CitySpirit March2010 by City Spirit

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CitySpirit Volume 3 Issue 2 March 2010 | Nisan 5770

west coast

Jewish Living

touro college los angeles

The Key to Success is in Your Own Backyard

book feature

new passover menu ideas Master storyteller

Nachman Seltzer

takes you on a powerful journey with a brand new collection of real stories about real people

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Dining In Again

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get get into into the the spirit spirit Editor Tova Klein Contributing Writers Tama Beck Rabbi Gershon Bess Rabbi Effie Goldberg Rebecca Klempner Hershel Lieber Jonathan D. Pivo, D.D.S. Manny Saltiel, Pharm. D. Rabbi Gershon Weiss Publisher Mati Jacobovits STAFF WRITER Esti Drebin PROofReader Rochelle Cohen Food Faigy Grossman kids Spirit Fraydee Mozes

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CITY spirit MARCH 2010

Advertising Deadline April 19 Publication Date May 12 cityspiritmag@gmail.com LA: 445 N. Mansfield Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036 Phone: 323-974-6084 NY: 1588 East 27th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229 Phone: 917-771-6996

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

Dear Readers, The countdown has begun and soon, G-d Willing, we will be sitting down to a beautifully set table, ready to begin the seder. I am personally looking forward to having all of my children under my roof for the first time in years along with my in-laws who have recently moved to LA. Right now, I am on an airplane heading to New York again for a family simcha. It has been a few months since I have last been there and I am looking forward to seeing close family and friends, not to mention my sweet grandson. Throughout the generations it has become customary to invite guests to the Seder. Because of this tradition, more that even Yom Kippur, Pesach is celebrated by Jews from all walks of life. From the very religious, to the secular, Passover brings our nation together like no other Jewish holiday. This unity as a People is what Hashem wants us to re-attain. I must say that after 25 years and especially recently with all the ongoing struggles within our community, how proud I am to be part of a group of people that goes above and beyond to be there for their fellow Jew. The more you get involved the more you see how many others are involved and it becomes contagious to go out and make a difference in some way. In this issue we are proud to give you a peek inside Touro College Los Angeles (page 11). By giving the community an educational forum to advance their studies in an orthodox environment, they are filling a need that will allow us continued growth. By keeping our children here we will G-d willing attract more young peo-

ple to settle in the Los Angeles area. It Could Have Been You (page 15) by Nachman Seltzer is a new book that relays real stories about real people. These stories show us the divine providence that controls the world. Take a look and get drawn in because the next story could be about you. The parent body of Lakewood’s Yeshiva Masoras Avos introduces their sequel to the Dining In. Dining In Again (page 38) published by Judaica Press brings you hundreds of new recipes and a special Pesach pull out section. We are proud to introduce our new writer of stories for the young reader, Rebecca Klempner. Who Saved The Day? (page 45) is an entertaining story about how two girls had a challenging situation and how they came to a solution. Enjoy an interesting and thought provoking article by Rabbi Effie Goldberg (page 26). Don’t forget to check out Rabbi Bess’ column (page 28) about kashering utensils for Pesach and look for some inspiring words for the Yom Tov from Rabbi Weiss (page 30). Keep turning those page until you have found all the interesting insights, thoughts and campaigns locally and abroad which show how important working together as a Klal (group/community) can be for both the provider and the recipient. Tizku L’mitzvos (we should be fortunate and be able to continue doing for others). Have a Chag Kasher V’Sameach - a kosher and healthy Pesach to all! Tova

march 2010

contents features 11 An inside look at 15

Touro College Los Angeles reveals a simple truth: The Key To Success Is In Your Own Backyard A sampling of true inspirational stories from the new book It Could Have Been You By Nachman Seltzer

38 Check out our Pesach menu ideas from the newly released cookbook Dining In Again

community spirit

in this issue

Letters

10 Friday Night at the Western Wall

Point of View

Rabbi Effie Goldberg

28 Dvar Halachah Rabbi Gershon Bess

14 Yad Eliezer Feed-A-Baby Program Launches West Coast Chapter

Rabbi Gershon Weiss

kid spirit

32 The Wandering Jew Hershel Lieber

44 Pesach Games & Puzzles Fraydee Mozes

35 Dental Health

45 Who Saved The Day?

36 Advice from Over-the-Counter

Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D.

Rebecca Klempner

46 Benny P.I.

Jonathan D. Pivo, D.D.S

Tama Tells All Tama Beck

Lieber

Ari Guidry

about the cover

30 Inspiration

About the Author her life to help repair the lost tapestry of Jewish life She still maintains a gallery in the heart of Boro Park eatured on the cover is Lola Lola Leser was painting a privileged and to become a mother, grandmother, and greatin Brooklyn,inNY. Lieber’s still-life en- sixteen-year-old 1939 invaded The horrors grandmother. For information on the book visit Lola’s Born inofKrokow, Poland in 1923 and raised in titled,when The Germany Seder (1995 oil Poland. on the Holocaust overtook her almost immediately when website at LolaLieber.com. Munkach, Czechoslovakia, Lola has chosen to tell canvas). One of her many religious she moved to Krakow, Poland, after living for years looking new the story of her ordeals during the Holocaust ande M oAlways subjects, thismaternal classicalgrandparents and vibrant with her in Munkach – at that A M ir o f Lforo s artistic s A challenges, n d r Lola edeMp has recently taken up the art of crocheting. Concensurvival against all odds. Her recently pubstill-life Lola’s memories timeportrays in Czechoslovakia. It was there, inofherher grandparents’night “enchanted that she discovered artis- A World After This is a riveting and trating on hats, scarves, and accessories for women lishedhermemoir of seder at hergarden,” grandparent’s and children, her one-of-a-kind creations have beoutstanding account of the many trials and tribulahometicintalents. Munkach. Before she had a chance to fully mature, Mechel come very popular and in demand. tions that Lola, together with her husband Mechel, Lola Lieber, an accomplished Lieber swept her up into a marriage that was to turn When asked what her secret is for staying so artist, just celebratedinto hera 87th HerThat paintlovingbirthday. partnership. union sawhave themendured. through active, she replied “I believe that to rest is to decay.” Lola’sandjourney is an adventure of harrowing ings have been exhibited manyof fleeing art galleries years of in hiding, from shelter to shelter from city to city – often by a hairsbreadth. During those horrid warmany close calls. It is, in the end, the Lola is truly an inspiration to us all. We wish her events and throughout the escaping U.S. andcapture her Holocaust depictions years, which included starvation and periods of imprisonment, theyoflost many more years full-of-life, zest and good health. story theal-survival of a woman who will go on in are part of theweeks Yad of Vashem archives in Jerusalem. most all of their loved ones and witnessed firsthand the unbelievable bestiality and depravities of the Nazis. Through six harrowing years, Lola clung both to her husband and to her staunch faith in the One Above, Who granted them both many miracles. It is this faith and her

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Dear CitySpirit, I want to commend you on the insightful article commemorating one of the greatest talmidai chochamim of the 20th Century, Rav, Dr. Michoel Schick. However, having known him personally for over thirty years, I feel the article did not emphasize a side of him that made him unique among the gedolim of our generation. He had the ability to synthesize that which surrounded him with warm understanding and a deep knowledge of Torah. No human was beneath his dignity, from soldiers off to Vietnam in the 60’s to young children (some of whom later became great Roshei Yeshivos). He left an indelible mark on everyone he touched, from his warm smile to his poignant divrei Torah. Judy Moskovits Los Angeles, CA Dear Editor, Your sensitively written article managed to encapsulate the “Gadlus” of our father and Sabba. He did indeed touch many lives. I just wanted to stress that he definitely was the man he was because of the little woman behind him, who adulated, worshiped and supported him, my mother!Deena Gitel Schick! Sincerely, Sylvia Heyman Dear Tova, I just returned from a trip to Los Angeles and want to compliment you on your beautiful magazine. I received a copy at a dinner I attended and enjoyed reading every word. The graphic design is also extremely professional and a pleasure to read! Shortly after reading City Spirit, I met with you to discuss Israeli politics and found your knowledge on this subject simply incredible. You interviewed my dear friend - and candidate for Prime Minister of Israel - Moshe Feiglin, and agreed to write an article about his exciting program in next month’s issue. I look forward to reading that interview with the first and only - Torah observant candidate for Prime Minister, who wants to lead Israel based on Jewish concepts and values. Thanks again, Shmuel Sackett International Director, Manhigut Yehudit Dear CitySpirit, I thank you so much for running my mother’s column, Tama Tells All. I meet people at simchas and in the market and they constantly tell me how they look forward to her articles. One said that is what she turns to first!!! Carol Bess

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 community spirit

Friday Night at the Western Wall by Rabbi Effie Goldberg

any of us have enjoyed Friday night at the Western Wall standing in a crowd of hundreds if not thousands of men and women. Many of us have experienced a cab ride in Israel which, if told about, would not be believed. And many of us have wondered “If I talk more slowly will the Israeli finally understand me?” This past winter break I traveled through Israel with twelve public school students, and two other chaperones, on a trip graciously sponsored by Dr. Ezra and Lauren Kest. Not one student on the trip has seen, felt, or lived the Land the way we did on this trip. As a yeshiva student, I lived in Israel for three years, and then later on with my wife for an additional three years, soaking up the beauty and holiness of Israel. However, none of those experiences could compare to what happened on this trip. The one word which sums it all up for me and puts it into perspective is “opportunity”. When you love something so much the only fathomable action is to share it with the world. It’s not okay to selfishly keep it for yourself. On the contrary, you want everyone near and dear to experience it as you have. This is exactly what transpired on this trip. Our experiences ranged from buying a piece of beautiful hand written parchment to hang on a college dorm room door, as a symbol of Judaism, to lighting memorial candles for our ancestors. Perhaps it was sitting in the cold desert looking at the stars and

Passover Never Tasted This Good

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

hat could be better than an exclusively kosher supermarket with all your Passover needs under one roof? Two exclusively kosher supermarkets with all your Passover needs under one roof. Yes, two. Glatt Mart on Pico Blvd. and Cambridge Farms in the heart of the Valley on Burbank Blvd. Visit all their departments, where seasoned staff will assist you in making the right purchases.  Fresh Fish Department: pick the fish of your choice  Fresh Meat & Poultry Dept; cut to your specifications  Scrumptious Variety of Cakes & Pastries  Huge Selection of Wine & Liquor  Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Displays  Candy, Nuts & Dried Fruit.. You pick it we’ll Pack it  Holiday Gifts to add to the festivities So this Passover season, for great prices, huge selections, free parking, and friendly employees, Glatt Mart and Cambridge Farms will meet you expectations.

thinking about Abraham traveling this land with his entourage while on camels or looking at the new menorah, made up of seven used shells from the war, which shines brightly on top of the Yeshiva in Sderot as a reminder of our ability to stay strong as a nation, that made it all come together. Every part of the trip was completely and entirely fascinating. But for me, who had been a resident of the land, the most important aspect was to give these twelve students the opportunity of a lifetime. This is ultimately what Judaism is about and it’s an approach that explains how we are “ohr l’goyim,” a light onto the nations. It’s sharing your heritage, experiences, and life with others to inspire those around you. This is the lesson that we learn from Reb Shlomo Carlebach in the story of the Hunchback Street Sweeper. The one piece of Torah he recalled from the Rebbe of Piacezna was “do someone else a favor.” The more opportunities you offer, the more gratified you will feel. The more gratified you feel, the more you will accomplish and so the cycle continues. I appreciate the fact that I was given this opportunity and I implore others to go out and give their children and the people around them the beauty of such an opportunity as well.

The Key to I success is in your Own Backyard

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

by Mati Jacobovits

have been a long-time supporter of Touro College, so when I was given the opportunity to write an article about Touro College Los Angeles (TCLA), I looked forward to the task. I expected I would gather much factual information about TCLA’s programs, degrees and history. But after talking to Dr. Esther Lowy, Dean of TCLA, and the faculty members, students and alumni, I came to really appreciate TCLA’s remarkable accomplishments and the wonderful opportunities it has to offer. Touro College, founded over thirty-five years ago, was the brainchild of Dr. Bernard Lander, A”H. His vision to combine the best of Jewish and secular scholarship in an atmosphere of personal attention and academic excellence has succeeded beyond his dreams. Today, with an enrollment of tens of thousands of students, Touro College has proven that it is possible to pursue the field of your choice while still remaining in a true Torah environment. For many years the orthodox Jewish communities on the West Coast had to choose between sending their children East and making do with the secular colleges in the area. Dr. Lander saw this void and was determined to address the problem head-on. He approached Dr. Es-

 community spirit

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

TCLA is a pioneer and its innovative programs provide a unique opportunity for higher education to the frum community. Rochelle Cohen

ther Lowy and offered her the position as Dean of a new branch he would open in Los Angeles. But unlike taking a post in an existing venue, Dr. Lowy had a huge task ahead of her. Together with Dr. Lander and after years of planning, dealing with legalities, and acquiring accreditation and funding, in the fall of 2005, TCLA opened its doors. “It was really a feat getting the accreditation we needed. People don’t realize what is involved. I am very grateful to Dr. Lander A”H for setting up and subsidizing TCLA, and I am proud and honored to be a part of it. This has given the West Coast community a whole new dimension. At the moment, Los Angeles has the second largest Jewish community in America. But demographically, if we keep sending our children to the East Coast for their education, our population will wither. With community support, we can grow, and TCLA is at the forefront of this growth,” explains Dr. Lowy. TCLA offers students a distinctive educational experience consisting of more than classroom instruction. The college also seeks to foster an atmosphere of warmth, in which close faculty-student relationships, student camaraderie, and individualized attention are nurtured in many ways. “Because TCLA is a small school, there is a lot of interaction between administration, faculty and students,” says Samira Miller, Director of Admis-

Dr. Esther Lowy, Dean of TCLA

sions since June 2006, “and we often do questionnaires, focus groups, and assessments to keep that relationship going. There is a lot of individualized attention and it really helps students succeed.” “I always had a fear of mathematics,” recalls Joseph Melohn, a current student working towards his BS in business. “Dr. Lowy teaches the math class. (Dr. Lowy has an MBA from UCLA and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Courant Institute at NYU.) It was like learning a new language, and by demonstrating its applications to the real world, I was able to understand its importance.” Joseph goes on to say, “The Professors at TCLA are all overqualified. They work and they teach, so they bring actual experiences to the classroom.” TCLA works hard to accommodate students and to stand behind its mission. “We offer sepa-

Rabbi Hershy Ten

here, it is so exciting to see how Jewish education has grown here. TCLA is a pioneer and its innovative programs provide a unique opportunity for higher education to the frum community.” In a relatively short time, TCLA has become a premiere institution of higher learning on the West Coast. Touro College Los Angeles has given the Jewish community here the opportunity to develop and produce educated self-sustaining individuals with true Torah values – an incredible achievement that will G-d willing continue to grow for years to come.

one of the best decisions I have made was to attend Touro college to pursue my BA degree. Rivka Stoll

Touro is by far a college that is on par with all of the other nationally recognized universities in the United States. Rabbi Hershy Ten

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

rate classes for men and women, which means that if there are six students enrolling for an accounting course, three girls and three boys, we not only open the class, we open it twice!” says Dr. Lowy with pride. TCLA runs a very academic program, but still adheres to its mission as a community school. “We have a wide range of students, and do everything we can to help each one achieve success in college. I have seen the most remarkable gains made by students who never imagined they would attend college,” says Dr. Lowy. TCLA is a WASC-accredited, four-year program, but because students can utilize their post-high school Judaic studies credits, they can graduate in as little as two years. Dr. Lowy points out that students enrolling in community colleges, where it takes a full four years complete the program, end up postponing their careers and their opportunity to earn a living. And besides offering a shorter route to graduation, TCLA offers very generous financial aid and tuition packages to qualifying students. TCLA currently offers Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Psychology. “We have selected these particular degree programs because they are a good core curriculum for almost any field,” Samira Miller explains. TCLA is able to offer these programs without compromising students’ personal perspectives and Torah values. Classes are given a ‘Jewish twist’ where Jewish law and principals are always adhered to. “Business classes deal with Jewish ethical issues, and psychology classes cover the Jewish perspective of each theory,” Rivka Stoll, a student, explains. “I can honestly state that one of the best decisions I have made was to attend TCLA to pursue my BA degree.”

In addition, TCLA offers courses in Pre-Speech Therapy, Teacher Enrichment, and Judaic Studies – with more courses on the horizon. Most recently, TCLA has included an “Israel Option,” a new innovation and a tremendous financial benefit to the recipient. By going to Israel through TCLA, students are attending an accredited college during their year abroad, which means that those students who are eligible for government assistance can receive those funds for their year in Israel, as long as they are returning to TCLA the following year. “Touro is a valuable part of the community. It is by far a college that is on par with all of the other nationally recognized universities in the United States,” says Rabbi Hershy Ten, professor of an advanced Bible studies class. Rochelle Cohen, community member (and proofreader, CitySpirit Magazine) comments, “Having grown up in Los Angeles and graduating from the second class of the original Bais Yaakov

 community spirit

Yad Eliezer Feed-A-Baby Program Launches West Coast Chapter

abbi Dov Vizel, Director of Yad Eliezer, and son of its founders, visited Los Angeles this week as part of an effort to launch its Feed-A-Baby Program West Coast Chapter. Feed-A-Baby Program was formed to ensure healthy physical and mental development for babies whose mothers cannot nurse them due to medical reasons. These babies are often left to suffer from infant malnutrition. Consequences of this avoidable malnutrition can result in brain damage, developmental or growth retardation, goiter, blindness, anemia, and other tragedies. Yad Eliezer’s Feed-A-Baby Program currently provides 2000 babies with six boxes of infant formula every month until the age of 12 to 15 months. As nutritional sensitivities and needs differ between children, formula type is selected according to every infant’s individual needs. Yad Eliezer maintains wholesale business relationships with infant formula suppliers, allowing Yad Eliezer to purchase infant formula at half the retail price. A team of 150 volunteers distribute the formula nationwide at no extra cost. Careful evaluation ensures that formula is distributed only to those with no other recourse to feed their infants. This means that all donations truly feed the babies in need.

Chaim and Rivka waited six agonizing years before they gave birth to their triplets, two girls and one boy. Unfortunately their son was born with a neurological disorder and requires special attention and care. After a few months, Rivka realized she needed to get back to work as a playgroup teacher to pay for all their expenses. But it did not last long. Their beloved son got sick with another disease which requires hospitalization too far from their home in Tel Tzion. Both parents are busy running back and forth from the hospital to their other children at home and neither are able to work. Their expenses are only rising including babysitting for their daughters, the transportation to and from the hospital on top of all their medical expenses. Also, their son is enrolled in a special day care center for children with neurological disorders and although he has been in the hospital the past few months, they are still paying his tuition so as not to lose his spot. They are trying hard to stay strong in face of all their hardships. Yad Eliezer has been called in to provide the formula for these triplets who are still babies, and desperately need it to develop properly. Through the Feed-A-Baby Program, you can sponsor a baby for $360 a year, or $30 a month. There are hundreds of babies around the globe waiting to be helped. The Los Angeles chapter is seeking volunteers to represent the Feed-A-Baby Program by introducing the program to their community synagogue and invite members to sponsor a needy baby. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please visit www. yadeliezer.org or contact Dena Bess @ denabess@gmail.com or Hindy Mayer @ hindymayer@gmail.com. Take a moment to view a one-minute video describing the program at www. yadeliezer.org/video.php?id=6. Another way to participate is through Feed-A-Baby Program’s “Baby’s First Mitzvah” Gift Cards. These cards are a convenient and meaningful gift for a new baby, and can be ordered through your shul representative or names listed above.

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

Pesach Shopping: A Cheerful Experience

or a great shopping experience this passover, Kosher club has it in the bag. Take advantage of convenience, selection and surprisingly low prices. Kosher Club has expanded to offer two fully-stocked separate departments; one for stocking up on all your Passover preparations and one for the chometz you still need before Passover. Large parking lot makes for easy access. Cheerful and spa-

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Hashgacha Pratis, or Divine Providence, refers to the fact that Hashem supervises and governs every action and aspect of the world in which we live. Nothing in life happens by chance, coincidence, or due to the actions of others. However, the Hashgacha Pratis may sometimes be apparent visibly, and at other times it is functioning within the seemingly natural order of the world. In the newly released book "It Could Have Been You" master storyteller, Nachman Seltzer, presents a collection of stories that drive this point home. These true stories are set in places as varied as Holocaust-era France and modern-day Jerusalem. They take place in a luxurious Swiss villa, an abandoned Ukrainian factory, a department store in Long Island. Wherever they are, they are unforgettable. “When I started writing, I wrote the kind of stories that I felt I’d like to read,” Rabbi Seltzer says. “I saw that people really connected with them so I looked for more, and before I knew it there was a genre called ‘the Nachman Seltzer story’.” So what makes a “Nachman Seltzer story” so good, so unusual, so memorable -- and so beloved by thousands of readers? It’s a mixture of Rabbi Seltzer’s fresh, vibrant writing - and stories with endings that surprise and astonish us. “Every single person has at least one amazing story that happened to them,” Rabbi Seltzer says. “The trick is being able to listen.” What follows is a sampling of stories that are sure to make you recognize and appreciate that there is a purpose, although so often hidden, for everything that happens and everything we do. When you become consciously aware of the circumstances that occur on a daily basis, you will realize that it could have been you.

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gathered on the border, while the Polish Army had yet to be mobilized. When it began, it was with lightning speed. The German Army struck with a blitzkrieg, a lightning attack. The Panzer tanks stormed across the border and rumbled deep into the Polish countryside. Within days, Poland’s resistance crumbled. Within weeks, most of Poland was under German military control. And while all this was going on, the French sat in smug silence, secure in the knowledge that their famed Maginot Line would hold back the Germans from Paris. The Maginot Line didn’t work, however, because the Germans didn’t try to go through it. They went around it, instead. The next few months passed in a wave of German military victories, as the German Army cruised through Belgium, around the Maginot Line, and into France, sending the Jewish community into a frenzy. People ran from place to place, trying to escape the approaching menace. Then came Dunkirk and the British Army’s frantic evacuation as it escaped the German Army by the skin of its teeth. France became a land divided. In occupied France, the German Army ruled with an iron fist. And then there was Vichy France, where a puppet French government ruled on behalf of the Germans. Vichy France was not lacking in quislings and collaborators, men who sold their souls to the devil and agreed to work for the German cause. And that meant taking care of the Jewish problem to the Germans’ satisfaction. As always, a certain type of person was drawn to the German way of life: the type of person who enjoyed the illusion of power, who was sadistically inclined. This was the kind of man who went to work for the conquering forces, who assisted the Nazis when it came time to round up the thousands upon thousands of Jews who walked the streets of the cities and filled the tiny villages across the French countryside. Life under Vichy rule became progressively worse for the Jews, as they were rounded up and sent away to the killing grounds of Poland. And yet, through it all, even as the communities were decimated, the Jews continued going to shul on

haling clouds of smoke toward the ceiling. “Take a seat, Major,” he rumbled, and Jacques, honored by the offer, sat down quietly and waited to hear what the Milice wanted him to do. “We have not succeeded!” the general began, banging his fist on the desk. “Intimidation, beatings, deportations — the Continues on page 18

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

Shabbos — and on weekdays as well. They came to shul despite the fact that it was dangerous just to leave one’s home. They came to daven, to pray to Hashem to bring an end to the suffering of His chosen nation. In 1943, a few years after the Germans had entered France, the main shul in one of the greatest of French cities was still operating. This was something that the Vichy government could not allow to continue. Something had to be done. And so it was decided to send one of the best officers of the Milice, the Fascist French militia, to take care of the matter. It was to be an unofficial operation. There was no need to antagonize the man on the street, to draw too much negative attention to themselves. But it would make the Germans happy, and that was a good thing, wasn’t it? Jacques De Lefort was a prime example of a military officer. Having participated in countless military operations, he had obtained the rank of major and was justly proud of the rows of ribbons across his wide chest. Jacques himself came from a fine French family who looked at him with disdain — but he had chosen his masters, and he worked hard to make them happy. De Lefort was a hard man, a cruel man. This was why the heads of that particular city’s Milice chose Jacques as the man to carry out the operation that would close down the main shul in town. He would do the job with no compunction, and that was what they needed: someone who didn’t mind getting his hands dirty. Jacques didn’t mind. Friday morning, Jacques was summoned to the office of the local Vichy headquarters to receive his orders. He entered the dreaded, gray stone building with assurance, nodding to those around him. He climbed the stairs to the third floor, to the office of General Pierre Le Crux, his commanding officer. The guard on duty saluted him as he walked past, and he returned the gesture with an impatient wave of his hand. He knocked on the general’s door and heard the deep, gravelly voice telling him to enter. The general was smoking a cigar, ex-

ď Ž feature Continued from page 17 Jewish community is not cowed. How do we know this? Simple.â&#x20AC;? He paused and stared at Jacques for a few moments, his dark eyes expressionless. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every Samedi the synagogue is full. If the Jews were afraid, they wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be stepping foot out of their homes. But not only do they leave their homes, they run to pray! Under the Vichy government, they pray!â&#x20AC;? The general paused and looked at Jacques closely. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your mission is simple, De Lefort. You are to enter the main prayer house tonight, when the Jews are already seated in their places, immersed in prayer. Take along some hand grenades. You will walk into the main sanctuary from the back of the room, so that the people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know you are there. When you feel the time is right, unpin those grenades and lob them into the center of the crowd, one in each section of the sanctuary. The moment the grenades leave your hand, get out.â&#x20AC;? He gave a short cough. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will not wear your uniform, Major; this is a strictly unofficial visit. Comprendez?â&#x20AC;? Jacques looked at General Le Crux and smiled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course I understand,â&#x20AC;? he said. When Jacques left the office shortly afterward, he headed in the direction of the ammunitions room. The last rays of the sun were dancing through the leaves of the neighborhood trees as the Jews of the city made their way yosef_ad.pdf

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to shul late that Friday afternoon. The Rav was already there, sitting and learning in his seat at the front. The congregants fanned out through the shul, taking their seats, pausing for a moment to look around, searching anxiously for absent faces. Slowly but surely the seats filled and the chazzan took his place at the amud, his melodious voice filling the room. The sounds of davening began wafting upwards, and as they reached Shemoneh Esrei, the sanctuary was filled with the whispered murmurings of a community praying for deliverance. Carrying his bundle of death, Jacques approached the shul. He walked boldly into the building in his civilian clothing, grenades safely nestling in a leather pouch. He entered the hallway that led to the sanctuary and was struck by the loud, melodious singing that came from behind the double doors. How can they sing? he wondered. Arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t they afraid of the future? He shrugged his shoulders and moved on, heading for the double doors that led into the back of the shul. He pushed them open and entered the large, brightly lit room. He stood there without a second thought and opened the leather pouch, removed the grenades, and hefted them in his hand. The congregation was standing now, singing lustily. At the front of the room was an older man with a long beard and coat. Continues on page 20

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Continued from page 18 The man was looking toward the back of the room, and their eyes met in midair. They stared at each other: the rabbi at the front of the room and the Vichy soldier at the back, about to pull the pins out of three grenades and toss them into a room full of people. The Rabbi could see the stranger, with his military posture despite his civilian clothing; he could see the hatred in his eyes. There was something in the stranger’s hands that boded evil for his congregants, for the people in his shul. He wanted to yell out, to warn them to run for their lives. The congregation had almost finished “Lechah Dodi,” they were turning now for Bo’i b’shalom, where they invite the Shabbos queen to come in peace. What was going to happen? Jacques De Lefort was a brave man. Nobody had ever contested that. He stood, ready to pull out the pins in not one, but three grenades. His fingers were tightening around them, he was pulling them out one after the other and hoisting the first one up to throw …. The man leading the singing at the front of the room began a new stanza, and the entire congregation turned around toward the back of the room. A roomful of Jews, all staring straight at Jacques. It was one thing to lob a grenade at some people who weren’t looking your way. It was quite another when every one of those people was looking you

right in the eye. he grenades His fingers fumbled exploded with and he tried to throw, but ear-splitting shrieks the astonished look and the open mouths of the congregation made him weak in the knees. This was something he had never expected to happen. How had they known to turn around and stare at him? Had the Rabbi given them some sort of signal? He tried to lift up his hand, but the grenades slipped out of his control and fell close to his feet — and not very close to the congregation at all. He tried to assess the situation, but his mind told him to run for his life. And that was exactly what he did. He turned and ran. Behind him he could hear three explosions. He didn’t know what they had done, but he did know that he hadn’t come close to accomplishing his mission. He ran out of the shul in disgrace and shame. And in the shul, the grenades exploded with ear-splitting shrieks. As they were all the way at the back of the room, nobody had been hurt, not even scratched. All this because they had welcomed the Shabbos queen with graciousness and joy and had invited her into their midst. And the people rejoiced, because they had been granted a new lease on life, with many more chances to once again welcome the Shabbos queen.

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here I was in the car and it was getting late. I glanced at my list. One more property to visit before I could call it a day. Okay, I would do what I had to do. The place was really out in the boondocks; I hadn’t even seen a Coke machine for about 50 miles. I followed the directions that I had laboriously copied down the previous evening and peered anxiously out of my window. Maybe I had taken a wrong turn — 10 miles back! This was one place that I didn’t want to get lost in! O.K., there was that sign they told me about, advertising Dunkleburger’s Sporting Goods. “Make a right turn after the sign and you’ll be on a country road,” were the instructions. Good; I took the turn. Finally, I reached the property I had driven all the way out here to see. The agent sat waiting for me in his pickup truck. He had one of those country names like Billie Ray — or was it Bobby Pete — and he was about six foot four with a ponytail and a firm handshake. They really grow them big out here! He showed me around the property, and despite myself and my earlier misgivings, I found that everything he had promised me was right on the money. He had gutted the interior of the main structure and rebuilt the whole thing from scratch. It was a really nice place. Then there were all the other cottages built around the main building. When we parted an hour later, I had a tentative quote from him, and my mind was aflame with plans of all kinds. We shook hands and got into our respective vehicles, and I put on the music for the ride home. Boy, was I tired! I couldn’t recall the last time I had had a good night’s sleep. I had been up at dawn for my shiur and the first minyan, gone home for a quick breakfast, and had been on the road since. The day before that had been pretty much the same, and the day before that, I had been on shift. On shift? Yes, I am one of the members of the chevrah kaddisha in the neighborhood where I live. At least once a week I am on call, and if I have to do the taharah and stay with the

body, that means a night tried to remember without sleep. Still, I conwhere I was and sider it a privilege to have an active part in such a holy ac- make sense of what tivity. Even though it killed was happening my nights at times. around me. I drove down the country lanes, thumping my hand on the steering wheel in time to the music. It didn’t help. I was fighting sleep and I was losing the battle. Not good. The best thing would be if I could pull over to the side of the road and catch a half-hour nap, but I hesitated to do so while still in the sticks. I could picture some tall guys in cowboy hats tying me up and taking off with my car and cash while I slept. No, I would have to tough this one out. I rolled down the windows and took deep gulps of the fresh country air. It helped a little bit, but not enough. I needed to get to some place with coffee and rooms to rent. I needed a motel. But I didn’t know of any place at all in this area. The window was down, the music was blaring, and I was fighting to have my eyes to stay open. This was not just inconvenient, it was downright dangerous. Wait a second, I told myself, there was a gas station on the way here. The gas station was about a 20-minute drive from where I was currently located. With the knowledge that relief was on the way, I was able to fight sleep with more determination. My efforts were rewarded when I saw the Exxon sign off in the distance. It was with great relief that I entered the station and pulled up beside the simple snack shop. As I pushed the glass door open, the bell tinkled and the man behind the counter looked up. He was older, with shaggy gray hair that hung into his eyes. He was wearing a faded sweatshirt. I headed straight for the cold drinks. I found a nice rack of sodas full of caffeine and bought two. After getting my change, I thanked him and then decided to ask him about my chances of finding a room in the area. “I’m really tired,” I ventured, “and I simply must find a motel or hotel in the area. I don’t think I can make it home without falling asleep.” “You sho’ in bi-i-ig trouble,” the man replied. “They ain’t no motels or nothin’ round these parts. You should know thaa-a-t.” My heart dropped as I considered my options. There was no hotel in the area, and I wasn’t about to ask this shopkeeper for hospitality. In a voice which broke with desperation, I fairly begged, “Are you absolutely sure that there is nothing in the next 20, 30, even 40 miles from here. My house is 150 miles away, and I just won’t be able to make it!” The man closed his eyes and I was afraid that he was utContinues on page 22

 feature Continued from page 21

“

tering a prayer for good aim before he went and got his shotgun. But then he opened them up and said, “You know somethin’? I seem to recall a home for the old folks not too far yonder down that-aways.” He pointed vaguely in the direction of the great outdoors. “ ‘Couple miles away. You might jest be in luck! They might jest have an empty room or three!” The world was smiling again. He accompanied me outside the store and gave me his best directions, and I bought some gas from him as a thank-you for all the help. Then I turned on the ignition and fired up the buggy; we were out of there. After driving for about 15 minutes I finally saw a light in the distance. I followed it and pulled up in front of Happy Acres Retirement Center for Senior Citizens. Big name for such a little place. There wasn’t much activity going on and I hoped that it was still in business. You never know about these places in the country. One day they’re in business, the next morning, boom! It’s all over. I parked the car and walked up the wooden steps of this old-style porch, the type used by the Catskill hotels in the

so what are you people going to do with the body?” I asked the clerk, my heart beginning to pound.”

1950’s, where people used to hang out and sit on the swings and stuff. Nobody does that anymore; we’re way too busy with our iPhones and Blackberries. I knocked on the door but there was no reply, so I pushed it open very gently so as not to frighten anyone, and I walked into the lobby. There were a bunch of couches and magazine racks all over the place, and a fish tank sat bubbling on the side of the medium-large room. In the corner there was a desk, and at the desk there was an old man who was reading a newspaper and snoring to himself. I tapped lightly on the countertop. He started and dropped the paper. The pages scattered everywhere. I apologized for startling him and started putting the newspaper back together. Then I asked him if there were any empty room that I could perhaps rent for the night. “We have a room or two,” he said to me. “Why don’t you fill out the forms and things, while I go tell the nurses to make up a bed for you.” He handed me a whole bunch of forms and I began signing them while he shuffled out of the room and down the hall. I could hear him talking to one of the women who worked there, and sure enough, a few minutes later, they were showing me to my room. It was down a long hallway, past a whole bunch of rooms that were occupied by elderly people. We went inside and I was pleasantly surprised. There were pretty curtains and dried flowers on the night table, and the

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my checkbook and began writing the check. “Yup, old Joshua Rabinowitz went the way of all men.” “What happened?” “Oh, Josh had a weak heart,” he replied. “Had to happen sooner or later.” “So what are you people going to do with the body?” I asked the clerk, my heart beginning to pound. “What we always do with the bodies that nobody comes to claim. This man had no kids, or if he did have kids, they Continues on page 24

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bed itself was quite large and the pillows fluffy. All in all, this wasn’t turning out to be as bad as I’d originally thought. So after thanking the people, I called my wife to tell her the whole story, davened Maariv, got ready for bed, said Shema Yisrael, and then turned off the light and went to sleep. I was dreaming, but it wasn’t a good dream. People were shouting and there was the thud of legs running on linoleum floors. I would have opened my eyes to get a good look at what was going on, but I was just so tired. But then I woke up with a start, my heart pounding inside my chest. I tried to remember where I was and make sense of what was happening around me. In a flash it all came back to me, and I realized that I was currently trying to sleep (with little success) in the pastoral setting of Happy Acres. But the shouting was real and I decided that I’d better get up and check out what was happening. I eased the door open a little and peeked out into the hallway. There were a whole bunch of people in white coats scurrying alongside a gurney that they were wheeling down the corridor as fast as they could. They brought the gurney over to the room two doors away from me and went inside. I realized that one of the old people who lived in the home was sick and it was an emergency. A few minutes later, they pushed the gurney out of the room, and I guess they took the man to the infirmary. The hallway quieted down again, and somehow I was able to go back to sleep. The morning dawned with a mistiness which, even years later, I associate with those mornings in camp. Cocoa club, lineup for Shacharis, that type of thing. I got dressed and made sure I hadn’t left anything behind; I wouldn’t want to have to come back to this forsaken place if I didn’t have to. I headed toward the lobby, eager to settle my bill, hit the road, and make it to the nearest shul ASAP. The clerk from the night before was still behind the counter; still reading his paper, in fact. I wished him a good morning and asked him for the bill. He took his time getting it, yawning as he brought me all those papers from the night before. “Crazy night, huh?” I said as I took out

 feature Continued from page 23

nce I had given proof of my identity haven’t had anything to do with him for as long as I’ve known him. In such a case, we bury them in the local cemetery.” — — the director was only too “But Joshua was Jewish, wasn’t he?” I asked. happy to relinquish responsibility for “Sure he was Jewish,” the man answered. old Josh. “Well then, you wouldn’t mind if I take the body for a genwith him and I chapped Shacharis right before the z’man enduine Jewish burial then, right?” ed. Then we left. We drove along those lonely country roads, The clerk was silent for a few minutes. passing the broken wooden houses with shrubbery growing “Why do you care anyway?” he finally said. wild. The dogs ran alongside us as we drove through the one“Because I work for the Jewish burial society; because evstreet towns. Then we hit the highway and it was real quick ery Jew is responsible for another; and because there has got from there. to be a reason why I ended up at the Happy Acres home just It wasn’t long before we were performing the taharah at last night out of all the nights of my life!” the beis hakevaros back home. And then we buried him in the “Well,” he said slowly, “I’ll have to talk to the director.” special section in the cemetery that is reserved for people who He called the director and told him the whole story. Once I can’t afford a plot or who don’t have anyone to take care of had given proof of my identity — and he called up the chevrah their needs; people like Mr. Joshua Rabinowitz. We slid the kaddisha to verify that I worked with them — the director was AG coffin in gently, and I said a fond good-bye to the man who only too happy to relinquish responsibility for old Josh. are had called me out to the middle of nowhere to ensure that he “He’s all yours,” the clerk said to me, and he gave me the got buried in a Jewish cemetery like the Jew he was. death certificate and all of Josh’s paperwork. Then I had to get ads: t change in any way! Onlykaddisha text in [brackets] be changed. I had all the paperwork with me, and I figured that I might ontext the phone to the chevrah back home tomay tell them to d number must in the lowerthe leftmorning of the ad. as well take care of everything right away. I went into the ofsend thebe vanprinted down here. I spent saying Tehillim y publication with fice, thinking that maybe there was a will to look at, and so next to thephoto. niftar. Eventually, the van arrived and we moved est a proof and check it over carefully. Any copy mistakes or on. As I was going through his papers, I saw a list of his preMr. Rabinowitz out of the makeshift morgue and into the van. es that result in fines are your responsibility! vious addresses. I noticed that his last-known address before I had asked one of the men to bring his tallis and tefillin along using FSP Accounts for payment, request a full page tear sheet for day ad ran.

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his move to Happy Acres was right here in this very neighborhood! Suddenly, a crazy idea occurred to me. I began to search through the drawers of old files. Feverishly, I took out file after file, piling them all around me in tall stacks. Eventually, my efforts were rewarded. I found the file. It was old and torn and I spread it open on the desk and read the whole thing from beginning to end. It was all there; the whole story of the clause. Twenty-five years earlier, our neighborhood had begun to grow. People were tired of living in the dirty city streets, and they decided to move out to the suburbs. In the first few years, whenever someone died â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not a regular occurrence seeing as it was a young kehillah â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we took them to cemeteries in other cities. Eventually, we needed a cemetery of our very own. So we decided to buy a plot of land and design a cemetery. Plots of land, though, cost money. There was no way that our young community could finance it. So we took out an ad in the local newspaper, explaining what we were doing and asking for contributions. Lo and behold, a Mr. Joshua Rabinowitz responded to the ad, expressing interest in sponsoring a major portion of the project. We drew up a contract, but Mr. Rabinowitz insisted on adding a certain clause. He insisted that a section of the grounds be devoted for a specific purpose. If there ever was a

person who died without any children, or who had no one to take care of him or no money to buy a plot, or if anyone passed away in circumstances that would cause him to be buried among gentiles, then that person, that meis mitzvah, would be granted a burial plot in the cemetery for no charge. It was this particular clause that would come to the aid of Mr. Joshua Rabinowitz in years to come. As heard from Chaim Adler

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CITY spirit MARCH 2010 25

 point of view

How the Tenth Plague Shaped the Jewish Nation| Rabbi Effie Goldberg

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

he Book of Shemos, 12:6 offers a suggestion to understand the entire story of Pesach and the Parsha of Bo. There seems to be some confusion about the flow of this Parsha. We discuss many different topics such as the tenth plague, sacrificing the lamb, etc. If we skip to the middle of Parshas Bo, we read about the blessing of the new moon. The commentator Rashi explains in 1:1 that the blessing of the new moon is the first commandment in the Torah and therefore should be how we start the Torah, rather than depicting the seven days of creation. Why would we even bother mentioning this idea in our parsha? The answers to the questions above and the theme of this dvar Torah is how the Tenth plague shaped the Jewish nation. Notice all the other plagues listed in previous Torah parshios are grouped together and the tenth plague is by itself. We will begin with verse, 12:6, and we see it uses the words khal, adas, and yisroel which all refer to a “congregation.” Why are three terms necessary to denote one definition? If each word listed means a group of people then we shouldn’t require three different terms. Before answering this question let’s look at the following verse. In verse 7, it tells us that we are commanded to put blood on the mezuzos, plural, and lintel of our house. The commandment didn’t just say to put blood on the deles, the door, but rather it specifically mentions the house. This may also seem unnecessary. We are now going to take a deeper look into verses 6 and 7. The word khal is used to explain the Jewish people on the lowest possible level. We are about to be commanded to perform an act out of our usual behavior. At this lowest state, we are told to go out on the limb. The Jewish people were in desperate need for the redemption and Moshe received resistance from the Jews. They were only a nation in the sense that they were the ones exiled into Egypt. Their wavering faith was challenged by G-d to make sure that they really wanted to leave Egypt. Many Jews were affected by the makkos and by the time the 10th plague was introduced to the Egyptians, G-d explains to us that this was our final test. The khal was instructed to take the Egyptians’ G-d, the god of wisdom, and slaughter it. But not only were they to slaughter it, but they were to spread the blood on their door posts. Once the Jewish people took part in this act their level was elevated and their status changed and the redemption would begin. They

were now part of the adas. The source of this word is based on a role model. We learn from the Sanhedrin, the High Court, that the term adas refers to an individual who is capable of teaching the public. This individual becomes a role model to teach other Jews the importance in following our commandments. Once they surpassed both levels of khal and adas they became part of the larger picture of the nation Israel. The word Israel is the word that identifies us as the Jewish people

The Almighty tells us that it is time to change and to show that we really believe in Him, we need to go out on a limb and leave our comfort zone. and a strong and stable nation. The name Israel is a nation of ultimate faith and a strong bond with the Almighty. But how did they rise to that third level? What did the Jewish people experience when they performed this act? The plural form of mezuzos represents the life struggle that we have with our connection to Hashem. The idea of ahava, love, and yirah, fear both play an integral role in our relationship with Hashem. We are taught to put a mezuzah on our door. Inside the cover there is a piece of parchment with the shema prayer which tells about our love for Hashem. However, one word stands out which may be slightly confusing, levavcha, your hearts. We have two hearts? The answer is that the two hearts represent our daily inner struggle between good and evil inclination. Once we, the adas, can realize our challenge of ahava and yirah we are able to walk through the frame of a door, which consists of two sides. In addition, the top of the door, the mashkof, which we learn, from Tehillim 14:2, refers to G-d looking down at us. Through this action we are sealing a bond of love which not only has G-d looking down at us, but we are reaching and looking up towards Him. We change the influence of heaven (Sifsei Chaim “hachodesh hazeh...”) and as we elevate in our kedusha, we can then accept the yoke of heaven, we become Israel. This stability of what

we represent focuses on the house in order to build the bayis ne’eman b’Yisrael – True house in Israel. This gives us a better understanding to help answer our question(s). The Almighty tells us that it is time to change and to show that we really believe in Him, we need to go out on a limb and leave our comfort zone. Our mission to prove our loyalty required us to destroy the Egyptian god. Why Kjell Nilsson would any Jew want to perform this mitzvah if they didn’t 323-655-3595 trust or doubted G-d? So He separated the fearful ones from 450 N. Stanley Blvd. the trusting ones with this one commandment. The flow of Los Angeles, CA 90036 the parsha is only the renewal of the Jewish people to establish their emunah in Hashem. The halachos are all imperative in State Lic. No. 233010 helping us choose to be believers and to have a relationship with Hashem. The mezuza which is placed on our door is a constant reminder of the choice we made to love and fear Hashem. Through the personal hardships we encounter on a constant basis, we look towards and kiss the mezuzah to offer a sense of renewal. This idea flows right into the end of the parsha when we mention the tefillin. This is the symbol, the constant reminder of the Lord above. There are always challenges that effect our lives and the decisions that we make everyday, but we need to remember what we committed to on that day on Har Sinai and how it was that commitment that saved us then and will save us now. The theme of Pesach is all about emunah and the strengthening of our faith. The Seder is the time when the father teaches his chilRestaurant open daily for dren the importance of our relationship with the Almighty through the miracles that saved us. However, we can only be a part of something great when we are willing to be strong, to be part of Eitan Hassidim, Catering Manager • 323-855-0495 our people Am Yisroel. 7308 Beverly Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA • 323-965-1287

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 dvar halachah

Kashering for Pesach | Rabbi Gershon Bess Normally, when kashering an item that has become ‘treif’, one must wait 24 hours before commencing the kashering process. The reason for waiting is based on how kashering works. When a non-kosher utensil is immersed in boiling water, the non-kosher flavor initially leaves the utensil and enters the boiling water. Immediately thereafter, the flavor can re-enter the pot, and undo the kashering process. [Had there been a large quantity of boiling water present, the nonkosher flavor could be nullified before it re-enters the pot, but generally speaking there is insufficient water present.] On the other hand, if 24 hours pass, the non-kosher flavor degrades, and this degraded flavor is nullified in the boiling water. The nullified non-kosher flavor cannot cause any further problems, and the pot becomes kosher. When it comes to kashering a utensil before Pesach for use on Pesach, one might imagine that leniencies should apply,

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since at the time of kashering the absorbed Chametz is not yet a prohibited substance. Nevertheless, due to the strictness of Pesach, we follow the opinion that we require a wait of 24 hours before kashering utensils for Pesach. Similarly, we are to wait 24 hours even if the utensil was never immersed in hot Chametz, but rather had hot Chametz poured over it. The prime example of this is a stainless steel kitchen sink, for which the 24 hour waiting period still applies. In days of old, bread was baked by placing the dough directly on the inside of the oven walls. Kashering such an oven can only be accomplished using the process of libun by getting the oven white hot or passing glowing coals all along its inside surface. In modern ovens all food is placed in pans, so a complete libun is not called for. If libun with a torch were required, it would be unlikely that our ovens could be kashered at all! Considering the fragility of the temperature sensor and other hardware present in a modern oven, if one were required to use a torch, one would be afraid to properly perform the libun. A general rule of kashering is that if one may be afraid to perform the process properly, one is not permitted to kasher in that manner in the first place. It is however unnecessary to wait 24 hours prior to kashering an oven. As we explained above, the waiting period is related to the mechanics of the boiling-water kashering process. In the case of libun, or even “light libun”, the absorbed chametz is burned up even if the oven was only recently used for chametz.

Making Sefirah Count

It is proper to stand when performing the Mitzvah of counting the Sefirah. One should remain standing both for the brachah and the actual counting. Sefirah should be counted at night when it is dark enough to be sure that the new day has begun. If one is at a minyan that davens Maariv and counts Sefirah when it is not yet clearly nighttime, it is preferable to count Sefirah on one’s own with a brachah later that night. Since a person might forget to count later on, the best thing to do is to count with the tzibbur at the minyan, but to do so without a brachah, and with the following tnai (condition): “If I forget to count later tonight, my counting now should count toward

performing the mitzvah, but if I do count later on, my current counting should not count at all.” If he remembers to count again at night, it should be done WITH a brachah. Since counting early does work b’dieved (after the fact), one has performed the mitzvah of counting even if the counting is not repeated at night. It is not necessary to express the tnai out loud; merely thinking the tnai is sufficient. If someone is asked at night, “What number do we count tonight?”, the best way to respond is, “Last night we counted such-and-such”. In this way, one avoids the problem of inadvertently counting the Sefirah, if one has not already counted that evening. For, if one were to answer, “Tonight is suchand-such day...”, one would have already fulfilled the Mitzvah of counting, and lost the ability to recite the brachah that evening. For example, on the 5th night one should say, “Last night we counted 4”, rather than saying, “Tonight is 5 days”.

The Mishna Berurah concludes that once we begin counting days and weeks [from the seventh day onward] one would not lose the brachah even if one answered on the 21st night; “Tonight is 21” since he did not mention the weeks. However, it is always best to answer with last night’s number or to merely state the number without saying “Tonight is ...” 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.

CITY spirit MARCH 2010 29

 inspiration

Chosen | by Rabbi Gershon Weiss

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

he Passover Haggadah says: “Asher Bachar Banu Mikol Am” -- “Who chose us out of all peoples.” The Klausenberger Rebbe was taken as part of a slave-labor group from Auschwitz to Warsaw to dismantle the bombed-out buildings. The work was done at a furious pace and consisted of carrying heavy boulders and beams. Many people died of exhaustion. One day, while the Rebbe and his fellow prisoners were working on top of a building, a tremendous torrent of rain came down on them. Nevertheless, the Nazis drove them mercilessly to continue their work. One of the poor, exhausted, and completely drenched victims exclaimed in pain to the rebbe, “Are you going to continue to say ‘You [G-d] have chosen us’ -- and rejoice that we are the chosen nation?” The Klausenberger Rebbe answered, “Until this day I did not say ‘You have chosen us’ with the proper devotion. But from today, when I say, ‘You have chosen us from among the nations,’ I will say it with much more fervor. I’ll be infinitely ecstatic.” When the Rebbe saw the astonished look on the man’s face, he explained to him, “If it weren’t for the fact that G-d has chosen us, then I would also be like the Nazis. It’s better for me to be in my situation than to be one of them, G-d forbid. Happy is my lot!” The Klausenberger Rebbe related further, “In Warsaw there was a Jew

from Lithuania with us whose situation was much better than ours because he was an expert in metalworking, which made him very important to the SS. He was allowed to go around freely, and was given extra food. One day this man sneaked into my cabin and said, ‘I came to discuss with you a point in Jewish law. In my work, I have to violate Shabbat by transgressing Torah prohibitions. I think it is better to be transferred to the group that has to carry the heavy logs and boulders, which is not a Torah prohibition but a rabbinical decree.’ When I asked him how he was going to accomplish this, he said, ‘I have already made preparations to burn my hands with scalding water so that I will be unable to continue my delicate work. Then they will have to transfer me to the other work groups.’ “One has to realize,” continued the Rebbe, “that carrying the boulders meant certain death. Many were not able to hold out for more than a few days. In vain, I tried to convince him not to put himself into such danger. But he insisted that he did not want to transgress so many Torah prohibitions. With great difficulty, I was able to persuade him that as a metalworker he was able to save the lives of many other Jews. Only then did he relent. Certainly seeing such a Jew strengthened in us the joy of ‘You have chosen us.’” Reprinted with permission from”The Holocaust Hagaddah” Published by: Targum Press, Inc.

“You have chosen us from among the nations.”

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

 Travel

The Wandering Jew | Hershel lieber

A picturesque bridge over a canal in Bruges

If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium But Definitely, Stay Through Shabbos

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

B 32

elgium may be a small country, but it’s a big attraction for its many visitors. There are many sights to see in a number of cities and the travel time between the centrally located capital of Brussels and other major cities is generally between one to two hours. Besides Brussels, the cities of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges offer charm, history and a leisurely pace for the harried tourist. The Jewish visitor in particular will appreciate the availability of kosher food and synagogues in Antwerp and Brussels. Having been in Belgium a half a dozen times in the past ten years, permitted me to visit and enjoy all the aforementioned cities. A four or five day trip will enable the traveler to

see most of what this nation has to offer in a most relaxing way. Making Brussels your headquarters during weekdays will allow you to make day trips to Ghent (one hour away) and Bruges (two hours away) by the most comfortable way of travelling, the train. In both of these cities it is unnecessary to have a car since walking is the preferable way of taking in most sights. In fact, the large pedestrian only areas ban cars. The most important and outstanding places of interest in Brussels are the following: The Place Royale is truly a magnificent town square with its Gothic-style Hotel de Ville and the surrounding Guildhall buildings. The grand dame of shop-

Antwerp, being a very heimish place, offers the visitor all the amenities of Jewish life comparable to Yerushalayim or New York.

ping arcades is the Galleries Saint Hubert only one block away. The stores feature Belgium shopping specialties like tapestries, embroidered linen and tablecloths and, of course, fine Belgian chocolates in every variety imaginable. You Delectable treats at Hoffy’s in Antwerp will have to wait until you go to Antwerp to buy comparable kosher chocolate delicacies at Kleinblatt’s. The splendor of the Royal Palace is a must to behold. The majesty of each and every room is indescribable but the Throne Room is truly awesome. Gavensteen, the ancient castle by the River Graslei in Ghent

My wife, Pesi, at the majestic Royal Palace in Brussels

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

The city center of Ghent is straight out of the Middle Ages but it has a very dynamic atmosphere because of the thousands of University students who make this their home away from home. The great way to explore Ghent is by taking a boat trip along the Leie River. The ancient castle, Gravensteen, the quay along the river, Graslei with its Baroque guild houses, St. Michael’s Bridge are just some of the historic sights along the way. Do stop at the Stadhuis (Town House), and climb up the 300 foot Belfort for a great view of the entire city. Bruges’ center is almost always crowded with visitors and yet you can find a quiet spot to have your picnic lunch with an excellent cold glass of Belgian beer (over 300 varieties are produced here). Do check on the kashrus since there are flavored beers (including fish) which need a hashgocha. There are many notable buildings and museums in Bruges all within walking distance of the Burg (the town square). I am particularly drawn to art, and there are some famous artists whose works are featured in the many museums in this town. Bruges’ canals and cobblestone streets are great settings for photographs and the memories that will be enshrined in them. Antwerp is about an hour away from Brussels and is a great place to stay over Shabbos. Do arrive early Friday to allow time to take in the

The Burg is the center of town in Brurges

Royal Museum of Fine Arts with over 1500 paintings by the old masters. The Rubenshuis has a great tour of the home and studio of the great art master and teacher. The Diamond Museum is a must in the city which synonymous with this gem of gems. The pedestrian only, Keiserlei, is the fashionable shopping street and is definitely worth experiencing. Antwerp, being a very heimish place, offers the visitor all the amenities of Jewish life comparable to Yerushalayim or New York. Shuls, restaurants, shiurim, mikvas are within walking distance from many of the great hotels. Better yet, get yourself invited to family or friends for a Shabbos atmosphere where you can get the feel of the community. A great place to eat at is Hoffy’s where they provide delicious food all week including prearranged Shabbos Seudos. In summary, Belgium provides an excellent vacation whether on its own or as a stopover in conjunction with European or Israeli travel plans. Bon Voyage - vcuy vghxb,

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

Hershel

Do you belong to a group of friends or an organization? Have you always dreamed of experiencing travel to foreign countries 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. Contact Hershel Lieber ‘The Wandering Jew’ at 718-256-8156 HarryL46@optonline.net Beauty and serenity along Bruges’ canals

 Dental HEALTH

Grinding: Symptoms & Treatment| Jonathan D. Pivo, D.D.S.

ow wonderful is that first taste of matzah seder night? How much greater is the mitzvah when we have strong teeth and joints to grind the matzah! While grinding our teeth to enjoy matzah on Pesach is a great source of joy, grinding our teeth the rest of the year can be a serious problem and a source of pain. Bruxism is the medical term for pathologic grinding of the teeth. Most people are unaware they grind because often it is done during sleep. Causes of bruxism range from stress, an imbalanced bite or simply a nervous habit. Regardless of the cause, bruxism can literally wear away the hard outer structure of the teeth known as enamel and the softer inner structure called dentin. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to a host of dental problems including severe sensitivity, gingival recession and bone loss, facial and cranial muscular pain (headaches), TMD (Tempero-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction, and esthetically displeasing shorter teeth and a collapsed facial profile. A diagnosis of bruxism is usually made by a dental professional upon observing one or more of the symptoms including pronounced flattening of the teeth and indentations of the

tooth surface along the gum line. A related condition called “clenching” similarly puts an abnormal amount of stress on the teeth and gums and causes similar symptoms. It is common for bruxism and clenching to vary in severity depending upon changing environmental and emotional conditions for an individual. Many patients may exhibit grinding and its symptoms during a stressful period of life only to have those symptoms disappear once the cause has been eliminated. The easiest and most conservative treatment to help protect the teeth and gums from the damages of bruxism and clenching are nightguards . A nightguard is a plastic appliance made from a mould of the teeth that covers the biting surfaces to protect them from being worn away. While there are overthe-counter products available, many people find them bulky and ill-fitting. For true bruxers, a hard acrylic nightguard is usually the best and simplest solution. Chag Sameach! Dr. Jonathan Pivo is a cosmetic and general dentist for adults and children in Culver City, CA. This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for regular dental care by a licensed dentist. See ad on page 22.

CITY spirit MARCH 2010 35

 advice from over-the-counter

Let My People Go | Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCCP

s Pesach is fast approaching, we look forward to the mitzvah of eating matzah. We also realize at times, it interferes with our digestive system. There are many products available which the Ribono shel Olam created (directly, or with a bit of divinely-inspired human intervention) that can help people with constipation, sometimes colloquially called “irregularity.” This column will try to explain the differences between them, as well as some additional aspects that may concern patients.

Brand names and generic names Every medication – over-the-counter (OTC) and behind the counter – has at least two names, a brand name and a generic name. The brand name is company-specific and may be changed by the manufacturer. The generic name lives on; generic brands may be manufactured after patent expiration (approximately 17 years after the first of several FDA approvals). In the last 10-20 years, many laxative manufacturers have reformulated (changed the generic ingredients of) their products, so that any reference to a brand-name product must be clarified by identifying the specific generic products within it. There are several types of laxatives, each with a different mechanism of actions. The differences are critically important.

Laxative Classes Stool softeners do just that – they soften the stool as it is

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being formed in the large intestine. They do this by making it easier for water in the intestines to mix with the stool itself, similar to soap allowing water to mix with the oily leftovers on your pots and pans. These agents are considered among the safest of all laxatives, but they are only useful for people who experience straining due to hard stools. The most common agent is docusate (sometimes abbreviated as DSS or DOSS, for its previous, and much longer name). Some common brand names include Colace® and Surfak®. Bulk-forming laxatives are also considered quite safe. These agents cause the stool to swell to larger size, drawing water, and stimulating the colon. While the most common brand name is Metamucil®, there are several products in different forms. Psyllium, polycarbophil, and methylcellulose are three generic names to look for. One very important warning for these agents is to consume them with lots of water, generally 8 ounces. The powder formulations require water to be added, so it’s not a problem to assure that water is taken. But it is equally important to drink water with the tablet formulations. If not, choking or intestinal obstruction can occur, chas veshalom. Electrolyte or saline laxatives include sodium phosphate and various magnesium salts (e.g. magnesium sulfate and magnesium hydroxide [milk of magnesia]). These agents have several properties: they draw water from the surrounding tissues, increasing the bulk of the stool, and thereby increasing the motility (forward movement) of the intestine. These agents are very effective, so much so that high-dose preparations are used to prepare patients for gastrointestinal diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopies. Therefore, following instructions for doses is very important. Taking more than is recommended can lead to diarrhea. Additionally, persons with advanced kidney disease should avoid these agents, as magnesium, phosphate, or potassium may accumulate, which can be dangerous. Lubricant laxatives such as mineral oil coat the stool, causing both colon stimulation and ease of evacuation. There are two concerns with this product: (1) it absorbs all oil-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and can result in deficiencies if taken chronically; (2) it can lead to a form of pneumonia (noninfectious chemical pneumonitis) if aspirated. The latter is a concern in persons who lack a competent gag reflex.

Stimulant laxatives are potentially the most dangerous and habit-forming agents on the list, and yet they are the most overused. These agents directly stimulate the colon to increase its motility. Some products, such as senna, aloe, and cascara sagrada, are assumed to be safe, since they are natural. Other frequently used stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Dulcolax®) and castor oil. Ex-Lax was reformulated years ago from phenolphthalein to a senna derivative. The product called Peri-Colace® is a combination of a stool softener and a stimulant (casanthranol).

Laxative class Onset of action

Foods as laxatives

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

Many foods with a high fiber content can serve as the safest and most natural laxatives of all (hence the historical popularity of prunes and prune juice). Some include nuts such as almonds and walnuts; fruits such as bananas, plums, papayas, oranges, grapes, figs, apples, apricots (especially dried apricots), persimmons, and pineapples; beverages such as coffee and tea; and vegetables such as beets, endive, and watercress.

Onset of action The different classes of laxatives have widely variant onsets-of-action, as noted in the table below. Enemas and suppositories have much faster onsets than orally administered products.

Bulk-forming Stool softeners Lubricants Electrolyte/ saline Stimulant Castor Oil Cascara Bisacodyl, Aloe, Senna Bisacodyl suppository

12 to 72 hours 12 to 72 hours 6 to 8 hours 0.5 to 6 hours 2 to 6 hours 6 to 8 hours 6 to 10 hours 0.25 to 1 hour

 life and casualty

Pay Now or Pay Later | avraham rosen

hat is long-term care? Long term- care refers to the support needed to accomplish your daily activities when you’re physically unable to take on these challenges yourself on a long term basis. It may include medical treatment, but also refers to assistance with personal tasks such as driving, cooking, bathing or taking your medications. Care options encompass a wide variety of services and, based on the degree of assistance required, are offered in settings ranging from your own home to skilled nursing facilities. Long-term care insurance (LTCI) has two roles: it helps keep families together and allows your retirement portfolio to execute for the purpose for which it was intended, namely

retirement. From a family perspective, think about who will be providing your care, like it or not, children will be playing a key role. LTCI allows children to provide for needs longer and better by paying for the difficult work of bathing, dressing, feeding, and assisting with the use of the bathroom. From a financial point of view, LTCI allows your retirement plan to stay in tact. That is particularly important given the recent steep decline in portfolio values. The product, in effect, protects the balance of the investment account. LTCI also protects income. Avraham (Avi) Rosen is an insurance agent for Bankers Life and Casualty Company.

 FOOD

Dining In Again: Pesach Recipes | Faigy Grossman

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

he parent body at Lakewood’s Yeshiva Masoras Avos has done it again with their latest publication Dining In Again! This beautiful cookbook, a combined effort of the mothers of the school, is a stunning sequel to the original Dining In, which has become a staple in frum kitchens everywhere. The new book has all the fabulous features of the first volume with an added bonus – a great pullout Pesach cookbook. Many people ask the staff at Masoras Avos how they were able to organize such a great project. Well, it certainly was not easy. A few years ago, the parent body came up with the idea of a cookbook as a fund-raiser. The plan was simple: even though there are so many cookbooks out there, they felt there is a need for a book with recipes that are PRACTICAL – easy-to-find ingredients, easy-to-follow directions and a huge variety of choices. And so, the fun began: Hundreds of recipes were accumulated, compared, tested, tasted, enhanced and retested. Sorting through the recipes was a mammoth job; the committee had to compare them, categorize them, and assign user-friendly icons, like “quick and easy” or “freezes well” and other helpful tips. It was an overwhelming project, and if not for the devotion and dedication of the parent body and friends of the yeshiva, the project would have never gotten off the ground! Leah Schapira, the well-known recipe developer and food writer, graciously created and set up the photos for the book, and a close friend of the cheder volunteered her time and talent to design the layout, covers and photo pages. Just the typesetting and proofreading alone took many months to complete. What about the most unique aspect of this book – the brachos for each recipe? Why did the ladies auxiliary decide to include this special feature? While putting so much toil and effort into this project, they really wanted their efforts to be l’shem shamayim. Sure, the book would be a tzedakah fundraiser for the school, but the women wanted to include something that would add another dimension to the mitzvah they were performing. So they decided to provide an extra zechus to the thousands of people who would use the cookbook by adding the proper bracha to every recipe, as well as explaining many of the halachos of brachos. To achieve this goal, all the sections had to be submitted to rabbanim who are thoroughly knowledgeable in the halachos of brachos. For this, the group turned to Rav Moshe Bergman and Rav Yisroel Knopfler. They patiently studied every recipe and decided on the proper brachos. At times, when a question arose, they consulted with HaRav Meir Reuven Berkowitz and HaRav Yisroel Belsky. In fact, two recipes had to actually be prepared and submitted to the rabbanim to determine the correct bracha! Baruch Hashem, the massive efforts have paid off and the books are now available - just in time for Pesach! We look forward to its debut, and are sure you will be delighted as well! Dining In Again, published by Judaica Press is available at bookstores or direct from Yeshiva Masoras Avos, 23 Congress Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701. 732-942-7522, yma@lehucomputers.com.

n this issue we bring you a sneak preview of scrumptious easy-to-prepare Pesach recipes from the all new “Dining In Again Cookbook”. With so many wonderful recipes to choose from, we needed help. We requested the help of Surah Drebin, a seasoned chef, with a flair of whipping up delectable meals with time to spare. Surah has been preparing holiday meals for family and friends for many years, and putting together a sensible and satisfying menu is a talent she has cultivated. “Yom Tov is not only about the food but a good menu keeps family and friends begging for invitations.” Surah explains. “The most exciting part of this new cookbook is how the recipes will appeal to those making their first Pesach to gourmet chefs doing it for years.” Use Surah’s menu suggestions for both a day-time and evening Yom Tov meal, or pick and choose any of the recipes that strike your fancy. For more recipes, pick up your own copy of Dining In Again - it’s a great kitchen companion you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Yom Tov Lunch All these recipes can be prepared ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy your company.

Appetizer

Pickled Tongue with Mushroom Wine Sauce Use this yummy sauce recipe for any type of meat, all year ‘round.. Pickled Tongue 2 bay leaves 1 onion 1 box fresh mushrooms 2 stalks celery Oil for sautéing 1 c. red wine 2 c. water Salt and black pepper, to taste 2 T. potato starch mixed with ¼ c. cold water 2 T. mushroom soup mix (optional) YIELD: varies with size of tongue

Serve on plate together with tongue. For those who buy ready-made, you can purchase Pesach lukshen in a box. Cook according to directions and use as above, but if you have time, the lukshen in this recipe tastes great! Pesach Lukshen: 12 eggs ¼ c. potato starch 1 c. water Pinch of salt ½ c. oil Kugel: Pesach lukshen 6 eggs 6 oz. ground walnuts 1 c. sugar 2 ground apples YIELD: approx. 24 servings Lukshen: Mix all lukshen ingredients in blender until smooth. Grease a frying pan with oil and pour in enough batter to thinly cover bottom of pan. When batter begins to bubble, turn the crepe with a large spatula and brown for 2 minutes. Repeat until all the batter is used up. (The larger the frying pan, the less pancakes you’ll have to make). Roll Wup ishpancakes in g ever yoand cut into lukshen strips Ha pp y Ch a n n e a u kyour the width of ah choice. Kugel: Combine all kugel ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pour into 9x13-inch pan and bake at 350° for 50 minutes-1 hour.

Main Dish

Dark Chicken Roll Delicious for Yom Tov. Lighter than beef or

veal, which will be appreciated when you get to that last Yom Tov seudah! 1 large onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 T. oil 1 dark chicken roll (roast) in net, approx. 4 lbs. Onion powder, to taste Garlic powder, to taste White pepper, to taste ¼ c. rib sauce (optional) ¼ c. orange juice (optional) YIELD: approx. 8 servings Sauté onion and garlic in oil in a 6-quart saucepan, until golden. Spice chicken roll well on all sides and place on top of onion. Cook over low-medium heat for 2 hours. Blend gravy with rib sauce and orange juice, if you prefer a sweet, tangy sauce. Let cool. Remove net and slice. You can store the chicken in the gravy.

Oven Fried Potato Chicken The kids love it with ketchup. ½ stick margarine or ¼ c. oil 1 c. instant potato flakes 2 T. onion powder 1- 3-3½ lb. chicken, cut into eighths 1 egg, slightly beaten with 1 T. water ½ tsp. salt Dash pepper YIELD: 4 servings Preheat oven to 400°. Place margarine or oil in a 9x13- inch pan and heat in oven while preparing chicken. Mix together potato flakes and onion powder.

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

Cook tongue and bay leaves in water to cover for 2-3 hours. Peel tongue while warm; cool, then slice. Sauté onion, mushrooms and celery in oil in saucepan. Add wine, water, salt, and pepper and simmer 20 minutes. Add potato starch mixture (and mushroom soup mix if using); boil for a few minutes until thickened. Pour sauce over sliced tongue; re-warm in oven for ½ hour.  If you have an ovenproof pot, cook the sauce in it, put in the tongue slices, turn to coat, and place in the oven. One pot/pan less to wash!

Pesach Lukshen Kugel

 FOOD Dip chicken in egg mixture, then coat with potato mixture, reserving extra. Place chicken, skin side down, in prepared pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 45 minutes; turn chicken and sprinkle with reserved potato mixture. Bake 45 minutes longer.

for 15 minutes or until edges of potatoes are brown. Mix often to prevent burning.  *The potatoes should not be minced, but the cubes should be small.  Golden potatoes work best with sweet potatoes.

Sides

Salad

Not all Pesach foods add on the pounds. This recipe is nutritious, delicious, and yummy at any meal. 1-2 T. olive oil 2 small zucchini, trimmed and cut into ¼-inch julienne 1½ c. sliced mushrooms (4 oz.) 2 T. chopped fresh or ½ T. dried basil Salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste YIELD: 4 servings

Crisp, crunchy, and delicious. Perfect for those who don’t eat tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables that are difficult to peel, on Pesach. Never tried daikon? Maybe you should! 3 ounces has only 18 calories, yet provides 1/3 of the daily suggested intake of vitamin C. 1 daikon (a large, white radish shaped like a carrot) 1 turnip 1 kohlrabi 2 carrots 2 T. oil 1 T. sugar, or to taste Salt, to taste YIELD: 4 servings

Diet Zucchini-Mushroom Sauté

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add zucchini and sauté 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and basil; sauté until vegetables soften, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Potato-Sweet PotatoOnion Crisp

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So very good. If you want to, make it with only sweet potatoes and drizzle with a tablespoon of honey and some cinnamon a minute before it’s done cooking. 2 large onions, diced 2 T. oil 4 potatoes, cubed* 4 sweet potatoes, cubed Salt to taste Dash of pepper Paprika (optional) YIELD: 6 servings

Sauté onions in oil until brown. Add cubed potatoes and sweet potatoes to onions; season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes in covered pot. Uncover pot and mix. Cook, uncovered,

Crispy Crunchy Root Salad

Grate vegetables on teardrop-shaped side of grater. Combine oil, sugar, and salt. Pour over vegetables and toss to combine. Chill.

Orange Lettuce Salad A refreshing salad, this goes great with your meat or chicken main dish! 1 pkg. Romaine lettuce (pre-checked) 2 medium oranges, sliced ½ c. chopped walnuts Dressing: 2 T. lemon juice 2 T. oil 2 T. orange juice 2 T. sugar YIELD: 6-8 servings Rinse and dry lettuce leaves; tear into bite-size pieces and place in a large salad bowl. Cut oranges into small pieces. Add walnuts and mix together. Com-

bine dressing ingredients in a small bowl and pour over salad. Toss to coat.

Dessert

Deluxe Vanilla Crunch Ice Cream Expect everyone to ask for seconds! 12 macaroons, any flavor 3 T. margarine, melted 3 T. sugar 1/3 cup chocolate chips 1 recipe for pareve vanilla ice cream OR store-bought, softened YIELD: 12 servings Crumble macaroons in a food processor or by hand. Mix well with margarine and sugar and spread onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 400° for 10-15 minutes, stirring once or twice so that the crunch does not burn. Remove from oven and let cool. Meanwhile, pulse chocolate chips in food processor, just enough to coarsely chop. Combine chocolate crumbs with crunch and fold into ice cream. Freeze until firm.  If you freeze in a 9x13-inch pan, you can cut out squares for easy serving.

Mocha Cupcakes Perfect take-along snack… will also keep the kids happy while you sleep on Yom Tov afternoon. To dress up the cupcakes, try our Pesach Frosting. 6 eggs, separated 4 T. sugar (generous) 1 T. cocoa 1 T. baking powder 3 T. potato starch 1 T. coffee ½ c. warm water YIELD: 24-30 cupcakes Beat together egg yolks, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, potato starch, coffee, and water. Beat whites until stiff. Fold egg whites into batter until combined. Pour into cupcake pans, or into a 9x13inch pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until done.

Yom Tov DINNER A hearty meal without too much fuss. Show off your skills with these tried and tested recipes.

Appetizer

Soft-Baked Italian Tilapia If you have not yet tried tilapia, you should. It’s healthy, light, and relatively inexpensive. 2- 4 oz. tilapia fillets ¼ c. oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tsp. Italian seasoning or ½ tsp. oregano and ½ tsp. basil Kosher salt, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste YIELD: 2 servings Place tilapia in a bowl, and drizzle with oil. Season with garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper. Cover, and marinate at least 30 minutes in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°. Transfer tilapia and marinade to a medium-sized baking dish, and bake 30 minutes in oven, until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

Soup

Speckled Veggie Soup

Peel all vegetables; cut into large chunks. Chop onions in food processor using steel blade, and place in a large pot. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water; sauté until onions are limp and beginning to brown. Chop all remaining vegetables into very small pieces with steel blade; add to pot. Pour in water to cover vegetables; cook for 1 hour, until vegetables are very soft. For a meat soup, add turkey necks and garlic, if using, and continue to cook until meat starts to come off necks. If preparing pareve soup, add consommé and cook an additional ½ hour. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Salad

Sweet and Tart Cranberry Relish 1 c. water ¾ c. sugar 1 pkg. (2 cups) frozen cranberries 2 small oranges, divided into segments Dash of cinnamon YIELD: 8 servings Combine water and sugar in a mediumsized pot. Bring to a boil; add cranberries, oranges, and cinnamon. Lower flame and let simmer for 10 minutes. Cool before serving.  Next time you juice oranges, reserve the orange peel halves. They make great “cups” for individual servings of this relish. Not ready to use them? No worries! They freeze well. You can also use the cups to serve orange sorbet.

Lettuce Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing Hardboiled egg yolks in dressing? Yes! Try it, you’ll like it! 1 bag pre-checked Romaine lettuce, rinsed 4 hard-boiled egg whites

½ carrot, shredded Dressing: 2 hard-boiled egg yolks 2 T. water 2 T. lemon juice 2 T. sugar YIELD: 6-8 servings Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces. Quarter and slice the egg whites, and add to the lettuce. Add carrots; toss salad in a large bowl. Dressing: In a small bowl, mash yolks with a fork. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.

Main Dish

Orange Coated Chicken Gourmet flavor without a lot of effort. It works for a regular supper or a special occasion. 1 chicken, approx. 2½ lbs, cut into eighths ½ c. potato starch 1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper (scant) 2 T. oil ½ c. thinly sliced onion 1 c. orange juice 1 orange, cut into 8 wedges YIELD: 4 servings Preheat oven to 350°. Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry. Combine potato starch, salt, and pepper in a Ziploc® bag. Put in chicken pieces a few at a time, and shake to coat evenly. Heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and brown well on both sides. Remove chicken pieces from pan and place in a 9x13-inch baking pan. Drain liquid left in the skillet except for 1 tablespoon. Heat skillet again; add onion. Cook until tender but not brown. Add orange juice & bring to boil, stirring to loosen brown bits from the skillet. Pour orange juice mixture over chicken; arrange orange wedges around chicken. Cover, bake for 1½ hours or until chicken is done.

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

Yom Tov worthy… serve at your seudah the last days, for a change of pace. 2 large, sweet Vidalia onions 5 stalks celery, or 1 knob celery 2 medium parsnips 2 medium turnips 1 medium butternut squash, seeded 4 medium zucchini 6 carrots Water, to cover 5 turkey necks or 5 T. consommé (see recipe) 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste YIELD: varies

 FOOD Succulent Melt-in-yourMouth French Roast The name says it all. Truly lekovod Shabbos v’Yom Tov! 2 T. oil 2 large onions (Vidalia or Spanish),diced 1 firm beef tomato, peeled and diced 3 firm plum tomatoes, peeled and diced 1- 3-5½ lb. French Roast 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. black pepper 1 ½-2 c. water YIELD: varies Heat oil in a pot large enough to fit roast. Sauté onions until semi-translucent. Add diced tomatoes. Sauté another 5 minutes. Place roast on top of onions and tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover pot and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Turn roast over and cook for 1½ hours covered. Turn meat back over and cook for another 1¼ hours, covered. Cool 15 minutes. Remove meat from pot; cool in refrigerator 20-30 minutes. Slice thinly and cover with sauce. Freeze or refrigerate. Re-warm in sauce.

Sides

Onion Soufflé

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2 c. diced Spanish onions, (approx. 2 lbs.) 2 T. oil 6 eggs, separated 1/3 c. potato starch ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper YIELD: 9 servings

Sauté onions in oil until golden. Beat egg whites until stiff. Beat together yolks, potato starch, salt, and pepper. Add onions. Pour into ungreased 9-inch round pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes until top is golden.  An Alligator chopper, a tool that is

great for chopping onions, apples, and other fruits and vegetables, would be perfect for this recipe. If you’d like your onions a bit finer, run them through the food processor, but don’t let them get mushy.

Red Potatoes with Vegetables Nice and quick for any night’s supper. 1 onion, sliced 1 red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 6-8 large red potatoes, cut into chunks 2 cloves garlic ¼ c. oil 3 T. onion soup mix YIELD: 8-10 servings Place all ingredients into a 9x13-inch pan. Mix well and bake, covered, at 425° for 1 hour, and uncovered for ½ hour. Stir once or twice during baking time.

Dessert

Pesach Grape Sorbet What kid doesn’t love grape-flavored anything? Grownups love it too! 1½ c. sugar 3 c. boiling water ½ c. water 3 c. grape juice 1/3 c. lemon juice YIELD: approx. 16 servings Mix sugar with boiling water until sugar is dissolved. Combine with water, grape juice, and lemon juice. Pour into a 9x13inch pan and place in freezer. When semi-frozen, mix with hand mixer until soft. Refreeze.

Choco-nutty Dessert Cake Nuts, chocolate, and whipped cream? It’s a Pesach delight! 13 eggs, separated 1½ c. sugar, divided 8 oz. ground filberts 2 tsp. vanilla sugar

8 oz. baking chocolate 2 sticks margarine 2 T. coffee dissolved in 1/8 c. hot water 1- 16 oz. dessert topping Grated chocolate, for garnish YIELD: approx. 30 servings Preheat oven to 350°. Beat egg whites until stiff. Add ¾ cup sugar and nuts; mix well. Spread onto a well-greased cookie sheet and bake for ½ hour. Mix together egg yolks, remaining ¾ cup sugar, and vanilla sugar. Melt chocolate, margarine, and coffee in a double boiler; add to yolk mixture. Mix well and pour on top of nut cake. Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool. (You can freeze the cake at this point, if you wish.) Beat dessert topping until stiff and spread on top of cooled cake. Garnish with grated chocolate, immediately before serving.

Sugar-Free, Four-Apple Compote Alternate dessert for the diet conscious. If you don’t mind some sugar or artificial sweetener, you can add a little to the recipe, according to taste. Many people serve applesauce at the Seder in place of a salad. It’s perfect next to boiled meat. 4 Granny Smith apples 4 Golden Delicious apples 3 Fuji or Macintosh apples 6 Cortland apples 2½ c. water YIELD: approx. 8 servings Peel and core apples. Cut into wedges. Place into an 8-quart pot with water. Bring to a boil; cook over medium heat for 30-45 minutes. While hot, stir with a spoon until apples have partially disintegrated. Variation: For puréed applesauce, blend with a stick blender.  For a thicker consistency, use less water, and vice-versa.

 poetry

with every tear, you teach me still I did not cry at his levaya I did not cry during the week of shiva three years have gone by why now do I cry and cry... Every day I talk to him, every day I beg for his forgiveness every day I see more and more what an honest and true man he was. A man who had his G-d and his family he did not need more than that. Every day I need him I feel him watching me I miss him every day. three full years have slipped away the last look, the last touch how can I ever forget so much... The moment that his soul separated from his body his blue eyes were open... looking up what was he seeing? I spoke to him then, not to his body but to the soul that still lingered I closed his blue eyes removed his eyeglasses and took them home Tati - what did you see through these glasses? I want to see that way too. but I cannot see what he saw I am not on that level - at all he saw good things - I am sure his end was his beginning.......... he saw everyone that he thought he’d lost the grandfathers, his parents, his sisters, his brothers NO - he did not lose them they came to greet him with happiness

By Cipi Lobel

I ache for him to be here once more there is so much I have yet to say to him things that I want him to know that I love him truly that all our misunderstandings were just that misunderstandings which never meant that I loved him less and I hope he loved me just as much He’s in a better place, that I know reunited with his parents and family that were taken so long ago but I want him HERE - selfishly - I need him now that I understand a little more I want to talk to him I want to bring him his tea to the table I want to hear his corny jokes I want him... I need him... I love him.... I want..... My father Shabse Zev Fuchs A”H, was born in Wilchovitz, Czechoslovakia, in 1921. His parents, and eight siblings died at the hands of Hitler, leaving my father and one brother. His grandfather was the well-known & much loved Reb Mordcha Chuna, a Wiznitzer chossid who sat at the feet of the Rebbe, the Ahavas Yisroel (Yisroel Hager). After the war, he married my mother, a descendent of the Noam Elimelech, and they started life anew in Antwerp, Belguim, where my two brothers and I were born. In 1950 we arrived in America and settled in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, where my sister Gita was born. My father lived to see the fruits of his hard labor; his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Three days before his death his oldest great-granddaughter become a kallah. The joy that shone in my father’s blue eyes will forever remain in my memory.

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.

Bonus! Two Cookbooks In One: This book also includes Dining In on Pesach, a pull-out “cookbook’ with over 100 delectable Pesach recipes!

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

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

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

Unscramble

Before Pesach, we must search every room of the house for chametz. Shloimie made a checklist of places to look for chametz, but the list is scrambled. Help him clean the house of chametz by unscrambling his list:

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

1. Coat pocket, 2. Under the bed, 3. Cabinet, 4. Closet, 5. Dresser, 6. Drawer, 7. Shelves, 8. Desk, 9. Cupboard, 10. Night table 44

Fill-in the Blanks

Before Pesach, which falls out on the 1) . of Nisan, we clear our houses of 2) The night before Pesach we conduct a search for , and the next chametz, also called, 3) this chametz, also called day we 4) . On Pesach, instead of bread we eat 5) , which commemorates flat, crunchy 6) as the time the Jews hurried out of 7) chased them out. The first two the 8) where nights of Pesach, we have a 9) is read, and cups of 11) the 10) are drunk. It is then that we discuss the history of Mitzrayim, and how the miracle of 12) and helped Hashem brought ten 13) when Bnei Yisroel cross the 14) split it. As part of the seder, there is a 15) . plate full of simanim called a 16) Toward the end of the seder we hide the and hope for some exciting gifts! 17) At the end of the seder, a song about a goat, is sung, and after the second called 18) . Pesach is seder we begin counting 19) an exciting holiday where we remember that we , and were zocheh were taken out of 20) to be the only lucky nation to receive the torah! 1. 15th, 2. Chametz, 3. Bedikas chametz, 4. Burn, 5. Bi’ur chametz, 6. Matzah, 7. Mitzrayim/Egypt, 8. Mitzriyim/Egyptians, 9. Seder, 10. Haggadah, 11. Wine, 12. Yetzias, 13. Makos/plagues, 14. Yam Suf/Red Sea, 15. Moshe, 16. Ke’arah, 17. Afikoman, 18. Chad Gadya, 19. Sefiras Ha’omer, 20. Slavery.

1. OCAT PCEKOT 2. DEURN HET BDE 3. ANBTCIE 4. TLOCES 5. SDSEERR 6. WDAERR 7. LSSEHEV 8. SKED 9. AURPOBDC 10. TGNIH TEBLA

Who Saved the Day?

in suspense when Esti hung up. “Well,” she asked, “what did your mom say?” Esti smiled. “She says that she will call Auntie Temima and see what she can do.” Bluma sighed, “I’m still worried, but I guess that’s all we can do for now.” Her friend patted her on the back, “Remember what the rabbis said: ‘It’s not for you to complete the work.’ We did our part. Hashem will make it all work out. You’ll see.” The rest of the school day passed pleasantly, but uneventfully. When school let out, the girls decided to walk back to the Friedman’s house to see if there were any new developments in Grandma’s situation. When they entered the house, they were surprised to find Esti’s mother and brother visiting. “Here you are!” called out Mrs. Friedman. Esti’s little brother, Rachamim, waved his baby hands. “Mrs. Tehrani came over to tell me about your idea.” “Did it work?” asked Bluma anxiously. “We’re not sure,” Mrs. Tehrani replied. “Temima was snowed in, too, and she doesn’t live so close to Bluma’s grandmother. However, her friends, the Cohens, live just down the block from Bluma’s savta. Temima was going to call them to see if they could help, but we haven’t heard yet.” Just as Esti’s mother finished her part of the tale, the phone rang. Bluma picked it up. “Hello?” “Bluma! Just the girl I want to talk to!” exclaimed Grandma’s delighted voice. “I heard that I owe my rescue to you! I just reached the airport for my flight. The runways are all clear, and the snow is no longer falling. I expect to leave within the hour.” “That’s great news, Grandma!” replied Bluma. “It was actually Esti’s idea to call her aunt. How did you finally get out of the house?” “Well, I was standing at my kitchen window, wracking my brains for a solution to my troubles. Suddenly, I saw two teenagers, a boy and a girl, shoveling the snow from my driveway and walkway. They were so bundled up, I couldn’t see exactly who they were. Then the phone rang. It was Mrs. Cohen, from down the block. She explained that she’d heard I was stuck alone in the house and that I had a plane to catch. She’d sent her two eldest children to dig me out. Then she drove me to the airport herself!” After Grandma finished speaking, Bluma relayed the story to everyone in the kitchen. “Grandma gave me the credit,” she said, “but really, Esti is the heroine.” “No,” Esti answered, shaking her head. “I told you, we started the job…but Hakodosh Baruch-Hu finished it up!”

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

sti Tehrani strolled down her street early one spring morning, daydreaming. She smiled to herself, “Only four days until Pesach…” The golden sunshine warmed her face, the flowers smelled sweet, and the birds chirp-chirped happily. Reaching the end of the block, she knocked on her friend’s door. She and Bluma Friedman always walked to school together. The door flew open. Bluma’s panicked face snapped Esti out of her reverie. “What’s wrong?” she cried. “I just got off the phone with Grandma. She’s stuck in her house! Baltimore was hit by two feet of snow! Her street hasn’t been plowed, let alone her driveway. Grandma might miss her flight here for Pesach, and then what will she do?” Esti wrapped her arms around Bluma to comfort her and offered her a tissue from her pocket. “What does your mother say?” “That’s the worst part!” continued Bluma. “Mommy knows nothing about it! She took my brother to the doctor a few minutes before Grandma’s call.” “Why don’t we call her cell phone?” Bluma brightened. “Good idea!” She led Esti into the kitchen. They dialed Mrs. Friedman’s cell phone. After a moment the girls heard ringing…from inside the house. They followed the sound to the living room. The cell phone lay nestled between some cushions on the couch. The girls groaned. Bluma said, “I guess she left it here by mistake. I’ll leave a note on the fridge, but who knows when she’ll get it?” “Let’s get going when you’re done,” said Esti. “We’ll think of something while we walk to school.” The girls trudged to school, deep in conversation. “Do you have any other family in Baltimore?” Esti asked Bluma. “Not really. All my aunts and uncles moved away. Grandma has many friends and a sister there, but they’re all elderly. I don’t think that any of them could help her out.” Suddenly, Esti stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and slapped her forehead. “Hey!” she shouted. “My aunt just moved to Baltimore! I’ll bet Auntie Temima can help!” “You think so?” “Let’s call my house to find out.” When the girls arrived at school, they got permission from the teacher to go to the office. They asked to use the phone when they got there. Esti dialed her house. “Ima,” she began, “I have a problem.” Switching to Farsi, Esti then explained the situation to her mother. After a few minutes, she paused to ask Bluma for Grandma’s address and number, and she repeated it into the mouthpiece. Bluma was still

Written by Rebecca Klempner Illustrated by Fraydee Mozes

Please note: Last issue we ran Benny P.I. Book 1, page 32-36 in error. We continue here with Book 2, page 32-36. Continued from last issue...

Story by Ari Guidry

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. Benny P.I s c mi co Now in stores

34 Please send comments to: Bennypicomics@gmail.com

35 Continued next issue...

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Mikvahs

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

Shuls Los Angeles Fairfax/Hancock Park Agudath Israel of LA-Bais Avigdor................. 323-930-0792 / 323-935-8383 461 N. La Brea Avenue Aish Tamid of Los Angeles.....323-634-0505 5909 West 3rd St Congregation Bais Naftoli..323-936-4827 221 S. La Brea Avenue Congregation Bais Yehuda..... 323-936-7568 360 N. La Brea Avenue Congregation Eitz Chaim/Bais Moshe Yitzchok 323-634-0535 • 303 S. Highland Ave. Congregation Levi Yitzchok/ Chabad of Hancock Park... 323-954-8381 356 N. La Brea Avenue Congregation Shaarei Tefilla...323-938-7147 7269 Beverly Blvd. Kehillas Yaakov..................... 323-935-8572 7211 Beverly Blvd. Kehillath Yitzchok.................. 323-932-8694 7709 Beverly Blvd. Kollel Los Angeles..................323-933-7193 7216 Beverly Blvd. Kollel Yechiel Yehuda............. 323-939-2041 354 N. La Brea Avenue The Jewish Learning Exchange..................... 323-857-0923 • 512 N. La Brea Avenue Torah Ohr..............................323-933-3111 7200 Beverly Blvd. Young Israel of Hancock Park.323-931-4030 225 S. La Brea Avenue Young Israel of Los Angeles...323-655-0300 660 North Spaulding Avenue Pico-Robertson/Beverly Hills Adas Torah 1135 S. Beverly Dr.....................

310-552-0460 Aish HaTorah Center...........310-278-8672 9102 W. Pico Blvd. Anshe Emes Synagogue............................... 310-275-5640 / 877-ANSHE-EM 1490 S. Robertson Blvd. Beth Jacob Congregation....... 310-278-1911 9030 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills Chabad of Bel-Air..................310-475-5311 10421 Summer Holly Crl Chabad of Beverly Hills...........310-271-9063 409 N. Foothill Rd., Beverly Hills Chabad of Brentwood............ 310-826-4453 644 S. Bundy Dr. Chabad of Cheviot Hills.......... 310-558-8770 3185 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles Congregation Magen David.... 310-556-5609 9717 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills Lubavitch of Beverly Hills....... 310-282-0444 9017 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills West Coast Torah Center.........310-271-1180 322 N. Foothill Rd., Beverly Hills Young Israel of Beverly Hills.... 310-742-3717 8701 W. Pico Blvd. Young Israel of Century City... 310-273-6954 9315 W. Pico Blvd. Conejo Valley Chabad of Conejo – Agoura Hills 818-9910991 5998 Conife Street Corona del Mar Chabad of Newport Beach..... 949-721-9800 4720 Cortland Dr. 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 La Jolla Congregation Adat Yeshurun.858-535-0343 8625 La Jolla Scenic Dr. N. Laguna Beach Chabad of Laguna Beach......949-499-0770 30804 S. Coast Hwy.

If you want to be added to the shul listing send an e-mail to info@cityspiritmag.com

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

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

Mikvas Chana (by appt. only).. 310-829-1324 Tarzana Abraham Dayan Mikvah.........818-758-3836 18181 Burbank Blvd. (access from east side of bldg.)

Shuls Continued Laguna Niguel Chabad of Laguna Niguel...... 949-831-8475 27655 Niguel Village Dr. Lomita Chabad of Palos Verdes........ 310-544-5544 28041 S. Hawthorne Blvd. Chabad of South Bay............ 310-326-8234 24412 Narbonne Ave. 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. 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 Palm Springs Chabad of Palm Springs........ 760-325-0774 425 Avenida Ortega

San Diego Beth Jacob of San Diego........619-287-9890 4855 College Ave. Chabad of Downtown............. 619-702-8518 472 Third Avenue Calabasas The Calabasas Shul .............. 818-725-3118 (at Bay Laurel Elem. School) Calabasas Pkwy. at Paseo Primero 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. Yorba Linda North County Chabad Center.714-693-0770 19045 Yorba Linda Blvd.

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

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

Community & G'mach Directory

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

Babies & Children

Baby Equipment LA Baby G’mach............... lababygear.com Miriam Hendeles ............... 323-243-7116 Port-a-cribs, pack & plays, car seats, infant bouncers, strollers, bassinettes, booster seats, exer-saucers for short term loan. bris outfits Devora Wieder.................. 323-939-9276 Diapers Rivka Dinkels..................... 323-932-1123 Penina Frumit Apter ..........310-557-9726 Dina Kramer .....................818-985-2493 Ezer Layoledes Yossie Greenfield.............. 323-934-0178

Strollers, play pens, high chairs, cribs, car seats for short or long term loan. Nursing Pumps Andi Shochet.....................818-753-9562 Dassi Weiner.................... 818-509-7791 Uniforms Exchange and/or purchase of previously owned school uniforms Emek: Leah Roth................818-753-4242 Toras Emes and Bais Yaakov: Rochelle Frankel................ 323-937-7111

Clothing Global Kindness Yaelle Cohen..................... 310-286-0800

Counseling and Health Aleinu/Orthodox Counseling Program 24 hour hotline.................. 818-623-0300 Bikur Cholim VCR and Jewish Video..............323-304-1359 (L’ilui Nishmas Israel, Amelia, and Ruth Aftergut, and Abba Avrutin). VCR with Video Moniter, not a television. Jewish videos intended only for those confined to bed for medical reasons. Chai Lifeline West Coast Regional Office.310-274-6331 Non profit Jewish organization dedicated to providing support services to seriously ill children and their families.

Etta Israel........................ 818-985-3882 Serving the special needs children of the Jewish Community Friendship Circle.(310) 277-FCLA (3252) 9581 W. Pico Blvd., #102 Providing social, recreational and Judaic programs for Jewish children who have special needs and their families Hospital Gowns Sara Pinter........................323-931-1598 Tznuis hospital clothing for women Jewish Healthcare Foundation Avraham Moshe Bikur Cholim If you need or would like to donate blood to someone...........................323-852-1900 Safety Kid..........................323-761-8816 Raising child safety awareness in the community

Education Ha’azinu HaShamayim Children Tape (L’ilui Nishmas Shifra Miriam and Yisroel Menachem Shedrowitsky) Story tapes in Yiddish and in English; song tapes in Yiddish................ 323-931-0306

Financial Aid Services David Weiner Memorial Free Loan Society of the Valley Jack Adatto.......................818-508-9114 Financial Jewish Free Loan Assistance Small interest free loans City...................................323-761-8830 Valley – Linda Gordon....... 818-464-3331 Hachnosas Kallah.......... 323-938-8074 Financial assistance and/ or guidance to needy kallahs in planning their wedding The Tzedakah Fund..........323-939-0862 Small interest free loans

Food

2nd Chance Rivky Farber..................... 323-931-0224 Folding Beds Esti Tendler . .....................310-203-0170 Mezuzah G’mach Irwin Lowi . .......................323-932-1025 Tables and Chairs Steven Oscherowitz............ 323-937-1194

Keilim Mikvah Anshe Emes Keilim Mikva 1490 S. Robertson.............310-276-6617 Shaaray Zedek Keilim Mikva 12800 Chandler................ 818-763-0560 Young Israel Keilim Mikva 225 S. LaBrea Ave............ 323-931-4030 Young Israel of Northridge Mikva 17511 Devonshire St......... 818-368-2221

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

Simchas Benchers/Mrs. Kest ...........323-937-7060 L’ilui Nishmas Ahron Ben Yissachar 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 Esther Grama.................... 424-558-9673 Mandy Adler......................818-766-5104 Hachnasas Kallah Gift G’mach Volume Donations Libby Lehman................... 323-935-3791 Individual Gifts Leba Hertz . ..................... 323-246-9424 Hachnasas Kallah Gowns Marylin Barber...................323-937-7982 Esther Braun . .................. 323-933-2817

Ahuva Goldstein................323-938-8660 Mechitzah G’mach Rivka Berkowitz.................818-331-3884 Simcha Gemach................ 323-931-0306 (L’ilui Nishmas Rebbetzin Bella Simcha) 48 mini challah covers, 2 large challah covers, 18 kiddush cups w/trays, 50 bentchers. Special Occasion Flowers, Centerpieces & Mirrors Alona Horowitz . ................ 310-551-1004 Shoshy Klein . .................. 323-937-4954 Mrs. Niehaus.................... 323-938-2406 Michal Porati - Yad Simcah.310-525-7336 Wedding Shtick Bubby’s Shtick/Mona Riss..818-761-5077 Rivky Farber .................... 323-997-5968 Nechama Denbo................310-788-3981 Updated November 2008 - FOR CHANGES ADDITIONS CALL ELISHEVA 310-274-6657

Teen Development Friendship Circle... (310) 277FCLA(3252) Enriches, inspires and motivates Jewish teens through sharing of themselves with children who have special needs. Teens volunteer their time through innovative and stimulating programs producing a sense of connection and responsibility for the greater Jewish community.

Counseling & Health

Dr. Navideh Levy-Failer, PSY. D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist PSY 20781

323-653-5781

When In New York... Naomi Scheier

Make-up Artist & Hair Stylist

Specializing in semi-permanent make-up for Shabbos

(718)692-1588

makeupgal30@aol.com

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

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 Tomchei Shabbos............. 323-939-5525 Provides Shabbos food packages for families in need. Call to request application.

Furniture, Home, Dishes

 tama tells all

Papa and the Shabbos Meal | Tama beck

CITY spirit MARCH 2010

e lived in a city in New Jersey, and almost everyone at the time went off the derech (religious path). People changed their names, sought professions, and slowly watered down the yiddishkeit that their parents had taught them. One of the things that was very upsetting to me as a child, was that we religious children would constantly get sneered at. They made us all very uncomfortable. I was ten years old at the time, when one day I asked my father, “You always tell us the importance of Shabbos but it gets lonely on Shabbos. You know what my friends do? They go to the movies and the beach on Shabbos. Why can’t we do that?” My father said, “I want you to invite all the girls from the neighborhood to our Shabbos seuda (meal).” I told him they would laugh and make fun. However he insisted that I invite them. I did and they were all excited. They came to the house nicely dressed and eager to participate. My father spoke to them like VIPs as he told stories. He asked about their hobbies. They asked me if my mother does this every week? I said

yes. They asked if my father talked to us every Shabbos. They told me that their parents worked seven days and seven nights and never spent time with them. My father excused himself to say he was going to take a Shabbos nap. The girls said, “Your father really speaks to you. Our fathers don’t. We go to a stupid movie that we have seen many times just because it is air-conditioned. Then we go to the beach, it is hot, and we come home so sandy. You are so lucky.” My father heard them say this. When they left, my father asked me “Who is the lucky one?” That was my first lesson in kiruv (Orthodox Jewish outreach). Mrs. Beck is a beloved educator and lecturer and has been for over fifty years. She taught at Central and Shulamis high schools for girls and gave weekly shiurim in the Syrian community, often to three generations in the same class! Mrs. Beck has always sought the advice of Gedolim while working with many families (helping save marriages and keeping children on the derech). Mrs. Beck has also been giving lectures in the Los Angeles Jewish community which is, as she says, her second home!

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