Baltimore Jewish Home 2-27-14

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‫ י״א אדר ב׳‬- ‫כ״ז אדר א׳‬

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Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore Hosts 61st Anniversary Banquet PAGE 5

Dedication of Bikur Cholim Room in Johns Hopkins Hospital

PAGE 12

Chaverim Celebrates 7 Years Of Service To The Baltimore Community PAGE 6

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME FEBRUARY 27, 2014

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

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CONTENTS COMMUNITY Around the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

JEWISH THOUGHT Appreciation What We Have. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

PARSHA Answering the Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

COVER STORY Kiruv in the Nation’s Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Israel’s Groom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

EDUCATION Forgotten Heroes The North American P-51 Mustang. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

LIFESTYLES My Israel Home The Art of Negotiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Health and Fitness A Manageable Athletic Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 In the Kitchen Heavenly Hamantashen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

NEWS Global News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 National News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Dear Readers, I would be remiss if I did not share with you some of the overwhelming support and encouragement I received after the inaugural issue. Feedback included, ”I enjoyed reading the first issue of the paper this Shabbos!! You are filling a necessary void of local frum reading on a weekly/biweekly basis,” and, “Hatzlacha to you!!! Welcome to your new publication - the first issue looks great! May all your good efforts be blessed with hatzlacha!” The emails and phone calls I received, with no other purpose other than to give thanks for introducing this publication locally, were very heartening.

The entire BJH team appreciates all the comments and suggestions that were made to help better the paper for the community’s enjoyment. The vast amount of talented people who have contacted us to have their articles featured is exciting, and we hope to include as many articles as possible. Please feel free to email suggestions for articles, interviews, or anything else you would like to editor@baltimorejewishhome.com.

This week we have a featured story on the state of Jewish outreach in Washington, DC. Thank G-d there is so much good being done through the Kiruv organization. Rabbi Yisrael Motzen shares his insights on the Kiruv being done there and gives us a good understanding as to what really goes on. In addition, there is the very powerful story of Ahron Karov, an IDF commander with an incredible story to tell.

So please sit back, relax, and enjoy our second print…

Once again, thanks to you all and please keep the feedback coming!

Have a great Shabbos, Yaakov

That’s Odd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

ISRAEL

Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

The Baltimore Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly newspaper. Opinions expressed by writers are not neces­sarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Baltimore Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

Community

Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore Hosts 61st Anniversary Banquet welcomed all the guests, and thanked those who put forth so much effort to make the evening a success.

Rabbi Hillel Tendler, president of the cheder, delivered a “state of the cheder” address, highlighting the continuing cheder’s efforts to meet their budget, keep tuition affordable, and while paying rebbeim, teachers and staff, and meeting other expenses.

Rabbi Tendler also paid tribute to a few yechidim who made a tremendous impact in the establishment of the cheder, who were recently niftar.

Rebbetzin Rivka Sternhell, a”h, the wife of the cheder’s founder, Harav Yitzchok Sternhell, zt”l, stood by her husband’s side and encouraged his efforts in building a cheder in Baltimore that was fashioned after the chadorim of Europe that were destroyed by the Nazis, ym”sh. Mr. Jacob Boehm, a”h, who was niftar just last week, was one of the founding members of the cheder, and Rabbi Tendler displayed a copy of the original charter of Yeshivas Shearis Hapleita, signed

by Mr. Boehm, among others.

In a surprise presentation, Rabbi Tendler

called upon Mr. Yaakov Chaikin to accept an award for all of his devoted efforts as a parent volunteer in helping set up a “blended digital program” for the seventh and eighth grade math classes. This experimental program has been a great success, and has increased learning in those classes while saving money for the cheder.

To cap off a wonderful evening, an exciting video presentation not only

highlighted the work of the honorees, but also depicted the cheder in action, imbuing the guests with the various maalos of the cheder, including the simchas haTorah of the talmidim, the supportive relationship between the staff members, and the extreme care and concern that the rebbeim, moros, assistants, and English teachers show for the boys.

Rabbi Hillel Tendler, Rabbi Eliezer Eisgrau, Rabbi Moshe Tesser, Rabbi Yisroel Reznitsky, Rabbi Gershom Flamm, Rabbi Chanan Daniel Skurnik

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

“We are here tonight to celebrate the Torah- those who learn Torah, those who teach Torah, those who support Torah, and those who will support Torah.” These were the words of Rabbi Moshe Tesser, recipient of the Rabbi Yitzchok Sternhell Memorial Award at the 61st Annual Banquet of Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore this past Tuesday evening, February 25.

And those words certainly reflected the tone of the evening as over 450 people gathered at Beth Tfiloh Congregation to celebrate being part of a cheder that is uniquely known throughout the country for its high caliber of chinuch, combined with a “geshmak” yet professional atmosphere where warm and dedicated staff members truly care for each talmid.

The evening honored several beloved members of the “TI family.”

Dr. and Mrs. Yoel Jakobovits, who were honored with the Shearis Hapleita Award as Grandparents of the Year, were recognized for the key role they play in many aspects of the Baltimore community.

Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Tesser received the Rabbi Yitzchok Sternhell Memorial Award, in recognition of eighteen years of dedication as a master eighth grade rebbi in the cheder.

Finally, Mr. and Mrs. Nechemya Jakobovitz were honored with the Shearis Hapleita Award as Parents of the Year. Reb Nechemya is known as one of the key individuals who keep the cheder’s educational office humming, and Mrs. Jakobovits is a true eishes chayil who is always at Reb Nechemya’s side.

The delicious dinner was catered expertly by Mr. Mosi Treuhaft of The Knish Shop, and the hall was beautiful decorated by Ladies Auxiliary parent volunteers, adding a wonderful ambiance to an already beautiful evening.

The inspiring program began with an enjoyable choir of fifth grade talmidim, led by the cheder’s very own Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz.

Rabbi Boruch Neuberger, master of ceremonies, opened the event,

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

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Chaverim Celebrates 7 Years Of Service To The Baltimore Community And Over 22,000 Calls Fielded Shani, a mother of three, did a quick check around. All three kids?

Check.

Everyone’s backpacks?

Check. Lunches? Check. Car keys?

Maybe… wait… got ‘em.

Shani breathed a quick sigh of relief and locked the door behind her, newborn in one hand, purse in the other, and made her way to the van. “Uch. Really? Today? But I have the Siddur party later!” she moaned as she stared dejectedly at the flat tire. We’ve all been there.

Eli, a businessman making his way to BWI, grabbed his carry on, adjusted his bluetooth and got in the car.

Today’s meeting was a big one, and this was a flight he could not miss.

Putting the keys into the ignition, he noticed the gas gauge slowly teetering towards empty. “The airport’s only a fifteen minute drive.” Ten minutes later, his car slowly came to a halt on the 695. We’ve all been there.

Sima was celebrating her third daughter’s engagement.

Walking to the kitchen to refill a candy dish, she smiled at her three grandchildren, engrossed in an intense game of hide and seek. “Bubby quick,” her oldest grandson called in a panic, “Avi’s locked in the bathroom, and he can’t reach the door!” We’ve all been there… And so has Chaverim This February marks seven years

of Chaverim serving the Baltimore community’s needs. 30 volunteer responders, 6 volunteer dispatchers, and an average of 17 calls a day, Chaverim fields the highest call volume among local rapid response chessed organizations. Dovid Bagan, the “man behind the jump start”, brought Chaverim to Baltimore with a mere five units and a vision. “What makes me truly proud of Chaverim, is the dedication of the volunteers and their families.

Everyone has a family, everyone has a job, yet everyone gives of themselves, and Klal Yisroel’s needs are always at the forefront.”

Mrs. Chasida Teichman, Rebbetizin of Ohel Moshe and now a new dispatcher shared the following.

“When my friend called me 1 hour before Shabbos from Pennsylvania in a panic because her car had broken down on the way to Baltimore and she was stranded in the middle of nowhere, I immediately thought to call Chaverim. The way that a Chaverim coordinator arranged so many details so that my friend could reach her daughter’s house in Baltimore without involving any Chilul Shabbos at all, and the fact that he walked over Friday night to where she was staying on Shabbos to find out if she was OK, was nothing less than ASTOUNDING! I knew right then that I wanted

to be a part of such amazing Chessed project; and so I am a proud dispatcher for Chaverim! My husband gets a kick out of seeing me walk around the house looking and sounding like a cop. He says, “Do you know anyone your age who does this kind of thing?” And I say, “Wish I did!”

Chaverim’s volunteers are constantly going “Lifnim Misuras HaDin. Dovid Weingot, a coordinator notes, “As a family from New York travelled on their long awaited vacation to Florida, the car hit a pothole and got two flat tires late at night, leaving them stranded on the side of interstate 95. Chaverim volunteers not only arranged to have the car fixed, but also arranged comfortable accommodations for the entire family at two in the morning! People ask what’s makes our group different than a road side assistance service, and the answer is obvious. It makes all the difference when a comforting face pulls up and understands what you are going through!”

Chaverim’s dedication and compassion for every Jew extends far beyond the house lock out, jump start, or gas refill (to list just a few services).

Chaverim continuously works with our community’s existing organizations such as Ahavas Yisroel, Hatzaloh, Shomrim, and others to provide emergency generators for critical situations, Misaskim services such as Shiva Minyanim or assistance in missing person searches. Chaverim’s assistance has broadened as the needs of the community have expanded.

The hotline rings, a local Cheesed Organization has received a desperate call. Mrs. K’s electricity has just been disconnected, and her critical medical equipment will not operate. Chaverim coordinators arrange a generator hookup immediately along with hourly checks ups conducted to ensure enough fuel supply until the case is resolved.

Most recently, at the Levaya of a prominent community Askin, Chaver-

im helped orchestrate the procession through the main streets of Baltimore to ensure the utmost Kavod Hames.

“The Jewish community is lucky to

have this organization,” remarked Matt Levinson of Sol Levinson and Brothers..

Giving to the community also includes presentations to schools, such as for the community helpers unit at Talmudical Academy. Students were able to test Chaverim’s equipment, and to check out Chaverim’s Allstate West Insurance Group service truck.

This past summer, Chaverim hosted a day of fun for the whole family, complete with moon bounces, an auto fair, and animals.

Whether it’s been a frantic morning rush getting interrupted by forgetting keys, or this year’s numerous snow storms where Chaverim fielded seventy five calls in less than two days, we’ve all been there. Chaverim continues to meet the needs of the community by seeking the best equipment, training, and relationships with government officials. This February marks Chaverim’s seventh years in service, and 15,000 calls. Thanks Chaverim, for being there!

Enter Chaverim’s monthly emergency car kit raffle giveaway: https:// c h v r m . r a f fl e r e a d y. c o m / c h a v e rim-monthly-raffle For more information regarding sponsorships, endowments, honoring a loved one, or to give back to the community, please contact Dovid Weingot @ 443-929-1387 or dweingot@ gmail.com.

7 THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

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Community

Bnos Yisroel Middle School Experience Real-World Business at JA Biztown A few weeks ago, the sixth and seventh grade Middle School students went on their long-awaited trip to Junior Achievement BizTown in Owings Mills. This trip was the culmination of a two-month long curriculum on business education and financial literacy that the students completed.

The students learned to budget, manage their “bank accounts”, basics in advertising, resume writing, job interview protocol, gained an understanding on taxes, loans, interest, insurance and many other valuable “real-world” skills. The girls also took part in mock job interviews during which they applied for prospective BizTown jobs. At BizTown itself, the

girls worked in the various businesses and “made the city run” for the day.

From the Mayor to the CEOs, CFOs, bank tellers, meter readers, news reporters to the employees in all the

various shops at BizTown, the girls all worked hard, showed their true mastery of the skills they’ve learned in class, and had a wonderful time! The BizTown staff members remarked

how impressed they were with our girls’ work ethic and motivation to succeed.

JBNetwork comes to Baltimore Many Jewish professionals came out this past Wednesday, February 26th, to the initial JBN (Jewish Business Network) breakfast at the Woodholme offices in Pikesville, Maryland. JBN is a fast growing online and in-person Jewish business network with seminars all over the East Coast. The purpose of the gathering was for local Jewish professionals to make connections and referrals within the community. It is no secret that

Mr. Josh Dill speaking at the meeting

networking in the business world is a must for all professionals. In fact, a study conducted by The Federal Bureau of Labor, which was published a few years ago, revealed that 70% of all new business comes from some form of networking.

Connections were made, business cards were exchanged, and there was boundless energy in the room. Many are looking forward to the next rendezvous in March.

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Beth Tfiloh Seventh Graders Make STAR-K First Stop on Jewish Baltimore Tour

by Margie Pensak

How do Jewish Baltimoreans help and affect Jewish life in Baltimore? That was the trip objective for the seventh graders of Baltimore’s co-educational Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, on February 12, who made their first Jewish Baltimore tour stop the offices of STAR-K Certification. Other stops which gave the students a feeling of community pride and enabled them to relate to facets of Jewish life in Baltimore which they may not have known existed, included: The Chesed Fund Limited, Hatzalah, Ahavas Yisrael, and Yeshivas Ner Yisroel--where the boys had a private audience with the Rosh HaYeshiva, HaRav Aharon Feldman, shlit”a, while the girls met with a rebbetzin who shared what her life is like living in a Yeshiva community.

STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Baruch Beyer, an expert in industrial kashrus and an experienced high school instructor, gave an interactive session on kosher basics and the challenges of keeping kosher. The close to fifty students enthusiastically asked excellent questions, such as: ‘How could grape juice not be kosher’; ‘what happens if non-Jews handle the grapes’; and, ‘what is in Bac-O Bits’?

The engaged students’ interest was piqued further when one of the most popular slides in the PowerPoint presentation used to augment Rabbi Beyer’s lecture portrayed an expensive Zenvo sports cars. “I used the mashal of the car for why we keep kosher,” explained Rabbi Beyer. “Just like a sports car owner needs to follow the manufacturer’s manual to uti-

lize the proper fuel in order to obtain the maximum performance from the car, Jews need to follow their manufacturer’s manual, the Torah, to only eat the proper foods that will fuel and get the most out of their Jewish soul and body.”

“Star-K greeted us with a warm welcome,” said Rabbi Shmuel Krawatsky, Middle School Judaics Teacher/grade Advisor, Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School. “The kids learned lots of content relating to the rules of Kashrut and gained an appreciation of the many details that are involved in the process of certifying food. Rabbi Beyer had the kids’ attention from beginning to end. Everyone gained from his presentation, students and teachers alike.”

Seventh grader, Hailey G., said,

“Beth Tfiloh’s Jewish Baltimore field trip was rich with learning, bonding, and recognizing Jewish values all throughout Baltimore…I absorbed a great deal of kosher knowledge from the Star-K, in addition to what I have learned in Mishnah class this year.”

Classmate Joseph L. noted, “I never really realized the amount of work that has to be done to become kosher certified until I visited the Star-K. Not only do you need to know what the ingredients are, but you also need to know where they come from.”

“I was really impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and interest in kashrus” said Rabbi Beyer. “Their questions were insightful and sincere.

It was really encouraging.”

Record Number of Applicants at Bais HaMedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore The Bais HaMedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore recently hosted more than 100 bochurim who applied to the ninth grade for the coming school year. Each potential student was invited to spend a shabbos at the yeshiva.

Over shabbos they had a chance to

Motzei Shabbos melava malka

experience the rebbeim, talmidim, and limud HaTorah atmosphere of the yeshiva. During the yeshiva sedarim the boys were paired with current talmidim at the yeshiva which provided them with a real flavor of the excitement generated by their learning at a

high caliber yeshiva. This year, due to the large number of boys who applied, four such shabbosos were held.

The shabbos experience came to a close with a beautiful melave malka and a D’var Torah from a community guest rav.

Night seder in the yeshiva

The yeshiva, currently in its 17th year, boasts a beautiful campus which houses more than 120 talmidim. Many of the students are from the Baltimore area, while more than 50 percent come from across the United States and beyond.

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Dedication of Bikur Cholim Room in Johns Hopkins Hospital Bikur Cholim of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Hospital celebrated the opening of their newly constructed Bikur Cholim Room with a dedication ceremony this past week. Located in Room 175 of the Blalock Building, the Bikur Cholim Room is a dedicated room where patients and families can find fresh Shabbos meals, hot coffee and kosher snacks, or simply a lounge area for respite or a quiet space to enjoy a meal. The room is stocked and maintained by Bikur Cholim volunteers with an array of items including havdalah supplies, electric candles, seforim, and Jewish newspapers and magazines.

The development of the Bikur Cholim Room came about through the commitment of the Johns Hopkins Hospital’s leadership to meet the needs of the kosher patient and the advocacy of Bikur Cholim of Baltimore. The new John’s Hopkin’s Bikur Cholim Room joins the many other Bikur Cholim rooms that are located in University of Maryland Medical Center (located on the 6th floor of the Gudelsky Pavilion), Sinai Hospital (Blaustein Lobby), and Sinai ER-7. All of Bikur Cholim’s rooms provide free-of-charge kosher food for families in the hospital who are temporarily away from the readily available Jewish staples of their home and community.

An elegant spread of light refreshments was presented for those attending the dedication ceremony. The evening’s remarks began with Ty Crow, Director of Pastoral Care, who welcomed the attendees by expressing his pleasure in celebrating the opening of the new “Kosher Suite”. He was followed by Ron Peterson, President of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Executive V.P. of Johns Hopkins Medicine. Mr. Peterson remarked on the importance of offering “this accessible, yet private space within the hospital for reflection, relaxation and religious practice.” He mentioned that the room is also used for a daily mincha minyan. Next, Dr. Paul B. Rothman, M.D., Dean of Medical

Faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, recognized the “wonderful work of Bikur Cholim in supporting the needs of the Jewish community at Johns Hopkins and other hospitals”

and their close cooperation with the Johns Hopkins staff. Dr. Rothman described the new Kosher Suite as “a quiet retreat in the midst of a bustling hospital... a space within the hospital building that addresses the needs of members of the Jewish faith.”

Rabbi Zvi Teichman, Rav of Congregation Ohel Moshe and board member of Bikur Cholim of Baltimore, addressed the gathered crowd with heartfelt appreciation for all that Johns Hopkins Hospital offers to the community and the special relationship we are fortunate to share.

Using the Pesach Seder as a point of reference, the Rav remarked, “If they were only the greatest medical institution in the world - dayeinu; if they were only caring and compassionate - dayeinu; if they only shared a close relationship with the Jewish community - dayeinu. All the more so, that they do those things and also provide this wonderful Bikur Cholim Room!”

Dr. Lewis Romer, attending physician in the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center PICU, there as a representative of the daily minyan, expressed hakaros

hatov for the hospital’s commitment to accommodating the religious needs of all faiths. He shared his feeling that he is able to provide better care to his patients because the needs of their families are taken care of by Bikur Cholim.

Aron Katz, President of Bikur Cholim of Baltimore, read a thank you letter from a patron describing the new room as, “a place to keep a restless and nervous child busy and find something to eat for the patient and his tired and hungry parents, away from the overwhelming hospital. We really felt like we’d come home to a cocoon prepared by our loving, Yiddishe family.” Mr. Katz presented an award in honor of this occasion to Johns Hopkins, which was accepted

by Mr. Peterson and Dr. Rothman, for being, “The premier medical in-

stitution in the United States and a caring restorer of the health of body and spirit to people from all over the world.” Special recognition was given to long-time Bikur Cholim volunteers at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Rabbi Tzvi Schur, Jewish Chaplain for Johns Hopkins Hospital, recalled the milestone of adding a Jewish chaplain to the hospital staff. The program concluded with Rabbi Schur affixing a mezuzah to the doorpost of the new Bikur Cholim Room.

Bikur Cholim of Baltimore is comprised of 350 volunteers dedicated to providing support to cholim in the Baltimore community and visitors from all over the world who come to receive medical care from

Baltimore’s world-class hospitals. Patients and families are helped through a broad range of services including fresh meals, transportation, respite,

and housing. Additional Bikur Cholim services include medical referrals, accommodations near hospitals and transportation for Shabbos and Yom Tov, a medical equipment gemach, in-home visitation, and birth night baby-sitting. These services are delivered by an energetic team of case managers and service coordinators working tirelessly to meet the needs of cholim. For close to 30 years, a group of volunteers have been visiting patients in area hospitals weekly.

The new Bikur Cholim Room in Johns Hopkins is one of the many initiatives of Bikur Cholim of Baltimore’s advocacy for the needs of Jewish patients in local hospitals.

Recently, Bikur Cholim has partnered with hospitals in the area to improve kosher hospital meals, incorporate halachic sensitivities in new hospital construction, ease access to hospital-sponsored Shabbos housing, and arrange appropriate chaplaincy.

The opening of the new Bikur Cholim Room in Johns Hopkins is a very significant milestone in Bikur Cholim of Baltimore’s mission to lighten the burden on patients and families dealing with illness.

Dedication and sponsorship opportunities are available for this new room. Please contact Bikur Cholim of Baltimore at 410-999-3700 or info@ baltimorebikurcholim.org for additional information. Bikur Cholim of Baltimore is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Community

Critical Private School Measures on Stage in Annapolis

R’ Sadwin watching his daughter testify

lic textbook/technology program was tagged at $6.1 million, while the new program that provides capital grants to update aging school structures was tagged at $3.5 million. Of the $9.6 million available statewide, Maryland’s Jewish schools receive approximately $800,000 of the total.

All line items in the Governor’s budget are subject to the scrutiny of the education subcommittees on both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Budget and Tax-

ation Committee. In the hearing to determine upholding the allocation for nonpublic school textbooks/technology that took place this past Friday, subcommittee members and the numerous state education officials in attendance heard testimony from Bais Yaakov sixth grader, Miriam Sadwin, in support of the $6.1 million allocation. Miss Sadwin’s testimony articulated the critical role played by the textbook/technology program in the ever-changing world, highlighting how technology has provided students with many new and exciting opportunities. Joining Miriam on the panel to testify in support was her father, Rabbi Ariel Sadwin (director of Agudath Israel of Maryland and president of the Maryland chapter of the Council for American Private Education) and Garrett O’Day, Esq. (deputy director of the Maryland Catholic Conference).

The next item of interest coming up this week is the Senate hearing for the Maryland Education Credit.

This bill (once known as BOAST) would create a mechanism by which corporations who donate to nonpublic school scholarship foundations would be granted a 60% state tax credit for the amount of the contribution, thereby incentivizing making these donations. Programs similar to this proposal that have been enacted in a dozen other states, have provided nonpublic schools with vital support, especially at a time when nonpublic school enrollments have been down due to the difficulties posed by high tuition costs. This legislative proposal has been introduced several times over the last number of years, but has yet to receive the necessary level of support in House of Delegates. Despite this session being the last one before the next legislative elections, nonpublic school advocates are still hopeful that this bill finds the long sought success this year.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

With the 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly just past the mid-point, the items of significant interest to day school families are now getting their turn. Maryland’s nonpublic school advocates must be on top of their game, as the next few weeks will determine the amount of state aid their schools will receive for the next year. In his Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget, Governor Martin O’Malley allocated Maryland’s highest-to-date total of funds to benefit nonpublic schools. The $9.6 million shared by two different programs reflect the same amount that came out of the amended version of the FY2014 budget. The state’s nonpub-

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R’ Boroch Neuberger, R’ Ariel Sadwin and Gov. Martin O’Malley

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Cover Story

Mesorah DC is a Kiruv operation that provides young, single professionals in the Washington, DC area with exciting opportunities in Jewish enrichment. The organization is known to create an environment where Jewish people of all backgrounds and affiliations feel comfortable learning more about their Jewish heritage and about how Jewish tradition interfaces with the 21st century.

One of the up-and-coming stars of the Mesorah Kiruv operation in Washington, DC is the young, energetic Rabbi of Ner Tamid, Rabbi Sruli Motzen. BJH had the opportunity to gain access to his insights garnered from working with the unaffiliated in our nation’s capital this past Monday night in his effort to bring Judaism to life.

“While I get a tremendous amount of inspiration from the dedication of the staff, the chizuk I get from watching someone change his or her life in such a dramatic way and knowing I had a part in it is the most rewarding experience one can hope for,” said Rabbi Motzen. He adds, “If that doesn’t give a person Chizuk, I don’t know what would.”

Washington, DC is arguably the most prominent center for national and international media in the U.S. The high level of educated individuals pursuing different types of professional careers makes DC an area conducive to Kiruv. As Rabbi Motzen relates, “I was once giving a class about Shabbos and how it provides an opportunity to realign our lives with our ideals which we so often forget about. One young woman raised her hand and said, “Rabbi, you’re talking to the wrong crowd. This is a group of young professionals in Washington, DC- everyone here is idealistic!” Although there are certainly exceptions to the rule, continues Rabbi Motzen, “She was right- the young professional crowd in DC is a very idealistic and well-ed-

ucated crowd. Many of them have come to Washington for some cause or another that is in no way related to making it big on Wall Street.

Their idealism and intellectual curiosity make connecting to their heritage an almost natural step in their personal growth.”

At the same time, DC is a very transient community. The Kiruv professionals there are able to give the same classes for three years in a row

noted that there are Poskim who rule leniently on the matter.) While this does cause some people to hesitate before coming, it also ensures that those who do come enjoy a “real Shabbos experience.”

Rabbi Motzen adds humorously, “It’s like the young man who came for Shabbos and spent a half hour trying to turn off his iPhone because he had never turned it off before. Most people have never experi-

One young woman raised her hand and said, “Rabbi, you’re talking to the wrong crowd.

This is a group of young professionals in Washington, DC, everyone here is idealistic!” because there are so many new people moving in and out of town on a yearly basis. Although this makes it hard to forge close relationships, it does push the mentors to pack in as much as they can into a shorter amount of time.

While for some their only connec-

enced ‘shutting down’ for 25 hours.”

The disconnection from the outside world makes a real impression.

Although Rabbi Motzen can’t attend Shabbos in DC because of his local weekend duties, it is appropriate to mention that the rest of the staff spends

tion is the Monday night get-together, others take advantage of the “Shabbos experience”. One challenge the Mesorah organization faces is rooted in their policy- people can only join the “Shabbos experience” if they stay for an entire Shabbos. (It should be

every second Shabbos in downtown Washington where they host a Carlebach minyan followed by a huge Friday night dinner for the locals. During dinner the guests are entertained by interesting speakers or with engaging activities.

When asked about the other events they host, Rabbi Motzen responded, “Every Monday night we run something called Café Night where we provide a number of classes, one-on-one learning, a free dinner, and a chance to socialize. Many amazing volunteers from Baltimore make the trek all the way to DC to tutor. Every Wednesday night there is a Gemara shiur for the more advanced students. We have a number of social events throughout the year, like our Dreidel Tournament and Purim Cruise, that help create a sense of community.”

For many people it is encouraging to know that there are no prerequisites to join any class; all types of ethnicities and backgrounds are welcome.

From a conservative rabbi’s daughter to a man who just found out he was Jewish, some know a lot and some know very little.

However, when it comes to making a long-term commitment to Judaism, R’ Motzen believes their biggest weapon is real, unadulterated Judaism. “The goal is to demonstrate that Torah is very much relevant to their lives, but in doing so we don’t water things down in any way. What I mean by that is that we teach Torah that is real and share with them a genuinely Jewish experience.” This method of Kiruv is not only taught, but is really the core of Mesorah’s belief. The class must also be appropriate for the well-educated Yeshiva bochur to be effective. If R’ Motzen finds a Sefas Emes or Maharal that is a bit deeper to understand but explains a topic well, he won’t hesitate to share it.

R’ Motzen concludes, “The challenge is in taking those lofty ideas and making them palatable to the uninitiated ear. But when that barrier is overcome, the depth, profundity, and relevance of Torah shine through and hopefully awaken a sleeping neshama.”

Global The Sochi Summary

though we won the second most medals in total, we only came in fourth in the gold medal category. But guess which country took home the most gold? Unsurprisingly, it was Putin’s nation that came in at number one with 13 gold medals and 33 medals in total.

Russia was followed by Norway, with 11 gold and 26 in total, and Canada, with 10 gold and 25 in total.

Aside from the sports at Sochi, many will remember news broadcaster Bob Costas’ eye problems. When most people suffer from eye infections, it doesn’t get international attention. But Costas’ red eyes forced him off the job and he was only able to cover the games for the last week at Sochi.

USA’s men’s hockey team also made memorable headlines when they ended a preliminary-round game in a 3-2 victory against Russia. That, unfortunately did not last as the team ultimately lost the bronze to Finland.

But it was nice to have Americans focus on hockey for just a few moments.

As the host of the Winter Games, Russia certainly didn’t disappoint critics. The opening ceremony provided ample material for late night comedians as only four of the five Olympic rings lit up as snowflakes. Perhaps that was foreshadowing the chaos that tourists and Olympians had to endure.

Unsafe drinking water, pillow shortages, empty elevator shafts, wild dogs roaming the streets and upside down toilet seats made visitors feel right at home—in Russia.

Looking forward to winter 2018 in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Germany Arrests 3 Auschwitz Guards and Closes in on Other Nazis

ciless” officer who whipped inmates.

Her daughter said her mother’s memory is failing but admitted: “We know she had something to do with Auschwitz.” Female suspect number two is Gisela Schneider, 90, who now lives in an OAP home in northern Germany.

At Auschwitz she was a harsh disciplinarian who beat prisoners and who was often in charge of the standing cells – small, dark rooms where up to 15 people at a time were crammed in for minor rule infractions. It was not uncommon to leave people in these rooms for days on end, causing the death of some or all of those confined.

Female number three is identified only as Charlotte S., 94, who served at the Ravensbrueck concentration camp for women near Berlin. A fanatical Nazi, she was a dog handler who walked around the camp with an Alsatian that was trained to bite inmates.

One prisoner said after the war that “many did not survive the maulings.”

Taliban: No More Talks about Prisoner Exchange 

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This week, Germany arrested three elderly former guards who served at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. The Nazis, ages 88, 92 and 94, all lived in the southwestern German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The arrests followed months of investigations by the country’s central war crimes investigation unit which has zeroed in on some two dozen still surviving guards. The three elderly men underwent medical tests and then faced a judge who confirmed their fitness to be detained in a prison hospital. The 94-year-old is understood to be Hans Koenig, who was known as a “bruiser” in Auschwitz due to his alleged love of cruelty for its own sake.

Authorities stated that three female suspects are expected to be charged later this year. Among those are Gertrud Elli Schmid, 92, who was a “mer-

Despite promising rumors that the Taliban would be entertaining a prisoner exchange with the United States for the release of captive Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the Taliban announced on Sunday that they have suspended “mediation” with the United States—at least temporarily. The talks were the best chance for the soldier’s release since his capture in 2009.

On Sunday, Afghanistan’s Taliban released a terse statement to The Associated Press where Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid blamed the “current complex political situation in the country” for the suspension. “The leadership of the Islamic Emirate has decided to suspend the process for some time due to the current complex political situation in the country,” the statement read. “The process will re-

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Now that the 2014 Winter Olympics are over, we will miss the curling, skating and frigid sports that provided us with so much entertainment. But what memories will we come away with from this year’s Winter Games?

Team USA took home a nice amount of medals—9 gold and 28 in total. Sounds nice, right? But al-

In News

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The Week main suspended without the exchange of the prisoners until our decision to resume.”

Mujahed did not elaborate on what “political situation” in Afghanistan led to the suspension of talks or say when they might resume. Afghanistan is in the middle of a presidential campaign ahead of an April 5 election. Two-term President Hamid Karzai cannot run again for office under the Afghan constitution.

A U.S. official with knowledge of the talks said the cause of the suspension was not the result of any issue between the United States and Taliban.

He declined to elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to journalists.

Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, was last seen in a video released in December, footage seen as “proof of life” demanded by the U.S. Bergdahl is believed to be held in the border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He was to be exchanged for five senior Taliban prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay.

Oldest Known Holocaust Survivor Dies at 110

On Sunday, Alice Herz-Sommer, who was believed to be the oldest known Holocaust survivor, died at the age of 110 in London. Amazingly, she defied the Nazis and then lived to a ripe old age, surrounded by family and the music she loved. Interestingly, her story of survival along with her devotion to her music, “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved my Life,” is up for an Oscar this upcoming week.

Born in Prague in 1903, Alice learned piano from her sister at only five-years-old. She was married to

Leopold Sommer in 1931 and gave birth to their son in 1937, two years before the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia. “This was especially for Jews a very, very hard time. I didn’t mind, because I enjoyed to be a mother and I was full of enthusiasm about being a mother, so I didn’t mind so much,” she recalled.

Jews were allowed to shop for only half an hour in the afternoon, by which time the shops were empty. Most Jewish families were forced to leave their family apartments and were crammed into one apartment with other families, but her family was allowed to keep its home. “We were poor, and we knew that they will send us away, and we knew already in this time that it was our end,” she said.

In 1942, Alice’s 73-year-old mother was transported to Terezin, then a few months later to Treblinka, an extermination camp. “And I went with her of course till the last moment. This was the lowest point in my life. She was sent away. Till now I don’t know where she was, till now I don’t know when she died, nothing,” Alice recalled.

“When I went home from bringing her to this place I remember I had to stop in the middle of the street and I listened to a voice, an inner voice: ‘Now, nobody can help you, not your husband, not your little child, not the doctor.’”

From then on, she took refuge in the 24 Etudes of Frederic Chopin, a dauntingly difficult monument of the repertoire. She labored at them for up to eight hours a day. She recalled an awkward conversation on the night before her departure to a concentration camp in 1943 with a Nazi who lived upstairs and called to say that he would miss her playing. She remembered him saying: “‘I hope you will come back. What I want to tell you is that I admire you, your playing, hours and hours, the patience and the beauty of the music.’”

Other neighbors, she said, stopped by only to take whatever the family wasn’t able to bring to the camp.

Alice and her family were sent to a concentration camp in the Czech city of Terezin. An estimated 140,000 Jews were sent to Terezin and 33,430 died there. About 88,000 were moved on to Auschwitz and other death

In News camps, where most of them were killed. Interestingly, inmates were able to stage concerts in the camp and Alice frequently starred in these events. Alice and her son were among the fewer of the 20,000 inmates who were freed by the Soviets in 1945. Her husband died of typhus in Dachau.

Ever an optimist, Alice said she remembers the concerts as the highlight for many in the depths of horror. “These concerts, the people are sitting there, old people, desolated and ill, and they came to the concerts and this music was for them our food.

Music was our food. Through making music we were kept alive,” she once recalled. Survivors who remembered the concerts recalled that they brought them hope. “For that hour they were transported back to their homes and they could have hope.”

The camp’s artistic side was a blessing; young Stephan, then 6, was recruited to play a sparrow in an opera. “My boy was full of enthusiasm,” Alice recalled. “I was so happy because I knew my little boy was happy there.” The opera was “Brundibar,” a 40-minute piece for children composed by Hans Krasa, a Czech who was also imprisoned in the camp. It was first performed in Prague but got only one other performance before he was interned.

“Brundibar” became a showpiece for the camp, performed at least 55 times including once when Terezin, which had been extensively spruced up for the occasion, was inspected by a Red Cross delegation in June 1944.

The Nazis used the performance as propaganda for their cause. The opera featured in a 1944 propaganda film which shows more than 40 young performers filling the small stage during the finale.

After liberation, in 1949, Alice left Czechoslovakia to join her twin sister Mizzi in Jerusalem. She taught at the Jerusalem Conservatory until 1986, when she moved to London. Her son, who changed his first name to Raphael after the war, made a career as a concert cellist. He died in 2001.

Are the French Saying Au Revoir to the Beret?

The beret is to France as baseball

caps are to America. But the numbers are showing that the French may be “fini” with the iconic wool hats.

In the 1980’s the country produced several million berets a year, but last year it produced just 160,000. Thirty beret-making factories have shrunk to two and now that the final two have merged, France is left with one beret-making factory.

Why are these beautiful chapeaus declining in the land of fashion and style? One of the reasons may be price. Berets imported from the Czech Republic, from India and from China sell for as little as two euros. Men’s berets made by the French Laulhere sell for at least 40 euros.

Mark Saunders, head of sales for Laulhere, argues that price isn’t everything. “There are berets and there are berets,” he pointed out. When wet, he says, Laulhere berets remain sweet-smelling. Imported berets give off an objectionable aroma. If you don’t want to smell like a wet wool sock, he says, you will wear only the traditional French.

But Geoffrey Colvin of Fortune magazine begs to differ. He points out that berets are just not fashionable for the younger generation anymore. “In northwestern Spain, berets are worn universally by farmers and old-timers in general, but not by younger men.

That seems to me to be the bigger issue,” he said. Men’s hats of all sorts have practically become extinct, he says, except for baseball caps.

Perhaps beret-makers would be wise to market these head covering to today’s pop stars and to concentrate on women, Colvin opines. Additionally, adding sequins or precious stones to the caps would help customize them for the customers.

The French government is coming to the beret’s defense. President Francois Hollande has launched a campaign called “Made in France” to help Laulhere and other slumping companies that make products intrinsic to the French image.

Hold onto your hats, Frenchmen, they may just came back into style.

Americans are opinionated and aren’t shy about expressing their views—especially about other countries.

Unsurprisingly, according to a Gallup’s 2014 World Affairs poll, Americans rate North Korea the least favorably of 22 countries rated, with 11% having a favorable opinion of the country. North Korea took over the bottom spot from Iran, whose rating rose from 9% to 12% this year. North Korea’s favorability has not exceeded 15% since 2002, consistently making it one of the lowest rated. But this is the first time since 2004 that it has been alone in last place. North Korea’s position at the bottom of the list is mainly attributable to a slight improvement in Americans’ opinions of Iran. Iran had been the worst-rated country since 2004. North Korea now immediately trails Afghanistan (14%), Syria (13%), and Iran (12%).

But Americans like our neighbor to the north. The poll found that 93% of Americans find Canada favorable, making it the highest rated country

by Americans, followed by England, with 90% having a favorable opinion of our friends across the pond. Israel came in 7th, with 72% of Americans having a favorable opinion of it. Forty-five percent of Americans said they had a favorable perception of Egypt,

Israel

within Syria and ended up in the Golan Heights.

Jordanian Sheikh Declares “Palestine” to Be a Fabrication

Palestinians Prefer Buying from the Kochol v’Lavan

Netanyahu Visits Treatment Center for Syrian Victims

Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an Israeli Defense Force base in the Golan Heights which has served as a field hospital for those injured in the protracted Syrian civil war. “On the day when negotiations between the world powers and Iran open in Vienna, it is important that the world see the picture from this place,” said the Israeli leader. “A place that separates the good from the bad in the world. The good part is that Israel is saving the lives of victims of the daily massacre being carried out in Syria. These are the true colors of Israel.”

“From here, all that is left to tell the world today is that although the negotiations began today between Iran and the world powers, Iran has done nothing to change its aggressive and harmful policies; Iran has not changed its cruel tone and continues to support Assad’s regime while he massacres his own people. These are the true colors of Iran. The world must not forget this,” clarified Netanyahu.

Just as Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials were finishing up their tour of the Golan Heights, two mortar shells fell in the Golan from the direction of Syria. Although no injuries or damages have been reported, it appears that the bombs were misfired

It is no secret that the Palestinian’s claim to Israel is based on fabricated history, but it is surprising who is now defending Israel’s position. In a Facebook posting by Sheikh Ahmed Aladoan of Amman, a member of Jordan’s well-known Adwan tribe, he noted that there is no such place as “Palestine,” and provided references from the Koran to back up his assertion. He noted a passage in the Koran that says that the land was bequeathed to the Jews.

The sheikh even went further and accused the Palestinians of killing children, the elderly and women, of using human shields, and of having not an ounce of mercy for even their own children.

Obviously, the sheikh’s words caused a storm in the Arab media. The Adwan tribe issued a statement distancing itself from Sheikh Aladoan’s remarks. But the sheikh was not intimidated, and insisted he would continue to make his voice heard on these matters.

Last year, Sheikh Aladoan visited Israel and spent time with the chief rabbi of Tsfat, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu.

The sheikh informed Rabbi Eliyahu and his students that in the Koran, “There is no name ‘Palestine’ for this land, and therefore, the Arabs should not be fighting with the Jews over control of this land.”

Unfortunately, there has been support worldwide for the call for the boycott of Israeli products. Supposedly, activists believe that the boycott will further the Palestinian cause. But interestingly, Palestinian Arabs are increasingly becoming major consumers of Israeli products.

According to a survey, which was reported by a Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, 70 percent of the Palestinian Authorities imports come from Israel.

Israel does not restrict imports to the Palestinian-controlled areas, and Israeli goods sold there must compete with those imported from Europe and other Arab states. The reason Israeli products are doing so well is simply because Palestinian Arabs prefer them, several Palestinian merchants told the newspaper. For Palestinians, Israeli products are less expensive than European imports, but of much higher quality than cheaper Arab-made alternatives.

This survey highlights the glaring misperceptions worldwide against the Israeli State. Advocates of the BDS movement would do themselves a favor to take a look at this recent poll.

Lebanese Say Israeli Air Raid Kills Militants The Lebanese media reported on Monday that 21 Israeli warplanes have struck Hezbollah targets near the Lebanese-Syria border. “A number” of Hezbollah militants were killed in the airstrike, according to pan-Arab news channel Al Arabiya. The target

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Americans Heart Israel, Hate North Korea

and only 19% had a favorable opinion of the Palestinian Authority.

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The Week was a “missile base,” Al Arabiya quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying.

The hits were reportedly near the Lebanese towns of Janta and Yahfoufa, and were carried out by multiple planes on multiple targets. According to the Lebanese newspaper Daily Star, IAF jets flew two bombing sorties against a Hezbollah post in the Nabi Sheet area on the border between Lebanon and Syria. A Lebanese security source was quoted by The Daily Star as saying that Janta is known to be a hotbed of Hezbollah recruitment and training. It is also considered a key stop on the route through which arms are smuggled between Lebanon and Syria.

Thus far, the Israeli army has refused to comment on the reports.

Additionally, Hezbollah denied the airstrike on their television network alManar. They said there had been “no raid on Lebanese territory,” reporting only the “strong presence of enemy planes over the area north of Bekaa” in eastern Lebanon.

Foreign media reports have attributed five alleged Israeli air strikes on targets in Syria in 2013, reportedly to prevent the transfer of strategic arms to Hezbollah.

National New Law: DOD Must Purchase U.S. Made Flags The utmost symbol of pride for most Americans is the U.S. flag. Yet,

many of them are not even made in America. Like many products purchased in America, they are made in the Red State of China. But now, under a new law signed as part of the 2014 appropriations bill, any flag purchased by the Defense Department is required to be 100 percent made in America.

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., who wrote the legislation, said he did this for economic as well as symbolic reasons.

“I thought it was appalling our De-

In News partment of Defense would have flags made in other countries,” Thompson told CBS San Francisco shortly after the legislation was signed into law on Wednesday.

A similar bill requiring all government-purchased flags be made in the U.S. has repeatedly failed.

WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum: Silicon Valley’s

Newest Billionaire The only thing more stunning than WhatsApp’s $19 billion price tag is the incredible journey of the messaging app’s CEO Jan Koum.

Koum, who is Jewish, grew up in a rural town in a house with no hot water or electricity outside Kiev in the Ukraine. He is the only child of a housewife and a construction manag-

His humble beginnings appear to have instilled in him a strong work eth-

ic and dislike for egotism; WhatsApp may be a global phenomenon but it has no sign at its office. “I can’t see a reason for there being a sign. It’s an ego boost,” the entrepreneur told Forbes.

“We all know where we work.”

As a symbolic measure, Koum insisted that the deal with Facebook be signed in front of the social services office where he and his mother collected their food stamps.

It Pays to be POTUS

American presidents work hard defending our country and providing American citizens with a quality way of life. But being the president of the most powerful nation on Earth has its perks, and many presidents have become wealthy (or even wealthier) after leaving the Oval Office.

Every year, 24/7 Wall Street compiles a list of the nation’s wealthiest presidents. Interestingly, last year, the only living person to occupy the Oval Office to make the top ten list was former President Bill Clinton. His wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is the front-runner for the 2016 Democratic presidential ticket, according to most political pundits. Bill has made millions on lucrative book deals and more than $100 million on the speaking circuit. Secretary Clinton has recently begun to earn that kind of money as well. In all, the couple’s net worth is said to be around $55 million, making the Clintons one of the wealthiest presidential estates in history. I guess you can say it pays to be prez.

But generally, at least recently, presidents make their money only after leaving the White House. President Barack Obama is not counted as one of the richest presidents. He currently receives a salary of $400,000 a year as president. The president’s

annual income has actually dropped steadily since he entered office. In 2009, the president’s adjusted gross income was $5.5 million. That figure fell to less than $1 million in 2012.

This is primarily due to a drop-off in revenue from his prior book deals. It is estimated that Obama’s net worth is around $7.5 million.

So who were the richest presidents in our nation’s history? Here are the top ten wealthiest commanders in chief to have occupied the White House.

John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, came in tenth on the list with a net worth of $1 billion. He was born into wealth and his wife came from a wealthy family as well. Almost all of JFK’s income and property came from a trust shared with other family members. Bill Clinton came in at ninth on the list with a net worth of $55 million. The 42nd president didn’t inherit any wealth—he came from a poor family—but did earn substantial income from speaking and writing after leaving the White House. In fact, Clinton was paid $750,000 in 2011 for a speech in Hong Kong for Ericsson.

The formidable FDR is the eighth wealthiest president. His net worth of $60 million came primarily from inheritance and through marriage.

Herbert Hoover, the seventh wealthiest president, had a net worth of $75 million. Hoover was an orphan who was raised by his uncle. Ultimately, Hoover made his fortune in mining.

Next on the list is LBJ. With a net worth of $98 million, the 36th president accumulated 1,500 acres in Texas and owned livestock and private aircraft.

James Madison was the fifth wealthiest president in our nation’s history.

The fourth president had a net worth of $101 million and was the largest landowner in Orange County, Virginia. With a net worth of $119 million, Andrew Jackson was the fourth wealthiest president. Although he was considered to be “in touch” with the average American, he became one of the wealthiest presidents of the 1800s.

Theodore Roosevelt came from a prominent family and received a sizable trust fund. The third wealthiest president had a net worth of $125 million. His 235-acre estate, Sagamore Hill, now sits on some of the most valuable real estate in Long Island.

Thomas Jefferson, the second wealthiest president, received 3,000 acres of land from his father along with several dozen slaves. With a net worth of $212 million, the 3rd president’s estate was considered one of the architectural wonders of its time.

George Washington was not only the first president of the United States. Comparatively, the Father of our Country was the wealthiest president of our nation with a net worth of $525 million. Washington’s Virginia plantation, Mount Vernon, consisted of five separate farms on 8,000 acres of prime farmland run by more than 300 slaves. His wife, Martha, inherited significant property from her father.

As president, Washington earned well more than subsequent presidents: his salary was 2% of the total U.S. budget in 1789.

Oh No de Blasio: Mayor’s Car Caught Speeding

In an episode of “do as I say, not as I do,” New York Mayor de Blasio is taking heat for violating many of the very traffic laws that he is placing renewed emphasis on.

Earlier last week, Mayor de Blasio announced a sweeping street-safety plan which included enforcing the city’s speed limit and making sure drivers obey traffic signs. “We’ve put a very bold plan before you, and we want the public to know we’re holding ourselves to this standard — and we intend to achieve these goals,” he said at a press conference.

Just two days after the press conference, de Blasio was caught riding in the front passenger seat of his Suburban which was going 15 MPH over the speed limit and which zipped through

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

er. At 16, he and his mother immigrated to Silicon Valley in order to escape political unrest and anti-Semitism.

Once in the U.S., Koum and his mother lived on food stamps. His father died in 1997, his mother in 2000.

As a teenager, Koum taught himself computer programming. He did it by purchasing used books and returning them to the store when he was done with them. He enrolled in San Jose State University, but dropped out when he got a job at Yahoo as an infrastructure engineer. He was hired at Yahoo by Brian Acton. In 2007, Koum and Acton left Yahoo on the same day.

In the summer of 2009, Facebook turned Acton down for a job. Like any other dejected interviewee, he used Twitter to express his glass half full disappointment: “Facebook turned me down … looking forward to life’s next adventure.”

But things turned around for him later that year. In 2009, Kuom and Acton started WhatsApp, which offers instant messaging without the fees that carriers often charge. It’s free for a year, 99 cents yearly after that, and does not show ads. WhatsApp has racked up 450 million users and is very popular overseas.

Despite creating such a wild success, Kuom has shied away from the spotlight. He passes up television appearances and rarely gives interviews.

His prestigious CEO title isn’t even listed on his social media accounts.

On his LinkedIn profile, he lists himself as Whats Apps’s “QA Tester.” He previously said he was the company’s “Sr. Tweet Manager.”

Koum owns 45% of WhatsApp, according to Forbes. That means that his share of the deal with Facebook is close to $7 billion.

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The Week stop signs.

In response to inquiries by reporters, de Blasio’s office issued a statement: “We believe public safety is everyone’s responsibility. We also recognize NYPD’s training and protocols, and refer questions related to security and transportation to them.

With that in mind, Mayor de Blasio is firmly committed to the traffic safety policies outlined this week.”

The NYPD released a statement noting, “The security and transportation for the mayor are provided by the New York City Police Department.

Police Department personnel assigned to the mayor’s Security Detail receive specialized training in driving based on maintaining security as well as safety.” The NYPD pointed out that under certain conditions the professional drivers of the NYPD may engage in driving tactics which are meant to protect the mayor and which may not conform to the rules of the road.

Although this may be a plausible explanation at times, witnesses say that there were no other cars in the area and there was no reason the mayor’s vehicle could not have stopped before proceeding through the stop sign.

So far the mayor seems to be doing well. He’s a great role model for our young drivers.

Congressman Truly Delivers

What can brown do for you? Well, if your UPS deliveryman is your congressman, he can do more than just deliver packages.

Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., has come up with one of the more creative ways to get to know his constituents: spend a day doing their jobs. Last Friday, while Congress was in recess for a district work period, the con-

gressman donned a UPS uniform and helped deliver packages, often flying under the radar of residents in his Las Vegas district who didn’t notice him (until he said his name while handing over his delivery).

The job training also afforded Horsford the opportunity to push for a top Democratic priority, an increase in the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour instead of the current $7.25. He lauded UPS, which pays its drivers an average of $32.50 an hour. Even entry-level truck loaders earn between $11 to $12 per hour, he said.

“UPS stands as an example of a company that’s already doing great things,” Horsford said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “And they do it because it’s good for their workforce. It’s good for the economy, but it’s also good for their customers.”

The congressman didn’t slack off on the job. He arrived for his day of work at 8 a.m. and met with company officials and stretched before heading out on his route with a 16-year veteran named Mark Sidman. While Sidman drove, Horsford worked the handheld device to track deliveries along the route.

According to the Review-Journal, Horsford was a fast learner. But the congressman bemoaned a rookie mistake. “I should have stretched more,” he said.

There’s always next year.

President Obama: Subpar

In News An anonymous artist in Santa Monica, California, really doesn’t think so highly of President Obama and has plastered posters with pictures of the president in various golf postures with the word “subpar” written on it. The images have been found on trashcans, in porta-potties, and on street benches. The appearance of the posters coincided with the PGA Tour, which was played just outside of Santa Monica over the weekend. The president, who is an avid golfer, is known to have a subpar golf game, but it is probably his politics not his golf game that is the target of the message.

Longest Serving Congressman to Retire

On Monday, Rep. John Dingell announced that he plans on retiring.

But don’t think that this Michigan Democrat is slacking off. Dingell is the longest serving congressman in the nation.

The congressman was elected when he was 29-years-old to his father’s seat in 1955 and has held it ever since. He has been a key player in some of the biggest liberal legislative victories of the past 60 years.

“I don’t want people to be sorry for me. ... I don’t want to be going out feet-first and I don’t want to do less than an adequate job,” said the 87-year-old Dingell, who cut a physically imposing figure in his prime but now uses a cane or motorized cart to get around the Capitol. Some speculate that his 60-year-old wife, Debbie Dingell, may run for his seat. She repeatedly denied the rumor.

In June, Dingell broke the record for the longest serving member of Congress held by the late Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, but his congressional experience goes back even further than his 1955 electoral win.

As a congressional page in 1941, he watched firsthand as President Franklin D. Roosevelt called on Congress to declare war on Japan in his “Day of Infamy” address.

Dingell assembled a record that epitomized the power of the legislative branch of government. His longevity testifies to the formidable willpower of a man nicknamed “Big John” for his 6-foot-3 stature and his sometimes imperious demeanor.

“John is one of the giants in American history,” said Republican consultant and pollster Steve Mitchell.

“There’s nothing like it.”

Counting Dingell’s time as a page, the only person who rivaled the longevity of Dingell’s involvement in federal affairs was President John Quincy Adams, Mitchell said.

Dingell said his “single most important” vote was for the 1964 Civil Rights Act that eliminated unequal voter registration requirements and outlawed racial segregation in schools, workplaces and public areas — a move he said almost cost him his seat. He also played a key role in the creation of the Medicare program in 1965, and wrote the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act and the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Dingell presided over the House when it passed Medicare, and he loaned the gavel he used that day in 1965 to Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the chamber’s approval of President Barack Obama’s federal health care overhaul in 2010. Dingell had introduced a universal health care coverage bill in each of his terms, and he said one of his proudest moments was sitting next to Obama as he signed the law.

The congressman became known for sharply worded investigative letters dubbed “Dingell-grams” sent to agencies. If Dingell has a reputation for being hard-nosed, he also maintains the old congressional tradition of cordiality with colleagues, friend and foe. He lamented during his speech on Monday that Congress has grown deeply “rancorous” and “divided,” and has become “a disappointment” to him.

That is not why he is leaving, he added, but it is time to “enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet.”

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The Week 1 in 4 Americans Have More Credit Card Debt Than Savings

A new survey from Bankrate.com finds that 28 percent of Americans say they owe more in credit card debt than they have in their emergency funds or savings accounts. That’s up from 24 percent last year. About 51 percent said they have more in their emergency savings funds than they owe in credit card debt.

Bankrate.com found that Americans in their prime earning years— ages 30 to 64—were most likely to have more credit card debt than emergency savings.

A word to the wise: stop swiping.

Bush: I Don’t Miss Being President

For eight years, President George W. Bush ran the world’s most powerful country. But since leaving the White House, the former president has preferred to stay out of the limelight and spend time with his family.

Asked about his years out of office, Bush candidly said, “A lot of people ask me, do I miss much about being

president? The answer’s really no,” Bush said in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday. “I mean I miss people I served with. I miss Air Force One. In eight years, they never lost my baggage.”

The former commander-in-chief made his comments while highlighting the Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative with Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Biden. He still holds a deep admiration for the country’s military men and women.

“I do miss saluting men and women who volunteered to defend our nation during war,” he admitted. “Many are coming home and are preparing for new missions as civilians, and I intend to salute these men and women for the rest of my life.”

Bush, who hosts an annual 100-kilometer mountain bike ride for wounded vets and as well as a Warrior Open golf tournament, said he remains committed to ensuring veterans successfully transition to civilian life. “What most veterans want is to have their service understood and appreciated for what it is: A formative experience in their lives and a source of skills and values that prepare them to succeed in civilian lives,” Bush said. “Our veterans have defended the American people and now they want to experience the American dream.”

He continued, “Veterans and employers both have a hard time translating military experience. That’s not surprising. You don’t see many job postings that say: ‘Wanted: Experience in hunting insurgents and terrorists. Willing to risk life for coworkers. What’s a veteran supposed to put down? ‘My last office was a Humvee?’”

Bush also stressed the importance of dropping the word “disorder” from PTSD in order to “end the false stigma” affecting many veterans. “The problem with post-traumatic stress is not the condition itself. The problem is the stigma surrounding the condition,” Bush said. “As most doctors will tell you today, post-traumatic stress is not a disorder. Post-traumatic stress or PTS is an injury that can result from the experience of war, and like other injuries PTS is treatable.”

The former president continued, “Veterans receiving treatment for post-traumatic stress are not damaged goods. They are not mentally shat-

In News tered. They are people who got hurt defending their country and are now overcoming wounds,” he added.

The former commander-in-chief said the Bush Institute, along with universities and employers, can help provide veterans with resources as they try to join the civilian workforce. “At the Bush Center, we believe it’s never too late to learn a new skill. Just ask Laura,” the president said referring to his wife. “I promise you, years ago she didn’t think she was marrying an oil painter,” he joked.

Don’t Laugh—There’s A Clown Shortage

While it might sound like a joke, Clowns of America International says a national clown shortage is no laughing matter. The Florida-based organization is the country’s largest trade organization for clowns. Clowns of America International President Glen Kohlberger told the New York Daily News that membership has plummeted since 2006.

The U.S. is facing a shortage of face-painted jokesters due to attrition, Kohlberger said, with declining interest, higher standards and older clowns passing away. He also said that it is difficult getting the younger generation involved in clowning.

Membership at the World Clown Association has dropped from about 3,500 to 2,500 since 2004.

This raises an interesting question: does one need to be part of the World Clown Association to be considered a clown, because when I look around me all I see are a bunch of clowns?

Milk Has a New Life

Do you remember who won the famous duel against Alexander Hamilton on July 11, 1804? Most of us don’t remember the answer from history class; we know that Aaron Burr won the duel because of that celebrated “Got Milk?” commercial from years ago. Eating a peanut butter sandwich without a glass of milk is a no-no to many and those “Got Milk?” commercials made us smile.

But now it’s time to wipe that milk mustache off your face.

The Milk Processor Education Program is moving on from its nearly 20-year national ad slogan “Got Milk?” to a new campaign called “Milk Life,” which aims to highlight milk’s nutritional benefits. It seems that Americans need to be reminded about the nutritional value of milk.

The new campaign was kicked off on Monday. Everyday Americans, as opposed to celebrities, will be featured in the ads. In the old ads, famous faces sported milk mustaches proudly.

Now, the leche won’t be on our faces.

Did I hear you say, “Moo”?

Wisconsin National Guard Disgraces Fallen Soldiers The Wisconsin National Guard has come under fire for photographs posted on social media by a funeral honor guard member. In one photograph, a group of soldiers is seen joking around in front of what authorities say was an empty coffin draped with the American flag. The caption with that image

reads, in part: “We put the FUN in funeral.”

In another post, the soldier who put the pictures on the web is seen in uniform. The caption with that photo reads: “It’s so...cold out....WHY have a funeral outside?”

Where Should the 99 Percent be Heading?

Ever since Mitt Romney campaigned for office, the term 99 percent has been found in many headlines and on many talk shows. The disparity between the haves and the have nots in the country feels like it has been widening. The rich seem to be getting richer and the poor seem to be spi-

ing.

A rich family in Arlington, Texas, earned just 7 times as much as a poor family in 2012. Virginia Beach, Va., had the lowest income gap of all, Brookings found, with the wealthiest households earning just 6 times as much as the poorest.

Does that mean the grass is always greener where the income gap is smallest? Not exactly. States in the Midwest posted some of the biggest gains in 99 percent wealth in the years following the recession, but if you look just under the surface, you’ll find economies just as susceptible to failure as any other. “There’s no question that that growth was driven most importantly by energy development, unemployment rates have been low and that’s helped boost incomes,” Price said. “But there’s great risk in a place like South or North Dakota. Once that energy boom goes away, all of that prosperity will go with it. Good times are followed by a bust.”

If you’re part of the “99 percent” and are looking to move, consider these ten states when making the move. Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Hawaii, Wyoming, Washington, D.C., Oklahoma and South Dakota are great places to settle down.

And the best place to call your home in the U.S.? North Dakota.

25 Children Paralyzed in CA Due to Illness

At least 25 children in California have been sickened by a polio-like virus that is leaving them with paralyzed limbs. The cause of most of these cases are unknown and doctors are scratching their heads.

“What we’re seeing now is bad,” Keith Van Haren, a pediatric neurologist at Lucile Packard Children’s Hos-

pital in Palo Alto, related. “The bestcase scenario is complete loss of one limb, the worst is all four limbs, with respiratory insufficiency, as well. It’s like the old polio.” Symptoms include loss of the ability to move limbs, which leads to atrophy and causes muscles to shrivel. “They just dangle, like empty balloons,” the doctor added.

The first known case appeared in Oakland in 2012, prompting health officials there to monitor case files, according to the report. Two more were recently discovered in the San Francisco Bay Area. According to Van Haren, the total number is “in the neighborhood of 25,” all in California.

“This is really very rare,” Van Haren said. “But we are asking any families who notice a sudden onset of weakness to see their doctors immediately.”

Polio, an infectious disease that invades the nervous system and mainly affects young children, became one of the most dreaded diseases of the 20th century in the United States. There is no known cure for polio, which is “mainly spread by person-to-person contact and eating or drinking items contaminated with the feces of an infected person,” according to the Centers for Disease Control.

A vaccination was developed in 1954 and a global push to eradicate the disease, launched in 1988, resulted in a sharp decline in polio cases. According to the World Health Organization, just 223 cases were reported in 2012.

But in 2013, a polio outbreak in Syria resulted in more than 60 suspected cases. Officials blamed the outbreak on a lack of vaccinations in the wartorn country.

Van Haren said additional tests confirmed the affected children in California “definitely do not have polio.”

Still, the doctor is trying to get the word out to have others in other states come forward if they suffer from the mysterious symptoms.

Hagel: Army Needs to be Reduced On Monday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called for the shrinking of the U.S. Army to its smallest size in decades. His announcement, which

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

The photos elicited a barrage of responses online, including one from a widow who wrote: “I wonder if my husband was treated with the dignity and respect he deserved. Did his honor guard make jokes about being at his service or complain about being there?”

The soldier who posted the photos has been indefinitely suspended from the funeral honors detail pending an investigation into the matter. Officials also said that measures have been taken to assure the soldier’s safety, as she has been receiving death threats.

I guess people really think her funeral would be fun.

raling into a life of debt and despair.

Since 1979, the average income of the bottom 99 percent of U.S. taxpayers grew by 19%, while the average income of the top 1 percent grew more than 10 times as much—by 200.5%.

“Obviously, we’ve known for more than a decade about these trends in rising top incomes nationally,” Mark Price, an economist, said. “What is affecting us as a nation is affecting all of us.”

But don’t think that these disparities are equal in every state. For instance, the wealth gap in New York and Connecticut has reached Grand Canyon-size proportions (the wealthiest earn 40 times as much as the 99 percent in both states). But in a handful of states, the bottom earners are actually faring better than the super-rich — at least in terms of income growth.

So where should the “99 percenters” be living? In Montana, New Mexico, Hawaii, Louisiana and Alaska, the 99 percent’s income actually rose in the years following the recession, while the 1 percent’s declined.

It’s no coincidence that income gaps are smaller in states that aren’t exactly known for their booming business sectors.

“Take New York state, which is the most unequal in terms of the gap between the 1 percent and the 99 percent, and that’s largely driven by the financial sector,” Price pointed out.

“Part of what’s driving differences you see across states is the size of the financial sector and, of course, the relative concentration of top executives across the board.”

It’s not just states that react differently. Cities within states show different trends. Recently, the Brookings Institute found that large cities, for example, generally have higher income inequality compared to the rest of the country, while smaller cities tend to fare better in terms of wealth parity. In the 50 largest metro areas, the rich earn nearly 11 times as much as low-income households, while the national average is 9 times as much. In cities like Atlanta, San Francisco, and Miami, the richest households earn 15 times as much as their less-well-off counterparts. But hop over to smaller cities, with fewer big business hubs and more blue-collar jobs, and you’ll find households on more equal foot-

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included other cuts, drew criticisms from many.

The Army had already been preparing to shrink to 490,000 active-duty members from a wartime peak of 570,000. Hagel is proposing to cut it further to between 440,000 and 450,000. That would make it the smallest since just before the U.S. entered World War II. “We are repositioning to focus on the strategic challenges and opportunities that will define our future: new technologies, new centers of power, and a world that is growing more volatile, more unpredictable, and in some instances more threatening to the United States,” Hagel said at a press conference at the Pentagon.

He defended the proposed reductions in troop strength, as a trade-off for building up “technological superiority” and priorities like Special Operations Forces and “cyber resources.”

But many didn’t agree with Hagel’s proposal. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, warned that the cuts would hurt military readiness. And he said the country is only in this position because the Obama administration and Congress will not seriously take on cuts to entitlements. “It’s all being sacrificed ... on the altar of entitlements. This president cannot take on mandatory spending, so all we’ve done in the Congress – and this president – is basically cut discretionary spending,” he told Fox News.

The New York Times first reported on the proposed cuts. The changes reportedly would leave the military capable of waging war, but unable to carry out protracted occupations of

foreign territory, as in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Officials told the Times that Hagel’s plan has been endorsed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It calls for the Navy to maintain all 11 of its aircraft carriers currently in operation. However, the budget proposal mandates the elimination of the entire fleet of Air Force A-10 attack aircraft, as well as the retiring of the U-2 spy plane, a stalwart of Cold War operations. The budget plan does keep money for the F-35 warplane, a project which has been beset by delays and criticism over design flaws.

Other characteristics of the budget will likely draw further ire from veterans groups and members of Congress.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Hagel would recommend a limit on military pay raises, higher fees for health-care benefits, less generous housing allowances, and a oneyear freeze on raises for top military brass.

“This is a real uphill battle with Congress,” Mieke Eoyang, director of the National Security Program at Third Way, a centrist think tank in Washington, told the Journal. “G-d bless [Hagel] for trying to get a handle on these costs,” she said. “But in this political environment, in an election year, it’s going to be hard for members of Congress to accept anything that’s viewed as taking benefits away from troops.”

That’s Odd These Shoes Weren’t Meant for Walking Richard Hudgins has cold feet— and I mean, really cold feet. The hairstylist from Kentucky has stopped wearing shoes since early December and is going barefoot for a full year to raise money for shoeless children a world away.

The brave man has gone barefoot

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to work, to drop his daughter off at school, to shop and even to exercise at the gym. Hudgins has nearly made it through a brutal Kentucky winter that featured several days of snow, ice and single-digit temperatures. “You really do build a tolerance up,” Hudgins said while walking on snow on a recent day near his job near Louisville. “The ice isn’t so bad; it’s the snow, because the snow gets on the top of my feet.”

There’s a method to Hudgins’ shoelessness.

He wants to raise $25,000 in donations by year’s end and then take the money to Narok, Kenya, where children need uniforms and shoes to go to school. So far he has raised nearly $4,000. If he reaches his goal, it would buy durable shoes for more than 800 kids, said Elijah Ombati, a missionary from Kenya who has struck up a friendship with Hudgins. Ombati said many of the needy children are orphans and don’t have $20 or $30 for shoes. Ombati said shoes are necessary at schools for good hygiene and to protect the feet of children who walk far distances.

John Calipari, to shed their footwear to raise awareness and funds for shoeless children around the world.

Hudgins said he got the bare feet idea from Toms shoe company after it challenged customers to go a day without shoes.

“I thought one day without shoes was a pretty cool idea, but I wanted to go big or go home, so I decided to do a year,” Hudgins said. The first day in early December was the hardest, and he even abandoned his barefoot workout at the gym and left when he saw the manager approaching. “It was kind of humiliating, I didn’t expect that at all,” he recalled said.

When he got home, he told his fiancée he couldn’t go through with it.

And then he saw that the website he set up had its first $5 donation. “That really inspired me and I said I’m going to keep doing it, I’m going to keep going,” Hudgins said.

He was allowed to use his gym sans shoes after he explained what he was doing, and said he has since been surprised at how many businesses don’t mind him walking in with no shoes. Hudgins says only one place, a sandwich shop, flatly refused to serve him. “You’d be surprised how many places don’t have those [no shoes] signs” Hudgins said.

I’d like to walk a mile in his shoes—or maybe not.

Gimme a Break “The need is high, and the need is growing day by day,” Ombati said.

“Those who are from middle class families, they have [shoes], but those who are poor, maybe a friend gave them shoes, or maybe they are still looking, or maybe the shoes are torn.

Many of them are trying hard, and even some share shoes.”

Hudgins isn’t the first person to go barefoot for charity. The Charlotte, N.C.-based nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet annually asks coaches, including University of Kentucky basketball coach

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Snickers or even the Baby Ruth bar?

What sets apart the crunchy chocolately bar from its sweet competitors?

Well, believe it or not, there was a lot of thought that went into the Kit Kat crowning. First off, the Kit Kat was the first candy to be marketed around the concept of sharing. One for me, one for you. Secondly, it was one of the first candy bars to earn fans around the world. In fact, in Japan, fanciful Kit Kat flavors include edamame soybean, Shinshu apple,purple sweet potato, and matcha green tea. Other nations have their own unique flavors for the chocolate bar.

Amazingly, the Kit Kat’s origins go all the way back to 1911—that’s long before Snickers (1930), 3 Musketeers (1932) and Baby Ruth (1921).

(Hershey Bar, though, hit the market in 1900.) Last but not least, no one can quite forget that loopy jingle, “Gimme and Break,” that has been swirling around our heads since 1986.

Yeah, we all know that song and we all know to break me off a piece of that Kit Kit Bar!

A Smashing Art Exhibit

Maximo Caminero, 51, did what many of us have done in our lives— he broke a vase. The only difference between you and him is that the one that he broke was made by China’s Ai Weiwei and was worth $1million. The vase was part of an installation at the Perez Art Museum in Miami.

The vase breaker, who is himself an artist, says he did it in protest against favoritism for international rather than local art. He is now facing charges of criminal mischief, which

carries a maximum sentence of five years.

Oy “vase” mir.

A Buttery Brew

How do you like your coffee? Two Sweet ‘n Lows and skim milk? Or maybe you just like it black. Whatever is the case, if you didn’t answer “with butter,” then you are not on the latest coffee trend.

According to Dave Asprey, creator of Bulletproof Coffee, the butter has to be unsalted and grass-fed, and the coffee beans have to be low-toxin for this newest cup of joe. He insists that drinking this java will keep up high levels of energy and help you lose weight.

The caffeine in normal coffee, Asprey says, gives you an initial buzz, but in a while you’ll eventually crash. His low-toxin Bulletproof Coffee, on the other hand, contains MCT oil – a blend of coconut and palm oil – and has healthy fats that keep you going for hours. “It’s about how you feel two hours later,” Asprey said.

“With normal coffee, you get a food craving and get tired two hours later.

[Bulletproof coffee] doesn’t cause a 10:30 crash we’re used to. It gives you a huge boost over normal coffee.”

Asprey says MCT oil is digested faster than other fats, so it boosts energy and promotes weight loss. He says he adds it to his coffee to provide “laser focus.” “When you blend low-toxin coffee with butter and octane oil (MCT oil), the butter turns off some of your food cravings and provides things the brain needs, including micronutrients,” he said. “It turns off

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inflammation in the brain.”

Asprey insists on grass-fed, unsalted butter because “there are a lot of inflammatory ingredients in normal butter.” The same applies to much of the coffee sold in the U.S., which he says is filled with fungal toxins.

Think this is crazy? The practice of putting a pat of butter in your morning drink isn’t new. For generations, Tibetans have made yak butter tea. In fact, Asprey came up with the idea of putting butter in his coffee after trying yak butter tea during a visit to Tibet

three years ago. A health and fitness fanatic who had given up coffee, he’d found the perfect solution. “I wanted to drink coffee, and some days it didn’t make me feel good. I would get groggy,” he said.

As for the taste, Asprey says, “It’s like the creamiest latte you’ve ever had.”

Drinkers say it does taste a bit like a latte and devotees are 3 million strong.

So is it true that drinking this type of joe can have such great benefits?

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Gas Selling for $1.98— in Manhattan

Looking for cheap gas to fill up your SUV? Well, this week you didn’t have to travel to Saudi Arabia to fill up your guzzler; you could have just hopped

across the bridge to Manhattan.

As a promotional stunt for a new TV show in the city that never sleeps, Ewing Energies gas station on the West Side was selling gas for $1.98 a gallon—for one day only. Of course, with gas prices generally topping the $4 mark, motorists lined up for hours for a few gallons of fuel. As of midday, the line of waiting cars was two blocks long. (Sounds to me a little bit like New York after Hurricane Sandy.)

In a video release, Ewing Energies head John Ross Ewing told viewers, “I’m an oil man—third generation Ewing. I make my fortune on supply and demand. You demand, I supply.” Surprisingly, he says that the price of gasoline is too high. As a member of the most powerful oil family (on TV) in America, he says, he is in a unique position to do something about it.

“On February 24th,” he announced in the video, “Ewing Energies will open its flagship service station and drastically reduce gasoline prices.” Some people, he says, might call this undercutting the competition. Some might call it predatory pricing. “I just call it good business,” the fictional oil baron says. Good business or not, there was a limit of 26 gallons per person and per vehicle, and the promotion was only available until supplies last.

We knew it was too good to be true.

No More Words Ever thought there weren’t enough

words in the English language?

Over the weekend, only two out of 25 contestants were still standing after 19 rounds in a Missouri county annual spelling bee. Those two kids—11 and 13—battled it out for several hours and 47 rounds later until judges used up all available words. Yes, you heard right— they actually ran out of words to spell!

The showdown had to be temporarily halted until the organizers found more words to use.

“It was legendary,” said Mary Olive Thompson, a library outreach manager and co-coordinator of the Saturday spelling bee.

Sophia Hoffman, a fifth-grader at Highland Park Elementary School in the Kansas City suburb of Lee’s Summit, and Kush Sharma, a seventh-grader at Frontier School of Innovation in Kansas City, buzzed through the list of words provided by the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Then they ran through a list of about 20 additional words bee officials picked out of their Merriam-Webster’s 11th Edition during the lunch break.

But bee officials decided not to pull more words from the dictionary because they worried one speller might get a tough word and the other a relatively easy one, which wouldn’t be fair. Plus, Thompson said, at “about 2 o’clock, I think we were all really tired.”

Saturday’s competition went 66 rounds, she said, while last year’s bee ended after only 21.

“Scherzo,” ‘‘fantoccini” and “intaglio” were among the words Kush correctly spelled in the late rounds, while Sophia nailed words such as “schadenfreude, “mahout” and “barukhzy.”

Both of them missed what Kush said was the hardest word: a “French word; I have no idea how to pronounce it. It was a long word.”

With the winner moving on to the national spelling bee in Washington, D.C., in May, both contestants were at the top of their game in the final rounds on

Saturday, Thompson said. “Sophia and Kush’s eyes were just bright and glowing,” she said. “It was almost magical.”

The contest will resume March 8 at an undetermined library site.

These two will surely be busy bees until that time.

What Would You do for a Twix?

We all love our candy but are you ready to lose your job over it?

Last fall, a really hungry guy from Spirit Lake, Iowa, decided he wanted to snack on a Twix while working at his warehouse job at Polaris Industries. So Robert McKevitt inserted a dollar in the vending machine, punched in the code for the candy, and watched it get stuck midair on the spiral hook.

In his effort to release the candy, McKevitt inserted another dollar into the slot; no dice, his chocolate was still stuck. He banged and shook the machine; ditto. And so, according to state unemployment records, he took a more extreme action: the very hungry snacker drove an 8,000-pound forklift over, raised the machine two feet, then allegedly let it fall on the concrete floor— six times. Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam.

Well, all that banging really got things going. McKevitt got three candy bars out of all that work. But he also got something else: a pink slip. Five days later he was fired.

And that’s not all. In a December 16 hearing whose outcome only became public last month, McKevitt’s claim for unemployment benefits was turned down over what the judge called a purposeful disregard for his employer’s interests.

But McKevitt is not taking the judge’s statement sitting down. He insists that the dropping part of his escapade is false; he says he shook the machine so hard it moved away from the wall, and he just needed the forklift to return it to its place. Adding insult to injury, McKevitt says he’s heard “they have all new vending machines” at the warehouse.

What would you do for a Twix bar?

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

“There’s no scientific evidence to support the idea that adding butter to coffee provides an extra energy boost or that it may help you lose weight,” says registered dietitian Tanya Zuckerbrot.

“However, these claims may have some merit based on what we know about fat and digestion.”

But butter is very high in saturated fat, and some health experts caution that it can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. And while this elixir will make you feel full, it’s worth noting that adding the recommended 2 tablespoons of butter to your coffee will also add about 200 calories.

Maybe I can have the butter on the side…with a slice of toast.

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silver and jewels? God is exceptionally measured in what He decides to include in His sacred text. What are we to learn from the inclusion and repetition of the Mishkan details?

When describing the craftsmen who would work with the precious metals and stones the Torah states, “Every man whose heart uplifted him came, and everyone whose spirit inspired him to generosity brought the offering of the Lord for the work of the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments (Exodus 35:21).” What is the meaning of this phrase “N’sao Libo, whose heart uplifted him?” The creation of the Mishkan and fabrication of the utensils required great skill. An individual had to devote himself to learn proper techniques and apprentice under a master teacher.

The Ramban (Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, 1194-1270) writes: “There was no one among them (the people) who learned these skills from a teacher. They received no formal training.

Rather, they found within themselves (their nature) that they could perform these tasks and they came before Moshe and said, ‘We will do whatever the master requires’.”

The Ramban explains that our ancestors did not possess the requisite skills to build the Mishkan. For two hundred and ten years they were slave laborers and beasts of burden.

They never apprenticed or trained to perform these specialized tasks. But when the call came, they answered it.

When Moshe said he needed people to build the Mishkan, these “craftsmen” stepped forward. What training did they have? None. What skills did they bring to the table? None. But deep down they felt they could do it.

They felt that if they reached inward they would find the necessary abilities and skills to accomplish the necessary

tasks. This is the meaning of “N’sao Libo, whose heart uplifted him” – their hearts lifted them above their current realities to allow them to believe they could do and be more.

Perhaps, this is why the Torah goes into such great detail regarding the Mishkan. When we see the intricacies and details associated with this temporary structure we are amazed.

When we try to imagine a huge block of gold being hewn into an Aron (Ark of the Covenant) or Kohanic vestments where each thread is made of twenty four smaller threads, we are overwhelmed by the skills and talents required to produce such magnificent results. Only a team of experienced artisans could have undertaken such a task. Yet we know that this Mishkan was produced by our ancestors, men and women forged in the pit of Egyptian slavery. Men and women who knew they had to answer the call when they were needed. Men and women who believed they could be more.

When Moshe needed their help, they stepped forward and believed that someway, somehow they would rise to the occasion and meet the challenge.

There are times when we find ourselves in circumstances that seem daunting and overwhelming. We feel that we are in over our head and we stand ready to throw our hands up in the air and admit defeat. Sometimes, God places us in challenging circumstances because He wants us to step forward, dig deep and find the tools, abilities and talents that until now have remained unknown and dormant.

If I find myself in the midst of a particular challenge it means that I have the ability to meet it. We each must find the strength to be an Ish Asher N’Sao Libo; we must believe in ourselves, believe in our abilities and answer the call of life.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

It is the end; the end of the book of Exodus and the end of a narrative that has spanned four and a half parshios (Torah portions). So much time, so many words have been devoted to de-

scribing every last detail of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and its sacred utensils. Why? Why spend so much time describing a structure that was to serve the spiritual needs of our people for a relatively short amount of time. The Mishkan accompanied us in the desert and was to be replaced by the Beis HaMikdash (Temple). The Mishkan had a very limited usefulness – so why does the text devote so much time to every last detail? Why must we know every last cubit? Why must we know the final collection amounts of gold,

30

Cover Story

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FEBRUARY 27, 2014

THE JEW RY 2247, , 2012 2014 T HI ES H J EHWO IMSEH nH O MFEE BnR UMAAY

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Israel’s Groom

The Miraculous Story of IDF Commander Aharon Karov’s

Brush with Death and Journey to Recovery

by Tzvi Dear

Aharon and his father, Rav Zeev Karov

When you meet with Aharon Karov you get the sense that you are in the presence of a young man whose life experience is unparalleled. His physical scars bear witness to the severe trauma that he has been through. Yet, when he talks about his experience, he focuses on the positive and on pushing forward. He exhibits a contagious excitement for Israel, Judaism and faith in Hashem. I was fortunate to speak with him personally on his recent trip to America. This is his inspirational story.

I

n December 2009, the dark clouds of war once again hovered over Israel.

Ever since its withdrawal from Gaza, the now-Hamas controlled territory had become an oasis for terrorists, who freely lobbed katyusha rockets into Israeli cities, bringing everyday life to a grounding halt. Israel could no longer withstand the constant barrage, and it was decided that military action was the only option.

Yet, unlike many previous wars which Israel had fought, this war would be different. It would be a guerilla war, fought from house to house, courtyard to courtyard. Israel quickly learned after its previous incursion into Lebanon that when it comes to guerilla warfare, even if you win, it comes at a deadly cost.

But the Jewish State had no choice.

The plan for the operation, called “Operation Cast Lead,” was that in the first stage of the mission, special forces would go into Gaza and penetrate house to house, clearing booby traps and ap-

prehending terrorists.

Aharon Karov was going to be one of the first soldiers in. At the young age of 23, he was a commander in the elite paratroopers force Division 890, known as the Tzanchanim. He had excelled in the army and was prepared to lead his unit of 30 soldiers into Gaza.

Aharon was not only equipped with the best training, but he also had a tool that Jewish soldiers have relied on for thousands of years: a deep faith in Hashem.

Aharon’s father, Rav Ze’ev Karov, engrained in his son a love for Israel and a deep sense of emunah ever since he was a young child. As the Rosh Yeshiva of Keren Shomron, Aharon’s father penned a highly acclaimed sefer on emunah.

With his army training and faith in Hashem, Aharon felt that he was prepared for the battle. For several days, Aharon and his unit were encamped outside of Gaza waiting for the orders to enter enemy territory. On Thursday morning, January 1st, they were still waiting for the invasion, which they knew would be imminent. But Aharon had something very important to attend that evening. At 8AM, his superior told him to take the rest of the day off to prepare for that event: a wedding…his wedding.

Aharon and Tzivia were married on Thursday evening. The joyous celebration ended after 1AM. The next morning at 7AM, the newlywed received a phone call from his company commander, “Aharon, we are going into Gaza now. You don’t have to come, but I just need to know: are you coming or not?”

Although Aharon was entitled to 10 days off in celebration of his wedding, he couldn’t fathom not leading his troops when they needed him most.

“As a commander, you live with the constant sense that your soldiers are in your hands and you want to be there for them,” Aharon told me. His new wife, who was guided by a parallel love and commitment to Israel, agreed and encouraged him to go back to his unit.

Aharon notes how at his wedding under the chuppah, the words “Im eshkochech Yerushalayim” were sung. Although the timing was difficult, the mission of protecting Israel is so important, as evidenced by the fact that at Jewish weddings—which are seemingly unrelated to protecting Israel—we declare our commitment to that mission.

By 9AM the new groom was with his unit in Gaza. The dangerous mission had begun.

Aharon’s story made national headlines. The entire country was mesmerized and inspired at the level of commitment of this soldier to go fight mere hours after his wedding. The fact that Aharon was religious made this story

of the building up an outdoor staircase.

Two of Aharon’s men were in formation a few feet behind him. As Aharon smashed the door open, he was flung into the air from the ensuing explosion.

The door was booby-trapped and the home collapsed on top of Aharon. He lost consciousness in the blast.

Thankfully, Aharon’s soldiers were able to extract him from the rubble. But the situation was dim. His head took the brunt of the explosion and his skull was shattered. He had lost a lot of blood and was not breathing. A paramedic on the scene proclaimed him dead. But then, he felt a faint pulse. The paramedic made a split second decision to cut a hole in Aharon’s throat and insert a tube for Aharon to breathe. A medivac arrived within minutes, and Aharon was transported to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah.

Upon Aharon’s arrival at the hospital, the doctors quickly determined that the situation was hopeless. He would

Despite the different ways Jews dress, talk and live, at the end of the day we are one nation that cares deeply for one another. even more of a kiddush Hashem.

What happened next, though, made even bigger headlines.

On the tenth day of the incursion, Aharon was given a command to secure an area that included six houses.

Aharon and his troops went towards the first house and secured the area around it. They surveyed the home and noticed there was no live fire coming from it.

The plan was for Aharon to bust open the door, which was on the second story

not make it through the night, they thought. They informed Aharon’s new wife and his family that he would not survive and that they should come to say their goodbyes.

But then, the first in a series of miracles took place. Dr. Steve Jackson, who is a renowned neurosurgeon, overheard two nurses talking about the groom who was just brought in from Gaza and who was going to die. “It’s the groom; it’s the groom,” they said, referring to the

do the surgery himself, despite the odds being stacked against success.

As Aharon’s family gathered around their wounded husband and son, Dr. Jackson gravely informed them that the surgery would not save Aharon but that he was doing the surgery to give Aharon’s family “a few more hours with him.” He told Tzivia, Aharon’s new wife, “For somebody so dedicated to his country as your husband, I have to give 150%.”

The surgery lasted 18 hours and Aharon miraculously made it through.

The doctors then told Aharon’s fam-

was dismembered, and his stomach and upper left side of his body were completely crushed. He awoke to the devastating realization that for the rest of his life he would have to live in a hospital bed. But Aharon says that he was able to make it through those dark days because he felt the unity of klal Yisroel, as Jews of all types from all over the world davened for him. He received letters of support from ultra-Orthodox Jews, modern Jews, secular Jews—all Jews felt the urge to reach out to their brother in pain.

Aharon also realized that instead of focusing on his injuries, he had to focus on the positive. “I had to look at the glass as half full and focus on the fact that I am alive,” he told me. “When I looked at the positive, I was able to push forward and begin my recovery.” Aharon says, “Everyone can look at things in their life and say, ‘This is no good, that Aharon ran the NYC Marathon last year is no good, etc.’ but if ily that there was a 95% chance that you look at the good things in your life he would die and a 5% chance that he then you are always moving forward would live in a vegetative state for the and growing.” rest of his life.

Aharon’s recovery was long and Despite the apparent hopelessness painstaking. After 45 days he was fiof the situation, Jews all over Israel and nally able to eat baby food. But he still the world prayed for his recovery. was unable to move or talk. Eventually,

T

oday, Aharon is in university and works for Panim el Panim, an organization which brings Jewish awareness to secular Israelis. Due to Aharon’s veteran status and his story, he is able to develop a strong rapport with other commanders. As such, he focuses on communicating with commanders and setting up Panim el Panim programs and Shabbtonim for their troops.

Aharon says that there is a thirst among the troops for spirituality, even amongst those who are not interested in religion per se. Aharon recalls one incident recently in which he set up a Shabbaton on an army base. As part of the Shabbaton, a well-respected rabbi was the featured speaker. On Friday night, the commanding officer saw the rabbi and said, “Rabbi, no offense, but I am a kibbutznik. I don’t believe in the Torah, but if you want to give your class, go ahead.” The rabbi smiled and asked him to stay for just a few minutes.

Sure enough, the commanding officer stayed for the whole class. Afterwards, the emotional commanding officer said to the rabbi, “Rabbi, I am ashamed to say, I really enjoyed that class…I never learned Torah before and I found your class to be so moving.” On Shabbos day—which is an off day for soldiers— the commanding officer made it mandatory for all of his troops to attend the rabbi’s class. After the weekend, the commanding officer called Aharon and asked him to arrange additional Shabbat programs for his unit.

Aharon says that in working with the troops he sees how much they are yearning for an identity. Panim el Panim gives the troops an identity by bringing them meaningful information about Judaism. The rabbis that Aharon introduce to the soldiers have themselves all served in the army, which makes it easier for the soldiers to relate to them.

Aharon says that one of the messages that resonates very much with soldiers is “achdut Yisrael”— Jewish unity. He points out how all types of Jews prayed for him and how despite the different ways Jews dress, talk and live, at the end of the day we are one nation who cares deeply for one another.

To make his point about unity, Aharon

With his wife and baby daughter

my stomach, both arms and both legs.

I came here for this doctor to give me a new nose, not to give me all of this pain.” His father responded, “Aharon, you have pain in all of those areas because it’s from all those areas that the doctor took skin to graft a new nose for you.” Aharon smiles and relates, “That incident taught me a lesson about unity: you take parts that are unrelated—from different areas and of a different make up—and bring them together to create something which is whole.” Aharon saw what Jewish unity did for him and he is committed to spreading that message of unity.

After almost five years of intense rehabilitation, Aharon accomplished what is considered by many to be the ultimate physical feat: he ran the 2013 New York City marathon. (He completed the race in 4:14:31.) Although Aharon is proud of this accomplishment, he is most proud—and thankful—that today he and Tzivia have a beautiful family with a 3-year-old daughter and a son born in 2011, whose bris was performed by Dr. Jackson.

Although it can be said that Aharon has come full circle, he still undergoes physical hardships because of his injuries. Yet, he is not bitter. In fact, he is optimistic and thankful that his experience has enabled him to see the beauty of Jewish unity and to give that over through his work with Panim el Panim. With the bright smile of a happy young man and with the confidence of an Israeli army commander, he sums up his attitude in two words: “Yallah, kadima!”

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FEBRUARY 27, 2014

“I had to look at the glass as half full and focus on the fact that I am alive.”

recalls an incident that happened during his recovery.

Eight months after the explosion, Aharon flew to Tuscon, Arizona, to a top skin graft doctor to undergo surgery to reconstruct his nose. When he awoke from the surgery, his father was sitting on the side of his bed and asked him how he felt. He told his father, “I feel pain on my forehead, my back,

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inspirational story they heard of a soldier so committed to his country that he went to fight just hours after celebrating his marriage. The nurses were saying that surgery was about to be performed on Aharon even though it would not save him, but would be good training for the new doctor who would be performing it. Dr. Jackson realized that the soldier they were discussing was the man who made headlines several days earlier for going to war just hours after his wedding, and he felt compelled to

he took one step and then fainted from the effort. The next day he took several steps and fainted once again. The next day, he took 10 steps and fainted again.

Eventually, he began walking, albeit in intense pain. When Aharon finally left the hospital, Dr. Jackson was so moved

by Aharon’s recovery that he asked that some day when Aharon has a baby boy, he would like to be the mohel at his son’s bris.

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Finally out of the coma, but months away from a full recovery

For 15 days Aharon’s life hung in the balance with his family and new wife keeping vigil at his bedside. Then the ultimate flicker of hope took place: Aharon blinked an eye. Word spread through the hospital and beyond that Aharon showed a sign of life. Those who were praying for him took it as a sign that they should pray even more fervently. And the tefillot worked, even though Aharon was far from out of the woods.

Within a few days, he slowly regained consciousness. Aharon recalls that at the beginning he had no recollection of any events and was not even able to recognize members of his family.

But slowly his memory came back. The story of Aharon’s survival captured the hearts of the entire country and figures such as Defense Minister Ehud Barak and then-opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu visited him in the hospital.

Despite regaining consciousness, all of Aharon’s teeth had been knocked out, his nose was dislodged, his left eye

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FEBRUARY 27, 2014

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78

You Gotta be

Riddle!

Kidding!

Two old men had been best friends for years. They are both in their early 90’s, when one of them suddenly falls deathly ill. His friend comes to visit him on his deathbed, and they’re reminiscing about their long friendship, when the dying man’s friend asks, “Listen, when you die, do me a favor. I want to know if there’s baseball in heaven.”

The dying man said, “We’ve been friends for years; this I’ll do for you.” And then he dies.

A couple of days later, his surviving friend is sleeping when he hears his friend’s voice. The voice says, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that there’s baseball in heaven.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“You’re pitching on Wednesday.”

One a hot, sunny day in July, a baseball pitcher set the record for the least amount of pitches thrown in a game. He pitched nine innings and there were no extra innings, and no balks. How many pitches did he throw?

Answer on next page

Kiner-isms For 50 years, Ralph Kiner—who passed away last month—broadcasted for the Mets.

Here are some of his most memorable lines.

• “On Father’s Day, we again wish you all happy birthday.”

• ”Solo homers usually come with no one on base.”

• “All of his saves have come in relief appearances.”

• “If Casey Stengel were alive today, he’d be spinning in his grave.”

• “All of the Mets road wins against the Dodgers this year occurred at Dodger Stadium.”

• “The Hall of Fame ceremonies are on the thirty-first and thirty-second of July.”

• “The Mets have gotten their leadoff batter on only once this inning.”

• “There’s a lot of heredity in that family.”

• “Tony Gwynn was named Player of the Year for April.”

• “Sutton lost 13 games in a row without winning a ballgame.“ • “Hello, everybody. Welcome to Kiner’s Corner.

This is....uh…I’m...uh, Ralph Kiner.”

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OLDE TYME BASEBALL TRIVIA 1. Who invented baseball? a. Bobby Base b. Benjamin Franklin c. Jamison Smith d. Alexander Cartwright

3. By what method was a base runner originally called out while running the bases? a. The baseball would be thrown at the runner and if it hit him he was out. b. If it took him more than 20 seconds to run between bases. c. If he didn’t touch the base with his right hand before the fielder of that base caught the ball.

4. Babe Ruth’s famous and controversial “called shot” took place during the third game of the 1932 World Series. Where did he perform the maneuver? a. Wrigley Field b. Ebbets Field c. Yankee Stadium d. Fenway Park 5. On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig was honored in Yankee Stadium after it was disclosed that he had the deadly ALS disease. He stepped up to the podium and started his speech with the following: a. “Knowing what I now know about my health, I realize how little winning a baseball game really means.” b. “This is a very hard time for me, and I appreciate all your support.” c. “My fellow Yankee players, win it all this year for me.” d. “Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.”

6. Mickey Mantle and which other player who played with him, were known as the “M&M boys”? a. Bob Meusel b. Gil McDougald c. Bobby Murcer d. Roger Maris Answers: 1. D- Baseball evolved from other games such as English Rounders, cricket,

and American Town Ball. Alexander Cartwright is first credited with drawing up the rules of baseball in 1845.

2. C- On August 16, 1920, Cleveland Indians shortstop Ray Chapman was hit in the head with a spitball thrown by New York Yankee pitcher Carl Mays and killed.

Chapman was a star shortstop and in the view of the Cleveland News, he was the “greatest shortstop, that is, considering all-around ability, batting, throwing, baserunning, bunting, fielding and ground covering ability, to mention nothing of his fight, spirit and conscientiousness, ever to wear a Cleveland uniform.”

3. B- The original rules allowed fielders to get runners out by throwing the ball at them. This was called “soaking the runner.”

4. A 5. D 6. D Scorecard: 5-6 correct: You are the Big Bambino!

3-4 correct: You know a bit about the old times…

0-2 correct: You are a real baseball historian…What’s your second favorite sport, genius?

G OT F

UN NY

Comm Let the ission er dec

Answer to riddle: 25. 8 innings at one pitch per batter, then he gives up a solo homer in the bottom of the 9th to lose the game on his 25th pitch.

?

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FEBRUARY 27, 2014

2. Ray Chapman was the only pro baseball player ever killed during a baseball game. How did it happen? a. He ran around the bases and had a heart attack b. He slid into home and his neck hit the catcher’s thigh, causing him to break his back and die shortly thereafter. c. He was hit by a pitch. d. He became dehydrated by the outfield sun and heat.

d. If he didn’t jump on the base five times before the fielder touched the base.

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79

Avi Heiligman

Conquering the Skies

A

t the beginning of WWII, the United States was considered a world power but with the menacing militaries of Germany and Japan conquering major area of the world, the U.S. would need the hardware to back up the claim. Indeed, American military machines were top rate, especially their airplanes. At first, the Army Air Force only had one or two top of the line fighters and bombers. Manufacturers and

The North American P-51 Mustang

back to base to refuel. The bombers would be vulnerable to the menacing German fighters that would ignore the bomber’s guns. The Mustang was created with the range and the firepower to protect the bombers all the way to the target and be able to return to base in one piece. It was able to outfight the best German and Japanese fighters in aerial dogfights and became a psychological weapon as well.

At the outbreak of the war, the U.S. had the odd-looking P-39 Air Cobra and the P-40 Warhawk which was deemed obsolete. For an “obsolete” aircraft it proved to be the perfect plane to fight the Japanese in China and Burma as the “Flying Tigers” killed over 300 Japanese top fighters with a loss of only 12 pilots and a few dozen planes. However, P-51 with a bubble canopy these planes could not reach production lines went into a building Japan from the far-ranging Pacific basfrenzy to keep the skies in Allied hands. es, and when the P-51 was introduced, One fighter plane stands out as the top bombing raids with fighter escorts bein the war and many historians consider gan in 1944. it the best in the history of airplanes— The idea for the P-51 started in the North American P-51 Mustang.

1940 when the British needed fighters After a failed landing by the Canadi- to fight the Germans during the Battle ans at Dieppe, France, in 1942 the Allies of Britain. American factories were set realized that they would need another up to produce only American-designed two years to properly invade Nazi-held planes and the current ones weren’t Europe. Instead of just outbuilding good enough. The first prototype was Germany, a plan was introduced that completed on September 9, 1940—just would bomb the factories producing en- 102 days after the contract was signed. emy weapons. The U.S. had long range No other fighter had been designed and bombers—the B-17 Flying Fortress and built in such a short period of time, and the B-24 Liberator—which could reach after some necessary adjustments were the heart of Germany from their bases made, it was sent to the front lines. in England, North Africa and the Medi- Some inventors played with the design terranean. However, the best fighter that and a later version had added hydraulic was in the air force was the P-47 Thun- dive brakes to become the A-36 Apache derbolt (the “P” stands for pursuit and (its unofficial nickname was the Invadlater fighters used the designation “F”). er). It essentially was a P-51 that was The Thunderable to achieve bolt, a heavia straight dive ly armed and while dropping feared plane, bombs and was limited by became more its range. After effective than escorting the German dive bombers to the bombers which German borcould only dive An Israeli Mustang. This particular plane der, it would at angles and was downed during the Suez Crisis in 1956 have to head could be seen

coming in from miles away.

Some versions of the Mustang had a bubble canopy enabling the pilot to have a clear view in all directions out of the cockpit. With six .50 caliber machine guns and excellent armor, the plane scored very high kill ratios against the enemy. Many pilots came back to base with planes riddled with bullets but somehow the Mustang was still able to fly and was back in the air in no time.

In the spring of 1944, many of the bombing raids were in France to “soften” up the landings before D-Day. A German Me 109 tried to get at these bombers so P-51 pilot William Overstreet starting chasing it over the streets of Paris. In a desperate move, the Nazi dove through the Eiffel Tower. Overstreet, not realizing how dangerous a move this could have been, followed with his guns blazing and brought the enemy down.

During the Battle of the Bulge, the German last ditch offensive in December 1944 that relied on surprise, the skies were too foggy or wet to fly. This was perfect for the Germans whose air force was a shadow of its once powerful organization and relied on tank power alone. The Allies knew that German tanks were near a small town 22 miles from a vital American supply depot. The only thing that could stop the tanks was fighter bombers but they couldn’t attack until they knew where the enemy was located. Mustangs were readied for the assignment to find the Germans but since it was such a perilous mission, the call went out for volunteers. Only two pilots came forward: Captain Richard Cassady and Lt. Abraham Jaffe, a Jewish pilot from the Bronx.

In 1943, Mustangs and Invaders were sent to China to replace the Warhawks, and the Flying Tigers used them for the rest of the war. In the Pacific theater of operations, the Mustang was only needed for long range escort missions to the Japanese homelands. Since air bases close to Japan were captured late in the war, the biggest examples being Iwo Jima and Okinawa in early 1945, the Mustang was only introduced to the theater at that point. Three days into the battle, they flew from their base

in Belgium into a dense fog and headed to the frontlines. The flight was perilous because in order to see they had to fly 100 feet from the ground, very close to one another, through mountain passes and right above the best German tanks.

Somehow, they located the Germans and made it back to base. With this vital information, P-47 Thunderbolts, also known as the tank-buster, destroyed over 125 German tanks and vehicles, thus protecting the American depot.

After WWII, many of the planes remained in service and several found their way to Israel. A few Mustang pilots from the U.S. and England, both Jewish and gentile, created the Israeli Air Force with its backbone being the best plane ever built. The Mustangs that made it to Israel in 1948 were smuggled in illegally and stayed in use for about a decade afterwards. During the Suez crisis in 1956, a Mustang was reported-

Overstreet near his plane that flew through the Eiffel Tower

ly used to cut communication wires to Suez City with only the propellers.

The Mustang was retired from American arsenals in1961 and the Dominican Air Force finally retired their last F-51 (the P was changed to F) in 1984. Many pilots have called it the most enjoyable plane to fly. Several examples are on display in museums worldwide and a few are still airworthy.

Perhaps the Mustang will be remembered as the plane that saved the bombing missions over Europe that brought the Nazi regime to its knees.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions.for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@

F E B R U A RY 2 7 , 2014

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Forgotten Heroes

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hirty years ago I had the good fortune of spending two years learning in yeshiva in Jerusalem’s Old City. One day, while walking through the Arab shuk, I observed an older American couple who were considering buying a pair of shearling slippers. Responding to their price inquiry, the Arab shopkeeper answered, “For you, $25!”

Thereupon the husband whispered to his wife, “Let me handle these negotiations, Mildred; you have to bargain with them!” The man then turned to the shopkeeper and said, “$20 and not a penny more!” The Arab, barely able to conceal his glee, quickly accepted their offer.

Having bargained with these local retailers and knowing the negotiation game, I was shocked that the older gentleman did not counter the shopkeeper with an offer of a dollar at most, and that the sales price did not end up at $5, $10 tops.

After that experience, I understandably thought that American and Israeli negotiating cultures were very different. However, I was surprised to learn that Israeli and American cultures are actually considered relatively similar, as they both value directness and clarity in business negotiations. After giving this some thought, it made sense that Israel – a country molded by the many cultures of its diverse population – would incorporate western sensibilities and negotiations from its American and British immigrants.

It is interesting to contrast the Israeli and Anglo cultures with the Japanese who prefer negotiating in an indirect manner and frown upon directness, which they consider aggressive and insulting. This reminds me of a remarkable experience I had about fifteen years ago, negotiating the sale of a Manhattan office building between an American seller and a Japanese buyer. When we finished the hour-long meeting, the seller believed we had a handshake on the deal, while in fact the Japanese purchaser had walked away from the deal.

It was fascinating that both parties came out of the same meeting with totally opposite understandings of what had transpired.

With that background, let’s fast for-

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36 88 106

Notable

Quotes

Compiled by Nate Davis

“Say What?”

Daniel Pearl’s story is reminder that individual accountability & reconciliation are required to break cycles of violence.

- Tweet by U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power (Pearl was beheaded in Pakistan in 2002)

Immigration reform is important in our country … where are you going to get people to work to clean our hotel rooms or do our landscaping?

- Florida’s 13th Congressional district Democratic candidate Alex Sink

Here in New York City we have so much snow that they’re running out of salt. So right this minute, sanitation workers are out on the street scraping pretzels.

- David Letterman

I enjoyed watching some of you with your eyes on higher office size up the drapes – and each other.

- President Obama drawing laughs while addressing the nation’s governors at the White House

What I worry about is this president and the White House seems to be waving the white flag of surrender…the Obama economy is now the minimum wage economy. I think we can do better than that.

- Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., outside the White House, after the governor’s meeting with the president I don’t know what the heck was a reference to white flag when it comes to people making $404 a week. I mean, that’s the most insane statement I’ve ever heard, quite frankly.

- Gov. Dannel Malloy, D-Conn., outside the White House responding to Gov. Jindal’s comments*

Well, I think success looks like at least seven million people having signed up by the end of March 2014.

- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on NBC in September 2013 First of all, seven million was not the administration’s [number].

That was a CBO, Congressional Budget Office, prediction when the bill was first signed. I’m not sure where they even got their numbers.

- Ibid, when asked last week if she was disappointed that Obamacare didn’t reach the 7 million benchmark Of course, she was the one that said it, among others. You know, it’s an old rule, “Say the truth, it’s easier to memorize.”

- Charles Krauthammer, responding to Secretary Sebelius’s claim

A lot of people ask me, you know, do I miss much about being president.

The answer’s really no. I mean I miss the people I served with. I miss Air Force One. In eight years, they never lost my baggage.

- Former President George W. Bush

We want the public to know that we are holding ourselves to this standard.

- Mayor de Blasio at a press conference about safe driving two days before his car was witnessed speeding and blowing through stop signs.

This weekend is George Washington’s birthday.

Washington had probably the hardest job of any other president because he had no predecessor to blame things on. He was out there all on his own.

- David Letterman

In Florida, a 101-year-old man is planning to run for Congress. His slogan is, “Vote for me and then vote again in two months.”

- Conan O’Brien

Yesterday New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was asked about the slow pace of his weight loss and said, quote, “Rome was not un-built in a day.” In fact, Christie and Rome have a lot in common: one was built by Julius Caesar, and the other was built by Little Caesar.

- Jimmy Fallon

That’s why your insurance premiums have to go through the roof and your Obamacare tax is the same as Bill Gates’. So across the world, we’ll all be equal, dying of cancer, heart disease and diabetes as often as everyone else.

- Ann Coulter What don’t you get about me not talking to you?

- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to a Politico reporter who repeatedly tried talking to him when he was in Washington

Time magazine has named the Kit Kat the most influential candy bar of all time. That’s the kind of hardhitting journalism that Time magazine is doing now. Be sure to read this week’s issue of “Candy Bar Weekly” for an in-depth analysis of the situation in the Ukraine.

- Craig Ferguson

[Obama] He would much rather spend the money on food stamps than he would on a strong military or support for our troops.

- Dick Cheney on Fox News, discussing cuts in military spending

Such a one-way journey poses a real risk to life, and that can never be justified in Islam. There is a possibility that an individual who travels to planet Mars may not be able to remain alive there and is more vulnerable to death.

- Statement by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment warning Muslims not to travel to Mars

G-d told me to sit down, be quiet, and enjoy the peace…

Can’t go wrong with G-d.

- San Diego State running back Adam Muema explaining why he left the NFL Combine on Sunday without participating in the workouts

I told the president, next game, I’ve got him. I may be a white boy, but I can jump.

- Joe Biden at an event celebrating Black History Month

A new study found that being lonely is actually worse for your health than being obese. You know, because if you’re obese at least it FEELS like there’s two of you.

- Jimmy Fallon

The World Clown Association has announced that the number of clowns worldwide has dropped dramatically. The drop in clowns is mostly due to one fatal car accident.

- Conan O’Brien

Folks, the Winter Olympics are finally over. They’ve handed out all the medals and all the whippings. And the athletes are now leaving town before Vladimir Putin uses the Olympic flame to burn down Sochi for the insurance money.

-Stephen Colbert

Well, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, young people can stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 26.

But once they hit 26 – they’re on their own. And a lot of young people think they’re invincible.

But the truth is, young people are knuckleheads.

They’re the ones who are cooking for the first time and slice their finger open, they’re dancing on the bar stool.

- Michelle Obama on The Tonight Show Drive High, Get a DUI. - A new anti-drunk driving campaign by the Colorado Department of Transportation

No. - National Security Adviser Susan Rice on “Meet the Press” when asked pointblank whether she has any regrets about misleading the public in the days after the Benghazi attack Throw on an explosive belt, wrap your face in a keffiyeh and grab an AK-47. Run towards the Wall at full speed, shouting, “Allahu Akbar!” When you hit the Wall, fall over and rub your head, muttering “D’oh!” in the style of Homer Simpson.

Protest loudly about how the racist Zionist regime is impeding your freedom of movement. Hand out business cards with a link to your suicide video on YouTube. For good effect, have a friend drive over an ambulance laden with explosives; cry that it is unfair to stop the vehicle for inspection.

- British philosophy student Eylon Aslan-Levy providing tips on combating “Israel Apartheid week” which many college campuses are participating in A team of military researchers is developing a pizza that can stay edible for three years. It’s been a weird couple of years for the military. One minute you’re hunting Osama bin Laden and the next you’re trying to outsmart Papa John.

- Jimmy Fallon

Today the Russian hockey team lost and was knocked out of the Olympics. People in Russia haven’t been this depressed since last week.

- Conan O’Brien

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

- Senator John McCain in a radio interview discussing President Obama’s foreign policy

President Obama met with Mexico’s president…Obama had a message for Mexicans.

He said, “If you like your fajitas, you can keep your fajitas.”

- David Letterman

After 16 days of competition, the closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics is this Sunday. Vladimir Putin was like, “It has been fun time, and I’m sad to see everyone escape . . . I mean, get away . . . I mean, go home.”

- Jimmy Fallon

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Just understand him for what he is. This is the most naïve president in history.

If Barack Obama had been president instead of Ronald Reagan, I’d still be a citizen of the Soviet Union.

- Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, who fled the Soviet Union for the U.S.

T THHE EJ JEEWWI SI SHHHHOOMME E nn MF EAYB R2U4A,RY2012 2 7 , 2014

The Winter Olympics wrapped up in Sochi last night. So goodbye, men in leotards. We’ll see you again in four years.

- Jimmy Kimmel

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Rabbi's Musings [& Amusings]

O

Appreciating What We Have

n August 29, 1911, the Mona Lisa, Leonardo di Vinci’s most famous work, was stolen off the wall of the Louvre in Paris. For a week the museum was closed due to the investigation. Yet it remained a mystery until it was returned in December 1913. It had been stolen by Vencenzo Peruggia, a former employee of the museum who wanted to return the glory of Italians to Italy.

It was fascinating that when the museum reopened after being closed for a week following the larceny, throngs of people came to stare at the spot where the Mona Lisa had been. In fact, during the first few days more people came to see the vacant spot where the painting had been than those who came to see the Mona Lisa before it was stolen.

My mother used to have a magnet hanging on her refrigerator that read, “Housework is something you do that no one else notices, unless you don’t do it!”

It seems to be a fact that we just don’t appreciate things until we no longer have them, or at least until there is a problem.

WE JUST DON’T APPRECIATE THINGS UNTIL WE NO LONGER HAVE THEM. My Rebbe, Rabbi Berel Wein shlita, would relate a story about a young boy who did not speak.

He grew from infant to toddler and beyond, but still he never uttered a word. His parents were beside themselves with worry. They took him to specialists and experts but still the boy said nothing. Then one morning at breakfast when the boy was fiveyears-old he looked up at his mother and said, “The oatmeal is cold!”

The mother shrieked.

“You can speak?” She immediately called her husband, all the grandpar-

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Rabbi Dani Staum

ents, and neighbors to share with them the wonderful news. When she finally calmed down a bit she asked him, “If you were always able to speak, why didn’t you ever say anything until now?”

The boy shrugged, “Until now the oatmeal wasn’t cold!”

We all want things to go smoothly and to be blessed with peace of mind and serenity.

But at times when situations are challenging, mistakes are made, or we lose things that we previously took for granted, it helps us appreciate what we have even more.

Thank G-d I have been privileged to type Stam Torah, my weekly Torah column, for over ten years (www.stamtoah.info), and disseminate it via the web. To be fair I do receive emails from friends and readers with compliments or feedback, which of course is always appreciated. But I never receive as many responses as when I make a mistake. I have concluded that it is a good idea to make a faux pas every now and then so that I know people are still reading.

Sometimes it takes cold oatmeal before anyone says anything, and sometimes the Mona Lisa has to be stolen before we recognize its value.

Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is the Rabbi of Kehillat New Hempstead, and Guidance Counselor/Rebbe at Yeshiva Bais Hachinuch & Ashar in Monsey, NY. He is the author of Stam Torah and can be reached at stamtorah@gmail.com. His website is www.stamtorah.info.

Kosherology Alex Idov

Heavenly Hamantashen It’s Adar! You know what that means: time to make hamantashen!

Making hamantashen should be a fun experience. It sure was a lot of fun for me developing new recipes for hamantashen this year. Although it was a lot of work spending all day making them, it was well worth it.

Lovingly formulated by the Kosherology team are three (that’s right three!) awesome hamantashen recipes for Purim: Chocolate-Orange, CranberrySage, and Candy Lover’s, all giving a twist to the traditional hamantash. Move over poppy seed and apricot fillings...

Classic Hamantashen Recipe makes 3 ½ dozen 3” cookies

Ingredients ¾ cup oil 1 cup white granulated sugar eggs ¼ cup orange juice 4 ¾ cups sifted all-purpose flour tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp orange extract or liquor Preparation Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine sifted flour and baking powder and set aside.

In a mixer blend oil, sugar, and salt starting on low speed, gradually increasing speed to high, until creamed. Add eggs one at a time and continue beating

until well-blended. Add a little bit of the flour to thicken the mixture. Add orange juice slowly, alternating with the rest of the flour. Add vanilla and orange extract and beat until well combined. Roll out the dough (let it sit in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up if not firm enough to work with).

See below to see how to make the rest of the recipe.

I’m not really sure where you can go wrong with this one. Sweet cookie dough bedazzled by mini M&M’s and stuffed with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup...a chocolate candy lover’s hamantashen. Of course, you can play around with this recipe, adding your favorite candies, as your sweet tooth sees fit.

makes 3 ½ dozen 3” cookies

Love Sabra? Then this is the hamantash for you.... it’s also the hamantash for you if you are a real chocolate lover, you know, the kind that loves real rich chocolate. Rich chocolaty dough filled with orange marmalade, these hamantashen are little chocolatecitrus pleasures...

Ingredients Classic Hamantashen recipe Mini m&m chocolates Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

shape, to make a “hamantash.” You can paint the inside edge of the dough with light egg wash if you need the folds to stick. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through baking. the chopped sage and beat until well incorporated into the dough. Place dough in refrigerator for one hour, or until firm enough to work with.

When dough is firm enough to work with, remove from refrigerator roll out until dough is about 1/8” thick. Cut out the dough with a 3” round cookie cutter.

Place the cut cookie dough rounds on a baking tray lined with baking paper and fill with a tablespoon of cranberry conserve in the center (you can add a little more if you like). Fold the dough around the filling to make a triangular shape, a “hamantash.” You can paint the inside edge of the dough with light egg wash if you need to keep the folds together. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through baking.

Fresh Cranberry Filling Cranberry-Sage Hamantashen For those who like to mix savory with sweet and be adventurous and daring with their desserts and cookies, then this is the hamantash for you...fresh sage incorporated into sweet cookie dough and filled with spiced cranberry conserve—a real culinary delight!

Ingredients Classic Hamantashen recipe 1 bunch fresh sage, about 1/3 cup, finely chopped Cranberry conserve for filling (recipe below) Preparation Prepare dough as noted above. As a final step, add

Ingredients 1 12 oz. package fresh cranberries 1 ¾ cup white granulated sugar 1 ¼ water Rind of one naval orange ½ tsp ground cloves 1/3 cup currants (raisins) 1 cup canned pineapple tidbits ½ cup chopped pecans Preparation Bring water, sugar, and orange rind to a boil and continue to boil for about 10 minutes, until mixture is syrup-like. Add cranberries and currants and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until berries pop. Remove from heat and add pineapple and pecans. Pour into bowl and refrigerate overnight or until chilled.

Alex Idov is a kosher food blogger who runs the blog “Kosherology” and is a regular contributing food columnist to TJH. He is currently studying for his bachelor’s degree in Culinary Sustainability (food & agriculture). Please visit “Kosherology” at www.exploretheworldofkosher.com and find Kosherology” on Facebook.

Preparation Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine sifted flour and baking powder and set aside.

In a mixer, blend oil, sugar, and salt starting on low speed, gradually increasing speed to high, until creamed. Add eggs one at a time and continue beating until well-blended. Add a little bit of the flour to thicken the mixture. Add orange juice slowly, alternating with the rest of the flour and the cocoa powder. Add vanilla and orange extract and beat until well combined. Place dough in refrigerator for one hour, or until firm enough to work with.

When dough is firm enough to work with, remove from refrigerator roll out until dough is about 1/8” thick. Cut out the dough with a 3” round cookie cutter.

Place the cut cookie dough rounds on a baking tray lined with baking paper and fill with a TBS of orange marmalade in the center (you can add a little more if you like). Fold the dough around the filling to make a triangular shape, a “hamantash.” You can paint the inside edge of the dough with light egg wash if you need the folds to stick. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through baking.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Preparation Prepare dough as noted above.

Once dough is completed, press the m&m’s into the dough (by hand) until well-distributed. Place dough in refrigerator for one hour, or until firm enough to work with.

When dough is firm, remove from refrigerator and roll out until dough is about 1/8” thick. Cut out the dough with a 3” round cookie cutter. Slightly trim the bottom of the peanut butter cup, so it will not sit too high over the cookie dough. Place the cut cookie dough rounds on a baking tray lined with baking paper and place a trimmed peanut butter cup in the center.

Fold the dough around the cup to make a triangular

Ingredients ¾ cup oil 1 cup white granulated sugar eggs ¼ cup orange juice 3 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 ½ cup cocoa power tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp. orange extract or liquor Orange marmalade for filling

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Chocolate-Orange Hamantashen

T H E J E W I S H H O M E n M AY 2 4 , 2012

Candy Lover’s Hamantashen

B”H

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