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THEJEWISHHOME A PUBLICATION OF THE FIVE TOWNS & QUEENS COMMUNITY

december 12-december 18, 2013 | DistributedWeekly In The Five Towns, Queens & Brooklyn

Reflections on South Africa and the Loss of a Leader By Dr. Hylton Lightman

Khal Machzikei Torah Holds First Annual Dinner Page 67

Page 82

The Unidentified Learning Problem

SKA Goes on a Chanukah Mystery Trip Page 65

TAG Students and their Fathers Bond at Carnival Event

The Effects of Anxiety on the Learning Process

Page 66

Page 92

Machon Basya Rochel Chanukah Menorah Lighting in Cedarhurst Park Draws Large Crowd

A Seminary Close to Home

Page 65

— See page 26 —

— See page 56 —

Page 72

2 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n december 12, 2013

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Contents >>Letters to the Editor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

>>Community Readers’ Poll. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Community Happenings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Machon Basya Rochel: a Seminary Close to Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

>> News Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Odd-but-True Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

>> Israel Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

>> People Cover Story: Reflections on South Africa and the Loss of a Leader, by Hylton Lightman, MD. . . . . . . 82 Captain Kenneth Rubin: A Hero of the Skies. . . . . 90 A World after This: The Story of Lola Lieber . . . . 102

>> Jewish Thought

Dear Readers, This week, when I heard of the death of Nelson Mandela, I wanted to learn about the late leader from the perspective of someone growing up in South Africa. Dr. Hylton Lightman is certainly one of the busiest people in our community. From attending early morning brissim to late night hospital checkups and visits, Dr. Lightman is always available for his patients. And yet, he always has time to schmooze for a few minutes and warmly send regards and love to our children. Despite his hectic schedule, when asked if he would give his perspective on the late leader, Dr. Lightman most graciously agreed. Hearing about how life was like growing up in South Africa from Dr. Lightman is eye-opening. Censorship of TV and newspapers, compulsory army service, and a strong arm of the law are all ways of life that are so foreign to those who live in America. The Jewish community of South Africa is unified and proud in their Yiddishkeit. Dr. Lightman writes that in some ways it is harder to be a non-frum Jew in South Africa than a frum Jew; Yiddishkeit is so accessible and exciting for those living there. The people of South Africa called Nelson Mandela “Madiba,” a term of endearment and respect. Others called him “Tata,” which means father. They saw him as a father figure, protecting them and teaching them in his own authoritative yet humble way. As Dr. Lightman pointed out, when Mandela came out of prison after being incarcerated in a small cell for 27 years, he wisely used his statesmanship to urge reform instead of a violent coup. What could have been a brutal takeover was instead an orderly inclusion of all members of society. Our teachers and schools work hard to ensure that every one of our children receive an education that is geared towards them and their strengths and weaknesses. Some children suffer from learning disabilities and listening to their teachers, absorbing the information and then processing the information is difficult. But this week, Rachel Rosenholtz, LCSW points out that sometimes what may appear to be a child suffering from a learning disability is actually a child suffering from anxiety who cannot process information or share learned information because of the anxiety associated with the task. I found her insights on the subject to be very enlightening. As always, we love hearing from our readers. Feel free to reach out to me at editor@fivetownsjewishhome. com. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Rabbi’s Musings & Amusings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Yitzy Halpern

Playing by the Rules, by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

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Friday, December 12 Parshas Vayechi Candle Lighting: 4:10 Shabbos Ends: 5:14 Rabbeinu Tam: 5:41

by Deb Hirschhorn, PhD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Is My Child Right- or Left-Handed?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Cover Story: The Unidentified Learning Problem: The Effects of Anxiety on the Learning Process. . 92

>> Food & Leisure Recipes: Aussie Gourmet: Delicious Fish Ideas. . . 96

>> Lifestyles Ask the Attorney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Your Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

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tues. Dec 17

wed. Dec 18

thurs. Dec 19

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The Mystery of Time, by Rivki Rosenwald. . . . . . . 112

>> Humor Centerfold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

>> Art From My Private Art Collection: The History Behind the Colored Pencil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

>> Political Crossfire Notable Quotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

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the rule. There are many, many rabbis who wish they had that type of problem. Rabbis that have such a large Sunday schedule usually have assistant rabbis and interns to help them. The community needs to realize that if an assistant rabbi officiates at a service it is just as good as having the senior rabbi. Sincerely yours, Hal Hoffman Dear Community Members, We, the Korman family from Far Rockaway, would like to share our personal Chanukah miracle with you. Some of you may know who we are, and some may not, but our identity is not of importance because this story could be about you. All day on Friday my wife and I walked around complaining of headaches and feeling quite tired. We made no big deal of it as we are blessed with a three-month-old who likes to keep us up at night. Friday night we thought to ourselves, Wow our little munchkin must be growing as she was waking up more than usual making sure we didn’t sleep much. At about 6am, during our infant feeding hour, our 5-year-old daughter let out a wild scream. We ran into her room to see what was wrong. As we approached her, she looked at us with crazed eyes and screamed again and then her body went limp. We took her to the bathroom where she began to retch and after vomiting, she was slowly able to stand and

Readers Poll Compiled by Toby Bobker

Who handles the finances in your household? Husband 72% Wife 28%

move her body. She then complained of a headache, so naturally like any Jewish parent, we gave her a wet shmata for her head and took her temperature. As we were about to call Hatzalah, our very calm and loving 8-year-old son screamed on the top of his lungs, “I can’t take the crying!” (referring, of course, to our baby who we left to fend for herself and was letting us know was not happy about it). We ran to his room and found him drenched in sweat, unable to stand, and retching. Naturally we ran him to the bathroom. Our 5-year-old wanted to see what was happening so she got off the couch and as soon as she got into the bathroom, vomited again, passed out and once again was unable to move her body. We called Hatzalah, who we are so grateful to, and within minutes they were in our house, measuring the oxygen saturation of our children. Suddenly, the paramedic yelled, “Everyone out of the house and into the ambulance now!” We had carbon monoxide poisoning! Carbon monoxide is a deadly, colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas which many people never survive to talk about. We did not have functional carbon monoxide detectors at this time; Hashem was truly watching over our family.

When someone goes through such a situation you are left with the feeling of what do I do with this? Where do I channel it? We have decided to take it upon ourselves to share our story and to educate the public to ensure that this will never happen to you. We therefore ask you to check to make sure you have working, non-expired carbon monoxide detectors with backup batteries. Call your alarm company to make sure you are covered for carbon monoxide and of course pass this lesson along to family and friends. May we only know and share in many simchas. The Korman Family Dear Editor, Avi Helligman has done it again with another award-winning article. This time it is “Animals in Battle” Part 1 & Helping Warriors Race to Victory, Part 2. Any high school or college student along with many adults would benefit by reading his articles to understand history. I would love to see a future story about your excellent contributor, Avi Helligman. Sincerely, Larry Penner

D e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

Dear Editor, I read with great interest the letter to the editor from A Concerned Community Member. The idea that “the whole community should agree on at least one universal day off a week for our rabbis. That means that let’s say Monday the Rabbi is off. That means he doesn’t come to shul on Monday. ” I’m sure our children would love to see that on the “Rabbi’s day off” he doesn’t come to shul. Then on their days off or when they are on vacations they don’t have to come to shul. Since our children are off from school on Shabbos, they should not have to go to shul Shabbos either. The author then continues, “He doesn’t attend bar mitzvahs. And if you happened to make a bris on Monday the Rabbi won’t be there.” The author should have added that if somebody is going to die they need give the rabbi 30 days advance notice. Instead of having the Rabbi’s day off on Monday, as the author suggests, I would suggest since Hashem took Shabbos off the Rabbis take Shabbos off. “In congregation where a rabbi’s typical Sunday may involve attending, officiating and/or speaking at a bris, two fundraising breakfast, a bar mitzvah, a funeral, a cemetery unveiling, three shiva calls and a wedding or two.” Rabbis with such a large work load should thank Hashem that they have such a large community. They are the exception to

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The Week Global Mandela Dies at 95

On Thursday, South Africa lost a hero and champion of democracy. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela passed away to the sorrow of both whites and blacks in the African nation. Born in 1918 in the village of Mvezo, Mandela was later known to his countrymen as Madiba, a mark of great honor. But he was named Rolihlahla at birth, which roughly translates into “troublemaker.” And indeed, this young man spent his life correcting wrongs that he saw needed to be righted. At nine years of age, Mandela’s father passed away and he was raised by a fellow chief. He was the first in his family to receive a formal education and then went on to law school for his degree. At the time, it was almost impossible for a black man in South Africa to secure a professional internship and interestingly, Mandela’s first job as a law clerk was in the Jewish law firm,

Witkin, Sidelsky and Eidelman. In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela recalled how Lazer Sidelsky treated him with “enormous kindness” and was one of the first whites to treat him with respect. “I have found Jews to be more broad-minded than most whites on issues of race and politics, perhaps because they themselves have historically been victims of prejudice,” Mandela wrote. Mandela joined the African National Congress and advocated peaceful resistance against the South African government. Later, he promoted violence in an effort to achieve “one man, one vote.” In the 1950s, Mandela was arrested for treason and with the help of his attorneys, many of whom were Jewish, he was acquitted of all the charges. In 1958, Mandela married his second wife, Winnie Madikizela. The ceremony took place at the home of Ray Harmel, a Jewish anti-apartheid activist. Harmel made Winnie’s wedding dress at Mandela’s request. In 1961, Mandela launched a military wing called Spear of the Nation along with a campaign of sabotage. But the next year Mandela was arrested for treason. In court, he announced, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” The trial ended in a verdict of life imprisonment for Mandela. He was sent to Robben Island, and there inmate No. 466/64 did hard labor in a quarry and slept on the stone floor of a small cell. His incarceration drew national and international attention, with millions calling for his release. In 1985, the government offered to release Man-

In News dela if he would renounce his call for armed struggle against apartheid, but he refused to those demands. Years later, in 1989, a ban against the ANC was repealed and a white-haired Mandela walked out a free man after living for 27 years in a small cell. Over the next two years, Mandela worked tirelessly towards multiracial elections. In 1993, he and President F.W. de Klerk were honored with the

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Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. As an aside, Mandela showed his disdain for de Klerk in the private ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize when de Klerk refused to acknowledge the pain and torment that came along with apartheid. Mandela then launched into an emotional account of apartheid and the humiliation and hurt that black South Africans had to endure. In April 1994, South Africa swept

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The Week Nelson Mandela into office, and the former prisoner became the president of the country. Among his appointees was Arthur Chaskalson, a Jew who was a member of his defense team during his trial in the 1950s, as the first president of the new Constitutional Court; he later became chief justice. A year into Mandela’s tenure, with racial tensions threatening to explode into civil war, Mandela orchestrated an iconic, unifying moment: He donned the green jersey of the Springboks rugby team – beloved by whites, despised by blacks – to present the World Cup trophy to the team captain while the stunned crowd erupted in cheers of “Nelson! Nelson!” After just one five-year term in office, Mandela stepped down and left the very public stage, concentrating instead on his efforts against AIDS. His relationship with the Jews and with Israel was not without controversy. He was seen warmly embracing PLO leader Yasser Arafat and the ANC cultivated close ties with the PLO. It was reported that he told a Jewish student at the University of Witwatersrand, “Your enemies are not my enemies.” His relationship with Arafat notwithstanding, Mandela stressed Israel’s right to exist and advocated Palestinians recognizing that right. In his book, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela wrote, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Last week, South Africans lost a leader who taught them to love and who they loved in return.

A Salary of Beer in Norway

Norway has an unusual government-funded program aimed at employing alcoholics. The initiative pays employees in an unconventional way to clean the streets. Instead of greenbacks, street cleaners are paid with beer, half a

In News pack of rolling tobacco, free lunch, and 10 euros ($13.55) a day. Unfortunately, laborers don’t get to choose the brand of booze to be used as payment; the brand of beer varies according to which brewery offers the best price. The program began last year by the Rainbow Foundation, a private but mostly government-funded organization that helps the homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics get back on their feet. The program has been received well, so well that there is a long waiting list of alcoholics eager to join. Fatima Elatik, district mayor of eastern Amsterdam, is a strong supporter of the project. She feels that offering the homeless an opportunity to do something productive while offering them limited amounts of beer with no hard alcohol is progressive. “It is easy to say, ‘Get rid of them and punish them,’” Ms. Elatik said. “But that does not solve the problem.” She added, “Maybe I’m a softy, but I am happy to be soft if it helps people. They are human beings with problems, not just a problem to be swept away.” Many conservative members of the Amsterdam City Council have criticized what they call the “beer project” as a waste of government money and a misguided extension of a culture of tolerance. The basic idea behind providing alcoholics with beer in return for work was first tried in Canada. “If you just say, ‘Stop drinking and we will help you,’ it doesn’t work,” said Hans Wijnands, the director of the Rainbow Foundation, whose foundation gets 80 percent of its financing from the state and runs four drug consumption rooms with free needles for hardened addicts. “But if you say, ‘I will give you work for a few cans of beer during the day,’ they like it.” “It would be beautiful if they all stopped drinking, but that is not our main goal,” he added. “You have to give people an alternative, to show them a path other than just sitting in the park and drinking themselves to death.” The cleaning teams are forbidden from drinking while out on the street. Mr. Schiphorst, a participant in the program, explained while clutching a can of beer, “This is my medicine; I need it to survive.” Schiphorst began drinking heavily in the 1970s. He has since spent time in a clinic and tried other ways to quit but has never managed to entirely break his addiction. “Every day is a struggle,” he said during a lunch break with his workmates. “You may see these guys hanging

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around here, chatting, making jokes. But I can assure you, every man you see here carries a little backpack with their own misery in it.”

and media, which accuse Pyongyang’s wartime enemies, the United States and South Korea, of carrying on the fighting by continuing to push for the North’s overthrow.

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Merrill Newman, 85, landed in San Francisco on a flight from Beijing after being detained in Norah Korea for sev eral weeks. The U.S. veteran of the Korean War was incarcerated in late October at the end of a 10-day trip to North Korea. Six decades ago, Newman oversaw a group of South Korean wartime guerrillas during the 1950-53 war. Last month, Newman released a televised statement confessing and apologizing to killing North Koreans during the war. The statement was awkward and strange, leading many to suspect that it had been coerced. North Korea released Newman due to his age and medical condition. Newman’s release comes as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to the region brought him to Seoul. Biden said that he welcomed the release and that he talked by phone with Newman in Beijing, offering him a ride home on Air Force Two. “I appreciate the tolerance the [North Korean] government has given to me to be on my way,” Newman said upon arriving at the airport in Beijing from Pyongyang on Sunday. Jeffrey Newman, Merill’s son, said he spoke with his father briefly and that he was “in excellent spirits and eager to be reunited with his family.” “As you can imagine this has been a very difficult ordeal for us as a family, and particularly for him,” he said in a statement read outside his home in Pasadena on Friday night. Newman’s arrest emphasized the extreme sensitivity with which Pyongyang views the Korean War, which ended without a formal peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula still technically in a state of war. The conflict is a regular focus of North Korean propaganda

After years of negotiations, the World Trade Organization’s 159 members have agreed on a deal intended to increase global trade. This agreement is nearly two decades in the making and will hopefully even out the playing field for rich and poor countries. The main principle behind the WTO is that if all countries play by the same trade rules, then all countries, rich or poor, can benefit. WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo became emotional during the summit’s closing ceremony on Saturday. “We have put the world back into the World Trade Organization,” he said. “For the first time in our history, the WTO has truly delivered.” The four-day meeting was held in a resort in Bali. Of course, no agreement is without its obstacles. The universal agreement was almost threatened when Cuba objected the removal of a reference to the decades-long U.S. trade embargo that Cuba wants lifted. India was also a potential obstacle because of its determined protests to provisions that can possibly endanger grain subsidies aimed at ensuring its poor get enough to eat. Developing nations were granted temporary allowance from subsidy limits by WTO members. This issue will be addressed at a later date. “This week has been about high-level diplomacy, long nights and considerable drama,” said Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, who chaired the meeting. “But it has also been about ensuring that the gains of the multilateral trading system reach our small businesses and our most vulnerable economies.” A major aspect of the agreement

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The Week focuses on simplifying customs procedures in attempt to ease the barriers between countries. Experts believe that the deal could boost global trade by $1 trillion over time. “The WTO has re-established its credibility as an indispensable forum for trade negotiations. Nor is this a paper victory: Streamlining the passage of goods across borders by cutting red tape and bureaucracy could boost the world economy,” the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said in a statement.

American Teacher Killed in Benghazi

Just one year after U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed during an attack at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi,

another American has been murdered in the Libyan city. Ronnie Smith, 33, an American teacher, was gunned down on December 5 while jogging. Peter Hodge, the headmaster at the International Benghazi School where Smith taught chemistry, exclaimed, “Why they would pick on him, there’s no reason for it.” Hodge added, “The students themselves [are] obviously shocked, upset, crying, helping each other, supporting each other.” Smith had been teaching at the school for about a year and a half, and he was described as a “really nice, sociable friendly teacher.” The students adored him. Abu Baker, 16, recalled, “Whenever we needed help, he would help us with whatever we need – advice, studies, anything. He was an amazing guy. He was really funny. He had the most amazing sense of humor.” It remains unclear whether or not Smith was targeted for being American; the FBI is investigating the incident. “We are following events closely, and at this point no individual or group has claimed responsibility,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told report-

In News ers. “We look to the Libyan government to thoroughly investigate this killing.” Smith’s family, his wife, and young son lived with him in Benghazi but had returned to the States for the holidays just a few days prior. Smith was planning on joining them at the end of the week. According to Hodge, Smith was alone when the black SUV pulled up behind him and someone shot him. “I think it was an opportunist, someone who just happened to see him there,” he said. “There’s no way they could have known he would be there at that time.” He added, “He was dedicated. He always put the students first. He wanted to make a difference. And he did.” Since Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi was overthrown in 2011, security in Libya has worsened, with armed militias controlling large strips of the country. “It’s a very good situation as far as education is concerned,” Hodge said. “It’s a very sad situation as far as security situation is concerned.” There are three other American teachers at the International Benghazi School, which has 650 students from kindergarten through high school.

Elian Gonzalez Leaves Cuba for First Time

In 2000, little Elian Gonzalez made headlines when he left Cuba with his mother and nine others on a rickety boat. The boat sank and the six-yearold was found off the coast of Florida clinging to an inner tube. After being placed with relatives in Miami, his father, Juan Miguel, successfully fought to have him returned to Cuba. The case became emotional as tempers flared in the international custody dispute. Since returning to Cuba, Elian has been seen in the presence of Fidel Castro and Raul Castro and has become a

N. Korea Expanding Prison Camps

Amnesty International commissioned satellite analysis of North Korea’s largest prison camp, which is known as kwanliso 16. The new report seems to show that the size of the labor camp has increased since Kim Jong Un has risen to power. According to the rights group, prisoners are beaten to death with hammers and forced to dig their own graves. Amnesty International interviewed guards and inmates who have personally experienced the horrors of the camps. According to first accounts, inmates, including children, are forced to work long hours doing high-risk logging and mining jobs. “The prisoners are only humans insofar as they can speak,” said a former prison official who was not named in the report. “In reality though, they are worse off than animals. The purpose of prison camps is to oppress, degrade, and violate the inmates for as long as they are alive.” The satellite shows new buildings have been erected inside the compound; the site is about three times the size of Washington, D.C.

According to the report, more than 100,000 people are imprisoned in labor camps for alleged crimes against the state, which can include “gossiping” about Kim or his predecessors. The North Korean government vehemently denies the existence of the camps.

But Yanukovich has said he decided to shelve the EU trade deal because it would have been too costly for Ukraine’s struggling economy and the country needs more time to prepare. He says he is preparing a “strategic partnership” with Russia, but has not committed to joining the customs union.

Protesters Topple Lenin’s Statue in Ukraine

Canada Wants to Conquer the North Pole

On Sunday, anti-government protesters armed with hammers toppled a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin in Ukraine’s capital in a symbolic challenge to President Viktor Yanukovich and his plans for closer ties with Russia. The protesters are angry over last month’s decision to forgo a pact with the European Union in favor of closer cooperation with Moscow. This proposed alliance with Russia has provoked the biggest street protests since the 2004-5 Orange Revolution, when people power forced a re-run of a fraud-tainted election and thwarted his first run for the presidency. “Yanukovich, you are next!” read a poster stuck on the plinth where the red granite statue of Lenin had stood. People hacked off chunks of the leader of the 1917 Bolshevik revolution to take home as souvenirs. Demonstrators are now occupying Independence Square and have transformed it into a tent village for themselves. “We will stay till our demands are met and there is a change of government,” said a 22-year-old man draped in a Ukrainian flag who gave his name as Sergei. “We don’t want to be under Russia’s thumb.” “This is a decisive moment when all Ukrainians have gathered here because they don’t want to live in a country where corruption rules and where there is no justice,” said Vitaly Klitschko, a reigning world heavyweight boxing champion and leader of the opposition Udar (Punch) party. Those opposed to an alliance with Moscow fear an attempt to recreate the hated Soviet Union.

The days of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan are long over, but Canada still wants to expand its empire. This week, the country filed a UN application to expand its Atlantic sea boundary and signaled intentions to claim the North Pole and its surrounding Artic waters. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said the filing mainly concerns the outer

limits of Canada’s continental shelf in the Atlantic Ocean. But it also includes “preliminary information concerning the outer limits of (Canada’s) continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean,” he said. “We have asked our officials and scientists to do additional work and necessary work to ensure that a submission for the full extent of the continental shelf in the Arctic includes Canada’s claim to the North Pole,” he told a press conference. “Fundamentally, we are drawing the last lines of Canada. We are defending our sovereignty,” added Arctic Minister Leona Aglukkaq. Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said enlarging Canada’s Arctic boundary is important for “Canada’s long-term economic prosperity.” Asserting sovereignty over an expansive Arctic archipelago and surrounding waters has been a key plank of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Tories in the past three elections since 2006. But Russia and Denmark are expected to file overlapping claims, which could lead to confrontations between the Arctic neighbors. In recent years, interest in the polar region has flared up as rising temperatures open

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Cuban nationalist. Recently, he said his reverence for Castro is boundless; his image of Castro is a blend of a deity and a father figure. “Fidel Castro for me is like a father,” Gonzalez recently told a Cuban paper. “I don’t profess to have any religion, but if I did my G-d would be Fidel Castro. He is like a ship that knew to take his crew on the right path.” This week, Elian, who is now 20, traveled to Quito, Ecuador, on a 200-person Cuban delegation for a youth conference. This is the first time he left Cuba since his famous custody battle. He said that his story made him a recognizable face across the world. “Wherever I go there’s always a child, an old woman that comes to me and wants to meet me,” Gonzalez told CNN. “Not because I’m famous, but because they suffered with my family.” Elian is now studying industrial engineering and is a military cadet.

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(3.7 miles) of the 42km race. In middle of running the marathon, he experienced knee pain and took a shortcut to the finish line. Upon arriving at the finish line a few minutes before any other runner, with a time of 2 hours and 46 minutes, he was crowned the first place winner.

Marathon “Winner” Admits to Cheating

Eventually, organizers realized Tam did not hit all the checkpoints and he was disqualified. Puh also admitted to cheating during the last two Singapore marathons, in which he gave up halfway and then hitched a lift from medical vans to near the finish. “I am sorry if I offended anyone. I never thought I would create so much inconvenience for the organizers,” Tam told The Straits Times. He added, “I never thought about going

Cheaters never prosper… Chua Puh, 43, was regarded as the first local runner to cross the finish line at the Singapore marathon. But things weren’t what they seemed. The pastry chef and father of one admitted that he only ran six kilometers

In News home midway. It would have been like giving up.” Organizers should have known; he didn’t even break a sweat.

Riots Erupt in Singapore

On Sunday, a crowd of around 400 people set fire to vehicles and clashed with police in Singapore after an Indian national was hit and killed by a bus. This is the first major riot in the nation for more than 40 years. 27 people of South Asian origin were arrested and more are expected to

be arrested in the coming days. Even while rescuers were trying to remove the man’s body, protesters threw “projectiles” at them. Several police cars were overturned and other vehicles were set on fire. Singapore Police Force Commissioner Ng Joo Hee said, “As far as we know now, there was no Singaporean involved in the riot.” He added, “The unwanted violence, rioting, destruction of property, fighting the police, is not the Singapore way.” Singapore has not seen a riot of this scale since 1969, when Chinese and Malay residents clashed violently. The country has tough laws on rioting that carry a sentence of up to seven years in prison and possible caning. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called the riot a “very grave incident.” “Whatever events may have sparked the rioting, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive, and criminal behavior. We will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law.” Interestingly, the riots came on the same day that Singapore’s ruling political party adopted a new resolution, the Continued on page 22

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The Week first since 1988, about its social aims. The eight-point mission statement from the People’s Action Party included a resolve to strengthen the Singaporean identity where people of different races, religions and backgrounds “live harmoniously together, embrace one another as fellow citizens and work together for a better Singapore.”

Germany Attempts to Protect Beer Purity Laws Germany’s brewers are insistent that they be protected by the same UN agency that has safeguarded the Great

In News Wall of China, the Grand Canyon and Egypt’s pyramids. “Thanks to our beer purity law, Germany has an unchallenged reputation as a beer nation,” said Hans-Georg Eils, the president of the German Brewers Association. Beer is serious business for Germany. The organization has applied for the country’s beer purity law to be included

on UNESCO’s “intangible cultural heritage” list. The list recognizes practices which require “urgent measures to keep them alive.” UNESCO is also responsible for designating World Heritage sites, a list of more than 900 landmarks seen having “outstanding universal value.”

The objective of the UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list is to maintain “cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization.” The Reinheitsgebot are strict beer purity regulation rules that dictate that only four ingredients can be used in the brewing process: water, malt, hops, and yeast. The rules were drafted by Bavarian dukes about 500 years ago. Many feel that the purity law gives the beer a distinctive taste. Germany has over 1,300 breweries, about 5,000 brands and more than 40 types of beer. A recent statistic suggests that the average German consumes more than 27 gallons of beer each year. “The popularity of German beer in great parts from the brewing tradition,” said Marc-Oliver Huhnholz, a spokesman for the German Brewers Association. “From just four ingredients, we can make so many different tasting brews; that is really a special craftsmanship.” Germany’s beer purity law has been adopted in neighboring Austria and Switzerland and is also adhered to elsewhere, such as the former colony of Namibia in southern Africa. The German Brewers Association is hoping that the UNESCO will make a decision by the end of 2015.

Living a Long Life In the past four decades, life expectancy in the U.S. has risen about eight years. Back in the 1970s, life expectancy was 70.9 years and by 2011, it jumped to 78.7. Sounds good enough, right? But the U.S. is actually increasing slower than most of the developed world. Although Americans spend the most per capita on healthcare, it is only in the 26th spot of the life expectancy ranks.

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The Organizations for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a report highlighting the latest life expectancy figures earlier this month. Predictably, residents in countries with higher life expectancies tend to be healthier. Residents of countries with high life expectancy also tend to have lower incidents of serious diseases and lower rates of death when they contract these illnesses. The majority of these countries have below-average rates of cancer mortality and diabetes. Many of the countries with the highest life expectancy rates had the lowest rates of heart-related illnesses. In countries where healthcare spending is very low, life expectancy tends to be far lower than most of the developed world, but as proven with U.S. stats, high spending does not necessarily indicate higher life expectancy. Of course, affordability and access to health care are major factors that may be leading these countries’ residents to longer lives. Norway came in tenth on the list with a life expectancy of 81.4 years. Health spending per capita was a whopping $5,669, the second-highest on the list. Israel came in ninth on the list; Israelis tend to live 81.8 years and they spend $2,239 per capita on healthcare. Swedish citizens tend to live to 81.9 years and Australians expect to live to the age of 82. France (82.2 years), Spain (82.4 years), Iceland (82.4 years), Japan (82.7 years), and Italy (82.7 years) came in next. Switzerland came in at the top of the list. People living there have a life expectancy of 82.8 years and healthcare spending is $5,643 per capita, the third-highest on the list.

Air Force One Drops Dead Mice on Guam It’s raining dead mice in Guam. Two thousand dead mice equipped with cardboard parachutes have been airdropped over a United States Air Force base in Guam in order to poison brown tree snakes.

In News Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean The dead mice were pumped full of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. The poisonous snakes have been invading the area and harming exotic native birds and the island’s power grid. The intention was that the snakes will be attracted to the toxic rodents, eat them, and then die. Dan Vice, the Agriculture Department’s assistant supervisory wildlife biologist for Guam, told reporters that the mice were dropped in a time sequence from low-flying helicopters. Each rodent was strung up to a tiny parachute made of cardboard and tissue paper.

“The cardboard is heavier than the tissue paper and opens up in an inverted horseshoe,” Vice said. “It then floats down and ultimately hangs up in the forest canopy. Once it’s hung in the forest canopy, snakes have an opportunity to consume the bait.” So how will workers know if the plan is working? After all, it’s not like the mice can radio back to base. Or can they? The workers behind the plan said that some of the mice were outfitted with data-transmitting radios so workers will be able to tell if the plan worked. The mission is part of an $8 million program from the Interior and Defense departments.

Israel World’s Tiniest Menorah Some folks like to have a nice big menorah l’kavod Chanukah. But the people at Hebrew University had another idea. They have constructed the world’s tiniest menorah to celebrate the yom tov. The menorah is the size of a speck of dust and shows how advanced the university’s Nanoscribe system is. As

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While a menorah that is thinner than a piece of human hair is cool, the laboratory is working on projects with more practical value as well. An example of the technology’s potential is the creation of a physical interface between electronic signal processing devices with opto-electronic devices. With such technology it would be possible to build a new type of network able to sense its surroundings and influence it directly. Such a breakthrough would bring a revolution to the fields of medicine, environmental protection, military and the war on terror.

Rabbi Pinchas Punturello, emissary for the Shavei Israel organization to southern Italy and Sicily, headed the trip to the prison and the lighting of the menorah. Among the participants were about 100 bnei anousim who live in Sicily. Bnei anousim are the descendants of Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity under the Inquisition’s regime of terror. Many of these “New Christians” did their utmost to remain loyal to their Jewish roots, passing down the faith and practices of their ancestors across the generations. “Hundreds of years after the Steri prison palace operated to put out the light of Israel, we came here today to show that the Jewish flame continues to burn,” said Michael Freund, founder and chairman of Shavei Israel, which works to bring the bnei anousim back to the Jewish fold. “For 200 years, Jews were tortured within the walls of the palace, and many of them were burned at the stake by the Inquisition for secretly maintaining their Judaism. And that is why this event is not only historic – it is also symbolic, in that the light of the Hanukkah candles has come to the place where the Inquisition’s darkness once ruled,” he added. Freund said that there are still graffiti inscriptions on the walls of the prison’s solitary confinement cells; two of them are written in Hebrew letters.

Mossad Agents Honored

Our Candles Still Burn

A Chanukah menorah was lit this year at the infamous Steri prison in Palermo, Sicily. The prison served as a headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition between 1601 and 1782.

In an uncharacteristically public showing, President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Chief Tamir Pardo awarded 12 Mossad agents with honorary plaques for excellence. Among those awarded were four women and eight men who work in technological and operational fields. Chief Pardo explained, “The Mossad’s might is in its people, who serve with resourcefulness, devotion and creative thinking, alongside humility and integrity through which battles can be won, including those that seem impossible.” The president saluted the recipients,

saying that the ceremony was a reflection of the Israeli people’s “gratitude and appreciation.” “I am filled with pride to see you,” Peres turned specifically to the women, “combatants who are also mothers who do not only defend their children but also their nation.” The prime minister also expressed his gratitude to the agents, saying, “The citizens of Israel don’t know what you’re doing, but I know the enormous [things] you do for the State’s security. When I approve your operations I am astounded at your gumption and insightfulness that know no bounds.”

Israel Improves Transparency Ranking Transparency International’s annual Corruption Perceptions Index ranks the perceived straightforwardness of international business practices. Israel has been ranked 36th out of 177 countries with a score of 61 out of 100. This is a minor improvement from last year when Israel was ranked 39th. Transparency International’s annu-

al Corruption Perceptions Index ranks more than four-fifths of countries in the Middle East below 50 on a scale where zero is a country perceived to be highly corrupt and 100 perceived to be very clean. The Berlin-based institute measures perceptions of graft rather than actual levels due to the secrecy that surrounds most corrupt dealings. Denmark and New Zealand tied for an admirable first place with scores of 91, followed by Finland, Sweden and Norway. Australia and Canada tied in ninth with scores of 81. Britain was 14th with a score of 76 and the United States tied with Uruguay in 19th place with a score of 73. Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia tied for last place with scores of 8. The biggest improver this year was Myanmar, which emerged from 49 years of military rule in 2011. The Southeast Asian state gained 6 points, taking it to 157th on the list from a previous 172. Among the major global economies, the United States, 19, and China, 80, both were unchanged from last year; Russia improved slightly to 127th place from a previous 133; and Japan slid one spot to 18.

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part of its state-of-the-art research, Hebrew U’s Brojde lab recently became home of the first and only Nanoscribe system in Israel. To demonstrate the Nanoscribe’s capabilities in constructing miniscule three-dimensional structures, Yossi Kabessa and Ido Eisenberg built the tiny menorah. Standing at less than a tenth of a millimeter and invisible to the naked eye, the microscopic menorah is built of building blocks measuring 100 nanometers.

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Imprisoned Terrorists: “Teach us Genocide”

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Until 2011, jailed terrorists were allowed to study at Israel’s Open University from prison when the benefits were cancelled during negotiations to free Gilad Shalit, who was being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Shalit was held in conditions against international law and without Red Cross visits. Now, in response to a petition to reinstate academic courses for jailed terrorists in Israeli prisons, the state released a document noting the most popular course among jailed terrorists

in 2011 was “Genocide.” The reports about jailed terrorists’ studies come amid revelations that released terrorists are unrepentant and lived a life of ease in Israeli jails. A document from the Knesset’s Research and Information Center was presented to MK Miri Regev, Chairwoman of the Internal Affairs Committee, for the upcoming Supreme Court case over the petition. Last week, Regev said, “The terrorists need to rot in jail for murdering children and sending suicide bombers to injure innocents. The state did well to stop the benefits. I hope that the Supreme Court will be attentive also to the voice of the Knesset and will reject the petition.” Regev further called the courses “an unprecedented scandal. The State of Israel which is threatened by terror organizations and terrorists funds with its taxes studies for murderers. Does anyone think that al Qaeda terrorists in Guantanamo prison were granted academic studies?” The course on genocide reportedly engages questions such as how genocide occurs and what historical processes and forces bring it into being. It also

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In News includes an attempt to understand how political regimes decide on genocide as their course of action. In 2011, before the courses were cancelled, 323 prisoners enrolled in classes, 40% more than in 2010.

bankruptcy. These debts will include pensions of thousands of workers and retirees.

Paternity Leave on the Rise

More Israeli men are staying home to help change diapers and give bottles. According to the National Insurance Institute, there has been a steady increase in the number of men who go on paternity leave in Israel. Six years ago, the introduction of a legislative amendment allowed Israeli men to take six weeks of paternity leave, which is deducted from 14 weeks owed to the mother. In the first two years since the amendment was made, only a small increase in the number of men who took paternity leave was recorded, but the last three years show a constant upward trend. In 2010, out of 103,000 births in which the mother was entitled to take maternity leave (eligibility is given to those who worked for at least a year before birth), 354 men took paternity leave. In 2011, out of 106,100 births, the number of fathers climbed to 369. In 2012, 432 out of 112,000 eligible fathers chose to be with mother and child. Their average leave lasted six weeks, as the law permits. The numbers are climbing slowly, but the National Insurance Institute says that this may affect the workplace on a larger scale in the coming years.

Judge Steven Rhodes ruled that pensions can be cut just like any contract because the Michigan Constitution does not offer bulletproof protection for employee benefits. “This once proud and prosperous city can’t pay its debts. It’s insolvent,” Rhodes said, announcing that Detroit was formally eligible for the largest public bankruptcy in U.S. history. “At the same time, it also has an opportunity for a fresh start.” The ruling came more than four months after Detroit filed for Chapter 9 protection. Detroit “could have and should have filed for bankruptcy long before it did. Perhaps years,” the judge said. Officials will meet $18 billion in debt with a plan that might pay creditors just pennies on the dollar and is sure to include touchy negotiations over the pensions of about 23,000 retirees and 9,000 workers.

Obama’s Uncle Wins Deportation Battle

National Detroit Granted Bankruptcy Rights Finally, some good news for Detroit as a city. Last Tuesday, a judge ruled that the city is eligible to unburden billions of dollars of its debt by declaring

He’s been leading the nation since 2005 but many mysteries remain regarding Obama’s past. On Thursday, the White House acknowledged that President Barack Obama briefly lived with a Kenyan uncle previously targeted for deportation. Initially, the Obama administration insisted there was no evidence that two

Governor to Supporters: Forget the Gifts, Remember Me

celebrating the Holiday Season with a Black Friday special that is better than any deal found in stores,” Friends of Scott Walker’s Taylor Palmisano wrote in an email. Walker’s campaign explained that toys are temporary but political contributions are forever. (Touching.) “Instead of electronics or toys that will undoubtedly be outdated, broken, or lost by the next Holiday Season, help give your children the gift of a Wisconsin that we can all be proud of,” Palmisano continued. Walker, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Mary Burke, a member of the Madison, Wisconsin, school board and a former businesswoman. According to a recent Marquette University Law School poll, Burke and Walker are essentially tied. Lucky for Walker, those under eighteen can’t vote.

Boston Bomber Restrictions Loosened Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s prison restrictions were loosened on Tuesday by prison officials. The 20-year-old accused Boston Marathon bomber’s lawyers argued that the restrictions made it difficult to mount an effective defense. In papers filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, officials said they had modified the special rules of Tsarnaev’s confinement to allow his attorneys to discuss his statements with third parties to help them prepare their defense. The new rules allow a mental health specialist to consult with the defendant. Tsarnaev is still being held separately from other inmates at the prison facility west of Boston. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces the possibility of execution.

on Manhattan’s West Side into a tourist attraction, is not just a paradise for New Yorkers. It seems that a new-tothe-U.S. cockroach is calling the High Line its home and this pest is not about to go away. The Periplaneta japonica has been spotted in Asia but was never seen in the United States until now. It can withstand harsh winter conditions, including the heavy snows that blanketed our city this week. “There has been some confirmation that it does very well in cold climates, so it is very conceivable that it could live outdoors during winter in New York,” insect biologist Jessica Ware said. “I could imagine japonica being outside and walking around, though I don’t know how well it would do in dirty New York snow.” Thankfully, Ware says that competition for food among cockroach species will keep the city’s population of roaches low “because more time and energy spent competing means less time and energy to devote to reproduction.” The new pest was first spotted in New York in 2012 by an exterminator working on the High Line. Scientists suspect that it came in via the ornamental plants that adorn the park. “Many

nurseries in the United States have some native plants and some imported plants,” Ware said. “It’s not a far stretch to picture that that is the source.”

Fast Food Workers Fed Up with Pay

Thousands of fast food employees went on strike last Thursday in more than 100 cities across the U.S. Each day, 1 in 4 Americans visits a fast food joint, making fast food restaurants a huge part of daily American life. But those behind the counter are “fed up” with their wages and claim that their “poverty wages” are not nearly enough to support themselves and their families.

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NYC: City of Roaches? Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s re-election campaign has an interesting fundraising technique. His suggestion to parents is forget the holiday gifts, save time and effort, and instead send the money you would have spent on gifts to the Walker campaign. In a Black Friday fundraising email to supporters, the Walker campaign asked supporters for a holiday contribution to his re-election bid that will last another four years. “This year, we are

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had ever even met. Apparently, when the subject was first broached, “Nobody spoke to the president,” press secretary Jay Carney told reporters. Instead, staff relied on one of the president’s autobiographical books for the inaccurate information. “Back when this arose, folks looked at the record, including the president’s book, and there was no evidence that they had met … and that was what was conveyed,” Carney explained. During the press release, Carney denied any inappropriate White House interfering in the deportation procedures against the elder Obama. Obama’s uncle won his fight against deportation this week. The man, Onyango “Omar” Obama, has been identified as Obama’s father’s half-brother. He lived in the U.S. for 50 years. At a recent hearing, Onyango “Omar” Obama testified that the president lived with him in Cambridge for three weeks while studying law in Cambridge and waiting for his apartment to be ready. “After that, they saw each other once every few months while the president was in Cambridge, and then, after law school, they gradually fell out of touch. The president has not seen Omar Obama in 20 years and has not spoken with him in roughly 10 years,” Carny explained.

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The Week Reynetta Bennett, a 23-year-old Wendy’s employee, joined a rally of dozens of union members and workers in downtown Brooklyn on Thursday. The protesters gathered outside the Wendy’s sliding doors, which were locked, chanting that they wanted to be paid $15 an hour. “I just think we should get more respect,” Bennett, who makes $8.15 an hour after seven years at her job, said. “We should get paid a decent wage.” According to a study from the University of Illinois, nearly 70 percent of fast food workers are the primary bread-winners for their families. About a quarter of workers are supporting kids, the study found. Fast food franchises are operated by a team of owners and employee turnover is high, making unionization difficult. Each day about 50 million Americans are served in restaurants, generating close to $110 billion in revenue each year, and workers feel like more of that should go into their pockets. In response to the rallies, more than 50 members of Congress sent a letter to five major fast food chains this week to urge them to raise wages. Those pushing

for higher wages for these workers argue that taxpayers often end up footing the bill when low-income workers sign up for welfare in order to survive. The U.S. minimum wage is $7.25, which adds up to about $15,000 a year for a full-time worker. Fast food workers are demanding $15 per hour. They say that at that rate they will be able to support themselves and their families.

Museums that Celebrate All Things Odd There are over 17,500 museums across the U.S. While many celebrate traditional topics like art, history, and technology, there are some that boast odd collections. If you are looking for a weird museum to explore on your next adventure take a look at this list…Independence, Missouri, is home to Leila’s Hair Museum. The museum displays a collection of real hair fashioned into art by Leila Cohoon, a retired hairdresser. She lovingly collected 600 hair wreaths and

In News more than 2,000 pieces of human hair jewelry dating back to the 18th century. Michael Jackson, Queen Victoria, and four presidents have made contributions to Leila’s collection. If fine art is not your thing then maybe bad art is. The Museum of Bad Art in Dedham Square, Massachusetts, displays art that is so bad, it’s good. The artistic creations are so bizarre that they are actually interesting to look at. There is method to the madness; each piece has to have a special quality to meet the standard of “too bad to be ignored.” “The Banana Museum puts a smile on peoples’ faces every time,” says Ken Bannister, founder of the International Banana Museum in Mecca, California. Since the early ‘70s, Bannister has gone bananas for bananas. He has accumulated more than 18,000 items of “bananabilia.” In 2010, he sold his collection to Fred Garbutt, an equally enthusiastic banana fan.

Brooklyn. She emphasized that while she “admire[s] the Jewish community immensely” for its work ethic, black teens may have a different perspective.

“While I personally regard this level of tenacity, I also recognize that for others, the accomplishments of the Jewish community triggers feelings of resentment, and a sense that Jewish success is not also their success,” Cumbo, who was recently elected, wrote in a letter. She added that Jewish landlords may be the source of a lot of the hostility. Cumbo was sure to express her distress over the attacks and supported investigations and legal actions against anyone involved. Cumbo, who is African-American, said that she was looking to “offer possible insight as to how young African-American/Caribbean teens” think and how those feelings lead to the attacks.

Joe Torre Elected to Hall of Fame Housed in the former Chief Theater in Britt, Iowa, the Hobo Museum celebrates the vagabond lifestyle, which surprisingly has a strict code of ethics. It’s full of drifter memorabilia from the likes of Frisco Jack, Connecticut Slim, and Hard Rock Kid. Hobo crafts, art, photographs, and documentaries depicting the unorthodox way of life are also on display. So next time your 8-year-old begins collecting something rather strange, don’t dismiss it as a phase. It can potentially be used to create an artistic institution or future business.

Councilwoman Blames “Jewish Success” for Attacks in Brooklyn Councilwoman-elect Laurie Cumbo has her own theory for the recent “knock-out” attacks in Crown Heights,

On Monday, Joe Torre was all smiles when he heard that he was unanimously elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame. “Sometimes you believe what you hear. They said, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ That’s what they said when I was up 3-0 against the Red Sox,’’ Torre said after it was announced he would enter the Hall of Fame with fellow managers Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox. All three were elected unanimously. George Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, Tommy John and Players Association founder Marvin Miller were among nine other candidates to fall short of induction. Each got six or fewer votes with 12 needed for election.

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The Week “Joe should have been in years ago,” Reggie Jackson said on Monday evening. “He has a lot of credentials. He was almost a Hall of Fame player. And George Steinbrenner, I think he’s a Hall of Famer. I think it’s best if I just say I don’t understand the voting.” While Torre’s playing career was very good — he was a nine-time AllStar and the 1971 NL MVP, posting

2,342 hits across 18 seasons — the Brooklyn native will enter Cooperstown because of his managerial accomplishments. In 29 years as a manager, Torre is one of only five men to win at least four World Series titles. He finished with a 2,326-1,997 ledger. In 12 seasons in the Bronx, he led the Yankees to 12 playoff appearances and four World Series championships in six trips to the Fall

In News Classic. “It’s a long time coming, I couldn’t be happier,’’ Frank Torre, Joe’s older brother and baseball mentor, said. “My mom [Margaret] would have been real proud. I know she is looking down smiling.’’ Despite tensions when Torre and the Yankees parted, Torre said he would go into Cooperstown with a Yankees hat on

his plaque and tipped his Hall of Fame cap to Steinbrenner. “He made my professional career. I played for 18 years, but the only thing that meant anything to me was the World Series.” He continued, “To have George give me that opportunity. Even when I said good bye that day [in Tampa], he was failing somewhat, he was the first one I went over to and said good-bye to. He had tears in his eyes and I did too. It was one of those things, it was time to go away.’’ Andy Pettitte lauded his former manager. “Anyone who was on those teams will tell you he was a calming force and he helped us perform during that championship run. He had the perfect demeanor to fit our group.” The trio of managers are among 10 men to ever win 2,000 career games and sit third (LaRussa), fourth (Cox) and fifth (Torre) in all-time wins. “Managing against them, you certainly learned things,” Torre said. “I am honored to go into the Hall with these two guys.”

Bill Bratton to be NYC’s Top Cop Once Again

Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has made his much-anticipated decision. Last week, the mayor-elect appointed Bill Bratton as the new NYPD commissioner; Bratton served under Rudy Giuliani in 1994. Bratton is a Vietnam veteran. He began his career as a police officer in Boston and later served as chief of the LAPD from 2002 to 2009. During his time at the LAPD, Bratton expanded the use of stop and frisk. He maintains that when used properly, he is in full support of the policy. De Blasio and Bratton appeared together at a press conference in Brooklyn on Thursday, promising change in police tactics and a more community-friendly NYPD. “This is not deja vu all over again,” Bratton said. “If we get it right, if we make the city safe, if we do it in a way that the public trusts us, then the benefits are extraordinary. If we get it right here, this is in many respects a beacon that can light the world.” “I don’t want to do it all over again

Norman Rockwell Painting Breaks Record On Wednesday, a Norman Rockwell painting sold for $46 million, setting a new record for any work sold at an American art auction. The painting,

million. The painting’s pre-sale estimate was $15 million to $20 million. In

2006, the auction house sold Rockwell’s Breaking Home Ties for more than $15 million, a record at the time. The previous record for any work at an auction of American art was set in 1999, when George Bellows’ painting Polo Crowd sold at Sotheby’s for $27.7 million. Another Rockwell painting, The Gossips, sold on Wednesday for Continued on page 38

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titled, Saying Grace, was sold to an unidentified buyer. Saying Grace originally appeared in Post Magazine’s Thanksgiving issue and Rockwell was paid $3,500 for it. It was voted Post readers’ favorite cover in a 1955 poll. Two individuals bid against each other via phone for nine minutes before the prized piece was sold for $46

POINTS

the same way,” he went on. “I want what he is promising – a new day.” Bratton is credited with leading the development of CompStat, a crime-mapping database headstarted in New York City that has been duplicated by police in other cities. During his previous term, crime decreased significantly. However, ciivilian complaints about police misconduct and brutality increased when he served as leader of the department. “There’s been a consistent record of success,” de Blasio said. In 1996, Bratton left his role for the private sector, forming a law enforcement consulting business. De Blasio said the city needs to “heal some of the wounds, reopen the communication.” He said he wanted Bratton to “avoid focusing resources where they don’t belong, which is on innocent, hardworking New Yorkers, particularly on our young men of color.” “The idea here is to have real reform, to only use stop and frisk when it’s constitutionally warranted and constitutionally applied, and to show communities that we are respecting law abiding citizens,” de Blasio said. Bratton pledged he will “work very hard and will move very quickly to bring, once again, legitimacy and trust between the citizens of this city who feel that they don’t have it, between them and this police department.” Many are disappointed by de Blasio’s choice. City Councilman Charles Barron said that Bratton’s appointment to the job was “unconscionable.” “You don’t ask the person who’s the architect of racial profiling stop and frisk to come back now and put a stop to it,” he said. Yet others are hopeful for reform. The usually critical Al Sharpton said, “I told Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and Commissioner Bill Bratton that I hope they will work with a broad cross-sector of New Yorkers ... and we discussed meeting over the next few days to discuss these matters with him and with other civil rights and community leaders.”

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The Week just under $8.5 million, while a third, Walking to Church, fetched a little more than $3.2 million. Until now, all three paintings were featured at the Norman Rockwell Museum on loan in his hometown, Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The museum has the world’s largest collection of original Rockwell art. Rockwell Museum director Laurie Norton Moffatt, who attended the Saying Grace auction, called it “a thrilling moment for Norman Rockwell.” “It’s a painting of such significance that, wherever it is, there will hopefully be a desire to share it, have it seen in public,” she said. She is hoping it will go on loan or be placed in another museum exhibition. “We’re just so happy we were able to share it for two decades,” she said.

The Year of the S Word Merriam-Webster has announced that its word of the year is science. But interestingly, just a few weeks ago, Oxford Dictionary announced that “selfie”

was its word of the year. How do two respected institutions come up with such varied results?

Both Merriam-Webster and Oxford use technology to come up with their word of the year. Merriam-Webster analyzes searches made on their online dictionary; Oxford Dictionary scans the web to see which word captures the “culture” of the year. The two words vary greatly. While “science” is old, accepted and established, “selfie” is new, informal and nontraditional. “If you use the word selfie, you are not actively involved in finding out more about that word, you are not conscious about that word as a word,” Grant Barrett, co-host of NPR’s Away with Words and lexicographer explains. “The word is doing its job and not being talked about as a word.” But, he contends, you are thinking about science as a word.

In News Man Breaks out of Prison to go to the Dentist

Oh, the things we will do to avoid the dentist…until it’s an emergency and keeping us up at night. A man serving a one-month sentence for an unspecified crime broke out of the minimum security Östragård facility in Sweden because he was in pain. He had a terrible toothache that was causing him excruciating pain. The 51-year-old prisoner told the Dagens Nyheter newspaper, “My whole face was swollen. I just couldn’t stand it anymore.” According to his version of the story, the detainee asked for medical care and was denied. So he took matters into his own hands. He broke out of prison and went to the nearest certified dentist. The dentist extracted the inflamed tooth. After his mild procedure, the prisoner turned himself into police and was returned to jail. His punishment for breaking out of prison was an extension of his sentence by one day… that’s better than a toothache, right?

It’s Mazal Tov Times Three

According to doctors, the odds of having identical triplets without medical intervention are “one in a million.” So it was an unusual and exciting moment when the Hepners of Sacramento welcomed their three identical babies on November 22 at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Northern California. “It’s everything at once. I think you can get lost just staring in their faces,” said the triplets’ mother, Hannah

Hepner. “But it’s overwhelming to think about everything to come.” Each of the babies weighed between three and four pounds at birth and was in good health. The triplets were delivered at 33 weeks. Dr. William Gilbert, the director of Women’s Services for Sutter Health in Sacramento, Calif., is the family’s obstetrician. Gilbert said there is no definite rate for the number of identical triplets born every year. “It’s hard to calculate a conservative estimate,” Gilbert said about the rate of naturally conceived identical triplets. “One in 70,000 that would be on the low end, the high end is one in a million.” The babies, Abby, Brinn, and Laurel, weighed 11 pounds in total at birth. Good things come in threes.

Calling 911 15,000 times Japanese police arrested a 44-yearold woman for calling them more than 15,000 times over a six-month period. Prior to the arrest, authorities visited the woman and requested that she stop making the calls but she refused. “She made as many as 927 emergency calls in one day....disturbing our police duties,” said an official in the city of Sakai, near the western city of Osaka. Her calls had “no real meaning,” according to officials. Thus far mental illness has been ruled out and the motivation for her calls remains a mystery. “She didn’t make up a story that required us to respond – it was just total nonsense,” one official recounted. “We visited her place about 60 times before arresting her, trying to persuade her not to call us again. I wonder if she was just lonely.” The defendant was charged with fraudulent obstruction of police business, which carries a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of 500,000 yen ($4,900).

Teenage Girl Competes in Monster Truck Shows Her license plate says “princess,” but her choice of vehicle is not a pink Cadillac. Rosalee Ramer from Watsonville, California, is 16-years-old, just old enough to drive. She welcomes her new privilege, not like the average teenager who is eager to drive her friends to school

or to the mall, but because now she can compete as a monster truck driver.

Street Mural Sells for $200K

A Banksy mural that was removed from a Hollywood Chevron gas station wall fetched $209,000 at the first U.S. auction of the reclusive British street artist’s work, an auction official said on Friday.

The art’s vessel was a 9-by-8-foot slab of beige brick wall, weighing close to four tons. “Flower Girl” was completed in 2008; it features a spray-painted stencil image of a young girl staring up at a surveillance camera posted atop an over-sized flower stem. Banksy’s graffiti and stenciled paintings appear as social commentary in public spaces and private property around the world. The artist emerged in Bristol, England, in the early 90s. Despite having worldwide notoriety and being featured in the 2010 Oscar-nominated documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” the artist has kept his real name a secret. In October, he concluded a month-long “street residency,” where he placed artwork around New York. “Banksy has been one of our most provocative yet entertaining subjects to auction to date,” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions. “The excitement in the room when Flower Girl went up for auction was electrifying,” he added. Earlier this month, a Banksy mural went for $1.1 million in London. More of Banksy’s artwork is due to go on sale in Miami later this month.

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A Louisiana man lived a nightmare when he woke up after a flight and found himself on an airplane—a dark, empty airplane. Tom Wagner insists he’s not a deep sleeper, but he fell asleep during his flight on Friday night and then awoke to total darkness. “I woke up and I happened to look up and the lights were out,” he said. “I was like, ‘Well, what’s going on here?’ And then I looked down the aisles and nobody was there.” Wagner had fallen asleep in a window seat near the back of the United ExpressJet plane. When he saw the nightmarish situation when he awoke, he immediately called his friend who didn’t believe him. “Debbie, you gotta call the airlines,” Wagner said, recalling the conversation. “I’m locked in the plane.”

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“Being in a truck with 1,600 horsepower is unlike anything else that you’ll ever experience,” Ramer, a professional monster truck driver, says. “And getting to step on the throttle is really amazing.” “It’s something that I’ve dreamed about, and I’m finally doing it,” she explained. “Going over the jumps, sometimes 25 to 30 feet in the air, I feel like I’m flying.” The teen began competing about two years ago and enters over 20 shows a year. This is her hobby, her obsession, since she was a young child. “She understands them [monster trucks] inside and out,” her father, Kelvin Ramer, said. “I believe in nurturing my kids and what they love to do.” Although her heart and soul is in competing, she takes her school work seriously. “I do my best to keep straight A’s,” said Ramer. “I’m in the 98th percentile nationwide for math,” she added. Her career goal is to one day be an engineer. “I would love to attend MIT,” she said. Of course, being a monster truck driver can interfere with being a teenage girl at times. “I love doing my nails,” Ramer said. “I have a very difficult time keeping my hands clean.”

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The Week Eventually, maintenance workers arrived and opened the door about a half hour later. “They were like, ‘Who are you? What are you doing on this plane?’ I said, ‘Dude, I was a passenger on the plane.’ ... and then [they] said, ‘Where’s your badge?’ I said, ‘I don’t work here.’” The airline is still trying to figure out how Wagner was missed during sweeps of the plane after landing. Wagner was given a free hotel room and a $250

M A T T R E S S E S

voucher by United for his trouble. Maybe now he can get a good night’s rest.

Disney Home Can Become New Tourist Spot Disneyland, Disney World and now Disney Home. A Californian couple who bought

In News the house where Walt Disney was born 112 years ago plans to turn it into a historical site and museum. The Chicago home hopefully will serve as a “community resource with a mission of enhancing and exploring childhood creativity.” A spokesman for new owners Dina Benadon and Brent Young said restoration is scheduled to start next month, with the hope that the project can be completed by what would have been

Disney’s 113th birthday, on Dec. 5, 2014. Walt and his brother, Roy, were born there and lived there until Walt was 4-years-old. Donors will be able to receive prizes for donating money towards the renovation including a onenight stay in the home. This may end up being the “happiest place on Earth.”

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“Cannibal sandwiches” are not just like they sound. They are a popular appetizer featuring raw, lean ground beef served on cocktail bread. Some say they are a Wisconsin tradition, and they have been called “tiger meat,” “steak tartare,” or simply “ground beef.” Makers of this simple dish season lean ground meat with salt and pepper and serve it on rye bread with sliced raw onion. For those who really enjoy their food tartare, a raw egg is mixed with the meat. Regardless of how you refer to these sandwiches made of raw meat, eating them can make you sick. Health officials are warning patrons that many people have become ill from consuming this dish. They are considered a festive dish in German, Polish and other ethnic communities in the Milwaukee area since the 19th century. “It’s like a coarse pate and when you put the onions on, there’s a crunch as well and that kind of cuts the softness,” one person said. Keith Meyer, who runs L&M Meats, adds, “It’s really not that bad, if you get by the texture of it.” He pointed out, “It’s like eating a cold hamburger that’s a little on the raw side.” Uh…I’ll take that burger well-done, please.

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Around the

LOCAL

Flatbush Basketball League ‘13-‘14 Week 2 Recap In the Jewish Home Division: Batampte Pickles 47, Art World 45: This game was close from the beginning all the way through until the last seconds. Yosef Kapetas again led the charge as he pounded in a career high of 45 points as he led Batampte to their first win of the season. Chuli Herbst and Shayala Lichtfield combined for a total of 31 points for Art World. Quality Carpet 38, China Glatt 17: The Quality squad came out charging as they held China Glatt’s leading scorers Eliyakim Gelbard and Moshe Lebowitz to just 10 points combined. Moshe Frank dominated the points column with 22 out of their total 38 points. Quality Carpet sits alone at the top of the standings with a 2-0 record, while China Glatt is right behind them with a 1-1 record. Shirt Stop 54, Pizza World 33: Meir Rubinfeld (14 points) and company started and ended strong with every player in the scoring column. Nissim Furer, Yitzi Weinberger and Avrumi Guttman combined for a team total of 22 points. In a good effort, Pizza World’s Shaya Friedman’s 13 points just weren’t enough to stop a now 2-0 Shirt Stop squad. Pizza World falls to a 1-1 record going into week 3.

ITP had this one in the bag early against a “banged up” Perfect Collision squad. Yitzchok Kapetas’ and Shaya Shapiro’s combined 15 points just fell short as Sasson Azar and company dominated both offensively and defensively. ITP now stands at 1-1 while Perfect Collision loses their second in a row. What will next week bring for Perfect Collision? Stayed tuned… In the Jewish Connection Division: Nosh Express pounced on the newly reconstructed Ready to Roll team. Shmuel Krzywanowski and Eliyahu Shapiro dominated offensively which was too much for Ready to Roll to handle. In a good effort, Yiddy Follman and Yaakov Ibrigimov combined for 21 of their team’s points; however, Nosh Express was just too strong. Ready to Roll falls to 1-1 while Nosh Express sits atop the standing at 2-0. Repairs on Wheels “rolled over” Plaza Auto Leasing as Mordy Kiss led with 10 points. A combine effort by the PAL boys’ with David Sasson (11 points), Rafi Safdie and Issac Mizrachi (7 points each) was not enough to stop the very strong Repairs team. PAL falls to 0-2 while Repairs are now 1-1.

NEWS

Community

A group of nine girls from Yeshiva University High School for Girls came to our neighborhood on Wednesday, December 4 to stock and take inventory of Achiezer’s Hospital Respite Rooms at Mercy Medical Center and South Nassau Communities Hospital. Tizku l’mitzvos!

Food, Fun and Friendship at Midreshet Shalhevet’s Chanukah Chagigas Chanukah at Midreshet Shalhevet this year was quite the festival! After a rejuvenating long weekend break, the girls at Shalhevet returned to school and celebrated Chanukah with an extraordinary chagiga! The students got a kick out of the photo booth, dressing up and taking pictures with their friends. There was a gourmet lunch from BOGO, complete with an array of salads, pastas, and chocolate gelt. The girls then danced away in a glow-in-thedark party to music provided by Gary Wallin. The ruach was everywhere as the students enjoyed dancing with each other. Mrs. Eisenman, Mrs. Lisker, Mrs. Morey and Morah Schulman joined in on the party and danced with the girls. The chagiga wrapped up with a schoolwide kumzitz, but the fun did not stop there! The festivities continued Wednesday evening as each grade had their own chagiga at a teacher’s home—the ninth graders at Morah Schulman, tenth graders at Mrs. Fried, the eleventh graders at Mrs. Skaist and the seniors at Mrs. Fis-

chbein. More fun was had by all, as the students in each grade were able to bond with each other, play fun games, and eat a scrumptious dinner. To finish off the wonderful week, the freshmen and seniors put together a fabulous chagiga for the students of Temple Hillel. They played Chanukah trivia, decorated doughnuts, and created an art project. The students at Temple Hillel loved the chagiga. They appreciated the hard work and time that the Shalhevet girls put into organizing a fun-filled event that also taught them about the meaning of Chanukah.

Shulamith and Kulanu Celebrate Chanukah Chagiga Together

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Chanukah at BYQ Early Childhood Center Was Full of Fun and Learning! Two events at BYQ Early Childhood Center made their Chanukah celebrations outstanding. Floreva Cohen, noted author of Sneakers to Shul, A Chanukiyah for Dina, Before Shabbat Begins and My Special Friend visited BYQ. The children listened in rapt attention as Floreva read A Chanukiyah for Dina. It was exciting for the children to hear an author read a book she actually wrote and even more exciting to ask her questions. Floreva told the children that she thought of her own children when she wrote the book(s). In addition to Floreva Cohen’s visit, parents had the opportunity to visit and spend quality time with their children. The classroom was set up with various Chanukah-related activities: latke making, baking Chanukah cookies and Chanukah necklaces. One activity

turned to their classrooms where they created special crafts for hospitalized children. Eighth graders designed beautiful pillowcases, seventh graders decorated drawstring bags, sixth graders created journal covers, and fifth graders made beautiful cards expressing their wishes for a refuah sheleima for each hospitalized child. The girls enjoyed using their creativity to produce someB’KAVOD, innovative programming thing special for children less fortunate for seniors and their families, invites our than themselves. The gift bags will be community elders every Monday and delivered to hospitalized children in the Wednesday 11am-3 pm (women), 11:30 coming weeks. am-3:30 pm (men) at Cong. Degel Israel, Kew Gardens Hills (Rabbi Sheinfeld’s shul on 68th Drive, Main Street entrance). This coming week’s program highlights: Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum shlita Michtav MeEliyau Series including handouts; Dec 16 – Robin Rosenz-

that encouraged parents and children to bond while promoting math and literacy was the “getting to know you” activity. Children, together with parents, filled

out a same and different chart comparing initials, eye color, hair color, shoe size (measured with unifix cubes) and their favorite part about Chanukah. One of the parents commented, “This activity was one that truly offered time to take a close look at one another and discover while making comparisons and also opening a discussion about each other.”

B’Kavod Program for Seniors in Queens weig MS, Community Health Education Specialist Returns, Stress Management; Dec 18 – Chavy Baron PT, MPA, Rehabilitation Professional Returns, Exercise and Advice with acclaimed Chazan Israel Rosenzweig, Chassidic Melodies and Story Telling; and always, Judy Gottlieb with Divrei Torah, Crafts, and Memory Games. Our program is peppered with music, good food and friendship. For more information, please call 646-543-9818 or bkavod@gmail.com.

Does Time Seem to Fly Right by You? Hear what Rivki Rosenwald has to say about the mystery of time on page 112

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Without a doubt, one of the highlights of each school year in the Shulamith Middle Division is the annual Chanukah Chagiga. This year’s Chagiga was made even more special than usual by the presence of some very special guests: students of Kulanu. We were fortunate to have Azamra DJ play for us this year. The girls of Shulamith and Kulanu had a wonderful time together, dancing exuberantly around the room, sharing in the joy of the chag. After dancing with the Kulanu girls for over an hour, Shulamith students re-

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Around the Community Touro College Mentors Prelaw Students Straight to the Top Since 2010, Touro College has increasingly placed its prelaw students at top-rated law schools placing seven of its students at Harvard Law School in the past three years. In 2013 alone, seven students gained admission to law schools ranked in the top 21 in the country by U.S. News and World Report. “This is a remarkable achievement for a small prelaw program that annually sends only 20 students to law school,” says Thomas Rozinski a professor of political science, and Touro’s principal prelaw advisor. He expects that several students will be admitted to top 20 law schools again this academic year. Touro graduates who are now in law school credit their admission record to the prelaw preparation they received while applying to law school. A laser-like focus on each step in the process — from choosing the undergraduate courses to help them prepare for law school, to choosing references who can best present their strengths, to repeated revisions of their application’s personal statement — has generated winning outcomes for these students. “I got incredible guidance,” says Yossi Lieberman who is in his first year at Harvard Law School and was accepted at four of the five top law schools he applied to. He credits Rozinski with his own success. “I think our emphasis on developing critical thinking and writing skills really helps our students when they get to law school,” says Rozinski, himself a graduate of Harvard Law School. “Because of the small size of my classes—which

average five students—they get far more attention than at schools with dozens of prelaw students.” Avigail Shloush, now in her first year at 21st -ranked George Washington University, in Washington, says that the small size of Touro’s prelaw program “works hugely to our advantage, because the prelaw program is basically a one-on-one personal guidance by Prof. Rozinski.” “I have friends [at law school] who attended various other undergraduate schools, yet their prelaw program and advising was not comparable to what I received at Touro,” she says. “Without such advice and direction, it’s fairly possible that I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Rozinski chalks up Touro’s success to the prelaw courses Touro offers as well as the intensive counseling. He notes that many of the students benefit from Talmudic studies that give them regular practice in close reading of texts and debating their meaning. Courses such as ‘Civil Rights and Civil Liberties’ and the ‘Supreme Court and the Constitution’ refine their skills by teaching them to write a judicial opinion and “synthesize the law on paper.” At the end of the semester, they argue their case before a panel of three lawyers. Being prepared seems to be the least of this newest crop of legal newbie’s concerns, however. “I was worried how I would stack up against students who had been through Yale or Harvard as undergraduates,” says Lieberman. “I have them in my study groups. I’m just fine. Really.”

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Young Israel of Long Beach Celebrates Chanukah 5774

Lighting the menorah in front of Glatt Mart

The Young Israel of Long Beach carried on its annual tradition of lighting the menorah in a public manner to fulfill the imperative of “pirsum hanes.” On Motzaei Shabbos, November 30th, the menorah was lit in front of the Country Boy Bakery where a large number of people from throughout the community gathered. Following the singing and dancing, everyone was treated to hot cocoa and jelly doughnuts generously provided by the bakery. In addition, Chanukah gelt, which was especially imprinted for Chanukah by the First Commemorative Mint, was distributed to all of the children who attended.

On Sunday, the fourth day of Chanukah, both members of the YILB and the community at large were invited by Life’s A Bagel for breakfast. All of the participants enjoyed the bagels, salads and coffee provided by the proprietors in celebration of the holiday. On Monday night, everyone gathered at the newly opened Dunkin Donuts which is under the joint hashgacha of the Vaad

of Five Towns and the South Shore Vaad. Given the novelty of this new establishment, an extraordinary participation was in evidence. Once again, following the lighting of the menorah, singing and dancing, everyone was treated to doughnuts and hot cocoa. Celebrating Chanukah with the community On Tuesday night, a similar scene was repeated scaled and the menorah was lit at that at Ship Glatt Mart establish- time as symbolic sign of victory and exment. Following the lighting pression of gratitude to Hashem. of the menorah, those present This year, the Young Israel of Long were treated to hot latkes and Beach inaugurated a new menorah assorted delicacies. which was donated by Shelly and Berel On the last night of Cha- Neumark. nukah, the menorah was lit on The Young Israel is also proud that the re-constructed boardwalk a long-standing tradition of making a to commemorate the last night communal siyum mishnayos on Shabbos of Chanukah of yesteryear Chanukah was continued this year. Evwhen the City of Long Beach ery member chooses a mesechta to learn was still in the recovery phase and a joint siyum is made during Shafrom Hurricane Sandy and a losh Seudos. Dr. Sheldon Gleich serves huge mountain of sand was as the chairman of this event. The crowd enjoyed the newly kosher Dunkin’ Donuts in Long Beach

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Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President, Emeritus, of the National Council of Young Israel, met with the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, HaRav Yitzchok Yosef, shlita, during his recent visit to Israel. During the meeting, they discussed the continued plight of Jonathan Pollard and the challenge to kedushas haMakom at the Kotel.

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Rabbi Paysach Krohn to Speak in Kew Gardens Hills The Queens community will be holding the sixth Asara B’Teves program on Motzei Shabbos, December 14, 2013 at 8:00PM. The Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills will be hosting the evening. More than eighteen Queens shuls, yeshivos and organizations are co-sponsoring the event. Asara B’Teves has been designated as Yom HaKaddish Haklali, the day which tefillos and kaddish are said in memory of the victims of the Shoah whose dates of Kiddush Hashem are unknown. Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, Mara D’Asra of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills and President of the Vaad Hara-

bonim of Queens, will welcome and introduce the speakers. Introductory remarks will be given by Rabbi Dovid Z. Sheinfeld, Rav, Congregation Degel Israel in Kew Gardens Hills. The guest speaker will be Rabbi Paysach Krohn, world renowned author and lecturer. These outstanding and captivating speakers will surely inspire everyone. The Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills is located on 150th Street and 70th Road. Admission is free. Parking is available across the street in the Yeshiva Central Queens parking lot. For more information please call 718-440-5352

HANC Chanukah Celebrations

Chanukah Candle Ivrit Project

Students at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School had a wonderful time celebrating Cha-

nukah, both in and out of school! Kindergarten students in Morah Nenner and Morah Wasser’s classes

Kindergarten Chanukah Show

Chagiga at Morah Jacobs

invited their families to join them in school for Chanukah presentations and activities including singing Chanukah songs, dancing, making projects and eating ate yummy treats. Third graders in Morah Sadeh’s Ivrit class took the opportunity to learn all about the different times of year that we light candles. The students learned all about Shabbat candles, Yom Tov candles, Yahrzeit candles, Havdalah candles and Bedikat Chametz candles. The Fifth Grade girls in Morah Jacob’s class had a blast at the Chanukah Chagiga at her house. They sang, danced and

made dreidels out of clay. The girls’ ruach and enthusiasm “lit up the night,” as did the lights of the Menorah! Students participated in the annual “Wheel of Dreidel - Dreidel Spinning Contest” and were also treated to Chanukah cupcakes sponsored by the PTA. And all the students enjoyed a fantastic performance by Ned Gelfars! He juggled on a huge unicycle, told jokes and wowed the audience with amazing magic tricks. From the youngest child to faculty members, a great time was had by all! The Chanukah festivities ended on Thursday with two rockin’ Chanukah chagigas lead by music teacher, Rabbi Shapiro. The lunchroom came to life in celebration from all the singing and dancing! It was fabulous Chanukah celebration at HANC!

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L’Hodos U’LeHallel By Dr. Chaim Wakslak

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Michoel Pruzansky singing together with HASC Center participants

The theme of Chanukah is to express our gratitude to Hashem for the miracle of Chanukah and to generalize this feeling of appreciation to all the “miracles” that constitute our lives. This sentiMenorah lighting and singing Maoz Tzur ment of appreciation was highly palpable on the night of lives of so many who would otherwise be “Zos Chanukah” when the annual HASC neglected and dismissed from the festivCenter “Chanukah mesiba” took place in ities of Chanukah. Instead light has been the heart of Flatbush. brought to places where darkness existed In some respects it was no different and the potential of one day’s oil lasting than the hundreds of mesibos that took for eight days is a reality that can been place throughout Chanukah in shuls, seen through the realization of the pobatei medrashim, yeshivos and family tential which exists within each special gatherings. There were the traditional needs child. culinary delights, a d’var Torah delivered Following in the theme of gratitude, by the manhig ruchani of HASC Center, the beautiful event was immeasurably Rabbi Mendy Salgo, singing, dancing enhanced by the Mitzvah Men Team who and a featured singing performance by came to the chagigah and distributed exMichoel Pruzansky. ceptional gifts which included scarves On the other hand, it was extraordi- and necklaces for the women and watchnary and truly elicited an expression of es for the men. However, they did not Tov LeHodos LaShem. What one wit- simply distribute the gifts but actively nessed was several hundred individuals participated in the dancing and greatly some with developmental disabilities, enhanced the ruach. others with physical handicaps and yet We are told that those who are meothers on the autism spectrum all joined ticulous in their lighting of the Shabbos together with administrators, managers, and Chanukah candles will have children coordinators and counselors in a tradi- who are skilled in their Torah erudition. tional, uncompromised completed in- Any parent of the individuals who attegrated and normalized celebration of tended the HASC Center Chanukah meChanukah. siba would be overjoyed and give gratiUpon deeper introspection, the rea- tude to Hashem for the accomplishments son for gratitude can attributed to the of their children and simchas ha’chaim exceptional programs and facilities that they exhibited at this event. have clearly enhanced and advanced the

Hudson Valley National Foundation presenting a donation to Hatzalah of the Rockaways and Nassau County in appreciation of their efforts during Hurricane Sandy. Pictured here: Lynn Bagliebter, SVP of HVB; Rabbi Elozer Kanner, Hatzalah Coordinator; Israel Melnicke, Paramedic

Mesivta Yam Hatorah’s Chanuka Mesibah

This past week, Mesivta Yam Hatorah had their annual Chanukah mesibah. The event began with a powerful speech from the Menahel Rabbi Eli Zoldan. He spoke about how the dedication and commitment to Torah that was exhibited during the times of Chanukah, specifically in regards to the story of Chana and her seven sons, must serve as inspiration to us through the ages. Following the speech, the students tested their skills in the dreidel contest. After the dust settled and Chezky Steiner was declared the winner in the upside dreidel contest, the students then enjoyed a beautiful lunch with inspiring

divrei Torah and dancing. The highlight of the program was the award ceremony for those students who excelled in their studies in the first quarter. Students who averaged a 90 or above for either limudei kodesh or secular studies received a special award recognizing their accomplishments. The Chanukah mesibah came to a close as each shiur presented a song they composed regarding Chanukah at the “Shiur against Shiur” song competition. Deciding a winner was very difficult, but in the end it was Rabbi Pollak’s shiur who came out on top and won the lunch out to Carlos and Gabby’s.

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Parents Wowed by Gesher’s Chanukah Celebration “Amazing.” “Great.” “Incredible.” These are just some of the comments that were overheard at the Gesher Early Childhood Center Chanukah parent participation day. What a treat it was for the children to have their parents join them in school. And what a treat for the parents who had the opportunity to experience a day in the Gesher classroom True to form, the Gesher teachers and staff members meticulously planned every detail. And, true to form, the activities and projects were a showcase of the multi-dimensional program that Gesher is known for. The nursery and kindergarten-aged children and parents had several workshops. They prepared and baked Chanukah cookies, decorated menorahs, and created a Chanukah themed crown. The flame-shaped crowns were worn during the Chanukah Mommy and Me sing along. The parents were awed by the amount of creativity that was gen-

erated by the caring atmosphere in the classroom. They were also impressed with the natural flow of interaction and encouragement that creates such a productive environment. The Pre-1A children and parents also prepared their own Chanukah projects including a handmade dreidel picture frame, Chanukah sand art, and cookie decorating and baking. But Chanukah

didn’t come as a surprise at Gesher. Learning and preparing for Chanukah had been going on for some time. Earlier in the week, the Pre-1A children had acted out the story of Chanukah as a multi-sensory way to understand the ideas. The parents were in for a treat, as the video of that role-play activity was played. They were in for a second treat when the video of the chil-

dren acting out the wedding of Yaakov and Rachel from several weeks earlier was also shown. The parents and the several grandparents who attended the event were overwhelmingly impressed. It is a wonderful feeling to see that their children’s emotional, social, and academic growth is being nurtured in such a comprehensive and loving way.

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Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe Students Bring Joy to the Residents of the Atria with Song The 4th grade in Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe accomplished a lot on Chanukah. They wrote Chanukah poems. They practiced their poems along with Cha-

nukah songs to sing at the Atria assisted living facility. On Thursday afternoon, the boys made a tremendous kiddush Hashem as they walked in a refined

The Touro College Graduate School of Jewish Studies invited author and historian Monty Noam Penkower to discuss his new book, “The Swastika’s Darkening Shadow.” While many are familiar with the events that took place during the Holocaust itself, much less is known about the lives and responses of European Jews in the years between Adolph Hitler’s rise to power and the start of World War II. Using a wide variety of sources, including newspapers, diaries, diplomatic correspondence and organizational reports, Penkower painted a picture of European Jews going about their daily lives while trying to

get the word out about the growing anti-Semitism that ultimately led to their doom. Penkower is a professor emeritus of Jewish history at the Machon Lander Graduate School of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and a former professor of history at Touro. His other books include “The Jews Were Expendable: Free World Diplomacy and the Holocaust,” “The Emergence of Zionist Thought,” “The Holocaust and Israel Reborn: From Catastrophe to Sovereignty” and “Twentieth Century Jews: Forging Identity in the Land of Promise and in the Promised Land.”

who lives in the Atria is a former YTM principal and was shepping nachas. Others asked if the boys can come again to visit. Good job boys!

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Touro Hosts Author Monty Noam Penkower

manner to the Atria. Additionally, the residents and staff were truly impressed by the way the boys performed and interacted with the residents. One man

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Yeshiva Darchei Torah Dinner to be Held on December 29th Yeshiva Darchei Torah takes pride in announcing those who will be honored at its 41st Anniversary Dinner to be held on Sunday Evening, December 29, at the Yeshiva campus in Far Rockaway. Mr. & Mrs. Menachem Marx Guests of Honor Over the course of a warm 15-year relationship with Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Menachem and Gila Marx have taken the concept of loyalty and devotion to unprecedented heights. The proud parents of four sons who are either alumni of the Yeshiva or presently students, the Marxes have written a unique page in the Yeshiva’s history through their unparalleled generosity and support. An active member of the Yeshiva’s Board of Directors as well as other communal organizations and a major donor to all Yeshiva campaigns, Mr. Marx played a critical role in the construction of the Yeshiva’s beautiful new complex. “Menachem was instrumental in a creative fundraising venture that marshaled a sizable portion of the resources needed to bring the dream to fruition,” relates Lloyd Keilson, co-chairman of the Yeshiva’s Board of Trustees. “In addition, he was actively engaged on the ground, involving himself almost daily in the actual construction, from selecting a leading architectural firm to helping define the Yeshiva’s needs and translate them into appropriate plans to helping arrange the necessary financing.” “The new complex would not exist

if not for Menachem Marx,” attests Yeshiva President Ronald Lowinger. “His passion and his devotion to the Yeshiva are extraordinary.” Mr. Marx, in turn, is outspoken in his praise of the Yeshiva as a “shining example of how chinuch can be instilled in our children with a special warmth that captures the neshama of each child.” “The Yeshiva is known for its talent for developing each student to his full potential,” he explains, “never calling for a one-size-fits-all approach in education. Its reputation for inclusiveness, for embracing each and every student, is what first drew us to this neighborhood 15 years ago.” Mr. Marx attributes the amazing growth of Yeshiva Darchei Torah to the spiritual and educational leadership of Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva, “whose clarity of purpose and unrelenting drive continue to fulfill the needs of each one of our children.” Behind the scenes, Gila, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, is an enthusiastic partner in every project her husband undertakes. Still in all, Mrs. Shifri Perl, a neighbor and one of Mrs. Marx’s closest friends, testifies that “she puts her family first.” She adds that Mrs. Marx “is phenomenal. Gila is a great friend, always there to help. She is a tremendous baalas chesed and a very giving person. She would do anything for anybody.” Menachem pays tribute to his own parents, Mr. Robert and Frances Marx, and to his wife’s parents, Rabbi Moshe and Judie Weinbach, for passing down to

their children a legacy of love and dedication for mosdos haTorah and Torah causes. Both families collectively take pride in having children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren learning in the Yeshiva. “There’s huge nachas in seeing this extended family all following the same path,” says Menachem. “The beautiful hemshech hadoros, the continuity of Jewish generations, is a true blessing in our lives. YDT has a major role in this and we’re very grateful.” The Marxes, who avoid the limelight and have never before agreed to be honored by any mosad or organization, said they felt so much hakoras hatov to Rav Bender that they could not refuse his invitation to be the Guests of Honor at this year’s dinner. “I call on every one of my friends and associates to express their thanks to Rabbi Bender for his untiring efforts in building Yeshiva Darchei Torah and enabling it to flourish,” Mr. Marx says. “The Yeshiva enriches all of us. Let us all take the opportunity at the upcoming dinner to support this wonderful makom Torah as generously as possible.” Rabbi and Mrs. Eytan Feiner Harbotzas Torah Award Yeshiva Darchei Torah takes great pride in honoring Rav and Mrs. Eytan Feiner, beloved rav and rebbetzin of Far Rockaway’s Congregation Kneseth Israel (The White Shul) with the Harbotzas Torah Award. In just a few years since moving from Israel to Far Rockaway to become rav of the shul, Rabbi Feiner and his rebbetzin have made an extraordinary mark on the community. The Rav came to his new post with a rich background in Torah study and teaching, having served for years as a maggid shiur and senior lecturer at Aish HaTorah, while also teaching at numerous other yeshivos and seminaries. His new role as rav tapped an extraordinary wellspring of inspired leadership in the Feiners. Pouring their energies into strengthening the legendary shul, the rav and his rebbetzin helped expand it into a thriving institution with a growing membership. “They energized the entire community; they brought about an amazing resur-

gence,” comments Alex Edelman, one of the White Shul’s leading members. “Rabbi Feiner’s shiurim are a magnet. He’s certainly raised the level of learning in this community.” “People are attracted, first, by the rav’s brilliance and his grasp of the interconnectivity between Torah learning and living,” says Dr. Eli Shapiro, one of the shul’s mispallelim. “But what keeps people after the initial attraction is his genuine regard and empathy for others.” “It’s all in his smile that warms people’s hearts,” observes Naftali Solomon, another shul member, adding that “Rabbi Feiner has a special sensitivity that enables him to relate to each person on his own level.” While the shul and its membership keep the Feiners very busy, the rav, a sought-after speaker, lectures throughout the tri-state area at various shuls, yeshivos and seminaries, as well as for numerous kiruv and chessed organizations. In the summer, he serves as rav of Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha in upstate New York. In addition to her active involvement as the shul rebbetzin, Mrs. Aviva Feiner is the beloved menaheles of Machon Basya Rochel Seminary in Lawrence, New York. Now in its fourth year, the seminary, founded in memory of Alex’s mother, Mrs. Basya Rochel Edelman a”h, also caters to seminary graduates returning from Israel who are eager continue their studies. “Rebbetzin Feiner is an outstanding mechaneches,” says Mr. Edelman, who sponsored the purchase of the seminary building and brought Mrs. Feiner aboard to lead the institution. “She’s bright and talented, understands her students and is a wonderful role model.” Despite her demanding schedule, Mrs. Feiner still finds the time to lecture locally and throughout the state, in addition to writing monthly inspirational pieces for Mishpacha magazine. The Feiners have a special bond with Yeshiva Darchei Torah that began when their special-needs son, Avraham Yeshaya, was enrolled as a preschooler a few years ago. “Shaya is a very special young man with a most heilege neshama,” Mrs.

Rabbi and Mrs. Avrohom Nusbaum Excellence in Chinuch Award Rav and Mrs. Avrohom Nusbaum have been immersed in the world of chinuch their entire lives. Rav Nusbaum is a son of Rav Nosson Nusbaum, a veteran maggid shiur at Yeshivas Ner Yisrael of Baltimore. Mrs. Tamar Nusbaum is a daughter of Reb Yisroel Bloom, a”h, the legendary founder of Yeshiva Darchei Torah. Together, the Nusbaums have built a distinguished mishpacha, while spending a large portion of their time devoted to chinuch. Rav Nusbaum serves as a 10th grade maggid shiur in Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, a position he has held since the 10th grade was first created in 1996. It was the second year of the Mesivta’s existence, and Rav Nusbaum taught both parallel classes – one in the morning and one for bekius seder in the early afternoon. Hundreds of talmidim have benefited from his unique brand of chinuch, which was forged between the walls of the Philadelphia Yeshiva, Yeshivas Brisk and Beth Medrash Govoha, where he learned, and at Mesivta Keser Torah of Belmar, New

Jersey, where he taught prior to Mesivta Chaim Shlomo. With the explosive growth of the Mesivta, its menahel, Rav Zevi Trenk, sought the assistance of another menahel who would work alongside him and share the leadership role. He found a fitting partner in Rav Nusbaum, who, despite his additional responsibilities, continued to devote himself to his tenth grade talmidim with the same energy and care as before. The difference was that now the entire Mesivta would benefit from Rav Nusbaum’s daily involvement. In regard to his goals in chinuch, Rav Nusbaum describes them as “to be able to bring out the best in every bachur. I want to do what’s right for each bachur. In class I have one type of goal, to help develop a geshmak in learning. As for the yeshiva as a whole, I want them all to grow into b’nei Torah – each one [in a manner] that is fitting for himself. ‘Globally’ I seek to help keep the Yeshiva running in the best possible way, in making it the best that it can be for the talmidim.” Rav Nusbaum reflects on the development of the Yeshiva that he has witnessed and, indeed, been an integral part of. “The growth is beyond anything I expected both in kamus (quantity) and eychus (quality),” he says. “It started as a fledgling yeshiva and is now the largest litvishe mesivta in the United States. It is a serious makom Torah, and the boys know what we stand for. Yes, we have a variation of levels, but our mission is clear: to develop b’nei Torah.” Mrs. Nusbaum is a Chumash coordinator for COJDS, the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. In that capacity, she develops Chumash curricula and related materials for the lower elementary grades of 90 yeshivos and day schools across America. For more than two decades she taught in local mosdos: the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, Torah Academy for Girls and Shulamith School for Girls. “Rav Nusbaum is a talmid chacham muflag,” declares Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva. “He has raised the ramah (level) of

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Mesivta Chaim Shlomo over the years and he succeeds in pushing the boys to work hard and enjoy their learning. He is the glue that keeps the place together. “Who better to honor than Reb Avrohom and his eishes chayil, who are enhancing the chinuch in this yeshiva – and indeed the greater chinuch world – on a constant basis?”

On a June afternoon in 1999, they gathered in the cavernous beis hamedrash with the soaring, arched windows, celebrating a milestone: their gradua-

After graduation, each talmid followed his own path. For many, they remained in place to help establish another, new institution: Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid, devoted to full-time Torah scholarship. For others, a 6,000-mile journey to the great yeshivos of Eretz Yisrael was their next step. What each talmid had in common was that he left the Mesivta equipped with a chinuch that had prepared him for life: a Darchei Torah chinuch. Nearly fifteen years later, the Yeshiva has grown by leaps and bounds; the Beis Medrash has spawned a Kollel and the Mesivta has developed into a worldclass, magnet institution. The Yeshiva has experienced growth in both quality and quantity. And the pioneers? Those

tion from Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, the Maurice and Edith Lowinger Mesivta High School. Four years earlier, these 40 talmidim formed the inaugural class of the Mesivta, when Yeshiva Darchei Torah, founded in 1972 as an elementary school, had launched this grand experiment: to establish a yeshiva that would adhere faithfully to the millennia-old mesorah, that would build a robust General Studies program and that would continue the unique foundational philosophy for which Darchei Torah was gaining renown: that an inclusive yeshiva can succeed – that brilliant bachurim could grow and learn alongside their motivated but weaker peers and that all would gain from the arrangement. Four years later, the experiment had worked. Thanks to the seriousness and effort that those pioneers invested in their learning; guided by their loving parents and distinguished rabbeim and teachers; in a building dedicated by the Yeshiva’s visionary president, Mr. Ronald Lowinger, who ensured that a proper structure would be erected to house this promising makom Torah; Mesivta Chaim Shlomo had come of age.

graduates, who not only survived the experiment called Mesivta Chaim Shlomo but thrived – where are they? Many are married with children today; some are in Kollel or teaching students of their own, others are practicing law or medicine or engaged in business pursuits. And they are everywhere: in locales such as Lakewood and Florida, Illinois and Yerushalayim – and Far Rockaway and the Five Towns. Several have entrusted their own children’s chinuch to Yeshiva Darchei Torah, the very same venue where they were prepared for life. Come December 29th, they will gather again in the very same beis hamedrash with the soaring, arched windows, as the Yeshiva that is their alma mater salutes them and recognizes their 15 years of accomplishments. These talmidim took a foundation of chinuch and expanded on it, building families, careers and lives that are tributes to their parents, their rabbeim and the Yeshiva that they believed in and believed in them. Most of all, what they have achieved serves as a tribute to their own perseverance and hard work, their own commitment to take the chinuch that prepared them for life and make something worthy of it.

The Pioneer Class of Mesivta Chaim Shlomo Celebrating 15 Years of Accomplishment

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Feiner says. “He loves everything that revolves around Torah and mitzvos. Imagine our pain when he turned three, and we realized that there was no appropriate schooling for him in our area that would provide a Yiddishe environment.” Their dilemma was resolved when Rabbi Bender invited them to send Shaya to the Yeshiva, assuring them he would be warmly welcomed and his special needs would be accommodated in full measure. “This was no small undertaking,” says Rabbi Feiner. “Shaya is wheelchair-bound and is under constant nursing and therapeutic care. But nothing deterred Rabbi Bender. In his dream to feed the thirsty neshama of this child, he tackled every obstacle, putting all the school’s resources at our disposal.” “The way Rabbi Bender embraced Shaya and the challenge of integrating him into the school set the tone for his entire wonderful staff and for the students as well. Everyone is Shaya’s friend. That is the unparalleled beauty and kedusha of the Darchei Torah chinuch.” The Yeshiva welcomes the opportunity to honor the Feiners as exceptional marbitzei Torah, inspiring role models and pillars of the community.

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MAY Chanukah Mesiba Mesivta Ateres Yaakov held its annual yeshiva-wide Chanuka Mesiba – an event that combined limud haTorah with exciting, fun and enjoyable ruach-filled, student-centered activities – on Zos Chanukah, the last day of Yom Tov. As usual, the schoolJunior Akiva Katz wide mesiba is addressing his peers in addition to the individual class mesibos hosted by individual Rabbeim for their classes throughout Chanukah. Following a morning of learning, the yeshiva’s nearly 200 talmidim came together for a special buffet lunch (consisting of a variety of fried and oily delicacies) and inspiring Chanukah divrei Torah by junior Akiva Katz, and Yeshiva Gedolah Ra”m, Rabbi Yisroel Gold.

Talmidim then eagerly competed with each other – grade versus grade – in an intense, entertaining and challenging game of “Wheel of Chanukah” hosted by Rabbi Shlomo Drebin, Director of Student Activities, and Rabbi Yossi Bennett, Assistant Menahel. The competition challenged the talmidim’s knowledge in various areas of Chanukah. The enthusiasm was palpable and tension rose as freshmen and sophomores challenged the older juniors and

seniors. When the dust settled, the eleventh grade emerged victorious and, as a reward, will enjoy a free breakfast during the school’s upcoming annual mid-winter ski trip. However, the excitement and fun was only just beginning! What ensued was an “electrifying’”event. The live musical entertainment drew the crowd onto the dance floor and talmidim and Rebbeim broke out into spirited and leibudik dancing. Eventually, the walls

were shaking and the tables and chairs rattling, as talmidim embraced the ruchniyus of the yom tov as it was coming to a close. “Our talmidim learn and work hard,” commented the Menahel, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, “but ruach-filled events such as these are important to building a well-rounded ben Torah, and they energize us all to redouble our efforts.”

Talmidim engaged in Wheel of Chanukah

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Harvey Kaylie of Great Neck Honored at Yeshiva University’s 89th Annual Hanukkah Convocation Acclaimed journalist and New York Times columnist David Brooks delivered the keynote address at Yeshiva University’s 89th Annual Hanukkah Convocation and Dinner on Sunday, December 8 at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City. YU President Richard M. Joel bestowed an honorary doctorate upon Brooks, calling him “a noble exemplar of what we hope our students will become” and drawing on the words of American poet Robert Frost to praise the morality in Brooks’ writing: “In a world which has moved inexorably down a path paved with hyperbole, cynicism and categorical one-dimensionality, you have mustered the courage and integrity to take the road less traveled.” “How fitting it is to host you tonight at this annual assembly honoring Yeshiva University and the value which it adds to the world,” added President Joel. “Ultimately, the mandate of Yeshiva University boils down to this belief: our responsibility is to partner with G-d, not in retreating from but engaging with the wide world around us, forever informed by the eternal values of our tradition. That, too, is a road less traveled by, a road which necessitates patience, sensitivity and bravery.” President Joel also conferred honorary degrees upon Jack A. Belz of Mem-

L to R, first row, William Zabel, President Joel, David Brooks, Henry Kressel. Sitting L to R, Jack Belz, Susan Horvitz, and Harvey Kaylie

phis, TN, chairman and CEO of Belz Enterprises and a Benefactor and Trustee of YU; Harvey Kaylie of Great Neck, NY, founder, president and CEO of Mini-Circuits International and a YU Benefactor; and William Zabel of Manhattan, founding partner of Schulte, Roth & Zabel and head of the Individual Client Services Group. In addition to the honorary degree recipients, President Joel bestowed the Presidential Medallion on Dr. Susan B. Horvitz of Larchmont, NY, who is the Rose Falkenstein Professor of Cancer Research and co-chair of molecular pharmacology at YU’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine and whose pioneering cancer research has touched the lives

of thousands of people with cancer who receive taxol as a component of first-line chemotherapy to treat breast, lung and ovarian cancer. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science, a fellow of the National Foundation for Cancer Research, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine. During the dinner portion, President Joel also recognized eight Points of Light—students, faculty and alumni who embody the mission of Yeshiva University—calling each one up to light a symbolic candle on the menorah. They included Nicole Schreiber-Agus, assistant professor of molecular genetics at Einstein and program

director of YU’s Program for Jewish Genetic Health; Mark Weingarten, a Yeshiva College premed major who founded Music Vs., a student club that performs music for the elderly, veterans and sick children in hospitals and has expanded to other universities throughout the country; Rebecca Yoshor, the first Stern College for Women student-athlete to receive Academic All-America honors, which goes to students with an outstanding combination of scholastic and athletic achievements; and Adam Moisa, a freshman in the Business Honors and Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Sy Syms School of Business whose startup, Cloudifyd, aggregates cloud

David Brooks delivers the keynote address

storage services and renovates the way information is viewed and displayed. Additional Points of Light were Shmuel Legesse, a doctoral candidate at YU’s Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education and Administration hoping to build a school that will help Ethiopian Jewish teens integrate their cultural and Jewish backgrounds and prepare them to succeed in modern Israeli society; Savyon Lang, a hard-of-hearing graduate of YU’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work who plans to improve her sign language and earn her Licensed Clinical Social Worker certificate so she can open up her own practice to service the deaf and hard-of-hearing populations; Dr. Ariel Fishman, director of institutional research in the Office of the Provost at YU and assistant professor of management at the Sy Syms School of Business, who became an active volunteer spokesman for the New York Blood Center and a motivational speak after surviving a horrific car accident; and Brittany Brown, an alumna of YU’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, a Cardozo Immigration Justice Fellow at the Brooklyn Defender Services and a member of the newly-formed New York Immigration Defenders Team. The convocation and dinner, which serves as the University’s main annual fundraising event, raised more than $3.5 million.

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November in DRS This tremendous chessed will help save many lives, and special thanks goes to Seniors Avi Genachowski, Eli Goldberg, Yitzchak Ben-Ami, and Sammy Rauch for organizing the entire program

and schedule. November was also “gratitude month” as part of DRS’s “positive project” – a program geared to raise awareness of various different middot and qualities that we want our students

to emulate. In a unique program geared towards the freshmen, students were asked to call, text, or email those people in their lives who they wished to express a special sense of hakarat hatov towards. As Chanukah approached in DRS, the students got excited for the traditional DRS Chanukah Chagiga and Chinese Auction – only to be surprised by Color War Breakout! During the third annual DRS Color War, the team themes were Nes and Tevah - focusing on both the great miracles and natural events in our lives orchestrated by Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Color War gave students the chance to express their talents in song, stomp, art, sports, comedy, and music competitions. Students were also invited to their Rabbeim’s houses for Chanukah parties and an opportunity to bond with their friends and rabbeim – with latkes and doughnuts, of course!

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A lot has been going on in DRS this past month. The month began with the annual DRS Blood Drive through which the students of DRS managed to donate over 80 pints of blood this year.

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The Bobover Rebbe, Rav Mordechai Duvid Unger shlita, visited the Yeshiva Ketana of Queens on Zois Chanukah. The Rebbe said divrei Torah and handed out Chanukah gelt to all the talmidim.

Rambam Trip to Aviator Surprise! After watching a video featuring a lone Israeli pilot being surrounded by 11 Egyptian MIG fighter planes and successfully shooting them all down, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh Mesivta of Rambam, pointed out that it highlighted the theme of Chanukah as one pilot took on an entire team of enemy pilots and emerged victorious. “This video exemplifies the idea of Chanukah of rabim b’yad miatim.” He also said it was a hint of things to come...a surprise trip to Aviator sports complex on Chanukah! The next day following Shacharis and a full morning seder, the student body gathered in the shul after lunch for Mincha. There was one more surprise in store before boarding the busses: Recognizing excellence. Rabbi Friedman and Assistant Principal Mr. Hillel Goldman awarded plaques to juniors Hudi Rosenfeld and Shlomo Sandler in recognition of their leadership in running the Chesed Committee. Hudi and Shlomo recently spearheaded a Can Drive, a Tzedakeh Chinese Auction, and the school’s Chai Lifeline Toy Drive. Sam Cohen, Akiva Hochbaum, and Tzvi Strauss, all seniors, along with sophomore Evan Edelstein earned School Service Plaques as members of the school’s Masmidim Program

who both learn and actively help facilitate the learning of the whole program. Freshman Ariel Blumstein and sophomores Jacob Roffe and Yakov Weinberger were all recognized as masmidim of the semester. All of the awardees were showered with applause from the other students and then a fun-filled afternoon of sports

ranging from ice-skating to Frisbee to Flagfootball was full-on. The football fields, full court basketball courts, and the great indoor soccer arena were used to their fullest extent. Everyone had an amazing time and the night concluded with Maariv back at the school and Snapple and Dunkin Donuts for everyone. Chanukah at

Rambam included a chagiga, a chesed Chinese Auction, a trip to Aviator, an opportunity to strengthen the Rebbe/ Talmid kesher, and a chance to recognize the greatness of the past and apply it to the present in the pursuit of chesed and achdus.

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SKA Goes on a Chanukah Mystery Trip those who needed a break, there were games set up on tables around the rink. It was a really wonderful way for all the classes to bond with each other and their teachers in a very different setting. A delicious pizza lunch was provided to faculty and students by the SKA Parent Council. On the return home, the girls were greeted by joyous music provided by Gary Wallin and went straight into the auditorium to dance with fellow students and faculty at a Chanukah chagiga. Circles and circles of dancing girls filled the room – it was a perfect way to celebrate the last night of candle lighting!

MAY Father-Son Breakfast

Rabbi Jonathan Rietti addresses the crowd

Ateres Yaakov held their annual Thanksgiving Day Father-Son Breakfast this year on the first day of Chanukah. Always an enjoyable event, fathers joined their sons at the yeshiva for a morning of growth in ruchniyus and gashmiyus. The morning began with a warm, yeshiva Shacharis followed by a lavish, catered breakfast. To begin the program, the Menahel, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, addressed the over 400 fathers and sons in attendance. He introduced Yechiel Kirschner, a senior representing the Mesivta student body, to deliver divrei Torah. Yechiel addressed the similarities between the yom tov of Chanukah and the national holiday of Thanksgiving. The program also featured Yehuda Yaffe, a talmid in the Yeshiva Gedolah, who spoke about the middah of hoda’ah – thanks – so clearly epitomized by our

Senior Yechiel Kirschner addressing those assembled

Shulamith’s Chesed Program Brings Joy to Local Seniors

avos and imahos. As part of the chesed program in Following the talmid’s divrei Torah, Shulamith Middle Division, a group of the Mesivta’s annual Fall Essay Contest sixth graders recently visited the Jewwinners were announced, with excerpts being read from the four 1st place essays. Awards and prize money were distributed by Rabbi Yossi Bennett, Assistant Menahel/Assistant Principal. The highlight of the breakfast was a return visit from Rabbi Jonathan Rietti who astounded the audience with a masterful shiur on teaching by example. Rabbi Rietti intertwined his vast Torah knowledge with his English humor and wit and kept the crowd enthralled from beginning to end. The program concluded with the student government raffle of various prizes, including an 18-speed bicycle, an iPad mini, various sports tickets and some very happy winners.

ish Community Center in Cedarhurst. Eleora Fine, Rachelle Gelbtuch, Ariella Levin, and Shira Zelefsky enjoyed interacting with the seniors and helping out. A week later, on Chanukah, the entire sixth grade had the opportunity to visit the Long Island Living Center in Far Rockaway. They sang for the seniors, spent time talking with them, and made each of them feel special. The students and seniors very much enjoyed spending some holiday time together.

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Men, women and children from throughout the Five Towns community participated in a seventh night of Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony held at Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst. The event was co-sponsored by Gourmet Glatt and Chabad of the Five Towns. Pictured (left to right): Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, Chabad of the Five Towns; Mayor Andrew J. Parise, Cedarhurst; and Gourmet Glatt manager Yoeli Steinberg and his grandson, Shalom Gutman.

After a very melodic Rosh Chodesh and Chanukah davening, the bell at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls rang for second period on Wednesday, December 4. A few minutes later, the students heard Mrs. Spirn’s announcement over the loudspeaker. “Get your coats on, girls. We’re going on a mystery bus ride!” This was a great way to celebrate Chanukah in a fun-filled and “surprising” manner; there was so much excitement in the air! The mystery location? The Parkwood Sports Complex in Great Neck where all the grades enthusiastically enjoyed a morning of ice skating! For

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Woodmere Resident Showcases His Award-Winning Photographs in Local Exhibit The Peninsula Public Library on Central Ave in Lawrence is presently

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hosting a photography exhibit of images taken by Simeon Hook of Woodmere, NY. The exhibit consists of 25 photographs and is titled “Around the World.”

Recently retired, Simeon is devoting much of his time pursuing his lifelong passion for photography. He has traveled extensively in the United States and has visited more than 25 countries. While he is interested in all types of subject matter, his background in architecture (B.Arch.) and City and Regional Planning (Ms. and PhD) coupled with his travel have predisposed him to “travel photography” with an emphasis on architecture and

Rebbe/Talmid Kesher at Rambam The sounds of divrei Torah and singing enhanced the delicious atmosphere in Hapina as Rabbi Aryeh Young, along with his 11th Grade Gemara Iyun shiur, were celebrating Chanukah. With a menu consisting of noodle soup and choice of shwarma, schnitzel or burger, the talmidim and their Rebbe had food for the body along with the food for the soul. Rabbi Young also recently had his whole shiur over for a West Hempstead Shabbaton and a Motzei Shabbos trip to an “Ultimate Gaga Tournament Complex” where the boys competed in adult-sized Gaga rinks and

took the childhood sport to a whole new level. At Rambam Mesivta, the Rebbe/ Talmid kesher is a natural by-product of the learning accomplished in shiur. The genuine way in which the Rebbeim interact with the talmidim through challenging shiurim and thought-provoking discussions and the manner in which they go out of their way to make sure they engage and connect with their talmidim in different ways and venues creates an unaffected, real kesher built on a love of learning, shared values, and a desire to grow.

landscape. The photos in the exhibit, many of which are award-winning, have been displayed in other galleries and

exhibits and represent a sample of more than ten thousand images in his files.

TAG Fathers and Daughters Bond at Father-Daughter Event Hundreds of fathers and their little girls turned out for an exciting evening at Torah Academy for Girls’ Father-Daughter Event that took place on Motzaei Shabbos, December 7. Bursting with excitement, our Pre1A girls and first graders led their fathers into our brightly decorated red and white carnival-themed event, where they had a great time at more than ten carnival booths. TAG fathers and their daughters were treated to pizza, cookies, fresh popcorn, and soda. The girls bounced around in two moonwalks and enjoyed having their faces painted. Every girl left our carnival with great memories, a smile on her face, and a goldfish as a door prize! It was a great opportunity for the fathers and daughters to spend some quality time together.

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Yeshiva of Far Rockaway alumni attending a Melava Malka with Menahel Rabbi Aaron Brafman in Eretz Yisroel on the sixth night of Chanukah

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OHEL’S Foster Care Chanukah Party Brings Warmth and Joy to Many Children

Photos by Tsemach Glenn

At the Khal Machzikei Torah first Annual Dinner held on Motzei Shabbos

On the 8th night of Chanukah, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services hosted their annual Chanukah party for foster families. This event is much anticipated every year by the foster children and their foster siblings, the biological children of their foster parents. The guests included OHEL foster care staff and their families. Whether typically functioning or with special needs, all the children and adults enjoyed a joyous evening of good food, musical entertainment, singing, dancing and general celebration. Many people pitched in to make the party a success, including the staff of OHEL’s Foster Care department, staff children and grandchildren and volunteers. One of the main attractions of the party was the Parrot Rebbe, who brought along many of his exotic pet birds which the guests got to carry on their shoulders after the show! Entertainment was sponsored by OHEL’s Simcha Fund, and the party truly was a simcha, with children and families from every part of the Jewish spectrum and every level of ability, celebrating together. The mood was infec-

tious, with all children present, no matter what their status, laughing together and together, cheering on the parrots. Batsheva Berger and Shulamit Marcus of OHEL’s Foster Care Homefinding Department, who arrange this wonderful event yearly, summed it up well. “Everyone was enjoying themselves together, with one common thread that binds them – their willingness to open their hearts and homes to a foster child.” Everyone was celebrating Chanukah together, and because of OHEL, all of these children, regardless of where they may have come from, have a place to call home. If you have ever considered becoming an OHEL foster parent and would like more information, please call Shulamit Marcus at 718-851-6300.

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Around the

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Community

MAY Hosts Rav Zev Leff, shlita Ateres Yaakov had the unique zechus of hosting HaRav Zev Leff, shlita, rav of Moshav Matisyahu and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Gedolah Matisyahu in preparation for the yom tov of Chanukah. Both the Mesivta talmidim and the Yeshiva Gedolah bochurim filled the expansive Bais Medrash to listen to the tremendous divrei Torah and divrei hisororus delivered by the Rosh HaYeshiva. Rav Leff explained, through anecdotes, mashalim and stories, why it is that we are thanking and praising Hashem on Chanukah and for what. All in attendance were enthralled from beginning to end and left going into Chanukah prepared, inspired and enthused.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Residency in Podiatry Receives Advanced Certification St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s residency program in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery recently received an advanced certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery from the Council on Podiatric Medical Education. “This means that residents of the program will receive the additional certification in that specialty. To be certified a podiatrist must demonstrate knowledge of podiatric surgery, including the diagnosis of medical problems as well as the surgical management of foot and ankle diseases and those concerning the foot, ankle, and leg,” said Arnold Hertz, DPM, Director of the Department of Podiatry and the Podiatric Surgery Residency Program at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. “We are very proud to be able to offer our doctors this additional certification,” added Dr. Hertz. St. John’s Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency is a free-standing, three-year program in podiatric medicine and surgery. The residency program training, including all rotations and surgical procedures, take place at the St. John’s campus and its affiliate Mercy Medical Center, as well as an ambulatory surgery center. The program includes practice management, billing and office rotations. The program has six positions.

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Cover Story

T H E J E W I S H H O M E n M AY 2 4 , 2012

d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

Machon Basya Rochel “A

seminary close to home that every girl can call home” is the motto for Machon Basya Rochel Seminary situated conveniently in the heart of the community at 137 Lawrence Avenue across from the Lawrence Train Station. This beautiful “home” is a warm and welcoming place for each student to develop herself. This local makom Torah is for the girl who is aspires to continue growing in her limudei kodesh studies as she leaves high school and sets out to find her specific role as a Bas Yisroel. Machon Basya Rochel holds a traditional half/full day seminary program for girls right out of high school, a Shana Bet program for girls who have been through a year of seminary, and an Adult Education Center for women of all ages. Machon Basya Rochel Seminary, dedicated in the memory of Mrs. Rose Edelman, is under the direction of the community’s beloved Rebbitzen Aviva Feiner and staffed by dynamic and dedicated mechanchos and rabbeim. Currently undergoing a successful fourth year, the seminary is now accepting applications for the upcoming fifth year.

Guided by Menaheles Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner and Mechaneches Mrs. Debra Green, Machon Baya Rochel’s tremendous growth in these short four years is attributed to the staff’s focus on each girl as an individual while developing each student’s own unique qualities with love and warmth. Rebbitzen Feiner put it so eloquently, saying, “Chazal teach us that inasmuch as faces are different, mindsets are also different. Our goal at Machon Basya Rochel is to empower each girl to realize her unique kochos as a Bas Yisroel and to develop into a young woman who is proud of her position in Klal Yisroel.” The staff at Machon Basya Rochel mirrors these same chinuch mindset as described by Rebbitzen Feiner. The staff inspires their students with their shiurim, and moreover, just by being who they are. “It is fortunate for us that some of our most talented rabbeim and moros that live in the area. Each one can present our students with their own lives as models, a perspective on being unique ovdei Hashem. Their dynamism combined with their extensive Torah knowledge keeps our students captivated!” says Mrs. Debra Green, Mechaneches In addition to Rebbitzen Feiner and Mrs. Green, faculty members include Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, Rabbi Moshe Kaufman, Rabbi Zalman Mindell, Rabbi Aaron Rapps, Mrs. Shoshana Jaeger, Mrs. Deborah Muskat,

Mrs. Ettie Lapp, Mrs. Faigy Goldman, Mrs. Yocheved Shonek, and Mrs. Chani Sprung. Alternating speakers are Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Rebbitzen Tehila Jaeger, Rebbeitzin Bryna Bender, and Rebbitzen Shlomtzei Weitz. The girls coming out of high school have a full morning schedule with an option to take afternoon classes as well. Classes are scheduled from Monday through Thursday, from 9:15 a.m., to 12:30 p.m. Morning classes include Nach, Hashkafa, and Halacha. There is a daily 15 break for girls to spend time bonding in the fully stocked breakroom. Afternoon sessions are from 1:00 p.m.- 2:50 p.m. Afternoon classes primarily focus on Hashkafa. Girls in the second year program are offered the option of attending four mornings a week, two mornings a week, or by course. In addition, Monday night courses for Shana Bet have been offered this year. Machon Basya Rochel is dedicated to the success of each student as whole, providing each with transcript upon graduation. Transcripts are accepted in Touro College and City University of New York (CUNY), as well as other universities. Students may finish their bachelor’s degree while in the seminary by participating in the Testing Training International (TTI) Program from the Young Israel Educational Program (YIEP). Machon Basya Rochel’s program just begins in the classroom, as extracurricular activities are also instituted regularly. Some of these activities include Shabatonim, two in the neighborhood and one in New Square. In addition, Rosh Chodesh events to correspond to each month’s message, noted inspirational and motivated speakers, Chanuka and Purim chagigas to name a few of the special ways the girls can bond outside of the classroom . Students are also presented workshops throughout the year that focus on the development of the seminary-age girl. The girls have the opportunity to learn from and enjoy workshops on topics such as technology, dating advice through the wisdom of Shalom Task Force, and building self-esteem. And the growth does not stop with the seminary students as Machon Basya Rochel initiated a new adult education program to reach out to all women of the community. This program, Yemei Iyun, consists of topics regarding the upcoming yomim tovim or other relevant subjects. There is an array of classes being taught on Wednesday mornings presenting Mrs. Debbie Greenblatt, who is teaching Ohel Rochel; Mrs. Vivienne

Frank, continuing her course on Malachim; and Rebbitzen Feiner, who is teaching Birkas HaMazon. Also, Mrs. Yocheved Shonek, noted lecturer, kallah teacher, and seminary faculty member, is giving a new parenting workshop on Tuesday mornings. In conjunction with the Tiferes Program, a division of the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, the seminary hosts a DVD presentation of noted and inspirational speakers on a variety of topics for women monthly. Some of the speakers have included Rabbi Chaim Shapiro, Rabbi Zev Leff, Rabbi Tuvia Lieff, Rabbi Y.Y. Rubenstein, and Mrs. Shifra Rabenstein. These programs are open to women of the community. The inspiration and growth that takes place at Machon Basya Rochel is nothing less than extraordinary. “A seminary close to home that every girl can call home” is the motto for a reason. It is a place open to be a conduit for a women’s growth as a Bas Yisrael way past leaving the walls of the beautiful building as a seminary student. This is the place for the girl yearning to grow who is not planning to be in Israel for her seminary year. Machon Basya Rochel has grown into a

seminary with students from all over, from local homes, to Monsey and Lakewood, and even to Dallas and Toronto. For your convenience, there is an option of free transportation to and from Brooklyn. Those who join in the seminary’s early bird registration by March 1st will receive a tuition discount. A special open house in the area will take place in Far Rockaway on Tuesday, December 17 at 8:00 - 9:30 p.m., at the home of Mrs. Mousha Kaplan, 1200 Beach 9th Street. For further information about the seminary or about enrollment, please call 516-362-5000, or e-mail info@mbrseminary.org.

The Jewish Home n d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

The Jew e r 2142,, 2012 2013 T HiEs h J EHWoImSeH nH O Md eE cne mMbAY

74 78

You Gotta be

Riddle!

Kidding!

Patient: Doctor, I think I need glasses. Teller: You certainly do! This is a bank. * * * Doctor: You’re in good health. You’ll live to be eighty. Patient: But, doctor, I am 80 right now. Doctor: See, what did I tell you? * * * Doctor: Your tonsils gotta come out. Patient: I wanna second opinion. Doctor: Okay, you’re funny-looking, too. * * * Patient: My hair keeps falling out. What can you give me to keep it in? Doctor: A shoebox. * * * Patient: My left eye hurts whenever I drink a cup of coffee. What should I do? Doctor: Take the spoon out. * * * Patient: Doctor, if I give up staying up late, eating massive meals and never exercising, will I live longer? Doctor: Not really. It will just seem longer. * * * Patient: Doctor, you must help me. I’m under such a lot of stress. I keep losing my temper with people. Doctor: Tell me about your problem. Patient: I just did, didn’t I, you fool?!

A magician was boasting one day at how long he could hold his breath under water. His record was 6 minutes. A kid said, “That’s nothing, I can stay under water for 10 minutes using no types of equipment or air pockets!” The magician told the kid if he could do that, he’d give him $10,000. The kid did it and won the money. Can you figure out how? L

G OT FU N N Y?

Answer on next page

Comm et the ission er dec Send your s tuff

ide

o fivetow centerfold@ nsjewis hhome. com

By the Numbers 30 minutes - Time it takes the human body to give of enough heat to bring a half gallon of water to a boil

3 to 7 year - The lifespan of an average human hair 1 in 12 - Percentage of men that are color blind 40 pounds - Approximate amount of dust that a person inhales in their lifetime

70% - Amount of body that is water 100 mph - Speed that air rushes through your nose when you sneeze

150 - Days an eyelash lives before it falls out 20,000 - Approximate amount of times a day that the average person blinks

50,000 - Amount of scents that the brain can remember 100,000 miles - Approximate length if all of the blood vessel out of an average sized adult were laid out in a line

500,000 - Amount of sweat glands in your feet (that explains some things, does it not?)

1,000,000 - Amount of filters on each kidney 7,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 Approximate amount of atoms which make up the human body

2.6 million light years from earth Distance between earth and the Andromeda galaxy, which is the farthest object visible with the naked eye

75 The Jew H oI SmHe HnO MdE enc eMmAY b e r2 41, 22012 , 2013 T H iEsJhE W

Everything December Down

1. Propels the U.S. into WWII.

2. These brothers finally get it right in 1903 and take off.

4 5

4. Every worker hopes for one this month.

6. Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book about weather predictions, humor, proverbs etc.

8. Impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice. 9. Completely deaf by the time he wrote his Ninth Symphony.

10. Alcoholic beverages outlawed in the U.S.

13. First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 15. African-American woman sparks civil rights movement in Alabama when she refuses to go to the back of the bus.

Across 17

3. Many will get eaten this month. 5. Currency of European Union. 7. Tea overboard in Boston Harbor. 11. Winter begins. 12. Third span across the East River in NY City opens to traffic in 1910.

Down: 1.Pearl Harbor 2. Wright 4. Bonus 6. Poor Richards Almanac 8. Bill Clinton 9. Beethoven

10. Prohibition 13. Bill of Rights 15. Rosa Parks Across: 3. Jelly Donuts 5. Euro

14. First state to adopt the Constitution. 16. Despite his foreign last name, ______________ van Buren is the first U.S president born in the U.S. 17. This once powerful republic breaks apart on December 8, 1991.

Picture of the Week Beware of holiday shopping sales that are too good to be true

Answer to riddle: The kid filled a glass of water and held it over his head for 10 minutes.

7. Boston Tea Party 11. Winter Solstice 12. Manhattan Bridge 14. Delaware 16. Martin 17. USSR

76 d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

Rabbi's Musings [& Amusings] Rabbi Dani Staum

Warm Thoughts on a Cold Shabbos

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ne cold winter day, Rabbi Yitz- snow-covered trees, that I have a home chok Hutner zt’l was walking with heat, and a kehilla that I am part with a student towards his yeshi- of, etc. But every now and then when va, Yeshivas Chaim Berlin in Brook- an arctic wind jets through the air and lyn, when an older fellow walking by penetrates all the layers I am wearing, exclaimed, “Gitt it jolts me out of murgen; it’s kalt my thoughts and haynt (Good I remember the morning; it’s toes that used to cold today)!” be on the bottom Rabbi Hutner of my feet. nodded and reWhen walkplied, “Yah, iz ing in such kalt in der gass weather one has haynt (Yes, it’s to wonder why cold outside toG-d would see day)!” With that, fit to make it so the elderly man cold. After all, turned and continued on his way. When why make it harder for us to perform the they walked into the building a few special mitzvah of observing Shabbos? minutes later, Rabbi Hutner quipped I think the opposite is true. G-d wants humorously, “It’s a good thing that G-d to grant us as much merit and reward created weather. as possible. So at Otherwise what times He makes would people the weather chalOn a really cold talk about?” lenging for us so Shabbos as I am As Old Man that, as we strugWinter sets in, gle to perform walking and my feet it is a reminder mitzvos despite begin to numb, I try to of the words in the natural imTehillim recited pediments, we focus on the gifts I so each morning, are deserving of “He hurls his that much more often ignore. ice like crumbs; reward. As the before His cold Mishna (Avos who can stand?” 5:26) states, The truth is that all week the cold “Commensurate to the pain is the retemperatures are a difficult reality that ward!” must be contended with as we get in and That thought helps warm me (at out of our cars. However, on Shabbos least internally) during the howling of the cold becomes a genuine challenge. the most frigid winds. (Still, I hope that We all know what it’s like to bundle up G-d doesn’t see fit to give us this opporand brave the cold to walk to shul on tunity too often…) Shabbos. So for all of you who feel that you Truth be told, however, those who can benefit from additional reward and live in close proximity of their shul would like to sacrifice a bit more for don’t “enjoy” the full experience. Per- the honor of the holy Shabbos, we are sonally, my walk to shul requires me to pleased to inform you that there are a traverse a mile of hilly terrain. I know few beautiful homes in our immediate a few holy individuals who walk even vicinity that are for sale. further, but my walk is long enough for Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is the Rabbi of me. On a really cold Shabbos as I am Kehillat New Hempstead, and Guidance walking and my feet begin to numb, I Counselor/Rebbe at Yeshiva Bais Hachitry to focus on the gifts I so often ig- nuch & Ashar in Monsey, NY. He is the aunore: the ability to walk, and to feel the thor of Stam Torah and can be reached at cold air because I am not confined to a stamtorah@gmail.com. His website is www. hospital bed, that I can see the beautiful stamtorah.info.

77 Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

Playing By the Rules There are no fouls, no free throws, and what you do doesn’t matter. Doesn’t that sound like the most fun ever? Don’t you all just want to start playing it right now? Of course you DON’T! There’s absolutely no point to that game. You can’t even really call it a game. What makes basketball enjoyable is the fact that you have a set of very spe-

How much more so must we, who know so little of Torah and Yiddishkeit compared to the broad expanse of knowledge and ritual they encompass, be ready to appreciate what we’ve been given and make it our business to continually strive for improvement through study and practice. In the end, it is about winning and losing – and, more importantly, it’s about playing the game.

game I described before, that wouldn’t be much fun at all. Life needs purpose and our actions need meaning. If all we did was run around on the court doing what we wanted with no challenges, pretty soon we’d get bored because it’s so pointless. Professional athletes spend years learning, studying, practicing, and re-

In my new, improved version of basketball, you don’t even need to run because no one is chasing you or trying to get the ball. cific movements and rules, and opponents trying to keep you from reaching the goal. The fun comes from the effort invested in outsmarting or outplaying others, honing your skills through practice, and from scoring points to ultimately become the winner. By removing all the elements that make it tricky or any incentives for playing well, you remove any pleasure and purpose from the game. As Jews, we face a very similar situation. Team Yehudi follows very specific rules in the game of life. We have special moves, particular goals, and a value system which promises reward for the winners and punishment for the losers. We have a sneaky opponent, our Yetzer Hara, who uses a very tight man-to-man defense, trying to get us out-of-bounds and make us miss the shots that would otherwise be easy. We don’t get put on the bench; we’re always in the action, but yes, sometimes we may get injured and need therapy and rehab to get back into top playing shape. We even have the opportunity to become famous and have people look up to us. It’s a pretty exciting game after all. Instead of looking at the Torah and mitzvos as being restrictive or difficult, we need to recognize that these rules were created by Hashem to make for the most enjoyable and rewarding gameplay possible. If we had no mitzvos and could do whatever we wanted, like in the fictional

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.

viewing every aspect of their game and they know that new approaches constantly arise. You won’t find a rookie player declaring that he knows everything there is to know about the game after a single season, nor will he make it known that in his opinion his sport is meaningless and those who play it are fools.

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. © 2013 by Jonathan Gewirtz. All rights reserved.

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’ve never been much of an athlete. As a kid growing up in New Orleans we played football at recess so I knew how to play but I would not say I was a great player. The closest I ever got to real athleticism was when Archie Manning invited me to come play football with him and his sons Corky and Peyton. I never took him up on the offer but that would have been a great story: “Yeah, I sacked Peyton Manning…I took him right down and he couldn’t stop me… he was 6-years-old at the time.” (Eli probably couldn’t hold a ball yet.) All that aside, I’m still interested in athletics. In fact, I’ve invented a new game. It’s kind of like basketball, only vastly improved. For example, in basketball you have to dribble or bounce the ball to move forward. Ridiculous! Why should you have to make some funny motion or let go of what you’re holding just because you want to move the ball? In my game, you can hold the ball with both hands as you walk, run, or jump. Great idea, right? Who needs hand-eye coordination? Now everyone can do it! Of course, one of the hardest things about basketball is getting the ball to pass through that tiny hoop. I’ve done away with that too. You no longer need to aim carefully and throw with precision effort. No more throwing from a distance and no more burdensome hoops. I’m sure everyone will be thrilled to be free of that silly requirement. Now, remember how I said you could hold the ball as you run? Well, in my new, improved version of basketball, you don’t even need to run because no one is chasing you or trying to get the ball. That’s right! There are no more teams, no winners or losers, and every player has his own ball. It just gets better and better! Don’t have a ball? No problem! You can use whatever you want. A ball, a bat, a chair, a chicken. It really doesn’t matter. The point of the game is to do what you want when you want and how you want. And the best part of all? There’s no scoring system. That’s right! There are no points to gain or lose and no one is keeping track.

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The Observant Jew

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d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

Health & Fitness Lori Boxer

Jump Off the Weight Loss Plateau

ou’ve followed your diet faithfully, watching every morsel that passes your lips. And, perhaps, every day, rain or shine, you’ve also been out there exercising. So why, with all the good intent, determination and motivation, why, now that you’re starting to see the physical results of all that hard work, have you come up against the universal problem that plagues us all at some point in our weight loss—THE PLATEAU?! A weight loss plateau is when during the course of a weight loss regimen, weight loss stalls or stops. Fortunately, there are as many ways off a plateau as there are ways to get stuck on it. But first you have to figure out what caused your weight loss to stall. One of the biggest causes of weight loss plateaus is, simply, that dieters stop paying enough attention to what (and how much) they’re eating and how much they’re exercising as time goes by. The vast majority of weight loss plateaus are caused by a loosening of compliance to one’s weight loss regimen. As time passes, and weight is lost, you’re not as dedicated as you used to be. You get a little bit lax. Underestimating caloric intake is the most common explanation for the plateau. Whether this is done knowingly or unknowingly, it is the obvious reason for the cessation of weight/fat loss and is purely behavioral. Another reason weight loss stops is because as the body loses weight the body needs fewer calories. As you get smaller, you require fewer calories because there’s less of you there. A plateau is often just the body’s way of adjusting to fewer pounds. You have to be patient with the body until it adjusts to a lower metabolic rate. Similarly, if someone has lost a lot of weight, their body may go into starvation mode and do what it can to hold onto extra weight. Finally, if someone is losing weight too quickly, the body will be shocked and the metabolism will slow down because it thinks it’s starving. Sometimes the cause of a plateau is something you have little control over—water retention. Women, due to fluctuations in their hormone levels, can retain as many as several extra

pounds of water without even feeling bloated. To lose water, try drinking extra water: The more you drink, the less your body feels the need to hold on to it.

doesn’t go into starvation mode, which will lower your metabolism. For the average healthy person, daily caloric intake shouldn’t go below 1200 calories. Weight loss should be about 1-2

By changing what you eat or where you eat it, you’re starting to think about your lifestyle again, which could be just the kick-start your weight loss needs. No matter the cause, once you’ve recognized what’s causing your weight loss plateau, you can take the proper steps to correct the problem. If your weight loss has stalled because you know you haven’t been paying close enough attention to what and how much you’re eating, start writing down what you’re eating every day. It’s very important to be aware of what you’re eating because it’s easy to unconsciously add several hundred calories a day. Knowing what you’ve eaten can help you truly see what your eating patterns are and what you might need

pounds a week. If you have less than 10 pounds to lose, a ½ pound a week is a reasonable loss. Anyone losing weight faster than that is probably not eating enough. If you haven’t yet added exercise to your weight loss program, a plateau is a good time to start. The more exercise you do, the more muscle mass you build, and muscle burns more calories when you’re resting than fat does. Aerobic exercise is great for the heart and to help lose weight, but strength training will help keep your metabolism running higher. It is widely misunder-

to change. Also, start measuring out your portions again as you may have done when you started to lose weight. A cup of pasta can easily become a cup and a half if you’re just eyeballing portion sizes. Hitting a weight loss plateau also means it’s a good time to reevaluate your caloric needs. If you’ve lost weight, you generally need to eat fewer calories per day. Of course, it’s just as important to make sure your body is getting enough calories so that it

stood that weight loss causes muscle breakdown and the suggestion is that this is abnormal and unhealthy. That is not true! Think about how much more muscle it takes to carry around 200 pounds vs. 125 pounds. To find out, try picking up a 50-pound bag of dog food and carrying it around for a few hours. You’d be exhausted. The point is ... muscle size changes appropriate to the mass it is expected to move! A person who has successfully lost weight should expect a normal loss of

muscle because of the decreased work required to carry around the fatter load. Variety isn’t only the spice of life; it’s the key to maintaining your weight loss success. It’s easy to get complacent if you keep things the same. By changing what you eat or where you eat it, you’re starting to think about your lifestyle again, which could be just the kick-start your weight loss needs. So, for example, if you’ve been eating three meals a day, try having 4-6 smaller meals instead. If you’ve been walking every day, try cycling one or two days a week for a change. Oftentimes, you just need to challenge your body and surprise it. In the beginning phase of an exercise regimen, energy expended during the exercise is increased because the body is inefficient or unfamiliar with the work performed, and so it must work harder to regulate body temperature, increase blood flow to the muscles, regulate hormonal changes, adapt to changes in the metabolism, etc. As the body becomes more trained, more familiar with the exercise regimen, it performs the work efficiently and energy required during the exercise and at rest are decreased. When this happens, you must change the workload or mode of exercise, intensity and/or duration. Whatever you do, never give up. It’s also important to realize right from the start that at the outset of your weight loss regimen you will lose a lot more weight in the first few weeks than you will later on. In the beginning, dieters tend to lose a lot of water weight, which is why you can lose 4-5 pounds the first week on a diet. Weight loss generally isn’t always steady. Just know you’re doing the right thing and keep at it.

Lori Boxer is the Director of Weight No More™ Diet Center. In addition to serving the Brooklyn, Long Island and New Jersey communities for 25 years, they also provide Skinny Skype™ service to clients nationwide and to Israel. For more information, please call Rosalie Shatzman, Rana Frankel and Linda Franklin in their Cedarhurst office, 516.569.6400.

Just what is an Eizer K’Negdo?

dam Finkelman surveyed his desk and breathed a deep breath. A smile lit up his face: The project was not only done, but done well. He was very pleased and very excited. He hurried home. So what if the clock said 10:45 PM? So what if he had skipped dinner – again? The business plan was done and investors reading it would just feel compelled to invest. He was quite sure of that. He hopped in the car and headed home. As the house door shut, the Mrs. popped into the room, rubbing her eyes; she’d fallen asleep on the couch waiting up for him. “Are you sure you’re not being funny?” she said with a half-smile. “Okay, Eve, cut the comedy. Look! Let me show you the papers,” Adam answered and guided his wife by the elbow into the kitchen. He took out a ream of material and spread it out in front of her. Eve picked up the first few papers, marveling at her husband’s total attention to every “i” that needed to be dotted and “t” that needed to be crossed. She knew without a doubt that she could never do that. After about five minutes, she had completed only a couple of pages and started shaking her head. “Whatsa mattaer?” Adam wanted to know. “I’m sorry, Adam; it’s just too late at night and this stuff is not getting into my head.” Eve inhaled deeply, still marveling and feeling very inadequate. Her

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husband was a genius for detail. “I do believe, however, that you will succeed. The very fact that every single thing has been thought of means that prospective investors won’t be able to come up with objections.” She smiled in admiration. Adam was a bit disappointed. He had been on a high from five months of work that he had finally completed and wanted to share that with Eve. He could see that she was proud of him and that would have to suffice for this evening. He felt relaxed and happy because the painstaking effort would surely pay off.

“No,” he answered honestly. “I’d be too stressed doing it by the seat of my pants.” “Well, that’s how I do most things anyway,” Eve laughed. That night, after they’d both had a full day of work, Eve curled up on the couch, put her reading glasses on, and grabbed Adam’s business plan. The clock ticked. The house was quiet. Twenty minutes later, Eve said, “Uh-uh. You’ve got a typo here.” “What?” responded Adam, pretty surprised.

There’s a reason we’re attracted to our opposites: it’s the best way for us to grow.

“Do you want to eat something?” Eve offered. “Oh, no, it’s too late,” Adam said, and they trudged off to get some sleep. The phone rang early the next morning. One of the mothers of a child in their daughter’s class was frantically looking for Eve. “Hello?” came the voice on the phone when Eve picked it up. “It’s Annette. Listen, I’m in trouble. My mother went into the hospital last night and I was supposed to do a presentation at school on my line of work. I know you work from home; do you think you can substitute for me?” Eve took about five seconds to think about it: She knew what she could say; the kids were taken care of since they would be in school. Her own projects were moving along nicely as well. “Sure,” she answered, “No problem. And I hope your mom will be okay.” Adam was just gulping down his coffee when the call came in. “You’re doing it?” he asked incredulously. “Yeah,” said Eve. “Why not?” “But you’re not prepared!” Adam practically choked on his coffee. “What will you say? These kids aren’t in elementary school anymore, you know. They’re going to ask you a bunch of questions that you’ll have to be prepared for. How can you do that?” Eve shrugged her shoulders, perplexed that he would even ask. Finally, she said to him, “If it were you in the hot seat, you don’t think you would come up with a reasonable discussion?”

“We all make mistakes,” Eve said sweetly. Adam came over to look and sure enough, she was right. “See?” Eve said, “Something of you has rubbed off on me after all.” “That’s true,” Adam replied thoughtfully. At that moment, the doorbell rang and it was Annette. “Mom’s doing better. She needed emergency surgery and it went okay, thank G-d,” she announced. They invited her in for some hot tea and the warmth of their company. She needed that. Warmed by the fact that the plan had only one typo, Adam relaxed and joked, “Knowing your mom, I’ll bet she’s telling the doctors and the nurses what to do. That’s the sign she’s getting better.” Everyone laughed. “What’s that?” Annette asked, pointing to Adam’s business plan in Eve’s hand. “Oh, Adam wrote a business plan for his new venture and I’m just reading it for him,” Eve offered. “Interesting,” said Annette. “I couldn’t do that. I wouldn’t have patience to figure out what it was talking about. My husband’s work is like in another dimension.” Then she paused and looked quizzically at Eve. “Well, you’re in the same boat. You’re an artist, and he is a program developer. How do you do it?” Eve laughed. “I was just telling the same thing to Adam – something must have rubbed off after all these years.” “Interesting,” Annette said again, and left.

There’s a reason we’re attracted to our opposites: It’s the best way for us to grow. Let’s start with the premise that we are here for tikkun olam, to make the world a little bit better place. We do that by starting with ourselves: We have to be better than we were, maybe even better than the potential we started with. The best way to be better is to learn from someone who has the middah, the characteristic, that we lack. So we are attracted to someone who embodies that characteristic. Now, the unfortunate problem is that no sooner does the glow of the attraction wear off then we forget that this oppositeness was the very reason for it. We forget that we were supposed to be learners. Instead, we think we were supposed to be teachers: Our spouse has it all wrong and we are supposed to enlighten her or him! The Finkelmans, however, got it right. Adam knew Eve’s propensity for impulsive and last-minute operations. Instead of getting frustrated with her over it, he learned to cherish it as a needed dash of fun in life. Not only that, he allowed her light-hearted ways to affect him. Before their marriage, he would have been too serious and worried about Annette’s mom to make a joke of her condition. But the joke was good; its lightness was healing for Annette. On her side, Eve knew of Adam’s orderliness and could have been annoyed at how very long the business plan had taken him. Instead, she took pride in her careful husband and allowed something to rub off. That is why she plunged into reading it: In the old days, she would never have tried. The eizer k’negdo is never actually “against”; it just can feel that way if you’re not ready to grow. The eizer k’negdo is certainly opposite but that is precisely how she can be of help. Interestingly, her “help” becomes helpful to her as well – a true partnership. Dr. Deb Hirschhorn, a Marriage & Family Therapist and best-selling author of The Healing Is Mutual--Marriage Empowerment Tools to Rebuild Trust and Respect--Together, is proud to announce that readers of The Jewish Home will receive a $50 discount on every visit to her Woodmere office. For more information, call 646-54-DRDEB or check out her website at drdeb.com.

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Cover Story

Reflections on South Africa and the Loss of a Leader

by Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH, FAAP

N THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013, NELSON MANDELA, A MAN WHO OVERCAME PERSONAL CHALLENGES AND ENABLED A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER IN SOUTH AFRICA, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF

95. SOUTH AFRICA WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS TODAY IF NOT FOR THE EFFORTS OF SOUTH AFRICA’S “MADIBA,” A NAME MEANING FATHER, WHICH WAS FONDLY BESTOWED UPON MANDELA BY THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. Mandela’s Early Years and Apartheid

Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, into the Thembu royal family of the Xhosa tribe. He attended the Fort Hare University and later received his law degree from the University of Witswatersrand (my alma mater as well). From the time he was a student, he was an activist dedicated to fighting South African society’s segregation of the races. The National Party (NP), which was founded in 1915, was the ruling party. In the 1950s, the government formalized “Apartheid,” an Afrikaans word which means “the

state of being apart.” There was complete separation and segregation between the races in South Africa—the Whites (Europeans), the Blacks (non-Europeans), the Coloreds (those of mixed race), and the Indians. As a result, there were separate hospitals, schools, suburbs, beaches and places of entertainment for white people. The blacks received inferior services to the whites. Afrikaans and English were the two main languages in the nation. Blacks were able to be domestics, or servants, in white households. They were required to carry a pass: Those

his vision for the “New” South Africa, world leaders lobbied for his release.

A Controlling Government

While I was being raised in South Africa, the government was Calvinistic (Dutch Reformed Church) in religious outlook. Practically, this meant there was censorship of all books and movies that they deemed inappropriate. In fact, there was no TV in the country until around 1979 and even then, it was censored and limited to only three hours a day. As is well known, the South African government was considered a pariah of the rest of the world at the time. It was paranoid, controlling most of society. Even though there was a semblance of freedom of press, they kept tabs on newspapers and universities. People who disagreed with the government and opposed the ruling party could be banned and put under house arrest, with limited access to conversing with others. The general population was fearful of the government and its wide-reaching arm. This had a major impact on the Jews of South Africa.

One of the

hallmarks of South

African Jews is pride

In 1964, Mandela was put on trial as a group of eight called “The Rivonia Group of Eight,” on trial for conspiracy and sabotage. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and was incarcerated on the infamous Robben Island where he spent 27 years. While Mandela was imprisoned, in 1966, Prime Minister H.F. Verwoerd was assassinated. The Jews held mass prayers and fasted when John Vorster took office. Vorster was a pro-Nazi supporter during World War II and the Jews feared the worst. But surprisingly, Vorster was pro-Israel. At the time, South Africa, Israel and Taiwan were shunned by the rest of the world. As such, they formed a close connection economically and South Africa and Israel worked together manufacturing arms and developing nuclear power. During his incarceration, Mandela achieved international fame as a prisoner of conscience. Impressed with

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International sanctions against South Africa began in 1960’s, whereby South Africa was barred from the U.N. and its affiliated organizations as well as all international sporting events. When America increased its sanctions against South Africa in the 1980’s, there was a large brain drain as Jewish professionals emigrated from South Africa to other countries, including Israel, Canada, the United

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who were found by police without a pass were arrested. There were times when police searched homes for illegal domestics, and as a child I recall my family hiding our maid, who did not have a pass, in the bathroom so she wouldn’t be arrested. After the African National Congress (ANC) was outlawed in 1960, Mandela went underground and later received military training abroad. Mandela was part of the movement that promoted the idea of one man, one vote. Eventually, he resorted to the promotion of violence to achieve his purpose, as he realized that he was not able to achieve his goal through peaceful means.

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States and Australia. The Jews left in large numbers, despite the fact that it was forbidden to take financial assets from the country when emigrating. In 1990, Mandela was finally released and became an instant international celebrity. The country’s economy was in dire straits and the government saw that Apartheid would not be able to prevail. Courageously, State President F.W. de Klerk made overtures to free Mandela and

In His Words “I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.” “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” “Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.” “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” “I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.” “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” “I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.” “Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.” “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.” “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”

other prisoners, and he lead the way to the policy of today’s government of one man, one vote. In 1993, de Klerk and Nelson Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in ending Apartheid. Despite having faced trials and tribulations, Mandela did not come out of prison bent on revenge. Instead, he prevented a bloodbath from occurring with his statesmanship and by promoting community and acceptance between the races. On April 27, 1994, the first election where all adult citizens, regardless of race or color, were allowed to vote took place. Millions stood in line to cast their vote over the three day voting period. 19,726,579 votes were counted, and Nelson Mandela was swept into office as President of South Africa, the first black person to hold the position. Today, April 27 is a national holiday, known as Freedom Day, in South Africa. Immediately following his election, Mandela delivered one of his most famous speeches ever. Urging all South Africans to set aside their differences, Mandela stated: “The time for healing wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us.” Mandela encouraged the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It revealed the human right abuses by different political parties during Apartheid. People spanning the political spectrum from the right to the left admitted their roles. This prevented a potential bloodbath from ensuing. As president and after his tenure, Mandela embraced Arafat and the Palestinian cause with encouragement from the Muslim Indian population in South Africa. In regards to Israel, he showed himself to be non-partisan. This contrasted with the pro-Palestinian government, as evidenced at the infamous 2001 Durban Conference. At the time of his election, many Jews left the country, but 75,000 still remain.

The Jews of South Africa

By way of background, the Dutch founded a settlement in South Africa in 1652. Because of the country’s strategic location between Europe and India, Britain tried to wrest control of the area. Many British settlers arrived in the 1820s. The Dutch (Afrikaners) and French Huguenots who had fled France due to Catholic persecution, moved to the hinterland and established the Orange Free State and the Old Transvaal Republic while the British consolidated the Cape Province and Natal. The Boer Wars erupted between the two powers, as the Transvaal was rich in gold. Britain subsequently gained control of South Africa and united the four provinces into the Union of South Africa in 1910. South Africa declared itself a republic and independent of Britain in 1961. Jews began immigrating to South Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many emigrated from Eastern Europe, primarily from Lithuania, to become prospectors and merchants in the Cape and Transvaal provinces. It was beneficial for the government to consider the Jews of South Africa white. Despite a high aliyah rate, the Jews consistently numbered until recent years about 125,000. In the 1960s, there were approximately 4-5 million whites who ruled the 25 million blacks. Hence, the government made sure to include the Jews in their numbers. In the 1930s, the British government closed the doors to Jewish immigration. The Afrikaner government that took over was anti-Communist. Many of the Jews who immigrated to South Africa were members of the Bund and proCommunist. In fact, Joseph Slovo, who was a long-time leader of the South African Communist Party (SACP), was a Jew whose parents emigrated from Lithuania. Interestingly, he was in the same class as Nelson Mandela at Wits

a bloodbath from

statesmanship and by

promoting community and acceptance

between the races.

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occurring with his

T H E J E W I S H H O M E n M AY 2 4 , 2012

Mandela prevented

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University and ultimately served in Mandela’s government. create a unified Jewish community. Joseph was married to Ruth First who was assassinated by Recently, the South African community celebrated a parcel bomb by order of a major in the Apartheid security The Shabbos Project, whereby tens of thousands of Jews police. By the way, Slovo was descended from the illus- in South Africa committed to keep Shabbos in accordance trious rabbinical Soloveichik family: Yossel Soloveichik, with halacha. Under the guidance of Chief Rabbi Dr. who had been born into an OrWarren (Zev) Goldstein, The thodox Jewish family of eight Shabbos Project was successchildren in Lithuania in 1926 ful, from 2,000 Jewish women and immigrated to South Africa baking challah outdoors on in 1934, shortened his name to Thursday night to people keepJoe Slovo. ing Shabbos halachically who, The government had a heretofore, had never done so. strong army which demanded It culminated in a havdalah compulsory enrollment for all service ushering out Shabbos white males after completing Parshas Lech Lecha with nearhigh school. I served in the ly 10,000 people in attendance. army for two years and one The Shabbos Project far exday (it was a leap year). If one ceeded even the Chief Rabbi’s didn’t complete his army reexpectations. Two points that quirement, he could be arrested attributed to the success of this or he would have to flee the endeavor are especially notecountry never to return. worthy. First, South African One of the hallmarks of Jews are proud to be Jewish South African Jews is pride in and this pride is a springboard being Jewish. I was raised by into something larger. Second, proud Jewish parents and a grandmother. The public school setting aside their differences, all Orthodox Jewish groups from which I graduated was over three-quarters Jewish. worked together to build something much larger and with The intermarriage rate among South African Jews had al- more impact than each could ever accomplish on their own. ways been minimal while the aliyah rate is high. Even The regard in which the Jewish community is held when I served in the South African army from 1979-1981, is best illustrated by the fact that Chief Rabbi Goldstein already as a doctor and a lieutenant, I was able to procure delivered the opening prayer at the memorial service for kosher food and accommodations for those who were not Mandela on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. (yet) shomer Shabbos. I viewed it as a kiddush Hashem As I pen these lines, this massive funeral in a stadium and a way to be mekarev those who didn’t know (yet) from in the Soweto section of Johannesburg earlier today was Yiddishkeit. In fact, as an intern in the hospital before I was watched by millions of people throughout the world. in the army, I was able to be mekarev families who are now Madiba changed the face of South Africa forever. Unforthe backbone of the South African frum community. tunately, poverty, poor housing, crime and unemployment Jews were fearful of buckstill plague the country. Some ing the system because of their of Madiba’s changes have yet awareness of anti-Semitism to unfold. throughout the world, even though there was latent antiHylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH, Semitism from Afrikaners. FAAP, is a pediatrician in priEven so, Jews were at the forevate practice in Far Rockaway, front of the anti-Apartheid and New York. He was born, raised, anti-party movements in Parand educated in South Africa and liament. But as individuals in graduated from the University of the country, they were aware of Witswatersrand Medical School. maintaining a low profile. He worked as a family practitioner In general, Jews tended to and subspecialized in pediatrics. treat the blacks with more reIn 1984, he immigrated to this spect than other groups because country. He pursued a Fellowship of our heritage. In fact, Manin Allergy and Immunology at Long dela’s first job as a clerk was at Island Jewish Medical Center, folthe Jewish law firm of Witkin, lowing which he established his Sidelsky and Eidelman. In his practice. Even after his office was autobiography, Long Walk to destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, Dr. Freedom, Mandela recalled Lightman continued to see patients that Lazer Sidelsky was one in his home and temporary office at of the first whites to treat him The White Shul in Far Rockaway, with respect and “enormous Dr. Lightman with his wife, Leah, on a recent trip to South Africa. while his office was reconstructed. kindness.” Having developed expertise in mold Today, the community is as strong as ever. It is harder to live in South Africa as a non- exposure as a result of Sandy, he has been interviewed on CNN’s frum Jew than as a frum Jew. There are myriad yeshivos and Canada AM and Al-Jazeera America, and has been interviewed day schools for Jewish children. There is only one beis din by The New York Times and other publications. He has also been in South Africa, which has been under the aegis of Rabbi a featured speaker at the Pediatric Disaster Coalition and the Moshe Kurstag for decades. Anything related to kashrus, 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics. marriages, gittin, burial and other milestones of life are di- He is also an expert witness in mold trials. Dr. Lightman was a rected by the beis din: One central authority has helped to founder of the Shalom Task Force.

d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

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The Therapist Responds: I am very impressed that you are aware of what your child is and should be doing. You are correct, color on the other side of the paper, this most children by age three are showing may be due to a crossing midline and/ a hand preference; or bilateral coordimeaning, they may nation issue. Acnot consistently tivities that work on use one hand but these skills include whichever hand zoom ball, openPay attention if they do choose for a ing/closing bottles, he starts off with skilled activity they magna doodle and stick with it and do Mr. Potato Head. one hand and not switch in midIt is important to then switches in dle. make an effort to The next time present your child the middle of the you have your with his crayon or child coloring pay utensil in midline activity. attention if he or so they need to she starts off with consciously choose one hand and then which hand to use. switches in the midIf you do not dle of the activity. He may be switching see an emerging hand preference in the due to hand fatigue in which case his coming months, your child may benefit from intervention. As he begins to engage in more skilled activities such as eating with utensils, coloring and scissor-snipping, a hand preference is most desirable. Wishing you much hatzlacha.

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Notable

Quotes

Compiled by Nate Davis

“Say What?” Today the White House confirmed that Obama will be signing up for Obamacare. Yeah, which is good because his current health plan doesn’t cover headaches and depression caused by Obamacare. - Conan O’Brien

What on earth were we doing? We’re world leaders, not a bunch of giggling teenagers. We’re attending the memorial service of Nelson Mandela. Couldn’t we have waited a bit before goofing around? -The UK Independent. President Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish Prime Minister Helle ThorningShmodt were spotted snapping a “selfie” together at Tuesday’s memorial service for Nelson Mandela

This winter storm has left thousands without electricity. It’s as if President Obama had taken over the power companies. - Jay Leno

Not a chance am I going there. - President Barack Obama when asked to pick between Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton for 2016

I honestly can’t help but think right now about Israel and the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under so much … pressure these days, and probably feels to a great extent that his country is isolated in the same way that apartheid South Africa was isolated. -CNN’s Christiane Amanpour comparing Israel to pre-Mandela South Africa Last week a man was locked in an airplane for several hours after he fell asleep during a flight and nobody woke up him up when it landed. But other than that, Joe Biden had a great trip to Asia. - Jimmy Fallon

Scientists have just found out that insects can recognize faces. Which is why I don’t kill insects. I wound them and say, “Remember this face, warn your friends, now get out of here!” - Conan O’Brien

It gives Raul some propaganda to continue to prop up dictatorial, brutal regime, that’s all it is. Why should you shake hands with somebody who’s keeping Americans in prison? I mean, what’s the point? Neville Chamberlain shook hands with Hitler. - Senator John McCain (R-AZ) discussing President Obama’s handshake with Raul Castro at Mandela’s memorial

The NSA collects almost 5 billion records a day that can pinpoint a cellphone anywhere in the world, track its movements, and map the personal relationships of the person using it. I’ll tell you what this means. You know the crazy people that wear the tinfoil hats because they think the government is tracking them? Turns out they were right. - Jimmy Kimmel

According to a new report, America’s teenagers are 30th in the world in math. Luckily, America’s teenagers will never understand the report because they’re 85th in reading.

How is it possible that they can track every cellphone in the world but can’t build a healthcare website? Maybe they should put the NSA in charge of Obamacare. - ibid.

- Conan O’Brien Sometimes a handshake is just a handshake, but when the leader of the free world shakes the bloody hand of a ruthless dictator like Raul Castro, it becomes a propaganda coup for the tyrant. - Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., who fled Cuba with her family when she was a child, to Secretary of Defense Kerry at a Congressional Hearing, discussing President Obama shaking Cuban President Raul Castro’s hand at the Mandela memorial

New Jersey legislators want to ban eating while driving. Good luck getting Governor Chris Christie to sign that one. - Jay Leno

If Hillary Clinton doesn’t run for president, I bet you John Kerry does. - Time Magazine writer and Washington insider, Mark Halperin on MSNBC

I thought it was funny. - Former President Bill Clinton in an interview with Fusion TV, reflecting on his famous “I didn’t inhale” quote

Earlier today, Vice President Joe Biden arrived in South Korea to talk to the people there. Yeah, first time ever people from South Korea have tried to sneak into North Korea. - Conan O’Brien It’s just my simple opinion that the flag should only be lowered to half-staff for Americans who sacrificed for their country. I have no problem lowering it in South Africa in their country but not for our country. It should be the people who have sacrificed for our country. - Pickens County, South Carolina, Sheriff Rick Clark explaining why he defied President Obama’s order to lower flags to half-staff as a tribute to South African leader Nelson Mandela

The post office announced that since they have lost so much money they are going to be reviewing their business model. That could mean big changes. The last time the post office reviewed their business model they sold the ponies and bought trucks. - Jay Leno

While I personally regard this level of tenacity, I also recognize that for others, the accomplishments of the Jewish community triggers feelings of resentment, and a sense that Jewish success is not also their success. – African-American Councilwoman-elect Laurie Cumbo on her theory of the reason behind the recent “knock out” attacks in Brooklyn This is a crazy story. For two decades, the secret launch code for America’s nuclear missiles was 0000000000. Even more amazing, George W. Bush forgot it twice. - Conan O’Brien

The difference between the way F.W. de Klerk handled the need for change and the democratic election of Nelson Mandela... is so different than the way [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell handled the election of Obama. They were willing, the McConnell people onto the far right, were willing to destroy the country in order to destroy Obama. Whereas, to succeed in a country he loved, F.W. de Klerk was willing to see it transformed to black rule so it could be done successfully so he could have his country have a better future. - MSNBC’s Chris Matthews

Iran is not our enemy. - Israeli President Shimon Perez on CNN, saying he will be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

At a White House holiday party, the Obama’s dog, Sonny, reportedly knocked over a small child. So although President Obama’s approval rating is down to 40 percent, he’s now number one on YouTube. - Conan O’Brien

Under Obamacare, my insurance costs me about $4,500 more than it did before. - Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D- Nevada) to the Reno Gazette Journal, while denying that he has exempted himself and his staff from Obamacare As time goes on, as the kinks are totally smoothed out of the system, people are going to find that this bill [Obamacare]— the 31 million who never had healthcare— are going to find that it’s like manna from heaven. - Former Pennsylvania Governor and Democratic stalwart Ed Rendell

I have always known that I have had an unfair label put upon me. Now I have a clearer understanding of what’s wrong and I feel relieved and a bit more relaxed about myself. - Susan Boyle talking with the Observer newspaper about her recent diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome

The journalists are to be blamed. They should be hanged; they are like the Jews. - Mayor of the city of Gfoehl, Austria, Karl Simlinger, during a city council meeting

Some of our members just aren’t as sensitive as they ought to be. - House Speaker John Boehner explaining why his party needs coaching on running against women

In Syria, Muslim rebels are so desperate for food they broke into the zoo and ate a lion. That shows you how things are changing in the Mideast. In the old days they used to feed the Christians to the lions, and now they’re feeding the lions to the Muslims. - Jay Leno

North Korea has confirmed that Kim Jong Un has fired his uncle. Unemployment benefits in North Korea include two weeks’ severance and not being shot. - Conan O’Brien

Take a moment to remember Pearl Harbour with us. - Tweet sent out by SpaghettiOs brand that marked the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks with a picture of its smiling mascot jauntily holding an American flag

George Steinbrenner, I think he’s a Hall of Famer. I think it’s best if I just say I don’t understand the voting. - Reggie Jackson upon hearing that George Steinbrenner was not elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame

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Yankees’ second baseman Robinson Cano just agreed to a $240 million, 10-year deal with the Seattle Mariners. Cano said, “I had to follow my wallet. I mean my heart!” - Jimmy Fallon

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Forgotten Heroes

Avi Heiligman

Captain Kenneth Rubin A Hero of the Skies

hen the airplane was invented, it changed the world and the world of travel. Flying was once only a dream, and airplanes opened up a whole new vista. One shortfall of the airplane was that it always had to be moving because if it tried stopping in midair or even slowed down, it would fall out of the sky. In the 1930s, inventors went back to the drawing table to come up with an aircraft that would be able to hover midair. In 1939, Igor Sikorsky tested the first successful helicopter. Although it didn’t see combat during World War II, helicopters played a major part during the Cold War. In Vietnam, two helicopters provided the backbone for the American army in terms of ground support. These were the Huey and the Cobra. The Bell AH-1 Cobra was designed as an attack helicopter (hence the AH designation) and was introduced into the U.S. military in 1965. The Cobra’s main mission was to accompany the unarmed troops carrying Hueys into battle and protect them from ground fire. This arrangement became the air cavalry of the army (horses had been phased out before World War II). Most helicopters are property of the army, navy or marine corps and not the air force. Each service needs to transport and protect their soldiers, and the Cobra was the workhorse of the army. Flying

An AH-1 Cobra

a helicopter is much more difficult to most pilots than flying a plane because it takes a great deal of multitasking to put it exactly in the right spot, especially under fire. Ground troops were rely-

ing on these special pilots to do the job right, and Captain Kenneth Rubin was one of these in this elite group. Details on Captain Rubin’s personal life weren’t available for this article but we do know that he was born into a Jewish family. He trained as a Cobra pilot and by the summer of 1967 was stationed in Vietnam flying a variety of missions. His team would deploy to a certain area with known enemy in the vicinity and would be on call if any friendly soldiers needed their firepower. On August 1, Rubin was leading a flight of two heavily armed Cobras in the Rung Sat Special Zone on a reconnaissance mission when a call came over the radio. A commercial ship had been ambushed in the South China Seas by a group of Communist Vietnamese. After one pass over the enemy to fire at the insurgents, the Cobra was hit by a bomb and was badly damaged. Despite the fact that the wounded Cobra was a sitting duck, Rubin kept on flying until he had expended all of his ammunition. He killed several enemy soldiers and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. Rubin again was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions on December 17. This time, he was laying a smokescreen for advancing ground troops and troop-carrying helicopters when troops hidden in a tree line began shooting at the Cobra. He was hit several times by bullets but finished applying the screen. Seeing that two unarmed helicopters had been hit and were going down, Rubin put down another smokescreen by the crash site, thereby enabling an emergency helicopter to rescue the downed crews. On December 26, Rubin again put the lives of his fellow soldiers before his own when he was a flying a smokescreen mission. The hero was injured in the leg by a bullet but stayed on scene until all the

men were safe. Only then did he seek current attack. They attacked the enemedical attention. He received the Sil- my through thick ground fire but had ver Star, the third highest award given to disengage after 30 minutes because they needed to reto soldiers, for his fuel. Rubin and bravery in battle. his Australian coBy January pilot were injured 1968, Rubin was but they asked for stationed at Bien a new Cobra beHoa Air Base fifcause the previous teen miles north of one was not in Saigon, the capiflyable condition. tal of South VietBack in the air, nam. It was the they helped out a site of a disaster in ground unit that 1965 when a B-57 was asking for air bomber accidently support and then set off a 500 pound went to engage bomb and 27 men about two hundred were killed. Three The hero, Captain Kenneth Rubin VC. Rubin directyears later, it was ed the Cobra’s the target of a North Vietnamese raiding party that fire in such a skilled way that the VC was part of the larger Tet Offensive. could not escape and were annihilated. Tet was a Vietnamese holiday and the As daylight approached, more enemy two sides had an agreement that there positions were spotted, and Rubin led would be a ceasefire. The ever-devi- the assault. Then he noticed two air ous Communist government planned a force guards who were wounded on massive foray into the south. Tens of the ground and were trapped behind thousands of guerrillas stealthily pen- enemy lines. Rubin himself landed etrated the southern defenses and took his chopper and rescued the two men over several American-held bases. while enemy resistance was again anThe offensive was short-lived and the nihilated. The battle raged on at Bien Hoa for Communists suffered many casualties, but for the first few days it was pan- three more days until tank support redemonium for the Americans and their lieved the beleaguered troops. Captain South Vietnamese counterparts. Bien Rubin was awarded the second highHoa was one of the bases that came est award for battlefield bravery—the under attack, and the helicopter pilots Distinguished Service Cross—for his actions. The Cobra stayed in service there saved the day. In the pre-dawn hours of January for many decades as a workhorse for 31, 1968, elements of three Viet Cong ground support missions. Rubin, one (Communist South Vietnamese or VC of the most decorated Jewish servicefor short) regiments started their at- men in American history, will always tack on Bien Hoa. They started pour- be remembered for the lives that he ing mortar and rocket fire on the base saved during the bitter battles of the as they prepared for the main assault. Vietnam War. Most air force personnel were ground crews and were unarmed. They were in a bad position when the VC had penetrated the light defenses. Everyone was Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to surprised when they heard the sound of The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions.for future columns incoming fire from helicopters. It was Captain Rubin and his team and can be reached at aviheiligman@ who were returning from a mission gmail.com. when they were told to divert to the

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REGAL

Mother of Pearl and Sterling Ataros

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Health & Fitness Rachel Rosenholtz, LCSW

d e i f i t n e d i n U e Th m e l b o r P g n i n Lear xiet y n A f o s t c The Ef fe ss e c o r P g n i rn on the Lea

he excitement of the yom tovim is behind us and the long winter months lie ahead. We all know that that means a whole lot of school. While most kids are able to flourish in school, what of the children who don’t? Sarah is a bright student who studies for hours for her history tests, yet barely passes. She does well in other subjects, has no known learning disabilities, and seems to understand the concepts discussed in class. Sarah tries and tries and eventually she gives up on studying altogether. Her teachers believe that she is lazy and could be doing better. Ben can’t seem to spell and has a difficult time grasping math concepts. He too has no known learning disabilities. Rebecca has difficulty reading out loud in class. She stumbles over the words and cannot articulate a coherent sentence. When asked to repeat what she read in her own words she appears unable to do so. The teacher spends most of the time correcting her. David fools around in class and does everything in his power to avoid doing assignments. He is constantly distracting the class with his antics and the teacher finds it impossible to convey a lesson. He doesn’t do the homework and hands in blank tests. Dina has been receiving extensive tutoring to help her keep up with her class, yet she and her parents are frustrated because they are not seeing sustained results. She may learn enough to pass a test but what about future exams? Will she forever need to be tutored? The parents of these children know that their child is smart and capable, yet something seems to be holding him or her back from succeeding in the classroom. Many of these children do very well in some subjects,

yet poorly in others. This phenomenon is often explained by stating that every child has his or her weakness, not every child is destined to be a math whiz, and the struggles are accepted at face value. But this explanation does not help the child. After all she is still expected to learn the information and take tests in the subject. At times these students are viewed as being lazy, unmotivated, or acting out in order to get attention.

the is n io t o m E “ itch on/off sw g.” for learnin

What many educators and parents may be unaware of is how actual subject matter itself can affect a child emotionally. Teachers are given over the enormous task of teaching challenging material to a wide range of students. As we know, every child has his or her own unique temperament, some children are naturally more sensitive or nervous than others, and these personality traits will affect how a child copes with challenging subjects. For one child the challenge of learning new things may be exhilarating while for another it may induce anxiety. It is easy to see how some subjects can make children feel a bit nervous. Some anxiety is okay. Anxiety, in healthy amounts, is what encourages

us in general to perform well and focus on what needs to get done. However, not all children have developed the ability to regulate their anxiety levels. For some students, anxiety can get out of hand and actually inhibit their ability to learn and focus. This can give way to the development of Academic Anxiety. According to the National Institution of Health, 25.1% of 13 to 18 year-olds suffer from anxiety. It is well known that younger children suffer from anxiety as well. There is an intrinsic connection between the emotional state of a person and the effect it has on his or her working memory, namely the person’s ability to process and store new information. A quick summary of the biological process of information comprehension: We experience everything in our lives through our senses. The experience then enters an area in the brain known as the limbic system. This is the area that deals with our emotions. If we feel emotionally secure or good about that which we have processed, the information will continue up to higher levels of our brain which control the working memory. The information is then processed and stored away. If the limbic system interprets the information or situation as threatening, it shuts down and the information never makes it to the higher processing levels in the brain. Therefore, a child who experiences this will be unable to process any information. It is not that the child is intellectually incapable, but rather that he mentally cannot process it. Additionally, in an anxiety-provoking situation, because the limbic system has shut down, the ability to access stored information is greatly inhibited. It is through this processing mechanism that emotion directly impacts the comprehension and retrieval processes.

An Example

I shared this concept with a friend who happens to be brilliant and she confided in me that she cannot spell “to save her life.” She told me the following story: When she was in second grade she did poorly on one spelling test; it was the first time she ever did poorly. The teacher commented on the poor mark in front of the whole class, perhaps because it was so unlike her. She felt humiliated and was traumatized by the experience. She told me that she never realized it,

xious n a e r o m e Th he she felt, t akes more mist and a she made cle vicious cy ed. was creat

but after hearing what I had to say, she was convinced that what had happened to her in second grade was the reason she could not spell – or believed that she could not. She told me that when she had to spell her mind would freeze up and she never did well in the subject.

Another Example

A girl could not read out loud in class. She tried to avoid being called on, but inevitably it would happen. When asked to read, she would stutter and stumble over the words and it sounded as though she was incapable of reading. Upon exploration, she realized that as a young child, when she would practice reading out loud, the person she read to would quickly lose patience with her and exhibit frustration whenever she made a mistake. This anxiety inducing situation made her feel so bad about herself that her reading performance was greatly affected. The more anxious she felt, the more mistakes she made and a vicious cycle was created. As an adult, reflecting back on the experience, she realized that she had actually been traumatized by her initial “read out loud” experiences. She had developed a strong anxiety and fear of reading out loud. In a pressurized situation (like in front of teachers and classmates) her mind would freeze up and she was practically incapable of reading the words on the page, let alone verbalizing them. In contrast, when she had been alone or with someone who made her feel capable and confident, she had always been able to read out loud properly.

What can be done: The first step is being aware of the issue. The second step is for parents to know their child’s personality type. If their child tends to be sensitive and takes things to heart or is more of a “nervous type,” then that child is at a higher risk of developing academic anxiety. An understanding parent or teacher can encourage a child to talk about how the subject makes him feel. Often just by talking it out and seeing that his feelings are validated can help the child begin to overcome his anxiety. This can be especially helpful early on when learning difficulties first become apparent and are not yet deeply rooted. In the early stages, a child can be taught relaxation techniques and learn to identify triggers. They can also be shown that the false perception of their ability is unfounded. If the problem goes undiagnosed for too long, a child’s belief system can become so ingrained and the anxiety so acute that professional intervention may be needed. The sooner an intervention is put into place, the easier and faster a child will be able to overcome their lack of confidence and anxiety, and the quicker they will start performing at their peak! Rachel Rosenholtz, LCSW is a Clinical Social Worker with a private practice located in Woodmere, NY. Aside from a general practice that services children, adolescents, and adults, she specializes in helping children overcome academic and social challenges. She can be reached at (347) 673-1953.

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The “Weak” Student

Priscilla L. Vail M.A.T., a renowned learning specialist, consultant and author of numerous books on the topic of emotional and learning issues, explains that children “faced with frustration, despair, worry, sadness or shame lose access to their own working memory.” “Anxiety is the enemy of memory, and sadly in many of today’s classrooms we see children whose intellectual energies and capacities are drained by negative emotional states. Emotion is the on/off switch for learning.” This is how, if the material is overwhelming and anxiety provoking, a child can study hard for a test without actually processing much of anything. The student thinks she is learning the material because she is reviewing the information but in reality the information does not reach the working memory portion of the brain. Essentially, the child has spent hours learning nothing. Imagine the frustration the child must experience when she gets to the test and feels as though she had not studied a thing. This issue will also make tutoring far less effective. The student can be taught the information in many different ways but if the information itself is anxiety provoking she will have an extremely challenging time absorbing what the tutor is trying to teach her. The same is true for retrieving learned information. An example of this, which every educator should be familiar with, is test anxiety. If the child feels anxious in the testing environment or has a difficult time working under pressure he may not be able to retrieve the information in an efficient manner, if at all. The child, not understanding what is happening to him, can begin to see himself as incapable and a failure. This child knows that he could do better, yet does not understand that it is his emotional state that is obstructing his ability to succeed. This in turn sabotages his self-esteem. This problem is compounded when a child has a negative experience with a given subject. It is entirely possible for a child to have such a negative experience that he actually becomes traumatized by the subject itself. Traditionally, people tend to view trauma as experiencing a life-altering situation such as a natural disaster, abuse, witnessing violence or having a near death experience. It is well-known that a person who has experienced a trauma can develop emotional problems, usually in the form of depression or anxiety. The root of the emotional distress is the fact that the traumatic event caused a person to feel so helpless and vulnerable that the person loses faith in his abilities. These feelings can give rise to insecurities and loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. Because these feelings can be so uncomfortable, oftentimes the person will do whatever can be done to avoid the situation, place, or event that reminds him of what happened. In the same way, when faced with a subject that is traumatizing, a student can feels helpless and eventually stop trusting his ability. Such students are forced to confront their traumas every day of their academic careers. Think about the impact that must have on them. As with other forms of trauma, there will be a natural aversion to the traumatic situation and feelings. As a result of Academic Trauma, students like David avoid subject related activities and assignments. They will do whatever it takes to avoid having to confront the traumatic subject, such as acting out in class to divert attention, even if it means getting into trouble.

I find that if children do poorly in a subject early on in their academic career, often, they believe they cannot succeed in it. The reason for their lack of performance may not have been their fault or have anything to do with their intelligence or abilities. They are “traumatized” by their initial experience. Perception is a powerful factor in determining someone’s personal reality. Despite their being capable, the mere fact that they believe they cannot succeed is enough to inhibit future success. With this in mind, parents and educators can have some idea of how anxiety can sabotage a child’s learning experience. What makes this such a tricky issue to deal with is the fact that the symptoms of anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADHD or other behavioral or learning issues which makes it difficult to diagnose. Because anxiety robs a student of her ability to focus she appears to be spaced out. Another child may come to class unprepared because they are subconsciously avoiding the subject, or are so preoccupied with their fear of the subject they forget what materials are needed for it. This can manifest itself as an organizational issue. Still other compounding issues are the physiological symptoms that come along with anxiety such as upset stomach and headaches. Just the physical symptoms alone can affect a student’s ability to focus in class or do well on tests. A second issue is that a teacher has to educate different types of students and an approach that actually motivates one child to learn and do well can create anxiety in another. A third issue is that children do not have the emotional maturity to understand what it is they are experiencing; they only understand that they are feeling bad. Children are masters at avoiding things that make them feel uncomfortable. They will come up with all sorts of excuses as to why they are not performing well, which can be highly confusing for parents and educators.

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In the Kitchen Naomi Nachman

his week I gave a cooking demonstration at Gourmet Glatt Market in Boro Park. It was held at the fish counter for Ossie’s Fish, with whom I been developing recipes for over the last seven years. We had lots of la-

Midd le Eastern White Fish

dies (and even a few gentlemen) stop by to watch the demonstration and participate in the tastings. We gave out recipe cards and lots of cooking tips too. Below are two of the recipes I developed for the event.

You can also use flounder, tilapia, or salmon in this recipe. Ingredients 8 slices white fish 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, diced 1 tablespoon curry powder (optional) 14oz can chick peas ½ teaspoon of cumin ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 3 gloves garlic, minced or 4 cubes from frozen package 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or 6 cubes from frozen package 1 plum tomato, diced 14oz can tomato sauce Kosher salt to taste Preparation Heat a large sauté pan for a minute and then add oil. Add onion and sauté until soft. Add curry powder and cook for minute while stirring. Add can of chickpeas and sauté for another 5 minutes on low. Place fish fillets on top of mixture. Cook for a few minutes and turn to coat other side and cook for another 3 minutes. In a small bowl, mix cayenne pepper, garlic, cilantro, tomato, tomato sauce, and salt. Pour over fish in sauté pan. Add enough water to cover fish (but not more than 8oz). Cook for another 15 minutes until fish is cooked through.

Ingredients 1/8 cup pesto sauce 1/8 cup mayonnaise 1 cup shelled salted pistachios, crushed ½ cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons fresh lemon 2 pounds salmon fillet (one whole side of a salmon)

Pistachio Pesto Salmon

Preparation Mix the pesto and mayonnaise together in a small bowl. Place the salmon on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the pesto mixture over the fish and set aside. In a food processor, crush the nuts until they are coarsely ground but not too fine, then add the lemon and brown sugar. Pat nut mixture on top of salmon and bake for 25 minutes at 350°. Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website,www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.

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99 Stephen H. Weiner , Esq.

Someone Owes You Money and Dies, Can it Be Recovered?

The Attorney Responds: In New York law, a person’s obligation is not extinguished upon death. There is a procedure for making a claim against the property of someone who has died. This is a claim against an estate. (This article deals with “unsecured” or general claims only). Where is the claim brought? The deceased person’s estate is handled in the county where that person last made his or her residence. This is known as the county of “domicile.” The court that handles the estate is the Surrogate’s Court of that county. When must the claim be presented? In order to make the Executor or Administrator personally responsible for payment, a claim must be presented within seven months of the Court’s issuance of authority to the Executor or Administrator. This is known as a Letter Testamentary or a Letter of Administration. How must the claim be presented? In general, in order to present the claim against the estate, it must be made in writing. It has to be presented to the Executor or Administrator either personally or by certified mail return receipt requested. What happens if there is no response? If there is no response within ninety days of presenting the claim, it is considered to be rejected. Subsequently, the person with the claim should file an objection in the court. The claim will have to be decided in the court. Must there be written evidence in order to bring a claim? Medical professionals will typically have written evidence in the form of records and invoices to support a claim. Financial transactions are typically documented. However, there are claims for services provided to a deceased person when there is no written evidence.

These claims are hard to prove because the law does not permit a claimant to testify about what a deceased person said in order to prevent fraudulent claims. Relatives have a harder time bringing a claim for services because there is a legal presumption that relatives provide for each other out of love and affection and without expectation of repayment. This presumption is not an absolute bar to recovery, but it makes the standard of evidence even harder to meet. What should an executor or administrator do if presented with a claim? I have represented administrators who have been presented with claims

from medical providers and other claimants. It is important to speak to the claimant and to ask for documentation and not simply accept a demand made in a letter. Further, New York law permits requiring the claimant to present proof by affidavit that the amount of the claim is justly due, that all payments by the deceased were credited, and that the claimant knows of no offsets and no evidence of indebtedness and holds no security except as disclosed in the affidavit. Even if documentation is provided, it may be possible to negotiate a lesser amount. If the deceased had medical insurance, it is commonly believed that the final bill would be paid at a lesser rate typically paid by the insurer,

rather than simply the face amount of the invoice. No column is a substitute for competent legal advice. Please consult with the attorney of your choice concerning specific legal questions you may have.

Stephen H. Weiner’s office is located at 750 Third Avenue, Ninth Floor, New York, NY 10017. He has been an attorney since 1985 and is a member of the New York State Bar Association. If you have comments or questions about this article, he can be contacted at weiner@sweinerlaw.com.

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If someone dies and owes me money, can the money that is owed still be recovered after their death?

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Ask the Attorney

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classifieds Services Keyboard Lessons by Meshulam Ross Only $25 per Session Learn by Ear/Note Reading Free Trial Session Loads of Fun! Call or Text: 917-280-4545 Email: MeshulamRoss@Gmail.com Young man available for hire in Queens for all types of personal services. Will go elsewhere for half day or more work. References. Call Elliott 718-427-0180

Morah Malki’s Playgroup for 2014-2015 For 3 year old boys and girls Conveniently located in Far Rockaway Fun and organized program Run by an experienced warm Morah Comfortable large rooms on ground level Mon-Thurs 9:00-3:00, Fri 9:00-12:00 Call or Text 718-812-9388

Substance Abuse, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression Individual-Group-Family- Parents-TeensYoung Adults Confidential and Affordable Lisa Rosenblatt, LMSW (516)313-9483 Life Groups Neat & Clean solutions for everyone. Elder care, Baby sitting (day or night). Child care is my specialty House cleaning. Home, Office or Synagogues. Ref/ Avail. Call 212-858-9495 or email lifegroupsinc@gmail.com

Bubby Babysitter Available Excellent references Long Hours – Newborn & up Far Rockaway Location TLC Call 718-327-1932

HOME SERVICES & MAINTENANCE Plumbing Electricity repaired- replacedrelocated. We do asssemblies- House problems solved. so put togeter your repair to do list and call Avrohom 917.744.1962 Fivetownsrentaguy@yahoo.com

EXPERIENCED DEBT COLLECTION ATTORNEY Local frum attorney experienced in debtors’ and creditors’ rights. Fast, discreet and effective – on average we recoup 80 cents on the dollar. sb@BiegaczLaw.com (718) 285-0943 Dynamic, educated, frum counselor offering unique counseling services to men struggling with personal issues. Goaloriented sessions. Discreet & Confidential. Contact smartcounseling@gmail.com "Kosher" Yoga & Licensed Massage Therapy The Peaceful Presence Yoga & Massage Studio 436 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst NY Separate for men & women Now women's aerobic, cardio-strength training and Tai Chi. www.peacefulpresence.com 516-371-3715 Looking to design/redecorate your home? Call Tami Rosenbaum Interiors for a free consultation! 718-734-7452 or email: tamiroseinteriors@gmail.com Counseling 4 Success! Relationships, school, work, parenting. Solution-Focused. Teens, adults, children. 20 yrs experience. Warm, understanding, supportive. Confidential. Affordable. Rabbi Perry Schafler LCSW-R (516) 4288525 Mailplace4-counseling@yahoo.com Home Improvements General Contractor Entire renovations of bathrooms, kitchens and basements -Tiles, floors, expert Roof repair available Free estimates and reasonable rates Call 718-907-0618 or 917-865-5033 LEARN TO LEAD A BEAUTIFUL DAVENING Do you love davening for the amud? Do you sometimes wish you could lead the Tsibbur but lack the knowledge and confidence to pull it off? Call Yaakov 516-229-1948 Photos 4 your Simcha Professional Photography and Video We love what we do and it shows in our work! Competitively priced! Check out our website & specials. www.photos4yoursimcha.com or call Yaakov 718-868-1800

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The Jewish Home classifieds Contact: classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Jewish Lower East Side Walking Tours given by licensed NYC tour guide specializing in the area. Once a bustling Jewish neighborhood with struggling immigrants. Come connect to your heritage and experience the gateway to “Di Goldneh Medinah”. Private, Group, School tours booking now. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Call 516-652-4527 Experienced Certified Life Coach for Men only Call Chaim 516 924 7694 Hair Course Learn how to wash and style hair and wigs Hair and wig cutting, wedding styling Private lessons or in a group Call Chaya 718-715-9009 Guaranteed cheapest prices on strollers and baby gear! Babyjogger, Uppa, Stokke, Britax, Bugaboo and more! Free next day shipping and no tax Call or text 443-208-8532, sthav@zment.com Struggling with Shalom Bayis? The Shalom Bayis Hotline 732-523-1112 Caring rabbanim answering your questions for free So far very positive results BS’D! Yiddish Home Study Program: The new book Yiddish in 10 Lessons along with 2 CD's has just been released to easily learn to read, write and speak the Yiddish language. Call Chaim at 516 924 7694 or www.conversationalyiddish,com You can also sign up to receive a Free Weekly Taste of Yiddish

Real Estate For Sale Far Rockaway House for sale by owner, no brokerage involved. Classic side hall colonial 5 bedrooms, 3 bath, Brand new eat-in Kitchen w/ Cherry Cabinets and Granite counter tops, updated Bathrooms, Refinished Hardwood floors throughout, plenty of storage space. Open House Sunday Dec 15, 11am-12pm 1236 B12 st $575k For more information, please call (201) 381-0489 House for Sale Kew Gardens Hills 18ft. attached, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths Best location, front porch, backyard, finished attic, finished basement Call 718-578-2882 Far Rockaway Co-Op For Sale: 833 Central Ave. Luxurious 24 hour Doorman Building, Spacious 2 Bedroom, Newly Renovated Bathroom, Kosher Kitchen, Spectacular View, centrally located near LIRR and all shuls. Call 516-633-5564. Lawrence - For sale by owner, co-op-large 1 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, eat in kitchen, central A/C, double terrace, top floor, doorman, garage, walk to town, temples, train. 516-791-7000.

BAYSWATER House for Sale 4 bedrooms 3 baths DR LR Full basement great block must see Yochi R.E. Salesperson WinZone Re 212-470-3856 other Listings avail Residential: 3bd/2full ba. SD#15. Full bsmt w/ sep outside entrance. Walk to all. $399K C Slansky, Broker, 516-655-3636 Commercial: 1st time available 50+ years. Currently several retail with full bsmts & several apts. Prime 5T location WITH parking. $899K. C Slansky, Broker, 516-655-3636

Real Estate For Rent BAYSWATER House for rent 4 bedrooms 3 baths D/R L/R room EIK Full basement yard wash & dryer great block 1975 month Yochi WinZone Re 212-470-3856 other rentals available 3 bedroom 2 full bathroom house with extra room in basement. living room, dining room, laundry room, newly done kitchen with dishwasher and 2 sinks. huge backyard and driveway. corner of Virginia and Brunswick asking $2450 per month Available either Dec1 or Jan1 for more info please call 9178033019 3 Bedrooms, 2 full Bathrooms, 2 Kitchen sinks, Dishwasher Washer/dryer, 2 Balconies, 3rd floor walk-up. Friendly, heimish block $1700/month, Available immediately For more information, please call 718-327-5153.

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Woodmere retail and office space for rent Main street location, will sub-divide, ground floor 2,500 sq.ft. plus basement. $3,900 per month 2nd floor 3,500 sq.ft. $4,400 per month Village Plaza 516-840-5124 For Rent on Frisco Ave Near Bnos Beis Yakov 2 bedroom Apt on 2nd floor Asking $1450, Available Jan 1 Call: 516-225 4558 HOUSE FOR RENT Far Rockaway EIK, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, screened porch, laundry room. Near shuls (White shul, Agudah) and LIRR,.$ 2350 plus utilities. Please call 516-353-8393

Challenge Early Intervention Center Service Coordinator F/T Queens Location BA in Human Services or related field. Computer literate, detail oriented, excellent communication skills. Bi-lingual Hebrew. Competitive compensation pkg. Fax resume to: 718-261-3702 Or e-mail to: Cara.challenge2@thejnet.com An embroidery store in New Hyde Park is seeking a front desk operator. Needs to be bright, energetic and very responsible. Required to deal with customer service and prepare work tasks for embroidery operations. Will train fully embroidery program. Please email apropoemb@gmail.com Sales position available. Flexible hours, great commission, excellent communication skills needed, must have car. Please call 732-503-3760 if no answer leave message. Shaitel Macher in Far Rockaway Looking for a full time/part time assistance help] Job description: Helping wash and set shaitels- answer calls & set up appointments Please call 347-524-3864

Leaders in Online Jewish Marketing are hiring Sales Superstars. Do you fit the bill? Send your resume to sales@thejmg.com or call us @ 646-351-1808 x 111

Misc. For sale: Grey, size 2 jumper gown with matching shell. Worn once. Call 347 886 7054.

For sale: Blue Dodge Caravan 04' $2500. Call 917 825 2730 Get cash today For your junk car Free tow Call now 845-661-1109

Business for Sale Online unique baby and mommy gifts 10k FB fans, 7k customers, Gross 45k big upside Serious Inquiries only 718 471 5614 Volunteer tutors desperately needed for Zichron Etel, a tutoring gemach that provides free tutoring to those who cannot afford it. Help needed in Brooklyn & the Five Towns. Please contact Nina@ 516-791-6676 or zichronetel@aol.com Love your car?â&#x20AC;ŚGive it life Donate it to Yeshiva Fast, Free pick-up and towing Easy donation steps Maximum charitable tax deduction Free Vacation Voucher, 2 days/3nights CALL NOW! (718) 778-4766

Minivan for Sale 2003 Pontiac. Asking $2000 Please call 732-300-4098

Looking for donation of car or minivan in good running condition. Tax exempt receipt available for full market value. Please call 347-342-8196

"Devorah's Wig Rental" Brand new- Beautiful long wigs, perfect for up-does. Rent a wig for your next occasion. Bride Discounts always! Call Devorah @ 718-869-2174.

Shaital gmach in Eretz Yisroel desperately needs shaitels. To be a part of this great mitzvah please call Peninia @ 347-6756526 Tizku Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mitzvos

Job Available Challenge Early Intervention Center Receptionist , FT for Queens Office, seeking mature, energetic, organized person with good computer skills and ability to multitask. Good Compensation pkg. Applicant living in close proximity to office preferred. Fax Resume 718-261-3702 Or email cara.challenge2@thejnet.com Growing marketing firm seeks a male graphic designer to join its fresh and creative team. Email portfolio to bigideasmarketing@yahoo.com

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d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

Far Rockaway House for rent 3 bedroom 2 full bathroom house with extra room in basement. Living room, dining room, laundry room, newly done kitchen with dishwasher and 2 sinks. Huge backyard and driveway. Corner of Virginia and Brunswick. Asking $2450 per month Available either Dec1 or Jan1 for more info please call 9178033019 Apt for Rent. New to market, available immediately, beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath. Great location, Meehan and Beach 6th St. $1950 including heat. Please call 718-471-8444 ext. 213

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Lola's Story

Lola Lieber Schwartz

A World After This

A Memoir of Loss and Redemption Lola Lieber Schwartz is a world-renowned artist whose paintings have been exhibited in art galleries throughout the United States and are part of the Yad Vashem archives in Jerusalem. Most importantly, Lola is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to many. She has myriad friends and sees life in all its vibrancy and vitality. But life was not always easy. Lola was only sixteen-yearsold when Hitler ym”sh invaded Poland, and Lola was forced into hiding and spent years on the run with her husband, Mechel. Through six years of trying times, near

continued

Chapter 24 Reunion

hen my brother told us the most gruesome fact of all. Of the 2,000 people that had been aboard the train, only about twenty survived. As this small group regained their strength and their mental capacities, they formed small impromptu communes, or kibbutzim, and planned to make a collective escape to Palestine. This is how Ben came to be in the Hashomer Hatza’ir movement. He thought it was optimistic, brave, profoundly Jewish, and daring. For them as ardent Zionists, Eretz Yisrael was the ultimate destination. They vowed they would somehow reach Palestine and work and fight for the Jewish state. As it turned out, because of my brother’s love for me, he would not be fighting for the State of Israel or be a part of its beginnings. He would go to Israel but only after statehood had been achieved. The evening that he had visited the girl in my room in the hospital, he had not noticed me. If my name had been posted on the end of the bed, he might have looked at it, but we cannot know. In any event, because I had been in emergency surgery, they had not yet posted my name. The reunion was one of an indescribable sweetness that embraced us both in the love we had shared as children together. He was a young man now, not a boy, and he was very handsome! Ben waited for a time before he

told me the exact details of Goldie’s fate. During the round-up and deportation in Munkach, Goldie somehow got it into her mind to resist. Instead of following orders, she ran away, and

starvation and brutality, Lola and her husband held onto their faith and values. It was Mechel’s words of encouragement, “There will be a world after this,” that helped them cling to the hope that there will be a life of light and joy waiting for them at the end. This is the story of Lola’s life—from her grandparents’ “enchanted garden” to meeting Eichmann ym”sh to making the Pesach seder for the Bobover Rebbe during the war—her words will take you back to a different world.

utter agony of hearing the details from my own brother. We are Jews, however, and for us life must be for the living; we are commanded to live. I mourned but I

I looked to the past with grief and longing, but I looked forward with hope and joy, and as my tummy expanded and expanded, so did my happiness.

was caught almost immediately. She was beaten to a pulp, Ben reported, almost beyond recognition. The rest of the family were waiting to leave on the trains when some men came running carrying a stretcher. On it was my sister, barely alive, and bloodied. They dropped her in front of them. Ben had not imagined she could survive the train ride, but she did. She was put into forced labor as ill and weak as she was. She died in the arms of our aunt, the very woman who might have been her mother-in-law, had she not protested against Goldie’s fragility. Tuli, too young for work, had been sent immediately to the gas chambers. I learned from my brother the precise details of the death of Moishe, who had survived the camps and the Death March. When his convoy came under aerial attack, instead of running for shelter he ran into the street, begging the Allies to bomb more of Germany. Either an American or a Soviet bomb had killed him. Although I had assumed most of these things, and other refugees we had met during our journey had told me some facts, nothing was like the

also took a look around me. I saw the beauty of our surroundings, we had plenty of food to eat, and my husband came to see me every day. I looked to the past with grief and longing, but I looked forward with hope and joy, and as my tummy expanded and expanded, so did my happiness. I was moved into a ward with about forty beds, no longer confined to traction, and I started to move around gingerly. People admired my pregnancy and I was a little embarrassed, but I understood that I was a symbol of the future. We found out that Uncle Yoshe had left Krakow and had come to Munich. Mechel got word to them to come to the hospital and say they were not well. Once inside it would be easier to arrange housing for them. They did that and we were able to help them get into a confiscated German apartment. There was an active committee of patients distributing some luxuries now available: nylon stockings, clothing of all sorts, chocolate, Ovaltine, and cigarettes. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration were distributing all these things.

There was also food and medicine sent by Agudath Israel in America. Mechel was happy to have cigarettes again. He had been denied this pleasure and craved the good American brands. Cigarettes became a currency with which to barter. People used them to accumulate cash and necessities and to head for Palestine. Many Germans were nicotine addicts and were willing to barter almost anything to get them. In the middle of January in 1946, the doctors at St Ottilien said that we needed to go the hospital in Munich to check on the baby’s delivery date. It was about an hour away by taxi. The German doctor told me that I was about a week from the birth of my child. He said I should prepare to stay in the hospital for about a week after the baby was born. When we returned to our rooms at St. Ottilien, I needed to get things ready for Mechel and myself before Shabbos, which meant doing some laundry and using the ironing room at the hospital. All our family members gathered together for Kiddush and the meal. Then, as always, Mechel and I said goodnight to each other and he went to the men’s quarters. The staff at St. Ottilien had not made arrangements for us to stay together, as we were the only married couple. They really did not know what to do with us, but we were content unto ourselves and were eagerly awaiting the next week and the birth of our child. Continued next week Lola wrote this book with the help of Alida Brill. A World After This was published in 2010 by Devora Publishing.

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From My Private Art Collection Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg

The History Behind the Colored Pencil

he silverpoint was a drawing tool used by artists during the 1400’s1500’s. This important tool was also known as a stylus made out of metals or silver and produced a grey drawing line. Leonardo da Vinci was among the famous artists who made use of this

special tool in order to produce his famous sketches. In 1662, the first lead pencil was developed, also known as a graphite pencil. The everyday pencil was introduced into society as a staple during the 19th century, followed later on by the colored pencil. Colored drawing tools were originally made out of wax, clay and pigments coming directly from the earth. They were introduced as drawing sticks, which came in the natural colors of earth, such as sepia, earthy tones of red and brown. Later on, the colored pencils were wrapped in wood, so that they would be easier to handle. In the early years, architects and scientists made use of colored pencils as drawing tools, but not artists.

As artists began to realize that colored pencils were far more practical to use than paint (they required no waiting time to dry), artists started using them as a medium more frequently. They began to realize what a wonderful tool for use of layering color upon color. The overlaying of this dry media was a new phenomenon, which was intriguing. Artists began to realize that by physically

controlling the pencil with the amount of pressure placed while drawing, various tones could be achieved. As artists began using the colored pencil for reproductions and original work, it became clear how wonderful they are and easy to use. Additionally, while working with the colored pencil the artists noticed how they could be used for detailed precision work. The various techniques available were exciting to try. Glazing, blending, burnishing, shading, cross-hatching, and stippling are just a few of the types of techniques which added dimension, color and interest to the colored sketch. Colored pencils do not smudge the way pastels and charcoals do, and therefore, create less of a mess. There are numerous brands available. Some come in students’ grade and others in artists’ grade. Some are sold individually and some come in sets of colors. Today,

there are even colored pencils which are called watercolor pencils and produce a similar effect as to watercolor paints. The types of papers which can be used are endless. The most popular papers to use with colored pencils are either machine-made or hand-made and come in white, off white, or colored. The background of the paper will directly affect the feeling of the picture. Using a black drawing pencil or colored pencil for accents and outlines helps in introducing the feeling of depth in any picture. For more information on techniques, please email me and I will respond in a timely manner. Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg is a professional art educator, artist and designer. Among her known artwork is a floral sculpture presented to Tipper Gore, Blair House, Washington, D.C. Presently she is the Director of Operations at Shulamith School for Girls. Please feel free to email nherzberg@ optonline.net with questions and suggestions for future columns.

Granting Wishes by Removing Itches

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Sale valid 12/12/13 thru 12/18/13. Cash & Carry only. We reserve the right to limit quanitities on sale items. Not responsible for typographical errors. While supplies last. No rain checks.

ORDERS CAN BE EMAILED, FAXED, OR CALLED IN 1913 Cornaga Ave. • Far Rockaway • T. 718.471.7555 • F. 718.471.9102 • E. Kosherworldorders@yahoo.com

FREE PARKING • FREE DELIVERY • FRIENDLY SERVICE • CURB SIDE SERVICE Store hours: Sun 8-8 • Mon. - Tue. 7-8 • Wed. 7-10 • Thu. 7-12 • Fri. 7-1 1/2 Hours Before Shabbos

d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

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Grocery Section

Your Money Allan J. Rolnick CPA

Coach’s Challenge

ecember is here, and for millions of college football fans that means following their favorite coach to a New Year’s bowl game. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Nick Saban is reeling from the Crimson Tide’s last-second loss to archrival Auburn in this year’s “Iron Bowl.” In Columbus, Ohio State’s Urban Meyer is celebrating 24 straight victories after his Buckeyes beat Michigan by just one point in “The Game.” And further west, Washington’s Steve Sarkisian is celebrating his Huskies win over the Washington State Cougars in the 106th “Apple Cup.” As always, these coaches and dozens more will be paying attention to the latest Bowl Championship Series standings. But this year, they’ll also be paying attention to the IRS. That’s because a new strategy might help them block taxes when they switch jobs. College football coaches can make a lot of money. Alabama’s Saban will make at least $5.65 million this year, and 51 coaches make more than the av-

erage pro player ($1.9 million). In 27 states, the highest-paid public employee is a football coach. Naturally, that means they pay a lot of tax. So this is more than just an academic discussion — there’s a lot of money at stake. Let’s take a closer look here. Butch Jones led the University of Cincinnati Bearcats to a 23-14 record before the University of Tennessee hired him away to coach the Volunteers. As part of Jones’ new deal, Tennessee paid $1.4 million to buy out his contract with Cincinnati. The Bearcats, in turned, poached Tommy Tuberville away from Texas Tech — and as part of that deal, paid $943,000 to buy out Tuberville’s old contract with the Red Raiders. (Why not? They can take it from the $1.4 million they’re getting from Tennessee, and still have enough left over to pay an assistant or two!) Now, traditionally, those payments Tennessee and Cincinnati made to buy out their new coaches’ obligations under their old contracts have been considered

additional income to the coaches, and thus taxable to them. “What’s the big deal?” you might ask. “So Tuberville recognizes $943,000 in extra income. Can’t he just deduct that same amount as an employee business expense and zero out the income?” Well, yes . . . but. First, employee business expenses are a miscellaneous itemized deduction, subject to a 2% floor. (That means Tuberville gets no deduction for the amount equal to the first 2% of his adjusted gross income.) That alone would make over $60,000 of Tuberville’s payment nondeductible. Second, and even worse, employee business expenses are a preference item for the dreaded Alternative Minimum Tax, which could wipe out the deduction entirely! Back in 2007, two law school professors argued that the buyout should be treated as a nontaxable business obligation. They reached that conclusion on two grounds: 1) the school’s reimbursement actually converts the coach’s payment into a non-itemized

deduction, which avoids the 2% floor and AMT; and 2) the payment is made for the school’s benefit and not as compensation for the coach. Schools have taken notice, and both Tennessee and Cincinnati worded their new coaches’ contracts to take advantage of this interpretation. As coaches’ salaries and their corresponding buyout obligations go up, we should see more and more of these changes. We realize most of you won’t ever tackle these sorts of seven-figure challenges. But you still need a strong defensive line when you suit up against the IRS. That’s where your accountant come in. We give you the plan you need to keep the tax man out of your endzone.

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allan jrcpa@aol.com.

World Renowned Guest Speakers

14 – 22, 2 L I 01 R

Find us on Facebook GatewaysOrg

R’Avraham FRIEDMAN

Mrs. Zahava FARBMAN

R’ Dr. Akiva TATZ

P E SACH &

R’ Dovid GREENBLATT

Mrs. Debbie GREENBLATT

R’ Jonathan RIETTI

R’ Yonason SHIPPEL

R’ Mordechai SUCHARD

gashmius combine for the ultimate experience

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Gourmet Cuisine Dear Guest: Dear Guest: As you know, our Pesach program is a “Non-Gebrokts” program. As you know, our Pesach program is a “Non-Gebrokts” program. Consequently, guests are kindly requested to be careful that Matzo Consequently, guests are kindly requested to be careful that Matzo should not come in contact with liquids. Furthermore, being that Egg should notpermissible come in contact with liquids. Furthermore, being that Egg Matzo is not on Pesach (except for the infirm on the advice is not shall permissible onextra Pesach (except forthe the“Shabbos infirm onErev the advice of Matzo a Rav), guests please be careful during of a Rav), shall please be Matzo extra careful during the “Shabbos Pesach” mealsguests to keep away the Egg –as much as possiblefrom Erev to keep away the Egg Matzo –as much as possiblefrom thePesach” Pesach meals dishes and utensils.

e n t e rta i n m e n t the Pesach dishes and utensils.

Baruch LEVINE

R’ Mordechai BECHER

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where ruchnius

5774

World Renowned Gateways Speakers

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you Simcha YaakovThank Thank you KAJ Hashgocha SHWEKEY LEINER

KAJ Hashgocha

Day Camp

• Entire Hotel Exclusive to Gateways • Luxurious suites • Atrium lobby • Private Seder Rooms • New Indoor Pool and Jacuzzi • Shabbos Key Locks & Elevators • Health and fitness center • Walking paths • Aerobics, Simcha dancing and Zumba • Tennis Courts • 24 hour tea room • Lavish buffets and kiddushim • Shmurah Matzah • Non-Gebrokts • Cholov Yisroel & Chasidish Shechita • Vast wine selection • Two game rooms • Wi-Fi throughout • Complimentary parking • 45 miles from Brooklyn & 5 Towns

• Children & teen programming

• Pirchei & Bnos style day camp led by Master Storyteller & Mechanech Rabbi Avi Frank

• Masmidim program run by Rabbi Dovid Libman • Babysitting service

• Experienced professional day camp directors & counselors • Trips to major attractions • Children’s Carnival

the shidduch division of gateways

Featuring Gateways Shadchanim

For More Info & Reservations

GATEWAYS ORGANIZATION

800-722-3191 • 845-352-0393 office@gatewaysonline.org • www.gatewayspesach.org

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Rancho Mirage

THE FINEST IN DINING FROM THE KMR GOURMET CULINARY TEAM DIRECTED BY THE RENOWNED MICHAEL SCHICK

Two superior operators combine to raise the bar for service and fine cuisine. AFIKOMAN TOURS THE WERNER BROTHERS OF KMR

NON GEBROKTS AVAILABLE Under strict Rabbinical Supervision

Please visit our website for a complete list of services, activities, amenities & much more.

AFIKOMAN TOURS

www.PREMIERPASSOVER.com 888-234-5662 | 818-781-1333

d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

PA S S OV E R I N PA L M S P R I N G S , C A

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CUISINE AT ITS FINEST AND PURE EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY

d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

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P A SSOVER FONTAINEBLEAU

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2014

April 13-April 23

MIAMI BEACH

Deluxe, Ocean View, Terrace Rooms, Junior Suites, 1 & 2 Bedroom Suites (including Tresor & Sorrento Bldgs.)

3-10 Night Packages Available

Culinary Cuisine by: RAM CATERERS Directed by Simon Auerbacher ORB Glatt Kosher Supervision “Step It Up” Program: YOGEV Berdugo, Teen Director CME Credit Program: Facilitated by DR. JAY MAZEL

732.370.7777

Chasidishe shechita, Cholov Yisroel, Non Genrokts, Hand Shmurah Matzo

Looking forward to greeting you personally. Your hosts, The Mandel Family

For Information & Reservations Call: 877-538-9948 954-251-1940 Email: info@LASKOgetaways.com www.LASKOgetaways.com

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PESACH 2014

*Rancho Bernardo Spa Pool & Cabanas

The Upscale Experience Awaits. White Oaks Resort Niagara Falls, Canada

Rancho Bernardo Inn San Diego, California

Dolce Resort Norwalk, Connecticut

“Extraordinary would be the only way to describe it. The resort that has it all.”

“A peaceful haven in the heart of the mountains.”

Experience the only luxury pesach resort, less than an hour from nyc

-Condé Nast Traveler Top Southern California Golf Resort Awards Winner

-CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE #1 RATED CONFERENCE RESORT IN CONNECTICUT

-Canada Select Ontario’s Top Five Star Hotel Resort

info@upscale-getaways.com

www.upscale-getaways.com

1.877.895.3210

d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

For a Pesach vacation that includes a beautiful resort, an unrivaled kids program, non-stop events, fascinating lecturers, and of course an incredible dining experience, Choose Upscale.

The Jewish Home n

presents

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Life Coach

FIRST CHILD FRREEXEPIR!ES

The Schechter Family Presents...

Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

OFFE 12 /31/ 13

The Mystery of Time n

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Join the leaders in Passover Tours for our another great Pesach at this beautiful oceanfront resort!

n n n n n

Our 19th spectacular year! Directly on the beach Oversized NEWLY RENOVATED rooms many with terraces Poolside fitness center with sauna & steam room Children’s dining room Superb day camp program Private seder rooms available Glatt kosher, strict supervision Gourmet cuisine with renowned Chef Andy Serano Cantor led or private seders Sumptuous “Tea Room” Top name entertainment Trips to major attractions Golf, tennis, watersports nearby Poolside BBQ’s Olympic-size pool + kids pool 2 min. to upscale Aventura Mall Daily services, shiurim, lectures Scholar-in-Residence Program FOR RESERVATIONS CALL CARIBBEAN KOSHER TOURS:

19201 COLLINS AVE, MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA

www.MarcoPoloBeachResort.com

1-800-327-8165 305-937-7209

marcopolopassover@gmail.com

a perFect winter get-away Jewish Home 4.65” x 5.875

Free

Kosh Contine er n BreaKfa tal st

Special aMenitieS For the KoSher traVeler: 4 Shul on premises oceanFront! 4 Glatt-kosher catering available 4 Within Sunny Isles Eruv MiaMi Beach, Florida 4 Shabbos keys available 4 250 deluxe rooms . . .

1 877 327 6363

www.marcopolobeachresort.com

riday literally shrank! • Your wedding Only the power of us Jews can • The summer shrink a day. • The weekend Monday is like 12 hours. So is • Vacation Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. • And, of course, seeing your kids But you all know suddenly grow up! that Friday is now Time is intangionly maybe 6 hours ble, yet so tangible. at best. We wake Elusive, yet so up in the morning there. and a minute latSometimes one er we are lighting man’s moment is candles. another man’s hour Then we also and vice versa. do this incredible Imagine two thing. We totally couples on a first elongate Saturdate! One couple day night into like connects; it’s wonthree days. We can derful, the violins honestly get more play—and the mindone on these Saturday nights than in utes move like seconds. The other coua lifetime of Sundays. We get to drive ple doesn’t connect, and the minutes our kids everywhere, empty the pizza move like hours. shops of all their pies, falafel and fries, Same minutes—different time! and still manage If only the secto get to Manhatond couple, the bad tan, join our buddate, could shrink dies for a show, time the way we Time is relative. and check out the shrink Fridays. newest eatery that And the first couSometimes minutes opened there. ple could elongate are hours and They say we time, the way we Jews were made in do our Saturday sometimes hours G-d’s image, and nights. are minutes. what greater proof The best advice than this way that I can give you on we control time! that one, is if your But what about vibes anticipate a the way time controls us? How does bad date, plan it for Friday! If you feel that fit in? Well, that kind of makes us a good date coming on, go for Saturday remember we are human! night! Time can be such a boss. Like you Oh, and make sure to reverse that know one minute we’re in the sandbox advice if it’s during the summer! and then before we turn around we We don’t really have too much to must find a job, a mate, a house. say when it comes to time. So take adTime isn’t really real after all. It’s vantage of all the little loopholes you relative! Sometimes minutes are hours find! and sometimes hours are minutes. The most important thing to know There are times when time moves is to try to value time. Whether it’s too slowly…. moving slowly or quickly, at least it’s • In a dentist’s chair still moving, which is more than we • Being stuck in traffic can say about a lot of things. So appre• When you’re in labor ciate it, embrace it, and make the best • Waiting for the shadchan to call of it! back • During turbulence • And, of course, waiting for your Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. kids to grow up And there are times time moves too She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com. fast….

pesach 2014

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Entire Resort Kosher for Pesach • Ashkenaz and Sefard Minyanim • 5-Star Culinary Experience, Daily

Ft. Lauderdale

APRIL 13-24

Room • Wonderful & Exciting Programing, Activities and Entertainment

rabbi zecharia

Wallerstein

charlie

rabbi daniel

Harary, Esq.

Mechanic

• Brand New Banquet Center

david j.

Lieberman, Ph.D.

• Tropical Nature Walking Trails and Ponds w/4 Sun-Drenched Pools • Oversized Deluxe Guest Rooms & Suites w/Balconies

telephone: 323-275-1949 website: www.smilowfamilytours.com

• Lake and Golf Course Views

Discount Early Bird Special Reserve by January 1st

Winter

Day Trip

TuESdaY

dEC. 31, 2O13 with Guide

Hillel Brenner

Kever Binyamin - what’s he doing here in such close proximity to Kalkilya? El Matan hilltop in Maaleh Shomron – A mixed community with amazing views of Nachal Kana Enjoy lunch in Yeshivat Hesder Karnei Shomron where you will also meet some inspiring local people Off to Har Grizim for an overlook of Shechem and Kever Yosef and be taken on a ride through time with the rich history here Learn about the smallest ethnic group in the world, the Samaritans, and visit remnants of their temple from 2,000 years ago at the newly reopened National Park Visit a Tehina factory which has won awards for its outstanding product End the day at the Har Bracha Winery

Avrohom Fried

t h u r s day n i g h t c h o l - h a m o e d

Sruli Wulliger

THurSdaY

brate e l e C the theArboreAl ArboreAlNew NewYeAr YeAr

JaN. 16, 2O14

with Guide eve harow inin thethe Shomron Shomron

First, we will visit the Zimmerman Farm in Itamar - home grown dried fruits, a dairy and more, all in a self sustaining energy environment Up the hill to the Melet Mill for flour, oil and honey. Eretz Yisrael is desolate no more. Peek in at the cutting edge One Israel Funded security center keeping our farmers and their children safe. See where Gideon may have 'threshed his wheat in a grape press' at Ofra of the Judges. Enjoy a delectable home-made dairy lunch at Savta Chana's (Rav Dudkevitch) in Yitzhar.

also coming up... MONdaY JaNuarY 20, 2O14 TuESdaY JaNuarY 21, 2O14 Trip departs from the Liberty Bell Parking Lot promptly at 8:30am and returns approximately 6:30pm. Cost: $70 per adult / $60 per students in Israel or children under 12 FOr rESErVaTIONS & addITIONaL INFOrMaTION

Visit WWW.ONEISraELFuNd.OrG/daYTrIpS Email to daytrips@oneisraelfund.org or contact: IN uS: Ruthie Kohn 516.239.9202 x10 IN ISraEL: Rivkah Rybak 054.803.4853

In the afternoon we will honor the holiday by planting fruit trees in Eli, planning for the future even as we partake of the bounty of the Land End the day at the Gvaot Winery in Givat Harel, where creative blending and ongoing research have brought our new old industry back to life The cherry trees of modern Ofra; we’re way beyond the seven species.

For terms and conditions, please visit the website or contact our oFFice. itinerary subject to change as determined by security and weather considerations.

d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

Pool Side BBQ’s and Lavish Tea

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• Warm Yom Tov Atmosphere

The Yearning for Shabbos Shabbos Zemiros Hard and Soft Cover And Gift Sets

THE LOSEOU CONNECTION CC

$2 .99$12 .99

UPSCALE CLOSEOUTS 516.218.2211

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134 Washington Ave. CEDARHUST, NY 11516

$10.00

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Doll Stroller

Next door to CVS, in the Gourmet Glatt parking lot Reg. $15.00

UPSCALE

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d e c e m b e r 1 2 , 2013

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$7 .99 STORE HOURS:

Shannon Crystal Candlesticks

M.-W. 10:00-8:00 Th. 10:00-9:00 F. 10:00-3:00 S. 10:00-7:00

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Visit us at our other locations 4518 13th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 718.854.2595

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115 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n december 12, 2013

Year-End Blowout

SALE!

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Expires 12/31/13 iPad Giveaway www.wheelstolease.com/joinemaillist

Join our email listto and bewinner, enteredJonathan into a raffle for an iPad 3 Congratulations ouryou lastwill raffle Thurm!

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per Month