Community Links 244 by The Jewish Link

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Vol. 11 Issue 244

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FEATURES

January 8, 2014

Next Issue Next Advertising Deadline January 31, 2014 Circulation February 5 , 2014 Media Kit & Pricing 323.965.1544 Email info@communitylinks.info News & Press Releases press@communitylinks.info Virtual Subscription subscribe@communitylinks.info

16 Give It Away

Each of us has countless decisions to make every day about how we will engage with life and with the world in which we live. Mia Adler Ozair MA, LPCC, NCC

Finding the Right Real Estate Agent People should carefully interview their real estate agent and make sure they are right for the job. The following is a list of interview questions people commonly ask real estate agents. Sheri Bienstock

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.

34 Pico/Robertson Heads East I used to ask was, “Are you willing to look east of Robertson? Now, I’m also asking how they feel about living east of La Cienega! Some are surprised at the question, but many in the frum community have been talking about the eastern migration for a few years already.

Naomi Selick

Lives Wasted: Correction on Earlier Report on ADHD

ADHD is a disorder that responds to behavioral treatment and therapy. With such treatment, you can actually be cured.

Robert J. Rome, Ph.D

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Social Skills Groups for Children on the Autism Spectrum When are the groups?

Social Cues and Non-verbal Communication Creating and Maintaining Peer Friendships Conversations Skills with Peers Joining and Exiting Conversations Manners for Social Situations Social Problem Solving and Social Strategies

Groups will be on Sundays and some weeknights. Groups are in 6-8 week segments.

How much do the groups cost? Each group session costs $25. Credit card and cash are accepted for payment.

How do I enroll my child?

Facilitated by Jennifer Samson, MA, MFTi, ATR Marriage and Family Therapy intern IMF #60612 and Registered Art Therapist Supervised by Jose Cabrera, LMFT, ATR MFC #45195

The Ness Counseling Center

8512 Whitworth Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90035 A non-profit organization 8

Call us at the Ness Center and let is know you are interested! We will forward you the Enrollment Form, and ask you to complete it and submit it to us.

(310) 360-8512 (phone) (310) 360-8510 (fax) info@thenesscenter.org www.TheNessCenter.org

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Give It I

Away

t seems highly contradictory to advise a business owner to give away products or services at reduced rates or even free-of-charge. How might one possibly turn a profit by giving stuff away for free? Yet according to our Jewish tradition, this is exactly what one must do in order to not only be successful but be showered with abundance. You see, our Universe is a system. There are Universal dynamics at work whether we know or understand them. One of these very basic elements is the spiritual idea that what we give comes back to us. We give love, we get love. We give rudeness, we get rudeness. The Universe will mirror us through the environment around us in order to show and teach us what we need to change in order to grow. So how does this work in the business world? Very simply, what we give away comes back to us. We can offer services, donate products, teach others how to excel in a particular field, offer lectures, give people good jobs, take care of them, etc. And what will the return be? Increased sales, more clients, employees who give you their all, colleagues who appreciate and respect you. When we give, we open a circuit

MIA ADLER OZAIR, MA, LPCC, NCC

and the Universe rushes to close that circuit by giving back to you. But then it begs the question: How much do I give? According to Judaism, in order to maximize this Universal spiritual principle, the minimum to give away is 10%--of your profits, of your services, of your product, and/or of your time. Anything above 10% is bonus. Let’s take a deeper look at this concept of “giving it away.” What type of person does one need to become in order to commit to and honor this fundamental Universal principle? Upon reflection, a person who understands and desires to utilize this concept of giving is a person who is or is becoming someone who cares about others, opens his or her heart, looks around them to see who is in need, works to increase his or her level of sensitivity and compassion to others, and desires to see everyone around him or her succeed. Wouldn’t this be the type of person you’d like to do business with? Which brings us to another very key concept both in Judaism and in Universal principle: you attract what you are. When taken to a more personal and reflective level, the concept of “giving it away” brings us to a

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Each of us has countless decisions to make every day about how we will engage with life and with the world in which we live.

place of also realizing that when we give of our resources, we also become someone who attracts other highquality people into our lives. We begin to be in the world in such a way as to know that other’s needs are equally as important as our own and that when those around us are cared for, we can all be fulfilled—it’s a winwin scenario. When someone comes to me for counseling or consultation, they are typically coming due to some type of problem or sense of lack. Something is out of balance and not working properly. Profits are down. Marriage is rocky. Kids are acting out. Regardless of the reason, one consistently effective element that I ask all of my clients to put into place is to test the concept of “give it away.” Not selling as much makeup? Donate small gift bags to the moms in your child’s class. Spouse seems checked out and not paying much attention? Take him to dinner, buy her tickets to her favorite show,

grab him unexpectedly and proclaim your love for him like you used to do. Kids are giving you problems doing homework? Once in a while take them for a surprise trip to the park or for ice cream before having to get down to business –something to shake things up in a positive way and an opportunity for you to show your love. There are endless ways to implement this concept in every area of your life and what I have seen, almost without fail, is that by giving of yourself to those around—both at work and at home—everyone wins. The people you give to feel loved and cared for, and you feel a sense of fulﬁllment by being in tune with one of the greatest sources of energy in the Universe: Giving. Each of us has countless decisions to make every day about how we will engage with life and with the world in which we live. If you are looking to step things up, shake things up, and generally experience a better quality of living both in your business and in your home, you now have a new tool to experiment with. Just as we love to receive, we can equally love to give. If some of your goals include greater success and happiness in business, love, parenting, and relationships, then make “Give It Away” a way of life. You will be amazed at the results.

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SHIRIN (310) 247-8800 Mia Adler Ozair, MA, LPCC, NCC is a licensed clinical psychotherapist and educator with a private practice in Beverly Hills, California. Mia is licensed in both California and Illinois and she can be reached through her website at www.bhcounselingcenter.com or followed on Twitter @MiaAdlerOzair. Copyright © 2014 Mia Adler Ozair All Rights Reserved.

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Finding the Right Real Estate Agent SHERI BIENSTOCK

People don’t always appreciate that selling their home is one of the biggest business decisions they’ll make in their life and will have a huge impact on their ﬁnances. One should carefully interview his estate agent and make sure he’s right for the job. Below is a list of people don’t always appreciate that selling their home is one of the biggest business decisions they’ll make in their life and will have a huge impact on their ﬁnances. People should carefully interview their real estate agent and make sure they’re right for the job. The following is a list of interview questions people commonly ask real estate agents.

AGENT EXPERIENCE t How long have you been selling residential real estate? t How many homes did you sell this year? t How many days did it take to sell the average home? t How did that compare to the overall market? t What is the average ratio between the listing price and the selling price? t What is your experience with my neighborhood? t Perhaps most important, is this your full time profession? t How involved are you in Community Work? t What is your education, training, and background? t What is your business philosophy? MARKETING PL AN t How do you propose to market my house? Open houses, previews for agents, yard signs, listings on one or more Multiple Listing Services? Other websites?

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t At open houses: will you be there to interact with potential buyers? How often will there be an open house at my property? t What advertising will you do & why? Online ads, newspaper ads, direct mail? E-mail campaigns? t What sort of Web marketing can I expect? Photos, virtual tours, links to other Web sites? A designated Property Website? t Do you take professional-grade photographs (or work with actual professional photographers) so potential buyers can see numerous great photos of my home? t How often do you expect to communicate with me regarding inquiries and other buyer interest? t How many people are on your team and how will each team member add value to my sale? t Will you represent me exclusively or will you represent both buyer and seller in the transaction? Explain, please, the agency relationship and the rights of each party in a real estate transaction. PERSONAL INFO t Do you consider yourself readily accessible? Evenings, weekends, by cell phone, text, or e-mail? t Do you expect to be out of the oﬃce while my home is listed (vacation, etc.)?

t If so, who will be handling the listing in your absence? t Can you provide (at least) three references? t What Are the Top Three Things That Separate You From Your Competition? In an answer most look for these traits: · Honest and trustworthy · Assertive · Excellent negotiator · Available by phone or e-mail · Good communicator · Friendly · Analytical · Able to maintain a good sense of humor under trying circumstances MONEY MATTERS t What do you think my home is worth, and how do you determine your valuations? t What do you recommend I do to prepare my home for sale and what will it cost me to do the things you recommend? Can you recommend service providers who can help me get my house ready for sale? t What will the commission be on my sale? t “That’s a hunk of change” (or something to that eﬀect). Why do you believe you’re worth it?

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(L-R) Sharon Levine, Co-President of ETTA-OHEL’s Board of Directors; Kam Babaoﬀ, member of the ETTA-OHEL Board of Directors; John Chiang, State Controller; Mel Zachter, member of the OHEL Board of Directors and the ETTA-OHEL Board of Directors; Elly Klienman, member of the OHEL Board of Directors and the ETTA-OHEL Board of Directors; Dr. Michael Held, Executive Director of ETTA

ETTA’s 20 Annual Gala ETTA’s 20th Annual Gala Huge Success Supporting Jews with Special Needs; ETTA Announces “200 by 2020” Plan & Opening of Fifth Home

everly Hills, CA – ETTA’s 20th Annual Gala, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Tuesday December 17, drew over 400 members of the Los Angeles community to support ETTA’s work on behalf of Jewish adults with special needs. ETTA, which merged with OHEL Children’s and Family Services last year, is the premier resource for residential services for Jewish individuals with disabilities on the West Coast, and also provides many other services to support people with special needs: life skills training, job coaching, social events, a day program, a summer program, and educational programs. The vision of ETTA is an inclusive, participatory community of people with and without special needs, succeeding and growing together. This year’s banquet was particularly meaningful as it marked ETTA’s 20th Anniversary. ETTA was founded in 1993 as the realization of retired LAUSD spe-

cial education teacher Mrs. Etta Israel’s dream. Her modest estate was dedicated to founding ETTA, which in the past 20 years has become a beacon of hope for people with disabilities and the families who love them. ETTA’s work was celebrated and appreciated by all at the Gala, including the ETTA-OHEL Board and ETTA Advisory Board. Many OHEL board members and executive staff were there as well, as were many elected officials, including State Controller John Chiang, Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party Eric Bauman, Assemblymember Richard Bloom, District 50, and Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, District 46, who were welcomed by attorney Sam Yebri, Chair of ETTA’s Government Relations Group. An incredible program, emceed by comedian Mark Schiff, featured the many different aspects of ETTA. ETTA’s Executive Director, Dr. Mi-

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The Sohacheski Family table at the Gala

Dr. Michael Held, Executive Director of ETTA; Sharon Levine, Co-President of ETTAOHEL’s Board of Directors; Liebe & Ivor Geft, recipients of the ETTA Champions Award

chael Held, explained the organization’s current focus: a plan called “200 by 2020” authored together with ETTA’s Visionary Award recipient Michael Baruch. Due to tremendous need, ETTA’s goal is to house, or support in various housing arrangements, 200 individuals with disabilities by the year 2020. Towards that end, Dr. Held was proud to announce

the opening of ETTA’s 5th home – and ﬁrst on the Westside – called Bedford House. This house is not a group home but rather a privately-run home for highfunctioning women who still need some support. Liebe and Ivor Geft were the evening’s recipients of the ETTA Champions Award. Liebe Geft is the Director of

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the Museum of Tolerance, which is the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Ivor is a renowned cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and teaches many Torah classes in the Los Angeles area. “What is so meaningful about supporting ETTA,” noted Liebe Geft, “is that it enables and ennobles these individuals with special needs to give to others, which is our purpose in life.” Michelle Wolf, co-founder of HaMercaz and currently Transitions Project Coordinator for Bet Tzedek Legal Services, received the Professional Leadership Award for her 25 years of advocacy and innovation in the field, both for her own son Danny and for countless others. Michelle was thrilled – and moved – by a surprise appearance and introduction from her daughter Rachel, whom ETTA flew out from New York. One highlight of the evening was a speech from Moshe Bienenfeld, a young man with autism who was honored with ETTA’s Lazare, z”l, and Moselle Hendeles Young Leadership Award. Moshe reminded everyone that those with challenges are not “disabled” but rather “differently abled,” and shared his pride in being a spokesperson for individuals with autism. The evening wrapped up with Michael Baruch, founder of Baruch Enterprises, receiving ETTA’s Visionary Award for his tireless work on behalf of the organization. “What could be more important than giving a home to people who need a home?” Baruch asked the audience. “You all can help our vision to provide homes to all the people who are in need.” ETTA, founded in 1993 in Los Angeles, California, serves people with developmental disabilities and their families, and is one of the premier providers of such services on the West Coast. ETTA’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities, and the families who love them, to live fully enriched and active lives as members of the Los Angeles Jewish community.

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Lower

Back Pain? What to Do! DR. SHIRLEY PERLUSS, C.A., O.M.D.

Have you ever-experienced back pain? Know that you are not alone. Almost 8 out of every 10 people have experienced acute (sudden) or chronic (long-lasting) back pain at some point in their lives. Pain can occur when one lifts something too heavy or overstretches, causing a strain or sprain in a muscle or ligament. There may be pain if someone is in an auto accident and experiences whiplash. Pain may also be caused by degenerative conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, or congenital abnormalities. Most acute back pain can go away on its own. If the pain lasts longer than 6-8 weeks, you may be experiencing chronic lower back pain. Instead of relying on medications or surgery, alternative therapies can be very effective to help relieve painful musculoskeletal conditions. Here are some of the more effective treatments for lower back pain. Whichever you choose is sure to go to a highly qualified practitioner. t Acupuncture t Physical therapy t Chiropractic t Mind/Body therapies like Guided Imagery, Hypnosis, Biofeedback. t Exercise, such as walking, yoga, swimming and Pilates t Therapeutic massage or Cranial/Sacral therapy t Over the counter analgesics (aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen) are taken orally to reduce stiffness, swelling.

ine a huge bolder as the blocked energy. Such a blockage could cause a disruption of the energy flow (river flow). Like a dam, there would be a buildup of excess energy above the boulder and a deficiency below it. Your body then feels relaxed and comfortable. When your body relaxes, the healing process can begin. Instead of a cycle of stress causing more pain, and then that pain causing more stress, the body relaxes, bringing a fresh supply of blood to the area to accelerate healing.

AC U P U N C T U R E Acupuncture is an excellent therapy choice because it has no side eﬀects and can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. The skin is the largest organ of the body. When a tiny, sterile needle is placed in the appropriate acupuncture location, there is an automatic response from the brain to send endorphins and extra red and white blood cells to the area. The body works on whatever blockage that happens to be there, thereby resolving the blocked energy and releasing the pain. Acupuncture also reduces inﬂammation so common to lower back pain. The body has 14 pathways of energy (or meridians), similar to rivers. Pain or dysfunction is explained as blocked energy. Imag-

P R E V E N T I N G LO W E R B AC K PA I N

Prevention is always ideal, so here are some tips. t Squat while picking anything up, especially heavy objects. The large muscles in our thighs are made for heavy lifting, while the muscles in the back are weaker in comparison and are more prone to injury. t Take a calcium/magnesium supplement. (to remember, put it near your toothbrush!!) Solgar makes a kosher Cal/Mag supplement with Vitamin D. It is best to take 1200 mgs. of calcium and about 600 mgs of magnesium. Cal/Mag helps with the contraction and release of muscle tissue, and will help avoid osteoporosis, which could lead to compression fractures.

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t Wear supportive shoes. (Sorry ladies, those high heels might look nice, but they will aﬀect your lower back in the long run.)

move a little slower. Avoid regular aerobic exercise until you feel better.

t While sitting or driving, use a rolled up towel (or sweater) to support your lower back.

t Never bend over from the waist when lifting heavy objects. Instead, squat, using the large muscles of your thighs to support you.

t If you sleep on your side, put a pillow under your knees or use a body pillow. If you sleep on your back, place the pillow under your knees to support your lower back. t Maintain a healthy weight. t Don’t smoke. Smoking contributes to osteoporosis, increases sensitivity to pain, and decreases blood circulation and oxygen, among other things. Acupuncture is highly eﬀective in helping people stop smoking. t Manage the stress in your life with a yoga class or hisbodidus, Jewish meditation. t Watch your posture. Stand and sit tall without slumping and arching your back too much. Poor posture increases stress on your back.

Instead of relying on medications or surgery, alternative therapies can be very effective to help relieve painful musculoskeletal conditions. WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE ACUTE BACK PAIN t Use a cold compress an ice pack or bag of peas, for 15 minutes during the first 24 to 48 hours of back pain. t After that the first 24-48 hours, use to a heating device such as a heating pad or bean bag warmed in a microwave. Keep the hot pad on for 20 minutes only. Switch back and forth from hot to cold. The cold reduces pain and the heat brings more blood to the area to accelerate healing.

t Get a good mattress. We spend one-third of our life in bed. Make sure it supports you well. t Read “Healing Back Pain” by Dr. John Sarno. This book has helped thousands of people through his Mind/Body healing approach to healing. t Swimming, especially the front crawl, is not only good for reducing pain and keeping it away, but it also helps avoid the jarring, pounding action you would otherwise experience on a pavement. t Acupuncture is tried and true treatment for any pain, especially back pain. I also use manual traction and massage during treatment. t Hot baths with Epsom Salt. If you don’t have time for a bath, take 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt in 1/2 cup of hot water. Pour over a baby diaper and apply to the painful area. The diaper will keep the heat in for 20 minutes t Certain stretches and exercises help reduce the pain and excoriate healing. t Turmeric is an anti-inﬂammatory. Take it in a capsule or add extra to your food. t Call your doctor if: 1. You have weakness or numbness in your legs, or you have trouble standing or walking. 2. You lose control over your bowels or bladder. These could be signs that you have an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated. If you or someone you know is struggling with lower back pain or wants to improve their musculoskeletal health, call today to schedule an appointment or get more information on how Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you! Dr. Shirley Perluss, C.A., O. M. D., is a Certiﬁed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Hypnotherapist, and Cranial-Sacral Therapist. Shirley’s been in practice for over 30 years and treats all ranges of health issues. She can be reached at Drsperluss@gmail.com.

t Keep moving. Rest for 1-2 days, but no longer . Our spines are similar to the rest of the body; we are made to move. If you have back pain, go ahead and do you daily activities, just

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First Ever Pico Shabbaton for LA’s Premier Orthodox Day School, Yeshivat Yavneh Yeshivat Yavneh holds Achdut Shabbaton in Pico in conjunction with Yavneh PTA.

eshivat Yavneh is holding it’s first ever Pico Shabbaton Friday, January 31st- February 1st. The shabbaton promises to be a grand affair with gourmet catering, kids programs and prizes, a women’s shiur and much more. Friday night, davening and dinner will begin at the exquisite Mark For Events, followed by a special Tish led by Yavneh’s Rav and Dean, Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn. Shabbat lunch will be held at Beth Jacob. The shabbaton will conclude with a Motzei Shabbos Havdalah and Melava Malka featuring an acoustic performance by the lead singer of the Moshav Band. “The goal of the shabbaton is to further the warmth and unity amongst the parent body and the students” said Yavneh PTA President Ganit Levy. “For parents, it’ll create a great opportunity to meet and/or catch up with other parents while enjoying the great schedule and meals we have lined up. For the students, seeing each other off campus and especially over shabbat is always exciting.”

“We’re excited to hold our first ever Pico Shabbaton” said Rabbi Einhorn. “With about half our students coming from the pico area and many families being hosted from other parts of LA, it’s shaping up to be our largest off-campus event of the year.” Davening at the Mark for Events will begin at 5:00 PM and will be led by Yavneh Parents and Faculty. Dinner will be catered by a premier LA caterer and consist of kid’s programs for all ages led by Miriam Usvitzky. The tish will include a special invitation to any prospective parents interested in finding out more about the school or getting to know parents from the school. Lunch will be at Beth Jacob and begin at 12:30. It will include more kids programs and a women’s shiur by Dassi Weiner. The Havdalah and Melava Malka will be at a Yavneh parent’s residence and include a special performance by Moshav Band headliner Yehuda Solomon. Truly a Yavneh Shabbaton not to be missed!

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The Observant Jew

All for Nothing RABBI JONATHAN GEWIRTZ

ne day, my father heard about a special offer from a store in New York. The description of the item was bare-bones, but it promised to be a boon for all. He asked me to pick it up. I went to the store, getting lost along the way, and making several U-turns. When I finally got there and got more information on the item, it turned out to be something he didn’t need after all. All for nothing? Not remotely. As the fellow behind the counter said,“At least you were doing it for your father.” In other words, I got the mitzvah of Kibbud Av, honoring my father, for every turn, speed bump, and dead end. Even if the item was not what he wanted, I got full credit for doing it. My trip was truly not in vain. Another time, my wife wanted a car wash. We made up that I would take her car for the wash and she would follow in my car when she was ready a few minutes later so I could go where I needed to directly from the carwash. I guess I should have called before going, but upon arriving at the carwash, some seven or eight minutes from my home, I saw that it was closed. I would not be getting the wash after all. I turned around and went home. Boy, what a waste of time, right? Wrong. First of all, I listened to a Torah CD while I was in the car. That means that the time I spent driving I was not only learning Torah, but fulfilling the mitzvah of U’v’lechtecha baderech, thinking of HaShem’s Torah while on the road. Plus, I was doing something for my wife. The fact that I didn’t complete

the mission doesn’t mean there was no value to it. She appreciated that I went, but even if she hadn’t, for example, if I had gone to get her car washed as a surprise, I would still have spent my time involved in Shalom Bayis, making someone else happy, and once again, gotten credit for the attempt. Maybe it’s not a case of driving. Say you decided to cook something your husband (or wife) really likes. You started getting out the ingredients and realized you were missing something. Or you actually prepared it and the phone rang and the food got burned. What a massive amount of work for nothing – not. You absolutely achieved in that time because your efforts matter. Say you’re looking for someone’s e-mail address, like I was recently. You have some important news to share with him for his benefit. But after fifteen minutes of fruitless searching through your e-mails, Googling him, and trying to look up the type of business he owns, you finally find him and realize you’d been spelling the name wrong! It seems like such pointless searching, but no, it was earning rewards every moment, despite the fact that you were looking in the wrong place. If you’ve been courting a client, then after much time, money, and effort, you find that they choose to work with someone else, it can be extremely frustrating. You have nothing to show for all your work. Or so it seems. If your purpose in working is to earn money and succeed, then perhaps, in truth, you don’t have anything to

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show for it. On the other hand, if your purpose in working is to fulfill G-d’s decree that Man work, then you’ve been fulfilling your purpose all along. Whether something materializes from your actions is up to HaShem so if nothing does, that’s not something we need to be upset about. When making a siyum, we say, “We toil and they toil; we toil and receive reward, and they toil and don’t receive reward.” We proclaim our appreciation that HaShem rewards us for the very act of trying, even if we don’t succeed. This can be a very heartening thought when we think we’ve wasted our time. Whenever we do something good, even if we don’t succeed in completing the mission, we have achieved something merely by the effort. This is important to realize not only so we don’t get discouraged ourselves, but because there is another great time to use this perspective as well. When someone else disappoints us, we should remember that they may have made every effort to do what we wanted but been unable to do so due to circumstances beyond their control. If our spouse buys the wrong gift, uses the wrong spice in dinner, or somehow fails to meet our expectations, we must emulate HaShem and give credit for the effort, noting that it IS the thought that counts. A big part of our disappointment in others,

and the resulting sadness or frustration, is not that we miss the end result, but that we construe the failure as indicating of their lack of concern for us. “If she truly cared about me she would have been there when I asked.” “If I was important to him, he would have made sure to follow through.” This type of thinking is dangerous and counterproductive. It hurts us, harms our relationships, and doesn’t get us any closer to the desired result. It causes pain and sorrow that are truly a waste of time at best. So, take a page out of G-d’s book and appreciate and, yes, sometimes even reward, the eﬀorts of others whether they complete the goal or not. It will not be a waste of time; you can count on it. Jonathan Gewirtz is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. Follow him on Twitter @ObservantFellow. For more information, or to sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly PDF Dvar Torah in English, e-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter.com and put Publication Sponsorship or Subscribe in the subject. © 2014 by Jonathan Gewirtz. All rights reserved.

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Israel Kunin: A Dental Hero

BY ROBERT J. ROME, PH.D.

hose of us who knew Israel Kunin, my father-in-law, knew a lot of things about him, things that made him a great man. As an oral surgeon, he fought and gained hospitalization privileges for dentists in California. He fought for and expanded the scope of practice of oral surgery throughout the nation and coined the term “Oral Maxillofacial Surgery.” As a member of the faculty at the USC Medical School, he founded a course for physical diagnosis by dentists of general physical conditions. He also wrote countless published articles. However, until this past month, we never knew about another aspect of his life. My daughter Haviva is a graduate student at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. In addition to her social work studies, she is enrolled in a Jewish leadership program. As part of this program, she is taking various Jewish classes in addition to her social work classes. One of these courses is the History of Jews at the University of Michigan. She decided to study the educational career of her grandfather, Dr. Israel Kunin, who attended dental school at the U of M in the mid-1930’s.

She asked the Registrar’s Office for his entire file at the University. She stated that she was Dr. Kunin’s granddaughter. She was eventually given the entire file on her grandfather, including his transcripts of grades, even his application to Dental School. To her surprise, she even was given the recommendations to the school when he applied. There was a recommendation from a Professor at the College of the City of Detroit. This Professor gave an odd recommendation. The Professor wrote how Mr. Kunin was Jewish, “but not the most offensive type of Jew. He is courteous, pleasant, and considerate of others.” The implication: Jews are not normally “pleasant” or “considerate of

others.” The Professor basically wrote how Israel was not the kind of Jew you usually ﬁnd. That someone had to address his Jewish origins in a recommendation is proof of how hard it was for a Jew, the son of a Rabbi, to get into the Dental School. There also was a letter where it was requested that Mr. Kunin be permitted to take courses also in the School of Music, as he had previously taken most of his senior level Dental School courses. His enrollment in the School of Music would coincide actually with his fourth year of Dental School which then consisted of only three years. What was going on here? Why would Israel be required to spend a fourth

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year in Dental School? His transcript revealed all excellent grades, all except for his senior class in clinical studies, a course in which he received an “incomplete.” Each student was graded for this course personally by the Dean, a different Dean than the Dean who had to be reassured about Israel’s “Jewishness” in the earlier recommendation. The Dean had the sole discretion as to who would graduate. He gave the young Israel an “incomplete” in this totally subjective course. Israel had not, according to the Dean, shown the type of clinical skills that would earn him his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Israel would have to go a full additional year to get his dental degree. There was no evidence that Israel complained. He merely applied to also take courses in the School of Music as he played the violin and loved to sing in the glee club. If he had to spend a full year at the university, he could pursue his other interests while also completing the clinical course again. I shared Haviva’s findings with another Oral Surgeon, a member of our synagogue in Tarzana. He was shocked. He had taken Dr. Kunin’s course on physical diagnosis at the USC Medical School twice. He said that Dr. Kunin was absolutely the finest clinician that he had ever met. He went on to describe with specifics Dr. Kunin’s clinical expertise. There was simply no way that he had not passed the senior clinical course. There is a study at Emory University which actually has been made into a documentary video. This study at another dental school was conducted to see the actual clinical skills of Jewish students who were failing clinical courses. To no one’s surprise, the Jewish students demonstrated far better clinical skills than those non-Jewish students enrolled in the clinical courses who were passing. The Dean in a clearly anti-Semitic act used his subjective power to fail Jewish students, to require them to go an additional year to Dental School. He required them to spend the necessary tuition fees for an additional year. They had to go one more year in order to “earn” their Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. And these students were not deficient in clinical skills. They actually excelled. There is mention in the records of two other students with Jewish names who were also delayed in their graduation. We do not know how many who failed the senior clinical course just gave up. We don’t know whether some students just ran out of money. The young Israel Kunin did not give up. He prepared for his second “senior year” of dental school. Barred from working outside of school, he simply chose to also pursue music classes. He rose to the challenge. He completed

the senior year clinical course a second time. He went on to study at the post-graduate level oral surgery, and earn his oral surgery degree. He separately completed and passed a course of study in anesthesiology. He completed a degree in pathology, becoming the only dentist in the nation to study in a coroner’s office physical diagnosis. He went on to pioneering studies in temporomandibular joint or TMJ problems. He was elected President of the Oral Surgery association. He supported Alpha Omega, the Jewish dental fraternity. He made quite a name for himself. Our history is replete with those heroes and heroines who were able to accomplish much despite facing anti-Semitism. Israel Kunin faced a Dean who put up many obstacles to Jews studying dentistry. He worked hard. He had to be better than others. He faced enormous odds on his course to become a dentist. He emerged not only victorious, he emerged a leader in the field. That same oral surgeon in my Tarzana Shul who was shocked at these incidents regarding Dr. Kunin was himself a victim of a “quota” system at the USC Dental School. For decades, through the 1970’s, USC had a 10% quota for Jews. Jews could not represent more than 10% of the incoming dental school class. My own wife also was a victim of a quota system. When she was admitted to the USC Dental Hygiene program, she was one of three Jewish students so admitted, three out of 50. Today, USC has an Israeli born, Jewish dentist as its Dean, but 40 years ago, there were quotas at the school. For some reason, Jews were just not welcome into the dental community. Dr. Israel Kunin challenged in a quiet way anti-Semitism. He would show them. Now recognized as one of the outstanding graduates of the University of Michigan Dental School, he challenged the quota system by being the best dental student he could be. He later became the best dentist he could be. He eventually completed all of the classes for also a medical degree. He also challenged the restrictions which barred dentists from hospital privileges. He opened the fields of dentistry and oral surgery for both Jews and non-Jews. 75 years ago, there were restrictions barring Jewish students in the dental field. Now, thanks to dentists like Israel Kunin, Jewish students can now be welcomed into Dental School. Israel Kunin fought a battle. He emerged as a true hero.

The Dean in a clearly anti-Semitic act used his subjective power to fail Jewish students, to require them to go an additional year to Dental School.

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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1053 Stearns recently started a bidding war.

Pico/Robertson Heads East A NAOMI SELICK

Naomi Selick is a realtor with Teles Properties in Beverly Hills, and specializes in the Berlywood, Carthay, and Faircrest Heights neighborhoods of Los Angeles. She lives in Beverlyhood with her husband and three children.

s a Los Angeles Westside Realtor specializing in traditionally Jewish neighborhoods, when clients tell me their wish list for a house in the PicoRobertson/Beverlywood area, one of the first questions I used to ask was, “Are you willing to look east of Robertson? Now, I’m also asking how they feel about living east of La Cienega! Some are surprised at the question, but many in the frum community have been talking about the eastern migration for a few years already. Chabad SOLA (an abbreviation for “South La Cienega”) on La Cienega and Pickford, was on the leading edge of the trend. Primarily composed of young families committed to living in a Jewish neighborhood, many found houses in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood unaffordable. Since walking to shul is at the center of the Orthodox lifestyle, SOLA’s Rabbi Zajac realized that if he started a shul near more affordable housing, the families would come. And they did, in spades, contributing to the real estate website Redfin naming Faircrest Heights (the area south

of Pico and east of La Cienega) #3 on the “Hottest Neighborhoods in the Country” list in 2013. It’s not just the lower prices that are luring the community east. While Faircrest Heights (south of Pico) is still relatively affordable, the South Carthay/Carthay Square neighborhoods east of La Cienega and north of Pico are barely more affordable than Beverlywood, and the competition among buyers is just as fierce. In fact, I recently sold a 3 bedroom fixer on Sterns in multiple offers for $106,000 over the asking price. Values in Carthay Circle, north of Olympic, are even higher. But Shomer Shabbat Jews are increasingly choosing these neighborhoods for several reasons. Some prefer the 1920’s “Character Spanish” style that pervades the Carthay neighborhoods and is very rare in Beverlywood’s newer housing stock. For others, it’ s a problem of inventory. There is simply more to choose from when buyers expand their boundaries. People are also realizing that the walk west to Robertson from Carthay is not any longer than the

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walk north to Pico from the Southern edges of Beverlywood, such as Duxbury Circle, one of the most desirable streets in Beverlywood, where teardowns are listed for over $2 million.

families would pledge to stay. They did, and the synagogue and school remain thriving to this day.

Of course, many Traditional and Conservative Jewish families have lived in the Carthay neighborhoods for decades, close to Temple Beth Am and its day school Pressman Academy on La Cienega just south of Olympic. There is actually a story about Rabbi Jacob Pressman himself going door-to-door after the L.A. riots in the 1970’s, pledging that the synagogue would remain in the neighborhood if 150

ilies to Chabad, mainline Orthodox, and Traditional and Conservative families, as well as families from countries as far-ﬂung as Israel, Iran, France, and South Africa. The success of the community is evidenced by the expansion into areas previously not thought of as an option. This growth is an indication of a vibrant, growing community of which we can all be proud.

But it’s the Orthodox migration that is the more recent news. LINK, the Los Angeles Intercommunity Kollel, The east of La Cienega crowd is definitely growing, opened “LINK East”, a satellite branch, last summer, on the spurring the “B’nai David Judea East Minyan” this year, held corner of West Pico and Crescent Heights. The “About” for the first time on a Shabbat afternoon in November at page of the Link East shul website says it all. It asks, “Why BDJ member Shep and Shari Rosenman’s house in Carthay open a shul in the ‘Far East’?” LINK’s answer is, “Pico is Square. “It was a huge success, a real family experience, with bursting! As young couples frantically search for more af35 adults and about 10 kids,” Mr. Rosenman said. “The fordable housing alternatives, many have identified the area group reflected an interesting mix of people, with members East of La Cienega as an appealing place to live, and have of the B’nai David community as well as people to the reli- begun to settle there. A dynamic shul providing warmth, gious right and left of B’nai David – a true community min- community and direction for those who are there, and yan.” Interestingly, the Rosenman family recently relocated primed to anticipate the needs of those who will come is from Beverlywood to Carthay Square, and it seems they are vital.” on the forefront of helping to create a vibrant Jewish life in The Pico-Robertson/Beverlywood Jewish community has their new neighborhood. always been diverse, ranging from Modern Orthodox fam-

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Specializing in the Beverlywood, Carthay, Faircrest Heights and Pico/Robertson neighborhoods. I’m here to help! Naomi Selick: California Real Estate #01908101 ©2013 Teles Properties, Inc. Teles Properties is a registered trademark.

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Tuu B’ T B B’Shvat Shvat is Coming! Celebrate W ith the Best Tas

nextricably linked to the Land of Israel, Tu B’Shva will be celebrated on Jan. 16, marks the start of th “New Year” for trees. Tu B’Shvat celebrates the beg the season when trees will once agaaiin begin to blossom w tiful flowers and flaavorful fruits, following the cold and lon months. In Israel and in Jewish communities across the g B’Shvat is celebrated as the Jewish environmental aware The day particularly honors the seven species (Shivat H mentioned in the Torah as the seven special species a with the Land of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pome olives and dates. Customarily, Tu B’Shvat is celebrated by sederr, similar to a Passover sederr, where families, friends a munities join to ceremoniously taste the seven species in forms, enjoy some of the tastiest foods of Israel and di Jewish value of environmental conservation. This year on Tu B’Shvat, invite friends over, design a fruit and nut platter and serve some of Israel’s finest trea a dairy appetizer from the Land of Milk and Honey and open a new bottle of wine. Pair your spread of fruits and nuts with some of Tnuva’s exquisite Labaneh soft cheese, a true Mediterranean delicacy. Or pick up Tnuva’s goat cheese, Kashkaval cheese or feta cheese, which maake great additions to any fresh salads. All Tnuva collections are deliciously healthy and made with top ingredients; just look for Tnuva products in the daaiiry aisle at your local kosher specialty store or at gourmet supermarkets. Greet your guests with a special tipple produced with grapes from the Land of Israel. The Yarden T2 is an outstanding portstyle wine. It shows off an aromaatic mix of ripe cherry and spice combined with deep chocolate and a hint of smokiness. It is an incredibly rich and concentrated wine, fortified with brandy and aged for 26 months in French Oak barrels. A glass of the Yarden T2 will elevate your party to a new and sophisticated level and its rich flaavor will fill your palates with the sumptuous taste of luxury. If you are looking for a lighter table wine to accompany these stuffed dates, look no further than the Mount Hermon W Wh hite. A youngg,, fresh and highly drinkable wine to pair with these cheesy fruits, the Mount Hermon W Wh hite should please all your guests. In keeping with the fruity theme, this wine exhibits bright notes of citrus, melon, peach, green apple and tropical fruits. Serve this wine lightly chilled and place a few frozen grapes in the glass to serve up as a Tu B’Shvat treat. Celebrate the tastes of Israel this Tu B’Shvat.

Try this recip e e to brring i the Tu B’Shvat festivities e and the tastes of Isrsrael a into your home.

CRE CREAM AM CHEESE CHEESE STUFFED STUFFED F FIGS IGS W WITH I TH N NUTS UTS & D DATE ATE HONEYS HONEYS INGREDIENTS INGRED IENTS 30 large figs For the cream cheese filling: 16 oz. Tnuva Original Cheese Spread 8.5 fl. oz. heavy whipping cream 3.5 oz. sugar 2 tablespoons honey

2 bags of vanilla sugar Zest of 1 orange or lemon 3.5 oz. toasted pine nuts FOR THE TOPPING 3 tablespoons date honey 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 1.75 oz. roasted almonds, chopped

DIRECTIONS DI REC TIONS 1. Slice open each fig with a cross shape so that it opens like a flower. 2. To prepare the stuffing, first beat the cheese spread with heavy whipping cream, sugarr, honey, vanilla sugar and orange/lemon zest into the mixture fo orms into a stiff cream. Fold in toasted pine nutss and place the entire mixture into a pastry bag. 3. To prepare the sauce, mix the date honey with balsamic vinegar in a small bowl.. Place a dollop of cream into the center of each fix, drizzle a little sauce on top and sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve and enjoy!

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Lives Wasted:

Correction on Earlier Report on ADHD BY ROBERT J. ROME, PH.D.

recall the line at lunch at one Jewish day school outside the nurse’s office to get their afternoon dose of Ritalin. Over one hundred in this school of 300 took medication! There were that many diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and they were all on medication. The (over) medication of our children was the consequence of a landmark study in 1996. This study concluded that medication was the only effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD. The study found that behavioral treatment added little to the treatment of the symptoms. The ADHD symptoms of heightened agitation and general hyperactivity were reduced by medication. Other treatments did not reduce these symptoms, according to the study. In an article hidden on page 7 of the newspaper, the authors of that landmark study on have recently apologized. Their 1996 study which found that medication was the best way of treating ADHD was found to be wrong. They now state that behavioral

treatment, found not to add anything to symptom reduction in 1996, is actually best. Medication may reduce some of the symptoms associated with ADHD, but it does little to help children to overcome ADHD. Children on medication are found to not pay at-

tention any better! They may be less hyper, but they still don’t pay attention. Through behavioral therapy, children can be taught how to attend at school. They can be taught techniques which lead to increased concentration. The authors of the study apologized for a whole generation on medication. A whole generation of today’s youth was misled. After the publication of the national study, it seemed that Ritalin, the drug of choice for many on medication for ADHD, was taken by all. Nationally, fully 15% of today’s high school students have been diagnosed with ADHD. 3.5 million children are on medication! The authors of the 1996 study have now reviewed their findings. While medication was found to help reduce some of the symptoms of ADHD in most children, the children continued to have the effects of ADHD. Their outward symptoms may have been reduced, but they never learned “how to attend,” how to overcome this disorder. The millions on medication continued to suffer from the impulsivity and other problems associated with this disorder.

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There can be many side effects from the use of medication. The potential side effects of Ritalin and Adderall, two of the major drugs used to fight the effects of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, are many. These include the potential for addiction, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and hallucinations. In the worst case examples, those on Ritalin and Adderall may become suicidal and kill themselves. The 1996 study financed by the National Institute on Mental Health found that despite the side effects of the medications, medication was the sole effective way of dealing with the symptoms of ADHD. The study compared treatment by medication alone with treatment by medication accompanied with behavioral treatment. Medication alone was found in the report to reduce the symptoms of ADHD the most. Behavioral treatment was not found to add anything more to the reduction of symptoms. Now, the study’s authors apologize for the initial study’s findings. They acknowledge the harm medications have caused. They acknowledge the drug addictions caused, the insomnia, the depression and anxiety. They regret that their initial findings might have contributed to deaths by suicide. What was wrong in the 1996 study? They studied only the symptoms of ADHD, not the relief of the consequences of the disorder. While medications tended to reduce many of the outright symptoms of the disorder, children on medication did become somewhat calmer, for example, the medications did little to bring about a relief of the behaviors associated with this disorder. Individuals on medication did not show greater attention, increased concentration, and reduced impulsivity. They languished on medications. Young children on medication became older children on medication. Older children on medication became adults on medication. But they still had ADHD. What was missing from the report was that behavioral treatments, while many times not reducing some of the symptoms of ADHD at first did reduce many of the behaviors associated with the disorder. When taught how to concentrate through therapy, the children receiving behavioral treatment concentrated better. When taught how to be less impulsive, they showed less impulsivity. Many times, they

remained highly active children, but they learned. When the initial study was completed, schools throughout the United States responded. Based on rulings issued by the U.S. Department of Education, the way of treating ADHD in schools became referring to the child’s pediatrician for medication. Only after such medication treatment was initiated, and failed, would the schools respond in any way to the symptoms of ADHD. Children who continued to have ADHD despite the use of medication, were said to be “Other Health Impaired.” They might then get special education services, but first families had to have signed letters from their pediatrician saying that medications were tried. After putting their children on medications only to get many of the side effects of medication, many parents became discouraged. Against the advice of their pediatricians, trained by the study that medication was the only treatment that worked, the parents gave up. Having hyper children was better than having children that never fell asleep, or that did not care to eat at all. What’s worse is that because the treatment of ADHD was seen as relatively easy, just give medication, every symptom of a mental health or developmental problem was seen as ADHD and treated with medication. A child who does not pay attention because of a problem acquiring language was seen as having ADHD. A retarded or intellectually disabled child was seen as having ADHD in that there was little attention or concentration. Learning disabled children who could not follow in the classroom were also seen as having ADHD. Many, if not most, of those being diagnosed with ADHD actually had different problems and disorders. They were treated with medication. If the medication did not work, the dosage was increased. Many times, the dosages were so huge that the children became like zombies, so affected by the medications. The schools, relieved of their treatment of ADHD by the study, did not develop techniques to deal with ADHDlike behaviors. Little or no progress educating those with ADHD occurred. Worse, the schools told parents that they had to get treatment for ADHD on their own. It was not the schools’ job. Schools don’t medicate.

ADHD is a disorder that responds to behavioral treatment and therapy. With such treatment, you can actually be cured.

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The authors of the study now say that they were misguided. Misguided? Children are actually dead. Those addicted to these medications in many cases became later addicted to other drugs. They suffered through their schooling, many dropping out after having a lack of success in school. How did this one study do so much damage? The study concluded what the drug manufacturers wanted to prove. The treatment required medication, and they had just the right medications. The drug manufacturers spent billions highlighting the study and highlighting the “beneficial” effects of their drugs. The doctors were complicit. The schools went along. All to the detriment of a full generation of students and their families. Shame on those who fronted for the drug manufacturers with their study. They studied the wrong thing. They studied part-time relief of some symptoms, but not recovery from the disorder. Not everyone was fooled by the 1996 study. There were those of us who observed those misdiagnosed with ADHD. There were those who struggled to find ways of eradicating ADHD, despite the monies being in the camp for more research for drug use. When we looked at those children made anxious or depressed with the medication, we sought

other remedies. We fought school districts to gain rightful educational remedies. But it was like fighting city hall. With rulings on this subject from the Department of Education, it was fighting the educational establishment. We have been vindicated. However, who can speak of vindication knowing that there have been suicides, hundreds of thousands addicted to drugs, and all the other children and adults who have been harmed. The apologies for the 1996 study have provided the opportunity to start anew. However, little attention has been paid to the new study. A page six or seven article in the newspaper on one date was all the publicity it received. And so, children will continue to be harmed. It was a lot easier publishing incorrect findings that established a simple way to fight ADHD than publishing a retraction of the study. Spread the word. ADHD is a disorder that responds to behavioral treatment and therapy. With such treatment, you can actually be cured.

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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Recipe Corner WILD RICE CHICKEN SOUP Soul satisfying and heartwarming are the words to describe this soup. Wild Rice tastes a bit like tea. The grassy-herby ﬂavor paired with earthy mushrooms and vegetables make the soup a satisfying winter dish. Servings 6

Times Prep Time : 30 min Cook Time : 1 hour Ready Time : 1 hour, 30 min

Directions Ingredients FOR THE RICE 1 cup wild rice 2 cups chicken stock or water FOR THE SOUP Olive oil 1 large onion, diced 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced 2 medium carrots, cut into small dice 1 pound mushrooms (I use a mix of cremini, chanterelle, hen of the woods, black trumpet and shiitake)

4 cloves garlic, minced 1 bay leaf 4 tablespoons flour 1 cup dry white wine 5 cups chicken stock or water 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into medium dice Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper

Cook the rice in a covered sauce pan over medium heat for 50-60 minutes until the rice has splayed (cracked open to reveal lighter interior). Drain any extra liquid and reserve for the soup. Heat a large saucepan, lightly covered with olive oil, over medium heat. Sauté the onion, celery, carrots and mushrooms, in batches, being sure to season each batch with salt and pepper, until lightly browned and caramelized. Add the vegetables back to the pan and add 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and oil and stir to combine. Cook the roux for 3-5 minutes until the flour has lightly browned. Add the wine and continue cooking until most of the wine evaporates. Add the stock, rosemary, dried porcini, chicken and cooked rice to the pan. Simmer the soup for 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the chicken has cooked through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Reprinted with permission from www.joyofkosher.com.

SOY BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS Ingredients FOR THE BRAISING LIQUID ½ cup best quality soy sauce 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 tablespoon microplaned fresh ginger 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar Zest of 1 orange 2 teaspoons 5 spice powder (easily found in most grocery stores or online) Dash of favorite hot sauce FOR THE CHICKEN sesame oil chicken thighs

Times Prep Time : 5 min Cook Time : 45 min Ready Time : 50 min Servings 4 Directions Preheat oven to 325 or Slow cooker to HIGH Place all the ingredients for the braising liquid in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the pan with toasted sesame oil. Brown the thighs, skin side down, until very dark and caramelized. Transfer the thighs to a Dutch oven or slow cooker. Add the braising liquid and cover. Cook in the oven for 45 minutes or in the slow cooker for 3 hours or until done. Serve with Miso and Shiitake Wild Rice Cakes. Spoon braising liquid over the chicken and cakes. Garnish with sliced scallions and cashews. Reprinted with permission from www.joyofkosher.com.

January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • www.thejewishlink.com • info@communitylinks.info

DECORATED BROWNIE BITES Ingredients

Directions

10 ounces (280g) bittersweet chocolate

PREHEAT OVEN to 350°F (180°C). Use 1 teaspoon oil to grease a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33-cm) baking pan. Line with parchment paper, allowing some to extend up and over the sides. Grease top and sides with the other teaspoon of oil.

½ cup (120ml) canola oil, plus 2 teaspoons for greasing pan 1½ cups (300g) sugar 1/3 cup (80ml) soy milk 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract ½ teaspoon salt ¾ teaspoon baking powder Times Prep Time : 15 min Cook Time : 30 min Ready Time : 45 min Servings 96 1-inch bites

1/3 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa 1¼ cups (155g) allpurpose flour at least 3 different colored sugars, sprinkles, nonpareils, crushed candies, or ground nuts

BREAK OR CHOP the chocolate into small pieces and melt it, either over a double boiler or in the microwave oven for 45 seconds, stir, heat for 30 seconds, stir, and heat another 15 seconds if needed, until completely melted. WHEN THE CHOCOLATE is melted, add the oil and sugar and whisk well. Add the soy milk, eggs, and vanilla, and whisk again. Add the salt, baking powder and cocoa and mix. Finally, add the flour in four parts and whisk well each time. Scoop the mixture into the pan and spread it evenly. BAKE for 30 minutes, or until the top looks dry and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out looking a little gooey. Cool for 30 minutes and then freeze for a minimum of one hour. PLACE the decorations into small shallow bowls. Pull up the parchment paper to lift the brownie out of the pan. Trim ½ inch (1.25cm) from the sides and cut the short side of the brownie into long ¾ – to 1-inch (2- to 2.5-cm) wide strips. Cut each strip into small squares. TO DECORATE, press the top or bottom of each brownie into the desired decoration. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or freeze them for up to three months. Reprinted with permission from www.joyofkosher.com.

RARE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER OPPORTUNITY The Olympic Boulevard Development site is a rare real estate developer opportunity, located at 5210 W. Olympic Boulevard in the city of Los Angeles 90036, between Highland and La Brea; situated in the Miracle Mile district close to the La Brea shuls. The most desirable design for this 7,046-square-foot vacant parcel, utilizing the small lot subdivision ordinance, would be four separate Kosher homes, with two separate kitchens. Each 2,400-2,600-squarefoot home would have 5-7 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, private backyards and attached 2-car garages. Each home would be three to four stories, with rooftop gardens and decks. The rooftop decks would offer panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills. The design would offers residents the opportunity to experience the unparalleled, groundbreaking urban live/work development designed for those who would like to capture all the possibilities of living and working at the same address. The location provides easy access to downtown and Century City, as well as close proximity to employment centers, shopping, and entertainment.

Contact Paula Innocenti 323.428.9823 January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info • www.thejewishlink.com

Candlelighting Times Jan 10  Beshalach Jan 17  Yitro Jan 24  Mishpatim Jan 31  Terumah

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January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • www.thejewishlink.com • info@communitylinks.info

Bibi’s Caters!

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January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info • www.thejewishlink.com

January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • www.thejewishlink.com • info@communitylinks.info

1. There's an extra yellow stripe on the building. 2. The guitar is now purple. 3. There are now sewer grates in the street. 4. The box under the roof where the light is gone. 5. The man's picture on the bench has changed. 6. One of the bushes got taller. 7. There's now a crack in the sidewalk. 8. Benzy is missing a suspender. 9. There's now an extra green molding on the window. 10. There's now an issue of Community Links magazine on the bus bench.

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CHANGES KEEP SCORE

Please email your pictures to info@communitylinks.info

Have your picture double taked! For more on 8th Day please go to my8thday.com. Shmuel and Bentzi Marcus of the popular 8th Day band have released their new album "Hooleh!"

8TH Day HOOLEH Now in Stores!! Can you spot the differences in these two pictures?

DoubleTake

January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info • www.thejewishlink.com

GIFTS

Great gifts for all occasions! Invited out for a Shabbos meal? Baby gifts, Bas Mitzvah gifts, Wedding gifts, & House warming gifts. Don't put it off! Come in today and go out relieved. Call for a special appointment. Rochel Duchman 323-938-8222 or 323-620-3618

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Traditional Ritual Circumcision Rabbi Nachman B. Kreiman Certified Mohel - vjnun kvun

~ Home: 323.934.9329 Cell: 323.896.5098 www.expertmohel.com

MUSIC BANDS

Music by Ariel Louk "Because a Simcha should be happy"

One man band to a full orchestra. Please call now for availability & rates!

323-997-2647 loukmusic@sbcglobal.net

DANCE A Time for Dance is kicking off our 10th season! Offering ballet, tap, gymnastics, zumba, hip hop, acting workshop for girls and women. 3 conveient studio locations. For a full schedule of classes or to register online go to www.atime4dance.com.

CLASSIFIEDS

NOW HIRING The Chabad Garden School is seeking passionate early childhood educators. If you love working with young children and want to make the field of early childhood education your career, then keep reading! We offer a professional working environment, continuing education and competitive pay commensurate with experience. We are looking for energetic and loving head teachers and assistants. College credits in early childhood education are a plus. Must be legal to work in the USA. Please e-mail your resume to elana@mygardenschool.com to apply!

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER Certified Personal Trainer for Women only, individual or groups. For more info please contactSarit: 424-653-8705 or email Sarit1911@hotmail.com

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MUSIC BY MENDEL SIMONS 310-595-5490 LIVE@ MUSICBYMENDEL.COM VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY

Shaul video & photography 323-3564102 cell: 323-9316832 Bar & Bat Mitvah, Simchas events. 3 hours --$390

JEWISH GUITAR LESSONS Dynamic & Engaging Guitar Teacher! All Ages/Styles/Levels. Individual/Group Lessons at your home. B.A. Guitar Performance, M.S. Ed. Music Education. 25 years experience.

BABYSITTER Orthodox woman available to watch your children full time or part-time hours, at your location. Excel. references. 323-651-9389 -1750-

NOW HIRING Looking for additional income? Want a career? Work from home online. We train you. Please visit www.careerunlimited.org for more information.

NOW HIRING Community Links is currently looking for energetic and outgoing sales people. Positions are availgreater Valley area. Competitive commission rates!

Please email resume to info@communitylinks.info

Contact Yerachmiel at JewishGuitarLessons@gmail.com or call (917) 373-9613

January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • www.thejewishlink.com • info@communitylinks.info

T H E T R U T H I N PA P A S S O V E R T R AAVV E L From Fr F rom o KosherWoman.com KoosherW h Wooman.com

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ur liffe style Make sure the program fits your Investigate the reputation of the tour operator ors can usually produce reffer Tour o operat op e ences Investigate the reputation of the hotel where the program will take place 5. Check out the claims about what the location really has to off ffeer KKosherWoman.com oosherW Wooman.c om om has a whole section devoted devoted o to this subject including: including Unbelievable Comparing assover PPrograms Unbelieva ablle But TTrue rrue & C oomparing PPassover roogrra ams

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EEmail mail info@communit info@communitylinks.info ylinks.info or call 323-965-1544 323-9 65-154 4 January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info • www.thejewishlink.com

January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • www.thejewishlink.com • info@communitylinks.info

Let us cater your next Simcha. We will m ma ake you an event you will always remember.

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January 8, 2013 • 323-965-1544 • info@communitylinks.info • www.thejewishlink.com

EXPERIENCE THE

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