recovering funds simchas following yours or deliver for such cases. Call today them to nursing home residents. To 888-76-CLAIM (25246). donate or obtain flower arrangements, call 516-239-6066. In memory of a special friend, HELP Naava Wassner Katlowitz WANTED Plumbing and Heating: Sundial Plumbing. Boilers/water heaters serviced and installed. All leaks fixed. Looking for experienced teachers Bathrooms, kitchens, basements. No with time to donate! job too big or small. 718-252-1234. Girl’s high school in need of tutors in: Math, Science, and other subjects. New Table and Chair Gemach Call Tiferet at 516-239-4190. 740 Mador Ct. Far Rockaway. Honorarium available. Call 718-471-0368. Cell Phone company in Cedarhurst Too Much to Type? Too Much to Do? needs full time office staff. College Reports, Simcha Lists, Must be computer literate. Secretarial Support. Call Gold Star Ask for Zev 516-569-8323. Typing Service for help. Reasonable rates. Call 718-471-9712. Customer service needed for busy office in Lawrence, computer experi- Study with Steve Tutoring/ ence, multitasks, strong work ethic, Training. High School & Elem. F/T. Fax resume to 516-239-6810. Math, Math Regents, Computers. Call 516-371-5522. Office Position/Admin Assistant Master Teacher Tutors Manufacturer/Importer in Limudei Kodesh/Secular Subjects Oceanside. Shomer Shabbos. Must Specialize grades 1-8. Adults; have good computer skills, including Boys; Girls. Call 718-868-3968. Excel and Word. Accounting software experience a plus. Basic Accounting/ Get rid of warts Mrs. Wartsoff Bookkeeping preferred. Full Time. eliminates warts. Safe, painless, no Please submit resume and salary scarring Molluscum, plantar, & history to: Fax – 516-977-3319 Herpes. Ideal for children & adults. 10 week supply. $25 Money-back. E-mail – [email protected] Call 845-354-8859. Correction! 5 Towns Preschool Avi Construction specialist – has an immediate F/T opening piping and heating, tile, sheetrock, for a classroom assistant. Please call 516-554-3080. complete bedroom, and more! Call 646-642-5535 or 718-251-6867. P/T receptionist/administrative assistant. Front desk duties include: Children are filled with endless medical billing, phones, scheduling potential. Develop your child’s appointments, word processing, and potential this summer at any location data entry. Usual hours: 9-1 week- in the mountains and any time of day. days. Contact Margaret at 516-239- Tutors available for Hebrew Studies 6400 or fax 516-239-6434. only. Call 718-438-0390. Looking for full-time admin Home-based licensed children assist/receptionist in local area. day care in Woodmere have Must be computer savvy, willing to openings for pre-school children. work hard and keep up with fast Kosher children are welcome. paced growing business. E-mail For details please call Julia at resume to [email protected] 516-791-6611.

Are you looking for employment? Are you a business owner or potential employer? The 5 Towns Jewish Times is working to match qualified candidates with companies looking for competent and qualified employees in the New York area. If you’re looking for a job, fax your resume to: 516-977-0608 or e-mail it to: [email protected] If you have a job available in your business or company call: 516-239-0020 There is NO FEE for this service.

88 March 24, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HELP BUSINESS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE WANTED FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE

Administrative Assistant For Sale–Business Opportunity CO-OP–Cedarhurst Palmer Small, friendly office in Cedarhurst Established 5 Towns Appetizing House: Ground floor, state-of-the-art 5 TOWN HOMES seeks an organized and responsible Store since 1947, seeks Shomer marble bths/kitchen + Built-ins Pvt, 516-569-5710 administrative assistant. Must have Shabbos partner to expand great Backyard, $350K, 516-239-8683. excellent communication and com- existing business to accommodate Far Rockaway–Beautiful spacious HWLT: MIC, 3+Br, 2.5Bth, Full puter skills, including Excel, Word needs of the community. 2 bedroom co-op, prime location, excel- Bsmt., Lg Prop. Priced to and Outlook. Applicant should be Ongoing concern. Seriously minded lent condition, 24 hr security. Asking Sell...$599K. able to multitask. Knowledge of individuals only. Great Opportunity, $249K. Call broker 718-327-5600. GTPRO a plus. Salary commensurate minimal investment. Walk To All from this beautiful JR4 WDMR: Lg Bi-level, 4+Br, 3Bth, with experience. Ask for Robert, 516-205-2737. converted to a small 2nd BR/Office EIK, Den, FDR, Wtrview, SD14, Fax resumes to 516-239-9203. Law/Inwd: Estab. Gift & Cell or DR. New Kitchen w/Pergo Flrs. Cac... $679K. Updated Bath. Spacious Master BR Fast paced “support Israel” cred- Store. Heavy traffic. Invent., fixt’s, w/Custom Wall to Wall Closets. CEDRHRST: Nu2Mkt C\H, NU it card company seeks FT and PT avail., long lse. 5 TOWN HOMES Parking. Storage Bin. Reduced to Constrc’n, 5Br, 5Bths. Full call-center reps. Ideal candidates 516-569-5710. $229K! Owner Motivated and Bsmt…$1,150K. have prior call center experience, Negotiable! Call Holly at Prudential excellent phone manner and great REAL ESTATE Douglas Elliman 516-456-2516. WDMR: SPLIT: 4Br, Lot: 110 x 147‚ organizational skills. Excellent salary full bsmt. Prop. 110 x 146‚ Split, full Far Rockaway/Lawrence border: + commission. E-mail resume to FOR SALE bsmt\8ft...$829K. [email protected] or fax Must sell! Best Offer! 5+ BR, brk C/H 516-295-7611. col. FLR, FDR, 3 full bths, full fin CEDRHRST: Nu2Mkt bsmt, CAC, 2 car drvwy. Near all Five Towns location- next to LIRR. C\H...$1,150K. NU Constrc’n, 5Br, Far Rockaway New Construction shuls. MIC. Call 917-362-4829. 5Bth, Full bsmt. Rapidly expanding girls Semi-detached great location. Investment Opportunity in Far Elementary School – 5 Towns. Legal 2 family 3BR 2 full BTH, LR/DR, EIK, 3 zone C/AC, Alarm, Rockaway LAWRNCE: NU Construc’n, 6Br, Seeking experienced teachers - large deck. +Apt. 1BR, F.BTH, C/AC LGL 2 Fam W/Fin BSMNT SEP. 5Bth, Lg. prop, Walk all, With all grades 1-3. General Studies & ENT. Large 3/3 BDRM. Bright, Alarm $599K or best offer goodies. Plans can be seen in office. Limudei Kodesh. Fax resume: spacious, liv/din, eik, lndr rm. Call 718-337-5761. 773-346-4294. New wndw, new gutters, wood flr. CEDRHRST: 2Fam, 3Br/3Br, 2Fpl, Cedarhurst–Owner–Must See Spanish-TL RF GRG and private prk. Deck. All Nu, Grt. Loca’n, Part time Great Neck–Seeking Nr shuls, schools, train. Ask $799K, experienced counselor who can be SH Col-MIC-CAC-New EIK-3+2Bed Full bsmt. $879K. Den-3.5Bath-New Roof, Windows priced to sell! Grt invest opp! firm and provide structure for young Must see! Call immediately CEDRHRST: LgLr, Dr, EIK, Den, adult female who lives in Great Neck. Fin.BSMT. $775K. 516-395-8800. 516-728-2671. 5Br, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Lg prop., Hours: from 4:45 p.m. weekdays. Condominium For Sale, Far Please call Annie at Ohel Bais Ezra: Co-op for sale Mayfair building, IGPool…$699K. Rockaway, Reads Lane property, 718-686-3484. Woodsburgh, walk to all, 2br, ground floor, 3 1/2 bedrooms, eat-in- 1.5 bth eik, washer, dryer, under- N.WDMR: NU 2 Mkt, NU constrc’n, P/T Medical Biller–experienced. kitchen, living room/dining room, 2 ground parking, sale by owner. C\H col 4Br, 3Bth, Full bsmt, MD office – Lawrence. Computers. bathrooms, central air, spacious yard, Serious inquiries 516-295-2414. SD14…$879K. 12-15 flexible hours preferably Monday, near schools and shuls. Far Rockaway. Bayswater Tuesday, and Thursday. Please call 917-613-1399. 5 TOWN HOMES Large 2-family house 6 bedrooms, 718-380-8500. 516-569-5710 Cdrhrst - Ours Alone!! Legal 2 Fam. 3/3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 Jacuzzi room, water view. $650K. Shomer Shabbat photography OPEN HOUSE Sun. 3/26 12-2PM Far Rockaway / West Lawrence/ studio in Queens needs full time Call John 718-471-6658. **240 Grove Ave** off W. Bdwy 2 720K Brand new 3 family, all brick, office help to work with pictures, houses on one property 175 ft. deep LAWRNCE CO-OP: NU 2 Mkt, 1st balconies, hardwood floors, full some clerical work, light bookkeeping, 4br, 3bth SH Col & 3br,1.5bth col. Flr, 3Br, 2Bth, Fdr, Lr, Patio, W/D, lo basement, 3 boilers & water heaters, pleasant phone voice–must be completely renovated w/low, low txs. maint $439K. 5 TOWN HOMES garage, driveway, backyard. 25 years computer literate. E-mail resume to Must see to appreciate – WOW!! 516-569-5710. tax abatement. Walk to shuls. [email protected] Cdhrst - Ours Alone! Sun. by appt. 917-701-7887. Also for rent. 3 bdrm col on great location...$499K Christine Lynch Licensed Real N. Wdmre - Ours Alone! Walk to Estate Broker Woodmere–Academy area. New Y.I. 5 bdrm, 3 bth, raised ranch, 2900 FOR SALE 447 Westminster Rd, Cedarhurst Listing. 4BR brk Col. Brand new sq. ft. house, w/cathedral ceilings. Open House, Sunday, March 19th 1-3 kitch, C/A, many new extras. Walk to Large property, SD#14...... $850K Lovely landscaped brick 3+ bed- LIRR and many shuls. Reasonably Anessa V Cohen Realty room…2 bath upstairs deck… kit. Minivan For Sale: with pantry, garage ent., L-shaped priced. By owner. 516-569-6646. 2003 Chrysler Town & Country 516-569-5007 L/D room, large den with wood peg Minivan, 21K miles extended House for sale by owner. floors + Florida rm., basement with warranty asking $13,500. Lawrence. 4 BR, 3 1/2 Bths, newly cellar door, gas heat, 90x100, Great Call 516-371-4417. renovated, new kitchen, walk to all yard! Easily expandable! Walk to all! Classified Ads are within Eruv. Asking $1.25 million Drastic Reduction $729K Continued on the Next Page. www.Seewaldusedcars.com neg or $6,000/m Call 516-239-9100. Mini and Maxi Vans. Call 203-222-8285.

8-12-15 passenger vans. Your Real Estate, Service, or Help Wanted Ad 718-773-CARS sktuuhx hcm Here Every Thursday 50,000 readers look forward to what’s happening in Visa Accepted the 5 Towns by reading The 5 Towns Jewish Times. Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m. 1 Week...... $35 2 Weeks ...... $60 The Advertising Deadline 4 Weeks ...... $100 for Classified Ads is Weekly Ads of up to 25 words Monday at 5:00 P.M. E-mail ads to: [email protected] Or Fax to: 516-977-0608 Call 516-984-0079 Include payment info.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 24, 2006 89 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Continued from Page 89 FOR RENT FOR RENT FOR RENT REAL ESTATE FOR RENT Far Rockaway Reads Ln and Cedarhurst House for Rent House for Rent–Far Rockaway Empire Ave. apt. for rent! 3-4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, LR, DR, 4 BR, LR/DR, office, 1 1/2 baths, 2 Large Bedrooms, Large LR/DR Large kitchen and large den. new kitchen w/ granite & SS appli- Large 2 bedroom apt. for rent Area. Lots of closet space, Washer/ Furnished or unfurnished $2,900 + ances, large deck, big back yard, 2- 1 block from AISH. Private House. Dryer Hookup. Walking Distance to utilities. Call owner 516-295-1683. zone c/a/c, wood floors, brand new Large eat-in-kitchen. Jacuzzi bath. LIRR. Call 718-471-1825. windows, private driveway, great loca- fplc, living rm, dining room. Lawrence: RENTAL 2Br, all nu Far Rockaway: Lg. Hse RENTAL: tion! $2,500. Call 516-807-3103. Walk to train, full of charm. $2,000. APT., own ht. $1,100. 4br, 2bth, bsmt., Hi ceil’g, NU bths, Call 917-327-1291. Call 917-757-9351. W\D. Call 516-322-3555. Far Rockaway – several one and two bedroom apartments near shuls, Apt. for Rent-Far Rockaway 5 TOWN HOMES Warehouse space for rent 2 BR., 1 Bath, kitchen, LR/DR. Apt. is 516-569-5710 Lynbrook up to 5,000 sf available. schools, and shopping areas. just 2 years old! Great loc. Ample park- Office space also available. Reasonably priced. 718-327-5600. ing. $1,250. Call 516-807-3103. WDMR: Ranch: Lg. Hse 4Br, 3Bth, Call Teddy at 917-842-8721. Far Rockaway: Completely renovat- Lg, yd. Looking to come to the Five Towns ed. 2 Lge bedrooms, lge LR/DR, full Newly renovated apartment for Col. Hse: 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. for the summer of 2006 seeking to bath, EIK, deck, driveway. Walk to rent – Far Rockaway. 2 bedroom Bsmt…$2,500. rent furnished house. Call everything. Reasonable rent. apartment, brand new eat-in-kitchen, 212-724-2369; 917-817-4346. Call 516-569-5515. ground level-separate front entrance, 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 access to private backyard, ample parking. $1,200/month including Apartment for Rent in To Advertise heat. Call 917-602-5178 or Aventura Florida 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms next 917-836-4133. in the door to Orthodox Shul in Mystic Far Rockaway–Large 1 bedroom Pointe available starting January 15, 5 Towns 2006. Call Myra at apartment, good condition, 24 hr Coldwell Banker 305-491-4013 Jewish Times security, available immediately. e-mail: [email protected]. Only $800 a month. Call Woodmere: 2 bedroom apt. available Call Weissman Realty Group at immediately. $1,650 Utilities 516-984-0079 718-327-5600 (no fee). separate. Call 516-569-1118.

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