CitySpirit Sept 2011 by City Spirit

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Volume 4 Issue 1 October 2011 | Tishrei 5772

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get get into into the the spirit spirit Editor Tova Klein Contributing Writers Rabbi Gershon Bess Hershel Lieber Rabbi Elazar R. Muskin Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D Rabbi Elchanan Shoff Publisher Mati Jacobovits Food Faigy Grossman kidSpirit Fraydee Mozes

CitySpirit NEXT issue Advertising Deadline November 1 Publication Date November 17 cityspiritmag@gmail.com www.cityspiritmagazine.com

CITY spirit September 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, Wow! Here we are at our 3 year anniversary, and we have you to thank! Our success is based on a partnership between us, our advertisers, and the communities served by CitySpirit Magazine. We enjoy bringing you upbeat and informative articles and hope to continue to do so for years to come. This time New York came to me in the form of my two daughters and grandsons. Unfortunately, my son was sorely missed, as he couldn’t leave, due to work. The joy one feels at such times is difficult to describe. It’s clearly a present from above. I went from spending nachas time with children and grandchildren to an enjoyable get-a-way to San Diego with my mother and daughter. We have been talking about us girls getting away together since my daughter was in high school (a few years ago). B”H, for the sandwich generation We are able to obtain both z’chusim and nachas simultaneously. As I reflect upon this past year, many tears and much heartache can be remembered, however, I can’t forget the cherished moments of joy and simcha with family and friends. That’s what keeps me going. The ups and downs are a natural part of life, and as the saying goes, “If something doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger”. Each year, we must be getting stronger from what we have enjoyed and survived and take that with us into the next year. We must prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally and physically – with all our heart. Which brings us to our feature article, Rabbi Binyomin Pruzansky’s newly

released book, Stories that Awaken the Heart an Artscroll Series Publication. These stories are wake-up calls which inspire us to grow in the face of adversity. (page 25) While we’re on the topic, don’t miss our exclusive interview with Dr. Ron Leor, Chief of Cardiology at Sanz Medical Center –Laniado Hospital. A doctor with heart, soul and a vision to keep Laniado Hospital in the forefront of technology. (page 19) Our Community Spirit section are a testament to the wonderful contributions and accomplishments our community is involved in. (pages 10-18) We welcome Rabbi Elchanan Shoff (page 34) and Rabbi Elazar R. Muskin (page 36) who share their insight about the coming High Holidays. Rabbi Gershon Bess explains the halachic nuances when saying Amen. (page 30) Visit the rich city of Vienna from the comfort your home – with our Wandering Jew, Hershel Lieber. (page 38) Check out the new “hip” article by our over-the-counter Guru pharmasist, Manny Saltiel. (page 40) Faigy Grossman shares some of her favorite holiday recipes with CitySpirit readers. (page 42) Kids! Check out our holiday fun pages and contest in this issue of KidSpirit. (page 44) May we continue to help each other, care for each other and uniting the cities with good spirit!” Kesiva V’Chasima Tova

Tova

sept 2011 features 19 Exclusive Interview

Dr. Ron Leor, Chief of Cardiology, Sanz Medical Center â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Laniado Hospital

25 A Sampling of inspiring stories as told by Rabbi Binyomin Pruzansky in his newly released book â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Stories That Awaken the Heart published by Mesorah Publications

community spirit

in this issue

30 Dvar Halachah

Commissioner Andrew Friedman

Kids of Courage

Maimonides Academy

Rabbi Gershon Bess

34 Inspiration

Rabbi Elchanan Shoff

Baruch Cohen: Giving Back

kid spirit 44 Puzzles, Contest & More Fraydee Mozes

36 Point of View Rabbi Elazar R. Muskin 38 The Wandering Jew Hershel Lieber 40 Advice from Over-the-Counter Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D.

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46 West Coast Directory

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CitySpirit Wishes The Community a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous & Spiritually Uplifting New Year

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Commissioner Andrew Friedman represents LOS Angeles city fire department

ndrew Friedman, appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners as the commissioner to represent the Los Angeles City Fire Department at this year’s World Summit on Counter-Terrorism in Herzliya, Israel is to be held from September 11-14. He was invited by Dr. Boaz Ganor, founder and executive director of The International Institute for Counter-Terrorism and deputy Dean of the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center. This is the 11th conference of its kind. 9213 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles

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Commissioner Friedman will be speaking on the topic of “Terrorism and Local Preparedness” at one of the workshops. This topic includes the importance of crisis management, as well as rescue and recovery in contending with terrorism. From the time of 9/11, Mumbai, London, and many others to this day, we have had the need to learn how to prepare on every level for the possibility of any type of terrorist attack. The importance of the professional performance and efficient deployment of first responders and rescue teams is key. Learning and strategizing with other countries can help improve the response to any form of attack, if G-d forbid, an attack should happen somewhere. It is scheduled to coincide with and commemorate the terror attacks of September 11. We appreciate the participation of Commissioner Andrew Friedman and look forward to an informative and tremendous exchange of helpful knowledge for our professionals at home, as well as abroad, for maintaining the safety of our communities here and around the world. Andrew will be flying first to Hungary to meet with the Hungarian ambassador to Israel, Mr. Bolazs Bokor, as well as the Foreign Minister of Hungary, Mr. Nemeth Zsolt. Andrew will impress upon them the importance of voting against the UN resolution pertaining to a Palestinian State. Commissioner Friedman was recently reaffirmed by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa and unanimously by the City Council of Los Angeles to remain the City Fire Commissioner for the next four years. We congratulate you!

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Raise your hands for Kids of Courage!

CITY spirit September 2011

The group of 400+ attended an Oakland Athletics game & were visited by players and the team’s mascot.

ow does one describe the indescribable? How does one put into words that which cannot be explained? Two weeks ago, a staff of 260 volunteers set out to improve the lives of 129 children and young adults with chronic illnesses – the Kids of Courage. The eight day trip to San Francisco included those from twelve states, England, Canada and Israel with conditions ranging from cancer to cerebral palsy. But within the Kids of Courage family, disorders, suction machines & ventilators become the norm. “Medical chaperones are friends, nurses become mentors, & counselors are Kids of Courage’s Co-Founders (l-r) Ari Adlerstein, Dr. Stuart Ditchek, Howie Kafka greet the campers and one with their campers,” staff at Newark Airport in New Jersey says Kids of Courage co-founder Ari Adlerstein. Some have had limbs amputated because of their illnesses; others are paralyzed. “The sickest of the sick, that’s who we want to take,” says co-founder Howie Kafka of Lawrence, N.Y. “We give them a dream.”

Couragers Debbie Epstein, Leba Cohen, Denah Kafka & Rikah Lerer putting a smile on Frieda Sutton’s face. Over 125 children and young adults had the adventure of a lifetime in mid-August.

Kids of Courage visited Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. “Unreal group,” said the park’s manager.

And what a magical dream it was. Throughout the eight magnificent days, the “Couragers” (this is how the members of Kids of Courage refer to themselves) visited nearly a dozen parks – from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to an Oakland Athletics game and from Raging Waters to The Exploratorium museum. The Couragers also took in many attractions, including a tour on Alcatraz Island and the Ringling Brothers Circus in San Jose. The trip’s scheduling is planned sixmonths before the big event & every aspect is reviewed no less than ten times, says Kids of Courage’s Program Director Ari Dobkin. “Every single detail has to be ironed out. Many of these children have never flown or traveled far and the logistics involved are mind boggling.” Imagine a charter flight with dozens of medically trained volunteers helping with in-flight oxygen, medications and feeding tubes. The medical team headed up by Dr. Stuart Ditchek is comprised of highly trained physicians, paramedics, critical care nurses and others. The counselor to camper ration is anywhere from 1:1 to 3:1 depending on the complexity of the camper. “In addition to setting up what we call a, ‘hospital in the sky,’ I think it’s the most fun airplane ride anyone can ever take complete with pillow fights at 33,000 feet,” said Dr. Ditchek. Kids of Courage understands that any ill child can go to a hotel or experience Six Flags. These 8 days are all about taking that to the next level. Says Adlerstein, “Whether it’s 400 people Skypeing on a big screen with a camper awaiting a lung

transplant or a surprise Lipa Schmeltzer concert on Motzai Shabbos, the programming is one of a kind.” “It was the best week of my life,” said Jacob Adler, a camper from Teaneck, N.J. Many times staff and campers are stopped in public &

Many Newark Airport and United/Continental Airlines employees came to help Kids of Courage on their off day. “The experience is our reward,” one said.

Kids of Courage is a charitable organization. There is no charge to any participants. All staff is fully volunteer. There are no salaries or bonuses for any staff member, with the exception of one part time office manager. Donations can be made at www.KidsOC.org

CITY spirit September 2011

asked, “Who are you? What is this large group?” The answers leave them speechless because it is the group’s unity, spirit, energy & love that do all the talking. After all, how can one describe the indescribable?

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n February 6th of this year, seventeen of our 6th grade Maimonides Academy students boarded an El Al flight to Israel for what would prove to be an experience of a lifetime. As participants in the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles’ Twinning Program, the children were hosted in the homes of students from the Meiron School of Tel Aviv for ten days of shared classes in the school as well as trips, hikes, and living the daily life of an Israeli. In December of 2010, as we were preparing to send our delegation, a parent of one of the traveling delegates, suggested that while in Israel our students should plant trees to help Israel recover from the Carmel fire. This idea led to the Maimonides Academy Tu B’Shvat Campaign. The goal of the campaign was to raise approximately $6000 toward the replanting, rebuilding and protecting of the land of Israel. The goal was for each child to raise $18 by selling buttons. The buttons were designed by the school – they had the image of the Israeli Fire Department or the image of an Israeli fire fighter with the words “Ein Li Eretz acheret gam im admati boeret” – I have no other country even if my land is aflame. Our students were so inspired at an assembly held to launch the campaign that in addition to selling buttons in various locations throughout the city, they also sold lemonade Continues on page 16

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Maimonides Academy

Continued from page 14

and hot chocolate. Two 4th grade students raised hundreds of dollars by selling custom cakes that they themselves baked. By the time our 6th graders left for Israel, over $6000 had been raised for Israel. In Israel, the Maimonides students from Los Angeles and the Meiron Students from Tel Aviv together planted trees with Keren Kayemet and presented a $2000 check towards replanting the destroyed forest in the Carmel. Later in the week, On Rifman from HaShomer HaChadash, The New Israeli Guardians came to Meiron School to talk to the Maimonides and Meiron students about how their organization responded to the Carmel fire. Hashomer Hachadash (The New Israeli Guardsmen) is a volunteer organization established to protect Israeli Jewish lands and property in the Galilee (north) and Negev (south) from ongoing Arab theft and encroachment. The students of Maimonides then presented them with a check for $3000. In addition to these unique opportunities that enabled our students to feel the power and importance of giving to and connecting with the Jews of Eretz Yisrael, we also experienced a most uplifting Shabbat in the “Ir Ha’atikah” (The Old City). Friday morning, before leaving for Jerusalem, the Maimonides and Meiron delegates packed gift items they had been asked to provide for about 60 Israeli soldiers. Just before candle-lighting they made their way to the Claman home where they met with approximately 50 Chayalim and Chayalot who were being hosted for Shabbat as part of the Thank Israeli Soldiers program. Standing on the rooftop balcony overlooking the Har Habayit, the students had the opportunity to express their appreciation to the soldiers for all they do to defend Israel on behalf of Jews all over the world. We then made our way to the Kotel together for Kabbalat Shabbat. Shabbat in the Old City was spent walking in the footsteps of our forefathers, standing in prayer before the Kotel, seeing and feeling the Kedusha of places that they have learned about. This inspired our students to feel more connected to their roots, proud of their heritage, and more committed to Torah. These were but some of the amazing experiences the students enjoyed, but certainly they are among those that really represent the concept upon which the Federation’s twinning program was founded. “Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Lazeh (each Jew is responsible for the other).” Jews the world over are connected to each other and to the Land of Israel.

“Be afraid; Be VERY afraid...”

CITY spirit September 2011

ivil trial attorney, Baruch C. Cohen, was retained on a lawsuit, in the proverbial 11th hour, literally one week before the parties were to go to trial, to represent a defendant in a mean- spirited business dispute worth several million dollars brought by a vindictive partner. The plaintiff rejected every one of the defendant’s settlement offers and threatened to destroy the defendant financially at trial. The panic-stricken defendant lacked confidence in his former attorney and replaced him with Mr. Cohen literally on the eve of trial because of Mr. Cohen’s reputation and extensive litigation experience trying cases. The plaintiff, upon learning of defendant’s new counsel on the eve of trial, called several of his attorneys to find out information about defendant’s new trial counsel. One of them once opposed Mr. Cohen in a former trial: “Be afraid; Be VERY afraid…” the lawyer told his client. “Cohen is very clever and crafty and will zero in on the weaknesses of your case like a surgeon with laser beam accuracy and exploit them at trial.” And so it was. Mr. Cohen worked up the defense within the week leading up to trial, interviewed the witnesses and obtained a stunning defense verdict for his client at trial, and, if that wasn’t enough, obtained an award of his new client’s attorney fees, as the prevailing party. Baruch Cohen, a civil trial attorney and aggressive litigator, whose success over the last sixteen plus years has one quality which stands above most trial lawyers today. This character trait pours over into his defending the State of Israel from the biased media, his Holocaust based papers and speeches, and his diversified topics of divrei Torah. His commitment to Torah values and creating a kiddush Hashem in all these arenas, while wearing his yarmulke in court, makes Jews proud and pleased that he is on our side. Yet, what force drives this man to pursue the truth in court like a bull towards a matador? It’s PASSION! He is a person who passionately believes in Torah, yirat shamayim (fear of G-d) and honesty while pursuing an honest parnassah. He reinvented himself, professionally, several times, each time pushing harder outside his comfort

zone in order to learn and gain insight into new practice areas of law which helped build the backbone he has today. Despite people’s negative comments regarding his choice in law schools, choice of law, or wearing a yarmulke always, that inner voice of guidance proved worth listening to and made him into who he is today. I’m sure this contributed to him looking out for the underdog with passion, integrity and aggression. This is why Baruch Cohen has been called by his colleagues: “the pit-bull of litigators”. Now, he is giving back. I am not referring to his clients where he is required to use all his talents in order to win a case which in turn provides handsomely for his family, I am referring to where he uses those same values to give back to the community by helping troubled youth, mentoring Jewish law school students and yeshiva students in their early twenties who are confused about parnassah and their future. Mr. Cohen also gives shiurim (lectures) to strengthen the bereaved who have experienced tragic losses in their lives. Baruch Cohen is a man who has dealt with a personal tragedy of enormous proportion, yet maintains a positive and optimistic outlook. His love for Yidden hits deep into his core when aroused by negative media coverage. Any venue which challenges or disgraces Jews publicly grabs Mr. Cohen’s attention and provokes Baruch to prove the propagandist wrong. One of his most impressive tools in the courtroom and when speaking publicly is his PowerPoint presentation used to win cases or make special presentations. I recently witnessed one of his dramatic PowerPoint screenings regarding the PR of Israel called, “Defending the State of Israel from the Biased Media; The Case for Moral Clarity”, lessons from Alan Dershowitz’s book by CAMERA (the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America). He presented to the “jury” (audience) a point by point case of misrepresentation to the world and US media regarding Israel. He took 10 of the Mainstream Media’s lies presented over and over to the world where countries are convinced to look at Israel and Jews with disdain while pitying their Arab counterparts, and dissected them with compelling and gripping evidence. He took each point, one by one, and presented a comprehensive and well researched proof of how it was, all blatant LIES against the State of Israel! This precise and calculated ability which Mr. Cohen clearly uses is motivated by his passion not only for truth, but his love for the Jewish people. He lives by his Yeshiva’s, Yeshivat Chofetz Chaim’s, motto: Torah Im Derech Eretz - Torah & Mussar with parnassah, where Torah is present in all that you do. Be a proud Jew first and find your strengths to focus on a goal and fulfill your tafkid (purpose) in this world and you will be successful!

with all his

Heart and Soul By Tova Klein

Dr. Ron LEor, PhD Chief of cardiology Sanz Medical Center – Laniado Hospital “I remember when I was shot in the hand. I was afraid to go to the Nazi-run clinic, although it had doctors. I knew that the moment I entered that place, I would not come out alive. So what did I do after being shot? Despite my fear of the Nazis, I found a tree, picked a leaf, and held it tightly over the wound to staunch the bleeding. Then I tore off a branch and tied it around the wound to hold the leaf in place. With God’s help, I recovered in three days. At that point, I resolved that if God granted me life and I was healed—for I looked like a walking skeleton— and if I left this place and the evil Nazis, then I would build a hospital. It would be founded with doctors and nurses who believed that there is a God in this world. They would know that when they heal a patient, they are doing the greatest mitzvah in the Torah.” – Rabbi Yekutiel Yehudah Halberstam, The Klausenberg Rebbe – Sanz Chassidic Dynasty

CitySpirit: Dr. Leor, on behalf of our readers, I thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to talk to us about the Heart Institute at Laniado Hospital. Dr. Ron Leor: Thank you for your interest and your support.

CITY spirit September 2011

CS: How did you begin your career? DRL: I first attended The Technion Medical School in Haifa. I specifically chose this program since it included both technology and engineering in addition to medicine. I began my internship in 1980 and spent five years specializing in internal medicine at Hadassah Medical Center (Mount Scopus, Jerusalem). I was always especially interested in cardiology since I could combine my computer and medical skills that I learned at The Technion. In 1985, I transferred to the cardiology department at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.

CS: What led to Laniado hospital? DRL: The Heart Institute at Laniado Hospital is affiliated with to the Heart Center, Sheba Medical Center. In 1985, during my training in cardiology, I was sent on a part time basis to Laniado Hospital. CS: And now you run the place? DRL: In May of 1993 I was hired as di-

rector of the Heart Institute at Laniado Hospital – so yes, with G-d’s help and the highly competent staff – I guess I do. CS: What was your first impression of Laniado Hospital? How does it differ from other hospitals? DRL: Laniado Hospital is a midsize hospital which is ever expanding and renovating. It is totally different today than when I began in 1985. I think all the departments work very hard to give good and up-to-date care to the patients as in most other hospitals in Israel. What’s unique is our spirit, our striving to work with a positive attitude and a good relationship with the patients and their families. We don’t patronize our patients, and we are open about our medical procedures and techniques. I think that when patients are calm and confident, the adrenaline level is lower and the medical results are better. We treat all patients at the Heart Institute – no matter who you are or how old you are. CS: I know from experience, that hospitals sometimes treat, or should I say don’t treat, older patients with the same care as younger ones. DRL: We don’t discriminate – you could be 100 years old - we will treat you and give you the best available care.

CS: You made remarkable progress in your department. Do you use any other hospitals as role models? DRL: I don’t use any particular hospital as a role model, but I research the major advances in technology, which can enhance our effectiveness. We do cooperate with all the major cardiology departments throughout Israel, with our primary relationship being with Sheba Medical Center. CS: When was the Heart Institute created and why at that time? DRL: Laniado Hospital opened in 1975 as an outpatient clinic with four rooms. In 1976 it opened it’s first department – obstetrics and gynecology. It grew quickly, the need was there. By 1977 we included a small emergency room and in 1978 a coronary care unit was added. At that point the hospital offered in-patient care with a total of 70 beds. In 1984, shortly before I was transferred, it became affiliated with The Heart Center of Sheba Medical Center. CS: Can you tell us about the improvements and advancements your department implemented? DRL: When I first started, Laniado Hospital had six beds in the coronary care unit with an old echocardiogram ma-

chine. My first priority was to set up a catheterization lab. CS: That sounds like a major undertaking – was it? DRL: You have no idea. We finally opened the lab in 2003 and it tremendously changed the functionality of the hospital. We used to send up to 2500 patients a year to other hospitals for these services. Since 2003 we have continued updating and adding services. In addition to performing cardiac catheterizations,

we do all sorts of echo examinations and specialize in permanent pacemakers, intra-aortic balloons and hemofiltration. In 2008 – the same year Laniado Hospital celebrated the delivery of its 100,000th baby – our state-of-the-art Angiography Unit opened it’s doors. We currently average seventy permanent pacemakers per year. CS: What’s next? DRL: A major undertaking was to renovate the intensive care ward to integrate a ICCU coronary care unit and a step-

down unit which brought our total to 18 beds. Laniado acquired top equipment and computerized everything. During the same period, parallel to the new ICU – we built a cardiology unit for nonemergency situations which brought the total to 36 beds. This was great because it allowed us to get people ‘in and out’ as quickly as possible. It’s an unbelievably efficient method of admitting and discharging patients according to their level of need. Last year the ER was reconfigured to have direct access to each of the many ICU departments.

The renewal of activities of the West Coast Friends Much can be said about the miraculous way that the Sanz Klausenberger Rebbe built up Laniado Hospital from a hospital which only included a small maternity ward and a few outpatient clinics, to a medical center with over twenty five departments and 400 beds. The continued development and growth of the hospital is determined by the support it receives from its friends.

Stanley Diller continues today with his leadership to bring Laniado Hospital to new achievements, taking upon himself the Chairmanship of the Board of Governors of the West Coast Friends. He together with Urie Lieberman, Director of the West Coast Friends of Laniado Hospital have been making progress encouraging promi-

A fascinating group of friends have come together from different parts of Los Angeles forming the West Coast Friends Committee including Dr. Ernie Agatstein, Kenny Alter, Michael and Michele Boldt, Victor and Mazal Hadad, Mendel Goldstein, Yaakov and Sohaila Keypoor, Moti Kest, Dr. Simcha Mann, Elie and Felice Marciano, Sam and Rivki Mark, Michael and Eva Neuman, Dr. Steven Presser, Stanley Treitel, and David Zefren. Urie Lieberman, Director of the West Coast Friends looks forward to see the groups enlarging and bringing in new Board and committee members.

CITY spirit September 2011

The community of Los Angeles is familiar with Laniado Hospital. Going back two decades or more, there was an active group of friends and functions were held. Stanley Diller met the Klausenberger Rebbe and was taken in by the extraordinary personality and greatness of the Rebbe. He formed a “Twin Hospital Project” between the LA New Hospital he owned in Los Angeles at the time together with Laniado Hospital in Netanya.

nent members from across the community to join the Board of Governors. The group now includes Irving Bauman, Stanley Black, Michael Fallas, Walter Feinblum, Rabbi Yehuda Feigen, Andrew Friedman, Sol Goldner, Jona Goldrich, Michael Kest, Joseph Kornwasser, Frank Menlo, Alon Miller, Rabbi Zvika Ryzman, Alan Stern, and Sol Teichman, a beautiful rainbow representation of the Los Angeles Jewish community. This special blend of leadership is indicative of Laniado Hospital’s philosophy receiving and treating all, through a dedicated staff made up mainly from a religious background who are largely serving a secular population.

CS: How would you compare the Heart Department of Laniado Hospital to other well-known hospitals? DRL: From the number of beds – we have 36 – we are one of the largest heart institutes in Israel. Last year we hospitalized 3,544 patients, 1,308 patients in the ICCU and Intermediate Step Down Unit and 2,236 patients at the Department of Cardiology. Our mortality rate for heart attacks at 7 days is 2.0% as

compared to the national average of 3.1% At 30 days we are at 4.8% as compared to the national average of 5.0%. We serve the 350,000 citizens of the Netanya Area and the ratio of our number of beds to our target population is one of the best in the country. This enables us to admit most of the cardiac patients who arrive at the hospital and especially all patients after invasive procedures. Our average patient spends no

more than 3.9 days in the cardiology unit – which is shorter when compared to most hospitals. CS: Has your focus changed in the last 18 years? DRL: I always work to keep up-to-date and advance our department according to new emerging trends in cardiology. With the help of my colleague, Dr. Yitzchak Hertz, director of our Cath

CITY spirit September 2011

The New MRI Institute: Every Patient Matters. Every Minute Counts.

The new MRI Institute that Laniado is establishing will ensure more rapid detection and greater accuracy in diagnosing disease, pathology, and injury. It is expected to serve over 7500 patients a year, sparing the residents of Netanya and the Sharon region lengthy trips to medical centers outside the region. More significantly, in emergency situations where time is critical, the new MRI Institute can literally make the difference between life and death. It will provide invaluable services to all the Departments, and particularly Cardiology, Orthopedics, Internal Medicine. Dr. Zvi Shimoni, Head of Internal Medicine, was very happy to hear of the West Coast Friends of Laniado Hospital’s decision to undertake the raising of the two and a half million dollars to purchase the MRI and build and prepare the necessary infrastructure to house the unit. “The acquisition of the MRI enables the hospital to take the diagnostic treatment to a new level”, points out Shimoni. The new MRI Institute, with its advanced diagnostic capability, will save many hundreds of lives and improve the quality of life for thousands more. “We invite our friends in Los Angles to become our partners in creating the MRI Institute – and to have the zechut of saving not one - but many – lives”, offers Urie Lieberman, West Coast Friends Director.

Lab (Catheterization Laboratory), we recently installed a new coronary catheterization machine. CS: What’s new about it? DRL: This machine has a much better resolution which will enable us to enter into a new era of cardiac valve implantation and hopefully cerebral catheterization in patients who are admitted with a stroke. Last year the catheterization unit carried out 840 ‘caths’ for our heart patients, 1500 for patients in other departments and 500 out-patients. CS: Are there any other new technologies the unit is looking to bring in at this time? DRL: Our first priority is acquiring an MRI for the hospital which will enable us to better diagnose myocardial (heart muscle) and pericardial (outer layer of heart muscle) diseases and would help us

with further advancements in the coronary area. The MRI is needed for use in all areas of medicine – so all our departments will benefit. This machine uses a much lower degree of radiation than other scanners, which is great. CS: Who are your patients? DRL: Our patients come from near and far. We are known for our high success rate. Patients come for second opinions and for more complicated procedures than other hospitals are able to offer.

that we can keep doing what we do best – helping our patients lead healthy and productive lives. Sanz Medical Center–Laniado Hospital is a public non-profit institution under the supervision of an international board of trustees. The hospital is founded on Jewish law in every detail. Sanz Medical Center–Laniado Hospital never goes on strike, and treats every individual regardless of religion, race, or nationality.

CS: What do you find most rewarding working at Laniado Hospital? DRL: Being director of the Heart Institute at Laniado Hospital has enabled me to build the department almost from scratch – according to my views and beliefs in the performance of medicine. It enables me to give the patients the best care, in a positive atmosphere while considering the financial bottom line so

CITY spirit September 2011 23

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Can a heart sleep? More important, can it wake up? The thousands of readers who have grown to love Rabbi Binyomin Pruzansky’s bestselling Stories for the Jewish Heart Series know that the answer is yes. Hearts that are dozing can be inspired and spirits that are halfasleep can be roused. And often, all it takes is the right story. Stories That Awaken the Heart is a wonderful collection of stories that will do just that - awaken our hearts and rejuvenate our spirits. In these pages we meet all kinds of people facing many different challenges - wake-up calls for their own Jewish hearts. A combat soldier facing imminent death, a gas station attendant with a grudge that threatens a youngster’s life, a deep-sea diver lost beneath the ocean with only four minutes of oxygen left - each of the dozens of memorable characters in these true stories has a moment when he can choose to hear Hashem’s call. Like all good stories, these tales are entertaining and inspiring. But more: with Rabbi Pruzansky’s sensitive understanding of human nature and the Torah insights that mark his every word, these are stories that can transform us. And awaken our sleepy hearts. Be inspired with CitySpirit’s exclusive samplings on the following pages; reprinted with permission of Mesorah Publications, LTD.

FORGIVE ME There is no one for whom teshuvah does not apply. In every Jewish heart, no matter how blackened with soot, there is a pure spark of holiness that can still be reached given the right circumstances. Rabbi Duvi Bensoussan relates a story that he heard from a rebbi in Jerusalem.

here was a certain rebbi in Yeshivah Ateres Yisrael in Jerusalem who was known to be a tzaddik of the highest caliber. This rebbi would regularly go door-to-door at all hours of the day and night to collect money for impoverished widows and orphans. Before each holiday, he would happily distribute this money, along with food and clothing, to those who needed it. Given his sterling reputation, he was often entrusted with large sums of money from people who were confident that it would be put to good use. Unfortunately, word of this fact made its way to the wrong ears. It was a few nights before Rosh Hashanah one year when the rebbi sat up late at his dining-room table, engrossed in a sefer. Gradually, he became aware of strange noises at the door, as if the lock were being tampered with. In one terrible moment, three hooded men burst into the room. One grabbed him roughly by his collar and leaned close to his face. “Where is the money?” the hooded man demanded in a cold, flat tone. “Don’t bother denying that you have it. We know you do. Now, where is it?” Although he was shaking with pain and fright, the rebbi resolved that he would not divulge this information. That money belonged to orphans and

widows, and it wasn’t his to give away. With trembling lips, he said as much to the men who loomed over him. The man closest to him demanded, “Do you not understand what’s going on here, rabbi? This is no game. Give us the money, or we will kill you!” The other two men branched off and began to ransack the room as the third stood guard over the rebbi. The rebbi’s wife, who stood trembling in the corner of the room, pleaded with her husband, “Just give them the money!” “I can’t,” whispered the rebbi. “It’s not mine to give.” At that statement, the man standing over him fell upon him savagely, beating him mercilessly with his fists and kicking him with his feet. The barbaric pummeling continued, until blood soaked the face of the rebbi and pooled around his body. “Now tell me where the money is,” the robber said, breathless with rage. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll finish you off right here.” Heaving what felt like his last breath, almost vomiting with pain, the rebbi forced out, “I…won’t…give you… the money.” The brute muttered a curse and slipped a knife out of his pocket, brutally stabbing the rebbi in the stomach. The rebbi threw back his head and howled with the pain; he was feeling his consciousness dimming. No matter…the money would not go to these animals ransacking his room. “You don’t understand,” he wheezed, “I can’t give it to you. It’s for the orphans and widows, and they won’t have anything to eat for Yom Tov without this money.” “Rabbi,” the robber pronounced in utter bewilderment, the rage slipping from his voice, “do you not understand? We are going to kill you!”

The rebbi summoned up a reserve of strength he didn’t know he had, and raised his arms to open his shirt and pull aside the tzitzis over his chest. “Go ahead, then,” he murmured. “I will not give you the money of orphans and widows. It belongs to them, not to you.” The hooded man sank to his knees suddenly, still holding the bloody knife in one hand. Shaking his head violently as though to clear it, he appeared to be conducting a vicious battle in his own mind. Suddenly, he rose to face the two other men who were already approaching the rebbi in anticipation of “ending it.” Screaming like a man possessed, he shoved them across the room with both his hands. “No!” He howled. Sinking back into a crouch once again, his knife clattering to the floor, he lifted the bloodsoaked rabbi into his arms. “What have I done?” he wailed. “Oh, G-d, what have I done?” Shocked and bewildered, the remaining two robbers fled the scene immediately through a window, eager to put distance between themselves and their suddenly insane comrade. The remaining robber carried the rabbi gently down the stairs and secured him in the back of his getaway car, peeling off his mask to reveal that he was crying profusely. As he started the car and began driving to the hospital, his shoulders heaved with his sobs. “You are the greatest tzaddik I have ever seen in my life,” he wept. “I have never seen this kind of purity…you are an angel. How could I have done this to you? How could I? I’m so, so sorry…” Jamming his car into a spot in front of the emergency room, the rebbi’s would-be killer gently lifted his victim from the backseat and raced into the building. “Somebody help this man!”

he screamed. “This rabbi is about to die!” A stretcher was produced immediately, and the rabbi placed upon it. The robber leaned in close to the rebbi, his eyes bloodshot with tears. “Please forgive me,” he whispered fervently. “I never meant to hurt a tzaddik.” The rebbi’s eyes fluttered open. “You did teshuvah. I heard you. I forgive you. All is forgiven.” The robber clasped the rebbi’s hand

in wordless gratitude and then turned on his heel to flee, never to be seen again.

Shofar Blowing in Auschwitz

pos would never allow me to escape. I stood there, weighing my decision, unsure as to whether I was permitted to risk my life to blow the shofar for the boys. “Rebbe, Rebbe!” they cried. “For Hashem’s sake, have pity on us and grant us the merit of hearing the shofar in our final hour.” Despite the power of their words, my doubts were reinforced by my son, Zalman Leib, who was with me and begged me not to put my life at risk. “Haven’t you blown the shofar 20 times already? Isn’t that enough?” he argued. Listening to his heartfelt plea, I realized that he was right. On the other hand, the cries of those children tugged at my soul. Overcome with pity, I thought that perhaps this great mitzvah would protect them at this critical time. Hearing their cries, other people implored me to go in and blow the shofar for them, assuring me that due to the merit of the mitzvah I would come out unscathed. I decided that come what may, I could not turn the boys down. I started haggling with the kapos, who stubbornly refused to allow me into the barracks. At last, in exchange for a sizeable sum of money that was raised on the spot, they gave in. They warned me to listen

iraculously I had obtained a shofar through one of the transports that had just arrived in the camp. All day I went from barracks to barracks blowing the shofar for my Jewish brethren. This was fraught with great danger; if I had been caught by the kapos, I would have been killed on the spot. But through Hashem’s great mercy, I merited the ability to blow the full 100 shofar blasts about 20 times that day. The sound of the shofar uplifted the broken spirits of the inmates. At the very least, they possessed the knowledge that they had the merit to fulfill the mitzvah of tekias shofar. When the 1,400 boys in the isolated barracks found out that I had a shofar, they pleaded that I come to blow the shofar for them. They wanted to have the merit of this precious mitzvah during their last moments before they were killed al kiddush Hashem. I did not know what to do. Entering the barracks was extremely dangerous, for the Nazis could show up at any moment. If I were found among the boys, there was no doubt that I too would be taken to the gas chambers. The ka-

Rabbi Bensoussan exhorts: This man swung from one extreme to another in moments: murderous thief to baal teshuvah in a heartbeat. When you think about it, we are that robber. We tear our neshamos apart throughout the year with our sins and our filth, and then we hurry to shul on Yom Kippur to cry and beg Hashem to forgive us

for our destruction of the spirit that He entrusted with us. And, like a medic in the emergency room, G-d cleans and bandages our wounds so that we can survive another year to rectify our mistakes. Like the rabbi who forgave, our Father will always embrace us with love despite our shortcomings. Our job is to seek out this love and humble ourselves enough to ask for it. If we truly mean it, we will not be turned away.

for the sound of the bell at the main gate, for that was the signal that the Nazis were entering the campgrounds. I agreed to their stipulations and entered the barracks. I stationed my son Zalman Leib outside, to keep an eye on the road and to let me know immediately if he saw the SS officers approaching the main gate. I told him to interrupt me even if I were in the middle of blowing the shofar. To tell the truth, my decision did not go in accordance with halachah. I knew full well that endangering your life for the mitzvah of shofar is forbidden. But my decision at that moment was based solely on the fact that my life had little value at that time. Who in Auschwitz was able to know how many days he had left to live? We had seen with our own eyes that every single day, they killed and burned hundreds and thousands of people. We watched people simply drop dead of exhaustion due to the intense labor. And the dead lay at our feet like sheaves of wheat after the harvest. We saw no value in human life anymore. This was the crux of my argument for acceding to the boys’ request. I risked my life only because I knew that in truth, my life had very little value.

The Hug Sometimes when a parent can’t seem to get through to his struggling child, love can succeed where logic fails. In this story, Rabbi Avi Fishoff shares an incident that occurred on Erev Rosh Hashanah a few years ago, which proved how far a little love can go.

t was Erev Rosh Hashanah and the streets of Flatbush were clogged with cars as everyone hurried to complete their last minute pre-Yom Tov errands. Stuck behind a red light at an intersection, I was scanning the passing pedestrians when my eye caught sight of Jake.* The truth is, you couldn’t miss Jake. He was a giant of a guy: six-foot four at least. I had gotten to know him over the course of the past few years, as a result of my efforts to reverse his precipitous spiritual decline. His rebellion was somewhat of a mystery; he came from a fine family and had been given everything a boy needs to succeed. In fact, he was a sweet kid. Despite that, somewhere in Jake’s heart, there was a hole. Little by little, he started looking outside the yeshivah world for something to fill the hole. At this point, he had stopped keeping Shabbos, stopped putting on tefillin, and basically, had stopped living as a Jew altogether. Still, he seemed willing to let me be his friend. So I gave my horn a light tap to get his attention and shouted out my window, “Jake! Can I give you a lift?” He ran to the car and climbed in before the light changed. We got into some small talk. “So what are your plans for Rosh Hashanah?” I asked him. He shrugged and raised his eyebrows as if to say, “You think I care?” I knew he hadn’t heard the shofar or

even fasted on Yom Kippur for several years. “Listen, I’m heading into Boro Park. Do you want to come along?” I offered. “Sure, I’ve got nothing else to do,” he replied. We continued plowing through the Brooklyn traffic. As we crawled into the even thicker traffic of Boro Park, I asked Jake, “Doesn’t your grandfather live near here?” Jake’s grandfather—his mother’s father—was a tzaddik of some renown. No doubt, there were plenty of Jews seeking his blessings for a good new year as the Day of Judgment approached. “Yeah, he’s somewhere around here,” Jake confirmed. “But I haven’t seen him in years. We’re not exactly close.” “Well, that may be,” I replied. “But you know, it is Erev Rosh Hashanah and I just had a good idea. Everyone knows that your grandfather is a big tzaddik. Wouldn’t it be great if you got a berachah from him for a sweet new year?” “No I don’t think so, Rabbi,” said Jake. “And I don’t think he would want to see me. He thinks I’m a sheigetz.” “I don’t believe that, Jake. Every grandfather loves his grandchild.” Then I heard Jake mumble to himself, “Yeah, right, love. Never in my life did anyone ever show me love. Never did I get a hug or a kiss from my family.” “What did you say, Jake?” “Oh, nothing, Rabbi. Just that my family doesn’t really love me.” “Listen, Jake, let’s go to your grandfather for a few minutes. I’ll wait for you outside while you get your berachah and then we will leave.” Jake finally agreed. As we drove to his grandfather’s house, Jake kept talking to himself about how no one loved him and how

he never got any hugs. It would have been comical to hear this hulk of a man revealing his craving for a hug, except that it was so very sad. A few minutes later, we arrived at his grandfather’s home and Jake went inside. As soon as he disappeared behind the door, I called his mother and told her how I had picked up Jake and took him to her father’s home for a berachah. Then I asked her if she could enlighten me about Jake’s mumbled conversation with himself. “Is there any reason why your son feels like he never got any hugs or show of love from his family?” I asked her. “Of course we show him love,” Jake’s mother replied. “But you know, Rabbi Fishoff, we’re not the touchy, mushy type. We’re not a family that hugs. Neither my husband nor I are that type.” “I see. But I have to tell you that even so, it seems to be the thing Jake really needs. I’m sure you love him, but he’s not reading that message.” I got off the phone quickly, realizing all at once what I had to do. I ran up the stairs, hoping to catch Jake before he left his grandfather’s presence. I got to Jake just in time, just as he was getting up to leave. Jake was heading to the door, with his back already turned to his grandfather. I caught the grandfather’s eye and began motioning, wrapping my arms around myself and mouthing, “Give him a hug! Give him a hug!” The grandfather saw and seemed to understand what I wanted him to do. As Jake reached the door, he turned back toward his grandfather to say goodbye. His grandfather looked at him and started to raise his hand up toward Jake’s shoulder. Jake gazed, perplexed, at his grandfather’s outstretched hands, and finally understood that the elderly tzaddik wanted to give him a hug. He leaned his giant form forward

and gently embraced his grandfather, his face flushing red with emotion. He said goodbye and went down the stairs; when he sat down in the car, he looked as if he were in shock. For a few long moments, he couldn’t say a word. Then, shaking his head as if he had seen a mirage, he said, “He gave me a hug. I can’t believe he really gave me a hug.” “Wow, Jake, that’s really great,” I replied blandly. I didn’t want to interfere with his thoughts. I just wanted that feeling to sink in and take hold. As we drove through the crowded streets,

Jake kept repeating how he couldn’t believe that his grandfather had hugged him. Then the car fell silent, and Jake seemed deep in thought. Finally, at a red light, Jake said words that, in my wildest dreams, I would not have expected to hear—at least for many months or years into the future. “Rabbi, I’ve been thinking maybe I should start putting on tefillin again. You know, to start the year off right. Maybe it’s time for me to keep Shabbos again too.” Well, Jake kept that Rosh Hashanah and then he fasted on Yom Kippur. And

he has put on tefillin and kept Shabbos ever since that day. There is no way to assess the value of that one hug; it was priceless, in the truest sense of the word. But what this incident really taught me was how very much our children need to know that we love them. It is indeed the one ingredient essential to their success in life. So don’t hold back: give your kid a big hug, even if you think he is too big for hugs. Don’t wait for him to ask, because by then, so much opportunity can be lost.

A Little Warmth, a Lifetime of Inspiration

Instantly, the boy recognized that this regal-looking talmid chacham was the great Ponevezher Rav, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman. The Rav noticed the boy as well, and much to the boy’s pleasure, the Rav asked him for a favor. “I have yahrtzeit today and need the amud,” he told the boy. “Can you please try to arrange it for me?” Immediately, the boy approached the gabbai and related that the Ponevezher Rav was there and wanted to daven for the amud. The gabbai was happy to accommodate the revered Rav, and Minchah soon began. When davening was finished, the Rav made another request of the boy. “I have to go to the Satmar Rav’s house, but I don’t know my way around here,” he explained. “Could you help me find the address?” What a privilege this mission was for the boy! He arranged a ride for the Rav and even accompanied him to the meeting, hoping to be of further assistance. And indeed, his presence was needed again after the meeting, this time to arrange for transportation to Boro Park. The boy hailed a taxi. As the two were settling into their seats, the boy explained to the Rav that he would

not be able to accompany him all the way to his destination. He would have to disembark before the taxi reached the highway. When the time came for the boy to get out of the taxi, he turned to the Rav and said, “Before I leave, can the Rav give me and my mother a berachah. I am a yasom (orphan) and my mother has to raise our family on her own.” The Rav exclaimed, “You are a yasom!” He threw his arms around the boy, gave him a big hug, and then showered the boy and his mother with berachos. There was no mistaking the spirit flowing from the Rav to the boy; it was sincere love, for a child he barely knew. For those few moments, the boy felt as though he were as treasured as the Rav’s own son. Concluding this story, Rabbi Bender thundered to the crowd assembled at the Agudah Convention, “Rabbosai! It has been many years since the Ponevezher Rav gave me those hugs and berachos, but I can still feel the love and warmth. Smother your children with warmth and they, too, will never ever forget it!”

t this year’s Agudah Convention, speakers explored the theme of “Lev Avos Al Bonim—For the Sake of Our Vulnerable Youth.” It was an uplifting weekend dedicated to understanding and upholding our great role in influencing our children’s lives. The consistent message of the speeches is that our most powerful tool in reaching our children’s neshamos is the warmth we display toward them. Here are three stories that touched me, and I’d like to share them with you. The first is from Rav Yaakov Bender, rosh yeshivah of Yeshivah Darchei Torah. Many years ago, there was a 15-year-old boy who used to daven at the old yeshivah building of Torah Vodaath when it was still located in Williamsburg. The boy had lost his father, and on the day this story took place, he had come to the yeshivah to daven Minchah. As he waited for Minchah to begin, the boy noticed a distinguished- looking, elderly man walking into the beis midrash.

 dvar halachah

The Power of Amen |Rabbi Gershon Bess Answering int [Amen] One is obligated to answer int whenever one hears the recitation of a bracha. The int response is so vital, that according to some opinions, the reward of the responder is greater than the reward of the one who actually recited the bracha. If one is in shul to fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the blowing of the shofar, the geu, kgc [the person performing the mitzvah] will recite a bracha before blowing the shofar. In such a case, each member of the congregation must listen to the bracha in order to fulfill his or her obligation of reciting a bracha before performing a mitzvah. Alternatively, a person must recite a bracha before eating food. While a passerby may happen to hear someone reciting such a bracha, he does not have to listen to the bracha in order to fulfill any personal obligation, since he is not presently eating.

While the distinction between the two cases is obvious, the common denominator is that, in both cases one is required to answer int if one hears a bracha, (whether he is listening to the bracha specifically to fulfill the bracha obligation, or if he just happens to hear another person recite a bracha). The meaning of int Essentially, “int” is a declaration that “The substance of the bracha is true and I believe it”. This is the intent one should have when responding to a bracha of praise of Hashem. However, when the bracha is also a request, the intent of the responder should be “The substance of the bracha is true and it should be His will that the request be granted”. For example, when chazzan recites the bracha of ubtpr (heal us etc.) we intend int to mean that Hashem is the healer and that it should be His will that sick people should have a full recovery.

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CITY spirit September 2011

vnu,h int – the “Orphan” int As mentioned earlier, there are times when a person is obligated to recite a bracha and can actually fulfill that obligation by listening to another person recite the bracha. On the other hand, a person may happen to hear a bracha which he is not personally obligated to recite. According to the Shulchan Aruch, if a person hears someone reciting a bracha which he does not “need”, he may answer int even if he does not hear the actual bracha, or even know which bracha was recited. For example, if he came into shul and heard the congregation responding int to a bracha, he can join them even though he does not hear the bracha and does not know to which bracha they are responding. However, if the person “needs” the bracha [to fulfill his own personal obligation] he cannot fulfill his obligation, even by answering int, if he did not actually hear the bracha. This is true even if he knows exactly which bracha was recited. In fact, he is not even permitted to answer int, since such an int would be considered an “orphan” (not actually connected to a bracha). It is the opinion of the Ramoh that one may not recite int to a bracha unless he knows to which bracha he is responding. If he just hears the congregation saying int, but he does not know to which bracha it applies, he is not permitted to answer int. According to the Ramoh, this too is considered an “orphan” int. One must respond int as soon as the reciter completes the bracha. Even two seconds after the bracha ends is too late to recite int, and the int is considered an “orphan”. However, as long as most of the congregation is still reciting int, one may join them and respond [even though he does so two seconds after the chazzan ends the bracha.] In fact he can still respond

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Kaddish is actually a prayer that the dominion of Hashem as the creator and ruler of the world should be abundantly clear to the world. When one answers int to Kaddish, he is praying and hoping that this revelation occurs immediately during our lifetime. The proper pronunciation of int is with a .ne under the “t” and a hrhm under the “n” . The first syllable is pronounced like the “o” in the word “store”. The second syllable is pronounced as in the word “main”. Some people incorrectly pronounce the second syllable as if it were vocalized as a tua –”eh”. Nor should it be vocalized as a erua – like the “o” in the word “shoe”, or as a okuj – like the “o’ in the word “home”. One should also be careful to pronounce the “n” sound at the end of the int rather than to simply say nt. Likewise, one must be careful to pronounce the “t” and not just say “Main”.

 dvar halachah Continued from page 31

CITY spirit September 2011

int within two seconds of the end of the int response of most of the congregation. If a person is reciting brachos and intends to be thmun [relieve another of his obligation of recitation of the bracha] another as well, he may not begin the second bracha before the responder finishes reciting int to the first bracha. Even if most of the people who are listening have completed saying int, he must wait until everyone has finished. If he begins the next bracha while the responder is still saying int, the responder will not be able to fulfill his obligation since he did not hear the beginning of the second bracha. However, if the responders are merely answering int and do not need to fulfill their own obligation of reciting the bracha, the chazzan may begin the next bracha if most of the responders have finished saying int. If the reciter begins the next bracha before the responders have had a chance to respond, they may no longer recite int once he has begun reciting the next bracha. This is another example of an “orphan” int, since once the Chazzan starts reciting the next bracha, the int can no longer be connected to the previous bracha. During the repetition of Shmoneh Esreh, the chazzan may not begin the next bracha until the congregation finishes their int response for the previous bracha. This applies during the recitation of Kaddish as well. The chazzan should continue only after the congregation has finished their int response. During ohbvf ,frc, [blessing of the Kohanim] the Chazzan should not call out “ohbvf” until most of the congregation has finished responding int to the vfrc of ,usuvk vtb lku ina cuyv. The ohbvf cannot begin the vfrc until after the Chazzan finishes “calling” them. The Chazzan cannot begin lfrch until after most of the congregation finishes saying int to the bracha of the Kohanim. The Kohanim may not begin repeating each specific word before the chazzan has completed reciting that entire word. One should not respond int in a louder voice than the one reciting the vfrc. However, it is permitted to do so if he intends to encourage others to answer int. If a person simultaneously hears two people reciting different brachas, he should answer intu int, thereby responding to each bracha with an int.

When we do / do not answer int One should train his children to answer int, since once a child answers int he will have a portion in the World to Come. One is obligated to respond int to the vfrc made by a child who has reached the age of chinuch (usually classified as five to six years old, depending on the maturity of the child). The Mishna Berurah states that one should not answer int to

a vfrc recited by a child younger than the age of chinuch even when he recites the vfrc on food he is eating. However, it is the custom of many to answer int to the vfrc of young children as well. Some explain that answering int itself is actually an act of chinuch – training and educating the child to respond int whenever he hears a vfrc. The Steipler Rav ZT”L would answer int to the vfrc of a child as soon as the child was able to recite the vfrc, which was obviously before he reached the age of five or six. HaRav Chaim Kienevsky Shlit”a explained that his father did it as a chinuch for the child. Therefore, one would only answer int if the child is able to hear the response. A person standing a distance from the child would therefore not answer int, since it would not be educating the child to answer int if the child did not hear it. In such case, one would only answer if the child has already reached the age of Chinuch. There are two customs regarding answering int to the vfrc of vcvtc ktrah ungc rjucv before gna ,thre. Some end the vfrc together with the chazzan (and do not say int), while others do answer int on the vfrc. If one did not end the bracha with the Chazzan, in any case he would have to answer int. It is generally accepted not to respond int after the vfrc of ktrah ktd in the morning. If the chazzan ends out loud, the congregation should conclude the bracha together so that they do not need to answer int. It is the more commonly accepted custom for the chazzan to end the vfrc quietly. It is necessary to pause between the response of int to the bracha iuhmk u,bhfa rhzjnv and the congregational recitation of ohsun, since this int refers to the previous bracha (that Hashem will return his vbhfa to Yerushalayim). The congregations’ recitation of ohsun in unison with the Chazzan refers to the acknowledgement of the kindness Hashem bestows upon Klal Yisroel of the following bracha. One may answer int to a vfrc while he is still saying P’sukei D’zimra, even if he is in the middle of a posuk. [However, he should at least be at the end of a phrase]. One may respond int to the brachos of ausev kev and vkp, gnua even if one is in the middle of a phrase of P’sukei D’Zimra. However, he should not say una lurcu tuv lurc during P’sukei D’Zimra. Likewise, one should not respond tuv lhrc to someone’s Kaddish if he is in the middle of P’sukei D’Zimra. 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.

 inspiration

Sukkos, Baseball, and Koheles|rabbi Elchanan Shoff “The sukkos holiday you shall make for seven days… and you shall rejoice on your holiday.” Dvarim 16:13-14

CITY spirit September 2011

n our prayers, we refer to the holiday of Sukkos as “the time of our Joy.” And on Sukkos we read the scroll of Koheles (Ecclesiastes). A quick glance at Koheles - pick any spot – will let you know that this does not seem like joyous reading. A Rabbi who stood to address his congregation on Sukkos, and began speaking of how all is futility and there is no happiness to be found in this world would likely get strange looks. And yet he would simply be quoting the book of Koheles. Why is this apparently morbid book read on Sukkos? It would almost seem more appropriately placed on Tisha Baav! And how on earth does it help us experience the “time of our simcha?” An example may help us bring our point across. The fellow whose life is about baseball is a fascinating specimen. We are not speaking of the garden variety baseball fan, but rather of one who finds no pleasure in anything else. Imagine – the only joy that he finds in life is when the New York Yankees win a game. When they lose he is terribly unhappy. When they make a good trade, he is happy, but if fewer member of the Yankees are invited to the all-star game than members of the Boston Red Sox, he is depressed. This gentleman will find no happiness in life. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the Yankees will not win every game, every year. They will not always succeed. But a more important reason that he will not find happiness is that even if the Yankees were to win every single game, and succeed in every way, he would still not be fulfilled. For while baseball is a pleasant pastime, it is simply not capable of filling the void in the human heart and psyche. His deep emotional self will remain unrealized if his life is focused completely on major league baseball. In fact, teaches Koheles, this world is also something that gives a person no happiness. Even were one to be completely successful in every physical pursuit; and he were to grow wealthy, receive honor and popularity, and every other desire of man, he would still be completely miserable. This is as hard for us to hear as it for that baseball fan to hear that life is not about baseball. But the only opportunity that this baseball fan has to engage in life productively, is to be told clearly, in a way that he can accept, that life in not about baseball.

There is love, and there are sunsets. There is fine wine, and there are meadows. Elephants, trees, waterfalls, apples; these are not just obstacles to baseball, but can be great sources of pleasure. We are taught on Sukkos that life is not about our homes. They are all really temporary, like our Sukkahs. We are not living in a world that is permanent, and thus we ought not to make our lives all about this silly world. But we also discover what most baseball fans know as well. In the context of a happy healthy life, baseball can be a pleasant little diversion, and can in fact enhance one’s life. As long as one’s life is not about baseball, baseball can have a place in one’s life. The same is true with the pleasures of this world. Ideally Sukkos is a cathartic experience for us, teaching us that life is not about our temporary homes, but rather about the real things in life. If we get the message, we can then spend the rest of the year in our homes, for though they are not all that meaningful as goals, they can wonderfully enhance a life that is focused on the right things. Sukkos is the time of our joy. We read Koheles on Sukkos, for we discover that the key to happiness is realizing that this little world is in fact nothing at all to live for. Life is about truth, happiness, and accomplishing real things; in other words, following and implementing and studying and mastering the Torah. When a person does study Torah, and takes the words of Koheles to heart, he is then set on the path to the most pleasurable life that is possible, where neither this world, nor the game of baseball is blown out of proportion. Rabbi Elchanan Shoff was ordained by Rabbi Noah Weinberg of Aish Hatorah, and by Rabbi Zalman Nehemia Goldberg, Chief Justice of the Supreme Rabbinical Court of Jerusalem. He is currently residing in Jerusalem, where he is a Senior Lecturer for Hineni International Programs (H.I.P), a Lecturer for Aish Hatorah, and teaches several other well attended classes each week as well. He is the author of Vaani Bahashem Atzapeh (Jeruslaem 2010) in Hebrew on Tehillim, and his weekly Torah email “Strolling Through Paradise” reaches some more than 1000 people. He can be reached at Eshoff@aish.edu

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 point of view

Voices | Rabbi Elazar R. Muskin

he Talmud in Rosh Hashanah 27b states: “If one places a shofar within a shofar and blows, if the inner one is heard, he fulfills the mitzvah, but if the outer one is, he does not.” How should we understand this law? Is it simply a legal concept, or does it hold a moral lesson as well? In today’s climate, besieged by the voices of chaos and disunity, it is difficult to imagine that there can even be a soft inner voice that will unite us with love and understanding. Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, a survivor from Buchenwald, was 8 years old when the camp was liberated. He maintains friendships with many survivors. One, a very wealthy man, is also the thinnest man the rabbi has ever seen. On one occasion his friend invited the rabbi to a delicious dinner, but the friend barely ate. He only nibbled at the food. Worrying that his friend might be ill, the rabbi finally asked why he wasn’t eating. The man replied, “Every time I sit down

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CITY spirit September 2011

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to a beautiful meal, I hear a voice in my head. It is my twelveyear-old daughter who died of starvation in Auschwitz. She comes to me and asks three words in Yiddish: “Father, please, bread.” In Auschwitz I couldn’t give her that bread, and now when I want to eat, I hear the sound of her voice and I can’t eat.” We all hear voices. One comes from the harsh, cruel outside world. It is strong and powerful; it blasts our ears; it seems to conquer us. But then we hear a second voice, a quiet voice, an inner voice, urging us to have courage, to support our people, to stand by Israel, to obliterate terror. The Talmud, in discussing the shofar, also makes another profound and telling observation. It states the principle, “That two voices cannot be heard simultaneously.” But then the Talmud includes an exception: “If it is beloved and dear, one concentrates and hears.” We are constantly subjected to two voices that compete for our attention. Which sounds shall we hear—the loud clamor or the still small voice of love and unity? At first you might think that the loud voice will win, and the soft voice will definitely lose. The loud voice seems so powerful. It seems to conquer all. But if the soft voice is the voice of God, if it is beloved, it will be heard and ultimately will be victorious. Simon Wiesenthal relates that when he was imprisoned in concentration camp, he once saw a fellow inmate risk his life to smuggle a siddur into the camp. At first, Wiesenthal admired this man. But then, the next day, to his horror, he saw that man rent out the Siddur in exchange for pieces of bread. Wiesenthal recounts, “I was angry with this Jew. How could he take a holy siddur and use it to take a person’s last piece of bread.“ From that moment on, he vowed never to pray again. After the liberation, he explained his lack of faith to Rabbi Eliezer Silver, the famous US Army Chaplain, who had come to comfort survivors. In response, Rabbi Silver said, “Why do you look at the Jew who rented out his siddur? Why don’t you look at the dozens who gave up their bread in order to use a siddur? That’s faith! That’s the true power of the siddur.” Wiesenthal concluded, “When he said that, I walked together with him to pray.” Which voice are we going to hear? The laws of the shofar are there to guide us, to tell us if we listen to the inner voice of our conscience, we will find the right path for the coming year. Rabbi Elazar Muskin is rabbi of the Young Israel of Century City.

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CITY spirit September 2011

his past July we had a family wedding in Vienna. We decided to extend our stay after the wedding to tour Austria, Liechtenstein and the Swiss Alps. The combination of exciting cities and tranquil countryside gave us the blend of adventure and relaxation that satisfies our vision of a great vacation. Architectural gems, castles, historic bustling city centers on one day, were followed by majestic mountains, lush valleys, scenic rivers, and picturesque towns the next day. Yes, we did a lot of driving and yes, we took too many photos, but we had ample time and a dynamic determination to experience and enjoy all we have seen. Vienna is a great city to visit. You can literally spend days walking its magnificent streets, squares, parks and river banks enjoying the opulence of its architecture. There are museums covering every interest (art, science, natural history etc.) housed in palatial structures. Cultural ac-

tivities abound in splendid concert halls and the opera house. Take a tour to see the creation of the world famous hand painted Augarten porcelain. Watch a performance of the horse show at the Spanish Riding School. Listen to a concert of the Vienna Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Choir. Take a ride on the Prater Ferris Wheel. Join a Segway tour and cover so much more of the city in half the time. I can go on and on. The wealth of sights and activities is endless. For the Jewish traveler Vienna is a true blessing. There are synagogues and kosher food stores and hotels that cater to the observant tourist. There is a first class restaurant, AlefAlef, where arrangements can be made for Shabbos. There is a great pizza and dairy place called Milk & Honey. If you stay over Shabbos you have the option of choosing from a range of over a dozen orthodox shuls, from the Stadtshul with its choir and cantor to chasidishe shteiblech and everything in between. Jewish sights that are worth visiting include the Jewish Museum Vienna, the Judenplatz Museum, the City Temple and the Rossau Cemetery among others. Some have tours while others are self guided. There are a number of memorials that have significance to the Jewish visitor as well. There are side trips one can make from Vienna that are not too far and can add considerably to your pleasure. Schonbrunn Palace is the imperial masterpiece of royal residences. Its lavish interior and manicured gardens are a must for any

The tombstone of Rabbi Moshe Sofer, the Chasam Sofer in Bratislava (Pressburg)

Ripening Apricots

visitor to Austria. It is only forty minutes from the center of Vienna by bus and can be appreciated best by taking a self guided 2-3 hour audio tour. Bratislava (Pressburg) is less than an hour away and has the cemetery with the graves of the Chasam Sofer, his children and grandchildren. The underground tomb has a fascinating history and was meticulously restored a number of years ago. The capital city of Slovakia also has a small but interesting Jewish Museum. The center of town is a pedestrian only zone with quaint buildings and winding streets and alleys. A four to five hour day trip including traveling is sufficient time to benefit from this excursion. For a full day diversion from Vienna, I would recommend renting a car and traveling along the Danube River. The lush and serene countryside is full of surprises. Charming towns especially Durnstein are great places to stop, walk and look around, shop, pick up a drink and have a picnic. Vineyards and orchards (we were there when it was the height of the apricot season) abound and freshly picked fruits are sold at farm stands. There are also boat trips originating in Vienna going up the Danube passing soar-

Horse drawn carriage near the Imperial Palace

ing castles perched on mountaintops. Relaxation of body and soul is the goal and a trip along the Danube is by far a sure prescription to achieve this. In my next article I will write about Salzburg and Graz, two celebrated historical cities that are not more than two hours by car from Vienna. I will also introduce you to Liechtenstein one of the continent’s smallest countries. Then we will continue to the Swiss Alps, the Creator’s European Showpiece. 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

The Danube River

 advice from over-the-counter

A New Hip and a Valuable Lesson|Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCCP

CITY spirit September 2011

or years, Dovid tried to ignore the pain and limitations on his mobility. Finally, as he hobbled down the stairs in pain, he decided it was time for the hip replacement surgery his doctor had been telling him about. The surgeon was selected, the date of the surgery was set, and Dovid davened with tremendous kavana that the Ribbono shel Olam should allow the entire process to go smoothly. Dovid’s wife and children davened for him, too, from points near and far, including two at the Kosel. At the pre-op meeting, Dovid was informed of many aspects of care he would need to undertake. He would need to exercise diligently, but very patiently, over a period of months. A physical therapist and an occupational therapist would be assigned to his care to help him slowly return to normal life. And of critical importance, Dovid would need to take an anticlotting medicine for five weeks to prevent dangerous clots from forming in his legs or his lungs, rachmana letzlan. Dovid asked Dr. Bones if he would need to self-inject the medicine. Dr. Bones’ face lit up. “There’s a new medicine that’s been approved here called Xarelto that you can take orally; we can start it right after the surgery.” “Just approved? Are you sure it’s good? I don’t want to be a guinea pig,” remarked Dovid. “My friend, Shmuel Fruchtstein had to take an anti-clot medicine after his knee replacement, and he was given Lovenox, which had to be injected twice a day. His wife learned to do it, and he said it was no big deal. Still, I really don’t like needles.” “Well, a clinical pharmacist specialist at our hospital gave us a presentation about a couple of new anti-clot medicines, and he told us that the studies done in the U.S. and in Europe showed that Xarelto was just as good if not better than Lovenox at reducing the risk of dangerous clots. I’ve used it in quite a few patients already, Dovid, and it seems to be doing its job as well as advertised.” Dovid still wasn’t sure. “Why should I be so worried about clots anyway? Isn’t that just the body’s natural response?” Dr. Bones was known for his gentlemanly manner, and he responded patiently to Dovid’s questions. “Would you believe that the number one serious complication of total hip surgery is a blood clot? It’s true. A clot, which frequently develops in the legs and is called a deep venous thrombosis or DVT, can propagate or move to the pulmonary circulations, the arteries and veins of the lung. If this happens, the results can be

catastrophic. We call that a pulmonary embolism, or a PE. These PEs can be fatal, Dovid, and in fact, are the most common cause of death of major orthopedic surgery. Medicines like Lovenox, Xarelto, and others in their class have prevented fatality in tens of thousands of patients since they began to be used regularly in the 1990s. “Any risks to this medicine, doctor?” Dovid was going to be sure to do his hishtadlus, which to him meant being sure all his questions were answered. “Well, naturally, any medicine which antagonizes the body’s ability to form a clot can increase the risk of bleeding.” Dovid looked very concerned, and Dr. Bones noticed. “The risk with Xarelto is about the same as with Lovenox. And your friend – Shmuel wasn’t it – did he have any problems?” Dovid shook his head. “The risk of a clinically significant bleed is less than 3%, which means that fewer than 1 in 30 patients will experience a bleed that will require treatment of some sort. I don’t mean to be flippant about it, Dovid, since the risk is certainly there, but the overall risk-benefit is well on the side of benefit in this equation. Do you understand?” Dovid thought for a moment. He knew he needed the hip replacement, and now he understood that he also needed to take this medicine to complete his hishtadlus. If this is what the Ribbono shel Olam wanted, it must be for the best. He remembered when his friend Shmuel had his knee surgery, how the two of them approached Rabbi Poskin about using Lovenox. Rabbi Poskin spoke to some physicians in the shul as well as his Rosh Yeshiva. Together, they decided that it was correct to take the medicine. Why should it be different here? “I’m OK with it, doctor. If you think it’s what I should do….” “Then you’re hip, right?” “I guess you could say that, sir.” Dr. Manny Saltiel received his doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of California in San Francisco, following two years of undergraduate work at UCLA. He completed a residency in Clinical Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Saltiel was employed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for 25 years. For the past three years, he is a Regional Clinical Director with Comprehensive Pharmacy Services, providing clinical leadership and assistance to several hospitals in the West and Midwest. He also holds faculty appointments with the University of Southern California.

 FOOD

Dining In Again with Faigy Grossman Transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree until smooth. Stir in topping, mustard, and nutmeg (if using), and then salt and pepper, to taste. Refrigerate. Adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with carrot and chives just before serving. Serve cold.

Sweet Potato Pie

Golden Mustard Squash Soup

CITY spirit September 2011

When you want a soup that’s a bit different… sophisticated, this one fits the bill. Some onion garlic croutons in a bowl on the table are a pleasant addition to just about any pureed soup. ½ stick margarine 1 c. onion, chopped 1 medium carrot, chopped 1 celery stalk, chopped 3 c. chicken stock 2 c. beef stock 1½ lbs. yellow summer squash, diced 1 large (6-8 oz.) potato, peeled and diced ¾ c. dessert topping 1½ T. Dijon mustard ½ tsp. nutmeg (optional) Salt and pepper Grated carrot and snipped fresh chives YIELD: 6 servings

Melt margarine in large frying pan over low heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, and celery and sauté about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and beef stocks, squash, and potato. Raise the heat and bring to a simmer. Cover pan. Simmer for about 30 minutes until the mixture is very tender.

3 c. cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (about 3 potatoes) ½ c. sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ c. pareve milk Pinch salt ¾ stick margarine, melted Topping: 1 c. brown sugar 2/3 stick margarine, melted 1/3 c. flour 1 c. chopped pecan Preheat oven to 350˚. Mix together ingredients for pie and place in 2 greased 8” or 9” round pans. Combine topping ingredients and crumble over pies. Bake half-hour or until topping is firm and well-baked.

Tongue Knishes with Sweet Onion Sauce A beautiful, unique appetizer. If preferred, substitute corned beef or pastrami for tongue. Pickled tongue Water to cover Dough squares (equal to as many slices of tongue as you have) Mustard (1 tsp. per dough square) Egg yolk for glaze Sesame seeds Sweet Onion Sauce 2 onions, diced

Oil for sautéing 1½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper ½ tsp. paprika 2 T. flour 2 tsp. lemon juice 4½ T. sugar 1½ c. boiling water Cook the pickled tongue in water until tender; peel and slice when cooled. Preheat oven to 350°. Spread a teaspoon of mustard on a square of dough, and place a slice of tongue on top. Pull the corners of the dough together and press firmly, crimping edges to form a knish. Place in baking pan seam side down. Repeat for all slices of tongue. Glaze knishes with egg yolk and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Bake knishes for 1 hour or until light brown. Sauce: Sauté onions in oil until golden and translucent. Add remaining sauce ingredients, mix, and cook for 20 minutes. Serve knishes hot with a generous serving of onion sauce.

Fancy French Roast Easy, classic recipe. Fancy without the hassle. 2 large Spanish onions 1- 5 lb. French roast 4 cloves garlic, crushed Salt, pepper, paprika, to taste Sauce: 21/3 c. sugar 3 tsp. grated horseradish 2/3 c. ketchup 6 T. vinegar 4 T. margarine 1½ c. water or ¾ c. water plus ¾ c. tomato juice YIELD: 15-18 servings

Slice onions. Place on bottom of large pan. Rub roast with garlic cloves and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Combine first 5 sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Add 1½ cups water or ¾ cup waterplus ¾ cup tomato juice; heat through. Pour over roast in pan & bake at 350° for 3 hours, covered.

Grease two 9-inch round pans, pour in the batter and bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown.m Remove from oven and cover with foil to keep the top soft.

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

For a change this is a quick and easy sweet kugel that kids love. You will, too! Hint: Try mixing various types of apples to vary the taste. For example, throw in a Granny Smith or two for a little tang. 1- 12 oz. pkg. medium noodles 5 apples, cored, peeled, and chopped 4 eggs ½ c. oil ¾-1 c. sugar ½ c. apple juice Handful of raisins (optional) ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon YIELD: 12-16 servings

Rich, flavorful version of a basic, always popular cake. Cake : 2 sticks margarine 2 c. sugar 1½ tsp. vanilla sugar 3 eggs 3 c. flour 2 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 1 c. orange juice 2 c. chocolate chips Glaze: 2 T. cocoa 1 T. plus 1 tsp. hot water 1 T. oil 1 c. confectioners’ sugar YIELD: 20 servings

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook the noodles and drain. Mix all the ingredients together well in a large bowl.

Cake : Preheat oven to 350°. Cream together margarine and sugars in large mixer bowl. Add eggs. In a separate

Apple-Cinnamon Lukshen Kugel

bowl, combine dry ingredients and add to margarine mixture, alternating with orange juice. Stir in chocolate chips and mix into batter. Pour into greased and lined 9x13inch pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Glaze: Dissolve cocoa in water. Add oil. Mix in confectioners’ sugar until glaze reaches correct consistency. If too thick, add water ½ teaspoon at a time.

New Twists on Popular Favorites! Yes, the creators of Dining In have done it again with their latest cookbook, Dining In Again! With over 550 tantalizing new dishes, this marvelous book is simply bursting with fresh ideas.

Published by Judaica Press, by The Ladies Auxiliary of Yeshiva Masoras Avos

CITY spirit September 2011

Available at Bookstores or Direct from: Yeshiva Masoras Avos 23 Congress Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-942-7522 • yma@lehucomputers.com

KidSpirit by Fraydee Mozes

Fill In the Blanks Rosh Hashanah literally means the __1__ of the new year. It is this time of year that we start anew and ask Hashem to grant us much success and happiness for the year to come. We eat __2__ dipped in __3__ to symbolize a sweet new year. Some also eat the __4__ of a fish to symbolize the head of the year. We eat new fruits so that we can make the brachah of __5__ on the second night of Rosh Hashanah. Challah is shaped __6__ like the cycle of the year. In shul we blow the __7__ which wakes us up to do teshuvah. The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as Aseret Yomei Teshuvah, which allows us ten days to ask Hashem for a great year. During this time, many people perform __8__ and throw bread into the water. This symbolizes our __9__ being tossed away. After Yom Kippur is the holiday of __10__ when we decorate a temporary hut called a __11__. It is a mitzvah to shake the __12__ and esrog during this holiday. The last day is known as __13__ ____ and we dance in celebration of our love for the torah. 1.Head, 2. Apples, 3. Honey, 4. Head, 5. Shehechiyanu, 6. Round, 7.Shofar, 8. Tashlich, 9. Averot/sins, 10. Sukkot, 11.Sukkah, 12. Lulav, 13. Simchat Torah

ROSH HASHANA YOM KIPPUR

Solve these multiple choice questions. WARNING: Stop trying to solve this puzzle if your head starts spinning. Lie down, close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths. When you feel better, get up slowly and try again. Good luck!



1. The esrog is held in which hand? a) left b) right 2. The lulav is held in which hand? a) left b) right 3. Before the blessing, the esrog is held with its pittum pointed: a) down b) up 4. After the blessing, it is inverted so that the pittum faces: a) up b) down

Can You Find It ages 6-11

CITY spirit September 2011

5. When I shake the lulav I stand facing: a) north b) south c) east d) west 6. I shake lulav in the following order? a) north, south, east, west b) east, south, west, north

West hollywood automotive

Win a $25 gift certificate to Chabad-Atara

1. a) left 2. b) right 3. a) down 4. a up 5. c) east 6. b)east, south, west, north

Up, up down, down, right, left and all around!

Congratula tions to MOISHE B RIEF Age 9 Contest Win ner June 2011

All the images above come from pages in this magazine. Find Name _ ____________________________________________ complete mechanical Work the pages and enter the page numbers in the white boxes. Cut computer out and fill in the form and mail to: CitySpirit NY Office: 1588 E. control Address_Diagnostic ___________________________________________ 27th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229.  foreign andPhone_ domestic______________________ Age__________________ First entry with all the correct answers wins.

 4 wheel Computer alignment  heating and air Conditioning

How do you like them apples?

Unscramble the words

Yaakov and Mendy are each holding some apples which they will help peel before the Rosh Hashanah meal. If Yaakov gave Mendy one apple, then they would each have the same number of apples. And if Mendy gave Yaakov two apples, Yaakov would have three times the number of apples that Mendy would have. So just how many apples is each of these boys holding?

associated with Shavuos 1. EPLAP _ _ _ _ _ 2. HFAORS _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. ESTWE _ _ _ _ _ 4. VULAL _ _ _ _ _ 5. KUHSAK _ _ _ _ _ _ 6. UITSFR _ _ _ _ _ _ 7. ROGSE _ _ _ _ _ 8. EYE NAWR _ _

____

9. OEHYN _ _ _ _ _ 10. THIISER _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Answers: 1. Apple, 2. Shofar, 3. Sweet, 4. Lulav, 5. Sukkah, 6. Fruits, 7. Esrog, 8. New Year, 9. Honey, 10. Tishrei How to play: Each row (across) must contain the numbers 1 through 9. Each column (up and down) must contain the numbers 1 through 9. Each square box must contain the numbers 1 through 9.

CITY spirit September 2011

An etrog is one of the Four Species, which are four different kinds of plants that have symbolic significance during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The etrog is a kind of citron and is considered the most important of the four plant symbols because it has both fragrance and taste. Of the other symbols, a palm tree bears fruit but has no fragrance, a myrtle tree has fragrance but bears no fruit, and the willow tree has no fragrance and bears no fruit. Because the citron is the only plant symbol that is both fragrant and edible, it has special significance when it is waved together with the other symbols during Sukkot. The other plants are bundled together to form a "lulav," which is held in the right hand, while the etrog is held in the left hand. Why the left hand? Because it is closest to the heart. NOW YOU KNOW!

Level: Easy

Solution:

Answer: Yaakov has seven apples, and Mendy has five.

Did you know?

Sudoku for Kids

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)

CITY spirit JUNE 2011

Mikvahs

Beverly Hills/Pico Robertson Mikvah mei manachem ....... 310-214-4999 2108 Vail Avenue 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 east side of bldg.)

Shatnez Testing Service 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 Beth Midrash Od Yossef Hai...... 323 931-0333 142 North La Brea Ave. 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 Chabad Israel Center................ 310-271-6193 1520 S. Robertson Blvd., 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. manhattan beach Chabad of Manhattan Beach.....310-265-3868 2108 Vail Avenue Continued on page 48

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

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west coast directory Continued from page 46 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.

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)

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

La Jolla Congregation Adat Yeshurun.... 858-535-0343 8625 La Jolla Scenic Dr. N.

San Diego Beth Jacob of San Diego........... 619-287-9890 4855 College Ave. Chabad of Downtown................ 619-702-8518 472 Third Avenue

Laguna Beach Chabad of Laguna Beach......... 949-499-0770 30804 S. Coast Hwy.

Yorba Linda North County Chabad Center.....714-693-0770 19045 Yorba Linda Blvd.

Laguna Niguel Chabad of Laguna Niguel..........949-831-8475 27655 Niguel Village Dr.

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 September 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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CITY spirit September 2011

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