WEEKLY Candle-lighting/Shabbos ends Friday, March 13: 6:41/7:41

Kew Gardens Hills • Kew Gardens • Forest Hills • Hillcrest • Briarwood • Jamaica Estates Holliswood • Fresh Meadows • Great Neck • Rego Park • West Hempstead • New Hyde Park Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) March 12, 2015 • 21 Adar 5775 Free Rego Park’s Ohr Natan A Flurry Of Fun On Purim Marks Namesake’s Centennial

SEE PHOTOS ON P. 36-37 SEE STORY ON P. 31

From Our Rabbinic Consultant Shabbos Inbox Op-Ed Hooked On Healing As I See It Now Hangin’ On Meng Reacts To What’s Putting Legacy I Understand By A Thread Netanyahu Speech So Funny? Before Country

By Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld By Eytan Kobre By US Rep. Grace Meng By Caroline Schumsky By Cynthia Zalisky

y sorely missed father- wo guys have been learn- lthough I lament the uick! What’s the most rime Minister Benjamin in-law, Moshe Buchs- ing Gemara together for politicization of Prime infectious sound you Netanyahu created a tre- Mbaum a”h, died just T20 years, when one of AMinister Netanyahu’s Qknow? A sneeze? A Pmendous stir with his over a year ago, at the age of 93. them makes a bar mitzva for his speech before a Joint Session of cough? A yawn? Oh wait: speech before a joint session He was as straight and honest son and invites the other. “I’m Congress this week, I very much Yawns don’t make sounds, or of Congress on Tuesday, March a man as they come. He came making a bar mitzva and would value the Prime Minister’s per- do they? Well, moving right 3. Netanyahu laid out his con- to the United States from Eu- like you to come.” spective on the Iran nuclear ne- along… cerns to the American people

CONTINUED ON P. 19 CONTINUED ON P. 11 CONTINUED ON P. 51 CONTINUED ON P. 24 CONTINUED ON P. 26

Fascinating 5 See Page 59 Controversial Air Crash Conspiracy Theories 2 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 3 4 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 5 Stories Of Greatness R’ Dovid Hoffman All That Remains Of Minsk

ussian Jewry, before the fall Russian agents and he could never been immunized to their suffering. “Know then,” he began, “that our of the Iron Curtain and the open his mouth. His silence was It set the tone for things to come. hopes and dreams for the coming of Rcollapse of the Soviet Union, taken as a sign of complicity, and a Soon afterwards, the mass immi- Mashiach are being put to the test. was a society fraught with danger, dreadful pall settled over the whole gration began. Rav Yaakov expand- We cry out to Hashem: ‘End the ga- uncertainty, and often terror. Even affair. ed his involvement with each pass- lus! Bring back klal Yisrael from the more terrifying, though, was the An appearance was arranged for ing day. It reached a pinnacle with four corners of the earth!’ Hashem limited support and encouragement Rabbi Levin in Borough Park, and the development of the Be’er Hago- asks us, ‘Do you really desire it with coming to these deprived souls Rav Yaakov was asked to introduce lah Institute, a school dedicated to all your heart? Let me see how you from the outside world. HaRav him. Rav Yaakov began by painting the education of Russian children, react to a miniature ingathering of Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l was deeply a picture of Jewish life in Old Rus- and Rav Yaakov was deeply engaged just one small tribe of klal Yisrael.’ moved by the physical and spiritual This has now miraculously come to suffering of his erstwhile compa- pass. What have we done? Most triots, and he ceaselessly searched Then he turned softly to the child at his side and said, of us just turn away from them and for ways to improve their lot. One brutally ignore them. How can you incident that sharply revealed his “And now all that remains of Minsk is this one little boy.” claim that you want klal Yisrael feelings was the visit to America by back when you spurn the fi rst group Chief Rabbi Levin of Moscow. that He sent you?” Rabbi Levin was an accomplished sia, depicting the k’dushah and t’mi- in its initiation. However, the insti- Rav Yaakov then demanded that talmid chacham, but his visit had mus that existed there. He skillfully tution had hardly been organized each yeshivah house at least one been orchestrated by non-religious blended anecdotes and quotations when it was beset by a struggle for classroom of Be’er Hagolah talmi- groups and his itinerary was in from Chazal to warm the crowd to its very existence. Over four hun- dim. He wasn’t satisfi ed until he their hands. Throughout the tour, the Rav’s impending message. He dred children had been enrolled received a personal commitment misguided demonstrators, clam- made them understand that the Rav and school was about to open when from each principal. The message oring for the release of Russian would say things that had veiled it became evident that all arrange- came across, and within a few days Jews, marred his appearances. They meanings and he encouraged the ments for classroom space had Be’er Hagolah opened in fourteen shouted epithets at him, quoting re- Rav to speak his mind. The effect collapsed. Rav Yaakov quickly con- locations. It was only Rav Yaakov marks that indicated to them that was overpowering. The Rav spoke vened an emergency meeting of all who pulled it through. his sympathy lay with the wrong and the people heard. The pain of yeshivah principals in New York One poignant scene stands out: A side. To further complicate matters, the Russian Jew found its way into City. He spoke to them with pro- twelve-year-old boy from Minsk was the Rav was tailed day and night by the hearts of a community that had phetic force. introduced at a fund-raising dinner. The boy said a Torah thought for the crowd in heavily accented En- glish and there was a well-deserved round of applause. Then Rav Yaa- kov spoke. In his inimitable man- ner, he pieced together a beautiful mosaic portraying the Minsk that he knew in his youth. He spoke of the families that supported Torah, of the chesed of the masses, of the talmidei chachamim and rabbanim of a bygone era. Then he turned softly to the child at his side and said, “And now all that remains of Minsk is this one little boy.” At that moment, a little smattering of Rav Yaakov’s ahavas Yisrael rubbed off onto each individual who was pres- ent.

Rabbi Dovid Hoffman is the author of the popular “Torah Tavlin” book series, fi lled with stories, wit and hundreds of divrei Torah, including the brand new “Torah Tavlin Yamim Noraim” in stores everywhere. You’ll love this popular se- ries. Also look for his book, “Heroes of Spirit,” containing one hundred fasci- nating stories on the Holocaust. They are fantastic gifts, available in all Ju- daica bookstores and online at http:// israelbookshoppublications.com. To receive Rabbi Hoffman’s weekly “Torah Tavlin” sheet on the parsha, e-mail To- [email protected]

6 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Your Say • Readers Write Dear Editor: President Obama’s recent veto of Congress’ attempt to approve the Keystone XL pipeline is a positive step in defending wildlife, communities, and our climate from Dear Editor: What A Town! a polluting project. The Keystone XL tar sands project Trying not to pay too much attention to the forecast, I puts wildlife in jeopardy every step of the way – from As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves the went ahead and made up my usual number of mishloach lynx, bear, and caribou populations in the boreal forest, podium after speaking to the US Congress, we the un- manos, hoping for the best. When I saw the snow, I as- to sandhill and whooping cranes in the plains, to pal- dersigned would like to extend our sincere appreciation sumed, “Oh, well. I guess I’ll wind up with most of them.” lid sturgeon that are barely hanging on in waterways. to our Congresswoman, Grace Meng. As some other But KGH, you started coming. The fi rst brave one Keystone XL fails the president’s test that this pipeline Congress members were deliberating whether or not to rang the doorbell with huge smiles, then another, then not worsen climate change, and we look forward to him attend the speech, Grace Meng had no question or con- a few more. How much it meant to see each person helping to protect wildlife from toxic tar sands by reject- fl ict that she would attend. and family who did not let the snow stop them from ing the pipeline permit once and for all. So as other letters were written to other Congress spreading Purim cheer. Thank you, Mr. President! members to ask that they reconsider their position of And what mishloach manos! The inventiveness (mo- Sincerely, not attending, this letter is recognizing the position of jito makings with a card reading, “happy pour-em!”), the Mr. Joseph M. Varon, Congresswoman Meng and thanking her for putting the creativity (the couple dressed as pilot and stewardess Past President great and strong relationship between America and Isra- with a tray that looked like an airline meal and board- Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council el before other political considerations. ing pass card), the poems, the nostalgia (a look back at all our favorite years of costumes), the artistic (snow- Sincerely, fl ake-decorated cookies), the tasty (homemade iced Rabbi Lawrence Teitelman, Co-President, muffi ns), the healthful, the clever divrei Torah, the snow- Dear Editor: Vaad Harabonim of Queens themed, the dedicated tz’dakah collectors, the enthusi- Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, Co-President, astic, the sincere, the color-coordinated, and (lastly), Thank you for putting the time and effort into creat- Vaad Harabonim of Queens the grateful (mentioning appreciation for Joel’s snow ing this paper. Rabbi Chaim Schwartz, Eeecutive VP, removal efforts). Each visit felt so special, knowing the It really has a Queens fl avor! It’s really enjoyable and Vaad Harabonim of Queens gift-givers had to battle the snow. What a great, albeit educational. We really enjoy reading it and hope that Aaron Cyperstein, Esq. snowy, Purim, and what a great community! May the you will continue to be successful. Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, YIKGH achdus bring Mashiach all the more quickly! Your success is our success! Yaniv Meirov, Chazaq Sincerely, Brachah v’hatzlachah! Yaakov Serle, Queens Jewish Link Leah Bleiberg The Poulad family

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 7 Regular Features As I see it – Cynthia Zalisky ...... 1 Beauty briefs – Risselle Naimark ...... 67 Blue and white – Shmuel Sackett 27 Classifieds ...... 52 Community calendar – Rebecca Wittert ...... 44 Community corner – Susie Garber, Sergey Kadinsky 30-43 Community snapshots – Aharon Katz ...... 36/37 Delectable dishes – Estee Kafka ...... 57 Fascinating 5 – QJL Staff ...... 59 Financially forward – Gerald Harris ...... 25 For what it’s worth – Warren Hecht ...... 29 From our Rabbinic consultant - R’ Yoel Schonfeld ...... 1 Frontlines – Dr. Joe Frager ...... 50 The fun side – QJL Staff ...... 68/69 Hooked on healing – Caroline Schumsky ...... 1 House and home – R’ Gedalia and Sarah Newcomb ...... 46 Rabbis musings & amusings – R’ Dani Stam ...... 28 A Shabbat thought – R’ David Algaze ...... 14 Shabbos inbox – Eytan Kobre ...... 1 The Shmuz – R’ Benzion Shafier ...... 16 Snippets of strange – QJL Staff ...... 20-23 Socially Savvy – Esti Berkowitz ...... 47 Stories of greatness – R’ Dovid Hoffman ...... 6 Style myths debunked – Meira E. Schneider-Atik ...... 63 Your Say ...... 7 Special Articles Netanyahu in Congress - Farley Weiss ...... 45 Meng Reacts to Netanyahu Speech - US Rep. Grace Meng ...... 1 Rego Park’s Ohr Natan Marks Namesake’s Centennial - Sergey Kadinsky ...... 31

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8 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 9 10 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Shabbos Inbox Eytan Kobre Hangin’ On By A Thread

CONTINUED FROM P. 1 the Jewish people and their non-Jewish neighbors. “Sorry, I can’t,” replied the chavrusa. The prohibition against carrying is “But I really want you to come.” the 39th and fi nal category of work pro- “You don’t understand. I can’t come.” hibited on Shabbos. “And Moshe com- “Why not?” manded, and they sounded a call in the “Because I’m not Jewish.” camp saying, ‘Let neither man nor wom- “Not Jewish? What do you mean? an make any more work for the offering We’ve been learning together for 20 of the sanctuary.’ And the people were years!” restrained from bringing” (Shemos 36:6). enclosed but under separate ownership. urging him to construct an eruv immedi- “Oh that? I just enjoy the intellectual This is the source for the prohibition This eruv is created by making the prop- ately. When R’ Yaakov refused to heed the stimulation.” against carrying on Shabbos (Shabbos erty owners partners in a loaf of bread or Rosh’s directives, the Rosh termed him a “But we learned that a non-Jew who 96b). matzos. Before carrying in an area that is “zakein mamrei” (a Torah scholar who keeps Shabbos is liable for the death pen- In a nutshell, the Torah prohibits car- not fully enclosed, one must enclose the rules against the decision of the Sanhe- alty!” rying from an enclosed, private domain area with halachically acceptable “walls” drin and is liable for the death penalty), “Oh, I never kept Shabbos. Whenever I to an un-enclosed public domain, and and “doors.” and threatened to ex-communicate him left my house on Shabbos, I always made vice versa, as well as for a distance of The laws of eruvin often are compli- if his recalcitrance persisted. sure to carry my key.” four cubits (about seven feet) in a public cated and subject to strong dispute. In One famous dispute is what con- “But we have an eruv in our commu- domain. A non-enclosed area that does the Thirteenth Century, for instance, R’ stitutes public domain that cannot be nity!” not qualify as public domain is called Yaakov ben R’ Moshe of Alinsiya wrote a enclosed—is it only an area used by at “You call that an eruv? I would never a “karmelis,” and it is treated with the letter to R’ Asher ben R’ Yechiel (the Rosh) least 600,000 people (see e.g. Rashi, Eru- hold from such an eruv!” stringencies of both a public domain and explaining why he forbade a certain vin 59a) or is it any street or marketplace It is one of the great ironies of Jewish a private domain. eruv in his town. The Rosh responded life that the eruv—one of the purposes of An “eruv”—as used colloquially—ac- by debunking R’ Yaakov’s concerns and CONTINUED ON P. 43 which is to facilitate Jewish unity—has tually refers to several different rabbinic been the source of so much strife, both conventions. One is an eruv that permits Eytan Kobre is a lecturer, writer, and attorney, residing in Kew Gardens Hills with amongst the Jewish people and between carrying between different areas that are his wife and children. He can be contacted at [email protected].

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 11 12 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 13 A Shabbat Thought R’ David Algaze Aspirations, Abilities And Achievements

“Every man whose heart inspired The Temple structure, its furnish- artisans]. For there was none who achieve something we want because him came; and everyone whose spirit ings, and vestments were elaborate learned these crafts from any instruc- we think it is not achievable or that urged him brought the portion of G-d and required a high level of artisan- tor or trainer at all; but each one found we lack the power or talent to do it. for the Tent of Meeting, for all its labor ship and very specifi c abilities. As in his heart [the ability] to do it, and We hear about spiritual goals, to pray and for the sacred vestments.” Ramban points out, how could peo- their heart was uplifted in the ways with more concentration (kavanah), (Shemot 35:22) ple, whose only experience involved of G-d to come and say to Moshe, “I to study more Torah, to be kinder to working with bricks and mortar, ever will do whatever my Lord commands people and to ourselves, and yet we fter the tragic error of building attained the necessary skills to work me.” Ramban is puzzled about this fall short because we think we do not a Golden Calf comes the great have the strength or ability to achieve Aforgiveness. Through repent- them. The Torah is emphasizing that ance and acknowledgement the peo- It is not our abilities that define us or limit us; talent and skill or previous experience ple attained anew the grace of G-d. It may not always dictate what we can is remarkable that this grace and this it is our aspirations accomplish or create. If we have an pardon were obtained merely by the aspiration to do something, the spir- change of heart and the sincere re- it can create a reality beyond our past gret and not through complex rituals in architecture, design, weaving, dye- phenomenon that whoever wanted and above our former self. If we as- or offerings in a specifi c place. They ing, and especially in the fi ne art of to do the work suddenly found him- pire to something high, we should not achieved grace without the Temple and working with precious stones? In self to be a skilled worker in that area. let our limitations stop us. We should without offerings, which demonstrates Egypt, the Israelites knew nothing How could people exposed only to not fall into the trap of thinking of all the fundamental truth that it is not the about working with gold or copper. rough work in construction all of a of the reasons we cannot do it, but Temple and offerings which in and of How is it that they turned out to be sudden turn out to be fi ne workers in rather concentrate on our aspiration themselves produce the grace of G-d. such skilled craftsmen and artists? diamonds and gold that require a high and the Divine help that will fl ow af- The Temple serves merely as a symbol Ramban writes on this verse, “The level of training? terwards. and prompter to become closer to G-d uplifting of the spirit refers to the The answer lies in the words There is a beautiful story of a great and that is the reason for the com- wise men [craftsmen and artisans] “Whose spirit prompted (elevated) scholar who came to a renowned ye- mandment to build a Tabernacle and a who perform the work…referring to him,” meaning that a person can ex- shivah in search for a husband to his Temple. how they came to doing the work [as perience an inner urge and aspiration daughter. Naturally he sought a tal- that may push us to do something be- ented student, so he posed a diffi cult yond our regular actions and abilities. question to all the students and ex- There are some activities and enter- pected to choose the one who would prises which do not require courses answer it correctly. After several hours or training, but rather aspiration and when no one came forward, the father initiative. At one moment they are was leaving the campus somewhat de- construction workers but the sudden jected. As his carriage was departing, aspiration to contribute to the Temple a young man came running after the makes them attain a skill previously carriage and said, “I do not know the unknown to them. The mere desire answer and I know I do not qualify, to give something to the sacred proj- but can you please tell me what the ect enables them to discover in them- answer was?” The scholar turned to selves a talent they never knew about. the young man and said, “I’d like you Perhaps even more miraculously, the to be my daughter’s husband, for your skill develops simultaneously with the deep desire to learn shows your char- desire and the aspiration. This is what acter.” The young man may not have is meant by “the elevation of the spir- known the answer yet, but his ar- it” – that the person instantaneously dent desire to learn was surely to be rises to another level and is endowed rewarded eventually with the proper with a skill he had not known be- profi ciency and knowledge. The abil- fore. The Torah describes this process ity is not a static quality, but sprouts in which the person “whose heart from aspiration and will. prompts him” is fi lled with a dexterity When we are ready to say to the and an aptitude through the help of Master, “I’m prepared to do whatever G-d: “He fi lled them with a wise heart my Lord commands,” we will discov- to do every craft of the carver, weaver er resources and strengths we nev- of designs and embroiderer, with the er knew we had or, more precisely, turquoise, purple and scarlet wool… these talents and skills will shoot up and the artisans of every craft and and bloom inside of us. It is not our makers of designs. “ (ibid. 35) abilities that defi ne us or limit us; it This is a lesson for us in every as- is our aspirations. When we aim low, pect of life and especially in the spiri- we accomplish little. Aspirations are tual realm. We are often paralyzed in fl owers of the soul that can lift us far front of a new task or goal. We fail above our present levels and make us to make our dreams come true or to soar beyond our former horizons.

Rabbi David Algaze is the founder and Rav of Havurat Yisrael, Forest Hills. He is a noted public speaker and author and is the President of the international Committee for the Land of Israel.

14 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 15 The Shmuz On The Parshah R’ Ben Tzion Shafier Men Are From Mars The Jewish women had in their hands mirrors that they would look into to beautify not only should they be used, they were human who ever existed. For forty days, themselves, and even these they brought as a gift to the Mishkan. Moshe was revolted the most precious of all the items that he lived like an angel – without food, by them because they were used by the Yeitzer HaRa. Hashem said to Moshe, “Accept were donated. In fact, the very reason drink, or sleep – and learned the entire them; these are the most precious to me of all the gifts, because with these mirrors the Hashem wanted them to be used in the Torah. Yet he looked at these mirrors righteous women brought forth legions of children in Mitzrayim.” Mishkan was that the women used them with disgust until Hashem told him that to beautify themselves and attract their they were actually the most precious gift The Mirrors Are from, the Torah is teaching a signifi cant husbands. given. How is it possible that Moshe was The Most Precious Of Gifts lesson. so off in his understanding? The Torah specifi es that the Wash Ba- Moshe Rabbeinu was appalled by the How Could Moshe Rabbeinu Have Been sin in the Mishkan was made of copper idea of using mirrors in the Mishkan, So Mistaken? Boys And Girls Are Different taken from the mirrors that the women because they were used to enhance a The diffi culty with this Rashi is how The answer to this question can be brought as donations. Rashi explains woman’s beauty, which is a source for could Moshe Rabbeinu have been so mis- found by watching little children at play that by telling us where the copper came the Yeitzer HaRa. Yet Hashem said that taken? Chazal tell us he was the greatest in the local public school yard. The girls

How is it possible that Moshe was so off in his understanding?

will be off on one side of the yard play- ing jump rope or hopscotch, while the boys will be off on the other side playing tag or touch football. Even though the classes are mixed, in play it is rare to fi nd boys and girls together. The reason for this is that boys and girls are different. They have different in- terests, desires, and value systems. They are different in the way they behave, re- late to each other, and communicate. In fact, boys and girls are so different that you would almost assume they come from different cultures, maybe even dif- ferent planets. It isn’t that they are social- ized or trained differently; it is that their inner makeup is fundamentally different. As an example, studies show that when asked, “Who is your best friend?” three-year-old boys are as likely to name a girl as their best friend as they are a boy. At that age, mixed gender friendships are quite common. Yet, by the time this same group of children are fi ve years old, only 20% will have a best friend from the opposite gender. By the time they are seven, it is almost nonexistent for a boy to have a best friend who is girl, or for a girl to have a best friend who is a boy – because by then they have almost noth-

CONTINUED ON P. 52

Born and bred in Kew Gardens Hills, R’ Ben Tzion Shafier joined the Choftez Chaim Yeshiva after high school. Short- ly thereafter he got married and moved with his new family to Rochester, where he remained in for 12 years. R’ Shafi er then moved to Monsey, NY, where he was a Rebbe in the new Chofetz Chaim branch there for three years. Upon the Rosh Yeshiva’s request, he stopped teaching to devote his time to running Tiferes Bnei Torah. R” Shafi er, a happily married father of six children, currently resides in Monsey.

16 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 17 18 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Message From Our Rabbinic Consultant

R’ Yoel Schonfeld Now I Understand CONTINUED FROM P. 1 ads in the major newspapers. But the major event? To be sure, Satmar brought were they to organize at least as many Soros-funded Tikkun and the J Street out their troops to the Israeli consulate Jews to save Jews from catastrophe, rope in the 1930s as a teenager and was organization also took out ads for their to protest Netanyahu on the day of his G-d-forbid? a young adult during World War II. He reprehensible anti-Netanyahu anti-Israel speech. But where were all the organi- Where are the major Orthodox orga- would often tell me that American Jews positions. zations we are associated with? Where nizations? Press releases alone are not at the time knew full well of the tragedy enough. We need them to get on the of the destruction of European Jewry horn, work with day schools, yeshivah at the hands of the Nazis, but chose to I see that the Jews have not learned from history either high schools, and synagogues to have make believe they did not have all the thousands attend a chizuk rally! Esther information, and for the most part did HaMalkah understood this when she very little to rally our government to do called for the gathering of all Jews, but something about it. When I looked at Where were the thousands and thou- were the same organizations that can today’s leaders do not. him incredulously, he shrugged and said sands of Jews rallying for Israel’s sur- bring 50,000 Jews to downtown Man- The sad part is that I had been in that’s just the way it was. vival? Where were the organizations, hattan to demonstrate against the IDF in Many Jews were simply not that secular and Orthodox, coordinating a the middle of a yeshivah z’man? Where CONTINUED ON P. 52 interested in what was happening to their brethren. Others were enamored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and did not want to rock political boats by pressing him into action. Reform Rabbi Stephen S. Wise was the classic Jewish leader of the time who urged Jews not to actively oppose the inaction of the US government. Only when he had no choice but to act did he organize a gath- ering in Madison Square Garden, where he held his fi ery but empty oratory. After reading Rabbi Haskel Lookstein’s well-known book, Were We Our Brothers’ Keepers?, which documents organized Jewry’s apathy at that time, it had bog- gled my mind how Jews could be so indifferent to the plight of their fellow Jews who were facing extinction. I was sure that if given the chance again, Jews would surely be different. Now we are emboldened. Unfortunately, I now be- gin to understand the Jews of yesteryear. I see the same indifference unfolding all over again, right before our eyes. The State of Israel is facing an existen- tial threat by a crazed enemy who seeks the atomic bomb to destroy it. They have made their aim very clear. We have a president in the White House whose record on foreign policy has been dismal at best – a president who desperately needs to leave a “foreign affairs success” in his legacy, no matter what the im- mediate cost. This president is current- ly negotiating some kind of deal with these purveyors of world terror. Can you blame the prime minister of Israel for be- ing alarmed that this president may be signing on to a bad deal? Can you blame him for making a last ditch effort to have his concerns heard in the halls of Con- gress? What has been the Jewish reaction? In a word: pathetic. Yes, Shmuly Bo- teach and the Jewish Republican Com- mittee took out some very worthwhile

Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 19 Snippets Of Strange

but he fi led a lawsuit in state Superior Malfunctioning Court, accusing the restaurant of neg- ligently giving him hot food that led to Welcome Sign serious injury. The Superior Court ruled against the Sends Mixed Message man, saying the danger caused by the siz- zling fajita skillet was “open and obvious” when he chose to put his face near it. “Here, the danger posed by a plate of sizzling hot food was self-evident,” the ruling stated.

Lion Opens Car Door place on I-95,” Brakey said. way, that’s one thing. ... But when the The Republican acknowledged that danger and harm extends to others, then At South African people should wear seat belts and said he that’s a different story.” hopes the accident serves as a reminder Safari Park of the importance to do so. But said he family taking video at a South Af- believes the mandate infringes on peo- Massive Octopus rican safari park learned a lesson ple’s freedom to make personal decisions. Nearly Crawls Out sign welcoming tourists to Miami Aabout locking their doors when a “Government exists to protect us from Beach briefl y offered visitors a female lion used her mouth to open their each other, not to protect us from our- Of Aquarium Display Aconfusing message. car door. selves,” Brakey said. The fl ashing, portable sign along a Opponents of the seat belt repeal ar- giant male octopus caught on a highway read: “Welcome visitors! Pro- gued that repealing the law would be a cell phone video scaling his glass hibited.” dangerous move that would inevitably Adisplay tank at the Seattle Aquar- It was supposed to fl ash this message lead to more highway deaths. ium and reaching several tentacles over on three different screens: “Welcome vis- “We’re asking people to swap an im- its open top has sparked Internet specu- itors! Prohibited on the beach: glass, met- mediate lethal risk for the threat of a lation that the massive mollusk was try- al, alcohol and Styrofoam.” small fi ne,” said David Burke, a surgeon at ing to mount an escape bid. By later that evening, city offi cials had a local hospital. “If that helps keep a few Aquarium offi cials say the octopus, apologized for the error and the sign was Joshua Sutherland, who posted the dozen per year out of my trauma room, named Ink, was not attempting a jail- removed to be corrected. video to YouTube, said his sisters were I’ll take the governance.” break in the video, which has gone viral A city spokeswoman offered apologies visiting their parents while they were If the bill passes, Maine’s Bureau on the Internet, but simply learning to to anyone who was offended. serving as missionaries in South Africa of Highway Safety would lose almost embrace his new home with all eight when they stopped at the safari park for $500,000 a year in federal grants that arms. the “experience of a lifetime.” pay for educational programs and child A Seattle aquarium employee later put Restaurant The video shows a group of female li- safety seats for low-income families. The Ink’s arms back inside the case, and a so- ons hanging out near the family’s car be- federal government encourages states to called “evening cap” was fastened on top Beats Lawsuit Claiming fore one of the lionesses approaches the enact certain highway safety laws by ty- to help keep the curious fellow in place. vehicle and quickly opens a door with ing some funding to them. “Octopuses are very inquisitive by Food Burned Man her mouth. Neighboring New Hampshire is the nature, and in this case ... Ink is an over- While Praying “You were supposed to lock the door,” only state that doesn’t mandate seat belts achiever,” an aquarium spokesman said. a voice shouts in the video. for adults. Ink is one of two new giant Pacifi c Once the danger had passed, a relieved The committee also heard testimo- octopuses on display at the aquarium. voice could be heard saying, “Oh my ny on bills that would ban drivers from Found in Puget Sound, they are the gosh. I didn’t know they could do that.” using hand-held cellphones. Maine now world’s largest species of octopuses, But this kind of thing has happened bans distracted driving and texting while weighing on average about 90 pounds before in South Africa. In 2009, a lion at driving. and measuring 20 feet across. a safari park in Johannesburg reportedly Critics called the cellphone proposal The two male octopuses are kept in opened a door and chased after the car unnecessary, an overreach of govern- separate homes at the aquarium because after it sped off. A warden had to throw ment and questioned whether it would the species is solitary by nature, with stones at the animal to move it back. be effective. males and females coming together only But Republican Sen. Roger Katz, whose to mate during their short 3-to-4-year New Jersey appeals court rejected bill would allow people to use hands-free lifespan. a lawsuit from a man who alleged Maine Weighs Revoking devices, rejected the notion that the pro- In the next year, Ink will be released Ahe suffered burns from his Apple- posal is just “another example of intru- back into the wild as part of an ongoing bee’s fajita when he bowed his head to Seat Belt Law Days sion into our personal lives.” education and conservation program for pray. “If you chose to put yourself in harm’s the species. The man’s lawsuit alleged he visited After 75-Car Pileup the restaurant in March 2010 with his t’s an effort that even the bill’s spon- brother, and they decided to pray over sor acknowledges is poor timing. their food. I Just two days after a 75-vehicle The man said he bowed his face over pileup injured at least 17 people in the his steak fajita, which was served on a state, lawmakers in Maine are consider- skillet, and he soon heard a loud sizzling ing legislation that would allow adults to noise followed by a grease pop that led to opt out of wearing seat belts. a burning sensation on the left side of his Sen. Eric Brakey told lawmakers that face, including his eye. it’s too bad they’re considering his bill so The man, who alleged the waitress did close to last week’s crash on Interstate 95, not warn him the food was hot, said he which is thought to be largest in Maine knocked the plate over in a panic, caus- history but had no fatalities. ing the food to spill on his lap and incite “It’s very unfortunate timing that we’re further burns. discussing this particular legislation None of the burns left any scarring, shortly after the 75-car pileup that took

20 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Snippets Of Strange

launching fi ve or six at a time and of- Restaurant, said he never thought he’d Airport Security ten hitting the front door of the green, live this long. two-story home that he and his late The restaurant’s policy is that custom- Mix-Up Sends wife bought nearly six decades ago. The ers get a percentage taken off the bill on after-dark attacks sometimes sound like their birthday based on their age. At 101 NFL Player To School gunshots as eggs splatter on the alumi- years old, the restaurant owed Nelson num siding, creating a residue that strips money. the paint, he said. He used to clean up each time but quit because it happens so often. His insurer won’t settle a claim until police catch the vandal or vandals, so the owner is wait- ing until then to make repairs. But he refuses to move from the home he shares with his adult daughter and son, on a corner less than a mile from the 200 miles from Detroit and 175 miles police station. from the eastern edge of the lake. “I would live and die in this house — He was taken to a hospital. n airport security mix-up helped but it’s been kind of a nightmare,” the It was the fi rst rescue of a person con- Nelson ate scrambled eggs and ham, a Utah principal land an appear- man said. ducted by an ice-rescue team deployed topped off with a piece of chocolate cake. Aance by an NFL player at her Offi cers haven’t determined a suspect from a Great Lakes cutter in more than school. or specifi c motive, though they have sus- four years. Kyle Van Noy, a Detroit Lions line- picions. Man Named Ferrari backer, and Ilene Strong, principal at an elementary school in Utah, mistakenly Restaurant Pays Awarded $95K After picked up each other’s laptops from se- curity bins at Salt Lake City International 101-Year-Old For His Cops ‘Stole’ His Ferrari Airport last week. Birthday Breakfast guy named Ferrari said Suffolk Van Noy was on his way to Miami County cops stole his sports car when he opened the laptop to fi nd New Hampshire restaurant’s pol- Aof the same name — and he even- Strong’s email was open. He contacted icy to give customers a percent- tually got the courts to agree. Strong’s secretary, who informed the Aage off their bill on their birthday Manhattan real-estate broker James principal of the mix-up upon her arrival. “Somebody is deeply, deeply angry at actually became a 7-cent refund for man Ferrari took a winding road through the Van Noy, the 40th pick overall in last somebody in that household for some who turned 101. legal system to get compensated for the year’s NFL draft, showed up at the school reason,” a police lieutenant said. Joseph Nelson, who celebrated a birth- to switch laptops. While there he visit- Police traced the eggs to a local farm, day breakfast at the Belmont Hall and CONTINUED ON P. 22 ed 35 classrooms and posed with about but fi ngerprinting shattered shells 1,000 students in photos. proved useless because egg proteins de- “He started going from class to class,” stroy DNA. Door-to-door questioning Strong said. “He was here an hour and a yielded no tips, and a $1,000 reward for half to two hours. He just took time in information remains unclaimed. every class, giving high-fi ves, taking ques- “The person or people who are doing tions. He was just a sweetheart. The kids it have remained very tight-lipped appar- just loved it.” ently,” the cop said. “I would imagine it Strong said she quit worrying about would be hard to keep a secret of some- her laptop after she mentioned the name thing that had been done hundreds of of the person who mistakenly picked it times and for nobody to step forward to up to her husband, Greg. talk about it.” “I just happened to say, ‘What would Police have spent hundreds of hours some stranger named Kyle Van Noy do on the investigation, but their involve- with my laptop?’ “ Strong said. “Greg’s ment doesn’t seem to be a deterrent. eyes got huge. It was a good thing I said Once, an egg hit an offi cer in the foot as his name. He just started laughing and he took a report on the vandalism. told me he was a professional football player.” Man Trying To Walk Ohio Home Pelted From Detroit To By Eggs For A Year; Toronto On Frozen Police Can’t Crack Case Lake Rescued n 85-year-old man says his sub- 25-year-old American man was urban Cleveland home has been rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Apelted with eggs several times a Aafter he tried to walk from De- week for a year, and police haven’t been troit to Canada across a frozen lake. able to crack the unusual case despite The man was found on Lake St. Clair, stakeouts, questioning neighbors, install- which borders the United States and ing a surveillance camera, and even test- Canada, about 1.5 miles from shore by ing eggshells as evidence. a lookout assigned to a Coast Guard The homeowner and police suspect ice-breaking tug. the eggs are launched a block or two The man, who was not named, ap- away. peared to be carrying only personal The homeowner said whoever is re- goods and told those who rescued him sponsible has “phenomenal” accuracy, he was trying to walk to Toronto, about

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 21 Snippets Of Strange

CONTINUED FROM P. 21 $95,000. vic was soon taking orders. As for why he was driving a namesake In more than three years, the comput- Stowaway Chihuahua 2003 Ferrari Modena that was seized and vehicle, Ferrari noted he has no relation er programmer from Belgrade has made auctioned off by the authorities follow- to the automaker. around 80 wheelchairs for invalid dogs Found In ing his 2009 DWI bust. and cats, developing a small business with happy customers all over Serbia and Check-In Luggage Homemade Wheelchair other Balkan countries. “I have a soft spot for dogs,” Dimitrije- Helps Injured Pets vic said. “A wheelchair is not a cure, but it enables them to run, sniff, do all the In Balkans things other dogs normally do.” For many in the impoverished Balkans - a region with low record both in care both for the disabled and animal welfare - Dimitrijevic’s wheelchair is the only way to deal with pet disability. There are no “I’m very happy that it’s done with,” other local producers, while obtaining a Ferrari, 61, said. “The government taking pet wheelchair from EU countries costs people’s property isn’t right.” many times more. Ferrari had been pulled over in 2009 In Serbia, authorities have been un- for speeding and driving drunk, and Suf- able to cope with the problem of tens of folk County cops impounded the car that thousands of stray dogs, so injured ani- Ferrari called his “sweet” ride. hen his dog Mica suffered a mals are often simply put down. He fought to get the car back, but a spinal injury, Dragan Dimitri- Each wheelchair is made in consul- cheeky Chihuahua was found in county judicial offi cer ruled in favor of Wjevic made her a wheelchair, tation with the veterinarians, adapted a woman’s checked-in luggage at police, saying they had probable cause to using small wheels, plastic pipes and old individually to fi t a particular pet and Aa New York City airport. keep Ferrari’s Ferrari. belts. It worked: The foxy-looking mon- the nature of its injuries. While the fi rst The seven-year-old pet stowed away in The car, which Ferrari had argued was grel was back in the park in no time, other wheelchair took three days to make, the bag while its owner was packing. worth $110,000, was auctioned off for an dogs barking and sniffi ng inquisitively at nowadays it is a one-day routine. A TSA employee at LaGuardia Airport undisclosed sum by the county. the strange construction dangling along. But, Dimitrijevic insisted that seeing made the discovery after an alarm went But Ferrari sued the county in federal Though homemade from used parts, photos or a video of a joyful animal able off during the screening process. court. word of Mica’s wheelchair spread swiftly to run again is as rewarding as ever. On opening the suspicious suitcase, It took him nearly three years, but a among dog lovers in not-so-animal-friend- “There is nothing like a dog rushing the offi cer was shocked to see a small dog judge ruled that the county overstepped ly Serbia. Other pet owners with similar toward its friends or owner,” he said. “So its authority — and a jury awarded him problems started calling, and Dimitrije- happy!” CONTINUED ON P. 23

22 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Snippets Of Strange

CONTINUED FROM P. 22 art looted by Nazis from the Soviet Un- ion during World War Two and missing nestling inside with other belongings. for 70 years, but says he needs a new drill The agency contacted the airline to to help him. identify the owner, who had apparently Dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the not intended to bring the animal on the World, the Amber Room was an ornate trip. chamber made of amber panels given to The two were happily reunited, and Czar Peter the Great by Prussia’s Friedrich the woman contacted her husband to Wilhelm I in 1716. take the mischievous pet home. German troops stole the treasure The TSA said on its Instagram feed: chamber from a palace in 1941 and took it Leaks From Taps The attorney who represents the “#TSATravelTips - Ay, #Chihuahua! It’s to Koenigsberg, now the Russian enclave plaintiffs, said the cemetery committed always important to double check your of Kaliningrad, before it disappeared. Cause Massive Damage “a horrible violation of trust.” He said it bags before traveling.” Conspiracy theories abound about should have told customers about the the whereabouts of what some say is the To German Spy Agency plots they bought, where they were locat- world’s most valuable piece of lost art. ermany’s spy agency’s new head- ed and what was happening there. Fog Machine In Art Some historians think it was destroyed quarters was fl ooded by water af- “Current and former groundskeep- in the war, others say Germans smuggled Gter several taps were removed by ers at the cemetery have admitted that Installation Prompts it to safety. thieves on its upper fl oors. breaking burial vaults will often cause Now 68-year-old pensioner Karl-Heinz The nearly-completed 1.3-billion-euro human remains to spill out of the bro- False Fire Alarms Kleine says he thinks the chamber is hid- building in the heart of Berlin suffered ken vaults,” the complaint says. “In such millions in water damage on several situations, the groundskeepers were in- fl oors of the mostly vacant structure. structed by their supervisors to throw “Several water taps were stolen and away the bones and other remains in the that caused extensive damage,” a Berlin Cemetery Dump located on the cemetery police spokesman said. He said police premises.” had not ruled out a political motive or a State regulators from the Department criminal motive, such as revenge for un- of Consumer Affairs last inspected Eden paid bills. Memorial in September, but they found “We’re investigating in all possible di- no evidence of what the lawsuit alleges. rections,” he said. The fi rst lawsuit was fi led in 2009 and covered complaints from 1985. Jewish Cemetery Sued For Teacher Jailed For Showing High School here there’s smoke, there’s fi re. den under a town, deep in western Ger- Throwing Out Remains But fog signals art, as Pitts- many’s industrial area. Class Violent Movie Wburgh fi refi ghters are quickly After analyzing the evidence, Kleine ne of the nation’s largest Jewish learning. has concluded that Erich Koch, who was cemeteries and the resting place former substitute teacher con- Firefi ghters have been called to a the Nazis’ chief administrator in East Oof notables has been sued for al- victed of showing a movie includ- downtown public square at least twice Prussia, may have secretly dispatched it legedly breaking vaults to make room for Aing graphic violence to a high by people who reported smoke when to his home town. more graves and throwing out human school class was sentenced on Wednes- they saw machine-generated fog that’s “Wuppertal has a large number of bones in a pile. day to 90 days in jail. part of a new art installation. tunnels and bunkers which have not yet More than 60 people accuse Eden Me- Sheila Kearns, who was convicted in “A Winter Landscape Cradling Bits of been searched for the Amber Room. We morial Park in Los Angeles of negligence, January of four felony counts, apologized Sparkle” is a small oasis of mulched trees have started looking in possible hiding fraud and other civil offenses. in court, saying she hadn’t watched the enveloping a small, boardwalk path. The places here,” Kleine said. “But the search The lawsuit, fi led in Los Angeles Su- movie before showing it to her Spanish fog machine belches every 10 minutes to is very costly. We need helpers, special perior Court, seeks millions of dollars in classes at a high school in Ohio. simulate a cloudy mountaintop. equipment and money.” He later added damages and comes about a year after Kearns, who showed the movie during The Offi ce of Public Art, a public-pri- that a building fi rm which had lent him a Eden Memorial’s parent company settled fi ve periods of the class, was convicted vate agency, says fi refi ghters are being ad- drill had asked for it back. a lawsuit for $80.5 million over similar of disseminating matter harmful to juve- vised and the intensity of the fog bursts “I only have a small pension, a new complaints at the same cemetery. In the niles. may be toned down to lessen the chance machine is too expensive for me. But latest lawsuit, families say they were not Kearns, 58, contended she was un- of future false alarms. whoever helps will get his share of the told when they bought plots in areas aware of the movie’s content. Her attor- Amber Room when we fi nd it,” he said. of the cemetery where groundskeepers ney said she never would have knowing- “I am optimistic. I just need the tools, were instructed to make new graves fi t, ly showed it. Pensioner Needs Drill then it could go quickly,” he said. even if it required breaking outer burial But a student testifi ed Kearns watched Even Communist East Germany’s containers in adjacent graves. the 129-minute movie. The student said To Dig For Priceless loathed Stasi secret police tried and The work caused remains to be dis- the movie was “disturbing” and said failed to fi nd the Amber Room. Hobby turbed or disposed in a pile on the cem- students in the class went “crazy” while Nazi-Looted Room treasure hunters have launched expen- etery grounds, according to the lawsuit. watching it. pensioner has started digging in sive searches for it across Germany, from An assistant princi- Germany’s western region for the lake bottoms to mines. However, it’s all pal who saw the DVD AAmber Room, a priceless work of been in vain. movie playing in the Historians say Erich Koch, convicted classroom confi scated of war crimes by a Polish court, amassed it. a hoard of looted art and had it transport- Prosecutors said the ed west from Koenigsberg in the fi nal movie’s title should months of the war as the Soviet forces have tipped off Kearns drew closer. that she should check Russian craftsmen, helped by German it out before showing funds, have recreated a replica of the Am- it to her students, who ber Room at the Catherine Palace from ranged in age from 14 where the original was stolen. to 18.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 23 Hooked On Healing Caroline Schumsky, LCSW, MS What’s So Funny?

CONTINUED FROM P. 1 Joking around helps you keep a positive, optimistic outlook through some of life’s You guessed it: The most catching and diffi cult times, disappointments, and contagious human sound is unrestrained even losses. laughing and giggling. Laughter melts away those Ever sit at a table with someone when nerve-wracking feelings. After all, can a child (or even a grown up) starts laugh- you feel mad, anxious, or sad while ing uncontrollably? How long did it you’re cackling or horse laughing? Y’all take for you to get rollicking, rowdy, and know that one: when someone laughs so rambunctious? Yes, that is a word. Heh. loud that it sounds like horse neighing. Chuckling and chortling actually lightens Bet you’re smiling right now just think- your worries, connects you to others, and ing of it. helps keep you focused and more alert. A pleasant, playful, or even comical trust me on this one. It’s awfully hard to know by now that Math is surely not How, you ask? outlook creates much needed psycholog- stay angry at someone who makes you my forté, but it’s been noted: A smile is A good belly laugh boosts the immune ical distance from things, which helps us laugh. Come to think of it, who in your a curve that can set everything straight. I system and relieves truckloads of phys- to put things in perspective and keeps us life does make you laugh? How do feel like that angle. ical tension and stress. It is known to from feeling too overwhelmed by it all. about him or her? See: I toldya. Unless the situation is truly grave and relax muscles for up to 45 minutes after. Share some side-splitting laughs with G’head and share good times and serious, ordinary, everyday life will usu- How’s that for cool aftereffects? Those your family and friends and, before you amusing stories with your loved ones. ally offer you the choice to laugh or not. icky stress hormones decrease, and know it, emotional connections have Goof around. I dare ya. You got embarrassed? It’s okay. Laugh it groovy immune cells and infection-fi ght- been nurtured. Positive feelings are auto- Ever go to a playground? See the smi- off. Really. I heard it said: Blessed are ing antibodies increase. So you get sick matically triggered and set off. So how to ley, happy, shiny faces on the children? those who can laugh at themselves – for less too. Wow. It enhances breathing get more of the hilarity in your life? They are experts at taking life nice-and- they shall never cease to be amused! and moves around your organs, kind of lightly – not a care in the world. Now Can’t seem to cheer yourself up? Try like inner jogging. The gift that keeps on Find and Get Aligned glance over at the fretting zoo (just a pun, cheering someone else up and see what giving, eh? with some Funny Folk. folks) – the adults – chock full of anxiety happens. So much for the body. How about No kidding. Jolly and jocular people and stress. Barely a smile to be found. the spirit, you ask. Well. Glad you did. are all around us. They are a blessing; The remedy? Do something fl at out silly. Don’t Shun Good ole’ Fun. Find a poster that makes you laugh. Weee! Be Free! G’head and hang it in your offi ce. Oth- Be impulsive and spontaneous. No ers might just take themselves a tad less need to hold on or hold back so much. seriously too. Make sure your family Let go for a bit. It’s awesome to be a doer. pics that you frame are of y’all having a Now be a dreamer for just a bit. Not to great time and maybe even giggling. Put mention, laughter is the cheapest medi- your favorite stuffed animal or toy on cine out there. Sometimes, it’s even like your desk or even in your car. Playthings a bullet-proof vest, protecting you from for everyone’s’ imagination is a great all those pessimistic feelings. Nothing stress-buster. to laugh about? Heck, laugh on credit. Need a spiritual reason? Seek no fur- Okay, a loud smile will do for now. Be- ther. Mishlei (Proverbs) 15:15 states, “All fore you know it, you can turn up the the days of the affl icted are evil; but he volume and you’ll be laughin’ before you that is of a merry heart hath a continual know it. feast.” Need a jumpstart? “Continual feast” works for me. By the way, did you ever laugh so hard, Smile for a While. you stopped making sounds entirely? Or Start with a smile. Soon you’ll be grin- how about when your friends make you ning ear-to-ear. And it’s contagious to laugh so hard you actually get a pain in boot. Beam when you experience some- your side or stomach? Or when tears ac- thing, even if it’s just mildly amusing. tually come out of your eyes? Milk out of People will have a hard time not return- your nose? Oh my. ing the sentiment, seeing how cheery, And do tell: What sound is more beau- charming, and congenial you are. And tiful than a child’s laughter? if they insist on remaining a sour pickle, “He who laughs – lasts.” that’s okay too. You will have given them It was keenly observed: Infants laughs a gift unbeknownst to them. nearly two hundred times a day, adults – It was once said: “I don’t trust anyone only twelve. Maybe the infants are laugh- who doesn’t laugh.” ing so much because they are looking at So learn to laugh at yourself and at us. No doubt. life’s ironies, incongruities, and absurdi- So, sweet friends – I’m waiting to hear ties. They say to laugh at yourself fi rst, the funniest thing that happened to you before anyone else can. Heh. Now, y’all this week. Please do share.

Caroline is a licensed psychotherapist, Crisis Counselor, writer, and dance instructor. She has worked extensively with Jewish outreach and is an individual psychothera- pist. She can be reached at 917-717-1775, [email protected], or facebook. com/pages/Safe-Haven-Healing.

24 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Financially Forward Gerald Harris The Power Of A Word

ever underestimate the power the markets themselves.” lems), the 50 percent of the gold price of a word, especially when it’s Important, infl uential, economic as a monetary reserve begins to move Nspoken by Alan Greenspan. offi cials never talk about the econo- higher. Back in 1996, when serving as my so bluntly. Greenspan’s surprising This opinion is very much in line Chairman of the Federal Reserve, he departure from convention makes with those held by ardent gold bugs. made a speech before the American his remark all the more noteworthy. What prompted Greenspan to make Enterprise Institute. There were no such a bullish statement about gold indications that there would be any Rethinking Gold at this time is unclear. new or important message in the One of the things Greenspan and speech. Still, when the head of the his successors have in common is “Something Big Is Going To Happen” Fed speaks, analysts go over every their dismissal of gold as an accept- Perhaps the most startling of est-rate policies. word with a fi ne-tooth comb, looking ed currency and a store of value. But Greenspan’s recent comments was On Friday, March 6, he warned that for even the subtlest hint of upcom- now Greenspan is singing a very dif- the one he made just a few weeks ago the economy was “a tinderbox of ex- ing changes in economic policy. plosive infl ation looking for a spark,” They found one. It was in the mid- and suggested that an inevitable col- dle of the 30-page document, in the On Friday, Greenspan suggested that an inevitable collapse lapse of the dollar “would be a game phrase, “How do we know when ir- changer that results in the quadru- rational exuberance has unduly esca- of the dollar “would be a game changer pling of the cost of living for the aver- lated asset values…?” Greenspan was that results in the quadrupling of the cost of living age American.” This would “undoubt- referring to Japan but the comment for the average American.” edly lead to riots across America,” he was taken out of context and inter- added. preted as meaning that US stocks Agree with him or not, these are were overpriced; the next morning very sobering and worrisome words they dropped sharply. ferent tune and delivering a very dif- in an interview with Brien Lundin, that come from one of the greatest Greenspan quickly put out a state- ferent message. editor of the Gold Newsletter and economic minds in the world. ment to calm investors and the bull “Gold is a good place to put money CEO of Jefferson Financial. Greenspan certainly understands market in stocks continued until the these days, given its value as a curren- In a private conversation, Lundin the power that his words have, so dot-com crash four years later. But cy,” he said in a speech made to the asked him about the massive debt in why is he speaking so bluntly? Is it the phrase “irrational exuberance” Council of Foreign Relations. This is the US. According to Lundin, Green- because he misses the excitement of caught on with Wall Street and is of- a shocking turnaround from repeated span replied that he thought “some- being in charge of the Fed and wants ten used when discussing an overval- comments he made when he was the thing big is going to happen, that to get back into the spotlight? Is it ued market. Fed chairman. we can’t get out of this era of money because he disagrees strongly with Even though Greenspan is no lon- The following is an excerpt from printing without some repercussions the current policy or the way it is be- ger in charge of the Fed, his words an uncut version of an interview – and pretty severe ones – that gold ing implemented? Or now, that he still pack a wallop. That’s because with Gillian Tett, U.S. Managing Edi- will benefi t from.” does not have the constraints of his there are very few people in the tor, Financial Times. Lundin summarized his private former position, is he trying to alert world who have the understanding Tett: Do you think gold is currently conversation with Greenspan this investors to what may lie ahead? of economies, world markets, and a good investment? way: The man who is essentially the There is no simple answer to these the behind-the-scenes maneuvering Greenspan: Yes. Remember what architect responsible for domestic questions. All that’s clear is that dra- that he does. we’re looking at. Gold is a currency. monetary policy under four US vpres- matic events could unfold very quick- The following are some of Green- It is still, by all evidence, a premier idents has now said that a signifi cant ly. We are certainly living in very in- span’s recent comments along with currency. No fi at currency, including market event will take place when teresting times. some of his follow-up observations. the dollar, can match it. the Fed is eventually forced to exit Sources: Blogs.wsj.com; For some reason they did not get the He went on to say that 50 percent their monetary easing and zero inter- zerohedge.com coverage by the fi nancial press that of gold’s price was determined by its they deserve. value as a commodity, which rises Gerald Harris is a fi nancial and feature writer. Gerald can be reached at geraldhrs@ and falls like any other commodity. yahoo.com Economic Woes Ahead? Then he added that the other 50 per- *Quantitative easing, the govern- cent of the price of gold comes from ment program to stimulate the econ- the fact that it serves a very import- omy, “failed to help the economy; the ant role as a monetary reserve. Fol- unwind will be painful.” lowing is another excerpt from that According to the Wall Street interview. Journal, Greenspan said the Fed’s Greenspan: Why do central banks bond-buying program was a mixed put money into an asset which has no bag – very successful in lifting asset rate of return, but has cost of storage prices and lowering borrowing costs and insurance and everything else but not so effective in helping the like that? Why are they doing that? real economy. If you look at the data, with very “Effective demand is dead in the few exceptions, all of the developed water,” he said, and the effort to boost countries have gold reserves. Why?” it via bond buying “has not worked. Tett: … It’s because of a question I don’t think it’s possible for the Fed mark hanging over the value of fi at to end its easy-money policies in a currency, the credibility going for- trouble-free manner. I think that real ward. pressure is going to occur not by ini- Greenspan: … Every time you get tiation by the Federal Reserve but by some really serious (economic prob-

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 25 As I See It Cynthia Zalisky Putting Legacy Before Country

CONTINUED FROM P. 1 concessions the Unites States is ready president wants this accord with Iran sources claim that Iran has secret to make are, so that Obama and Kerry to be his greatest legacy and his most underground plants that are actively about the upcoming Iran nuclear talks can crow that they are such extraordi- signifi cant foreign policy achieve- spinning an increased number of cen- in a cogent, comprehensive way that nary foreign policy leaders and have ment. He is willing to roll over and trifuges, paving the way for their goal President Obama and his henchman their legacies secured. Israel fears that give Tehran everything it wants in or- to eventually have nuclear weapons John Kerry have refused to do. Obama’s Iran diplomacy, with the end der to go down in history as the great that have been hidden to date from the Obama and company seem to have monitors and inspections of the IAEA something to hide. Could it be that (International Atomic Energy Agency). they are putting their own historic Neville Chamberlain couldn’t escape historical culpability IAEA’s chief, Yukiya Amani, admitted legacies before the security of the and neither will Obama and Kerry – legacy or no legacy this past week that Iran’s pace of co- United States and its allies? The pres- operation with his investigation has ident is always touting that he wish- been “slow.” Netanyahu considers it es to bring a peaceful solution to the unacceptable for Iran to be able have Iranian nuclear threat. He seems to of March deadline for a framework savior of the free world. But Obama some nuclear activity intact. Backed be determined to make a deal with nuclear agreement, will still allow its better heed Winston Churchill’s state- by safeguards of their own invention, Tehran at any cost. He is trying to arch foe to develop a nuclear bomb. ment because he is now on a collision Tehran insists its program is solely for obfuscate the concessions he is will- America must focus on the fact that course with history. peaceful energy and medical research. ing to capitulate to, in order to be even though Iran considers Israel the US Secretary of State John Kerry Kerry is buying this because he has perceived that he reached his desired “Little Satan,” the US is the Great Sa- is conducting himself with Iran in a personal aspirations and is consumed foreign policy aim. In his speech be- tan. Our very survival may be at risk frighteningly similar fashion to Nev- with the prospect of winning a Nobel fore Congress, Netanyahu discussed if we let those mullahs get their way. ille Chamberlain’s approach to Hitler. Peace Prize to cap off his political ca- elements of the negotiations that he Winston Churchill was quoted as If one recalls, Chamberlain’s Euro- reer, and making a peace accord with fi nds problematic. Kerry and compa- saying, “Those who fail to learn from pean policy was based on a commit- Iran would just about seal the deal, no ny don’t want the cat to be let out of history are doomed to repeat it.” I ment to “peace in our time,” pursuing matter how bad that agreement will the bag and have the American people fear that that is exactly what is hap- a policy of appeasement and contain- be. This egomaniac is only interested know how potentially dangerous the pening in Washington right now. The ment towards Hitler and Nazi Germa- in how history will portray him, not ny. Those students of history recall the welfare of America and its allies. Chamberlain holding up a paper in his In the Sunday interview, Kerry hand that contained the resolution to made an outlandish assertion that de- commit to peaceful methods signed fi es credulity when he said that Israel by Hitler and himself on his return is safer today because of the US nego- from Munich on September 30, 1938. tiations with Iran over Tehran’s nu- He gleefully said at that time: “The clear development program. He said, settlement of the Czechoslovakian “An existing interim agreement with problem (They gave Czechoslovakia Iran has been good for Israel and so away to Hitler), which has now been would a long-term deal. Israel is saf- achieved is, in my view, only the pre- er today, and that is the standard that lude to a larger settlement in which we will apply to any agreement going all Europe may fi nd peace.” Of course, forward. It is a guarantee that we will history proved that the agreement know that Iran cannot develop a nu- wasn’t worth the price of the paper it clear weapon under the procedure was written on. Hitler invaded Poland that we are putting in place.” I am and World War II began. Hitler had afraid that this is wishful thinking on no intention of keeping that bargain, America’s part. We would be living in but duped Chamberlain, who was a fool’s paradise the same way Cham- foolish enough to trust him and was berlain was if we believed that. ultimately proven wrong. History has Netanyahu understands quite well not been kind to Chamberlain; Presi- that the Iranian regime can’t be trust- dent Obama and Secretary John Kerry ed. Obama is not willing to engage should heed that lesson. the enemy, but Bibi knows better. He President Obama and his “Cham- said, “The enemy of your enemy is berlain,” John Kerry, want us to be- your enemy.” Netanyahu has said re- lieve that the mullahs of Iran will keep peatedly that Iran’s President Hassan their word just because they wish Rouhani is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, them to. Kerry, this past weekend in and has sought to bring attention to a television interview on ABC’s “This what Israel considers deceptions by Week,” said that “Our hope is that Tehran for a framework agreement. diplomacy can work. And I believe, Rouhani has written in a book that given our success of the interim agree- the way to placate the West is to be ment, we deserve the benefi t of the friendly and tell them what they want doubt to fi nd out whether or not we to hear. With that delusion in place, can get a similar good agreement with you can then do whatever you want respect to the future.” I have no idea what he is talking about. Intelligence CONTINUED ON P. 51

Cynthia Zalisky is the Executive Director of the Queens Jewish Community. She can be contacted at [email protected]

26 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Blue And White Shmuel Sackett My Israeli Election Predictions

ports-talk radio is replete with pre- rently, Lapid has a whopping 19 seats 2013 but that won’t happen. People like who support him, will sneak in with fi ve. dictions ranging from the team (from his fi rst election campaign – very Kahlon but his dry and boring personality The Haredi parties are called United Swhich will win the NBA Finals to impressive!) but he will not be able to can put a clown to sleep and he will not Torah Judaism and Shas. Both of these who will be the new Yankees shortstop. hold on to that many. In my opinion, he get more than eight seats. Yishai is a very parties have tremendous potential but In that tradition, I will now offer my of- will drop to nine seats. His two years as interesting guy who has tremendous po- fail to get even close to it because of im- fi cial predictions for what will happen fi nance minister was fi lled with much tential. His “Yachad” party is desperately mature and selfi sh issues that I would in next week’s Knesset elections. (Please controversy, and people blame him for trying to swing away votes from Shas and rather not discuss in this article. They note that if my predictions are complete- many of the economic problems. To Bennett but his goal of 10 seats will not could be doing so much more for their ly wrong I will have no problem explain- be honest, this is, of course, ridiculous, be achieved. I was very happy when he constituents and for the nation but they ing what happened and why I am still an since he was fi nance minister for less agreed to a deal with Baruch Marzel, but refuse to do so. My prediction is that UTJ expert! After all, doesn’t that happen all than two years. By the time he learned even that has not produced what he was will end up with seven (the same number the time??) Okay, here goes: they have now) and Shas will get seven Likud will win the elections with 26 as well. seats. Current polls show them at 23 but The big losers of this election The last party is the United Arab List I feel they will do better than that. Yes, which is gaining strength and should end many people are tired of Netanyahu as will be Lieberman’s “Yisrael Beytenu” party up with 13. We all need to realize what is prime minister (seven years already, not and the extreme, fanatical, leftist party known as “Meretz.” happening with this party and how they counting his three-year run from ’96-’99) are gaining in strength, motivation, and but the alternative is weak and unim- legitimacy. This is not a good sign for the pressive. His speech before the US Con- the job and put together a budget, new looking for. I do, however, feel that he State of Israel and it must be addressed at gress sealed his fate as Israel’s next prime elections were declared and he was busy will do better than the polls are showing the fi rst opportunity possible. minister as people realized that – like it running a campaign to save his political and will end up winning six seats. There you have it, people, the offi cial or not – this guy is strong, tough, artic- life. Many of his fi nancial ideas were The big losers of this election will 2015 Knesset election predictions by ulate, and focused. The thought of that good and innovative but he simply had be Lieberman’s “Yisrael Beytenu” party Shmuel Sackett. I wouldn’t run to Vegas speech being given by Labor leader Boo- no time to bring them to fruition. Most and the extreme, fanatical, leftist party to put money on any of this but I strong- jie Herzog is enough to make you laugh people don’t realize this and are simply known as “Meretz.” Lieberman currently ly believe that this is how it will begin. and then sick, and Israelis across the fed up with him. He still has a following has 11 seats in the Knesset while Meretz, It is funny that I wrote “begin” and not spectrum will decide that Herzog is sim- – and nine seats are strong in Israeli poli- led by Zahava Gal-On, has six. Both of “end” because in Israeli politics, Election ply not a viable alternative. Bibi has his tics – but he will not come close to what these parties will be very close to the Day is the beginning of the circus, not the issues and people blame every problem he had before. minimum of four seats. I predict that end! Once the seats are fi gured out, the on him (which is common in politics) Bayit Yehudi, led by Naftali Bennett, is Meretz will have just four, and Lieber- coalition building starts and – as they say but he is simply the strongest contender really surprising me. When the campaign man, because of the many Russian voters in the Olympics – let the games begin! and will emerge victorious. started I thought they would do very well Labor will receive 22 seats which is not and fi nish with 18-20 seats but as the cam- Shmuel Sackett is a 100% product of Queens. He was born in Middle Village and as many as they want but is a great im- paign progressed the polls kept showing moved to KGH shortly before his bar-mitzvah. He graduated from YCQ (1975) and provement over their existing represen- them slipping further down the line. I am YHSQ (1979). He was Havurat Yisrael’s fi rst Youth Director (4 years) and started the tation of 15 seats. They will receive their not sure why this has happened except fi rst 2 NCSY chapters in Queens. Shmuel made aliyah in 1990 and co-founded Manhi- increase of seats on the backs of Yesh Atid for the possibility that he lost many seats gut Yehudit, together with Moshe Feiglin. His website is www.JewishIsrael.org Sack- and Meretz who will lose many of their to Eli Yishai’s “Yachad” party and also that ett is married with 6 children and 4 grandchildren. He lives in Herziliya Pituach. existing Knesset members. As stated he is not saying anything new. When he above, Labor is not a viable alternative to ran for the Knesset the fi rst time, in 2013, lead the nation but they provide a com- he was new on the scene, brought life to fortable home for the “anti-Bibi” vote. As the dead and boring “Mafdal/NRP” party you know, on Election Day – across the and was a refreshing force on the politi- world – many people vote against some- cal map, but now – two years later – he one rather than for someone, and Labor is saying the same thing and simply no will receive a lot of these votes. This anti longer exciting. On one hand, Bennett’s vote helped Obama defeat McCain in campaign is very good with a strong mes- 2008 since millions of people voted for sage and well-targeted to his audience, Obama as a protest against Bush (who but he has not succeeded in breaking wasn’t even running!!). The voters saw out of his comfort zone, and due to the McCain as a continuation of the Bush reasons stated above it looks as though presidency and voted against him for that he will not gain even one additional seat reason. This same logic worked against and will remain at 12. This is what the Obama in the recent mid-term elections polls are showing, although I give him as people showed their great displeasure one more and my offi cial prediction for in him by voting Republican in both the Bayit Yehudi is 13. Congress and Senate. The “anti” vote is This year’s two big newcomers are a very strong factor in world politics and Moshe Kahlon and Eli Yishai. While they Labor will receive an enormous amount are both well-experienced politicians – of those votes. This will increase their and even former ministers in various gov- current Knesset representation by 50 ernments – this is the fi rst time they are percent but will not be enough to topple running as leaders of their own parties. Netanyahu. Kahlon broke away from Likud while Yesh Atid, led by Yair Lapid, will take Yishai broke away from Shas. Kahlon’s a big hit in these elections but will re- party is called “Kulanu” and he is trying main a factor in Israeli politics. Cur- to accomplish in 2015 what Lapid did in

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 27 Rabbi’s Musings & Amusings Rabbi Dani Staum Survival Against All Odds

n a Washington Post article titled adolescence. count the costs of Shabbos, Yom Tov, or of fi ve children. Based on the aforemen- “Expecting the Expenses,” dated De- A more conservative estimate by the kosher food. The point of the Washing- tioned numbers, a non-observant family Icember 9, 2007, journalist Michael New York Times (June 25, 2010) approxi- ton Post article was to encourage parents of fi ve children would need to generate Rosenwald calculated that it will likely mates that the average middle-class family to begin saving money for their children’s at least one million dollars just until the cost him $340,552 to raise his child until will need to shell out $222,000 to raise a college tuition and expenses later down children turn eighteen. That number in- age 17. When you fi gure that the average child to age 18. the road. What would the author say if creases signifi cantly when we add the American family has two children, that Even assuming the lower amount, he saw the bills we annually pay for yeshi- cost for being Torah observant, and that is means the average family (often with one those numbers would be vastly higher vah/Bais Yaakov tuitions? without even beginning to discuss cost of parent) must generate over $600,000 in for any Torah-observant family. The New In the Torah-observant world it is not weddings (and for many, supporting chil- order to raise their two children into late York Times’ estimate does not take into ac- uncommon for families to have upwards dren in kollel).

Our survival makes no sense and cannot be explained by historical or natural law

Granted, we are blessed with many wealthy families, but the average To- rah-observant family lives with constant fi nancial strains and concerns. So exactly from where are our families pulling to- gether an average of two million dollars to bring up our children, pay for doctor bills, mortgage on a house, the cost of a car(s), not to mention tuition, Shabbos, and Yom Tov? There is a legendary anecdote that King Louis XIV once asked Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth century French philosopher, to give him proof of the supernatural. Pas- cal tersely, yet poignantly, replied, “Why, the Jews, your majesty – the Jews.” Our very existence debunks the theory of Survival of the Fittest. By all laws of so- ciology we should have perished long ago. Our survival makes no sense and cannot be explained by historical or natural law. But truthfully, the miracle of the Jewish people goes well beyond our physical sur- vival. The fact that throughout the exile we have been able to preserve our heri- tage is an incredible miracle unto itself. Our community undoubtedly has rea- son for concern. There is a fi nancial crisis and a “tuition squeeze” for which we still must ponder a solution. Nevertheless, we should not overlook the miraculous fact that, against the odds, we continue to grow and fl ourish in all areas. In one sense we may be living refuta- tion of “Survival of the Fittest.” But in a deeper sense, we are living proof that G-d ensures that those who are truly deserv- ing of the accolade “fi ttest” will not only survive, but also thrive.

Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is the Rabbi of Kehillat New Hempstead, as well as guidance counselor and fi fth- grade rebbe in ASHAR, and Principal at Mesivta Ohr Naftoli of New Wind- sor. He can be reached at stamtorah@ gmail.com. His website is www.stam- torah.info.

28 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 For What It’s Worth Warren S. Hecht Fiduciary Responsibility

ll lawyers have a fi duciary re- higher fees, as long as the fund itself ker can sell policies of many companies the United States (Tibble v. Edison) as sponsibility toward their clients. is suitable. For example, there may be while an agent works for an insurance to the extent of the responsibility of an AIn other words, the lawyer, when two retirement funds with similar assets company. See American Bar Association employee-run 401K plan to obtain the advising the client about a course of ac- but one has higher fees. As long as the report: Broker Liability: An Overview of lowest price for managing and invest- tion, has to consider the best interests of type of fund is suitable, the broker can Key Considerations and Emerging Is- ing in the plan. The companies have a his client and not his own best interests. steer the client into a more expensive sues, February 2013. fi duciary responsibility yet there are still For example, when there could be two fund so that the broker receives a higher I remember when I worked for an problems. For example, in December possible options and one of them will commission. See report: The Effects of insurance company in their legal depart- 2014, the aerospace company Lockheed earn him more money, the lawyer can- Martin settled, for $62 million, a class ac- not consider which option will earn him tion lawsuit claiming that the company the most money but rather must decide It is hard to believe that this has not been the standard offered an investment option in its re- which option is better for the client. tirement plan that had excessive fees. In the fi nancial fi eld, investment and that there are those who oppose it It is long overdue that those who try advisors have a fi duciary duty to their to sell us a fi nancial product or stock clients. However, there is one group claiming that it is in our best interest that does not have such a duty, namely Confl icted Investment Advice on Re- ment. The big issue was that insurance have the duty to act in our best inter- stockbrokers. A broker makes trades for tirement Savings, February 2015, White agents were selling whole life policies est and not theirs. Until this happens, a a fee or commission and for a client’s House report. as part of retirement planning. The rea- dose of skepticism is necessary. Before account. Recommendations must be There are new rules that have been son the insurance agents were pushing making the stock trade or purchasing the suitable for a client’s investment pro- proposed to support changing the duty whole life policies was because they re- insurance policy or annuity or opening fi le, taking into account factors such of stockbrokers to also require them to ceived signifi cantly greater commissions an IRA one should do their own research. as age, income, net worth, and invest- abide by the fi duciary standard. It is than if they sold term life insurance poli- They should not rely upon those individ- ment goals. However, the broker does hard to believe that this has not been cies. uals who may claim or imply that they not have a fi duciary duty to consider the the standard and that there are those There was a case that was just argued solely have your interest in mind but are client’s best interest. Thus, it is not a who oppose it. this past week in the Supreme Court of guided by what is best for them. violation of the standard to steer the cli- Another group that has had these is- ent to a fund where the broker receives sues is insurance brokers/agents. A bro- Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at [email protected]

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 29 Community Corner • Recent Happenings Powerful Pre-Purim Shiur By R’ Moshe Schwerd In KGH By Susie Garber He shared an interesting note that the rabbis were not supposed to insti- he Maharal wrote that tute a fast before a holiday. The reason t’fi lah (prayer) vanquishes we do have the Fast of Esther is this fast “TAmalek. This is the mes- teaches us the effi cacy of our prayers sage of the Megillah. T’fi lah will bring and that Hashem will take us out of geulah (redemption) and the Mashiach.” trouble, if we pray. The Fast of Esther On Motza’ei Shabbos, Parshas T’tza- and Purim are auspicious days of prayer veh, R’ Moshe Schwerd presented a for us. This fast does not commemorate beautiful shiur at Congregation Aha- what happened; rather we should be vas Yisroel in Kew Gardens Hills on praying about our own situation in ex- the power of Purim. He began with ile. We should recite Psalm 22 and then the following question: If King David ask for our personal needs in the merit spent the whole night learning Torah, of Mordechai and Esther. These are days yet at dawn, when it was time to pray of ratzon (good will). R’ Schwerd noted to Hashem, he met with the members Hashem sends an existential threat to explained why prayer plays a critical that the y’shuah (salvation) of Purim is a of his “cabinet,” who raised different klal Yisrael when He wants us to con- role in defeating Amalek. Amalek is Ei- template for the fi nal g’ulah. He noted issues and questions, then how could nect to Him. R’ Schwerd shared quotes sav’s son; when the voice of Yaakov is that there is a special s’gulah (merit) for it be that he would meet with people from the Chumash and Tanach that al- silenced, then the hands of Eisav are prayers to be answered on the Fast of when it was time to pray? lude to Haman and Mordechai. He ex- victorious. When the voice of Yaakov is Esther and Purim. R’ Schwerd then shared a myriad of plained that the fi rst source for prayer heard, then the hands of Eisav are de- He taught that Chazal say that the Gemara sources, explaining that the se- involving Amalek is in the Torah, when feated. R’ Schwerd emphasized that the salvation of Purim is a template for the cret of Purim is prayer. We were saved Moshe Rabbeinu’s hands were lifted hidden message of the Megillah is that from Amalek because of prayer, and and we were successful in battle. He victory is through prayer. CONTINUED ON P. 42 Beth Medrash Govoha Shabbos In Queens By Susie Garber troduced the Rosh HaYeshiva. The Rosh After this, the Rosh HaYeshiva strolled overfl owed with community members. HaYeshiva spoke, and this was followed to Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim where Rab- Mr. Yaguadaev introduced the Rosh n Shabbos, Parshas T’tzaveh and by the spirited singing of z’miros. bi Doniel Lander introduced the Rosh HaYeshiva who then addressed those in Parshas Zachor, February 28, Kew Then on Shabbos morning, the Rosh HaYeshiva who then delivered a shiur. attendance. After this, Rabbi Yigal Hai- OGardens Hills was graced with HaYeshiva heard Parshas Zachor at Con- Then the Rosh HaYeshiva enjoyed s’udah moff, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivat Ohel Sim- the presence of the Rosh HaYeshiva of gregation Bais David, where the Rav, sh’lishis at Khal Nachlas Yitzchok, hosted cha, and Rabbi Menashe Tzadka, Rav of Beth Medrash Govoha, HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Naftali Rubin, provided the k’sav by Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum. This com- Beis Midrash Tov, both spoke about the Rav Yerucham Olshin. A beautifully or- Beis Yosef scroll for the k’riah. Rabbi Ru- munity-wide s’udah sh’lishis was packed. tremendous impact that Beth Medrash chestrated Shabbos program was coordi- bin also changed the time the shul fol- Havdalah then took place at the home Govoha has had on building the Sep- nated by Rabbi Shmuel Gilbert. lows sof z’man k’rias Sh’ma to an earlier of Mr. & Mrs Ushie Koenig. Special fan- hardic community. BMG Rosh Yeshiva The following are some of the many z’man for the Rosh HaYeshiva. cy b’samim bags were distributed, which Rav David Shustel helped Rav Haimoff highlights of this Shabbos, which truly Next, the Rosh HaYeshiva davened scented the room with that special to build the community. Subsequently, uplifted all of the participants. On Fri- Musaf at Congregation Bais Yosef Havdalah aroma. After this, the Rosh many of the young men ended up learn- day night, Rav Olshin spoke at an alum- d’Ulem. The shul’s Rav, Rabbi Yaakov HaYeshiva made an unscheduled stop ing in Lakewood. ni minyan at the Rabbinical Seminary Yitzchok Friedman, greeted the Rosh at Ohr HaChaim to witness the father- When the Rosh HaYeshiva left Queens of America, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim. The HaYeshiva. This was followed by a kid- and-son end-of-season m’laveh malkah. after Shabbos, he commented to Rabbi minyan overfl owed with people and dush, sponsored by four dedicated shul The Rosh HaYeshiva addressed the boys Gilbert: “I have gone to many places for with excitement over receiving this members and catered by Rebbetzin and afterwards he offered them indi- Shabbos. I really enjoyed the special chashuve guest. The Friday night s’udah Friedman. This was followed by a de- vidual blessings. The fi nal event was a people in Queens.” He said, “I got more and oneg took place at the home of Mr. licious s’udas Shabbos at the home of m’laveh malkah at the home of Mr. & chizuk from this Shabbos than I gave.” & Mrs. Charles Gros. Attendees were Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Shafran. Friends and Mrs. Tzvi Yagudaev. Everyone who attended felt inspired packed out the door. Rabbi Shaul Arieli, neighbors of Mr. Shafran joined in for Most of the Sephardic rabbanim of and energized by this beautiful Shabbos Rav of Congregation Ohel Yitzchok, in- dessert. the community attended. The house program.

30 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Community Corner • Recent Happenings Rego Park’s Ohr Natan Marks Namesake’s Centennial

L-R: Rebbetzin Yael Kaziev, Cynthia Zalisky, Miriam Yakubova, Rep. Grace Meng, Karen Koslowitz, Scott Stringer, Rabbi Nahum Kaziev, Mikhail Braslavsky

By Sergey Kadinsky the older generations. Looking at the citizens are lied to and it is the norm, of the event, Koslowitz distributed half obituary pages, readers are confronted where the lives of people are worth- of $29,000 in discretionary funding to t was a night of culture with plenty with smiling photos of the deceased less,” said Yakubov. “That is why I am Zalisky’s Queens Jewish Community of spirit as the Ohr Natan organiza- wearing their best outfi ts. Next to the leaving this citadel forever.” Council and half to Ohr Natan. She was Ition marked the centennial of its photographs, lengthy essays, poems, or On the Shloshim after his unexpect- joined at the celebration by Congress- namesake Natan Yakubov’s birth. “We both are written by the descendants to ed death in 1986 at age 71, his fami- woman Grace Meng and Comptroller feel the brachah of my grandfather and Scott Stringer. grandmother throughout the many Following the introductory remarks, programs that we hold here,” said Ohr Perhaps it was my childhood evenings in the park the concert got underway, offering a Natan Director Rabbi Nahum Kaziev at variety of songs inspired by March 8 – the March 8 commemorative concert at with my grandfather and his friends Women’s Day in the old country, along his Rego Park synagogue. “In his life, he that I gained an appreciation of the older generations with the shashmaqam music of Central was kind to anyone in need. His exam- Asia, Russian shanson ballads, and pop- ple and personality inspired the family ular Yiddish songs. “I know all these and his friends to create Ohr Natan in educate the readers on the productive ly gathered and organized the fund songs by heart,” said Rabbi Avrekh Ka- his memory.” and meaningful lives that were taken. bearing his name, which went on to ziev, cousin of Rabbi Nahum Kaziev. For anyone driving on Queens Bou- “The bright fi re of life has faded, a sponsor a synagogue, magazine, edu- “I studied for the rabbinate in Europe. levard, the Ohr Natan marquee on heart is at eternal rest,” wrote the family cational programs, food pantry, and Who doesn’t know Yiddishe Mame?” the former Trylon Theater cannot be of Boris Abramov (1934-2015). The lives other programs. Under the leadership The audience rhythmically clapped as missed. Of greater impact is the second of the obituary subjects have a familiar of Yakubov’s grandson, Rabbi Nahum emcee Mikhail Braslavsky led the event. fl oor behind the synagogue, where the refrain of family property confi scat- Kaziev, relationships were cultivated Many synagogues, yeshivos, and organization has been publishing Dru- ed during the revolution, the diffi cult with local elected offi cials, who dutiful- charitable organizations carry the zhba magazine for the past 24 years. wartime years when the best young ly attended the centennial event, cele- names of benefactors’ family members The magazine’s name translates as men were sent to the front lines while brating Yakubov’s life and the sense of in the hope that the good conducted by “friendship” in English. “His memory the daughters worked hard to feed the urgency to assist those in need within these entities will perpetuate the indi- is Druzhba. It was so diffi cult to start family, the postwar years of education- the community. “It’s always a pleasure viduals’ names and elevate their spirit a magazine,” said publisher Dr. Miriam al achievement and spiritual longing, to be here,” said Koslowitz. “When to greater heights on the merit of the Yakubova. “We had to fi nd a computer concluding with hopes and adjustment someone calls me up and offers me a good deeds. “In this world, it is essen- with Russian letters and other materials in a new land. Usually it’s either Isra- chance to distribute money to give to tial to do good deeds,” Yakubov told his that were not available. We translated el or New York, though the magazine the community, I think of Cynthia Zal- family. “Because that is the only thing from English and Hebrew. We provid- reaches Bukharian communities in isky and Nahum Kaziev.” A co-sponsor you can leave behind in this world.” ed an understanding of Judaism in the Austria, Australia, Canada, Germany, Russian language and we have as many and eight other states within this coun- concerns now as we did 24 years ago.” try. The obituaries are marked on the In my recent work as a translator bottom with “M’nuchaso b’Gan Eden” Solution to this issue’s puzzles for Council Member Karen Koslowitz, (May His resting place be in the Garden I brought her a copy of Druzhba every of Eden), a phrase that corresponds to week and she was fascinated at the “alav ha’shalom” among the Ashkenaz- encyclopedic level of detail and depth im. Real estate advertisements not only of its reporting, even as it appeared in cover Queens but also Arizona, which a language foreign to her. Along with has a growing Bukharian Jewish com- hard news, poetry, and local events, the munity. biweekly magazine offers columns on In the March 3 edition of Druzh- the parshah, T’hilim, women’s topics, ba, Dr. Rahman Khaimov eulogized health, history, and on the back pages: Yakubov, who operated a minyan in the most heartfelt obituary advertise- his Tashkent home following the clos- ments that any publication can offer. ing of synagogues in the city. In 1977, Perhaps it was my childhood eve- as Yakubov was preparing to emigrate, nings in the park with my grandfather Khaimov asked him to reconsider. “I do and his friends and the years volun- not want my children, grandchildren, teering at a senior home where he later and their descendants to live in a coun- lived that I gained an appreciation of try where there is no future, where

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 31 Community Corner • Recent Happenings Beth Medrash Govoha Annual Parlor Meeting In Kew Gardens Hills Defi es The Elements

Rabbi Malkiel Kotler (Rosh HaYeshiva BMG) Rabbi Daniel Glatstein and speaks via Skype Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum

that the Gemara says “carrying” is defi ned by carrying from one domain to anoth- er by placing the object in a place that By Susie Garber as his shaliach (messenger), and a Skype is four amos by four amos. However, if session was set up so that the Rosh HaYe- the object is placed into a hand it serves lacial gusting winds and steady shiva was able to deliver his speech via as four by four. Rav Meir Shapiro told unrelenting snowfall on Tuesday computer. people that even if you cannot be in the Gevening, March 4, could not de- In spite of the inclement weather, beis midrash, you can extend your hand ter the annual parlor meeting for Beth many community members and support- and that will take the place of being in Medrash Govoha that was a culmina- ers of the Yeshiva gathered at the home the daled amos of the Jewish law. The tion of the beautiful Lakewood Queens of Mr. & Mrs. Bernie Shafran to show Klausenberger Rebbe taught that you Shabbos program in Kew Gardens Hills their support to the Yeshiva and to glean have two hands, so even if you can’t be this past Shabbos Parshas Zachor, Par- inspiration. in the beis midrash all day, you have to shas T’tzaveh. Though HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Daniel Glatstein was one of set aside specifi c times for Torah learning Rav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler was unable the fi rst people to introduce the Rosh after work. to continue the arduous trip to Queens HaYeshiva via Skype. Bernie Shafran Rav Kotler spoke about the words in from Lakewood due to road closures, he introduced Rav Oelbaum, who shared the song ”Shoshanas Yaakov,” which we designated HaRav Noach Isaac Oelbaum many beautiful Torah ideas. He taught sing on Purim, that states that the salva- Bernie Shafran (Host of Parlor Meeting)

tion of Purim is eternal. The Vilna Gaon taught that Purim showed us that even when Hashem is hidden, He is always with us to help us. That is a salvation we carry until today. The talmidim of the Lakewood Yeshiva are living examples of being moser nefesh (self-sacrifi cing) for learning Torah. They knew that Hashem is always there to take care of us. Rabbi Glatstein shared that when Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l fi rst came to the United States, he arrived in San Francis- co right before Pesach. While of course he needed to fi nd matzah and to make a seder, this was not his fi rst concern. His fi rst concern, which eclipsed his person- al needs, was what was going to be with Torah in America? Now 70 years later, seven thousand talmidim have answered the call to Torah. Rabbi Glatstein shared a fascinating teaching of the Ramban: Why didn’t Yaakov Avinu go out and teach To- rah? It says he sat and learned. The an- swer is: He had such a large family devot- ed to Hashem that the existence of such a family proclaimed belief in Hashem and the Torah to the world. The existence of a yeshivah of such magnitude calls out to the world the existence of Hashem and the importance of Torah.

32 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Community Corner • Recent Happenings Grand “Support Your Local Police” Rally Held At City Hall

grand rally was held on the steps offi cials have praised and supported the of New York City Hall, on Sunday, divisive anti-police protests that have in AMarch 8, as leading community many cases led to violence, riots, assaults leaders and residents invited the public on police offi cers, and the recent assassi- to help them send a clear and loud mes- nation of two of New York’s Finest.” sage that the vast majority of New York- The rallies have the support of New ers support our police. Following a suc- York City Council Member Paul Vallone, cessful fi rst rally attracting hundreds at New York State Assemblyman Phillip Queens Borough Hall, followed by simi- Goldfeder, the Queens Jewish Commu- lar rallies in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten nity Council, and many other individu- Island, and the Rockaways, the non-parti- als and organizations. Councilman Eric san group Square Deal Committee, Inc., Ulrich, who spoke at the Queens rally on headed by retired NYPD Captain Joseph January 13, declared, “Cops are the good Concannon, is determined to counter guys, not the bad guys, and we have to the divisive rhetoric of the past number continue to raise our voices and let the of months. city know that We the People support Concannon, who organized the series our police.” of citywide rallies, said, “Public safety is Concannon is a 25-year law enforce- the cornerstone of our civilized society. ment veteran who served as Deputy Di- The police are the thin blue line that sep- rector of Public Safety for the NYC May- arates civilization from chaos.” He con- or’s Offi ce and has won accolades for his tinued, “Our Mayor has been erroneously thirteen years of leadership with the Fed- tearing down the NYPD for the past two eral Bureau of Investigation’s InfraGard years. The City Council and many elected for leadership and community outreach. S.P.I.R.I.T. Program In Queens Focuses On Simchah

By Susie Garber Rabbi Steinig explored simchah in the Torah and the idea of joy versus n Wednesday, February 25, Rab- amusement. True simchah, he taught, bi Sholom Steinig spoke about comes from serving G-d with joy. He Osimchah in Adar at Congregation taught the Torah idea of giving in the Etz Chaim for the S.P.I.R.I.T. program context of mitzvos, which brings greater (Stimulating Program Initiative for Re- happiness than receiving. True simchah tirees that Inspires Thought) for seniors is with you always, while amusement is and retirees, a program of the Orthodox just for the moment. Union. The OU started this program The next S.P.I.R.I.T. program will with the focus of creating a stimulating take place at the Torah Center of Hill- educational program for baby boom- crest, 171-05 Jewel Avenue, Hillcrest, on ers who are retiring. The program has Wednesday, March 18, at 1:15 p.m. Rab- sponsored shiurim in Brighton Beach, bi Mordechai Finkelman will speak on Woodmere, Boca Raton, and Queens. “grandparenting” at the Seder.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 33 Community Corner • Recent Happenings YIKGH Arnie Reich Family Learning Program Prize Winners

Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld of Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills con- Rabbi Schonfeld with Avi Lax, this year’s Grand Prize Bluma Jakubovicz was this year’s lucky winner of the gratulating Mikey Fried on winning a prize for having a perfect atten- winner of a $125 Toys “R” Us gift certificate, at the first prize drawing, a $50 gift certificate to Toys “R” Us, dance record at this year’s Arnie Reich Family Learning Program Arnie Reich Family Learning Program at the Arnie Reich Family Learning Program

programs.” OHEL’s Expansive School-Based Services Some of the services offered to schools include student counseling, teacher train- ing workshops, mental health education, and student trauma counseling. OHEL’s Garner Praise And Recommendation professional therapists, counselors, and HEL’s School-Based Services con- the availability of effective teacher train- childhood development. OHEL’s trauma social workers consistently receive en- tinues to expand mental health ing programs and professional student team is always ready to respond to more thusiastic praise from the school staff Oand wellness services to diverse mental health services. sensitive or acute concerns. and administration they work with. schools in the New York and New Jersey OHEL’s trained counselors work “Social and academic success in school Rabbi John Krug, Psy.D., Dean of Stu- area. with students on developing coping is a major contributor to any child’s sense dent Life and Welfare at The Frisch The increased delivery of services is a skills, self-organization, and social skills. of competency and well-being,” says Sim- School, comments that “we express our composite of many factors, including the School administrators, teachers, and cha Feuerman, OHEL’s Director of Opera- deepest appreciation to OHEL for provid- recognition of student challenges, the parents have benefi tted from numer- tions. “This is why OHEL’s school-based ing us with one of [their] trained school validation of proactive engagement, and ous workshops and seminars relating to services is one of our vital community counselors. He seamlessly integrated into our staff and methodology and has earned the respect of colleagues and stu- dents alike. They are all more enriched and enhanced via their contact with him.” Rabbi Asher Sabo, Principal, Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, adds that “OHEL’s work has been highly professional, culturally sensitive, and effective in the numerous trainings for our teachers of self-esteem, bullying prevention, and behavior man- agement. Our school personnel have grown more adept in handling emotion- al issues of our students. Many families have benefi ted from your interventions and referrals to community services.” For more information about OHEL’s School-Based Services, and to fi nd out what services are available to your school or family, call Hillel Fox at 917-231-5911 or e-mail him at [email protected]. Since 1969, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services has served as a depend- able haven of individual and family sup- port, helping people of all ages effectively manage disability, surmount everyday challenges, heal from trauma, and man- age with strength and dignity during times of crises.

34 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 35 Community Snapshots - Thursday, March 5, Queens Photo Credits: Aharon Katz A Flurry of Fun on Purim

Aharon Katz is a Queens-based photographer who currently works for the Queens Jewish Link and is a photographer at Yaakov Katz Studios. 36 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Community Snapshots Photo Credits: Aharon Katz

Aharon Katz is a Queens-based photographer who currently works for the Queens Jewish Link and is a photographer at Yaakov Katz Studios. 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 37 Community Corner • What’s New In School Bnos Malka Chumash Play

n Sunday, February 22, the 2nd an enjoyable experience for the students grade students at Bnos Malka from start to fi nish. OAcademy took part in a huge mile- After each student received her Chu- stone event and a once-in-a-lifetime oc- mash from Rabbi Weichselbaum, along casion: They made a beautiful Chumash with a special treat to remind her of how presentation for family and friends, and sweet it is to learn Torah, the program received their Chumashim. The students’ continued with a very special activity enthusiasm was palpable, and their for parents, grandparents, and students. smiles were contagious! The perfor- Each girl’s family worked together to dec- mance, which included live music by Mrs. orate covers for her Chumash. The covers Rena Greenberg, singing, and speaking displayed the creativity and individuality parts, showcased some of the knowledge of each student. Everyone had a very the students acquired about learning enjoyable time, using the many decora- Chumash. The parents and grandparents tions to express their unique vision and of the 2nd Grade Chumash curriculum, and extract the important life lessons to were thrilled at how much information personality, and spending quality time students learn the necessary skills to be learned, as well as hone their ability the students displayed about learning together on this momentous and mem- be able to break down a pasuk into its to analyze a pasuk. Often, our students Chumash and how well they speak in orable occasion. various parts independently. This gives can look at a pasuk and come up with Hebrew. The students displayed poise Although the 2nd Grade has been students the tools they need and the Rashi’s question on the pasuk all on their and self-confi dence throughout their learning Pre-Chumash skills since the confi dence to read any Hebrew text. own…and they haven’t even offi cially be- performance and, even more amazing, beginning of the year, they waited until With the help of the hugely successful gun to learn Rashi yet! We wish the 2nd their incredible teachers, Mrs. Yanni, and they had fi nished the fi rst two p’rakim and popular Lehavin U’lehaskil program, grade students much hatzlachah as they Mrs. Rosenfelt, worked hard to make sure of Parshas Lech L’cha, to make their Chu- they work extensively on shorashim and continue to grow in Torah, and we wish that the rehearsals were always fun and mash presentation. What a great way parts of speech. They also look intense- their families much joy and nachas from stress-free, so that the presentation was to mark this accomplishment! As part ly into the deeper meaning of the inyan them! JEP KGH Shabbaton he Kew Gardens Hills community hosted a JEP Shabbaton on Feb- Truary 21, Parshas T’rumah. The boys and girls who joined the Shabbaton were hosted by local friends and commu- nity members. The Friday night Shab- bos meal was held at Rabbi Finestone’s house, and the Shabbos day meal was hosted by community members. Many children participated in a “Beginners Minyan” on Shabbos morning. The chil- dren enjoyed a Shabbos afternoon fi lled with Torah educational games including skits and our famous JEPardy game. Af- ter an uplifting and song-fi lled Havdalah, everyone enjoyed baking Hamantashen. All participants walked away with an ex- citement for Purim and some great-tast- ing Hamantashen.

38 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Community Corner • What’s New In School MTA Sophomore From Queens Shevach High School Production Invited On Trip To DC A Smashing Success In Queens

aziel Siegman (‘17), a Fresh Mead- By Susie Garber Lieberman and Ahuva Hirtz), along ows native and a student at the with the production heads (Sara Elbo- RYeshiva University High School n a snowy Sunday afternoon, gen, Aliza Rodkin, and Ayelet Schwerd), for Boys (MTA), recently attended the March 1, women and girls of all coordinated and produced a masterful Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Oages from around the commu- production this year. The colorful, Washington, sponsored by FutureDocs. nity gathered for the much-anticipated glittering costumes and beautifully com. Because of his outstanding perfor- Shevach High School production. The choreographed dances and ensembles mance at that conference, he received auditorium of the John Bowne High added to the overall polished effect. their Award of Excellence. School was transformed into the set- The two leads, the Princess Ella The Congress of Future Medical Lead- ting for an engaging production of The (played by Atara Nat) and Emma (played ers seeks to identify the physicians of the Princess and the Pauper, the Jewish ver- by Rochel Chanales), offered an en- future and expose them to the current sion of Mark Twain’s novel, The Prince chanting performance. Their singing leaders in the fi eld. At this conference, and the Pauper. and harmony captivated the audience Raziel had the honor to learn from per- Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz, Principal in the fi rst song, “I’m Just Like You.” sonalities such as the US Surgeon Gen- of Shevach High School, began the It was clear to the audience, from eral, Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, and program by sharing the theme of the the smiles and cheers of the perform- Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of the production, being samei’ach b’chelko ers, that the students truly enjoyed National Institutes of Health. He also (being happy with one’s lot). A person performing this production. Produc- had the opportunity to see surgery per- who is happy with what she has is a tion provides both a wonderful oppor- formed live and question the surgeon in happy person. This idea is taught in tunity for the students to share their real time, as well as rub shoulders with Pirkei Avos (Ethics of the Fathers). She talents, as well as a chance for them to the most advanced teens in the country. then thanked the administration and shine. From tickets, curtains, lighting, It was truly an honor worthy of an MTA faculty for their part in helping the stage managers, props and playbills, Science Lion! production to be a success. She also costumes and music, and practices, to thanked the mothers for putting up all of the hard work, everything truly with the extended practices, etc. merged together into a gala perfor- North Shore The production coordinators (Sara mance. Hebrew Academy Students Brave Midreshet Shalhevet Seventh The Snow To Read Megillas Esther Annual Mother-Daughter Dinner espite a massive snowstorm on for the past 14 years, enabling them to fl owed as both current and prospective Purim Day, Thursday, March 5, read the Megillah at various synagogues, students and their mothers joined to- Da milestone was reached at the hospitals, nursing homes, and private gether for a wonderful night out. The North Shore Hebrew Academy (NSHA) homes, for those unable to attend syna- evening began with cupcake decorat- Middle School in Great Neck, when 19 gogue. ing by Shalhevet parent Mrs. Tsippy students, both Ashkenazic and Sephardic, Rabbi Jeffrey Kobrin, Head of School Nussbaum, where she demonstrated braved the inclement weather and read (far left) and Rabbi Adam Acobas (not how to design and present exquisite Megillas Esther for their schoolmates, shown) facilitate the students’ hectic pastries. Mothers and daughters had parents, and faculty. Dr. Paul Brody, a schedules to enable adequate review a blast as they bedecked the cupcakes dermatologist by profession, (standing time with Dr. Brody. The students have with assorted toppings. Shortly there- 2nd from left, holding the Megillah, wear- achieved a unique accomplishment, after, everyone was treated to a deli- ing the Tallis of his Zayde, Rabbi Jacob joining a small, qualifi ed group who cious buffet from Carlos & Gabby’s be- Brown z’l, who convinced him, back in possess the knowledge to publicly chant fore sitting down to hear the amazing 1973, that reading the “Gantze Megillah” the Megillah. Dr. Brody fi rst read the Shalhevet choir perform. The choir, was not insurmountable) has instructed Megillah in the Young Israel of Kew Gar- led by Mrs. Andrea Schulman and con- more than 225 students at the Academy dens Hills. sisting of students from ninth through twelfth grade, impressed the audience with their beautiful melodies and fl aw- less harmonies. Eleventh grader Shoshi Koppel astounded the crowd with her unbelievable solo and piano skills. Fol- lowed by their amazing performance, Principal Mrs. Esther Eisenman took the fl oor to share some insight on Megillas Esther with an interactive shi- Mrs. Sara Miller with daughter Leah, a ur. Mothers and daughters continued ninth grader at Shalhevet to mingle about over dessert, featuring a gourmet Viennese table by Shalhevet his past Monday, February 23, parent Ms. Chani Gold. It was a great marked the seventh annual event, and Shalhevet is truly proud to TMidreshet Shalhevet mother- partner with such a committed parent daughter dinner. The ballroom over- body in educating their talmidos.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 39 Community Corner • What’s New In School Yeshiva Shaarei Zion Third Grade Boys Celebrate Siyum

he third grade boys at YSZ cel- Chayai Sara. The boys were lead onto sukim and sang songs about their Parshah. bers, friends and relatives of the students ebrated a great milestone: stage with Rabbi Shimonov, a master The Posukim were read accurately with joined for this momentous occasion, Tthe completion of learning Parshat teacher, where they individually read Po- the translation and Taamin. Family mem- which was followed by a lavish lunch. Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe Students Complete Shovavim Project abbi Unger’s sixth grade at Ye- was the Super bowl. The class took on shiva Tiferes Moshe completed this project to strengthen their ability Rtheir screen-free Shovavim pro- to control what they see and what they ject. Five boys succeeded in refraining should not see. Yasher Koach to Shlomo from watching anything on a screen Gross, Yisroel Meir Moshayev, Yehuda for the entire six weeks of Shovavim. Schonfeld, Yehuda Tropper and Biny- Included in the six screen-free weeks omin Zeitlin.

40 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Community Corner • Upcoming Events William Kristol To Keynote Gala Anniversary Lincoln Dinner illiam Kristol, editor of the try and millions of Jews, but on behalf of The dinner party’s Master of Cere- Weekly Standard and our na- the West itself, will command the world’s monies, Steve Malzberg, a nationally Wtion’s leading defender of attention as he declares his refusal to renowned conservative radio and TV the US, Israel, and the West, will be the appease the enemies of Israel and the personality, frequently has Kristol on keynote speaker at the 140th Anniversary West.” his Newsmax TV program. The Lincoln Lincoln Dinner, hosted by America’s old- Philip Orenstein, the Queens Village Dinner will feature other notable public est GOP Club, the Queens Village Repub- Republican Club president, said: “This is fi gures, including Staten Island District lican Club. The gala dinner party will be a matter of the survival of the State of Attorney Daniel Donovan, who is run- held on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. at Israel and Western Civilization. If you ning for Congress in the 11th CD Special the famous Antun’s of Queens Village, stand in defense of Israel and America, Election, who will be delivering the an- where almost every New York Governor, then you will want to attend the Lincoln nual Lincoln Address, and Congressman New York City Mayor, and President of Dinner and hear Kristol’s keynote speech, Chris Gibson, serving New York’s 19th the United States has been in attendance as he addresses the issues that are of ut- CD, who may be running for statewide since the 1950s. most importance to all freedom-loving offi ce in 2018. Rep. Gibson is a decorat- Kristol stood up in defense of Prime people today.” ed war hero who will be honored with Minister Netanyahu with a brilliant ed- William Kristol is a regular on ABC’s the “Rabbi Morton Pomerantz Veteran of itorial that practically went viral, “Net- This Week and appears frequently on the Year” award, a new Club tradition to anyahu’s Moment,” regarding the prime other leading political commentary bring to the public’s attention outstand- minister’s “Churchillian” speech to shows. Before starting the Weekly Stan- ing examples of service and sacrifi ce to Congress last week. In his Weekly Stan- dard in 1995, Mr. Kristol led the Project for our nation and the cause of freedom. dard editorial, Kristol said: “On March 3, the Republican Future, where he helped to Vice President Dan Quayle during the Many other honorees and GOP elected something remarkable and historic will shape the strategy that produced the 1994 fi rst Bush Administration, and to Edu- offi cials from throughout New York will happen. The prime minister of Israel, Republican congressional victory. Prior cation Secretary William Bennett under be in attendance, as well as some sur- speaking on behalf of not only his coun- to that, Mr. Kristol served as chief of staff President Reagan. prise speakers. Yeshiva University Presents March 22 Conversations With Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks And Senator Joseph Lieberman n Sunday, March 22, Yeshiva erate the discussion. most beloved religious texts in Jewish University will present a con- Rabbi Sacks is a global religious lead- history and one of the most profound Oversation with former Chief er, philosopher, author, and educator. political works of all time. I know the Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congrega- He is currently the Kressel and Ephrat diverse and profound perspectives that tions of the British Commonwealth Family University Professor of Jewish Lord Sacks and Senator Lieberman will Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and former Thought at Yeshiva University and In- offer will deepen our own understand- Senator Joseph Lieberman on “The Hag- geborg and Ira Rennert Global Distin- ing of both religion and politics, as gada’s Politics: From 2,000 Years Ago to guished Professor of Judaic Thought at well as prepare us intellectually for the Today.” The conversation, hosted by New York University. seder that will soon follow,” said Rabbi Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jew- Lieberman represented Connecticut Soloveichik. ish Future and the Abraham Arbesfeld in the US Senate from 1989 to 2013 after The event, which is free and open to Kollel Yom Rishon and Mille Arbesfeld serving in the Connecticut State Senate the public, is generously sponsored by Midreshet Yom Rishon, will be held at for ten years and as attorney general of Robyn and Shukie Grossman and family. YU’s Wilf Campus, 500 West 185th Street, Connecticut for six years. He was ap- To register or for more information, visit New York City, and begin at 10 a.m. Rab- pointed the inaugural Joseph Lieberman www.yu.edu/haggada or contact Rabbi bi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, director of YU’s Chair in Public Policy and Public Service Aryeh Czarka, program coordinator, at Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for at YU in July 2014. [email protected] or 212.960.5400 Torah and Western Thought, will mod- “The Haggadah is both one of the (ext. 6826). We’d like to wish a huuuge Mazel Tov to Yoni Czegledi & Margo Hanan on their recent wedding! - Naftali Szrolovits, Yaakov Serle, and QJL Staff

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 41 Community Corner

close to Him. Powerful Pre-Purim Shiur By R’ Moshe Schwerd In KGH The Maharal points out that Esther saw clearly that there was no alterna- CONTINUED FROM P. 30 Jewish people. He noted that the y’sod R’ Schwerd then detailed contrasts tive to prayer. T’fi lah was the only an- (foundation) of all prayer is that when between Chanukah and Purim and swer. R’ Schwerd then went on to share fi nal redemption. For redemption to Hashem wants us to connect to Him, he shared an idea from Rav Elchonon a fascinating idea: Haman is mystically come, all the Jewish people have to do He creates a lack in our life that spurs Wasserman. A spiritual attack like that connected to the Snake in the Garden t’shuvah (repentance). If we don’t do us to pray to Him. He sends Amalek of Chanukah comes from Satan, while of Eden. Haman desired to bring death t’shuvah on our own, then an enemy when we are drifting away so then we a physical attack like that on Purim is to the world. The Snake brought death will present an existential threat to the daven and Hashem takes Amalek away. caused by Hashem wanting us to draw to the world. Rav Pinchas taught that the Snake is cursed after 70 verses in the Torah, and Haman is cursed after 70 verses in the Megillah. Even the fi - nal nun in Haman’s name looks like a snake. There is a midrash that the fruit Eve gave to Adam was grapes, and she squeezed it into wine. So the fi rst sin in the world came about through wine. So, too, in the Purim story, the party of Achashveirosh – where the Jews sinned by attending – included wine. Accord- ing to the opinion that the Jews sinned by eating non-kosher food at the feast, Haman wanted us to eat forbidden food, just as the Snake wanted Adam and Eve to eat forbidden food. The Snake’s plan was to drive a wedge between mankind and Hashem. Amalek and Haman try to do this to the Jews. T’fi lah then creates the opposite effect. It connects us to Hashem. The ultimate punishment was bestowed on the Snake. He would never have to ask Hashem for anything. His sustenance was the dirt on the ground. This pre- cluded him from ever forming a rela- tionship with Hashem. R’ Schwerd offered that the manna in the desert was a symbol of connection. When the Jews complained about the manna, G-d sent the symbol of anti-connection, the snake, to punish them. R’ Schwerd then returned to his ini- tial question: Why did King David meet with people before praying. He quoted the Tzitz Eliezer. King David wanted to see with his own eyes how people ap- proach a king with their requests. He wanted that daily reminder of the cor- rect way to approach a king so that he could internalize this mindset when he approached the King of Kings, Hashem. In fact, this was King David’s prepara- tion for davening. He then shared a beautiful idea from the Maharal that we come in through two doors before we pray. When we move through the fi rst door, we leave everything in our life outside. When we enter the second door, we are in a “yichud room” alone with G-d, just as new bridegroom and bride spend time alone in a room and focus only on each other. We need to be in the same mindset when we enter to speak to Hashem. R’ Schwerd then detailed various Jewish laws that help us focus. We are not allowed idle chatter in shul. We must dress a certain way and stand a certain way, etc. He concluded that even King David needed physical re- minders for praying with proper feel- ing and intention.

42 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Only one person could plained the purpose of his Hangin’ on by a Thread save the day now: R’ Mor- visit, a bewildered Topolan- dechai Benet, the Chief ski became defensive—he CONTINUED FROM P. 11 who properly adhere to on the Quergasse which is Rabbi of Moravia, who was himself was “no enemy of its strictures (Ma’ayan Bais the subject of this tale. But revered by both the Jew- the Jews,” it was his “wicked sixteen cubits wide (see Shul- HaShoeva, Vayakhel). the plan could not be actu- ish and non-Jewish com- neighbors who opposed the chan Aruch, Orach Chaim 345:7; As the centuries-old roofs alized because the owner munities. When R’ Morde- eruv,” and he simply “want- Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim of Nikolsburg burned like of the house, the gentile chai heard of Topolanski’s ed to live in peace with all.” 303:18; Magen Avraham and Taz dry tinder during the fi re, butcher Topolanski, stub- treachery, he assured the “In any event,” Topolanski 345). Another well-knwon disa- one house remained com- bornly refused to allow the Jewish community elders reasoned, “the local authori- greement is whether an area pletely unaffected. That strings to be erected—not that he would attend to ties had decided against it.” that is mostly enclosed by house stood in the Quer- based on his own objections solving the problem... “Indeed, you are correct,” walls is considered a public gasse, where people would but because of the crushing The next day, R’ Morde- R’ Mordechai responded. domain (no eruv possible) pass from the Jewish sec- opposition mounted by his chai made his way through “The authorities have ruled or a karmelis (eruv possible) tion of town into the Chris- neighbors. The two sides ul- the streets of Nikolsburg. Ar- in your favor, and no one (Responsa of Bais Ephraim, tian area… timately submitted the dis- riving at the house on Quer- can force you to comply Orach Chaim 26; Responsa Many years earlier, the pute to the local governor, gasse, he found Topolanski with our request. But lis- of Mishk’nos Yaakov, Orach Jewish community decided who unsurprisingly ruled in relaxing after a hard day’s Chaim 121). to erect an eruv at the house favor of Topolanski. work. After R’ Mordechai ex- CONTINUED ON P. 46 Those of us who live in Kew Gardens Hills are fortunate: we boast a fi rst-class eruv. It is well- maintained, regularly-in- spected, and immediately- repaired when necessary. There is no legal impedi- ment to the construction and maintenance of our eruv unlike elsewhere (e.g., Tenafl y, New Jersey; West- hampton Beach, Quogue, and Southampton, New York; Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, and Miami Beach, Florida). Nor is our eruv fraught with halachic disagreement (read: in- validated) plaguing eruvin elsewhere. On the contra- ry, the Kew Gardens Hills eruv was erected with the blessing, encouragement, and express approval of R’ Moshe Feinstein (see Igros Moshe, Orach Chaim 4:86). So careful are we when it comes to the prohibi- tion against carrying that, out of fear of carrying ac- cidentally, we do not blow the Shofar (Rosh Hashana 29b), take the Lulav (Suk- kah 42b), or read the Megil- la (Megilla 4b) when these holidays coincide with Shabbos. We are warned, “So says G-d, ‘Guard your souls, and bear no burden on the Shabbos, nor bring it into the gates of Yerusha- layim. Do not carry a bur- den out of your houses on Shabbos nor do any work; make the Shabbos holy, as I commanded your fa- thers” (Yirmiyahu 17:21-22). Indeed, according to R’ Shi- mon Schwalb, obeying the prohibition against carry- ing on Shabbos is the lit- mus test that distinguishes between those who are Torah-observant and those who are not, and there is ample reward for those

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 43 TO ADD YOUR EVENT TO OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR, PLEASE EMAIL THE EVENT, DATE/TIME, PLACE, AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION TO: [email protected]

From 12:30 to 6:45 (75-31 150th Ijh[[j" A[m =WhZ[di >_bbi  Communal Pesach Seder. 7Zkbji*+" FEBRUARY p.m., Nefesh will hold a program on the topic “How Y^_bZh[d)&$>eif_jWb_jo\ehj^[[dj_h[ At 7:45 p.m., Con- b’Nefesh will hold much risk may I take to save a life? A OecJel_iWlW_bWXb[$WX_X" WdZ 7ii[cXbocWd C_Y^W[b I_- hold an informa- \Wn-'.#(,)#)-+/"eh[#cW_bZ_dd[h6i^[- “The Haggada’s Politics From 2,000 cWdem_jp$  7j j^[ IWdZi e\ 7jbWdj_Y tion night for par- lWY^$eh]$ Years Ago to Today,” a conversation 8[WY^$JecWa[h[i[hlWj_ediWdZYed-

Thursday 12 ents of high school with Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and jh_Xkj_edi"fb[Wi[YWbb-'.#-/)#.+&&[nj$ juniors, seniors, Chazaq will hold the Big Event III at Senator Joseph Lieberman, moderated 300 or e-mail Z_dd[h6oYg$ki$ and students studying in Israel at the the Colden Auditorium of Queens Col- XoHWXX_:h$C[_hIebel[_Y^_a$7jO[i^_- home of Brad and Jennifer Martin (144-14 lege (65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing). lW Kd_l[hi_joÊi M_b\ 9WcfkiÊ DWj^Wd Congregation Etz 72nd Drive, Kew Gardens Hills). Present- Featuring speakers Charlie Harary, Rab- Lamport Auditorium, Zysman Hall, Chaim of Kew Gar- ers will include President Richard M. bi Zecharia Wallerstein, and Rabbi Pay- 2540 Amsterdam Avenue. Open to men dens Hills (147-19 @e[b":[WdAWh[d8WYede\Ij[hd9ebb[][" sach Krohn. Music and entertainment by and women. Please register online at 73rd Avenue) will

WdZ :_h[Yjeh e\ IjkZ[dj <_dWdY[i" Ch$ 7lhW^WcWdWY^W^AÊ>WbWY^W^ j^[cW]_Ye\I^WXXWjbWj[bo"Wim[bbWi event at the New Jersey Convention JÊÓb_d Fhe]hWc Wj 7]kZWi O_ihe[b e\ MAY @[mim^e^Wl[d[l[hX[[djeWI^WXXWj and Exposition Center, Raritan Cen- Bayswater. NORPAC will hold Z_dd[h X[\eh[$  J^[ dec_dWb Yeij \eh ter, Edison, NJ. For more information, a mission to Wash- j^[ Z_dd[h _i '&$  WlkhWjO_ihW[bWj-'.# YWbb'#.++F7H#;NFE$ Yeshiva Education pants will meet di- 261-5500 or e-mail ^oe\ÓY['.6oW^ee$ for Special Stu- 13 rectly with Yec by March 11. 7j '0'+ f$c$" IJ7@;" dents! will hold a Wednesday Members of Con- in collaboration Sunday 29 5K Run/Walk in ]h[iiWdZj^[_hijW\\$'-+WZkbji1'(+ Motza’ei with the Orthodox Prospect Park, ijkZ[dji$?dYbkZ[ihekdZjh_fjhWdifeh- Shabbos 14 Kd_edWdZj^[>_bb- Brooklyn. For more information or to tation to Washington, DC, and kosher At 9:00 p.m., the 18 Yh[ij JehW^ 9[dj[h" register to participate, please visit ][d- c[Wbi$Jeh[]_ij[h"fb[Wi[l_i_jdehfWY$ Oekd] ?ihW[b e\ @W- Wednesday will hold a [hei_joXheeabod$Yec%o[ii$ d[j%c_ii_ed#h[]_ijhWj_edehYWbb(&'#-..#

Shabbos 14 cW_YW ;ijWj[i .)# S.P.I.R.I.T. Initiative program at the To- 5133 by May 4. '& '..th Ijh[[j" @W- rah Center of Hillcrest (171-05 Jewel Ave- maica Estates) will iYh[[d j^[ Óbc nue, Hillcrest) featuring Rabbi Morde- APRIL Yeshiva Kesser To- “Body and Soul – The state of the Jew- chai Finkelman on “Grandparenting at 7j .0)& f$c$" Con- rah of Queens will ish nation.” the Seder.” Open to retired men and gregation Etz hold its annual

Friday 17 ist and commentator Melanie Phillips. +)(#.'+&ehYedjWYjWXehika6ijW`[$eh]$ 3 19 73rd Avenue) Queens. More de- 7ZZ_j_edWbbo" W h[fh[i[djWj_l[ \hec ?i- will host a Queens tails to follow. rael Bonds will be on hand to redeem At 9:15 a.m., the existing bonds and to discuss future in- Center for Jewish vestment opportunities. Refreshments Law and the Pro- will be served. Admission at the door fessions and the (& f[h f[hied$ 

44 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Op-Ed Netanyahu In Congress By Farley Weiss tion was discussed by the House Speaker before the Israeli elections were decided This article originally appeared in the Je- upon, and the invitation went out to sched- rusalem Post. ule the speech the fi rst week of February. An important aside: Prime Minister Netanyahu n April 10, 2002, then former has always preferred to speak at the AI- Prime Minister Benjamin Net- PAC Conference in Washington every year, Oanyahu traveled to Washington scheduled a year in advance – this year the DC to give a speech to US senators at fi rst week of March. The Prime Minister the request of Prime Minister Ariel asked that the Congressional speech date be Sharon. The reason was to explain the changed to correspond with his visit to AI- imperative Israeli need to go back into PAC. Since the Iran agreement deadline is areas Israel had already forfeited fol- currently called for the end of March, it was lowing the Oslo Accords – due to the also thought that it would be much easier numerous terrorist attacks which cul- to change or stop an agreement before it is minated with the March 27 Park Hotel signed rather than after. Untimely, but log- Passover Seder massacre of 29 Jews. ical. The Bush administration publicly and America is a nation Questions have also been raised about the forcefully opposed Israel’s reentering founded upon principles of freedom of speech political nature of the Prime Minister speak- these areas, which caused significant ing to Congress two weeks before the Israeli friction in the relationship between the because only with freedom of speech elections. The fact of the matter is that the two allied nations. can the right decisions be made date of the speech would have been around Because the discussions between Israel the same irrespective of the elections, simply and the US administration were unsuccess- because of the urgent need to rally Israel’s ful, Sharon decided to bypass the admin- better deal. other relevant and interrelated matters: the supporters in the US. Furthermore, there istration and have Netanyahu speak to US Further, how can you reduce sanctions on necessary economic sanctions on Iran at a was a discussion regarding whether the senators. a regime spreading terrorism and expanding time when Iran encroaches on Israel’s Syr- Prime Minister was even going to come to The 2002 Netanyahu speech was ar- its infl uence around the world? A country ian border while expanding terrorism world- address AIPAC two weeks before elections. ranged by Republican Senator Jon Kyl of whose constitution calls for jihad is not one wide. Less signifi cant was the harm it might When Israel had elections on March 28, Arizona, made bipartisan when then Dem- that will ever be anything but an enemy. cause to the relationship the Prime Minister 2006, all three major candidates, Ehud Ol- ocratic Senator Joe Lieberman agreed to co- These arguments needed to be delivered has built with very supportive and powerful mert, Likud leader Netanyahu, and Labor host the event. Even though many senators to Congress and will further help push the leaders of the US Senate and House. Con- head Amir Peretz, spoke by teleconference did not attend the speech, it was broadcast administration to get a better deal. The invi- versely, accepting it could inevitably lead to and did not attend the AIPAC Conference, live on CNN. Despite a difference in diplo- tation for this speech came from the leaders hurting bipartisan support for Israel and fur- held the fi rst week of March. But the serious matic strategies, the speech was not met with of the Senate and the House, both Republi- ther hurting his relationship with the Obama threat from Iran – existential if it remains any derision by the Bush administration and cans. administration. unchecked, compelled the Prime Minister to caused virtually no controversy. Confusion arose as the result of the fact The bottom line is that opposing an Irani- come in person to address the 16,000-strong It should be noted that almost immediate- that the invitation claimed to be bipartisan; an nuclear program is a bipartisan concern, AIPAC Conference, and speak to speak to ly after the address, the views of numerous only after it was scheduled did it become as powerfully expressed by Democratic a Congress whose support is indispensable. US senators, and subsequently the Bush ad- apparent that even though the president had Senator Bob Menendez at the AIPAC Con- Yes, it is very possible that the speech will ministration, signifi cantly changed, and their indeed been notifi ed, the Democratic leaders ference and the huge bipartisan ovations the help the Prime Minister at home. Interesting- criticism of Israel’s actions to respond forci- of the House and Senate had not been. Prime Minister received during his speech to ly, it seems strange that no one mentions the bly to end the terrorism was thereafter min- With the urgency of the message that Congress. The invitation was accurate in that fact that the opposition by the Labor Party imized. Historically, there is near consensus needed to be delivered, the Prime Minister there was bipartisan support for the Prime to the speech was at least likely partially be- today that the actions by Israel at that time was now in a diffi cult situation. Turning Minister’s views on Iran and to hear from cause it believes the speech will help Likud were in fact necessary, and they did lead to a down an invitation at this eleventh hour the Prime Minister. and thereby hurt Labor at the polls. signifi cant reduction in terrorism. could end the best chance Israel has to stop A question was raised: Why the March In the recent Conference of Presidents Thus Prime Minister Netanyahu under- a “bad agreement” with Iran. There were date of the speech? Originally, the invita- trip to Israel, there was a strong consensus stood from his previous experience that, of Israeli experts on the great danger the despite the current US administration’s po- potential deal with Iran could pose to Israel. sition, it was possible through such a speech Therefore, our leadership’s view was con- not only to rally Congress but also improve fi rmed: to publicly support the Prime Min- the position of the administration. As one in ister’s coming to Washington to speak to attendance who heard from numerous sen- Congress. We urged our members to contact ators and congressmen afterward, Netanya- those in Congress, urging them to attend, hu’s March 3 speech before the US Con- and I personally attended as well. gress was a success. Its impact will be seen America is a nation founded upon princi- over the next couple of weeks. ples of freedom of speech because only with The Prime Minister’s argument that Iran freedom of speech can the right decisions be having the knowledge to make a nuclear made. Whereas procedure is important, hav- bomb is not that signifi cant if the relevant ing all the facts and making the right deci- infrastructure is taken away, comparing it to sion is more important. The American Jew- knowing how to fl y but not having an air- ish community shares Israel’s concern about plane, will resonate with Americans. It is be- Iran, and as such, we at the National Council lieved that Iran decided not to get closer than of Young Israel supported the Prime Minis- three months from a bomb after the Prime ter’s decision to speak to Congress about this Minister drew his famous red line at the UN. existential threat to Israel. The Prime Minister’s main argument is that The author is president of the National Iran will not cross the threshold right now, Council of Young Israel and of the intellec- so wait as their economy weakens to get a tual property law fi rm of Weiss & Moy. 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 45 House & Home Rabbi Gedaliah and Sarah Newcomb “Snowing On Purim” And How Snow And Ice Affects Real Estate Transactions urim is likely the busiest and of the snow and ice. I have been driving tle I could do about it at that point. had brought with them a plug-in electric most social day of the year. A with a shovel and ice for the past few Real estate closings have been de- heater, as the house currently has been Pday children (and adults) of all weeks, so at least when I get stuck some- layed and rescheduled. Actual moving winterized and the heat has been turned ages eagerly look forward to. A day where I have some assistance on hand! days are certainly affected. All the other off. While we are not quite sure how where unity and brotherhood reign as it Overall, it was a different kind of components of any real estate transac- long they were in there, at least they should, and people visit each other bear- Purim. Our job is to take what comes tion are affected by storms or excessive were removed by the NYPD and without ing gifts and goodies. We look forward and make the best of it. This was, once snow/ice, including property appraisals, damage or harm to anyone or anything. to our yearly trek to Rubie’s Costume again, one of those kinds we cannot home inspections, needed repairs, even Property owners who leave the property Shop and browsing through to discover control and must accept and go on. We fi nal walk-throughs. for extended periods of time, or in the which new get-up we will acquire with enjoyed the holiday and were that much One interesting (to say the least) expe- case of an “estate” sale, should make sure all its accessories and accompaniments. more appreciative for those we were rience I wish to share regards a property to have their realtor or somebody regu- We prepare homemade goodies to dis- larly checking on the house to be sure perse, and lovingly package them as well. it does not become vandalized or bro- Hearing the Megillah is always meaning- Overall, it was a different kind of Purim ken in to. The policemen told us that ful, and this year, getting there on time people watch for vacant property, espe- was made more diffi cult both during cially in winter, in order to access them the evening reading and morning due to as these people did. They also told us the snow/rain and very limited parking, able to reach and spend time with in the I have in another area, which is unoccu- that some people even go as far as to try which snow and ice always affects. spirit of the day, while refl ecting on the pied. When somebody went to take a to establish “residency” in a vacant prop- To be sure, many people were simply greater meaning of the timeless message look at the house, after opening the lock erty, even while unauthorized to do so, unable to make it out for all of the festiv- of Purim. and entering the property, they found and if they are there long enough, they ities this year. I actually did not even ex- As far as real estate goes, so many two men inside who did not belong may actually have to be evicted through pect the snowstorm. Must have missed things go awry due to this kind of weath- there. They took refuge in the empty the costly and lengthy process of go- it somehow in the impending weather er. In the days leading up to Purim, and house due to the frigid weather with- ing through landlord-tenant court. The forecasts or else it was one of those un- afterward, there are lingering effects as out permission, and illegally. We had things people think of these days... An expected occurrences, but somehow I people try to dig out and recover from to alert the police, who ended up arrest- ounce of prevention is worth a pound was truly surprised Purim morning by any storm. Property showings to buyers ing them. What a scenario it was. They of cure! the snow at all and how long it went on. are greatly affected. Absentee owners Shoveling again, clearing off the car, are once again hit with the issue of who Rabbi Gedaliah and Sarah Newcomb are NY State licensed realtors for over 13 years. and attempting to drive to Far Rockaway will clear their property for the safety While specializing in Kew Gardens Hills, where they are long-time community mem- and Williamsburg in that weather was of others. At least two of my clients re- bers, they serve all areas in the fi ve boroughs and Long Island. They hold several spe- challenging. The few people who were ceived summonses from the sanitation cialty certifi cations and are members of the Long Island Board of Realtors and the on the road were thankfully driving cau- department due to inadequate snow re- Multiple Listing Service of Queens and Long Island. Rabbi Newcomb is a beloved rebbe tiously slow and everything took a lot moval. This morning I had a showing at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe. Sarah Newcomb has won multiple awards from RE/MAX NY longer than usual. Parking in any area and when I arrived, the property had not and RE/MAX International. They make their home in and are proud members of the was diffi cult, and even when a spot was been cleared. Fortunately I had a shovel Kew Gardens Hills community, along with their family. Contact information: Direct found, getting back out of it challenged in the car, but some of the steps were al- cell: 917-459-7549 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: QueensReal- us a few times due to the slippery nature ready frozen with ice and there was lit- torTeam.com

majority of Kew Gardens Hills resi- Abaye and Abaye’s teacher) reside?” dents provide no consistent sup- Abaye replied, “What can we do? Hangin’ on by a Thread port for the eruv. This past year, It is not respectful for my rebbi to less than one-third of the Torah- have to be involved, I am too busy CONTINUED FROM P. 43 house was spared. Indeed, it is told observant families living in Kew with my learning, and the rest of that time and again fi res have broken Gardens Hills donated money for the people are not concerned.” ten to the words of a man who al- out and destroyed parts of Nikolsburg, the upkeep and other operational For the two-thirds of us who ben- ready has walked eighty years on but each time Topolanski’s house re- expenses of the eruv. That fi gure is efi t from the eruv but neglect to this earth. The justice of mortals is mained untouched. woefully low. pay its modest dues, it appears not a comedy. Enthroned above us all Few institutions, if any, are as The Kew Gardens Hills Eruv Com- much has changed. there is a supreme judge—a judge central to the development and mittee solicits very modest annual If you have not already done so to whom these childish games are sustainability of a frum community dues—only $25 per family. Think this year (or for the past several of no consequence. If you comply as is an eruv. Consider what your about it folks: that means paying years), please consider mailing your with our request, you and your de- Shabbos would be like without an less than 50 cents per Shabbos in tax-deductible dues to KGH Eruv scendants will be richly rewarded: eruv: families with young children exchange for all the benefi ts of be- Committee, Inc. (checks can be your house will be protected from could not go to friends and rela- ing able to carry within an eruv. made out to this entity), 136-84 71 fi re for posterity.” After a moment’s tives, the elderly and infi rm would Quite the bargain. Road, Kew Gardens Hills, New York. silence, Topolanski agreed, and the be homebound, and you’d have to This is not a new problem (Eru- I can’t guarantee your home eruv was constructed. wear your Tallis to and from shul. vin 68a). Indeed, Rabba bar Rav won’t burn down (G-d forbid), but R’ Mordechai’s promise would come But despite the indisputable ben- once asked Abaye, “How can it be I can assure you that you will reap true. When a fi re destroyed much of efi ts of our eruv and the unequivo- that there is no eruv in a commu- the rewards of your donation in Nikolsburg in the 1830s, Topolanski’s cal rabbinic backing therefor, the nity where two great scholars (i.e., this world and the next.

46 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Socially Savvy Esti Berkowitz The Unexpected Purim Gift his Purim, things looked a lot dif- few minutes, the “forward and reverse” ferent on the streets of Kew Gar- technique he had told me about started Tdens Hills. The snow and the wind to work and the car was out of trouble. had us making our deliveries via car and I was so thankful, grateful, and relieved. an extra pair of snow boots. Each turn On this day of giving gifts to those we and spin had us taking extra care as we know, here I was receiving a gift of anoth- approached each snow-covered street. er kind from a complete stranger. While I continuously warned the children to we all make our own lists of who to give walk carefully and slowly as they went to to each year, next year I want to give to each home. somebody completely not expecting any- Things were going better than I had thing from me. Over Shabbos, I came expected until I took the wrong turn and across an older Purim issue of Mishpacha my front left wheel got stuck. Yes, in the Magazine. An anonymous mother wrote middle of a very busy street, I was the in about how her daughter did not have one holding up a line of drivers also on a lot of friends at school, and each Purim their way to deliver their gifts to friends waited by the window for the packages and families. All of a sudden, I felt incred- to come. She so appreciated the couple ibly trapped and helpless, and my kids of mothers that did add her daughter to felt that way too. Each time I tried to their list. Even though they may not be move forward, the wheel would spin and way to maneuver my vehicle: “Forward pening, the nice gentleman came out of friends, this effort made her daughter’s squeal against the sewer that lay under- and reverse fast, forward and reverse fast, his car and offered to get in and get my Purim special. This year, I learned so neath it. I stepped out of my car, looked rock the vehicle out.” I was so grateful car out. I was so grateful, as I was feel- much from what people are willing to around, and I saw once again the cars for his calm demeanor and care. Isn’t this ing more doubtful that we would ever give, even when it wasn’t on their Purim lined up behind me. I felt the pressure to New York? There were other people who get out of our predicament. Within a list this year. make things happen quickly, but I wasn’t started to come towards my car to offer sure how that would happen. help. One man got a shovel, another of- Esti Berkowitz is a freelance writer who shares her reviews of food, travel, products, Then, a very nice calm and soothing fered to get some cardboard. This was and family fun on her blog, primetimeparenting.com. Esti also provides social media voice come from a car. He said, “Take all going on as I tried to “forward and marketing and brand strategy consulting for companies looking to increase their on- your time.” He even told me the best reverse” quickly. When that wasn’t hap- line presence.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 47 48 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 49 Frontlines Joseph M. Frager Bibi Bests Bam

lthough the prime minister by standing tall in the face of tre- did not say it explicitly, he cer- Just as the New York Times gave a positive review mendous pressure from the Obama tainly implied it in his “Speech political machine. He did it to save A of Mein Kampf in 1933, they made sure for the Ages”; if Iran acquires nuclear the world. He gave an oratorical mas- weapons it is the end of the world. to write a favorable review of Iran in its fight against ISIS terpiece, up there with all the great That is precisely why the speech had three days after Netanyahu pointed out speeches of the human race. I, along to be given. with countless others, felt proud to Bibi did the responsible thing. He the absolute untrustworthiness of the Iranian evil empire be a Jew and an American on March jeopardized his own political future 3rd, 2015. The overall vast and over- whelming majority of both the Con- gress and the Senate were incredibly appreciative. Among foreign leaders invited to speak to Congress, Prime Minister Netanyahu now stands equal to Winston Churchill. Nelson Man- dela and Yitzchak Rabin trail behind. Just as Winston Churchill understood the evil of Nazi Germany long before President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Prime Minister Netanyahu under- stands the evil of Iran much before President Obama. Just as the New York Times gave a positive review of Mein Kampf in 1933, the New York Times made sure to write a favorable review of Iran in its fi ght against ISIS three days after the prime minister of Israel pointed out the absolute untrustwor- thiness of the Iranian evil empire. The Obama PR engine went into overdrive, without let-up in sight, af- ter Bibi’s address to Congress. The fi rst target of the president’s wrath was Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who has been the president’s fi ercest Democratic critic on Iran. It is not mere coincidence that the Jus- tice Department, after threatening Senator Menendez for years with un- substantiated claims of corruption, brought charges against the senator three days after Bibi warned of the “very bad deal” the president was try- ing to make with Iran. Senator Me- nendez has been the most vocal Dem- ocrat on the issue. This proves the desperation of the president and all the no-holds-barred steps he is taking to try to make this terrible deal hap- pen. The president has to come clean. He has to have a frank conversation with Congress and the American peo- ple on the most important issue of our generation. Instead of attacking those who disagree with him on the Hill, and insulting the prime min- ister of Israel at every turn, he must become transparent, as he constantly has said he would be, but rarely is. The president should learn valuable lessons from Prime Minister Netanya- hu. Thus far, that has not happened. I sincerely hope it does before it is too late.

Joseph M. Frager is a physician and lifelong activist.

50 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Op-Ed Meng Reacts To Netanyahu Speech

CONTINUED FROM P. 1 questions posed to it by the Internation- nitude with a rogue state. Therefore, Security Council resolutions. al Atomic Energy Agency regarding the the P5+1 should extract from Iran com- We in Congress are seeking increased gotiations and share his deep concerns militarization of its nuclear program. mitments that it will cease supporting oversight of the nuclear negotiations, and about them. We must seek a deal with This is of grave concern to me. Iran’s con- terrorism and bring itself into accor- we are considering how we may respond terms that are better technically than tinued pursuit of a nuclear infrastructure dance with international law. In the in the event of a “bad deal.” But we must those reportedly being negotiated, and (even in the face of international sanc- meantime, we in Congress must high- also assess what to do in the event there is we must hold Iran to account for its gross no deal. In that case, would Iran resume violations of human rights and interna- its path to the bomb, which has been halt- tional law. The Congress must also en- There can be no deal of this magnitude with a rogue state ed since January 2014 per the terms of the sure that there is a safe course forward in interim agreement? How long would it the event there is no deal with Iran this take Iran to traverse this path? Would month. our international partners continue to The greatest concern in relation to the tions), coupled with its prior bomb work, light Iran’s destabilizing behavior. Last support the sanctions regime? Would nuclear negotiations is Iran’s uranium evidences an ongoing and future drive month I sent a letter, with the support they support a more stringent one? enrichment program. There can be no toward a bomb. This is why we need of twenty-eight of my colleagues on the I pledge to work with and stay in regu- deal that would leave any conceivable transparency on Iran’s prior nuclear mil- House Foreign Affairs Committee, to the lar communication with my constituents pathway to a bomb for Iran. Iran’s nu- itarization before any deal is signed, and United Nations regarding Iran’s arming as we take on these heavy tasks in the clear infrastructure must be dismantled assurance that weapons inspectors going of Hezbollah, in violation of numerous weeks and months to come. signifi cantly, and any agreement must be forward would have short-notice access long-lasting. to all suspected nuclear sites. US Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Commit- Iran has refused to answer eleven There can be no deal of this mag- tee and its Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.

could ultimately harm the free world, lifting of economic sanctions. The Putting Legacy Before Country whether the president likes it or not. Iranians are reported to be unhap- That is their Constitutional mandate. py with this aspect, and it is left to CONTINUED FROM P. 26 to trust that assurance. In fact the Bibi spelled out in his address the be seen if this will be a deal breaker. whole world should be suspect. problems with the two concessions Once Iran’s potential nuclear weap- and get away with it. Former Harvard Law School Profes- that America is prepared to make: ons capacity becomes clear to the Living with the existential threat sor Alan Dershowitz slammed Presi- Iran to be able to retain most of its Sunni Arab countries in the Gulf, of Arab enemies surrounding it, Isra- dent Obama and Congressional Dem- nuclear infrastructure and a phase- the whole region will move to have el has a great deal of experience with ocrats over their efforts to undermine out of restrictions. Bibi stressed that a nuclear arsenal. Dershowitz stated, their duplicity. The only way Bibi be- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net- thousands of centrifuges used to en- “Inviting a prime minister of an ally lieves the situation can be salvaged anyahu’s speech to Congress in an op- rich uranium would be left spinning. to educate Congress about a pressing and have some leverage is to impose ed published in the Wall Street Jour- Thousands more would be discon- foreign-policy decision is the highest enhanced sanctions on Iran. They nal before the Congressional speech. nected but not destroyed. Bibi reiter- tradition of our democratic system of need to feel the pain or they won’t be Dershowitz opined, “What the pres- ated: “That’s why this deal is so bad. It separation of powers and checks and willing to cooperate with the West. ident objects to is not that Mr. Net- doesn’t block Iran’s path to the bomb; balances.” President Obama, on the other anyahu will speak to Congress, but it paves Iran’s path to the bomb.” If the sunset clause is agreed upon, hand, said, “I do not want to be coy. rather the content of what he intends It has been reported that the new in ten years or so Iran will have carte The Prime Minister and I have very to say.” Dismissing the protocol ob- agreement contains a sunset provi- blanche to do whatever it pleases, real differences around Iran.” The jections, Dershowitz went on to say, sion that would allow Iran to develop including making nuclear weapons. president has long warned that the “President Obama sent British Prime nuclear weapons after a certain num- Obama and Kerry will of course be kind of perfect deal that Netanyahu is Minister David Cameron to lobby ber of years. One potential compro- long gone by then; we will be stuck advocating, which would completely Congress with phone calls last month mise under consideration would see bearing the burden. In the last anal- strip Tehran of centrifuges and nu- against conditionally imposing new Iran’s nuclear enrichment curtailed ysis, Chamberlain couldn’t escape clear infrastructure, is not realistic. sanctions on Iran. Congress has full for at least ten years, and then grad- historical culpability and neither will The administration is arguing that constitutional authority to partic- ually eased during the later years of Obama and Kerry – legacy or no lega- Iranian activity would be monitored ipate in foreign policy and invite the accord in return for an eventual cy. History is funny that way. and verifi ed regularly and that that speakers.” The Constitutional scholar would thwart any covert bid by Teh- clarifi ed, “Under the Constitution, the ran to make a nuclear weapon. Net- executive and the legislative branch- anyahu points out that in the face of es share responsibility for making this danger, Iran’s duplicity –conceal- and implementing foreign-policy de- ing entire nuclear sites – is reason to cisions. Congress has a critical role to doubt that Iran could be effectively play in scrutinizing the decisions of controlled. Obama repeatedly said the president when these decisions that he will never allow Iran to get involve national security, relations a nuclear weapon that would threat- with allies, and the threat of nuclear en the Jewish state or the West. But proliferation. It is the responsibili- this is the same man who assured us ty of every member of Congress to about Obamacare that if “we wanted listen to Prime Minister Netanyahu, to keep our doctor, we could keep who probably knows more about the our doctor, and if we wanted to keep issue than any world leader.” Con- our plan, we could keep our plan.” gress must step up to the plate, quit I’m afraid his track record does not putting party before country, and bode well. Bibi has every reason not block unreasonable agreements that

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52 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 53 54 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 55 56 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Estee Kafra, author of three best-selling cookbooks, Delectable Dishes runs KosherScoop.com, an interactive website with all the latest and greatest in kosher cooking, featuring over 1,000 recipes. Estee Kafra, kosherscoop.com Asian Style Tilapia Ingredients • 3-4 tilapia fi llets (1½ lbs.) • Pinch of black pepper • 2 tbsp. oil • 1⁄3 cup fresh ginger, cut into very thin strips • 3 bunches of scallions, cut into 2-inch long pieces • 1⁄3 cup light soy sauce Instructions Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan and Preheat oven to 400° F. 3add ginger. Stir until golden brown. Add 1 Place tilapia in a roasting pan. Sprin- scallions, stir 1 minute, and add soy sauce. 2kle black pepper on the tilapia and Arrange the tilapia on a plate and pour bake for 10 to 12 minutes, covered. 4sauce directly on top. Serve immediately. Caramelized Ginger Carrots Ingredients • 4-5 large carrots (or 1 bag of frozen sliced or baby carrots) • 2 tsp. ginger, freshly minced • ½ cup olive oil • ½ cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar • ¼ cup orange juice • ½ tsp. kosher salt • 3 pears, peeled, pitted, and cut into small wedges Instructions thoroughly combine. Grease a rimmed cookie Preheat oven to 400º F. sheet and empty the contents of the bag onto it, 1 Using the slicing blade of a food proces- in a shallow, even layer. 2sor or a mandolin, evenly slice the car- Bake for 35 minutes. Remove the carrots rots. 4from the oven, stir them around, and bake Place the carrots and remaining ingredients for 5-10 more minutes. Serve warm or at room 3into a large Ziploc bag and shake well to temperature.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 57 58 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 Fascinating 5 Controversial Air Crash Conspiracy Theories 1. Argo 16 On November 23, 1973, a Douglas C-47 crashed into an 2. JAT Flight 367 industrial park in Venice. The C-47 was a World War II trans- Vesna Vulovic, a for- port, but this particular plane mer airhostess, holds the had a much more storied his- Guinness World Record tory. It fl ew for the Italian for highest fall survived government, was sponsored by without a parachute. On the CIA, and had been packed January 26, 1972, the plane out with surveillance electron- she was traveling in was ics. The crash was initially put blown apart at 33,000 down to pilot error, but a second investigation concluded that the aircraft had been brought feet. She fell into a fro- down deliberately, perhaps by a bomb. Yet the plane, nicknamed Argo 16, wasn’t an easy zen mountainside and target for terrorists. Its movements and purpose were classifi ed. The fl ight crews and per- was found with a serving sonnel that looked after the aircraft were from specially chosen units. Smuggling a bomb trolley pinned against her onboard the aircraft would have been almost impossible. Two groups have been implicated spine, which she claimed in the attack. The fi rst is the Mossad. In late 1973, the Italian government was reported to kept her in the plane while it fell. She spent 27 days in a coma and 16 months in the hospi- have signed a pact with the terrorist group, Palestine Liberation Organization. In exchange tal before she was fi nally able to walk again. Vesna took a desk job but has never stopped for the Palestinians leaving Italy free from terrorist activity, the Italians would shuttle any fl ying regularly. The offi cial story was that a bomb had been placed on the plane by a Cro- captured PLO members back to Israel. Argo 16 was the plane supposedly used for such mis- atian terrorist group. There were, however, some big gaps in the evidence. Despite making sions, and Israel wanted to send a very strong message. An alternate theory involves Opera- an almost complete recovery, Vulovic never regained her memory of the crash. The fl ight tion Gladio, an operation sponsored by the CIA. The idea was to train a paramilitary group recorder was also never found. Then, in 2009, a pair of investigative journalists uncovered to provide resistance should the Soviet Union choose to invade Europe. Argo 16 was used to evidence suggesting the plane was mistakenly shot down by the Czechoslovak air force fl y Gladio materials between locations. An attempt to disband the organization was made and covered up by the secret police. The journalists uncovered witness statements from in 1973, but recruits resisted the idea. Claims were made that the Gladiatori bombed Argo 16 villagers who saw the plane fall intact until it was very close to the ground. They also saw a as a message to Italy’s government that they wouldn’t be shut down quietly. second plane in the area. Witnesses also reported fi nding Vulovic in the middle of the plane, while offi cial reports claimed she had been near the tail. The debris fi eld was also small, about what would be expected if the plane broke up at 2,000 feet rather than 30,000. The investigators believed that the plane had come into diffi culty and descended quickly. It was only around two minutes of fl ight time from a secret nuclear facility, and the Soviet leader 3. Arrow Air Flight 1285 was fl ying nearby at the time. The Czechoslovak air force would have been on the lookout for any suspicious aircraft and may have launched a fi ghter jet to intercept the plane after The worst aviation di- mistaking it for an enemy aircraft. saster ever to take place in Canada happened on December 12, 1985. Ar- row Air Flight 1285 was a chartered plane fl ying US 4. Korean Airlines Flight 007 troops home from Cairo. On September It made a number of stop- 1, 1983, Korean Air- offs en route, including lines Flight 007 one at Newfoundland. was shot down by Shortly after takeoff on a Soviet interceptor its fi nal leg to Kentucky, jet. The Boeing 747 the plane stalled and was carrying 269 crashed into the ground. passengers and had veered Everyone onboard was into Soviet airspace while fl y- killed, including eight ing between Anchorage and crewmembers and 248 Seoul. The plane was 200 US troops. The Canadian miles off its planned course Aviation Safety Board was when it was destroyed, and unable to determine a defi nitive cause for the crash. Their report suggested the most likely its reason for straying is one cause was buildup of ice on the wings, though four of the investigation team’s nine mem- of the most hotly debated in bers fi led an opinion that “detonations of undetermined origin brought about catastrophic aviation history. The immediate reaction from the USSR was to deny knowledge of the system failures.” An Islamic terrorist group is reported to have claimed responsibility for plane. When they eventually admitted shooting it down, they claimed the plane was on a destroying the aircraft. Witnesses in Cairo claim to have seen the troops’ luggage left un- US spying mission. A report released in the 1990s confi rmed the Soviets had no evidence attended, and the plane was loaded by non–US military personnel. A Canadian journalist for that theory. The actions of the US government suggested they may have had something received an anonymous phone call from someone with a Middle Eastern accent stating that to hide, however. They killed an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board there were diplomatic rumors that the plane had been destroyed by a bomb. Les Filotas, one (NTSB) and requested the International Civil Aviation Organization investigate the crash of the dissenting investigators, wrote a book about the crash in 1991. Filotas believes that so instead. The NTSB had powers to subpoena documents and witnesses that the ICAO could much went wrong onboard the plane at once that only an explosion fi ts. He believes that only ask for nicely. Some believe that American intelligence agencies had monitored the the US showed an “incredible lack of curiosity” given the scale of the disaster. He also thinks fl ight of KAL 007 on radar and failed to take any action to alert anyone. The ICAO concluded that the US authorities may have known things that were kept from the investigation team. that error by the fl ight crew was the cause for the fl ight straying. Many people think this Despite so many unanswered questions, the crash was overshadowed by the Challenger is unlikely, as the fl ight crew had multiple pieces of navigation equipment that would have space shuttle disaster, which would follow about six weeks later. alerted them to the issue. The plane was carrying a US congressman, Larry P. McDonald, who was a vocal anti-communist. It’s been suggested that McDonald was a target and the USSR electronically lured the plane off course. Another theory suggests that the plane was The Kashmir Princess fl own off course to probe Soviet air defenses for US intelligence services. It’s even been was an Air India plane suggested that the US arranged for the plane to be shot down on purpose, in order to create chartered by the Chinese stronger anti-Soviet sentiment around the globe. The Soviet leader, Yuri Andropov, called it government in 1955. On a “sophisticated provocation masterminded by the U.S. special services.” The Soviets found April 11, it was carrying the cockpit voice recorder and released a transcript. It was 10 years before Russia released delegates and journalists the actual recordings. The families of the victims continue to fi ght. The father of a woman from Hong Kong to Indo- killed in the fl ight said, “Knowing for certain would have been so much better.” nesia. China’s president, Zhou Enlai, was due to be among them. He was delayed due to requiring emergency surgery, though his change in travel plans was a secret. When the plane reached 18,000 ft. after takeoff, a bomb in the landing gear exploded. Three of the crew survived, but everyone else onboard was killed. The obvious theory was that the bomb was an attempted assassina- tion of the president. Investigators checked everyone that had been in contact with the plane and found one suspicious person: a Hong Kong janitor. When they tried to fi nd him, he’d gone missing. Authorities discovered that he’d been living 5. The Kashmir using three different aliases and had spent his last few days in Hong Kong spending much more money than a janitor would typically have. The janitor had fl ed Hong Kong on a fl ight to Taiwan on an airline that performed regular fl ights for the CIA. An American-made detonator was found among the wreckage. The Chinese were convinced that the US had Princess been involved, and twice asked the Nixon administration about the events. Henry Kissinger is said to have commented that planting a bomb on a plane in Hong Kong was beyond the CIA’s capabilities. The most common speculation was that the CIA supplied equipment to Taiwanese agents, who had put together the plot to assassinate Zhou. Yet, subsequent revelations have shown another conspiracy. Zhou Enlai never had surgery; he’d been tipped off about the assassination attempt in advance. Rather than stop it, he’d let it go ahead. An attempted assassination by the Taiwanese was a good public relations move for China, and Zhou was able to use the publicity to his advantage when he arrived at the confer- ence in Indonesia three days later.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 59 60 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 61 62 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 The Informed Woman • Style Myths Debunked Meira E. Schneider-Atik Must-Have Wardrobe Basics

Myth: Deciding what you need is just a matter of, well,

whatever you see and like. One BBD (basic black dress) Truth: You have to have items or BBST (basic black skirt and top) that will work for you and will overlap for special occasions and wear well with many things.

’ve already gone through what you pair of waterproof boots (if your climate need to do with your wardrobe be- calls for it). Ifore you shop for anything new. You As you go through your wardrobe, have to go through everything and see make sure you have all of the above what works well for you and get rid of items. If you’re missing any of them, everything that doesn’t work perfectly. write them down onto your shopping But you don’t know what you’ll be left list. This is what you need. Even if you with afterwards and you need to fi gure do have them, make sure that out what you need. each of them fi ts you From me, you get the truth. and fl atters you prop-p In one of my earliest columns I gave erly. If any of themm Every woman needs a list of clothing items that every wom- don’t, then you needd to have at least one an needs to have, even if your budget is a new one that doess dark neutral skirt small. I stand by that. Here it is: work. for work and Shabbat The right unmentionables – remem- You notice that I ber that this is a major issue of tzniut, listed almost everything dress code, and health. as dark neutrals. That One Shabbat/work suit – jacket and is because dark neutrals skirt – black or other dark neutral, multi are the most versatile and seasonal, appropriate for both work and will most easily overlap Shabbat. Remember to pull these apart so that you can mix and and wear each piece with other things. coordinate easily. But once One dark neutral skirt for work and your budget allows, feel free Shabbat. to add other colors that fl atter One neutral skirt for casual (keep it re- you. fi ned so that you can wear it for casual Overall, it is okay to add other workdays). items once your budget allows. One neutral skirt for casual Three fi tted button-down shirts – two The above list simply gives you (keep it refined so that you can wear it for casual workdays) dark neutral, the third in a fl attering a starting point so that you know color. what you absolutely need in yourr One BBD (basic black dress) or BBST wardrobe. But again, you must notnott (basic black skirt and top) for special occa- add anything until you have weededded sions. If you don’t like black for whatever out your wardrobe completely, youyou reason, go with another dark neutral. know what you already have, andand The three basic shoes – one pair of you have all of the above items.s. black pumps or slingbacks, one pair of Once you have these items,ms, dark neutral loafers, and one pair of neu- you can use them as yoururr tral open-toe sandals, slides, or fl ip-fl ops base. As long as they fi t andndd (this pair should be cloth so that you can fl atter you, you’ll be fi ne.e. wear them on Yom Kippur and Tisha Then, if you want to addd B’Av). to that, you’ll have thatt One basic neutral pocketbook. Make base, so you won’t feell sure it’s a refi ned shape that you can use that you have to set-t- for work. tle for anything. YouYouu One dark neutral hat or beret (for mar- should never settletle forfor ried women). any items of clothinghing Outerwear: one neutral winter coat (if that are not perfect. You your climate calls for it), one trench coat, deserve to look good all the time. one pair of black dressy boots, and one To be continued... One basic neutral pocketbook: Meira E. Schneider-Atik is a wardrobe organizer and personal shopper. She helps Make sure it’s a refined shape women weed out their wardrobes, shop smartly, put together outfi ts, and save time, ef- that you can use for work fort, and money, all within tz’nius. Her writing on fashion and style within tz’nius has been published both in print and online. She is also a jewelry designer and co-founder of RenaMei Jewelry – Designed Just for You. Her pieces can be seen on www.etsy.com (just look up RenaMei). She can be reached at 718-644-6135 or at [email protected].

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 63 64 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 65 66 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 The Informed Woman • Beauty Briefs Risselle Naimark Some “Handy” Tips To Combat The Aftermath Of Winter Woes

As I write this article, I real- immune disease) since this into the skin to restore dried- ize that in 13 days it will tech- will only succeed in drying out cells. nically be spring. Snow covers out your skin. Regular use of Aloe: Successful at healing the ground and the weather soap and water will kill most and soothing damaged skin. outside still proclaims win- germs. Lanolin: Helps heal ter loud and clear. This Pu- chapped and cracked skin, rim we had a real v’nahafoch Stay out of hot water. penetrates deeper into dry hu, because the weather was 2 Learn to love lukewarm skin, and helps prevent mois- more indicative of Chanukah. water, which does not shock ture from escaping. It’s been quite a number of your system. Avoid running Petroleum Jelly: Also acts as years since we’ve had such a your hands under extreme a barrier to prevent moisture brutal winter, which has left temperatures of hot or cold from escaping dry skin. Limit the use of harsh soaps in your bathrooms. many to deal with very dry water. Moisturizing liquid formulas are the only way to go and chapped hands in need Stock up. of some real TLC. Cover your hands. 6 Collect travel-size With icy gusts of wind out- 3 Always wear plastic creams and lotions to keep in side and hot, dry indoor air, gloves when doing dishes, your handbag, desk, and night this season wreaked havoc especially while using harsh table. These will be friend- on everyone’s hands, result- or anti-bacterial dishwashing ly reminders to constantly ing in dry, cracked skin that soaps, which dry out your moisturize your hands. looks red, and is rough and hands. Donning plastic gloves chapped, due to lack of mois- is also a must while doing Deep treatment ture. Frequent hand washing, housecleaning, so that your 7 to heal hands. which is necessary to ward off hands are protected from all Before bedtime, apply a the fl u, germs, and bacteria, those harsh chemicals, which generous amount of a thick can also dehydrate the skin, can easily penetrate or be ab- and rich hand or body mois- causing it to crack and bleed. sorbed by the skin. turizer for dry skin and mas- Once you acknowledge the sage gently into hands. Once problem, you can certainly Always wear gloves or absorbed, apply a coat of pe- begin to fi x it. 4mittens while outdoors. troleum jelly (Vaseline) over Always wear plastic gloves when doing dishes, especially while using Your skin is comprised of a Wear warm and thick that, and put on a pair of inex- harsh or anti-bacterial dishwashing soaps, which dry out your hands blend of proteins, lipids, and gloves during cold weath- pensive cotton gloves (found oils, which act as a barrier to er, which will protect your in most pharmacies). Go to protect you from germs en- hands and keep them com- sleep in them. The gloves will Once the moisturizer tering your body. Genetics fortable. It’s a good idea to help the moisturizers get ab- is absorbed, apply a coat plays a roll, to determine how keep a spare pair in your car sorbed into the skin and help of petroleum jelly over that, strong your skin barrier is. If or desk, in case they fall out heal your hands. Remember and put on a pair you have a weak barrier, you of your pockets. to reapply the moisturizer in of inexpensive cotton gloves are more prone to sensitive the morning and a coat sever- (found in most pharmacies). skin, infl ammation, and ec- Moisturize, moisturize, al times a day. Go to sleep in them zema. Aside from your genes, 5and moisturize some more. your environmental factors Buy several moisturizing These tips should help greatly affect your skin. Be- hand lotion pumps. Place solve your problem. In the tween the cold weather, low one in a convenient location event that your chapped humidity, and exposure to in the kitchen and one in an hands do not improve after harsh chemicals, your hands accessible area in every bath- properly taking care of them, are vulnerable. room and bedroom. This consult a dermatologist. The following six tips way it will become a habit to They will probably have to should help heal your hands moisturize your hands. Re- prescribe a cortisone cream Collect travel-size creams and prevent further damage. member to cream your hands (which can have side effects). and lotions to keep after each time you wash As we all know, an ounce of in your handbag, desk, Tips for Chapped Hands them, which will keep them prevention is certainly worth and night table well hydrated. a pound of cure. So take the Use moisturizing formulas. time and be kind to your l Limit the use of harsh Key ingredients. hands, which will not only soaps in your bathrooms. 6 Some essential ingredi- protect your body from any Moisturizing liquid formulas ents in hand moisturizers are harmful bacteria or substanc- are the only way to go. Anti- as follows: es, but will also feel soft and bacterial soaps are not neces- Glycerin and Shea Butter: look beautiful. sary (unless one has an auto- These infuse moisture deep

Risselle Naimark is a Professional Freelance Makeup Artist and Skincare Consultant. She carries an ex- tensive line of personalized skincare, cosmetics, and anti-aging products. Risselle is also available for wed- dings, Bar Mitzvahs, makeup lessons, and all of your beauty needs. She can be reached at 718 263-5517.

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 67 Side-Splitting Stand-Up “Music duo Hall & Oates is reportedly suing a company over a cereal named Haulin’ Oats. Though the company says it’s totally different because in their cereal, oats is the star.” - Seth Meyers

“The latest ranking of the world’s and cooperation” between the two richest billionaires came out this countries. Yeah, they believe that morning. Bill Gates came in fi rst with Russia’s economic power and with $79.2 billion. I feel bad for North Korea’s technology, they can him. Can you imagine having that be a real threat to 1987.” much money and you still don’t – Jimmy Fallon have an iPhone 6?” - Seth Meyers “The world’s oldest person turned 117 today. And she celebrat- “During his speech in Washing- ed the same way she did last year ton, Israeli Prime Minister Benja- — by driving her car into some- min Netanyahu repeatedly referred body’s living room.” to Congress as ‘my friends.’ It was - Seth Meyers a move that had many in Congress Googling the word ‘friend.’” “Taco Bell is testing a new des- – Seth Meyers sert item called Cap’n Crunch De- lights. They are warm doughnut “Hillary Clinton used a private holes fi lled with sugary cream and email account to conduct offi cial rolled in Cap’n Crunch. They really state business. Experts say that if know how to capture the fl avors of this violates any federal rules, then old Mexico.” she . . . will still be president.” - Jimmy Kimmel – Jimmy Fallon “It’s being reported that the Ap- “Israeli Prime Minister Benja- ple Watch will be able to check min Netanyahu gave a speech to people in and out of hotel rooms. Congress. It aired in Israel with And give Apple a history of every- a fi ve-minute delay. Israelis had where I stay? — not on my watch.” to wait fi ve minutes to hear what - Seth Meyers their president was saying, or as Americans call that, watching “Forbes released its annual list of Obama live. ‘Every speech … I make billionaires. Once again the richest … takes … three hours.” person on the planet, with $79.2 bil- – Jimmy Fallon lion, is Bill Gates. To put that into perspective, that’s enough money “President Obama said he wants to never have to drink tap water at the United States to establish an a restaurant ever again.” embassy in Cuba by April. When - Jimmy Kimmel asked if Cuba would establish an embassy here, Obama said, ‘What “KFC has teamed up with sci- do you call Miami?’” entists in the U.K. to create edible – Jimmy Fallon coffee cups made with cookies and wrapped in sugar. It’s perfect if “There are reports that Russia is you’ve ever wanted to wake up and actually working with North Ko- give up at the same time.” rea to encourage “collaboration –Jimmy Fallon

68 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 By Alan Olschwang Across See solution in this issue on page 31 Editor: [email protected] 1. “The Crucible,” e.g. 38. He costarred with Winkler in “Happy “Tanach Ties” Difficulty Level: Medium 5. Ed who portrayed Mingo on the Days” “Daniel Boone” TV series 39. Latke maker’s need 9. The Red Sea, to the Israelites 40. Shank bone’s place 13. Gulf of Aqaba port 41. Promotions for 22-Across shows 15. PBS show that included the special 42. Sandy Koufax often pitched here “The Bible’s Buried Secrets” 45. Payot place 16. Tot’s mishap that might elicit an “oy 48. Prime Minister Olmert (2006-2009) vey” from his mother 49. Actress Garson directed by William 17. El Al had them until 1999 Wyler in “Mrs. Miniver” (1942) 20. “And the priest shall put the oil ... 50. “But when the ___ comes in, give upon the great ___ of his right foot” a fifth of it to Pharaoh” (Joseph’s (Leviticus 14:28) instruction to the Egyptians) 21. Horseradish, for one 51. Emulate Zac Efron 22. Barbra Streisand has enjoyed it 54. What Goliath may have said to David 23. He had two Marx brothers before David slung that stone? 24. It begins in the beginning 58. Ill-advised interjection during the 26. Amram’s mother? sermon 30. “La Dolce Vita” actress Anouk 59. Gomorrah resident, most likely 31. “Bond Smells ___” (tune on the 60. Essene community attribute soundtrack for the Harry Saltzman- 61. Kibbutz visit souvenirs, perhaps produced “Diamonds Are Forever”) 62. Lamentations 32. Site with easy access to Facebook 63. “What is this you have ___?” (God’s 35. Lentil bowlful that 25-Down question to 7-Down) exchanged for his birthright 36. Shalom in Strasbourg

19. Each of Maimonides’s 13 41. Object of tzedakah Down principles of faith 42. Shoes for Lyle Alzado 1. Locust, for one 23. “___, in the Biblical sense” 43. Bupkis, bupkis, and more bupkis 2. Transport for a first-class-all-the-way bar 24. Lieberman’s 2000 running mate 44. Resh letters, in Greek mitzvah 25. See 35-Across 45. Exodus exodus place 3. Plant mentioned in the 45th Psalm 26. React to a really good David Blaine 46. “And there ___ not a prophet since 4. A yenta yearns to do it trick in Israel like unto Moses . . .” 5. National Front for the Liberation of ___ (African 27. Comic Rudner (Deuteronomy 34:10) revolutionaries Israel supported in the ‘60s) 28. Prayer ender 47. Conserve water like many 6. First word of Al Rosen’s 1953 award 29. Linda Lavin lived there kibbutzim 7. See 63-Across 32. Linda Lingle lived there 50. When smoked, it’s an alternative 8. Levittown feature 33. “Bind them as a ___ upon your to lox 9. Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff’s “Jewish Choices, hand...” 51. Alan Arkin’s 2012 Oscar Jewish ___” 34. Robert Knox described the Jewish nomination came from this film 10. The Israeli Military Police Corps is responsible one as “large, massive, club- 52. Words regularly repeated by Len for them shaped, and hooked” Berman on ESPN: “___ man!” 11. Exodus peak 36. Jezebel’s husband 53. Jezebel’s father’s kingdom 12. Abraham had to endure ten 37. Eilat activity 55. Salk and Sabin, to name two: Abbr. 14. Over-the-top Sabbath sermon 38. Rothschild of Tel Aviv: Abbr. 56. Pursue a shidduch 18. Carla served him on “Cheers” 40. Like hair after Lag Baomer, often 57. Hadassah provides it to some in need SEE SOLUTION IN THIS ISSUE ON PAGE 31 Can you spot the 8 differences?

21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 69 70 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015 21 Adar 5775 • Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] 71 72 QueensJewishLink.com • 917.549.6145 • [email protected] Vol. IV No. 8 (#103) • March 12, 2015