Community Links La Issue 213-August 10 by The Jewish Link

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August 10 - August 24, 2012

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Vol. 9 Issue 213

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FEATURES

August 10 , 2012

Next Advertising Deadline August 17, 2012 Circulation August 24, 2012 Media Kit & Pricing 323.965.1544 Email info@communitylinks.info News & Press Releases press@communitylinks.info Virtual Subscription subscribe@communitylinks.info

The Cab Ride

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice."

Earning A Living

“Sure,” Moishe answers. “You see, last night I heard you and Mommy talking about how you need a lot of money. So here, I took this for you!”

By Kent Nerburn

R’ Ben Tzion Shafier The Shmuz

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.

Back To School

The good news is that there are plenty of herbs that can help kids and their moms strengthen their immune systems, and help quiet the new-school-year-jitters. Sara Chana, IBCLC, RA (AHG)

Life: The School Of Growth

In weight training, the movement of the bar isn’t the significant part; the demand on the body is. So too in life, the situations I face are far less significant than my reactions to them. R’ Ben Tzion Shafier The Shmuz

August 10, 2012 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info

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THE CAB RIDE

Kent Nerburn

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and 10

glassware. "Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated." "Oh, you're such a good boy," she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice." I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She August 10, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 323-965-1544 â&#x20AC;˘ info@communitylinks.info

s”xc showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers." Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

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Attorney Ari Friedman: Q&A What Information Do I Need To Get After A Car Accident I can’t tell you how many times a client has come in with little or no information about the car accident they were just involved in. If you are involved in an auto accident, obviously the first thing you need to do is worry about your health. Make sure you call 911 if you suspect any injuries. If there is anyone in the car that is experiencing neck or back pain from the accident, and if there is no immediate threat by staying in the car, try to stay in the car and do not move your neck. The fire department / ambulance will evaluate you. Make sure you let the 911 operator know that there is someone injured so that they will not only send the police but an ambulance as well. You may be transferred to a second operator. The first operator being the police, and then the second one being the fire department. Items You Need To Get From The Other Driver: t /BNF "EESFTT /VNCFS t -JDFOTF 1MBUF t %SJWFST -JDFOTF /VNCFS BOE 4UBUF t #JSUIEBUF t .BLF .PEFM $PMPS PG PUIFS DBS t *OTVSBODF $PNQBOZ PG PUIFS %SJWFS t *OTVSBODF 1PMJDZ PG PUIFS %SJWFS t /BNF OVNCFS BEESFTT PG BMM 8JUOFTTFT FWFO JG UIFZ HJWF UIF JOGP UP UIF QPMJDF

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Parshas Eikev

R’ Ben Tzion Shafier-The Shmuz

EARNING A LIVING

THE GREAT LIFE TEST

“Who feeds you manna in the wilderness, which your forefathers knew not, in order to afflict you and in order to test you to do good for you in the end?” – Devarim 8:16

or forty years living in the midbar, the Jewish people ate mon. The Torah explains that one of the reasons that the mon was given to the Klal Yisroel was in order to test them. The Siforno explains the test: “Will you do His will when He gives you your sustenance easily without pain?” It seems that the Siforno is telling us that the fact that the Jewish nation didn’t have to work was one of the great trials that they faced. This Siforno is very difficult to understand. We know that HASHEM metes out many life tests. But where have we seen that not having to struggle is a challenge? How could the fact that it was easy to make a living be a nisayon?

Moishe and the monopoly game This question can be answered by focusing on why HASHEM wants man to work? The ox was created to plow, the donkey to haul loads, the beaver to dam streams. But, man was created for a very different purpose. Man was not created to be a beast of burden. So, why does HASHEM want man to work for a living? One of the reasons can be best understood with a moshol. Imagine that a man recognizes that his eight-year-old son has difficulty getting along with his peers. The little boy is constantly getting into fights, and in general seems to miss social cues. The school psychologist tells him that his son has social integration issues. He just doesn’t understand the rules of social conduct. The father, takes it upon himself to help his little Moishe become a mentsch.

As part of the plan, he takes time off from work and invites Moishe and his friends to a play date. There they are on the floor playing Monopoly. At a certain point during the game, an ambulance passes, siren blasting, and as all the boys look to the window, the father notices Moishe reach into “the bank” and take out a five hundred dollar bill. The father doesn’t say anything. A few moments later, the door bell rings. Again, all the boys look up, and Moishe meanwhile reaches into the box and takes out two thousand dollars. When this happens again a few moments later, the father asks Moishe to join him in the kitchen. “Moishe,” says the father, “I couldn’t help but notice that some of the money that belongs in the bank somehow ended up in your pocket. Could you explain this to me?” “Sure,” Moishe answers. “You see, last night I heard you and Mommy talking

August 10, 2012 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info

about how you need a lot of money. So here, I took this for you!” While the sincerity of the little fellow might be touching, he is missing the point. The only reason the father was involved in this activity was to teach him how to be a mentsch. The father doesn’t need the money, and certainly isn’t taking time off of his busy day to earn “Monopoly money.” But Moishe in his naiveté missed the entire point of the exercise. This is an apt moshol to man working. HASHEM doesn’t need man to work to earn a living. HASHEM has lots and lots of money. HASHEM created the situation that man has to work to allow him to have to earn his daily bread. Now man is dependent. Now man is without, and now man can go through one of the greatest of life’s tests: how will he go about this activity called earning a living? Will he be honest? Will he be ethical? When he has difficulty in earning a living, will he learn to trust in HASHEM, or will he make that ultimate mistake thinking it is the sweat of his brow and the strength of his hand that earns him his bread? Man needs needs This seems to be the answer to the Siforno. The generation of the midbar was on a lofty plain. They had received the Torah from HASHEM and were living in a virtual yeshiva. While the mon took care of their daily needs, it was also as a great social experiment: would they attain the same closeness to HASHEM without having to earn a living? Would they still reach out to HASHEM if they didn’t lack? Would they still come to recognize their dependence upon HASHEM if they didn’t need to struggle to survive? The mon was a test to see if they could reach greatness without the normal life settings – without needs. This concept has great relevance in our times when we are seeing tests of faith all around us. And we see many fall. Many fall prey to materialism; many fall prey to the great race to acquire more; and even more fall to the understanding that it is my efforts that earn me my daily bread. One of the results of this fallacious thinking is the questionable ethics that we see being practiced. The sad reality is that lying, cheating, and stealing amount not only a lack of morality; it’s a waste of the great opportunity of life. HASHEM doesn’t need our money. HASHEM hand-crafted situations that allow a person to grow — to become a mentch. If he engages in dishonesty in the marketplace, it is ultimately himself that he is robbing because the entire scenario was only created to allow him to become great. When I stop to understand that HASHEM doesn’t need me to work, but has put me in this very situation to allow me to grow, that changes the way that I deal with the entire concept of working for a living, and greatly impacts the methods I employ in doing so. August 10, 2012 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info

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BACK TO SCHOOL By Sara Chana, IBCLC, RA (AHG)

Going back to school is a big and exciting transition for both your child’s psyche as well as his body. It is fun for kids to get a new backpack and lunch bag; new clothes are always cool, and the prospect of acquiring new friends is both invigorating and scary. As uplifting as the promise of these new items are, children usually begin having thoughts like, “What if the classes are too hard?” and, “What if the kids don’t like me?” , or “How am I ever going to wake up on time?” These questions echo the common thoughts that run through most kids’ minds, the weeks and days before the start of new school year. For moms the common thoughts are, “My kids always ends up with a cold after the first few weeks of school,” and, “What can I give my children when they are so nervous the first few days of school.” The good news is that there are plenty of herbs that can help kids and their moms strengthen their immune systems, and help quiet the new-school-year-jitters. Since the herbalist’s goal is always ‘prevention first’, we teach our clients to anticipate their own, and their children’s stressors, in order to ‘nip them in the bud.’ After all, theses stressors are among the main factors that are responsible for resultant stress and sickness. While there are lots of herbs that are useful after a person has become sick or nervous, it is, nevertheless better to know the herbs that you can take to in order to prevent the colds, flu, and stress. However, before we begin with learning about our herbal allies, it is important to remember that there are a few things that all kids should have.

• The first is a jug of purified water that kids need to bring to school every day, and be encouraged to drink! Dehydration makes it more difficult for children to concentrate, which in turn makes it difficult for a child transition well. Therefore, hydration is an easy and inexpensive way to help a child both academically and socially, within the school environment.

•The next thing is to give your child snacks that contain oats. Oatmeal in the mornings and granola bars—preferably the one’s without a lot of sugar—contain B vitamins which help calm the central nervous system. Now that I have mentioned the basics, we can get back to discussing the herbs. As a preventative measure, I like to give children a good herbal immune-mixture for two weeks prior to the beginning of the school year; to be continued on through the first month of classes. Nerves, tension and anxiety can suppress the immune system, allowing kids to be more vulnerable to the viruses and bacteria that just love to ‘hang-out’ in children’s classrooms. For a good herbal immune-mixture, my favorite herbal companies are: Herbalists & Alchemists, HerbPharm, Gaia, and Herbs of Light, and I prefer the herbs to be in a tincture form. Tinctures, which are processed in either grain alcohol or glycerides, preserve the potency of the herb, more than it is saved in capsule form. The above mentioned companies produce a children’s immune-mixture that available in glycerides, which are alcohol-free blends. You can purchase either immune blends, or cold and flu blends, because each of these have the herbs that not only fight infection, but even in times of good health, they stimulate and promote the immune system. The herbs should be given morning and evening during healthy times, and can be increased to three or four times a day if the child seems to be coming down with an illness. Moms can also take these immune herbs two weeks before school starts, because most moms’ immune systems also tend to suffer during stressful times.

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If your child is nervous or tense about beginning the new school year, try some of the following herbal suggestions. The dose would depend on the weight and age of your child, but the usual dosage is three times a day—with breakfast, after school, and before bed. And you should know that these herbs are not addictive.

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• Skullcap is best used for nervous tension and anxiety feelings; you can feel the calming effect within twenty minutes of taking this herb.

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• Lemon Balm is both a calming herb and an anti-viral. Therefore this herb can be given after school if a child is not able to relax, or at the first sign of a cold.

• Valerian is herb that is best used if a person is in a nervousness state that is accompanied by sadness. This state can be recognized when a child becomes sad and weepy; often having trouble falling asleep, or when he falls asleep too often when he is nervous. This herb works best after a few days, when the system begins to calm down. As an herbalist, who believes that prevention is best, I suggest that you don’t wait until your child has the full-blown symptoms of an illness, because it only becomes more difficult to treat. Therefore, for best results, nip that cold, flu or nervousness in the bud, before it has a chance to blossom into days absent from school. Sara Chana Silverstein, IBCLC RH (AHG) is a Lactation Consultant, Classical Homeopath, and Registered Herbalist with twenty years of experience. She migrates from New York and spends her summers in Los Angeles, seeing clients from newborns to the elderly. She helps with all medical conditions and specializes in woman’s and children’s health. She can be reached at 917-587-0262 or Sarachanala@gmail.com August 10, 2012 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info

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• Fresh milky oats is an herb whose effect is not felt right away, and can take a few weeks to work, but it is greatly beneficial for the nervous system after long-term stress, and works well when combined with the other two herbs mentioned above. • Echinacea is one of my all-time favorite herbs, and has unfortunately gotten a lot of mixed press over the years. Notwithstanding, this herb, when taken at the first sign of cold or flu decreases both their severity and duration. Interestingly, I have found over the years that this herb does not seem to work very effectively for people with blood-type O. Not that it has any negative affect for people with this blood type, but it just doesn’t seem to stimulate their immune system in the same way that it does for people with the other blood types. And so another choice for them is an herb called Usnea. However, this herb must be ordered on-line because most stores do not carry it.

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Reusing CRUMBS in the bottom of your biscuit or cookie package? Put them in a container marked “sweet crumbs” and use them in a cake or cookie recipe. If it’s a small amount, no need to adjust the recipe. Of course, don’t add it to a delicate sponge cake or meringue, but rather some type of bar or cookie recipe. Alternatively, try it on oatmeal or ice cream. It can even become part of a fancy ice cream dessert, with layers of ice cream, cookie crumbs, nuts or chocolate syrup. If you won’t get to the crumbs within a few days, freeze them; but not for too long or they may get stale and/or freezer-burnt! These ideas are also great for leftover chocolates and sweets; they can transfer your plain cookies or ice cream into a gourmet treat for special occasions.

Conversing with Kovod At some point in life, you may realize that your dear aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins, many of whom had done at least a few nice things for you over the years, would appreciate hearing from you. These relatives have aged and may not be as busy as they were in years past. At such a stage, calls can be the highlight of their day. Chances are that some of those in this group will be difficult customers. Grouchy, critical and otherwise difficult people can challenge your willingness and ability to engage in this chessed activity. Furthermore, as we come to understand that even these problematical people don’t need just talking to, but rather kovod-dik talking to, it may seem like mission impossible. But it can be done! Prepare yourself mentally beforehand. You may find it worthwhile to keep a written list of do’s and don’ts that you can review. If you do keep such a list, don’t forget that you will also need to keep updating it!

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Being a lovable [adult] child Start with accepting your Torahdefined role: an individual with free will. No matter what your parents, Rebbis, teachers, friends and relatives did or didn’t do, you need to “choose life”. Choosing life means performing mitzvos, which includes respecting parents and being grateful for anything your parents did for you.

Training your brain Start by teaching yourself to direct your thoughts. During the day, does your mind wander to useless, post-mortem type of thinking? Do you find yourself mulling over conversations or situations that are beyond your ability to improve? Stop yourself and think about something else. Remember! Negative thoughts are simply traps of the yetzer hora! Since you cannot concentrate on two different thoughts at the same time, pick another topic!

Loving laundry Start out by developing a perspective that can get you on the road towards a positive attitude. Remind yourself how fortunate you are to have running water, a washing machine, perhaps even a dryer, as well as all kinds of detergents. You do not need to do what your great-great-grandmothers did and, actually, as millions of people in other countries are still doing today. Appreciate your preferential situation! Consider as well how fortunate you are to have so much clothing! Are you washing for your family? Be grateful you have one. As you perform this mostly mindless task called “laundry”, you can exercise

your “gratitude muscles”, listen to a good shiur or converse with a friend.

Doing the dishes Start with this real energy-saving idea. Try sitting at the sink on a step stool or bar stool. Or stack a few chairs to obtain the proper height. Although it may take a while to accustom yourself to this position, you can work at the sink in this manner. Check it out. Your legs will thank you!

Modesty Tzenius is a precious gift given to us by Hashem. Studying all aspects of it will allow you to observe it proudly and properly, and maximize its benefits. Modesty is not just a matter of how we dress; it’s our entire comportment. Observe those you admire, noticing their behaviour, dress, speech patterns, eating etiquette and other behaviours. See what you can implement.

Kashrus Have separate pitchers, salt and pepper shakers, ketchup bottles; whatever goes on the table. Although this duplication may not be halachically required strictly speaking, it is still advisable. While you are at it, assign separate dishwashing soap dispensers as well. (Check if used)!!!!!!!!!

… Miscellaneous Matters Timers are a fantastic adjunct to almost any task. Use them to avoid burning food, to give children specific time to play or read, to remember tasks… the list is endless. Going out for an errand or appointment? Expect delays; bring along

Tova Younger snacks, tissues, a water bottle, books. My favourite is a sefer Tehillim. You’ll be calmer as you wait or just be pleasantly surprised if you don’t need any of them.

Preparing for Shabbos Kodesh Prominently post a list of everything that needs doing erev Shabbos. Let your personal experiences guide you as you compile the list. Make a separate list of do-at-the-lastminute-tasks as well. Have an alarm ring about thirty minutes before you plan to light as a reminder to review this list.

Sholom Bayis Even if you didn’t begin married life with the following mindset, it is never too late. Treat your husband as you (hopefully) did during Sheva Brochos. Make his word the word. As Rabbi Avigdor Miller says, “There can be only one captain of a ship!” We are so far removed from the concept of respect, however, that we may not know where to begin. Before any interaction with your husband try to think, “How would I handle this if he were not my husband, but rather my father? My grandfather? My Rav?”

Shopping successfully Shopping can take a lot of time. When you are running short on that valuable commodity, you may want to get a delivery or hire someone, possibly a capable young girl, to shop for you. Although you may be sacrificing quality, exactness and preferred selection, look at the bright side. Getting an order will force you to cut down on impulse shopping, and thereby probably lower your food bill. Keep reminding yourself that you are trading for time to be spent on other higher priority tasks.

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Life: The School of Growth R’ Ben Tzion Shafier - The Shmuz on the Parsha Parshas Re’eh

“See I have placed in front of you today a blessing and a curse. The blessing: if you will listen to all of the mitzvahs of HASHEM your G-d as I have commanded you today…” — Devarim 11:21

There are two paths in front of you… In these posukim, the Torah sets out two divergent paths. One path leads to ultimate success and blessing, and the other to devastation and curses. If you follow in the ways of HASHEM, you will be richly rewarded. You will look back at your years of sacrifice with enormous joy and satisfaction, saying to yourself, “Whatever price I paid was so worth it. I am now being compensated beyond anything I could have imagined.” On the other hand, if you don’t follow the Torah’s ways, there will come a time when you will deeply regret your mistake and you will look back and say, “Woe is me! How could I have been so foolish? How could I have chosen so poorly?” A moshol for life The Daas Zakainim brings light to this concept with a moshol. He says it is comparable to a crossroads. One road begins as a difficult thorny trail, then it opens up, and the rest of the way is clear. The other path begins as a smooth passageway, but 28

ends in a thicket of thorns. An old man sits at the crossroads and warns the passersby, “Be careful. This road begins smoothly, but ends up all thorns. Rather choose the other road. Even though it begins as a difficult path, it opens up and will carry you well.” Anyone who listens to the man will work at the outset of his journey, but will travel in peace the rest of the way; whereas anyone who ignores the advice of the old man will get caught in the thorns for rest of his passage. The Daas Zakainim explains that this is what the Torah is telling us. If a man sins and follows his inclinations, he will find comfort in this world, but when he dies, he will go to Gehennom, which is all thorns. However, if one works in this world and labors in Torah study and mitzvahs, he will merit the World to Come, which is all goodness, joy, and happiness. What do we gain from the parable? This Daas Zakainim is difficult to understand because the meanings of the posukim seem self-evident – serve HASHEM and you will receive blessing; violate the mitzvahs and you will be cursed. It doesn’t seem that he is adding much to our understanding with this moshol. If the point is that punishment

and reward aren’t in this world, but rather in the Next, that concept doesn’t need a parable. Simply state, “the Torah is referring to the World to Come.” What point is the Daas Zakainim trying to bring home to us with this moshol? To understand this, we need a different perspective of life. Progressive weight training A rather yeshivishe fellow went to a power-lifting gym to learn how to work out. As a kid, he had little experience with sports and was clearly out of his element. Recognizing this, the coach showed him various exercises and worked closely with him. One day, this fellow was overheard saying, “That coach, I don’t know what’s with him. Every time I get the exercise right, he goes and adds more weight to the bar. What’s wrong with him?” The point this fellow missed was that progressive weight training is all about increasing the load. The goal of the activity is to coax the body to grow. By gradually increasing the work load, the body is called upon to respond. The work should never be easy. The nature of the activity is to incrementally increase the demand placed on the body, thereby causing it to grow.

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This is a good parable because in life we are put into many situations. If a person doesn’t understand why he is on this planet, he will have many questions. Why is life so difficult? Why is it that when I finally get things under control, a whole new set of circumstances arises that sets everything out of kilter? Why can’t life just be easy? The point that he is missing is the very purpose of life. HASHEM put us on this planet to grow. Many of the challenges and situations are given to us specifically for that reason. It isn’t by accident, and it isn’t because HASHEM doesn’t pay attention. Quite the opposite, these situations were hand-designed to demand from us. They are catalysts to change who we are. . Who I become is a result of my attitude and the way I handle my challenges. When a person understands this perspective, then life itself makes sense. If not, then the situations in life seem arbitrary and unfair. The answer: why the Daas Zakainim used a moshol The answer to the Daas Zakainim seems to be that this moshol defines our path in life. The road that we are being asked to take isn’t easy. It isn’t laden with roses and doesn’t smell like lilacs. It has thorns. A life properly led will have moments of doubt, pain, and confusion. That doesn’t mean that we are on the wrong path. Quite the opposite, if life is going too smoothly, it’s a bad sign. Since the purpose of life is to grow, we need the challenges of life to help us reach our potential. If the road is too level, that is likely a sign that we have chosen the wrong path. HASHEM wants us to enjoy our stay on this planet, but there is a plan and a purpose to it all. If a person lives his life in accordance with the Torah, he finds deep satisfaction, an inner sense of peace and tranquility, and true simcha. But it isn’t a walk in the park. There is much work along the way. There are trials, travails, and circumstances that demand growth. If a person responds appropriately, he finds a sense of inner peace because he is in synch with his purpose in life. That sense of balance is an indicator that he is on the right path, and the work that he puts in on that path will bring him to true joy, happiness, and elation in this world, and much more so in the World to Come. For more on this topic please listen to Shmuz #39 - I Need, Needs. “The Shmuz”, an engaging and motivating Torah lecture that deals with real life issues is available for FREE at www.TheShmuz.com. The Shmuz on the Parsha Book, a compilation on all of Chumash is now available for purchase either in your local Sefarim store, or at the Shmuz.com

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Touro College Los Angeles Graduates its Sixth Class

Touro College Los Angeles, the only WASC accredited Orthodox Jewish college on the west coast, proudly celebrated their 6th annual commencement ceremony on June 25, 2012. The evening commencement was held for the seventeen graduates and an audience of over 150 people. The keynote speaker, Dr. Mark Hasten, Chairman of

the Board of Trustees of the Touro College and University system, addressed the students and their families about the value of education and the history of the Touro College system. Students received their diplomas and final words of delivery from Dean Esther Lowy, Ph.D., MBA. Among the graduating class of 2012,

outstanding students were recognized for scholastic achievement and service to the community. Valedictorian, Miriam Brummer addressed her fellow graduating cohort, encouraging them to utilize their degrees to achieve their future goals and most importantly to hold onto the value system of Touro College. “Stay true to the values and ethics we have gained the past few years and stay true to yourself.” Rochel Pollak received the award for salutatorian while Avram Saada and Leah Mizrahi received awards recognizing their devotion to the Jewish community at large and the Touro community in particular. TCLA graduates are going on to such prestigious universities as Columbia, USC and Pepperdine and others will be working in their fields of interest. TCLA is a part of the Touro worldwide non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. They are currently developing concentrations in health sciences and early education. For more information please call 323-8229700, ext. 85155 or email tourola.admissions@touro.edu.

SoCal Based "8th Day" Releases New Album By Michael Shore The band that brought us the smash hit "Ya'alili" is back with their all new album release "All You Got". The full feature album is jam packed with incredible music, funky lyrics, and the catchy harmonies of brothers Shmuel and Bentzi Marcus. So how did this amazing album come together while these guys have been busy Ya'alili-ing all over the world? "We've spent a lot of the last year traveling and doing concerts," said Bentzi, "so a large part of the album was written on an airplane or backstage at a show." Okay, sounds like fun! Let's have a listen, shall we? After listening to the album all the way through you start to get a feel of the band's intent and what Shmuel, the main composer and lead singer, was focusing 30

on for this album. A big theme in the album is unity, as expressed in the beautiful ballad "Harmony" (track 3) and in the fun and catchy "Cheery Bim" (track 9.) The opening track "Mazal Tov (T.T.D.F.)" tells us to forget our worries and dance the Hora or the Kazatzka. Only these guys could use the name of this popular Russian dance as a lyric in a song and get away with it. The song that I really took to is track 6 the title track "All You Got". Its a really fresh new sound but still has the 8th Day genuineness through and through. True to its title its all about giving it all you got! All in all its a great listen full of energy and hooks that have started to become the 8th Day signature. Very enjoyable and has

something for everyone, young and old alike. "All You Got" is now available in Judaica stores everywhere and on iTunes and most other websites that sell music (Amazon etc.)For more on 8th Day please visit www.my8thday.com

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`téxÄ gÉä4 Engagements Naftali Fishman to Shterny Rapp Binyomin Lieblich to Zahava Shagalov

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