Baltimore Jewish Home - 8-27-15

Around the Community

End of Summer Mitzvah Motivator Program a Huge Success

Baltimoreans Rally against Deal with Iran

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Rabbi Emanual Gofeiz’s Beit Yaakov Congregation Honored with Hachnasat Sefer Torah

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BaltimoreJewishHome THE

‫ כ״ו אלול‬- ‫י״ב אלול‬

aug

27 -

sep

10 . vol 2, #14

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME AUGUST 27, 2015

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Where Will YOU Be in 10 Years?

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME AUGUST 27, 2015

VOTE NO TO THE IRAN DEAL...

AND VOTE NO TO TERROR!

CALL

(202) 224-4524

Sen. Barbara Mikulski

(202) 224-4654

Rep. John Sarbanes

(202) 225-4016

Rep. Elijah Cummings

(202) 225-4741

Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (202) 225-3061

Lest we forget...

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Sen. Ben Cardin

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CONTENTS

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 27, 2015

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

JEWISH THOUGHT It Could Have Happened To You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 A Parsha Thought. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Maximizing our Relationships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Rabbi Berel Wein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 The Observant Jew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

COVER STORY On Shidduchim and the Perfect Match. . . . . . . . . . 40 Remembering Yosi Piamenta A Man Whose Music I’ve Loved All Of My Life. . . . 52

LIFESTYLES Great Kosher Food. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Autonomy at its Best. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Food For Your Brain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 15 Ways to Bug Proof Your Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Ernest Benjamin and the Jewish Brigade. . . . . . . . 55 Artscroll Book Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Political Crossfire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 613 Seconds with David Ehrenfeld. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 In the Kitchen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

NEWS

Dear Readers, Well, the script is playing out as in previous generations. First, Jewish products are targeted by BDS, then a Jewish Senator and upcoming leader of his political party is being accused of dual loyalty. It always went downhill from there.

While the world is busy reporting on all things Jewish, the regime in Iran recognizes the gift of the deal they’ve been given. At a minimum they have a clear message that the free world will look the other way while it acts on its stated ambition to change the modern world as we know it. Militarily if need be.

Meanwhile, defying a UN Security Council travel ban, the head of Iran’s elite military Quds Force, Commander Qassem Soleimani, visited Russia to further develop the ties between the two countries. Thus followed war games played out by Russian and Iranian ships. And still, as of this Thursday, Switzerland will lift sanctions with Iran and return to normalized business dealings.

Two weeks age the Shin Bet has disclosed that they, thank G-d, apprehended a 21 year old Hamas operative and tunnel digger who disclosed a wealth of information on the close ties between Hamas and the Iranian regime. The young terrorist detailed how his superiors are constantly planning and preparing for the next round of terror, with Iran heavily supporting these efforts.

In Syria, Iran has become the de facto representative of Bashar al-Assad with direct negotiations taking place between Iran and the rebels.

Being that their intentions are so clear, why are there self-prescribed intellectuals and thinkers who find it difficult to see what’s going on? It’s almost as if a basic description is just too simple. If one wants to be sophis-

ticated you have to explain how bad is good, how surrendering is winning and somehow, by empowering a dangerous group of thugs, we are creating the path to peace!

Perhaps the answer is simple. This, like all negotiations, is a test of perseverance and will. The leaders in Iran won with their unending certainty and focus. They certainly believe in their cause and are committed to it until the end.

We are represented by those who have expressed doubt at the justice of our cause and seem to have a weakness for theocrats.

The result? They got everything they wanted and we’re left scratching our heads trying to make heads and tails.

Despite all of this, in the end goodness and truth always wins. We need to fight and pray that it happen soon.

We should all still be calling our representatives listed below, as we must do our part.

Senator Ben Cardin 202.224.4524 Senator Barbara Mikulski - 202.224.4654 Representative John Sarbanes - 202.225.4016 Representative Elijah Cummings - 202.225.4741 Representative C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger - 202.225.3061

Yeshuas hashem, kiheref ayin, G-d’s salvation is in the blink of an eye. We daven and hope that the situation be transformed from a world engulfed in madness to one of light, joy and gladness.

Wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable Shabbos,

Yaakov

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Global News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 National News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 That’s Odd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

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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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME AUGUST 27, 2015

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 27, 2015

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Around the

Community

Torah Institute Announces Exciting Expansion of Resource Program Yeshivas Kochav Yitzchok/Torah Institute of Baltimore is excited to announce the expansion of its Resource Program and the opening of the Comprehensive Achievement Center (CAC). This learning center will provide service to students in grades 1-8 who need additional support for their learning styles, give instruction in their areas of weaknesses, and offer assistance with study skills and work habits to encourage success in the classroom.

The Center will be directed by Mrs. Hochberg for Limudei Kodesh and by Mrs. Giulioni for Limudei Chol, who will be leaving the classroom to direct this wonderful new resource. Rabbi Yitzchok Turk, who has a Master’s in Education, is welcomed to the department as Resource Assistant in both Limudei Kodesh and Limudei Chol, and will serve as a liaison between parents and teachers.

The Comprehensive Achievement Center will offer the following services:

* Identification of talmidim/students with learning differences. * Thorough documentation utilizing Individual Learning Plans (ILP) with specific goals and assessments to demonstrate skill growth. * Experienced professional tutors for Limudei Kodesh and Limudei Chol. * Ongoing communication among resource personnel and Rebbeim, teachers, and parents. * Informal screening of talmidim/ students experiencing academic difficulty in the classroom. * Recommendations for formal testing when appropriate. * Assistance with preparations and documentation for testing. * Representation at Baltimore City / County team meetings for Individualized Educational Planning (IEP). * Kriah Department with teachers trained in visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile methods. * An English reading specialist

trained in multisensory reading instruction who will assist struggling first and second graders. * Triannual Kriah and English reading assessments for elementary grades. * Team meetings with Menahalim / Principals, Rebbeim, teachers, and CAC staff to discuss academic issues. * A “Drop-in Center” where talmidim / students will receive help with specific assignments or tasks. * A quiet testing area where talmidim / students may have a test read orally, or use Kurzweil, a computer software program, that allows a test to be read aloud by the computer. * Classroom accommodations following consultation with the Rebbeim and teachers. * Incentive and motivational programs for Limudei Kodesh and Limudei Chol. * Tutoring services provided by a Maryland State Special Educator.

* Coordination of outside tutors and Speech / Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists that meet with our students during school hours. * CAC staff development on issues that influence children’s learning styles.

As the Hanhala explained, “At Yeshiva Kochav Yitzchok / Torah Institute, our goal is to help each student reach his full potential. We are confident that this new Comprehensive Achievement Center will facilitate this goal. As we work towards educating the whole child by engaging, challenging, and supporting him, we look forward to working together with our parents to maximize each child’s success.“

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Kollel Bein Hazmanim Wraps Up Another Successful Season This summer, the Kollel Bein Hazmanim saw another successful season. Now in its sixth year, the Kollel serves as a place for serious Torah learning in the heart of the community for the first three weeks of Chodesh Av. Over 30 young men participated in this learning program, located in Khal Ahavas Yisrael Tzemach Tzedek. The Kollel has been under the directorship of Rabbi Yossi Rosenfeld for the last four years.

In addition to learning a morning session of about four hours, the Kollel saw much other activity. On Friday before Shabbos Chazon, Rabbi Pinchas Gross visited the Kollel and gave a shiur about the topic of the Mitzvah of Talmud Torah on Tisha B’av. The following Wednesday, Dr. Michael Ring gave a hands-on demonstration of Shofar blowing. In addition, on the last Thursday before the Kollel ends, Rabbi Rosenfeld delivers a very unique “shiur”.

Rabbi Rosenfeld explained, “In addition to the Torah learning for its own sake, I feel it is of utmost importance to

take the opportunity during the summer Kollel to discuss the realities that young men encounter when they prepare to

make the transition out of Kollel.” For the past three years, Rabbi Rosenfeld has discussed the realities that a Kollel fellow encounters when he leaves Kollel, and the challenges one encounters when he is ready to support a family.

This talk has been warmly received by the Kollel fellows, and has also attracted attention of local baalebatim, who requested recordings of this talk.

Funding for this program has always come primarily from the local community. Stipends are paid to Kollel fellows participating in this program. The Kollel budget is covered by sponsors who dedicate days of learning. Rabbi Rosenfeld wished to thank all those who showed their support for this community Torah program.

The Talmud Torah should serve as a zchus for the local community in particular and for all of Klal Yisrael at large.

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME AUGUST 27, 2015

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

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Around the

Community

Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr Hatorah Begins Its Third Year On Sunday afternoon, Rosh Chodesh Elul, Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr Hatorah began its third year. With great joy and anticipation the bochurim returned to Yeshiva, ready for all Elul has to offer! All through the afternoon and early evening the talmidim filed in, from near and far. With Hashem’s help, enrollment continues to climb and the Ye-

develop themselves during their Bais Medrash years.

The ruach and fervor of the first Ma’ariv was spectacular, as befitting the opening Ma’aariv of the zman. After davening, the Rosh Yeshiva, Horav Dovid Hoffman, delivered a powerful shmuzz. Based on the words of Rav Yerucham Levovitz zt”l, he drew a par-

of encouragement, Rabbi Yonah Yaakov Lapidus, the dormitory Mashgiach, relayed a few of the basic ground rules pertaining to the dormitory, and encouraged to bochurim to be responsible in their actions. The Rosh Yeshiva, Horav Moshe Aharon Rosenbaum, closed the assembly by encouraging the talmidim to utilize each of their Rebbeim in the

shiva numbers almost thirty bochurim.

The friendly atmosphere, combined with the comfort each talmid feels to succeed to his ability, has gained the Yeshiva a sterling reputation across the country. Bochurim from New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Detroit, Cleveland and, of course, Baltimore, know they can turn to Ohr Hatorah to

allel between the summer months and Elul. Just as the summer months are used to recharge ourselves and reinvigorate our body, so too Elul is the time for our neshamos to recharge and propel us to greater heights. As such, it is of utmost importance not to waste even a moment of this auspicious time.

Following the Rosh Yeshiva’s words

Yeshiva and seek out guidance in any area in which they desire.

Founded in 2013 by Rabbi Dovid Hoffman and Rabbi Moshe Aharon Rosenbaum, both Alumni of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel and Kollel Avodas Levi, Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr Hatorah provides Bais Medrash learning for bochurim seeking a smaller environment. With

three separate shiurim and multiple Shoel U’meishivim available for each seder, every talmid can develop a kesher with his Rebbi and obtain a strong derech in his learning. With three full sedarim a day, dormitory facilities and incentive laden programs, the light of Ohr Hatorah is shining brightly in Baltimore and across the country.

Isaac ‘Yitzy’ Schleifer Launches Campaign for Baltimore City Council

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

One of Baltimore’s Top Neighborhood Dads wants to improve the city for everyone Democratic Central Committee member Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer announced today the launching of his campaign for council in Baltimore City’s fifth district.

His announcement came several weeks after Schleifer launched an exploratory committee, following months of persistent efforts to enlist his candidacy by business and community leaders in the district. “With their encouragement, I decided to enter the race after careful consideration of the district’s needs, talking to hundreds of residents who are unhappy with the current leadership, and hearing again and again that people are concerned about high property taxes, high crime, and other major issues in our neighborhoods,” said Schleifer.

He noted that in their encourage-

ment that he run, “They pointed to a combination of my private sector work activities and my strong community activism, which they believe will provide fresh ideas and strong leadership to take Baltimore City in a new direction.”

A life-long resident of the district, Schleifer is a small business owner who is the Vice President of the northwest Baltimore City’s Cheswolde Neighborhood Association and who sits on the Board of Directors of Myerberg Senior Center, Hebrew Free Loan, Suburban Orthodox, is on the advisory council with the BSSP community safety organization, and was recently appointed

to serve as a community liaison to the State’s Attorney’s Office. He is also involved with the American Red Cross and numerous other organizations.

“We should not be afraid to get out of our cars after dark or to sleep in our own beds at night. We should not be paying higher property taxes than every other jurisdiction in the entire State of Maryland, money that we could be using to buy our kids school supplies, pay for car repairs, or put food on the table,” he said. “It shouldn’t be cheaper and safer to live in Baltimore County and we shouldn’t be forced to move.

I’d rather work to improve the city for

everyone.”

In June, Schleifer was recognized

by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as a Top Neighborhood Dad. The selection was based on honoring dedicated men who have given selflessly to keep Baltimore’s neighborhoods better, safer and stronger. “As I raise my family here, I understand how important it is for our tax dollars to be working for us, and coming back to our own district. After watching children in other parts of Baltimore get the summer lunch program year after year, I stepped up and helped bring it to our district. And I know there are other programs and resources that we can – and should – be bringing to our own neighborhoods, and I will fight for them.”

Added Schleifer, “As residents flee the city, it’s time to take back our neighborhoods and be proud to call Baltimore City our home.”

Around the

Community

BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

of the kollel, thanking them for bringing in such choshuva bnei Torah. As one commented, “Thank you for bringing the kollel to Baltimore. I had a chance to talk to one of the yungeleit in learning this morning, and he is a truly amazing and wonderful chassidishe ben Torah.”

Last Shabbos, Parshas Re’eh, a Shabbaton was held in Baltimore at Bnos Yisroel. The Shabbaton included tefillos at Eitz Chaim, which were attended by an overflow crowd; a community wide Kiddush,which provided community members a chance to meet the yungeleit and the Rosh Kollel; Shabbos seudos at Bnos Yisroel; and a melaveh malkah. The events were all a great success, as participating Rabbanim, the kollel yungeleit and their families, and community members, enjoyed becoming acquainted with each other.

Harav Hershel Rosenfeld is serving as the Rosh Kollel of Kollel Le’Horoah, and the Rav of the newly established Khal Chassidim. Rabbi

Rosenfeld has decades of experience in chinuch and Rabbanus. He was Rosh Kollel of the Sadigura Kollel in Eretz Yisrael; a Dayan in the Beis Din Mechon Le’Horoah in Monsey, under the leadership of Harav Ezriel Tauber; a mechanech in the Belz Mosdos in Monsey and - most recently - Rosh Yeshivah and Menahel Ruchani of Mosdos Nadvorna in Bnei Brak for fifteen years. Rabbi Rosenfeld has semichah from numerous Gedolim, including the Makover Rav, the Debretziner Rov and Harav Wosner, zt’l, and ybcl”c, Harav Roth (the Belzer Dayan), the Pupa Rov and the KlausenbergerDayan, shlita.

According to Rabbi Rosenfeld, the kollel’s goal is to, “build up Rabbanim” through an intensive five-year learning program. The yungeleit of the kollel are comprised of chassidishe bnei Torah who have learned in many of the most prestigious yeshivos in the world. Rabbi Rosenfeld explained that learning is paramount for these yungeleit, who strive to grow in

Chassidus and yiras Shamayim.

The kollel plans to create learning opportunities for members of the Baltimore community, including establishing morning and evening learning programs, yarchei kallah, and special visits by leading local, national and internationally-renowned Rabbanim who will address the yungeleit and members of thekehillah in matters of halachah.

Caravans were sent up this past week on Park Heights Avenue, between Parkington and Menlo, and will serve as the initial home of the kollel, and the kehillah Khal Chassidim, until the completion of the kollelbuilding at 6116 Park Heights Avenue. For the next week, davening and learning is taking place at Eitz Chaim and Congregation Tiferes Yisroel, until the caravans are ready. For further information about thekollel, inquiries may be sent to info@baltimorekollel.com or by calling 410-764-3200.

AUGUST 27, 2015

The moment has finally arrived, as the long awaited Kollel L’eHoroah : The Chassidishe Kollel of Baltimore was finally inaugurated last Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh Elul.

Preparations have been in full swing, setting up the infrastructure for the kollel, for the past three months, as close to twenty new chassidishe yungeleit and their families have settled in Baltimore. Most of the families are living in the newly renovated Pinkney Court Apartments, on the corner of Park Heights and Pinkney Avenues. Even before the official start of the zman, community members commented on “the changing face of Baltimore.”

Since Tisha B’Av, the yungeleit have been arriving and settling into their new homes. The families have all expressed amazement at the warm welcome they are receiving from their neighbors, and from the Baltimore community as a whole.

And community members have expressed hakaras hatov to the directors

Hamodia/Devorah Klein

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Kollel L’eHoroah : The Chassidishe Kollel Comes to Baltimore

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B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 27, 2015

HEED THE CALL OF OUR GEDOLIM…

JOIN DAF HAYOMI B’HALACHA

‫נשיאות של‬ ‫דף היומי בהלכה‬ ‫בצפון אמריקה‬ HaGaon HaRav Asher Anshel Katz, shlita The Vienner Rav

HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, shlita

As we approach the Yomim Noraim, now is the perfect time to generate zechusim by joining Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and becoming proficient in the halachos of daily living.

Rosh Yeshiva Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood

HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Miller, shlita Rosh Kollel D'Toronto

HaGaon HaRav Yeruchim Olshin, shlita Rosh Yeshiva Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood

HaGaon HaRav Yosef Harrari Raful, shlita Rosh Yeshiva Yeshiva Ateret Torah

HaGaon HaRav Yechezkel Roth, shlita The Karlsberger Rov

HaGaon HaRav Matisyohu Salomon, shlita

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

A mere 7 years ago, Daf HaYomi B’Halacha started a movement, embarking on a journey to know the Halachos of everyday living. To date, tens of thousands worldwide have benefitted and are joined together by the daily limud of Mishnah Berurah and Mussar from Sifrei Chofetz Chaim. Gedolei Yisrael have endorsed and encouraged Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program’s unique retention and accountability methods, as a way to master Halacha.

Mashgiach Beth Medrash Govoha Lakewood

The Skulener Rebbe, shlita

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita of Monsey

HaGaon HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlita Rosh Yeshiva Yeshiva Zichron Moshe South Fallsburg

‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘

HAGAON HARAV SHMUEL YAAKOV BORENSTEIN, SHLITA Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Kiryas Melech

Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Bais Binyomin

“Dirshu’s undertaking and organizing of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha…the study of the Mishnah Berurah to encourage the study of halacha lema’aseh with clarity, to know how one should live in every detail. Thousands of yungeleit in Eretz Yisrael and America participate in this sacred Avodas HaKodesh.”

HAGAON HARAV ELYA BER WACHTFOGEL, SHLITA Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe

“Aside from the mitzvah of Torah learning, learning halacha is such a basic requirement, how could I not encourage it?! …With Dirshu, it isn’t just that you are learning, but taking tests on what is learned shows that you takeh know it!”

HAGAON HARAV SHIMON BADANI, SHLITA Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Torah V’Chaim, Yerushalayim

‘‘

HAGAON HARAV MEIR HERSHKOWITZ, SHLITA When visited by Hanhalas Dirshu, Harav Hershkowitz exclaimed, “Ashreichem shezachisem l’harbotzas haTorah, how fortunate that you merited the zechus of spreading Torah!” Rav Hershkowitz was particularly interested to hear about the success of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha. He then concluded with a heartfelt bracha that Dirshu see continued Siyata DiShmaya in its Harbatzas HaTorah.

‘‘

HAGAON HARAV MOSHE STERNBUCH, SHLITA Av Beis Din, Eidah HaChareidis

“Dirshu, Baruch Hashem, created a revolution, that bachurim, Avreichim and Baalei Batim study Mishnah Berurah, and Beli Ayin Hara, the limud HaTorah went from potential to actual . . . Baruch HaShem, we have embarked on a special derech in this study ... it is a great zechus.”

“There is something special about learning Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, because one can always come home after learning, with practical halachos that he can apply. When learning halacha l’maaseh, like Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, one comes home with tremendous practical to’eles – that he can apply in his day-to-day life!”

JOIN THOUSANDS WHO LEARN DAF HAYOMI B’HALACHA AND MASTER THE HALACHOS OF DAILY LIVING!

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AS WE APPROACH THE YOMIM NORAIM, SECURE THE GREAT ZECHUSIM THAT ARE GUARANTEED FOR THOSE WHO LEARN HALACHA DAILY. THOUSANDS ACROSS THE WORLD ARE PARTICIPATING. JOIN NOW!

AUGUST 27, 2015

Please fill out the form below and submit before September 6th in order to take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Harav Binyomin Finkel, Mashgiach Mir Yeshiva, davening at the Chofetz Chaim's kever during a previous Dirshu mission to Radin

I would like to have the delegation of Gedolei Rabbonim daven on my behalf at the Chofetz Chaim’s Kever, on his upcoming Yahrtzeit.

Hebrew name _______________________

Full name __________________________________________

Mother’s Hebrew name _______________

Address ___________________________________________

 I am presently a participant in the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Program

___________________________________________________

 I undertake, bli neder, to join the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program*

Phone number _____________________________________ Email address ______________________________________

*A kabbalah, the sefarim teach us, strengthens one’s resolve. It is understood that the kabbalah is bli neder and that circumstances can crop up that will make it difficult to keep. There is no minimum time requirement.

Please fill in the pertinent information, and return by fax or email, no later than September 6, 2015/22 Elul.

Tel: 888.5.Dirshu ext. 141 Fax: 732.987.3949 Email: info@kolleldirshu.org

DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH SUNDAY, SEPT. 6TH, 9 PM

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Bottom Line Marketing Group: 718.377.4567

On the Yahrtzeit of the Chofetz Chaim, this coming September 8th, ‫כ”ד אלול‬, a delegation of Gedolei Rabbonim, Poskim and a group of senior members of Dirshu’s hanhala, will be traveling to Radin to daven for the success of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha participants.

14

AUGUST 27, 2015

HIGH HOLIDAYS 2015 Tel: 410-602-2224 Fax: 410-602-1236

City/State/Zip: ______________________________________

www.accentsgrill.com

ITEM

PrICE

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Appetizers Gefilte Fish loaf

$8.99 lb

Chopped liver

$7.99 lb

Curried Fish Balls

$9.99 lb

soups Chicken Broth

$5.95 Qt

Split Pea With Brisket Soup

$8.95 Qt

Butternut Squash Soup

$6.95 Qt

Chicken Soup (With Chicken & Vegetables)

$6.95 Qt

Matzo Balls (6)

$5.95

poultry entrees

QuANTITy

Telephone: ________________________________________ ToTAl

E-Mail: _________________________________________ Credit Card Number: _________________________________ Security Code:________________ Expiration: ____________ Orders must be faxed, phoned in, brought into the store or emailed to joylichter613@gmail.com NO LATER than 5pm Tuesday, September 8, 2015.

Get your order in by Friday, August 28th & we’ll pay your sales tax!

Pick up: o Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 8AM-1:30PM ITEM

PrICE

$109.95 Ea

Grilled Salmon With Tarragon Caper Sauce

$9.99 Ea

Add For Carving

$15.00

rosemary Herb-Encrusted Salmon Fillets With Tarragon Caper Sauce

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$17.99 lb

Kani-Stuffed Flounder

Stuffed Chicken Breasts w/ rice Stuffing & Gravy $10.50 Ea

Tarragon Sauce

Stuffed Chicken Breasts w/ Bread Stuffing & Gravy $10.50 Ea

VegetAriAn entrees

rotisserie roasted Chicken With Gravy (Whole)

$18.95 Ea

rotisserie roasted Chicken legs (Piece)

$3.95 Ea

rotisserie roasted Chicken Breasts (Piece)

$4.95 Ea

Teriyaki Basted Chicken Meatballs

$12.99 lb

Peri Peri Chicken legs

$4.95 Ea

Peri Peri Chicken Breasts

$5.95 Ea

Herb roasted Chicken legs (Piece)

$3.95 Ea

Herb roasted Chicken Breasts (Piece)

$4.95 Ea

Bourbon Barbeque Chicken legs (Piece)

$4.95 Ea

Bourbon Barbeque Chicken Breasts (Piece)

$5.95 Ea

Chicken Schnitzel

$15.99 lb

Grilled Chicken Breasts

$12.49 lb

Sundried Tomato & Garlic Encrusted Chicken Breasts With White Wine Caper Sauce $10.95 Ea Poultry Gravy

$4.95 Pt

$8.99 Pt

lentil And onion Shepherd’s Pie

$8.95 Ea

Stuffed Acorn Squash (Half)

$6.95 Ea

sides roasted red Potatoes With Caramelized onion

$7.99 lb

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

$6.49 lb

oven-roasted Green Beans

$6.49 lb

oven-roasted Green Beans With Toasted Almonds

$6.99 lb

Char-Grilled Vegetables

$8.49 lb

Quinoa

$7.99 lb

ratatouille

$7.99 lb

oven roasted root Vegetables

$7.99 lb

sAlAds (No 1/2 Pound Orders) Coleslaw

$4.99 lb

First Cut oven roasted Brisket With Gravy

$25.95 lb

red Potato Salad

$5.99 lb

Full Cut oven roasted Brisket With Gravy

$21.95 lb

Chopped Vegetable Salad

$6.99 lb

Spice-rubbed london Broil (Med. rare)

$21.95 lb

Wheatberry Salad

$7.99 lb

Coffee-rubbed Tri-Tip Beef

$21.95 lb

Couscous Salad

$7.99 lb

Prime rib with Au Jus (Med. rare)

$21.95 lb

Turkey Salad

Meatloaf With Gravy

ToTAl

$10.00 Ea

MeAt entrees (No 1/2 Pound Orders)

Stuffed Cabbage

QuANTITy

Fish entrees

Whole Fresh Herb-Encrusted roasted Turkey With Gravy (14-16 lbs) Home Made Herb-Encrusted roasted Turkey Breast With Gravy (Boneless, Skinless)

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Prices Unchanged Name: _____________________________________________ From Address: ________________________________________ 2014!

$4.95 Ea $12.99 lb

Meatballs With Sweet & Sour Sauce

$9.99 lb

Meat Gravy

$4.95 Pt

$9.99 lb

Grilled Chicken Salad

$10.99 lb

Tuna Salad

$10.99 lb

Egg Salad With Caramelized onions

$6.99 lb

Curried Chickpea Salad

$7.99 lb

Prices are subject to change without notice.

08/05/2015

15

410-602-2224 Ph • 410-602-1236 FAX • www.accentsgrill.com ITEM

PrICE

ToTAl

ITEM

PrICE

sliced deli

QuANTITy

ToTAl

by the pound

(Minimum 1/2 Pound Orders)

SErVES 6-8 Sweet Noodle Kugel

$5.95 Ea

Potato Kugel

$5.95 Ea

Cran-Apple Kugel

$5.95 Ea

Butternut Squash Kugel

$6.95 Ea

Broccoli Souffle

$6.95 Ea

yerushalmi Kugel

$6.95 Ea

9 x 14” PAN** SErVES 20-24 $14.95 Ea

Potato Kugel

$14.95 Ea

Cran-Apple Kugel

$14.95 Ea

Butternut Squash Kugel

$17.95 Ea

Broccoli Souffle yerushalmi Kugel

$8.99 lb

Natural Turkey

$13.99 lb

Smoked Turkey

$13.99 lb

Honey Turkey

$13.99 lb

lean Corn Beef

$18.99 lb

romanian Pastrami

$14.99 lb

lean Pastrami

$18.99 lb

rare roast Beef

$16.99 lb

lean Brisket

$25.95 lb

Full Cut Brisket

$21.95 lb

Bologna

$7.99 lb

Salami

$7.99 lb

$17.95 Ea

Turkey Pastrami

$9.99 lb

$17.95 Ea

hoMe-bAKed desserts

subtotAl tAx grAnd totAl

Chocolate Chip Cookies

$7.00 Dz

Petite Chocolate Bundt Cakes With Fudge Filling

$1.75 Ea

Cran-Apple Coffee Cake loaf With Streusel

$9.95 Ea

Blueberry Coffee Cake loaf With Streusel

$9.95 Ea

Brownies (pack of 6)

$8.95 (6)

Honey Cake

$9.99 Ea

round Challah

$5.99 Ea

round Challah With raisins

$6.49 Ea

Challah rolls

$4.99 (6)

Assorted Dessert Tray – 6 Cookies, 6 Brownies, 12 Bite-Size Pastries

$24.95

AUGUST 27, 2015

Sweet Noodle Kugel

Gourmet Turkey

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Kugels

QuANTITy

oVen-reAdy indiViduAl MeAls...$34.95 per person (cAn

be double wrApped And seAled For reheAting For An

AdditionAl chArge.

with heAting instructions)

Chopped liver and Gefilte Fish

Choice of: roasted Potatoes or Mashed Potatoes (Circle Choice) Choice of: Flame Broiled Vegetables or roasted String Beans (Circle Choice) Choice of: Double Fudge Chocolate Cake or Strawberry Mousse Cake (Circle Choice) Quantity: Vacuum pack: $1 per item.

Paper goods and serving utensils can be provided at an additional cost.

Can be double wrapped and sealed for an additional charge.

Notes:

Page 2 of 2

Prices are subject to change without notice.

08/05/2015

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Choice of: Brisket Au Jus, Citrus Herb Chicken Breasts, rosemary Salmon or Sliced Turkey Breast (Circle Choice)

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 27, 2015

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Community

End of Summer Mitzvah Motivator Program a Huge Success BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

On August 16th, Mitzvah Motivators celebrated yet another exciting end-of-summer program. The highlight of this year’s extravaganza was memorizing the Igeret HaRamban, in the zechus of the memory of Shaya Gross, z’l.

The crowd was zoche to hear a short dvar chizuk from HaRav Dovid Heber after which the excitement grew even more so with a very thrilling raffle re-

plete with many, many prizes.

The grand prize bicycle was won by the Bulka family with Shaindy Bulka bringing up the winning ticket and having it verified by the O’Fishel Judge.

At the conclusion of the raffle, everyone lined up to receive Cake Pops baked especially for this event by Baltimore’s newest premier baker, Margie’s Creations.

Hershel Boehm presents Eli W. Schlossberg, Executive Trustee of Ahavas Yisrael Charity Fund with a $5,000 check for 7 Mile Market’s “Nine Days $5,000 Matching Challenge.” Customers who scanned Ahavas Yisrael cards at registers were matched dollar for dollar by 7 Mile Market. 7 Mile Market will generously be offering another $5,000 Matching Challenge during Asseres Yimei Teshuva.

‫בס”ד‬

in conjunction with

in conjunction with

PRESENTS

Founded in loving memory of Naava Katlowitz ‫ע”ה‬

PRESENTS

Avinu Malkeinu

‫אבינו מלכנו‬ A N E V E N I N G O F A W A K E N I N G & I N S P I R AT I O N

Shearith Israel Shearith Israel Congregation Congregation

RABBI ZECHARIAH WALLERSTEIN LIVE

in conjunction with

in conjunction with

PRESENTS

Founded in loving memory of Naava Katlowitz

Founded in loving memory of Naava Katlowitz

Monday, September 2

PRESENTS

RABBI ZECHARIAH WALLERSTEIN

AUGUST 27, 2015

Avinu Malkeinu10

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Shearith Israel Shearith Israel Congregation Congregation

17

at 8:00pm

Tfull E N Tpage H A template NNUAL NIGHT OF AWAKENING Avinu Malkeinu

COMING Avinu Malkeinu10

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion

6602 PARK HEIGHTS AVENUE, BALTIMORE, MD 21215

FOR MEN AND WOMEN

T O B A LT I M O R E

ADMISSION: Rabbi Wallerstein, a noted lecturer $10 in advance, $12 at door and mechanech for 30 years inspires Tickets can be purchased in A N E V E N I N G O F A W A K E N I N G & I N S P I R A Tmen I O N and women of all ages across advance from Goldberg’s Bagels, the globe with his captivating and Perns Hebrew Book & Gift Shop, RABBI ZECHARIAH WALLERSTEIN LIVE refreshing messages. He is the founder & Shabsis Judaica Center Monday, September and2director of Ohr Naava Women’s For more information or sponsorships, at 8:00pm RABBI Torah Center, where he continues please call Dovid Landman at ZECHARIAH Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion WALLERSTEIN 6602 PARK HEIGHTS AVENUE, to teach and guide Jewish women BALTIMORE, MD 21215 410.664.2706 H A N N U A L N I G H T O F FOR I NMENSANDPWOMEN I R A TofI all O backgrounds.

N His weekly live ADMISSION: Rabbi Wallerstein, a noted lecturer $10 in advance, $12 at door shiurim, which are also broadcasted, and mechanech for 30 years inspires Tickets can be purchased in men and women of all ages across advance from Goldberg’s Bagels, attract untold numbers of enthusiastic the globe with his captivating and Perns Hebrew Book & Gift Shop, .25” Bleed AreaTo avoid a white border you Doors Open 7:30pm Program starts at 8:00pm refreshing messages. He is the founder & Shabsis Judaica Center listeners. In the spirit of Elul, this is and director of Ohr Naava Women’s For more information or sponsorships, must extend your image /background color to RABBI an evening you won’t want to miss.

Torah Center, where he continues please call Dovid Landman at

RABBI ZECHARIAH WALLERSTEIN LIVE TENT

COMING TO BA LTI M O R E

Sunday, September 6th

RABBIfillZECHARIAH WALLERSTEIN LIVE BNAI JACOB SHAAREI ZION this green box.

410.664.2706

ZECHARIAH 6602 PARK HEIGHTS AVENUE WALLERSTEIN Sunday, September 6 BALTIMORE, MD 21215

at 8:00pm Rabbi Wallerstein, a noted lecturerhigh and 5.375” wide x 8.375” Final Trim Areamechanech for 30 years inspires men and women Bnai Jacob The book will be cut on this line to Shaarei Zion SEPARATE SEATING FOR MEN & WOMEN of all ages across the globe with his6602 captivating PARK HEIGHTS AVE finishedmessages. size. He is the founder and and refreshing BALTIMORE, MD 21215 Admission: $10 in advance, $12 at the door director of OhrRABBI Naava Women’s Torah Center, FOR Jewish MEN & WOMEN where he continues to teach and guide ZECHARIAH 5”wide x 8” highHis Safe Areawomen of all backgrounds. weekly live Tickets can be purchased in advance from WALLERSTEIN ADMISSION: Rabbishiurim, Wallerstein, a noted lecturer and mechanech which are also broadcasted, attract untoldin Keep all important design elements Goldberg’s Bagels & Shabsis Judaica Center in advance, $12 at door for 30 years inspires men and women of all ages numbers ofbox. enthusiastic listeners. In$10 the spirit of across the globe with his captivating and refreshing this Elul,Hethis an evening you messages. is theis founder and director of Ohr won’t want to miss.

For more information or sponsorships, please call Dovid Landman at 410.664.2706 Tickets can be purchased in advance from Naava Women’s Torah Center, where he continues to teach and guide Jewish women of all backgrounds.

His weekly live shiurim, which are also broadcasted, attract untold numbers of enthusiastic listeners. In the spirit of Elul, this is an evening you won’t want to miss.

Goldberg’s Bagels & Shabsis Judaica Center For more information or sponsorships, please call Dovid Landman at 410.664.2706

For more information, visit w w w.ohrnaavaevents.com

O U R C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R S : For more information, visit www.ohrnaavaevents.com O U R C O R P O R AT E SPONSORS

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to teach and guide Jewish women of all backgrounds. His weekly live shiurim, which are also broadcasted, attract untold numbers of enthusiastic listeners. In the spirit of Elul, this is an evening you won’t want to miss.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 27, 2015

18

Around the

Rabbi Emanual Gofeiz’s Beit Yaakov Congregation Honored with Hachnasat Sefer Torah BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

Under a beautiful sunny blue sky a magnificent Sefardi Sefer Torah was escorted from the grounds of Suburban Orthodox

Congregation to Beit Yaakov Congregation on Seven Mile Lane, Rabbi Emanuel Golfeiz, mara d’atra.

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The Sefer Torah was brought in memory of Babagigi, R’ Yechezkel ben AghaSaleh, Z’L, by his daughter and son-in-law,

Mr. & Mrs. Saeed Haken. Rabbi Golfeiz is the son of R’ Yechezkel, Z’L, and brother of Mrs. Haken.

19

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As soon as I got home I called Kollel Chatzos and signed up for a two month partnership. When I went back to my doctor, my baby’s ears were clear! He now says “Tatty, mommy, hi, bye and baby” and every word is music to my ears. Thank you Kollel Chatzos for being the messenger for our yeshua!

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AUGUST 27, 2015

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Baltimoreans Rally against Deal with Iran BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

Nearly 300 people assembled in front of Baltimore’s Penn Station on Wednesday, August 19 to join the Baltimore Zionist District (BZD) in sending a clear message to Maryland’s Congressional delegation: vote no on the proposed deal with Iran!

The rally was conceived and organized by BZD, and co-sponsored by The Israel Project; Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET); United Against Nuclear Iran; Maccabi USA; Religious Zionists of America, Baltimore Chapter; the Department of Maryland, Jewish War Veterans of the USA; and Barbara Ann Bloom, in loving memory of her husband, Leonard (Yisroel Yitzchak ben Chaim Leib, Z”L).

Gathered on Charles Street directly in front of the train station, the crowd heard speaker after speaker denounce the proposed agreement with Iran as falling short of the minimum requirements for a good deal. Among other deficiencies, speakers noted that the deal lacks “anytime, anywhere” inspections; fails to condition sanctions relief on Iranian cooperation with the IAEA; release billions of dollars that Iran can use to support terrorism; legitimizes Iran as a nuclear threshold state; and leaves almost all of Iran’s extensive nuclear infrastructure intact.

After greetings from BZD President Robert Slatkin, the rally began with remarks from Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Maryland. Rabbi Kaplan noted that the schemes of Iran cannot withstand the protection afforded to the Jewish people as a result of our intimate relationship with G-D which is evoked by the month of Elul, and concluded his remarks by boldly blowing notes from the shofar.

According to keynote speaker Dr. Jeffrey Herf, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of History at the University of Maryland, the proposed agreement with Iran is “so full of holes and gaps that it will be difficult if not impossible to enforce.” Dr. Herf stated that at a minimum, a better deal must incorporate

the following elements: 1) A better deal must require that Iran change its policy toward the United States and Israel, and cease supporting Holocaust denial, threatening to destroy Israel, and funding terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

2) A better deal must delete the provisions of the current deal which require the West to collaborate with Iran on a proposed physics and technology center at the Fordow nuclear facility, and to assist Iran in modernizing the nuclear plant in Arak. Such assistance is likely to transfer to Iran knowledge and information about nuclear physics that could be used to build a nuclear weapon.

3) A better deal would provide for an improved, and more robust, inspection mechanism, which eliminates the 24 day delay (and arguably as much as 74 days of delay) between a report of a possible violation and a decision to do something about it; and which ensures that a decision by the U.S. to resume sanctions is not dependent upon the approval of the other signators, who have a vested economic interests in tolerating Iranian violations.

Characterizing the proposed deal as “one that is most likely not enforceable and that does not block, but rather paves Iran’s path,” Dr. Herf echoed the other speakers by urging Senators Cardin and Mikulski, and the other members of the Maryland Congressional delegation to follow their Democratic colleagues, Senators Schumer and Menendez, by voting against the agreement, and by opposing any Presidential veto. To loud cheers, Dr. Herf concluded by rejecting the claim that the choice now faced by America is between the agreement and war: “The alternative we face is not, as the President has stated, this deal or war. It is between, on the one hand, a deal that insures that Iran will come to possess nuclear weapons, sooner rather than later, and, on the other, an effort to use the levers of economic and diplomatic power at the disposal

Jay Bernstein

of the United States to reach a better deal. No one—I repeat no one— knows if a better deal is possible unless and until we make the effort to reach it …. Senator Mikulski and Senator Cardin, this is not only about the survival of Israel. It is also about an agreement that truly will prevent the country that has been bellowing ‘death to America’ from ever getting the bomb. This agreement fails to accomplish what the President insists is his own policy—preventing a nuclear Iran. We urge you and our Congressional delegation to reject this deal and insist on returning to the table for arrive at a better one.”

In addition to Dr. Herf, the proposed agreement with Iran was denounced at the rally as bad for America and bad for America’s allies, by speakers Baltimore City Councilwoman Rikki Spector; Eli Gold, Vice President of the London Center for Policy Research; Lauri Regan, president of the New York chapter of the Endowment for Middle East Truth; Justin Hayet, nationally recognized pro-Israel student activist; David Gerstman, associate editor of the Tower magazine for The Israel Project; Brian Sacks, BZD board member; and Berly Hershkovitz, community activist.

All of the speakers called on Senators Cardin and Mikulski to take a stand by opposing the proposed deal with Iran. This message was displayed on signs held by rally participants, and on a large banner directed to drivers heading north on Charles Street, which read, “Cardin/Mikulski: Reject Bad Iran Deal!”

Finally, the speakers urged the crowd not to be content with attending the rally, but to also call their Congressional representatives and urge them to reject the deal.

Senator Cardin can be reached at 202-224-4524 (phone); 202-2241651 (fax); and at http://www.cardin. senate.gov/contact. Senator Mikulski can be reaches at 202-224-4654 (phone); 202-224-8858 (fax); and at http://www.mikulski.senate.gov/contact.

21 Each Rosh hashanah, thE soul-stiRRing call

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

of thE shofaR awakEns us fRom ouR slumbER and fills us with a dEsiRE to do bEttER

and bE bEttER...

For 19 years, The Jewish Caring Network has stood strong in its mission to assist families who have been diagnosed with a lifethreatening or serious illness.

Due to your kindness and generosity, we are able to provide our friends and neighbors with support, strength and the knowledge that the Baltimore Jewish community is standing with them during their difficult journey.

Last year, we spent over $700,000 on programs and services to help families facing a serious medical diagnosis.

This year the demands for help are even greater and we simply cannot do it without your support.

Our services include, but are not limited to: Big Brother/Big Sister Program SundayFunday Program Support Dinner-Lecture Series Educational & Tutorial Program Parent’s Night Out Nursing Care Summer Camp Assistance Day & Weekend Respite Retreats Birthday Gifts & Holiday Parties Shabbat, Holiday, & Birthday Packages Groceries & Prepared Meals Cleaning & Laundry Assistance Hospital Visitation, Meals, & Packages Individual & Group Counseling The Tikva House* * JCN built and manages The Tikva House, a hospitality house at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The Tikva House is a separate entity serving the entire Baltimore and International community.

In the merit of your kindness, may you and your loved ones be blessed with a healthy and prosperous new year.

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AUGUST 27, 2015

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Numerous Gedolei Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbanim To Daven at Kever of the Chofetz Chaim on Yahrzeit Klal Yisrael The World Over to Join Them in Learning Chofetz Chaim’s Sefarim and Engaging in Heartfelt Tefillos on His Yahrzeit, 24 Elul

by Chaim Gold “Please daven for me at the kever of the Chofetz Chaim too! Please daven that I should be able to be mizakeh the rabbim.” Those were the emotional, heartfelt words of the venerated senior Rosh Yeshiva of our generation, HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, shlita, when a close talmid asked if he should join the historic Dirshu delegation of Rabbanim on a tefillah journey to the kever of the Chofetz Chaim on the yahrtzeit of the Chofetz Chaim this coming 24 Elul/September 8.

The Dirshu special tefillah journey to the kever of the Chofetz Chaim will be unprecedented in the size, scope and depth of its mission. Numerous senior Roshei Yeshiva will be joining including such august figures as HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Yaakov Borenstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Kiryas Melech in Bnei Brak, HaGaon HaRav Shimon Baadani, shlita, Rosh Kollel Torat Chaim and a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita, Skverer Dayan of Boro Park, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Eliezer Stern, shlita, Rav of Western Bnei Brak and talmid muvhak of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, and HaGaon HaRav Simcha Hakohen Kook, shlita, Chief Rabbi of Rechovot.

One Trip, Two Purposes What is the purpose of the trip wherein some fifty leading Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbonim and Poskim will come to pour out their hearts in tefillah at the kever of the Chofetz Chaim?

Rabbi Avigdor Berenstein, a senior member of Dirshu’s hanhalah, explains that the purpose of the trip is twofold. “We know that Klal Yisrael today is living in truly precarious times. From within and without there are serious issues that could threaten our very viability, r”l. We need tremendous zechusim as we enter the

Yom Hadin this year.”

Dirshu has therefore organized a unique, unprecedented journey of Gedolei Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva to travel to the kever of the Chofetz Chaim. The first and foremost zechus that Klal Yisrael can invoke at the kever of the Chofetz Chaim is the fact that tens of thousands of lomdei Dirshu are participating daily in learning the sefarim of the Chofetz Chaim: his Mishnah Berurah, his Sefer Chofetz Chaim and his other mussar sefarim in Dirshu’s popular Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program. It is a profound zechus to be able to learn the sefarim of the Chofetz Chaim daily and it empowers the lomdim of Dirshu to approach the Chofetz Chaim and daven to Hashem that in that zechus all of Klal Yisrael - both the tzibbur as a whole and every individual - should experience yeshuos.

Another primary purpose of the trip is to encourage many more thousands of Yidden the world over to join the tens of thousands whose spiritual lives have been transformed through their learning the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program. Perhaps there is no greater zechus that will invoke rachmei shomayim than additional tens of thousands of Yidden joining those who are already learning the sefarim of the Chofetz Chaim daily in Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, the daily program of halacha and mussar The delegation will daven for all current Daf HaYomi B’Halacha learners, as well as any person who accepts upon himself to learn daily halacha with Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and mussar.

The Slonimer Rebbe, Shlita: The Chofetz Chaim: The Last Rabban Shel Yisrael One of the prominent Rabbanim who will be making the journey is Rav Yisroel Luria, a son-in-law of the famed Nesivos Shalom, zt”l, of Slonim and a brother-in-law of the present Slonimer Rebbe, shlita. The

Slonimer Rebbe was very enthusiastic about the journey and the bracha it will undoubtedly bring for Klal Yisrael. The Rebbe related, “The Chofetz

Chaim had the unique zechus to be the last leader of Klal Yisrael whom every sector of Jewry viewed as the Rabban Shel Yisrael.” …The Chofetz Chaim wanted to write a sefer that Yidden the world over could learn in a user-friendly way. Those undertaking the journey to the kever of the Chofetz Chaim must come before the heiligeh Chofetz Chaim and tell him that he succeeded in his undertaking!

The vast majority of Klal Yisrael are very particular about halacha, thanks to him.”

Joining the Spiritual Journey Rabbi Ahron Gobioff, Dirshu’s American Director explains that the yahrtzeit of the Chofetz Chaim and the tefillos that will be recited fervently at his kever offers a unique opportunity for all of Klal Yisroel to join together with the tefillah journey and simultaneously offer our own tefillos. He adds that “Every Yid, no matter who he is, has benefitted from the Chofetz Chaim in so many ways. Perhaps this coming yahrtzeit, Tuesday, 24 Elul/

September 8, every Yid wherever he is should stop for a few minutes and offer a tefillah in memory of the Chofetz Chaim and as a zechus for all of Klal Yisrael. In addition,” Rav Gobioff relates, “the gedolim in Eretz Yisrael have asked everyone to learn the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha limud of halacha and mussar on the auspicious day of the Chofetz Chaim’s yahrtzeit.

Beginning with Siman 37 of Mishnah Berurah on the halachos devoted to ascertaining the time when one should put on tefillin every day and continuing with Sefer Chofetz Chaim where the program will learn hilchos rechilus from Chapter 9 until the end of hilchos rechilus.”

“Many Yeshivos and Kollelim have already pledged to join Klal Yisrael on the yahrzeit by learning the Chofetz Chaim’s sefarim and reciting special tefillos on behalf of Klal Yisrael on that day.”

“The Nazis are Gone, the Communists are Gone, but the Chofetz Chaim and His Mishnah Berurah are Eternal!”

As the delegation of Gedolei Rabbanim prepare to leave for Radin the words said at the kever of the Chofetz Chaim a couple of years ago, by Dirshu’s Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, take on additional meaning, “Hitler destroyed so much of European Jewry. He thought he could wipe them out, but he didn’t. The Communists tried to destroy the Jewish religion, they caused a tremendous churban, but they still did not succeed. The Nazis are gone, the Communists are gone, but the Chofetz Chaim and his Mishnah Berurah are eternal!”

To join Daf HaYomi B’Halacha or to access a shiur near you please call 888 5 Dirshu. To have your name included in the tefillos at the kever of the Chofetz Chaim please fax to 732-9873949 or e-mail, info@kolleldirshu.org

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The Week

Global Mysterious Nazi Train Discovered in Poland

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Two individuals in Poland claim to have discovered a mysterious Nazi train. This train was rumored to have

gone missing in 1945 close to the end of World War II just before the advancing Soviet Red Army forces came to town. It was carrying loot from the war with gems and ammunition onboard.

Radio Wroclaw cited local folklore as saying the train entered a tunnel near Ksiaz Castle in the mountainous Lower Silesian region of Poland and never emerged. According to that theory, the tunnel was later closed and its location long forgotten.

“A handful of people have already looked for the train, damaging the line in the process, but nothing was ever found,” Radio Wroclaw quoted Joanna Lamparska as saying, describing her as a connoisseur of the region’s history.

“But the legend has captured

In News

imaginations.”

Local authorities in Poland’s southwestern district of Walbrzych said they had been contacted by a law firm representing a Pole and a German who said they had located the train and were seeking 10 percent of the value of the findings.

“Lawyers, the army, the police and the fire brigade are dealing with this,” Marika Tokarska, an official at the Walbrzych district council, told the media. “The area has never been excavated before and we don’t know what we might find.”

There has not been a final decision as to how this case will proceed.

Americans Thwart Terrorist in France On Monday, Americans Anthony Sadler, Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlatos received the Legion of Honor, the highest recognition in France.

Chris Norman, an English man, also received the honor at a ceremony at the Élysée Palace.

“By their courage, they saved lives,” President François Hollande said. “They gave us an example of what is possible to do in these kinds of situations.”

The four men were honored for subduing an armed terrorist on a French train on Friday. Another man, Mark Moogalian, a French-American academic, will be receiving the award as well after he recovers from a gunshot wound to the neck inflicted upon him by the terrorist as Moogalian endeavored to take him down.

Moroccan national Ayoub El Khazzani, 25, carried an AK-47 assault weapon with nine magazines of ammunition, a Luger pistol with extra ammo and a box cutter onto a highspeed Thylas train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris last Friday. Four people were injured in the attack, which could have turned into a massacre if not for the heroics of the men onboard the speeding train.

Moogalian’s wife told the media that her husband became suspicious of the attacker when he went into the bathroom with a suitcase and stayed there for a long time. When he exited the restroom, Moogalian saw the weapon and then he ran to him to try to subdue him. At that point, the terrorist shot him in the neck. Stone helped stop the bleeding by applying pressure to Moogalian’s neck.

“My brother may not still be here if it weren’t for him,” Julia Moogalian, his sister, said. “He was selfless in staying there with my brother. Our family is very appreciative.”

Sadler, Stone and Skarlatos met in middle school in California and planned on spending the summer sightseeing together. It was Sadler’s first trip to Europe, and National Guardsman Skarlatos was on a month-long break after serving in Afghanistan. Stone is an Air Force serviceman.

The three men, plus Norman, were in the same train car when gunfire erupted. Shortly afterward, a shirtless man appeared with a gun slung over his shoulder.

The three knew they had to do something. “He never said a word,” said Sadler, a student at California State University in Sacramento. “At that time, it was either do something or die.”

They charged the gunman and a fierce struggle ensued.

“He kept pulling more weapons left and right,” recalled Stone, his arm in a sling from injuries suffered in the struggle. “He seemed like he was ready to fight to the end. So were we.”

They punched the terrorist,

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The Week choked him and hit him with his own weapons. They finally restrained him before the train pulled up in Arras in northern France.

“It is clear that their heroic actions may have prevented a far worse tragedy,” said President Barack Obama, who phoned the three American heroes.

Norman, the Briton, said he was honored to receive the medal.

“I am happy that no one got hurt,” he said. “Spence and Alek are the two guys who we should really thank the most because they were the first ones who actually got up and did it.”

Iran to Inspect Its Own Nuclear Facilities According to a document that has

reportedly been released by U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran will be allowed to use its own inspectors to investigate a site it has been accused of using to develop nuclear arms. The IAEA, a U.N. agency that normally investigates such matters, has secretly made an agreement to allow Iran to self-regulate.

The revelation of such an agreement newly riled Republican lawmakers in the U.S. who have been severely critical of a broader agreement to limit Iran’s future nuclear programs, signed by the Obama administration, Iran and five world powers in July. Those critics have complained that the wider deal is unwisely built on trust of the Iranians, while the administration has insisted it depends on reliable inspections.

A skeptical House Speaker John Boehner said, “President Obama

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In News boasts his deal includes ‘unprecedented verification.’ He claims it’s not built on trust. But the administration’s briefings on these side deals have been totally insufficient – and it still isn’t clear whether anyone at the White House has seen the final documents.”

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce pointed out, “International inspections should be done by international inspectors. Period.”

Evidence of the inspections concession is sure to increase pressure from U.S. congressional opponents before a Senate vote of disapproval on the overall agreement in early September. If the resolution passes and President Barack Obama vetoes it, opponents would need a two-thirds majority to override it. Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, has suggested opponents will likely lose a veto fight.

John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking Republican senator, said, “Trusting Iran to inspect its own nuclear site and report to the U.N. in an open and transparent way is remarkably naive and incredibly reckless.

This revelation only reinforces the deep-seated concerns the American people have about the agreement.”

English Embassy in Tehran Reopens

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British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond reopened the British embassy in Tehran this week, nearly four years after it was closed following an attack. Hammond’s trip marked the first time a British foreign secretary has visited Tehran since 2003.

Britain has had no diplomatic

presence in Tehran since hard-liners protesting the imposition of international sanctions stormed it in November 2011, but the election of President Hassan Rouhani and the recent nuclear deal between Iran and world powers have brought about a significant diplomatic thaw. The Iranian embassy in London was also set to be reopened.

“Four years on from an attack on the British embassy, I am today re-opening it,” Hammond announced.

“Our relationship has improved since 2011.”

Terrorism, regional stability and the spread of the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq are among the challenges Britain and Iran should be prepared to work on together, Hammond said. “This move does not mean that we agree on everything. But it is right that Britain and Iran should have a presence in each other’s countries.

The role of embassies is to build cooperation where we agree and to reduce our differences where we don’t,” he said.

Interestingly, there are still signs of the tumultuous relationship between the two countries in the embassy. Four years after a radical mob stormed the compound, and even after several million pounds worth of refurbishment, the words “Death to England” are still visible, scrawled in red felt-pen on the doors and walls.

The embassy is awaiting a restoration specialist to arrive from Britain with the historically appropriate paints for the 19th-century decor to blot out the graffiti. Until then, it lingers as a reminder of the precarious nature of the relationship.

Hammond and the new British charge d’affaires, Ajay Sharma, were attending the embassy reopening ceremony together with representatives of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Office said.

Hammond was also accompanied by a small British trade delegation to discuss possible future trade opportunities following last month’s nuclear deal, the ministry added.

The British embassy would initially be staffed by a small number of staff with limited consular services, but officials expect to upgrade its leadership to full ambassador status in coming months.

The Week

Three U.S. contractors were among 12 killed by a Kabul bomb that targeted their NATO convoy, the U.S.-led coalition said, making the attack one of the most deadly for

AUGUST 27, 2015 B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

As Europe struggles to cope with a record influx of refugees as people flee from war-torn countries, there has been many overcrowded boats and inflatable dinghies carrying migrants calling out for help. Many are fleeing from Syria, Afghanistan and other countries plagued by war, while others are escaping poverty or repression in Africa.

The U.N. refugee agency, the UNHCR, said that as of mid-August some 264,500 refugees and migrants had crossed the Mediterranean this year, making the Mediterranean Sea the world’s most deadly crossing point for migrants. More than 2,300 people have died since January in desperate attempts to reach Europe by boat, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The Italian navy organized the rescue of around 4,400 migrants in waters off the Libyan coast on Saturday, prompted by requests for help received from nearly two dozen boats, in one of the biggest multi-national operations so far.

Italy’s coast guard said in a statement on Sunday that it had coordinated rescue efforts involving numerous vessels, including a Norwegian and an Irish ship, as part of the European Union’s Triton rescue mission.

Humanitarian group Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders, said its own vessel, the Argos, had rescued 95 people from a very unstable rubber din-

Attack in Afghanistan Claims 3 U.S. Lives

U.S. citizens in Afghanistan in recent years. One U.S. citizen died in the blast and the other two died shortly after from their wounds.

The attack occurred outside a hospital on a residential street during rush hour. Many Afghan civilians were killed and injured. The suicide attacker supposedly plowed his car into an armored pick-up truck belonging to contractor company DynCorp International. Security sources said

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Thousands of Migrants Rescued from the Mediterranean

ghy and taken on board another 206 rescued by the Italian navy.

Lindis Hurum, emergency coordinator on the Argos, said via Twitter that those rescued included many young people.

“I have never seen so many young people onboard the ship, and especially not so many children travelling alone,” she tweeted.

In News

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AUGUST 27, 2015

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The Week the contractors worked for DynCorp International; the U.S. company provides training, security and aviation maintenance to the NATO mission and the Afghan military.

The U.S. embassy in Kabul condemned the bombing. “The United States remains committed to assisting our Afghan partners in their efforts to ensure a peaceful future,” it said in a

statement.

Bombings have increased in Kabul since July when the government confirmed that Taliban leader Mullah Omar died two years ago, leading many to hope that the insurgents would quickly return to the negotiating table.

After the attack, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan called for an “imme-

In News diate halt to all such disproportionate attacks” in civilian-populated areas.

Tensions have caused 5,000 civilians deaths in the first half of this year, more than at any point since war started in 2001. The violence has strained Afghanistan’s ties with Pakistan, with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani accusing the neighboring country of not doing enough to stop militants plan-

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Pakistan called the latest attack on civilians “cowardice” and promised to fight against “a common enemy.”

Afghanistan’s chief executive officer, Abdullah Abdullah, who shares power with Ghani and has been critical of Pakistan’s record on fighting the Taliban, called the attack a war crime.

“We will do everything to protect our people and our country and go after terrorists and our enemies anywhere they are,” he insisted.

Jewish Man Works to Save Women from ISIS

He has earned the name “the Jewish Schindler” after establishing an organization that saves Christian and Yazidi-Kurdish women and girls in Iraq who were kidnapped by Islamic State.

Steve Maman, a Canadian Jewish businessman, is behind the CYCI, Liberation of Christian and Yazidi Children of Iraq, a secret project that has so far led to the release of 128 young women and girls from ISIS captivity.

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The Week The terror group has kidnapped over 2,700 women and girls, torturing them and turning them into slaves.

For now, Maman does not give insight into how he helps release these women, but he insists they don’t just buy their freedom.

“We raise the funds...we have the

team on the ground which is a trusted team... These people receive the funds that we send to them... They actually have made great connections throughout the last 15 years in the areas of Iraq,” he told Canada’s CBC Radio.

“There’s millions of inhabitants in Mosul and they’re not all ISIS, so we,

In News within those millions of people, have found teams that were willing to work with us in order to get those girls out,” he added.

The CYCI funds all of the logistics and security expenses for the teams negotiating with ISIS, but Maman says the money is not transferred directly to

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the terror organization.

“We don’t deal with ISIS and that’s enough for me... We deal with intermediaries that are willing to help and I’m willing to cover their cost in order to save a world,” he told CBC Radio.

Maman met with several of the women he helped save and heard horror stories from them about their time in captivity.

“We hear about beatings, we hear about women being under fed, we hear about women actually being kept in cages, we hear about women that were actually threatened with being burnt...,” he said.

Some have expressed concern that paying ransom would encourage ISIS to hold more people captive.

But Maman notes that “ISIS is worth today $4 billion. Do you think that my little meager two or 3,000 dollars per child is going to in any way or form help the power and might that ISIS may attain?”

“What motivated me is very simple...being Jewish, being part of a people that actually survived the Holocaust... We for six years waited for people to actually answer the call and come and help us,” he said.

“As a Moroccan Jew, I found this cause to engage in a true world responsibility. The Torah talks about two things: ‘Tikkun Olam,’ repairing the world, and ‘Kiddush Hashem,’ to make G-d’s presence respected. As a Jew, it was a way to make this world better through actions of goodness and kindness,” he told Morocco World News. “The goal here is for children to come out alive from this horrible war.”

The Biggest Iceberg

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On Monday, the European Space Agency spotted one of the biggest ice-

The Week

Israel Super-Spy Flipper Caught By Hamas

According to Israeli media reports, Hamas has detained a dolphin it claims was equipped with “spying” devices by the Israeli military. The reports cite a Palestinian newspaper, which quotes sources in the Gaza Strip claiming that Hamas commandos had noticed and later captured a “suspicious” dolphin.

They claim to have found a camera attached to the dolphin, in addition to a

weapon that could fire small arrows.

The claim has yet to be substantiated by Israeli authorities. The country has a fleet of Dolphin-class submarines, but the news reports made clear that the sources in Gaza were specifically referring to a marine mammal.

The fear of special agent dolphins, while amusing, is not without basis.

The U.S. Navy, for example, maintains a detachment of dolphins and sea lions trained for reconnaissance. After Russia unilaterally annexed Crimea last year from Ukraine, authorities in Kiev demanded the return of combat dolphins that had been trained and quartered on the coast of the Black Sea peninsula.

Israel has frequently been accused of using animals to carry out nefarious missions abroad. Five years ago Egyptian authorities accused Israel of sending sharks to attack tourists off the Sinai beaches to harm Egypt’s tourism industry, and two years later Sudan re-

AUGUST 27, 2015

Ocean, icebergs from the Jakobshavn Glacier must travel down the Davis Strait, which is a fjord, a long, narrow and deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs. Massive icebergs are usually too big to travel down the fjord and have to wait until they melt a bit to continue their journey.

Although the iceberg recently spotted is one of the biggest, there have been even larger icebergs reported in the past. In 2011, an iceberg twice as big as the one that broke off the Jakobshavn Glacier broke off the Sulzberger Ice Shelf, and in 2013 an iceberg eight times the size of Manhattan broke off Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier.

Historians said the iceberg that sank the Titanic originated from the Jakobshavn Glacier.

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bergs ever seen. It is estimated to be nearly 5 square miles in size, which could cover Manhattan with a layer of ice about 300 meters thick.

“Icebergs are often so large that they cannot float away easily,” said the European Space Agency. “They remain, sometimes for years, stuck on the bottom in shallower areas of the fjord until they finally melt enough to disperse, break into pieces or are pushed out by icebergs coming up from behind.”

Scientists have been interested in the Jakobshavn Glacier because it has become one of the fastest moving ice sheets in Greenland, and is reportedly getting even speedier. Researchers noticed earlier this month the glacier retreated several miles to its most easterly position since recording began in the 1880s, but it had pushed aggressively westward only a few weeks earlier.

Before reaching the Atlantic

In News

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ported it had caught another Mossad spy — an eagle that had been tagged in Israel. In 2013, the Lebanese Shiite organization Hezbollah claimed it had captured another Israeli “spy-eagle,” and it broadcast images of supposed Israeli tags attached to the raptor.

Not to be outdone, in 2007, an Iranian state news agency reported the supposed “arrest” of 14 squirrels on espionage charges.

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A new raid was carried out in Syria, targeting the cell that fired four rockets into northern Israel late last week. Syrian state television said six people were killed and seven wounded in the strike on a vehicle some 10 kilometers from the Syrian-Israeli border, in territory held by the Syrian army. An IDF source said that they had “targeted a vehicle this morning in which there were at least five people. We were monitoring this cell and it was attacked some 10-15 kilometers from the border, on territory firmly in the control of the Syrian military. This is an Islamic Jihad cell directed by Iran,” added the source.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that despite the strike, Israel had no interest in an escalation.

“We have no intention of ratcheting up this confrontation, but our policy [of retaliating for attacks against Israeli civilians] remains as it was,” he said. “Those who are quick to

embrace Iran [following the nuclear agreement on July 14] should know that an Iranian commander directed and backed this cell that attacked Israel,” he added, echoing comments made by senior military sources.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said the strike against the cell was proof that Israel will not tolerate efforts to harm the security of its citizens. “We have no intention of compromising on this issue, and I suggest no one test our resolve on this matter,” he warned.

The day after the rocket attack, a Syrian military source said that at least one person was killed in a series of airstrikes carried out by Israel. According to Israeli media at least two people were killed in the strikes, possibly two military officials close to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

According to the report, the Israeli strikes included a raid on a target outside Damascus and one on a weapons depot belonging to the Syrian military.

The Israeli military said that it carried out strikes on 14 Syrian army positions in the Golan Heights. It was its largest assault on Syrian territory in decades. The Israeli government said it held the Syrian government responsible and indicated that Iran was directly behind the rocket fire on northern Israel.

Holocaust Trauma Genetically Inherited

According to a research group at Mount Sinai Hospital, Holocaust survivors may be passing down genetic changes stemming from their deep trauma to their children. Researchers said this is the first demonstration of how psychological trauma endured by a person can have intergenerational effects on his offspring.

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Move right into this 3BR/2BA split level home. Main level features a living room, dining room, renovated kitchen with granite counters & great room with hardwood floors. Upper level has 3 bedrooms & bath.

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 27, 2015

34

The Week The research, which was published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, included 32 test subjects, Jewish men and women who were in concentration camps during the Holocaust, witnessed or experienced torture, or had to hide from the Nazis during World War II. Researchers also examined the genes of 22 of their adult offspring and compared them to Jewish families who did not live in Europe during the Nazis’ rule. Children of Holocaust survivors were found to be three times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder if they were exposed to a traumatic event than demographically similar Jewish people whose parents did not survive the Holocaust.

Researchers noted that children of Holocaust survivors had the same neuroendocrine or hormonal abnormalities that the Holocaust survivors and other people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder had.

This led them to the conclusion that specific risk for certain things, like post-traumatic stress disorder, was associated with having a parent who had post-traumatic stress disorder. “The gene changes in the children could only be attributed to Holocaust exposure in the parents,” Dr. Rachel Yehuda, who led the study, determined.

While the scientific convention is that only genes that are included in one’s DNA could transmit biological information from one generation to the next, genes do change based on the environment on a regular basis through chemical marks that attach themselves onto one’s DNA. Past research shows that some of these chemical marks are passed onto the next generation, which shows that the environment can influence the health of the unborn child.

The Mount Sinai researchers focused their study on a gene associated with the regulation of stress hormones, which is known to be affected by trau-

Insight

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

In News ma. They found epigenetic marks on the same part of that gene in both the survivors and their children, while a similar correlation was not found among Jewish families who did not live in Europe during World War II.

Attack on Joseph’s Tomb Thwarted In information cleared for publication on Tuesday, the Shin Bet foiled a plot to attack Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus with a series of preemptive arrests.

“The agency, in cooperation with the IDF, has arrested a terror cell compromised of four Palestinian residents of the towns of Tulkarm, Nablus, and Kabatya,” the Shin Bet said in a statement.

The cell was planning to execute an ambush against devout Jewish

worshippers who often visit Joesph’s Tomb without coordinating with IDF forces. The ambush would have been conducted using a pre-placed bomb and assault rifle fire.

The West Bank cell was directed from Gaza by an Islamic Jihad member named Mohammed Darwish, who was tasked with providing arms and logistic support to the cell in the buildup to the attack. Some suspects were tasked with acquiring weapons. Others were involved in intelligence gathering and others were set to carry out the actual attack.

The suspects were identified as Nasim Damiri, 30, of Tulkarm – a previously jailed Fatah member; his cousin Mohammed Damiri, 23, of Tulkarm – a Palestinian policeman; Yasser Tzarawi, 25, of Nablus – a known Hamas member; and Adwan Nizal, 24, of Kabatya – a known Islamic Jihad member.

In recent weeks, Shin Bet and se-

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Biden May Be Entering the Race

With Hillary’s campaign sinking under mountains of emails, many are saying that the next Democrat on the presidential ballot will be none other than Vice President Joe Biden. In fact, a senior Democrat told CNN on Monday that President Obama has given Vice President Biden his “blessing” to

launch a 2016 bid for the White House if he chooses to run.

Obama and Biden met for a private lunch at the White House on Monday, where the president gave Biden the green light for launching a 2016 bid, according to CBS News.

Mr. Biden does not need Obama’s permission to run, although it is comforting to hear that the president won’t stand in his way or advise him against running.

But the Biden camp is still keeping their intentions under wraps—for now. “Sources continue to speculate about something they know nothing about,” Biden spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff said. “This lunch was a private meeting between two people — the president and the vice president.”

Hillary Clinton, who left the State Department in 2013 after four years, has been the longtime frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, but continues to battle questions about her

AUGUST 27, 2015

America, the beautiful!

Money magazine has ranked the

best place to live in America and small towns seem to be the places to be.

The magazine narrowed down the top 50 small towns from an original list featuring 3,625 municipalities with populations from 10,000 to 50,000 people. Factors like job growth, affordable housing, health care, safety, and the availability of good schools were all weighted.

So where are the best places to live in America? Consider these ten cities: 1. Apex, North Carolina 2. Papillion, Nebraska 3. Sharon, Massachusetts 4. Louisville, Colorado 5. Snoqualmie, Washington 6. Sherwood, Oregon 7. Chanhassen, Minnesota 8. Coppell, Texas 9. Simsbury, Connecticut 10. Solon, Ohio

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curity forces have been fighting a rising trend of sporadic terror attacks.

In News

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The Week

private email. As of now, Obama has yet to endorse someone in the 2016 Democratic primary.

Americans Agree: Too Much Focus on Standardized Tests

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

According to a national poll, teachers, parents, and students all agree that scores on standardized tests are not a true representation of a student’s growth or of a teacher’s ability.

The results released on Sunday come from the 47th annual PDK/Gallup poll of attitudes toward public education.

Since former President George.

W. Bush passed the No Child Left Behind act in 2002, standardized testing

became federal policy. No Child mandated annual tests in reading and math and required schools to raise scores every year or face penalties. Through its own policies and grant programs, the Obama administration has further emphasized testing by requiring states to evaluate teachers based on test scores.

Sixty-four percent of respondents agreed that there is too much focus on testing, and a majority also said the best way to measure the success of a school is not through exams but by whether students are engaged and feel hopeful about the future.

“Too many kids in too many schools are bored,” said Joshua P. Starr, a former superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland who is now chief executive of PDK International, a network of education professionals. “Parents maybe see that and they want their kids to be engaged in schools.”

Many Americans, both teachers and parents, proposed that students should be evaluated based on various measures, including student work, written teacher observations, and grades. The polled also said that teacher quality is the best way to improve

In News

education, followed by high academic standards and effective principals.

A majority of total respondents opposed the concept of evaluating teachers based in part on test scores, an idea heavily endorsed by the Obama administration and fought by teachers unions.

While more than six out of 10 mothers agreed that the expectations for what students should learn is important to school improvement, only 54% are opposed to the Common Core State Standards, the K-12 academic benchmarks adopted by 43 states and the District of Columbia that have been under fire by critics on the left and right.

Despite all the negativity surrounding standardized tests, the public is pretty content with local schools.

Public school parents rated 57% of their local schools with an A or B in performance. However, only 19% had that opinion of public schools nationwide.

“Clearly, there is anxiety about what’s happening in teaching and learning,” said Andres Alonso, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a former chief executive of Baltimore City Public Schools.

Also included in the survey, respondents were asked their opinion on several highly debated topics like the use of tax dollars to pay for private school tuition, a policy increasingly promoted by Republican politicians.

Several of the 2016 presidential hopefuls — Scott Walker, Jeb Bush and Bobby Jindal — support vouchers.

Overall, 57 percent of respondents were opposed to vouchers and 31 percent were in favor. But by political party, Republicans were divided on vouchers, with 46 percent in favor and 46 percent opposed. Democrats were strongly opposed to vouchers, with 71 percent against and 16 percent in favor. Independents opposed vouchers by a margin of about 3 to 2.

Man Kills Security Guard in NYC Federal Building

Tragedy struck NYC on Friday when a man gunned down a security guard at a federal building in Manhattan before killing himself.

Rep. Bill Pascrell, a New Jersey Congressman, is saying that the man responsible for the murder-suicide, Kevin Downing, was a whistleblower who had been given “a raw deal” by the agency that fired him.

Pascrell said he did not know the motive of the military veteran’s violence but he had previously been employed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Downing opened fire inside the building that houses an immigration court, passport processing center, and a regional office for the Department of Labor, which oversees the bureau for which Downing once worked.

As he approached a metal detector, Downing shot FJC Security Services guard Idrissa Camara in the head, police said. Tragically, the security company revealed that the guard’s official shift had been done for the day but he had agreed to stay on for an extra shift.

Camara was armed but never had a chance to defend himself, the security company said.

“Camara ... was an extraordinary senior guard who was well trained, cared deeply about his job and knew that building better than anyone else,” said Michael McKeon, a company spokesman.

After shooting Camara, Downing

The Week

Proposal by the Produce

It was tossed into the sea over a hundred years ago – between 1904

“Attention shoppers! There’s an engagement in aisle 7.”

Whole Foods in Fort Lauderdale became the perfect place to propose on Saturday—between the grapes and the raspberries.

“Hello, welcome to Whole Foods,” Aaron Califf, 26, said. “Can I help you find anything?”

Shiekman admits that she loves Whole Foods. In fact, she was heading into the store for a refreshing drink

when she saw Aaron. “I was coming to get my sister a kalicious before we went to the mall,” she said, referring to the kale-spinach-banana-lemon-apple juice smoothie.

But Shiekman soon forgot her kalicious when she saw Aaron in a Whole Foods apron and hat, standing behind a table covered in red rose petals, quinoa salad and a ring-sized box.

He then got down on one knee and proposed to the surprised Shiekman, who said yes to his proposal.

A customer watched the whole thing unfold. “This is beautiful,” she said before finishing her shopping.

Family members who gathered seemed thrilled and maybe a little amused by the whole Whole Foods affair.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Oldest Message in a Bottle

Aaron, though, didn’t really work at Whole Foods but he had one very important question for one VIC—Very Important Customer—Jessica Shiekman.

AUGUST 27, 2015

That’s Odd

and 1906 – and was only found a few months ago.

In April, a couple strolling on the German island of Amrum found a bottle washed ashore. Inside they found a postcard asking that it be sent to the Marine Biological Association of the U.K. – which they did.

“We were very excited,” Guy Baker, a spokesman for the group, recently said. “We certainly weren’t expecting to receive any more of the postcards.”

The bottle was one of some 1,000 bottles released into the North Sea by researcher George Parker Bidder, who later became the association’s president. The bottles were weighed down to float just above the sea bed, and used as part of a study into the movement of sea currents.

Inside each bottle was a postcard promising a “one shilling reward” to anyone who returned it to the association, along with information about where and when they found the bottle.

Most bottles were found by fishermen and returned decades ago.

Now, the association is looking into having the bottle recognized by Guinness Book of Records as the oldest ever found. The current record-holder, released in 1914 for a scientific experiment, was found 99 years later.

The couple who found the oldest message in a bottle were sent the shilling that they were promised.

A promise is a promise, even if it’s a hundred years later.

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approached an elevator where he encountered another employee, and at that point took his own life.

It was later revealed that the gunman, 68, had recently suffered some personal hardships. His fiancé had died of breast cancer, his house went into foreclosure, and he had medical issues after a car accident.

Downing had been fired from a job at the New York City office of the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1999 and appealed the firing, claiming he had been targeted because he was a whistleblower, according to federal documents.

Pascrell revealed that Downing had contacted his office in 2013. Pascrell said he spoke with Downing on the phone and several members of his staff had met with him over the last two years, most recently a few weeks ago.

“We felt that this person had been given a raw deal to put it mildly and that there was no excuse for it and he had been treated very badly,” Pascrell said.

In News

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The Week

John Shiekman, Jessica’s father, sardonically asked, “What’s a proposal without quinoa?”

The Solidarity Fridge

Have leftovers? You may want to head to Galdakao, a small town in Spain.

There a lone refrigerator sits on a sidewalk and operates by the goodness of strangers. When the hungry opens its door, there’s fresh, wholesome food for them to enjoy—all for free.

And when they return the next day, the fridge is restocked, almost by magic, with delicious dishes. Residents call the fridge the “Solidarity Fridge,” but it’s not little elves filling it; strangers quietly leave their extra food for others to enjoy.

Everyone is welcome to give and to take—no strings attached.

Alvaro Saiz, the creative thinker behind Spain’s first community fridge, was inspired to find a way to cut down on food waste after seeing footage of his country’s poor—their situations exacerbated by the recent economic crisis—having to dumpster dive for sustenance. He was also inspired by a German food-sharing website and, leaning on his experience running a local food bank, he made a proposal to Galdakao Mayor Ibon Uribe that the politician called “both crazy and brilliant.”

The town deliberated for a month before approving an initial budget of 5000 euros (approximately $5,700) to purchase a fridge and keep it running in a public space, as well as wisely

granting the fridge “a special independent legal status” to avoid liability for any potential food-borne illnesses.

To make sure the food is safe for consumption, there are a few rules: no raw meat, fish, or eggs; no expired goods; and all homemade items must be labeled with dates and thrown away after four days. Beyond that, anything goes.

Saiz is adamant that his goal is to prevent waste. In fact, just a mere seven weeks after the fridge’s debut, he estimates that the city may have saved over 600 lbs. of good food from going to waste. Both pop star and pauper are free to partake in the goods.

Think these Spaniards would enjoy some good, heimish cholent?

1,000 Dinner Companions

Some things are different overseas.

Kim Sung-jin, who lives south of Seoul, needed a dinner companion.

He was living with his grandparents and since they ate early, the 14-yearold found himself hungry late at night.

So he’d order fried chicken, or pizza, or Chinese food. But who to eat it with?

Well, now he has thousands of people with whom to dine: he gorges on his dinner every night in front of a live camera. Believe it or not, hundreds vie to watch him chomp on his chopsticks. Kim, better known to his viewers by the nickname Patoo, is one

In News

of the youngest broadcasters on Afreeca TV, an app for live-broadcasting video online launched in 2006.

And Kim likes his audience. In his most successful episode, he earned 2 million won ($1,700).

Interestingly, Kim is still slim despite his late-night forays into the kitchen. He has been broadcasting himself eating almost every night since he was 11. Usually he eats alone—with his audience—sometimes he invites over friends.

In South Korea, Afreeca TV has become a big player in the Internet subculture and a crucial part of social life for teens. Shows like Kim’s are known as “Meok Bang,” a mash-up Korean word of broadcast and eating.

They are the most popular and often most profitable among some 5,000 live shows that are aired live at any given moment on Afreeca TV. “I do what I want. That’s the perk of a personal broadcast,” Kim says.

He has no problem leaving his audience to take a bathroom break and doesn’t necessarily have the best table manners.

“Even if it is online, when someone talks while eating, the same words feel much more intimate,” said Ahn Joon-soo, an executive at Afreeca TV. He noted South Koreans’ common habit of bidding farewell to friends by saying, “Let’s eat together next time,” even when they don’t literally mean it.

Ahn Won-jun, a 17-year-old high school student, said he prefers to eat dinner in his room to watch Kim’s Meok Bang, rather than dining with his parents.

I wonder what’s for dinner tonight.

The Secret to a Good Marriage: A Bite of Cake What’s the secret to a long, wonderful marriage?

Well, maybe the secret is in the

recipe—of the wedding cake, that is.

Ann and Ken Fredericks of Satellite Beach, Florida, celebrated 60 years together last week and revealed an anniversary tradition: eating a bite from their wedding cake every year, which is kept covered in plastic wrap inside a metal coffee can. And no, the cake is not stored in the fridge or freezer—it’s just sitting there inside a closet awaiting its turn every year.

Ann, 81, said their children are “appalled” they’re still eating the decades-old dessert, but said the dark fruitcake will keep indefinitely. They pour brandy over the cake to moisten it before digging in and usually break open a bottle of champagne to go with it.

“Believe me, it’s quite tasty, as long as it’s got enough brandy on it.

And it’s never made us sick,” she said.

She admit, though, that “it’s a little dry.” Hence the deluge of brandy and the giant swigs of champagne.

“We just never thought of this as being unusual,” she added.

Ann is a former nurse and retired nursing supervisor and Ken is a retired music teacher. They met while attending Syracuse University in New York.

Both are originally from The Big Apple, but they’ve called The Sunshine State home since 1968.

I like their secret for keeping their marriage from getting old: eating cake that’s almost as old as they are.

39

Great Kosher Food Elan Kornblum

Traditions are Treasures

Flan

By Chef Huego of El Gaucho Steakhouse

IngredIents 1 liter soy milk 8 eggs ¼ kilo sugar Vanilla essence

AUGUST 27, 2015

Puppets with a Jewish Heritage Message

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Bring the Family!

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2 pm

PreParatIon

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, awardwinning 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.

Join Bubbe and Zayde for a fun-filled experience.

Rae Goldberg’s zany puppets will stir your imagination and your grandkids will be part of the show. The beauty of our Jewish family heritage and traditions will come to life with their creative movements, stories, raps and songs.

Light refreshments. Limited seating.

RSVP to Goldie Milner at 410-318-8000 by Fri, Sept 4th Sherri Zaslow, Executive Director 7218 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21208 www.peregrinetudor.com

Meat

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Preheat oven to 350°.

Bring to boil the soy milk together with the sugar, and cook for 10 minutes.

Beat the eggs with one spoon of vanilla essence at the same time.

Take the soy milk off the stove and pour slowly over the eggs, whipping with strong strokes.

Pour the whole batter into a caramelized pudding pot and place in the oven in a hot water bath.

Cover the pudding pot until the flan is firm.

Let cool down before turning over onto a flat plate.

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AUGUST 27, 2015

40

Another Look

67 Rabbi YY Rubinstein

On Shidduchim and the Perfect Match

“We

are looking for a shidduch for our daughter.”

One of my Roshei Yeshiva once told me, “If you are not nervous before you speak, you shouldn’t be speaking!

You should realize that something you may say might make a difference to the lives of the people listening to you. If that doesn’t make you nervous, don’t speak.”

My wife and I were recently in a certain American city where I was the scholar-in-residence at a shul. The first talk was scheduled for Friday night after an enjoyable meal that was catered in the synagogue hall.

My wife long ago learned to spot the signs when, as she puts it, I am “in the zone.” People ask me questions and tell me stories but until I get up, deliver my speech and return to where my untouched meal has now gone stone-cold or been whisked away by a zealous waiter, I don’t really hear what they are saying.

We were sitting at a table with several families but I made a poor companion. As usual I was getting increasingly nervous. I had neither appetite for food nor conversation. I was too busy going over in my mind what I was about to say, changing and adding bits or toying with the idea of scrapping the entire talk and starting afresh.

“We are looking for a shidduch for our daughter!” A lady who was visiting from New York had leaned across to confide in my wife and I. “You travel around a lot and meet lots of people, Rabbi. Perhaps you could keep an eye open?”

The mom nodded towards her daughter who seemed very sweet and was busy helping a younger brother struggle to cut a piece of steak. My wife knew my mind was elsewhere and explained to the mom that if she e-mailed us her daughter’s shidduch resume, we would try to help.

The resume arrived an hour after Shabbos.

Although replete with details about schools she had attended and her academic achievements, it failed to say what she was looking for in a young man. As I was no longer “in the zone,” I was able to give this my full attention.

I decided to call the mother to get the missing and crucial information.

Now for those reading this who have ever been involved in trying to make a shidduch, you will be aware that I had just made an enormous mistake. I should, of course, have spoken to the young lady herself to ask, not her mother. Maybe I was still more “in the zone” than I thought.

Basically the mother is looking for a boy who is ... intelligent, because she is very intelligent. Handsome as she is v-e-r-y pretty. Wants to learn for the first two years but must not be narrow and uninterested in the world at large.

The boy must want a career and a good paying job (banker, surgeon, Warren Buffett successor, inventor of the cure for cancer, etc.). He must have a sense of humor because she is soooo funny.

Must learn Torah in the mornings while working in the afternoons and then learn again in the evenings.

I became aware that my eyes had gone very round.

Then I asked, “OK ... now tell me, where would she like to settle?” Mrs. Cohen came straight back at me. “Oh! I don’t think she minds where it is. She’ll be happy to move anywhere ... but ... not outside of New York.”

(Please note the mindset of the average New Yorker. “Anywhere” defines a place inside New York. “Nowhere” defines any place outside New York.)

Mrs. Cohen is looking for the perfect chosson for her daughter. As they say in New York, “Good luck with that!”

My

favorite commentator, the Alshich HaKodesh, notes that when Hashem is angry with the Jewish people He recalls when we were the kallah and He the chosson... (Yerimiyahu 2:2) “Zocharti lach chessed ne’uriaich...ahavas kallahosaiyich.”

He says, “It is the way of a ‘new love’ an ‘ahava chadasha’ that wherever the chosson is going, the kallah is going too!”

I saw this many times when I taught in seminary in Manchester. A girl becomes a kallah and returns from London. Her friends have been preparing.

The seminary is covered with balloons and banners. The taxi arrives, and the girls stream out and dance the girl into the building. The dancing continues until everyone is exhausted. Then the questions begin.

Q: “Where is the chosson from?”

A: “London!”

Then, Q: “Where is he learning?”

A: “Ponovezh!”

This answer causes every head to nod in approval.

Q: “And after the chasuna?”

A: “Kollel!” More nods of approval.

Q: “Which kollel?”

The kallah beams her brightest smile: “Moscow!”

Q: “Moscow?!” The girls look at each other in horror and disbelief but the kallah is totally oblivious. If her chosson is going to learn in Moscow, she’s going too!

The Alshich continues. “After a few years of marriage, the kallah is not quite as compliant and starry-eyed.”

“You have a job offer where? Baltimore? Balt ... Baltimore!! Have you any idea how far away that is from Flatbush?”

My

oldest daughter was in seminary in Yerushalayim when the first shidduch was suggested.

The boy was from Gateshead and was at the time learning in the Mir. I suspected that he would probably not have a career as a banker, surgeon, or Warren Buffett’s successor.

I made inquiries and discovered the boy’s father and I had been chavrusos together in Gateshead.

They met and after the third meeting called me to say they were getting engaged. It had gone quite a bit quicker than I had imagined. I was a little in shock. I should not have been.

Both came from very similar backgrounds. Both fathers were rabbanim, both were in chinuch, both had not much money. Our children equally wanted a Torah life. With so much in common before they met, all that remained was them to be attracted to each other and be compatible.

My second daughter promised me she would not subject me to another shock like that one and get engaged after only three meetings. She met her chosson six times over three days, then

got engaged. Another Gateshead boy, his father and I used to teach together in Gateshead. I imagine my second son-inlaw too will probably not achieve fame in the world of international finance or discover the cure for cancer.

But it is only in the world of nonJewish fairy tales that the prince sees the princess, “falls in love” (whatever that means), and lives happily ever after.

We believe that couples—that is, all couples—grow together, as does their affection and love. They overcome difficulties and challenges and that very process is in part what strengthens their bond.

There is one word that is essential for this to take place: commitment.

If a couple enters into a relationship committed to make it work, it almost always will. If they are committed to each other, they will seek solutions and help if problems arise that threaten to overwhelm them. If they are committed to their marriage, they will understand that the perfect chosson or kallah is not something you find but something you create together.

I recall another Gateshead Jew and one of my dearest friends when he was dealing with his first child’s shidduch.

He told me one of the questions he and his wife asked the shadchan about the girl’s parents was, “Are they still idealistic?”

I thought that question was both intriguing and wise. He wanted to know if the potential mechutanim recalled and remained attached to the perspective they had when they possessed an “ahava chadasha.” They wanted to know if the other parents remembered or had forgotten that the perfect chosson or kallah is not something you find but something you create together. 

Life Coach

63

41

Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

O

someone’s paying these drivers to give you a nervous breakdown. Runnnn or we’re going to miss him! Did you see which way he went? Are you sure that was him? Where does he go next? The whole neighborhood is suddenly on a CIA mission.

Sometimes you’re summoning others to join the task and running around the block from 2 angles trying to cut him off or converge on him. And there have been times you’ve actually had to jump into the car and give chase to catch up with him. But you do all this, gladly, so that your child can have that

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach.

She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com

From Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur and Sukkot, join us for delicious Kosher cuisine, exceptional personal assistance, modern amenities and the most beautiful High Holiday services in our new on-site Synagogue.

Call Zack Pomerantz at 410-318-8000 for a Private Tour

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Sherri Zaslow, Executive Director 7218 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD www.PeregrineTudor.com

Meat

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delicious moment to feel they are not always dependent on you to get their treats. Because the ice cream man is looking after their interests too.

So, I’m saying that kids love it because they don’t have to drive themselves to get it and it gives them that sense of autonomy. But here’s my question to all you adults: why does it still send a thrill through your system when you hear the music in the distance? Are you just sooo happy for your kid—but then why’d you just buy a Supercone or Cocoa Choco for yourself? Is it the best of childhood coming back to you?!

Autonomy or a surprise All-For-Me, makes no difference. Sometimes it’s just fun to have a treat, unsummoned, show up at your doorstep. Then again – you didn’t have to call for it, shop for it, order it in advance, or even give it a thought, it just came clanging your way and made your day!

So guess what? I guess that’s kind of a bit of autonomy for everyone!

A Sweet Respite Stay for the High Holidays

AUGUST 27, 2015

ne of the greatest feelings people experience is autonomy!

Pan to this: Just picture a room full of adults, half of them down on their knees all around the floor. Everyone is reaching out and encouraging. And there across the room is a little oneyear-old, unsteadily, struggling to take her first steps. Everyone wants to see her gain this independence.

What about the joy of learning to tie one’s own shoe for the first time?

Can you remember the elation? Of course Velcro has given that sensation a run for its money. But kids definitely still love to learn, to do it themselves!

Pan to this: So, there they are busy doing whatever it is kids do. Now, picture a ringing bell in the distance or the slight lilt of a musical symphony building slowly to a crescendo. Suddenly their ears perk up. They fly past you out the front door euphoric with the sensation of independence. The ice cream man cometh! They don’t need to ask you to take them to town or to the store. They don’t need to climb into the car and get strapped in. They don’t even need to give up what they were busy doing for very long. They can be their own little consumer.

The choices are sprawled out in vivid color before them and they are doing their calculations on their own: which one are they in the mood for?

Gummy eyeballs on a SpongeBob or a multicolored rocket. No matter, it’s their decision to make and they are savoring the moment.

This sensation is one of the highs of summer. A kid doesn’t have to ask you for something. It comes right to their door. First there is the quizzical look in their eye. Do they hear something in the distance? Then that moment of realization and then they are on the move.

And often you right behind them. Because they know one thing’s for sure— if they don’t scurry their little body out to the street on time, this guy’s going to fly right past their house. Seriously, where in the world are these guys rushing to? Don’t they actually want to make a sale?

I’ve never understood it—it’s like

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Autonomy at its Best

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Riddle!

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You Gotta be

Two coins add up to 30 cents, and one is not a nickel.

What are they?

See answer on next page

Kidding!

The rich man opened the door of his brand new BMW, when suddenly a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely. When the police arrived at the scene, the man was complaining bitterly about the damage to his precious BMW. “Officer, look what they’ve done to my Beeeemer!” he whined.

“You rich people are so materialistic, you make me sick!” retorted the officer. “You’re so worried about your silly BMW, that you didn’t even notice that your left arm was ripped off!”

“Oh my!” replied the man, finally noticing the bloody left shoulder where his arm once was. “Where’s my Rolex?!”

Important Ice Cream Information J The Häagen-Dazs brand was established by two Americans – Reuben and Rose Mattus – and the name was made up to sound Danish and sophisticated. The Danish language does not actually use umlauts.

J In the U.S., all ice cream needs to have a minimum of 10% milkfat if it is to be labeled “ice cream.”

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J An average dairy cow can produce enough milk in her lifetime to make a little over 9,000 gallons of ice cream. (Which is why I keep cows in my backyard.)

J According to NASA, ice cream is among the top three items most missed by astronauts on space missions. The others are pizza and fizzy drinks.

J First Lady Dolley Madison created a sensation when she served ice cream at her husband’s second inaugural ball in 1813.

J When Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield went into business as Ben & Jerry, they chose ice cream as bagel-making equipment was too expensive.

J It takes an average of 50 licks to finish one scoop of ice cream. (Go ahead—try it! If you have the discipline to get through the whole exercise, send me your resume...you can be the Centerfold Commissioner’s intern.)

J The medical term for brain freeze is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia (the name itself gives me brain freeze), which literally means “pain of the nerve located on the roof of your mouth.” There are a number of theories about what causes it. One theory is that very cold food temporarily alters blood flow to your brain, causing localized pressure and a brief headache. To relieve brain freeze you can try to press your tongue against the roof of your mouth or press your thumb on the roof of your mouth to warm it. The heat and pressure are sometimes enough to stop the pain. (OK, now Mr. Intern, go ahead and try it and see if it works.)

J Edy’s and Dreyer’s are the same ice cream company but are named differently in different areas. It’s called Edy’s in the East, Midwest and South, and Dreyer’s in the Western U.S.

J In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of that month as National Ice Cream Day.

J Ben & Jerry’s was the first company to sell chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream in 1991, and the flavor was created based on an anonymous suggestion on a board in their Burlington, Vt., shop.

(Why the anonymity? Beats me.)

J The nation that eats the most ice cream is... [drum roll please]…the United States of America. (Real shocker).

J 1 in 10 people admit to licking the bowl after finishing their ice cream...which means that 9 out of 10 people are liars.

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2. How many rows of kernels does the average ear of corn have? a. 16 b. 20 c. 23 d. 32

f. Rocky Road g. Strawberry Shortcake h. (Sorry I got carried away on this question) Answers: 1. D 2. A - The average ear of corn has approximately 400 to 600 kernels arranged in 16 rows.

3. B - Frank Epperson was just an 11-yearold boy in 1905 in Oakland, Califor-

3. Who created the Popsicle? a. Thomas Edison (before he created the lightbulb) b. An 11-year-old boy c. The same Italian company that started Marino’s d. Hershey’s Chocolate Company

5. According to a Harris Poll that surveyed 2,242 U.S. households, what is America’s favorite ice cream flavor? a. Chocolate b. Vanilla c. Cookies and Cream d. Mint e. Peanut Butter

nia, when one night he accidentally left a glass – filled with water, powdered soda mix and a wooden stick for stirring – outside overnight. When young Frank found the glass in the morning, the soda mixture was frozen solid, so he ran the glass under hot water and removed the ice pop using the stick as a handle. Frank knew he had a great idea on his hands, and he kept making the pops for his friends. When he became an adult he made them for his own children. In 1923, Epperson filed for a patent for his invention. Up until then, he had been calling the frozen treats “Eppsicles,” but his children insisted on calling them “Pop’s ‘sicles.” The latter name stuck and

Wisdom Key 4-5 correct: You know your summer food…and probably your winter, spring and fall food too.

2-3 correct: You are vanilla!

0-1 correct: How do you expect to know anything if you don’t do your research? OK, your first assignment is to sit down with a cob of corn and start counting the kernels. Welcome to “food intelligence school.” Stick with the program and you will graduate in no time (like 2 years).

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4. Why are Pringles called potato “crisps” rather than potato “chips”? a. Because the company wanted to differentiate themselves from the rest of the saturated market b. Because the employee who submitted the patent mistakenly wrote “crisp” instead of “chip” c. Because the Potato Chip Institute objected to them calling it potato chips d. Because they are crispy…duh

the Popsicle was born.

4. C - When Pringles hit the shelves in 1968, the Potato Chip Institute International, a Cleveland-based representative of hundreds of chip makers, (P.S. Wow, I’d love to run that organization) came out swinging against Pringles since the new snack was made from dried potatoes rather than fresh spuds. The “potato chip war” remained hot for nearly a decade, with the Institute standing by its definition that a potato chip was a “slice of fresh, raw potato, deep fried in vegetable oil, salted, and packaged.” Eventually, Proctor & Gamble, which owned Pringles, gave up the fight and started calling Pringles “potato crisps.” (And you thought there were only two World Wars.)

5. A - Chocolate: 27%; Vanilla: 23%; Cookie dough/cookies and cream: 22%; Butter pecan/Swiss almond and mint chocolate chip (tie): 19% (The rest are in the single digits; no seat for them at the main debate stage.)

AUGUST 27, 2015

1. At the 2005 Annual Big Watermelon Contest in Hope, Arkansas, Lloyd Bright broke the record for the world’s heaviest watermelon. How many pounds was the massive melon? a. 36.4 lbs. b. 74.5 lbs. c. 112.2 lbs. d. 268.8 lbs.

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AnSWer to riddLe: A quarter and a nickel. The quarter isn’t a nickel.

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Health & Fitness

71 Aliza Beer, MS, RD

Food For Your Brain

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an your diet make you smarter? Yes, according to Cynthia Green, PhD, founder and director of the Memory Enhancement Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and author of Brainpower Game Plan. According to research, the right foods may stave off Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The following is a list of foods that are good for your brain and should be incorporated into your diet in order to maintain a healthier and sharper mind.

1. Fatty Fish: Seafood like salmon, albacore tuna, and sardines are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. About 40% of the fatty acids in the brain are DHA, one of the main omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil. Experts believe DHA is probably necessary for transmitting signals between brain cells. Researchers at Tufts University found that people who ate fish three times a week and had the highest levels of DHA in their blood, reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s by 39%.

2. Leafy Green Veggies: Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussel sprouts are filled with antioxidants, such as vitamin C and carotenoids, which help protect the brain by disarming the free radicals, the waste products your body makes that can do damage.

3. Avocado and Nuts: They contain another important antioxidant, vitamin E. All nuts, with the exception of peanuts and cashews, are high in vitamin E, which is essential for protecting the brain from agerelated damage. Studies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown that nuts improve learning and memory

in old rats, and studies in humans show possible prevention of brain diseases like Parkinson’s.

4. Chocolate: Dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa) contains flavonoids, another class of antioxidants that protect against neurologic damage and promote blood flow to the brain. A little will go a long way—about .5-1 ounce is enough to reap the rewards without adding too many calories. Yum! 5. Curry: This potent spice is known to fight inflammation.

Animal studies have shown that the active ingredient in curry, curcumin, actually clears away Alzheimer’s-causing proteins in the brain called amyloid plaques. Research has shown that individuals who only occasionally consume curry— less than once per month—still performed better on a standardized test than those who reported rarely or never eating curry.

6. Berries: These are antioxidant powerhouses! Some scientists believe they help to build healthy connections between brain cells. They are also rich in anthocyanins, which increase sharpness and speed of processing in areas of our brain function that are the first to go as we get older.

per day.

9. Coffee: Caffeine is a substance where the dosage is crucial. In excess, it can cause brain fog, but in moderate amounts, it improves attention span, reaction time, and other brain skills.

Coffee is also high in antioxidants. Keep to the recommended amount of no more than 3 cups a day.

All of these natural brain foods will help boost your concentration and performance, while helping to prevent neurological diseases. In addition to these foods, I have two more tips for brain power: Don’t skip breakfast! Hunger hinders concentration. Last, but not least, get enough sleep. No amount of food can help if you’re not getting enough rest. Get a good night’s sleep, and when

you wake up, select foods that stimulate your brain and not just your taste buds!

Aliza Beer is a registered dietician with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@ gmail.com.

Talmudical Academy Positions Available

Communications Coordinator Manage internal and external communications for all divisions of the Yeshiva in order to provide consistency and enhance dissemination of information.

REQUIREMENTS: Have strong written and verbal communication skills, including writing, editing, and proofreading.

Be able to work independently and creatively.

Possess excellent organizational, project management, and time management skills.

Layout and design skills a plus.

Assistant Project Coordinator 7. Whole Grains: Fiber-rich oatmeal, oat bran, brown rice, etc., help stabilize blood glucose levels. Since glucose is the brain’s main source of fuel, it’s important to keep levels steady.

8. Water: About ¾ of your brain is water. One study found that people who were well-hydrated scored significantly better on tests of brain power, compared with those who were not drinking enough. Drink about 8 cups of water

Coordinate various projects in the school business office.

REQUIREMENTS: Be a self-motivated team player.

Have strong computer, organizational, people and communication skills.

Be attentive to details.

Previous non-profit organizational work a plus.

Qualified candidates please email resume to slewis@talmudicalacademy.org .

It Could Have Happened To You Rabbi Eli Scheller

chant of the 13 attributes as the chazan. One might wonder why G-d would find it necessary to act like a chazan when instructing the Jews how to ask for forgiveness. The commentaries explain that G-d is thereby showing that He is with us on our team, while advocating and leading us back to the fold.

When I received the reassurance

We know from other Talmudic sources that G-d wants us to emulate His ways, “As G-d is merciful, so too, you should be merciful.” Rabbi Yochanan is telling us that the way to repair our relationship with G-d is to signal with our actions that although we have failed in the past, we are ready to get back to work.

you know we are on the same team. I hired you because I believed in your ability and skills. As your employer it’s my duty to ensure your success.

As Jews all over the world approach Rosh Hashana the idea exists that they must do so in a state of trembling, as a student in front of the principal, or as an employee before his superior. Rabbi Yochanan in the Talmud Rosh Hashana 17b takes a different approach. He notes that the verse in Shmos, “G-d passed before him (Moshe) and proclaimed..” uses the term ‘passed (vaya’avor)’. This term of ‘passage’ alludes to a similar term used for the chazan-one who ‘passes (ovair)’ before the congregation to lead them. Rabbi Yochanan concludes from this passage that G-d appeared before Moshe wrapped in a tallis as if G-d Himself were the leading the

from my boss I felt a great weight slip off my shoulders. But our conversation was not finished. I sensed he was waiting to hear something from me, and I knew what it was. I now had to detail a plan of action that would remedy my previous failure to fulfill my commitment. I assured him that I would document a step by step system that would allow me to accomplish my responsibilities, and that he would have that folder on his desk by that afternoon.

In a similar vein, Rabbi Yochanan, in his Talmudic statement above, writes that when G-d introduces the thirteen attributes to Moshe He tells Moshe, “Let the Jews perform the following service (of the thirteen attributes)...” Rabbi Yochanan does not write, “Let the Jews say the thirteen attributes”, but rather, “perform them...”

The Midrash in Vayikra says that on Rosh Hashana G-d (figuratively) arises out of his seat of strict judgment and moves over to his seat of mercy.

The Midrash does not tell us where the two chairs are relative to G-d’s desk, but I think I know.

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. Rabbi Eli is a sought out Baal Tefilla and motivational speaker who captivates audiences of all kinds. Currently he 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

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script that I had experienced with my principal. My level of discomfort rose.

He said, “Do you know why I’m sitting here next to you? Because if I’m on one side of the desk and you’re on the other, that might give you the impression that I’m like a principal, and you are the student. That is not the case. I am sitting next to you so that

AUGUST 27, 2015

I stood in front of the large desk with my heart pounding. There was nothing I could say. A task was expected of me and I had not completed it. And now the time had come to face the truth. I was 29 years old and I was standing in my boss’ office. For the past five days he had asked me to report to him about the project I was expected to complete. Every day I had offered another excuse and my boss’ patience had finally worn thin. So here we were, me the employee on one side and him the employer on the other side of the desk.

It suddenly struck me that I had felt this exact set of emotions before when I stood in front of a different large desk sweating and anxiety ridden. There was nothing I could say.

A task was expected of me and I had not completed it. And now the time had come to face the truth. I was 10 years old and I was standing in the principal’s office. For the past several days my teacher had repeatedly asked me to hand in the overdue book report and I had not done so. Every day I had another excuse, and finally the teacher could tolerate them no more. So here we were, me the student on one side and him the principal on the other side of the desk.

My mind returned to the present.

Like nineteen years prior, I once again steeled myself for the worst. The fact that I had not fulfilled my job commitment meant I had not done my job, the work I had been paid to do. The logical ending to that chain of thought led to the frightening idea that I was about to lose my job. My employer swiveled his high backed leather chair to face me. He waved his hand and pointed to the chair alongside the desk for me to sit. As I lowered myself into the chair I felt like a ten year old again, scared and alone with no one to turn to.

My employer again swiveled towards me in his chair, but this time he rose to stand. As I watched, he walked around the desk to where I was sitting, he grabbed a chair, and sat down alongside me. This was not part of the

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Real Estate

AUGUST 27, 2015

15 Ways to Bug Proof Your Home

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Submitted by: Ben Schwartz | Founder VacancyFillers.com

In all honesty, it’s impossible to bug proof your home completely. Like it or not, some insects will find a way into your house. But you don’t have to make it easy for them! Invest a little time in these home maintenance and housekeeping tasks, and you will greatly reduce your chances of a major insect infestation.

When attempting to bug proof your home, you need to do two basic things: prevent insects and spiders from getting inside, and eliminate bug habitat in your house.

Your goals are to keep as many bugs out as possible, and to make your house inhospitable to the few that find their way in.

1. Install and maintain screens on all doors and windows.

If you don’t have screen doors on your home, install them. Repair or replace any torn or damaged window screens. Use fine mesh screening to prevent all but the tiniest insects from entering your home.

2. Seal around all doors.

If air and light can pass through, bugs can get in. Install tight-fitting thresholds and door sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors. Use door seals to fill the gap around the sides and top of each door, too.

3. Seal cracks in your home’s foundation, exterior walls, and fascia boards.

Any crack in the exterior walls of your home is a welcome sign to insects. Grab a tube of caulk and inspect your home from top to bottom. Seal any cracks you find.

4. Seal around utility lines and appliance vents.

Insects may enter your home through tiny gaps around your dryer vent, gas line, or even telephone line.

Caulk crevices on the outside of your home. You might also want to seal these areas from the inside using a spray foam product.

5. Install critter-proof mesh on vents in attics and crawl spaces.

Raccoons, squirrels, mice, and even birds may make themselves at home in crawl spaces and attics if you don’t install barriers to keep them out.

These animals may carry mites, fleas, or other pests that will then infest your home.

6. Eliminate moisture by fixing leaks.

Most insects (except for those that live in arid environments) require a certain amount of humidity to survive. Any source of moisture can attract them. Fix any plumbing leaks, however minor, promptly. Even condensation on pipes can drip and create suitable places for bugs to live. If your basement or crawl space takes on water during heavy rains, you’re asking for insect problems. Install a proper drainage system, and run dehumidifiers if needed.

7. Keep a tidy kitchen.

Where there’s food and water, bugs will happily make themselves at home. Do all you can to keep your kitchen clean. Wipe up crumbs, sweep or vacuum the floor, and clean up spills right away. Don’t leave dishes in the sink overnight. Clean out the toaster and microwave regularly. Scrub down your stovetop every day. Throw away food scraps and packages.

8. Keep food sealed up tight.

If you have a kitchen pest problem, you’ll need to take drastic steps to eliminate food sources for the offending insects. Store cereals, grains, rice, and other pantry items in air tight containers. Keep opened food contain-

ers in the refrigerator.

9. Get rid of clutter.

Insects need places to hide, and a cluttered home is a bug’s paradise.

Recycle unneeded boxes and newspapers promptly. Keep laundry in clothes hampers. Keep your floor clear of belongings, and put things away after you use them.

10. Clean up after your pets.

Some bugs like pet food, and others like pet waste. Clean your pet’s food dishes regularly, and don’t leave extra pet food accessible. Store dry food in air tight containers. Scoop and clean your cat’s litter box daily. Wash your pet’s bed or favorite blanket regularly.

11. Take the garbage out frequently.

If you can smell it (even a little), it’s going to attract bugs. In fact, insects are much more sensitive to odors than we are, so even if you can’t smell it, it may attract bugs. If you’re really worried about insect pests in your home, empty your garbage often. Line your cans with plastic garbage bags, and tie them tight before you take the bags out for pick-up.

12. Rinse recyclables thoroughly.

Your recycling can is a smorgasbord for bugs. Soda cans, beer bottles, and pet food cans will all attract insects if they aren’t rinsed out thoroughly.

13. Scrub your trash bins.

Even with your garbage in plas-

tic bags, there’s bound to be a spill or torn bag now and then. Scrub out all of your trash bins to eliminate smells and sticky substances that may attract insects. Several times per year, use a solution of bleach to clean your outdoor cans thoroughly, especially if you keep them close to your house.

14. Clean up your yard.

Mulch, leaf litter, and garden debris can all harbor insects. Keep mulch away from your home’s foundation, and clean up any accumulated organic matter. Mow your lawn regularly, and keep it short near your house. Pull annuals out at the end of the growing season, and trim back perennials as appropriate in the fall.

15. Prune trees and shrubs.

When trees and shrubs come in contact with your home, they function as highways for insects on the move.

Keep tree branches pruned so they don’t rest on your roof. Prune shrubs away from windows and doors.

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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A Parsha Thought Ki Teitzei: Waging the Ultimate Battle “‫”כי תצא למלחמה על אויביך‬ “When you go out to war against your enemy ….”

Rabbi Shmuel Silber War - it is something we try our best to avoid, yet, we know it to be a reality of our national existence. We understand the difficult truth that national survival often entails difficult battles. Yet, the Torah also understands that not everyone is fit for battle. As the Jewish army prepares to meet its enemy, the Kohen stands before the assembled troops and announces those who are exempt and ordered to return home.

The Torah states, “And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, what man is there who has built a new house and has not [yet] inaugurated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the war, and another man inaugurate it. And what man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not [yet] redeemed it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the war, and another man redeem it. And what man is there who has betrothed a woman and has not [yet] taken her?

Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the war, and another man take her (Devorim 20:5-7).”

What is the common denominator between these exempted individuals?

Each of these men will be focused on something other than the battle. For the soldier to be effective he must think of nothing other than subduing the enemy. If his thoughts are diverted to home, family or if he longs to enjoy the literal fruits of his labor – he becomes a liability and puts his fellow soldiers in danger. The Kohen orders these individuals to leave the front and serve the war effort from home.

However, there is one additional exemption that is particularly intriguing; “And the officers shall continue to speak to the people and say, “What man is there who is fearful and faint-

hearted? Let him go and return to his house, that he should not cause the heart of his brothers to melt, as his heart (Devorim 20:8).”

The Talmud (Sotah 44a) quotes two opinions as to the meaning of

“fearful and fainthearted.” Rabbi Akiva explains that it literally refers to one who is scared of the “drawn sword” – this individual is simply too scared to fight. Rabbi Yossi HaGlili explains that it refers to someone who is fearful of the sins he has committed.

The solider is concerned that as a result of his sinful behavior he may not deserve spiritual protection during battle. What types of sin are we discussing? The Talmud Bavli (Babylonian Talmud) answers that we are referring to one who speaks between putting on the Tefillin of the arm and the Tefillin of the head. Such an individual has committed a sin that excuses him from going to battle. The Talmud Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Talmud) explains that it refers to one who speaks between Yishtabach (the concluding blessing of Psukei D’Zimra, introductory psalms in the morning service) and Yotzer Or (the opening blessing of the blessings of Krias Shema). An individual who spoke during these prohibited times during prayer would not go to battle.

How are we to understand these two views? Although neither of these behaviors is “praiseworthy” they hardly seem to represent the type of sinful

behavior for which one would worry about losing Divine protection during battle.

Rav Gershon Stern (1861-1936) in his Sefer Yalkut Gershuni (quoted in the sefer Alei Vradim, Sotah 44b) explains that there are two prerequisites to waging a successful war; skilled officers to plan strategy and brave soldiers who are physically capable of executing the commands. If everyone is an officer then there may be detailed plans and incredible strategy but there is no one to carry out the orders. However, if everyone is a soldier there will be a flurry of chaotic activity but no strategic framework.

The synergistic relationship and partnership between leadership and the men on the ground is required in order to be successful.

It is the same in life. We have ideas, ideals, beliefs and values. We each possess a particular life hashkafa (outlook) and have a picture in our mind’s eye as to how these values should inform the way we live. However, sometimes there is a disconnect between what I believe and know and what I do and perform. Our most important life task is to make sure that what we believe is clearly mirrored in how we live. Values and beliefs are hollow if they are not expressed in the way one behaves, and conducts oneself.

This idea is symbolized in the Tefillin. The Shel Yad (Tefillin of the arm) represents action, while the Shel Rosh (Tefillin of the head) represents thought. If a person speaks between putting on the Shel Yad and the Shel Rosh, he is interrupting the connection between belief and action.

In the same vein, the blessing of Yishtabach is a beautiful praise

to God, in which we recognize the multi-faceted dimensions of God’s splendor in the world. Following this blessing we recite “Yotzer or u’borei choshech, He who fashions light and creates darkness”, which discusses the fact that God created the world and has given us a mandate to build beautiful and meaningful lives. If we sing God’s praises but fail to build a life where He is a dominant fixture, then our praise is empty.

Both the Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi are echoing the same sentiment. God accepts the fact that we have and will sin. He understands that we are frail and subject to temptation and as a result He does not ask us to be perfect. What God does ask is for us to demonstrate sincerity; if we “believe” in something we must be ready to act on it as well. If we commit ourselves to a certain set of values and ideals we must make sure that we are ready to live them. We must make sure that our beliefs inform the way we live and are apparent in the actions in which we engage.

If there is a disconnect between what I believe and what I do, God asks me not to fight His battles. It is only those who do not speak between the Shel Yad and the Shel Rosh, only those who do not converse between Yishtabach and Yotzer who have earned the right to defend the honor of God. This message resonates with acute importance during this month of introspection. As we continue to take a spiritual accounting of what we have accomplished and in which areas we must improve, we must take the time to analyze and review our beliefs. What do I stand for? What do I believe in? What is important to me? What are my priorities? After answering these questions we must make sure that these answers are not just contained in the words we use but must also be apparent in the things we do and the lives we lead.

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Maximizing our Relationships

F

ollowing a period that highlights the damaging effects of relational breakdowns (Av), we begin a month that is designed to help us reinstate our relationship with our Maker and our faith in Him and His plan (Elul). It is that trust that forms the basis of our ability to properly coronate Him as our King and to submit ourselves to His service.

We see this from the very name of the month.

Though we know that the names of the Hebrew months were not G-d-given (they were adopted during the Jewish exile in Babylon), we oftentimes can find meaning in them. No truer is this than with the name “Elul,” which hints, in acronym form, to a deepening of our most meaningful relationships.

The author of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (128:1) lists segments of three separate verses that spell the word “E-l-u-l.” The first is Devarim 30:6, which contains the words, “Es levovcha v’es levov” (your heart and the heart of). This full passage reads as follows: “And the L-rd, your G-d, will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, [so that you may] love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul, for the sake of your life.” The context of this pasuk is a promise of return that will follow the fulfillment of the blessings and curses that were enumerated in Chapter 28. Once the Jewish people experience a reawakening and a longing to return to Hashem, He will cut away any layers of spiritual turpitude to reestablish a deep, lasting bond.

Another pasuk quoted in the Kitzur is the one that we most commonly associate with Elul. The words, “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li,” (I am for my Beloved and my Beloved is for me, Shir Hashirim 6:3) reflect a clear expression of a loving relationship between us and Hashem, though it, too, begins with us taking the initial step (“I am to my Beloved”).

That period is referred to as “yemei ratzon” (days of wanting) and corresponds to the forty days that Moshe spent upon Har Sinai during his third and final ascent.

He returned with the second set of luchos, an act that symbolized the complete atonement that his nation received following the sin of the eigel. For the rest of history, these days have been earmarked as a time of spiritual closeness and opportunity, when Hashem is more approachable, as it were, than normal.

But such approachability is predicated, at least in large part, by our willingness to make amends with others that we have offended, hurt, and grown distant from.

Teshuvah and Yom Kippur only atone for sins between man and G-d… However, sins between man and man … will never be forgiven until he gives his colleague what he owes him and appeases him. (Rambam, Hilchos Teshuva 2:9) Considering the importance of positive relationships to a successful Elul (and beyond) and in light of the fact that we find ourselves close to returning to more normative routines with the end of summer and the start of the school year, now may be the right time to discuss key relationships between parents and children, as well as

between teachers and students.

Parents and Children

Studies suggest that parents today, particularly fathers, have more face time with their children compared with their counterparts from decades past. But they

also find that the same technology that allows parents to spend more time at home is simultaneously blurring the lines between work and personal life and distracting parents from the “family time” they so desperately crave.

How can parents avoid becoming fragmented during their at-home hours so as to ensure more “quality” time with their children?

Children should know that barring any uncontrollable circumstances, they will receive the personal attention that they so strongly crave at the time when they expect it.

One successful strategy is to set strict professional limits whenever possible. Tell associates or clients how important family is to you and that you will complete the work or respond later. Research show that parents who have the freedom to arrange to not be on call from the time that the kids come home from school until they are in bed, or at least until all of their homework is done, typically experience a calmer and more satisfying home environment.

Of course, true quality time also means spending personalized time with each individual child on a regular basis. That time should also be irrevocable, unless previously discussed and rescheduled. Children should know that barring any uncontrollable circumstances, they will receive the personal attention that they so strongly crave at the time when they expect it.

It should also be time well spent. In some instances, this may involve learning b’chavrusa or engaging in some other form of mitzvah-based activity. It can also mean time spent in discussion, whether casual, philosophical or otherwise. Come prepared to discuss matters that interest them, including the difficult questions that they rarely have the opportunity to ask about. By showing your children that the Torah can and does respond to all matters of life you will help them develop a deep sense of connection to Yiddishkeit, not just on an intellectual level but on a profound, emotional level as well. And you will further deepen the bond between you and your child.

Naturally, for many children “quality” time will by necessity include outings or activities that may not have any intrinsic, “deeper” value other than spending meaningful time with their parent.

Such activities may include participating in a recreational activity, going out for dinner, or simply being with each other without outside distractions.

Either way, research shows that good parent-child relationships result in happier and more successful children, both at home and in school. It also means payoffs in adolescence, greatly reducing children’s propensity to experiment with potentially risky behaviors, an unfortunate but all-too-well-known dilemma facing our community.

Teachers and Students

Below is a list of strategies which can go a long way in helping teachers establish healthy, meaningful relationships with their students.

Get to know them – Start with a short phone call to the student’s home before the year begins. This will convey a powerful message to the student (as well as to his parents) that you are eager to really get to know the child and are excited to have him in your class. The student will be put at ease for the first day of school and likely experience more immediate success.

Make lots of early deposits – If you wish to be able to demand from your students and offer criticism where appropriate, it is imperative for students to know that you are motivated by a strong desire to help them. Invest early in the relationship so that you will have something to withdraw from as needed. As the leadership expert John C. Maxwell has famously said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Monitor their progress – Take time to talk privately with each student once the year begins. Find out about their successes as well as their challenges. Ask how you can be of assistance in making their year a success and let them know that you are always available to talk.

Let us use this period to build deeper, more fulfilling relationships with each other and with Hashem and enter the yamim noraim with true sense of ahava.

Rabbi Naphtali Hoff is an executive coach and president of Impactful Coaching and Consulting (ImpactfulCoaching. com). He can be reached at 212.470.6139 or at president@ impactfulcoaching.com.

AUGUST 20, 2015

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Remembering Yosi Piamenta A MAN WHOSE MUSIC I’VE LOVED ALL OF MY LIFE

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By Naftali Halpern

Everything

about Yosi Piamenta was distinct...the way he dressed, the way he would sit on the side of the stage and say Tehillim between sets, and, of course, the way he played guitar.

My first memory of Yosi goes back 30 years and remains the most majestic memory of my life. It was my uncle’s wedding at Terrace on the Park. As a young child, I had rarely seen my grandfather, Reb Shlomo Freifeld, zt”l, ever get out of his wheelchair, as he suffered from back cancer. But that night, as the Piamenta brothers were on stage playing “Ozreini Kaili chai,” my grandfather arose from his wheelchair on the dance floor and lifted his hands high above his six-foot-four frame and with his eyes

tightly shut, he danced. For me, it seemed like an eternity.

For the hundreds of students around him, it seemed like one last dance with their Rebbe. Sure, his happiness came from being at his son’s wedding, but the dancing came from the soaring music of the Piamentas, whom he handpicked to play at the wedding.

Perhaps it was this early memory that propelled me to have a true love of music. And Yosi Piamenta’s music was always front and center.

As

a teenager, my box of Piamenta tapes accompanied me on all trips. In my year in Israel, I recall walking the streets with Piamentas’ “Mitzva” album blaring in my ears – it was a powerful fusion of psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll and Middle-Eastern sound. I always felt like that album was the perfect soundtrack for the bustling streets of Yerushalayim.

Of course, there was nothing like showing up at a wedding and seeing Yosi’ s rig set up – you just knew it was going to be a fun wedding. What was even more exciting was showing up at a wedding that you didn’t expect Yosi to be at and hearing his guitar wail as you entered the lobby. Those were great “Oh, baby!” moments. The best such moment for me was at my own wedding when my siblings surprised me and had Yosi show up for the second dance. The instant the band started playing “Siman Tov,” I didn’t even have to look towards the stage to know that he was in the house.

It

INSPIRED BY YOSI, I PICKED UP A

GUITAR AS A TEENAGER. TWENTY

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wasn’t just the way he played, it was the joy that he had in being misameyach chosson v’kallah.

He always had this big smile on while playing.

Disposition is an important aspect of being a musician – great guitar players make it look easy; iconic guitar players make it look like fun. Yosi always looked like he was having the time of his life onstage. He was a refreshing contrast to the morose musicians that often play at weddings.

Many times in middle of a set Yosi would leave the stage and turn up in the middle of the dance floor. He’d grab the chosson and dance with him...out of joy for a person he probably didn’t even know.

Although I didn’t know Yosi much on a personal level, it always struck me that he was a simple Jew who lived with emunah peshutah. His Tehillim was ever-present and regardless of any commotions around him, he would pull it out and escape into a world of spirituality. Music was an expression of his heart (he wrote and album titled, “Strings of My Heart”), his essence, though, was davening and Tehillim. He was old-school. It seemed like his guitar was his ticket out of selling spices in the shuk...not that he was looking for a ticket out.

He was very gracious, humble and funny. Once, many years ago, I asked him why he didn’t record a group of songs that he always played. In a matter-of-fact fashion, he responded, “I did record them, but I lost the recording.” If you knew Yosi, you knew he wasn’t joking.

When I heard that Yosi passed away, I was in shock. It was hard to believe that someone so vibrant and filled with life was gone. But as the floodgates opened and his songs filled my mind, it dawned on me: he may be gone, but his music will continue to spread joy. In that way, he is very much alive. 

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I would listen to certain bootleg shows hundreds of time. I knew every baseline, every guitar solo, and every announcement that Yosi would make, such as: “There will be a minyan for Arvit on the side of the stage; please come to attend.” It was the last part of the statement that got me every time. Distinct announcements.

Yosi’s playing wasn’t necessarily very intricate – his chord progressions usually revolved around some pretty basic bar chords – but his sound was distinct. Inspired by Yosi, I picked up a guitar as a teenager. Twenty years later I still can’t dream of hitting the chords the way he did. (Well, I dream of it, but it won’t happen.)

Many of Yosi’s original compositions were not only highly creative melodically, but the lyrics were usually steeped with references to Tanach. I don’t think he went searching for obscure lyrics, I think it was just the orbit he occupied.

Perhaps, though, his greatest talent was taking existing songs and adding his personal touch to them, thus taking them to the next level. One anthem of my youth was an album called “Songs of the Rebbes,” which is a collection of

YEARS LATER I STILL CAN’T DREAM OF

HITTING THE CHORDS THE WAY HE DID.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

classic Chassidic songs, but played in the Piamenta way— insane guitar riffs, masterful flute, and a driving intensity combined with pure joy. I often boast to my fellow Piamenta fans that they can wake me up at 3 AM and play any note of that album and I could tell them what each instrument will be playing in the next note. That’s not an ode to me; it’s an ode to the fact that I listened to the album well over 500 times.

Many of Yosi’s hits were old, classic Israeli and Arabic tunes that Yosi dusted off and brought back to life.

One example – slightly comical, I guess – is the hit “Yalla Moshiach.” Yosi started playing that song around 25 years ago in its original version, “Lelele wei wei.” It was an Arabic tune. On the early bootleg albums Yosi would introduce the song as originating in the “Pashtun Mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.” At that time, it was just some G-d forsaken place in an abandoned part of the world. Somehow the tune managed to roll down that hill and land its way to the center of every Jewish wedding. In the post-9/11 world, I would chuckle as Yosi would essentially be jamming out some Taliban hymn.

Serves them right.

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: a t n e m a i P Y osi c i s u M s i H d n a n a M The

Sandy Eller VosIzNeias.com (VINnews.com)

Jewish

music lovers worldwide are mourning the loss of guitarist Yosi Piamenta who passed away this week at the age of 64 after losing a protracted battle with cancer.

Piamenta was born a fourteenth generation Yerushalmi in 1951, moving to Tel Aviv at age 12. According to his Facebook biography, Piamenta’s music career began at age 13, when his uncle, a well-known Israeli bandleader, gifted him with an acoustic guitar for his bar mitzvah.

Piamenta dove into guitar playing headfirst and became so enamored with music that his schoolwork began suffering. In attempt to set him back on the path to this studies, Yehuda Piamenta broke his son’s guitar, but two months later, after seeing how crestfallen young Yosi was, the elder Piamenta relented and purchased a replacement guitar.

A self-taught musician, Piamenta honed his craft by accompanying songs on Israeli radio. He began performing in public, investing his earnings in better equipment, music magazines and albums, enabling him to further broaden both his musical horizons and his skill set. After serving in the Israeli army, where he performed in the army band, Piamenta became a full time musician.

It was during the 1973 Yom Kippur War that Piamenta first performed with his younger brother Avi, who accompanied him on the flute, as the two played for Israeli soldiers.

The brothers went on to perform as The Piamenta Band and were discovered in 1976 by saxophonist Stan Getz. Getz brought Yosi Piamenta to America to collaborate on an album and although the album was successful, Piamenta quickly saw that the secular music world was not a positive environment and he fully embraced his Jewish roots, entering the world of Orthodox Judaism and becoming closely affiliated with the Chabad movement.

In a 2012 interview with Arutz Sheva, Piamenta spoke of the intricately woven relationship between the Jewish religion and music.

“When you read the Torah in the shul, you read it with the notes, with ta’amim,” said Piamenta. “That’s the notes of the Bible. It’s all being sung. And when there’s prayer, the hazan never talks, he always sings.

In the Beit Hamikdash when they do the korbanot, then it has to come from the heart. It can’t be done as just an act, because you have to mean what you do. The Leviim used to sing and play on the stages

above the mizbeiach. The people who would perform the korbanot would hear the music and cry. And since they cried, their korbanot would be accepted because it came with tears.”

Piamenta, who played concerts, the club scene and countless Jewish weddings and bar mitzvahs, is one of the few Jewish musicians whose talents brought him accolades both in the Jewish community and beyond.

Described by some in the secular world as the “Hasidic Hendrix,” a New York Times article observed that Piamenta was regarded by many in the secular world as a guitar virtuoso, albeit one who sang in Hebrew.

Piamenta, who was recognized by Billboard magazine as the number eight guitarist in the world, returned to his homeland several years ago, according to Israeli news site Kikar HaShabbat, in order to care for his elderly father who died in 2011.

“My home was always in Israel,” said Piamenta.

“I just rented an apartment in New York, but I was really just living out of my suitcase.”

Piamenta’s Facebook page bears many requests for the public for tefilos on his behalf. A post dated April 2014 introduced a new song, produced by Yosi’s son Moni and featuring both Piamenta brothers, written as a zechus for Piamenta’s recovery.

“For those of you unaware, Yosi is battling cancer. Naftali Kalfa, a dear friend of the Piamenta family, composed the song ‘Yaancha,’ based on the 20th Psalm of David, which asks G-d to provide help in times of trouble. A recent visit to New York by Mr. Kalfa led to a day at Atlantic Studios, on the Brooklyn waterfront, where this emotional dedication to Yosi’s recovery was arranged and recorded…Please keep Yoseph ben Genia in your prayers…”

While he may have been known for his incredible prowess on the guitar as his fingers flew across the frets of his Fender Stratocaster at many prominent music venues, Piamenta always wore his Jewish identity with pride, appearing in his large yarmulka, his tzitzis flying as he sang in Hebrew. Yet for members of the Jewish music, Piamenta’s greatest accomplishments were not his music but the way he lived his life.

“I’ve had the opportunity to use him many times as a featured guitarist at concerts or at chasunas,” singer Srully Williger told VIN News. “You would think someone with such talent would be difficult to get to or a baal geiva. But Yossi was never like that. You

were always able to get to him in a second. He was always so nice and always did whatever you wanted, when it came to the music, the price, or everything else. It was all about helping people and being able to bring simcha into their lives. He was wonderfully sweet, the sweetest guy you could ever meet.”

“I worked with him for many years and at dozens of wedding,” added Shlomie Friedman of the Shlomie Friedman Orchestra. “Besides the chesed that everyone knows of running to play for sick people who would appreciate it, the thing I remember about Yosi zichrono l’vracha was that he wanted to make the chosson, kallah and the guests happy. Obviously it was parnassah and he was paid, but if for some reason he felt that on a particular night he wasn’t able to bring joy to the people, he was disappointed. That was Yosi: a true person of simcha who exuded simcha and just wanted everyone to be happy. Yehi zichro boruch.”

“That was Yosi: a true person of simcha who exuded simcha and just wanted everyone to be happy.”

Piamenta recorded 14 albums in his lifetime. His last performance took place this past winter at The Zone in Tel Aviv on February 23rd, where he took the stage with his brother Avi, his son Moni, Ephraim Shamir and Albert Piamenta.

Music legend Sheya Mendlowitz described Piamenta, the father of six, as one of his closest friends and a true tzaddik.

“He was a person that went through the whole Sefer Tehillim twice a day,” said Mendlowitz. “A true baal teshuva who would forfeit nothing—I mean nothing—when it came to keeping Shabbos.”

“Klal Yisroel lost a diamond, a precious diamond,” added Mendlowitz.

The levaya for Piamenta was held on Sunday night at the Shomrei Hachomos Chapels in Borough Park, and the procession passed by World Lubavitch Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway on its way to John F. Kennedy airport, with burial taking place in Israel. 

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Forgotten Heroes

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Avi Heiligman

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83 members of the brigade were The British government was wary of an entirely Jewish unit so several killed in the fighting in Italy and anothof the officers were non-Jews. At first er 200 were wounded. Overall, at least the British allowed them to be just pio- 30,000 Jews from Eretz Yisrael served neers—soldiers who didn’t fight— but in the British Army during WWII. 700 after much lobbying, the brigade re- of these soldiers paid the ultimate sacceived combat training. Interestingly rifice and were killed in combat. Many enough, the brigade was allowed to fly of the volunteers who returned to Eretz the Zionist flag with the Magen David Yisrael were an integral part of the Israeli Defense Forces that were actias its battle banner.

5,000 men made up three infantry vated during the War of Independence battalions with the 200th Field Artillery in 1948. 35 former Jewish Brigade solRegiment (Royal Artillery) attached to diers became generals in the IDF. Ernest Benjamin died in 1969 and the brigade. After the training ended in October 1944, they were sent to join had served with the brigade until afthe famed British 8th Army, the same ter the war. The brigade proved them army that had defeated Rommel in as a tough fighting force, and this was North Africa that was now fighting the very important for the upcoming wars Germans in Italy. Taking part in the of- in Israel. Although they weren’t given fensive in the spring of 1945 they saw planes and pilots had to be recruited some heavy fighting against German from WWII allied veterans, the IDF had paratroopers. After the German sur- a solid foundation from WWII soldiers.

Many people don’t know of these render in May, they were instrumental in finding and helping Holocaust sur- forgotten heroes as they did their part to vivors, first in Italy then in Yugoslavia help defeat the Nazis. In future articles, and Austria, and eventually in Belgium we’ll talk about the lives of some of the and the Netherlands. Many of the survi- other members of the brigade. vors were sent with the Jewish Brigade’s assistance to Eretz Yisrael. In missions that the British brass was completely unaware of, many members of the brigade hunted down Nazis and served their own justice.

It was against military regulations but the soldiers went AWOL looking for refugees. Its purpose over, the brigade Ernest Benjamin reviews his troops in the Jewish Brigade was disbanded in 1946.

Another prominent Correction from last week’s issue: member in the unit was the brigade chaplain Rabbi Captain Bernard Casper. The space shuttle Challenger blew up He was born in Manchester and later on January 28, 1986, killing all 7 astrobecame the chief rabbi in South Africa. nauts (including teacher Christa McAuDuring the war he is most famous for liffe and Jewish astronaut Judy Resnik). conducting the Pesach seder for the bri- The test space shuttle Enterprise is now gade in 1945 on the banks of the Senio on display at the Intrepid’s Sea, Air and River in Italy barely 500 yards from the Space Museum.

German lines. After the German surrender, he used his contacts in the British Army to help get a trainload of Jewish Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The refugees badly needed provisions and Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments tricked the border guards to let them and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com. into Italy.

AUGUST 27, 2015

ar and the far-reaching ef- Jewish officer from Canada. fects of battle reached most Earnest Benjamin was born in Toareas of the globe dur- ronto, Canada, in 1900 and went to ing WWII. Even school in London. countries that He joined the Britweren’t officially ish Army at the in the war felt the tail end of WWI devastation. The and served as a Middle East was junior officer in a hotbed for spies, Turkey, Malaya, refugees, and reand Madagascruitment for the car. When WWII entire duration started in 1939, he of the war. Great was senior officer Britain had conhaving attended trol over several the army’s Staff countries and used College in Surrey. volunteers to fight In 1941, Benjamin the Germans and served in the RoyJapanese.

(The al Corps of EngiGeneral Earnest Benjamin Italians, for the neers and in 1943 most part, had a was transferred to weak and irrelevant military.) the Middle East Command as the assisHaganah leaders had been press- tant quartermaster general. A year later, ing the British to form a Jewish unit he was assigned as the deputy director equipped with planes and tanks to at- of Military Training Middle East Comtack the Nazis. The Jews living in Eretz mand.

Yisrael—then called Palestine—in parA British officer was needed to ticular, had heard of the atrocities that command the Jewish Brigade and even the Nazis were committing against their though he had limited fighting experifellow European brethren and were ea- ence, Benjamin was selected. He was a ger to get into the fight. Finally, the Brit- Jewish officer with a likable personality ish acquiesced and had plans to create who had experience training troops in Arab units as well but that plan failed to the Middle East. Benjamin was a brigagain momentum. Fifteen Jewish battal- dier general and, being the treasurer of ions were formed in 1940, and in 1944 the United Synagogue in England, conwere formed into the Jewish Brigade. vinced the army brass that he was suitTheir commander was an experienced able for the job.

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Ernest Benjamin and the Jewish Brigade

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Torah Thought

Rabbi Berel Wein

Parshas Ki Teitzei

T

he saga of the captive woman described in this week’s Torah reading has always remained a somewhat puzzling subject. The Talmud itself reacts to the realities of war – those young male soldiers and vulnerable female captives – by stating that the Torah is reacting to the natural base desires of men in times of stress and danger. So to speak, the entire matter is a concession to evil instinct and the inability to demand complete control over certain desires in certain situations.

While all of this is undoubtedly true, it does not provide us with a very spiritual explanation of the event as it is portrayed in the Torah. Rashi, following the lead of the Talmud and Midrash, portrays this type of behavior as one that leads to severe and tragic consequences in the future.

Disputes over inheritance, severely rebellious children, all follow on the heels of this act of uninhibited passion.

The Torah itself warns that the man

himself who committed this physical act will not find satisfaction with wife that he acquired in such a fashion.

The Torah, in essence, guarantees only trouble and travail as a conse-

an understanding of Torah values and lifestyle, who will properly avoid such an act which, while permitted, can only lead to troubles and eventual disaster.

Life is always filled with problem-

Not everything that is permitted will lead to a cheerful and good outcome. quence of the act that the Torah itself previously condoned and made possible. There is an important lesson in life that is to be gleaned from this problematic situation. And that is that not everything that is permitted will lead to a cheerful and good outcome.

What is basically permitted does not mean that one should avail one’s self of actually performing the legally permitted act. It is the wise person, the person who possesses perspective and

atic situations and difficult choices.

Many times, if not even most times, these choices are complicated by our basic drives and desires. These natural instincts, which exist within us, are very powerful and fully capable of overriding our logical, intellectual, and protective self-interest.

Rarely does the person who is faced with monetary or physical temptation truly make a reckoning as to the consequences of what he or she is about

to do. The rabbis in Avot cautioned us to always make such a reckoning – the pleasure of the act versus the irreversible consequences that it will engender – before deciding to go ahead and perform the act in question.

One can always rationalize one’s behavior, technically and legally, and say that an act was permitted and not extralegal. However, the wise person realizes that this may not be beneficial or positive.

There are many who direct scorn and criticism at those who adopt certain stringencies upon themselves, even on issues which are technically permissible. While everything should be done in moderation and with good sense, the Torah itself allows for such behavior.

In the famous words of the rabbis, “one who sees an unfaithful wife being shamed should refrain from drinking wine.” That is undoubtedly the lesson to be derived from this situation described for us in this week’s Torah reading.

Shabbat shalom.

Artscroll Book Review Stories, Ahavas Yisrael, and You: Stories that Unite Our Hearts

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

by Rabbi Binyomin Pruzansky

Ahavas Yisrael. Jewish unity. Bein adam l’chaveiro. Achdus, chesed, vatranus.

Yeah, yeah, you know all the buzzwords, all the concepts and ideas.

They sound great. But how do you turn them into your own reality, when someone swipes that parking space you’ve been hovering over? When your neighbor’s new central air turns your beautiful garden into a mudhole?

When your coworker grabs the credit for the report you slaved over? When someone’s dress/minhagim/hashkafos/ speech are so different from your own (utterly perfect) behaviors?

Try using a story.

Actually, more than forty stories.

True stories that will show you how people took the ideal of ahavas Yisrael and brought them into the here and now of daily life.

To be effective, to really make a difference, those stories should be told by a master storyteller – someone like

collection.

Here are stories that focus on the immense power of little things, of just being there for each other. When the man’s car stalled in front of the rabbi’s house on that Shabbos morning, the

Do you really want your heart to beat together with your fellow Jews?

Rabbi Binyomin Pruzansky.

Do you really want your heart to beat together with your fellow Jews?

Open up Stories that Unite Our Hearts, Rabbi Pruzansky’s newest

rabbi, already late, could have just ignored him. But, realizing the man was Jewish and these circumstances could not be mere coincidence, the rabbi invited the man to shul – and changed his life.

There are stories that show the absolutely amazing power of one Yid to care for another.

Three boys were battling cancer – and each other. When one played a nasty prank on another, who would

have believed the depth of ahavas Yisrael it would lead to many years later?

We see the greatness of great men – the elderly Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt’l walked over an hour to ensure a bar mitzvah boy’s day was special; Rav Moshe Feinstein zt’l publicly asked for tzedakah in order not to embarrass someone – and the exceptional deeds of simple Jews – everyone thought he was a bitter and crazy old man, until they learned about his extraordinary act of heroism in the death camp.

We are fascinated, enthralled, engaged by these true stories, which reveal the enormous potential of every encounter, the possibilities of greatness in our own lives.

Stories that Unite Our Hearts is a rollicking good read – and a fantastic way for us to open our hearts to our fellow Jews.

The Observant Jew

81 Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

We really have no idea just what kind of an impact a particular act will make.

a smaller difference, but we really have no idea just what kind of an impact a particular act will make.

People see us when we don’t realize it and our behavior may teach them something or cause them angst; the series of events we set in motion may take a direction we never imagined; somehow, we are changing the “program” of the world every time we adjust the “thermostat.”

If we take the time to think about that, we’ll likely be more careful about making rash decisions and spontaneous acts. We’ll grow our patience and bite our tongues.

To highlight the importance of keeping our cool, let me end with a great story: Two women on a bus were discussing all sorts of things: the weather, politics, fashion; and then the conversation

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@JewishSpeech Writer.com and put Subscribe in the subject.

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B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

it back. Nope, I’m wrong! Come back to the house after shul and sure enough it’s 72.

I finally figured out what to do the next time it happens. Instead of setting it to hold a temperature right now, I’ll set a program so it’s 72 until about 10pm, then drops down to 69 or 70 overnight. I’ll get some sleep and my brotherin-law won’t be able to do a thing about it… unless, of course, he has the same idea.

In a couple of shuls, however, where there must have been similar control wars, I’ve seen signs asking people not to adjust the thermostat.

However, just asking that wouldn’t be enough because people who adjust the temperature feel they’re doing a community service. “It’s SOOOOO hot in here!!!” so they lower it to 67. Well, hopefully that’s all they do. Some people who aren’t aware of how thermostats work will lower them to 60 so it cools off “faster.” (It doesn’t work that way.) Or they raise it to 85 to heat up faster (it STILL doesn’t work that way).

Therefore, the shuls add the caveat, “Adjusting it will mess up the program.”

Suddenly, people think twice about it.

Instead of just being concerned with the “now,” they start to consider the “later.”

They start to recognize that their actions will have repercussions and since they don’t know exactly how the adjusting will mess up the program (in most cases

turned to the daughter of an acquaintance who one of them had recently seen. They took turns laughing about her looks, her personality, her brains, her job, and so on. A woman seated near them came over and said, “You know, this girl was recently proposed as a shidduch for my son. I am so glad that I happened to hear you. Now I know that she is an awful match,” and she returned to her seat.

The two women were dumbstruck.

The harsh reality of what had just transpired hit them like a ton of bricks.

They were just shmoozing. They didn’t really know the woman that well, and her daughter even less. And now they had ruined a marriage opportunity for the poor girl. They sank into gloomy silence.

A few stops later, the other passenger leaned down to them as she headed off the bus. “You should know,” she said, “that I’m not really the mother of a boy proposed for this girl – but just think about this: I might have been.”

AUGUST 27, 2015

thermostat. They lock it inside metal or Lucite cases, sometimes even with padlocks. In high school that was the case.

It would have been horrible if not for the fact that the case had slits in it for airflow which were big enough to slip in a butter knife, enabling us to move the sliders and change the temp!

One shul I went to actually covered the numbers on the thermostat dial and replaced them “too cold,” “too hot,” and a wide “just right” swath in the middle.

It was their way of telling people to be accommodating and realizing that when it comes to comfort, it’s a state of mind, not just a number.

Of course, I’ve played thermostat tag with housemates in the past. When family get-togethers require it, I try to

it really shouldn’t), they hold back from making the change and just deal with the situation as it is.

That’s a fantastic lesson for life. Everything we do will have repercussions and results. Some things may make a bigger difference and some may make

thegraphicpalette@gmail.com

I

be surreptitious when adjusting the temperature. It’s like I know what will happen. I’ll set it for 69, come back and it will be on 73. So I glance around and when no one is looking, I lower it to 70.

I figure that I’m doing it right before Shabbos and it will be too late to change

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Cool It n many homes, businesses, and places of public gathering, one of the most hotly contested pieces of technology is not a smartphone, a computer, or even related to the internet. No, the object of contention is the trusty thermostat.

Now, they can be as old-fashioned or new-fangled as you please and nobody will care. It doesn’t matter if it’s programmable or a dial, digital or LED. What gets our motors running is the ability – no, the need – to control the climate where we are.

It seems that just two degrees of separation can make the difference between remaining cool as a cucumber and getting hot under the collar, even when you’re trying to raise the temperature. I recall how one woman at my office got so upset when you lowered the thermostat in the winter that someone else left it at 73 and just opened the window!

People get very protective of the

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AUGUST 27, 2015

90

Notable Notable Quotes

Quotes

Compiled by by Nate Davis Compiled Nate Davis

“Say “Say What?” What?”

A man set a new world record after kicking himself in the head 134 times in one minute. He broke the previous record of zero.

– Conan O’Brien It’s better to die like a lion than be slaughtered like sheep. And this terrorist coward deserved what he got, and the PC crowd needs to recognize terrorism for what it is.

- Emanuel Skarlatos on MSNBC, after his son and two other Americans tackled a Muslim gunman on a Paris-bound train last Friday, preventing a massacre

When people say “all lives matter,” it’s a violent statement, because the only time that people say “all lives matter” is in opposition to “black lives matter.”

- Black Lives Matter activist Julius Jonas on CNN

A study found that many types of head lice have mutated and now have become resistant to over-the-counter treatments. The problem has scientists scratching their heads.

– Conan O’Brien

How would you like to be Israel right now? They relied on us. They’re a voice of sanity. They’re great people.

And we have a deal that is so incompetent, so bad. Think of the deal. We make a deal, our chief negotiator goes into a bicycle race at 73 years old, he falls, he breaks his leg. That was the good part of our deal. That was the only good thing that happened.

– Donald Trump at a rally of 40,000 people in Alabama Google has announced that the next version of its Android phone software will be called Marshmallow. It’ll be similar to the last version but with s’more features.

– Seth Myers Big hug.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin signing off on a radio chat with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev

The White House is worried about Joe Biden’s potential run for president, and a source says they fear that it wouldn’t have the right outcome. That’s right, they think he might win.

– Jimmy Fallon

I’m going Trump here. Build the wall. It’s not that hard.

If you don’t have a border, you don’t have a country.

You’re not a country without a border, right?

– Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh randomly entering the foray of politics at a press conference about his team

We wouldn’t be here today if the employee had followed government policy.

– Washington, D.C., U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during a Freedom of Information Act Hearing against the State Department

Donald Trump was photographed at the Iowa State Fair eating a pork chop on a stick. That’s what I love about America. You can fly on a private jet and eat at five-star restaurants. But if you want to be president, when they hand you a pork chop on a stick in Iowa, you have to eat it.

– Jimmy Fallon

The sensor may detect that the person is slouching in a seated position based on detection of the relatively high pressure. In accordance with this embodiment, the one or more electrical stimuli indicate that the person is to sit upright.

- From a Microsoft patent application for computerized clothes that would prompt the wearer to sit up straight

More quotes

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– Conan O’Brien

Starbucks announced that their pumpkin spice latte will now be made with a little bit of pumpkin. Also, their Frappuccino will now be made with a little bit of Al Pacino.

– Conan O’Brien

I am Batman.

- Trump in response

There are reports that if Joe Biden runs for president, he would promise to serve for only one term — because nothing says confidence like promising your presidency would be over quickly.

– Jimmy Fallon

A new study claims that first grade students are getting three times more homework than they should be doing.

This is coming from the lead researcher, “Timmy.”

– Conan O’Brien

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo just signed a bill that bans powdered alcohol from the state. So if you live in New York and you’re consuming powdered alcohol, your life just somehow got even worse.

– Jimmy Fallon

A company is developing an elevator that can take you into space. Don’t you hate it when you’re going to Jupiter and someone gets on the elevator and presses “Mars”?

– Conan O’Brien

A New Jersey restaurant is offering a special menu this month that doesn’t list prices, but instead asks customers to pay what they think is fair. According to the sign in the window, the restaurant is called “This Space for Rent.”

– Seth Myers

In lieu of flowers, please do not vote for Hillary Clinton.

- From Elaine Fydrych’s obituary (the 63-year-old New Jersey woman was a registered Democrat) This weekend many of the Republican candidates said they used a Fitbit. In fact, Jeb Bush uses his to see how much distance he can put between himself and his last name.

– Conan O’Brien

It has come out that implementing Donald Trump’s immigration policy would cost taxpayers $166 billion. Today Trump said, “So what?

You spend the money, you declare bankruptcy, and then you start a new country.”

– Conan O’Brien A man was arrested at Denver International Airport yesterday for running onto the tarmac to try and stop a plane after he missed his flight on the way to his high school reunion. He was heard screaming after the plane, “But I lost all the weight!”

– Seth Myers

You do a beautiful, nice precast plank, with beautiful everything, just perfect. I want it to be so beautiful, because maybe someday they’re going to call it The Trump Wall.

- GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, in a town hall meeting in Derry, N.H., on the wall he wants to build on the Mexican border

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

This week the Obama administration warned China to remove its secret agents from the U.S. Then in the middle of Obama’s announcement, a plant behind him got up and walked away.

– Jimmy Fallon

Mr. Trump, are you Batman?

– A little child to Donald Trump while being given a ride on Trump’s helicopter at the Iowa State Fair

In an interview this week, Jeb Bush said that if he had a magic wand, there are at least ten things that he would like change about the Constitution. Then Jeb Bush was given the prize for “lamest use of a magic wand.”

– Jimmy Fallon

AUGUST 27, 2015

A five-thirds compromise would imbue AfricanAmericans with a larger political voice that could be used to fight the structural discrimination expressed in housing, education, criminal justice and employment.

Allowing black votes to count for 167 percent of everyone else’s would mean that 30 million African-American votes would count as 50 million.

- Former White House fellow Theodore R. Johnson in a Washington Post Op-ed arguing that African-American votes should count more than white votes

I expected people to be hostile, and not to want to associate with an Egyptian. But I was very pleasantly surprised to find out that just the opposite was true. I was invited to all sorts of events, to Shabbat dinners and end of Ramadan fast “iftar” dinners… On my very first day here at the university, I saw men in kippas, women in hijabs. I saw soldiers walking peacefully among crowds of lively students. I learned there were people of every kind in the university, and the university had a place for all of them—Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouins, and even international students… Being here in Israel has taught me that life is full of paradoxes and complexities—that nothing is straightforward, and that things are often not as they are made to seem.

- Haisam Hassanein, an Egyptian student who completed his master’s degree studies at Tel Aviv University, speaking at his graduation

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Donald Trump is the grandson of German immigrants.

Don’t worry. The last time a German guy with crazy hair took over a country, everything turned out fine.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

AUGUST 27, 2015

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Political Crossfire

85 Charles Krauthammer

The Immigration Swamp “This was not a subject that was on anybody’s mind until I brought it up at my announcement.”

-- Donald Trump, on immigration, Republican debate, Aug. 6

N

ot on anyone’s mind? For years, immigration has been the subject of near-constant, often bitter argument within the GOP. But it is true that Trump has brought the debate to a new place – first, with his announcement speech, about whether Mexican migrants are really convicts, and now with the somewhat more nuanced Trump plan.

Much of it – visa tracking, E-Verify, withholding funds from sanctuary cities – predates Trump. Even building the Great Wall is not particularly new.

(I, for one, have been advocating that in this space since 2006.) Dominating the discussion, however, are his two policy innovations: (a) abolition of birthright citizenship and (b) mass deportation.

Birthright Citizenship If you are born in the United States, you are an American citizen. So says the 14th Amendment. Barring some esoteric and radically new jurisprudence, abolition would require amending the Constitution. Which would take years and great political effort. And make the GOP anathema to Hispanic-Americans for a generation.

And for what? Birthright citizenship is a symptom, not a cause. If you regain control of the border, the number of birthright babies fades to insignificance.

The time and energy it would take to amend the Constitution are far more usefully deployed securing the border.

Moreover, the real issue is not the birthright babies themselves, but the chain migration that follows. It turns one baby into an imported village.

Chain migration, however, is not a constitutional right. It’s a result of statutes and regulations. These can be readily changed. That should be the focus, not a quixotic constitutional battle.

Mass Deportation Last Sunday, Trump told NBC’s Chuck Todd that all illegal immigrants must leave the country. Although once they’ve been kicked out, we will let

“the good ones” back in.

On its own terms, this is crackpot.

Wouldn’t you save a lot just on Mayflower moving costs if you chose the “good ones” first – before sending

grudged his masterly showmanship, his relentless candor or his polling success.

I strongly oppose the idea of ostracizing anyone from the GOP or the conservative movement. On whose authority?

If you are a conservative alarmed at the country’s direction and committed to retaking the White House, you should be concerned about what Trump’s ascendancy is doing to the chances of that happening.

SWAT teams to turf families out of their homes, loading them on buses and dumping them on the other side of the Rio Grande?

Less frivolously, it is estimated by the conservative American Action Forum that mass deportation would take about 20 years and cost about $500 billion for all the police, judges, lawyers and enforcement agents – and bus drivers! – needed to expel 11 million people.

This would all be merely ridiculous if it weren’t morally obscene. Forcibly evict 11 million people from their homes? It can’t happen. It shouldn’t happen. And, of course, it won’t ever happen. But because it’s the view of the Republican frontrunner, every other candidate is now required to react. So instead of debating border security, guest-worker programs and sanctuary cities – where Republicans are on firm moral and political ground – they are forced into a debate about a repulsive fantasy.

Which, for the Republican Party, is also political poison. Mitt Romney lost the Hispanic vote by 44 points and he was advocating only self-deportation.

Now the party is discussing forced deportation.

It is not just Hispanics who will be alienated. Romney lost the Asian vote, too. By 47 points. And many non-minorities will be offended by the idea of rounding up 11 million people, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding members of their communities.

Donald Trump has every right to advance his ideas. He is not to be be-

Let the people decide.

But that is not to say that he should be exempt from normal scrutiny or from consideration of the effect of his

candidacy on conservatism’s future. If you are a conservative alarmed at the country’s direction and committed to retaking the White House, you should be concerned about what Trump’s ascendancy is doing to the chances of that happening.

The Democrats’ presumptive candidate is flailing badly. Republicans have an unusually talented field with a good chance of winning back the presidency.

Do they really want to be dragged into the swamps – right now, on immigration – that will make that prospect electorally impossible?

Yes, I understand. The anger, the frustration, etc., etc., that Trump is channeling. But how are these alleviated by yelling “I’m mad as anything” – and proceeding to elect Hillary Clinton?  (c) 2015, The Washington Post Writers Group w

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

How long have you been in this business?

7 years.

What are the primary uses that people rent a dumpster?

Home remodeling or for “Spring Cleanup” type projects.

We make it simple to rent a dumpster for any type of project.

Do you have any additional services?

Yes, our sister company, Northwest Equipment Rentals is a full service construction equipment rental company.

What type of construction equipment do you rent?

Some of the rentals include: Skidsteer Loaders, backhoes, man lifts, jack-hammers, subterranean camera equipment, tree stump grinders, etc.

Any equipment for the size and scope a do it yourself homeowner may need?

That depends on how aggressive

In what Shul do you Daven?

Suburban Orthodox.

Describe a day where you’ve just had the greatest working day of your life. You’re driving home and you’re on cloud nine.

What was it about that working day that made you so happy?

A day when all our employees and customers feel good about their NWR interactions. This is the ultimate indicator of a great day.

What keeps you up at night?

Inclement weather in the forecast.

The truck routes inevitably get delayed, but more importantly, there is an increased risk of traffic accidents.

What advice would you give a budding entrepreneur?

There are lots of opportunities out there in the home improvement and commercial real estate service

sectors, especially in Baltimore. Most of the younger folks in our community tend to gravitate to white collar professional industries such as law, finance and insurance. Those are great fields, however it is important to know that other areas of opportunity are present and available.

Virtually anyone who is willing to work hard and has a good head on their shoulders is likely to succeed and make a good living for themselves and their families. It may not be glamorous in the beginning , as one will likely have to spend several years working as an apprentice, technician or foreman, but after a short period of time, it is more than likely that doors will open allowing one to own their own business. I very much believe in this. The key, as in any profession, is to learn as much as you can and gain the necessary skills.

What is the contact information for Northwest Refuse Service?

David Ehrenfeld.

2001 Windsor Ave Baltimore MD, 21217 (410)-486-3274 Fax: 1443-769-1187 info@northwestrefuse.net

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Tell us about Northwest Refuse Service Northwest Refuse Service is your local dumpster and roll-off container rental service provider. Our exclusive “on time budget guarantee” ensures we deliver your container on schedule, so you can finish the project on time.

We work with homeowners and contractors offering 15 to 40 yard roll-off containers and 2 to 8 yard front-load dumpsters. Our pricing is straightforward and affordable. Our “no fee guarantee” means you pay no taxes, fuel surcharges, or delivery charges.

Does your staff recommend the size dumpster needed for a particular job?

Yes. If the customer is unsure of the size they need we can certainly help guide them.

a homeowner may want to be when it comes to “doing it yourself.” Many of our tools are exclusively rented by contractors others are rented by homeowners for their weekend projects. We do offer our customers a basic tutorial, if requested.

AUGUST 27, 2015

David Ehrenfeld - Northwest Refuse Service

AUGUST 27, 2015

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100

In the Kitchen

People always ask me for examples of Australian cuisine. I usu-

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

ally respond with these three: (1) a

Naomi Nachman

Fish and Chips

Vegemite sandwich, (2) meat pies and (3) fish and chips.

Fish and chips, which is so popular in Australia, came from the influence of the British. I recently was trying to develop a new fish recipe and thought it would be appropriate to create a fish and chips recipe. As the creative juices flowed, I came up with this great concept. I opened up my favorite bag of potato chips by Ten Acre Chip Company and crushed them down to make the coating for my flounder. Viola! It was literally fish and (potato) chips!

It was so amazing – freshly panfried with a squeeze of fresh lemon and tartar sauce.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Cook’s note: Planning ahead for Sukkot I plan to batter the fish the day before yom tov, cover it and leave it in the fridge, and fry it up fresh on yom tov morning. Leaving it in the fridge even for an hour helps the coating adhere properly when frying. This works well with schnitzel too.

Ingredients 1 pound fresh baby flounder 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup all-purpose flour 3 packages Ten Acre potato chips When Sweet and Sour Became Friends. (It’s their version of salt and vinegar) crushed in a food processor.

Canola oil

Tartar Sauce Ingredients 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish 1 tablespoon minced onion 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation In three separate bowls: place the flour in one, eggs in one, and crushed chips in another.

Dip each piece of fish in the order: flour, eggs, then chips.

Heat in sauté pan enough oil so that when frying the fish it comes halfway up the side of the fish. This will help make the fish extra crispy.

Fry on both sides till golden brown.

Serve immediately with a wedge of fresh lemon and tartar sauce.

Preparation In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and minced onion. Stir in lemon juice.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com, or at (516) 295-9669.

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10/22/15 THURSDAY THE GREAT CHALLAH BAKE WOMEN’S/GIRLS’ EVENT The Maryland State Fairgrounds 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm ________________

10/23-10/24 SHABBAT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & MEALS Candle Lighting 5:58 p.m. ________________

10/24/15 SATURDAY EVENING ONE PEOPLE ONE HEART CONCERT & CELEBRATION MOSHAV BAND Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC 8:00 pm to 11:00pm

www.BaltimoreShabbatProject.org

WHAT: The Baltimore Shabbat Project is a unique, grassroots Jewish identity movement that is part of the International Shabbos Project in over 465 cities worldwide. Spanning across every denomination, every affiliation, and every label, we are strengthening our Jewish community as ONE People with ONE Heart for ONE Shabbat.

WHY: The heart and purpose of this project is about unifying the Jewish people in global solidarity. This is about respecting, dignifying and honoring every single Jew. No matter what backgrounds, customs, traditions and foods we enjoy, we are coming together as we celebrate Shabbat.

GET INVOLVED, DONATE, PARTICIPATE.

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We need YOU for us to be ONE. Connect with us on For more information visit www.BaltimoreShabbatProject.org Officially Sponsored By

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