Five Towns Jewish Home - March 20 by Yitzy Halpern

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THEJEWISHHOME A PUBLICATION OF THE FIVE TOWNS & QUEENS COMMUNITY MARCH 21- April 10, 2013 | Distributed

Around the Community

Weekly In The Five Towns, Queens & Brooklyn

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JCCRP’s Pre-Pesach Food Distribution Program Feeds Hundreds of Families Before the Holiday

Page 38

Pro-Israel Groups Unite at the Israel Initiative’s Inaugural Networking Event Page 48

Shulamith’s Eighth Grade Visits Justice Martin E. Ritholtz in his Queens Courtroom Page 55

DRS Wins FirstEver Basketball Championship! Page 50

YCQ 6th Grade Science Fair Impresses Parents and Judges Page 54

My Grandfather’s Seder, Oil Painting on Canvas by Lola Lieber

Chol Hamoed Guide, Pesach Stories, Recipes, Jewish Thought…

Starts on Page 76

Inside Achiezer: A Patchwork of Perspectives Page 68

kosherworld See Pages 142 & 143

2 — See page 18 —

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T h e J e w i s h H o m e n march 21, 2013

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>>Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 >>Community

Readers’ Poll. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Community Happenings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

>> News

Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Odd-but-True Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

>> Israel

Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 My Israel Home: Apartment Hunting in Israel on Chol Hamoed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

>> People

A Patchwork of Perspectives: An Inside Look Into Achiezer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Trying to Murder the Devil: Ewald-Heinrich Von Kleist’s Attempt to Assassinate Hitler. . . . . . . . . . . . 98 A World After This: The Story of Lola Lieber . . . . 126

>>Parsha

The Shmuz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

>> Jewish Thought

Are You a Good Investment?, by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Identity Crisis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Ask the Rabbi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

>>Pesach

Mrs. Hebel’s Top Ten Tips for Involving Your Children in the Pesach Seder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Our Legacy Passed Along . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 A Miracle in Bagdhad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 From Oporto to Georgia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Chol Hamoed Family Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Faiga’s House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Dear Readers, After weeks of preparation, Pesach is finally here. I love sitting down to the seder. The house is sparkling and clean. The children are excited to show off what they’ve learned, and we all look forward to participating in the seder. Last year, my then-two-year-old daughter stood up on her chair with her “matzah man” and told everyone with a wag of her finger, “No pizza, no bagels, no crumbs.” But Pesach to me is more than just an absence of chometz. It’s a time when we join together as a family to celebrate the yom tov. Nowadays, we lead busy lives, and we don’t always get a chance to spend quality time together. Pesach is a time when we come back to our roots and delve into the past. This year I will be spending the first days of yom tov at my parents’ house. Although there are a lot more voices singing the mah nishtana now, it’s a wonderful feeling to have my father lead the seder just as he has done for all the years past. My children are looking forward to the treats and trinkets he has to give them at the seder. It’s special to be able to look at the old hagaddahs and projects that I made during my school years and share them with my own children. The warmth of family, the appreciation we have towards Hashem for giving us so much, and the strength of the chain linking the generations of klal Yisroel all come together on Pesach night. Pesach is eight days long and we at TJH wanted to make sure to give you more than enough to enjoy over that time. There is something in this week’s issue for everyone to enjoy. For those who are cooking up delicious yom tov meals, we have over ten recipes for you to try. Most are easy to prepare and require simple ingredients. For those who are interested in history, make sure to read a special story about Pesach in the American colonies. There’s an account written about Eliyahu HaNavi saving the Jews of Baghdad that you may enjoy as well. Of course, Pesach is not complete without divrei Torah and Jewish thought. There’s much to read about the yom tov and its beauty. Looking for humor? We have that too. Andrea Eller pens a unique story about her burning crusade against missionary organizations. The Centerfold Commissioner is at his best with the Centerfold this week. Did you know that the world’s most expensive hotel room is located in a hotel named after a U.S. president? Take his trivia and learn more. Chol Hamoed is a great time to spend time with the family and our Chol Hamoed guide gives you myriad places to choose from. Make sure to stock up on snacks and treats and bring along a great CD for the car. Those trips create memories for a lifetime. As always, we love hearing from our readers. Feel free to email me at editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com. Wishing you and your family a chag kosher v’sameach, Shoshana Yitzy Halpern Publisher

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

>>Parenting

Social Smarts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

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>>Health

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Does G-d Want Us to Live in the Present?, by Deb Hirschhorn, PhD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Editors of Our Own Autobiographies, by Cheryl Greenberger, PhD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 It’s The Thought That Counts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

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>> Lifestyles

P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857

Friday, March 22 — Parshas Tzav Candle Lighting: 6:52 Shabbos Ends: 7:51 Rabbeinu Tam: 8:23

>> Food & Leisure

Recipes: Mouthwatering Desserts, by Estee Kafra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Recipes: The Aussie Gourmet: The Perfect Sides to Enhance your Yom Tov Meal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Recipes: Serving with Splendor at the Seder, by Jamie Geller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Recipes: Chocolate Swiss Roll, by Chef Shaul Silverstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Travel: Mississippi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Editor

Weekly Weather

fri. sat. sun. mon. tues. wed. thurs. March 22 March 23 March 24 March 25 March 26 March 27 March 28

Ask the Attorney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Your Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Don’t “Wine” Cause He’s a “Matzah Man”, by Rivki Rosenwald. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

>> Humor

Centerfold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Pesach is Around the Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

>> Art

From My Private Art Collection: Decoupage: The Creation of 3D Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

>> Political Crossfire

Spin Class with Michael Fragin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Notable Quotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 >> Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

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Contents

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Letters to Dear Editor, Just a funny sight: I was driving on Rockaway Turnpike last Friday in the center lane which was proceeding at a snail’s pace. Being an impatient New York driver, I switched to the left lane, which had no traffic. I quickly spotted the car that was barely moving in the right lane and causing all the traffic. I slowed down in order to see why on

the Editor

earth the driver was driving so slow. I was expecting the driver to be on his cell phone, or eating a hoagie, or being 98 years-old. Much to my surprise, the driver was a young male who didn’t seem to have anything wrong with him, other than the fact that he was reading a magazine while driving! No joke, the guy literally had a magazine spread on his steering wheel and appeared to

be engrossed in an article. Oh, and the magazine he was reading was The Jewish Home. So, I guess, it’s safe to say you have pretty loyal readers...some of whom make pretty lousy drivers. D. Lasker

Dear Editor, You can learn a lot about past history by reading “The Rough Riders Help Defeat the Spanish” (Forgotten Heroes by Avi Heiligman – March 14). Views expressed on the Letters to the The article is worthy of any high school or college history class covering the Editor page do not necessarily reflect the Spanish-American War of 1898. One doesn’t have to be Jewish to appreciate views of The Jewish Home. the great written works of Avi Heiligman. Please send all correspondence to Sincerely, editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com. Larry Penner Announcing the Speaking GreatTour Neck of Lola Lieber,

Dear Editor, Several weeks back in your travel section you featured the Ford Museum in Michigan. I was very surprised that you did that as, I am sure you know, Henry Ford was a world renowned antiSemite. He had a newspaper which featured a series of articles titled, “The International Jew: The World’s Problem.” On the occasion of his 75th birthday, in 1938, Henry Ford received a medal, the Grand Service Cross of the Supreme Order of the German Eagle from Adolf Hitler. Hitler also expressed his admiration for Ford in the second volume of Mein Kampf and, for a while, had a picture of Ford in his office. So I strongly urge readers to patronize the other attractions mentioned in your feature on Michigan and stay far away from the Ford Museum. Chaim Gelbinger

Holocaust Survivor and Author of:

A World After this

Cover Oil on Canvas Passover Table by Artist Lola Lieber

Readers Poll

A Memoir of Loss and Redemption

Lola Lieber

$27.95 US

Distributed by Lambda Publishers / Urim Publications www.UrimPublications.com

 LolaLieberH_Cover.indd 1

ir of Los

You are about to embark on a journey that begins in Hungary, in the town of Munkach, goes forward into Krynica and on into Krakow, Niepolomice, the Bochnia Ghetto, Kosice, Budapest, Debrecen, Bucharest, and finally Munich. It is an adventure of harrowing events and many close calls. It is, in the end, the story of the survival of a woman who will go on in her life to help repair the lost tapestry of Jewish life and to become a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, as well as an accomplished artist.

Yes, I love what I do 66%

No way, I wish I can switch! 34% 12/5/2009 9:39:34 PM

A MeMoir of Loss And redeMption



This is the story of one woman, Lola Lieber, a Hungarian-Polish Jewess, who survived and has chosen during her lifetime to tell the story of the ordeals of her survival and the strength of her faith and courage against all odds. It is also the memoir of a marriage that was a true working partnership, as well as a marital bond of extraordinary depth. With her husband, Mechel, beside her, Lola defied authority, confronted the devil Eichmann in person, never giving up her faith in God and her belief that she and Mechel would be together at the end. The title of this book comes from a comment Mechel made at a bittersweet time in their lives. His words: “There will be a world after this,” thankfully, would turn out to be true.

If you could choose your profession again, would you pick the same profession you are in now? A MeMoir of Loss And redeMption

Although originally intending to distribute my memoirs to family and friends, as I immersed myself into the project I changed my limited focus. I realized that after Mayer Jacobovits read and reread the manuscript, his conviction that this book should be published for the general public was correct. My story really has a universal message of faith and hope in the most trying of times, and can be a source of inspiration and optimism. I pray and hope that the Holocaust’s message to mankind will bear the fruits of tolerance and kindness for future generations.

Lola Leser was a privileged sixteen-year-old in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. The horrors of the Holocaust overtook her almost immediately when she moved to Krakow, Poland, after living for years with her maternal grandparents in Munkach – at that time in Czechoslovakia. It was there, in her grandparents’ “enchanted garden,” that she discovered her artistic talents. Before she had a chance to fully mature, Mechel Lieber swept her up into a marriage that was to turn into a loving partnership. That union saw them through years of hiding, of fleeing from shelter to shelter and from city to city – often escaping capture by a hairsbreadth. During those horrid war years, which included weeks of starvation and periods of imprisonment, they lost almost all of their loved ones and witnessed firsthand the unbelievable bestiality and depravities of the Nazis. Through six harrowing years, Lola clung both to her husband and to her staunch faith in the One Above, Who granted them both many miracles. It is this faith and her traditional upbringing that propelled Lola to uphold her Jewish values and traditions under the most adverse conditions. Lola was ever conscious that she was a link in the eternal chain of Jewish survival and continuity against all odds. On Januray 19, 1946, now liberated, Lola gave birth to her first child in Munich, and the following year she immigrated to the United States. Her beloved Mechel died of cancer in 1966, leaving her with three children. Today in her eighties, Lola still paints and is a successful artist. Her work has been exhibited in many art galleries throughout the United States and is in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Art. Her paintings are part of the Yad Vashem archives in Jerusalem and are in a number of private collections. She still maintains a gallery in the heart of Chassidic Boro Park in Brooklyn, New York. Lola is well-known and is often commissioned to paint portraits. Her works encompass a wide range of styles including traditional, impressionistic, as well as modern. Though Lola maintains a busy social and charitable activity schedule, her family always comes first. Lola often proudly states that she is the mother of three, grandmother of twelve, and the great-grandmother of thirty-six and still counting. This truly is her triumph and her final victory over Hitler and the Reich.

Lieber

My children were always fascinated by my life story, especially concerning the war years. I did not bury the memories of those bitter years or try to forget them. Rather, I would relish the opportunity to tell and remember those years even though they were for the most part a combination of pain and fear. At the Pesach ‘Seder’ in particular, Mechel and I would recite our personal ‘hagadah’, with our tales of suffering, death, escape, and final liberation. My children, especially Heshy, encouraged me to start writing a book after giving oral testimony for the Steven Spielberg Holocaust Foundation.

Lieber

The still life oil painting featured on magazine. Today, in her late eighties, Lola still this cover was painted by renowned artmaintains a gallery in the heart of Boro ist Lola Lieber. A World After this is eAders Her work has been exAbout the Author Park in Brooklyn, New the story of Lola Lieber, a HungarYork and is available by hibited in many art gallerLola Leser was a privileged sixteen-year-old in always fascinated to My reAders About the Author A WorLd After this 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. ian-Polish Jewish woman who tellsThe horrors of especially concernappointment. Though Lola ies throughout the United thestory Holocaust overtook almost immediately when I did not bury the and her paintings the of her ordeals and determaintains a busy socialher and States A MeMoir of Loss And redeMption she moved to Krakow, Poland, afterofliving for years bitter years are or try mination to survive the atrocities Compiled by Jannah Eichenbaum part of the Yad Vashcharitable schedule, her with her maternal grandparents in Munkach – at that her, I would relish A MeMo the Nazis. It is also the memoir of em archives in Jerusalem. family always comes first. time in Czechoslovakia. It was there, in her grandpartell and remember aLola marriage that was a true proudly states that Herforart encompasses a ents’ “enchanted garden,” thatworking she discovered her arough they were partnership. she is the mother of three, wide tistic talents. bination of pain and range of styles inWith hershe husband Mechel Before a chance fully mature, Mechel grandmother ofhad twelve, and tobeside cluding traditional, imSeder’ in particular, Lieber swept her up into a marriage that was to turn recite our personal her, Lola defied authority, confrontthe great-grandmother of pressionistic, as well as into a loving partnership. That union saw them through r tales of suffering, ed the devil Eichmann, never givthirty-eight and still countmodern. years of hiding, of fleeing from shelter to shelter and final liberation. My ing ka”h. This truly is her triumph and Lola’s riveting autobiography, A faith in G-d and her belief that she ing up her Mechel from city to city – often escaping capture by a hairsbreadth. During those horrid war Heshy, encouraged her final victory over Hitler and the World After This, tells her story and would be together at the end. The title of this book comes they lost alyears, which included weeks of starvation and periods of imprisonment, a book after giving that of her husband’s, Mechel, survival from a comment Mechel made at a bittersweet time in their bestiality and most all of theirReich. loved ones and witnessed firsthand the unbelievable he Steven Spielberg Lola Lieber at 347during WWII and the strength of their lives. His ofwords: “There willcan bebea contacted world after this,” thankdepravities the Nazis. on. Through six harrowing years, Lola clung both to her husband and to her staunch 546-2629. Visit her online at lolalieber. faith and courage against all odds. Her fully, would turn out to be true. intending to distribfaith inWorld the One Above, Who themthat both begins many miracles. It is this faith and her com story is serialized in The Jewish AHome After This is granted a journey in Hungary, family and friends, traditional upbringing that propelled Lola to uphold her Jewish values and traditionsL o L A L i e b e r in the town of Munkach, goes forward into Krynica and on elf into the project under the most adverse conditions. Lola was ever conscious that she was a link in the ed focus. I realized into Krakow, thecontinuity Bochniaagainst Ghetto, Bu eternal chain of Niepolomice, Jewish survival and all Kosice, odds.  obovits read and redapest, Debrecen, Bucharest, and Lola finally It is ad-in Munich, and On Januray 19, 1946, now liberated, gaveMunich. birth to her firstanchild , his conviction that venture of harrowing events and closeStates. calls.Her It is, in theMechel died of the following year she immigrated to many the United beloved PresentAtion e published for the cancerthe in 1966, with three end, storyleaving of theher survival of children. a woman who will go on in correct. My story include: in her and isofa Jewish successful artist. been herToday life to helpeighties, repairLola the still lostpaints tapestry life andHer to work hascAn al message of faith exhibited in many art galleries throughout the United States and is in the permanent colbecome a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, as well ost trying of times, - Further details of Lola’s Survival lection of the San Francisco Museum of Art. Her paintings are part of the Yad Vashem e of inspiration and as an accomplished artist. archives in Jerusalem and are in a number of private collections. She still maintains a d hope that the Ho- Hers and other’s experiences Today in heart her eighties, Lola still paints and maintains a galgallery in the of Chassidic Boro Park in Brooklyn, New York. Lola is well-known o mankind will bear lery the commissioned heart of Chassidic Park Brooklyn, Newa wide rangeduring and isinoften to paint Boro portraits. Herinworks encompass of the Holocaust ce and kindness for styles including traditional, impressionistic, as modern. York. Her work has been exhibited asinwell many art galleries Though Lola busy social charitableare activity al- Memories of Rav Halberstam, throughout themaintains United aStates. Herand paintings partschedule, of the her family waysVashem comes first. Lola often states that she is the mother of three, grandmother Yad archives in proudly Jerusalem. leader of the Bobover dynasty, of twelve, and the great-grandmother of thirty-six and still counting. This truly is her Though Lola maintains a busy social and charitable acduring and after the Holocaust triumph and her final victory over Hitler and the Reich. tivity schedule, her family always comes first. Lola often proudly states that she is the mother of three, grandmother - Painting and the Orthodox   of twelve, and the great-grandmother of thirty-six and still prohibition of images  counting. This truly is her triumph and her final victory over Hitler and the Reich.$27.95 US - Lola’s uncanny match making skills.

Global From China to Africa 600 Years Ago

A recent find in an archeological dig has raised questions about the history between China and Africa. Archeologists have unearthed a 600-year-old Chinese coin on an island just off the coast of Kenya. If it proves to be au-

thentic, the coin could show that the Chinese explorer Zheng He — like a Christopher Columbus of the East — came to this part of east Africa. “This finding is significant. We know Africa has always been connected to the rest of the world, but this coin opens a discussion about the relationship between China and Indian Ocean nations,” archaeologist Chapurukha M. Kusimba of The Field Museum in Chicago said. The copper and silver disk has a square hole in the center, possibly to be worn on a belt. Kusimba reported that it was found on the first day of excavations at Manda, an island that hugs Kenya’s coast about 200 miles northeast of Mombasa. A joint expedition, led by Kusimba and Sloan R. Williams of the University of Illinois at Chicago, spent this past December through February studying the site. The coin was issued from 1403 to 1425, and it bears the name of Emperor Yongle, leader of the Ming Dynasty who started building China’s Forbidden City. At that time, Manda was nearing

In News the end of its reign as a trading post. In 1430, the island was abandoned and never inhabited again. Kusimba believes the coin could prove that Zheng He, a court eunuch who rose to commander of the Chinese Navy, visited the island. Emperor Yongle sent Zheng He on several ambitious voyages to explore the lands bordering the Indian Ocean and expand Chinese trade and political influence. “Zheng He was, in many ways, the Christopher Columbus of China,” Kusimba said. “It’s wonderful to have a coin that may ultimately prove he came to Kenya.” The researchers got permission from the Kenyan government to export the coin to Chicago, where it is undergoing chemical analysis at The Field Museum. “We just want to be sure that it’s an original government issue rather than a counterfeit,” Kusimba told LiveScience. The team will head back to Manda this coming December for another digging season; they plan to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed academic journal. “This is one of the oldest sites in Sub-Saharan Africa and I

think it’s going to inform us a lot about the early relationship Africa had with Europe and Asia,” Kusimba said.

Iran Builds New Warship

Iran announced this week that it has produced the country’s first domestically built destroyer and has already launched the ship in the Caspian Sea. The event marked the first time Iran has

T h e J e w i s h H o m e n M A R C H 2 1 , 2013

The Week

T h e J e w i s h H o m e n m a r c h 2 1 , 2013

The Week launched a major warship in the oil-rich region, according to The Associated Press. The 1,420-ton warship, which is longer than a football field and can sail at 30 knots with a 20,000-horsepower engine, was put in the water near the northern port city of Bandar Anzali, about 150 miles northwest of Tehran, the Iranian media said. The ship, named Jamaran 2, is equipped with advanced artillery and torpedo systems, can carry surface to air missiles, and has a helicopter landing pad. The vessel will formally join the Iranian navy in six months, after the completion of final tests. Iran previously launched a version of the Jamaran destroyer in the Persian Gulf in 2010. The country has been building a self-sufficient military, reportedly producing its own jet fighters, tanks, missiles and light submarines as well as torpedoes. Both Israel and the United States have not ruled out military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. The

West suspects Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to press President Obama about a potential strike on Iran during a meeting between the leaders on Obama’s trip to Israel.

Nazi Salute Ends Soccer Career

AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis was handed a life ban from all national teams by Greece’s soccer federation EPO on Sunday after he appeared to give a Nazi salute to supporters during a match. The 20-year-old athlete previously

In News served as captain of Greece’s under-19 team. Eyewitnesses say he saluted during a match where he was celebrating his winning goal in a 2-1 Super League victory over lowly Veria. “The player’s action to salute to spectators in a Nazi manner is a severe provocation, insults all the victims of Nazi bestiality and injures the deeply pacifist and human character of the game,” EPO said in statement. After the incident at Athens Olympic Stadium, Katidis received an outpouring of harsh criticism from fans and political parties on Twitter and Facebook. The soccer player was asked to explain his actions. Katidis denied the accusations via Twitter saying, “I am not a fascist and would not have done it if I had known what it meant.” He said he was simply pointing at Michalis Pavlis in the stands to dedicate the goal to his teammate as he continues to fight health problems. AEK’s German coach Ewald Lienen backed Katidis. “He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas. He most likely saw such a salute on the internet or somewhere else and did it without knowing what it means,” he said. Katidis’ future will be determined at a board meeting next week. Siding with the Nazis should not be considered good sportsmanship.

hard to identify because the famed artist, who was frequently short of money – and eventually bankrupt, took in many pupils and studio assistants. Additionally, he was so renowned that he was copied even in his own lifetime and ever since. But the painting was recently examined by a Dutch art historian and chair of the Rembrandt Research Project, an organization that rules on the rival claims of hundreds of Rembrandt paintings across the world, and it was determined that the painting is an authentic self-portrait. The self-portrait, dated 1635, shows Rembrandt, aged 29, wearing a cap with large white ostrich feathers. The painting has been valued at 20 million pounds (approximately $30 million dollars), but the National Trust, whose mandate is to safeguard Britain’s heritage, is not allowed to sell it.

Prince Charles Learns Arabic

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Britain’s Prince Charles is almost a grandfather but that hasn’t stopped him from trying something new. The Prince of Wales is reportedly taking Arabic lessons. Media outlets in the UK and around the world reported that Charles, who is very interested in the Middle East, was asked by a Qatari minister whether he speaks any Arabic during a visit in Doha. “I tried to learn it once but I gave up. It goes in one ear and out the other,” he answered. Laura Sullivan, a spokeswoman at Clarence House, confirmed that the prince has taken lessons. “He definitely has been having Arabic lessons,” she said. The Prince speaks French, some German, and has also taken lessons in Welsh. Continued on page 16

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The Week I guess he wants to communicate with the large, growing Muslim population in his kingdom.

Film on Egyptian Jews Blocked by Government Just in time for Pesach… Egyptian authorities refused to issue a permit to screen a historical documentary about the country’s Jewish community. This is a prime example of freedom of expression being squelched under the Islamist government. Egypt already had restrictions on filmmakers under President Hosni Mubarak, requiring filmmakers to seek approval from the Censorship Bureau to screen their work. After his overthrow in 2011, filmmakers were hoping for more artistic freedom, but little has changed. Producer Haitham al-Khamissi said Censorship Bureau officials had told him State Security had requested to view his film, “The Jews of Egypt,” before it could be cleared to be shown in cinemas. But a security source de-

nied State Security was blocking the film, saying permits were granted by the Censorship Bureau. Officials at the Censorship Bureau, however, were not immediately available to comment. Khamissi said renewing the permit for the film, which was first shown with official permission at a film festival in Egypt in 2012, would normally take a matter of hours, but he said he had been waiting for a week. Last year’s screening lasted just one day and was for a limited audience, whereas the permission Khamissi is seeking now is to show the film to the public for several days. The film depicts changes in Egyptian society’s acceptance of its ancient Jewish minority in the first half of the 20th century. Most Jews fled the country due to attacks on their community, particularly after the 1956 war, when Israel invaded Egypt along with Britain and France, which were trying to regain control of the Suez Canal. “The authorities had already approved my film ... I’m only asking for a renewal of the permission but until now I haven’t received it,” Khamissi said. “They are worried about us, the people who think ... the content is controver-

In News sial, politically.” He continued, “After the creation of Israel in 1948, the world view of Jews changed. There were worries that any Jewish Egyptian could be an Israeli spy.” In another example showing government controlled self-expression, last month, Egyptian prosecutors questioned an award-winning novelist over accusations that he had insulted the Muslim religion.

Israel Israel’s Unique Gift to Obama Do you ever have trouble finding the perfect gift for someone? Sometimes you end up finding the right one, other times you are forced to give them something that is less than perfect. Officials in Israel were faced with the same predicament but seemed to find just the right present for United States President

Barack Obama. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama will be meeting this Wednesday. Upon Obama’s much anticipated visit, he will receive a symbolic gift: a nanochip with gold coating, in which the independence scrolls of both Israel and the U.S. are embedded side by side. The nanochip will be placed on a Jerusalem stone from the Second Temple period which was used for sealing pottery in which liquids and perfumes had been stored. The gift was developed by the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute at the Technion in Haifa. The Prime Minister’s Office said that the unique gift symbolizes the fundamental messages of the visit – the strong and deep relationship between Israel and the United States and the shared values between the nations, the thousand-year relationship between the people of Israel and the land of Israel, and Israel’s leadership whe n it comes to technological research and development. Obama is scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman MahContinued on page 21

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moud Abbas and his premier Salam Fayyad in Ramallah during his visit as well. His plan is to listen to both perspectives on how to resolve the decades-long conflict. Last week, in an interview, Obama said, “My goal on this trip is to listen. I intend to meet with Bibi [Netanyahu]... I intend to meet with Fayyad and Abu Mazen [PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas] and to hear from them what is their strategy, what is their vision, where do they think this should go?”

Mother of Martyrs

Palestinian Mariam Farhat, who was known as the “mother of martyrs” or “Umm Nidal” and who praised and supported three of her sons who died while carrying out deadly terror attacks against Israelis, died on Sunday, a Gaza official said. She died at the age of 64 in a Gaza city hospital of health complications including lung ailments and kidney failure. Mariam Farhat was once quoted as saying that she wished she had 100 sons to die while attacking Israelis. The mother of ten first came to attention in 2002 when she recorded a video with her 19-year-old son, Mohammed, giving him her blessing the night before he undertook a terror attack on the Atzmona settlement. The video showed Mohammed holding hands with his mother, who prayed for him to become a “martyr,” the term Palestinians use for terrorists killed in attacks on Israelis. Armed with grenades and automatic rifles, he broke into a study hall, killing five yeshiva students before he was shot dead by a soldier. In the video that the mother and son

In News made together just before the attack, Farhat said, “I wish I had 100 boys like Mohammed. I’d sacrifice them for the sake of G-d.” “When I see all the Jews in Palestine killed, that will be enough for me,” Mohammed’s mother said on camera. “I wish he will kill as many as he can, so they will be scared.” After Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the Farhat family returned to the Jewish settlement where Mohammed undertook the attack. They took what they said was the piece of wire fence Mohammed had cut to get in, and mounted it on an outer wall of their home. Farhat had two other sons who were killed and another son is currently serving time in an Israeli prison. In 2006, she became one of the few women elected to the Palestinian parliament as a Hamas legislator. She told The Associated Press that she mourned for her slain sons but that “jihad comes ahead of everything, including my feelings as a mother.” Farhat received a military funeral which was attended by some 4,000 Palestinians including Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. We are facing the worse kind of enemy: one where mothers forgo their love for their children and encourage them to murder others. What a stark contrast to the values that Jews uphold for their families!

Israel to Expand Settlements Israel’s new housing minister said on Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s incoming cabinet would keep expanding Jewish settlements to the same extent as his previous government. The remarks came two days ahead of a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama who has urged Israel to halt settlements on land that Palestinians seek for a state. Housing Minister Uri Ariel, a Jewish settler and member of the pro-settler Jewish Home party, said in an interview that in occupied territory “building will continue in accordance with what the government’s policy has been thus far.” Using the biblical names for the territory Israel captured in a 1967 war, Ariel explained that the government “will build in Judea and Samaria more or less as it has done previously. I see no reason to change it.” Ariel added that

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The Week

The Week Israel planned the bulk of housing construction for more sparsely populated areas within its sovereign borders in the Negev desert to the south and Galilee region in its north. Some world powers see settlements as illegal under international law. Israelis claim historical and biblical ties to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, home to some 500,000 settlers, and dispute that building in these areas is illegal. Peace talks for a two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been frozen since 2010, in a dispute over settlement building. Netanyahu has accelerated settlement plans after Palestinians won recognition for statehood in the United Nations General Assembly in November, a move Israel opposed as a unilateral step that undermines peace efforts. In December and January, Israel announced plans to build more than 11,000 new houses in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, almost double the 6,800 built under Netanyahu’s previous administration since March 2009.

Kissinger Doubts Peace Possibilities Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger says there is little chance of any breakthrough in stalled IsraeliPalestinian peace talks, as President Barack Obama visits Israel next week on his first trip there since taking office.

Kissinger, 89, is a the former national security adviser and is an elder

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In News statesman of American foreign policy. Among other things, he negotiated the U.S. opening with China in 1971 and an Israeli-Egyptian disengagement following the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He was Secretary of State in the administrations of President Richard Nixon and President Gerald Ford. “I’m not optimistic” about reviving peace talks, in large part because of the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist parties in the region that aren’t inclined to support a “just outcome” with Israel, Kissinger said in an interview. “To have a meaningful PalestinianIsraeli agreement, the Arab world has to be prepared to guarantee it and to accept it,” Kissinger said, adding that the Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt doesn’t seem prepared to “accept genuine coexistence.” Kissinger sees a contest in Egypt between the military and the Islamists. Those who have been sidelined include the “small group of Cairo-based intellectuals and professionals who know how to get people” to Tahrir Square, the site of mass demonstrations, “but don’t know what to do with them when they get them there.” While Kissinger said he doesn’t share Secretary of State John Kerry’s view that there’s an opening for progress on Middle East peace, he does agree “that an effort should be made in order to see what is possible.”

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Gallup: Americans Support Israel On the eve of President Obama’s first trip to Israel, a new Gallup survey shows that American citizens continue to strongly support Israel over the Palestinians with 64% at a 22-year high. The survey also shows that Americans, by 48% to 25%, say the U.S. should increase pressure on the Palestinians to compromise, rather than on the Israelis. However, amongst liberals, 30% said that America should place more pressure on the Palestinians, whereas 43% believe that America should place more pressure on Israel. According to the survey, 55% of Americans disapprove of President Obama’s handling of “the situation in the Middle East between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” and only 36% approve of his handling of the situation. This may explain why the White House has tempered expectations for the trip.

As Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters last week, this trip “is not about trying to lay down a new initiative or complete our work on a particular issue.” Some have criticized the President for embarking on the trip without a mission. Josh Gerstein of Politico pointed out, “President Barack Obama spent his first term dismissing the idea of a symbolic visit to Israel: he didn’t want to go there unless he had something concrete to accomplish. But his four-day trip that begins Tuesday night is symbolism on steroids.” Thomas Friedman wrote in the New York Times, “Mr. Obama could be the first sitting U.S. president to visit Israel as a tourist.” Enjoy the shwarma!

Special Protection for Obama in the Holy Land Israeli police have been preparing for months for President Obama’s visit next week. About 15,000 police, comprising over half of Israel’s total police force, will work 12-hour shifts starting on Wednesday, when Obama lands at Ben Gurion Airport. An entourage of about 600 people will accompany Obama, and police will be on special alert throughout the visit. Over 3,000 policemen and women will secure the Jerusalem district, aided by 50 scooters, 25 ATVs, 35 mounted police, 100 buses and hundreds of squad cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. Four hundred people from the logistics division will be in charge of providing more than 50,000 meals for the onduty police, and for providing sleeping quarters for 1,500 police nightly. More than 1,000 police will directly provide security for the presidential entourage at the Israeli presidential helipad, at Binyanei Hauma, at the President’s Residence, at the Prime Minister’s Residence, as well as at Har Herzl, Yad Vashem, the Israel Museum and additional locations. Obama is to land at Ben Gurion Airport at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday and be received in an official ceremony. He will be shown an Iron Dome battery at the airport and then meet with President Peres in Jerusalem. He will proceed to a meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the two will hold a joint press conference. On Thursday, he will visit the Israel Museum, where he will tour the Shrine of the Book and a technological exhibit.

From there he will go to Ramallah and upon his return to Jerusalem, he will make a speech at Binyanei Hauma. On the third day of his visit, Obama will lay wreaths on the tombs of Binyamin Ze’ev Herzl and Yitzhak Rabin, and then visit Yad Vashem. The visit will end on Friday afternoon in an official ceremony at the airport. I hope he has time to stop for some falafel and fro yo.

Netanyahu Forms New Coalition Government With just a day until his deadline, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu managed to put together a majority coalition that could change the way some things are run in Israel. Netanyahu’s Likud Party and the allied Israel Beiteinu party will anchor the new coalition. Just days after January’s election, Israel Beiteinu leader Naftali Bennett and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid forged an alliance vowing that they were either going to join the government together and bring Israelis the changes they have been demanding, or go hand-in-hand into the opposition. Bennett and Lapid didn’t have all of their demands met, but they did achieve enough that the new government could potentially bring unprecedented changes to modern Israel. Lapid will be Israel’s new Minister of Finance, while his number-two, Rabbi Shai Piron, will take the education ministry. The Ministry of Education controls the enormous amount of money that streams into Israeli yeshivas. Bennett will head three ministries – Economy and Trade, Diaspora and Jerusalem, and Religious Affairs.

The one ministry Lapid and Bennett failed to capture was the Ministry of the Interior, which Netanyahu’s Likud will keep. Lapid also had to compromise on his demand that the new government have no more than 18 ministers. Includ-

ing Netanyahu himself, the cabinet will total 22 ministers and deputy ministers, still a major decrease from the 30 ministers that sat in the last government. Both Lapid and Bennett are in favor of not granting yeshiva students more than a three-year deferment from army service. The “right-wing” parties, in particular the powerful Shas Party, have already begun to work on how to best come to an arrangement that will please everyone involved.

National More Taking a Bite Out Of The Big Apple

In News lations began to shrink as suburbs grew after World War II. The decline became especially sharp in the 1970s but has since slowed down. There was also a record low of only 419 murders in NYC last year. Maybe that has something to do with it…

Ready For Another George Bush? George Prescott Bush filed the official paperwork on Tuesday to run for Texas land commissioner next year, hoping to use a little-known but powerful post to continue his family’s political dynasty in one of the country’s most conservative states. Bush is the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, who was born in Mexico. His uncle is George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, and his grandfather is George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. George P. Bush has been active in politics for years. Last summer, he was promoted to deputy

finance chairman of the Texas Republican Party. Bush spokesman Trey Newton told The Associated Press that Bush spoke with current Land Commissioner Jerry Paterson before formally declaring his candidacy on Tuesday. Paterson has already announced he’s leaving the post to run for lieutenant governor.

An attorney and consultant from Fort Worth and a Spanish-speaker, Bush is considered a rising star among conservative Hispanics. In November, Bush filed with the Texas Ethics Commission ensuring he would seek statewide office in 2014 but did not say which one,

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The Week touching off rumors he might run for attorney general or even governor. The land commissioner administers state-owned lands and mineral resources, and is a post that can be a steppingstone to higher office in The Lone Star State. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was land commissioner before winning his current job. A Democrat has not won statewide office in Texas since 1994, but Hispanics accounted for two-thirds of Texas’ population growth over the

last decade and now make up 35 percent of its population. They tend to vote overwhelmingly Democratic. Bush grew up in Florida but met his wife Amanda while attending law school at the University of Texas. He later became a partner in a real estate investment company and has since started Fort Worth-based St. Augustine Partners, a business consulting firm.

STEARNS & FOSTER

In News Is President Obama Satan?

The president has been accused of many things, but now some are saying he is the devil. No, this is not a question being asked by right wing political pundits. (They already seem to have their answer.) Rather, it is a question that viewers of the History Channel’s mini-series, “The Bible,” are asking, due to the fact that the actor who plays Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani, bears a striking resemblance to the forty-fourth president. The series’ producer, Roma Downey, responded to the uproar by stating, “I have nothing but respect and love for our president.” Coproducer Mark Burnett pointed out that the actor played Satanic character parts in several Biblical epics long before Barack Obama was elected president. The truth is, President Obama can’t be Satan; everyone knows that Satan wasn’t born in Kenya.

Schumer Calls for Cruise Ship Bill of Rights Senator Charles Schumer is calling on the cruise ship industry to adopt a “bill of rights” to guarantee passengers

certain protections while aboard their ships. In the past two months, at least three ships carrying U.S. passengers on cruises have experienced problems, including power failures. The New York Democrat says that he’ll be asking industry leaders to voluntarily adopt the guidelines that include guarantees that ships have sanitary conditions, back-up power, medical staff and other standard procedures.

Schumer’s plan would also include the right to a full refund if a trip were abruptly canceled due to mechanical problems. The senator is also calling on the Secretary of State to negotiate with countries that host cruise ships U.S. passengers use to adopt those rights. I’d rather stay on dry land and skip the cruise; I like my hot water and working toilets.

Texting Makes You Drunk Behind the Wheel

A new study released in England finds texting while driving on par with drinking and driving in the safety department. Researchers found it was as dangerous as being a quarter over the legal drink-drive limit. The study, published in the Traffic Injury Prevention journal, also found that having deep, thoughtful conversations while using a hands-free mobile phone was a danger. In contrast, simple discussions may not carry significant Continued on page 28

25 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n M A R C H 2 1 , 2013

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The Week driving risks, according to scientists from the University of Barcelona and several Australian institutes. “Our results suggest that the use of hands-free devices could also put drivers at risk,” said Dr. Sumie Leung Shuk Man, co-author of the study. “Although they should be allowed, they require more research to determine how they should be regulated.” In their study, the scientists compared the effects of mobile phone use while driving with the effects of alcohol. In the study, twelve healthy volunteers, all students who held a driving license, completed a series of driving tasks on two separate days, a week apart. The study looked at speeding, braking reaction time, speed deviation, and lane changing. Habitual drinkers and those who had never drank alcohol before the test were not allowed to participate. One day, the group members used a cell phone while they performed a “simulated driving task” under four conditions. These included no phone usage, talking naturally with a handsfree device, holding a demanding conversation over a hands-free phone, and text messaging. The two different conversation levels were the equivalent to a “natural conversation,” in which the subject and scientist spoke about an interesting subject “as a way of passing the time.” A dialogue with more specific and demanding questions included queries such as: “Can you describe the car journey from your work to your house?” On the next day, the volunteers drank alcohol to reach three different blood alcohol concentration levels: 0.04, half the legal limit in Britain; 0.07; and 0.10. Some of them drank no alcohol. Using a driving simulator, volunteers had to keep their position in the left lane at a speed of almost 40mph and 50mph, braking every time a truck appeared. Headphones and a microphone were used to simulate the effect of a hands-free phone. The results showed that road skills declined by an equal amount among volunteers 25 percent above the legal drink limit and those who used their phone for text messages. When using hands-free phones during “simple” conversations, it was similar to having a blood-alcohol level of 0.04. If more attention was required, the reading “shot up” to the blood alcohol equivalent of 0.07. Be safe. Don’t text and drive.

In News Food Stamp Recipient Number Double in a Decade Today, food stamps feed more than twice the amount of New York City residents than ten years ago. Under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 1.8 million receive food stamps, a jump from 800,000 in 2002, the Independent Budget Office data show. IBO spokesman Doug Turetsky cited more aggressive outreach to enroll eligible recipients by the Bloomberg administration, in comparison to his predecessor, Rudy Giuliani. The cost of the federally funded food-stamp program in the city skyrocketed to $3.4 billion from $1.28 billion over the past decade.

Chelsea Clinton Buys a $10 Million Pad It seems to be good to be the daughter of a former president and a former Secretary of State. Chelsea Clinton is buying a $10.5 million spread right across the street from Madison Square Park. The apartment is 5,000 square feet and is located in the prestigious Whitman building. The unit at 21 E. 26th St. is four bedrooms, with 6 1/2 bathrooms, and the family room has a full view of the park. The five-story building has one apartment per floor, and a key-locked elevator. Chelsea will live there with her husband, Marc Mezvinsky. If my math is right that’s two bedrooms and three-and-a-quarter bathrooms apiece. I wonder if they’ll be having guests.

That’s Odd Prison Break in Real Life This story may seem like it is straight out of a show, but it actually happened in real life. With a simple plot and the help from their friends, two Continued on page 28

Over three decades of Torah Literacy sc∑ottenstein e∂ition

NEW VOL. 3 ‫ שלא נאכל חלב‬:‫ מצוה קמז‬/ ‫צו‬

121 œ TZAV

TRANS

the fat has the areas in the animal where of our mitzvah, and identifies Chinuch returns to the subject (see introduction to this mitzvah): cheilev within the anithe status of cheilev and is forbidden [19] ְ — There are three areas of ‫וּשׁל ָֹשׁה ֲחלָ ִב‬ if eaten intentionally: ‫ים ֵהם ִבּ ְב ֵה ָמה ֶשׁ ֵהן ְבּ ִחיּוּב ָכּ ֵרת‬ carry the penalty of kares therefore and Biblically which is upon [20] mal that are forbidden (2) ‫ — וְ ֶשׁ �על �ה ְכּלָ יוֹת‬that [22] ֵ that is upon the innards; ‫וּפרוּשׁ ְשׁלָ ְשׁ ָתּן‬ the flanks. (1) ‫ — ֶשׁ �על �ה ֶקּ ֶרב‬the cheilev ְ‫ — ו‬and that which is upon ֶ [21] ‫שׁ‬ � ‫ע‬ ‫ל‬ � ‫ה‬ ion, ְ ‫כּ‬ ָ ‫ס‬ ִ‫ל‬ ‫ים‬ (3) explanat the kidneys; three areas, with a detailed elucidation of these[23] ‫ — ְבּ ֵבאוּר ָר ָחב ִבּ ְמקוֹמוֹ �בּגְּ ָמ ָרא‬The (Chullin 93a). Gemara the in place its in can be found is forbidden: fat found in these three areas have Chinuch notes that not all the Sages], of blessed memory, ִ — As a general rule, [our ְ ‫וּב‬ ‫כלָ ל ָא ְמרוּ זִ ְכרוֹנָ ם לִ ְב ָר ָכה ְבּ ֻחלִּ ין‬ ֶ ‫ — ֵחלֶ ב ֶשׁ �ה ָבּ ָשׂר‬Cheilev that ‫חוֹפה אוֹתוֹ ֻמ ָתּר‬ Chullin (ibid.): ְ ‫ — ֶשׁ �על �ה ְכּ ָסלִ ים ָא �מר �ר ֲח ָמנָ א וְ ל ֹא ֶשׁ ְבּ‬for stated the following in Tractate ‫תוֹך �ה ְכּ ָסלִ ים‬ is permitted, flanks,” meat the by “upon over 15), 10, covered 3:4, is One stated in His Torah (Leviticus [24] regarding this cheilev, the Merciful flanks, i.e., covered by its meat. not that which is within the

TRANS

Rabbinic law: whose cheilev is Biblically

Chinuch areas ְ‫ — ו‬Aside from these three ִ — threads and ָ ‫עוֹד יֵ שׁ ִבּ ְב ֵה ָמה ִמלְּ �בד ֵאלּוּ �ה ְשּׁל‬ ‫לשׁ‬ ‫ֹשׁה‬ ִ ‫חוּטין ְוּקרוּמוֹת ֶשׁ ֲא‬ ‫סוּרין ִמשּׁוּם ֵחלֶ ב‬ also has within it

[25] prohibited, the animal lly forbidden as cheilev. membranes that are Rabbinica trusting a butcher: ‫ֶשׁ �ה �טּ ָבּ ִחין‬ Chinuch cites a law regarding have stated (ibid. 89b) Sages], of blessed memory, expert in excising cheilev ‫[ — וְ ָא ְמרוּ זִ ְכרוֹנָ ם לִ ְב ָר ָכה‬Our � — that the butchers who are ‫ה‬ ְ ‫בּ‬ ִ ‫ק‬ ִ ‫יא‬ ‫ין‬ ְ ‫בּ‬ ִ‫נ‬ ‫ָכּל זְ �מן‬ ‫קּוּר‬ � ‫ה‬ ֵ ‫ח‬ ֶ‫ל‬ ‫ב‬ ֶ‫נ‬ ֱ ‫א‬ ָ ‫מ‬ ִ‫נ‬ ‫ין‬ � ‫ע‬ ‫ל �ה ָדּ ָבר‬ all the forbidden cheilev, i.e., that they have removed of matter, status this d in presume trusted be their may as they have not lost ‫ — ֶשׁלּ ֹא יָ ְצאוּ ֵמ ֶחזְ �קת ְבּ ִק‬as long

CZUKER FAMILY ELUCIDATION OF THE TORAH’S COMMANDMENTS

ָ ָ ‫יאוּתן וְ �כ ְשׁ‬ ‫רוּתן‬

[26]

expertise and trustworthiness. permitted fats within the animal: upon the [27] Chinuch now discusses other ‫ — וְ ֵחלֶ ב �ה ֵמּ �עיִ ם‬and the cheilev of the heart (i.e., the small in‫ — וְ ֵחלֶ ב �הלֵּ ב‬As for the cheilev are the convoluted intestine ‫ — וְ ֵהן �ה �דּ ִקּין �ה ְמלֻ ָפּ ִפין‬which have the same status as entrails, are permitted, and they intestine are per‫ — ֻ ְמ ָתּ ִרין ו� ֲה ֵרי הוּא ְכּ ֻשׁ ָמּן‬these the upon fats testine), The — ‫חוּץ‬ ‫ֵמרֹאשׁ �ה ֵמּ �עיִ ם �ה ָסּמוּך ל� ֵקּ ָבה‬ that is shuman, permitted fat. the extremity of the intestine n of that which is upon is the beginmitted, with the exceptio ‫ — ֶשׁהוּא ְתּ ִחלּ� ת ְבּנֵ י ֵמ �עיִ ם‬which ‫יך ָה ָא ָד‬ ְ ‫ֶשׁ ָצּ ִר‬ fourth stomach), ‫ם לִ גְ רֹר �ה ֵחלֶ ב‬ near the abomasum (the , [28] it emerges from the abomasum is upon [that section]. ning of the intestine, where that cheilev the off to scrape ‫ — ֶשׁ ָעלָ יו‬as a person is required

VOLUME 3

NOTES

its mother was a tereipermit it for consumption when shechitah for a fetus that fah. (2) The requirement of its mother’s shechitah is stepped on the ground after of the regular disqualiﬁRabbinic, and therefore many shechitah. cations do not apply to this 3:3-4) that describes 19. In the Torah passage (Leviticus burned on the Altar, the the cheilev of animal offerings mentioned by Chinuch verses clearly list the three areas below. That passage concludes 17): v. (ibid. with the words ֵ ‫ �כּל ֵחלֶ ב ל ֹא ת‬, you may not . . . ‫ֹאכלוּ‬ consume … any cheilev. This the indicates that these are are same cheilev portions that in forbidden to be eaten even animals that were not brought as offerings (Maggid Mishneh, see Hil. Maachalos Asuros 7:5; above, note 4). [Cf. Minchas Chinuch §8, who suggests that there are more than three.] 20. This refers to the sheets the of fat that encase most of inanimal’s digestive system, cluding its stomachs and intestines. These sheets are known greater the anatomically as omenlesser the and omentum as tum (Rambam ibid. 7:5-6, explained by Aruch HaShulchan, Yoreh Deah 64:17; 138 see also above, Mitzvah possible another for note 31;

NOTES

PARSHIYOS TZAVAlso available — METZORA Volume 1: Mitzvos 1-65 Volume 2: Mitzvos 66-130

NOW AVAILABLE! The Schottenstein Edition

prohibited.

MITZVOS 131-183

sold by a butcher who 26. If cheilev is found in meats that butcher is no longer claims to have removed it, Maachalos Asuros 7:21). trusted (see Rambam, Hil. around the heart. One 27. There are two areas of “fat” s that encases the heart membrane of sac ﬁbrous is the is a hard, thick layer of (pericardium), and the other the heart (the subepicardial white fat that sits on top of fats are permitted (see adipose body). Both of these 40:1 with Beur HaGra). Chullin 49b, Shulchan Aruch descriptions found in the [Many of the anatomical Chullin Illuminated by notes to this section are from a Publications, 5764). R’ Yaakov Dovid Lach (Hamesivt s and photographs of See there for in-depth description these structures.] stomach of a ruminant, fourth the is 28. The abomasum

in the meat is permitportion of cheilev that is enveloped but within them (Chulted, for it is not upon the flanks, ‫ ;ד’’ה‬Rambam, ibid. 7:7). lin 93a with Rashi ‫חלב שהבשר‬ that branch out from nerves thin to refers 25. “Threads” through the cheilev of the the spinal column and pass the cheilev that surflanks, and those that pass through ibid. ‫)ד’’ה חוטים‬. It includes, rounds the innards (Rashi that pass through vessels as well, the nerves or blood the kidneys, as well as the membrane that surrounds the length of the spleen tothe major artery that runs 93a; Rambam ibid. gether with its branches (Chullin 64:11). “Membranes” refers 7:11; Beis Yosef, Yoreh Deah encase the spleen and kidto the thin fatty sheets that as the thin sheet that lines neys (Chullin 93a), as well l cavity, separating the inside of the entire abdomina the meat of the flanks from the digestive organs and their fats ‫ד’’ה‬ (ibid. with Rashi ‫)חלב שהבשר‬. [These “threads” and membranes are forbidden only by Rabbinic law; see ibid. 92b, with Rashi ‫ד’’ה אסורין וד’’ה‬ ‫ואין חייבין‬.]

that are treated as cheilev by

adds other parts of the animal

ֵ‫וְ עוֹד י‬ ִ ,‫שׁ ִבּ ְב ֵה ָמה ִמלְּ �בד ֵאלּוּ �ה ְשּׁל ָֹשׁה‬ ִ ‫חוּטין ְוּקרוּמוֹת ֶשׁ ֲא‬ ‫סוּרין ִמשּׁוּם‬ ָ ‫זִ ְכרוֹנָ ם לִ ְב‬ ‫ וְ ָא ְמרוּ‬. ‫משּׁוּם ֵחלֶ ב‬ ִ ‫ר ָכה )שם פ”ט ע”ב( ֶשׁ �ה �טּ ָבּ ִחין �ה ְבּ ִק‬ ‫יאין ְבּנִ קּוּר �ה ֵחלֶ ב נֶ ֱא ָמנִ ין �ע‬ ‫עלל �ה ָדּ ָבר ָכּל זְ �מן‬ ָ ‫ֶשׁלּ ֹא יָ ְצאוּ ֵמ ֶחזְ �קת ְבּ ִק‬ ָ ‫יאוּתן וְ �כ ְשׁ‬ . ‫רוּתן‬ ‫וְ ֵחלֶ ב �הלֵּ ב‬ ‫ וְ ֵהן �ה �דּ ִקּין �ה ְמלֻ ָפּ ִפ‬,‫ְ וְ ֵחלֶ ב �ה ֵמּ �עיִ ם‬ ‫ חוּץ ֵמר‬,‫ ֻמ ָתּ ִר ְין ו� ֲה ֵרי הוּא ְכּ ֻשׁ ָמּן‬,‫ין‬ ‫מראשׁ‬ ‫ֹאשׁ‬ �‫�ה ֵמּ �עיִ ם �ה ָסּמוּך ל‬ ָ ‫ ֶשׁ‬,‫ֵקּ ָבה ֶשׁהוּא ְתּ ִחלּ� ת ְבּנֵ י ֵמ �עיִ ם‬ , ‫צּ ִריך ָה ָא ָדם לִ גְ רֹר �ה ֵחלֶ ב ֶשׁ ָעלָ יו‬ 28

œ 120

ְ ‫וּשׁל ָֹשׁה ֲחלָ ִבים‬ ֶ , ‫ֵהם ִבּ ְב ֵה ָמה ֶשׁ ֵהן ְבּ ִחיּוּב ָכּ ֵרת‬ ‫שׁ �על �ה ֶקּ ֶרב וְ ֶשׁ �על �ה ְכּלָ יוֹת וְ ֶשׁ �על‬ ֵ , ‫�ה ְכּ ָסלִ ים‬ ‫וּפרוּשׁ‬ ְ‫ְשׁלָ ְשׁ ָתּן ְבּ ֵבאוּר ָר ָחב ִבּ ְמקוֹמוֹ �בּגּ‬ ָ‫זִ ְכרוֹנ‬ ָ ‫רוֹנם ִלִ ְב‬ ‫ ִוּב ְכלָ ל ָא ְמרוּ‬, (‫ָמ ָרא )שם צ”ג ע”א‬ ‫ר‬ ָ ‫כ‬ ‫ה‬ ְ ‫בּ‬ ֻ ‫ח‬ ִ‫לּ‬ ‫ין‬ (‫)שם‬ , ֵ ‫ח‬ ֶ‫ל‬ ‫ב‬ ֶ ‫שׁ‬ � ‫ה‬ ָ ‫בּ‬ ָ ‫שׂ‬ ‫ר‬ ֶ ‫חוֹפה‬ ‫חוֹפה‬ ְ ‫ ד’( ְוְ ל ֹֹא ֶשׁ ְבּ‬,’‫)ויקרא ג‬ ‫ ֶשׁ �על �ה ְכּ ָסלִ ים ָא �מר �ר ֲח ָמנָ א‬,‫אוֹתוֹ ֻמ ָתּר‬ . ‫תוֹך �ה ְכּ ָסלִ ים‬

E (CHEILEV) / MITZVAH 147: NOT TO CONSUM

Chullin 50a ‫)ד”ה בפלוגתא‬. explanation, see Keren Orah, See diagram on following page. that sits upon the kidneys 21. This refers to the fat surrounds that fat (see and the outer membrane that Rambam ibid. 7:12). of layers of muscle and 22. An animal’s ﬂanks consist of the body and sursides the down fat that extend The fat referred to here round the abdominal cavity. is that which is visible toward the top of the abdomen, near see below, where kidneys; the this Chinuch further deﬁnes

SEFER SHEMOS – VOLUME 1: MITZVOS 1-65 area. See diagram. and 23. The areas of forbidden permitted fats are further deﬁned and explained in Rambam ibid. Ch. 7 and Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah §64. Rama (ibid. 64:6) notes, however, that as a rule, one cannot practically by discern the forbidden fats way of a written text, but must be shown by an expert. the 24. The cited verse is from the passage that discusses the cheilev that is offered upon Altar; see above, note 19. The fat upon the ﬂanks is abvisible toward the top of the but domen, near the kidneys, by then becomes concealed as layers of meat (i.e., muscle) The diagram). (see it descends

including the mitzvos of Pesach and the halachos of the korban pesach. Your Seder and your entire holiday will be greatly enhanced by Chinuch’s explanations and by the Insights that shed light on Aggadic and Halachic aspects of the customs. © 2013, MPL. Reproduction

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prisoners were able to escape from the St-Jérôme Detention Centre, located in Quebec. Whereas their freedom may not be memorable, as it only lasted a few hours, the method of their escape will certainly be remembered. It all started last Sunday afternoon when two people hired a helicopter to take them on a tour of the city. Once they were in the air, one of the men pulled out a weapon, pointed it at the pilot’s head and ordered him to fly to the prison. The men broke the pilot’s communication device so that he was unable to communicate with air traffic control. Once the helicopter was hovering over the prison, a rope was lowered from the helicopter to the prisoners on the ground below. The inmates grabbed the rope and the passengers onboard ordered the pilot to land in a nearby field. Once at the field, the inmates climbed onboard and ordered the chopper to fly to a remote rural cabin.

boards, and food-grade tubing. He mixes cocktails.

While on the lam, one of the inmates, Benjamin Hudon-Barbeau, spoke to a reporter at 98.5 FM in Montreal by phone and explained, “I don’t want to cause any harm to anybody. I am not a killer. I never did anything bad to an innocent. I know that the escape wasn’t the best thing to do, but I didn’t want to stay in prison anymore. I am ready to die.” Within several hours, Quebec police located the cabin, apprehended the inmates and roped in the suspects, along with their collaborators. That’s what I call escaping in style.

Remembering Dad’s Rooster Crowing

Robot Bartender Robots are slowly taking over the world…and it’s definitely not helping the job market. Meet Bartendro, an invention by Party Robotics. Bartendro is a robot mixologist crafted from peristaltic pumps, custom electronic dispenser

The cocktail-dispensing machine can turn out a drink in less than 10 seconds. It can churn out 200 cocktails in an evening – and it won’t break a sweat, take a bathroom break, or ask for a tip. Plus you can tell it all your problems and it will listen without interrupting or judging. Consumers need to provide a tablet or smartphone to tell the robot what they want. The simplest version, the Shotbot, retails for $249, but it only dispenses shots from a single bottle. If you’re a more sophisticated drinker, you will probably be more impressed with the Bartendro, which dispenses from 15 bottles and costs $2,499. Need any help pouring the arba kosos? This may be your solution!

Monday’s edition of the Sun Herald had its usual list of obituaries but there was one particular obituary that got a lot of media attention and many LOLs mixed with some tears. Amanda Lewis wanted to accurately describe her father, Harry Weathersby Stamps. So she penned a loving and entertaining obituary that affectionately remembered her father’s eccentricity. “I kept thinking of things—there are a lot of things I just couldn’t put in there—and I thought, ‘Mama’s not going to let me run that.’ But she read it and said, ‘That’s him,’” daughter Amanda Lewis explained. One passage said, “Harry excelled at ... living within his means, outsmarting squirrels, never losing a game of competitive sickness, and reading any history book he could get his hands on.

In News ... His signature every day look was all his: a plain pocketed T-shirt designed by the fashion house Fruit of the Loom, his black-label elastic waist shorts worn above the navel and sold exclusively at the Sam’s on Highway 49, and a pair of old school Wallabees.” Stamps was a teacher of government and sociology at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jefferson Davis campus. Former students remembered the beloved professor who referred to daylight saving time as “the devil’s time” and crowed like a rooster during phone calls with his grandchildren. The obit has been described by the paper as “perhaps the most entertaining, warm and enlightening obituary seen in years.” Just hours after the paper printed the obit, thousands of Facebook users posted it to their pages and many news outlets chronicled the story. “He wouldn’t know what going viral means. He would have thought that was a disease he contracted, which would have excited him to have another illness to lord over folks,” Lewis told the Herald. “Probably the best compliment I’ve gotten is that at least six

people asked if he wrote it.” He sounds like a fun dad. I am sure he will be missed.

Bakesale Betty & Her Blue Wig Bakesale Betty’s is a hole-in-thewall restaurant but during any of the 15 hours that it’s open to the public, there is a line winding around the block. “I feel like if you looked up ‘Mom and Pop Business’ in the dictionary, there’d be a picture of us,” says Alison Barakat, better known as Bakesale Betty. Along with Michael Camp, husband and father to their three kids, the 30-something Barakat has built Betty’s from a farmers market weekend hobby to a local institution. The sandwich shop has no flashing sign; its signature logo is simply a blue wig worn by Alison a.k.a. Betty. Barakat says the wig helps her get into character, “It was never intended to be a marketing tool,” she says. Initially, the wig wearing started as a way to make her weekends at the

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The Week farmers market a little more exciting. “The wig ended up being the best marketing tool I’ll ever come up with in my whole life,” she says. She estimates she’s gone through 30-40 different wigs since she first started in 2004. “Working in the kitchen,” she says, “they get beat up. I melted many while opening oven doors.”

to it,” Barakat says. “The secret is you gotta buy good chicken. You gotta mess up your kitchen with frying. People said, ‘You’re crazy to give your recipe away.’ But I love that people make it at home. One firefighter came in and said, ‘Thanks for publishing the recipe. We make it all the time at the firehouse.’“ The hefty sandwich topped with cole slaw costs $9.60. Blue hair, green hair…doesn’t matter as long as it’s good food.

Valuable Barn Finds The term “barn find” is used to describe valuable cars that have been neglected in barns, gathering dust for decades. The phrase eventually rose to popularity and was extended to mean any hidden treasure discovered in attics, cellars and closets. People often store items that are very valuable without realizing it or perhaps the items gain value as they collect dust. Over the years, there have been collectibles with unbelievably

Her signature dish is a chicken sandwich. Hundreds line up for the delicious entrée and yet “Betty” is open about the recipe. “There’s no secret

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In News high values found in all sorts of strange and unusual places. “The amazing thing [about barn finds] is they happen every day,” said Curtis Dowling, art detective and host of a new reality show, “Treasure Detectives.” “You’d imagine after all these years no one would have anything left.” For example, an English brother and sister were cleaning out their family attic when they discovered a 16-inch vase dating to the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735 to 1796). It sold at auction in 2010 for $69.5 million to an unnamed Chinese buyer. According to The New York Times, it was the highest price ever paid at auction for a Chinese antiquity. So just remember, if you don’t use or sell off your valuables, your descendants probably will. And if you ever have to clean out a relative’s house, always check the attic!

Batman, Superman, & Catwoman Become Roommates Batman’s mask, Superman’s cape and Catwoman’s suit will be taking up permanent residence (don’t worry—not under your son’s bed) at the Smithsonian Museum after being donated by Warner Bros. Pictures. The iconic Batman mask and cowl worn in the 1997 “Batman & Robin” film was one of more than 30 movie items presented by Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The items were a collection from 13 films produced by the Hollywood studio between 1942 and 2005. Warner Bros. is a unit of Time Warner Inc. The items will be part of the Smithsonian’s 2013 Classic Film Festival, a three-day film retrospective that opened on Friday. Here’s to truth, justice and the American way.

Twelve-Year-Old Brings $20K to School A 12-year-old recently had quite the show-and-tell at school; she brought a backpack stuffed with $20,000 in cash. But don’t think that she brought it just to show it off, she started handing out the greenbacks to her friends in class. Police said the student at Sixth Grade Academy received it from a child who lives across the street from her in Taylor, outside of Detroit, Michigan. When the principal heard that the girl was handing out cash to her friends, she phoned the police. “The school district called us and said a 12-year-old student had a backpack full of money,” Taylor Chief of Police Mary Sclabassi said. “The principal became aware of it when she heard the student was giving money away to friends. They brought in the student, secured the backpack and retrieved the money she had given away. This is a real first for me.” Police did not say why the neighbors had that amount of cash around the house. But I’d love to be her friend.

A Classic Collection of Photographs

Photography is an art. Bill Gekas is an Australian photographer whose favorite subject is his

beautiful 5-year-old daughter, Athena. At first glance his collection of portraits of Athena looks like a collection of classic paintings you might see hanging in the Louvre.

“It’s not about imitating any of the known past works, but more about recreating the atmosphere the old masters’ works were known for,” Bill Gekas explained. Gekas says to get the right effect he focuses on lighting and relies on digital enhancements and “some knowledge in camera and aesthetics.” Initially, the

Melbourne dad started taking the photos back in 2010 because he wanted some classic portraits of his daughter. Then people took notice and the project took a turn. “As a little time went on, I was still shooting and it was becoming more a body of work which my peers found appealing,” Gekas said. “At that point, the concept of it being a portrait of our daughter shifted to it being a creativetype portrait of a child.” Gekas previously had a background in professional photography. He has won awards and has been featured in reputable publications. Luckily for Gekas, his little angel loves her role in his artwork. “She loves it,” Gekas said. “Like any young girl her age, it’s about dressing up in fancy costumes; that’s the part that’s most appealing to her…Most importantly it’s been about not taking it too seriously, having fun with the camera and spending a little time once in a while doing something creative altogether as a family,” Gekas said. “The most important part is to make the photo shoot fun and short,” Gekas said “Be well prepared for it, and try

In News [to] get the shot within the first 10 minutes if you can.” Ten minutes? I’m lucky if I can get ten seconds out of my little ones…

Dog Swallows 111 Pennies Jack is a friendly Jack Russell terrier who underwent emergency surgery last week to remove 111 pennies from his stomach. While licking up bagel crumbs from his owner’s floor, he mistakenly ate the pennies too and quickly became ill. “He’s like a voracious Tasmanian devil — if there’s food, he’s got to get it,” Tim Kelleher, the dog’s owner said. “He climbed on my desk to get at the bag with the bagel and knocked the change all over the floor. While he was licking up the crumbs, he swallowed the pennies.” That’s definitely not the very best place for a penny. The 13-year-old pooch’s owner rushed him to a Manhattan veterinarian for emergency surgery. That’s when dog

doctors put Jack under anesthesia and methodically removed all 111 coins. The zinc from the coins could be lethal. “If Jack would not have had the pennies removed, the consequences would have been fatal,” Amy Zalcman, who helped treat the dog, said. Mr. Kelleher said he let Dr. Zalcman keep the change.

Upside Down World

It’s similar to dyslexia but inside of seeing things backwards or mixed up, Bojana Danilovic, 28, views everything upside down. It’s simply the way her brain processes images. She says, “It may look incredible to other people but to me it’s completely normal. I was born that way. It’s just the way I see the world.”

Wishing You a Happy and Joyous Passover. NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE Building a Better, Brighter Nassau www.nassaucountyny.gov

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The Week Ms. Danilovic works in the Serbian town of Uzice as a council worker. The economics graduate from Serbia has suffered from this condition since birth. She leads a normal life by simply manually turning everything upside down so that way she views it as right side up. She reads her papers from the bottom up, uses an upside down computer screen, and her TV is balanced on its top. Experts from Harvard University and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say she is suffering from “spatial orientation phenomenon.” “They say my eyes see the images the right way up but my brain changes them. But they don’t really seem to know exactly how it happens, just that it does and where it happens in my brain. They told me they’ve seen the case histories of some people who write the way I see, but never someone quite like me,” Bojana said. Talk about an upside down worldview.

$17M Dress If you think shopping for clothing has gotten expensive, check out the price

on this black dress. Debbie Wingham, a British designer, has created the world’s most expensive dress. The price tag? $17.7 million. The dress has been called the “Abaya,” and is a simple, loose, black gown that is encrusted with red diamonds. Wingham says she modeled the dress in the traditional North African and Arabic women’s style. It falls to the floor and has long, flowing sleeves. The inspiration came to her after visiting Dubai last fall. “The Arabian ladies have a certain elegance to them and the abayas have a certain movement that just captured my imagination,” Wingham explained. “[It] is a garment that you can add your own twist to, and providing it is honorable and respectful to the culture, it still leaves a large window to adapt and add your own signature flair.” And Wingham made sure to add her own flair to the dress with a large, red diamond—an extremely rare stone. This is not the first time Wingham used precious stones as accessories to her creations. Last year, she designed a dress worth $5.6 million adorned with black diamonds. In fact, when she was making that dress, a client of hers suggested us-

In News ing the red diamond, worth $7.4 million, for her next creation. “The thought of being able to use a red diamond, a stone that most jewelers don’t even ever get to see in their lifetime, was too much of a good opportunity to pass by,” Wingham admitted. The Abaya boasts 3,000 other stones, including 50 two-carat black diamonds, 50 two-carat white diamonds, 1,899 black-and-white pointer diamonds and 1,000 pointer rubies. Each of the stones is set in 14-carat gold. “The thread used to stitch the gown is even 14-carat gold,” Wingham said. In case you’re wondering where you can purchase this LBD (long black dress, in this case), the dress is one of a kind and will never be sold. According to the designer, it’s a showpiece and will be debuted in Dubai.

Shark-Wrestling Hero Lands In Hot Water A 62-year-old British man’s trip to an Australian beach turned quite adventurous when he bravely manhandled a

shark that came ashore. But all did not end well.. It all started when the man, ironically named Paul Marshallsea, and his family were barbecuing on the beach and heard screams of “Help! A shark!” Paul sprang into action and was able to move the shark offshore and back into the water, rescuing a group of children from injury. While Paul was engaged in his epic battle with the shark, an onlooker videotaped that action. In no time, the video went viral and images of the shark-wrestling hero spread around the globe. The problem for Paul is that his employers saw the video as well. And Paul was unable to explain why he and his wife – who both worked for the same company and were on sick leave – were in Australia. Their employer promptly fired them and wrote to Paul: “Whilst unfit to work, you were well enough to travel to Australia and according to recent news footage of yourself in Queensland, you allegedly grabbed a shark by the tail and narrowly missed being bitten by jumping out of the way.” I guess the moral of the story is: Don’t go viral when you have a virus.

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Stop & Shop Provides Two Tons of Passover Food to the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula in an Effort to Assist the Thousands of Rockaway Families Devastated by Super Storm Sandy On Tuesday, March 12th, Stop & Shop Supermarket provided two tons of kosher for Passover food and supplies to the Jewish Community Council of

extend our thanks and gratitude to Stop & Shop for their generous donation to the community. We really appreciate it.” “This has been an especially challenging year for New Yorkers in need. Due to the widespread devastation of Hurricane Sandy, many households we serve have fallen deeper into poverty, while others have become needy due to Sandy and are struggling to find a way out. We are truly humbled by the generosity and acts of loving-kindness of our communities, neighbors and volunteers from far away,” said William E. Rapfogel, Met Council CEO. “As we join Rabbi Eliezer Feuer of the Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater and Arlene Putterman together to celebrate Passover with our families, it is important to remember that one in four Jewish New Yorkers are the Rockaway Peninsula in an effort to New York to help the residents of Far living in poverty. Met Council, along assist the thousands of families whose Rockaway deal with the ongoing hardwith our network of Jewish Commuhomes were destroyed by Super Storm ships created by Super Storm Sandy.” nity Councils, is grateful for dedicated Sandy. The donation of holiday staples “The Jewish Community Council of corporate partners like Stop & Shop. included matzah, soup, matzah-ball the Rockaway Peninsula has been one mix, matzoh-meal, grape juice, apple of the local agencies instrumental in Their generosity will allow those who juice, gefilte fish, horseradish, farfel, assisting neighborhood are struggling to put food on potatoes, canned fruit, canned tuna, ap- residents with basic netheir tables and enjoy a tradiplesauce, coffee and Passover cookies. tional Passover Seder.” cessities such as food, Impacted families, Rockaway area shelter, clothing, secu“Super Storm Sandy rabbis, elected officials, community rity, toiletries, blankets, coupled with the struggling leaders and representatives of Met disposable diapers and economy has placed a strain Council/ UJA and the Jewish Commu- heaters,” said Nathan on the budgets of countless nity Council of the Rockaway Peninsu- Krasnovsky, the Execufamilies throughout our comla accepted delivery from Stop & Shop tive Director of the JCmunities. Food is often the CRP. “With Passover on behalf of the community. last thing people spend their “It is our hope that families impact- approaching the needs money on when struggling ed by Super Storm Sandy will be able to of the Jewish Commuto pay bills. As a result, more enjoy Passover. Our effort to assist the nity has multiplied. The and more people are turning residents of Far Rockaway underscores generous donation by to local pantries and charities Stop & Shop’s commitment to the com- Stop &Shop will go a for help,” said Congressman munities we serve and families who are long way in helping our Gregory Meeks. “Today, Over 200 families received food packages on Monday. By the end of the week, in need,” said Arlene Putterman, Man- community rebuild and with the generosity of Stop ager of Public and Community Rela- lead us back to the path close to 400 families will be receiving food packages from the JCCRP’s Passover and Shop, the JCCRP food Food Distribution campaign. tions of Stop & Shop’s NY Metro Divi- of self-sufficiency.” pantry will be better able to sion. “We appreciate the efforts of our elected officials, the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, Met Council and UJA Federation of

Ettie Schoor, Founder and Director of Project Nivneh, was on hand to accept the donation on behalf of the community. “I want to thank the hundreds of partners, team leaders and committee heads who have made the Partners in Sandy Program the success that it is today. Thank you is not enough for all you have done for your families. Your acts of kindness is impossible describe and I am in total awe by some of the stories that I get to hear on a daily basis. The Partners in Sandy Program now has a database with more than 1,200 affected families. Project Nivneh could not have accomplished what it has done without the continued support from various organizations and philanthropists who have reached out with generous support. On that note, we would like to

into financial turmoil. This is in addition to those who had been struggling prior, and Sandy exacerbated their financial issues. Stop & Shop has jumped in to do something to help those who desperately need the assistance. Their enormous donation will go a long way to help a devastated community on their road to recovery.” Jewish Community leaders say as many as 40% of the Rockaway Jewish Community was displaced by Sandy and more than four months later are not only struggling to rebuild their homes but are looking for a way to appropriately celebrate the Passover Holiday. Area rabbis say that in addition to the kosher for At the distribution of food to over 200 families on Monday, March Passover food that com18. NYC Councilman Peter F. Vallone Jr and Pesach Osina from munity members need, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder’s office were present as well as Ilene they are also in need of Marcus, chief of staff of Met Council. paper plates, paper cups and plastic cutlery since Rockaway community is known for their Passover dishes were destroyed by their charity and giving, however these Sandy. difficult times have forced so many “Our community is touched by the families to reach out for assistance. I generosity and care shown by Stop &

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support children, families and seniors as they prepare for Passover. I commend all involved in meeting this critical need.” “The tough economy has really impacted every community across the state,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D- Far Rockaway). “The Far

Pesach Osina from Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder’s office, Richard Altabe chairman of the JCCRP, Donavan Richards, City Councilmember of the 31st district, Arlene Putterman, Vito Orlando, store manager of Stop & Shop, and Executive Director of the JCCRP, Nathan Krasnovsky

want to thank the JCCRP for their work throughout the neighborhood and Stop & Shop for their generous donation to a struggling community.” “The Far Rockaway community has been devastated by Sandy and this generous contribution by Stop & Shop is greatly appreciated and will help the community tremendously,” said New York City Councilmember Donovan Richards. Aryeh Yanofsky, a Far Rockaway resident, said he and his neighbors were most grateful for Stop & Shop’s outreach. “In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, many people have been thrown

Shop. In quick paced corporate America, to be able to focus on the needy is exemplary”, said Rabbi Eliezer Feuer of the Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater. “The Rockaways are one of the few places in New York City that still has the flavor of a community, and that is very much attributable to JCCRP. Stop & Shop is doing a tremendous act of kindness by helping to support the community during this great time of need,” said Rabbi Avrohom Halpern of Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv. The large showing by the Rockaway area rabbis, elected officials, com-

Executive Director of the JCCRP, Nathan Krasnovsky, and Ettie Schoor, Founder and Director of Project Nivneh

munity leaders, representatives of Met Council and UJA-Federation of NY was very vital and lead to the event being aired on NY1 News and Fox 5 News. Extensive media exposure can be very crucial to receiving donations and lead to the JCCRP receiving more donations for deprived families making Pesach. To contact the JCCRP, call 718-3277755 or visit them at 1525 Central Ave-

nue in Far Rockaway or online at www. jccrp.org where you can join the email list to be notified of all grant and volunteer opportunities as well as giveaways. Paypal donations to the JCCRP can be done directly through the JCCRP website with 100% of all donations going directly to underprivileged families.

39 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n M A R C H 2 1 , 2013

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8th graders from Yeshiva Darchei Torah baking matzahs at the Horsteipel Matzah Bakery in Brooklyn. The Rebbi shown is Rabbi Binyomin Wielgus.

A Treasure for Klal Yisroel Historians studying our generation centuries from now will undoubtedly conclude that we were the hyperbolic generation. Let’s be honest. How many events or occurrences have not been hyped by some breathless journalist (myself included) as historic, one of a kind, or some other over-the-top rhetorical spasm? Is there anyone out there who has not yet been billed as a rising star or a transformational figure? Don’t worry, your turn is coming. In light of all that, I’m pleased to present to you one of the most unique individuals you will ever meet. Wait, wait, I’ll back it up. This man is a thoroughly Chassidishe Yid, yet he speaks 11 different languages and scripts. Count ‘em. And no, we are not referring to every day languages spoken across the globe, but dialects that have not been used by common folk for thousands of years. Egyptian hieroglyphics, Greek Latin, Roman Latin, Ksav Ivri, the list goes on. This man is intimately familiar with the process of recovering shipwrecks from the bottom of the sea, has served countless gedolim and has raised more money for a special project than many people see in a lifetime. Meet Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch, founder and curator of the Living Torah Museum. By now it is hard to find a frum individual in the tri-state area who hasn’t heard of the Museum, with its vast display of objects and artifacts long deemed obsolete but very relevant to understanding many parts of the Torah. The curiosity bug bit Rabbi Deutsch as a young boy and really hasn’t let go. “I remember being kicked out of class as a child for asking my Rebbe to explain exactly what a kad is, mentioned in Bava

Kamma, in the beginning of the third perek. He must have thought I was wasting time with needless questions, but I really wanted to know what it looked like. Standing outside my classroom, the Menahel walked by and I told him why I was out of class. He told me in Yiddish, ‘When you’ll get older you’ll understand.’ Well, I’m taking him at his word. I’m older now, and still trying to understand.” Once the idea of opening a museum was planted in his mind, Rabbi Deutsch wouldn’t let go. The problem, as it often is, was money. Antiques such as these are inordinately expensive. But where there is a will there is a way. Rabbi Deutsch has raised $30 million to accumulate the vast collection of pieces in his display cases. And the collection just keeps on growing. Acknowledged as the most comprehensive museum of its kind, the Biblical Archeological Review, the world’s largest Archeological publication declared that the Living Torah Museum “has done what no one else in the United States (perhaps in the world outside of Israel) has done. ... All the big shots, all the people with access to the most sophisticated knowledge and current excavations, have not accomplished what Rabbi Deutsch has.” One of the best resources for discovering these ancient objects are by deep sea diving, men who are hired to recover items from shipwrecks often come across some fascinating discoveries. Rabi Deutsch relates one such

instance. “There is a machlokes among the Rishonim about the measure of a litra, a measurement used in the time of the Gemara. Rashi, the Rambam and the Rif all have different shitos as to the size of this shiur. Well, one day, I found out that some divers had discovered an actual lead litra measurement. If you remember your tenth grade chemistry lessons, you might recall that lead and gold are some of the objects that aren’t affected by water, so we were able to accept the measurement as is. It turned out to be exactly the measurement given by Rashi. When I told this to Rav Elyashiv, zt’l, he said he would now pasken this way with regard to the shiur of litra, which is still nogeia today to some of the laws of eiruvin. There is another halacha that necessitates knowledge of the shiur of the width of a dinar zahav. The Bais Yosef in Yoreh De’ah says that since those coins were all non-existent (they were melted down by the Romans) we do not know the shiur. Recently, divers recovered a cache that contained some of these coins. We purchased them and

have them at the museum. I received numerous phone calls from poskim who wanted to see these coins themselves.” A second wing of the museum, called Torah Animal World, was added a few years ago, to correct common misconceptions found throughout the Jewish world. “There are so many shitos about a lot of the animals spoken about in the Torah. What’s a tzvi? A deer, right? That’s what most people think. But the truth is, Rashi says it’s a gazelle. Some think it’s an ibex. Do you know the difference between these animals? At the Animal World, we got all of these animals taxidermied and displayed, so people can see for themselves what an akko or dishon is, or to understand exactly what type of scales make a fish kosher. There is a lot to learn.” The museum’s Lakewood location opened several years ago, and is part of the broader network of museums, with the others located in Borough Park and the Catskills. “They really complement each other. The Brooklyn location features artifacts and animals mentioned in the Chumash, the Catskills site focuses on the Mishna, and Lakewood hosts the Gemara presentations. There is almost no overlap, aside from an isolated object here or there that is mentioned in more than one place.” So that’s it. I made my case. Is there someone in your neighborhood who reads Phoenician? I didn’t think so. Reprinted from the Yated.

41 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n M A R C H 2 1 , 2013

HURRICANE SANDY

5-MONTH RECOVERY UPDATE Over the last 5 months our community has banded together like never before. ACHIEZER along with THE DAVIS MEMORIAL FUND raised millions of sorely needed dollars to help the residents of our community rebuild their lives anew. We now share with you an update of all of the funds that have been disbursed through the CAF (COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUND) thus far. Every dollar that has been raised through this historic campaign has gone directly to affected families, with no overhead or administrative costs.

Hurricane Funds Disbursement

1 770

2 311

2,026

8,907

3 180 $12,778

PHASE

EMERGENCY CASH ASSISTANCE

PHASE

COMING HOME PROJECT

PHASE

CONSTRUCTION (ONGOING)

FAMILIES

1,560,000 PHASE 1 TOTAL

AVG. PER FAMILY

2,770,000 PHASE 2 TOTAL

AVG. PER FAMILY

2,300,000

AVG. PER FAMILY

TOTAL FUNDS DISBURSED TO DATE:

PHASE 3 TOTAL

6,630,000

Chag Kasher V’Sameach

To our generous benefactors, dedicated volunteers and the entire community, best wishes for a

A Peaceful and Uplifting Yom Tov to all!

Rabbi Boruch B. Bender FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT ACHIEZER

Elisha Brecher, Esq. Sonny Ganger

Lloyd Keilson Melly Lifshitz

TRUSTEES COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUND

AD SPONSORED BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL

The Davis Memorial Fund Rabbi Dovid Greenblatt ADMINISTRATOR DAVIS MEMORIAL FUND

DESIGN: DAVID BENOLIEL 718-207-2125

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUND

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Yeshiva Nishmas Hatorah: Focusing on Shleimus As Yeshiva Nishmas Hatorah completes its second year, the dream is becoming a reality. The dream I refer to is the Roshei Yeshiva’s, Rav Yissachar Blinder and Rav Pinchas Weinberger, vision to create a yeshiva that challenges its talmidim to be great Yidden. The Yeshiva opened two years ago with six talmidim, two sedarim, and two rabbeim and today the yeshiva has over twenty talmidim, three sedarim, three rabbeim, and an apartment for the out-of-towners. How do you challenge talmidim to be great? “Responsibility, passion, and thought” would be Rabbi Blinder’s response. “Give them responsibility, be passionate about your own Yiddishkeit and keep them thinking!” The daily schedule is geared to maximize productivity so sedarim are shorter and more intense. In addition to the mesechta that is being learned in yeshiva, there are halacha and hashkafa shiurim as well as vaadim for talmidim who are dating and ones on emunah and bitachon for those who are younger. “Focusing

on shleimus, wholesomeness, is key to building happy and healthy husbands and fathers and that is what we want to do,” says Rabbi Weinberger. Second seder, which is led by Rabbi Abi Goldenberg, continues on the same theme. There is a halacha shiur followed by a b’kius shiur/chavrusa seder. It ends with an interactive hashkafa/mussar discussion. Night seder is run by R’ Simcha Leibowitz who energizes the chabura with thought-provoking shiurim and discussion based on sugyas in halacha. On Thursday nights, there is an oneg at his home. In keeping with the shleimus theme, Sundays are dedicated to learning Choshen Mishpat l’masse. Rav Baruch Greenspan from Lakewood, N.J. prepares the sugyos starting with the gemara and rishonim down to the contemporary poskim in a clear, elucidated manner. He finishes off the morning with a brilliant chaburah and practical applications of the principles learned. The week ends on

Friday morning with a shiur from a professional life coach, R’ Baruch Feifer, emphasizing effective communication and self-awareness based on the parsha. “Learn from the Experienced” is two of the yeshiva initiatives that help prepare a talmid when he leaves yeshiva. The student body is invited for lunch at a local restaurant and is joined by a local professional who shares his experience as a frum Jew working in a secular society. Most recently R’ Avrahmi Singer

of Cedarhurst spoke to the talmidim over lunch at Sushi Metzuyan. The feedback was phenomenal. The Yeshiva is currently housed in the magnificent Bais Medrash Heichal Dovid in Lawrence. The yeshiva feels truly indebted to the kehilla for sharing the beis medrash with them. With Hashem’s help, the yeshiva will continue to grow and the dream will become a reality.

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Pro-Israel Groups Unite at the Israel Initiative’s Inaugural Networking Event More than seventy-five pro-Israel activists and representatives of major American Jewish organizations recently convened at a Manhattan restaurant for the inaugural gathering of the newly formed Israel Initiative. The meeting and networking breakfast drew a diverse crowd of Zionist organization lead-

Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the founder of The Israel Initiative, addresses a crowd of over 75 proIsrael activists and representatives of major American Jewish organizations at the group’s inaugural networking event in Manhattan.

ers and concerned individuals, each of whom used the opportunity to meet with their colleagues and discuss areas of mutual concern. The individual behind the formation of The Israel Initiative is Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President, Emeritus of the National Council of Young Israel, who has been intimately involved in numerous pro-Israel causes and organizations for decades. In an effort to further enhance the work of the countless individual activists and groups who are dedicated to pro-Israel causes, Rabbi Lerner created this initiative in order to encourage collaboration among the various organizations as they work towards a common goal.

“There are many worthy organizations and dedicated activists who are each doing incredible work on behalf of the State of Israel and the greater Jewish community,” said Rabbi Lerner. “It is time to unify the various segments of the active greater pro-Israel community and to create a dynamic force that will enable us to better accomplish our individual and collective missions. This idea is long overdue.” Well-known Jewish philanthropist and pro-Israel advocate Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz flew to New York from Florida in order to lend her support and encouragement to this endeavor and address the crowd. In addition, the list of participants included Helen Freedman, Executive Director of Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI); Heddy Klein, former President of EMUNAH of America; Yosef Poplack, First Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel; Rabbi Yitz Greenman, Executive Director of Aish HaTorah New York; Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum, Director of the Rab-

Prominent Jewish communal leader Phil Rosen, Esq., who is Vice-Chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, addresses the crowd at The Israel Initiative’s recent networking event as Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the founder of The Israel Initiative, looks on.

binical Alliance of America; Eli Hertz, former Chairman of CAMERA; Jordanna McMillan, Director of Outreach and Development at the Israel Allies Foundation based in Washington, D.C.; Eytan Laor, Chairman of American Principles, which is based in Florida; Goldi Steiner, Chair of Canadians for Israel’s Legal Rights; Sarah Stern, Founder and President of the Washington, D.C. based Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET); Rabbi Ben Packer, Co-Found-

Well-known Jewish philanthropist and pro-Israel advocate Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz addresses the crowd at The Israel Initiative’s inaugural networking event as Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the founder of The Israel Initiative, looks on.

er of Young Jewish Conservatives; Phil Rosen, Esq., a prominent Jewish communal leader who is Vice-Chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition; Teddy Pollak, President of the Hebron Fund; and Steven Orlow, President of the One Israel Fund. Ruth Folger Weiss, President of the Brooklyn-based Ad Lib Unlimited, volunteered her time in order to assist with the event planning and coordination. Some of the issues discussed at the networking event included the impor-

tance of sharing resources and ideas amongst the various groups, working to enhance the individual mission and greater cause, creating an email newsletter in order to facilitate communication among the groups, and identifying common causes and projects that would be significantly enhanced by greater collaboration among the different groups. In addition, there was a discussion about the importance of utilizing a variety of resources that are available to the groups on Capitol Hill and in Israel. “Hats off to you for having pulled off the gathering, without much fanfare,” said Goldi Steiner, Chair of Canadians for Israel’s Legal Rights. “I think it was very important that there was good networking between like-minded people. The informality made it all the more effective.” “Yasher Koach to you for putting this together,” said Dr. Jonathan Gold. “It was inspiring and the initiative is beyond necessary.” “The meeting was extremely productive,” said Teddy Pollak, President of The Hebron Fund. “The turnout was very good and many fine people were there. I myself and The Hebron Fund are aboard and would like to assist in any way possible. In unity there is strength.” “Kol Hakavod to you,” said Ari Lieberman. “The inaugural networking event was great. I am happy to make myself available to meet with you or others to discuss and do what is necessary to help further develop this important initiative.” For more information about The Israel Initiative, send an email to TheIsraelInitiative@gmail.com.

More than 75 pro-Israel activists and representatives of major American Jewish organizations recently gathered at The Israel Initiative’s inaugural networking event in Manhattan, where they discussed sharing resources and collaborating with each other in furtherance of their efforts on behalf of Israel.

Yom HaShoah Program at Young Israel of New Hyde Park The Yom HaShoah program will be held on Sunday April 7, 2013 at 7:30 PM at Young Israel of New Hyde Park, 264-15 77th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040. The program will feature a screening of selections from the film, “Unlike-

ly Heroes.” Mincha will start at 7:10 followed by the program.\ Sponsors: Young Israel of New Hyde Park, Bell Park Jewish Center, National Council of Young Israel, Queens Jewish Community Council, Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council

Bnot Yaakov Welcomes Pesach Pesach entered Bnot Yaakov far before Rosh Chodesh Nissan did! Our students have been busy learning Pesach halakhot, singing seder songs, writing out their own Ivrit Haggadot and participating in our Pesach Mother’s Helper chesed at home as well! The girls enjoyed a musical Rosh Chodesh assembly where they discovered the importance of “numbers” along with a song-game rendition of “Ehad –Mi Yodeah?” and then received kosher la’Pesach treats. In Lemudei Kodesh, our yeladot are immersed in the creation of their own Haggadah projects that integrate language, comprehension and sequencing skills along with a healthy dose of creative artistry. Bnot Yaakov was especially proud of its students who eagerly brought in Pesach Mother’s Helpers Schedules way before schedule – they’re due right before Pesach break and students have already begun asking for a second “Schedule” sheet. The Pesach Mother’s Helper Program was created to develop a sense of pride in “helping for Pesach” and girls were given out “Schedule” sheets on which to list their “tasks” or

“jobs” done for Pesach. Students were shown that their mothers actually do one of the first “numbers” activities regarding Pesach when they organize and use “numbers” to sequence lists of tasks to be done in preparation for Pesach! They were then given their own “schedules” on which to “organize” their own Mother’s Helper tasks to be brought and shared. The girls can’t wait for seder night, when they can proudly look at the Yom Tov they helped to create and share their haggadot and divrei Torah with their families.

NEWS

Community

Queens Is Buzzing About Camp Keshet Summer will soon be here. School days will fade and give way to camp—long, endless days filled with fun, relaxation, fond memories and friendships. Camp Keshet is distinguishing itself as the new day camp destination for Queens girls as it is well on its way to becoming one of the premier religious all-girls camps in Queens. Camp Keshet plans to have an impressive, action-packed summer with a host of amazing activities: fabulous arts and crafts, indoor/outdoor sports, incredible overnight trips, daily swimming, door-to-door transportation, airconditioned busing, daily shiurim and davening program, a one-of-kind drama program with theatrical productions and much more. Safety and fun will always go hand in hand at Camp Keshet. Campers will always be supervised in a safe, warm and super fun environment. The caring and experienced staff led by the amazing Rabbi Shimon Dier, Mrs. Chaya Klass and Mrs. Rochel Leah Dier will see to every child’s specific needs. The delicious hot lunch and savory snacks will keep campers going all day long. The limudiei kodesh programming promises to facilitate boundless spiritual growth. In short, Camp Keshet is doing every-

thing it can to make sure that this summer will be unforgettable and fantastic. Summertime is a precious and special time full of fun, relaxation and growth. The time spent at camp each year generates so many incredible memories that will last a lifetime and allows children to come back to school energized and exhilarated. The right camp makes all the difference. Find out for yourself why Camp Keshet has so many people so excited. Register now while there is still space. For a limited time, Camp Keshet is offering the amazing rate of just $1,400 for entire summer. Camp Keshet is located at the Bnos Malka Academy campus in Forrest Hills. To find out more and to reserve a spot for your daughter, call 718-2682667 or email to keshet @bnosmalka. org.

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Around the HANC Goes BOLD HANC’s 609 students at the Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School are BOLD! HANC students once again participated in the Berachot Out Loud Daily program which encouraged students to make brachot out loud so other people can answer “Amen.” “It is important to count our blessings every day and this program enables the students to be more careful with brachot while also giving them a greater awareness of all the blessings in their lives,” explains Rabbi Michael Merrill, rebbe and director of student programs. As an added bonus, students who completed their weekly brachot charts by saying at least 35 brachot out loud every week were rewarded with free treats from local West Hempstead eateries! Thank you to Bageltown, Tasty Bite, I&D, Wing Wan, EJ’s and Hunki’s for their generous and tasty donations!

Pre-Pesach Chometz Drive in Queens on Sunday Sponsoring organization:

Tomchei Shabbos of Queens Event:

Pre-Pesach Chometz Drive Location:

85-19 Abingdon Road, Kew Gardens When:

Sunday, March 24th, from 10 am to 1 pm What to bring:

Unopened, non-perishable, packaged food, with good expiration date Tizku L’Mitzvos!

LOCAL NEWS

Community DRS Wins First Ever Basketball Championship!

This past Sunday, history was made in Yeshiva University as the DRS Wildcats Varsity Basketball Team won the first Yeshiva League Basketball Championship in the school’s 16 year existence. After trailing 2-0, Daniel Stroh got the Wildcats rolling with a three, which gave them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Adam Schraga led the way early with two threes to pace DRS to an eight point lead. Throughout the game, DRS had many different players contribute. Mitch Blitman’s rebounding didn’t allow second chances and his offensive boards led to second chance points. Yonatan Kerstien and Josh Kaufman each handled the ball with great alacrity not allowing Ramaz to steal the ball. At the Half, DRS led by a comfortable 13 point margin. Ramaz though still had a run, cutting the lead to 5 midway through the fourth quarter. That is when the DRS team started relying on the fans. Some 150 student made the trip to the Heights to create a greenhouse in Manhattan. DRS then dug deep, breaking the press and getting the ball to game

(Left to Right): Rabbi Elly Storch, DRS Assistant Principal, Game MVP Senior Yoel Schreier, and Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, DRS Menahel

MVP Yoel Schrier who iced the game with tremendous free throw shooting. DRs ended the season with a ten game winning streak, including a four game playoff run. It was a real credit to their coach, Jared Solomon, who retired after this game. Even though DRS practice time was limited early this season because of Hurricane Sandy, Jared kept the team focused on the ultimate goal: the championship.

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Dirshu Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Week Features Shiurim Given by Gedolei Haposkim in Eretz Yisroel, America and England By Chaim Gold Thousands of participants around the world experienced an infusion of chizuk and halachic preparation for Pesach during Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Week held during the week of Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Gedolei haposkim in Eretz Yisrael, America and England delivered shiurim on hilchos Pesach at Dirshu Daf HaYomi B’Halacha sites teaching, inspiring and enhancing the observance of hilchos Pesach while simultaneously hailing and encouraging participation in Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha. The Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program is currently in the middle of hilchos Pesach and is viewed by the gedolei haposkim as the ultimate venue from which to deliver a message of increased limud and observance of halacha. In the United States, shiurim were held in venues ranging from Baltimore to Lakewood and Brooklyn by luminaries such as HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Staten Island and son of the poseik hador, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Michel Steinmetz, shlita, senior Skverer Dayan of Boro Park, and HaGaon HaRav Zev Smith, shlita, a very popular maggid shiur for both Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and Irgun Shiurei Torah. In Eretz Yisroel there were eighteen different shiurim given by gedolei haposkim in locations across the entire length and breadth of the land. Shiurim were given by such luminaries as HaGaon HaRav Chaim Wosner, shlita, son of the poseik hador, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, shlita, the Shevet Halevi, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Tzadkah, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Porat Yosef and one of the leading Sephardic poskim, and HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, shlita, Rav of Ramat Elchonon and son-in-law of the poseik hador, HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv, zt”l, among others. The worldwide set of shiurim did not specifically cover topics that the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha is currently learning rather they targeted practical aspects of hilchos Pesach and particularly questions associated with modern technology and innovation that are not directly addressed in the Mishna Berurah. HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, Shlita, Describes Rav Moshe’s Seder In Baltimore, Rav Reuven Feinstein spoke at the Shomrei Emunah Shul for

an unusually large audience. He was introduced by Rabbi Mordechai Frankel, shlita, the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha maggid shiur there. One of the questions he addressed was what should a person do if he has guests at the seder? On the one hand, the mitzvah of the night is ‘v’hegadita l’vincha – to teach your children.’ Is it therefore appropriate for a person’s children to sit near him thereby enabling him to properly fulfill the mitzvah? On the other hand, is it proper to have the guests sit such a distances from the baal habayis in back of the children? Rav Reuven responded by reminiscing about the seder with his father, Rav Moshe. Rav Reuven recalled, “When I was a child, we had distinguished guests. Do you know what my father did? He sat at the head of the table and placed me right next to him at the head of the table too! In this way, the guest was able to sit at an honored place at the table close to my father, while I was simultaneously seated next to my father and he was able to fulfill the mitzvah of v’hegadita l’vincha with hiddur.” Rabbi Mordechai Frankel related, “The large crowd was extremely inspired by both the important halachic content as well as the engaging divrei aggadah, stories and self-deprecating humor that Rav Reuven presented.” The Skverer Dayan: The Key to Proper Halacha Observance: Learning Halacha Daily The Birkas Avrohom Shul in Boro Park led by Rav Yitzchok Zalman Gips, shlita, a Daf HaYomi B’Halacha maggid shiur, was filled with hundreds of eager listeners, who came to hear a shiur by the Skverer Dayan, Rav Yechiel Michel Steinmetz. The dayan answered tens of difficult she’eilos that left the crowd absolutely riveted. Towards the end, the dayan’s answer to a question elicited a chuckle. The question was, “If a person does not use his seforim during the year must he check them for chometz?” The dayan replied, “He certainly must check for the spiritual chometz that he left behind by not learning. He does not, however, have to check for gashmiyusdig chometz.” The dayan then pointed out that Dirshu is an organization that ensures that people learn from their seforim all year round. The dayan especially hailed the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program as the ideal program to bring daily ob-

servance of halacha into one’s life. He highlighted the fact that Dirshu has a proven track record in providing learning programs that can truly be transformative. Massive Lakewood Crowd at Rav Zev Smith’s Shiur The Daf HaYomi B’Halacha shiur located at Bais Medrash Govoha of Lakewood is given by Rav Moshe Chaim Kahan, shlita, Rov of Bais Medrash Shalom V’reyus of Lakewood, is one of the most popular Dirshu shiurim in the country. Every day, a large crowd of talmidei chachomim comes to hear Rav Kahan, whose passionate delivery and fascinating content are a great attraction. On Rosh Chodesh Nissan, Rav Zev Smith gave a guest shiur at the Lakewood yeshiva to a crowd numbering in the hundreds. In fact, the crowd was so large that a larger venue was needed to accommodate it. Rav Smith gave a shiur combining practical halacha with much of the intricate lomdus upon which the halacha was based. He covered important areas such as chometz content in medications, household products and cosmetics. He masterfully put forth the different opinions of the gedolei haposkim in a way that was truly illuminating. In his closing remarks, Rav Smith urged the crowd to accept upon themselves to devote time each day to learning Mishna Berurah and highlighted how wonderful the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program is. In fact, one of the inspiring sights was Rav Smith making his way to his car after the shiur followed by a large crowd asking questions on the shiur and talking in learning. He related that it took him an hour and a half to leave, and he was absolutely overwhelmed by the level of knowledge of the intricacies of hilchos Pesach possessed by the Lakewood Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and Kinyan Halacha members. Rav Dovid Hofstedter: Renewed Dedication to Halacha to Counteract Potential Spiritual Weakening! Dirshu’s Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, who was in Eretz Yisroel for Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Week, gave a drasha in Kiryat Sefer wherein he alluded to the difficult time that the Torah community in Eretz Yisroel is undergoing. He cited the pesukim in sefer Shoftim that teach us that the bnei Yisrael could not conquer the city of Kiryat Sefer because the

enemy was too strong until Osnial ben Knaz finally captured the city. How was Osnial ben Knaz able to conquer the enemy? With a “sefer,” with Torah learning. There is an allusion to this in the name of the city, “Kiryat Sefer”. Rav Dovid explained by citing the well known Gemara that states that after Moshe Rabbeinu passed away, Bnei Yisroel forgot over 3000 halachos! The Gemara states that Osniel Ben Knaz, through the power of his pilpul, was able to recall them. The idea Rav Hosftedter explained is that only once Osniel was able to return the forgotten halachos to the bnei Yisrael were they able to finally conquer Kiryat Sefer. The practical lesson for us is that learning and remembering Torah enables our Nation to overcome its adversaries. Hecontinued, “Just a few months ago, the poseik hador, Rav Elyashiv, was niftar. That created a weakness in Torah learning. The terrible gezeiros of the anti-religious government also seek to weaken Torah. Our response must be to recall all of the halachos and thereby strengthen the weakness with increased, renewed dedication to halacha. In this way we will be able to recall all halachos without being spiritually weakened in the process.” “A Person Cannot Be Complete Unless he Brings Practical Halacha Into his Life On A Daily Basis!” Perhaps Rabbi Yosef Rubinstein, a yungerman who has been learning Daf HaYomi B’Halacha for a number of years, put it best when he said, “I remember the first day when I started doing Daf HaYomi B’Halacha. In addition to my regular learning in my kollel, I always did Daf Yomi in Gemara. For some reason, however, I never had a daily seder in halacha. When I needed to look up a halacha I did, but that was the extent of my Mishna Berurah learning. “Once I began learning Mishna Berurah daily with the Daf Hayomi B’Halacha program I felt a tremendous sense of shleimus, of completeness. I now feel that my halacha learning complements my Gemara learning and that my Gemara learning complements my halacha learning. I realize how vast the Torah is and how a person cannot be complete unless he brings practical halacha into his life on a daily basis. The Daf HaYomi B’Halacha has done that for me!”

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HANC Prepares for Pesach Students at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Early Childhood Center and HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School in West Hempstead are busy learning about and preparing for Pesach! All the students at the HANC ECC had a wonderful time at the HANC matzah factory with the very special matzah baker who came to HANC, all the way from Shmurah Lane! The students learned about the entire matzah baking process and had the opportunity to make their very own matzahs! Students in Morah Judy and Morah Laura’s Nursery Bet class learned about the many mitzvot that we do before and on Pesach, including throwing out and burning chametz, giving maot chitim, eating matzah and drinking wine. The students were especially excited and proud to collect Pesach food to give to

people in need, as part of their very own maot chitim campaign! Students in Mrs. Spitalnik’s fourth grade math class participated in their annual “Pre-Pesach Spitalnik Frog Races.”

Each student coaxed their (plastic) frog to go as far as it could. Each student got three chances to make their frog jump and after the three jumps, they computed the average jump. The winner was Shoshana Levine whose frog had a cumulative jump of 142 inches! The HANC 609 Art Room has been very busy with Pesach projects and crafts to enhance the students’ seder tables! The first grade students have been hard at work creating beautiful placemats to use at the seder, as well as bookmarks for their haggadot. The second graders created gorgeous napkin rings and the third graders made “Jumping Froggies.” The fourth graders designed seder clocks, the fifth graders made wire sculptures inspired by the ten plagues and the sixth graders made stunning haggadah covers using a metal tooling technique. We are sure all these gorgeous items will enhance your family’s seder table. Chag sameach!

NEWS

Community HAFTR Lady Hawks (JV) Win Championship! On Thursday, March 14th, the HAFTR JV Lady HAWKS defeated the Hillel Hurricanes for the league championship title. The game was a tough battle from start to finish. The final score was HAFTR 38 - Hillel 37. Go Hawks!

YCQ 6th Grade Science Fair Impresses Parents and Judges This past Wednesday evening, the sixth grade students in YCQ presented their science fair projects for their parents and judges. All of the projects were innovative and creative. Congratulations to the science fair winners who will be moving on to the inter-yeshiva science tournament. F i r s t place: Bibi Ancselovics and Jacob Szlechter for “How Caffeine Affects Brain Function in Kids.” Second place: Rafi Czegledi for “Crystal Growth.” Third place: Mordechai Flamenbaun for “Mnemonics.” Honorable Mention: Rachel Aronov and Dina Inoyatov for “Can You Make Crystal Candies with Salt Instead of Sugar?” Zachary Blitz for “Green Energy,” Allison Haller and Maayan Sandowski for “Vil and Shpanky,” Becky Haviv for “Will Chewing Cinnamon Gum Raise your emperature?” Gavi Kaplan for “Which Fruit will Produce thee most Electricity?” Hannah Koffsky for “Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda,” Joshua Nektalov for “Alkaline Water vs. Tap Water,” Gabriella Gazal and Yael Teitelman for “How Strong are Your Taste Buds for Sweet, Sour and Salty?” and Rachel Havivo and Talia Wein for “Which Liquid Helps the Plant Grow Better: Water, Milk, Vinegar, or Sprite?”

Special thanks to all the judges and to Mrs. Felicia Schwartz!

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Community

A Taste of Justice Before the Festival of Freedom

Shulamith Long Island’s eighth grade visited Justice Martin E. Ritholtz on Monday in Supreme Court, Queens County.

HAFTR Eighth Graders Volunteer at Masbiah

Our eighth grade girls rolled up their sleeves at Hamasbiah “restaurant” in Brooklyn. What seemed like tons of vegetables were peeled and prepared for meals that will be distributed to those in need before Passover. Students also donated apples, nuts and wine towards the “Charoset Campaign.”

Yom Hashoah Commemoration at Young Israel Of Forest Hills The 50th Annual Memorial Service for the six million victims of the Nazi Holocaust will be held at the Young Israel of Forest Hills on Sunday evening, April 7, 2013. Inspired by the late Eli Zborowski, founder and Chairman of the American Society for Yad Vashem, our synagogue was the first in North America to sponsor such a program. The program is co-sponsored by a large number of synagogues and lay organizations in the Forest Hills Rego Park area. The annual lecture was endowed by their children in memory of Ruby and Judy Gruenbaum, Holocaust survivors (he lived through several concentration camps; she fled from Germany with her parents before the war) who rebuilt their lives in our community. The commemoration will take place at Young Israel of Forest Hills, 7100 Yellowstone Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375; 718-2687100 (tel), 718-268-7102 (fax), youngisraelfh@aol.com.

HALB Integrates Tiferet Academy in Partnership with AJE The Hebrew Academy of Long Beach (HALB) and Tiferet Academy (Tiferet) have agreed to unify their efforts in 2013, with the support of the Affordable Jewish Education Project (AJE). HALB will incorporate Tiferet’s blended-learning educational approach and students into their thriving school of 1,700 students to accelerate their respective efforts to provide excellent Jewish education at affordable rates to Five Towns families. As part of the arrangement, AJE will be funding the implementation of the blended learning program within HALB. “AJE is very excited for this groundbreaking partnership that will further spread its mission of providing a high-quality, affordable Jewish education to every child,” said Jeff Kiderman,

Executive Director of the AJE. “The HALB community is very fortunate to have visionary professional and lay leaders who, together with the incredibly dedicated Tiferet team, are working to establish a new gold standard in day school education.” “We are confident that our partnership with AJE will provide HALB with the resources and innovation to accelerate our delivery of 21st Century educational technologies,” said Lance Hirt, President of the HALB board of directors. “We could not be more enthusiastic about the educational opportunities this will create for our children.” “We are thrilled to work together with HALB and AJE in improving the quality and affordability of Jewish education,” said Avi Muchnick, a

spokesperson for Tiferet. “The immediate potential to positively impact 1,700 students is tremendous and would have otherwise taken us many years to accomplish independently.” As part of the transition, Tiferet’s students will move to the HALB campus where they will become a part of the HALB student body. Tiferet’s blended learning program will be rolled out to select elementary school classes within HALB. Rabbi Avrumi Sacks, Head of School at Tiferet, has been appointed to be Chief Academic Officer of AJE. In that capacity, he will join the HALB administration as a representative of AJE, where he will work with HALB Principal Rabbi Plotkin to institute and support the blended-learning education program inside HALB elementary school.

“While we have been aggressively developing an educational model that incorporates leading technologies, we believe that Rabbi Sack’s leadership of this effort within our elementary school and early childhood center will turbo charge our efforts,” said Rabbi Plotkin. “I am very excited about the many programs we will be launching with the help of AJE.” “I’m very excited to work with Rabbi Plotkin and the HALB administration in accelerating the educational growth of their students,” said Rabbi Sacks. “HALB is renowned for fostering a warm, lifelong connection with its students, and we are looking forward to being a part of that relationship.” The program specifics will be announced to parents later this year.

Looking for something to do on Chol Hamoed? Check out TJH’s Chol Hamoed Guide on page 88

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YU Eruvin Exhibition and Lecture Add Context and Insight to Daf Yomi Study What purpose do eruvin serve? Where can they be constructed? What makes them kosher? As Jews around the world delve into the subject of eruvin for daf yomi, the

daily cycle of Talmud study, Yeshiva University and the Orthodox Union sought to shed light on an ancient prac-

tice that is still very relevant to Jewish life today. An evening of programming on March 13 fused the historical, cultural and practical dimensions of eruvin showcased in a new Yeshiva University Museum exhibition with rich halakhic grounding provided by RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel Schachter. A leading halakhic authority, Rabbi Schachter delivered a shiur titled, “Eruvin: The Streets, the Strings and the Shabbat.” “Seeing the issues faced by Manhattan and other Jewish communities in completing an eruv—when a train track goes up and when it goes down, is the sea wall kosher or not—and hearing from such a wide range of people who struggled to bring klal Yisroel out of their homes on Shabbat takes Torah learning to a unique and different level,” said Edward Stelzer ’90YC, a member of the YU Museum’s board of directors. “Many of us don’t have an opportunity to check an eruv on any given Friday, but this museum has the power to help us internalize the issues of eruvin and

experience them almost firsthand by bringing the topic home to us in an immersive, powerful way.” More than 240 visitors began the night with special curator tours of “It’s a Thin Line: The Eruv and the Jewish Community in New York and Beyond,” an exhibition that brings to life the process through which the rabbinic precept of the eruv has been dynamically interpreted and applied, as well as challenged, in New York and its surrounding communities. Drawing on artifacts that range from tie clips and belts designed to make keys wearable to a replica of the elaborate, decorative eruv holders of 19th-century Central Europe, the exhibition illustrates the complex development of eruvin throughout history and around the world. Modern elements, including light poles and an aluminum gate from the current Manhattan eruv and an intricate string sculpture by R. Justin Stewart depicting in the evolving form of the eruv in Manhattan over time, highlight the changing Jewish American culture that has made eruvin a staple of Jewish communities all over the United States. After the tour, Rabbi Schachter delivered a detailed shiur that took listeners on a tour of intellectual Jewish history, explaining how philosophies about everything from what constituted a public space to what kinds of structures could be used in an eruv had developed in multiple veins of Jewish thought. He also discussed the process for setting up an eruv such as the YU eruv and noted popular misconceptions about eruvin. “People now feel as if when Rav Moshe Feinstein said that you could not make an eruv in Manhattan, he was the major position and the Chazon Ish came along afterward with his unusual position that you could,” said Rabbi

Schachter. “It was not so. Rabbi Feinstein writes himself that he had original opinions about this subject which were contrary to Tosfot and the Shulchan Orech, whereas the Chazon Ish was repeating the traditional opinions offered by poskim before he was born.” He added, “The Chazon Ish was the one who really made Masechet Eruvin understandable to the public. Before his time, many people really didn’t know much about it.” For Rabbi Eitan Rubin, it was an eye-opening and personal evening. The exhibition features a comprehensive guide to the Five Towns’ eruv compiled using satellite imagery, a blend of ageold practice and modern technology, which Rubin helped to develop. “It was a tremendous accomplishment and a bit tiring,” he said. “It took us three months of walking and many long nights by the computer on Google Maps.” Now responsible for maintaining the eruv in Great Neck, Rabbi Rubin was fascinated by the history and diverse traditions behind the tasks he has been carrying out for years. “It’s fascinating to see all the different periods eruvin have gone through over such a span of time,” he said. “I feel like Masechet Eruvin is what we see in this room.” “What sustains us in many ways as a people is the notion of our constructing boundaries, and the beauty of an eruv is that it does not lock us in and does not lock us out,” said YU President Richard M. Joel. “It’s a reminder that we’re a community, and based on that community, we can take on the world.” To learn more about It’s a Thin Line, on view through June 30, visit the Yeshiva University Museum website at www. yumuseum.org or www.yumuseum.tumblr.com/ItsAThinLine.

YCQ Kindergarten Welcomes in the Month of Nissan To celebrate Rosh Chodesh Nisan, the kindergarten classes in YCQ participated in a special luncheon exclusively for the kindergarten. Each child created their very own unique Chodesh Nisan hat. They sang Pesach songs accompanied by live music played by Rabbi Hamel. The children then enjoyed special Rosh Chodesh treats of black and white cookies! A fun time was had by all as everyone got into the Nisan and Pesach spirit.

Packing for Passover is a Family Affair at the Queens Jewish Community Council In keeping with Jewish tradition that is recited in the Passover Haggadah which says ,”All who are hungry, come and eat and all who are needy come celebrate Passover,” the Queens Jewish Community Council provides much needed Passover food packages to those less fortunate residing in the borough. Jonathan Zalisky, a resident of Cedarhurst, NY, brought his two daughters, Left to right: Jonathan Zalisky, Lauren Zalisky, Melissa Melissa and Lauren, to QJCC to Zalisky and Cynthia Zalisky, Executive Director QJCC help pack and distribute the 1,000 Passover parcels that were given this is the way I bring up my children.” out to the needy to help them be able to Melissa enthusiastically said, “I like celebrate the Passover holiday. Accord- doing this mitzvah.” Her sister Lauren ing to Mr. Zalisky, Melissa and Lauren agreed and chimed in, “It makes me feel Zalisky who attend second grade at Bnot good.” Shulamith. School of Long Island spent Jonathan’s mother is Cynthia Zalisky, Sunday, March 17, 2013 “to impress Executive Director of the Queens Jewupon my girls the values of chesed and ish Community Council. “Passover is a caring about the community that is part very difficult time for those barely makof the Jewish ethic and way of life...This ing ends meet,” said Mrs. Zalisky,”QJCC was inculcated in me by my parents and tries to help ease their burden.”

5 Towns 5K Run On Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 10AM, the fourth annual 5 Towns 5K Run/ Walk supporting Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans-Beit Halochem will take place. Beit Halochem provides rehabilitation, social, sports, and recreational facilities to disabled Israeli veterans. Last year, over 600 people participated in the run/walk. Registration for the 5 Towns 5K is $20 for preregistered participants and $10 for the children’s fun

run. After April 18 registration fees increase to $25. Volunteers for the run/ walk are also desperately needed. Volunteers should contact the race director at 5towns5k@optonline.net To register for the 5 Towns 5K, visit www.5towns5k.org and download the application or register online. Find us on Facebook at FIDV 5Towns 5K and click “Like.”

NEWS

Community

Appreciating Your Spouse on Yom Tov We are all familiar with the fact that Moshe Rabbeinu was unable to perform certain plagues because of the fact that he owed a debt of gratitude. Whether it was with the dirt that hid the Egyptian that he killed, or the sea that protected him as a baby in the Nile, the task was left for Aharon, his brother, to bring these plagues in his stead. It is interesting to note another example brought by Rav Shlomo Freifeld zt”l. He says that one of the last things we learn about Moshe is the war with Midyan. Since they had helped Moshe when he ran away from Pharoah, he refused to partake in this war out of gratitude. Although they deserved to be killed it would not come about by his hands. Rav Freifeld continues and explains how a person is like a baby in the dependency he has on others. The “disease” that people have today though, is that they don’t acknowledge this dependency properly. People are not accustomed to say “please” or “thank you” and really mean it. There is a prevailing attitude of

“magiya li,” it’s coming to me, rather than an attitude of appreciation and gratefulness. This Pesach, let us take the lesson of gratitude that we learn from Moshe and incorporate it into our homes. Let us thank our spouse for the hard work they do to prepare for Yom Tov. In the hagadda we sing “dayeinu” how at every step of the way, all the actions Hashem took on our behalf would have been enough. Let us take the lesson of dayeinu as well and notice each little action of our spouse and those around us, and realize how much we are helped and assisted, and how much gratitude and appreciation we should truly have. Five Towns Marriage Initiative provides educational programs, workshops, and referrals to top marriage therapists. FTMI will help offset counseling costs when necessary and also runs an anonymous shalom bayis hotline for the entire community Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 10-11pm. For the hotline or more information, please call 516-430-5280 or email dsgarry@msn.com.

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Talmidei Mesivta Ateres Yaakov of Lawrence visiting the Bobover Rebbe shlita

Dr. Barbara Mandell Joins Mercy Medical Staff Expanding Hospital’s Primary Care Network in The Five Towns Long-time practitioner Barbara Mandell, MD, F.A.C.P. has joined the Medical Staff at Mercy Medical Center, expanding the hospital’s Primary Care Network presence in The Five Towns and nearby communities. Providing primary care at Hewlett Internal Medicine, Dr. Mandell is recognized not only for her decades of experi-

ence and superior clinical expertise, but also for her warm, caring relationship with her patients and her dedication to providing them with personal attention. Dr. Mandell received her medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and did post-graduate training in pediatrics and internal medicine at the Rutgers University School of Medicine

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Medicine. Hewlett Internal Medicine is located at 1490 Broadway. Telephone 516-569-2900

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Around the Community “Should’ve, Would’ve, Could’ve…” Rav Yisroel Belsky’s message for the start of Eiruvin Joining the thousands of Lomdei Daf Yomi around the world, Kollel L’Torah V’Hora’ah South East celebrated a gala siyum on Maseches Shabbos this past Motzei Shabbos. The Kollel, under the leadership of Rav Elimelech Bluth, shlita, has become a fixture in the close-knit Kensington community of Brooklyn. Its mission is to develop a new cadre of yungeleit with background in Halacha L’maase fill key roles in the community as klal Yisroel continues to experience explosive growth. Among the various shiurim available to the greater community under the auspices of the Kollel is a daily Daf Yomi shiur. The entire Kensington community was invited to the siyum, which featured

were anointed with the Shemen Hamishcha. It was the Shemen Hamishcha that endowed them with the unique power to not only be used for the sacred avodah in the Mishkan, but also to transform anything that touched it into kedusha – “Kol hanogeah ba yikdash!” Why then was it necessary for Moshe Rabbeinu to actually perform each individual avodah with the keilim of the Mishkan if they were already made kodesh by the Shemen Hamishcha? The answer, explained the Rosh Yeshiva, is that although it is true that the keilim possessed kedusha, they only possessed the potential for spreading that kedusha. It was not until Moshe actually performed the avodah with those keilim that the potential turned into a reality, and as the pasuk describes, the Shechina rested on the Mishkan. This principle is true in our days too.

Rav Yisroel Belsky Speaking at the Siyum

inspiring words of chizuk by Rav Yisroel Belsky, shlita. The following is a synopsis of his heartfelt words: Motzei Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel/ Pekudei marked a double siyum. While klal Yisroel celebrated the completion of Masechtas Shabbos, we also marked the completion of Chumash Shemos. Parshas Pekudei also marks another siyum – “Vayechal Moshe es hamelacha,” the completion of the construction of the Mishkan. When studying the pesukim that discuss how Moshe inaugurated the Mishkan, we find a curious thread throughout: The chumash points out that in addition to being anointed with the shemen hamishcha, each of the various keilim in the Mishkan were also formally put into use by Moshe Rabbeinu. For the Mizbeach, Moshe personally brought the first Korban Olah, for the Shulchan, he placed the Lechem haPanim, for the Menorah, he lit the first neiros. Interestingly, the Gemara points out in several places that during Moshe’s lifetime, this was not a necessary component of consecrating the keilim. In fact, they were made kodesh as soon as they

Rav Elimelech Bluth with Rav Belsky at the Siyum

All too often, we find ourselves saying, “Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve…” All the tools that we need to grow and to shteig are at our disposal, but they lay dormant until we use them for that purpose. Our communities are filled with beautiful, inviting mikash me’at. Our botei medrashim are filled with the potential for kedusha – sifrei Torah fill the aron kodesh, libraries are overflowing with seforim – all waiting with the potential for light up the world with their kedusha! But until they are actually used to learn and to grow, the potential remains just potential. It is when we use our klei kodesh for their intended purpose that we too enable the Shechina to rest upon us and shower us with bracha. As we begin Eiruvin, let’s not let ourselves fall into the habit of saying, “Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve…” Instead, let’s fill our shuls and botei medrash with the kedusha that they are meant to provide!

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YCQ 72nd Anniversary Scholarship Dinner The Yeshiva of Central Queens held its annual Scholarship Dinner on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at The Sands, Atlantic Beach. The Yeshiva marked its seventy-second anniversary by paying tribute to an outstanding group of people who have served the Yeshiva and the community with much dedication and devotion.

Rabbi Aloni Russek

This year’s Guests of Honor were Dr. and Mrs. Dovid Hurwitz. Dr. Hurwitz is one of the most popular pediatricians in Kew Gardens Hills. He has served with distinction on the Board of Trustees of the Yeshiva for many years where he used his influence to help guide the Yeshiva on its successful path. His wisdom and sensitivity to the needs of others has resulted in many

people gravitating to him to seek his advice and counsel. Barbara, his aishet chayil, is supportive of his involvement in all activities on behalf of the Yeshiva and the community. Yvette and Sam Sturm were honored as Parents of the Year. They are role models to their three children through their active involvement in their education and in community affairs and tzedaka projects. Rabbi Aloni Russek received the Yeshiva’s Educator Award in appreciation of the caring, warmth and friendship he showers on his talmidim even when they were no longer in his class. The Dinner program featured the dedication of a beautiful new aron kodesh in memory of the recently departed Dr. Alvin Lashinsky a”h. Dr.

Dr. & Mrs. Dovid Hurwitz

Lashinsky was instrumental in the growth and development of the Jewish community of Queens and was one of the most devoted members of YCQ’s Board of Trustees for several decades.

Yvette & Sam Sturm

The dedication was made by Mrs. Francine Lashinsky and Dr. Alexander and Meryl Weingarten and family.

The Alumni Class of 1968 was recognized for its numerous achievements in conjunction with a gala class reunion which took place at the Dinner. Receiving the Distinguished Alumna Award in recognition of her accomplishments as a builder for the future, was Sari Miller, a successful entrepreneur and accomplished philanthropist for Jewish causes. The assemblage was treated to a guest appearance of Senator Charles Schumer. In a tete-atete with the Dinner guests, he discussed his views on the U.S. policy on international affairs and its relationship with Israel. YCQ Board Chairman, Israel Glaser and President, Dr. Joel Cohen thanked Mrs. Reize Sipzner for chairing the Dinner Committee leading to its great success.

HaKarat HaTov to Shalom Task Force by “Happily Married” In contrast to secular society, Orthodox Jewish society is blessed with a very high rate of marriage. However, this high marriage rate often leads to peer pressure to get engaged quickly. Sadly, this pressure sometimes leads to inappropriate and even dangerous matches. Many years ago, I too was not immune to this pressure. I was set up with someone who seemed great “on paper.” We dated and were about to become engaged. My parents shared their concerns about some of his behaviors with me. I rationalized them away. Most of my friends were already married and I was eager to become a married woman. Yet, one evening, like a bolt of lightning I remembered the warning signs of an abusive marriage from the Shalom Task Force (STF) seminar I had attended in high school. Although it took a lot of guts, I resolved to end the relationship. I

didn’t know if I would ever get married, but this uncertainty was preferable to the certainty of a doomed marriage. A few years later, I married a wonderful man with impeccable values. The young man I almost wed has since married and divorced. He refuses to give his ex-wife a get, and is instead holding her hostage as an agunah. When I recently ran into the STF presenter, I held back tears as I thanked her for the gift of my beautiful life, filled with shalom. I point to the STF seminar as a main factor that influenced my decision during that tumultuous period in my life. I hope that STF, the only organization that addresses these vital needs, will continue to instill confidence in today’s young women so that they are able to make informed decisions when choosing their life partners. A brunch to support Shalom Task

Force’s Confidential Hotline, Education and Prevention program for young adults, Shalom Workshops for Couples, Sarah’s Voice, a legal service empowering victims through legal advice and assistance, and Beit Shalom and Ohel Shalom which serve the Bukharian and

Persian communities, will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 10 AM at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst. For further information, please call 516-773-3399 or email stfbrunch@ gmail.com. To donate, please go to www.shalomtaskforce.org.

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HANC Torah Bowl Champions! Eastern Division Champions 2012-2013 first round and North Shore defeated Flatbush in the second round, HANC played North Shore for the title. The first match was close with HANC winning on the final question. The second match was one-sided with HANC scoring a 17-3 victory. We look forward to the upcoming championship against the other division winners.

On Tuesday, March 12th, the HANC boys Torah Bowl team won the division title against North Shore, Flatbush and HAFTR. After getting off to a slow start in the beginning of the season, the HANC boys won their last 8 games to clinch a first place seed in the playoffs. This gave the team a bye to the final round. After Flatbush defeated HAFTR in the

Mazal tov Rabbi Shimon Chrein, coach, and our fantastic team players: (L-R): Ari Levine, Daniel Albert, Sender Gross, Aaron Levian, David Schwartzman, Adam Livi, Michael Nassimi, Shlomo Amsellem, Jeremy Livi, Jonathan Livi, Jason Brafman, Alex Maryles, and Gideon Pollack—not shown: Matthew Rosenberg

Jerusalem Doesn’t Have to be for the Rich Only Jerusalem doesn’t have to be for the rich only! We offer a luxury single-family home for less than $3,000 per square meter – that comes out to be less than $290 per square foot. Unfortunately luxury apartments in Jerusalem have been caught in a wild market, and it seems that developers have adopted the method, “The more the merrier.” This comes from the assumption that since buyers are foreigners who wish to invest in the Holy Land or to make aliyah, they therefore are willing to pay good money in order to live in a luxury apartment in Jerusalem. The re-

sult: prestigious projects in Jerusalem are only for those who can afford to pay higher prices. As we all know – in the last couple of years, there has been a serious slowdown in the market. However, there is one place near Jerusalem that offers luxury apartments and villas at reduced prices – that place is the Ramat Givat Zeev neighborhood located northward of Jerusalem. While the standard prices for an apartment in Jerusalem ranges from 25,000-35,000 NIS ($6,500-$9,000) per square meter, Ramat Givat Zeev offers

Spring 2013

Fashion for the kid in you! Conveniently Located in The Five Towns Area Open Daily, Evenings & Sundays Major Credit Cards Accepted

now an attractive and affordable price of 11,000 NIS per square meter (about $ 3,000) plus the great advantage that it is a single-family home – which is considered a rarity in a city like Jerusalem. Today, the project is under construction and designed only for foreign residents who wish to settle in Eretz Yisroel. The neighborhood offers a large variety of residential options: About 150 units of private single-family homes, which includes a range of exclusive villas with individual architectural design, spacious duplex cottages and about 300 units of apartments and impeccable construction. For the first time in Israel, the buyers can design their homes based on their personal taste and get the maximum flexibility in planning and designing. Ramat Givat Zeev is Nofei Israel’s flagship project, a company which acquired their reputation in a variety of residential, commercial and tourism projects. This is the first real estate venture of its kind in Israel, establishing a neighborhood dedicated for Orthodox families who wish to settle in the country while

718.471.9054

taking care of all the details in order to ensure a smooth and convenient transition. R’ Hanoch Kass, CEO of Nofei Is-

rael, emphasizes that the inexpensive price offered now is due to the fact that the neighborhood is new and under construction. Expectation is that when the neighborhood will be occupied, the prices will then be the same as the regular prices offered in Jerusalem. Thus, it is very worthwhile to take this one-time opportunity to purchase a luxury apartment in Jerusalem at an unprecedented price.

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Focus on People N. Perlman

hen you field over 800 calls for help per week, you inevitably get a unique perspective on the community’s needs, as

well as the programs that should be put into place to meet those needs. Achiezer’s staff, who serve as the Five Towns/Far Rockaway go-to source for any and every type of crisis assistance, share some of their impressions working for a one-of-a-kind orga-

nization in a one-of-a-kind community. The dedicated staff of Achiezer. Not shown: Elke Rubin, Elana Goldstein, Suri Bender, Stacey Zrihen

Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender Founder and President

Chani Weinberger Intake and Triage Department

As founder and president, Rabbi Bender built Achiezer from scratch, and continues to oversee every aspect of its operation and growth.

As part of intake staff, Chani Weinberger is the first person Achiezer’s callers meet.

Can you give us a little bit of background on how Achiezer got off the ground? Just over four years ago, Achiezer had a grand total of one staff member: me. Many prominent community leaders realized that the community needed a central resource that people could turn to for guidance about any issue, and we had a vision of filling that gap. We got started by doing medical research. I remember sitting down at my dining room table with a pad of paper and a pen, making a list of doctors: what their specialty was, whether they took insurance, their bedside manner, whether they had cell phones… But truthfully, enthusiastic as we may have sounded back then, even we weren’t exactly sure what this organization would become.

What is your official job description? My primary job is to take in the calls and messages, send them along to the correct department, and make sure to follow up so that every caller gets a call back within 24 hours. I’ll reach out to callers more than once, since I want them to be able to speak to a live person, even if it means chasing down the caller until they finally answer their phone. Often, I’ll get a relieved, “Thanks for tracking me down; I’ve been so busy, but I really wanted to speak to you about…”

What happened after that? Slowly, it started to mushroom. After a couple of months, we hired a part-time secretary and rented some office space. One week there were thirty phone calls; the next week forty-five. More and more people started to utilize Achiezer for all types of crises and issues. The office on Beach 9th Street, which had seemed enormous when we first leased it, became impossibly small as new staff members and services were added to meet the rising demand. By now, Achiezer has come a long, long way from being a “one man, one BlackBerry” organization, and there’s no way that one person could ever handle it all alone. In presenting these perspectives from our staff, we wanted the community to get to know the real heroes who stand behind Achiezer, fielding crises day and night. Even more, we want to be sure that everyone in the community is aware of our services, so that Achiezer can be here for you too, whenever the need arises.

How would you describe a typical day at Achiezer? Every day is different. Some days are insane; everyone at the office is on the phone at once, and you can’t breathe between calls. Other days are quieter, and I actually manage to take a real lunch break. Some of our calls are truly urgent; some are very minor. Either way, every caller deserves to know that we’ve heard what they have to say, and that we’re working on it, and I try my best to make that happen.

Hinda Sara Loeb Call Center Manager A new addition to the Achiezer team, Hinda Sara makes sure that every visitor gets a warm welcome, and every caller gets a timely response. Her presence at Achiezer has already helped ensured that every caller gets the attention they deserve. As a newcomer to the staff, can you give us some first impressions of Achiezer? If you want an “outsider’s perspective” on Achiezer, I’m a pretty good person

Eli Weiss Development Coordinator From the Transportation Program to the Medical Equipment Depot, Eli Weiss coordinates most of Achiezer’s volunteer efforts.

What kinds of programs do you coordinate? My job is to create, implement, coordinate, and develop programs that include all sorts of chessed, large and small. We have some very large programs, like Meeting with Achiezer, CAF trustees, and community rabbonim Sruly Miller the Medical Equipment Depot, that are utilized all the time, managing our expansive website and sending out Insurance Department Coordinator mass community emails; and then we have smaller programs that are created to As coordinator of the Insurance Department, Sruly Miller helps families meet a specific need, like the Purim Megillah Leining Campaign, or specific Yom navigate through the maze of public insurance regulations, from enrollment to Tov programs. I recruit volunteers to help with anything and everything, from approval and beyond. graphic design to furniture schlepping for an elderly couple who are unable to do so on their own. Rumor has it that these days, many more community members have been What would you say to someone who wants to do chessed but is very short asking for your help in applying for public insurance. Is that a result of the on time? hurricane or some other cause? There are so many real and easy ways to get involved. It can be as simple as The Insurance Department has gotten much, much busier in the past months. I can’t say if it’s because there are more people in need or because Achiezer has adding your number to the volunteer drivers’ text-messaging list or dropping off a gotten more widespread exposure, but whatever the cause, we’ve gone from pro- meal at a hospital. There are mothers who get their entire families involved. There are lawyers and accountants whose five minutes of professional advice change cessing 60 applications per month to approximately 80-90. It is true that directly after Hurricane Sandy, Achiezer was inundated with someone else’s life. A while ago, we had five volunteers with screwdrivers spend requests regarding FEMA and other available funding. I was responsible for a Sunday afternoon installing a ramp on someone’s house. The patient used it for helping people navigate FEMA regulations, with a lot of invaluable assistance months. It’s a small investment, with unbelievable dividends. from Jeanie Silver of Dov Hikind’s office. Most of that activity has really quieted Any comments about the volunteers you work with? down, though. I haven’t gotten nearly as many hurricane-related requests in the Our volunteers are incredible. They will stop everything at a moment’s notice past few weeks. and take on tasks that are well below their dignity Are you able to help applicants with anything level, just to be able to help someone else. We are in else besides insurance? the midst of planning an Evening of Appreciation to The beautiful thing about working for Achiezer be held shortly after Pesach, and we expect to host “Many people believe that is that many times, my office becomes the gateway a few hundred volunteers. Many people believe that for much more comprehensive help. Insurance is a our community is special, but nobody can prove it as our community is special, necessity that people can’t forgo, and they’ll call clearly as I can. Achiezer saying that they “only need help with filing but nobody can prove it as an insurance application.” But once we start talking about family size and income, I’m often able to Dr. Bruchie Lowinger, PsyD clearly as I can.” – Eli Weiss recommend a host of other services. Best of all, it Behavioral Health Coordinator all takes place in a non-threatening, stigma-free environment. As Achiezer’s on-staff psychologist with a private phone extension and private back entrance, Dr. Lowinger is an invaluable resource for people seeking confidential, stigma-free Adina Elefant mental health guidance.

Insurance Assistant

Achiezer’s Insurance Department runs smoothly thanks to Adina Elefant’s behind-the-scenes assistance. How did you get started with Achiezer? I started off in Achiezer as a call-center volunteer, during the chaotic posthurricane weeks when we were answering calls from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., including Sundays. Even after things settled down somewhat, the Insurance Department was still impossibly overbooked, and I was hired to work under Sruly Miller. We have appointments scheduled the entire day, back to back. I do the paperwork, stay on top of the phone calls and messages, and handle some of the more straightforward cases myself. Any recommendations for new applicants? Officially, an application is a one-time, once-a-year thing. We try our best to avoid having to bring people back for a second appointment, which is easier said than done, given all of the regulations involved. But if an applicant is missing documents, s/he will definitely have to come back a second time. So the one thing that I would recommend to applicants is that they make sure to double-check all of their documents before they leave home – a simple thing that can save them the hassle of having to schedule a second appointment.

Numerous members of the community have pointed to Achiezer as a beacon of light in the storm of emotional and mental health issues. In your experience, are there still gaps and needs that remain unfilled? As much as we have been able to accomplish with mental health guidance until this point, we have found that there is a real, unfilled community need for affordable, ongoing mental health services. Our community is blessed with many wonderful organizations and therapists who provide therapeutic counseling, but many people cannot afford these services. When insurance will not foot the bill, or when several members of a family need therapy for an extended period of time, even sliding scale fees can be prohibitive. Is there any solution in the works? To meet the growing demand, Achiezer is exploring the possibility of providing more onsite counseling. Sruly Miller, who is a few months away from completing a mental health degree, has been doing some counseling in the evening hours, and we may expand that a bit to include other externs. We are not trying to replicate, compete with, or detract from the excellent services offered by other organizations and professionals. Rather, our aim is to fill the gap for those who cannot be helped in that way. Is there any message that you’d like to share with the community? I would like to stress that although talk of Hurricane Sandy has died down,

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to ask, since I’m relatively new and I’ve worked in many other places before this. From my vantage point here at the front desk, I get to man the phone lines, direct traffic, and watch the comings and goings from the conference room. I can say that aside from being a very professional group, Achiezer is special in that everyone working here really has their heart in the right place. Across the board, they do their utmost to help the community, and they really care.

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we are still available to speak with individuals who are dealing with reactions and difficulties. Now that the practical aspects have fallen into place for most, there is more time and opportunity to work on recuperating emotionally as well.

Much as we’d like to be able to freely giveout vouchers to anyone who calls, the fact is that every dollar that we give out is coming out of a donor’s pocket, so we need to be really careful how and on whom we spend our money. Another big challenge is giving every caller a full measure of sensitivity. When I get a call about a minor issue right after I’ve spoken to someone else dealing with a life and death crisis, I need to remind myself that for this caller, this relatively minor issue is a very big deal.

Shalom Jaroslawicz Project Coordinator Hospital Support Services As coordinator of Hospital Support Services, implementer of large projects, and de facto office manager, Shalom Jaroslawicz is Rabbi Bender’s right-hand man.

How do you maintain confidentiality? We don’t use names around the office, Bags of “Meals ‘n More” packages prepared for delivery to local hospitals and I never discuss my work anywhere else at all. I discuss situations with Rabbi BendYour job certainly sounds eclectic. Can you describe it? er privately, in his sound-proof office. In general, none of the members of the My primary role is overseeing any grand-scale projects that Achiezer is workstaff discuss what they’re dealing with. Unless we have to collaborate, I have no ing on, including all of our hospital support services. I was responsible for conidea who meets with Dr. Lowinger and she doesn’t know who speaks to me. Of struction of Achiezer’s respite room in South Nassau Communities Hospital, and course, callers will also never find out who else I’ve been speaking to, even if it’s I still coordinate the volunteers who stock the room four times a week. I am also a member of their own family. responsible in assisting Rabbi Bender in overseeing our 24 hour urgent hotline which happens to be a lifeline for so many. Any update on the new respite room in Mercy Hospital? Right now, the hospital only has a small pantry stocked with foods like Tradition soups and matzoh. Achiezer reached out to Rabbi Dr. Glatt, a member of Mercy’s executive staff, and with the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Silber of Lawrence, we are in the midst of constructing a full-fledged respite room in the hospital. The room will be fully stocked with hot food, cold food, seforim, a place to rest – anything that can help a patient’s relative relax and reenergize. What can you tell us about the soon-to-beimproved Stay At Home Program? Certain medical procedures that would require a hospital visit can really be done at home by a qualified nurse, and the Stay At Home Program provides volunteer nurses for that purpose. The program has always been small, and I’ve been working on expanding it, under the careful guidance of a local medical director. I myself am in nursing school, so I have some very good contacts and background for this project. Of course, patients who really belong in the hospital must be encouraged to go there, but for elderly or terminally ill patients, the hospital visit may actually be more detrimental to their health, and the Stay At Home Program is a perfect solution.

Elke Rubin Administrative Assistant As Executive Assistant to Rabbi Bender, Elke Rubin helps ensure that Achiezer’s entire operation runs smoothly

What exactly do you do? My official role is to work alongside Rabbi Bender, keeping on top of his scheduling and the myriad activities that his long days entail. Although Rabbi Bender is responsible for all medical recommendations and hospital emer“Our community is amazing. gencies, he’ll often ask me to reach out to a particular doctor, hospital or organization on his behalf to Our volunteers are amazing. get the job done. I also make sure that all of the big and little things that need to be taken care of actuWe often come away ally get done. I get emails regarding new situations from Rabbi Bender all the time – it could be 11 or with more from helping 12 o’clock at night or 6 in the morning. My job is to follow up on all of these issues during the course of individuals than the recipients a working day.

get from us.” – Stacey Zrihen

Esther Novak Coordinator of Intake and Case Management With an uncanny knack of discerning people’s underlying needs, Esther Novak works with callers reaching out to Achiezer with out-of-the-box requests. What kind of help can you offer to the people who reach out to you? First of all, I hear them out and try to get a picture of what they really need. If it’s something I can take care of myself, I do. Otherwise, I may pass it on to another department or to Rabbi Bender. Either way, I review all of the calls with Rabbi Bender during our daily meeting. I’m not a social worker, but I can help people get set up with various programs, like Tomchei Shabbos, Ohel, food stamps, social security… I’m also able to help with some of the more typical medical recommendation questions, and I begin the brainstorming process for any out-of-the-box requests that come in. What are the biggest challenges of your job? One of the biggest challenges is making sure that Achiezer’s resources are used in the best possible way. For example, I manage the food vouchers program in conjunction with Gourmet Glatt, to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.

Can you give us a behind the scenes look at some of the higher-level operations that Achiezer is involved with? I am responsible for arranging meetings with higher level officials, and Achiezer works with many of them – congressmen, assemblymen, councilmen, lawyers, physicians, heads of other organizations, hospital directors, police officials…the list goes on and on. With each one, we discuss different aspects of our organization and explore ways that we can work together to help the community.

Elana Goldstein, CPA Bookkeeper Elana Goldstein is largely responsible for what outsiders have admiringly termed “Achiezer’s pristine financial reputation.” How does your work fit into Achiezer’s commitment to financial transparency? My job is to account for every dollar that comes in and goes out of our office. I work directly under our dedicated treasurer, Alan Botwinick, CPA, who reviews every aspect of the finances every single day. I know that the entire board reviews the financials often, but I’m not involved in the actual presentation. I only generate the reports.

in the family hospitalized for Shabbos. Often, these crises occur without notice. There are several coordinators in place who are each responsible for a different piece of the program.

What happens when someone calls the office for the meal program? It’s a real flurry of activity, especially when the call comes in late on an Erev Shabbos. One email goes to me so that I can reach out to the appropriate coordinators who will arrange delivery of the food to the drop off point. One email goes to Eli Weiss, who will dispatch a request for drivers, of whom 70-plus are on standby for. Another call goes out from the office to the family to ensure that all posWheelchair ramp being installed by volunteers Adina Hirsch sible needs of the family will be met for Shabbos, Bookkeeping Assistant including physical, medical, and emotional. These packages will contain everything from hot kugel, main dishes, side With the flood of donations that accompanied Hurricane Sandy, additional dishes, magazines, and pre-opened mouthwash bottles; these packages carry it all. bookkeeping assistance became essential. Adina Hirsch fills that role.

Are you really still busy with Hurricane Sandy? Believe it or not, I am still sending out thank you letters for the last Sandy donations. At the height of the campaign, Achiezer processed over 5,000 donations that came in online alone. And there are still new donations from generous people coming in. Aside from being properly entered into the system, each donation needs a receipt, letter, and/or acknowledgement, and Rabbi Bender is particular about personally hand-signing each one. So, yes, there is still a bit of a backlog, although it is steadily dwindling. What do you plan to do once you finish with the Sandy paperwork? We have begun to discuss the creation of a new database that will contain all of Achiezer’s medical recommendation information in one central location. The new database will make the entire medical recommendation process more efficient, and also allow additional staff members access to this information. Ultimately, the database would enable callers to get much faster responses.

Milka Keilson Hurricane Sandy Program Coordinator Although Hurricane Sandy has become old news for most, Milka Keilson is still helping local families tie together many loose ends left hanging. Are there still people asking for help with Sandy recovery? Even now, the calls keep coming in, and the needs change as the seasons change. For example, we’ve recently received numerous calls from people who lost all of their Pesach essentials, or whose homes and kitchens will not be livable in time for Yom Tov. Thousands of dollars have been spent helping these families replenish these basics, allowing them to enjoy simchas Yom Tov. Basically, we keep on designing new programs as the various needs arise as well as working in conjunction with other organizations whose excellent programs meet those needs. Do you also offer financial assistance? While we thankfully were able to raise millions of dollars for affected families, all of the actual allocations are disbursed through the CAF (Community Assistance Fund) under the leadership of Elisha Brecher, Esq. My job is to help people who are not aware of the resources available to them register with the CAF, so that they can get the help they need.

Suri Bender Meals ‘N More Program Coordinator The Meals ‘N More program is one of the busiest and unique programs that Achiezer runs, which is all the more special because of the over 100 volunteers who actively participate in this program. So what is this program all about? Every weekend, starting from Thursday on, Achiezer fields calls from individuals and families of community members who unfortunately have someone

What happens if you receive a call so close to Shabbos that a volunteer can no longer drive? We have a crew of non-Jews on staff who are available for this specific scenario. In this manner, we can field requests literally up to Shabbos. All in all, it is amazing to have over 150 people in our community all working together, week in, week out, making sure that someone else’s Shabbos will hopefully be enhanced just a little bit.

Stacey Zrihen Budgeting and Financial Guidance Coordinator As the primary consultant that oversees this vital department, Stacey has been instrumental in restoring the confidence, financial stability, and proper organization of so many in our community. What role can you play when it comes to a community member struggling with getting a handle on their finances? Typically I will receive a call from Rabbi Bender or Esther Novak letting me know that there is a client with whom the office is currently working, and they feel that I may be able to assist as well. With a background in finance, I am able to assist with budgeting and debt consolidation for people in financial difficulties or for those who may be presented with new familial situations. Many times it comes back to the basics of keeping organized files of expenditures and laying it all out and simply prioritizing the important items versus the non-essentials. Is your help limited only to those who are suffering with poverty and limited income? Actually, it really isn’t. Many times it crosses economic lines, and I have been able to help people who are doing well financially and just need a hand revamping the finances or getting a handle on things. Are people calling Achiezer because they know that they require this specific service? They are RARELY calling because they know they need the service. Oftentimes this is something that surfaces during the course of a separate matter which had prompted the call to Achiezer to begin with. Very often people are doing their best and an outsider’s objective look is all that’s needed to lend some guidance and reassurance to their situation; and we do so with as much sensitivity and privacy as possible. How has your interaction been with the people of our community? Our community is amazing. Our volunteers are amazing. We often come away with more from helping individuals than the recipients get from us. I have physically gone with friends to organize people’s homes, whether as a result from Hurricane Sandy, illness in the family or in certain cases some who don’t have the time or resources available to stay on top of things. A lot of times other external issues may arise and getting them started is all that’s needed to potentially help them in more ways than one.

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What kind of records do you keep? Every check that comes into our office is recorded in paper copy, as well as in our donor software. Funds earmarked for Sandy victims are kept in a separate account, which is disbursed through the CAF (Community Assistance Fund). Grant monies have their own account as well. In addition to the numerous financial reports that I generate, I do bank and credit card reconciliations every single day. It is a lot of extra work, but it’s our responsibility to make sure that nothing – income or expenditure – gets lost in the shuffle.

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Parenting

tips

1. Keep your expectations realistic. You can’t do it all! After all the work that goes into preparing for Pesach it would be wonderful if everyone at the seder, from the youngest to the oldest, could be riveted, inspired, and engaged the entire time. How wonderful it would be if the high school children could join in stimulating discussion, the preschoolers could sing all their songs and the adults could kvell with nachas while enjoying a spiritual infusion. You may or may not be able to pull it off depending on the dynamic of your family, but one thing is certain. If your expectations are realistic, you will get the most out of your seder. If they are not, you and everyone else there will get very frustrated. 2. Know your children. Every family is different and every child is too. Think about who will be at your seder and act accordingly. Enhance what will excite your children, and move quicker through what won’t. If there are parts of the seder that you want them to be more interested in, think about what you will need to do to make that happen – and it may be different per child. Don’t try to change who they are by just expecting them to be excited by what excites you. It will create tension and it just won’t work. 3. Find kid-friendly motivators. Depending on the ages of your children or their personalities, plan and prepare things that will motivate them. Toy frogs (the kind that jump when you press the back cost 5 cents each and are a big hit!), makkos masks and puppets, haggados with pictures, prizes for saying the mah nishtana (or better yet, for sitting through everyone else’s), or anything else that will grab them are easy ways to get your children excited. 4. Plan ahead. Take some time to strategize before the seder to create a childfriendly evening. Who will say divrei Torah at each meal, how many will be said, when will they be said? Take into account which children get offended if they cannot share what they learned right away, who can wait and how much the family can reason-

Mrs. Hebel’s Top Ten Tips for Involving Your Children in the Pesach Seder

ably expect to sit through. You can certainly improvise during the seder as needed but the more of a game plan you have, the more likely it is to run well. 5. Use all of the parts of the seder smartly. Overflow of divrei Torah or the divrei Torah that only interest adults are good to be saved for the meal when the kids wander away. Consider asking your older children to let the younger ones take center stage during maggid, which is not easy for them to sit through, and instead to engage in their discussions during the meal. Give your insights during the karpas or any other point in the meal – not all during maggid. A rule of thumb to remember: anything that lasts too long will make your children fidgety. 6. Keep the seder moving. It is very disappointing when afikomen time comes and half the kids are asleep. All their learning and planning … and they miss their favorite part! There are eight days of Pesach (that’s 16 meals!) – not everything has to be shared at the seder. Keep your eye on the clock and keep it moving!

7. Use smart seating. Keep kids who need help near adults or older siblings. For some elementary-aged children, helping a younger sibling can be stimulating and a big self-esteem booster; that’s a real motivation to stay involved. 8. Get your children’s input. Ask the children what will make the seder exciting for them. Reflect with them on last year’s seder and work with their feedback. 9. Engage them! Every family has a different comfort level with the type of atmosphere they want at their seder and the balance they want to strike between engaging the children and maintaining a more serious decorum. There is no right way, but if you are ready to go a bit further, a whole assortment of interactive ideas for exciting the children are available online – you can see a few at www.aish.com/h/pes/f/g/48967161. html. If you are more comfortable keeping things simpler, your seder can be a positive and memorable experience without going overboard. Just keep talking to your children and continue to pay attention to them. 10. Relax and enjoy. At the end of the day, the best memories are built on good feelings and positive interactions. Whatever happens, keep the feelings happy and positive. Don’t lose your cool if things don’t work out perfectly. There’s always next year to make things better, but you can only enjoy this year once!

Mrs. Estee Hebel, MsED is the General Studies Principal of YBH (Yeshiva Beis Hillel)of Passaic, a preschool through eighth grade yeshiva day school, in Passaic, NJ. With over 17 years of experience in education and educational leadership, she is also a dynamic teacher trainer who has taught a graduate course in educational research and presents innovative, hands-on training workshops on a wide assortment of teaching methods, classroom management and motivational techniques and strategies for encouraging self-directed and higher-level learning. To learn more about her workshops or to schedule one, you can contact her at 732-779-1185 or thebel@yeshivanet.com.

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The Shmuz

R’ Ben Tzion Shafier

Parshas Tzav

Ours Is to Question Why… “And Aaron and his sons did all of these things that Hashem commanded through Moshe.”—Vayikrah 8:36 After a long and detailed description of the avodah (service) to be done in the Mishkan, the Parshah ends with statement, “Aaron and his sons did as they were told.” Rashi seems to be bothered by the fact that this is obvious. Of course, Aaron and his sons did what Hashem told them to do. Why does the Torah see fit to mention it? He answers that it is a statement of praise: they didn’t veer off to the right or to the left. This Rashi is difficult to understand. It doesn’t seem like he answered his question. Of course, Aaron didn’t veer off to the left or the right. This was the avodah in the Mishkan that he was per-

forming! The directives came straight from Hashem. Could he possibly think that he knew better than Hashem how to perform them? And if that wasn’t reason enough, the punishment for a kohen deviating in the service is death.

Make sure the power is off before you switch on the transformer. Make sure that you are wearing protective gloves and that you are grounded. Wouldn’t we expect him to follow every nuance because of the danger involved?

I’ll gladly help you, I’ll do anything for you. . .but ask nicely. Boss me around and forget it. I’m out of here.

Imagine a man working with high voltage electrical equipment. He has been given clear safety instructions.

So what type of praise is it that Aaron followed orders? The answer to this question can be best understood with an example. The story is told about an Englishman who visited a farm in Texas in the 1880’s. As he approached the ranch, he saw a cowboy herding the cows. He approached, and using an expression common in England then, he asked for the man’s boss by saying, “Is your master home?” The cowboy put both hands on his hips and proclaimed, “The son of a gun ain’t been born yet.” This anecdote is illustrative of a very human trait: we don’t like to be bossed around. In fact, we hate it. I’ll gladly help you, I’ll do anything for you. . .but ask nicely. Boss me around and forget it. I’m out of here. This isn’t just a quirk of human nature—it’s a direct outgrowth of man’s inherent greatness. In the Image of Hashem Chazal explain that when the Torah tells us that Hashem created man in His image, this isn’t merely an expression. Man is both the reason for all of existence and the maintainer of it. Everything physical has a spiritual counterpart sustaining it. Hashem put man into the role of being the one who upholds the spiritual level of the world. His actions, deeds, and thoughts build the upper worlds and sustain the lower worlds. Our eyes may not be attuned to it, but man is the maintainer of physicality. He is more significant than we

can ever imagine, more important than anything we can envision. He is a little creator. Bosses Don’t Like Being Bossed Around While this greatness of soul allows man to reach dizzying heights, it also comes with a liability. It is very difficult for us to follow orders. Even if we know they’re right. Even if we know they’re good for us. Even if those orders are given by the greatest of all greats, by the Creator of the heavens and the earth. We don’t like taking orders. And as strange as it sounds, it is difficult for us to accept commands and directives. This seems to be the answer to the question on Rashi. Aaron was one of the greatest men who ever lived, and he had a high and lofty sprit. As such, it should have been very difficult for him to follow orders. For him to “do as he was told” should have been very hard. Nevertheless, it wasn’t. Because he was very humble, he was able to recognize his greatness and act in a bold and innovative manner when called for, yet accept that Hashem was in charge. As great as he was, he was but a servant in front of his Master. He had overcome one of the paramount challenges to man—recognizing his greatness yet remaining humble. Understanding this balance is critical for our growth. The Torah wasn’t given to robotic people who follow blindly without understanding. The Torah was given to us, and we are expected to ask questions. We are expected to delve into the reasoning behind things. We are obligated to strain our minds to understand whatever we can. And yet, we are expected to yield to the superior wisdom of our Creator and humbly submit to His directives. Ours is to question why, and yet ours is to do or die.

The new Shmuz book: Stop Surviving and Start Living is now in print! “Powerful,” “Thought provoking,” “Life changing” is what people are saying about it. Copies are now available in stores, at www.TheShmuz. com, or by calling 866-613-TORAH (8672).

79 Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

hundreds of thousands of dollars do we invest in our children’s physical, educational, and emotional needs? We hope that in the end we pass on our ideals and principles to the next generation and we will get some nachas. Sometimes that works, and you see beautiful children, grandchildren, and generations of Torahtrue Jews. Other times the investment fails and kids become spoiled, or worse, resentful and take your investment for granted. Now let’s put ourselves in the equation. Our parents invested in us. Our teachers, mentors, employers, and friends took a risk by investing their time and energies in us. Are they happy they

Hashem hand-picked us to work for Him, gave us a huge signing bonus (the Exodus, wealth of Egypt, and the Torah) and set us up in His office. did so? Would they say it was a wise investment and that they’ve seen appropriate returns on what they put in? I saw a box of Jewish CD’s at a store one day that were marked, “Free – Please Take One.” I thumbed through the different titles, and decided to take two. How could I do that if the box said “Take One” and I was going beyond what was allowed? Simply put, I decided I was a good investment. You see, when I listen to shiurim, on CDs or otherwise, the information often gets put to use in my articles, my divrei Torah (Migdal Ohr, as if you didn’t know) or my conversations with my children and others. In other words, I build a downline. That means the person who gave out the CDs hoping to change and inspire others, like the fellow we mentioned who teaches Torah instead of just learning it, has picked up a great distributor for his product. Would he be upset to find out that I took two CDs if I’m giving him a 100-times-plus return on his investment? Absolutely not! Now that’s a very narrow situation. Let’s look at other investments that are more subtle. Our friends, spouses and children invest their trust in us. Do we violate it by saying one thing and doing another? Do we live up to the expectations they have of us? R’ Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld zt”l once told his wife, “All these people who honor me think that I am such a talmid chacham, such a tzaddik. Oh, how wrong they are. I am unworthy of this honor.” Startled, his wife said, “But what about me?” “You,” replied the sage, “will get your complete reward in Olam HaBa because you put your energy into taking care of our family believing that you are supporting and enabling a talmid chacham, even if it isn’t true.” “But,” said the Rebbetzin, “I don’t want to go to Gan Eden without YOU!” “That,” smiled R’ Yosef Chaim, “is what I’m counting on.” He understood that she was making an investment in him, and he felt an obligation to her. When others make an investment in us, we should feel the same

responsibility to our investors. Probably the biggest investment ever made was when Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim. He made miracle upon miracle, sent plagues across the land of Egypt while maintaining a clear delineation between the Egyptians and Israelites, then took us out amidst great fanfare, more miracles, and declared, “The Jews are My servants. I have invested in them by taking them out of slavery.” Now, when someone gives you a job, especially when you were out of work before, you realize that they are making an investment in you and deserve a decent return. Hashem hand-picked us to work for Him, gave us a huge signing bonus (the Exodus, wealth of Egypt, and

the Torah) and set us up in His office. He puts His faith in us to be a profitable venture for Him, and now it’s up to us. Do we learn the Torah and live the mitzvos? Do we appreciate what we’ve been given and not act ungrateful? When we go about our daily lives, do we think about the fact that we’re wearing G-d’s uniform and that how we behave will reflect on our Boss? Bottom line, we need to ask ourselves each day, “Am I a good investment?”

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 custommade speech for your next special occasion. 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 Subscribe in the subject. © 2013 by Jonathan Gewirtz. All rights reserved.

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e’re all looking to get more out of what we’ve got, and people have always been looking for investments with growth potential. Some people see the lottery as an investment, assuming that sooner or later they’ll hit it big, while others say you need to look at how solid the stock is, and its profit and loss statements. Then there are other investments that we make. We invest time, energy, and resources in various projects and hope we will get a better return on them. For example, someone who learns Torah will get a reward. However, one who teaches Torah to others builds a “downline” as they call it in the Multi-Level Marketing world, and they earn residuals on all the Torah learned by the people they’ve taught. When you hire an employee, you teach them the business, hoping that their newfound expertise will help you succeed further. Sometimes it works out and the person in whom you’ve invested becomes your star protégé and helps grow your business. Sometimes the investment goes south and the apprentice you’ve trained and taught everything turns around and strikes out on his own, taking your customers with him. That’s a bad investment. Let’s talk about children. How many

Are You a Good Investment?

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The Observant Jew

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You Gotta be

Riddle

Kidding!

A Rabbi and a priest were talking. Rabbi: I heard there was a question bothering you. Priest: Yes, there is a question that has been bothering me for a very long time. Rabbi: Well, what is it? Pries: Why does your haggadah have to make fun of frogs? Rabbi: What do you mean? Priest: Your haggadah clearly says “Dumb tzefardeiah!” ****

Submitted by Yoni Glasser You are a blindfolded waiter setting up a seder. There is a table with four glasses in the four corners of a square rotating table. Each glass is either facing up or facing down. You need to turn them all in the same direction, either all up or all down. You may do so by grasping any two glasses and turning either or both over. But the table is spun after each time you touch the glasses. How do you get all of the glasses to face the same way?

Barry goes to see his boss and says, “We’re doing some heavy house-cleaning at home tomorrow for Pesach and my wife needs me to help with the attic and the garage, moving and hauling stuff.” “We’re short-handed, Barry,” the boss replies. “I just can’t give you the day off.” “Thanks, boss,” says Barry. “I knew I could count on you!”

Not Your Merriam-Webster Definitions

Answer on next page

In honor of the “ten makkos,” each of the following clues refers to a word that begins with “ten.” Can you guess all ten of them?

ADULT: A person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing in the middle BEAUTY PARLOR: A place where women curl up and dye CANNIBAL: Someone who is fed up with people MOSQUITO: An insect that makes you like flies better

COMMITTEE: A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours

RAISIN: Grape with a sunburn

DUST: Mud with the juice squeezed out

SECRET: Something you tell to one person at a time

EGOTIST: Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation

TOOTHACHE: The pain that drives you to extraction

GOSSIP: A person who will never tell a lie if the truth will do more damage

TOMORROW: One of the greatest labor saving devices of today

HANDKERCHIEF: Cold Storage

YAWN: An honest opinion openly expressed

INFLATION: Cutting money in half without damaging the paper

WRINKLES: Something other people have; you have character lines

1. Inclination 2. Delicate or gentle 3. A sinew 4. A racket game 5. Capable of being stretched 6. Between the bass and alto 7. Stretched tight 8. Unsubstantial 9. A dwelling 10. An opinion held to be true.

6. Tenor 7. Tense 8. Tenuous 9. Tent 10. Tenet

CHICKENS: The only creatures you eat before they are born and after they are dead

Answers: 1. Tendency 2. Tender 3. Tendon 4. Tennis 5. Tensile

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Submitted by Moshe Harary

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2. Which one of the following four national parks is the largest? a. Yosemite (California) b. Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho) c. Everglades (Florida) d. Wrangell-St. Elias (Alaska)

3. What is the most popular item to make it to Disney World’s lost and found bins? a. Cell Phones b. Sunglasses c. Cameras d. Hats e. Misbehaving kids...so watch out!

Got funny?

and exercise room. Famous guests who have stayed there in the past include Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, the King of Saudi Arabia, and, yes, when I, your very own Centerfold Commissioner, venture to Geneva, I sometimes splurge. But keep that between us. 5. A- The Kinda Ka which opened in 2005 is 456 high, and the world’s tallest roller coaster. Its max speed is 128 MPH. 6. A- Believe it or not, your family is not the only one that went to D.C.’s Air & Space Museum fourteen times over your first seventeen years of life. It is the most popular museum in America, according to Leisure &Travel Magazine. (I always loved the fact that to flush the toilets you push on a device that looks like a gas pedal...made me feel like I was driving. I guess now my parents know why I said, “I have to go to the bathroom,” 18 times before we left the museum, on each of our 26 visits.)

Let the Commissioner decide. Send your stuff to centerfold@fivetownsjewishhome.com

5. What is the tallest roller coaster in the world? a. Kingda Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey) b. Tower of Terror, Dreamworld (Australia) c. Steel Dragon 2000, Nagashima Spa Land (Japan) d. Leviathan, Canada’s Wonderland (Canada) 6. What is the most popular museum in America? a. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Washington D.C.) b. Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY City) c. American Museum of Natural History (NY City) d. Rock Hall Museum (ding...ding...ding)

Wisdom Key 5-6 correct: You are a vacation whiz. I sense that you are reading this while lounging on a hammock on a white sandy beach, with a kosher l’Pesach martini in one hand and a TJH in the other. How do I sense that? Because your feet smell...even halfway around the world. Just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you shouldn’t change your socks every once in a while. (Okay, I guess I am jealous). 2-4 correct: You are in the middle. You are the type that takes a healthy amount of vacations, but you probably stay in Motel 6. (So, do they really keep the light on for you? I guess it helps you see the bedbugs when you walk into the room!) 0-1 correct: You are our grand prize winner! You get an all expenses paid trip for two to...Rock Hall museum!

Answer to riddle: 1) Turn two adjacent glasses up. 2) Turn two diagonal glasses up. 3) Pull out two diagonal glasses. If one is down, turn it up and you’re done. If not, turn one down and replace the other. 4) Take two adjacent glasses and turn them both over. 5) Take two diagonal glasses and turn them both over.

ANSWERS 1. C- According to a study by Expedia in which they analyzed U.S. hotel bookings and flights abroad, the number one destination is Cancun, followed by London, San Juan and Paris, in that order. 2. D- Wrangell-St. Elias Park is 13,005 square miles. 3. B- According to Disney World’s corporate website, the most popular item at the lost & found bins is sunglasses, with an average of 210 pairs being turned in every day. According to long-time lost & found staffers, the most unusual items turned in have been a glass eye, a prosthetic leg and a potty trainer. Each were claimed (but not by the same person). 4. C- The 12 bedroom suite which takes up the whole 8th floor of the posh Hotel President Wilson has its own helipad. Entertainment features include a $130,000 TV, a Steinway Grand Piano, a billiard room

4. The Royal Penthouse Suite in Hotel President Wilson, located in Geneva, is known as the most expensive hotel room in the world. How much is it per night? a. $33,000 b. $46,000 c. $81,000 d. It depends. If you use Starwood points premier but you book it through your Amex, during double the savings deal, you could get it for around $8,000. But I have a friend who can get if for even cheepa’.

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1. What is the number one vacation destination for Americans, outside of the U.S.? a. San Juan, Puerto Rico b. London, England c. Cancun, Mexico d. Paris, France e. Not Canada

Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky

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Pesach

y dear child, It is now a quiet moment late at night. After an exhausting day of Passover cleaning, you have sunk into the sweetest of sleeps, and I am sitting here with a pile of haggadas, preparing for seder night. Somehow the words never come out the way I want them to, and the seder evening is always unpredictable. But so many thoughts and feelings are welling up in my mind and I want to share them with you. These are the words I mean to say at the seder. When you will see me at the seder dressed in a kittel, the same plain white garment worn on Yom Kippur, your first question will be, “Why are you dressed like this?” Because it is Yom Kippur, a day of reckoning. You see, each one of us has a double role. First and foremost we are human beings, creatures in the image of G-d, and on Yom Kippur we are examined if indeed we are worthy of that title. But we are also components of Klal Yisrael, the Jewish People, links in a chain that started over 3,000 years ago and will make it to the finish line of the end of times. It is a relay race where a torch is passed on through all the ages, and it is our charge, to take it from the one before and pass it on to the one after. Tonight we are being judged as to how well we have received our tradition and how well we are passing it on. It is now 3,300 years since we received that freedom in Egypt. If we imagine the average age of having a child to be about 25 years of age, there are four generations each century. That means there is a total of 132 people

stretching from our forefathers in Egypt to us today. 132 people had to pass on this heritage flawlessly, with a devotion and single-mindedness that could not falter. Who were these 133 fathers of mine? One had been in the Nazi death camps; one had been whipped unconscious by Cossacks. One had children stolen by the Czar, and one was the laughing stock of his “enlightened” brethren. One lived in a basement in Warsaw with many days passing with no food to his mouth; the other ran a stupendous mansion in France. One

Each with his own test of faith. And each with one overriding and burning desire: that this legacy be passed unscathed to me. And one request of me: that I pass this on to you, my sweet child. What is this treasure that they have given their lives for? What is in this precious packet that 132 generations have given up everything for? It is a great secret: That man is capable of being a lot more than an intelligent primate. That the truth of an Almighty G-d does not depend on public approval, and no matter how many people jeer at you, truth never changes.

It is a relay race where a torch is passed on through all the ages, and it is our charge, to take it from the one before and pass it on to the one after.

had been burned at stake for refusing to believe in the divinity of a flesh and blood, and one had been frozen to death in Siberia for continuing to believe in the divinity of the Eternal G-d. One had been hounded by a mob for living in Europe rather than Palestine, and one had been blown up by Palestinians for not living in Europe. One had been a genius who could not enter medical school because he was not Christian, and one was fed to the lions by the Romans… 132 fathers, each with his own story.

That the quality of life is not measured by goods but by the good. That one can be powerfully hungry, and yet one can forgo eating if it is not kosher. That a penny that is not mine is not mine, no matter the temptation or rationalization. That family bonding is a lot more than birthday parties; it is a commitment of loyalty that does not buckle in a moment of craving or lust. And so much more. This is our precious secret, and it is our charge to live it and to become a shining display of “This is what it

means to live with G-d.” 132 people have sat seder night after seder night, year after year, and with every fiber of their heart and soul have made sure that this treasure would become mine and yours. Doubters have risen who are busy sifting the sands of the Sinai trying to find some dried out bones as residues of my great-greatgrandfather. They are looking in the wrong place. The residue is in the soul of every one of these 132 grandfathers whose entirety of life was wrapped up in the preservation of this memory and treasure. It is unthinkable that a message borne with such fervor and intensity, against such challenges and odds, is the result of a vague legend or the fantasy of an idle mind. I am the 133rd person in this holy chain. At times I doubt if I am passing it on well enough. I try hard, but it is hard not to quiver when you are on the vertical shoulders of 132 people, begging you not to disappoint them by toppling everyone with you swaying in the wind. My dear child, may G-d grant us many long and happy years together. But one day, in the distant future, I’ll be dressed in a kittel again as they prepare me for my burial. Try to remember that this is the treasure that I have passed on to you. And then it will be your turn, you will be the 134th with the sacred duty to pass on our legacy to number 135.

Rabbi Lopiansky is the Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. He is the author of numerous scholarly works, in Hebrew and English. This article was reprinted with permission from aish.com.

83 Nuta Yisrael Shurack

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t was midday when an did. Before your very eyes, I will cut off a man’s head with a sword, and then put elderly traveler entered him back together and make him live!” the Jewish quarter of The Sultan smiled nervously and glanced around, not knowing what to think or Baghdad. The marketplace, make of the situation. Perhaps the fellow was completely crazy. Or perhaps he was where merchants from many telling the truth. After all, he seemed extremely confident, and spoke with such conlands sold their fabrics, spices viction. What if he was telling the truth? If he doubted him, then who knows what and other wares, seemed kind of wrath would be unleashed on the Sultan and his kingdom. strangely empty for such a He continued, “There is but one condition. The man whose head I cut off must day. He sighted the grandest be truly wise. In fact, he must be the wisest man in the realm. If not, his head will building in the section, and not properly reattach.” determined that must be the Intrigued, the Sultan decided he must see for himself if the Jew was telling the great synagogue. He continued his trek towards it until he entered its courtyard truth. He looked around the room until his eyes fell on Mustafa, his chief advisor and sat down to rest, opening his small sack to take out a few dried figs to refresh and the wisest man in the kingdom. Before the Sultan said a word, Mustafa cried his strength. Yet no sooner had he started his lunch than he became aware of a out, “No, he is lying! The Jew is an impostor! He can’t really cut someone’s head commotion from within the sanctuary. He peeked inside, and beheld a moving off and reattach it.” “That might be true,” said the Sultan, “but what if he is telling spectacle—hundreds of Jews fervently chanting Psalms amidst tears and sobs. the truth and we don’t accommodate him? Surely you don’t want to put the whole “What has happened?” he asked of the first Jew whose attention he could grasp. kingdom at risk! After all, were you not the one who had advised me to expel the Jews, lest we be put in danger?” Hurriedly, and in a voice of desperation, the “Bring the sword immediately,” cried the man told him the story as best he could. The Sultan. “Mustafa has volunteered!” With that, Sultan had decreed that the Jewish people of Mustafa began to tremble and yelled out, “No, Baghdad must produce a leader who could per“Before your very eyes, I will cut off a I admit it. I was both wrong and very foolish. form miracles as Moses had done. Since Moses The Jewish people do not have extraordinary was the leader of the Jewish people in Egypt, man’s head with a sword, and then put powers!” Mustafa ran out of the palace, never and he was able to do miracles, the Sultan exhim back together and make him live!” to be seen again. The Sultan annulled the depected the same from the leader of the Jews cree, thanked the Jew for coming, and said that of Baghdad. If they would not produce such the Jews were welcome to live in Baghdad as a miracle-maker, the Jews would be expelled long as they desired. from Baghdad. Therefore, all of the Jews were fasting and praying to Gd for salvation. The man returned to the synagogue to share the good news. Immediately, there In his calm and patient disposition, the wise traveler approached yet more Jews, was unbelievable rejoicing, and a banquet was held in honor of the miracle that Gd until he had finally pieced together the entire story: had done for His people. Then quietly and quickly, the old man slipped out and left The Sultan’s chief advisor, Mustafa, was a vicious Jew-hater whose mission it the town before anyone could even get his name. Some people say that he was Eliwas to destroy the Jews, or at least to have them banished from Baghdad. He had jah the Prophet. Some say he was a great mystic. Yet others believe that he was just convinced the Sultan that the Jews were not only infidels for denying the prophet a Jew who simply cared about his fellow Jews as much as he did about himself. Mohammed, but that they were thieves and liars as well, deserving immediate exhis story helps elucidate a very interesting aspect of the Passover observance. pulsion. At first the Sultan was hesitant to believe Mustafa; however, the Sultan Every holiday is marked by mitzvos. Yet, many of these mitzvos are not was told about what had happened when the Jews left Egypt and what Moses did equally fulfilled by all. For example, most of us hear the shofar from someone to Pharaoh. He began to worry that perhaps one of the Jewish leaders of Baghdad would attack him with plagues, and decided he did not want to take any chances. else who blows it, and on Chanukah, many have the custom that the head of the Therefore, he issued a decree that the Jews had to produce a leader like Moses, or household kindles the menorah as a representative of the entire family. Yet, on Passover, everyone must eat his or her own matzah. On Passover, we are all equally leave Baghdad immediately. The wise, elderly traveler sat in contemplation for several moments, and then significant. The Exodus was the time when our people came together as one. Leaving Egypt approached one of the rabbis at the front of the synagogue and whispered in his ear. Soon all the leaders of the community were talking quietly, and then suddenly there united as one people set the stage for the mitzvah that Hillel considered to be the was a loud clap on the lectern, and one of them spoke. “This man who is visiting our core of the entire Torah: love for a fellow Jew. The hero of this story actualized that town says that he has a plan. He will travel to the Sultan immediately to try and save which we all know to be true, that each of us is complete only when we do all that us. If he is successful, we will rejoice. However, if he fails, he will tell the Sultan we can to ensure that every single Jew is being taken care of as well. This is why the Passover haggadah begins with an invitation, “All who are that he acted alone. Meanwhile, we will continue to pray for his success!” The man headed for the palace, pounded on the entrance gate, and said, “I am hungry, let them come and eat.” Our table is complete only when it is open to a Jew who can do miracles, and I demand to see the Sultan immediately.” Before others! This article was reprinted with permission from Chabad.org. long, he found himself face to face with the ruler of Baghdad. “So,” said the Sultan, “you claim you can do miracles like Moses. What can you do?” Dozens of people, from the baker and the court jester to the royal guards and ad- Nuta Yisrael is the editor-in-chief and senior writer of the e-newsletter and website, A Shtikel visors, stared at the old man with the white beard and piercing eyes. “If you would Vort. be so kind,” said he, “I will perform a miracle akin to those which Moses himself

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o t r o p O m o r F a i g r o e to G T

With hoarse shouts, the mob pressed forward, tearing down fences, bushes and small trees, as they surged forward to the main house.

he family of old Manuel da Garcia, the wealthy merchant from Oporto, Portugal, was very happy when they finally arrived in their new home in the State of Georgia. It was a beautiful estate they had purchased with their very last jewels while still in Amsterdam. They were fortunate, for everything else they had had been lost to pirates who boarded their ship only hours out of the secret port where they had hidden. Their summer villa had been ravaged by agents of the Inquisition, who had made the Garcias’ servants believe they were bringing the belongings to a safe hideout. But the torture of the brutal pirates could not force old Manuel, his brother Noah, their wives and children to betray the secret of their last treasures. The silver mezuzot and the jewels which Noah’s wife, Donna Denah, had so cleverly sewn into the stitched hems of the ladies’ petticoats, would never be spotted by the greedy bandits. The pirates ripped Don Manuel’s tefillin open and snatched Donna Marima’s silver candelabra. But when they found nothing of value inside, their rude search came to an end. Surely their booty was rich enough! They needn’t bother any further. The da Garcias were grateful that at least they would not have to start at the very bottom, as had so many less fortunate friends and relatives. Half of their precious stones paid the Dutch governor for permission to land. The rest paid for the estate, far to the south of New Amsterdam. Within days, the da Garcias had built two wooden huts large enough to accommodate the two families. They hoped, with the help of the L-rd, to soon build regular stone houses, even if they would be a far cry from the elegant marble front villas of their old homes in the suburb of Oporto. It was all very exciting, the planting of the soil, the fencing of the garden, and the setting of bushes and trees. There was not enough money left over to hire many hands, so the entire family pitched in. They tackled chores they had not been accustomed to do. They were so anxious to rebuild their lives that they did not mind the hardships and privation of beginning anew. Remembering the sad fate of friends who did not survive the tortures, persecution and strains of their long and perilous flight, the da Garcias happily took their present hardships in stride. They were deeply grateful to the L-rd that they had been given a new chance to rebuild their homes and future in this new land, so far from Oporto. Only one thing bothered old Manuel and his brother Noah. They and their four grown sons had no congregation to attend. Even their closest Jewish neighbor, a doctor from Salamanca, lived several days’ journey from their land. Very soon after they had built up their estate and houses, they

Gershon Kranzler

dispatched a letter to the distinguished scholar, Rabbi David Seixas in New Amsterdam, asking him to send a capable young scholar to Georgia to study with them and to teach their young children. They would allot the Torah scholar a small piece of their large estate in payment for his valuable services. After a few weeks, they received an urgent message from Rabbi Seixas. Could they help a group of Jews from Holland who had arrived in the harbor of New Amsterdam, unable to debark, as they had no money left to pay the landing fee? At once Manuel da Garcia replied, “Have the boat sent southward to Georgia.” He would take care of the Jewish travelers and all their needs. Manuel, Noah and their sons immediately set to work. They built huts for the seven families. Within months, they had a minyan on their very own plantation, which they called Shalom (Peace), for that was what they wanted most. They wanted peace to live, to work and serve the L-rd as faithful Jews in the new land, just as they had in their old home. Ironically it was their observance of the sacred traditions that was to cause them fear and terror not unlike their experience with the Inquisition and the pirates. And this even before they could settle down to a peaceful life in Shalom. After consulting with the leaders of Mikveh Israel, the nearest Jewish congregation in Savannah, the da Garcias prepared for the first Passover in their new home. They baked their own matza; bitter herbs were plentiful in their gardens. And from Savannah they purchased several bottles of precious wine that had been prepared under the supervision of one of Rabbi Seixas’s associates. One of the men of the seven families from Holland was a shochet: he was qualified to slaughter animals according to the precepts of the Torah. As far as anyone could foresee, they would be ready for the celebration of the first Passover on Shalom in freedom and peace. But Divine Providence determined otherwise. One of their field hands, an old mulatto, took ill with severe cramps on the eve of Passover. Like wildfire, a rumor spread that the Spanish Jews (as they were called by their neighbors) were poisoning their gentile workers as part of the Passover ritual. At once the plantation workers fled to the surrounding estates, spreading tall tales regarding the bizarre preparations of the Jews for their celebrations that very night. Troubled, but steadfast in their faith, the da Garcia family and their new friends conducted their Passover service in full glory. They sat down at the long white tables made for the main hall in order to celebrate the seder together. Though there were few of the elegant and luxurious furnishings that decorated their old homes in Spain and Portugal, these Jewish families were proud of the simple wooden, earthenware and brass

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utensils that now took the place of their silver and gold and fine He blurted, “The Jews poisoned one of their field hands to use his china. The children had made a large seder plate out of wood and blood for their ritual celebration tonight!” covered it with an old piece of red velvet. “How do you happen to know that?” asked the governor of the The seven families who had joined the da Garcias had salvaged Georgia colony sternly. two of their prayer books and a Haggadah, of which the men had “Why, everyone around here knows it. They saw the worker rollmade rough copies. Everyone contributed something to make this ing on the floor, screaming of pain from the cramps, before he passed first communal seder a special and a memorable occasion. out. It is well known that the Jews use blood for their Passover feast,” As Don Manuel da Garcia rose for the kiddush, the strange Big Jim responded. sounds of drums, the beating of many feet, and savage shouts ap“It is an old lie!” thundered the wise official. “Here in this counproached from afar. try everyone is free to believe and practice his religion as he desires, “Remain calm, my dear ones,” assured Manuel, “the L-rd who and as he has inherited from his forefathers. has helped us thus far will surely not forsake “Mind you, no one will interfere so long us now.” as I am the head of this colony, and as long But he himself turned a sickly pale when as the founders of our new nation remember torches began flashing through the dark evewhy we have all come here!” But big Jim ning and the noise came ever closer. was not one to yield so easily. “Kill the murderers.” “But what about the worker who was poi“Get rid of the vermin.” soned today on the plantation, is that also a “Hang them all, before they murder us,” lie, Governor?” shouted the large mob as the Jewish men “How do you know that he died? And rushed out to see what they could do. how many slaves have died on your own “Will there never be an end to this conplantation, by your own hand?” stant terror and fright?” cried Donna MariThat very moment the old “dead” muma. “Even here, after a flight half way around latto stepped forward. “Governor, it was I the world, they come to spoil our seder with who suffered the cramps this morning. But ghastly accusations.” they are all gone now, and I know where they But a look from her husband helped still came from. I ate something I should not have her fears. She must take charge of the women eaten. and children, who had huddled fearfully in “But this Big Jim here has killed my the corner of the main hall. brother with his whip, and a number of his “Friends, neighbors, please listen to reaother workers as well. Believe me I’d rather James Oglethorpe, protector of his citizens’ rights son!” shouted Don Manuel, as the mob apstay here on this plantation with these kind proached, led by a huge dark-skinned giant people, than with him!” of a man. This turn of events ended Big Jim’s bravado. He disappeared out “We Jews have done nothing wrong. We are happy to be free of sight just as quickly as his huge hulk of a body could carry him. and to live peacefully. Do not accuse us of a crime which our faith And with him went all those who had gathered to join in the burning, forbids, and which we would abhor. The servant’s disease has noth- looting and killing of the new Jewish settlers of Shalom. ing to do with the harmless celebration of our ancient Passover feast. Old Manuel da Garcia thanked the kind governor in the name of “You are all invited to join us and see for yourselves that tonight his family. He invited Ogelthorpe to partake in the traditional sedwe celebrate liberty and freedom for all of mankind.” er meal. “Shut him up! He wants to poison us all,” shouted the giant, who “Your Honor, see for yourself that our ancient rituals symbolize Manuel recognized as “Big Jim,” a brute known for his lawlessness the purest and highest ideals of liberty, freedom and faith in the Aland the evil treatment of his slaves. “Burn the place, kill the rats, all mighty Creator of the Universe.” of them, smoke them out!” “My good man,” replied James Ogelthorpe, who had won the He flung his big torch through the air. With hoarse shouts, the love of his colony’s people by pursuing justice and fairness for all, mob pressed forward, tearing down fences, bushes and small trees, “you need not convince me of your righteousness and the purity of as they surged forward to the main house. There Don Manuel and his your faith. I only wish I had the time to stay and celebrate your holimen bravely stood, ready again to face death rather than forsake their day with you. precious faith. Big Jim rushed up the wooden steps to the porch, yell“But Divine Providence has seen fit to have me pass your plantaing, swinging his fire brand, ready to toss it into the house. tion just this evening as I was returning to Savanna from an imporDon Manuel stepped forward and met the big brute face to face. tant mission. There is still urgent business waiting for me. So, go on For a fraction of a second the giant bully stopped, awed by the pow- and celebrate your feast in the proper spirit. Keep your faith, obey er and nobility of Don Manuel da Garcia, dressed in the traditional its commandments, and continue to work with all of us for the betwhite garb for the seder. But the mob was pushing on, and their terment of mankind.” blood curdling cries encouraged Big Jim to push the old Jew aside. Everyone who witnessed this scene broke out in thunderous apAt that very instant loud trumpet calls sounded through the night. plause as the governor of Georgia rode off into the distance. Within seconds, a troop of uniformed men rode through the mob. Samuel da Garcia, his dear family, and their new guests and as“Make room for the governor,” shouted the officer in charge. Re- sociates returned to the seder table, grateful and happier than ever spectfully the large crowd pressed back to allow the tall, stately man before. The unexpected threat to their peace had been averted by the through. The governor’s keen eyes seemed to take in all there was to grace of the kind L-rd. be seen. His very voice commanded respect. It was a mighty chorus of both young and old who sang the tradiJames Edward Oglethorpe knew much about the vicious perse- tional melody of Vehi she’amda laavotenu. Its words reaffirmed the cution of the Jews. In fact he had made it possible for many groups, family’s own experience that Divine Providence guards and protects victimized by the Inquisition, to set sail and start life anew in the the Jewish people from the threats of destruction at all times and in southern American colonies. all places. “Throw aside your torches!” he commanded. Not a single man in the mob would dare to contradict Oglethorpe. “Since when do we in the free colony of Georgia persecute others for observing their Excerpted from The Glass Blower of Venice, published and copyrighted by Kehot Publication Society, a division of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch. Reprintreligious faith?” Only Big Jim, trying to maintain his defiance, stepped forward. ed here with permission.

For a fraction of a second the giant bully stopped, awed by the power and nobility of Don Manuel da Garcia, dressed in the traditional white garb for the seder.

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Pesach CHOL HAMOED

P laces to Go, Things to Do Zoos and Farms

This year, Pesach comes out right when spring begins on the calendar. Don’t be fooled – it’s still a little chilly out there but nothing warms you up than enjoying quality time together. Take advantage of the weather and spend time with the family during Chol Hamoed – indoors or outdoors. TJH has compiled a list of ideas, activities and places to go for you to enjoy this time spent together. Make sure to pack enough food (macaroons, matzah and marshmellows!) and music for the road and have fun!

Claws ‘N’ Paws 1475 Ledgedale Road Lake Ariel, PA 18436 570-698-6154

Queens County Farm Museum 73-50 Little Neck Parkway Floral Park, New York 11004 718-347-3276

Scenic Attractions

White Post Farms

Central Park

250 Old County Road Melville, NY 11747 631-351-9373 Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center 431 East Main Street Riverhead, NY 11901 631-208-9200

Boating, biking, the Great Lawn, model-boat sailing carriage rides, carousel Between 5th & 8th Avenues and 59th & 106th Streets 212-360-3444

Prospect Park Zoo 450 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-399-7339 Bronx Zoo 2300 Southern Blvd Bronx, NY 10460 718-220-5103 Queens Zoo 53-51 111th Street Flushing, NY 11368 718-271-1500 Central Park Zoo 64th Street & 5th Avenue New York, NY 10065 212-861-6030 Cherry Crest Adventure Farm 150 Cherry Hill Road Ronks, PA 17572 717-687-6843

Bryant Park

6th Avenue, between W40-42 Street New York, NY 10018 212-768-4242

Fort Tyron Park

Riverside Drive to BroadwayW 192 Street to Dyckman Street New York, NY

New York Circle Line

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Ferries from Battery Park, NY 1 Battery Place New York, NY 10004 212-363-3200

Adventureland

2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT 110), Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-694-6868

Luna Park Coney Island

1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224 718-372-0275

Adventurers (formerly Nelie Bly Park) 1824 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11214 718-975-2748

Old Bethpage

1303 Round Swamp Road Old Bethpage, NY 11804 516- 572-8400

Indoor Fun Parks

Brooklyn Botanic Gardens 900 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225 718-623-7200

Fun Fuzion at New Roc City 19 Le County Place New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-637-7575

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Downtown Brooklyn – Remsen Street to Orange Street along the East River

Fun Station USA

40 Rocklyn Avenue Lynbrook, NY 11563 516-599-7757

The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10458 718-817-8700

The Amish Village

199 Hartman Bridge Road Ronks, PA 17572 717-687-8511

Mystic Seaport

Chuck E. Cheese’s

162 Fulton Avenue Hempstead, NY 11550 516-483-3166

New PESACH Exhibit Live with Rabbi Deutsch

75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355 888-973-2767

Amusement Parks Hersheypark

100 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 1-866-946-9977

Six Flags Great Adventure

1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527

Every stone

has a story. Be part of it. Mark history.

Chol Hamoed Schedule: Hourly tours 9am-9pm Daily Friday 9am - 5pm Motzai Shabbos 8pm - 1am

Men-only tours: 8pm nightly, & 11pm on ‫ מוצש“ק & מוצאי יו“ט‬. No appointment necessary during Chol Hamoed.

Daily live tours by Rabbi Deutsch Brooklyn 1pm - 9pm - Lakewood 9am & 10am

For details call:

877-PLAN-A-TOUR 8 7 7 - 7 5 2 - 6 2 8 6

Brooklyn: 1601 41st St • Brooklyn, NY 11218 Lakewood: 235 River Ave • Lakewood , NJ 08701

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Pier 83 West 42 Street New York, NY 10036 212-563-3200 nd

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g’`nt it cuy ouh `jna vrha yhn

8 MAGNIFICENT ELEPHANTS 18 FEROCIOUS TIGERS 20 AMAZING AERIALISTS & AWE-INSPIRING ACROBATS

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• Experience Circus Hands On • Meet The Performers • Learn Circus Skills

12:30: CIRCUS & MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

BUY EARLY FOR BEST SEATS– PAST CIRCUS SOLD OUT FAST! TICKETS: $180 VIP Celebrity • $100 VIP • $75 $50 • $36 • $25 • $20 • SEPARATE SEATING AVAILABLE Flatbush: Eichlers • Boro Park: Hoffy’s Five Towns: Judaica Plus • Crown Heights: Judaica World GROUPS OF 10: ADVANCE DISCOUNTS UNTIL MAR. 18 ONLY

WWW.CHOLHAMOEDEVENTS.COM 877-9-CHOL HAMOED (877-924-6542) 718-853-9403 BENEFITING THE YESHIVA SCHOLARSHIP CAMPAIGN

162-26 Cross Bay Boulevard Howard, NY 11414 718-848-2052

Museums

Funzone

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

T h e J e w i s h H o m e n m a r c h 2 1 , 2013 T H E J E W I S H H O M E n M AY 2 4 , 2012

9264 Kids N Shape

229 Route 110 Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-847-0100

New York Skyride

Empire State Building 350 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10118 212-279-9777

Chelsea Piers

Hudson River—Piers 59-62 New York, NY 212-336-6800

Woodmere Lanes

948 Broadway Woodmere, NY 11598 516-374-9870

Gil Hodges Lanes

6161 Strickland Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-763-3333

Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street 212-245-0072

Sony Wonder Technology

550 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-833-8100

New York Hall of Science

47-01 111th Street Queens, NY 11368 718-699-0005

Jewish Museum

1109 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10128 212-423-3200

Living Torah Museum

1601 41 Street Brooklyn, NY 11218 718-851-3215

Long Island Children’s Museum 11 Davis Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-224-5800

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Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Jewish Children’s Museum 792 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-467-0600

Children’s Museum of Manhattan 212 W 83rd St New York, NY 10024 212-721-1234

American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 212-769-5100

Liberty Science Center

Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-200-1000

Crayola Factory

30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042 1-866-875-5263

The Franklin Institute

222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-448-1200 TJH assumes no responsibility for the kashrus, atmosphere, safety or accuracy of any event or attraction listed here. Please call before you go. Have fun!

Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 212-769-5100

Liberty Science Center

Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305 201-200-1000

Crayola Factory

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

American Museum of Natural History

30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 18042 1-866-875-5263

The Franklin Institute

Central Park West at 79th Street

THE JEWISH HOME

American Museum of Natural History

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145 Brooklyn Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4400

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don’t want to go to Faiga’s house for yuntif. I would never tell her, of course. She would feel so bad. So, again here I am packing my bag. Rose helps me remember my things. It’s a good thing too because I can’t see so good and I need to make sure I take all my medicines. I take my good suit, even though I won’t go to shul. It’s too far. But you never know what will be. I always taught Faiga that a lady has to be prepared and Faiga listened. Faiga always looks nice. Even now that she’s put on some weight. I would never tell her that though. She would feel so bad. When I get to Faiga’s house I get a big and noisy welcome. So noisy, these kids! But I love them; they are so beautiful. One more than the next. Faiga tells me I’m too used to my quiet house and it’s true. I’m not used to the tumult of young people anymore. It was different years ago. How did I do it, I wonder? I was such a workhorse! I was so strong! The kids and the house and taking care of Tatte. And Chazkel at work all time. All the time. He did well in the end, my Chazkel. Paid for the house and married off the kids. And I live well now; I have what I need. Chazkel was good company. It’s a long time, but I still miss him moving around the house, humming and talking. Noisy man, my Chazkel. “You get your special room, Ma. The one we made just for you,” Faiga tells me proudly. The children drag in my suitcase and I lean on her big boy’s arm while I

walk. I don’t really need to, but I like to make him feel like a man. He’s at that age, you know. When Faiga and Marty built the house, they made a guest bedroom on the first floor. No steps. It has a good, new mattress. Nice carpeting, too. Really, I would rather be at home with my own things and Rose to help me. At home I know where I put everything and everything is in its place. But Faiga tries to make me comfortable. She put an easy chair in the guest room with a strong light for me to read by. She lived in a small house for so long and their fortune changed so quickly. She’s happy she finally has more space. But Faiga is not used to being a rich woman yet. I see it in her eyes and in the way she moves her hands. She tries too hard. It was like when she was a little girl and just learned to swim. She had the same look while she paddled around in the water. Proud and happy, but a little desperate. Like she would sink any minute. I sit in the big, bright kitchen and drink a coffee while Faiga rushes around preparing for the seder. Everything is fresh and clean for Pesach. Faiga’s kitchen has lots of cabinets and a real fancy stove. Electric. She’ll have to keep it on for the whole yuntif. Such a waste really, keeping a stove running for two days. Ari, who is five-years-old, is the only one who’s not rushing about. So I tell him what my father used to do to keep the food hot on yuntif. In Europe, before the War… by me everything is before the War or after the War. I don’t remember what happens last week but I remember Europe so well. How it was before and how it was after the War. My father made a wooden box with a shelf inside made of tin. On the bottom shelf he put a kerosene lamp. He would put the pot of cooked food on the tin shelf to keep it warm. Not like Faiga’s fancy stove, but it worked fine. “Smarter than smart, Ma!” my son-in-law Marty calls from the dining room. You never know with Marty. Later when the men come home, we sit down to the seder. Faiga’s table! It’s like for a king! So fancy! Her dishes are new, and so much silver! When I was young, we didn’t have so much of everything. Pesach dishes, yes, but silverware? We had to kasher our regular set. I remember how my father lugged the great, big fleishig pot filled with boiling water and put it in the bathtub. Then he took a hot,

hot brick from the stove and threw it into the pot. Oh, how it spluttered and splashed! Before this he would sit and string the forks and spoons and knives onto a long string. A piece of string and then a fork and then a knot, some more string, then a spoon and then a knot. Again and again. When the pot was bubbling and boiling he would carefully dip in the string of “esstzaik”— like he was fishing for forks! A beautiful seder. Always the same year after year. Whatever country you are in, in peace or in war, we have Pesach. It’s a good thing. The children sing their songs in their high voices and I hear in them the deeper, older voices from the past. The Pesach story is the same if you are in a hut with a dirt floor or in Faiga’s house with marble and parquet! “You’re the best, Faye!” Marty tells Faiga when he comes to the table. It’s nice that he compliments her hard work. She should say something nice to him, too! I’m sitting right next to her and try to tell her so with my eyes but she’s busy fussing with the napkins, silly girl! In middle of the meal the dining room lights suddenly go out. Marty put in built-in timers that are connected to all the lights. He must have set one wrong because the living room lights stay on but not the dining room. Faiga is upset. “You know what my father did for lights before the War?” I tell Ari. I explain how he took a long, thin piece of thread and wound it around the hands of a clock. The other end of the thread he tied onto the fuse in the electric panel. He would put the fuse in very loosely. When the clock hands turned around and around, they would pull at the thread and wind it up. Just at the right time, the thread would pull out the fuse and the lights would go out. That was our Shabbos clock! Marty laughs. “Better off than us, with our high tech stuff!” he says. He doesn’t mind that he made a mistake with the lights. But Faiga is unhappy. She doesn’t like her seder ruined by the dark. Yuntif goes by quickly. I pack to go home and Rose will come in the morning. Faiga always wants me to stay but it’s better that I go home. It’s better for her and better for me. She packs me up with leftovers so I don’t have to cook or shop for the rest of the week. The children all walk me out to the car and Marty gets in to drive me home. So many good-byes and kisses! You would think I lived far, far away. The children jump around and wave. Faiga looks tired and gives me a nice kiss on my cheek. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Ma. Take good care of yourself.” “I will, I will. Of course,” I tell her. I don’t want her to worry. It’s good to go home. I will make tea and put away Faiga’s food. Rose will help me unpack in the morning.

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Faiga’s House

Baila Rosenbaum

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Jewish Thought By Andrea Eller

y t i t n e d I s i s i Cr A True Story* in 1,970 Words

ears ago when I worked for The Task Force on Missionaries and Cults, a division of New York City’s Jewish Community Relations Committee, the lines were permanently inked: we were the good guys and they, snatchers of Jewish souls, the bad guys. The sheep-clad wolves – in particular Jews for “Yoshkie” – were most actively on the prowl in the summer, so in June the Task Force would recruit volunteers to stand combat against them. We were out to disabuse their potential victims of the canard that Judaism is compatible with the belief that a human being could be G-d. That, of course, is their claim, for all the time it takes them to admit it. The Jew has to be mashed, mellowed and tenderized before the unbelievable is foisted upon him. The Task Force employed a general, flash-in-thepan strategy. The idea at that time was to tamp down the Jews-for-J round-up campaign by meeting them in the streets of New York. One year, we designed enormous posters and had them plastered on wall space rented from the MTA – in underground subway stations where the J for J’s would swarm and hand out their broadsides (folded, hand-drawn pamphlets) full of anti-Torah screed. “Jews for J,” said our own ads and broadsides, “Use Torahs, wear tallises and yarmulkas, and ‘observe’ Jewish holidays, to convince you that their movement is Jewish. DON’T BE FOOLED. ‘JEWS FOR J…’ IS NOT JEWISH. Its methods are a ruse to convert Jews.” David Brickner, the non-Jew who took over “Moshe” Rosen’s position as the group’s head command, would haunt the subway halls with his minions (mostly gentile) dis-

* Names (and names of places) have been changed except for those of David Brickner, “Moshe” Rosen, and author Andrea Eller.

tributing clever broadsides with their caricatures of “the rabbis” – portrayed in any combination of goofy, cruel, ignorant and superfluous. We would stand alongside the J for J’s handing out our broadsides and T-shirts emblazoned with “Judaism. The Religion for Jews.” As an intimidation ploy, they’d not-quite surreptitiously snap our pictures. We’d smile for the cameras. Daylight did nothing to shrink and dispose of the charlatans; we were as busy above-ground as underground. The point is that after a few years of dealing with

The Jew has to be mashed, mellowed and tenderized before the unbelievable is foisted upon him.

such frauds, my antennae were up. I got pretty good at it; I could smell a poseur from a distance. An example, if obvious, reared her head years ago right before Succos. I was in a sheirut (shared taxi van) on my way from the Tel Aviv airport to Jerusalem with nine others. Among the nine was a sixty-five

year-old, largish, grey-bouffant-ed Midwesterner in a flowery dress with little cap sleeves, sensible shoes and pocketbook, wire-rimmed glasses, and oversized, six-pointed stars for earrings. Wrong. She was just wrong. As we made our way towards Jerusalem, the woman and her comparably-dressed friend chattered and exclaimed again and again over this “beeyooteeful leeyand of Iz-rye-el,” asking me at one point, “And do you live here in this ‘beeyooteeful leeyand?’” My answer was bitter, and loud enough for everyone in the sheirut including the driver to hear. “You’re a missionary. You’re here for the Feast of Tabernacles, aren’t you? And you want to convert us, don’t you.” She humphed and fumphed in the nowsilent van, not denying my accusation, but saying something about her Bible being “for everyone.” I broke in, saying to the rest of my co-travelers, “Don’t speak to this woman. She’s out to get every one of us. Lady, just leave us alone. And you might want to tone down the earrings. They’re a dead giveaway.” That shut her up. At least for the ride. Another such experience: A sweet woman befriended me at a job I had just started. She told me she was a religious Christian – as if it wasn’t clear from her high-necked, long sleeved, mid-calf dresses – anomalies in the corporate world. We saw eye-toeye on certain social issues. But her questions about keeping kosher made my fingernails vibrate. After about a week, I asked her why she was so interested in kashrus. “I need to get kosher food for my party.” “Why?” “We want to make everyone comfortable.” “Who is everyone?” “Oh, just us and some Jewish people.” “Jewish people? Who is ‘us’ and where’s this

*** About two years ago, right before my husband and I made aliyah, I was paring down our library, using local Jewish online groups to advertise duplicate seforim. One particular response looked interesting given the lack of business generated: “We are a 501(c) [non-profit] organization. We’d love to have your books in exchange for a tax deduction.” I wrote back, “Sounds good to me.” Then I looked at the email address: CongMarpol. Congregation Marpol? Zoop. Antennae half-mast. I write back again. “On second thought, I’d like to know what exactly your organization does and who your rabbi is.” She writes back a terse, “We are a legitimate 501(c). If you donate your books we will give you a receipt for a tax deduction.” That’s an answer? Antennae full up. On a hunch, I quickly google Cong. Marpol. Up comes Cong. Marpol/MaryPaul. And missionary groups all over the place. Missionary, missionary, missionary. I google further and come up with “Rabbi E. Aaronson of Congregation MaryPaul.” I google the rabbi and his congregation and up comes “Pastor E. Ehrensohn, a.k.a. Rabbi E. Aaronson.” A Swede. An anti-Semitic Swede with a criminal record and mug shots to ice the blood. I google the congregation and its “rabbi” over and over again. Along with them pop up missionary group after missionary group. So I write back the following email: I spent two years fighting the Rabbi Aaronsons of the world whose mission is to pull unknowledgeable Jews into a religion (1) not theirs; (2) is based on deceit calling itself, G-d forbid, a kind of Judaism; (3) whose core belief is antithetical to our core belief, i.e., man as G-d. I’ll bury our precious books in my backyard before I allow them to be sullied on your library shelves. Do not contact me as I am marking your address as spam. I’m about to hit the send button when my husband walks in and peeks over my shoulder. “Wow. You’re really steamed.” “You bet I am. My blood is boiling. The guy’s a criminal!” I punch send. “Why didn’t you add ‘Passed any bad checks lately, Rabbi?’” (Good to have a funny husband in my corner.) *** I’m seated at the table when the phone rings less than a half hour later. “Chana? Chana…Rochel?” “Who is this, please?” “Is this Eller?” I’m suspicious. “Who is this, please?”

“This is Rabbi Aaronson.” “Ahhh!” I tilt my chair back with an expansive, “Rabbi Aaaa…ronson! What can I do for you?” “Is this Chana Rochel?” “Where did you get my number?’ “It was easy….” “So why are you calling me? “I’m a rabbi.” “Well! There are all kinds of…rabbis these days now, aren’t there? It didn’t take much to figure you out…rabbi. All I did was plug in the name of your so-called congregation, and… pay dirt!” “Chas v’shalom. I’m a rabbi, not a missionary.” “You certainly know how to pull out all the stops, although your ‘chas v’shalom’ could use a little work. How about throwing in a few chas v’chalilas or taka mamashes?”

I’ll bury our precious books in my backyard before I allow them to be sullied on your library shelves.

“What makes you think I’m a missionary?” “You know what? I’m going to send you, right now, while we’re on the phone, one of the many links that expose you.” I bang send. I get up and begin to pace, enjoying this confrontation. “Listen, Mr. Aaronson, or Mr. Ehrensohn, or whatever you call yourself these days. Your secretary wouldn’t give me a straight answer about you or your so-called congregation so I did a little search. Passed any bad checks lately, E. Ehrensohn? By the way, E. Ehrensohn, what kind of name is ‘Congregation MaryPaul’ exactly? Couldn’t you do better than that? You’re supposed to be a rabbi, remember?” “MaryPaul? No, no, no! Congregation Mariampol. It is often misspelled. Mariampol is the name of the town in Lithuania where my grandfather was born! The shul is named for the town.” I halt, mid-pace. Mariampol. My respiratory system hesitates. I feel for the chair in back of me and sit. “Mariampol?” “And this link! The one you’ve sent me with all the missionary groups coming up. It is a link to other

501(c) organizations. It so happens that where the name of my shul appears there are names of non-profit missionary groups that come up as well. You may find the name of your shul on the list as well.” Oh no. Oh no. I don’t know whether I’d prefer he be telling me the truth or lying. Not true. I’d rather he be lying. He says, “You’re now living in Pittsburgh, right?” “How… how do you know that?” My voice is hoarse from clawing its way around the brick snagged in my throat. “We answered the ad you posted on your local JewsOnline board, and since I had your name from our emails, I confirmed it with the Pittsburgh Yeshiva K’tana phonebook.” “Yeshiva K’tan…but why do you have…” My heart has slowed alarmingly and suddenly I’m asthmatic. “I’m in your neighborhood twice a day, dropping off and picking up my children at the day school. Do you know Rabbi Hirschenfeld?” I am now gravely ill, swimming in sweat, wheezing, trying to keep down the contents of my stomach. Rabbi Hirschenfeld. Principal of the boys’ Yeshiva K’tana. He lives four blocks away from me. The rabbi delivers his parting thrust. “He’s one of my best friends.” I can no longer feel my heart beat. Am I dying? Should I call 911? I whisper, “Rabbi. I am so sorry – it’s impossible for me to tell you how sorry I am.” (I’m choking. I am dying.) “I am so sorry. Please accept my apologies.” “There is no harm done. You believe me, don’t you? My wife and I are heavily involved in kiruv.” “Kiruv,” I repeat in a dead voice. He brings Jews back to Judaism. Please, G-d, let this be a bad dream. Breathe. Breathe! Inhale. Exhale. “Rabbi, see, my counter missionary…intuition… and a.k.a. E. Ehrensohn…a thief, a pastor… antiSemite.... Listen. I beg of you. Tell me where you live and I’ll deliver the books to you. My entire library. All my books. I don’t care where you live, I’ll get them to you, every one. Please let me do this.” “That won’t be necessary, Mrs. Eller. I’d be delighted to pick up the books you advertised. And Mrs. Eller, please don’t worry. I truly admire your fire. Keep it up. But perhaps it would wise to triple check your sources.” “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. I mean Rab…Rabbi Aaronson. But…who is E. Ehrenson”? “Apparently some anti-Semitic criminal.” Next day. Flour o’clock. Bell rings. I open the door to a small, bearded man in a long black coat and curled peyos. Humiliating. His wife stands beside him, hair be-ticheled and three small, “gingi” children holding onto her skirt, two with peyos and the other a pink bow in her hair. “Please come in. Have something to drink.” They enter. “Funny,” I say, to break my tension. (They’re completely relaxed.) “Funny. You don’t look like missionaries…” I’m the only one to laugh. `Okay. So I’m paranoid. Fine. But wait. My paranoia doesn’t mean they’re not after us. Because they are. Sometimes.

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party?” “At my church. We lo-o-ove the Jewish people.” “I’ll just bet you do. You’d like to lo-o-ove us to death. What is it with you people? Why can’t you just leave us alone?” The answer is, of course, that they cannot. As long as one Jew remains Jewish, there is proof their “messiah” hasn’t come. They see it as a problem.

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Forgotten Heroes

Avi Heiligman

Trying to Murder the Devil

Ewald-Heinrich Von Kleist’s Attempt to Assassinate Hitler

uring the 20th century, there to the SS and Himmler YM’S and his were many dictators and ruthless Gestapo), who disproved of the Nazis leaders. These people ruled with and Hitler, saw that he was going to ruthless abandon and run the country in most died inglorious a terrible way, and deaths. Rulers like therefore sought to Joseph Stalin and dispose of him. In Benito Mussolini mid-1943, Colowere hunted down nel Henning von and while Stalin Tresckow, who died of a heart attack headed the largest (he was in a room conspiracy group to with his ministers date, met with Lt. and when he asked Colonel Claus Von for help, they all left. Stauffenberg. He They came back a was a deeply reliday later, and he gious young officer was, unsurprisingly, who was wounded dead), Mussolini in North Africa and was brought to saw that Hitler was Lt Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg who justice and killed by running the country carried out the bombing at Wolf’s Lair anti-fascists which into the ground and soon ruled Italy during the later stages felt that the only action possible would of WWII. The most raving lunatic of be to assassinate the Fuehrer. them all was Hitler ym”sh. (There are The problem was to get to Hitler. many stories of him losing his mind and As the war dragged on, he rarely made playing around with phantom armies.) public appearances or met with people Historians compiled a list of 42 known he didn’t know or trust. Von Stauffenassassination attempts on his life before berg and the Schwarze Kappelle (The he committed suicide on April 30, Black Orchestra, as they were called) 1945. The most famous of these was the tried at least four times without success July 20, 1944 briefcase bombing of his to kill him. One of these plots involved “Wolf’s Lair” where he was injured and a very risky move by the operator that almost killed. Many of the conspirators most likely would end in the death of were killed; however, a few survived both Hitler and the person carrying out Hitler’s onslaught afterwards. The last the mission. surviving member of the conspiracy Ewald von Kleist, 22-years-old at was Ewald-Heinrich Von Kleist. the time, met with Von Stauffenberg in Even before Germany declared war January 1940 and volunteered for the on Poland in September 1939, there suicide mission. Hitler was to review were high ranking members in the Ger- the new uniforms of the army with man Army, the Wehrmacht (as opposed von Kleist as the model. Underneath the uniform, von Kleist was wearing a bomb vest and he was going to detonate it while in the presence of the madman. At first he was reluctant to carry out the mission, but his father urged him on by telling him that it was his duty. Von Kleist’s father was an opponent of Hitler from even before the war, when he traveled to England in 1938 to try to determine if Western nations would support a coup attempt against the rising political leader. Twenty-two-year-old von Kleist believed that he would be able to detonate the bomb in a way that he wouldn’t have to die. In the end, the young German army lieutenant didn’t have to do A young von Kleist in uniform it because Hitler kept on postponing the

went into hiding. demonstration. Von Stauffenberg A few months had left the Wolf’s later, Von StauffenLair before the exberg approached plosion and reached Kleist again and Berlin only to hear told him that Hitthe news that the ler was planning Nazis were still in a meeting in the power. Fighting Wolf’s Lair. The broke out between conspirators needed Inspecting the damage to Wolf’s Lair the conspirators and a volunteer to place after the bombing the Nazis, and many a bomb in the meeting room. Von Stauffenberg then re- people were killed or committed suicide thought about the plan and decided he in the coming days. Von Stauffenberg himself should be the one to place the was executed the next day. Altogether 7,000 people were arrested and 4,980 bomb on July 20. were executed, but it should be noted that not everyone accused or executed knew anything of the plot. Himmler and the Gestapo were ruthless in hunting down any opposition. For von Kleist, he managed to cover up his activities and connection with Von Stauffenberg but was arrested anyways. He was questioned by the Gestapo and sent to concentration camp. After a stint there, he was released for the lack of evidence and sent back to his army duties on the Russian front. After the war, he lived in an area that was given to Poland. He had to start from scratch and eventually opened up a publishing company. Von Kleist died on March 8, Von Kleist in a photograph 2013 at the age of 90, the last survivor taken in 1978 of the conspirators—a group that tried At 12:40 PM, the bomb exploded, to erase the face of evil. killing three officers and a stenographer but only wounding Hitler. There are many reasons as to why it didn’t kill Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to him. One, the bomb wasn’t as power- The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comful as is it should have been. Two, the ments and suggestions.for future columns table was a big, heavy wooden table and can be reached at aviheiligman@ that shielded the impact of the blast, gmail.com. and three, the briefcase was kicked away by Hitler prior to the detonation. At first the Schwarze Kappelle group thought that the bomb had killed Hitler and they put into action their plan for Germany after Hitler’s death. When they received word that the Fuehrer was alive and after anyone who was Von Kleist speaking at a 2010 ceremony on the occasion of the part of the plan, they 66th anniversary of the failed assassination attempt

Gedaliah Borvick

Apartment Hunting in Israel on Chol Hamoed

on Chol Hamoed. Similarly, if a store is having an extraordinary sale, one would be permitted to buy the item on Chol Hamoed, since delaying your purchase until after Pesach would cause you a financial loss. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l has a teshuva on a related point: If on Chol Hamoed you are in a place where they sell something that cannot be purchased where you live, you are permitted to buy the item to save you the inconvenience of having to make a special follow-up trip after the holiday. That got me thinking about my American clients traveling to Israel for Pesach and their inability – due to work obligations – to stick around afterward. Despite the generally negative approach of the codifiers regarding

purchasing homes on Chol Hamoed, Rav Moshe’s teshuva appears to give these overseas buyers permission to apartment hunt in Israel during Chol Hamoed. Noted author Rabbi Moshe Lichtman directed me to an important source to consider when contemplating purchasing a home in Israel. The gemora in Tractate Gittin 8b (which has been codified by Maimonides and the Shulchan Aruch) allows a person to direct a non-Jew to draft a contract of sale on Shabbat. In that particular case, the non-Jewish seller was planning to leave town before the end of Shabbat, and the buyer’s delay would have cost him the opportunity to buy the property. Even though one is rabbinically prohibited on Shabbat to direct a non-Jew to act on one’s behalf (“amira l’akum”), the sages suspended this decree because of the overriding mitzvah of “yishuv Eretz Yisrael” (settling the land of Israel). Although today the vast majority of our sales are with Jewish sellers and therefore the gemora’s case is not exactly on point, the ruling underscores the tremendous value that Jewish law attributes to

the commandment of inhabiting the land of Israel. I discussed this issue with Rabbi Shalom Rosner of Kehillat Nofei Hashmesh in Bet Shemesh. He concurred with Rabbi Lichtman’s sentiments that not only are such Chol Hamoed apartment-hunting activities permissible, but doing so is the fulfillment of the commandment of yishuv Eretz Yisrael and a wonderful way to infuse kedusha into one’s holiday. (An unsolicited plug to Rav Rosner’s followers: The construction of Kehillat Nofei Hashemesh is progressing beautifully. To participate in this project, go to www. nofeihashemesh.org.) It is best to consult with your own rav as to the permissibility of purchasing and looking for an apartment in Eretz Yisroel over Pesach. In any case, I wish my readers a wonderful, chag kosher v’sameach! Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home, a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com. Please visit his blog at www.myisraelhome.

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client wanted to go apartment hunting in Jerusalem during Chol Hamoed Pesach but was unsure whether according to halacha, he may do so. I told him to ask his local rabbi as I am not fit to make that decision for him. As this question comes up often, I decided to devote this article to review some of the issues. The major question is whether one is permitted to “do business” during the holiday. In Tractate Pesachim 118a, Rav Sheshes says in very strong words, “One who disgraces Chol Hamoed is regarded as if he worships idols.” One major reason for forbidding business activity during Chol Hamoed is because it will distract one from the joy of Yom Tov, which includes eating, drinking, doing enjoyable activities and learning Torah. However, some business-related activities are permitted in certain situations. A few examples include purchasing food that is needed for the holiday and working to prevent financial loss. If, for example, your company will suffer tremendous loss if you would not work, then you would be permitted to work

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Humor

Chaim Zipper

Pesach is Around the Corner

hen an event is really close, we use an expression to convey that message. The expression is “It’s around the corner.” Well, Pesach is around the corner. I wanted to verify if this was correct so I went around the corner – I saw Pesach there – and it’s coming fast. When Pesach is coming, everybody panics. We need to turn our houses upside-down, shake all the chometz out, turn it right-side up, clean it, and have everything ready before the seder shows up on our front step – or rather at the dining room table. And we know it’s going to show up whether we’re ready or not. Somehow, everybody is ready. Amazing, isn’t it? There are a lot of things that need to be cleaned before Pesach. I will tell you about as many as I can, at least until I

need to start cleaning or missed all the cleaning and now have to go to shul to daven so that I don’t miss the seder. Shaloch Manos The first thing we need to get rid

what do we do? We do what all parents do. We dump it out on the table and announce, “Come here everybody! We’re having an all-you-can-eat nosh buffet!” All the kids appear out of nowhere and begin their feast. This is every child’s

This is every child’s favorite time of the year. They are allowed to eat nosh. And most important of all, their parents told them to eat.

of is our mountain of shaloch manos. There is so much nosh that it will be a miracle if we can eat it all by Pesach. So,

favorite time of the year. They are allowed to eat nosh. And most important of all, their parents told them to eat the nosh. Children can’t comprehend that something like this can exist: “How could my mother be telling me to eat all this nosh when all other days of the year my mother tells me to eat only healthy food?” The answer is obvious: “Avadim hayinu…” Children eat the nosh, as if this time will never come again, even though it comes every year. You’ll be amazed at how much nosh children can eat and at such high speeds! Before you can say, “I have a stomachache,” the nosh is gone without a trace, and all your children say, “I stomach is killing me.” It is time to do your “evil” chuckle because: 1. The shaloch manos are now finished, and 2. Now you can send all your children to bed and continue with your Pesach cleaning (Hmm…that’s not a bad idea…). The Knapsack Cleaning your children’s knapsack can be a nightmare. This depends on which of your children’s knapsack you are cleaning. If this particular child is neat, then you know that cleaning the knapsack will take…oh! about 30 seconds. You take out the books, school supplies, etc., put the vacuum cleaner hose inside, vacuum it, and it’s done. However, if this child is not neat, or shall we say sloppy, then it is a whole other cleaning procedure (Some of you are thinking, “Oh boy! Here we go!”).

For this child’s knapsack, you will need to find a clothespin before you even consider using the vacuum cleaner. The way you use this clothespin is by clipping it onto your nose so that should any “unwanted” smell emit from the knapsack, you will not have the “pleasure” of smelling it. You will also need rubber gloves, such as ones you use to wash the dishes. Six months ago, when you gave your son an apple and potato chips for snack, for some reason, he only ate the potato chips. This apple transformed into a rotten apple, then an organism, and then a living organism. For all you know, it has eyes and when you open the knapsack, it will stare at you. You don’t want an alienlike-apple staring at you and certainly don’t want to have to take it out of the knapsack. With no other choice, you will need to call NASA just to clean out the knapsack. Of course, they only deal with things from outer space, not from children’s knapsacks, so you’re on your own. Anyway, you carefully take out the books, clean them with a soapy rag, and lay them out to dry. Then, you take out a clean rag, and attempt to clean the knapsack that has rotten apple smeared all over it. After many attempts, you give up and just hope that you remember not to give your son an apple and potato chips for snack at the same time. You hang up the knapsack upside-down over the bathtub to dry, and now you can remove the gloves as well as the clothespin from your nose. Make sure to leave the bathroom before attempting to breathe again. Car, Van, or Whatever You Drive The vehicle is one of the things that for some unknown reason, always gets dirty even though every year after Pesach, we say, “This year I’m going to keep my car clean.” There are two ways people clean their cars for Pesach. The first way is what I call the “easy way,” although some people call it the “lazy way.” The first way is to drive your car to a car wash, hand your car keys to the guy – and ten minutes later – your car is cleaned for Pesach. While your car is being washed and vacuumed, you get to walk through their little store that is

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safely out of the garage. This should be easier, now that you have already traveled through the garage for the vacuum cleaner. Once you have unwounded it and plugged it in, you could look for the attachments. The attachments are these little thingy’s that come in all different

shapes and sizes…never mind. The fourth step is to get your younger siblings to vacuum for you. The fifth step is – if the fourth step wasn’t successful (if it was successful, you wouldn’t need the fifth step!)… If you’re still reading this that means you were not successful. So, here is the fifth step: vacuum the car, while being careful not to bend the hose so that it actually sucks up the dirt instead of making a loud noise as if to say, “Hello, are you there? I’m bent, so nothing is coming through me. If you don’t fix me, I’ll stop working, and you’ll have to do this by hand without me.” At this point in cleaning for Pesach, we understand our vacuum cleaner when it talks to us – or for that matter anything that talks to us – and we listen immediately. By now, it’s about two hours later, and your car is clean. But you’re not done because now you have to put the vacuum cleaner away and wind up the extension cord, while being careful not to get your shirt dirty. If you got your shirt dirty, you will need to clean it by either doing a wash in your house or at the Laundromat, but

that’s in my other article. Once you’ve put everything away, you’re ready to clean the next thing on your list. If you’ve read this and are not sure if you want to bring your car to a car wash or clean it with a vacuum cleaner, then all you need to do is decide is on what do you want to spend your money: overpriced car accessories or vacuum cleaner attachments? Of course, your time and energy doesn’t factor into the decision at all. More Things There are a lot of other things that need to be cleaned for Pesach. I would like to write about them but Peach is around the corner and I really need to be cleaning instead of writing a humor article about cleaning. I tried to get my younger brothers to do the cleaning for me, but they’re too old for a lollipop or a dollar. If I gave them an iPad, they would happily clean my car for Pesach, but for that price I could have someone drive it to the car wash for me, buy all the car accessories, and still have money left over to buy matzah.

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“Yes.” “Where do you have the tools?” “Go down this aisle. It’ll be on your left.” “Thank you.” “Excuse me. Where do you have the bicycles?” “I’m sorry. Sold out.” The third step is to spend time looking for the extension cord and making it

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adjacent to the car wash, and look at the car accessories that they hope you will buy as you are waiting for your car to be cleaned. Hopefully, you will not buy anything because you don’t need any of it, and the only reason you are in the store in the first place is because there is no other way to the car wash exit. Besides, the accessories are overpriced and if you save your money you could spend it on important things, like… say…matzah! The second way people clean their cars for Pesach is the more “traditional” way, which is vacuuming your car. This way takes a lot longer but the good thing is you don’t have to worry about wasting your money on overlypriced car accessories. Instead, you get to spend it on vacuum cleaner attachments. The attachments come in every different shape and size that you could imagine so that you could vacuum every inch of your car and house, such as the space in between the tiles. The first step to cleaning your car is to throw out all the garbage that can’t be vacuumed. Included in this list are pens, paper, broken windshield wipers, empty oil and anti-freeze containers, junk mail, expired coupons, receipts, water bottles, batteries, and all the other things that should have been thrown out months ago, but wasn’t because you figured, “Hey, we’ll just throw it out when we have to vacuum the car for Pesach!” Why can’t we just throw things out right away and not have to wait for Pesach? Why did Pesach become a time where we get rid of all of our garbage instead of focusing on ridding our house of chometz? It must be because it’s the same gematria. (I know that gematrias have to come in somewhere when we’re talking about Pesach.) The second step is to spend twenty minutes taking out our giant wet/dry vacuum from the back of the garage. The reason it takes so long is that we have to carry the vacuum over the bicycles, the sukkah, the grape juice, tools, and everything else that makes our garage look like Wal-Mart. “Um, excuse me.” “Yes.” “Where can I find the grape juice?” “Go down this aisle. It’ll be on your right.” “Thank you.” ”Excuse me.”

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In the Kitchen

Mouth-Watering Desserts

Estee Kafra

to end your seudah on a sweet note

Light Chocolate Mousse

For this recipe, I like to use one 3.5 oz chocolate bar of 72% cocoa and one 3.5 oz chocolate bar with a nougat filling. It creates a delicious combination of flavors! For an even more sophisticated alternative, use orange flavored chocolate bars.

Ingredients Mousse 8 eggs separated (you will use only 4 yolks for this recipe) 7 oz. excellent quality bittersweet chocolate 4 Tbsp confectioners’ sugar 1 Tbsp coffee, dissolved in 2 Tbsp hot water Topping 3 1/2 oz. good quality chocolate 6-8 Tbsp dessert whip Preparation For the Mousse Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (a bowl placed on top of a pot of boiling water). Once fully melted, add the 4 yolks slowly, constantly mixing while adding. Meanwhile, beat the egg whites. When almost stiff, add confectioners’ sugar and mix until stiff peaks form. Add the dissolved coffee into the chocolate mixture and combine well. Fold the chocolate mixture into the whites until just combined. Place in individual glass cups or dessert bowls. Place in the freezer.

Dressed Up Lady Fingers This recipe is so easy and yet so sophisticated! Serve on a platter along with some cut up fresh fruit for an elegant dessert.

Ingredients Lady finger cookies for Pesach Chocolate spread or nut butter for Pesach Melted baking chocolate Shelled pistachio nuts Preparation Simply sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of the chocolate spread. Dip one end of the sandwich into melted baking chocolate, and sprinkle with chopped pistachio nuts. Let the cookies sit at room temperature until the chocolate has dried.

Estee Kafra, renowned author of best-selling cookbooks, “Spice it Right” and “Cooking with Color,” has launched a comprehensive kosher food website. Find hundreds of her recipes, along with some of the best works of other popular kosher food-writers today. Log onto www. kosherscoop.com today and like them on Facebook for exciting prizes and giveaways.

For the topping Melt the chocolate, then add the dessert whip and stir. Pour over frozen mousse, freeze again.

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Speckled Sponge Cake I included this recipe as a nut-free option for those with allergies. The cream is my super simple no-margarine chocolate icing, and the best part is that there is no need to spread. I simply pour it on slowly and let it settle. If making this into a layer cake, simply spoon some chocolate between the layers and smooth with the back of a spoon. Don’t forget that cakes are easier to ice when frozen.

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Ingredients 12 eggs, separated 2-2/3 cups sugar 1-1/4 cups oil 1-3/4 cups potato starch 2 oz bittersweet chocolate Chocolate Icing 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 tsp vanilla 2/3 cup oil 3/4 cup cocoa powder 1/4 cup hot water Preparation In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the beater attachment, beat egg whites with sugar until stiff. Add egg yolks and oil and mix until combined. Meanwhile, grate the chocolate on the larger hole of a box grater over a large bowl. Add the potato starch and mix with a spoon until evenly combined.

Pesach Cake Trifle ...For the common household Pesach malady... Yes, we also flop cakes around the Kafra household once every few years, so we make trifles! Ingredients 1 “flopped” cake (or any cake) 2 cups whipped topping 1 1/2 cups cherry pie filling/sweet cherries, well-drained jam 2-4 Tbsp chocolate liquor (optional) Preparation Simply layer the cake, some whip, and cherry pie filling or sweet cherries, mixed with some jam of choice. For an extra flavor boost, drizzle the cake with some kosher for Pesach chocolate liquor. Can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

Add chocolate and potato starch slowly to batter, folding in with a spatula until batter is smooth. Pour mixture into a parchment paper–lined 9x13-inch pan or three 9-inch round pans. Bake for 1 hour for the 9x13-inch pan or 50 minutes for 9-inch rounds. To make the chocolate icing, place the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, oil, and cocoa powder in a bowl. Add hot water and stir until smooth. Pour over cooled or frozen cake.

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Naomi Nachman

or Shabbat, side dishes are always a challenge. People are always asking me what I serve as sides. One of the most popular side dishes is a kugel. I am always looking for new kugels to make for Shabbat and I thought I would devote this week’s article to kugels. I actually made the first recipe below for Pesach – as it called for potato starch. My cousin, who cannot eat wheat, loves the idea of using potato starch and also makes it all year-round. It is also a pretty recipe as it has two different color layers when you serve it in a clear Pyrex dish.

The second recipe is what’s called an overnight potato kugel, some people know it as Yaptzik. It was meat at the bottom that is slow-cooked overnight. When you wake up Shabbat or Yom Tov morning the house smells of the amazing kugel. It’s great as to use instead of cholent during Pesach for Shabbat Chol Hamoed. The quinoa recipe is always a big hit as it’s fresh and delicious with a burst of lemon flavor. Check with your local rabbi if you are able to use quinoa on Pesach.

Zucchini Kishka Kugel

Overnight Potato Kugel

Kishka layer Ingredients 1 carrot 1 potato 1 stalk celery 1 small onion 1/3 cup oil 5 tablespoons potato starch ½ tsp salt 1 ½ tsp paprika

Ingredients 3 strips of flanken 6-8 large potatoes 1 large onion 4 eggs, large Salt and white pepper to taste 1 cup water or chicken soup

Preparation Peel all vegetables and then grate them. Mix in the rest of the ingredients with the grated vegetables. Pour into 8x8 inch square pan. Bake 350° for 25 minutes. Zucchini layer Ingredients 1 onion 2 medium zucchini – do not peel 2 eggs ¼ cup potato starch 2 tablespoon mayonnaise ½ tsp. onion powder ¼ tsp. salt Preparation Grate all vegetables. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Pour over baked kishka layer. Bake additional 45 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.

Preparation Place meat at the bottom of a 9 x13 inch pan. In a food processor, grate onion, potato and eggs. Add salt and pepper to taste and pour over the meat. Bake for 1 hour at 350° and remove from oven. (You are only partially cooking it, so don’t eat it.) Before Shabbat, add one cup of water or if you have chicken soup boiling for Shabbat, use some of the soup. (The soup enhances the flavor.) Place a piece of parchment paper over the kugel, them some heavy duty aluminum foil over that and cover well. Place in a 200° oven right before Shabbat. Take out the next day right before serving.

Quinoa Tabouli Ingredients 2 cups cooked quinoa 5 tomatoes, chopped 1 red onion, chopped 1 cup fresh chopped parsley 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (to taste) 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon kosher salt White pepper (to taste) Directions Mix quinoa, tomato, red onion and parsley together. Add lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. NOTE: If you like a more lemon flavor, you can add more lemon juice.

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The Perfect Sides to Enhance Your Yom Tov Meal

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In the Kitchen

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Politics Today

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SPINCLASS

Politics with Michael Fragin

>> Councilman Donovan Richards discusses the campaign between himself and Pesach Osina >> Author of bestseller Start-Up Nation, Dan Senor discusses Israel’s position as a global economic leader, Chuck Hagel, and the state of the Republican Party >> Yair Rosenberg of Tablet Magazine and longtime conservative activist Jeff Balboon discuss AIPAC, J Street, and the state of the Pro-Israel lobby

The following are excerpts from the weekly on-line show, Spin Class: Politics with Michael Fragin. Listen weekly on Thursday nights on jmintheam. org. Michael Fragin: Councilman Richards is the newly minted councilman for the 31st district in Southeastern Queens covering Rosedale, Laurelton, Far Rockaway and the suburbs of those towns. So, Councilman Richards, you won a very close and hotly contested race and it’s always good even if you win by one vote to emerge the victor, of course. Donovan Richards: Exactly, exactly. But it was a great race. There were many great people in it and Pesach ran a phenomenal campaign, and as I always tell people, I never underestimated what Pesach would do. I always thought the race was between myself and him, and he surely turned out the way I just about anticipated he would. So it was a great race and me and Pesach will be working together very closely in the near future, and don’t be shocked if you see us working together pretty soon. Michael Fragin: That’s excellent. You enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the sizable Jewish community in the district. It’s not that you are a newcomer. But maybe for a second, because of the audience that listens to the show, introduce yourself with regard to your background and some of the involvement you have had with some of the issues. Donovan Richards: I started in politics ten years ago. I never actually thought I would ever work in politics. But 10 years ago, today, to the day, I had a close friend of mine who was

murdered and I decided to go to a meeting on gun violence, and 10 years later, on his anniversary, I could not have planned this, I am being sworn in as the city council member of the district where his mother resides. His mother will actually be traveling with me to City Hall today. And it’s just a real honor.... I think this election certainly showed me that individuals and people felt like they weren’t being heard, and that’s not the sort of government that I want to bring to the table. I want to make sure that I bring a transparent government, a government that is certainly held accountable, and three, I want to make sure I am the council member for everyone. So I just look forward to doing it. I was down at the JCC yesterday where they did the Passover kick-off with Stop & Shop. So I just look forward to continuing to be responsive, and most importantly, showing up, and I want to show everyone that I care. Michael Fragin: Absolutely. And you come at a tough time, but a time of opportunity. The district is still suffering the aftermath of Sandy but you are also coming up on a city budget and it’s an interesting budget year of course as we know a lot of people are running for election. But the mayor is leaving. So there is time for opportunity for even a freshman like yourself to have a real impact. Donovan Richards: Well, yes, and it surely shows. I have been appointed to the Waterfront Economic Development and Environmental Protection Committee and this committee is very useful at this time post-Sandy. I got an update yesterday and I am still really not happy. 2,000 people in the Rockaways, and in downtown Far Rockaway

alone, 1,000 people, are still without electricity. Michael Fragin: Still without electricity from Sandy? Donovan Richards: Still without electricity post-Sandy. You heard the number. 2,000 people total in my district. Michael Fragin: That’s unbelievable. Donovan Richards: 2,000 in mine. So I am really livid on this. Michael Fragin: That’s really unbelievable. Councilman, I think it’s noteworthy that you are a young fresh, face as well as your counterpart in the western half of the Rockaways, Councilman Ulrich, who is also a pretty young guy. What does that say about the Rockaways having a cadre of young elected officials? Donovan Richards: It’s great. We need people with new ideas, people who are going to come up with new action plans and a new outcome, and that’s what I am certainly looking to do. So it’s actually an honor to be in the newer generation. I was blessed to be elected and certainly come with some fresh ideas and a new outlook on how government should respond and how we should all work together. I didn’t come into this business to get caught in what happened 20 years ago, a decade ago. And many people say to me, you should be mad at Pesach or be mad at others, you shouldn’t do anything with anyone. But that’s not the sort of politics we need at this time. When 2,000 people are still without electricity, it would behoove me to still operate under old guidelines of politics. I want to work and move forward.

Michael Fragin: That’s a very refreshing statement and I think that that is exactly what citizens can and should expect of their elected officials. Once the race is over, everybody is in it together and that’s very important. Councilman Donovan Richards of the 31st Councilmanic District in Southeast Queens. Congratulations on your win. Donovan Richards: Thank you. I appreciate it. Michael Fragin: Switching gears as we do from the local to the national and even the international, we have a special guest on the program making his first appearance, Dan Senor, who is really a jack of all foreign policy trades out there, having served in Iraq in the Coalition Provisional Authority and then in various positions throughout government and politics, most notably recently as an advisor to Mitt Romney and to Paul Ryan in their unsuccessful campaign for the presidency. Dan, welcome to Spin Class. Dan Senor: Great to be with you, Michael. Michael Fragin: So I actually was in a meeting with Ambassador Ido Aharoni, the Consul General of Israel, on Monday morning with some foreign people from outside the country and he gave everybody a copy of the book Start-up Nation, written by yourself and Saul Singer about the Israeli technological marvel or miracle. I said, “Ambassador, I have the book already. In fact, I think it’s possible that the author might have given it to me.” And he says, “Oh you should take another one, you will give it out” and said, “I bought 10,000 copies and

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I am giving it out to everybody because this is the book as far as I am concerned that tells our real story.” Dan Senor: Now that’s very kind of Ambassador Aharoni and very generous and very kind of you to mention it. It’s very exciting. The book has gone in a 1,000 different directions that we never even anticipated. It’s now in about 25 different languages in over 20 countries—from China to Brazil to throughout Latin America to India to throughout Europe. So it’s very exciting. But what’s interesting now, what’s happening in Israel, if we were sort of going to do Start-up Nation 2.0 is just the extent to which major multinational companies, technology companies in United States have become dependent on Israel and how they are gobbling up Israeli startups, like IBM which has bought some 10 Israeli startups; they are opening innovation and R&D centers in Israel. Apple announced it’s opening its first R&D center outside the United States, and opening it in Israel. Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft, has said that Microsoft is as much an Israeli company as it is an American company because of the extent to which they depend on their Israeli employees. I can go on and on and on with every major American technology company. Just last week, at the Israel Dealmakers Conference here in New York, I interviewed Jeff Immelt, the CEO of GE. He went on and on about the extent to which GE is dependent on Israel so much for what they are doing in health care and data analytics. Michael Fragin: So Dan, I have a question with regards to that. You spend time in the Arab world. How does the Arab world view Israel? Aside from the politics, how do they view the economic value of Israel? Dan Senor: I think they are torn. One of the most interesting annual pilgrimages for me is going to the World Economic Forum in Davos because it’s sort of neutral territory, of course as one would expect in Switzerland. And there are all these leaders from the Arab world there, particularly from the Persian Gulf countries but not just the Persian Gulf countries. And a number of members of royal families of countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council come, leaders from Bahrain and Oman and Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and the UAE and Qatar who come up to me and say, sort of quietly, “Hey, I just want you to know I am a big fan of Start-Up Nation. I am sharing it with everyone I know; I am encouraging everyone to read it but I can’t say it too publicly in my country or my nation’s capital because I will get in trouble.” One young

man came to me from Cairo... and said, “I was asked to present to the Egyptian government about solutions for how to energize the Egyptian economy and I cited throughout the presentation Startup Nation, lessons from Israel, and I got into trouble for using a book that celebrates Israel’s economic success as a reference point.” So there is this tension. Now some people are very open about it. We have entrepreneurs in Jordan who have been very public about embracing the book and try to wake up Arab world, we can learn from Israel. Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian Prime Minister (and I can say this because he said it publicly), he said it in an interview with Bloomberg News, he said he keeps a copy

never reach the desk of the president... and the idea that Chuck Hagel could carry on the way he carried on in that hearing and demonstrated such a lack of understanding and knowledge about basic things that occur within the defense department, to have that kind of authority and responsibility was very, very frustrating for me to see. Michael Fragin: Don’t take that responsibility lightly, I think that’s the idea. Okay, Dan, one final question... where are the Republicans going? It’s hard even for Republicans to figure it out. Dan Senor: I think we are in a completely open environment, a completely entrepreneurial environment.

2,000 PEOPLE IN THE ROCKAWAYS, AND IN DOWNTOWN FAR ROCKAWAY ALONE, 1,000 PEOPLE, ARE STILL WITHOUT ELECTRICITY.

of Start-up Nation on his desk. It’s a play book for him for how to revitalize the economical environment and spark the economic environment in places like Ramallah. And so they are torn because there is this tension between the reformers and the modernizers in the Arab world who say let’s not let our ancient hatreds hold us back from learning from a country that is literally making the world a better place and advancing its own country and advancing in terms of its contributions to the world society and western civilization. On the other hand, there is enormous pressure to stifle Israel out of the discussion. And so there is this tension right now and I hope the modernizers and the reformers and those who are open-minded are in ascendance. It remains to be seen. Michael Fragin: What do you assess are the implications of Chuck Hagel? Dan Senor: I think it is a tragedy truly for so many reasons. I actually have a personal relationship with him. I have been friendly with him as much as I strongly disagree with him. But what I saw when I worked with him in the Senate in the ‘90s and what I saw in that hearing was a man who I do not believe is qualified to be Secretary of Defense. There’s a false notion that “don’t worry it’s the president’s policy and the defense secretary is just implementing it and it doesn’t really matter who the defense secretary is.” I worked for a defense secretary; they make a hundred decisions a week that

What I mean by that is the party is in total disarray, there is no one really in charge and I think that’s pretty healthy... I think there is going to be a lot of activity over the next couple of

years because it’s a chaotic open environment because there is no hierarchy really to it. I think we shouldn’t read too much into any particular thing and just sort of the let the chips fall where they may. Like any sort of open market environment, someone will emerge over the next couple of years. And I think we should sort of let things play out and not get too wigged out... A lot of people have ideas and it’s a healthy open environment. Let’s not get stressed out; let’s get engaged. Michael Fragin: Okay certainly. Dan Senor, author of Start-up Nation, foreign policy advisor to Mitt Romney and advisor to Paul Ryan, thank you for joining us on Spin Class. Hope to have you again very, very soon. Dan Senor: Alright, I always enjoy being with you. Take care Michael and let’s get that lunch at Prime Grill one of these days. Michael Fragin: Excellent. We are here with Yair Rosenberg, a writer for Tablet Magazine who was covering the AIPAC Policy Conference 2013. As well, he also has an interest, editing an interesting series with regards to the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. So he is kind of following the intersection between politics and the

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Orthodox community. Yair, welcome to Spin Class. Yair Rosenberg: Hi, and thank you for having me.

Michael Fragin: The recruitment of Orthodox rabbis by AIPAC seems to be going in direct contradistinction to the recruitment of non-Orthodox rabbis by J Street. Yair Rosenberg: Yes, it would not surprise me. If I put it another way, there are plenty of Reform rabbis who come to AIPAC and I don’t think that’s going to go away anytime, soon although it may drop a little bit as the young generation comes. But there are plenty there, just the Orthodox are growing with them and J Street is getting more successful in getting nonOrthodox rabbis. Michael Fragin: Okay. I think famously I recall somebody posting or tweeting at one of the J Street conferences that it was actually impossible to find anything kosher. Yair Rosenberg: Yes, a couple of years ago, there was an article written by the editor-in-chief of a paper who was at the J Street conference and covering it, and covering it rather sympathetically, who then discovered there was no kosher food and wrote a pretty angry piece about how there was no kosher food at J Street. Michael Fragin: Have they fixed that? Yair Rosenberg: They now have a kosher option. I was there in 2010 and could not find any kosher food either. I didn’t write about it. I usually don’t insist on these things; I don’t feel the need, I am just a journalist.

which is sort where I come from, there are many, many members of Congress who are at least as deeply committed to Israel’s safety and security as the average AIPAC member, and when they are treated as though they are doing this because it’s a transaction, it actually frustrates them. Having said that, the influx of Orthodox I think is a positive. For a long time, Orthodox weren’t particularly welcome at AIPAC or made to be welcome at AIPAC the same as Tom Dine’s story where he said very negative things about Orthodox Jews and

“I BOUGHT 10,000 COPIES OF START-UP NATION AND I AM GIVING IT OUT TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE THIS IS THE BOOK, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, THAT TELLS ISRAEL’S REAL STORY.”

at AIPAC that I wrote for Tablet and then he referenced the J Street story and he said, “I don’t know what the story is right now, I am not sure exactly what they do but they should have a two plate solution and they should have kosher and non-kosher option.” Michael Fragin: Very interesting. I want to bring a second voice in and I have on the Jeff Ballabon, a long time conservative activist who has been active at AIPAC or was active, I don’t know what the current status is, Jeff, but you maybe will explain. We are talking here about the Orthodox involvement at AIPAC and the growing involvement politically amongst the Orthodox community. And I think that’s something that you have been working on for many years and continue to work on. So Jeff, welcome back to Spin Class. So the question specifically is what do you gauge or take out of, as Yair Rosenberg had told us, the very considerable Orthodox presence at the AIPAC Policy Conference. Jeff Ballabon: Well I think we are at a juncture. I mean I am not a big AIPAC fan and haven’t been for a very long time. I think AIPAC has diminished real policy issues to the point of get up in the roomful of Jews, sell Israel and we will make sure that there will be some money for your campaign. And I don’t think that’s a particularly good way to do business. I think that our enemies, meaning Israel’s enemies, Jews’ enemies, take that exact line and we call them anti-Semites, which is, it’s all about Jewish money and power. And it’s not. At least on the right,

he lost his job because it was unbelievable what he said. He lost his job as president of AIPAC but there is still a certain mentality. I think that starting really outside the major Jewish population areas, AIPAC is becoming more and more dominated by the Orthodox at the grassroots level and while I think institutionally it’s not really there, I think it’s being pushed there by it today and that’s always been the problem. Michael Fragin: As I mentioned earlier with the previous guest, we had Dan Senor on, is that the two words that were not spoken there were “Chuck Hagel.” Nobody wanted to talk about it. But a lot of people privately when I did some interviews wanted to talk about Chuck Hagel, they wanted to talk about the fact that they were upset and frustrated by AIPAC’s pulling punches with regard to Chuck Hagel, and that possibly points to a disconnect. Jeff Ballabon: Michael, what you are describing has been AIPAC’s reality for a long time. I mean it’s been decades since they played a major role in major policy issue that really mattered. The truth of it is that life and death issues take place in the Middle East, and AIPAC comes in and talks about foreign aid. And foreign aid is all very fine but that’s not what we need them to fight for. And it’s easy to never lose and it’s easy to claim to be a very powerful lobby when you are not doing anything that’s very controversial; you are leaving that to other groups to do. But as you say, it becomes a show of solidarity, it becomes for many Jews, many active Jews, many young Jews

especially, a core identity point and those are all very powerful and very good thing. But listen, the narrative they have is not the narrative someone like me would have. And I know members who have gone with them to Israel and they have come back and complained that they will never take them over the green line, they won’t let them meet religious Jews; they have a very leftist narrative. And that’s because I think there is a moment in time now, which is why I say they are at an important juncture position, where the base for the longest time had been. And when I say their base, I mean listen, this is a membership organization. They live based on their members. And the membership has overwhelmingly been liberal Democrat. They claim they want bipartisanship above all; by the way, it should never be above your core principles but that’s not what they feel about all the other issues they care about. There they are very clearly Democrat. Michael Fragin: I don’t get the sense of a leftist organization respectfully. That’s just not the vibe; I get the non-confrontational in a way. But what about the misnomer or the canard of the Jewish lobby? I think everybody wants to talk about that and you are kind of saying while they are not confrontational, actually they are not that powerful. Jeff Ballabon: Listen, they are not. They are the only game in town for a long time. And what J Street did and by the way, years ago, I actually wrote a memo saying this is what’s going to happen, in advance of the Obama election of first Presidency, was that in order to keep more Jews in the Democratic Party, there will be a Jewish group created that’s basically showing for the Democratic Party, pushing leftist agendas in the name of some Jewish organizations. And that’s what J Street is. But it only came into being because AIPAC set the stage. AIPAC said for years, “This is pro-Israel and that’s pro-Israel, hard left is pro-Israel, hard right is pro-Israel.” It’s all pro-Israel; we are all friends; it’s all good. Well, sure because pro-Israel doesn’t mean anything in Washington; it’s like having a lobby that’s pro-America. Would you ever give money to somebody if your issue was guns? Would you ever give money to somebody who said I am pro-America, give me money? It’s a meaningless phrase pro-Israel. Michael Fragin: Jeff Ballabon and Yair Rosenberg, thank you for joining us.

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Michael Fragin: You wrote a nice article about the Orthodox presence at AIPAC. So tell us about the growth and what you see and any observations about that. Yair Rosenberg: One of the things that you noticed very visibly at AIPAC is that there was a large contingent of Orthodox Jews and Orthodox rabbis and there was a lot of programming catered to Orthodox Jews. It’s been kosher, which is a rare thing even at Jewish events and it’s very expensive to do it. But AIPAC goes out of its way to try to bring people in and they have everything kosher. And so yeah, this article basically is just like going through all the different types of Orthodox Jews who were there and why they were there and why they see themselves. And I guess it’s part of a much broader story which is that the Orthodox community is becoming much more politically organized and engaged.

Michael Fragin: That might be worthy enough coming segment on this show: The Hunt for Kosher Food at J Street. Yair Rosenberg: Exactly. I mean I always, in general wherever I go, I hunt for kosher food. It’s not always so easy. It wasn’t so easy to find kosher food at a lot of things that I have covered. But you would be surprised if it’s a Jewish organizational event, right and actually I believe Michael Oren speaking at the JCPA brought this up just a couple days ago, and he actually referenced the article about Orthodox

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Notable

Quotes

“Say What?” “We had the pledge out there and we branded the modern Republicans as the party that would not raise your taxes. Branding is important. Coca-Cola spends a lot of time, quality control branding Coca-Cola. Everybody knows what’s in Coca-Cola. And so you can buy a bottle of Coke, take it home, you don’t have to ask what’s in it, or read the ingredients, or ask your friends about. You just take it home, you drink it. If you get two-thirds the way through your bottle of Coke and you look in and there is a rat head in what’s left in your Coke bottle, you do not say to yourself, ‘You know, I’m wondering whether I’m going to finish all of the rest of this particular bottle of Coke this evening.’ You begin to wonder whether you’ll buy Coke in the future, you go on local TV and you show the cool rat head. Coca-Cola has a very large problem worldwide. It damages the brand. Republican elected officials who vote for tax increases are rat heads in the Coke bottle. They damage the brand for everybody else.” - Grover Norquist at the CPAC Convention “The popular media narrative is that this country has shifted away from conservative ideals, as evidenced by the last two presidential elections. That’s what they think. That’s what say. That might be true if Republicans had actually nominated conservative candidates in 2008 and 2012.” - Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas) at the CPAC Conference ”The GOP of old has grown stale and moss-covered.” - Rand Paul at the CPAC Convention “Even CPAC had to cut back on its speakers this year, by about 300 pounds.” – Ann Coulter poking fun at sequester and Chris Christie who was disinvited from the CPAC Convention “I feel it’s urgent that we get real immigration reform, allowing millions to step out of the shadows and on to a broad path toward citizenship. It will help, not hurt, our environmental efforts, and potentially in deep and powerful ways.... It’s true that the typical person from a developing nation would produce more carbon once she adopted an American lifestyle, but she also probably would have fewer children.” - Op-ed in The L.A. Times by environmentalist Bill McKibben, author of the book, Maybe One: An Argument for Smaller Families

“And my understanding is tomorrow he’s going to have an opportunity to take his family up to New York, where we’re going to encourage him to do some shopping because we want to continue to strengthen the U.S. economy. ” - President Obama joking at a joint press conference with the Sultan of Brunei who is worth over $40 billion

“I’m not a sixth-grader.” - Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Cali) when Sen. Cruz (R-Texas) challenged her weapons ban bill on Constitution grounds

“There are reports that Joe Biden will handle more foreign policy matters during President Obama’s second term. Though you know it’s bad when world leaders are like, ‘Can you just send Dennis Rodman instead?’” -Jimmy Fallon

“A 106-year-old woman in Ohio just received her high school diploma after 88 years. She may even go to college, but only if she gets that volleyball scholarship.” -Jimmy Fallon

“I would love to sit at a café and just hang out. The last time I was there as a senator I still had the option of wandering through the Old City in Jerusalem. That becomes a lot trickier when you are president. The spontaneous mingling and reactions get a lot more complicated when you are president...Sometimes I have this fantasy that I can put on a disguise, a mustache, wander into Tel Aviv and go to a bar or go to the university and meet with students in a setting that is not as formal...As the president I will try to find as many opportunities as possible to interact with the people during the visit. You tapped into something that shakes me, that as president you can’t just interact with people without a bunch of guys with machine guns around.” - President Obama in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2

Compiled by Nate Davis

“A judge overturned Mayor Bloomberg’s ban on large sugary drinks. The judge made his decision after testimony from a prominent physician. I believe it was a Dr. Pepper, if I’m not mistaken.” - Jay Leno

“According to reports, Saudi Arabia is considering dropping public beheadings because of a shortage of government swordsmen. You don’t want amateurs to cut people’s heads off because that could be barbaric.” - Jay Leno

“A company is developing drones that can be used to pick up and develop items for customers. So if you see a drone, someone in the neighborhood either joined alQaida or Netflix.” - Conan O’Brien “A New York City judge struck down a proposed law to ban sodas larger than 16 ounces. I think Mayor Bloomberg should spend his time trying to improve stuff like education. New York needs a better education system if kids didn’t figure out they could get around the 16-ounce soda ban by simply purchasing two 12-ounce sodas.” - Craig Ferguson

Rep. Billy Long of Missouri: Does that mean the White House is open for tours? President Obama: No, but the Vatican is.

“Ma’am, I ain’t got no time for this.” - A would be bank robber, as he grabbed lollypops and left a Chase Bank in Manhattan when the teller refused to hand over money

“You have moved forward with new cabinet appointments and yet, to date, none of them have been African-American.” - In a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus to President Obama

“U.S. officials have revealed that America is ready to launch cyber-attacks of its own. We already have a program that can totally crash someone’s computer. It’s called Microsoft Windows.” - Jimmy Fallon

Unless changes are made, it will be increasingly difficult for Republicans to win another presidential election in the near future. There’s no one reason we lost in 2012. Our message was weak; our ground game was insufficient. We weren’t inclusive. We were behind in both data and digital, and our primary and debate process needed improvement. So, there’s no one solution. There’s a long list of them.” -RNC Chairman Reince Priebus outlined a 219-point plan Monday that aims to reboot the GOP’s image

“We’re learning more about the dead Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. It seems he amassed about $2 billion in personal fortune while president — and he was a socialist. Imagine how rich he could have been if he didn’t believe in redistribution of wealth.” - Jay Leno

“I don’t think he’s ever done anything for political reasons...This is a president who has been as bipartisan as any as I’ve ever seen.” - Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi after President Obama visited Congress

“If we started in 1960, and we said that, as productivity goes up — that is, as workers are producing more — then the minimum wage is going to go up the same. And, if that were the case, the minimum wage today would be about $22 an hour. So, my question … is what happened to the other $14.75?” - Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass)

“I appreciate her encouragement that I ought to go home to Texas and run for office. I would be enthused if I ran for office to have her support. I will say this, though: I don’t think I’m a particularly good candidate. Sort of a balding, fat guy. And second of all, I’d say if I did run for office and win, I would serve out my term. I wouldn’t leave office midterm.” - Karl Rove responding to a sarcastic comment by Sarah Palin (who left her governorship in the middle of her term) that he should go to Texas and run for office instead of messing things up for the Republicans in Washington

“Look for President Obama next month on the cover of the Economist magazine. It’s their annual April Fools issue.” - Jay Leno

“It was quite a big explosion... It’s just not appropriate... that our military can’t train and do the maintenance necessary... these men and women, our Marines were training there in Hawthorne. And with this sequester, it’s going to cut back this stuff. I just hope everyone understands the sacrifices made by our military.” - Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid implying that a freak explosion that killed seven Marines at an ammunitions depot in Hawthorne, Nevada, was due to sequester cut-backs

“The guy who plays Satan on the History Channel’s ‘The Bible’ looks like President Obama. Even Rush Limbaugh was outraged. He was like, ‘How can you do that to Satan?’” - Jimmy Fallon

“Your knowledge of religious issues is limited and no intervention could be made in this matter.” - Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi criticizing Ahmadinejad after he hugged Chavez’ mother

“[There’s] a new Pope. His name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio. I think I have his spaghetti sauce. ” - David Letterman

“These are tell-tale signs to say this isn’t your gardenvariety slap across the face which is totally unacceptable in and of itself.” - Vice President Joe Biden at a conference on domestic violence

“History is a great lie written by the victors...Had Hitler won, Nazism would be an honor that people would be competing to belong to, and not a disgrace punishable by law. Churchill and Roosevelt were alcoholics … Hitler hated alcohol … These facts have been turned upside down as well, and Satan has been dressed with angels’ wings …” - From an op-ed in Al-Hayat AlJedidah, the official Palestinian Authority newspaper

“Taco Bell has announced that it sold over a million Doritos Locos Tacos in a day. Other companies now have taken notice. The new Blackberry is coming out in a tasty Doritos shell.” -Conan O’Brien

“Yet another Carnival Cruise ship has broken down with no power, no water, and overflowing toilets. The only good thing about taking a Carnival Cruise is even Somali pirates won’t try to board them now.” - Jay Leno

“With Washington in the middle of a budget crisis, the White House is facing criticism for spending $250,000 a year on calligraphy. You can tell you’re spending way too much money on calligraphy when you spend ANY money on calligraphy.” - Jimmy Fallon

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During the meeting between President Obama and Republican House members, when it was learned that white smoke was coming from the Vatican, signaling the election of a new pope:

Social Smarts

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Rifka Schonfeld

Late Blooming or Developmental Delays?

stee and Chaya had gotten together for a play date with their two sons. The women were lucky to have their children within weeks of each other and the boys’ second birthdays were quickly approaching. “Do you want pasta, Avi?” Estee asked her son. Without looking up, Avi shook his head. “Okay, would you like a cream cheese and jelly sandwich?” Estee tried again. This time, Avi looked up and licked his lips vigorously. He then reached out his hand impatiently to let Estee know he was ready. Seated in his own booster, Dovid was playing with a small truck on the table. Chaya bent down to talk to him, “What about you, Dovid? Would you like pasta?” Dovid looked up, but did not respond. “A cream cheese and jelly sandwich?” His mother continued. Again, Dovid looked at his mother, but then returned to playing with his truck. “Maybe he isn’t hungry, Chaya?” Estee suggested. “Maybe. But, usually, if I show him the food, he will want it.” Sure enough, when Avi started eating his sandwich, Dovid began yelping to let Chaya know that he wanted one too. *** Both Avi and Dovid do not say many words even though they are nearing the age of two; however, they exhibit very different symptoms. While most children speak by the age of two, doctors distinguish between late bloomers and those with potential language development issues through the following criteria: • Receptive Language. While Avi does not say many words, he clearly understands when Estee asks him questions. Understanding language generally precedes expression and use. Studies that have followed up with late-talking children have found that age-appropriate receptive language discriminated late bloomers from children who had true language delays. Therefore, if your two-year-old clearly comprehends what you are saying to him, chances are his spoken language will follow. • Expressive Gestures. Avi shakes his head and reaches out when he wants something – two elements of non-verbal communication. While everyone needs to communicate verbally in order to be understood, at this age non-verbal communication indicates comprehension and the desire to con-

nect with others. • Progress in language development. Even if your two-year-old only says five words, if he learns to use those words in different ways, he is progressing in his language development. For instance, if he says “blankie,” one day

Autism Chronic lack of communication might indicate autism, though only a health professional can give you a true diagnosis. Autism is a general term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders

If your child is receptive, expressive, and progressing in his language development, even if he is not speaking, it is likely that he will eventually have normal language development.

it might mean “This is my blankie,” whereas the next he might be asking a question, “Where is my blankie?” Though using the same word, this different meaning indicates a progression of skills and understanding. If your child is receptive, expressive, and progressing in his language development, even if he is not speaking, it is likely that he will eventually have normal language development. He might simply be a “late bloomer.”

are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. Disorders on the autism spectrum include Asperger Syndrome and Rett Syndrome. Here is a breakdown of the different symptoms: Autism: • Late talking (after the age of two), and other developmental delays by 30 months • Chooses to play alone, rather than interact with others • Repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning, or hand-flapping

What About Development Delays? However, what if there is something else going on? What if your child is not simply a late bloomer? What if he needs early intervention in order to help him attain language?

Asperger syndrome: • Above average verbal capabilities • Obsession with complex topics as patterns or music • Scripted, robotic, or repetitive speech

Hearing Loss The first possibility that your doctor will look into when examining a late talker is the possibility of hearing loss. Some children with chronic ear infections will experience temporary hearing loss that can result in late talking. This possibility, while frustrating to you and your child, is easily remedied through multiple therapies.

Rett syndrome: • Half or more of children with Rett syndrom have seizures • Normal verbal development until around 12-18 months, then a subsequent loss in the ability to communicate • Slowed growth, especially apparent in head size at six months of age Though autism cannot be cured, early intervention therapies for disorders on the autism spectrum greatly improve

language and social interaction later in life. These therapies often include the whole family and trained therapists, and the earlier the therapy gets started, the better the results!

Some Words of Comfort Language is difficult. Late language development is a very common delay, affecting 1 in 10 children. That’s because communicating is so complicated. It requires understanding as well as speaking, and these skills develop differently. He’s the “silent type.” Personality also plays a role in talking. Some children are naturally quiet and prefer to listen to others rather than contribute. To that end, you can try to get them talking by singing songs, telling nursery rhymes, mimicking sounds and encouraging them to mimic you. Last, but not least, books are a great resource to get your child speaking. Point and name things in the pictures and ask your child to point and name. Every child is different. While it’s hard not to compare, don’t! Looking at your friends’ children will only give you cause for anxiety or immodest pride. Every group of children will include some early learners, some average learners, and some late bloomers. And depending on the skill, children will fit into many different categories. Something to thinks about: What if your child is not simply a late bloomer? What if he needs early intervention in order to help him attain language?

An acclaimed educator and education consultant, Mrs. Rifka Schonfeld has served the Jewish community for close to thirty years. She founded and directs the widely acclaimed educational program, SOS, servicing all grade levels in secular as well as Hebrew studies. A kriah and reading specialist, she has given dynamic workshops and has set up reading labs in many schools. In addition, she offers evaluations G.E.D. preparation,, social skills training and shidduch coaching, focusing on building self-esteem and self-awareness. She can be reached at 718-382-5437 or at rifkaschonfeld@verizon.net. You can view her on the web at rifkaschonfeldsos.com.

Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

TJH Staff

Does G-d Want Us to Live in the Present? the insurance won’t pay. What do you suggest we do next? Donny: (with a deep sigh) That is an excellent question. I have no idea. I need to sleep on it. Chami: Yeah, me too. Let’s try to rest well, too. There is no sense in losing that precious sleep over it. In fact, if we lose sleep worrying, we won’t be able to sleep on it! Donny: (laughing) Good point. G’night. Chami: G’night. With the finger-pointing over the past eliminated, they can be friends. Maybe in the morning one of them will think of contacting FEMA. They will think of something, rest assured. We have some evidence that HaKodosh Baruch Hu wants us to live in the present. In Pirkei Avos, Chapter 2, Mishna 21, Rabbi Tarphon says, “You are not required to complete the task, but you aren’t free to withdraw from it.” We are here to do a job, which, I

Baruch Hu for us to focus on; we are not given the responsibility of deciding what the elements of a holiday are. Imagine if Chami and Donny were told to select what would be covered at the seder! She would say she thought the part about going into the neighbor’s houses during makkas choshech and making a mental note for later as to their gold and silver was the coolest and should be incorporated into the seder, maybe with a pretty gold fork on the table. Donny would say that was ridiculous and the hundreds of mules per person was the real geshmack part

Every chag has this directive: Extract the value and apply it to your life. In the present.

think, is to make the world a better place. Each of us has a skill or talent that Hashem gave us which we use to do our job. But the key words here are to recognize that the job is an ongoing one, a work in progress. Interestingly, you would think that we should be measured by results, but that is not the case. The job is the doing of the job, not getting it done. And “doing” is a word in the present tense. It’s all about now, not tomorrow and not yesterday. So where do chagim come in? Aren’t they a trip down memory lane? I think not. I think our holidays would not have meaning if we didn’t apply their lessons to the moment. We only look over our shoulders to pick out specific elements in them to use now. What’s more, everything we look backward at when we celebrate the yom tovim was selected by HaKadosh

of yetzias mitzrayim. Maybe get a mule for the evening? You can see why G-d did not leave the creation of the seder to us. In other words, we don’t have to pick and choose from the past as to what was important: Hashem did that job for us. Our job is to take the symbols He gave us and apply them to the here and now. Every chag has this directive: Extract the value and apply it to your life. In the present. If Chami and Donny understand that, they would never argue again about who did what in the past. As Rabbi Tarphon said in Mishnah 20, “The day is short; the job is huge”: There is no time to waste bickering when there’s work to be done! Instead, here is how the seder might help them with their current situation: They would surely empathize

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f holidays are meant to recapitulate something important from our collective past, nothing does it like Pesach. Not only are we talking about our forefathers, but we are actually supposed to say, “When we went out of Egypt.” The past becomes the present for us as we sit around our seder tables. So my question is: With all the holidays and their trips down memory lane, what relationship, exactly, does Hashem want us to have with the present? And why is this question important anyway? To answer the second question, imagine the following conversation between Chami and Donny: Donny: You were the one who wanted the big house! If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be in this terrible predicament. Chami: Me? Who are you kidding? Don’t you remember that when we went to visit your brother, Aaron, you said – and I quote, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a house like this?” Donny: Wait a minute. Just because I was fantasizing doesn’t mean I was ready to spend that kind of money . . . And on and on they go. Where they stop – well, they won’t stop because that is the nature of arguments about the past. Everyone has a different recollection about what really happened and these arguments never get resolved. (Please see my blog article, “Memory and Logic: Don’t Rely on them” for the neuroscience as to why you cannot go back down memory lane with accuracy.) From this, it sounds like trying to remember the past is not such a great idea. For the sake of shalom bayis, couples should never try to resolve differences the way Chami and Donny are doing it. In fact, from the perspective of shalom bayis, the present is the exact right place to be. There is no sense in trying to figure out who is to blame for mistakes in the past; the idea is to join forces as a team to resolve them in the present. Let’s suppose that Chami and Donny get this. How would their conversation go? Chami: So here we are with a house that is large, expensive, drowned, and

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with their fellow Jews of old leaving Mitzrayim because it is now evident that they must leave their own home. In fact, if they have already left, their seder will be that much more poignant to them. They might hope that within the catastrophe of a ruined house and great losses is something good that Hashem has in store for them just as He did for the Jews who camped around Har Sinai. They might appreciate that they are still alive and well and able to enjoy the seder. They might feel closer to others who had similar experiences and perhaps closer to the Jews of ancient times as well. It is even possible that Chami and Donny will feel that Hashem is in their midst in spite of – or maybe because of – the trauma they have gone through just as He was for us in the past. Revisiting the past on chagim is all about bringing it into the present and making it meaningful right now. Chag kosher v’sameach!

Dr. Deb Hirschhorn has had over 35 years clinical experience. She has been in numerous publications, both professional and for the public, and has appeared on TV and has been featured on radio. She practices Marriage-Friendly Therapy. She has a local practice in Woodmere, N.Y. See her website, http://drdeb.com, or call her at 646-54-DRDEB.

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Health & Fitness

Cheryl Greenberger, Ph.D.

Editors of Our Own Autobiographies

f you’ve ever edited a story, article, video…really, any creative piece… you know that it’s all about choices. The final story is made up of what we put in, and what we leave out. So it is with our lives. Every day we edit our own stories. New chapters are added, but we are the ones who decide what other people will know. We choose what parts of our lives we will with share others, and which parts will remain private. It is our decision to let some people in and exclude others. Sometimes, the selections are fairly innocuous. A friend or spouse asks, “How was your day?” and you recount the hours in excruciating detail or dismiss the day in a sentence. Finished a project? Yes. Received accolades? Of course. Made a strategic error? Well, maybe that part I’ll keep to myself. Sometimes the decisions are fairly serious, for example, what we disclose about illness, and to whom we talk. Not too long ago, the word “cancer” was never said out loud for fear that the mere mention of the word would somehow summon the disease. Cancer was considered a death sentence, frequently referred to in hushed tones, in euphemisms such as “the big C” and in the frum community often referred to as the “yeneh machela.” Thanks to continued research and improvements in cancer treatments, more and more patients are surviving once-deadly bouts of cancer. The illness is increasingly viewed as a chronic disease, an unwelcome friend with whom one learns to live. And with survival and life come myriad choices, in-

cluding what if anything to disclose to family and friends old, new, and not yet met. How much of their stories they want to reveal is a struggle for almost every survivor. For some, having cancer is no

goodbye. In an essay written by her son, Jacob Bernstein, published in the New York Times Magazine months after her death, the reasons behind her decision became more evident. Turns out, it was largely so she could continue to work in

“Most of the time, when I tell people about my story for the first time, even those who barely know me, the same sentiment comes across: I am a fighter. I survived.”

different than the fact that they have brown hair, or that they are a middle child. It is merely just one more detail in their identities, and they feel no qualms about telling others. On the other side of the spectrum are those who keep their diagnosis and treatment private. Only a few select people are invited in to hear the secret. Most end up somewhere in the middle, either from necessity (they need the support of friends and those around them to help them through this difficult time) or pride in survivorship. Regardless of where survivors fall on this spectrum, the decision is personal, and the ramifications significant. When Nora Ephron died last year, the news that she had been battling cancer came as a shock to most people, including some of her closest friends. At a memorial service, the shock was evident, as was the anger of friends who felt denied the opportunity to say

the entertainment industry. “At various points over the years, she considered coming clean to her friends and colleagues about her illness. But she knew the effect it could have on her career. Certainly, she could continue writing books and essays. But getting a movie made would be impossible, because no insurance company would sign off on it. Arguably, she could do a play, but bringing it to Broadway would be difficult, given that the development process takes years. Beyond that, what my mother didn’t want was to have her illness define her, turning every conversation into a series of ‘how are you?’s.” In stark contrast, Valerie Harper has been extremely open about her brain cancer diagnosis. Harper hopes to influence people to live in the moment and enjoy each day. By facing death publicly, she wants other be less fearful of their own mortality. Michael Douglas announced his diagnosis of stage 4 throat cancer to the world on the David Letterman Show. In 2011, he returned to the same stage to pronounce he was cancer-free. “The Nanny” star Fran Drescher has been an active spokesperson for cancer awareness since her uterine cancer diagnosis in 2000. She even founded the Cancer Schmancer Move-

ment in 2007. Granted, all these people are celebrities. So what about the average cancer survivor? Which is the better direction? Do we tell or not? The nice thing about having your own story is that it is yours to tell in whatever way to whomever you choose. As one survivor explained, “Nine out of ten times I am proud to say I had cancer and I am still here to talk about it. Sometimes I can’t even comprehend all that I went through. Most of the time, when I tell people about my story for the first time, even those who barely know me, the same sentiment comes across: I am a fighter. I survived. But there are times that I don’t want to say anything. There are times I think that anything I say will hinder me from attaining something that I want. I am trying to get back to ‘normal life.’ What if telling someone that I am a cancer survivor takes me further from that goal. What if a potential employer de-

cides it would be too risky to hire me? What if a matchmaker decides I am no longer worthy for her ‘great catch’?” Everyone grapples with the details of their lives. Some are crucial, like survival from cancer. Some are trivial, like a high school nose job. Ultimately, how we present ourselves at any given moment depends on a multitude of factors. The important thing is that we are the editors of our own biographies. We get to highlight our chapters and read them aloud as we wish.

Cheryl Greenberger, Ph.D., is the director of Client and Family Services at Chai Lifeline.

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In the Kitchen Jamie Geller

Serving with Splendor at the Seder When it’s time for Shulchan Orech, the meal of the Passover seder, these stovetop mains (and roasted sides) make a perfect main course During Passovers of long ago, the Jews would bring the Pesach sacrifice at the Beit Hamikdash, and then roast and eat the meat for the seder meal. Today, many

Passover Seder Lemon Wine Poached Chicken

Orange Chicken Thighs with Beets and Sweets

of us refrain from roasting meat at the seder so no one should think that we are trying to replace the Pesach sacrifice. These three Kosher entrees cook completely immersed in liquid. To complete the main course, we leave the roasting for the veggies.

This Passover poached chicken is the perfect answer to your seder menu, moist and delicious. It’s not too hard to be an easy breezy gourmet if you know how to combine flavors like lemon and white wine, master poaching (simple, see below) and make it your mission to cook with all the adorable mini veggies on the market, like baby carrots and pearl onions. Ingredients For the chicken 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 3 pounds 1 (750ml) bottle dry white wine 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 2 lemons, thinly sliced, divided 2 bay leaves For the baby carrots and pearl onions 1 (16-ounce) bag baby carrots 12 ounces pearl onions, without skins 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon honey

Preparation In a large saucepan, cover chicken with wine, peppercorns, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 sliced lemon and 2 bay leaves. Add additional water to completely submerge chicken if not covered by wine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Meanwhile, prepare the carrots and onions. Preheat oven to 400°F. On a large baking sheet, toss carrots, onions, olive oil, honey and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Spread in a single layer and roast 35 minutes or until carrots are tender.

My mom is the one who told me to ask the butcher for boneless, skinless dark meat chicken cutlets. She may not know how or even care to cook, but she sure has great taste in food. I love her for this discovery. Super common in Israel, most butchers stateside now carry this staple. For the “Beets and Sweets,” you can add a 1/2 tsp of cumin or more to taste if you are not making this kosher for Passover. Ingredients For the chicken 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 3 pounds) 1 (28-ounce) jar duck sauce 3 cups orange juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoons kosher salt For the beets and sweets 2 large golden beets, peeled and cut into wedges 2 large red beets, peeled and cut into wedges 1½ pounds baby sweet potatoes, cut into wedges 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Cilantro, optional for garnish Preparation Place chicken thighs in a large deep sauté or sauce pan. In a medium bowl, combine duck sauce, orange juice, oil, and salt and stir well. Pour over chicken and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Meanwhile, prepare the beets and sweets. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss beets and sweet potatoes in olive oil, cinnamon, and salt. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender.

Jamie Geller is the only cookbook author who wants to get you out of the kitchen – not because she doesn’t love food – but because she has tons to do. As “The Bride Who Knew Nothing” Jamie found her niche as everybody’s favorite cook next-door. Specializing in scrumptious meals that are a snap to prepare, she authored the Quick & Kosher Cookbook series and is cofounder of the Kosher Media Network, which recently launched the Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller magazine and companion website JoyofKosher.com, a social network for foodies. Jamie hosts the popular Quick & Kosher cooking show online at youtube.com/joyofkosher and on-air on JLTV. Jamie and her “hubby” live in Israel. Their five children give her plenty of reasons to get out of the kitchen — fast. These recipes were taken with permission from Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller Magazine - Passover 2012.

One of my most beloved Passover recipes is the Un-Stuffed Cabbage Soup from my first book, Quick & Kosher Recipes From The Bride Who Knew Nothing (that’s me!). This is an entrée inspired by the family, friend, and neighborhood favorite.

½ teaspoon kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Preparation Place brisket in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot. Add cabbage, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, vinegar, salt, and onion powder and cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook about 3 hours or until meat is very tender. Meanwhile, prepare the potatoes. Preheat oven to 400°F. On a large baking sheet, toss potatoes with oil, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Roast 30 to 40 minutes or until tender. Serve slices of brisket with roasted potatoes and a little extra sauce.

Shaul Silverstein

As a cook, you certainly know when a dish is well-accepted. When I serve this to my guests, I almost automatically get the WOW factor! This is a simple recipe, but requires a little finesse and attention to detail. This is my all-time favorite Passover dessert.

Ingredients for Batter and Filling 3/4 cup sugar, divided 6 large eggs, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup of fine cocoa powder Pinch of salt Handful of starch for dusting 16 oz whipped cream (or non-dairy substitute), whipped according to package directions Ingredients for Coating Confectioners’ sugar 1/5 cup of heavy cream or non-dairy creamer (for ganache coating) 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (for ganache coating) 8 oz. semisweet chocolate broken in to small pieces (for ganache coating) optional: tiniest pinch of cayenne pepper (for ganache coating) Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 10x15 cookie sheet pan and cover with parchment paper and then grease the parchment paper as well. Place the corn starch on the paper coat all areas with it. Set aside. Using a mixer with the whisk attachment or a hand whisk, beat the egg yolks together with half cup of sugar until the yolks are slightly lighter in color. Once

the yolks are well-combined with the sugar, add the vanilla extract and the cocoa powder mixing until yolk mixture is uniform. Using a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and pinch of salt until they become very foamy, at which point, slowly add the quarter cup of sugar and continue to beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Gently fold the yolk mixture in to the egg whites (making certain not to deflate the egg whites). Once yolks and whites are totally incorporated, pour batter evenly on bottom of pan. Bake in preheated oven between 12 and 14 minutes until the top is firm. (Cake may puff in oven, but should settle shortly after removing from oven.) Let cake rest for 10 minutes. Cut off approximately 1/3 inch of the perimeter, freeing the parchment paper from the pan. Quickly flip cake on cutting board covered with a clean kitchen towel, cake should be on board with the parchment paper facing you. Gently remove parchment paper. With pastry/ paint brush remove excess starch Spread filling evenly over pastry. Lifting kitchen towel gently fold the cake until the entire cake is rolled without any visible air pockets. If cake is over-baked, it is normal to see small crevices. When approaching end of roll, remove excess cream. Powder with either confectioners’ sugar chocolate ganache or coating of choice (raspberry jam with this coating of coconut or whatever you fancy).

OPTIONAL: If you like a bit of kick, sprinkle a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper from a height of approximately 10 inches above roll. To prepare the chocolate ganache: Using a double boiler, melt 8 ounces of semisweet chocolate and coffee granules. Add tablespoonful of cream to the chocolate until it reaches a pourable consistency. If using ganache, refrigerate overnight, allowing chocolate to properly set. If you put in too much cream it will be fine but you will have a soft unset coating. If that occurs, I suggest putting a fine layer of sweetened cocoa or shredded coconut on top of the ganache. Happy Passover.

Chef Shaul can be reached at chefshaul@gmail.com. He welcomes all comments. This recipe was adapted by Chefs’ Confidential and has been printed with permission.

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Ingredients For the brisket 1 (5-pound) brisket 1 (16-ounce) bag shredded cabbage 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 3 cups tomato sauce ½ cup light brown sugar 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon onion powder For the potatoes 4 pounds mixed fingerling and new potatoes, halved 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 cloves garlic, smashed 1 tablespoon thyme

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It’s the Thought That Counts

hoshana walked into her in-laws’ kitchen the morning after the very long seder, hoping to grab some coffee and make it safely back to her room without running into anyone. She got to the urn and was filling a mug when she heard footsteps on the stairs. “Up so early?” she heard her mother-in-law ask. Great, Shoshana thought, clenching her teeth. Now she’s going to ask why I left the meal at 2 AM instead of staying until 3:30, when it was finally over. She thinks I’m a bad influence on her grandchildren. Feeling tense, the hot water in her mug splashed onto the counter. (See Figure 1) The holidays can be stressful for so many reasons. For those of us who spend time with our extended families, holidays may cause old wounds to reopen. When we are stressed and feeling vulnerable, our thoughts can get stuck in a cycle of self-defeat. The negative core beliefs that we have formed about ourselves may stay just under the surface, until we are in a challenging or stressful environment. Then, we may look at everything that happens through a dark lens. We may interpret things based on our pre-conceptions. There are some specific thinking styles that can get us into trouble. These have bee identified by some theorists as Cognitive Distortions (aka, “messed up thinking patterns”). Common Cognitive Distortions Mind reading: We may assume that people are thinking bad things about us, even if we have no real evidence to that effect. In the scenario above, Shoshana assumed that her mother-in-law was

judging her and finding her inadequate. This could be the furthest thing from the truth. Her mother-in-law may have been thinking, “I’m so glad Shoshana is helping herself to some coffee. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s tired right now.” Catastrophizing: We often decide that the worst possible thing will happen. David’s 5-year-old son mumbles the mah nishtana at his family’s seder. David thinks, “He’s never going to have

The negative core beliefs that we have formed about ourselves may stay just under the surface, until we are in a challenging or stressful environment. any confidence. He’s going to suffer through school just like I did.” Sometimes we think in images. Scenes of a teenager drinking in an alley with his friends instead of attending class quickly flash through his mind. Emotional Reasoning: We may think that just because we are feeling something, it must be true. Tehila checks her phone right before candlelighting, waiting for her friend’s text. There is no text. Tehila feels sad and notices her stomach tense. She decides, “ I must be a reject, nobody likes me.” Mind-reading, catastrophizing, and emotional reasoning are thinking patterns that often cause anxiety. Our thoughts may go in circles as we convince ourselves that we need to worry that bad things will happen, or that people dislike us.

house.” Mr. Kaplan blames himself for a routine airline error. All or nothing thinking, mental filters, and personalization may lead us to lose hope. We may start seeing life as something that looks bleak, and is out of our control. Should Statements: We may have rigid expectations of ourselves or those around us. Max can’t get his shirt collar to stay in place. He can’t find his collar stays anywhere. “You should’ve packed them!” he glares at his wife. She gulps, “I should never have to put up with his moods and his blaming! This is ridiculous!” “Should” thinking results in anger at the people who don’t do what we think they should. When we direct “should” at ourselves, we may feel guilty and inadequate. The array of cognitive distortions

above are a mechanism through which our minds reinforces the negative beliefs we have about ourselves. The good news is that just by recognizing that we are using distorted thinking, we have taken an important first step toward changing our thoughts and consequently our feelings. What Do I Do Now? A quick mental exercise can help you cope with stressful negative thoughts. The next time you find yourself feeling distress over a situation, take a moment to think. Be conscious of your initial, automatic reaction to the situation. What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Which cognitive distortion is most likely to have influenced your thoughts? What is a more balanced, less distorted way of thinking about the situation? Remember that by choosing to think more balanced thoughts, you will be seeing yourself in more accurate and realistic ways. Your mind may resist the change; after all, it is used to the comfortable old way of thinking. Be kind to yourself. Don’t expect instant change. Even one small moment of recognizing your thinking patterns is a huge achievement. Stay tuned for our next article on evaluating and restructuring automatic thoughts.

South Shore Cognitive Therapy (SSCT) uses the latest scientific and evidence-based cognitive and behavioral treatments to alleviate emotional problems. Our experienced clinicians offer intensive and customized treatment plans that enable our clients to maintain a high level of personal control throughout the treatment process. Jonathan Cohen, PsyD is the director of SSCT and has advanced training in evidenced-based therapies for emotional and behavioral problems. Sara Schwartz-Gluck, LCSW is a Clinical Social Worker who works with children and adults, and has lectured at schools and mental health organizations throughout NY and NJ. 516-568-7493, www.southshorecognitive.com *** South Shore Cognitive Therapy is now accepting applications for a social skills group serving girls in the 1st-3rd grades. Please call, email, or check our website for more info.

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Figure 1

All or Nothing Thinking: Sometimes we see things as black or white, without allowing for the many possibilities that are in between. We think, “I’m a great mother” or “I’m the worst mother in the world.” We don’t allow ourselves the leeway to be good people who make some mistakes. Mental Filter: We may discount any good things that happen and only see the negative side of a situation. Aaron tells his father, “I had the worst day ever! Shimi used MY toys!” Aaron is using his mental filter to forget that he enjoyed a great trip to the park with his parents, and got a whole chocolate bar as a treat and just last week he gleefully used Shimi’s toys at their play date. In his mind, the day is ruined because one bad thing happened. Personalization: We may think that we were the cause of a negative event that has nothing to do with us. The Kaplan family’s luggage gets lost somewhere between New York and Canada. “This happened because I splurged on those designer suitcases. I should have just managed with what we had in the

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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

Part Four: Into the Ghetto

Chapter 10: Bochnia

slept for much of the way to Bochnia. Mechel stayed awake and alert, ever aware that danger could arise at any moment. I woke up and asked him if we had much further to go, and he answered, “Lola, we are very close now. We are almost

there.” I wondered how close we were to destinations worse than Bochnia. I was consumed with worries, large and small. How would we find the ghetto? How would we arrange for a place to stay? What questions would be asked? I was afraid that even among Jews there would be too much fear and desperation to permit generosity. Privately, I questioned whether we should have stayed in Niepolomice and taken our chances. We got off the train at the Bochnia station. It was immediately obvious that

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. we would not have any trouble in finding minder that we were in prison. If we our way. The ghetto was fewer than two were not on the run from the hounds of blocks from the train station. Its pres- death, the Bochnia Ghetto, modest and ence screamed its location to us: “Here cramped though it was, had an almost it is – a segregated encampment for the comfortable feeling. This sounds imposunwanted!” It was enclosed within a sible, but it was because of the imposing wooden fence at least seven feet high, presence of the Halberstam family, who with razor-sharp barbed wire sitting on also lived in the ghetto. Bochnia had top of it all the way around. I couldn’t long been one of the Bobover Chassidic help thinking as we made our way to it centers. All Bobover Chassidim were an what a far cry it was from the beauti- extended “family” with many branches fully decorated ornamental gate of my in many cities. The main branch had in Munkach garden. Several Polish guards turn propagated many Chassidic offwere posted at the main gate. They shoots, one of which was securely in looked menacing to me and I feared we place in Bochnia. Mechel, I knew, had would be stopped strong family and turned away. ties to the BobIn fact they were over Chassidim. I totally indifferhad met some of ent to us. We just them during our walked into our enforced day of new and circumlabor in Bobowa. scribed “Jews As it turned Only” ghetto out, a young but community. important BobWe knew over rabbi led Mechel’s sisthe Chassidim in ter Baila, who the ghetto, thirlived there had ty-four-year-old already taken in Rabbi Shloime their mother. She Halberstam, the had also made grandson of the room for two of founder of the Mechel’s unmarBobov dynasty. ried sisters and Even though Rabbi Shloime Halberstam, the Bobover Rebbe. another sister Mechel was not Oil painting by Lola Lieber, 1956. with a tiny baby. formally a BobI had no expectation that they would over Chassid, the presence of the young have space for us, but Baila didn’t think rabbi comforted both of us immediately. twice about it. She welcomed us into Within a couple of days we found that her home, which was only a shack, as many others in the ghetto were also if it were a palace. “Hashgachah pra- strengthened in their courage to survive tis,” Mechel said quietly, which means just by the knowledge that he was there, God’s personal providence or His pro- living among us. tection had accompanied us on our journey. Bochnia, now a place of sorrow and The one redeeming feature of Bai- loss, had a complex Jewish history. It la’s little house was that it stood on the was then about 700 years old and had edge of a field. This gave us an illusion been part of the lucrative salt-mine trade of freedom rather than the constant re- in the area. Jews were expelled from

also a Jewish police force called the Ordungsdienst. These Nazi-driven agencies expected the Jewish “overseers” to carry out their orders against Jews. The Jewish officials and policemen tried to not obey the Germans and to not get caught at it! The Judenrat established workshops to turn out goods for the

or three-room apartments. All cooking stoves were removed. Basements became apartment dwellings. Furniture of any substantial type was forbidden. We ate in a communal kitchen, tiny rations of wretched and often spoiled food. People smuggled and traded in order to “buy” more rations and eat food that

Germans. As usual, our survival mentality told us that if they found us at all useful they would not kill us. Mechel and I were evidently part of a larger movement of people into Bochnia. The population of the Ghetto grew to 15,000. As overcrowding worsened, people had fewer and fewer choices. The Judenrat decided where we would live and with whom we would live. Several families were crowded together in two-

was hardly fit for animals. As if to finish off any attempt to maintain a civilized or dignified existence, we had to bathe in a public bathhouse. Yet to the best of our abilities we courageously tried to continue our life and maintain our sanity and our civility. A number of the secular Jews were unionists and were in touch with leftwing Poles. Many of them were helpful to other Jews and some of them became part of the tiny Polish resistance move-

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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“At any hour, we could hear the weeping and shrieking all around us of those who had lost another family member. Sometimes the worst sounds of distress were from those who simply could not bear to continue any longer.”

ment. Zionists continued to find one another and to train for emigration to Eretz Yisroel (still pre-state Palestine at that time). There was a rumor the Zionists were planning an “armed” physical resistance against the Nazis and their Polish collaborators. We all assumed it was only a fantasy, however intense the desire was to fight back. Traditional and more observant Jews practiced a different form of resistance. We considered the strongest form of protest as the attempt to practice as many mitzvos as we could in whatever ways we could manage. There were secret minyanim, and even a Talmud Torah study group. This may make it sound as if the “resistance” was calm and efficiently organized, but it was far from that. At any hour, we could hear the weeping and shrieking all around us of those who had lost another family member. Sometimes the worst sounds of distress were from those who simply could not bear to continue any longer.

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Bochnia in 1445 for allegedly criminal behavior in commerce. However by 1555, under King Sigmund Augustus, Jews were invited to return under a formal treaty that permitted Jewish trading in the salt industry. A mere fifty years later Jews were again expelled, due to another series of trumped up accusations of illegal dealing. Jews were excluded from Bochnia until 1862 when, under Kaiser Franz Joseph I, new legislation, which was part of a general emancipation in all of the Austro–Hungarian Empire, granted Jews the right to live and work in the city. Mechel’s sisters gave us a tour of the ghetto and we learned many things we had been ignorant about until our forced residence there. Before the war the entire population of Bochnia was 18,000 and of those, 3,500 were Jewish. When the Nazis established the ghetto there in the spring of 1941, it, unlike the Krakow Ghetto, attracted people. Thousands of refugees crowded into the area, which became a petri dish of disease and germs. Jews who were expelled from many other places thought of Bochnia as a destination of last resort. By the time we reached the ghetto we heard daily reports that Nazi extermination squads (Einsatzgruppen) were murdering people en masse in Krakow. Bochnia’s ghetto had a Judenrat and

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Jewish Holiday Shopping I heard that it is a custom for men to buy their wives and daughters clothing or jewelry before the holidays. I’m wondering, is there is an exact source for this? The Rabbi Responds: The Torah commands both men and women to rejoice on the holidays of Passover, Shavuos, and Succos. The Talmud explains (Tractate Pesachim, 109a) that to mean they need to do something that really gives them pleasure. Since men and women are different and get joy from different things, our Sages legislated that men should feast with meat and wine. Women get more pleasure from new clothing (or jewelry), especially if their husbands buy it for them. One can also fulfill his obligation by encouraging his wife to buy new fashionable finery and giving her the credit card. In addition to the mitzva that men have to buy their wives clothing in honor of a Jewish holiday, there is another relevant obligation that applies all year long. Every married man has three primary Biblical obligations to his wife: to physically sustain her 2) to provide for all her emotional needs and 3) to provide for her clothing. Physical sustenance includes not only food, but also everything from healthcare coverage and a bed to sleep in to hairbrushes and bath soap. It would seem that clothing is also a physical need, so why is there a separate obligation to provide clothing? Perhaps the first pair of shoes is included in the obligation to provide for her physical needs. It’s the second pair in the same style but a different color to match her other outfit that the Torah obligates a man to provide clothes for one’s wife. Apparently, the Torah recognizes that women need more clothing than men. Wishing you a Pesach holiday filled with joy.

Double Dipping Why do we dip twice during the Passover seder? The Rabbi Responds: I think what is bothering you is that we ask this question every year at the seder as one of the four questions, but the Hagada doesn’t seem to address the issue. The Shulkhan Aruch (Jewish Code of Law) says that we really just dip on order to generate questions and discussion to

create an opening for the one leading the seder to say over the story of the Exodus. The more interest and anticipation there is, the more meaningful the seder becomes. However, the Ben Ish Chai (the leader of Sephardic Jewry in Bagdhad about 100 years ago) seems to say that within the story of the Hagadah lies the real answer to the question. The descent of the Jews to Egypt began with the brothers’ hatred of Joseph and the subsequent selling of him as a slave to Egypt. To cover up the sale, they dipped his multicolor coat in blood to fool Jacob into thinking that Joseph had been mauled to death. The coat was a symbol of the special love that Jacob had for Joseph and therefore the brothers’ jealousy. It being dipped in blood symbolized how the jealousy and hate resulted in slavery not just for Joseph, but ultimately all the Jewish people. Then there was a second dipping. Before the redemption, G-d commanded the Jews to dip a bundle of hyssop into blood and smear it on their doorposts. The commentators explain that a bundle is a symbol of unity. This dipping symbolized a rectification of the sin that caused the exile in the first place. Because the Jews were able to unify despite their differences, they merited redemption. It is for that reason, says the Ben Ish Chai, that we dip twice on seder night. To commemorate the dipping that caused the exile and the dipping that brought us out. I heard from Rabbi Chaim Zev Levitan that the reason given by the Shulkhan Aruch and the Ben Ish Chai are really complimentary. True unity is not a result of a lack of differences, rather being able to overcome them. Hatred and bias is a byproduct of ignorance and symptomatic of a lack of communication. Had the brothers questioned their father directly (respectfully of course), and had they communicated with Joseph, things could have turned out differently. We dip twice to generate questions and facilitate discussion. If we talk to each other and hear each other, we can come to love each other.

Please note, the information written above is not meant as a rabbinic ruling. If you have any questions, please consult your rabbinic authority for clarification. Yehoshua Levy, a teacher of Torah, is a writer and lecturer who dares to think outside the box to bring his thought-provoking insights and facts to his readers. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.

Thursday March 28/Nisan 17 Chol Hamoed

ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DETERMINED BY SECURITY AND WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS.

in the

Footsteps of the Past

Kfar Adumim and the snail secret of the Tchelet dye, resurfacing after 1500 years. Kasr al Yahud, where we crossed the Jordan River with Yehoshua into Israel on Pesach over 3 millennia ago, then a pilgrimage to a ‘Regel’ from our earliest days in the Promised Land. Up to Shilo to workshops of ancient weaving and dyeing and the new Seer’s Tower sound and light show. We’ll tour the Tel where the Mishkan stood during the Judges period and then top off the day at the award winning Shilo Winery. Cost for the day (8:30am-6:30pm): $55/adult $45/student in Israel or child under 12. Bring your own Pesach lunch and snacks. Water is provided. Leave from/return to Liberty Bell Parking lot. For reservations & further information visit

www.oneisraelfund.org/daytrips Israel: Zahava Englard 052.484.6034 or Zahav500@gmail.com In US: Ruthie Kohn 516.239.9202 x10 daytrips@oneisraelfund.org

Wednesday April 3/Nisan 23 Isru Chag

Blooming in the WesternNegev Nitzan: Is Rachel Saperstein to be uprooted again? Netiv Ha’asara: a view into northern Gaza. Cafe Cafe in Sderot for a dairy lunch, then to the Black Arrow Memorial, symbol of the region’s vast ‘battle heritage’. Past spring flowers to the 5th century synagogue mosaic at Hurvat Maon. All the way south to the Steel Tower in Kerem Shalom, then to Holot Halutza’s Gush Katif replants and those who have joined them in Nave and Bnai Netzarim. Am, Eretz and Torat Yisrael reflected in their homes, greenhouses and yeshivot. Chemdat olive oil; pomegranates and tomatoes in the sand; inspiration and personal sacrifice in the air. Cost for the day (8:15am-7:00pm) including lunch: $65/adult $55/student in Israel or child under 12.

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with tour guide Eve Harow

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From My Private Art Collection Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg

Decoupage: The Creation of 3D Art

An Interview with Mrs. Sarah Zivitz, My Mother What is the first step in the preparation for the creation of a 3D art picture? Select posters/pictures on subjects that interest you. I have done numerous styles. The ones that I am showing here are pertaining to Yom Tov. They can be made with a Pesach scene as well. What other types of supplies are needed besides the posters/ pictures? You will need to buy silicone that comes in a tube and special colored pencils. The silicone is used to create the layers that are between the pieces that are cut and placed on top of each other. If the pieces are cut then scissors are required. Is there a specific type of scissors that you use? I use an embroidery scissor, because it makes fine cuts. Any scissor that can make fine cuts is fine. How many of the same posters/ pictures are needed in order to create the 3D effect? You will need to purchase approximately five of the same poster/ picture. What is the process? The first poster/picture is glued down to a poster board of the same

Is there any final checkup that should be done? Yes, of course make sure that all the rough edges are colored with the colored pencils.

size. You will then have to cut all the pieces out of the posters/ pictures with the scissors in order to layer them on to the glued down poster/picture. The idea is to constantly keep in mind background, middle ground and foreground, in order to maintain the feeling of depth in the artwork.

mind at all times.

What does 3D mean? It stands for 3 dimensional. By layering the pieces with silicone, you will create the effect of 3 dimensions.

Is there any other completion process necessary? Just make sure that all the pieces are glued down securely with the silicone.

How does one decide which layer or piece to apply? It all depends on the logistics of the picture. If two objects are right next to each other, the only way to place the parts down in layers would be to do the first layer of both and then proceed to the next layer and then next layer. If there is a piece you are layering that is by itself, you can do all of the layers on that picture one after another regardless of how many layers are on other parts of the picture. That is what is meant by keeping the background, middle ground and then foreground in

What factors determine whether the artwork is complete? It is up to the individual artist to determine that it does not need any more layers.

Your artwork is now ready to be framed. You can pick a mat that will complement it or you can choose to frame it in a shadow box frame. (If there are too many things protruding from the page, it may be necessary.) P.S. The 3D art that you see here are the ones that my mother made and are adorning the walls of Beis Medrash Ohr Shlomo. She has made numerous others which have been given to family members and close friends, depicting religious as well as secular themes that complement our dĂŠcors.

Are there any other supplies that should be purchased? It is not necessary to purchase anything. It is far better to collect unusual objects dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;art from around the house. What types of things? Yarn, beads, buttons, fabrics, pieces from costume jewelry, etc. What are they used for? They can be used to adorn the artwork and make for a great conversation piece.

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.

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AND IT WAS CHATZOS AT NIGHT Jews all over the world will recite the holy words from the Zohar Hakadosh at the Seder table, where the righteous Rebbe Shimon Bar Yachai z”l depicts how Hashem comes down and into the homes of his children, to participate in the sacred Seder night. Those who learn the divine Zohar all year long, constantly find references from the Rashbi where he expresses how Hashem comes every night to join the learning and prayers of the Chatzos Jews who generate holy nights all year long! K O L L E L C H AT Z O S L O C AT I O N S :

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I Need My Company to Become Profitable I own a business that has several different store locations. My income stream from my business has steadily increased but my company simply cannot realize a net profit because all the gross income essentially goes to lease payments. If I can only break free of some of my leases and retain others, my company will be profitable again. However, I will be steeped in litigation for breach of contract and on the hook for all future rent. Do you have any suggestions? The Attorney Responds: By way of a brief background, an individual or company that files for a bankruptcy is referred to as a debtor. Chapter 11 refers to the provisions of the United States Code which governs the reorganization process for companies (and, in some cases, individuals) and generally allows the debtor to retain some or all of its assets, restructure most debts, and pay off its obligations over an extended period of time. Generally, once a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced, creditors may not seek to collect from the debtor absent obtaining authorization from the Bankruptcy Court to do so. Many companies file a chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to avail itself of the protections of the Bankruptcy Court so that it can obtain the breathing space it needs to adequately rehabilitate and reorganize its financial affairs with the eventual goal of confirming a plan of reorganization and exiting bankruptcy as a more financial stable (and profitable) entity. Amongst the host of reasons that prompt companies to file for bankruptcy protection is the ability to afford itself with a legal method of relieving itself from burdensome unexpired commercial leases. Upon filing a chapter 11 bankruptcy, a debtor will have to make a decision, subject to bankruptcy court approval and within certain statutory time-frames, of whether it wants to retain and continue to assume the obligations of its unexpired commercial leases or to reject them. In the event that a debtor choses to assume its lease, it must assume the entire lease with all its benefits and liabilities, subject to certain exceptions. However, if a lease is rejected, the landlord’s damage claim for termination of the lease will be treated as a pre-bankruptcy filing general unsecured claim that may be paid out over an extended

period of time at a fraction of the amount owed. Further, the landlord’s claim for future rent under the lease will be capped at an amount equal to the greater of one year’s worth of rent or fifteen percent of the remaining lease terms, up to a maximum of three years’ worth of rent calculated from the earlier of the date the bankruptcy was filed or the date when the landlord recovered possession of the premises. This may seem like a complicated formula but the end result is that the tenant-debtor will only have to pay a fraction of what it potentially would have had exposure for outside of the bankruptcy forum. Moreover, the debtor will only be required to pay this amount over an extended period of time as opposed to up front. The outcome will relieve the debtor of great financial burden and may allow it to use the “extra” funds that it would have spent on rent as profit. In short, each prospective debtor will have to consult with an attorney and conduct its own cost-benefit analysis in order to make a proper and informed determination as to which leases it should reject or assume.

Gavriel (Jordan) Pilevsky, Esq. currently practices bankruptcy law, foreclosure defense and business law at a boutique firm on Long Island, where he has extensive experience in representing a diversity of interests in bankruptcy and insolvency related matters. He has represented corporate and consumer debtors, secured and unsecured creditors and Chapter 7 panel-trustees in a wide variety of cases. He can be reached at 516-826-6500 x 221 or at jp@llhmlawfirm.com. CNG Networking Group is an Orthodox Jewish networking group which meets in Queens and Long Island. The attorney sub-group of CNG specializes in the following areas of law: Trusts & Estates, Real Estate, Matrimonial, Criminal, Personal Injury, Trademarks/Copyright, Tax, Non-profits, Bankruptcy, and Litigation. We welcome questions from readers on a wide range of legal matters. Please submit your legal questions to SchechterLaw@gmail. com. While we do not provide specific legal advice, we hope to present readers with a greater understanding of the issues presented and potential means of resolving difficulties. No column is a substitute for competent legal advice. Please consult with the attorney of your choice concerning specific legal questions you may have.

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Spring Weda!r has arrive

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Leisure & Travel

From Sea to Shining Sea : Mississippi

f you’re traveling to Mississippi, make sure to brush up on your spelling. The state is probably the most confusing one to spell, with its countless “s’s” and “i’s.” But once you get the hang of it, it’s almost fun to spell Mississippi’s name. Just try it—m-i-s-s-i… Although Mississippi is not the capital of the United States, it’s certainly the capital of many other things. The city of Greenwood is called the Cotton Capital of the World. The Catfish Capital of the World is located in Belzoni. Vardaman is considered the Sweet Potato Capital of the World, and the Towboat Capital of the World is located in Greenville. Speaking of important things, many famous people were born in Mississippi. Entertainers B. B. King and Elvis Presley were born there as was playwright Tennessee Williams and media mogul Oprah Winfrey. The genius behind The Muppets of Sesame Street, Jim Henson, was also born in this state. Speaking of puppets, Mississippi has played a major role in games in the United States. The International Checkers Hall of Fame is located in Petal. And the oldest game played in the United States is stickball and the Choctaw Indians of Mississippi are known to play this game. If you’re visiting in July, you’ll be able to catch a round of stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair. Whatever you do in Mississippi, it’s bound to be fun ‘n games!

Things You Won’t Want to Miss Footprints of History Mississippi is a wonderful place to visit if one wishes to blend culture, beauty and American history. Spend some time at Rosalie mansion. The Federalstyle mansion was built in 1823 near the site of a former French fort. The house served as the local headquarters for the Union Army during the Civil War. On a sunny day, the Rosalie Historic Gardens are perfect for a mid-day stroll; the six-acre meadow overlooks the majestic Mississippi River. Houses of Beauty, Homes of Culture The stately homes of Mississippi are something to marvel at. When visiting Natchez, once named the wealthiest town in America, one can imagine the grand balls that took place there years ago. The Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis’s retirement home, is open to the public. Thousands flock here to view the architectural

details of the home and learn more about the Confederate leader. Fans of “the King,” Elvis Presley, take the pilgrimage to his small home in Tupelo where the King of Rock ‘n Roll spent his early years. Great River, Great Cities The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America, practically spanning the length of the United States. It is the ninth largest body of water in the world and its rushing waters provide much fun to tourists and locals alike. Those who like to fish, boat, or are looking to take in the rushing rapids can spend days marveling at this natural wonder. Make sure to spend at least a day or two kayaking, canoeing, scuba diving, swimming or waterskiing with the family. Along its meandering way, the river and its tributaries have given birth to many “river cities,” that still thrive today. Cities like Tunica, Vicksburg and Natchez have flourished along the Great River. Natural Wonders When visiting Mississippi, it’s hard not to feel awed by the beauty of its nature. At LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, visitors can spend a lazy day fishing on May’s Lake. Children

will delight in the fish at the Mississippi Natural Science Museum and have fun climbing its playground, and adults will enjoy a good game of golf there as well. Vicksburg National Military Park showcases 1,340 monuments on its green fields. Spend the day at Paul B. Johnson State Park, hiking, biking, camping and enjoying the beauty of nature.

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137 Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

Don’t “Wine” Cause He’s a “Matzah Man”

What’s going on here?! Here’s where he was going with it. 4 cups of wine = the four Mothers (Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, Leah) 3 matzahs = the three Fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) Matzah, he said, is missing the yeast. The yeast is what makes bread rise. Men are not just matzahs, they need to strive to be matzah. Does that sound like what they want to be based on the adjectives listed above?! The point he was making is that men can be so much more. However, they need to not get overly inflated. They need to keep their ego in check, the part of them that gets them carried away. Sure, matzah’s a bit flat, but at least it doesn’t suck the air out of the room. It knows it could rise and make bread, attain status, be more, and even make lots of dough, but it needs to remember its humble beginnings. That way a man can be the best version of

himself—for himself and those around him. Importantly still, women need to remember it’s not their place to keep men

Cup 2 (which we have during our reading of the story of bondage to freedom) = Rivka= stands for “transformation” of the Jewish people. Though she

Matzah knows it could rise and make bread, attain status, be more, and even make lots of dough, but it needs to remember its humble beginnings.

in their matzah status. In fact, women should remember men have egos and need respect, they bruise easily, while men have to work to keep their egos from becoming overly inflated. A woman is different. She is wine. She needs to work to express herself. Just as we need to squeeze the wine from inside the grapes, women need to allow their essence to emerge. She should let her inner strength waft into the atmosphere as the fragrant scent of a fine wine does. And all the while men should encourage her, and enjoy the beautiful depth of her character. Interestingly we don’t compare men to wine. In fact, they only get two days a year in this religion to let their inner essence run wild. Basically, the rest of the year it’s on lockdown. I guess they do better with it under lock and key! So what else came up at this class on Passover? Well, while you are going through the seder and imbibing this wine, each cup relates to one of the four mothers. You know how it is. Mothers are soothing…relaxing, comforting, like wine….! Sarah is “kaddish.” She brought holiness into Abraham’s tent and so we can bring it into our homes as we drink the first cup.

grew up in a home with challenging influences, she rose above them and became extremely righteous. So too, we can do this as we remember we were challenged in Egypt and are again in many areas of our lives. But we the Jewish people are built to prevail! Cup 3—Rachel—We drink this cup around the time of Grace, after the meal. It stands for “sustenance.” This is our matriarch Rachel who continuously appeals to G-d on behalf of all Jews. We should appreciate our good fortune to be able to have both the physical and spiritual sustenance afforded by a good home and close connections. And finally, Cup 4—Leah—Which we drink during “Hallel”= “Thanks.” Leah did not take anything for granted. She recognized she was lucky to have Jacob in her life and to have more than her share of children. She demonstrated this naming her fourth son Yehuda = Hod, thanks. And we, the Yehudim, are

the Thankful People! If anyone is still sober by cup 4, remember to give thanks as well for all the many gifts and opportunities we have in life. If you are too out of it, it’s never too late, you can give thanks in the morning! So those four cups of wine can really give us a lot of bang for our buck! Elevation, transformation, sustenance, appreciation, and we thought that wine was just making us happy! Finally, another nice message is that we start the seder by asking (“sho’el”) the four questions. The ability to ask is freedom. The message is to remain curious, keep asking, keep searching. Yet, another meaning of “sho’el” is to borrow. We have the right to borrow the love and answers we need from any father, any source, our rebbes, rabbis, rebbetzens, anyone who has the guidance and answers we need to make our freedom more meaningful. So borrow away all the wisdom and love you can and lend some too. The seder is a journey through food, drink and song to connect to the best in us—as free matzah chewing, wine drinking, marror munching Jews, who recognize one is Hashem in the Heavens and the earth! Enjoy the journey! Rivki Rosenwald is a certified life coach and couples counselor. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds. com.

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K, so here’s the Passover class I went to: Men are matzahs! Women are wine! What can I say—what comes to mind when you hear these descriptions? Wine— fine wine, improves with age, pleasant aroma, smooth and rich and delicate, infatuating, expensive. I guess that’s women. Matzah— Flat, not much taste, hard, crumby, easily broken, needs embellishments, only necessary once a year! Dare I guess that’s men? Does this seem like a fair depiction? And surprisingly, the speaker who gave these metaphors was a man.

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140 m a r c h 2 1 , 2013

Your Money Allan J. Rolnick CPA

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347-372-6088

A Rate of Your Own

n January 1, Congress passed a the “carried interest” rules to pay around bill to keep the government from 14% on his multimillion dollar income. leaping off the so-called “fiscal But Romney made bigger headlines for cliff” – a set of tax hikes so devastating a number he thought he was uttering in that Washington insiders warned they private – so we say his bespoke tax rate would ricochet through the economy, should be 47%. plunge us back into recession, and • Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco possibly even send has had a big year. the earth spinning Last month, he led into the sun. That his underdog team bill included to a Super Bowl raising the top victory over the marginal rate on favored San Frantaxable income cisco 49ers. Last over $400,000 week, he signed ($450,000 for joint a $120.6 million filers) from 35%, contract making where it had stood him the highestfor the last 12 paid player in NFL years, to 39.6%. history. And it’s 39.6% may only March! Flacsound like a lot co wears Number today. But it’s still 5 for the Ravens, really quite low, as far as top rates are so we think it’s only fair that he pay 5% concerned. Back in 1935, the nation of his income in tax. (Receiver Anquan was mired in the depths of the Great Boldin, who wears Number 81, does not Depression. like where this discusInflation was sion is going!) 3.71% and • Reality unemploy“star” Kim Kardashian As for taxes, ment stood is back in the news the top rate reached at a whopagain. Her marriage ping 21.7%. to Brooklyn Nets 79% on income As for taxes, power forward Kris over $5 million. the top rate Humphries, lasted 72 reached 79% days – so we’ll tax But – and this is a on income Kim at 72%. K i e f e r over $5 mil• pretty big but – just Sutherland should pay lion (roughly one person actually 24%. Morley Safer $85,672,000 should pay 60%. And in today’s paid that rate: Nick Lachey should dollars). But pay 98%. (Not just – and this is a billionaire John D. because his band is pretty big but Rockefeller, Jr. named 98 Degrees, but – according because we should try to tax histoand tax all “boy bands” rian Joseph out of existence.) Thorndike, Who do you think should have their just one person actually paid that rate: own tax rate, and what should they pay? billionaire John D. Rockefeller, Jr. So, lots of rich guys still had city Let us know! In the meantime, rememmansions and country estates, even in ber that you don’t have to have your the midst of the Depression. Lots of mil- own tax rate to pay less. You just need lionaires had yachts, jewels, and price- a plan. less art. But only Rockefeller was rich enough to have his own tax rate. And that got us thinking – what would some of today’s rich and famous pay if they Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. had their own tax rates? • Mitt Romney ran for president on He welcomes your comments and can be the strength of his business record. He reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@ took heat from progressives for using aol.com.

141 The Jewish Home n

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Brisket

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Shoulder Roast

8.99Lb.

4.99Lb.

5.49Lb.

Chicken Cutlets

Silver Tip

Brisket

Super Family Pack

5oz

Onions

Pears

White

Carrots

Roma

16oz

Elyon

Potato Chips

Cello

2/$1

Pure Cocoa

Liebers

Lemons

5/$1

5.99

2/$1

6/$1

1st Cut

2.99

.39Lb.

$ Vegetable/Olive Oil

400count

#113

Apples

Cutlery

Fruits & Vegetables

Fruit Cups

64oz

Bleach

2.99

4.49Lb.

Roast

2nd Cut

5.99Lb.

8.99Lb.

Sale valid 03/15/13 thru 03/25/13. Cash & Carry only. sale items & cases excluded. Not responsible for typographical errors. While supplies last. May limit quantities.

Sun. - Mar. 17 8am-10pm

Mon. - Mar. 18 7am-11pm

Tues. - Mar. 19 7am-11pm

Wed. - Mar. 20 7am-12am

Thur. - Mar. 21 7am-12am

Fri. - Mar. 22 7am-5pm

Shabbos - Mar. 23 9pm-12am

Sun. - Mar. 24 7am-12am

Mon. - Mar. 25 7am-3pm

Tues. - Mar. 26 Closed

Wed. - Mar. 27 Closed

Thur. - Mar. 28 7am-12am

Fri. - Mar. 29 7am-5pm

Shabbos - Mar. 30 9pm-12am

Sun. - Mar. 31 7am-5pm

Mon. - Apr. 1 Closed

Tues. - Apr. 2 9pm-12pm

Wed. - Apr. 3 7am-8pm

Thur. - Apr. 4 7am-11pm

Fri. - Apr. 5 7am-3pm

Shabbos - Apr. 6 Closed

m a r c h 2 1 , 2013

1.99

Yahrzeit Candles

4 Hour

The Jewish Home n

ocery Section

m a r c h 2 1 , 2013

144

new from jeremıas Edıtıon

The Jewish Home n

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For more than ninety years Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l sat in the Meah Shearim neighborhood of Yerushalayim, studying Torah. For eighteen hours or more each day his sweet singsong voice rang out, eventually resonating to every corner of the Torah world. This stunning new book unravels much of the mystery of this gadol who was at once famed and hidden.

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Courtesy of Colin, used under the Creative Commons license

s echoed through the . Terrifying scream 9 Tammuz 5002 (1242) shouted the mob. Over the Jewish books!” cripts streets of Paris. “Bring handwritten manus with about 12,000 in twenty wagons filled carts to a large square n woode by taken printing of the Talmud were this was before the Seine. Remember, s, Paris, on the River scribes weeks, month taken had It ed. cripts. press had been invent the precious manus of one every to write even years of work square. Priests and been set in the public lifted A gigantic fire had guards Royal seats. s held front-row . other important official them into the flames the wagons and threw the holy sefarim from with a debate e act happen? It began , of How did such a terribl rabbis. The rabbis scholars and Jewish ian but , Christ n betwee n with the priests to argue about religio course, did not want they were forced to.

5 6 5. St. Pancras Railway Station, known for its Victorian architecture, has tracks to France and Belgium. Happy traveling! 6. The tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, the London Eye is 443 feet tall and almost 400 feet in diameter! Don’t get dizzy! 7. The ancient Romans built the Pont du Gard aqueduct in France to bring water across 31 miles to the city of Nimes. After the aqueduct was no longer used to carry water, it was a toll bridge for hundreds of years. Now it is a tourist attraction—but don’t try to drive your car over it! 8. The Chateau Fontainebleau, near Paris, France, has been a royal residence for over 700 years! It has more than 1500 rooms and is surrounded by parks and gardens.

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145 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n march 21, 2013

J&J…Cholov Yisroel This Pesach, enjoy the best!

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eady sing our song. You alr One tas te and y ou’ll sing our praise.

jxp i’raf iut igfhkhhrp t lhht yaybhuu

Wishing You a Happy and Kosher Passover

T h e J e w i s h H o m e n march 21, 2013

146

147 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n march 21, 2013