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May 20-June 3, 2011
Vol. 8 Issue 181
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Features
May 20, 2011
Next Advertising Deadline May 27, 2011 Circulation June 3, 2011
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Media Kit & Pricing 323.965.1544 Email info@communitylinks.info News & Press Releases press@communitylinks.info Virtual Subscription subscribe@communitylinks.info
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A New Journey
What If...
Imagine if everyone gave just two hours of their time a week to help a family, child, or adult in need. Dr. Robert Rome
50 12
How many of you have wanted to try something - maybe in business, maybe a new career, a new personal direction. Something? Joe Samson
THE COMMUNITY LINKS is published biweekly and is distributed free to the Jewish Community of Southern California. THE COMMUNITY LINKS accepts no responsibility for typographical errors or reliability of Kashrus of any advertisers. All submissions become the property of THE COMMUNITY LINKS and may be shortened and/or edited for length and clarity. Articles published in THE COMMUNITY LINKS express the views of the individual writers and may not necessarily represent the views of THE COMMUNITY LINKS. No artwork or any part of the magazine may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without the written permission of the publisher.
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Explaining Life For The Suffering
Out Of The Depths
The vile soldiers trained their guns on him as the commander began to speak. "Tell us Rabbi," sneered the officer, "do you really believe that you are the Chosen People?"
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Why live when enduring so much pain and suffering? Why have his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren live with the agony of seeing him in pain? Rabbi Eli Hecht
Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky
COMMUNITY LINKS • Volume 8 Issue 181 4
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ARTISTIC JEWELERS
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May 20, 2011
There are many problems among observant families in the Los Angeles Jewish Community. Many young couples marry early and start having children when they have only limited resources. After having children, young families often spend literally every penny they have on preschool, day school, or cheder/yeshiva tuition. It costs major money to lead an observant life. Observing holidays like Passover can be so expensive. Men participating in twice daily minyanim often cause the father to be absent at key times in the morning and evening. When there are four, five, six, or more children in a family, there are often children who get at best only limited attention, especially in two working-parent families. There are many resources in Los Angeles. But most services also have major costs attached to them. A twoworking parent household may have to pay to a community agency $90 or more on a sliding fee basis for a single hour of counseling for just one child. The cost of a psycho-educational evaluation to deal with the learning needs of a child is beyond the reach of most. Parents with children in need often have nowhere to turn. I try to help. I work as a clinical child psychologist. Knowing of my work with children, many families in need and Rabbis and other professionals call me • 323-965-1544 •
with questions about children with special needs from families with few resources. Sometimes, reviewing reports from a child’s teacher or even briefly observing the child can lead to successful referral to a community agency or other support. A discussion with a parent can result in the development of a preliminary behavior plan which could help reduce the inappropriate behavior of a child at home. A few hours of pro bono services a week can help dozens of families a year. I am one person. I can do only so much as a volunteer in addition to the work required to earn a living. I can help as a psychologist. But families often have many needs which go far beyond clinical child psychology. There are so many ways others can help. Imagine if everyone gave just two hours of their time a week to help a family, child, or adult in need. A teacher could tutor a young child or teen with learning needs… A grandparent could use his or her talents to provide a child from a large family with quality play time… A plumber could provide needed services for a family without resources for a plumber… info@communitylinks.info
A contractor could help a frum family install a new kosher oven in their apartment… A jeweler could provide a chain or charm for a birthday or mother’s day gift to provide a special day for an overworked mother of four… An accountant can help a working class family process their tax return to get their tax refund… A woman of means can bake Shabbat challahs for an overworked mother without. A man or woman with “handyman” talents and a few tools can repair a used bicycle for use by a child without a bike or toys… Each person has talents and abilities that can help others. Two hours a week of service would equate to 100 or more hours a year for each volunteer. The thousands of individuals who can help could benefit thousands of families in need. There already is a successful volunteer program in the Jewish Community. The Jewish Federation touts the Koreh L.A. program where volunteers from the Jewish Community help mostly Hispanic students in Los Angeles schools with their school work. With this help, the Latino students show increased test scores and reading skills. This is a great program, but the major benefit is mostly for those outside of the Jewish Community. Why don’t we channel our community resources to help those in need within our own community? There is so much we could accomplish. There are so many needs and so many people we can serve. Just two hours a week of service by those who are able to help would do so much. It would not be difficult to do. There would simply have to be a matching of those in need with those who have an ability to serve. While having a couple of social workers or others coordinate such a program would help get the most accomplished, paid workers would not be required to get the program off the ground. Is anyone interested? I would love to get this effort underway. Together, we could do so much. Email me with your interest. Help identify how you could help. If you need help, identify what help may be beneficial......Your ideas are welcome.
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“Just two hours a week…” That could be a jingle for a program which could change our community. By Robert J. Rome, Ph.D. 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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Community Links is happy to welcome, Joe Samson Associates - A Full Service Success and Life Coaching Company specializing in working with clients who are unable to find employment, dissatisfied with their current working situation or those looking to change their careers. Dear Reader, It is a great delight that I have been requested by Community Links to become a recurring contributor for the magazine. Since the inception of this widely read publication, Community Links has become a very significant source of information serving the greater Los Angeles Jewish Community. This being my first article, I welcome you as a new member of COACH JOE’S SUCCESS LINEUP! In Pirkei Avos, the Wisdom of the Fathers, (Mishna) the Rabbis’ were quite explicit in their statements about acquiring a teacher for yourself. Ahead of their times in the understanding of human development and achievement, notice they never said provide for yourself a teacher until you reach the age of 20, 30, 40 etc… Why? Simply because we must pursue knowledge to continue to grow and develop. It is very difficult to move forward without constructive input. As you remember from your youth, most of your work was accomplished because you also had accountability both to your teacher and parents. Being an adult makes progress even more complicated as so many daily and life issues surround every decision you make (ie: financial, relationship, time management, etc.) So many of us don’t realize the importance of sharing your thoughts with or to bounce your ideas off of someone who can give you needed objective feedback keeping you grounded to your success plan. Questions? How many of you have wanted to try something - maybe in business, maybe a new career, a new personal direction. Something? Ask yourself how long you have been contemplating putting your desire into action. Why haven’t you moved forward? Fear? Negativity from those surrounding you? Finances? Lack of knowledge? Just can’t get going alone?
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How about excuses? Does this sound familiar… “I wouldbut”… “I can’t because”… “If only”.
move forward and create a better and more fulfilled life. Remember, it is a Mitzvah to be HAPPY.
Can you imagine where we would be as a Jewish Nation today if our Matriarchs and Patriarchs had not followed through with the Almighty’s instructions. Even Moses had Hashem to speak with!
Yes, the Rabbis’ were and are correct! Everyone needs a teacher, a mentor, a COACH to support you in reaching your full potential. My intention with each Community Links issue is to aid you in identifying and accomplishing your professional and personal goals. To assist you on creating a new journey towards success.
Ok, there are many issues on YOUR plate! The economy is a disaster! Almost everyone has been effected one way or another. Jobs are far and few in between. Business profits are down.
With Hashem’s help and your Emuna anything can be accomplished.
Due to this and other difficulties many of you are in chaos! Your marriage, relationships, family life, self esteem, and other aspects of your existence simply put - needs serious adjustment.
Joe Samson
So what is there to do? Some try the escape scenario, sleeping, ignoring the problems, overeating, worrying, on and on…
Joe Samson Associates will work together with you in identifying your particular goals through specific and creative strategies, and assist you in achieving those goals.
Unfortunately, these and similar solutions DO NOT WORK! They don’t change anything. I’m sure you have heard the expression that the definition of craziness is to do the same thing over and over and expect a different result. Without question, every scenario in your life begins with G-d! We must ask for Hashem’s assistance and blessings no matter what we undertake. But each one of us still has to take the actions necessary to
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Joe Samson Associates *******************************
******************************* Joe Samson, a Celebrity Life Coach, is a Certified Master Life Coach and the Founder and CEO of Joe Samson Associates. For more information please call the office at: 818-332-3070 or 800-721-2480. E-mail: joe @ jsamson.com Website: Jsamson.com (under construction)
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S
We are very pleased to announce that the ADMo”R
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For an appointment and more information, call:
323-422-4291 Friends of the Pittsburgh Institutions 411 N. Citrus Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 15
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T
his portion contains the tochacha, the stern admonitions and treacherous warnings of what will happen to the Jewish people lest they not observe the Torah. Of course, the prescient predictions of misfortune are preceded with a bounty of blessing if we keep the Torah.
OUT OF THE DEPTHS
Unfortunately, however, the good comes with the bad, and the unfavorable penalties are not omitted. They are hauntingly clear and undiluted. The Torah details calamity with Divine accuracy. It predicts enemies with foreign tongues will come from foreign lands to capture us. The Torah forewarns that these conquerors will not act like most, to leave the subjugated in their own land. They will, says the Torah, disperse the Jews throughout the entire world. Frightfully, the parsha foreshadows the horrors of the inquisition and Holocaust with descriptions of barbarism, Jews betraying Jews, and mass starvation. The predictions are amazing in their accuracy; and more depressing, we were the victims. It's a very difficult parsha, but the Torah must apprise us about the pain and suffering we will eventually endure. This essay is in no way attempting to answer why those bad things happened to good people. But two thousand years before the events, the Torah predicts events that are unprecedented in the annals of conquerors and the vanquished. And it happened. Yet the Torah doesn't end it's tochacha only with notes of despair. The strong admonitions close with a promise that, though we will be spread throughout the world we will always yearn for our homeland, feel connected to it, and that an enduring spirit and love for Judaism and our Father in Heaven will never cease. Three thousand years and countless massacres, crusades, inquisitions later it still works. Pretty powerful. That would have been a great way to end off quite a depressing portion. It would have even been a wonderful way to end the Sefer VaYikra. But the Torah ends the portion with quite an anticlimactic group of laws. Immediately after the tochacha, it discusses the laws of erechin. A person has the right to donate his own value or the value of any of his possessions to the Temple. He can declare his home, his animals, even himself as subject to evaluation. Moreover, the Torah assesses a value to any living soul. And that value, whether 30 silver shekels or 50 shekels, is to be donated to the Temple. What connection is the last part of the parsha to the stern and ominous portion that preceeds it?
PARSHAS BECHUKOSAI 24
May 20, 2011
After the Nazis invaded the small village of Klausenberg, they began to celebrate in their usual sadistic fashion. They
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gathered the Jews into a circle in the center of town, and then paraded their Rebbe, Rabbi Yekusial Yehuda Halberstam, into the center. They began taunting and teasing him, pulling his beard and pushing him around. The vile soldiers trained their guns on him as the commander began to speak. "Tell us Rabbi," sneered the officer, "do you really believe that you are the Chosen People?" The soldiers guarding the crowd howled in laughter. But the Rebbe did not. In a serene voice, he answered loud and clear, "Most certainly." The officer became enraged. He lifted his rifle above his head and sent it crashing on the head of the Rebbe. The Rebbe fell to the ground. There was rage in the officer's voice. "Do you still think you are the Chosen People?" he yelled. Once again, the Rebbe nodded his head and said, "yes, we are." The officer became infuriated. He kicked the rebbe in the shin and repeated. "You stupid Jew, you lie here on the ground, beaten and humiliated. What makes you think that you are the Chosen People?" From the depths of humiliation clouded in dust, the Rebbe replied. "As long as we are not the ones kicking and beating innocent people, we can call ourselves chosen." The Kotzker Rebbe explains that the Torah follows the portion of tochacha, the story of Jews kicked and beaten from their homeland, with an even more powerful message. No matter what happens, we have great value as individuals, and as a nation, now and for eternity. Hashem understands that even in the depths of the Diaspora each and every one of us is a great commodity. Lying on the ground, beaten and degraded, a Jewish man, woman, or child can declare his value to the Temple, for no matter how low any nation considers him, G-d values his great worth. And he is considered cherished for eternity. Until the great day when all the nations of the world will also realize the precious value of the tiny nation that dwells amongst them. • Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky www.torah.org
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May 20, 2011
JEWISH BOYS’ SLEEP-AWAY CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS The United Camp Scholarship Coalition for Boys was created to help families send their boys to sleep-away camp in these troubled economic times. - UCSC Boys can lower the cost of your camp tuition by up to 50% - Many Camps have united in these efforts to help you. These camps cater to children from all different backgrounds, from Kiruv to Modern Orthodox to Yeshivish. To find out more: Email UCSCBoys@gmail.com with your name, school, grade and shul/rov affiliation, what your son(s) looks forward to in his sleep-away camp experience, and how much you CAN afford to pay. We will respond promptly with a coalition-member camp that fits your needs, and is offering a UCSC reduced tuition fee, and a referral code. You will then use the referral code to deal with the camp directly. HATZLACHA RABA.
Please note that UCSC does NOT offer cash grants or loans to pay for camps that are not part of the coalition. UCSC workers are volunteers and are not paid for their time or work. All Orthodox Boys Camps are invited to join the Coalition, by making Reduced Tuition Slots available. Camps interested in participating in the Coalition, please contact us by email. Contributions accepted. Make checks payable to Gmach Zichron Yosef, POB 13 Atlantic Beach, NY 11509
United Camp Scholarship Coalition
Send your son to Sleep-Away Camp this Summer At A Substantially Reduced Tuition Fee! Boys, grades 3 – 9, presently attending a Yeshiva or Day School
Only Requirement is a STATEMENT OF NEED. No Financial Documentation will be requested. Contact us: at ucscboys@gmail.com Include the camper’s name, age, grade and Yeshiva, and the family’s Shul/Rov affiliation
UCSC does NOT have funds available to pay for camp. We are a Coalition of Camps: Modern Othodox, Sports, Young Israel, YU, etc. with slots available at our member camps at substantially reduced tuition. Camps interested in participating in the Coalition, please contact us. Contributions accepted. Please, make checks payable to Gmach Zichron Yosef POB 13 Atlantic Beach, NY 11509
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May 20, 2011
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The Community Links is extremely delighted and honored to welcome a new contributor to our magazine, the distinguished Rabbi Eli Hecht, a noted oped writer for the Press Telegram/Long Beach and the Daily Breeze/Torrance. Rabbi Hecht’s commentary is syndicated by The New York Times Features, and his works have appeared in numerous other well known publications including The Jewish Press and The Los Angeles Times to name a few. Rabbi Hecht’s works have been translated into many languages including Hebrew, Yiddish, Italian and Spanish. Rabbi Hecht is the author of a wonderful book, which we highly recommend - Crossing the Williamsburg Bridge. Here the reader, through a myriad of heartwarming stories related by Rabbi Hecht, can obtain a unique glimpse of Chassidic perspectives into their way of life through the memories, customs and experiences of Holocaust survivors passing from generation to generation.
Recently, when visiting my ailing father the following happened: It was 3:30 a.m. My father was sitting in his wheelchair. He was helped into his wheelchair by the 24 hour nurse. He was just too weak to lift himself. “I don’t have any strength” he said. So it has been for a year that he goes to sleep and after an hour or two wakes up and stays awake. He has a drink of tea and then is helped back to bed. He sleeps another hour or two and then gets up and asks to be put back into the wheelchair and have tea and biscuits. He stays up as long as he can and then falls asleep in the chair. This is his nightly routine. It’s every
night, week after week, month after month. Nothing changes. Somehow his nights are extensions of daytime. He just can’t sleep a regular night. Days have become nights and everything is topsy turvy. Well, that night I could not sleep so I joined my dear father at 3:30 a.m. for tea and a philosophy talk. Why live when enduring so much pain and suffering? Why have his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren live with the agony of seeing him in pain? Why go on trying to live, he hinted. It was a sad night indeed. Both of us were coming to terms and were having a father son moment.
But since he has been born, let him investigate his past doings. And others say: Let him examine what he is doing (Erubin 13b). A Midrash says that when Moshe, the first Jewish prophet, petitioned G-d, “Please reveal to me Your ways of in treating the world,” G-d replied, “No man can see Me and live!” Before his death G-d wanted to demonstrate Moshe’s greatness to the Heavenly hosts. He therefore called the angel Gavriel and ordered him, “Go and bring to Me Moshe’s soul!” “Master of the Universe, how can I cause the death of a human being who is equal to the Jewish nation?”
I thought for that moment and said that from my education I have made this observation. “It’s not up to us to deal with finding a reason to live or to die. It’s up to G-d Almighty.”
Then G-d commanded angel Michael to carry out the mission.
Let me qualify with a teaching of Judaism.
The Almighty then turned to the Angel of Death, “Go and bring to Me Moshe’s soul!”
In the Talmud the Rabbis taught: For two and a half years the school of Shammai and the school of Hillel differed: The former said: “It would have been better for man not to have been born at all than to have been born.” The latter said: “It would have been better for man to have been born than not to have been born.” Their votes were finally taken, and it was decided: It would have been better for man not to have been born at all than to have been born.
“I cannot bear to see him die,” replied Michael. “I used to be his rebbe teacher.”
The Angel of Death took hold of his sword ready to carry out his mission. When he found Moshe he was writing in a sefer Torah. “I came to take your soul” said the Angel of Death. “And who sent you?” Moshe asked. “G-d Who created all,” replied the Angel of Death.
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“I take the souls of all human beings, such is the natural law of the universe.”
promised. And so Moshe was taken from his earthly body.
“But I am not subject to the laws of nature,” insisted Moshe. “I am the son of Amram, the past leader of the Jews in Egypt. I am holy from birth. I was able to walk and talk on the day of my birth like Adam. When I was eighty years old, G-d had me perform many miracles in Egypt. I led the exodus of 600,000 Jews in broad daylight out of Egypt. I split the Sea into twelve parts. I turned waters bitter, sweet. I sojourned in heaven and conversed with the Almighty face-to-face. I brought the Torah and the secrets of angels down to mankind. I fought against the mighty giants Sichon and Og. I made the sun and moon stand still during battles.
So it seems that even Moshe, the greatest prophet that ever lived, did everything possible to stay alive but was told by G-d he could not live in his body but would live in another world and see his work continue! Moshe would now meet all his family that preceded him – Amram, his father and even the sons of Yaakov and the Matriarchs and Patriarchs. He would see all the future generations grow.
“Who else, among mankind, can do all this? Natural laws that allows you to take man’s soul does not apply to me.” The Angel of Death, confounded, conceded defeat. Then a Heavenly Voice proclaimed, “Moshe, the time of your death is at hand!” “Please do not deliver me to the Angel of Death,” Moshe begged G-d. “Do not be afraid,” the Heavenly Voice declared. “I Myself will take care of you. Moshe arose and prepared himself for death, sanctifying himself like one of the angels. G-d descended together with the angels and summoned his soul. “Holy soul,” He addressed the soul, “I planned for you to remain in Moshe’s body for 120 years. Now you must leave’ do not delay.” The soul replied, “Master of the Universe, there is no purer body than Moshe’s, I do not want to leave him.” “I will store you under My Heavenly Throne of Glory, with the angels,” G-d
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In a Chossid’s case when he outlives his body he meets his Rebbe-teacher. So what a sweet “out of body experience” it would be to see your loved ones once again, the previous teachers all the way back to the Baal Shem Tov, master of a good name, founder of the Chassidic movement (early 1700’s). As Jews we believe in a heaven where souls meet and bask in the glory of G-d. I said “The main thing is not to leave earlier than you are meant to! Let G-d make the choice and then there is nothing to worry about. When leaving the body by the express command of G-d and not by choice of man, you truly live forever. We need to surrender to destiny then all is well. So with that my father said, “Eli, I think you made your case. Enough said. I’ll be around as long as I can. Good night and sweet dreams!” It has been taught three things, the Lord has kept from His people: the hour of death, the Day of Judgment and the reward of good deeds (Midrash Hagadol). In the meantime we all pray for his health Rabbi Eli Hecht is vice–president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and past–president of the Rabbinical Council of California. He is the director of Chabad of South Bay in Lomita, CA which houses a synagogue, day school, nursery school and chaplaincy programs. • 323-965-1544 •
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LARGEST KOSHER GROUP BUYING WEBSITE EXPANDS INTO LOS ANGELES MARKET Summary: The story of KosherKouponz is a remarkable case study in how popular concepts developed by the secular world can be effectively tailored and deployed to the Orthodox Jewish community. TEANECK, NEW JERSEY May 15, 2011 - Groupon's historic rise has been documented and analyzed by virtually every financial publication. In just three years, the daily deal site, which offers deep reductions on food and merchandise in local communities, has grown into a major force in thee-commerce industry with many financial experts now placing a valuation on the company of more than $20 Billion. To date, no company has
grown at sucha pace in any sector. As such, a rush of entrants have spurred into the daily deal business trying to emulate the business model. However, the overwhelming majority these daily deal sites do not appeal to the average orthodox consumer. Even with occasional offers from a kosher eatery, the observant consumer would need to sift through many days of non-relevant food or inappropriate entertainment deals before stumbling upon one that was attractive. One year ago, David Siegel of Teaneck, New Jersey embarked on an ambitious plan to offer the daily deal concept to the obser-
vant community. The goal was to focus the deals on strictly kosher venues, Jewish themed events and other merchants in the local orthodox communities. All food entities featured would need to bear a reliable hashgacha in order to be featured. "We have had opportunities to do deals with popular eateries carrying questionable hashgachas but have declined", Siegel remarked. "Our guiding philosophy is sensitivity to halacha and Torah values." "While we are a people who like to eat," stated Siegel, "KosherKouponz also offers discounts at many other merchants including hair stylists, entertainment venues, Judaica shops, spas, car washes and many more." After partnering with the founders of the popular OnlySimchas.com, the site went live in December 2010. The demand was overwhelming and within 3 months the site amassed over 10,000 subscribers and generated more than $200,000 in sales. The first deals were only available in Teaneck and Manhattan but the company quickly expanded to the Five Towns and later to the Brooklyn market. Many of the most popular merchants in the Metro NY Jewish market have already been featured; including Carlos & Gabby's, Estihana and an UncleMoishy Concert. A recent buy 1 get 1 free cheese deal for Natural and Kosher product, resulted
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in 1,700 coupons printed. The largest deal to date was a Carlos & Gabby's coupon with nearly 2,500 purchasing a $16 for $25 certificate to the popular restaurant located in Cedarhurst, Brooklyn,Queens. While the site is still in its early stages, KosherKouponz has ambitious expansion plans and is now the first kosher Group Buying website on both the east and west coast. The website is prepared to launch in Los Angeles in May 2011, thanks in much part to Mike Burgher, Director of West Coast Operations. Burgher brings this new way of saving money to his friends in L.A. "Groupon has done a great job in the secular market." Says Burgher. "Finally, we have a 'Groupon-type' website that offers similar tremendous deals to our favorite restaurants and stores, right here in the Pico/Robertson 'chood'!" Many premier food manufacturers, supermarkets, entertainers and retailers who previously advertised exclusively in print have been exploring this new approach to advertising. "It takes time to explain the group buying concept, but once merchants understand it they really appreciate its value" explained Siegel. "We are optimistic that KosherKouponz will provide a venue for our community to enjoy what the rest of the world already has". info@kosherkouponz.com
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The Book of Numbers begins with the Torah's command to take a census of the Jewish Nation. Each male over twenty years old from every tribe was to be counted. However, the tribe of Levi was singled out to remain uncounted in the national census. "You shall not count the tribe of Levi, and you shall not take a census of them from among the Children of Israel" (Numbers 1:49). Levi was indeed counted, separately and differently. Its children were counted from a month old as opposed to twenty years old. They were counted at a separate occasion, and their numbers were not included in the national census. Why did Levi merit such distinctive treatment? The Midrash tells us that Hashem specially designated them. They were considered as the King's special legions. During the sin of the Golden Calf, when so many of their fellow Jews served the idol, the tribe of Levi was stalwart in its opposition. Therefore Levi was chosen to serve in the Temple in the place of the firstborns, who were originally designated to perform the service. The Midrash quotes the Al-mighty. "The Levites made themselves close to me, and I will be close to them."
Adam Parker Glick, President of the Jack Parker Corporation, told me the following story: Not too long after Nikita Khrushchev's rise to power in the former Soviet Union in the 1950s, he addressed a large gathering of the communist faithful. He began to excoriate the crimes and misdeeds of his predecessor, Joseph Stalin, and promised a new era of freedom and civility. As he was decrying the purges, crackdowns, and horrific crimes of his predecessor, all of a sudden a meek voice from the back of the room was heard. "Mr. Chairman, where were you when all this was happening? Why didn't you say something?" It was apparent that Khrushchev heard the question. His face turned red as he retorted in a menacing voice, "Who said that?" Silence. He screamed louder. "Who is the one who asked that? I want to see him NOW!"
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A dead silence filled the room. No one moved. Then a sly smile spread over Khrushchev's face. He looked toward the back of the large room. In slow and calculated staccato spurts he began to shout, "I know exactly where you are! I know exactly where you are standing!" The nervous silence was unbearable, as the large audience awaited the fate of the poor man. "I know where you are standing," repeated the feared leader of the world's largest communist country. "You are standing in the exact spot that I stood when Stalin used to make his speeches!" The Chidushei HaRim explains that Levi did much more than passively not serve the idol. When Moshe cried Whoever is on the side of Hashem join with me!" the only collective group who responded were the Levites. Many Jews may have refrained from worshipping the calf, the Gerer Rebbe explains, but only those who stood up and protested deserve to direct the spirituality of the nation. While silence may sometimes remove the cloak of culpability, it will never crown you with the strength of leadership. •
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The Chidushei HaRim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Alter of Gur, is bothered. "Surely, there were some other Jews who did not
serve the Golden Calf. Why, then, was Levi singled out to serve in the Mishkan? Why didn't Hashem select anyone who did not serve the Golden Calf ?"
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Rabbi Judah commenced the discussion by observing, "How fine are the works of this people [the Romans]! They have made streets, they have built bridges, they have erected baths." Rabbi Jose was silent. Rabbi Shimeon bar Yohai responded: "All that they made, they made for their own benefit. They built market-places, to set harlots in them; baths, to rejuvenate themselves; bridges, to levy tolls for them."
selves, prayed, and then put off their garments again, so that they should not wear out. Thus they dwelt twelve years in the cave. Then Elijah the Prophet came and stood at the entrance to the cave and exclaimed: "Who will inform the son of Yochai that the emperor is dead and his decree annulled?" So they emerged. Seeing a man ploughing and sowing, they exclaimed: "They forsake eternal life and engage in temporal life!" Whatever they cast their eyes upon was immediately incinerated. A heavenly echo came forth and announced: "Have you emerged to destroy My world? Return to your cave!" So they returned and lived there another twelve months, saying, "The punishment of the wicked in Gehenna is limited to twelve months." A heavenly echo then came forth and said, "Go forth from your cave!"
Judah the son of proselytes went and related their talk, which reached the government. They decreed: "Judah, Now wherever Rabbi who exalted us, Eleazar harmed [with his shall be exalted, R. Shimon bar Yochai and look], Rabbi Shimeon R. Elazar in the Cave Jose, who was healed. Said Rabbi depiction by chassidic silent, shall be exartist Shoshannah Shimeon to his son, "My iled to Sepphoris; Brombacher son! You and I are suffiShimeon, who cient for the world." censured, shall be executed." On the eve of the Sabbath before Rabbi Shimon and his son went sunset they saw an old man holding and hid themselves in the study hall, two bundles of myrtle and running at and his wife brought him bread and twilight. "What are these for?" they a mug of water and they dined. asked him. "They are in honour of the When the decree became more se- Sabbath," he replied. "But one should vere... they went and hid in a cave. suffice you?" they asked. "One is for A miracle occurred and a carob- 'Remember [the Shabbat day' (Exodus tree and a wellspring of water were 20:8)] and one is for 'Keep [the Shabcreated for them. They would re- bat day' (Deuteronomy 5:12)]." move their garments and sit up to Said Rabbi Shimeon to his son: "See their necks in sand. The whole day how precious are the mitzvot to people they studied; when it was time for of Israel." Thereupon their minds prayers they robed, covered them- were put at ease. •
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Talmud, Shabbat 33b
A Carob Tree & a Spring
abbi Judah, Rabbi Jose, and Rabbi Shimeon were sitting, and Judah, a son of proselytes, was sitting near them.
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AVI CHAI FOUNDATION GRANT BENEFITS L.A. JEWISH DAY SCHOOLS Jewish day schools in greater Los Angeles can look forward to a stronger financial position and greater affordability in years to come, thanks to a collaborative effort between LA-based BJE: Builders of Jewish Education (BJE), the national Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE), the AVI CHAI Foundation and local donors.
Wachsberger, the Los Angeles Jewish Federation, and Ruth
Los Angeles is one of three communities nationwide selected to participate in the first round of the “Generations” program. Baltimore and a third soon to be announced community, were also selected. A $3.1 million grant from the AVI CHAI Foundation will make it possible for up to seven schools in each of the three communities to receive coaching, marketing support, training and incentives to launch multi-year endowment and legacy giving campaigns beginning in Fall 2011. Locally, BJE has secured pledges from Los Angeles donors, representing a oneto-one community match to the AVI CHAI Foundation grant earmarked for the program in L.A.
Foundation focused on high school affordability through en-
Through “Generations,” participating schools will be supported in generating endowment gifts and pledges of $4,0006,000 per enrolled student in a combination of current and planned gifts such as bequests and trusts. According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), 75% of private non-boarding schools nationwide (including secular and religiously affiliated institutions) had endowments of $3,102 per student in 2009-10, and 50% had endowments of more than $9,000 per student. The “Generations” partnership is the latest in a series of BJE initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of Jewish day school education in Los Angeles. A $5 million challenge pledge from the Simha and Sara Lainer Family Foundation, together with 7-figure gift commitments from the Estate of Eli
Ziegler, and support from numerous other donors launched a community-wide effort to raise $100 million in endowment funds for day schools. Concurrently, five high schools were selected to participate in a $12.7 million grant from the Jim Joseph dowment creation. Funding from Janine and Peter Lowy also enabled PEJE and BJE to launch the Leadership and Fundraising Academy a program to strengthen fundraising capacity in ten schools. BJE Executive Director Dr. Gil Graff explained, “Many Jewish day schools in Los Angeles are fairly young and have focused, by necessity, on building programs and campus facilities. BJE, with support of its day school capacity building initiative from the L.A. Jewish Federation, is honored to have been selected by numerous foundations and philanthropists to assist Jewish schools in securing their financial futures. By fostering a collaborative effort among schools that operate independently and serve diverse segments of the Jewish community, the impact of these forward-thinking foundations is already evident. The ‘Generations’ program will build on the success of the Jim Joseph High School Affordability Initiative and the Leadership and Fundraising Academy, assisting twelve out of 38 BJE-affiliated day schools in the region as they actively invest in the future by building endowment funds.” •
About BJE BJE: Builders of Jewish Education is dedicated to enhancing quality, ensuring access, and encouraging participation in full-time, part-time, and informal Jewish education throughout the Jewish communities of greater Los Angeles. Affiliated institutions represent the broad spectrum of Jewish religious movements and serve children and their families from “Mommy and Me” through high school. BJE was founded in 1937 as the Bureau of Jewish Education, a department of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation and became an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in 1991. For more information, visit www.bjela.org. About PEJE The Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE) was founded in 1997 with a core mission of helping to fund new day schools. Today PEJE is exclusively dedicated to catalyzing the Jewish day school field to create an exemplary and affordable education, connecting and empowering Jewish day schools across the denominational and geographic spectrum and fostering financial sustainability. For more information, visit www.peje.org. ABOUT AVI CHAI The AVI CHAI Foundation was founded in 1984 by Zalman Chaim Bernstein z”l. The foundation’s mission is to strengthen Judaism, Jewish literacy, and Jewish tradition in North America, Israel, and the former Soviet Union; and to sustain, enlarge, and enrich Jewish commitment to the State of Israel. In North America, the foundation’s focus is to foster and nurture the energizing nucleus of the American Jewish community by investing significantly in Jewish day school and overnight summer camps. For more information, visit www.avichai.org.
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E
ach Pesach we relive the redemption. Once again, in a new and relevant way, G-d takes us out from Egypt with great wonders and miracles. He frees us from the servitude and unrelenting oppression of our surrounding tormenters and we are empowered with the ability to break the chains that bind both body and soul, and mature beyond our limits and capabilities. Then, towards the end of the second seder, we begin an exciting new mitzvah, we count the Omer. Around the world, the count begins: “Today is one day of the Omer.” So we continue for forty-eight more days, until the day before Shavuos when we say “Today is forty-nine days, which is seven weeks of the Omer.” Finally, forty-nine days after escaping Egypt, the Jewish people receive the Torah. Each day, the Jewish people wait with breathless anticipation, like a bride-to-be, counting each day until her wedding. So to, the sages explain, we have Sefiras HaOmer, forty-nine days which we count from Pesach until Shavuos, the day which we receive the Torah, and the Jewish people are wed to Hashem. However, something deeper must be taking place during these fortynine days. For a bride to be, who excitedly counts the days to her wedding, counts down until the special day, not up. Yet the Jewish people, during Sefiras HaOmer, count upwards. Furthermore, we specifically count each day as relative to the Omer offering, a sacrifice brought from the first cut of the barley crop on the second day of Pesach, and we don’t even mention Shavuos. Also, what is the significance of counting both days and weeks? Finally, if the verse commands: “You shall count until the day after the seventh week, the fiftieth day…” (Vayikra 23:16),
why do we only count 49 days? The mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer, isn’t just a simple accounting of days, it has profound meaning and relevance to us. These seven weeks starting on the second day of Pesach and culminating in Shavuos are an auspicious time for extraordinary spiritual growth. G-d sets our souls free on Pesach, and draws us close to Him. From there, we immediately begin a forty-nine day trek of ascending spirituality, to Mt. Sinai, preparing ourselves for the moment that G-d shares and intimately transmits to us His ultimate gift, the Torah. Exile in Egypt isn’t something that happened long ago, in a country far away; we can all relate to it. The soul, before it descends to Earth is in a state of great divine revelation, as a part of G-dliness, dwelling within its source. In Heaven she basks in Hashem’s divine light, in a state beyond physical limits and boundaries, without the pains and struggles of a body or any surrounding evil. Hashem, however, wishes that the physical realm be transformed into a holy space, a place as spiritually luminous as the heavens above. To accomplish this, souls are sent into the physical world with a mission: to expose the hidden G-dliness which is the source of all things.
world with passion and excitement, ready to zealously fulfill Hashem’s every whim. Suddenly the soul finds herself within a body, a place darker and more distant then she could ever have imagined. Access to spirituality is practically cut off, and the hungry wolves of physical desires and simple earthly indulgence surround her. She is forcibly partnered in the body with a strong animal soul that passions for generally deplorable things, and has to fight for every inch. She feels weakened and practically powerless. In Hebrew, Egypt is called Mitzrayim, from the root Metzar, which translates as constriction. This state of constriction and helplessness of the soul is a state of exile in Egypt. Similarly, most of the time, in our mind – the seat of the neshama, we know and desire the right thing. The problem is that our heart – the seat of the animal soul – pulls us away. The passion and strength of the heart is immense, and has a powerful sway on our actions. Why is there such a disconnect? Why can’t the mind, which knows perfectly well what it wants, influence and galvanize the heart to the right action?
The Zohar tells us that the 248 positive mitzvos are the 248 limbs of the King. When our hands and feet are engaged in a Mitzvah, we are directly expressing G-d’s will, just as the soul expresses itself through the body. Through the performance of Torah and Mitzvos, we implement G-d’s will within the physical world, and this is our purpose.
The constriction of Mitzrayim represented by the neck, and the head of Mitzrayim is Pharaoh, which in Hebrew can be rearranged to HaOref. It is Pharoah himself that subjugates us, and creates a disconnect between the mind and the heart. He coaxes us into servitude. Deep down, the Jews in Egypt had faith, but in their daily lives, they were oppressed and steeped in the foolishness of Egyptian culture and theology. They descended to the 49th gate of impurity.
When a neshama is sent on her mission, she understands and appreciates the endless joy her mitzvos will bring to Hashem, and she enters the
It seems impossible that a soul which once soared in the loftiest heights of the spiritual realms would be enticed by anything in the mun-
dane world, yet Pharoah was able to orchestrate it. Left to its own devices, the animal soul will drag the heart and the body into all kinds of inane activities, and clog the passageways of the Neshama, locking it away deep into the subconscious, imprisoned and unable to express its heartbreak and longing for the divine. Each year, on Pesach, because of His infinite love towards the Jewish people, G-d appears to redeem us from Egypt; He jumpstarts the soul of each and every Jew. He pulls the princess out from her imprisonment, and frees her from the clutches of the animal soul. Our holy passions are ignited and our G-dly awareness is rekindled. This is the awesome revelation and inspiration we derive from the face-to-face encounter with Hashem, through the Matzah on the first nights of Pesach. Through this, the soul is impassioned and re-energized. The problem is that it doesn’t last long, the animal soul doesn’t care. As excited as the neshama becomes during Pesach, the animal soul resents it, and immediately stars scheming new strategies to recover its lost territory. The animal soul can witness the greatest miracles and remain unimpressed, because it doesn’t understand holiness and hungers only for the physical. It’s excited to turn around and run right back to Egypt. G-d made us this way so that we can develop past being simple recipients of His goodness, feeding off of His gifts. He wants a connection to Him to come from our essential desire and sincere efforts; hence, the struggle. On Pesach, therefore, after a year of challenge and struggle, our souls are once again inspired, and our minds can see clearly what needs to be done. But we must take this opportunity to overcome the desires
and enticements of the heart before it’s too late. We must rehabilitate the animal soul - it too should feel inspired, and intensely desire only the spiritual. It’s possible, but it takes a lot of work. We ran blindly out of Egypt into Hashem’s care in the desert, without food or supplies, because of our love for Him. This explains why the Jews felt safe in the desert, but why did the Jewish people run? Why didn’t they wait for G-d to whisk them away? G-d freed their souls and they were ablaze! Pharaoh is very cunning, and they were terrified of him. They didn’t want to leave him the opportunity to entice their hearts once again, so they hurried their exit. In the desert, the Jews were free of Egypt’s influences and could spend their time detoxifying their souls without any distractions. This might be compared to an alcoholic that decides to change for the better. The best place to rehabilitate is far away from any bottles of liquor, beer or wine. Perhaps, after several months or years of intense work, it might be safe for him to be near a bottle or two. Otherwise, relapse lurks for him around every corner. This is the work of the Omer, the barley offering brought on the second day of Pesach. After G-d stirs up and inspires our souls, we must immediately begin the work of rehabilitation. The Torah considers barley to be the food of the animal, and wheat the food of man. By bringing the first cuts of our barley crop as an offering to Hashem, we dedicate and bind our animalistic passions to His interests. The fire of the altar is equated to the fire of the neshama; we bind together the neshama with the animal soul, and they are joined together in the service of Hashem. This is the starting point. Every as-
pect of the animal soul must be purified, but primarily, the seven core emotions of the soul. When one walks the street, and the mind wanders, it pursues the subjects that we are emotionally attached to. For this reason, the rehabilitation of the emotions is critical to the rehabilitation of man. The Kabbalists and Chasidic Masters teach extensively about the seven primary emotions, which exist within every human being, and intertwine with one another to form the human psyche. So, for the next forty-nine days, seven weeks of seven days, we count upwards, and mention each emotion as we refine it; we work our way out of forty-nine levels of impurity to forty-nine levels of holiness. We remove the distortions and refine the emotions to their truest expressions. The seven emotional attributes are: Chesed - Loving-kindness (The First Week of Sefiras HaOmer) Love is our most primary emotion and the start of every human experience. Love enables us to give and receive; in love, it motivates us and allows us to surpass our own limitations. Gevurah -- Justice / Discipline / Severity (The Second Week of Sefiras HaOmer) Unrestricted love is not productive. By creating and enforcing the proper boundaries, we empower our lives and our efforts through concentration and direction. Gevurah also demands that we retain the proper reverence and standards. Tiferet - Truth / Harmony / Beauty / Compassion (The Third Week of Sefiras HaOmer) Simple progress, and certainly, ultimate truth is beyond simple love, or discipline. To achieve it requires bal-
ance between them, and Tiferet balances and energizes Chesed and Gevurah into an appropriate and powerful combination. Netzach - Victory / Endurance / Determination (The Fourth Week of Sefiras HaOmer) Uplholding truth and maintaining harmony and beauty requires valiant effort. Dedication, taking responsibility, remaining steadfast and dependable provide us with safety and security. Hod - Splendor / Humility / Devotion (The Fifth Week of Sefiras HaOmer) Just as Chesed (love) is concentrated by Gevurah (discipline), Netzach (determination) is tempered by Hod (humility). Giving way is not failing. True devotion and sensitivity require modesty and a realization that our talents and our strengths are here for higher purpose, and our own needs are secondary. Consequently, our selfless dedication to the higher truth allows us to be better and empowers us with strengths and capabilities beyond our own estimation. Yesod - Foundation / Bonding / Connection (The Sixth Week of Sefiras HaOmer) With Yesod, the emotions unite. The prior emotions relate and interact between one and another in an effort to find the proper balance to move forward. However, for individual efforts to actualize into something truly new and productive, they must fuse together to form a single, solid foundation. This total devotion connects giver and receiver in a constructive and everlasting bond. Parents and children, married couples, siblings, friends and partners thrive and ac-
tualize their relationships through their deep connection.
tion (the week) and branches/details (that day).
Malchut - Kingship / Majesty / Dignity (The Seventh Week of Sefiras HaOmer)
This is meticulous work. We don’t just mumble a few numbers every evening, and go to bed. We work to wean the animal off its unholy cravings and to teach the animal soul to see and understand the truth – that G-dliness is good, and what it’s been desiring all along. By actively working to improve our behavior: by not giving in to our every desire, and by immersing ourselves in holiness through Torah study, prayer and meditation, we can rectify the animal within, distance ourselves from Egypt and prepare ourselves to receive the Torah.
Malchut has nothing of its own, it simply reflects a state of being. Once the emotions have fused into a foundation, Malchut recieves the result and articulates the relationship. Malchut expresses our humanity, and enables us to see the fruits of our labors; to flourish. All of these emotions exist both in the G-dly soul and in the animal soul. For example, the G-dly soul exhibits Chesed/Love towards G-d, Torah and Mitzvos. Her Gevurah/Discipline is against those things that keep it away from its G-dly pursuits, and so on. The animal soul, on the other hand, loves physical and earthy pleasures. Its severity is awakened against things that stand between it and its desires, and so on.
its
Still, despite the great effort and remarkable growth we work for and achieve during Sefiras HaOmer, all beings have a limit. We only count to the 49th level, because we cannot take ourselves beyond that place, only G-d can reside at the highest, 50th level.
Furthermore, each of the seven emotions interact with the other, totaling forty-nine basic levels. For example, when a mother smothers her child with kisses, she is expressing love within her love, or “the Chesed of Chesed.” The next day, if that same child misbehaves and she disciplines the child, even though she is angry she still does it out of love. This is the discipline of love, or “Gevurah of Chesed,” and so it goes for all seven emotions.
By doing our best, and pushing ourselves to our limits, we are worthy to stand at Mt. Sinai and look up at Him, impossible to reach. Then, the impossible happens. On Shavuos, G-d comes down and gives us a kiss; He shares with us the G-dly essence of the Torah, and infuses our souls with a revelation of the ultimate truth, which we can implement within the world, and eternally connect with Him at an even greater level.
The goal of Sefiras HaOmer is to bring the animal soul’s emotions in line with the neshama’s emotions. Each day during Sefira, we count both days and weeks, signifying the changes we are working towards, in both the general emo-
May we all merit literally seeing and experiencing this revelation together this year in Yerushalayim! Rabbi Reuvain Wolf www.maayon.com
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An outside observer of human life would probably describe it something like this: They wake up in the morning, spend 16 to 18 hours using objects to manipulate other objects, and go to sleep.
by taking children out to parks and fields to play with bows and arrows. The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that the bowand-arrow symbolizes the power of inwardness -- the power unleashed by the mystic soul of Torah.
On the whole, this is how we conduct our lives. When something faces us, we grab hold of something else -- a telephone, a wallet, a gun -- with which to deal with the situation.
The first weapons devised by man were designed for handto-hand combat. But a person's enemy or prey is not always an arm's-length away, or even within sight. Soon the warrior and hunter felt the need for a weapon that could reach a target a great distance away, or which lies invisible and protected behind barriers of every sort.
But there comes a point at which the phone is just a piece of plastic, there's nothing to shoot at, and no matter how much money is expended, it doesn't get any better. The external resources on which we've come to rely are suddenly ineffectual, and the only place to turn is inward, to ourselves. Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer Count that connects Passover to Shavuot, is the birthday of Jewish mysticism. For many generations, the inner soul of Torah -- also known as the "Kabbalah" -- was transmitted from teacher to disciple in the form of cryptic maxims, in private, and only to a very
BOW
AND
ARROW
few individuals in each generation. These teachings chart the sublime expanses of the divine reality, the processes of creation, G-d's relationship to our existence and the inner recesses of the human soul. The tremendous power they contain, and their extreme subtlety, makes them extremely vulnerable to corruption. Thus, for many years it was forbidden to reveal these teachings.
With a bow and arrow, the tension in an arched bough of wood is exploited to propel a missile for great distances and slash through barriers. The inventor of this device first had to grasp the paradox that the deadly arrow must be pulled back toward one's own heart in order to strike the heart of the opponent, and that the more it is drawn toward oneself, the more distant an adversary it can reach. The external body of Torah is our tool for meeting the obvious challenges of life. Do not kill or steal, it instructs us; feed the hungry, hallow your relationships with the sanctity of marriage, rest on Shabbat, eat only kosher foods -- for thus you will preserve the order that G-d instituted in His world and develop it in accordance with the purpose towards which He created it. But not everything is as up front as the explicit do's and don'ts of the Torah. Beyond them lie the ambiguities of intent and motive, the subtleties of love and awe, the interplay of
The first to disseminate the teachings of Kabbalah to a wider group of disciples was Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who lived in the 2nd century CE. The most significant revelation came about on the day of Rabbi Shimon's passing, on which he expounded for many hours on the most intimate secrets of the divine wisdom. That day was Lag BaOmer. Centuries were to pass before the great Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria (the "Holy Ari", 1534-1572) would proclaim, "In these times, we are allowed and duty-bound to reveal this wisdom," and Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760) and his disciples were to make them accessible to all via the teachings of Chassidism. But Lag BaOmer remains the day on which "Jewish mysticism" made its first emergence from the womb of secrecy and exclusivity. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai instructed his disciples to celebrate this day as a joyous festival -- and so it is marked in every Jewish community to this day. One of the ways in which we celebrate Lag BaOmer is
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ego and commitment; the taint of evil that shadows the most holy of endeavors, and the sparks of goodness that lie buried within the darkest reaches of creation. How are we to approach these challenges, so distant from our sensory reach and so elusive of our mind's comprehension? This is where the mystical dimension of Torah comes in.
It guides us in a retreat to our own essence, to the very core of our soul. It illuminates the selfless heart of the self, the spark of G-dliness within us that is one with its Creator and His creation. From there we unleash the power to deal with the most distant and obscure adversary; from there we catapult our redeeming influence to the most forsaken corners of G-d's world. •
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Ingredients • 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs • 1/4 cup finely ground pecans • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened • 1 1/2 cups sugar • 2 tablespoons cornstarch • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 2 eggs • 2 egg yolks • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 1 14 ounce can pumpkin pulp • Sugared pumpkin seeds • 1/4 cup caramel sauce • Powdered sugar
Directions Preheat oven 375 degrees F. Meanwhile, get started on your crust. In a bowl combine the cracker crumbs, nuts, and cinnamon. Then stir in the butter. Press the crust mixture into the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Now, make the filling. In a mixer bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla. Beat until fluffy. Add eggs and yolks all at once, beating on low speed just until combined. Fold in the cream and the pumpkin pulp. It will appear broken but will bake beautifully. Pour into the crust lined pan. Place on a shallow baking pan in oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the center appears nearly set when shaken. Cool 15 minutes. Loosen sides of the pan, and cool for 30 minutes. Chill for 4 hours before serving. Decorate with sugared pumpkin seeds and serve with caramel sauce.
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DoubleTake
Can you spot the differences in these two pictures?
BOOK READING AT THE GARDEN SCHOOL Students reading a book to their class. Every child has a chance to "read" out loud to their friends at the Garden School.
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10 qq qq qq qq qq
CHANGES KEEP SCORE
1. Socket is higher. 2. Canvas is clean. 3. White flower on girl’s skirt is smaller. 4. Girl’s headband was brown now blue. 5. Cup moved. 6. Boy’s green shirt in the book is now blue. 7. Stool in the background is missing. 8. Girl’s purple shirt in the book is now green. 9. One of the legs of the canvas is missing. 10. Chair behind the girl is missing.
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#1540
Robin Schultz Ackerman
will help you eliminate unwanted hair! Doctor referred over 10 years in the community. Reasonable rates, Flexible hours open Sundays by appt. Call anytime for an appt.
BOOKKEEPING
For all your bookkeeping needs Raizy Grossman 310-279-2139 #1752
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May 20, 2011
#1605
NOTARY
-1438-
BEAUTY
WORKSHOPS/CLASSES
TRAVELING NOTARY
Yosef Y. Shagalov:
Traveling Notary Public & Home Signing Agent.
Cell:(323)934-7095 email: yys770@aol.com
WORKSHOPS/CLASSES
ask for Rochel -692-
NOTARY
MENDELS@GMAIL.COM
Your place/ Our place No appointment need it!! (EnglishSpanish-French-Italian-Yiddi sh-Portuguese-Hebrew) . 24/6 524 N. La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 323-9300444 (office) 323-646-2356 (Cell x after hours) #209
Bands "A simcha is simply not the same, unless its with Samchenu!"
(310)600-8580 Call today One man band to a 40 Piece Orchestra. and ask how We deliver crisp, authentic, and energetic music! we can enhance your simcha! We do Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Banquets, Concerts, Acapella, Yeshivish, Sfaradi/Mizrachi, and Contemporary. Once you hear the difference in our music, you will be hooked! Led by Aharon Assaraf
www.Samchenu.com • 323-965-1544 •
Parenting With Wisdom What do I do when my child (fill in your least acceptable behavior)? Take the best parenting class in town to learn how to deal with misbehavior, discouragement and poor school performance. In addition, acquire all the skills necessary to raise confident, independent, and responsible children. Appropriate for ages 0-5, 6-11, and teens. Individual or group sessions. Affordable. Call Irine Schweitzer, LCSW for more information, www.parentingbyirine.com
A Time for Dance A TIME FOR DANCE SUMMER ARTS EXPERIENCE - A REGGIO INSPIRED FINE ARTS CAMP June 27- August 11th. Preschool division boys and girls ages 3-5. Performing arts division girls 5-12. Performing arts, fine arts, culinary arts, swimming, trips in a warm and individualized environment. GIVE YOUR CHILD AN ENRICHING SUMMER TO REMEMBER! #766 (323) 404-0827 www.atime4dance.com
REAL ESTATE
@ 818 754-4501. -1548784
CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS Are you Unemployed and collecting Unemployment Benefits? FULL Financial Aid is available to unemployed individuals. Receive career training at NO COST to YOU. These funds are available through President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Package. Act now while funds are available. Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute has several Nationally Accredited Career Training Programs. Please call 323-966-5444. Ask for Flora or Jesse. www.LAORT.edu
800.998.2678
GUEST HOUSE
FOR RENT Private guesthouse with its own private gated entrance, centrally located in the Pico/Robertson area. Includes: Full kitchen, bathroom, furniture, air conditioning, heating, and private patio. Looking for female only with no pets! Utilities Included (Gas, Water & Power)!!! Please call Josh at: 310-592-3094
info@communitylinks.info
CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE
One bedroom in the Pico Robertson area. Hardwood floors, balcony, A/C, Heat, large bedroom, top floor apartment.
Call Daniel @ (310) 925 - 9972 #1404
CELL PHONE RENTAL 1-888-456-8664 WWW.AMIGO-US.COM FOR ISRAEL PHONES • MODEMS • BLACKBERRYS • WWW.UNO4.COM FOR WORLD PHONES WWW.MEDIGUARDTRAVEL.COM
MEDICAL TRIP CANCEL
• BAG LOSS 4 ISRAEL
LOWEST MORTGAGE RATES
LOWEST MORTGAGE RATES ROOMATE WANTED Spacious guesthouse for one Shomer Shabbos individual. Conveniently located in the La Brea / Beverly area. Move-in -ready furnished and fully renovated with modern stylish decor and amenities. Private upstairs studio with a new bathroom, upgrades include two tone paint and wood flooring. The wrap around balcony is bright and new featuring bird song and over looking the pool and yard. Reasonably priced. Washer / Dryer option available. (323) 595-1616
ROOMATE WANTED
Single young religious guy looking for male roomate to share an apartment with in the Pico/Robertson area. For info please call Yosef 714-767-5556
65
May 20, 2011
EMPLOYMENT
FIDELITY PAYMENTS
Join the national sales force of Fidelity Payment Services, one of the largest payment processors in North America. Earn lifetime residual commissions. Capitalize on the invaluable potential of your business contacts. Full training and support.
Call: 718-782-2823 x 216
15 years fixed conf. 3.875% APR 30 years fixed conf. 4.250% APR
323.965.1544
N.R.C.C. www.ORNA.com 888-360-3337 orna@orna.com BABYSITTER AVAILABLE
Orthodox woman available to watch your children full time or part-time hours, at your location. Excellent references. 323-651-9389
EMPLOYMENT Marketing Sales Associates Needed Publications Seeking English, Farsi and Hebrew speaking experienced marketing sales associates for growing Jewish publications in the San Fernando Valley. Knowledge of Jewish customs required. Commission based. Please send resume to: sel5034@gmail.com
Circulation Deadline: June 3, 2011
Please call
www.adiscountmortgage.com
#1737
Advertising Deadline: May 27, 2011
#1750
or email us at info@communitylinks.info Facebook
www.facebook.com/communitylinksla
http://twitter.com/#!/CommunityLinks
BABY NURSE
Baby nurse (newborn care specialist) Postpartum,Doula, great experience, awesome fees starting @ $20. certification, insurance, trust line, TB. Please Call 3109854151 or email gigimybabynurse@g mail.com, near 2 u! Shalom, GIGI.
• 323-965-1544 •
info@communitylinks.info
Dining Guide Listing Please Call 323-965-1544
DINING GUIDE MEAT Afshan Restaurant RCC 106 W. 9th St. LA, (213) 622-1010 Bocca Steakhouse RCC 16610 Ventura. Encino, 91436 (818) 905-5855 Café Del Mar Meat Kehila 12526 Burbank Blvd. N.H. 91607 (818) 487-8171 Chic N Chow Kehila 9301 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 274-5595 Chinese and Kabob Kehila 9180 Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 274-4007 Cohen’s Restaurant RCC 316 E Pico Blvd # F LA, CA 90015 (213) 742-8888 Elat Burger Ben Zaken 9340 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 278-4692 Elite Cuisine RCC 7119 Beverly Blvd. LA, 90036 (323) 930-1303 Shawarma Express Kehila 5577 Reseda Blvd. Tarzana, 9135 (818) 342-2226 Glatt Hut RCC 9303 W. Pico Blvd. 90035 (310) 246-1900 Golan RCC 13075 Victory Blvd. N. H, 91606 (818) 763-5344 Got Kosher? RCC 8914 W. Pico Blvd. 90035 (310) 858-1920 Habayit Bukspan 11921 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90064 (310) 479-5444 Haifa Ben Zaken 8717 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 888-7700 Jeffs Gourmet Kehila 8930 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 858-8590 La Gondola Kehila 9025 Wilshire Blvd. BH, 90211 (310) 247-1239
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May 20, 2011
La Glatt RCC 446 Fairfax Ave. LA, 90036 (323) 658-7730 La Seine 14 N. La Cienega Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310 358 0922 Mashu Mashu RCC 12510 Burbank Blvd. 91607 (818)752-ASIA (2742) Metro Glatt RCC 8975 W. Pico Blvd. 90035 (310) 275-4420 Nagilla Meating Place Kehila 9407 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 788-0119 Orange Delight Kehila 13628 Ventura Blvd. SO, 91423 (818) 788-9896 Pats Kehila 9233 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 205-8705 Pico Kosher Deli RCC 8826 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 273-9381 Pita Way RCC 8532 Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 652-5236 Sassis Kehila 15622 Ventura, Encino, 91436 (818) 986-5345 Schwartz Bakery and Deli RCC 433 N. Fairfax Avenue, LA, 90036 (323)653-1941 Shanghai Kehila 9401 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 553-0998 Shilohs Kehila 8939 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 858-1652 Subway Kehila 8948 W Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 274-1222 Schnitzle Kehila 9216 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 786-8282 Temptation Grill Kehila 17547 Ventura B. Encino, 91316 (818) 995-4700
Tierra Sur at Herzog Winery 3201 Camino DelSol Oxnard (818) 752-6866
ou
DAIRY 26 By Shilo’s Kehila 8657 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310)246-1326 Beverly Cafe Elite RCC 7113 Beverly Blvd. LA, 90035 (323) 931-3563 Bibis Warmstone Kehila 8928 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 246-1788 Bramis Pizza
RCC
Nagilla Pizza Kehila 9411 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 788-0111 Nana Cafe RCC 1509 S Robertson Blvd. (310) 407-0404 Pacific Pizza RCC - Cholov Yisroel & Pas Yisroel 12460 Oxnard St. N. Hollywood (818) 760-0087 Pico Cafe Kehila 8944 W Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310)385-9592 Pizza Maven Kehila 140 North La Brea Blvd. 90036 (323) 857-0353
17736 ShermanWay, Reseda 91326
(818) 342-0611 Café Del Mar Dairy Kehila 12526 Burbank Blvd. N.H. 91607 (818) 487-8171 Circa RCC 8622 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles (310) 854-0592 Delice Kehila 8583 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 289-6556 Fish Grill Kehila 7226 Beverly Blvd. LA, 90036 (323) 937-7162 12013 Wilshire Blvd. LA, 90025 (310) 479-1800 9618 W. Pico Blvd. 90035 (310) 860-1182 22935 Pacific Coast Highway (310) 456-8585
Pizza Nosh Rabbi Ami Markel 30313 Canwood St. A.H. 91301 (818) 991-3000 Pizza Station Kehila 8965 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 276-8708 Pizza World Kehila 365 Fairfax Ave. LA, 90036 (323) 653-2896 Sassis Sushi Kehila 16550 Ventura, Encino, 91436 (818) 783-2727 Shalom Pizza RCC 8715 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 271-2255 Unique Cafe Rabbi Aron Simkin 18381 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana (818) 757-3100
Jerusalem Pizza Kehila 17942 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA 91316
PAREVE
(818) 758-9595 La Brea Bagel Kehilla 7308 Beverly Blvd. LA, 90036 (323) 965-1287 La Pizza Rabbi Furst 12515 Burbank Blvd. N.H, 91607 (818) 760-8198 Milk N Honey RCC 8837 West Pico Blvd LA, 90035 (310) 858-8850
Fish In The Village RCC 12450 Burbank Blvd. N.H, 91607 (818) 769-0085 Le Sushi RCC 12524 Burbank Blvd N.H. 91607 (818) 763-6600 SushiKo RCC 9340 West Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 274-3474
Milky Way Kehila 9108 W. Pico Blvd. LA, 90035 (310) 859-0004
The Meating Place KCA 30313 Canwood St. AH, 91301 (818) 706-1255
• 323-965-1544 •
info@communitylinks.info
OUR GUESTS COME FOR THE SPECTACULAR ROCKIES , AND RETURN FOR OUR SPECTACULAR PROGRAM
BANFF, ALBERTA
JULY 7 - 17, 2011
a summer vacation in the
canadian rockies creating memories that last a life time VAIL, COLORADO
AUGUST 11-25, 2011
a spectacular getaway in the
colorado rockies
L EAVE
IT UP TO OUR CONCIERGE TEAM TO SET YOUR TRIPS TO THE SECRETS OF THE
ROCKIES
F E AT U R I N G
Y I T Z C H O K M E I R H E L F G OT T A LO N G W I T H OT H E R WO R L D C H A Z O N I M
both programs include: three gourmet meals daily | Food Directed by Michael Schick Featuring Cantor Yitzchok Meir Helfgott | chassidishe shechita & cholov yisroel full-service knowledgeable concierge | specialized tours & box lunches daily minyonim & lectures | day camp & babysitting | cool weather & low humidity
SUMMER 2011 WITH THE WERNER BROTHERS
Please visit our website for a complete list of services, activities, amenities & much more. 1-888-567-0100 or 718-778-4241 WWW.KMRTOURS.COM 67
May 20, 2011
• 323-965-1544 •
info@communitylinks.info