Baltimore Jewish Home - 5-21-15 by Moshe Rubin

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BaltimoreJewishHome THE

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Lev Shlomo Kumzits on the Harbor PAGE 12

YKY-TI Father & Son Lag Ba’Omer BBQ and Bonfire PAGE 8

Lag Ba’omer at Bais Yaakov

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME MAY 21, 2015

CONTENTS

COMMUNITY

Around the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

MAY 21, 2015

JEWISH THOUGHT G-d’s Words. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 The Wedding near Gaza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Trouble at a Mountain Called Sinai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Bamidbar – Lineage & Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 A Retraction: 20 Years Later. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

COVER STORY The Big Cheese - TJH Speaks with Brent Delman, the Cheese Guy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Rabbi Ariel Sadwin - Our Community Liaison to the Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

LIFESTYLES Sampling The Silver Platter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 10 Ways To Keep Your Home Cool... Without Touching The Air Conditioner. . . . . . . . . . 45 A Taste of Har Sinai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Say it with Flowers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Great Kosher Food. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Forgotten Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Parenting Pearls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

NEWS

Dear Readers, Stress; one of the biggest impacts on our health, is something we all face. For some it’s the education of their children, for others it’s the monthly bills. For young people it’s related to their social scene or the grades they’re receiving at school. Whatever its source, stress begins as a logical expression of a real issue. Then, before we know what’s happened, we become consumed with the problem and it takes a life of its own. At times, it might help to take a step backwards and ponder on the bigger picture. What are we here for in the first place? Once we’ve found an underlying purpose to our daily routine, we are able to see the whole story and we have the tools to tackle the next challenge. In fact, we might even grow from the trial itself, finding a way to take a deep breath inwards so that we can exhale with the certainty of new opportunity. Then we can be more productive in our family lives, in our work and with our own communities. For the 3,327th time we are heading to the Yom Tov of Shavuos; the day on which our creator gave us our mission in this world. Back then the holiday was the culmination of our journey from Mitzrayim. Today it’s when we finish counting Sefirat HaOmer. Back then it was preceded by our standing at the foot

of Sinai “as one person, with one heart” and today we try and reach out to fellow Jews and perceive each other as family. It’s been a long road since the original Matan Torah. A road in which we faced every challenge imaginable. Yet here we are, celebrating it as a current event. More than that, it is our purpose in life and life itself. Let us find rejuvenation. May we all thrive and reenergize. May we be recommitted to who we are so that we can focus on what’s real, lasting and eternal. When our elders are asked for the secret of longevity they frequently answer that it’s happiness. Their calm demeanor and appreciation for what they do have keeps them young at heart and light of spirit. If we deeply consider, we should be able to do the same. I hope and pray that just as we celebrate the anniversary of our mission, and recommit to the premise of Naaseh and then Nishma, we experience the completion of that ancient mission. May the world be filled with the knowledge of our creator and may jealousy, hunger, pain and war be eradicated from our earth forever. Have a wonderful Shabbos. May we receive the Torah B’simcha Ubipnimiyut,

Yaakov

Global News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 National News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 That’s Odd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ISRAEL Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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 BJH contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

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Hesped for Poseik Hador Rabbi Shmuel Ha’levi Wosner ZT’L Hesped for posak hador Rabbi Shmuel Ha’levi Wosner ZT’L was held at Khal Machzekei Torah of Baltimore. Hespedim were given by Rabbi Yosef Berger of Khal Kol Torah, Rabbi Hershel Taub Khal Arugas Habosem and Horav Nesanel Kostelits Rav and talmid muvek of Rav Wosner ZT’L.

Bais Yaakov 1st Grade Receives Their Chumashim Credit: www.baisyaakov.net

In a very touching and exciting activity, the first graders recently received their Chumashim. That special event was preceded by the classes visiting different Rabbanim in the community who highlighted the important upcoming day in their lives, with words of encouragement and praise for their accomplishments.

Lag Ba’omer at Bais Yaakov Credit: www.baisyaakov.net

On Lag Ba’omer, all divisions of Bais Yaakov enjoyed their annual Lag Ba’omer activites. The Preschool bounced large inflatables Moon Bounces, a Maze and more. The Elementary School enjoyed Crafts, outdoor activities and a delcious snack! 1st and 2nd Grade had relay races, made water bottle holders and even had a pretend bonfire! 3rd Grade made jumpropes and enjoyed playing with them after. 4th Grade had a balloon lift and decorated (and ate) delicious balloon cookies 5th Grade played sports and enjoyed a special Barbeque. The Middle School held a Kumzitz and bonfire on the night of Lag Ba’omer. Live Music and dancing was enjoyed by all, followed by an afternoon of Color War. The High School enjoyed their morning at Centineal Park where they had a walk-a-thon to raise money for Ahavas Yisroel. They returned to school and delicious barbeque lunch was enjoyed by all.

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MAY 21, 2015

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Disability Awareness Introduced to TA’s 4th Grade “I’m pretty good at dancing but not so good at math,” began Mrs. Yael Zelinger in her introduction to Disability Awareness for TA’s 4th grade this week. The title sounds like a mouthful but the topic is pretty straightforward: We all have things we are good at and things we are not so good at, and we all contribute to benefit the class. The barn activity demonstrated this as each boy got a picture of a cow, sheep, goat or cat. They were instructed to find the other boys who had the same animal and make a group. There were lots of cows, some goats, a few sheep and one cat. “How did it feel to be the only cat?” Uri was asked.”Annoying!”. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to be different than everyone else, the boys discovered. B ‎ ut each of the animals contributes something else to the well-being of the farm. While the big cows give milk and meat, the petite goats actually produce more milk per___ of grass they eat. They also eat the underbrush that helps the plants

grow better. The sheep provide wool and efficiently eat the weeds to keep the plant life healthy. Even the little cat serves a purpose- it eats the rodents and keeps the animals and people company! The boys discussed how this applies to their classroom where everybody has different strengths and weaknesses, yet everyone has something to offer that makes them special. What does the Torah say about people with disabilities? The boys came up with 4 people in the Torah who had disabilities. Do you know who they are? Yaakov is one example. Interestingly, the Torah never refers to Yaakov as “the man with the limp”. In fact, after becoming lame Yaakov Avinu is charged with becoming Yisroel, the father of all the Jewish people! Various tips for proper etiquette‎with people who have disabilities proved very enlightening, copies of which can be found at www.cjebaltimore.org/specialneeds. For example, it’s not appropriate to

approach a blind person and say “Do you know who I am?” It’s preferable to introduce yourself right away and to let the person know when you’re finished the conversation so they are not left standing alone. The last activity started with‎2 big circles on the board.

Yael questioned the class, “Based on what we learned together today, what do you think you should you do when you see a person with a disability in the store or the park or on the street?” Drawing a 5 letter word that begins with an S she slowly panned the room with big eyes and asked “should you

STARE??”. Then she draw a big smile under the eyes and filled in M-I-L-E in the blanks and explained, “Rather, you should SMILE, just like you would want someone to smile at you!” What message did the boys learn? I asked them: “More people have disabilities than I expected. You’re exotic so you may not know but you’re special. Everybody is special. Everyone is unique in different ways. Smile at a deaf person. Everybody is special Everyone is unique. Everyone is connected to someone with a disability. I can act like a goat.” Workshops like this and more are available at no cost through‎the Center for Jewish Education by calling 410 735-5023 or email yzelinger@cjebaltimore .org.

YKY/TI Father & Son Lag Ba’Omer BBQ and Bonfire Photo Credits: R’ Eli Greengart

Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok / Torah Institute’s Annual Father & Son Lag Ba’Omer BBQ and Bonfire was another smashing success. Over three hundred 5th through 8th grade talmidim with their fathers and rebbeim enjoyed a beautiful Lag Ba’Omer together. The program began with Mincha on the green, grassy field and was fol-

lowed by a delicious BBQ. With the crowd seated around the the soon-tobe-lit bonfire, Rabbi Daniel Skurnik, Director of Development, welcomed everyone and shared divrei bracha. Mr. Yehoshua Morgenstern, MC and committee member, then thanked the the rest of the committee - Daniel Ely, Dovid Feinberg, Yitzy Kaplowitz, Mickey Katz and Reuven Klein

-, parents, staff members and student volunteers for coordinating the Lag Ba’Omer event. He also highlighted how it is very special to spend Lag Ba’Omer b’achdus around a bonfire. After the bonfire was lit and several prizes were raffled, Mr. Morgenstern introduced the featured speaker, Rabbi Yechiel Spero. Rabbi Spero began by singing soul-stirring niggunim

to which the crowd quickly joined in. Following the niggunim, Rabbi Spero shared three captivating stories, which, having been said around a bonfire, were especially inspiring. After finishing the final story, Rabbi Spero concluded the evening with another niggun, leaving everyone with an uplifting experience.

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MAY 21, 2015

Around the TA-Rabbi Slansky’s class learns about Kriyas Yam Suf The talmidim in Rabbi Slansky’s 4th grade class have been learning about Kriyas Yam Suf in parshas Beshalach. In a fun and enjoyable way,

they brought the many miracles of Kriyas Yam Suf to life by creating three-dimensional projects.

Community Mechinas Ner Yisrael Celebrates Lag BaOmer BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

Lag BaOmer 5775 was a time for the 12th grade of Mechinas Ner Yisrael to spend time and bond with HaRav Sheftel Neuberger through ruchniyus and gashmiyus. The weather created the perfect setting as the bucherim and the menahel gathered on the outskirts

of the Yeshiva’s campus to enjoy a sumptuous BBQ along with divrei Torah and Kumzitz. Photo and Video Credit: Reb Eli Greengart

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BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

changed to Yeshivas Toras Simcha because unbeknownst to them, that name was already being used locally. “Yeshivas Toras Simcha aspires to teach with genuine love for each talmid, so each talmid will come to appreciate and love the Torah that the Rebbe represents,” noted Rabbi Markowitz. “The yeshiva aspires to have excellent programs in both limudei kodesh and limudei chol, where midos and growing in avodas Hashem

are bursting at the seams.” School expansions, the Rosh Hayeshiva added, will become outdated in ten years at the pace that our community is growing. “The more schools there are, the better the education will be,” continued the Rosh Hayeshiva in his divrei bracha. “Competition makes every school work harder and the education flourish…Parents have to know that the first group of any school, most of

students per class, through elementary school,” answered Mr. Reitberger. “We are committed to a serious training--intensively for new teachers, and in an ongoing fashion for those teachers who have been with us for years-and an administration that is committed and engaged, knows every child, knows what is going on with the children at home, in class, morning and afternoon, at recess, where we know a lot of things happen…If we see kids in

member Jason Reitberger announced that if there is enough interest by May 19, the school is prepared to open this fall, September, 2015. Mr. Reitberger is joined by Jacob Blumenfeld, Moshe Yitzchak Markowitz, Menachem Pinck, Moshe Meir Rubin, and Nechemia Weinreb, on the Founding Committee. The yeshiva is supported by: Maran Harav Aharon Feldman, shlit”a, Rosh HaYeshiva, Ner Yisroel, Rav Moshe Hauer, shlit”a, Rav Moshe Heinemann, shlit”a, and Rav Yaakov Hopfer, shlit”a. Mrs. Devora Solomon is the yeshiva’s Preschool Coordinator. The Rosh HaYeshiva, together with Rav Hopfer graciously agreed to oversee the establishment of the Vaad Hachinuch of Yeshiva Toras Simcha, and will continue to provide hadracha. It is planned to be put in place in the next few weeks. In his opening remarks, Rabbi Markowitz clarified to the prospective parents, staff and interested community members of all ages in attendance, that the original name of the yeshiva was Yeshiva Darchei Noam. It was

are integral. Toras Simcha will have faculty members that will always be looking to find ways to reach each individual student. We will be devoted to continuous teacher training and improvement, where the trainings are followed up upon and translated into classroom practice. Chazal say that the Torah had to wait to be given on Har Sinai, until there were 600,000 different neshamas, each with their different attributes, so the Torah could be accepted with a symphony of avodas Hashem. In the years to come, the yeshiva will stress recognizing that each child is a special neshama, one of 600,000 different personalities and learning styles.” Noting that this is a historic moment, the Rosh Hayeshiva explained why it is important to have another school. “There is no attempt in the establishment of this yeshiva to in any way criticize the exiting mosdos in Baltimore,” said the Rosh Hayeshiva. “We are zoche to see the excellent mosdos that have done an excellent job for decades in educating the community…but, the existing yeshivos

the time, is very successful.” The Rosh Hayeshiva shared that he was one of the ten boys who were in the first class of the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore high school. He paralleled the first ten of a school to the first ten men who make a minyan: “I think the first ten have that zechus of being the tenth person, taking schar for everyone after them. And, therefore, it is an opportunity to join in on the ground floor of this new school which, I believe has all the trappings of a very successful school.” Mr. Reitberger spoke about what the yeshiva anticipates and the founding group‘s motivation for starting the school. “The goal of the yeshiva is to be a mainstream Torah day school,” said Mr. Reitberger, “to create an environment in the classroom, where the child is engaged and feels that his learning is relevant and he feels he is able to learn that which he is best suited for.” What is the secret? How are those teachers able to provide that type of experience and environment? “Smaller classes, with no more than twenty

limudei kodesh who are loving what they are doing and engaged in what they are doing, I don’t think there is anything more that we could want.” “As we are developing the school, developing our Vaad, developing our preschool and ultimately, our elementary school, we are also developing our relationship with our parents. We believe parents need to be partners in the process of educating their children. We want to see regular input from our parents. We invite those of you from the community and those of you who are interested in taking a leadership role, whether it is sitting on our board or a committee of the board, to contact Rabbi Markowitz.” The Q & A session with Mr. Reitberger and Mrs. Solomon culminated the informative evening. For more information about Yeshivas Toras Simcha, call Mrs. Devorah Solomon 443-690-5207, Jason Reitberger 410-905-8499 or Moshe Y. Markowitz 410-929-0222. To receive an application, please email dsolomon@yeshivastorassimcha.org

MAY 21, 2015

Excitement and curiosity filled the air, Tuesday night, when an overflow crowd attended the informational meeting at the Royal Restaurant for the newest kid on Baltimore’s educational block--Yeshivas Toras Simcha. The community-based, multi-modality/multi-sensory yeshiva with a whole child approach will begin as a preschool for boys aged 3, 4, and 5. It is committed to opening in September, 2016, however, Founding Committee

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Overflow Crowd Attends Yeshivas Toras Simcha Informational Meeting

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MAY 21, 2015

Rabbi 2.0: YU’s Online Course Arms Rabbis With Fundraising Know-How Penina Wolff

Over the last few years, Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) and affiliate Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) have been developing a series of innovative and informative online continuing rabbinic education course that have helped Jewish community leaders around the world advance their skills and hone their innate abilities. The latest offering from CJF and RIETS is “Rabbinic Fundamentals of Fundraising,” an online continuing rabbinic education mini-course that teaches rabbis basic techniques in fundraising and cultivating lasting relationships with congregants beyond their requisite pastoral interactions. The four-part online lecture series explores the motivations behind philanthropic giving and examines best practices and the ethics of fundraising. The course, which boasts 43 participants from around the world, including rabbis in North America, Australia and Israel, began on April 19 with an in-depth look at the “rabbi’s role” in several fundraising scenarios. “We have been supporting our rabbis in numerous ways for years, and there is consistent interest in nuanced instruction from trained professionals, specifically in the area of fundraising. This webinar provides a platform for the rabbis to discuss and learn about the basics of setting up and running building campaigns, capital funds, endowments and other major gifts in real-time from the top experts in the respective fields,” said Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, David Mitzner Dean of the CJF. “We are empowering rabbis to

discover how fundraising can be an extension of their pastoral and community leadership rather than a transactional component of organizational

Andron, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Certificate in Jewish Philanthropy at YU’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work and Dan For-

Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Vice President for University and Community Life at Yeshiva University, teaches an online course to Rabbis around the world

realities. Inspiring people to give of themselves is very much in the purview of the values and ideals we seek to inspire within our congregants.” The format of a virtual course is one that allows for far greater reach and participation than a traditional “brick and mortar” course. “Rabbis are busier than ever, and the ability to take time off for continued education and inspiration isn’t always possible. While communal Rabbis are interested in attending conferences to enhance and inform their Rabbinic education, their unpredictable schedules present a real obstacle.” “Rabbinic Fundamentals of Fundraising” was cultivated by Rabbi Naphtali Lavenda, Director of Online Rabbinic Programming at Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future, with the guidance of Dr. Saul

man, Senior Philanthropic Advisor and Former VP of Institutional Advancement at YU. The CJF’s previous online Rabbinic continuing education offerings included courses dealing with the issues surrounding infertility, every stage of Jewish relationships and child abuse. Several Maryland rabbis are participating in the “Rabbinic Fundamentals of Fundraising” course, including Rabbi Yaakov Motzen, Rabbi of Ner Tamid in Baltimore, and Rabbi Eli Reingold, Rosh Kollel of Kollel Zichron Amram at the Yeshiva High School of Greater Washington in Silver Spring. When asked why he chose to register for the course, Rabbi Reingold explained that the combination of expert guidance and a flexible course schedule was simply too good to pass up. “I love my job, and the ability to

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interact and learn from others in order to improve my job performance just made sense,” said Rabbi Reingold. “I have always wanted to attend a course of this kind, yet due to time and travel restrictions it was never a possibility, until now.” “As someone involved in making the financial decision for my institution, I was glad to find that the course is dynamic, challenging and very informative. I am excited to have this opportunity to recalibrate and further develop my strategies and skills.” Throughout the month-long training, participants will receive a thorough selection of reference materials and related articles. In between classes, the virtual format allows participants to interact with one another via the course’s dedicated online forum and schedule offline conversations with the instructors, communal professionals and master fundraisers. The course is presented by a robust lineup of seasoned rabbis, philanthropy advisors, fundraising professionals, financial consultants, legal experts and major philanthropists. For example, during the third week of the course, Rabbi Jonathon Gross, assistant Rabbi of Beth Tfiloh in Baltimore, shared his successes and insights as a rabbi in Omaha, NE for ten years, and how he was able to accomplish so much in a small Jewish community. “Our courses help rabbis grow and develop personally and professionally and provide them with the information and guidance needed to develop their skillsets in order to better serve their shuls and communities,” explains Rabbi Lavenda. “The fundraising course is no different. We did not set out to turn rabbis into fulltime fundraisers. Rather, we are training and educating them to become ‘fully-equipped’ rabbis.” With the role of a Rabbi continually changing, and fundraising becoming an inescapable part of that role, this online course is sure to be revisited (in its current and updated versions) by Rabbis across the country for years to come.

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Cong. Ohel Moshe Hosts Pre-Shavuos Cooking Demo with Mrs. Renee Chernin

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Lev Shlomo Kumzits on the Harbor

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME MAY 21, 2015

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MAY 21, 2015

The Week Global Chechen Wedding Raises Eyebrows

He’s approaching 50; she is only 17. In a nuptials that raised eyebrows worldwide, Chechen police chief Nazhud Guchigov married the young girl as his second wife, as allowed by Islamic, but not Russian, law.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the wedding has put him on the defensive. The bride repeated her vows in a barely audible voice, deathly pale and seemingly unwilling to marry the man many times her senior. Kadyrov danced a folk dance at the wedding reception. The scandal comes amid a tugof-war between Kadyrov and Russian federal law enforcement, which escalated after the slaying of charismatic Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. Kadyrov’s defiance in shielding Chechen suspects in the killing has aggravated longstanding tensions between him and Russian security agencies. That creates a headache for Putin, left with the delicate task of moderating the conflict to avoid destabilizing the region. Even so, the tensions are unlikely to spark open hostilities or lead to Kadyrov’s removal. But they reflect an apparent effort by the Kremlin to

In News cut the 38-year-old Chechen leader down to size and make him obey the rules — even as Putin continues to stand by Kadyrov. Kadyrov has enjoyed an exclusive relationship with Putin, who saw him as the linchpin for peace in Chechnya after two devastating separatist wars that killed tens of thousands. In exchange for restoring stability, Putin gave Kadyrov, a former rebel, carte blanche to run the region in the North Caucasus as his personal fiefdom and funded a costly reconstruction. Kadyrov has come to call himself Putin’s “foot soldier” and has launched diatribes against Russia’s foes. With Kadyrov’s blessing, Chechens have poured into eastern Ukraine to fight alongside pro-Russian rebels. Under Kadyrov’s rule in Chechnya, Islamic law reigns even over federal law. Men are allowed to take several wives and there is a strict dress code for women. Criticism ran high when it became known that 46-year-old Guchigov was forcing a 17-year-old into becoming his second wife by blocking her village so she couldn’t leave. Kadyrov stood by the police chief, saying the girl and her family voluntarily agreed to the wedding. The Chechen leader also fired his information minister, accusing him of failing to quash what he described as slanderous reports. The bride told a news portal controlled by the Kremlin that she faced no intimidation into the marriage. The wedding took place on Saturday in Chechnya’s capital.

Grave Discovery at Lithuanian Power Plant Giedruis Sakalauskas made a chilling discovery when he noticed that an electrical substation in the center of Vilnius, Lithuania, was built with granite blocks instead of regular bricks. Upon closer examination, he discovered that dozens of those stones had Hebrew or Yiddish inscriptions.

“I touched the stones and I realized that they’re really gravestones,” he related. And he had a strong hunch about where they came from: Across the street there used to be a Jewish cemetery that was demolished in the 1960s when Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union. Sakalauskas posted pictures of his discovery on social media, setting off an emotional discussion about a dark chapter in Lithuania’s history that didn’t end when a Nazi occupation was replaced by a Soviet one in 1944.

Lithuania’s once-vibrant Jewish community was nearly annihilated by the Nazis and the few who survived found little sympathy from their new communist rulers. “Hitler wanted to destroy Jews physically,” said Simonas Gurevicius, whose family escaped the Holocaust by fleeing to Russia and returned to Lithuania after the war. “Stalin came, and he wanted to destroy the whole memory of the Jewish people, making sure that nothing will stay.” The etchings on the substation are hard to spot unless you know what you are looking for. They’re only visible in the gaps where the slabs overlay each other. Archaeologists confirmed this week that the electrical substation was built with tombstones pilfered from a Jewish cemetery. Vilinius Mayor Remigijus Simasius said he’s already asked the utility companies that own the substation, which feeds electricity to thousands of homes, to find a way to move them to a “proper resting place.” But many are questioning if this discovery ends here. How many other structures are built with Jewish tomb-

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The Week stones, and why only now is it coming to light—25 years after Lithuania declared independence? In fact, this is not the first discovery of Jewish graves being desecrated. In the 1990s, authorities removed steps leading up to the Tauro hill, one of the highest points in Vilnius, after finding out they were made with stones taken from a Jewish graveyard. The mayor said two other cases are being investigated: the steps leading up to the Reformed Evangelical Church in Vilnius — which was turned into a movie theater by the Communists — and a wall outside a high school in the city. “This Soviet-era legacy is a disgrace for our city,” Simasius said. “Monuments must be respected. We are talking to the Jewish community to find a proper solution.” The issue has touched a raw nerve in a country that has been accused of not confronting the role some Lithuanians played in killing Jews during the

1941-44 Nazi occupation. More than 90 percent of Lithuania’s prewar Jewish population of 240,000 was killed. With Jewish life all but eradicated from Vilnius, Jewish cemeteries were seen as “easily accessible and free building material” during the Soviet era, Jurgita Verbickiene, a historian at Vilnius University, pointed out.

In News en and burned in broad daylight on March 19, triggering protests around the country and drawing global attention to the treatment of Afghan women. This week’s verdict comes after four Afghan men were sentenced to death and eight others were handed 16-year jail terms earlier this month after a three-day trial broadcast live on national television.

modernity as the country rebuilds after decades of war.

A Handshake and a Nod Towards Reconciliation

Afghan Policemen Sentenced for Failing to Protect On Tuesday, eleven Afghan policemen were sentenced to one year imprisonment for failing to protect a women who was lynched by a mob after falsely being accused of blasphemy. Farkhunda, 27, was savagely beat-

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Farkhunda was attacked on the banks of the Kabul River after an amulet seller, whom she had reportedly criticized for peddling superstition, falsely accused her of burning a copy of the Koran. After her brutal death, forty-nine people were arrested, including 19 police officers, some of whom were shown standing by and doing nothing to stop the mob in cellphone videos recorded by bystanders. The quick trial drew some praise in a country where female victims of violence often have little legal recourse, but also prompted concerns over whether due process had been followed as many of the accused did not appear to have lawyers. Human Rights Watch said after the death sentences were awarded on May 6 that the speeds of the trial suggested the government “wants a quick and dirty process to get this case out of the headlines and move on – rather than real justice.” Farkhunda’s case become a symbol of the endemic violence that women face in Afghanistan, despite reforms since the hardline Taliban regime fell in 2001. The backlash highlighted the angst of a post-Taliban generation in Afghanistan – where nearly two-thirds of the population is under 25 – that is often torn between conservatism and

It was an historic visit on Tuesday: Prince Charles became the first British royal to meet with Northern Irish republican leader Gerry Adams. The meeting was held to promote peace and reconciliation between the two nations. At an event in Galway in western Ireland, the heir to the British throne shook hands with the head of the Sinn Fein party, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). In a statement issued ahead of the visit, Adams referred to Charles using his title as colonel-in-chief of the Parachute Regiment of the British Army, which he said was responsible for a number of deaths during the Northern Ireland conflict known as “The Troubles.” “But he [Charles] also has been bereaved by the actions of republicans,” said Adams, the veteran leader of the Sinn Fein party, which was the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). “Thankfully the conflict is over. But there remains unresolved injustices. These must be rectified and a healing process developed. There is a responsibility on us all to promote reconciliation and seek to promote healing,” he added. There’s a deep conflict between the

The Week

fense secretary, Iswori Poudyal said. The helicopter was carrying six Marines and two Nepalese army soldiers, all who perished in the crash. Speaking in Washington, President Barack Obama expressed condolences to the families of all the victims and said the Marines “represent a truth that guides our work around the world: When our friends are in need, America helps.” The wreckage was found about 24 kilometers (15 miles) from the town of Charikot, near where the aircraft went missing on Tuesday while delivering humanitarian aid to villages hit by two deadly earthquakes, according to the U.S. military joint task force in Okinawa, Japan. A total of 300 U.S. military personnel have been supporting the aid mission in Nepal, which includes three Hueys, four Marine MV-22B Ospreys, two KC-130 Hercules and four Air Force C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift aircraft. The U.S. relief mission was deployed soon after a magnitude-7.8 quake hit April 25, killing more than 8,200 people. It was followed by another magnitude-7.3 quake on Tuesday that killed 117 people and injured 2,800.

U.S. Marine Helicopter Filipino Factory Fire Downed in Nepal Kills 72

A PhD at 102

On Wednesday, Ingeborg SyllmRapoport finally received her well-deserved PhD when she passed her PhD

Nepalese rescuers discovered three bodies near the wreckage of a U.S. Marine helicopter that disappeared last week during a relief mission in the earthquake-hit Himalayan nation. “The wreckage of the helicopter was found in pieces, and there are no chances of any survivors,” Nepal’s de-

Filipino police are investigating a fire that killed at least 72 factory workers who became trapped in the building’s second floor. Valenzuela city police Chief Rhoderick Armamento said the investigation has taken on a criminal angle after a relative of one of the victims said iron grills that

were put on windows prevented the victims from escaping. This was the country’s most fatal and worst factory fire in its history All bodies were believed to have been retrieved from the gutted two-story Kentex Manufacturing Corp. rubber slipper factory a day after the fire raged for over five hours in the Manila suburb. Armamento said that after the fire was finally doused, the focus shifted to identifying the bodies and investigating the cause of the blaze. Among the questions being raised is the question of if the factory followed fire and building safety standards. Dionisio Candido, whose daughter, granddaughter, sister-in-law and niece were among the missing, said iron grills reinforced with fencing wire covered windows on the second floor that “could prevent even cats from escaping.” Police will file charges against “all those accountable and those at fault,” charged police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said the city’s fire marshal and two other fire department officers were relieved of duty. One of them, fire marshal Mel Jose Lagan, had earlier told reporters that arson investigators will look into why the people were unable to escape from the second floor when there was a “sufficient exit” that includes a wide stairway to the back of the building leading outside. They will also look into whether there were more people inside the building than permitted under code. Surviving workers admitted that they never received instructions on what to do in case of a fire. Iron grill bars on windows are common in offices, factories and homes in the Philippines to keep out thieves. In workplaces or factories, they are also meant to prevent employees from stealing equipment or products. Mayor Rex Gatchalian said that a workers’ log book was lost in the fire and the foreman was among the dead, making it difficult to determine how many were inside the factory at the time. District Fire Marshal Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu said that the

MAY 21, 2015

defense exam 77 years after she completed her thesis on diphtheria. The German neonatologist is 102-yearsold. Syllm-Rapoport had been refused entrance to the oral exam in 1938 by the Nazi authorities because her mother was Jewish. “This is about principle, not about me,” she told the Daily Tagesspiegel over the weekend. “I did not defend the work for my own sake; that whole situation was not easy for me at 102 years old. I did it for the victims. The university wanted to make amends for wrongs and has shown great patience, for which I am grateful.” She immigrated to the United States in 1938 and was required to study for two additional years to be certified as a doctor, despite graduating from a German medical school. She married in 1946 and the couple returned to Germany after her husband was persecuted by anti-Communist efforts during the McCarthy era. Syllm-Rapoport retired in 1973 from Berlin’s renowned Charite Hospital as a full professor of pediatrics and head of the Neonatology Department. She will receive her doctoral certificate on June 9.

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two. The IRA blew up a boat carrying Charles’ godfather and great-uncle Lord Mountbatten off the west coast of Ireland in 1979, in one of the most high-profile assassinations during three decades of sectarian unrest that killed 3,500 people. The 79-year-old royal was killed along with two relatives and Paul Maxwell, a 14-year-old local boy, who worked on the fishing boat. On Wednesday, the British royal was expected to travel to the rugged stretch of coastline near where the killing took place in Mullaghmore, becoming the first royal to do so on a visit that palace aides have said is aimed at promoting “peace and reconciliation.” The heir to the throne had a close relationship with his godfather and the visit will be an emotional one for him. Mountbatten’s grandson, Timothy Knatchbull, who survived the blast, is also expected to attend, along with Peter McHugh, a local resident who helped pull bodies from the sea. Adams and other senior Sinn Fein members boycotted Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Ireland in 2011, the first by a British monarch since the future Republic of Ireland gained independence from Britain in 1922. But Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a member of Sinn Fein who was an IRA commander in the 1970s, later shook hands with the queen during her visit to Belfast in 2012.

In News

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MAY 21, 2015

The Week building had other exits but apparently the workers were overwhelmed by the thick, black smoke from the burning rubber and chemicals, which are highly flammable and caused the blaze to spread quickly

Taliban Claims Attack on Kabul Guesthouse

A Taliban attack on a Kabul guesthouse left 14 people dead, including nine foreigners, last Wednesday evening. This latest attack has highlighted the difficulties President Ashraf Ghani faces in providing basic security following the withdrawal of international combat troops from Afghanistan. The hours-long siege was the deadliest in Kabul since the insurgents launched their annual “spring offensive” against Ghani’s administration in late April. The government has been forced to concentrate resources on security at the expense of desperately needed reforms. An American, a British citizen, an Italian, four Indian nationals and two Pakistanis were among the dead. Five Afghanis were also killed and seven were wounded, including a policeman. By targeting a guesthouse popular with international residents and visitors, the Taliban also stoked fears they were renewing their strategy of killing foreigners, which will further undermine Ghani’s credibility in his efforts to bring peace, stability and prosperity not only to Afghanistan but to the broader region. “The attack shows that Kabul is very vulnerable. An increase in attacks on Kabul can paralyze life here, and if there is a cascade of attacks in Kabul, it can hurt the

government,” Haroun Mir, an independent political analyst, pointed out. Gunmen stormed the Park Palace Hotel in downtown Kabul as guests gathered for a concert by a popular Afghan musician. In attendance were diplomats, business people, charity workers, academics and others. Some 60 people were held hostage for about five hours by the gunmen. Sporadic gunfire and a series of muffled explosions were heard before Kabul police Chief Gen. Adbul Rahman Rahimi announced the siege was over. Firefighters quickly moved in to clear the building, which was cordoned off as residents moved out. The Taliban claimed responsibility in an emailed statement that said the hotel was targeted because of the presence of foreigners, including Americans. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said it was carried out by a lone attacker armed with a Kalashnikov rifle, a suicide vest and a pistol. However, authorities in Kabul said three gunmen were involved and all were killed in the shootout with Afghan security forces. Ghani condemned the attack and lashed out at the Taliban in a statement the next day, vowing the insurgents would not derail his plans to bring peace to his war-ravaged nation. He said he had spoken to the leaders of the nations whose citizens were killed, adding, “The terrorists and enemies of Afghanistan cannot harm our country’s relationships with other countries with these activities.” Since taking office in September, public support for Ghani has rapidly evaporated, along with faith in his promises to bring reform and peace. His cabinet still lacks a defense minister and plans to kick-start a moribund economy, creating much-needed jobs after the withdrawal late last year of foreign combat forces and many non-government organizations, have stalled.

Iran Already Caught Breaking the Rules Czech officials have discovered that the Iranian government has attempted to purchase technology that

In News can be used in its nuclear program using false documentation. The move is in direct violation of international sanctions. After Iran’s attempt, the Czech were able to prevent the sale, according to the latest annual report of the UN Security Council’s Iran sanctions committee. The incident is likely to reinforce concerns that the Iranian regime may not adhere to a major nuclear deal Tehran is negotiating with world powers. The report details Iran’s attempt to purchase compressors manufactured by the Prague-based American-owned company Howden CKD Compressors using a “false end user.” “The procurer and transport company involved in the deal had provided false documentation in order to hide the origins, movement and destination of the consignment with the intention of bypassing export controls and sanctions,” the report said.

Compressors of certain types — the exact type of compressor being purchased has not been reported — are useful in the uranium enrichment process required to produce both nuclear energy, and at higher levels of enrichment, also nuclear weapons. The contract was valued at $61 million. The parties attempting to make the purchase said the compressors were “needed for a compressor station, such as the kind used to transport natural gas from one relay station to another,” according to a Czech official. According to the UN panel, the Czech incident wasn’t the only piece of evidence Tehran is actively seeking to circumvent sanctions. Britain, the report said, had tracked another nuclear procurement network for Tehran. Under an interim deal struck

between world powers and Iran, the Islamic Republic agreed to scale back its nuclear activities, including stopping higher levels of enrichment, in exchange for a negotiated relief to international sanctions. Israel and several Arab states have criticized the emerging deal. The U.S. and other negotiating powers have said Iran has complied with the conditions set by the interim deal. A final nuclear deal is scheduled to be set at the end of June.

Israel Hezbollah Replenishing Rocket Arsenals According to the Israeli intelligence committee, Hezbollah, the Lebanese terror group, has built up a huge arsenal of nearly 100,000 short range rockets and other advanced weapons. Civilians within range of Shi’ite villages in southern Lebanon are being told they are at risk if war breaks out. Several thousand of the missiles can reportedly reach Tel Aviv and central Israel while hundreds more may be able to strike the entire country.

Most of the weapons have been transferred to Lebanon through wartorn Syria, coming from Hezbollah’s key allies, the Syrian government and Iran. An official showed reporters satellite photos of what Israeli intelligence believes are Hezbollah positions in dozens of Shiite villages in southern Lebanon. The photos were marked with dozens of red icons, signaling what are believed to be missile launchers, arms depots, underground tunnels and command posts. One photo showed the village of Muhaybib, with a population of

The Week

Four students were injured in a terrorist attack in the West Bank after a vehicle drove into a bus stop on Thursday afternoon. The attack occurred outside the Alon Shvut settlement, south of Jerusalem, at the site of a similar fatal attack in November. The deputy head of the Etzion settlement bloc council Moshe Savil said that the driver came from the direction of nearby Kfar Etzion. “He crossed the highway and with great force struck a group of students who were waiting for the bus,” he said. The black Subaru escaped from the scene but a suspect was arrested a short while later and was handed over to the Shin Bet security service for questioning. Muhammed Arfaaya, 22, a Palestinian resident of Hebron, admitted to perpetrating the attack. One person was seriously injured, another moderately, and two more lightly hurt in the incident. All four were evacuated to a nearby Jerusalem hospital. The victims are between 16 and 25 years old. Savil added in a statement made at the scene of the attack, “I call on the army and security forces to re-

There have been a spate of vehicular terror attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem since the fall.

How Educated are Israeli Children? In a major education report that was published this week, Israeli

schoolchildren came in at 39th out of 76 nations, according to standardized test scores. Asian nations led the rankings, published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with Singapore taking first place, followed by Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Taipei. European nations were next in line, with Finland at sixth place followed by Estonia, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

MAY 21, 2015

Bus Stop Attack Injures 4

turn security to the settlement bloc, to increase security, to restrict the entrance of Palestinians to areas with large groups of people like this.” “This is a hard day for the Etzion settlement bloc. This junction has experienced many tough incidents,” Savil said, referring to an attack that occurred near the junction where a Palestinian driver ran into a bus stop, running over Israeli Dalia Lemkus, 26, and then stabbing her to death.

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around 1,000 people and 90 buildings, of which more than a third had been marked as Hezbollah assets. In the larger village of Shaqra, with some 4,000 people, Israeli intelligence identified Hezbollah targets in around 400 out of some 1,200 buildings. If war breaks out and Hezbollah fires missiles at Israel, these buildings will be targeted by Israel’s air force, the official said, adding that Israel would give civilians time to evacuate. Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in 2006 that killed some 1,200 Lebanese and 160 Israelis and caused heavy damage to Lebanon’s infrastructure. Though another Israel-Hezbollah war is always possible, analysts say the group has no interest in renewing hostilities while it is busy fighting alongside President Bashar Assad’s forces against rebels trying to topple him in Syria.

In News

The Week wealth from natural resources,” the report pointed out.

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MAY 21, 2015

Mossad’s New Push to Bring Eli Cohen Back Home The OECD issued a special warning about the decline of Sweden in the rankings. The Scandinavian country now places at 35th place, four slots ahead of Israel. The U.S. ranks 28th on the list; Britain is 20th. The report uses a new method for scoring international tests such as PISA and TIMSS that created a shared standard for comparing diverse countries’ performance across multiple tests. “This is the first time we have a truly global scale of the quality of education,” OECD education director Andreas Schleicher said of the report. “The idea is to give more countries— rich and poor—access to comparing themselves against the world’s education leaders, to discover their relative strengths and weaknesses, and to see what the long-term economic gains from improved quality in schooling could be for them.” The report was prepared for the World Education Forum slated to take place in South Korea next week, which will deal with raising global education standards. Titled “Universal Basic Skills: What Countries Stand to Gain,” it argues that universal education in basic skills in math and science will lead to a dramatic economic boon for the countries tested. The Arab world trailed far behind on the list, with one headline in the report noting diplomatically that “high-quality schooling and oil don’t mix easily.” “The high-income non-OECD countries, as a group, would see an added economic value equivalent to almost five times the value of their current GDP – if they equipped all students with at least basic skills. So there is an important message for countries rich in natural resources: the wealth that lies hidden in the undeveloped skills of their populations is far greater than what they now reap by extracting

Mossad Director Tamir Pardo has been doing all he can to bring the body of Mossad spy Eli Cohen to Israel from Syria for burial. This past Monday marked the 50th anniversary of the Damascus hanging of Cohen. A ceremony was attended by Israel’s president, prime minister, Cohen’s widow and three children.

“Eli’s legacy, ‘Our Man in Damascus,’ will last forever. It remains our obligation to bring Eli home, to bury him in Israel,” Pardo said at the event, referencing the title of a book about the legendary spy. Addressing the memorial, Nadia Cohen also appealed to the Israeli government to retrieve her husband’s body from Syrian soil and “bring him home. “Do not forget where Eli lies. He is not with us,” she said. “I ask, on this special occasion, that you do all you can to bring him home, to the country for which he fought, and paid for with his life.” Mossad agent Cohen was put on trial and executed by the Syrian government for espionage on May 18, 1965 after he successfully infiltrated the Syrian government under the alias Kamel Amin Thaabet for four years. The intelligence conveyed to Israel during that period was credited by then-prime minister Levi Eshkol as greatly assisting Israel during the Six Day War. President Reuven Rivlin called Cohen “an extraordinary hero.” “Few people are remembered for

In News generations. Among those few, there are almost none from the heroes of the intelligence community,” Rivlin said. “Unknown soldiers who put their souls on the line and risk losing their lives at any minute, under a blanket of secrecy… Eli Cohen was an extraordinary hero of Israel. He merited that the entire country would know him well and maintain his legacy.” He continued, “We, citizens of Israel, will forever remember Eli Cohen as a true hero who sacrificed his life in the defense of our security and for the freedom of our country.”

Miracle Baby Born to 65-Year-Old

In a truly miraculous story, a Chassidish woman of 65 gave birth to a healthy baby boy this week. Chaya Sarah Shachar became a mother for the first time at the Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba. The ecstatic parents had been trying to have children for over 45 years. Shachar and her husband, Shmuel, had unsuccessfully tried to have children since they were married at the ages of 19 and 21, respectively. The couple had sought fertility treatments as well as blessings from religious figures. The proud parents, who are affiliated with the Nadvorna Chasidic dynasty, attributed the “miracle” to a blessing from their rebbe, who died three years ago.

Widow’s Weapons Cache Police detectives in Kibbutz Shoval were shocked to discover 13 rifles, including automatic weapons,

in the home of an elderly woman. The officers were conducting a weapons search after receiving a tip-off that unauthorized guns were being held in the area of the northern Negev. When they arrived at the woman’s home, they asked her if she was storing any weapons in her house, and she assured them she wasn’t. But Police decided to carry out a search anyway and found an arsenal in her attic— including AK-47s, an air rifle, a Czech-made rifle, a sawed-off shotgun, a Mauser handgun, Berettas, flares, as well as ammunition for all of the weapons. The entire stash was confiscated and sent to the Netivot police station. The woman, in her 80s, told police the guns had belonged to her late husband but she was adamant that she didn’t know he had kept them in the house. Superintendent Menny Ohayon of the Netivot police explained that police had heard that an “illegal weapon” was being used somewhere in the vicinity of the kibbutz. “After some legwork, we located the house and officers went in to look for the gun. To their surprise, they found a whole stash in the attic, with many weapons above and beyond the specific gun they were looking for. “In the stash, there was even one weapon from British Mandate days,” Ohayon said. “The rest of the weapons were usable and manufactured in recent decades. Among others, we found four AK-47 assault rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, a Czech rifle, five Beretta handguns, a Mauser hand gun, a Tommy gun and a flare gun. We also found a silencer, cartridges, telescope sights and enough ammo that a whole Israel Defense Forces platoon wouldn’t be ashamed of.”

National Bin Laden’s Top Aide Sentenced to Life in Prison “I worship the same G-d as you,”

The Week

America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. But some people don’t feel so brave living in certain areas of the country. In fact, if you want to feel safe in America, you’d be best off steering clear of some cities in the Golden State. The three metro areas nationwide where residents are least likely to feel safe are all in California’s Central Valley, along a corridor well-traveled by criminals transporting drugs. Nationally, more than three-quarters of people agreed when Gallup-Healthways researchers asked them last year to rate the statement “You always feel safe and secure”; only 23.5 percent of people failed to agree. But in Fresno, California, the poorest-ranking of the nation’s 100 most populous cities, 37.3 percent of people could not agree with the statement.

Gallup pointed out that by increasing police forces or establishing neighborhood watch programs can help residents feel safer. And residents who feel safer are more than likely to focus on their physical wellbeing by, for example, taking a run around the local track or connecting with fellow members in their community. Residents of Fresno, California, are the least likely of any big metro area in the country to feel safe. Even so, according to the FBI, the crime rate has been steadily declining in the city, although its crime rates are still higher than average. Stockton-Lodi, California, came in as the second-least safe city to residents. The city went bankrupt in 2013 and its police force is thinner

injuring nearly 300. They later killed a security guard. The jurors — seven women and five men — convicted Tsarnaev on April 8 on all 30 counts related to the bombings, including the shooting death of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology police officer days after the attacks. Tsarnaev pled not guilty to the charges. Judy Clarke, his attorney, cast Tsarnaev, now 21, as a troubled teenager from a dysfunctional family who came under the sway of his radicalized older brother, Tamerlan.

NYC Subway System Filled with Rats and Trash

Death Penalty for Boston Bomber On Friday the verdict was handed down: Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was sentenced to death by the Massachusetts jury. Throughout the 10 weeks of deliberations, there was graphic testimony from more than 150 witnesses, including survivors with missing limbs and a tormented father who spoke of watching his young son die on the sidewalk in front of him.

Tsarnaev showed no reaction to his sentence. It’s been two years since Dzhokhar and his older brother, Tamerlan, set off two pressure-cooker bombs near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon, killing three and

An audit by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has revealed that New York’s subway tracks are filled with rats, dirt and garbage. Peeling paint and mold were also found in many subway stations. The review established that only 3 percent of tracks in 276 underground stations were cleaned according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s own standards, which include cleaning track beds at underground stations every three weeks and using special equipment to vacuum up trash from the tracks every six months. “The MTA is constantly reminding riders to clean up after themselves, but they’re setting a poor example by letting piles of trash on the tracks fester for months on end,” Stringer said. “Our auditors observed rats scurrying over the tracks and onto subway platforms, and it’s almost as if they were

MAY 21, 2015

Al-Fawwaz, 52, was arrested in London weeks after the August 1998 attacks but was not extradited from Great Britain until 2012. He was convicted in February of terror charges accusing him of supporting the attacks in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people, including a dozen Americans. At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the Saudi Arabia-born defendant was an al-Qaeda leader who directed a military training camp in Afghanistan in 1991, led a terror cell in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1993, and ensured bin Laden’s 1996 declaration of war against the U.S. reached the world. The evidence included a list of al-Qaeda members — with al-Fawwaz at number 9 — that was recovered by U.S. Special Forces from an al-Qaeda leader’s home after the September 11 attacks. The defense argued that the U.S. government exaggerated al-Fawwaz’s role in the conspiracy. In her remarks, Karas described the trauma of being pulled out of the rubble in Nairobi and spending months in the hospital. She underwent multiple surgeries that failed to restore her sight. “I had a career ahead of me. It’s gone. Now I have a guide dog,” she said of the black Labrador at her side. Karas called herself and other survivors living proof that “Osama bin Laden didn’t win. We are all here. He is gone. And thankfully it will stay that way forever.”

Not So Safe and Secure

than ever. Forbes has ranked the city in the top ten most dangerous cities for years. It’s located along the Interstate 5, a well-known drug transit route that runs from Mexico up through the state, fueling gang violence. Stockton’s violent crime rate is 200 percent higher than California’s and 228 percent higher than the national average, according to the FBI. Another Californian city, Bakersfield, is not someplace you’d like to go for a midnight jog alone. It, too, is located along a popular drug trafficking route and gang violence is significant. Memphis, Tennessee, came in next on the list with its residents singing the blues. In fact, the murder rate in 2014 soared 17 percent from the year before. Youngstown, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; Las Vegas, Nevada; New Orleans, Louisiana; Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida; and Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida; rounded out the top ten.

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said Ellen Karas, directly addressing Khaled al-Fawwaz. “But he is not an angry G-d. He is not a vengeful G-d.” Karas was blinded in the 1998 bombings of two embassies in Africa that al-Fawwaz is responsible to orchestrating. The former aide to Osama bin Laden was handed a life sentence on Friday in a U.S. courtroom.

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MAY 21, 2015

The Week walking upright – waiting to take the train to their next meal. This is a daily, stomach-turning insult to millions of straphangers, and it’s unworthy of a world-class city.” Stringer said there are two track-cleaning trains that work the entire system and one was out of service for most of a year while the other is run on low power for fear of damaging the tracks. “You gotta buy better, more effective vacuum cars,” Stringer charged. “Why are you keeping in service vacuum cars that aren’t vacuuming?” Overall, the MTA slashed the cleaning workforce in half but they claim to have increased its budget for cleaning tracks specifically by 25 percent over the last six years. According to claims, the MTA approved a new $23 million contract for three new vacuum trains to pick up debris. “We have already developed a more systematic cleaning frequency for the track beds,” a spokesman for the MTA has said.

Hacker Admits to Controlling Plane

A cybersecurity analyst who was removed from a United Airlines flight after tweeting about the airplane’s security vulnerabilities told an FBI agent he had previously hacked into the in-flight entertainment system on a different flight and was able to take command of the plane long enough to make it fly sideways, according to a recently-released search warrant filed by the agency. Chris Roberts, founder of One World Labs, was questioned by the

FBI on April 15 upon landing at an airport in Syracuse after his flight from Chicago. According to the search warrant, Roberts told the FBI in February he had taken control of an aircraft, overwriting the code on the plane’s “Thrust Management Computer” and issuing a “CLB,” or command to climb. “He stated that he thereby caused one of the airplane engines to climb resulting in a lateral or sideways movement of the plane during one of these flights,” FBI Special Agent Mark Hurley wrote in the warrant application filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York and published by a Canadian media outlet. “He also stated that he used Vortex software after compromising/exploiting or ‘hacking’ the airplane’s networks. He used the software to monitor traffic from the cockpit system.” According to the warrant, Roberts — who for years has warned airplane manufacturers of their vulnerability to hackers — said he had accessed in-flight networks more than 15 times between 2011 and 2014 by connecting a modified ethernet cable to a box under the passenger seat in front of him, and had discovered vulnerabilities in three types of Boeing aircraft as well as the Airbus A-320. He did not indicate which flight he was able to briefly commandeer. Roberts was not charged with a crime, but the FBI seized his computer equipment — including a laptop, several hard drives, flash drives and black iPad with a “Death Wish Coffee Co.” sticker — because they believed he “had the ability and the willingness” to hack into in-flight entertainment systems and “possibly the flight control systems” on future flights. According to the FBI, agents warned Roberts in February that “accessing airplane networks without authorization” is a violation of federal laws and that he could be prosecuted. But on April 15, United Airlines alerted the FBI to a tweet Roberts published while on a flight from Denver to Chicago: “Find myself on a 737/800,

In News lets see Box-IFE-ICE-SATCOM, ? Shall we start playing with EICAS messages? ‘PASS OXYGEN ON’ Anyone ? :)” Officials were not amused. According to the affidavit, a subsequent FBI search of Roberts’s seats on that plane “showed signs of tampering.”

The Mental Stress Suffered by Journalists

As a journalist, it’s one’s duty to report the facts—sometimes from dangerous and frightening places. They place themselves in harm’s way to broadcast information and the truth to the world. But journalists are human and reporting on tragedies and horror take a very-human toll on them as well. Aidan Sullivan remembers his first day as director of photography at The Sunday Times very clearly. It was April 5, 1989, what would come to be known as the day of the Hillsborough disaster in Sheffield, England, in which 96 people were crushed to death at a crowded stadium. 766 were injured. “I remember making two piles of pictures: one of [people] who were dead or dying, and another of those who were distressed but more likely to survive,” said Sullivan, who added that he has experienced flashbacks as a result of the job. “I can still vividly recall the images. That never goes away.” Reporting from war zones obviously seems to take a larger toll. According to a 2002 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, nearly one-third of war journalists will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder during their careers – approximately six times

more likely than workers in a career other than journalism. Another 21 percent will experience depression. War reporters are also more likely than non-war reporters to abuse drugs and alcohol, have trouble sleeping and experience high levels of stress and anxiety. But it’s not just those in the warzone who are affected. An emerging body of research suggests that journalists who are exposed to trauma secondhand – the people, like Sullivan, whose job it is to sort through images, watch videos and decide what should and should not be published – are at an even greater risk of developing psychological symptoms than those reporting on the ground. “The work follows them home, and it stays with them, and soon it starts affecting how they manage their lives outside of the work environment,” Anthony Feinstein, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto who has dedicated his career to studying journalists and PTSD, pointed out. “The quality of their relationships changes. They come home and suddenly don’t feel like going out when they used to like to go out.” Feinstein conducted the first study on war journalists and their emotional well-being. PTSD is defined as a mental health condition triggered by exposure to a traumatic event. In 2013, the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders significantly changed its definition of PTSD to one that specifically included work-related, repeated, indirect exposure to distressing material. While full-blown PTSD is rare among journalists, other mental health problems – such as anxiety, stress, alcohol and drug abuse, depression, trouble sleeping and social dysfunction – are more common. But what has most surprised Feinstein about journalists and exposure to trauma is that it’s not always those in the midst of conflict who are most at risk. In a 2013 study, he observed more than 100 journalists whose job required them to view graphic material. What

The Week

On Tuesday night, as the Amtrak 188 sped through the darkness from Washington, D.C., to New York, the locomotive reached 106 mph as it rounded a curve—more than twice the speed limit on that section of the track, investigators have said. Eight people sadly lost their lives in the subsequent crash and more than 200 were injured. What caused the fatal crash? In-

has proposed granting amnesty to 1.2 million low-level offenders with open warrants for minor offenses such as drinking in public and disorderly conduct. Some of the summonses stem from unresolved tickets that are more than a decade old. Although hundreds of thousands of tickets for minor offenses were given out last year, 40 percent of offenders failed to show up in court.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter had harsh words for the train’s engineer. “Clearly it was reckless in terms of the driving by the engineer. There’s no way in the world he should have been going that fast into the curve,” Nutter said. The engineer, Brandon Bostian, has said he does not remember the crash or the moments leading up to it. “I don’t know what was going on with him [the engineer]. I don’t know what was going on in the cab, but there’s really no excuse that can be offered, literally, unless he had a heart attack,” Nutter said. Currently investigators are looking at a “good quality video” that shows the train speeding up in the moments leading up to its derailment. They don’t know yet what caused the train to accelerate to more than 100 mph. Sumwalt said 65 seconds before the end of the recording, the train speed went above 70 mph, and then steadily increased. Investigators have ruled out that something hit the windshield before the crash obstructing the conductor’s view.

“Warrants never go away. There’s no expiration date,” Bratton pointed out. “It would be great to get rid of a lot of that backlog. It’s not to our benefit from a policing standpoint to have all those warrants floating around out there,” he reiterated. Critics of the proposal are worried that excusing offenses to clear the backlog of open warrants could lead to a higher crime rate and more serious crimes. “You always have to be answerable for your behavior and unchecked behavior, we know, leads to larger things and those things manifest themselves in violent crime and property crime, like auto theft and burglary, and things like that,” Jon Shane, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told CBS New York. Issuing summonses for petty in-

NYC’s Top Cop Wants to Grant Amnesty to 1.2 Million He’s New York’s top cop but now he may be forgiving many low-level offenders in the city. New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton u

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8 Lose Their Lives in Amtrak Crash

vestigators are still working on getting answers.

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Feinstein found was that people who viewed disturbing images frequently but for short periods of time were more likely to develop symptoms of psychological distress than those who viewed the material for prolonged periods of time. War reporters and photographers who view disturbing material day in and day out become desensitized in a way those who only do so for a few hours a day do not. Journalists, though, don’t like to admit they are being affected by their work, let alone reveal that they are dealing with a psychological disorder. The role of a reporter or editor is to produce hard-hitting journalism, to speak the truth about difficult and harrowing events. Journalists are supposed to be fearless, bold, and brave. They are supposed to write about others struggling – not admit that they are struggling themselves. Bruce Shapiro of Columbia University’s Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma – an organization dedicated to spreading awareness about best practices in reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy – says the first step to eliminating stigma surrounding journalists and trauma is to talk about it. “Journalists are a pretty resilient tribe – but we’re also human beings,” Shapiro said. “We’re no different from cops, firefighters or soldiers – and no different, either, from groups like homicide detectives or psychotherapists, who carry the secondhand burden of others’ suffering.”

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MAY 21, 2015

The Week fractions is an element of “broken windows” policing, a strategy that focuses on aggressively enforcing quality-of-life offenses in an effort to deter more serious ones. Mr. Bratton was a big proponent of the theory, especially in his position as police commissioner under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Together, they cleaned up a city that was doused in graffiti, dirt and criminal grime. But the “broken windows” theory has recently come under fire, especially in the wake of the Eric Garner case in which the Staten Island man died after being arrested for selling untaxed, loose cigarettes. Some say that minorities have been targeted for low-level crimes. Roughly 81 percent of the 7.3 million people hit with these violations between 2001 and 2013 were black and Hispanic, according to a New York Civil Liberties Union calculation of available race data on summons forms.

Where Have all the Good Bees Gone? According to a federal survey, more than two out of five American hon-

eybee colonies died in the past year. Perhaps most surprisingly was that the worst die-off was in the summer. Since April 2014, beekeepers lost 42.1 percent of their colonies, the second highest loss rate in nine years, according to an annual survey conducted by a bee partnership that includes the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “What we’re seeing with this bee problem is just a loud signal that there’s some bad things happening with our agro-ecosystems,” said study co-author Keith Delaplane at the University of Georgia. “We just happen to notice it with the honeybee because they are so easy to count.”

That doesn’t mean bees are about to become endangered. After a colony dies, beekeepers split their surviving colonies, start new ones, and the numbers go back up again, said Delaplane and study co-author Dennis van Engelsdorp of the University of Maryland. What truly had entomologists stumped was the season of all the dying hives; it is much more common for bees to die in the winter than in the summer. Seeing massive colony losses in summer is like seeing “a higher rate of flu deaths in the summer than winter,” van Engelsdorp said. “You just don’t expect colonies to die at this rate in the summer.” The places with the most prevalent bee deaths are Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Maine and Wisconsin; all those states had more than 60 percent of their hives die since April 2014, according to the report.

In News Scientists say that a mixture of mites, poor nutrition and pesticides are to blame for the bee deaths.

That’s Odd How White is White? It’s a matter of color. There are many issues that can split up a town. This one, though, is making waves—waves of color. Minneha Township is building a wall along East Central, east of K-96, in front of the Southern Village subdivision. The township board plans to paint the wall bright white, the same color it painted the walls in front of two nearby subdivisions, all bordering the southern edge of Crestview Country Club. But their wishes to paint the walls white are raising the ire of many members of the homeowners association who want it painted off-white to match the color of the subdivision’s decade-old entryway. White or off-white? That seems to be the question and the issue has many of its residents showing their true colors. Longtime resident and homeowners association officer Bob McGrath has led the charge after learning about the color of paint. He dubs it “stark white.” He polled the subdivision’s residents. He still has forms from 46 of the 55 homes indicating they preferred the off-white, while just three preferred the bright white. The rest had no preference or didn’t respond. Don Gragg, the trustee of Minneha Township, who lives a couple of houses away from McGrath, said the bright white color was set in a meeting last year with the two other subdivisions, and the board just continued it with this project. The paint has already been ordered, he said. The paint and the labor to paint the wall would be about $40,000. John Wells, a Southern Village Homeowners Association board member, acknowledged that the whole thing

could seem petty to outsiders. “It may seem a trivial issue,” he said. “It’s not to us. We have to see that every day. We just want it toned down a little.” And they’re not going to whitewash it.

The Cat’s Meow

Let’s hear it for Merlin the cat—or maybe we should just hear her. The black and white house cat that belongs to Tracy Westwood of Torquay, England, has set the record for the loudest purr by a domestic cat— measuring at 67.8 decibels. The competition was fierce—Merlin narrowly beat the previous record of 67.68 decibels set in 2011 by Smokey, another British cat. The average house cat’s purr reportedly measures 25 decibels. A normal conversation between people registers between 60 and 70 decibels. Merlin, who is 13 years old, can be so loud that Westwood says she occasionally has to repeat herself in conversation. In a preview clip for “Cats Make You Laugh Out 2,” Westwood said her cat’s purr has previously been measured even louder. “When you’re watching films, you have to turn the telly up or put him out of the room. If he’s eating he’ll purr loudly. I can hear him when I’m drying my hair,” she said in a news release from the Guinness Records. “If he’s cleaning, he gets louder. And sometimes if the telephone rings, I do get people asking me what’s that noise in the background. I tell them it’s the cat, but I don’t know if they believe me.” That’s what we call a cat cacophony.

The Week

The Accidental Genius Leigh Erceg was an athlete who loved NASCAR, a fun-loving woman who worked on a ranch in remote northwestern Colorado. But now the 47-year-old is a changed person. After suffering a traumatic brain injury several years ago, Erceg is a gifted artist and poet. She enjoys spending time puzzling over mathematical equations. And she can “see” sounds and “hear”

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But now doctors were proven wrong. More than four decades later, after a particularly powerful sneeze accompanied by what he calls “a very uncomfortable sensation,” the suction cup finally emerged from Steve’s nose. “I started a sneezing fit and it came out of my left nostril,” the British man relates. “I thought, ‘What’s this?’… and pulled out this rubber sucker.” Steve called his mom, who told him about the hospital visit—about which he had apparently forgotten. He’s happy to share this new nose news with anyone who’d like to hear. As you know, the nose knows!

colors when she listens to music, alshe has been best friends with since though she is extremely sensitive to the fifth grade, to help her understand light. Doctors were initially unsure she who she used to be. She remembers nothing about her would ever walk again. What no one In addition to her memories, Erprior life. She doesn’t even recognize knew at the time was that her brain ceg also lost her ability to feel emoher own mother. suffered the most severe damage, but tion, which doctors describe as “flat Erceg’s condition is so incredibly in a unique way. Erceg has no memory affect.” She has since learned to smile rare that it took numerous scientific of her old life, not even her childhood. or chuckle as a response to social cues, studies and brain scans to diagnose She relies on Amber Anastasio, who but says she doesn’t feel or understand her with what is called “savant syndrome.” Savant syndrome is described as vastly enhanced cognitive ability in an area such as art and math. Acquired savant syndrome is when a person isn’t born with the condition, which is the case with Erceg. She also suffers from “synesthesia,” a mixing of senses, where the person can see a sound, or hear a color as a series of numbers and letters. “Leigh is the only woman in the world who has acquired savant syndrome and synesthesia following brain injury that I know of,” said Dr. Berit Brogaard, a neuroscientist at the University of Miami who has been studying her. Erceg’s life changed in 2009 when she fell into a ravine as she was feeding chickens on a ranch she was managing. She suffered catastrophic spine and brain injuries. “I don’t know what type of fall it was but it must have been pretty dramatic,” she relates. “I just remember them saying, ‘Leigh, keep breathing.’ I remember it was a sheriff, and he said, ‘Leigh keep breathing.’ There isn’t pictures, there is just Insurance and discounts subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Co.. Life insurance and annuities issued by words, ‘Leigh keep Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Lincoln, NE, Allstate Life Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. In New York, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Hauppauge, NY. Northbrook, IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Co. breathing.’”

MAY 21, 2015

Steve Easton has finally found his toy. He may not want to play with it now, though, considering that he’s 51-years-old and the suction cup from one of his toy darts has been found up his nose. When Steve was about seven years old, his parents noticed that the suction cup was missing and they were concerned that he had either inhaled or swallowed it. But trips to the doctor didn’t reveal anything and Steve was in the clear—or so they thought. In subsequent years, Steve suffered from sniffles and headaches he believed were the result of allergies.

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A Toy Sneezer

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The Week the reaction. She said she was initially misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. “Leigh was a total extrovert. She was very confident,” Anastasio said of her friend’s former life. “I just know that she is different now. It’s not a bad different. It’s just different. It’s who she is now.” Erceg has a home now filled with mathematical equations and art – her interpretations of how she sees the world. All of her drawings are done with headphones on, music blaring and a Sharpie in hand. When she’s drawing, Erceg said “all the dimensions of the house” run through her mind.

said, describing one of her drawings. “Most people, if you ask them to draw a house or a car, they will start with the outline of the car or house, and they will fill in the windows and door, and the wheels,” Brogaard said. “When you ask Leigh to draw something, she will start with the details. She will start with the windows or the wheels – the details, and fill out that way. She is attending to details before she is attending to the whole.” And although her genius is accidental, she is embracing her new life and trying to piece together what life was life before her new life began.

Candy Capital

“At one point, all theoretical designs come in occupancy of a triangle, of a linear line, of circulations,” she

Think your kids are eating a lot of junk? Be happy you don’t live in Utah—they could be eating double!

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In News According to a recent study by Hershey Co., the sweet-tooth capital of the United State is, ironically, the Beehive State. Yes, Utah is the state that loves all things sweet. Residents buys confections at the highest rate in the nation – almost double the U.S. average – Hershey researchers found. Twizzlers are especially popular in the Salt Lake City area, according to the company. Some of their love of candy can be attributed to their beliefs. More than 60 percent of Utah’s residents are Mormons, who typically abstain from alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. With those vices frowned upon, candy is an acceptable treat, said Glenn Christensen, a marketing professor Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management. Sweets are ubiquitous at family gatherings and church events, he said. “We don’t drink alcohol, we don’t smoke, we avoid coffee … but we certainly do sugar,” Christensen said. “It’s the only allowed indulgence.” In addition to a big Mormon population, Utah has a bountiful number of candy’s biggest fans – children. In 2013, 31 percent of the state’s residents were under 18, compared with 23 percent for the national average. “We have tons of kids,” Christensen related. Utah’s penchant for candy wasn’t the only statistical quirk unearthed by Hershey researchers. They found that customers in Minnesota buy six-packs of Hershey bars at higher rates than any other Americans, particularly in the summer. The reason: s’mores. Minnesotans flock to the state’s lakes and campgrounds during the warmer months. In fact, sales slipped in 2012 when Minnesota banned campfires because of hot, dry weather. “All of this stuff is steeped in tradition,” Bob Goodpaster, Hershey’s chief global knowledge officer, said. “They’ve been doing s’mores in the Midwest for a long time.” It’s a sweet life.

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An Icy Adventure It’s finally here—the coolest vaca-

tion ever. Beginning June 1, tourists to Iceland will be able to walk deep into Europe’s second-largest ice cap glacier via tunnels carved through the ice in a destination called Into the Glacier. Iceland’s newest tourist attraction explores part of the Langjökull Glacier Ice Cap with its vastness of ice that is up to 1,900-feet thick, 31 miles long and up to 12 miles wide. The adventure puts the “ice” in Iceland, as visitors will see magnificent blue ice buried deep beneath the surface. A variety of tours starting at $137 will allow tourists to walk along a 1,312-foot corridor carved through the ice. A few chambers have also been hollowed out along the route with educational exhibits and even a chapel for under ice weddings.

It took some time for the idea to get out of the freezer. Baldvin Einarsson and Hallgrímur Örn Arngrímsson thought of the concept in 2010. Instead of taking tourists on tours around and onto the ice, why not take them inside the ice? They combined their passion, energy and drive with science, engineering, finance and political support to build what is thought to be the world’s first and biggest manmade Ice Cap Glacier Ice Cave. According to the Into the Glacier website: “Never before has anyone been able to see the beautiful blue ice at the heart of an Ice Cap Glacier; it is not quite a Jules Verne journey to the center of the earth, or even to the absolute center of the glacier, but it feels like an exciting and magical journey, deep within the glacier, and it is deep enough to reach another world, a world of magnificent, stunning blue ice.” Sounds like the coolest trip ever.

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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller

G-d’s Words

MAY 21, 2015

No day in history comes even close in the magnitude of its significance. It was a day when all the assumptions concerning life and its purpose were altered irrevocably.

he date was the 6th of Sivan 2448 according to Jewish dating or 1312 BCE. Over three thousand years have passed since that date – the only widely acknowledged public experience with G-d in human history. When I was growing up Charlton Heston was my Moses. The effect of seeing a cast of thousands, wind machines replicating the splitting of the sea, and Anne Baxter providing an interesting and distinctly non-biblical sub-plot had the effect of placing an opaque patina of mythology and kitsch over the entire event. Only later in my life was I able to shake the movie off enough to realize that the (real) Ten Commandments are the most definitive statements of spiritual morality to ever be articulated. In order to encounter G-d with this level of intimacy, the Jews had to open themselves to the point of being able to

declare: “We will do and we will listen.” They were willing to take on the actions that G-d commanded before they sought to grasp them intellectually. They had to submit their will to G-d’s will and worship Him, rather than worshiping their minds and hearts.

are not “more “ important than any other – by what scale could any human try to impose hierarchy of significance when talking about G-d’s will anyway? – they are nonetheless unique. This is because they provide us with the essence of the other 603 commandments.

They had to submit their will to G-d’s will and worship Him, rather than worshiping their minds and hearts. Each of the ten statements opens a door that moves a person beyond ego, desire, and subjectivity. The Maharal tells us that while these commandments

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They are the most important words we will ever hear. The first two commandments have special significance. They were given directly by G-d, without Moses acting as an intermediary. Let us examine them more carefully. The First Commandment The first commandment states: I am the L-rd who took you out of Egypt, the house of bondage. It seems at first glance to be a statement rather than a directive. The imperative that comes forth from this commandment is that we come to recognize that G-d’s existence is not dependent on our willingness to serve Him. It doesn’t say “know Him” or “serve Him,” because His essence is unchanged by our responses to His presence. Once we let the truth of this statement sink in deeply, our relationship to the entire Torah changes. G-d is not

needy. We are. We all yearn for transcendence and meaning. When we examine all that this commandment implies we can discover the means of achieving this end. I am the L-rd ... The Divine name pronounced as “Lrd” is the Tetragrammaton. The Hebrew letters that comprise this name are the ones that also form the Hebrew time tenses. “He is, He was, and He will be.” His unchanging compassion may take infinite forms, but His presence both transcends and permeates everything that we see, hear or touch. Once we know this we can search for Him in every possible experience. Your -od ... The Hebrew word for G-d, Elokim, literally means “master of forces.” G-d made His presence known to us through the medium of His creativity. Each creation in a certain sense has His signature engraved upon it. The vivid and forceful character of nature engages us so intensely that we allow it to distract us from its creator. When we see an awesomely arresting sunset we can let it open our hearts or we can look at our watches and take note of the fact that the day is drawing to an end. The word Elokim has the same gematria or numerical value as the word ha-teva, “nature.” G-d is present not only when He reveals His presence. He is there when He conceals His presence through nature and challenges us to discover Him and thereby discover our higher and most eternal selves. Who took you out of Egypt ... G-d is not only present, He is involved. There are times that we question, “Where is G-d?” This question

It Could Have Happened To You Rabbi Eli Scheller

reply. Orly had paid the caterer, the photographer and the DJ their deposits so postponing the wedding was not an option. “It’s the day I’ve been waiting for for so long’ was all she could think. ‘Will anyone be at my wedding?’ Orly finally got the courage to make some phone calls. On the day of the wedding Orly decided to call Shira, a close friend from Los Angeles who happened to be in Israel at the time. Shira had replied back in May that she would attend the wedding. Orly choked back the tears as she called and asked if Shira was still planning to come. Shira answered ‘Of course!’ As fate would have it, Shira was our event planner and organizer for the leadership program. Shira knew with the escalation in hostilities between the feuding countries the evening’s program would be cancelled. If she was going to the wedding, Shira thought, maybe she could convince some students to join her. Shira expressed her idea to the program staff and we brought it to the participants. We explained, “Classes are cancelled for tonight due to the current situation. How would you like to attend a wedding in Rishon Letzion instead?” Before we could explain further one of the students checked his smart phone and learned that Rishon Letzion was a short distance from Gaza. He looked incredulous –“we’re trying to distance ourselves from war and you want to give us front row seats?’” Shira was in Israel with her hus-

band, Shimon, who had served as a paratrooper in the IDF for two years twelve years earlier. He had done time in Gaza as well as Lebanon. There were very few things that Shimon still feared. It was his time to take center stage. “I know you are coddled Americans who are not use to this type of hostility. But I’ve lived through times like these and God protects us. It is a great mitzva to celebrate with a bride and groom and God has thrown this opportunity your way. Don’t drop the ball.” The participants were moved by his faith and his calm demeanor. A few agreed to accompany Shira and Shimon to the wedding that night while the others were torn as to what to do. By eight o’clock that night Shira and Shimon’s taxi had been cancelled and had been replaced by a bus. Twenty eight non-affiliated Jews, Shira and Shimon, and my wife and I boarded and with trepidation left Jerusalem. Thirty of the thirty two passengers would greet the bride and groom and the other guests as complete strangers. Worse, they would be painfully aware of the potential danger they faced in attending this wedding. As soon as the group entered the wedding hall something magical took place. Four people on the dance floor turned into thirty six. Fear and anxiety were replaced with empathy and energy. We danced for hours (the open bar didn’t hurt) and each uninvited guest took a turn to dance for the bride and groom. When the wedding was final-

ly over Orly and her husband Shuki could not stop thanking us. The story could end there and it would be a nice story. However, when the group finally made it back to Los Angeles safely it was time to debrief the participants so that future trips would include only the most productive activities. I asked the group to describe their most memorable Israeli experience. I was moved when they all replied that it was the wedding. I was surprised, and commented that of course the wedding was nice, but it could not compete with jeeping, hiking, touring ancient sites, and hearing lectures from esteemed rabbis. Why was it that from all these activities the wedding stood out? The group was at a loss to explain it. After some thought I realized why the wedding was so memorable. It represented the difference between giving and taking. When one is on the receiving end the pleasure is temporary; when the taking is over it is over. As soon as you finish the steak, paintballing or a concert the pleasure is over (the only thing that remains is perhaps a couple of Facebook likes). When one gives to another, the act does not end with one’s self but rather carries on forever. The unexpected part of our itinerary where the young professionals risked their lives to do an altruistic deed for total strangers, was an act of true giving and hence the most rewarding. When planning your own “itinerary” be sure to include not only the things you want, but the things you are wanted for. --

Rabbi Eli Scheller is the author of the popular series ‘A Minute Vort’ on the parsha. He produces inspirational videos which are featured on major Jewish websites such as Aish.com and Matzav.com. Currently Rabbi Eli resides in Baltimore, with his wife and their four children, where he teaches and inspires Jews through his program, J-BAL, a division of Etz Chaim. schellereli@gmail.com

MAY 21, 2015

Jeeping along the Syrian border, hiking through the forests of the Golan, dining on the finest kosher food in Israel’s four star restaurants, attending a private concert at an army base in Haifa, and discussing the finer points of Jewish history and Jewish philosophy with well-known rabbis in Israel. I was running a leadership program for thirty two secular young professionals from Los Angeles. We had a schedule jammed with excitement that guaranteed an intense yet pleasurable two weeks. We were proud of the itinerary we had put together. However, God decided to tamper with our itinerary. Rockets pierce the skies, code red sirens blare, thousands of Israelis run for cover. Israel, once again, is at war with its neighbors, and this time, Hamas seems to have an inexhaustible supply of rockets to send over to their Israeli opponents. Thirty two secular young professionals all share the same thought. “How do I get hold of my travel agent and find the next flight back home?” Orly Leidner, a twenty five year old resident of Los Angeles, was not one of the young secular professionals, and in fact she had nothing to do with them. Yet, she too was anxiety ridden. Orly, originally from Israel, was engaged to Shuki Nissan, another Israeli transplanted to California. They had decided in April 2014 to have their wedding near family and friends in a beautiful hall in Rishon L’tzion, Israel. The invitations had gone out in May for a July 10 wedding date. On July 7, when the Security Cabinet of Israel decided to begin a “counter-terrorist operation” against Hamas, she checked her Google Map with dread. The wedding was to take place 20 miles from the Gaza border. “How could fate be so cruel on the greatest day of my life?” she thought. She locked herself alone in her room and sobbed while reading her guests’ email regrets - ‘so sorry but due to the circumstances there’s no way we can come to the occasion’ was the typical

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The Wedding near Gaza

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MAY 21, 2015

The Big Cheese

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

TJH Speaks with Brent Delman, the Cheese Guy BY ALEX IDOV

RECENTLY, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF APPEARING ON THE NACHUM SEGAL NETWORK SHOW, “TABLE FOR TWO,” WHERE I DEMONSTRATED HOW TO MAKE FRESH FARMER’S CHEESE FROM SCRATCH. WHILE IT WAS A FUN EXPERIENCE, I MUST ADMIT THAT I WAS A LITTLE INTIMIDATED TO BE MAKING MY OWN CHEESE IN FRONT OF ONE OF MY FELLOW GUESTS ON THE SHOW, BRENT DELMAN. DELMAN, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS BRENT THE CHEESE GUY, IS A KOSHER ARTISAN CHEESEMONGER. I ENJOYED HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DELMAN (WHO, THANK G-D, APPROVED OF MY “NOVICE” CHEESE-MAKING SKILLS) AND LATER CHATTED WITH HIM TO LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT KOSHER CHEESE AND ABOUT HOW HE FOUND HIMSELF WITH THE MONIKER “THE CHEESE GUY.” Alex Idov: How did you find yourself in the kosher cheese business and were you always a cheese connoisseur? Brent, the Cheese Guy: I grew up with a lot of dairy and cheese influences and because of that I guess I always loved cheese. Both of my parents are of Ashkenazic origin and this, of course, influenced the way we ate. We always had light dairy products in the house; sour cream and cottage cheese were staples. I grew up in a non-kosher home in an Italian neighborhood, where I experienced the tastes of many of the non-kosher cheeses that are available. When I made the decision to become kosher, I missed the amazing quality and variety of cheeses that I had grown up with and saw that there was an opportunity to introduce such cheeses into the kosher market. Did you have experience working in the culinary world prior to breaking into the kosher cheese business? Yes. For over twenty years, right after graduating from George Washing-

ton University with an MBA in International Business, I had been running a wholesale specialty foods company building and promoting many unique brands. About seven years ago I decided to start my own venture and broke into the kosher cheese industry. That sounds bold. How do you start such a venture? I started by going to one of the fine cheese capitals of the United States— Vermont. In Vermont, I attended some classes at The Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese, which is a program given through the University of Vermont. Of course I read a lot of books on cheese making. I also would learn a lot about the art of cheese making by visiting local farms, meeting and talking with the farmers, and even helping the farmers make cheese. It was really an informal process. During this time I learned that my real passion is affinage, the art of aging cheese and bringing it to its proper maturation. Can you walk us through the cheese making process? It all starts with the milk. Let’s start with hard cheese: Bacterial cultures are added to the milk to cause it to acidify—this is the beginning of the coagulation process. Rennet is added and the milk is heated to get the curds forming. Then you add the salt to the curds. [For those who may not know: curds are what becomes the final cheese product, and whey is the liquid byproduct of the process.] When making hard cheese, the curds are then put into a form, such a round wheel or square block, and pressed to knit them tightly together and drain off the whey. These forms are then piled on top of each other to allow the curds to continue to knit together and drain off the whey. The cheese is then vacuum-sealed and the aging process begins. Sometimes the aging process requires, depending on the type of cheese, that the cheese be coated with certain oils, spices, or alcohols. When the mold develops, it needs to be continuously brushed off. These molds and microbes that form are what continue to breakdown the protein and fat in the cheese and contribute to the flavor and texture of the cheese. The process is much simpler for soft cheeses, as they do not have to go through the pressing/shaping and aging processes. It sounds very detailed. How long does the process take? It depends on the cheese. With soft cheeses (i.e. cream cheese, ricotta, cottage cheese), of course, is a one-time process. You make it and it’s done. With hard cheese, it depends on the variety. Brie takes only a couple of weeks to one month to age. Parmesan, cheddar, and Gouda can take up to two years to reach maturation. There are some cheeses on the market that have

So you’re a cheese “caveman.” What are some of your most popular cheeses? Parmesan—in every form. Our parmesan is a two-year aged parmesan sold by the wedge. We also sell it in a grated and shredded forms. Our New York State fresh mozzarella is also a popular item, as well as our Vermont Bloom Brie.

Making cheese in Vermont

been aged up to five years, but mine typically range from 1-2 years the most.

What differentiates kosher cheese from its non-kosher counterpart? What makes it kosher? Number one: the milk has to come from a kosher animal. We can’t consume milk that comes from a horse or a camel—and there are in fact cheeses that are made from the milk of these animals. Also, all other ingredients, such as the bacterial cultures and rennet, all have to be kosher. The rennet, which is the substance which makes the cheese hard, is traditionally derived from animal sources but in the case of kosher cheeses they are typically derived from plant sources. Most people will tell you there is a difference in taste and quality when cheese is made from the non-traditional plant-based rennet, but I’m here to disprove them. All of my cheeses are made with plant-based rennet, and they taste just as good, if not better than those made with the traditional, animal rennet. This actually helps me gain a following amongst some vegetarians in addition to the kosher market. Another interesting fact about rennet is that it needs to be added to the curds by a religious Jew. What are some of the biggest challenges to making kosher cheese? The cost! It can also be hard to source some of the ingredients and kosher supervision is needed every step of the way. There are some kosher cheeses that are prepared as a special kosher batch in a non-kosher facility. When these special runs are produced, the certifying agency has to come in and kasher the facility—this is not necessarily a challenge, but just an extra step added to the process.

Do you have any other exciting things on the horizon? I am coming out with a new artisan, extra-creamy, blue cheese which will be as good as any artisan blue cheese anywhere—kosher or non-kosher. I’ve been developing the recipe for a couple of years now and am excited to introduce it to the public soon. Sounds delicious. I can’t wait to sample it soon. You must get this question a lot, but what are your personal favorite cheeses? I like sheep’s milk cheeses, mainly those from Israel and Italy. I also like a good sharp cheddar. Shavuot is coming up. What varieties of cheese are best for certain dishes? Do you have any good tips or recipe ideas you can share for the holiday? I think Gouda is a very versatile cheese that you can do a lot with. It’s a good table cheese, great in blintzes or in a salad tossed with fruits and nuts. Fresh mozzarella also has many uses—great for eating fresh, melted on pizza, or baked into bourekas or blintzes. It’s really great in salad with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil. What are some recommended wine and cheese pairings? You want to match flavor intensities: bold wine with strong, sharp cheeses and light, fruity wines with mild and creamy cheeses. Goat’s milk cheeses pair well with a Cabernet Sauvignon. Spicy cheeses like jalapeno and chipotle cheddars pair very well with a white Zinfandel.

With his cheese display in Whole Foods in White Plains

Do you view cheese making as an art or a science? It’s a combination of both and it really depends on what level of cheese making we are talking about and who’s making it. There is for sure an art form to it, but when it is done on such a mass scale, then it becomes more of a science than an art. If you’re hand-crafting and making cheese in small batches, then each batch can come out slightly different than the one before it. When you’re making cheese at an industrial level, however, it’s more of a science because you need to ensure uniformity and consistency in the final product. I like it when the two are combined, because even at an artisan level, you want to replicate the consistent quality of the cheese.

We’re talking so much about cheese, I’m itching to buy some. Where are your cheeses available? They are currently available in about a dozen states including California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, and of course, the New York tristate area. You can find them around the tristate area in Gourmet Glatt, Aron’s Kissena Farms, Pomegranate, Glatt Express, Cedarmarket, Whole Foods, Fairway, and Zabar’s.

Last but not least, what is the kosher status of your cheese? Most of our cheeses are kosher certified, with the majority by the Orthodox Union (OU). There are currently 10-12 varieties that are cholov yisroel. Brent, it was a true pleasure speaking with the “Cheese Guy.” Thank you so much for your time and for all your insight into the cheese industry.  Alex Idov is a kosher food writer and food blogger at Kosherology, thekosherologist. com. Find and follow Alex on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

MAY 21, 2015

Does it make a big difference what quality milk you use? The quality of milk is a very important factor, as well as the type of milk you are using –meaning, what type of animal it is derived from. The type of fat and protein levels of the milk varies among different animals. You are going to get a different percentage of milk-fat and protein from a goat than you are from a cow.

What is the most unique or unusual cheese you make? I think that would be our Double Ale Cheddar. It’s a real artisan Vermont cheddar. During the initial process, we soak the curds in two different types of micro-brews: an IPA and dark beer. It comes out tasting very “hoppy.”

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Can you tell us a little bit about your famous “Cheese Cave”? Yes, my cheese cave is where I age my “funky” cheeses. It about a 500foot space in the basement of my home. I have a bunch of French aging racks where the cheeses are placed to age in the temperature-controlled space. The “cave” has a simulated temperature and humidity to that similar of a real cave. I’m down there six days a week.

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MAY 21, 2015

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TJH CENTERFOLD

• TJH CENTERFOLD

Riddle!

• TJH CENTERFOLD

You Gotta be

You are the referee at a football game in which Tom Brady is the quarterback. There are 7 identical game balls. You hear that Tom Brady let a little bit of air out of one of the balls (I guess he didn’t learn from his 4 game suspension). Using a balance scale and only two separate weightings, how can you find the light football?

Kidding!

Jimbo is getting married and wants to get a pair of dress shoes. He walks into a shoe store and tries on a pair. He tells the shoe salesman that they are too tight. “Try pulling the tongue out,” suggests the sales clerk. Jimbo replies, “Nah, theyth sthill feel a bith tighth.”

See answer on next page

KNOW YOUR BUSINESS SIGN 



MARKETING You are ambitious but not the sharpest tool in the shed. You chose a marketing degree to avoid having to study in college, concentrating instead on eating good food and socializing, which is pretty much what your job responsibilities are now.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Bright, cheery and positive because the call is “being monitored for quality assurance.” As a child you asked your parents for a little cubicle for your room and a headset so you could pretend to play “Customer Service.” You feel like a limb is missing when your headset is removed.



TECHNOLOGY Unable to control anything in your personal life, you are instead content to completely control everything that happens at your workplace. It is said that “geeks shall inherit the earth.” Well, you have. All I have to say to you is: //\**/ CC**|||////\\\\CC!!

CONSULTANT Lacking any specific knowledge, you use acronyms to avoid revealing your utter lack of experience. You have convinced yourself that your “skills” are in demand and that you could get a higher paying job with any other organization in a heartbeat. You spend your days trying to convince your friends of the same non-truth.



HUMAN RESOURCES Ironically, given your access to confidential information, you tend to be the biggest gossip within the organization. Possibly the only other person that does less work than marketing, you are unable to return any calls today because you have to get a haircut, have lunch AND then mail a letter.



MIDDLE MANAGEMENT Catty, cutthroat, yet completely spineless, you are destined to remain at your current job for the rest of your life. Unable to make a single decision you tend to measure your worth by the number of meetings you can schedule for yourself. Everyone in your social circle is a “Middle Manager.”



STOCK BROKER You are a money machine. You are the envy of town even though your ulcers and frequent heart attacks correspond directly with fluctuations in the stock market.



PARTNER, PRESIDENT, CEO You are brilliant or lucky. Your inability to figure out complex systems such as the fax machine suggest the latter.



GOVERNMENT WORKER You are a master at collecting paid leave and an expert at rolling them over into your final golden parachute. You were born with a comb over.

TJH CENTERFOLD

• TJH CENTERFOLD

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

TORAH TRIVIA

2. Which yom tov was Yitzchok Avinu born on? a. Shavuos b. Pesach c. Chanukah d. Shmini Atzeres (Succos) 3. What did Hashem create on the fourth day? a. Animals b. Lights in the sky c. Plants d. Scorpions 4. Who were Avraham Avinu’s brothers? a. Serug and Terach b. Serug and Nachor c. Charan and Terach d. Nachor and Charan 5. Who was the oldest person to have ever lived? a. Adam b. Lemech c. Mesushelach d. Enosh 6. What object did Moshe hold up which healed the Jewish people when they looked up it? a. A replica of the Aseres Hadibros b. His walking stick c. A small Torah d. A copper serpent 7. What was Boaz and Ruth’s son’s name? a. Peretz b. Oved

c. d.

Ram Hezron

8. Which of the following women was not married to Dovid Hamelech? a. Tamar b. Michal c. Avigayil d. Batsheva 9. Before he died, Moshe went on top of which mountain to see Eretz Yisroel? a. Har Chorev b. Har Mistakel c. Har Seyir d. Har Nevo 10. Under whose rule did Klal Yisroel split into two kingdoms? a. Rechovom b. Shlomo Hamelech c. Azaria d. Achav Answers: 1. A, C, D, E 2. B 3. B 4. D 5. C – He lived 969 years 6. D 7. B 8. A 9. D 10. A Wisdom key: 8-10 correct: You are a true Torah scholar! 4-7 correct: Learn hard on Shavuos night and before you know it you too will be full of knowledge. 0-3 correct: Oy vey.

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MAY 21, 2015

1. Who were the four men who never sinned in their lifetime? a. Binyamin (Yaakov’s youngest son) b. Mesushelach c. Amram (Moshe Rabbeinu’s father) d. Yishai (Dovid HaMelech’s father) e. Kilav (the son of Dovid HaMelech and Avigayil) f. Rabbi Akiva g. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai

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ANSWER TO RIDDLE: Put three of the footballs on each side. If they are even, the football that wasn’t weighed is the light one. If they aren’t even, the side that is lighter has the light football. Of these three footballs, one should be put on each side. If the sides are even then the other ball is the light one. If they aren’t even, the one that is lighter is the ball you’re looking for.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

MAY 21, 2015

Cover Story Rabbi Ariel Sadwin Our Community Liaison to the Government Eli Nissel

Walking down the hallway of 23 Walker Avenue in Pikesville and into the office of Agudath Israel of Maryland, one feels a distinct sense of professionalism and mission. Pictures of legislators and government leaders posing with Agudah members adorn the walls. The contemporary designs of the office and boardrooms clearly have been intended to reinforce the sophisticated image of modern-day Orthodox Jewry that the Agudah works tirelessly to promote. Modeled after its impressive nerve-center at 42 Broadway in Manhattan, the Maryland division of the world-renowned organization exudes the same ideals and airs as the world headquarters. The office serves as the base of operations for the dynamic director of the Maryland Agudah, Rabbi Ariel Sadwin. Growing up in Silver Spring and attending Ner Israel for the overwhelming majority of his Yeshiva years, Rabbi Sadwin credits his parents and yeshiva for the direction his life has taken. “My home was one in which service to the community was paradigm,” he says wistfully. “And the yeshiva greatly reinforced the lessons of achrayus that I received as a child.” He recalls the years in Ner Israel when he maintained a leadership position in the yeshiva’s Chinuch Atzmai campaign. Bochurim are sent out across the country to raise funds for the yeshiva’s sister school in Yahud, Israel. “Many yeshivas send their boys out to raise money,” he notes, “but the fact that Rabbi Weinberg would send us out on behalf of a different institution taught us an indelible lesson of responsibility to others and to the entire Torah world.” In fact, his leadership role in that campaign was instrumental in his progression to the Agudah. In 2007, community leaders in Baltimore started to recognize the growing need for a one-stop community liaison to our government. They observed how effective the Agudah

officers were in other states, most notably New York, and they felt that the time had come for Baltimore to make use of a similar office. The timing could not have been better. At the same time, Agudath Israel of America was looking to expand its vision by establishing field offices in major cities

opening doors and helping to establish connections. Rabbi Sheftel Neuberger, riding on the back of the relationships developed by his father Rabbi Herman Neuberger a”h, passed on the torch and introduced Rabbi Sadwin to many of the region’s influential policymakers.

At the state rally for nonpublic school scholarship tax credit: Rabbi Sadwin; State Senate President Mike Miller; Governor Larry Hogan; Archbishop of Baltimore, William Lori; State Senator Ed DeGrange.

across the United States. Recognized for his strong background in administrative work in the Yahud campaigns and his value system acquired through his years in kollel, Rabbi Sadwin was hired from a broad field of candidates. Rabbi Sadwin admits that the job was intimidating in the beginning. Arriving straight from the world of the yeshiva and being thrown into the halls of the government was quite an adjustment. From tables of seforim and interacting with chavrusas, he found himself in cavernous hallways and boardrooms, interacting with the most sophisticated officials in the non-Jewish world. He learned quickly that with proper respect and professionalism the doors were open wide for him. Many of Baltimore’s communal leaders were valuable in

Mr. Howard Tzvi Friedman has played a major role in the success of many of the organization’s undertakings and always makes his enormous cache of high level contacts available when there is a need in the community.

Rabbi Hillel Tendler, Esq. introduced him to some key Annapolis education lobbyists, and to his connections at the University of Maryland Medical System, then the hosting institution of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). This paved the way for his highly productive relationship with Dr. David Fowler, the current Chief Medical Examiner for the state of Maryland. This relationship has been of utmost importance in maintaining the dignity of niftarim in dozens of extenuating circumstances and has led to the creation of similar relationships in a number of other states. Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, then Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America charged Rabbi Sadwin with his first project: accessing Title I benefits for eligible students in the Orthodox Jewish community. For many years money from this federal program which should have been helping scores of students in our community had been getting lost in the pipelines. The reasons for this were elusive, and Rabbi Sadwin set out to forge connections with officials in the Department of Education and to ascertain why the money had not been previously forthcoming. He partnered with Mr. Matthew Riley, then-principal of Cross Country Elementary School, the “zoned school” that serves the largest part of Baltimore’s Orthodox community in order to rectify the situation. Title I benefits are allocated through the channel of the local public school, and if there are obstacles preventing that school from receiving them, then nobody in the neighborhood can benefit from them. Rabbi Sadwin worked together with Mr. Riley to help arrange eligibility for his school, thus enabling children from our community to receive the benefits as well. Carrying on the legacy of the late Rabbi Neuberger, Rabbi Sadwin continues a fruitful and genuine relation-

Cover Story dedication to see projects through. We recently noticed an error that an agency had made in its calculations, and Rabbi Sadwin was instrumental in having the error corrected and funding for the program reinstated. Bais Yaakov is fortunate to have his support.”

cent efforts he was involved in. “Just this past Monday, after having returned from the Agudath Israel of America dinner in New York late the night before, I thought I knew what was in store for that day. I had a meeting first thing with some community

When asked about his typical day, Rabbi Sadwin smiles. “There are not many typical days in this line of work. During the months in which there is less going on legislatively and the trips to Annapolis are fewer, time and effort is spent addressing a broad range of communal and individual issues. It is also prime time for relationship building as well as fundraising. But I may have my day all planned out, and then an urgent matter may arise that requires my immediate attention. When that happens, all else gets placed on the back burn-

leaders and rabbonim, followed by our weekly Agudah national staff video conference and then a lunch meeting with some colleagues. It looked like it was going to be a fairly typical, productive day. But glancing at my phone in the early morning, I saw that I had received five texts and calls during shacharis. Misaskim of New York was desperately trying to reach me. There had been a terrible accident on Route 95 in northern Maryland, and a man from New Jersey had been killed in the crash. They needed me to contact the medical examiner’s of-

Rabbi Sadwin and Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. David Fowler

er. If the hands of time would stop, I would still have months worth of work to catch up on because of all the things I cannot get to on a daily basis.” He relates some examples of re-

fice in order to avoid autopsy and have the body released. Having been thrust into the position of liaison, much time and effort went into ensuring that everything proceeded smoothly, and my

MAY 21, 2015

At the pre-election campaign meeting with the Vaad HaRabbanim Rabbi Hopfer, Gov. Larry Hogan, Rabbi Sadwin

schedule was thrown completely off due to the urgent nature of the issue.” Another recent issue posed to him: A lady who works as a nurse in a Washington area hospital called Rabbi Sadwin with a problem. She was being forced to work a weekend shift, including Shabbos, unless she found a suitable replacement, and she was tired of making these arrangements. Was she able to take action against her superiors at the hospital? “In such a situation,” he says, “I will generally coach a person through their options. Sometimes it can involve retaining an attorney. Similar to the national Agudah, I have an unofficial network of local attorneys, each with their individual specialties, who are willing and able to assist in such cases, sometimes even pro-bono or for reduced fees. In other instances, I can draft a letter myself and start a dialogue with the appropriate authorities, acting the part of a non-attorney representative. In some instances, the mere fact that I represent an organization renowned for its leadership on issues of religious liberty as Agudath Israel, that itself is able to carry much weight. In this particular circumstance, there was no legal action required. The hospital was in full right to make this request of their employee. Had they been unwilling to allow for a shift switch, they would be failing to make a reasonable accommodation for her religious observance, which they are required to do under state and federal law. I coached the woman how to approach the issue with her employer, and the issue will hopefully be resolved with that.” People turn to the office of the Maryland Agudah with all sorts of other personal issues as well. Some people call when they just need a little personal advice and coaching, and they do not have a specific rabbi or mentor to utilize. He gets calls regularly from individuals needing assistance with their personal health insurance. Regardless of the issue, large or small, Rabbi Sadwin is there for the community to support them and point them in the right direction. The efforts of his office are not limited to Maryland, either. Although around 85% of his time and effort is invested in projects pertaining to the communities in Baltimore and Silver Spring, the complete title of the of-

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ship with the Associated and a number of its partner agencies, including the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) and Center for Jewish Education (CJE), and works closely with them on numerous projects benefitting Baltimore’s Jewish private schools. Funding for textbooks and educational technology, school construction grants, special education programs, and many other projects has come in large part due to their combined efforts. His relationships with other religious groups, specifically within the Catholic community, are invaluable as well. Rabbi Sadwin is the president of the Maryland chapter of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), a unified body of private and parochial schools banded together to advocate on behalf of the nonpublic schools throughout the state. Working closely with the Maryland Catholic Conference in Annapolis and other allies, the Agudah of Maryland has been the leader in the ongoing effort to produce education tax credits for corporations donating to private schools. “The Jewish and Catholic communities have many common interests and concerns,” he remarks. “Whether it’s our conservative approach to end-oflife issues and assisted suicide, the sanctity of the institution of marriage, or religious schooling, we find much common ground. Being there for each other has born much fruit throughout the years.” Another area in which he has been heavily involved in helping the schools is student transportation. Baltimore is one of the few cities in the nation where the local transportation authority offers subsidized city busses directly to the various schools. Six runs are made in the morning, and then again at the end of the school day, servicing several hundred students daily. Rabbi Sadwin concedes, “I know this isn’t free door-to-door yellow school busing, but we are always exploring different angles to get new or improved options for our families”. Rabbi Zalman Nissel, Chief Operating Officer of Baltimore’s Bais Yaakov, says that Rabbi Sadwin is a key supporter of the school. “I work very closely with R’ Ariel on a variety of issues,” he says. “He consistently displays a keen understanding of our community’s needs and has immense

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MAY 21, 2015

Cover Story fice is “Agudath Israel of Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic Region”. Rabbi Sadwin’s political territory includes the communities in Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Every so often he finds himself in Harrisburg meeting with Pennsylvania lawmakers and private school coalition partners. He has seen the scholarship tax credit program that benefits Jewish day schools across Pennsylvania grow into one of the finest and most successful in the country. He works to obtain benefits for the Jewish institutions across Virginia, including the Rudlin Torah Academy and Yeshiva of Virginia in Richmond. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have become available to the schools there through Virginia’s scholarship tax credit program, an effort in which Rabbi Sadwin was intimately involved. “It is clear that Rabbi Sadwin is a leader among the coalition of school choice and tax credit folks here in Virginia,” says Rabbi Hal Klestzick, longtime educator and administrator at the Richmond schools. “He worked tirelessly over the last five or six years with the bill’s sponsor in the State House to push for the passage of Virginia’s tax credit bill. Thanks to his talent, leadership and efforts, our Jewish schools in Richmond are expected to see new revenue well in excess of $100,000 this year, allowing us to offer “free tuition K-12”, and thus to include many families with children who would otherwise not be receiving a Jewish education.” Delaware does not have many notable Jewish institutions, but it does have a stretch of highway very familiar to Jewish travelers. Rabbi Sadwin’s relationship with Delaware’s chief medical examiner has been called upon in emergency situations. I ask Rabbi Sadwin what he enjoys most about his job. He smiles and pauses, clearly having expected the question. “There is a tremendous sense of satisfaction when helping others in need, and knowing that you may be the only person who can effectively help them. Many issues I deal with are private in nature and never see the light of day. Only I know just how vital the role is that I fill, and that provides an unmatched sense of fulfillment. To be able to say that I go to work every

day for the purpose of performing acts of chessed on behalf of the tzibbur is something for which I am truly grateful. Additionally, I have the opportunity to make a Kiddush Hashem every day, sometimes multiple times per day. Holding leadership positions in

Clearly, many officials respect “the rabbi” and are eager to help out Baltimore’s approximately 10,000 Orthodox Jewish constituents when called upon. Rabbi Sadwin smiles as he recalls a humorous sto-

At the AIMD leadership delegation in 2011, Former Gov. Martin O’Malley meets with young Jewish business leaders.

various secular organizations and alliances, I am able to demonstrate what the Orthodox Jewish community is all about and how a Ben Torah conducts himself. With all of the negativity that has been directed towards the frum world in recent times, it is vital that the non-Jews with whom I interact see the real nature of an ehrliche Yid and walk away with an appreciation for Jews, perhaps breaking a previously held stereotype.” “As part of my mission, I wear my religion on my sleeve. Unlike other Jewish lobbyists who may try to conform to the standards of the outside culture, we at the Agudah are passionate about displaying our pride in being Torah Jews. This uncompromising

ry from his early years on the job. He was walking down the hallway in House of Delegates office building in Annapolis, when one of the state delegates edged up behind him. “Hey Rebbe!” he called out, attempting to show off his knowledge of the yeshivish parlance. Without missing a beat, Rabbi Sadwin turned and responded with a grin, “You can only call me Rebbe if you listen to me and do what I tell you.” He recalls having been asked in the past if he sees difficulty relating to people from the outside culture, having been raised in a yeshiva setting. “Conversation about sports is the great equalizer,” he responded wryly. An avid follower of all sports,

Rabbi Sadwin and daughter Miriam testifying to the House of Delegates in support of scholarship tax credits for nopublic schools

value system undoubtedly earns us the respect of many an official.” “There are many Jewish lobbyists that an elected official will encounter, but not often do they meet someone who so obviously represents an unadulterated version of Torah Judaism” he says with pride.

with an acute affinity for the sports franchises in his family’s native Massachusetts, Rabbi Sadwin uses his firm grasp and intimate knowledge of the sports world, especially his beloved New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox, to deflate, er level the playing field.

When asked how his job compares to those of his counterparts in other parts of the country, Rabbi Sadwin smiles wearily. “I am constantly in touch with the Agudah’s other regional directors. Our legislative goals are almost identical, but some have a much harder time than others passing bills to help their communities. Maryland lacks the political balance that many other states have, and thus we have had more difficulty here than some of my colleagues encounter in their states.” Rabbi Sadwin jokes, “hey, wouldn’t it be great if Pennsylvania would annex Baltimore and include us in their $150 million scholarship tax credit program!” It’s been a growing journey. Whereas Rabbi Sadwin started out years ago under the mentorship of many of the Agudah’s long-standing officers, Rabbi Sadwin now finds himself mentoring others who are new to the field or who are interested in pursuing professional askanus as a career. We talk about community awareness of the Agudah’s mission. There seems to be somewhat of a disconnect between the Agudah’s agenda and its perception with the average community member. Many are not aware just how tangible and relevant the office’s involvement with the community’s institutions is. The Agudah is not in the habit of flaunting its accomplishments, and many of its successes are sensitive in nature and not broadcasted to the public, for good reason. “Our challenge is not so much changing public perception as much as it is garnering public awareness in the first place,” Rabbi Sadwin says. “Community support is crucial to the work that we do at the Agudah, and it is very important that all community members are fully supportive of our mission, and not just those in leadership positions who see the results firsthand. People don’t necessarily realize how much the decisions in Annapolis affect their children’s futures and the hard work that goes into ensuring that those decisions are made to their benefit. My goal is that the appeal of our organization should grow, enabling our effectiveness to grow exponentially with it.”

BY RABBI YY RUBINSTEIN

His son Yitzchok was born. He too proved to be a troublesome Jew as did his son Yaakov. Six generations later, one Jew had become millions and when they walked out of Egypt, the world still hoped that a new people would walk an old road and become like every other people.

e nearly did, with the encouragement of some Egyptians who had a designer idol of their own tucked up their sleeves in the form of a Golden Calf. We faltered and considered for a few moments becoming just like everyone else.

Klausenberger Rebbe once observed that the UN building in New York so resembles a gravestone because “The truth lies buried there!” In today’s world we would have fit right in. The Spanish Philosopher Jose Ortega Y Gasset accurately described our time as one in which people “want to march through life together, along the collective path, shoulder to shoulder, wool rubbing wool and the head down.” Shavuos was the time we decided we would not travel that road. Hashem may indeed have given us the Torah and the mitzvos...but only after we declared that we wanted them! The Jewish people stood at a little mountain called Sinai and eschewed taking the easy path, burying the truth and opted to remain troublesome. Afterwards we “dropped the ball” and Moshe dropped the luchos... but we picked them up again. We have been carrying them ever since; after all, we were and are descendants of Avrohom. The world hated us for it. It hates us for it now. Mount Sinai comes from the word sinah, which means hatred. It was at Shavuos when we declared that it was just not in our DNA to walk along the collective path with head down.

I And just think for a second how much easier and happier the story of Klal Yisroel would have been if only we had rejected the troublesome legacy of our forefather Avrohom and decided to do precisely that. That’s exactly what Moshe told Hashem, according to Rabbeinu Bachya, “Almighty if we were uncircumcised like them and worshiped idols like everyone else, they wouldn’t hate us. The reason they hate us so much is because of the Torah and mitzvos you gave us.” What a different world it would have been if only we had taken the easy path. We would have been just like all the rest: the Chinese, Russians, French, Germans and...the Jews! There would have been no expulsion from the land of Israel by the Romans and according to Josephus, three million killed. There would have been no persecution by the Crusaders nor victims of the Inquisition. There would have been no Holocaust. We would not be the subject of almost every condemnatory motion passed at the UN. Then again, sickening hypocrisy and denying the truth is the real raison d’etre of the UN. The

recall once being interviewed by the BBC about what religion means to me. I answered that if religion merely echoes what society believes and what people want to hear (as so many do), then what is the point of religion? For a religion to be relevant and have value it has to have its own beliefs that it invites people to consider and accept. Only then does it have a relevance and a point. Jews who truly celebrate Shavuos and what it stands for celebrate that we didn’t take and don’t take the easy path. Instead we reaffirm every year that if we have to accept being hated for not denying the truth in order to fit in, we will. Mark Twain famously wrote about us, “He has made a marvelous fight in this world in all ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself and be excused for it. The Egyptians, the Babylonians and the Persians rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greeks and Romans followed and made a vast noise, and they were gone; other people have sprung up and held their torch high for a time but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, and have vanished. “The Jew saw them all, survived them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities, of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert but aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jews; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality? “ The secret is a little mountain called Sinai and a people who were brave enough to endure a world’s hatred to show it a different road—one in which people walk along with their heads held up and their heads held high. 

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e would be dishonest if we did not admit that we Jews are troublesome folk. Take Avrohom, for example. The whole world was very happy, thank you very much, doing things the way people had been doing them for twenty generations. Then along came a very troublesome individual and upset everyone. Not only did he tell them what they believed was false, he did it with humor. Everyone knows the story of when he smashed his father’s idols; or at least most people know a bit of the story. He certainly was left in charge of his father’s boutique, Idol Salon. Before he took a hammer to the latest in designer deities though, two other things happened according to the Yalkut Shimoni. An old lady came in to buy a new set of “house” idols. Someone had broken into her home and stolen her family’s personal idols that sat on a little table by the door guarding the house. Avrohom smiled and told her he would be happy to help her but before he did he wanted to ask her a question, “If your idols were not able to guard themselves from being stolen, how could they guard your family and you?” The old lady left without purchasing anything. As she left another client entered. In the eighties he would have been called a Yuppie and he was looking for something exclusive and very expensive. His Porsche Chariot stood double parked outside and once more Avrohom assured him that he could help. Before he showed him something from Prada’s “Sensational Summer Statues” collection he asked a question, “May I ask how old you are?” The client (boutiques do not have customers, only clients) answered that he was thirty-eight and Avrohom continued, “Can I ask how it is possible that a grown man of thirty eight years is going to bow down to something that was made yesterday and is one day old?” He too left without buying anything and that is when Avrohom got busy with his hammer. His father, Terach, was horrified at his actions. People were outraged; this kid came from a rich home and an establishment family, why was he causing trouble? Nimrod, the king, told him he had to recant his heresy and fall into line. He had to declare that he accepted the gods (including Nimrod) or he would be burned to death. His mother begged him to deny the truth and just say the words even if he did not believe them. Avrohom simply refused. Avrohom was a very troublesome individual. When he miraculously survived his execution the world decided to come to an accommodation with this first Jew. He was just one individual after all. Let him gather a few other malcontents around him. Their attachment to their beliefs would die when their charismatic leader did. Their prediction was correct. Avrohom’s converts left their faith behind the moment he left this world. The story of one troublesome, childless Jew and his barren wife should have ended there, except for another miracle.

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Trouble at a Mountain Called Sinai

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In The Kitchen

Daniella Silver with Norene Gilletz

Sampling The Silver Platter

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Balsamic-Braised Brisket Ingredients 1 beef brisket (4-5 lb) 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 Tbsp onion powder 1 Tbsp garlic powder 2 Tbsp olive oil 3 large onions, thinly sliced ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste 2 Tbsp honey 3 bay leaves ½ cup balsamic vinegar ¾ cup dry red wine or water

Meat | freezes well | 8-10 servings

Preparation 1. Coat a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add brisket; sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Rub brisket with spices to coat on all sides. 2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onions for 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in parsley, tomato paste, honey, bay leaves, vinegar, and wine. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool. 3. Pour sauce over, around, and under the brisket. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or

overnight, turning occasionally. 4. Preheat oven to 325°F. Bake, covered, for 3-3½ hours or until meat is fork-tender. Calculate 45 minutes per pound to determine the cooking time. Discard bay leaves. Let cool. 5. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Discard hardened fat from gravy. Trim excess fat from brisket. Slice against the grain to desired thickness. 6. Reheat, covered, in pan gravy at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Norene’s Notes Slow Cooker Method: Season bris-

ket and prepare sauce as above; add to slow cooker insert coated with nonstick cooking spray. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Place insert into slow cooker; cook on low for 8-10 hours. Ask your butcher to cut a very large brisket (8 lb) in half. Total cooking time will be the same as for one 4 lb brisket. Brisket should be cooked “low and slow,” with lots of onions. The internal temperature should not rise above 180°F on a meat thermometer; after it reaches 200°F, the brisket will become dry.

Ingredients ¾ cup vegetable oil 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed ½ cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 ¾ cups flour (or gluten-free flour with xanthan gum) 1 tsp baking soda Pinch kosher salt 1½ cups chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips) 1½ cup dried cranberries

Norene’s Notes Brown or white? Brown sugar has a higher moisture content than white sugar. Using more brown sugar produces softer, chewier cookies. Using more white sugar produces cookies that are flatter and crispier. Chill out: If you chill your cookie dough before baking, the cookies will spread more slowly during baking. That’s because the heat sets the cookie while it’s still thick, producing a denser, chewier cookie. For chewier cookies, cool cookie sheets between each batch. If your cookie sheets are hot when you add the cookie batter, the cookies will spread more.

Chocolate Chunk Cranberry Cookies Pareve | freezes well | 18-20 large cookies

Cheesy Smashed Roasted Potatoes Only four ingredients, yet these smashed, cheese-drizzled taters are mouthfuls of comfort and joy. My kids are in food heaven every time I make a batch. Serve as cute appetizer bites at parties or as a scrumptious side dish with fish. Ingredients 24 mini potatoes (1½ lb) 2 Tbsp olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Cheddar cheese Preparation Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes, or until a skewer can be inserted easily into the largest potatoes. Place a large piece of parchment pa-

Dairy | 6 servings

per over potatoes. Place a second baking pan or cookie sheet on the parchment; press down gently, flattening each potato to about half of its original thickness. Remove pan and parchment paper. Drizzle smashed potatoes with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with cheese. (See Norene’s Notes, below.) Bake, uncovered, an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbling. Norene’s Notes Variation: Make Mini Pizza Taters by drizzling each smashed potato with tomato sauce and sprinkling with cheese. Top with minced scallions and red bell peppers. To shred cheese in a food processor, freeze cheese first for 15 minutes. Use medium pressure on pusher when grating. No food processor? Use a box grater. Four ounces (120 g) cheese yields 1 cup shredded.

Recipes from The Silver Platter by Daniella Silver with Norene Gilletz Reprinted with permission from the copyright holders: ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications http://www.artscroll.com/silver

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Preparation In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla on medium speed until light. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low speed, just until blended, 30-60 seconds. Add chocolate chunks and cranberries; mix just until combined. Cover and refrigerate for 45 min-

utes, until chilled. (The dough will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.) Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a large cookie scoop, drop mounds of dough the size of golf balls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden. Let cool on baking sheet. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

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These cookies are a staple in my house. I always have a batch stashed in my freezer as they taste fabulous frozen! The cranberry and chocolate combo is just amazing – tart and sweet!

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MAY 21, 2015

Notable Notable Quotes

Quotes

Compiled NateDavis Davis Compiled bybyNate

“Say“Say What?” What?” A new report reveals that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie spent over $82,000 on food at NFL games. Christie said, “Hey, both of those games went into overtime.” – Conan O’Brien

UC Berkeley students have developed a drone that follows you around, taking selfies of you. Which is a shame because those are exactly the kind of people we should be using the other drones on. – Seth Myers

George W. Bush gave a commencement speech at Southern Methodist University this weekend. It was pretty inspirational. He said, “As I like to tell the ‘C’ students, you too can be president.” Even George W. Bush has George W. Bush comedy material in his act. – Jimmy Fallon

Any enormous uprooting change in my life has petrified me. - David Letterman, discussing his retirement

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar from the show “19 Kids and Counting” say they are supporting Mike Huckabee for president because he has “common sense.” If there’s anyone who knows about common sense, it’s a family with 19 kids. – Jimmy Fallon

Researchers have found that children in preschool are exercising only 12 percent of the day. The rest of the day was spent napping, eating, or generally sitting around doing nothing. It’s called training them to be Americans. – Jimmy Kimmel I have an easy way to fix this. If you want kids to exercise, get an ice cream truck and just drive it slowly around the block. They will give chase. I’ve seen it happen. –Ibid.

Vladimir Putin reportedly scored eight goals during a hockey game in Sochi this weekend. And the goalie only had one save: his own life. – Seth Myers

It’s career criminals killing and shooting other career criminals. – NY City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton addressing an uptick in crime in New York City

The NFL has found it was more probable than not that Patriots employees deflated balls on purpose and that Tom Brady was generally aware of it. The response has been divided. Some people believe the Patriots are cheaters who should be fined and forced to forfeit the games, and other people are from Boston. – Jimmy Kimmel

That is no excuse. I am extremely disappointed. You need to figure out where your priorities are. We’re changing the world and changing history, and you either commit or you don’t. - An email that Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent to an employee who missed work to be present at his child’s birth, according to a new book about Musk and other CEOs

Hillary Clinton’s younger brother Tony is facing criticism for using the Clintons’ political connections to help his career. So on the down side, she has a sketchy brother named Tony. On the up side, she just locked up every vote in New Jersey. – Jimmy Fallon It turns out Hillary’s brother could damage her campaign. But then Jeb Bush said, “I think we all get a pass on who our brothers are.” – Ibid.

MORE QUOTES

Lindsey Graham is now the seventh Republican running for president. If you’re keeping score, that’s basically one Republican candidate for every two Republican voters. – Conan O’Brien

During a charity boxing match on Friday, Mitt Romney lasted two rounds against Evander Holyfield and raised a million dollars. It was just like Holyfield’s fight with Mike Tyson, except Romney chewed off his other ear talking about his 18 grandchildren. – Jimmy Fallon This weekend Vladimir Putin played in an exhibition hockey game with some former NHL players and scored eight goals. Even Evander Holyfield and Mitt Romney said, “That looks fake.” – Ibid. Even the White House is weighing in on the deflategate scandal. Yesterday they encouraged Tom Brady to “be mindful of the way he serves as a role model.” And then President Obama stuffed out his cigarette and went golfing at noon on a weekday. - Jimmy Fallon

Senate Democrats blocked President Obama’s trade bill yesterday because they’re worried it could hurt jobs. It’s not an issue for Republicans, since they’ve all found work as presidential candidates. – Jimmy Fallon I needed air conditioning. – John Paul Jones, Jr., of Georgia explaining to reporters why he rammed his pickup truck into his home creating a gaping hole in it In the news, a man got so fed up that he drove his truck through his own living room. He said it was one of those spur-of-the-moment crazy things. No, it was not! That’s just regular crazy. Getting frozen yogurt at midnight or driving to Vegas — those are spur-of-the-moment crazy ideas. – James Corden The police were called, but it turns out it’s actually not illegal if it’s your house and your truck. But just based on the limited amount of time we’ve spent with this guy, I get the feeling that the bank owned both the truck and the house. – Ibid

According to a new poll, 48 percent of Americans believe that Hillary Clinton is honest and trustworthy. Then Hillary said, “Actually I just made that poll up.” – Jimmy Fallon

I’d like to study math, even if everything’s done by computers now…There’s a lot I’d like to do. There’s plenty of time. - 94-year-old Anthony Brutto who stopped attending West Virginia University in 1939 to fight in WWII, discussing his plans now that he completed his studies and has graduated 76 years later

Kim Jong Un reportedly had his defense chief executed after he fell asleep during a meeting… Kim Jong Un — it’s really Catch-22 with him. If you close your eyes, you get shot for nodding off. If you open them, you get shot for laughing at his haircut. - Jimmy Kimmel

A 94-year-old man is graduating from West Virginia University…Just imagine how awkward it’s going to be for the commencement speaker when he says, “You have your whole life ahead of you. Except that dude.” - Seth Myers

I just sat down and said, “I think the City of Bremerton for District 6 needs more qualified people to run for office and I’m going to put my name in the hat.” - Kim Faulkner explaining why she is taking on the incumbent for a seat on the Bremerton, WA, city council (the incumbent is her husband)

Whole Foods is planning on opening a new chain of stores that carry lowerpriced natural foods aimed at millennials. It’s even got a catchy name: Trader Joe’s. – Jimmy Fallon

During a recent event at a restaurant called Tommy’s Country Ham House in South Carolina, presidential candidate Ben Carson delivered a speech right after he lost his front tooth. Which still left him with more teeth than everyone combined at Tommy’s Country Ham House. – Jimmy Fallon Ben Carson actually lost a tooth. Which explains why he said that under his leadership, Americans would be entitled to “life, liberty, and the purthuit of happineth.” – Ibid.

I’m calling it now: every time AOL gets bought, it’s the peak of the bubble. - Tweet by Wall Street Journal columnist Kara Swisher after Verizon purchased AOL for over $4 billion

The NFL has suspended Tom Brady for four games over deflate-gate. They’re going to punish him by making him stay home in his mansion… and think about what he did wrong. – Conan O’Brien Please help! Get 911 to me. – What a woman being held hostage wrote on an online Pizza Hut order, resulting in police rescuing her from her hostage taker (who allowed her to order the pizza online) A woman held hostage by her boyfriend in Florida managed to escape this week after she convinced him to let her order a pizza using Pizza Hut’s app and wrote “911 hostage help” in the comment section. But really aren’t all Pizza Hut orders a cry for help? – Seth Myers Are we gonna light our hair on fire every time that there is a setback in the campaign against ISIL? – White House Spokesman John Earnest when asked about ISIS taking Ramadi, one of Iraq’s largest cities

MAY 21, 2015

If we can’t ask from society’s lottery winners to just make that modest investment, then really this conversation [on poverty] is for show. – President Obama at a forum on poverty arguing for more tax hikes on the wealthy

Nobody has a bigger interest in getting them released than I do…Anything that they might do to expedite that process I heartily support. I want the American people to learn as much as they can about the work I did with our diplomats and our development experts. - Hillary Clinton after a federal judge ordered that her State Department emails must be released at a quicker pace than originally planned

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A new poll finds that the majority of GOP voters say they can’t see themselves supporting Chris Christie. The trick is to lift with your legs, not your back. – Seth Myers

A Parsha Thought

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MAY 21, 2015

Bamidbar – Lineage & Legacy Rabbi Shmuel Silber

It begins with a count. The fourth book of the Torah, Bamidbar begins with a simple tallying of the tribes. Why was this necessary? At first glance it would appear that this was done in preparation for entry into the Land of Israel. The Jewish people would have to raise an army to fight against the indigenous nations of Canaan. God commands Moshe to count the men from age twenty in order to ascertain the size of the national fighting force. However, Levi is counted separately from the other tribes and is reckoned from the age of one month. This leads Rashi to explain, “Mitoch Chibasan L’fanav Moneh Osam B’Chol Shaah, Because of His (God) love for them (Jewish people); He counts them at every moment (Bamidbar 1:1).” This was not a utilitarian count, it was a love count.

God commands Moshe to count to show the people how much He cares about us as a nation and as individuals. But then some fascinating occurs. “These are the descendants of Moses and Aaron on the day that the Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn Abihu, Elazar, and Ithamar (Bamidbar 3:1-2).” The Torah is poised to list the offspring of Aharon and Moshe and yet, only Aharon’s children are mentioned and Moshe’s are not. What is the meaning of this omission? Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888) explains: For in all these chapters of numbers, only those are mentioned of the dead who formed the separate branches of the tribes and families, but of the living only those are named who

had some official public position as Nesiim (tribal princes) and Kohanim (priests). But our Moses allowed his sons to be quite absorbed in the masses without any special distinction, he did not even have a small position, a tiny title, a small badge for his own children (Bamidbar 3:1).” There were two different groups of individuals listed in the counting - those who founded the major families and had since died and those who became contributors and had assumed active positions of leadership within the Jewish people. Moshe’s sons are not counted by name (they are included in the total tally) because they did not contribute to the Jewish people in a substantive manner, they were absorbed in the masses. Aharon’s sons were given the mantle of the priesthood. They served, they contributed,

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and they gave. Our precious Torah is conveying to us a truly profound lesson. Life is about rolling up your sleeves and seeing what you can do to advance your family, your community, your people and your world. Too often, we sit back and we expect others to do for us, to give to us and to provide for us. Too often, we expect that others will do the heavy lifting while we sit on the side and benefit from the fruits of their labor. This unfortunate reality is true in so many areas of life. Spouses assume that the other will do the necessary work to improve the marriage – I’m ready and willing to have a blissful marriage, but you, my significant other should do all of the work. We are quick to point out the flaws in our Shuls, communities, leaders and nation – but are we committed enough to actually work to improve them? The counting conducted in the beginning of Bamidbar is no ordinary count – it is the “who’s who” of the Jewish people. It is a distinguished list of names of the living and dead. It is the Judaic honor role that pays homage to those who dedicated themselves to advancing the nationhood and destiny of the Jewish people. For whatever the reason, Moshe’s children did not follow in the footsteps of their illustrious father. They did not lead lives of committed contribution; they did not dedicate their abilities and talents to the Jewish nation. Our goal is to forge a meaningful identity that will continue to inspire even when we are no longer here. We have to roll up our sleeves. We have to work, we have to contribute. We cannot be spectators in our personal, communal and national lives. We must rise to the occasion and make a difference whenever and wherever we can. This Shabbos we will read the names of men who lived thousands of years ago but through whose efforts we live today. Let us become the kind of people whose efforts will shape the world in which we live and whose memory will inspire for generations to come.

Real Estate Submitted by: Ben Schwartz | Founder VacancyFillers.com

1. Keep your blinds closed. As simple as it may seem, the Family Handyman notes that up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, and utilizing shades, curtains and the like can save you up to 7 percent on your bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. In other words, it essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse, which is especially the case for south- and west-facing windows. 2. And be smart about your doors. Closing off unused rooms will prevent the cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. You’ll want to capitalize on the cooler night hours, however (see tip #7), and let air flow naturally through your home. 3. Swap your sheets. Not only does switching up your bedding seasonally freshen up a room, it’s a great way to keep your bedroom cool. While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this time of year as it breathes easier and stays cooler. And as an added bonus, buy yourself a buckwheat pillow or two. Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring air space between them, they won’t hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows, even when packed together inside a pillow case. 4. Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. Whether you know it or not, your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. By setting them counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, the airflow produced

will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you and your guests “feel” cooler. 5. Worry about the person, not the house. If your ancestors survived without air conditioning, so can you. From sipping tasty iced drinks to applying a cold cloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists, doing the cooling from the inside out is not a bad idea. Other tricks include being smart about your clothing choices and telling your partner you won’t be cuddling until the leaves start changing color. 6. Turn on your bathroom fans, or your exhaust fan in the kitchen for that matter. Both of these pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your apartment. That being said, you don’t want to let the cooler air escape, so be sure windows, doors and cracks are caulked before things start really heating up. 7. Let the night air in. During the summer months, temperatures tend to drop during the night. If this is the case where you live, make the most of these refreshing hours by cracking the windows before you go to bed. You can even create a wind tunnel by strategically setting up your fans to force the perfect cross breeze. Just be sure to close the windows (and the blinds) before things get too hot in the morning. 8. Ditch the incandescent lights. If you ever needed motivation to make the switch to CFLs, this is it. Incandescent bulbs waste about 90 percent of their energy in the heat they emit, so throwing them to the curb will make a small difference in cooling your home while lowering your electric bill. 9. Start grilling. It’s obvious, but we’re going to say it anyway: Using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. If it already feels like 100+ degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on a 400 degree oven. Besides, who doesn’t want to get more mileage out

of their outdoor furniture and seasonal accessories?

10. Make a few long-term improvements. If you’re really, really committed to the whole no-AC thing, you can make a couple changes to your home that will keep it cooler for seasons to come. Insulated window films, for example, are a smart purchase as they work similarly to blinds. And ad-

ditions like awnings and planted trees or vines on or in front of light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun’s rays, reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs and make your investment nothing but worthwhile. Are you looking for a tenant for your vacancy? VacancyFillers.com can help! VacancyFillers.com uses their professional and simple systems, to quickly find quality tenants for landlords. Founded by Ben Schwartz in January of 2014 in response to the needs of landlords who lack the proper time and resources to find tenants by themselves, VacancyFillers.com has already assisted in the signing many leases for landlords just like yourself! For more information, please visit: www.vacancyfillers.com

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MAY 21, 2015

Let’s cut to the chase -- it’s hot out and it’s only going to get warmer over the next couple months. And while it’s tempting to crank up the AC or plant yourself within a couple-foot radius of the nearest fan, these certainly aren’t the only tricks for keeping cool.

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10 Ways To Keep Your Home Cool... Without Touching The Air Conditioner

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MAY 21, 2015

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the rest of the Jewish world is preparing for Shavuos spiritually by learning Torah or more practically by baking cheesecakes, there are those among us who dedicate the days before yom tov to a very unique project. These are the people who use considerable time and resources to decorate their local shuls in honor of the chag. The minhag to decorate our shuls and homes with greenery in honor of Shavuos is well known, and there are several reasons stated for this. Most notably, it is done to remember Har Sinai, which blossomed with grass and flowers at the time of Matan Torah. The minhag, while beautiful, is not universally recognized today. The tradition was apparently discontinued in some areas of Europe sometime during the 1700s because the non-Jews at the time were also bringing trees and plants into their houses of worship. Still, today there are many kehillos that proudly adorn their shuls for Shavuos with greenery and vegetation that smells just as heavenly as it looks.

While

Crowning the KAJ shul in Monsey with flowers

Washington Heights, Avram Gutmann has been decorating Congregation Khal Adath Jeshurun for the past forty years. Or as he puts it, “ever since I’m a teenager.” Gutmann says the job takes two full days and can be a costly undertaking, but he wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. He also doesn’t do it alone. “My son helps me,” he says. “He actually takes off from work to do this. It’s become a nice family tradition.” How does the community feel about this? “People love it,” he says. “They come from all over to take pictures before yom tov.” The process is so fascinating they’ve actually posted a video on YouTube illustrating how it’s done. Yards of cedar rope are draped dramatically around the

Lush greenery, a symbol of Matan Torah

A Taste of Har Sinai

BY MALKY LOWINGER

shul banisters and dropped from the balcony. A miniature forest of trees and shrubs are placed around the aron kodesh. Colorful plants stand on the steps in the front of the shul, greeting those who enter. The most complex part of the procedure is forming the wire frame above the bimah in the shape of an arched chupah which is then covered with vines and greens and topped with a leafy crown. The chupah itself symbolizes the “marriage” between Hashem and klal Yisroel during the time of Matan Torah. Another branch of KAJ is located in Monsey, New York. There, the Ettlinger family has turned the decorating process into a family tradition. Meir and Chaya Ettlinger are very involved, and so are Meir’s brothers and their wives. According to Meir, decorating a shul for Shavuos is a KAJ minhag that dates back to the 1600s when the Dayan in Frankfurt discusses it

in a sefer. Since then, the German-Jewish community has maintained the minhag in all its splendor. The kehilla in Washington Heights was established by its Rav, Dr. Joseph Breuer, in 1939 and the shul is located on Bennett Avenue. Avram says there are surviving photos of the Shavuos greenery of the original shul in Germany and they copy it as best as they can, although on a smaller scale. Who pays for all this? In Washington Heights, funding for this project comes out of the shul’s annual budget, but private donations are also gratefully accepted. As it turns out, it can get pricey. “We order 250 yards of cedar roping that is draped all around the shul, and that costs several dollars a yard.” To minimize the expense somewhat, trees and plants are rented. And silk flowers are attached in bunches to the greenery so they can be saved from year to year. In Monsey, the Ettlinger family enlists the aid of their local ShopRite Lawn and Garden Center. About two days before yom tov, they arrive at the store at 7:30 AM to purchase the flowers and greenery. The salesperson there comes through for them every year, recommending the best flowers at the best prices. The

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Ettlingers foot the bill for the flowers and another shul member pays for the greenery. Says Chaya, “Mostly we use roses, lilies, and chrysanthemums. Other flowers might look great but won’t last over a three day yom tov. We also use wet foam so the flowers will last longer. And plastic baggies, to help retain the moisture.” Quite an involved process, to be sure. But for those who do it, it’s a labor of love. Five people spend the entire day of erev yom tov decorating the shul. “I make sure to cook for yom tov beforehand,” Chaya relates. Local Yeshiva bochurim and Chassidishe children are always available to lend a hand. “They help us strip the roses.” There have been mishaps, to be sure. Meir remem-

A chupah of flowers in KAJ

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Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social 2nd Day of Shavuos

bers the time that two hundred dollars’ worth of flowers were ruined because the shul’s refrigerator where they were stored overnight was inadvertently turned up too high. “They were frozen,” he recalls. Then there was the time the shul’s chandelier came crashing down during the process because the chain snapped. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it was subsequently discovered that the chain wasn’t strong enough to support the weight of the fixture. Nobody was hurt, boruch Hashem, and eventually it was repaired. They use pine instead of cedar in the Monsey shul, but the aromatic effect of the fresh fragrance is almost the same. The Ettlingers also make sure to remove the pollen tips off the lilies in order to minimize any possible allergic reactions. “Only one person really had a problem,” says Chaya. “But that’s probably because he sat in the front corner, right near all the greenery. Anyone who sits in the middle of the shul is generally not affected.” When yom tov is over, the greenery comes down. In Monsey, the dismantling process turns into a “take down party” with friends and family helping to do the job. If the bouquets are still in good condition, some are brought home to be enjoyed for yet another few days. Says Avram, “My maintenance man

is always disappointed when we have to take it all apart. This year he’s actually excited because it’s going to stay up an extra day.” why go through all the trouble? What motivates ordinary people to put extraordinary effort into such a massive project? Why not bake cheesecakes like everybody else? It’s not just about the flowers, of course. It’s also about a cherished Jewish tradition that is being maintained for hundreds of years. A tradition that has spanned across continents and over several generations. And has survived through War and Exile. For Avram Gutmann and the Ettlinger family, their sense of responsibility is clear. They are but a link in the chain of their mesorah. Says Meir, “Somebody needed to do it. And we saw it as our opportunity to step up to the plate.” 

Say it with Flowers BY ESTHER OTTENSOSER

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

MAY 21, 2015

48 112

Planting with Sweetness Shavuos is a special time for adults and children alike. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like me, when I think of Shavuos I automatically associate this holiday with two things: cheesecake and flowers! Cheesecake aside, flowers are a wonderful way to bring the spirit of the holiday into your home. These candy flower planters are easy and lots of fun to make. They will look stun-

ning as a decorative addition to your yom tov sweet table and they will be enjoyed by both adults and children alike. After the cupcakes have been eaten and the lollypops have been licked, the fond memories of the flowers (and the cheesecake) will linger year after year. You will need Mini planters (available at your local craft store)

Mini cupcakes decorated with green sprinkles Green ribbon Twinkle candy flower pops Directions To assemble, place the mini cupcakes inside the planters. Cut the sticks of the lollypop to the desired size and stick them inside the cupcakes. Complete the look by adding a pretty green bow to pull it all together.

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Blooming Tarts I always enjoy sending something over for a simcha and these tarts are both beautiful and so easy to make! They are perfect for your Shavuos table or to set out for kiddush before the meal. Prebaked shells come in a variety of shapes and flavors. They are easy to fill and fun to decorate. You can also coordinate fondant to match your color scheme.

MAY 21, 2015

You will need Mini prebaked tarts such as Bakers Choice Fondant molds and plungers Fondant Chocolate filling (see below) Directions Create flowers and decorations using fondant molds and plungers. Carefully pour the chocolate mixture into the tarts. Place fondant decorations in the center of the tart before the chocolate sets.

Chocolate Filling Ingredients 1 ¾ cup chocolate chips 2 Tbsp margarine ¼ cup Karo syrup

2 Tbsp water 1 tsp vanilla

crowave or in a double boiler. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Directions Melt the chocolate and margarine in a mi-

Tip: You can also fill the tarts with custard and fruit.

Sunflower Cookies Shavuos is upon us once again. It’s time to start planning what special dishes and pastries we will make. These stunning sunflower cookies are both pretty and delicious. They are sure to make the holiday extra special for your family and friends. You will need Sunflower-shaped cookie cutter Gefen Wonder Melts in yellow Candy blackberries Directions Make your favorite cookie dough recipe. Cut out sunflower cookies and bake them until done. Melt the Wonder Melts in the microwave or double boiler. Dip the cookies in the melts and add a candy blackberry to the center while it is still wet. Note: To make the dipping easier, you may want to stick a toothpick into your cookies before dipping.

Great Kosher Food

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

MAY 21, 2015

Elan Kornblum

ASIAN SPRING ROLLS WITH CUCUMBER MANGO RELISH AND SWEET AND SPICY DIPPING SAUCE

by Chef Aryeh Goldenson, Estreia (Lakewood, NJ)

For the Filling Ingredients 3 lb. brisket (cooked and shredded) 1 large white onion, julienned 1 large red pepper, julienned 1 large yellow pepper, julienned 1 large green pepper, julienned 3 oz. sesame oil 6 oz. teriyaki sauce Preparation Sauté the onion and peppers in sesame oil and then fold in the shredded brisket and season with teriyaki sauce. Let cool to room temperature or refrigerate overnight. To make the rolls, place filling in a spring roll wrapper and roll the roll in a second wrapper to avoid leakage. Fry at 350°F for about 4-5 min until crispy and serve with relish and sauce.

CUCUMBER / MANGO RELISH JULIENNE Ingredients 1 seedless cucumber 1 mango 1 red pepper 2 oz. sugar 2 oz. rice vinegar

Preparation Season with 2 oz. of granulated sugar and 2 oz. of rice vinegar and a pinch of salt. Let sit for about15 minutes in the fridge and then serve.

DIPPING SAUCE

Ingredients 4 oz. soy sauce 4 oz. brown sugar 1 oz. crushed fresh garlic 1 oz. crushed fresh ginger 1 tsp red pepper flakes Preparation Blend all ingredients the day before the sauce is needed to let the flavors meld.

This recipe was reprinted from the 2015 Edition of Great Kosher Restaurants Magazine. Elan Kornblum, a.k.a. “The Restaurant Guy,” is the publisher of Great Kosher Restaurants International Magazine and its accompanying website www.gkrm.net. The 2015 edition, available on www.GreatKosherDeals.com, has 256 glossy pages and provides a visual description with menus to over 200 top kosher restaurants alongside 400 stunning high resolution color photos. Kornblum’s top ranked website, award-winning newsletter, comprehensive app and hugely popular Facebook Foodies page makes sure everyone is up to date on the latest restaurant news. Email info@gkrm.net for any questions or comments.

The Observant Jew

81 Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

after it was given, is simply amazing. It’s not that Hashem “knows” the future. For Him, there’s no such thing as time so there’s no such thing as future. What’s amazing is the realization that Hashem is in control of everything that

When we see perfection in the symbolism, nuances, and references of the Torah, that’s our cue to become even more determined to connect with Hashem and his Torah. of Kislev, but what am I supposed to do with it? I want something I can act upon.” Now, I’m not taking back the part about wanting to be able to walk away with something from a speech. That’s always the case. When you speak, your point should be to help others become something more than they were before

and give them ways to do it. The part I’m retracting is that saying the 25th word in the Torah is ohr is just a “cute vort,” a catchy symbol, but not something someone can put to use in their lives. I take that part back. You see, now that I’m older, I realize that the fact that the Torah, which was created 1,000 generations before it was given, would allude to an event that would not happen until 1,000s of years

happens and that will happen. 1,400 generations before the Maccabees revolted against the Greek tyrants, the Torah already assured us that they would be victorious. But it’s more than that. Hashem looked into the Torah and created the world. It is the blueprint for Creation. That means that the victory of the Mac-

cabees was not just foretold, but also integral for the Creation and survival of the world! There’s another example of this that I’d like to share. In Bereishis, the Torah says, “Va’yehi erev va’yehi boker, yom Ha’Shishi,” it was evening and morning, the sixth day. The Gemara in Shabbos (88a) quotes Reish Lakish who says the extra “hai” teaches that it is referring to a different sixth day, one

that is very specific. It is talking about the sixth of Sivan, when the Torah was given (or was going to be until Moshe delayed it a day). Hashem said to the world at the time of Creation, “If the Jews will accept the Torah, then you will continue to exist. If not, I will turn you back into emptiness and void.” That means that Hashem, a thousand generations in advance, made it very clear that in order for the world to exist, we need to accept the Torah. It means that Hashem gave us our marching orders even before the beginning. It means that when we see perfection in the symbolism, nuances, and references of the Torah, that’s our cue to become even more determined to connect with Hashem and his Torah. The Zohar states (and it’s a Shavuos song, too!): “Yisrael, v’oraysa, v’kudsha brich hu chad hu – Klal Yisrael, the Torah, and the Holy One Blessed be He, are one.” This is the message conveyed by the single letter “hai,” which we recite each week at Kiddush on Friday night. That one letter reminds us that we are connected to Hashem through the Torah, and through the Torah is He connected to us. The world’s survival depends on that, and on us. I was wrong when I said that the 25th word in the Torah being ohr didn’t give us something to walk away with. I now realize that simply realizing how connected we are to Hashem at every moment and how connected He is to us should make us constantly want to be more and do more. I stand corrected and regret the error. Jonathan Gewirtz is an inspirational writer and speaker whose work has appeared in publications around the world. You can find him at www.facebook.com/RabbiGewirtz and follow him on Twitter @RabbiJGewirtz. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. Sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly PDF Dvar Torah in English. E-mail info@ JewishSpeechWriter.com and put Subscribe in the subject. © 2015 by Jonathan Gewirtz. All rights reserved.

MAY 21, 2015

minutes. Try to limit it to six. And, the final rule, the one I’m retracting today, was: “Give me something to walk away with. You can say the 25th word in the Torah is ohr (light) and that’s a hint to Chanukah which happened on the 25th

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A Retraction: 20 Years Later hen we’re young, we think we know everything. Mark Twain, the 19th century American humorist, said, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” It seems that with age comes wisdom, or at least the maturity to admit that we didn’t really know everything. Chazal say that one doesn’t understand his teacher until he is forty, and at my age, I am ready to admit my earlier foolishness. Now, I’m not going to start listing things I did which I probably would think better of now. We all have those and that’s not for discussion, though it surprises me that some people will discuss the crazy things they did as kids and then wonder why their own children try to do them. Today, though, I’m taking back a specific thing I said over twenty years ago. Often, a newspaper will make a splashy headline, and when it’s proven wrong will do the honorable thing by printing a retraction – in small print, on page 23 – without referring too much to what they actually said in the first place, thereby obscuring the error while enabling them to say they printed a retraction. I’m not doing that. This will be a bona fide statement that I was wrong. Many of you know my connections to public speaking such as my website, JewishSpeechWriter.com. Over the years, having grown up the son of a very able speaker, who himself was the son of a very able speaker, I acquired a certain appreciation for the art. In my early years, I felt I really had a handle on it, and when I was charged with choosing boys to speak in the yeshiva dining room on Shabbos, I was proud of my three rules. My first rule was that they had to keep the source material light. Parsha, pirkei avos, keep it simple. People are eating; they don’t want to hear you talk about a R’ Chaim [Brisker] in Menachos. Rule two: Keep it short. Studies show average attention span is seven

Forgotten Heroes

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

MAY 21, 2015

Avi Heiligman

Fighting in the Sinai

Israel and Egypt. For hundreds of years the Sinai was controlled by the Egyptians and then in the 1500s the Ottoman Empire ruled over the vast desert. In 1906 it was given back to the Egyptians but since they were under British rule, the Sinai was controlled by Great Britain. The desert’s eastern end is the border between Egypt and Israel. England controlled Palestine until the State of Israel was formed in 1948 and the desert became a battleground. Five wars in 25 years ensued in the once peaceful desert before it became a key piece in the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. An Egyptian army truck ablaze during the Six Day War Within hours of the declaration of the Jewish state, Egypt and all of Edom, the Negev or even Saudi Arabia Israel’s neighbors attacked. Egypt was based on possible locations that actu- the only one to attack from the south ally exist in those areas that coincide and the lack of cooperation from Arwith known attributes given in the To- abs was very poor and advantageous to the Israelis. Sevrah and Chazal. eral skirmishes Going with the took place in the most popular loSinai as well as cation, the Sinai the Negev DesPeninsula, someert before a decitimes referred sive action with to as the Sinai the Egyptians Desert, was the ended in a truce scene of a battle between the two with the AmaA handshake and a promise at the Camp David Accords countries. Opleikim attackeration Chorev ing Bnei Yisrael. 3,300 years later, the Sinai saw several (a name in the Torah for Har Sinai) battles during the 20th century between was a decisive victory for the Israelis ost midrashim and historians agree that Har Sinai is a peak somewhere in the Sinai Peninsula between Egypt and Israel. There are some who say it’s in

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that forced many Egyptians to surrender. Prime Minister Ben Gurion was quoted as saying to the commanding general at the time, “Do you know the value of peace talks with Egypt? After all, that is our great dream.”

5 followed by a commando invasion the key canal port of Port Said. French paratroopers soon joined them and they were given air cover by the air forces and navies of all three nations. While the forces were winning the war on the battlefield, the politicians were losing it on the home front. It was an unpopular war and soon all gains in

n 1956, the Sinai Desert became the scene of an international crisis when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal. A vital passageway between South Asia and Europe, it was necessary to keep it open to all ships. When Egyptian The Suez Canal during the Yom Kippur War President Gamal Nasser decided to side with the the Sinai Desert had to be abandoned Russians and began receiving arms as they buckled under political presshipments, other countries decided sure. The Egyptians won the political to invade. Britain, France and Israel battle even though they suffered heavy wanted to remove Nasser from power losses. The canal zone was closed and regain control of the canal. Israel for commercial shipping until March landed paratroopers on October 29. 1957. Even though the Israelis had to The U.S. was furious but couldn’t do give up the Sinai, they were now able much since France and England were to use the Straits of Tiran for shipping on the Israelis’ side and about to send which had previously been closed in forces. since 1951. They had also won the The Egyptians made a fatal error sympathy from the U.S. since Presiwhen they thought the paratroopers dent Eisenhower regretted forcing the were just part of a small scale raid and Israelis to withdraw their troops. not a full invasion. They were taken by surprise, and the Israelis quickly t took over a decade for the next achieved their initial objectives near war to break out in the region. the Mitla Pass. British paratroopers The tensions still hadn’t simmered landed along the canal on November down since the Suez Crisis when Israel attacked her neighbors in a preemptive move that started the Six Day War. Nasser had closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping and had signed a pact with King Hussein of Jordan. After mobilizing troops, they thought they were ready for an Israeli attack but they were wrong. Within hours, the Egyptian air force was in shambles with most planes destroyed before they could take to the air. Three An Egyptian tank in the Sinai Desert knocked out by an Israeli attack during the Six Day War days later Israeli troops were on the

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Ariel Sharon with other soldiers during the Yom Kippur War in the Sinai Desert

banks of the Suez Canal and captured the Gaza Strip. Nasser took responsibility for the outcome of the Six Day War and even after a truce continued the attacks against Israel in a conflict that has become known as the War of Attrition. For the next three years as Egypt tried to regain control of the Sinai, low intensity battles and raids were carried out by both sides until 1970 when a truce was signed. Egypt was determined to regain lost territory and “was prepared to sacrifice a million soldiers.” After a massive build up in arms was somehow overlooked by the Israeli intelligence, Egypt and her Arab allies attacked Is-

rael. The war broke out on Yom Kippur 1973 and came as a complete surprise to the Israelis. 60foot sand walls were hosed down by powerful water cannons and anti-aircraft missiles wreaked havoc on IAF planes. Egyptian armor quickly broke through the thin Israeli lines by the canal but in a tactical error did not advance through the desert. This gave the IDF time to regroup, and the division under Ariel Sharon pushed back the Egyptians to the Great Bitter Lake. The Battle of the Sinai was one of the largest tank battles since WWII as Egypt lost over 260 tanks while the Israelis lost about 50. (This battle paled in comparison to the Israeli- Syrian tank battles happening at the same time in the Golan Heights.) The war was over in less than three weeks.

he decisive victory gave Israel more territory and left Egypt embarrassed at the massive losses she sustained. American intervention had prevented the Israeli advance on the undefended road to Cairo. In two disengagement agreements Israel gave back some land to Egypt but

the stage was set for a historic peace The Sinai Desert has been the treaty. At the Camp David Accords scene of recent terror attacks and tunin September 1978 Israel agreed to nels leading to Gaza, but the Egyptians give back the entire have maintained they Sinai Peninsula in are willing to honor exchange for peace. their peace treaty The desert was to with Israel. Egypt be demilitarized and has become a stratethe two countries gic “middle man” in began political and brokering ceasefires economic relations. between Israel and Egypt became the terrorist Palestinfirst Arab country to ians operation inside recognize Israel. Gaza. The Sinai DesThe five wars ert probably won’t that took place in the see a major war in Sinai were not just the near future. Looking back confined to ground at the stunning vicoperations. Aerial tories one must not dogfights and bombforget the forgotten ing missions had a heroes that gave their major impact on the A victorious Israeli convoy lives in the desert outcome of the wars. during the Six Day War and the yad Hashem Jet combat was perfected by the Israelis and some of these that shined through every battle that aerial battles need an article of their was fought. own to do it justice. Over 40 Israelis have earned the title of ace (downing at least five enemy planes) including ten Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to that became double aces. Jet pilot Giora The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comEpstein currently holds the title of most ments and suggestions.for future columns kills in a jet fighter with 17 – he downed and can be reached at aviheiligman@ gmail.com. 16 Egyptian planes over the Sinai.

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MAY 21, 2015

Parenting Pearls

77 Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW

Bedtime Blues - Part II

n the last segment we discussed the need to set routines, especially in regards to bedtime. The more consistent the routine is the more a child will get used to following it. Of course most children will periodically test the system, but at that point generally a good dose of firmness will be sufficient. When a child is going to sleep it’s also important to ensure that there is as little noise as possible outside the child’s room. If there is a lot of action or conversations going on outside, the child will be tuned in to that noise and will have a hard time going to sleep. If it’s not possible to minimize outside noise for whatever reason, a storybook CD can be very helpful. If the CD contains stories of tzaddikim it has the added benefit of the child hearing a beautiful lesson just before drifting off for the night. Another possible alternative is to have a noise machine. These are relatively inexpensive and have different choices of pleasant sounds that can be used. In our home we used a noise machine for some of our children when they were toddlers. The challenge was on those rare occasions when the machine broke or we were away for Shabbos/Yom Tov and didn’t have the machine. It’s usually during such a situation when that child learned how to sleep without the machine, although it did cost us a few frustrating nights. Once a child goes to bed and has said Shema he/she should not be allowed to come out for any reason, with the obvious exception of an emergency. “But Mommy I have a major test tomorrow, and I’m going to fail!” “I’m sorry to hear that sheifalah; but now you need to go to sleep.” “I’m soooo thirsty. Please Mommy can’t I just run and get one more drink?” “No zeeskeit; we don’t come out of bed after bedtime.” It’s often very challenging to remain firm because it may feel wrong. It flies in the face of our motherly or fatherly instinct to coddle our young children and to give them what they want – especially when they are ready to go to sleep for the night. But allow-

ing the child to come out of bed is a mistake. The child quickly learns that bedtime is not really bedtime and will

As is usually the case when first implementing any new policy, be ready for it to become worse before it gets

Getting a good night’s sleep makes a tremendous difference in how we perform the following day.

not be ready to go to sleep even when going to bed. This is in contrast to a child who is trained that once Shema is said and the light is turned off their night is over.

That child will have a far easier time falling asleep because he knows it’s not negotiable. If the child does come out then we can begin decreasing certain privileges which the child enjoys. This can include keeping a nightlight on, keeping the door wide open, allowing the child to listen to a CD in bed, etc. When the child comes out of bed, the parent can shake their head sadly and reply, “How sad! Now we have to shut the CD.” If we are firm and consistent there will be no need for shouting, threatening, or lecturing. In fact, that’s the last thing we should do. When we shout or threaten, our child may become conditioned to completely tune us out. The other possibility is that it will cause the child to become nervous and his heart will beat faster, which is the opposite of what needs to occur for him to fall asleep.

better. In fact it’s helpful to remember that resistance usually means that what we are doing is working. Be prepared for strong resistance at the beginning, and only start the implementation when

you have the time and patience to deal with any resistance or testing. I would just add that as a rebbe and a principal, I can easily tell which of

my students don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. Of course there are times when events or situations occur that cause a child to go to sleep later than his/her usual bedtime. But there are some children who have the capability to learn and even the desire to learn, but cannot because they are so sluggish and tired from lack of sleep. One of the first halachos in Shulchan Aruch states that in the morning one should strengthen himself like a lion to perform the service of his Creator. A rebbe of mine used to quip that if one goes to sleep like a horse he won’t be able to wake up like a lion. Getting a good night’s sleep makes a tremendous difference in how we perform the following day. Being able to go to sleep is the first step towards getting a good night’s sleep. As previously mentioned, once you have set up a routine, your nights will be much smoother. Your child will also benefit tremendously from it, especially in getting the sleep he needs. Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is the Rabbi of Kehillat New Hempstead. He is also fifth grade Rebbe and Guidance Counselor in ASHAR in Monsey, and Principal of Mesivta Ohr Naftoli of New Windsor, NY, and a division head at Camp Dora Golding. Rabbi Staum offers parenting classes based on the acclaimed Love & Logic Program. He can be reached at stamtorah@gmail.com. His website is www.stamtorah.info.

as the first week in September to meet with existing and prospective clients about upcoming projects. Call or email to set up a time to find out what Staiman Design can do for you!

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MAY 21, 2015

Jeremy will be in Baltimore the week after Shavuos as well

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Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baaaaack!