Defending Israel the Digital Sage

$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 6 NO. 42 25 TAMMUZ 5766 JULY 21, 2006

INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK ISRAEL-U.S. WAR STRATEGY

What’s In A Name? BY LARRY GORDON Hannah Reich Berman 22 MindBiz Esther Mann, LMSW 30 Defending Israel The Digital Sage

Josh Justic 31 PhotoByREUTERS/AmmarAwad Letters to The Editor Our Readers 34

My Three Sons Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, and EU foreign policy chief, Javier Rachel Gerstley 46 Solana, at a joint news conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Since the onset of the that Israel has the right to Israel-Hezbollah war on July defend itself against terror- 12, President George W. Bush never tires of repeating Continued on Page 10

It started early last week cussed his feeling about sit- HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE when a friend called to dis- ting at the pool and relaxing at cuss the situation in Israel— his summer home in the the soldiers taken hostage by Catskills, while thinking Getting Hacked terrorists, Israel’s steadfast about Eretz Yisrael, the cap- refusal to negotiate with tured soldiers, and this down- BY LARRY GORDON Wedding of Shoshana them, and what were at the ward spiral in what looked like Cohen and Shya Markovits. time moves in the direction of I don’t believe for a moment See Page 56 all-out war. The caller dis- Continued on Page 3 that they are specifically focused on the Five Towns Jewish Times website. It is nevertheless disturbing when you AMERICAN BAR MITZVAHS IN ISRAEL suddenly start getting calls and e-mails from people in the middle of the day saying things like, “Hi, you don’t know me, but I just wanted to tell you

Continued on Page 12

Agudath Israel in DC. As They Build Up See Page 53 Communities, WELCOME TO Orthodox Become ISRAEL? U.S. Mayors Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 12

(L-R): Brandon Klein, Josh Agus, and Bar-Mitzvah boys Shmuli Brecher and BY STEVEN I. WEISS BY SHMUEL KATZ Jacob Kellner march with an Israeli soldier at the Sefer Torah dedication, sponsored by the Brecher and Kellner families, at an army base in Israel. As Orthodox Jews build We awoke our first morning BY MICHELE difficult. Yet, several couples increasingly large communi- as Israeli citizens to the sound HERENSTEIN from Long Island chose to ties in suburban America, a of the doorbell buzzing. Our have their sons’ bar mitzvahs new status indicator has devel- 3:00 a.m. family party (jetlag) From what I can see and in the Holy Land, instead of oped: the Orthodox Jewish had morphed into a universal hear from my brother, sister- in the more common shul, mayor. Lawrence (N.Y.) has sleep late notice and the Simcha Day Camp leagues. in-law, and others, planning a hall, or hotel close to home. one; Lakewood (N.J.), has cleaning lady was at the door See Page 43 bar mitzvah is no easy feat. As Mandy and Rubin Brecher, one; and now Teaneck (N.J.) waiting to be let in. most people would agree, it’s who hail from Lawrence, has one, as well. The furnished home we are CANDLE LIGHTING downright stressful. Kal decided that for their youngest Elie Katz, owner of the local living in for the next few July 21 – 8:02 PM v’chomer, planning a bar mitz- son’s bar mitzvah, they wanted restaurant Chopstix, was elect- weeks comes complete with a July 28 – 7:56 PM vah 6,000 miles away from home has to be indescribably Continued on Page 8 Continued on Page 20 Continued on Page 16 2 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FROM THE EDITOR state, a country, and a people in Eretz Yisrael other than what we had studied Continued from Front Cover in our Tanach classes in yeshiva. the direction of war. Crisis in Israel has an interesting To him, as a caring and concerned impact on us, as a people who belong to Jew, he found his thoughts to be some- diverse circles and communities. Unlike what incompatible with where he when the modern state was founded found himself at the moment. People and the years prior to 1967, Israel is around him swam, read, talked, and now, more than ever before, integrated listened to music on their CD players into so many of our daily lives. We have or radios. I was able to identify with his family and friends there, and the pace of feelings and sentiments, having been aliyah of our base readership has in Florida when Cpl. Gilad Shalit was increased dramatically over the last sev- ambushed and taken prisoner. I was eral years. conscious of the scenario as it unfold- That being what it is, how do we see ed near the Gaza border, the crisis in our role in the context of these recent his family and then in the country destructive events? Do we say to our while I, as well as others, complained family and friends that it is just an about the humidity and, at times, the awful situation that the people—our hot, penetrating sun. people—over there find themselves in, Of course, we can’t all be on the Gaza and then look around and think to our- border or near Lebanon with the IDF or selves, “aren’t we fortunate, or smarter with our brothers and sisters in Sderot, in a way, than they are”? That for now, Tsfat, Haifa, or any of the other cities anyway, we are here and they are there? currently under siege. That is, we can’t My first exposure to this geographic all be there physically, though I think dichotomy in our Jewish community you would be hard-pressed to find Jews was around the time of my bar mitzvah anywhere who are not concerned or and the start of the Six Day War. I don’t who don’t have the still evolving situa- know who made policy in those days, tion on their mind and in their prayers. though my retroactive suspicion is that The nature of the conflagration on there was no policy, so to speak, back Israel’s borders these last few days is then, but rather those in charge react- reminiscent of what we experienced ed to the situation with raw and unbri- when Scud missiles were being fired at dled emotion. I recall that my rebbi in Tel Aviv and causing extensive damage. eighth grade brought a radio to class so Prior to that, one had to reach way back we could hear a little bit of the news to the events surrounding the Yom about what was going on. We didn’t Kippur War in 1973. And then, if you know too much about the military could go that far back, there was the Six strategy or the topography, but from Day War of 1967, when many of us became aware of the real existence of a Continued on Page 4

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 3 FROM THE EDITOR began to think about it again. It started after davening with renewed intensity, in earnest a few years ago, when many even adding a chapter or two to the Continued from Page 3 shuls instituted the practice of reciting daily recitation. Someone took for what we heard it quickly became clear one or two chapters of Tehillim at the granted that the standoff with P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 that Israel was enjoying great superior- conclusion of the morning services. Hezbollah near Lebanon and Hamas 516-984-0079 ity over the attacking Arab armies. The recitation was dedicated to the in Gaza was an acceptable status quo. [email protected] [email protected] Yes, we were excited about the little matzav (situation) as it existed when Those who drew that conclusion LARRY GORDON that we knew, but also frustrated at our suicide bombing was an almost daily apparently made a terrible mistake. Publisher/Editor inability to do anything we felt would be reality on the streets of Tel Aviv and I read Sharon Katz’s communiqué ESTA J. GORDON substantive as the situation unfolded Jerusalem. At first, the recitation was from Efrat. Sharon is the editor of Voices Managing Editor before our ears. At the time, however, resolute, and indeed signaled a change magazine that circulates around Israel. YOSSI GORDON our rebbis told us that the Tehillim we in our daily pattern by setting aside two She wrote about her son, Nattah, who is Director of Sales were reciting—beseeching Hashem to or three special minutes in which our stationed up north near the Lebanese CHANA ROCHEL ROSS have mercy on the fledgling State of prayers were totally focused on Israel. border and how she text-messages him to Editorial Assistant Israel—and the Torah we were studying Then, as time went by or the situa- find out where he is and what’s going on. SIDI BARON, YAKOV SERLE, JERRY MARKOVITZ in our classrooms every day were vital tion changed, we continued to recite He writes back: “Ima, Baruch Hashem, Sales Representatives contributions to the war effort. One the daily Tehillim but it quickly I’m fine, don’t worry.” Certainly she and SHMUEL GERBER may have even said that what we were became integrated into the daily rou- other mothers and fathers in Israel con- Chief Copy Editor able to do was just as important as that tine. Some would mumble it quickly; tinue to worry. She writes about the mil- MICHELE JUSTIC, YEHUDIT SANDERS Copy Editors of the soldier in uniform with his gun or others would speed through the words itary bus that pulled into her community CONTRIBUTING EDITORS in a combat tank tracking the enemy. as we made our way to the door, to the to pick up the reserve soldiers that have Howard M. Adelsberg, Esq. At the time and for a long time after parking lot, and into our cars. “Look,” been quickly mobilized. Sharon writes Irwin Benjamin that, I wondered to myself whether I thought on several occasions, “we are that the men called up are rushed to the Hannah Reich Berman that was really true or possible. How fortunate that the immediate danger bus and are told not to take anything, just Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg Yochanan Gordon could it be, I wondered? After all, has subsided, but if our tefillos have to get on the bus. They are raced up Michele Herenstein going to yeshiva, davening, saying contributed to the restoration of calm north to take up military positions. Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky Tehillim, and learning Torah seemed on Israel’s streets, could this have been These young soldiers and reserves are Esther Mann Rochelle Miller relatively simple and uncomplicated the way we helped get it done?” quickly called out of everyday life not dis- Paula L. Simmonds compared to what boys in the Israel Last week, rockets began to rain on similar to ours, placed in uniform, and YOSEF BROWN, NECHAMA ROSENBERG, Defense Force, just a few years older Israel’s cities. The attacks were preced- handed guns to defend the homeland. So MICHAL WEINSTEIN than us, had to endure. Was there ed by the kidnapping of three Israeli what is our function and what are we— Staff Graphic Artists some kind of parity between the two soldiers and the killing of about eight who are just as worried and just as con- IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS functions? Did any of the boys in the others. The last two soldiers were cerned—to do? Is it just a matter of fate Staff Photographers IDF think to themselves that serving in grabbed by Hezbollah on the Israeli and seemingly good fortune that we are FRANKEL & CO., CREATIVE DESIGN LLC the army was preferable to being in border with Lebanon. A day or two here in the United States while so many Design & Production yeshiva and studying? For a while, I later, it was reported that there were other Jews are left to once again deal TALIYE CORLEY Art Director thought the concept to be something intelligence warnings that Hezbollah with the difficult realities of war? Or is The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- between pathetic and poetic; I won- would try to perpetrate this kind of our Diaspora-based supportive role that paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not dered whether this was a more attrac- attack. These warnings went unheed- of tefillah for those in uniform? necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or tive alternative for some. ed. Then we once again began to recite establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times. And then after quite a long stretch, I that so-called extra chapter of Tehillim Continued on Page 6

4 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rockets Continue To Rain On Israel BY YUVAL AZOULAY, even three to four weeks.” On the border with Lebanon, IDF which has a range of about 200 kilo- AMOS HAREL, AND YOAV On Monday night, Hezbollah fired troops on Monday night opened fire at meters. STERN more than 50 rockets, including a barrage a group of Hezbollah militants who Lebanese TV stations broadcast video which landed after 10 p.m. in the north- approached the fence, thwarting an pictures of the downed missile which ern towns of Tsfat, Rosh Pina, Tzivon, attempt to infiltrate Israel. An they initially reported was an IAF air- One Killed In Nahariya Sakhnin, Hatzur Haglilit, and Peki’in. unknown number of militants are sus- craft falling to the ground. During near- Tuesday evening, July 18—A 30- Nine people were wounded in the pected to have been wounded in the ly a week of fighting, Hezbollah militants year-old resident of Nahariya was rocket barrage, including eight hurt exchange of fire. No IDF troops were have fired missiles up to 40 kilometers killed on Tuesday afternoon as when a rocket hit a hospital in Tsfat. wounded, IDF officials said. into Israel. But officials have raised con- Hezbollah guerillas launched over 100 The Katyusha struck the Rebecca Sieff On Monday, an Israel Air Force air cerns the guerrilla group could strike Tel Katyusha rockets at towns and cities in Hospital at around 11 p.m. Most of strike in Lebanon destroyed at least 10 Aviv, roughly 120 kilometers south of the the north of the country. Another per- the wounded were hit by shrapnel. The long-range Iranian-made missiles border with Lebanon. son was hurt in a rocket strike on Gush rocket hit the hospital’s northern exter- capable of hitting Tel Aviv, the IAF’s Halav, in the Mount Meron area of the nal wall. Five patients, two doctors and chief operations officer, Brigadier Residents From Tel Aviv Northward Galillee. The total number of Israeli two other hospital employees were General Ram Shmueli, said. The offi- On Alert civilians killed by Katyusha rocket fire hurt in the attack. The casualties were cials said an IAF aircraft targeted a Monday morning, July 17—Rocket from Lebanon since the start of fight- treated in the hospital’s emergency Hezbollah truck carrying the weapons barrages from Lebanon into northern ing is thus far at 13. room. Hospital deputy director Dr. before they could be launched. The Israel did not let up on Monday morn- The fresh volleys struck also Tsfat, Klein Shapira said after the attack that force of the blast sent at least one mis- ing, landing across the Eastern and Hatzor, Carmiel, Moshe Sde Eleizer, the rocket damaged the air condition- sile flying into the air, but it fell near- Western Galilee. Six people were light- Acre, Kiryat Shmona, Tiberias, the ing system in the building. “It was a by. Because of military regulations, the ly injured. The rockets landed in Kiryat Krayot region (Haifa suburbs of Kiryat miracle that the hit didn’t cause more officials spoke only on condition of Shmona, Acre, Tiberias, Talal, Julis, Yam, Kiryat Haim, and Kiryat Ata), serious damage,” said one of the hospi- anonymity. Officials said the destroyed Hatzor Haglilit, Yesod Hama’ala, the tal employees wounded in the attack. missile was an Iranian-made “Zilzal,” Continued on Page 21 central Golan Heights, and the Haifa Bay region. Eye witness Eli Dayari told Channel 10 television that the rocket hit a two- story building in Nahariya, and an apartment there was on fire. “I was near the bomb shelter, there was a humongous boom, and I saw it was two meters next to my house, really two meters,” he said. “People are pan- icking and the house was on fire, really big flames, the firefighters are here.” Eyewitnesses reported Tuesday afternoon that the victim of the Nahariya attack was walking towards a bomb shelter in a public park 20 meters from his home when he was directly struck by the rocket. The victim’s wife, who was waiting to receive her husband at the entrance to the shelter, witnessed the incident as it unfolded. Tuesday afternoon’s first barrage, which included more than 80 rockets, was one of the more fierce to have struck Israel since the outbreak of hos- tilities. The rocket fire also ignited fires in the northern Golan Heights near the town of Goshrim and the Nahal Amod and Rosh Pina regions. The train depot in Haifa where eight people were killed in a rocket strike Sunday was hit for a second time Tuesday afternoon, as fresh barrages of Katyusha rockets fired by Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon struck the northern towns of Haifa and Tsfat. Israel Radio said that six rockets struck Haifa, Israel’s third city, earlier Tuesday. There were no immediate reports of casualties in the first strikes in Haifa, medics said. Several rockets landed near the west Galilee town of Shlomi before noon, but no injuries or damage were reported. GOC Northern Command Major General Udi Adam said Tuesday that the rocket attacks have begun to drop, but the Israel Defense Forces is not about to ease off in its offensive against Lebanon. “Overall, knock on wood, there have been less rockets lately,” he told Channel 1 Television. “We have hit a large part of their weapons arsenal, their anti-aircraft missiles and their rockets. [The operation] will take time, 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 5 FROM THE EDITOR something else with the rest of the day? I see our davening opportunities as a lost; hundreds have been hurt; everyday Are we part of this effort in earnest, small part of a greater whole. There is life has been disrupted for everyone. Continued from Page 4 or is it something to ponder for a few this huge effort under way that, under The rabbanim in Israel and here have And if it is, should the tefillah be done, minutes each day and then it’s over (at these circumstances, draws large swatch- called for communal tefillos to assist in recited, and practiced with precisely the least for that day)? I don’t think any of es of the Jewish people closer together. the effort. The haftarah of last Shabbos same diligence as our counterparts in the men on the Lebanese border or in Call it fate, destiny, Hashgachah P’ratis, quotes the prophet Yirmiyahu: “G-d said uniform on the battlefield? Can a soldier Gaza today stop in the middle of a bat- or whatever you’d like. No soldier wants to me, from the North trouble will break come late or leave early or skip a few days tle to discuss their investment portfolio to be accused of dereliction of duty or, forth upon all the inhabitants of the here and there from joining his unit? Can or the type of seats they had at the last G-d forbid, being absent without leave. Land.” The prophet goes on to foretell a young soldier show up but stand in the Yankees game. Certainly these men in This is not intended to be a conde- some difficult days ahead and completes back of the unit and shmooze with the army are, at the core, no different scending lecture. I’m guilty of violating the piece by stating the words of friends, tell some jokes, fire a few volleys than us, but there is a right and wrong this military standard and being unfo- Hashem: “I have hereby made you here and there before going on to do time for just about everything. cused about our role in this effort as strong today like a fortified city and an well. In discussing this premise with a iron pillar…they will fight against you colleague the other day, it had to be but they will not prevail against you, for said that of course there are days when I am with you” (Yirmiyah 1:14–19). even the finest officers or infantry peo- These words speak to us all because ple are unable to contribute to the war we all have our place and our function or defense effort as needed, for a vari- in this effort, regardless of how geo- ety of acceptable reasons. This is not graphically distant we may be from about that. It is about not taking our where the action is. A Jew is extra-terri- appropriate place or not thinking that torial; we transcend borders. Just look at our tefillah is anything more than how quickly word travels between one something we do because, well, I don’t community and another in Israel or any- know, we just do it. where else in the world. A Chassidic How can we dedicate and commit rebbe once told a chasid that he was our lives and the lives of our families to uncertain whether he should relocate to the unique role, function, and destiny Israel, or if he should make wherever he of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael and is Eretz Yisrael. This is what is so unique then, in a private moment, be satisfied about the Jewish people and our special with our seemingly good fortune of not relationship with the land of Israel. being forced to run to a bomb shelter We know in our hearts and minds, in Sderot or run for cover in Tsfat? particularly during a trying time like When we pray and utter the words this, that the solution can arrive just as about “acheinu kol Beis Yisrael”—our quickly as the current problem did, brothers in Israel (and other Jews because, as we say three times every day around the world)—are they just mean- in the Aleinu prayer, “Hashem is the ingless words, or do they have a deeply only G-d, in the heaven above and on rooted and real substance to them? the earth below; there is none other.” ❖ These are extremely difficult days for Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at the people of Israel. Lives have been [email protected].

6 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 7 American Bar Mitzvahs HaBayit. The previous Thursday Continued from Front Cover evening they had a party at Ticho House in Yerushalayim, where Shmuli something more meaningful and sub- prepared a siyum. Chaim David (the stantial than the local bar mitzvah. singer) attended, and there was Luckily, their son Shmuli felt the same singing and dancing with 12 of way. The Brechers tried booking a hall Shmuli’s friends. in Israel way in advance, as is done in Marjorie and Steve Kellner, resi- the States, to make sure they secured dents of Cedarhurst, decided three the place they wanted. They were told years ago to have their only son’s bar they were crazy for planning so early, as mitzvah in Israel this summer. They Israelis live by the saying, “Who knows celebrated many of their past simchas what will be?” and therefore they never in Israel, such as Marjorie’s mother’s plan too early. Mandy noticed that peo- 70th and 75th birthdays, Steve’s moth- ple in Israel don’t get caught up in er’s 60th birthday, and Marjorie’s themselves when planning a simcha. niece’s bat mitzvah. So it seemed to the She added how Israelis are more con- Kellners that Israel was the perfect cerned with suicide bombers and the place to celebrate Jacob’s bar mitzvah. fear of war, so when it comes to details They were a bit nervous that some peo- of a simcha, like the color of the table- ple wouldn’t be able to join because of cloths, which seems so important at health issues; however, the immediate Shmuli Brecher and Jacob Kellner bear the canopy as Rabbi Avi Ronski, chief rabbi of the IDF, the time of planning, it gets put into family all came, and in fact many more carries the Torah. perspective very quickly. With the people came then they had anticipat- Brechers buying everything they needed. Many of the family friends who each part of the bar mitzvah, the fami- sharpshooters, and dogs are trained. ed for the bar mitzvah in Israel, sup- had previously made aliyah came, ele- ly was helped by wonderful profession- The army did demonstrations of the porting the Israeli economy was an vating the Kellners’ joy and simcha. als, such as hotel staff, party planners, counterterrorism techniques and added incentive. With the exception Jacob Kellner was called to the hostesses, photographers, videogra- showed how the dogs are trained to that most of the arrangements were Torah and leined at the Kotel on the phers, florists, and bus drivers. She felt fight terrorists and help the soldiers. made via the Internet, Mandy stressed actual day of his becoming a bar mitz- that each person helped and added to Mandy Brecher explained how watching that planning the bar mitzvah in Israel vah. Marjorie tells how “standing at the the celebrations. these 13-year-old boys dance with the was no different than planning one in Kotel while he (Jacob) was called to the The Shabbat of the bar mitzvah was soldiers instilled in her the most emo- the States. Torah was possibly one of the most spe- spent at the Inbal, and Marjorie tional feeling she has ever had. Mandy The Brechers and their guests dav- cial moments of my life. I recall the described the emotions as being very added, “I am very proud that Shmuli ened at the Kotel on Friday night. feeling of looking up, seeing the Kotel, intense. The seudah sh’lishit and wanted and encouraged us to make his Mandy explained how nothing can and looking out at all the other people melaveh malkah were held together simcha in Israel.” Jacob Kellner told his compare to this holy experience. The davening, and feeling that I was truly in with the Brechers’, and Marjorie felt parents that when the soldiers lifted him simcha hall was not far from the Kotel, the heart of Judaism and our son was that it was wonderful that family and up, he felt very secure. and while they ate, they could see the accepting the role of an adult Jewish friends came together to celebrate. Marjorie Kellner said that having walls of the Old City. Shabbat day, dav- man. At that moment, I thought, ‘It Additionally, the Brechers and the their son’s bar mitzvah in Israel was ening took place in a shul in the Old doesn’t get better than this.’” Kellners dedicated a Sefer Torah at the “the best decision we ever made.” She City that overlooks the Kotel and Har Marjorie described how, during army base in Adam, where snipers, added, “As much as we chose Israel as

8 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES an amazing venue to celebrate, we Israel, under the stars, especially dur- vahs the weeks before and after wanted to remind ourselves and our ing the melaveh malkah, which was Ethan’s, made for a wonderful three children that G-d has given us this held outdoors in the courtyard. The weeks of celebration in Israel.” amazing land, but we must daven and bar mitzvah was heimish yet beautiful, Jews are taught to teach their chil- fight every day to keep it.” and it was all about family, friends, dren not just by words, but by actions. The Shabbat of July 6, I was at my and celebrating in the land of Israel. What better way to show your love of nephew’s bar mitzvah, which was held One of the great things about the bar Israel than by having your child’s bar up north, in Kibbutz Lavi. I think that mitzvah was that a lot of their friends mitzvah there? What better way to my brother and sister-in-law, Andrew and family who lived in Israel attend- support Israel than by actually sup- and Terri Herenstein from Lawrence, ed and helped make the simcha as porting the Israeli economy by using assumed that a number of people leibidik as it was. Israeli halls, caterers, and florists? If would decline to come because of the Andrew summed it up perfectly: you’re trying to decide where to hold distance. Boy, were they wrong. People “Celebrating our son Ethan’s bar mitz- your son’s bar mitzvah, I’m sure that if from all over the U.S., as well as from vah in Israel was one of the most exhil- you spoke to the Brechers, the Israel, came to the bar mitzvah, mak- arating experiences of our lives. Being Herensteins, or the Kellners, you’d get ing it over 200 strong. The celebration at an Orthodox kibbutz for a weekend an earful. “officially” began on a Thursday night bar mitzvah—as opposed to some hotel Israel just may be the new popular with dinner at Decks in nearby in Westchester—was simply unique. venue for American bar mitzvahs, and Tiberias, and continued until Sunday From the netilat yadayim cups in all it’s all for the good: Uplift the Israeli morning at breakfast, when everyone the rooms, from davening in a shul economy, uplift the Israeli citizens, and hugged and said their good-byes. instead of a ballroom, and from having uplift yourselves by being surrounded There were events planned for each ALL of our many Israeli friends and by holiness, spirituality, and simcha. The Bar-Mitzvah boys proudly grasp the new part of every day. Many of my family (instead of the few that might Although, baruch Hashem, we are Sefer Torah. nephew’s friends were there to cele- typically be able to join us at a U.S. bar safely back in the States, we must not brate with him. Spontaneous singing mitzvah), Ethan’s bar mitzvah was sim- forget our fellow brothers and sisters Hashem be with them always. ❖ and dancing broke out when Ethan, ply special. And being able to share in Israel. Our prayers and thoughts are Michele Herenstein is a freelance journalist my nephew, finished the last berachah semachot with the Brechers, Kellners, with the chayalim and the people of living and working in New York. She can be of the haftarah, as well as during the Schiens and Isaacs, who had bar mitz- Israel. May they stay safe, and may reached at [email protected]. Friday-night dinner and during the motzaei Shabbat melaveh malkah.I definitely felt the holiness of being in

CALENDAR LUACH July 21 – July 29 ZIP Code: 11516

25 Tammuz – Erev Shabbos Friday, July 21 Daf yomi: Yoma 44 Z’manim*: Earliest tefillin: 4:38 am Sunrise: 5:42 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:45 am Gr’a 9:21 am Candle Lighting: 8:02 pm 26 Tammuz – Shabbos Saturday, July 22 Shabbos Parashas Mattos-Mas‘ei (chazak) Blessing for Chodesh Av Pirkei Avos: Chapter 1 Shabbos ends**: 9:08 pm 72 min. 9:32 pm 1 Av – ‘Nine Days’ begin Wednesday, July 26 Rosh Chodesh Av 3 Av – Erev Shabbos Friday, July 28 Daf yomi: Yoma 51 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 4:45 am Sunrise: 5:48 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 8:48 am Gr’a 9:24 am Candle Lighting: 7:56 pm 4 Av – Shabbos Saturday, July 29 Shabbos Parashas Devarim – Chazon Pirkei Avos: Chapter 2 Shabbos ends**: 9:00 pm 72 min. 9:26 pm * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 9 Israel At War Tehran’s proxy terrorist arm. They picked ties, he spoke his first words in support Lebanese government to displace the Continued from Front Cover up on the attitude of the U.S. president, for Hezbollah. Typically, he struck out Hezbollah in the south and disarm the who is telling Israel to let it run, but keep at UN Security Council resolution Shiite terrorists as ordered by the ists and that it is up to Syria to press civilian casualties down and don’t kick 1559 when he declared that no one Security Council. Hezbollah to stop shooting rockets at too much Lebanese infrastructure. will ever disarm the Hezbollah. On the Meanwhile, no more than one- Israel. His secretary of state, Even Arab governments, which same day, when black clouds of rockets fourth of Hezbollah’s arsenal has been Condoleezza Rice, says she doesn’t automatically fought any Israeli mili- and warplanes filled the skies of destroyed in Israel’s six-day air blitz see how an immediate cease-fire can tary action in the past, have formed a Lebanon and northern Israel, both and cannonade, and no one is quite solve the Middle East crisis. UN sec- solid Sunni Muslim front, led by Saudi Tehran and Damascus made a point of sure what surprises are in store in the retary general Kofi Annan, playing Arabia, which is content to watch the supporting Syria—not Hezbollah— form of long-range, heavy rockets or along, is in no hurry to take a hand. Shiite Hezbollah take a beating and against a possible Israeli attack. missiles, what hardware is being smug- “It will be a while before fighting the burgeoning Shiite assertiveness in This was seen by DEBKAfile’s gled from Iran via Syria past the Israeli ends,” he says calmly. And Germany’s the region squashed. Iranian sources as a jab at Bush and blockade, and whether either or both Angela Merkel thinks the kidnapped The Olmert government is eagerly Rice first, Israel second. This poker will intervene at some point—or how. Israeli soldiers should be returned exploiting this leisurely international game between Tehran and Washington The green light flashing in before any talk begins. climate to smash as much of is going back and forth over the heads Washington may give Israeli prime Britain’s Tony Blair would like to put Hezbollah’s terror machine as it can of Israel and Lebanon. It is the cause minister Ehud Olmert a latitude an international force into southern before Washington holds up a stop sign. of the muddled statements coming never before granted any Israeli pre- Lebanon, but Bush put him off none On Monday, a clutch of would-be from Israeli leaders with regard to the mier. But it also tells the Islamic too gently, as picked up by an open cease-fire brokers descended on Beirut targets of the Lebanon campaign. Republic that its rulers’ meddling in mike at the G-8 summit. Anyway, and Jerusalem. None came with Bush’s They range from recovering the kid- Iraq carries a high price tag. By pul- south Lebanon already has an interna- nod, so they will not get very far. napped soldiers, to smashing the verizing Iran’s surrogate, Israel is tional force. It is called UNIFIL, and it In Tehran, the hardline supreme Hezbollah, breaking up its terrorist articulating America’s determination has never stopped Hezbollah from fir- ruler, Ayatollah Khamenei, picked up infrastructure (what about its person- to smash Iran’s strength and positions ing a single cross-border shot. on the prospect of the only export arm nel?), moving their positions back from of influence around the Middle East All the world powers assembled in St. of Iran’s Shiite revolution facing a the Israeli border to one kilometer or and the Persian Gulf. Petersburg for the G-8 summit agreed hammering in a drawn-out conflict. more (depending on the estimated This determination was sparked by that Hezbollah started the war as On Sunday, four days into the hostili- range of their rockets), and forcing the an unnoticed incident in Iraq on July 4. On that day, for the first time in the Iraq War, Nasrallah activated the three-year old sleeper terror and sabo- tage networks Iranian and Hezbollah intelligence had established across Iraq shortly after the U.S. invasion. He was obeying orders from Iranian supreme ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. America’s Day of Independence 2006 was selected for this group to make its first low-key attacks against U.S. forces in Baghdad and British units in Basra and break surface under the name of the Abu al Fadal al Abas Brigades. No one had heard of it because Tehran had kept this Iraqi arm of Hezbollah dark, as the ultimate weapon to spring on the Americans in Iraq at the appropriate moment. President Bush saw that if he looked away and let Iran’s challenge burst into full-blown action without responding, America’s standing in Iraq and the rest of the region would be forfeited. He was further stirred into a response by Tehran’s developing appetite for quick gains. On July 12, believing they had gotten away with it in Iraq, Iran and Hezbollah followed it up by opening a second front against Israel, America’s ally: the Shiite terrorists kidnapped two Israeli soldiers. That was the last straw, but George W. Bush turned it around as a boomerang to hit Tehran. The Israeli Defense Forces were more than ready to punish Hezbollah and had been rar- ing to go after five years of forced restraint against the Lebanese group and Palestinian terrorists. For Bush,

10 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES this course offered America the chance of a bold, efficient blow against a Shiite extremist terrorist group without a single American soldier having to step onto the battlefield. Therefore, Israel’s Operation Just Reward, which started out as a rescue operation for its two abducted soldiers, then a campaign to push Hezbollah back from its border, within six days opened Lebanon up as a major arena for the showdown building up between the United States and Tehran over a whole bagful of issues—not least, Iran’s nuclear defiance. However, the unacknowledged object of Israel’s campaign is none of the highly rational goals outlined by officials. It is to satisfy Washington that Tehran has been given a bloody nose and is ready to pull back from its deepening political, military, and intelligence inter- ference in Iraq. To this end, Bush decided to let the armed forces of the Jewish state strike out against a fundamentalist Islamic force. For Israel, this is a first; a chance awaited since the first Gulf War of 1991 to get its own back on the radical Arab assailants besetting the country. This chance was denied even when it came under attack from Saddam Hussein’s missiles in 1991. Israel was then consistently held back from ridding itself of the vicious Palestinian suicide terror launched in 2000, leaving the conflict unre- solved to this day. Israel was kept on the sidelines of the U.S. global war on terror, even though it targeted the Jewish state no less than the West. Now, Ehud Olmert has picked up the gauntlet handed by Washington and decided to settle an old score with a Shiite terror group plaguing Israel from its northern border. He has plunged the country into a conflict that may well draw Iran and Syria in on the side of the enemy. No one can tell how it will come out. Israeli generals and officials asked about the objec- tives of this war are cagey. They can’t tell what will happen in the days ahead—and not only because of the uncertain fortunes of war; the tricky test is to correlate Israeli and American interests from one day to the next. Hezbollah keeps on threatening “new surprises,” because its leaders are also playing their tactics by ear, dependent on the support and weapons Tehran judges it politic to release. The conflict may only just be at the beginning. None of the main players show any eagerness to cut it short before they attain their purpose. (DEBKAfile) ❖ 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 11 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE alerting us to the fact that our regular flow of information had been interrupt- Continued from Front Cover ed by these annoying characters. that your site has been hacked.” I quick- In fact, as I write these words the ly clicked on the 5tjt.com site, and there day after it happened, I have received a it was—it had been hacked and inter- call that it had indeed happened again. rupted by some kind of Islamic group So it seems that they are into us pretty this past Monday, with the message that good, which means that we have to do it had been done in the interest and in whatever it is that Internet guys do to honor of Palestine. lose these guys and get them off our In the few months that our state-of- case. The company whose server we the-art website has been up, this is the are using tells us that we are the only second time this has happened. I’m one of their customers with this dubi- told by people who have some expert- ous distinction. I almost wish that ise on how to defend against these weren’t the case, as I was hoping it was things that there is a well-known team a larger problem for them than just out there that has done this to count- one website. But this is the situation. less websites, hacking in and then Hopefully, by the time you read this posting some short message about the site will be back up and we will have Islam. The people who service the implemented the necessary programs to website have reported these incidents defend against this type of activity. to the FBI, who have a team of com- Right now, we are an easy mark for puter experts investigating precisely them and kind of vulnerable. Those these types of interruptions. involved in the case told us on Tuesday I’m certain, in fact, that many that as far as they can tell, we are being Israel- or Jewish- oriented merchants hacked by a company called Turkish have also had their sites hacked as a Telecom, emanating from somewhere way to disturb what might otherwise in Turkey. There’s probably little that be considered the smooth flow of anyone can do in terms of legally pursu- Jewish information on the Internet. ing this type of situation. I don’t know No doubt, the FBI will tell you, this is why they set their sights on us—or even a form of terror—certainly on a non- have us on their radar screen; believe violent and lower level than that prac- me, it’s not flattering. I like to look at ticed by other merchants of terror. the bright side, however: at least we’re So I basically realized two things in not being hacked from Brooklyn. the aftermath of this week’s hacking incidents. One is that we are getting a Slifkin Review lot of traffic on the site—Jewish and Rabbi Natan Slifkin’s presentations non-Jewish (apparently). On Monday, in Lawrence last week were very as soon as this happened, we received a flurry of calls and e-mails to the office Continued on Page 14

12 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 13 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE Interestingly enough, the truth of Despite his being erudite and refresh- to throw another obstacle in the way of the matter is that these days a condem- ing, he is still learning the ropes. doing business?” asked one caller. Continued from Page 12 nation usually piques people’s curiosity Having met him and having listened to Many meters along Central Avenue informative, as well as entertaining. and makes them want to buy the books him closely, I can say that there is little and in other areas of the village bear Slifkin is the 31-year-old Zoo Torah of the personality involved, and even go doubt that he will be around and will white and red stickers with the infor- personality who has embroiled himself to hear him speak—as was the case last be making important contributions to mation that—effective immediately— in some controversy on some of his Shabbos in Lawrence. Rabbi Slifkin the community for a long time to come. the meters will be pleased to take your non-animal-kingdom work. He has packed the house both at Congregation He’s sensitive to the fact that he has quarters from 9 a.m to 9 p.m., seven incurred condemnation by some Torah Shaaray Tefila and Bais Medrash of rankled some, and is looking to focus days a week. The change in parking authorities both here and in Israel over Harborview, where he mostly—almost on his work with animals and place the regulations in Cedarhurst means that the stances he has taken on the issues exclusively, actually—talked about his controversial issues on the back burn- residents and visitors to the area will where Torah and science come into work with animals and stayed away er. From the perspective of this last have to adjust their thinking when it conflict. This issue deals largely with comes to parking. the age of the world, the universe, the On one hand, heavily regulated moon, the stars, and so on. parking keeps motorists on their toes, Rabbi Slifkin says that he’s not I discovered that the fee is 25 cents for every making certain they do not occupy breaking any new ground but rather much-needed spaces for long periods just publicizing some positions written of time. On the other, some people about and held by revered Torah per- ten minutes. Fortunately, I had just procured a feel that the rate and intensity with sonalities like The Rambam, Rav which parking tickets are distributed Hirsch, Rav Soloveitchik, and Rav in areas of the Five Towns borders on Aryeh Kaplan. He doesn’t understand fresh roll of quarters earlier that day. harassment for people, who are there what the hubbub is all about, but nei- for the most part to shop and spend ther is he too pleased about it. money in the area. Slifkin is from England and current- I was on West 72nd Street in ly lives in Bet Shemesh with his wife from the subject of science and Torah. Shabbos, it looks like Natan Slifkin is Manhattan earlier this week, and and children. Is it possible that he was In Harborview he was challenged by a going to do just fine. studied the Muni-Meter that takes not sensitive to what it takes these questioner about his rabbinic support money for parking there. I discovered days to be roundly condemned for (or lack thereof) and deflected the Cedarhurst Parking Changes that the fee is 25 cents for every ten either assuming or promoting uncer- inquiry. Just when you thought it was safe to minutes. The machine does not take tain or unpopular positions. Needless Despite the obstacles he is con- go out at night without change in your paper money; you have to have either to say, you can’t write or go around say- fronting and the debate he is generat- pockets, we have to deal with this. coins or a parking card. Fortunately I ing that the world is 15 billion years ing, Slifkin apparently is very sharp and “This” being the late hour until which had just procured a fresh roll of quar- old, hang your hat on the Rambam, very sincere. If anything, perhaps he is the parking meters in Cedarhurst have ters earlier that day, and I unraveled and think that you’re just going to sail a little naive when it comes to how the to be fed—seven days a week. Calls the cover and pumped 12 quarters smoothly through a series of book mechanics of the global frum commu- we’ve received in the office have into the thing so that I could park for signings and sales. Of course Rabbi nity work. You can’t just show up one expressed chagrin and surprise at the two hours. So you see, as bad as you Slifkin probably never imagined that day and declare that the world is 15 bil- move, particularly since it comes at a think parking regulations might be—it he’d go so quickly from book signings lion years old or that dinosaurs roamed time when merchants are complaining could be worse. ❖ to book bannings (or at least attempt- the earth 65 million years ago and get a that business is slow this summer on Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at ed book bannings). congratulatory slap on the back. Central Avenue. “Why would they want [email protected].

14 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 15 Aliyah Chronicle the post office. Pay your bills? Go to the tion came up—eliminating the need ting the thermostat took me a long Continued from Front Cover post office. Parking ticket? Post office. for filling out a million forms. time, I was able to daven on time—that Health Insurance? Post office. I think We headed to the local bagel store is, I would have been able to had there cleaning lady three times a week (we you can even send mail from there. for lunch where we were presented by been more than eight men there. In pay) so that the house stays moderate- Registering for health coverage cost the owner with a lovely welcoming gift the end, we had to run to a shul ly in order. Although there couldn’t about eight dollars. For the whole of treats when she heard that we were around the corner and show up late. have been much mess, it was a good family. We were done within minutes new olim. We then went home to pre- I should mention that we must have thing she showed up, because without and the local rep took our paperwork pare for our first Shabbos in Israel. gotten five different cookie and cake her we’d still be sleeping. with her so she could enter us into the trays welcoming us to the neighbor- It was especially helpful because we computer right away. Good thing she Shabbos, Israeli Style hood on Friday, each more yummy had a 10:00 a.m. appointment to regis- did because we were in their offices It is a good thing that the neighbors looking than the next. This was beyond ter for Kupat Cholim. Health coverage that Sunday. here are very friendly or we would have the numerous personal visits and calls here is nationalized and automatically After returning home we went to the had a very hot Shabbos. Apparently, the from people offering to welcome us to deducted from each employee’s pay- shopping district in Ramat Beit thermostat has two settings. “On” and the neighborhood. check. However, in order to encourage Shemesh to convert some dollars into “Off.” If you program the timer, you That night we ate dinner at my the providers to provide the best care shekels and pay for camp. We are pay- must set it to be either on or off. You cousin’s house. He has lived in Israel possible, there are several rival kupat ing something like $1,300 for camp. cannot change the temperature based for over 10 years and is about half a cholim organizations (similar to HMOs) Two kids are going for five weeks and on the time of day, you can only assign mile from us. The highlight of the that compete for patients and funds. the other is going for two weeks. a single temperature and decide if you evening was Mordechai’s response (he We were greeted at the airport by Although we had been told to wait a want the unit on or off. Better yet is the is five) to a cousin who kept trying to members of Kupat Cholim Meuchedet, few days so that our information could fact that the unit blows all the time. speak to him in Hebrew. “I don’t speak whom we had already decided to join. be entered into the national database, The condenser might turn itself on or Hebrew,” he replied, “I only just got Friday morning, one of them picked us we decided to stop in at the bank and off based on the desired temperature, here yesterday!” up in her car and drove us to register try to open a bank account. Israel but the fan motor is kept continuously After finally getting a good night’s for their specific organization. At the maintains a national database of all blowing whether or not the condenser sleep, I headed off to shul and ended up post office. Well, where else should you citizens by their ID number. When is making the air cooler. at Bais Tefilla (not my intended destina- register for health coverage? they typed our numbers into the com- Thankfully, there is a minyan on the tion). I felt like I was in the Red Shul or In Israel, EVERYTHING is done at puter, all of our biographical informa- block for Shabbos, so even though set- any other very American shul within the Five Towns. Everything—including the announcements and the rabbi’s speech—was in English. There was a bar mitzvah that day, and as a cohen I got the first aliyah to the Torah. As the gabbai recited the Mi Sheberach, I glanced at the ArtScroll Gabbai Handbook and noticed that the Mi Sheberach I was getting had the title “Mi Sheberach for the Oleh”! While they meant oleh to the Torah, I couldn’t help but reflect that I was a double oleh for that morning at least. At the end of davening, both me and Rabbi Tzvi Friedman were welcomed as new olim and the entire shul sang V’shavu Vanim in our honor. After davening, it seemed like everyone in shul came over to welcome us to Israel. When I returned from shul to head off to lunch, I discovered that the jet lag had not yet totally run its course as the entire family had slept in until 11:20, ten minutes prior to my arrival home. We ate lunch that day by our next- door neighbors, Simon and Aliza Baum, who had moved to Israel from London, where Simon continues to work three and a half days a week. Although they did not know us at all, they were quite happy to invite all seven of us for the meal, in addition to their other two guests whose families were overseas. Over the meal we had a very lively discussion on the various benefits of making split aliyah (one parent makes aliyah—the other doesn’t), full aliyah or no aliyah. Essentially, we agreed that split aliyah is really only beneficial if you work outside the country and can therefore avoid taxes at Israeli tax rates (50 percent). Interestingly, in our neighborhood there is an unofficial policy that the children cannot play outside until 4:00 p.m. on Shabbos afternoon. You might think that parents wishing to take a nap would want the kids out of the house because you can hear everything inside the house here. Apparently, when they are outside it is even worse. The kids all disappeared that afternoon with their new friends. Mordechai could not be found for two hours late in the afternoon. When he turned up he told us that he went to 16 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES shul with his friend and his friend’s print out a specialized label, then fill that I could finally understand what I port you while you are learning Abba. No biggie here, apparently it is the prescription and finally to get it to was doing. Hebrew in ulpan, after which you fine for them to just go. you 20 minutes later. No signing a should be able to move right into the By Shabbos morning, our eldest release that says even though I didn’t Israeli Mishpacha workforce. After that you can get daughter, Chaya, (who had begun actually speak with the pharmacist and Having been in Israel for all of six rental assistance as well as minimal complaining of homesickness on have no clue what I am buying that I days, I had a true pleasure to join in a unemployment payments if you have Thursday night) reported feeling ill. agree that I got “counseling” about my simcha at the Kotel in the first week I not found work. We had a sneaking suspicion that her medication. Just buying medicine like was here. Elazar and Estelle Aryeh and The government also pays you just for homesickness and moodiness that we you would buy a pack of gum. his sister Debora and Mitchell Ozeri having kids. We will be getting a month- had originally attributed to the move The littler kids all started day camp had a joint hanachat Tefillin for their ly bank transfer for each child until they was actually due to illness. So we made that day and came home thrilled. sons at the Kotel Wednesday morning. turn 18. It isn’t a ton of money, but it plans to have her checked at the doc- Although everything is conducted in Although it took me forever to get will certainly help pay the bills. tor the next morning after I went off to Hebrew, they had so many English there, I still managed to get there All our other benefits are also my first day of work. speakers around them that they got before davening and it was a real treat arranged through the Misrad Haklitah. along very well and continue to do so. to join in a simcha of families that I They gave Goldie her ulpan payment Israeli Technology - Good And Bad My first few days of work were some- knew in the Five Towns. certificate and the clerk even tested That night I tried to access the inter- what interesting. They bought me a Thursday afternoon I left work early her Hebrew for placement purposes net and setup my VOIP phone connec- new computer with Hebrew only win- to make my way back to Beit Shemesh (she said that Goldie’s Hebrew is actu- tion. I had gotten an internet phone dows. Every time I got an error mes- for an appointment at Misrad Haklitah ally very good but she isn’t confident from Broadfone in Cedarhurst and they sage I was ready to jump out the win- (the absorption ministry). Although we enough to use it). They also explained had even transferred my old home dow (I work on the first floor). Is this a had received our initial payments for how all our services coordinate (in the- phone number to that account so that network problem? A hardware conflict? becoming olim at the airport, we need- ory) like public schooling and how to people could still call us on that number. By day three of having to translate ed to register our bank account with get it and things like how to start get- Internet here is totally different errors for me, my boss had had enough them in order to get continued bank ting our Israeli Driver’s Licenses. They than in America. It took me (literally) and I took the train to Rishon Litziyon transfers into our account. are basically supposed to be our advo- three days to get the internet working to have the Hebrew Windows replaced The absorption payments last for cates as we absorb into Israeli society. and another three to discover that the by a Hebrew/English version. It was a seven months. The theory is that they modem that is in my house is totally tremendous relief to have it done so give you these funds in order to sup- Continued on Page 18 incompatible with VOIP. If it was my house, all I would have to do is switch to a more modern modem. However, since the owner of the house’s computers are all set to the current settings, I have no choice but to grin and bear it. Debbie Rothman (of Broadfone) was terrific throughout the whole process. When she realized that there was nothing we could do, she got our incoming calls to automatically call forward to our Israeli phone number, so that we can now get our incoming calls. When we move to our long term rental, we can get the proper equipment and have everything in order. Sunday morning, I got a ride in to Yerushalayim and headed off to work. Goldie walked with Chaya to the local pediatrician’s office to be checked for strep. She waited in a waiting room as the doctor saw one patient at a time. There was no nurse to prescreen you or weigh you or anything. When it was her time to enter she just went straight in to the office where the doctor was waiting. Israeli doctors do everything for themselves. All the kids’ information is on the computer in front of them and they enter in any changes or needs. For instance, Chaya was tested for strep, the test went into the computer and a prescription for antibiotics was issued. Some interesting things about our Kupat Cholim: They have a 24 hour hotline for you to set an appointment in case your kids get sick at night. They have non Jewish doctors staffing the local clinic for 17 out of 25 hours of Shabbos in case your kid gets sick. Here comes the cool part. Goldie took the prescription to the local pharmacy. It really wasn’t needed because all the info was in the computer. Yet, she took it anyway just in case. When she got to the drugstore, the pharmacist took a brief look at it, opened a drawer and removed a box of medicine, handwrote some instructions on it and passed it across the desk in exchange for 12 shekels (less than 3 dollars). Time of transaction: 30 seconds. That was it. No waiting in line for the pharmacist to take the prescription. No waiting for the pharmacist to check 400 things in the computer and 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 17 Aliyah Chronicle I spoke by phone (on Friday) with cancelled and that they keep moving Aviv University. While at the confer- Continued from Page 17 Wily Nathanson who is here on vaca- more and more south, eventually end- ence, a coworker got a call from his tion with his wife Fern, and he told me ing up in Maalei Gilboa. wife, telling him that they just issued a Security about being in Rosh Hanikra (literally Another nephew (my sister’s son) warning to all of those from Tel Aviv Of course, it is impossible to write on the Lebanon border) when the ini- had been visiting relatives up north in and all points north to be prepared to about being in Israel without dis- tial fighting broke out and he Acco and told me on the phone how enter their bomb shelters with one cussing the dramatic changes in the described to me how initially his tour he could not sleep all night because of minute’s notice. security situation over the past two guide told them not to worry, gunfire the IAF jets flying overhead on their That made me pause and ask where weeks. My brother Ely made aliyah five would sporadically break out at the way to Beirut. the shelters are. The response? Just fol- or six weeks prior to the beginning of border. However, as the sounds of Thursday night I spoke with my sis- low all the running people. I must the intifada. When I spoke to my fighting began to escalate, their guide ter to find out how all her in-laws who admit that at that time I was a little father last week he said that there would eventually yank them all back to live in northern Israel are doing. She wary. When had I ever had to figure out must be something about the Katz the car (literally grabbing children off excitedly told me that one brother in- where the nearest bomb shelter was? boys that stirs up so much trouble of the cable cars) and evacuate them law had called to report that a While you may think that the entire when they arrive. It almost makes me from the area. He added that as they Katyusha had landed down the block country is cowering in terror based on want to tell our youngest brother not drove south they passed a smoke from his home in Haifa. Then, minutes the information provided to you by to come. Almost. plume that they discovered was the before she had gotten another call from CNN, the actual truth is that without When we left for Israel, Gilad Shalit ruins from a Katyusha rocket. a brother-in-law in Shlomi in whose the newspapers and internet, we would (May Hashem grant him a speedy and At that time, I among many others backyard a Katyusha had landed!! have no idea that there is anything safe return to his family) had just been thought that we would continue the All the windows in his house had going on. captured and the army had just invad- same stand-by-and-wait attitude that been totally blown out and their neigh- Each day I head off to work, just like ed (how it is possible to invade your our army had become famous for, with bor’s water main had burst, flooding every other day (only for the last week or own land is beyond my comprehen- limited, focused air attacks on highly their house. Thankfully everyone came so). I check my e-mails, make phone sion) Gaza in the desperate search for visible Hezbollah and Hamas targets through it fine, but they were absolutely calls and go about my average day with- him. The attention of the country was until a backdoor negotiated deal was scared to death (as well they should be). out any changes to what is becoming my focused on his well being. reached. I was wrong. We entered Shabbos wondering how routine. I head home and spend a cou- On Wednesday morning, as I rode a The next morning my ride into far this would go and with the concern ple hours with the kids before they head taxi to the Kotel to join the Aryeh and Yerushalayim was totally occupied with that ground forces would be called to sleep, then continue planning with Ozeri families for the hanachat tefillin the news that we had either destroyed upon to invade Lebanon and clear Goldie what we need to get accom- celebration for their (respective) sons, the Beirut airport or some of its run- Hezbollah out. plished as we keep moving forward. I heard on the radio that two more sol- ways and were continuing to consider Interestingly, Shabbos passed in a Yes, we are extremely concerned diers had been captured by Hezbollah other targets in Lebanon. As the rockets total news blackout. No one gets the about the situation. Our soldiers are and that the army was trying to destroy began to fly back and forth, we began to paper (there is none) and in this neigh- being used as bargaining chips by the all the routes by which they could be realize that we were really at war. borhood there is no radio or TV to be murderous thugs that our government taken out of the area. Then news came that Nahariyah heard until Motzei Shabbos. We had no (until recently) was busy considering My boss, who was due to travel to had been hit by rockets and that they idea about the rockets hitting Tsfat giving more and more territory to. Our the U.S. that night, got a call that his were beginning to come in with alarm- and continuing to barrage Haifa nor borders are under attack and they are unit may be called to duty. He is a ing frequency. We spoke to our any of the bombings done by the IDF shelling our countrymen. Of course we paratrooper and there was talk that nephew who is here with Bnei Akiva’s until we went online. are concerned. they may be called upon to spearhead Mach Hach Baaretz program and he Sunday I had an all day conference This is, of course, not even consid- an invasion into Lebanon. told us how his tiyul in the Galil was in Beit Hatfutzot on the campus of Tel ering that our lift is due to arrive in the

18 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES next couple of weeks by boat. To the port of—you guessed it—HAIFA! Yet, life goes on. Since we are somewhat disassociated from the fighting, we are not concerned for our personal safety, only the safety of others. This allows us to continue moving forward with our absorption and settling into Israeli society. I am sure that many of those who have made aliyah to Northern Israel, especially those who were on our flight, have questioned their decision. They are literally in the center of all the action, and are literally being shelled day and night. I cannot compre- hend what life must be for them. I also wonder what must be happening in the Nefesh B’Nefesh offices. As those people who had planned to make aliyah later this summer watch CNN and begin to worry and rethink their plans, I am sure that there will be cancellations (as of this morning, NBN was reporting ZERO cancellations to date). It is hard to imagine people cancel- ing, but think for a second if you were supposed to move to Tsfat, Haifa, or even Teveria. If you had plans like that, you, too, might reconsider. As I have said before, our aliyah has (thankfully) been atypical. We have had things seemingly fall in to place as we needed them to, and have been fortunate so far. Yes, there are many trying moments, but overall I cannot describe how much we are enjoying our experience here in Israel and how welcome and loved we have felt since the day we landed. We can only hope and pray that Hashem protect us and our brothers and sisters here in Israel, that He watch over our servicemen and women and see to their safety and security as they see to ours without the need for further bloodshed and suffering and that He return not just the three servicemen seized these past few weeks, but all the servicemen who have been missing—some since as far back as the early 1980s. ❖

Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem. Shmuel and his wife, Goldie (the telecommuting con- troller at Bnos Bais Yaakov of Far Rockaway), and their six children (ages 1 to 15) made aliyah on July 5. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. If you have a specific question (beyond “Are you out of your mind?”), please feel free to contact him at [email protected].

Note: Part 10 of the Aliyah Chronicles appeared in the online edition (www.5tjt.com) only, and not in the print edition of the 5TJT. The complete collection of Mr. Katz’s past Aliyah Chronicles submissions can be found at aliyahchronicles.blogspot.com. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 19 Orthodox Mayors ing town revenues while and Englewood’s a city.” have disproportionate politi- but they’re active members of Continued from Front Cover reducing homeowners’ tax Wildes is the only currently cal influence. the community.” burden and making govern- serving Orthodox mayor who That’s certainly the case in In some areas with an ed Teaneck mayor by his fellow ment agencies “more user- was elected directly by con- Lakewood, where Meir increasing Orthodox pres- township council members the friendly”—aren’t particularly stituents; in the towns and Lichtenstein was inaugurated ence, battles over schooling week before last, after receiv- tailored to a group that, he villages where the others as mayor in January. Orthodox take place, as Orthodox Jews ing 60 percent of constituents’ notes, represents just “13 per- serve, the local council Jews make up nearly half of who send their children to pri- votes in his race for the coun- cent of the community.” chooses the mayor. the village’s 70,000 residents, vate schools are seeking to cil seat. Just a few miles south of While it has become com- and they often vote as a bloc, limit education budget Katz, 31, who is not only Teaneck is Englewood, a city mon to have Orthodox elected with a council of leaders increases for a shrinking pub- Teaneck’s first Orthodox that elected Michael Wildes as officials in densely Jewish determining whom they lic school population. mayor but also its youngest its first Orthodox mayor in areas of Brooklyn—New York should support. In Lawrence, where there mayor ever, told JTA that he 2003. Wildes faces his first re- City Councilman Simcha Katz and Wildes downplay are more students in private has “been active in the town election contest this year. Felder and New York State the role of faith in winning schools than public schools, for the last 15 years,” and was Wildes is believed to be the Assemblyman Dov Hikind are votes. “I think the people that the Orthodox community suc- also the town’s youngest-ever only Orthodox mayor of a U.S. two examples—or in almost were elected who are cessfully advocated this year council member when he was city since Norman Ciment exclusively Orthodox New Orthodox were elected not to have officials who oppose first elected 9 years ago. served as mayor of Miami York towns like Kiryas Joel because of their religion, but budget increases elected to Katz is quick to say that Beach a few decades ago. and New Square, the new because of their experience,” the school board. he’s not bringing a specifically Comparing his city to other crop of mayors is distinct Katz said of himself and two That approach was already Orthodox agenda to the may- places with Orthodox mayors, because Orthodox Jews are other Orthodox members tried in Englewood, where it oralty, and that his two pri- Wildes notes, “Lakewood’s a not a majority of voters in elected to Teaneck’s council. failed. The issue has yet to mary agenda items—increas- village, Teaneck’s a township, their towns, even if they may “They happen to be Orthodox, become a problem in Teaneck. Still, just because these Orthodox mayors aren’t paying special attention to specifically Jewish issues, it doesn’t mean they don’t expect to get treated differently by their Orthodox brethren. After he was elected, Wildes said, “it was impossible for me to go to shul and not have someone sit next to me and ask me about a pothole while I was davening.” Wildes said he sought the advice of the most prominent observant U.S. elected official, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D- Conn.). Lieberman told him that “our community does take greater liberty with their own,” Wildes said. Wildes hopes to join Lieberman as the second Orthodox Jew elected to Congress, and the first in the U.S. House of Representatives, in 2008. Even if putting Orthodox candidates into the mayor’s office doesn’t bring great changes for the Orthodox community, it does tend to have a slight effect on how government works. Teaneck mayoral inaugurations always take place July 1, and when that fell on Saturday this year, the event, usually held at mid- day, was pushed back until 10 p.m., after Shabbos. (JTA) ❖

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20 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rockets made Zilzal missiles, whose range is Continued from Page 5 estimated to exceed 200 kilometers, may be used, thus allowing Hezbollah Abu Snan, Kafr Yassif, and other towns to target the Tel Aviv metropolitan across the north. area. Intelligence information sug- Near Acre, a rocket hit a house direct- gests that the organization has a limit- ly, landing just a few meters away from a ed number of these missiles. The IDF couple sleeping in a bedroom. Three on Sunday told Israelis from Tel Aviv family members in the house at the time northward to “be alert.” suffered light injuries. Earlier Monday The command said that in the event morning, 13 Israel Defense Forces sol- of a rocket strike, a siren will sound, diers were hospitalized in Western alerting the public to seek shelter Galilee Hospital in Nahariya with smoke inside in a protected room or an area inhalation from a rocket landing. away from doors, windows, and exteri- A Katyusha barrage landed late or walls. Those caught outside at the Sunday in the lower Galilee’s Jezreel time of the siren should enter a stair- Valley for the first time. Rockets land- well or get close to a wall or shelter ed in the city of Afula and the sur- and lie down. rounding communities of Upper Hezbollah still has at its disposal a Nazareth, Migdal Ha’emek, and Givat significant arsenal “of very many rock- Ela at 11 p.m. At 50 kilometers inland ets of all kinds,” Israel Air Force from the northern border, this was the Commander Major General Elyezer longest range rocket to hit Israel. Shkedy told reporters at a news brief- There were no reports of injuries. ing on Sunday. Shkedy said that thus Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan far the IDF has struck part of Nasrallah may decide to use the Hezbollah’s array of rockets and that longer range missiles in his move- the goal of the military campaign ment’s arsenal against Israel, accord- against Lebanon is to “deal seriously ing to Israel Defense Forces assess- with the infrastructure that has been ments. IDF sources say that use of built over the course of years.” such weapons will depend on authori- The IDF’s chief intelligence officer, zation from Iran, which has equipped Brigadier General Yuval Helmish, said Hezbollah with long-range missiles that since the end of Operation Grapes and has played a formative role in of Wrath—the IDF’s offensive in south shaping the character of the current Lebanon in April 1996—Hezbollah has fighting. If the confrontation contin- amassed over 10,000 rockets, some of ues to escalate, as it appeared to have which have a range of over 70 kilome- done Sunday, the chances that ters, and has dispersed the missiles in Nasrallah’s organization will launch towns and villages throughout south such missiles increases. The army is concerned that Iranian- Continued on Page 47

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 21 Lucite shelves on the wall. Hundreds of work of creative minds. But what is colors are available just for the asking. more impressive is the group of people The first fingernails were painted who name those colors; they’re the back in Egypt in 3000 BC. I believe ones who have the real talent. Walk that BC refers to Before Cosmetics, into any nail salon and just listen to since nails were painted before lips what customers ask for. “This week I’d were. As a kid I always noticed when like Marshmallow and Ballet Slippers,” women had pretty colors on their nails. one customer tells her operator. The What’s In A Name? Mostly they flashed red or pink finger- reason a woman asks for two colors is tips around, and occasionally someone not because she has two sets of fin- even turned up with the color orange. gers, G-d forbid; it’s because, when Most people, when they think of idea what I’m talking about, because There was little need for creative nam- working with light shades, manicurists creativity or talent, limit the field to men don’t wear nail polish. As for the ing. The labels on nail polish bottles usually suggest combining two differ- those with the ability to paint, write, or occasional male who, in addition to simply read Pink, Red, or Orange. ent colors. Why they do this, I don’t make music. Others recognize that dressing and grooming to perfection, These colors were the same three that know. Because in truth, the pale pinks someone with expertise in sewing, favors a coat of clear polish on his were available in lipsticks at the time. all look the same. Customers who get knitting, and crocheting is a talented well-manicured nails, he won’t under- But over the years there were major manicures only on occasion, and aren’t and creative person. Equally impres- stand either. Because clear nail polish changes. Cosmetics became a huge considered ‘regulars,’ usually don’t sive is the florist who fashions center- has no color, it needs no name, and the industry, and manufacturers enlarged know the names of the polishes, so pieces, and the master chef who cooks they just ask for “a red” or “a light or bakes to perfection. Home decora- pink.” In that instance, the manicurist tors, clothing or furniture designers, gets to pick her own personal favorite. set designers, directors, and screen or But when a pale pink shade is request- stage performers are other links in the Walk into any nail salon and just listen to ed she asks, “opaque or sheer?” endless human chain of creativity. Marshmallow and Ballet Slippers are But there is one group of talented what customers ask for. “This week I’d like just the tip of the iceberg when it people that is totally overlooked. comes to ridiculous. In June, I select- Largely unrecognized and unappreci- Marshmallow and Ballet Slippers,” ed a pretty summer color and have ated are the folks who come up with been wearing it ever since. It’s called the names for colors. I refer specifical- one customer tells her operator. Canyon Coral. Frankly, just plain Coral ly to nail polish colors. I have yet to would be sufficient for my less-than- hear anyone say, “The folks who think creative psyche, but Canyon Coral it is. up these names are really creative.” The gal that sits at the next mani- Mostly what I hear is, “Where did they men who use it are unaware of the their laboratories and hired chemists curist’s table uses Geranium, and the come up with that ridiculous name?” I unique titles that are assigned to the to create a large selection of colors, one seated next to her always asks for say let’s give credit where credit is due, polishes that females use. each color available in multiple Hotsie Totsie. The thing is—they’re all because if dreaming up these names Women, on the other hand, will shades. Gradually, blood reds, deep the same color! The difference is not and assigning them to different colors know exactly what I mean. Each week, dark purples, and even browns in the actual color, but in the name. isn’t the product of a creative mind, I as I sit down for my manicure, I’m fas- appeared on the scene. Hoedown Brown is red, so why they don’t know what is. cinated by the names on the innumer- The idea to produce a vast selection stick the word “brown” in there I have It’s doubtful that men will have any able bottles of nail polish that line the and diversity of color is definitely the no idea. And Country Road is the same

22 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES color as Hoedown Brown. Swing Velvet is a popular choice in the dark color category, but if the shop happens to be out of that color, one can substitute Sway Date. Trust me, there’s little to distinguish one from the other. Should Sway Date and Swing Velvet both be in use by another operator, and if a customer doesn’t want to wait, she can always go with Raisin Nuts instead. But not right now, of course. It’s an unwritten rule that deep dark colors are verboten in warm weather. So, currently, those hues are avoided like the plague, and won’t be seen again until next winter sets in. Again—why that is, I don’t know. It’s just another one of those manicure mysteries. The color called Scarlet O’Hara, which is a deep iridescent red, is not much different from another hue called Fine Red Wine. Had I been on the naming committee, I would have called that one Manischewitz. And a lesser-used red/brown polish that’s called Love That Lobster would have suited me better if they’d named it Cholent. Creativity in the name select- ing arena is not my strong suit. This week I tired of the summery color I’ve been wearing. So instead of Canyon Coral I went for yet a paler shade. I selected it from the shelf without looking at the name on the bottle, and only after all ten nails had been painted did I discover that the name of this particular polish was Clambake. Frankly I’d be more comfortable if it were called Sukkah Party, but no one asked my opinion. Although I’m not crazy about all of the monikers they come up with, I still think that the guys and gals who think them up deserve to earn big bucks. From my perspective, this is true creativity. For me, just trying to name my kids was hard enough.

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.

Also Balaam the son of Beor they slew with the sword (Bamidbar 31:8)

What was Balaam doing in Midian? Rabbi Yonatan said: He went to receive his reward for the twenty-four thousand Israelites whose destruction he had caused [by his advice to entice them with the daughters of Moab and Midian] ...This is what people say: "When the camel went to demand horns, they cut off the ears he had."

(Talmud, Sanhedrin 106a)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 23 From The Chassidic Masters The Eastern Colonists The children of Reuvein and the chil- tribes of Gad and Reuvein, who owned dren of Gad possessed much cattle; and much sheep and cattle, asked that they they saw the land of Ya’zer and the land be given these territories, which were of Gilead, and behold, it was a land for prime pastureland, in lieu of their pasture… And they said [to Moshe]: “If allotment in the land of Canaan, we have found favor in your eyes, may which lay to the west of the Jordan. this land be given to your servants for a Moshe was extremely upset by their possession—do not take us across the request. He reminded them that 40 Jordan… We will build sheepfolds here years earlier, the people of Israel had for our cattle, and cities for our chil- been poised to enter the land of dren.—Bamidbar 32:1, 5, 16 Canaan. But following a negative report “They spoke first of their cattle, and by the spies sent to scout the land— only then of their children. Said they described it as a “land that con- Moshe to them: ‘Not so! Make the pri- sumes its settlers” (Bamidbar 13:32)— mary thing primary and the secondary the children of Israel spurned the land thing secondary.’”—Rashi on pasuk 16 promised to their ancestors as the eter- In the 32nd chapter of Bamidbar, nal heritage of Israel. G-d decreed that the Torah describes how the Jewish they remain in the desert for 40 years, tribes of Reuvein and Gad came to set- until that entire generation died out tle the land east of the Jordan River. and a new generation, prepared to The children of Israel were en route accept the gift and challenge of the to the land of Canaan when they were Promised Land, arose. And now, said attacked by the armies of Sichon and Moshe to the people of Reuvein and of Og, whose domain lay on the eastern Gad, you are repeating the sin of the bank of the Jordan. Moshe led the spies—a sin which condemned an Israelites into battle, defeated the two entire generation and stopped Jewish kings, and conquered their land. The history in its tracks for 40 years. Like

24 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES your parents before you, you are declin- ing to take possession of the land deed- ed to you by Divine decree. How did the two tribes respond to this accusation? They assured Moshe that they planned to settle and develop the land east of the Jordan, building “sheepfolds for our flocks and cities for our children.” They also promised that they would enter the land of Canaan together with the other tribes of Israel and aid them in its conquest; indeed, they would march at the head of the army and bear the brunt of the battle. Only after the land west of the Jordan had been conquered and settled by the other tribes would they return to the lands allotted them in the east. But how does any of this answer Moshe’s complaint to them? While perhaps a fitting response to Moshe’s opening words (“Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?”), it doesn’t seem to address the main point of Moshe’s criticism—that, like an earlier generation of Jews, they were spurning the Divine mission to settle the land of Canaan. Surprisingly, however, Moshe accepted their proposal and gave them the territories which they requested. He even arranged, at his own initiative, that half of the tribe of Menashe should join the tribes of Reuvein and Gad in settling the lands east of the Jordan. Why this dramatic shift in Moshe’s view on the Jewish settlement of the eastern territories? If the two tribes’ petition initially struck him as reminiscent of the sin of the spies, what convinced him to endorse their plan and even expand on it?

The Kabbalah Of Nutrition In the writings of Chassidism, a question is asked about the nature of human nutrition: Why does man derive his vitality from animals, plants, and minerals? How is it that the highest life-form in the physical world can be sustained by these lowlier existences? The Chassidic masters explain that the vital potential contained in the so- called “lower” tiers of creation is in fact loftier than the human being’s own vital force. At the heart of every being is a “spark of G-dliness,” which gives it existence and imbues it with its particular qualities. And the “lowlier” a thing is, the loftier its spiritual core. When a wall collapses, the uppermost stones fall the furthest; similarly, in the “collapse” of the primordial world of Tohu, the loftiest sparks of the Divine creative force fell farthest from their source and were incarnated within the most mundane creations. [The teach- ings of Kabbalah describe G-d’s creation of the world as consisting of two phases: First came the world of Tohu (“chaos”), a world in which the Divine energy was so potent that it burst the very parameters (“vessels”) that were to contain and define it. Upon the ruins of this collapsed world, G-d created our present world—the world of Tikkun (“correction”)—in which a much-reduced flow of Divine energy is contained and obscured by many cum- bersome “vessels.” Our mission in life is to combine the best of both worlds: to unearth the potent sparks of Divine light buried in the debris of Tohu’s

Continued on Page 26 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 25 INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH Continued from Page 25 shattered vessels (i.e., the material world) and give them constructive def- inition and expression in the abundant vessels of Tikkun.] To our eyes, man is the most spiritual of earthly creatures; the animal exhibits a more sophisticated vitality than the plant; and the mineral shows no outward signs of “life” at all. In essence, however, the sublimity of the spark of Divine life in a thing is in con- verse relation to its manifest spirituality. Thus the mineral nourishes the vegetable; both nourish the animal; and all three sustain human life. Only man, however, has the capacity to direct the vital energy in himself toward a G-dly end—for man alone has been granted the gift of free choice. The animal, vegetable, or mineral cannot sin; their conformity with the Divine will is automatic and inevitable, and thus devoid of moral significance. Only man can elect to do good; only a human being can, by the force of his or her deeds, transcend the creature state to achieve intimacy with the Divine. So when man consumes the resources of the physical world, a bilat- eral transformation takes place. The slice of bread, piece of meat, or glass of water confer their superior vitality to the person, imparting to him a spiritual potential which he does not himself possess. At the same time, if the person utilizes this vitality to perform a mitzvah, a Divine deed, he elevates the plant, animal, or mineral he has consumed, releasing its vital soul from its mundane encasement and reuniting it with its Divine source.

A Shepherd’s Insight Chassidic teaching explains the sin of the spies as resulting from their reluctance to involve themselves with the mundanities of material life. The Jews in the desert led a wholly spiritual existence: manna from heaven sustained them, miraculous water from the well of Miriam slaked their thirst, and the clouds of glory protected them and preserved their clothes. But they knew that once they crossed into the land of Canaan the manna would cease, and they would be required to till the soil and grow natural grain; the well of Miriam would leave them, and they would be required to dig wells and cisterns; the Clouds of Glory would evaporate, and they would be required to weave cloth, tan hides, and raise an army to defend their borders. Their spiritual commune would be replaced by a state of farmers, artisans, merchants, and bureaucrats. The spies wanted no part of that. Never mind that the material existence contains sparks of Divine energy far loftier than anything their own spiritual lives could actualize; never mind that a symbiotic relationship with the land could unleash the most potent potentials invested by G-d in His creation. The risks were simply too great. “It is a land that consumes its settlers!” How could they be sure that once they involved themselves with the land, they would not be over- whelmed by its corporeality? How could they know whether they would 26 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES indeed exploit its lofty potential and s”xc not instead sink into the morass of material life? But unlike the spies and their generation, it was not the dread of the material that drove the tribes of Gad and Reuvein to ask for the territories east of the Jordan. On the contrary: they wanted to settle this land, to build cities and ranches, to raise their sheep and cattle on its pastures. Their plea, “Do not take us across the Jordan” did not express a reluctance to seek out the “sparks” buried in the land, but an attraction to even more remote—and thus even loftier—pinpoints of Divine energy. After all, the land west of the Jordan, though material, was the “Holy Land”— a land where even the most mundane pursuits are tinged with a spiritual glow. Outside of the Holy Land, the physical world is more lowly, and thus contains sparks that derive from an even higher source. The tribes of Reuvein and Gad were convinced that their mission in life was to pursue, extract, and elevate the sparks inherent in this more spiritually distant corner of creation. So they said to Moshe, “We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle and cities for our children.” You accuse us of emulating our fathers by shunning the land; but what we desire is the very opposite of disinvolvement from the material resources of G-d’s world. We wish to engage in the development of an even more mundane domain—the territories that lie beyond the borders of the most sacred of lands as defined by our present mandate from G-d. [The eastern bank of the Jordan is part of the During July and August we will be closed on Sundays. “land of ten nations” promised to Avraham—a promise which will be Wishing all of our customers a fully realized only in the era of Happy & Healthy Summer. Mashiach. In Moshe’s day, the mandate to conquer and settle the Holy Land included only the “land of seven nations” west of the Jordan.] This is why the Reuveinites and the Gadites spoke first of the corrals they would construct for their flocks, and only then of the cities they would build for their children. Would it not have been more appropriate (as Moshe indeed points out to them) to speak of the human beings under their care before their animals? But this, too, was in keeping with the nature of their petition to Moshe. The tribes of Reuvein and Gad were motivated by the knowledge that the most sublime deposits of Divine energy are buried in the lowliest of places—insight they gained from their vocation as shep- herds, in which they recognized that the spark of Divine life in the animal hails from a loftier place than that of the human being. [Moshe, on the other hand, did not anticipate any need to settle these lands, believing that the Divine energy trapped in the physical world outside of the Holy Land could be elevated by intense spiritual activity within the Holy Land, as sparks gravitate from afar toward a great fire. For an examina- tion of these two methods of extracting the “sparks of G-dliness” in the material world—through direct engagement, or by creating a “great fire” that draws them from afar—see The Price of Knowledge.]

Continued on Page 28 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 27 INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH who, as a rule, do not share in the spoils of war. This illustrates how even Continued from Page 27 the lowliest of material resources—the The Dynamics Of Need booty exacted from the Midyanite But simply recognizing the lofty Pe‘or-worshippers, who represented a potential in a lowly place is not perception of the physical as devoid of enough. Not every soul can venture to all spiritual potential—can be con- any place with a mind to extracting the structively exploited by even the most sparks of Divinity enmeshed therein. spiritually-inclined individuals (i.e., the G-d Himself delineated the limits of Levites, who serve in the Temple and as our capacity to sublimate the material, teachers of Torah). Finally, the dia- by decreeing, in His Torah, the 365 logue between Moshe and the tribes of prohibitions which proscribe all Reuvein and Gad addresses the issue of involvement with those substances, when, and under what circumstances, resources, and experiences that are a person can involve himself in the beyond our ability to redeem. Even in more remote areas of material life.] the realm of the permissible, one must The spies were wrong to doubt their employ great caution as to where one ability to develop the land of Canaan. treads, to ensure that one is indeed G-d had explicitly charged them with capable of extracting a Divine potential that mission, and G-d certainly knows without falling prey to its corporeal the limits and the capacities of each of embodiment. [Indeed, the extent of His creatures. But the territories one’s involvement with the material desired by the tribes of Reuvein and world is the overall theme of the Torah- Gad were not part of the Divine man- section of Mattos (Bamidbar 30–32). date to settle the land; how, then, Mattos includes three subjects: (a) the could they know that they were equal laws of vows; (b) the war on Midyan to the challenge of this spiritually and the division of the booty collected remote domain? in this war; and (c) the granting of the The first rule of material life (after eastern territories to the tribes of distinguishing between the permissible Reuvein, Gad, and half of Menashe. and the forbidden) is to distinguish Vows are the manner in which a person between the necessary and the superflu- erects “safety fences” to guard his ous. If a certain material resource repre- integrity, obligating himself to abstain sents a critical need for a person, he can from material pleasures which, though assume that he is capable of exploiting permissible, are beyond his power to its G-dly potential; for if Divine constructively exploit in his present cir- Providence has so ordered a person’s life cumstances. Then comes the detailed as to make necessary his involvement account of war spoils captured from with a particular thing, G-d has also Midyan and divided among all the provided him with whatever it takes to tribes of Israel—including the Levites, properly deal with it. [Again, it must be

28 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES emphasized that this rule applies only to s”xc things permitted by Torah law. With regard to prohibited substances or deeds, any perceived “need” is obviously illusory, since G-d does not compel man to act contrary to His explicitly expressed will.] On the other hand, when something is a luxury, serving to enhance rather than support life, a person must be especially wary of involvement, lest he be consumed and coars- ened by that which he is attempting to consume and sublimate. Thus the people of Reuvein and Gad said to Moshe: “The land which G-d has vanquished before the Congregation of Israel is land for cattle-grazing, and your servants have cattle” (Bamidbar 32:4). Divine Providence has dictated that we earn our living by raising cattle, making this land suited to our material needs; we are therefore confident that we possess the capacity to properly develop it and exploit its lofty potential.

Spiritual Training But even after a person has identified a particular corner of the material world as his to develop, he must first “prove himself” by constructively relat- ing to its more refined areas of creation. This is the deeper significance of “education”: before a human being is thrust into a coarse and mundane world, he is placed within a spiritual environment of ideas and values, so that even when he ventures forth into material life, his primary point of refer- ence remains spiritual. This is why Israel’s entry into the land had to be preceded by a period of spiritual existence in the desert. And before the tribes of Reuvein and Gad could settle the land east of the Jordan, they had to participate in the conquest of the holier land to its west. Indeed, because of the greater challenge posed by the eastern territo- During July and August we will be closed on Sundays. ries, their commitment to the Holy Land had to exceed even that of the Wishing all of our customers a tribes that were to settle in the west. Happy & Healthy Summer. Only after they had fought in the front lines of the battles for the Holy Land and aided their brethren in settling it could they be certain of their ability to take on the challenge of a more mundane land and unearth its lofty potential. (Chabad.org)

Based on an entry in the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s journal, dated “Mattos, Vichy,” published in Reshimot #51. (The Rebbe was in Vichy, France, for several months in 1940 after fleeing Paris from the advancing Germans.) Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com.

According to all that proceeds out of his mouth shall he do (Bamidbar 30:3)

Better that you not vow, than that you should vow and not fulfill.

(Koheles 5:4)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 29 Any ideas about what’s going on be freeing and the right thing to do. here? In your case, that may be a tempting Complainer solution. However, because of your proximity, it’s not so easy to go from Dear Complainer, being (perceived as) best friends to Feeling as though you are locked mere acquaintances or, even worse, into a relationship that doesn’t work enemies. Yes, people like to talk. But anymore can be very distressing. What that should be the least of your con- Dear Esther, people, and I find that I get into the makes your situation more frustrating cerns; more significant is the fact that With all of the serious issues going negativity with her. Even worse, she’ll than others is the fact that—unlike the your lives overlap so much. on in the world right now, I almost feel say negative things to me about my individual who is troubled by his or her Therefore, I have a few suggestions. a little silly bringing this issue up. But husband, my children, and even relationship with a mother, spouse, sis- First, you need to realize that we teach it’s been really bothering me enor- myself. Usually, it’s kind of subtle and ter, child, etc.—you have choices. people how to treat us. Maybe you’ve mously for some time, and I feel like I I don’t even realize what’s happened There is a line in an old song that given Ruth the message years ago that have to do something, yet can’t seem until I get home and start rethinking a goes, “They say that breaking up is it’s okay to insult you or talk about your to do anything—or maybe I don’t want past conversation. By then, it’s too late hard to do.” That happens to be true loved ones in a disrespectful manner. to. I’m not sure what’s going on, and to go back and say anything, but the with any breakup, but especially one in It’s time to reeducate Ruth. The next since you always seem to read between resentment keeps building. which you’ve invested so many years of time she says something inappropriate, the lines, I thought maybe you could However, on the few occasions when your life. It can bring up painful issues call her on it in the moment, and let her figure out what my problem really is. she’ll say something outright that is of loss, abandonment, failure, and know, in no uncertain terms, that you I have a friend, whom I’ll call Ruth, really hurtful to me, I have lashed out other uncomfortable emotions. will not listen to such talk. In fact, any who has been in my life for over 20 at her in the moment, and then felt Whether or not there is any truth to negative talk from her should be halted. years. We have known each other since very guilty and sorry that I answered these reactions is beside the point; the Who knows? She may be relieved to high school, live in the same neighbor- back to her in a way that I would not emotions may still feel very real. As you learn that you’re expecting more from hood, send our kids to the same ordinarily use in speaking to anyone. contemplate life without Ruth, regard- her and your relationship with her, and schools, and are very tied to one anoth- So I’m trying to figure out why I less of how little Ruth brings to the thrilled to clean up her act. Something er. In some ways, I’m closer to her than haven’t moved away from her long ago. table these days, it’s understandable as simple as raising the bar for yourself to many other friends of mine, in that I don’t like her, and I don’t like myself why you may feel discomfort or even and Ruth may be your solution. we speak constantly and know every- when I’m with her. I know that it would fear. And my guess is that she isn’t all If not, you may want to start wean- thing that is going on in one another’s be messy to end the relationship, since bad. No doubt you were originally ing yourself from Ruth at least some- lives. People assume that we are best I see her at school and shul functions, drawn to her for good reasons. Can you what. Why do you tell her everything friends, and always peg us together. and know that people would notice and remember back to what they were? Do that is going on in your life? It doesn’t We’re always seated together at sim- talk. But I think it goes deeper than any of them still hold true for you? sound as though you trust her all that chas, and one way or another, always that. I can’t imagine saying goodbye to Or have the two of you changed so much. Think about this need you have seem to be thrown together. her for good. The thought of losing a very much that there is nothing left of and try to figure where it’s coming from But here’s the problem: I really don’t close friend like Ruth almost terrifies your original relationship that once and what you can do about it. If you’re even like Ruth! I don’t think she’s a me. It makes no logical sense, yet I feel felt good? Friends do, on occasion, the type of person who needs to vent nice person, and the older and more like my hands are tied and that Ruth outgrow one another. Sometimes more than most, whom in your life can mature I get, the more I realize that will be in my life forever. And I’ll go on friends continue to keep the relation- you vent to who is a safer choice? she isn’t even good for me. She tends complaining about Ruth forever, to ship going, for old time’s sake. Letting to see the negative in situations and myself and to my husband. go can feel sad—but ultimately it can Continued on Page 33

30 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES FilterGate to be the most effective. It or interacting face-to-face with peers. I blocks sites based on being not child recommend not installing AOL Instant friendly—especially those with Messenger, Microsoft IM, Yahoo obscene language, pop-ups, or banner Messenger, ICQ, etc. If you are an The Digital Sage ads. It is password-protected, so your AOL subscriber, set up a screen name BY JOSH JUSTIC children can not disable it. The only for your child’s use that does not allow caveat is that you must limit your chil- IM (instant messaging), and that will dren’s access rights to a basic user, only accept e-mails from a limited list Your Kitchen Is Kosher—Shouldn’t reserving the administrator password of e-mail senders. for your own personal use. If you child Watch your purse. The Internet has Your Internet Be, Too? has an “admin” account, he can dis- made shopping a breeze. That same able the filter. video game you told your son he could Time after time, I have seen homes spout any type of ludicrous informa- Limit usage. Computers have not have because it was too violent sells where the parents scrupulously main- tion. Parents must watch and ask what changed the way we do business and for $30 on Amazon.com and is avail- tain a kosher home and attend the their children are doing. If it sounds the way we educate our children. able through a few clicks and a credit most Orthodox shuls and yeshivas. Yet, fishy, such as that they have met a new Everything is neater and more compre- card slipped out of mommy’s pocket- when someone sits down in front of “friend” in a chat room or found a web- hensive. However, they have also cre- book. Warnings that sales are only for the computer to write an e-mail or type site that makes studying for tests ated a “been there, done that” mental- over 18 are worthless as protection a book report, anything goes. unnecessary, investigate these moral ity toward other educational venues. from children’s purchasing power. Computers somehow have this mys- potholes. Keep your computer in your Surfing the Internet does not replace Parents need to utilize common tique of quality of design and content. den or living room, where anyone can trips to the museum, library, aquari- sense and screening tools to help keep However, the content on the Internet view the screen. Internet access um, or zoo. Real experiences have edu- the treif out while also allowing the can be even worse than that on televi- should be limited to ages 13 and up, cational and social value. benefits technology can bring. sion, which these same households after a parent has informed their chil- Track history. On the toolbar, click may not even own: violent language dren of the dangers of the Internet and the History button. The History bar Josh owns New Technologies Consulting, Inc. If you have any questions or suggestions for future articles, and images, content of a highly sexual what is allowable, and has set defin- appears, containing links for web sites please contact him at [email protected]. nature, as well as some just plain stu- able limits on access. your child has visited in previous days pidity. So what do we do? Go back to Filter. Filters restrict access to and weeks. Do this routinely, to track typewriters? No. Computers and the questionable sites. If certain words or where your child has been. If the his- Internet still have much to offer the images are found on a website, the fil- tory appears to be cleared frequently, A man who shall vow average home in quality content. Here ter will block access. However, some your teenager may be hiding some- avow are some tips on how to sort the good are outdated and do not stay current thing, and it may be time for you to from the bad: with the latest trends in moral inde- have a talk with them about halachi- (Bamidbar 30:3) Supervise. Allowing children to cency. Some are limited and block cally acceptable computer use. navigate the Internet is like letting access directly, but not through links Avoid IM. At worst, Instant Vows are a means to them walk through the streets of or searches. I have found AOL’s Messaging may present opportunities asceticism. Manhattan on their own. It’s danger- Parental Controls to be among the for your children to come in contact ous and asking for trouble. Child best. I also highly recommend with questionable people—even child molesters pretend to be other children FilterGate, which you can test at filter- predators—that they are ill equipped in order to chat and arrange meetings gate.com. Of all the content filters to deal with. At best it is a waste of (Pirkei Avos 3:13) with potential new victims; websites designed for home use, I have found time that can be better spent learning,

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 31 of the cherry pie filling I used to use. 4 eggs 1 At once, I felt like I was on America’s ⁄3 cup orange juice Test Kitchen and went to work. The 3 cups flour Cooking Concepts fresh cherries were a huge improve- 1 Tbsp. baking powder ment. There was no corn-syrupy taste pinch of salt as had been the case with the pie fill- 2 tsp. vanilla Inspiration Amongst The Cherry Trees ing. However, since most of you won’t BY NAOMI ROSS be making it out to pick your own fresh Directions into jams, preserves, pie fillings, and sour cherries, I also tried the recipe Topping: I recently had the pleasure of going juice. When cooked, their tart yet with jarred sour cherries. They weren’t Mix together brown sugar, flour, and cherry picking in New Jersey with subtly sweet flavor sings out, offering as plump and flavorful as the fresh cinnamon in a small bowl. Using two friends. Although my family and I a more complex flavor than their dark ones, but we still preferred it to the pie knives or your fingertips, cut mar- make a point of fruit picking at least sweet cousins can boast. filling. And what’s more, it spared me garine into flour mixture until coarse once a year, this was the first time I As we were walking in the orchards, the tedious job of sitting and pitting crumbs form. had ever picked cherries. What an we were reminded of the famous sto- cherries, since the jarred cherries Cake: adventure! How exciting it is to experi- ries of Rabbi Avigdor Miller, who was come pitted. (My splurge this year was Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a ence a new fruit or even a new species known for his deep appreciation of the a cherry pitter from Williams 9"x13" cake pan. In a medium mixing 1 for the first time. It’s a much needed natural world. When he ate an apple, Sonoma…it is very cool. What can I bowl, toss cherries with ⁄4 cup (or 1 reminder of the myriad fruits and veg- he so admired every aspect of its phys- say, these are my toys!) ⁄3 cup) sugar; set aside. In a large mix- etables and creations with which G-d ical beauty that he made a blessing not Additionally, I replaced most of the ing bowl, cream oil and sugar togeth- has filled this world. only on the taste of the fruit, but on original margarine content with er. Add eggs and beat until well Now these were not the dark, each of the senses that were over- canola oil to reduce the trans fats. I blended. sweet cherries found at your local whelmed by the innate details found the results of this “remake” Add remaining ingredients to the supermarket (mostly grown in the designed by its Creator. He felt that much more satisfying, and I hope mixture, alternating between wet and Northwest), but rather bright red even if one did not indulge in the won- you’ll think so, too! dry ingredients until everything is well Morello sour cherries. Having never derful fruits and vegetables of this mixed. Scrape down sides of the bowl tasted a fresh sour cherry, I had no world, just knowing and appreciating Sour Cherry Crumb Cake and beat for another minute to blend. idea what to expect when its soft tart that we have such blessings available is Ingredients Spread half of the batter evenly onto flesh hit my palate, but I soon real- an incredible enjoyment in and of Topping: the bottom of the prepared cake pan. 1 ized why they are called “sour” cher- itself. And as we walked through the ⁄4 cup brown sugar Drain cherries and place them as an 1 ries—because they are so tart and orchard and experienced the abun- ⁄2 cup flour even layer over the batter in the pan. sour, no one really eats them dance of beautiful, red cherries, we 4 Tbsp. margarine or butter Evenly spread remaining batter over 1 raw…which is why you will never see couldn’t help but feel that inspiration ⁄2 tsp. cinnamon the cherries, and sprinkle topping over them at the supermarket. “Pie cher- as well. the batter. Bake for about 65–70 min- ries,” as they are also called, however, With all of our freshly picked fruit, I Cake: utes or until toothpick comes out are perfect—that’s right, you guessed was hard-pressed to choose which 3 cups fresh sour cherries, pitted; or clean. it—for pies, and they are perfect for recipe would feature the cherries. But jarred sour cherries, drained Let cool, cut into squares and enjoy! 1 anything that will be cooked. And so then I remembered my old cherry ⁄3 cup sugar if using fresh cherries, Cherry Equivalents. If you happen 1 comes the (very short) sour-cherry crumb cake recipe and couldn’t help or ⁄4 cup sugar for jarred cherries to be doing your own cooking or bak- 1 season, with almost all of the sour but wonder how much better it would 1 ⁄2 cups sugar 3 cherries grown immediately turned taste with fresh sour cherries instead ⁄4 cup canola oil Continued on Page 33

32 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ond cousins if you have any first at an acceptable pace. All these cousins on either side). problems can be easily avoided with Also, where descendants includes a a properly drafted will. mixture of generations, living chil- To provide for the event that you or dren take a full equal share, and chil- you spouse might die at or about the dren of predeceased children then same time, it is also very important divide equally the combined shares of that you make provisions in your will all their deceased parents. not only for the disposition of your Q. What happens if I die without a and the descendants share the rest; If your children are under 18 assets, but also whom you should will, and I have young children? • a spouse but no descendants, years old at your death, a court- name as the guardian of your child’s A. While many people think that a then your spouse takes everything; appointed guardian will be required person. A guardian of your child’s will is only for those that want to set • descendants but no spouse, then to manage your child’s share. person is given custody of your child up trusts or save taxes, that simply is your descendants take everything; Although the court probably would during their minority years. not true. The primary reason for mak- • parent(s), no spouse, and no appoint your spouse (assuming you Making the best plan and the best ing a will is to leave your property to descendants, then the parent(s) take are married) as a guardian, a bond will takes knowledge and expert advise. those you care about, and in the pro- it all (this will constitute an asset for (a type of insurance policy) may The best plan recognizes that the best portions you choose. Medicaid purposes, so check if they have to be posted. Payment of the will is only part of the total plan for the In most circumstances, if you die receive public assistance or bond premiums will cost money. If distribution of your property and the without a will, the property that is Medicaid; if so, it may become jeop- any money has to be used to pay for protection of your children. only in your name will be distributed ardized); your child’s education, clothing, or among your family members, and • parent(s)’s descendants but none living costs, prior approval from the The Law Offices Of Howard M. Adelsberg is a full-service law firm with over 20 years of experi- perhaps not exactly the way you pre- of the closer relatives, then the par- court is required. The court also ence, and handles a variety of legal matters in fer. For example, under current New ent(s)’s descendants take it all; requires the guardian to file annual the areas of personal injury, estate matters, real York State law, if you are survived • one or more grandparents or accountings of income and expens- estate transactions and litigation, commercial litigation, and family law. You can call the office at by… their descendants, but none of the es. Also, investment of the funds by 516-569-6930. • a spouse and descendants, then closer relatives, then half goes to the guardian may be limited. If the Readers are encouraged to send questions to [email protected] or to Law Offices your spouse takes the first $50,000 the maternal side, and half goes to guardianship lasts for any length of Of Howard M. Adelsberg, 445 Central Avenue, plus half the balance of the property, the paternal side (not including sec- time, the child’s funds may not grow Cedarhurst, NY 11516.

MINDBIZ Continued from Page 30 Also, try cutting down on the frequency of calls you make to Ruth or accept from her. You don’t have to answer the phone every time she calls you. This may create somewhat of a void in your life. How can you fill that void? You may try cultivating another friendship, talking more to your husband, or even doing volunteer work that puts you in contact with people who would benefit from your company. I agree there are many serious and frightening issues taking place all around us. Nevertheless, your desire to feel in control of yourself as you relate to Ruth is a valid aspiration. If you can uncover why the thought of life without Ruth brings up such strong feelings of loss for you, you will find yourself in the driver’s seat. Once there, I’m sure you’ll do the right thing. Esther

Esther Mann, LMSW, has a private practice in Lawrence. She can be reached at 516-314-2295 or [email protected].

COOKING CONCEPTS Continued from Page 32 ing with cherries this season, below is a list of cherry equivalents to help you on your way. 1 lb. fresh unpitted cherries is 1 equivalent to about 80 cherries, 2 ⁄3 1 cups pitted, and 1 ⁄2 cups cherry juice. 16 oz. canned cherries or 21 oz. canned cherry filling is equivalent to 1 1 ⁄2 cups. 10 oz. frozen cherries is equivalent to 1 cup, and 2 oz. dried cherries is 1 equivalent to ⁄2 cup.

Naomi Ross teaches Cooking Concepts, courses on the fundamentals of cooking and Jewish homemaking. For more information, kitchen troubleshooting, general feedback, or to register for upcoming classes, please write to her at [email protected]. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 33 Natural History, and I have the great- Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. What is est respect for him as a rabbi and as a the dispute that is at stake here? One person. However, there were a couple major point of contention is how to of impressions left by the article that I reconcile the Torah’s statement that think need to be balanced by under- the earth was created 5,766 years ago standing the other side. with scientists’ claim that the universe In the article, we learned some of is around 15 billion years old. Another Rabbi Slifkin’s reasons for discounting issue at stake is how to view the words Dear Editor, views with the statement that however the opposition of some of our gedolim of the sages in the Talmud when they Zu Torah v’zu journalism? In your science and Torah are reconciled, “we to his books. I believe that it is at least seem to contradict our current view of last issue (July 14), you devote a front- can be sure of one thing: the answers as important to balance our perspec- science and nature. page story to the “Zoo Rabbi,” R’ Natan which Slifkin proposes are not the tive by understanding why those sages I am certainly not one to involve Slifkin. Certainly, it is the prerogative right ones.” Your one-sided presenta- ruled that some of the explanations myself in the specifics of the debate, of the sponsoring shul to issue an invi- tion blatantly omits crucial facts of given by Rabbi Slifkin to reconcile but it suffices to say that some of the tation to the speaker of its choice. public concern that should give pause Torah and science were beyond the approaches that Rabbi Slifkin uses are However, the duty of the press should to anyone considering attending pale of acceptable Jewish belief. considered antithetical to Torah be to present a fair and accurate por- Slifkin’s lectures; such reporting serves In his interview, Rabbi Slifkin said thought by the signatories of the ban, trait of this speaker to the public, espe- as propaganda rather than a balanced that “some of what I have written and which comprise many of the great cially in light of the censure of gedolei source of information for the Orthodox said is viewed as threatening to some sages of our time. On the other hand, Torah that his works have aroused. community. in the community—but not because Rabbi Slifkin does use statements Amidst your praise of Slifkin, you Name withheld what I have to say is not accurate or made by R’ Sherira Gaon, R’ Avraham write, “If Rabbi Slifkin is guilty of any Cedarhurst true… Everything in my books has ben HaRambam, and Rav Shamshon offense at all, it is bringing up sensitive Editor’s Note: In all fairness to already been written by either the Raphael Hirsch, among others, to sup- hashkafah issues that are the founda- Rabbi Slifkin, we should note that Rambam, Rav Shamshon Raphael port his way of approaching these tion of Jewish belief and subjecting amongst there are leading Torah per- Hirsch, or Rav Soloveitchik.” questions. The question then is, How them to review and analysis…” I hate sonalities who do in fact endorse his Mr. Gordon also added that “the could Rabbi Slifkin be faulted for to mention the elephant in the room, books and his work. Amongst them are Slifkin approach can end up confusing espousing a view that is based on state- but, in fact, Rabbi Slifkin’s books have Rabbi Aryeh Carmell, Rabbi Shmuel many. And this is what the rabbis who ments by [gedolim of] previous genera- been banned by some of the leading Kamenetkzy, Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, and have condemned his work object to tions? gedoleih ha’dor, including R’ Elyashiv, Rabbi Chaim Malinowitz. most, which has led many to proclaim Rabbi Aharon Feldman, the rosh R’ Shternbruch, R’ Meiselman, R’ that their followers not read or con- yeshiva of Ner Israel Rabbinical Ahron Feldman, R’ Ahron Shechter, R’ Dear Editor, sume material that they will misunder- College in Baltimore, addressed this in Y. Perlow (Novominsker), and R’ I am writing to raise a couple of stand.” I understand this to mean that his article on the subject. He explains Moshe Shapiro. R’ Elyashiv is quoted points that I feel should be mentioned there is little merit to the idea that any that although there were some giants by R’ Feldman, rosh yeshiva of Ner regarding the issues that came up in of Rabbi Slifkin’s words conflict with who did indeed espouse views that Israel, as saying that although Slifkin your article based on the interview Torah thought; the only concern is Rabbi Slifkin used in his books, they himself cannot be labeled an apikores, with Rabbi Natan Slifkin (Five Towns that those ideas may be misconstrued. were a minority opinion which has his views do constitute apikorsus, and Jewish Times, July 14). I have met In fact, I believe that it was indeed been rejected by most authorities since therefore his books should not be Rabbi Slifkin and worked with him on the actual content of Rabbi Slifkin’s that time. Just like no individual Jew brought into one’s home. Rav Feldman a program with some of my college stu- words which were at odds with many today has the right to resurrect minor- concludes a letter addressing Slifkin’s dents in the past at the Museum of of the great sages of our day, including ity halachic opinions which are not the

34 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES p’sak today, no individual Jew today has the right to resurrect minority opinions which are no longer viewed as the mainstream in Jewish philosophy. Rabbi Feldman personally asked Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, who signed the ban on Rabbi Slifkin’s books, how—if he held Rabbi Slifkin’s approach to be wrong—could so many earlier authorities have held it? Rabbi Elyashiv answered, “They were permitted to hold this opinion; we are not.” Rabbi Feldman went on to clarify that “this means that they were authorities in their own right, qualified to decide matters of Jewish law. We are not permitted to do so. We are enjoined to follow the majority opinion and our tradition as to how we are to approach Torah. An individual cannot decide on his own to follow a minority opinion in matters which [touch on the fundamentals of belief] any more than he is permitted to do in any other matter of Jewish law.” As I quoted earlier, the article in last week’s paper leaves the impression that if only people understood that the explanations used by Rabbi Slifkin were quoted from earlier sages, they would realize that there is no true basis to object to what he teaches. I feel that it is important to balance this impression with Rabbi Feldman’s clar- ification that I quoted above. The fact that one or another opinion is quoted by earlier authorities is not, in itself, a reason to abandon mainstream, accepted Jewish thought. Also, from Rabbi Elyashiv’s words, it seems that sages’ primary concern is not a fear that people would misunderstand Rabbi Slifkin’s books. Rather, it is that there is indeed a problem with the content of those explanations. I certainly appreciate Rabbi Slifkin’s sincere effort to clarify matters of uncertainty and doubt that exist in the minds of many people with regard to the relationship between Torah and science. And though I have nothing but respect for the man and his great mesirus nefesh for this cause, I still feel that it is even more vital for us to respect and value, rather than abandon, the guidance of the sages in our time, which are our generation’s link to the will of Hashem and Torah for us today. Benjamin Wolf Woodmere

These are the journeys of the Children of Israel... (Bamidbar 33:1)

The forty-two “stations” from Egypt to the Promised Land are replayed in the life of every individual Jew, as his soul journeys from its descent to earth at birth to its return to its Source.

(Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem To v )

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 35 flights between Israel and New York, the Rabbi Grossman, having decades of Mediterranean and Europe, as well as experience dealing with children from domestic flights between Ben Gurion broken homes and impoverished fami- and Eilat. Israir was recently granted lies, knows firsthand the damage that status as a scheduled carrier, and direct traumatic situations can have on the daily flights between New York and Tel development of a child. Rabbi Aviv were recently launched. Grossman immediately consulted with Project Shabbat Shalom—Bringing well as some of the many children who experts in the fields of education, wel- Hope And Comfort To Israel have been affected by recent tragedy, Summer Camps Children From The fare, and child psychology and came In a show of support for the belea- and will distribute toys and care pack- Rocket-Torn Areas up with the idea of organizing summer guered country of Israel, and in the ages to boost their spirits. Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, camps in central Israel to provide a hopes of providing strength and com- “At this time in our country’s histo- with the full support of The Migdal better living environment for the chil- fort to hundreds of Israelis who are ry, we must stand together with the Ohr Institutions in Migdal Ha’Emek, dren. Rabbi Grossman took it upon enduring the many hardships of these people of Israel, and show them that is organizing summer camps in central himself to organize these camps with turbulent times, Israir Airlines has they are not alone and that they have Israel for the more than 1,000 chil- the help of the staff of Migdal Ohr. announced that it will sponsor a our support,” said Stuart Katz, dren residing in the rocket-torn areas The administration of Migdal Ohr Solidarity Mission to Israel. Managing Director of Israir Airlines. of northern Israel. Institutions has put together a team of Entitled ‘Project Shabbat Shalom,” “So many of our Jewish brothers have Leaders throughout Israel, aware of educators and professional psycholo- the vital mission will take place the paid with their lives to protect the land Rabbi Grossman’s legendary work with gists to operate the camps. The team weekend of July 28, and will include of Israel,” he said. “We must join with children, have contacted him to assist in searched for schools capable of hous- many American supporters of Israel, them to fight for our future.” dealing with the current crisis in Israel, ing all of the youngsters that will be who wish to provide moral, emotional, For more information on how to join specifically in the rocket-torn areas of attending the camps and four suitable and spiritual support to the people of the mission, please contact Israir at northern Israel. Already, hundreds of sites were found: Nachalim (Gush Israel who have been forced to disrupt 1-877-ISRAIR-1. thousands of residents in northern Etzion area), Even Shmuel (near their lives and evacuate their homes, Established in 1996, Israir Airlines is Israel have been living in bomb shelters Kiryat Gat), Neveh Hertzog in Ashdod, and have been living in fear in the the second largest airline in Israel today. and security rooms for almost a week and Petach Tikvah. recent days. The group will also pay Its elite fleet of Boeing 767-300 and and children are quickly becoming anx- Exceptional work was done by the visits to victims of rocket attacks, as 757-200 aircraft offers international ious, scared, and depressed. Migdal Ohr team to coordinate and organize boys and girls from all over the northern Galilee—Haifa, Tsfat, Carmiel, Avivim, Biryah, Dalton, Chatzor, Kerem Ben Zimra, Kfar Shamai, Kfar Chananya, Ma’alot, Nahariyah, Almah, Kiryat Shemonah, and Shelomi. The camps will host a variety of children and youth programs, including sports; swimming; arts and crafts; educational workshops; enrich- ments activities; speakers; and hikes and tours. In addition, psychologists and social workers will be on hand to help those who need emotional aid. Founded in 1972, Migdal Ohr provides a nurturing home and outstanding formal and Jewish education to orphaned, disadvantaged and new immigrant children in northern Israel. Of the 6,500 boys and girls currently attending one of Migdal Ohr’s 18 schools and seven toddler day-care centers, 2,000 live permanently in the charity’s dormi- tories, supported by a network of foster parents. In this past year, Migdal Ohr admitted over 700 new children. From nursery to high school, the children of Migdal Ohr are given dor- mitories, mentors, friends, clothing, books, libraries, recreation, enrich- ment classes and whatever it takes to lift them up and to help them lead pro- ductive and meaningful lives. The rearing model is successful at treating disadvantage; it repairs the damaged lives of the children and gives them the education and self-esteem they need to flourish. The landmark achievement of the organization is its graduates, who are becoming doctors, scientists, mathematicians, lawyers, teachers, community leaders and rabbis.

Shema Kolainu–Hear Our Voices On Tuesday morning, August 1, Shema Kolainu-Hear Our Voices, a school and center for children with autism, will host a legislative breakfast in Renaissance Ballroom in Brooklyn, New York. The goal of this event will be to educate legislators about the urgency of autism care and research, raise support and awareness and share ideas about working toward combating

Continued on Page 38 36 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 37 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS care organizations in New York City, ful to an extraordinary public servant, forefront of community activism and coordinates quality healthcare and Commissioner Thomas A. Maul of the deserves credit for helping Shema Continued from Page 36 improves access to care for over New York State Office of OMRDD Kolainu receive much needed state autism through effective policy and leg- 245,000 members in the five boroughs where he has served through several funding through the office of Senator islation. Communal, civic and religious of New York. state administrations. He has earned Golden. Rabbi Braun is presently the leaders, community philanthropists, Shema Kolainu-Hear Our Voices will the respect of the various communities Director of the Aleh Foundation, the and elected officials will be in atten- express their gratitude to several hon- of New York State and enjoys a warm American division of Israel’s foremost dance to pay tribute to several out- orees. City Comptroller William relationship with Shema Kolainu-Hear provider of care and treatment for standing public officials and communi- Thompson, Jr., who continually displays Our Voices. He has visited the school severely developmentally disabled ty leaders for their dedication in fur- bold leadership as comptroller of our and been impressed with their dedica- infants and children. Rabbi Braun has thering the mission of Shema Kolainu. city where he directs the complex and tion to their children. Commissioner had a long and distinguished 35-year Menachem Lubinsky, the dynamic massive fiscal operations of New York Maul will be the very worthy recipient career in public and community serv- president and CEO of Lubicom City, will be receiving the City of the State Leadership Award. ice and Shema Kolainu is pleased to Marketing Consulting will enhance the Leadership Award and is a long time David G. Greenfield, Executive have him as an ally against autism. breakfast as the master of ceremonies. friend and supporter of Shema Kolainu. Director of the Sephardic Community Shema Kolainu, founded by the Council member James F. Gennaro, The highly deserving recipient of Federation, will be receiving the trailblazing Joshua Weinstein, opened who is on the City Council Committee the Legislative Leadership award will Community Leadership Award. Mr. in 1998 and located in Brooklyn, New on Mental Health and Mental be Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Greenfield is being recognized for York, is a non-profit, non-denomina- Retardation, is the breakfast chairman. who displayed extraordinary leadership bringing together Jewish, Catholic, tional organization dedicated to State Senator Martin Malave Dilan will qualities during the recent budget business and community leaders to enhancing the quality of life of chil- be delivering greetings at the breakfast. negotiations. She has earned the advocate on behalf of parents of all of dren with autism in the five boroughs Senator Dilan has served in both city respect and esteem of her colleagues New York’s school-children which of New York. Renowned for their and state governments with distinction and the residents of New York since played a vital role in securing this unique and pioneering approach based and his constituency includes a sizable assuming the office of Speaker in year’s historic $600 million tax credit on the science of Applied Behavior Jewish community. January. Speaker Quinn, working with for parents of school-age children. In Analysis, they offer education and This breakfast is being generously Councilman Simcha Felder, recently addition to his advocacy on behalf of other services in the field of autism sponsored by Liberty Health Advantage allocated much needed funding for education, Mr. Greenfield is also being care. Statistics confirm that autism and Health Plus. Liberty Health Shema Kolainu. recognized by community and elected has risen by epidemic proportions. Advantage offers three comprehensive Shema Kolainu’s Public Service leaders throughout N.Y. for his leader- Vital and urgent expenses for care, health plan options that provides more Award will be presented to State ship on a multitude of issues facing education and resources are stagger- health care benefits than original Senator Thomas P. Morahan who is the ethnic communities including commu- ing. Shema Kolainu hopes to build Medicare provides with no or low pre- Chairman of the Committee on Mental nity and economic development. awareness and support to allow more mium and low deductibles and co-pay- Health and Developmental Disabilities Shema Kolainu is grateful for his work children and families to benefit from ments. Their goal is to improve the in the State Senate. The senator, who and looks forward to working with him the school’s valuable and essential quality of life by assisting the communi- is an ardent advocate of affordable on issues affecting its future growth. services and programs. ty in accessing affordable and quality healthcare, efficient government, and Rabbi Shlomo Braun will be receiv- To make a reservation for the break- health care providers and to understand improving education, is being recog- ing the Shema Kolainu Hakaras HaTov fast, contribute, or arrange for a visit, and respond to life issues by partnering nized for his support and leadership on Award. Rabbi Braun, the community please contact The Friedlander Group, with and helping community organiza- all issues pertaining to mental health representative for State Senator who is coordinating this legislative tions in a variety of ways. Health Plus, and developmental disabilities. Martin J. Golden and a community one of the fastest growing managed Shema Kolainu is particularly grate- leader par excellence, has been at the Continued on Page 40

38 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 39 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and Washington D.C., on four counts of 25 years in prison if found guilty on all be in good health. Those who are 16 assault in the first degree (including charges. The charges are merely accu- Continued from Page 38 years old and wish to donate must two counts citing a “depraved indiffer- sations and the defendant is presumed breakfast at 718-436-5555 or present written parental or guardian’s ence to human life”), a class B felony; innocent until and unless proven guilty. [email protected]. permission and weigh a minimum of two counts of assault in the second 110 pounds. People over 75 may con- degree, a class D felony; two counts of Lawrence Residents Fights To Singles Event tinue to donate blood if they meet all assault in the third degree, a class A Change 22 Years Of Stagnation Skewers Steakhouse is hosting a donor criteria and present a physi- misdemeanor; reckless endangerment In early May, Israeli-born Odelia Saturday night singles event on August cian’s letter allowing them to donate. in the first degree, a class D felony; Goldberg announced her candidacy 12 for singles ages 25-35. Enjoy live For more information about the drive, and driving while intoxicated, an for New York State Senate in the 9th music and refreshments as you mingle please contact St. John’s Episcopal unclassified misdemeanor. District against 22 year incumbent and meet new friends. Surprise raffles Hospital at 718-869-7326. “This was a truly horrific assault and Dean Skelos. will also be featured. Skewers is locat- I look forward to holding this individ- “It’s time for change and after 22 ed at 181-34 Union Turnpike in Upcoming JCC Events ual accountable for his actions,” said years the time is now,” stated Queens, NY. The cost of the event is The JCC of the Greater Five Towns District Attorney Rice. “We indicted Goldberg. “The republican leadership $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Kosher Culinary Institute will hold its this case immediately and are confi- that Mr. Skelos is a part of has blocked Limited space is available. To R.S.V.P., “Cake Decorating 101: Learn the dent in our ability to hold Mr. El- many meaningful legislation—legisla- call Ellie at 718-380-4300. Basics” class on Tuesday, July 25 Waraky responsible.” tion that would help to improve life beginning at 10:00 a.m. If you would The charges stem from an incident not just on Long Island, but in New Give The Gift Of Life like further information or would like in the early morning hours of June 18. York overall,” adds Goldberg. Donating blood is a community life- to register, please call Susan Sachs at Mr. El-Waraky, after being asked to The Republican-led Senate only has line that many depend upon. St. John’s 516-569-6733 ext. 222. leave the Soundview Café, located at a four-seat majority. There are several Episcopal Hospital, South Shore, is On Tuesday, July 25 and Thursday, the Glen Cove Golf Club, drove away competitive races and that number is holding a blood drive on Thursday, July 27 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in his 2005 Jaguar. Moments later, the expected to dwindle down. “The 9th August 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 the JCC will hold the Kaplan Class. defendant returned to the parking lot District is just four seats away from p.m. in the Hospital Boardroom. The On Monday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. the and intentionally drove the car into a having a Senator [Skelos] in the Hospital is located at 327 Beach 19th JCC will host a Moving On Group din- group that had gathered outside of the minority. Whether in the minority or Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. ner. For further information, please establishment. The car struck and majority, I will do right by the people of “Donating blood is literally the gift call Lisa Stern at ext. 209. injured four individuals: Sean this state and provide them with the of life. Without donors, the communi- The Shalom Club will be held on Basdavanos, 32, of Glen Cove; type of government that they are enti- ty—and the hospital—would not have Mondays at the JCC Building, 207 Matthew Granger, 32, of Watermill, tled to—a responsive government,” an adequate blood supply. Blood, like Grove Avenue in Cedarhurst (instead New York; Matthew Hurwitz, 22; and stated Goldberg. milk, is perishable, and is in constant of at Temple Israel). Salvatore Martinez, 33, of Glen Cove. Odelia adds, “When it comes to need of supply,” says John Boyle, PhD, ADA Robert Hayden of the District being in the top five, New York is on Director of the Hospital’s Laboratory Indictment Handed Up In Glen Cove Attorney’s Major Offense Bureau is the wrong list.” According to The Tax Services and Chairperson of the Attack handling the case. Mr. El-Waraky is Foundation, New York State ranks Hospital’s blood drive. “Donating Nassau County District Attorney being represented by John Lewis, Esq., number three in property taxes. “We blood can make an immediate and life- Kathleen Rice announced that a grand of Farmingdale, New York. The defen- need to address this problem by work- saving difference to the lives of oth- jury has returned an indictment of dant’s date for arraignment on the ing together for a permanent solution ers,” he added. Sayed Khaled El-Waraky, 24, an indictment has yet to be set. for property tax relief,” states Donors must be at least age 17, Egyptian-national attending college in Mr. El-Waraky faces a maximum of Goldberg. “The exorbitant property tax

40 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES is due to the inequitable distribution of attorney and businesswoman and work has been planning this event for years, tions and individuals.” state aid. If the state appropriately together with her colleagues in the reaching out to other descendants of A special website, www.davidicdy- funds the Long Island school districts, State Senate to address the key issues Dovid HaMelech from across the nasty.org, was established to provide many residents would not have to vote surrounding the entire 9th District Jewish spectrum. updates and registration information down their school budgets and our and all of Long Island. “I hope to be Conference organizers are planning about the Davidic Dynasty conference children would not be shortchanged.” part of turning New York around and for a multi-faceted event that will next year. Additional information is In 2004, NYU’s Brennan Center making it the national leader it should include a reunion, major presentations also available from LUBICOM released a report, called The New York be, while making government lean, not on the era of Dovid HaMelech, Marketing Consulting, marketing Legislative Process: An Evaluation and mean,” concludes Goldberg. exhibits, information on genetic coordinators of the conference, at Blueprint to Reform, which concluded research on the descendants of Dovid 718-854-4450 ext. 111. that New York’s legislative bodies dis- Jewish Descendants Of Dovid HaMelech, special tours of the City of courage rank-and-file lawmakers from HaMelech Plan First Reunion May David and Hebron, and a festive gala. Waterbury Wants A Mikveh participating in the legislative process 28-30, 2007 “Participants will relive one of the Members of Waterbury’s growing and, in turn, deprive citizens of full A major conclave for direct descen- most regal periods in Jewish history Orthodox Jewish enclave hope to turn representation in Albany. dants of Dovid HaMelech, who ruled and will feel very much a part of one a little gray ranch-style home at the “Albany is dysfunctional and needs over the people of Israel more than family,” organizers say. end of Roseland Avenue into a place of change—change that the current lead- 3,000 years ago, will convene for three Davidic Dynasty has enlisted scien- ritual purification, further cementing ership is against. Passing minor legisla- days of conferences, concerts, and tists from the Texas genetic research their community’s future in the city. tion and calling it support of reform is educational seminars next May in firm Family Tree DNA, to search for a First, they need permission of the not leadership; it’s called appeasement Jerusalem. The family reunion of the common DNA signature shared by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The house to make it look like they [NYS House of David will appropriately take descendants of Dovid HaMelech.In lies in a Residential Low Density zon- Legislature] are doing something. We place on the 40th anniversary of the 1997, a similar project, spearheaded ing district, where only single- and still have three men in a room, a fail- reunification of Jerusalem, also known by Israeli, European and American two-family homes would be allowed ure for true campaign finance reform, as Ir David, or the City of David. The institutions, succeeded in discovering under city building rules. The group lack of oversight of public authorities historic gathering is being organized by a common DNA signature in present that bought the house hopes to use an and zero transparency,” adds Goldberg. the Davidic Dynasty project of the day kohanim who claim decent from exemption that allows houses of wor- “We should fight to provide perma- Eshet Chayil Foundation. Aharon, brother of Moshe and the first ship to establish virtually anywhere. nent relief from high property taxes, not “Uniting the royal family of Dovid High Priest of Israel, who lived 300 The house is slated to become a settle for a one shot deal; we should HaMelech is an idea whose time has years before Dovid HaMelech. mikveh, essentially a place of ritual fight and stop short changing our chil- come, particularly as the city of With the assistance of an honorary purification that contains a pool in dren’s education and keep people from Jerusalem marks such an important genealogy advisory committee, headed which visitors dip themselves, and moving off Long Island and New York milestone,” said Susan Roth, co-chair by world-renowned Jewish genealogist which Orthodox Jewish women are State by making it affordable to live here of the Eternal House of David Family Chaim Freedman, Davidic Dynasty is required to visit every month. Men often and keep families together. We need a Reunion and founder of the Eshet now in the process of researching visit before important holy days. fighter in Albany, someone who will stir Chayil Foundation. A New Jersey phi- Davidic families around the world, many Shalom Siegfried, vice president of the pot a little to get the response that lanthropist and businesswoman, and of whom will participate in the historic the Orthodox Jewish school known as people need from its government,” daughter of the “first couple” of the Jerusalem conference in May 2007. “We Yeshiva Gedolah, said the mikveh is Odelia Goldberg plans to unseat the Yiddish Theatre, the late Pesach and want all Jews to be part of this historic necessary for the relatively new 22 year incumbent and bring a fresh Lillian (Lux) Burstein, Mrs. Roth event for the House of David,” says Mrs. Orthodox community. perspective and new ideas to Albany. traces her ancestry back to Dovid Roth, “and welcome co-sponsorships She will use her experience as both an HaMelech through Rashi. Mrs. Roth from corporations, foundations, institu- Continued on Page 42

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 41 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS property transfer, though she reiterat- worship that would host large crowds “They have been very nice calling ed the need for a new mikveh. in short periods, City Planner James me and telling me what they are going Continued from Page 41 The current one, inside the syna- Sequin said. Here, the planned use to do,” said 80-year-old Allyne Kadish, “The community had one at B’nai gogue, only has one room in which would have far less impact on neigh- who has lived next to the proposed Shalom (Synagogue), but with the women can bathe, dress, pray and pre- bors than was anticipated under zon- mikveh for 50 years. “I just got off the growth of the community, it’s just inad- pare for their immersion, Lesser said. ing rules, he said. phone with them asking what I could equate to service the community,” Organizers plan to have five times as “This is not going to be a synagogue do to help (at the ZBA hearing.)” Siegfried said. “Especially because the many in the new facility. with congregations of people coming,” Kadish said she has noticed many of community expects to grow.” “There are a lot of women who have Sequin said. “It’s not like a bathhouse. the large old homes in the neighbor- In 2001, a small Orthodox commu- to go some times on the same night, and It’s not like a health spa. It’s like a hood blossoming under the care of nity was invited to lease the former in the summer you can’t start sometimes purification ceremony done by newly arrived Orthodox families. University of Connecticut campus on until 8:30 or 9 (p.m.), and it takes an appointment.” “The neighborhood is full of them,” Hillside Avenue to establish its reli- hour, so it can go very late,” Lesser said. The little gray ranch at 186 said Jose Figueroa, who bought a nearby gious school, Yeshiva Gedolah. The Even though the mikveh is a religious Roseland Ave. sits just behind a 7-11 house on Lexington Street last year. “I agreement between the yeshiva and use, it still is subject to certain building convenience store, separated by high have no problem with them. They keep the city came with conditions, includ- codes and on July 19, representatives bushes. There is a doctor’s office and their houses nice. They keep to them- ing that the Orthodox community for the Waterbury Community Mikvah hair salon in a one-story brick building selves. They’re great.” (Republican-American bring in 100 families within seven LLC will ask the city’s Zoning Board of across the street. The B’nai Shalom of Waterbury) years. Less than six years later, that Appeals for a few waivers. Synagogue sits next to this small com- goal has been exceeded. The 8,945-square-foot lot is only mercial strip. Sports From Simcha! Erica Lesser, a 24-year-old trans- about one-fourth the size normally Nearby residents give the proposal a By R’ Mordechai Burg and R’ Nesanel plant from New Jersey, bought the lit- required for a property hosting a reli- mixed review. Two neighbors said they Gralla, Commissioners tle gray ranch for $143,900 in April. gious structure, and the house doesn’t were worried it will increase competi- Welcome to the newest feature of the Six days later, it was transferred with- meet setback requirements from the tion for on-street parking. Several oth- Five Towns Jewish Times—your oppor- out payment to a limited liability cor- street or its neighbors. ers, however, said the Orthodox fami- tunity to follow Simcha Day Camp poration known as the Waterbury These restrictions were put in place lies that have moved into the neighbor- Leagues. We will bring you up-to-date Community Mikvah LLC. Lesser said to mitigate noise issues associated hood in recent years have proven good highlights and standings of what’s hot she isn’t supposed to talk about the with churches and other houses of property owners and neighbors. here at Simcha. Since most readers out there probably don’t know how we do things here at SDC, let us introduce you to the Simcha Leagues system. Leagues are divided into three separate divisions. The third-grade league is the Suit Central League. The fourth- grade league is the Avalon Promotions League. Finally, the fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-grade league is the Brach’s League. What’s with all the names? Well, all Simcha Leaguers are given the coolest baseball jerseys, and many of our neighborhood stores are sponsoring these teams. Some stores are sponsoring the actual teams, while others have chosen to sponsor entire leagues. Let us introduce you to some of the teams. The Suit Central League includes the Pizza Pious Penguins, Variety Connection Vipers, Quick and Clean Cardinals, Kosher World Kings, Central Perk Panthers, and the Fruit Platters and More Magic. The Avalon Promotions League con- sists of the Bagel Island Bears, Bell Boy Cleaners Bulldogs, Five Towns Jewish Times Tigers, Paper Place Pirates, 5 Town Hand Wash Wildcats, and the Grand Central Pharmacy Slammers. The Brach’s League comprises 10 teams. (Hey, the largest supermarket requires the largest league.) The teams are the Sounds of Simcha Superstars, Dougie’s Buffalo Wings, Visionville Vikings, Oppen Scroll Scribes, Chosen Islanders, Sabra’s Pizza Sharks, Kitov Cowboys, A Classic Collection Cougars, Jinil au Chocolat Hawks, and Esrogim.com Yellow Jackets. I’m sure this year’s leagues will be just as exciting as ever, so we invite you to join us in rooting for your favorite team. Rest assured, no one will be as bad as the Knicks. ❖

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, July 24 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

42 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 1 2 3 Avalon Promo League WLT Bulldogs 4 2 1 Tigers 4 3 Wildcats 4 3 Slammers 3 4 Pirates 2 3 2 Bears 2 4 1

Suit Central League WLT Magic 1 1 4 5 6 Vipers 2 0 Penguins 1 1 Cardinals 1 1 Panthers 0 2 Kings 1 1

Brach’s League WLT Yellow Jackets 2 5 Sabra’s Sharks 5 7 These teams will be competing in 8 SuperstarsSOS 4 2 Simcha Day Camp interleague play. Scribes 3 4 Simcha Day Camp, under the direction of Rabbi Shimon Dachs, is Cougars CC 3 2 2 a division of Yeshiva Darchei Torah. Islanders 4 2 l 1-Superstars 2-Cowboys 3-Cougars 4-Yellow Jackets 5-Scribes Vikings 2 4 l 6-Islanders 7-Buffalo Wings Buffalo Wings 2 5 8-Hawks Jinil Hawks l 6 Kitov Cowboys 4 2

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 43 the media, does absolutely nothing to better a growing crisis. War: Bein HaMeitzarim 5766 Now, Mr. Olmert has a two front war. Soon it will be three fronts. Will he respond with the necessary lethal BY RABBI ARIEL BAR called Palestinian State. Apparently, stealth, are hard to detect, and sud- forces to defeat Israel’s enemies and TZADOK his plans are being interrupted. denly without warning, they can strike send then running? I guarantee you Apparently, Heaven has other plans for quickly and with lethal effectiveness. that this will not happen. As Gaza continues to simmer, now Mr. Olmert and Israel. It would be There is an age-old lesson taught in Mr. Olmert and the present Israeli Israel’s northern border has flared up. nice to believe that the Israeli govern- the Arts of War: “Only one who knows leadership are far too weak to act Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is calling ment is paying attention to the subtle, how to fight an enemy’s methods effectively. They have no courage, no the terrorist aggression of kidnapping but forceful, prodding of Heaven, but I stands a chance of defeating the morale, and no willingness to fight. two more Israeli soldiers an act of war bear no such illusions; nonetheless, enemy. One who does not meet the They only want to do the smallest by Lebanon. Also in the news, there time will tell. enemy on the enemy’s playing field will amount necessary to return to a status are reports posted on WorldNet You must understand, our enemies miss the enemy altogether and enable quo of an illusionary peace. With that, Daily.com that Arab Katyusha rockets they are happy. This overwhelming in Judea are ready to be fired on the desire for complacency reminds me of major population centers in central the drug addict, who only lives to get Israel. War is being thrust upon us by a his next fix and, once high again, for- Sounds so ominous and terrible. So, gets about everything else. what else is new? Welcome to Beyn Well, maybe this time Mr. Olmert HaMeitzarim 5766. hate-filled anti-Semitic enemy that will will have to face his addiction to illu- Here we are at the beginning of the sionary peace. Maybe this time Three Weeks, the period commemorat- Heaven has other plans in store for ing the devastation and destruction only stop once we are all dead. Mr. Olmert that will force him into suffered by the Jewish people in the acting in a way that will not allow him past. Now, as we enter into the period to continue in his drug-like trance of of time that has always brought bad believing illusions and idiocy. Maybe things upon the Jewish people, war is are not stupid. Guided as they are by the enemy to strike and win.” this time, everything is going to being thrust upon us by a hate-filled their hatred of us, they are not pursu- This is a basic rule of all military explode in his face. And all the anti-Semitic enemy that will only stop ing their military goals haphazardly. engagements. Mr. Olmert certainly has European and American horses and all once we are all dead. And you thought They are moving with the caution and been taught this somewhere along the of their men will not be able to save Nazism ended with World War II. care of precision military psychological line by his military advisors and gener- this Humpty Dumpty again. Welcome, my dear readers, to WWIII. warfare. They know that they cannot als. Yet, knowing what needs to be We have entered the Three Weeks. But it did not begin now; it has been win this war against the Jews by fight- done and then doing it, as we have History has recorded their influence going on undeclared for some time, at ing like lions, so instead they choose a long seen, are often two entirely differ- and effect upon greater Israel and the least since 9/11/2001. subtle, more devious way and fight ent things. Let us watch not what Mr. Jewish people. Here we are again. War Prime Minister Olmert was elected instead like the snake or scorpion. Olmert says, but rather what he does. clouds are not brooding; they have on a platform to surrender more of Both of these lethal animals stay close The PM is fast learning that talk is already exploded, bringing their storm ancestral Israel to the Arabs, enabling to the ground to avoid detection and cheap, and that bombing empty build- upon us. Will Mr. Olmert try to hide them to, on their own, create a so- then strike under foot. They move with ings in Gaza, while looking great for under his umbrella of illusionary peace

44 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES and restrained responses? He is too even those who slumber deep. Ask weak to do anything else. those who take the trains in India. Yes, the Three Weeks are just begin- Maybe if Mr. Olmert wakes up and ning. 21 days is a long time. A lot can smiles upon Heaven, Heaven will in happen over the next three weeks. Rest turn smile upon him. Unfortunately, I assured, indeed, a lot will happen. But am a pessimist, I do not believe Mr. regardless of what happens, however Olmert can or will do the right thing. I bad things appear, always remember do not believe he knows the difference and never forget: it is Hashem who is between right and wrong. King, even over mighty America and Again, let us remember, it is ulti- the Dark Lords of Europe. mately Hashem that has brought war I know war is coming and great to Israel. And because it is Hashem’s upheaval is inevitable. The sages of hand that is guiding everything, we Torah have tried to warn the world of have nothing to fear. this for a long time. The hostile world Hashem is with us and, as Tehilim has long been warned to mend their 23 says, “Surely goodness and mercy ways, not for the sake of Heaven alone, shall pursue us.” They will eventually but also for our own sake. catch up with us, if we only slow down However, all our Torah words of wis- from running away and let them catch dom and warning, morals and mission, up. Hashem is in charge and, as the have usually fallen on deaf ears. After Scottish poet Robert Burns once wrote, all, how long can one cry out and try to “The best laid plans of mice and men awaken a sleeping driver behind the oft go awry.” And Mishlei 19:21 says, wheel of a runaway car before the car “Many are thoughts in the minds of is about to go over the cliff? We can cry men, but it is the counsel of Hashem and scream, yet once the car begins to that shall arise [and dominate].” go over the cliff, waking up too late is Therefore, nations of the world and not really going to help. Mr. Olmert their servant, do as you If PM Olmert wishes to be the sleep- will, try as you may. Let us see you get ing driver of the out-of-control vehicle out of this one. heading over the cliff, so be it. Then, Yitkadal v’yitkadash shemey there is nothing more to say. No more rabbah—The Great Name shall be warnings to be given. The festering sore exalted and sanctified. of evil that is terrorism, anti-Semitism Pray for the safety of our soldiers. and continuing attacks against Israel May they have the courage of lions and and Jews will not go away. the safety of eagle’s wings. May G-d There will be no peace. There will watch over them and protect them. be no status quo of illusionary peace. Amen. (Arutz Sheva) ❖ There will be no more illusions at all. Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzadok is the founder and Rosh Welcome to war, world of sleepers. Yeshiva of Yeshivat Lev Torah Collel Benei War has a terrible way of awakening N'vi'im.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 45 suitcases and fill it with a few Week.” I say Shema with him soon,” he reassures. “I know,” necessities; they would go to her and kiss him good night. she answers, fighting her tears. My Three Sons sister near Tel-Aviv. “Do you She can’t believe her b’chor My middle son is afraid of think that’s really any safer? is going back to battle. Having the water, and has to go swim- They say Tel-Aviv is next.” “It is finished his service four years ming in camp. I try to con- BY RACHEL ily gets together. for now,” she replies. ago, he was just ending his col- vince him. “You know how GERSTLEY They had a long day. Living After the barbecue we had lege career. He would begin a you’re not afraid when Abba five minutes from Haifa, they a little cake for my oldest. I’m new job in September. Now takes you in the water…the I zip up his Superman bag began placing mattresses, amazed at how my b’chor is they call the reserves to pools in camp are even small- filled with bathing suits, dou- er.” “But I don’t like the steps ble-checking that you can still going to the pool,” he read the name tags. I send an answers. My husband tucks extra sunblock lotion. It’s going He looked at her with his big blue eyes as the Katyusha him in. “You’ll be great…don’t to be terribly hot this week. be afraid.” She zips his duffle bag with She needs to appear calmer his last-minute things, double- fell one mile away yesterday. “Ima!!” he screamed. for her middle son. Unlike her checking that his flashlight is oldest, who tries to reassure her working properly. It is really all the time, her middle son is war. She checks that his name water, and canned goods into already six years old. It’s his Lebanon. Her b’chor is still a bit more frightened. He is tags are in place. their basement/bomb shelter. Hebrew birthday—the 20th of her baby. The 20th of Tammuz less of a tough guy and more of We had a long day. His But then she heard it. She Tammuz. I’m so proud of him. means he just turned 26. “I a “mama’s boy.” She is not sure grandparents came for a bar- couldn’t bear the deafening He was “All Around Camper” love you,” she says, as she kisses which makes her feel guiltier. becue; we love when the fam- sound. She told Dovid to get the this week and “Davener of the him good-bye. “I’ll be back “Ani mefached,” he says. “Hashem ya’azor,” she replies. There is silence for a moment. “Ani ohev otcha, Ima.” “I love you more,” she replies. This time she cannot hold back her tears. She hangs up the phone. There is no time to dwell. Dovid has brought two suitcases and she must pack up the rest of the family. Dovid agrees that it is not safe to stay. My baby is eight months old now. I can’t get over how cute he is—learning to crawl, trying to stand, laughing infec- tiously as you tickle under his chin. He fell pretty badly today and hurt his head. He got scared when he fell back- ward, and looked up at me with his big blue eyes for reas- surance. I needed to hold him for the rest of the day. Though I was busy cleaning up from the barbecue, I didn’t mind having to cuddle him a little. Her baby is taking their packing up and leaving worse than she had anticipated. She explained how they would be going to their cousins who had his favorite computer game. They are only leaving for a little while. But at 12 years old, he understands too well what is happening. He hates it when his ima is scared. He looked at her with his big blue eyes as the Katyusha fell one mile away yesterday. “Ima!!” he screamed. She held him tightly. My baby just woke up from his sleep. Maybe his head still hurts from the fall. I quickly fix a bottle and give it to him. He nestles his head against my shoulder. He falls back asleep. I go to bed and say a perek of Tehillim for Israel and the missing boys—“Hashem, please keep them safe.” She goes to check on him in the night. He wet his bed last night. He hadn’t done that in seven years. She sits down next to hem as he’s sleeping. “Hashem, please keep them safe.” ❖

This is written in hope for the safe return of our three sons—Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev.

46 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Rockets Kiryat Ata; David Feldman, 28, of Continued from Page 21 Kiryat Yam; Shmuel Ben Shimon, 41; Dennis Lapidos, 24, of Kiryat Yam; Lebanon. Rafael Damati, 39, of Kiryat Yam; and Nasrallah on Sunday said the IDF Reuven Levi, 46, of Kiryat Ata. offensive on Lebanon had not depleted Some 30 Israel Railways employees its large stockpile of rockets, and were in the depot at the time. At least warned that the Islamic group could 17 people were wounded in the strike, strike almost anywhere in Israel. He six seriously and four moderately. The urged Arabs and Muslims worldwide to wounded in the depot were taken to support his guerrillas, saying his group Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. was fighting Israel on behalf of them. Police reported a total of 53 injuries in “Today, especially in this sensitive Haifa and its immediate surroundings. moment and after several military Following the rocket strike, author- achievements and surprises, Hezbollah ities closed the Haifa port and divert- is not fighting a battle for Hezbollah or ed ships to the Ashdod port. Israeli even for Lebanon. We are now fighting security officials said Sunday that a battle for the(Islamic) nation,” he Hezbollah hit Haifa with Syrian-pro- said. “The peoples of the Arab and duced Fagr missiles, which have a Islamic world have a historic opportu- range of 40 kilometers. nity to score a defeat against the Two salvos of rockets hit Ahuza, a Zionist enemy… We are providing the central residential and business dis- example,” he added. trict of Haifa, and the border town of Eight people were killed Sunday Nahariya. A rocket also struck Kiryat morning as rockets fired by Hezbollah Haim, on the outskirts of Haifa, guerillas in Lebanon struck the north- Channel 2 television reported. ern port city of Haifa. Other commu- Channel 10 television reported that nities in the north also came under rockets also hit the Checkpost busi- attack from the rockets Sunday. ness district on the Haifa-Nahyaria Residents across the north were highway. A subsequent attack hit a instructed to take cover in bomb shel- major street in Haifa, causing further ters and secure areas. All of those injuries, police said. killed were in an Israel Railways depot The Israel Defense Forces said over located near an Israel Electric the weekend that more than 700 rock- Corporation installation on Haifa Bay, ets have been fired at Israel since the according to the head of Magen David start of the military operation in Adom rescue service. Lebanon, prompted by the Hezbollah The fatalities in the attack have abduction of two IDF soldiers last been identified as Rafi Hazan, 30, of Wednesday. (Haaretz) ❖ Haifa; Shlomi Mansura, 35, of Nahariya; Nissim Elharar, 47, of See next page for Israel news update.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 47 Israeli Leaflets Call On South Lebanese To Evacuate South Of Litani River

This dramatic call will affect some largest number of rockets in the eight- 300,000 inhabitants, some of whom day conflict, an estimated 200. They have already headed north in response wrought heavy damage to homes and to previous Israeli calls to withdraw instilled shock, terror and the first from harm’s way in Hezbollah-con- signs of deprivation in more than a trolled regions. million Israeli civilians caged in shel- It is not clear how this mass migra- ters in the northern Israeli towns of tion can be effected when many of the Haifa, Nahariya, Acre, Carmiel, Tsfat, roads and bridges were bombed out by Kiryat Shemona, the small communi- Israeli jets. ties and farms of Upper Galilee, Lower Wednesday, July 19—marking the Galilee and the Hula Valley. second week of the Lebanon war— In Gaza, Israeli raider forces clashed plunged Israel in combat on four war- with armed members of the fronts. Palestinian Hamas. In the West Bank Hezbollah rockets hit the Israeli town of Nablus, another Israeli count- town of Nazareth and killed two brother-terror unit held the government ers aged 3 and 7, Rabiya and Mahmoud center to siege to round up dozens of Taluzi, as they played outside their wanted Palestinian terrorists. Ten home. 27 people were injured. Palestinian gunmen were killed in the Central Israel became one large two engagements. (Debkafile.com) ❖ gridlock for five hours as security forces staged a manhunt for a Palestinian suicide bomber from the West Bank heading for a crowd center. Submit your He was caught in Hod Hasharon. Two Israeli special forces soldiers Five Towns were killed in South Lebanon, the first Events/News to fall in a major ground battle with for the Hezbollah. Nine were injured. At three points, Rosh Hanikra, Avivim and Next Issue by Metula, Hezballoh forces went on the 5:00 P.M. Monday. offensive and breached the border— only to be thrown back by Israeli ground Send e-mail to: and air units in heavy exchanges of fire [email protected] which raged into the night. Hezbollah hurled at Israel the

48 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES following the Yom Kippur War in 1973, both the politicians and the General The Rocket Menace That No and for whom the Lebanon War in Staff busy. The IDF needs to win in 1982 was a sad experience. Even now, Lebanon, but to allow the Hezbollah as the fighting continues, there is evi- some form of logical option so it can One Wanted To Acknowledge dent hesitation about using ground come to terms with the new order of forces and having them bogged down things in which the Lebanese govern- B Y AMOS HAREL AND AVI crossed. In addition to this fundamen- in a quagmire. At this time, the empha- ment will take control of the south of ISSACHAROFF tal constraint, there were other excus- sis is on technologically sophisticated the country. The IDF must deter es, ranging from the need to avoid a air attacks and limited operations by Qassam rockets from Gaza, but, while Where have the rockets suddenly second front (in view of the second commando forces. weakening the Hamas government, come from? For six years the allow for an alternative, perhaps in the Hezbollah rockets in Lebanon were a form of Palestinian Authority source of contempt in the Israeli Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. press. Analysts, economists and oth- The pullout from Lebanon, following 18 years of The fighting has intensified since ers argued that the defense establish- Friday and Israel has so far suffered 27 ment regularly exaggerated a periph- bloodletting, was accompanied by such an dead and three injured, while Hezbollah eral threat to influence deliberations has had some important morale-boost- on the budget. Why else would the ing achievements. Hezbollah leader head of Military Intelligence decide enormous sense of relief that any talk on what Hassan Nasrallah still has some cards to that the Hezbollah had 12,000 rock- play. Every day there has been a new ets, when only a few months later he was left behind was considered troublesome. move: the abductions, the attack on the had claimed it held only 11,000? In warship, the Katyushas against the past few days it turns out that the Northern Command headquarters in imaginary Hezbollah arsenal is real, Tsfat and a massive rocket attack and it is striking Haifa, Tsfat and intifada) to preserving the tourism This is a confusing time, stemming against Haifa. Tiberias. industry in the Galilee. The General both from the scope of the fighting and On the other hand, Lebanon is The denial was not a press monop- Staff was also not terribly enthusiastic the plethora of targets, in Lebanon and oly. Politicians and even some General for most of the generals who enlisted the Gaza Strip, a situation keeping Continued on Page 51 Staff officers refused to regard the issue as a priority. The pullout from Lebanon, following 18 years of bloodletting, was accompanied by such an enormous sense of relief that any talk on what was left behind was considered troublesome. The rocket deliveries continued on weekly flights from Iran to Damascus and Beirut, and Israel followed the movement with a near academic curiosity. In the immediate aftermath of the withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May, 2000, hundreds of Lebanese rushed to Fatma Gate, near Metula, and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers. In response, the Israel Defense Forces enclosed the soldiers in a metal cage, and then pulled the position away from the border all together in an effort to avoid friction. If the Israel Defense Forces tried to avoid friction, Hezbollah sought it out. In the years that followed the Shi’ite organization deployed in dozens of positions along the border. On several occasions these outposts served as launching pads for Hezbollah attacks, including attempts to abduct soldiers. In some instances, the IDF responded by targeting these outposts, but it never sought to prevent them from reclaiming their positions along the border once the trouble was over. Israel held back out of concern for the rocket menace. At the General Staff one school of thought maintained that the Hezbollah is restrained by various regional devel- opments, and that it never really intended to make use of the rockets. The attack last week has revealed serious failures in the way the IDF forces functioned, but what is worse is the conclusion that reconciling with the presence of Hezbollah forces along the border decided the fate of the reservists that were killed and abducted. Between March 2001 and January 2006, Israel was run by the only man who under no circumstances could order a land incursion into Lebanon. For former prime minister Ariel Sharon this was a line that could not be 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 49 The Left’s Existential War Against Hamas

BY ELYAKIM HAETZNI will eventually fold. He’ll eventually than “market value,” so as not to Palestinian “prime minister”—not even agree to a “deal” and he will turn the encourage more kidnapping. In other the criminal and murderer Yasser Kidnapping has become a national people of Israel into a herd of sheep words, precisely the opposite approach. Arafat, who makes Ismail Haniyeh look sport for the Arabs. The Hesbollah from which the wolf chooses a new Even if Olmert and company have like a saint. And no Israeli government declared an open season in which the victim each time. every honest intention not to concede has ever launched a military offensive Arab is the hunter and the Jew—any The reason is, as the prophet says, this time, the warped education—left- that had as one of its aims deposing the Jew, from children to old people—is “He who sows wind will reap the whirl- ist, egotistical, short on stamina—will Palestinian “government.” the prey. wind.” The “Now culture,” of which take its revenge. They will be forced to Only a far-leftist in spirit must launch What was the illicit drug trap that Peace Now is just its political manifes- give in to the Golem of Now-ism, of a war of destruction against the Hamas was set for Elchanan Tennenbaum if tation, is vengeful. Even now, the concessions, of withdrawal, of weak- regime in the Palestinian Authority. You not a hunt? And the fact is that the prey media is pressuring the government, ness, of nihilism, of short-term calcu- see, for a nationalist Jew, there is no dif- entered the trap, and the Jewish govern- ference between Haniyeh and the evil ment went in after. Just as the operation Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), finan- near Kerem Shalom was a Hesbollah- cier of the Munich Massacre. Both style guerrilla action—and apparently A nationalist Jew sees anyone who Haniyeh and Abu Mazen are our ene- with Hesbollah direction—so too the mies. In fact, the regime of Fatah is per- kidnapping trend has come from there. haps more dangerous to us than the We captured a cell that attempted to wants to take even a centimeter of his Hamas. Fatah gives the appearance of a hunt the two girls near Rachelim, who chance for peace; whereas, Hamas were miraculously saved. And another country away from him as an enemy. insists on telling the truth—that all of kidnapped young man, Eliyahu Asheri, them, including the “moderates” of has already lost his life. Fatah, are intent on liberating Haifa and The future is ominous. Those who Jaffa. Deception is always more danger- regularly break into homes in the hinting, asking questions, investigating lations at the expense of the future— ous than the truth. Therefore, the Right Sharon region, for example, and steal day and night: What has changed? and they will institutionalize kidnap- did not fall out of its chair over the rise the car keys from the owners’ pockets Why is Israel suddenly altering its poli- pings. of Hamas. as they sleep, who have been stealing cy and being stubborn this time? And And from here to the big question. A nationalist Jew sees anyone who everything from us over the years— they have already drawn the doomsday Why are the Kadima government lead- wants to take even a centimeter of his from tractors to beehives to entire weapon: Jewish morality. The hostile ers all of a sudden displaying a strong country away from him as an enemy. barns and the laundry from the line— media suddenly remembers “Jewish stand against the Hamas regime? No What difference does it make if it is will not have difficulty wandering morality” and rolls pious eyes heaven- right-wing government (or what we accomplished by war and terrorism or around in Israeli dress, in stolen cars, ward, claiming that it is a “supra-mitz- incorrectly identified as “right”) has by negotiation? A patriot does not give hunting lone pedestrians. vah” to redeem captives at any price. ever expelled Hamas members from up his country even to an English lord. Nonetheless, one must assume that Indeed, the redemption of captives is a Jerusalem, or thrown Hamas “minis- Therefore, the rise of Hamas to power Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, knowing very important mitzvah; however, we ters” and “parliamentarians” in jail, or among the Palestinians does not appear all of this and despite his declarations, are explicitly forbidden to pay more publicly threatened the life of the to the Right as such a big change, for

50 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES even the words of peace of the leaders Israel is acquired through suffering.” It Israel within the Green Line, that has Rocket Menace of Fatah are lies and their signature is was for this reason that the people of had its world destroyed by the rise of Continued from Page 49 not worth the paper it is written on. Gush Katif absorbed 5,000 mortar Hamas. It is precisely this innocent A nationalist Jew will define violence shells with almost no complaints. lamb that all of a sudden becomes a experiencing the onslaught of a dead- between us and the Arabs as war and A leftist—once convinced that an vicious tiger in its opposition to Hamas. ly war machine. Villages in southern will strive for victory. He has wartime authentic Palestinian partner, who will Aggressive tactics are aimed at bringing Lebanon are being evacuated and goals, a strategy of victory that includes not deceive him, will never be found, down the Hamas regime and returning those associated with Hezbollah are whatever expands, stabilizes, reinforces that there will never be peace here like Fatah, along with the fantasy of peace, being crushed. The scenes from the and entrenches our hold on our home- there is between Belgium and to power. Without that fantasy, the Left neighborhood of Dahiya in southern land. In the eyes of a nationalist Jew, Holland—will apparently reach the is not willing to live here at all. Beirut are leaving indelible impres- war was, is and will be about the land of conclusion to simply emigrate. That is Olmert and Defense Minister Amir sions on the Arab world. The col- Israel, and how to take advantage of the why the Left treats the rise of the Peretz would have been happy to release lapsed structures are a warning to the momentum of Arab aggression in order Hamas regime as if it is an existential terrorists in exchange for the kidnapped entire Middle East. To the to expand Jewish settlement. disaster. If the result of withdrawal soldiers had the Palestinian Authority Palestinians, in particular, the results It is precisely the opposite among from the Gaza Strip and northern been ruled by Fatah, the partner from are noteworthy. Senior Fatah officials the Left. For the leftist, the Land of Samaria, and the destruction of 25 Oslo, the partner to the Road Map. said, with a certain tone of satisfac- Israel is not a value. A value is “the communities, is a strengthening not of What bothers our leaders is releasing tion, that Hamas must learn its les- good life,” which he calls “peace.” And the “moderates,” but of the rule of terrorists to Hamas, which would son before it continues its attacks if peace cannot be obtained, then at Hamas, then the foundation for peace, amount to an admission that there will against Sderot and Ashkelon. For least “quiet.” And for that, it is enough for negotiation, for coexistence crum- be no “peace process,” but a process of years now, Nasrallah has talked about to “converge” into a small corner, with bles. When the Left’s vision collapses, concessions to extortion, of Arab war for the weakening Israeli society, but no need for a homeland. All that is with no partner, there remains no rea- the land and Jewish defense with no now there is a chance that he will needed is a “Palestinian partner” for son for them to live here. concept of why, with no purpose. buckle under the IDF pressure, and the “solution” delusion. It is precisely the true Left, the inno- All these years, I held feelings this may have an effect on other ter- If a nationalist Jew is told that he cent Left that truly believed in the pos- towards the Left of dislike and outrage rorist organizations. can have the Land of Israel, but not sibility of good neighborliness with the in my heart. Today, I pity them. (Arutz In light of the asymmetrical bal- peace, as long as the Arabs remain as Arabs on the basis of our concessions in Sheva) ❖ ance of power, it is possible that an they are, he will accept such a “deal.” Judea, Samaria, Gaza and east Elyakim Haetzni is a lawyer and former Knesset end to the operation is coming. The He understands that “the Land of Jerusalem, and on their concession to member who resides in Kiryat Arba. destruction in Beirut and the south is expected to result in international involvement. The army, which is always thinking about the next threat, And Moshe spoke to the people: "Arm yourselves... to take G-d's is facing a dilemma: Will a ground vengeance on Midian" incursion into Lebanon have a beneficial effect for the future. In the Gaza Strip the taboo against ground (Bamidbar 31:3) incursions was broken and provided "To take G-d's vengeance on Midian" -- for whoever stands against Israel, stands against G-d. Israel with an improved defensive position against attacks. In Lebanon, (Rashi) a fully-fledged state, this is a more difficult goal to attain. (Haaretz) ❖

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 51 when Scud missiles fell, “so for me, Hezbollah is that we give them a warn- As Israelis Hole Up In Shelters, this is like a trauma,” said Fleischman, ing first and we don’t attack civilians,” explaining her nervousness. “When we added Shuster Yafina, a recent immi- They’re Scared, Bored, And Angry woke up this morning with a boom, grant from Moldova. everybody fell out of bed. Now my son Yet not all of Carmiel’s victims of BY LARRY LUXNER supposed to protect residents of doesn’t want to sleep alone.” Hezbollah’s aggression think Israel Carmiel’s Givat Ram neighborhood in Standing nearby was Aharon should launch a full-scale invasion of Colorful rainbows, choo-choo trains the event of an attack. But neighbors Armejanov, a short, wiry truck driver Lebanon. and flowers decorate the walls of the complain that the shelter’s water pipes who was born in Azerbaijan and moved “We need our soldiers at home. neighborhood bomb shelter in are broken, that the toilets don’t to Israel in 1974. They are our children,” said Ludmila Carmiel, but amid the overflowing toi- work—and that the shelter was locked “I am definitely not afraid,” he said. Daich, then quickly changing the sub- lets, foul smells and tension of war this by municipal authorities at the very “At the same time, I’m not looking to ject. “I’m very sorry but I don’t want to weekend, nobody seemed to notice. moment it was needed most. be a hero. I have four children. I’m a speak about politics. I can’t think On Saturday and then again on “This is ridiculous. We’re paying as veteran of the Lebanon War, so it does- about that right now, only my grand- Sunday, more than 100 people much in taxes as anyone else!” Ilana n’t make any difference anymore,” he son. Baruch Hashem, we are alive.” crammed into the underground shelter Ludmila and her husband, Peter, as Katyusha rockets launched by were sitting in their modest home just Hezbollah terrorists rained down on across the street from the neighbor- Carmiel, a picturesque town nestled in But neighbors complain that the shelter’s water hood shelter when a Katyusha ripped the mountains of northern Israel. through the ceiling—leaving shattered Crying babies and occasionally hys- pipes are broken, that the toilets don’t work—and glass all over their bed and shards of terical mothers added to the drama in broken concrete in their front yard. a scene repeated throughout the that the shelter was locked by municipal authorities “I was thinking of going to the shelter, Galilee region—from Nahariya, Acre but it was closed, so I came back here,” and Kiryat Shmona in the far north to at the very moment it was needed most. said Peter, a Ukrainian immigrant who towns further south, like Rosh Pina, settled in Carmiel 10 years ago. “I was Tsfat and Tiberias, that had never here with my wife and daughter-in-law before seen Katyushas. and her son. They live in Ma’alot, but Between towns, the highways were Fleischman screamed, in full view of said, referring to the 1982 conflict. they came here because she thought it virtually deserted as Israelis largely TV reporters that had come to cover With boredom creeping in, political would be safer in Carmiel.” obeyed an order not to go outside the latest rocket devastation. “The debates in the bomb shelters were It was much the same story in unless absolutely necessary. pipes are broken, the bathroom stinks. inevitable, and Armejanov was quick to Tiberias, which was slammed by eight “For me, I can go to hell, but it’s my Nobody wants to come here.” offer his opinions on the current crisis. Katyushas over the weekend. family I’m worried about,” said Niso Not that anyone has a choice. “We made a big mistake when we Asher Ya’ish lives on the second floor Levi, a 51-year-old engineer who emi- With the distant booming of Katyusha withdrew from Lebanon. This gave of an apartment building in the city. grated from Albania in 1991, along rockets becoming louder and more fre- Hezbollah time to build up their One of those missiles hit an apartment with his wife, Matilda, and daughters quent, only a few brave souls ventured weapons,” he told JTA, voicing an on the fourth floor; fortunately its Anna and Ilana. out—and when one boom sounded par- opinion shared by many in the Galilee. occupants were vacationing in Tel Aviv. The shelter, known in Hebrew as a ticularly close, everyone rushed back “We need peace, but you must pay “I was sitting with my kids on the bal- miklat, is a staple of every residential into the shelter, some in near-hysteria. for this peace with blood,” Levi said. cony, looking out at the Kineret,” said complex in Israel. And this one was “In 1991, I was alone at home” “The difference between us and Ya’ish, 60. “Half an hour before it hap-

52 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES pened, my daughter had arrived from an international tourist destination. Haifa, thinking it would be safer here.” “We are a special community and the Agudath Israel In Washington, DC But safety is a relative term, and people believe our government is acting nobody feels in Tiberias these days. in the right direction. We cannot man- Photos By Mordechai Ort “I can’t believe it. It’s like a night- age tourism with a situation like this,” mare,” said Ya’ish. “I never thought said Oved, noting that one Katyusha this could happen.” fell within a few yards of City Hall. In fact, the last time a missile land- Asked if more Katyushas will fall on ed in this lakeside town of 45,000 was Tiberias, he said, “Unfortunately, yes. in 1971, and those rockets came from We’re instructing the people to stay in Jordan, not Lebanon. their homes.” After the mid-afternoon attack at the Smadar Perach, whose brother’s residential complex, a crowd quickly 2002 Audi was flattened by a 1 2 gathered at the site of the destruction, Katyusha, said she’s getting used to the with one middle-aged man screaming missiles. “Nasrallah, we’re not afraid of you! We “The very first minute, you panic. will destroy you!” before the TV cam- But then you understand what’s hap- eras, referring to Hezbollah leader pening. The people of Tiberias are Sheik Hassan Nasrallah. cool,” she said. “There is no other way Yet beaches south of Tiberias, along to react.” (JTA) ❖ the shores of the Kinneret, were still packed with vacationers until they Larry Luxner is JTA’s correspondent in South Florida. He also regularly travels to and reports were evacuated by police. from Latin America for JTA. He publishes a Zohar Oved, the mayor of Tiberias, monthly newsletter, CubaNews and his articles 4 have appeared in the Miami Herald, Wall Street says he believes his city was targeted Journal, Washington Diplomat, Christian Science by Hezbollah specifically because it’s Monitor, Latin Finance and Americas Magazine. 3

And Moshe spoke to the people: "Arm yourselves... to take G-d's vengeance on Midian" (Bamidbar 31:3) G-d sees the war on Midian as avenging Israel, for G-d's 5 6 foremost concern is for His people; the people of Israel see A delegation of leaders and members of Agudath Israel of America visited Washington last week, the war as avenging G-d, for they are concerned only with where they met with political leaders to discuss vital issues affecting Israel and the American Jewish community. Pictured above: 1. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff at the the honor of G-d. lectern. 2. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Rabbi Shmuel Bloom of Agudath Israel. 3. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN). 4. Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zweibel and Senator Joseph Lieberman (The Chassidic Masters) (D-CT). 5. Republican Senators (L-R) Sam Brownback (KS), Rick Santorum (PA), and Norm Coleman (MN). 6. Mrs. Miriam Lubling of Brooklyn with Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY).

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 53 54 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES higher returns, and risks, than million- Shoelaces More Israelis Per Capita Become aires elsewhere in the world. While North America remains the Millionaires Than World Average most preferred investment target, BY ARON MOSS there is a marked movement of capital BY ORA COREN Merrill Lynch said that very few of from the continent to emerging mar- I saw the craziest thing in the Code those on the 2004 list fell off last kets that sport higher returns. of Jewish Law. It tells you how to tie The number of millionaires in Israel year’s list. The Asia Pacific region beat out your shoes! You are supposed to put your increased by 12 percent in 2005, and Three Israelis—apparently Yitzhak Europe as the second-most attractive right shoe on before the left shoe, and reached 7,400, according to a report Tshuva, Haim Saban, and Judith and area for international investors in then you have to tie the left shoelace issued by the Israeli branch of invest- Jacob Richter—joined the list of the 2005. Europe maintained its 22 per- before the right shoelace. And when ment house Merrill Lynch on Tuesday. 500 world’s richest people in 2005, cent share of world investment, with taking them off it’s the opposite: untie A millionaire is defined as someone bringing to nine the number of Israelis Asia Pacific now at 23 percent. the right then the left, take off the left with liquid assets of over a million dollars on the exclusive list. The Middle East and Latin America then the right. And a lefty does it all the not including real estate, holdings in pri- The major factors behind the also showed significant growth in 2005, other way around. vate companies, or mortgaged property. growth in the number of millionaires both in the number of millionaires, and Maybe I’m missing something, but The world’s millionaire population in the world is GDP growth and the the amount of attracted investments. where is the great moral lesson in that? grew by only 6.5 percent last year, rising stock markets in 2005, accord- The biggest rise in millionaires in the Am I a better person if I tie my shoes in reaching 8.7 million. ing to the report. world was in South Korea, with a 21.3 a special way? The number of Israeli multi-million- The fact that the growth of Israeli percent jump, followed by India, with a The shape of the human body aires, those with liquid assets of over millionaires doubled the world average 19.3 percent rise. Russia had 17.4 per- reflects the contours of the human $30 million, grew 20 percent in 2005, was due to a larger number of mergers, cent more millionaires in 2005. soul. Our body has two sides, right and reaching 84. The number of multi-mil- acquisitions and capital market offer- The number of millionaires in the left, because the soul has two distinct lionaires in the world grew by 10.2 per- ings by local companies. world has nearly doubled in the last powers. On the one hand there is the cent last year to 85,400. In addition, Israel’s wealthy is char- decade, from 4.5 million in 1996 to power to give, be outward and expres- The total wealth of all Israeli million- acterized by more aggressive invest- 8.7 million in 2006, and their total sive; on the other hand is the power to aires and multi-millionaires grew 25 ment styles and larger-than-average wealth doubled from $16.6 trillion to hold back, be inward and restrained. percent in 2005, reaching $24 billion. investments in emerging markets with $33.3 trillion. (Haaretz) ❖ These are the two sides of the soul, the side of kindness and the side of discipline, that correspond to the two sides of the body, the right side and the left. Both powers are essential. The secret to a healthy life and successful relation- ships is knowing how to balance these two forces—when to be assertive and when to submit; when to be strict and when to be lenient; when to let yourself go and when to just say no. In Kabbalah, the stronger side (the right for right-handed people, left for lefties) represents giving, and the weaker side symbolizes holding back. This is to teach us that our power of giving should be more dominant than our power of holding back. The ideal is to have a higher measure of kindness than discipline. Ideals are concretized through actions. We can be deeply influenced by the symbolism of even simple acts that we perform—down to the way we get dressed. Putting on a shoe is an act of giving (to your foot), so you put the shoe on your stronger foot first. You then tie the lace on the weaker foot, as tying is an act of restraint. However, untying a shoe is releasing and letting go, so when you are untying shoelaces the stronger foot takes precedence. Removing your shoe is taking away, an act of discipline, so for that the weaker comes first. It all symbolizes the same point—discipline is important, but kindness should dominate. Imagine having to stop and think before putting on your shoes every day. Suddenly the most mundane routine becomes a meditation. If I am even mindful of the significance of my shoelaces, then I am more likely to be considerate of the people I meet, and ensure that while I use the necessary restraint, I save my stronger hand for kindness. (Chabad.org) ❖

Rabbi Aron Moss teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 55 Five Towns Simcha Gallery Photos By Captured Images Photos By Ira Thomas Creations

Shoshana Cohen, daughter of Sarah and Zev Cohen of Far Rockaway, and Shya Markovits, son of Marty and Shaindie Markovits of Far Rockaway, were married on June 29 at Ateres Chynka.

Bar Mitzvah of David Abraham of Bayswater took place at Etz Chaim in Brooklyn, Parashas Korach. Catering provided by JJ Weiss.

56 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 57 PA Claims Of Hunger Are A Lie

BY HILLEL FENDEL through which most of the goods look like a crisis,” Fares told AP. is a lie. The security establishment, enter Gaza, is and has been the site of Fares mentioned five truckloads of which monitors the crossings, has Contrary to Palestinian Authority terrorist activity. “Our interest is not dairy products headed for the Gaza precise data regarding supplies in claims, the IDF is allowing food and to harm the civilian population that coastal area that were blocked by PA Gaza. Israel thus reports with cer- medicines into Gaza, food supplies does not promote terrorism,” Fares officials on Tuesday, until he person- tainty that the amount of flour is are ample, and some crossings are said. “We do not use our power to ally intervened. “We also proposed an sufficient to last for more than a open. IDF: “PA terrorism is the pressure the population to pressure alternative crossing for goods at month, and that supplies of benzine source of the problem.” its government. I don’t think that Kerem Shalom, but the PA didn’t total over a million liters. The IDF opened the Erez Crossing would be right. But if the people in cooperate.” “There is no shortage,” Fares is into Gaza both Monday and today quoted as saying on an IDF report, (Tuesday), despite difficulties imposed “and certainly not supplies of just a by the Palestinian Authority itself. In few days. The supplies are decreasing addition, despite warnings of terrorist “We do not use our power to pressure the —sometimes there is only 2, 3, 4 plans to commit an attack, the Karni weeks’ worth of wheat or rice or what- Crossing has been opened for days at ever—so we make sure that those a time. Huge amounts of food supplies population to pressure its government. I don’t supplies are brought in. The current and medicines are being transported supplies, together with the supple- to Gaza. think that would be right. But if the people in mental deliveries, will ensure that The goods that passed through the there will be no shortages in the com- crossing since Monday included basic Gaza wake up and realize that it is their own ing weeks, even if the IDF continues foodstuffs, thousands of liters of ben- with Operation Summer Rains.” zine, 75 tons of cooking gas, and med- Just last week, Fares said, “Karni ical equipment. IDF forces continue to terrorism that is causing them to suffer, then was open for three days, during which search for terrorist tunnels in the 250 trucks filled with all sorts of food Karni area. perhaps the situation will improve.” arrived, carrying rice, wheat, beans, Col. Nir Fares, head of the IDF liai- meat, fruit, oil, milk, medicine, salt, son office in Gaza, told Arutz-7 that and more.” though the situation “is not easy,” it is A-7: “There are claims that there is “far from a humanitarian crisis or Gaza wake up and realize that it is Arab sources in Gaza say that a sugar shortage.” hunger. However, the reason for this their own terrorism that is causing because of Israel’s strike of the main Fares: “On Tuesday, seven trailer- has nothing to do with Israel, but them to suffer, then perhaps the situ- electricity plant, water is being sup- loads of sugar arrived, for a grand total rather with the ongoing terrorism ation will improve.” plied on a partial basis. Fares told of close to 300 tons. Just today, anoth- against Israel and the Hamas govern- Fares said that officials in the Arutz-Sheva, “We continue to supply er 120 tons arrived via Erez.” ment that supports it.” Palestinian Authority themselves have them with water on a regular basis.” “The Palestinians’ terrorism hurts, Fares explained that the Karni refused to allow goods into Gaza. “They The PA also claims that flour and first and foremost, themselves,” Fares Crossing, the main throughpoint are trying to create a crisis or make it fuel are running out; Israel says this emphasized. (Arutz Sheva) ❖

58 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Guns Used In Fatah Terror Krakow Gets A Rav Attacks Supplied By Israel The first rabbi to serve Krakow full 1989, Freund said. time since the Holocaust has taken During the communist era, some BY HANA LEVI JULIAN Security sources added that the up his post, guiding a revival of Jewish Jews hid their religious identities to Israel Defense Force suspects a terror life and helping a growing number of avoid facing discrimination. Many fled Members of Palestinian Authority cell from Yousuf’s group in Ramallah people rediscover their Jewish her- President Mahmoud Abbas’ personal of carrying out other recent attacks, itage forgotten through decades of guard, “Force 17,” used Israel’s weapons including an ambush which resulted in communism. to shoot Israelis last week, according to the death of an Israeli Arab traveling Rabbi Avraham Flaks, a 38-year-old “This is a joyous festival Israeli security and PA terrorist sources. on a highway near Jerusalem. The sen- Russian-born Israeli, has been getting coming just a few days Israel is the supplier of the weapons ior terrorist lives with other members to know members of Krakow’s small used in the gunfire that killed one of the group in the Mukata, the former Jewish community. after Yom Kippur, Israeli and wounded several others, Ramallah residence of the late PLO “This is a joyous festival coming just according to an interview written by Chairman Yasser Arafat. Yousuf also a few days after Yom Kippur, a solemn a solemn day of journalist Aaron Klein and released last revealed that many of the weapons are day of atonement, so it seemed like a Friday by WorldNetDaily. Klein quoted being stored in the compound. fitting time for him to start,” said atonement, so it seemed Abu Yousuf, a senior member of Force Al-Aksa Martyrs’ Brigades has been Michael Freund, chairman of Shavei 17, who like many other guards is a on the U.S. State Department list of Israel, an organization sponsoring like a fitting time member of the Al-Aksa Martyrs’ terrorist organizations since March Flaks’ work. Brigades terror group. Klein was inter- 2002. The group took joint credit with There are about 200 people regis- for him to start” viewed on IsraelNationalRadio’s Tovia the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization tered with the community, but an esti- Singer Show. for the April 19th bombing of a Tel mated 1,000 Jews are believed to live Olmert’s administration decided to Aviv restaurant in which 11 people in Krakow—most of whom only the country in 1968, following a gov- transfer the U.S.-manufactured were murdered, including 16-year-old recently discovered their Jewish roots ernment-sponsored anti-Semitic cam- weapons to Abbas’ guard troops in a bid Daniel Wultz of Florida. (Arutz Sheva) ❖ following the fall of communism in paign. (AP) ❖ to shore up his ability to protect himself in the fight against the terror group Hamas for control of PA security forces. The recent shipment included 3,000 M-16 automatic rifles and one million rounds of ammunition. “I did this because we are running out of time and we need to help Abu Mazen,” Olmert told reporters on Tuesday, using Abbas’ nom de guerre. Olmert made the announcement one day before heading to Petra for an official meeting with Abbas, hosted by Jordanian King Abdullah II at a quiet breakfast during a gathering of Nobel Prize laureates and other notables. Vice Premier Shimon Peres and world- renown author Elie Wiesel attended the gathering as well. Abu Yousuf said bluntly that the weapons will be used to shoot Jews, and added that the terror organization may share the weaponry with Hamas as well, if its 3,000-member militia is absorbed into the general PA police force. “These weapons will not be used in an internal war but against Israelis,” Yousuf told Klein. He added as far as his group was concerned, Israel transferred the weapons to his Force 17 unit “for its own political purposes. We are not concerned with the reasons. The weapons will not be used against our brothers, only [against] Israelis.” The terrorist also called WND to claim responsibility on behalf of Al- Aksa Martyrs’ Brigades for an ambush of an armored Israeli bus earlier in the week in Samaria, just outside the town of Ofra. Three school girls were lightly wounded in the attack, which security officials said would have been more serious had the bus not been armored.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 59 raphy of their vineyards. Each Israeli winery has a story and is Israel’s Wine Revolution fiercely proud of its region and methods of fermentation and storage. The Tishbi The Israel Museum recently hosted the local soil, time of harvest and family began its wine story in 1882, an Israeli wine festival showcasing strain of grape—and how all con- when Malka and Michael Chamilnetzki Israel’s finest vintners and their vin- tributed to the bouquet of flavor made aliyah to the Holy Land from tages, for some of Israel’s finest tasters, encased in the bottles in front of them. Russia and settled at the foot of Zichron as well as local Jerusalemite enthusiasts. Although much of Israeli society has Yaakov, in the village of Shefeya. They In addition to the flavorful assort- moved away from agriculture, the adopted the name Tishbi, which is a ment that Israel’s wineries have to global demand for kosher wine has Hebrew acronym for “resident of offer the public, are unique and pow- breathed new life into one of the most Shefeya in Israel.” They produced grapes erful narratives, often connecting indigenous practices of the Land of for Carmel Winery, Israel’s largest win- modern vineyard techniques to their Israel. Producing kosher wine, by defi- ery, now its neighbor in Zichron Yaakov. location’s biblical past. nition, necessitates not only avodah Twenty years ago, though, Jonathan Winemakers, some looking like they Ivrit (Hebrew labor)—that Jews per- Tishbi, whose black and white photo came from northern Tel Aviv and oth- form every step of the process—but graces the labels of Tishbi’s prize wines, ers looking like they came from a that the winemakers be intimately in decided to open his own winery. windswept hilltop waxed poetic about touch with the soil, rainfall and topog- “Israel has undergone a wine revolution,” Or Leshem of Tishbi Winery said after swishing the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon he was showcasing at the Israel Wine Festival in Or Leshem (center) travels Israel's hills and Jerusalem this week. valleys examining and tasting grapes and soil. Initially using grapes from the area, Tishbi now sends Or Leshem to taste before bottling is with the screw-cap.” and test grapes all across Israel, search- According to Leshem, research on ing for the best fruits for their wine. The alternatives to corks has been underway 2003 Cabernet was made using grapes for a long time. Traditional corks allow a from both Kfar Yovel, in the north, and certain amount of oxidization to occur Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem. which results in changed taste in almost Tishbi’s white wines featured a new 10 percent of bottles. However, to innovation, showcased at the festival change the common perceptions of the though not yet available to the wider public, Leshem believes the industry market: screw tops instead of corks. must undergo a marketing effort to rid “People generally think wine with a screw-caps of the low-quality stigma screw-top is of less quality,” Leshem before they are used widely. explains, “but in fact, for white wines Though years ago Israeli wines all and young red wines, the only way I can shared the stigma of being sweet kiddush be certain that they will taste exactly wine, they are now present at wine com- Jonathan Tishbi and his wife are depicted on the label, as seen (enlarged) in the background. the way it tasted to me immediately petitions across the globe and take home

60 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES medals against the best French and Italian wines. The drastic improvement is due, in no small part, to the influx of French Jewish immigrants to Israel in recent years, in addition to the increasing demand for fine kosher wines. Kfar Tabor Winery offered the festival-goers its 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, which is a dry white wine, yet tastes quite sweet. “It is a completely dry wine,” insists the winemaker, “not semi-dry, but dry. There are less than two grams of sugar, but the flavors of caramel and honey, which come from the unique soil of the region, manifest themselves strongly.” The winery is located on the African-Syrian Fault Line, resulting in a unique phenome- non whereby four unique kinds of soil are present in the region: clay, chalk, volcanic and terra rosa (red soil). Each of the soils gives unique qualities to the grapes grown upon it. “Chalky soil gives the grapes acidity, fruitiness and a mineral quality,” the winemaker explained. “Terra rosa gives warmth, rich- ness and the flavors of tobacco, blackberries and plums; clay makes the flavors even more extreme and volcanic soil makes for smooth and light wine.” The Ella Valley Winery is

located near ancient wine- presses in the Gush Etzion- Beit Shemesh region. It is seven years old and the winemaker said it takes four or five years for grapes to reach a maturity necessary to produce wine. In any event, according to Jewish law, fruit of the tree and vine cannot be used in the first three years as it has the Biblical status of orla. The Tanya Winery is truly a return to the roots of Biblical Jewish wine making. Wine was a crucial part of the services and sacrifices in the Holy Temple and the regions north and south of Jerusalem were covered with vines and speck- led with wine-presses. Winemaker Yoram Cohen, born in the Negev development town of Netivot, was one of 17 children. He was

Continued on Page 63 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 61 wise—the company qualifies for a Rubashkin In Business $3,000 federal tax credit. India’s Jews Are The company gets labor and tax breaks. But what does the tribe get? “The goal of the empowerment Safe Following With Indian Tribe zone designation is to reduce dependency,” said David “Tally” For almost a year, Oglala from “Why did we come to Gordon, Plume, executive director of the Mumbai Blasts South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Nebraska?” he asked. “I don’t know. Oglala Oyate Woitancan BY T.C. MALHOTRA Reservation and an ultra-orthodox Believe me, I don’t know.” Empowerment Zone. Jewish family from New York City As the crowd’s laughter died down, Plant manager Gary Ruse said have partnered to start a kosher he amended his answer: about 65 of the nearly 100 plant Mumbai Jews are safe after a series meatpacking plant in Gordon. “Good cattle, good water, good employees are Indian. of bombs claimed nearly 200 lives on Recently, they showed their people.” Two highly trained rabbis per- the city’s train system. progress to the community and, in It’s not the first small-town pack- form the ritual kosher slaughter of As Mumbai gets back on track, so the process, maybe got to know ing plant Rubashkin, his father and each animal. One of the rabbis does the Indian Jewish community’s each other a little better. Local brother have opened. In 1989, they inspects the organs and lungs of the Organization for Educational Resources Pride hosted a ribbon-cutting cere- started a kosher plant called animal to determine if it qualifies as and Technological Training, or ORT. mony in its parking lot that featured Agriprocessors in Postville, Iowa. kosher. Some of the group’s 40 staff mem- a free lunch of grilled kosher ham- The Nebraska plant is unique in The plant slaughters about 110 bers in Mumbai had a narrow escape burgers and hotdogs. Several hun- its partnership with the Oglala cattle per week, Ruse said. Until Tuesday, when seven bomb blasts on dred people, including plant work- Lakota Nation, which is just north recently, all carcasses were quickly Mumbai commuter trains killed 186 ers, community officials, politicians of Gordon in South Dakota. Oglala trucked to the Iowa plant for further people and injured more than 700. and business leaders, ate under leaders declared the plant and 300 processing, but the Gordon plant has The trains ran on the busy temporary awnings as Sholom surrounding acres of Gordon part of just started to do some boning. Western Railway suburban corridor, Rubashkin, one of the plant’s own- its economic empowerment zone. By soon adding two additional rab- and likely were chosen since they ers, mused about his family’s latest For every person living within the bis, the company hopes to double its provided the maximum possible business venture. zone it employs—Indian or other- daily slaughter. (YeshivaWorld.com) ❖ number of commuters. No organization has claimed responsibility for the blasts. However, Vilasrao Deshmukh, chief minister of Maharashtra state, said initial evi- dence pointed to the extremist Islamic group Lashkar-e-Taiba, whose members have been arrested in the state with powerful explosives in the past several months. Initial police reports indicate that the bombers packed the explosives in bags similar to those carried by office- goers, and kept them in the overhead compartments of first-class cars. Most of the victims suffered upper torso injuries, according to police. Benjamin Isaac, ORT’s director in India, said the Jewish community in Mumbai is safe and the school is “operating normally.” ORT is an international Jewish organization with a mandate to help impoverished Jews. Opened in 1961, Mumbai’s ORT school functions as the educational and cultural center of the Indian Jewish community. Isaac said some of his colleagues had narrow escapes. One staff member had just left his train when a train on the parallel track exploded; another was at the station when a bomb exploded at the opposite end of his train. A man named Almeida, who is working at the educational group as an independent auditor, survived the attack on his train but found himself surrounded by dozens of corpses. “We have had calls from people all around the world asking after us— and not just ORT people,” he said, mentioning also the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Birthright Israel. With some 4,000 Jews, Mumbai’s community is the largest remaining in India. About 1,000 Jews live in Kolkata and Cochin. (JTA) ❖

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, July 24 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

62 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Wine Revolution children (one of whom shares her archs are buried. Continued from Page 61 name with the winery). Further south, in Judea, is the Yatir The grapes used by Cohen were Winery, which uses grapes from the grown in the Hevron Hills and Gush Yatir forest—Israel’s largest man-made Etzion, as well as the Samarian towns forest, located on the southern edge of of Dolev and Har Bracha—with the Judea bordering on the Negev desert. latter being the main source of grapes The Binyamina Winery, founded in for the winery. The vines in Har the ’50s, has produced much of Bracha are on the side of the highest Israel’s wine ever since then. It, like mountain in the region, overlooking Tishbi, is experimenting with screw- Shechem and Joseph’s Tomb. The caps on wines such as its grapes are all harvested at night to Gewürztraminer, which tastes like ensure that the fermentation process the essence of summer fruits. does not begin prematurely. Hevron Heights Winery's Isaac's Ram The Dalton Winery, located in a north- “Where is Ofra?” asked an excited Cabernet depicts the ram sent by G-d to ern Moshav by the same name, produces attendee of the festival after tasting Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son Isaac. a wide array of wines, including a white the wine. and red marked for export to the U.S. “In the area of the tribe of winery is the brainchild and inspira- under the name Canaan. Binyamin,” he answers. tion of a group of dedicated and com- The Israeli wine revolution contin- The man’s eyes lack a look of recogni- mitted French Jewish immigrants to ues and is strengthening, crossing tion until Yoram says, “near Ramallah,” Israel—to bring kosher winemaking political lines and geographic terrain and he looks surprised as he asks for a back to the original site of Jewish habi- in search of depth of taste and, taste of the Cabarnet Savignon. tation in the Land of Israel. “preparing for the day when wine liba- Yoram Cohen of Tanya Winery demonstrates Another winery whose popularity The winery produces wines with tions are once again offered in the his manual bottle label applicator. has taken the market by storm by names like Isaac’s Ram and Makhpelah Holy Temple in Jerusalem,” as one proudly marketing its location in the Special Reserve, made with grapes man blessed Yoram Cohen before “infected with the wine bug” after center of the Biblical heartland is the grown near Hevron’s Makhpela, Cave of booming, “L’Chaim,” and drinking up. helping his father produce wine from Noah/Hevron Heights Winery. The the Patriarchs, where the Jewish patri- (Arutz Sheva) ❖ grapes harvested by local Jewish farmers in the southern Hevron Hills. In 2000, Cohen decided to close his photographic news agency due to what he calls a “lack of chemistry” with the world of global media. He then began to concentrate on producing the ultimate Jewish wine. He says he believes in “minimal intervention in the growing process,” a philosophy he says he applies equally to his own children as well as the grapes. “They both should be allowed to grow up by following their hearts in a loving atmosphere,” he says. He established the winery in 2001 in the Binyamin region town of Ofra. He has no employees and aims to produce 40,000 bottles of wine a year together with his wife and their seven

And they warred against Midian, as G-d commanded Moshe (Bamidbar 31:7)

When laying siege on a city to conquer it, we do not surround it from all four sides, but only from three sides, leaving a way to escape for anyone who wishes to flee for his life.As it is written: "And they warred against Midian, as G-d commanded Moshe"; it has been handed down by tradition that this is what G-d had commanded him.

(Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings and their Wars 6:7)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 63 64 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 65 SERVICES HELP PROVIDED WANTED

Part time Great Neck–Seeking Simchas Naava experienced counselor who can be Share your simcha flowers! Be firm and provide structure for young m’sameach other simchas! Donate adult female who lives in Great Neck. your fresh flower arrangements! We Hours: from 4:45 p.m. weekdays. will match your simcha date with Please call Annie at Ohel Bais Ezra at 718-686-3484. simchas following yours or deliver them to nursing home residents. To Long Island Yeshiva seeks Part Time donate or obtain flower arrangements, Computer /Web Design teacher Fax resume to 516-561-5091. call 516-239-6066. In memory of a special friend, Cedarhurst Location Commercial Naava Wassner Katlowitz Mortgage Firm seeks Secretary / Junior Underwriter for general Plumbing and Heating: Sundial office duties and for basic commercial Plumbing. Boilers/water heaters real estate underwriting. Good serviced and installed. All leaks fixed. English language skills and proficien- Bathrooms, kitchens, basements. No cy in Word, Excel, Quick Books and general computer skills a must. No job too big or small. 718-252-1234. commercial real estate experience New Table and Chair Gemach required, as we will train, though very 740 Mador Ct. Far Rockaway. helpful. Pleasant demeanor is always Call 718-471-0368. an asset. Please contact Michael Edery at 516-569-3454 or fax Too Much to Type? Too Much to Do? resume to 516-569-3831. E-mail: College Reports, Simcha Lists, [email protected]. Secretarial Support. Call Gold Star Looking for an exciting way to end Typing Service for help. Reasonable your summer? Join Ohel Bais Ezra’s rates. Call 718-471-9712. End of Summer Program in Queens/LI, in providing an enriching Master Teacher Tutors 10-day program for children and Limudei Kodesh/Secular Subjects teens with disabilities. Positions avail- Specialize grades 1-8. Adults; able: music specialty, counselors in Boys; Girls. Call 718-868-3968. boys and girls divisions, volunteers. For more information, please contact LOST Batsheva at 718-686-3478. AND FOUND Office Position/Admin Assistant Manufacturer/Importer in Oceanside. Shomer Shabbos. Must Lost tallis with atara at have good computer skills, including Rekant/Lazar Bar Mitzvah a few Excel and Word. Accounting software weeks ago at Bnos Bais Yaakov. If experience a plus. Basic Accounting/ found, please call 718-327-2987. Bookkeeping preferred. Full Time. Please submit resume and salary HELP history to: Fax–516-977-3319 WANTED E-mail–[email protected] Receptionist/Secretary Pre-School Assistants: Five Towns Full time Kosher caterer Oceanside. Organized, detail-oriented, computer all-girls yeshiva seeks qualified and literate, Microsoft Word and Excel. capable assistants for pre-school To handle diverse office duties and classes. Fax resume to: customer relations. Fax resume to: 516-295-3613. 516-766-0072.

Congregation Beth Sholom has immediate part-time Administrative Position available. Must be profi- cient in MS Office. Knowledge of Quickbooks and MARKS for Windows a plus. Must be highly organized, detail oriented and able to multi-task. Flexible hours. Please e-mail resume to: [email protected] or fax to: 516-569-3105. 66 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HELP REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE WANTED FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE

Direct Care Worker Live in/Live Need to sell furniture fast. Far Rockaway—Prime location 2 5 TOWN HOMES out—Work with 12-year-old boy with Moving out of town. Bedroom set, new construction homes-6 bedrooms/ 516-569-5710 Autism. Hours: Monday through entertainment unit, 3 couches, 5 bathrooms and 5 bedrooms/3 bath- bookshelf, etc. Friday 7:00-8:00 AM and 4:00-8:00 rooms, full basement, quality con- Please call 917-836-5656. PM, Saturdays all day, Sundays 12:00 struction. Call 516-903-7070. LAWRNCE: NU Construc’n, 6Br, noon-8:00 PM, school holidays all Double stroller for sale. 5Bth, Lg. prop, Walk all, With all day. Five Towns area. Ohel Bais Ezra Far Rockaway - Lawrence Border 2005 Maclaren Twin Traveller with goodies. Plans can be seen in office. phone: 718-686-3256. 2 bedroom house on quiet Cul-de-sac all accessories and hardly used with unfinished 2nd floor and base- CEDRHRST: NU Construc’n, C/H Salesgirl needed for boutique. excellent condition cheap price. ment. Oversized property, perfect for Col. 7Br, 4.5Bth, Lg EIK, Prime loc. Cheerful, energetic, detailed oriented, Call 718-327-5857. $1.250K. looking for long term position with expansion. $750K. potential for growth, no experience REAL ESTATE Call owner at 516-536-2681. CEDRHRST: NU Renovt’d, S/H needed, willing to train, for more info FOR SALE Bayswater beauty - detached 1 fami- Col. 5Br, 3Bth, 2 dens, Lr w/fpl, full call Amy at 516-295-7284. ly, 6 BR, finished basement, in bsmt, Quiet Street...$885K. Teacher - Yeshiva in Queens - Lawrence Co-op: NU 2 Mkt, 1st immaculate condition, all 41x210 lot. Elementary secular positions available CEDRHRST: 2Fam, 3Br/3Br, 2Fpl, Flr, 3Br, 2Bth, Fdr, Lr, Patio, W/D, lo 1119 Dickens Street PM Fax resume to: 718-269-3444 Deck. All Nu, Great location, 347-256-1707 or 516-538-7686. maint $439K. 5 TOWN HOMES Call . Full bsmt...Bring Offers. 516-569-5710. Yeshiva on Queens/Nassau border Five Towns Area CEDRHRST: LgLr, Dr, EIK, Den, looking for full time Secretary. Cedarhurst Co-op for sale: New Construction - Cedarhurst, 5Br, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Lg prop., Should be familiar with Microsoft 833 Central Avenue. Beautiful, one Lawrence, Woodmere, Atlantic IGPool…$699K. Office, Davka Writer, and DDC. Must bedroom apartment, Shabbos elevator, Beach (E. Rockaway and Long be able to multi-task. N. WDMR: HiRanch, 4br, 2.5bth, 24-hour doorman. Beach as well). High-End Quality— Fax resume to: 516-374-9376 or nu kit, lg. den, deck, over lg prop. Call Weisman Realty Spacious bedrooms, many baths. call 516-322-5400. $679K. 718-327-5600. Woodmere — 14 Andover Lane, Looking for a responsible, self moti- HWLT: MIC, 3+Br, 2.5Bth, full vated Warehouse Asst. Good com- 944 Northfield Road bsmt, Lg Prop. Priced to munication, organization and comput- Your Real Estate, Lawrence — 56 Muriel Lane Sell...$589K. er skills a must. Salary commensurate Atlantic Beach — 63 Coronado St. with experience. Please e-mail resume Service, E. Rockaway—4Talfor Road HWLT: Lg. Reduced C/H, Col. 4Br, to [email protected]. or Help Wanted Ad Long Beach — 56 Harris Drive. 3Bth, SD14, Lr, FDR, EIK, Den, Full Principal to take full charge of assis- 2 new custom homes / vacant land bsmt, All Systems, CAC, quiet tree- tant principals and student body of Here Every also available. Inquire about our other lined street...$718K. elementary and high school divisions with over 700 students in Kiruv Thursday properties. 5 TOWN HOMES Yeshiva in the metropolitan area. Owner 516-205-6456. 516-569-5710 Immediate opening in September. 50,000 readers look Bayswater — One family detached Excellent opportunity. Please fax forward to what’s 2 Co-ops — Lawrence — house 3 Br, 2.5 Bths, large lot size, resume: Attention Committee Immaculate Junior 4 converted 718-338-5578. near all. Contact Weisman Realty happening in the second bedroom, fully renovated, new 718-327-5600. Looking for a boy to work one-on- 5 Towns by reading kitchen appls with double sink and one with a special needs child in Far Far Rockaway – Beach 12 and kosher dw, indoor parking, walk to all. Rockaway. Monday-Thursday and/or The 5 Towns Jewish Times. Meehan. Move-in-condition, 3 BR, Cedarhurst — Beautiful two bed- Sunday. Please call 718-633-6666 Deadline is Monday ext. 227 or ext. 210. beautiful full basement and backyard. rooms/two full baths, w/d, separate at 5:00 p.m. Possible rental. $595K negotiable dining room, lots of closet space. Teacher — General Studies Call 718-732-2206. Weisman Realty 347-752-0948. All boys Queens Yeshiva Second 1 Week ...... $35 Grade - Must be certified and experi- Lawrence – apt for sale by owner. enced. For September 2006. M.-Th. 2 Weeks ...... $60 Spacious 2 br, 2 bath, terrace, great Classified Ads are 12:00-4:00 PM, Fri. 10:30-1:00 PM. location. $280K. Continued on the Next Page. Reply by fax: 718-441-3962 or 4 Weeks ...... $100 Call 516-395-4855. e-mail to: [email protected]. Attention: Principal Weekly Ads of up to 25 words

Call: 516-569-0502 Teacher — 7th and 8th grade science teacher. Mon.-Thurs. 2:15- Fax: 516-977-0608 5:00 PM. Must be experienced! Reply by mail to: Principal Yeshiva Or E-mail ads to: Tifereth Moshe 83-06 Abingdon [email protected] Road Kew Gardens, NY 11415. Fax: 718-441-3962. Include payment info.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES July 21, 2006 67 CLASSIFIED ADS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS Continued from Page 67 FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE Cedarhurst co-op for sale Woodmere — Mint Center hall 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 FOR SALE 3 BR, 2 full baths, spacious, brand colonial EIK, formal DR, den with fp, Law/Inwd: Estab. Gift, Lotto and new kosher kitchen, large terrace, skylight, 4 BR, 3.5 bath, cac, IGS, Cell Store. Heavy traffic, Invent., Lawrence — 6 bed 3 bath Dutch washer/dryer, great location, close to finished basement. Detached 2 car fixt’s, avail., long lease. Col, O/S prop, grt invest. opp., Space shopping, etc. Contact Weisman Realty garage near LIRR work to worship. to build 2nd house. Gan Eden 718-327-5600. $769K. Call for appointment REAL ESTATE Realty, 516-569-2156...$669K. 516-295-1786. Far Rockaway — New to Market — FOR RENT Walk To All from this beautiful JR4 5 bedroom, EIK, Large LR, DR, den, Totally renovated Beachside Beauty in Long Beach converted to a small 2nd BR/Office or 2 1/2 bath, new central air, large yard This "Designer Showcase" home is a Lawrence Brand New Large House - with deck, basketball court. $798K DR. New Kitchen w/Pergo Flrs. Classic Tudor w/4/5 large bedrooms. Call 718-471-6796. 6 Bedroom, Kitchen, Living Room, Updated Bath. Spacious Master BR 4 full granite and marble baths Dining Room. $7,500 monthly. w/Custom Wall to Wall Closets. Condo for sale—North Miami w/antique vanities, gourmet granite Call 917-337-0962. Parking. Storage Bin. Reduced to Beach Florida condo 2 BR, 2 bths, and ceramic kosher eat in kitchen w/double ovens, double sinks, dual $229K! Owner Motivated and L/R, D/R, EIK, Screened porch, pool, Lawrence home for rent on near: Yeshivos, shuls, mikvahs, shop- drawer dishwashers and chef's pantry, Negotiable! Call Holly at Prudential spacious formal dining room, living Broadway easy walk to Far Rockaway ping. Call 718-781-2714. Douglas Elliman 516-456-2516. room w/fireplace, master suite or Lawrence. 5 BR, 2.5 baths with all Large house for sale in Bayswater. w/Jacuzzi and shower, deck off master, Cedarhurst/Lawrence new con- appliances. $4,200 monthly. 17 rooms, 6-7 BR, 2 kitchens, fin- hardwood floors, full finished base- struction. Two 5 bedroom homes, Call 201-725-1852. ished basement, legal 2 family house ment w/ceramic floors and fireplace, full basements, and attics. Hi-end separate entrance, 2 car garage, cac, turned to 1 family, huge property, Far Rockaway – Lg. Hse Rental: steps to beach, worship, shopping and quality construction. Must see! huge backyard. Asking $750K Near transportation. $2.2M. 4br, 2bth, bsmt., Hi ceil’g, NU bths, Call 516-903-7070. all. Contact Weisman Realty Contact [email protected] W\D. Call 516-322-3555. 718-327-5600. Far Rockaway — legal 2 family all or 516-456-2516. Prudential Douglas Elliman Cedarhurst — House Rental - 3br, brick, spacious, 3 BR over 3 BR apt. Ced. Nu to mkt! In-house exclus. 3 br, 1.5 bths, updated, huge den 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt. $2,700. Updated kitchen, laundry rooms, 2 Far Rockaway — 2 family — w/fplce, low txs, igs, att. gar, fenced Call 516-322-3555. BR fin basement, separate entrance, yd, lots of rm to xpand...... $579K 3 BR-2BR, LR, DR, EIK, den, and new windows, gutters, centrally locat- Lawrence — Apt. Rental. 2 Br, all ANESSA V COHEN deck. Large property. Best location. ed. Call 516-728-2671. nu apt., own heat. 917-757-9351. 516-569-5007 $825K. Call 718-471-1261.

68 July 21, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE FOR RENT FOR RENT

House For Rent Brooklyn Far Rockaway – 2br, semi-bsmt., Madison Area — Immaculate washer/dryer, carpet, large EIK all 3 bedroom duplex, Large LR, DR, new. Beach 12 Street/Lanett Ave., EIK. Move-in condition!! Front/back pvt. house, light and airy, quiet block, porches. Hardwood floors. easy parking. $1,150. Call 718-645-0214. Call 718-539-4472.

Far Rockaway — 3 BR, 2 bths, LR, Cedarhurst — Office For Rent DR, EIK, huge backyard, deck off 1,000 sf, all services, grt location, master bedroom, driveway, available GOOD rent. immediately. Call 718-471-2423. Call 516-322-3555.

Brand new construction 4 BR, mint Rockville Center — Retail/Office condition, next to Aish Kodesh. 5,000 sf, ALL NU, hi traffic, GRT for $3,500. Mr. Ben 516-639-2795. financial or furniture. Will divide. Call 516-322-3555. Apt for rent — Bayswater 3 BR, washer/dryer hookup large backyard Apartment for rent West Lawrence with shed centrally located. $1,300. — nice location. Near Sh’or Yoshuv, Please call 917-709-2564. private home, 2 BR, renovated Ground floor 2 BR apt to rent in kitchen, summer rental considered, Bayswater. Big, large kitchen and also rooms for rent for frum men. DR. Call 718-327-8849. 718-337-5753 or 718-377-9327.

Deadline for Classified Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, July 24 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-569-0502

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