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June 3- June 17, 2011
Vol. 8 Issue 182
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Features
June 3, 2011
Next Advertising Deadline June 10, 2011 Circulation June 17, 2011
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Two Jewish Peoples?
Eternal Gift
We Jews used to disagree on all sorts of issues. Yet, when it came to Israel, we spoke with one voice, as one people. Dr. Robert Rome 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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Mr. Schiff jumped up in horror, "What do you want from my life? The only money I have left is the $25,000 that I gave the Yeshiva. Do you want to take that from me as well?" Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky
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Shavuos Therapy
Our Three Kings
At the giving of the Torah, G-d made all of the Jewish people into kings. He elevated and exalted us from among the nations. Rabbi Reuven Wolf
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She had sought help and, indeed, was seeing a psychiatrist on a weekly basis for the past two years. Her condition seems completely helpless and, as the last resort, she is turning to religion. Rabbi Eli Hecht
COMMUNITY LINKS • Volume 8 Issue 182 4
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June 3, 2011
Did you watch Prime Minister Netanyahu explaining to President Obama why the 1967 borders of Israel could not be the borders for a “two-state solution?” I was never prouder to be a Jew. He calmly and beautifully detailed what it would mean to have an Israel that is only nine miles wide. He explained the “changed situation on the ground” which would make the ’67 borders indefensible. He was so calm. He was so focused. He was so good. I was so impressed. While I would give the Prime Minister a “10” for this White House discussion, I then listened with disbelief as I heard some Jewish leaders on television and read the comments of others in the newspaper. These leaders described their embarrassment at Netanyahu’s attempt to “lecture” President Obama. They saw Netanyahu as being condescending to Obama. They saw him as being discourteous and violating protocol. All I could wonder was whether they heard the same talk I had heard. When listening to President Obama’s later comments about how he was not saying that Israel should go back fully to the 1967 borders, but that there should be agreed upon swaps for land to resolve the kinds of issues Netanyahu raised, my friends and I immediately thought of Jerusalem. We know that the Palestinians will never enter any negotiations involving giving up Jerusalem • 323-965-1544 •
in land swaps. We also know that with Jewish rule in the Old City, the major religious sites are open to Jews, Christians, and Moslems. When the area was under Arab rule before 1967, Israelis could only look from a distance from the higher floors of the King David Hotel at the Kotel. They could not even enter the area which had served as the capital of Israel and center of Jewish faith for centuries. While we (virtually all of the people I directly know) all realized that the idea of land swaps could never include Jerusalem, UCLA Professor David Myers wrote in the Jewish Journal how a return to the ’67 borders with land swaps as proposed by President Obama was in Israel’s interests. He wrote about the horrendous impact on the neighboring Palestinians brought about by continued occupation by Israel. In an article that stretched over two pages, he outlined the tragedies experienced by the Palestinians, but never found it necessary to mention Jerusalem once. He never spoke of what would happen to Jewish historical and religious sites if given over to a new Palestinian state. He did not mention the desecration of many sites already under Palestinian control by the Arabs. He did not discuss the recent shooting of Jews who merely wanted to view a holy site. Reading Professor Myers’ article I wondered how a recognized leader of info@communitylinks.info
the Jewish community could ever have strayed so far from support of the Jewish people and Israel. How can he list two pages of ways the Israelis have and are continuing to harm the Palestinians without ever mentioning a single way Israel is harmed or has been harmed by the Palestinians? Does he not recall the suicide bombings in the heart of the new city of Jerusalem, the area that was part of Israel even in 1967? Does he not hear the continued demands of many Palestinians to reclaim all of Jerusalem, and not just East Jerusalem? He protests limitations on the lives of Palestinians, but is silent on deaths of Jews. Professor Myers has removed himself through his words and deeds from the Jewish people I know. And why should the Jewish Journal or any other Jewish publication find it necessary to give “equal time” to such outrageous views which seem so prejudiced against Israel? In another, but related situation, the Reform Movement has just designated a member of J Street who has admitted with pride that he has marched with Arabs for “peace.” J Street is an organization that has even lobbied for condemnation of Israel’s continued “occupation” of Palestinian lands. We all have known for years that such groups as “Peace Now” have proclaimed the importance of Israel giving back territories for peace. But “Peace Now” never had more than a small fraction of Jews supporting it. J Street is an amalgam of a number of “peace” organizations, including “Peace Now.” But, unlike its predecessors, J Street counts among its leadership a wide variety of Rabbis, Professors, and other leaders in the Jewish community. Now, one of the leaders of J Street will become the leader of the largest movement in Judaism. Some Rabbis in the Reform Movement ran an ad protesting the election of someone they thought was in opposition to the government of Israel to the position as President of the Reform Movement. Their ad had a relatively small number of Rabbis and other leaders as co-signers to the ad. In response, a list of recent past Presidents of the Reform Movement as well as the executive leadership of Hebrew Union College, the rabbinical school for Reform Rabbis, signed an ad praising the very Rabbi the previous ad had criticized. These major leaders of the largest movement of Judaism all support the elevation of an individual associated with J Street as their President. We Jews used to disagree on all sorts of issues. Yet, when it came to Israel, we spoke with one voice, as one people. All seems changed now. It is now somehow okay for some Jewish “leaders” to actually demand that the United Nations condemn Israel. How can we criticize President Obama for asking that Israel return to the pre-’67 borders when the leader of the entire Reform Movement advocates the same? The Palestinians do not even need their own spokespersons when we see that Jewish professors at UCLA eloquently argue the Palestinian position. I am not alone in seeing two separate Jewish peoples emerg-
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ing. After the recent controversial last minute withdrawal of financial support of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles for the Israel Independence Day Festival which led to the cancellation of the event, the Jewish Journal interviewed Jay Sanderson, President of the Federation, about his decision. The Jewish Journal described how Sanderson had become concerned that there were too many Israelis and Orthodox at the Festival. I could not believe that the President of our organized community could reach such a conclusion. It was as if the Orthodox and the Israelis were not his kind of Jews. They don’t seem to matter to Sanderson. The problem, President Sanderson, was not that there were too many Israelis and Orthodox at the Festival. The problem was that there were too few Reform, Conservative, and unaffiliated at the Festival. He speaks of the Orthodox and Israelis as if they/we are the enemy. The problem, however, is that somehow, over the years, the bulk of the Reform, Conservative, and nonOrthodox, non-Israeli communities simply do not turn out for events in support of Israel. After the “Flotilla for Peace” event where “peace activists” for Palestine viciously attacked Israeli soldiers and sailors with pipes, actually throwing them overboard and firing guns at them,
there was a rally in support of Israel in front of the Israel Consulate on Wilshire Boulevard. I scanned the thousand or so in attendance at the rally. I saw dozens of YULA High School students, friends of my daughter. I saw women and men with their heads covered that I knew from Orthodox synagogues. I saw hundreds of Israelis speaking Hebrew to one another. Basically, I saw the same population at the Federation-sponsored rally as who attend the Israel Day Festival. Reform and Conservative Jews, with few exceptions, simply do not rally in support of Israel. When so many Reform Rabbis speak against the Israeli government, how can we expect the members of their synagogues to think any differently? I am reminded of the story in Fiddler on the Roof. When the first daughter wishes to marry a good Jewish man, but not the man she was matched with, her father Tevye raises his hands and considers, “On on the one hand...on the other hand,” before giving her approval to marry a man of her choice. Then the second daughter wants to marry a Jewish man who is going to march off with the communists. Again, he considers, “On the one hand…” He decides that he will give approval to the second daughter. Then, the third daughter wants to marry a non-Jew. As Tevye raises his hands
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and says, “On the one hand…”, he stops mid-sentence and proclaims, “There is no other hand!” Asking the world to condemn Israel for “occupying” Palestinian land, while ignoring Palestinian terror and rockets and the avowed purpose of Hamas to wipe out the Jewish land, is not okay. Ignoring Jerusalem goes against the dictum recited at most weddings and in daily prayer, “If I forget thee oh Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her cunning.” One may not write a two page article about Israel and the impact of peace negotiations and simply forget to consider or mention Jerusalem. I do not want this continuation of two Jewish peoples. I think that we who care about Israel’s fate must state that there are limits to what is acceptable in terms of criticizing Israel. We must never forget that there are those who wish to destroy Israel and the Jewish people. Those of us who care for Israel must attend rallies and festivals in support of Israel, bringing our children, our friends, our Jewish neighbors, and even our nonJewish associates. May Israel continue to prosper and live in peace. Amen.• 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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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.
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I
’m a little confused. We are about to celebrate Shavuot and I’m told it is the "Season of the Giving of the Torah." But isn’t there another holiday when we celebrate with the Torah? Simchat Torah, right? So why are we celebrating twice? Why two festivals to remember the same thing? The answer is that on Simchat Torah we conclude our annual reading of the Torah. We end the Book of Deuteronomy and immediately begin anew the Book of Genesis. We have reason to rejoice at the achievements of the year gone by, so we celebrate. And how do we celebrate? We dance with the Torah. Is the Torah scroll on the bimah (reading table)? No. It is in the aisles. Is it open? No, it is closed and covered. Why? Because on Simchat Torah we are reminded that even if a Jew has, G-d forbid, not opened the Torah all year long, he still has a spiritual place in the Torah. Even if, for him, the Torah has been a closed book, nevertheless, every Jew has a deep-rooted, innate connection to Torah. As we read on Simchat Torah, "The Torah that Moses commanded us is the heritage of the entire Congregation of Jacob." Each and every single Jew, the entire congregation, has an intrinsic relationship with Torah. Torah is not the private property of the intellectual elite. Scholars or simple folk, academics or the unlettered, Torah belongs to one and all. But there comes a time when you have to open the book! We don’t dance with the Torah wrapped in its mantle all year long. That is for Simchat Torah. But we also have to open, read, study, ask, learn and become more familiar with our heritage. We need to get to know Torah from the inside, to understand the Torah as a textbook too.
Open the Book
That time is every day. But the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah is Shavuot. That is when we celebrate the Torah as a book of wisdom, as a moral code, an ethical system, and a guiding light in our lives. Shavuot reminds us that the Torah is not only a beautiful, cherished ceremonial ornament to revere and dance with on Simchat Torah, but the source of all our wisdom, knowledge and understanding about life and how we are to live it. I was present some years ago at a celebration to welcome a new Torah Scroll into a neighboring congregation. The guest speaker was Rabbi Volpo from Rishon L’Tzion, Israel. Let me share with you a very apt analogy he used in his remarks there. He told a story. There were two sisters. One married a rich man; the other’s husband was poor. Yet, ironically, it was the wealthy sister who was the unhappy one. Her sister couldn’t understand why she should be so miserable. “He supports you handsomely. He buys you beautiful clothes, expensive jewelry. Just look at your diamonds. Why are you so unhappy?” The wealthy sister replied. “Actually, I am jealous of you, my sister. 14 J u n e 3 , 2 0 1 1
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You have a wonderful, loving relationship with your husband. Yes, my husband does buy me expensive things. It is true that he does spend money on me. But your husband spends time with you and mine does not.”
a prayer book? Why should Ivy League professors be content with the Jewish education of a 12 year old, and otherwise intelligent, mature adults satisfy themselves with the Jewish syllabus of a nursery school?
So while it may be true that we adorn our Torahs with exquisite velvet mantles, precious silver crowns, breastplates, bells and pointers, all the expensive ornaments don’t come close to spending time with the Torah. And the Torah is unhappy and cries out, “Thanks for the silver, thanks for the décor, but what I really want is you! I want your time, your mind. I want you.”
So on Shavuot we are reminded that we need to open the book and spend some quality time, meaningful study time with the Torah.
It is surely one of the sad ironies of contemporary Jewish life that this most educated generation should be so ignorant of its own heritage. How is it that we have produced the most successful people in the professions, in commerce - titans of industry - and yet knowledge of our priceless Jewish wisdom is at an all-time low? Why is it that our most brilliant legal minds have never even read a single page of the Talmud? Why should our most sophisticated computer whiz kids not know which way to hold
Practically speaking, this is the season to commit oneself to a regular time for Torah study. In every community there are so many options to choose from. Wherever we are in our Jewish education, it must be ongoing. We must have fixed times for learning Torah and those times should be non-negotiable. And because this is the Season of the Giving of the Torah, we are assured that the Torah will indeed be given to us once again if we but make the sincere effort to acquire it. Hopefully, this Shavuot will be for us not only the Season of the Giving of the Torah – that is G-d’s job but the Season of Receiving the Torah – that is our job. • By Rabbi Yossy Goldman
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THE ANSWERS ARE WITHIN From the time we are brought in to this world we begin our life experience. Everyone’s journey is uniquely diverse. Our family environment, schools we attend, places we visit, people we are exposed to, things we came in contact with, decisions that are made for us, as well as those we make ourselves. Anything and everything that crosses our paths, we consciously or subconsciously internalize. So many multiple factors, have brought us to what is considered our present. Many are very satisfied with their station in life. Unfortunately many are not. There is a difference between the Judaic concept of accepting your lot (today) and yet being able to accept your lot tomorrow which could be quite different then what is occurring at the present. For example, if you buy a lottery ticket today and win tomorrow it is fine to have accepted both days as what Hashem has given you.
Do you realize how many muscles in your body you probably haven’t used in a long time. If you haven’t exercised in a while, try going to a gym with a personal trainer. I assure you that soreness and pain will be the words of the day. In my next article, I will begin to present tools that will assist you in creating a journey towards discovery, change and success. Someone once said, “You have got to discover you, what you do, and trust it. Joe Samson
To aspire for more, to grow and develop, to desire more is what makes us distinctive as a creation of Hashem. As long as it always is in conjunction with Torah and Mitzvos. Consider the following - if you are at a crossroad, facing a maze, lost, or you are in search of, the answers are truly inside of you wanting and waiting to emerge. The problem is sometimes you are so stuck in the heap of life’s problems you can’t see what is directly in front of you. Have you ever looked for something in a cupboard, couldn’t find it and eventually someone showed you that it was directly in front of you?
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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..
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BUILDING JEWISH EDUCATION THROUGH MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BJE: Builders of Jewish Education connects people with Jewish educational opportunities in Los Angeles through the Center for Excellence in Jewish Educational Engagement. As a partner with parents, BJE offers customized, individual consultations through its Concierge for Jewish Education Program and JKidLA website to help identify Jewish educational opportunities meeting the individual needs of families. The BJE Concierge Program was selected as one of the “Top Ten” innovations of the decade by the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA). BJE Concierges have responded to thousands of requests ranging from interest in Jewish summer camps to religious schools to parent and me programs, and kept the Los Angeles Jewish community updated about numerous events through an events calendar on the JKidLA website. The JKidLA website (www.jkidla.com) provides visitors with a comprehensive listing of the myriad of Jewish educational opportunities and resources in Los Angeles. JESNA lauded BJE’s program for its “consumer-centric” approach, enabling users to find services that suit their unique needs. To more effectively accomplish the goal of connecting families and children with Jewish educational experiences meeting their needs, BJE will launch a newly designed JKidLA website, in June. Please visit www.jkidla.com and spread the word about BJE’s Concierge Program to strengthen BJE’s important work of helping to link Jewish families with meaningful Jewish educational opportunities. Also, feel free to contact BJE’s Concierges for Jewish Education: Debra Markovic – City Concierge – dmarkovic@bjela.org 323.7618616 Rachel Kaplan – Valley Concierge – rkaplan@bjela.org 818.464.3391 For more information about BJE: Builders of Jewish Education, visit www.bjela.org
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July 30, 2011
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LA JOINS FOR UNITY PARADE
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n an unprecedented display of unity, the busy street Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA, known for its shops and Kosher restaurants, was home to this years Lag B’Omer Parade. Families, and particularly children from all walks of life and background came together to celebrate the Hilula of the Rashbi – and celebrate they did, in grand fashion. Rabbi “General” Chaim Mentz from Chabad of Bel Air and Rabbi Mayer Greene from Chabad of the Valley MC’d the program. After welcoming everyone, they took a moment to thank everyone that came. Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, Director of West-Coast Chaabd and Head Shliach of the Rebbe to the state of California, came up to shared divrei bracha and chizuk. He introduced Councilman Paul Koretz who thanked everyone for coming. This was followed by a special presentation to Attorney Mr. Doug Honig for his tremendous assistance to Chabad of California. Rabbi Cunin then introduced a special video presentation of the Rebbe, showing highlights of the Lag B’Omer Parade 5744. After the video, the Platt Brothers came on stage and got the crowd smiling from ear to ear with their amazing dance and acrobatic routine. This was followed by an amazing performance by Chaim Fogelman, who, in classic manner, set the mood as he had the crowd – children and adults alike – clamoring for more. The highlight of the rally were the 12 Pesukim, MC’d by Rabbi Mendel Duchman, director of the Kol Yaakov Yehuda Shul and son-in-law of the legendary Rabbi J.J. Hecht (the long-time MC of all of the Rebbe’s children & Lag B’Omer rallies). Children from different schools from across Southern California were honored to lead in their recitation, including one group from Reno, Nevada that came all the way to see, for the first time in their lives, a Jewish festival of this magnitude. 24 J u n e 3 , 2 0 1 1
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Musical entertainment throughout the entire parade was provided by Mendel Simons. The rally ended off with a bang as the TNT Dunk Squad kept the crowd at seat’s edge with their acrobatics and acrodunking abilities. Prior to the beginning of the parade, Rabbi Mendel Duchman made a surprise presentation to Rabbi Shlomo Cunin; an original “Lag B’Omer Coin” given by the Rebbe to the Chassidim (thru the Chevrei HaKollel) in the year 5751. The coin bears the quote of “L’Chatchila Ariber” of the Rebbe Maharash – a motto that Rabbi Cunin always lives by. The parade was up next; the grandest one the West Coast has ever seen. A procession of over an hour that featured a kaleidoscope of amenities: a motorcycle brigade, Scottish bag pipes, representation from the army & veterans association, the police department (which included a vintage police car), specialty sports cars, a speed boat with Rabbi Shlomo Menkes, bicycle brigade, amongst others. The Cheder Menachem marching Band and Flag Procession riled up the crowd as the talk of the town – and most of Lubavitch – made his appearance. To thousands of smiling faces, Charlie Button, “The Grand Marshall” to the Los Angeles Lag B’Omer Parade, made his appearance in grand style, riding atop a Convertible, waving to everyone and blowing balloons for some youngsters. After weeks of labor, 9 floats made their way along the parade route. The floats focused on basic Jewish ideas and values: Tefilla (Cheder Menachem & KYY boys), Derech Eretz (KYY girls), Shalosh Regalim (YOEC Zal), Chinuch, (YOEC Smicha), the 10 Mivtzoim (Bais Chana), Every mitzvah is a brick to the Beis Hamikdosh (YOEC Mesivta), Bayis Molei Seforim (Cheder Menachem 6th Grade) and a beautiful model of the Beis Hamikdosh (Bais Bezalel Chabad). info@communitylinks.info
Without a doubt these floats were the nicest and most creative floats that Los Angeles has ever seen. The final float was the Siyum Sefer Torah in memory of Mr. Eddie Coe, which will find its home in Chabad of Malibu. Following the floats, children from each school joined in the grand Lag B’Omer Parade; Yeshivos and Hebrew Schools, followed by shuls from all over marched with their hand-held banners, held up high and proud as they paraded through the streets of Los Angeles. Following the parade, a full-day fair and carnival, full of rides, carnival booths and a petting zoo was waiting and ready for all to enjoy. A simultaneous 2nd concert that featured Chaim Fogelman & The Cheder Boys Choir entertained the crowd. A surprise appearance of Rabbi Shlomo Menkes brought smiles to all. The entire event was made possible thanks to the generous financial assistance from the event’s corporate sponsors: Noni of Beverly Hills, Beverly Judaica & Gifts, Budget Rent a Car, Project Pride, Western Kosher, Milano Wigs, The YES Lender, Jewpon.com, Ness Paper on the West, FridayLight.org, Tribe Media Corp., The Running Springs Retreat Center & Pitaway.
All in all, a most meaningful, exciting and enjoyable day was had by all. Surely the Rebbe gained much nachas. The Lag B’Omer Parade is a culmination of the combined efforts of many Chabad mosdos in Southern California: West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch, Kol Yaakov Yehuda, Bais Bezalel Chabad, Bais Chana, Bais Chaya Mushka, Chabad of Bel Air, Chabad of Beverlywood , Chabad of Century City, Chabad of the Conejo, Chabad Israel Center, Chabad of Larchmont, Chabad of Malibu, Chabad of Manhattan Beach, Chabad of North Hollywood, Chabad of Pacific Palisades, Chabad of SOLA, Chabad of The Valley, Chabad Russian Center, Chabad Persian Youth, Chabad Russian Center, Chabad Youth Programs, Cheder Menachem, The Garden School, Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad. In particular, a special thank you goes to Rabbi Chaim Nochum Cunin of Chabad of California, Rabbi Mendel Duchman of Kol Yaakov Yehuda, Yossi Burston, Rabbi Mayer Green of Chabad of Tarzana, Rabbi Chaim Mentz of Chabad of Bel Air, the Talmidei HaShluchim of YOEC Mesivta & Beis HaMidrash & Rabbi Leibel Cohen of Cheder Menachem. •
www.collive.com
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Years later, in the early 1930s, the tide turned for Mr. Schiff. With the crash of the stock market, and plummeting real estate prices, it took only a few months before he was forced out of his own apartment, and was relegated to the cellar of a building that was once his, existing on meager rations.
Eternal Gifts
W
hat a person gives away seems forever lost. The Torah, in cryptic fashion, uses proper nouns and pronouns in a mysterious medley that teaches us a little about real property, about what you give and what one really has. The Torah tells us about tithing. "And every portion from any of the holies that the Children of Israel bring to the Kohen shall be his. A man's holies shall be his, and what a man gives to the Kohen shall be his." What the Torah seems to tell us is that the donor has no further right to item given to the Kohen. So why not say it clearly? "What a man gives to the Kohen belongs to the Kohen." Obviously, there is a dual reference attached to the pronoun. What lies within that double allusion? Rabbi Betzalel Zolty, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, of blessed memory, related the following story: The Rosh Yeshiva of Slobodka Yeshiva, Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Epstein was in America in 1924, raising muchneeded funds for his Yeshiva. During his visit, he received an urgent telegram. The Lithuanian authorities were going to conscript the Slobodka students into the army. Rabbi Nosson Zvi Finkel, the founder and Dean of the Yeshiva, made a decision to open a branch of Slobodka Yeshiva in the ancient city of Chevron in Eretz Israel. He would send 150 students to Palestine to establish the Yeshiva, and in this way free them from service in the apostatizing, ruthless Lithuanian army. That monumental undertaking would require a sum of $25,000 to transport, house, and establish the Yeshiva. Rabbi Epstein was put to the task. He discussed the program with a dear friend of the Yeshiva, Mr. Schiff, who immediately decided to contribute the massive sum in its entirety.
At the same time, the health of Rabbi Epstein was failing, and he no longer had the strength to travel. His son-in-law, Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna, made the trip to America, in his stead, to raise funds for the Slobodka Yeshiva. He did not know of Mr. Schiff's situation until the man got up to speak at a parlor meeting on behalf of the Yeshiva. "My dear friends," he began. "I do not wish my business misfortunes on anyone. I invested literally millions of dollars in all sorts of businesses, and they all failed. I have absolutely nothing to show for them. But there is one investment I made that continues to bear fruit. I gave $25,000 to establish a Yeshiva in Chevron, and that investment is the best one I ever made. One must know where to invest." When Rabbi Sarna, heard that Mr. Schiff was literally bankrupt, he cabled Rabbi Epstein, who quickly responded to arrange to give him a $5,000 loan, in order to get him back on his feet and begin doing business again. Through some generous benefactors, Rabbi Sarna got a hold of the cash and went directly to the basement apartment where Mr. Schiff now resided. He explained to him that Rabbi Epstein insisted he take this money as a loan. Mr. Schiff jumped up in horror, "What do you want from my life? The only money I have left is the $25,000 that I gave the Yeshiva. Do you want to take that from me as well?" In its mystical manner, the Torah teaches us the power of the eternal gift . "A man's holies shall be his, and what a man gives to the Kohen shall be his." We invest much in this world. We work. We buy. We build. We spend. But what do we really have? At the end of the hopefully long day, we call life, what can we say is eternally ours? Stocks crash, and buildings crumble. How real is our estate? The Torah tells us, what the man gives to the Kohen shall be his. It does not say, "... will belong to the Kohen. It says, it shall be his! What we invest in the eternity of spirituality, in order to proliferate Hashem's eternal message, will never be relinquished. For what we invest for eternity, will be eternally invested. It shall always remain ours. •
Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky • www.torah.org 28 J u n e 3 , 2 0 1 1
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T
his week's portion ends with a disheartening story, one that Jews are reminded to recount every day of their lives. The great prophetess, Miriam, sister of Moshe and heroine to a nation, spoke lashon horah (gossip) about her brother Moshe, "regarding the Cushite woman he had married. And Hashem heard." (Numbers 12:3)
Fatherly Rebuke
She was upset at Moshe's righteous reaction to his omnipresent Divine communication, which had him separate from an intimate matrimonial life. "(Miriam) said (to Ahron), 'Was it only to Moshe that Hashem spoke? Did He not speak to us, as well?" After harsh rebuke from the Almighty for the audacity to speak against her brother Moshe, the world's greatest prophet and most humble man, Miriam was punished with leprosy. Her skin turned white as snow. But Moshe was not daunted by her remarks. His unyielding concern for her welfare proved itself as he fervently prayed for her immediate recovery and looked for Divine direction for the next step of penitence. "Hashem said to Moshe, 'Were her father to spit in her face, would she not be humiliated for seven days? Let her be quarantined outside the camp for seven days, and then she may be brought in."(ibid v.14) The Talmud in Tractate Bava Kama, infers a logical supposition: if a father's wrath would result in a seven-day quarantine, surely (kal v'chomer) G-d's wrath should effect a fourteen-day punishment. However, an integral component of Talmudic exegesis states that a law that is derived by a kal v'chomer (a fortiori conclusion) can be only as strict as the baseline law from which it is derived, and not go beyond it. Therefore, even as a consequence of G-d's reprimand, surely more potent than a father's rebuke, would also warrant only be a sevenday punishment.
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For example, if assault warrants a 30-day prison sentence, the logic of kal v'chomer cannot help us deduce that the crime of murder would warrant the death penalty. It can only meet the level of the baseline premise. Thus, if assault warrants a 30-day prison sentence, surely, or kal v'chomer, murder would warrant a 30-day prison sentence. For a longer sentence you would need a direct command. info@communitylinks.info
However, while Divine chastisement should warrant a harsher ban, nevertheless, since Hashem used a fatherly analogy, Miriam was spared and only excommunicated for seven days. The question is why did Hashem use the parental analogy and thus limit the punishment to seven days? If there was a slight to the Divinity, then why not immediately use the Divine analogy to inflict a harsher punishment? What did Hashem want in mitigating the reprimand by asking, "If her father would spit in her face, would she not be humiliated for seven days."? William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, did not have a record as chief executive without distinction, though it was beclouded by the bitter political factional quarrel that ended his presidency after one term. He was sitting at the supper table with his family one evening, and, as children sometimes do, his son directed a disrespectful remark toward him. Mrs. Taft looked at her husband and exclaimed, "I am sure you will not let that pass unpunished!" Taft replied, "If he directed the remark toward me as President of the United States, I will let it pass as his Constitutional right. However, as a father to his child, I will surely deal with this abuse!" Perhaps Hashem, in reprimanding Miriam as a father and not the Divine Presence, sent us all a message about the pain of lashon horah. Lashon Horah is considered a terrible sin. The Torah has no less than 31 warnings concerning that crime, and it is incumbent upon Jews to remember the story of Miriam as a daily reminder of the difficult test we face in our encounters and our oral reactions to them. However, Hashem did not want to rebuke Miriam as Master of the Universe. He did not use the severity of the rebuke of the Divine Presence to ban her from the camp for fourteen days. Instead, he used a parental analogy, "If her father would spit." His rebuke did not come as a King but rather as a Father, hurt and dismayed about how one of his children talked against a sibling. If we fail to avoid speaking lashon horah because of the pain that it inflicts upon our fellow Jews, I will give you another reason. Worry about the pain we inflict upon our Father in Heaven when we talk ill of his children. Think about how a parent cries when he sees his children quibble, and then remember that it is also Our Father in Heaven who hears how we talk about our sisters and brothers. • Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky • www.torah.org
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What Makes a Marriage Tick?
By Shimon Posner
Newlyweds think the question doesn't apply to them and never will: they are the first to discover marriage and the final authorities on it too. After the honeymoon wears off the question looms large: and after the honeymoon is over anything can happen. Marriages tick like clocks, and whether it is a wind-up or battery there will be moments that they stop telling time and need some attention to get going again. When they stop telling time you may think they are broken: some people panic at this point and curse the day they bought this stupid, broken watch that breaks so easily. You have to have more faith in the manufacturer before you can be bothered with the watch. Successful marriages have two qualities in common even though the marriages themselves are as diverse as the couples in them: acceptance and faith. The honeymoon ends when the spouse in question (always the other spouse) does something thoroughly inexplicable and totally at odds with the logic of the judging spouse. Something that (try as they sincerely might) they cannot put themselves in that somebody else's shoes and come up with any justification for what 36 J u n e 3 , 2 0 1 1
they did. At this point they simply say, "I don't understand what s/he did, but who says I have to understand everything to live with it?" Couples who can't or won't reach that point throw the watch out with the battery. Faith and acceptance. No matter what life brings, it will challenge, and a challenge by definition has no ready response. Trust in the manufacturer of life allows you to weather the storm and the drought -- even when they follow each other in maddening succession. Acceptance means that it's a good thing to put yourself in each other's shoes, but not the only thing. Sometimes people don't want anyone else trying on their shoes. Good marriages often lead to good lives. Acceptance can work well in any field of life, business partnerships, extended families, espionage. It is the quintessential Torah experience: Sinai. It was there that the Jews agreed to a relationship regardless of how much they agreed with G-d. "How could G-d..." does not have to be a prelude to ending a relationship: it can be a deepening of a relationship. So now if I'm not so per• 323-965-1544 •
fect, I'm still yours." A mitzvah doesn't need my stamp of approval; it just needs me. But a marriage is doomed for the start if the very relationship itself is not hallowed, sanctified, holy. For why bother working through a tension if there will just be another one to follow and another one after that. The institution has to be not just a nice idea, not just an ideal, but a sacred, virtually inviolable, part of our lives. Otherwise it is a meaningless, wasted struggle for nothing. This - it's too in the guts to be called a 'core belief' -- is something that Abraham willed us. So maybe faith and acceptance is essentially one thing: faithfulness. And maybe that is why after so many years, and so many disappointments, and things we simply can't understand, we still love this marriage and love this G-d of ours and His Torah. Maybe we don't say I love you often enough, maybe we don't say I'm sorry, maybe we forget a thank you, but we never forget each other. And for as long as there are a heaven and earth, as long as time itself is still being marked, we'll be ticking away. • info@communitylinks.info
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There are three prominent tzaddikim who are connected to the holiday of Shavuos. Of course, Moshe Rabeinu is inherently connected to the day, because through him, the Torah was given and taught to the Jewish people. The Yartzeit of another important figure in Judaism, Dovid HaMelech, occurs on Shavuos (Chagiga 12A). Furthermore, the Baal Shem Tov’s Yartzeit is also on Shavuos. All three were leaders, kings of their people. The Rambam, when discussing the halachos of a king, lists Moshe Rabeinu as an example, and there are many other sources that qualify Moshe as a king. Dovid HaMelech was, of course, a king – but he also initiated a
everything belongs to him. This kind of rulership might seem old-fashioned and distasteful to us, after all, who deserves and can be trusted with absolute power? As Jews, we believe in the coming of Moshiach, and the Davidic kingdom will be restored. If we can imagine a human being who is completely devoted to the well being of his people, who has no selfish motives, a humble person without an evil inclination – a king who is the servant of his people, like Moshiach is going to be – we can understand that this person would be worthy of kingship. At the giving of the Torah, G-d made all of the Jewish people into kings. He elevated and exalted us from among the nations. There is no power in the world that has a grasp on the Jewish people, and nothing can stop us from our mission to elevate the world and reveal its G-dliness through the study of Torah and the performance of Mitzvos. Our kingship exists not for our own benefit, but for us to serve the rest of humanity, as part of our G-d given mandate. We must simply step into our role.
Shavous - Our Three Kings new dimension of kingship, the Davidic dynasty. The kingship of the Davidic dynasty emanates from the core of their being, and it is permanent, and Dovid was the first of this line. The Baal Shem Tov was also a great leader, and the first of his kind - the Chassidic master. Although a Chassidic master, a rebbe, is not a king, the position definitely has an aspect of royalty. Chassidim don’t look at their rebbe as just a teacher, they devote themselves to him and his every whim. The Baal Shem Tov was the first to bring Chassidic thought to the masses and was the first Chassidic rebbe. Prior to giving us the Torah, Hashem told the Jewish People “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…”(Shemos 19:6) Rashi explains that in this verse, “Kohanim/Priests” refers to princes or ministers. At Sinai we became a nation of kings, and rulers over the Earth. In what sense are we kings? Kingship is a state of absolute control and complete freedom; the essence of a king is that he is elevated above the masses. According to halacha, a king has full and absolute power, can do whatever he wants and doesn’t have to answer to anybody. The king is not allowed to work, and his people must provide the king with everything he needs, and cannot deny him anything, because, really, 44
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Throughout history, we have seen this demonstrated repeatedly. The Jewish people are indestructible, no matter how hard the nations try to annihilate us. Even the rules of nature, physics or economics need not apply to us. In the service of G-d, nothing can stop us. As a nation, this gives us strength to endure and survive as Jews through the turbulence of persecution and exile. On an individual level, this gives us the strength to overcome any obstacle that stands between us and our mission. When it is time to study Torah, or we have a mitzvah to perform - when we know the right thing to do - we are not to make any calculations or considerations. To fulfill our mission, G-d gives us the ability to overcome whatever stands in our way. Who are we to say that Torah study and proper davening will take away from our livelihood? We are not to cal• 323-965-1544 •
culate our income and decide that we cannot afford to give tzeddaka. We were granted kingship and therefore rules of nature or economics hold no power over us, and our only job is to accomplish our mission, even if it seems impossible. We are a nation of kings, and kings have no boundaries. This is exactly what is unique about these three individuals: Moshe Rabeinu, Dovid HaMelech and the Baal Shem Tov - they lived kingly, supernatural lives. Moshe’s entire life was filled with miracles. His mother was 130 years old when he was born. Later, he was saved from the Nile river through a miracle. He miraculously escaped from Egypt, to return and perform even more amazing miracles, one after another, to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt, and through the desert to the land of Israel. Moshe is the quintessential miracle worker, not bound by the rules of nature or any perceived obstacle. Dovid HaMelech also lived a life of miracles. A consummate talmid chacham, he was constantly on the run, but Sefer Tehillim is filled with the myriad praises he sang to G-d for his many miraculous escapes and victories. The Baal Shem Tov was well known as a tzaddik and a miracle worker, and many stories are still told about him. Perhaps not all of the stories are true, but the fact that these stories are told about the Baal Shem Tov tell us that he was a man of incredible supernatural power, unbound by the limits of time and space. Moshe Rabeinu, David HaMelech and the Baal Shem Tov imbue into the Jewish people a power and capacity for kingship. They awaken the king within us, reminding us that Hashem has implanted into our souls the ability to bypass any barrier that stands in the way of what the Torah demands of us. When a challenge stands before us, we must pause to remember that we are royalty, know that G-d has put His crown upon us, and there can never be any real restriction in accomplishing our true info@communitylinks.info
goals. On Shavuos, the day we receive the Torah, we are also empowered to implement it. No matter where we are, these three kings guide us in our observance and performance of the Torah and mitzvos. Through three aspects to the giving of the Torah, and three eras in which it must be fulfilled, we are inspired and guided by these three kings. The first was the giving of the Torah itself. What occurred on Mt. Sinai was an impossible event. G-d Himself descended from His spiritual abode and rested upon a lowly mountain in the physical world. He placed his precious Torah, His lofty spiritual will, into the physical world, into the possession of the Jewish people. All of nature was immediately suspended - birds didn’t chirp, lions didn’t roar, the sea didn’t crash; there was absolute silence and only G-d’s voice was heard. Secondly, there is the effect of the Torah. Soon after Matan Torah, everything returned to its natural state, except, the world remains, to some degree, more refined after the experience. Prior to the giving of the Torah, even the greatest of spiritual feats didn’t have a lasting effect upon the world. After the Torah was brought here, the physical gained the capacity for G-dly stimuli. We can now change and elevate the world through the Torah, and the world is receptive to it. Finally, there is the purpose of the giving of the Torah – that the Jewish people should capture that awesome revelation and connect it to every place in the world. Even the darkest, seemingly farthest places from holiness, must be connected to G-d. Through Jews spreading around the world during the diaspora, and remaining loyal to the Torah, performing mitzvos everywhere, we connect the highest of the high to the lowest of the low. In the end, all of the world will be united with Hashem through this work. 45
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Corresponding to these three aspects of the Torah: the revelation itself, the refinement of the world, and the ultimate goal of unifying heaven and earth, we have Moshe Rabeinu, Dovid HaMelech and the Baal Shem Tov. Moshe lived in the most miraculous of times. The Jews had just received the Torah, and had literally seen the transcendent essence of G-d. From that point on, their lives completely transcended nature. For them, bread came from heaven, water came from rocks and their clothes never needed laundering. Their kingship was expressed to its fullest; they lived within the revelation. While in the desert, they were without worry - dedicated completely to Torah and mitzvos, and were led by Moshe Rabeinu, our first king, who elevated his generation from the rest of the world. When the Jewish people reached the land of Israel, their lives changed; they began living a natural existence. We now had to work for our bread, by farming, and doing business to earn a livelihood. We became involved with the world, and had to toil to implement the Torah into our natural lives. Dovid HaMelech empowered the Jewish people to recognize that all physical limitations imposed on humanity can be easily overcome through the service of G-d, and they were able to live in a refined world. In Israel, however, we are not completely and truly immersed in the world. It is clear that the holy land of Israel is a miraculous place and that all of our genuine efforts and pursuits are blessed. There, we can easily see that G-d is the source of our blessing. It is not until the Jewish people are dispersed throughout the world, immersed in the nations and cultures of their exile, that the Torah can be truly connected to everything. In our time, it has become very difficult for us to experience our transcendence. We live in the same environment as our gentile neighbors; we work in the same places, share similar hobbies and are seemingly subject to the same government and economy. • 323-965-1544 •
Nevertheless, we must recognize that all of this has no real impact on our lives. The Jewish people are still wearing the crowns of Torah, and when it comes to living our lives in accordance to the Torah, we must completely rely on Hashem and know that nothing can stand in our way. Today, during the long eclipse of exile, it is very difficult to find a extra few hours to learn Torah and daven properly. Logic and reason dictate that if we don’t start work early and leave late, we will not succeed in our business. It is for these times that we draw strength from the Baal Shem Tov. The Chassidic kingdom of the Baal Shem Tov empowers every Jew to find the king inside himself. No matter how difficult things appear to the naked eye, we have the strength and the ability to overcome any obstacle. The Jewish people don’t exist within the realm of limitation. Earthly concerns are irrelevant to us. Rather, there is only one thing: staying true to our G-dly mission. Hashem will take care of us and provide for us, even if we spend more time learning and less time working, or giving more than we can afford to charity. If we take the time and effort to properly educate our children, to daven with concentration, perform mitzvos with excitement and awareness, G-d will never withhold any of our needs. It is easy to feel like a king in the desert, with miracles occurring all around, or in the land of Israel when the Holy Temple stands in Jerusalem. However to live like a king, with confidence and absolute bitachon while in exile, in a distant and foreign land devoid of holiness we need the strength of the Baal Shem Tov. May we merit, no matter where we are, to continue growing in Torah and mitzvos, and very quickly radiate with the true and infinite power of kingship that was given to us through the Torah at Mt. Sinai with the coming of Moshiach. • Rabbi Reuven Wolf
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Tibwvpt!U ifsbqz!Boe!U if!Ufo!Dpnnboenfout Recently the following incident took place. A woman of very high professional standing and education came to my office for pastoral advice. Her dilemma related to marriage, family and her work. She related her inability to balance her life. Realizing that there was much more here, I asked if she had sought help from a therapist or psychiatrist. She said that she had sought help and, indeed, was seeing a psychiatrist on a weekly basis for the past two years. Her condition seems completely helpless and, as the last resort, she is turning to religion. I asked her three questions that I ask all those who are under care of a psychiatrist or other mental health worker, “Is your therapist married or divorced? Does your therapist believe in G-d and organized religion? Does your therapist have love for children?” She thought and slowly answered that in all three cases it was negative. Her psychiatrist had been married and remarried, and was now going through a second divorce. No, he did not believe in religion whatsoever and claimed that religion was repressive and guilt-evoking and, therefore, he had problems with religion. Last, but not least, he did not especially care for children, “As children,” he said, “are selfish and not everyone has the patience for caring for them.” I then asked her if she wanted to remain married and to this she answered, “Yes.” I continued, “Do you believe in G-d?” To this she immediately answered, “Of course,” and, “I love my child.” There was no question that she wanted to stay married, to believe in G-d and love her children. I told her that her actions were incongruent; going to a healer who does not live the way that she wanted for herself is absurd. Most of all, if anything, he had personified the opposite lifestyle. What comes to mind is the holiday of Shavuos and receiving the Ten Commandments. It‘s been said that the Ten Commandments are real commandments and not just ten suggestions. They teach us not to covet, but to love, to share, to respect and to give honor. These ingredients help us love our children, care for our fellow man and be faithful to our spouses. That is something for which all of us strive. The Ten Commandments are the most therapeutic steps to reach that goal. True, the Ten Commandments are traditionally known to have been given to the Jewish nation. However, there is no monopoly on the good things. The world is free to borrow and obey commandments. Therapists, doctors, social workers and even spiritual healers are to be the ones to help those in need but they carry the responsibility by first obeying the commandments and setting standards. Society learns and receives inspiration by examples of practicing healers. The problems between religion and the therapist are now being dealt with. In the edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders religion is no longer be considered harmful. Hopefully, by having a therapist live up to his client's expectations, the long history of hostility and antagonism will dissipate. Consequently, the client will receive better care. 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.
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sWxc
The Levitansky family cordially invites you to attend a
Chassidic gathering of warmth and inspiration
Commemorating the 4th Yohrtzeit of our dear father
RABBI AVROHOM hukv LEVITANSKY OB’M Celebrating his lifelong dedication to spreading the light of Chassidus at
CHABAD
IN
SIMCHA MONICA
1428 17th Street • S. Monica, 90404
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Sunday, June 12 Sivan 10, 5771 6:00 PM
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FIRST MINYAN FOR MINCHA 5:30 PM
ubktdhu tuch
Farbrengen led by RABBI SHMUEL LEW Senior Shliach in London, England
Dinner will be Served For more info or to sponsor this or other events
310-453-3011 WWW.THECHABADNIK.ORG
49 J u n e 3 , 2 0 1 1
RABBI SHMUEL LEW is a Shliach of the Rebbe to London, England, and was a dear friend and colleague of Rabbi Levitansky, ob’m. Rabbi Lew is a sought after motivational speaker who lectures internationally, and is renowned for his wit, wisdom and uncanny ability to connect with the audience, regardless of their background or affiliation. He is a beloved spiritual mentor, guidance counselor and educator, who pioneered outreach activities on college and university campuses, and has positively influenced thousands during the past five decades.
• 323-965-1544 •
info@communitylinks.info
7DNH D FORVHU ORRN 7 DNH D FORVHU ORRN Allergy Allergy Support™ Support™ This unique formula boosts your immune system and protects you from allergies, with these potent nutrients: ‡ Pantothenic acid helps your body produce natural cortisone to alleviate allergic symptoms. New LPSURYHG H[WUD VWUHQJWK formula
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REASONS TO CONSIDER A LIFE SETTLEMENT • Policy has not performed as anticipated • Need for cash flow • Beneficiary is now deceased • Premiums too costly • A change in estate size • A desire to purchase a survivorship policy • Changes in Estate Tax laws
If you are over age 70, we can show you how your life insurance policy might pay off now, while you are alive and still here to enjoy it! What’s more, you may be able to sell your policy for considerably more than its cash surrender value.
Busines Changes: • Buy/Sell funding is no longer required • Business is sold • Changes in deferred compensation benefits • Bankruptcy proceedings
C A S E S T U DY INSURED: Type of Policy: Face Amount: Cash Surender Value: Offer price to policy owner: Reason:
81 year old male Universal Life $5,000,000 $0 $860,000 Premiums of in-force policy were expensive and becoming difficult to afford. The insured no longer needed the policy and sold it for a sum worth approximately twice the policy’s cost basis. C A S E S T U DY
For a free, no obligation consultation and policy appraisal, by phone or in person
A PROUD MEMBER OF
LIFE INSURANCE SETTLEMENT ASSOCIACTION
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323.930.1081 3.930.10 7227 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA COME IN FOR OUR MANY IN-STORE SPECIALS!
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5% 5 5% % OFF O OFF
Come in and register e and a reeceive a 5% discount on your entire first purrchase. ch c
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Yaakov Shwekey Benefit Concert
(L-R) Concert Manager Yochi Briskman; BCM Director of Development Rabbi Zev Litenatsky; performer Shlomo Simcha; BCM Executive Director Rabbi Danny Yiftach; and performer Yaakov Shwekey.
Jewish entertainer Yaakov Shwekey headlined the recent Bais Chaya Mushka (BCM)-Chabad Girls School Benefit Concert at the Saban Theater. With noted Canadian singer Shlomo Simcha, the duo wowed a sold-out concert hall of over 1,200 people. The concert benefited BCM, located on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles. Special attention was paid to the children of Chai Lifeline and Etta Israel, who were overwhelmed with excitement when the two performers sat and sang among them.
BCM Executive Director Rabbi Danny Yiftach opened the program with the recitation of Tehillim. The school's director of development, Rabbi Zev Litenatsky, also spoke at the concert. JewishPress.com.
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CertifiedMohel Traditional Ritual Circumcision 718.753.3225 sholom@dovber.com
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Certified by: The Chief Rabbinate of Israel
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Tel: 818-953-9649 Fax: 818-953-9215 judyscatering@sbcglobal.net www.kosheronwheels.com 58
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We offer counseling for: Domestic Violence/Anger Management Groups Sexual Addictions Drug/Alcohol Education, Assessments & Testing Parenting Classes Monitored Visitation /Child Exchange Individual/Family/Marriage Counseling Eating Disorders Teen Counseling DNA/Paternity Testing Women Support Groups
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For a happy life and a healthy family structure you need education!!!
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Cake Decorating Classes
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Located in Pico-Robertson Area Learn how to work with frosting, fondant, layer cakes and cupcakes, too! Create flowers, bows and more! 3 sessions @ $20 per person per session Bring a friend and both of you pay $15 per session! Ages 10 and up.
Contact Miriam for more info: artyoucaneat@gmail.com 818•577•3770 Check out my blog at http://cakesart.blogspot.com
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STORE OWNERS SUPERMARKETS HOTELS M AIL/PHONE ORDERS GROCERIES WHOLESALE/RETAIL BUSINESS INTERNET MERCHANTS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
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ING FE E
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Calfornia Kosher Kitchen Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup (Dairy) Engagements Shoshana Kosman & Benji Schwartz Deena Hoffman & Eli Feldman Esty Lebovitz & Yitzy Roz Bryna Novack & Avi Webb Sarah Etty Hoffman & Yitzchok Meir Mendelovtich Miriam Wright & Josh Shapiro Adeena Kempe & Bentzy Halberstam Lotti Policar & Ori Rotterman Malka Levin & Yehushua Pancer Devorah Fraydel Lederman & Sammy Clifford Weddings Chana Enya Nerenberg & Ari Kaufman Djorah Ouaknin & Ephraim Piperno Births - Boys Koren & Aron Wizenfeld Chani & Yoni Samber Births - Girls Mooka & Baruch Hecht Michal & Daniel Levin Esty & Tuli Yudovsky
Ingredients • 5 oz. fresh shiitake mushrooms • 5 oz. fresh portobello mushrooms • 5 oz. fresh cremini mushrooms • 1 tablespoon good olive oil • 1/4 pound (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, • 1 cup chopped yellow onion • 1 carrot, chopped • 1 sprig fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks) • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1 cup dry white wine • 1 cup milk • 1 cup heavy cream • 1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Send us your mazel tovs to info@communitylinks.info
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2011 Light Candles: 7:43 pm ••• EVE OF FIRST DAY SHAVUOT TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 Light Candles: 7:45 pm ••• EVE OF SECOND DAY SHAVUOT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2011 Light Candles after: 8:47 pm ••• FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2011 Light Candles: 7:46 pm ••• FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011 Light Candles at: 7:49 pm
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Clean the mushrooms by wiping them with a dry paper towel. Don't wash them! Separate the stems, trim off any bad parts, and coarsely chop the stems. Slice the mushroom caps 1/4-inch thick and, if there are big, cut them into bite-sized pieces. Set aside. To make the stock, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large pot. Add the chopped mushroom stems, the onion, carrot, the sprig of thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Add 6 cups water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving the liquid. You should have about 4 1/2 cups of stock. If not, add some water. Meanwhile, in another large pot, heat the remaining 1/4 pound of butter and add the leeks. Cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the leeks begin to brown. Add the sliced mushroom caps and cook for 10 minutes, or until they are browned and tender. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and stir for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot. Add the mushroom stock, minced thyme leaves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the milk, cream, and parsley, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and heat through but do not boil. Serve hot.
info@communitylinks.info
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1.Parking hours are missing from the back pole. 2.Yellow balloons have changed to pink. 3.The words Lag B’omer are missing from Elisheva Ferszt’s shirt. 4.Window is lowered. 5.One of the girls’ skirts has changed from pink to blue. 6.Street divider is longer. 7.Girls’ crown is cut straight instead of wavy. 8.Logo missing from guys’ shirt in the back. 9.One of the circles is missing from the stained glass window. 10.Clown’s outfit is now pink instead of blue.
qq qq qq qq qq CHANGES KEEP SCORE
10 Please email us your event pictures to Info@communitylinks.info Double Take YOUR Pictures! Following the floats, children from Bais Chaya Mushka school for girls participate in the Lag B’omer parade.
LAG B’OMER PARADE Can you spot the differences in these two pictures?
DoubleTake
CLASSIFIEDS GIFTS A Perfect Setting Great gifts for all occasions- invited out for a Shabbos meal? Baby gifts...Bas Mitzvah g i f t s . . . We d d i n g 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
SERVICES
MUSIC
Bands
DRUM LESSON Over 20 years of experience with a BA in music. All levels & all ages. Eric Gold 323-397-2535 #965
"BECAUSE A SIMCHA SHOULD BE HAPPY"
Music by Ariel Louk
SERVICES
One man band to a full orchestra Contact now for availability & rates
BRIS - ,hrc
loukmusic@sbcglobal.net
Traditional Ritual Circumcision Rabbi Nachman B. Kreiman Certified Mohel vjnun kvun
Home: 323.934.9329 Cell: 323.896.5098 www.expertmohel.com #1751
Piano Lessons
323-997-2647
Eli's One Man Band
for all your simchas and special events. For more info Please call Eli Stiefel 310-4625368 or email elistiefel@gmail.com
Piano Lessons for adult & children over six. At your location. First Lesson free. Resonable rates. Call Lidia
310.289.5039 or 310.926.7761
-1510-
Abi Notaries Public
MusicbyMendel.com
-1540-
WEDDINGS, BAR-MITZVAHS, SPECIAL OCCSIONS. CONTACT NOW FOR AVAILABILITY AND RATES
310-595-5490
#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
64 J u n e 3 , 2 0 1 1
#1605
NOTARY
-1438-
BEAUTY
WORKSHOPS/CLASSES
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 •
A Time for Dance
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
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 @ 818 754-4501. -1548-
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
DRESS MAKER 784
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
Wedding dresses For sale & For Rent. Custom Designs, & Alterations, Sewing Classes Also Available.
Please Call 323-933-5960
or 323-348-8786 -298-
800.998.2678 info@communitylinks.info
CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE
REAL ESTATE
EMPLOYMENT
GUEST HOUSE FIDELITY PAYMENTS One bedroom in the Pico Robertson area. Hardwood floors, balcony, A/C, Heat, large bedroom, top floor apartment.
Call Daniel @ (310) 925 - 9972 #1404
FOR RENT Guest house available in Beverly/La Brea area starting 6/1/11. immaculate, Private entrance, A/C. Kitchenette, & Full Bath. $950 monthly. Please Call 323-371-3069 LOWEST MORTGAGE RATES
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Call: 718-782-2823 x 216
15 years fixed conf. 3.875% APR 30 years fixed conf. 4.250% APR
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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
N.R.C.C. www.ORNA.com 888-360-3337 orna@orna.com
EMPLOYMENT
ROOMATE WANTED
Single young religious guy looking for male roomate to share an apartment with in the Pico/Robertson area. For information please call Yosef 714-767-5556
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 17, 2011
323.965.1544 Orthodox woman available to watch your children full time or part-time hours, at your location. Excellent references. 323-651-9389
#1737
Advertising Deadline: June 10, 2011
Please call
BABYSITTER AVAILABLE
Marketing Sales Associates Needed Publications
65 J u n e 3 , 2 0 1 1
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.
#1750
or email us at info@communitylinks.info Facebook
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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 310-9854151 or email gigimybabynurse@gmail.co m, near 2 u! Shalom, GIGI.
• 323-965-1544 •
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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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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
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