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$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 9 NO. 25 2 NISAN 5769 trehu ,arp MARCH 27, 2009

INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK CELEBRATING 14 YEARS OF BBY

We Have Our Own BY LARRY GORDON Hannah Reich Berman 32 MindBiz Sheloshim For Levi Esther Mann, LMSW 39 They are unusually inspiring Daf Yomi Insights people. I’m sitting with Rabbi Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 75 Zalman and Mrs. Chanie Wolowik just 22 days after

R’ Yehudah’s Simanim their nine-year-old son, Levi PhotoByIvanH.Norman Rabbi Chaim Cohen 76 Yitzchok, a’h, suddenly and inexplicably passed away. This The ‘New Kashrus’ coming Monday night, the Rabbi Avi Shafran 80 Five Towns and Far Rockaway communities, and indeed Bnos Bais Yaakov School for Girls in Far Rockaway marked its 14th Jewish communities far and anniversary with a tribute dinner held last Sunday night at Ateres Nechama Liba Simcha Hall. Parents, supporters of the yeshiva, and families of the wide around the world, will be guests of honor were amongst the many hundreds in attendence. Above (L–R): Rabbi Shmuel Hiller, dean; NYC Councilman James Sanders; Continued on Page 10 and Mr. Laurence Garber, dinner coordinator. See Story, Page 66 THANK YOU, MK ROTEM HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE

Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 111 gain some insight into their A Beacon Of Torah B Y SHMUEL KA TZ perception of Israeli life. Horowitz-Gruenstein Each year, we try to sched- BY LARRY GORDON Wedding. I had a unique experience ule a meeting with members See Page 89 last week. As part of our cur- of the Knesset, but for vari- The bright light of Torah riculum, the yeshiva normally ous reasons we had been scholarship emanates from spends a day touring both the unable to coordinate a per- Rabbi Tzvi Flaum in a multi- Knesset and the Supreme sonal visit in prior years. This plicity of directions. Since Court buildings, learning year, Rav Yehuda Susman, retiring from his position as about Israel’s governmental our rosh yeshiva, spoke to the rabbi of Congregation Kneseth process and legal system. “candyman” in his shul in Israel—the White Shul—in After the first couple of Efrat, who is also known as Far Rockaway last year, he has times, the novelty of the tour MK David Rotem of the redoubled the number of shi- has run out—but it is inter- Yisrael Beteinu party and is a urim and scholarly lectures he esting to hear the questions posed by our students and Continued on Page 20 Continued on Page 26 Rabbi Tzvi Flaum

Madraigos breakfast this Sunday. The Mitzvah Of Matzah PLEASE See Page 66 How Much Wine And REMIND ME Matzah? Another Mother’s Musings BY PHYLLIS J. B Y RABBI YAIR LUBIN HOFFMAN Organization has never It was a scientific experi- been my forte. Planning ment conducted in the 1700s ahead certainly never works that would shake the world. It for me. I have always been a had to do with eggs. It had to person who “lives on the Purim with the do with average thumb edge.” I’m always in a Nikolsburger Rebbe. widths. And its ramifications quandary, thinking perhaps I See Page 94 reverberated at Passover have forgotten something. Seders across the world. I try to compensate. Every CANDLE LIGHTING Thumb sizes are significant now and then I try to reinvent Rabbi Naftali Jaeger, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv, baking matzahs March 27 – 6:56 PM with the staff of Tiferes Matzah in Lawrence. Bakeries have been packaging in numerous ways. A recent myself: I make lists of things I April 3 – 7:03 PM matzahs since Chanukah, but many customers seek to enhance the mitzvah by baking their own Passover matzahs as the holiday approaches. Continued on Page 17 Continued on Page 12 2 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 3 4 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 5 6 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 7 8 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 9 FROM THE EDITOR mission of what to do next and to make FEATURES Continued from Front Cover sure their son’s life will be a catalyst for good in this and other communities marking the sheloshim, the end of the around the globe. Around The Five Towns 52 P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 30-day period since Levi’s passing. Chanie brings books of letters to 516-984-0079 “The house feels empty without the table. The thick, plastic-covered [email protected] Ask The Sensei [email protected] Levi,” says Chanie. “He was my side- pages chronicle fresh memories of kick and went almost everywhere and Levi and the kind of young man he Warren Levi 55 LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON did everything with Zalman,” she said. was—his extraordinary, sensitive Publisher/Editor Managing Editor Book Review YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON Their older son, Mendel, is away Sales Managers attending Yeshiva in Detroit and the Fern Sidman 88 CHANA ROCHEL ROSS next boy is seven years old, she Editorial Assistant explains, so just when they had started They seem to boldly Classified Ads 90 SIDI BARON to have another big boy around the YAKOV SERLE house they are now once again, she Daf Yomi Insights JERRY MARKOVITZ feels, dealing almost exclusively with resist the natural Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow 75 Sales Representatives little kids. SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC As Chabad sh’lichim in the Five desire to ask why or Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Towns, the Wolowiks are natural Five Towns Simcha CONTRIBUTING EDITORS born leaders. Still, however, they are Ivan H Norman 89 Irwin H. Benjamin, Hannah Reich Berman probe where there Anessa V. Cohen, Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg first and foremost parents, who are Toby Klein Greenwald, Michele Herenstein raising a beautiful family and who Insights On The Torah Rabbi Yair Hoffman, Miriam Horowitz raised a remarkable young man who are no answers. Rabbi Yanki Tauber 60 Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky left us for reasons that are far beyond Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah 46 Rochelle Miller, Martin Mushell, Naomi Ross our comprehension but certainly way too soon. Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher Letters To The Editor 50 MICHAL WEINSTEIN, BINYAMIN RHODES “I don’t know how I am function- nature as well as the deep and abiding DOV GORDON ing,” says Reb Zalman. “I feel like my kindness he displayed to classmates Staff Graphic Artists physical strength is gone, but at the and others, either in yeshiva or in his Luach 26 IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS same time I’m working longer hours parents’ shul at Chabad of the Five Staff Photographers each day and doing more than I did Towns. The books also feature e-mails MindBiz FRANKEL & CO. before.” The passing of young Levi from friends and family stationed Esther Mann, LMSW 39 Design & Production Wolowik almost a month ago left a around the world as emissaries of the TALIYE CORLEY community stunned and gasping for its Lubavitcher Rebbe. They are out Real Estate Art Director breath. No one understands why there living in the larger metropolises SARAH GREENBAUM Zalman and Chanie were selected for as well as the hinterlands because the Anessa V. Cohen 38 Assistant Art Director this most trying Divine test, but they Rebbe adopted as his mission to be The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- seem to boldly resist the natural desire there for other Jews, who are often That’s The Way It Is! paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not to ask why or probe where there are no disconnected from Judaism. Who was Hannah Reich Berman 32 responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or answers or any level of understanding. establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. Instead they are occupied with the Continued on Page 22

10 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 11 Mother’s Musings keep a handle on the dif- little dazed. brother. 8:15. Continued from Front Cover ferent schedules of every “I think it’s almost 8.” I “Well in that case, put him “H e l l o … I’m sooo person in my family— tend to exaggerate time. on!” To talk to Yussie she tired…” She still sounds have to do; I e-mail myself except, of course, Yussie’s “What? I’m sooo tired.” perks up. I put the phone on sleepy. reminders; I leave phone mes- since he reminds me of his “But don’t you have an 8:30 speaker so we can all con- “But you were already up, sages on my voice mail at schedule constantly. So you class today?” verse. so I figured I could call you work. And despite all my self- really can’t blame me when I “No…it’s Tuesday…Mon- “‘ello, what ya doing?” back.” I thought that was log- reminders, my usual daily give my Binghamton Uni- days and Wednesdays I have Yussie’s favorite opening line. ical. morning e-mail to my hus- versity daughter a buzz at 8:30 classes. I’ve told you “I’m talking to you, buddy!” “Was there anything you band is, “Was there something needed to tell me right now?” important I was supposed to I note a tad of disdain in her do today?” (This way I can try voice. to blame him if I indeed forget “Mom, come pick us up! We don’t have an appointment for “I guess not.” something.) “Then I think I’ll go back to Obviously I am not the one tonight. The doctor and her staff are putting on their coats.” sleep.” to count on to pay the bills on That’s something I certain- time (that job is for my hus- ly can’t do—go back to sleep band, the CPA), nor am I once I am up. And I can’t even the one to turn to when 7:30 in the morning on a about a million times already. “OK, bye!” with that Yussie physically sleep late! There is you want to know today’s Tuesday. If I’m up, she must I’m sooo tired.” shuts the phone. After giving something within me that date! Days of the week I seem be up too, right? “Oh, sorry—Yussie wanted him his breakfast, and getting doesn’t allow me to sleep past to have down pat (most of the “H e l l o … what time is to call you.” If all else fails, the others up and out of the daybreak. For a disorganized time), but I can’t seem to it?” I must admit she sounds a blame it on her innocent little house, I call her back at about person this certainly comes in handy, since I am able to make my lists early in the morning without interrup- tions, and I am able to actually finish some of the items on my list before the first child awakens. Somehow everything works out in the end—usually. I make sure to write down appointments on my calendar at work and on my little calendar at home. Of course I don’t always write down what the appointment is for, but seeing the time and date usually refreshes my memory. And so last week when I noticed “Rivka and Rochel” written down for 8:00 last Monday, I made a mental note that I needed to take the girls to the orthodontist. When they arrived home I somehow forgot to mention the appointment to them, but it was on my mind nonetheless. I had planned out my evening accordingly: supper at Shula’s Pizza, then at 6 p.m. off to “sports night” at Brandeis with the great crew from the Friendship Circle for Yussie and Lea, and while they were being entertained I planned to take Rivka and Rochel to a clothing sale at the Young Israel of Far Rockaway.For a disorganized person, I was pretty proud of my advance planning. I allot- ted an hour for the sale so that we could be back in time to pick up Yussie and Lea from Sports Night. While at the sale I broke the news to the girls that they had an orthodontist’s appointment. “Are you sure? Why would you make such a late appointment?” Rivka asked logically. “I guess I wanted to give enough time to settle the younger ones in before leav- ing.” “But I haven’t brushed my teeth yet!” Rochel complained. “Don’t worry. While I get Yussie and Lea ready for bed you can both get ready.” 12 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES “Wasn’t I just at the orthodontist And so they got out of the car, and two weeks ago?” Rochel questioned. after they entered the building I “But Rivka wasn’t. I must have made began my trek to the cheapest self- this appointment to catch her up.” serve gas station on the corner of Mill Rivka couldn’t make the last appoint- Road and Peninsula Boulevard, ment since she was preparing for her which is conveniently not too far friend Shani’s surprise party. from the orthodontist’s office. I am “But that just doesn’t make an old hand at the self-serve gas sense…so soon?” pump by now, and I was looking for- “Let’s not argue the point, and just ward to this exciting night activity. As deal with it.” I sat at the red light my cell phone And so we finished making our pur- rang—Rivka was calling. What could chases at the clothing sale, picked up she want so soon? Yussie and Lea from Sports Night “Mom, come pick us up! We don’t (incidentally, they had a terrific time as have an appointment for tonight. Our usual), prepared them for bed, and appointment is for March 29th at 9:15 informed Naftali that I had to take in the morning! The doctor and her Rivka and Rochel to the orthodontist. staff are putting on their coats.” “So late?” Naftali innocently asked. How could this have happened? It “Let’s not start this again,” I warned. was on the calendar in black and “Start what?” Poor Naftali was white! As I drove around the block on unaware of my prior discussion on this even less gas, I pondered where I same issue. could have gone wrong. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll be back “That was so embarrassing. The soon.” doctor was finishing a yogurt and the And so we set out for the “appoint- receptionist had her coat on, and they ment.” Due to my efficient bedtime were just staring at us,” Rivka preparation skills, we were out of the explained. house and in front of the doctor’s “But the appointment was in my cal- office by 7:45 p.m. endar,” I replied sheepishly. “Girls, I am going to let you off on “And I brushed my teeth and every- your own tonight because I have about thing!” Rochel exclaimed. a teaspoon of gas in the car. I’ll fill up “Well, clean teeth is not a bad and meet you in the office.” thing,” I pointed out. “I don’t like going into a doctor’s As I was putting the gas in the car it office by myself,” Rivka complained. came to me. Of course. What a silly “Don’t worry—Rochel will be with mistake… Fortunately it was still early. you. I’ll be there shortly. I have seen I got into the car (which now had a full many kids coming into the office by tank of gas) and made a phone call. themselves. Especially high-school students!” Continued on Page 16

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 13 14 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 15 Mother’s Musings Continued from Page 13

“Who are you calling?” they asked in unison. “You’ll see.” “Jack? It’s Phyllis. Did Rivka have an appointment this evening? Yes, I know…I was just confirming…we’ll be there in a few minutes.” Avnet Country Day School. It was coming back to me. Originally we made an appointment for Rivka and Rochel to have interviews at 8:00 p.m. In between we determined that Rochel didn’t need an interview and changed Rivka to 8:15 to accommodate Jack’s schedule. As I explained the situation to the girls I couldn’t help but laugh. They weren’t as affable as I. “You didn’t have to walk into that office and have those people stare at you,” Rivka pointed out. “Too bad for me,” I blurbed as the tears rolled down my face from too much laughter. The laughter was infectious, and I finally had the girls laughing with me. So maybe I have to work on my system. Maybe I truly do have to get organized. As I stare at my calendar now I notice that Pesach is a little over two weeks away. This is my most organized time of the year. If only this can rub off on me the rest of the year… O

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

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16 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES How Much Wine? In the Yoreh Deah section (324:1), was much easier to estimate egg dis- change the world. He constructed the Continued from Front Cover in the laws of challah, the Shulchan placement than to construct boxes thumb box and he measured the eggs. Aruch rules that either the thumb with thumb measurements. For cen- He discovered a huge discrepancy. study from the University of Malaysia method or the egg method may be turies, Jews followed the measure- The thumb box was no less than states that one of the biggest factors in used to determine sizes, as they are ment of the eggs. twice the volume of the egg. Rabbi phone texting satisfaction is based equivalent. Or perhaps it can better But then, sometime in the mid Landau surmised that there were upon the size of the thumb. But we be said that they were once equiva- 1700s, Rabbi Yechezkel Landau— only two possibilities: either the aver- digress. lent. After the Talmud was closed, known as the N oda BiYehudah and age thumb width had widened in the Let us go back to a previous time, normative halachic practice seemed the chief rabbi of Prague, 1,300 years since the era of the when things were clearer and less con- to revolve around the Gemara in Czechoslovakia—conducted the fused. The Gemara (Eiruvin 83a) tells Eiruvin. The reason was practical—it experiment that would eventually Continued on Page 18 us that the volume of a revi’is is equivalent to that displaced by one and a half eggs. The amount of wine we must drink from the cup at the Passover table is this volume. There is another Gemara, however (Pesachim 109a), that provides us with a different method of measuring a revi’is. There it says that the volume of a revi’is is equivalent to a thumb-box, or rather a cube with the measurements of 2 thumb widths, by 2 thumb widths, by 2.7 thumb widths. A contradiction? No. For both views are presented by the great Amora Rav Chisda. The Shulchan Aruch, in siman 472:9, rules that each of the four cups of wine on Pesach must be at least a revi’is. Three simanim later, in 475:1, we are told that we need a kezayis of matzah to fulfill the mitzvah. How much is a kezayis? Rashi says that it is the volume of half an egg, and that is how the Shulchan Aruch rules in Orech Chaim 486. The Rambam held that a kezayis is a third of an egg, and the Mishnah Berurah there rules that sick people may rely on the Rambam’s opinion.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 17 How Much Wine? Continued from Page 17

Talmud, or the eggs had gotten smaller. (We find Rabbi Landau’s experiment in his writings on the Gemara in Pesachim. His book is called the Tzlach.) Rabbi Landau issued a ruling. He ruled that from that point onward, the sizes used for the revi’is must be doubled. Now a full egg’s worth of matzah must be eaten. Now challah may be taken only for the volume of 86.4 eggs, not 43.2 eggs. Now three eggs’ volume of wine must be drunk on Pesach. Soon the Chasam Sofer issued a similar ruling. For Eastern European Jews, life began to change. Western European Jews, however,

Either the average thumb width had widened in the 1,300 years since the era of the Talmud, or the eggs had gotten smaller.

were unconvinced; how could you say that our parents and grandparents were wrong? A century elapsed with the issue still not resolved. Finally, the Chofetz Chaim, author of the Mishnah Berurah, entered the fray. He ruled that in regard to Biblical matters, the more stringent volume should be used; for rabbinic requirements, the smaller shiur could still be used. Slowly but surely, the p’sharah (compromise) of the Mishnah Berurah entered into common practice. The Aruch HaShulchan (O.C. 168:13, 372:12; Y.D. 324:5–10) was not as quick to accept the new view of Rabbi Landau. He notes that the Gemara in Yuma 80a states that the regular human mouth can hold an amount of food up to an egg. If Rav Landau’s view is correct, the human mouth should be able to hold two eggs’ worth of food comfortably. But what size egg should be used? The Mishnah in Keilim 17:6 states that Chazal are dealing with an average size egg. A group of young men recently volunteered to test the Gemara in Yuma in light of Rabbi Landau’s view. The results indicated that two eggs could not comfortably fit in the average male mouth. There are, however, other ways to resolve the conflict discovered by Rabbi Landau in the 1700s. We must first keep in mind that although the Noda BiYehudah discovered a volume twice that of the egg method, currently, the thumb box method is only some 40 percent more than the egg-and-a- half method. Average thumb widths are about 0.88 inches. Possibility number one is that perhaps the eggs around Prague were smaller than the average size of the egg in Eretz Yisrael and Bavel (and now in 18 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the United States). Possibility number two is that perhaps human beings did grow bigger. And since we are dealing with a three- dimensional object (the thumb box), any increase in volume would be proportion- al to the cube of the increase in thumb width. Thus the growth in thumb width to resolve the current state of the contradiction would only have to be about 10 percent (11.87%) to cause a 40 percent increase in volume. We are certainly 10 percent taller than the people in the time of the Gemara and in fact in the time of the Middle Ages. Our thumb width could certainly be 10 percent greater as well. Finally, a third possibility is one that was advanced by a college professor in Israel. Perhaps the thumb width is measured sideways and not frontally. Using a sideways thumb is certainly a faster way of measuring something, because it takes fewer thumbs to span the object. Maybe this is the true meaning of the thumb width. Nonetheless, the practice of K’lal Yisrael is to be stringent on Biblical requirements. The Piskei HaRosh in Pesachim 10:34 and the Rashbam in Pesachim 119b rule that both the first kezayis of matzah and the afikoman are d’Oraisa. The matzah should be 6.25 inches by 7 inches, according to Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l. Korech is d’Rabbanan, so 4 by 7 inches is enough. The shiur for wine, according to Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l, is 3.3 ounces. However, when the Pesach Seder falls out on Shabbos, the Kiddush is d’Oraisa, so the shiur would be 4.4 ounces. Have a chag kasher vesameach! O The author can be reached at [email protected].

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 19 Our Aliyah Chronicle Continued from Front Cover current member of Knesset, and Rav Susman arranged for us to have a meeting with him. I have to admit that I was fascinat- ed. Although I did not vote for them, the enthusiasm and momentum that Yisrael Beteinu built through the elec- tions was palpable, and I was incredi- bly curious to meet a religious MK from that faction. After all, a major Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi students with MK David Rotem of Yisrael Beiteinu. spin of the party is that it represents the non-religious, specifically Russian immigrants (many of whom may not sat around the table and in folding advance for any such errors. he has to; he lives in Efrat). even be Jewish). chairs set up for the overflow. I also must admit that I found MK I would also add that while I defi- Because of time considerations, we Mr. Rotem opened the meeting by Rotem to be very engaging and per- nitely disagree with some of their did not get the chance to tour the offering us a choice: we could hear suasive. At least in my eyes, there is platform, a lot of what he said made Knesset as we normally do. Instead, him lecture about his party, his opin- no question that he is an Israeli patri- sense to me and should not be dis- we went to the Knesset’s Jerusalem ions, and the running of the Knesset ot and believes (passionately) in his carded as radical lunacy. Take the Conference Room (I hope I remem- (of which he has been a member for a party and its platform, and that their “oath of loyalty” that Yisrael Beteinu ber the name correctly) where MK bit over two years) or he would open platform truly is the best long-term wants to require of all Israeli citizens Rotem was waiting for us. The the floor to questions. We chose the Q- solution for Israel. He was thoughtful (it was the first question asked of Jerusalem Room is a very large room, and-A session. and took great care in formulating his with a circular set of tables. Mr. First, I must state that I may err in responses to make sure that he wasn’t Rotem sat at the head of the table my recollection of his answers, and I misunderstood (although he is Israeli with a microphone, and our students apologize to him (and his party) in born, he speaks excellent English— According to MK Rotem, an Arab MK used his cell phone to call targeting information to Hezbollah terrorist rocket launching squads.

him). Although it is portrayed as an anti-Arab measure, he was adamant that it was an extension of a principal that is applied even in the USA. After all, the final step of the naturaliza- tion of a new U.S. citizen is the administration of an oath of loyalty to the United States. If the USA can require such an oath, why shouldn’t Israel be able to? Yes, this is an oversimplification and an extension of the principal beyond what is required by the USA, (after all, none of us had to swear such an oath, and we are still American citizens) but the basic idea exists. Furthermore, Israel is a country that is in a state of war with several neighbors (even if there is no active fighting at the current time) and has been in direct conflict twice with Arab militant groups in the last two and a half years. During one of those conflicts, Israeli Arab citizens actively aided the enemy. (According to MK Rotem, an Arab MK used his cellphone to call targeting information to Hezbollah terrorist rocket launching squads.) American citizens doing such acts would be jailed. Could you imagine the outcry if it was discovered that a U.S. Senator or Congressman had aided Al- Qaeda in the 9/11 attacks? He/she would be tried for treason! What Yisrael Beteinu is advocating is that such people be denied the benefits of Israeli citizenship and that the oath of loyalty is the litmus test. And they do not stop with requiring it of the Arabs. Any person wanting to benefit from the Jewish State would be required to take the oath, including all the Jews. 20 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES While this would be fine with me (I’d probably do it twice just to enjoy the experience a second time), many of my neighbors (ie: chareidim) would be less than thrilled. Swear loyalty to the Zionist State? Ha! But they would have to, in order to continue to benefit from the vast social services network which certainly pays them out much more than they (as a single group) pay in. And that is something that I definitely agree with. Along with this oath is a requirement for National Service. Also a good idea. Chareidim are so active in chesed that they could easily satisfy this obligation with existing projects (although they would definitely be expanded) and the Arabs would have thousands of their youth putting active effort into building up their communities and benefitting the social welfare of their communities. Who wouldn’t be in favor of that? He answered questions about the two-state solution, of which he is definitely not in favor, but understands that it is the most likely outcome and therefore wants to work to structure it to be something that can be successful for Israel’s safety and security. Other questions covered many topics, such as his feelings as an Orthodox Jew in a party advocating civil mar- riages and the opening of our markets to non-kosher foods; he patiently answered each one (he even admitted that he could not answer a question about our water crisis as it is an issue that he is not familiar with). Perhaps the most astonishing of his answers was to a question about how he could reconcile living in Efrat with being a member of a party whose platform for an eventual two-state solution includes both population and land exchanges. He responded that he understood that it may cost him his home, but that he feels that such a land/population exchange would provide for defensible borders and an opportunity for coexistence. I was impressed by such honesty and forthrightness. We had to cut the meeting short because we had to head to the Supreme Court to continue our day. Mr. Rotem was prepared to sit with us as long as we liked and was extremely accommodating. We appreciated it. We will hopefully have a government within the next couple of weeks, and then it will be up to all the MKs involved to see that they move forward in maintaining our safety and security and the well-being of our homeland. Mazal tov to former Five Towners and current neighbors Penina and Mutty Eichler on the birth of Yisrael Avishai and to former Five Towners and current neighbors Mark and Yosefa Krauss on the marriage of Gavriel to Kayla Kowal of Yad Binyamin. The Kineret Lake is at –213.46, 46 cm below the lower red line. It is currently raining, and we hope and pray for lots more. O

Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can contact him at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 21 FROM THE EDITOR Continued from Page 10

going to do it if he would not? Could he leave it to another rabbi and another time, or would he seize the opportunity, shake the Jewish world, and turn it upside down if need be, all in the name of bringing Jews closer to their Judaism. But he would not be able to succeed unless he had the cooperation of his sh’lichim, the young men and women who loyally take on the most seemingly insurmountable missions in the sometimes most exotic and unusual places around the globe. And they go there and set up a home and a shul because you are there and at some point you might need them. And don’t think that the Five Towns is tended to just because there is such a thriving Orthodox community here. In many ways, it’s just like Reno, Nevada or Knoxville, Tennessee. One can live amidst Jewish book stores, shuls, mikvehs, and glatt kosher supermarkets and somehow be unfamiliar with what a kosher chicken is or on what day of the year Yom Kippur falls. Maybe it’s difficult to fathom, but there is a religious void in our neighboring Jewish communities that the Wolowiks have gracefully filled over the last decade and a half. It’s for that reason, amongst others, that when news struck about the prema- ture passing of Levi, the pain was felt and continues to be felt far and wide. The person- ality of a shaliach, however, is to move forward, despite the personal pain or whatever the nature of the crisis. The reflex reaction is to fill whatever void is created with something positive and good. To that end it was almost instan- taneously decided to create a Jewish Media Center in Levi Yitzchok Wolowik’s memory. Meetings are currently taking place to formulate the format and nature of the service, which will for now most likely be set up in the Chabad House in Cedarhurst. “I knew it before, but it’s been brought home to me in a deeply personal way that this is an incredible community that we live in,” says Rabbi Wolowik. He and Chanie talk openly and candidly about that Shabbos, the day they were thrust into the center of a parent’s worst nightmare. “The police were here, the detectives were here, as were many members of our local Hatzalah organization,” says

Continued on Page 24 22 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 23 FROM THE EDITOR is beyond our intellectual grasp. Our Continued from Page 22 G-d sees a bigger picture, which we are unable to view from our all-too-brief Zalman. “They sensitively but very chronological vantage point. We can’t determinedly wanted to ascertain the make sense of it and it hurts us very cause of death,” the rabbi says. “I told deeply on a human level, but way out them, ‘I can help you with that,’ and I there there’s something larger and all- explained to them that my son passed encompassing. away because it was his time.” Chaia Frishman, Levi’s 4th-grade Chanie Wolowik pulls out more notes secular studies teacher at Yeshiva and says that she wants to of course Darchei Torah, said, “When playing any thank everyone that has provided them sport versus another team, Levi was so with so much personal and emotional happy for the opponents when they support over this last month. But, she won. If there ever was a dispute as to says, she wants to make a point of thank- who won a certain play or shot, Levi ing the Nassau County police officers was the first to say to give it to the other that spent that entire Shabbos day with side, all in the name of shalom,” she them in their home. They include said. “Levi was a prolific writer whose Officers Wall, Cohen, and Prince; daily journal displayed the maturity of a Detective Muchow; Detective Nill; boy older than his nine short years. His Sergeant Foley; and Sergeant Cauldwell. entries show his sense of humor, love of “They were extremely respectful of the life, and deep thinking into issues, all situation,” the rabbi says. He adds that the while being the normal nine-year- in the course of the day, Officer Cohen old boy that he was.” “The tragic loss of reminded the rabbi that he once Levi Wolowik will forever be embed- responded to an emergency at the ded in our class’s heart. But knowing Chabad House in Cedarhurst, and that Levi’s desire for everyone around him after it was tended to, the rabbi helped to be happy, we know that the best tes- the officer put on tefillin. timonial we can make to him is to try There’s plenty to cry about, but right to infuse as much simcha and mitzvos now there are no tears. It’s not unlike into our day,” she said. the story of the young Jew who endured In one of the notes from Levi’s rebbi the worst torture during World War II. at YDT that Chanie had in her book, At the time of his deepest suffering and he writes that since his passing, each with his life hanging in the balance, he morning the young boy who leads the would assertively and emphatically call davening for the class does so by using out to G-d, saying, “Hashem, know this, Levi’s siddur. whatever You are going to do to me, I’m Rabbi Yakov Bender, rosh yeshiva of still going to believe in You.” The deep YDT, said, “Levi had extraordinary and abiding faith that we all share as midos; he was a geshmake young man, Jews is that there is a Divine logic that always polite and respectful—an exem-

24 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES plary student who learned very well.” a cemetery here. It was a harried and On the Friday morning before Levi even nerve-racking couple of days for passed away, Rabbi and Mrs. Wolowik the Wolowiks. But then that night Levi were involved in a drama that had been was taken from them and things would playing itself out over a number of days. never be the same. A non-observant couple they had King David, in Tehillim, chapter 90, befriended in the neighborhood experi- writes: “Satisfy us in the morning with enced the death of her father, who was Your kindness, then we shall sing out living in a trailer park in Florida. The and rejoice throughout our days. plans were to have the father’s remains Gladden us according to the days You cremated and the ashes sent to the fam- afflicted us, the years when we saw ily here in Woodmere. When Zalman evil.” At Levi’s levayah, as the proces- and Chanie got wind of what was sion paused for a few moments when planned, they worked on the couple for the cars passed by the Chabad House days to plead with her to intercede and on Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, Rabbi give her father a Jewish burial. Moshe Kotlarsky, the young boy’s “I related to her just about every- grandfather, said as he stood over the thing I could think of to implore her to aron, “Levi was a shaliach of the cancel the cremation,” said Chanie. “I Rebbe.” Hard to fathom that a young told her about the concept of the resur- boy at the age of nine years has this rection of the dead in the days of kind of sh’lichus in his blood, but clear- Mashiach and about how Jews who ly Levi Wolowik did. survived the Holocaust managed to Before we concluded our talk about evade Hitler’s inferno and how because the upcoming sheloshim, Reb Zalman of those miracles there is a Jewish peo- repeated in an undertone and in ple that exists and thrives today.” Hebrew, as he did over the hour sever- Chanie said that her neighbor al times, “Hashem gives and Hashem thought that it was probably too late takes.” He walked me to the door and and that the deed was already done. stepped outside with me, but then She nevertheless beseeched her friend closed the door behind him. It’s after to call Florida and find out if the cre- 10:00 p.m. on Sunday night. I’m walk- mation could still be canceled. At the ing to my car and Zalman tells me that same time, Zalman was busy mobilizing he has an appointment to put up the sh’lichim he knows in nearby mezuzos on the doorposts of a home in Sarasota, Florida, to get involved and Back Lawrence. I imagined that under do what they could to get the deceased different circumstances Levi may have out of there. The cremation was can- been at his father’s side. For now, it celed ten minutes before it was to take will have to suffice that he is in our place. The casket was placed on a flight thoughts and on our minds. O to New York and the young woman’s Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at father had a traditional Jewish burial at [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 25 BAGEL STORE many circles,” he added. Mr. Continued from Front Cover Lipschutz also said that it is the respect that Rabbi Flaum garners that delivers, starting early each morning has made him a unifier in the commu- and extending well into the night. His nity and why his tenure as chairman extremely busy daily schedule contin- of the Vaad Harabanim of Far ues to increase as demands are made on Rockaway and Lawrence has been a him to share his vast Torah knowledge successful one. with more groups. Amos Bunim, a renowned Torah Since his retirement from the posi- activist in the Five Towns community tion, Rabbi Flaum delivers a daily daf said of Rabbi Flaum, “He is a gadol yomi shiur at the Agudas Yisrael of b’Torah with midos tovos and a man Long Island, a series of weekly lectures whose shiurim are on the loftiest lev- at Congregation Shaaray Tefila in els” that stems from the rabbi’s great Lawrence, and two lectures each depth and sagacious understanding. Tuesday to the Ohel Sarah Women’s He added that “Rabbi Flaum’s group, also in Lawrence. In addition, mesirus nefesh is beyond description Rabbi Flaum is the spiritual dean and and he has enriched and enhanced a professor of Judaic Studies at the Rabbi Flaum delivering a shiur at Congregation Shaaray Tefila. Included in the the group were the Torah community in the Five Lander College for Women in Michael Bernstein (L) and Steven Reich (R). Towns.” Manhattan, and a consultant to the A Amongst other things, Rabbi Flaum Time organization that deals with helped to reorganize the fashion in issues of infertility. He serves, as well, questions and meeting with people on “He’s a great talmid chacham,” says which the area eiruv is regularly as a member of the Board of personal family issues. Joseph Lipschutz, a longtime resident inspected, and assisted in bringing in a Governors of the Association of One might say that this is not exact- of the Five Towns and a member of reconstituted and unified va’ad Orthodox Jewish Scientists and spends ly a typical retirement—but then the White Shul for several decades. “I ha’kashrus. As far as now being a local a significant amount of his remaining Rabbi Flaum is by no stretch of any- think it’s because of his brilliant schol- Five Towns rabbi without a shul, the weekly schedule answering halachic one’s imagination your typical rabbi. arship that he is so respected in so rabbi says that not having a pulpit position does not diminish his ability to serve the community as a rabbi. He added that for a short time he thought about starting a new shul but he believed that such a move would possi- bly reduce the viability of other shuls

Continued on Page 30 CALENDAR LUACH March 26–April 4 ZIP Code: 11516

1 Nisan Thursday , March 26 Rosh Chodesh Nisan 2 Nisan – Erev Shabbos Friday, March 27 Daf yomi: Bava Kamma 89 Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:53 am Sunrise: 6:47 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:17 am Gr’a 9:53 am Candle Lighting: 6:56 pm 3 Nisan – Shabbos Saturday, March 28 Shabbos Parashas Vayikra Shabbos ends**: 7:57 pm 72 min. 8:28 pm 9 Nisan – Erev Shabbos Friday, April 3 Daf yomi: Bava Kamma 96 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:41 am Sunrise: 6:35 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:10 am Gr’a 9:46 am Candle Lighting: 7:03 pm 10 Nisan – Shabbos Saturda y, April 4 Shab bos Parashas Tzav Shabbos HaGadol Shabbos ends**: 8:05 pm 72 min. 8:35 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag 26 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 27 28 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 29 BAGEL STORE rabbinical ordination is not just his explained that the male and female halachah, euthanasia, and the matter Continued from Page 26 impressive ability to deliver an incredi- gametes are merged in a petri dish of smoking—which the rabbi says is ble shiur but a demonstration of great and over a period of just a few days today absolutely prohibited. Other in the immediate area and he did not Torah prowess that means that he is are able to be analyzed, with a deter- issues covered in his halachah-and- want to do that. welcome and can function in all circles mination made about the future medicine symposium are kohanim Instead, Rabbi Flaum created the of Jewish life. health of the fetus. So long as it is in studying medicine, surrogate mother- Yeshiva Shaare Tzion, a division of the If over the years you’ve heard the hood, stem-cell research and cloning Torah Studies Network, which is the name Rabbi Tzvi Flaum, you most like- initiatives, induced labor, and den- rubric under which he teaches his ly heard it juxtaposed alongside issues tistry in halachah. many classes at several shuls around of medicine and Jewish law. While The rabbi says Rabbi Flaum’s reach and influence the community. Those who have many consult him with numerous as a teacher spans way back to attended his daf yomi shiur or the questions on Jewish law, he demon- that not having a September 1981 when he served as other lectures he presents almost strates a particularly profound expert- mashgiach ruchani and Professor of exclusively come away with a sense of ise in matters of medicine. Asked how Judaic Studies at Stern College For awe at the breadth of the rabbi’s that came about, Rabbi Flaum says pulpit position Women. He held that position through knowledge. To help support his many that at Yeshiva while he studied for the the 1995 school year. Since January activities under the Torah Studies rabbinate his minor course of study does not diminish 2006, he has held the same position at Network, the virtual yeshiva will be was in biology and related subjects. the Lander College For Women at hosting its first annual breakfast in Over the years, his study of the sci- his ability to serve Touro College in Manhattan. support of its myriad activities on ences and his consultations with doc- “Rabbi Flaum has always had Sunday, May 3, at 10:00 a.m. at tors, combined with his in-depth Torah the community as important input in the functioning of Congregation Shaaray Tefila. The fea- study, has made him one of the fore- our va’ad ha’rabbanim and has been tured speaker at the event will be the most experts in this field. very influential in the growth and famed orator Rabbi Paysach Krohn. Asked what some of the more rivet- a rabbi. development of our communities over Rabbi Tzvi Flaum’s success in the ing issues he has to deal with in these the years,” said Rabbi Dovid Five Towns has within it an enigmatic modern times are, he responds that Weinberger of Congregation Shaaray dimension that is difficult but still fas- without doubt the most compelling its pre-implantation stage, if a diagno- Tefila. “His shiurim are extremely well cinating to try to dissect. As a close issues today deal with in vitro fertiliza- sis is made that the pre-zygote (that attended and compelling, and we look talmid of the Rav, Rabbi J.B. tion. The questions arise on several would become the fetus) may be forward to his continued contribution Soloveichik at Yeshiva University, levels and are present in dealing with defective or afflicted genetically, it is to the ever increasing study of Torah Rabbi Flaum quickly demonstrated a couples unable to conceive, questions not reimplanted and it may be dis- here,” the rabbi said. Torah brilliance that moved him to the of multifetal pregnancy reduction, and carded, and this is not considered On May 3, the communities that top tier of his class at Yeshiva. Yet his what the rabbi referred to as “manipu- abortion according to halachah. compose the Five Towns and Far now somewhat graying long beard and lation of the genetic material.” This To provide a broader education Rockaway will have the opportunity to black hat gives him a look as if he has last issue may be dealt with by cou- about these and other issues, Rabbi recognize and pay tribute to Rabbi just walked out of the Lakewood ples who, for example, are both carri- Flaum’s Torah Studies Network will Flaum’s lifetime of teaching, while Yeshiva or the Mir. For some it’s this ers of a genetic disease like Tay be hosting a medical ethics forum looking forward to words of Torah wis- balance in his life that has also been Sachs. (Matters of this nature are few after Pesach at Congregation Beth dom in the years ahead. O his formula for success over the years. and far between, and the inability to Sholom in Lawrence. At that time The key point, however, is that behind conceive through conventional means Rabbi Flaum will be covering subjects Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at the suit and hat and behind the YU is far more prevalent.) Rabbi Flaum that include the definition of death in [email protected].

30 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 31 A skate key was something to be became well acquainted with each carefully guarded. other’s customs and rituals. When the mercury soared during From my Christian friends I July and August, we often sat on learned early on that there was some- porches or huddled in groups, chat- thing called Lent, a 40-day period of ting, laughing, and waiting for the fasting, penitence, and self-denial sound of the ice-cream truck. As leading up to the holiday of Easter. I soon as we heard the familiar jingle, was always impressed by the things We Have Our Own the relay was on. First we would dart that my friends had chosen to give inside our respective homes to ask up. The important word here is cho- Growing up outside of New York schools or Christian parochial our mothers for money and then race sen. They had a choice—of sorts. provided me with experiences that schools. As a result, I received an eye- back outside and head for the curb to Undoubtedly it wouldn’t have been were, in all likelihood, vastly differ- opening education. begin jockeying for position. We deemed much of a sacrifice for a kid ent from the experiences of children During the winter months we stood rooted to the spot at that curb to say that he was giving up broccoli living in predominantly Orthodox played in the snow, which meant we long before the little white truck or would forgo doing his homework. Jewish communities in the Empire either created snowmen or built forts came into view. No, they had to deny themselves State. In my home city of to shield us during the inevitable There is a point to this little trip something they liked, such as going Providence, Rhode Island, I had snowball fights that followed. In down memory lane. It is to point out to the movies or eating candy or ice friends of every race, creed, and reli- cream. Got the picture? gious persuasion. I attended the only This wasn’t a one-way street. Just day school that Providence had to as I learned from my friends, they offer at that time, but the school only learned from me. In a limited fash- went up to sixth grade. After that I ion, because I was very young at the headed off to public school for When kids were kvetching about Lent it time, I taught my non-Jewish pals grades seven through twelve. what I could about Pesach, Tishah Each Shabbos and yom tov my was important to me to let them know that B’Av, and Yom Kippur. I explained the observant Jewish friends would walk to celebrations of Purim and Chanukah my house or I would walk to theirs. being Jewish wasn’t just a walk in the park. as well, but when kids were kvetching Distance was of no consequence. about Lent it was important to me to Shabbos was for walking, and if it was let them know that being Jewish was- doable we did it. On Sundays our n’t just a walk in the park. So I fathers chauffeured us to wherever we skipped the fun holidays and got wanted to go. Not many mothers drove warmer weather we played ball; “A that we all played together regardless straight to the point. I was deter- cars in those days; mine didn’t. my name is Alice” was a favorite. We of age, gender, or religious persua- mined to let them know that we Jews My parents didn’t shield me from also played tag, hide-and-seek, and sion. Younger kids hung out with also made sacrifices. the realities of life—one of the reali- hopscotch. We had jump-rope con- older ones, boys and girls competed But kids can be very competitive, so ties being that, as Jews, we were a tests and, when we tired of that, we in the same games, and being I would often hear, “Yeah, but your minority group. So during the week, often headed for a parking lot that Christian or Jewish was irrelevant fasts are a one-day-only thing, and after my homework was done, I would was vacant after 5:00 p.m. to do when it came to having fun. But even your Passover is just eight days go outside to play with the neighbor- some roller skating. A skate key on a there were discussions and, as a hood kids, who attended public string hung from each of our necks. result of our daily togetherness, we Continued on Page 34

32 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 33 THAT’S THE WAY IT IS! Continued from Page 32

of doing without bread. Big deal! We have to give something up for 40 days.” Apparently I didn’t do a terrific job of describing what Pesach really entailed, because, as we all know, Pesach involves a good deal of sacrifice. And it starts well in advance of the eight-day holiday. It’s been many years since I’ve seen, or even thought of, any of those neighbors of my childhood. But now that I’m reflecting on some of those early conversations, I vividly remember the sense of competition that existed. It was a clear case of “Who suffers more for his religion?” Only now, as a mature adult, do I realize how I could better have gotten my point across. I could have explained that we Jews also have a pro- longed period of denial—far longer than a mere eight days. Just because we don’t have a name for it, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. And even worse, what we deny ourselves is invol- untary. There is no choice in the matter of what we give up. We give up sleep! Or, to be more precise, sleep gives us up! And we do that for weeks! Even before the last of the haman- taschen is digested, we’re already thinking about (obsessing about) Pesach. If that isn’t something to make one lose sleep, what is? If I ever met one of those kids now, I would really give them an earful. Their Lent is a breeze compared to the weeks leading up to Passover. It’s important to note that obsessing about Pesach has nothing to do with whether or not one is actually “making Pesach.” Those who will stay home and play Hilda Hostess lose sleep over thoughts of food shopping, house cleaning, and menu planning. Seder preparations, cooking, and serving are not contributing factors to the silent panic and wakeful nights, because those are the last-minute efforts. And those making the modern-day Yetzias Mitzrayim and heading for hotels are no less anxious. These gals (few men worry, and even fewer obsess) also have issues that give them a fair amount of insomnia. Their worries involve shopping for suits, shoes, and hats for themselves, getting clothes for the children, and packing it all. Everyone has pre-Pesach angst for one reason or another. My wishes for Pesach will wait until we get closer to D-Day.For now, I’ll just wish everyone full nights of sleep and relaxation. Take a deep breath. O

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

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34 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 35 36 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 37 have found them to be lacking in many that when I realized that now I was ways. So here was another thing I had to effectively renovating the cabinets hold- consider: reinstalling a 220-volt electric ing the oven and renovating the cabinets line to service whichever double oven I holding the refrigerator, the only cabinet would now consider buying, as well as left in that grouping was a pantry closet figuring out what to do about the open- that I never liked anyway, so here we go ing in the cabinet, which was now too again—I decided if I am renovating the Do We Renovate Now? to do than I expected and start to think small for today’s new ovens. first two cabinets, I might as well reno- You go to sleep one night and dream about renovations. One thing leads to Since I realized that a carpenter and vate the third one and just have every- of new master bathrooms, new beautiful another, and bingo—a renovation proj- an electrician were going to be needed, I thing new in that grouping. large kitchens with all the latest gadgets, ect is born! also decided that as long as I was going to So what is the ending to this story? add-ons of extra bedrooms, dens, decks, Last year I decided that I hated my get a carpenter to change the size of the The carpenter came and ripped every- pools…the list goes on and on. You toss oven and could not face cooking in it for cabinet holding the wall oven, maybe thing out along the wall, from floor to and turn and finally wake up and decide Pesach, so it had to go. But when I start- now was a good time to also buy that new ceiling—telling me it is ridiculous to cut at least one of these projects must be ed to shop for new ovens (I hadn’t refrigerator I wanted but had been hold- here and cut there, it will just look like achieved as soon as possible, and you get replaced the old oven in nearly 20 ing back on purchasing for similar rea- a bad haircut. The entire grouping of ready to put your dream into action. This cabinets was rebuilt from scratch, with is usually how deciding on a new renova- new openings made for the new set of tion begins, but now I need to add a new double ovens and new refrigerator twist to this story, because I do not know which I bought. The electrician came how many of you are like me, but some- As long as I was going to get a and installed a new 220-volt line for my how the dream and the plan to renovate now electric self-cleaning ovens. This all something always seems to come around carpenter to change the size of the took nearly three weeks to complete, the same time the calendar tells me it is and it is very beautiful and I have more time to get an early start on planning for cabinet holding the wall oven, maybe now room than I had before, as well as a bet- Pesach or the other yamim tovim. ter cooking environment. But it is really I have never really understood why was a good time to... scary, when you think—all I really want- they somehow seem to come at the ed to do was buy a new oven for Pesach. same time—the need to renovate in NNN time for yom tov—but they seem to Mazal tov to my children Ettie and always coincide. And it is not just me, years—really!) lo and behold, I could not sons—being that the new refrigerators Avi Avezov upon the birth of my new since I am sure many contractors will find any double ovens that would fit into are taller than the older ones and that granddaughter (and their new daugh- back me up with the fact that they the existing space I had customized 20 would require cutting and redoing the ter) Rachel Frieda this past week. O always have more jobs around these years ago, when I installed my (then new) cabinet over my existing refrigerator. As time frames. old double oven. Twenty years ago it was you all may realize, this project that start- Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and a I know I start looking around the the ultimate to get a gas self-cleaning ed out as just buying a new oven was licensed N.Y.S. mortgage broker (A.C. Action house about February to see what I need double oven. At that time, I installed the growing and growing, which is the way Mortgage Corp.) with over 20 years of experience, offering full-service residential and commercial to start doing to get a head start on gas line and connections and was one of things seem to happen with all renova- real-estate services in the Five Towns and through- Pesach cleaning. It is usually at this the first to have such an oven. Today, tion projects—they start out small and out the tri-state area. She can be reached at 516- 569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. time, as I inspect my house to see what nobody wants a gas self-cleaning oven then grow as if with a life of their own. Readers are encouraged to send questions or com- has to be done, that I find more things anymore, since during those 20 years we The real joke (on me, of course) is ments to [email protected].

38 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES more because I am not commuting, Dear Torn, and I am close by. Life is full of conflict. So often we To put it briefly, I want to go back have to choose between door number where I was before. I think if I put out one and door number two. Finding feelers, I could make the change. But I oneself on the fence, betwixt and do not want to ask the powers-that-be between two options, is definitely a until I am sure this is what I want. stressful place to be. What makes Besides, things change, and if I go matters even worse is when both Dear Esther, and I was appreciated by those I back, who knows if things will be the options are painful and one knows for I am a mother of five children, with worked alongside, as well as my certain that whichever way one opts a full-time job. I originally started supervisors. to go, it will be filled with challenges working to put my husband through A couple of years ago, the oppor- and hardship. graduate school. He finished about tunity came about to change to a Maybe your children In your case, you describe two situ- seven years ago, but I continued work- local position doing the same type of ations that are imperfect, but both give ing because I enjoyed it and we had a work. I felt that this would be great were and are extremely you lots of good stuff. One choice “working system.” for my family. As my husband’s self-directed and not enables you to be more present for We have full-time help in the house. career began to flourish, I felt it was your family, while still working; the My job pays well and includes a bene- the “right thing” for me to be closer particularly needy of other choice enables you to most like- fits and pension package. I am not to home. I could rush home to take ly get back into your career game on a making “tons” of money, but it does the kids to the doctor, run my special interventions that level that would make you feel fulfilled put us over the edge to live well. (By errands, pick up the whatever, and both professionally and socially. As the “well,” we mean paying for summer just be close to home. so many parents are saying goes, “It’s all good.” camp and not asking for assistance Unfortunately, the job was not as I consumed with. What you seem to be asking from from the schools.) expected. It is an isolated satellite of me is to whip out my crystal ball and As I was putting my husband the company I worked for, and there let you know with certainty how each through school, I realized the sacri- went my social outlet. I work mostly by choice will in fact play out and which fices I had made by working a full- myself, so it also encompasses some same? Then I will be stuck with the one will ultimately leave you feeling time job. My social life suffered and management skills…not my forte. commute and a cruddy job. more satisfied. If only I had such a I barely knew much concerning my Though my supervisor never said any- I see reasons to stay close and rea- ball…I’d be the first in line to use it. children’s education. The commute thing to me outright, I do not feel that sons to leave. I feel guilty for my fam- I can only share with you how I see at times was a horror, averaging 45 I am really putting my skills to work. I ily if I decide to go back to my other your options; and frankly, there is no minutes on a good day. But all in all, hold myself to a high standard and do job, and I also feel stressed that wrong choice. When you worked fur- the kids did well in school and I not feel this is really the job for me. things might have changed and it ther from home, it sounds as though found some social outlets at work. I This stresses me. won’t be the same job. Then again, if your family managed beautifully and loved my job, and my job loved me. Socially, I still remained the same I do stay at this job close to home, I’ll no one suffered as a result, for whatev- As the expression goes, “Love what person as before. I didn’t go out and have the stress of the isolation and er reason. Maybe your children were you do, and you will never work a make tons of friends, nor did I join the the management component. and are extremely self-directed and not day in your life.” And though we had various PTAs to become more active in I need to make a decision soon, as particularly needy of special interven- the stressors of any married life with my children’s schools. My kids are deadlines for transfers are upon us. tions that so many parents are con- kids and a full-time working mom, I doing just as well as when I commut- Help? did feel strong purpose in what I did, ed. But I am available for the kids Torn Continued on Page 42

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 39 40 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 41 MINDBIZ probably aren’t thinking you are some- Continued from Page 39 one they should be calling to spend time with. It is therefore incumbent sumed with. Or maybe your husband upon you to be the initiator. It’s not was able to pick up the slack. But easy, but it’s doable. If you can succeed lucky you, you’ve seen firsthand that in building a nice social life, you won’t no one had to pay the price as a result need it from your career and may even of your longer day. be able to tolerate the less challenging When you decided to work closer to nature of your present job, since you home, your family was not forced to will be getting your fulfillment at home suffer any financial hardships as a and from your community. result, being that your husband’s If you decide to look for a more career was finally thriving. You were challenging and exciting job further able to experience more of the typical from home and it turns out to be a “Mommy duties,” such as doctors, disappointment, you can always quit errands, etc., and were able to know, and take your time finding some- firsthand, what that felt like. thing else that works for you. You However, the two words that have the luxury of having your hus- jumped out at me from your letter band support the family right now. were “appreciation” and “purpose.” I’m There is no urgency. guessing that these are the issues that Ultimately, whatever decision you you really need to deal with. Frankly, make, it is up to you to make it work. everyone wants to believe that they are But as you stand at this crossroads in appreciated and that the choices they your life, take some time to talk to your make for themselves reflect a purpose- husband and children. Be sure to take ful and meaningful life. So that is real- into account their needs and desires. ly your challenge. And the answer can Try not to take for granted how much only come from deep inside you. they are probably appreciating having If you choose to continue working more of you for themselves right now. close to home, you have to figure out Be sure to include their feelings into how to make it fulfilling, since your job, your equation as you search for mean- in and of itself, isn’t presently giving ing in your life. And then decide that you much in that department. You men- whichever road you choose will be the tioned that you haven’t really jumped correct choice. Because you will make onto the PTA, community-housewife it the correct choice. type bandwagon. Why not? Clearly it Esther doesn’t come easily to you. But have you given it all you’ve got? Have you Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in tried to push past your comfort level Lawrence. Esther is a psychotherapist and life coach and can be reached at 516-314-2295 or and make the first move? If your neigh- [email protected]. She works with individu- bors view you as a career mom, they als, couples, premarital couples, and families.

42 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES chicken on platter; tent with foil. 3. Add 1 Tbsp. oil and butter substitute to same skillet. Add white and green parts of onions and sauté until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add asparagus. Sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper and sauté 1 minute. Add broth, reduce heat to medium, Seasonal Cooking: choose, look for firm, brightly colored and simmer uncovered until vegeta- Eat Fresh For Spring stalks with tightly closed tips. bles are tender and broth reduces and At last the long winter season has Asparagus begins to lose its sweetness thickens to glaze, about 5 minutes. drawn to an end. After months with lit- as soon as it’s picked, so try to cook it Stir in cream and gremolata. Season tle choice of seasonal produce, root as soon as possible after you buy it. If with salt and pepper. Using slotted crops are starting to dwindle and some you do plan to store it in your refrig- spoon, transfer vegetables to platter, of the leafier vegetables are making an erator for a few days after you get it arranging around chicken. Drizzle appearance. Cooking in season is a home, treat it like a bouquet of flow- sauce over chicken and serve. chef’s secret tip to ensure that the ers: trim a small amount from the bot- food she prepares is always of the high- toms of the stalks with a sharp knife Eating quality, delicious meals is easy when all the work is done for you. Hire a personal chef to est quality. Tapping in to the treasures and place them in a tall glass with a prepare your dinners, Shabbos meals, or small nature has to offer is a great way to little water in the bottom. Cover the parties. For more information, contact Take Home Chef personal chef services by calling enjoy the most flavorful and healthy top loosely with a plastic bag, and 516-596-8865, writing to elke@TakeHomeChef produce at its peak. store in the refrigerator. This will .net, or visiting www.TakeHomeChef.net. Spring vegetables like broccoli, arti- keep the stalks firm and crisp until choke, and asparagus are so welcome you are ready to cook them. 1 at this time of year. 1 ⁄2 lb. slender asparagus, tops cut 1 Asparagus is one of the most popu- Sautéed Chicken Cutlets With into 3" pieces, stems cut into ⁄2" Submit your photo to the lar signs of spring. The delectable Asparagus, Onions, And Gremolata pieces 3 5 Towns Jewish Times! stalks with their vivid green color and Ingredients: ⁄4 cup low-salt chicken broth 1 delicate flavor are good hot or cold, ⁄4 cup finely chopped parsley 2 Tbsp. pareve heavy whipping dressed up or down. Part of the lily 1 Tbsp. minced shallot cream family, asparagus is grown in sandy 2 tsp. finely grated orange peel Directions: You can upload your 1 soils. Asparagus can be steamed briefly ⁄2 tsp. finely grated lemon peel 1. Mix parsley, shallots, and orange 1 digital photos and see them with the stalks standing upright, stir- ⁄4 tsp. saffron threads and lemon peels in a small bowl as gre- 1 1 fried, or drizzled with olive oil and 12 chicken cutlets ( ⁄4"– ⁄2" inch molata; set it aside. printed in the weekly edition roasted in the oven. thick; about 2 lb.) 2. Sprinkle chicken lightly with salt While some people prefer the coarse kosher salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in heavy of the 5 Towns Jewish Times smaller spears for their delicacy and 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil large skillet over medium-high heat. tenderness, others prefer the fatter 1 Tbsp. non-dairy butter substitute Working in batches and adding more 3 ones for their more robust flavor and ⁄4 lb. green onions, whites and light oil as needed, cook chicken until light- 1 www.5tjt.com/sendphotos a meaty texture they can really sink green parts cut into ⁄4" thick ly browned and just cooked through, their teeth into. Whatever size you slices (about 2 cups) about 2 minutes per side. Arrange

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 43 44 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 45 Mishnas Chayim On The Parashah

Tipping The Scales the Torah is hinting to an essential quality of one’s avodas Hashem in Kindly take a moment to study Mishnas Chayim in the merit of Yitzchok ben Yekusiel Yehudah general. Simply put, salt adds flavor HaLevi, a’h, a fellow Jew who passed away with to an otherwise dull-tasting dish. By no relatives to arrange Torah study on behalf of his neshamah. requiring one who offers a korban to apply salt, the Torah is encouraging Sefer Vayikra introduces the vast an individual to “spruce up” his mitz- topic of korbanos (sacrificial offerings). vah deeds. Instead of half-hearted, One particular aspect associated with mindless acts of habit, one’s perform- this sacred service is the requirement ance of mitzvos should be with fresh- to add salt to the korban, as recorded ness and enthusiasm. in this week’s parashah (Vayikra 2:13). This notion is more than just a Of course, the main imperative to ful- nice idea. As we shall see, it could fill this mitzvah—as with all mitzvos— actually mean the difference is the simple fact that it is Hashem’s between life and death. will and command, regardless of What happens immediately after whether we understand a rationale for a person passes away? Although the it. Nevertheless, the commentators do subject of the afterlife remains large- attempt to uncover some of the valu- ly concealed from mortal man, able underlying lessons that the Chazal have supplied us with various mitzvos impart. glimpses into the goings-on of that R’ Moshe Shternbuch (Ta’am realm. The Mishnah in Avos (4:13) v’Da’as, ibid.) offers a thoughtful sets the background for the judgment explanation of the mitzvah of adding salt to korbanos. He maintains that Continued on Page 48

46 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 47 MISHNAS CHAYIM A bas kol (heavenly voice) rings out. Continued from Page 46 It proclaims: “All of the mitzvos performed by this individual throughout scene that awaits each individual his lifetime should gather and assume upon his passing: “When a person their place.” This announcement is fulfills a mitzvah, he acquires an addressed to all of the advocating advocating angel. And whenever he angels that have been created by this commits a sin, he acquires a prose- Jew’s good deeds. They respond and cuting angel.” congregate on the right side of the It is the existence of these celestial scale, which tips—at this point—to the beings—created by a person’s side of eternal life. deeds—that is the determining factor The bas kol sounds out a second time, this time summoning the transgressions committed by this person during his sojourn on earth. And this is where the real problems When this individual begin. Immediately, hordes and hordes of formidable, menacing spir- had a juicy piece of its appear, the results of the numerous sins perpetrated during his life- lashon ha’ra to share time. One of the tragic aspects of this with his cronies, he did episode is that, all too often, the magnitude of one’s deeds is unequal. Davening was performed by rote, so with relish. without much concentration or effort. Devotion to Torah study left much to be desired, and charity was often given with reluctance. Overall, of one’s ultimate fate. Quoting the the person’s avodas Hashem was per- Vilna Gaon, the Chofetz Chaim functory in nature, lacking both in (Shem Olam, Sha’ar Shemiras joy and in attention to detail. haShabbos, ch. 3, end of third foot- The transgressions, on the other note) completes the picture with a hand, were performed with gusto. fairly detailed description: When this individual had a juicy piece One of the first things a person of lashon ha’ra to share with his sees upon departing this world is the cronies, he did so with relish. The likeness of a scale. With this scale, greater the rise he got out of his friends his fate will be determined: Will his (by verbally burying another), the more merits outweigh his sins or, chas v’shalom, will the opposite be true? Continued on Page 51

48 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 49 also led a rosh chodesh series to enlight- himself tirelessly to the community, to en all of us as to what holidays and spe- all who dealt with him professionally, cial significance each of the Jewish and to so many who needed his gener- months would bring. He had an amaz- ous hand and heart on a personal level. ing gift of making the chagim come He was also generous of spirit and alive for our residents. Everybody showed respect for all human beings. always looked forward to his programs. I spent many hours discussing with Rabbi Gregg Ackerman, one of him matters before his board and Woodmere Rehab Mourns The Loss always arrived here with a broad smile Rabbi Fred Ackerman’s sons, is also always urged that we find ways to set- Of Rabbi Fred Ackerman, a’h on his face and he had a kind and uplift- well known at our facility. He would tle conflicts amicably, with compro- Dear Editor, ing word for each individual that he conduct Jewish services for our resi- mise, and out of court. His last deep We at Woodmere Rehabilitation and encountered, residents as well as staff. dents if his dad was unable to come. and dedicated involvement accom- Health Care Center were extremely sad- He shared with us many stories We are very fortunate that Rabbi plished exactly such an outcome. dened to hear of the passing of Rabbi about his family and his personal life. Gregg Ackerman will continue to lead It will be almost impossible to find the Jewish programs here at someone to take his place. He will be Woodmere Rehab, because he possess- sorely missed. I thank him for the es many of the same wonderful traits indelible impact he has had on me. and talents as his dad. Fondly and with deep admiration, I The administration, staff, and resi- remain sincerely yours, dents of Woodmere Rehabilitation and C. Simon Felder, Health Care Center extend sincere Mayor, Village of Lawrence condolences to the family of Rabbi Fred Ackerman. He will be greatly Rising Above The Challenges missed and always remembered. Dear Editor, Leba Sonneberg The article you wrote about Rabbi Director of Marketing and Yochanan Hayut (Heard in the Bagel Community Relations Store, March 13) was very interesting Woodmere Rehabilitation and and informative. I always wondered Health Care Center why you never see flight attendants wearing a yarmulke in-flight. What are More Praise For Shep Melzer the odds; you would think that at least Dear Mrs. Melzer, one yarmulke-wearing Jew would be I cannot begin to express the sorrow willing to put up with the minyan in the Rabbi Fred Ackerman and Ms. Leba Sonneberg assisting Rebbetzin Ida Rosen, a resident at that I personally and speaking for our back! On a more serious tone, I have Woodmere Rehab, light the candles on an erev Shabbos. Lawrence Board of Trustees and seen firsthand the rabbi in action— Administration feel for the loss you and from helping people lug their luggage your family, together with all of us, have to assisting with almost anything. Fred Ackerman on March 5. He was a He had the most engaging way of relat- sustained by Shep’s untimely passing. Baruch Amsel very special friend and mentor to all who ing to our residents and he was beloved He was the best kind of human being www.virtualjudaica.com knew him. Our facility’s “rabbi,” Rabbi by all. Rabbi Ackerman led our Jewish one could be. As Chairman of our Ackerman, a’h, was a true mensch. He services every Shabbos and yom tov. He Zoning Board of Appeals, he gave of Continued on Page 78

50 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES MISHNAS CHAYIM failings. The Chofetz Chaim (Toras Continued from Page 48 haBayis, ch. 13, first footnote) demon- strates a relatively simple way in which enjoyment he felt. When succumbing this can be accomplished. to anger, all 248 limbs and 365 sinews The idea is to duplicate the very strat- of his body were engaged in the experi- egy that the yetzer ha’ra uses to diminish ence. In general, when submitting to our merits. Why do we produce “sub- temptation, he adopted a zest and standard” advocating angels? When we eagerness that were sorely lacking from fulfill a mitzvah, the yetzer ha’ra gets his mitzvah observance. involved and dilutes our meritorious act The result of this unfortunate state by afflicting us with a sense of laziness of affairs is predictable. The angels at this crucial moment. Even if we do created by his half-hearted mitzvos are perform the deed, it is often character- likewise weak in their constitution. ized by a lack of interest. The prosecuting angels, on the other Yet this very tactic can be turned hand, are robust and “healthy.” They against the forces of evil. (Obviously, it far outweigh the advocates in both is best to avoid sinning altogether. We strength and numbers, as the scale speak here of someone who, unfortu- careens toward the other side… nately, has already succumbed to trans- Of course, this is not the way gressing a particular sin; even at that things are supposed to be; nor, in point, it is still possible to mitigate the fact, need they turn out like this. negative effects by removing the sense With the proper ingredients, the of enthusiasm and enjoyment from the trend can be reversed. misdeed.) For instance, if someone did Add salt and trim the fat. The addi- not resist the temptation to talk in shul, tion of salt to the korbanos points us in he should immediately catch himself the right direction, as R’ Shternbuch and emit a (sincere) sigh of regret. In expounds. By being mindful of the par- this way, the adversarial angel created ticular halachos of each mitzvah and ful- by this violation will likewise be less filling them with a purposefulness and vigorous and “weighty.” geshmak (enjoyment), the whole tenor By so doing, may our merits far out- of our avodos Hashem will be different. weigh our misdeeds. O Our good deeds will be more “flavorful,” and the advocating angels produced will Mishnas Chayim is brought to you by Chevrah likewise be more powerful. Lomdei Mishnah, a network of Torah scholars Improving our mitzvah observance dedicated to bringing the merits of Mishnah adds weight to our angelic advocates. study to the greater Jewish public. Encompassing Mishnah, Gemara, and a variety of other servic- There is an additional stratagem we can es, Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah primarily assists employ to tip the scales even farther in mourners interested in acquiring the merit of Torah study for their loved ones. They can be our favor: weakening the prosecuting contacted at 732-364-7029 or at angels that are the by-products of our www.societyformishnahstudy.org.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 51

El Al: Israel’s Flying Star El Al: Israel’s Flying Star chronicles Continuing to celebrate 60 years of commercial aviation in Israel, shares nonstop service, El Al, Israel’s national countless humanitarian efforts, and airline, is proud to announce the illustrates the story of how El Al con- release of the new book titled El Al: tinues to maintain a regular air link at Israel’s Flying Star. The book is written all times between Israel and the out- by Marvin Goldman, a civil airline his- side world. El Al has always been com- torian and expert as well as the world’s mitted to assisting those in need by largest collector of El Al memorabilia. reuniting thousands of families and The birth of El Al took place when providing immigrants from hostile Chaim Weizmann had to travel home countries with a chance for a new life from Geneva for his inauguration as in Israel. Today, El Al is known as a Israel’s first president. To make the successful, innovative commercial air- journey, government officials bor- line and is the leading carrier between rowed an aircraft, pilots, and flight Israel and almost 50 destinations crew from the Israeli Air Force, worldwide. Marvin Goldman, author of “El Al: Israel’s Flying Star.” installed a sofa for seating, and served The book comprises ten chapters kosher food from a nearby restaurant. with over 500 historical photographs, From this amazing story of its humble including every El Al aircraft plus commissioned by El Al throughout is also the author of El Al: Star in the beginnings in 1948, the national air- reproductions of numerous well- the years. Sky (1990) and possesses the largest line of Israel was born. known posters and other artwork Goldman, who is a former attorney, known collection of El Al memorabilia, some of which is one-of-a-kind. He owns 10,000-plus items dating from the inception of the airline to the present day. During his 30-year tenure as an El Al historian and collector, he has transformed a section of his Manhattan home into an El Al museum that contains his catalogued treasures. Goldman hopes his collection will find a permanent home in a civil aviation museum to be estab- lished in Israel. “My interviews with numerous past and present El Al employees as well as aviation enthusiasts have provided me with the opportunity to write the book about El Al and its exciting dramas, hopes, struggles, and successes,” said Mr. Goldman. “The book also includes particularly colorful and creative posters, photographs, and other El Al items that I have sought to preserve, some of which are now rare.” “We at El Al take pride in this fascinating tribute to our history and the tremendous progress that both Israel and the national airline have achieved in just 60 years. We are grateful that someone as knowl- edgeable and passionate as Marvin Goldman has documented so elo- quently the interesting story of El Al,” said Offer Gat, CEO, El Al Israel Airlines for North and Central America. “El Al: Israel’s Flying Star” is available from publisher Airways International (www.airwaysmag.com) for $24.95. Marvin Goldman is a member of the World Airline Historical Society. O

TD Bank Teams Up With Tomchei Shabbos, March 29 When it comes to tzedakah, priori- ties are a must. The halachah is clear: “Aniyei ircha kodem,” the struggling families in our own community must be our first priority. Even in an affluent area like ours, more people than you probably realize cannot afford the basic necessities to feed their families. Imagine having to worry that your child will go to sleep hungry. Imagine not being able to put chicken on your table for the honor of Shabbos. It is 52 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES the job of Tomchei Shabbos Alpert, z’l, and is staffed by boxes, and raise the funds. pack every week, even during ily, who do a huge distribution Yad Yeshaya to ensure that no volunteers who run the organ- Among these wonderful vol- school vacations; Ari family in our neighborhood ization, pack and deliver the unteers are TAG girls who Schonbrun and the Katz fam- Continued on Page 54 lacks these basics. A new and easy way to help Tomchei Shabbos Yad Yeshaya year round has now been set up. “A Time for Change” with TD Bank gives you an opportunity to do a great mitzvah while getting rid of the loose change lying around your house. Anyone can bring in their extra change whenever the bank (at Cedarhurst Avenue and Central Avenue) is open, Sunday–Friday, and easily pour it into a machine located in the front of the bank lobby. The machine will automati- cally count the change. Simply hand a teller the receipt and tell her that it is for Tomchei Shabbos. All pro- ceeds go directly to Tomchei Shabbos Yad Yeshaya and you will gain the merit of feeding a hungry family for Shabbos. Tomchei Shabbos/Yad Yeshaya provides Shabbos food for over 195 families weekly all over Far Rockaway and the Five Towns. This branch raises funding locally and spends virtually every dollar on food. Other neighbor- hoods have Tomchei Shabbos branches as well, but do not fund this one. Our Tomchei Shabbos is named for Yeshaya

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 53 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS put to good use. Small children (and can be mailed to Tomchei Shabbos Rockaway), motzaei Shabbos and Continued from Page 53 maybe some of us adults too) will Yad Yeshaya, 634 Oak Drive, Far Sunday, March 28–29 (phone 516- delight in dumping the change in a Rockaway, NY 11691. O 295-5700), and at Yeshiva Chofetz for Pesach; and many dedicated driv- machine and seeing its surprising Chaim (76-01 147th Street, Kew ers, who show up weekly in all kinds of value. As you clean for Pesach, you Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim Presents Gardens Hills), motzaei Shabbos, weather to get the packages out. can clean up those coins from the Pre-Pesach Suit Sales Sunday, and Monday, March 28–30 The prescreened recipients of pack- cracks in your couch and car, and put Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens (phone 718-268-4700). Sales hours at ages range from the unemployed to them to good use. and its affiliates all around the U.S. these two locations are 9 p.m. too mid- single parents and the elderly. Every Mr. Romano, the branch manager of will be presenting pre-Pesach suit night on motzaei Shabbos and 10 a.m. Thursday night they discreetly receive TD Bank, has set aside Sunday March sales. The suits selection includes too 10 p.m. on Sunday/Monday. a package which consists of chicken, 29, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. as Tomchei Italian-made and designer wool Other locations in the metro area challah, grape juice, potatoes, and Shabbos day at the bank. Stop by for suits. All suits will be sold for $150 include Monsey (845-659-8149), other basics so that they no longer free coffee and goodies and give your or under—sold in stores for Staten Island (718-477-7720), Cherry have to worry about how they will feed change to benefit our hungry neigh- $500–$795! Hill, N.J. (856-482-8230), Edison, their families on Shabbos. Tomchei bors. If this Sunday is not convenient, The boys’ sale includes Hart, N.J. (732-446-5841), and Lakewood, Shabbos struggles to meet the annual you can still bring your change to the Schaffner & Marx 100% wool suits for N.J. (732-446-5841). Call your near- budget of over $300,000 so that they bank year round, whenever you are in $110, fine suits for $75, a selection of est location to find out times or e-mail don’t disappoint these families. Cedarhurst. It’s conveniently located white shirts, and a selection of ties. [email protected]. O The next time you open a drawer at the corner of Cedarhurst Avenue The men’s sale includes a selection of full of change, think of all the chick- and Central Avenue. cotton white shirts, a selection of pat- Y oung Israel Of Long Beach To ens it can buy for someone’s Shabbos If we all unite as a community to terned colored shirts, a selection of silk Host Birkas HaChamah On The table. That bowl in which your hus- help our struggling neighbors, togeth- ties, Italian hats for $125, and Boardwalk, April 8 band drops his spare change every er we can try to bring good mazel, Florsheim leather dress shoes for $50. This year we are privileged to partic- night can turn into challah and grape which is desperately needed, to us all. Checks and all major credit cards will ipate in an opportunity that takes place juice for someone’s Shabbos table. For more information you can contact be accepted. only once in 28 years—birkas Now all of those jars, cups, and Mrs. Jeanette Lamm at 718-327- In Queens and the Five Towns, sales ha’chamah, reciting a blessing for the drawers full of coins that have been 7283. Checks for more substantial locations are at TAG Elementary sun, which follows a 28-year cycle at sitting in your house for years can be donations are always welcome, and School (444 Beach 6th Street in Far which point the sun reaches a position relative to the earth as it was fixed during the fourth day of creation. The Young Israel of Long Beach is hosting a birkas ha’chamah event on Wednesday morning, April 8, erev Pesach, on the boardwalk at Long Beach Boulevard. The ideal recitation of this blessing occurs at sunrise when the sun is initially visible. YILB will be reciting the morning Shacharis prayers beginning at 6:00 a.m. so everyone can recite the Kerias Shema and Amidah at the point of sunrise (k’vasikin) and immediately follow with the recitation of the birkas ha’chamah. There will also be a siyum for the firstborns, as is traditional on erev Pesach. There will be a second minyan for Shacharis at 8:00 a.m., once again on the boardwalk followed by the birkas hachamah and a siyum for the first- born. Each minyan will be followed by a complete breakfast, singing, and danc- ing. Communal burning of the chametz will take place at the Young Israel driveway, 120 Long Beach Boulevard (at Penn Street) beginning at 9:30 a.m. The entire community is invited to join and recite this unique blessing with an assemblage that gives honor to the Ribbono shel Olam. This is being presented as a community service and there will be no solicitations. Should you have any questions do not hesitate to contact [email protected]. O

Reception At Young Israel Of Queens Valley For Chesed L’Avraham, April 1 Chesed is a singular watchword of Klal Yisrael that implies going the extra mile for someone—usually someone that we hear about from others and we try to help. But what if the person is alone and has no neighbors or friends to care, or even to give a thought? Unfortunately, in Eretz Yisrael there are hundreds of Yiddishe kinderlach who are orphaned, abandoned, or abused. These children are often left on the doorstep of one of the four chesed homes in Bnei Brak, Miron,

Continued on Page 58 54 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

images in order to make those images as an “impossible dream.” become reality. By creating images of Visualization, however, does not success and repeating them, we harness come without effort. Like every aspect of training, it is a skill that improves with practice. Applying yourself to pos- AskBY WARREN The LEVISensei itive visualization can add a valuable When we daydream, dimension to your overall improvement as a martial artist. Visualizing For Success champion. Champions in any sport or our minds wander from Anyone who sets goals will come up Q. Dear Sensei Warren: My child endeavor have mastered the art of visu- against obstacles that may slow excels at karate. He says that he wants alization. Visualization is really a form of image to image. With progress. Whenever you feel frustrat- to be a world champion like you one day. concentration and a way to program visualization, the ed or disappointed, turn your Is there any advice you can give him as your mind for success and to build pos- thoughts to visualizing these “disap- encouragement to achieve his goal? itive actions out of the positive mental “dream” is under our pointments” as minor challenges to A. Self belief, positive visualization, images created in your mind. learn from, and to contribute towards and training hard will help your son to It is a technique used long before you control. the moment of triumph that you are achieve his goal. face your opponent (or any crucial situ- working towards. O Learning to create positive visualiza- ation). It is similar to daydreaming but tion (e.g. closing your eyes and picturing with one important difference. When yourself accepting the trophy at a major we daydream, our minds wander from the power of the mind and are more Sensei Warren Levi BPhysEd (Hons) holds a 5th competition) is an important part of image to image. With visualization, the likely to achieve that experience than if degree Black Belt and can be contacted at 516- 569-0808, send an e-mail to warrenlevikarate@ achieving a black belt or becoming a “dream” is under our control. We shape we visualize the achievement of a goal gmail.com, or visit www.warrenlevikarate.com.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 55 transliteration, accompanied by translation, enables those less familiar with And the priest Hebrew to fully participate in the Seder. With a list price of $4.99, this shall burn them Haggadah will make everyone, even upon the altar… those with limited background, feel at home at your Seder. all the fat is to G-d The Illustrated Youth Haggadah: Finding the right Haggadah, at the priced ArtScroll Haggadah for every For under $7.00, you can keep the (Vayikra 3:16) right price. need and background: youngsters interested and engaged Let’s face it: Though Pesach is one The Family Haggadah: With more throughout the long evening. With its Everything that is for the of our most beloved yamim tovim, it than a million copies in print, this is gorgeous full-color pictures, simplified sake of G-d should be of doesn’t come cheap. Even as the econ- the most popular Haggadah of all time. translation and instructions, and kid- omy remains in freefall we’re facing Its elegant graphics and clear instruc- friendly comments, this makes a great the best and most beautiful. soaring expenses for food, wine, and tions make it a perennial favorite, and pre-afikomen gift! When one builds a house clothing for the holiday. its retail price of $2.25 makes it a great This Pesach eve, millions of Jews will be sitting down to their beautiful- of prayer, it should be more ly set Seder tables. And ArtScroll will beautiful than his own be there, with a Haggadah that will allow them to enjoy the beauty of the dwelling.When one feeds With the release of Rabbi Yisrael Reisman’s holiday, at the right price. O the hungry, he should feed him of the best and masterful new book, we can bring motza’ei sweetest of his table. Submit your photo to the Shabbos into our lives, seven days a week. When one clothes the 5 Towns Jewish Times! naked, he should clothe him with the finest of his

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56 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS breach and acted on Klal Yisrael’s Continued from Page 54 behalf, to extend chesed to kids who just do not have a chance—a chesed and Kadimah that are run by Chesed shel emes for the living. L’Avraham. Once chesed starts rolling, more At Chesed they can find love, care, and more comes in its wake. The and a warm welcoming Yiddishe heart. Skulene Rebbe, zt”l, began this as an They will get some new clothes, shoes afternoon group for school kids without holes, and a clean bed to call whose parents were not at home and their own. Their personal trauma will who were just getting into mischief. be evaluated by professionals while More chesed groups (moadonim) they are enrolled in a school program opened up across Eretz Yisrael—the that will give their little shattered lives 70th just recently. Devoted teachers, meaning and hope. Each child will get adults, and youngsters spend hours tutoring and help, with the madrich as with these ‘latchkey kids.’ In the his big brother and the av and eim moadonim, sometimes housed in shul ha’bayit will be their parents. buildings, they get their grounding in And even though these homes are a being a Yid. It is simply amazing to legacy of the Skulene Rebbe, estab- witness hundreds of youngsters from A beautiful bar mitzvah held for one of the children of Chesed L’Avraham. lished by his late father, zy”o, the chil- totally irreligious homes, many of dren are not urged to become Skulene them pulling their yarmulkes out of excitement and commitment grows, From Kiryat Ata in the north to chassidim. The Skulene Rebbes never their pockets as they come to the the parents rush to bring their chil- Netivot in the south, more than saw these kids as potential followers, door of Chesed L’Avraham. There’s a dren to the moadonim—carpool, 50,000 boys and girls have gone rather as precious Yiddishe bren, an excitement, in the air as they chesed-style. They have witnessed the through Chesed L’Avraham. 40,000 neshamalach, each from a specific learn Chumash and halachah. They happiness and change in their chil- have become full s homrei Torah mesorah, and they are encouraged to jump up and down with excitement dren, and the resentment that often u’mitzvos. (60% of those attending learn and observe that mesorah. The during the Torah quizzes and focus accompanies a child becoming a ba’al elementary school age programs Skulene Rebbes each stepped into the and recite Tehillim. And as their teshuvah is absent, enroll in mesivtas.) Some of the chesed graduates have gone on to become magidei shiurim in yeshivas and Chesed L’Avraham programs, write and publish Torah articles, and even publish sefarim! Every month a three-day chesed Shabbaton is held in Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim. Youngsters are bused in to experience the joy of Shabbos and the opportunity to meet Torah leaders, as well as to spend time in the homes of ‘ordinary’ frum families and to see, firsthand, what a Torah lifestyle is all about. The results have exceeded all expectations. Not only have many of the children been inspired to become observant and committed to Yiddishkeit, but the Shabbatonim have been an eye-open- er for parents who come along as chaperons when they experience the beauty of our mesorah. Some, too, have been inspired to learn and become shomrei Torah u’mitzvos. Kiruv is a very long-term project. It is not as if a person “finds religion” and then just goes forward. The task facing Chesed L’Avraham, especially because it deals with youngsters, is to enable them to become lifelong frum Yidden with Torah knowledge and solid hashkafah so that they will, in turn, be able to pass it on to their future generations. Thus, Chesed L’Avraham must help the youngsters play catch up in their learning and religious culture. They are given extra tutoring and the madrichim have extensive sessions and discussions that include a wide array of topics and that help the youngsters feel comfortable with the way of life that they have chosen. The Yotzei Chesed program makes sure that they can acclimate to yeshiva life and receive the needed tutoring to cope in an often competitive milieu. There are always staff and volunteers on standby to help them or to be a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. This is a support service that a large number of chesed graduates rely on throughout their high school years, and many of them beyond that into adulthood and marriage. The

Continued on Page 62 58 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 59 miniature. Which means that the the cattle, and from the sheep you world is a man in macro. Our world shall bring close your offering.” When contains oceans and continents, a person brings an animal from his forests and deserts, men and beasts; paddock as a gift to G-d, the gesture is so, too, does man. The human psyche devoid of meaning unless he also includes a subconscious “sea” and a offers the “animal” within himself. “terrestrial” persona; it has lush forests and barren deserts; and it has a “human soul” and an “animal soul.” From The Chassidic Masters The human soul—also called the “Much grain is “G-dly soul”—embodies all that is upward-reaching and transcendent in produced with the The Offered Beast man. It gravitates to its source in G-d, driven by an all-consuming love for might of the ox, and G-d and the desire to lose itself within Why, if a person sinned and wished from the cattle, and from the sheep His all-pervading essence. Its modes of this is a reference to make atonement, or if he was just in you shall bring close your offering…” expression are the thought, speech, a generous mood and wished to offer (Vayikra 1:2). and deed of Torah—the means by to the animal inside something to G-d, would he sacrifice As Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi which man achieves closeness and an innocent animal? Why doesn’t he points out, the verse does not say, “A attachment to his Creator. our hearts. sacrifice himself, for example? man, of you, who shall bring near an The “animal soul” is the self that Answer the Chassidic masters: he offering,” but, “A man who shall bring man shares with all living creatures: does. near of you an offering”—the offering it is self driven and fulfilled by its The Torah, they explain, makes this brought is “of you.” The sacrificed ani- physical needs and desires. Its vehi- The Ox And The Plow very point in the verse that introduces mal is a projection, in the extra-human cle of expression is the endeavors of What is to be done with this animal? the laws of the korbanos: sphere, of a process occurring in the material life. The beast within man has not been “A man who shall bring near, of you, human sphere. “A man who shall offer, of you, an placed there just so that it should be an offering to G-d, from the beast, Man, says the Talmud, is a world in offering to G-d, from the beast, from suppressed or uprooted. “Much grain is produced with the might of the ox,” remarked the wisest of men, and the Chassidic masters say that this is a reference to the animal inside our hearts. An ox run amok will trample and destroy, but when dominated by a responsible human vision and har- nessed to its plow, the beast’s vigor translates into “much grain”—a far richer crop than what human energy alone might produce. The same is true of the beast in man. Nothing—not even the G-dly soul’s keenest yearnings—can match the intensity and vigor with which the animal soul pursues its desires. Left to its own devices, however, the animal soul tends toward corrupt and destructive behavior; but the proper guidance and training can eliminate the negative expressions of these potent drives and exploit them toward good and G-dly ends. The first type of korban described in our parashah is the olah—the “ascend- ing” offering, commonly referred to as the “burnt offering.” The olah is unique in that it is an absolute offering: after it is slaughtered in the Temple courtyard and its blood is poured upon the Altar, it is raised up upon the Altar and is burned, in its entirety, as “a fiery pleasure unto G-d.” The burning of something is the physical counterpart of the sublima- tion process described above. When a substance is burned, its outer, material form is eliminated, releasing the energy locked within. This is the inner significance of the korban: the animal energy within man is divested of its material forms and offered upon the altar of service to G-d.

The Eaten Offerings After detailing the various types of korban olah, the Torah goes on to dis- cuss the other two primary categories of offerings—the korban chattas (“sin offering”) and korban shelamim (“peace offering”). Like that of the olah, the blood of these offerings was poured on the Altar. But unlike the wholly burnt offering, only certain parts of chattas and shelamim “ascended” by fire. The 60 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Torah designates certain veins of fat (called the “chalavim,” pl. of “cheilev”) which should be removed and burned. But the meat of the korban was eaten under special conditions of holiness. (The meat of the chattas was eaten by the kohanim, and that of the shelamim by the person who brought the offering, with certain portions given to the kohanim.) There are portions of our material lives which, like the burnt offering, are wholly converted to holiness: the money given to charity; the leather made into tefillin; the energy expended in Torah study, prayer, and the per- formance of a mitzvah. There is also the money we spend to feed our families, the leather we make into shoes, and the energy we expend on the everyday business of physical life. But these, too, can be served as a korban to G-d, when they are “eaten in holiness”— when the money is honestly earned, the food is kosher, and our everyday activities are conducted in a way that is considerate of our fellows and faithful to the Divine laws of life. The “blood” of the animal soul—its fervor and passion for material things—must be poured upon the Altar; its “fat”—its excessive indul- gence and pleasure-seeking—must be burned. But the gist of the animal self—its “meat”—can be sanctified even when it is not entirely converted into a holy act. As long as they are “eaten in holiness,” our material endeavors can be a means of a “bringing close” (the meaning of the word “korban”) of man to G-d. O

Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Yanki Tauber. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com via Chabad.org.Find more Torah articles for the whole family at www.chabad.org/parshah.

And if his offering be a sacrifice of peace offering (Vayikra 3:1) Why is it called a “peace offering”? Because everyone partakes of it.The blood and fat go to the Altar, the breast and thigh to the priest, and the hide and flesh, to the owner. (Toras Kohanim)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 61 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 58

Chesed vocational center in Holon teaches the young men skills such as sofrus, shechitah, etc, so that they will be able to earn a parnasah within a Jewish framework. Chesed Weddings, especially for girls, have been an ongoing project launched by the late Skulene Rebetzin, ob’m, and close to 400 weddings have been fully sponsored, including the setting up of a home—furniture, linens, and kitchen utensils. After all, Chesed L’Avraham has been both a tatte and mama to them all. On Wednesday, April 1 a reception Children of the Chesed home in Asra Kadisha Miron. for this international network of chesed and outreach will take place at Young Israel of Queens Valley on 77th uplifting experience and play a signifi- Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov: lished. The renowned Mesivta Ateres Avenue (corner of Main Street) in Kew cant role in helping the youngsters who Continuing Torah Growth After Yaakov has created Yeshiva Gedola Gardens Hills with the presence of the need and participate in the programs Learning In Israel Ateres Yaakov, a beis midrash program Skulene Rebbe, shlita. The guest that make Chesed L’Avraham the lead- For bachurim who learned in Israel that has been designed to promote speaker will be the world renowned ing and most extensive Torah and chesed for two years and have returned to growth in learning and avodas Hashem. Rabbi Paysach Krohn, noted mohel, network of its kind in Eretz Yisrael. For America, there is a new option avail- Bachurim will find new challenges author, and speaker. more information, please call 718-972- able to continue to build upon the in Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov’s full The chesed functions are always an 6390 ext. 11 or 347-423-7902. O Torah foundation they have estab- schedule of sedarim, shiurim, and sichos . Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov continues a tradition of excellence in Torah learning. Bachurim will learn on the campus of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, a yeshiva known for its outstanding rebbeim and for the lifelong relation- ships that are fostered. Bachurim returning from Israel face important questions, such as how to maintain their passion for continuing to grow in Torah and how the fire for learning can continue to burn brightly in America. They also face significant challenges of young adulthood including college, dating, and establishing a career. Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov is dedicated to maintaining their solid Torah foundation and self-concepts as b’nei Torah as they transition into adulthood. At Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov, bachurim will find an outstanding faculty dedicated to Torah learning at its best. The menahel/maggid shiur is Rabbi Baruch Fogel. An experienced and dedicated rebbi and administrator, Rabbi Fogel enlivens shiurim with his insightful style of learning. He has pre- viously taught a full range of Torah subjects, and has a keen understanding of the needs and concerns of yeshiva bachurim. “I have specific goals in Torah education,” Rabbi Fogel said. “Among them are instilling in my students a passion for learning and a strong Torah foundation.” In addition to Rabbi Fogel, Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov has an exempla- ry mashgiach ruchani, Rabbi Yehuda Horowitz. A member of the faculty for many years, Rabbi Horowitz is a mus- mach of Rav Avraham Pam. Rabbi Horowitz discusses hashkafic issues with bachurim and delivers vaadim. “I would like each bachur to reach his potential in learning,” Rabbi Horowitz said. “I am always proud to see bachurim fulfilling their growth in Torah and avodas Hashem.” The learning environment at Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov promotes this growth. Research in education demon- strates that teaching and learning are enhanced in smaller learning environ- ments. Bachurim learning at Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Yaakov will have the 62 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES opportunity of learning in a close-knit H uge Passover Price Disparities so much need. “And it is forbidden to yeshiva atmosphere. They will have Found, Leading Rabbis Sign Ban take advantage of market prices customized support available to carry Prohibiting Price Gouging before the holiday and to raise prices the “Israel experience” forward into Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D- without a justifiable reason,” warns the rest of their lives. Brooklyn) and Mr. Alexander Rapaport the decree. For more information on Yeshiva of Masbia Soup Kitchen have joined In addition to the edict, Hikind has Gedola Ateres Yaakov, contact Rabbi forces to draft a religious ban prohibit- secured commitments from major dis- Baruch Fogel at 516-306-7548 (cell) ing Passover price gouging in the tributors to sell Passover items at or or by e-mail to R.Baruch.Fogel@ Orthodox Jewish community. This below cost. Golden Flow, Mehadrin ateresyaakov.com. Mesivta Ateres decree, known as a kol koreh or a pub- Dairy, Ahava Foods, and World Cheese Yaakov is located at 1170A William lic pronouncement, is not a new phe- Co. Inc. (Ha’Olam) have all agreed to Street, Hewlett, New York, 11557. The nomenon in the religious Jewish com- maintain their year-round pricing for office telephone number is 516-374- munity. There is a great deal of prece- Passover. Reisman Bakery and 6465. O dent in Jewish law for rabbis to issue Materna (the Israeli baby formula and edicts against monopolies or other sit- food company) have each announced a Upcoming Events In March And uations which are deemed spiritually 15 percent discount on all their April At The JCC reckless. kosher-for-Passover products. The JCC of the Greater Five Towns Signed by 30 prominent rabbis, These distributors are among has a central location in Cedarhurst at this kol koreh employs strong lan- those praised in the ban by the rab- 207 Grove Avenue and several satellite guage. The edict states (translated bis. “We were happy to hear that locations around the community. The from the Hebrew), “Now before some stores and manufacturers lis- The kol koreh. central phone number is 516-569-6733. Passover, especially when the econo- tened to the poor in our community, Ongoing Events my is so bad, we are reminding peo- and have either brought down prices Cards and Friendship Group. Come ple of the Jewish law concerning or agreed not to raise them. The Al- the need for this ban, Hikind said, “I alone or bring a friend for a fun after- monopolies.” The rabbis further cau- mighty should bless their efforts and do not begrudge any store owner from noon at the JCC. Enjoy meeting new tion store owners to have mercy on people should learn from them and making a living. I am just asking own- people, good conversation, and chal- the consumer all year around, but replicate their actions.” lenging games. Every Wednesday, particularly at Passover when there is In explaining his reasoning behind Continued on Page 64 1:00–3:00 p.m. For further information, please call Lisa Stern (ext. 209). Come Alive Program at Sons of Israel in Woodmere. This program provides an opportunity for home- bound older adults to participate in social, recreational, and intellectual activities. Kosher lunch will be provided and door-to-door transportation is available on a limited basis. For further information, please call Mary Sheffield (ext. 219) or Linda Balch (ext. 211). Parkinson’s Support Group. The purpose of this group is to bring together Parkinsonians, spouses, and their families in order to help them better understand the nature of the condition, gain confidence, and join in community activities. For further information, please contact Cathy Byrne (ext. 220). Remember When. This program is especially designed for memory enhancement and socialization. The cost includes a full range of therapeu- tic activities, morning beverage, dessert, and a kosher lunch. Round- trip, door-to-door, handicapped-accessible transportation is available on a limited basis. Registration is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) group at Sons of Israel in Woodmere. The goal is to offer a safe haven where clients and family members feel accepted for who they are. Takes place on Wednesdays. For further information, please contact Lisa Barnett (ext. 210) or Chana Pfeifer (ext. 213). Upcoming Events Cooking Concepts with Chef Naomi Ross. Tuesday, March 31, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. For further information and/or reservations please call ext. 222. Pre-Passover Seder for LIFE members. Thursday, April 2, 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Jewish Center of Atlantic Beach, 100 Nassau Avenue, Atlantic Beach. Pre-registration is required. Mahjong Class. Beginning Monday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. The fee is $50 for five classes. For further information and/or to register please call ext. 222. O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 63 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS koreh was read and signed personally Avrohom Friedlander, Hivnover Rav; Neitei Gavriel Rav; Rabbi Chaim Continued from Page 63 by each rabbi listed. Following is the Rabbi Pinchas Shulom Hager, Viznitz Eluzer Freidman, Tenke Rav; Rabbi list of rabbis who have affixed their Rav; Rabbi Menachem Mendel Aron Glick, Kameniz Rav; Rabbi ers to have compassion and not to take names to the ban: Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, Viznitz Dayan; Rabbi Chaim Yeshuah Konig, Yokeh Rav; advantage of people just because they Freidman, Satmar Dayan; Rabbi Shrage Favish Hager, Kosov Rebbe; Rabbi Moshe Menachem Weiss, can get away with it. I am hoping those Yechiel Mechil Steinmetz, Skver Rabbi Moshe Fogel, Ger Dayan; Pupe Dayan; Rabbi Yechiel Kaufman, who determine the prices will adhere Dayan; Rabbi Shlomo Gross, Belz Rabbi Elye Fischer, Ger Rosh Sfardish Shul Rav and executive to the kol koreh.” Dayan; Rabbi Yecheskel Roth, HaKollel; Rabbi Yakkov Miller, director of BPJCC; Rabbi Yakov Unlike many rabbinical decrees Karlesburg Rav; Rabbi Yitzchok Eizenshtater Rav; Rabbi Avrohom Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe; Rabbi where rabbis’ names are added with- Stein, Foltishan Dayan; Rabbi Tzvi Chaim Schteinwurtzel, Matei Moshe Wolfson, Emunas Yisroel Rav out their perusal or consent, this kol Hirsh Friedlander, Liske Rav; Rabbi Efrayim Rav; Rabbi Gavriel Tzinner, and mashgiach of Torah Voda’as; Rabbi Yakov Yisroel Rubin, Brizdovitz Rav; Rabbi Psachaya Fried, Bnei Yisroel Rav; Rabbi Shulem Yosef Chaim HaCohen Fried, Krasne Rav; Rabbi Aron Wieder, Linzer Rav; Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Bik, Nachlas Moshe; Rabbi Bezion Hacohen Strasser, Nitre Dayan; Rabbi Gershon Tenenbaum, Linben Hights Rav; and Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Meir, Rav of Telzer Minyan. As part of his ongoing campaign to fight Passover price inflation, Hikind’s office also conducted a survey over the last six weeks to determine if store owners are capitalizing on consumers in one of the worst financial climates in recent history. Basic Passover items such as sugar, coffee, and quartered chicken, among other products, were surveyed. In Brooklyn, a 5 lb. bag of kosher- for-Passover Domino sugar sold from $2.79 to $3.69, while Gefen, CRC, and Lieber’s sugar sold for as much as $6.99 a bag, depending on the store and the certification. The same held true for a 7 oz. can of coffee. Under its own label, the price for kosher-for-Passover Taster’s Choice

64 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ranges between $7.49 and $9.99. On cans which feature an added certification, the price jumped to as high as $14.45 per container. Other brands like Maxwell House, Elite, and Lieber’s were even cheaper than either Taster’s Choice option at most Brooklyn stores. Surprisingly, the price for quartered chicken remained fairly static from February to March in Brooklyn, with prices hovering near $2.69/lb or slight- ly higher. Some stores even dropped their prices by as much as 50 to 70 cents per pound in March. Queens residents saw a 40 cent per pound increase in three of their major stores, with a much smaller per-pound increase in the Five Towns. “My advice to every consumer shopping this Passover is ‘buyer beware,’” said Hikind. “While it may be incon- venient to patronize several different stores this Passover, the overall savings will definitely add up.” O

Far Rockaway Erev Passover Sanitation Pickup And Burning Of Chometz The Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula has arranged for special erev Pesach collection by the Department of Sanitation of the City of New York on Wednesday, April 8 in the Far Rockaway area, starting at 6:00 a.m. Kevin Coll, superintendent of DSNY for the Rockaway Peninsula, said that every effort would be made to complete this task by 11:00 a.m. In order to complete the task, extra collection trucks will be provided. To accommodate the anticipated heavy refuse, Superintendent Coll requests that residents put out any items that can be discarded in the weeks prior to April 8, and that the remaining refuse be placed curbside by mid- night on Tuesday. Pickup will include recycling and bulk. To speed up collection, you are requested to use plastic bags where possible. In addition, stationary collection trucks will be located at Hicksville Road, Oak Drive, and Elvira Avenue after 8:00 a.m. Arrangements have also been made for Belle Harbor/Neponsit area. A stationary collection truck will be located at Congregation Ohab Zedek, Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 134 Street, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Additionally, for safety, the JCCRP has arranged for the community to burn chometz from 7:00 a.m. to 11:52 a.m. under the supervision of the FDNY in O’Donohue Park in the parking lot at Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 11th Street. The FDNY requests that people not place plastic bags or alu- minum foil into the fire. The JCCRP would like to thank NYC Departments of Fire, Sanitation, and Parks and Recreation for their cooperation. The JCCRP is a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation of NY and a proud affil- iate of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. It works to help the poor and needy of the community. To learn more, visit www.jccrp.org. O

Continued on Page 66 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 65 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Rockaways, are long over. We now Continued from Page 65 understand that the children on the streets are our children. We recognize Bnos Bais Yaakov’s that no one is immune. 14th Annual Dinner Rabbi Silver took David to a local Bnos Bais Yaakov held its 14th detox center. This was the last place he Annual Dinner on Sunday, March 22. wanted to go, but with a lot of love, The dinner took place on the beautiful Rabbi Silver was able to persuade him. Maurice Lowinger Campus of Bnos The immediate crisis was resolved. Bais Yaakov. The ambiance of the affair The following day, Rabbi Silver went to coupled with the warm and inspiring check in on David, but he was no words of their esteemed dean, Rabbi longer there. He had checked himself Shmuel Hiller, left the attendees with out and was now roaming the streets. a great sense of pride in all of the Rabbi Silver searched the neighbor- school’s accomplishments over the PhotoByIvanH.Norman hood until he found the youth at one past 14 years. Bnos Bais Yaakov’s din- of the “usual hangouts”, and this time ner guests were honored by the atten- Rabbi Silver arranged for him to go to dance and greetings of Councilman a detox facility out of town, where it James Sanders. would be more difficult for David to Bnos Bais Yaakov has experienced At the Bnos Bais Yaakov dinner (L–R): Rabbi Shmuel Hiller, dean; Mr. Mayer Gold Kesser Shem run away. Tov Awardee Mr. Binyamin Lipsky, executive director of Bnos Bais Yaakov. explosive growth, from a small local Madraigos’s 24-hour crisis-inter- school in Bayswater, to the current vention center receives numerous large mosad located on the Maurice Shem Tov Award; Mr. and Mrs. Yosef reading material for Jewish children. calls virtually every day to intervene in Lowinger Campus in the heart of Far Weissman received the Parents of the In fact, the beloved Devorah Doresh cases involving a wide range of prob- Rockaway. The school now services Year Award; and Mrs. Gloria series—the first “kosher” mystery lems, including violence, abuse, close to 800 talmidos, ranging from Goldman received the Grandparent books for Jewish children—was Mr. addiction, and problems with the law. nursery through 12th grade. Even of the Year Award. Bnos Bais Yaakov Goldman’s project. O They are challenged with finding with its dramatic growth, Bnos Bais has the z’chus of having the school immediate solutions to emergencies, Yaakov has never lost sight of its main library dedicated in Mrs. Gloria Madraigos: Saving Lives ranging from placing a child in a goals. These goals include being com- Goldman’s husband’s name, Yaakov David had locked the door of his rehab facility or identifying an appro- mitted to transmitting the warmth Dovid ben Simcha Mordechai. The college dorm room and was using priate psychologist, to finding a and vibrancy of Yiddishkeit to each appropriateness of that dedication heroin. It was 1 a.m. Frantic, his lawyer to bail a child out of jail. individual student, while still main- lies in the history of Judaic publish- roommate called Rabbi Dov Silver’s Madraigos also provides follow-up taining heightened standards of aca- ing; Jack Goldman, a’h, was the cellphone, which is never turned off. services to the adolescents and young demic excellence in both limudei visionary behind Otzer HaSeforim, Rabbi Silver, the founder and director adults who first come to its attention kodesh and limudei chol. one of the first seforim stores on the of Madraigos, rushed right over. through the crisis-intervention center. The school’s 14th Annual Dinner Lower East Side, which then devel- The days of deluding ourselves that Madraigos is much more than a cri- paid tribute and honored the follow- oped into one of the first Jewish pub- things like drug abuse, family violence, sis intervention center. It believes ing people for their dedication and lishing companies. Mr. Goldman put self-mutilation, and suicidal adoles- wholeheartedly in the principle that devotion to the school: Mr. and Mrs. all of his kochos into publishing cents don’t happen in the frum com- “an ounce of prevention is worth a Mayer Gold received the Kesser seforim and providing appropriate munity, including the Five Towns and pound of cure.” Indeed, Madraigos

66 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

was started primarily as an after- school program to provide a safe, accepting, and comfortable environment for the young men and women in our community. Madraigos offers a variety of programs (separate for boys and girls) such as dance, karate, and movie nights during the after-school hours. Dinner is served at all-night programs, and counselors are available to speak to kids one-on-one about all types of issues. Madraigos also attacks the challenges facing young Jewish adults on other fronts. It provides Shabbos and yom tov programs, Rosh Hashanah and Shavuos retreats, special events, and more to keep the community’s children on track. “Madraigos is a great place for us; they don’t treat you like an outsider or like a ‘kid at risk’ at all,” says one Madraigos member. They also offer teen support groups, parenting workshops, counseling, referrals, school and job placement, and career guidance. Rabbi Silver kept on top of David’s progress in the detox center, making sure that he completed the regimen. He arranged for him to enroll in the long-term rehab center and Rabbi Silver followed up to make sure that David was sticking to the program. The next “madraigah” (step) is to help support him once he is out of rehab by identifying the resources that will help him stay clean. Rabbi Dov Silver, gives virtually all of his time to help our teens and families stay on solid ground. From self- esteem issues, to problems in school, addictions, and problems with the law, Rabbi Silver deals with the wide variety of issues that our children face. “Rabbi Silver spent hours upon hours working with me and my family. It is only because of him that I was not kicked out of my home and that I currently have a job,” says one teen. A local parent says, “When you talk to him, you feel as if he has all the time in the world. All he wants to do is help you with whatever problem you and your family are facing.” One young adult in the Five Towns related, “When I was a teenager I used drugs as a statement of rebellion to the fact that I had been neglected by the system. I was left behind in the second grade and unable to ever recover lost ground. The fact is that as we age, and responsibility beckons, the challenges of our youth should seem distant. But for me they don’t. I am burdened with skeletons of my past. Whether real or perceived, these are my feelings. Although you may not understand or relate to my story you must know that there are many young men and women in our community who struggle like me. Rabbi Silver has dedicated his life to making sure we recover ours. I am about to celebrate four years clean and sober because Rabbi Silver and Madraigos reached out.” “Madraigos is a big part of our community and I am glad to be a part of it,” says Rivka Rosen, one of the Madraigos counselors. “Madraigos is a program that helps the struggling and the fallen and believes in each person.”

Continued on Page 69 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 67 68 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS sibility as parents to ensure that our The only thing fictional about Continued from Page 67 children have a support system for David’s story is his name. Everything every type of issue, anytime; day or else is true. And, sadly, there are scores Madraigos provides an environ- night” says Ephraim Kutner, a of “Davids” and “Saras” and “Shimons” ment of safety, security, and uncondi- Madraigos board member. who have similar stories. Rabbi Silver and Madraigos are there for each and every one of them. O

Meah Brachos And Brachos Out Loud Contest And Raffle Winners Announced For the first annual Five Towns meah brachos contest, each boy received a booklet to mark off the 100 brachos they recited, and there was a raffle for $100 gift certificates at various stores. In addition, each boy who participated received a $5 gift certificate. Sarah Rothman A person is supposed to say 100 brachos every day. During the week one recites 89 brachos in the three tefillos to complete the 100. and can easily complete the remaining The $100 winners, and the stores 11. On Shabbos one recites 80 during whose certificates they received, were the tefillos and the three meals and as follows: Some of the attendees at the Madraigos breakfast last year at the home of Shabse and Tova Fuchs needs 20 more. On Yom Kippur one HALB—Josh Najjar, Best Buy; (L–R): Yoni Kutner; Rav Naftali Jaeger, Rosh Yeshiva of Sh’or Yoshuv; Rav Avrohom Halpern, recites 67 during the tefillos and must Menahel of Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv, and Ephraim Kutner. use the birchos haTorah and haftarah Continued on Page 70 tional love that serves as the portal for teens and young adults to find and fulfill their potential. Through careful coordination with community support structures, such as schools, synagogues, and professional care- givers, Madraigos takes its members on a path of gradual growth, one madraigah at a time. Everything that Madraigos offers is free to the community to ensure that everyone gets the help that they need. Madraigos’s success has been recog- nized far and wide. Madraigos has been invited to run prevention programs in many of our local schools. Indeed, many communities throughout the United States have solicited Rabbi Silver’s help in designing and implementing programs modeled after Madraigos. Madraigos is dedicated to helping today’s youth succeed and helping families deal with the myriad issues that come along with raising healthy and productive children in this generation. Madraigos focuses on the growth and wellness of our teenagers and young adults, giving them the opportunity to do what is right and to make proper decisions and choices. “(The) Madraigos organization continues to influence and save lives in our community each and every day,” HaRav Avrohom Halpern and HaRav Moshe Weinberger wrote in a letter to the community. Madraigos Breakfast, March 29. Madraigos services 400 families in the Five Towns/Far Rockaway community. The community is encouraged to join Madraigos this Sunday to support the lifesaving work that they do. Moshe and Miriam Feuer have graciously opened their home for the annual Madraigos breakfast to take place Sunday, March 29 at 9:45 am. Rabbi Eytan Feiner, rav of Cong- regation Kneseth Israel, will be the keynote speaker. “Madraigos is an organization that we as parents here in the Five Towns cannot afford to live without. Today we are seeing more cases from within our community than ever before. It is our respon- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 69 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Yeshiva Ketanah—Eliezer Silver- Loud contest are Sarah Rothman, Continued from Page 69 man, Simon’s. Aleeza Rubin, Shlomo Cohen and Siach Yitzchok—Shlomo Cohen, Avi Silver. O Zachary Weiss, Brach’s; Jason Zundel Berman; Avi Silver, Toys ‘R’ Us. Salamon, Game Stop; Yoni Goldberg, Darchei—Tzvi Frishman, Brach’s; Lobos Hockey League Game Stop. Dovid Gwartmen, Best Buy Championship Game HAFTR—Sam Cohen, Game Stop; HAFTR girls’ essay—Nicole Mayer, In a closely fought battle, the Red Daniel Margareten, CVS. i-Tunes; Sarah Simon, Cover Girl. Wings defeated the Blue Devils by a South Shore—Chaim Jacobs, The winners of the Brachos Out score of 9–6 in the championship Modell’s; Nissen Klitnick, Wal-mart.

Shlomo Cohen and Avi Silver

Aleeza Rubin Eliezer Silverman Members of the winning team.

game of Congregation Shaaray Tefilah’s Lobos Hockey League. With a crowd of over 100 fans cheering and enjoying a Carlos and Gabby’s buffet, the Red Wings emerged victorious during an explosive third period. At the ceremony after the game, Mr. Chaim (Lobos) Silber, the league sponsor, together with Mr. Sam Davies, Shaaray’s chairman of the board, and Mr. David Malek, Shaaray’s president, awarded trophies to the outstanding players during the season, and to the members of the winning team. In addition, the winning team was presented with the 2009 Lobos Cup, which will be housed at Congregation Shaaray Tefilah. For more information about the Lobos Hockey League, or for other youth programs at Shaaray Tefilah, please visit www.shaaray-tefilah.org under “youth department” or call the shul office at 516-239-2444. O

Continued on Page 85

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70 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Let’s Stop Being Punching Bags!

BY MICHAEL BEN ARI Knesset?” To me, this question was casters treat Arab MKs such as Shalom sticker is undeniable. It’s pretty hardly an innocent one, nor was it Achmed Tibi or Taleb El Sana. We hard to deny what appears in a photo- legitimate. Over the past few months, I never heard MK Tibi get hit with a graph. Golan claims that he happened A week and a half ago, I was asked have been asked questions of this type question like “What’s it like to be the to be at a Gush Shalom gathering when to be interviewed by Israeli state radio, over and over again, and I have never right-hand man of the murderer someone put the sticker on him, and on the “Kol Yisrael” station hosted by denied the fact that I am a devoted stu- Arafat,” or MK El Sana being asked out of respect to Avneri, he didn’t Aryeh Golan. The interview lasted dent of Rabbi Kahane, z”l, H”yd. But “What’s it like to be a self-proclaimed remove it. Yeah, right. And if someone about 50 seconds, and was subse- this time, the tone and style of the PLO’er in the Knesset?” had put on his shirt a “Kahane Was quently publicized as “the shortest question was different. It was a trans- I represent a constituency that the Right!” sticker, would he have let it interview in history.” It also created parent attempt to marginalize and dele- media never gave a break. To Israeli remain there for even a second? unprecedented feedback from listeners I was criticized by some who all over the country, protesting the fact claimed I may no longer be given air that Golan hung up on me. time in the Israeli media. How scary! What caused the interview to be so The fact is, I prefer not to be toyed abruptly aborted? Basically, it was Golan explained that he stopped the with like a monkey in a cage, made Golan’s style of questioning, and my into a punching bag by some pompous unexpected response. Let me reiterate talking head. And all for a few minutes some of the points I have already interview because he didn’t want to justify of media coverage. explained to people on this issue. It’s Golan explained to his buddy, Yaron already been a few days that I am no himself for five minutes. Neither did I. Dekel, that he stopped the interview longer a private person, having been because he didn’t want to justify him- voted into the Knesset to represent self for five minutes. Neither did I. tens of thousands of Israeli citizens In closing, I am proud of the fact who voted for me. that I have been selected to represent By the same token, we must remem- gitimize me, as they did to Rabbi state TV and radio, the Right is always the followers of Rabbi Kahane, from ber that that same radio broadcaster is Kahane 25 years ago. For them, a “extreme,” while the Left is humanitar- whom I learned the concept of also a servant of the public who Kahanist is someone who can be ian and the pursuer of peace. That is “Ahavat Yisrael” (Love of Jews). I also receives his salary from the State of defamed, abused, and banned. And one why, in a split-second decision, I learned from him that one should not Israel, and he is by no means the can even hang up the telephone in his responded: “How does it feel being a grovel. I have nothing against Aryeh owner of the radio station. The true face, telling him in street talk: “Ya-ala.” self-proclaimed Gush Shalom Golan; I don’t even know him. But it owners of the radio station are the cit- It is clear that he who is marginalized peacenik.” To refresh your memories, appears that he and Kol Yisrael realize izens of Israel, and not just those who in such a way will not succeed in getting Gush Shalom is not just another left- they made a mistake. Golan suddenly reside in Ramat Aviv. his message heard. He will be consid- wing movement, but the product of losing his cool tells me that I was right The interviewer opened with the ered, as religious Jews call it, “muktze.” PLO lover Uri Avneri, devoted friend of in my assumption. question: “How does it feel being a self- The fascinating aspect of all this is Arafat, yimach sh’mo. The fact that I will continue to struggle for a bal- proclaimed Kahanist inside the how the same Kol Yisrael radio broad- Golan walked around with a Gush anced media—we deserve it. O

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effect our community and the volun- Rebbe Chanina’s statement that teers can have on the not-yet-frum. ‘someone who is commanded to act Daf Yomi Insights How does havdalah relate to the and does, is greater than someone who daf? The Gemara says that Rabbi is not commanded, yet acts anyway.’ Yehuda says that a blind person is bib- Now I make a party for whoever says The Distinction Of Havdalah pants chant a moving melody in the lically exempt from fulfilling the the halacha is not in accordance with B Y RABBI AVROHOM glow of the havdalah candle. That tune mitzvos of the Torah. Whereupon the Rebbe Yehuda (and I am indeed obli- SEBROW leads into the text of havdalah itself Gemara quotes Rav Yosef, who was a gated in all the mitzvos).” Tosfos in and returns during the intermission blind amora, as saying, “Originally, I Kiddushin explains that someone who It must have been around ten years between berachos. That havdalah takes used to make a party for someone who has an obligation to perform a mitzvah ago that a certain non-Orthodox at least four times as long as my own! ruled that the halacha is in accordance must constantly worry to ensure that Jewish organization convened a large After havdalah and the requisite danc- with Rabbi Yehuda. Why? Because I he fulfills it. Someone who has no obli- assembly. Their goal: to come up with gation, however, has no pressure. If it ideas to counter assimilation. Their turns out that he didn’t fulfill the mitz- solution: Rabbis should encourage vah , it’s no big deal. He wasn’t obligat- members of their synagogues to make ed to anyway. It’s an easy fallback. The havdalah and read Jewish books! At the obligated person therefore receives time the solution sounded pretty more reward because of the constant laughable. Jewish books, I can under- pressure he experiences to ensure a stand somewhat, but havdalah?I think mitzvah is fulfilled. those that are rather adept can polish Tosfos in Rosh HaShanah proves off the whole ritual in a minute. I don’t from the aforementioned Gemara that think I’ve ever seen anyone inspired by women are permitted to make bless- havdalah, at least until this past ings on mitzvos that they are exempt Shabbos. from. For example, according to Tosfos, I took part in the Gateways/RAJE women are permitted to make a Shabbaton. Many local families hosted beracha on taking a lulav and esrog college men and women in their even though they are exempt from homes for this memorable event. It doing so. Rav Yosef was originally was refreshing to see these young happy to hear that he was exempt from adults with very little (if any) religious mitzvos because he thought he earned background excited about Yiddishkeit. more reward that way. Why was he After having two young men over for The Havdalah ceremony at the Renovs this past Shabbos as part happy? He lost the reward of making the Friday night meal, and eating of the RAJE/Gateways Shabbaton. the berachos on all the mitzvos that he Shabbos lunch together with the was exempt from! He could no longer entire Shabbaton, I decided that I make a beracha on lulav, shofar, succ- would join them at the Renov’s home ing, I asked a few of the participants if am not commanded to keep the ah, and tefillin among others! It must for havdalah. It turns out that for they would come again for Shabbos. mitzvos, yet I do anyway. (I will receive be, Tosfos concludes, that though he many, the havdalah ceremony was the They all answered with an enthusias- greater reward because I am serving was exempt from the mitzvos he was climax of the whole Shabbaton. All the tic, unequivocal “Yes!” It was really Hashem out of total love since I have lights are turned off and the partici- heartwarming and gratifying to see the no obligation.) I have since heard of Continued on Page 77

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 75 without; arov and dever were with one of these makkos occurred, the The Deeper Meaning Of hasra’ah, sh’chin was without; and other two were also present in some barad and arbeh were with hasra’ah, form. (Rivah) choshech was without. Hence the The next three explanations are Rabbi Yehudah’s Simanim need to group the makkos in this way. found in the Haggadah of the (Yesh Meforshim) Roke’ach, Rabbeinu Elazar 3. Insofar as the makkos were recit- Mi’Garmaiza (Worms): BY RABBI CHAIM COHEN and at the same time provide a more ed in connection with the bringing of 5. R’ Yehudah intended with his in-depth appreciation of the Haggadah bikkurim, it was necessary for R’ simanim to convey that each of the After the enumeration of the ten generally. Yehudah to record the actual order of three Tannaim quoted next in the makkos in the Haggadah—dam, tze’- The first four explanations are taken the makkos in his simanim of D’tzach, Haggadah was correct: R’ Yose fardeia, etc.—we are told that R’ from the commentary of the Hagahos A’dash, B’Achav, since the order (seder) HaGlili, who held that there were 50 Yehudah abbreviated the names of the Maimoni on the Rambam’s nusach of the makkos as recorded in Tehillim makkos al ha’yam; R’ Eliezer, who makkos into three simanim, or haHaggadah found at the end of (see 78:44–51 and 105:28–36) is quite held there were 200 makkos; and R’ acronyms: D ’tzach, A’dash, B’Achav. Hilchos Chometz u’Matzah: different from that found in Sh’mos. Akiva, who held there were 250. This R’ Yehudah in fact was accustomed 1. The first siman, D’tzach (dam, (Rabbeinu Chananel) totals 500 makkos. The gematria of to forming such acronyms, as noted by tzefardeia, kinim), refers to the three 4. Each of the third makkos cited in D’tzach, A’dash, B’Achav is 501. (The the Bartenura in a Mishneh in makkos that Aharon performed with R’ Yehudah’s three simanim (i.e., extra 1 is for the aleph of “Etzba” in Menachos 11:4. (I am indebted to yedi- the mateh (staff). (Note: The kinim, sh’chin, choshech) was unusual Mitzrayim.) di Rav Moshe Broide for this refer- Midrash explains that it wasn’t in that it also occurred with the other 6. Alternatively, the grand total of ence. See also my article in Yeshurun, appropriate for Moshe to inflict two. Thus during the makkah of kinim, makkos recorded by these three 11:848, Elul 5762, footnote no. 7, and makkos that emanated from the Nile there were also makkos of sh’chin and Tannaim, including those occurring in my Sefer Ma’adanei Chayim, Sukkah, or from sand, since Moshe’s life was choshech, but the latter were not as Mitzrayim and those al ha’yam (60, p. 166, for perhaps a third instance of spared by the Nile [when he was prominent as the makkah of kinim. 240, 300), is 600. The gematria of R’ R’ Yehudah’s simanim.) placed in the teivah] and by the sand Similarly, during the makkah of Yehudah’s simanim is 501, with the But one thing is certain: just as [in which he buried the Mitzri]. Thus sh’chin, there were also kinim and extra aleph in lieu of 100. Thus every word found in Chazal is kodesh the first three makkos were per- choshech; and during choshech, there according to this rendition, the gema- kadashim, it is not possible that R’ formed by Aharon instead.) were also kinim and sh’chin. tria of R’ Yehudah’s simanim also totals Yehudah offered these simanim with- The second siman, Adash (arov, To demonstrate this unusual phe- 600 and was intended as a confirma- out some deeper intent. Thus we must dever, sh’chin), refers to the three nomenon, if you write these three tion that each of the three Tannaim understand why it was necessary for R’ makkos performed by Moshe without makkos, one under the other, as in the was correct. Yehudah to group the makkos in this the mateh. The final siman, B’Achav illustration below, using three letters 7. According to the Mechilta, the fashion. What chiddush (novelty) was (barad, arbeh, choshech, b’choros), for each makkah, you will find that the simanim given by R’ Yehudah of he imparting that we may not have refers to the four makkos performed by same three makkos can also be read D’tzach, A’dash, B’Achav were actually taken note of without these particular Moshe with the mateh.(Ra’avan) vertically (going from top to bottom). inscribed on Moshe Rabbeinu’s mateh acronyms? 2. The first two of each of the faj that was created during the Six Days of Numerous explanations have been three simanim took place following bja Bereishis. (Some explain that this is given to this puzzling statement of R’ Moshe Rabbeinu’s hasra’ah (admoni- nb f how Moshe Rabbeinu knew of some of Yehudah. The following interpretations tion) to Pharaoh; the third was with- This is to highlight that each of the makkos even without being told by the Rishonim will help us better out hasra’ah. Thus, dam and tze- these three makkos was integrally beforehand by Hashem.) understand the simanim of R’ Yehudah, fardeia were with hasra’ah, kinim was related to the other two, and that when Chag kasher v’sameiach. O

76 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Daf Yomi Insights Continued from Page 75 still allowed to make all those berachos. So too, though women are exempt from time- bound mitzvos such as lulav and shofar, they are allowed to make a beracha over them. The Rema (OC 17:2) rules in accordance with Tosfos that women are indeed permitted to make a beracha over mitzvos that they are exempt from. (The Shulchan Aruch,

How does one remember the order of the berachos for havdalah if reciting them by heart? You travel up the face.

however, disagrees.) Yet, in an apparent contradiction, the Rema rules that it is preferable that women not recite havdalah for themselves because there is a minority opinion that women are exempt from havdalah. What difference does it make if there is an opinion that women are exempt from havdalah? Even if they were exempt from havdalaht, aren’ they allowed to make the berachos anyway as the Rema ruled in siman 17? The Mogen Avraham offers an astute distinction. When it comes to the mitzvah of shofar, lulav, tefillin and other similar mitzvos, there is a distinct action involved. When a woman blows the shofar or picks up the lulav, she is permitted to make a beracha . However, by havdalah, there is no distinct action. The main mitzvah of havdalah is just to recite the blessings themselves. (The candle and spices are add- ons and are in fact separate mitzvos. If they are unavail- able, one can fulfill the mitzvah of havdalah without them. He would then recite the beracha on the candle and spices when they become available.) Since the entire mitzvah of havdalah just consists of the berachos, if women were truly exempt they would not be permitted to recite havdalah. As a matter of practical halacha, women are obligated in the mitzvah of havdalah.

Continued on Page 79 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 77 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR nearly universal style of chinuch, if not Continued from Page 51 for the fact that many prominent, experienced mechanchim espouse and Scary Omission encourage the same approach…” I Dear Editor, have read similar opinions by authori- I want to thank you for printing my ties such as Rabbi Yaakov Bender, shli- article on educational discretion ta, as well as Rav Volbe, zt’l. (“What Are We Teaching Our Without this line, it seems a tremen- Children?” March 20). However, I did dous chutzpah on my part to criticize ask to please not omit any essential the way thousands of worthy teachers parts. I didn’t mind the omission of the convey material; but with it, the argu- section regarding Holocaust educa- ment is more plausible and respectful. tion, or the section about associating Additionally, the submitted version of keriyas Shema with the torturous mur- the article ended on a constructive, der of Rabbi Akiva—the point was rel- positive note, with berachos for success atively unchanged without those para- in chinuch, while the printed version graphs. There was even a paragraph ends in a more critical, almost conde- about how to address the question of scending tone. I hope any readers who why bad things happen with children, were offended by these omissions will which was, in my opinion, important, forgive me. Thank you for please cor- but perhaps not as directly relevant to recting this, and kol tuv. the rest. There was, however, one crit- Sincerely, ical sentence that was taken out, that I Elisheva Liss believe is indispensable, and that is the Editor’s Note: The omission of the following: final several paragraphs of Mrs. Liss’s “I would never presume the arro- article was unintentional. We apologize gance to challenge a long-standing, for the error. Your Ad Could Be Here.

78 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Daf Yomi Insights m’orei ha’eish. Fourth, the you to sleep. If it did, wake up Continued from Page 77 mind, which has the ability to and smell the b’samim! O differentiate between Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi Regardless, the custom is Shabbos and weekday— chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood that women don’t drink the hamavdil bein kodesh l’chol. Park in West Hempstead and is an outreach professional at JEP of LI. He havdalah wine. Therefore, I’m sorry if this article put can be contacted at they should hear havdalah [email protected]. from a man. If there is no man available who didn’t yet recite havdalah, they should recite havdalah themselves and drink the havdalah wine. (MB 296:35) There is one possible caveat, however. The Mishna Berura in the Biur Halacha section writes that it is likely that according to everyone a woman is not obligated in the beracha over the havdalah candle. One may infer that the Chofetz Chaim is ruling that a woman should not recite borei m’orie ha’eish when reciting havdalah herself. Indeed, I have heard rabbanim say this. HaRav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, in a teshuva written to Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen writes that this is a misinterpreta- tion of the Mishna Berura’s words. The Chofetz Chaim only writes that a woman is not obligated to make the beracha on the candle, but she may in fact choose to. Rav Moshe himself ruled that women should in fact make the beracha of borei m’orie ha’eish. Incidentally, there was an individual named Rabbi Bialy, z”l, who wrote small pam- phlets on a variety of Torah subjects. One day I was teaching in Camp Romimu and he offered to teach my group for a small period. He offered the following tidbit. How does one remember the order of the berachos for havdalah if reciting them by heart? You travel up the face. First, the mouth: wine— hagafen. Second, the nose: spices—besamim. Third, the eye: seeing the fire—borei

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 79 Blowing The Cover Of The ‘New Kashrus’

BY RABBI AVI SHAFRAN Rubashkin official—imprisoned before his trial for months despite Anyone who raised an eyebrow at offering to surrender his passport, charges that the “Hekhsher Tzedek” wear an electronic bracelet to track kosher-certification initiative recasts his movements, and post an exorbi- the very concept of kashrus might want tant bond—as a campaign “to spring to aim an eye at the February 6 Wall Mr. Rubashkin from jail” because of Street Journal’s column “A Quarrel “an ancient Jewish religious obliga- Over What Is Kosher,’ by the Forward’s tion to free Jews from gentile captivi- Nathaniel Popper—the reporter who, ty.” No mention of the fact that in 2006, first shone a harsh light on Sholom Rubashkin’s Jewishness (as it the Agriprocessors slaughterhouse. His made him eligible for automatic citi- reportage of alleged abuse of workers zenship in Israel) was among the fac- there was followed, in 2008, by a fed- tors cited in denying him bail. (The eral raid on the plant, the deportation bail denial was in fact reversed by of hundreds of illegal alien workers, another judge—although Mr. Popper and the filing of criminal charges might consider the ruling tainted, against its owners and others. based as it was partly on the testimo- In his “Houses of Worship” guest ny of bearded rabbis.) column, Mr. Popper reveals some per- Mr. Popper’s personal perspective sonal cards, of the sort usually held is further on display when he extols behind the fictional screen of journal- “a more explicitly universal vision of istic objectivity. Like his comparison of mankind, in which a Guatemalan “bearded Orthodox rabbis” who Catholic has the same weight as a “buzzed around the Agriprocessors Brooklyn Jew”—as if a spiritual plant” making sure kashrus laws, but bond to a religious community not ethical norms, were being somehow implies criminal uncon- observed with the “progressive, social- cern for others. ly engaged, and mostly clean-shaven The essential point of Popper’s rabbis” who rode in, so to speak, on piece, though, is both true and impor- white horses to rescue Agriprocessors tant. He characterizes the respective from itself. positions of the Hekhsher Tzedek’s Popper also characterizes efforts to proponents and opponents as a dispute persuade a judge to grant bail to a over “the proper way to interpret reli-

80 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES gious law and values.” Should we, he gage and the Whatever Tzedek. He asks, “read our ancient texts literally or doesn’t bother to disguise his feelings adapt them to a changing world?” for Jews who believe that the Torah is Popper doesn’t mean “literally” liter- G-d’s will and that its laws, whether ally, of course; presumably he realizes fathomable or not, are sacrosanct; and that the Torah’s laws are determined he exposes the now-it’s-a-hekhsher- not by literal readings but by the intri- now-it’s-not initiative as an attempt to cate teachings of the mesorah. He is “evolve” kashrus into a plank of the accurate, though, to ascribe to the social liberal platform. non-Orthodox rabbinates a willingness What Mr. Popper seems to not fully to jettison elements of halachah that appreciate, though, is the trenchant discomfit them. fact that the very same set of Divine By contrast, Orthodox rabbis are, he laws that Orthodox Jews believe man- writes (with, one suspects, less than date kashrus and other ritual require- reverence), the “Antonin Scalias of the ments and prohibitions mandate no Jewish world.” One such rabbi even less interpersonal ethics (including told him (you might want to sit down proper treatment of workers) and here) that he keeps kosher not out of respect for the laws of the land. social consciousness but “because G-d Whether any particular Orthodox said so.” Jew honors or fails to honor those When, in the fall, Agudath Israel of mandates is beside the point America characterized Hekhsher (although the Torah’s ethical system Tzedek as an attempt to redefine does forbid reaching negative judg- kashrus, that judgment was pooh- ments about accused people before a poohed by some. It is, though, precise- trial). But Orthodox Judaism is ly the Popperian paradigm. entirely as strict about the Torah’s And its trumpeting in the venerable ethics as about its rituals. So the Wall Street Journal will likely deeply issue is not “adapt[ing] Torah to a disturb the main proponents of the changing world,” but rather applying Hekhsher Tzedek, who have in recent Torah to that world. weeks sought to unbake the cake and And so Mr. Popper has the dichoto- recast their initiative as not really a my only half right. Yes, there is a per- “hekhsher” at all but rather a non- spective—his own and the non- kashrus-related endorsement (oddly, Orthodox movements’—that regards though, only for food), renaming it the Torah’s laws as entirely mutable. “Magen Tzedek.” “Oy,” some progres- But the Orthodox perspective does not, sively clean-shaven clergymen are as he seems to believe, sacrifice ethics probably thinking, “Popper’s blown our to ritual. It, rather, elevates both to the cover.” plane of Divine will. (Am Echad) O Indeed he has, and with admirable Rabbi Shafran is director of public affairs for honesty about both his own bias-bag- Agudath Israel of America.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 81 the vessels, carve out the furniture, and craft the items that would make up the new Divine home. Moshe Versus Madoff At the opening of the Torah portion of Pekudei,1 the work is complete. BY YY JACOBSON actually the patient herself; I’m Sarah G-d. They substitute the moral sover- Soon, the sanctuary would be erected Cohen in 302! Nobody here tells me eign of the universe with a golden and the Divine presence would reside A woman called a local hospital. anything.” calf. G-d now views His attempt to therein. This is a charged moment, a “Hello,” she said. “I’d like to talk with mold a people into a “kingdom of dramatic peak in a long and turbulent the person who gives the information The Long Journey princes and a sacred nation” as a journey of a people. After all of the ups regarding your patients. I’d like to find The drama was almost complete. colossal failure. He sees no value and downs, G-d is about to “move in” out if the patient is getting better, The people exiled in a foreign country anymore in the Jewish experience. with the Jewish people. doing as expected, or getting worse.” for more than two centuries, and for Moshe stands up to G-d, eliciting The hero of the story is, no doubt, The voice on the other end of the much of that time in unbearable con- from Him a deeper chord in His rela- Moshe. With courageous selflessness, line said, “What is the patient’s name ditions, experienced a miraculous lib- tionship with Israel. G-d re-embraces he triumphed, over G-d, as it were. and room number?” He is the man responsible for bring- “Sarah Cohen in Room 302,” the ing the people—and G-d—to this woman answered. extraordinary moment, when humani- “I will connect you with the nursing ty would reintroduce G-d to a world station.” Does a man who speaks to G-d face to face that banished Him. “3-A Nursing Station. How can I help you?” Time For Bookkeeping “I would like to know the condition really need to prove that he is not using But wait. Right at this moment, the of Sarah Cohen in Room 302.” Torah interrupts the narrative, shifting “Just a moment, let me look at her the story from creating a space for G-d records. Oh, yes. Mrs. Cohen is doing money for a cruise in the Caribbean. in this world, to the realm of book- very well. In fact, she’s had two full keeping. Moshe, at this point, presents meals, her blood pressure is fine, her a detailed account of all the wealth blood work just came back as normal, contributed to him for the construc- she’s going to be taken off the heart eration through direct and manifested the people and instructs them to tion of the tabernacle. He reports to monitor in a couple of hours and, if intervention by the Creator. At Mt. build a home in their midst for His the people how many pounds of gold, she continues this improvement, Dr. Sinai, G-d and Israel enter into a elusive presence. In this sanctuary, silver, and copper he received, and Weiss is going to send her home mutual covenant to become partners the all-pervading truth of G-d would how exactly it was used in the struc- Tuesday at noon.” in tikkun olam: repairing a world be more manifest and accessible. The ture. He gives an account for every last “Thank G-d!” the woman said. estranged from its essence. Never Jewish people en mass present to piece of jewelry and metal that came “That’s wonderful! Oh! That’s fantas- again in history would G-d complete- Moshe large amounts of gold, silver, into his hands. tic! That’s wonderful news!” ly part the veils that conceal Him, copper, and many other materials Why? The Midrash2 relates that The nurse said, “From your enthusi- communicating His presence to an required for the construction of an some Jews murmured about Moshe’s asm, I take it you must be a family entire nation. exquisite tabernacle. Moshe appoints stealing some of the money, using member or a very close friend!” Forty days later, in a moment of brilliant architects, sculptors, and charity funds for his own purposes. “Not exactly,” the woman said. “I’m collective insanity, the people deny designers to build the home, design Thus, Moshe gave a detailed account

82 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES of the destination of every “dollar” dare they challenge my honesty?” sense of superiority over the masses, workplace, in friendships, you must collected in the grandiose “building These feelings would be under- in which it is beyond his ego to give learn to genuinely accept the other campaign.” standable. Yet, astonishingly, without them a detailed account of his person as an equal, conferring upon This is a simple but very telling even being asked or instructed to do spending. On the contrary, he views him or her the dignity you hold dear scene. Moshe, let us recall, is the so, Moshe, in total humility, stands his G-d given power as a means to for yourself. O spiritual giant of history, whom up and gives an accounting for every confer dignity and greatness upon all 8) This essay is based on a talk delivered by the Rambam defined as the greatest last penny that came into his hands. of the people. Lubavitcher Rebbe, Shabbos Pekudei 5744, human being to ever walk the earth.3 One of the great halachic authori- Moshe set an example for all the March 3, 1984. It is dedicated to Rabbi Yisroel and Chana Sirota in honor of their 36th wed- “G-d would speak to Moshe face to ties, Rabbi Joel Sirkish, known as the generations to come. The great ding anniversary by their loving children David face, as a man would speak with his “Bach,” derives from this episode a Jewish leaders always understood and Eda Schottenstein. friend,” the Bible says.4 “Not so my law.7 Even the most beloved and that what qualified them as leaders servant Moshe,” G-d thunders at believable collectors of charity are and teachers and what bestowed NOTES: Aharon and Miriam after they had obliged to give a detailed account to upon them the rights to power was 1) Sh’mos 38:21. 2) Sh’mos Rabah 51:6. gossiped about Moshe. “In My entire the community of the destination of not their charisma, brilliance, skills, 3) Rambam, commentary on Mishnah, introduc- house he is the trusted one. Mouth every cent they collected for charity. or even the fact that the Almighty tion to Sanhedrin chapter 11. to mouth do I speak to him, in a Nobody, writes the Bach, could be Himself appointed them to their posi- 4) Sh’mos 33:11. 5) Bamidbar 12 7:8. clear vision and not in riddles; he trusted more than Moshe, the man tion. It was, rather, the fact that deep 6) Sh’mos chapter 3. gazes at the image of G-d. Why do whom G-d Himself trusted. Yet even down in their hearts, they really 7) Yoreh Deah section 257. Cf. an interesting story related by his son-in-law, Rabbi David you not fear to speak against My ser- he felt compelled to give an account- viewed their “subjects” as equals. Segal, known as the “Taz,” in his derashos for vant, Moshe?”5 ing of all the contributions. They possessed a sincere belief that Parashas Pekudei. Does a man who speaks to G-d This is one of the great moral mes- dignity was the property of all. face to face really need to prove that sages of Judaism: When it comes to Insecure leaders must resort to he is not using money for a cruise in somebody else’s money, be account- fear and tyranny in order to ensure the Caribbean, for a new BMW, or to able for every dollar. Don’t cover up, loyalty and secure their position. build his portfolio? The Jews, observ- don’t lie, and don’t deceive. You can’t They must speak in the name of Submit your photo to the ing Moshe’s unparalleled devotion lie to people and then be honest with authority rather than in the name of and love to them in the most trying G-d, with your wife, with your chil- integrity. They must remain aloof and 5 Towns Jewish Times! of circumstances, knew full well that dren, with your friends. Either you superior and never allow the simple Moshe was no charlatan. If G-d are an honest human being or you are folk too much access to the truth. trusts him, they could trust him too. a scoundrel. Vulnerability is too dangerous. At You can upload your Even if some Jewish rabble-rousers If only Bernie Madoff would have best, they create followers. Genuine murmured about Moshe’s stealing internalized this story… leaders, on the other hand, gain the digital photos and see them some of the money, we would expect trust, appreciation, and affection of printed in the weekly edition Moshe to ignore them. Respecting Another Person their people, because of their trust in “Who do they think they are to ques- There is yet something deeper. the people and their unyielding faith of the 5 Towns Jewish Times tion my integrity,” we would expect Moshe truly believes in the dignity of in the majesty of every individual Moshe to think to himself. “I gave my the people and in their right to know human being molded in the image of life for these rebels, when G-d wanted what has transpired with their con- the Divine. They create leaders. www.5tjt.com/sendphotos to destroy them. After all, it was G-d tributions. Moshe does not allow his This is true about all of our rela- Himself who appointed me to my pres- spiritual greatness and extraordinary tionships in life. If you wish to inspire ent position, against my will.6 How authority to implant in his psyche a genuine loyalty in a marriage, in the

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 83 84 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS dren with special needs. For broadcast of an address by organize similar events to designed for people with all Continued from Page 70 more information, call Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, chief inspire and invigorate.” He levels of Jewish knowledge Batsheva at ext. 18. rabbi of the British emphasizes that, “One of the and participants don’t have to Events At Chabad Of The Farbrengen for men: 2nd of Commonwealth. Rabbi Sacks most fundamental aspects of have any prior experience or Five Towns Iyar. April 26, 8:15 p.m. is the second of four speakers hakhel [literally, “Assemble!”] background learning to attend Chabad of the Five Towns is Commemorating the birthday to address worldwide Jewry, in was that it emphasized unity and enjoy this series. All located at 74 Maple Avenue in of the Rebbe Maharash, the a series of four webcast lec- and included everyone: man, members of the community, Cedarhurst. To learn more or 4th Chabad Rebbe OB”M. tures to be held in honor of woman, and child. We thus regardless of affiliation, are to register for an event, call Women’s Circle: Educate the Jewish “Year of hope to reach out and invite invited to attend. 516-295-2478 or visit your child, educate yourself. Gathering.” all Jews to participate, regard- The Unity Lectures are a www.chabad5towns.com. April 27, 8:00 p.m. A work- In Biblical times, the entire less of religious background project of the Rohr Jewish Farbrengen for men: 11th of shop with noted school direc- Jewish nation assembled every or affiliation.” Learning Institute (JLI). JLI is Nisan. April 4, after morning tor and educator Mrs. Dina seven years in the Holy The broadcast of the sec- the adult education arm of services. Commemorating Gorkin will take place at the Temple courtyard, to hear the ond lecture will take place Chabad-Lubavitch, and offers the birthday of the home of Mrs. Susan Sachs, king address the people and locally in Cedarhurst at courses and educational pro- Lubavitcher Rebbe OB”M. 570 Atlantic Avenue, exhort them in the study of Chabad 5 Towns, 74 Maple grams at over 300 locations Blessing of the Sun, Birkas Lawrence. Torah and service of G-d. “In Ave. 2:30-3:45 p.m. This worldwide. Please visit Hachamah. April 8, after Unity And Redemption: our generation,” explains Unity lecture is dedicated to www.UnityLecture.com for morning services. A mitzvah Let’s Celebrate Freedom Rabbi Wolowik, “the the memory of Rabbi and up-to-date information about that occurs only once every 28 Together. Hundreds of Jewish Lubavitcher Rebbe has Rebbetzin Wolowik’s dear son, the Unity Lectures. JLI cours- years! communities around the encouraged us to revisit the Levi Yitzchak, of blessed es are presented in Communal Passover Seder. world will gather on Sunday, nearly forgotten tradition of memory. True to the theme of Cedarhurst under the aus- April 8, 8:00 p.m. Whether March 29, to hear a live these hakhel gatherings, and hakhel, the Unity Lectures are pices of Chabad 5 Towns. O you are a Seder veteran or a curious explorer, Chabad offers a stimulating and satis- fying experience. Adults $54, children under ten $30. Pre- paid registration required. Space is limited. R.S.V.P online or by phone. The Meal of Moshiach. April 16, 6:30 p.m. Chabad marks the Baal Shem Tov’s tradition of acknowledging Moshiach’s spirit on the last day of Passover. Join in for inspirational stories, songs, matzah, and wine led by Rabbi Heshy Epstein, executive director of Chabad of South Carolina. Youth Zone III Begins. April 19, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Youth Zone is a fun filled program for children ages 3-6 year. old that promotes Jewish values and friendship through games, crafts, and much more. Meets on Sundays. Registration required. Birthday Shabbat for children born in the Hebrew month of Iyar. April 25, after morning services. Children born in the Hebrew month of Iyar join together with their families and friends to celebrate their special day. Friendship Circle-Sunday Circle. April 26, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Respite program for chil-

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 85 86 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 87 Birkas HaChamah: For Kids With Inquiring Minds B Y FERN SIDMAN When asked by Mr. Jacobs if anyone Talia is the lucky one who finds it for their own 2009 time capsule to be in the class has ever recited a brachah and the children learn about a world buried and dug up in the year 2037. Review of “The Sun’s Special for the sun, no one raises their hand. that has thus far eluded them. The children couldn’t be more thrilled, Blessing” As a recipient of the manifold benefits Memorabilia from the early 1980s as Mr. Jacobs chanted, “Blessed are Author: Sandy Wasserman that the sun provides, young Adam such as a Rubik’s cube, a VHS movie You, O Lord, our G-d, King of the Illustrated by: Ann D. Koffsky queries, “Do we say the blessing tape, a New York Times photo of Universe, Maker of Creation. In Publisher: Pitspopany Press (2009) because the sun gives heat and light, Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Hebrew it’s “Baruch Atah Hashem and helps plants to grow? That’s a lot Reagan, a magazine advertisement for Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Oseh Around the world, Jewish day to bless G-d for. I’m happy when it’s a Ma’aseh Bereishit.” “We make bless- school and yeshiva classrooms are sunny day.” When Adam asks why we ings all the time, in the synagogue and buzzing with excitement as children bless the sun once every 28 years, Mr. at home, expressing our wonder at are being taught the special meaning Jacobs replies that, “Hashem created Mr. Jacobs and his G-d’s creation,” Mr. Jacobs reminded and significance of Birkas HaChamah. the sun on the fourth day of Creation. everyone and told the class that they On erev Pesach, the 14th of Nissan, Even though the sun is in the sky daily, would all recite the brachah together (April 8, 2009) the Jewish people will, it’s only in the exact spot it was at fellow classmates all on e rev Pesach. iy”H recite the blessing for the sun Creation every 28 years.” He asked the class to think about which is said only once every 28 years. The inquisitive young minds yearn brought in items how 2009 will be remembered in Marking the exact time that Hashem to delve deeper and Mr. Jacobs tells Jewish and secular history and to created the sun during the six days of them of his experience reciting Birkas from that period to select items to be placed in the poly- creation, Birkas HaChamah has cap- HaChamah back in 1981 when he ethylene time capsule that reflect the tured the imagination of both children was their age and a student himself at place in a time religious, cultural, and political and adults. that very school. As a class project at norms of the time. The children scur- In this cogently written and beauti- that time, Mr. Jacobs and his fellow capsule. ry home and feverishly look for items fully illustrated book for children classmates all brought in items from to be placed in their own time cap- entitled, The Sun’s Special Blessing, that period to place in a time capsule sule. Before going to bed that night, author Sandy Wasserman takes her that they placed in the ground and Talia said, “When I wake up I’m going young readers along on an inspira- which was to be unearthed 28 years an IBM-PC, and cassette tapes of to write a letter to include in the time tional and sanguine journey with a later. Having remembered where it Uncle Moishy songs are among the capsule for this special year: class of third graders who learn pro- was buried, Mr. Jacobs distributes items of a bygone era that they find. “Shalom, dear students of the found lifetime lessons; namely that as shovels and leads his students out- Plied with questions, Mr. Jacobs future…” She pictures the students much as things change with time, side near the school flagpole. The answers his students by giving them a who will be equally amazed at the certain things always remain the children roar with excitement when brief history lesson on each item and events of 2009. same. Through the sensitive and cre- they find out that whoever taps the the popular cultural trends of the time. This thoughtful book makes a great ative lessons of their teacher, Mr. time capsule first gets to keep what is He then suggests that the class bedtime story for elementary aged Jacobs, Adam, Talia, and the other included in it. Brimming with great mark the special 2009 Birkas children and an invaluable educa- children gain a deeper appreciation interest and exuberance, each child HaChamah by dedicating time to learn tional tool for day schools and yeshiv- for the world that they live in and the takes his or her turn until they have about the history of the blessing, the os. No Jewish home or library should glory and majesty of Hashem. located the buried capsule. Hebrew calendar, and to collect items be without it. O

88 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

A Five Towns Simcha Photos By Ivan H. Norman

At the wedding of Chavie Horowitz of Lawrence and Usher Gruenstein on Tuesday, March 17. At right, the kallah’s father and grandfather, the Bostoner Rebbe.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 89 SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED PROVIDED

Simchas Naava Menadvim— Furniture and Appliances. Share your simcha flowers! Be Like new to Donate and Receive. Call m’sameach other simchas! Donate your 718-MEN-ADVIm (718-636-2384) We fresh flower arrangements! We will deliver. match your simcha date with simchas following yours or deliver them Top $ Paid! Looking to buy your to nursing home residents. unwanted Gold & Silver. To donate or obtain flower Call Chaya 917-805-0987 arrangements call 516-239-6066 In memory of a special friend, Naava Wassner Katlowitz New Table and Chair Gemach for short-term simchas. 740 Mador Ct., Far Plumbing and Heating: Sundial Rockaway. Call 718-471-0368 Plumbing. Boilers/water heaters serviced and installed. All leaks fixed. Bathrooms, Do you need a Super/Handyman For kitchens, basements. No job too big or Your Commercial/ Residential small. Call 718-252-1234 Property? Then Call 516-537-6574 for a Master Plumber, Electrician, Painter, Photography - Small Event Specialist Sheet Rock, and General Carpenter. Bar/Bat Mitzva - Bris - Yeshiva/Shul Functions - Family Portraits Wigs — Pesach special. Only $30 for Reasonable prices - Quality Work - Fast regular wash and set. Please call Ruchi Turnaround. 917-847-3888 Call Eli - 516-319-7709 We will deliver anything from any Boro Park Ladies’ Hat Gemach and place to any place in the Five Towns Girls’ Coat Gemach now accepting radius for $10!!! Groceries, flowers, these items in excellent condition. Drop kosher food, laundry, dry cleaning, ciga- off available in Woodmere. To donate rettes, liquor, post office. You will enjoy call 718-972-3211 fast, reliable and customized service. 347-727-7750 Too Much to Type? Too Much to Do? College Reports, Simcha Lists, Secretarial Support. Call Gold Star HELP Typing Service for help. Reasonable rates. Call 718-471-9712 WANTED

Straight A Tutoring — NYS Certified Tutor in Mathematics, Regents, SAT, Substitute needed — Yeshiva in Far Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus. Rockaway/ 5 Towns area seeks an expe- Buy 4 Lessons Get The 5th Free! rienced Morah for Pre-1A class. Mon- Call Jared Katz 516-270-5979 Thurs. afternoon. after Pesach-Shavuos. Please call 516-791-2800 ext. 1005 The Computer Place Computer Consultants, Technical Local retail store in Cedarhurst is hir- Support, Network, Internet Solutions. ing part-time / full time sales associate Call 800-613-2634 will train. 516-792-1191

Thorough cleaning of houses or offices 3 Realty Agents Wanted for busy office in times weekly; own transportation; Woodmere, flex. hours, full training pro- great references; reasonable prices. gram all state of the art systems. call Call Maria 516-208-9631 Mr. Seplow 516-295-3000 for confidential interview. G'Mach Chasdei Yisroel — Lending money to people in Klei Kodesh & for Klei Kodesh purposes. In the Far Rockaway-Five Towns area. Please call Your Real Estate, 917-822-9910 for more info. Or email [email protected]. In Memory of Service, or R' Yisroel Ben Binyamin, a"h. Help Wanted Ad Kollel Yungerman available to learn with your son Gemora or Mishnayos. Here Every Thursday Review class material or undertake a challenging project. Available after 100,000 readers Yeshiva and some hours during look forward to Yeshiva. Call 917-842-2587 what’s happening in the Raja Appliance Repair. Repairs all 5 Towns by reading major brands refrigerator, air condi- tioner, microwave, oven, stove, dish- The Five Towns washer, washer and dryer. Reasonable Jewish Times. and reliable. Satisfaction guaranteed. 917-714-9446, 718-377-1428

Yara’s Cleaning Service We pay atten- Deadline is Monday tion to every detail and leave your home, at 5:00 p.m. office, or store spotless at an affordable price with expert reliability and trust- 1 Week ...... $35 worthy service. Call 917-578-3240 2 Weeks ...... $60 Mortgage Or Credit Card Debt Problems? Know your rights. Call the 4 Weeks...... $100 law offices of Shlomo Haft, Esq. for a free and confidential consultation. Weekly Ads of up to 25 words Call 212-886-4545

Study with Steve. One-on-one tutoring. Call: 516-569-0502 SAT Math prep, regents, high school and elementary math, high school Fax: 516-977-0608 physics. Call 516-371-5522 Or E-mail ads to: Come in for a Free frame and standard inspection. Don't get taken for a ride. [email protected] Precision Auto Body 691 Burnside Ave, Lawrence. 516-371-1137. Friends don't Include payment info. let friends drive junk! 90 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

HELP REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE WANTED FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE

Shevach High School seeks teachers for Law: Hi Ranch. Must see, 4br, 2.5bth, Cedarhurst Open House Sunday 1-2:30 pm Woodmere/Cedarhurst Oppty! September ’09- English, Spanish, Living fam rm, CAC, 2 car garage, large 451 Summit Avenue — 5 BR, 2.5 Bath, 12,000 sq. ft. approx. 90’x150’, Colonial, Environment, Earth Science, and Math. prop ...... $800sK 50x150 lot, low tax. 17 rooms, full bsmt. with hi ceilings, Master’s Degree preferred. Fax resume Ced: Nu2Mkt, 2Fam, 3br/3br, 2fpl, Price reduced ...... $499K clean 2 car garage plus storage, 6 space to: 718-263-3759 or email to office@she- deck, all new, grt loc, full bsmt $795K Jessica Silver Realty 516-295-0306 parking, 2 family, professional use, vachhs.org Cedarhurst: CH col., new quality accountant, Esq., medical and/or educa- construction. 7 bedroom, 4.5 bths, den, Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place tional and religious uses. Grand colonial Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning Experienced secretary wanted for elec- LR, DR, oversized gourmet, granite with charm and great possibilities. EIK, huge FDR, 9' ceiling, finished cul-de-sac, best location ...... $850K Available at once . . . $875K Negotiable trical business in Hewlett area. F/T. Call 516-902-0936 Hebrew speaking a plus. basement prime location. Owner 516-322-3555 Fax resume to 516-812-7607 Asking ...... $1.25M Open Houses March 29 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — 530 Arlington Rd. (2-4) Lawrence Open House Sunday Colonial $491,400 New to market — Totally restored Stockbrokers — Lantern Investments. Looking for a Beautiful Home in a Woodmere — 160 Ocean Ave. (11:30- grand 3 story grand brick col 7+ BR, Offices in LI and NYC offer experienced GREAT Community? Look no fur- 1:30) Colonial $899,000 many details large property by appt brokers exceptional growth opportunity. ther than Oceanside, NY. Find out Morton Haves Inc. 516-374-0100 22 Herrick Dr. Elegant 5 BR Tudor High Payout. Latest tech and research. why so many young frum families www.havesrealestate.com library den igp prestigious st. 11-12:30 Benefits. are moving to this warm and friend- 67 Briarwood La Beautifully renovated 516-374-0002 or fax 516-374-8443, c/h col 185 deep prop $825K. 1-2:30 [email protected] ly community. Spacious and Far Rockaway: Coop, 3Br, 1Bth Extremely Affordable Homes. Call Lr/Dr, Walk to All ...... $179K Woodmere/Woodsburgh/ Old Woodmere — Robert Manel at 516-458-4847 Hal Call 516-322-3555 Open Houses Sunday New salon looking for experienced: hair Knopf Realty 137 Park St 6 BR c/h col beautiful Tree dresser/sheitel macher, make-up St area...... $800’s by appt [email protected] Want to Far Rockaway/Lawrence: 2 BR/ 2 BA, artist, manicurist, masseuse in central 805 Pond La. 5 BR c/h col. on serene know how you can save $25K - $55K Newly Renovated, Dead-end street. Cedarhurst area. park like property 1-2:30 p.m. on the purchase of your new home? Price...... $539K Please call 516-791-2520 or 646-270-3381 603 Church Ave Mint multi-level den Call David C. Welner at 718-928- Call Owner: 516-750-9257 4775 basement igp by appt. Direct Care Professionals - Looking for [email protected]. Far Rockaway: 2 Family. All NU, 976 Benton Rd. Mint split /finished base- caring and responsible individuals to 3 over 1 Bdrm, 3 full baths. Great ment beautiful st. lg prop. . . $649K 11- Location ...... $599K 12:30 work Full Time with individuals who Edison, NJ — New construction, lot Call 516-322-3555 West Lawrence — 156 B. 9 New condo have developmental disabilities in group 110x112, 7 BR, 4.5 bths, large kosher bldg steps to beach sale or rent Sunday residence settings in Brooklyn, Long kitchen, large backyard including 16x18 Far Rockaway: 2 Fam. All NU 12-3 p.m. Island and the Lower East Side. deck, newly finished basement with 2 3 over 3 Br. 4Fbth, Dr, Full bsmt 1250 B 12th St new construction 3 BR 2 Available shifts include afternoon and additional BR, 1 block from shul and All features ...... $779K bths for rent Sunday 12-2 p.m yeshiva. Asking $975K. Call 732-777-9696 Call 516-263-6417 146 B 9 New Condos 1& 2 BR for rent overnight hours. Good English commu- with beautiful water views 12-3 p.m. nication and writing skills required. Inwood — lg commercial corner proper- Valid driver’s license necessary for ty with adjoining residential lot some positions. We offer an excellent Milky Forst Properties Inc 516-239-0306 benefits package, including health Monticello — 2 BR bungalow. insurance and a tuition reimbursement washer/dryer, AC, YI crowd, tennis, program. For more information, please basketball, baseball courts, shul, day call Ohel Bais Ezra 718-686-3102, fax camp, concession, entertainment. Call your resume to 718-851-6428 or e-mail to 917-324-3887 [email protected] Lawrence — NU 2 Mkt. Col., Brk., Large property, near ALL, 5Br, 3.5Bth, Den, full bsmt ...... $1.9M Call 516-322-3555

Luxurious apartments: Penthouse in Bucman, Modiin. 5 BR, balconies, Shabbos elevator, 2 sinks, 2.5 bths...... $350K Villa 6 BR, c/ac, parking, storage, backyard ...... $550K Call 718-471-8888

Cedarhurst: Nu to Mkt. Handyman Special/ Builder, 50'x100',Quiet Block, Prime loca'n, Quick Sale: ..... $329K 5 Town Homes 516-569-5710

Woodmere — Gracious 3 BR, 3 bath Colonial with den and finished basement set on O/S property in SD 14. $779,000. 516-295-3000, pugatch.com.

COMMERCIAL Hewlett Harbor — Comfortable family living in this mint 7 BR expanded ranch REAL ESTATE set on 1/2 acre with IG pool, SD 14...... $1,399,900. 516-295-3000, pugatch.com Far Rockaway Investment property for sale. Small multi-family building Stable Valley Stream: Nu 2 Mkt. Brick ranch, tenancy, well-maintained. great condition, quiet street. Nu EIK, Hewlett — Commercial strip center. LR, Den, Lg Prop ...... $439K Stable tenancy, good cash flow. For Rent ...... $2,500 West Palm Beach — Bulk condo pack- 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 age, bank foreclosure, great price. Please contact Ari Schulman at Kings Point Delray Beach condo for Weissman Realty Group 516-791-6100 sale 1,100 sq. feet. 2 BR, 2 bths, new European kitchen and appliances, updated bath, new carpets, 24-hour guarded community. Golf, theater, REAL ESTATE library ...... $199,999 FOR SALE Call 631-664-0075

Hewlett — Col. MIC, 4br, 2bth, 2fpl, full Classified Ads are deck, wood flr, Lg. den. Walk to all...... $729K Continued on the Next Page. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-322-3555 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 91 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Continued from Page 91 FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR RENT REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Reduced price! Inwood — 346 Grand Lawrence: OURS ONLY!! Rockville Centre — 3,500 sq ft, fully Central. Great investment. 2 family BRICK, C/H COL, Stately BRICK, w/old wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. colonial. 7 BR, 2.5 bths, new siding and world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 Call 516-322-3555 BTHS, Kosher Eik, Lg. LR W/FPL, Lg. Miami Beach — Tower 41. Ocean View. roof, fully alarmed with igs, large yard. FDR, Library, Fin. Bsmt., Lg Prop., Far Rockaway — Large One Bedroom 1 bdrm, 17th floor. Stunning. Walk to all! $449K. Broker 516-523-0488 WALK ALL. Apartment for rent. Beautiful elevator 732-522-0813 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 bldg. Nice tenancy. Great location at Cedarhurst — Updated 3 BR, 2 bath Neilson and Cornaga, near Shor Yoshuv, Ready to move in, Woodmere Co-op, 2 Colonial new EIK, O/S property Lawrence — Under market value on transportation, and shopping. Large BR, Walk-in closets throughout, 2 $399,000, 516-295-3000 about 1/2acre. New construction C/H col. Asking $1,100. Call 718-692-2525 ext. 180 full renovated bths, renovated EIK, new 6BR, 4.5Bths, basement. stainless steel appliances, hard floors Woodmere Brick 5 BR, 3 full bath As is, just needs little finishing.. .$899K Cedarhurst — House Rental LR/FDR, throughout, 2nd floor elevator building, “Academy Area” Colonial new efficient Dalia Fritz Realty 516-374-4411 den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt . . . . . $2,300 walk to shuls, low maintenance $269K heat and appliances, finished basement. By owner 516-680-0658 $675,000 516-833-6004 pugatch.com Call 516-322-3555 Woodmere — Brand new construction on Clubhouse Road in the heart of Cedarhurst — NU House, CH Woodmere Park. Contemporary style Col.LR,FDR, Kosher Eik, home. 6 BR, 4 Bths, custom granite Den,4BR.3BTHS. Bsmt...... …$3,200 kosher kitchen, Radiant Heat, Alarms, 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Camera equipped, hardwood floors, plus much, much more. Price reduced. Great House For Rent By Owner — Motivated seller! ...... 4 BR House on Bayview Avenue. Large $1.45M Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Master BR, Plenty of Closets! One Full Woodmere Park — Brand new Bathroom. Close walk to all! Available Mediterranean style construction. 6 BR, Immediately! ...... $2,250 3.5 Bths, kosher granit kitchen, Radiant Please call Avromi @ 917-968-7460 heat, Alarms, Camera equipped. Motivated seller! ...... Nicest house rental in Far Rockaway $1.4M. Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Beautiful, Ready to move in, 5 BR Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 house on excellent block in Far Rockaway. Brand new kitchen and very Attention: Large property, corner spacious backyard. Cedarhurst and Woodmere 150x100 apx. Call owner 917-617-0768 13 large rooms, 3 baths. Good for kindergarten, elementary school, yeshiva, synagogue, or other institution. N Wdm. — house rental. Hi-ranch in Parking garage for 4 cars and 2 buses. MIC. 4 br, CAC, den, on quiet street. Immediate. Reasonable. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Owner 347-439-8234 Lawrence — 18 Berkley Place Cedarhurst Co-op — Central Avenue. Center hall col., 4 BR, 3 bths, stunning 1 BR, 2nd floor, good condition, large cul-de-sac, best location. $4K monthly rooms, porch. 516-374-0469 Call Irene 516-652-7099

92 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

COMMERCIAL FOR RENT FOR RENT FOR RENT LOST AND FOUND

Inwood — 8 offices available for rent. Cedarhurst — Nu House CH Col. LR, Cedarhurst — Store for rent. Low $ per Car Key found Monday, March 23 on Total 3000 square feet. Newly renovated. FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 4BR, 3BTHS. square foot. Great location. bench near Toddy’s on Central Avenue. Can also be used as a warehouse. Bsmt. For Rent ...... $2,500 For additional information, please con- To claim call 646-637-1310 For more information, Danrich Realty 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 tact Ari Schulman at Weissman Realty 718-441-28008 Group 516-791-6100 Far Rockaway — Apartment available. Hewlett —A lovely 5 room House For Brand new construction. Furnished or Rent in quiet Long Island neighborhood. unfurnished. 3 BR, 2bths. Cleaning and $2200 Also available for sale. 516-998- laundry services available. Perfect for FOR SALE 8913 Pictures and more info visit: the elderly. Call Sherri 516-569-5450 Deadline www.MyDira.com Woodmere/Cedarhurst — 2 BR avail- Woodmere — For rent by owner. 2 bed- able. Secure buildings, new EIK, close Purebred Chihuahua Puppies for Advertising room, 1 bathroom, eat-in-kitchen, living to all and train station. 1 month’s free ACA Registered, first round shots done. room/dining room, private entrance. rent! . . . $1600 Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Born late December, only 2 pounds. Minutes from all shuls $1,600+utilities. Far Rockaway — Hicksville Road 2 BR, Mostly white w/ some light tan. $995 Call 917-327-1291 1 bth, ground floor, new windows, new 718-869-9264 or [email protected] in the Classifieds kitchen, perfect for elderly, available Far Rockaway — 3 BR duplex, newly immediately. Call Weissman Realty renovated, prime location, rent $1400 by Group 516-791-6100 owner. Call 718-575-0100 Far Rockaway — 1 BR and 2 BR apart- MISCELLANEOUS for the Next Issue is ments. some balconies. New kitchens, Lawrence — Walk to All. Spacious lots of closets, 24 hr doorman, security house for rent, newly renovated, 4/5 BR, cameras. Close to White Shul, Shor Monday, 2 Bath, LR, FDR, new granite kitchen, Yoshuv and train. Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Free DIRECTV 4 Room System! 265 fireplace, large yard, garage. $2300, Far Rockaway — Brand New Building Channels! Starts $29.99/month. Free Owner: Gary 917-642-4308, by the Beach Luxury Apt. Rentals 1 & 2 HBO + Showtime + Starz! Free [email protected] beds, Granite kitchens, balconies with DVR/HD! 130 HD Channels! No Start March 30 water views, shabbos elevator, W/D Up Costs! Ends Soon! Local Installers! Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, hookup, parking. Available for Pre- 1-800-306-1953 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. Pesach Move –in. Weissman Realty 516- Call 516-322-3555 791-6100 DIRECTV Free 4 Room System! 265+ at 5:00 P.M. Weissman Realty Group, LLC 516-791-6100 Channels! Starts $29.99/month. Free Cedarhurst — All new, bright 3 BR, 1.5 HBO + Showtime + Starz! Free bths, ground floor apt in 2-family house, Far Rockaway — 2 Huge Office Spaces. DVR/HD! 130 HD Channels! No Start Call LR, FDR, EIK/ w new appliances, new 6,000 and 2,500 Sq Ft. 2nd Floor. Near Up Costs! Ends Soon! Local Installers! carpet, w/d included, yard and parking. Subway & LIRR. Build to Suit. Can be 1-800-973-9027 Walk all ...... $2,250 divided. Owner 917-359-9776 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Ocean Corp. Houston, Texas. Train for 516-569-0502 Cedarhurst: Garden apt. Nu 2 Mkt. New Career. Underwater Welder, Cedarhurst: Office rental: Executive 2 2BR. 2Bth, Mint, 1st Flr, heat & prk Commercial Diver, NDT/Weld Inspector. Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., incld ...... $2,500 Job placement and financial aid for CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 5Town Homes 516-569-5710 those who qualify, 1-800-321-0298

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 93 Purim In The Court Of The Nikolsburger Rebbe

Nikolsberger Rebbe celebrating Purim together with his chassidim.

94 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 95

Lekach Tov

BY CHAIM BASHEVKIN

The numbers do not bode too well The nation’s in recession

And if it’s me that’s getting hurt I guess it’s called depression

And kollelim are filling up with those without employ

To find a place of ruchniyus to fill their lives with joy

And leave the busy trading desk or other forms of labor

The fellow who from Wall Street hailed has just become his neighbor

They sit and “kvetch the benk” with one thing on their minds

That no matter how high one has climbed, the Aibishter reminds

That He is in total control Parnassah is at will

For poor or rich no matter which He controls the till

And those who mocked the kollel man With mismatched doors on cars

And laughed at him while drinking schnapps and smoking fat cigars

Now come to realize that they too are sticking out their hand

And realize now that nothing goes exactly as they planned

Chazal* tell us a story about a long boat ride

The passengers were wealthy men who shared a sense of pride

They brought their wares upon the ship to sell them ’cross the sea

Each one had a shipment worth a very hefty fee

But there was one lone traveler who had not brought a trunk

96 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES He had no packages with him No goods No gifts No junk

The wealthy men They mocked him “What do you have to sell?

Who needs your type of merchandise? When we make out so well?”

He was a talmid chacham and all he had was “trust”

Which came to use quite handily at the wind’s first gust

For a storm it went a ragin’ and the waves they shook the ship

And bags and trunks went overboard as winds began to whip

And when the sea subsided and no one had their wares

The talmid chacham smiled as if he had no cares “Ki lekach tov nosati” My sechorah I still kept

While all the goods you thought you owned into the sea were swept

My friends: A storm is raging and stuff’s been lost at sea

But find the time amidst the storm to buy eternity

No matter what they do to you whatever scam they try

The lekach tov you get today will be your greatest buy

*Tanchumah Terumah

Submit your Five Towns Events/News for the Next Issue by 5:00 P.M. Monday Send e-mail to: [email protected]

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 97

Tennis Players Double-Fault on Israel Boycott

BY DR. RAFAEL MEDOFF giving a free pass to this year’s world controversy. But there are times the best in the nation—refused to go Tournament of Shame. when controversy comes knocking. to Berlin, as a protest against the The recent controversy over the bar- The response of Pe’er’s fellow play- And that’s when an athlete’s true met- oppression of the Jews. ring of an Israeli tennis player from a ers was particularly troubling. Only tle is tested. The “bigger picture,” to borrow tournament in the United Arab one player, 6th-ranked Andy Roddick, In 1936, for example, U.S. athletes Serena Williams’ phrase, is not the Emirates ended with the UAE bowing withdrew from the Dubai matches in faced the dilemma of whether to take number of people who sponsor or to international pressure and permit- protest, and not one of the participants part in the Olympic games in Nazi attend a particular sports event. The ting another Israeli to take part in a in the women’s segment of the tourna- Germany, in view of the Nazis’ perse- bigger picture is the world beyond the different match. But there are lessons ment withdrew. This, despite the fact tennis court, a world where innocent to be learned from this episode which that it is the players who will be most people suffer discrimination because go far beyond the tennis court. directly affected if ethnic discrimina- of their race, religion, or national ori- Shahar Pe’er, the 45th-ranked tion becomes an accepted practice in gin. When an act of such discrimina- women’s tennis player in the world, had the tennis world. There are tion takes places in the heart of the applied for a visa to enter the UAE to Venus Williams, the 6th ranked sports world itself, athletes need to participate in the Barclay’s tennis tour- female player, said that while the bar- times when remember that speaking out for justice nament in the capital city of Dubai. Her ring of Pe’er was “disappointing,” other is a quality far more precious than the application was rejected; the organizers players “have to look at the bigger pic- ability to excel on a baseball diamond, of the tournament said Pe’er’s participa- ture” and remember all the “sponsors, controversy a football field, or a tennis court. tion “would have antagonized our fans.” fans, and everyone who has invested a “I don’t want to be remembered for In other words, the presence of an lot in the tournament.” Likewise, her my tennis accomplishments,” Arthur Israeli Jew was unacceptable to the big- sister Serena, the world’s number one comes knocking. Ashe once said. “That’s no contribution ots who were expected to attend. female player, said that while the rejec- to society. [Tennis] was purely selfish; The Tennis Channel, to its credit, tion of Pe’er should be taken “very seri- that was for me.” Ashe’s indignation immediately announced it would not be ously,” there would be no withdrawals against South Africa may have been partner to such outrageous discrimina- from the Dubai tournament. cution of German Jewry and Hitler’s ignited by the rejection of his visa tion and was dropping its plan to televise The Williams sisters were fortunate intention to use the games to improve request, but the anti-apartheid protests the tournament. And the Wall Street to have been born too late to have expe- the Third Reich’s image. Only a hand- in which he took part during the years Journal—Europe announced its with- rienced what other African-American ful of American athletes were willing to follow were part of a struggle that drawal as a sponsor of the tournament. tennis stars, such as Arthur Ashe, suf- to take a moral stand and risk their was much bigger than the 1970 tennis Sadly, however, the main sponsor, fered during the era of South African careers by refusing to participate: high tournament. The example set by Barclay’s, did not follow suit. The apartheid. In 1970, Ashe was denied a jumper Syd Koff, sprinter Herman Ashe—and by the athletes who refused Women’s Tennis Association likewise visa to participate in the South African Neugass, swimming coach Charlotte to go to Nazi Germany in 1936—is the failed to stand up for the principle of Open because he was black. There was Epstein, speed skater Jack Shea, and moral example from which today’s ten- fair play. WTA chairman Larry Scott no mass withdrawal of other players track and field stars Lillian Copeland, nis players need to learn. O said the association will think about from the South African tournament, as Norman Cahners and Milton Green. Dr. Medoff is director of The David S. Wyman “whether or not the tournament has a there should have been. Remarkably, the entire Long Island Institute for Holocaust Studies, slot on the calendar next year,” thus Athletes usually shy away from real- University basketball team—probably www.WymanInstitute.org.

98 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES March 27, 2009 99 100 March 27, 2009 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES