CitySpirit Fall 2012 by City Spirit

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west coast jewish living Volume 5 | Issue 1 | September 2012 | Tishrei 5773

As we enter 5773, Jerusalem is still at the foundation of who we are.

Construction of Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion. Lower floors clad in Jerusalem Stone. Estimated completion date 2013/5773.

We are proud that the base of our new building is clad in Jerusalem Stone. It is a symbol of the strong foundation upon which Cedars-Sinai was built. Being deeply rooted in the fabric of Los Angeles and the Jewish community, we dedicate more than $600 million annually towards community benefit and health services for the underserved. As a nonprofit, this is a part of our responsibility to the community. But there is a much deeper driver for our involvement: it is the way we express our Jewish values. Each year dozens of vibrant Jewish organizations including synagogues, social service agencies, and leading educational institutions join with us in improving care and providing services throughout our local community. With these partners, it turns out that our communal foundation is as strong now as it has ever been.

速

Shana Tovah.

get get into into the the spirit spirit Editor Tova Klein Contributing Writers Rabbi Gershon Bess Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn Rabbi Effie Goldberg Lazer Klein Hershel Lieber Mrs. Shulamith May Chavie Trainer Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D Rabbi Jason Weiner Publisher Mati Jacobovits Food Faigy Grossman entertaining Miriam Jacobovits kidSpirit Fraydee Mozes

CitySpirit NEXT issue Advertising Deadline November 15 Publication Date November 27 cityspiritmag@gmail.com www.cityspiritmagazine.com

CITY spirit September 2011

NY office: 1856A East 27th Street Brooklyn, NY 11229 Phone: 917-771-6996

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

Dear Readers, Well, I’m on my way to New York once again. It’s a good time to reflect on this summer’s events. This summer has been one of ups and downs. We began with a simcha at the end of June with my son, Shaul, walking down to the chupah and marrying a wonderful young lady, Rachayli Fuchs of Flatbush. It was a beautiful affair, having our children together with much of our extended family, including my parents and mother-in-law, all survivors, was a special bracha. Our ‘new’ family, the Fuchs, are all such special people and we are very grateful. Just as we were finishing up sheva brachos and still enjoying the experiences of the past couple of weeks, my father-in-law, Yisroel Yehudah ben Chaim Moshe, was niftar (passed away). He and my mother in law, shetichye, came to live with us over 2 1/2 years ago and what a zechus. I must express my hakaros hatov to the Los Angeles community for being there through whatever means available. Bikur Cholim and R’ Heshy Ten were there with blood drives, equipment, hospital visits and anything else they could help with. The Ladies Bikur Cholim has been a tremendous support with rides for my mother-in-law to and from the hospital. Everyone there is so amazing and created a special bond with my mother-in-law, so much so that they still make time to visit with her. They all tell me how they are in awe of my mother-in-law and how they enjoy being around her positive energy. My mother-in-law, Mrs. Helen Klein, is one of the strongest women I know and a true hero. I have learned so much from her; how to be an amazing wife, caregiver, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend. Her appreciation for life and the blessings that Hashem bestows on us daily is never taken for granted. As she always says, “I

count my blessings”. She is an inspiration and role model to all who have met her. The hospital staff watched her tenderly care for my father- in-law to make him as comfortable as possible. These are all lessons for life – not only how to survive through it, but to appreciate life with all its ups and downs. Emunah peshuta (simple faith) is what that generation is and was all about. Of course life is tough – but Hashem loves us – and we must always focus on counting our blessings. Going into Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper we must learn to focus on appreciating all the good things life has to offer. This will change us – to not only appreciate what Hashem does for us – but what others do as well. Enjoy this jam-packed issue: An interview with Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Rav of the Young Israel of Ave L in Brooklyn, NY and Rabbi Mayer Pasternak, technical genius at Artscroll, who is behind the Digital Talmud app for the iPad. Our feature this issue is a sampling of amazing stories from Rabbi Nachman Seltzer’s new book, It Could Have Been You. Just in time for the holidays: check out all the wonderful words of wisdoms from our local Rabbis, teachers and leaders of the community. Introducing Miriam Jacobovits with her flair for table setting and fabulous napkin folds – sure to enhance your Yom Tov table. Try Faigy Grossman’s delicious Yom Tov recipes and skim through all the pages of CitySpirit – where you will find something for everyone’s enjoyment. May Hashem bless each and every one of you with a Shana Tova Umesukah (a sweet good new year)!

Tova

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september 2012

features 10 Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff A Rav, a friend, an inspiration

The Digital Talmud: An Interview with Artscrollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Technical Director, Rabbi Mayer Pasternak

community spirit 8 A Tribute to My Dad by Lazer Klein 14 Cedars-Sinai Jewish Parenting Workshop Rabbi Jason Weiner

38 Jerusalem Siyum HaShas Avraham Broide 39

Malchuyos Revisited Mrs. Shulamith May

40 Dining In Faigy Grossman

42 Fabulous Folds Miriam Jacobovits

20 Laniado Hospital in

44 The Wandering Jew

32 Rabbi Nachman Seltzer: His newly realease book, It Could Have Been You

Kids of Courage: Summer Adventure of a Lifetime

Fraydee Mozes

Inspiration Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn

Book Review: Mazel Tov! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Bubby!

kid spirit 52 Puzzles, Contest & More

Israel Holds Major Earthquake Preparation Drill

in this issue 26 Dvar Halachah Rabbi Gershon Bess

28 Point of View Rabbi Effie Goldberg

Hershel Lieber

46 Advice from Over-the-Counter Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D. 50 Timing is Everything Chavie Trainer

54 West Coast Directory 58 Shadchan Directory

CITY spirit September 2012

 community spirit

A Tribute to My Dad

Isidore Klein  By Lazer Klein

CITY spirit september 2012

y father, Mr. Isidore Klein was born in Adar Sheni, 5684 (February, 1924) in Mogendorf, Czechoslovakia. His father, Moshe, had a seltzer business and was the melamed in the cheder. He was the head of "Aitz Chayim", an organization which collected money from the community members and distributed it to others in need. His mother, Pesl (nee Gellis), was orphaned at the age of three and was raised by her uncle, Rav Shaul Brach, now known as the Kashau Rov, but was then Rav in Mogendorf. The Klein’s had an “orchim shtebe”, a room for wayfarers in their home. She was a "short lady who could move mountains." His mother would fast every Monday and Thursday and would encourage my father to be on time to shul “az tur mir nisht farzeimen afelu ein boruch hu u’vorich shmo und omein” (one shouldn't miss out even once on answering “Boruch Hu u’Voruch Shmo” and “Omein”). My father learned in the Topolcany yeshiva for a short time, but had his education cut short because his own father had suffered a stroke. He returned home to run the family business, as his older brothers were away in different cities. Eventually, his older sister, Esti, returned home with her two children when her husband was taken to “munka tabor” (Hungarian slave labor), so he had to support eight people while still a teenager. In addition to keeping up the seltzer business, he and a friend would take a weekly train trip to Budapest, bringing with them

Kosher slaughtered geese to sell on the black market. If they would have disembarked at the train station, the geese would have been confiscated. To prevent that, they jumped off the train as it was moving, before it neared the station, and then walked into the city. On one excursion, they heard that the Belzer Rebbe was in Budapest, so they waited in line for seven hours, till 3 A.M., to receive a bracha. The bracha that they would outlive the war was fulfilled for both of them. When my father was taken to munka tabor himself, he and a shochet who was with him, would sneak out at night, buy a chicken from a local farmer and shecht it so they could eat Kosher as long as possible. Eventually, my father was sent to the infamous concentration camp Buchenwald, and from there to an underground ammunition factory hidden in the forest near Schleiben, in Germany. At the end of the war, the Germans transported them to Theresienstadt where the guards told them they had orders to kill them. The kommandant declined to follow these orders so as not to have more blood on his hands at the very end of the war. After liberation by the Russians, he found that only he and his eldest brother, Aron Dov, survived from his parents, their seven children and two grandchildren. My father was introduced to my mother, shetichye, after the war in a DP (displaced persons) camp near Munich, called Feldafing. They were married on Lag Ba'omer, 5706 (1946). My brother, Morris was born just before Shavuos in 5707 (1947). My father located an aunt in New Rochelle, NY, who paid $300 for their passage to the United States. They arrived to these shores in January, 1948. Several years later, her husband purchased a stationery store. My father, who earned about one dollar an

hour at the time, brought him $300 in cash to repay him for the cost of their passage. His uncle was incredulous - “Where did you get this money from?” My father answered that they had saved it up over time and now his uncle needed it, so here it is! In 1950, my parents moved to Philadelphia where my father worked. The survivors were trying to establish themselves and my father had helped several people get started in business by loaning them money. Once, he even borrowed money so he could loan it to someone else! Other survivors lived in my parents house, rent-free, for months at a time. He was very hands-on, assisting people in securing mortgages from the bank, advising and encouraging them. He had an ayin tova (a good and generous eye). He did whatever he could to help other Jews succeed and he was happy for their success. When his brother with his wife and five children arrived in the United States in 1958, my father paid for a year’s rent for an apartment, furnished it, brought clothing for the family and toys for the children, in addition to buying a business for his brother. He even bought an air condition (in those days a luxury) for the apartment saying, "How could I be comfortable in my house and my brother be hot?" It was inspiring to see the love and respect he showed to his eldest brother and the devotion to his family. He would often drive to Williamsburg to visit him and would not miss a simcha of his large family. In the 1960s he started purchasing duplexes and renting them. In 1974, a friend proposed that he and a third partner purchase an apartment complex, which they did.

Six months later his friend passed away and fifteen years later the other partner also passed away. People would encourage him to buy out the two widows to maximize his profits being that he shouldered the full burden of caring for the property. He wouldn't do it because “this way they get a check every month.” This went on for 35 years. When he retired from daily work at the age of 54, he wouldn’t wait to be asked to do favors, but would seek out opportunities to do them. He would call people who didn't drive and say, “I’m going to the market anyway, why don't I pick you up?” He was a real shul person; he would make sure to come early and would often lead the davening and read the Torah on Mondays and Thursdays. He was a gabbai in the shul in Philadelphia for 38 years and in the shul in his summer residence in Atlantic City for 25 years. He didn’t just stand up on the bima, but would welcome newcomers and make sure to give them an appropriate kibud (honor). When there was conflict, he would defuse the tension with his ready smile and wit. He was not a kavod (honor) seeker, so people would respond in kind and not worry so much about their own kavod. He would give special honor to the Rabbi and was a ready ally for him when there would occasionally be opposition to him among the shul members. He was a supporter of Torah causes and educated others to appreciate Torah. My parents were honored by the Talmudical Academy of Philadelphia (“Philly Yeshiva”) in 1976. He was a long time president of the Hungarian Hebrew Association and donated and raised money for Eretz Yisroel. A grove of 500 trees were planted in Eretz Yisroel in honor of my parents. My father adored my mother and would constantly shower her with presents. He would tell people that she was the love of his life and always made time to enjoy each other and travel the world. My father was devoted to and proud of his sons and their families: Morris, Steve and Lois, Lazer and Tova, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May my father, Yisroel Yehuda ben Chaim Moshe, A”H, be a meleitz yosher (advocate) for our family and klal Yisroel.

 community spirit

Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff

A Rav, a friend, an inspiration! My family and I had the pleasure of hosting Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff during his stay in Los Angeles last month. He was the guest speaker at the Kollel sponsored Siyum Hashas dinner. Prior to his Los Angeles engagement, Rabbi Lieff had previously spoken at the London Siyum and the Toronto Siyum. He spent many years building the Minneapolis community before assuming his current position as Rav of the Agudah of Avenue L. The Rav took time out of his busy schedule to share some insights into his life. CitySpirit: Can you tell our readers a little about your upbringing? Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff: I grew up in Flatbush near the Mir Yeshiva. My fa-

ther, zt”l was a Rav in Bensonhurst. I have one brother who is currently the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah of South Monsey. Which schools did you attend? I attended Torah Vadaas in Flatbush for elementary school. From there I went to Yeshiva Chaim Berlin. When I was sixteen years old I left to Eretz Yisroel and studied there for two years at Kol Torah under the leadership of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l. I then went on to the Mir and learnt under Rabbi Shmuel Birnbaum zt”l who became my Rebbe.

Were are your parents from? My mother was born in Yerushalayim and moved to Cincinnati when she was five years old. She comes from a family where chesed was a priority. My mother has a PhD from Columbia University and is a college professor. She gets up early to say the entire book of Tehillim before she goes to teach. Her uncles were Rabbi Moshe Blau, who headed the Agudah in Yerushalayim, and Rabbi Amram Blau of the Neturei Karta. My father was born in Poland in a place called Antipoli and also moved when he was five years old. He grew up in Canada. His father, my grandfather, was a big talmid chacham and was instru-

CITY spirit september 2012

A Brief History

Rabbi Lieff attended Yeshivas Kol Torah in Yerushalayim where he studied under the posek hador Hagon Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach z”tl. Rav Lieff received Semicha Yoreh Yoreh Yadin Yadin from Maran HaGaon Rav Shmuel Berenbaum z”tl, Rosh HaYeshiva Mirrer Yeshiva in New York and was a close talmid as well. For close to twenty years Rabbi Lieff was the Rav of Kehilas Bais Yisroel of Minneapolis. He was instrumental in securing funds and helping to create the Minneapolis community kollel. He was a true inspiration for the entire region in general and his community in particular. He is

credited with helping to transform Minneapolis into the thriving Torah center it is today. He is a sought-after guest speaker and has spoken at hundreds of events across the nation and abroad. He is also a popular speaker on Dial-a-Daf and many Torah tapes. Rav Lieff has received a bracha from Maran HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita and other gedolim that he should have much hatzlacha in his new position. Today, Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff is Morah D’Asra of Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin in Brooklyn, New York. He is known as a well-respected talmid chacham, a warm and dynamic individual loved by his congregants.

Wishing Everyone a Sweet and Happy New Year At U.S. Bank, we take pride in supporting each and every one of the communities that we serve. As we reflect on the year gone by and look forward to the year ahead, we know that the pride and love for our communities, our culture and our neighbors is what makes this the greatest country in the world. At U.S. Bank, we are honored to assist individuals, families and businesses succeed, whether it is saving for college, purchasing a first home, planning for retirement or expanding a business. You can count on U.S. Bank to help meet the needs of the community for many years to come. Steven Kaplan Branch Manager 736 N La Brea Avenue Los Angeles 323-202-1910

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mental in starting day schools in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Ottowa and finally settling in Montreal. My father attended Ner Yisroel and stayed in yeshiva for five years without coming home even once. He was there for a total of nine years – the same time as Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky. When he was still a bachur he became a Rav in Montreal in a big shul called Chevra Kadisha. My grandfather was the principal of Shaarei Shomayim.

Were there any other interests you

who was one of the biggest poskim in the world. However, the person who influenced me the most was Rabbi Shmuel Berenbaum zt’l of the Mir Yeshiva – I was his talmid for over thirty Who were the peoyears. ple that influenced When I went and impressed you to the Telshe the most throughKollel, I became out your life? close to Rabbi Each and every Mordechai one of my rabbeim Gifter zt’l who in elementary school encouraged me were incredible. to get involved Rabbi Yaakov in the communiSpitzer (father-inty. That’s when law to Rabbi Yisroel Rabbi Leiff with our son Yosef I began speakReisman) was my ing publicly and started giving shiurim 4th grade rebbe. Rabbi Nosson Sherman in Columbus, Ohio and other nearby was my 7th grade Rebbe. places. Rabbi Chaim Stein zt’l was my In high school I had Rabbi Asher chavrusa at that time and was quite inZigfried for 9th grade who taught me to fluential in my life. I would say that of acquire a geshmak for learning. all my rabbeim, Rav Berenbaum zt’l and When I went to Eretz Yisroel, I beRav Stein zt’l probably impacted my life came close with Rabbi Shlomo Zalman the most. Auerbach zt’l in Yeshivas Kol Torah,

CITY spirit September 2012

How were you raised? My father, outside of being a Rav, taught home-bound disabled children. My mother, aside from teaching in two colleges, actually started the Bikur Cholim Bnos Chaya of Flatbush 45 years ago. My parents were always busy working but when off during the non-Jewish holidays, would take us to museums, boating, and other such activities.

enjoyed when not learning? Any hobbies? I enjoyed playing basketball, going to museums, biking and hiking.

 community spirit

CITY spirit september 2012

At what point in your life did you know that you wanted to focus your career in the Torah world? Initially I thought of becoming a doctor, but as time went on, I became more involved in learning. I spent many Shabbosim with my uncle Rav Moshe Rottenberg zt’l who was a Gerrer chassid and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Chachmai Lublin in Detroit and later of the Gerrer Mesivta in N.Y. He made quite an impression on me which definitely influenced my decision.

How did you meet your wife? Rabbi Moshe Yanofsky, principal of Machon Bais Yaakov in Brooklyn, together with his wife, Sharon, were my shadchanim. They suggested a shidduch and Baruch Hashem it worked out great! I married the daughter of Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Dardac of Cleveland. We moved to Cleveland, and I learned in the Telshe Yeshiva Kollel. I wanted to become close to my Shver, Rabbi Yaakov Dardak, who was a great educator and who had been close to the Steipler Rav and Rav Shach. My wife and I moved into the kollel community which was separate from the main community. Telshe had its own campus. Living close to the Yeshiva with other yungeleit made it easy for new couples to adjust to kollel life. I attended the Kollel for twelve years and then became a rebbe in the Mesivta in Cleveland before moving to Minneapolis. Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, the Rav of the Young Israel of Cleveland, knew that the position in Minneapolis was available and submitted my name. It took some time, but then I became the Rav of the community in Minneapolis. As the Torah Academy Day School continued to grow in ruchnius, a Bais Yaakov High School for Girls opened. A big and beautiful shul and mikvah were built. I helped establish the Lakewood Kollel 13 years ago. Just recently, a new Mesivta for boys opened.

How many children do you have? Three – kein ayan hora. Shulamis Rena is my oldest and she is married to Rabbi Akiva Nieman who is learning in kollel in Kiryat Sefer. They have three children. My second, my son Rabbi Chaim Shmaryahu is married to Michal Schwartz and living in Yerushalayim. They have one son. My youngest, Yisroel Yitzchok, is learning in Rabbi Avraham Newman’s Yeshiva in Lakewood. Was moving back to New York a difficult transition? I was away from New York for 30 years – yet moving back was not such a difficult transition – except for the parking or rather lack of it. Although I lived away, I would often have reasons to come to New York, which made things easier when we finally moved back. Being the Rav of the Agudah has been an easy transition since it’s such a warm and close knit kehillah. There are so many nice people here. Are there any stories you can share with our readers of your days in Minneapolis? For 19 years, I gave a “Lunch and Learn” every other week to prestigious people. There were about 200 people that attended throughout that period. There was a gentleman who was the president of Hillel whose director was a reform lady rabbi. This fellow convinced me to give a shiur once a week on the Parsha, and it became an official event of Hillel that would be posted all over the campus. It took off and I ended up giving that shiur for 15 years. Many different types of people came. Once in the middle of a snowstorm nobody showed up – and that was a first. It was 12 miles to go back home, so I decided to stick it out and stay and all of a sudden, a young college student comes in from off the street, not anyone familiar; his name was Craig. We started talking and learning and to make a long story short he

went from not knowing much to being called Chaim Moshe HaLevi. He went to kollel in Eretz Yisroel and in Shor Yoshuv and eventually moved back to the community. He currently learns much of the day and went back to finish college at night. I saw him transform right before my eyes. There was a guy, Cory Connor, now Yaakov Connor, a classical guitarist that was fast tracked to Juilliard School of the Arts. He was a tremendously talented young man. He also starting learning and went to Yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel and dropped his scholarship altogether to remain in learning. I ended up being Mesader Kiddushin at his wedding, and sandek at his son’s bris. I even attended the pidyan haben. He is now back in Minneapolis learning in kollel. This transformation can only happen when you have a community who cares about klal Yisroel. There are about 140 families in Kehilas Bais Yisroel of Minneapolis – all are shomer Torah and mitzvos. Every family in the community is committed to having people over for Shabbos and to be mekarev people and teach them about the Torah. They are happy people and that’s what attracts many kids to participate and enjoy the community’s hospitality. And there are many more similar stories. A piece of advice for all: one key to success is to stay away from machlokes (disagreements). We need to have standards and not be wishy washy. Stick to your beliefs or you have nothing. Follow the advice of our Gedolim. Seek out Da’as Torah. Thank you so much for your time. My stay in Los Angeles was enjoyable in so many ways. The community here is warm and generous and so caring to one another. I look forward to having the opportunity to come back. Kesiva V’chasima Tova.

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 community spirit

Cedars-Sinai creates an innovative Jewish expectant parent workshop By Rabbi Jason Weiner, Senior Rabbi & Manager of the Spiritual Care Department, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Each year, more than 7,000 babies are born at Cedars-Sinai, and over 20% of their parents identify as Jewish. Recognizing a need, the Jewish Chaplaincy team has developed a unique Jewish Expectant Parent Workshop to educate new parents from across the spectrum of Jewish life about the critical questions they will face in bringing a Jewish child into the world. Not only a childbirth preparation class, it’s a parenthood preparation class. When I first became the Jewish Chaplain at Cedars-Sinai I found that many new parents were requesting a visit from the rabbi because they were suddenly being faced with questions they had never considered before, such as how to choose a Jewish name, how to find a mohel, which prayers to say, or how to create a Jewish home. We thus realized that people would do well to consider these issues ahead of time and make informed Jewish decisions. Now, when an expectant parent looks over the list of official prenatal education, labor and infant care classes offered by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of their choices is the “Jewish

Expectant Parent Workshop.” This three-hour, one-time session, led by myself and a female educator, gives participants the opportunity to learn and ask questions about such important issues as naming traditions, baby welcoming ceremonies, making one’s pregnancy meaningful, and much more. While offering this resource to expectant parents, we realized that we had another, unique opportunity. With fewer Jewish families affiliating with synagogues, many of our participants may not be attracted to or willing to enter a synagogue, but are nonetheless curious about Judaism. In an effort to ensure follow-through and create a bridge from the Medical Center to the local Jewish community, 21 local synagogues have partnered with Cedars-Sinai by offering a one-year complimentary membership to class participants. That is one reason why ours isn’t a typical parenting class. Rather, it is about shoring up the future of the Jewish people, one baby at a time. In addition to matters specific to Jewish parents, the class also deals with more general psychosocial issues. It creates a safe space to explore such concerns as how the new baby will affect the family structure, shift the dynamics between parents and grandparents, and the couple’s relationship. If the Jewish parenting workshop continues to prove successful, Cedars-Sinai plans to expand it to other religions and cultures, since many of these questions and concerns are universal. Each of the workshops has attracted about twenty participants, many of whom have kept in touch with each other after the class. This program is so innovative that it has even been covered by TIME magazine (http://healthland. time.com/2012/04/06/whats-a-bris-l-a-hospital-launchesworkshop-for-jewish-parents-to-be/ ).

CITY spirit september 2012

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Washington Comes To Los Angeles and other international bodies. Jewish community and organizational leaders gathered at This special event was the museum-like home of Sarita Spiwak in Century City, Calisponsored by fornia to meet Commu n it y and hear from Research and the Chairwoman I n for m at ion of the Foreign AfCenter (CRIC) fairs Committee a California Political Action Committee (PAC) of the U.S. House and Jewish Community Organization (JCO) of Representawhich hosts and sponsors influential speaktives, Ileana Rosers and government officials. This particular Lehtinen. event was chaired by Dr. Irving Lebovics, Mr. As the Chair of the House For- Photo L-R: Dr. Irving Lebovics, Dr. Morry Waksberg, Sarita Spiwak, Stanley Treitel, Dr. Morry Waksberg & Comeign Affairs Com- Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Stanley Treitel and Commissioner missioner Howard Winkler and generously Winkler attending the Community Research & Information Center hosted by Sarita Spiwak. mittee, a key com- Speaker Series Brunch Event. mittee in shaping For more information on upcoming community events send an American foreign policy, she has written and ushered through email to: drugcommish@juno.com or write to Community Research Congress innumerable pieces of pro-Israel legislation, including & Information Center , P.O. Box 480454 , Los Angeles , CA 90048. bills strengthening the U.S.-Israel alliance, addressing radical Islam, preventing U.S. tax dollars from supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, and most recently, legislation that Apply Your Yeshiva/Seminary increases sanctions against Iran. Credits or Your Rabbinic/ The Congresswoman delivered a stimulating presentation which Secular Degree Toward highlighted three major issues and informed the audience about a number of pieces of tough legislation that she had authored An Accredited An Accredited and passed to combat the growing threats posed to our nation’s BAchelors MAsters security, and to our ally Israel’s very existence. Those issues are: Degree Degree • Iran’s and Syria’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities MA in Educational Leadership Major in Business and sponsorship of violent Islamist groups; or Master of Business or Human Services/ • the Palestinian leadership’s dangerous dual track of seekBehavioral Science Administration - MBA ing the unilateral recognition of statehood at the UN while em• Apply your Bachelors Degree from any • Apply up to 70 Judaic credits in transfer regionally accredited or Association of toward the required 127 credits bracing anti-Israel extremists, and ultimately refusing to make Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic of the degree Schools (AARTS) accredited or affiliated peace with Israel; and • Government tuition grants and loans institution available • Government student loans available • anti-Semitic and anti-Israel efforts at the United Nations • Registration is currently underway

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Book Review: Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby!

CITY spirit september 2012

By Miriam Hendeles Published by Israel Bookshop Publications Reviewed by: Rebecca Klempner

A confession: I’ve admired Miriam Hendeles’s work ever since she started out in the late magazine, Jewish Life Los Angeles. After she moved on to Binah Magazine, she became a friend, too, so it’s with great excitement that I’m reviewing her first book, Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! Mrs. Hendeles is a native of New York, but has been an active member of our L.A. community since her marriage. A former Bais Yaakov teacher, she currently works as a music therapist. Even more importantly, she and her husband have—bli ayin hara—raised a family of several boys…boys who are steadily growing up, marrying, and starting their own families, providing plentiful material for her magazine columns. Mrs. Hendeles’s new book is a compilation of those columns, along with additional material touching on the life of the contemporary Blackberry-wielding, Skype-viewing, master’s-degree-holding mother-in-law and grandmother. Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! is an upbeat book about a topic that is fraught with anxiety: the transformation from daughter-inlaw and mother to mother-in-law and grandmother. Mrs. Hendeles’s self-deprecating humor and positive outlook set this book apart. She invites us along in her attempts to be a “Model In-Law” and “Model Grandparent.” Her efforts are usually successful, but occasionally flounder. She takes the missteps in stride, poking fun at her foibles, but also seizing the opportunity for introspection and improvement. That’s not to say that Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! shies away from tumultuous emotions. We waver right along with her when she knows her “new couple” needs space but her hand keeps reaching for the phone. We see her mixed feelings about giving her adult children independence when her opinion just wants to leap out of her mouth. And we witness her nostalgia for her children’s youth as well as her hopes for their future. This is a book that touches the heartstrings as well as tickles the funny bone. There is another common thread among the essays in Ma-

zel tov! It’s a Bubby! In Judaism, particularly in the mussar tradition, we see the events and the challenges of life as opportunities for personal growth and character development. When the author writes, “Often, individuals refuse to think out of the box, since that may imply a perceived weakness…When we sense that we are spinning our wheels and getting stuck in the same patterns of thinking, perhaps we should ask ourselves, ‘Is it time for a change?’” she’s planting her book squarely in the mussar tradition. Mrs. Hendeles is urging her fellow in-laws and grandparents on to further self-improvement at a stage in life when some give up. The opening chapters of Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! depict the typical milestones that follow the marriage of one’s first child. We smile as the entire Hendeles family debates the various merits (and demerits) of “Grandma,” “Oma,” and “Bubby” before the first grandchild is even born. Our heart flutters when the author reflects, “…something inside me longed for the good ol’ days of PTA meetings, play dates, Mommy-n-Me’s, and strolls to the playground.” And we giggle when the author suggests her teenage son lie down next to her grandchild to help the latter tolerate “tummy time” or when a well-planned, first-time sleep-over goes amok. As the volume progresses, the stories branch out a bit, with increasing hilarity and insightfulness. The author struggles with keeping family traditions of letter-writing and multi-lingual proverb-spouting at the same time as embracing emails and text messages. She juggles the needs of her teenage son living at home with the young grandchild visiting there. I laughed along with Mrs. Hendeles’s list of preferred traits in mechutanim and her “Diary of a Shadchan Wannabe.” Mrs. Hendeles discovers that middle age—with its less rigorous daily demands—offers opportunities to branch out into new hobbies and professions. Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! would make an excellent gift for the new—or not so new!—mother-in-law or grandmother in your life. However, it isn’t limited to that audience. As a woman whose oldest child is still in elementary school, I found plenty to enjoy in this book. Mazel Tov! It’s a Bubby! is due in Jewish bookstores and at http://www.israelbookshoppublications.com on September 5th.

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The Road to Happiness Is Wheelchair Accessible

CITY spirit september 2012

By Moshe Braun, Kids of Courage Volunteer

Last week I had the honor of traveling with 150 medically fragile children for the Kids of Courage (K.O.C.) Summer Adventure of a Lifetime. K.O.C. is an amazing organization that arranges trips and events for hundreds of chronically ill children throughout the year. The staff including counselors, medical and logistical teams consist of dedicated volunteers, many of whom give up their vacation time, in order to participate in these events. K.O.C. makes the extraordinary ordinary. It’s where you have doctors, lawyers, students, professionals, and laymen who run the full gamut of Jewish observance. From Litvacks to Chassidim and everything in between – all in the same room helping campers from all religious backgrounds and from all over the world. It’s where counselors aren’t counselors, they are brothers and sisters. It’s where nurses are fathers and mothers. It’s where everyone is family no matter how different they may look. It’s where disability is an opinion and your handicap is 3 under par. It’s where we sing and dance just because there is music playing, it’s where there are no chores there are only activities and it’s where true happiness is seen in every smile. From August 15 to August 23, K.O.C. took Los Angeles by storm, starting off with a bang as they filled an entire chartered United Airlines plane, as well as twelve flights from all over the USA and Canada. Our trips to the various parks were

handled with the utmost professionalism. Staff and campers alike had the time of their lives as kids went on rides they never imagined they would be able to go on. The staff was treated to the smiles on these kids’ faces that can melt one’s heart (skipping the long lines was a nice perk too!). Shabbos was like Shabbos at the Kotel with Zemiros sung by angels, a gorgeous Carlebach style davening, and a serene ambience at the shabbos seudah. The medical team and counselors were top notch. To think that 150 medically fragile campers, some completely paralyzed, others on ventilators, traveled to LA for nine days, without even one serious incident, Baruch Hashem- is unfathomable. Said one counselor: “this is one of those experiences that is engraved into your heart, will keep you going through the rough times, and you’ll never forget as long as you live.” As much as the kids had the time of their lives, in essence it’s the staff who gained the most. The road to happiness is having the right perspective! Thank you Kids of Courage! For more information about Kids of Courage or to make a donation, please visit www.kidsoc.org or call (516) 612-8844.

 community spirit

A MAJOR EARTHQUAKE PREPARATION DRILL IN ISRAEL HELD AT LANIADO HOSPITAL Eight Major Hospitals Learn From Laniado Hospital’s Earthquake Preparedness How will a medical center function if one of its buildings collapses? What happens if the hospital’s infrastructure no longer exists and the only communication available is via single satellite phone connection? These dilemmas and more faced the medical staff at Laniado Hospital during the first comprehensive earthquake drill held outside of Northern Israel. This past June, Laniado Hospital organized the first ever earthquake drill in the central region of Israel, inviting Medical, Engineer and Maintenance teams from surrounding hospitals; including: Tel Hashomer, Haddasah, Soroka, Shaare Zedek, Carmel, Rothschild and Rambam. Hospital representatives came to learn from Laniado’s world renowned expertise handling mass casualty events and to develop a plan of action during a potential major earthquake. Laniado’s special Emergency Headquarters prepared months in advance, involving its entire 1,500 member staff.

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The drill included setting up a Field Hospital in a record time of fifteen minutes, with all the necessary life-saving equipment. Special Command Centers were set up and an Emergency Department to treat existing patients while handling newly injured coming into the hospital. Tactical Headquarters to oversee the entire operation were created and a Logistic Command Center to manage and control damaged buildings and equipment needs of the hospital. The equipment was available from storage containers placed in a location easily accessible in preparation of a real earthquake. In addition, the power was turned off, forcing the hospital to function via its generator system. A hundred representatives from the Home Front Command, Ministry of Health, IDF, and Ziv Hospital in Safed oversaw the drill. At the summation, Dr. Lauer and Dr. Abargil, the Heads of Emergency Management at Ministry of Health and Office of the Home Front Command respectively, praised Laniado’s staff for considering all major and minor details during a potential disaster. They announced that problem solving measures initiated at Laniado will be adopted during future drills at other hospitals. Chaim Hammerman, CEO of Laniado Hospital, thanked Lydia Laxner and Dr. Yoel Furst, the coordinators of Mass Casualty Emergency Command at Laniado Hospital for preparing the hospital staff. With regards to the lifesaving equipment needed, he credited the West Coast Friends of Laniado Hospital for undertaking to raise the necessary funds to establish an MRI Diagnostic Center. The planned MRI Institute will be located in an earthquake and missile safe underground facility, built according to IDF and Ministry of Health guidelines. “An MRI is basic lifesaving equipment which Laniado Hospital needs on a daily basis and the more so in an emergency situation” added Hammerman.

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Jewish Business Network Of Los Angeles: Networking is the key The history of JBNLA dates back 4 years, to the creation of the Frum Business Network (FBN), by Jonah Light, in Los Angeles CA. Jonah was previously involved with a number of different networking groups around the city before realizing the need for a new networking organization. The goal of JBNLA is to create a better physical & virtual space for effective cross-pollination of Jews & Jewish-run businesses throughout Los Angeles and, ultimately, across the nation. JBNLA hosts a breakfast networking event every 3rd Wednesday of the month at Morry’s Fireplace (Just West HEALTH CARE of the intersection of Pico and Doheny) from 8-9:30 a.m. and Alternative also hosts an event every 2nd Monday night of the month Therapy & Supplies

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from 8-10 p.m. There is also an exclusive monthly gathering for Jewish attorneys, and a quarterly meeting held in Valley Village for the valley constituents. The cost for nonmembers to attend individual events is: $15.00 for presale purchases or $20.00 at the door. In Alternative addition, JBNLA in conjunction with JBN, offers a premium membership Therapy for $120 a year, which enables members to at& Supplies tend as many JBNLA and for JBN meetings the as they wish, nationwide, for no additional cost. Whole Family If you’re interested in becoming a featured speaker at a future JBNLA event, or are interested in sponsorship opportunities and would like to get more involved with JBNLA, please call Jonah Light at (310) 556-7759 or send an email to jonah@lightbeamstudio.com.

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Hashem...Why? Hashem... my Morah told our class that asking questions is a good thing. So, can I ask you some questions Hashem? It’s almost Rosh Hashana, I hope it’s OK. How come when Abba opens the mail, he puts it in a big pile and looks upset? I like to get mail. Why, when my shoes get too small, does Mommy start to cry? They don’t hurt her feet. Do all fathers go to work in the morning or do some stay home like my Abba? I told him he was lucky to stay home but he didn’t think so. Why, when I ask for more spaghetti, does my mommy say there isn’t enough for seconds? I have friends who have lots of spaghetti and even get ice cream before bed. I know that’s a lot of questions Hashem. But I have one more. It’s the most important one too.

Hashem, can you help my family be more happier?

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The Digital Talmud An Interview with artscroll’s technical director

Rabbi Mayer Pasternak By Mati Jacobovits

CITY spirit september 2012

ArtScroll Mesorah Publications announced the release of a much-anticipated iPad App for the Schottenstein Babylonian Talmud just in time for the 13th cycle of the global Daf Hayomi daily Talmud learning initiative. I had the pleasure of speaking with Rabbi Mayer Pasternak, ArtScroll’s technical director, about this exciting new venture.

CitySpirit: What is your role in producing this app? Rabbi Mayer Pasternak: I manage all the technical aspects of this project from ArtScroll’s end. We have

about 45 Technicians and Scholars working on this project around the world. CS: So your a techie? MP: I have a masters from Johns-Hopkins University in computer science, so yes, I guess I am a techie. I also attended Ner Yisroel, so it’s a merger of technology and Torah. CS: How long was this product in the making? MP: We looked at every viable device that hit the market over the past decade and had to evaluate if it could handle the complex needs of

this project. Once the iPad hit the market – there was finally a device that could do what we wanted to do and we started working on the project full force. CS: Which features are you most excited about? MP: Imagine holding in your hand the entire Talmud – 73 volumes – in a two-pound digital tablet reader. CS: That is really amazing. MP: Yes, indeed. It’s also quite miraculous that you can take a classic page of the Schottenstein Talmud – tap on a phrase – and up pops

a content box showing the Hebrew with vowel points, along with an elucidated translation and complete commentary. And there’s so much more you can do with it. It’s highly interactive. CS: Is this product a time saver then? MP: Yes, it’s a time saver, because you don’t have to leave the page to look things up. And it’s convenient, you can access any volume of the Talmud you need with a simple tap of your finger. CS: Any other outstanding features?

By the time the app is completed there will be more than 500,000 cross-reference links interconnecting all aspects of the Talmud and the Torah – all available in the palm of your hand! In addition, you will be able to search the entire Talmud including the Schottenstein Commentary and notes – which has never been possible before!

CS: What about the concerns regarding internet use? MP: We had to carefully design this app so that it could be used for daily learning without an internet connection. Once the app is downloaded it doesn’t require an active internet connection

any more. You will never be prompted to go on line. CS: I heard there will be an iphone app as well. Will this differ from the iPad version. MP: The same basic features, but we have to be more creative with space, as the view is much smaller. CS: Any other apps we can look forward to? MP: Our long term goal is to have ALL of the ArtScroll Classics available in digital format to help tens of thousands of Torah learners become more proficient in the

major classic sources such as Chumash, Rashi, Ramban, the Midrash Rabbah, and much more. The next major app will be the ArtScroll Siddur. CS: You must be quite busy – thank you for taking the time to enlighten our readers. MP: My pleasure. The app with the first seven folio pages of the Talmud can be downloaded free at: www. artscroll.com/theapp.

CITY spirit September 2012

CS: Who is this app geared to? MP: We designed this with a multitude of people in mind. Students completely new to Talmud study can

learn through the English section while progressively improving their Hebrew and Aramaic skills through the onboard digital tools. The seasoned learner will be delighted by numerous features that will enhance and broaden their studies.

 dvar halachah

Regarding Canvas Sukkos | Rabbi Gershon Bess

he Gemara states that a wall that cannot withstand a “Ruach Metzuya” [a normal wind] is not considered a kosher Mechitzah. Therefore, writes the Shulchan Aruch, one cannot use a wall made of fabric for a Sukkah, since the fabric will move with the wind. One should not use fabric for Sukkah walls even if one were to tie down the material such that it would not move in the wind, out of concern that it become untied and become an invalid Sukkah. [Rav Moshe Feinstein states that fabric should not be used even if one would tie it “very tightly”, since the Acharonim do not make a distinction between tied tightly and not tied tightly, and one should therefore follow the Shulchan Aruch and not use such a Sukkah.] However, the question that must be addressed is “What is meant by “moving” in a Ruach Metzuya?” The Chazon Ish understands that a wall is only invalid if the wind would lift the wall 3 Tefachim [approximately 9 inches] off the ground.

The Shulchan Aruch is referring to a case where the material would be lifted off the ground if the material became untied. If, even if it became untied, it would still not lift off the ground, a cloth Sukkah can be used. The Mishkenos Yaakov, however, holds that even if the material does not lift up, but just moves or flaps in the wind, it is still not a valid wall. According to the Mishkenos Yaakov, if the wall moves, even a little, after being tied, the Sukkah is completely invalid. The Shulchan Aruch then advises us not to use a Sukkah even if tied extremely taut, since it might become untied and flap in the wind and become invalid. According to the Mishkenos Yaakov, such a wall is not valid as a Mechitzah for Hilchos Shabbos as well. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l is of the opinion that for a Mechitzah for Shabbos, even if it flaps it is still considered a valid Mechitzah as long as it does not lift off the ground three Tefachim [like the opinion of the Chazon Ish]. However, the

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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, Ponovezh, Lakewood and the Kollel of Los Angeles and serves on the Bais Din of the Rabbinical Council of California.

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walls of a Sukkah cannot flap in the wind even if they do not lift off the ground [like the opinion of the Mishkenos Yaakov]. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l also is of the opinion that if the wall flaps it is invalid for a Sukkah. He discusses how much it is permitted to move and still be considered a “solid” wall. While he initially holds that the wall cannot move at all, he does consider the possibility that it may be able to move up to 9 inches. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l opines that it may move up to nine inches. Therefore, according to Rav Feinstein zt”l, if the material wall flaps from side to side nine inches, even when it is tied down, the Sukkah is invalid. If the material does not move nine inches even before it is tied down, and tying it makes it taut, the Sukkah can be used Lechatchilah [since even if it would untie it is still valid]. If, however, the wall moves nine inches before it is tied down, despite the fact that tying it makes it taut, it should not be used, according to the advice of the Shulchan Aruch. When questioned about the prevalence of material Succos in the market, Rav Feinstein zt”l writes that it is clear this did not occur based on consultation or approval of Rabbonim. The Shulchan Aruch recommends that if one wishes to use material for the walls of a Sukkah, he should place poles in the place of the walls, with a distance not greater than nine inches between the poles, around the Succah. In this way, the Succah will be halachically valid even without the material, min haTorah, because of the principal of Lavud, [and, therefore, we are not Gozer that the fabric may become untied]. Practically speaking, one can tie a set of parallel, horizontal strings around the Sukkah, at Lavud intervals to create a Halachic Mechitzah, as long as they are taut and do not move in the wind. This can be done by tying the first string eight inches above the ground. The next four strings should be tied at eight inch intervals with the final string at the forty inch height level. If necessary, one may tie four strings with a nine inch space with the top string at the thirty six inch level. We are not Gozer lest they become untied, since when they become untied they will fall away and it will be noticed that the “wall” is missing.

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The Real Facebook Rabbi Effie Goldberg I can recall, a few months ago, standing outside a friend’s house discussing the pros and cons of Facebook going public. My friend was planning a considerable purchase of shares in the stock because it seemed like a sure thing; everyone uses Facebook. In the world of NCSY, Facebook and texting are our main means of communication with our students. When we have an event, the first thing we do is create an event page on Facebook and invite people. A few weeks back I had a meeting at the Facebook compound in the Bay area. To be honest, I found the entire experience to be surreal. Standing there, albeit way overdressed in my suit and tie, where it all goes on, where the distinction between relationships, communication and technology blur…… watching young techies effect our entire society….it was unbelievable. Three weeks later the Facebook stock was still trying to catch up to its offering price. Now I theorize that the decline in the company’s stock price was not merely a mistake on the part of the NASDAQ, but rather a reflection of our true feelings toward the company. Our generation relies so heavily on technology - and yes – it’s amazing and has altered the world indefinitely, but with all of the backups and “clouds” saving our information, we can still easily get a bug or our files can become corrupt and we can lose what feels like our life. While we seek change, and forward movement and modernization (read: voting in Obama) we still crave what we’ve always required, stability. All the ones and zeros in the world can’t give us that. Not infallibly. There’s still something to feeling a tangible item. Texting emotions is not the same as getting an actual hug. As the High Holidays approach and we are required to take a good look at our behaviors, at our growth and lack of it, we need to make things tangible. We need to put pen to paper and come up with real practical thoughts and ideas on how to improve. We can’t spend our days praying the cloud doesn’t evaporate with all of our information; we need to personally internalize who we are and who we are planning on being in a year from now. With or without a strong wifi signal.Rabbi Effie Goldberg was ordained by Rabbi Zalman Nechemya Goldberg. He has a Bachelors of Science in management from Touro College and is certified in addiction counseling from the board of Israel Addiction Professionals. He graduated from two outreach training programs: Talmidei Aharon Institute and Ner Le’elef, both located in Jerusalem. He volunteered as an advisor for the Long Island region while in college and recruited and trained by Rabbi Steven Burg in 2004 as a Director of Education. He became Regional Director of the West Coast NCSY in 2006 and now assumed a new role as Executive Director.

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GLOBAL KINDNESS Your contribution is used to help with: • Medical Bills • Rent & Utilities • Food & Necessities • School Tuition • Emergency Situations We accept and distribute: • Merchandise of any kind • Cars • Cosmetics ( shampoo, perfume, soap, etc.) • Costume jewelry • Clothing of all kinds (shoes, skirts, socks, pants, accessories, etc.) • Cleaning supplies • Toys, books, games • Computers & peripherals • Food (meat, chicken, fish, rice, oil, beans, canned goods, etc.) • Furniture all kinds • Kitchen appliances • Dishes, utensils • Real estate

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This Rosh Hashana - Blink and Think | Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn

CITY spirit september 2012

ou might remember comedian Yakov Smirnoff. When he first came to the United States from Russia he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in American grocery stores. He says, “On my first shopping trip, I saw powdered milk--you just add water, and you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice--you just add water, and you get orange juice. And then I saw baby powder, and I thought to myself, “What a country!” We always look for the quick solution. Time is money. In Malcolm Gladwell’s landmark book, Blink, he argues that most of our decisions could successfully be made in a blink, or a split second. Gladwell claims that we have the ability to read people in practically no time at all. The message of Blink begins to get a little muddled near the end of the book where Gladwell notes that some actions that take place in a blink are disastrous; for example, a police officer might shoot an innocent civilian because the decision to fire was made too soon. Michael LeGault wrote a book attempting to refute Gladwell. The book is called “Think: Why Crucial Decisions Can’t be Made in the Blink of an Eye”. So which is it? Now is the time to come to a conclusion especially since Rosh Hashanah is around the corner and we are going to make decisions about our own personal growth. Should we expect change to come in a blink? Or must we bide our time and move at a more watchful pace? Well, like all good things in life, it depends. The first Belzer Rebbe asks a thought provoking question on the pre-Rosh Hashanah davening. Somewhere around ten minutes before Rosh Hashanah we begin to pray Mincha. The Mincha looks exactly the same as it does all year round. We recite the identical Shemonah Esrei that we say every day three times a day. One of the blessings that we say in the Shemonah Esrei is: “baruch aleynu es Hashanah hazos” G-d bless this year. The Belzer Rebbe makes a daring suggestion; maybe we should remove that blessing from this final Shemonah Esrei of the year. How can we ask G-d to bless this year when there’s only 7 minutes left of it? What kind of blessed year is that? The Belzer Rebbe says something that will knock you off your feet in just four words: Yeshuas Hashem K’heref Ayin. G-d saves in the Blink of an Eye. Wow! G-d doesn’t need 10

months to make it a year of blessing, G-d doesn’t need 8 weeks to change our lives, G-d doesn’t even need 4 hours. Hashem could change everything in the Blink of an Eye. But that is only half the story. The Shulchan Aruch (O”C, 25:1) notes that after we don our tallis in the morning, we then put on the tefillin. This is the correct order because of the principle of “ma’alin bekodesh” we move upwards in sanctity. The Nodah b’Yehudah is puzzled by this consideration. If the tefillin are holier, they should come first based on another principle “kol hamekudash m’chaveiro kodem es chaveiro” that which is holier comes first? One of the great minds of the last century, Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer zt”l, solves the problem by stressing that there are two types of commandments there are commandments that one does which are external to their body and there are commandments which one fulfills with their body (e.g. tallis and tefillin). When it comes to a mitzvah on the body we follow the principle of ma’alin bekodesh we move upwards in sanctity. Why? When it comes to the human being he or she must move level by level. When it comes to G-d, He could change everything in our world in a split second. Years of struggle and conflict, if G-d so chooses, can all be settled in 5 minutes. Years searching for the right partner in life could successfully come to an end by a chance encounter orchestrated by G-d. Yeshuas Hashem K’heref Ayin. But as Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer teaches us when it comes to the work that we must do, it means moving step by step. G-d may work in the blink of an eye but we don’t. As the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos teaches us: Havey Mesunim B’din Be deliberate in judgment. Human beings work better in steps, gradually, with deliberateness. My blessing as we approach this Yom Tov season is that we have the courage and patience to make little changes, gradual changes. And at the same time may G-d change our personal struggles and the struggles of the world in the Blink of an Eye. Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn is the Dean and Rav of Yeshivat Yavneh. He was the Rabbi of West Side Institutional Synagogue, a Manhattan shul which he helped grow by over 70%. Rabbi Einhorn is the Director and Creator of WINGS - a synagogue consulting group for the Orthodox Union.

B”H

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KE H I L L A KO S H E R

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When it comes to finding a good story, and telling it well, there is no one quite like Nachman Seltzer. This brand-new collection of true, never-before-published stories takes us to to a luxuriously appointed Manhattan office and a graveyard in the Ukraine; from the Chafetz Chaim’s wooden home in Radin, to Ken’s Diner in Chicago, to an isolated outpost in Alaska. There are tales of incredible Divine Providence, remarkable miracles, and the small wonders of everyday life: true stories that will both entertain and empower us. CitySpirit invites you to sample two of these amazing stories.

CITY spirit september 2012

The Gift

’ll never forget when my father asked me what I wanted for a wedding present. No doubt he fondly imagined that I’d request something normal, like a washing machine or a car. I asked for neither of those things. Instead, I looked him in the eye and requested something completely unexpected and even shocking. “Dad,” I said, “it would mean the world to me if you would have a bris.” He stared at me, his mouth opening and closing for a while, as if I’d taken him by such surprise that he was clueless as to how to respond. Finally, he found his tongue again. Dryly, he said, “I was thinking more in terms of a dishwasher or a super-deluxe grill, Davy.” “I know, Dad.” “Let me think about it.” “Take your time,” I said. It wasn’t his fault. He’d been born into a family that was so assimilated that my grandfather hadn’t even given his son a bris milah. The fact that I’m a religious Jew and have a bris milah is a miracle, plain and simple. But the fact was, I was lucky enough to be frum, while my own father had never actually entered the covenant of Avraham. It didn’t make me feel good. And that’s why I seized this opportunity with both hands. He’d asked me what I wanted, and I’d told him the truth. Because that’s what I wanted more than anything. A few days before the wedding, I was enjoying a pre-wedding celebratory steak and fries when my Dad entered the

kitchen. “Davy?” “Yes, Dad?” “I just wanted to let you know that I did what you asked me to do.” It took me a few seconds to comprehend what he was talking about. Then it dawned on me. He’d done it. Gotten a bris! This was big news. Huge news. Dad had entered the covenant. I felt like singing. I almost broke into a dance, right there at the kitchen table. His face was shining with emotion as he presented the news to me. Gave me his gift, so to speak. I was surprised by how much getting a bris seemed to have affected him. “Dad, you seem so happy.” “You have no idea.” The day of the wedding was filled with the million-andone last-minute details that have to be attended to before you can finally stand under the chuppah and head into the “relaxing” week of sheva berachos. We arrived at the hall for pictures and were busily arranged in all sorts of poses by our energetic photographer, who didn’t stop moving from the moment we saw him until he left us in blessed peace to go snap a thousand pictures of the kallah and her family. I took my seat at the chassan table, surrounded by my yeshivah friends and family members as they enjoyed all the goodness that a 14-hot-chafing-dish shmorg can provide. I, of course, was fasting and davening and asking my lastminute questions to the rabbanim who had so graciously agreed to honor us with their presence. Soon enough, it was

time for the badeken. Events were happening so quickly. It’s like you wait 23 years to get married, and then suddenly you get engaged, and then everything speeds up, and before you know it you’re racing to the chuppah in fast-forward. We were about to begin the walk. Every parent awaits that special moment. Being able to walk your child to the chuppah means that you’re on the way to the next stage in life: marriage, grandchildren, nachas. I glanced at my father. He had a look on his face that I’d never seen before. There were tears in his eyes as he glanced at me and then around the room, as if he couldn’t believe that we were standing in such a place. He gazed at me, in my kittel, suit, and hat, ready to let him escort me down the aisle to the chuppah, where a rabbi with a long white beard would recite the blessings. He seemed to be processing the amazement of it all: How someone like him, who had grown up so very far away from anything resembling a religious lifestyle, was now about to marry off a frum son. “It’s time,” my Rebbe said. The next thing I knew, my parents were walking me down the aisle, lit candles in their hands. Tears were streaming down my father’s face. I’d never seen him like this before, experiencing an intensity of emotion that I’d never imagined him capable of. “What’s wrong, Dad?” I whispered. “I’m overcome,” he responded shakily. “You’re getting married and I just had a bris. I never even imagined this moment in my wildest dreams. . .” We walked down the long, carpeted aisle and the farther we went, the more emotional Dad became. His shoulders shook with sobs, the tears running in rivulets down his cheeks. I could see the people sitting on both sides of the aisle in their neat rows, staring at him in amazement. Apparently, they’d never seen a father of the groom behaving in quite this manner. But I had no problem understanding him. He’d had a bris milah. He felt like a Jew for the first time in his life. I was feeling pretty choked up myself. After all, as of last week my father hadn’t been privileged to enter the covenant — and suddenly, here he was, as much a Jew as everyone around him. And so we carried on, as the people watched and no doubt cried along with the father who was so over-

come that he couldn’t control himself. None of them could imagine why he was so overcome. But I knew, and that was enough. Was I proud of my father? Without a doubt. More importantly, he was proud of himself. Something resonating deep within his heart and soul was bursting forth at this, my wedding. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that his display of emotion touched every single person in that hall. The chuppah was over. We were married. We danced our way into the yichud room and everyone else moved off to the ballroom. I assumed that after that very emotional beginning, the rest of the wedding would proceed in a more-or-less unremarkable fashion. I was wrong. Later on that evening, the situation took on a life of its own. And all because of the caterer, of all people. Now, most caterers are pretty prosaic people. They are fairly unflappable, because they need to be. They can’t allow the craziness of their chosen profession get the better of them because that would put them over the edge. Early on, they learn to take a deep breath and not let anything faze them. Also, most caterers — especially those who’ve been in the business for 20 years — have seen just about everything there is to see. Nothing impresses or excites them. But the caterer at my wedding was breaking the mold. “Excuse me, Mr. Carver?” “Yes?” Dad replied. The caterer spoke with deep conviction. “I just wanted to tell you that in all my years of serving people at their weddings, I have never witnessed anything even remotely similar to the emotion you exhibited at your son’s chuppah this evening. I will never forget what I saw tonight. And because I will never forget you, I want to make sure that you will never forget me, either.” Dad was curious. How was the caterer going to ensure that he was never forgotten? He didn’t have long to wait. The caterer removed his wallet from his pocket. It was made from old, cracked leather, the creases soft and supple from years and years of being folded in exactly the same spots. The caterer opened his wallet and extracted a dollar bill. He held it gently between two fingers, as if reluctant to

CITY spirit september 2012

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part with it. Eventually, he handed it over to my father, saying, “This dollar bill is for you to remember me by.” And Dad turned white. An overly emotional Dad, and now a Dad who looked like he was going to faint! What was going on? Dad sank down into a nearby chair, while I, the caterer, and everyone else in the vicinity watched the ongoing drama with a powerful sense of curiosity. Someone ran to bring my father a drink, and he alternately sipped and wiped his brow as he regained his composure. “I have to tell you a little story,” he finally said. Nobody spoke. We were all waiting to hear what my father was going to say. “When I was much younger,” he began, “I was quite the neighborhood troublemaker. I was part of a group that enjoyed running around and causing mayhem. We did all the things that teens on the fringe like to do. Basically, we skirted the law.” I looked around at the crowd. They were all listening with bated breath. One day my friends and I heard about some rabbi in Crown Heights who had a tradition of giving out dollar bills to everyone who came to see him. After hearing this, my friends and I came to the logical conclusion that it made sense for us to take advantage of his largesse. Free dollars! We wanted our share. So we planned our excursion. One Sunday, a few weeks later, we took the train over to the rabbi’s place of worship, where we stood in line alongside countless others who were all waiting to see the rabbi, receive his blessing, and leave with the coveted dollar bill. After waiting for quite some time, the line reached our group. One by one, my friends were handed a dollar, given a nod, and moved on by the rabbi’s assistants. Then it was my turn. I stood in front of the rabbi. He held “my” dollar in his hand. I reached out to take it. He reached out to give it to me. My fingers actually took hold of the bill — when I suddenly realized that the rabbi wasn’t letting go of the money. He wasn’t allowing me to take it! I pulled a little harder. So did he. I couldn’t understand it. All my friends had received their dollars without a fuss. There had been no tug-of-war with any of them. Why was the rabbi playing games now, and with me, of all people? I looked up at the holy man, wondering what he wanted from me. His eyes were filled with a certain elusive light that I had never seen anywhere else. He appeared so gentle, yet so sure of himself. I could see that he wanted to ask me a question. Tensely, I waited.

“Are you Jewish?” Well, that was easy enough to answer. “Yes,” I replied. If that was all he wanted to know, this wasn’t going to be a big deal at all. But no, he still hadn’t relinquished his hold on the money. Now what? Here came the second question. “Do you have a bris?” This was much harder for me to answer. What was I supposed to do? Tell the truth, or lie? If I told him the truth, that I’d never had a bris, maybe he wouldn’t give me the dollar. On the other hand, how could I possibly lie to such an obviously holy person? I might have been a rough kid, and maybe I got into more trouble than I should have, but from there to lying to one of the greatest rabbis alive was a huge jump — one that I wasn’t prepared to make. “No,” I whispered. “I don’t have a bris.” I could feel the compassion emanating from him. The dollar bill was being pulled away for good now. My fingers lost their grip on the money and I realized that it was all over. I looked up at him, trying to figure out what the rabbi wanted from me. Was it my fault that I didn’t have a bris? Why was he punishing me like this? “Listen,” he told me. “I want you to make sure that you get a bris. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the dollar gets to you.” That was what he said. Then I was moved on, and the next person took my place. My audience with the rabbi was over. Dad sat up. Straightened his posture. Wiped his brow once again. Took another swallow of water. “My friends,” he said, taking in the big group that was gathered around, devouring his every word, “my son convinced me to get a bris. I wasn’t planning on it, but since that’s what he wanted for a wedding present, I decided to take care of the matter after all these years. “That was just a few days ago. “Now, here I was today, walking him down to the chuppah and overcome with feeling because I am finally a kosher Jew. And the next thing I knew, the caterer gave me a dollar bill for me to remember him by. The only words swimming around my brain right now are the ones the Rebbe said so long ago. All I see is that grand old rabbi, staring at me with those piercing eyes, telling me to get myself a bris and that he would make sure that I received my dollar. “All I can say is — he sure kept his word. Almost to the day.” As heard from Rabbi Yehoshua Landau

The Check well. He decided to launch Torah Umesorah, America’s premier network of day schools across the country, and a prime weapon in the battle to salvage those who could be saved. He was a man with a vision, and such men never rest. In fact, one might ask: Why wasn’t the work more evenly divided? Why was it that the majority did nothing, while a tiny minority built the schools and created the infrastructure that saved Klal Yisrael? The answer is that individuals who build are like tiny points of light in the darkness. They make goals for themselves and devote their entire existence to achieving those goals. They are the catalysts: the people who do things; who accomplish, and keep accomplishing; who don’t give up. And when they turn around, 15 years have gone by and they have founded 20 schools around the country. That was Reb Shraga Feivel. A man who did things. It was erev Rosh Hashanah, 1946, and Torah Umesorah was undergoing a financial crisis of mammoth proportions. As a rule, our scholastic institutions are in a state of more-or-less constant financial flux, but this was much worse than usual. Reb Shraga Feivel planned on paying a visit to one of the wealthier members of the New York community, a Syrian Jew by the name of Isaac Shalom. Accompanying him was his sonin-law as well as another talmid, a respected educator and Torah scholar by the name of Rabbi Alexander Sender Gross. Rabbi Gross was one of the men who turned Reb Shraga Feivel’s visions into reality. It was he who established countless schools across the States, continually traveling and making new beginnings, eventually settling down in Miami, Florida, where he started a day school that has turned out hundreds of fine alumni over the last couple of decades. He was a man of action, just like his rebbi, and the perfect person to take on a visit to the wealthy Mr. Shalom. Reb Shraga Feivel knew that this was a crucial time. He had to convince Mr. Shalom to take out his checkbook and write a substantial check for the day schools of America. The three venerable men were invited into Mr. Shalom’s office. They were not made to wait. Mr. Shalom had a great deal of kavod chachamim. He was a giver, a man who enjoyed assist-

CITY spirit September 2012

he United States is an oasis of Torah and has been for decades, but it wasn’t always that way. As thousands of Jewish refugees streamed toward the welcoming shores of the New World, anxious to prove their worth in the land that had so graciously consented to grant them asylum, the first thing many did was disassociate themselves from their past. Others were inclined to remain religious, but found the pressure to work on Shabbos too demanding to withstand. Still others withstood the temptations and hardships of life in America and firmly declined to take part in the “freedom.” But when they were fired yet again, they returned home to their tenement apartments and sighed; and those sighs drove their children away. The Jews of Europe disembarked on American shores and spread throughout the width and breadth of that great land. There were Jewish communities everywhere. From Washington State to the American South to Philadelphia and Sioux City, Iowa, Jewish people made their presence known. Yet, although they established shuls to daven in, and despite their attempts at instilling their children with pride in being a Jew, something went wrong along the way. The message — the vital, integral message — was lost in translation. Young Jews, children who had been born in America, came of age in a land that allowed them unfettered access to a freedom never dreamed of previously, a freedom that proved their subsequent downfall, because they abandoned ship in droves. They left the heritage of their ancestors in favor of shiny tinsel and carols sung to a snowy world. What could be done? What could possibly be done to reverse the trend? And then there arose one man in Israel with a vision so far reaching, so compelling, so exhilarating, that people everywhere stood up and took notice. His name was Reb Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz, and he was the driving force behind Yeshivah Torah Vodaath. Simply running an institution such as Torah Vodaath could easily have given Reb Shraga Feivel the right to claim that he had done his share of the work that needed to be accomplished to save American Jewry. And yet, as the yeshivah flourished, Reb Shraga Feivel turned his attention in another direction as

CITY spirit september 2012

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Yisrael, and his caring for every child lost in the utter vastness ing those causes with which he identified. It was Reb Shraga of America, came through in every word. Feivel’s job to make Mr. Shalom identify with their cause. Mr. Shalom sat back in his chair. He was a tough businessJewish education has always been at the forefront of our man, yet he found himself impressed by the delivery. But before collective consciousness. Mr. Shalom must be made to grasp he did anything, he had something to tell the rabbi. the gravity of the moment. If Torah Umesorah did not succeed, “Listen, rabbi,” Mr. Shalom said, “I hear what you’re saying. there would be no second chance for the Jews of America. They But there’s something that you don’t know.” had to get it right. Every day that passed meant more Jewish Reb Shraga Feivel leaned forward, ready to listen. children falling through the cracks. “Rabbi,” Shalom continued, “while you are focusing your Mr. Shalom’s office was the kind of plush, opulent room that efforts on building schools across America, I can’t afford the bespoke successful deals. But Shalom was known as a tough luxury of working on my home ground. The reason is simple: businessman. It would take a lot to impress him, to make him I have to worry about some other places across the world, beopen his heart and his wallet for the cause. They would need cause nobody else is doing so. to find the right words. Mr. “What am I talking about?” Shalom sat behind his desk, He proceeded to answer his own fingers idly spinning a heavy question. “I’m talking about the glass paperweight as his gaze “If Torah Umesorah did not thousands of Jewish children in focused directly on the three succeed, there would be no sec- Morocco who lack Jewish edumen sitting before him. They cation. The financial situation spent a few minutes on pleasond chance for the Jews is much worse over there, and antries. Soon enough, Reb nobody cares. I have to pay for Shraga Feivel got to the point. of America.” school rooms and for the Mori in “Mr. Shalom,” he began, every school. It’s a huge expense, “I’m sure you’ve heard of Tobut someone has to do it. That’s rah Umesorah and the amazmy problem, rabbi. You want me to give money for your schools, ing work it endeavors to do around the country. We have opened but what about all the Sephardic children who are dying for schools in many states, in places where there was zero Jewish someone to assist them as well? They thirst for knowledge, yet education until we arrived. Our teachers manage to get along are in danger of losing touch with a heritage thousands of years on the most minuscule of salaries, but even those have to be old!” paid. They have families who need the basics, just like everyone Isaac Shalom spoke with conviction. Clearly the man beelse.” lieved what he was saying. Now what? “Mr. Shalom,” Reb Shraga Feivel went on, “until Torah UmeThe ball was in Reb Shraga Feivel’s court again. sorah came into the picture, there was no hope for the little “Mr. Shalom,” he said, “the point that you’re making is exJewish boy in Newport News, Virginia, or the future Jewish tremely valid. Nevertheless, I’m sure that if you were to pay a mother from Stamford, Connecticut. But now we are making visit to Rhode Island, or Pittsburgh, or any other place where headway in Jewish communities all around America. More and Torah Umesorah is working its magic, you would be so inspired more families are beginning to send us their children, and once that you’d jump to support both what we’re doing and the vital we are able to influence those children, their parents won’t be work that needs to be done with our Sephardic brothers! far behind. The little child hears about the Pesach seder, then “When you see a classroom of children listening to their goes home and asks his father to make one. He hears about rebbi teach them about Purim and Pesach, when you hear them lighting the Chanukah menorah, and begs his mother to buy one singing Chanukah songs and learning about lighting Shabbos so they can light it and sing Maoz Tzur together . . .” candles, then you’ll understand why this is something you need “The will and motivation to succeed is there on the part of to support.” our teachers and staff, and on the part of the parents and our Mr. Shalom listened carefully to the earnest speech, nodstudent body. All we are lacking are funds. That is where you, ding his head through it all. my dear Mr. Shalom, come in. We are approaching you because “But what about the Jewish children from Algeria?” he you have a wonderful reputation as a man who supports Torah asked when Reb Shraga Feivel had finished his impassioned causes, who is a visionary with an eye to the future. Please join plea. “Who will worry about those Algerian kids, if I don’t?” us, join the family of Torah Umesorah, and you will be someone They were at an impasse. The father of the American day who changes the world!” school was asking for substantial support for his enterprise — Reb Shraga Feivel spoke from the heart. His love for Klal

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CITY spirit September 2012

but Isaac Shalom was claiming that all his monetary assistance must go to children on the other side of the world. What to do? There was silence in the office as they waited for the tycoon’s decision. Eventually, Mr. Shalom reached into his desk drawer and removed his checkbook. He picked up his pen and filled in the check, signing his name with a flourish. Then, tearing out the check, he handed it to Reb Shraga Feivel with a smile. He had decided to give him a check in the end, despite the fact that he felt morally bound to another cause. Reb Shraga Feivel held the check in his hand, yet he didn’t stand up to leave. He remained where he was, fingers tapping on the edge of the chair. Finally he spoke. “Mr. Shalom,” he said, “thank you for your kind and generous donation. But I feel unable to accept it. You have so clearly explained how you support schools in places I have never seen. Far be it for me to take money away from those children. I don’t feel right taking this check.” And so saying, Reb Shraga Feivel ripped the check in half. Just like that. “You go on supporting the children in Morocco and Algeria,” he said. “Somehow, we’ll find a way to take care of our kids here.” They turned around and left the office: the rosh yeshivah and head of Torah Umesorah, his son-in-law, and his talmid, Rabbi Gross. As Rabbi Bernard Goldenberg, another talmid of Reb Shraga Feivel and one of the founders of Torah Umesorah, said in a tribute to Rabbi Gross on his 30th yahrtzeit: “They left that office, and our rebbi went elsewhere trying to raise the funds he so desperately needed. But Rabbi Gross went out and began planning a trip across the world. Where to? To those very places that Mr. Shalom had spoken of as being in dire need of schools for the Jewish children. “He traveled to Morocco, to Algeria, and even to Iran. The next few years found Rabbi Gross in the most unlikely places as he built the infrastructure for a network of schools that would serve the Sephardic world and ensure that their children, as well, would remain true to the Torah and its ideals.” Reb Shraga Feivel had trained his student well. He perceived a need, and he went. The Torah world owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to people like Reb Shraga Feivel and his student, Rabbi Alexander Sender Gross, who built and built and built, never ceasing as long as the need was there. As heard from Rabbi Karmi Gross, Rabbi Alexander Sender Gross’s son.

Jerusalem Celebrates Siyum Hashas by avraham Broide

Thank you!

CITY spirit september 2012

Jerusalem has such a preponderance of observant Jews that its Siyum Hashas was an official municipal event organized by the Department of Torah Culture. Ahead of time, the city’s residents received a brochure announcing “A Weeklong Celebration of Siyum Hashas in Jerusalem.” Consciously or otherwise, the city was imitating a custom that was common in Europe before World War II, the celebration of siyum Hashas for seven days. There is testimony from those times that most Shas study groups “celebrate the great siyum for seven days.” Actually, the custom is traced back at least as far as 1829. In 1912, an American Rabbi wrote how he was invited from New York to Boston to attend a siyum Hashas that lasted seven days “as was customary in Israel since times past.” Nowadays, there are so many Anglos in Israel that the city held three grand English speaking siyum Hashas celebrations. The Dirshu organization celebrated one on July 31st and the International Young Israel Movement held one in Jerusalem’s Great Synagogue on August 9th. An August 5th celebration of Rav Mordechai Kornfeld’s Kollel Iyun Hadaf was carefully labeled as “The Original English Siyum Hashas,” a gentle reminder that this organization initi-

ated Israel’s first mass English Speakers siyum Hashas seven years ago in 2005. This year’s siyum attracted close to 6,000 men, women, and children, leading Rav Kornfeld to reminisce about the days of his first Siyum Hashas when the religious Anglo communities in places such as Beit Shemesh, Modiin/ Modiin Illit and Jerusalem were relatively new. Nowadays, he said, “the Anglo olam no longer feels isolated as it has become a true community.” Rav Yitzchak Berkowitz gave that siyum a chutznik twist by pointing out that it coincided with the ninth day of the Summer Olympics, emphasizing the fact that “they run and we run… but we run to learn Torah.” The evening got a violent Israeli jolt when the MC interrupted the proceedings to announce that something had happened and everyone should recite Tehillim. He was referring to the attack of August 5th when terrorists stormed over the Israeli border in an armored vehicle. Within fifteen minutes, the violent attack was extinguished with no Israeli casualties, reinforcing the truth symbolized by Siyum Hashas - Israel’s survival is not by strength and not by might, but by study of Hashem’s words.

The 1,500 people who this year enjoyed from the tasty and delicious leftover food would like to say

Thank you to

PaT & ERRoL FInE oF PaT’s CaTERIng for their generosity.

The food, as always, was fabulous. ...

Thank you

yEshIvas aRon yaakov ohR ELIyahu for opening their doors to Touch of kindness for the past two years. ...

TouCh oF kInDEss / ToMChEI shaBBos would like to extend a special thank you and a shana Tova to all the volunteers that made it happen.

Malchuyos

Revisited

by Mrs. Shulamith May

CITY spirit September 2012

conceptualize this idea. We, their parents and mentors, must et me share with you the anecdote that inspired this arassist them in internalizing this most vital concept of Rosh ticle. My husband and I took a mini-vacation this sumHashana. mer and decided to spend Shabbos out-of-town with In the Malchuyos section of the Rosh Hashana davening, our children and grandchildren. At the Shabbos table my husthe pasuk states, “For the Kingship belongs to Hashem and He band asked our 10th grade granddaughter what he thought rules the Nations” The Malbim differentiates between the was a simple, straightforward ice-breaker type of question. two terms of kingship (melech) and rulership (moshel). “So how was 9th Grade? Who was your favorite teacher?” The The Malbim explains that a king is chosen and accepted response was a shrug of the shoulders. Not wanting to give by the people because of his great virtue. The Jewish king, up so quickly, my husband tried to rephrase his query, “What therefore, is a spiritual leader who inspires the nation by his class inspired you this year?” Without a minute of hesitapersonal example of avodas Hashem. The Torah instructs the tion came the one word shocking and eye opening verdict King to avoid any semblance of haughtiness and to realize – “Nothing!” that his sole function is to serve his people. His task is to I think it is important to note that this particular grandallow them to maximize their full daughter is growing up in a beautipotential. ful Torahdik home and in a lovely, “The concept of monarchy A ruler, on the other hand, conwarm frum community. She is an is very foreign to our children trols with an iron fist! The nation “A” student at her local Bais Yaakov. does his bidding – only out of fear What went wrong here? and students.” of punishment. My granddaughter then added Hashem has a loving relationship as a king with Klal Yisone small comment which may shed some light on this very rael, while he maintains the tougher stance of ruler with the disheartening conversation. “But Saba”- she added, “Camp was other nations. We, who are in leadership positions – whether inspiring!” as parents or educators - must make a serious choice. We must As a parent, grandparent and perhaps even more so, as an decide how to govern – as a melech (king) or a moshel (ruler). educator, I needed more clarification. My granddaughter exThis decision will have tremendous ramifications on future plained to me her analysis of the learning process in camp vs. generations of Klal Yisrael. If we rule through force and punischool. “School is a place where the teachers talk and the stutive measures, we will have children and students who will dents listen and take tests. The teachers are not on our level certainly fulfill our commands. This obedience, however, and we just can’t relate to them.” Camp on the other hand”, may be a temporary measure until they are able to extricate she continued, “was less formal and full of discussions. We themselves from our arena. were open to learning and hearing from our counselors who If we chose to be regal and dignified kings who guide and truly understood us and cared about us.” lead with love – then we will have inspired children and stuWhat lessons can we glean from this experience? What dents who are “Bnei Melachim” and “Bnos Melachim”. If we can be done to upgrade the level of our children and students’ are role models of “Kingship”, our children will IY”H connect emotional and spiritual connection to the Ribbono Shel Olom? to the King of all Kings! Rosh Hashana is around the corner. We adults are filled With wishes for a Kesiva V’Chasima Tova and most inspirwith awe and trepidation as the Yom HaDin approaches. The ing Yom Tov! main focus, however, of Rosh HaShana is actually Malchus Hashem – the Kingdom of Hashem. It is our yearly coronation Mrs. Shulamith May is Menaheles of Bnos Devorah High School of Hashem and our joyful acceptance of Him as our Sovereign in Los Angeles located at 461 N. La Brea Avenue. Mrs. May can be and Master! reached at (323) 930-0047. The concept of monarchy is very foreign to our children and students. They have no real life models to help them

 food

Dining In Again: | with Faigy Grossman Soup Dear Readers, I can’t believe the summer is over and I need to begin “thinking Yom Tov” and all that it entails; new clothes for the kids, school supplies and of course FOOD –lots and lots of it! Menus, lists, shopping… you get the picture! Trying to please all types of appetites is always a challenge, especially when there are so many seudos to prepare, with family and guests to consider. Of course, some meals will feature the traditional standbys, such as kreplach, stuffed cabbage, not to mention the old faithful, honey cake –yum! I usually brainstorm late into the night with my sister and we come up with a menu that can (hopefully) please all of our customers. It’s also important to take into account that there will be leftovers, and many times, they can be recreated into a new dish. Here are some recipes that I’ve tried and tested with great results and not too much fuss. Shana Tova, Faigy

Appetizers/Fish

Honey-Dijon Salmon

CITY spirit september 2012

Simply delish fish! Dijon mustard 1 tsp. lemon juice 4- 6 oz. salmon steaks ½ tsp. pepper YIELD: 4 servings

Preheat oven to 325°. In a small bowl, mix honey, mustard, & lemon juice. Arrange salmon in a medium baking dish. Spread the mixture over salmon; season with pepper. Bake for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Zippy Squash Soup

Salmon Vegetable Skewers Presents beautifully. Lovely on a bed of pasta, garnished with black sesame seeds. 2 T. brown sugar 2 T. honey 1½ T. margarine 6 T. Dijon mustard 2 T. soy sauce 2 T. olive oil 1 box fresh mushrooms 1 yellow pepper 1 red pepper 1 large onion 1 box grape tomatoes 4 salmon fillets, cut into approx. 24 cubes 8 medium-sized skewers YIELD: 6 servings Sauce: Combine the first six ingredients in a medium pot and cook until dissolved. Cut vegetables into chunks and thread alternately with salmon onto skewers, using 2-3 pieces of salmon on each skewer. Lay skewers flat on cookie sheets; pour sauce over all, covering well. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.  To prevent wooden skewers turning brown or burning, soak them in water for ½ hour before use.

A very pretty soup with a delectable flavor. 1 large onion, diced 1 T. oil 4 large zucchini 2 T. (heaping) dry minced garlic 1 T. consommé soup mix ¼ tsp. pepper Water to cover YIELD: 6 servings Sauté onion in oil, in a large pot, until golden. Scrub zucchini well and shred on largest shredder side of box grater. Add to onion and sauté additional 10 minutes. Add minced garlic, soup mix, and pepper. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil; simmer ½ hour.

Creamy Carrot Soup The blended rice in this recipe gives the soup a wonderful creaminess. For a little variation in tradition, you can serve it on Rosh Hashanah – or on Succos – to warm you up in the cold autumn air! 2 medium onions, cut into chunks 1 small clove garlic, minced 1 T. margarine or oil 5 c. water 2½ c. sliced carrots

¼ c. raw, long grain rice 2 T. chicken soup mix Salt to taste YIELD: 8 servings Sauté the onions and garlic in margarine until they are translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer until desired tenderness is reached. Blend with hand blender until soup is creamy.

Mains

Portobello Mushroom Steaks A tender, melt-in-your-mouth main dish. Nice with a baked potato and green salad. 6-8 rib or club steaks ½ pkg. onion soup mix 1 T. oil 2 onions, sliced into rings 1 box Portobello mushrooms, sliced ¼ c. teriyaki sauce ¼ c. balsamic vinegar or white wine 1 tsp. sugar Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tsp. garlic powder YIELD: 6-8 servings Place steaks in a large roasting pan. Sprinkle with onion soup mix and bake at 350° for 2 hours, tightly covered. Heat oil in a small saucepan. Sauté onions and mushrooms until soft. In a small bowl, combine teriyaki sauce, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to form a sauce. Top steaks with mushrooms and onions, then pour the sauce over it. Cover; bake at 250° for 1 more hour.

Sides

Couscous Pepper Pilaf

Melt margarine or pour oil in a nonstick saucepan and add onion. Sauté gently for about 4-5 minutes or until onion is golden. Add green peppers and garlic and sauté for another 5 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and add salt and pepper, to taste.  Try this couscous recipe with Red Pepper Mayonnaise on top. Just whirl ¼ cup light mayonnaise with 1 minced garlic clove in a food processor until smooth; stir in a pinch cayenne pepper and 1/3 cup chopped, roasted red pepper. This sauce is also great on fish.

Dessert

Decadent Apple Napoleon 1 pkg. 5-inch puff pastry squares (10) 1 egg white ¾ c. sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon 8 oz. dessert whip 2 Baker’s Choice vanilla custards Apple mixture: 2 red apples 2 green apples ¼ stick margarine 3 T. sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon Caramel sauce: 8 oz. dessert whip 1 c. brown sugar 4 T. margarine Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting YIELD: 20 servings Dough: Cut squares into quarters. Place on cookie sheets. Smear with egg white. Combine ¾ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon in a baggie, close, and shake to combine. Sprinkle on dough. Prick with fork. Bake at 400° until golden, 20-25 minutes. Let cool.

Filling: Whip up 8 ounces of whip. Combine with two vanilla custards. Slice apples very thinly in half moons (or use food processor thin slicing blade). Cook in pot with margarine, sugar, and cinnamon until very soft and falling apart (approximately ½ hour). Stir to combine. Assembly: Smear custard mixture on half of the squares, until custard is used up (approximately 3½ tablespoons per square). Spread apple mixture gently on top of custard. Place remaining empty squares on top of apple mixture. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Cut into squares and chill until ready to serve.

Never-Fail Honey Bundt Who doesn’t need a fool-proof honey cake in her repertoire? 1 c. sugar ½ c. less 1 T. oil ¾ c. honey 2 c. flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cocoa 1 tsp. cinnamon (optional) 1 tsp. baking powder 1 ½ tsp. instant coffee dissolved in 1 cup boiling water YIELD: 10-12 servings Preheat oven to 350°. In a large mixer bowl, beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add oil and honey; beat well. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Reduce mixer speed, alternately adding dry ingredients and coffee. Pour into well-greased Bundt pan; bake for 50 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 1 hour and remove from pan.  If you measure the oil first, and then the honey in the same measuring cup, the honey will completely slide right out.

CITY spirit September 2012

Great for any occasion. The colors add both good looks and vitamins. 1 T. margarine or olive oil 1 small onion, very finely chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, diced (1 c.) 1 medium red bell pepper, diced (1 c.) 3 medium garlic cloves, crushed with a press 1½ c. water

1 c. pre-cooked couscous Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste YIELD: 4 servings

 entertaining

Fabulous Folds | with miriam jacobovits Dear Reader, Ever since I was a child I had an interest in table setting. To encourage my creative juices my mother provided me with an endless supply of napkins – both cloth and paper. We were always on the look-out for new ‘folds’, and napkins that would work well. Here are some of my Yom Tov favorites. Why not make a splash that will delight your guests – young and old. Miriam

Flower Honey Dish Holder 1

CITY spirit september 2012

What could be neater and more practical than giving each guest their own honey dish! Fill a miniature round or square plastic disposable bowl with honey and follow these surprisingly easy steps to create this beautiful holder. Step 1: Fold the corners of the napkin evenly towards the center. Repeat again bringing the new corners to the center. STEP 2: Carefully flip the napkin over. Fold the corners to the center. STEP 3: While holding the middle of the napkin with one hand, pull up the flaps from underneath each corner. Continue to do it to all four. STEP 4: Pull out the flaps that lay underneath the napkin between each corner.

Please Note: Most napkin folding is prohibited on Shabbos. If the napkin will come apart at the meal and is just ‘fluffed’ it is permissable . To make a paper airplane would be a problem. It’s best to prepare napkins before Shabbos/Yom Tov. Rabbi Gershon Bess

Pine Leaf Just looking at this easy-to-fold napkin brings the feeling of being in Eretz Yisroel for Succos where many use pine leaves for schach. Step 1: Fold the napkin diagonally to form a triangle. STEP 2: Pleat the napkin from the bottom edge of the triangle till the top. STEP 3: Fold the napkin in half bringing the two longer points together. Twist the top points together to keep it tightly closed.

Go Fish This napkin is so cute and really quite simple to create. Gauranteed to get lots of smiles. Step 1: Fold the napkin diagonally to form a triangle. Place the fold on top. Bring the point up to the fold. STEP 2: Fold the left point down towards the center. Do the same for the right side. STEP 3: Fold the left half of the figure towards the center. Fold the right half towards the center in the same manner. STEP 3: Turn the napkin over. Use any accessory to create an eye.

1 2

Hershel lieber

The Wandering Jew

Portugal

CITY spirit september 2012

festivity to ordinary days. PART ONE: LISBON It was a hot day, so we chose one particular neighborhood, number of years ago, I looked into traveling to PorBelem, to explore. We began at the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a tugal. Most guide books and websites highlighted monument commemorating the wealth of Portugal during the the many historic and striking churches throughout Age of Discovery, around 1501. The relithe land. Since visiting these gious order of this monastery was disbandsights was out of question, I ed in 1834 and is an architectural gem! We indefinitely put off any plans walked around the courtyard and marveled to visit that nation. This past at the arches, columns and all the intricate spring I made another attempt details. We cut across a park over to the to study what Portugal can ofTejo River to see the majestic Monument fer other than churches. After to the Discoveries. This prominent shipall, Jews made Portugal their like shrine honors Portugalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prince Henry, home and prospered there for who launched the country into expeditions hundreds of years until the Inin Asia, Africa and the New World, which quisition. I was intrigued to see developed into a vast colonial empire. We any remaining evidence of that continued on to the Torre de Belen, the period. After much research I fortress and tower whose beauty lies in its realized that very little is left exterior carvings and decoration. The view of those â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Golden Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Neverfrom the top is dramatic. theless, I realized that there is a The next morning we toured the Alfalot to see and appreciate in this ma section and its highlight, the Castelo de beautiful country. So in mid Sao Jorge. This Moorish Castle from King May, my wife, Pesi and I were Alfonso eventually became the residence of off to this exciting place. the small winding streets & alleys of Bairro Alto Portuguese kings. We had a guide just for We arrived early Wednesourselves who gave us a deep understanding of the history of day morning, and after checking in to the Don Pedro hotel, this country from its beginning to we went out to discover Lisbon. This cosmopolitan city is the present time. She included in built on seven hills, and though walking is the best way to see her lecture the involvement Jews any city, the steep inclines of many streets are somewhat of a had in building this great nation. challenge. There are a number of elevators and funiculars that The views from the heights of this transport you to the different heights and the cheerful yellow walled bastion overlooking the city streetcars can take a burden off your feet. The sidewalks and below were absolutely stunning. We streets are paved with tiles, many of them with designs which walked down into the heart of the are quite pretty, but slippery during a rain. Many buildings are city, the section known as Baixa and decorated with colorful tiles, some with ornate themes. The made our way through the commermain sections of town are bustling with activity. Shoppers, cial center of Lisbon. We looked into tourists, businessmen, students and people from all walks of the stores and busied ourselves with life fill the narrow roads and extensive plazas giving an air of

photographing the many interesting buildings, plazas and monuments. Being that the next day, Friday, was in the spring, there was ample time to tour the Bairro Alto quarter. It is Lisbon’s most picturesque district. Predominantly residential, it is characterized by its narrow cobbled streets, tiled houses and family run workshops and restaurants. The remains of a church which was destroyed during the devastating earthquake of 1755 illustrates the horror in which over 85% of the city bled in the 20th century. From paintings to sculptures, from was reduced to ruins. The ceramics to carpets and furniture, from jewelry to glassware Elevador de Santa Justa Baixa sections of Lisbon the exhibit is truly mind boggling. Next transports us we visited the Oceanario de Lisboa, the there from the lower city sections. second largest aquarium in the world. We made our way back to the hotel to get ready The ‘Open Tank’ contains the fauna of for Shabbos. The Synagogue ‘Sharei Tikva’ was only high seas and is so exciting that one can a ten minute walk and we were welcomed by some of spend hours just staring at Hashem’s the locals who make up this Shabbos-only minyan. marvelous creations. There are also four There were other tourists and businessmen smaller aquariums representing the ecothere, and the atsystems of the four main oceans. We mosphere was very spent a quiet evening in the hotel and friendly. Rabbi Eliezer prepared ourselves for our journey over DeMartino is a very the next three days to Evora & Sintra. personable and talented man, with smicha from Israeli YeBon Voyage - vcuy vghxb, shivos. The rabbi was Torre de Belen Hershel the Chazan as well as the Baal Koreh, although I Do you have a group of friends or belong to an organization that took over for Musaf. We were dreams of traveling to foreign destinations together? Hershel the guests of Rabbi & Mrs. Eli has organized and personally guided groups of friends, school Rosenfeld, the first Chabad classes, and organization members (Gateways & Aish Hatorah) emissaries, who began their over the past few years on unusual and inspiring journeys. He tour of duty less than two years can do the same for ago. We were joined at both your group personalSeudos by other guests from ized to your interests. Monument to the Discoveries different countries and varied Contact Hershel Lieber ‘The Wandering backgrounds. The warmth and kindness that they displayed Jew’ at 718-256is what impressed us mostly. Mincha & Seudas Shlishis was in 8156 HarryL46@opthe Shul, alas without a minyan. tonline.net Sunday’s weather was changeable, with rain on and off all day. We decided to do some indoor touring. The Museu Calouste Gulbekian has the finest personal art collection assemTejo River

 advice from over-the-counter

A ‘Potent’ Belief Manny Saltiel, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCCP

CITY spirit september 2012

ollowing a meaningful Yom Kippur, the Berman family hosted their cousins, the Rosenbergs, for a milchig breakfast meal. Finally, the ice cream was served, and shortly thereafter the family bentched together. “Time to start on the sukkah, boys,” yelled Mrs. Berman, and in a flash, Bentzi and Dov Ber ran to the garage to get the wooden planks, hammer, and nails, while several others drifted outside to help. Sometime later, following a series of bangs and booms, those still in the house heard a mighty roar. Mrs. Berman ran outside to see her 9-year old clutching his left hand. “It hurts, Imma, it hurts a lot. I think I broke it.” Mrs. Berman tenderly looked at Bentzi’s left hand and saw that he did quite an impressive job of smashing his thumb. The skin wasn’t broken, and the thumb didn’t look deformed, but the nail was cracked and the entire area above the knuckle was red and hot. “My baby, don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you. Chani, please go get some ice and some clean towels. Sara, please find the bottle of arnica in the kitchen cabinet where we keep the medicine.” While Chani ran to the freezer, Sara checked the high kitchen cabinet. “What are you looking for?” asked her uncle Gershon, a pediatrician. “Arnica,” she answered. “Imma uses it for everything. Gershon Rosenberg answered with a simple “Ah-ha,” and followed his niece outside. As Mrs. Berman gave her son the arnica 30C, Chani arrived with the ice and towels and began to attend to her little brother’s increasingly sore thumb. His uncle approached him. “Show me what we’ve got, Bentzi,” he asked as he carefully took his hand, turning it slowly from side to side. “Does this hurt?” he asked as he tenderly squeezed the knuckle. “Ouch!!!” The response provided a definitive answer. “I suspect he’s going to need an x-ray; I can’t tell if it’s broken, but it’s worth checking out.” Bentzi’s mother now looked distraught. “In that case, I’m going to need some stronger arnica,” she said, and went inside and upstairs to her room. She came back down shortly with another bottle. “This is arnica 10M,” she announced to no one in particular. “We use this only for breaks and fractures. I think it’s called for in this case.” She then turned to her brother and said somewhat defensively, “You don’t believe in this stuff, I know, but believe me I’ve seen it work time and again.” Dr. Rosenberg smiled and said, “Bayla, this is your son. I wouldn’t dream of taking away your prerogative.” Six days later During Chol Hamoed, the Rosenbergs once again visited

the Bermans. “How is Bentzi doing?” asked his Uncle Gershon. “Look at my cast, Uncle Gershon,” said the happy child. “Look at all the signatures!” After he reviewed and approved of each and every signature, Gershon Rosenberg addressed his sister, “A stunning sukkah, fit for Shlomo Hamelech, Bayla! You’ve outdone yourself once again, my dear sister.” As the children swam, (Sukkos in LA, not New York or Toronto!) Bayla approached her brother. “I guess this is as good a time as any to ask you why you don’t use arnica, Gershy? Why don’t you believe in it?” “It is not a matter of belief, Bayla. Due to my scientific training, I come to understand the effectiveness of any medication, procedure, or substance as a result of reviewing the research on it. I prescribe it if the data convinces me that it works. And the data with arnica, and with all homeopathy, is just not convincing.” “But I’ve seen it work countless numbers of times. With my own eyes. Isn’t that science?” “Well, no it’s not. After all, injuries do get better by themselves, sometimes faster, sometimes not as fast. In my own field of pediatrics, there are two particular areas in which we have changed our approach due to a similar kind of errorprone observation. For both acute sinusitis and otitis media (middle ear infections), the rate of clinical improvement is over 80% with no medication at all. We used to prescribe antibiotics, and our observation that patients improved just reinforced that the antibiotics were working. But recent analyses demonstrated that the rate of healing with antibiotics was no higher (or only marginally higher) than with placebo, or no antibiotics at all.” Bayla responded: “And antibiotics are potentially dangerous. They change the flora and make you susceptible to other bacteria. Homeopathy, on the other hand, works gently and encourages the body to fight the infection.” Gershon replied: “You’re absolutely right about antibiotics, Bayla, and that’s why we use them far less often than we used to. As far as homeopathy is concerned, do you really know how it works? In fact, do you even know how it’s made? What makes one preparation “stronger” and another less “strong?” Bayla attempted to answer, and then paused, somewhat unsure of herself. Seeing the opportunity, Gershon answered the questions he posed. “Homeopathy is a system of medicine that dates back more than 200 years. Its use is based on the observation that high doses of pharmacologically active

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substances cause symptoms when administered to healthy individuals. Those same substances, when prepared in very diluted form, may relieve similar symptoms in conditions resulting from different causes. The clinical use of certain drugs according to this “like cures like” observation is called the principle of similars and forms the first theoretical basis for homeopathy. The second and most controversial tenet in homeopathy is that remedies retain biological activity if they are diluted in a series and agitated or shaken between each dilution. A “6X” preparation (the X is the Roman numeral for 10) is a 1-to-10 dilution repeated six times, leaving the active ingredient as one part per million. The founder of homeopathy, Samuel Christian Hahnemann (1755–1843) began this process to reduce toxicity, but later he claimed that this “potentization” process extracted the “vital” or “spirit-like” nature of these substances. By the mid-1800s, homeopaths all over the world were reporting that even very high “potencies” (dilutions to such low concentrations that statistically less than a single molecule existed) produced clinical effects. With the minimum dose, or law of infinitesimals, Hahnemann believed that a substance’s strength and effectiveness increased the more it was diluted. Does this make any sense? Is there anything in the physical world of which we are aware that the more we dilute it, the stronger it gets? And if we dilute it so much that there is less than a 50-50 chance that a single molecule still exists, then that’s even more potent?” “Then tell me something, why have I seen it work?” “It’s difficult to explain the intricacies of clinical studies al regel achas, Bayla. Suffice it to say that if there isn’t a welldesigned trial where both the patients and the health providers are blinded to the nature of the administered product (be it medication/ remedy or a placebo, or inactive agent, like saline), then the chances of a strong bias affecting the results are very real. “ “So you’re saying that it’s only as good as placebo?” “Yes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing entirely. It is now clear that the term placebo effect is too restrictive and, in fact, many placebo-related effects have recently been investigated. The patient’s expectation of clinical benefit has been found to play a critical role in many placebo effects, and this may occur in association with emotions. Studies of the mechanisms of placebo phenomena have revealed how expectations and unconscious conditioning can be measured by imaging and EEG methods and result in significant, non-specific therapeutic effects. For example, in postoperative pain following the extraction of the third molar (wisdom tooth), a hidden injection of a 6–8 mg intravenous dose of morphine corresponds to an open intravenous injection of saline solution in full view of the patient (placebo). In other words, telling the patient that a painkiller is being injected (when a saline solution is actually injected) is as potent as 6–8 mg of morphine.” “But at least it’s not dangerous, right?”asked Bayla.

“Strictly speaking, you’re right, my dear sister, and that is why I have never tried to stop you from taking homeopathic preparations. However, there is a risk in taking homeopathy; the risk of not taking something else that is needed. In 1995, an article in Woman’s Day made mention of several highly worrisome cases. In one of the cases, two children, ages 4 and 5 years, were brought to a hospital with severe mastoiditis. The doctors were surprised how advanced and serious the infections had become, since these infections, a complication of middle ear infections, are easily treated with antibiotics in their early stages. The problem was that the children were not treated with antibiotics. They were treated by an “alternative health doctor.” Bayla asked, “Why do pharmacies even stock them if they don’t work any better than placebo?” “In the United States alone, consumer sales of homeopathic treatments reached $870 million in 2009, growing 10 percent over the previous year and almost 100% since 2003. That’s a lot of sales to not stock. And unlike cigarettes (which pharmacies used to sell, too), homeopathy doesn’t kill you.” As he got up to check on the children, Gershon Rosenberg told his sister one last thing, “Bayla, you’re a very bright woman. I’m going to send you some references on the subject, and you can do your own research. Like I said, I’m not going to tell you not to take the stuff, just make sure you get medical advice whenever there’s a question.”

Dr. Manny Saltiel received his doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of California in San Francisco, following two years of undergraduate work at UCLA. He completed a residency in Clinical Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Saltiel was employed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for 25 years. For the past three years, he is a Regional Clinical Director with Comprehensive Pharmacy Services, providing clinical leadership and assistance to several hospitals in the West and Midwest. He also holds faculty appointments with the University of Southern California.

These are the references that Dr. Rosenberg sent Bayla Berman: A Critical Overview of Homeopathy. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:393-399. Wayne B. Jonas, MD; Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD; and Klaus Linde, MD, Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet, 350(9081):834-43 1997 Sep 20. Aijing Shang MD, Karin Huwiler-Müntener MD, Linda Nartey MD, et al. Evidence and simplicity: why we should reject homeopathy. Scott Sehon PhD and Donald Stanley MD. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice 2010; 16: 276–281 Should We Maintain an Open Mind about Homeopathy? Michael Baum, MD, and Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD. American Journal of Medicine, Vol 122, No 11, November 2009 Homeopathy for Childhood and Ado-

lescence Ailments: Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2007;82(1):69-75. Umut Altun, MD; Max H. Pittler, MD, PhD; and Edzard Enst, MD, PhD A systematic review of systematic reviews of homeopathy. Br J Clin Pharmacology 2002; 54: 577–582. Edzard Enst, MD, PhD Homeopathy for depression: a systematic review of the research evidence. Homeopathy 2005 (July); 94: 153-163. K. Pilkington, G. Kirkwood, H. Rampes, P. Fisher, J. Richardson Placebo effect sizes in homeopathic compared to conventional drugs - a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Homeopathy 2010 (Jan); 99:76-82. Nuhn T, Ludtke R, Geraedts M. The placebo effect and homeopathy. Homeopathy 2010 (April); 99: 119-129. Marcus Z. Teixeira, Cristina H.F.F. Guedes, Patrícia V. Barreto and Mílton A. Martins

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Timing Is Everything

CITY spirit september 2012

By Chavie Trainer

As a proud daughter of Holocaust survivors, I have an instinctual, European habit of always being on time. In fact, when I have a scheduled doctor’s visit, my children constantly ask me when my real appointment is, because they know I’m always going to be early. I explained to them that I do it out of respect for the doctor, the patients and myself. Why rush and run into the office breathless and late? It’s not good for your health. One morning, I had an appointment at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and anyone who lives in the area knows finding a parking space is a dreadful experience. After some time, I landed a spot fairly close to the hospital. I now felt that I could relax and walk peacefully. While walking, I noticed a tall, black haired woman, child by her side, leaning against a street pole. I instantly realized something was wrong, because the woman was obviously in distress, yet not a single passerby was going over to help her. Since I had plenty of time (this article doubles as a defense since my kids think I’m totally neurotic), I walked over to her and with concern asked, “Are you alright?” With a shaky, bleary voice she replied “Actually, no. This is my daughter and I am in labor!” I could tell she was too afraid to move. I told her to stay put while I searched for help. I frantically ran to the sign that said “Emergency” and as luck would have it, no one seemed to speak English. Suddenly, a hospital official appeared, and I explained the situation to her. She did not respond and proceeded toward the exit. Frustration began to creep in and I felt helpless. As I exited the building pondering what my next move would be, I saw this same hospital official now speaking with the young lady on the corner. I was relieved that she took me seriously. I hurried over and spotted several policemen approaching and a nurse pushing a wheelchair. The woman sat down, looked at me and said “thank you so much.” Several months later, my father came to live with us after

my mother passed away. Unfortunately, he was prone to frequent emergency room visits. A routine was quickly formed. My husband would take him to the hospital and I would take the kids to school. I would then bring everything my father needed and my husband would go off to work. On one of these visits, I was told there were no rooms available for my father. Luckily, his doctor was a very persistent man and within a few minutes, he had a room. After my father settled in and while waiting for the doctor to arrive, I decided to take a walk down the hall. Suddenly, I heard someone say “hi.” I quickly turned around and saw a woman standing near the water cooler, holding a baby in her arms. I did not recognize her at all, nor did I have any clue as to who she was. In a calm, sincere voice she asked, “don’t you remember me?” Seeing the blank look on my face, she continued “I was the pregnant woman that you helped!” As recognition set in, my jaw dropped. Well, needless to say, I took her baby in my arms, as we hugged, kissed and reminisced. As it turned out, my father had taken the room that she had just vacated. She had taken her son to the hospital because he had temperature. Still overwhelmed, I asked her “how did you know who I was? She replied, “I will never forget you as you saved my life that day. My son is here because of you.” An abundance of emotions rippled through me for quite some time. This event exemplifies the concept of Midah Keneged Midah. What were the odds that of all the rooms, hers would be the one they gave to my father? What were the chances that a woman I helped months earlier, had occupied this very room with her son, whom she had almost given birth to on a street corner? Nothing in life is a coincidence. Hashem’s wonders are abundant, yet may not always be seen. In this case, his overwhelming kindness was on full display. I still am compulsively prompt for any occasion, but now I approach each of them with a different frame of mind, not knowing when something unexpected and extraordinary might take place that will throw my routine off balance. For those of you wondering if I made my appointment on time, let’s just say I fervently read through half of the latest City Spirit issue before being called in.

KidSpirit by Fraydee Mozes

by Bracha Goetz

We met inside a sukkah, In Eretz Yisroel. Were we right for each other? It was too soon to tell. We didn’t have that much to say. We didn’t feel at ease. The sunshine lightly filtered through. There was a nice, cool breeze. We walked around the neighborhood. We watched some children play. I wondered if I too would have, Children like that someday.

CITY spirit september 2012

He saw the way I looked at them. I laughed. We smiled together. Then we began to talk about, Deeper things than the weather.

We discovered we were born Blocks apart in New York - Queens. And now we met for the first time. Both wondered what that means. We walked back to the sukkah. We lingered there some more, Where we felt G-d protecting us, And guiding us, for sure. Without His hand resting over us, Like a blessing on each head, How else could we have dared to move? There’s doubt. There’s even dread. But the sukkah turned into a chuppah. The Shechina stayed poised above. Through our years wandering in the desert, And years since, leading us toward love. Bracha Goetz is the author of 16 children’s books, including Remarkable Park , The Invisible Book and Let’s Stay Safe. She also coordinates a Jewish Big Brother Big Sister Program in Baltimore, Maryland, and can be contacted for questions, comments or presentations at bgoetzster@gmail.com. © Bracha Goetz 2012

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

The day before yesterday I was 25 and the next year I will be 28. This is true only one day in a year. What day is my birthday? Answer: December 31st and this riddle is spoken on January 1st

We Met Inside a Sukkah

Rosh Hashanah literally means the __1__ of the new year. It is this time of year that we start anew and ask Hashem to grant us much success and happiness for the year to come. We eat __2__ dipped in __3__ to symbolize a sweet new year. Some also eat the __4__ of a fish to symbolize the head of the year. We eat new fruits so that we can make the brachah of __5__ on the second night of Rosh Hashanah. Challah is shaped __6__ like the cycle of the year. In shul we blow the __7__ which wakes us up to do teshuvah. The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as Aseret Yomei Teshuvah, which allows us ten days to ask Hashem for a great year. During this time, many people perform __8__ and throw bread into the water. This symbolizes our __9__ being tossed away. After Yom Kippur is the holiday of __10__ when we decorate a temporary hut called a __11__. It is a mitzvah to shake the __12__ and esrog during this holiday. The last day is known as __13__ ____ and we dance in celebration of our love for the torah.

Without rearranging the following letters, make a word that is intelligible by adding three more letters: NTGB Answer: Add I, E and L. By adding them to NTGB you can form the word INTELLIGIBLE

Fill In the Blanks

1.Head, 2. Apples, 3. Honey, 4. Head, 5. Shehechiyanu, 6. Round, 7.Shofar, 8. Tashlich, 9. Averot/sins, 10. Sukkot, 11.Sukkah, 12. Lulav, 13. Simchat Torah

What occurs once in every minute, twice in every moment, yet never in a thousand years?

Unscramble 1. AHSKUK _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. EONYH _ _ _ _ _ 3. PEPLA _ _ _ _ _ 4. AOCOTIRNSDE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5. HUTAHESV _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6. ASHHLITC _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7. IPY OPURKM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A basket contains 8. EWSTE _ _ _ _ _ 5 apples ready to be 9. YNE AREW _ _ _ _ _ _ _ eaten on Rosh Hashanah. 10. RHTOA _ _ _ _ _ Answer: The letter “M”

CITY spirit September 2012

Do you know how to divide them among 5 children so that each one has an apple and one apple stays in the basket?

Answer: Don’t think about it too hard: Four children each get an apple and the fifth child gets an apple with the basket still containing the apple

Answers: 1.Sukkah, 2. Honey, 3. Apple, 4. Decorations, 5. Teshuvah, 6. Tashlich, 7. Yom Kippur, 8. Sweet, 9. New Year, 10. Torah

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

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

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

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

CITY spirit JUNE 2011

Mikvahs

Beverly Hills/Pico Robertson Mikvah mei manachem ........ 310-214-4999 2108 Vail Avenue Mikvah Society of LA .........310-550-4511 9548 West Pico Long Beach Mikvah Chaya V’Sarah Leah 562-427-1360 3847 Atlantic Avenue Los Angeles – Fairfax Mikvah Sarah U’Baila......... 323-939-4297 360 N. La Brea Avenue (across from alley) Mikvah Taharat Chaya....... 323-634-0703 303 S. Highland Ave. (by appt. only) North Hollywood Adat Yeshurun Mikvah........ 818-766-4610 12405 Sylvan Street The Teichman Mikvah..........818-760-4567 12800 Chandler Blvd. Palm Springs Mikvah Chaya Mushka.........760-325-3212 425 Avenida Ortega (Palm Springs Chabad) San Diego Mikvah Israel........................619-287-6411 5170 Ladorna

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

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

Synagogues Los Angeles Fairfax/Hancock Park Agudath Israel of LA-Bais Avigdor.................... 323-930-0792 / 323-935-8383 461 N. La Brea Avenue Ahavas Yisroel Synagogue 731 N. La Brea Ave...................323-937-1247 Aish Tamid of Los Angeles....... 323-634-0505 5909 West 3rd St Beth Midrash Od Yossef Hai...... 323 931-0333 142 North La Brea Ave. Congregation Bais Naftoli......... 323-936-4827 221 S. La Brea Avenue Congregation Bais Yehuda.........323-936-7568 360 N. La Brea Avenue Congregation Eitz Chaim/Bais Moshe Yitzchok.. 323-634-0535 • 303 S. Highland Ave. Congregation Levi Yitzchok/ Chabad of Hancock Park...... 323-954-8381 356 N. La Brea Avenue Congregation Shaarei Tefilla...... 323-938-7147 7269 Beverly Blvd. Kehillas Yaakov........................ 323-935-8572 7211 Beverly Blvd. Kehillath Yitzchok..................... 323-932-8694 7709 Beverly Blvd. Kollel Los Angeles.....................323-933-7193 7216 Beverly Blvd. Kollel Yechiel Yehuda................323-939-2041 354 N. La Brea Avenue The Jewish Learning Exchange........................ 323-857-0923 • 512 N. La Brea Avenue Torah Ohr................................. 323-933-3111 7200 Beverly Blvd. Young Israel of Hancock Park....323-931-4030 225 S. La Brea Avenue

Young Israel of Los Angeles...... 323-655-0300 660 North Spaulding Avenue Pico-Robertson/Beverly Hills Adas Torah 1135 S. Beverly Dr..310-552-0460 Aish HaTorah Center.................310-278-8672 9102 W. Pico Blvd.Anshe Emes Synagogue....................310-275-5640 / .......................................... 877-ANSHE-EM 1490 S. Robertson Blvd. Beth Jacob Congregation...........310-278-1911 9030 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills B’nai Daivid Judea Congregation 8906 W. Pico Blvd.................... 310-276-7891 Chabad of Bel-Air..................... 310-475-5311 10421 Summer Holly Crl Chabad of Beverly Hills.............. 310-271-9063 409 N. Foothill Rd., Beverly Hills Chabad of Brentwood.............. 310-826-4453 644 S. Bundy Dr. Chabad of Cheviot Hills.............310-558-8770 3185 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles Chabad Israel Center................ 310-271-6193 1520 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles Congregation Magen David...... 310-556-5609 9717 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills Lubavitch of Beverly Hills...........310-282-0444 9017 W. Pico Blvd., Beverly Hills West Coast Torah Center........... 310-271-1180 322 N. Foothill Rd., Beverly Hills Young Israel of Beverly Hills........310-742-3717 8701 W. Pico Blvd. Young Israel of Century City.......310-273-6954 9315 W. Pico Blvd. Calabasas The Calabasas Shul ..................818-725-3118 (at Bay Laurel Elem. School) Calabasas Pkwy. at Paseo Primero Conejo Valley Chabad of Conejo/Agoura Hills 818-991-0991 5998 Conife Street Corona del Mar Chabad of Newport Beach.........949-721-9800 4720 Cortland Dr. Lomita Chabad of Palos Verdes........... 310-544-5544 28041 S. Hawthorne Blvd. Chabad of South Bay................310-326-8234 24412 Narbonne Ave. manhattan beach Chabad of Manhattan Beach.....310-265-3868 2108 Vail Avenue Continued

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

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west coast directory Continued North Hollywood Adat Yeshurun .............. 818-766-4682 12405 12405 Sylvan Street Em Habanim Cong.................... 818-762-7779 5850 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Shaarey Zedek Cong.................818-763-0560 12800 Chandler Blvd. Ohr Simcha.............................. 818-760-2189 12430 Oxnard NORTHRIDGE Young Israel of Northridge.........818-368-2221 17511 Devonshire Street Santa Monica Chabad of Marina Del Rey......... 310-301-9770 2929 Washington Blvd. Venice Pacific Jewish Center................ 310-392-8749 505 Ocean Front Walk Young Israel of Venice...............310-450-7541 1014 Vernon Ave.

Westwood Westwood Kehilla..................... 310-441-5288 10537 Santa Monica Blvd. Huntington Beach Chabad of West Orange County.714-846-2285 5052 Warner Ave Irvine Beth Jacob of Irvine..................949-786-5230 3900 Michelson Dr. Chabad of Irvine...................... 949-786-5000 5010 Barranca Pkwy Young Israel of Orange County..... 949-300-8899 5319 University Drive (#122)

Long Beach Cong. Lubavitch of Long Beach........................ 562-426-5480 • 3981 Atlantic Ave. Young Israel of Long Beach....... 562-427-3163 4134 Atlantic Ave. Mission Viejo Chabad of Mission Viejo............ 949-770-1270 24041 Marguerite Pkwy. Palm Springs Chabad of Palm Springs............760-325-0774 425 Avenida Ortega

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

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

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

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

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

community & g'mach directory Babies & Children

Baby Equipment Port-a-cribs, pack and plays, car seats, infant bouncers, strollers, bassinettes, booster seats, exer-saucers for short and long term loans. Miriam Hendeles......................(323) 243-7116 ......................................www.lababygear.com Bris Outfits and Bris Pillow Devora Wieder........................ (323) 939-9276 Ruchie Klein........................... (323) 353-2494 Diapers Chumie Unger.........................(323) 932-1094 Penina Frumit Apter.................(310) 557-9726 Dina Kramer............................(818) 985-2493

CITY spirit september 2012

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

Toras Emes and Bais Yaakov Rochelle Frankel.....................(323) 896-3335

Clothing

Children’s Costume G’mach Bubby Goldie’s (L’ilui Nishmas Chana Golda Krausz) Abi Katz ................................ (323) 395-7465 Miriam Montag...................... (323) 646-5988 Global Kindness Yaelle Cohen....................... (310) 286-0800 Kehila Shatnez Testing Joe Stoltz.............................. (323) 936-8760

Counseling and Health

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

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

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

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

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

Uniforms Exchange &/or purchase of pre-owned uniforms

Hospital Gowns Tznuis hospital clothing for women

Sara Pinter ........................... (323) 931- 1598 Jewish Healthcare Foundation Avraham Moshe Bikur Cholim If you need or would like to donate blood to someone.................................(323) 852-1900 Financial Aid Services Financial Jewish Free Loan Assistance Small interest free loans City ...................................... (323) 761-8830 Valley.................................... (818) 464-3331

Food

Masbia (L’ilui Nishas Chaim Yosef ben Aron Aryeh) Share your simcha – call for info or to arrange pickup of leftover food from your simcha ................... (323) 851-1000, (323) 997-6500 Tomchei Shabbos Provides Shabbos food packages for families in need. Call to request application. ..............................................(323) 851-1000 Arbis for Shalom Zachor Aviva Maller............................ (323) 931-9420 Continued on page 50

community directory Continued from page 48

Tables and Chairs Steven Oscherowitz................. (323) 937-1194

Legal Services

Weddings & Special Occasions

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

Furniture, Home, Dishes

2nd Chance Rivky Farber............................(323) 851-1000 Folding Beds Esti Tendler (Evenings only) ......(310)557-3461 Keilim Mikvah Directory Anshe Emes Keilim Mikva 1490 S. Robertson................. (310) 275-5640 Shaaray Zedek Keilim Mikva 12800 Chandler..................... (818) 763-0560 Young Israel Keilim Mikva 225 S. LaBrea Ave................. (323) 931-4030 Mezuzah Gemach Irwin Lowi...............................(323) 932-1025

Benchers (L’ilui Nishmas Ahron Ben Yissachar) Mrs. Kest ...............................(323) 937-7060 Chupah candle holders, poles, Kallah chair Mrs. Lebovics ........................ (323) 933-3377 Clothing for Relatives of Chosson & Kallah For women and children Mrs. Dena Wolmark ............... (323) 934-4151 Penina Fisher.......................... (323) 933-7292 Hachnasas Kallah Gift Gemach Volume DonationsLibby Lehman......................... (323) 935-3791 Individual GiftsLeba Hertz..............................(323) 574-7054 Chuppah/Simcha Cards Tehillim cards for use at the chuppah Rochel Haberman.....................323)899-5390 Bridal Gowns Esther Braun ......................... (323) 933-2817

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

Shadchanim Los angeles, CALIFORNIA Feingold, Mrs. Gitty.................... 23-933-1197 Freeman, Sherry.......................323-934-2013 Giberstien, Mrs. Gila.................323-939-7264 Orloff, Mrs. Yehudis...323-934-2772/833-3346 Lebovics, Mrs. Shirley – Professional coaching/ therapy only.............................. 310-246-0810 Baltimore Berkowitz, Mrs. Ethel................410-484-6209

CITY spirit september 2012

TORONTO, CANADA Grubner, Mrs. Evelyn................. 416-789-9419 ........................................ Fax 416-484-8536 Sussman, Mrs.Malka.. 416-787-5147 p.m. only

montreal, CANADA Goldberg, Fraidie...................... 514-344-1307 NEW YORK Five Towns Bane, Mrs................................ 516-371-6657 Sunnenblick, Mrs.Resa............. 516-239-2772

monsey Cherns, Mrs. Ahuva................. 845-290-8722 Katz, Mrs. Ruchy......................845-357-0913 Levitan, Mrs. Rachel.................845-368-2781 Schwebel, Mrs. Tammy.............845-764-3382 BROOKLYN Elefant, Mrs. Lisa.......... lisaelefant@yahoo.com ......................... 718-2567525 Binyan Adei Ad Tafrizi, Mrs. Esther....................718-339-9047 ......................... Syrian Community of Flatbush Grunhut, Mrs. Goldy.................. 718-377-7221 ...................... ggrunhut @yahoo.com Brooklyn Lieber, Mrs. Ellen..........Flatbush 917-749-7426 Schiff, Mrs. Mimi......................718-253-3922 Jacobs, Mrs. Channa Rifka........ 718-2567525 .......................................................... over 25 Richards, Mrs. Sara..................718-435-8071 Rose, Mrs. Channa...................718-253-3827 Rosenberg, Mrs. Goldy..............718-253-3827 Rubinstein, Mrs.Tzirel................718-871-4309 Schonfeld, Mrs. Anita............... 718-692-2452 Yankelowitz, Rabbi....................718-846-3472 ...............................................718-989-4862

LAKEWOOD Brull, Rabbi Meir...................... 443-622-3809 . rabbibrull@gmail.com Kesher organization N.J Katz, Rabbi Tzadok..................... 732-278-146 ......Kesher Lakewood, tzodekkatz@gmail.com. Friedman, Rabbi Freddy............. 732-9954474 Levi, Rabbi Meir........................732-364-2542 Lewenstien, Rabbi....................732-370-9456 ...................11:15am -2:00pm 732-370-6790 ............................................... 323-351-7648 Pomeranz, Mr. Shui.................. 732-370-7347 Sternheim, Mr. Arie.... 732-364-2450 only p.m. Yanofsky, Rabbi....................... 732-905-8635

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

Touro College Los Angeles Separate Men’s and Women’s divisions

Where Jewish Identity Meets Higher Learning

TCLA is a WASC-accredited, private 4-year college where: A collaborative learning environment and small class size provide students with excellent academic and individualized attention. A vibrant, warm and friendly atmosphere links education with values and knowledge. The students and faculty are committed to enriching Jewish heritage and scholarship in a Torah-observant environment. Financial aid available for those who qualify.

Touro College Los Angeles

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

1317 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood • 323 822 9700 www.touro.edu/losangeles • email: tourola.admission@touro.edu Touro College Los Angeles is a division of Touro University Worldwide, which is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior College and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges: 985 Atlantic Ave. #100, Alameda, CA 94501-6444: Tel. 510-748-9001. Touro College Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Institution.