Your Local Connection March 31, 2005 SentineNorth Brunswick • South Brunswick l 50* • Entertainment Check out this week's happenings in Just Gol Page 24 MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Emma Weiss, 5, East Brunswick, and Miriam Meghnagl, 6, South Brunswick, dance to traditional Jewish rhythms during Esther's story at Purim In Peking at the Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick. See page 3. School budget would Thousands mourn High-flyin' Hawk carry 15-cent hike North Brunswick's Jackson rabbi at ceremony competes for Monmouth U. such as health insurance, which Superintendent says account for 12 percent of the ( 9 dinated efforts between the Page 28 no fluff in $55.5M increase, District officials also Halberstam's burial NYPD, the State Police, Port said the state has reduced Authority Police of New York No. Bruns. package $438,015 in aid. draws followers and New Jersey, the Office of Quote of the week: The district must also con- to SJi* cemetery Emergency Management and sider the 3 percent budget cap 'This is truly a maintenance local police departments, to pre- mandated by the state, con- pare for the influx of visitors. budget. If the proposed budget tracted salary increases and is passed, the district will be orth Brunswick voters An estimated 4,500 mourners will decide on a $55.5 special education tuition ourners took a nearly attended Thursday's burial, able to continue successful ini- increases. tiatives and programs." N million school budget 50-mile journey of South Brunswick Lt. Kevin when they head to the polls "This is ' nondiscrettanary. M respect to South Hughes coordinated the various —Robert Rimmer April 19. We have to pay teachers and Brunswick last week. agencies at the burial ceremo- North Brunswick The Board of Education's give them health benefits. We Thousands of followers from ny. A local command and stag- schools superintendent 2005-06 budget would carry a are competing with the entire the Bobov sect of Hassidie Jews ing center was also set up at Cover story 15-cent increase to the tax rate, state of New Jersey for the in Brooklyn made the journey Brooks Crossing Elementary bringing the total tax rate for same qualified teachers. If they to South Brunswick in the early School. homeowners to $2.26 per $100 can go to South Brunswick and hours on March 24 to bury The casket, according to Index of assessed valuation. If the get benefits for nothing, they Grand Rabbi Naftalai Ryan, arrived in South Classified/Employment .33 budget is approved, taxes would will," said Dr. Rimmer. Halberstam, who died at 6:30 Brunswick around 1 a.m. fol- Crossword 21 increase $280 for the owner of a The goals of the proposed p.m. the night before. lowing a 10 p.m. ceremony in Entertainment 24 home assessed at $155,700, budget are to improve academic To accommodate the large New York City, but mourners roughly the township average. achievement, address facility number of people who descend- began arriving around 11 p.m. Obituaries 26 "This is truly a maintenance needs at all buildings, increase ed on Washington Cemetery, Large crowds remained at the Opinion 12 budget. If the proposed budget the use of technology and create where leaders of the Bobov sect burial site until nearly 3 a.m. Police Beat 15 is passed, the district will be an optimum environment for are buried, the police depart- on Thursday. Real Estate 29 able to continue successful ini- learning. ment activated its emergency Ryan said the large police Sports ,.28 tiatives and programs," Schools The budget will allow for contingency plan after the presence and coordination was Superintendent Robert Rimmer current class sizes to remain, rabbi's death. necessary for crowd control and said at the March 23 public curricular and co-curricular According to South safety. hearing. programs to be maintained, Brunswick Police Detective www.gmnews.com The budget hike was attrib- James Ryan, the plan had coor- (Continued on page 10) uted primarily to fixed costs, (Continued on page $) 2 SENTINEL, March 31, 2005 NS A.C.MQORE NO ONE DOES ARTS, CRAFTS & FLORALS BETTER! Colony Craft 8" I Wet or Dry Singla Hurricane Vase I Foam Bricks A.C. Moore 16"x20'1 i Artist Canvas WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! Wednesday March 30th thru Tuesday April Sth Just bring any current competitor's We honor all competitors coupons DATES craft ad to our registers and we will for individual item savings, Call 1-888 ACMOORE beat their advertised price by 10%. Excludes custom framing coupons. to find the store nearest you & hours of operation % off sales are restricted from offer % off sales do not include clearance items or visit our website at www.acmoore.com SENTINEL, March 31, 2005 3 Ancient Jewish custom meets the Far East Chabad selects Chinese theme for Purim celebration BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Eating Chinese food doesn't seem to be a typical way to celebrate a Jewish' holiday. But for the members of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick, their Purim in Peking Feast put an Asian twist on the traditional Jewish holiday. The event was held March 24 at Pierre's Ballroom in Monmouth Junction. Purim celebrates the survival of Jews facing annihilation 2,360 years ago dur- ing the reign of King Achashverosh. It is observed by giving gifts, enjoying a fes- tive meal and dancing. Children dressed in costume listened to a Megillah reading and participated in a kung-fu performance while parents bid in a Chinese auction. The main theme of the night was togetherness. "It is a nice holiday to celebrate. It is very festive. I like the food. I hope there is dancing," said Lhava Israel, 33, of East Brunswick. Rabbi Levi Azimov said his favorite part of the night was being joyous. "The highlight of the holiday is the PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff festive meals, saying 'L'Chayims' and ttay Keren (i), standing with friend Rob Kline, wears a nontradftional castume to the Chabad Jewish Center's "Purim In Peking" celebration. dancing. Celebrating together with the Below, Mendel Azimov, 5, uncovers his Identity at the event. Children stomped on bubble wrap during the Megillah reading. community is the biggest happiness." Biblical book of according to the Chabad Center. Esther Itay Keren, 17, of South Brunswick, Esther. Esther went to the king and told him of Hainan's enjoyed the Megillah reading. was taken to plans, and Haman was hanged. "The oration was special and unique," the King of Puvim is held on the 14th day of Adar, he said. Persia to usually in March. The 13th day of Adar is Each year the Chabad Center chooses become part of the day Haman chose for their extermi- a different theme for the night. his harem and nation. The word Purim means "lots," "We've been doing Purim around the became queen, referring to the lottery Haman used to world," said Chabad Program Director but could not choose the date for the massacre, accord- Goldie Azimov. "Last year was Israel, and reveal she was ing to the Web site. this year we came up with China." Jewish. Hainan The Chabad Jewish Center also holds "The Chinese theme is very interest- hated Esther's weekly services, offers counseling, pro- ing and multicultural," Israel said. cousin, Morde- vides koshering of the home and Rosie Linde, 12, of Edison, agrees. cai, because he mezuzah scrolls for protection of the "It is a good idea to step away from the refused to bow home. whole Judaism thing and go to different down to him, so countries." Haman plotted "Basically we're the home for every- Family celebrations at home are fes- to destroy the thing Jewish," said Program Director tive as well. Jewish people. Azimov. "We fast, we normally go over to some- ebration, He told the King there were people in his There will be a Model Matzah Bakery one's house, and th*en we dance and eat," "Goldie is my sister, and I'm a school- realm who did not observe his laws. on April 10 at 2 p.m. to celebrate the said Ashley Milchiker, 8, of Marlboro. teacher. It's a nice opportunity to work The king allowed Haman to handle upcoming holiday of Passover. Bakers "We heav the Megillah, dress up, and with the children in this area. There is a the Jews, according to the Judaism 101 will demonstrate how to make matzah give presents to family and friends," said beautiful Jewish community here and the Web site. His plot was to "destroy, kill and children will get to do it on their own. Rosie Duchman, 22, of Brooklyn. children are always welcomed," she said. and annihilate all Jews, young and old, Contact the Chabad Jewish Center at Duchman was a volunteer for the cel- The story of Purim is told in" the infants and women, in a single day," (732) 398-9492 for more details. South Brunswick rezones tract to settle suit This would mark the third zoning Stanton, however, sued the town- erty, which includes 14 to 20 acres of Council bonds $3 million change for the property, located off ship and the court mandated the prop- wetlanda. New Road in Kendall Park. erty be rezoned back to R-3, but did Along with the rezoning ordinance, to purchase 101-acre The council has been in negotia- not require township to allow open the council adopted a bond ordinance Stanton property tions with Stanton for two years for access to the rear of property. that would set aside $3 million for the the land, which would be preserved The council again rezoned the purchase of the property.