$1.00 WWW.5TJT.COM VOL. 6 NO. 49 15 ELUL 5766 tuc, hf ,arp SEPTEMBER 8, 2006

INSIDE FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK TORAH LIVES ON IN NEW ORLEANS

The Doctor Is In BY LARRY GORDON David Rosenberg, MD 29 MindBiz Watching Suozzi Run Esther Mann, LMSW 32 Photo Prose Gary Rabenko 35 Careful With E-mail Hannah Reich Berman 36 Cooking Concepts Naomi Ross 49 Tom Suozzi Elliot Spitzer Attorney General Elliot Suozzi. Spitzer will then go on Last week, on the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Congregation Beth Israel of New Orleans reopened with a Sefer Torah dedication, thanks to the Spitzer is going to win next to handily win in November generosity of many. Above: Mrs. Jackie Gothard; Rabbi Elazar Muskin of week’s Democratic primary Young Israel of Century City–Los Angeles; and Rabbi Yehoshua Sauer of the against County Executive Tom Continued on Page 4 National Council of Young Israel escorting the Torah. See Story, Page 11 The Last ROMMEL, FLUID HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE DYNAMICS, AND Davening In Denver Mishnah WW II JEWS BY LARRY GORDON when he first got off the train Weinberg-Scharf wedding. BY RAV ARYEH Z. BY RABBI after traveling nonstop for so See Page 71 GINZBERG YAIR HOFFMAN The story has been told long what his first thoughts of CHOFETZ CHAIM TORAH CENTER DEAN, TIFERET CHAYA HIGH SCHOOL about the chasid who was his new surroundings were. grabbed from his home in He said that when he got off In the aftermath of the Known as “the Desert Fox,” Communist Russia and forced the train and around, he saw recent war in Lebanon, it is his name struck such fear onto a train to Siberia in the that it was time for Minchah, really impossible to keep up among the British army dur- middle of the winter. The so he davened Minchah. with events in Eretz Yisrael. ing World War II that suppos- journey into the unknown I’ve always treasured that Once again, the entire coun- edly a directive was issued lasted for more than 24 hours. mayseh—that little story— Years later, after his arrival in because even today, it speaks Continued on Page 40 Continued on Page 8 America, he was asked about volumes about the vital com- those times and the long train ride to Siberia. He was asked Continued on Page 12

Ira Rennert sponsors Taryag Ernesto Blows In… Mitzvah Project. See Page 57 Clean Clothes THE CHANCE Our Aliyah Chronicle, Part 19 BY SHMUEL KATZ A Short Story

Happiness is having work- BY IRWIN H. ing laundry machines. BENJAMIN As we get more settled, we reach more mini milestones. At the end of the day, like We had brought new laundry the end of every day, Seymour appliances on our lift, and walked to the back room of the with its arrival the week store, removed his white before we were ready to have apron, hung it on a large metal them installed. hook, pulled down his sleeves, One of the first things you carefully buttoning them at Bowling for OHEL Bais Ezra. learn when planning aliyah is the wrist, and then punched See Page 63 that Israeli and European his time card. Although rarely appliances have smaller varying from his daily routine, CANDLE LIGHTING …and blows out over last weekend, causing great damage to residences capacities than American Seymour was an unassuming throughout the area. Pictured above, Aaron Applebaum of New McNeil Sept. 8 – 6:57 PM Avenue in Lawrence stands over a felled tree—more than a half-century appliances. So, partly to take and humble person. Sept. 15 – 6:46 PM old—whose roots were pulled out of the ground by powerful storm winds, remnants of Hurricane Ernesto. Continued on Page 15 Continued on Page 42 2 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 3 FROM THE EDITOR reporter that we all know that one of the County, in Albany they assume that you industries he has just not done enough to biggest problems here on Long Island, as must be rich. stem the overwhelming tide of fraud in Continued from Front Cover well as across the state, is the issue of And as far as Suozzi is concerned, here the state’s Medicaid program. and become this state’s next governor, property taxes. “Everyone complains and in New York State more than anything As for what he sees as the difference succeeding George Pataki. While Mr. turns to the schools and accuses them of else, it is Medicaid spending that is out of between him and Mr. Spitzer, Suozzi says Spitzer will be a great governor, for us on waste as an explanation of why taxes are control and hurting us all financially. “We that while Spitzer has been an effective Long Island Mr. Suozzi is like our home so high,” Mr. Suozzi says. “But that’s not attorney general, his focus is not on the team in this race—and it’s always tough where the problem lies; the source of our issues that cause the problems in New to watch the home team lose. I spoke tax problem is in Albany.” York State. He explains that when he with Mr. Suozzi on Monday, Labor Day, Mr. Suozzi adds that across the coun- “To us who work with took over the County Executive position and listened to him analyze what it was try, state governments provide 48 percent Tom, he’s a winner in Nassau County, he had to deal with that went both right and wrong in his of the cost of local education. “Do you issues similar to those that are negatively gubernatorial bid that never seemed to know what Albany contributes to because of his great impacting on the affairs of the state take off or reach its full stride. statewide education?” he asks—and today. “I tightened government in Nassau “I should have begun to run much answers, “only 15 percent.” Clearly, determination and County, and that’s what needs to be done earlier and raised more money,” Mr. according to Tom Suozzi, Albany is not on a statewide level,” Suozzi said. As to Suozzi said in a phone conversation from picking up its part of the education tab. commitment to whatever why his message has not won over the campaign trail. Even though the “On top of that,” he adds, “50 percent of he sets his mind to.” enough voters to score a victory in next polls have been discouraging all along the students in New York City are not week’s primary, he says it’s because he did the way, still Suozzi says that the run has graduating high school, and that’s unac- not have the key endorsements and reit- been “a great experience that has taught ceptable.” erates that he did not have enough [him] so much.” And, he adds that the “Listen, Nassau County is the highest spend $47 billion annually on Medicaid,” money to communicate his message on experience has just demonstrated to him taxed county in the country,” he says. he said. “That’s 250% more than the the scale or level that it needed to be at. “how a dysfunctional government is peo- “And even though we may have been on national average and there is simply no When asked about spending in the ple pushing down,” and “how powerful a the verge of insolvency, it was and is vir- accountability, while the rate of Medicaid campaign, he said that he had spent small group in Albany really is.” tually impossible to convince anyone in fraud increases.” Tom Suozzi also says about $9 million on the campaign and For Tom Suozzi hails from Long Island Albany that Nassau County needed that, while Elliot Spitzer has been aggres- that Mr. Spitzer had spent about $25 and runs Nassau County. He said to a help.” He adds that if you live in Nassau sive in pursuing justice in a number of million. As for his political future, Suozzi says that he plans to serve as Nassau County Executive until the end of his term (which still has three years to go), but that he will not seek reelection to that office. Historically, a governor’s office has been a great stepping stone in the advancement of political careers, with recent presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter all serving in the governor’s

Continued on Page 53

P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 516-984-0079 [email protected] [email protected] LARRY GORDON Publisher/Editor ESTA J. GORDON Managing Editor YOSSI GORDON Director of Sales CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Editorial Assistant SIDI BARON, YAKOV SERLE, JERRY MARKOVITZ Sales Representatives SHMUEL GERBER Chief Copy Editor MICHELE JUSTIC, YEHUDIT SANDERS Copy Editors CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Howard M. Adelsberg, Esq. Irwin Benjamin, Hannah Reich Berman Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg Yochanan Gordon, Michele Herenstein Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller Paula L. Simmonds YOSEF BROWN, NECHAMA ROSENBERG, MICHAL WEINSTEIN Staff Graphic Artists IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Staff Photographers FRANKEL & CO., CREATIVE DESIGN LLC Design & Production JONATHAN ISRAELI Layout Assistant TALIYE CORLEY Art Director The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times.

4 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 5 6 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 7 Fluid Dynamics three mitzvos—kosher slaughter, the hole was made connecting the two 3. That there be two holes, rather Continued from Front Cover laws of carrying on Shabbos, and the pools on the side wall. This hole could than just one. proper observance of mikveh. be opened and closed, and the mikveh The reason for the first of these that no one be permitted to utter the In light of the Baal Shem Tov’s inter- could be cleaned when the hole was three changes is possibly that he felt name “Rommel” (as a stand-alone pretation, a group of Chassidic rebbes closed, temporarily invalidating the that this position addressed the phrase). And with good reason. It was sprung into action. They assembled in mikveh. After the immersion pool is halachic view of the Raavad more ade- 1942: The Nazis had seized Greece. Yerushalayim, pledging to build mik- filled again, the hole could be opened quately. The Raavad held that the pool Then Cyprus. Then Crete. Now, vaos all over the land of Eretz Yisrael. and, once again, there would be a of rainwater becomes invalid once it no General Rommel threatened Eretz The result? Just west of Cairo, kosher mikveh. The halachah requires longer contains a majority of its origi- Yisrael itself from North Africa. The Rommel’s army was halted. The Allies that the hole be equivalent in size to a nal rainwater. Perhaps the Rashab felt Italians had even bombed Tel Aviv. And forced Rommel’s army into a disastrous shfoferes ha’nod, the opening of a con- that by positioning the immersion pool finally, with the battle of El Alamein, it retreat, and ultimately to destruction. tainer. In this manner of mikveh con- above the rainwater pool, the waters appeared that Rommel would win—he Clearly, it pays to be very careful in struction, the bor and the mikveh are would not mix as quickly. [In actuality, was undefeatable. the laws of mikveh. It also pays to side by side. the waters would exchange just as rap- What could be done? familiarize ourselves with the issues Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Schneerson, idly as in side-by-side pools, as both the We find in a prayer of the navi behind building mikvaos, including zt’l (1860–1920), the fifth Lubavitcher Satmar Rebbe, zt’l, and a prominent Chabakkuk: “Beza‘am titz‘ad-aretz, some contemporary controversies. We Rebbe (known as the Rashab), pre- physicist have pointed out.] Although be’af tadush goyim”—“With za‘am know that a mikveh may not have ferred a different method of mikveh the Raavad’s position is a minority posi- (indignation) You will march over the water that is considered to have been construction, as noted at the end of his tion, it is worthwhile to attempt to ful- land; in anger You will trample the drawn by human hands. We also know work Taharas HaMayim. He advocated fill the mitzvah of mikveh according to nations” (Chabakkuk 3:12). The Baal that a mikveh should be as clean and three major changes: as many opinions as possible (Tashbatz Shem Tov interpreted “za‘am” as an attractive as possible. The trick is to be 1. That the immersion pool be on Vol. I #17). Alternatively, the Rashab acronym: the zayin stands for able to accomplish both of these top of the rainwater pool (instead of at might have advocated this type of “zevichah”—slaughtering; the ayin requirements, and to do them well. its side). mikveh as a protective measure to stands for “eiruvin”; and the mem Historically, most mikvaos were built 2. That the size of the hole be much ensure that no one accidentally invali- stands for “mikveh.” In other words, in the following way: the pool of rain- larger than a shfoferes ha’nod; he want- date the mikveh by having a slab placed Hashem will protect the land in the water—the “bor”—was built next to ed it to be a full handbreadth by a above the actual bor. merit of our keen observance of these the actual immersing pool. A small handbreadth. As far as the other two changes, there may be a number of benefits. The Shach (Y.D. 201:112) rules that ideally the opinion of Rabbeinu Yerucham should be followed, and that the rainwater pool should be open to the immersion pool during the time of immersion. At times, the person in charge of the mikveh may forget to open the hole during the immersions. Having two holes—and large ones, at that—ensures that this opinion of Rabbeinu Yerucham be followed. At other times, the level of water in the immersion pool may inadvertently be allowed to drop below the height of the connecting hole, rendering the mikveh invalid until the immersion pool is refilled. Utilizing the mikveh-on-top- of-bor method of construction, there is no chance for this type of error. The Rashab was not the only one to build such a mikveh. In a letter dated 1936, the Satmar Rebbe, zt’l, discusses an occasion when he built an immer- sion pool on top of the rainwater pool. He also advocated having a number of holes, and making them larger than a shfoferes ha’nod. The Satmar Rebbe had a fourth requirement: that the con- crete slab in between be constructed from a number of pieces so it would not be too heavy to lift. He advocated that each slab have its own hole. Having the immersion pool on top has met with some controversy, howev- er. Rabbi Meir Posen of London, in a monograph sent to Dayan Weiss, zt’l, of Jerusalem (cited in Minchas Yitzchak Vol. V #95) quotes the Divrei Chaim (2:88) as ruling that a mikveh on top of a bor is invalid and consti- tutes something called k’tafres. The Mishnah in Taharos (8:9) states: “K’tafres eino chibbur lo letumah ve’lo letaharah”—“a k’tafres is not consid- ered a connection, neither to make impure nor to purify.” (A k’tafres is liq- uid streaming down at an angle.) However, Rav Meir Arik, zt’l (in a letter to Rabbi Yoseph Babad, the Av Beis Din of Kalish, Imrei Yosher, Vol. II #167; see also Vol. I #101); Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l (Igros Moshe Y.D. Vol. III #65); the Satmar Rebbe, zt’l,(Divrei

Continued on Page 10 8 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 9 Fluid Dynamics fused into the rainwater in about four of the Raavad’s opinion, as they have prohibitive, a mikveh with two boros Continued from Page 8 days, even if the water is standing still not been fulfilled. could be built—one utilizing the sys- and is not perturbed by any outside Clearly, the only advantage of the tem of hashakah, and one utilizing the Yoel Vol. I Y.D. #80); and Dayan Weiss, forces. One can perhaps posit that Rashab’s suggestions lies in ensuring system of zeriyah. Although the zt’l, disagree with Rabbi Meir Posen’s since the timing is rather slow, and it is that the mikveh does not get invalidat- Chazon Ish held that nothing could be contention, stating that the Divrei barely detectable, it might still be ed. Nowadays, however, these con- gained with the two-boros system, Rav Chaim never invalidated it on these halachically considered as though the cerns are a bit remote. Our mikvaos Moshe disagreed; he felt that one grounds if there is a direct hole above waters did not mix, thus satisfying the enjoy supervision by knowledgeable could fulfill the Raavad’s requirement the rainwater pool. Indeed, Rav Meir Raavad’s ruling. rabbis, and the caretakers are G-d fear- with this method.) Arik even questions the supposition The waters, however, can and do ing individuals who are well trained. that it would be invalid if it came down also mix through convection—and (Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l, however, Mikveh Saves The Jews Of Hungary from an angled tube. they do so at a rate five orders of mag- had an alternative suggestion that It is interesting to note that 75,000 nitude greater than the rate of general could address the Raavad’s issue. As Jews in World War II Hungary were Does Rashab’s Method Satisfy diffusion. There are three types of con- many people know, there are basically saved because of the position of the Raavad’s Concerns? vection that would cause the waters to three ways in which mikveh water can Raavad. The notion that there is no mixing, intermingle: heat gradient, general still be halachically considered as not In 1944, over 100,000 Jews were however, does not have scientific valid- swirling, and gravity gradient. The gen- having been drawn: hashakah, where crammed into the ghetto of Budapest. ity. There are two methods in which eral swirling will override these other the immersion pool literally “kisses” or At this time, all the Jewish charity fluids mix with each other: diffusion factors, causing the waters to mix makes contact with the rainwater institutions in Budapest were ordered and convection. We will first discuss 10,000 times as quickly as by general through an open hole; zeriyah, where a by the government to be shut down. diffusion. The immersion pool is often diffusion. As the Satmar Rebbe points bor of rainwater is filled with drawn Only the Jewish Council, which the heated, but we will work with the sup- out, the general swirling that will most water and it spills over into the immer- Nazis deemed necessary, was to position that both bodies of water are assuredly be brought about by immers- sion pool; and hamshachah, where the remain. Maurice Lowinger (who, inci- at a constant temperature. Although in ing in the immersion pool above would drawn water is led across the ground dentally, has many Torah institutions such a case the diffusion rate is very cause a quick exchange almost instant- and into an immersion pool that in this neighborhood named after him) small—about 0.0001 square centime- ly. Thus it is highly unlikely that there already has at least 20 se’ah of rainwa- ran the soup kitchen; he had worked ters per second—the water from the is anything gained in this method of ter. Rav Moshe Feinstein (Y.D. Vol. I out an agreement that the soup immersion pool will be completely dif- attempting to satisfy the requirements #111) suggested that, if the cost is not kitchen would continue as part of the Jewish Council. Maurice Lowinger’s father-in-law, the original founder of the soup kitchen, had the foresight to order the biggest pots that could possibly be manufactured. Aside from its material possessions, the soup kitchen needed water, raw food stuff, oil, and wood. The first three of these items were nearly impossible to get hold of. The soup kitchen had to cook 500 gallons of soup per day. To achieve this, 1,250 gallons of water were necessary. This was a huge obstacle, as the Nazis had cut off all water to the Jewish ghettos. How did Mr. Lowinger get the water? Let’s review. Most opinions hold that once there is a mikveh of kosher water, an unlimited amount of drawn water may be added to the mikveh. The Raavad, as mentioned earlier, dis- agrees. In the Raavad’s opinion, the majority of a mikveh’s water must always be from an undrawn source. As a practical matter, the only method tra- ditionally used to construct a mikveh that complies with the Raavad’s requirements is whereby the mikveh is fed by an underground spring. Although long forgotten, there was once a mikveh in Budapest that was fed by an underground spring. It was on account of the fact that Jews were scrupulous to build a mikveh accord- ing to the Raavad that the Jews of Budapest were saved. Somehow, Maurice Lowinger was able to get engineers to find and drill into the water source of this long-for- gotten mikveh. Remarkably, the plan worked. Soon, Maurice Lowinger’s soup kitchen had water, and plenty of it. The Jews of Budapest, for the time being, were saved—thanks to the Raavad. ❖

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10 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES everything last year in Hurricane od of time of speaking with Rabbi New Orleans Jews: “We Are So Lucky” Katrina. The flooding caused by the Shiff (who was at that point displaced storm ruined all of our furniture, with his family in Memphis, TN), BY ARYE NISONSON tation—and of Isaac Leider, (ZAKA vol- records, memorabilia, over 3,000 sid- trucks laden with linen, clothing, unteer extraordinaire) oaring his way durim and machzorim, and saddest of beds and furniture, toys, sports One year ago, Hurricane Katrina out of Beth Israel’s murky waters with all, our seven sefer Torahs.” equipment, seforim, kitchenware, and plowed its way through the Atlantic, seven damaged Torah scrolls—touched The majority of Beth Israel’s 200 other household necessities were devastating much of the north-central the souls of so many. The dedication of families, including their rabbi, Rabbi rolling in to assist those in need. Over Gulf Coast. Most notably affected by the National Council of Young Israel Yisrael Shiff were flooded out of their the past 12 months monies were dis- Katrina’s damaging winds, the sixth- and the compassion and efforts of Jews homes and forced to resettle elsewhere. tributed, lifecycle event bills were strongest hurricane ever recorded, was worldwide have worked together to There were 10,000 to 12,000 Jews in covered, and summer camp scholar- the city of New Orleans. Dubbed the bring hope back into the lives of the vic- New Orleans before Katrina. Many of ships were handed out by NCYI. costliest hurricane in the history of the tims of Hurricane Katrina. their families emigrated from Europe in “Kol Yisrael areivim zeh la’zeh—All United States, Katrina managed to “Those pictures generated an out- the 19th century and opened business- of the Jewish people are responsible knock down cement block homes as if pouring of support for our communi- es in the then thriving port city. for one another; if a Jew is hurting in they were made from cardboard. Entire ty,” explained Mrs. Jackie Gothard, Congregation Beth Israel found Louisiana we must be hurting here in neighborhoods were underwater within President of Congregation Beth Israel. itself without any sifrei kodesh. The New York, and do our utmost to relieve minutes of the backfiring of the city’s “Our shul has remained true to [the shul was no longer habitable, unable their—our—pain.” Said Mr. Eli levee system. And for the Jews of New standards of] Orthodoxy since its to support their rabbi, and more than Dwortestky, vice-president of NCYI. Orleans, the rise of Hurricane Katrina founding in 1902. That means for the half of its congregants evacuated to “It’s true that Eretz Yisrael is a major led to the downfall of an entire commu- past 104 years we have held daily other communities. priority for the National Council of nity. Almost. The front pages of noted minyanim. We have always had a Always an example of capable lead- Young Israel,” explained Rabbi periodicals and global internet news kosher mechitzah,amikveh, and a ership, the National Council of Young Yehoshua Sauer, the NCYI’s Director spoke a thousand words of our Jewish rav,” she continued. Israel immediately stepped forward, of Synagogue Services. “But we still brothers and sisters in trouble. Depicted All that changed, however, when and, once again, firmly planted seeds have a responsibility to help Jewish was Congregation Beth Israel’s shul Katrina moved in. of inspiration in the hearts of many to communities in other parts of the flooded with over ten feet of filthy, “Our shul, which relocated to the heed the call of chesed and help debris-laden, chemical-tainted, corpse city’s Lakefront area 35 years ago, lost Louisiana’s Jews. Within a short peri- Continued on Page 18 infested water, ruining everything inside. The pictures of the area’s devas- CALENDAR LUACH Sept.8–Sept. 16 ZIP Code: 11516

15 Elul – Erev Shabbos Friday, September 8 Daf yomi: Sukkah 6 Z’manim*: Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:34 am Sunrise: 6:29 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:04 am Gr’a 9:40 am Candle Lighting: 6:57 pm 16 Elul – Shabbos Saturday, September 9 Shabbos Parashas Ki-Savo Pirkei Avos: Chapters 3–4 Shabbos ends**: 7:56 pm 72 min. 8:27 pm 22 Elul – Erev Shabbos Friday, September 15 Daf yomi: Sukkah 13 Earliest tallis/tefillin: 5:42 am Sunrise: 6:36 am Latest Shema: M. Av. 9:06 am Gr’a 9:42 am Candle Lighting: 6:46 pm 23 Elul – Shabbos Saturday, September 16 Shabbos Parashas Nitzavim-Vayeilech Pirkei Avos: Chapters 5–6 Shabbos ends**: 7:43 pm 72 min. 8:15 pm Midnight: 12:49 am Motzaei Shabbos: selichos – 1st night (for Ashkenazim) * from MyZmanim.com ** add a few minutes for tosefos Shabbos according to your minhag Municipal Calendar For 5 Towns and NYC Tuesday, September 12 Primary Elections 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 11 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE bride’s family stemmed from Denver. I fact when I returned to JFK airport last housed offices for the Denver hospital. had never been in Denver before, so Tuesday evening, I observed that JFK Back then, I was puzzled as to why a Continued from Front Cover this would be a new experience. Prior to gave the impression of looking like a hospital in Denver needed an office in ponents of every trip by an observant leaving, all I had was Denver as I pic- homeless shelter compared to DIA New York. I understood why hospitals Jew and what it really revolves around. tured it and that would have to stack up (Denver International Airport). Maybe in Israel needed this local presence And what these journeys or forays real- or contrast itself with the real Denver it was just the area I was in—the east and shortly thereafter it became clear ly amount to is not so much about once we arrived. In other words, it side of the city—that was so immacu- that the Denver hospital needed the where you’re going but whether or not would be a matter of asking the real late and impressive. I’m sure that presence for the same reason. there is a shul with a minyan, a place Denver to please stand up. Denver has its rough spots or tough Other than that, all I knew about to get or buy kosher meals and, in Denver was that it was a magnet for some instances, whether there is a members of our community and many mikveh in the town or city you are others who desired optimal skiing con- headed to. I find the situation for “You know if you come into town with the ditions by populating the cities of Vale Orthodox Jews who travel the land- and Aspen during the winter. Both scape of the world similar to a game of cities cater to large kosher groups, tag we used to play when we were kids. uppity New York attitude, people around here some which make multiple trips over Regardless of the length or depth of any given winter to ski…and then ski the playing field, there always had to are just going to ignore you and that’s it.” some more. But we were just a couple be a base where we could rest our feet of people coming into town for a wed- or just touch with a hand. It was a ding—a trip that lasted a little over 48 place where we were safe and at hours (talk about traffic and a long home—even if only for a moment in a Denver, Colorado has a long stand- parts of town as other cities do. I just smorgasbord). Earlier this year, I went frenzied children’s game that at its ing, well known and very fine didn’t see them this time around. On to a wedding in New Jersey on a core involved a lot of running around. Orthodox Jewish community. The part the way in from the airport, I passed Sunday night and drove up the FDR And so it was that I found myself in I saw on my in and out raid were real- the National Jewish Hospital of Drive toward the George Washington Denver, Colorado last week for 48 ly very impressive. The airport was just Denver, an internationally well known Bridge when a Yankees-Red Sox game hours ostensibly to participate in a fam- spectacular—large and clean, with a institution. Some years ago, I worked ended. It took me almost three hours ily simcha, a wedding from which the friendly and accommodating staff. In in a building in Manhattan that also to get to the wedding. The flight to Denver from JFK on a Sunday after- noon was a little under four hours. Yes, of course even flying domesti- cally these days has become somewhat of an imposition—though it looks to me like the security personnel at the airports are handling yet another new terror-threat-related situation rather well. The whole thing has become a drill that out of necessity we have to integrate into our traveling routine. Who ever thought that boxes used by busboys in restaurants and hotels would ever have become such an essential element of homeland securi- ty? I recall that a few years ago when I was first asked to place my laptop and shoes in a busbox, I was certain that this was just a temporary measure until the security personnel developed a better mechanism to handle the flow of stuff you wanted to take on the plane with you. But years have passed and the busboxes are still there. I guess they simply do the job well. They are large and durable and pass through the X-ray machines unobtrusively. Whoever makes these things probably can’t believe that every airport in the country suddenly needs busboxes. As you know, Denver is the “mile- high city.” That means, I suppose, that the entire city, or at least most of it, is some 5,000 feet or more above sea level. In case you are not aware of that, while flying Jet Blue into the city, the screen that records the plane’s speed and altitude indicates that when the plane touches down at DIA, it is still some 5,000 feet up in the air—which it obviously is not. In other words, you end up landing 5,000 feet before you would land in other cities. When you are 39,000 feet in the air, when you fly over Denver, it is only 34,000 feet. Does that make sense? Anyway, like the chasid in the first paragraph of this essay, when we arrived in Denver midafternoon, we began to think about davening minchah. We had no clue about minyanim but figured it was early enough to concern ourselves with it a bit later on in the day. And that’s what we did. As far as the con- cerns of an observing traveler, along with where to daven, probably just as 12 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES important is where or what to eat. The Denver natives who welcomed us assured us that we would be able to eat in strictly kosher New York style without wanting any of the cui- sine or ambience of back home. I really didn’t need that kind of assurance, especially since I would only be there for two nights and there was a wedding planned for one of those nights. That left us with Sunday and maybe part of Monday to find some food to eat. I was told that there are about 400 frum families in Denver, which to me unscien- tifically computes to about 2,000 or so people. I didn’t do a comprehensive study; and remember, my exposure to Jewish Denver on this trip is limited to the east side. So on Sunday night we went to the East Side Deli which is obvi- ously a play on words (I’m sure you get it). And the next day we went to lunch at Pete’s Pizza— yes, it’s kosher, with a full-time mashgiach on the premises. When you enter the East Side Deli in Denver, you walk into a supermarket. I thought for a moment that my host, who invited us out to dinner, was momentarily out of his mind. People fly more than halfway across the country and you invite them to a supermar- ket for dinner? We were hungry and the scene quickly flashed through my mind: We would pick up some bread, maybe salami or some peanut butter and make sandwiches in the parking lot and eat them in or near our cars. I promise that this was my original thought. So we walked in and my host led us through the frozen foods aisle to a room in the back that opened up into a bigger room that gave the immediate impression of being a nice look- ing restaurant. Like everything else in Denver, this place was so big that beyond the restau- rant was yet another large din- ing area that looked like it was perfect for private parties. We were seated and hand- ed menus; we ordered and were served in style. It was a long way from my original frightful impression. Actually it was quite good. Of course, when dining out of town—or out of state—I try to suppress this New York attitude that can sometimes surface and that everyone out of New York is so sensitive about and even allergic to. The East Side Deli serves quite nicely and does indeed prepare New-York- style deli dishes. I had the feeling that the waiters sensed that we were from New York and as a result I didn’t even feel comfortable complimenting anything. I

Continued on Page 14 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 13 HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE minutes. Now, we weren’t being food would take 20 minutes to pre- ine that anyone living with those ignored. It’s just that in Denver if you pare. That’s when we heard, “You know mountains can ever take their out- Continued from Page 13 ask for something, it is apparently per- if you come into town with the uppity standing beauty for granted. Before thought they would feel that whatever fectly acceptable to have to wait about New York attitude, people around here our pizza/calzone breakfast/lunch we we said was a little condescending and four minutes for it. After all, you’re in are just going to ignore you and that’s rode out to the foot of the Rockies for a critique, albeit positive, from a New Denver, so what exactly is the rush? it.” Well, we couldn’t pick up and go to an up close look-see—and the little York perspective. When you walk into Pete’s Pizza you the other pizza store because this was edge that we saw of them was beyond Yes, it’s true that I don’t understand get a menu and a speech about how the other pizza place. So we just sat breathtaking. I hadn’t seen a sight like why anyone would want to live in there is no food that is already pre- tight and waited, because the wedding this in this country and thought that Denver, Baltimore or even Dallas for pared, that everything is fresh and wouldn’t begin for another four hours this kind of mountainous beauty can that matter. But I also think that it’s made from scratch and that every- or so anyway. only be seen in Israel. important to note that most of the peo- thing—pizza, calzones, etc.—takes Davening in the morning took place We davened both mornings of our ple we are referring to never lived in a about 20 minutes to have made. Can in the Chabad shul on South Holly in stay in Denver at Chabad and saw place like New York. As a result, a you just imagine walking into a store a nice little building on a quiet resi- firsthand the outstanding strides that Denver or a Baltimore lifestyle is what around these parts, asking for a slice of dential block. A couple of other were made in Denver by Rabbi Engle, they know and enjoy, with nothing else pizza and being told that your slice or minyanim in town started at 6:00 a.m. who has lived there for 25 years. I did- to really compare it to. The next day pie will be ready in 20 minutes to a At least the Chabad minyan was at n’t ask him how or why Denver, we went for a midday late breakfast, half hour? You’d probably consider 6:45 a.m. I don’t think that anyone because I knew that years ago the pre-wedding snack at Pete’s Pizza. dialing 911. So we sat around waiting here on the east side knows that there Rebbe gave him a brachah to be in Pete’s is owned by Pete who is not while Moshe told us how much he is such a thing as an 8:00 a.m. minyan Denver and that’s where he is. Judging Jewish and who employs a laid back loves life in Denver. “Oh yeah,” he during the week. I was too embar- by the several dozen people who and pleasant gentleman (who I met in says, “I used to live back east, but it’s rassed to say anything about 9:00 a.m. showed up at the minyan in the middle shul that very same Monday morning) different out here.” Turns out, he was and was ashamed to even think 10:00 of the week and in the middle of as mashgiach and cook. Moshe has raised in New Jersey and went to pri- a.m. The sun is up early these days and America, I’d have to say that he has lived in Denver for about ten years. vate school in New Hampshire before just a majestic sight to behold—the done quite a good job. When someone in our party wanted a making the move out west. Someone way the magnificent early morning At the wedding, we met people who straw with their soda, they ended up in our party must have rolled their eyes orange of the sun bounces off this side were interested to know who we were, asking for it three times in about four or something when we were told the of the Rocky Mountains. I can’t imag- because we were the only part of the chasan’s family from New York. The odd thing was that a few of the people we spoke to that night told us that they were leaving Denver and had their homes up for sale. When I asked why they were moving, they mostly said it was because their children had moved away. When I asked where they were moving to, the answers included Baltimore, Lakewood, Dallas and one to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Later on it hit me that there is something inter- changeable about all these cities. They all have different zip codes but almost everything else about them is the same. Another thing they have in com- mon is that they are not New York. Other than that, people in Denver are very laid back, they talk slower, and everything is done at a different pace. They would never entertain living in New York, they say. They just couldn’t do it. And I couldn’t live in any of those cities—not even Denver—despite the beauty of the mountains. I took a photo of them and have them in my computer so I can visit anytime I feel like it. ❖ Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at [email protected].

G-d has not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, until this very day (Devarim 29:3)

This teaches us that a per- son does not comprehend the mind of his master until after forty years.

(Talmud)

14 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Aliyah Chronicle s”xc Continued from Front Cover advantage of the import tax benefits awarded to olim, but also partly to make sure that we have the largest machines available, we brought in some Maytag laundry machines. Since we bought the machines for the purpose of exporting them to Israel, we bought 220 voltage machines and paid for professional installation and one year’s service. When the lift was unloaded, we left the equipment in their boxes, since we knew we would need professional installation and we had so much other unpacking to do anyway. On Sunday, I made arrangements with the Israeli installation company for them to come to the house on Thursday to install the equipment. They told me to make sure that every- thing was out of the box and in the laundry room. The yeshiva’s new group of talmidim arrived on Monday on their group flights. We had spent the prior few weeks working shorthanded to get the yeshiva ready. With several of our people in the reserves in the war and many ven- dors (especially the contractors) short- handed from the war—not only in man- power but sometimes in supplies as well due to the uncertainties in the ports, I was amazed that it all came together. This group of talmidim will probably always be special to me since this is my first year in the yeshiva as well. Every time we go on a tiyul, it will be my first time on that tiyul as well as theirs. Part of the joy of this experience is the fact that my job allows me to experience the country and the people in the same way as these young men will. They arrived in the yeshiva mid- morning, tired but excited to be here. After getting assigned to their rooms and having lunch, they enjoyed some brief welcoming shiurim and we went on the “opening day” tiyul to the Kotel. We started the tiyul at the Tayelet, a park that overlooks a great deal of the city of Jerusalem, including the old city. While there, the Shanah Aleph boys had the opportunity to tear kriah upon seeing the destruction of the Beit Hamikdosh. They then went straight to the Old City, where they deliberately entered from Sha’ar Tzion in order to reflect upon their first visit to the Kotel. The tiyul was moving and it was a treat to do it with the boys and see how they reacted to the Kotel and the tiyul as the “kickoff” of their year. On Tuesday, I was preparing to leave the yeshiva after a day of orientation for the guys. They were about to embark on a walking tour of the neighborhood, a basic review of where everything is, when one of the rebbeim called to tell me that there was a major security alert issued for the Jerusalem area. Apparently there was hard informa- tion about a serious credible threat for an impending attack in the area and the security services were searching each and every vehicle entering Jerusalem that afternoon. Although we did not feel threatened, we followed our procedure to cancel any off-cam-

Continued on Page 16 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 15 Aliyah Chronicle Continued from Page 15 pus activities and used the opportunity to review our emergency contact and action plans. I had arranged to take the day off on Wednesday, since I had really only had a couple of days to unpack since the arrival of the lift. There was a whole list of things that needed to get organ- ized. Goldie prioritized which rooms she wanted cleared out so that she could feel a little more at home, including putting the washer and dryer into the laundry room. Goldie was thrilled that I would be home, since she had spent the week either staying home for various con- tractors/repairmen or chasing kids all over the place. She took the opportuni- ty to get out of the house and take the Shmuel Katz and the Shanah Aleph class of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi enjoying a tiyul. kids for a ride and out for lunch. About an hour after our lift had weakening the holes and resulting in of runners and put the table back cant progress toward getting every- been delivered, our dining room table the whole thing collapsing. together. We also got our telephones thing in order. came apart. Apparently, the runners Thankfully, we were insured for the installed by the phone company at the On Wednesday night I unpacked had been unscrewed and then screwed move and the furniture repair guy same time. So by the time everyone got the laundry machines. When I went to back in by the movers in the U.S., came to the house to install a new set home, I felt that we had made signifi- put them into the laundry room, we were horrified to realize that they wouldn’t make it through the door. No matter how hard I tried to angle them or turn them sideways, I just couldn’t make it work. Goldie came to take a look at the machines, and while she was upset that it didn’t seem like there was any way to get them into the laundry room, she was thrilled to discover that they have more capacity than our prior machines back in the U.S. In a family with six kids, having a large washer and dryer are really very important. When I took a look at the wall that was in the way, I realized that it was actually a sheetrock frame that was behind a bathroom sink and that there was actually a wide gap between the wall and the tile around the sink. Knowing that the installers were coming the next day and that there would be no other way to get the machines through the door, I did what anyone would do—I removed about a foot of the wall (with a hammer—shhh, don’t tell the landlord). I will have a repairman fix it, but I got the machines in and the next tenants will have access as well. (And I did tell the landlord.) I cannot describe how happy Goldie was to not have to shlep stuff to a neighbor to get clean clothes. Some simple things can make a major differ- ence in your life. She happily did laun- dry for days. On Thursday we had a technician come to the house to look at one of the A/C units (covering the master bedroom) that has not worked since we moved in. According to Goldie, it was probably the repairman’s first day on the job. He had no clue where the compres- sor was, and kept referring to the instal- lation manual to figure out what was what. When he realized that the com- pressor is on the roof of the house, he refused to climb on to the roof to take a look at it. His excuse, “I cannot go out on the roof, I have no life insurance.” No matter what Goldie said to him, he would not agree to go to the roof and check the unit. When she asked him to look at one of the dampers on a differ- ent unit to see why it was blowing very 16 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES weakly, he said, “I cannot do anything. s”xc At least it is blowing!” Truthfully, stories like this are not common. While they do happen here, I would say that the majority of the peo- ple we have dealt with have been pretty competent, or at least compassionate. Most people are so nice to us, especial- ly if they find out we are new olim. By Friday, Goldie had reached the end of her rope with the kids. They were bored with nothing to do, and were driv- ing her up a wall. She spent the day prepping knapsacks with schoolbooks and school supplies; the first day of school was Sunday and she wanted to make sure that the kids were prepared. In Israel, even second graders have departmental classes, so a seven-year- old might have five or more teachers on any given day. Additionally, books are shlepped back and forth, so there is a big focus on preparing all the books needed in the knapsack for the next day’s learning. With the exception of Mordechai, who is terrified of going to a Hebrew speaking pre1a and is concerned that he won’t understand the morah or the kids, our kids are excited to begin school. One positive with Mordechai is that just last week the city government approved a new pre1a for religious people. This program opened up in a building at the end of our block so this could be huge for the Katzes. The chesed committee in our neigh- borhood is terrific. They made sure we got called prior to Shabbat to find out if we needed meals or anything else. We have made a special effort to stay in shul after davening to shmooze with people in order to get to know them, and it was nice to see that the people in the com- munity have the same thoughts. We were invited to a kiddush hosted by Gershon and Tzippi Tokayer in memory of the yahrtzeits of both of their fathers (Tzippi also runs the hos- pitality coordination for the chesed committee). This was another great way to meet people and try to make friends not just for the kids, but for ourselves as well. We enjoyed a terrific Shabbat lunch with an English couple (the Grosses) who have both been here for many years (their six children were all born here). They were really very gracious to open up their home to our family of eight. Chaim walked a half hour uphill in the brutal sun to visit his classmates who all live in Ramat Beit Shemesh. If that wasn’t enough, he invited them all to join him for a walk back and they stayed by us through the end of Shabbat. For the most part, the kids have assimilated pretty well. I am sure the real stress will come when we try to deal with the first day of school which will have passed by the time you read this article. There is just no way to pre- pare for the onslaught of information that the kids will have to process, in adjusting to a new classroom, new friends and a new language. Hopefully it will all go smoothly. Last week I wrote about a BBQ at my sister’s home where our kids got a chance to meet each other for the first time. This week I received an e-mail asking why it took us eight weeks to

Continued on Page 20 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 17 New Orleans Continued from Page 11

world as well. Time alone does not heal billions of dol- lars worth of damage.” When she received a call from Rabbi Sauer that Hayley Fields a 14 year old member of the Young Israel of Century City, CA had raised the funds for a new sefer Torah for Beth Israel, Mrs. Gothard was, understandably, at a loss for words. “I could not believe it. We are so lucky.” Rabbi Elazar Muskin, the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Century City, California, recalls a phone conversation a day or two before the famous LA Times pictures of New Orleans hit the stands. “A member of the shul called me and asked what could be done to help the Jews in New Orleans. I remember this per- son specifically saying that the people in New Orleans would probably need some new Torah scrolls.” Haley also saw the LA Times pictures. She took it upon her- self to start a fundraising effort that would bring a new sefer Torah to the people in New Orleans. Over the past year, while her friends were playing or doing other acts of chesed, Haley, with the support of David and Lori Fields, and her grandmother, Mrs. Helen Mars designed and sold watch bracelets to friends, neighbors, and other synagogues at school functions and at vari- ous locations throughout the city for $5. In all she sold over 3,500 watches. As challenging as the situa- tion has been, Mrs. Gothard and the remaining members of Beth Israel have remained committed to their communi- ty. “Nobody could have pre- dicted what has happened to us, but no one expected the amount of compassion and care that has resulted.” Edward Gothard, a native of New Orleans and Master of Ceremonies for the dedication remarked, “At the funeral of our Torahs, we tried to make it clear that Torah can never die—certainly the scrolls can be damaged, destroyed, or worn out, but the Torah itself doesn’t die—it cannot die. We are Jews because we have the Torah. We believe that we are the Chosen People, chosen by Hashem to receive the Torah, to learn the Torah, and to live by its mitzvos and principles. I believe that we are closer to Hashem this afternoon. Cong. Beth Israel is receiving the most profound and meaningful gift possible for an Orthodox congregation—a Torah scroll. And we are receiving this gift as a result of the concern and hard work of strangers, people 18 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES who don’t know us, and have no connection to our shul. This is the time to acknowledge that, among all that we have experienced and endured as a congregation in the past year, we have learned what it is to be a part of the family that is the Jewish People.” The city is still not back on its feet. There are signs of destruction everywhere. Entire neighborhoods (including the area where the shul was) are still without power. Many of those who have returned are living out of trailers from FEMA on their front lawn because their three or four bedroom houses are uninhabit- able. Piles of debris are piled high everywhere. Rabbi Sauer with Mrs. Jackie Gothard in front of On August 27, 2006, Rabbi Congregation after water was pumped out. Rabbi Sauer surveying damaged houses on the block of Beth Israel. Yehoshua Sauer, Rabbi Elazar Muskin, Haley Fields, David and Lori Fields, Mrs. Helen Mars, Goldie Fields, Mrs. Jackie Gothard and 200 other members of the Jewish com- munity came together just two days shy of Katrina’s one-year anniversary for a sefer Torah dedication in New Orleans. With dark clouds looming and the skies threatening rain, 50 people sang, danced, clapped and snapped photos as the Panorama Jazz Band played lively Jewish klezmer music making their way a half mile down West Esplanade Avenue. With the chupah approaching Cong. Beth Israel’s temporary home, 150 more people joined the simcha as Rabbi Muskin marched the new Torah into the building. As the Torah was carried up and down the aisles, congre- gants young and old were seen touching it, then putting their fingers to their lips, connecting with great emotion. The chil- dren were called to the bimah for Kol Haniarim under a huge tallis as a few verses were read. Once the Torah had been re- wrapped, the room again vibrated with songs of praise to Hashem, followed by remarks from many local rabbis, public officials, Mrs. Gothard, Rabbi Muskin, and Hayley. In addition to the Torah from the Los Angles Jewish Community replete with silver adornments (crowns, breast plate, and yad), a white cover and belt was presented for the High Holidays, and the National Council of Young Israel supplied 150 new Artscroll Machzorim for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. “The Jewish community was suffering,” said Rabbi Muskin. “So we kicked off a campaign to raise money for the victims of Katrina and for a sefer Torah. By bringing this sefer Torah to New Orleans, we are effectively declaring a renewal of the spirit for their commu- nity and for Louisiana.” ❖ 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 19 Aliyah Chronicle met, it wasn’t like they knew that they Continued from Page 17 were missing something. An interesting side benefit of the get the kids together if they had never no-Sunday issue is that many people met before. As it happens, this was a have off on Fridays instead. This sum- great question, since it allowed me to mer, the Friday off day gave me a reflect upon a very basic difference chance to help Goldie and/or do stuff between Israeli and American with the kids. However, during the lifestyles. You see, there is no winter all of our kids have school six “Sunday” in Israel like there is in days a week, so they will all be in America. In Israel, Sunday is a regular school on Fridays, leaving Goldie and I day for work, camp, school or whatev- alone for the day. Without kids. er. Since our kids were all enrolled in Ahhhhh. various summer programs, they were Mazal Tov to Michael and Jennifer occupied from Sunday-Thursday. In Stern and their family upon their aliyah addition, our lack of a car made get- this week with Nefesh B’Nefesh!! May ting together at night very difficult to your kelitah be ne‘imah (May your arrange, especially when considering absorption be pleasant)! ❖ that our little kids needed to get to Shmuel Katz is the director of Yeshivat Eretz sleep at a normal hour. HaTzvi in the Katamon neighborhood in Jerusalem. So we really had to wait until the Shmuel and his wife, Goldie (the telecommuting programs all ended and the kids were controller at Bnos Bais Yaakov of Far Rockaway), and their six children (ages 1 to 15) made aliyah on to be home all day in order to work July 5. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive things out (having a car then didn’t director of the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. If you have a specific question (beyond “Are you out of hurt either) and get them together. your mind?”), please feel free to contact him at After all, since they had never actually [email protected].

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMANTORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

Mesivta Ateres Yaakov of Greater Long Island admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

20 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 21 22 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 23 From The Chassidic Masters Crossing The Border

“I offer thanks to You, O living and all-pervasiveness of G-d, the principle everlasting king, for having restored of “perpetual creation” (G-d’s constant my soul within me; great is Your faith- infusion of vitality and existence into fulness.” the world, without which it would Our first conscious act of the day is revert to utter nothingness), the laws to avow our indebtedness and grati- governing the return of a pikadon (an tude to our Creator. As soon as we object entrusted to one’s care), and the wake from sleep, before getting out of Kabbalistic concept of Sefirat bed or even washing our hands, we HaMalchut (the Divine attribute of recite the above-quoted lines of the Sovereignty). Modeh Ani prayer, acknowledging that If so, asked the Rebbe on another it is He who grants us life and being occasion, why is the Modeh Ani said every moment of our existence. immediately upon waking, with a mind The ideas contained in the ostensi- still groggy from sleep? Would it not bly simple lines of Modeh Ani fill many have been more appropriate to precede a profound chapter in the legal, philo- it with a period of study and contem- sophical and mystical works of Torah. plation of these concepts? In an essay by the Lubavitcher Rebbe called Inyanah Shel Torat HaChassidut Night And Day (“On the Essence of Chassidism”), the The physiology of our bodies and Rebbe speaks of the many layers of the rhythm of the astral clocks parti- meaning contained within every part tion our lives into conscious and of Torah; using the 12 Hebrew words supra-conscious domains. During our of Modeh Ani as an example. The waking hours, our mind assumes con- Rebbe extracts from them insights into the nature of the omnipresence and Continued on Page 26

24 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 25 INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH the Rebbe, exploits a most unique the L-rd your G-d that I have come conquest and allocation of the land Continued from Page 24 moment of our day—the moment that unto the land which G-d swore to our has been completed. lies at the threshold of wakefulness, fathers to give to us…’ ” The Sifri, on the other hand, trol of our thoughts and actions, the moment that straddles the con- In his “proclamation,” the bikkurim- places the emphasis on the same screening, filtering and interpreting scious and supra-conscious domains of bearing farmer goes on to recount the verse’s opening words—“And it shall the stimuli that flow to it, and issuing our day. There are other moments, story of our liberation from Egypt and be when you come into the land” to commands and instructions to the other prayers in the course of our day G-d’s gift to us of “a land flowing with imply that the obligation to bring body. But at night, when we sleep, the which take full advantage of our pow- milk and honey,” concluding with the bikkurim applied immediately upon “command-center” shifts to a deeper, ers of intellect and reasoning—prayers pronouncement: “And now, behold, I the Jew’s entry into the land. The darker place within our psyche—a that follow lengthy and profound med- have brought the first fruit of the land Sifri bases its interpretation on the place where fantasy supersedes logic, itations upon their content and signif- that You, G-d, have given me.” first word of the verse, vehayah (“And sense supplants thought, and aware- icance. But each morning, as we move When did our forefathers begin it shall be”), which throughout the ness is replaced by a more elemental from the liberating hours of sleep to a bringing the first fruits of their newly- Torah is indicative of an event that is form of knowing. Hard facts become day of conscious thought, a most gained homeland to “the place where to come to pass immediately. pliant, absurdities become tenable, in unique opportunity presents itself: the G-d chose to rest His name”? The first However, notwithstanding their this nocturnal world. opportunity to express to ourselves a verse of the Torah’s chapter on conflicting readings of the verse, There are certain truths, however, truth that inhabits our deepest selves, bikkurim contains conflicting implica- there is not much practical difference that are unaffected by these fluctua- to declare what we already know to the tions as to when the practice of this between the Talmud and the Sifri tions of knowledge and awareness. awaiting day. mitzvah is to commence, giving rise to with regard to the actual bringing of Our faith in G-d, His centrality to our a legal debate between the Talmud and bikkurim. The Torah instructs that existence, the depth of our commit- Yisro’s Estate the Sifri (a halachic Midrash). bikkurim should be brought from “the ment to Him—we know these things A similar phenomenon can be dis- The Jewish people entered the land first-ripened fruits of your land”; this, utterly and absolutely, and we know cerned in a halachic discussion that of Israel under the leadership of agree all the sages, teaches us that the them at all times and in all states of underlies the mitzvah of bikkurim Yehoshua one month after the passing mitzvah of bikkurim applies only to a consciousness. (“first-ripened fruits”). of Moshe, in the year 2488 from cre- person who owns the land outright. Wakefulness and sleep affect only Bikkurim, like the Modeh Ani ation (1273 BCE). But 14 years were So even if the obligation to bring the external activity of the intellect; prayer, is a declaration of indebtedness to pass before the land would be con- bikkurim had applied, in principle, what we know with the very essence of and gratitude to G-d. In the 26th chap- quered and each tribe and family from the very first moment that the our being, we know no less when ter of Devarim, the Torah instructs: allotted its share (the conquest of the Jewish people entered the Land of plunged into the deepest recesses of “And it shall be when you come in to land took seven years, and an addi- Israel (as per the Sifri’s interpreta- slumber. On the contrary: when the land which the L-rd your G-d is tional seven years were required for its tion), the mitzvah could not have awake, we must wade through the pre- giving you for an inheritance, and you division into 12 tribal territories and been performed until the land was suppositions and polemics of an intel- will possess it and settle in it; more than 600,000 estates for the conquered and each family was allot- lect shackled to the “realities” of the “You shall take from the first of the heads of households entitled to a ted its own estate. physical state in order to arrive at fruits of the land … and place them in share in the land). It is for this reason, (Indeed, the Talmud Yerushalmi these truths; asleep, our mind loos- a basket; and you shall go to the place says the Talmud, that the verse speci- expresses the view that no single fami- ened from its subjective moorings, we that the L-rd your G-d will choose to fies to bring bikkurim “when you ly assumed possession of the land enjoy a closer and deeper (albeit less rest His name there. come into the land… and you will pos- allotted to it until every last family had conscious) awareness of our inner- “And you shall come to the kohen sess it and settle in it”—to teach us received its share. Even if the Sifri most convictions. that shall be in those days, and you that the first fruits of the land should The Modeh Ani prayer, explained shall say to him: ‘I proclaim today to be presented to G-d only after the Continued on Page 28

26 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 27 INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH impact on his or her life. Unless we have “taken possession” of something Continued from Page 26 by studying and analyzing it, unless we were to disagree with this position, it have “settled in it” by experiencing it in would have taken at least seven an aware and informed manner, of years—until the conquest of the land what value are our pronouncements was completed—for the first Jewish and proclamations? farmer to acquire a plot of land from The Sifri, on the other hand, holds a which to bring bikkurim.) Modeh Ani-like vision of the mitzvah of There was, however, one case in bikkurim, insisting that our very first which the Sifri’s concept of an imme- moment in the land that G-d has diate obligation to bring bikkurim granted us should be one of recogni- could have applied in actuality. As a tion and acknowledgment of the reward for joining their fate to that of Divine gift. the people of Israel, the family of For 40 years, as the people of Israel Yitro was granted an estate in the wandered through the Sinai desert, Holy Land, in the environs of they dreamed of the land designated by Yericho; this they received immedi- G-d as the environment in which to ately upon the Israelites’ entry into realize their mission in life. Then came the land, as Yericho was the very first the great moment of crossing from city to be conquered by Yehoshua. So dream to reality—a reality that actual- there was at least one family estate izes the dream, but which also from which bikkurim could have coarsens its purity. This is the been brought immediately “when you moment, says the Sifri, in which to come into the land.” give expression to all that we know and sense about the Holy Land. For Between Dream And Reality though our knowledge may be primi- While there is little difference, in tive and unformed by the standards of terms of actual practice, if we say that daytime reality, it comes from a place the time for bringing bikkurim is when in us that will no longer be accessible “you will possess it and settle in it” (as when we have ventured further into the Talmud holds) or immediately this realm of conscious knowledge and “when you enter the land” (as per the feeling. Only by expressing it now, on Sifri), the Talmud and the Sifri repre- the threshold between supra-con- sent two very different conceptions of scious awareness and conscious the mitzvah of bikkurim. knowledge, can we carry over from the The Talmud’s conception of perfection and purity of our supra-con- bikkurim expresses the notion that true scious selves into the tactual reality of gratitude for something can only come our conscious lives. after a person has come to understand its significance and appreciate its Continued on Page 30

28 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Doctor Is In BY DAVID ROSENBERG, MD

Dear Dr. Rosenberg, es such as, “I don’t like what you are Now that my children are going doing,” or “Please do not talk to me back to school, a problem we had last like that.” year with my 9-year-old son will likely It is also important to teach your recur. He seems to be picked on at child when and how to ask for help. school by one or two children. It is Children are often embarrassed by always the same children who antago- these situations and think they have to nize him, and I do not know what to do deal with it on their own. You should about it. How can I help him? also alert school officials to the prob- Name Withheld lems and work with them on solutions. Dear N.W., Make sure an adult who knows about It sounds like your son is being bul- the bullying can watch out for your lied. Bullying is when one child picks child’s safety and well-being when you on another child repeatedly. Usually cannot be there. children being bullied are shy, weaker Other strategies you can employ or smaller than the others, and gener- include encouraging your child to ally feel helpless. Bullying can be phys- make friends with other children and ical, verbal, or social; it can happen at supporting activities that interest your school, on the playground, on the child. The overall goal is to maintain school bus, in the neighborhood, or, your child’s self-esteem. these days, even over the Internet. When your child is the bully. Here are some tips from the American Although it often comes as a surprise Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for deal- to parents, sometimes they learn that it ing with bullying: is their child doing the bullying. It is When your child is bullied. When just as important, if not more so, to your child is the one being bullied, deal with this situation properly. Be there are a few things you can do to sure your child knows that bullying is help. Help your child learn how to never okay. Set firm and consistent respond, by teaching your child how to limits on your child’s aggressive behav- look the bully in the eye, stand tall and ior. Be a positive role model; show chil- stay calm in a difficult situation, and, dren they can get what they want with- above all, just walk away. Teach your child how to say in a firm voice phras- Continued on Page 33

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 29 INSIGHTS ON THE TORAH Continued from Page 28 Regarding the debates between our sages on matters of Torah law, the Talmud states that “These and these are both the words of the living G-d.” For although only one view can be implemented as halachah (practical Torah law), both represent equally valid formulations of the Divine wis- dom, and both can, and should, be incorporated in our vision of and approach to life. As per the Talmud, we must take care that we fully comprehend and identify with the gifts we offer and the feelings we declaim. As per the Sifri, we must seek connection with the supra-rational, supra-conscious self that underlies our conscious and intellectual persona and strive to carry over its unsullied perfection into our “daytime” lives. Note: The Torah section of Ki Tavo (Devarim 26-28), which includes the chapter on bikkurim, is always read in proximity to the 18th of Elul, which is the birthday of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), the founder of Chassidism, and of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of the Chabad branch of Chassidism. The lives and work of these two great leaders parallel the two “ver- sions” of bikkurim put forth by the Sifri and the Talmud. Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov revitalized—and revolution- ized—Jewish life with his emphasis on the depth and purity of the faith and commitment of the simple Jew. Rabbi Schneur Zalman taught the necessity of internalizing this faith and commit- ment through the structured intellec- tual and emotional processes he out- lined in his “Chabad” philosophy and approach to life. (Chabad.org) ❖ Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Courtesy of MeaningfulLife.com.

You and the Levite and the stranger (Devarim 26:11)

When one eats and drinks [on the festivals], one must also feed the stranger, the orphan, the widow, and the other unfortunate paupers. But one who locks the doors of his courtyard and feasts and drinks with his children and wife but does not feed the poor and the embittered — this is not the joy of mitzvah but the joy of his stomach...

(Mishneh Torah, Laws of the Festivals 6:18)

30 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 31 sometimes pick up on a feel- what you have to say that up with their bashert. I’ll ing of pity from my old friends might give me hope and may review them with you, and and some relatives (a feeling provide practical advice. you can decide whether or which, of course, I hate). Willing not you have missed the boat This is no fun. So I finally on any of them. have to ask myself what’s Dear Willing, 1. The first step involves wrong here. Is it just bad luck As you well know, there marketability. Whether that or am I doing something are many, many impressive means surrounding yourself Dear Esther, and felt very confident about dreadfully wrong? I’m ready to and lovely single men and with friends and/or relatives, I am 27 years old and sin- finding my perfect mate. I was listen and see if I can start women out there. Perhaps who are willing and able to set gle. As you can imagine, being in no hurry. I was—and to a doing things smarter or better some of them have not had you up, or being proactive and an Orthodox woman, I am lesser degree, still am—lucky in some way. much mazel in the dating attending single events, week- feeling more and more like a that there have always been I really do want to get mar- department, but I will ven- ends, or even signing up with loser as every day goes by. I plenty of men to go out with. ried and have a large family. It ture to guess that many of on-line dating services, it didn’t always feel like this. I I guess my family and I are has always been my dream. them are still single because begins with a date. Now that actually had very healthy self well connected, and there But I know that there are of behavior that they engage may seem simplistic and obvi- esteem for most of my life. always seemed to be someone plenty of men and women out in, which they may or may ous, but some people are not I am told that I am attrac- waiting in the wings. there who never marry. I don’t not be aware of. on anyone’s radar screen and tive; I have a successful But this past year, I’m feel- want to be one of them. According to therapist and never get set up through career, and believe that I have ing a total shift in how I view What do you suggest? I’m author Rosie Einhorn, there them. Those people have to a good personality. When I myself and my future opportu- really willing to listen now. are four vital steps that gen- work a lot harder to make it was first dating, I felt like I nities. I know that my parents Maybe I wasn’t willing in the erally must take place in happen. Apparently, from had all the time in the world are getting very worried and I past, but I’m ready to hear order for someone to hook what you said, you’re fine in this department. 2. The second step deals with one’s ability to make small talk comfortably in an attempt to get to know one’s date and be known. This form of light banter usually takes place on the first few dates. From the tone of your e-mail and the fact that you men- tioned that you have a good personality, my guess is that you probably navigate these conversations with ease. 3. The third step brings the two dating individuals into the arena of “intimacy”—truly getting to know one another on a deeper, more meaningful level. Many singles find them- selves stuck on step three. There are many reasons why a person has difficulty being intimate with another individ- ual… far too many to discuss in this column. But I would suggest that you ask yourself whether this is the stage at which you peter out. 4. Finally, step four deals with one’s ability to take a leap of faith and become engaged. We all come into relationships with plenty of past baggage, and even cer- tain fears. This step can feel scary, even if the person in question is everything you ever dreamed of. Again, I would ask you to ponder whether this is the stage at which you run for your life. If you feel that you have had difficulty with either Step 3 or Step 4, I would advise you to hook up with either a therapist or a coach who can hold your hand through these stages and help you deal with whatever issues have gotten in the way in the past. Very often singles find this type of guid- ance just what is needed to get them to the chuppah. I know that I’m simplifying what is actually a complex process, but I think you understand the concept. Regarding your comment that you are feeling like a loser, I must encourage you to 32 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES THE DOCTOR IS IN Back-To-School Tips after the first day with high more than 10 to 20 percent of schools and what is available While we’re on the topic of spirits because she had a good the student’s body weight. in vending machines. But Continued from Page 29 going back to school, here are time. Find another child in Encourage your child to always above all else, I believe the out teasing, threatening, or few more tips from the AAP: the neighborhood with whom use both shoulder straps; sling- biggest difference you can hurting someone. First-day jitters. Whether your youngster can walk to ing a backpack over one shoul- make in your child’s nutrition Use effective, non-physical it’s preschool or graduate school or ride with on the bus. der can strain their muscles, is cutting out sugary sodas. discipline, such as loss of priv- school, the first day back to If you feel it is appropriate, and may also increase curva- Remember, each 12-ounce ileges, and develop practical school can be stressful for drive your child (or walk with ture of the spine. soft drink contains approxi- solutions with the school prin- anyone. Remind your child her) to school and pick her up Another option for older mately 10 teaspoons of sugar cipal, teachers, counselors, that she is not the only stu- on the first day to help ease children who have to lug and 150 calories. Drinking just and parents of the children dent who feels a bit uneasy the transition. heavy books is to consider a one can of soda a day increas- your child has bullied. Dealing about the first day of school. Backpack safety. When rolling backpack. This type of es a child’s risk of obesity by 60 with this issue effectively when Teachers know that students choosing a backpack for your backpack may be a good percent! Restricting your it first surfaces can save a lot are anxious, and will make an child, it is better to forgo a bit choice for students who must child’s soft-drink consumption of trouble in the future. extra effort to make sure of fashion in exchange for safe- tote a heavy load. Remember, is just one small change that When your child is a everyone feels as comfortable ty. Choose a backpack with however, that rolling back- will go a long way. ❖ bystander. Bullying usually as possible. Point out the pos- wide, padded shoulder straps packs still must be carried up Dr. David Rosenberg is a board-certi- turns into a spectator sport of itive aspects of starting and a padded back. Pack light. stairs, and they may be diffi- fied pediatrician whose practice, sorts. Even if your child is nei- school: It will be fun. She’ll Organize the backpack to use cult to roll in snow and to get VIPediatrics, is located at 945 Broadway in Woodmere. Please call ther bullying others nor being see old friends and meet new all of its compartments, and onto a bus. 516-569-2323 for more information. bullied, it is still important to ones. Refresh her memory pack heavier items closest to Nutrition and diet. A lot If you have any suggestions or topics you would like to see discussed in talk to her about bullying. Tell about previous years, when the center of the back. The has been said recently in the future columns, please contact him by your child not to cheer on or she may have returned home backpack should never weigh media about junk food in e-mail at [email protected]. even quietly watch bullying. Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bully- ing. Help your child support other children who may be bullied, and encourage your child to include them in activ- ities. Encourage your child to join with others in telling bul- lies to stop. There is strength in numbers, and without an audience a bully may back off a bit. Also, when more people stand up to the bully, the bully loses the intimidation factor.

shake those feelings. You’re every bit the woman you were last year, and probably better and smarter in many ways. Whether you haven’t yet had the right opportunity or you didn’t quite have the proper tools to take a relationship all the way, it sounds like you’re now ready to make your mark. Go get ’em! ❖ Esther

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

This day you have become a people (Devarim 27:9) The Jewish people are unique among the peoples of the world: their nationhood was forged not at the point at which they gained their own land, or developed a com- mon language or cul- ture, but on the day on which they pledged to uphold the Torah... (Rabbi Shamshon Rephael Hirsch)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 33 bring it to the attention of vis- “New Middle East” to discuss she’s very pretty (I don’t see it, itors because it was too “polit- the subject? Have enemies but you know…) She easily ical.” It made me think…is become reconstructed as pos- finished advanced programs there a rhyme and reason for sible partners, albeit some- in her chosen field and imme- all of this? times problematic ones? I feel diately found a good position. I strongly feel that it is very strongly about this ques- She’s also very physically indeed important to inform tion and believe that the pub- capable; she’s one of those peo- the public of his role as leader lic would appreciate exposure ple who gets things done. (They An open letter to found in a low, darkened cor- of the Palestinian Arabs and to this dimension of the make the rest of us—people Yad Vashem: ner. One has to bend down and the stand taken by the Arab Holocaust. I would welcome like me—look bad.) Aside from Greetings, be blessed with superior eye- world as opposed to that of your decision to put it right. working and studying halachah As a veteran tour guide and sight and a very tolerant back the Jewish community in Thank you, in super-sized portions, she journalist, I have visited Yad to read the information. The Palestine. I am sure that many Shalom Pollack spends a lot of time visiting/ Vashem numerous times. It famous photo, so prominent in would agree with me and helping our older relatives, giv- was only after repeated search- the old museum, is reduced by would like to be so informed. Dear Editor, ing everyone car rides, and run- es and inquiries with Yad about 50 times in the new one. Since the new museum was Before I get to the problem, ning lists of errands. Vashem that I finally located I asked four local official created, just as the Oslo let me tell you a little bit She does everything anyone the photo and information on guides if they knew where it accords and its spirit dominat- about my sister. She happens else does; she just does it Haj Amin Husseini. was. Two did not know. None ed Israel’s elites, it seems that to be very intelligent (statisti- more and better. In the former museum, he said they include him in their Yad Vashem might have been cally, she’s smarter than But she has a mild case of was given a prominent place, tours. They were not trained caught in the spirit of the approximately 99 out of 100 cerebral palsy. Her “condition” very visible and powerful. In to include it, I was told. times. Was it politically incor- people who will read this). doesn’t stop her from doing the new museum, he is to be One said she would not rect and not in tune with the Many guys seem to think that anything. She’s conquered every obstacle put before her, but that’s not enough for some people. Why? Because when my sister gets tired, after accomplishing more than any- one else on a particular day, a limp in her walk becomes slightly noticeable. To put her life in a nutshell: some people thought she would never be able to drive a car. I failed my first road test; she passed. Guys have gone out with her on shidduch dates and have been interested in fur- ther dating despite her “con- dition.” And why shouldn’t they? But then, there’s the other side of the story. Unfortunately, there are peo- ple who need to scrutinize my sister’s “flaw” and conclude she has “limited” dating options. She has been told that a “regu- lar” guy wouldn’t date her and that she should just focus on exclusively dating boys that also have… place whatever syn- onym for “disability,” here. Obviously, these “well-mean- ing” and “helpful” people are wrong. Like I said, there have been many guys who knew full well of my sister’s condition and have dated her. But what makes someone think that they could speak on behalf of an entire gender? What makes someone think that they can say hurtful words just because they think they’re in the process of helping someone? The two biggest marriage issues in our society are people staying single and people get- ting divorced. Both of them have a lot to do with our mis- guided priorities regarding what to look for in a mate. Many people are single because they’re looking for the wrong things, and many people are getting divorced because they looked for the wrong things. Only in such a society could a smart, pretty, charitable, and driven girl be shunned merely because a piece of paper says that she has a mild case of CP. Anonymous 34 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES down the shutter, opened the Should he? What do you the lens. If you were the lens wide, upped the ISO, and think? The one remote light client, would you want that pre-focused the lens to a will create a horrific shadow request done immediately, or Photo Prose hyper focal distance for maxi- on your face, the white bal- after he took his planned mum depth of field. In a ance will have you looking shots, made sure to reset all Taking Time To impressive chandelier, glam- moment the music will blue, your eyes will be dark his controls, and went to his Understand Timing orous lighting and the entire resume. The shot is based on holes, and your faces will not case, to change his lens? BY GARY RABENKO length a beautiful mechitzah. the angle of ballroom and only appear grainy from the Suppose an important aunt To do the shot, he turned off couple being visible, not high ISO, but either awfully and children have just arrived. Most people who talk about The badeken might occur at photography will agree that any moment, and the photog- timing is everything. Being in rapher is deciding the best just the right place. Watching position for his ladder, the for that special moment. Emotion is based on expression, lighting, exact location for the videog- Having the camera set just rapher, and he needs to test right. All those things involve and body manner. his flash battery pack before timing. Yet “Photographer! instructing his assistant on a Take our picture!” is a phrase background lights’ intensity heard often at simchas. Could setting and tilt. But the aunt it be then, that doing that shot three of the four remote blocked by a waiter or guest. distorted from the wide lens, looks up, bangs on the ladder, when requested, is always the lights, changed the power of Now he hears: “Photographer! or very tiny in the big ball- and wants photos of her two right time to do it? While his on-camera flash, rotated it Take our picture!” room, from his desire to not some make an attempt to be to a bounced position, slowed Does he want to? Yes. distort, and no time to change Continued on Page 37 polite, and ask if I would, I could, would I please, etc, others often at the biggest and best events, come up and practically demand that I take their picture RIGHT NOW! Of course we want to do it— that is why we are there. But timing IS everything, and being able to do it a few minutes later would make a huge difference in the client’s project. Certainly I under- stand that sometimes, per- haps someone wants to show off, attract attention, or really feels this is a special moment. It might be, and the client might really value the shot later. But this column is about getting the most from your photographer thereby increasing the likelihood of your satisfaction later. Understanding what and why things happen at an event can make a huge difference in the result. Clients should understand why a good pho- tographer is not always the one who stops and immedi- ately “takes” the shot. Rather the better photographer might have the discipline to delay it, if that will lead to the best result for the client. The photographer uses a camera, flash, and probably some “radio” to wirelessly control a bunch of other strategically placed lights. It can take what seems like for- ever to adjust and change the variety of settings on those three devices. It can involve many little adjustments. Some adjustments require a consid- eration of the situation, changing of a lens, and meter readings. Major image prob- lems could occur if interrupt- ed, and distracted, so that one setting is not reset. Often the opportunity to shoot an interesting shot will not exist two minutes later since something else will start. The photographer may have put a wide angle lens on to show the ballroom in its magnificence, including an 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 35 me about the perils of haste. But, hey, computer and that the friend had I did the best I could. penned and sent the letter. Was it possi- I wrote back and let the letter writer ble? Sure. Was it likely? No. But she know that she’d accidentally sent her went on to apologize for my distress, and e-mail to me, and then I went on to ask to ask for forgiveness for both herself her why she felt it necessary to make and the “friend” who had done the deed. such a comment—to anyone. I also let She invoked the word Elul, and that her know how hurtful her words were. was all I needed. I wrote back and told Careful With That E-mail Then I sent it and waited for her reply. I her that all was forgiven. And I meant didn’t have long to wait, and I have to it. I was proud of myself for handling “Once spoken, words are hard to but then again she didn’t exactly write hand it to her; she came up with a bril- the matter in a kind and mature fash- retract,” or so said my mother. But she something nice either. She made a ion. But maybe I shouldn’t have been never mentioned anything about mail, comment about me that she had quite so proud because, Elul, or not, except to say, “Never put anything intended to send to someone else; she I’m no saint. In my “forgiving” incriminating in print.” Admittedly I accidentally sent it to me, and as I read What’s the point in response to her explanation, I man- haven’t always been a huge success, but it, I felt my blood drain south and my knowing that someone is aged to mention one final time how I have tried to heed her warnings. Of temper shoot north. But—remember- much pain the words had caused me. I course she never mentioned anything ing another old adage of my mom’s lying to you if you can’t also subtly implied that it was surpris- about e-mails and how dangerous those which went something like this: act in ing to me that she would have let any- things can be. But that wasn’t her fault, haste, repent in leisure—I decided not let the person know one use her PC. What’s the point in because e-mails weren’t even a dream to respond immediately. Of course a knowing that someone is lying to you if when my mother was raising her family. wiser move would have been not to you’re on to her? you can’t let the person know you’re on Fortunately I’ve never sent an e-mail respond at all, but that’s just not me. to her? I know its Elul, and I’m trying to the wrong person—at least not that So I chose my words carefully and to be good, but some habits die hard. I know of. But last week I received a waited before replying. Actually I only liant, if somewhat transparent, explana- Hopefully the important thing is mean-spirited e-mail that was clearly waited about three minutes, which is tion. She immediately wrote back to tell that my words weren’t empty ones; I sent to me in error. The sender didn’t emphatically not what my mother had me that she hadn’t typed that e-mail. really did forgive her. And I feel a lot write anything that I would expire over, in mind when she was trying to teach She said that she’d let a friend use her better for having done so. But, without mentioning who the offender was, I told several people about the episode and boy, did I get an earful. What I learned was that it is vitally important to be careful when sending e-mail, because once it’s sent there’s no taking it back. With electronic mail there are caveats. There’s no mailbox on a street corner, which means there’s nothing to stick an arm inside of in an effort to retrieve a letter mailed in error. And since there’s no mailman, there is no one to plead with about getting the let- ter back before it actually goes out. Mind you, not that either of those two strategies is likely to work, but at least there’s a slim chance. With an e-mail there’s no chance. Not a shot! One of my confidants told me about her sister who thought she e-mailed a friend to say how unhappy she was about having received an invitation to a wedding. She didn’t feel close to the baal simcha, couldn’t understand why she was invited, and agonized over the fact that she would now be stuck hav- ing to invite this couple back when she made her own daughter’s wedding. None of that was too terrible—except for the fact that she accidentally sent the e-mail to the person who had extended the invitation. Don’t ask! Or, as my father used to say, “freg gurnish.” There are plenty of horror stories out there. Another friend told me about someone who, along with his two siblings, was planning a surprise birthday party for his mother. All was hush-hush for several weeks, and his mom knew nothing of the event, until his brother, meaning to e-mail further details of the party to their sister, acci- dentally sent the information to the mother. The party went on (and it was fantastic), but there went the surprise! Hopefully these little vignettes will serve as a warning to e-mail users. And if it spares hurt feelings to a recipient, or huge embarrassment to the sender, then at least I’ll feel that my experience wasn’t in vain. Painful, for both myself and the sender, but not in vain. ❖

Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at [email protected] or 516-902-3733. 36 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Photo Prose Continued from Page 35 children because they are leaving soon. What do you think? Having multiple photographers at an event allows one to say “yes” more often while the other covers the event or does special work to best convey the mood of the moment. But even this requires the requester to understand it could take a few moments for the other photographer to arrive from the other side of the room, or the building. Sometimes, it will happen that I have set up my second camera with special settings and an odd lens in order to do candids (where people are not aware of the camera) when some- one asks for a shot. “Uh, see that pho- tographer over there…” “What’s the name of your studio” he asks. After I explain that I am doing special shots, and really cannot do the shot right then, they respond, “Just great!” I think, maybe they will forget the name! But seriously, what do you think?!? Every experienced photographer will tell you how people spend more time talking about doing needed family pho- tos, than the time it would take to just do them. Everyone wants their wed- ding to run on time. Later you will want all your photos—pictures of many different individual family mem- bers as well as in different combina- tions with other important people. How long should this take? Well, while you are being pho- tographed, are you happy and respond- ing to your photographer? Or are you distracted, looking every which way, talking amongst yourselves, and very easily engaged by each new visitor to the scene, as your photographer is wondering if you wouldn’t be much happier not doing the photo session today? A good thing to say, if you can- not simply ignore the guest, is “I am with the photographer right now, I’ll catch you later.” This keeps you focused, and tells the photographer that you care about your photos. Very important information. Regardless of how charming and calming your photographer seems to be, you should know that being on time makes a huge difference in how your photos look. Sometimes people are ready on time, but never stay around. Just repeatedly asking “Where is Dad?” becomes stressful, and seri- ously reduces both the quality and quantity of the photos. Emotion is the ultimate purpose of any photo. Emotion is based on expression, light- ing, and body manner. If the people needed are not present, then the light- ing just used and also correct for the missing person would have to be changed to match the present ones. Often the photographer simply will not have the time to individually light each subject. Then the only choice is to leave the light in a one size fits all approach. Later you will say the pho- tos are okay, but nothing special! Now you know that time is one major factor. Next: Understanding your proofs. ❖

Gary Gershon Rabenko may be reached at [email protected]. Questions regarding photo- graphic philosophies are welcome. Rabenko Photography & Video Artists is located at 1001 Broadway in Woodmere. 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 37 Q. My son was driving our car and covering the vehicle—regardless of one of the passengers got hurt. Can I who caused the accident. These bene- legally insist that the passenger make a fits are mandated under the New York claim for his medical bills through his State No-Fault Law. own health insurance company The No-Fault Law provides that if instead of our automobile insurance persons are injured in or by an auto- company? mobile or on a bus or school bus in A. The only way you can do that is New York State, benefits must be paid if you did not have any insurance on by their auto insurer or, if they have no your car. auto, the auto insurer of a relative with

The No-Fault Law provides that if persons are injured in or by an automobile or on a bus or school bus in New York State, benefits must be paid by their auto insurer or, if they have no auto, the auto insurer of a relative with whom they reside.

Every case is different, depending whom they reside. on the facts and circumstances of the The New York State No-Fault Law accident involved, but I can give you provides for the payment of benefits to some general information. victims of motor vehicle accidents to The law in New York is that any reimburse them for their basic eco- occupant injured in an automobile nomic loss. Briefly summarized, basic accident, whether driving or riding as a economic loss consists of up to passenger, is entitled to certain bene- $50,000 per person in benefits for the fits provided by the insurance policy following:

38 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES • All necessary doctor and hospital may be entitled to an additional bills and other health service expenses, $25,000 of Basic Economic Losses payable in accordance with fee sched- coverage. The injured person should ules established by the New York State make a claim to the motor vehicle Insurance Department; insurer promptly, but in no event later • Eighty percent of lost earnings, up than 90 days after the $50,000 of to a maximum monthly payment of Basic Economic Loss coverage under $2,000 for up to three years following the No-Fault policy is exhausted. the date of the accident; and Finally, the victim is entitled to • Up to $25 per day for a period of receive health service benefits without one year from the date of the accident any time limit if it is possible to deter- for other reasonable and necessary mine during the first year after the expenses the injured person may have accident that further health services incurred because of an injury resulting may be required after the first year. ❖ from the accident, such as the cost of This column is designed for general information hiring a housekeeper or necessary only, and should not be construed as formal transportation expenses to and from a professional advice. health service provider. The Law Offices Of Howard M. Adelsberg is a • A $2,000 death benefit, payable to full-service law firm with over 20 years of experience, and handles a variety of legal matters the estate of a covered person, in addi- in the areas of personal injury, estate matters, real tion to the $50,000 coverage for eco- estate transactions and litigation, commercial nomic loss described above. litigation, and family law. You can call the office at 516-569-6930. In determining the benefits payable under the No-Fault Law, amounts Readers are encouraged to send questions to [email protected] or to Law Offices recovered or recoverable on account of Of Howard M. Adelsberg, 445 Central Avenue, the accident from Workers’ Cedarhurst, NY 11516. Compensation, New York State Disability, and certain wage continua- tion plans will reduce the No-Fault benefits. Therefore, anyone entitled to Deadline for any of these benefits should make a claim for them promptly. Advertising Additional benefits may be owed to the injured person if the policy has in the Next Issue is been endorsed to include Optional Basic Economic Loss (OBEL) cover- Monday, September 11 age and/or Additional Personal Injury Protection Coverage. at 5:00 P.M. A named insured or relative under a Mandatory Personal Injury Protection Call 516-984-0079 policy which includes OBEL coverage

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 39 Last Mishnah enemies in a major military action will Continued from Front Cover solve all our problems. And then there are those who believe that if only we try is transfixed playing an old and had someone who is shomer Torah familiar game called the “blame game.” u’mitzvos as Israel’s Prime Minister, it The rules of this game are relatively would cure all that ails us. Yes, no simple: You have multiple choices of doubt that would solve some of our whom to blame for the failures of the problems, but without doubt it would army to accomplish its goals. You can create a whole slew of new ones. For choose the army, the politicians, the example, a true shomer Torah u’mitzvos rabbis, or all of the above. Prime Minister would be unable to live The idea is to blame anyone and with a country that allows gays to have everyone—as long as you don’t have to a “world march” in the streets of our take any blame for yourself. This game holy city of Yerushalayim. Nor could he has been played out time and time stomach massive chillul Shabbos in the again: after the Yom Kippur war, the large cities, etc., and he would there- infitada, the war in Lebanon years, ago fore have to pass certain religious laws and again now. No doubt, some heads for the nation. Those laws would no will roll as a result of the game, until doubt bring a civil war down upon us, the next war (chas v’shalom), when the pitting brother against brother in every game begins again. city and community in Eretz Yisrael. While reactions and opinions vary So what do we do? Do we share the across the political spectrum, Torah painful reality that the editor of the Jews have a different perspective. Jewish Week shared with his readers Clearly, investigation and introspec- recently that he is no longer convinced tion are desperately needed to deter- that Eretz Yisrael will be around in the mine the army’s weakness, so as to be years to come (chas v’shalom). Has it able to preserve and protect the lives of come to such feelings of hopelessness our soldiers in the future. Yet, we need and lack of faith in the promises of our to view this conflict within the com- Father in Heaven for a glorious future for plete picture of things. Klal Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael for eternity? It is much too painful to laugh and The answer for us as Torah Jews is much too shocking to cry that the great relatively simple; after all, there is an “peace advocates” in Eretz Yisrael—like explicit mishnah, the last one in Shimon Peres and friends, who brought Maseches Sotah (49b) that says, “vaha- us the Oslo accords and every other galil yicharev, vahagavlan yishom, v’an- “peace agreement” that resulted in the shei hagvul yesovevo mei’ir la’ir, v’lo loss of countless of acheinu B’nei yechonenu.” (And the Galilee will be Yisrael—wasted no time in calling for an destroyed, and the Gavlan (southern immediate focus on peace with Syria, border of Eretz Yisrael) desolated, and whose only rival is Iran in their desire to the people who dwell on the borders wipe not only Eretz Yisrael, but the entire will wander about from town to town, Klal Yisrael, off the face of the earth. but they will not be succored). There are clearly no limits to the insani- This is what it is all about. The ty our peace-seeking fellow Yidden will go mishnah teaches us that we are in the to in their pursuit of this lofty goal, a pur- days of ikvesah deMeshicha (the com- suit that our gedolei Torah understood in ing of Mashiach) and we must proper- a completely different way. ly prepare ourselves for his coming, The Midrash in Bereishis tells us that especially in these days of Elul. when HaKadosh Baruch Hu contem- This was not an isolated incident or plated creating the world, He called just bad timing; it is so much more. It is together all the midos to debate the the understanding that all these tzaros issue. Each of the midos stood up to these last few years—the Gulf War, the state its opinion, either for or against intifada, the terrorist bombings, and the world’s creation. The midah of now the war in Lebanon—are not indi- shalom was against, as the world was vidual events occuring in reaction to to destined to be full of conflict; the midah political realities; these are the chevlei of emes (truth) argued that this world Mashiach (birthpangs of Mashiach) will be filled with sheker (falsehood). that are meant to hurt us and, in the Suddenly Hashem took the midah of words of the last mishnah in Sotah,to emes and threw it down to the earth, teach us that “ein lanu lishain ela Avinu beginning the process of creation. This shabashamayim” (we have no one to rely leads to the obvious question: Why did- on except our Father in heaven). n’t HaKadosh Baruch Hu throw down Of course, we have to do whatever the midah of shalom to the earth as well? we can to protect ourselves, and to The late rav of Yerushalayim, HaGaon attack our enemies before they can Rav Chaim Zonnenfeld, zt”l, explained attack us; but we cannot afford the that if the midah of shalom were thrown luxury of believing in false hopes and to the world and emes had remained in illusionary peace initiatives. Our situa- heaven, then this world would have been tion will unfortunately not change filled with shalom without emes, which until Mashiach is here. Yes, there will would destroy the world. Instead, the be quiet times, and not so quiet times, midah of emes was thrown down and but it will never end until HaKadosh shalom remained in heaven. This teach- Baruch Hu says, “It’s time.” es us, Rav Zonnenfeld explained, that it’s We all remember the Gulf War just better to have emes (truth) without a few years ago, when Scud missiles shalom, than to have shalom without rained down upon Eretz Yisrael; we emes. Everyone wants peace—but only thought this was the end. Then Iraq with emes; for without truth, one has was destroyed and those who forgot neither peace nor truth. the last mishnah in Sotah were confi- We are all searching for answers: dent that we would have 50 years of some find it in false peace initiatives quiet in Eretz Yisrael. Well, as we all and pursuits, others in the absolutely absurd policy that wiping out all our Continued on Page 47 40 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 41 The Chance ing them neat and tidy, and continuous- always was. He knew how quiet Mrs. Sylvia Mizrahi lay in bed, flat Continued from Front Cover ly checking for items that needed Seymour was, but to Mottel he was on her back, her mouth slightly parted, replenishing and reordering. The job pleasant and friendly. Seymour never her eyes closed. The IV tube and other Yes, Seymour Arff, age 42, was a didn’t pay much, but Seymour liked it. walked by without giving him a dollar life-sustaining instruments were truly plain, simple man. Those who Even within Supersol itself, bill. Few people gave Mottel that much attached to her nose and mouth. The knew him would readily attest to that. Seymour did not aspire for any job money. Also, Seymour was not like the blue and red beeping monitors seemed Not only in the way he conducted him- with greater responsibilities. When rest of them. He did not merely toss to go off in cadence; creating a certain self, but in appearance as well. He was checkouts were particularly busy, and him the money and walk away, but rhythm to it. A young man, in a short thin, balding and gangly. His cheeks the manager asked Seymour to help stayed, chatting for a few minutes, ask- bomber jacket, sporting a long pony- were sunken, and his delicate features out, or an assistant manager was out ing about his health, talking about the tail, stood at her bedside. were partially hidden behind tortoise- sick, and Seymour was needed in the weather, and inquiring about where he “Imma, it’s me, Élan. Can you hear shell glasses. His gait was slow and office, he regretfully, but politely expected to sleep that night. No one me?” deliberate. Most of the time he walked refused. “I don’t think I can do it,” was else ever did. Although brief, Mottel There was no response. A nurse, with his head bowed, going through his usual response. After a while, the looked forward to those nightly conver- who walked in to change the saline life unnoticed, unseen, and, for the requests stopped; and with it, of sations. Seymour’s leaving was Mottel’s solution packet, explained to the boy most part, disregarded. Seymour was course, stopped any consideration for signal to also call it a day. He got up, that his mother had just been given a married for a short while, but it didn’t advancement or promotion. walked to the back of the parking lot, strong sedative. She would be sleeping work out. He lived alone in Far Once outside the store, as he usual- and hid his crate behind the shed. for the next few hours. Rockaway in a fourth floor walk-up ly did, Seymour looked to the right for The late-afternoon orange sun fil- Rubbing away a few tears from his apartment on Central Avenue. Mottel, the homeless person, who was tered diagonally through the tall trees eyes, the boy walked away. Seymour was a man of simple tastes a fixture posted outside of Supersol. and low condominiums that bordered ◆◆◆ and few desires. He was one of those Mottel had occupied his wooden crate Central Avenue. Despite his apparent Josh and Ernie looked lost sitting people who lived life below the radar, as in front of the store for as long as lack of desire and ambition, Seymour around the huge conference room though he was afraid of drawing atten- Seymour could remember. Two dirty did have one great desire and secret table in the famous Fifth Avenue tion to himself. He readily admitted to a white Styrofoam cups were clearly vis- dream. He smiled thinking about it, as Synagogue. lack of ambition. He was happy working ible, subtly reminding passersby of the he walked the mile-long trek back to Josh Fensterheimer was a nattily as a stock boy at Supersol Supermarket, purpose of Mottel’s presence. his apartment in Far Rockaway. dressed man in a soft, camel-hair sport opening cartons, stacking shelves, keep- Mottel was glad to see Seymour. He ◆◆◆ coat, light blue dress shirt and red bow tie. He was holding a glass of white wine he had just begun to drink. He was chair- man and CEO of Israel Construction Company, one of the largest builders of single family homes in Israel. Ernie Bloom had on a paisley print sport shirt of Italian silk and wore Gucci loafers. Ernie was the senior partner in one of New York’s leading law firms. It was an elegant room where the officers and directors of the famed syn- agogue conducted and discussed local shul business as well as concerns about other charities around the world. There were brocaded easy chairs and a curving sofa covered with pale yellow vicuna. Heavy drapes adorned the large, oblong windows, while the walls exhibited priceless tap- estries. There was a mirrored glass bar with the most expensive whiskeys and brandies. It was a place for people who demanded the finest things. When the door opened, a fair-sized, well-trimmed man, a shade under six feet walked in. George Levin was the third term president of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. He was also one of the lead- ing diamond dealers on 47th Street. “Sorry I’m a few minutes late, guys. I couldn’t get here any sooner. I really appreciate all of you coming with such short notice. I understand you have other commitments, so I’ll make the meeting short.” “No problem, George. But let’s get started,” said Josh. “Fine. First, let’s make sure we’re formal.” “I call to order this special executive committee meeting of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. Mr. Secretary, do we have a quorum?” “Three is a quorum. So we have a quorum, George,” said Ernie. “Excellent,” said George, as he cleared his throat. “As you know, and as reported in the press, our shul was robbed once again. This time they took one of our most prized possessions, the Eliyohu Hanovi silver becher. This is the third time we have been robbed in as many months. The only lead we have to the theft is

Continued on Page 44 42 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 43 The Chance further thefts, we have to make an and we’ll likely be robbed again.” faced the back alley. The walls seemed Continued from Page 42 example of the perpetrator. We have to “I thought long and hard about it, to plead for a paint job. Besides some find him and throw the book at him. and I came to a rather sensational—if second-hand furniture and an ironing what the surveillance camera picked up. That’s the only way to deter others I may use that word—conclusion. I board, two cheap prints adorned the The picture was horribly grainy, and it’s from thinking we’re just some candy decided to personally donate one of my faded yellow walls. One picture depict- hard to make out exactly what the guy store that they can come into and help apartments in Israel to the one who ed sailboats docked in a harbor, the looked like, but we have some details. themselves to whatever they want brings him in—and gets him locked other showed a little boy holding a He was wearing a white yarmulke. He whenever they want it.” up. That’ll surely grab their attention. fishing pole, fishing by the side of a was swarthy looking, and had a long “I think you’re a hundred percent cor- And that’ll take care of both issues.” lake. The “couch” was a futon on a ply- ponytail. He was a boy, or perhaps a rect, Ernie,” said George. “What kind of “Wow, Josh, that’s extremely, wood frame set a foot off the ground. young man. That’s about all we have.” reward do you think will do the trick?” extremely generous of you.” said Except for those few items, the “That becher was priceless,” said Josh, who had just drained the George, “Are you really sure you want apartment was pretty much empty; Ernie, “It was over 200 years old, and remainder of his wine, stood up. to do that?” stark and cold. imbedded with several diamonds. “I believe I have the best solution to “Between you and me, sales have He placed a piece of hard cheese What’s it worth in today’s market?” this whole mess. It’s almost certain the been rather slow lately, and I could use and a slice of eight-grain whole wheat “Easily over a hundred thousand,” guy’s Jewish; probably Israeli. Let’s send the write-off, and with an offer such as bread on a chipped, glass plate. He said George. out posters to all the shuls, and places that, I am certain we’ll catch the bum,” rolled up his sleeves, and washed. “It just can’t go on like this. It’s where religious Jews congregate. Let’s said Josh. After making a brachah, with great ridiculous; it’s an embarrassment. It’s offer $25,000 for the return of the bech- “That’s wonderful,” said George, feeling, he ate. After eating, he got to stop,” said Josh. er—25 should be enough to get it back. “and if that doesn’t do the trick, noth- benched. “Easier said than done,” moaned But we must catch the perpetrator and ing will. I like it.” Then it started. The way it always George. get him sent to prison. That’s the most “Does anybody have any better ideas? started. Towards the end of benching. Ernie stood up, taking some notes important part of this. Prospective If not, I think we can wrap this meeting It usually began with the churning of from his pocket. He cleared his throat. thieves must get the message loud and up then, and let you folks go back to his adrenalin; he could actually feel it “I did some research into this. Number clear. But in order to do that, however, what you’re best at—making money.” begin to flow. He knew that very soon one, the best way to get back stolen we must offer a ridiculously high ◆◆◆ he would be experiencing that nightly property is to offer a reward. Statistics reward, otherwise we’ll only get the cup Seymour’s home was a small, one- incredible experience that he consid- show it works. And secondly, to stop back, but no lesson would be learned, bedroom apartment. The lone window ered was his own private domain, his own private world. He actually trem- bled as he anticipated the unusual sen- sation that would accompany these pleasant and wonderful thoughts. He rose from the table, trying to contain the extreme excitement that enveloped him as he anticipated what was about to come. Smiling now, he removed a bottle of Fox’s U-bet chocolate syrup, together with a bottle of seltzer, and a contain- er of milk. He picked up the Fox’s U- bet, slowly pouring some chocolate syrup into a tall glass. He then squirt- ed the seltzer into the glass, filling it close to the top, but not completely. Finally, he added some milk, just the right amount of milk. He always knew exactly how much milk to put in. He then stirred briskly and quickly, creat- ing a thin layer of white foam. Taking out his key chain, he picked out the silver Medco key, and careful- ly, almost lovingly, began to unlock the door to his little den, which was actu- ally a converted fire escape. The incredible longing for what resided on the other side of the door haunted him. A tight, fixed smile played on his lips, as his hand, quivering slightly, reached for the light switch on the right side of the wall. The sudden blast of bright fluores- cent light almost blinded him. ◆◆◆ It was like Seymour had entered another world. Once inside the den, the walls came to life. They were beau- tifully decorated. Colorful pictures of Jerusalem, the Kosel, Mea Shearim, the Jerusalem hills, the shuk, and pic- tures of the little back alleys danced on the walls. Large colorful pictures of the past gedolim were prominently dis- played. Little legends underneath each picture recited short biographical his- tories of each gadol. He turned on his tape recorder which sat on a large wooden fruit crate. It was the same tape every night. The Songs Of The Rabbi’s Sons. He placed his glass on the end table alongside his comfortable La-Z Boy lounge, which he bought for $20 from a neighbor who moved out. He adjusted his pole lamp to shine directly over his left shoulder, 44 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES sipped his drink, laid slightly back, took thing behind in his apartment. Nothing Israel, and the kedushah, and all the time, and just forgetting about the a deep breath, exhaled, and picked up was worth taking anyhow. The $25,000 children with payos and yarmulkes whole thing; it’ll never happen. Who his precious book, Jerusalem of Gold. would be more than enough to furnish running all over the city. Living in the am I kidding? Now he was in heaven. This made his new apartment. He would get a Old City, he would even be able to Seymour plodded through the day as the day all worthwhile. This was what small job, get a chavrusah at night, and daven at the Kosel every day. usual. At the end of the day, as always, he lived for. even start dating again—and perhaps Before he knew it, his alarm rang. he walked to the back, hung up his Whether it was because of his daily even get married. Who knows, he could He didn’t want it to end, but the night white apron on the metal hook, pulled davening, which he did with tremen- even start having a family. That would was over. It was a beautiful night. down his white shirt sleeves, buttoning dous fervor and understanding or from be unbelievable. He would even be able As Seymour walked to work, he tried them at the wrist, and punched his time constantly reading books about Israel, to, one day, learn with his children. The to think hard about how to go about card. The extreme happiness and or his nightly reading and re-reading blessings could go on and on. finding the thief, and the becher. Every excitement he had when he awoke was Jerusalem of Gold, Seymour developed Seymour could not remember the time he thought of something, though, all but gone. He walked outside, looked within him a deep, passionate love of last time that he had such delicious another negative thought cancelled to the right for Mottel, and tried to Israel, and a great burning desire to dreams. However, when he turned on the previous thought. Seymour never force a smile at him. live there. He wanted to live there with his other side, things began to dim. lied to himself. He knew that his As he reached into his pocket for a a fierce longing and determination. It How would he even begin getting the innate lack of ambition was going to be dollar bill, Mottel asked him to stoop was more than the beauty and holiness becher back? Was he Sherlock a detriment and deterrent to any strat- down, so he could speak directly into of Israel that so intrigued him. It was Holmes? Was he a detective? Where egy he came up with. The energy, ded- Seymour’s ear. the thought that living there would would he start? He decided to turn ication and determination required for What Mottel had to say was going to somehow empower him to do more of back on the other side and continue this kind of search was just not within change his whole life. ❖ what he needed to do in life. To him, where he left off, happily dreaming his grasp, personality or makeup. In (To be continued) living in Israel was the key. sweet thoughts about Israel. He fact, come to think of it, he mused Irwin Benjamin can be reached at Unfortunately, though, despite his thought about the beautiful air in sadly, I’m better off not wasting my [email protected]. great desire, his financial wherewithal did not make it a reality. Living in Israel was completely out of his range. Beside the fare, the cost of an apartment made his dream more of a fairytale. That was until the following day. ◆◆◆ When Seymour arrived for work the next day, he went into the back, as he usually did, hung his jacket on the metal hook, like always, put on his white apron, and rolled up his sleeves. As he walked by the employee bulletin board, he noticed a poster tacked on. In bold letters it read: AS REPORTED IN THE PRESS, A 200 YEAR OLD SILVER BECHER OF THE FIFTH AVENUE SYNA- GOGUE WAS STOLEN. BECAUSE OF ITS SPIRITUAL VALUE TO OUR CONGREGATION, THE BOARD HAS VOTED TO OFFER A REWARD OF $25,000 FOR ITS RETURN. IN ADDITION, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO REPEL ANY FURTHER ROBBERIES, AND DIS- COURAGE ANYONE ELSE FROM EVER THINKING OF STEALING FROM OUR SHUL AGAIN, WHO- EVER PRODUCES INFORMATION LEADING TO THE APPREHEN- SION, ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE THIEF, WILL BE REWARD- ED WITH A FREE APARTMENT IN THE HEART OF THE OLD CITY OF JERUSAEM, PLUS A ONE WAY PLANE FARE TO ISRAEL.. THE THIEF REPORTEDLY WAS YOUNG, DARK-SKINNED, AND HAD A LONG PONYTAIL. ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE TREATED AS CONFIDENTIAL. Seymour’s hands shook. He felt root- ed to the floor. He just stared at the poster. Although the chances of his recovering the becher were practically nil, and apprehending the criminal even more remote, it was still a chance—a chance he never had before—a chance that he was never presented with. A chance to fulfill his lifelong dream. A chance that could turn his entire life around. Seymour could hardly keep his mind on his work that day. That night he couldn’t sleep. Somehow his circadian rhythms had become undone, and he was not able to fall asleep. As he lay in bed, all he thought about was Israel. He wouldn’t have to worry about shipping costs, because he certainly would leave every- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 45 46 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Last Mishnah Yisrael; we need to only to point fingers Continued from Page 40 at ourselves and say to ourselves and to each other, “What can I do to help know, we didn’t merit 50 days of quiet bring an end to the chevlei Mashiach?” when the intifada started with hun- This week is the fifth anniversary of dreds of korbanos. And today, we are my family moving to the Five Towns threatened with an enemy in Iran who community from our previous home in far surpasses any previous threat we Hillcrest, Queens. Having moved during have had in the past. the week that our children’s schools Can anyone truly blame the Shimon started, we had to unpack rather quickly. Pereses of the world running blindly to My wife, who is in charge of everything retain their illusion of a new Middle in our home (except what doesn’t get East, absurdly running to peace talks done—that’s my responsibility) said, “We with the Syrian Hitler? Can anyone will unpack everything right away to get truly fault the editor of the Jewish the children settled; however, the 120 Week who begins to question whether boxes of sefarim that we brought should Israel will continue to exist in the years remain in the garage to be unpacked to come? After all, how can any coun- slowly over the next few months.” That try or any person exist living from one was my job, and so the unpacking went conflict to another, each one worse very slow indeed. After about a year in than the one before? the new house, I triumphantly an- Those of us who remember the last nounced that the last sefarim box was mishnah in Sotah understand that all now unpacked and put away in the these conflicts are one of the same. library. It was a time of celebration in our From the Galilee under siege to the home (at least it was for me). south of Eretz Yisrael being destroyed This past week, my wife and family and the people wandering from place returned from a two-month stay in the to place without peace (remember the Catskills and my wife decided to make thousands of Jews made homeless one order in a very cluttered garage. Lo year ago from Gush Katif), it’s all part and behold she came across one last of the same very painful process of box of sefarim that was tucked away in chevlei Mashiach. the corner and that I never noticed. It We don’t have time to play the was great to be reunited with some of “blame game” currently being played out in the political reality of Eretz Continued on Page 53

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 47 48 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES ability to cook by feel and well-honed Start with 1 cup brown sugar— broth is not very flavorful, you need to Cooking Concepts taste buds—a true Yiddishe ta’am. That you’ll add more later. add more of something! is something you cannot get from a Start with 1 cup honey—you’ll prob- If there is too much water (the con- A Tradition Of Taste cookbook; that is something you must ably need to add more of that, too. sistency is very watery), then you need 1 teach and pass on. Start with 1 ⁄2 tsp. kosher salt and to cook it down by uncovering the pot. 1 BY NAOMI ROSS With all that said, I am about to ⁄2 tsp. black pepper—plus more to taste. The end result should be firm knaid- attempt the impossible: to give over my 1 basic matzah-ball recipe—any lach that have soaked in all the won- If someone were to ask you what own grandmother’s recipe for tzimmes. recipe from the back of a matzah-meal derful broth lying on the top of the your mother’s kitchen smelled like on Now, you must understand that my box is fine as long as it uses seltzer tzimmes. The broth should be slightly erev Rosh Hashanah, what would you grandmother’s tzimmes is very different instead of water (it comes out fluffier). thicker than soup, sort of saucy. say? Perhaps you’d close your eyes and from the dish most people envision Go heavy with the matzah meal, though. Before the tzimmes is finished, taste transport yourself back to the smells of when they think of tzimmes. Hers is no Directions one last time to adjust seasonings. (As chicken soup mixed with the sweetness candied carrot side dish, but rather a Place flanken in a large soup pot; a child I was called upon to taste and 1 of taiglach or tzimmes filling the house. hearty main course that was given over cover with at least 1 ⁄2 inches of water. to taste again—with pleasure!) Undoubtedly, you would revisit the first to her in the Polish (Galician) style from Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Once the dish is finished, transfer it taste of apple dipped in honey on your her mother and grandmother. There are Skim off whatever fat or foam rises to baking dishes or tins. Remove and tongue. The sensory memory is indeed carrots, of course, but also meat, and to the top. (This should take about discard the onions. Reheat in the a very powerful thing. I often discuss knaidlach…the works! And in my family, 20–30 minutes). oven—covered if it’s “good,” uncovered with my students the idea that the sens- it was not Yom Tov if my grandmother Add in all of the remaining ingredi- if the liquid still needs to reduce more. es of taste and smell can be a strong did not make this delicacy—even our ents, and make sure that there is Serves 6-8, but can be easily doubled! medium for capturing memories and guests would ask if she’d be making it! enough water to cover all the vegeta- I always enjoy trying new and excit- linking them to our greater mesorah. The end result is less sticky-sweet, but bles. (Grandma says it’s okay if you’ve ing recipes for Yom Tov. I’ll be teaching That’s why I find myself fond of trying more stew-saucy and really delicious and added too much water because you can a whole bunch of them at the Kosher to learn and continue the tradition of satisfying. Here is how my grandmother always boil it off and “cook it out” by Culinary Institute under the direction my own family’s recipes. taught me when we cooked together… uncovering the pot during the cooking). of Naomi Nachman at the JCC on But just as the world is a drastically Grandma’s Tzimmes Bring to a simmer and let cook par- September 12—enough for a whole 1 different place from 100 or even 50 Ingredients tially uncovered for about 1 ⁄2 hours. menu, in fact! Call the JCC at 516- years ago, the way we cook has drasti- 3 lbs. carrots (the large loose ones, Taste and season the broth, if neces- 569-6733 to sign up! While I love cally changed, as well. The “old school” not the small ones in a bag), sliced sary, with more honey, brown sugar, salt, unique and creative gourmet dishes, 1 of traditional Jewish cooking—tasting about ⁄4 in. thick on the bias. and pepper (it should have a full-bodied there are certain tastes that forever stay rather than measuring, using intuition 4 sweet potatoes, cut into chunks sweetness with plenty of flavor!). with me and complete my holiday expe- rather than being dependent on 2 whole large onions, trimmed and In the meantime, prepare your rience. I hope you’ll enjoy Grandma’s recipes—has all but vanished. Back scored like an “X” on top matzah-ball mixture and chill in the Tzimmes as much as we do each year. then, your tongue was your guide; noth- 2 pieces flanken (about 3 lbs.)—very refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. And if you happen to run into my ing was written down. You “schit a- important to choose meaty, non-fatty Bring tzimmes to a boil and start grandma, please let her know. May the rayn”—loosely translated from Yiddish pieces of flanken. Cut each piece into dropping in your knaidlach—you can do coming year bring much sweetness for “you throw in…and you throw in some 4 sections in between the bones for a this by forming the balls in your hands. you and all of Klal Yisrael. ❖ more.” And although we have access to total of 8 pieces. Make sure your hands are wet so that Naomi Ross ([email protected]) many more kosher ingredients today Water—“enough” to cover (Huh? the balls don’t stick to your hands. Cook teaches Cooking Concepts, courses on the funda- mentals of cooking and Jewish homemaking. For than ever before, as well as a slew of Don’t worry, I’ll explain it, but don’t partially covered for another hour. more information, visit her new website at good cookbooks, we have lost both the hold your breath for measurements!) Season to taste once again; if the www.jewishcookingconcepts.com.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 49 50 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 51 52 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Last Mishnah “Our sages knew that anti- “Quite the opposite has FROM THE EDITOR Nassau County Executive. Semitism might wax and occurred. Israel, the Zionist Once he made it clear that he Continued from Page 47 Continued from Page 4 wane, but it would never dis- state, has become the lighten- would not pull out of the race, my old sefarim after a five-year appear. It would remain pro- ing rod for hatred of Jews. If mansion in their respective it became clear that Suozzi’s absence. tean, ever lurking beneath anything, it has served as a states before running success- effort would be a steep uphill Why it happened that I the surface, ready to explode catalyst for new expressions of fully for the presidency. run. Essentially, Suozzi crafted missed this one box I couldn’t in new forms. That is what anti-Semitism. For every anti- Certainly both Suozzi and his race for the Democratic understand…until I got to they meant when they said, Semitic incident anywhere in Spitzer have presidential nomination for Governor as a the bottom of the box. I had ‘it is a fixed principle—Esav the world, there is always the charm, intelligence and abili- race against the very powerful stuffed in some magazines hates Yaakov.’ same, pretext: Israel.” ties. Suozzi could not say Democratic political machine that I had in my old study “As Hillel Halkin observed These words, written five whether he would seek another in New York State. And it and that I had every intention in the February commentary, years ago, certainly apply elected office, indicating that appears to have just been too of reading some day. I opened traditionally, Jews were not today. In the words of the there was nothing that he could rough, with some polls as late up the Jewish Observer maga- bewildered by anti-Semitism. mishnah, if things don’t even speculate about running as last week showing Suozzi zine (dated April 2001) and They understood not only that change, then these words will for in the future. Even though losing badly, even here in began to read the cover arti- it existed, but must exist; that apply to five years from now the numbers are not encourag- Nassau County, and pulling cle titled “My Heart Is In The hatred of them was hatred of as well, and maybe chas ing, and some in the media less than 20 percent statewide. East,” by the gifted writer the G-d Who chose them… v’shalom even 50 years from have gone so far as to predict a “I met some great people up and thinker, my friend Rabbi Anti-Semitism was sometimes now, too. “political tsunami” next week, and down the state and I Yonoson Rosenblum. devastating. It was never sur- And so as we stand in the Suozzi has been true to his learned a great deal,” he said on I was stunned. He was prising or demoralizing. days before the Yemei HaDin, word and has seen the race Monday. For now, and after writing about the agony of “Zionism, in contrast to our let’s leave the post-war analy- against Spitzer to its conclusion next week’s primary, Tom dealing with the effects of Sages, maintained that Jew sis to the military experts and despite great pressures from all Suozzi will have to get back to the intifada on the hearts hatred was a transitory phe- to the politicians. Let’s leave directions of the Democratic the full-time job of steering and souls of the Yidden in nomenon, rooted in the par- the pessimistic outlook to the party to pull out of the race. Nassau County and making Eretz Yisrael and of the polit- ticular circumstances of the reality of Israel’s existence to “To us who work with Tom, certain that it continues to stay ical “blame game” going on Jews, and when those circum- the editor of the Jewish Week, he’s a winner because of his on the right course. “We’ve in the government. Except stances changed anti- and let us also join in the great determination and com- accomplished a great deal here for a few changes of names Semitism would disappear. “blame game.” mitment to whatever he sets his in Nassau, and there is still (like Sharon instead of The eradication of anti- Not the blame game going mind to,” said Izzy Wasser of much more to do.” Olmert), it is an article that Semitism was one of on today in the halls of the Cedarhurst, one of Mr. Suozzi’s There are numerous reasons could have been written in Zionism’s shining hopes. Knesset, but in the directive liaisons to the Five Towns why Suozzi could not get his September 2006 following “Zionists attributed anti- of the last mishnah in Sotah, Jewish community. “If we’re not gubernatorial message across the war in Lebanon. And Semitism to the degraded the self-blame game of successful next week, you can effectively, but it’s hard to find then I realized: These are state of the Jews living “Ashamnu, Bagadnu, etc., rest assured that the experience anyone who doesn’t believe not new issues and new chal- among the nations. They rea- etc. Only when doing so, will will not have been a waste but that, regardless of what hap- lenges; it’s all the same bat- soned that when the Jews we merit the very words of will indeed be put to good use,” pens next week, Tom Suozzi’s tle of “Esav soneh Yaakov” achieved a state of their own, the final mishnah in Shas Wasser said. From the outset, political star will be shining for with only dates and some like all other peoples, they “Hashem oz l’amo yitein, the Suozzi–Spitzer face-off was a long time to come. ❖ names changed. would cease to be objects of Hashem yivorech es amo predicted to be a tough one for Comments for Larry Gordon are Allow me one brief quote: contempt. bashalom.” ❖ the talented and well-spoken welcome at [email protected].

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 53 treif meat off a truck.” kosher meats. One woman who was a The discovery of the fraud created frequent customer of Shevach said, “I havoc in the community. Hundreds of had complained that the chickens families were forced to eat dairy on were not as salty, which is what I am Shabbat, waiting to learn how to kash- used to. At least now I know that the er their kitchens. In shuls throughout chickens were never kosher.” Salting Monsey, rabbis directed congregants and soaking is a requirement for Kosher Today Writes About Flatbush takeout store was found to on procedures for kashering their kosher. (YeshivaWorldNews.com) Monsey Meat Scandal have sold kosher meat that was not glatt kitchens. Rabbi Shulem Nosson The reaction to the discovery that a kosher as glatt, several stores and Spiegel of Congregation Tefillah Thinking Aliyah?? prominent glatt kosher butcher had restaurants took the step of hiring L’Moshe organized a public kashering Join Nefesh B’Nefesh at upcoming fraudulently sold non-kosher (“treif”) mashgichim despite the added expense. of pots and silverware in his shul. pre-aliyah informational seminars poultry to unsuspecting consumers left “What happened in Monsey,” said the Electronic calls were made to Monsey and open houses in the NY/NJ area the community in shock, but it also rabbi, “is so much worse than the story residents in what some rabbis called next week… prompted calls for change by retailers with the takeout store in Flatbush.” The “the worst kashrus scandal in their 1. Open House—Informal Q & A from a number of leading rabbis. While Monsey case revolved around Shevach memories,” although several of the with Nefesh B’Nefesh Staff—Learn rabbis were sorting out how this could Meats, the butcher who rents space older rabbis recalled incidents of more about the aliyah process, new have possibly happened, several repeat- from the Hatzlocho kosher supermar- horsemeat being passed off as kosher resources and helpful tips from past ed a call that was made after an episode ket. Sources told Kosher Today that and of non-kosher meat being served olim. Open houses are scheduled for of fraud in Flatbush, Brooklyn that Hatzlocho’s owners were in fact on a kosher cruise. Sunday, September 10, 10:00 a.m.- called for on-site mashgichim (rabbini- involved in uncovering the non-kosher The Monsey scandal is expected to 12:30 p.m. at the Teaneck Marriott cal supervisors) even in stores that are poultry which had ostensibly come have far-reaching implications on con- Hotel at Glenpointe, 100 Frank W owned by Orthodox Jews. “With kosher from Kiryas Joel, the Upstate New York sumers who will no doubt seek addi- Burr Boulevard, Teaneck, NJ 07666 grocers getting bigger all the time, the Satmar community. The butcher was tional assurances that such fraud will and on Monday, September 11, management can’t possibly police the said to have bought poultry from Kiryas not be perpetrated in the future. A 7:30–9:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at preparation of all foods, particularly Joel in the past but subsequently ran up number of rabbinic groups are plan- JFK Airport, 144-02 135th Avenue, meats,” one Flatbush rabbi told Kosher a huge outstanding debt, which sources ning meetings to deal with reviewing Jamaica, NY 11436. Today. The rabbi said that after a say was probably why he “bought the standards for stores that package glatt 2. Pre-Aliyah Seminar—Long and Short Term Planning for Aliyah—Meet with professional NBN staff and receive practical information on pre- and post-aliyah guidance and strate- gies, employment in Israel, moving to Israel as a young adult, overview of NBN services and benefits, rights (zechuyot) as a new oleh, and social and educational aspects of aliyah. This seminar will take place on Sunday, September 10, 4:00–6:00 p.m. at the Nefesh B’Nefesh office, 42 East 69 Street, New York, NY 10021 (between Park and Madison Avenues). 3) Live The Dream: Making Aliyah on Your Own—Open House—An infor- mal gathering for singles in their 20s and 30s. This is an informal setting with NBN professionals who can help make aliyah happen. Discover social and educational options, find out about life as a single in Israel, and dis- cuss what your “next steps” can be. This session will take place on Sunday, September 10, 7:30–9:30 p.m. at the Nefesh B’Nefesh office, 42 East 69 Street, New York, NY 10021. For a full list of Nefesh B’Nefesh events and to register for the seminar or open houses, please visit www.nbn.org.il. For more information, please call 1-866-4-ALIYAH.

Midreshet AMIT At Beit Hayeled Shulamith Cohn, director of Midreshet AMIT at Beit Hayeled in Jerusalem, will be visiting the United States during the week of September 10. Ms. Cohn will be the guest speaker at a series of open house receptions dur- ing which she will describe her vision and plans for this exciting new program. Midreshet AMIT will welcome its first class in September 2007. The pro- gram will provide young women from the United States with the opportunity to experience a post-high-school year of intensive Torah studies while also serv- ing as “big sisters” to some of the resi- dent children in AMIT’s care. The stu- dents will be housed at the Jerusalem campus of AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled, a child-care facility for 120 Israeli chil- dren who face difficult challenges. She will be making the following appearances: 54 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Saturday, September 9, at 5:00 seat and not taking over the whole ing Yaakov Shwekey. Yaakov has a close p.m.: An afternoon of women’s learn- plane, I don’t think it should be a prob- connection to Priority-1, having spent ing at the home of Perla, Gerry and lem,” said Fine. The Jewish group several years as a member of the kollel. Ilana Yablanovich in Englewood, N.J. B’nai Brith Canada has offered to help He remains close with Rabbi Cohen Sunday, September 10, at 9:30 a.m.: give Air Canada crews sensitivity train- and some of the students he learned Open house at the home of Rivky, Phil, ing. (CBC News) with that year. Neginah orchestras, led and Jill Goodman in Teaneck, N.J. by renowned musical arranger Yisroel Sunday, September 10, at 8:00 p.m.: Priority-1 Kumzitz Classic on Lamm, will provide musical accompa- Open house at the home of Robert and September 10 niment for the evening. A commemo- Diana Friedman in New York City. By Michele Wienman rative keepsake “Playbill” will be dis- Monday, September 11, at 8:00 p.m.: Following last year’s well received tributed to all guests. Open house at the home of Carol and and much discussed end-of-summer The Priority-1 Kumzitz Classic has Joel Spira in Hillcrest, N.Y. Tuesday, event, comes another equally engaging something for everybody, and most September 12, at 8:00 p.m.: Open evening: the Priority-1 Kumzitz importantly, the chance for everyone to house at the home of Tully and Alisa Classic. The event will take place this do something extremely important for Auerbach in New Rochelle, N.Y. coming Sunday, September 10 at the our youth. The purpose of the annual Wednesday, September 13, at 8:00 home of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Felder in event is to raise the necessary funds to p.m.: Open house at the home of Lawrence. The program features a Yaakov Shwekey performing at last year's support the current work of Priority-1, Suzanne and Barry Rozenberg in sensational private concert with Yaakov Priority-1 Kumzitz Classic. as well as develop and launch valuable Woodsburgh, N.Y. Shwekey and a lavish barbecue dinner. programs when necessary. Please call 212-477-4720 if you are The evening has been sponsored in past year’s programs. The poignant For instance, this past year marked interested in attending one of these part by The Jewish Press and All-State remarks by our students and the music the evolution of Priority-1 from its events. For more information on Leasing and Collision. of Yaakov Shwekey made for an focus of solely helping families and Midreshet AMIT at Beit Hayeled, please Referring to last year’s event in com- evening of introspection and inspira- individuals to add a robust training e-mail [email protected], visit parison to this year, Rabbi Shaya tion. This year’s Kumzitz promises to component. The training programs www.amit.org.il/midreshetamit, or call Cohen, Dean and Founder of Priority- be no different.” made available by Priority-1 are lead- 212-203-4683 (this number connects to 1, said, “Baruch Hashem, we received The highlight of the evening is an Israel; please be conscious of the time a great deal of positive feedback after intimate concert performance featur- Continued on Page 56 difference).

Jewish Man Removed From Airplane For Praying Some fellow passengers are ques- tioning why an Orthodox Jewish man was removed from an Air Canada Jazz flight in Montreal last week for pray- ing. The man was a passenger on a Sept. 1 flight from Montreal to New York City when the incident happened. The airplane was heading toward the runway at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport when eyewitnesses said the Orthodox man began to pray. “He was clearly a Hasidic Jew,” said Yves Faguy, a pas- senger seated nearby. “He had some sort of cover over his head. He was reading from a book. “He wasn’t exactly praying out loud but he was lurching back and forth,” Faguy added. The action didn’t seem to bother anyone, Faguy said, but a flight attendant approached the man and told him his praying was making other passengers nervous. “The attendant actually recognized out loud that he wasn’t a Muslim and that she was sorry for the situation but they had to ask him to leave,” Faguy said. The man, who spoke neither English nor French, was escorted off the airplane. Air Canada Jazz termed the situation “delicate,” but says it received more than one complaint about the man’s behavior. The crew had to act in the interest of the majority of passengers, said Jazz spokeswoman Manon Stewart. “The passenger did not speak English or French, so we really had no choice but to return to the gate to secure a translator,” she said. The air- line is not saying if the man was told he was not allowed to pray, but a spokesperson said the man was back on board the next flight to New York. Jewish leaders in Montreal criticized the move as insensitive, saying the flight attendants should have explained to the other passengers that the man was simply praying and doing no harm. Hasidic Rabbi Ronny Fine said he often prays on airplanes, but typically only gets curious stares. “If it’s some- thing that you’re praying in your own 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS after many years as a member of the community is invited and encouraged vides educational and fun events for Continued from Page 55 society of “hidden tzaddikim” during to participate on Sunday evening, both observant and non-observant which he lived disguised as a simple September 10 at 8:15 p.m. What’s teenagers. At the forefront of the battle ing the way in terms of offering spe- innkeeper and clay-digger, his great- learned in a class or lecture is stored in against assimilation, it offers innova- cialized training for yeshiva educators ness known only to a very small circle the mind; what’s learned at a tive programming that helps Jewish to assist in preventing and managing of fellow mystics and disciples. Farbrengen is engraved in the heart. teens see the beauty of their heritage at-risk students. And that’s not all. Elul 18 is also cel- To find out more about this special and a Torah-observant lifestyle. At the Kumzitz, Rabi Cohen will ebrated as the birthday—in 1745—of day in Chabad history and for more Rabbi Lightstone replaces Rabbi also unveil a communitywide the Baal Shem Tov’s “spiritual grand- information on this event, visit Stephen Berger, who came to Long Education and Prevention initiative to son,” Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, www.chabad5towns.com or call 516- Island a year ago from leading a region insure the success of every child and the founder of the Chabad branch of 295-2478. in Oakland. After a year of great tri- student. The objective of the initiative Chassidism. His greatness was recog- umphs, Rabbi Berger is returning to is to share methods and resources to nized from a very young age, by his LI NCSY Welcomes Rabbi Aryeh the West Coast to become the director prevent, detect, and intervene with master and his colleagues, and he Lightstone of the Northwest Region in Vancouver, techniques that protect Jewish youths played a leading role in the leadership Canada, and to be closer to home. from religious alienation, substance of the Chassidic community. After his The LI NCSY region eagerly awaited abuse, and anti-social behavior. master’s passing, Rabbi Schneur its new director. “We are proud to wel- For more information about reserva- Zalman established the “Chabad” come Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, whose tions or about advertising in the spe- branch of Chassidism, which empha- vision, combined with experience, will cial commemorative Playbill journal, sizes in-depth study and intense con- yield and foster tremendous growth, please call the Priority-1 office at 516- templation as the key to vitalizing the guiding the region to a spectacular 295-5700 today. entire person, from sublime mind to future,” declared Rabbi Steven Burg, practical deed. These ideas and con- national director of NCSY. Celebrate Chai Elul With Chabad cepts that infuse our daily lives are “I know that Rabbi Lightstone’s The Jewish calendar is replete with compiled in the book of the Tanya, the business acumen will take LI NCSY to holidays and special dates with a con- basic work of Chabad philosophy, even greater heights,” said Charles stant stream of celebrations. The 18th authored by Rabbi Schneur Zalman, Harary, chairman of LI NCSY. Rabbi of Elul, observed this year on the first Chabad Rebbe. Warm Partnership: Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone Lightstone will be involved in fundrais- September 10, is one such joyous date. Chabad of the Five Towns will cele- and Rabbi Steven Burg, National Director of ing efforts and developing the program While Chabad celebrates many days of brate this significant day marking the NCSY. for March of the Living. joy based on the lives of the 7 inception of the Chabad movement, Rabbi Lightstone received a degree in Lubavitcher Rebbes OB”M and the with a grand Farbrengen for men and Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, who finance from Yeshiva University and history of the Chabad movement, this women. Farbrengen means a gathering already has a successful career as a founded a real-estate company. one holds a special spot on the in which souls are nurtured with wisdom businessman as well as a rabbi, is now Passionate to make “a lasting impact on Chassidic calendar. and bodies are nurtured with drinks, prepared for more success guiding Klal Yisrael,” he decided to pursue rab- It was on this day, “Chai Elul,” that food and even dancing and singing. Jewish youth: In mid-August, Rabbi binic ordination from Yeshiva the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Acclaimed author and orator, Rabbi Lightstone assumed his new position University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Israel Baal Shem Tov, was born, in Yosef Y. Jacobson will lead this as the director of Long Island NCSY. Theological Seminary. He believes that 1698. It is also the day, 36 years later, Chassidic evening at the home of NCSY (National Conference of common experience from both fields will on which the Baal Shem Tov began to Faivish and Tamar Pewzner, 23 Synagogue Youth), the national youth allow him to use creativity, compassion, publicly disseminate his teachings, Waverly Place in Lawrence. The entire program of the Orthodox Union, pro- and professionalism to achieve great

56 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES things where there is great potential. with other teens—to apply their The Shmuz shiurim on all aspects of ty to transform Jewish education. Rabbi Lightstone has developed a knowledge and enthusiasm to their Jewish life, history and law which visi- Now, Mr. Ira Leon Rennert, a strong set of goals to pursue. “There is own neighborhoods through Friday tors can listen to onsite—or download prominent philanthropist, has so much to be done,” he exclaimed; Night Lights and Latte & Learning.” for mobile technology playback (pod- announced that the Rennert Family “we want to place NCSY more on the casts). The scores of testimonials post- Foundation will link its name to this forefront of chesed and Torah on Long The Shmuz…Live And Online ed on the website bear witness to the innovative project. Mr. Rennert, Island.” His responsibilities also Central to the work of Tiferes Bnei fact that the website has become known for his pace-setting charitable include public-school students of the Torah is a weekly “Shmuz” that Rabbi something of an unexpected insider endeavors, expressed his belief in this Jewish Student Union, the NCSY Shafier presents in each of the three “hit” with younger people. historic educational venture, saying, companion program. “We want to dou- New York-area centers (Brooklyn, “The website and the shiurim are all “Our family is thrilled to make this ble the size of our public-school clubs, Queens, Monsey) and a remarkably a labor of love,” says Rabbi Shafier. commitment to the Taryag Mitzvah and launch March of the Living for popular website, TheShmuz.com. “We do this as a service and with real our NCSY participants,” he added. “What makes the weekly shmuz or joy in our hearts. Most everything we Along with creating and implement- shiur so successful is that the rabbi do is voluntary; but realistically, it ing new programs, Rabbi Lightstone delivers them in an engaging, yet costs us a lot to maintain such an will also continue LI NCSY’s highly deeply thoughtful manner that reflects active website and presence in the successful Friday Night Lights and how people of my generation think and community, and keep up with the Latte & Learning programs with the the challenges that are specific,” growing demand. We know we have same enthusiasm. LI NCSY’s work was remarks one of the talmidim. touched thousands of lives. We hope at recognized in a January 15 New York Each Shmuz deals with both ethi- this first anniversary, some of them will Times article, “To Rekindle Faith, cal and practical issues. Some recent find it in their hearts to help us contin- Getting Teenagers and the Sabbath to topics have included “Appreciating ue our work.” Cross Paths.” Friday Night Lights Your Wealth,” and tongue-in-cheek The dinner presents website visitors introduces teenagers from non-obser- titles like “They Don’t Make Anti- with a rare opportunity to meet in per- vant homes on Long Island to a mean- Semites Like They Used To.” son the people behind TheShmuz.com, ingful Shabbos experience filled with The September 10 dinner will mark talk with them, take a look behind the erev Shabbos candle lighting, tradition- the first anniversary of the web-based scenes, and support the organization. Ira Rennert. al prayer services, festive meals, side of Tiferes Bnei Torah. In just one singing, dancing, story telling, group year TheShmuz.com has become the Rennert Foundation To Sponsor Project. We believe that this vital ini- discussions, and recreation. The Latte “buzz” of Torah study on the web and Taryag Mitzvah Project tiative will benefit the entire Jewish & Learning program welcomes young on iPods around the world. The Taryag Mitzvah Project, com- community in untold ways. The adults to come together for coffee and “Given that our organization is all prising The Encyclopedia of the Taryag research, publication, and dissemina- meaningful discussions at Starbucks about engaging young men in Torah Mitzvoth for adults and a groundbreak- tion of materials produced in a schol- branches across Long Island. study, we know that the Internet and ing classroom curriculum for students, arly but engaging fashion will afford an As Rabbi Lightstone puts it, “We mobile technology were going to be seeks to bring a basic knowledge of unprecedented opportunity for the would like to welcome and encourage critical,” says Rabbi Shafier. Judaism’s taryag mitzvahs (613 founda- community at large to gain an under- graduates of NCSY summer pro- In recent weeks TheShmuz.com web tional commandments of the Torah) to standing of Judaism’s core building- grams—particularly Jewish Overseas visits has been cresting at over 2,500 Jewish men, women, and children blocks—the 613 commandments.” Leadership Training and Michlelet, hits a week—a significant number for from all walks of life. The project has The leadership of the Taryag Mitzvah which train high-school students to a site dedicated to religious education. been acclaimed by leading educators take on responsibilities in working The website features online versions of across the world as having the capaci- Continued on Page 58

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 57 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS a longtime rebbi of Mr. Rennert and his family, said, “I believe the Taryag Continued from Page 57 program has begun and will continue Project has chosen to rename this mon- to change Torah education and out- umental initiative as “The Rennert reach efforts for hundreds of thou- Taryag Mitzvah Project,” due to Mr. Ira sands of observant and non-observant Rennert’s role as anchor patron of the Jews. I have met with Taryag’s research endeavor. “The commitment of the team in Israel and would describe the Rennerts to the Taryag Mitzvah Taryag Research Center as…a think Project,” said Rabbi Dovid Wax, the tank of the most creative and engaging project’s founder, “is a crucial turning Torah scholars and writers.” point for us. The Rennerts will be tak- Experts in curriculum development ing a leading position in our ever-grow- believe that the Taryag curriculum will ing family of patrons. After speaking to transform the world of Jewish educa- over a thousand educators, here and tion and will respond to the changing abroad, I am convinced more than ever needs of young learners and the new that the project is one of the most challenges educators face in engaging important developments in Jewish edu- them. At the recent convention of cation in recent memory. This is the Torah Umesorah–The National right project at the right time.” Society of Hebrew Day Schools, which Mr. Rennert and the project team was attended by over 1,300 delegates, feel deeply that the study of the 613 numerous principals endorsed Taryag’s Commandments has a vital role in innovative curriculum and under- building strong Jewish identity, which scored their commitment to making it is essential to challenging the ever-vir- an important part of the standard cur- ulent assimilation occurring in our riculum in day schools throughout the times. By providing a broad-based pro- United States and beyond. gram that will enhance Jewish knowl- The international response to the edge and awareness, the project will Rennert Taryag Mitzvah Project has also reinforce a sense of connection with been notably enthusiastic. Rabbi Israel Judaism and a commitment to identi- Lau, formerly the Chief Rabbi of Israel fying with Jewish history and tradition. and currently the Chief Rabbi of Tel The Rennert Taryag Mitzvah Project, Aviv, wrote, “The involvement of the through its comprehensive but user- Rennert family, my dear and close friendly and engaging approach, can friends, only intensifies my own commit- become a powerful tool to inform, edu- ment to the success of the Taryag cate, and, most importantly, inspire Mitzvah Project, an endeavor that I have both children and adults to learn more supported from its earliest stages. I am and stay connected to Jewish life. inspired to see this leading educational Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky, founder and project endorsed by the Rennert family, dean of the Yad Avraham Institute and who represent world-class philanthro-

58 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES pists at the leading edge of Jewish philanthropy with their support of unique projects that will have a lasting impact on Jewish people worldwide.”

Upcoming Events For The JCC Of The Greater Five Towns Adult Singles with Disabilities will meet on Monday, September 11 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. to mark 9/11 with inspirational speaker Temima Miller who became a volunteer firefighter. Come see what you can do to save oth- ers. Pre-registration is required and there is a fee of $3. Wednesday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m.: Long Island Ducks trip. Limited tickets available, reservations required. Sunday, September 17, 4:00–6:00 p.m: join the JCC for an end-of-summer BBQ at Grant Park in Hewlett ($8 fee). Bring a frizbee, badminton, or any other outdoor activities you can play with your friends. Please call Chana Pfeifer at the JCC, at 516-569-6733 ext. 213, regarding any of the events listed above. The JCC of the Greater Five Towns Kosher Culinary Institute is kicking off its new year with “Cooking for the New Year” on Tuesday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. under the direction of Naomi Nachman, “The Aussie Gourmet.” Infuse your holi- day meals with both meaning and flavor as you explore the traditional foods of the New Year. Inspired by the simanim (symbols) found on your Rosh Hashanah table. Please call to register. Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Temple Beth-El, 46 Locust Avenue in Cedarhurst: There will be a very special film screening fol- lowed by questions and answers with the filmmaker. “Normal People Scare Me” is a powerful documentary film created by a 17-year-old autis- tic filmmaker. The film explores in-depth what daily life is like for individuals living with autism. This is a must-see film that educates the mind and touches the spirit! Admission is free. For further information, please contact Gilda Tesser at the JCC. Wednesday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m.: Beyond Bereave- ment Dinner Program featur- ing fun, friendship, and food. Speaker Saul Silas Fathi will speak about “A History Of Islam And Its Implications In Today’s World.” There is a fee of $15. For further informa- tion, please contact Lisa Stern, LCSW, at ext. 209. The JCC will be starting its weekly social TBI therapeutic

Continued on Page 60 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 59 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS speak to Mary Sheffield, ext. 219 or the rosh yeshiva of yeshiva Chofetz The work of Tiferes Bnei Torah is Linda Balch, ext. 211. Chaim, Rav Henoch Leibowitz. geared to large numbers of working Continued from Page 59 Unless otherwise noted, all events Recognizing the pattern that pulls people with a wide spectrum of yeshi- day program. Join on Wednesday, take place at 207 Grove Avenue in young men away from learning, he va backgrounds who struggle with feel- September 13 from 10:00 a.m to Cedarhurst. believed that the Tiferes Bachurim ings of disconnectedness and loneli- 1:00 p.m. at Congregation Sons of groups so successful in pre-war Europe ness. He says these young adults share Israel, 111 Irving Place in Woodmere. A Virtual Torah Community Takes would serve this disengaged community. a defining characteristic—one that Activities include spiritual healing, art Shape Rav Leibowitz approached Rabbi presages trouble down the road. They therapy classes, physical exercises, Life is busy for all of us, and many Ben Tzion Shafier, a well-known rebbi don’t fit in. group psychotherapy and more. For fur- young men who have recently left teaching high school bochurim,to Rabbi Shafier points out that the ther information, please contact Lisa yeshiva find themselves out of the cir- establish an organization that would erosion of ties with rabbeim, chavrusos Barnett, LCSW, at ext. 210 or Chana cle of learning, and disconnected from be about more than simply study. and friends from the yeshiva world may Pfeifer at ext. 213. any sense of community. “The rosh hayeshiva’s vision was to cre- lead to a steady drift from the Torah Thursday, September 14 at 10:00 In fact, many of the young people in ate a comprehensive and supportive envi- lifestyle which once formed the moral a.m.: JCC Bagel & Books will be meet- our community have begun to, well, ronment—a community where young, and spiritual foundation for many. ing to discuss Brooklyn Follies by Paul slip between the cracks. They were busy b’nei Torah could have a stimulating “It’s particularly true of those who Auster. Make new friends and enjoy indeed observant but without a spiritu- place where they were comfortable,” says did not do well in their yeshiva years, breakfast, too. Please call for further al home that reflected them or the Rabbi Shafier. “a place where they feel a those who never found their niche in information. stresses in their lives. strong sense of belonging.” learning but it is equally true to those The JCC of the Greater Five Towns That set the stage for the inception From that idea, Tiferes Bnei Torah who accomplished a lot in yeshiva,” he provides a social day care program of Tiferes Bnei Torah, which marks its launched three years ago with a hand- said. “They drift from one minyan to called the “Come Alive Program” at remarkable success with a dinner, ful of people. In that time it has another—They have no community to Congregation Sons of Israel in September 10 at the White Shul in achieved phenomenal growth, encom- belong to. They have no rav, no one to Woodmere for early stage of dementia Far Rockaway. passing three thriving centers in the ask she’eilos to, no one to hear a shiur and frail elderly. Please join on A few years ago the phenomenon of New York area where thousands of from, and no social framework.” Monday, September 11 and Thursday, young persons rushing through life young men are engaged in Torah study Confronted with high-voltage cul- September 14. For further informa- without a spiritual balance or moral and discussion after work and in their ture shock in a world that offers unlim- tion, please call 516-569-6733 and compass did not escape the notice of spare time. ited enticements of the forbidden, many are poorly equipped to fight back.

Recent Events In Israel: How Can We Respond! By Paysi Golomb, Director, Kehillot Tehilla The most asked question I receive from people outside of Eretz Ysrael at this time is “Has the war changed any- thing—what effect is the situation hav- ing on aliyah, on home purchases, on tourism, on every day life?” These are not easy questions to ask and there are no easy answers. People have died. Over one million Israelis were homeless and/or living in shel- ters. The economy and the environ- ment have suffered greatly. Can life ever be the same? The rain of missiles on our shores was on a larger scale than I ever remember and certainly have ever experienced. Yet when I reflect on these questions I ask myself not, “Have things changed?” but “Have things in Israel ever been so different?” Has there ever been a time in Israel when an enemy was not ready to attack us, ready to destroy us? Has Israel ever had a time of quiet that was anything more than a brief interlude? No, in reality, I do not believe any- thing has changed, nor do I believe that anything substantial will change in the near future. Pieces move on the chess board. Situations change. Strategies change. The present situa- tion has certainly brought home in starkly real terms the enormity of what we do here, but for the most part, this is life in Eretz Yisrael and has been throughout the history of our state. If we were to analyze the history of

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

60 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Israel rationally, the situation is filled “The Complexities of Real Estate Law: a growing increase of interest from a week at TAG High School beginning with paradox and inconsistency. We Avoiding the Pitfalls.” Philip Braude, investors and olim alike to purchase Monday, September 18. This will be a are surrounded by enemies, lack water, Israel Tax and Financial Advisor will now. With prices continuing to rise, special treat for the TAG High School have an unstable economy, terror- speak about “Understanding Recent this could be the best opportunity to students since Rabbi Silverstein is ism…yet we are a modern country. We Israel Tax Reforms: Your Financial purchase your home in Israel. noted for his profound, yet lucidly are advanced in technolgy terms, in Future in Israel.” This is not the time to push off explained, thoughts which illuminate medicine, in education, and in Torah. Kehillot Tehilla, a private initiative your plans for Israel. This is a time to any subject he chooses to address. Building is taking place throughout of Tehilla, The Voluntary Union For push forward with more haste and Many TAG alumnae remember when Israel and a short drive in any direction Religious Aliyah, is designed to benefit greater determination. May the com- Rabbi Silverstein taught in TAG on a brings this final point home very its members now looking to purchase ing Days of Awe become a catalyst for regular basis and his classes were gems strongly. property in Israel with reduced real all of us to take the next step towards of insightful understanding of the text This is the answer to those who wish estate fees, reduced legal fees, lower a home in Israel. being studied. They were thought-pro- to destroy us. Israel’s answer, the than market rate mortgages, and some- For more information on this voking as well as stimulating. Jewish answer has been and always will times reductions in prices on the units upcoming program or to find out more Torah Academy for Girls is making it be to build homes, schools, lives—to themselves. Tehilla has always been about other programs, please contact possible for the ladies of our commu- build in the face of adversity. For me there for our olim, providing counsel- Paysi Golomb at [email protected]. nity to enjoy and be inspired by Rabbi there is nothing more laudable, ing, pilot trips, help in job placement, Silverstein when he will address a spe- admirable, or courageous than this housing, and education. Now with the Rabbi Shraga Silverstein To cial session on Sunday, September 17 Jewish attribute. It is this attribute that advent of Kehillot Tehilla, they are Address Torah Academy For Girls on the topic of the “Tefilos of the gives me the most pride and the most able to expand programming to those High School Yamim No’raim” with special emphasis hope for the future of Am Yisrael. who may not be ready to set an aliyah Rabbi Shraga Silverstein, noted on the centrality of akeidas Yitzchak If something has changed it is a con- date but may be ready to purchase a author, lecturer and educator will and its theme which permeates the tinued awakening in the midst of our home in Israel now. speak at Torah Academy High School entire tefillah of these days of awe. pain—a feeling that people need to We don’t believe people will be com- for Girls at 636 Meehan Avenue, on Hopefully, this lecture will act as a come home now, to purchase a family placent right now. Overall we have Sunday, September 17 at 9:30 a.m. stimulus to raise the level and mean- home now, to identify with Israel in only seen minor slow downs in the real Rabbi Silverstein currently resides in ingfulness of our tefillos. stronger ways than ever. estate market. Prices have not come Yerushalayim and will make a special Building is the answer! down! As a result of this, we have seen trip to the United States to lecture for Continued on Page 62 And if building is the answer, then what is the question? The question is this: Is now the time to put our plans on hold, or is it the time to move forward with our plans with an even greater urgency? In September, we at Tehilla and Kehillot Tehilla intend to do just that. We are moving forward with a very ambitious program to get more people involved in the process. We will spon- sor programs in New York, Miami, Boca Raton, Seattle, Los Angeles, and La Jolla and we are beginning in the Five Towns area. On Sunday September 10, at 8:00 p.m., Kehillot Tehilla, The Jewish Agency, and Young Israel of Woodmere will join together to bring an in depth workshop dealing with the purchase of a home in Israel. This will be an important event not just for those of you who may consider purchasing for aliyah, but also for those considering a purchase without an aliyah date in mind, or simply as an investment in your family’s future. The event will take place at the Young Israel of Woodmere, 829 Peninsula Blvd. It will feature guest speakers: Paysi Golomb, Director Kehillot Tehilla on the topic of “Timing Your Purchase in Israel: The Benefits of Purchasing with Kehillot Tehilla.” Yosi and Boaz Goldshmid, Israel Real Estate Law Specialists will speak about

Deadline for Advertising in the Next Issue is Monday, September 11 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-984-0079

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 61 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 61 Camp S’dei Chemed Girls Hosts 250 Evacuees From Tsfat By Sondra Gottesman “Mitzvah ha’baah l’yadcha, al tachmitzenah.” When you are presented with the oppor- tunity to fulfill a mitzvah, don’t hesitate, even for a moment, to complete its per- formance. Here we are, a S’dei Chemed campers with some Shabbos guests from Tsfat. Jeeping in southern Israel. group of American girls living the dream that for the past 38 years had belonged exclusively would not be a typical S’dei gency. All tours to the North became more urgent, more grew within us and struggled to our brother camp—the Chemed summer in Israel. were cancelled and replaced fervent, more concentrated, to find appropriate expression. privilege and the z’chus to Three Israeli soldiers had been with similar excursions in cen- imbued with a greater And then, on Thursday, “walk the length and breadth” kidnapped. Hamas and tral and southern Israel. kavanah. The need to partici- our second week in camp, as of Eretz Yisrael! Yet, from the Hezbollah were intransigent Security and safety, always a pate with our brethren, we returned to our campus in moment we stepped off the in their refusal to release them concern, now became primary. “acheinu kol bais Yisrael”to Netanya after a full day of plane, we understood that this and vicious in their insur- Tefillah, always primary, now remain strong and to prevail, touring, rumors began to cir- culate that people from the north of Israel were being evacuated south. By the time we reached Netanya, those rumors were confirmed. A group of people from Tsfat was coming to share our Shabbos. Friday afternoon, as the sun began to set in the west and the tranquility of Shabbos descended upon camp, our guests, 250 men, women, and children walked peacefully and safely to wel- come the Shabbos Malkah, with the girls of S’dei Chemed. We shared our shul and dining room. We wel- comed them to our dormito- ry, we opened our hearts, and we davened for their safety, the safety of the soldiers, the country, and the safety of Klal Yisrael. During seudat shelishit,a young woman, Sara, spoke to our girls. She told us that she and her family and those of her community had been liv- ing, intermittently, for the last ten days, in shelters. She had been evacuated to Netanya with her daughter but her hus- band stayed behind. She explained that as residents of Tsfat, they are loyal to the tra- dition of their city. Tsfat- Tzadii, Pay, Tof-Tzadikim Po Tamid. Tsfat—together with Yerushalayim, Chevron, and Teveria is one of the four holy cities of Eretz Yisrael. “The community,” she said, “would never think to abandon their shul and leave it without a minyan for even one Shabbos!” Was she concerned? Certainly. But, she and her family had come on aliyah six years ago and this was their home. They are here to stay! For the girls of S’dei Chemed, this Shabbos was a special opportunity for chesed. We might have been a little uncomfortable. We might have given up some of our privacy but as we opened our hearts, we came one step closer to the geulah. As we embraced our brethren and 62 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES gave them chizuk, we felt an expan- idential units at Jerusalem of Gold— sion of achdus among our People. As the most unique and prestigious resi- we completely, and with a full heart, dential project in the Jewish world. performed the mitzvos of Ahavas On Rabbi Akiva Street in the heart Yisrael and hachnasas orchim,we of Jerusalem, construction is rapidly understood that we had indeed been progressing on Jerusalem of Gold. The given the special ability to recognize project is being built to the highest an opportunity and to seize the international specifications, and the moment. In this zechus, may we all be full complex includes a swimming worthy to see real peace in Israel with pool, spa, screening and conference the coming of Moshiach, bimhayrah rooms, security around the clock, and biyamaynu. Amen. all amenities characteristic of high standard projects in capitals world- Bowling And Swimming For OHEL wide. Buyers have the option of cus- Bais Ezra tomizing their residential units to indi- Several camps including Camp Camp Al Haderech hosted a carnival for OHEL Bais Ezra residents and participated in a Bowl vidual requirements in terms of size Avnet, Camp Al Haderech, Samuel for OHEL event. Pictured here are two campers with a Bais Ezra resident having a great time at Field Y Camp and the Staten Island the carnival. Continued on Page 64 JCC Day Camp partnered with OHEL Bais Ezra this summer. Campers par- ticipated in a bowling or swimming for OHEL event and helped raise funds to send a child with disabilities or a foster child to camp this summer. Campers in these local camps know that while they had a great time this summer, they helped another child also have this opportunity. Campers were enthusiastic about participation in the event and they called upon friends, relatives and neighbors to sponsor them for the number of laps they swam or for their bowling score. OHEL Bais Ezra appre- ciates that many of the camps also sponsored an OHEL Bais Ezra Day at camp and invited consumers to partic- ipate in a carnival and ice-cream party. Campers had a chance to meet and greet some of the campers they are sponsoring! All had a great time and it was a winning situation for all— campers won prizes and did chesed and OHEL Bais Ezra consumers were the real winners of their efforts! In the words of one camper, “It was an awesome day! I’m glad I met the kids from OHEL Bais Ezra and I’m glad my friends and I can help!” Campers received great prizes for their participation. According to Rabbi Michael Merrill, Director of Camp Al Haderech, “the campers will remember the time they spent together with their friends from Ohel Bais Ezra for years to come, more than anything else.“ OHEL Bais Ezra will also partner with schools in the tri-state area to sponsor tuition scholarships for OHEL foster children and others in its care as well as to provide other opportunities for OHEL Bais Ezra residents. To have your school partner with OHEL in this chesed and learning experience, please call Rabbi Ezra Berenholz at 718-686- 3316 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information about OHEL, please call 718-851-6300, e-mail [email protected], or visit www .ohelfamily.org.

Jerusalem Of Gold—The Most Sought After Address In The Jewish World Paradoxically, one of the positive results of the recent Israeli-Lebanese war has been a surge of interest among Jews abroad in Israel, investing in Israel, and Israeli real estate. It is a resounding vote of confidence in the strength and stability of the Jewish State and its economy, which has been felt also in both a growing demand for and the continuing flow of sales of res- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 63 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS construction. Operating throughout Israel, the company has built thousands Continued from Page 63 of apartments and its most famous and and internal layout. highly regarded project (developed in Jerusalem of Gold is being built by partnership with Shlomo Eliahu) is City Shlomo Eliahu and Mordechai Garden in Tel Aviv. Schechter, the developers of the highly Located within walking distance of successful City Garden project in Tel the Western Wall, the Great Aviv (Gan Ha’Ir), Shlomo Eliahu is one Synagogue, Yeshurun Synagogue, of the most distinguished and promi- David Citadel Hotel, King David nent businessmen in Israel. He is Hotel, and Independence Park, involved in banking and insurance, and Jerusalem of Gold is one of those his business ventures include Phoenix exceptional projects of the breadth and Insurance Company, Union Bank, scope to transform a municipal land-

Leumi Bank of Israel, and Eliahu scape. It is helping to draw attention Insurance Company. He is also the joint away from such established residential owner of Mount Zion Hotel together quarters as Rehavya and Talbiya, and with contractor Mordechai Schechter, to refocus it back on the city center, the owner of a company established in the pulsating heart of the Jewish 1971, which specializes in all aspects of world—Jerusalem of Gold.

64 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Sales have been brisk, brisker still since the end of the recent war, and yet many of the project’s attractive, luxurious properties remain available. However, the spacious residential units of Jerusalem of Gold are not for everyone. Potential owners are individ- uals capable of appreciating the devel- opers’ unyielding aspiration for quality, and those willing to invest in the loca- tion closest to the heart of every Jew— the center of Jerusalem.

R’ Chaim Kanievsky And Kupat Ha’ir

R’ Chaim Kanievsky, shlita.

HaRav Shaul Kanievsky, shlita, is a supremely busy person whose daily routine includes many hours of Torah study and writing sefarim. Still, he agreed to dedicate a few moments of his precious time to share his thoughts about Kupat Ha’ir: “Right at the outset, I would like to point out that I generally avoid involve- ment in public affairs; my father has taught me to stay out of the public eye. This time, though, I agreed, because Kupat Ha’ir is in a category all its own. After all, my father, too, changes his usual practices for the sake of Kupat Ha’ir. “For example, he’s prepared to alter his schedule to accommodate the rab- banim of Kupat Ha’ir at any given time. Every day, Kupat Ha’ir sends a list of the names of contributors who would like my father [HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita] to daven for them and bless them. That takes time, effort, and strength…but helping Kupat Ha’ir means the world to him. He prays for the contributors with such warmth! With such devotion! He puts his whole self into his prayers on their behalf…even on exalted days such as erev Yom Kippur, Hoshana Rabbah, and the like. This year, just as the holiest day of the year was about to be ushered in, he was busy praying for the contributors. It is certainly an awe- some merit for them, and I think my father sees it as an awesome merit for himself as well. “This is not the only way in which my father digresses from his usual practice for the sake of Kupat Ha’ir. Abba has never agreed to affix pushkahs along the wall near the stairs leading to his home, even though it is a “public place,” considering that masses of Yidden crowd those stairs every single day. Many people come to ask advice, to obtain a berachah, or to receive help. At such times, people are naturally more inclined to open their hearts and

Continued on Page 67 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 65 feelings possibly being reciprocated by We must learn to tell people how the person we have feelings for. we feel, and to trust that the telling True, if we don’t tell someone how won’t be the end of our world—that Requited Love we feel, we can’t be rejected; that is in fact it will hopefully be the begin- the safe way. Yet, maybe the person ning of something beautiful. If the wouldn’t reject us at all. Yes, rejection person to whom we profess our feel- BY MICHELE HERENSTEIN they begin to control us. They become is a huge fear of most human beings, ings is not interested in us in the who we are and how we define our- but shouldn’t the fear of never know- way we’d like, we won’t fall through Caring about someone can be the selves; they leave no room for feelings ing be bigger yet? Rejection may end the earth in shame. It may feel like best, absolute most joyous feeling, but about other things and other people. your specific dream, but hidden feel- that for a few uncomfortable conversely, also the worst. We only live once, and have few ings will cause you to dream falsely moments, our faces burning, our We sometimes have strong feel- bodies shaky, our voices wobbly. But, ings for a certain person, but aren’t as with everything else, this too shall brave or courageous enough to tell pass. And if it works out to our that person how we feel. One down- I challenge anyone who thinks that loving advantage that the object of our side of being human is that most of interest is interested in us, well, us think we have all the time in the another person is easy. Whether it’s love for a wouldn’t this be worth whatever dis- world to express to another our emo- comfort we went through? tions and feelings for them. We fig- friend, a sibling, an in-law, or a spouse, these I think that weighing the pros and ure that if we don’t disclose our feel- cons can be helpful. And yet, if the ings today, there’s always tomorrow. relationships all take work. pro of opening up to someone is that If not tomorrow, then next week. you may find that they care about But time passes, as today become you as well, then how can any con be tomorrow, and tomorrow becomes next strong enough to outweigh this pro? week, which in turn becomes next chances to bond deeply with another all the days of your life. And if the Yes, it takes a strong person to face year; and yet the feelings still stay hid- human being. The more time we let go right person comes along, we won’t up to another; however, loving den and dormant within us. by without sharing our feelings, the give them a chance because we’ll be another person isn’t for the weak of By not owning up to these feelings, more time we’ll be alone without our hung up on our secret crush. heart. Loving another takes strength, depth of character, vulnerability, and passion. I challenge anyone who thinks that loving another person is easy. Whether it’s love for a friend, a sib- ling, an in-law, or a spouse, these relationships all take work. But the rewards—O, the rewards of a fulfill- ing and requited love! The rewards can’t be put into words. The feeling of being understood by someone else without having to explain everything must be the most delightful feeling in the world. I beg to differ with the popular myth that love will just happen and it will find you when you least expect it. We must run after love, catch it, and hold it tight. If we want some- thing, particularly love, we must stand up for it. Most things in life don’t come easy. This is true with love as well, but the work of captur- ing love will hopefully pay off. How do I know? I don’t, but I am willing to take that chance. The downside? The person I have feelings for does- n’t love me back. The upside? Everything. The world. So don’t wait till next month, next week, or even tomorrow. Search out that person right now, the one you find so dear and so pleasing. The one you can’t stop thinking about. Tell that person how you feel. And your life will be changed dramatically.For the better? Hopefully. But whether your feelings are reciprocated or not, you will know where you stand and that counts for a lot. There’s nothing as beautiful, deep, passionate, and intense as the love of one person for another. Never be scared to follow your heart. The lows of rejection may be really low, but the highs? They don’t get any higher. Life without love? There is no such thing. We all deserve to be loved. We all need to be loved. So find that special someone and let them find you, and give yourself over to love. ❖

Michele Herenstein is a freelance journalist living and working in New York. She can be reached at [email protected]. 66 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 65 contribute generously to tzedakah. The only pushkah my father, shlita, has agreed to place there is that of Kupat Ha’ir. I think that proves to one and all how he feels about Kupat Ha’ir. “There are other examples. I can’t remember even a single time through- out the past years that my father host- ed a dinner or meeting on behalf of a tzedakah organization. A meeting on behalf of Kupat Ha’ir was held in his home! It was very moving to see the warmth and fondness with which my father treated the rabbanim from Kupat Ha’ir. My father never drinks wine during the week, not even when making a siyum, but at this meeting he drank l’chayim. Abba went out of his way to demonstrate his faith in Kupat Ha’ir. It was obvious that his intention was to publicize his fondness and respect for Kupat Ha’ir. And if my father makes it a point to demonstrate the importance he attributes to Kupat Ha’ir…well, that says it all. “Why, you may ask, is Kupat Ha’ir so special to him? There are a few sen- tences I heard my father say from which I learned a few basic things about the way Kupat Ha’ir fulfills the great mission it represents. I once heard him say that the people of Kupat Ha’ir are ‘ehrliche mentschen (honest people).’ On a different occasion, I heard him say that Kupat Ha’ir is ‘the original tzedakah fund.’ “Of course, the organizations that provide families with large grants to help get them back on their feet are doing extremely important work, but that can’t replace the daily sustenance the family needs in the meantime. The children need bread! Today, after six years of activism, we see that Kupat Ha’ir has indeed been carrying out its mission faithfully. “Kupat Ha’ir has many guiding prin-

Continued on Page 68

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 67 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 67 ciples that have earned my father’s respect. Take the fund’s “l’sheim Shamayim,’ for example. All the rab- banim and avreichim, the gabbaim and the helpers are volunteers. It’s not just that the contributions in their entirety go to the needy (as opposed to having considerable percentages being paid to the managers), but the absolute integrity of everybody involved. As Abba put it, Kupat Ha’ir are ‘ehrliche mentschen.’ He repeated that phrase quite a few times. The people who come in contact with the money are kollel students, not public activists or businessmen. Kupat Ha’ir is not an office in the regular sense of the word. It doesn’t belong to anyone: its activi- ties are dictated by the needs of the community, under the guidance of rab- banim, of course. “And that, actually, brings me to the third thing that Abba so admires about Kupat Ha’ir: the absolute obedience, the unparalleled subservience, the strict supervision of every dollar and every check. All the rabbanim are authorized to sign and everything is conducted under tight supervision. Every question, big or small, is decided by gedolei hador, shlita. “The practical significance of this is that the contributions that come in are not depreciated at all. The money that is contributed reaches the needy in its entirety, as the contributors surely want it to. It can be said that Kupat Ha’ir is literally ‘the long arm’ of the gedolei hador, for it is they who control all aspects of the operation. “Sometimes, a distinguished person- ality approaches a representative of Kupat Ha’ir to ask for assistance on behalf of an acquaintance. While it might seem that requests coming from certain rabbis or personalities ought to be honored immediately, that is not the case. They receive the same treatment as everyone else. They are told that the case will be discussed at the next meet- ing of the rabbanim of Kupat Ha’ir, and a decision will be reached. There is no other way, no way to shorten the proce- dure or ‘cut ahead’ in line, even if the request is made by someone very close to one of the rabbanim… My father has seen this happen more than once, and he very much admires the policy. “Readers may wonder what happens in a case of pikuach nefesh. The person who calls to report the case is always asked whether the situation can wait until the next meeting of rabbanim (held approximately once a month). If yes, fine. If not, an emergency meeting might be called but no money will be released until approval is given at a meeting! It’s not so easy to say that when the caller is someone who con- tributes generously to the fund, but those are the unequivocal rules, and there is no way to circumvent them. That, in my father’s opinion, is exceed- ingly praiseworthy. “Although my father goes out of his way to demonstrate his support for Kupat Ha’ir so that others will con- tribute generously, he personally con- tributes as well. In fact, Kupat Ha’ir is

Continued on Page 70 68 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 69 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS to go through Kupat Ha’ir—I thought it hador support Kupat Ha’ir, and that, I Bret, a mortgage broker; and Harley, might be preferable to give the money believe, is the secret of its success.” who just graduated from Yeshiva Continued from Page 68 directly to a needy family who could To take part in Kupat Ha’ir’s massive Univeristy with honors. She was in the the only tzedakah organization for make use of it still before Yom Yov set Yom Tov distribution, and to earn the hospital during Harley’s graduation, very which he has a standing order in the in—he insisted he wanted to con- berachos of the gedolei hador, send happy with the knowledge of, and enjoy- bank. It’s well known that it is his pol- tribute only to Kupat Ha’ir. ‘When the your tax-deductible donation to HaRav ing tremendous nachas from, the fact icy not to sign such standing orders! money reaches Kupat Ha’ir,’ he said, Shmuel Berenbaum, shlita, 1795 E. that he had graduated. “I was shocked, at the time, when he ‘I’ll have fulfilled the mitzvah, because 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11223; Anna is survived by three grandchil- pulled out his pen and signed the form Kupat Ha’ir is the hands of the poor.’ please make checks payable to dren—Gabrielle, Justin, and Craig. for a standing order. I asked him in “I still can’t believe the many ways American Friends of Kupat Ha’ir. Or, She was unable to attend Craig’s bris, what way Kupat Ha’ir was different in which my father has departed from you can call the 24 hour hotline at but was able to give him one last kiss. than all other tzedakos. He answered his usual custom for the sake of Kupat 866-221-9352. Anna was born in France and spoke me with the following words: ‘The other Ha’ir. There are certain things we’ve many languages. She loved language, tzedakos are very important and one never, ever seen him do throughout Anna Kantor, Of Blessed Memory arts, and culture; but most of all, she should contribute to them as well, but the years. Yet when it comes to Kupat By an admiring friend loved people. She was an eclectic, regal Kupat Ha’ir is an absolute obligation, Ha’ir, all the rules change! Kupat Ha’ir woman. Anna always had a listening ear because I am aware of everything they is literally his shaliach. He feels that and remembered every detail that you do for the poor of this city. I feel that Kupat Ha’ir has taken a burden off his would tell her. Many people, including everyone should sign a standing order, shoulders. After all, Kupat Ha’ir takes local rebbetzins, would visit Anna on and I don’t want to be an exception to care of the city’s tzedakah affairs, a Shabbos afternoon; you could feel her the rule.’ A year later, he increased the burden which ultimately belongs to warmth through her smile. amount of his contribution. the gedolim who live in that city. All of Anna’s energy went into her “I want to make it clear that he has “Once, my father’s right-hand man, family, and she reaped the fruits of her not changed his custom of not signing HaRav Y. A., told him that the gabba’ei labor by seeing so much nachas from standing orders. He still refuses to sign tzedakah were ashamed to come see her children. Dennis, a loving husband for anything else. Kupat Ha’ir is the him so often, because they feared they and caretaker, sat by her side till the sole exception. were troubling him. My father was very end. “Another incident comes to mind. amazed: ‘They’re doing what I am Anna and Dennis had an extraordi- Last year, on erev Sukkos, my father responsible to do, shouldering my bur- nary marriage of 34 years. Last week in gave me a large sum of money and asked den. Every city needs such a fund. the hospice center, Dennis said that he me to give it to Kupat Ha’ir. I asked him Why are they ashamed?’ Anna Kantor. was having a battle with Hashem as to why he had decided to give tzedakah at “My father considers it a z’chus to who was going to keep her; he wasn’t this particular time, and he said, ‘Don’t be a part of Kupat Ha’ir and all its On Friday, September 1, we lost a about to let her go without a fight. you know that it is written in Kabbala to activities. He doesn’t go pasting wonderful woman, Anna Kantor. We lost that battle, but now she’s at give tzedakah on erev Sukkos? I want posters on billboards, but he’s the one Although she fought with all her might peace. May she be a meilitz yosher for this to reach Kupat Ha’ir.’ who davens for the contributors and to stay alive, Anna lost her battle with all of us and pray that Mashiach comes “The whole thing was a riddle to me. the success of the fund. That’s his cancer. Anna is survived by her adoring soon and we should all be reunited. A night earlier he mentioned that he part—aside from the monetary contri- husband, Dennis, a very popular Anna, you will be missed by all. wanted to give tzedakah, the next butions he makes, of course. teacher at Yeshiva Darchei Torah; moth- morning he gave me the money, and “Other gedolim, too, daven for the suc- er, Mrs. Sally Diamond; sister, Brenda; when I tried to ask him why he wanted cess of the contributors. All the gedolei and children: Michelle Silbiger, a nurse; Continued on Page 72

70 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Portrait Of A Simcha Photo By Jerry Meyer Studio

Sary Scharf of Brooklyn and Shmulie Weinberg of Minneapolis were wedded on August 24 at Terrace on the Park.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 71 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS atmosphere Daniel craved. Years ago, ering. They wore khakis, long jackets, ate a warm yeshiva which focuses on when he was a young bachur in Eretz and everything in between. One aspect avodas Hashem and which treats each Continued from Page 70 Yisrael, he had often experienced deeply united them all—sincerity. bachur as an individual. We could only In Search Of The King: moving Shabbosos. He would return to This yeshiva took the threads of hope it would work. The reality is even Derech HaMelech yeshiva full of inspiration, only to feel let Daniel’s spiritual longings—Aish better than my original dream.” By Bassi Gruen down on Sunday. His yeshiva didn’t offer Kodesh, Rav Tzvi Meir, serious learning, Building on this year’s success, the It was Rav Weinberger’s Aish Kodesh the same soul food that nourished him intense tefillah, and striving students— yeshiva plans to offer an intensive shul in Woodmere that first gave Daniel over Shabbos—the excitement of daven- and wove them into a unique yeshiva. semichah program this Elul. The pro- Sussman a glimpse into another ing, the warmth of chassidus, the focus But Daniel was torn; part of him wanted gram, which will be led by the rosh kol- world—a world in which Judaism is not on the internal aspects of Yiddishkeit. to jump at this incredible opportunity, to lel Rav Shmuel Rosenbaum, will span a burden or something to be taken care And he would wonder, Couldn’t a place spend all his waking hours in the atmos- three years—one year devoted to hil- of so one could get on with life, but in be created that would offer the joy of phere he had come to love. The other chos Shabbos, one to hilchos kashrus, which Judaism is, rather, life itself and such Shabbosos seven days a week? part feared moving too fast. He stayed in and a third to family purity, Yom Tov, striving to connect with one’s Creator is Rav Gartner married and became a his old yeshiva and watched the new one and miscellaneous halachos. The the ultimate goal. “Aish Kodesh and Rav skilled and highly sought-after sofer.It from the sidelines. To his amazement, mornings will be spent learning, in Weinberger totally changed my perspec- was on Shabbos that he would meet the yeshiva turned out to be all that it depth, the Gemara(s) covering the tive,” says Daniel. “It had a profound them, the “Daniel”s who were asking had promised to be. By Pesach, he was halachic topics to be studied in the influence on my years in high school.” the same question that had troubled ready to take the plunge. afternoon. The goal is not to memorize Daniel graduated, and he elected to them years before, hungry for a yeshi- He never regretted it. p’sakim, but to understand them from spend the next year studying in Israel. va that would touch them on every He loves the shiurim. “The learning is the source and to give the students the He was learning well, in a serious level. One day, Rav Gartner decided to challenging,” he relates. “There are def- tools to tackle any area of halachah. yeshiva. But something was missing. put aside his quill and devote his life to inite expectations, and you have to work Practicality will be emphasized—if hil- The intensity and the joy he had known creating living sifrei Torah. to achieve; the material is never spoon- chos esrog is the current topic, esrogim back in Aish Kodesh were absent. Rav Gartner turned to Rav Tzvi fed. And when your learning is the will be brought in for examination, giv- Seeking to inhale the rarified atmos- Meir Zilberberg, who gave the project result of your own hard work, there is a ing the students hands-on experience. phere he had known there, Daniel his support and berachah. He sent Rav tremendous sense of accomplishment.” “I feel that a program like this has found himself drawn to Rav Tzvi Meir Gartner across the ocean to involve He loves the staff, the outstanding two major advantages,” says Rav Zilberberg’s shul. Rav Tzvi Meir had Rav Moshe Weinberger and to observe individuals that Rav Gartner has Rosenbaum. “First, analyzing how the spoken at Aish Kodesh. “I had wan- his Aish Kodesh community in brought together to lead his students. halachah is derived from the original dered into the shiur almost by mis- Woodmere. It was Rav Weinberger “The rebbeim are all so caring; we can sources helps hone students’ analytical take,” Daniel relates, “but I remember who suggested asking the renowned approach any of them with anything abilities. Second, by bringing learning being struck by both Rav Tzvi Meir’s gaon and posek Rav Asher Weiss to that’s on our minds. They make them- into the realm of day-to-day living, the words and his actions. Even if I would accept the post of rosh yeshiva. To Rav selves fully available to the bachurim.” students see the relevancy of their not have understood a word he said, Gartner’s delight, Rav Weiss accepted. And he loves his fellow students. learning and this helps them retain just watching him—his energy and his Finding the boys was an easier task. “There’s an incredible sense of cama- what they learn. When I ran a semi- passion—made a deep impression.” There were so many boys who had raderie,” he says. “The yeshiva almost chah program in another yeshiva, the In Rav Tzvi Meir’s shul, Daniel found been looking for precisely that which feels like a family. Everyone truly cares.” maggidei shiur told me that the boys in the environment that he was seeking. It Rav Gartner had created. They hailed Rav Gartner himself has been aston- the semichah program were the most was there, too, that he met Rav Baruch from widely differing backgrounds: ished to watch Derech HaMelech motivated in the shiur.” Gartner, a man who was soon to change Ashkenazi, Sephardi, every stripe of develop a life of its own. “At first we his life. Rav Gartner knew all about the chassidus, and every type of head cov- just had a theoretical blueprint—cre- Continued on Page 75

72 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 73 and local taxes in the nation. We know, state and local governments borrow probably figure they won’t be around too, that while the downstate area has beyond what taxpayers actually see. The when the problems finally hit anyway. Where I Stand prospered in recent years, thanks to a authorities are, in fact, convenient polit- Driving us all toward the cliff, most solid national economic revival, our ical cover created and maintained by figure the precipice is still a long way Part 1: If It’s Broke, upstate cousins remain in an econom- Albany, operating in the shadows with off and they’ll be jumping out anyway ic funk. This reflects the drag on eco- utterly inadequate fiscal oversight. before that last critical turn. Fix It! nomic activity that high state and local Just as bad, our state representatives It’s not that most of our present taxes cause. When the next national routinely vote to increase things like crop of legislators are bad people. They BY STU MIRSKY economic downturn hits, the down- pension and medical benefits for public just don’t see what they don’t want to state area is unlikely to avoid the fate employees beyond the level the state see. According to the Brennan Center Whenever people ask me why I now afflicting the rest of the state. operating budget can sustain. This for Justice at NYU Law School, New decided to run for the Assembly from Why? Because our esteemed solons in pleases lots of public employees and York’s “legislative process is broken.” my district, the 23rd in South Queens, the Albany legislature have been their families, of course, most of whom The current system, say the report I tell them to just think about what’s spending our tax dollars like…well like are also voters, as well as ensuring fis- authors, Jeremy M. Creelan and Laura wrong with Albany. they were their dollars! This year cal and electoral support from influen- Moulton, is rigged to emasculate the Of course, everyone knows that a alone, according to the Empire Center tial public employee unions. All of this legislative process. The committee sys- state legislator, whether in the for New York State Policy, “New York’s helps get politicians who vote for these tem, where our legislators would nor- Assembly or the Senate, doesn’t have a new $112.5 billion budget includes packages re-elected time after time. mally be expected to review and assess lot of power. But our government is a the largest state spending increase in But it’s not responsible governance. proposed legislation is a case in point. democracy which means it’s built on more than three decades.” According to George Marlin a for- Contrary to the way legislative com- lots of people voting according to their Albany, in fact, has been routinely mer executive director of the Port mittees work in other states and even conscience and best judgment. No sin- spending more than it takes in, reflect- Authority of New York and New Jersey, in the U.S. Congress, Albany commit- gle Assembly person can hope to go up ing a high and ever growing public debt, New York State is actually set to hit the tees don’t even have the power to to Albany and fix everything. But as which it carries both on and off the fiscal wall as early as 2008 when state select or control their own staff (it’s long as none of our Assembly people books. From out-of-control state spend- and local pension and medical costs done for them by the leadership). And care enough to try, as long as none of ing authorities, to politically motivated reach unsustainable levels. Look for a they can’t conduct public hearings them even seem to have a clue that we budget busting expenditures that budget crisis of massive proportions. with expert testimony when seeking to have a problem with how things are exceed our expected capacity to pay for New York State, already overtaxed and assess complex legislative proposals. currently proceeding in the state capi- them, our legislature has been spending mired in overspending, will have Committee membership, in fact, is tal, nothing’s likely to get fixed at all. current and future tax revenue like a nowhere to go but down the fiscal mostly used as a way to grant extra pay There’s an old Chinese proverb: ‘a drunken sailor on shore leave. tubes. If the state were a private organ- to members in good standing. As a journey of a thousand miles begins Over some 500 so-called public ization, its executives and board mem- result, members are often assigned far with a single step.’ Sending legislators authorities, ostensibly non-governmen- bers would find themselves facing more committee positions than they to Albany who care about fixing what’s tal entities, actually create debt for pub- prosecution like Enron’s big names. can possibly attend adequately. Some busted is that first step and if enough lic purposes without Albany or local gov- But politicians rarely have to worry even find themselves punished for districts in the state decide to send leg- ernments having to go to the voters for about that kind of accountability. balking their “leaders” by having plum islators who want to do that, then that approval (as required by state charter). So what’s wrong up in Albany any- committee assignments, with those thousand miles of genuine governmen- Yet the state remains the payer of last way? Don’t they see the coming train corresponding extra paychecks, tal reform can be traversed. resort for such debt should any of the wreck? Like every dependent personal- snatched away for bad behavior! Thus We all know by now that New York authorities default. Public authority ity, our legislators are drunk on the our legislators are kept in line, march- State has just about the highest state debt is really a sneaky fiction that lets elixir of incumbency and most of them ing in lockstep to the music of a few

74 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES “leaders” who virtually dictate what they can and cannot vote on. Restrictive discharge rules, accord- ing to the same Brennan Center report, prevent committees or individ- ual legislators from actually acting to bring votes to the floor when these are opposed by leadership, and legislative calendaring (deciding what will be voted on and when) is almost exclu- sively in the hands of that same leader- ship. These things, too, are anomalies found in few legislatures other than New York’s. All lead to weak, ineffec- tive legislative representation. Until recently, when the rules were changed because of that same Brennan Center report, so-called “empty seat voting” allowed the leader- ship to count legislators who had clocked in for the day but were actual- ly absent when a vote was taken as if they were present. If they weren’t pres- ent to vote “no,” then they were marked down as having voted “yes”! The rules and practices governing our state legislature lead directly to legisla- tive inattentiveness and reveal a deep lack of seriousness by our duly elected representatives. Is it any wonder that their main interest seems to be nothing more profound than getting themselves re-elected year in and year out or that there’s so little focus on what’s actually good for New York State up in Albany? One new person sent to Albany won’t change this, of course. But if we want to get started, if we recognize the long journey that lies ahead of us, we have to begin somewhere and we must do it one legislator at a time. If elected to repre- sent my fellow citizens in the 23rd AD, I plan to fight for rules changes that will restore legislative effectiveness and get us back on the road to good governance by voting to rein in overspending and sky high taxation, and by supporting reform measures across the board. I’m not going up there just to get along. I’ll be going, if I go, because I believe in the thousand mile journey. Stu Mirsky is a Republican, Conservative and Independent candi- date for the Assembly, 23rd AD. For more information, please visit www.stu- forassembly.com/index-1.php.

AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Continued from Page 72 Derech HaMelech is a most suitable name for this unique institution. The Mishnah speaks of the derech ha’m- elech, the path that the king takes. A king and his entourage are allowed to go anywhere they please, breaking down all barriers. Derech HaMelech is also breaking down barriers—the bar- riers that are dividing Klal Yisrael. They are also breaking down internal barriers, those which block young men from a closer connection to their Father in heaven. “The essential point of Derech HaMelech is not to cram your mind with information,” says Daniel. “It’s to become the best eved Hashem you possibly can be.” A worthy goal indeed. To learn more about this exciting new yeshiva, please e-mail info@derech- hamelech.org, visit www.derechham- elech.org, call 972-57-311-6036, or write to Yeshivas Derech HaMelech, Baal Shem Tov 7, Jerusalem, Israel. ❖ 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 75 76 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 77 SERVICES AUTOS PROVIDED FOR SALE

Cars are 4 Door and automatic shift Simchas Naava unless specified. Cars have a 1 year Share your simcha flowers! Be bumper to bumper warranty. m’sameach other simchas! Donate 2003 Chevy Venture—black, 28k your fresh flower arrangements! We miles, leather, DVD player, power will match your simcha date with sliding doors, etc...... $11,900 simchas following yours or deliver 2003 Chevy Venture—silver, 49k them to nursing home residents. To donate or obtain flower arrangements, miles, leather. DVD, power sliding call 516-239-6066. doors, etc...... $10,500 In memory of a special friend, 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix—60k Naava Wassner Katlowitz miles, silver, power everything ...... $5,799 Plumbing and Heating: Sundial 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix—57k Plumbing. Boilers/water heaters miles, brown, power everything, alloy serviced and installed. All leaks fixed. Bathrooms, kitchens, basements. No wheels...... $5,500 job too big or small. 718-252-1234. 2000 Ford Taurus—46k miles, sil- ver, leather, power everything New Table and Chair Gemach ...... $5,500 740 Mador Ct. Far Rockaway. 1999 Ford Taurus—32k miles, Call 718-471-0368. maroon, power everything...... $4,800 Too Much to Type? Too Much to Do? 1999 Ford Contour—25k miles, College Reports, Simcha Lists, black, sport v6, power everything Secretarial Support. Call Gold Star ...... $4,500 Typing Service for help. Reasonable Automaven 516-996-5555 rates. Call 718-471-9712. Master Teacher Tutors HELP Limudei Kodesh/Secular Subjects WANTED Specialize grades 1-8. Adults; Boys; Girls. Call 718-868-3968.

Stop yo-yo dieting. It's a cinch with Direct Care-P/T: our inch loss plan. Guaranteed. Woodmere–Seeking responsible and For more information call energetic counselor to work with a 718-486-0159. high-functioning 10-year-old boy on developing fine motor skills, gross Proactive tutoring high school and motor socialization skills. Hours: college level biology. Experienced 3:30-7:30 p.m., 3 days per week. tutor prepped for regents or college Cedarhurst – Looking for a mature courses, don't wait until you are over- and creative counselor to work with a whelmed. Maintain high grades while six-year-old boy on developing gross building self-confidence. Contact Allan 917-826-5846. motor skills, eating independently, and cognitive skills. Hours: 4:30-7:30 Homemaid Agency p.m. a few days a week. Ohel Bais Housekeepers, nannies, elderly care. Ezra phone: 718-686-3102, Experience and references. fax: 718-851-6428, Call anytime 917-574-2306. e-mail: [email protected]. Hand-made, multi-directional, Administrative assistant European Custom Wigs at whole- sale prices—perfect deal for the holi- Duties required: inventory control, days. Please call Monica invoicing, and shipping documenta- 516-448-9771. tion. Knowledge of Excel, Word, bookkeeping using Quickbook. Office in Lynbrook. E-mail: [email protected].

Assistant designer for women’s high-fashion boutique. Artistic and organization skills a must. Good salary. Call Elana at 516-295-7284.

Bookkeeper for women’s fashion boutique. Must have experience and be detail-oriented. Organization skills a must. Call Elana at 516-295-7284.

78 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES HELP REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE WANTED FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE

Office Position/Admin Assistant Far Rockaway—Newly constructed Far Rockaway—Open House 5 TOWN HOMES Manufacturer/Importer in town houses for sale 3/4 BR, 2 car Sept. 10th - 788 Empire Ave. 2-4pm 516-569-5710 Brick, Legal 2 Family, 3Br over 3Br, Oceanside. Shomer Shabbos. Must garage, hardwood floors, stainless 3Bth, FBsmt with 2Br. $699K nego- have good computer skills, including steel appliances, cac, and much more LAWRNCE: NU Construc’n, 6Br, Excel and Word. Accounting software tiable. Lori & Associates starting at $625K. No deposit, owner 516-791-8300 5Bth, Lg. prop, Walk all, With all experience a plus. Basic Accounting/ . will finance. Call Equishares and ask goodies. Plans can be seen in office. Bookkeeping preferred. Full time. Lawrence Bay Park for Janet at 516-295-2703. Please submit resume and salary Brand New to market CEDRHRST: NU Construc’n, C/H history to: Fax–516-977-3319 Far Rockaway—Newly renovated 4 Ideal location Col. 7Br, 4.5Bth, Lg EIK, Prime E-mail–[email protected] BR, 2 bths, house for sale. Stainless Beautiful sunny splanch. steel appliances, granite counter tops, 4 lg Brs. 3 Bths. LR. Full DR. loc...... $1.250K Mortgage Processor for Lawrence- new windows and fireplace, access to Large den, Oversized Property. based Mortgage Company. Full time. CEDRHRST: NU Renovt’d, S/H a private beach. $599K. Owner will Fully renovated all new floors, carpet- Must be experienced, motivated, Col. 5Br, 3Bth, 2 dens, Lr w/fpl, full consider any reasonable offer. ing, window, roof, walkway, updated organized, detail oriented and com- systems Bsmt. Stone patio. 2 car Call Equishares and ask for Janet at bsmt, quiet street...... $799K puter literate. Call 917-578-6873 or garage. Low taxes. $1.24M. 516-295-2703. 917-865-6233 or fax resume to Call owner 516-239-0004. CEDRHRST: 2Fam, 3Br/3Br, 2Fpl, 718-732-2407. Lawrence Co-op: NU 2 Mkt, 1st Lawrence—New to market, Prime Deck. All Nu, Great location, Flr, 3Br, 2Bth, Fdr, Lr, Patio, W/D, lo Secretary/Office Assistant P/T location. Juniper Circle, High Ranch, Full bsmt...... Bring Offers maint $439K. 5 TOWN HOMES insurance office – Far Rockaway low taxes. 4 BDRs, Office, Lg FDR, seeks individual to provide diverse 516-569-5710. CEDRHRST: LgLr, Dr, EIK, Den, XLg Den, New EIK, 3 Full Bth. office duties and customer relations. Woodmere—By owner. New boiler, roof, sprinkler, drvwy. C/A 5Br, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Lg prop., 10-3 Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Call 917-414-7718. Move in condition. Expanded ranch, and Heat. 2 Car garage. Beautiful IGPool...... …$699K 5 BR, 2 bths, first floor master suite, landscaping, oversized private back- Mortgage Processor for Lawrence N. WDMR: HiRanch, 4br, 2.5bth, near shuls, low taxes, $675K. yard. Price: $905K. Call Sara: based Mortgage Company. Must be 516-791-0652 516-792-1300. No Brokers Please. nu kit, deck, over lg prop...... $679K experienced, organized, detail orient- Call Beth . ed & computer literate. F/T. Inwood/Westville Park—Beautiful 5 TOWN HOMES Call 718-431-7728 or email resume to 4 BR house, inground pool, CAC, [email protected] 516-569-5710 Your Real Estate, new kitchen, 2 full bths, FPL, and Photography Sales Help Wanted! many extras. Must be seen. $625K. Far Rockaway co-op 24 hour door- Service, No deposit, owner will finance. Call Sweet, sensitive, yet sophisticated man, low maintenance, newly reno- part time sales person wanted, who Equishares and ask for Janet at or Help Wanted Ad vated, with wood kitchen, 2 br, 1 bth. appreciates art, emotion, and style, 516-295-2703. Must sell. Call 516-456-2571. and would enjoy helping others appre- Here Every Lawrence—House for sale. All new ciate what makes us special! At our renovated 2 BR, 2 full bths, all new Co-op for sale — Recently renov. 2 studio in Woodmere. Tues, Wed, Thursday appliances, access to a private beach. Thurs, 4 hours late afternoon evening BR co-op in Kew Garden Hills. Large 50,000 readers look $550K. Call Equishares and ask for and by appointment. Other positions Janet at 516-295-2703. kosher EIK, all new bathroom, ter- and possibilities for right person. forward to what’s race, well-maintained building with Please respond to Cedarhurst—Go! Go! Go! [email protected]. happening in the Great House! Great Price! 3bedrms, private playground. $255K. 2.5bth, main fl den...... $469K No realtors. Call 646-263-5113. Saleswoman needed for high-fash- 5 Towns by reading ion boutique. Must have fashion Wants to hear all offers! Lawrence—Finest street, colonial, 4 sense and be detailed-oriented. The 5 Towns Jewish Times. Cedarhurst—3 br house rental like Organization skills a must. Call Elana new CAC, pkg, heat & water incl. BR, 3 bths, LR, DR, 2 car-garage, cir- at 516-295-7284. Deadline is Monday ...... $2,300 cular driveway, big porch, huge prop- Teacher’s Assistant for Grade 1. at 5:00 p.m. Anessa V Cohen Realty Limudei Kodesh class. Mornings. erty, finished basement. $1.249K. 516-569-5007 Hebrew required. Warm, professional 1 Week ...... $35 Call 516-369-6564. environment. E-mail resumé to Cedarhurst—1 family detached [email protected] or house 40x100 lot size 3 BR, private fax 516-485-0422. 2 Weeks ...... $60 driveway, finished basement, back- Classified Ads are 4 Weeks ...... $100 yard, nice location. Continued on the Next Page. By owner 917-885-9616. Weekly Ads of up to 25 words Call: 516-569-0502 Fax: 516-977-0608 Or E-mail ads to: [email protected] Include payment info.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 79 CLASSIFIED ADS BUSINESS REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE Continued from Page 79 FOR SALE FOR RENT FOR RENT REAL ESTATE FOR SALE 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — Office For Rent House For Rent Brooklyn Law/Inwd: Estab. Gift, Lotto and 1,000 sf, all services, grt location, Madison Area — Immaculate Cell Store. Heavy traffic, Invent., GOOD rent. Call 516-322-3555. Lawrence — 6 bed 3 bath Dutch fixt’s, avail., long lease. 3 bedroom duplex, Large LR, DR, EIK. Move-in condition!! Front/back Col, O/S prop, grt invest. opp., Space 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — House Rental - FDR, porches. Hardwood floors. to build 2nd house. Gan Eden REAL ESTATE Kit, Den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt. FOR RENT Call 718-645-0214. Realty, 516-569-2156...$669K...... $2,500

Far Rockaway—2 Family, Duplex, Cedarhurst/Lawrence new con- Cedarhurst — House Rental - 4Br, 1Bth, Lr, EIK, W/D, Yard use, LOST AND FOUND LR/FDR, den, 3br, 2.5bth, Fin. Bsmt. struction. Two 5 bedroom homes, Bsmt storage...... $1,600/month $2,500. Call 516-322-3555. full basements, and attics. Hi-end Lori & Associates 516-791-8300. Silver Anklet — found on Central Far Rockaway — Beautiful 6 1/2 quality construction. Must see! Avenue. If you’ve lost it, please call rooms, 3 BR, 2 bths, new kitchen, Far Rockaway – Lg. Hse Rental: Call 516-903-7070. separate entrance, own thermostat 4br, 2bth, bsmt., Hi ceil’g, NU bths, 516-355-1941. W\D. Call 516-322-3555. and laundry room. Best block in Far REAL ESTATE Rockaway. Call 718-868-1153. Timeshare—Marriott’s Aruba FOR SALE Ocean and Surf Club. 1 and 2 bed- North Lawrence — home for rent. IN ISRAEL room villas sleep 6-8 w/ full kitchen Deadline for Classified Large, private yard with parking. and/or kitchenette. Yeshiva week Jan 3-4 bedrooms, 2 EIK, 2 full bath. 14-21, Jan 21-28, 2007. All hotel Advertising in the Excellent Mother-Daughter. Lovely 2,400 sq. foot fully detached privileges. Call 516-509-1940. $1,800/mo. Call 917-642-4308. Next Issue is home. Alon Shvut, Gush Etzion. Apartment for rent in Israel for Rockville Center — Retail/Office 5+bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms. Many Sukkos. Ground floor newly redone, Monday, September 11 5,000 sf, ALL NU, hi traffic, GRT for air-conditioned, newly fully furnished, extras. Available immediately. financial or furniture. Will divide. at 5:00 P.M. Rental option. $390K / $1,300 Call 516-322-3555. 3 BR, 2 bths, centrally located in Ramat Eshkol Near shopping cen- Call 516-569-0502 [email protected] Lawrence — 2 Br, LR, 1 Bth, all nu ter. E-mail: [email protected] or 08 9285220. apt., own heat. 917-757-9351. call (011-972) 545-239-454.

80 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 81 82 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 8, 2006 83 84 September 8, 2006 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES