The Jewish Star Independent and original reporting from the Orthodox communities of Long Island VOL. 8, NO. 21 MAY 22, 2009 | 28 IYAR 5769 www.thejewishstar.com KOREN SIDDUR School Board election READERS WEIGH IN Kosher Bookworm results online at Letters to the Editor Page 3 www.thejewishstar.com Page 4 IN MY VIEW Kosher Bubby’s and then some Varied support for new ethical seal interview BY MICHAEL ORBACH At Café Nana, a quaint, privately owned restaurant in the Columbia University Hillel, a new type of certification adorns the wall. Unlike the eatery’s hechsher, which certifies that the food being prepared is strictly kosher, this one, known as the A heritage trip to Poland Tav HaYosher, ensures something entirely different, that is best explained in the words of Alex, a Mexican immigrant who works in the kitchen: “It’s good,” he said. “They come here and ask how much [I get] paid.” BY DINA SANDHAUS Tav HaYosher, an initiative by the Orthodox social activism group Uri L’Tzedek, is a hechsher for workers’ rights. It ensures that basic labor conditions in restaurants are met: rom my dorm room in Israel, I ner- workers are paid at least minimum wage and given overtime, vously picked up my cell phone and and restaurants maintain a safe work environment. Each dialed her phone number; she restaurant that has the seal receives a visit every four to six answered. I could not articulate any F weeks by a compliance officer who goes through the restau- words, I was sobbing uncontrollably and the rant payroll and speaks confidentially to employees about tears were not allowing me to speak. After a working conditions. So far six restaurants in New York City few minutes, I found my voice. “I can’t have signed up alongside one supermarket. believe it, why me, why do I get to go?” I Uri L’Tzedek reached prominence last May after launch- cried frantically to my sister, Gila, who was ing a boycott against the Rubashkin meat processing plant fol- thousands of miles away in America. lowing a federal raid that netted some 500 illegal immigrants I could not fathom why my parents Photo courtesy of Kulanu and reports of poor working conditions. The date of Tav were allowing me, their eighth child, to par- The rain stayed away Sunday afternoon for Kulanu’s annual fair in Cedarhurst Park. Volunteers from the Lev HaYosher’s launch this past Tuesday coincided with the ticipate in a school-sponsored trip to Poland Leytzan clown troop were on hand to enhance the festivities, which included rides, games, prizes, music, a anniversary of the raid. that they had previously denied my seven magic show, and much more, with all of the day’s monetary proceeds benefiting the Kulanu organization. “Rubashkin showed a lack of internal transparency and older siblings, a trip focused on viewing the accountability,” explained Shmuly Yanklowitz, the co-director historical sites that commemorated the of the organization, over a bowl of green Café Nana soup. “It destruction and laid testament to the murder showed how unprepared the Orthodox leadership is to tackle of over six million Jews. Here I was, being Kulanu acquires new building our problems.” offered the opportunity of a lifetime and I The program is available at no cost and is administered was terrified of bearing its enormous burden. STAFF REPORT “Kulanu will provide an expansive range of ser- entirely by 100 or so volunteers led by Yanklowitz, who is over I continued to speak, now in a desperate vices that will benefit all of the commnity’s children,” six feet tall and speaks in the commanding tones of a military tone. “I never met Zaydie, I hardly remember At their annual fair in Cedarhurst Park on Sun- explained Mark Honigsfeld, Chairman of the board of officer. He hopes the certification will develop an economic Bubby. I barely have an appreciation for them day, Kulanu announced that it had finalized plans to Kulanu. “Our community has long been missing a clout that persuades other kosher establishments to sign on. and their heroic stories. How can I go?” purchase a building from the St. Joachim Parish of community-wide recreation facility to host inclusive, “What these people will realize is there is power in the Now,less than a month before the trip, I Cedarhurst at 620 Central Ave. meaningful and fun activities after school and on seal and they’re only going to get business if they have it,” he pleadingly asked my sister Gila, who had a Due to the foreclosure of their main office earlier weekends.” explained. “We want to win Manhattan, then expand into unique relationship with my grandmother, to this year, and an unprecedented surge in enrollment The new Kulanu Center for Special Services will New York, beyond Manhattan and into other cities.” give me some much needed words of for next year, the organization was in need of several serve hundreds of local children with special needs, Yanklowitz said that he had inquiries about the seal from strength and wisdom. I was astounded by new classrooms, which they have now secured combining ducational, therapeutic, recreational and restaurants in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. The certification her response — she did not offer her usual through their recent acquisition. See KULANU, Page 2 See KOSHER, Page 8 words of comfort, but rather bestowed upon me a great missive. She opened my eyes to the miraculous coming together of events that only Divine intervention could have The parade that orchestrated (or my Bubby!). Now, it was my sister’s turn to start cry- ing into the phone; however, her tears were of intense joy and clarification. Our Jewish few ever see faith says that everything happens for a rea- son yet we, as humans, are not always privy A behind-the-scenes look at New York’s to the reasoning behind events. However, on the slim chance we can see some meaning annual Salute to Israel behind our actions, the events that unfold BY YAFFI SPODEK and a full-time employee of the can be startling and breathtaking. Gila said Israel Tribute Committee, a not- simply, “Bubby is going with you.” Months of intensive plan- for profit organization which runs We all loved my grandmother — she ning are often required to orga- the parade. was always singing songs and making us nize a one-day event, and the Brickner spoke to a visitor food to fill our bellies, and as grandchildren annual Salute to Israel parade –– from the floor of her midtown we hardly knew what those numbers tat- scheduled this year for May 31 Manhattan office, where she sat tooed on her arm really meant. We under- –– is no exception. on her knees, carefully folding On Lag B’Omer, Judge Guy de Phillips (left) finalized the legal adoption of Meira, the foster daugh- stood about the Holocaust and heard stories From brainstorm- the silver-colored ter of Azriel and Sara Ganz of Woodmere. tangentially, but Bubby was never one to seek ing ideas to physically sashes that volun- the spotlight and, thus, her stories were implementing the teers and dignitaries See VIEW, Page 5 vision, preparing will wear when they “Mommy, am I adopted now?” for the parade is a march in the year-long endeav- upcoming event. BY AZRIEL GANZ going to let this opportunity pass. We were also Dina Sandhaus, of Scranton, PA, is a grad- or which costs Around her, the pleased that May 12 corresponded to Lag uate of Scranton Hebrew Day School, and approximately $1 floor and walls A couple of weeks ago, I got a call from B’Omer, very fitting since Meira (whose name of Bruriah High School in Elizabeth, NJ, million to produce. were covered with our lawyer asking if Tuesday, May 12, would means light) has brought so much light into and last year attended Michlalah “Our primary other parade para- work for the finalization of the adoption of our our lives. Jerusalem College. The youngest of eight objective is to make sure phernalia, including foster daughter Meira. This came as a surprise It all started on a hot summer day in July, children, she is currently a sophmore at that things run smoothly posters from previous since, only a week earlier, she had asked me 2005. Sara took a call on her cell phone while Stern College for Women and plans to and that people come to have a years, flags and artistic logos; on whether the second week in June would work. shopping for groceries. It was OHEL. Would we become a nurse. Her sister, Gila Jedwab, good time and show their support the table was a pile of VIP tickets My wife, Sara, and I cleared our calendars. agree to foster a 10-week old baby girl for a lives in Cedarhurst with her husband and for Israel,” said Michal Brickner, for those sitting in the reviewing After almost four years, including countless couple of months? Uncharacteristically, Sara their four children and practices dentistry the parade’s executive producer, court hearings and adjournments, we weren’t See ADOPTED, Page 8 in Lawrence. See PARADE, Page 7 That’s Life............................................................................2 Calendar...............................................................................6 Candlelighting: 7:53 p.m. ■ Shabbat ends: 9:01 p.m. Inside Opinion .................................................................................4 Classified .............................................................................6 Shabbat Torah reading: Parshat Bamidbar 11530 PRST STD PERMIT NO 301 GARDEN CITY NY US POSTAGE PAID PAID US POSTAGE We Will Have All Types of Quiche and Our World-Famous TILAPIA New York Cheesecake For Shavous FILLET Family TERIYAKI Pack $ 99 LB. MOROCCAN SALMON 5 HONEY SALMON FILLET MUSTARD Ready Ready to Bake $ 49 to Bake $ 49 TILAPIA LB.