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INSIDE FROM THE SOUTH SHORE AT THE SEA SHORE EDITOR The Sin Of Silence Dr. Rafael Medoff 21 BY LARRY GORDON Joseph’s Tomb Repaired ’s David Ha’ivri 41 New Year The Religious Clock Shmuel Katz 44 As the Jewish New Year Fitness Boot Camp arrives, Israel can use several Warren Levi 54 important gifts to help navigate the way through a host of crises Remembering 9/11 that lie ahead. The first difficulty Sol Appleman 65 is the diplomatic quagmire that Israel finds herself wedged in as a result of maneuvers by mostly the United States to allow President Obama to declare vic- The Pre-1A and kindergarten children of YOSS listened to Rebbi Eli Herzberg talk to them about “throwing their tory in finally creating a long- aveiros (sins) away.” Rebbi Eli shared a story with them while they took a closer look at the incredible creations of Hashem all around them at Grant Park in Hewlett. See Page 82 Continued on Page 16 REMEMBERING THE HEARD IN THE BAGEL STORE WAR Risky Business Met Council holiday food BY LARRY GORDON David is a longtime friend distribution. See Page 86 with an extraordinary mind that BY DAVID BEDEIN tance of the land that G-d has He’s easy to talk to and under- stretches in a multiplicity of given to every Jew. To arrive in stand, and only after schmoozing directions. He understands the Turning 60 two weeks ago, Israel in 1970 was to experience for about half an hour does one world markets with an ease and on the day that marked the 40th a nation which experienced come to grips with how David comfort that few enjoy. And at anniversary of my arrival in some kind of “post-miracle trau- Martin, a resident of Lawrence, the same time he has, through Israel, provided an appropriate matic stress syndrome.” has, over a long and illustrious years of work, built himself into pause for reflection. After all, In 1970, three years after the career in finance, overseen and a respected scholar who there is the tradition that a Jew Six Day War, there was a post- successfully administered bil- awakes in the middle of the is reborn upon arrival in Israel, lions of dollars for the compa- when he assumes the inheri- Continued on Page 10 nies he’s worked for. Continued on Page 14 New Year’s With Rav Nachman Where Is DISPATCHING Assemblywoman Pheffer looks Greg Meeks? in on YDT. See Page 86 THE GOAT B Y RICHARD ALT ABE B Y RABBI AVI SHAFRAN Election Day is just six weeks away, and Democrats every- One of the most remarkable where are trying to shore up elements of Yom Kippur in support from their constituents ancient times, when the Beis

P in advance of what seems to be HaMikdash stood in Yerusha- h o t o B

y the biggest Republican landslide layim, was the ritual of “the B o r u c

h in decades. two goats.” E z a g

u Locally, our incumbents have Two indistinguishable mem- i F o r Y

W been unusually quiet. On the bers of that species were N Some 30,000 people from around the world gathered for in Far Rockaway side of Route 878, brought before the Kohein the city of Uman in the Ukraine at the kever of Nachman of Breslov. ’s Camp Kaylie. See Story, Page 52 Continued on Page 8 Continued on Page 5 See Page 64

CANDLE LIGHTING Sept. 17 – 6:42 PM Sept. 22 – 6:34 PM 2 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 3 FEATURES

Around The Five Towns 55 P.O. BOX 690 LAWRENCE, NY 11559 516-984-0079 Chronicle [email protected] [email protected] Shmuel Katz 44 LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDON Publisher/Editor Managing Editor Ask The Sensei Warren Levi 54 YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDON Sales Managers Classified Ads 78 CHANA ROCHEL ROSS Editorial Assistant The Dish SIDI BARON Elke Probkevitz 29 YAKOV SERLE Sales Representatives Five Towns Simcha SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTIC Only Weddings 87 Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Submitted by Usher Frankel 75 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen, Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, Yoni Glatt, Insights On The Torah Toby Klein Greenwald, Rabbi Yair Hoffman, R’ Ben Tzion Shafier 35 Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, Shmuel Katz, R’ Naftali Silberberg 41 Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller, Elke Probkevitz, Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow, Letters To The Editor 47 Rabbi Avi Shafran, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, Rabbi Meir Orlian, Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher, Luach 15 Samuel Sokol DOV GORDON, ELISHEVA ELEFANT MindBiz Staff Graphic Artists Esther Mann, LCSW 34 IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMAS Staff Photographers Mother’s Musings FRANKEL & CO. Phyllis J. Lubin 40 Design & Production TALIYE CORLEY Real Estate Art Director Anessa V. Cohen 32 The Five Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news- paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are not That’s The Way It Is! necessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are not Hannah Reich Berman 30 responsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product or establishment advertised in the Five Towns Jewish Times.

4 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Dispatching The Goat imperative; it is, in the end, artificial. are beholden to something greater. And And so the sending off of the Azazel- Continued from Front Cover Only if there is a Creator in the larger the counter-goat, which finds its fate in goat could be seen as an acknowledge- picture, can there be ultimate import to a desolate, unholy place, would then ment of the idea that sin’s roots lie in Gadol, who placed a randomly-pulled lot human life, placing it on a plane mean- allude to the perspective of life as the madness born of our self-doubt. And on the head of each animal. One lot read ingfully above that of mosquitoes. pointless, lacking higher purpose or those who witnessed its dispatch might “to G-d” and the other “to Azazel”—the The Torah, of course, is based on the meaning. well have been spurred by that thought name of a steep cliff in a barren desert. foundation of—and in fact begins with It’s not an unthinkable speculation, to then turn and consider the other As the Torah prescribes, the first goat an account of—a Divinely directed cre- especially in light of how the Azazel-goat goat, the one sacrificed in dedication to was solemnly sacrificed in the Temple, ation; and its most basic message is the seems to be described by the Torah—so G-d. So stirred on the holiest day of the attention given to every detail of the meaningfulness of human life. Most of us strangely—as carrying away the sins of Jewish year, they might then have been offering; the second was taken to the cliff harbor a similar, innate conviction. the people. able to better commit themselves to re- and thrown off, dying unceremoniously Yet some resist that innate feeling, The traditional Jewish commentaries embracing the grand meaningfulness before even reaching the bottom. and adopt the perspective that what we all wonder at that concept. Some, includ- that is a human life. Some moderns might find the fates of can perceive with our physical senses ing Rambam, interpret it to mean that the We may lack the two goats ritual both goats troubling, but there are depths is all that there is in the end. The appar- people will be spurred by the dispatching today, but we can certainly try all the to Jewish rituals of which they don’t same to absorb that eternally timely dream. thought. O I lay no claim to conversance with those truly deep meanings. But ponder- © 2010 Am Echad Resources. Rabbi Shafran is Our existence is either a result of director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of ing the “two goats” ritual before Yom America. Kippur (and anticipating its recollection during the day’s prayer-service), a thought intent, or of accident. Either our occurs, and it may bear particular import for our times. There are two ways to view human lives are meaningful, or they are not. Submit your photo to the life, as mutually exclusive as they are fun- damental. Our existence is either a result 5 Towns Jewish Times! of intent, or of accident. And a corollary follows directly: Either our lives are ent randomness of nature, in that of the Azazel-goat to repent. meaningful, or they are not. approach, leaves no place for Divinity. If, indeed, the Azazel-goat alludes to You can upload your If the roots of our existence ultimate- It is not a difficult position to main- the mindset of meaninglessness, we ly lie in pure randomness, there can be tain; the Creator may be well evident to might approach an understanding of digital photos and see them no more meaning to good and bad those of us primed to perceive Him, the inspiration born of its dispatching. printed in the weekly edition actions than to good or bad movies; no but He has not left clear fingerprints on The animal’s being “laden with the more import to right and wrong than to His Creation. sins” of the people might refer to the of the 5 Towns Jewish Times right and left. Human beings remain but Might those two diametric world- recognition that sin stems from insuf- evolved animals, their Mother Theresas views be somehow reflected in the Yom ficient recognition of how meaningful and Adolf Hitlers alike. To be sure, we Kippur ritual? our lives are. The Talmudic rabbi Resh www.5tjt.com might conceive a rationale for establish- The goat that becomes a sacrifice on Lakish observed [Sotah 3a] that “A per- ing societal norms, but a social contract the Temple altar might symbolize son does not sin unless a spirit of is only a practical tool, not a moral recognition of the idea that humans madness enters him.”

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 5 6 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 7 Where Is Meeks? became president. With Ackerman’s borhood for two years and has been A Note From Asher Taub Continued from Front Cover support of Israel wavering between his invisible in Congress of late in his once I would like to make a few additional fealty to Obama and his loyalty to his strong support for Israel. points to Mr. Altabe’s article: a frum Jew by the name of Asher Taub has own people, Meeks has been free to do Given that no matter what we do Mr. Regarding Meeks’s faltering support been knocking on doors asking why our as he pleased. Meeks is likely to win, I would hope that for Israel, it is worth noting that he did community would continue its support I personally visited Mr. Meeks’s office he reads my piece and does something to not sign on to the Republican bill that of Congressman Greg Meeks. With the in Washington last spring with a group of make it easier to support him. Israel has the right to attack Iran. opportunity to elect a frum Jew, and a Magen David students to ask him to I don’t see how any Democrat in I have received the overwhelming sup- Republican to boot, in a Republican year, sponsor a bill demanding that Hamas free this election year can take any con- port of the Indo-Caribbean community the question is a good one. Gilad Shalit. His mentor, Gary Ackerman, stituency for granted. Perhaps Mr. which consists of Sikhs, Guyanese, and The answer requires knowledge of a wrote the bill. Even the liberal J Street Meeks feels absolutely comfortable Trinidadian people who are now 25% of bit of history. Before 2002, Far supported the bill. Yet Meeks never with his reelection chances and does the population. They are running a candi- Rockaway’s Jewish community was split date for city council with my backing and into two congressional districts, half they will be voting for me in overwhelm- being in Greg Meeks’s district and half ing numbers. being in Anthony Weiner’s. The reception among whites has been Jewish leadership locally reasoned that I do not know how we can ask the they will take my campaign literature being split weakened us politically, so we only if I say I'm a Republican. Even the lobbied the powers that be to become public to support a candidate who black community does not support one district. Our winning argument sur- Meeks. The only community that has not prised those in charge of making the given me their support is the frum Jewish redistricting decisions. has been invisible in our community. O We wanted to be a sizable minority in an African-American district and hopeful- ly keep Meeks as a pro-Israel congress- neighborhood for two years. man rather than having little influence as a small Jewish outpost in a mostly Brooklyn district. Remember that article? Even Mr. Meeks himself was proud became a sponsor. not think his opposition presents any of the fact that he represented more Could it be that Mr. Meeks takes his serious challenge. Visit our archive section than any other African American Jewish support for granted? When I met Certainly, though new, Mr. Taub has congressman. His voting record on with him early last year I asked him to been working hard to earn our support. and find any issue of the Israel was excellent until Mr. Obama increase his visibility in the area. Yet he He has even reached out to our non- became president and J Street dominat- has not appeared at a single event! Jewish neighbors and found pockets of 5 Towns Jewish Times ed Washington. We were always certain As of this moment, the Far Rockaway support all over the district. Whether or that Mr. Meeks would follow Jewish Alliance has not taken a posi- not we endorse Taub remains to be seen. online @ Congressman Gary Ackerman, chair of tion to endorse either candidate. Right now it’s up to the incumbent to the Middle Eastern Affairs subcommit- Ultimately we will take a position. decide if our support still matters to him. www.5TJT.com tee of the Foreign Relations Committee. Personally I do not know how we can Expect to see the Far Rockaway Jewish Problem is that Mr. Ackerman’s politics ask the public to support a candidate Alliance announce its endorsements late have also moved leftward since Obama who has been invisible in our neigh- this October. O

8 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 9 Yom Kippur War Army camp in Kunetra, adjacent That first night on kibbutz Yael, who had grown up in a kib- was out of range, and Merom Continued from Front Cover to the nascent kibbutz. And was the longest. I was treated to butz at the foot of the Golan, Hagolan was in range. Until the then we would ride in the kib- my first artillery barrage. Shaul mentioned that she had grown ceasefire that Israel signed with miracle atmosphere that butz jeep, from one abandoned was in a guard post somewhere. up listening to Chasidic records Syria in the aftermath of the enveloped Jerusalem. In so Yom Kippur War in 1973, Merom many conversations, people HaGolan remained within range would recall that three week of the Syrian guns. wait before the war and share On my last day on the kib- the fright of what it was like to The attitude in Israel at the time was that Arabs butz, Yehudah Fichtman, the live through the trauma of won- kibbutz secretary, had the dering whether the Jews would patience to spend time with me, face yet another Holocaust— were not capable of attacking Israel. Until the and explained why he had come this time in Israel. to live in the Golan. Yehudah’s Kibbutz Merom Hagolan. attack finally occurred on Yom Kippur. words have remained with me Summer 1971. My first kibbutz ever since. He explained that he experience. had fought for the Golan in 1967, My friend Shaul from and that he wanted to raise a Hebrew University, a founder of family in the place where he the kibbutz, had invited me to Syrian bunker to another. The I will never forget that night in in the shelter, which she liked to had risked his life. “We fought join him on the kibbutz for a lit- Golan, four years after being the kibbutz shelter, listening to listen to when the Syrians for it. Now we will live for it,” tle while. After each day in the wrested from Syria, looked like the Israeli record Ish Chasid would let loose a barrage on her said Yehudah, quite resolutely. A field, Shaul took me walking one massive abandoned Syrian Hayah, sitting with Shaul’s wife, kibbutz in the Galilee. Now, Yael few months later, Yehudah was through the abandoned Syrian army camp. Yael, and their three little kids. said, her kibbutz “down there” killed in an artillery barrage while he was working in the field, His wife and three chil- dren never left the kibbutz. Yehudah’s grandchildren now serve in the IDF, on the Golan. May 1973. Nearing the close of yet a third year in Israel. As a stu- dent at the Pardes Institute in its first year, I looked forward to seeing four of my closest friends who are single soldiers, without families in Israel, on a rare fur- lough in Jerusalem. I felt kind of guilty, not yet in the army, but stomach illnesses would not go away. Three years of aliyah nerv- ousness, you might say, kept me out of the IDF for yet another decade. On Israel’s 25th birth- day, five of us got together for a kumsitz—the Israeli version of a barbecue—on the hill overlook- ing the Israel Museum, on the night before Israel Independence Day in Jerusalem. Each friend had come to Jerusalem to march in the IDF military parade, in full aleph regalia. My four friends in the IDF served on the front lines. Each friend reported, matter of factly, that Syrians and Egyptians were poised to attack. They could not tell that to any- one. The attitude in Israel at the time was that Arabs were not capable of attacking Israel. Until the attack finally occurred on Yom Kippur. These “single sol- diers” were not surprised. Their commanders were. David, whose Golani unit got the award for the “best marchers” in the parade, said that their “marching prize” was that they would get “more activ- ities” and see more action. It was no coincidence that the Golani Brigade was selected to scale Mount Hermon six months later. Three young men around David were killed in that battle to retake the Hermon. The sudden attack on the Golan Heights in 1973 hit home. I had been having terri- ble stomach problems my first few years in Israel, always nerv- ous about the Israeli reality

Continued on Page 12 10 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 11 Yom Kippur War After the initial ceasefire, I hitched up additional part of the story, mentioned Tsfat was under siege in 1948 from an Continued from Page 10 to the Golan Heights to file a news story in the Talmud, that Channah and her Arab army of more than 12,000. There for the Jewish Student Press Service. It seven sons asked G-d for a favor in their was no rational reason for the Arab that I was living in. On the first day of was there that I witnessed the enormity merit. The legend goes that they asked army to pull back. Yet the Arab army the Yom Kippur War, the man whom I of the Syrian advance. Rows of Syrian that, in the merit of their self sacrifice, withdrew from Tsfat and the Arab resi- called “my tummy doctor,” Dr. Moshe tanks and vehicles stopped in their dents of Tsfat fled. In 1973, the women Ramon, the former Dr. Murray Raymond tracks, strafed and bombed and left for had prayed again. The Syrian army of Seattle, lost his oldest son. I remem- any photographer to use his imagination stopped in its tracks. Why the Syrian ber walking into his living room which as to just how close the Syrians had come Why the Syrian army stopped its advance remains one doubled as a waiting room where I had to conquering the whole Golan Heights. of the unknown factors of Middle been writhing in pain only a few weeks Yet they had mysteriously stopped in army stopped its Eastern warfare. before. I would never again feel the their tracks. In February, 1974, I returned to the stomach pains that I had felt before. I After visiting the Golan, I went to stay advance remains Golan for the Jewish Student Press said to myself that Moshe would have in the mystical city of Tsfat. There, I met one of the Service to try to capture the spirit of more pain than I ever would. Rabbi HaLevi who told me an amazing those who returned to the Golan Moshe’s son’s friends from their story that he later put in a book. As soon unknown factors of Heights after their homes had been Nachal kibbutz sat around the Ramon as Rabbi HaLevi had heard of the Syrian overrun in the war. Kibbutz Ramat shiva home and described the sudden attack on the Golan, he organized a Middle Eastern Magshimim, on the southern tip of the Syrian attack, how the Syrian soldiers had group of women to chant from the book Golan, seemed to be a logical place to scaled the fence of their community and of Psalms and to invoke the memory of warfare. travel to. Their kibbutz had been the mowed down the young, surprised Channah and her seven sons, who mar- first to be overrun. After ascending the Nachal soldiers, young men and young tyred themselves rather than convert Golan with the one bus that got there women, with automatic machine from . By legend, Channah and on a Friday morning, it took 17 different weapons fire, snuffing out 15 lives in a her seven sons are buried on a slope just G-d would save a Jewish city under rides until I got to Kibbutz Ramat matter of minutes. To this day, by the below the Old City of Tsfat. We associ- siege. The first time that Rabbi HaLevi Magshimim, where my postcard had way, it has never been publicized that the ate the act of Channah and her seven had asked a group of women to invoke arrived only the day before saying that I Syrians had also killed a bunch of young sons with the Chanukah story and the Channah and her seven sons was when would like to visit. They had no way of women soldiers. war with the Hellenists. Yet there is an the 2,000 member Jewish community of calling me, but I knew that this was the nation of miracles and hoped that this Shabbat visit would work out. Moshe Ben Tzvi’s family with their four children welcomed me to their home. The kids seemed to be regular kids. During the Shabbat meal, two of the kids began to cry. Moshe took me aside and said that they had cried almost constant- ly every Shabbat, since that terrible Yom Kippur in 1973, also on a Shabbat, when the families had been told by the region- al IDF commander in the middle of the night to suddenly abandon the kibbutz because of the sudden advance of a Syrian tank column. The family came back to a badly damaged home, and Moshe explained that the kids were still disoriented. Possibly the calmest moments at Kibbutz Ramat Magshimim was the gathering of many of the families in a modest, improvised “moadon” club- house on Saturday night. The children sang popular Israeli folk songs at the top of their lungs, while a young mother, Esther Ben David from Los Angeles, played the accordion and led the chil- dren in communal singing. Esther had told me that she was determined to wipe the tears from every nervous kid on that kibbutz. Now that is a good kib- butz mother, I thought. I left on the bus back to Bar Ilan University the next morning with a “song in my heart,” so to speak. On Monday morning, following class at Bar Ilan social work school, I walked by the Bar Ilan mensa cafeteria. I heard the lunchtime newsreel on the radio. An artillery bombardment had suddenly hit Kibbutz Ramat Magshimim. After the dust cleared, Esther Ben David was found dead in a ditch near the baby clinic that she had just emerged from, where she was get- ting medicine for her baby boy, whom she was clutching in her hands. Esther was struck by a direct hit, yet had the presence of mind to hold that boy so that no harm would come to him. No harm came to that baby, who was found cuddled in Esther’s lifeless arms. Esther, who brought so much happiness to the children in her kibbutz, saved the life of her little boy in those terrible seconds of the artillery barrage. That little boy, saved in a ditch on the Golan while his 12 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

dying mother hovered over him, lived to marry a neighbor of ours, only a few years ago. A year after the Yom Kippur War, Israel witnessed a series of brutal PLO attacks. One of these attacks was the Maalot massacre, where high school students were held hostage by the PLO, with carnage taking place at the end of the day. The PLO had started the day with a slaughter of the Israeli fami- ly—parents and children— where they took refuge. At the end of the day, 22 youngsters were dead and 72 injured. Our social work class volunteered to go to Tsfat to help the stu- dents who had survived. One girl sobbed that the doctor said that she would survive, not to worry, but that she would not be able to have children. It was hard to console the young girl. Ten years later, as a social worker in Tsfat, the same girl walked by with a baby carriage. She had given birth to her first child, a girl. Without flinching, she said that the baby had been born with the shrapnel, and that she had recited Psalms for ten years, never missing a day of prayer. That miracle baby represents the era of the Yom Kippur War. As one of my less than obser- vant Israeli friends said at the time, the outbreak of the war on Yom Kippur imposed a per- manent solemnity on Yom Kippur for all of Israeli society. The 1972 Yom Kippur disco in the Hebrew U dorm would never happen again. No longer could any Israeli deny the weight of Yom Kippur on every Jew in Israel. O

David Bedein is the director of the Israel Resource News Agency and the Center For Near East Policy Research. To learn more, visit www.IsraelBehindTheNews.com.

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 13 BAGEL STORE to relate to the advice as a pedestrian is explained. Apparently there were more Continued from Front Cover easy. After all, how many times have we than just several people with the name approached an investment situation as a David Martin. “When he finally reached night to learn and who delivers daily shi- sure thing, only to come to the realiza- me on the phone, he said that I was going urim.I sit across from him, and amongst tion that it was anything but what it was to need a middle initial so that he could the things that I cannot figure out is trumped up to be? distinguish me from the others, so at the where he gets his energy. David Martin’s professional back- time I just selected the letter X.” And the It was a very hot day in Jerusalem in ground includes a master’s degree in busi- rest is history. early July when I was walking down ness from New York University, a seven- During the time of his professional Shlomzion Street, telling my wife how year stint at Price Waterhouse, twenty ascendancy, David, who had attended odd it was that we had been in Israel years at Citibank, and the last nine years Sheepshead Bay High School in Brooklyn, almost two weeks and still hadn’t really also started to study Torah with Rabbi run into anyone we know from back Yissachar Frankel at Yeshiva Marbitzei home. I was just saying how I thought Torah, also in Brooklyn. For an observer that July was a busy time for tourists in David’s approach attempting to understand Mr. Martin’s Israel. That’s just about when I looked intellectual capacity, it is somewhat easy up and saw David walking in our direc- to managing in retrospect to see how he became a tion. We chitchatted for a few minutes— sponge for Torah scholarship and the what he was up to, what we were doing, money is probably impact it has had on his life and that of and so on. his family and community. Then before we moved off to our des- a fairly good Neither is it lost on an observer that tinations, David says matter-of-factly, David’s approach to managing money is “You know, I’m writing a book.” Published formula to probably a fairly good formula to the Madoff scandal, saying that the colos- by McGraw-Hill, the book, Risk and the becoming a receptacle for Torah. He sal disaster that cost so many institutions Smart Investor, takes the reader through a says about knowing how to invest that and individuals so many billions of dol- successful money manager’s thought becoming a “risk is a process that requires a disci- lars could have been avoided if invest- process and strategies that allow him or plined approach.” His formulae about ment boards and managers had insisted her to effectively navigate through the receptacle for that approach are methodically depict- on transparency. type of unpredictable economic situa- ed in the book, that is now available just About funds managed by a single indi- tions that have wreaked havoc with Torah. about everywhere. And for those who vidual, he writes, “I don’t believe in one- economies around the world. have come through the yeshiva system man shows. If, to consider the worst-case At the very beginning of the book, and have come to understand the regi- scenario, the manager got hit by a car, the David Martin says it best: “Whenever I mentation necessary, Mr. Martin’s fund would be in serious trouble. One- hear someone say they see the light at the at Alliance Bernstein, where he is the approach crystallizes and makes even man shows raise reasonable questions end of the tunnel, my first thought is that chief risk officer. At Citibank he worked more sense. about conflicts of interest, segregation of it might be the headlight of an oncoming closely with the CEO and Chairman John The book covers a lot of ground. One duties, and business continuity.” He adds train.” Instead, David advises investors Reed, which, as David explained, was reviewer said, “This book is like having that there were many red flags raised not to be deluded by what they feel may how he received the middle initial X. “Mr. your own mentor to guide you through about the Madoff fund, chief amongst be the light and adds, “An overabundance Reed was trying to locate me in a large risk-management decisions.” Amongst those the fact that he always delivered a of light, after all, can create a blindness as company like Citibank, which at the time the broad array of topics discussed, the unnerving as the darkness itself.” Trying had upward of 20,000 employees,” he author weighs in with his thoughts about Continued on Page 19

14 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES CALENDAR s”xc LUACH Sept. 17–Sept. 25 ZIP Code: 11516

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 15 FROM THE EDITOR thing but that. To jump ahead to the construction freeze in and Samaria ly breakdown of the direct talks will in Continued from Front Cover diplomatic endgame here, the American is supposed to come to an end. What will part further endanger American forces on objective has to be to crush the happen has become a cat-and-mouse the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan fight- sought-after Palestinian state. Netanyahu government or, as an alterna- game combined with a diplomatic game ing against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. The issue of an independent Palestine tive to new elections, force him into a of chicken (particularly appropriate at Now the same contorted logic is being is that no one seems to want it, but revamped coalition with Kadima head this time of year) waiting to see whether applied to the proposed Islamic center everyone involved has to express sup- Tzipi Livni as a partner. What Obama Netanyahu will have the courage to sup- and mosque near Ground Zero in lower port for the concept of the creation of either does not realize or is not concern- port his talk of ending the freeze with Manhattan. The imam, Feisal Rauf, told just such an entity. Israel doesn’t want it, ing himself with is that a coalition includ- solid action. ABC News on Sunday that the way the Palestinian leadership is doing much ing Livni, or even an eventual Livni-led The freeze, which did not include Muslims are being treated in New York is better without it, and neighboring coun- government, will not be able to reach an building in East Jerusalem and only being observed and absorbed around the tries like Egypt and Jordan don’t really world by over 1 billion Muslims. I guess want a Palestinian country in the region the suggestion that a new bedroom built either. But no one can say so. In lieu of in the Shomron can jeopardize the safety being able to express opposition to such of our forces in the Middle East pales an eventuality, all these countries can do Netanyahu made an underreported when compared to what Muslims in is continue to create intractable obsta- those war-torn countries must think cles that make the so-called two-state about us after this mosque fiasco. solution impossible. The catch in this comment that he thought any The conditions and arguments are formula is that none are satisfied unless more silly than serious. The PA objective they can lay blame for the inability to agreement with the Palestinians is to stay out of any serious negotiations create a new state on Israel, and therein or commitments with Israel. President lies the problem. Obama needs to create an illusion of For now, what Israel needs to get over could be implemented over the progress in the Mideast as we approach this difficult bump in the road is some midterm elections, with just about every smart and even cagey diplomacy, along next 30 to 40 years. Obama initiative over the last 21 months with a miracle or two, which would cer- either mired in debate and controversy tainly be helpful. We’ve been over the or having already been proved to be a American role in what is taking place failure. It’s an American tradition that repeatedly, and it cannot be emphasized presidents in trouble try to squeeze enough. The U.S. is supposed to be an agreement for a two-state solution with applied to Jews and not to Arabs, does not Israel in order to display an important honest broker using its good will with the Palestinians either. Ms. Livni, howev- come anywhere near meeting Arab foreign-policy accomplishment, both sides to bring them together to er, would like to be prime minister demands to continue direct talks. Abbas whether real or imagined. reach some kind of heretofore-unreach- regardless, and this is her opportunity. demands that building cease in Over the last week or so, Prime able consensus on the “core” issues. This In a news conference on Friday, Jerusalem, which Israel insists is not a set- Minister Netanyahu made an underre- has been tough enough over the last 17 President Obama adopted a heavy-hand- tlement, and the freeze in the territories ported comment that he thought any years, and it is now being made even ed policy couched in complimentary did not include edifices already under agreement with the Palestinians could be more difficult by the role President words for Israel while giving the construction or those that already had implemented over the next 30 to 40 Obama has chosen to play. Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, a foundations poured by the time of the years. The remark did not get a lot of The president is attempting to sound pass once again. For now, the day of judg- inception of the freeze period. attention, mostly because the approach is friendly to Israel, but his approach is any- ment is September 30, the day that the The American position is that the like- probably a fair and sensible one. Placed

16 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES in proper context, all you have talks, the suggestion of 40 years Haazinu, Moshe admonishes a ratio of one to twenty. In con- sued, even though in and of to do is think back to the days of doesn’t seem at all unreason- and even excoriates the nation trast, in this parashah it seems itself that can be quite harrow- the old Oslo Accords in the mid- able. After all, the Palestinians on many counts, amongst them that the enemy is enjoying a ing. The point here is that on 1990s, when Shimon Peres have inflicted quite a bit of pain how it is possible that the ene- greater advantage, by having the surface the deck is stacked would say, in between suicide and suffering on the Jewish peo- mies of the Jewish people can only one of theirs chasing a against Israel. It has always been bus bombings, that he thought a ple in Israel and continue to do score successes against them. He thousand of ours. This despite that way and for now will con- deal on a Palestinian state could so today, 62 years after the State says in poetic form, “For they the biblical assurance that G-d’s tinue that way, so long as the be reached within six weeks. of Israel was founded. No, it’s [the enemy of Israel] are a measure of benevolence always approach applied is only purely That was 15 years ago. not a punishment being admin- nation devoid of good advice, exceeds His measure of retribu- tactical and logical. The exis- The objective of Oslo was to istered to the Palestinians, but and they have no understanding tion. The essential difference in tence of even modern Israeli outmaneuver and even deceive rather an effective method by [to see that their victory would these two scenarios is that one reasoning, and the nations of the Palestinians by loading them which it can be amply demon- come from G-d] . . . for how can is when G-d involves Himself the world from Barack Obama up with billions of dollars in aid strated that the other side is seri- one [of the enemy] pursue a and the other when He dis- downward, cannot understand while creating a mirage of a new ous about ending the conflict thousand [of Israel], and two put tances Himself, hence the dis- or reconcile it. state for them. Arafat went for and having the two peoples liv- ten thousand to flight . . . unless parity in the numbers. The truth is that for Israel the the money but not for the geo- ing side by side in peace. their Rock has sold them out?” Commentators point out that best course of action is inaction. graphic bluff. From those days Of course, getting today’s In a previous Torah portion, the two situations cannot be That is, the inaction that comes onward, the Palestinians have Palestinian leadership to go we are told of G-d’s assurance to compared, because in the 1:20 with pure and unmitigated faith been receiving additional bil- along with such a deal is virtual- Am Yisrael that when confront- ratio where Israel is triumphant, in who we are, where we came lions of dollars annually to com- ly impossible. In fact, it would ed militarily by an enemy they it says, “They will fall by the from, and what the future holds, pensate them for their so-called be somewhat of a miracle if they will be able to pursue the oppo- sword before you.” Here in this year and in the years ahead. O denial of a homeland as well as agreed to such a formula. In last sition with five of Israel success- Haazinu in the 1:1000 ratio, the Comments for Larry Gordon are the diplomatic flux the negotia- week’s Torah portion of fully pursuing a hundred; that is, reference is to simply being pur- welcome at [email protected]. tions were in. Settling into a peace agreement may not be as lucrative, and therein lies the problem. And this is where the miracles can come into the picture. Mr. Netanyahu’s suggestion that whatever deal is reached some- day be implemented over 40 years might have important his- torical precedent and signifi- cance. In Tehillim, Moshe Rabbeinu is found to be beseech- ing Hashem, “Gladden us accord- ing to the days You afflicted us” (Psalms 90:15). Rashi’s explana- tion of this pasuk is that Moshe is asking that G-d make us glad in the Messianic era of the future for the duration of time that we as a people suffered in exile in this world. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 99a) also expounds on this pasuk in suggesting several interpreta- tions of Moshe’s request. One is that he is asking for 40 years of favorable Divine treatment, cor- responding to the 40 years that the Jews wandered in the wilderness following the long Egyptian exile. Others in the Talmud suggest that Moshe is asking for 400 years correspon- ding to the full duration of the exile. Still others put forward the idea that it refers to 365 years corresponding to each day of the solar year. Is that what Bibi Netanyahu’s thinking? If it is, he’s on pretty solid ground at least as far as we are concerned; for the Jewish people, M oshe Rabbeinu is a fair- ly good source. Stepping back and looking at the current direct

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 17 18 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES BAGEL STORE Shortly after he arrived, he hailed a Continued from Page 14 taxi with suitcase in tow and asked the driver to take him to the Kremlin. The solid and stable return on money regard- driver turned to face him and asked him less of market fluctuations or instability. which part of the Kremlin he wanted to That is, the one item that should have go to, and whether he knew how large raised the most suspicion was the one the Kremlin is. The driver dropped him at that made investors the most comfort- where he thought David wanted to go. It able with the fund. was cold outside and he in fact did not These days and for the last many years, know where he was or in which direction David Martin is up usually at around 3:30 he should head. “I just started walking in a.m., he says, and sits down to learn in no special direction, and a few seconds Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv with his chavrusah later I saw a man dressed as a chasid head- at 4:30. At 5:30, he scoots off to the Young ing in my direction.” Perhaps he didn’t Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, where he know where he was, but they apparently gives a shiur at 6:00, then davens before did. Upon his return to New York, David going on to his office in Manhattan. met with the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Another one of David’s extraordinary Brooklyn to be debriefed about every- involvements is a publishing company he thing he had seen and experienced at the has founded for the purpose of reprinting cusp of freedom for Soviet Jews. seforim long out of print and not usually David Martin is an unassuming indi- available to the public anymore. His lat- vidual whose stories about his travels est project, he says, is the printing of the around the world could fill volumes. He five-volume “Shvil HaYashan” by Rav explains his book as not being so much Shaul Serkis, which is a 200-year-old sefer about money management, but rather on the Rif’s commentary on Shas. about how to go about making decisions. Over the years of his career in finance, In the course of accumulating all these David has traveled extensively, and he experiences and successes, David also continues to do so. Among his most found time to become a master diver, a memorable projects, he says, was the role licensed sailor, and a master landscaper; he played in establishing a stock market also, in his spare time, he designs fish in Russia and the amount of time he tanks. He is the chairman of Priority-1 spent in cities like Moscow and St. and a member of the Shaare Zedek Petersburg. He recalls traveling to the Medical Center Board of Governors. Risk Soviet Union just as Mikhail Gorbachev and the Smart Investor is a smooth read was assuming power, as the country was from which one could extract a multi- going through a dramatic shift, and being plicity of lessons that can be applied to contacted by in New York to carry many areas of life. I guess I’m just lucky out a mission. He was carrying a suitcase to know the author. O full of dreidels and his contact here told Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at him to just take them to the Kremlin. [email protected].

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20 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES For The Sin Of Silence During The Holocaust

BY RAFAEL MEDOFF ate on Yom Kippur, we should add communal figures intending to pro- Jewish Community Relations Council, another Al Cheit. Perhaps it would be the duce the first comprehensive examina- and Seymour Reich, past president of On Yom Kippur, in synagogues worst, the most horrible one—Al cheit tion of U.S. Jewry’s Holocaust record. B’nai B’rith and the Conference of throughout the country, American Jews shechatanu lefanecha bera’inu tzoras naf- The acrimony that engulfed the com- Presidents of Major American Jewish will lightly strike their chests while recit- shoseihem shel acheinu bais Yisrael she- mission’s work and led to its dissolu- Organizations, sharply criticized their ing the Al Cheit, the litany of confessions hischananu eileinu v’lo shamanu [‘For tion revealed still-lingering sensitivi- predecessors’ wartime record. Reich for sins committed during the previous the sin that we have sinned before You ties. Critics of the Jewish leadership declared: “I have come here today, as a year. “For the sin of lying . . . For the sin of by seeing the suffering of our Jewish cried whitewash, while defenders of veteran of the Jewish establishment, to gossiping . . . For the sin of being disre- brethren who called to us and we did the establishment circled the wagons. say unequivocally: the Jewish leaders spectful . . .” and so on. not listen’].” But the controversy did galvanize a in the 1940s were wrong.” Some years ago, one of the most Statements of this sort were unheard healthy public discussion. Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson, president prominent in America made a of in the first decades after the war, when New scholarly research in the 1980s of Reform Judaism’s Hebrew Union startling suggestion—that American there was little public discussion among permanently reshaped the debate. College, has gone so far as to assert that Jews should add an Al Cheit to acknowl- American Jews about their response to Monty Penkower (The Jews Were Rabbi Stephen Wise “failed miserably” edge the community’s failure to the Holocaust. Perhaps the memories and Expendable, 1982), David Wyman (The in his response to the Holocaust. The respond adequately to news of the mass the wounds were too fresh. Perhaps the Abandonment of the Jews, 1984), Haskel news from Europe was certainly killing of European Jews during the fact that many of the Jewish leaders Lookstein (Were We Our Brothers’ unprecedented, he said, but Jewish lead- Holocaust. Although the proposal evi- whose records merited scrutiny still held Keepers?, 1984) and others revealed ers such as Wise “had an obligation to dently was never implemented, state- positions of leadership discouraged a seri- unflattering new information about be sufficiently flexible and imaginative ments made recently by several promi- ous reckoning. American Jewry and the Holocaust. to deal with unprecedented situations.” nent Jewish leaders have gone a long That began to change in the 1960s and They chronicled the missed opportuni- Rabbi Ellenson’s bold statement was sig- way in that direction. 1970s, as a younger generation of ties to press for Allied rescue of nificant not only because Wise was the The Al Cheit suggestion came from American Jews started asking questions refugees, the petty in-fighting between most prominent American Jewish leader Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik (1903-1993), about the actions of their elders. Articles Jewish groups that sapped communal of the 1940s, but also because he was the longtime head of Yeshiva University’s about the subject began appearing more time and energy, the unsavory attacks founder and longtime leader of the very rabbinical school and a key figure in the frequently in Jewish periodicals. Activists by Jewish leaders against the activist institution over which Ellenson himself shaping of Modern . In in the Soviet Jewry movement cited Bergson Group. What the historians now presides. a taped lecture at YU’s Wurzweiler American Jewry’s lethargic response to found essentially confirmed what the These Jewish leaders who have criti- School of Social Work on December 24, the Holocaust as an impetus for their critics had suspected. cized the wartime Jewish establishment 1973, Rabbi Soloveitchik remarked that own protests. “We didn’t want to repeat During the past several years, may not have phrased their remarks in “during the Holocaust period,” many the mistakes of that generation,” Glenn remarks made by several prominent the form of an Al Cheit, but they certain- American Jews were not sufficiently con- Richter, director of the Student Struggle Jewish leaders have dramatically illus- ly spoke in the spirit of the forthright cerned “with our brethren, with our fel- for Soviet Jewry, recalls. trated how much attitudes have acknowledgment Rabbi Soloveitchik evi- low Jews, and we let millions of Jews go By 1981, there was sufficient interest changed over the years. At a conference dently had in mind. O down the drain.” in the topic to bring about the creation of The David S. Wyman Institute for Dr. Rafael Medoff is director of The David S. Therefore, he said, “to the list of Al of the American Jewish Commission on Holocaust Studies, Michael Miller, Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies, Cheits of the chata’im [sins] we enumer- the Holocaust, a committee of Jewish executive director of the New York www.WymanInstitute.org.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 21 Silwan Councilman Compares Jewish Settlers To Nazis

B Y 5TJT STAFF of others,” interjected Nisreen Alyan, an dents of Wadi Hilweh were offered Israeli pation in local politics was not a realistic attorney on ACRI’s staff present during citizenship. The overwhelming majority expectation. Sitting in a corrugated metal structure the interview. When asked for clarifica- of residents refused to recognize the Despite testimony from local Arabs several blocks away from the City of tion on this statement by telephone sev- State of Israel, however, and instead that private security forces stand on David archeological park, Salim Se’am, a eral days later, Salim explained that he received blue residency cards allowing street corners harassing Arab passersby leading local Arab activist in the Silwan considers the settlers to be like the Nazis. them to live in the city and to take part in and that the freedom of movement of (Shiloah) neighborhood in East Regarding violence against Jewish resi- municipal elections. Salim maintains local residents is restricted on a daily Jerusalem, complained about the local dents, a phenomenon not covered by the that there never was an Israeli offer of cit- basis, this reporter did not see any indica- enclaves of Jewish settlement in the pre- ACRI report, Salim was adamant that any izenship and stated that although many tion of an armed civilian Jewish presence dominantly Arab neighborhood. outside of the gated Jewish compound Speaking to the Five Towns Jewish Times scattered around the neighborhood and on the behest of the Association of Civil convoys escorting Jewish settlers to and Rights in Israel (ACRI), an Israeli civil rights from their homes. organization that recently released a 51 page “The Arabs do not require guards,” Daniel Luria of Ateret Cohanim, an report containing allegations of human organization dedicated to Jewish settle- rights violations by Israeli settlers and police ment, blasted ACRI over its report, calling in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah he emphasized, handing over a it biased and selective. According to Luria, (Shimon HaTzadik) and Silwan (Shiloah), Ateret Cohanim sent a list of violent inci- Salim expressed his conviction that any crit- dents against Jewish residents to ACRI icism of the Jews that he expresses will be closely typed list of incidents of several months prior to the release of the interpreted as anti-Semitic. report and was informed that the human Among the issues included in the ACRI violence against Jewish residents. rights group was uninterested in the document that Salim and I are discussing material. “They told us to speak with the are reports of midnight police raids to internal affairs division of the police and arrest minors and allegations that lax were unwilling to discuss Arab violence oversight of private security forces guard- at all,” Luria charged. ing settler enclaves has resulted in unnec- Arab attack on the local Jewish enclaves is of the neighborhood’s Arab residents Ateret Cohanim also took issue with essary fatalities amongst local Arabs. The a response to a prior Israeli provocation. have the right to vote, the overwhelming the premise on which the report is based. Israeli police and representatives of the “Arab violence always starts with the set- majority choose not to do so, preferring According to ACRI, the report “seeks to local Jewish community have denied tlers,” he said. The police and settlers are instead to boycott local elections. bring to light the stories of the Palestinian both charges. in “collusion,” Salim charged, claiming In response to complaints by Salim residents, to reveal the experience of life According to Salim, the only thing that that the police take their orders from the and ACRI that there is a disparity in the in the neighborhood as others attempt to the Jewish settlers have not yet done to local Jewish enclaves. “The cops think of municipal services provided to Arabs and ‘Judaize’ it.” “Jews have every right to live Wadi Hilweh’s Arabs is to burn them in a us as enemies,” he said. “They do not see Jews, this reporter asked if increased in Silwan,” Luria said, stating that manner similar to how the Nazis burnt us as having the rights of citizens.” voter participation would serve to Yemenite Jews lived in Silwan until their Jews during World War II. “A nation that Following the annexation of East increase Arab clout in the local govern- expulsion following violent Arab riots went through the Holocaust must show Jerusalem by Israel following its capture ment. Salim responded in the affirmative, during the 1936-1939 Arab revolt. itself to be sensitive to the human rights in the 1967 Six-Day War, the Arab resi- but indicated that increased Arab partici- Archaeological finds in the neighborhood,

22 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES including what Israeli historians attacked with large rocks and nity. The settlers’ statement dent,” ACRI charged. The guards, and this is not wide- have identified as King David’s cinderblocks thrown from the came after extensive delays in According to Luria, the civil- ly known, are only empowered palace, reveal a long and rich rooftops of Arab homes. “The the implementation of a court ian guards did not open fire at to act if there is a life-threaten- Jewish association with the area. Arabs do not require guards,” he order to evict the Arabs inhabit- all, “rather the police and border ing situation inside the home of “No Arab has been expelled emphasized, handing over a ing the Jewish building. patrol who were called in to a Jewish resident or if there is an from his house in order to make closely typed list of incidents of In response to the riot, ACRI quell the riots were forced to attack on their vehicles as they room for Jews in Shiloah violence against Jewish resi- accused the Jewish guards of use such measures.” “Armed escort residents to and from because of Ateret Cohanim,” he dents. In May alone, Ateret opening fire at the Arabs, guards can be found at the their homes. Incidents in which said. “In Shimon HaTzadik, Cohanim charges, there were wounding several. ACRI entrance to movie theatres, bus guards are required to fire in the Arabs have been evicted on over 200 incidents. responded by objecting to the stations, malls, and synagogues air are extremely rare.” order of the Supreme Court, In one of the occurrences list- Israeli policy of “bringing armed all over Israel,” Luria explained. Other Jewish groups objected after it was determined that ed in the ACRI report, private forces that can operate without “In a neighborhood where there to the report as well. According their houses were built on security forces opened fire on a restraint and cause harm to is daily violence, we as citizens to Gerald Steinberg, the director Jewish property, but every mob throwing Molotov cock- innocent civilians” into a civil- expect that the government will of NGO Monitor, the report was house in Shiloah under our tails and stones against a Jewish ian neighborhood. “What stands provide us with security.” The “based almost exclusively on supervision was legally pur- residence. The Arab mob was out in these incidents is the presence of armed guards Palestinian ‘testimony’ along chased from the Arabs.” angry over the stated intention security guards’ use of live fire reflects the reality of years of with one or two police files and Incidents of violence against of local settlers and several while the police adopted means attacks on local residents, he selected Israelis news articles.” Jewish residents occur every nationalist parliamentarians to that were less injurious and less stated. “There is no police sta- “None of the claims can be veri- day, Luria continued, pointing evict Arab residents from a dangerous. Testimonies suggest tion in the neighborhood and fied independently,” he said, out that Jewish residents are building that had served as the that in some cases the police the government decided, given “and the ‘testimony’ is clearly required to travel with armed synagogue in Silwan prior to the arrived at the scene only at a rel- the violence, to bring in private designed to promote the desired escorts and are regularly expulsion of the local commu- atively late stage of the inci- security for the Jewish residents. political conclusions.” O

Why is the text of arranged according to the alef- beit (“Ashamnu, bagadnu,” etc.)? The reason is that when a person sins, the sin creates a kelipah with a body and a soul. The soul is created from the desire for the sin and the body from its actual per- formance. If the sin is in thought or speech, the body of the keli- pah is created from the letters. When a person repents, the regret and the uprooting of the will nullifies the soul of the kelipah; and confession with words nullifies the body of the kelipah (for the lips’ move- ment is considered action). Therefore we con- fess by mentioning the 22 letters of the alef-beit, in order to nullifiy the body of the kelipah formed from the 22 letters of foreign thoughts and sinful fancies. (Derech Mitzvotecha, p. 76)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 23 24 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 25 26 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 27 28 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. ground allspice 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup honey 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed 2 eggs 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup tea Sweet As Honey 1/4 cup orange juice Honey Cake Batter Directions: Honey is one of the stars of the High used to ease a sore throat. It can also be In large bowl, combine flour, baking Holiday season, helping us to start our used for its antibacterial properties to dis- powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, new year on a sweet note. For those infect and heal wounds. It can help indi- cloves, and allspice. honey lovers out there that look for- gestion and provide an instant boost of Stir with whisk, then make well in cen- 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed ward to dipping their apples or drizzling energy since it is absorbed quickly by the ter and stir in oil, honey, granulated and 1/2 cup oil their challah with the sweet nectar, you body. This helps prevent fatigue during brown sugars, eggs, vanilla, tea, and 2 eggs must know that there is more to this exercise and is great for athletes. With all orange juice. Stir well to make smooth 1 tsp. vanilla extract sweet treat than meets the eye. With so these benefits, honey may be a wonder batter. Set aside. 1 cup flat cola-flavored soft drink many benefits, varieties, and uses, food waiting to be rediscovered. Chocolate Batter Directions: honey is an indulgence that should be Chocolate Batter Ingredients: In large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, utilized year-round. Honey Chocolate Marble Cake 1 1/2 cups flour salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Honey is a sweet and sticky liquid Honey Cake Batter Ingredients: 1/3 cup cocoa, sifted Make well in center and whisk in gran- produced by honeybees and other 1 3/4 cups flour 1/4 tsp. salt ulated and brown sugars, oil, eggs, insects from the nectar of flowers. It is a 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda vanilla, and cola. Blend well to make pure product without any added sub- 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder stances and is significantly sweeter than 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup granulated sugar Continued on Page 31 table sugar. The flavor of honey is affect- ed by many factors: location, climate, soil, and temperature, which all give the flower nectar a unique makeup, thereby affecting the outcome of the honey made from it. Honey available at the market is usually a blend of inexpensive honey from all over the world, pasteur- ized to achieve a standard product and long shelf-life. Artisan honey is a much better-quality product, made by bee- keepers that harvest and preserve the integrity of the honey. Honey comes in all different varieties. Blended honey is a combination of honey from different floral sources. The most select of honey varieties is known as varietal or monofloral honey, which comes from a single flower. The flavor of these honeys is unique and complex. Raw honey is unprocessed and unpasteurized, which means it stays exactly in its natural form without any heat added to it. It comes out of the comb and goes straight into the bottle, so it is one of the most natural products in the market. Honey also comes in different flavors when it is infused with aromatic ingredients such as fruit or herbs. Honey is great in cooking not only to add a touch of sweetness. It can be used as a glaze on meat, poultry, and fish as well as baked goods to help achieve a brown color. Honey also adds a deep color to sauces, dressings, and jams. When baking, honey changes the texture of breads and cakes and prevents them from going stale, improving shelf life. Honey also acts as an excellent binder, helping desserts keep their shape and retain their moisture. Since it is sweeter than sugar, when substituting with honey in cooking start by using half the amount called for and then add more as needed. Because batter including honey browns faster, make sure to reduce cook- ing temperature by 25 degrees when sub- stituting honey for sugar. Honey can crys- tallize easily, which does not mean it has gone bad, it is just the natural process. To reliquify the honey, place it in a contain- er of warm water overnight. Not only is honey a sweet treat, but it has healing properties that make it a great natural remedy as well. Most of us know of honey’s soothing properties, 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 29 An Easier Fast

Late in April, after sustaining major I knew would accompany the job. But at water damage in my basement thanks to least I now knew that I had no choice in a massive three-day rainstorm, I took the matter if I wanted to avoid flooding action. First I moaned and groaned. and keep my sanity. And I’ve grown rather When I was through with that, I paid fond of my sanity. someone to clean up the mess. My next I’m not sure what it is about basement move was to hire a reputable firm to flooding that drives me up the wall. But it install French drains—and, for good is a fact of my life. Of course, it’s not only measure, to put in a sump pump as well! water; there are other “situations” that The waterproofing business must be also cause me to become unhinged. For booming because, after signing the con- example, I have zero tolerance when it tract, I was informed that there would be comes to spotting an ant in the house. a wait for the job to be done. I was given Even a single ant sends me into a tizzy, as the date that the job would start. But for I hastily search for any of its family mem- some reason, the date didn’t register with bers who might possibly have accompa- me; I had no clue that it would be the nied the lone critter into my domicile. week of Tishah B’Av. Seeing crickets hop around my base-

Why the glasses couldn’t have shifted to the rear of the cabinet, I don’t know. But they didn’t.

Shortly after signing the contract, I ment is, for me, yet another “situation.” began to have regrets. These were My response to that is too disturbing to accompanied by the following ques- be described here. Suffice it to say that it’s tions: Do I really need to spend so much not a pretty sight! The list of things that I money? Do I actually need drains? Do I refer to as “situations” is a long one. But I even need a sump pump? How likely am offer no excuses. Nor do I apologize for I to get water in my basement again? And what might be termed my emotional if I do, what’s the big deal? I was conve- weaknesses. Of course, I handle each situ- niently forgetting that I’d nearly had ation accordingly. But for the most part, apoplexy when my basement was flood- while the occasional ant disturbs me and ed back in April. the sight of jumping crickets grosses me Although I decided to go through with out, finding water in the basement caus- it, my misgivings lingered—probably es me to cry real tears. So I would indeed because, since April, there wasn’t any go ahead with the waterproofing. flooding. Not even a single drop of water. By day two of the waterproofing, the What escaped my attention was the fact noise became intolerable. I couldn’t hear that we hadn’t had another drenching myself think. I had no idea if my phone rain since that time. Instead, I likened it was ringing or even if the doorbell was to suffering for days with a toothache, ringing. In an attempt to drown out the finally making an appointment with the sound, I put on the television and turned dentist, and then waking on the morning the volume as high as it would go. But I of the appointment to discover that the was unable to hear a single word. pain is gone. Inexplicably, I had given little thought My disturbing thoughts continued and to how much noise there would be when more questions came to mind. Had I been the work commenced. It didn’t occur to too hasty? Who needs all this nonsense me that in order to install a drain around anyhow? What would Arnie say? What the perimeter of the basement, five does he think of what I’m about to do? workers would be drilling into the And then, suddenly, a huge rainstorm cement foundation with jackhammers! put an end to my doubts. Once again I Got the idea? found myself facing water on the base- The job began the day before Tishah ment floor. I was simultaneously upset B’Av, and the next day, which was Tishah and pleased. As always, seeing the water B’Av itself, I had a massive headache. It made me crazy; but, perversely, I was was unclear to me if my headache was a (somewhat) pleased that it had happened result of the noise or came from my fast- yet again. It was the sign that I needed, a ing. Since no food or drink would cross reaffirmation of my decision to have the my parched lips, taking an Advil was out waterproofing done. of the question. This gave new meaning Nevertheless, spending so much to the words poor planning! And the money still didn’t thrill me. And I certain- noise wasn’t the only disturbance. The ly wasn’t looking forward to the dirt that sound was accompanied by strong vibra- 30 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES tions, something else I hadn’t carefully passing minute. There was the noise, the considered. fasting, and being bopped on the head by An hour after work started on that sec- a heavy drinking glass. ond day, I opened a kitchen cabinet to At that point, there was, however, both put away a dish that had been sitting on good news and bad on the horizon. On the countertop. Boom! Two drinking the positive side, I knew my headache glasses fell out of the cabinet and would disappear soon, because the fast crashed to the floor—but not before one was almost over and the jackhammering managed to knock me on the head would shortly cease, as the job was sched- before it landed. uled to be completed by the end of the Apparently, the vibrations of the jack- day. And if any part of my headache was hammers at work in the basement had caused by the knock on the noggin, that caused everything to shift position. Why too would last just so long. the glasses couldn’t have shifted to the Now I’m way past both the water- rear of the cabinet, I don’t know. But they proofing job and the Tishah B’Av fast, but didn’t. Instead, they found their way to my emotional headache lingers on; that the front and were sitting on the very would be the headache caused by having edge of the shelf, which guaranteed that invested several thousand dollars for the they would tumble out as soon as the privilege of keeping my basement dry. cabinet door was opened. The anticipation of the Yom Kippur fast I swept up what seemed like thousands at the end of this week awaits me, but it of pieces of glass. There may have been has been tempered by the fact that at only a dozen pieces, but my mind plays least I won’t have the sound of jackham- tricks on me when I see things I don’t like. mers klopping in my ears. Nor, hopefully, And I don’t like the sight of shattered glass am I likely to receive a bang on the head. on my kitchen floor. After sweeping, I vac- G’mar chasimah tovah to all! O uumed the area and then mopped it. Later it occurred to me that this was Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a licensed real-estate broker associated with yet another possible reason for my Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at headache, which worsened with each [email protected] or 516-902-3733.

THE DISH minutes to 1 hour 5 minutes. Cool 10 Continued from Page 29 minutes, then unmold and place on serving platter. smooth batter. Pour honey cake batter into well- Eating quality, delicious meals is easy when all the work is done for you. Hire a personal chef to greased 9” or 10” tube pan. Pour choco- prepare your dinners, Shabbos meals, or small late batter on top. Place on baking sheet parties. For more information, contact Take Home Chef personal chef services by calling 516-508- and bake at 350 degrees until cake 3663, writing to [email protected], or springs back when gently touched, 55 visiting www.TakeHomeChef.net.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 31 of the beautiful landscaping the proper- rooms was a large laundry room with an ty boasted. There was a slightly smaller ironing room as well as two walk-in clos- den next door, with French doors open- ets for linens along the back wall. ing back into the living room, rounding I was getting more excited about this out the first floor. But wait, where was beautiful home with every new door the bathroom or powder room for the that the homeowner opened for me, floor? Aha! Lo and behold, back into the and then he suggested we go downstairs center hall were two powder rooms side to see the finished basement and round by side off an alcove, with the walk-in out the tour. coat closet alongside. Down in the basement he had created Upstairs we went for a view of the five a huge entertainment and movie-view- Dream On! bedrooms—all master-bedroom size, ing room with bucket seats, a mini- with walk-in closets in each and full bath- kitchen with a full refrigerator featuring rooms attached to each bedroom. The a variety of sodas and other beverages, A call came in a few weeks ago from and steps. I rang the bell, excited by the master suite boasted an overlarge room and cabinets loaded with snacks. The a homeowner asking me to come and already lovely appearance presented to movie screen took up the entire front- see his house, since he was ready to sell me by peripheral views from the door to room wall, from floor to ceiling and it and wanted me to market it for him. the street. It was all so inviting and I could from side to side. The room seemed to The address was on a prestigious street not wait to see what awaited me inside. Upstairs we went for a be set up permanently for at least 25 lux- in Lawrence. When I started looking up The homeowner welcomed me into a urious seats. information on the property before center hall with cathedral ceilings and view of the five Finally I could not take it anymore and meeting with this gentleman, I saw that beautifully arched doorways. On one said to the seller, “This is all magnificent. the house sat on a full acre with a beau- side there was a massive living room bedrooms—all master- How much are you looking to sell this tiful in-ground pool, featured exquisite- with mahogany floors and a large mar- bedroom size, with walk- exquisite home for?” The seller looked at ly sculpted landscaping, and was pri- ble fireplace. On the other side was a me and said, “I want $550,000, which vately set back from the street. I contin- dining room running 40 feet to a but- in closets in each and seems to be the amount that everyone ued to check out the outside features of ler’s pantry. This continued towards a wants to pay.” this home and realized that it was all magnificent eat-in kitchen with exten- full bathrooms attached I looked at him and screamed. brick, with a Spanish tile roof and an sive custom floor-to-ceiling cabinets, And then I woke up. attached two-car garage. granite counters featuring milchig and to each bedroom. It just goes to show that you have to I quickly called to make an appoint- fleishig on each end of the kitchen, a dream to get this kind of house for that ment to go over and see the rest of this pareve island and sink with baking kind of money! O house. With an impressive exterior, I was counter, and cabinets in the center next anxious to see what the inside looked to a matching granite kitchen table with with a sitting room next to it, and his- Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a licensed real-estate broker and a licensed N.Y.S. like and of course what the homeowner seating for ten alongside. and-hers bathrooms with stall showers mortgage broker with over 20 years of experience, was hoping to realize in price from the I was thinking to myself that this is and Jacuzzis and double walk-in closets offering full-service residential and commercial selling of his home. just the kind of home I would love, as I off to the side of each one, as well as a real-estate services (Anessa V Cohen Realty) and mortgaging services (First Meridian Mortgage) in Upon arriving, I first noted that the followed the homeowner on his presen- large private terrace overlooking the the Five Towns and throughout the tri-state area. front door was a nine-foot-high custom tation of his home. Next to the kitchen expansive property with lovely chaises She can be reached at 516-569-5007 or via her website, www.AVCrealty.com. Readers are wood door with stained glass sidelights was a huge den with another fireplace laid out for relaxing. encouraged to send questions or comments to on either side and a granite front porch and floor-to-ceiling windows with views In the hallway connecting the bed- [email protected].

32 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 33 Can we turn our backs on our son and ents/grandparents responsible for feed- tell him we just need for him to move ing everyone? Are they supposed to pick out? Do good parents do that to children up the tab for all food purchases? Who when they are down and out? Is there should be doing the cooking? Or does anything wrong with our implementing each family cook for itself? What about rules for him to follow? This is all so new cleanup? Each man for himself? So many to us and something we never anticipat- details, so many possibilities for resent- ed, so my husband and I feel totally out of ments and frustration. Dear Esther, tension and a bad feeling. sorts and unsure of what’s OK and what The same can be said for laundry, gen- For the past four years, my husband My son still hasn’t found a job, and isn’t OK. eral housekeeping, company, privacy, and and I have grown accustomed to being my husband and I are at our wits’ end Can this arrangement possibly work? so much more. A fine-tuned plan is the together in a quiet home, having married trying to figure out what to do. We des- If so, how can we make it work? best way to approach this newly created off the last of our three children. Unlike perately want him out. But we also Confused living arrangement. some parents, we absolutely did not suf- know that he really can’t afford to rent Dear Confused, As soon as your son moved in, it fer from an empty-nest syndrome. On the his own apartment. I don’t like the tone These days, mainly because of the would have been wise to establish guide- contrary, we enjoyed the peaceful atmos- he uses with us and some of the things economy, we are seeing many adult chil- lines—for your sake and also for his. phere and one another’s company. he says to us. I also don’t like my tone dren moving back home, often to the dis- People usually do better with structure A very unfortunate thing happened when speaking to him. I guess he may of their parents. Sometimes these and an understanding of expectations. last year. Our middle son got divorced resents having to follow our rules, after adult children are simply unable to find Though you missed the boat on that, it and wound up moving back into our not having any for so long. themselves and just can’t make it on their still isn’t too late to sit him down and home for financial reasons. We weren’t It’s been a really long time since he last own after finishing school. discuss what your needs are and what thrilled with the idea, but didn’t feel lived with us, and he’s changed a lot since Often they have already experi- you expect of him. that we had a choice. He seemed so then, and I guess so have we. I also find enced independence and were doing Also, I might add, you may want to defeated and rejected, and we didn’t him very sarcastic and at times even fine on their own, with a healthy ask him what his expectations are from want to add to that feeling. So when he insulting to me. Here I am, doing him an sense of confidence toward their you. The fact that you are doing him a asked to come back home, we (reluc- enormous favor, and in response he’ll try future, only to find themselves one large favor by allowing him to live with tantly, though we tried not to show it) to put me down, rather than treat me day on the unemployment line, much you despite the fact that you and your said, “fine.” with respect and gratitude. to everyone’s disbelief. husband had been greatly enjoying your Meanwhile, it’s been anything but fine. Though I know that he is no longer a Often these individuals come with privacy doesn’t mean that you can treat Of course we had the honeymoon period, teenager—and is in fact a grown-up families—a wife and possibly several him like a teenager, establishing rules when he was just so thrilled to be in a lov- man—I guess I still see him as an irre- children. Parents find themselves clear- that you very possibly have no right ing environment, after all the drama of sponsible teenager, which I’m sure is not ing out basements or other living imposing on him. his short-lived marriage. But that didn’t helping matters. spaces and creating decent accommo- You might want to do a bit of soul- last more than a couple of weeks. Also, I used to look forward to coming dations for not just one person, but searching and figure out how you feel Suddenly, it was as if he was 16 years old home as the best possible reward after a entire families. about your son’s divorce. Are you angry, again, and we were busy telling him to hard day at work. Stress-free, relaxing When this happens, it is imperative to resentful, disappointed, and sad? Do you clean up after himself and not come weekends with my husband at home felt set down rules at the very start. feel that your son was the cause of the home at all hours of the night. like brief vacations. Now I almost dread Otherwise, resentments can easily start breakup and hold him responsible for his Before you knew it, we were all bicker- walking into my house, not knowing building, and formerly fine relationships present situation? If so, that could cer- ing back and forth, and our previously what I’ll find in terms of messes and atti- can begin to deteriorate. For instance, we peaceful home was becoming filled with tude. can talk about the issue of food. Are par- Continued on Page 37

34 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES The Shmuz On The Parashah

A Diamond With A Flaw memories of sin. While there is no ques- BY R’ BEN TZION SHAFIER tion that the shvatim were men of extraordinary greatness, that greatness “You shall place both stones on the was also tainted with the sin of selling shoulder straps of the ephod, remembrance their brother. They had a rationale for stones for the Children of Israel. Aharon what they did, but they still plotted and shall carry their names before Hashem on carried out an attempt to kill Yosef, one of both of his shoulders as a remembrance.” the greatest tzaddikim in the history of —Sh’mos 28:12 mankind. Didn’t that sin permanently Moshe was commanded to make gar- affect who they were? Shouldn’t that be ments for the Kohanim. Hashem told reason enough not to mention their Moshe to engrave the names of the 12 names in such a critical situation? shvatim onto the stones of the Ephod as a Every diamond has a flaw. The answer remembrance. Rashi explains that this is based on an issue of perspective. A dia- was so that the memory of Reuvein, mond is an object of beauty, yet even a Shimon, Levi, etc. would be invoked minor imperfection can greatly devalue when the Kohein Gadol did the avodah, it. A small flaw can transform a priceless and Hashem would then remember their gem into an almost worthless stone. righteousness. However, not every flaw destroys a dia- The shvatim sinned. This Rashi seems mond’s value. to be difficult to understand. The avodah Imagine that there are two large dia- of the Kohein Gadol is vital and highly monds in front of you, one a beautifully sensitive; the world’s very existence cut jewel with a minor flaw, and the depends upon it. As a result, there are other the same as the first, but flawless— many items that are avoided in the avo- dah so as not to bring up even the faintest Continued on Page 36

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 35 THE SHMUZ every man will make mistakes. Some are Continued from Page 35 large, and some are small, but the idea of man living without sin hasn’t happened a perfect diamond. We would assume yet and will not happen ever. that the flawless diamond would be far At the end of his days, man isn’t meas- more valuable than the other. ured by how much he sinned. He is meas- If we were to ask a diamond expert to ured by how great he became. The real appraise the two, there is no doubt that damage of sin is that it prevents growth. he would tell us that the difference If a person becomes mired in sin, then his between them is huge. He would say that focus is diverted, his energies consumed, the diamond with the minor flaw is and he doesn’t become a fraction of what worth a fortune while the completely he could. Still, it is a given that every man flawless diamond is almost valueless— has sinned and will sin. because it is a fake. One of the signs that The shvatim were like flawed dia- a diamond is real is that it has a flaw. monds. The answer to the question on While it may be a very minor imperfec- Rashi seems to be that the shvatim were tion and almost unnoticeable, all genuine in fact men of unimaginable greatness, diamonds have flaws. The only perfect but they also had flaws and sinned. Each diamonds are made of cubic zirconium, would be compared to a 200-carat dia- and are costume jewelry. mond with an imperfection. They were Hashem created the human, knowing huge, beautiful diamonds—with flaws. he would sin. So too, the human. When When viewing a diamond, you can’t Hashem formed man, it was not for him see the flaw. To perceive it, you need to to be perfect. Perfection rests in the realm look through a jeweler’s loupe that mag- of the angels. An angel will spend its nifies the stone by a power of ten times entire existence without sin. As such, or more. Only via direct scrutiny does the angles are perfect. But angels aren’t man. flaw become noticeable. It is always pres- Man alone was given the unique opportu- ent, but the eye doesn’t see it. All the eye nity in all of Creation: to determine his can see is glimmer and reflected light in destiny either by becoming the greatest an object of extreme beauty. of all or by sinking below the animals. I will be like a diamond with a flaw. To allow man to create who he would Thus Chazal tells us that our imperfec- be for eternity, Hashem gave him free tions are what they are, and unless we will. However, free will doesn’t mean the remove them with the process of teshu- theoretical ability to choose; it means vah, they will be on our permanent being put into situations where either record. However, all that means is that I choice is viable and either option is real. will have flaws, like a diamond. Maybe I’ll Man has to be challenged. To allow for be a two-carat diamond, maybe a four- that, man has to be tempted to choose carat—but a precious gem nonetheless. either good or bad and be given the abili- While the blemishes will be there, so too ty to make mistakes. Every man has, and will the shining brilliance of a jewel. One

36 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES doesn’t cancel out the other. The flaw isn’t eliminated, nor is the brilliance erad- icated. Both are there. I will be a diamond with a flaw. My work is to improve the quality of the diamond and to eliminate its faults. By learning Torah, doing mitzvos, and working on my middos, I change the weight, color, and clarity of the stone. Who I will be for eternity is in my hands. If I focus my attention and energies on growth, my reward will be perfection more valuable than the finest diamonds ever mined. O

For more on this topic please listen to Shmuz #16: Olam Haba as a Motivator

The Shmuz, an engaging and motivating Torah lecture that deals with real-life issues, is available free at www.TheShmuz.com. The Shmuz on the Parsha book, a compilation on all of Chumash, is now available for purchase in your local sefarim store and at TheShmuz.com.

MINDBIZ Continued from Page 34 tainly be adding to your resentment and your treatment of him. These are signifi- cant feelings to work through, one way or another. By the same token, is it possible that your son is feeling a certain amount of shame regarding his present situation, having lost both his wife and his job, and is acting out because of his vulnerable state? That might explain his sarcasm and even his insults thrown your way. He may be projecting his own bad feelings onto you. Whatever physical or psychological dynamics are at play here, you still need to establish a working relationship with your son. After all, no one says that you should be forced to give up your quality of life at this stage of the game. Rather, you need to be very clear about what the house rules are now that your son is living with you. He then has the option of living according to your rules or figur- ing out a different living arrangement for himself. That way you are giving him a choice and it’s up to him to decide what is in his best interests. You are right. Most of us are not pre- pared for this new life stage. It certainly wasn’t part of how we saw our lives play- ing out. But with enough honesty, respect, and compassion, we can make just about anything work. Esther

Esther Mann, LCSW, is a psychotherapist in Lawrence. Esther works with individuals and couples. She can be reached at [email protected] or 516-314-2295.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 37 Tidbits From Israel

ORIGINAL CONTENT BY DAVID SUISSA; REVISED AND EDITED BY RON JAGER

Let My People Stay Why does the Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict seem so intractable? Why do we hear the same ideas repeatedly, even though they never work? At her recent AIPAC speech, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke of the need to find “a new path” to the two-state solu- tion. Nowhere in her speech did she actu- ally challenge a key tenet of the current path acknowledged as a given: We can never have Jews living in a future Arab Palestinian state.

As far as the world is concerned, the soccer moms in Ariel and Efrat are the biggest obstacles to peace.

She is not alone. For decades now, the world’s most brilliant political and strategic minds have worked with this same unimaginative and racist assump- tion: To have a definitive peace with the Palestinian Arabs, we must have ethnic cleansing of the Jews from Judea and Samaria. As a result, a peace vocabulary and nar- rative has developed that suggests any- thing but peace: words like “freezing” and “dismantling” are repeated like a mind- less mantra. We never hear words like “sharing” or “divide equally.” The Jewish residents themselves who live in the areas of a planned future Arab Palestinian state have been globally demonized as the biggest obstacles to peace. Terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah that are sworn enemies of any peace agreement and have openly taken responsibility for the murder of untold Israelis and have initiated thousands of rocket attacks against civilians in the cen- ter of Israel. But as far as the world is con- cerned, the soccer moms in Ariel and Efrat are the biggest obstacles to peace. Never mind that when Israel cleansed Gaza of all Jews in 2005, it got rewarded not with peace and quiet but with thou- sands of rockets raining on Israeli cities and towns. It’s gotten so absurd, that the head- lines around the world two months ago weren’t about the terrorist rockets fly- ing into Israel, but about interim zoning permits for apartments in East Jerusalem. Had those apartments been for Buddhists, Hindus, or Hare Krishnas, no one would have flinched. But they were for Jews, which makes them obsta- cles to peace. The Obama administration’s obsession 38 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES with freezing Jewish settlements— including Jewish neighborhoods of East Jerusalem—has further demonized the settlements, making the Palestinian Arabs even more intransigent. But what if the peace processors took a different view of these settle- ments and saw them not as obstacles to peace but as potential contributors to the Arab Palestinian society? What if, instead of forcing Jewish settlers to leave as part of a peace agreement, they were invited to stay? In all these failed peace meetings over the years, has anyone considered that a Jewish minority in a future Arab Palestine may actually be a good thing? That it would encourage mutual dependency, coexistence, and democracy—and help the Palestinian economy? And that for Israel, it’d be good to have Jewish repre- sentatives in an Arab Palestinian parlia- ment—just like we have Arab representa- tives in the Israeli Knesset. Even if you’re a cynic who believes peace with the Palestinian Arabs is impossible in our lifetime, pushing for the right of settlers to stay in a future Palestine is a game changer. It disarms critics who claim that settlements are the main obstacle to peace and shines a light on fundamental issues, like whether the Palestinian Arabs are will- ing or even able to deliver peace, and how they would protect a Jewish minor- ity in their midst. Just like Soviet Jewry was about the Jews’ “right to leave,” this new cause is about the Jews’ “right to stay.” And if the world ends up opposing the idea, well, we’ll finally have our PR homerun: An international movement fighting for “Human Rights for Palestinian Jews!” Our mantra: The Jews of Palestine deserve the same rights as the Muslims of Israel. As long as Israel remains a country with an Arab minority, why shouldn’t any future Arab Palestinian state have a Jewish minority? O

“And for the sin which we committed against you unwillingly or willingly.” The sin is actually done unwill- ingly; however it is rooted in the will. For every Jew was given the ability to conquer every impediment and obstacle to Torah and spiritual service, and only with the weaken- ing of the will does the duress win.After a person is involved in an inner search during the days of , Rosh Hashanah, the , and the eve of Yom Kippur, he reaches the understanding that the cause of the duress is the will. ( Admor Harayatz, vol. 2, p. 430)

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 39 Some More Sunshine

Peering out at the ocean from the lux- or the age of your children, the summer is ury of a lounge chair as Yussie and Lea fol- special. low Naftali and his kite rides high in the What a wonderful little nook we have sky, I think to myself: ‘Ain’t life grand.’ discovered. Children’s activities, adult “Pool time!” Yussie announces. swim, aqua-exercise, the list goes on. We I certainly don’t mind. The pool here is haven’t had to travel far. This summer clean and tranquil. It is big enough to have a deep end with a diving board to entertain Lea and Rochel (Lea has become an expert diving board jumper this summer), and a You don’t usually shallow end to help Yussie feel more confi- dent in the water, and yet small enough to be able to keep an eye on both ends at one hear people ask, time. As a lifeguard and a mother I know how important it is to be able to have a “How was your handle over a wide area that is small enough to keep everyone safe. As I sit here staring at the waters of the autumn?” Atlantic while the young children are being entertained by their older siblings, I have a moment to muse. The summer is coming to a close. My husband and I were just dis- vacation spot is but a few minutes from cussing how people will inquire “How was our house. Just the name “Sunny Atlantic” your summer?” You don’t usually hear peo- puts you in an upbeat energetic mood. It’s ple ask, “How was your autumn?” The sum- as if the name itself reminds Hashem to mer is a fleeting moment in time and spe- shine the sun directly on this small cial in and of itself. Maybe it’s the weather, enclave in Atlantic Beach. or the fact that the kids are on break from Thanks to the kindness of Howard and school. Somehow no matter what the cli- mate of your particular locale year round, Continued on Page 43

40 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES which is motivated by fear (of Divine ret- NNN ribution) transforms all past willful trans- gressions into mere erroneous oversights. The Ultimate Yom Kippur Jew Repentance which is prompted by a gen- The past few years, I’ve prayed on the uine love for G-d causes all previous sins in a wonderful and to become merits!” This means that, homey synagogue in the Park Slope neigh- through proper repentance, not only do borhood of Brooklyn. There’s always a we cause G-d to forgive and forget our flurry of activity as I walk into the sanctu- sins, but we actually have the ability to ary before the Kol Nidrei prayers, some “go back in time”—not only to neutralize devoted volunteers finishing off the last- our past mistakes, but to transform them minute preparations, setting up the extra Time Travel into positive deeds! chairs for the anticipated overflow crowd, The secret behind this nature-defying the scores of men and women who invari- stunt is the Jewish soul which we all pos- ably wander in for their requisite once-a- BY RABBI NAFTALI the moment you perpetrate any act, it is sess. The soul—which is especially year synagogue service. SILBERBERG permanently etched in your file. Yes, you revealed on Yom Kippur—is intrinsically In this inviting congregation, these can ask forgiveness from an individual a “part of G-d,” and thus shares G-d’s time- people are kindly greeted as they enter, Imagine you could go back in time . . . whom you wronged, and you can certain- less nature. Just as G-d transcends the lim- handed prayer books (and kippahs for the What would you do differently, now that ly improve your behavior henceforward, itations of time, so too does the Jew— men) and shown to an unreserved seat. you have the benefit of 20/20 hindsight causing others to forgive and forget your who through proper repentance is fully But despite the warm atmosphere, their and the added maturity and wisdom self-consciousness is plainly evident, as which comes with age and experience? they constantly cast not-so-furtive glances There are so many things you would at the experienced congregants to make change that you probably wouldn’t even sure that they are doing the right thing. know where to begin. Would you start This Yom Kippur I will be looking I’ve often wondered, who are these with your teenage years, when you dread- people? And what motivates them to fully mistreated your parents, completely around, trying to gain inspiration come to the synagogue on Yom Kippur? If unappreciative of all they had done for they believe in G-d and seek atonement, if you? Would you want to redo a job inter- their Judaism is meaningful to them, view which you botched? Do you desper- from the once-a-yearers. where are they the rest of the year? ately wish you could have been kinder to Of late, however, it has occurred to me your spouse, or perhaps would you want that the question should in fact be to have said “I love you” more often to a reversed. It’s clear that these people come person who is no longer with us? prior lapses in judgment. But those awk- in tune with his soul—have the ability to to the synagogue on Yom Kippur for the Unfortunately, life isn’t so kind. The ward painful moments will forever be go beyond the limitations of the physical proper reasons. But what about me? Do I tape of life annoyingly continues to roll, part of your life story . . . body and can actually “repair” an event have the proper intentions and the no matter how awful the recording may All this is true with regard to our per- which happened long ago. appropriate Yom Kippur frame of mind? be, and there is no rewind button which sonal matters, business issues, and our This Yom Kippur, be a part of a very Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is allows you to erase and rerecord the parts interactions with others. It does not, how- special experience. After all, if someone the day when G-d forgave us for a monu- which today you are so ashamed of. The ever, apply to our relationship with G-d. offered you a ride on a time machine, moment a statement leaves your mouth, The Talmud teaches that “repentance wouldn’t you jump at the opportunity? Continued on Page 43

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 41 Forgive Us: A Yom Kippur Message For Jonathan Pollard

BY SARAH GARGI How disgraced and ashamed are we! How can our Father in Heaven Forgive us, dear brother ever forgive us Who sits in solitude in a dark pit Even if we are forgiven by our brother Wounded and mournful Jonathan?! O We beseech you, forgive! Although reward you never did expect Neither of such soul-searing afflictions Did you ever dream! How can our Father in

Forgive us, dear brother. Heaven ever forgive us That in place of gratitude and celebration in your honor even if we are forgiven With words of Torah by public officials, by our brother the keepers of the nation, Here in The Land, the dwelling place of Jonathan?! your heart and soul, You were abjectly abandoned to sighs, And slave labor, tumultuous din, and endless affliction Without respite—no Sabbath Remember Jonathan Pollard on Yom Kippur by increasing your prayers for the speedy release and peace nor rest, return to full health of Yehonatan ben Malka. In the company of crooks and Write to Jonathan Pollard #09185-016, c/o FCI Butner, P.O. Box 1000, Butner, NC, 27509-1000. soul-destroyers Participate or contribute to activities of the There in the land of freedom Committee to Bring Jonathan Pollard Home. For and justice for all. more information visit the Hebrew website www.freepollard.net.

While your sorely afflicted body Translator’s note: The original poem is written in a ever weakens sophisticated Hebrew which includes allusions and strong references to biblical passages and The fire of your love for your Nation and quotes which simply do not lend themselves to Your longings for Zion, your Land, accurate translation in English. This translation is the literal meaning of the poem. The poem is Grow mightier until they take over dedicated to Jonathan Pollard and is selected from Your entire essence, your very being. Sarah Gargi’s book LaShira Nolda (Saar, 2006).

42 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Yom Kippur Jew when to stand, when to cry and when to Continued from Page 41 clap with joy. But when it comes to approaching G-d in a Yom Kippur frame mental perfidy. A few weeks after we lov- of mind, I have much to learn from them. ingly accepted the Torah and pledged to (Chabad.org) O G-d our eternal allegiance, we made an about-face and created and worshipped a Rabbi Naftali Silberberg, a native of Detroit, Golden Calf. Absolutely flabbergasting. resides in Brooklyn with his wife Chaya Mushka and their three children. Was there any reason for G-d to forgive Find more Torah articles for the whole family at this heinous betrayal? www.chabad.org/parshah. He did. On Yom Kippur. Because our relationship isn’t grounded in logic, or even rational emotion. Our relationship MOTHER’S MUSINGS is intrinsic, both to us and to G-d. We can Continued from Page 40 be angry at and disenchanted with each other, we can try to walk away from and the Sunny Atlantic family, the Lubins pretend that the other doesn’t exist any- have had the opportunity to spend the more. All to no avail. final days of the summer season lounging That’s why He forgave us on that first on the shore. Sunday brought Lenny, Yom Kippur, and why He continues to Rivka, Rochel, Yussie, Lea, and I to soak in forgive us every year thereafter. some summer sun. Twice a day there is The Jew who visits the synagogue an adult swim scheduled for the exclu- annually on Yom Kippur is a testament to sive use of the “more mature crowd.” As this idea. His entire year may be spent try- many people enjoy aqua exercise with an ing to ignore the relationship. But on expert instructor, those like me have an Yom Kippur, when our indestructible opportunity to do our laps without too relationship with G-d is bared, he’s back much interference from the younger in G-d’s home. His prayers are pure and kids. Sunday afternoon, while I enjoyed true, emanating from the core of his soul. my uninterrupted laps, Lenny and Rivka He has no grandiose pretenses of piety kept an eye on Yussie in the separate and spirituality. He’s merely a child kiddy pool, while Rochel was busy bury- returning to the place he belongs—his ing Lea in the sand. The kiddy pool at Father’s bosom. Sunny Atlantic is shallow enough for the He represents what Yom Kippur is all security of the non-swimmers, and yet about. I’m envious. the water is deep enough for the young Now, I’m not advocating limiting syna- ones to swim in safety. O gogue attendance to once a year. But this Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld & Yom Kippur I will be looking around, try- Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst ing to gain inspiration from the once-a- with her husband Leonard and six children: Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea. yearers. I may know the tunes that they She welcomes your questions and comments at don’t; I actually know when to sit and [email protected]

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 43 thing like 270,000 signatures in a few and supporters of the petition took weeks. Signers were quoted bemoaning umbrage to being held “hostage” to the the effects of the early sunset. One father religious and having religion be the cause said that he cannot play with his chil- of our national waste of energy for the dren, since it gets dark earlier. Another next month to eight weeks. person said that it causes more traffic Unfortunately for them, the major accidents, because there are more acci- thrust of their argument does not hold dents at night. The major focus though, water. Most of the media outlets were was on energy. honest in reporting that the data does The Religious Clock In a country where conservation and not demonstrate daylight savings time energy costs are of major concern, the leading to any significant savings in rallying cry was an emotional pull to energy and/or energy costs. If so, the Well, at least the three day yom tov is hour later. This year being a leap year, we save energy. It turns out that Israel has issue is more an emotional one than behind us and we can look forward to will have three and a half weeks of day- one of the shortest periods of daylight anything else. single day chaggim again. Keeping one light savings time before Pesach. savings time in the modern world. And Interestingly, most religious politi- day of yom tov is a major benefit of being The structure of daylight savings time the culprits, the people who have man- cians demonstrated pretty early on that here. Yes, we do have to deal with the has been the cause of a major debate here dated this terrible status? Why, the reli- this is not such a big issue for us. After all, expense of entertaining the kids for an in Israel the past couple of weeks. About gious, of course. is there really anyone who is going to extra day of chol ha’moed, but I think the three weeks ago, an online petition was After all, it is the religious who want to skip the fast because it ends an hour trade-off is worth it. In any case, the one later? It will start an hour later too and time we lose our major benefit is on Rosh will still only last 25 hours, so what is the Hashanah and everyone always grumbles big deal? The “spin” put on this issue about it. from the religious perspective is that this Looking forward in the calendar, we After all, is there really anyone has less to do with reality and more to do will have the same configuration of with trying to create an issue to divide yomim tovim for something like four of the religious and non-religious public. the next five years and seven out of ten. who is going to skip the fast I should add that some of the ultra-reli- So now is the time to make the move gious politicians seem a lot more emo- here; Rosh Hashanah will still be three because it ends an hour later? tionally tied to the issue than the reli- days, but Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret will gious Zionist or modern Orthodox. One become one day, with a day of chol ha’- even went so far as to suggest that we moed coming before Shabbat. move the clock on the scheduled date Another “benefit” of living here is the and then switch it back the following configuration of daylight savings time. created, encouraging people, businesses, “shorten” the time to the end of the fast, week for a few more weeks. I had to Although it really is a mixed blessing. and organizations to ignore the sched- ending it an hour earlier than if daylight laugh. If they did that, I would simply Daylight savings time ends on the uled change of the clock. The petition savings time were in effect. This is true, to ignore the government’s schedule and Saturday night before Yom Kippur here, stated that ending daylight savings time some extent. Keeping the time change keep my clock on daylight savings time, effectively making the fast end an hour is dangerous, is contrary to positive fami- before Yom Kippur is supported by most even in that week. As, I think, would most earlier in the day. Conversely, it usually ly life, and wastes energy. religious people because of the psycho- of the people here. begins a week (sometimes two) before The newspapers ran major stories logical effect ending an hour earlier in I have to admit that I agree with the Pesach, making the start of the seder an about the petition, which garnered some- the day has upon us. As such, the signers petition. Not that we are being held

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44 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES hostage by the religious, but s”xc that I also dislike the early end >> COMING TO ISRAEL? << to daylight savings time. It is incredibly inconvenient. We’ll handle the meals, soup to nuts. Although I do not commute Would you like to help out your married children making to Jerusalem on a daily basis Yom Tov in Eretz Yisrael? Did someone have a baby? anymore, I remember my daily (nightly) train rides to Bet Offering a variety of Heimish home-cooked catered dishes. Shemesh in the dark. It is so Full menu filled with delicious gourmet meals. depressing to sit on the train, or Excellent prices. Delivery available. References available. for that matter, to sit in the Contact Tehila and have a menu emailed or faxed to you. office, when it is dark outside. I would have no problem keeping (845) 364-7164 daylight savings time for a few more weeks, if only to keep it daytime a little later than we have now. So, even though I disagree with the manner in which they presented their proposal (i.e. as a religious versus non-religious issue), I agree with their basic premise. I even think it is worth trading the hour on Yom Kippur for the benefits we will glean from having the extra afternoon daylight hours. (Look in next week’s issue for a Letter to the Editor from my sister, who I am certain disagrees with me.) So, as I wish you a tzom kal and a gmar chatimah tovah with an extra prayer that the fast and tefillot this year be conducted as a unified nation in the rebuilt Beit Hamikdash in Yerusha- layim, it is with an additional (and personal) wish that in the spirit of achdut we can agree to make shalom in Eretz Yisrael and let this not only be the first year of Yom Kippur in the third Beit Hamikdash, but also the final year of early daylight sav- ings time. Gmar tov. O

Shmuel Katz works at Machon Puah, a non-profit fertility organization that provides, worldwide, free halachic and medical counseling, independent supervision of fertility treatments, and educational programming. Shmuel, his wife Goldie, and their six children made aliyah in July of 2006. Prior to his aliyah, Shmuel was the executive director of the Yeshiva of South Shore in Hewlett. You can contact him at [email protected].

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5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 45 Israel Releases Top Hamas Personnel

BY SAMUEL SOKOL to their homes in Hebron. Ramadan current round of direct talks between was unaware of the decision to free ISRAEL CORRESPONDENT was detained in 2005, released in Israel and the PA. the lawmakers. 2008, and then detained again in 2009, According to Hamas, “920 Palestinians Former PA finance minister and Three Hamas-affiliated Palestinian while Salhab served 56 consecutive were kidnapped at the hand of the Hamas MP Omar Abdel Razeq, speak- Legislative Council members were months in prison under administra- Fatah-controlled authority in Ramallah ing to the Five Towns Jewish Times released from Israeli prison during the tive detention, an emergency measure since the start of Ramadan, including from his office in Ramallah, down- past week, according to reports in the that allows Israeli security services to 780 who were abducted following [the] played the significance of the Israeli Palestinian press. On Sunday, Israeli detain suspects without preferring for- Al-Khalil and Ramallah attacks. Most of decision. When asked if Hamas views authorities freed MP Muhammad Jamal mal charges. them are still in custody.” the move as a sign of Israeli weakness, An-Natsheh, upon the completion of an On August 16, an Israeli court decid- Hamas also accused the Palestinian Razeq responded in the negative. eight-year prison sentence. Natsheh was a ed to reduce “the detention terms of Authority of collaborating with Israeli “These are men whose sentences were member of the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam over and they were released,” the MP Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, before explained. “I do not see this as a polit- being tapped to represent the radical ical decision at all. Israel still main- Islamic movement in the PLC. He was tains tight control over the politics elected while in prison. “Israel may be looking to send a and economics of the Palestinian Supporters showed up to greet Authority.” Razeq also confirmed that Natsheh as he was released into the An-Natsheh had served as a member of by Israeli security forces. signal to Hamas that it is willing to the Al-Qassam Brigades. According to Hamas, Palestinian Dr. Mordechai Kedar of the Begin- Authority security forces attempted to continue negotiations over Shalit.” Sadat Center at Bar-Ilan University disrupt what the Islamic movement noted two possibilities that may explain termed a “hero reception.” the timing of the releases. “Israel may be “PA security agencies deployed dozens looking to send a signal to Hamas that it of their agents to the site,” reported is willing to continue negotiations over Hamas’s Qassam.ps website. “[They were] Ramadan and Salhab by eight days,” officers in the questioning and torture of [IDF serviceman Gilad] Shalit,” he said. carrying cameras and mobile phones to according to a report by the Ma’an detainees in Al-Khalil, Nablus, and “Israel may also be trying to buy photograph Islamic activists who arrived news agency. Ramallah jails. Hamas’s silence during the summit in at the crossing point to congratulate the Security forces controlled by When asked why Israel chose to Sharm El-Sheikh. It could be a signal Islamist leader on his ‘appointment with President Mahmoud Abbas have arrest- release the three Hamas MPs, Prime from Israel that if Hamas refrains from freedom.’” ed several hundred members of Hamas Minister’s Office spokesman Mark carrying out more attacks it may consid- Israel also freed two other legisla- in the West Bank over the past several Regev stated that the decision “was not er more releases. But this is just a possi- tors from Hamas’s Change and Reform weeks in response to two drive-by political but legal” and came under the bility, a speculation; I cannot speak for List last week. MPs Azzam Salhab and shootings carried out by the Islamist jurisdiction of the court system. the government.” Nizar Abdel Hamid Ramadan were organization. The attacks were presum- However, a spokesperson for the released on Wednesday and returned ably undertaken in order to derail the courts administration said that she Continued on Page 48

46 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES were not permitted to take part in the on the international community and After Ten Years, Roof Of honors of actually repairing the site, I am human rights activists on this issue expos- glad to see the fruit of our efforts to reno- es their hypocrisy; religious rights of other vate the holy site. We will continue to people are not ignored in such a way. O push forward the agenda of open and free Joseph’s Tomb Repaired David Ha’ivri is the director of the Shomron access to Jewish people. Silence on behalf Liaison Office.

Regional Municipality, has petitioned the Israeli government and military com- mand to open access for Jews to the site and to allow repairs to be conducted. Over the past two and half years, the IDF has permitted entrance for Jews nearly once a month for a midnight prayer. Last month the chief rabbis of Israel visited Joseph’s tomb and received notice that the civil administration would con- Hebrew Still Counts Toward our understanding that yeshivos need not duct the repairs to the building’s roof. Regents Diploma change their curricula to offer instruction Local Jewish leadership expressed their Dear Editor, in other foreign languages. The State BY DAVID HA’IVRI concern that the repairs would be done Re: “Grim Outlook for Yeshiva Education Department advises that by Arab work teams, and that would be Diplomas” (www.5tjt.com/local- schools should continue to offer Hebrew Exactly ten years after the holy site seen as a reward to those who were news/8029-grim-outlook-for-yeshiva-diplo- as a “Language Other than English” was overrun, the historical burial site of responsible for the original vandalism. mas): Your reporter writes that with the (LOTE) and administer a locally devel- Joseph is getting a new roof. Over the past few weeks a new fence elimination of the Regents examination oped examination, which can be used to In September 2000, Arab mobs over- has been constructed around the com- in Hebrew, yeshiva students will not be award a Regents diploma or a Regents took the historical Jewish holy site and pound and a new roof has been built to able to receive a Regents Diploma with Diploma with Advanced Designation. proceeded to burn the yeshiva that had replace the one that was destroyed. Advanced Designation unless their yeshiv- The New York State Education operated there for 25 years. They also The city of Shechem (Nablus) is still os begin offering Spanish for three years. I Department will be amending Part 100 of smashed open the ancient domed roof of closed to Jews except for on unique do not believe that contention is correct. the Commissioner’s Regulations to incor- the burial place. occasions. In my capacity as Director of porate some of the changes in the testing Israeli soldier Medhat Yosuf (of the On Thursday night, September 16, a Education Affairs for Agudath Israel of program brought about by budget cuts. Druze community) and Rabbi Hillel rally and concert was scheduled to be America, I learned about the proposed Agudath Israel will be monitoring this Lieberman were killed in their efforts to held on Mount Gerizim overlooking cuts to the testing program, including the process closely and will provide input protect the site. Shechem and Joseph’s tomb. The theme proposed elimination of the Hebrew where necessary to ensure that students Over the past ten years, Jewish wor- of the rally, marking ten years since the Regents examination, in June. Since that in our yeshivos are given every opportuni- shipers have not been allowed free access destruction of the holy site and yeshiva, time, the issue has been the subject of ty to meet the necessary course require- to pray and maintain the site, contrary to will be a public demand to restore Jewish numerous discussions and e-mails ments and be awarded the highest-level the Oslo agreement that provides access access to the holy site. This will be the between our office and the Office of State diploma they are eligible to receive. to all holy places. first event of an ongoing campaign for Assessment at the New York State Deborah Zachai Since coming into office in Nov. 2007, Jewish rights in Shechem. Education Department. Based on those Director of Education Affairs, Gershon Mesika, director of the Shomron Although I am sad that our residents discussions and e-mail exchanges, it is Agudath Israel of America

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 47 Hamas Personnel Continued from Page 46 Rejection Of Direct Negotiations Despite chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat telling Army Radio last week that Hamas may accept a peace agreement with Israel if it resolves all of the “core issues,” including borders, the right of return, and the status of Jerusalem, Hamas has been adamant in rejecting the negotiations, calling them “useless.” Abu Obaida, a spokesman for the Al Qassam Brigades, told reporters in Gaza earlier this month, “We reject completely the slipping again from the Ramallah Authority to the use- less round of negotiations, which make a cover for the Zionist aggression against our people” and he promised that “resistance,” a euphemism for terrorism, would continue. “We will not allow these negotia- tions to pass over, and resist- ance will have its loud voice as an answer to the land-selling negotiation,” he stated. According to Al-Jazeera, 13 dif- ferent Palestinian militias, including Islamic Jihad and Hamas, have decided to collabo- rate in launching what they call “more effective attacks” against Israel. In a letter circulated to members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, senior commander Ahmed Al Ja’abari stated that the “only language that [the] enemy understands is power.” “The power of faith and doc- trine . . . weapons, missiles, tun- nels and martyrs . . . God has blessed us with victory in part of our land Palestine,” he wrote, referring to the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, seen by many Palestinians as a victory for violence over diplomacy. Fugitive Hamas MP Ahmad Atoun, speaking to the Five Towns Jewish Times in June, stated that negotiations are only possible following a full Israeli withdrawal from the lands captured in 1967. Adamant that Hamas will never recognize Israeli legiti- macy or a Jewish state, Atoun elaborated that any negotia- tions between the two sides following a full Israeli with- drawal would lead at most to an extended hudna, or cease- fire, that could last as long as 30 years. The Palestinian Authority has also rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demand for recogni- tion of Israel as a Jewish state. O

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48 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Just A Question Of Timing?

B Y ITAMAR MARCUS AND NAN JACQUES ZILBERDIK

When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas recently spoke in Washington and publicly con- demned the killings of four Israelis by Hamas terrorists near Hebron, it gener- ated a feeling of cautious optimism: “What happened yesterday and what is happening today is also condemned. We do not want at all that any blood be shed, one drop of blood, on the part of the—from the Israelis or the Palestinians,” Abbas said.

“Its timing harms the efforts being made by the PLO to gather international support for the Palestinian position.”

After years during which glorifying terror and honoring terrorists has been a backbone of PA culture, was this statement heralding real change? Unfortunately, an examination of the internal PA responses to the attack, when not under the watchful eyes of Barack Obama, Binyamin Netanyahu, and the world media, quickly erased hope that the PA had distanced itself from terror. A comparison by Palestinian Media Watch (www.palwatch.org) of the PA response to the murders of four Israeli civilians to their reaction to the deaths during the flotilla confrontation empha- sizes that the PA’s response to Hamas’s attack was not a condemnation of terror or violence at all. The central and recurring theme of PA leaders and PA-controlled media in response to Hamas’s attack was criti- cism of the timing of the attack because of the damage done to the Palestinian cause, and not criticism of the killings themselves. The PA’s central and recur- ring theme in response to the deaths on the flotilla was strong condemnation of what the PA repeatedly defined as “a massacre” and “a crime.” The day after the Hamas killings, offi- cial PA media reported that “Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad said that the operation which took place tonight in

Continued on Page 50 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 49 Timing Continued from Page 49 the Hebron area and its timing, harms the efforts being made by the PLO to gather international support for the Palestinian position . . . He said: ‘We condemn this operation, which contra- dicts the Palestinian interests and the efforts of the Palestinian leadership to gather international support . . .’” (PLO news agency Wafa, Aug. 31, 2010) Abbas, when he returned to Ramallah, like Fayyad, lashed out at his political rival, Hamas, for the timing of the shootings: “He [Abbas] said that the recent shooting operations in the West Bank did not constitute resistance: ‘For why isn’t [Hamas] resistance happening every day, and isn’t happening at all, except on the day we went to negotia- tions?! . . .’ Why did resistance become legitimate only today?” (Al- Ayyam, Sept. 6, 2010) The PA Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash, in his Friday ser- mon after the killings, continued this PA line as he condemned the timing, even accusing Hamas of trying to help Netanyahu: “What is the secret of the timing for carrying out armed opera- tions in the West Bank? We want to know the secret of the timing . . . Suddenly, the moment that President Abbas reaches Washington, the moment that Netanyahu finds himself in the cor- ner, pressed, forced to adapt and accom- modate himself to the international approach, suddenly there is a respite for Netanyahu, and the Palestinians are in distress [because of the attacks] . . .” (PA TV (Fatah) Sept. 3, 2010) So the PA objected to the timing of the killings. Actually, were the PA sin- cere in its intention to condemn the killings, the attack in Hebron was a great opportunity for them to send a clear message to their people that vio- lence is wrong and immoral. If it was violence that they wanted to condemn, timing could not have been better. Yet, none of the PA leaders seized this opportunity to condemn violence because it is wrong. When the Palestinian Authority wants to send a clear message and seri- ously condemn what it perceives as ter- ror, it knows how to do it. After the flotilla confrontation in May, the PA- controlled daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, in a series of articles, called Israel “pirates, murderers, barbarians, transgressors of international law, lacking any connec- tion with humanity,” (June 3) and referred to Israeli conduct as “more than piracy and more serious than a massacre in its ugliness and its inhu- manity. It is worse than a crime . . . a gang dressed up as a state.” (June 5) They called to “protect humanity from Israeli fascism . . . Another barbaric Israeli massacre, bringing shame upon humanity and the civilized world . .. Israeli savagery . . . a massacre against humanity.” (June 1) Tayseer Tamimi, then PA Chief Justice of Religious Court “denounced the shameful crime.” (Al- Hayat Al-Jadida, June 5, 2010) Abbas himself demonstrated that when motivated, he too knows how to send a clear message of condemnation. “Israel has carried out a great crime,” (Al- Ayyam, June 17, 2010) he said, referring to “the killing of innocent people,” (Al- 50 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Hayat Al-Jadida, June 27, 2010) not as a shift in PA tactics but as armed struggle does not mean it is a reiteration of terror. The at the proper time.” (PA TV terming it “premeditated and part of the long-term ongoing its absolute rejection . . . espe- message Palestinians take (Fatah) July 22, 2009) with determination to kill,” (PA Palestinian policy. Senior mem- cially since the armed struggle from their leaders following If the PA wants to be a TV, May 31, 2010) and that ber of the Palestinian negotiat- at the present time is not possi- this murder of four civilians is peace partner, it must sincere- Palestinians were “subjected to ing team Nabil Sha’ath, after the ble, or is not effective.” (May 20, that terror remains a valid ly renounce and condemn ter- state terrorism..” (Al- Hayat Al- Palestinian Authority called for 2010) “It is our right to return to political tool—when the tim- ror, and the PA must stop hon- Jadida, June 3, 2010) the cessation of violence a few the armed conflict whenever ing is right and when there is oring terrorist murderers and When the PA wanted to con- months ago, explained repeat- we view that as our people’s political gain. As senior PA turning them into Palestinian demn Israel’s conduct in the edly that the “armed conflict” interest.” (June 7, all in Al-Hayat leader Muhammad Dahlan heroes. This must be done not flotilla confrontations, the had to be temporarily put on Al-Jadida) explained: “This [the violent in Washington but in the PA recurring themes were “a new hold “because of the inability The worst problem about resistance] is our right, a legal areas and in Arabic. If the PA crime,” “a great crime,” “a long to engage in the armed struggle, the PA’s criticism of the timing right. The international com- continues to glorify terror list of crimes,” “enemy crimes,” which has become undesirable of the Hamas attack is that far munity affirms it for us. But it and condemn only its poor as well as “massacre,” “bloody now, although it is the right of from being the condemnation is the responsibility of the timing, then Israel still does massacre” and “massacre against the Palestinian people . . . The of terror that the world leadership to use it when it not have a peace partner. humanity.” current distancing from the cheered, it is just the opposite: wants, in the proper place and (Jerusalem Post) O On the other hand, never once was the murder of four Israeli civilians called a “crime” and certainly not “a massacre.” No PA leader condemned these killings saying simply that killing is wrong. In fact, even Abbas in Washington in his con- demnation spoke not about a crime, a killing, or a shooting but chose to condemn “what happened yesterday.” Confirming the perception that the PA has not ceased its terror glorification, the PA Minster of Prisoners visited the homes of prisoners serving life sentences for murder right after the Hamas killings. The celebrations over Abbas’s “condemnation” of terror and the killing of Israeli civilians were clearly premature. This PA focus on the timing of terror must be understood

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 51 own innermost demons: namely, the per- ils of falling into despair, apathy, sadness, The Fire Of Rebbe Nachman and a lack of confidence and faith in Hashem and in ourselves. BY RABBI JAY YAACOV Kramer took on the task of disseminat- hope for overcoming a wide range of Using his “broad shoulders,” he bold- SCHWARTZ ing the Rebbe’s profound teachings, sto- human problems. ly guaranteed that for any Jew willing to ries, and history, Breslov chassidus has His teachings—recorded in his classic travel to his graveside in Uman, It was shortly before his untimely pass- emerged as one of our era’s most popu- work Likutei Maharan, Sefer haMidos, Ukraine, and recite the Tikkun Klali ing in his 39th year that Rebbe Nachman lar and relevant fountainheads of and other works by his closest student, (Psalms 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, of Breslov (1772–1810), a great-grandson of Jewish spiritual study, pilgrimage, and Rabbi Nosson of Nemirov (Likutei and 150) as a spiritual remedy for the the Baal Shem Tov, assured his students deepest “soul blemishes” caused by seri- that the inspirational fire and passion of ous breaches of conduct, he will go to his teachings (“mien firerl”) would burn the “ends of the earth” to rescue that brightly in Jewish hearts and minds until person’s soul from Gehinnom. the arrival of Mashiach. Two hundred He will go to the “ends of the No other Jewish spiritual giant has years later, his flame burns brighter than ever made such a promise. ever before. The Rebbe also taught that regarding The Rebbe’s prediction might have earth” to rescue that person’s soul Rosh Hashanah he “was given the gift” of been met with surprise or even healthy elevating us in teshuvah in a greater skepticism as recently as 40 years ago, from Gehinnom. manner than at any other time of year. when Breslov chassidus remained an In 1810—the one and only time he cele- intriguing but somewhat marginal or brated Rosh Hashanah in Uman—he controversial group at best. But since remarked how he was interested in each the 1970s, when travel to the former and every one of his students joining Soviet Union became more frequent, even academic research. Halachos), and by subsequent writers— him for Rosh Hashanah prayer. He and Jewish American writers such as Perhaps the profusion of interest in directly encourage using the inspirational passed away there on the 18th of Tishrei Rav Aryeh Kaplan, z’l, Professor Elie the Rebbe’s words and advice can best connection to our greatest tzadikim as a and was buried in the Jewish cemetery, a Wiesel, Arthur Green, and Rabbi Chaim be attributed to his ability to provide way of battling and overcoming one’s site where thousands of kedoshim were martyred at the hands of Haidemack Ukrainians years earlier. Since that time, traveling to the Rebbe’s tzion (burial spot) for Rosh Hashanah has become the cornerstone event in the life of a Breslover chassid. In 1989, with the imminent collapse of the Soviet Union, some 300 people from Israel and America gathered in Uman for Rosh Hashanah for the first time as a large group since the 1930s. Each year, more people have joined this burgeoning gathering, rumored to be as large as 50,000 this year, which marked the 200th anniversary of Rebbe Nachman’s passing. The visitors, mostly from Israel, the U.S., and Canada, are of diverse backgrounds. Unlike the ’70s and ’80s, today’s Uman boasts a host of renovated apartments, villas, mini-hotels, a large shuk, a mini- market, Skype phone centers, restaurants, merchandise kiosks, and easily accessible taxis. The main synagogue (called “the kloiz”) has been operational for well over a decade and is situated about a one- minute walk from the tzion. The kloiz holds two synagogues. Upstairs, the main minyan room ( Sephard), including a new gallery, holds about 5,000 people, stand- ing room only. A smaller Sephardic (Edut Mizrach) minyan with several thousand more convenes one floor below. Hundreds of other open-air prayer gath- erings are held in the tzion itself and in the streets and courtyards. Other shuls abound in tents and houses ranging from Temani to yeshivish Orthodox, French-speaking Canadians, and even a ! Peyos blend easily with kippot seru- got. Yerushalmi white silk kittels and frilly Americans ones commingle with sweatshirts and flip-flops. One thing is for certain—none of it is viewed as “shaatnez.” The ease of the blending of these diverse souls is truly Uman’s greatest miracle. Since it is the custom of chassidim to go to daily and for all men to go before Rosh Hashanah, a huge mikveh complex was built in the basement of the kloiz and one just outside it. That mikveh is supplemented by other large ones and dozens of “private” ones. Elaborate food 52 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES tents providing free (and excellent!) or strength of real Sephardic charisma ahead for ourselves, our families, and Klal pride to Hashem (see L.M. II, No. 40). prepaid fare to thousands at each meal- with a great talent for public speaking, Yisrael. All the teachers I heard there This type of proper behavior thereby time have developed using American humor, and leadership. A request for a emphasized ahavas Yisrael above all, and “causes” Hashem to desire to visibly funding and technical expertise and berachah from him will be met by a cajoled us not to hurt or offend any Jew identify with us (i.e., adorn himself Israeli savvy and large-scale community- sound slap across the face, a pinch, and in our quest to reach the tzion or receive with pride in His people) and protect service experience. a loving bit of mussar, always precisely blessing or instruction. His land and nation. But more important than the technical tailored to the individual. Rabbi Arush A moving scene was the large sign by Rabbi Arush’s new book on hakaras advances and creature comforts, Uman and his English-speaking protégé, Rabbi the tzion collecting money for a Torah to ha’tov which appeared for this Rosh 5771 is a vast spiritual retreat center with Lazer Brody, have emerged as two of merit Gilad Shalit’s redemption from cap- Hashanah exhorts us to thank Hashem a huge array of expert teachers, advisors, Breslov’s greatest stars and most effec- tivity. A public b’ris milah on Shabbos for all our difficulties and challenges, inspirational speakers, and venues for tive exponents. Shuvah at the tzion was marked with especially the ones that must be over- superlative prayer, friendship, and chesed. Rabbi I.M. Morgenstern’s famous per- spontaneous public cries for Jews in need come to reach a destination like Uman. A wide array of classes, song meetings, sonal minyan extends till 6 or 7 p.m. of refuos and yeshuos. All those that made it there for Rosh one-on-one blessing sessions, pidyoinim, each day of Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi For me, Rebbe Nachman’s words this Hashanah 5771 did so only with the meals, kumzitses, and halachic help lines great sacrifice and support of their are going on around the clock all through loved ones. It is to them that unending the holiday week. thanks must be expressed for the Whatever your soul is hungry for is chance to simulate a taste of Jerusalem there for the taking. The Tashlich gather- Whatever your soul is hungry for is to come—to feel the fire of spiritual ing, by a manmade lake down the hill warmth and light, a lamp burning ever from the kloiz, is one of the most amazing there for the taking. brighter after 200 years that gives us public events. That and the public recital faith and strength to persevere and of the Tikkun Klali include tens of thou- flourish as ovdei Hashem until the light sands of participants culminating in of Mashiach finally arrives. O spontaneous song and dance. Many colorful personalities abound. Ephraim Kenig and Rabbi Beinstock are year were a constant call to truth, hon- Rabbi Jay Yaacov Schwartz, LMSW, a teacher and The “roentgen” (X-ray) rabbi, known to the baalei tefillah for in the esty with oneself, humility, and profound rav, is the founder and director of the Kanfey Shemesh Foundation and the Jewish Family read your soul like a radiologist reading a kloiz. Many major philanthropists are teshuvah and personal prayer in one’s Wellness Center of Cedarhurst. Rabbi Schwartz is scan, and the angelic Rabbi Eliezer lauded there, from Mr. Mishkowitz, own words to Hashem. The Rebbe’s also the hospital rabbi and consultant to the Berland are mobbed for berachos and president of the Congress of Euro-Asian words and teachings are described as a Department of Medical Affairs for the South Nassau Communities Hospital. For information need security to keep crowds from surg- Jews, to Lazer Shiner and friends, who flowing brook, a river that has the power and appointments as well as speaking ing over them when they venture out- provide myriads of free meals to all in to “cleanse all stains” of the soul. engagements, Rabbi Schwartz can be reached at 516-225-0086 or through doors. Rav Elazar Kenig of Tsfat, whose need. Others include entertainers such Other major lessons I heard over www.KanfeyShemesh.org. majestic and calming presence is the ver- as MBD and the Piamentas to scholars yom tov emphasized faith, emunah, as Kanfey Shemesh is devoted to providing strengthening of faith and healing for Jewish itable picture of a loving tzaddik, is a pop- like Professor Zvi Mark of Bar Ilan, who the foundation for all medical cures individuals and families. The Jewish Family ular address for pidyoinim and advice and published Rebbe Nachman’s secret (see Likutei Maharan I, No. 5). Another Wellness Center provides professional counseling a leadership figure for the entire massive scroll on Mashiach. lesson centered on the key to the pro- services that combine clinical expertise with Jewish spiritual values. Its services include gathering (called the kibbutz). The Rosh Hashanah experience in tection of Eretz Yisrael by Hashem as marital and premarital therapy; counseling for Rabbi Shalom Arush is the author of Uman is about banding together in predicated on our strong connection to issues relating to anxiety, religion, and bereavement and recovery; personal (executive) the popular Garden of Emunah series. prayer for the common good to secure tzadikim that will draw us toward coaching and career-path counseling; and He combines the sweetness and the best possible outcome for the year proper conduct that brings joy and seminars, workshops, and public education.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 53 through the same thing together a com- mon bond is formed. Boot camp is no dif- Building Firm ferent; you will form friendships within your group. This helps you stick with your workout program, and provides you Begins Work with instant “accountability” partners. Everyone works to keep you on target and feeling good about yourself. On Frozen Units Dear Sensei Warren, muscles faster, develop better endurance, Cheaper than a personal trainer. Get all Q. Why is your Fitness Boot Camp the and accelerate your fitness goals. the benefits of a personal trainer, with less best in the Five Towns area? than half the cost. Fitness Boot Camp is BY TZVI BEN GEDALYAHU A. That’s an easy one, for so many rea- much more cost-effective than hiring a per- sons! sonal trainer. Because the boot camp is con- Quick results. We conduct a unique ducted in a small group of people per class A building firm announced on Tuesday program that helps you burn up to 1,000 Fitness Boot Camp period, we can extend to the participants that it is creating facts on the ground and calories in just one 60-minute class. We much cheaper prices . . . but still provide you is unilaterally ending the 10-month build- use many different physical activities is much more with all the benefits of a personal trainer. ing freeze by beginning work on 2,400 such as band training, ball exercises, Fitness Kickboxing and Boot Camp is a units in Judea and Samaria, including 380 dumbbells, calisthenics, plyometrics, cost-effective wonderful workout program, regardless in Modi’in Illit. The community is located kickboxing routines, and resistance train- of your level of fitness. Anyone can do next to the old 1949-67 border and next to ing. This combination of exercises will than hiring a this class and you do not need any previ- the city of Modi’in, between Tel Aviv and boost results much quicker than typical ous martial arts training to participate Jerusalem. exercises and workout classes. personal trainer. and have fun working out! O Helps you push yourself harder. Most peo- Shihan Warren Levi holds a 6th degree black belt ple rarely push themselves as hard as an in shotokan karate. He has a bachelor’s degree in exercise professional will. We will push you physical education/exercise physiology. He has won numerous world titles. Shihan Warren can The Naot Pisgah to work harder than you normally would Support group. Much like any program be contacted at [email protected] or on your own. This helps you build stronger or association, when people are all going 516-569-0808. company said tractors started work Tuesday afternoon in Modi’in Illit and began clearing land for new housing units.

The move may cause an uproar in the Palestinian Authority, which is demand- ing that Israel extend the freeze. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas met Tuesday with Prime Minister Binyamin Netan- yahu and American officials in Sharm el- Sheikh to discuss how to advance the “diplomatic process” in the face of the expiration of the freeze in 13 days, on September 26. U.S. President Barack Obama is pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu to extend it, at least partially. The Naot Pisgah company said tractors started work Tuesday afternoon in Modi’in Illit and began clearing land for new housing units, where construction was frozen nearly 10 months ago when Prime Minister Netanyahu announced a moratorium on new homes for Jews in Judea and Samaria. “There is no room to sit back with our arms folded and expect partial or other decisions for the resumption of construc- tion” in Judea and Samaria, the company said in an announcement. The firm said the freeze has caused it enormous losses of more than NIS 180 million ($48 million). “Continuing the freeze for a full year would harm dozens of families who have bought apartments and cannot enter them,” Naot Pisgah explained. Naot Pisgah added that the government has rejected its claim for compensation and that it will appeal the decision. (Arutz Sheva) O 54 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

activities in the spacious lobby, enjoy into the lives of the people we serve.” O delicious meals prepared with the finest, freshest local ingredients, sleep in lovely, Aleh Foundation USA Hosts Event immaculately maintained rooms, daven At The Blue Moon Hotel and learn in a beautiful beis medrash, The Aleh Foundation USA hosted its spend Shabbos and yom tov with people annual raffle on September 8 at the mag- who share their interests and back- nificent Blue Moon Hotel in New York ground, and in general keep their spirits City. The Blue Moon is an award-winning Croton Softball League ing roof, carry home heavy bags of gro- and energy level high. “Our goal is to boutique hotel lovingly converted from a Weekly Scores ceries, or worry about cooking. But they make our guests feel truly at home,” says historic Lower East Side 19th-century ten- September 14 also understood that the fiercely inde- Mrs. Scharf. “Especially when it comes to ement by architect and owner-operator Smackin Pitches 9, Mad Dawgs 4. David’s pendent and proud members of the previ- Shabbos and yom tov. We make every Randy Settenbrino. Mr. Settenbrino, Aleh Famous Pizza MVP Steve Weinrib. ous generation were not candidates for effort to provide all the touches that add Foundation’s distinguished supporter, Banjo Momasitas 9, 5TLobos 2. David’s what they called an “old age home.” They to the warmth of these special times.” had the honor of drawing the winning Famous Pizza MVP Kevin Rohde needed a place to live where they could As an example, Mrs. Scharf cites the ticket for a pair of round-trip tickets to Protege, Justice League: Postponed due to preserve their dignity, and in the case of annual chol ha’moed extravaganza, Israel donated by one of the foundation’s rain. those who were physically capable, main- planned this year for Monday, September most prominent corporate partners, the Weissman Warriors, Sunday Crew: tain their independence. “We were watch- 27, chol ha’moed Sukkos, when Ateret Avot HAS Advantage credit-card company. Postponed due to rain. ing our friends and family members who will host the Amazing Twins from The winner of the tickets was Chaim For more information visit were struggling with finding a place where France—mimes, acrobats, and jugglers and Shlomit Edelstein of Park Avenue in www.CrotonSoftball.com. All games their parents could live safely and com- who will perform in a large outdoor area. New York City, longtime supporters of sponsored by Croton Watches and XL fortably,” recalls Mr. Scharf. “People were Ateret guests and families and the entire the Aleh Foundation USA’s many worthy Energy Drink. O worried about their parents and their par- community are invited, free of charge. causes. Dr. Alisa Kasachkoff, Aleh ents were worried about how they would Showtime is 2:00 p.m. “We know how Foundation’s esteemed board member Yeshiva Zichron Aryeh Dormitory continue to cope at home. There was a real much it adds to everyone’s simchas yom who recently donated the High Held Up At Gunpoint void in the Jewish community.” tov to have a special happening on chol Dependency Wing in Aleh Bnei Brak, By Moshe Berman Today, Ateret Avot is a thriving and ha’moed,” says Mrs. Scharf “and that’s At approximately 1:30 a.m. on bustling place where guests participate in what I think we are all about: putting joy Continued on Page 56 September 15, two dark males knocked on the door to the YZA dormitory at 2415 Mott Avenue claiming that they needed to use the phone. They were having “car trouble,” they said. One of the bachurim answered the door, and the two males forced their way into the house. They ordered everyone upstairs to the bedrooms and frisked everyone at gunpoint. Those who were sleeping were awoken by the crooks and forced to stand with the others while they went through pockets and dresser drawers. Another bachur went unnoticed by the duo because he was in the bath- room at the time. A laptop, a number of cell phones, and miscellaneous electronics were stolen. About $300 cash was also taken. The police were called soon after the burglars drove off in a stolen red Nissan Sentra (plate #EKT3436), which belongs to a bachur from the yeshiva. The eight bachurim who were in the dorm at the time spoke with investigators. Anyone who sees the car is asked to call 911. At the time of this writing, the dorm was closed off as police awaited the evi- dence collection team. Nobody was allowed in. were removed so that they could be used for Shacharis. The vic- tims, who wish to remain anonymous, slept in other houses for the night. O

Ateret Avot’s “Bat ” Celebration On Chol HaMoed, September 27 For 12 years, Ateret Avot in Midwood, Brooklyn has been providing parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and other people you know and care about with a hotel-like environment in the heart of residential Flatbush. Like every good hotel, Ateret Avot provides their guests with fresh linen, room serv- ice, maid service, a concierge, three deli- cious, freshly cooked meals daily, and a full program of recreational activities. But what is really important to members of our community is that Ateret has re-creat- ed the serenity and comfort that one associates with a warm, Jewish home. A dozen years have passed since Moses and Rivkie Scharf realized that as people aged, they would no longer want to or be able to shovel the snow, deal with a leak- 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 55 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS For the past 21 years, the Aleh severely developmentally disabled Plant Nursery donated by the late Dr. Continued from Page 55 Foundation’s highly professional public infants and children. The Aleh system Theresa Cweirzyk and her beloved hus- relations and fundraising activities now encompasses four facilities band Sidney Gordon was completed— notified the Edelsteins, who are currently have taken the Aleh Centers in Israel throughout Israel, including a 25-acre fulfilling Theresa’s lifelong love of hor- in Israel. Among those in attendance for from a small hospice to one of Israel’s rehabilitative village in the Negev. Most ticulture. The greenhouse looks beauti- the drawing were an elite group from foremost providers of care, treatment, recently the construction of the Aleh ful and Aleh will begin working with Australia, , and other countries. and education of the country’s most Negev Greenhouse and Therapeutic the children within a month.

Mr. Randy Settenbrino, Aleh supporter and owner-operator of the Blue Moon Hotel, with Aleh board member Dr. Alisa Kasachkoff. Aleh’s Negev greenhouse.

Buoyed by this great success, the foundation took the unprecedented step of adding several more worthy Israeli causes to Aleh’s “family.” Now, Aleh’s supporters are able to choose exactly whom they want to help from amongst Israel’s neediest. The Aleh Foundation invites you to visit its new, expanded website at www.ale- hfoundationusa.org to learn all about the new projects and how you can help. You can contribute online or call the foundation’s headquarters in New York. Donations can also be mailed to the headquarters at Aleh Foundation USA, 5317 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219. O

Shavei Israel Releases A Special Yom Kippur Machzor For Brazil’s Jews Of The Amazon 3,500 Sephardic Jews living in north- ern Brazil’s Amazon region will celebrate this coming Yom Kippur with their own Machzor, translated for the first time into Portuguese. The Machzor, called “Ner Yom Kippur,” was prepared and edit- ed by Rabbi Moyses Elmescany and Cantor David Salgado, and includes the traditional Hebrew text of the Yom Kippur prayer services, together with a transliteration and translation into Portuguese. This distinctive Machzor is made up of almost 1,000 pages and is the first of its kind to incorporate the unique customs and prayers of the Moroccan Sephardic rite, which was brought to Brazil in the 19th century by Moroccan Jewish immi- grants. For example, it contains a special supplement to the prayer known as the “13 Attributes of Mercy” (part of the Yom Kippur service), written by ancient Sephardic Jews from Morocco. Until now, Brazil’s Jews of the Amazon were inserting the prayers into the Machzor as separate, hand-written pieces of paper. Now, they are already organized in the new Machzor. The initial run of the Machzor is intended primarily for the use of the Jewish communities of Belem and Manaus in Brazil, which are home to some 700 Jewish families. It was pub- lished with the support and assistance of 56 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Shavei Israel, a Jerusalem-based group Free Hertz Car Rental With Hertz in order to enhance the Israel expe- motions were denied. that assists small Jewish communities as Deluxe El Al Vacation At The Inbal rience for our valued guests.” Although the Agudath Israel brief well as “lost Jews” seeking a return to the Jerusalem Hotel For reservations and information about makes clear that the organization takes Jewish people. El Al Vacations has launched an excit- excellent savings on your next trip to Israel, no position on Mr. Neustadter’s malprac- “This Machzor is really the first of its ing New Year’s promotion for stays at the visit www.elalvacation.com. The offer is tice suit itself, it takes strong issue with a kind,” said David Salgado, project director Inbal Jerusalem Hotel from September 5 valid for new reservations only. Each reser- contention made by the defendant in the for Shavei Israel who moved to Israel through the end of 2011 (excluding vation is entitled to one car. The offer is sub- suit that the holiday of Shavuos is strictly from northern Brazil together with his September 22-30, December 24-29, and ject to availability of the car rental at Hertz. observed only by “a subsect of the wife and children. “It will enable other possible blackout dates). Tourists will receive the car rental voucher Orthodox Jewish faith”—an assertion Portuguese-speaking Jews who use Tourists who book a number of nights within 48 hours of payment. O Agudath Israel calls “completely untrue Nusach Sepharadi to better recite and at the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel via El Al and legally irrelevant.” As to what is legal- understand the meaning and significance Vacations are eligible to receive a Mazda 6 Maryland High Court To Hear ly relevant, the Orthodox group’s brief of the Yom Kippur prayers.” car rental via Hertz (rental category “I”). Religious Freedom Case cites U.S. Supreme Court rulings that Salgado noted that the Machzor The free rental is equal to the number of A Silver Spring, Maryland, Orthodox being forced to choose between a reli- reflects the texts and customs used by nights stayed at the hotel. For instance, Jew’s claim that judges in the gious obligation and a court penalty gen- Moroccan Jewish communities, but with stay one week at the hotel and receive a Montgomery County Circuit Court violat- erally constitutes an abrogation of an a special twist. “This nusach is the one free car rental that entire week. The car ed his religious rights by refusing to American’s religious rights. that was brought to Brazil’s Amazon can be picked up at Hertz’s King David recess his medical malpractice suit over Only a “compelling state interest,” the region by the first Moroccan Jewish office, close to the hotel. the Jewish holiday of Shavuos is now brief continues, can legally justify such an immigrants, who arrived there nearly two For tourists who purchase a full pack- before the state’s highest court. abrogation of a fundamental right—and centuries ago,” he said. “And until today, age, which includes booking both the El Alexander Neustadter is charging that the “efficient and orderly administration Brazil’s Jews of the Amazon are still using Al flight and the hotel, the car can be the judges considered the “efficiency of of justice”—which the Maryland Court of the same rite and following the same cus- picked up upon arrival at Ben-Gurion the docket” to trump his need to observe Special Appeals, the intermediate appel- toms as they were practiced in Morocco Airport. Reservations for this promotion the Jewish holiday, whose observance late court, ruled justified the lower court’s in the 19th century.” must be made by November 15 or while includes restrictions that prevented him rejection of Mr. Neustadter’s motions— “We are happy to facilitate the publi- supply lasts. from appearing in court. does not satisfy that requirement. cation of this special machzor for Yom “As part of our new product rollout Agudath Israel of America filed a Although there are in fact scattered Kippur,” said Shavei Israel chairman and called El Al Vacations, we endeavor to “friend of the court” brief in the Maryland legal precedents for considering the effi- founder Michael Freund. “We hope that begin the New Year with a ‘wow’ promo- Court of Appeals in support of Mr. cient administration of justice to trump it will help to preserve the unique tion. In this respect, we could not think Neustadter’s position. The U.S. individual rights, the Agudath Israel brief Jewish practices and rituals of Brazil’s of better vacation partners than the Inbal Constitution’s First Amendment’s protec- cites the particular cases and explains Amazon area, as well as strengthen Jerusalem Hotel and Hertz, two of the tion of citizen’s free exercise of religion, how each of them is qualitatively differ- Portuguese-speaking Jewish communi- most respected names in the tourism the brief claims, well covers cases like the ent from the case before the court. ties worldwide.” business,” said David Assouline, manager one being considered by the Appeals The Agudath Israel brief was authored “As part of our overall mission, Shavei of El Al Vacations. Court. It notes that Mr. Neustadter filed a by the organization’s Washington Office Israel is committed to assisting small Ilan Brenner, executive assistant man- number of motions calling the court’s director and counsel, Rabbi Abba Cohen, Jewish communities, many of which ager of marketing and sales at the Inbal attention to his inability to appear in Steven A. Loewy, a prominent Rockville, often do not receive the resources and Jerusalem Hotel added, “The Inbal and El court during the two days of Shavuos, Maryland attorney, assisted by Agudath support that they require in order to Al have been loyal partners in many pro- and the similar inability of his lawyer, Israel legal intern Miss Jenny Figa. thrive as Jews,” Freund added. For more motions over the years. Thus, we are who would be acting as his agent, to information, visit www.shavei.org. O proud to collaborate with both El Al and attend the trial on those days. The Continued on Page 59

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 57 58 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Of Heroes And Heroines: Continued from Page 57 OneFamily Sandra Samuel, the Indian nanny who “The courts of our country are looked saved two-year-old Moishe Holtzberg dur- up to by the public as the guardians of ing the terrorist attack at the Chabad the laws of our country,” the Agudath House in Mumbai where his parents were Israel submission concludes. “If a court murdered, received her Israeli citizenship can trample on an individual’s ability to recently. She was accompanied by her observe his religion, as was done in this OneFamily caregiver, who played an case, the message to employers, teachers, important role all the way through the and all others in positions of authority ordeal. Interior Minister Eli Yishai person- over others is clear: interests of efficiency ally granted Sandra her honorary Israeli are more important than respecting an citizenship and official residency status in individual’s religious observances.” O Shalhevet welcomes the new high-school class. Israel, allowing her to remain in the coun- try for however long she chooses. Edison Rally To Stop The Hate She now carries an Israeli identity Sponsored By The Metuchen to my family after a long vacation,” and were very excited to begin their new card. “I hope to honor this citizenship,” Edison Clergy Association, Freshman Elana Horowitz (formerly of year—and receive their new laptops! Sandra said at the ceremony. “I love September 27 HAFTR) already feels “at home” here. The “Shalhevet grew and will still have the Israel, and I would give my life and soul Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg, pulpit rabbi talmidot were welcomed by an orienta- same warm school feeling that it had,” for this country.” at Congregation Beth El in Edison, got tion in which Menahelet Esther declared Zahava Schwartz (formerly of Just like in the most terrible of times tired of counting swastikas and hearing Eisenman delivered an uplifting shiur on YCQ). Yocheved Gourarie (formerly of for this family, OneFamily was right there anti-Semitic cat calls when he headed the Yamim Noraim. “The shiur given by Bnos Menachem) articulated the essence with them during this celebration of home from synagogue. And it didn’t help Mrs. Eisenman helped me further con- of Shalhevet wonderfully: “Being in honor. We are taught that a person who when hate crimes were dismissed as centrate on my Rosh Hashanah tefillot” Shalhevet is like being able to redefine saves a life saves an entire world. youthful pranks. Nor does it matter which says Julie Harush (formerly of Prospect yourself and give you more of a sense of Together with the rest of Israel, we stand ethnic or religious group is targeted. “The Park Yeshiva). The Shalhevet family has who you are, of what your purpose is in hate,” says the rabbi, “has got to stop.” grown by 22 new students, all of whom life, both spiritually and physically.” O Continued on Page 60 Working with local clergy, the rabbi, who teaches at Rutgers and Yeshiva University, called the Metuchen Edison Clergy Association, who came together and called for a Stop The Hate Rally for Monday night, September 27, 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 91 Jefferson Boulevard in Edison. The mayor and the chief of police will attend, as will other politicians. “The kids think what they are doing is cool. Unfortunately, they are getting lots of reinforcement from the Internet and current events. Since the community can’t be protected from these obnoxious hate crimes, we, as citizens of Edison, must see how we can change these teen behaviors from the pulpit and in our classrooms. Danger lies ahead if we do nothing.” Pointing to the media, the rabbi notes that baiting Muslims and Latinos, going from verbal violence to physical violence, is escalating as elections heat up. “The behavior of those who feel free to express their xenophobia is an indicator of a fail- ure in our educational system. We are Americans who believe in the Bill of Rights and that all people should be treat- ed with respect and dignity. Our children need to know that and live by that—no matter what race or religion they are.” The rally is expected to raise these issues for discussion, and will be fol- lowed up a week later with a talk at Beth El by Dr. Clemens Heni, a political scien- tist from Innsbruck, Austria, who has written extensively about the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, the far right, and anti- Americanism in Germany. He is currently working on a project about Middle Eastern Islamism after 9/11, financed by the Middle East Forum Educational Fund (MEFEF), Philadelphia. Rabbi Rosenberg can be contacted at [email protected] and at 732-572-2766 or (cell) 908-510-2300. O

Midreshet Shalhevet Welcomes The Class Of 2014 School is back in session, and the stu- dents at Shalhevet are glad for it! As Racheli Pressberg, formerly a student at Shulamith, puts it, “It’s amazing to be back home.” She’s not the only one who feels this way; Bassy Schwartz (formerly of TAG) feels like she is “returning home 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 59 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS Congressional District who voted for me Continued from Page 59 yesterday to be the Republican nominee, and I’m blessed to have the Conservative, in honor of Sandra Samuel and the world Tax Revolt, and Independence lines. With she has saved. these four lines, we can finally retire On November 26, 2008, terrorists Carolyn McCarthy in November.” struck the Chabad house in Mumbai, He continues, “People are out of work India, and killed five people, including and the national debt is increasing at an Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, who alarming rate. With my experience as a ran the house. The Holtzbergs were sur- certified financial planner, I will stop the vived by their two-year-old son Moishie, out-of-control spending and implement who was rescued from the house by his my five-point plan so that we can create nanny, Sandra Samuel. jobs and restore the American dream.” Following the attack, Sandra accompa- Becker’s next opponent is Carolyn nied Moishie back to Israel, where they McCarthy (D-Garden City), who has held have been living with Rivka’s parents in the 4th District seat for 14 years. As a busi- Afula. OneFamily was there with the fam- ness owner, employer, and certified ily at the very beginning, providing finan- financial planner, Becker has the back- cial and emotional support as Moishie ground, experience, and qualifications to began his life in Israel with his grandpar- OneFamily caseworker Batia Weinberg with Sandra Samuel, Moishie Holtzberg, serve the interests of the citizens of the ents, and helping to renovate the house and Moishe’s grandmother Yehudit Rosenberg. 4th District instead of the interests of the to accommodate Sandra and Moishie. Democratic party. OneFamily has provided ongoing emo- Becker is the first elected representative tional support, legal assistance, and finan- 2,700 bereaved and wounded victims and Frank will be on hand to lead the discus- of the 6th Legislative District in the Nassau cial help where necessary. their families with financial assistance, sion and to sign copies of the book. The County Legislature. He has a clear vision When Moishie turned three, OneFamily therapeutic programs, holiday events, youth admission cost is $12 which includes a and plan that will help our country over- was there at his first haircut in Meron. And and children’s programs, support for young tour of the center’s new permanent exhib- come its economic malaise. He is a fiscal when Moishie’s aunt Chaya got married, adults and orphans, and the constant, car- it. The center is located at 100 Crescent and legislative conservative, who has been OneFamily was at the wedding. ing presence that comes with family. O Beach Road, Glen Cove. RSVP is requested reelected to the legislature by wide mar- Moishie is now almost four years old. to 516-571-8040, ext. 104. For more informa- gins for eight consecutive terms. O For the past two years, Sandra has been Sundays At The Holocaust Center tion, visit www.holocaust-nassau.org. O so devoted to him that she is the reason The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance St. John’s Episcopal Hospital he has managed to acclimate to his new Center has inaugurated an exciting special Becker Is The People’s Choice Ocean Walk Raises Funds For surroundings. He attends a religious series of fascinating and inspiring Sunday Fran Becker has officially won the Obstetrics kindergarten in Afula, and has been programs, beginning on Sunday, October Republican nomination for the Fourth St. John’s Episcopal Hospital teaching Sandra Hebrew, including all the 17 at 1:30 p.m. The public is invited to join Congressional Seat. With the victory, Development Board held the fifth annual prayers he has learned in school. for a discussion of Linda Frank’s After the Becker will represent the Republican, Ocean Walk on Monday, September 13. The OneFamily Fund is the central Auction, a novel of intrigue, adventure, Independence, Conservative, and Tax More than $76,000 was raised for the organization providing comprehensive romance, and stolen art. The book follows Revolt parties in the general election on state-of-the-art renovation of the obstet- assistance to Israel’s victims of terror. Since reporter Lily Kovner’s quest for justice and November 2. Becker states, “I would like 2001, OneFamily has helped more than restitution across three continents. Ms. to thank all of the people of the Fourth Continued on Page 62

60 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 61 AROUND THE FIVE TOWNS it the most successful walk to date, in the front of the hospital and proceed- The event sponsors of the Ocean Walk Continued from Page 60 funds raised and number of participants. ed to Beach 9th Street and back. The included: Bartlett, McDonough, Bastone More than 50 people took part in walk was followed by dinner served & Monaghan, LLP; Margaret and Tim rics/gynecology unit at St. John’s, making the walk, which began at 4:00 p.m. in out-of-doors. Carpenter; Hunter Ambulance, Inc.; PeriGen, Inc.; Mindy Schneider and Dr. Michael Lesser; St. John’s Ladies Auxiliary; and Puangsri Suwankosai, MD, chairman, department of pathology. St. John’s Episcopal Hospital has the only inpatient obstetrics service in the Rockaways and the surrounding area. More than 10,000 babies have been born at the hospital in the past ten years. The obstetrics/gynecology department offers prenatal care and testing, comprehensive fetal monitoring and testing and a full range of midwifery services with certified nurse midwives. There is a 25-bassinet nursery and a high-risk neonatal nursery for premature and sick newborns. Prepared childbirth classes include a tour of the labor and delivery unit, maternity, and the nursery. For more information about donating to the Ocean Walk and the obstetrics/gyne- Those who walked in the Fifth Annual Ocean Walk benefiting St. John’s Episcopal Hospital cology unit, call the St. John’s Development gathered at Beach 9th Street and the boardwalk in Far Rockaway on Monday. Office at 718-869-8383. O

62 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 63 Boys Enjoy Camp Kaylie Preview

Camp Kaylie campers at the first-of-its-kind fully integrated summer camp at the Dr. Joe Silver Campus. While Camp Kaylie officially opens Summer 2011, this year campers enjoyed an abridged end-of-summer program at the beautiful Wurtsboro campsite.

64 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

September 11 Commemorated At Rambam Mesivta

B Y RABBI SOL APPLEMAN attacks of 9-11. He reminded us that the used in the major food stores in Israel. Rabbi Weil, the executive director of only other similar attack upon the United Rabbi Friedman then introduced the Orthodox Union, spoke about the dis- A special assembly took place on States took place on December 7, 1941, Rabbi Weil, who proceeded to mesmerize crepancy between the two words that fig- September 12 in the shul of the Rambam when the Japanese Imperial Army the listeners with various wonderful ure prominently, not only during Yom Mesivta in commemoration of those who attacked Pearl Harbor. Rabbi Eliach point- explanations of the davening found in ed out that in the WTC attack, carried out the Yom Kippur service. Continued on Page 68 by only 19 dedicated jihadists, more peo- ple died in that terrorist assault than in the attack at Pearl Harbor. He concluded his remarks with the recitation of a special Mishebayrach issued by the rabbanim of the Orthodox Union for the members of the U.S. Armed Forces, who put themselves in harm’s way daily in their efforts to protect our way of life here in the United States. We were reminded that teshuvah, tefi- lah, and tzedakah mitigate the harshness of the decree against us. Envelopes were distributed to the talmidim which con- tained information on the Global Jewish Assistance and Relief Network. This wor- thy institution assists those in dire need of food in Israel. This special relief net- work distributes credit cards that can be

Rabbi Steven Weil, executive director of the Orthodox Union, at Rambam. were murdered by Islamist extremists nine years ago and in memory of those heroes who gave their lives trying to save the victims of the attack. Rabbi Zev Friedman, the rosh mesivta, opened the assembly by welcoming all of the fathers who participated along with their sons in the inaugural day of what promises to be one of many such planned assemblies. The room was packed to overflowing on this Tzom Gedaliah. Rabbi Friedman continued with stirring words intended to awaken the souls of the participants to teshuvah. Rabbi Friedman then introduced Rabbi Yotav Eliach, the principal of Rambam, who masterfully traced the start of the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 and demonstrated that the planning took place prior to the first WTC attack in 1993—well before most of the students sitting in the room were born. Rabbi Eliach clearly and patiently explained that those who perpetrated the attacks were driven by an ideology that is contrary to that of the West. The 19 hijackers were all educated, intelligent, and resourceful. They lived in the United States for years before they attacked us. They learned how to fly the jets they used for the attack while they lived among us. For weeks and months they scouted out the airports from which they would depart on their nefarious plan of destruc- tion. They learned how to use the resources guaranteed by our freedoms against us. In a chilling revelation, Rabbi Eliach spoke of Steven Emerson. As one who specializes in investigating terrorist activ- ities, Emerson created a film that deals with the first attack on the WTC in 1993. In his film, Jihad in America, shot in 1998, Emerson connects the dots of the Al- Qaeda worldwide network. Using the backdrop of the Twin Towers, Mr. Emerson unsettlingly declares, “I do not think they are done.” Rabbi Eliach then presented a graphic five-minute video of the terrible events that transpired during the four separate 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 65 66 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 67 9/11 Commemoration ence between the way in which we con- Continued from Page 65 fess our sins in private and how we do it together in public along with the chazzan Kippur, but also throughout the Aseres during the Yom Kippur services. He laid Yemei Teshuvah: . On the out the fundamental parts of our viduy one hand, the word “Avinu,” our Father, through the words in the opinion of the implies a close relationship between a Gemara, “chatasi, avisi, pashati.” These father and his child, a relationship of three words are variations of the sins we love. On the other hand, the word have committed during the past year. “Malkeinu,” our King, implies a distant Each term is increasingly more grievous

connection; one consisting of awe. Rabbi than the previous one. Chatasi implies Weil explained this dialectic, or the juxta- that we have been sloppy, lazy, or per- position or interaction of conflicting haps negligent in our actions. Avisi ideas, as the underlying factor in our rela- implies a willful act done out of desire tionship with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. We (mumar l’teiavon). Pashati implies an oscillate between love and awe in con- action performed under total control, nection with Hashem. and in spite of knowing that it was wrong Rabbi Weil then explained the differ- to do that action, we do it anyway

68 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES (mumar l’hachis). clear that two of the martyrs yourself, but also for the multi- Rabbi Meir, cited by the lived before seven of the others tude. When the Romans tried to Gemara, is of the opinion that were born and that do away with the Jewish people, the order should be: avisi, was the only one who could they destroyed the Beis pashati, and then chatasi. The have seen the other nine. Hamikdash. When that didn’t Rav, Rav Soloveitchik, zt’l, sug- Therefore, Rabbi Weil offered a work, they tried to destroy the gests that according to Rabbi different approach to under- leaders—the rabbis. The people Meir, it is not the degree of the standing the incident of the ten stood up and learned Torah in sin that’s important; it is the dif- martyrs. private. They showed that Rabbi ficulty of doing teshuvah that is Ma’aseh avos siman l’vanim— Akiva and the others did not die primary. It is harder for a person Events involving the ancestors in vain. The lesson of the ten to do teshuvah for chatasi— are an indication of what will martyrs is that when we follow something for which he is not transpire for their children. what they stood for and carry on aware, than for those actions When Yosef was sold by his ten their legacy, we improve our- which were willful. brothers, it foretold the events selves, raise our level, and attain Rabbi Weil demonstrated of the ten martyrs. In fact, the kaparah—we reach atonement. another theme from maftir event involving the sale of Yosef Rabbi Weil then spoke about the Yonah, one of the central read- is the lead-in to the ten martyrs main verse we return to again ings of Yom Kippur. Yonah was section. The worst action we can and again during Yom Kippur: instructed to go to Nineveh, the take is when we fight amongst “Ki vayom hazeh yechapeir ale- capital of Assyria at that time, ourselves. We are our own worst ichem l’taheir eschem”—For and tell the inhabitants that enemies. Being a leader means they must repent or they would you are responsible not only for Continued on Page 71 be destroyed. Yonah did not want to go because he felt any change in the behavior of the inhabitants would have been superficial and ineffective and that he would have been blamed for their lack of sinceri- ty. We learn, as does Yonah, that the message of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is universal; every nation is being judged at this time. We are praying on behalf of everyone. We are responsible for all human beings. This concept is borne out in the Aleinu. During the first paragraph of this tefilah we speak about our part; it is incumbent upon us to thank Hashem, we bow to Hashem, we are the ones who praise Him, etc. However, in the sec- ond paragraph, we speak of the universal requirement to give thanks to Hashem and our hope that the nations of the world will embrace this idea. Judaism accepts the idea that other peo- ple follow what Hashem asks of them when they perform the seven Noahide laws. Judaism also allows for the flawlessness of religion when it is done through the perfected monothe- ism of the Torah. Even non-Jews can become part of Judaism when they accept upon them- selves the fulfillment of the taryag mitzvos. Rabbi Weil then explained the common misconception people have regarding the ten martyrs as found prominently in the davening of the Musaf section of Yom Kippur. We tend to misunderstand the expres- sion: misas tzadikim michaperes: the death of the righteous brings atonement. Certain peo- ple might be prone to misinter- preting this to mean that these martyrs died for our sins, much like certain religions believe that a certain individual died so that they might live. In the Torah, Rabbi Weil pointed out, it states, “Ish b’cheto yumasu”— each man dies through his own sin. Nobody can die for you, in the same way that nobody can eat for you. In addition, it is 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 69 23:24, 32, 39) and not earlier with the other holidays. In fact, we also find that The Holidays Of Tishrei the seventh year is called “Shabbason” (Vayikra 25:4). NNN BY RABBI NOSSON DOVID Hashanah and Yom Kippur are only sepa- Sukkos is only separated from Yom In Bamidbar, in the Rosh Hashanah RABINOWICH rated by a “parashah setumah,” while Yom Kippur by a “parashah setumah.” parashah when listing the Mussaf sacri- Kippur is distanced from Sukkos by a NNN fices of the day, the Torah also mentions As the “Sheloshim” of my dear friend “parashah pesuchah.” This certainly Perhaps it is because Tishrei is the sev- the burnt-offering that was sacrificed and chavrusah, Abe Kreiser, z”l, who seems logical to us, although we must be enth month that the term “Shabbason”— every rosh chodesh (28:11), but does not passed away this summer, approaches, I mention the rosh chodesh sin-offering wanted to honor his sacred memory with (28:15). In the Yom Kippur parashah, on some divrei Torah. I thought it would be the other hand, the Torah mentions the appropriate to focus on the Torah text as it special “inner” sin-offering of Yom Kippur relates to the chagim of Tishrei, since Abe On Rosh Hashanah we become a new (Vayikra 16:5) while omitting the special and I would spend a lot of time learning burnt-offering of that day (ibid.). Why this Chumash and Rashi. —N.D.R. creation while the “old/original” person exists discrepancy? (Cf. Tosafos R.H. 8b and The Torah (Vayikra 23:23–44 and Ramban 29:6.) Bamidbar 29:1–39) bunches together the no more and has, in a sense, been “sacrificed” N NN three holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom In Bamidbar, every day of Sukkos ends Kippur, and Sukkos, probably because as a burnt-offering. with the mention of the daily burnt-offer- they are all celebrated in the month of ing: “aside from the continual burnt-offer- Tishrei. Indeed, the Rambam (Sefer ing, with its meal-offering and its liba- Zemanim) places Hilchos , Hilchos tion,” “minchasah v’niskah.” There are, Lulav, and Hilchos Sukkah all in one sec- aware that the entire “parashah” system a term appropriate for events related to however, two exceptions; on the second tion, perhaps for this very reason. is a halachah l’Moshe miSinai (see seven, as Shabbos is the seventh day of and sixth days, we find “v’niskeihem” and There is, however, one small difficulty Rambam Hilchos 8:4). the week—only appears in conjunction “unsacheha” (Bamidbar 29:19, 31). Chazal with this explanation. In Vayikra, Rosh However, strangely enough, in Bamidbar, with the holidays of Tishrei (Vayikra (Ta’anis 2b) derive from this subtle textual change—combined with the textual vari- ant on the seventh day from “ka’mishpat, according to the law” to “k’mishpatam, according to their law”—an allusion to the commandment of the water libation, which is essentially a halachah l’Moshe miSinai (cf. Ta’anis 3a). But the Gemara does not discuss the meaning of “their libations” in verse 19. It cannot be referring to the libations of the Mussaf sacrifices, since they are already mentioned in verse 18. It cannot be refer- ring to the libation of the continual burnt-offering, because that is one single libation, as “v’niskah” indicates. What then is it referring to? Rebbe Meir Simcha in his Meshech Chochmah offers a novel approach. He claims that the reference is to both the water libation, which is an “obligation of the day,” and the wine libation, which is “an obligation of the continual burnt-offering.” (He then goes on to show the halachic ramifications of these two different sources of obliga- tion.) According to him, we have here an explicit mention in the Torah of the water libation as opposed to a halachah l’Moshe miSinai. This would be consis- tent with the interpretations of R’ Akiva and R’ Nassan in Ta’anis 3a, who claim explicit mention in the Torah (or semi- explicit, via midrash halachah) of the water libation commandment. NNN In Bamidbar, the Torah lists the sacri- fices of the entire year, starting with the daily sacrifice. However, in Vayikra, where the focus seems to be on the mo’adim, it is difficult to understand why Shabbos is listed and discussed first (Vayikra 23:1–3): “For a six-day period labor may be done and the seventh day is a day of complete rest, a calling of holi- ness; you shall do no work.” The Gaon of Vilna suggest an ingenious and novel interpretation of this verse. The verse is referring to the six holidays of the year, which are similar to chol in that certain work is permitted (cf. Sh’mos 12:16] unlike the seventh holiday, the holiday of Yom Kippur, also called Shabbos Shabbason, no different than Shabbos. N N N There is a very inspiring observation by the sages of the Talmud Yerushalmi 70 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES (Rosh Hashanah 4:8) about the power of 9/11 Commemoration Rabbi Weil offered the following explana- sometimes we bow, and sometimes we Rosh Hashanah, the first of the Tishrei Continued from Page 69 tion: the majority of the Masechta that bow until our head touches the floor. chagim. Throughout the narrative in deals with Yom Kippur, , deals with When we reach the end of the day of Yom Bamidbar devoted to the different sacri- through this day he will atone for you to subjects that we cannot fulfill today since Kippur, we realize we are still lacking fices brought on the various holidays, the cleanse you… There is a difference the Beis Hamikdash no longer exists. expression in our feelings concerning our Torah consistently uses the term between being “mechapeir”—atone- Only a minority of Yoma deals with laws shortcomings. This is the reason we “V’hikravtem, You shall sacrifice a burnt- ment—and being “metaheir”—cleansing that can be accomplished today, what we sound a tekiyah gedolah at the end of the offering…” yet by Rosh Hashanah the text or purification. Atonement means you call “halachah l’maaseh.” Similarly, con- day. It is an expression of our exaspera- says: “Va’asisem, You shall make a burnt- have achieved forgiveness for something cerning Pesach, roughly half of Maseches tion and utter helplessness and hopeless- offering…” The lesson is simple; On Rosh wrong you did. Purification implies a Pesachim deals with the halachos that ness of ever being able to adequately Hashanah we become a new creation transformation. This is much harder to could be practiced when the Beis express how we feel. It is a unique form while the “old/original” person exists no achieve. When one reaches the level of Hamikdash existed. We have a strong of tefillah. We let out one long, final more and has, in a sense, been “sacrificed” purification, one has become a new and a desire to fulfill these mitzvos. This is the scream in an attempt to communicate, as a burnt-offering. different individual—this can happen reason we call for a return to the rebuilt on behalf of the entire congregation, that NNN through the Yom Kippur experience. Jerusalem at the height of two of the hopeless vexation. That scream is embod- Shemini Atzeres, the last day of Finally, Rabbi Weil pointed out that most emotionally moving and powerful ied in the last blast from the shofar. Sukkos, seems to be somewhat of an we end the day of Yom Kippur by sound- moments of the Jewish year. L’shanah haba’ah b’Yerushalayim anomaly. On the one hand, Chazal ing the shofar and by proclaiming, When it comes to expressing this con- habihnuyah. May we behold the return (Sukkah 4:8) refer to it as “the last day of “L’shanah haba’ah b’Yerushalayim”—Next cept on Yom Kippur, we tried all day to of all the exiles speedily in the newly the Chag (i.e., Sukkos)” and readily year in Jerusalem. We make this state- verbally communicate how we attempt- built up Jerusalem. O include it as part of Sukkos, as we see in ment during the course of two events ed to follow the mitzvos and how we this d’rash on the popular verse in Koheles during the year: at the end of Yom Kippur have failed to do so—from A to Z. This is (11:2), “Ten cheilek l’shivah v’gam lishmon- and at the end of the seder on Pesach. why we proclaim during vidui—confes- ah.” R’ Yehoshua says: This refers to the Rabbi Weil wanted to know why we sion—“ashamnu, bagadnu, gazalnu…” We You can now upload seven days of Pesach and the eight days make such a statement on those two tried to express this idea through recita- your display ad directly via our of the chag. occasions and why we sound the shofar tion of the five special Amidos, which are Indeed in the Amidah of Shemini at the end of Yom Kippur. repeated in various forms by the chazzan. website at www.5tjt.com Atzeres, we still use the term “chag sim- As far as why the statement is made, Sometimes we stand, sometimes we sit, chaseinu, the holiday of our happiness,” and we still recite Hallel, following the instructions of the (loc.cit.). Yet, the Tosefta (Sukkah 3:17), followed by the Bavli (Sukkah 48a) point out that there are six major differences between Shemini Atzeres and Sukkos! These dif- ferences would seem to fit better with R’ Levi’s interpretation of that verse in Koheles; he interprets “seven” as referring to the seven days of the Chag and “eight” as referring to Shemini Atzeres. R’ Levi seems to distinguish between the eighth day and the rest of Sukkos. It is noteworthy that the Sages of Eretz Yisrael, who were experts in Tanach per- haps even more so than their colleagues in Babylonia (see Bava Kamma 55a), point out that the letter vav is missing before “ba’yom ha’shemini.” All the other days of Sukkos have the vav prefix. This would certainly indicate some sort of distinc- tion between the eighth day and the pre- vious seven days (Yerushalmi Sukkah 5:7[55d]). This discussion inevitably leads us to a different discussion. If Shemini Atzeres is, in fact, “a holiday unto itself” (Sukkah 48a), where in the Torah is it actually called “chag”? And, upon what basis does the Shulchan Aruch (668:1) suggest that the term “Shemini Chag HaAtzeres”be used in the tefillos of the day? Indeed, the Rema (ibid.) takes issue with the Mechaber and claims that “we do not find it called ‘chag’ anywhere” (he obviously meant as a holiday unto itself; cf. mish- nah, Sukkah, ibid.). He suggests that we simply say “Yom Shemini Atzeres.” Most siddurim (including Rav Amram Gaon’s, the oldest ever compiled), howev- er, follow the Taz, Gra, and Maharshal (Responsa, 64) who essentially agree with the Rema and suggest the term “Yom Shemini Atzeres HaChag,” to be translat- ed: “It is the Atzeres of the Chag of Sukkos”; Sukkos is the “chag,” not Shemini Atzeres. In conclusion, it is important to point out that the sacrifices brought on Shemini Atzeres (Bamidbar 29:36) are exactly the same as the Mussaf sacrifices of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This is not a mere coincidence, but has very important and far-reaching implications, as found in sifrei and chassidus. O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 71 Peace, Peace, But There Is No Peace

BY FERN SIDMAN maintain security and reiterating their trust between the two leaders. There blood by Hamas terrorists at the Bani goal of a two-state solution. The three- were no note takers or translators in Naim junction just south of Hebron. Dozens of Jewish supporters of Israel way meeting was “long and productive,” either of the meetings. This was followed by yet another gathered across the street from the Mr. Mitchell said, adding the leaders The U.S. sponsored peace talks come drive-by shooting on Route 60 Israeli Consulate in New York City on pledged to work in “good faith” and on the heels of the heinous murder of between the Rimonim Junction and Thursday evening, September 2, to call the Jewish community of Kochav upon Prime Minister Benjamin HaShachar in the Binyamin region of Netanyahu to “just say no to demands for Samaria that left Rabbi Moshe Moreno more concessions from Israel that will “Who even entertains the notion of and his wife Shira moderately wound- continue to endanger the lives of Jews ed. A Fatah cell calling itself the Al- throughout Israel.” Organized by Helen Namir cells of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Freedman of Americans For A Safe Israel, proposing the division of the holy city of Brigades claimed responsibility for the the demonstration came at the end of attack, as did Hamas. the first round of direct peace talks Jerusalem when four precious Jewish lives “It’s all very well for the “Quartet” led between Prime Minister Netanyahu, by President Obama to decide that Palestinian Authority President have been snuffed out?” “peace” must come to the Israeli-Arab Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. President situation within the next year, but Barack Obama at the White House. what are the Arabs saying? And what U.S. Middle East envoy George are they doing? Where is the control of Mitchell along with Secretary of State with “seriousness of purpose.” He said four Jews in the Hebron region on anti-Israel terror and incitement?” said Hillary Clinton met with Abbas and Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Abbas then went August 31. Talya and Yitzchok Imas, AFSI coordinator Helen Freedman. Netanyahu for 90 minutes, with the two off on their own for a one-on-one meet- Kochava Even-Chaim, and Avishai Israeli flags and signs were held aloft, leaders pledging to work together to ing, which may be designed to build Shindler were gunned down in cold saying, “No Negotiations With Terrorists: Just Say No,” “Bibi: Trust in Hashem, Not Them,” and “No Palestinian State.” The demonstrators braved the oppressive 97 degree New York City heat as they chanted, “Jewish blood is not cheap,” and, “They kill and we build.” “We need a president that under- stands the ideology of radical Islam,” declared Madeline Brooks, the Manhattan chapter head of ACT for America, as she addressed the demon- strators. “These four innocent Jews were tragically murdered because there were no security checkpoints and that was ordered at the behest of President Obama. We need to seize the moment to educate our fellow citi- zens about the pernicious nature of jihad,” she said. Also addressing the gathering was New York radio personality and long- time Jewish activist Charlie Bernhaut, who said, “If you want to see a real ter- rorist up close, just look at Mahmoud Abbas. His links with Palestinian terror- ist organizations are numerous and leg- endary. He is a Holocaust denier and rabid Jew hater. Clearly, the creation of a Palestinian state will represent an exis- tential threat to Israel’s survival because it will become a terrorist state under the leadership of Hamas.” Susan Kone, a GOP candidate for the congressional seat in New York’s 8th district said, “There is never a justification for the intentional mur- der of innocents and my deepest sympathies go to the families of the four Jews who were murdered by Hamas terrorists.” “Why can’t we have a prime minis- ter of Israel who is proud of being a Jew and who has a sense of honor?” said Rabbi David Algaze of Forest Hills, Queens. “Who even entertains the notion of proposing territorial compromise and the division of the holy city of Jerusalem when four pre- cious Jewish lives have been snuffed out?” he continued. Concluding on a somber note, he intoned, “No appeasements, no negotiations, no peace with those who seek our destruction, and no to charades orchestrated by Washington.” O 72 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES point to where the most dramatic events young pioneers. attack against the Midianites, Wingate Mt. Gilboa took place in the times of the Tanach. At Since the children of Israel were exiled trained his Jewish unit and used the Bible the very base of the mountain gushes the from the land until their descendents as his battle map. The famous night spring of Ein Harod. The same waters returned to it, the land, as Mark Twain squads included some of Israel’s early mil- BY SHALOM POLLACK quenched the thirst of Gideon’s 300 cho- described in the 1860’s, “was a desolate itary leaders. They employed the sen fighters set to defeat the vast army of country, a sullen mournful expanse…” unorthodox training that they received as “Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no Midianites. Across the valley is the mod- The earliest kibbutzim set down roots commanders in the IDF. dew, neither let there be rain upon you, nor ern town of Afula (best falafel in Israel). In first amongst spartan tents, towers, and So successful was he in helping Jews fields of offerings: for there the shield of the Jezre’al Valley, King Ahab was con- stockades that have eventually become defend themselves from Arab terror that the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of fronted by the accusing prophet Eliyahu country-club-like communities. The he was expelled from the country by his Shaul, as though he had not been anoint- after he had Navot executed at the advice “sullen mournful expanse” is today the superiors. The British government had a ed with oil…” of his evil Queen Jezebel. One can see the breadbasket of Israel and perhaps the different agenda. General Wingate saved —Shmuel II 1:21 lone round Mt Tabor across the valley entire Mideast. Here the prophesies of the the British colony of India from Japanese Thus lamented David upon hearing of where Devorah HaNiviah and Barak led deserts blooming jump right out at you. invasion and died in a plane crash over the deaths of Shaul HaMelech and his the Burma Mountains. In his diary, he sons on Har Gilboa. Yonatan’s desperate lamented the fact that he would be suicide before falling into the hands of barred from celebrating the rebirth of the the cruel Philistines particularly moved Jewish nation. He is still known as “the David to curse the very mountain, stained The “sullen mournful expanse” is friend” in Israel today. with the blood of his beloved. Mt. Gilboa has seen a lot. But it is still Today, despite the efforts of modern waiting for you to visit. O Israeli farming and forestation by the today the breadbasket of Israel and Jewish National Fund, huge bald gaps Shalom is a veteran Israel tour guide and confirm David’s curse. Har Gilboa is safe- producer of the DVD “Israel: Ancient Roots, perhaps the entire Mideast. Modern Miracle.” To learn more, visit ly out of Philistine hands, (though it www.shalompollacktours.co.il. does border the latter day Philistine or Palestinian Authority) and is a magnet for visitors seeking nature, picnics, vis- tas, and biblical attractions. Each spring, the Israelites to victory over the Charles Orde Wingate was absolutely nature lovers from all parts of the coun- Canaanite general Cisro and his massive taken by the Bible prophesies about the Remember that article? try flock to see the beautiful Gilboa Iris army of 900 iron chariots. The Bible Land and the People of Israel. The very in bloom. jumps out of the stones and earth wher- colorful and dashing officer served dur- Visit our archive section When driving along the scenic road on ever you look from this mountain. ing the British occupation. A war hero and find any issue of the the ridge, one sees the multi-colored car- In the early 20th century, Yehoshua and highly decorated officer, Wingate, pet that is the Jezre’al Valley spread like a Henkin was appointed by the Zionist unlike most of his colleagues, did not har- 5 Towns Jewish Times quilt below. To the south are the Galilee movement to scour the land for real bor anti-Jewish leanings. As a devout mountains and to the east, the moun- estate opportunities for the returning Christian, he long felt a love for the peo- online @ tains of Moab beyond the Jordan River sons and daughters. Neglected, depleted ple of the Bible and now did what he www.5TJT.com Valley. land, often malaria marshes and stony could to help them as he witnessed their One can flip the pages of the books of fields, were sold by absentee Arab own- return to the Promised Land. From the Shmuel, Shoftim, and and ers for top dollar and then in came the same spring that Gideon planned his

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 73 buying houses, fewer people are qualify- remarkable for the Jewish nation, and for ing for mortgages, and those who are and the Orthodox in particular. We have The New Normal do are finding that some banks (Chase, for grown both materially and spiritually, example) are not taking mortgage loan and the two often worked hand-in-hand. applications from independent brokers. Much of our largesse was committed to BY CJ SRULLOWITZ What is the new normal? Among other • The frum world will always have its building a strong infrastructure of homes, things it means slower economic growth, share of entrepreneurs, but with the shuls, yeshivos, and mosdos. Once, when I was in the eighth grade, high unemployment, low interest rates, severe tightening of credit, many are not But the last couple of years have been the boys in my class were discussing and tepid, “half-sized”—that is to say, four getting the chance to borrow the money challenging; the infrastructure is showing what to do with their bar mitzvah money. to five percent—stock market returns. In required to build, or even expand, busi- strain and even some cracks. Many feel One of the boys mentioned something other words, you know the financial cri- nesses. Established real estate investors that we simply have to get through this called a money market, which he sis we’ve been trying to shake? Well, get are finding deals, and many have cash on rough period before going back to “nor- explained was just like a savings account, used to it. “All investors should expect hand to finance them. But many younger mal.” But what if we’re in for a new nor- and paid around ten percent interest. To considerably lower rates of return than people who are trying to get started in mal? What if we need to adjust our think- my young, impressionable, pre-teen what they grew accustomed to only a few that business have it tough. ing and our budgets accordingly—not mind, that number became the bench- years ago,” Gross insists. • One of the biggest supporters of kolle- just for a few years but permanently? mark against which all other rates of The new normal will naturally have lim in Eretz Yisrael saw his fortune—in G-d will surely provide us with what return were judged; for years, I consid- ramifications in the Jewish world, and in the hundreds of millions—evaporate in a we need; but our definition of “need” ered ten percent to be a normal passive particular, the frum world. Consider: matter of weeks. I happened to meet him may have to be adjusted. Should a more rate of return on money. • Yeshivos today, most of which were briefly by chance when he was borrow- moderate financial future face us, we Fast forward many years. I became a never—even at the height of the econom- ing office space from a client of mine, must not allow it to slow down our financial advisor. I had already learned ic bubble—flush with funds, are under and watched as he sat hunched over on spiritual growth. Our commitment to that ten percent money market returns enormous financial strain. Some are his cell phone trying to keep his kollelim Torah and mitzvos, to educating our were an aberration. In fact, no relatively being starved out of existence. from going under. He will survive, but children and feeding our poor, to learn- safe investment could be counted on to • While information technology is many of his beneficiaries are already leav- ing diligently and working honestly, deliver a return approaching that number. poised to be one of the growth areas of the ing kollel and returning to America. must not waver. One would have to take on the full meas- new economy (along with healthcare and And the setbacks did not begin in the But what we spend on our homes, our ure of volatility in the stock market to biotech), many frum people who are “in last two years. cars, our vacations, and even our simchas potentially average ten percent over time. computers” do not currently possess the In 2003, The Wall Street Journal report- may need to be reigned in considerably. O Fast forward to today. knowledge and skills for these jobs. ed how Indians were quickly replacing CJ Srullowitz is a financial advisor in New York Bill Gross is the co-chief investment According to a friend of mine who works Jews as the premier diamond dealers in City, and blogs at officer of PIMCO, a Newport Beach, for a cutting-edge IT firm, many are only Antwerp, Belgium. The Jews, who had at www.luleidemistafina.blogspot.com. California money management firm. trained for obsolete systems and have not one point controlled 70% of the trade, saw PIMCO’s flagship Total Return Fund, kept up with the rapid changes in this field. their influence dwindle to just 25% in a under the stewardship of Gross, has • For a while it seemed like every for- few years. That number is even smaller grown to become the largest mutual fund mer yeshiva guy and his brother-in-law today. At the time, Henri Rubens, one of At 5TJT.com you can enjoy in the world. Last summer, Gross and were mortgage brokers, working very long the community’s leaders, declared the end company described the economic cir- days and weeks financing and refinancing of the glory days noting, “We were too articles in 3 ways: cumstances and market conditions that properties for anyone and everyone who complacent. Now that we realize it, it’s 1. Read 2. Print 3. Email they believe will face us over the coming came along—making terrific commissions too late.” Mr. Rubens went into real estate. years. They called it “the new normal.” along the way. No longer. Fewer people are These past few decades have been

74 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Mazel Tov

Munkaczer Rebbe cutting the hair of the son of Mr. Moshe Feuer during the Rebbe’s recent visit to Lawrence.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 75 76 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 77 SERVICES SERVICES PROVIDED PROVIDED

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Near all. Call 917-929-3118 Close to everything!! A must see!! . . . 1st FLR, FDR, 2BR. 2BTHS Terrace. 833 Central Ave. New to market. Hewlett — Apt for rent. Modern 2BR, $449K. Possible Mother/Daughter (with Views of Gdns, W/D, Lo maint, Grt. Spacious 1 BR, light and bright, door- loca’n, Walk all ...... $320K new kitchen, LR with fireplace, DR, permits). Move right in!! man/elevator building, walk all. . . $195K 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 SD#14...... $1800 Call Leah 516-208-5114 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 Weissman Realty 516-791-6100 Lawrence — Ours Alone!! Lawrence — New to market. Spacious Brick, C/H COL, Stately brick, w/old Hewlett — House for rent. Updated 5BR, 3.5bth split, large LR with fire- Lawrence — Prime loc, elegant c/h col, world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 bths, 3BR, 2bths, new EIK, SD#14, walk all. Kosher EIK, Lg. FDR, Library, Fin. place, FDR, large EIK, den, oversized 1/3acre, 12 rms, 5 lrg BR, 3.5 baths, Available immediately ...... $2600 Bsmt., Lg Prop., walk all. property on quiet tree-lined street. Walk frplc, FDR, sunroom, EIK, Pesach Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 all shuls...... $1,050M kitchen, all systems, no agents pls. E- 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — All new bright, 1st flr, mail: [email protected] or Lawrence — Wonderful c/h col. house 2BR, 2bth, LR, FDR, EIK w/new appli- 718-974-6766 on the nicest cul-de-sac there is. Brand Far Rockaway: 2 Fam. All NU new kitchen, finished basement. ances, terrace, h/w floors, walk all. 3 over 3 Br. 4Fbth, Dr, Full bsmt Asking ...... $875K ...... $2,250 Cedarhurst — Priced for quick sale. All features ...... $779K Call 516-902-0936 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 5BR, 3.5bths, full finished basement w/ Call 516-263-6417 OSE, many green updates too many to Back Lawrence — 519 Chauncey Lane 5 Far Rockaway — Beautiful 6.5 rooms, 3 list...... $649K BR, 3.5 Bths, 8/10 of an acre, facing golf Miami Beach — Carriage Club North — BR, 2 baths, new kitchen, separate Call Joe 516-852-9099 Split 2BR, 2bth, large circular terrace, course, igp, priced right. entrance, own thermostat. Best block in high ceilings, 15 floor panoramic view 516-581-2058, 516-374-4001 Far Rockaway. 718-868-1153 Bayswater — 4BR ranch, 1.5bths, of intercoastal. 917-797-5774 garage, huge property, 2 legal lots, frum block with shul...... $450K North Woodmere — Decorator’s Dream. Cedarhurst — Nu House CH Col. LR, 917-750-4333 Beautiful bi-level, large granite kosher COMMERCIAL REAL FDR, Kosher EIK, Den, 4BR, 3BTHS. EIK, FDR, large LR, den, 4BR, water- Bsmt. For Rent ...... $2,500 view, all systems, walk all shuls. Owner ESTATE FOR RENT 5 Town Homes 516-569-5712 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 motivated. Present all offers. Cedarhurst: NU 2 Mkt. Lg LR, DR, 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 EIK, Den, 5BR, 3bth, Skilits, Cabana, Cedarhurst office for rent— 2 small Cedarhurst — Large 6 room apt. 3BR Lg prop, IGPool, Walk to all . . . $659K offices on Central Ave. 1 flight up, C/H, Far Rockaway — 2 Family. All NU, w/ EIK, DR, and LR. All new, stainless C/A. Call owner 917-417-5725 steel appliances including microwave, 3 over 1 Bdrm, 3 full baths. Great Law: Hi Ranch. Must see, 4br, 2.5bth, dishwasher, and W/D, hardwood floors. Location ...... $599K Rockville Centre — 3,500 sq. ft., fully fam rm, CAC, 2 car garage, large Owner 516-633-3414 Call 516-322-3555 wired for Web, partitioned, will divide. prop ...... $800sK Call 516-322-3555 Ced: Nu2Mkt, 2Fam, 3br/3br, 2fpl, Far Rockaway — Nice 12 unit building, Classified Ads are deck, all new, grt loc, full bsmt excellent location, many upgrades, good Cedarhurst — Office rental: Executive ...... $795K cash flow, assumable mortgage. Call 2 Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., Continued on the Next Page. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Mark Weissman Realty 516-791-6100 CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 79 CLASSIFIED ADS Continued from Page 79 FOR RENT FOR RENT FOR SALE

FOR RENT Flatbush Apt. for rent. New listing. Cedarhurst — Garden apt. Nu 2 Mkt. Custom 14' wood breakfront with glass Prime location. East 10th J&K. Private 2BR. 2Bth, Mint, 1st Flr, heat & prk doors and storage; Custom rosewood house, 3rd floor, 2 bdrms, huge closets, incld ...... $2,300 table with 2 leaves, 6 chairs; Fruitwood utilities separate ...... $1,500 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 BR set — king headboard, oversized dresser, matching mirror, armoire, 2 Far Rockaway — Large One Bedroom Call 917-371-7982 Far Rockaway rentals: Apartment for rent. Beautiful elevator night tables with drawers. Call 516-295-3131 bldg. Nice tenancy. Great location at Lawrence — Coop Rental. 1BR. 1NU 1, and 2BR apartments. some bal- Neilson and Cornaga, near Shor Yoshuv, Bth, LR, DR, EIK...... $1,300 conies. New kitchens, lots of closets, 24 transportation, and shopping. 5Town Homes ** 516-569-5710 hr doorman, FIOS, security cameras. Asking $1,100. Call 718-692-2525 ext. 180 Close to White Shul, Shor Yoshuv and Valley Stream — Ranch house. 3BR, MISCELLANEOUS train. Call Sherri 516-297-7995 new EIK, quiet street, SD24, walk all. 833 Central. One bedroom, 24 hour door- Cedarhurst — All new, bright 3 BR, 1.5 $2250 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 bths, ground floor apt in 2-family house, man, Shabbos elevator. Reduced $1,100 The Ocean Corp. 10840 Rockley Road, Far Rockaway — Lg. Hse Rental: 4br, Lawrence— The Carlyle Totally reno- LR, FDR, EIK/ w new appliances, new Houston, Texas 77099. Train for a New 2bth, bsmt., hi-ceilings, NU bths, W\D. vated 2BR, 2bths, new kitchen, closets carpet, w/d included, yard and parking. Career. *Underwater Welder. Walk all ...... $2,150 Call 516-322-3555 galore, large terrace $3000/ month. Call Commercial Diver. *NDT/Weld Sherri 516-297-7995 Inspector. Job Placement Assistance. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Valley Stream — All new beautiful large Weissman Realty Group, LLC Financial Aid available for those who 2 BR, EIK – FDR, upper of 2 family Special Prices At Sand Castle For 516-791-6100 qualify. 1-800-321-0298 house, quiet residential street, includes 5TJT Readers — Studios for $895. heat and parking...... $1,700 Includes utilities. No brokers’ fee! HW 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 BUSINESS floors, big windows, fully-equipped OPPORTUNITY kitchens, cable and internet connectivi- North Wdm. — house rental. Hi-ranch in ty, closets. Gym, gourmet market, phar- MIC. 4 br, CAC, den, on quiet street. macy, Rabbi Korn's shul, and laundry 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Become an Acai Berry Juice distribu- facilities in BLDG. 711 Seagirt Ave. on tor and earn commission immediately. the beach - convenient to subway, Cedarhurst — All updated charming Online trainer, work from home, no LIRR, and Q113 bus. Col. New granite EIK, FDR, LR with investment, e-mail [email protected] www.sandcastleny.com. fireplace, 4+ BR, CAC, in the heart of Weissman Realty Group, LLC Cedarhurst. Walk all. 718-471-2593 Call 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 FOR SALE Valley Stream — First show! Lovely 4 Lawrence/Far Rockaway — 833 Central BR, 2 bths, in SD#14, LR, DR, den, on Ave. Jr 4 (2 BR) Spacious doorman/ ele- large property, walk all, ...... $2,350 vator building, walk all ...... $1,500 Furniture— LR, DR, & BR sets, French 5 Towns Home Realty 516-569-5710 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 & Italian Provincial. 917-836-0146

80 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES LEGAL MISCELLANEOUS NOTICE Solution To Last Week’s 5TJT Puzzle:

Helping poor brides is a big z’chus to Notice of formation of Longview Energy LLC, a limited liability company. Articles of organi- Simanim find a shidduch! Donate to Yad P’sucha Hachnasas Kallah. Call 718-972-3699 zation filed with the Secretary of the State of New York (SSNY) on August 26, 2010. Office Alone in Sloan Kettering on Yom Tov?! located in Nassau, SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy Sponsor the rent of the Kosonier Bikur of any process served against the LLC to THE Cholim rooms near NY hospitals as a LLC 253 Rockaway Tpke. Lawrence, N.Y. z’chus for a yeshua and refuah. 347-924-4205 11559. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Deadline for Classified Advertising in next week’s issue is Monday, September 20 at 5:00 P.M. Call 516-569-0502 Thank You, Mr. Governor!

Agudath Israel of America advocates met with Governor David Paterson to wish him a good year and to thank him for all his efforts on behalf of the community and especially his commitment to non-public schools. Puzzle appeared on page 64.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 81 Annual Trip To Tashlich At Grant Park Photos By Elchonon Herzberg and Elana Fertig

The Pre-1A and kindergarten children of Yeshiva of South Shore enjoyed an educational and fun-filled tashlich with Rebbi Eli Herzberg. The trip was topped off with some great climbing, swinging, and sliding.

82 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 83 HAFTR Welcomes Back Students

On Tuesday, September 7, HAFTR welcomed back its students for the 2010 school year.

Your Ad Could Be Here Call 516-569-0502

On Yom Kippur the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer incense as an emmisary for every Jew.This service still exists in a spiritual sense even today, in the time of exile, for “we will render the prayer of our lips in place of the sacrifice of bullocks.” On the contrary, in the time of exile there is a special added superiority, for every Jew is himself a “High Priest”; he himself “enters” “the Holy of Holies” and “offers incense.” (Sichat Erev Yom Hakippurim 5743)

“Every night of Yom Kippur the High Priest would sit and expound if he was a Torah scholar, and if he was a Torah student, they would expound to him . . . so that he would not sleep.” Besides physical sleep, there is also spiritual sleep. Spiritual sleep is the attempt to rise above worldy matters and withdraw from them, just as during sleep the soul withdraws from the body and ascends on high. Guarding the High Priest from sleep means that if they see an ascetic impulse in him they remind him that asceticism is not the way, for the Creator demands involvement in wordly matters to purify them and elevate them, not withdrawal. (Likkutei Sichot, vol. 2, p. 650)

84 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES

Deafening Quiet

BY MARC PROWISOR

August 8—The quiet is deaf- ening. Quite suspiciously, the world is relatively quiet in its hobby of ranting against and condemnation of Israel. Even the new Caliphate of the EU remains disconcertingly still. Of course barely anyone has what to say regarding the latest provocation by Hezbollah, sorry, I meant to say the Lebanese Army, against Israeli troops on the northern border. The UN, for some strange reason, actually spoke out against Lebanon. Again, very suspicious. The pressure now is suppos- edly on Abbas to start in with direct talks with Israel. Maybe that is the cause of this orches- trated silence. We wouldn’t want to disturb his thought process, as he figures out a way to continue to deceive the world and the Arabs into con- tinuing the cash flow to his “virtual entity,” and keep his puppet government around under the threat of Hamas. Even the Left Wing demon- strators, J Street, American Friends of Peace Now, and all of the others have toned down their actions so as not to create more waves than necessary, lest they, G-d forbid, shake the boat too much and cause Abbas and his henchmen to get confused and show the world that they (all of them) really are not inter- ested in a peaceful coexistence with a Jewish State or Jews, heaven forbid. Even a bit more worrisome are the reports that Haim Ramon and Kadima, supposedly with the backing of Prez Peres, are advising the Arabs not to negotiate with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hmmmm. With all of these actors in this play acting in near perfect sync like a well choreographed musical, it might well lead one to think that there is someone behind the scenes, pulling the strings, or yanking the cords. I wonder who has been footing the bill for this production? On the other side, we contin- ue to see more and more Jews, both from Israel and the out- side, waking up to this façade. I marvel at the ever-growing amount of Israeli media people warming up to Yehuda and Shomron. More Jews are begin- ning to ask their “leaders” from the Conservative and Reform movements why they have abandoned their homeland and their history, and have been ask- ing to come out once again to

Continued on Page 89 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 85 Assemblywoman Pheffer Visits YDT Sweet New Year From The Met Council

Donovan Richards (in white suit) joins Speaker Christine Quinn (wearing green jacket) and the Met Council for Rosh Hashanah food distribution. Your Ad

Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer Visits Yeshiva Darchei Torah. Top photo (L-R): Rabbi Moshe Bender, associate dean; Rabbi Yaakov Could Be Here Bender, rosh yeshiva; Rabbi Zev Bald, director of development; Rabbi Baruch Rothman, director of development; Assemblywoman Pheffer; and Joanne Shapiro. Call 516-569-0502 Bottom photo: Touring the new building site (L–R): Rabbi Baruch Rothman, Rabbi Zev Bald, Assemblywoman Pheffer, and Rabbi Moshe Bender.

86 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES A Five Towns Simcha Photo By Only Weddings

Bat Mitzvah of Melissa Feder took place on Sunday, September 5, at Ohr Torah with catering by New Star. Melissa attends HAFTR and lives in Woodmere. Entertainment was provided by Azamra DJ. Mazel tov to Melissa’s sister, Molly, and parents, Jeffrey and Dore.

5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 87 88 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES Quiet returned home from the store, and was in Continued from Page 85 front of his home on Oliver Ave. At that time he was grabbed from behind by two see where they come from. subjects. A struggle ensued, and the sub- Of course this is a major pain for the jects attempted to forcibly take the vic- Israeli Left Wing, and they do their tim’s necklace and cell phone. The victim utmost to hide it, and act against it. Of was able to retain his property, and both course they have no limit to funding, as subjects fled on foot south on Barrington long as oil can be made into gasoline, so I Elmont. On Monday, July 12, at approx- connection with using the victim’s debit Street towards Old Country Road. One am told. imately 2:30 p.m., two subjects were card at a T D Bank ATM store located at subject is described as a male black, 23-27 observed inside Duane Reade located at 1122-1126 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, N.Y. years old, 5’6”-5’8” tall, medium build, dark 1445 Hempstead Turnpike. The subjects Manhasset. On Sunday, July 4, at approx- brown complexion, dark eyes, and short removed Mucinex Cold Medicine (value imately 12:35 p.m., two subjects were dark cornrows. Lessons from the over $1,000) from the store, placed it observed inside Tory Burch located within Uniondale. On Tuesday, August 24, at inside of a plastic bag, and exited the Americana Shopping Mall at 1992 Northern approximately 10:10 a.m. a female victim expulsion from Gush store—passing all points of purchase Boulevard. The subjects removed assorted was standing in front of 1152 Front Street Katif fall on deaf ears, without making payment for the mer- clothing (two tops and two dresses) and when the subject forcibly grabbed her chandise. Subject 1 is described as a black exited the store—passing all points of pur- buttocks and breasts. The victim punched perhaps shedding male, approximately 20 years old, medi- chase without making payment for items. the subject, and subject fled northbound um build, and wearing a baby blue Yankee Subject 1 is described as a white female, on Manor Parkway to an unknown back- light on ulterior cap, white T shirt, and jean shorts. These medium build, with straight dark hair, yard. The subject is described as a male two individuals may be involved in ongo- wearing shorts, sandals, and carrying a black wearing a red doo rag, white tee motives behind that ing thefts from area pharmacy stores. Coach Handbag. Subject 2 is described as a shirt, and blue jeans. O Hicksville. On Saturday, August 14, at white female, tall, medium build, with heinous crime. Crime Stoppers and the Nassau County Police approximately 2:00 p.m. a victim was straight blonde hair, wearing a blue button Department are seeking the public’s help with notified by T D Bank that several with- shirt, jeans, and carrying a black nylon bag. identifying these subjects. Anyone who has any information about these cases is asked to call 1- drawals were made utilizing his T D Bank New Cassel. On Tuesday July 27, at 800-244-TIPS (8477). All calls can remain Many of the local Arabs are even get- Visa debit card. The subjects are wanted in approximately 10:20 p.m. the victim anonymous. ting tired of the charade of their own and the world, and are indeed upset at the way they have been led down the wrong path, again and again. So many of them long for when we were at “war” with them, at least then they could travel around Israel, at least then millions of Israeli (Jewish) dollars flowed into Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem, and the other major cities of Yehuda and Shomron every weekend, and of course they did not have to pay taxes. There were fewer acts of terror and much more cooperation between Jews and Arabs. Not perfect, far from it, but still, much better than post-Oslo. But that was war, and not peace, like we have now. This quiet still disturbs me. I have yet to see anyone work towards a true peace in this region that includes the basic rights of Jews to live here, only towards the ethnic cleansing of Jews from their historical homeland. The activists on the left side with their allies who dream of an Israel-free Middle East have no moral borders as they seek to wrench and displace over 300,000 (500,000 according to them) Jews from their homes and turn them into refugees. Lessons from the expulsion from Gush Katif fall on deaf ears, perhaps shedding light on ulterior motives behind that heinous crime. Tensions are high, Hamas aches to show its muscle, Hezbollah boosts its ability to continue to kill Jews, and a mys- tery man fires missiles on Eilat, thank G-d not harming anyone in Israel. Recent polls in Israel have shown that Israelis are waking up and realizing some of the mistakes made and work- ing towards changing them. There is growing support for Yehuda and Shomron and realization that a possi- ble expulsion and disengagement from Yehuda and Shomron would be a mis- take, a big mistake . . . despite what you may read in Haaretz. The coming months may very well dic- tate changes in our everyday life, not just in Israel, but also all over the world. We are waking up here, Wake up over there. Time to get to work before it is too late. O 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 89 90 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES September 17, 2010 91 92 September 17, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES