1 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה CommunityNewspaper

פרשת משפטים | כה שבט, תשס”ח | בס”ד February 01, 2008 | Shevat 25, 5768 weekly vOL. i | NO 13

REBBE'S BLACKOUT HELP-OUT

In the aftermath of 's blackout of 1977, the approached the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council • Following city-wide looting and arson, he wanted to pay for damages done to Crown Heights stores and shops. The non-Jewish ones too • Memories of Reb Izzy Rosenfeld OB"M on page 4

Fruma Life Terror Town Mrs. Fruma Junik Shlucha Mrs. Tzivia Pizem reports from Bombed S'derot • cherishes her memories Shleimus Haaretz, page 12 and sense of humor • Page 6

Forbidden cake Sam Malamud Launches UN's New Shoah Stamp (and not because of the diet) • Page 16 Halacha column, page 2

It's all about friendship and a circle of kids • Page 16 Beis Din of Crown Heights Candle Lighting 390A Kingston Avenue, , NY Feb.01 Lighting Motzei Tel- 718~604~8000 Fax: 718~771~6000 Shabbos Y. Heller is available daily at 788 Eastern Parkway #210 ❖ 10:30am ~ 11:30am ☎ 718~604~8827 Brooklyn 4:55 5:57 2:30pm - and after 8:00pm ☎ 718-756-4632 Yerushalayim 4:33 5:51 Rabbi Y. Raitport is available by appointment. ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 Rabbi A.. Osdoba: ☎ 718~771~8737 9:30pm to 11:oopm Rabbi y. Zirkind: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 Rabbi s. Segal: ☎ 718~360~7110 2 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008 The Vaad Hakohol Rabbi Segal on eating cake "Nightlife Outdid Itself" By Rabbi Shlomo Segal Halevi that if the lettering is made from By Ilana Rauch collapse due to lack of financial sup- the cake itself, a person may break the Member of Crown Heights Bais Din port or proper organization. Over lettering. All through this past summer, my the summer, a significant amount of Question: Is friends that had stayed in Crown women had grown not only to trust it permitted on But the (chapt. 458:26) Heights surprised me with constant that Nightlife would provide quality Shabbos to eat disputes this. He discusses the custom updates on their anything-but-boring and worthwhile programming, but had from a cake that of making designs on the Matzos which summer lives. Whether it was attend- come to have confidence that it could h a s le tt er i ng are used for Pesach in order to know ing a wine tasting event, taking voice fill a void in their day – a much needed or pictures? Is which matzo is to be used as the first lessons or hearing from an acclaimed structure that would unite them with there a difference Matzo at the seder, and which as the speaker, it was clear that their summer fellow Lubavitch girls in the same stage between engraved second etc. He writes the following: nights – yes every night - were filled of life. Now the word is spreading, and letters and writ- “The symbols they make should be done with non-stop fun. I was overjoyed to Nightlife continues to prove itself. ten letters? as it is done with an instrument or by hear about the opening of a new lounge hand because you are not permitted in the heart of Crown Heights, a nightly One particular event which particularly Answer. It is cited in the Shulchan to break cake on Yom Tov. There are venue for single girls to enjoy classes, affirmed for me that Nightlife is an Aruch (chapt. 340:3) that we are others who forbid eating cake that has workshops, delicious food and a cool overwhelmingly positive force in our prohibited from cutting a cake that has letters although he is not intending to place to hang out. community was actually something lettering on it even one is not intend- erase the letters but only to eat it as it they chose to label as "recreational." It This new source of excitement was ing to cut the lettering because it is is explained in chapter 340. was their second "Open Mike Night" simply called "Nightlife." considered erasing. This is also cited by which truly allowed the women to the Alter Rebbe (chapt. 340:4): “Our From this we can derive that according When I arrived in the fall, I was excited share with others something beautiful. sages have forbidden us to erase even to the Alter Rebbe, even letters that are to hear that the program was continuing Hashem obviously imbued so many if it is not for the intention of writing.” made from the cake itself are forbidden throughout the year. My appreciation women with the ability to inspire Therefore, one may not cut a cake to break while eating the cake. for its value was heightened when I and appreciate Him through artistic that has something like lettering on it discovered Nightlife's headquarters - and performance-related endeavors. although he is intending only to eat the Designs on the cake the lounge itself. It was obvious much In providing an environment where cake because it is considered erasing. care and pride went into its design; this is possible, I am of the belief that But you may give it to a child because Regarding designs on the cake, the from the candles in the bathroom to Nightlife outdid itself. It not only when a child does something for his Mishne Brura writes (340:16) that the bongos strewn among the cozy gathered women together and provided own pleasure, we are not obligated to there are those who are stringent even armchairs, someone wanted the twenty- them with an appropriate and delightful make him stop. about designs. The Magen Avrohom something ladies of Crown Heights evening, but it served an important (340:6) prohibits designs and not only to feel comfortable and pleased with community and even religious need. In chapter 343:10 it seems from the letters. their surroundings. When I attended a Alter Rebbe that a person may not even few of the events, it became clear that Actually, what always strikes me most break the lettering with his mouth (not But from the Alter Rebbe, it seems that the meticulous planning, focus, and about this project is the dedication with his hands) because it is considered he does not prohibit designs: passion about this project extended to to organization and sophistication of erasing. As he writes: “Cake that has the content of the gatherings as well. those who are involved. This is apparent lettering on it is forbidden to be eaten on 1) In all the references, the Alter Rebbe I was aware what a challenge it was in every detail of the events, from the Shabbos. An adult should not put it into does not mention designs at all but to put together such a program in a carefully chosen speakers and instruc- a child’s mouth.” From this we derive only letters (see chapters: 340. 343. community that operates so heavily tors to the appetizing food they serve that eating it even without cutting it is 458. 460). by word-of-mouth and is so skeptical with every program. I think this is, in forbidden on Shabbos. of vast projects that often eventually some part at least, a secret to the suc- 2) In chapter 458 he writes that making cess they've had in both This is not in accordance with the rul- symbols on the Matzos by piercing a attracting and impressing ing of the Mishne Brura which allows hole or making cracks is permitted. This NIGHTLIFE! people. breaking the lettering while eating the is similar to making designs. Upcoming Events So – for a beautiful, excit- cake. ing program, which serves But we still need to understand, why Thursday, Jan.31st, 8pm a vital and deserving Lettering from the cake itself is there a difference between designs The Best Kept Secret: purpose for the Crown and lettering? Finding & Keeping Your Heights women and com- Regarding the lettering that is made Soulmate PLEASURABLY munity – I would like to from the cake itself, the Magen Avro- Regarding making designs there is also Guest Speaker: Mrs. Esther Piekarski thank Moshe and Faigy hom writes (340:6) in the name of R”S a prohibition of writing and erasing. Motzei Shabbos, Feb.2nd, 8pm Rubashkin, the Nightlife Learn Your Rhythm: Dance staff and the many others We would like to have and Nutrition Workshop who devote their ener- Newspaper with Dages Keapes gies to this unparalleled Community project. I really believe a Community Events Monday, Feb.4th, 8pm that the Rebbe intended 392 Kingston Avenue Da Ma L'Hashiv: Is a Cult? for Crown Heights to be Brooklyn, NY 11225 page. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Yossi Jacobson 718 771 9000 a hub of holy activities, Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol Any Simchos, Thursday, Feb.7, 8pm where Jews get together, of Crown Heights. 7 Things I've Learned About Life While inspire one another, and , Chairman Events, Auctions etc. On Shlichus In South Africa celebrate our community Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Vice Chairman Guest Speaker: Mrs. Rochel Goldman and heritage. Nightlife is Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary To do this we need pouring all their resources Leyout: SimplyUnique Motzei Shabbos, Feb.9, 8pm to make that possible All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It is the your imput! Color Analysis Workshop for us young women. I exculive property of this newspaper, unless otherwise with Chanchi Lieder attributed., and cannot be reproduced without the consent Send in your future look forward to watch- of the publisher. All programs are held at The ing Nightlife grow and Composition responsibility: This newspaper will not be events, your wedding NIGHTLIFE Lounge: continue to offer such liable for errors appearing in advertising, beyond the cost Rubashkin Residence - 1349 President Street needed and appreciated of the space occupied by the error. Advertiser assumes notices, Bar, Bas responsibility for errors in telephone orders. All adver- email: [email protected] programming. tisement designed and prepared by the CHCommunity Mitzvahs and so on. check out our Blog: www.CHnightlife.wordpress.com- Newspaper are the property of the newspaper and cannot NightLife programs are a project of THI coordinated by BYIT and be reproduced without the consent of the publisher Lets share the joy! sponsored by the CHJCC February 01, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 3 From Shedlitz to Safety

would lie awake in bed, coughing and A Young Jew’s Story of Survival gasping for air, while wondering how the elderly widower had managed to survive all these years of sleeping in By Rabbi Shimon Goldman Stashov sleepwalker. After mumbling aloud in such thick smoke. his sleep, the bochur would rise from Exerpted from the book with the author’s Stashov was a small hamlet on the bed like a ghostly apparition and begin permission border of Galicia, a far cry from the My Bar Mitzvah walking around in the dark. Whenever Continued from last week large city of Shedlitz. Stashov had their he began this frightening walk, we ran I was only twelve when I traveled to very own , a distinguished figure When the month of Tishrei approached, screaming out of the tahara shtibl, learn in Stashov. This was an act of with a long white beard and patriarchal the semester came to a close, scared out of our wits. Clad only in tremendous sacrifice for my parents features. Originally from Galicia, the and all the students returned to their pajamas, we fled into the cemetery, — to send their son away from home at rav was called “the Riglitzer Rav.” His respective homes for the Yomim Tovim. hiding between the graves until the such a tender age, yet their commitment daughter married a handsome young Hence, I traveled back to Shedlitz and bochur made his way back to bed or to -true education overcame all man from Galicia, who now became the celebrated the Yomim Tovim with my woke up. other considerations. first religious Jew in Stashov to speak family. After the festivals, my parents a fluent Polish. The Jewish community began wondering where I should This particular bochur also talked I thus became Bar Mitzvah in Stashov, was thrilled with his command of the continue my studies. in his sleep. This did not bother us and I can still clearly remember the blue Polish language, because they now had hardly as much as his nightly jaunts, package that arrived just before my someone who could represent them At that time, my hometown played host and we actually began looking forward thirteenth birthday. A pair of tefillin before the Polish authorities. Indeed, to a conference of different Nvardoker to conducting an experiment on our lay inside, with a simply worded letter the rav’s son-in-law served as the liaison in the area. I do not know nightly speaker. “Sleep talkers can from my father. “I am sending you a pair between the community and the mayor, why Shedlitz was chosen as the site answer any question you want,” one of tefillin,” the letter began. “Be sure to presenting the kehilla’s claims and for this convention, but the conference of the bochurim claimed. “Just stick wear them every single day.” He then petitions to the proper channels. interested me greatly. The Nvardoker his fingers into cold water, and he’ll wrote of other things and reminded me yeshivas of Bialystok, Mezritch and As in Levertov, I continued the practice tell you anything you want to know.” of the custom to receive an on my Warsaw were all represented. I was birthday or the closest possible time. particularly curious about the yeshiva of Nvardok. They acted somewhat This, then, comprised the entire Bar peculiarly — certainly very different Mitzvah “celebration” — a pair of from what I had seen in other Chassidic tefillin, and an aliyah. No festivities, circles — and I spent much of my free no piles of gifts, no fancy hat. time in their company. A student of the Nvardok yeshiva attending the I learned in Stashov for a single learning conference took a great interest in me, semester and then I returned home. and spent many hours convincing me Upon my return, my parents decided to continue my studies at the Nvardok I would resume my studies in the city yeshiva in Stashov. of Warsaw. Eager to recruit another student, this My Relatives in Warsaw bochur went to my parents and spoke to them in great length about the great Warsaw. The very name conjures images advantages of learning in Stashov. “I of a city bustling with a vibrant, diverse will take personal responsibility for Jewish community. Writers more your son,” he added. “You can send him gifted than myself have written many without worry.” books describing the unique Jewish of Essen Teg, whereby I ate in different From time to time, we prepared a cup atmosphere of Warsaw, so I will just After thinking the matter over, my houses on different days. However, of cold water, eagerly waiting to verify give some general recollections of my parents agreed and informed me of their when it came to sleeping arrangements, this intriguing assertion. However, own. decision. As I began preparing for the things were decidedly different. My every time we placed the sleeping boy’s trip, my father instructed me to make a first place of lodging was — in the hand into the cold water, his eyes flew Warsaw, the capital of Poland, had a stopover on the way. “You have an uncle cemetery! Having filled all the burial open, and we dashed quickly back into large Jewish population, most of whom living near Stashov,” said my father. lots in the ancient Jewish cemetery, bed before he could work out why his were religious, sincere people. Many “The way to Stashov passes through the the community now interred the dead hands were dripping wet. Chassidic courts had centers in Warsaw. city of Ostrovtze. Your uncle, Pinchas in a newer cemetery, far away from the Wherever you went, wherever you Brody, lives there, and I want you to old one. Hence, the ancient cemetery Aside from the tahara shtibl, students looked, one could find Jews dedicated stop there and meet him.” remained silent and deserted, and the also slept in the study hall. A stone oven to a life of Torah and purity — elderly tahara shtibl — where the dead are in back of the large hall gave off a pitiful grandfathers, little giggling children, I had heard of my uncle before. A direct washed ritually before burial — stood amount of heat, and the bochurim slept fathers and sons. grandson of the Chiddushei Harim, he there unused. The yeshiva faculty was on long tables near the stove, trying lived now in Ostrovtze and owned a always on the lookout for available to warm themselves against the cold. Warsaw was blessed with a great many textile business. People affectionately accommodations and, seeing the empty Obviously, whoever came to the hall . There were the huge, called him “Pinye’le.” Indeed, when I building, received permission to use it first had the best chance of sleeping awe-inspiring synagogues and study later traveled to Stashov, I stopped off for the bochurim. A modest three-room right near the stove, and most students halls; the smaller and more intimate and visited my uncle. structure, the tahara shtibl now became tried coming as early as they could. Chassidic shtiblach; the many smaller Now I began wondering how I would our new “dormitory.” I also spent a few months sleeping in synagogues and study rooms. The make it to Stashov. My parents did not the study hall. city seemed imbued with the spirit of have money to pay for a wagon, and it Needless to say, this disconcerting Torah and Chassidus. A place of study was up to me to find an alternative. Soon arrangement did not please us at all. Then there was a third accommodation, or worship could be found on almost I devised a plan: I offered my services The cemetery gates locked shut at which proved to be worse than all the every street, behind practically every to one of the many truck drivers who midnight, and woe to the bochur who others. An elderly widower living alone archway. Each and study rode along that route, promising to did not make it back to the tahara shtibl had asked the yeshiva to send some hall had its own unique atmosphere, guard his wares if I could hitchhike for on time! Latecomers faced the daunting bochurim over to his house, to sleep depending on its particular customs free. The ruse worked. I traveled the task of scaling the cemetery wall, jump- there and keep him company at night. and type of congregation. All this and long distance to Stashov in the back ing over, and walking through the silent Whenever I went to his house, I knew more gave Warsaw a special place in the of a huge trailer filled with boxes of tombstones. Adding to our already I would hardly sleep that night. The annals of Jewish history, associating merchandise, bumping and lurching jittery nerves, one of the students in widower had not cleaned his chimney in the city with greatness in Torah and along the uneven roads for days on end. the dormitory was an accomplished many years and thick, acrid smoke from Chassidus. I was barely twelve. the fireplace filled the house at night.I 4 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008

Our Heroes

reflected my feelings and original Rabbi Yisroel intention. Rabbi Dworkin added, “I think that because of this reason, not (Izzy) taking the Mohel’s zechus and giving it to another, the Rebbe advised you Rosenfeld to consult a Rav.”

obm I followed Rabbi Dworkin’s advice. An hour-and-a-half before Shabbos, (1940-2008) Rabbi Dworkin came to my house and informed me that he had just By Rabbi Michoel Seligson received word from the Rebbe’s secretariat that the Rebbe would not This past week, the Crown Heights be farbrenging on Shabbos. Rabbi community mourned the loss of Rabbi Dworkin smiled, adding, “You can Yisroel (Izzy) Rosenfeld, obm. Reb prepare a cholent for the Bris.” Fifteen Yisroel was an Osek Betzorchei Tzibur, minutes had not passed when Reb a Baal Chesed who gave of himself Sholom Yisroel Hodokov appeared and his time and never turned away and relayed a message to me from his anyone who asked for help. He was the had sent a letter to theR ebbe regarding which camp she was going to for the father, the Rebbe’s personal secretary, to director of the Crown Heights Jewish my aunt’s health, so I figured that the summer. She replied that she was make sure that I knew that this Shabbos Community Council for many years Rebbe was referring to my aunt. When getting married soon. The Rebbe there would be no . and devoted countless hours to com- I spoke about my aunt, the Rebbe instructed her to go to camp. Before munity affairs. repeated his question, “How is your she left for camp, she was asked by the “Is it so bad to be with me in one mother?” I understood that something Rebbe what she would do there. She place?” Reb Yisroel’s parents arrived in the was not right with my mother. The responded that she would be a lifeguard. United States as young children, and Reb Rebbe was correct in his concern, for a TheR ebbe then said, “A lifeguard also In 1969, after our oldest child was born, Yisroel was born in Brooklyn in 1940. month later my mother needed to have needs to study every day, and the same I told the Rebbe that I wished to go Reb Yisroel became acquainted with an operation. with you too.” out on shlichus. TheR ebbe responded Lubavitch in 1950 after he came to the “Exactly now, when your mother Levaya of the Previous Rebbe. A short TheR ebbe interested himself in all the Our wedding was rescheduled for the is here?!” The plan for shlichus was while later, Reb Yisroel was enrolled in details of her care, directing me to the eleventh of Tishrei. removed from the agenda. the United Lubavitcher Yeshiva, then specific hospital and physician appro- located at the corner of Bedford and priate for the required treatment. “He” will be a Yireh Shomyaim A year later, our next son was born. Dean Streets in Brooklyn. Again I asked the Rebbe about going Wine from Kos Shel Brocho Before our oldest son Elimelech was out on shlichus. The Rebbe answered, As a young bochur, Reb Yisroel mer- born, we went into Yechidus and the “You just had a newborn. How can you ited to receive many kiruvim from When my sister was in Yechidus, the Rebbe said, “He will be a Chossid, Yireh burden your wife with this situation?” the Rebbe. He was sent by the Rebbe Rebbe advised her to study in Gates- Shomayim, and Lamdan.” I then told on missions to many different cities. head, England. She told the Rebbe my wife, “You heard, the Rebbe said he Before the birth of our third child, I He also served as a teacher in Jewish that the school offered a three-year will be--this means that we will have again asked the Rebbe that I wished to schools in Queens and Long Island program. The Rebbe insisted that it a son.” I immediately began making go out on shlichus. I added that every and saw much success in his work in was worthwhile and added, “I want preparations for the Bris. time there would be a different reason Chinuch. In the years that followed, you to promise me that you will go with that would hinder my going on shlichus. Reb Yisroel served as the longtime an open mind.” In the course of the “There will no Farbrengen” Why could I not go on shlichus now? director of the Crown Heights Jewish next three years, the Rebbe constantly This time theR ebbe answered, “Is it so Community Council. In later years, encouraged her to complete the three- My son was born on Shabbos afternoon. bad to be with me in one place?!” Reb Yisroel involved himself with the year course of study. When I walked home, I met the Rebbe young people of the Bucharian com- in the street and informed him that I After a short time, when I became munity, helping them when they had no My sister traveled to England and had a boy. TheR ebbe told me to get an involved in community affairs, I real- one else to turn to. He made numerous remained there for three years. The aliya to the Torah at Mincha and make ized why the Rebbe had not approved shiduchim among young Bucharan Rebbe mentioned her on many occaa- a Mi Sheberach. And to my question of my leaving the shechuna. boys and girls who built happy Jewish sions. When I received Lekach, the that the baby did not yet have a name, homes. Rebbe added an additional piece of the Rebbe replied, “For a mi sheberach After our marriage we first lived on lekach for my sister saying, “She should you do not need a name.” Eastern Parkway. When the apartment All these are known facts about Reb bake it into a cake and distribute it to all became too small, someone suggested Yisroel. What is less widely known is the students in the school.” On another The Bris was scheduled for Shabbos, we move to an apartment near Utica the unique relationship that he merited occasion, the Rebbe was distributing Erev Chai , the 17th of Elul. The Avenue. I asked the Rebbe whether we to have with the Rebbe. We will share Kos Shel Brocho from the wine on mohel that I planned to use for the Bris should move to the new location. The some of the stories about Reb Yisroel’s which he bencht after a Yom Tov Far- was scheduled to be in Boro Park on Rebbe answered, “Check with your experiences with the Rebbe as related brengen. The Rebbe gave me a bottle that Shabbos morning. I thought that wife.” My wife said to do whatever the by Reb Yisroel himself. of wine and instructed me to first cook there might be a Farbrengen that Shab- Rebbe said. I wrote to the Rebbe again, the wine and then send it to Gateshead bos afternoon, and therefore I should asking about a move. TheR ebbe again The Rebbe’s Personal Interest in the with instructions for it to be mixed into make arrangements with another mohel answered that I should check with my Family the wine at the school.” for the morning. I wrote to the Rebbe wife. that I wanted to verify if there would “How is your mother? Where is she going for the be a Farbrengen. If that was the case, At this point, my wife herself wrote summer? I would cancel the first mohel and call to the Rebbe asking him to instruct When I was young I saw how the Rebbe on the second one. TheR ebbe answered her, and she would fulfill the Rebbe’s loved every Jew and was concerned for On Lag B’omer in 1968, my wife Mari- that I should consult a Rav. directive. The Rebbe again reiterated his or her wellbeing. When I turned 18, lyn and I became engaged and planned his earlier response that this was her I went into the Rebbe for Yechidus. One our wedding for Tamuz. This was in I presented the question to Rabbi decision to make. of the questions the Rebbe asked me accordance with the Rebbe’s general , the Rav was, “You wrote to me this past summer directive not to delay weddings for a in Crown Heights. He said that to be I then told my wife, “Your function is that your mother wasn’t feeling well. long period of time. a mohel is a special zechus. When a to make a vessel for self-sacrifice and How is she feeling now?” mohel conducts a bris it is a zechus for then the Rebbe’s blessings will come.” At the women’s convention before him, and therefore I needed to use the The self-sacrifice I was referring to I remembered that the past summer, I Shavuos, the Rebbe asked the kallah originally scheduled mohel, who better was moving to the other end of the February 01, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 5

shechuna. Living in that area of the burial laws be instituted in their city. explained his action. “I am envious of a seal of a known cultural institute. neighborhood was considered self The and the community met Reb Yisroel,” he told them. “He walks When I reached 770, I immediately sacrifice then. My wife wrote to the to discuss this matter. Eventually, the in the street, gathers children together handed the package over to the Rebbe’s Rebbe, and we went into Yechidus. Rabbis arranged that all Jewish funerals and brings them to Yeshivos and then secretariat. The Rebbe told us, “Don’t think too in all the Pittsburgh cemeteries would teaches them.” He turned to me and much, and don’t be nervous--Hashem be conducted according to the laws of said, “I am jealous of you.” When I Jewish Federation aid protects the house.” The Rebbe then the Shulchan Aruch. At the end of the would sit in his office, he had the custom added, “Outside of , there is no article, the Rebbe wrote his comment, to personally prepare tea for me saying, About forty years ago (in the 1950’s), obligation to post Mezuzos until thirty “This is what you accomplished.” “It is a zechus, a merit to serve you.” tens of thousands of Jews lived in Crown days after entering the house, but you Heights. When the neighborhood began should post mezuzos on all the door Kos Shel Brocho for the students Lekach delivered to the house to change, many Jews left the shechuna. posts immediately. After thirty days, The image of the shechuna changed, remove one mezuza to be checked. I was a mechanech, teaching in girls’ On an Erev Yom Kippur, close to candle and communal leaders were searching When you will place it back on the door schools for many years. Before the lighting, Rabbi Sholom Ber Gansburg for options to increase funds for the post, then you will make the blessing summer, the Rebbe would customarily arrived at my house and brought two shechuna. We turned to the Jewish for the posting of the mezuzah.” address the counselors of Camp Emuna pieces of Lekach from the Rebbe. When Federation, and they told us that in this and the graduates of Bais Rivkah. At I expressed my puzzlement, Rabbi specific situation they were prepared L’chaim for the mother that time, no one else was permitted Gansburg explained, “TheR ebbe real- to support Lubavitch. When we wrote into the shul during the Rebbe’s talk. ized that you did not come to receive to the Rebbe, the Rebbe responded When my wife was expecting our son Lekach, and the Rebbetzin added, “It that Rabbi Krinsky should represent Shmuel, she traveled to a hotel where On one occasion, the Rebbe told me to seems that he was at work; it is worth- Lubavitch, and I should represent the she stayed for a month. Prior to her bring my students. This was considered while to send him lekach.” The Rebbe shechuna. TheR ebbe added not to mix leaving for the hotel, the Rebbe sent something special because it was the took two pieces of Lekach and handed Lubavitch with the shechuna. an envelope with two dollars on which first time that the Rebbe had invited a them to me to deliver to you.” he wrote, “For Mirel, tichye, to give for group of girls who were not studying Clean streets Tzedoko there.” in a Chabad school. The Rebbe added In reference to this, I also heard that that they could bring a tape recorder to the Rebbetzin once commented, “If There was a lady named Mrs. Lazer- The birth was inE lul. When I received record the sicha for themselves. one needs a favor in Crown Heights, it rav. The Rebbe once referred to her Kos Shel Brocho on Motzoei Rosh is known that the address is the office as a Tzikdonis, a pious woman. She Hashana, the Rebbe called me back and On different occasions, I would bring on President and Utica.” (Editor’s Note: wrote a letter to the Rebbe about the filled the whole cup with wine and said, girls to the . After the Rabbi Rosenfeld’s Community Council dirty condition of the streets in Crown “This is for the mother (of the baby).” farbrengen, when the Rebbe would office was located at this location for Heights. I said L’chaim to the Rebbe, and the distribute Kos Shel Brocho, I would many years.) Rebbe raised his voice and said again, TheR ebbe sent her letter to me with an “This is for the mother (of the baby).” additional comment saying, “Did you read the letter? This has been the situa- Communal & Public Affairs tion tens of years. I will mention it for a blessing at the Rebbe’s grave site.” This is what you accomplished The next dayI received a call from Rabbi When I was a bochur, my aunt who Krinsky who had been called to the lived in Pittsburg was nifter. My mother Rebbe’s room and instructed, “Go to didn’t feel well and was not able to travel Yisroel Rosenfeld and ask him that he to the Levaya. I asked the Rebbe if I should show you the letter. If you will should travel in her place, and the Rebbe tell him that I sent you, he will show answered in the affirmative. you the letter.” When Rabbi Krinsky returned and told the Rebbe that he had Before my trip I passed the Rebbe’s seen the letter, theR ebbe commented, room, and the Rebbe told me that I “Ask him what he has already done should consult with Rabbi Dworkin to about the situation.” receive guidance regarding the halachos involved in arranging all the details Rabbi Krinsky followed up with many inform the Rebbe that a group of girls Are you a representative of Rabbi of the Levaya. On the evening before phone calls asking for progress reports had participated in the Farbrengen. On Schneerson the trip, I went into the Rebbe’s room, to relay to the Rebbe. one occasion, the Rebbe poured wine and the Rebbe inquired whether I had for seven people. This was not a wonder One day I received a directive from studied all the halachic details. When Blackout 1977 to me because at that Farbrengen I had the Rebbe’s secretariat to travel to the I replied that I had done so, the Rebbe brought exactly seven girls! airport. “At the airport, a person will blessed me that I should always relay In the summer of 1977, a blackout took approach you and ask one question, to only good news. place in New York. As a result of this “I am jealous of you” which you will answer “yes” without blackout, many businesses were looted adding an additional word. As a result I arrived at the Levaya and immediately and destroyed, causing great damage in I was a teacher of eighth grade boys. The of your response, you will receive a realized that there was a need for adjust- the neighborhood. The stores onU tica plan was that these students would con- package from this person. Take it back ments in the arrangements. Avenue, where the Community Council tinue studying in a religious environ- to 770 and hand it to a member of the office was located, were not spared. ment. A few of my students continued Rebbe’s secretariat.” Three weeks later, Rabbi Krinsky learning in the Yeshiva Ner Yisroel in approached me holding an envelope on After a few daysR abbi Groner contacted Baltimore. I immediately went to the airport and which it was written “For the Tomim me. TheR ebbe wanted to know details entered the departure area. From a Yisroel Rosenfeld sheyichye.” of the damage done to the stores, both I asked the Rebbe if I should visit them, distance I saw someone approaching owned by Jews and non-Jews. I asked, and the Rebbe answered, “What kind me. The person asked me if I was the The envelope contained an article from “Also the non-Jewish stores?”, and he of question is this?!” representative of Rabbi Schneerson, to a Jewish newspaper. The article reported answered yes. I was made to understand which I answered yes. He then handed on the funeral of a local woman in Pitts- that strengthening the shechuna was When I arrived there, the me the package and left. burg who merited having an orthodox among the issues important to the Rabbi Ruderman stood up for me in the funeral which was prepared by a young Rebbe. By working together with non- presence of his teachers and students. I thought to myself that I had not been Rabbi dispatched by the Lubavitcher Jews in this instance and having a good They were all bewildered that theR osh told that I could not open the package. Rebbe. As a result, the article contin- relationship with them in the present, Yeshiva stood up for a Lubavitcher. In I did so and saw it was a package of ued, the members of the Pittsburgh we would contribute to Jewish well- one of his speeches, Rabbi Ruderman Seforim. On every sefer there was Continued on page15 community demanded that these 6 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008

Musings

SIMCHA PORETZ GEDER! Later on, she held the position of N’Shei Mrs. Junik also organized the writing president for three terms. She instituted of a Sefer Torah in honor of the Rebbe By Penina Metal Despite these harrowing experiences, block mashpiim and the Dial-A-friend as well. Fruma retains a “joie de vivre.” Her concept with which many of us are I recently spent two delightful after- smile is always evident. The years fall familiar. The time had come to end our visit. noons in Mrs. Fruma Junik’s company. away, and she becomes the young, As the daughter of Rav Avraham “pampered” niece living in her aunt’s She takes pride in having organized Having the opportunity to speak with Boruch Pevsner, hy’d, whose amazing house, during the war years. Baruch and raised the funding for the writing Fruma was a treasured experience. life-story is presently being chronicled Hashem, she did not know hunger of the Sefer Torah in memory of The in the Crown Heights Community during that time, and she always had Rebbitzen Chaya Mushka, obm. Fruma experienced the stuff of which Newspaper, as well as the wife of the clothing to wear, a luxury, and bread historical novels are made: living under esteemed Rabbi Berl Junik, zt’l, she has to eat, also a luxury. The Rebbe was living in 770 at the constant oppression; the arrest of her so much to relate and I can’t wait to hear time, but it had been hoped that the father hy’d at the hands of the dreaded what she will be sharing with me! Before coming to the States in 1953, Rebbe would go home from 770 so KGB; separation from her mother; and she lived for about 5 years in France, that the Torah could be completed in being smuggled across the border to Firstly, she invites me to make myself where she got an excellent education the Rebbe’s home. Since it was already freedom. Yet, in spite of all this, she has comfortable, offering food and drink in Limudei Kodesh and in Limudei close to Rosh Chodesh and invi- survived this and more, with an upbeat which she insists on serving. Chol. She loved learning and excelled tations had to be mailed out, 770 was attitude. Her humor and lovely smile are in her studies. designated as the site of the Hachnosos always evident and so heart-warming As I make myself comfortable, my atten- Sefer Torah. Invitations were printed to witness and to experience. tion is riveted to the photos which adorn She describes going for walks with her and distributed. every nook and cranny of her home. friends on the Boulevard in Paris! She She remarks that while the Rebbe is no enjoyed her teenaged years there very At the last moment, however, on Rosh longer visible to us b’guf, he lives on in There is the famous picture of her chupa much. Chodesh Kislev, instead of going the shluchim whose outreach grows at which the Rebbe, (Fruma refers to downstairs to shul to daven Mincha, the by leaps and bounds. With pride, Mrs. the Rebbe as OUR Rebbe) was mesader Before The Rebbetzin Chana left Rebbe very unexpectedly went home, Junik can proudly count her children, kiddushin. There is also a photo of France to go to the States, there was a and Mrs. Junik was summoned to the einiklach, and ureiniklach among Fruma at her wedding meal. The Reb- Tzetschem L’Shalom gathering at which Rebbe’s home where the celebration them! bitzen Chana is sitting to her left. Fruma delivered a four page speech. I took place. asked her if she was nervous giving the I take my leave of her, enriched beyond She shows me a photo of her father, speech in such austere company. She The Rebbe said a beautiful sicha com- measure, having forged a wonderful Rabbi Avrohom Boruch Pevsner, repeats that she didn’t comprehend the mending those who participated in kesher with this amazing lady! hy’d. She relates that she only has two greatness of a Rebbe, or those close to this holy undertaking and gave them memories of him. In her first one, he is him, because the children weren’t told many brochos. holding her and dancing with her when very much in order to protect them. she was quite small. She assumes that it was Simchas Torah. Fruma’s future husband, Rabbi Junik, learned for two years in Brunoy before Her final memory is when the KGB the Frierdiker Rebbe sent for him and took him away, and she never saw him four other bochurim to come to the again. States. The Rebbe wanted to see the Russian bochurim. I asked her what it was like for chil- dren living under such frightening At this time, Rabbi Junik hadn’t seen his conditions. parents in two years, and they were due to come to France within a few weeks. She told me that in order to protect the Rabbi Junik asked the Rosh Yeshiva, children, they were told very little. If Rov , if he should wait they didn’t know what was going on, for his parents and therefore delay his they would not be able to implicate Yechidus. Rov Nemanov told him that anyone if ch’v, the authorities attempted when one has the opportunity to see a to elicit information from them. Rebbe, you don’t delay it--you go!

Her father was tortured and never How wise were the Rosh Yeshiva’s informed on anyone. He died within a words. Because of his advice, Rabbi year of his arrest. But before he passed Junik had the zechus to have yechidus away, he told Fruma’s mother, that he with the Frierdiker Rebbe on Daled would not give permission for Fruma Shvat. The histalkus of theR ebbe took to attend public school. Therefore, al pi place on ! mesiras nefesh, Fruma’s mother, Alta, a young almana, r”l, sent her to live with Until his marriage, Rabbi Junik assisted her sister, Guta Bela, for four years to The Rebbitzen Chana often, nearly escape the communist’s public school every day. Upon his marriage to Fruma, system. he would visit with TheR ebbitzen each Friday evening and erev Yom Tov, often Several times she mentions that she taking his children along. didn’t have a father, and she had to re-acquaint herself with her mother I asked Fruma about her participation after the war and being away for four in N’Shei Chabad. years avoiding the communist schools. (Baruch Hashem Mrs. Pevzner lived Her humor is evident yet again as she many happy years in Crown Heights, recalls participating in a Junior N’Shei surrounded by her children and group. (N’Shei Chabad HaTzeiros). grandchildren). She was a young, married woman and wondered why an “older” lady, Fruma describes being smuggled across the mother of a five year old, already the border at war’s end. attending yeshiva, was a member of this group! February 01, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 7 Parshas Hashavua

Vedibarta Bam ~ Mishpatim

each individual should strive to be a Hashem, but take all the medical credit a recent meeting to determine how totally dedicated servant of Hashem. for themselves and forget that they are to raise the money for a tax. It was His emissaries. decided that first the poor should give Moreover, the six years of a Jewish as much as they were able, and whatever slave’s servitude represent the six The numerical value of the word “tov” was missing would be made up by the millennia of this world, in which the ( ) is 17. The Gemara’s statement, rich. He realized that Rabbi Shneur טוב Jews’ adherence to Torah and mitzvot “Tov sheberofim leGeihinom,” refers to Zalman was right: the poor should not involve struggle. In “the seventh,” i.e., the doctor who recites the Shemoneh be bothered at all. Let the rich give as the seventh millennium, “he shall go Esreih but only believes in 17 of the much as they can, and the poor won’t free”: Jews will be “free” of the struggle berachot. A doctor who lacks full faith have to give anything. Immediately he By Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky to perform mitzvot and will instead in “Refa’einu, Hashem,” belongs in arranged a second meeting, and it was perform them in a manner of con- Geihinom. However, doctors who are decided that the rich should first give “ואלה המשפטים אשר תשים tinuous and tranquil ascent. Thus, the righteous and believe that it is Hashem .what they could afford לפניהם” juxtaposition of the parshah concerning who gives them the power to heal will the giving of the Torah to the laws of be rewarded with Gan Eden. A few days later, Rabbi Shneur Zalman “And these are the laws that you must slavery suggests that we should submit again gave notice that he was leaving, )פרדס יוסף( (set before them.” (21:1 ourselves to serving Hashem through exclaiming again, “You torture the QUESTION: Rashi states: “Like a set struggle during this stage, and that in •••• poor.” Amazed, the host told his guest table which is ready for the person to “the seventh” — “the seventh millen- of the second meeting and that the poor Alternatively, it is incumbent upon partake of the feast.” In what sense is the nium” — we will merit an altogether would not be bothered at all. Rabbi doctors to provide the best professional halachah governing monetary matters different mode of existence. Shneur Zalman told him that he was knowledge to their patients. The doctor like a set table? not aware of the meetings and had been must follow his teachings and adhere )לקוטי שיחות חט”ו ע’ 428 ועי’ תורה אור( referring to a different matter: ANSWER: Many people are very to them accurately. When a doctor particular about the kashrut of the food diagnoses a patient and instructs him In the human body there are ‘rich’ ’what he may eat or what he may not eat, organs and a ‘poor’ organ. The ‘rich “כי תקנה עבד עברי” they eat. When they are invited to a party, before partaking of the foods laid or what he may do and may not do, he organs are the mind and the heart, out on the table, they inquire about the “If you will buy a Jewish slave.” (21:2) must be strict in his orders. and the ‘poor’ organ is the stomach. shechitah of the meat and the bakery “In this city,” he explained, “instead of QUESTION: The person becomes Sometimes the patient says, “But doctor that produced the baked goods, etc. putting emphasis on the rich organs a slave only after he is purchased. I cannot exist without this...” The doc- Only if the food on the table meets and engaging them in the study of It should have said, “Ki tikneh Ivri tor, feeling sorry for the patient, may their kashrut standards will they eat of Torah and concentrating on prayer to le’eved” — “If you buy a Jew to be a say, “I’ll be lenient with your diet and it. Unfortunately, in monetary matters Hashem, the approach is to constantly slave.” permit you to eat small portions of the they are often not so stringent and fast. Thus, the ‘poor’ organ, the stomach, forbidden foods or I will only restrict they may even engage in questionable ANSWER: All Jews have Hashem as is deprived and made to suffer for the your activities for two days instead of business practices. their Master: They must serve Him. person’s iniquities. I cannot tolerate seven.” In reality, he is endangering TheT orah is telling the individual who this approach!” Rashi is suggesting that in money mat- the welfare of the patient. This kind buys another Jew to realize that his ters, one should be as strict as with the of doctor who is permissive and wants This new philosophy was very intriguing relationship with such a Jew cannot food on one’s table. to be a ‘good’ person, endangering the to the host, and he asked Reb Shneur be one of Master and slave, because patient’s life by yielding to his wishes, Zalman its source. He told him of the •••• every Jew is already a slave belonging deserves Geihinom. Ba’al Shem Tov and his teachings, which to another master — Hashem. The Code of JewishL aw is known as the accentuate working with the mind and )פרדס יוסף( Shulchan Aruch, which literally means In addition, the master should bear in heart and not punishing the body. “a set table.” This, too, emphasizes that mind that the servant has obligations “The Ba’al Shem Tov,” he continued, in all issues of halachah one must act towards his true Master and that it is bases his theory on a pasuk in Parshat“ כי תראה חמור שנאך רבץ תחת משאו“ with total integrity, just as one demands imperative to grant him the time to :Mishpatim and interprets it as follows ”וחדלת מעזב לו עזב תעזב עמו the highest standards of kashrut. fulfill them. ‘Ki tireh’ — when you will come to “If you see your enemy’s donkey lying the realization that — ‘chamor’— the )לקוטי רצב”א( )ר’ משה ליב מסאסוב זצ”ל( under its load, you might want to refrain physical matter of the body (related to from helping him; [however], you must the word chomer), is — ‘sonacha’— surely help with him.” (23:5) your enemy — because he is engaged in “ורפא ירפא” “ואלה המשפטים...כי תקנה עבד עברי ,QUESTION: Only a wicked person attaining physical pleasures, and thus שש שנים יעבד ובשבעת יצא לחפשי And he shall provide for healing.” would think this way. Why is it neces- hates the neshamah which is striving“ חנם” (21:19) sary for the Torah to caution us against for G‑dliness and a high spiritual level “And these are the laws...If you buy it? — [and the body is] ‘roveitz tachat QUESTION: From this pasuk the a Jewish slave, he shall work for six masa’o’ — lying under his burden not school of Rabbi Yishmael learned that ANSWER: Before Rabbi Shneur years, and in the seventh he shall go wanting to get up and serve Hashem the A‑mighty gives doctors permission Zalman of , known as the “Alter free.” (21:1‑2) — ‘vechadalta mei’azov lo’ — you may to heal (Berachot 60a). The Gemara Rebbe,” became the leader of Chabad, think that you will begin to torture him QUESTION: Why do the laws con- (Kiddushin 82a) says, “Tov sheberofim he once traveled to raise money for an and deny him the food he needs. Be cerning a thief sold as a Jewish servant leGeihinom” — “The best of doctors important charitable cause. He came to advised that this is a wrong approach. immediately follow the giving of the will go to Geihinom.” How can we the home of a wealthy man who, sensing Instead, ‘azov ta’azov imo’ — help Torah? comprehend this Gemara in light of that he was not one of the ordinary him! Give him his bodily needs and the fact that some of our greatest sages, collectors, offered to have him stay ANSWER: If Jews would constantly attune your mind and soul to worship such as the Rambam, the Ibn Ezra and and teach his children in return for the bear in mind that Hashem is the Master Hashem. Eventually, your body will others were doctors? entire sum he hoped to raise. of the world and its inhabitants, no one become purified and cooperate in your would ever sin. Mortals tend sometimes ANSWER: The Shemoneh Esreih, After a short stay, he informed his host worship.” to forget this basic principle and, which is recited three times daily, that he was leaving because he could )שמעתי מאבי חורגי הרה”ח הרה”ת ר’ אליהו thinking that Hashem is not looking, originally consisted of 18 berachot. not tolerate the conduct of the people משה ע”ה ליס - עי’ היום יום, כ”ח שבט( transgress His will. One of them is “Refa’einu, Hashem, of the city. His host asked him what veneirafei,” in which we pray to Hashem he meant, and Rabbi Shneur Zalman To protect us from this misconception, for healing. Unfortunately, there are replied, “You torture the poor.” The the laws of the Jewish slave follow the doctors, who otherwise have faith in host thought that he was referring to giving of the Torah to emphasize that 8 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008

The Rebbe’s Sicha: Mishpatim 5738

1. According to the Jewish calendar, ing the week, the stress is on business example, and “they did not bow and with the source for sin.) tonight is distinguished by the coinci- and activity to such a degree that the did not bend” to the pressure exerted dence of three separate occurrences. It statement “Six days shall you work” is upon them. However, if such a fluctuation should is Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim. considered by some commentaries as produce a shortcoming in the Jew’s Contrary to the popular opinion, this Likewise, it is Shabbos Mevarchim a mitzvah. service, it is only temporary. In fact, behavior did not cause the ruin of the Adar Rishon (the Shabbos on which the purpose and reason for the short- Jewish people. Rather, the entire natural the month of Adar Rishon is blessed). On the Sabbath, a Jew must feel that “all coming is that through it a Jew can order was inverted. Through their The name Adar Rishon also indicates your work is completed.” The Shabbos approach a higher mode of service. As adherence to Torah despite the edicts of the third factor — that this year is a ushers in a totally different atmosphere, the explains, “The level of a the ruling authority, the Jewish people leap year. one of spiritual pleasure. TheK abbalah Baal Teshuvah cannot be approached rose to the powerful position described elaborates on how the highest spiritual by even a complete Tzaddik.” In the TheB aal Shem Tov explained that there at the end of the Megillah. So great level (described as “the will of all wills”) Jewish calendar, this higher mode of is no such thing as coincidence. Rather, was their influence that “Mordechai’s is revealed on Shabbos. service is reflected by the additional every event which occurs is controlled fame spread throughout the nation” month of the leap year. by Hashgachah Protis. Thus, everything The change from weekday to Sabbath and “people of various nationalities a Jew sees or hears contains a lesson does not affect the Jew’s position as converted to .” The solar calendar has no changes, useful in the service of G-d. G-d’s servant. The Talmud explains maintaining a steady pattern year after the Jew “was created only to serve his The importance of the events of those Based on this teaching, the concurrence year. The lunar calendar goes through Creator.” This is his only real identity, days is so great, that they are recalled of these three elements undoubtedly changes. Similarly, the natural order his true self. However, a Jew’s self- and celebrated thousands of years later presents a lesson for every individual which follows the sun continues with- perception as G-d’s servant can be with a Simcha which knows no bounds that is applicable in his service of G-d. out variation, but the Jew, who follows divided into two separate states of or limits. Torah law requires that on Within this general lesson, certain the moon, has the potential to change. awareness. The Talmud explains that Purim, a person rejoice and reach a state aspects can be derived from each of The ultimate result of that change (even “the servant of a King (referring to G-d) of intoxication so great that he does the individual contributing factors: if initially it appears to be a decline is considered a king.” There are times not recognize the difference between Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, or loss) is growth and advance. That when the Jew is more acutely aware Haman and Mordechai. Chodesh Adar, and the additional growth is alluded to in the additional of his existence as G-d’s servant (the month of the leap year. month of the leap year. days of the week), and there are times The month of Adar and the holiday 2. The following lesson can be derived when he becomes more conscious that of Purim emphasize that no other Thus, adding to the previous lesson, from Parshas Mishpatim. through this service he is “considered influences (even influences which the leap year contributes the awareness a king” (Shabbos). the Jew must seemingly concede as that even if there should be shortcom- The first laws mentioned by the Torah unalterable aspects of the natural order) The above lesson of Parshas Mishpatim, ings in the Jew’s fulfillment of his role under the category of “These are the can interfere with the Jew’s position as describing a Jew as G-d’s servant, is of servant of G-d, such shortcomings mishpatim (judgments)” are those con- servant as G-d. uniquely related to Motzaei Shabbos. can not only be overcome, but in fact cerning the sale of a Hebrew servant. For on Motzaei Shabbos, the Shabbos transformed into positive influences. This concept is further expressed by atmosphere of rest has already passed This concept serves as the source for another facet of the Purim holiday. and the practical work of fulfilling G-d’s 6. When the three above-mentioned a valuable inference: The sale of a Though Purim is singled out as a day service begins. elements (Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Hebrew servant (in the passage under of rejoicing, work is not prohibited. The Mishpatim, Shabbos Mevarchim Adar, consideration, this refers to someone Jew has the power to infuse the work- Therefore, to note this transition from and the leap year) coincide, the Jew who stole an object and had no other day atmosphere with a boundless and the restful atmosphere of the Sabbath becomes aware of the three lessons way to compensate that object’s owner limitless expression of Simcha. into a phase of active effort, it is cus- communicated above. He departs except by being sold as a servant) was tomary in many communities (though The intent of Shabbos Mevarchim the Sabbath atmosphere of rest and a very infrequent occurrence. The fact not in Chabad) to sing the piyyut “Do is to bless the month, to extend the pleasure and enters into the six days of that despite its infrequence, it is the first not fear, Jacob my servant”. Since the above-described qualities from the work in which he must labor as G-d’s law mentioned in Parshas Mishpatim, atmosphere of the week is one of work, level of potential to actual, practical servant – the lesson of Motzaei Shabbos implies that it contains an important where the Jew must face and overcome expression. Parshas Mishpatim. The lesson of Shab- and eternally relevant lesson empha- the obstacles the world poses to his ser- bos Mevarchim Adar teaches him that sized by its prestigious position at the 5. The lesson contributed by the leap vice to G-d, the possibility of fear may even though the powers of the natural beginning of the Parshah. year is as follows: arise. However, because the Jew is the order seem to present obstacles to his That lesson concerns the ultimate con- servant of G-d, he need not and must The purpose of the leap year is to add service of Torah and mitzvos, he must cept of servitude, the servitude of the not fear the world. Quite the contrary, one month to the year, thus compensat- still persist in his service without regard Jewish people to G-d. From the time of he must carry out his service even if ing for the days lost in previous years to those difficulties (a path of behavior the Exodus from Egypt, G-d considered it runs contradictory to commonly due to the difference between the lunar which will lead him to overcome those the Jewish people as His servants. The accepted social norms. and solar calendars. difficulties).A nd the lesson of the leap expression of that servitude lies in the year teaches him that even if for some 4. The above represents the lessons This concept has its parallel in the Jew’s fulfillment of the obligations of reason he has previously failed to realize which can be learnt from Motzoei Jew’s service to G-d. The Jewish people Torah and mitzvos. his full potential, he still has the ability Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim every year. follow the lunar calendar. Their con- to compensate for those failures. Concerning the Hebrew servant, This year, when Shabbos Mevarchim nection with the moon is described by the Torah commands, “Six years he Adar occurs on the same Shabbos, an the Talmud. The moon is the smaller With such an attitude, he will success- shall work, and in the seventh year he additional lesson can be learnt. luminary, and it is therefore appropriate fully proceed in his service of Torah shall be freed.” That commandment that it should govern the calendar of the and mitzvos and reveal how the world, results from the principle that a Jew’s The narrative of the Purim miracle “smallest among the nations”. though superficially not so, is in reality behavior in Torah and mitzvos is “ima- conveys the fundamental message of the a dwelling place for G-d. tatio dei,” i.e., is parallel to the mystic month of Adar. The Jewish people were Chassidic thought explains this quality energies revealed by G-d. In spiritual then servants to Achashveros, under of smallness with a deeper perspective. This was the original status of the world terms, the six years of work refer to the dominion of a non-Jewish power. Smallness refers to the Jew’s humility as elaborated upon in the Maamar of the six millennia of the history of the However, Achashveros’ authority did and self-nullification in respect to Yud Shevat, and though because of world. The freedom of the seventh year not interfere with the Jews’ status as G-d. That attitude is paralleled by the sin that presence is temporarily not describes the period of the Messianic servants of G-d. Despite his decrees, moon’s position of having no light of its revealed, every Jew has the potential redemption. the Jews were proudly steadfast in the own and being a receiver of light from to intensify its revelation. observance of all matters connected other sources. The moon goes through 3. A parallel example of this pattern with Torah and mitzvos. phases, waxing and waning. Similarly, Then we will merit, as described in the can be seen in the relationship between there is the possibility of fluctuation, Maamar, the revelation of the heavenly the six days of the work week and the At that time Achashveros controlled of growth and decline, in the Jew’s treasure stores (the deepest secrets Sabbath, the day of rest. the entire civilized world. His decrees service to G-d. (These two elements of Torah) which the King will divide established what was to be considered The Sabbath atmosphere is radically are correlated. relates how among His servants which as stated correct and proper behavior. Neverthe- different from that of the week. Dur- the waning of the moon is connected above, refer to every Jew. less, the Jews all followed Mordechai’s February 01, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 9 Prespectives

By Sarah Balkany sid knows that he is in Hastening the Revela- relinquish our personal plans and ambi- sacred space as well tion of Mashiach now! tions. We fear we will no longer exist if Some see life as a series of tests, moun- as sacred time. For What knowledge, what we merge and we will be consumed by tains to climb, hurdles to overcome. a chosid the beauty talent, what sensitiv- the “fire” of revelation. Each new challenge, like the ocean of life is in harmony. ity, what courage is surf, is undertaken with determina- Everything fits, all the needed! Dimensions Our experience at Sinai has taught us tion, knowing to the victor belongs myriad details come surely he/she doesn’t otherwise - Vayar Ham Vayanuu. The the spoils. Others consider life an together, expressing possess. With humil- nation saw. They witnessed and took expedition of discovery. They follow the perfection of the ity and devotion, he action. Revelation brings one to action. zealously the roadmaps; they carry out One Above. begins to carry out his There is no greater inspired energy then diligently the instructions anticipating calling. The happiness one who experienced, understood, and treasures to own, to enjoy and even Chasidus enlivens and of a chosid is not in the internalized the truth. They moved to share. They cherish the inner gems empowers the very treasures unearthed, not because they were enriched by they uncover and glow with satisfaction concepts and teach- within or without, but the experience, not because they were that the efforts expended were truly ings are revelations, the privilege of being rewarded--they were compelled by it all. worthy. A world of wonder meets those influencing our path- summoned to service. The simple truth, a powerful indication who see the Creator’s fingerprints in ways. We sense the Reward is not a goal of what really occurred, is action follows the creation. “Niflos Haboreah,” the holiness and attempt and not even a consid- revelation. When we internalize that wonders of the creator are awesome, to stretch ourselves in eration. The opportu- what we experience, we act. We do and they are awestruck by the grandeur effort to claim it as our own. Our minds nity to serve is most cherished. not cease to exist, but exist in a more of it all. and hearts are enlarged, our vision powerful way. broadened, our depths deepened as In today’s world, where the “Superstar” For a chosid, life is a journey of Revela- we learn the Sichos and Mamorim. It’s of achievement is idolized even in spiri- When was the last time you experienced tion. Wherever he goes, wherever he is, a wonder for a chosid that such a puny, tual endeavors, can service for its own “Revelation”? When was the last time the Aibeshter is there. In shul as well as insignificant being as he/she is called sake attract? Can there be satisfaction you took your head to your heart so in the marketplace, at home and at work, upon and charged with loftiest missions of service in the journeys of revelation. that your limbs moved? When will the it’s all about the Aibeshter. Alone in a of making this world comfortable for In truth, we fear to surrender to the next time be? crowd, the clarity of purpose, the depth the Aibeshter Himself! ultimate truth. We are reluctant to of meaning is evident, because the cho-

Rabbi Hecht, is chairman of the board of the National Committee home, and they feel the house is a mess, dropped in on him with plans to stay in for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), continuing the company could cause more distress the room until after Shabbos was over. tradition of social services management and outreach that began with than pleasure. Even if one decides to It should be obvious that a six-hour visit his father, the Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht A’H. He is a Rabbi and activist in see someone who is ill and they know to an ill person is too long, but unfortu- the Jewish community, focusing on family crisis intervention, guiding visitors are wanted, they should not nately it isn’t obvious to everyone. One and advising troubled youth and their families, marriage counseling, go and visit right away but rather wait should not put themselves in a position and drugs and cults counseling and consultations. He can be reached at a day or two. of staying by a sick person for so long Rabbi [email protected]. • that they are asked to leave. Additionally, one who visits a sick A Healing Presence (Part 1) person in the hospital must take the Ultimately, if a visit is not feasible, there modesty factor into account and like is the option of mailing a card, placing a One of the duties that come along with times he would call before he went to those who work in the hospital, knock get well phone call, or giving a small gift the Rabbinic cloak is visiting hospital- visit someone who was not well to see on the door of a hospital room to ensure which shows the sick person that you ized people. There were times when I if a visit was OK. that it’s an appropriate time to walk are thinking of them without impinging wished the person that I was calling into the room. on their privacy. on was sleeping when I reached their There are times, though, that even if the hospital bed. This scenario would allow response to the request for visitation The third topic of concern is what to The issues of being an informed and me to leave a note informing the patient is “I’m not in the mood of company”, say to someone who is ill. I learned wanted visitor, visiting at the proper that the Rabbi had visited, instead of a close friend or Rabbi should know to as a Rabbi that there is information I time, and knowing when to leave are dealing with the myriad issues that go for a short visit anyway. A woman should know in order to talk about the crucial to anyone who wants to make come along with a hospital visit. I know is a babysitter. Unfortunately, proper things at a hospital bedside. a successful visit to the sick in the a child she was babysitting died a crib A good example would be the time I hospital. The mitzvah of visiting the sick can be death under her watch. Though it was went to visit a 26-year-old woman and broken down into two very distinct clearly not her fault, the babysitter was asked all the wrong questions. When When one visits a sick bed, there is also parts. One portion of the mitzvah con- having a difficult time allowing any my questions were answered with a second dimension to the visit- the cerns the patient lying in the hospital children back into her house. One of the silence, the doctor pulled me aside to needs and feelings of the person next bed, and the other part deals with the mothers whose children she watched say, “Rabbi, maybe you don’t know it, to the bed. care giver who is sitting at the bedside went to visit the babysitter with her but this woman is dying of AIDS.” In of the sick patient. baby anyway. The woman told me that this situation, not being informed led when she walked into the babysitter’s me to an uncomfortable mistake. On When contemplating a visit to a patient house, it was dark and the curtains were the other hand when I went to visit a sick in the hospital, four things have to be drawn. Ultimately, the sight of a baby man who was admitted to the hospital taken into account. The first thing to cheered the babysitter up. She opened suffering from extreme anxiety, with find out is whether visitors are actu- the curtains, let in some sunlight, and nothing physically wrong with him, ally welcome, and the second thing started babysitting again the next day. I realized that there are times extra is the proper time to make the visit. Though the babysitter emphatically information won’t change anything. All The third thing to think about is, A“ m stated that she wanted no visitors- and that man needed was to have someone I informed enough to say the correct certainly not children- she was clearly to talk to--it didn’t matter what the talk thing?” The last concern is how long cheered up and started healing from was about. the visit should last. the visit of the mother who wouldn’t listen to a no. Lastly, one who goes to visit a sick Most people don’t want to be seen in person must know when to leave. An a moment of weakness and to many, The second issue to deal with is rec- acquaintance of mine wasn’t well and lying in a hospital bed is just such a ognizing that sometimes an ill person ended up staying in the hospital over a moment; therefore, it’s important to would like company, but it’s just the weekend. Since this was in the summer, know if visitors are welcome. My father, wrong time for them. For example, if Shabbos was over extremely late. At obm, was a pulpit Rabbi, and many someone goes to call on a person in their three o’clock in the afternoon, someone 10 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008 Shiduchim

of eating non-kosher food in the same A Jew’s practice and observance of Vedibarta Bam ~ Marriage pasuk. Once we analyze it, we may Torah must be consistent at all times also perhaps have a new insight into and under all conditions and settings. the Chatan’s declaration of “Harei at By Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky acquired becomes like something Just as the Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 6a) mekudeshet li” — “You are hereby consecrated, forbidden to all men says of hekdesh — holy property — that sanctified unto me [in accordance with The one term that was repeated tonight except her husband. “wherever it may be it is the treasury of the laws of Moshe and Israel].” a few times is “kiddushin.” It was the Merciful One,” likewise, a holy Jew Relative to this subject, in this week’s announced that the Rabbi will be Superficially, the wording in the is a Jew who is true and authentic in his Torah reading, Parshat Mishpatim, “mesadeir kiddushin” — “officiate Torah prohibiting eating non-kosher observance, wherever he may be. This, there is also a concept of a person’s the kiddushin.” There was also an is enigmatic. of course, applies not only to eating being holy. Hashem makes the request announcement identifying the eidei kosher but to every facet of our relation that “Ve’anshei kodesh tiheyun li” — Why does the Torah specify “basadeh” kiddushin — witnesses to the kid- to both G‑d or our fellow man. “People of holiness shall you be unto — “in the field”? Should it not say dushin. In the Berachah recited we Me — and flesh [of an animal] in the “babayit” — “in the home”? Hence, perhaps when the Chatan says state that Hashem is mekadeish amo field that has been torn you shall not to the Kallah, “Harei at mekudeshet Yisrael — [The One Who] sanctifies Many people are meticulous in the laws eat” (22:30). li” — “You are hereby sanctified to His nation, of Israel — al yedei Chup- of kashrut in their homes. They only eat me” — he is referring to our explana- pah vekiddushin — through Chuppah Being told to be holy is somewhat food that has reliable Rabbinic supervi- tion of the Biblical verse “Holy people and kiddushin. And finally the highlight frightening and perplexing. “What sion, etc. However, when they go out you shall be unto Me.” We are entering of the evening is the Chatan’s placing exactly does Torah expect of me?” an to the “field” for vacations, picnics or this marriage with the commitment to the ring on the Kallah’s finger and innocent reader may ask. Does it mean eating out, etc., they are very lax in the live a consistent life as Holy people in proclaiming the traditional declaration that we are supposed to be angles, or laws of kashrut. They may stay in hotels all matters that pertain to Moshe and of “Harei at mekudeshet li” — “You are that we should live like hermits? and purchase food in establishments Israel. Whether it pertains to Torah hereby sanctified to me.” without high kashrut standards. The ChassidicR ebbe of Kotzk calls to commandments regarding His service The common denominator between our attention that the verse does not say Therefore, the Torah emphasizes that or to our interpersonal relationships, we these expressions is that what is taking “u’malachei kodesh” — “and holy angels even when out in the “field,” it is neces- will perform everything without any place tonight is related to holiness and [you shall be unto Me].” Rather it says sary to observe the laws of kashrut compromises or deviations. sanctification. explicitly “ve’anshei kodesh” — “holy strictly. My dear Chatan, by proclaiming the people.” Hence, Torah is not asking The popular explanation of the con- Thus, it could be said that citing the harei at mekudeshet li, you demon- from us superhuman or supernatural nection between hekdesh — holiness prohibition of non-kosher food is not strated your conviction to the lifestyle conduct. Torah demands of us to be — and the act of kiddushin is that with the absolute intention of the pasuk, but we delineated, and your dear Kallah human and ordinary people and yet the Chatan’s acquiring his Kallah as a rather, it serves as an explanation and by accepting the ring silently agreed be holy. wife the husband makes her forbidden example to understanding the mean- to be a partner in that endeavor. May to everyone else, like consecrated If so, what constitutes a holy person ing of “holy people.” It means living a the mission you are undertaking be property. The implication is that just and what is considered an unholy lifestyle which is not a double standard, crowned with immense success, and as consecrated property is set aside person? Possibly, the answer lies in not practicing a schizophrenic religion, may Hashem facilitate your endeavor by from all other property not to be used comprehending the juxtaposition of one in which the individual changes his blessing you with all the best materially by any individual, likewise, the wife the concept of holiness with the ban convictions from situation to situation. and spiritually.

as a girl even if she manages to retain Finding A Needle in a Haystack a figure. Externals are helpful for first impressions; beyond that, if the quali- By: Sarah Junik If you must request a picture and the Therefore, although we all agree that ties are there, externals are irrelevant. Continued from last week other party refuses, do not throw out “attraction” is necessary, this does an otherwise promising shidduch not always depend on the physical Over and over I hear that it is the A Word About Pictures: because of it. And if you usually refuse attributes of a person. mothers that influence the boys in A practice that has become almost to give pictures but your counterpart wanting girls in mannequin sizes. Every Friday night we all say Shlomo inescapable of late is the request for a must have one, bend your rules and While the mothers cry, it is the sons Hamelech’s words, “Sheker Ha’Chen picture. When my oldest daughter got send one. who will not go out with anyone other V’Helvel Hayofy, Isha Yirat Hashem married, it was not so common. In fact, than a “size 2”. I am sure there is truth in Please realize a picture means abso- Hi Titshalul.” – Grace is deceitful and unless the shidduch was out of town both, but even more so, we as mothers lutely nothing. Someone who is average beauty is vain, a woman who fears G-d, and one could not meet the prospective must start early enough to inculcate in looking may appear truly beautiful by she is praiseworthy. Now is the time chosson or kallah, one did not ask for our children that it is middos that are virtue of their character after further to apply these words to our life. For a picture. The shadchan might but not important, that it is the pnimius that acquaintance. It is a cliché because it both girls and boys, appearance should the parents. we are looking for. is true. not be primary. Middos should be the Today, it is almost the first question. main emphasis. If we do put emphasis We must show by example that we Some people are very photogenic and Some parents and young people will on these external things, we are really believe what Rabbi Meir says in Pirkei although in person they may just be not begin research without a picture saying that Shlomo Hamelech’s words Avos: “Al tistakel b’kankan ela b’ma, pretty, the camera may make them of the prospective Chosson or Kallah. are not true. sh’yesh bo” or as we say in English: Do appear beautiful. Then you have the not judge a book by its cover. If we have Please realize that pictures unfortu- reverse--a really beautiful girl who may We are letting the perception of the done our job well then our children, nately are not a true representation of look only passable. world around us influence us to a major both boys and girls, will not tell us they the person depicted therein. degree. The same is true in the case of boys. will not go out with anything more than There are so many programs to tweak Boys change so much especially at Why do we let the goyishe world a size 6. They will ask first what are the pictures around that any neophyte can the age of shidduchim. Some may be influence our choices especially when qualities this person has. make a mediocre picture look great. growing a beard; some may have bad these choices are so far reaching and Therefore let us start changing the way That is not the main problem. skin, or the picture was taken at an important? Even the goyishe world WE see things and start influencing our inopportune moment. recognizes that only 5% of the popula- A very pretty girl was going out, and children to look for the right things. tion resembles the idealized version of on the second date the bochur told her Another compelling reason not to pay beauty that the models peddle. With A Needle in a Haystack is a book of advice for she looked nothing like her picture. A attention only to physical beauty is the preoccupation on appearance, parents starting to look at shidduchim written picture is representative of a person, and that through life we all change. The we are also driving our girls to Chas on the occasion of one of Mrs Junik’s daughters it can be a true likeness as it was in this years shape us in many different ways. V’shalom ruin their health for such a wedding.. case. Even though he thought he was If the main attraction was physical transient mania. And what do these Any constructive comment is welcomed by the meeting a certain person based on the beauty, what will the marriage hinge boys gain? After one or two children, editor. Write to CHP5768 @gmail.com or directly picture, in reality she was so much more on once this aspect is not what it was no woman looks the same as she did to the author at [email protected]. and yet different in other ways. in the past? February 01, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 11 Our Heroes Rabbi Avrohom Baruch Pevsner hy"d

By Penina Metal and Batsheva Browd Avrohom Boruch intensified his out- all families were as fortunate. old, and she couldn’t leave him to go reach efforts which ultimately resulted to my father. Part II in his final arrest on Shushan Purim, My father was tortured for many hours. The political climate between 1921 1939. His arrest papers had been signed The officers took shifts of 6-8 hours He had to register once a week in and 1932 was increasingly hostile to already in 1935, but he had been careful each. Their goal was to keep my father the police station, and it was very dif- Jews and especially to Orthodox Jews. and was not arrested until 1939. On from sleeping so they could break his ficult as he was weak. When Purim The Yevsektsia, the Jewish Section of the night he was arrested, many other spirit. They showed him photos of approached Rabbi Avrohom Boruch the Communist Party, were organized important members of the Chabad com- different Chassidim asking for informa- Pevsner requested permission from the gangs of hoodlums who would shut munity were imprisoned. No one knew tion on them. The ones he knew were local NKVD office to travel to Kzyl- down Shuls by force. In 1930, a gang where they were held or where they alive he said he did not know of. Only Orda to hear the Megilla at the local of hoodlums came to Rabbi Avrohom had been sent. We know a lot of these the Chassidim that he knew had left Shul. Transportation was not available Boruch’s shul during prayer intending details because when the Iron Curtain or had passed away, he would anymore, and Rabbi Avrohom Boruch to take over the Shul. The Mispallelim opened, my brother, Rav Hillel Pevzner acknowledge and “recognize”. He was too sick to travel in any case. barred the windows and doors, but it managed to get the dossier on my father was very strong willed and no matter was not enough to keep them out, as from the NKVD in what wouldn’t He tried to get admitted to the hospital they found a way in though the upper Charkov. give out any but was refused. He then lay down floor women’s balcony.R abbi Avrohom names, even on the steps of the Hospital; if they The Russians had Boruch stood with a club in his hand on to ameliorate would not let him in, he would stay at a system of spying the bimah defending the shul. his situation, their door. They did eventually admit whereby someone because then him, and it was from the hospital that In 1930, numerous Rabbeim and pretending to be they would go Rabbi Avrohom Boruch sent a letter to Shochtim were arrested on charges of a Chassid would and arrest those my mother. being emissaries of a foreign power. My attempt to befriend Chassidim. father was arrested and imprisoned for the Yidden so “If this will, G-d forbid, be my last letter, over three weeks. they could find I hereby declare that I ask G-d in all During Pesach, out incriminating sincerity that He forgive and pardon My father did not allow his children Rabbi Avrohom information to me for all my sins, transgressions, and to go to school. School was not the Boruch refused give to the NKVD. inequities, even those of Rabbinic benign institution that had existed to eat any These spies were origin, whether a positive or negative before the Revolution, and he would chometz and threatened that commandment, even a minor transgres- not allow his children to be exposed subsisted on a they would be taken sion of the Sages, for in truth I regret to Russian indoctrination and brain little bit of hard away to prison or and repented for violating them. I never washing. Neighbors delighted inform- sugar and water. their children would willingly performed a transgression ing on parents who refused to send The unending be hurt, so they with the intent of angering G-d …. May their children to school. If a parent tor t u re a nd caved into the pres- G-d forgive me all that is not positive was caught withholding his child repeated beat- sure and became within me. …. If my time has come, I from school, he could be sentenced to ings greatly accomplices. These people were called accept His just ruling and ask of Him ten years in prison. Therefore, parents weakened Rav Avrohom Boruch, and it Moserim….When they would attempt that my death be atonement for all my sent their children away at a young age led to his passing the following year. to befriend the Chassidim, they were sins….G-d is one. G-d is the only one. to other cities where the government told to go away. “I will not talk to you. Havaya is E-lokim in the heavens above did not enforce this rule as strictly or Finally, the NKVD decided his sen- Do not give me shalom aleichem. Go and the earth below. There is nothing the children would hide for the entire tence would be one of exile to a remote away!” apart from him.” school day. city of Khazakhstan in a village called Tehran Uzak, not far from the city of My father once brought home one such My mother was rightly alarmed at the Parents often declared their children Kzyl Orda, for a period of five years. “chossid” from shul. My mother asked, content of the letter and immediately younger than they were so they would Upon arrival in this distant village all “Why did you bring him? Everyone says traveled to join her husband, a journey not be obligated to send them to school. of his possessions, including his Tallis that he is a Moser!” My father answered of six days, 1400 miles from Charkov. My sister, Yehudis Raksin, remembers and Tefillin were confiscated. Rabbi that he felt that this one was different. She left the children with her older leaving the house to fool the neighbors Avrohom Boruch went on a hunger His name was Itche and he was strongly sister Guta Bela who had traveled from into thinking she was going to school strike for three days, often fainting and suspected of being a Moser by many Moscow. and then doubling back, coming in being revived until these two items of the chassidim. But my father could through a window and hiding in the were returned to him. Upon putting the When my mother arrived, my father not believe such a thing about Itche, house or in a closet when neighbors Tefillin on again, he looked in a mirror revealed to her the reason for a three day and unfortunately, he was wrong and came to visit (or to snoop around). and said “Haint hob ich derzhen a yid fast he had observed in Charkov prior shortly after was arrested. far dem ershten mol” – “Today I saw a to his arrest: He had had a dream. Most of us children besides my sister, Jew for the first time.” About 3:00 in the morning there was a Nechama Lazar, were born in Minsk. In this dream Harav Tumarkin ob”m knock on the door. My father knew that Hillel, (Harav Hillel Pevsner, Rav in On the way to Khazakhstan my father (who was the Rav. of Charkov and had it was the KGB. He ran to the window Paris, France) is the oldest, followed met the Rebbe’s father, Reb Levik. Reb passed away shortly before Rabbi Avro- thinking that perhaps he could jump out by Sholom Ber hy”d. Levik was also very weak from having hom Boruch’s dream) appeared to him of a window and run away, but we were been tortured and deprived. Through- and said “Avrohom Boruch, we need When the family fled Charkov during surrounded by their cars. They knew out the journey, although they shared you for a tenth man for our minyan in WWII, Sholom Ber hy”d stayed behind, how to take people away. They always the same car, they were not permitted heaven.” Rabbi Pevsner answered that as he was confident that the situation came in the middle of the night. to talk to each other. They just were able he had responsibility for his wife and was being overdramatized. In 1943, at I still remember the hug he gave me to nod their heads. For portions of the children who needed him. He could not the age of 16, he was killed in Charkov before they took him away. My only trip, Rabbi Avrohom Boruch and Reb leave them. Rabbi Tumarkin answered by the Einsatzgruppen along with the other memory of my father is a vague Levik were forced to walk. that G-d who cares for widows and rest of the Jewish Community. Next memory of him holding me and dancing orphans would look after them. in line is Yehudis Raksin; then came with me, so I assume that it was Simchas Once he was sentenced, he was able Yitzchak Shlomo ob”m, myself, and Torah and I was about 5 years of age. to correspond with my mother, and Of course my mother was shocked both Nechama Lazar, the youngest. we were able to send him packages. from hearing about the dream and from In time my mother found out that my Rebbitzen Chana did not have young his condition which at this point was In 1932, my father’s residency visa for father was being held there in Charkov children, so she was able to go to Reb very dire. How would she be able to the city of Minsk was revoked, and he until the trial. She was able to bring Levik in exile. My mother had young instill the right values in her was forced to relocate to Charkov, 456 him packages during that period; not children--the youngest was 2 years miles away. Once in Charkov, Rabbi Continued on page 15 12 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008 Shleimus Haaretz

Phases In The Isra- loving nation, a fierce war which cost have protested. In order to appease to appear as peace-loving, Israel made over two-and-a-half thousand Jewish the Arabs, it would have had to make concession after concession. el-Arab Conflict lives ensued. A large proportion of those a gesture. But everyone would have In New York, the months preceding casualties took place in the first days realized that it was merely a gesture. Israeli Approaches & the war were also charged by intense when Israel’s lack of preparation left Israel could have gone about dealing activity. Although he was not privy to Suggested Alternatives her open to Arab attack. And because with her own security needs without the intelligence information coming of the Arab advances during those first any interference. Published by Sichos In English out of Israel, the Rebbe began a cam- days, Israel was forced to fight from True, such a campaign would have paign to strengthen Jewish education In the months leading up to Yom compromised positions later on. caused losses. But there have been for children. Citing the verse, “Out Kippur, 1973, Israeli intelligence had Israeli losses due to Syrian forces of the mouths of babes and sucklings gathered reports of an Arab troop Nor was this the end of the Israeli ever since, and the danger of greater You have established the strength... build-up and the possibility of war. To willingness to sacrifice her security losses still persists. Without a Syrian to destroy an enemy and an avenger,” combat such forces, they warned, Israel because of what a few politicians presence, would the Lebanon front the Rebbe explained that the Torah was not able to rely on her standing imagined international opinion to have ever developed? When a person study of young children generates army and had to call up her reserves. be. When the Israeli army succeeded has a malignant disease, he does what protective spiritual influences for the Nevertheless, each time the Prime in turning the tables and launching a is necessary to deal with the problem. Jewish people. For months, the Rebbe Minister and the cabinet were alerted, counterattack against Syria andE gypt, An operation may be painful, but it is repeated and expounded this verse at the warnings were rejected. “There is no they met immediate success. They preferable to allowing the malignancy public gathering after public gathering, need,” explained Golda Meir, “to sow reconquered large portions of the Golan to spread. The faster action is taken, in letters, and in personal meetings. He panic among the populace.” and proceeded toward Damascus. the better. later stated that he had felt impelled Although they were only short miles In the days before the war, and even on from above to take this step. away from the Syrian capital, and there A similar mistake was made on the the day the war broke out, the cabinet was no substantial opposition in front Egyptian front. Egypt’s Third Army After the war broke out, at public met, and the nation’s military leaders of them, they suddenly halted their had penetrated the Sinai Desert, but gatherings and at private meetings with demanded that the reserves be called advance. Instead of conquering the there they were surrounded by Israeli Israeli leaders, the Rebbe spoke out up, for the Arabs were obviously prepar- Syrian capital, the Israeli army simply troops. Their supply line was cut, and fiercely against Israel’s unwillingness ing for war. They explained that the sat still. they were without food and water. to conquer Damascus. “When I asked call-up itself might prevent the war. For The vanguard of theI sraeli troops had army commanders why they didn’t if the Arabs saw that Israel was ready, Because they did not advance, the Syr- already crossed the Suez and were conquer Damascus,” the Rebbe said, they might hesitate before launching ians had time to regroup their artillery, threatening the Egyptian capital. Not “they told me that it is surrounded by an attack.A t the very least, the call-up and inflict losses on the Israelis. But surprisingly, the Egyptians began to rocky terrain which makes an advance would place the Israelis in a position that was not the most severe loss the sue for a cease fire.A lthough they had difficult. Had I not heard this myself, to repulse the attack and launch an Israelis suffered. The war ended shortly started the war, they now wanted to I would not have believed that such an immediate counterattack. afterwards. Had Damascus been con- end it as soon as possible. excuse could be given.” quered, Syria would have been defused Despite the army’s urgent insistence, as a power for decades. Instead, after Over and over again, the Rebbe urged Did Israel demand the surrender of the cabinet remained unwilling. In her the war, she emerged as Israeli’s most Israelis to recognize that they had been the ThirdA rmy? No. They allowed the autobiography, Golda Meir admits that belligerent foe. saved by a Divine miracle: instead Egyptians to receive humanitarian aid she and her advisors had intelligence of proceeding further after breaking Why didn’t Israel seize this opportu- from relief organizations. As a result, reports of an impending attack. Nev- through the Bar-Lev line in the Sinai nity? Because her diplomats overruled because they had not surrendered, it ertheless, they refrained from calling and Israel’s initial defenses on the her generals. The diplomats were afraid was recognized in the cease-fire agree- up the reserves so that the world would Golan, the Egyptian and Syrian troops of world opinion. But whose opinion? ment that this army had recaptured por- see that Israel was not an aggressor. had halted their advance. That halt had Not that of the Communist bloc. They tions of the Sinai. A brilliant turnover Allowing herself to be attacked would given Israel the time to mobilize her had sided with the Arabs and could on the battleground was again soured clearly demonstrate Israel’s peaceful reserves. With thankful acknowledge- never be won to the Israeli side. The into a defeat by the diplomats at the intent to the Americans and encourage ment, the Rebbe continued, Israelis Americans? They would have been negotiating table. them to support her with arms. should have wisely used the advantage overjoyed if Syria was conquered. Syria Why? Because they were unwilling to provided to them by the new territories The argument is so absurd that it is diffi- had openly identified with theR ussians, stand firm and wait for the pressure to they had conquered and not sacrificed cult to write it down in a manner which and America wanted nothing more than be placed on Egypt. At that point, the them because of the whims of several makes any sense at all, but that is what to have her power restricted. Egyptians needed the cease fire more diplomats. happened. Because of the government’s than the Israelis, and yet in their desire desire that Israel appear as a peace- True, at the outset, America would

Update tion of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Sadly manyso-called religious leaders stay the course in her home in our Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and (including those who should know bet- collective home: Eretz Yisroel. We, Jan 28, 2008/Chof Bais Shevat 5768 all of the political parties from right ter) have done little more than tsk-tsk therefore, encourage readers to do News Release by Tamar Adelstein, coordina- to left, from religious to secular have their heads in sympathy.With great- allthey can tostand up for and withour tor Crown Hts. Women for the Safety and consciously chosen not to take the pomp and ceremony,theygentlyremind fellow Jews in Eretz Yisroel in this very Integrity of Israel and host of The Shleimus necessary steps to end the violence thatin these times, we must say Tehillim dark and confusing time. HaAretz Talk Show being perpetrated against the people and rely on HaShem who will surely The Shleimus HaAretz Talk Show of S’derot which would entailwiping bring a “yeshua” only --an idea the This past Motzie Shabbos, January invites readers to our Chof-Bais Shevat out the Arab leadership and its hench- Rebbe said was more like givinga 26th, The Shleimus HaAretz Talk Show Special Program this week by call- men/solidiers and destroying their curse than a bracha!Rather than raise arranged for Mrs. Tzivia Pizem, shlucha ing 641-715-3486, ACCESS CODE weaponry.It would also mean doing the battle cry of Pikuach Nefesh al pi in S’derot toaddress the community 505946# or at www.Sanesite.org, click more than admitting a “mistake” was Halacha!, they remain silent--another about the on-going saga she, her family, classes, click Shleimus HaAretz. Fea- made and publicly beating “al cheit”over plea from the Rebbe gone unheeded. and community face as Arabs continue turing interviews with Evelyn Haies, the Disengagement from Gush Katif. tofire kassam rockets from the Gaza Sadly, many in S’derot feel a growing founder of Rachel’s Children Reclama- I would mean taking back the entire Strip on an almost hourly basis against sense of isolation when friends and tion Foundation, Mrs. Brini Popack, Gaza Strip, officially annexing it tothe S’derot and its environs. family are afraid to visit and yeshivos shlucha in Tzefat on Tzefat, her mom, State of Israel proper, and resettling the and girls schools no-longer send their Mrs. Baumgarten who reminisced Sadly the Pizem’s , a Jews who livedthere.Instead the Israeli students for that special Shabbos about Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel, an place where Jews come tolearn and government hasplaced band aids all experience onewould encounter there. interesting discussion on current events grow in their Yiddishkeit like in Chabad aroundthe town in the form ofbomb Insurance companies won’t cover the with Tova Abadi and Shifra Hoffman. Houses everywhere, has now become shelters, building reinforcements, and risk. Our next show will be, G-dWilling,on a center for distributing humanitarian soothing“red alerts” to warn people February 5 from Noon to 1:30pm. relief with little or no respite in sight. they have seconds to run for their lives And yet, those in attendance couldn’t To join us live, dial 712-715-3486, TheI sraeli government under the direc- when a kassam is on the way. help but be inspired by Mrs. Pizem’s ACCESS CODE 505946#. fortitude and unwavering outlook to February 01, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 13 Yahrzeits'

This week we begin a weeklyY ahrzeit column of Chassidim who lived in our shechuna. “V’Hachai yiten el Libo”—Through remembering The Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel them, we learn lessons from their lives that we can incorporate into our own. 24th of Shvat (Rachel was the name of a daughter of Rabbi Schneur Zalman who died in Men as an emissary of the Yeshiva Tomchei 120 years since her passing her youth). Tmimim. Reb Mordechai was amongst 20th Shvat: Horav Hachosid Reb the m’kushorim of the Rebbeim and (5648-5768; 1888-2008) Schneur Zalman Gansburg In 1845, Rebbetzin Menuchah Rachel especially of the Rebbe. He was born Rebbetzin Menuchah Rachel realized her lifelong desire to live in the The son of Hacho- in 1905 in Klimovitz and was nifter in born (1798) Holy Land when she and her husband, ssid Reb Menachem 1991. His resting place is in Rabbi Yaakov Culi Slonim (d. 1857), led Mendel, he was born New York near the . He On the very day that Rabbi Schneur a contingent of Chassidim who settled in Haditz. Some of his left children and grandchil- Zalman of Liadi was liberated from in Hebron. Famed for her wisdom, family members mer- dren serving as Rabonim prison a granddaughter was born to piety and erudition, she served as the ited to be appointed as and shluchim. him -- the daughter of his son Rabbi matriarch of the Chassidic community Shomrim at the Ohel Dovber and his wife Rebbetzin Sheina. in Hebron until her passing in her 90th of the Alter Rebbe. The girl was named MenuchahR achel year in 1888. Reb Schneur -- “Menuchah”, meaning “tranquility” Zalman learnt in yeshivos Women from 1914. He was m’kushar 21 Shvat: Mrs. to the Rebbe Rashab, the Dina Esther Previous Rebbe, and the Epstein Rebbe. A particular pni- miusdike Chossid, he was The daughter of nifter in 1991. His grave Horav Hachosid site is in New York near Reb Yitzchok, Mrs. the Ohel. He left children Epstein influenced and grandchildren serving many people who as Rabonim and shluchim. visited the Rebbe’s Shechuna. She involved 24 of Shvat : Horav HaChssid herself heavily in the Mivtza Reb Tzvi Hirsh of Taharas Hamishpocha and Rimler was nifter in 2003. Her resting place is in New York near the Ohel. The son of Horav Hacho- ssid Reb Yehuda Leib 23 Shvat: Chana Miriam Bell Rimler. He sacrificed The daughter of Horav Hachosid Reb himself to educate his Berel, she was a student in the Rebbe’s sons and daughters in mosdos. She was nifter in 2005. Her the ways of Torah and resting place is in New York near the Chassidus. He was nifter Ohel. in 1975, and his resting place is in New York near 26th Shvat: Mrs. Chava Hurwitz the Ohel. He left children The daughter of Horav Hachosid Reb and grandchildren serving as Rabonim Shmuel and the wife of Reb Chaim and shluchim. Tashkenter, she accomplished many acts of goodness and generosity in a 25th of Shvat: Horav Hachossid modest way. She saved many Jews from Reb Avrohom Abba Seligson, “Dr. difficult illnesses in the years of hunger Seligson” and war in Russia. She was nifter in The son of Rabbi 2004. Her resting place is in New York Michoel Aharon and near the Ohel. a fifth generation descendent of the Alter Rebbe. In his service as a physician, he merited to save many Jews in Shang- IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: hai during WWII. He merited to serve as the personal physician of the Rebbe The OU will be holding a Job Fair on March IF an employer accepts your resume, you will for forty years, as well as the Crown 12th by receive an e-mail invitation. Heights community. He was nifter in 1989. His resting place is in New York INVITATION ONLY. ONLY THOSE WITH CONFIRMED E-MAIL behind the Ohel. INVITATIONS FOR A CONFIRMED In order to be invited, you must register and post APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO THE MARCH 25th of Shvat: Horav Hachossid Reb your resume with them. 12TH JOB FAIR AR E INVITED TO APPEAR Mordechai Dov Teleshevsky AT THE JOB FAIR ON MARCH 12TH. The son of Horav Hacho- To register: log in to the OU Job Board (www. The Fair remains CLOSED to everyone ssid Reb Menachem ou.org/jobs) under the Job Fair registration else. Mendel Teleshevsky, he link. You must fill in the title of the job you are served for many years looking for. You can apply for several jobs, but To check available jobs, check the employers as Rav and shochet in each time you apply for a job, you must post job postings on the job fair link. Helsinki. He later was a your resume again and write the title of job you Chazan in the Lubavitch want. Registration is completed ONLY after your Good Luck! shul in 770 and worked resume has been posted. for more than forty years 14 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008 CHJCC

Call The When a Police Commissioner Visits CHJCC By Rabbi Shea Hecht told that the stats are down. The local One of the issues that came up is that patrols, who have their finger on the people who are victimized often don’t 718~778~8808 With all that is going on in our com- pulse of the community, are telling report the crime to the police. Some munity, Crown Heights is lucky. The us that crime is up. of the causes for this that we discussed CHILD/FAMILY HEALTH Police Commissioner, Raymond Kelly, were: that people don’t feel reporting INSURANCE has worked in our community as a It was nice to be visited by the crime will help and they don’t have Police Officer and the Commanding Police Commissioner recently and the time and patience to go through a ENTITLEMENT SERVICES Officer of the 71st precinct. He would to be reassured that he’ll look into system that is not user friendly. Rivka Shur...... ext. 24 visit and spend time at 770 and was very the issues and see how they can be friendly with the Rebbe’s secretaries. resolved. When Commissioner Kelly Each person who doesn’t file a police Eliezer Yarmush...... ext. 30 During his tenure with the NYPD came out to meet with representa- report is allowing more people to be VOCATIONAL COUNSELING & Commissioner Kelly has served in 25 tives of our community to listen to victimized and not helping to get these different commands and in fact, held our concerns, I reminded him of a criminals off the street. SERVICES every single rank. private conversation I had with him Rivka Shur...... ext 24 over a year ago: An idea that has been presented to me I would think that this gives him a recently – one worth considering - is to Bela Vilenkin...... ext. 23 unique perspective of the tension and “Even though your stats are show- have an official office that helps those FOOD STAMPS difficulties that Crown Heights has ing crime is down,” I told him, “the who were victimized by crime to file a been experiencing lately. perception of the people in the streets complaint. Such an office would walk Eliezer Yarmush...... ext. 30 is that crime is up.” a victim through the necessary steps. FAMILY SERVICES When Ray Kelly became Police Com- Additionally, that would give us another missioner he was committed to bring One of the solutions that we discussed official source of crime statistics. Phyllis Mintz ...... ext. 28 the crime rate down. He continued in then was publicizing the arrests and AP ARTMENT LISTINGS the tradition of the last few commis- convictions of criminals to help When William Bratton was transit sioners and brought crime down in restore community confidence. police commissioner, he worked with Penina Metal...... ext. 21 New York City – especially the murder a theory called “The Broken Window CRIME VICTIMS rate. We came up with different possi- Theory.” The premise was that if you see bilities for that discrepancy between something small like a broken window Batia Brandel ...... ext. 22 All this notwithstanding, many people the numbers that are showing and and you don’t fix it, you are inviting [email protected] in our community are concerned that community sentiment and made a other crimes. even though we feel the sting of the commitment that both of us would (c) 917~618~0279 recent crimes in our neighborhood, do our share to close the gap. Working with that theory Mr. Bratton Galina Pindrick...... ext. 31 when we reach out to the police we are cleaned up the New York subway sys- tem. He had his officers arrest everyone 718~771~9000 they saw committing the relatively FEMA ESL Class JOB DEVELOPER/ small crime of turnstile jumping. That immediately brought down the crime Fruma Junik ext. 10 The CHJCC is forming ESL, Adult Lit- EMPLOYMENT in the subway system. By arresting eracy classes for community members 718~774~3999 COUNSELOR those who did petty crimes – those interested in developing their basic with a criminal mind – he emptied the YAM~ Youth Action Movement English skills. subways of those who would potentially There will be separate classes held for The CHJCC is seeking a Yosef Kanofsky men and women. qualified individual to work commit greater crimes. This created a [email protected] Classes are free, and there as a part-time job devel- whole new atmosphere in the New York are no income or citizenship oper and employment subway system. 718~774~9213 requirements for eligibility. counselor. This individual He carried this theory through as Police SHALOM CENTER must have strong commu- To register, participants only need to nication and people skills, Commissioner. Shimon Herz provide their name and date of birth. be organized, and possess Class times and days will be tailored to a range of fundamental While there is definite onus on the meet participants’ needs. Please call computer skills. Essential police department to do their part and Rivka Shur at (718) 778-8808 x 24 duties include interviewing be there to protect our community, to register or get more information. clients, assessing clients’ we must acknowledge the job that the The HEAP Program skills, assisting individuals New York City Police Department does with job readiness skills, for our community on a daily basis. Outreach Workers will developing a job bank, and come again to process Heap establishing and maintain- Our duty is to be more aggressive about YOUTH SERVICES ing contacts with employ- reporting crimes – even seemingly applications at our office on ers and clients. The job is minor ones – to help “fix the broken The CHJCC is seeking a young part-time, and the hours windows” in our community, as well as Tuesday, February man or woman interested in are flexible. Experience is to be more vigilant. As the posters say, 5, 2008 Chinuch and working with ado- preferred but not manda- “If you see something, say something.” lescents in Crown Heights. This tory. For more information, We must help the police department by @ the Crown Heights Jew- individual must have experi- please contact Rivka Shur being their ears and eyes. ence working with teenagers at (718) 778-8808 x24. ish Community Council, on an individual and group When the Rebbe spoke to the members level. Essential duties include of the police force, he would bless them 387 K ingston Avenue developing and implementing that they should only have to do preven- (corner Crown St.), programs for teenagers in the tive policing – in other words with a neighborhood. This is a full-time FREE HELP zero crime rate and safe streets. 9:15 AM - 3:30 position with some flexibility in WRITING YOUR PM. schedule. For more information, RESUME! Hopefully, this should come to fruition please contact Rivka Shur at soon in preparation for the coming of Please come early -- (718) 778-8808 x 24. Please contact Bella Moshiach where we are promised that at 718 778 8808 ext. 23 there will be peace in our communities First come, first served and around the world. February 01, 2008 ~ crOWN heights 15

Continued from page 11 Continued from page5 understand. What I understood was Dr. once mentioned Rabbi Avrohom Boruch that one had to be very careful living Rabbi Izzy Rosenfeld to the Rebbe that there was a person Pevsner among the goyim. Jewish parents made being in the future and help stabilize who needed a loan for his business. The it a practice not to speak to the children the shechuna. Rebbe answered, “There is a yungerman 6 children and navigate the difficult about what was going on so that if c’v, by the name of Yisroel Rosenfeld who When we received sufficient federal times ahead if she was left alone?R abbi a child was questioned, he would not helps people in the shechuna.” aid to cover the damages, I notified the Avrohom Boruch assured her that she have any information that would put Rebbe. The Rebbe then asked, “This was certainly capable of educating the his elder’s in danger. Young children Dr. Mindel continued, “Is this definite?” means that I do not need to give for children in Torah and Chassidus, and didn’t know much. Adults too, among TheR ebbe answered, “I am sure, and I this?” I answered no. he would do all he could to help from themselves were very closed with any also have proof of this. I have sent many above. B”H, all my siblings and myself, kind of information, even harmless Now make sure that they don’t harass people to him, and not one returned to remained frum. This, I believe, is news. One never knew what would our people me. This is my proof that he helped them.” because my father kept an eye on us. bring disaster on the family. This is Yehi Zicro Boruch! May Reb Yisroel’s After the riots in summer of 1991, I something many Russians brought with memory serve as a merit for the success, brought a group of black people to On Evev Pesach of 1940 - Sunday, 14 them to America. The older generation well-being, and blossoming of our meet the Rebbe. Their leader said to Nissan 5700, April 21 - a short while tries to keep everything secret which community without bounds, physically the Rebbe, “Both groups have enemies before Bedikas Chometz, Rabbi Avro- annoys the American born members and spiritually. who want to make rifts between the two hom Boruch requested a cup of wate,r of the family. groups.” TheR ebbe responded, “When and when his wife returned with it, he We should merit seeing when, “The they discovered America, they harassed had returned his Neshamah to Hashem. Before my father died, my parents ones who dwell in the dust will awaken your people. Now make sure that they Despite his pain, Reb Avrohom Boruch discussed the problem of my attending and rejoice” with Reb Yisroel among don’t harass our people.” Pevsner never faltered in his shlichus public school, and so when my mother them. or in his dedication to the Rebbe for returned from burying my father, I was “A yungerman who helps the he recognized that a Jew must be a I was sent back to Moscow with my aunt shchuna” Adapted from lamplighter, and so he was. Guta Beila to live with her. I was raised by my aunt for four years. The officials refused to grant my mother Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim is happy to announce to permission to bury my father claiming I have very warm memories of my aunt the public that that she needed to travel to Kzyl-Orda Guta Bela. She was 10 years older than to get permission from the authorities my mother. A brilliant woman, she was The GETZEL SHUL there. One of the officials told her, “We a close friend of the Rebbetzin, Chaya @ 1414 President St. (Entrance on Kingston Ave.) don’t give out the strong ones”, intimat- Mushka, obm, and the wife of the mash- ing that as Rabbi Avrohom Boruch had pia, Reb Shilem Kuratin, in Lubavitch. Is now open for most Simchas stood up to them, they were not willing She was so learned, folks could ask her (No L’Chaims) to release him even in death. sheylas about their chickens. Guta Bela The contact person is Rabbi Sholom Brod used to tell me stories for days in a row, She went to the hospital and requested and she would pick up from where she Office #: (718) 953-5523 Cell #: (347) 234-8924 of the staff that they not touch or move left off, the day before. Her memory her husband’s body until she returned. was unbelievable! Although she had enough money to buy Being in Moscow, a more cosmopolitan a train ticket to Kzyl Orda, there were city, protected me from the Russian no more tickets available. She explained school system and other dangers. My her predicament to the conductor, offer- sisters were older and younger so they ing him the remainder of her money in were in less danger. When the War exchange for passage. The conductor neared Charkov, the family left to allowed my mother on the train, but Samarkand, a journey of over 1,660 he refused her offer of money, instead miles, together with many other refu- saying that she should keep it as she gees. Life was unimaginably hard, and would need it in order to buy bread for the family suffered hunger and other her children. She would always say that difficulties. The extra ration card issued the conductor’s kindness was a miracle- for me, even though I was not there, was -food then was very scarce, and no one of great help. Throughout, my father, could afford to refuse money. Rav Avrohom Boruch, looked out for his family, as the following anecdote When I went to visit my father’s grave demonstrates: COJO of Flatbush years later, I finally realized why my is offering some E-Learning (internet or CD courses from home mother buried my father next to a The authorities came to the Pevsner’s child. My father was like a tzaddik. or any location) with 24/7 on-line mentoring. Courses offered house in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in My mother had the presence of mind order to draft the oldest son of Rabbi are in IT Technology, Medical, Business, Finance, and office to put him next to a child who is also Avrohom Boruch, Hillel. Because of innocent of sin. For her to be so strong (clerical, administration, and bookkeeping). the great heat, Hillel had gone to the to think like that at such a time amazes courtyard; there he had taken off his The cost is $100 for books, and half is refunded at completion me until today. shoes and fallen asleep. The authori- of the course (when you provide a receipt). All participants can I wasn’t told that my father had passed ties searched the house and did not away, but I heard. Some people came to find him. Then, they went into the qualify for college credits and industry certification exams with be Menachem Avel but not a lot. My courtyard, saw the shoes, but instead selected trainings. mother had so much mesiras nefesh. of investigating further, they turned The children had to go to public school, around and left. To qualify for the courses you must: but we did not. When Shabbos came, Be Jewish with a low income my sisters would be bandaged up to The war broke out and I evacuated keep them from going to school. My together with my aunt and her family, Be a NYC resident sister, Yehudis Raksin, went to a private we fled toT argiskistan, Asia. My family Pass an entrance examination tutor, and she learned the same studies went to Kazarstan. After 4 years with as in the public school. When we lit the my aunt my mother came to get me. Have a computer and internet at home candles on Erev Shabbos, we closed the I was 12 years old. It was so strange. For information contact: Victoria at (212) 453-9659 windows, but with all this the goyim I didn’t have a father, and it was very or vbershtat metcouncil.org or Bella (212) 453-9543 knew that we were frumme yidden. difficult to see my mother again. @ We always lived in fear, but I didn’t 16 CROWN HEIGHTS ~February 01, 2008

Shalom Senior Center attends the "Remembrance and Beyond" joint stamp launch ceremony on United Nations Holocaust Memorial Day. Monday January 28th the Shalom The program was chaired by Mr.Y ossi the “Star Spangled Banner” by a group we must educate the next generation Center were guests of CEO of the Inter- Malamud who reminded everyone that of students of the Yeshiva of Flatbush. that they are standing on shoulders of Governmental Philatelic Corporation it took the United Nations nearly 60 Cantor Malvani recited Kel Molay giants who sanctified themselves Al (IGPC) Mr. Sam Malamud for a special years to dedicate a day of Holocaust Rachamim followed by kaddish for the Kiddush Hashem. As the stamp says dedication launch of the United Nations remembrance and then dedicate a 6 million Kedoshim. “lzichron Netzach” An everlasting Holocaust memorial stamp. stamp. remembrance. Mr.Robert Gray of the Philatelic The dedication was made in conjunc- The afternoon began with the singing of Department of the United Nations Mr. Sam Malamud addressed the tion with the Israeli postal services and launched the new stamps. This was gathering, echoing the days theme and the United Nations. The ceremony took followed by the key note address which then thanking each and everyone for place at the Museum of Jewish Heritage was delivered by Israel’s permanent attending this most memorable event. at Battery Park. Ambassador to the UN Mr. Danny Upon leaving Museum of Jewish Heri- Gillerman. This was followed byI srael’s Upon arriving at the museum, the tage our hosts Mr. and Mrs. Malamud Minister of communications Mr. Ariel seniors were graciously greeted by once again thanked everyone graciously Atias. Mr. Avi Hochman head of the Mr. and Mrs. Malamud thanking each for participating and thanked Shimon Israeli Postal Department gave a mov- and everyone for attending this most Herz Director, and Jenya Cherny, pro- ing account how his parents survived auspicious event. The seniors were gram director of the Shalom center for the holocaust and that this dedication ushered into the main auditorium and bringing the group to the dedication. was a huge mile mark in history. were joined by hundreds of guest who Each attendee of the ceremony was represented a huge cross section of The theme of the day was not only presented with a complimentary first New York’s whose who. must we not forget the atrocities that day of issue stamp. took place during the holocaust but ••• Friendship Circle Giving to Parents, Teenagers and Children Alike All in the Circle We can’t feel entitled to the abilities that both emotional and physically, and We’re always busy planning more “We jumped on the bed.” we have, but rather feel blessed and use involves her in a community of real programs. We have just launched new “We sang songs together and danced them to do good things. friends? programs for older FC teenage boys and around the room!” have upcoming volunteer events that Friendship Circle has enhanced the “We put makeup on each other and I am sixteen years old. At my age, it’s include an ice skating trip and Mother functionality of my family by providing dressed up and took a bunch of very easy to be selfish. But Shmuly and Daughter Tea. much needed respite. Knowing that pictures!” reminds me how much I have to give; my daughter has a friend to spend time The community has been tremendously “We played air guitar.” that I can really make a difference and with every week offers me a chance to giving in supporting our vital work. affect someone else’s life. That’s pretty do things I have to get done and have Everyday, the Brooklyn based Friend- amazing, I think. some time for myself – all while know- Thanks to all of our donors who allow us ship Circle receives tens of accounts just ing that my child is being taken care to keep our programs running without like these via an online logging system. Most of my friends don’t realize these of and having a good time. Friendship sacrificing quality. Everyone who has They are the notes of hundreds of vol- things about life, so I’m happy that I am Circle always has exciting trips and donated ideas, supplies, and time has unteers that spend time with children friends with Shmuly. camps when school is out, so I don’t greatly encouraged the success of our with special needs. An organization I am a child have to rack my brain wondering what goal of providing for children with dedicated to providing for children with I am going to do with my child while special needs. disabilities, Friendship Circle’s “Friends I’ve gone almost two days without she is off school. at Home” program goes beyond stan- There’s no one excluded from the taking off this bright green shirt. My dard offerings by placing volunteers Friendship Circle family. All members mother really wants me to take it off Furthermore, I cannot thank Friend- in children’s homes to provide the of the community have something to already, but how can I? This Friendship ship Circle enough for dispelling the warmth of friendship from which they offer. To learn more, call us at (718) 907- Circle Winter Camp shirt means every- myths about children with special are normally alienated. 8852 or e-mail us at info@fcbrooklyn. thing to me. It means going to exciting needs and for erasing the stigmas that com. places and having a fun time. It means often plague our lives. For a child with disabilities, the affects good food and prizes. But most of all, of such attention are immeasurable.B ut it means that I have friends, too. The positive impact that Friendship these seemingly simple and common Circle is having on my child and entire interactions shared by hundreds of vol- Every week, I look forward to Chani’s family is enormous. Anyone that gives unteers and their children are having a visit. She always comes with a smile on to Friendship Circle in any way should large-scale effect. Perusing through the her face and full of exciting stories and know that they are directly improving many volunteer accounts is like analyz- games. And if I am in a bad mood, she the lives of children with special needs, ing the heart of an organization that is understands. She is a good listener. and giving them an opportunity they changing the lives of parents, teenagers, most certainly can’t find anywhere and children alike – thus changing the It used to be that school breaks and else. face of an entire community. holidays meant watching my siblings From the Director Rabbi Levi have fun while I had to stay at home. ••• Eckhaus Now, every time that school is out or there is a holiday to celebrate, I know I am a volunteer Since assuming leadership of Friend- that I am going to have fun too! ship Circle at the beginning of this year, Getting dressed on my own never really things sure have been busy! Starting I am a parent seemed like something to be thankful with our kickoff events to our holiday for. I never thought that brushing my parties all the way up to our first-ever Though there are many challenges in teeth, eating or talking to my friends winter camp, Friendship Circle is raising a child with special needs, the was a blessing. But ever since volunteer- embracing parents, volunteers and moments when I see my daughter happy ing for Friendship Circle and spending children in a world of fun and meaning bring everything into focus. But these time with Shmuly, everything is differ- that is truly transforming lives. moments are scarce. ent. He is teaching me a lot. You see, Every single day, Friendship Circle is Shmuly can’t do a lot without asking Until Friendship Circle came along, the bombarded with calls from appreciative for help. The moreI play with him, the permanence of my daughter’s happiness parents and new sign ups. The continu- more I realize not to take my abilities seemed impossible. How could there ous demand for providing for children for granted. There are many people out possibly exist a program that genuinely with special needs and their families is there who can’t speak or move properly. appreciates my child, provides for her what propels us forward.