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The Myth Of Perfection BY LARRY GORDON Steven Genack 18 Oops: Tzom Mistake Backward Forward Hannah Reich Berman 25 Last week in this space, I nouncements were character- MindBiz took exception to the out- istic of the cagey and irre- Esther Mann, LMSW 26 landish suggestion by Ehud sponsible fashion in which he Olmert, Israel’s almost former had conducted himself since The Big Sukkah prime minister, that Israel’s becoming prime minister— Rabbi Yanki Tauber 34 only practical formula for and indeed for many years peace must include removal prior to that as well. Screen Savers of all Jewish settlements and The Forward, a left-leaning Elisheva Liss 61 settlers from their homes and national Jewish weekly, also the establishment of a broached the subject of Palestinian capital in at least Olmert’s new approach to Mr. Yaakov Charlop, of the internationally renowned Esrog Warehouse, half of Jerusalem. I believe peace, but saw it much differ- presented a workshop at Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island, explaining to that Olmert’s so-called candid students the intricacies of the very special mitzvah of lulav and esrog for the and unprecedented pro- Continued on Page 6 Sukkos holiday. Esrog Warehouse has outlets in Woodmere and Queens. HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE TRULY AN HONOR Our Library Driveway The Hebron Fund: Honoring The Nikolsburger Rebbe, Our Jewish Heroes BY LARRY GORDON ra of CDs and DVDs, and that shlita. See Page 58 BY ROCHELLE the staff is extremely cordial MARUCH MILLER A library is a staple institu- and helpful. tion in any community. It is a Here in Lawrence, in the Hebron is the heart of the hub of activity and a center Five Towns, we have a won- Jewish people, a wellspring where knowledge is gathered derful library that serves all from which we draw forth spir- Myrna Zisman by minds thirsty to learn well but has been a casualty of itual renewal. It is the first about the world in which we internecine political haggling Jewish city in the land of Israel, live. Beyond that fairly well- for years. Over the last several home of our Patriarchs and established fact, what else can years, you’ve probably read Matriarchs. Dovid haMelech one say about a local library? about the political intrigue ruled in Hebron for over Perhaps we can say that they revolving around our school seven years before moving the have lots of books and period- capital to Jerusalem. Among icals, that they have a pletho- Continued on Page 14 Rabbi Kalman Topp of Young Israel of Woodmere for BINA. Continued on Page 10 Ruth Simon See Page 44 Can I Borrow MATURITY A Memorable Rosh Hashanah Your Power Another Mother’s Musings B Y PHYLLIS J. Washer? L UBIN BY RABBI YAIR HOFFMAN As the bar mitzvah boy began leining his haftarah the The Chofetz Chaim wrote a Shabbos before Rosh Ha- number of famous works. He shanah, the quiet in the shul wrote the Mishnah Berurah was palpable. This young man commentary on the Orach had the power to draw the Judge Dana Mitchell Jaffe Chaim section of Shulchan congregation’s complete at- seeking reelection. Aruch. He also wrote Sefer tention. This was no ordinary See Page 51 Chofetz Chaim on the laws of boy! We all sat and followed lashon ha’ra. There is another his every word. As I glanced book that he wrote which is over at the mother of the bar CANDLE LIGHTING not so famous. It is called mitzvah boy, I watched her Oct. 8 – 6:06 PM Rabbi Dov Silver and the Madraigos staff hosted a spiritually uplifting Rosh Ahavas Chesed, and it deals proud face as she sat on the Oct. 10 – 6:03 PM Hashanah event at the Holiday Inn in Edison, N.J. The guests enjoyed inspirational tefillos, lectures, and onegs. See Story, Page 53 Continued on Page 11 Continued on Page 16 2 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 3 4 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 5 FROM THE EDITOR Forward’s editorial position is wrong FEATURES Continued from Front Cover and misguided. Olmert is the least popular prime ently from the way it was analyzed minister in the 60 years that Israel has Around The Five Towns 44 P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 here. “It is a rule of thumb in democ- existed. During the last year, Israeli 516-984-0079 racies that lame duck leaders should pollsters have rated him as having a 3 [email protected] Classified Ads 74 [email protected] steer clear of bold new initiatives and percent favorable standing among the sharp turns of policy,” the editorial Israeli public. Except for the nuances LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Insights On The Torah Publisher/Editor Managing Editor read. It continued: “They’re supposed in Israel’s election law that keeps him Chassidic Masters 33 YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON to sit tight until their elected succes- in office today, Olmert would have Sales Managers sors can settle in and take the wheel. A been bounced out of there months “The Big Sukkah” 34 decent respect for the opinions of the ago. It is nothing less than astounding CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah 32 Editorial Assistant electorate demands that the voters’ that the Forward sees the uprooting of SIDI BARON decisions be honored, including the Jews from their homes and giving away YAKOV SERLE decision to repudiate an incumbent. at least half of Jerusalem as Olmert’s Letters To The Editor 36 JERRY MARKOVITZ Ehud Olmert…broke that rule… And moral duty. Sales Representatives Luach 9 SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor MindBiz CONTRIBUTING EDITORS It is as though it is no longer politically Irwin H. Benjamin, Hannah Reich Berman Esther Mann, LMSW 26 Anessa V. Cohen, Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg Toby Klein Greenwald, Michele Herenstein correct or credible to acknowledge that Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Miriam Horowitz Real Estate Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky Anessa V. Cohen 28 Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann there is a relationship between the Jewish Rochelle Miller, Martin Mushell, Naomi Ross Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher people and the land. That’s The Way It Is! MICHAL WEINSTEIN, BINYAMIN RHODES Hannah Reich Berman 25 DOV GORDON Staff Graphic Artists IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Staff Photographers rightly so.” Gone from Olmert’s (and the FRANKEL & CO. In essence, the Forward is saying Forward’s) calculations are the biblical For the next issue, Design & Production that even though Olmert has been run as well as historical attachment of the deadline for reserving TALIYE CORLEY out of office by multiple corruption Jewish people to the Land of Israel, Art Director scandals—facing possible indictment, and in particular the city of Jerusalem. ad space is SUZETTE LEE conviction, and time in prison for Speaking about or writing about this Monday, October 20 Assistant Art Director financial crimes, not to mention his special connection between the Jewish The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- awful mismanagement of the Second people and the land is viewed in con- at 5:00 P.M. paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not Lebanon War—still somehow he is temporary terms as some kind of mad Call 516-984-0079 responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or correct and indeed obligated to see his establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. peace visions to fruition. I think the Continued on Page 8

6 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 7 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Page 6

raving or political lunacy. It is as though it is no longer politically correct or credible to acknowledge that there is a relationship between the Jewish people and the land. We live in times where there is no longer what used to be called red lines. Now, anything goes—and it goes as far as your imagination can possibly take you. Part of the Forward’s rationale for encouraging Olmert to move ahead and sell out Israel and the Jewish people is the mistaken notion that there is some kind of special opportunity here with the Palestinian leadership of Mahmoud Abbas. As the Forward editorial states, Olmert “warned that the current Palestinian leadership might very soon be replaced by something far more intractable if Palestinians aren’t shown concrete gains. And he warned that the alternative to sweeping concessions is continuing tension and likely war.” This point speaks to the very crux of the difficulty of the matter currently before Israel. And that is getting the Palestinian leadership to agree to honor past agreements that were made by Yasser Arafat and other Palestinian negotiators. That Abbas may disappear from the political scene suddenly and without warning as a result of any combination of natural or political cir- cumstances is one of the very good reasons why it is particularly dangerous for Israel to rush into any agreements with the Palestinian Authority as represented by Mr. Abbas. What does Israel do if Mr. Olmert does rush through his own, not-so- carefully-crafted, peace agreement, and then the next Palestinian leader introduces new legislation to the Palestinian parliament that states that past agreements do not have to be honored for whatever reasons? That would be a decision reached by a duly elected democratic government that cannot be contravened or disputed by another government. The Forward absurdly contends that Mr. Olmert has not lost his mandate because he has not lost an election. They say he was elected to a four-year term two years ago with a mandate to reach an agreement with the Palestinians by trading land for peace. But while Israel can indeed give up substantive and very real land to its neighbors, the Palestinians cannot reciprocate in the same substantive fashion. What they can offer is extremely weak and even more unreli- able. Furthermore, I believe that Olmert has certainly lost his mandate to make concessions and even to govern Israel on a day-to-day basis. He is only continuing to serve as prime minister because of the dignified manner in which the attorney general wants to facilitate Olmert’s exit from office. It’s not being done this way because Olmert has a mandate. The AG and the police have said for months that they have enough evidence to indict and convict Olmert. It is being done this way out of respect

Continued on Page 11 8 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES CALENDAR LUACH

Oct. 8 – Oct. 15 ZIP Code: 11516

9 Tishrei Wednesday, October 8 Erev Yom Kippur Kapparos Z’manim*: Candle Lighting: 6:06 pm Kol Nidrei 10 Tishrei Thursday, October 9 Yom Kippur Yizkor Yom Tov ends**: 7:04 pm 72 min. 7:36 pm 11 Tishrei Friday, October 10 Daf yomi: Kiddushin 2 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 6:08 am Sunrise: 7:02 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:15 am Gr’a 9:51 am Candle Lighting: 6:03 pm 12 Tishrei – Shabbos Saturday, October 11 Shabbos Parashas Ha’azinu Shabbos ends**: 7:01 pm 72 min. 7:33 pm 14 Tishrei – Erev Yom Tov Monday, October 13 Erev Sukkos Candle Lighting (1st night): 5:59 pm 15 Tishrei – Yom Tov Tuesday, October 14 1st day Sukkos Candle Lighting: 7:02 pm (or later) 16 Tishrei – Yom Tov Wednesday, October 15 2nd day Sukkos Yom Tov ends**: 6:55 pm 72 min. 7:27 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Wednesday, October 8 LIRR holiday eve service: extra Far Rockaway train from Penn Station at 3:48 pm. Thursday, October 9 Public schools closed; NYC alternate-side parking regulations suspended. Monday, October 13 Columbus Day: Public schools closed; NYC alternate-side parking regulations suspended; NYS banking holiday; local post offices closed; no garbage collection. Transit: weekday schedule. Five Towns Jewish Times Publication Schedule Look for the next issue of the 5TJT on Friday, October 24 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 9 The Hebron Fund Jewish community includes one hun- permanent Jewish presence in the city. Arab neighbors accept the fact that Continued from Front Cover dred families, hundreds of children, “The disappearance of the Jewish com- we, as Jews, have an eternal legitimate and some 250 post-high-school yeshi- munity of Hebron would be tanta- right to live in the first Jewish city in the many holy sites in Hebron are va students studying at Yeshivat Sharei mount to abandoning our Patriarchs the Land of Israel. Their goal is to Me’arat HaMachpelah, Yeshivat Chevron in Beit Romano. and Matriarchs,” Wilder opines. ensure that their children, grandchil- Hevron Slabodker, the Tomb of Avner “The reason there are not more peo- “Could any Jew dream of abandoning dren, and great-grandchildren will be ben Ner, the Ashkenazi-Chabad ple living in Hebron is simply due to the Fathers and Mothers of our able to live in Hebron. Selflessly and Cemetery, and the Menucha Rochel with great sacrifice, these heroes are Slonim Ohel. making sure that every Jew will have It was 40 years ago, on erev Pesach, access to Me’arat HaMachpelah, that that a group of religious settlers went The only reason that Me’arat we will never again be told that this to reestablish the Jewish settlement of holy site is “off limits to you because Hebron. This new settlement encoun- you are Jews.” tered opposition, both from the Arabs HaMachpelah is still accessible to Jews is Jews in Hebron are willing to risk and from official Israeli sources, as the dangers, because acquiescence can move had not been recognized. The because there is a permanent Jewish only be interpreted as a reward for ter- settlers had to fight for official recog- rorism. “Arab terror seeks to expel us nition and the right to build a Jewish from our homes, using murder as a township in Hebron. In May 1968, the presence in the city. means to an end,” states Mr. Wilder. settlers were moved from their tempo- “However, our homes include not only rary quarters to the area occupied by those in Hebron, but also in the military government, thus acquir- lack of space,” says David Wilder, a People?” Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. New ing the protection of the government, Hebron resident who has written arti- What is the goal of Hebron’s Jewish Palestinian textbooks contain maps of but not the right to engage in econom- cles about the city. “If there were more community? Media reports to the con- ‘Palestine’ that include the whole state ic activity. In 1970, the government room in Hebron, there would be many trary, it is not to expel the Arabs living of Israel.” decided to permit the Jewish settle- more Jews living here.” The only rea- there. Indeed, they believe that any Jewish people the world over sup- ment in the town of Hebron and to son that Me’arat HaMachpelah is still race or religion should be able to live port a strong and vibrant Hebron. Due build 260 housing units. The present accessible to Jews is because there is a there. What they demand is that their to the sacred role of Hebron in Jewish history, communities around the world have, since the early Middle Ages, raised funds to provide humanitarian, educational, and religious services for the Jews of Hebron. The Hebron Fund, a New York-based not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1979. Although the fund is a separate entity, it was created as an affiliate organization of the Jewish community in Hebron and operates in concert with the community there to assess their needs and respond in kind. According to its mission statement, a primary goal of this outstanding organization is “the raising of capital for the improve- ment of daily life for the residents of Hebron, Israel.” “This includes funding for all parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, after- school programs, libraries, and summer youth activities, as well as spon- sorship of public cultural and educational events in Hebron. In addition, the fund aids the maintenance and development of the synagogues in the Machpelah Cave, the ancient Avraham Avinu Synagogue, and other religious institutions in the area.” A second goal of the organization is educating the American Jewish community regarding the rich historical Jewish past of Hebron and weaving that knowledge with present-day experiences in the hope of reviving and expanding the ancient Jewish custom of pilgrimage to this holy site. Our own Five Towns/Far Rockaway community is steeped with chesed and ahavas Yisrael, providing succor and support, emotional and financial, to individuals and institutions both near and far. For many of us, the Hebron Fund is of particular significance. Indeed, two exemplary women from our area have long been actively involved with the Hebron Fund, despite their busy lives and successful careers. Myrna Zisman is being honored as the Eishet Chayil awardee at the Hebron Fund’s upcoming Gala Award Dinner, a fitting tribute to this dynamic community activist. “Israel

Continued on Page 12 10 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR ‘CAN I BORROW . . . ?’ the item, his punishment is Continued from Page 8 Continued from Front Cover that nega’im come to his home and he is forced to for the office of the prime with the obligation to perform remove all the vessels in his minister and not because chesed—acts of kindness. house. If the reason why he is Ehud Olmert has a valuable So now your neighbor wish- not lending the power washer contribution to make to the es to borrow your power wash- is that this neighbor had pre- State of Israel or to the peace er. What are your obligations viously slighted him or simply process. in this regard? What mitzvos because he cannot stand the If Olmert has anything are involved? The Chofetz neighbor, then there is an resembling a mandate from Chaim cites the mitzvah of additional verse that he is vio- the people of Israel, it is ve’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha lating—“Do not take revenge certainly not to leave them (Vayikra 19:18) and under- nor harbor a grudge” (also in more vulnerable than ever stands it to include the mitz- the same verse in Vayikra). to terrorist attacks. It cer- vah of loaning one’s tools and What if you are concerned tainly is not a mandate or items to another who requests that he will damage the power authorization of any kind to it (see Ahavas Chesed, Part I, washer? In such a case, it dissect the holy city of 1:2). True, it is a mitzvah. But would seem that there is no Jerusalem or to orchestrate is it obligatory? The Chofetz obligation to loan the item. It a population transfer that Chaim writes later on that if should be no different than a consists exclusively of Jews. one is a tza’ar ayin (someone loan where there is a signifi- If Olmert wants to be miserly in conduct) and lies remembered for making a and says that he does not have Continued on Page 19 valuable contribution to the Jewish people and the country of Israel in his final days in power, he should be bold and take steps to diplomati- cally fortify the future of Jerusalem and the right of Jews to live in peace wherever they desire. No one needs Ehud Olmert’s peace formula, which features complete and absolute capitulation and an international demonstration of extreme weakness. The Forward writes that thanks to Olmert we now know what is required of Israel in order to achieve peace with the Palestinians—that is, the people who want to see Israel eliminated from the family of nations. We didn’t need Ehud Olmert to let us know that we can find friends in the Arab world if we hand the keys to the country to Mahmoud Abbas. The Forward says that anything short of listening to Olmert’s brave pronouncements will bring Israel into a war. That would be terribly unfortunate, as no one wants or can benefit from a war at this stage. But let’s say there is a war. What happens after the war is over? What happens is that the sides have to once again sit and negotiate. If dragged into a war, G-d forbid, Israel is far superior militarily and will have no choice but to flex its muscle—which, oddly enough, the Israelis are reluctant to do. It may even be possible that this type of conflagration is the only way to get peace talks on track. The Forward has gotten it all wrong. Giving in to all Palestinian demands is no way to achieve security for the State of Israel. In this case, the Forward has it backward. O

Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 11 The Hebron Fund designer, Myrna had her own busi- Every stone is saturated with Jewish visit was such an inspiring, spiritual, Continued from Page 10 ness for 30 years while raising her blood. The mothers of Hebron have and enriching experience. For 38 beautiful family and being actively so little, but they are so happy. They years, my husband and I owned is part of my life,” declares Myrna, involved in myriad causes. The inde- are a special breed, but there are so Leisure World, a toy company. We who cites one of Hebron’s n’shei chay- fatigable Mrs. Zisman started the few of them in the world. Each love children, and the children of il as having inspired her to become Women’s Pro-Israel Political child has a special beauty. These Hebron have always been very pre- involved with the Hebron Fund. “I Committee (WINPAC) and was a women are amazing. They are the cious to us.” was on my first chizuk trip to Israel frequent visitor to Washington. She ones who are guarding Kever Sadly, Hyman Simon passed away, when I met a young idealistic girl. Her campaigned for Rudy Giuliani and Rochel. Each time I go, I am filled but Ruth continues his beautiful name was Yifat; she was right out of George Pataki, working in their with such spirituality. I am honored legacy by being actively involved in school and infused with idealism and respective offices of protocol and to accept this award on behalf of the Hebron Fund. Beloved Five enthusiasm. All that she wanted to do Towns residents, Hyman and Ruth was to get married and live in Hebron. Simon have graced many organiza- I’d never met anyone so dedicated. tions with their membership. ‘Why would anyone want to live in Distinguished member of Hebron?’ I wondered. Years later, “We are watching the Me’arat Congregation Beth Sholom and when I went back, people told me, active supporter of Boys Town, ‘You have to meet this incredible Shaarei Zedek Hospital, and Amit, young woman. Her name is Yifat HaMachpelah,” they declare. And Ruth is an inspiration to all who Akabi.” I approached this bullet-rid- know her. In loving memory of her den trailer, and as I entered, there was they, and their families, are true husband, on October 17, this lovely Yifat! She was married and the moth- and gracious lady will be dedicating er of several small children. If you a beautiful children’s playground in went to Hebron, there wasYifat, warm heroes. Hebron for the precious children of and welcoming, with a tish spread out. the community—Ruth’s precious She is so happy and so grateful to be in jewels. Hebron. Yifat was my biggest influ- The Hebron Fund cordially invites ence—she and all the other mothers meeting and greeting visitors and Menucha Rochel Slonim, a true you to attend their Gala Anniversary who are running around, all of them constituents. Hebron Fund, eishet chayil.” Dinner on Monday evening, so happy. ‘We are watching the Emunah, and Amit are all dear to Ruth Simon’s involvement with November 17, at the New York Me’arat HaMachpelah,’ they declare. Myrna’s heart. Laibel, a seventh- Hebron spans six decades, since the Marriott Marquis. Celebrating 60 And they, and their families, are true generation Chabadnik, is a distin- establishment of the State of Israel. years of Israel’s independence, 40 heroes.” guished talmid chacham. Himself a “My husband and I would visit years of a renewed Hebron Jewish Beloved residents of the Five survivor, the retired businessman is Hebron during every trip to Israel,” community, and 20 years since the Towns, Myrna and Laibel Zisman a noted lecturer who is constantly Ruth recalls. Years later, Judy first Hebron Fund dinner, this mile- moved to Cedarhurst five years ago being asked to speak on the Grossman inspired Ruth and Hyman stone event is in tribute to a new to be near their three children. As a Holocaust. to become involved with the Hebron generation of Jewish heroism. Please trustee on the Cedarhurst Village “We visit Hebron every Parashas Fund. “Whenever we were touring, show your support by attending. For Board, Myrna has the distinction of Chayei Sarah,” Myrna explains. I’d always excuse myself and head more information, please visit being the first woman to serve on the “What the Hebron Fund has done for Hebron. We would walk through www.hebron.com. board in 100 years. A gifted interior over the past few years is amazing. the town and see the people. Each G’mar chatimah tovah. O

12 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 13 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE issue here was that the local library, ernmental body doesn’t help, either. been that way for a very long time, the Continued from Front Cover though directed by its own board of But now that time has arrived, and situation became more and more trustees and having its own operating things are beginning to get done. I untenable as the local population grew system, as a virtual tug-of-war took budget, occupied a building on know that if you don’t live in this spe- over the last decade. The rule of place over control of the local schools Central Avenue in Lawrence that was cific area—and most of you don’t— thumb, so to speak, is that if you are budget, which previous school boards owned and operated by the local then you are probably going to find pulling out of the lot while someone wanted to raise annually by millions of school board. this issue particularly amusing. You else is pulling in, you are supposed to dollars even as the public-school pop- In a special district election held at see, while there is a very convenient, reverse your car back into the lot to ulation shrank each year. the library in November of 2007, local albeit small, parking lot in the rear of make way for the incoming traffic. A great deal has happened since voters finally awarded the library some our library, there is just one traffic lane Needless to say, that did not always those articles appeared here in this political independence from the school happen. Perhaps desiring to be courte- publication. At the center of those board chokehold that had kept its ous or gracious, sometimes drivers on back-and-forth struggles was the role growth and development stagnant for Should the community their way into the lot would shift their of students who reside in the school too many years. Residents of the dis- cars into reverse, giving the exiting district and who attend private trict voted (by a vote of 98 percent) to make a clean break, sell cars the right of way instead. This schools, the role of their parents in the transfer the title of the library land and resulted in many near accidents—as decision-making process in the dis- building from the school board to the the building and land, well as several actual collisions—as trict, and what those students were library’s board of trustees. It was a cars backed up onto the sidewalk and legally entitled to as a result of the fact slam dunk for the library. and start from scratch back into Central Avenue traffic, that many or most attended religious Our library is not a supermarket, so near Zion Park? which is never a very good idea. schools. people don’t get too excited about it. So at issue for several years was the Part of the long, multiyear political All it does is dispense intellectualism acquisition of space on the other side battle over these issues was the collat- and knowledge (both secular and spir- of the library building so that one side eral damage sustained by our local itual) that makes one’s existence that to accommodate both cars going in of the building could be used for cars Peninsula Public Library. I’m a big fan much more rewarding and satisfying. and cars exiting. entering and the other side for cars of libraries, and on occasion I even It seems that since it does not include You can pull into this driveway, and exiting. Situated on this other side had find perusing new books on our library sushi or beverages, getting things done just as you do that, someone else been, until recently, the large and shelves an emotional experience. The just takes a bit more time. Being a gov- might be starting to pull out. While it’s imposing Number One School building, the crown jewel of District 15 for many years, until the real estate was sold two years ago to a developer who is now building condominium apartments. On the eve the land was sold by the school district to the developer, the library was granted an easement, and the space needed to facilitate the safe flow of traffic is now just about completed. On Thursday, October 16, at 11:00 a.m., there is to be an opening ceremony for the new driveway exit, at which New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, New York State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, and other dignitaries will be present to mark the occasion. The library staff and board of trustees invite the community to attend. One cannot help wondering why for all those years when the school was open (and using only about half the space in the building for a dwindling public-school population) the library could not have been awarded the land to foster greater safety for all. Curiously, that was not done until just before the district was about out of the picture. Still more importantly, the library board and powers-that-be who are the primary forces behind our library here would like to improve the facilities, making technological and other upgrades to bring them on a par with other libraries on Long Island. The question is whether that will get done at the present location or, as some are advocating, the library should be moved to an already selected spot near Zion Park at the Long Island Rail Road’s Lawrence station. Opinion about this kind of radical move is varied. Is the library better off being rebuilt in its current location with the new expanded-access drive- ways, or should the community make a clean break, sell the building and land where it is presently housed, and use the money to start from scratch near Zion Park? I toured the proposed site with library trustee Joan Lepelstat, a pas- sionate advocate of advanced library services for the community. The plan 14 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE Continued from Page 14 calls for building a new library structure, at a cost of approxi- mately $14 million, in an area between the rental apartments and the railway tracks, near the corner and set back quite a distance from Central Avenue. Lepelstat says that the current library cannot be upgraded at its present location in a cost-effective way, since building adequate parking would be prohibitively expensive and would require adding an additional floor to the library. She also points out that the profit from the sale of the current library site would go a long way toward offset- ting the cost of building anew. The proposed library plan calls for taking up a large part of the area where commuters presently park their cars in order to catch the LIRR into the city. Not to worry about parking, though. The new plan calls for setting up many additional parking spaces alongside the tracks at the Lawrence station, possibly all the way up to Rockaway Turnpike. Certainly this part of the Five Towns, as all communities, deserves modern library facilities. In many ways, a library is the focal point of a community. Students use the library for research and homework assignments; adults and seniors use it as a place to keep up with the latest pub- lished works by leading authors as well as to revisit the classics in both literature and film. Mothers bring their little ones in for story hour and socializing, as well. A new and expanded library will also bring us more meetings, educational sessions, and encounters with outstanding personalities in the arts, films, and more. Ultimately the voters in the district will have to decide, as most of the expenses of the upgrade or new construction will have to be financed by a public bond offering. The choices are varied and the prospects are exciting. O

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

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 15 ANOTHER’S MOTHER’S MUSINGS mitzvah boy’s big day. His parents, too, mitzvah would affect a young girl in And so—just our luck—when did Continued from Front Cover had similar thoughts, I’m sure, when this manner, and yet the number 13 my little one decide to stir up trouble? he was born. And his mother has been adds, besides an additional year, the Erev Yom Kippur! And so we all spent edge of her seat, following the chant of among my youngest son’s biggest sup- bonus of being an official teenager! that Yom Kippur on pins and needles. the haftarah. This boy made the whole porters. “Don’t let anyone ever tell you My daughter Rochel joins the ranks After all, I was told to rest—we want- shul proud. that your son can’t learn” is one of the of “teenagerhood” this week. Her ed more time for this child to grow I remember the bar mitzvah of my things I remember her telling me when birthday is October 5, but the day that and enjoy life inside the womb—and eldest son, Naftali. When Naftali Yussie was only a few weeks old. She stands out in my mind more is the of course our obstetrician wanted to leined his Torah portion, I recall we attended Yussie’s first “early interven- Hebrew date, the 11th of Tishrei, or be the one to deliver this child! My were all chanting along with him. After tion” meeting all those years ago, and the day after Yom Kippur. husband, my Mom, and my children all, we had heard him practicing day in made sure I was offered only the finest A lot has happened over the past 13 (then two, four, and seven) were try- and day out, so we were all quite famil- therapists and teachers for my son. As years, but I can visualize where I was ing to cater to my every need. Lenny iar with the words. I am sure this bar I entered shul that Shabbos morning, I specifically on that Yom Kippur oh so took my big boy, Naftali, to shul for a mitzvah family was no different. This ran into Yussie’s first teacher and first many years ago. What stands out in my majority of the day, and my Mom tried boy obviously had studied very hard. speech therapist. We were all honored mind most was that I was on complete to keep my younger daughters occu- Each word was pronounced with to be sharing the joy of this young bed rest on that holy day. I don’t pied while I rested. strength and pride. man’s coming of age. believe that I had ever missed out on And so, my dear Rochel, you didn’t As I listened to the bar mitzvah boy, And so the bar mitzvah boy leined his attending shul in some manner on Yom make your arrival until the next morn- tears came from my eyes. I could not haftarah portion perfectly and recited Kippur in my entire adulthood until ing, the 11th of Tishrei. A cute, sweet, control myself. My emotions often run the blessings afterward with a spiritual then. I didn’t need to choose which bundle of joy to begin the new year! away from me—I am the first to cry at a awareness not often seen in a boy this “Yom Kippur” shoes to wear that year, Rochel has always been my helper heartwarming movie or when reading a young. He has worked hard over the since my slippers served me just fine and my advisor. She has an extraordi- book that tugs at the heartstrings. But past 13 years, and the congregation was for the brief moments I was permitted nary way with young children, which this was different. This was a young man witness to just one of his accomplish- to leave my bed. comes in handy since she has two coming of age in a spiritual manner that ments. I believe I have mentioned that We were told on erev Yom Kippur younger siblings. Although she was far outweighs anything I had experi- this is no ordinary bar mitzvah boy, but I that my amniotic fluid was on the low only just short of five years old when enced before. This warranted my tears. haven’t explained why: This young man, side, and that I should stay in bed Yussie was born, she was on hand to My husband often discusses like my Yussie, was given an extra chro- until I arrived at the hospital the next assist with his therapy and help him Yussie’s bar mitzvah with me—where mosome—he has trisomy 21 (Down evening for “further tests.” When I progress day by day. Rochel has a lot of will we have it, what we should expect syndrome). When he completed the first met my obstetrician, and we were patience with both Yussie and Lea. from Yussie. True, Yussie is only eight portion, every member of the congrega- discussing my care for the next nine And I can count on her to keep them years old now—seemingly a long time tion clapped. We were all blessed to be months, he explained that he is always entertained for hours at a time. from now, yet not so far away. in the presence of greatness! Thank you, available, day or night, seven days a Rochel, as you celebrate your entry Decisions will have to be made, and a J. J. and your whole family, for the bless- week. The only day out of the year that into the teen years, I wish you much joy lot will have to be considered. After ing you have given this world! he takes off is Yom Kippur. My hus- in the years to come! Happy Birthday, all, Yosef is no ordinary boy. Yussie’s Thirteen band and I laughed at each other— Rochel! Until 120 years plus! O life has been full of unknowns since What is it about becoming a teenag- one day a year is pretty good odds, Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & his birth. Would he walk? Would he er that changes a person? It somehow since I wasn’t officially due until a Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst talk? Would he be able to do most bestows on the birthday celebrant an week after Yom Kippur. What was the with her husband Leonard and six children: Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and things we all take for granted? air of maturity not yet experienced. likelihood of giving birth on that spe- Lea. She welcomes your questions and comments My attention turned back to this bar One would normally think that the bat cific day? at [email protected].

16 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 17 when alive. (Brachos18b). ers] seeks [G-d’s] favor, but he who The Myth Of Perfection Because we are imperfect beings, searches out evil [in others] upon we should take the advice of the him shall it shall come.” (Proverbs BY STEVEN GENACK Rabbis to view our souls as equally 11:27). The Gemara in Bava Kamma his time. Upon learning that a novel encumbered by sins and merits. By (92a) interprets this verse to mean I often bump into people that sin existed in another place, he trav- engaging in one meritorious act, we tip that he who prays for another and is legitimately seem perfect. They’re eled there to perform the transgres- the scale for the good while the per- in need of the same thing is cool, calm, and collected and seem sion. While engaging in the sin formance of one decadent act tips the answered first. to have life all figured out. It makes Eliezer ben Duradia’s friend remind- scale for the worse. (Kiddushin 40b). Since the New Year commemo- me think that perfect people do exist ed him that his sinful behavior would In another section of the Talmud, rates the final creation of the world, in this world. cause him to forfeit his share in the the rabbis reveal a secret on how to it ís appropriate to look to the physi- Then I think of the words of King world to come. Eliezer ben Duradia gain momentum for the good. cal makeup of the world as a behav- Shlomo, “For there is no righteous per- repented with such intensity that his Simply stated, one mitzvah leads to ioral model in dealing with G-d and son in the land who does good and soul left him. A heavenly voice another mitzvah (Avos 4:2). our fellow man. In examining the does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7.20). King emerged and proclaimed that Rabbi Therefore, by creating a synergy of earth, we find that the greater part Shlomo’s words attest to the fact that Eliezer ben Duradia was now ready to positive acts, the probability of suc- of its surface is covered by water. human perfection is a myth. enter the World to Come. (Once cess is more likely. The center of earth is consumed by Though in the Book of Job, the Eliezer ben Duradia performed teshu- Due to our human imperfections, fire, and the inner core is rock-solid. title character is introduced to us as vah, he gained rabbinic stature and we should also be lenient with our Like water, we should flow smoothly a person who is “perfect” in right- would forever be known as Rabbiî fellow human beings. Their ill will and harmoniously with our fellow eousness, it doesn’t mean that he was Eliezer ben Duradia.) towards us is just a product of their man. With regard to our heart, our sinless. “Perfect” in this sense means Rabbi Yehudah Hanassi, in com- own human failings and the allure of center of gravity, we should be that his righteousness permeates menting on this sequence of events, judging someone else poorly based shaped by the glow of Torah just as every relationship of his life as his wept and declared that some people on one’s own insecurities. A person the center of the universe is shaped working principle. work their whole life to receive a share who cannot forgive his fellow man by fire. On the inside, our inner Luckily, we are riddled with weak- in the World to Come while Rabbiî after one time is implicitly saying beliefs, like earth’s inner layer, nesses and vulnerabilities and treated Eliezer ben Duradia received it in one that he is above imperfections him- should be rock-solid, unwavering accordingly. It is comforting to know moment. (Avodah Zarah 17a). self, which is a state of denial. and firm. that man isn’t held to an impossible Like Rabbi Eliezer ben Duradia, Refraining from forgiving your fel- By acknowledging the myth of standard. It almost gives unending we too are blessed with the ability to low man may also make it more dif- perfection, we can approach Yom hope and optimism to the human do teshuvah. The power of teshuvah is ficult for G-d to forgive you. As the Kippur with confidence. We can reach. One should rejoice in the fact transforming. As it says, “Where baali Rabbis say, “Whoever finds favor in recognize our own faults and rejoice that “a righteous man falleth seven teshuvah stand, people who have the eyes of his fellow man is looked in the fact that no one is perfect and times, and riseth up again; but the never sinned cannot stand” (Brachos favorable upon by G-d, and whoever without sin. We can rise above the wicked are overthrown by calamity” 34b). Once a person takes the bold doesn’t find favor with his fellow faults of others and grant them (Proverbs 24:16). step to repent it is prohibited to man doesn’t find favor with G-d” immediate forgiveness. Lastly, we Eliezer ben Duradia is the primary remind him of his past sins. Since (Avos 3:10). can apply our feelings of passion, figure that illustrates the transforma- one who repents rebounds from We should also proactively pray compassion, and unyielding buoyan- tive power of teshuvah. His heart was adversity, he starts anew. That ís why for our fellow neighbors to succeed cy to an exclusive day that has been naturally drawn to sin. He performed the righteous are called alive even in in all of their endeavors. As it is set aside for mercy, forgiveness and every possible sin known to exist in death; the wicked are called dead said, “He who seeks good [for oth- infinite hope. O

18 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ‘CAN I BORROW . . . ?’ Continued from Page 11 cant concern that he will not pay back; in such a case, there is no obligation to make the loan (see Ahavas Chesed, Part I, 1:9). Can the neighbor who borrowed the power washer lend it to someone else? Absolutely not (ibid., Part II, Chapter 22). In fact, one may only use the tool for the normal purposes for which such a tool is used. Using it for any other purpose constitutes gezeilah, a violation of the prohibition of theft—a violation that disqualifies a person from serving as a witness (at a wed- ding, for example). For example, if one stores nails on top of the power washer, this would constitute theft, because the power washer was not meant to serve as a storage tray. If the neighbor borrowing the power washer happens to be poor, then there is another mitzvah that is fulfilled as well—tzedakah. In conclusion, it seems that according to the Chofetz Chaim, the obligation to loan tools and other items is a full obligation. We should therefore approach this mitzvah with a joy and excitement when we are given the opportunity to loan such an item, just as we should approach all of our mitzvos in the same manner. What if one makes one’s living rent- ing power washers? Is there an obligation to rent it for free to someone who is in need of it? Here the answer may not be so simple. Clearly, one is not obligated to give up one’s livelihood to perform this mitzvah. The verse tells us “vechai achicha imach—and your brother shall live with you” to tell us of the obligation of loaning money and giving to charity. The emphasis, however, can be placed on the words “with you.” There is no need sacrifice one’s own living for this. If you may require this power washer for your rental business, there is no need to loan it to the other. What if it is clearly an extra one? Then there is one more consideration—if word gets out that you loan the power washers for no charge, then your business may be adversely affected, and you would not be obligated to lend it. The exact parameters of the obligation depend upon whether the person is poor and whether it will, according to the derech ha’teva—the natural order of things—affect one’s parnasah adversely if word gets out that the item is often loaned for free. In this article we used the example of a power washer, but obviously the idea applies equally with other tools or items. It would even apply, for example, to an extra car which might be in our possession. O The author can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 19 the home of Prof. Zeev Sternhell in Jerusalem when The Attack On the media launched their most ferocious McCarthyist broadside against the Israeli Prof. Sternhell “Right” since the mid-1990s. The media leaped to the BY PROF. STEVEN The smoke from the pipe knee-jerk conclusion that the PLAUT bomb had not yet cleared attack on Sternhell, lightly from the courtyard in front of wounded by the bomb, was politically motivated; this because Sternhell had a long track record of expressing radical opinions. These included his denouncing settlers of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, and all non-leftists in Israel, as “fascists,” justifying terror attacks on “settlers,” and calling for Soviet-style central planning of the Israeli economy and society. The previous round of massive anti-dissident McCarthy- ism in Israel followed the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. The leftist media invented the “theory” that Rabin had been killed as a direct result of the anti-Oslo “Right” exercising its freedom of speech and voicing its ideas. The McCarthyist Left in Israel insisted then that anyone who had disagreed with Rabin’s Oslo initiative was collectively guilty of his murder. The leftist theory of jurisprudence insisted that every Israeli non-leftist was collectively guilty of murder unless he or she could be proven innocent beyond a reasonable doubt. The episode demonstrated how shallow is the understanding of and commitment to democracy in large swaths of the Israeli political arena. And a few days ago came the pipe bomb attack on Sternhell. Once again, every Israeli non-leftist is being pronounced by the media as guilty of “terrorism” against Sternhell unless proven innocent beyond a reasonable doubt; and never mind that there is no proof that the bomb was placed by anyone from the Israeli “Right” or even by anyone acting out of political motives. The media in Israel have no need of evidence or proof of anything. Article after article denounced the “Right” as being (collectively) behind the attack, and numerous pieces, including, notably, those by A. B. Yehoshua and by police czar Avi Dichter, insisted that nameless “settlers” were behind the attack on Sternhell. Lunatic far-leftist professors, ordinarily ignored by most of the Israeli media outside of anti-Zionist Haaretz, the very people who have never heard of an Arab atrocity against Jews they wish to condemn, were carted

Continued on Page 24 20 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 21 Appointing Mofaz Israel’s Foreign Minister, Unforgivable BY MORDECHAI KEDAR isters, including Livni and Mofaz. I do One of the greatest scandals in the not recall these two figures speaking history of Israeli politics took place out at all against Peretz’s outrageous when Ehud Olmert “sold” the defense appointment, and their silence makes portfolio to Amir Peretz, with both of them full partners to this scandal and them being clueless about security its tragic results. matters, just so he could keep the Yet now we see Kadima, that same Treasury in the hands of his “dear” virtual party, repeating the same sin:

It appears there are too many similarities in respect to the political conduct of these two Likud refugees, and Olmert’s failure is the harbinger of Livni’s failure.

friend Hirschson. The terrible out- According to recent reports, Livni’s come of that dirty deal was the outra- desire to keep Ehud Barak as defense geous performance of “Mr. Security” minister prompted her to offer Mofaz Peretz during the Second Lebanon the Foreign Ministry in order to bring War. How many casualties would have him back to action and ward off inter- been spared in the war had a qualified nal dissent against her. Yet what does person been appointed to this post? Mofaz know about diplomacy? Did he However, Olmert was not alone. He serve in the Foreign Service even one was surrounded by other Kadima min- day? And what about his English?

22 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The diplomatic theater is Israel’s most important battlefield alongside the military battlefield. Therefore, we must appoint the most qualified and capable person to this critical post. Livni was a rather mediocre foreign minister, and the proof of this is the deterioration in our ties with the United States over the past two years, which was manifested through Washington’s decision to renege on a long series of pledges given to former Prime Minister Sharon. An even graver matter is the failure of the diplomatic campaign aimed at prompting effective sanctions against Iran. Livni showed complete idleness when Olmert took the authority for negotiations with Syria and the Palestinians away from her. His terrible mistakes in the course of indirect negotiations with Syria did not elicit even one public statement from the minister in charge of Israel’s foreign relations. This made her a partner, even if a passive one, to Olmert’s diplomatic failure. The worst thing about this matter is that Mofaz, who has clear strengths in security, will be assuming a post (foreign affairs) where his success is highly doubtful, and this too is no honor for Kadima, the ultimate job-providing party. Would anyone appoint Mofaz to be in charge of his public relations? Is Livni conducting herself any different- ly than Olmert? It appears there are too many similarities in respect to the political conduct of these two Likud refugees, and Olmert’s failure is the harbinger of Livni’s failure. The intolerable lightness with which Kadima addresses the country’s vital interests, both on the security and diplomatic fronts, requires the citizens to toss this failed party to its rightful place: The political garbage bin. (Ynetnews.com.) O

Dr. Mordechai Kedar is a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University’s Arabic Department.

Two he-goats (Vayikra 16:5) They should be identical in appearance, height and price, and should be acquired together.

(Talmud,Yoma 62b) For on this day, He shall atone for you (Vayikra 16:30) On Yom Kippur, the day itself atones…as it is written,“For on this day… shall atone for you.”

(Rambam)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 23 Attack On Prof. Sternhell Moreover, Sternhell had over the years monitors academic anti-Israel extrem- tioned. These include: Continued from Page 20 accumulated his fair share of others ism in Israel, was similarly swamped • Sternhell’s political outlook and who hated him, including numerous with accusatory injunctions to appear opinions were repugnant before the out by the boxcar to issue proclama- French anti-Semites, one of whom and demands to denounce the attack. attack and did not become any less tions about how the attack on successfully sued Sternhell for libel in I proposed to the members and repugnant because of the attack. Sternhell was simply a side conse- France. So a prudent person would leaders of Professors for a Strong • Radical Leftist sedition does not quence of Israeli brutality against poor withhold pronouncements concerning Israel—and I hereby suggest to anyone become legitimized because of the Palestinians and how the attack proves who should be presumed to have car- else from the non-Left contemplating attack on Sternhell, no matter who that anyone who disagrees with the ried out the attack until some real evi- what the proper response to all this carried it out. far-left is, by definition, a terrorist. dence actually is uncovered. should be—to adapt the familiar apho- • Critics of the radical Left do not Now, a reasonable person would not Meanwhile, anyone who has ever risms of David Ben-Gurion to the chal- become delegitimized because of the rule out automatically the possibility dissented from the dogmas of the far- lenge. Ben-Gurion regularly made attack on Sternhell, no matter who that a lunatic from the fringe of the left and anyone who even expressed statements such as, “We will fight the carried it out. “Right” or even a “settler” might even- criticism of the views of Sternhell, White Paper as if there were no Hitler • Critics of Prof. Sternhell’s opin- tually be found to be involved in the including his statements calling for and we will fight Hitler as if there were ions have as much right to express attack. Incidentally, not a single news murder of “settlers,” spent the week no White Paper.” their criticisms as Sternhell himself story or commentary in Haaretz or the fielding media injunctions that he step Accordingly, my suggestion is that has to express his. rest of the Israeli media referred to the forward to denounce the attack. As if all sensible non-Leftists, when asked As a side note, should it actually perpetrator(s) of the attack on anyone from the non-Left who fails to about the attack on Sternhell, should turn out that a lunatic from the fringes Sternhell as “activists.” But imagine, take the initiative to issue such a dec- reply as follows: We believe that politi- of the Kahanist movement was just suppose that this turns out not to laration should be presumed to sup- cal street violence in Israel must be involved, I strongly suggest that the be the case. Would it not be amusing if port the attack. A prominent professor fought as if there were no plague of denial of freedom of speech to the police were to uncover evidence from the Professors for a Strong Israel leftist academic sedition, and that the Kahanists should be considered to be that, in fact, Palestinian terrorists had organization got such a summons from plague of leftist academic sedition the primary cause of the attack. The targeted Sternhell with a bomb after an Israeli television station and must be fought as if there were no Kahanists, and only the Kahanists, his receipt of the Israel Prize turned refused to cooperate, viewing the sum- political street violence in Israel. have been criminalized in Israel, him ironically into a symbol of the mons as insulting. Isracampus.org.il, Beyond that, several other rather banned, denied freedom of speech, and Zionist entity and a trophy target? the web watchdog that exposes and tame observations might be men- declared racists and terrorists. Yet, not a single far-Leftist “post-Zionist,” nor a single Arab fascist or Stalinist group has been similarly criminalized, and none were officially declared “racists,” even when calling for mass murder of Jews or denying the Holocaust. Forcing fanatics to compete in the marketplace of ideas exposes their ideas to sunshine and fresh air, and ultimately neutralizes them. But the anti-democratic Left and the Israeli political establishment decided arbi- trarily to criminalize the Kahanists, banning them as illegal; and people denied freedom of speech sometimes resort to violence. Should it turn out that any were involved, and there is not a shred of evidence that any were, the policy conclusion from such a discovery should be that Kahanism needs to be decriminalized and Kahanists permitted to exercise freedom of speech. (Arutz Sheva) O

Steven Plaut teaches at the University of Haifa and is author of The Scout (available from Gefen Publishing House). More of his writings can be seen on the New Plaut Blog, as well as in numerous electronic and print newspapers.

Deadline for advertising in the next issue is Monday, October 20 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

24 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Oops: Tzom Mistake

Confusion has been known to run observe the fast but don’t know the rampant in my family. And this penchant history of it. There is, of course, a rea- for messing up extends to relatives other son for Tzom Gedalyah. It’s not a com- than my immediate family. Even some- plicated tale. thing as serious as the discussion of a After the destruction of the First fast day can turn humorous. Temple, the majority of the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon. The conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar, eventually eased some of his harsh restrictions Why they bothered to and allowed some Jews to remain in the Land of Israel. He even appointed ask him for advice if a righteous Jew, Gedalyah, to adminis- ter the territory. Gradually, many of they were planning to those who had fled returned to their homes in Israel. disregard it is a Gedalyah realistically understood that, for their self-preservation, the mystery. Jews in Israel needed to fully cooperate with the nation who had conquered their land. But this political subservience didn’t sit well with some The Fast of Gedalyah is one of the Jews. One man, Yishmael ben “minor fast days” on our Jewish calen- Netanyah, spurred on by jealousy, dar year. Unlike the Yom Kippur and foolishly ignored the king of Tishah B’Av fasts, which start the Babylonia, and treacherously killed evening before and encompass a full Gedalyah, along with many other Jews 24 (or more) hours, this one begins in and Babylonians. the early morning at dawn and ends in In the aftermath of Gedalyah’s mur- the evening at nightfall. It’s amazing how many people Continued on Page 31

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 25 accepted the fact that I have a I remember actually being a to go easier for them. crummy life and it will never happy-go-lucky girl, with few However, no one really get any better. cares in the world. I assumed knows what is truly going on As I drag myself through I’d just grow up and live hap- behind closed doors. The my day, I have to wonder why pily ever after. Silly me. woman you pass on Central it seems like so many people Just so you know, I’m in my Avenue, looking all together, are really blessed and I’m not. late fifties—not a spring spiffy, and joyful, may be You can tell by just looking at chicken, but also not so old someone who is just very Dear Esther, think we’ve been through so how they smile, how they are that I should be calling it a good at putting on a happy As we begin the new year, I much together that we’re dressed, the cars they drive, day. How do I change my life face despite some awful real- realize that it’s been a long pretty beaten down. We look the homes they live in, and, of or, at the very least, my atti- ities in her life. We have no time since I’ve started a new at one another and it’s just a course, they all seem to have tude? way of knowing and we will year feeling happy with my reminder of everything that these perfect families. I can’t Downtrodden never truly know. And in life. Things are just not good. has gone wrong in our lives. help but feel resentful that my Dear Downtrodden, terms of those people who I struggle financially and I As I’m writing this, I hear how life hasn’t played out the same It’s always dangerous to have it pretty easy, “life” has fear that my husband may be depressing I sound. But that’s way. And yes, there is plenty of look at other people and a way of showing up just losing his job soon. We’ve just the way it is. anger in me. assume that their lives are when you’d least expect it, dealt with numerous health I would love to embark on So why am I writing to you? perfect while yours is disas- filled with challenges and issues over the years and the new year with some joy I’m not even sure. Maybe for trous. Yes, we are not all sometimes heartache. Life aren’t the healthiest people in and enthusiasm, but I just some words of encourage- treated equally. That’s for can change on a dime, for the world at this moment. My can’t muster it up. I think I’ve ment. I really don’t enjoy sure. Some people do seem the good and for the bad. So husband and I really don’t stopped dreaming for a happy being this way. This is not how to be born under a lucky star, it’s helpful and more relaxing have a very good marriage. I ending. I think I’ve just I was when I was growing up. and life somehow does seem to try and just focus on one’s own life and figuring out how to get through the ups and downs to the best of one’s ability. Some of the happiest people I know are those who have managed to let go of what they thought their life

Don’t throw in the towel. Wonderful things can still happen when you least expect.

should be like and, in its place, began appreciating whatever comes their way, large or small. It boils down to re-creating one’s concept of happiness. I think most of us start off with very similar hopes and dreams. I would hope that some of them have panned out for you, but clearly others have not. The challenge is to find things with which to fill your life, things that may replace the dreams that haven’t come to fruition. What we replace them with depends on our own creativity and sensibilities. Sometimes it is necessary for us to lower the bar a bit. I’m not suggesting that good health, a solid marriage, and financial security aren’t basic components that enable a sense of well-being. You should never let go of those desires. But maybe we can expand on your present way of processing life. In the meantime, are

Continued on Page 29 26 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 27 other “Shanah tovah” and share a midnight. I was sure we would be the variety of items with each other as only ones still around at that hour, but they set up the tables. as we went down the stairs and out to As the men pour out of the shuls, it the courtyard, it was crowded with peo- becomes a parade on both sides of the ple still eating and singing and children different courtyards, with neighbors still running around and playing. My stopping at each house as they make immediate thought was, “What a way Bringing In The New Year Jerusalem, since they go back to their way down the shechunah walk- to begin the New Year—and who needs Here I am again in Jerusalem for times prior to 1948). In any event, ways until they reach their own homes. sleep anyway!” Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. walking through Nachlaot that night We were invited to a friend who lives So now, my friends, what does all of The weather is beautiful—in the low was magical. Most of the homes there on the second floor, and so up we went this have to do with real estate and 80s during the day, in the high 60s at are so small that certain customs to join them with an additional 30 financing? Well, nothing really—but I night; perfect weather for enjoying have evolved so that the residents guests. In their small apartment, the could no longer listen to the scary sit- yom tov. Of course, in weather like may entertain family and friends tables were set from wall to wall. The uation that we face with our economy that, everyone is outside, whether it grandly on yom tov without limiting front door was open so a chair could be and I realized as I stand here in be children playing, waiting for their the number of guests. At nearly every placed halfway into the hall, and the Jerusalem during this yom tov season dads to get home from shul, or the that I am glad it is not up to us but to women with their extended family a higher authority in charge of us all, and friends setting up yom tov tables. and we will ask Him to get us out of One of the most interesting places to this mess and make the coming year a observe Rosh Hashanah in the successful one for everyone. G’mar evening is in the section of We would have considered this a little chatimah tovah. O Jerusalem now called Nachlaot. Nachlaot is really a series of small Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a crowded back home, but somehow in licensed real-estate broker (Anessa V Cohen shechunot (neighborhoods), all com- Realty) and a licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker bined. Years ago, before things got so (A.C. Action Mortgage Corp.) with over 20 years fancy here in Jerusalem, Nachlaot Nachlaot, it seemed just right. of experience, offering full-service residential and commercial real-estate services in the Five Towns consisted of Mazkeret Moshe, the and throughout the tri-state area. She can be Kurdi section, the Buchari section, reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are encouraged to and Ohel Moshe, to name but a send questions or comments to few—all really just houses on four home you passed, you would see large rest of the tables were in a straight row [email protected]. sides facing a courtyard, which made tables spread out either into the until the open balcony, where the up each individual section. Of courtyard or in front of the homes by tables ended and a chair was put course, each section also has its own the sidewalk. It is not unusual to see halfway out onto the balcony. I guess WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? shuls and customs. tables set up for 20 to 30 people, with we would have considered this a little We were invited for the first night everyone dressed for the chag and crowded back home, but somehow in WE WANT TO KNOW! of Rosh Hashanah to one of these putting all kinds of things on the Nachlaot, it seemed just right. The shechunot, my husband having been tables in preparation, and the chil- food and the singing just kept going on E-MAIL US AT born there and friendly with many of dren running everywhere in the con- and on late into the night; when we [email protected] the original families (today they call tained safety of the courtyards and finally left, realizing that shul would themselves the antiques of neighbors coming out to wish each begin the next day at 7 a.m., it was near

28 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES MINDBIZ In the meantime, as the new year Continued from Page 26 begins, think about the things in life that you can enjoy in this moment. Do there other things in life that you can you get a lift from reading wonderful turn to for a feeling of joy and a novels, looking at a sunset, or beauti- lightness in your heart? Do you have ful flowers? Do you feel good about a support system, family or friends helping out someone needier than that you can connect with when the yourself, cooking for a sick neighbor or going gets rough? Individuals to visiting an elderly relative? laugh with and cry with? Based on Time flies by very quickly your age, I’m wondering if you whether we’re having fun or not. remember Diana Ross and the Each day, and certainly each year, is Supremes. She and many other precious. Don’t let this one go by singers of that time had their backup with the same sense of disillusion- singers, always nearby and ready to ment that has compromised your complement and add dimension to previous years. Decide that you can their songs. Do you have your back- have an attitude reversal despite up singers? We all need our backup some very real challenges. May I girls to help us find the right notes suggest that you read (if you haven’t that oftentimes enable us to get already) Man’s Search for Meaning, through the day. Make sure you have by Viktor Frankl. His inspirational your girls, and be sure to take advan- book may be just what you need to tage of their support. They’ll help start off your new year in the very you lighten up at the darkest times best frame of mind. and maybe even laugh a little. Esther Additionally, some people believe that we can put out either positive or Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in Lawrence. Esther is a psychotherapist and life negative energy into the universe. If coach and can be reached at 516-314-2295 or you feel as though nothing good will [email protected]. She works with individu- ever come your way, your attitude als, couples, premarital couples, and families. won’t help matters—that I can assure you. If you believe that something wonderful is waiting to happen to you, you will be more available to rec- WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? ognize the opportunity when it comes your way. WE WANT TO KNOW! Don’t give up. Don’t throw in the towel. Wonderful things can still hap- E-MAIL US AT pen when you least expect. So be [email protected] ready when it comes knocking on your door.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 29 30 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! want to eat it,” Miriam said. The dialogue ended and no skins or suede worn, there g’mar chatimah tovah and an O Continued from Page 25 “We want to eat it after the was replaced with laughter as will be no comfort, and there easy fast. fast, of course,” he explained. Shmuel reminded Miriam will be no confusion or mis- Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and der, the Jews, fearing reprisal “So defrost it in the morn- that it was Tzom Gedalyah takes this week—not even in is a licensed real-estate broker associated with Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can from the king of Babylonia, ing,” Miriam answered. and, since he was fasting, he my family. be reached at [email protected] or thought about fleeing to “Ma, it is morning,” he was talking about that Wishing everyone a sincere 516-902-3733. Egypt. But, knowing that said. evening’s meal. Egypt was a morally corrupt “Shmuel, I mean defrost it Miriam didn’t have to say society, they were in a on the morning of the fast.” another word and I did not quandary—weighing the “What are you talking have to question her further. I physical threat against the about?” assumed that Shmuel went spiritual danger. So they “No, what are you talking directly to the freezer to turned to the prophet about?” remove the food in question. Jeremiah to ask for advice. “I said we want to eat it There’s nothing minor Jeremiah pleaded with G-d after the fast.” about the fast that’s coming for an answer, and he received “I heard you. Why are you up now. It’s doubtful that it on Yom Kippur. He then being so weird? You asked me there’s a living member of our passed the word on to the and I’m telling you. Defrost it tribe who will be unaware of Jews. He told them to stay in Thursday morning before you the Yom Kippur fast with its Israel and everything would leave for shul. And if that’s not accompanying praying. It’s be all right because G-d an okay thing to do, then not possible to err and forget would make the Babylonians defrost it Wednesday night the day. There will be no act mercifully toward them. before you leave for Kol Nidrei!” leather shoes, there will be Unfortunately, being a prophet offered no guaran- tees. It had its ups and downs. Foolishly, the people refused to believe Jeremiah. Ignoring his advice, they went down to Egypt. They even kidnapped him and schlepped him along with them! Why they bothered to ask him for advice if they were planning to disregard it is a mystery. But that’s the way it is sometimes. Now the destruction was complete; the Land of Israel was totally barren. And a few years later, when Babylonia conquered Egypt, tens of thousands of Jewish exiles were wiped out. The lone survivor of this massacre was Jeremiah. His prophecy had become painfully true. The initial event, which was the murder of Gedalyah, has been likened to the destruction of the Holy Temple. It had cost Jewish lives and brought the end of Jewish settlement in Israel for many years. The prophets therefore declared that the anniversary of this tragedy, which was the third of Tishrei (the day after Rosh Hashanah), should be a day of fasting. There are some people who don’t know even my abbrevi- ated version of the history of this fast. As a result, they don’t observe it. And it goes a step farther. People who don’t observe a fast may forget that it even is a fast day. This has been known to lead to some confusion. My cousin Miriam is a case in point. She told me the following story. Last Thursday morning, the day following Rosh Hashanah, she, who does not fast on Tzom Gedalyah, and who had in fact forgotten that it even was a fast day, happened to phone her son Shmuel. During the course of their conversation Shmuel asked her opinion about when to defrost a pack- age of lox that he had frozen. “That depends on when you 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 31 ber of examples of the all-encompass- food and security, to the overall pros- ing nature of the Torah. In one form or perity and power of this nation, per- another, every detail about every crea- haps no other country on the planet ture, every drop of true wisdom, the can claim to be so blessed. Did you answer to all of life’s questions, is con- ever stop to wonder why that is? Some tained therein. As the Mishnah in Avos may want to attribute it to the form of (5:22) sums up: “Delve into the Torah, government, or to this or that other for it contains everything.” factor. It appears, however, that the As a product of the Omniscient true answer is to be found in the Mishnas Chayim Hashem, Whose wisdom, abilities, and Torah. The pasuk says, “Hashem firm- essence are boundless, the breadth of ly established the borders of the knowledge contained in the Torah is nations according to the number of also of a limitless quality. B’nei Yisrael” (Devarim 32:8). On The Parashah In the above illustration, the partic- The Chofetz Chaim (Chofetz Chaim ular details of that individual and his al HaTorah) explains the verse accord- A Patriotic P’shat memory of them” (Devarim 32:26). life were expressed in the Torah in the ing to its simple meaning: The welfare Kindly take a moment to study Mishnas Chayim “Check the third letter of each of these form of an allusion. Yet there are of a given country is dependent on the in the merit of Zilpah bas Yosef, a’h, a fellow Jew words,” he instructed, “and you will numerous instances where the Torah number of Jewish people it sustains. who passed away with no relatives to arrange discover your identity.” contains quite revealing information in The greater the number of Jews the Torah study on behalf of her neshamah. Abner was shaken by this find. His an explicit manner. Let us take an country accommodates, the greater Identity Exposed. It is told of the “personal” pasuk contained quite a example—also from this week’s success and expansion it will attain. great Ramban that he once had a dis- The Chofetz Chaim points to an ciple—an “apple,” unfortunately, who unfortunate and ironic situation that fell very far from his mentor’s “tree.” seems to recur throughout history. This disciple, whose name was Abner, Quite often, when a particular locale ceased observing mitzvos and became a The greater the number of Jews the would tolerate, in some cases even heretic. He stooped so low that he did invite, the Jewish people, the benevo- not desist even from mocking his for- lent hosts would soon reap the bene- mer rebbi. country accommodates, the greater fits. A period of uncanny territorial and The Ramban had taught that every- economic expansion would result, thing is contained in the Torah, even success and expansion it will attain. often with the assistance of Jewish the names and fates of every individ- aides and advisors. Lulled into a false ual. With no small measure of cyni- sense of security and ability, the nation cism and contempt, Abner challenged would begin to feel that they could get his rebbi to show him the verse where- sobering message regarding his even- parashah—where it appears that the along just fine without the talents of in he, Abner, was identified. tual fate. This was enough to con- Torah spells out the basic history of their Jewish residents. Suddenly, their The Ramban responded by pointing vince the errant disciple to repent the nations of the world, down to con- tolerance would run out, and they to a pasuk in this week’s parashah. The from his wicked ways. He undertook temporary times. would issue the dreaded edict of expul- Torah states, “af’eihem ashbisah a self-imposed exile for the remain- Amber Waves of Grain. In compar- sion, or they would effect a mass exo- mei’enosh zichram—I will scatter der of his life. ison to other countries, America seems them, and obliterate from mankind This is but one of an infinite num- to be without equal. From the basics of Continued on Page 35

32 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES union of body and soul derives from Two Vehicles the body itself. The physical and the spiritual are Yom Kippur thus offers a taste of both creations of G-d; both were the culminating state of creation brought into being by Him out of utter known as the “World to Come.” The nothingness, and each bears the Talmud tells us that “in the World to imprint of its Creator in the particular Come, there is neither eating nor qualities that define it. drinking”—a statement that is some- The spiritual, with its intangibility times understood to imply that in its and its transcendence of time and From The Chassidic Masters ultimate and most perfect state, cre- space, reflects the sublimity and infin- ation is wholly spiritual, devoid of ity of G-d. The spiritual is also natural- bodies and all things physical. ly submissive, readily acknowledging Reverse Biology Kabbalistic and Chassidic teaching, its subservience to a higher truth. It is however, describe the World to these qualities that make the spiritual Come as a world in which the physi- “holy” and a vehicle of relationship And this shall be an everlasting activities of repentance and prayer. cal dimension of existence is not with G-d. statute for you: in the seventh month, In truth, however, a fast day brings abolished, but is preserved and ele- The physical, on the other hand, is on the tenth day of the month, you shall about a deeper, rather than more dis- vated. The fact that there is “neither tactual, egocentric, and immanent— afflict your souls… qualities that brand it “mundane” —Vayikra 16:29 rather than holy, that mark it as an In the World to Come, there is nei- obfuscation, rather than a manifesta- ther eating nor drinking… tion, of the Divine truth. For the —Talmud, Berachos 17a unequivocal “I am” of the physical The human being consists of a body On a fast day, vitality comes from belies the truth that “there is none else and a soul—a physical envelope of besides Him”—that G-d is the sole flesh, blood, sinew, and bone, inhabit- the body itself—from energy source and end of all existence. ed and vitalized by a spiritual force Ultimately, however, everything described by the Chassidic masters as comes from G-d; every feature of His “literally a part of G-d above.” stored in its cells. every creation has its source in Him Common wisdom has it that spirit and serves to reveal His truth. So on a is loftier than matter, and the soul is deeper level, the very qualities that holier (i.e., closer to the Divine) than make the physical “unholy” are the the body. This conception seems to tant, relationship with the body. When eating nor drinking” in the World to qualities that make it the most sacred be borne out by the fact that Yom a person eats, he is nourished by the Come is not due to an absence of and G-dly of G-d’s creations. For what Kippur, the holiest day of the year— food and drink he ingests. On a fast bodies and physical life, but to the is the “I am” of the physical if not an the day on which we achieve the day, vitality comes from the body fact that in this future world, “the echo of the unequivocal being of G-d? height of intimacy with G-d—is itself—from energy stored in its cells. soul will be nourished by the body” What is the tactility of the physical if ordained by the Torah as a fast day, a In other words, on less holy days, it is itself, and the symbiosis of matter not an intimation of the absoluteness day on which we seemingly abandon an outside force (the energy in one’s and spirit that is man will not of His reality? What is the “selfish- the body and its needs, devoting our- food and drink) that keeps body and require any outside sources of nutri- selves exclusively to the spiritual soul together; on Yom Kippur, the tion to sustain it. Continued on Page 37

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 33 verse, the Hebrew word sukkos, which together—cannot be a violation of the is the plural of sukkah, is spelled with- definition of “sukkah,” since it is actu- out the letter vav, meaning that the ally its most fitting expression. The Big Sukkah word can also be read as sukkas, “the We, of course, construct sukkos of sukkah [of].” Thus the verse is also say- significantly smaller size. Finite beings BY YANKI TAUBER tain portions of the Talmudic tractate ing (under the Torah’s system of multi- that we are, we are limited in time, of Sukkah and the corresponding meaning exegesis) that “all citizens of resources, and capability. But whatev- Jewish life is a calendar of objects: chapters of the Shulchan Aruch (Code Israel shall dwell in the sukkah.” er size sukkah we build, we must the shofar sounded on Rosh of Jewish Law) read more like a Explains the Talmud: the Torah wishes ensure that it should be a “big sukkah” Hashanah, the sukkah constructed for builder’s manual than a religious text. to imply that “it is fitting that the in essence—a welcome home to each Sukkos, the oil or candles lit on All these specifications have one entire people of Israel dwell in a single and every one of our brethren. O Chanukah evenings, the matzah eaten exception: there is no limit to a sukkah.” Based on the teachings of the Rebbe. Reprinted on Passover, and so on. sukkah’s length and breadth. You can Each of the festivals is an “appoint- with permission from Chabad.org. Find more Objects need to be a certain size. A build a sukkah the size of a city, or the ment in time,” imparting its particular information about the Jewish holidays at 3-inch chair is not a chair (you can’t sit chabad.org/holidays. on it), nor is a 30-foot chair. That’s why halachah (the code of law that defines the Jewish way of life) is full of specifications—the minimum quantity The Torah wishes to imply that “it of matzah to be eaten on Passover, the And so shall he do maximum height of the Chanukah for the Tent of menorah. For a thing to be the thing it is fitting that the entire people of is, it cannot be too small and it cannot Meeting, which dwells be too big. Israel dwell in a single sukkah.” The sukkah is defined as a “tempo- amongst them in the rary dwelling,” which, for the duration of the seven-day festival of Sukkos, midst of their becomes the home of the Jew. The defilement sukkah therefore has a minimum size of a continent—it’ll still be a spiritual quality to the Jewish life height—under 10 tefachim (about 40 kosher sukkah. cycle: freedom on Passover, wisdom on (Vayikra 16:16) inches) it’s not a “dwelling” but a crawl This law flies in the face of every- Shavuos, and so on. The quality space. It cannot be too high, either—if thing we’ve said about objects and imparted by Sukkos is unity. Our inter- Also when they are in a its ceiling is more than 20 amos (about dwellings. But the Talmud derives it dependence and oneness as a people is 30 feet) above its floor, the sukkah is from a verse in the Torah, and the expressed by the four species taken on state of defilement, the too massive to be considered a tempo- Lubavitcher Rebbe explains its cen- Sukkos and by the sukkah’s embrace of Shechinah (Divine rary dwelling. Torah law also specifies trality to the theme of the festival of every Jew—every type of Jew, and every the sukkah’s minimum length and Sukkos which the sukkah serves. individual Jew—within its walls. Presence) dwells with them. width, its minimum number of walls, The verse (Vayikra 23:42) reads as Thus it is indeed most “fitting that and the maximum space allowed for follows: “In sukkos (huts) you shall the entire people of Israel dwell in a (Talmud; Rashi) gaps in the walls, under the walls, and dwell for seven days; all citizens of single sukkah.” The big sukkah—the above the walls. And on it goes—cer- Israel shall dwell in sukkos.” In this sukkah large enough to house all Jews

34 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES MISHNAS CHAYIM s”xc Continued from Page 32 dus of their Jewish population through harsh persecution. What would then happen to such a country? Inevitably, it would plotz (undergo basically irrevocable decline). The glorious Spanish Empire, for example, went the way of the dodo bird by following this pattern. The tragic irony of this situation lies in the fact that the nations themselves should be aware of the true key to their success or failure. The Torah has been translated by the various nations into their own languages. This pasuk and the formula it contains are open and available for their perusal. And yet, time and again, they ignored it, as well as the numerous historical models that occurred throughout time. Instead of trying to bring more Jews in—which would shore up their borders—they resorted to chasing the Jews out. As a result, they met with their predicted demise. America, however, is a different story altogether. R’ Chaim Volozhiner declared (in the beginning of the 19th century) that the United States will become the final way station and resting place for the Jewish people in galus before the arrival of Mashiach. And it has proven to be quite a hospitable one for the Jews, perhaps more so than any other country in the history of galus. R’ Moshe Feinstein described the United States as a regime of kindness and uprightness, which protects its Jewish citizenry. “We should constantly pray for the success of this republic,” he stated. Particularly when compared to the standard fare offered by other host countries, past and present (expul- sions, pogroms, discrimination, terrorism, etc.), it seems clear that the United States is certainly fulfilling its end of the deal of accommodating the “numbers of B’nei Yisrael.” Is it mere coincidence, then, that this country is one of the most powerful, prosperous, and advanced nations the world has We will be closed for Yom Kippur 10/8-10/9 We will be open Monday 10/13 Erev Succos 10:30 – 2:30 ever seen? Closed for Succos 10/14-10/22 we will reopen Thursday 10/23 From the Ten Commandments to the most specific detail of any particular halachah, from the course of history to the fate of individuals, Hashem included every bit of true knowledge in His Divine work. As we have seen from Parashas Ha’azinu alone, the Torah’s scope is truly breathtaking, sometimes manifested in hints, sometimes in explicit statements. And we touched upon only two examples of the Torah’s revelations. The others are out there, just waiting for our discovery. O

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WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? WE WANT TO KNOW! E-MAIL US AT [email protected]

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 35 Basya, who welcomed us into their friends to visit Safed (Tsfat). As we home with open arms. We soon real- arrived, the bus driver announced ized that while we slept comfortably there would be no more buses; then it in bed, their sons happily slept on a began to snow. We found ourselves rug in the well-lit living room. stranded. Soon a rabbi who walked by Apparently, the training for loving- brought us to a girls’ yeshiva, where I kindness begins at a young age in the met people who, like the Rubashkins, Rubashkin family. inspired us all through their simple A Good And Great Family with little or no fanfare. Every person I The next day, as I spoke of my teen and quiet loving-kindness. This made a Dear Editor, know who has met any member of the years as a vegetarian, I asked politely if great impression on us for life. I hadn’t As a ba’al teshuvah who consumes Rubashkin family has been helped and our host thought the chickens experi- spoken of that experience in 20 years, kosher food or nothing at all, I am touched deeply. It is difficult to enced pain as they were slaughtered. yet being in the presence of the writing to inform you that the explain, yet true. Heshy was silent, and with concerned Rubashkins brought that memory to Rubashkins are a great inspiration for As one small example, we had pensiveness explained to me that he the fore. As I relayed the name of the myself as well as many who have recently moved into the area, and we had also been concerned with this yeshiva, Heshy replied, “Oh, that’s my become committed to an observant soon found that the children’s question for a long time. He recalled sister’s shul.” I realized that I was in lifestyle. They don’t just talk the talk, Hebrew teacher, Chayale (a member that he had looked carefully into the the presence of a great family who qui- they walk the walk. of the Rubashkin family), is a great eyes of the chickens as they were being etly lives Torah every day. They live Torah every day. This is the and learned woman who taught the slaughtered and could not detect a Respectfully yours, reason the family is deeply loved by children through word and deed—by moment of fear or pain in their eyes. It Tara Mizrachi, everyone who has ever come into con- donating tzedakah in their name as was as if they didn’t realize what was Austin, Minnesota tact with any family member. This is they recited Tehillim properly and by happening at all; perhaps in the time it also the reason they are targeted by driving for 3 hours and 20 minutes in took for their brain to register the Israel, Right And Left those who wish to harm this good and order to teach the children at no experience, they were already gone. Dear Editor, great family. The good they do in the charge. We were looking for a place As I sat in the presence of this fam- I am writing in response to articles world is rarely acknowledged, because to stay at a hotel and walk to shul; we ily, it reminded me of an experience in in the October 3 issue of the Five the Rubashkin family members, in ended up staying by our teacher’s Israel which affected my life greatly. Towns Jewish Times. Thank you for their humble way, help people quietly, brother, Heshy, and his lovely wife, Inspired by readings, I convinced two printing the articles from Arutz Sheva; they are very interesting and well written. I was very impressed by the article by Gregory Rodban on page 80, titled “The Israel Resettlement Fund.” Mr. Rodban is correct in looking at the realities of the demographics and addressing the issue from a pro-Israel standpoint. I was also very impressed by Larry Gordon’s column about Olmert (“From the Editor’s Desk”); his observations are correct. I would like to point out that Mrs. Olmert is report- edly a member of “Women in Black,” who mourn the Israeli victories and apologize to the Arabs for our success! [Note: Women in Black has said that Mrs. Olmert was never a member of the group.—Ed.] Mr. Olmert started out on the “Right,” as mayor of Jerusalem and as a member of the Likud, but he is no doubt influenced by his wife, and has made such a terrible turnaround. Ms. Livni is likely no better than Olmert’s wife. Is not Israel called a democracy? Keep up your great work. Wishing you a Shanah tovah, Dinah Foster, Brooklyn

Is Obama Another Carter? In reporting his June 4 speech at AIPAC, the liberal media has managed to ignore Barack Obama’s assertion that “the Palestinians need a state that is contiguous and cohesive” (read tran- script or listen to audio at www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php ?storyId=91150432). But, to achieve Obama’s objective, how much territory will Israel have to sacrifice, and how many strategic military positions will Israel have to give up to Palestinian terrorists? Will Obama emulate Jimmy Carter and threaten the loss of U.S. aid unless Israel appeases Palestinian terrorists and exposes itself to even greater terrorist threats? At the same time, although he is not the president and has no such authority, Obama has put our troops at protracted risk by negotiating with Iraq’s foreign minister, Hoshyar

Continued on Page 38 36 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES CHASSIDIC MASTERS Continued from Page 33 ness” of the physical if not an offshoot, however remote, of the exclusivity of G-d expressed in the axiom “There is none else besides Him”? Today, the physical world shows us only its most superficial face, in which the Divine characteristics stamped in it are corrupted as a concealment, rather than a revelation, of G-dliness. Today, when the physical object con- veys to us “I am,” it bespeaks not the reality of G-d but an independent, self- sufficient existence that challenges the Divine truth. But in the World to Come—the product of the labor of a hundred generations to sanctify the material world—the true face of the physical will come to light. In the World to Come, the physical will be no less a vehicle of divinity than the spiritual. In fact, in many respects, it will surpass the spiritual as a convey- or of G-dliness. For while the spiritual expresses various Divine characteristics—G-d’s infinity, transcendence, etc.—the physical expresses the being of G-d. Today, the body must look to the soul as its moral guide, as its source of awareness and appreciation of all things Divine. But in the World to Come, “the soul will be nourished by the body”; the physical body will be a source of Divine awareness and identi- fication that is loftier than the soul’s own spiritual vision. Yom Kippur is a taste of this future world of reverse biology. It is thus a day on which we are “sustained by hunger,” deriving our sustenance from the body itself. On this holiest of days, the body becomes a source of life and nurture rather than its recipient. O

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 37 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR able choice to assure the safety of who live in East Jerusalem. These peo- respect as a people. Every occupying Continued from Page 36 Israel, our troops in the Middle East, ple are a welfare drain on Israel’s econ- force has eventually withdrawn. Better and the U.S. economy. omy and are not required to defend the to do that when things are relatively Zebari, to stall any agreement to with- William T. Fidurski, country. Besides, although Israel calm before things heat up again. draw from Iraq. Obama even got Clark, N.J. patrols East Jerusalem, they can’t even Of course Bibi [Netanyahu] goes Zebari to agree “that the next adminis- prevent suicide bombers who originate around shouting, “There’s nobody to tration should not be bound by an Olmert Is Right there from blowing themselves up in negotiate with.” That old saw has been agreement that’s currently made” Dear Editor, the city’s downtown. heard for 40 years and will always be (firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/ It’s puzzling to me how few people Who needs these people? heard from demagogues who can’t 2008/06/16/1146329.aspx). understand that the Book of Jonah, The current financial crisis in think beyond tomorrow and their own And, the media has essentially read on Yom Kippur, is about the citi- America teaches us another lesson: You careers. To them there will never ever buried Bill Clinton’s confirmation zens of Nineveh and less about Jonah. can get away with stupidity just so long. be anybody to negotiate with. So that John McCain and the After all, if not, then why read it on Don’t push it any further than you have where is the Israeli equivalent of Republicans tried to avert the eco- Yom Kippur? The people of Nineveh to. The Palestinian Arabs, one way or Gorbachev—who saw the impossibility nomic crisis by reforming Fannie realized that they were on the brink of another, will get their land someday. It of pursuing a failed course—now that Mae. On September 25, on Good destruction and confessed their past is as inevitable as the financial crisis we need him? Morning America, Clinton said, “I mistakes. catching up with Lehman Brothers, The current situation with the think the responsibility the As did Ehud Olmert—to his great AIG, and all the other high flyers who Israeli right wing supported by mili- Democrats have may rest more in honor—because he saw that continu- thought they could make mistakes tant Orthodox Jews is reminiscent of resisting any efforts by Republicans in ing on this failed policy would only lead without paying the price. the situation in Judea almost 2,000 the Congress or by me when I was to more destruction, tragedy, and cost When the crisis comes, it will not be years ago. But for the militant hot- president to put some standards and in lives and wealth. I don’t want to con- on Israel’s terms and at Israel’s timing. heads who thought that they could tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and sider here all that he said, but on the The lesson of history, learned over and resist Roman legions, we could have Freddie Mac” (embeds.blogs.foxnews. subject of Jerusalem he was dead right. over in the last century, is that you saved our religion, our country, and com/2008/09/30/mccain-uses-bill- The fact that he proposed handing over cannot own or control territory con- our Temple, not to mention centuries clinton-in-new-ad). the Old City of Jerusalem is patently taining a hostile indigenous population of exile and tens of thousands of All three of the above would suggest false. What he questioned was why for long. It saps your energy, your pogroms. Ten percent of the Roman that John McCain is the only reason- Israel needed a quarter million Arabs resources, and, mostly, your self- Empire was Jewish, and the appeal of monotheism was apparent with the ascendancy of Christianity. But for that rebellion, the world could have been mostly Jewish. Now we are dealing with the same kind of intransigence, headed on a path that people like Sharon and Olmert see as leading to disaster. I remember last year reading your article in which you stated that George Bush is the best friend Israel ever had in the White House. You can’t be serious. This is the grandson and great-grandson of an avowed anti- Semite who admired Hitler. The son of a president who was more antago- nistic to Shamir than any president has been to an Israeli leader. A president who eliminated Iran’s biggest enemy, Saddam Hussein, to make Iran the unchallenged force in the Middle East and an existential threat to Israel, something that Iraq never was. A president who is very chummy with Saudi Arabia’s royal family. A president who insisted on Palestinian elections when he was warned that it would lead to a Hamas victory. And now and in the future, the leadership of the only two Shiite countries—Iraq and Iran—are friendly, not something that is good for Israel. Actually George Bush has turned out to be a disaster for Israel. I love Israel. I made aliyah in 1961, among only about 200 Americans who made that commitment that year. My son was born in Israel. But it was a different country then. I hope it will listen to the advice of Olmert, whose eyes have been opened and who has the courage to see where he was wrong. Robert Stern, Seattle, WA

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? WE WANT TO KNOW! E-MAIL US AT [email protected]

38 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 39

Netanyahu: Israel OK Financially Because Of My Policies BY HILLEL FENDEL

Israeli opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu, currently favored to become the prime minister after the next national elections, says Israel is doing relatively well financially because of the policies he set in place as finance minister three years ago. Netanyahu, who served as finance minister from 2003 until 2005, brought Israel towards a more liberalized economy, while slashing social benefits in the process. Israel’s GDP growth rate increased as a result, and Netanyahu has said that social benefits can now be restored to some extent. “The reason why we are where we are and are taking this world crisis relatively well,” Netanyahu said in a special pre-Rosh Hashanah interview, “is

“Only dynamic and free economies can fix and improve themselves, and that’s what will happen this time as well.”

precisely because of the economic rev- olution I brought about.” He was speaking with the Hebrew news site Walla. “Before I was appointed finance minister,” he said, “we faced collapse. You have to think what would have happened to us had I not carried out that economic plan. The reason we are in a good position now is because of the growth of the last five years, the rise in wages and the help to the weak. All these things made the Israeli economy more stable.” Analyzing the world economic crisis, Netanyahu, who earned the equivalent of an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, said, “The crisis stems from a certain problem [in the free-market economy] that must be fixed—but this doesn’t mean to throw out the baby with the bath water. We must institute improve- ments just like they did after the collapse of Wall Street in 1929; all the talk about abandoning the free economy are totally baseless.” “What allows the U.S. government to intervene is because it is a free government,” Netanyahu added. “Would it be better to be like North Korea, which can’t put down even one dollar? Only dynamic and free economies can fix and improve themselves, and that’s what will happen this time as well. We must take advantage of the crisis to strengthen our growth and to become among the best-placed economies in the world market.” (Arutz Sheva) O 40 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 41 42 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Ex-Deputy IDF Chief Of Staff: Obama Camp Deceived Me

BY TZVI BEN GEDALYAHU

Uzi Dayan charged that the Obama camp deceived him in an interview used to promote the Democratic presidential candidate. Former intelligence boss Ephraim HaLevy said he also was duped. “It simply was deception,” Dayan, a former deputy IDF Chief of Staff, said. “These were respectable people but what they did was not ca respectable and what they did years was unethical.” The Hebron Fund Dayan, HaLevy, Reserve Brigadier-General Shlomo Brom, and other former sen- THE HEBRON FUND ior IDF officers were inter- viewed by a Jewish group backing Senator Barack Obama. The Jewish Council for Gala Anniversary Dinner Education and Research took excerpts of their statements and put them together in a commercial that shows them supporting Senator Celebrating Obama. HaLevy is quoted as 60 Years of Israel Independence saying that Obama is a “good 40 YeYearsars of a Renewed Hebron Jewish Community communicator” and that the 20@LHYZ@LHYZZPUJLZPUJL[OL[OLÄYZ[ÄYZ[/LIYVU/LIYVU-\UK-\UK+PUULY+PUULY next president must talk to In Tribute to a New GenerGenerationation of Jewish Heroism Iran to stop it from becoming a nuclear power, implying The Hebron Fund: 4465+(@65+(@,=,505.,=,505.56=,4),956=,4),9 Teddy Pollak ;;OLOL55L^L^@@VYRVYR44HYYPV[[HYYPV[[44HYX\PZHYX\PZHH[[[O[O::[YLL[[YLL[ that he backs Obama. Dayan President also stated the next president Yossi Baumol ;PTLZ :X\HYL 5L^ @VYR *P[` Executive Director must talk with Iran, a policy Honoring supported by Obama and Board of Directors: rejected by his Republican Rabbi Dovid Fuld opponent, Senator John Lenny Gamss McCain. Andrew Lauer ,ZX Cheryl Jacobs Lewin HaLevy said, “I said that Heddy Klein Obama makes a good Mendy Klein impression, but I also said Rabbi Yitzchok Pechman +Y Jerry Platt the same thing about Teddy Pollak McCain. They asked me Michael Rosen whom I support, and I Shlomie Ross Aishet Chayil Awardee Chasdei Avot Awardees Lev Avot U’Banim Awardees James Schwalbe ,ZX Myrna Zisman Myriam & Cheskie Stern Jay & Robbie Knopf responded that an Israeli Alvin Segal should not express an opin- David Seidemann ,ZX ion, but that was not in the +Y Dov Stern video clip. I think it was an Bernie Thau Chesky Wertman ,ZX improper use of the inter- Myrna Zisman view with me.” He said he was explicitly told the film The Jewish Community of Hebron: Avaraham Ben Yosef would not be for campaign Mayor use. Dayan and HaLevy have Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum Director of Tourism demanded that the Obama Special Memorial Tribute Noam Arnon camp delete their appear- Spokesman Stuart Rattner ances in the film. David Wilder The commercial also Spokesman Greetings from Hebron Dinner Chairpersons Master of Ceremonies 5VHT (YUVU Mendy & Heddy Klein )LU )YHMTHU ,ZX quotes General Brom as saying that the Bush administra- Reception: ! 74 Dinner: ! 74 tion has harmed Israel and that Senator McCain would T H F 1760 Ocean Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11230 continue President Bush’s QIPOF t GBY t IFCSPOGVOE!BPMDPN t XXXIFCSPOGVOEDPN policies, implying that Israel would be better off with Shabbat Tours Machpela Concert For info on all this and more go to Chayei Sarah with Ruth Simon & www.hebronfund.com Obama as president. (Arutz Playground Dedication Schedule November 22nd Simcha Hochbaum October 17th or call 718-677-6886 Sheva) O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 43 and abilities that were always taken for deficits can in turn lead to problems granted. A once-vibrant person is now with academic skills, job productivity, faced with the loss of crucial skills and social skills, interpersonal relation- abilities, and becomes increasingly ships and much more. According to desperate to get back his or her life. the U.S. Center for Disease Control, Car accidents, falls, oxygen loss from a nearly 1 of 50 people has lost basic choking incident, or medical condi- skills and abilities due to brain injury. BINA Stroke And Brain Injury with creating a heightened awareness tions such as brain tumors or post-sur- Often, the injuries are “hidden,” in Assistance Benefit In Woodmere of brain injury among the general pub- gery complications all can strike with- that the deficits are not immediately On January 29, 2006, ABC News lic, and proving how much can be out warning at any age. In fact, the noticeable. For example, even if a per- anchor Bob Woodruff was on location accomplished with the right rehabilita- average brain injury occurs at the sur- son’s speech is not slurred, he/she may in Iraq when an IED (Improvised tion. prisingly young age of 35, despite the be dealing with word-finding problems Explosive Device) detonated in front of It can happen to anyone. common misconception that strokes in or with cognitive issues involving his convoy. Although Woodruff was A child riding his bike is hit by a car particular only occur to “old” people. memory, focus, and organizational wearing protective gear including body and suffers a brain injury, arriving at Everyone knows someone with a skills. Often, although everyone armor and a helmet, he sustained seri- the hospital unconscious…a young brain injury. It is estimated that the assumes that things are back to nor- ous head and neck injuries and mother has a stroke and can no longer lives of five million Americans have mal, in reality these individuals are required complex and delicate surgery care for her family…a successful busi- been shattered by brain injuries of suffering in silence without the proper to save his life. After several weeks in a nessman slips and strikes his head on varying severity (including the almost rehabilitative care, and are struggling coma, Woodruff began the long road to a patch of ice and suddenly finds that 20 percent of American soldiers to manage in their day-to-day lives. In recovery with intensive rehabilitation, he can no longer keep up at work as returning from Iraq injured by road- each and every case, it is crucial that first in Europe and then at Mt. Sinai usual…each needs an individualized side bombs). Because the brain con- the correct guidance and intervention Medical Center in New York. After rehabilitation plan in order to regain trols every function of the body and be obtained so that critical skills and more than a year of intensive therapy, maximum function and achieve the therefore, every aspect of a person’s abilities can be regained. Bob Woodruff is back at work produc- fullest possible recovery. life, even a ‘mild’ concussion may Aviva G. was 23 when she suffered ing documentaries for ABC News. Injuries of this sort happen all the cause severe damage to a person’s abil- multiple strokes during her second Woodruff’s story, recounted in his time, and a day that began like any ities, including memory, speech, emo- pregnancy. As her husband, Ari, bestseller, “In an Instant,” is credited other ends with the loss of basic skills tions, movement, vision etc. These explains, “Brain injury isn’t just one injury—there are so many abilities that are affected. We needed to get the combination of specialists and specialized therapies that were exactly right for my wife to get back to being a mother for our kids.” Today, Aviva continues an intense program of outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy while caring for her children and home. Facing the Options While Looking to the Future As the initial medical crisis and hos- pitalization comes to an end, the next stage is to assess the extent of the damage and determine the best course of rehabilitation. Each injury involving trauma to the brain is unique and may result in a combination of devastating deficits that requires a specialized plan of therapy. The choices that are made regarding rehabilitation will impact the individual, family, and community for many years to come, as this type of life-altering injury affects marriage, children, livelihood…the ripple effects are many and far-reaching. These families are faced with the difficult question of whether their loved ones will be able to return to their previous roles. Will a child be able to return to school and keep up with his class? Will a mother have the ability to resume her multiple roles at home? Will the family breadwinner lose his parnassah? When a family is abruptly confront- ed with these painful realities, their familiar and reliable world is shattered. They find themselves reeling in a whirlwind of strange terms and con- cepts—acute, sub-acute, brain injury unit, coma recovery. Thrust into a situation they know little about, they must make critical choices at a very vulnerable moment. But how can they make an informed decision when they lack the time, resources, and experience to research their options? BINA: Guidance at a critical juncture BINA Stroke and Brain Injury Assistance was created to meet these needs. Incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 2003 with a client list of 12 families, BINA currently serves 44 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES over 500 families in the New in their home at 581 Lehigh every stage of the rehab role in American Friends of 800 units of blood from York area and beyond, includ- Lane, Woodmere, on behalf of process; ongoing case man- Magen David Adom’s American tourists and has ing Israel and Europe, with BINA Stroke and Brain Injury agement and support services; (AFMDA) upcoming blood already surpassed that number new cases coming in daily. Assistance organization. liaison with medical profes- drive, which will take place in 2008; Young Israel is playing BINA is unique in its exten- Rabbi Kalman Topp of the sionals, facilities, insurance Sunday, October 19, a vital part in reaching sive knowledge of options for Young Israel of Woodmere will companies, government 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the AFMDA’s goal of doubling that brain injury rehabilitation. By address the assemblage, and offices etc. to ensure that the Inbal Hotel, 3 Jabotinsky figure in 2008. Keep in mind researching all available the program will include a family receives every benefit Street, Jerusalem. that Magen David Adom sup- resources, including visits to brief but moving video of fam- and service to which they are All those who will be in plies 97 percent of the blood dozens of rehabilitation facili- ilies speaking about their per- entitled; a helpline; educa- Israel this holiday season are used by Israeli hospitals and ties, BINA is the only known sonal experiences with brain tional classes; support groups; urged to participate. This is a 100 percent of the blood for use organization able to get injury and how BINA has a library and resource center. season marked by increased by the Israel Defense Forces. involved in the difficult deci- made a difference in their BINA can be reached at demand and decreased supply There is no more meaning- sion-making process and offer lives. 1002 Quentin Road, Suite of blood, and every pint of ful way to do something specific recommendations on BINA’s comprehensive 3002, Brooklyn, NY, 11223 or blood can save up to three hands-on to benefit all facilities, therapies, and treat- services include: referrals to 718-645-6400. O lives. Israelis. For information as to ment plans. Focusing on the rehabilitation facilities, both Moreover, they expect that who is eligible to donate and specific needs of each family, inpatient and outpatient; Blood Drive At Jerusalem’s someone will be the 1,000th other questions/details please BINA devises a rehabilitation meeting with specialists, ther- Inbal Hotel, October 19 donor for the year, the first time contact Jonathan Feldstein at plan tailored to helping the apists and practitioners of var- The National Council of more than 1,000 tourists have [email protected] or 057- person affected by the injury, ious treatment methods in Young Israel and the Council donated blood in a year in Israel 761-4220. O as well as the family. order to construct an individ- of Young Israel Rabbis in through AFMDA. Last year, Dr. David Biderman, a ualized plan for each case at Israel are proud to play a key AFMDA collected more than Continued on Page 46 rehabilitation psychologist at Rusk Institute/NYU Medical Center explains that 99% of individuals with severe brain injury do not access the resources they need to be able to go on with their lives. “BINA does what no one else does—they know what goes on in which facility. This tremendously supportive organization goes out of their way and makes sure that families get what they need. From my perspective, being on the professional side, it’s a G-dsend.” Furthermore, according to Dr. Jonathan Fellus, Director of Brain Injury Services at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey, “I do not believe that there is any better or even similar type of service provided to the public…the staff at BINA have a deep understanding of the treatment options available.” Working with leading brain injury specialists in top hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, BINA has earned an impressive reputation among rabbanim and community leaders as well as doctors and medical referral agencies for their outstanding work. In fact, among the world- renowned experts on BINA’s medical advisory board are the physicians who cared for Bob Woodruff and Christopher Reeve following their respective injuries. BINA must expand to meet a growing need. Recognizing the crucial, previously-unmet niche being filled by BINA, Woodmere residents Arnie and Sarah Waldman were determined not only to bring this organization’s vital services to the attention of our community, but to ensure that BINA has the necessary funding to continue and expand its services to meet this unfortunately ever-growing need. On Sunday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m., the Waldmans will be hosting a benefit evening 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 45

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS year’s highlight will be a high-energy Continued from Page 45 performance by Keith Leaf and music by Azamra Events. The event is free of Chabad Of The Five Towns charge and food will be available for Simchas Beis HaShoeva, October 16 purchase. To understand the excitement and For more information, please call experience the immense joy of the 516-295-2478 or visit www.Chabad Simchas Beis HaShoeva celebration of FiveTowns.com. O old, join Chabad’s communitywide festivities during this year’s Sukkos holi- Yehuda Rahamim Opens Plush day. Through singing, Chassidic danc- “Supreme” Sales Office in ing, and joyous entertainment, the Jerusalem Simchas Beis HaShoeva event in Real estate entrepreneur Yehuda Cedarhurst Park (corner of Cedarhurst Rahamim recently unveiled a spa- and Summit Avenues) will offer a cious new sales office adjacent to the glimpse of the excitement experienced site of his upscale real-estate develop- in the Holy Temple. ment project known as “The When the Holy Temple stood in Supreme” in central Jerusalem. Jerusalem, one of the special Sukkos Potential buyers and investors will be observances was to pour water on the able to receive first-class customer Altar. The drawing of water for this service during the course of their purpose was preceded by all-night cel- meetings and negotiations in The ebrations in the Temple courtyard; on Supreme’s new sales office. the 15 steps leading to the inner court- The $50 million Supreme luxury yard stood Levi’im while playing a vari- residential apartment complex consists ety of musical instruments; sages of three 7-story buildings that are danced and juggled burning torches, linked together via a beautifully and huge oil-burning lamps illuminat- designed lobby. Each building features ed the entire city. The singing and 16 impeccably designed apartments dancing went on until daybreak. The (featuring sukkah porches, terraces, sages of the Talmud have declared, and/or gardens), which are being con- “One who did not see the joy of the structed to the highest standards. One water-drawing celebrations has not of the outstanding features within seen joy in his life.” these 4-, 5-, and 6-room and pent- And one who has not experienced house apartments is the nearly 10- the annual Simchas Beis HaShoeva foot-high ceilings. Buyers can also celebration in Cedarhurst Park… work with The Supreme’s designer to should certainly join in this joyous, create the interior design and layout exhilarating celebration! All are wel- which they personally desire! come to participate on Thursday, October 16, 5:30–8:00 p.m. This Continued on Page 48

46 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 47 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS as the night went on. Some of them ty—with special efforts being made at Israel promises to afford teenagers the Continued from Page 46 were eventually carted off to the hospi- Simchas Torah and Purim—and has experience of a lifetime. Established by tal to be treated for alcohol poisoning. done likewise with adults, criticizing Michael Lawrence and Lior Solomon, Other enticing Supreme elements Then and there, Rabbi Burg decided to the concept of the “Kiddush Club.” who collectively have over 25 years of include: large underground parking do something to curb the tide of The OU’s anti-drinking efforts are experience in informal Jewish educa- garage and storage rooms; dry sauna Jewish teens drinking on Simchas part of its comprehensive “Safe tion and in Jewish communities the and gym; and a private underground Torah. Homes, Safe Shuls, Safe Schools” world over, VolunTour Israel is an wine cellar for residents. The holiday, which marks the end campaign, which seeks to ensure that exciting touring program like no other. Work began on erecting The of the annual Torah cycle and the Jewish youth can find a safe environ- Jewish individuals and communities Supreme this past summer, with the beginning of the next cycle, typically ment in the main locations in which have long been searching for a mean- first apartments tentatively scheduled features dancing with Torahs, as well they live their lives—home, synagogue, ingful way to bring joy into the lives of to be ready for occupancy by as festivities, which often include and school—as a bulwark against the Israel’s diverse society. For the coming December 2010. The Supreme is alcohol. influences of the society around them. summer, VolunTour Israel has devel- being designed by the Amatzia Aronson For the next four years, while Rabbi In a letter to rabbis and presidents oped an effective and inspiring frame- architectural and design company. Burg was living in L.A., he and his of OU synagogues across North work in which Jewish high-school stu- Aronson is renowned for his astute wife, Rachel, hosted an annual alco- America, with the intention that the dents can experience the real Israel attention to all of the details associat- hol-free Simchas Torah bash in their letter be shared with parents and while giving the best of themselves to ed with upscale developments such as home. Despite the absence of liquor, teachers, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb people in need. Operating within a The Supreme, including the usage of hundreds of teens showed up each (executive vice-president) and Rabbi Modern Orthodox, halachic frame- Jerusalem-stone exteriors, beautifully year to celebrate. Rabbi Burg encour- Bini Maryles (director of the work, these superb programs are well- designed lobbies, and breathtaking aged NCSY regions across North Department of Synagogue Services), suited to observant young people who interior designs. America to follow suit and throw simi- declare: “The reality is that no one are instilled with the desire to fill their The various residential options lar parties marked by a complete lack should overindulge in alcohol on vacation period with chesed, growth, include large 4- and 5-room garden of alcohol. Simchas Torah, as it is not conducive and giving. apartments spread out over 145–185 Simchas Torah falls this year on to the spirit of the day. Even adults Focusing on chesed activities that square meters (garden area is between Tuesday night, October 21, and should be careful that their celebra- will put a smile on Israeli faces and 60 and 120 square meters) and are Wednesday, October 22. Rabbi Burg, tions do not go counter to the appro- benefit all sectors of Israeli society, the priced from $950,000 to $1.5 million, now the international director of priate decorum of our synagogues. But program is open to all teenagers enter- based on specifications. For more NCSY, said that all NCSY regions have when it comes to our youth, we must ing 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. information, visit www.the-supreme. instituted alcohol-free parties for be extra zealous, for additional matters “One of the central goals of all co.il. O teens, who commonly attend NCSY of safety and law.” O VolunTour Israel programs will be to meetings and programs. He declared, establish multi-day experiences and NCSY Sponsors Spirited Simchas “I think the Jewish community needs Summer Of Much Content: ‘mifgashim’ with different sectors of Torah Parties In Initiative To Ban to not only be aware that teens will be VolunTour Israel—Teens Growing Israeli society,” Michael Lawrence Holiday Drinking drawn to alcohol on Simchas Torah, And Giving explained during a phone interview When Rabbi Steven Burg arrived to but we also need to offer viable alter- By Rochelle Maruch Miller with the Five Towns Jewish Times. assume the position of NCSY West natives for them—we can’t just leave By the enthusiastic response it has “This is reflected in our initial pro- Coast Regional Director in Los them with nothing.” generated among high-school stu- grams—summer Orthodox chesed pro- Angeles in 2000, he spent his first The Orthodox Union has made a dents, parents, and teachers—from grams for US and UK high-school stu- Simchas Torah there watching young sincere effort in combating teenage the Five Towns to the United teens become increasingly intoxicated drinking in the Orthodox communi- Kingdom—it is evident that VolunTour Continued on Page 50

48 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 49 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS will be the tour agency and provider meet Michael and Lior to discuss assured knowing that their children Continued from Page 48 for our programs,” explained Lior VolunTour summer programs. If you are cared for in a safe and nurturing Solomon. “Last year, they brought 800 will be spending Sukkot in Israel and environment,” said Rina Shkolnik, dents.” In addition to activities that groups to Israel and have years of expe- are interested in participating in the executive director of JCC of the include support of the hungry, poor, ill, rience and success in providing servic- this program, please contact the Greater Five Towns. “This award disabled, and traumatized across es to groups like our own, including all VolunTour Israel offices at info@volun also is testament to the high degree Israel, our 200 summer programs will educational, logistics, security, and tourisrael.com. For additional informa- of caring, dedication, and profes- include: staffing spheres. Their ‘Torah depart- tion about VolunTour Israel’s new sionalism exhibited by the JCC’s • A five-day outdoor experience with ment’ and the directors of VolunTour high-school chesed summer programs early childhood director, Melissa teenagers of the One Family Fund— Israel Ltd. will handpick and train the in Israel in 2009, please visit their Wienerkur, and her entire staff, young Israelis affected by terror. This program staff.” website at www.voluntourisrael.com. O each and every day.” week will be out in nature (but with Says Michael, “Having made aliyah The Jewish Community Center of the showers and bathrooms), where with our families, and sharing a com- JCC Receives 2008 Best Of Greater Five Towns is a beneficiary empowering relationships will be built mitment to improving Israeli society, Lawrence Award agency of the United Jewish Appeal as beautiful hikes, challenging activi- Lior and I founded VolunTour Israel as The Jewish Community Center of (UJA) Federation of New York, a mem- ties, rafting, and the like are enjoyed a means for making our contribution the Greater Five Towns has been ber agency of the United Way of Long by Americans and Israelis alike. and through which Jewish people selected for the 2008 Best of Island, the Jewish Community Centers • A one-week kitana (day camp) run throughout the world, young and old, Lawrence Award in the day-care cate- Association and an affiliate of the Five by the American participants for hun- will be able to build bridges to the gory by the U.S. Local Business Towns Community Chest. It serves the dreds of Ethiopian immigrant children grassroots of Israeli society and to put Association (USLBA), a Washington communities of Cedarhurst, East at absorption centers across southern smiles on Israeli faces—this is the aim DC-based organization funded by local Rockaway, Far Rockaway, Hewlett, Israel, an incredibly rewarding and and slogan that motivates our work. businesses across the country. The Inwood, Lawrence, Lynbrook, touching experience for all involved When we made a pilot trip to United USLBA award program recognizes Malverne, Valley Stream, West and an opportunity for leadership States Jewish high schools last year, outstanding local businesses and Hempstead, and Woodmere. For more development. two comments were heard repeatedly. organizations throughout the nation. information, please contact the JCC at • Days of training as a “medical” One from students: ‘If I’d known about Each year, the USLBA identifies com- 516-569-6733, or visit www.fivetowns clown and multiple visits to Israeli hos- this before I’d signed up for X program, panies and non-profit groups which jcc.org. O pitals and other institutions to enter- I would have immediately chosen they believe have achieved exceptional tain ill and injured children. VolunTour. Please come back next marketing success in their community. Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis In • Several days in a Negev develop- year!’ And from teachers and princi- The JCC of the Greater Five Towns Hungary ment town, working with all ages and pals: ‘This is the kind of program, with was selected for its exceptional day- Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, founder sectors of these important towns the quality of chesed and educational care programs for children six months and president of Hineni, recently whose residents thrive from the physi- content, that has been lacking in the to two years old. The newly renovated returned from a historic visit to her cal presence of young Jews from across Israel summer market program. We state-of-the-art center is located at native Hungary, where she addressed the world. need this!’” Temple Israel in Lawrence and offers a over 1,000 people at the prestigious The programs will also include reg- VolunTour Israel will be hosting a warm, safe, and caring environment. Urania Theater in Budapest. The event ular shiurim, Israeli current-affairs chesed bus tour of the Jerusalem area “We are honored to receive this was sponsored by the Jewish workshops, and a range of Tishah B’Av for Jewish tourists to Israel during the recognition, validating the impor- Congregations of Hungary under the experiences. Sukkot vacation. These will consist of tant role the JCC’s day-care program able leadership of Mr. Gustav Zoltai “The Israel Experience Ltd., which half-day tours that will include chesed plays in our community in providing and aided by Ms. Adrienn Feher of is a subsidiary of the Jewish Agency, activities, as well as the opportunity to a service where parents can rest New York and Budapest.

50 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rebbetzin Jungreis and April Foley, the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary.

The evening was enhanced by the presence of the American ambassador to Hungary, the Honorable April Foley, who spoke movingly of the pride that the United States takes in such programs and thanked the rebbetzin for her spiritual leadership. The rebbetzin was deeply touched when, upon arriving at the theater, a delegation led by the rabbi and the president of the Szeged Jewish community greeted her and presented her with a tribute. The rebbetzin explained that the reception was most significant since she was born in Szeged where her father, Rabbi Abraham Halevi Jungreis, of blessed memory, was the Chief Orthodox Rabbi. It was from the ghetto of Szeged that the rebbetzin, together with her family and the entire Jewish community, was deported to the con- centration camps. To be tendered such a welcome after having lived through the nightmare of the Holocaust (which very few children survived) is to witness the miracle of Jewish survival. For more than an hour, the audi- ence sat mesmerized as the rebbetzin spoke and her words of Torah entered their hearts and they reconnected with their roots. Following the program, the people surrounded the rebbetzin with personal requests for blessings. One young lady said to the rebbetzin, “I’m not a Jew…I’m a gypsy, but could you write a blessing for me?” The rebbetzin replied, “You are not a gypsy!” The woman appeared somewhat confused and wondered whether the rebbetzin had heard her. Again, she repeated, “But I am a gypsy.” “I heard what you said,” the rebbetzin assured her, “but I tell you—you are not a gypsy. Do you know what your true identity is?” The young woman listened in won- derment as the rebbetzin said, “You are a child of G-d, and of course I will give you a blessing!” Rebbetzin Jungreis’s live Web broad- casts of her weekly Torah classes can be accessed by visiting www.hineni.org. O

Judge Dana Mitchell Jaffe Up For Reelection The Honorable Dana Mitchell Jaffe has served with distinction on the Nassau County District Court bench for the past twelve years. She was initially elected in 1996 and re- elected in 2002. In 2006, Judge Jaffe was appointed an Acting

Continued on Page 52 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 51 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Administration and earned a Lawyers’ Association and the Continued from Page 51 B.S. Degree in Accounting. Long Beach Lawyers’ Associ- Judge Jaffe received her J.D. ation. She is a member of the County Court Judge. In her degree from Benjamin N. Nassau County Bar Associ- judicial position she pre- Cardozo School of Law of ation and the Nassau County sides over criminal proceed- Yeshiva University. Women’s Bar Association. ings including arraign- Judge Jaffe’s legal career Judge Jaffe has been a recipi- ments, pre-trial hearings, began as a tax associate at ent of the Fidelis Juri Award bench and jury trials, and Coopers & Lybrand where she from the Court Officers civil proceedings which specialized in the area of Benevolent Association of include small claims, land- securities and mergers and Nassau County. She has also lord/tenant, and 325(d) acquisitions. In 1988 she volunteered with the Nassau cases. Judge Jaffe was rated founded the law firm of Academy of Law by assisting “well qualified” by the Mitchell Jaffe & Jaffe. She the future of the legal profes- Nassau County Bar developed a highly successful sion with their annual moot Association and received general practice, which court competition. the highest rating of the included the areas of criminal In addition to Judge Jaffe’s Judge Dana Mitchell Jaffe with husband Harris Kantor and children Independent Judicial and civil litigation. She con- Spencer, Jordan, and Jennifer. dedication to the bar, she is Qualification Commission. tinued as a general practition- active in her community. She Judge Jaffe was born and er until she was elected to the served as the vice-president of County District Court Judges’ is past secretary and executive raised in Nassau County. She Nassau County District Court the New York State District Association. Judge Jaffe has board member of the Long attended New York University bench. Court Judges’ Association and also served on the Board of Beach Breast Cancer Coali- School of Business and Public Judge Jaffe has previously the treasurer of the Nassau Directors of the Nassau tion. She currently serves as a board member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York, EAC Child Care Advisory Committee, and the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Judge Jaffe is a lifelong resident of the Long Beach area and is married to Harris Kantor, an attorney in Nassau County. Together they have three children, Spencer, Jordan, and Jennifer. O

Rabbi Milstein speaks at Rambam Kinus Teshuvah Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein was the featured speaker at Rambam’s Annual Father/Son Kinus Teshuvah. He was introduced by the rosh hayeshiva, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, who spoke about the challenge of doing teshuvah on transgressions bein adam le’chaveiro and introduced Rabbi Milstein as “a renowned lecturer who is noted for his sensitivity and insight in interpersonal affairs.” Rabbi Milstein received semichah from Mesivta Tiferes Jerusalem and was a close talmid of Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l. Grandfathers, fathers, and talmidim listened with rapt attention as Rabbi Milstein related a number of real-life stories and extrapo- lated a practical moral lesson from each. “Respecting others begins by respecting oneself,” he said. A self- respecting individual will speak properly and dress properly. He shared an experience he had on a New York City subway where he carefully chose to sit in an empty car so as not to be disturbed by the noise around him. Unfortunately, the train made an unexpected stop to pick up a number of Transit Authority workers who joined him in the empty car. Talking amongst themselves, they used inappropriate and vile language until they noticed that the ‘other pas- 52 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES nearly all of the graduates seeking employment will be working within three months of commencement. “Job opportunities in the broad field of health sciences are plentiful and rewarding. At Touro, students receive an excellent education that prepares them well for practice opportunities,” said Dean Weisberg. “We’ve seen that new graduates are just as desirable as professionals with years of experience.” The school’s two largest programs, which train physician assistants and physical therapists, for example, have prepared its graduates for careers in emergency medicine, geriatric medicine, orthopedics, and sports medicine, to name a few. Touro graduates have (L–R): Dr. Anthony Polemeni, vice-president of Touro’s Division of Graduate Studies; found jobs at top hospitals in New York keynote speaker Dr. Olajide Williams, associate director of neurology at Harlem Hospital; and and around the country, in private prac- Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein Dr. Joseph Weisberg, dean of the School of Health Sciences. tices, clinics, and with sports teams. O senger’ in the car was clearly uncom- by Dr. Olajide Williams, associate tution. What will you do now? Do what A Memorable Rosh Hashanah With fortable with their choice of words. director of neurology at Harlem needs to be done for yourself, and do it Madraigos A strapping, burly worker came over Hospital, who told the graduates, for the world.” By Ahuva Stern to him and inquired, “Are you a “Today you are a recipient of a world- According to Dr. Joseph Weisberg, For over seven years, Madraigos has rabbi?” to which he responded affir- class education from a first-class insti- dean of the School of Health Sciences, matively. The worker apologized and Continued on Page 54 instructed his colleagues to stop cursing because a rabbi was in their presence. “We can control what we say and what we do if we really want to,” said Rabbi Milstein. How we spend our time says a lot about how we view ourselves. “A busy, productive, self- respecting person does not like to waste time. Those who do not take themselves seriously will often while away their time to avoid boredom,” he said. Another aspect emphasized during the shiur was the importance of treat- ing one’s own family with respect and sensitivity. Rabbi Milstein related a beautiful and inspiring story about Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l. Many years ago, during the depth of the winter when the children were small, Rav Moshe would get up early, sometimes at 4:30 a.m., and lovingly take his children’s clothing and place them on the radia- tor so that they would be warm when the children got dressed. “If we respect ourselves and our families we can then begin to truly respect others.” Rabbi Milstein’s lecture was a practical and inspiring message about how we can all work to improve ourselves and create greater achdus in Klal Yisrael. O

Touro College School Of Health Sciences Awards 312 Degrees At Commencement Touro College’s School of Health Sciences awarded 312 degrees on September 18, including doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees. The school, with locations in Bay Shore, Mineola, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, offers degree programs in physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, physical therapy, oriental medicine, acupuncture, and nursing. The ceremony was held at the Tillis Center for the Performing Arts on the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, New York, with 1,900 family, friends, and faculty in attendance. The keynote address was delivered 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS schools. those who spent Rosh Continued from Page 53 In response to Madraigos Hashanah with Madraigos, it participants’ calls for a mean- was an extraordinary chag and been the address in our com- ingful Rosh Hashanah pro- a terrific way to kick off the munity where young adults gram, Rabbi Silver and his New Year! can turn for help with their staff of volunteers worked dili- Below is a letter from one spiritual, emotional, and gently to assemble a Rosh of the guests, a mother of five. physical problems. Under the Hashanah event that would Dear Madraigos, guidance of Rabbi Dov Silver, be remembered by all. The Your Rosh Hashanah event shlita, the organization has event was designed for those was such a unique and spiri- been instrumental in redirect- who would not otherwise tually uplifting experience. ing hundreds of youth back to attend shul and who might From the moment we arrived, the path of Torah and person- not find a yom tov atmosphere the sense of warmth and al success in life. This elsewhere, as well as for the friendliness exuded by all of achievement has been accom- general constituency who the event coordinators, staff plished through Madraigos’s chose to leave their seats members, and lecturers set an comprehensive Jewish life behind and check into the atmosphere that made us all spirituality program, diverse Holiday Inn Conference feel welcome. It was immedi- and engaging recreational Center in Edison, New Jersey. ately clear from the round- activities, hands-on crisis The effort was well worth it, the-clock program of tefillah, Rabbi Dov Silver and Rabbi Yaakov Gade. counseling, and working in and the positive feedback lectures, and onegs that no concert with community from the over 240 guests has detail had been overlooked. expectations in every way. The inspirational, the lectures resources, families, and been overwhelming. For all Indeed, the chag exceeded tefillos were beautiful and were relevant and riveting, and the meals were more than just the sum of the elegantly prepared, delicious courses that were set before us. For me, there were many highlights. First, each meal was “hosted” by a diverse array of guests, from rabbis, to Madraigos members, to ordinary guests, each of whom contributed a unique and personal perspective to the festivities with humor, a story, or d’var Torah that made the meals feel more like we were among a large extended family, rather than a group of strangers who happened to be spending the chag in a hotel setting. Second, as a mother of young children, I especially appreciated the outstanding babysitting services that enabled me to focus completely on my tefillos or the shiurim, while feeling completely assured that my baby was being well taken care of. Having attended numerous hotel programs that promised qualified babysitting services that fell short of my expectations, I can attest that the quality of the daycare services at Madraigos was far superior to anything I had experienced before. Third, the unique Mussaf program given by Rabbi Clyman as an option during chazaras ha’shatz of mussaf was a surprising treat that offered me a much-needed jolt of inspiration during the portion of davening that I generally spend counting the pages till Birchas Kohanim. Having grown up frum, but with little opportunity to explore the basics, such as emunah, Rabbi Clyman’s shiurim, imparted with his engaging, down-to-earth approach to the fundamentals of Judaism, are the mental “souvenirs” that I have brought home with me. The array of lectures available throughout the day from a host of rabbis provided us all so much insight and meaning 54 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES who spoke how spending the chag with their very own unique way. the kids of Madraigos impacted his The non-judgmental, family-ori- family and rendered this Rosh ented, and friendly atmosphere was Hashanah different from any other core to the success of the program. I that he had experienced. He went on hope Madraigos will continue with to talk about how these children from these events providing so many of our own community have been your youth who have been left through the most difficult of times and behind with the opportunity to expe- have literally been rescued by rience yom tov in a Jewish and fami- Madraigos. For them, this Rosh ly-oriented environment. Hashanah program was a completely Kudos to Rabbi Silver, who has uplifting experience, and seeing them been working with kids in our com- elevated through the davening, community for over 14 years, and Yaakov munal meals, and achdus had a pro- Gade for their ability to put this found impact. event together and for their tireless Glancing over to see my 16-year-old work on behalf of our children. O daughter wiping tears from her eyes as she listened to story after story of Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe To incredible spiritual resilience, I was Visit Five Towns Rabbi Motti Miller, a renowned lecturer at Ohr Naava and Dean of Students grateful for having taken my family to By Rochelle Maruch Miller at Kushner High School, speaking at the Madraigos symposium. spend Rosh Hashanah with Madraigos “If you go to the tish of the Toldos and hopeful that the emotions we all Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe in Meah felt at that moment would be carried Shearim on a Friday night, you will into the yom tov. Who can forget the Madraigos and how it plays such an over into the weeks and months ahead. see a melting pot of Judaism; kumzitz the second night of Rosh important role in the lives of so many I must admit that initially I was shtreimlech, black hats, kipot seru- Hashanah where we sang for hours young adults in our community… skeptical about spending Rosh got—all partaking in the tish and and where stories kept coming forth Whether it was the young man who Hashanah in a hotel—it’s not basking in the Rebbe’s warmth and from young and old alike? had lost his way and had somehow Pesach, after all. However, after greatness,” explained Dr. Abish And finally, the absolute highlight of rediscovered that “spark” in the beis hearing statements like “I would Mendel. A frequent host to many my yom tov was the ne’illas ha’chag midrash at 4:30 the previous morning, have no Rosh Hashanah without eminent rebbes who visit the United right before Maariv and Havdalah, or the guy who purchased hagbaah for Madraigos” or “I could not dream of States, Dr. Mendel and his wife when men and women, young and old, himself and spent the entire reading a better way to spend Rosh Flora recently hosted the Viznitzer gathered around to share their person- over the haftarah sobbing with the Hashanah,” I understood why this Rebbe at their Brooklyn home. al stories of inspiration from the past Torah lying on his heart, or the 30- was necessary and why families’ par- Indeed, it was through his affilia- 48 hours together. We listened as one something father of four who elo- ticipation was so important. But if tion with Viznitz that Dr. Mendel person after the next, without much quently expressed how the program they gained from family participa- first met the Toldos Avraham prompting, stood up and spoke from had unexpectedly re-injected spiritual tion, we were inspired by the kids’ Yitzchak Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel Yakov the heart, describing what this Rosh meaning into his chag after over a ability to connect to the Ribbono Kahan, shlita. Dr. Mendel spent 20 Hashanah meant to them. No doubt it decade of distance from his yeshiva shel Olam. Somehow, these kids years in Viznitz and recalls being so opened up a small window, for all days had slowly eroded some of that have a special kesher with our those gathered there, into the world of spirituality, or maybe the individual Creator, and each expresses it in Continued on Page 56

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS MAY Expands Its Beis Midrash Program Continued from Page 55 Mesivta Ateres Yaakov has expand- taken by the Rebbe that “I melted at ed its beis midrash with a very inno- his presence. The Rebbe is a truly vative program. The yeshiva has special person; a true tzaddik who hired four yungerleit to sit in its beis possesses a remarkable insight into midrash who are available to learn people. He sees outside of a person’s with talmidim throughout the morn- soul and is never judgmental. He is ing seder. extremely practical and will never The menahel, Rabbi Mordechai tell anyone who comes to him for Yaffe explained, “They will be work- advice or for a bracha to do anything ing both with students who require that is difficult or impossible. I have some extra attention to help them had the z’chus of meeting the Toldos master the limudim, as well as pro- Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe several viding enrichment for those pre- times and we’ve dedicated a sefer pared to delve deeper.” Torah especially in his honor.” “We are very excited to expand Toldos Avraham Yitzchak is a very this program we started last year. accepted and respected Chassidus. This reflects our approach in the They are warm and welcoming and yeshiva: Wherever and whenever we reach out to everyone. Toldos can we look to address the personal Avraham Yitzchak has its own infra- needs of each talmid. To have the structure of superb schools and rebbeim we have and, now, the cal- chesed. They provide a full range of iber of these young men available to services, including gemilas chesed work closely with our boys, is and bikur cholim, not just for their tremendous.” own community but for anyone in Michael Salzbank, the mesivta’s need. And the Rebbe himself is there executive director, is very excited as for all.” well. “There is a wealth of talent of The Toldos Avraham Yitzchak young kollel men who are sitting Rebbe of Yerushalayim will be grac- and learning. By tapping into that ing our community with his pres- wellspring we can improve the qual- ence during the coming weeks. The ity of education for each talmid. Rebbe will be staying in Lawrence There are so many benefits to doing for Shabbos, parshas Vayeitzei. As this that I can’t imagine it won’t well, the Rebbe will be in Flatbush become the standard. For the boys it for parashas Toledos and in is precisely what they need. On a Williamsburg for parashas one-to-one basis or in small groups Vayishlach. During the Rebbe’s visit they can work on their skills and to New York, he will also visit accomplish so much more. For Monsey and other communities. O those who can be challenged to go

56 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES deeper, they are now learning shiur in, there is a kol Torah that b’chavrusah with a budding talmid inspires everyone to learn with chacham.” Mr. Salzbank further greater intensity.” explained that for the kollel yunger- The four new young men are leit it is real exposure into the world Rabbi Yosef Feinerman, who of chinuch and gives them invalu- received semichah from Sh’or Yoshuv able experience. and is a member of the Sh’or Yoshuv Twelfth-grade Rebbe, Elysha Kollel; Mr. Avi Barasch, 27, who

Sandler remarked, “These young spent three years at Mercaz HaTorah men, along with Rabbi Yehuda and two years at the Mir and has Horowitz, our mashgiach ruchani, been learning for the past three has created an environment that has years in Rabbi Binyomin Forst’s kol- energized the yeshiva. We expose all lel; Mr. Yoni Frenkel, in the semi- our talmidim to the special atmos- chah program at Sh’or Yoshuv; Rabbi phere of learning in the beis Moshe Sokoloff, who learned in midrash. Nothing compares to the Yeshiva Shaar Torah in Kew Gardens feeling of being a part of tzibur for 10 years and is now learning in learning. Now, when we bring a Kollel Mei Torah. O

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 57 The Skverer Rebbe, shlita, visiting the Nikolsburger Rebbe, shlita.

The Nikolsburger Rebbe, shlita, dancing with bachurim at a Simchas Beis HaShoeivah.

The Rebbe at the Beer HaGolah in Brooklyn during Aseres Yemei Teshuvah of this year.

The Rebbe during his most recent visit to Brazil, in the summer of 2008. Hoshanna Rabbah in the Nikolsburg Beis Midrash.

Five Towns Awaits Visit of Nikolsburger Rebbe, Nov. 22 The Jewish community in the Thousands flock to the Rebbe at touches all listeners to their inner- Five Towns is eagerly anticipating all times of the day or night to dis- most core, bringing them in touch the forthcoming visit of the cuss their personal problems and with their souls. This is one reason Nikolsburger Rebbe, shlita, during concerns. The Rebbe listens to why the Rebbe’s upcoming visit to the weekend of November 22, everyone with an open heart and the Five Towns is so eagerly antici- Parshas Chayei Sarah. That Shabbos gives his sage advice on all matters, pated. The community members promises to be a wonderful experi- including business dilemmas, look forward to spending Shabbos The Nikolsburger Rebbe, shlita, shlugging ence for the entire community—an shalom bayis (marital harmony), and with the Rebbe and gaining new kapparos one Erev Yom Kippur. event to be remembered for years. medical issues. The visitors leave levels of inspiration to last them for The Rebbe of Nikolsburg is the Rebbe’s study feeling uplifted months and even years ahead. known for his great leadership in and reassured, and with renewed The Nikolsburg kehillah also powerful media through which he the areas of Torah, avodah, and energy to face their trials. Only due stands for Torah study, as its wide furthers this goal, transmitting his chesed. His address in Monsey mag- to the Rebbe’s sincere love for every network of educational institutions own ahavas Hashem and ahavas netically attracts thousands of peo- Jew can he bear to listen to so many testifies. The Nikolsburg chinuch Torah to all listeners. He often lec- ple who seek guidance in their spir- problems and patiently guide many establishments ensure that this tures in distant countries and has itual growth as well as those who thousands. wonderful derech is passed to the never failed to inspire those who seek comfort and practical advice Another primary quality of next generation, and transmitted flocked to hear his words. on all sorts of personal issues. Nikolsburg is the passion and joy with love and passion. During the days of the Rebbe’s The Nikolsburg community exem- with which they celebrate Jewish The Rebbe personally guides the stay in the Five Towns there will be plifies true ahavas Yisrael. Every Jew, life, especially Shabbos and yom teachers and educators in the yeshi- several opportunities to hear the regardless of background or affilia- tov. The Rebbe leads the kehillah va and girls’ school, and he takes Rebbe’s inspirational words. The tion, is lovingly welcomed in with his own fiery avodah, inspiring great personal interest in each and community members will also be Nikolsburg and shown sincere all who witness his tefillos and tis- every student. It is the Rebbe’s able to arrange for private appoint- respect and brotherly friendship. chen to reach ever greater spiritual deepest desire to see the young ments with the Rebbe to discuss The Nikolsburg community lives by heights. The Nikolsburger tischen charges grow up as outstanding their personal issues, or simply to the belief that every Jew is intrinsi- are known to lift all participants to b’nei Torah and b’nos Yisrael who receive his blessings. cally worthy and uniquely precious, higher levels of kedushah, instilling will live their lives according to the Further details of the Rebbe’s visit which is why every single person is in them an intense feeling of ahavas highest Torah values and ideals. will be publicized as the arrange- instantly comfortable in Nikolsburg. Hashem. The stirring singing The Rebbe’s Torah discourses are ments are finalized. O

58 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 59 60 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Yeshiva Ketana’s Screen Savers Campaign BY ELISHEVA LISS others take an even purer stance: no TV in the house at all, occasional edu- Kids staring at screens. It’s one of cational DVDs and computer games, those images that no one feels entirely no game systems. And then there are comfortable about (except maybe the probably families where no child has kids), yet the vast majority of us par- access to any screen ever (I’ve never ents succumb to the temptation at met one—I think they breed them least occasionally in some form or somewhere in Africa, though). another. Some are more laissez-faire in Whatever your opinion, whether their policies: TV in the kids’ room, educational, psychological, or religious Internet access, unlimited video and in nature, we all need to confront the

The message they will be getting at yeshiva is that their

time is precious, their minds are valuable, and what they

choose to do with these gifts in this powerful week of

the year can make a tremendous difference.

computer game privileges, and growing issue of “screen time” and portable game systems for when life children. How much is ok? What types necessitates the almost surgical sepa- of media will we allow in our homes? ration of the kids from the large At what age is each activity appropri- screen. Others are more moderate: TV ate? How sensitive will we be to the and computer only after homework is subtle messages being transmitted? done or on weekends, video game ses- And, no less relevant, how do we teach sions of no more than 30 minutes, and parental controls on the Internet. Still Continued on Page 62

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 61 Screen Savers and teachers will be involved at the Continued from Page 61 scholastic end. The boys will have the opportunity to write about their exper- our children to deal with the enormous iment, exploring the effects of recre- social pressure to become ever more ational technology on their time, with exposed to a variety of questionable the possibility of publication. The mes- media? sage they will be getting at yeshiva is This has become a highly charged, that their time is precious, their minds personal, and, at times, controversial are valuable, and what they choose to topic. People can wax dogmatic, defen- do with these gifts in this powerful sive, apologetic, or self-righteous (in week of the year can make a tremen- either direction) regarding their poli- dous difference. Parents are collabo- cies. Nevertheless, these are questions rating to make this time more enjoy- all thinking parents end up address- able by encouraging and facilitating ing—either with forethought or by other age- and interest-appropriate default—in the way we run our homes. activities: A trip to the library (so there Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island rec- is ample reading material available), ognizes that it is difficult for parents to ball games, biking, running, puzzles, convey wholesome messages about board games, card games, kugelach, screen activities in the face of the pre- play dates, cooking or baking for yom dominant culture and social pressures. tov (or the bake sale), chesed for neigh- To that end, the yeshiva, in conjunc- bors, musical instruments, and, of tion with its Women’s League, has course, learning all make for wonder- launched a revolutionary Aseres Yemei ful substitutes. This week is an oppor- Teshuvah campaign entitled “Screen tune time to take up a new hobby or Savers.” rekindle an old one. (It might even get Screen Savers is a voluntary, incen- the boys to help more around the tive-based, schoolwide competition house…) involving the elimination of “screen What is the impetus for such a dra- time” from kids’ schedules. Screen matic alteration of habit? Anyone who time is defined as time spent recre- has read any literature on parenting, ationally in front of a screen: TV, DVD, Jewish or secular, has no doubt been Internet, computer games, video exposed to the virtually indisputable games, or hand-held games (DS, PS, research that finds, time and again, X-Box, Wii, etc.). The boys received the correlation between screen time tickets to fill in, displaying their and undesirable behavior. Even the “screen-saved” days. Rewards will be educational or other innocuous pro- given on both the individual and class gramming and games still detract from levels, including a grand raffle for a more pro-social activities, and the brand-new bike. screen itself seems to set the brain into Rebbeim are encouraging students, a quasi-sleep mode that lends itself

62 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES toward laziness, emotional cases can lead to abusive lowed homes. For the most the advertising industry. It’s Association (AMA), and the heaviness, and non-productiv- criminals or pornographic part, America takes the bait. the same reason deadly pas- National Education ity. Studies correlate even materials (yes, even with the Yet there is finally a back- times like smoking were never Association, among others. (If non-excessive screen time best spyware, spam, and lash. Groups such as Screen outlawed: the tobacco compa- the acronyms impress you, with obesity (perhaps we eat parental controls) at the click Time Awareness, TV Turnoff nies just bring in too much well, PETA and the ASPCA more when we’re watching, of a mouse, are infamously Network, Taking Back Our revenue. Brain-wasting, would probably jump on the surfing the Web, or playing terrifying. Exposure to screen World, and, oh yes, Orthodox apparently, sells. Yet in some bandwagon, too, if it made games, or perhaps in their time is also correlated with Jews, are espousing a more European countries, there you walk your dog more…) absence we would simply get poor scholastic achievement, enlightened approach to tech- have actually been legal bans As frum Jews, we each find up and exercise more). poorly developed social skills, nological entertainment placed on programming our own standards, following Viewers are exposed to sleep disorders, and media. Long before the pre- geared toward young children, our da’as Torah, for the level often unrealistic depictions of ADD/ADHD. dominant culture ever imag- particularly in response to the of media we allow into our interpersonal relationships Nevertheless, the enter- ined the potential abuses of frightening proliferation of homes. Yeshiva Ketana’s par- that then color their own per- tainment industry keeps pro- the “new invention” called the clinically diagnosable screen ent body includes a variety: sonal expectations. The spe- ducing more sophisticated television and, years later, the addictions. rabbanish families for whom cial effects and dramatiza- ways to subtly rot our chil- information superhighway, Groups who place values viewing is limited to an Uncle tions jade them, so that they dren’s brains and values. And, our brilliant Torah luminaries such as educational, emotion- Moishy or Yeshiva Boys’ Choir become under-stimulated by as a nation, we keep buying were prophetically cautioning al, social, physical, and per- video, ranging to families real life—particularly acade- into it. Hashem’s holy people: v’haya sonal development as priori- where kids have liberal access mia, which lacks a soundtrack This is the paradox of machanecha kadosh. Beware ties over indulgence and eco- to a full menu of cable and and stunt doubles. Children “screen time”—while intellec- of what’s out there. nomics have taken a bold Internet. also see perpetrators of crimes tually honest findings keep When the academic litera- stance with regard to the We, as busy parents, all or violence who either tri- proving time and again that ture questions “If the deterio- issue: limit or completely know how tempting and expe- umph as a result or go without the more one is exposed to ration of societal values and eliminate recreational screen dient it can be to sit our chil- retribution. Women are negative influences via screen behavior is so clearly linked to time, even if only for a pre- dren in front of a screen. It depicted most disrespectfully, media, the more likely the the media, why are there just scribed experimental amount keeps them occupied, happy, as are racial stereotypes. behavior is to be duplicated, not simply more restrictions period. This is not some fabri- and entertained for hours. It Family bonding time, includ- nevertheless the entertain- placed on what is considered cation by a fundamentalist can even be argued as educa- ing dinner time, becomes ment industry continues to ‘airable’?” the answer is pre- interest group, but a strong tional sometimes, and it’s cer- eroded when interactions are provide ever more accessible dictably, but disturbingly, recommendation endorsed by tainly better than having them replaced by passive viewing. and graphic ways to introduce “commercialism.” The nation- mainstream health providers fight, or us yelling at them. Yet And, of course, the dangers of violence, promiscuity, sub- al capitalist market (which such as the American we know in our hearts that, Internet access, which in stance abuse, vulgarities, and, has proven kind of disappoint- Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), extreme but not uncommon at best, frivolity into our hal- ing lately…) is dominated by the American Medical Continued on Page 66

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 63 Agranat Files Reminiscent Of Current Military Problems

“I wanted to emphasize because this didn’t happen,” BY AMNON that… something that was he said. MERANDA evident throughout the war Furthermore, Sharon and that caused grave damage claimed that senior officials Previously secret files from in managing the war was the were not interested in hearing the Agranat Commission were absence of senior officers feedback from their subordi- opened to the public Tuesday, almost 35 years after the commission was established to investigate the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War and examine Moshe Dayan’s testimony is the conduct of the military and political echelons. similarly evocative of the criticism The Israel Defense Force archives released 20 witness of Israel’s latest conflict with P h testimonies, among them that o t o B of former Prime Minister y D a

Hezbollah. v i Ariel Sharon and former d R o b i n

Defense Minister Moshe g e Dayan. Both highlighted r issues that came up in Israel’s Sharon with General Bar-Lev in 1973. most recent war. from the field,” Sharon said in nates in the field. Tactically, he When asked about his divi- his testimony. “For example, said, this lack of communica- sion’s movements on October look at the 8th, when there tion impacted the war effort. confusion, Sharon said he’d first strike… We understood 7 and 8, 1973, Sharon, who were two divisions in the “There were several occasions gotten the impression that that the only difference would was then the commander of field… The regional com- when not only were other peo- “there was no clear picture of be a slight discrepancy in the Reserves Armored mander should have been ple giving orders to your subor- what was going on in the artillery power on the (south- Division 143, criticized the there or, if not, then his dinates, but they were often field.” ern) front. We felt that our IDF’s general staff, with deputy… someone to coordi- doing so without your knowl- Dayan relies on deter- capabilities, along with the whom he had been fighting at nate between the forces… edge,” Sharon elaborated. rence power airforce, would be enough to the time. Many mistakes were made Describing the widespread Then-Defense Minister hold them off,” he said. Moshe Dayan’s testimony is On the eve of the war, similarly evocative of the crit- Dayan explained in his testi- icism of Israel’s latest conflict mony, the IDF Chief of with Hezbollah: In his testi- General Staff sent up air- mony, Dayan explained that planes in order to try and his decision not to call up deter the Syrians and the reserve soldiers on the eve of Egyptians. “We could not be the war was based on an intel- sure that full scale war would ligence report from five erupt based on what we saw,” months prior to its outbreak. he said, explaining his reluc- “We were fairly certain of tance to call up reserve our capabilities to hold off a ground forces. O

64 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 65 Screen Savers the winner of the grand raffle… O Continued from Page 63 Elisheva Liss is a marriage and family therapist in local private practice and Torah lecturer and ideally, there are more wholesome can be contacted at [email protected]. ways they could be spending their time. YKLI, as a progressive, enlightened, Torah-guided yeshiva, is trying to help families and the community at large After the death of take a bold step toward that goal for this year. the two sons of This program is voluntary. It runs on Aharon who came positive adrenaline, not guilt trips. No close to G-d and died boy is penalized or judged for lack of participation. It is also not an “all-or- (Vayikra 16:1) nothing” proposition. Every day that a boy abstains from screen time counts. They approached the supernal The hanhalah is proud that parents light out of their great love of encourage their children to get the Holy, and thereby died. involved and participate, not only for Thus they died by “Divine the external rewards at the end, but also for the powerful chinuch message kiss” such as experienced by it gives over. the perfectly righteous; it is Will this program solve the problem only that the righteous die of “screen abuse” overnight? Almost when the Divine kiss certainly not. The goal is simply to raise awareness about it, and to approaches them, while they empower our children to take control died by their approaching it… of their time in more constructive, cre- Although they sensed their ative, and fruitful ways. own demise, this did not In the z’chus of attempting to sanctify our time and thoughts, may we all prevent them from drawing be zocheh to much nachas in the near to G-d in attachment, midos, learning, and general welfare of delight, delectability, our children and all K’lal Yisrael. We fellowship, love, kiss, and wish everyone hatzlachah and a g’mar chasimah tovah! sweetness, to the point that Please stay tuned (pardon the their souls ceased from them. expression) for more coverage of this exciting program, including parent, (Or HaChaim) student, and teacher testimonials, and

66 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 67 Now, with the onset of the Jewish New Year, it is the Gaza guns that are Rosh Hashanah In S’derot aimed to terrorize and kill Jews in S’derot and the Western Negev. Despite the supposed ceasefire, dozens BY NOAM BEDEIN casualties for them to proudly display because of all the people there who of rockets continue to be fired at to the foreign press. Their goal is to they will claim suffer and starve, with unarmed Israeli civilians, who have What will the New Year hold for make it look as if Israel is breaking the the blame placed on Israel. There will suffered under this rain of terror for S’derot? Israel Defense Forces code of ethics by never be any confirmed cases of any over seven straight years. “Who shall live and who shall die? “indiscriminate” fire at seemingly civil- Gazan dying of starvation, but rest This is where the real humanitarian …Who by fire and who by water?” This ian targets. Experience has shown that assured the media will report it any- crisis is unfolding. is the ultimate and central prayer recit- the militias fire from populated areas way because the Palestinian propa- This is where the untold human ed on Rosh Hashanah. The prayer explicitly for this heinous goal. gandists will tell them so. interest story is that the Jewish peo- remains theoretical for most Jewish ple—let alone world opinion and the people in the world, as they pray and media—need to know about in the hope for the best in the New Year. But New Year. O for the people of Israel who live in The media will not keep reporting in their S’derot and the Western Negev, no Noam Bedein is the director of the Regional News Service for S’derot and the Western Negev, prayer could better portray their fears a project of the S’derot Information Service for and their reality. stories that official Hamas policy is to never the Western Negev, Ltd. The Gaza militias openly use these months of the supposedly agreed upon negotiate with Israel and to never make cease-fire—known as the “calm” or tahadiya in Arabic—to accumulate and peace with Israel. broaden their lethal arsenal of WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? weapons, which everyone knows will soon be aimed in the direction of our WE WANT TO KNOW! communities inside Israel. The Israeli And, most recently, the Gaza mili- The media will remind you regularly Intelligence Research Center confirms tias actually held a press conference to that Hamas is the democratically elect- that the Palestinians in Gaza will soon show off the hundreds of women and ed representatives of the Palestinian E-MAIL US AT have 10,000 anti-personnel missiles at children they are training to be suicide people. But the media will not keep their disposal. bombers, to blow themselves up in the reporting in their stories that official [email protected] Meanwhile, many armed private next round of fighting. Hamas policy is to never negotiate armies in Gaza have openly embedded When the Gaza militias do launch with Israel and to never make peace OR UPLOAD their fighters in the teeming housing their next round of attacks, they will with Israel. Nor will they report that projects of their villages and United use their sophisticated public rela- Hamas considers firing missiles at YOUR COMMENTS AT Nations refugee camps. They are tions system. They have trained mis- civilians to be justified, while Amnesty armed with these missiles and mortars, information specialists planted the International and Human Rights www.5tjt.com knowing full well that when they start world over to spread the specious Watch have both issued reports calling shooting Israel will shoot back in message that the Hamas regime in it what it really is—crimes against defense, and this will cause civilian Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis, humanity and, most likely, war crimes.

68 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Myth Of Al-Aqsa

BY MORDECHAI KEDAR of prayer (kiblah) to be to the north, towards Jerusalem, in keeping with When Mohammad established Jewish practice; but after he failed in Islam, he introduced a minimum of this attempt he turned against the innovations. He employed the hal- Jews, killed many of them, and lowed personages, historic legends, directed the kiblah southward, and sacred sites of Judaism and towards Mecca. Christianity, and even paganism, by Muhammad’s abandonment of Islamizing them. Thus, according to Jerusalem explains the fact that this Islam, Abraham was the first Muslim city is not mentioned even once in the and Jesus and St. John (the sons of Koran. After Palestine was occupied by Miriam, sister of Moses and Aron) the Muslims, its capital was Ramlah, were prophets and guardians of the 30 miles to the west of Jerusalem, sig- second heaven. Many Biblical legends nifying that Jerusalem meant nothing (asatir al-awwalin) which were familiar to them. to the pagan Arabs before the dawn of Islam rediscovered Jerusalem 50 Islam, underwent an Islamic conver- years after Mohammad’s death. In 682 sion, and the Koran as well as the CE, Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr rebelled Hadith (the Islamic oral tradition), are against the Islamic rulers in replete with them. Damascus, conquered Mecca, and Islamization was practiced on places prevented pilgrims from reaching as well as persons: Mecca and the holy Mecca for the Hajj. Abd al-Malik, the stone—al-Ka’bah—were holy sites of Umayyad Calif, needed an alternative the pre-Islamic pagan Arabs. The site for the pilgrimage and settled on Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and Jerusalem which was then under his the Great Mosque of Istanbul were control. In order to justify this choice, erected on the sites of Christian- a verse from the Koran was chosen Byzantine churches—two of the better (sura 17, verse 1) which states (trans- known examples of how Islam treats lation by Majid Fakhri): sanctuaries of other faiths. “Glory to Him who caused His ser- Jerusalem, too, underwent the vant to travel by night from the process of Islamization: at first Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Muhammad attempted to convince Mosque, whose precincts We have the Jews near Medina to join his blessed, in order to show him some of young community, and, by way of persuasion, established the direction Continued on Page 71

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 69 Yesha PR Council Reaches Out To Secular Jews BY MAAYANA MISKIN group’s site was created by secular Samaria. “Particularly now, with the “This is the land of our fathers,” he Yesha Council Chairman Danny Israelis living in the Tel Aviv area, he loss of faith in leadership, it’s impor- said. “Here our fathers walked, as Dayan and activist Yakir Segev have noted. tant to present our values and say did the judges and kings of Israel, announced the establishment of a new The main purpose of the group is without apologizing: Judea and and that gives us the right to our organization dedicated to “strengthen- not to change Israelis’ political Samaria are ours, they are part of the land.” (Arutz Sheva) O ing the connection between Judea and views, but rather to educate them story of every Jew.” Samaria and secular Israeli society.” regarding the importance and histo- In addition to promoting tourism, The two men, who spoke at the Begin ry of the region, Segev added. “From the group will participate in panels Heritage Center in Jerusalem recently, my perspective, it’s legitimate to and debates, create a website with introduced the group as the “Judea and Samaria Public Relations Deadline Council” and said it would be independent but would work alongside the Tours are to start as early as Sukkot, when Yesha Council. for advertising The group is headed by Segev, a longtime political activist who led The guides will begin leading groups through Reservists’ Campaign, which called for in the next politicians to be held accountable for Biblical sites and discussing the millennia of mistakes made during the Second issue is Lebanon War. Jewish history in Judea and Samaria. The first project for the group was the debut of a Hebrew website Monday, October (www.jstory.co.il) promoting tours and educational sites in Judea and support various political views, but information on Judea and Samaria, Samaria. Tours are to start as early as first we must connect to our roots, and work to provide publicity for 20 Sukkot, when guides will begin leading stop apologizing, and at least agree particular communities. The group groups through Biblical sites and dis- on the historical significance of will also assist in creating and pro- cussing the millennia of Jewish history these sites,” he explained. moting tourist sites. One example at 5:00 P.M. in Judea and Samaria. “I believe the Israeli community is given by Segev was Tel Shilo, where Segev explained that the new much more connected to its Jewish the Tabernacle was located for 369 group was part of a special effort to roots than it has been in the past, years. “There’s no reason that in Call reach out to secular Israelis. “It’s and much more open to Jewish val- another five or seven years there hard to deny the fact that today ues than it may appear to be,” he shouldn’t be as many visitors in Tel Zionism is mainly in towns like Eli said, adding that he feels that today’s Shilo as there are in the City of 516-984-0079 and Ofra… The secular community political scene may appear discour- David,” he said. has refrained from joining the battle aging, but now is actually a good Dayan added the group’s mission for the land of Israel” he said. The time to improve ties to Judea and would be to “speak the simple truth.”

70 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Myth Of Al-Aqsa drew close to heaven, whereas Jerusalem. It should be noted that Jews are the sons of monkeys and Continued from Page 69 Mohammad went all the way up to Saladin also adopted the myth of al- pigs. The Jews are those who distort- Allah, and from Jerusalem itself. Aqsa and those “traditions” in order ed the holy writings which were Our Signs, He is indeed the All- What are the difficulties with the to recruit and inflame the Muslim revealed to them and denied G-d’s Hearing, the All-Seeing.” belief that the al-Aqsa mosque warriors against the Crusaders in the signs. Since they violated the The meaning ascribed to this verse described in Islamic tradition is locat- 12th century. covenant with their G-d, He cursed is that “the furthest mosque” (al-mas- ed in Jerusalem? For one, the people of Another aim of the Islamization of them and they are forever the inher- gid al-aqsa) is in Jerusalem and that Mecca, who knew Muhammad well, Jerusalem was to undermine the itors of hell. So how could Arafat Mohammad was conveyed there one did not believe this story. Only Abu legitimacy of the older religions, hand over Jerusalem to the Jews? night (although at that time the jour- Bakr (later the first Calif) believed him Judaism and Christianity, which con- The Palestinian media these days ney took three days by camel,) on the and thus was called al-Siddiq (“the sider Jerusalem to be a holy city. are full of messages of Jihad, calling to back of al-Buraq, a magical horse with believer”). Islam is presented as the only legiti- broaden the national-political war the head of a woman, wings of an The second difficulty is that mate religion, destined to replace the between Israel and the Palestinians eagle, the tail of a peacock, and hoofs Islamic tradition tells us that al-Aqsa other two, because they had changed into a religious-Islamic war between reaching to the horizon. He tethered mosque is near Mecca on the and distorted the Word of G-d, each Jews and Muslims. For them, the horse to the Western Wall of the Arabian Peninsula. This was in its turn. Christianity is no better than Judaism, Temple Mount and from there ascend- unequivocally stated in Kitab al- Though Judaism and Christianity since both “forfeited” their right to ed to the seventh heaven together with Maghazi, a book by the Muslim his- can exist side by side in Jerusalem, rule over Jerusalem. Only Islam—Din the angel Gabriel. On his way he met torian and geographer al-Waqidi. Islam regards both of them as betray- al-Haqq (“the Religion of Truth”)—has the prophets of other religions who are According to al-Waqidi, there were als of Allah and his teachings, and this right, and forever. the guardians of heaven. two masjeds (places of prayer) in al- has always done, and will continue to Since the holiness of Jerusalem to Thus Islam tries to gain legitimacy Gi’irranah, a village between Mecca do, all in its power to expel both of Islam has always been, and still is, no over other, older religions, by creating and Ta’if—one was “the closer them from this city. It is interesting more than a politically motivated a scene in which the former prophets mosque” (al-masjid al-adna) and the to note that this expulsion is retroac- holiness, any Muslim leader or ruler agree to Mohammad’s mastery, thus other was “the further mosque” (al- tive: The Islamic broadcasters of the would be putting his political head on making him Khatam al-Anbiya (“the masjid al-aqsa) and Muhammad Palestinian radio stations consistent- the block should he give it up. Must Seal of the Prophets.”) would pray there when he went out ly make it a point to claim that the Judaism and Christianity defer to Not surprisingly, this miraculous of town. Jews never had a temple on the myths related in Islamic texts or envi- account contradicts a number of the This description by al-Waqidi Temple Mount and certainly not two sioned in Mohammad’s dreams, long tenets of Islam: How can a living which is supported by a chain of temples. (Where, then, according to after Jerusalem was established as man of flesh and blood ascend to authorities (isnad) was not “conven- them, did Jesus preach?) the ancient, true center of these two heaven? How can a mythical creature ient” for the Islamic propaganda of Yasser Arafat, himself a secular religions, which preceded Islam? carry a mortal to a real destination? the 7th century. In order to establish person (ask Hamas!), did exactly Should Israel give up on its capital Questions such as these have caused a basis for the awareness of the “holi- what the Califs of the Umayyad just because some Muslims decided orthodox Muslim thinkers to con- ness” of Jerusalem in Islam, the dynasty did 1,300 years ago: He mar- to recycle the political problems of clude that the nocturnal journey was Califs of the Ummayad dynasty shaled the holiness of Jerusalem to the Umayyads 1,250 years after the a dream of Mohammad’s. The jour- invented many “traditions” uphold- serve his political ends. He must not curtain came down on their role in ney and the ascent serves Islam to ing the value of Jerusalem, which have given control of Jerusalem over history? (YNetNews.com) O “go one better” than the Bible: would justify pilgrimage to Jerusalem to the Jews since according to Islam Moses “only” went up to Mount for the faithful Muslims. Thus was they are impure and the wrath of Dr. Mordechai Kedar is a lecturer at Bar-Ilan Sinai, in the middle of nowhere, and al-Masjid al-Aqsa “transported” to Allah is upon them. Moreover, the University’s department of Arabic studies.

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Jerusalem- BAKA— Historic Arab Law: Hi Ranch. Must see, 4br, 2.5bth, Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place House! Huge Domed Ceilings- 4+ fam rm, CAC, 2 car garage, large prop Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning Bedrooms- Garden ...... $800sK cul-de-sac, best location ...... $850K Call 516-902-0936 Penthouse— 150 meters to be cus- Ced: Nu2Mkt, 2Fam, 3br/3br, 2fpl, deck, tomized! Private elevator! all new, grt loc, full bsmt...... $795K Talbieh— 3 bedroom suites- Views- Cedarhurst: CH col., new quality con- Looking for a Beautiful Home in a Parking struction. 7 bedroom, 4.5 bths, den, LR, GREAT Community? Look no fur- Rechavia— 230 meters ground floor DR, oversized gourmet, granite EIK, ther than Oceanside, NY. Call about w/yard! huge FDR, 9' ceiling, finished basement the next exciting "Come Home to Distinctive Properties +972-544-553-649 prime location. Asking ...... $1.25M Oceanside" Shabbaton. Find out why [email protected] 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 so many young frum families are moving to this warm and friendly Woodmere— Brand new construction on community. Spacious and Extremely Clubhouse Road in the heart of N. Wdmr:732 University St. . . . $739K Affordable Homes. Call Robert Woodmere Park. Contemporary style Nu 2 Mkt, MIC, Deco Dream, Nu Manel at 516-458-4847 Hal Knopf home. 6 BR, 4 Bths, custom granite Granite EIK, Nu Bths, Wtrvu, 4 BR, 2.5 Realty [email protected] Bth, spa in yd. kosher kitchen, Radiant Heat, Alarms, Want to know how you can save 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Camera equipped, hardwood floors, plus $25K - $55K on the purchase of much, much more. POR your new home? Call David C. Woodmere Park— Brand new Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth Welner at 718-928-4775 Valley Stream: Nu 2 Mkt. Brick ranch, Mediterranean style construction. 6 BR, Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K [email protected]. great condition, quiet street. Nu EIK, 3.5 Bths, kosher granit kitchen, Radiant Call 516-322-3555 LR, Den, Lg Prop ...... $439K For Rent ...... $2,500 heat, Alarms, Camera equipped. POR 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Hewlett— Brand new construction, 5 BR, 2.5 baths, office, wood flrs, CAC, Laundry room on 2nd flr. $649K reduced Far Rockaway/Lawrence: 2 BR/ 2 BA, Newly Renovated, Dead-end street, Weissman Realty Group, LLC Price...... $539K 516-791-6100 Call Owner: 516-750-9257

Kings Point Delray Beach condo for Far Rockaway: 2 Family. All NU, sale 1,100 sq. feet. 2 BR, 2 bths, new 3 over 1 Bdrm, 3 full baths. Great European kitchen and appliances, Location ...... $599K updated bath, new carpets, 24-hour guarded community. Golf, theater, Call 516-322-3555 library ...... $199,999 Call 631-664-0075 Attention: Large property, corner Cedarhurst and Woodmere 150x100 apx. North Woodmere (Sale-Rent) 13 large rooms, 3 baths. Good for (Extended Woodmere 400). Price drasti- kindergarten, elementary school, yeshi- cally reduced! 7BR, 3FBA, Finished va, synagogue, or other institution. Basement, Lg property 84x100, Walking Parking garage for 4 cars and 2 buses. to 4 shuls...... $639K Immediate. Reasonable. Call 917-238-0098 Owner 347-439-8234

West Lawrence-.-Open Houses Sunday Your Real Estate, by appt. Condos- New Construction 1117 B. 12th St. Far Rockaway Service, or Gardens 1st show hi end construction granite eik luxurious bths $299K and up Help Wanted Ad 156 Beach 9th St. 2/3 bedrooms, luxurious designer kitchen and bths,. Steps from beach Here 1247 Beach 9 ,for Rent Beautiful 2/3 bdrms designer kit and bths 1019 Neilson St. Sale or Rent. kosher Every Thursday eik, hardwood floors, succah balcony cac, laundry parking 100,000 readers Milky Forst Properties Inc look forward to 516-239-0306 what’s happening in the Woodmere Park Open House by appt. 5 Towns by reading 533 Woodmere Blvd. Brand new C/H Col, 6 BR, 4 bath, custom kosher The Five Towns kitchen, built in throughout. Must see! Jewish Times. **Reduced Price $1.749m** 516-668-7786 Lawrence: OURS ONLY!! BRICK, C/H COL, Stately BRICK, w/old world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 Deadline is Monday BTHS, KOSHER Eik, LG. Lr W/FPL, Lg. FDR, Library, Fin. Bsmt., Lg at 5:00 p.m. Prop., WALK ALL. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 1 Week ...... $35 2 Weeks ...... $60 FOR RENT 4 Weeks ...... $100

Cedarhurst: Nu House CH Col. LR, Weekly Ads of up to 25 words FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 4BR, 3BTHS. Bsmt. For Rent $2500. 5Town Homes 516-569-5710 Call: 516-569-0502 Far Rockaway — Apartment available. Fax: 516-977-0608 Brand new construction. Furnished or unfurnished. 3 BR, 2bths. Cleaning and Or E-mail ads to: laundry services available. Perfect for the elderly. Call Sherri 516-569-5450 [email protected] Classified Ads are Include payment info. Continued on the Next Page. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 75 CLASSIFIED ADS Continued from Page 75 FOR RENT FOR RENT MISCELLANEOUS

Flatbush Apartment - East 10th Lawrence— Newly Renov. C/H Col. w/ Free DIRECTV 4 Room System! All Between J & K. 3 bedroom, hardwood old world charm, 4 BR, 2.5 bath, Lg, 265+ Channels Free 4 Months! 130 HD FOR RENT floor, huge living room dining room, eat Sunny LR, FPL- 6 rms, Hi ceiling, Channels! Ends Soon, Ask How! Free in kitchen, two bathroom, Jacuzzi/ wood study, den, Brand New Kosher DVR/HD! Packages Start $29.99/Month! sauna, driveway, washer/dryer, $2300. granite EIK w/New Appl, Alarm, wd No Start Costs! Were Local Installers! 718-951-1230 floors, Ctrl Locatn. Owner: 516-316-3176 1-800-306-1953 Cedarhurst: NU House, CH Ced. — 3+ br apt, 1.5 bth, lg FDR, new DIRECTV Free 4 Room System! All Col.LR,FDR, Kosher Eik, EIK, on quiet street, walk to all . . $2,200 Cedarhurst: Office rental: Executive 2 265+ Channels Free 4 Months! 130 HD Den,4BR.3BTHS. Bsmt...... …$3,200 N Wdm. — house rental. Hi-ranch in Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., Channels! Ends Soon, Ask How! Free 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 MIC. 4 br, CAC, den, on quiet street. CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 DVR/HD! Packages Start $29.99/Month! No Start Costs! Were Local Installers! Hewlett — Col. MIC, 4br, 2bth, 2fpl, full Miami Alexander Hotel — Short or long 1-800-973-9027 deck, wood flr, Lg. den. Walk to all. term rental. 2 BR, 2 bths, luxury, ISRAELI REAL ...... $729K Shabbos elevator, swimming pool, bal- ESTATE FOR SALE Ocean Corp. Houston, Texas. Train for 5 TOWN HOMES 516-322-3555 cony, parking, beachfront. New Career. Underwater Welder, Call Zeev Kolman 212-245-1715 Commercial Diver, NDT/Weld or 917-287-5858 Cedarhurst — House Rental LR/FDR, Inspector. Job placement and financial Own slice of paradise 1/2 acre private aid for those who qualify, 1-800-321-0298 den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt . . . . . $2,300 Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place land, North Israel. $52,000 Call 516-322-3555 Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning Get A New Computer! Brand name, cul-de-sac, best location. $4K monthly www.israelandgroup.com Laptops & Desktops Bad or No Credit Rockville Center — 3,500 sq ft, fully Call Irene 516-652-7099 972-52-7078845, No Problem Smallest weekly payments wired for WEB, partitioned, will divide. Woodmere/Cedarhurst— 2 BR avail- US:213-500-9928 avail. Call NOW 1-800-840-5439 Call 516-322-3555 able. Secure buildings, updated EIK, close to all and train station. Cedarhurst — House Rental; kit, den, Call Sherri 516-297-7995 BUSINESS 3br., 2.5 bth. bsmt ...... $2,400 Far Rockaway— 1 BR, 2 BR, and 3 BR OPPORTUNITY For the next issue, 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 apartments. some balconies. New kitchens, lots of closets, 24 hr doorman, security cameras. Close to White Shul, the deadline for Far Rockaway — 2 Huge Office Spaces. Shor Yoshuv and train. A very unique opportunity. Seeking a 6,000 and 2,500 Sq Ft. 2nd Floor. Near Call Sherri 516-297-7995 partner without any investment. If placing a Subway & LIRR. Build to Suit. Can be Heart of Far Rockaway, Brand new construction. 3/ 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths you're motivated in sales and PR, call divided. Owner 917-359-9776 classified ad is central air, laundry hook up, parking. 718-437-4686 ext. 3 or e-mail fried- No Rental Fee. Cedarhurst: Garden apt. Nu 2 Mkt. [email protected] Call Avromy, 347-752-0948 Monday, 2BR. 2Bth, Mint, 1st Flr, heat & prk Weissman Realty Group, LLC Cedarhurst— Turn Key Business. incld. $2500. 516-791-6100 October 20 Renov Hair Salon/Spa.Hi vis/traffic 5Town Homes 516-569-5710 Sunny Isles Beach, Winston Towers 100 ...... $49,999 at 5:00 P.M. Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, 2 br/ 2 bth, Ocean & Bay Views, Health Call Rick 516-319-2506 Club Magnif Pool & Deck, Y.I., excel- 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. Jan Kalman Rlty lent condition...... $2500 mo Call 516-569-0502 Call 516-322-3555 Call 347-776-1918

76 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Bahrain Proposes Middle East Organization To Include Israel B Y HANA LEVI JULIAN States of the Gulf, is ruled by Sunni Muslims, although populated by a The foreign minister of Bahrain Shi’ite majority. has suggested forming a Middle The Bahraini foreign minister was Eastern regional organization that quoted as suggesting, “Why don’t we would include both Israel and Iran all sit together even if we have dif- in addition to all the Arab nations. ferences and even if we don’t recog- Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh nize each other? Why not become Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said in one organization to overcome this an interview in the Arabic daily difficult phase?” Al-Khalifa recom- newspaper al-Hayat that such an mended the group should include organization would be a good way to Turkey, which has been brokering resolve the dispute between them. indirect talks throughout the sum- One day earlier, al-Khalifa also mer between Israel and Syria, as made the recommendation in his well as the rest of the nations in the speech to the United Nations’ region. “Let them all sit together in General Assembly, where he called one group,” he said. “This is the for a Middle East organization that only path to solve our problems.” would include all the nations in the (Arutz Sheva) O region “without exception.” Only Egypt and Jordan currently have peace treaties with the Jewish State, although Bahrain became the first Arab nation in the world to appoint a Jewish woman as its ambassador to Washington D.C. ear- WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? lier this year. The U.S. Naval Forces Central WE WANT TO KNOW! Command and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet is stationed in Bahrain, a small E-MAIL US AT island kingdom in the Persian Gulf strategically located east of Saudi [email protected] Arabia and north of Qatar. The small American ally, which is also a member of the Arab League and the Cooperation Council for the Arab

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 77 /h,rpf vz /h,run, vz /h,phkj vz HAFTR Decorates Houston Photos By Meir Dahan

Above, residents of Crown Heights in Brooklyn taking part in the annual To help boost morale in the Houston Jewish community that was adversely pre-Yom Kippur ceremony of "shlugging kapparos," where one symboli- affected by Hurricane Ike, HAFTR Middle School students participated in a cally transfers infractions committed in the course of the year to a chesed project. They created hand-made original sukkah decorations to send chicken which is then ritually slaughtered and distributed as food for the to the Texas city to enhance their sukkos and to let children there know that poor. The scenes pictured here took place this week on Eastern Parkway. the students at HAFTR are thinking of them.

78 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 79 NY Court Denies PA Claim That Terror Is ‘Act of War’

BY HANA LEVI JULIAN the terrorist attacks targeted public argument that the suits cannot be filed Earlier this year, another federal dis- A U.S. judge in the Southern places and not government or military outside of Israel, citing the 1991 trict judge in New York required the PA District of New York has dismissed a installations. He ruled that the intent American Anti-Terrorism Act, which to post a bond of more than $190 mil- claim by the Palestine Liberation of the PA and PLO terrorists was “to allows American citizens and their sur- lion while it appealed a 2006 default Organization (PLO) and the judgment that awarded $192.7 million Palestinian Authority (PA) against the in damages resulting from a 2002 ter- legality of a $3 billion lawsuit by terror ror attack on a bat mitzvah held in victims and their families. District Hadera, in northern Israel. A 31-year- Judge George Daniels ruled that the The secretary of state wrote back old American citizen, performer shootings and bombings of American Aharon Ellis, sang for the crowd that citizens in Jerusalem between 2001 night; his last act on earth was to pro- and 2004 were acts of terrorism and saying, “The judgment is final and tect the life of the young bat mitzvah not acts of war, as the PA and PLO girl by shielding her from the terrorist’s claimed. bullets with his own body. The PA and PLO also tried to argue enforceable in United States courts.” For the past several years, PA offi- that the court lacked jurisdiction in cials have appealed to U.S. Secretary the case by attempting to claim immu- of State Condoleezza Rice, asking her nity under the Foreign Sovereign to intervene in cases where American Immunities Act of 1976, but failed in cause far-reaching devastation upon vivors to use federal courts for claims judges have awarded damages to fami- their claim that an Israeli court would the masses [with a] merciless capabili- resulting from international terrorism. lies of American victims of PA and be the more appropriate venue for the ty of indiscriminately killing and The case is not the first in which the PLO terrorist attacks. In one such plaintiffs, victims of seven attacks that maiming untold numbers in heavily Palestinian Authority has been held case, funds in two PLO bank accounts occurred from 2001 to 2004, to pur- populated civilian areas.” responsible by American courts for the were frozen when the defendants did sue their lawsuit. The judge noted that Justice Daniels also rejected the murderous behavior of its terrorists. not meet their obligations to the victims’ families. In another, retirement funds for PA workers that were being managed in the U.S. were frozen by the courts when the PA government refused to comply with a judgment in a U.S. ruling. PA Prime Minister Salam Fayaad, then-PA Finance Minister, wrote to Rice in June 2005 with one request for intervention, calling one lawsuit a “serious obstacle” to negotiations with Israel. PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas appealed to Rice in November 2006 to dismiss a separate but similar ruling. That time, the secretary of state wrote back, saying, “The judgment is final and enforceable in United States courts,” and suggested that the PA look into “out of court solutions so as to avoid enforcement actions.” Rice told Abbas in a letter written in 2007 to “respond to U.S. legal proceedings in a good faith and a timely manner.” In 2008, The U.S. State Department again declined to dismiss any of the lawsuits by families of victims of PA and PLO terror. (Arutz Sheva) O Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, October 20 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079 80 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the days of the Second World War was that people didn’t believe that what Haifa Chief Rabbi At Vatican: Adolf Hitler was saying, he really meant to fulfill.” ”Unfortunately we had the Wartime Pope Let Jews Down Holocaust and I am sure that if we have a painful memory it is because we don’t feel that enough was done by the The first Jew to address a Vatican should freeze the process of beatifica- lent anti-Israel speech last month at leadership of the religions in the world synod told the gathering on Monday tion but others say it is an internal the United Nations. He said he would and other powerful leaders to stop it at that Jews “cannot forgive and forget” Church matter. “appeal to the leaders of religion not to that time. We expect them to do it that some major religious leaders dur- today,” he said. (Reuters via Haaretz) O ing World War II did not speak out against the Holocaust. Rabbi Shear-Yashuv Cohen’s words, spoken in the presence of Pope “I am not empowered by the Deadline for Advertising Benedict, were a clear reference to wartime Pope Pius XII, who many Jews in the Next Issue is say did not do enough to help them. families of the millions of deceased to Rabbi Cohen, the chief rabbi of Monday, October 20 Haifa, said in an interview before he addressed the gathering of Catholic say ‘we forget, we forgive.’” at 5:00 P.M. bishops, “We feel that the late pope [Pius] should have spoken up much Call more strongly than he did.” He said that in his speech he planned to make Rabbi Cohen said he would also keep quiet, not to stand aside.” 516-984-0079 an indirect reference to Jewish disap- appeal to the synod to denounce “He says that he wants to annihilate pointment about Pius as well as an Ahmadinejad, who made another viru- Israel and destroy it. The problem in appeal to all religious leaders to denounce Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. While Jews maintain Pius did not do enough to save Jews, the Vatican says he worked behind the scenes to help because more direct intervention would have worsened the situation. Last month Pope Benedict forcefully defended Pius, saying he “spared no effort” on behalf of Jews during World War II. “He may have helped in secrecy many of the victims and many of the refugees but the question is could he have raised his voice and would it have helped or not?” Rabbi Cohen said. “We, as the victims, feel yes. I am not empowered by the families of the millions of deceased to say ‘we forget, we forgive.’” Pius is one of the most difficult issues in Catholic-Jewish relations. On Thursday the Vatican marks the 50th anniversary of his death, Benedict cel- ebrates a Mass in his memory and there will be a conference and photo show on his papacy next month. “I did not know [the anniversary commemorations] happened during the same meeting. If I had known … I might have refrained from coming because we feel that the pain is still here,” Rabbi Cohen said. “I have to make it very clear that we, the rabbis, the leadership of the Jewish people, cannot, as long as the survivors still feel painful, agree that this leader of the Church in a time of crisis should be honored now. It is not our decision. It pains us. We are sorry it is being done,” he said. Urged by historians to open up all its archives from World War II, the Vatican says some are closed for organizational reasons but that most of the significant documentation regarding Pius is already open to scholars. Last year, the Vatican’s saint-making department voted in favor of a decree recognizing Pius’ “heroic virtues,” a major hurdle in a long process toward possible sainthood that began in 1967. But Pope Benedict has so far not approved the decree. Some Jewish groups say the Vatican 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 81 82 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES October 10, 2008 83 84 October 10, 2008 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES