Community Links Issue 131

May 24 - June 5, 2009

Vol. 5 Issue 131

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Features

June 5, 2009

community links • Volume 5 Issue 131

35

40 6

One For All and All For One Yes, the people believed in the One and Only G-d. They saw vividly how He rescued them from slavery in Egypt. However, that belief was the sum and substance of the faith until the Torah was given.

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by Rabbi Yehudah Prero

Laws For Shavous Since Shavuot is also called the "Harvest Festival," it is customary to adorn the home and synagogue with fruits, flowers and greens.

Furthermore, our Sages relate that although Mount Sinai was situated in a desert, when the Torah was given the mountain bloomed and sprouted flowers.

By Naftali Silberberg

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STAND UP!!!

We should not give up. We need to unite and be heard. We have sat by and let small groups speak on behalf of the Jewish Community against the interests of that very community.

We are the Jewish Community! And we have to be heard.

35

Receiving The Torah Anew When he heard "Remember the Shabbat day that it should be holy", his knees buckled. His throat was constricted. Why had he tried to force the Jews to open their businesses on their holy day?

Yerachmiel Tilles

Robert J. Rome. Ph.D

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1 for

by Rabbi Yehudah Prero

All & All for

1

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S

havu'os is the holiday on which we commemorate G-d's giving of the Torah to the nation of Israel.

The giving of the Torah to the nation of Israel in effect changed the spiritual "status" of the people. We know from Talmudic and Medrashic sources that our forefathers adhered to the precepts contained in the Torah, even though they had not yet been commanded to do such. Once the Torah was given, however, the nation was obliged to follow all of the commandments contained within. There are a number of commentators who liken this transformation to the conversion process. Prior to the giving of the Torah, the members of the nation of Israel were not "Jews," so to speak. There was nothing specific that constituted a distinct Jewish faith.

Yes, the people believed in the One and Only G-d. They saw vividly how He rescued them from slavery in Egypt.

However, that belief was the sum and substance of the faith until the Torah was given. However, once the Torah was given, the nation was not merely the nation of Israel; they became the People of the Book, full-fledged Jews who followed all contained in the Torah.

There are two aspects of this pivotal event in the history of the nation of Israel that warrant attention. The Torah, when describing the encampment of the nation by Mt. Sinai prior to the giving of the Torah, alludes to the fact there was a spirit of unity that permeated the entire nation. The nation was like "one man, with one heart." The nation was unified, and brotherly love was abundant. Furthermore, the nation was united in purpose.

The nation stated, "All that G-d says, we will do and we will hear." The nation expressed their willingness to abandon their individual wants, desires, beliefs and practices for that which G-d was to command them. They committed themselves to the Torah unequivivally and unconditionally, and with that commitment they had to suppress their individual proclivities. The nation demonstrated self-sacrifice, evidenced by their devotion to G-d and His Torah at a time when all may not have been logically clear or understood.

Unity in spirit and a suppression of individuality were not only a part of the "conversion" process at the time of the giving of the Torah. The book of Rus (Ruth) is read on Shavuos as it illustrates that Rus demonstrated these two attributes as part of her conversion process as well. After Rus and her sister-in-law Orpah had lost their respective husbands and were left destitute, their widowed mother-in-law Naomi tried to convince them to return to their homelands.

Orpah did just that. Rus, however, clung to her mother-in-law. The book of Rus writes, the two of them walked together. They walked together with a unity of purpose and a dedication to the service G-d. Rus clearly abandoned the faith of her upbringing in favor of the faith of her mother-in-law. The book of Rus highlights the fact that Rus, in her acceptance of the Torah, was totally united with her mother-in-law, who had lived a life of Torah from birth.

Furthermore, Rus had to withhold her personal feelings, and practice something different from that which she thought she should. Rus grew up in a society steeped in immorality. Once she joined Naomi, it was clear that she had rejected that way of life. When she went to gather food from the field of Naomi's relative Boaz, Boaz noticed her because of the high degree of modesty with which she conducted herself. Yet, Naomi told Rus that she should go to the field of Boaz dressed attractively and perfumed, in the evening, and even be by Boaz's side. These were actions that Rus thought she had abandoned. These were the ways of her homeland, she thought, not of the faith that she now wanted to call her own. Yet Naomi, Rus' mentor and instructor, told her that this is how she was to conduct herself at this time. Naomi understood that this had to happen, that this was part and parcel of Rus' entry into the nation of Israel. Rus suppressed her own gut feelings that Naomi's instructions were wrong and not in accordance with Torah ideals, and followed her teacher. Of course, we know the outcome. Rus ended up becoming the wife of Boaz. Their descendant was King David. Rus followed the instructions of one whom she knew was totally dedicated to the Torah and its ideals, even when it did not appear clear that it was so. Rus showed that she was able to suppress her own personal feelings when it came to following someone who was instructing her in the way of the Torah.

Shavu'os is the time when we are given the opportunity to reaccept the Torah with the same zeal and vigor as originally. We, in our personal acceptance of the Torah, should emulate the nation of Israel when encamped at Mt. Sinai, and Rus as well. Especially in these precarious times, our unity as a nation, united in the service of G-d with unwavering devotion to Him and His Torah, is crucial to our survival. May we all merit to celebrate the receipt of the Torah as a united nation in an Israel that knows only peace. •

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Do you know any members of the AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE?

And What Do They Got That We Ain’t Got?

By Robert J. Rome, Ph.D.

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April 24 - May 8

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I’LL ASK THE FIRST QUESTION AGAIN: Do you know any members of the American Jewish Committee? You’re American. You’re Jewish. And yet, you probably don’t know a single member of this powerful group. Your life is being shaped in significant ways by the AJC. Your quality of life is definitely impacted by this nearly invisible organization. How can a group with few members, that most of you have never even heard of, affect our community in such dramatic ways?

In the last Community Links, I addressed in my article the need for Jewish day schools to respond to the changing financial circumstances of the families who send students to these schools. Schools do have to change. But the power to change school finances is often outside of the control of the schools themselves. There are groups which are out there in a constant fight to keep government money and services from Jewish day school students. The efforts of such groups result in increased costs to all families. The American Jewish Committee has been one of the groups at the forefront trying to keep government assistance from our day schools. The efforts of the AJC contribute to the increased tuition costs that impact our families in such dramatic ways.

Before I more fully discuss how the AJC is probably making your life miserable, let me tell you a little about this organization.

The American Jewish Committee became a prominent defender of rights of minorities in the early to mid-Twentieth Century. Starting out in defense of Jewish immigrants, the AJC added its voice to the protection of civil rights for minorities in the 1950’ and 1960’s. While always relatively small in membership, the AJC has had a much larger voice in Washington and in the state capitals than other organizations of similar size.

In the next decades, the AJC no longer appeared to need to defend Jewish causes against seemingly declining antiSemitism. It turned to more universal causes, defending the “downtrodden.” Briefs were filed by AJC attorneys in defense of farm workers, Native American rights, and to guarantee fundamental civil rights to African-Americans and Latinos. For the most part, these have been admirable causes.

However, in the past 20 years or so, the AJC has often been linked with a variety of other “rights” organizations who uphold a certain vision of what is right and what is wrong. The American Jewish Committee has sided with the American Civil Liberties Union and other similar organizations “on behalf ” of the “protection” of the Bill of Rights.

With their own interpretation of the First Amendment, the AJC and other groups have spent 10’s of millions of dollars fighting against the influence of religion in our culture and society. Somehow worried that churches may use their power against minority groups of differing faiths and philosophies, and against even the government, the AJC has seemed to go away from fighting for freedom of religion to fight instead for freedom from religion. The AJC’s main efforts seem to have been to eliminate any possible support within government of established religions or religiously affiliated people. The AJC has sided with those who believe that there should be no prayer in public schools.

While every other club seems permitted, the AJC has fought to keep Bible Study clubs and other religious groups off school property.

More important to the current debate, the American Jewish Committee has been one of the foremost opponents of school vouchers. So great is their fear that vouchers can empower church groups as money may go to parochial schools, the AJC has used all of the weapons in its arsenal, including especially their legal team of attorneys to block not only vouchers in virtually all states and localities, but also to try to block any assistance in states of any kind to private schools including Jewish day schools. Primarily as a result of efforts by the AJC and other similar groups, the few services that had been provided by states to private schools have largely been cut back or eliminated altogether.

Some states stopped giving textbooks to private schools. Most states stopped furnishing special education services to students within private schools. The AJC has been victorious in court in major cases to take services away from those outside public schools, including especially those in religious schools of any faith.

As the Wizard of Oz might say in regard to the American Jewish Committee, What do they got that we ain’t got?

Attorneys. Armed in advance with an army of attorneys, the AJC is there to send an attorney with a supporting brief against the interests of religious groups and religious schools to any court in the land when they hear of a case of a

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religious person or group trying to get equal rights for children in parochial day schools, including Jewish day schools. With attorneys prepared in advance, the AJC is most often successful in curtailing the rights of those affiliated with religion or who send their children to religious day schools.

Some might counter that we who are religious have the tremendous support of a group like the Agudah which does fight in Sacramento and Washington on our behalf.

The Agudah is good, really good. But it has much less power and far fewer attorneys than the AJC. It reminds me of when Elton Brand was on the L.A. Clippers. Brand had been a basketball great in college. He even made the All Star team while on the hapless Clippers. But no matter how good Brand was, each team has to have five players on the court. Facing well rounded teams with deep benches of players, Brand, no matter how good he was, was most often on the losing team.

We are losing! Our children are not getting the kind of education they fully deserve. We pay tuition we don’t even have to give our children the kind of Jewish background and training which is for us a commitment. But it is becoming increasing impossible for our Jewish schools to provide what our children need. And a key culprit in the limitations for our schools to serve the needs of our children: The American Jewish Committee and similar groups.

We need to fight back! There is regulation after regulation and court case after court case where those who fear religion use their great resources to defeat those of us who fear G-d. We not only are not getting services for our children which are paid with our tax dollars, each year we witness new efforts to take away our rights while our tax burdens actually increase..

The First Amendment also addresses Freedom of Speech. I would not take away the right of a group to advocate for the causes in which their members believe. I would not bar individuals from joining such groups.

However, “Truth in Advertising” guarantees are needed to protect us. We who send our children to Jewish Days Schools, representing close to 10,000 (or more) families in the local area and comprising a large percentage of the Jewish community, have to fight a group with “Jewish” in its name. It seems that “The Jewish Community” is on a certain side when “The American Jewish Committee” is

on that side. If none of us knows a single Jewish member of the American Jewish Committee, what gives them the right to act as if they represent the entire Jewish community?

Again, what do they got that we ain’t got? Attorneys.

We are fighting well armed forces that have powerful attorneys. We have to fight back in kind. If we want the state to hear us when we demand equal services for our children in day schools, we have to be organized and speak through a united voice, through our attorneys. We don’t lose because we are wrong. We lose because we don’t have the attorneys to speak on our behalf. We lack the legally accepted people who can speak in court to show the courts that we are right.

We should not give up. We need to unite and be heard.

We have sat by and let small groups speak on behalf of the Jewish Community against the interests of that very community. We are the Jewish Community! And we have to be heard.

There are many Machiavellian techniques used by others to keep our voices weak. Who among us wants to admit that we cannot afford to pay $20,000 for one student’s tuition in a day school? We are embarrassed that we don’t have the money. We are further embarrassed when scholarship committees tell us how much we can afford to pay when we find no way that can pay that much. Furthermore, we don’t know what to say when Harvard constitutional law professors working for the American Jewish Committee explain before a court why we all must be protected constitutionally from the power of churches, not even realizing much of the time that these arguments are actually against not just churches, but also against our synagogues and Jewish schools. Without our voices, our Jewish day school students cannot get books, special education, and other supports from government. We don’t know what to say. We are embarrassed by our ignorance and by our limited bank accounts. And so, we remain quiet, even with our great suffering.

We need to find our voice. We need to be heard now.

We need to unite and organize. We need to cast off embarrassment. We need to hire attorneys on our behalf.

We not only need to fight back. We need to become proactive as we demand for our children when others get for theirs.

I welcome your reactions and comments.

Robert J. Rome, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in clinical practice in Encino, California.

He can be reached at RJRome@aol.com.

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T

his week, Moshe is commanded to count each tribe and tally the numbers -- thus the name of the Sefer BaMidbar is appropriately translated as The Book of Numbers. In a separate counting, the tribe of Levi is also enumerated. However, before the Torah counts the members of the tribe of Levi it reckons a subdivision of that tribe, the four children of Ahron who were designated as Kohanim (priests).

The Torah mentions those children by name, Numbers 3: 1-3: "These are the offspring of Ahron and Moshe on the day that Hashem spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai. These are the names of Ahron's children: Nadav, Avihu, Elozor and Isamar. These are the names of the children of Ahron who were Kohanim (priests), who were anointed to serve and minister."

An obvious question arises: the four children are also identified as sons of Moshe. They were not. In fact, Moshe's offspring are not mentioned in this section at all.

Moshe's mention as a forebearer of Ahron's children is in the context of a phrase that is seemingly out of place.

"These are the offspring of Ahron and Moshe on the day that Hashem spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai." What does speaking to Moshe at Sinai have to do with Moshe's relationship to his nephews?

The Talmud in Sanhedrin 19b derives from this verse that if one teaches someone else's children Torah it is as if he bore them. Thus, it is understandable that the Torah considers the children of Ahron, Moshe's offspring, "on the day that Hashem spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai."

Yet it is troubling. Why is Moshe considered a parent because he taught Torah to his nephews? Is that the greatest reason for the adulation that is due Moshe? He led the Jews, his nephews included from, Egypt. He orchestrated the splitting of the sea, and he saved them from heavenly retribution time and time again. Why is he considered as a parent only in the role of an educator? Why can't Moshe be considered as a savior or a patron, "as if he bore them?"

Rav Lazer Gordon, the Telshe Rosh Yeshiva, had a man visit his Yeshiva to find a suitable match for his daughter.

The man pointed to a boy who seemed very steeped in his studies and inquired about him.

"Oh," said Reb Laizer. "He is my Yankele. He is one of the most brilliant students in Telshe."

The man assumed it was the Rav's son and gestured toward another student. "That is my Dovid'l. He has extremely fine character." The man was puzzled until he kept hearing from the Rav a description of each boy was preceded with the words, "my." "My Avrohom. My Meir. And My Chaim'l."

"Are all these students your family?" he asked.

Rav Lazer smiled, "everyone who is in my Yeshiva is a dear child. That is the only way I will have it."

The Torah is not telling those who are being taught Torah, "consider your teacher as if he were your father." There are many sorts of role models who may be considered as dear as a parent.

The Torah is telling a message to the teacher of Torah. It is impossible to mold a student and teach him the greatness of Torah unless you love him and treat him as if he were your child.

A teacher in our Yeshiva was asked, "Rabbi, how are your children?" In all sincerity he replied, "do you mean the ones I see at night or the ones who I see by day?"

Moshe is identified as a forebearer of Ahron's children in a very specific context: when he had to show supernatural love for them. When teaching them Torah.

If you don't love your student as your own child, you may have read to him. You may have lectured him. But you certainly did not teach him. •

By Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetsky

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"Numbers" may be the name by which the fourth of the Five Books of Moses is commonly called, but in the Hebrew original it is known as Bamidbar, or "In the Wilderness." It is interesting to note that this parsha is always read immediately before the festival of Shavuot, "the season of the giving of the Torah."

What is the connection?

The Sages teach that it is not enough for G-d to give us the Torah, we have to be ready to receive the Torah. What makes us worthy recipients of this most precious and infinite gift from G-d? This is where the "wilderness" idea comes in. A wilderness is a no-man’s land. It is ownerless and barren. Just as a desert is empty and desolate, so does a student of Torah need to know that he is but an "empty vessel." Humility is a vital prerequisite if we are to successfully absorb divine wisdom.

As long as we are full of ourselves and our preconceived notions, we will not be able to assimilate and integrate Torah into our being. Even if are already somewhat accomplished in our Torah studies, we still need to remember--as the Kotzker Rebbe put it--that "as much as you know, you are still an undeveloped wilderness."

Then there is the idea that an ownerless wilderness is there for anyone to stake his claim. No person or group of people has a monopoly on Torah. It belongs to each and every single Jew, not just the rabbis or the yeshiva students, or the religiously observant. "The Torah that Moses commanded us is the heritage of the entire Congregation of Jacob" (Deuteronomy 33:4). While we acknowledge that there is much hard work ahead of us if we are to acquire the Torah and make it ours, we also know that with diligence and effort we can succeed. Indeed, some of our finest Torah scholars throughout the generations have hailed from the simple, ordinary folk -- tailors, cobblers and the like.

Maimonides in his Laws of Torah Study (3:1) states: "With three crowns was Israel adorned--the crown of Torah, the crown of the priesthood and the crown of royalty. The priesthood was the privilege of Aaron…royalty was the privilege of King David…the crown of Torah is there ready and waiting for all of Israel... and it is the greatest crown of all."

However, while Torah may be "free for all" as a desert wilderness, we must surrender ourselves to it, emptying ourselves of our ego and our preconceptions, rather than attempting to adjust it to our own circumstances and lifestyles.

And then, like the empty, uninhabited wilderness, the Torah personality may well find himself alone and isolated. We might express our strongly held values and beliefs only to discover that we stand alone. We might display the courage of our convictions and find ourselves, like Abraham, "on the other side" of the whole world. Our principles may well prove unpopular, especially should they stand on toes or upset apple carts. No matter. Being true to G-d and His Torah means standing by it, under any and every circumstance.

May the literal title of our parshah of Bamidbar and the many lessons it conveys serve as a fitting prelude for the beautiful festival of Shavuot. May we receive the Torah with joy and earnestness so that this important festival will be both memorable and meaningful. •

By Yossy Goldman

26

May 22-June 5 2009

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By Naftali Silberberg

Laws for Shavous

30

March 27 - April 24

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LEARNING ON SHAVUOT NIGHT On the first night of Shavuot (this year Thursday night, May 28, 2009), Jews throughout the world observe the centuries-old custom of conducting an all-night vigil dedicated to Torah learning, and preparation for receiving the Torah anew the next morning. One explanation for this tradition is that the Jewish people did not rise early on the day G d gave the Torah, and it was necessary for G d Himself to awaken them. To compensate for their behavior, Jews have accepted upon themselves the custom of remaining awake all night.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS The holiday of Shavuot is the day on which we celebrate the great revelation of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, 3320 years ago. You stood at the foot of the mountain. Your grandparents and great-grandparents before them. The souls of all Jews, from all times, came together to hear the Ten Commandments from G-d Himself.

This year, on Friday, May 29, go to your local synagogue to hear the Ten Commandments and reaffirm the covenant with G-d and His Torah.

Since we all stood at Mount Sinai, we must all reaffirm our commitment. Babies, young children, the elderly, all that are able should attend.

THE BOOK OF RUTH In many synagogues the Book of Ruth is read on the second day of Shavuot. There are several reasons for this custom: A) Shavuot is the birthday and yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of King David, and the Book of Ruth records his ancestry. Ruth and her husband Boaz were King David's great-grandparents.

B) The scenes of harvesting described in the book of Ruth are appropriate to the Festival of Harvest.

C) Ruth was a sincere convert who embraced Judaism with all her heart. On Shavuot all Jews were converts -having accepted the Torah and all of its precepts.

EATING DAIRY FOODS It is customary to eat dairy foods on the first day of Shavuot. There are a number of reasons for this custom; here are a few:

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March 27 - April 24

• On the holiday of Shavuot, a two-loaf bread offering was brought in the Temple. To commemorate this, we eat two meals on Shavuot -- first a dairy meal, and then, after a short interruption, we eat the traditional holiday meatmeal.

• With the giving of the Torah the Jews now became obligated to observe the laws of Kosher. As the Torah was given on Shabbat no cattle could be slaughtered nor could utensils be koshered, and thus on that day they ate dairy.

• The Torah is likened to nourishing milk. Also, the Hebrew word for milk is "chalav." When the numerical value of each of the letters in the word chalav are added together - 8, 30, 2 - the total is forty. Forty is the number of days Moses spent on Mount Sinai when receiving the Torah.

ADORNING THE HOME WITH GREENERY & FLOWERS Since Shavuot is also called the "Harvest Festival," it is customary to adorn the home and synagogue with fruits, flowers and greens. Furthermore, our Sages relate that although Mount Sinai was situated in a desert, when the Torah was given the mountain bloomed and sprouted flowers.

ERUV TAVSHILIN It is forbidden on a holiday to do any act in preparation for the following day, even if the following day is Shabbat.

However, the sages created a halachic device, called an eruv tavshilin, which allows one to cook food on a holiday day for use on a Shabbat that immediately follows it.

If a holiday day -- whether the first or second day of a holiday -- falls on a Friday, an eruv tavshilin is set aside on the day preceding the holiday [Wednesday or Thursday afternoon], so that we will be permitted to prepare for Shabbat (cooking as well as any other necessary preparations) on the holiday. Only one eruv is required per household.

This year (5769-2009), Shavuot falls on Friday and Shabbat, so an eruv tavshilin is made on Thursday afternoon before the holiday candles are kindled.

This eruv consists of a challah or two matzahs, and a cooked food, such as meat, fish, or an unpeeled hardboiled egg.

Take the food items (it is a good idea to wrap them in aluminum foil, or another distinctive packaging, to easily keep them apart from the rest of the foods in your home), and give them to another person (if possible an individual

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who is a non-dependant), and say the blessings.

The eruv is put away until Shabbat, when it is eaten. In many communities, it is customary to use the challah or matzah as one of the two loaves of bread used at the Shabbat meal.

IMPORTANT NOTES: • The eruv tavshilin only allows food preparations if the food will be ready with ample time remaining before Shabbat; enough time to theoretically allow the food to be consumed before sunset (if a troop of guests happens to trudge in to your home). This is an importnat detail to bear in mind when preparing the cholent, which cooks on the stove until the following day.

• The eruv tavshilin only allows one to cook on Friday for Shabbat, it does not permit cooking from one day of the holiday to the next (i.e. Thursday for Friday).

• On holidays it is only permissible to cook from a pre-existent flame, one that is burning since the onset of the holiday LAWS OF YOM TOV

Rejoicing The primary obligation of Yom Tov is expressed in the Torah: "And you shall rejoice in your festival...and you shall only be happy." This biblical obligation to rejoice is exclusive to Yom Tov—on Shabbat we are only required to honor the day and engage in pleasurable activities.

Here are the basic Yom Tov guidelines outlined by our sages: • We enjoy two meals on every day of Yom Tov—one at night and another during the daytime. It is a mitzvah to enjoy meat and wine during the course of each meal (the kiddush wine is not enough).

• It is customary to have a greater variety of food on Yom Tov than on Shabbat. Similarly, the Yom Tov wardrobe is traditionally more elegant than the Shabbat one.

• Men are obligated to purchase for their wives a new piece of clothing or jewelry in honor of Yom Tov. Children should be given sweets or a new toy.

• "When he eats and drinks [on Yom Tov], he is obligated to feed the foreigner, orphan and widow, together with other indigent paupers... One who locks the doors of his courtyard, however, and eats and drinks together with his children and wife, and does not feed and give drink to the poor and embittered—this is not the joy of a mitzvah, but the joy of his stomach..."

Permitted and Forbidden Activities: Almost everything that is forbidden on Shabbat is forbidden on Yom Tov. Using electrical appliances, going to work, handling money, writing—are all forbidden. The major differences between the two are cooking and baking, lighting a fire from a pre-existing flame, and carrying in the public domain. All these are permitted albeit with certain restrictions. Please consult with your local Rabbi if you have any questions.

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Receiving The Torah Anew 35

May 22-June 5 2009

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“ENOUGH!"

The Shpoler Zeide called out.

"That's the final blow!"

His disciples from a rural area outside Shpole had been suffering for years under the heavy yoke of their cruel landlord, a high-ranking member of Poland's nobility, who owned all the land in that area. He was constantly raising the rents on their homes and the leases for their businesses. But that he did to his non-Jewish tenants too. What hurt more were his vicious anti-semitic twists. He would make Jews that were indebted to him sing and dance in front of his aristocratic friends during their drunken parties, so that they could enjoy themselves laughing at the Jews. He had tried to force them to open their businesses on Shabbat. But his most recent depravity was the worst: he had issued a degree that in all buildings on his extensive properties, there had to be hanging a depiction of "that man" from Nazereth, around whom the gentile religion was centered.

Over the years, whenever any of the Jewish tenants happened to be in Shpole, they would ask the Rebbe to bless them and pray for their relief from this anti-semitic tyrant.

But this recent decree was too much. It was unthinkable.

They all gathered as one and came to the Zeide together.

When the tzaddik heard this latest tale of woe, he was furious.

"I've waited a long time for that wicked man to change his evil ways. But this is intolerable. He has to be taught a lesson. It is time for him to hear the Ten Commandments.

There is no choice."

His disciples circled around him were astonished by his words. They had no idea what he had in mind. But before anyone could muster the courage to ask for an interpretation, the Rebbe had already started speaking again.

"Listen carefully, please; this is what you must do. I know that every year for Shavuot you all travel to the city in order to celebrate the festival with a large congregation.

This year don't leave. Instead, stay home, and gather together at the home of the tenant with the largest property for the prayers and the communal holiday celebrations.

"Before the holiday, send a small delegation to the poritz (the rich nobleman), tell him about your arrangements, and invite him to come and hear the Festive Morning Prayers, and to bring all of his noble friends with him.

"As for you, prepare yourselves and purify yourselves properly for the holy occasion of the Receiving of the

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May 22-June 5 2009

Torah. I, also, shall come to join you. So now, go home in peace and don't worry."

The astonishment of the listeners didn't diminish at hearing these instructions. Indeed, it heightened, but still no one had the nerve to ask the tzaddik for an explanation. They quickly filed out of the Rebbe's room and hurried home, eager to carry out the Rebbe's commands.

The villagers that went to invite the lord met a pleasant reception, to their surprise. He happily accepted their request. Having heard individual Jews singing their prayers before, he figured to himself that a whole congregation of them should prove to be quite an entertaining spectacle for him and his fellow aristocrats. He promised the tenants that he and his associates would definitely attend. He then dismissed them and immediately launched preparations for a huge party for all the Polish aristocrats in the region, the highlight of which would be the spectacle of the Jewish prayer that would take place on the grounds he had leased to one of his tenants. The invitations he sent out included his promise for a "highly amusing surprise".

The Shpoler Zeide arrived early in the day of Erev Shavuot, with a large number of followers accompanying him. They quickly realized there would not be enough room on the farm for so many people. The Rebbe told them to go to the nearby hill, and raise up a large awning there, under which they would set up a platform with a table on it for the Reading of the Torah.

Shavuot morning arrived. The grassy lands around the hill were crowded with hundreds of Jews, waiting in nervous anticipation to see what would happen. All the dukes, counts and lords, and other wealthy landowners and nobility in the region - also waited eagerly, looking forward to the wonderful surprise their host had promised them.

The Rebbe approached the platform to lead the prayers himself. A hush fell over the assembly. The Jews began to pray with enthusiasm. The gentiles - seeing an old man with a long beard, covered from head to knees with an oversized white shawl with strings dangling off it to the ground, chanting loudly the words of the prayers while all his limbs seemed to be trembling and shaking - all laughed heartily. But when he called out in a extraordinarily powerful voice, " Shma Yisrael...echad", their laughter ceased instantly. It was as if a lion had roared. They were gripped by terror. They tried to hide it with nervous smiles. How could a puny, absurd Jew make them afraid? But they couldn't shake the mood as the Zeide's voice continued to reverberate off the hillside, until, a few minutes later,

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the praying Jews stood absolutely still and silent.

The repetition of the festival Standing Prayer was followed by the joyous singing of Hallel ("Thanksgiving") and chanting of the Akdamot. The festival joy was palpable. The Rebbe signaled for the Torah scroll to be brought out and rolled to its proper position in the Torah portion of Yitro for the Shavuot reading (Ex. 19-20). He then gazed at the surrounding crowd and slowly swiveled his head. It was clear that he was searching for someone. His gaze finally settled on a tall, very distinguished-looking man whom nobody else seemed to know. The Zeide summoned him to be the Torah reader.

Everyone murmured in surprise, but they were soon pleased by the choice. The guest's voice was both musical and powerful. When they reached the section of the Ten Commandments, the atmosphere altered radically. It had been a beautiful, clear, spring morning. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky a solid sheet of pastel blue, with not a dot of cloud to be seen. Suddenly, the heavens darkened, and tremendous peals of thunder boomed down upon them. Fright took hold of everyone.

The reader's voice rose in volume and intensity. "I am Gd who brought you out of Egypt." A Jew stood next to the landlord to translate word by word, but amazingly, the man realized he was able to understand directly, without aid, even though he didn't know a single letter of Hebrew.

"You shall not have others' gods before Me. Do not make any statue or image...." The lord trembled and felt weak in his stomach as he thought of how he had demanded the Jews put engraved images of Christian worship on their walls.

When he heard "Remember the Shabbat day that it should be holy", his knees buckled. His throat was constricted. Why had he tried to force the Jews to open their businesses on their holy day? "...The seventh day is the holy Sabbath of G-d."

He felt he was close to fainting.

His friends were similarly affected. They too felt they understood the commandments directly, as if the Holy Tongue were their native language. Each one meditated upon his sins and was seized with fear. Their faces were deathly white. Many of them fainted.

After a few moments which seemed like an eternity, the reading drew to a close and the noblemen recovered somewhat. Deeply embarrassed, they slipped away by ones and twos.

After the conclusion of the prayers, the Jews sat down to the traditional dairy meal. Between courses, the Shpoler Zeide said he would now explain the mysterious events that had taken place. The excited chasidim listened attentively.

"I assure you that your landlord and the rest of those noblemen will remember for the rest of their lives how they heard the Ten Commandments here today, and they will never afflict you again. To accomplish that I was forced to trouble Moses, our teacher, himself to come here and to read the Torah. I had no choice. He went too far. You have a great merit, my friends, to have been here today."

The assembled Jews all looked at each other in amazement. But there was more to come.

"You should know that your landlord, the duke, is not just a regular gentile. He has in him a spark of the soul of Jethro, the priest of Midian, who came to the Jews in the desert before they reached Mt. Sinai and acknowledged the existence of G-d...and that Israel is His chosen people."

That night, after the holiday ended, the duke sent a pair of messengers to his tenant's house to request that the Rebbe come to see him. The tzaddik agreed and went with them to the castle. The two men spent hours together alone, behind locked doors. The next morning the Shpoler Zeide returned home. He never told anyone what he had spoken about privately with the lord.

From that day on, the landlord's attitude towards his Jewish tenants changed dramatically. They were able to live in peace and prosperity, without any unfair pressure from the lord. Not only that, but with his own money he paid for the construction of a synagogue for the Jews that lived on his estates. He did insist, however, that it be built on that spot on the hill where the holy rabbi had come to pray.•

Rabbi Aryeh Leib known as the Shpoler Zeide ('grandfather'a nickname given to him by the Baal Shem Tov at his circumcision), is famed as a miracle worker and devoted to the succor of poor Jews in distress. In his early years, he was a disciple of Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz, a leading figure in the first generation of chassidim.X

Yerachmiel Tilles is the Co-founder of Ascent-of Safed.

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May 22-June 5 2009

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That Brought Thousands of Children Into The World The segulah: “On erev Shavuos, one should set aside 91 perutos and then (add more) to complete the (numerical equivalent)of twice the word ben, and one should give them to a needy and humble Torah scholar".

“And this is a segulah for the bbarren andd it hastens the Redemption…

“Remembered fondly is the wealthy man…who would distribute a large sum to all the modest Torah scholars on erev Shavuos with happiness and joy, including my own relatives… “I have mentioned their names so that others should see their actions and do the same, each man in his place.

Hagaon Harav Chaim Falagi in his sefer Mo’ed Lechol Chai, siman 27 ►In our times, Gedolei Hador have instructed to give $ 104. Kupat Ha’ir commits itself to distribute all the money on erev Shavuos to needy Torah scholars. ►You can also contribute via credit card and other methods of payment. ► In addition all names will be transferred to the Gedolei Hador, shlit”a, for blessing and prayer.

CALL OUR 24 HOUR TZEDAKAH HOT LINE

1-866-221-9352 For all information 1-800-233-2188 Our office in Israel: 972-3-671-6994 y p Ha'ir Please make checks p payable to: American Friends off Kupat

Donations can be sent to: Kupat Hair 4415 14th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219

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Calfornia Kosher Kitchen

Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Cake Engagements

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham crackers 1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar 1/3 cup melted butter or margarine 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries 1/2 cup sugar 3 8-ounce packages of cream cheese 6 ounces heavy cream 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup chocolate chips, melted and cooled

Rivka Lieberman & Ben Yachzel Shmulik Zalmanov & Bunia Bastomski Lev Cotlar & Dassy Dubinsky Belana Mlynash & Michael Warmflash Sholly Nadler & Nechama Dina Levin Yoni Handwerger & Sarah Lipman Moshe Klughaupt & Rivky Grawitsky Ahuvah Kaplan & Shlomo Gurwitz Nina Kleinman & Asher Adler Ronit Eisenberg & Mordechai Hess Leah Markovitz & Ephraim Gross Levi Sanowicz & Dena Gurkov Nochum Kaplan & Chana Amilov

Births - Boys Sruli & Danielle Perlman Yisroel and Henna Shomer

Directions

In a bowl, combine crushed graham crackers and powdered sugar. Blend in melted margarine. Press into the bottom of a 9" springform pan.

In another bowl, combine the strawberries with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar; set aside.

For the filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the condensed milk until combined.

Add vanilla and eggs. Divide this mixture in half.

Add the melted chocolate to one half of the mixture.

Pour this (the chocolate batter) into the crust lined pan. Add the strawberry and sugar mixture to the remaining batter. Spoon over the chocolate filling.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for half an hour. Remove sides of the pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Garnish with strawberry halves.

40

May 22-June 5 2009

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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009 Light Candles at: 7:35 pm •••

EVE OF FIRST DAY SHAVUOT THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009 Light Candles at: 7:39 pm •••

EVE OF SECOND DAY SHAVUOT FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009 Light Candles at: 7:39 pm •••

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009 Light Candles at: 7:44 pm

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Afshan Restaurant

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Café Del Mar Dairy/Meat Kehila

Chic N Chow

Elite Cuisine

Kehila

9407 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 788-0119

Nana Cafe Jerusalem Pizza & The Sushi

Kehila

17942 Ventura Blvd.

Encino, CA 91316 (818) 758-9595

Jeffs Gourmet

RCC

1509 S Robertson Blvd.

(310) 407-0404

Orange Delight

Kehila

13628 Ventura Blvd. SO, 91423 (818) 788-9896 Kehila

8930 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 858-8590

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Pats

Kehila

9233 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 205-8705

Pico Cafe

Kehila

Sassis

RCC

8826 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 273-9381

Pita Way

RCC

8532 Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 652-5236

Kehila

Shalom Pizza

RCC

Kehila

The Meating Place

Kehila

Shilohs

Smokin’

KCA

30313 Canwood St. AH, 91301 (818) 706-1255 Kehila

RCC

30313 Canwood St. A.H. 91301 (818) 991-3000

12514 Burbank Blvd. N.H, 91607 (818) 752-6866

Pizza Station

Subway

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Temptation Grill

Shanghai

Pizza Nosh

Kehila

RCC

17547 Ventura B. Encino, 91316 (818) 995-4700

8939 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 858-1652

8965 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 276-8708

SushiKo

8715 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 271-2255

140 North La Brea Blvd. 90036 (323) 857-0353 Rabbi Ami Markel

RCC

9340 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 274-3474

9401 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 553-0998 Kehila

Sunrise 9216 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 786-8282

15622 Ventura, Encino, 91436 (818) 986-5345

Pico Kosher Deli

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Kehila

365 Fairfax Ave. LA, 90036 (310) 289-6556

8944 W Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 310-385-9592

Pizza Maven

Pizza World

Tierra Sur at Herzog Winery

ou

3201 Camino DelSol Oxnard (805) 983-1560

Unique Cafe

Rabbi Aron Simkin

18381 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana (818) 757-3100

Kehila

8948 W Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 274-1222

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HOUSING FOR RENT Apartment Available in the Pico Area: Remodeled 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Apartment available on the first floor of a 6 unit building. Hardwood floors, garbage disposal, diswasher and stove included. Laundry room on premises. Walking distance to Shuls, Shopping, and Restaurants. Public transportation close and near the 10 and 405 freeways. Please call Nana at (310) 621-1819 to make an appointment to view the unit.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Exquisite Studio Apartment / Office - with Kitchenette. Brand New A/C & Appliances. Fully tiled full Bathroom. Private Entrance. Totally Detached. Utilities incl. Centrally located in the Heart of the La Brea/Beverly Area- Walking distance from Shuls & Kosher Stores, Ideal For someone single and frum. Please call: -1434323-708-5122 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REAL ESTATES OPPORTUNITIES

1) On Bedford street located between Whitworth and Olympic Blvd . Unit mix is 2 three bedrooms and 2 two bedrooms.

2) On Oakhurst located between Pico and Whitworth.

Unit mix is 4 two bedroom over 1000 square feet each unit size.

3) Storage & Office spaces available for rent for very reasonable prices.

4) We have a few pocket listing of gas station with convenient stores.

5) We have Apartement/Condo forclosures in Wilshire corridor and Beverly Hills.

6) We have two excellent Mini Shopping center with a cap over 7.

For further information contact Daniel Dayani, Realtor Associate at 310-279-2991

Office Space Want to rent an office but can't afford the whole room?

Rent a cubicle in our office!!! Clean, casual business environment, no limitations on schedule - come in and out any time, All utilities are paid, no worry no hassle.

Convenient location on W. 3rd & La Cienega. Come take a look or any questions please call 310-285-0200.

The office: $350/mo. Want to rent whole room $950/mo E- mail: Interconnectcare@yahoo.com -1455-

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Summer Rental 5 Bedroom 4 Bathroom large 2 story house available for rent in the Fairfax/La Brea area. From mid-June to mid-July. Large granite kosher kitchen, air conditioning, sleepes up to 12 people. Large backyard with swing set, trampoline and basketball, close to shuls and kosher stores. Please call Daniel 310-735-3310 1476-

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

1415 POINTVIEW ST. #5 , LA, 90035 Beautifully Remodeled 3 Bedroom and 2 Baths (Very Large and spacious), Section 8 is welcomed, Hardwood Floors/ New Paint, Balcony, Underground Parking, Security Building, Owner Managed, Concessions for new renters, Great Location near Crescent Heights/ Pico Blvd. More information, please Call Vicky at 310-2775167 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Room for rent small, frum family has a lovely, spacious, furnished room for rent in a large downstairs duplex apartment in Hancock Park. Private entrance and bathroom, central air, security, on a quite beautiful street. Kosher kitchen, washer/dryer, walking to distance to shul, kosher stores and restuarants. $750 per month. Please call 213-760-1152 or 951-206-9628.

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Room for rent for woman only, beautiful garden, Pico/Robertson, Shomer Shabbos, Call Sarah at 818451-5622

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May 22-June 5 2009

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE SALE PENDING:

Bev. Hills, N. of Wilshire: Newly built 4300 sq ft.

Recorded Info 1-800-417-7489 ID# 7005. www.BeverlyHillsInfo.net Bev Hills, 462 S. Swall: Sale /Lease: 2 story+ Guest House. Recorded Info 1-800-417-7489 ID# 8005. www.BevHillsHome.com COMING SOON Prime Hancock Park: 5000+sq ft, pool. La Brea, So. of Beverly: Lovely 4 bdrm, Pool, Guest House.

DISTRESS SALE/Foreclosures. Free hotlist.

Recorded Info. 1-800-417-7489 ID#7042 For More Info call Margalit (310) 210-3038, Mar-1456jorie@MillerRealEstateSales.com NEW KEHILLA The Tehachapi Torah Center Presents 'The Recent Complex Creation' Torah/ Science Reconciliation, available on Amazon or www.pearlmancta.com/TheComplexCreation...htm. The Tehachapi Torah Centered Community is suited for families, individuals, and existing Torah organizations. Healthy, Serene, Affordable, Child Friendly. Tehachapi Ca. 93561, 90 miles/minutes from route 14 at 5. Twice the Home for Half the Money. Homes Priced from $90k, Lots 30k. Lease Apartments from $450, Houses $800. Learn More!

Contact Roger M. Kernkehilla@att.net or call 310-9485137 www.pearlmancta.com/kerncountykehilla.htm

SERVICES A Perfect Setting Great gifts for all occasions- invited out for a Shabbos meal? baby gifts... Bas Mitzvah gifts... Wedding gifts....house warming gifts.....don't put it off..come in today and go out relieved. Call for a special appointment 323-938-8222 or 323-620-3618 ask for Rochel. -692-

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EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES Dress Maker Channa Tellis Dress Maker & Expert Alterations with 40 yrs of experience, also available for Sewing Classes. Please Call 323-933-5960 or 323-348-8786

Graphic Design LH DESIGN & PRINTING You name it we design it! Business Cards, Postcards, Posters, Flyers, Stickers, CD/DVD Covers, Websites, Wedding and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitations, Scrapbook Albums, Digital Books, Tshirts, & More... Please Call: 818-802-2625 www.LHdesignprint.com Email:Lmrhmr1@aol.com

Home Care Agency AAA InterConnectCare, Inc. Home care Agency Licensed, Insured, Bonded since 1993 CNA, CHHA, Caregivers, Companions in your home. Full insurance coverege and all payroll services for our employee.

Long term Care, Workers Comp insurances accepted Russin, Polish, Hungerian, Yidish and more 310-285-0200 8600 W. 3rd str, LA, Ca 90048. Conveniently located right across from Cedar Sinai Hospital HOSERY FOR SALE MELAS Luxurious Italian womens' hosery. Amazing prices, $3.25.

Call Sarah 818-451-5622.

-1455-

Music MusicbyMendel.com. Weddings, Bar-Mitzvahs, Special Occasions.

Contact now for availability and rates 310-595-5490 mendels@gmail.com ••• Eli's One Man Band for all your simchas and special events. Professional One Man Band and Singer available for all your simchas and special events. Options include: One man band with Guitarist Bentzi Marcus. Competitive Prices!

For more info Please call Eli Stiefel (310) 462 - 5368 or email elistiefel@gmail.com

Musical Production A TIME FOR DANCE fifth annual production of "THE WIZARD OF OZ" -June 7, 2009, 3:00 pm at Horace Mann Theater 8701 Charleville Blvd. Beverly Hills. Performance will include special ceremony to honor 5 year students of our company! Women $18/ Girls $15 discount with advance purchase. Last year's show was a sell out, so -1182get your tickets fast! (323) 404-0827

Newborn Night Nanny 0-3 months. Experienced with references. Call Shana 310-858-3042

Notary

POSITIONS WANTED Babysitter available Orthodox woman available to watch your children full time or part time hours, at your location. Excellent references. call: 323-651-9389.

Baby-sitting Orthodox, female college student looking for part-time baby-sitting job. I am responsible, have a car and great references. Please call Raizel: 310-936-8978 -1501Experienced aide for Special Needs students Orthodox, female college student looking for part-time position working with special needs student in a classroom setting. Excellent references. Call Raizel: 310-936-8978 -1501Secretary Nice, reliable & hard working Shomer Shabbos lady seeking secretarial/office position. I live in the S- Clarita area so preferably in the valley however I can also work at home. I have a laptop computer and have experience in the following: Phones, fundraising, computer and internet, typing and word processing, letter composition, faxing, and all general office duties. Let me make your business shine! You can contact Devorah at 661-808-4871

POSITIONS AVAILABLE Educational Aid Looking for an education aide who is warm, responsible, to work in a Jewish day school in North Hollywood for an 9 year old boy. Special education experience preferred and or teaching experience. 8:30 am-2:30 pm. Please call 818776-9552 ••• We need an educational aide for our 20 year old son with special needs who is attending Valley College part time. Patient, reliable male, legally able to work in the U.S. Training and ongoing support will be provided. Please call 818-424-4612 Volunteer Seeking woman volunteer for Secretarial / computer work for non profit organization helping to feed hungry in Israel. If interested please contact Dorit at 818- 355-3789

Traveling Notary Yosef Y. Shagalov: Traveling Notary Public & Home Signing Agent. Cell:(323)934-7095 email: yys770@aol.com

Translation & Interpreting (Hebrew>English>Hebrew) Professional Translation (Written) and Interpreting (Verbal) Services Business ‫ ٭‬Legal ‫ ٭‬Medical ‫ ٭‬Technical ‫ ٭‬Certificates * Consulting and Escorting Business Persons &Visitors.

Zion Avdi - 310-402-3778Email:zion@hebrewtranslation.com Web: ww.hebrewtranslation.com

Wigs Headlines / European Wigs • Wash & Set • Hair Accessories

ADVERTISE WITH THE COMMUNITY LINKS PHONE: 323-965-1544 FAX: 323-927-1596

• Jewelry • Ear Piercing. Call Chaya Suri @ 323-930-1389

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May 22-June 5 2009

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May 22-June 5 2009

• T O A D V E R T I S E P L E A S E C A L L 323-965-1544 •

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cheder menachem

gala chinese

auction sunday, june 14, 2009 | 22 sivan, 5769

6:45 prize viewing 8:30 program begins admission $25 per person, includes: Ŕ Buffet dinner and dessert reception

the petersen automotive museum the outdoor terrace 6060 wilshire blvd. (corner of wilshire and fairfax ave.) los angeles, ca 90036

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May 22-June 5 2009

Ŕ Free $20 aution prize ticket

for more info www.chedermenachemauction.com

• T O A D V E R T I S E P L E A S E C A L L 323-965-1544 •

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Touro University Mare Island, California 30 miles from San Francisco & Oakland

Doctoral Programs in Medicine & Pharmacy

• Certified Glatt Kosher Food Service • • All programs are closed in observance of Shabbat and Jewish Holidays • • On campus Rabbinic Staff creating vibrant and meaningful Jewish Environment •

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL Rabbi Tenenbaum, Director of Student Activities, 707-638-5507 or email elchonon.tenenbaum@touro.edu