CitySpirit April 2011 by City Spirit

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Volume 3 Issue 4 April 2011 | Nisan 5771

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get get into into the the spirit spirit Editor Tova Klein Contributing Writers Rabbi Gershon Bess Rabbi Asher Brander Rebecca Klempner Hershel Lieber Jonathan D. Pivo, D.D.S. Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D Publisher Mati Jacobovits Food Faigy Grossman kids Spirit Fraydee Mozes

CitySpirit NEXT issue Advertising Deadline May 9 Publication Date May 24 cityspiritmag@gmail.com www.cityspiritmagazine.com

CITY spirit april 2011

NY office: 1588 East 27th Street Brooklyn, NY 11229 Phone: 917-771-6996

CitySpirit is published five times a year and distributed free to area locations. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertisement material. CitySpirit accepts no responsibility for typographical errors or reliability of Kashrus of any advertisements. All submissions become the property of CitySpirit and may be shortened and/or edited for length and clarity. Articles and letters published in CitySpirit express the views of the individual writers and may not necessarily represent the views of CitySpirit. No artwork or any part of this magazine may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without the written permission of the publisher.

Dear Readers, The world as we know it is rapidly changing and falling apart in front of our eyes. The reliability of our weather and financial markets, or appearances of calm in many countries is fading day by day. Clearly Hashem is preparing us for something where complacency in any area could not help achieve the desired goal. We are NOT in control. So, how coincidental is it that the country known for its stability and need to control and plan, even 100 years in advance for their future, Japan, was the country picked to have not only one disaster but three almost simultaneously; earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown. This is a wake up call, not for the Japanese, but for us! In 1923, Japan had a large earthquake. At that time, there weren’t many Jews, if any, in Japan, yet the Chofetz Chaim quoted a Gemara which said, Ein Puraniyus Ba L’olam Ela Bishvil Yisroel (Punishment comes to the world only for the sake of Israel). And we Jews were hit hard, as well, in the city of Ithamar in Israel. We are receiving messages from all around the globe. We need to get out of our comfort zone and push ourselves to the next level, whatever that may be. The overwhelming response towards the Fogel family is a clear indication of our ability to care about each other. We just need to keep working so that a tragedy of this magnitude doesn’t need to become a catalyst for our growth. As we approach Pesach, when we experience the Geulah of the past as if it were today, we hopefully push that extra mile to make it our second nature to look favorably towards one another. Let’s follow the

words of Pikei Avos; Al Tadin es Chavercha Ad She’Tagiya L’Mkomo (Do not judge your fellow until you have reached his place). Lissy Schick, A”H, was a true example of such a growth and a always striving to better herself. See what you can learn from this amazing woman. (p.16) Recently, we came across a unique Holocaust book, The Promise, written for small children gently introducing them to the topic of the war in a level they can understand and deal with. We took this opportunity to interview the author, Chavi Diamond, to learn what inspired her to write this book. (p.38) Featured this issue is stirring sampling of short stories and poems from the newly released book The Punch Line by Chaya Sara Schlussel. (p.19) Rebecca Klempner is back with a fun story Nosson’s Nissan Birthday sure to delight the kids. Manny Saltiel joins us with advice from over-the-counter and under-thebed. (p.40) Joining us for the first time is Rabbi Asher Brander, Rav of The Westwood Kehilla and founder and dean of LINK, LA’s Intercommunity kollel. His article, A MiniReflections Haggadah, is sure to inspire you as you prepare for your seder. (p.30) As we sit at our seders, we should reflect how special we must be to Ha Kadosh Baruch Hu. We were taken out of Mitzrayim then, and BE”H, through our zchusim in caring for each other, we should be zoche to see ourselves being taken out of this difficult Galus, Bimhayra V’Yameinu, Amen. Chag Kasher V-Sameach,

Tova

april 2011

contents features 19 A sampling of short

stories and poems from the new book The Punch Line by Chaya Sara Schlussel, published by Israel Bookshop.

Teaching Children About The Holocaust: CitySpirit Interviews Chavi Diamond, author of The Promise. This book, geared for young children, is about the ordeal of a little girl caring for her younger sister during the war.

community spirit

in this issue

26 Dvar Halachah

Letters

10 Hatzolah of Los Angeles Inaugural Dinner

Rabbi Gershon Bess

30 Inspiration

Rabbi Asher Brander

BJE March Of The Living

Cheder Menachem

16 Lissy Schick OBâ&#x20AC;?M Remembered

36 The Wandering Jew Hershel Lieber 40 Advice from Over-the-Counter Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D. 42 Dining In Again

kid spirit

44 Puzzles, Contest & More

46 Dental Health

Fraydee Mozes

45 Nossonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nissan Birthday

Rebecca Klempner

Faigy Grossman

Jonathan D. Pivo, D.D.S.

West Coast Directory

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Dear CitySpirit, There is a group of us who enjoy reading and discussing your magazine. From the first time we received it, we love it. It always looks beautiful and has such interesting articles. We share it with others, but make sure we always get it back. Keep up the great work. Mrs. Ray Felder Dear City Spirit, I would like to drop you a line to say how much my husband and I enjoy your wonderful magazine. I find it captures my interest and is well written and informative. Each issue makes the rounds of my circle of friends. Beverly Chaitovsky Dear Editor, I really enjoyed your interview with Sheriff Baca. I didn’t appreciate what the Sheriffs Dept does for our community. Thank you enlightening me. It gives me the confidence to contact them in a time of need. A Citizen of LA County

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State Assemblyman Mike Feuer, LA City Councilman Paul Koretz, California Highway Patrol Joseph Farrow and Mr. Zvika Brenner

Zvika Brenner, David Hecht, Operations Coordinator in Pico, Yoey Schochet, Operations Coordinator in the Valley and Special Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security Frank Quiambao

Hatzolah of Los Angeles Inaugural Dinner Celebrating 10 Years of Service to the Los Angeles community.

n March 1, 2011, Hatzolah of Los Angeles held its first Dinner, celebrating 10 years of service to the Los Angeles community. The dinner honored Rabbi & Mrs. Uri Mandelbaum, Dr. & Mrs. Martin Kay and Mr. Alex Friedman, who donated the first three ambulances to Hatzolah respectively.

The dinner was attended by over 400 people and represented a cross section of the Los Angeles community and included dignitaries such as Los Angeles City Fire Chief Millage Peaks, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby, Beverly Hills Fire Department Chief Timothy Scranton, and Los

Angeles County Sherriff Lee Baca. A special award was made to California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joseph Farrow for his constant support of Hatzolah on the State level who said “Hatzolah is the only ambulance company that consistently passes its yearly inspections on the first try; it typically takes a few inspections to pass and remain in service”. The Israeli Consulate presented an

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Zvika Brenner, Commissioner Joseph Farrow, California Highway Patrol, LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky

award to Hatzolah for their dedication to Los Angeles and for always being available to assist Israeli citizens here in Los Angeles who may be in need of care while they’re visiting. Ms. Yehudit Galillee highlighted a story of a time when a Hatzolah member accompanied a pregnant patient to Israel on a moments notice so that she could accompany her deceased husband to his burial in Israel; her doctor would not clear

Zvika Brenner, Chairman of the Board LA Hatzolah, Chief Anthony Marrone, LA County Fire Dept. Chief of Air Operations, Deputy Chief Michael Downing, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau

her to fly unless she was accompanied by a trained medical professional. The Hatzolah volunteer boarded the flight with two hours notice then returned to Los Angeles the following day, “This is the dedication we have come to expect from Hatzolah. It’s reassuring to know they’re there for all of us”. Other dignitaries included State Assemblyman Mike Feuer, LA City Councilman Paul Koretz, LA City Con-

Mr. Alex Friedman and Dr. Martin Kay

troller Wendy Gruel, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, Special Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security Frank Quiambao, Deputy Mayor for Homeland Security and Public Safety Eileen Decker, LAPD and LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. The entire evening was made possible due to the efforts of Rabbi Yehuda Feigin, Mr. Yisroel Zev Rechnitz and Mr. Irving Bauman.

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BJE March of the Living 2011

ach spring, nearly 200 BJE March of the Living students from Los Angeles travel to Poland and Israel, joining over 8,000 teens from around the world to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom Ha’Shoah) at Auschwitz and Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Ha’Atzmaut) in Israel. During this life-transforming journey, BJE encourages participants to think about the historical experiences of the Jewish people and enables teens to deepen their personal Jewish identity, connect with peers from L.A. and around the world, and strengthen their understanding of and relationship to Israel. Continues on page 14

LA Teens Featured in International Documentary as members of the film crew and others from the entertainment industry. The filmmakers received a standing ovation at the end of the screening at the Gindi Auditorium, which was followed by Q&A with the film director and producer LG Tubaldini Jr., BJE March of the Living Director Monise Neumann , and other members of the crew. “The film was powerful,” said Dorothy Goren, who attended a screening with her grandson, a BJE March of the Living alumnus. “As far as my grandson is concerned, it changed his whole feeling about being Jewish. He was enthralled with the trip and particularly with the survivors. He made some good friends amongst the survivors, and he talks about the trip all the time.” The crowd of filmmakers, students, BJE supporters, staff and survivors remained long after the program, at each event, to discuss the film and the experience it documents. March of the Living is playing Sunday, May 1, 2011 at the Hammer Museum in Westwood at 2:00 pm. The museum is located at 10899 Wilshire Blvd , Los Angeles , CA 90024 . Visit www. hammer.ucla.edu for more information. For more information about BJE March of the Living, visit www. bjela.org or email mneumann@ bjela.org.

CITY spirit april 2011

When Brazilian film producer, LG Tubaldini Jr. and film director, Jessica Sanders set out to make a film about the power of the March of the Living program, LA’s BJE March of the Living, internationally recognized for its outstanding educational programming, was selected to represent the “March” experience of American teens. The documentary, “March of the Living,” shot in 2008, follows high school students from Los Angeles , Sao Paulo and Berlin as they prepare for the trip, and captures their experiences and reflections while on March of the Living. “What I thought was extraordinarily interesting was the inclusion of the three communities, and the centrality of the Los Angeles community as part of this documentary,” said Dr. Beryl Geber, Associate Executive Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. “There were times in the documentary when the visible and caring mutual support of the teens and the survivors was so deeply moving it brought tears to my eyes.” BJE hosted the premiere screenings of the documentary “March of the Living” at Creative Artists Agency’s (CAA) Ray Kurtzman Theatre on June 8 and at AJU’s Gindi Auditorium on June 13, 2010. Over 600 people attended the screenings, including BJE supporters, March of the Living alumni and families, as well

 community spirit Continued from page 13 This year, a record 185 teens will participate in BJE March of the Living, accompanied by 7 survivors, and an outstanding staff. On the trip, the delegation will visit the Polish home towns (Brzezny, Pabianice, and Otwock) of three of the survivors; meet with a righteous gentile; complete a service project with Polish Catholic teens; deliver donated books to members of the Jewish community in Poland; and celebrate Shabbat with delegations from Florida and Ohio at The Tempel Synagogue - used by the Nazis for ammunition storage - in Krakow, Poland. After a week in Poland, special activities in Israel will include meeting with underprivileged youth and planting trees in the Carmel to assist in reforesting the region destroyed by the largest forest fire in Israel ‘s history last December. Participants will also experience the vitality of modern Israeli life and will, as in Poland , interact with peers from other continents. BJE March of the Living participants will attend a series of three orientation programs, beginning March 6, including a session at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. BJE March of the Living enables teens to experience Jewish peoplehood across time and place and to reflect on their individual and collective Jewish identity. BJE March of the Living is supported in part by a generous grant from The Jewish Federation.

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CITY spirit april 2011

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CHEDER MENACHEM SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT ACKNOWLEDGED BY PROMINENT LOCAL RABBONIM Cheder Menachem, a Chabad Elementary School in the Pico Robertson area, serving over 275 boys from ages Pre1A through 8th Grade, has championed excellence in Torah Scholarship with an exceptional extra-curricular program. The Mishnayos B’Ahl Peh yearly project, directed by Rabbi Sholom Heidingsfeld, has students engrossed and immersed in Torah study from Yud Shevat until Yud Aleph Nissan. On Tanis Esther 5771, the Cheder was honored by the visit of seven prominent Rabbonim from the Los Angeles area: R’ Ezra Douek - Rav of Kehillas Ohd Yosef Chai, R Yochanon HenigRosh Kolel Yechiel Yehuda, R’ Shloime Klein - Rav of Ohr HaChayim Shul, R’ Daniel Korobkin - Rav of Kehillas Yavneh, R’ Shimon Raichik - Rav Kehillas Levi Yitzchok Chabad, R’ Chaim Boruch Rubin - Rav of Eitz Chaim Shul and R’ Yosef Shusterman - Rav of the Chabad community and Chabad North Beverly Hills. Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum, the menahel of Cheder, Rabbi Mendel Goldman a board member, Rabbi Heidingsfeld and many Cheder rebbeim greeted the visiting rabbis and joined the proceedings. The participating six students are required to demonstrate their acuity by committing to memory at least 10 Mesechtas/ Tractates. Menachem Farkash, 12, achieved an admirable academic feat by memorizing the entire six Sedorim of Mishnayos; Levi Greenbaum, 11 – Seder Moed and Seder Kodashim, Mendel Korf, 13 – Seder Moed, Levi Mishulovin, 11 -Mesechtas of Seder Moed, Yossi Raeburn, 9 – ten Mesechtas including Brachos, Avos and Tractates from Seder Moed, and Yossi Wolowik 13 – memorized Sedorim Moed, Nezikin and Kodashim. For one hour, the Rabbonim challenged the students to recite numerous Mishnayos of the Sedorim, and asked questions related to the understanding of the Mishnayos. Program History: This year marks the 11th annual Mishnayos Baal Peh Program – “a Tribute in honor of the Rebbe’s Birthday” – from the cheder students. The above-mentioned students are joined by their fellow schoolmates in this schoolwide effort. To date, nine weeks into a twelve week program, over 1200 prakim of Mishnayos including 135 complete Mesechtas, and 4700 lines of Tanya including 90 complete prakim have been committed to memory by cheder students. The Rebbies and Tzivos Hashem coordinators play a major role in the enthusiasm, accomplishment and excitement generated by this outstanding Torah project.

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Lissy schick OB”M: A Legacy of Life Embraced By Sylvia Heyman

CITY spirit april 2011

magine writing about someone who touched many lives, accepted unbearable yisurim, never ever uttered loshen hara, always shared with absolute ecstasy the joys of other people (she was davening for a shidduch to go through, for a couple she had never met hours before her petira) and constantly worried that she was not “clothed in enough mitzvos” to meet her beloved Ribono Shel Olam. This person, Esther Feiga bas Michoel, or Lissy as she was affectionately called by close friends, was my sister. When we were little my father OB”M would play a game with her, hiding her in his tallis and getting my Mother OB”M and I to guess where she was... Her favorite spot was on my father’s lap in his rocking chair as he hummed over a difficult sugya in gemorah and Lissy would have the job of holding his finger in her little pudgy hand....She was three then and her rosy cheeks, big black eyes, and brown ringlets, shook to the sway of the

holy words of Torah.....She continued this love for Torah and learning all through her life. As a brilliant psychotherapist, Lissy tackled cases that no one else could handle, from public school kids, to couples having marriage difficulties, to the physically and emotionally handicapped; all found a compassionate listening ear, but more importantly a person that would turn over the world to help. Many lives were saved through her perseverance and persistence. Every step of the way was carefully guided by the rabbanim she trusted. She had a deep respect for daas Torah and constantly called them for advice. Lissy’s unadulterated love for Yiddishkeit, Shiurim and my children expressed itself in her unwavering commitment to what she believed was correct, in the many lectures she attended, and in her meticulous recording of our children’s lives through her artistic photography. Her wry sense of humor tempered with good natured ribbing could send both adults and children rolling on the floor with laughter. Even during her sickness, every new protocol was described in detail in the accent of the particular protocol provider. Medical terminology was relegated to comic relief. She tempered all her calls to me with witticism because she knew (as she told one of my children), “Mommy won’t be able to take it.” When medical marijuana seemed the only minimal relief for the debilitating nausea she often had, she would call me half high and jokingly say,” Hey, this is ya ole smoking Joe here reporting in to Puff the Magic Dragon (my husband) that I am being good and taking the happy pipe”. She loved life, embracing every facet of it with every fiber of her being from skiing, scuba diving, dancing, traveling, hiking, running marathons; artistically capturing every experience. She would focus on the tiniest of leaves or the largest of canyons, the smiles of a new baby or the aged wrinkles of an old man. Her camera concretized her love for Hashem’s beautiful creations. Lissy was blessed with tremendous talent yet she never flouted her accomplishments. In essence my sister was a remarkable blend of Yiddishkeit, intelligence, humor, faith and creativity. She will be dearly missed by the myriads of people she touched in her rich, albeit short life. Especially by her nieces and nephews and by us, her older sister and “brother”. Teheya Zichra Baruch.

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eyes and my first thought was to call my mother and tell her how much I love her – it was that moving. I made my decision there and then; The Punch Line would be the feature article for our upcoming Pesach issue. I contacted the author, Chaya Sara Schlussel and we had a nice conversation about her background. As a child, she was an avid reader and writing was a natural progression for her. Encouraged by her teachers and friends, writing is now her profession. Chaya Sara is a contributing writer for various publications and editor of Country Yossi Magazine. The Punch Line is her first published book. It is an assortment of fictional pieces and true accounts (though many are exaggerated for effect). Whether serious or humorous, her goal was to give the reader something with meaning and depth, something to think about when the reading is over. She has succeeded. Enjoy reading excerpts from The Punch Line on the following pages. The Punch Line is available at Judaica stores and can be ordered online at www.israelbookshoppublications.com. Chaya Sara Schlussel may be contacted via e-mail: amschlussel@yahoo.com. Illustrations for this article by Fraydee Mozes.

CITY spirit april 2011

By Mati Jacobovits s publisher of CitySpirit Magazine, I am always on the lookout for books to introduce to you, our readers. Browsing through the new releases in a Judaica store in my neighborhood, I came across The Punch Line by Chaya Sara Schlussel, published by Israel Bookshop. The eyecatching cover reveals the nature of this book: Imaginative anecdotes that will touch you, teach you... and tickle your funny bone! My first thought was ‘another short story book?’ More soulful experiences as told by a master storyteller? Not that I haven’t enjoyed those authors and their stories (some of which were featured in CitySpirit), but I was looking for something different. Yet I did my due diligence and scanned though the pages. I noticed there were poems dispersed between the stories (well, that’s different) and the titles were intriguing. I decided to read the first story, Feeding Time, from start to finish. It’s about a daughter visiting her elderly mother in a nursing home. Their roles have changed and as a result, their relationship was strained and awkward. The author easily switches back and forth between mother and daughter, giving the reader insight into both their thoughts and feelings. I am not exaggerating when I say that I had tears in my

Punch line noun (punch lines plural); A story or joke culminating with an ironic twist, a witty observation or a jarring non sequitur.

Relaxing Summer Vacation

irst, let me begin by saying that this is the only humor article in this book that is 100% true. Well, make that more like 96-and-a-half percent. Believe it or not, it all happened, just the way you’re about to read it. So, let me tell you about my summer vacation. Sometime in June, I rented a house in New Hampshire for the last two weeks of August. I was assured that it had 5 bedrooms, with enough beds to accommodate all 10 of us, ka”h: Me, my husband, my 6 children (the 7th went to sleep-away camp) and my parents. Three weeks before D-day we started planning, preparing and packing. We finally loaded up two cars (one driven by my father, the other driven by my husband) each with kids, kit and caboodle. There wasn’t an inch of empty space in sight. And we drove. It normally takes six hours to get to Bethlehem, NH, but for some reason, it took us ten. Maybe it was because at least one passenger in each car needed to find a restroom at least once every hour. Or maybe it was because the baby got tired of sitting strapped into his car seat and began wailing at every traffic light. Or maybe it was because my husband was exceedingly thirsty and needed to stop for a bottle of Coke at every gas station we passed. I’m not sure what the reason, but by the time we arrived we looked like ragged refugees who just escaped from war-torn Iraq. I was the first one to open our rental property’s front door, and as soon as I turned the knob, I screamed in terror. There, staring me in the face, was a deer. Not a whole deer. Half a deer. Stuffed and mounted, complete with antlers and shiny black nose, grinning right at me - six feet off the wall. My shock was nothing compared to my five-year-old son’s. His hysteria was truly frightening. It took me an hour to assure him that the thing was really, truly dead; that its neshamah was up in Shamayim with its alte-alte-zeidy deer, and that neither the deer nor the deer’s alte-zeidy would come leaping into the kitchen at any moment during our stay. After that crisis passed, we headed for our bedrooms.

Back and forth we went, but as hard as we searched, we could only find 4 of them. “This isn’t right. It can’t be. She promised me there were five bedrooms.” We looked for beds in the kitchen, and in the bathroom. (We figured if they had a deer in the wall, they might have a bed in the tub?) Eventually, we found the fifth bedroom - in the basement. It smelled moldy and musty and dank and dreary, and, though I offered lollipops, super snacks, chewing gum and gummy bears, I still had no takers for those beds. So, we doubled up. If one person’s toes wound up in another’s nose, we somehow made do. We had a really terrific itinerary planned for the following day. We were going jeeping! For those of you who’ve never been on a jeep ride, here’s how it works: You get in the back of a big, open-top vehicle, a twelve-seater with huge, oversized wheels. During your ride, these wheels will go over every kind of obstacle imaginable: boulders, fallen trees, thorny bushes, mud piles and creepy, crawly creatures. You name it, a jeep can ride roughshod over it. The plan was that my parents and my husband would stay home and watch the baby, while the kids and I would go on the 1-1/2 hour jeep ride, but at the last minute, I talked my mother into coming as well. “You’ll love it!” I assured her. She was hesitant, but eventually she agreed to ride along. We climbed aboard the vehicle and set off. Driving 65 miles an hour with no roof may have been fun for the kids,

ing forward, it started rolling backward. My kids thought but for my mother and me it was downright traumatic. We this was funny for a minute or two, until I told them if they held on to our sheitlach for dear life hoping they wouldn’t laughed once more I’d take the deer off the wall, and stuff turn into hairy, multidirectional custom kites and lift off in and mount one of them instead. That got them quiet in a the wind. Finally, the driver braked at the entrance to a dirt hurry. We had the car towed to the nearest mechanic in road. And the fun began. Bethlehem, where we were told we’d need a new transmisWe were juggled and jostled and shoved and shtipped as sion, costing $2,000, and it would take 5 days to have it rethe jeep maneuvered over the rock-strewn road. We were placed. So, all ten of us piled into one vehicle: my husband’s bumped and bashed and mished and mashed so badly, 7-passenger minivan. I started going cross-eyed. Our chins wobbled and our My husband took out the middle seat, and shlepped it into tongues waggled like they were dancing the cha-cha-cha. the house. My father and my husband sat up in the front. We crossed muddy streams and climbed boulders, whacked My mother and I and the baby in his car seat, took up the into and ran over at least two dozen species of tree. And rear. And all five kids sat on the floor of our Dodge Caravan, then, we reached the ‘Hill of Doom.’ All of a sudden, the right at our feet. That was how we traveled for the next five earth just fell away, right in front of our vehicle. There was days. Baruch Hashem, this was up nowhere to go. It was like a gorge in boondocks Bethlehem, and we had opened up, right at the tip of I was the first one to open our never caught sight of a cop. We’d our fender. Our driver stopped the rental property’s front door, have gotten so many tickets, we’d jeep. He turned around and said, have had to put our house in fore“As you may have noticed, the road and as soon as I turned the knob, I closure. The kids fought for floor has ended. But guess what, guys. screamed in terror. There, staring space, every minute of every carTighten your seatbelts, because me in the face, was a deer. ride. “Get your thumb out of my we’re going down.” Then he gunned eye, right now!” “It’s my thumb, the engine, and sure enough, we and I can put it anywhere I choose!” “Take your elbow off went down. Straight - a vertical 90 degrees straight - down. my ankle, before I hit you in the stomach!” “If you would be We couldn’t help ourselves. We screamed. skinnier, I’d have more room to put my elbow closer to my While everyone else hung on to the handrails, my motharmpit!” er and I hung on to our wigs. I don’t know how long it took, The day before we were due to leave New Hampshire, but it seemed like planet earth made a full rotation on its we picked up my parents’ car. It was time for us to go home. axis before we reached bottom. For a few minutes, nobody We packed up, loaded the two vehicles once again, and were breathed. I checked to make sure all my kids were present ready to vamoose. My five-year-old suddenly got so tsevildeand accounted for. All five of them were grinning from ear vet, he ran right into the edge of a bed. Blood gushed out to ear, like this was actually fun! Only my mother looked of his forehead. Everybody screamed. We unloaded all the like I felt. Then the driver said, “Who wants to do that other passengers from the car, snatched up my little boy, AGAIN?” My mother and I both shouted, “NO!” but we were and my husband and I headed for the nearest hospital, half drowned out by my kids, who clapped their hands, stamped an hour away. Sure enough, he needed stitches. their feet, and roared, “YES!” We didn’t make it back to the Bethlehem house until 1 He didn’t drive us around, and ride us back down. Inp.m., and that’s when we started our “6-hour” journey back stead, the guy put the jeep in reverse, and BACKED US up to Brooklyn. To make a very, very long story short, we arthe mountain. We were almost standing on our heads. Our rived in Boro Park at 1:30 in the morning. I refuse to dedashboard was face-down, our taillights were leading the scribe the car ride home. Some things are better left unsaid. way. And as soon as we reached the top, we went racing back You know what the funniest part of all this is? We’re down the ‘Hill of Doom’ once again... actually planning to go back to Bethlehem, NH next sumBy the time we got off that jeep, even my shoelaces were mer! Which proves a really thought-provoking point when it shivering. My legs felt like wet paper towel. My mother comes to vacations: It doesn’t really matter where you go or couldn’t seem to get her balance either. Every step was a what you do when you get away. What matters is who you go shake, rattle and roll. with. If you’re in the company of family and friends, you will The next morning, just as we headed out, my parents’ somehow, someway, always manage to have fun! car broke down. When we put it into ‘drive,’ instead of go-

Who is Worthy?

’m tall and plain. I have only one leg, but I now know I had a very precious purpose in this world. I was never fancy; I had no special contours on my physique to distinguish me in any way. No chiseled cheekbones, no radiant sparkle glowing in my eyes. All I had going for me were sturdiness and functionality. I couldn’t even take pride in being blown into creation. No, I was standard, machine-made glass, a typical drinking glass like the ones used by millions of people around the globe - nothing unique about me at all. While others boast a lineage that can be traced directly to Dan Dailey or Dale Chihuly (famous glassblowers), I came directly from the factory in a set of six, and was purchased for a measly $9.95. All of us lay identically side by side in a simple cardboard box until some homemaker in need of drinking utensils came and placed us in her shopping cart. Made cheaply, sold cheaply, I never really felt I had any worth. We wound up in a frum Jewish home, thank Heaven, where they stacked us away in a dark, slightly moldy-smelling cabinet. Our keepers, the Klein family, consisted of two parents and three children: a seven-year-old boy named Yossi, a four-year-old girl named Penina, and a one-year-old infant named Shaindy. Occasionally, I’d be taken out and used by one of the family members, and those moments were the highlights of my life. As soon as one of the Kleins placed me on the counter and opened the refrigerator, I’d start to tingle with anticipation. When they raised me to their lips, recited a brachah over the contents I held, and then drank sweetly out of my rim - ah, those were moments to cherish. Those were the times I actually exalted in being a glass. I felt privileged with my purpose. Once I was placed back inside my hideaway, I’d share the experience with my buddies in vivid detail. I’d describe exactly which liquid was poured into my innards, and how much of it. I’d elaborate on just how slowly or how quickly each word of the brachah was pronounced, and how fantastic it felt to serve a Yid as he or she performed such an exalted mitzvah. The spiritual high lasted for a week or so, and I was happy. But all too soon, my joy faded away like

the cobwebs that Mrs. Klein cleaned out of our hovel every week. I waited to be called upon again, but more often than not, our owners drank out of plastic cups which were then thrown haphazardly into the garbage bin. Living alongside us in the cabinet were some very impressive neighbors. These were no ordinary glass cups. These were ornate crystal characters, who enjoyed the very best that glassware had to offer. Lovingly hand-blown and designed to catch every ray of light off the dining room chandelier, with elegant fluted stems and graceful curves, these glasses were things of riveting beauty. Every week, the goblets were carefully lifted off our shelf, washed and polished to a gleaming shine, and set out on the Shabbos table, where they stayed through the entire seudah. They got to partake in Kiddush and zemiros and Birkas Hamazon. They got to enhance the holiness of that most special day, time and again. And on Yamim Tovim, they joined the Kleins in simchas hachag- at the Purim tish, and in the sukkah beneath the s’chach. How I envied them! My five friends seemed content with their lot, but I was never satisfied. I didn’t want to just live out my life in the corner of a cabinet, waiting to be utilized. I wanted a part of the Kleins’ kedashah! At first, I tried to befriend one of the snobby flutes, but I quickly found out that these goblets kept their noses stuck high up in the air. They were distinctly snooty in their attitudes, shrugging their delicate shoulders at my inferiority. “Hi, my name is Gavia,” I tried. “So, what’s it like at the

Perhaps, I thought, I’ve miscalculated the days of the Shabbos seudah? Do you really get to hold wine?” week and it’s already Shabbos. Perhaps I failed to anticipate Crystal Cup just sniffed. “Never mind. You’ll never hold an upcoming Yom Tov. Surely that is why his shaking hand anything but water or juice.” And with that, the lucky vessel is reaching into the cabinet. Surely he is reaching yet again turned to face her equals. for those crystal goblets. Slowly, I grew dusty from disuse. I grew sullen and imBut no. My breath caught in my throat and I felt a sense patient. How I longed to leave the confines of my home, and of astonishment as his fingers closed firmly around my make something more of myself! stem. I was carefully lifted from my hideaway. Mr. Klein One dreadful day three years after my incarceration, my looked at me wordlessly, then nodded and smiled. “This will friend slipped out of Penina’s fragile grasp and crashed to do,” he said. the floor. I mourned terribly. Mr. Klein just swept up the He laid me down on the countertop, making sure I didn’t broken pieces that lay shattered on the ceramic tile, but I roll off the edge and break. Then he removed a handkerchief wept for the loss of my dear companion, who hadn’t once from his pocket and gently wrapped me, enveloping me incomplained during his relatively short life. On another ocside it. I never felt so warm, so cared for, so needed, as I did casion, Yossi opened the cupboard door to put one of my at that moment. pals back inside, when he accidentally bumped the glass Mr. Klein carried me into a car, along with the rest of the hard into the wood. He unintentionally maimed my friend, family - all of whom were dressed in spectacular finery. Mrs. who lived with a chipped rim from that day forward. Klein and the girls were in flowing gowns, chattering and Monotony eventually set in. Work was sporadic, and so I giggling with excitement. And Yossi - Yossi looked radiant. just stood there on my single leg as the years came and went. He was glowing with a shine that exuded from within. He Summers were colored by fall, and then blanketed by winwore an expression quite simiters which melted into spring. The lar to his father’s, and underchildren grew, the parents grew I watched as slowly but surely the standing began to dawn inside older. And I wondered if there of me. Yossi was a chassan. We was any purpose to my existence other five glasses from my box either were going to his wedding. at all. I mean, why was I created? broke, cracked, or were disposed of My happiness was so great Did my life have any meaning? Or until I alone remained. I could barely contain it - but was I just meant to take up space I had to for fear that I might in my tiny, now-sagging corner of splinter. My aged glass was finally taking part in the keduthe world? The kitchen around me was beginning to fray. shah of this Yiddishe family in a meaningful, monumental Hinges had fallen off and been replaced. The gas range had way, been upgraded, and the counter tops were switched from I waited through the badeken, knowing that my time Formica to granite. And through it all, I survived. I watched was soon to come. My end was drawing near. With my final as slowly but surely the other five glasses from my box either breath, I will have found my ultimate purpose. broke, cracked, or were disposed of until I alone remained. I was led to the chuppah, placed under the canopy that Week after week, I stood beside the crystal goblets, watchbillowed beneath the starlit sky. While the kibbudim were ing jealously as they went about their work, while I stayed read, I recited viduy to my Creator. Not to Dan Dailey, but to behind, waiting my turn to either fall - or fulfill my destiny. the Creator of the entire world. Finally, I was placed on the A dozen years became history as I whiled away my time floor, taking center stage for one life-altering moment. I got in the cupboard. And then, one evening, the cabinet door a clear view of the chassan and kallah, the mechutanim and opened unexpectedly. the rabbanim who were joining two precious neshamos, and I squinted in the bright fluorescent lighting of the kitchmaking them one. I drew a deep breath and thanked Hashen. There, filling my vision, was the familiar face of Mr. em for giving me this incredible opportunity - the chance to Klein. He was dressed in a brand new suit and tie, topped be something special. with a fancy new hat. There was a very hard-to-read expresI saw Yossi’s sole bear down upon me, then closed my sion on his face. It seemed both somber and stirring. Was eyes and relinquished my own soul to the King of all kings. it joy, or hope, or trepidation - or a combination of all three With the happy cries of ‘mazel tov’ resounding through the - that glimmered in his eyes? A telltale streak had left its hall, this tall and plain glass - with only one leg - finally mark on his cheek, where a stray tear had fallen. Why was found fulfillment. he crying? And, more importantly, why had he opened the cabinet door?

Wrinkles

used to marvel at all the wrinkles on bubby’s face. When I was very little, I would run my fingers along the contours of her skin, tracing them, burning them into my memory. I remember Bubby smiling at my impetuous curiosity. I would ask her, “Bubby, why do you have so many lines?” She’d point to one wrinkle and say, “Sheifalah, a long time ago, when I was very poor and had nothing to eat, I got this line on my face.” She’d point to another and say, “That time when I got sick and went to the hospital, I got this one.” She’d put her forefinger on the most prominent wrinkle and tease, “When your Mommy didn’t listen to me, when she misbehaved, this big one grew in right here. And each time I had to scold or give a potch to one of my children, I got another and another and another line.” Bubby smiled, then sighed wistfully and continued, “When Zaidy was niftar, I suddenly got so many new, permanent lines. They will stay with me forever.” Then she’d stare off into the distance, at a place in her mind’s eye to which no one else had access. “Someday, zeeskeit,” she’d say, “someday, you will probably have lines too. But I’m asking Hashem to make sure that you only get a few...” You look upon my face as old, But from each wrinkle, tales unfold. A time of suffering applies, This furrow found between my eyes; The crinkled crimp upon my chin Is a battle scar that formed within. A sense of sorrow placed its tag, On a neck whose pride begins to sag. After all life’s scenes I took my bows And left with crow’s feet near my brows; I’m not ashamed of my old face, Its history I can’t erase. Sculpted by long decades’ worth, Of daily living on this earth; Each buried crease that flaws my skin Can tell of all I’ve done and been. For every pleated sign of age, Existence turned another page. Each wrinkle then, my life defines. That’s why I call them... STORYLINES!

The Headcount

hey leave the house in single file, ducks all in a row; Their footsteps follow one another, lined up heel to toe. They hike into the supermarket for some milk and bread; And just the way she counts her change, she counts them head by head. They walk into the butcher’s, buy salami and ground beef; Before a kid can wander off, she makes her purchase brief; She tallies up the cold cut slices, then she turns instead, To make sure she’s got everyone - and counts for every head. They amble to the library, to browse through book by book; And as they enter, everybody takes a double look. It’s when they leave with volumes that will keep them all well read, That she counts the books they checked out, and she counts for every head... Some people count their blessings; others count their monthly bills; Some count the mileage on their cars, or fortunes in their tills. Some count their tax deductions, or the scores in a sporting match; Some tend to count their chickens, often well before they hatch; Baruch Hashem, she has so many kepalach to count! Each one of them brings nachas, an unlimited amount She’s grateful and she’s thankful when she counts her girls and boys. She’s gratified and satisfied, she cherishes the joys. But still, it’s something every big-brood mother simply dreads Everywhere she goes, she finds she’s always counting heads!

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 dvar halachah

Bedikas Chametz |Rabbi Gershon Bess

e begin to study the laws of Pesach 30 days before Pesach. Included in the directive to study hilchos Pesach is the mitzvah to begin our preparations for Pesach one month before Yom Tov. A practical application of this mitzvah is the requirement to perform Bedikas Chametz on one’s home up to 30 days before Pesach if one will not be home for Pesach. If one will neither be home for Pesach nor for the 30 days prior to Pesach, then Bedikas Chametz is not required. In that case, it is sufficient to make Hefker – ownerless – any chametz that one might have in the home. This means that if one begins one’s travel away from home prior to Purim, no Bedikah is needed before departing. There are two reasons why the Rabbis required us to perform Bedikah – the search, removal, and destruction of Chametz. Firstly, we are concerned that someone will not properly relinquish his ownership of Chometz if we allow him to

leave it in place. Secondly, we are concerned that if not all the chametz is removed from the home, one might come across a tasty morsel of chametz on Pesach, and forget that it is forbidden to eat it. If a person is leaving his home within the 30 day period prior to Pesach, and the house is either being sold or rented to a non-Jew (or if the house is owned by a non-Jew and the Jew has completed his rental period), then the reasons for Bedikas Chametz would not seem to apply. Since the non-Jew is taking over the house, any chametz left in place will belong to the non-Jew. Furthermore, even if the Jew scrupulously removes all chametz from the house before he leaves, there will be plenty of the non-Jew’s chametz in the house during Pesach! In view of this, a Jew who rents his house to a nonJew for Pesach does not need to perform Bedikas Chametz even if he leaves less than 30 days before Pesach. Instead, the Jew

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will perform Bedikas Chametz in the house where he will be for Pesach. A variation of the above case arises in the situation where the Jew will not be performing Bedikas Chametz at his new location. The Shulchan Aruch gives an example of a person who is traveling with a caravan for the entire week of Pesach. In this situation there is no home to check at his Pesach location. The Mechaber quotes an opinion that the Jew in the caravan would have to perform Bedikas Chametz before he leaves his house even though a non-Jew will be occupying the house during Pesach! The Mishnah Breurah explains that the reasoning behind this opinion is that Bedikas Chametz is a requirement for every Jew (Chovas Haguf) and as such, if it can’t be performed at the Jew’s Pesach location, then it must be performed at the Jew’s house within 30 days of Pesach. [Apparently checking one’s pockets for chametz is not sufficient to be considered fulfilling the Chovas Haguf of the mitzvah of Bedikas Chametz.] The Rema quotes an opposing opinion that holds that Bedikas Chametz is not a personal requirement. As such, if the Jew’s house is being rented to a non-Jew and the Jew will not have an opportunity to perform Bedikas Chametz at this new location, there is no requirement to perform Bedikas Chametz before handing the house over to the non-Jew. The Chok Yaakov expands this exemption and rules that Bedikas Chametz is not required even if the non-Jew will not physically enter the location on Pesach. The Mishnah Breurah decides against the expanded leniency of the Chok Yaakov and adopts a position that is midway between the position of the Rema (that bedikah is not required at a property occupied by a non-Jew)and the position of the Mechaber (that bedikah is always required). If the non-Jew will enter the house on Pesach, then Bedikas Chametz is not required, but if the non-Jew will have ownership of the house but not actually enter the house on Pesach, then Bedikas Chametz is required, since the Jew on the caravan will have no further opportunity to perform Bedikas Chametz. A practical application of this Halachah can come up when going away from home for Pesach. Selling one’s chametz to a non-Jew involves renting the house to him as well, but the non-Jew is never actually expected to enter the property on Pesach. If traveling to a place where no bedikah will be possible, then according to the Mishnah Breurah’s ruling, one would have to perform Bedikas Chametz before leaving the house even though the house is being rented to a non-Jew. Now of course, most Jews don’t go away on a caravan for Pesach, so there normally is a new location where Bedikas Chametz can be performed. Nevertheless, if a person will be given a room that is already cleaned for Pesach, and does not plan to bring cha-

 dvar halachah Continued from page 27 metz into that room, then that space may be considered a place where chametz is not brought, and may not require bedikah. In that case, it would be necessary to perform a bedikah at the house before leaving even though the entire house is rented to the non-Jew. In order to make sure that one is fulfilling the mitzvah of Bedikas Chametz, it is advisable to leave a part of the house excluded from the rental to the non-Jew, and to perform bedikah there, before leaving for Pesach. In previous generations, rabbonim would wonder how it is that many people perform brief, perfunctory searches for chametz, even though the Gemara describes Bedikas Chametz as a yosef_ad.pdf 7/3/07 6:24:04 PM thorough search that includes an examination of all holes and cracks in the house. The answer usually given is that women yosef_ad.pdf 6:24:04 PM in those days7/3/07 would literally disassemble the entire house and perform an extremely thorough purging of all chametz. This yosef_ad.pdf 7/3/07 6:24:04 PM yosef_ad.pdf 7/3/07 6:24:04 PM would make the house virtually ‘a place where Chametz is not brought’, almost not requiring Bedikas Chametz, and a cursory yosef_ad.pdf 7/3/07 6:24:04 PM examination of the house would suffice. Nowadays that we are not as scrupulous in our cleaning for Pesach, we must be A Professional Corporation extra thorough in our Bedikas Chametz.

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In days gone by, a house consisted of one or two rooms, and yet Bedikas Chametz could be a time consuming ordeal. The homes we live in have many rooms, making it very difficult for one person to perform a complete bedikah the night before Pesach. There are two options available to make the job easier. First of all, one can deputize family members to assist in the bedikah. Each person can be assigned one or two rooms or a vehicle, for inspection. In this way the entire house can be thoroughly checked in one night. The second alternative is to perform the bedikah over a period of several nights, culminating with the conclusion of the bedikah on the night before Pesach, at which time the bracha is recited. The Mishnah Breurah states in the Sha’ar Hatziun that it is permitted to begin the bedikah on an earlier night, and on the night before Pesach it is not necessary to redo the bedikah of the previously checked locations. This ruling also makes it particularly convenient to perform a bedikah at one’s place of work if it is impractical to do the bedikah there on the night before Pesach. When performing a bedikah on an earlier night, it is important to satisfy the usual requirements of Bedikas Chametz. The Bedikah should be performed after dark, and a flashlight or candle should be used during the search, but unless the bedikah is performed on the night before Pesach, no brachah is required. Rabbi Gershon Bess is Rav of Congregation Kehillas Yaakov and serves as the Halachic authority for the Los Angeles Kollel and Yeshiva communities. He gives a slate of highly regarded lectures on Talmud and Halacha and is the Rosh HaVaad of Vaad L’Maan Yahadus which has published Halachic bulletins for many years. He is a graduate of the yeshivos of Philadelphia, Ponovez, Lakewood and the Kollel of Los Angeles and serves on the Bais Din of the Rabbinical Council of California.

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 inspiration

A Mini-Reflections Haggadah | Rabbi Asher Brander

esach is what we call it while Hashem calls it Chag Hamatzos (in the Torah)? The Berditchever Rebbe famously explained: Pesach is what Hashem did for us. Chag Hamatzos is our great leap of faith for the love of God. For the other is the essence of any relationship. Our tefillin say Shema Yisrael and His “tefillin” say mi k’amcha Yisrael (who is like Thy nation, O Israel?). On Pesach night, we sing in Shir Hashirim “I am for my Beloved and He is for me”. At the risk of sounding corny… ever told God you love Him lately? Ever looked to see His manifest love in your life. Pesach may be a good time to try.

CITY spirit april 2011

Chametz-Matzah – That which can’t become chametz can not be used for matzah (as a general rule). Yet, once each item achieves its respective status it is impossible for either to be the other. No matter how much water you add to matzah – it will never become chametz and no matter how hard you try to crush the chametz – it can never become matzah. At some point, the effect of our life decisions, become irreversible. Thankfully, every year we can make matzah again; a Jew never gives up hope.

Kadesh – As we start the seder, the traditional Eastern Eurpean beginning of Kadesh was “Kadesh: When Father comes home from synagogue on Passover night, he must immediately recite the Kiddush, so that the little children will not fall asleep and they will ask the Four Questions beginning with Ma Nishtana.” The Shpoler Zeide so movingly taught: When our Father - in Heaven sees from Above that all the Jews have gone to synagogue and poured out their souls in prayer and songs of thanksgiving -- even though they are all exhausted from the heavy work of preparing for Passover -then … He must recite Kiddush right away - the Creator must renew his betrothal, his Kiddushin, of which the word Kiddush shares the same root, to Jewry right away. He must redeem us from exile right away. So that the little children will not fall asleep - the Jews are God’s children “For is it not written in Jeremiah: ‘Is not Ephraim my beloved son, a precious child?’ Hashem must act quickly so that His children will not fall too deeply into the slumber of exile. He must act right away so that we will not

despair, Heaven forbid, of ever being redeemed. So that they will ask the Four Questions beginning with Ma Nishtana - God must act while we still have the strength to ask Ma Nishtana? - Why is this night -- why is this bitter exile -- different from all other nights? Why has this dark exile been so prolonged? Why does it not end?” U’Rechatz – Taz, classic commentator on Shulchan Aruch proves from here that we must wash for wet veggies or fruit all year round – just like we wash for bread. [Why is this night different than all others?]. Vilna Gaon even made a bracha! For those that don’t follow this, there’s what to rely on. So why is this night different? Magen Avraham says it’s in order to evoke the question. [This would explain why some have the custom of only the Seder-master washing – it’s even stranger!] Netziv offers a 3rd approach. Magen Avraham is correct – but on this night there is an obligation to wash. For in the time of the Beis HaMikdash, we will certainly need to wash once again. On Pesach night, we hark back [and forth] to Temple times [thus the shankbone]. That’s also why we wear a kittel. Karpas - Yachatz [we break the matzah] … the quickest piece of Seder. It takes longer to say it than do it. Why the ceremony? A partial answer based on the gemara : On seder night we highlight lechem oni, the bread of the affliction, the poor man’s bread. Poor people do not eat whole loaves. They”ll take whatever you give them (just ask a student who left his lunch at home). In talmudic lexicon, darko shel ani b’perusah – the way of the poor is with a piece. Poor people (and Jews on Sunday) eat leftovers. This explanation however, is not enough because then we would simply bring the broken piece to the seder. Why the breaking ceremony? a. Some say: we want to express our poverty – so we davka break it at the seder. Rambam says break it before eating, while Shulchan Aruch records the practice before maggid. Rambam seems more logical. Why do we follow the Shulchan Aruch? Kol Bo explains that the Ha Lachma Anya (“This is the poor man’s bread..”) which immediately follows yachatz is a classic show and tell, because all good stories need props to pull in the listener. b. Others pull out the ubiquitous ‘in order that the kids should ask’ notion. Continues on page 32

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 inspiration Continued from page 30 c. Ba’alei Hatosafos and Orchos Chaim teach that it alludes to the splitting of the sea. Thus the Moroccans till today have the custom at Yachatz to says: thus the Holy One Blessed Be He split the sea for us into twelve pathways. d. An unbelievably penetrating insight by Rav Meir Goldvicht adds a whole new world. Karpas, according to Rabbeinu Manoach alludes to the sale of Yosef . It’s a long story, but here’s the short version. Pasim, the name of Yosef’s special coat (that signified his status) is connected to the word karpas in the Megillah. Rashi [Bereishis, 37:3] in defining Yosef’s coat explains that the word karpas denotes a special type of wool. The original custom of dunking the vegetable into red wine fills in the picture. In sum, we have the multicolored coat dipped into the blood – suggestive of the sale of Yosef. Why bring this up now? Because as we ponder leaving Egypt, we must remember how we got in. It is the question we barely speak of, because the shameful answer is through the terrible disunity within klal Yisrael. Thus we break the matzah, a rupture symbolizing unity torn asunder. We then hide the bigger piece for afikoman and look for it at the at the end of the seder. At some point, we find the afikoman. The ultimate way to redemption, both personal and national is through the search for a way towards unity. After the afikoman we call in

Eliyahu, the ultimate unifier of the generations – present at bris, seder and redemption. It is interesting that the seder often brings together a lot of different types of people. Perhaps it is a test for redemption, for ultimate geulah requires unity. Maggid - The Haggadah is so called because of the mitzvah of Maggid – the central mitzvah of the night . Its source: Exodus [13:8]: v’higadeta l’hvincha bayom hahu leimor and you shall express to your child on that night saying. One ponders why the Torah uses the verb haggadah and not dibbur, but either way it is this verse that forms the crux of the night. Now note that we employ this verse for the shv’ach son, the weak child that does not even know [how, when] to ask a question. He is the Torah’s primary target for seder night – for elitism qua elitism is not a Jewish thing! All of our children need be addressed. The goal is to stimulate questions. One stage prior we must address their hearts – wherein reside their unasked observations/question. At p’tach lo – softly open them up. I suspect that if we show them the proper respect and love, they will quickly move up the ladder to be the chacham. No Jew is without questions. Our goal is to awaken the heart, to make it safe and exciting enough to make it worth their while. Continues on page 34

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 inspiration Continued from page 32 Rachtzah-Motzi-Matzah-Maror – We wash, then eat the Matzah and then the Maror – even though we experienced the maror (servitude) first?! Sometimes a worm in chrain (horseradish) doesn’t know how bad he has it (until he tastes the honey)! A nation anesthetized to servitude can not pine for freedom. A people that finally taste freedom can only then begin to fathom how bad it was. For those of us afraid to make the leap (whatever it may be) - because its not so bad – how do you know? Korech – The Hillel “Where’s the Beef” Sandwich. According to most, Korech is the bread [matzah] and the lettuce waiting for the lamb, because Hillel puts all 3 mitzvos together. According to Rambam, the meat was never eaten with the matzah and maror. Why are these two eaten together? Sefas Emes explains that a Jew, before he is redeemed must realize that the same God who brought redemption [matzah] also brought the servitude [maror] and both experiences are purposeful. The Maror for example opened up the Jewish mouth and taught us how to pray.

CITY spirit april 2011

Tzafun – The Hidden [Afikoman]. The bigger half of the Yachatz is eaten - either as matzah’s main mitzvah [Rashbam] or as a Korban Pesach commemorative [Rosh]. But why do we hide it away and why does its Seder name derive from its hidden-ness?. The Vilna Gaon likens it to hiding the bread on Shabbos, since we drink the wine before it. Rav Chaim taught that the korban pesach, as any sacrifice needs special shemira (watching). We are not hiding it – we are guarding it! Rav Schwab and many others based on the verse in Tehillim 31 [mah rav tuvecha asher tzafanta le’yireiecha– how great is Your goodness that you have hidden away for those that fear you] teach that we hide the bigger piece away to remind ourselves and to teach our children that for the faithful Jew, the best is yet to come.

Barech – It seems like the standard Grace after Meals, but it really IS different. Consider that even after its recital the seder is not over. Netziv teaches that the meal is not a simple hiatus; it is also part of the Hallel, fittingly sandwiched between the Hallel part one and Hallel part two. With one proviso: it needs to be channeled properly. This is a model for the whole year and classic Jewish spirituality. After Barech, we fittingly exclaim that in Hallel – let every bone in my body [even the ones that do the eating, drinking and shmoozing] express your greatness Hashem. Hallel – we can not say Hallel at night! Thus says the mishna. Hallel is said mimizrach shemesh ad mevo’o from sunrise

to sunset. So what gives? R. Hai Gaon famously explains that this is not formalistic krias hallel – this is spontaneous shira hallel. We have just left Mitzrayim and are tasting freedom. Look at those pictures of the camps on liberation day. One can not tell a volcano when to erupt. Shulchan Aruch and Ramo teach that Pesach and Tisha B’av are intertwined. That’s why we have the egg on the seder plate – as a reminder of mourning. On Tisha B’av, there is no limit to our mourning. We are like a bride who lost her groom under the chupa [cf. kinah of eli tziyon]. Spontaneity in either direction transcends limits. Halacha understands this. Our paradoxical challenge: to become spontaneous [even if it appears programmed]. Nirtzah - Echad Mi Yodeia Who Knows one… the song saved for almost the end. If the hagaddah is a mountain, then the seder ends with the chad gadya climax and the penultimate song which cherishes Jewish numbers. The reverse numbering reminds us of the ultimate centrality of serving God in our lives. Consider that every number is Jewish - from the 13 attributes of mercy that Hashem revealed to Moshe in the Golden Calf aftermath to the 8 days of milah to the 5 books of Moses.. with one exception. Who knows 9? You mean goyim don’t have children after 9 months, so what gives? The old joke about Judaism’s view that the fetus is only viable when it graduates medical school couldn’t be farther from the truth. A friend of mine likes to say we start educating our children twenty years before they are born. Minimally in utero is the time that the mother [and occasionally the father] begins to worry about the child’s spirituality. Rivkah, upon hearing that she may be bearing a spiritual deviant is beside herself. The prayers and tears that are for our children’s yiddishe neshama is the unique contribution of Jewish mothering. It’s over - or not! A halachic irony: People stay up the whole Shavuot night even as the minhag is not mentioned in Shulchan Aruch while post Seder slumber is de rigueur when the Shulchan Aruch directs us to stay up the whole night - until we have been overtaken by sleep (ad sheyachtifenu sheina). Perhaps, after all the pre-pesach work, the latter qualification may only be a matter of seconds, but at least one has to take out a sefer (book). Why do many not do this? Perhaps we are sleeping already. Rav Gedalya Schorr teaches that the sleep of exile is so deep. (even R. Akiva had to wake up his talmidim). On Pesach night we read Shir HaShirim. In it we say Ani Yesheina v’libi Er. I am asleep but my heart is awake. The Jew only appears to be sleeping. May God redeem us quickly; our hearts pulsate with ahavas Hashem. Let us not remind ourselves that we dare not fall into the dark slumber of despair!

ď Ž Travel

The Wandering Jew Hershel lieber

Spain PA RT t wo

g i b ra l tar

ust yesterday I had the opportunity to call and wish Mazel Tov to my dear friend Rabbi Ron Hassid upon the engagement of his son Nissim. Chief Rabbi Ron and Rabbanit Kochava are reason alone to visit Gibraltar. Their warmth and hospitality make this English speaking, British territory on the Spanish mainland a great place to spend Shabbos while touring Spain. Gibraltar is small and almost every place is no more than a 15 minute walk. The town is always bustling with activity since it is a duty free port of call. Great ocean liners drop off thousand of passengers to shop at the myriad of shops on Main Street (Calle Real), many owned by Jews who are all Shomrei Shabbos. There are many sights to see but The Rock of Gibraltar alone stands out literally as the most obvious tourist sight. You can go up the Rock by bus or car and visit the military tunnels and learn its history. There is a colony of Barbary apes at the summit that are friendly and beg to be photographed with their visitors. Another equally exciting activity is taking a boat ride out to the Straits of Gibraltar to see the dolphins. Sailing & fishing are also great options. Ferries cross over the Straits to Morocco on a daily basis making for an exciting and exotic day trip. The best feature for the Jewish traveler about Gibraltar is its vibrant and growing community. There are four synagogues open every Shabbos which follow the Sefardi Nusach of Jews who originate from North Africa. On a Shabbos one can visit and enjoy them all. During the weekdays the davening rotates between the Shuls. There are kosher establishments and a wonderful restaurant where you can prepay for Shabbos meals. There are yeshivos, girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; schools, a mikva, a kollel; in short everything that a thriving community needs. The atmosphere here is very relaxing. Take a stroll along the fortress walls looking out to the Mediterranean Sea. On the East side you can take a hike to see the breathtaking cliffs and the coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean. There is the Moorish Castle Complex, the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, the Europa Point Lighthouse, caves and much more to see. Halfway up the road to

the summit of the Rock there is an old Jewish cemetery with a unique history about the Tzadikim buried there. Just walking around the center of town and seeing the Jewish families on Shabbos with the children wearing kippot and tzitzit is a true delight. Practically, it is best to spend a Shabbos in Gibraltar between the two parts of your visit to Spain. Leave an extra day or two for all the activities I described above. It’s a relaxing and spiritually fulfilling way to break up the hectic pace that a visit to the many cities and sights Spain has to offer. Bon Voyage - vcuy vghxb, Hershel Do you have a group of friends or belong to an organization that dreams of traveling to foreign destinations together? Hershel has organized and personally guided groups of friends, school classes, and organization members (Gateways & Aish Hatorah) over the past few years on unusual and inspiring journeys. He can do the same for your group personalized to your interests. Contact Hershel Lieber ‘The Wandering Jew’ at 718-256-8156 HarryL46@optonline.net

Watch for the next issue of CitySpirit where I conclude with the cities of Granada, Barcelona and Gerona.

The famous ‘Rock of Gibraltar’

One of the four beautiful synagogues in Gibraltar

The Holocaust is a difficult subject to broach with anyone, especially so with children. How can children learn about the horrors and atrocities without having nightmares? How can children learn about one of the worst events in history without adopting a negative view of humanity themselves? It’s natural to want to shield our children from the harsher aspects of life. Yet, we feel a duty to teach them. But at what age is it appropriate? While children cannot fully comprehend its complexities, they can nonetheless begin to learn about the Holocaust in a simplified manner. To that end, Chavi Diamond, author of The Promise, gently introduces young children to the topic of the Holocaust. This is why. . .

Teaching Children about the

Holocaust By Mati Jacobovits

CITY spirit april 2011

CitySpirit: What inspired you to write this book?

Chavi Diamond: My parents were holocaust survivors. I’ve always been interested in hearing their stories and would encourage them to share their experiences with my children. I read books on the topic and as an artist I paint commemorative pieces as well. The last two years of my mother’s life, she fell ill and moved into my home. She was often lonely, missing the company of friends her own age. There is this wonderful elderly woman, Miriam, that davens in our shul and I asked her to visit my mother. She did and she brought all her friends. My mother and

Miriam, also a Holocaust survivor, had much in common and they became good friends. I became close to her as well and my children adopted her as a grandmother figure. Last year on Pesach I saw Miriam walking across the street with her head down – so unlike her. I went over to say good Yom Tov and saw instantly that she had been crying. She looked distraught, depressed. I asked her what was wrong and, boy, did she tell me. She had joined her children for the seder and naturally Pharaoh and the story of the Jews in Mitzrayim were discussed at length. The children all knew the stories. Miriam brought up the Holocaust as a comparison, and

she was shocked to learn that the children’s knowledge was minimal at best. How could it be, she asked, that year after year, children are taught about the events leading up to yitzias mitzrayim, but there is no curriculum for Holocaust studies in her grandchildren’s schools. How could it be, that even the youngest of children know that the Jews were enslaved and tortured by the Egyptians, but nothing of the horrors that their own grandparents went through. Her words stung me. I can only imagine how she must have felt. I felt embarrassed for my generation, ashamed of our schools. What can I say in our defense? Nothing at all. But moving forward there is much I could do – and it became my mission. I started by researching the availability of Holocaust books for children. There are books out but nothing appropriate for younger children, I’m talking about five to eight year olds. The books were either too scary or they were fictional depictions of events. I decided to fill that void and that is what led me to write The Promise. CS: An actual account? CD: Yes, it is a true story about my ‘aunt’. She is an incredible woman and she encouraged me to do this. She speaks at schools and events about the Holocaust and she is now using The Promise as a vehicle to teach younger audiences.

Afterwards, Shira, very solemnly told her grandmother that just like Eva promised her mother she would take care of her sister and she did, “I will also keep my promise. I won’t have nightmares and I won’t be sad.”

CS: Don’t you worry that such young children may not be ready to take this on?

CS: Do you have plans for more books?

CD: First exposure should come sooner than the teenage years. Just like the story of Pharaoh is repeated and reinforced year after year. At different levels. It gets heavier as the child grows. CS: What kind of feedback are you getting?

CS: Seems you have your work cut out for you. CD: I’m making a difference, that’s the important thing. Now is the time – before all the witnesses have passed – to educate our children – to perpetuate the memory of our loved ones. To order The Promise, to have a personal story published or to be involved in future projects contact: Heart to Heart Memories, Chavi (Eva) Diamond at 917.681.8688 or info@h2hmemories.com

CITY spirit april 2011

CD: Very positive. Its amazing and very encouraging. I am planning a website and a blog for comments and discussions. I’m also inviting people to send me their stories. I want all the stories to be true, even the true identities if they want. I was very impressed by a five year old girl named Shira. She was at her grandmother’s house, a friend of mine. She saw the book on the coffee table and asked to have it read to her. Her father didn’t think it was a good idea. She’ll have nightmares, she’ll feel sad. But this little girl can be very convincing, promising her father she’ll be fine. She won the argument and her grandmother read her the story.

CD: Definitely. And from different countries – Austria, Germany – I want the reader to know that Hitler gathered the Jews all over – it didn’t just happen only in one place. I want the reader to know it didn’t matter if you were religious or not, rich or poor – it happened to all Jews – doctors, philosophers, economists. I was approached by a large Jewish organization that is interested in having me write a series of books. Short chapters with questions for discussion. I’m very excited about it.

 advice from over-the-counter

Fun Find at Bedikas Chometz | Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCCP

r. Balabas returned from shul with his 14-year old boy, Yoel, to the exhausted reception from his wife and four daughters. “It’s time for bedikas chometz, everyone,” said Mommy, as she collapsed onto the living room couch. The slices of bread were hidden, the house lights were turned off, the candles were ignited, and the search was on. Two hours later, the family reconvened in the living room. “I found 3 slices of bread and a half-eaten cookie,” squealed 5-year old Shprintza. “A half-eaten cookie, Shprintza? Where in Heaven did you find that?” asked her father. “In your Yom Tov pants, Tatti. You took it away from me on Purim,” she replied with a smile. “I also found 3 slices of bread, plus some crumbs, I think,” said Chani, the 8-year old, as she showed everyone her find. As the group investigated the alleged crumbs in Chani’s hands, Yoel tugged on his mother’s apron. “Look what I found, Mommy; I think it’s an old prescription bottle. Is it important? I found it under Suri’s bed.” Indeed, Yoel had found a prescription vial that was dated as filled at Bubba’s Pharmacy 16 months previously. “It’s called Xyzal. What’s that?” After the excitement of bedikas chometz was done, Mommy went to a book she had on medicines and discovered Xyzal is a new antihistamine, indicated for the treatment and prevention of allergy symptoms. Its generic name was levocetirizine – a fact that would prove important the next day. “Hmmmm, it looks like it’s an antihistamine. The prescription was written for a friend of Suri’s, but it’s expired now. I’ll call the Greenbaums and ask them what they want me to do with it.” A half-hour later, Mrs. Balabas approached her husband. “Yoeli found an old prescription bottle under Suri’s bed during bedikas chometz. The bottle belonged to Rochel Greenbaum, a friend of Suri’s. I called the Greenbaums, and since it’s expired, they don’t want it any more. They said I could have it if I want, but they recommend that I throw it out. What do you think?”

What should the Balabases do with the old prescription bottle? “Well,” said Mr. Balabas, “We’ve got two kids with allergies and spring is coming. Plus, I believe you had a tough spring last year, too. And you know, prescriptions are getting so expensive, and our insurance plan seems to never cover our prescriptions. We’re always stuck with a big bill. I think this is a metana min shamayim (present from heaven).” “Then again,” warned Mrs. Balabas, “it’s expired. Maybe it won’t work. Or worse, maybe it turned into something poisonous. I think we should ask Bubba the pharmacist before we take it.” The next day, after her husband and children ran off to seraifas chometz (burning of the chometz), Mrs. Balabas went into Bubba’s Pharmacy and explained the situation to Bubba. “Well, ma’am, it’s true that you’re not supposed to take any medicine beyond the expiration date. You see, medicines are unstable molecules and break down slowly, usually to inactive compounds. The rate at which they break down depends not only the specific medicine, but also on conditions in which it’s found. For example, some medicines are very susceptible to high levels of humidity – and therefore shouldn’t be kept in the bathroom or the kitchen. Some medicines may last a couple years in their original containers but break down more rapidly in another type of container. That’s why pharmacists just use a one-year expiration from the date of dispensing, instead of the longer expiration on the original container. Because we just don’t know how long the medicine is stable in the plastic prescription vials we use for dispensing.” “So, in other words, the medicine we have could actually still be in date, per the original prescription bottle, but the earlier expiration date on the prescription vial was arbitrarily set at one year after the date it was filled. Is that right?” “Exactly. It could still be 100% active. Or, it could have started breaking down to other compounds by now. We just don’t know.” Mrs. Balabas thought, then asked, “If it did start breaking

down, would it be poisonous, or just not active?” “Very few medications break down into toxic byproducts, ma’am. It’s not impossible, but it’s just not likely. Nonetheless, we don’t know, because no one does those studies. It’s a shame; it really would be nice to know. This is probably the most common type of question I receive as a pharmacist.” “So what do you recommend I do?” “Like I said, ma’am, I recommend you discard it. Or give it to me, and I’ll make sure it’s discarded correctly. I can’t reuse it, even if it was still in date. Pharmacists cannot take back medicines and return them to stock under any circumstances. It’s a federal law.” “But what can I do? Allergy season is coming, and we can’t afford many of the medicines that Dr. Brandname prescribes for us.”

How can the Balabas family afford their medicines?

Dr. Manny Saltiel received his doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of California in San Francisco , following undergraduate work at UCLA. He completed a residency in Clinical Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois in Chicago . He worked at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for 25 years , serving in various capacities, including Clinical Coordinator and Drug Information Specialist. Dr. Saltiel also holds a faculty appointment with the University of Southern California. He has received Honorary Fellowships with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Society of Health-system Pharmacy. Dr. Saltiel has published over 20 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and has lectured before local and national audiences. He currently serves as a Regional Clinical Director for Comprehensive Pharmacy Services. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and four children.

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CITY spirit april 2011

Bubba had an answer for Mrs. Balabas. “I know Dr. Brandname pretty well, ma’am. He’s a good doctor, a nice guy, and his patients really like him, too. He knows a lot and keeps up with the latest information.” “But….?” “Yeah, but. But he almost always prescribes the newest brand-name products. I think the Drug Reps give him a lot of free samples to give to people, and then he gets used to ordering those new medicines. They don’t give free samples for the older drugs that have generics. That’s what you want – a generic. They’re just as good, but cost a lot less.” “Is there a generic for this medicine…. What’s it called, again? Suri’s friend’s parents said it worked really well.” “Xyzal is a new antihistamine, and there is no generic yet. However, I can let you in on a little secret the drug companies have. The drug companies get about 10-12 years of exclusivity before the patent of a medicine runs out. Right before the patent is over, they make some minor changes in the medicine and remarket it as a brand new drug. Then they promote it like crazy to the doctors and even to patients via advertisements and commercials. In the case of Xyzal, the manufacturer used an old trick. You see, its generic name is levocetirizine. The ‘levo’ part of the name refers to how it exists in 3-dimensions. Most medicines exist in ‘levo’ and ‘dextro’ form, but only one is active. The rest of generic name of Xyzal is “cetirizine.” That’s the generic name of Zyrtec. Have you heard of that?” “Why yes, my Chani used that a couple of years ago. It worked fine, as I recall. Do you think it’s as good as this new medicine?” “I’m sure of it, since it’s really the same thing. 5mg of Xyzal is equivalent to 10mg of Zyrtec, which is now generic cetiri-

zine. And your insurance covers that; your co-pay will be just $5. How’s that?” “That’s fantastic! How do I get it?” “Let me call Dr. Brandname and ask him for a prescription for it. I’ll explain that you prefer a generic. Like I said, he’s a nice guy, and I’m sure he’ll approve it. I can give you a call when it’s ready. Oh, wait, it’s Passover tonight, right? That’s a holy day for you folks. Tell you what – I’ll make sure I speak to him before 4pm and I’ll have my employee deliver it to you. I’ll just bill your insurance company, and you can pay me your co-pay next time you come in. Sound good?” “Sounds great! You’re the best, Bubba…. Oh, I mean, Dr. Bubba.”

 FOOD

on Dining In Pesach with Faigy Grossman Layered Apple Crunch Kugel

Creamy Broccoli Soup

CITY spirit april 2011

You’ll want to use this recipe all year long. 4 medium zucchini 1- 16 oz. pkg. frozen broccoli 5 c. water 2 c. pareve milk 1 T. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper Shredded mozzarella cheese (optional) YIELD: approx. 10-12 servings

Peel zucchini and cut into chunks. Place zucchini and broccoli into a 6-quart pot with 5 cups water. Cook over medium heat for 45 minutes or until tender. Cool 10 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup in the pot. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Reheat over low heat. Sprinkle cheese over soup before serving, if desired.  If you do not use pareve milk on Pesach, you may substitute with 2 small potatoes and 1 additional cup of water. Add to pot before cooking. When soup is done, remove the potatoes from the pot, mash them very well and return to pot, stirring well to combine.

Filling: 3 medium, tart apples ½ c. sugar 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. cinnamon Pinch of ground nutmeg Zest of ½ lemon 1 tsp. lemon juice Crunch: 1/3 c. potato starch ¾ c. ground macaroons ½ c. brown sugar Pinch of salt ½ stick margarine, cut into small pieces Filling: Peel, core, and dice the apples into ¼-inch cubes. Toss with the sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon zest and juice. Gently mix. Crunch: Place all the dry ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add the cubed margarine and pulse until crumbs are pea size. In a greased 9-inch round pan, pour ½ the apple mixture, then a layer of crunch, another apple layer, then another layer of crunch. Bake until the apple filling is bubbling and the crisp is golden, approximately 30-35 minutes.

Potato-Sweet PotatoOnion Crisp Can be made with only sweet potatoes; drizzle with a tablespoon of honey & some cinnamon a minute before it’s done cooking. 2 large onions, diced 2 T. oil 4 potatoes, cubed* 4 sweet potatoes, cubed Salt to taste

Dash of pepper Paprika (optional) YIELD: 6 servings Sauté onions in oil until brown. Add cubed potatoes and sweet potatoes to onions; season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes in covered pot. Uncover pot and mix. Cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until edges of potatoes are brown. Mix often to prevent burning.  *The potatoes should not be minced, but the cubes should be small.Golden potatoes work best with sweet potatoes.

Pan Fried Chicken and Vegetables All in one pan… easy cleanup! 1 large onion, sliced 1 T. garlic powder ¾ tsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper 4 chicken quarters ¼ c. water 4-5 medium potatoes 3-4 medium sweet potatoes 4-5 carrots 1 T. oil 1 tsp. paprika 1/8 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper 2 c. water YIELD: 4 servings Place onion on bottom of a large, deep saucepan. Combine next 3 ingredients and rub well onto chicken, including under the skin and the underside. Place chicken on top of onions. Pour ¼ cup water into pan and cook, covered, over medium heat, for 20 minutes. Turn chicken over (bottom side up) and cook

Gourmet Italian Veal Chops 3 T. margarine or oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 small carrot, thinly sliced 1 celery, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 2 veal chops Salt and pepper Potato starch, for dusting ¼ c. olive oil 2/3 c. white wine ½ c. beef stock

¼ tsp. basil ¼ tsp. thyme 2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped 1 bay leaf Melt margarine or oil in a medium-size ovenproof casserole. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and sauté over moderate heat 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside. Season veal chops with salt and pepper and dust with potato starch. Heat oil in a frying pan and brown veal chops. Add to casserole together with sautéed vegetables. Preheat oven to 350°. Pour off most of the fat from the frying pan; add wine to pan and bring to a boil, stirring to loosen bits of meat left in the pan. Boil until wine is reduced by half. Stir in stock, basil, thyme, tomatoes, and bay leaf. Add to vegetables in casserole dish. Place casserole over direct heat and bring to boil. Remove from heat; cover and bake

in oven for 1¼ hours or until meat is fork-tender, basting occasionally.

Non-Potato Starch Nut Cake Can also be cooked in a frying pan as a kugel. An apple cake (or kugel) substitute 3 thinly sliced, medium-sized apples for the nuts. Good served hot or cold. 4 potatoes, cooked and mashed well 6 egg yolks 1 T. lemon juice ¾ c. sugar 3 T. oil 1 c. ground almonds 6 egg whites 1 c. sugar YIELD: approx. 24 servings Mix first 6 ingredients well, and set aside. Beat egg whites; add sugar slowly until stiff. Combine with potato mixture. Place in a 9x13-inch pan and bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

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an additional 10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel vegetables and cut into chunks. Drizzle oil over vegetables and sprinkle with remaining spices. Toss to coat. Turn chicken right side up, pour in the rest of the water, and place vegetables on top. (Try to have vegetables covered with water.) Cook over low heat, covered, for another 2 hours or until desired tenderness is reached.

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CITY spirit april 2011

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KidSpirit by Fraydee Mozes

Fill In the Blanks

On the 14th of the Hebrew month of __1__ is a yom tov called __2__. In order to prepare for this holiday, we must rid our houses of __3__ and clean until there isn’t any left. We can also sell it to be rid of it. On the first night and second nights of this chag, we sit at the table and have a __4__. We read from the __5__ and recall the days of the Jewish slaves rescued by __6__. Instead of bread, we eat __7__. We also eat a bitter herb called __8__, which we don’t typically eat all year. We drink __9__ cups of wine, we dip our pinky in the wine ten times as we read about the ten __10__. At the end of the seder, we sing songs, especially a famous one about a goat called, __11__. There is also a minhag to hide the __12__, which children enjoy getting gifts for if they can find it. Pesach is a spiritual and uplifting holiday as we celebrate all the miracles Hashem has blessed us with. May we be zocheh to witness the greatest miracle of Moshiach bimheira b’yameinu! Answers: 1. Nisan, 2. Pesach, 3. Chametz, 4. Seder, 5. Hagaddah, 6. Moshe Rabeinu, 7. Matzah, 8. Marror, 9. Four, 10. Makos/plagues, 11. Chad gadya, 12. Afikoman

Sudoku for Kids Game 1: Easy

Game 2: Harder

Each row (across) must contain the numbers 1 through 4. Each column (up and down) must contain the numbers 1 through 4. Each square box must contain the numbers 1 through 4.

How to play: Each row (across) must contain the numbers 1 through 6. Each column (up and down) must contain the numbers 1 through 6. Each square box must contain the numbers 1 through 6.

DRESS for success

Solutions: Game 1

Unscramble 1. ARPHO _

____ 2. ZMMTYRAII _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. OESHM _ _ _ _ _ 4. ELCI _ _ _ _ 5. ORGFS _ _ _ _ _ 6. MYA FSU _ _ _ _ _ _ 7. ZHATMA _ _ _ _ _ _ 8. ENWI _ _ _ _ 9. NMFAIKOA _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10. IAHL _ _ _ _ Answers: 1. Paroh, 2. Mitzrayim, 3. Moshe, 4. Lice, 5. Frogs, 6. Yam Suf, 7. Matzah, 8. Wine, 9. Afikoman, 10. Hail

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CITY spirit april 2011

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Nosson’s Nissan Birthday By Rebecca Klempner

osson sighed. His birthday was just a month away, but he was expecting disappointment again. His birthday, you see, was erev Pesach. Every year, he wanted to have a birthday party actually on his birthday, and not once had his wish come true.

will be ON my birthday.”

Sometimes his parents planned his birthday party early. His mother, Mrs. Lichter, would buy a birthday cake and bring it to school the day before vacation. His rebbe and classmates sang songs to Nosson and danced him around.

“Don’t worry,” said Nosson. “I have a plan. Let’s go find Abba.”

Sometimes his parents planned his birthday party late. Mr. and Mrs. Lichter would take all his friends out for pizza and ice cream on isru chag.

Nosson and his mother found Mr. Lichter at the kitchen table.

His parents really tried to make it up to him. Each year he got plenty of birthday presents on the big day: new toys, a new shabbos suit, and special treats…but no birthday party.

“Abba,” began Nosson, “do you think we can finish up our seder of mishnayos before Pesach?”

Nosson thought and thought. He was tired of the same disappointment every year. Finally, he had an idea. He was so excited, he called a friend to share the news. “This year,” he told his best friend, Shmulie, “my party will be ON my birthday.” “But your mother won’t want to bake a chometzdik birthday cake right before Pesach,” said Shmulie. Nosson didn’t listen. He’d already made up his mind. He hung up and went into the living room. He found his sister, Talya, on the couch. “This year,” Nosson told her, “my party will be ON my birthday.” Talya looked up from her homework and made a “big sister who knows better” face. “Dream on! Ima won’t want chometzdik crumbs dropped all over the house after she’s already cleaned it…and Abba will have already done bedikas chometz!” Nosson didn’t listen. He’d already made up his mind. “This year,” Nosson told Zayde when he arrived for Shabbos dinner, “my party will be ON my birthday.”

Nosson didn’t listen. He’d already made up his mind. After Shabbos, he informed his mother. “This year, my party

Nosson’s father thought for a moment. “Sure, we could.” “Here’s my birthday plan,” said Nosson, with a twinkle in his eye. “Abba and I have been learning mishnayos together for months. When we finish the whole seder, we can make a siyum for taanis bechoros! We’ll buy LOTS of bagels, and cream cheese, and juice, and even some little danishes, and we’ll throw the party in the park. That way, there will be no chometz crumbs left in the house. We’ll make the party early in the morning, and we’ll have plenty of time to finish preparing for Pesach.” “What a great idea, Nosson!” said Mr. Lichter. “You sure thought about this a lot!” said Ima. “Who shall we invite?” “All the boys in my class and their fathers and brothers. Let’s put up a sign in shul, too. Will you help me make the sign?” Mrs. Lichter brought Nosson some yellow construction paper, a ruler, and markers. Nosson wrote: NOSSON’s BREAKFAST BIRTHDAY BASH & SIYUM THE 14th of NISSAN HORNER AVE. PARK, 9:30 a.m. The next morning, Nosson woke up early. He walked to shul with Mr. Lichter and posted his invitation on the bulletin board after minyan. This year, Nosson’s birthday party was really on his birthday, but it was more than just a birthday party. His father helped him prepare divrei torah on seder zeraim and his father led the special kaddish. The guests had a wonderful time. Everyone went home, prepared for yom tov, and had a chag pesach kasher v’sameach.

CITY spirit april 2011

“Nosson,” replied Zayde, “You can only eat chometz at breakfast-time on erev Pesach…and you can’t eat a matzomehl cake on erev Pesach! Besides, everyone will be so busy, no one will be able to make it to the party.”

“Sweetheart,” said Mrs. Lichter, “How can we make a birthday party on erev Pesach?”

 Dental HEALTH

To Bleach or Not To Bleach: Part II| Jonathan D. Pivo, D.D.S.

n our last issue, we discussed some of the issues involved in deciding whether or not to whiten or “bleach” teeth. In this article we will discuss the two most common bleaching procedures administered by a dental office: the “In-Office” and “Home” Bleaching. The “In-Office” technique, usually done with a light, typically begins days or a few weeks before the actual procedure. Moulds are taken of the teeth in order to fabricate plastic trays which will be given to the patient on the day of the procedure. For patients with an history of sensitivity, a prescription-strength toothpaste may be given to be used for one of two weeks prior to the appointment to reduce sensitivity. A professional tooth cleaning is recommended prior to bleaching to offer the best oral environment and best results On the day of the bleaching appointment, the plastic trays are checked for proper fit and lined with a gel to reduce sensitivity. Then the lips, gums, tongue and cheeks are carefully

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protected so saliva does not contaminate the teeth and the bleaching gel not contact those tissues. Protective eyewear is given and the bleaching gel is applied directly to the teeth. The light is directed toward the teeth and remains for approximately fifteen minutes. The gel is reapplied every fifteen minutes for a total of three of four sessions. After cleaning the bleaching gel and removing the protective barriers, the antisensitivity gel is reapplied. The patient may be given bleaching gel to take home and self-administer for the next few days to continue the bleaching process. Various foods such as coffee, tea, red wine, citrus and tomato products should be avoided for the two to four days to reduce the potential of staining the newly bleached teeth. Bleaching at home is quite simple. Moulds of the teeth are taken in the same way as for In-Office Bleaching. When the plastic trays are ready, the patient is given the trays with syringes of whitening gel. Small amounts of gel are placed in the trays by the patient at home. The amount of time the trays are worn depends on the strength of the gel and the amount of bleaching desired. The time can vary from one hour to overnight. The advantage of this technique is that the patient can stop at any time if the desired shade has been achieved. The disadvantage is the process is more gradual and requires more patient compliance. The key to remember with any bleaching technique is that the amount of color change varies with each patient. Some patients will see dramatic results while others may see far less change. However, the ability to change tooth color with minimal effort or side effects is one the more exciting advancements in the dental field in recent decades. Dr. Jonathan Pivo is a cosmetic and general dentist for adults and children in Tarzana and Culver City, CA. This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for regular dental care by a licensed dentist.

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CitySpirit Magazine shavuos Issue

Advertising Deadline: May 9 Distribution: May 24 Visit us at CitySpiritMagazine.com

west coast directory Emergency Fire-Police-Ambulance.................... 911 Hatzalah............................ 800-613-1911

Government & Utilities Passport Information.... 310-575-5700

Hospitals Cedars Sinai Medical Center................ 310-423-5000 8700 Beverly Blvd. Children’s Hospital........ 323-660-2450 4650 Sunset Blvd. UCLA Medical Center.......310-825-9111 10833 Le Conte Avenue

Jewish Life Bikur Cholim Bikur Cholim.........................323-852-1900 LA Ladies Bikur Cholim...... 323-934-2890 ...........................................323-936-1685 Chai LifeLine......................... 310-274-6331 Teen Development Friendship Circle LA... 310-277-FCLA(3252)

Mikvahs

Kehillah (Mr. Stolz)............... 323-936-8760 Kehilla Shatnez Lab on Holt (Rabbi & Mrs. Sohayeg )........ 310-657-5789

Synagogues Los Angeles Fairfax/Hancock Park Agudath Israel of LA-Bais Avigdor.................... 323-930-0792 / 323-935-8383 461 N. La Brea Avenue Ahavas Yisroel Synagogue 731 N. La Brea Ave...................323-937-1247 Aish Tamid of Los Angeles....... 323-634-0505 5909 West 3rd St Congregation Bais Naftoli......... 323-936-4827 221 S. La Brea Avenue Congregation Bais Yehuda.........323-936-7568 360 N. La Brea Avenue Congregation Eitz Chaim/Bais Moshe Yitzchok.. 323-634-0535 • 303 S. Highland Ave. Congregation Levi Yitzchok/ Chabad of Hancock Park...... 323-954-8381 356 N. La Brea Avenue Congregation Shaarei Tefilla...... 323-938-7147 7269 Beverly Blvd. Kehillas Yaakov........................ 323-935-8572 7211 Beverly Blvd. Kehillath Yitzchok..................... 323-932-8694 7709 Beverly Blvd. Kollel Los Angeles.....................323-933-7193 7216 Beverly Blvd. Kollel Yechiel Yehuda................323-939-2041 354 N. La Brea Avenue The Jewish Learning Exchange........................ 323-857-0923 • 512 N. La Brea Avenue Torah Ohr................................. 323-933-3111 7200 Beverly Blvd. Young Israel of Hancock Park....323-931-4030 225 S. La Brea Avenue Young Israel of Los Angeles...... 323-655-0300 660 North Spaulding Avenue Pico-Robertson/Beverly Hills Adas Torah 1135 S. Beverly Dr..310-552-0460 Aish HaTorah Center.................310-278-8672 9102 W. Pico Blvd.Anshe Emes Synagogue....................310-275-5640 / ......................................... 877-ANSHE-EM 1490 S. Robertson Blvd. Beth Jacob Congregation...........310-278-1911 9030 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills Chabad of Bel-Air..................... 310-475-5311

10421 Summer Holly Crl Chabad of Beverly Hills.............. 310-271-9063 409 N. Foothill Rd., Beverly Hills Chabad of Brentwood.............. 310-826-4453 644 S. Bundy Dr. Chabad of Cheviot Hills.............310-558-8770 3185 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles Congregation Magen David...... 310-556-5609 9717 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills Lubavitch of Beverly Hills...........310-282-0444 9017 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills West Coast Torah Center........... 310-271-1180 322 N. Foothill Rd., Beverly Hills Young Israel of Beverly Hills........310-742-3717 8701 W. Pico Blvd. Young Israel of Century City.......310-273-6954 9315 W. Pico Blvd. Calabasas The Calabasas Shul ..................818-725-3118 (at Bay Laurel Elem. School) Calabasas Pkwy. at Paseo Primero Conejo Valley Chabad of Conejo/Agoura Hills 818-991-0991 5998 Conife Street Corona del Mar Chabad of Newport Beach.........949-721-9800 4720 Cortland Dr. Lomita Chabad of Palos Verdes........... 310-544-5544 28041 S. Hawthorne Blvd. Chabad of South Bay................310-326-8234 24412 Narbonne Ave. North Hollywood Adat Yeshurun .............. 818-766-4682 12405 12405 Sylvan Street Em Habanim Cong.................... 818-762-7779 5850 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Shaarey Zedek Cong.................818-763-0560 12800 Chandler Blvd. Ohr Simcha.............................. 818-760-2189 12430 Oxnard NORTHRIDGE Young Israel of Northridge.........818-368-2221 17511 Devonshire Street Santa Monica Chabad of Marina Del Rey......... 310-301-9770 2929 Washington Blvd. Venice Pacific Jewish Center................ 310-392-8749 505 Ocean Front Walk Young Israel of Venice...............310-450-7541 1014 Vernon Ave. Continued on page 48

to be added to our directory send detailed info to cityspiritmag@gmail.com

CITY spirit april 2011

Beverly Hills/Pico Robertson Mikvah Society of LA .........310-550-4511 9548 West Pico Long Beach Mikvah Chaya V’Sarah Leah 562-427-1360 3847 Atlantic Avenue Los Angeles – Fairfax Mikvah Sarah U’Baila......... 323-939-4297 360 N. La Brea Avenue (across from alley) Mikvah Taharat Chaya....... 323-634-0703 303 S. Highland Ave. (by appt. only) North Hollywood Adat Yeshurun Mikvah........ 818-766-4610 12405 Sylvan Street The Teichman Mikvah..........818-760-4567 12800 Chandler Blvd. Palm Springs Mikvah Chaya Mushka.........760-325-3212 425 Avenida Ortega (Palm Springs Chabad) San Diego Mikvah Israel........................619-287-6411 5170 Ladorna Santa Monica Mikvas Chana (by appt. only). 310-829-1324 Tarzana Abraham Dayan Mikvah.......818-758-3836 18181 Burbank Blvd.(access from east side of bldg.)

Shatnez Testing Service

west coast directory Continued from page 47 Westwood Westwood Kehilla..................... 310-441-5288 10537 Santa Monica Blvd. Huntington Beach Chabad of West Orange County.714-846-2285 5052 Warner Ave Irvine Beth Jacob of Irvine..................949-786-5230 3900 Michelson Dr. Chabad of Irvine...................... 949-786-5000 5010 Barranca Pkwy Young Israel of Orange County..... 949-300-8899 5319 University Drive (#122) La Jolla Congregation Adat Yeshurun.... 858-535-0343 8625 La Jolla Scenic Dr. N. Laguna Beach Chabad of Laguna Beach......... 949-499-0770 30804 S. Coast Hwy. Laguna Niguel Chabad of Laguna Niguel..........949-831-8475 27655 Niguel Village Dr.

Long Beach Cong. Lubavitch of Long Beach........................ 562-426-5480 • 3981 Atlantic Ave. Young Israel of Long Beach....... 562-427-3163 4134 Atlantic Ave. Mission Viejo Chabad of Mission Viejo............ 949-770-1270 24041 Marguerite Pkwy. Palm Springs Chabad of Palm Springs............760-325-0774 425 Avenida Ortega San Diego Beth Jacob of San Diego........... 619-287-9890 4855 College Ave. Chabad of Downtown................ 619-702-8518 472 Third Avenue Yorba Linda North County Chabad Center.....714-693-0770 19045 Yorba Linda Blvd.

Places of Interest Cabrillo Marine Aqua. & Beach..310-548-7562 3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro California Science Center.323-724-3623 700 State Drive, Exposition Park

Griffith Park Traveltown Museum & Railroad . ......323-662-5874 Los Angeles Zoo................. 323-644-4200 Observatory&Planetarium...... 323-664-1191 Pony Rides.......................... 323-664-3266 Train Rides.......................... 323-664-6903 Merry-Go-Round................. 323-665-3051 Huntington Library, Art Collections, And Botanical Gardens.. 818-405-2125 1151 Oxford Rd. San Marino J. Paul Getty Museum.........310-440-7300 1200 Getty Center Drive European paintings, drawings, decorative arts, sculptures and illuminated manuscripts. Long Beach Aquarium Of The Pacific....... ...........................................562-590-3100 200 Shoreline Drive, Long Beach Marina Del Ray Boat Rentals................... ........................................... 310-574-2822 Sailboat, motorboat and kayak rentals. Museum Of Tolerance....... 310-553-8403 9786 West Pico Blvd. Hands-on experiential museum Noah’s Ark for children at Skirball Museum 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd....... 310-440-4500

community & g'mach directory Babies & Children

Baby Equipment Port-a-cribs, pack and plays, car seats, infant bouncers, strollers, bassinettes, booster seats, exer-saucers for short term loan. Miriam Hendeles......................(323) 243-7116

Clothing

Bris Outfits and Bris Pillow Devora Wieder........................ (323) 939-9276 Ruchie Klein........................... (323) 353-2494

Global Kindness Yaelle Cohen....................... (310) 286-0800

Diapers Chumie Unger.........................(323) 932-1094 Penina Frumit Apter.................(310) 557-9726 Dina Kramer............................(818) 985-2493

CITY spirit april 2011

Ezer Layoledes Strollers, play pens, high chairs, cribs, car seats for short or long term loan. Bella Greenfield..................... (323) 934-0178

Rochelle Frankel.....................(323) 896-3335 Children’s Costume G’mach Bubby Goldie’s (L’ilui Nishmas Chana Golda Krausz) Abi Katz ................................ (323) 395-7465 Miriam Montag...................... (323) 646-5988

Kehila Shatnez Testing Joe Stoltz.............................. (323) 936-8760

Counseling and Health

Aleinu / Orthodox Counseling Program 24 hour hotline..................(310) 247-0534

Nursing Pumps Andi Shochet......................... (818) 753-9562 Dassi Weiner......................... (818) 509-7791

Chai Lifeline West Coast Regional Office Non profit Jewish organization dedicated to providing support services to seriously ill children and their families........(310) 274-6331

New born baby care packages Sandy Gordon......................... (310) 838-8591

Etta Israel Serving the special needs children of the Jewish Community............................. (818) 985-3882

Uniforms Exchange &/or purchase of pre-owned uniforms Toras Emes and Bais Yaakov -

Hospital Gowns Tznuis hospital clothing for women Sara Pinter ........................... (323) 931- 1598

Jewish Healthcare Foundation Avraham Moshe Bikur Cholim If you need or would like to donate blood to someone.................................(323) 852-1900 Financial Aid Services Financial Jewish Free Loan Assistance Small interest free loans City . .................................... (323) 761-8830 Valley.................................... (818) 464-3331 Hachnosas Kallah Financial assist. &/or guidance to needy kallahs in planning their wedding........ (323) 938-8074 The Tzedakah Fund Small Interest-Free Loans........(323) 939-0862

Food

Masbia (L’ilui Nishas Chaim Yosef ben Aron Aryeh) Share your simcha – call for info or to arrange pickup of leftover food from your simcha ................... (323) 851-1000, (323) 997-6500 Tomchei Shabbos Provides Shabbos food packages for families in need. Call to request application. ..............................................(323) 851-1000 Continued on page 50

community directory Continued from page 48 Arbis for Shalom Zachor Aviva Maller............................ (323) 931-9420

Legal Services

Bet Tzedek Legal Services Free legal counsel to the eligible needy and Holocaust reparations assistance. .............................................(323) 939-0506 Criminal/Arrest Guidance LA County Sheriff Department. Shirley Freidman (for women).. (323) 568-4703 Howard Winkler (for men)........(323) 939-9236

Furniture, Home, Dishes

2nd Chance Rivky Farber............................(323) 851-1000 Folding Beds Esti Tendler (Evenings only) ......(310)557-3461 Keilim Mikvah Directory Anshe Emes Keilim Mikva 1490 S. Robertson................. (310) 275-5640 Shaaray Zedek Keilim Mikva 12800 Chandler..................... (818) 763-0560 Young Israel Keilim Mikva 225 S. LaBrea Ave................. (323) 931-4030

Mezuzah Gemach Irwin Lowi...............................(323) 932-1025 Tables and Chairs Steven Oscherowitz................. (323) 937-1194

Weddings & Special Occasions

Benchers (L’ilui Nishmas Ahron Ben Yissachar) Mrs. Kest ...............................(323) 937-7060 Chupah candle holders, poles, Kallah chair Mrs. Lebovics . ...................... (323) 933-3377 Clothing for Relatives of Chosson & Kallah For women and children Mrs. Dena Wolmark ............... (323) 934-4151 Penina Fisher.......................... (323) 933-7292 Hachnasas Kallah Gift Gemach Volume DonationsLibby Lehman......................... (323) 935-3791 Individual GiftsLeba Hertz..............................(323) 574-7054 Chuppah/Simcha Cards Tehillim cards for use at the chuppah Rochel Haberman.....................323)899-5390

Bridal Gowns Esther Braun ......................... (323) 933-2817 Ahuva Goldstein......................(323) 938-8660 Gitty Feingold..........................(323) 933-1197 Malka Breitman......................(323) 938-8008 Sarah Frankel......................... (323) 934-7983 Mechitzah Gemach Rivka Berkowitz.......................(818) 331-3884 Simcha Gemach (L’ilui Nishmas Rebbetzin Bella Simcha) 48 Mini challah covers, 2 lg challah covers, 18 kiddush cups w/trays, 50 bentchers..... (323) 931-0306 Esther Mayerfeld -Al Hamichya Cards in lucite stands..............(323) 933-1891 Special Occasion Flowers, Centerpieces & Mirrors Mrs. Niehaus.......................... (323) 938-2406 Michal Pouraty-Yad Simcah..... (310) 525-7336 Tablecloth Gemach Tablecloths available to borrow (call for hours) Rochel Haberman...................(323) 899-5390 Estie Silber............................ (323) 652-6658 Wedding Shtick Bubby’s Shtick-Mona Riss........(818) 761-5077 Rivky Farber............................(323) 744-1608 Nechama Denbo....................... (310) 788-398

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GLOBAL KINDNESS Making the world a better place, one community at a time.

• Medical Bills • Rent & Utilities • Food & Necessities • School Tuition • Emergency Situations

We accept and distribute: • Merchandise of any kind • Cars • Cosmetics ( shampoo, perfume, soap, etc.) • Costume jewelry • Clothing of all kinds (shoes, skirts, socks, pants, accessories, etc.) • Cleaning supplies • Toys, books, games • Computers & peripherals • Food (meat, chicken, fish, rice, oil, beans, canned goods, etc.) • Furniture all kinds • Kitchen appliances • Dishes, utensils • Real estate

Who are we, you ask? You may never have heard of us, because we like to keep a low profile. Quietly, without any fanfare, we actually get around quite a bit and have done so for the past six years.

Why, you ask? Because there are thousands, yes thousands, of individuals living in our community that need our help. Help paying their rent... Help feeding their families... Help during an emergency... So yes, we get around, and we are quite busy.

It’s not enough until the little girl going for cancer treatment has a sheitel she feels good in... It won’t be enough until every member of our community can get the assistance and support they desperately need.

What can you do? We’re glad you asked. There is so much you can do. And it takes so little. You can tell your friends and neighbors about us, so they too can help... You can donate used furniture, gently worn clothing and toys...

Busy distributing toys and jewelry...

You can rummage through your home for unused shampoo, cleaning supplies and canned food..

Busy distributing presentable furniture or a reliable used car...

You can give of your time to help us pick up and distribute...

How do we do it, you ask?

You can open your checkbook or take out your credit card and send us a tax deductible contribution.

Busy distributing food...

It isn’t easy, but we have been fortunate. Through the generous donations of our supporters, we have been able to keep our doors open, and respond to those in need. But it’s not enough. It’s not enough until the tuition is paid... It’s not enough until the washing machine is repaired...

Do it now – in time to enable our neighbors and community members prepare for Passover, so they too can have a joyous holiday. In the merit of your generosity, we wish you and your family a happy and meaningful Passover!

9224 Alcott Street, Los Angeles, CA 90035 310.286.0800 • Fax 310-286-0300 Globalkindness@yahoo.com • www.MyGlobalKindness.org All donations are tax deductible. Tax ID 73-1702610

Your contribution is used to help with:

Spend Summer with Us!

Summer Session I: June 15th – July 18th Summer Session II: July 20th – August 23rd Open House – Wednesday, April 13th at 7:30pm

Los Angeles

1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood • 323 822 9700 www.touro.edu/losangeles • email: tourola.admission@touro.edu Touro College Los Angeles is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges: 985 Atlantic Ave. #100, CA 94501; Tel. 510-748-9001. Touro College is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

Touro College

To RSVP or for more information, please call 323-822-9700 x 85155 or email tourola.admissions@touro.edu