Five Towns Jewish Home - 11-10-16

Page 1

November 10, 2016

Distributed weekly in the Five Towns, Long Island, Queens & Brooklyn

Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper

DONALD J. TRUMP 45th President of the United States

pg

Page 93

Pages 9, 10, 11, 13 & 63

– See page 3

SEASONS LAWRENCE

330 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559

76


2

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Shabbos is getting earlier and earlier helps your family get there with time to spare!

Late hours Speedy checkout Prompt home delivery Shop online seasonskosher.com

the

family

CLIFTON • LAWRENCE • QUEENS • SCARSDALE • MANHATTAN • LAKEWOOD •

COMING SOON!!

B A LT I M O R E , C L E V E L A N D , A N D

LAWRENCE

CEDARHURST

SHOP 24/6 SEASONSKOSHER.COM • INFO@SEASONSKOSHER.COM

3


4

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Artfully crafted and meticulously aged for optimal enjoyment.

tomintoul ads.indd 13

11/13/15 12:04 PM


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

WOMEN’S COHORT

Join the exciting field of

Occupatıonal Therapy

DUAL B.S./M.S. DEGREE

please join us for an informative

OT House n e p O WEDNESDAY

11.30.16

6:30PM

AT T H E N E W S E M I N A RY

1492 East 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY HOSTED BY

The New Seminary & Long Island University

OFFICE@DCDESIGNNJ.COM

Come & meet

Explore the field of OT: The opportunities, the possibilities, & your potential...

Professor Holly Wasserman M.S. OTR/L ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND CHAIRPERSON

Professor Dale Coffin M.S. OTR/L

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & EVENING/WEEKEND PROGRAM COORDINATOR DEPT. OFOCCUPATIONALTHERAPY, SCHOOLOFHEALTH PROFESSIONS, LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY

... without compromising your frumkeit or quality of education APPLICATION DEADLINE

JANUARY 9, 2017 APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN FOR

FALL 2017

FINANCIAL AID AND ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE N E W YO R K : 1492 EAST 12TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11230 718.769.8160 f: 718.769.8640

AN EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM OF

THE New

Seminary asjv rbhnx Rebbetzin Rabbi Sora F. Bulka

MENAHELES

N E W J E R S E Y: 139 OCEAN AVENUE, LAKEWOOD, NJ 08701 732.366.3500 f: 732.367.8640

Department of Occupational Therapy School of Health Professions

Yeshaya Levy MENAHEL

email: INFO@THENEWSEMINARY.ORG online: W W W.T H E N E WS E M I N A RY.O R G

5


6

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

I

t was Dewey defeats Truman for many people this week on Tuesday night. For the past year, Donald Trump has monopolized the headlines. Hardly a day passed without a tweet or a sound bite by the presidential hopeful that was shared across the nation. His rhetoric was strong; it was controversial. But people were attracted to what they saw was a certain candidness to his campaign. Regardless of what they thought of his views, they saw him as a genuine candidate, as someone who speaks his mind. It was refreshing to most Americans who had become disillusioned with Obama and his silver tongue. So Trump was rough, but in their minds he was real. Know that saying, “Loose lips sink ships”? Well, in 2016, loose lips won him the White House. But prior to Tuesday evening at 11PM, few people predicted Trump’s win. As editor of TJH, I followed the day-to-day vicissitudes of the race closely. At one point, several days before the election, Huffington Post predicted with 95% certainty that Hillary Clinton was going to win the election. So that’s the liberal left; that’s their job – to support the Democrat candidate. But not one other mainstream media outlet predicted Trump with such a certain win. Some conservative sites were saying he had a chance of winning but predicting that he would sweep into victory with such a wide electoral margin and crush Hillary so soundly – that was never foreseen.

I wonder: who was running all those polls that consistently predicted a Hillary win? Were they just interviewing women running around in pantsuits? How could the media have gotten it so wrong – and how could they have skewed it so unevenly that not even one news outlet definitively knew Trump would win all those key states? Could it be that in their animosity towards Trump they were just blind to the truth of what was going on? Interestingly, although the media’s enmity was evident during the election season and they endeavored to pound into the American people his faults, it was the media that actually got him elected. If they wouldn’t have pounced on his every word, tweet, rally, and grandiose campaign promise his face and name wouldn’t have plastered the papers and airwaves. He got more attention than any other candidate – even during the primaries – and was well aware that even negative publicity is just more advertising for his brand. On Wednesday morning, when America woke up, most people were surprised and shocked by Trump’s victory. But then they went to work, drove their carpools, and poured cereal into bowls to start their day. Because it’s been a long election season – and we’re all just ready to restart our lives. Football, anyone? Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern PUBLISHER

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR

ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Shoshana Soroka EDITOR

editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Nate Davis Editorial Assistant Nechama Wein Copy Editor Rachel Bergida Berish Edelman Mati Jacobovits Design & Production Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857 Classifieds: Deadline Mondays 5PM classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003 The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not neces­ sarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

Shabbos Zemanim

Weekly Weather | November 11 – November 17

Friday, November 11 Parshas Lech Lecha 11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Candle Lighting: 4:22 pm Shabbos Ends: 5:23 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 5:52 pm Sponsored by

Partly Cloudy / Wind

Sunny

Sunny

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

Showers

60° 38°

51° 38°

58° 42°

58° 43°

60° 46°

59° 49°

58° 46°

eretzhachaim.org


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

7


8

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

8

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

8

Community Happenings

35

NEWS Global

13

National

22

Odd-but-True Stories

32

Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States

76

ISRAEL 20

Israel News “Only One Carrot?” by Elana Dure

80

Israeli Innovations that Could Save your Life by Raizel Druxman PEOPLE

80

Early Battlefield Tanks by Avi Heiligman 100 PARSHA

Rabbi Wein

68

JEWISH THOUGHT Election. Results. by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

69

Yield and Dividends by Eytan Kobre

70

Agreeing to Disagree Agreeably by Rabbi YY Rubinstein

72

HEALTH & FITNESS Reflections on Kristallnacht by Hylton I Lightman

74

Why Family Therapy? by Deb Hirschhorn, PhD

86

Boost Your Immune System by Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

88

Dear Editor, Make Minyan Great Again I am not a rabbi. I am a regular guy who goes to work every day to try and support my family. As a member of the Five Towns community for over twenty years, I feel very privileged to be living in such a special place. There are so many wonderful shuls, great yeshivas and loving chessed programs that make our community unique and special. This is something that should make us proud. There is, however, something that has been disturbing me that I want to share with you. As an Orthodox Jew, I try to attend minyan every day. Depending on my schedule and where I am, I find myself davening in many different minyanim in our area. (B”H we have many options.) What disturbs me is the very fast pace of some of our minyanim. I recently davened at an early Sunday morning Shacharis which finished in about 25 minutes! Now, I understand we are all very busy and have places to go, but I think we need to stop and really think about what is happening. As observant Jews we all believe in Hashem and that He is the one who takes care of us and our families. So we need to ask our-

selves, can’t we give him just a few more minutes of our time? I remember going to a Maariv minyan where it took about two and half minutes to get to Shemoneh Esrei Are we really that busy that we can’t give up a couple of extra minutes for the One Who does so much for us? Why do we have to be out of breath when we go to daven just to keep up? My fellow Five Towners! We need to remember that the way we do things is the way our children will do them. We know our children learn from our actions. How we daven is how they will daven. I don’t think we need to make dramatic changes. Just a few more minutes can make a world of difference. I know of some shuls in our community that follow a set schedule. Shacharis is a comfortable 40/45 minutes on non-leining days. (5-7 minutes karbonos, 10 -12 minutes pesukai d’zimra, etc). What if we instituted a 5-6 minute minimum at Maariv before we get to Shemoneh Esrei? Just think of how much better it would be if we can make this change. And, more importantly, how it will affect our children and future generations! A Concerned Community Member Continued on page 12

FOOD & LEISURE The Aussie Gourmet: Sensational Sides 90 LIFESTYLES Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW 82

98

Why Yeshiva Tuition is So Expensive by Chaim Homnick 98 Your Money

Written before the World Changed by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

108 110

HUMOR Centerfold Uncle Moishy Fun Page

66 102

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

92

CLASSIFIEDS

103

Will the Zika virus discourage you from visiting Florida this winter?

54

%

YES

46

%

NO


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

9


10

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Sale Dates: November 13th - 18th 2016

Weekly General Mills Chex Cereals

Domino Sugar

Assorted - 12 oz - 14 oz

4 lb Bag

5

2/$

3

$

49

......................................................

Coke, Fresca, Sprite, Dr. Pepper

3

1

$ 99

1 lb oz

.................................................

Regular or Oven Ready Lasagna - 8 oz - 16 oz

24 oz

4

Gefen Marinara & Pasta Sauces

.................................................

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce

All Varieties - 26 oz

Whole Berry or Jellied - 14 oz

4 ...................................................... 2/$

1

$ 79

Gefen No MSG Cup-a-Soup

.................................................

899 by the case only ......................................................

Except Quinoa, Long Grain, Pearled - 5 oz/6 oz

$

7

99

5

2/$

.......................................

Mehadrin Yogurt

Oneg Shredded Cheese

All Flavors - 7 oz

Except Pizza - 8 oz

5

4/$

4

2/$

Super Pretzel

Pardes Broccoli or Cauliflower Florets

Original Only - 13 oz

2

$

22 oz $ 99

4

99

.......................................

......................................................

Angel Bourekas

Mendelsohn’s Pizza Bagels

All Varieties - 16 oz

6 Count $ 49

3

$

3

99

Fanta, Fuze, Seagram’s All Flavors 2 Liter

Cedarhurst STORE HOURS

(516) 569-2662

SUN -TUE: 7 AM-9 PM WED: 7 AM-11 PM THURS: 7 AM-12 AM FRIDAY 6:30 AM-2 HRS. BEFORE CANDLE LIGHTING

Family Pack Pop Mmms

499

4

$

3/$

Turkey Hill Iced Tea

fresh!

.................................................

.................................................

Shneider’s T-Choc Biscuits 5.29 oz

299

$

Farmland Milk

Fage Greek Yogurt

All Varieties 64 oz

All Flavors 64 oz

All Varieties - 5.3 oz

5

5/$

1

3

2/$

$ 99

.......................................

.......................................

.......................................

Except Swiss 6 oz

Assorted 32 oz

Assorted 16 oz

Classic Cooking Soups

Miller’s Sliced Cheese

5

McCain French Fries All Varieties 20 oz/32 oz

5

Breakstone Sour Cream

449

2/$

$

Fresh & Frozen Gefilte Fish 20 oz

1

$ 49

Kineret Onion Rings 20 oz

299

$

439

2/$

$

.......................................

.......................................

.......................................

16 oz

All Flavors - 6 Cups

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream 16 oz

2

$

99

Enjoy Seasonal Pumpkin & Cranberry Flavored Products!

137 Spruce Street

899

$

5

4

Gefen Chulent Mix

New Items This Week! NOW 2 locations!

Salted - 20 oz

30 Count

Assorted 16 oz

......................................................

.................................................

.................................................

Gourmet Glatt Kraft Bag Pistachios

16 oz

Friendship Cottage Cheese

2/$

5

.................................................

.................................................

2

500 Grams

749

Pepperidge Farms Soft Powerade Baked or Chunk Cookies All Flavors - 32 oz 5/$ $ 99

2

12 Count

$

.................................................

.................................................

Folger’s K-Cups

.................................................

$

Achla Hummus

39

.................................................

99¢

All Varieties - 9.5 oz - 15 oz

4

1

$ 69

2

$

5

4/$

.................................................

Nabisco Chips Ahoy Cookies

2/$

1 Liter

4 Pack

3/$

5

Duncan Hines Classic Duncan Hines & Deluxe Cake Mixes Brownie Mixes 15.25 oz 18 oz

Prigat Juices

Hunt’s Snack Pack Jello & Pudding

Betty Crocker Gushers, Green Giant Corn, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Green Beans, Peas 14.75 oz - 15.25 oz Roll-Ups 4.5 oz - 5.4 oz 5/$ 2/$

Near East Rice Pilaf & Couscous

Chicken Noodle Only - 2.3 oz

Flavors of the Season!

3 ................................................. 3/$

.................................................

2/$

......................................................

3

Domino Dark or Light Brown; Confectioners 10X Sugar

40 oz

Barilla Lasagna, Jumbo Hershey’s Syrup Except Sugar-Free Shells, Manicotti

12 Pack - 12 oz Cans $ 99

2/$

Princella Cut Yams

Woodmere STORE HOURS

Meal Mart Kishke

499

Marino’s Italian Ices

4

$

2/$

while supplies last 1030 Railroad Avenue

(516) 295-6901

SUN - THURS: 7 AM-9 PM FRIDAY 7 AM UNTIL 2 HRS. BEFORE CANDLE LIGHTING


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Sale Dates: November 13th - 18th 2016

Specials

thanksgiving special!

10/16 lb FROZEN TURKEY (Marvid Only)

$ 49 2 lb. WITH PURCHASE OF $125 OF NON-SALE ITEMS

CHICKEN LEGS

Beef Shoulder $ 49 9 lb. London $ 49 9 lb. Deckel ................... Broil ................... Shoulder Neck & Skirt Lamb $ 99 Ground $499 lb. Chops 11 lb. Beef ................... Super Family Pack

Neck & Skirt

...................

Corned Beef Deckel

8

$

49

699 lb.

$

...................

Breaded Chicken $399 lb. Thighs & Drumsticks ...................

Untrimmed 599 lb. Chicken

$

lb. 12 Pack

389 lb.

$

Cutlets

...................

...................

269 lb.

Beef Patties

Turkey Chops

Super Family Pack

Ground ................... Flat White $ 99 London $1099 lb. Chicken 4 lb. Chicken $ 39 1 lb. Bones Broil Family Pack

$

Super Family Pack

Wesson Canola Oil 64 oz

499

$

......................................................

Hellmann’s Mayonnaise All Varieties - 30 oz

3

$ 99

......................................................

Poland Spring Water 1.5 Liter

79¢ String Beans

Slicing Tomatoes

149 lb.

89¢ lb.

......................................................

Sweet Potatoes

YoCrunch Yogurt All Flavors - 6 oz

69¢ lb.

$

1

2/$

Holland Red $ 29 2 lb. Peppers

Sweet Onions

..........................

..........................

..........................

..........................

Sunkist Oranges

Anjou Pears

Yukon $ 49 Potatoes 3 ea.

Persian 2/$5 Cucumbers

Gala Apples

99¢ lb. 8/$2

..........................

99¢ lb.

..........................

$ 49 2/$3 Hass 1 ea. Sliced Mushrooms Avocado

79¢ lb.

5 lb Bag ..........................

Cello Lettuce

Green Cabbage

49¢ lb.

Brown Rice with Vegetables

$

Black Bean & Mango Salad

$

99¢ ea.

Head

Spaghetti Squash

79¢ lb.

order your shabbos platters early!

13 $ 99 4

$

Salmon Nuggets $ 99 lb.

Split Pea Soup

599lb.

Aliza Beer Nutritional Meals

Container

24 VARIETIES! SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:

6

450

5

$

............................

Spicy Salmon Roll $

Lion Roll

495

Black Dragon Roll $

Giant Vegetable Roll $ 50

5

1195

check out our new olive bar!

5

399ea.

Sesame Dip

$

Pre-Packaged

monday only!

ParveChocolate Danish

Assorted 7 Layer Cakes

99¢ea.

Mini Cymbidium Sprays Stem

Dendrobium Orchids Bunch

569ea.

$

999 $ 1499 $

order@gourmetglatt.com

Hot Dog Buns Package of 8

Flat Onion Board

1

$ 49 ea.

Pave Orchid Bouquets

makes a great gift!

1095

$

............................

............................

99

Tilapia Family Pack $ 99 lb.

Cooked Salmon Roll $ 95

............................

8

$

Poached Salmon with Salad

Breaded Flounder $ 99 lb.

9

99

599lb.

699ea.

Quart

7

$ 99

Crunch Roll

99 lb. Fresh Hot 18” Pizza

$

Cream of Chicken Soup

Original Only - 36 oz

..........................

7

Chicken Drumettes

$

Amnon Pizza

Package

Deli & Takeout

/

......................................................

Orchid Arrangements

1

$ 49 ea.

2499 $ 3499& Up

$

/gourmetglatt

Crunchy Pickle Dip

Pre-Packaged

Diet Zucchini Kugel Pre-Packaged Cabbage Soup

Pre-Packaged

Jerusalem Kugel

Pre-Packaged

Quinoa with Hummus

At the Counter

299ea. $ 99 3 ea. $ 99 3 ea. $ 49 3 ea. $ 49 7 lb. $

We reserve the right to limit quantities. No rain checks. Not responsible for typographical errors.

11


12

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Continued from 8

Dear Editor, I enjoy reading your letter to readers every week and appreciate your insight. This week, though, I think you may have gotten something wrong. You wrote that this election season was like a very bad, long movie that no one wants to watch again. You then wrote that we can be the “producers” in the epilogue of the movie when we go out and vote. I agree with your sentiment that voting is an imperative in our community. But I don’t see myself as a producer. There is only one Producer and He’s been in that role for thousands of years. When we vote we are putting in our hishtadlus, which is so important. But are we really, truly – in the “real” sense of things – affecting any change? No, that is up to G-d and only Him. In the past, there have been presidents and world leaders who were seen as anti-Semitic, anti-Israel or pro-Palestinian. But their actions were not detrimental to the Jewish community. They may have thought that they were

pulling the strings, but it was G-d who was pushing their hands. Respectfully, Reuven K. Woodmere, NY Dear Editor, The last 35 years have been a success. We have focused our efforts on raising the consciousness of a generation. “Netzor le’shoncha meirah” – we have worked on curtailing lashon hara with great success. We have instituted new limudim, new shiurim and introduced new educational programs for our children. And we have the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Center who has artfully put it all together into the most modern of websites. Frum Yidden are now, and have been for quite some time, careful to not speak lashon hara. We talk about its evils, openly and honestly. And while lashon hara still goes on in some quarters, most of us feel guilty about it when we slip and engage in it. I would like to suggest that we begin to focus on the last half of

TJH Congratulates the Winners of the 2016 Elections President of the United States Donald J. Trump (R): 279 Electoral votes – winner Hillary Clinton (D): 228 Electoral votes U.S. Congress, 4th Congressional District Kathleen Rice (D): 54.26% winner David Gurfein (R): 37.10% U.S. Congress, 5th Congressional District Gregory Meeks (D): 80.44% winner Michael O’Reilly (R): 12.24% State Senate, 7th Senate District Elaine Philips (R): 47.66% winner Adam Haber (D): 44.64% State Senate, 9th Senate District Todd Kaminsky (D): 48.29% winner Chris McGrath (R): 44.4% State Senate, 15th Senate District Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D): 58.9% winner Michael Conigliaro (R): 34.42% State Assembly, 20th Assembly District Melissa Miller (R): 46.98% winner Anthony P. Eramo (D): 41.53% State Assembly, 23rd Assembly District Stacey Pheffer Amato (D): 63.14% winner Alan Zwirn (R): 30.58%

that posuk, “U’sfasechah m’daber mirmah” – guarding our lips from speaking falsehood. The Gemara says that Hashem’s stamp is emes. Hashem is the embodiment of truth and one of our charges is to emulate Him, “v’halachta b’drachav” – to walk in His ways. As a community, it would appear that we have not focused, or emphasized enough, the fundamental qualities of emes and general ehrlichkeit. Certain practices of frum people have become commonplace and are done because of a lack of awareness and sensitivity. Some examples of practices that come to mind: 1) Receiving income “off the books” to claim welfare, food stamps, etc. when not entitled. 2) Underreporting income or assets to yeshiva tuition boards to receive tuition discounts. 3) Buying air conditioners, children’s toys, or clothes with the intent to return them shortly thereafter. 4) Using the parking receipt of another and claiming it as our own to avoid paying a parking ticket. 5) Requesting payment in cash instead of with credit cards to avoid paying taxes. The lack of general ehrlichkeit in monetary matters may be one of the biggest issue facing the frum world today. These matters have not been regularly discussed – until recently. A big yasher koach to Agudas Yisrael for their recent Yom Iyun event on ehrlichkeit, and boruch Hashem, these issues have started to get a little more press in the frum weekly papers. However, when these matters are discussed, it is often in general, without providing specific examples of practices that frum people may be engaging in. This lack of a tziur, or concrete illustration, makes the lessons to be learned less relatable and therefore less impactful. Yes, if we are going to make inroads here, we need to discuss these issues openly, with specificity and honesty. If we are honest with ourselves, we’d likely admit that practices such

as the ones cited above are done by many frum people and it has likely been this way for quite some time. It has been said that “in our many sins we have become a disgrace to our neighbors and they say, ‘It is well known, that Jews are devious and speak falsehood. They don’t speak the truth.’ Woe on to us for the chillul Hashem that we have caused.” These are the words of the Chofetz Chaim (Kunteras Sefas Tamim – Chapter 2) and written about a hundred years ago. Also note that the Chofetz Chaim doesn’t say that these are the exaggerated claims of anti-Semites or the work of a sensationalist press. He says it is our doing, unfortunately, “in our many sins.” So I’d like to suggest the start of a movement. A movement whose purpose is to keep issues related to ehrlichkeit in the forefront of people’s minds. We can partner with frum educational organizations, rabbanim, and askanim to build awareness and to create programs that sensitize Yidden to these issues. And we will do so persistently, respectfully, and sensitively. To build awareness, I’d like to suggest a Shabbos of iyun across the Five Towns and Queens. On the designated Shabbos, rabbanim of participating shuls would address their congregants regarding the importance of ehrlichkeit in all matters (especially monetary matters). But we need help. If you have a passion for emes, are respectful and well-spoken, and are a sincere oheiv Yisrael, please join us by contacting sfastamim@gmail.com. The Vilna Gaon is quoted in Kol HaTor as saying that one way to bring Moshiach is to become an “anshai emunah” or trustworthy people, and that Yerushalayim was destroyed because of a lack of anshai emunah. So please help us. Let’s work on becoming anshai emunah, together. Sincerely, Boruch Delman, on behalf of the Sfas Tamim Committee

Views expressed on the Letters to the Editor page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jewish Home. Please send all correspondence to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

The Week In News

Brexit Hits a Speedbump

Brexit – Britain’s exit from the European Union – is on hold for now. England’s High Court has ruled that exit negotiations must wait until a Parliamentary vote is cast. The country is still greatly divided on the recent decision to pull out of the EU. The court’s ruling raises hopes among pro-EU politicians that they may be able to lighten the terms of England’s exit. The Supreme Court has already been asked by the government to overturn the ruling. The case will be heard in early December. The exit negotiations, which were set to start in three weeks, will be put on hold for now. The case was brought to the court by many private citizens. They argue that leaving the EU will remove rights from British people, including free movement within Europe. A restriction like that, they claim, cannot be done without Parliament’s approval. Three senior judges on the High Court agreed, saying that “the government does not have the power under the Crown’s prerogative to give notice pursuant to Article 50 for the U.K. to withdraw from the European Union.” While the move is unlikely to stop the Brexit permanently, it does highlight how divided the country is on the subject. The lead claimant in the case, financial entrepreneur Gina Miller, has said that the suit was not brought to stop the Brexit – just to ensure that Parliament sanctions it. “I hope the MPs will do their job and debate this in a sober, grown up way,” she said. On June 23 of this year, a referendum in which 30 million people in the UK voted was held regarding the Brexit. 52% of voters voted to leave

the EU; 48% elected to stay. 71.8% of citizens turned out to the polls. If the government does lose the Supreme Court case, the House of Commons and the House of Lords will then have a vote. That would shift the timetable again and push off the Brexit even further.

Holocaust Prof Charged with Insulting Poland

A Polish-American scholar is in the Polish government’s crosshairs after claiming that more Jews were killed by Poles than by Germans during the German occupation in WWII in an article he wrote in 2015. Princeton professor Jan Tomasz Gross could face up to three years in prison if he is found guilty of insulting Poland, a nation that is proud of its Nazi resistance. Gross has been under investigation for the past year. His attorney says that the chances of the professor being brought up on charges are slimto-none, and that similar cases have been dropped in the past. Although he lives in the U.S., Gross did return willingly to Poland to answer some questions earlier this year. “I told him [the prosecutor] straight that I was not trying to insult the Polish nation. I was trying to raise awareness about the problem of refugees in Europe,” he said at the time. “I am just telling the truth and the truth sometimes has a shocking effect on people who are not aware of what the truth is.” The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group, said continuing the investigation “bears all the hallmarks of a political witchhunt.” “It’s also a form of alienating minorities and people who were victimized,” the center’s director of government affairs, Mark Weitzman, said. “It’s writing their experiences out of the national narrative.” The Polish version of WWII has been whitewashed into a history of resisting the Nazis and saving Polish

13


14

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Jews. There is growing momentum among scholars, though, that in reality the Poles turned Jews over to the Nazis or, in many cases, actually killed Jews directly. Because the world was so chaotic back then, actual detailed numbers and facts are not easily found. However, many survivors report findings similar to those of Professor Gross.

China Bans Hong Kong ProIndependence Pols

On Monday, in an unprecedented move, China banned two Hong Kong politicians who favored indepen-

dence for the territory. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee, interpreting Hong Kong’s constitution, said that Hong Kong legislators must take their oaths “sincerely and solemnly,” and said discussions of independence are “dividing the country.” The two young lawmakers placed under the ban — Sixtus “Baggio” Leung, 30, and Yau Wai-ching, 25 — are pro-independence members of the radical Youngspiration party who were elected in September. Last month, they modified their oaths “to insert a disparaging Japanese expression for China” and “vowed to defend the ‘Hong Kong nation’” while displaying a flag that declared, “Hong Kong is not China.” Hong Kong is semi-autonomous, but within China’s dominion; Hong Kong returned to Chinese control in 1997. According to Wikipedia, “under the principle of ‘one country, two systems,’ Hong Kong maintains a separate political and economic system from China. Except in military defense and foreign affairs, Hong Kong maintains its independent executive, legislative and judiciary powers.” But lawmakers seeking more in-

dependence have irked China. The ban is a blow to those seeking greater autonomy or even independence from the mainland. “Since the legislative council elections, some people have been advocating independence,” said Li Fei, the chairman of the basic law committee in China’s parliament. “The interpretation today will help to defend national unity and sovereignty… [Beijing] is determined to firmly confront the pro-independence forces without any ambiguity.” Pro-democracy forces condemned the move and warned it would prove ineffective for China’s aims. “Every time Beijing tries to use legal instruments to stop Hong Kong people seeking democracy, the opposite will happen,” said Eddie Chu, a pro-democracy politician. “The thoughts of the young people have changed a lot in these few years and I don’t think this interpretation will deter them from seeking self-determination. Quite the opposite.” Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Sunday when it was known that China would be interfering with the matter.

Lashes for Iranian Killer

Saeed Mortazavi, a close friend and ally of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was sentenced to 135 lashes at his corruption trial. The despicable Mortazavi was made famous for his cruel treatment of his enemies but he faces no charges for his human rights abuses. Rather, he was convicted of wasting public funds while he led the Social Security Organization in Iran. In 2011, a parliamentary investigation found that Mortazavi has tortured and killed at least three anti-government protesters. The victims were detained during the mass

Than

ksgiv

Wherever you go....AMIGO!

ing W eeke

nd To

THE MAGGID’S

J������ t�

November 22-27 �i��

Rabbi Paysach Krohn �n�

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

INTERNATIONAL Cellphones SIM cards Wifi devices Unlimited Data Unlimited Texting U.S. Number available New Location

359­C Central Ave. Lawrence, New York 11559

www.amigo­us.com

1(888)amigo­us.com

R’ Abish Brodt

Spend Shabbos in a Five Star Beach Front Resort • Tour Gibraltar and learn about its fascinating Jewish history Visit Southern Spain’s castles and stunning gardens • Learn about The Rambam, Ramban, Rif and much more Deluxe Air Conditioned Buses • Gourmet Glatt Kosher Food • Luxurious Hotels • Live Music

CALL 732.523.7917 • EMAIL: INFO@EANDSTOURS.COM

ur


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

T H E

A G U D A H

NEXT WEEK

C O N V E N T I O N

WHO‫ישראל‬ WeARE UNDERSTANDING, RECOGNIZING AND APPRECIATING

" ‫י ” ט ח ן ﬠ‬-‫ט ” ז‬ ‫שבת פרשת וירא‬

‫אשר בך אתפאר‬

NOVEMBER 17-20, 2016 CROWNE PLAZA, STAMFORD

CELEBRATING THE MANY FACETS OF KLAL YISROEL.

‫אורחים‬ ‫מיוחדים‬ ‫מא”י‬ RABBI YOSEF HARARI RAFUL

RABBI DOVID FEINSTEIN

RABBI AHARON FELDMAN

RABBI YOSEF FRANKEL

RABBI SHMUEL KAMENETSKY

RABBI ARYEH MALKIEL KOTLER

NOVOMINSKER REBBE

RABBI AARON SCHECHTER

RABBI DONIEL ALTER

RABBI BORUCH MORDECHAI EZRACHI

ALL SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

T H U R S D AY N I G H T BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT WHO WE ARE

CHAYIM ARUCHIM: CHARTING ROUGH WATERS! TORAH TRUE GUIDANCE IN END-OF-LIFE SITUATIONS

PRE KEYNOTE SESSIONS 6:30PM RABBI SHLOMO FARHI

RABBI SHMUEL GLUCK

RABBI GEDALIAH WEINBERGER

PHIL GOLDFEDER

MODERATOR Yehuda Zachter

DR. IRVING LEBOVICS

MODERATORS Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz Rivie Schwebel

KEYNOTE SESSION | 8:00 PM UNDERSTANDING, RECOGNIZING & APPRECIATING WHO WE ARE

RABBI SHMUEL KAMENETSKY

RABBI YOSEF ELEFANT

RABBI YISROEL REISMAN

RABBI YISSOCHER FRAND

CONVENTION CO-CHAIRMAN

RABBI DOVID LEFKOWITZ

AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION Q&A: “NOT FOR ME, I’M ASKING FOR A FRIEND...”

MARRIAGE: GETTING THERE, BEING THERE & STAYING THERE

POST KEYNOTE SESSIONS 10:30PM RABBI ELYA BRUDNY

RABBI YOSEF ELEFANT

RABBI ZECHARIAH WALLERSTEIN

RABBI SHLOMO FARHI

10:00 PM AGUDAH

L ve

HOSTED BY RABBI AVI SCHNALL & RABBI SHLOMO SOROKA INTERVIEWS, RECAP AND MORE

from the Convention Center

MODERATOR Rabbi Reuven Epstein

MODERATOR Yisroel Besser

MOTZOEI SHABBOS

.

KEYNOTE SESSION | 8:30 PM & 8:00 PM 11:00 PM AGUDAH

L ve

NOVOMINSKER REBBE

RABBI DONIEL ALTER

RABBI YITZCHOK SOROTZKIN

RABBI EYTAN FEINER

RABBI CHAIM DOVID ZWIEBEL

15

CONVENTION CHAIRMAN

RABBI PINCHOS LIPSCHUTZ

HOSTED BY RABBI AVI SCHNALL & RABBI SHLOMO SOROKA INTERVIEWS, RECAP AND MORE

from the Convention Center

AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.AGUDAHCONVENTION.ORG OR CALL 212.797.7380


16

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Iconic “Afghan Girl” Deported

HANC OPEN HOUSE Child-centered General and Judaic studies program for Kindergarten through 6th grade Challenges students to academic and social excellence while instilling a commitment to Torah values and midot tovot Differentiated instruction designed to infuse a love of learning Supportive and engaging environment which fosters creativity, imagination, exploration and curiosity

HANC WEST HEMPSTEAD | ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 609 HEMPSTEAD AVENUE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552

NOVEMBER 15, 2016 | 8:00PM PLEASE CONTACT US AT HANC609@HANC.ORG OR (516) 485-7786

EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF JEWISH LEADERS demonstrations after Ahmadinejad won re-election in 2009. Mortazavi has been nicknamed the “butcher of the press” for shutting down more than 120 newspapers and placing dozens of journalists in jail. The 135 lashes are broken down into two parts: 70 for seizing public

funds and 65 for negligence. “This sentence is yet another example of rampant impunity in Iran. No justice is being delivered here, given the extent of graft and corruption committed by Mortazavi, and his involvement in the torture and deaths of protesters in custo-

dy in 2009. Also, sentencing him to flogging, if meant to demonstrate a serious punishment, is just physical barbarity that does nothing to hold him accountable in any meaningful way,” Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, charged.

You might recognize Sharbat Gula from the cover of the iconic National Geographic magazine in 1985. She was the green-eyed “Afghan girl” whose captivating gaze earned the world’s attention. When photographer Steve McCurry encountered Gula at a Pakistani refugee camp and took the famous photo, she was just 12-years-old. Her identity was unknown for almost two decades until the magazine tracked her down in 2002 and her family allowed her to meet McCurry once again. Gula has lived in Pakistan as a refugee since then, for more than three decades, but on Friday a judge ruled that she will be deported back to Afghanistan. Gula, who is now in her 40s and is cloaked in a full-length burqa that hides her famous eyes, was escorted by an armed police officer to the courthouse from a hospital where she was being treated for hepatitis C. She faced up to 14 years in prison but was only sentenced to 15 days in jail for living illegally in Pakistan. She was also fined $1,000 for possessing a forged Pakistani identity card. Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, said the government will help resettle Gula in her home country and that President Ashraf Ghani would meet her upon her arrival in Kabul. Her $1,000 fine was paid by the Afghan consulate in Peshawar. These type of arrests have become common in Pakistan as they crack down on the millions of illegal Afghan refugees residing in the country, accusing them of being a security threat. Human rights groups say authorities have harassed and extorted refugees and raided their houses in an effort to force them to return to Afghanistan despite the current violence there. The human rights group Amnesty International condemned Pakistan’s decision to deport Gula as “a grave injustice.” “For decades, she was known as


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

LEGAL SCHOLARS

AGAINST BDS REGISTER TODAY

LEGALAGAINSTBDS.COM

UNITED NATIONS

NOVEMBER 16, 2016 4PM REGISTRATION Last May, we made history as over 2,000 students and professionals joined us at the United Nations to combat the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and to proclaim their enduring support to the State of Israel. This was only the initial step in our fight against the global campaign of hate, demonization and delegitimization. Today, we are moving this important battle to the legal arena. Join us for high-level discussions on the issues of law, policy and legislation related to BDS with a focus on legal tools and strategies needed to combat BDS. Participants and speakers will include law students, legal academics, and international law experts.

Ambassador Danny Danon

Alan Dershowitz

Chairman of the UN Legal committee

Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

REGISTER TODAY. SPACE IS LIMITED.

17


18

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

the world’s most famous refugee and seen as a symbol of Pakistan’s status as a generous host,” Champa Patel, the group’s South Asia director, said in a statement. “Now, by sending her back to a country she hasn’t seen in a generation and her children have never known, her plight has become emblematic of Pakistan’s cruel treatment of Afghan refugees.” Gula has three children; her husband passed away three years ago. After the uproar surrounding Gula, Pakistan allowed her to stay in their country. In an ironic twist, Gula said that she would prefer to go back to Afghanistan.

Water, Sugar and Economic Troubles in Egypt

Egypt, the most populous Arab nation, is facing a series of internal problems in recent months. The waters of Egypt’s Nile River turned yellow this week; some even described it as brown. Heavy rains that hit the region caused powerful floods that carried tons of mud and other substances into the Nile. The Nile River is one of the country’s main water suppliers so the murky waters disrupted the supply of water to some residential areas. There is also a dire sugar shortage. Due to the shortage, prices of the staple skyrocketed due to low supply and continued demand. A few years ago the price of a pound of sugar was three Egyptian pounds per kilo; several weeks ago it jumped to five pounds per kilo, and in recent days it has soared to as much as 12 pounds. Due to the severe shortage, even sugar substitutes are pricey. The government decided this week to set the price of subsidized sugar at seven Egyptian pounds per kilogram, which is 40% more than pre-crisis. The shortage is due to a worldwide sugar

shortage coupled with the interruption of sugar imports from abroad, plus a work stoppage at several sugar processing plants within Egypt. Additionally, Egypt is facing economic problems as the value of its pound continues to decline. Many businesses are suffering. Officials of two of the largest cigarette and soft drink factories in Egypt announced this week that they were strongly considering closing due to budgetary difficulties. Many fear a complete collapse unless the country secures a nice-sized loan in the very near future.

67-Year-Old Military Mystery Solved

Sean Smyrichinsky certainly did not expect to find a nuclear bomb while he was diving for sea cucumber off the coast of British Columbia early last month. However, the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) believes he did exactly that when he stumbled upon the “lost nuke” from an American B-36 bomber that crashed in the area in 1950. Smyrichinsky says he thought that he had found a UFO when he saw something that was “bigger than a king-size bed,” perfectly flat on top, and “had a hole in the middle just like a bagel.” One of his friends, an “old timer” as Smyrichinsky called him, had the idea that “maybe you found that nuke they lost here in the ‘50s!” The lost nuke has a strange story in military history. In 1950, a B-36 bomber crashed after catching fire near British Columbia on its way to Carswell Air Force Base in Texas. Many of the 176 members were able to parachute to safety but 5 did not make it. The flight was testing if the airplane could carry the weight of the nuclear bomb. The American government has always claimed that the bomb was only filled with lead and TNT and has no nuclear plutonium inside. The plane was put on autopi-


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

19


20

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

lot and crashed somewhere inland. However, the bomb was dropped into the ocean because the crew feared a bomb full of TNT could do a lot of damage on land. The crash was at the height of the Cold War and they were concerned about the Russians not getting the bomb. Military historians have debated where the bomb ended up for decades. Now the mystery may finally be solved. Canada is sending military ships to the area to make sure that the bomb is not active or a threat to anyone before it is raised from the ocean floor.

Filipino Prez Plays Politics Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, made some shrewd political moves when he visited Beijing recently. Duterte had been promising to cut ties with America – a threat that was making the White House very nervous. Instead, when he got to China, he kept his alliance intact and reached a compromise with China that allows Filipino fishermen into previously

disputed waters. The leader was able to distract America from raising big objections over his recent human right abuse allegations. Basically, he shrewdly played the two superpowers off each other by threatening to align with the other.

This kind of political maneuvering was extremely successful during the Cold War. The threat of a loyalty change was often used to leverage large political gains from both the United States and the USSR. John Lewis Gaddis, an expert on such political moves and author of the 2005 book, The Cold War: A New History, called this a “new kind of power balancing.” Though these Cold War threats were often empty, the fear of losing ground was so great to these superpowers that they would cater to the slightest whims of much smaller and less influential countries. “The very compulsiveness with which the Soviet Union and the Unit-

ed States sought to bring such states within their orbits wound up giving those states the means of escape,” Mr. Gaddis wrote. “Tails were beginning to wag dogs.” In Beijing, Duterte had distanced himself enough from the U.S. that China offered him a $9 billion low-interest loan and let him back into disputed waters. He backed off of his threat to cut ties with the U.S. in time to return to his country that is still protected by the United States military. He was also able to shift focus from the 2,000 deaths Filipinos have seen at the hands of vigilante and police violence lately.

ISIS Using the Environment as Their Weapons

Were Holocaust Survivors’ Property Claims Mishandled?

‫גלי הים חוזרים תמיד לחוף‬

WE INVITE ALL TO JOIN US FOR A MEMORABLE MELAVE MALKA AS WE BID FAREWELL TO

‫ישיבתנו על שפת הים‬

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT HALB!

and set them on fire. The huge black clouds of smoke made it much more difficult for American and Iraqi drones and airplanes to attack. On October 22, ISIS set fire to the Mishraq Sulfate Factory 20 miles south of Mosul, releasing billowing white clouds of sulfur dioxide emissions. Sulfur dioxide is deadly in high quantities and can cause breathing problems and other health issues in smaller amounts. Of course, ISIS treats humans as completely disposable, so their damage to the environment is not even close to being on the list of their worst offenses. However, if such extensive damage continues, it is possible that entire populations will have to leave their homeland and that would contribute to the seemingly unsolvable Middle East refugee crisis.

The Islamic State is fighting an environmental war in Iraq. The terror organization has been setting fire to oil fields and factories, polluting the air with toxins and contaminating important drinking water sources. “This is sadly just the latest episode in what has been the wholesale destruction of Iraq’s environment over several decades,” said Erik Solheim, head of the UN Environment Program. “This ongoing ecocide is a recipe for a prolonged disaster. It makes living conditions dangerous and miserable, if not impossible.” ISIS has been using the rich oil reserves in the region to their advantage. When Iraqi forces came to expel them from the town of Qayyarah, ISIS insurgents opened up the oil pipe in the town and flooded the streets with crude oil which they set ablaze. UNICEF arrived the following day to find oil spilling into the Tigris River – the town’s main drinking water supply. In October, ISIS fighters filled trenches in Mosul with crude oil

A new report that was written by Yosef Shapira, Israel’s State Comptroller, does not shine a flattering light on the Israeli government’s efforts to reclaim goods stolen by the Nazis during the Holocaust. According to Shapira, Israeli authorities have not put enough effort into reclaiming the mammoth amount of stolen goods from the Germans.

The Hashava organization, which refers to itself as the “the Holocaust restitution company of Israel,” has had 547 cases opened on behalf of deceased survivors in progress for the past year. The organization is in control of over 1.8 billion shekels worth of retrieved property. Since 2006, they have returned only 15.6 percent of what they are holding onto because most inheritors cannot be found. That


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

percentage is equal to about NIS 208 million. The comptroller was quick to suggest that Hashava should have had a timetable that they stuck to to get back property and money to the rightful owners. While they have returned NIS 750 million worth of goods, the company has had budget cuts and, starting in 2017, will no longer be providing assistance at all. The report also called the Land Authority to task for delaying land transfers to the proper owners. The comptroller says that the land return process is estimated to take 7 years. In 2015, only 2 of the 50 opened cases were actually processed. Hashava released a statement in response to the report in its defense: “Ever since its establishment, the company has located property of deceased Holocaust victims in Israel worth about NIS 2 billion and has made return decisions to the legal inheritors at a rate of NIS 642 – about 30 percent of the total assets located. This is an unprecedented achievement on a worldwide scale. When the company [closes down], it will be with pride and a sense of achievement.”

21

COME JOIN PEYD IN CELEBRATING OUR

5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

WE’VE REDEEMED MORE THAN

2 BILLION MILES & BOOKED MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND FLIGHTS (We know, we can’t believe it either!)

Missing Soldier Case Reopened – 20 Years Later To celebrate this milestone and as a thank you to our customers we are GIVING AWAY our signature travel mugs. Stop by our 5 Towns office and pick one up today.

In August of 1997, Guy Hever, a 20-year-old sergeant in the IDF Artillery Corps, went missing. The young soldier left his guard post in the Golan Heights and was never heard or seen from again. Though no light has ever been shed on what happened to him, the IDF has announced that next week a concerted effort will be made to find trace him. “This is a concentration of effort by a number of units that are working together with the hope of finding new evidence that will shed light on the incident,” the army said. It is not clear whether new evidence has influenced

CALL TODAY! 888.404.PEYD(7393) TRAVELWITHPEYD.COM | INFO@GETPEYD.COM

the search. Since Hever went missing, a search is done almost every year during this time. Divers were even sent into the reservoirs near where he went missing in 2015. The case has always elicited a wide range of theories. The army thought that Hever went AWOL when he was

first reported missing as he was facing a minor disciplinary hearing later that week. A woman living near the Golan Heights base said she saw someone of Hever’s description walking towards Syria on that day. But many have put forth the theory that Syria captured him and that he has been held there

for two decades. The army is “deeply committed” to saving lost soldiers and those being held captive, and it will work “with all its abilities” to locate Guy Hever, according to their statement. Hopefully this painful chapter will be finally brought to a close.


22

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

F R O M

Weapons Factories Closed

O U R

VOICEMAILS

#19

My Shalom Bayis has much improved, thankfully, and we now have a harmonious home. Our “Chatzos Partnership” was a small investment which brought huge returns. H.N. Montreal, Canada

‫להצלחת יואל‬ ‫בן גינענדל‬ ‫וכל משפחתו‬

In the course of an operation in the village of Yatta Monday night, IDF forces from the Judea Brigade together with Border Police sealed off a weapons manufacturing outlet and arrested its suspected owner for interrogation. During a weapons search in the village that night, homemade weapons were discovered with corresponding bullets as well as a suitcase containing 15 knives, bullets and incite-ful materials. Another weapons manufacturing outlet was closed in Jenin as well. Since the beginning of 2016, more than 370 weapons have been confiscated and 36 weapons manufacturing centers closed in the course of anti-terror operations taking place in Judea and Samaria. The IDF spokesman reported that during the course of the night, Border Police and IDF forces arrested six suspects on suspicion of terror activities as well as disturbances of the peace and violence towards civilians and towards IDF forces.

PA to Demand Dead Sea Scrolls ‫עם ליקוטי‬

‫אגרות משה‬

Two new volumes — ‫ סדר טהרות‬,‫מסכת נדה‬

UNESCO Carmel Shama-Hacohen. “The fragments of the scrolls are proof and a weighty archaeological evidence of the historical connection of the Jewish People to the land of Israel,” added Shama-Hacohen. The Dead Sea Scrolls, one of Israel’s most treasured archaeological possessions, were found in caves in Qumran in the Judean Desert in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd boy. Currently housed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, the scrolls, which date back to the Second Temple period, include some of the earliest copies of the Hebrew Bible ever found and serve as proof of the Jewish connection to the land of Israel. “In any case, just like with the Temple Mount and the Western Wall, the scrolls will stay in our hands and the Palestinians will be left with their dreams,” Shama-Hacohen asserted. The latest move by the Palestinians follows a series of UNESCO resolutions in October that ignored Jewish connections to Jerusalem’s holy sites.

De Blasio to Shut Down Workforce Program

A newly discovered treasure from the pen of

Maran Hagaon Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l is becoming available for the first time!

82 handwritten notebooks, 20,500 handwritten pages on Shas have been found and are being prepared for publication. • Chiddushim are arranged by Daf • Short paragraphs with headings for ease of learning • Relevant selections from Igros Moshe, Darash Moshe, and other volumes of Dibros Moshe. Never have the Gaon’s chiddushim been so easily at hand as one is learning the mesechta. Also available in this format: Beitzah, Sanhedrin, Shevuos-Avodah Zarah

Available at your local Hebrew bookseller or at www.artscroll.com • 1-800-MESORAH (637-6724)

According to the Times of Israel, the Palestinian Authority is planning on demanding that UNESCO force Israel to “return” the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Palestinians. During a meeting convened by the U.N.’s cultural body last month, Eitan Klein, who serves as the deputy director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, was told that the Palestinians had informally raised the issue of Israel returning the Dead Sea Scrolls, and that they were likely to make an official request eventually. “This is another instance of provocation and the ‘chutzpah’ of the Palestinians trying to rewrite history and erase our connection to our land,” said Israeli Ambassador to

In the mid-‘90s, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani instituted a program that required city welfare recipients to work for the sanitation department in order to get their benefits. At its peak in 1999, there were 19 such programs in NYC with a total of 32,165 people enrolled – the largest amount in the country. But working for your money is something that rubs Mayor Bill de Blasio the wrong way. He is now planning to get rid of the Workfare program by the end of the year. Human Resources Administra-


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

‫ישיבה דרך‬ ‫א‬ ‫י‬ ‫ת‬ ‫ע’’ש מרן רבי אברהם יפה’ן זצ’’ ן‬ ‫ל‬

Yeshiva of Far Rockaway

THIS WEEK

MESIVTA OPEN HOUSE For Parents and 8th Grade Talmidim

Wednesday, november 16, 2016 | ‫חשון תשע"ז‬ 802 Hicksville Road, Far Rockaway, New York

‫ט"ו‬

| 7:30 pm

A Wholesome Mesivta Education The Talmidim of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway thrive in a stimulating, growth oriented environment under the watchful eye of dynamic Rebbeim who are not only Talmidei Chachomim and Lomdim of the highest caliber but are knowledgeable in all areas, highly approachable, and deeply involved in Yeshiva life.

Rabbi Yechiel Perr Rosh Hayeshiva

Amidst a Vibrant Bais Medrash and Kollel Proper Bein Adam L’Chaveiro is inculcated along with Bein Adam LaMakom. The unique atmosphere fosters peer motivation; Bais Medrash bochurim and Kollel Yungerleit directly impact the high school Talmidim.

On a Magnificent Campus

Rabbi Aaron Brafman Menahel

Rabbi Eli Goldgrab General Studies Principal

Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Metz 9th Grade Rebbi

Rabbi Avi Weller 10th Grade Rebbi

Rabbi Aharon Perr 11th Grade Rebbi

Rabbi Eli Braunstein 11th Grade Rebbi

Rabbi Yehoshua Kalish 11th Grade Rebbi

Rabbi Yoel Genuth 12th Grade Rebbi

The Yeshiva is housed in an attractive, well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing campus that is conducive to focused achievement in all areas.

A Rich Heritage For 46 years, Yeshiva of Far Rockaway has been graduating alumni who are mature, well-rounded individuals, renowned for their dedication to Limud HaTorah and Midos Tovos.

For more information please contact our office at: (718) 327-7600 | info@yofr.org

Rabbi Moshe Perr 12th Grade Rebbi

23


24

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

tion (HRA) Commissioner Steve Banks and the Democratic mayor announced in 2014 that they thought the program had a spotty record of placing participants in permanent jobs and was “inflexible.” HRA spokeswoman Lourder Centeno said in a statement that the HRA has “been phasing out WEP and replacing the one-size-fits-all approach with programs that better assess clients’ strengths, challenges and goals, and emphasize education and training tied to areas of the economy that are creating jobs.” Only 1,000 participants are still active in the four remaining Workfare programs.

Best Places to Live Where is paradise in the U.S.? As Americans continue to recover from the recession, many are seeking to settle their families in locations that offer low taxes and affordable homes. Great schools, access to quality medical care, and job opportunities are equally as important.

Some families also seek culturally rich environments and communities that offer recreational facilities. Of course, weather, crime rates, and education level are also extremely relevant. Yes, we want it all.

8. Weston, Florida 9. Beaverton, Oregon 10. Naperville, Illinois

Email Shows Clinton was Tipped off by Justice Dept

MONEY’s annual “Best Places to Live” list incorporates all those categories and many more. The list includes communities with populations from 50,000 to 300,000 and determines the “best” places for Americans to live. So which cities have it all? The top ten cities in the U.S. are: 1. Columbia, Maryland 2. Eden Praire, Minnesota 3. Plano, Texas 4. West Des Moines, Iowa 5. Parsippany-Troy Hills, N.J. 6. Highlands Ranch, Colorado 7. Clarkstown N.Y.

By the time you are reading this story, it will either be about the next president of the United States or a very unhappy former First Lady. Among the many things discovered in the WikiLeaks release of

Hillary Clinton’s emails was the fact that a top Justice Department official gave Clinton a heads up concerning the legal case over her use of secret email servers. Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik sent an update email to Clinton campaign Chairman John Podesta in May 2015 telling him that the government was going to try to push off posting Clinton’s secret emails until 2016. The message was sent from his private email account – not his government-issued one. He also warned that a House hearing may be held to grill a Justice Department official over Clinton’s e-mail scandal. Kadzik is the latest public official to be outed as showing favoritism to Hillary Clinton. Another WikiLeaks email released last week shows that the State Department shared information with the Clinton campaign before the first email story even broke. The response email depicts how the Clinton campaign advised the State Department on the wording of the public statement to The New York Times, who exposed the email account and private server. Brings a whole new meaning to insider trading.

Providing the perfect balance of professionalism and class, along with the highest level of sincere, leibedig, and PURE Jewish music

www.eitankatz.com

|

718.770.7973

|

info@eitankatz.com


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

25


26

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

to strike the right balance between seeking justice and avoiding abuse of power,” Clinton said in the statement, listing some of her top accomplishments.

THE HEBREW ACADEMY OF LONG BEACH

LEV CHANA EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

TUESDAY / NOVEMBER 15TH / 7:30 PM 291 MEADOWVIEW AVENUE, HEWLETT BAY PARK

MRS. FELECIE AKERMAN & MRS. LISA ZAKUTINSKY CO-DIRECTORS, EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER MR. RICHARD ALTABE PRINCIPAL HALB LOWER DIVISION

TO REGISTER VISIT WWW.HALB.ORG/LCOPENHOUSE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OF OUR STATE OF THE ART FACILITY PLEASE CONTACT MRS. ROCKY GREEN AT 516-374-7195 EXT 120 / RGREEN@HALB.ORG

G R E A T T H I N G S A R E H A P P E N I N G

A T H A L B ' S L E V C H A N A

Janet Reno, First Female Attorney General, Dies Janet Reno served as the first female attorney general in the United

States during the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001. This week, Reno passed away at the age of 78 after a long painful battle with Parkinson’s disease. Following the announcement of her death, her former boss, former President Bill Clinton, said that he and his wife were “deeply saddened”

by her passing, calling her “an extraordinary public servant who dedicated her life to advancing justice, equality, and innovations in criminal justice that would save and lift lives.” “As attorney general for all eight years of my presidency, Janet worked tirelessly to make our communities safer, protect the vulnerable, and

Reno was born in 1938 and grew up in Miami, Florida. She attended Cornell University for her undergraduate degree and then proceeded to Harvard University for law school in the early 1960s. Upon her graduation, Reno worked as an associate at Brigham & Brigham before becoming partner at Lewis & Reno. In 1971, Reno decided to work with the Florida House of Representatives as a staff director. After a fleeting return to the private sector, she was appointed Florida’s State Attorney in Miami, becoming the first woman to ever hold that position. Reno remained at that job for about 15 years until Clinton wooed her to White House to become the 78th U.S. attorney general. Reno was a strong-minded individual who brought a certain toughness to the job. During her tenure as attorney general, she dealt with the FBI siege of the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, and the investigation into Bill Clinton. She expected a certain legal exactitude from her employees and herself. For example, when it came to arresting Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, she waited weeks until she was sure there was sufficient evidence to tie him to the 1993 World Trade Center bombings. “She was a very powerful force for lawfulness,” said Walter E. Dellinger III, a Duke University law professor who served as solicitor general during Ms. Reno’s tenure. “She was always challenging to make sure there was a sound legal basis for what people were doing. And she was adamant about separating the department from politics.” But she wasn’t above criticism. Business leaders criticized her lengthy prosecution of Microsoft on charges of anti-competitive violations — a case that ultimately ended in a settlement during the George W. Bush administration. Civil libertarians took Ms. Reno to task for her handling of the espionage case against former Los Alamos National Laboratory sci-


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

entist Wen Ho Lee, who was held in solitary confinement for nine months after being charged with mishandling nuclear secrets, only to be released after entering a plea deal on a lesser charge. Even President Clinton said he was troubled by the case. Reno refused to apologize. Republicans criticized her for not investigating Vice President Al Gore for the use of funds during his election campaign. Reno remained in office longer than any other attorney general of the 20th century. She never married and preferred to kayak than to hobnob with Washington’s elite. At one point, she joined Will Ferrell on the set of “Saturday Night Live” when he played a wooden version of her in a skit called “Janet Reno’s Dance Party.”

FBI Claims Clinton’s Innocence

FBI Director James Comey sent shock-waves through the nation on October 28 when he announced that the case into Hillary Clinton’s emails had been reopened. A few days before the election, he attempted to calm the waters as he concluded that he does not believe that Hillary Clinton should face criminal prosecution over her use of private email servers during her time served as secretary of state. FBI agents spent days and nights frantically reviewing newly discovered messages. The messages were discovered on an electronic device that was seized in an unrelated case involving the ex-husband of her top aide Huma Abedin, Anthony Weiner. “The FBI investigative team has been working around the clock to process and review a large volume of emails from a device obtained in connection with an unrelated criminal investigation,” Comey said in his letter. “During that process we reviewed all of the communications that were to or from Hillary Clinton while she was Secretary of State. Based on our

review, we have not changed our conclusions that we expressed in July with respect to Secretary Clinton,” he continued. A top aide to Clinton, communications director Jennifer Palmieri, told reporters, “We’re glad to have this matter resolved.” After the initial investigation four months ago, the FBI chief had accused Clinton and top aides of being “extremely careless” with classified information, but concluded that “no reasonable prosecutor” would bring criminal charges against her. Donald Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway echoed many of Americans’ sentiments when she pointed out in an interview with MSNBC, “The reason that so many Americans have a problem with Hillary Clinton’s honesty, trustworthiness and veracity does not change. She was reckless and careless in her handling of information.” Comey addressed his latest letter to the Republican leaders and Democratic ranking members of eight key Senate and House Committees. Many were quick to criticize the fast conclusion. Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called it “another vague announcement.” Many others speculated the likelihood that the emails could have been combed through so easily in such a short amount of time. When it comes to the Clintons, when there’s smoke, there surely can’t be a fire.

27

Live what you learn

Join Us! Lander College for Men OPEN HOUSE Sunday, Nov. 13 1-4 p.m.

Simon Dadoun | Deal, New Jersey Lander College for Men, Class of ’17 Career Plans: Medicine Major: Biology | Minor: Finance Summer Internship Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Clinical Research Analyst

What if there were a college where students like Simon could pursue challenging Torah and academic studies under the

Who Paid for Chelsea’s Wedding?

guidance of distinguished rebbeim and faculty and enjoy a warm chevra—on a seven-acre campus nestled in the heart of a thriving Jewish community? There is.

Lander College for Men Beis Medrash L’Talmud

The latest WikiLeaks bombshell revealed that Clinton Foundation funds were used to pay for Chelsea Clinton’s wedding. A former aide to former President Bill Clinton, Doug Band, wrote in 2012 that Chelsea Clinton used Clinton Foundation resources “for her wedding and life for a decade” and a top foundation donor was responsible for “killing” unfavorable press coverage. Supposedly an internal foundation audit uncovered numerous conflicts of interest and

For more information visit lcm.touro.edu or contact Rabbi Barry Nathan at 718.820.4884 or barry.nathan@touro.edu Lander College for Men • 75-31 150 Street, Kew Gardens Hills, NY 11367

Touro is an equal opportunity institution. For Touro’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement visit www.touro.edu


28

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Election of Disenchantment

Are you or a loved one living with a disability and trying to decide between heating your home and buying groceries? With SNAP, you no longer have to choose. SNAP is a monthly supplement that stretches your food budget. If you are eligible for SNAP, you may also be eligible for HEAP. Together, they can help you stay warm and nourished this winter. Your local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinator can provide a free prescreening to see if you may be eligible for SNAP, and can offer referrals for HEAP. NOEP Coordinators help you fill out the SNAP application, gather paperwork, and send it in. They can even help with home visits if you have transportation or mobility issues. It’s free and confidential. Contact your local NOEP Coordinator today:

Feeling a bit worn down by this election? You’re not alone. According to a poll by NBC, 62% of Americans are feeling less patriotic and less proud of their homeland as a result of the 2016 presidential race. There is a small sample that say they are more proud of the country because of the elections – just 7%. Just to give perspective: in the 2008 election, when current President Barack Obama ran against war hero John McCain, the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll revealed that 34% of voters said they were more proud of their country because of the presidential race, 45% said their pride in the country had not changed, and just 12% said they were less proud of the United States because of the election. Whichever way the ballot goes – and this is being written before Tuesday’s vote – it will be historic. If Hillary Clinton wins the election on behalf of the Democratic Party, she will be the first female president of the United States. If Donald Trump becomes president, he will be the first president in American history to have no previous political or military experience. Yet Clinton and Trump are both the two most disliked candidates of all time. Only 33% of voters view Trump positively, while 59% view him negatively. For Clinton, it’s 38% positive and 53% negative.

Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula NOEP Coordinator: Jackie Bascom-(718) 327-7755 Prepared by a project of Hunger Solutions New York; funded by NYSOTDA and USDA/FNS. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

“quid pro quo benefits,” according to the emails. In an email from Band to Hillary Clinton’s now presidential campaign chair John Podesta and two other Clinton aides he writes that he heard through the grapevine that Chelsea had told “one of the [President] Bush 43 kids” and others about “an inter-

nal investigation of money within the foundation.” Band wrote such chatter was “not smart.” “The investigation into her getting paid for campaigning, using foundation resources for her wedding and life for a decade, taxes on money from her parents….,” Band wrote. “I hope that you will speak to her and end

this[.] Once we go down this road….” Supposedly, the FBI is investigating The Clinton Foundation, although the extent and focus of the investigation is unclear. Chelsea Clinton lives in Manhattan in an apartment that is worth an estimated $10.5 million with her husband and two children.

Moving to Canada?

Now that the elections are over, if you’re someone who keeps their


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

29

Join us at the incomparable

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Passover 2017 in Orlando, FL • • • • • • • • • • • •

Elegantly-appointed Waldorf Astoria Guest Rooms 3 Daily Gourmet Glatt Kosher Meals along with Daily Poolside Barbeques and Lavish Tea Room Professionally run Day Camp & Teen Program Discounted rates at the onsite Waldorf Astoria Golf Club featuring Rees Jones-Designed Championship Golf Course Three Exquisite Pool Areas, Lazy River, Waterslide and Private Cabanas Available Fabulous Chol Hamoed Entertainment and Teen Trips Featured Scholars in Residence Ashkenaz and Sephardic minyanim Luxurious Waldorf Astoria Spa and Fitness Center Onsite Emergency Room Doctor to assist with family needs Complimentary Motor Coach Transportation to all Disney Attractions Allergy and Special Dietary Consultant available at all Meals Alan Berger Director and Host For reservations or more information, please contact our team at: 1-877-PESACH4 (1-877-737-2244) or 516-734-0840 info@passovergg.com www.passovergrandgetaways.com

GG WAO 8.75Wx11H Ad 5777.indd 1

10/7/16 2:38 PM


30

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

word, you may need to start packing your bags. Over the last few months, many people have vowed to leave the country if Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be occupying the Oval Office. Well, November 8 has come and gone. Remember to pack some woolen underwear as you exit the country if you plan on heading to our northern neighbor. But for those of you heading to Canada, you may want to think twice. The process to become a citizen is not easy. If you want to go the marriage route, you may want to rethink that. Marrying a Canadian does not necessarily make you one. Additionally, Uncle Sam is going to come knocking. U.S. citizens who live in Canada as Canadian permanent residents are still required to file annual U.S. income tax returns and also contact the Canadian government to see if they should file Canadian tax returns and pay Canadian taxes as well, according to the IRS. However, it may be possible to exclude some or all foreign income on U.S. tax returns, if you meet the IRS’s requirements. You’ll also be missing some of your favorite stores like Trader Joe’s and Target, which pulled out all their 200 stores from Canada. Don’t wor-

ry, there will be other great places to spend your days. Ever heard of Roots? And it’s not cheap living in Canada. Their housing prices are considered high as is their cost of living. Gasoline was 129% more expensive than in New York in 2015. You will be saving on some things, though. For example, a two-liter bottle of Coca Cola bought in Toronto is about 83% the price of the same bottle in New York, and public transportation in Toronto is about 86% of New York’s prices. So you may just have to dump your car while living there. Getting a job in Canada is not so easy. Its unemployment rate is at 7% while the U.S.’s hovers below 5%. And while you’re sitting on the couch flipping through help wanted ads, you may want to take up French. 30% of Canadians speak it. Still considering our neighbors up north? Enjoy and send me some postcards.

Congress’s Deep Pockets There seems to be a trend amongst politicians (aside from

corruption): they have large bank accounts. With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump being no exception, politicians are often wealthy.

OpenSecrets.org lays out the financials of all congressmen and congresswomen in the United States; many of them are millionaires. GoBankingRates.com used that data to compile a list of the richest politicians in every state. Coming in at spot 14 is New Jersey’s richest politician Republican Tom MacArthur who is worth an estimated $52 million. He began his career as an insurance adjuster and went on to build a wildly successful career. He eventually became CEO of a company that provided insurance and managed care services New York’s richest and number

11 on the list is Republican Chris Collins who has an estimated net worth of $65 million. First elected in 2012 and then again in 2014, he represents the people of New York’s 27th Congressional District. He makes his money from several different business ventures ranging from equipment rentals to pharmaceuticals. Maryland’s wealthiest – #4 in the nation – is a Democrat by the name of John Delaney who is worth a whopping $214 million. Delaney grew his company, Capital Source, which specializes in small business loans, from a private business to taking it public in 2003. According to his website, he is the only member of the House of Representatives to have been a CEO of a publicly-traded company. The richest politician on the list is from California. Republican Darrell Issa is worth almost a half a billion dollars with an estimated net worth of $436 million. Before serving California’s 49th Congressional District, Issa and his wife founded a company for vehicle security called Directed Electronic that became wildly successful.

An inspirational evening for 11th & 12th graders and their mothers with:

Rebbetzin Frumie Altusky ‘‫תחי‬ Brought to you by:

Lecture foll owed by Q & A ses sion with Rebbetzin A ltusky

"THE YEAR IN ERETZ YISROEL" The Ideal. The Challenge. The Reward. ‫ מוצאי שבת פרשת וירא‬Nov. 19th 8:30 PM

TMM, 1221 Caffrey Ave. Far Rockaway, NY 11691 Rebbetzin Frumie Altusky, renowned seminary mechaneches, daughter of Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg zatzal, shares wisdom gleaned from a life of Torah lived in Eretz Yisroel from the 1960s to the present day. Wise, genuine, witty, engaging; Rebbetzin Altusky offers insight, perspective and clarity to girls and mothers eagerly anticipating "The Year in Eretz Yisroel."

For more information please call 347-762-6030 or email info@byseminar.com


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Time for Some Jail Time in Fort Lee

Justice has been served in New Jersey, with a side of possible jail time. On Friday, Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni, former associates of New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie, were convicted for their part in the Bridgegate scandal. The two were accused of purposely orchestrating the closure of lanes near the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, NJ, in order to generate traffic and upset a politician who they felt had wronged their boss, Christie. Fort Lee’s Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, refused to endorse Christie’s reelection campaign. The bridge nightmare caused several days of massive delays in September 2013. The six-week trial held in Newark federal court closed with a guilty sentence on all accounts for both Kelly, the governor’s former deputy chief of staff, and Bill Baroni, former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The duo was convicted of fraud, conspiracy, and depriving the residents of Fort Lee of their civil rights. Christie has remained criminally detached from the scandal, although it has tarnished his reputation. Following the verdict, Christie again maintained that he had did not know in advance about the plans. “I had no knowledge prior to or during these lane realignments, and had no role in authorizing them,” Christie said in a statement following the verdict. “Anything said to the contrary over the past six weeks in court is simply untrue.” According to the Port Authority, the bridge is the world’s busiest, transporting 102 million vehicles a year on the I-95 interstate highway. Attorney for Kelly and Baroni promised to appeal. “This is not over,” Kelly’s lawyer Michael Critchley vowed outside the court as he consoled his visibly emotional client. He claims that the judge had made sig-

nificant mistakes during jury instructions. Defense lawyers were furious when U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton told jurors in response to a question that they could convict Kelly and Baroni on conspiracy even if the act itself was not “intentionally punitive toward Mayor Sokolich.” Wigenton said prosecutors did not have to prove motive, even though their case had revolved around the political retribution. “By answering the way you’re answering, you’re directing a verdict of guilty,” an angry Critchley told the judge. Baroni and Kelly weren’t the only two involved in the scheme. Former Port Authority official David Wildstein confessed to being the mastermind behind the plot. He pled guilty via a plea agreement signed on January 12, 2015 and agreed to cooperate with federal investigators. That very day Baroni and Kelly were indicted. In return for his cooperation with federal prosecutors, Wildstein was released pending sentencing on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond. However, he still faces 21 to 27 months in federal prison. Wildstein has said that Christie was aware of lane closures as they were ongoing. Kelly’s and Baroni’s lawyers argued that Wildstein had orchestrated the plot himself and told them he was conducting a traffic study. However, Wildstein said on the stand that the three of them were in cahoots and were well aware that the study was just a cover story. During the trial prosecutors showed jurors numerous email exchanges between the three. In one email Kelly wrote to Wildstein, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.”

He’s Got Mail, At the Wrong Email Address

Hillary Clinton’s email scandal has been hogging the spotlight and

very little has been mentioned about President Obama’s top science adviser who used his personal email account for official documents – perhaps because he is not potentially the next president of the U.S. John P. Holdren, director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, is being asked to turn over all of his emails for investigation but he is maintaining that this move would be a massive invasion of his privacy. Judge Gladys Kessler does not seem to be swayed by his plea. She seemed concerned that Holdren could potentially flee with his work-related emails when he leaves office, just as Hillary Clinton did. In response, Holdren said in a sworn declaration that he’s willing to promise to maintain the messages himself. “I will continue preserving those emails on the thumb drives, and will maintain them in a safe, secure and readily accessible location, until final judgment has been entered in this case,” he said. Clinton, who used a secret email account for her official business while in the State Department, took the messages with her upon her departure, effectively shielding them

31

from public view for six years. However, Holdren did use an official account. He said that he made it his practice to forward work-related messages from his private account at the Woods Hole Research Center, where he worked previously, to his OSTP (Office of Science and Technology Policy) account. Holdren used the Woods Hole address from 2005 up until 2014. He acknowledges using it for government work-related messages after January 21, 2009, when he started at the White House. He claims that when he stopped using that address, he moved all of the files to a thumb drive and made a duplicate drive that he’s given to a lawyer. However the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) is concerned that some of the emails may have already deleted government-related emails. Mark Zaid, a Washington-based lawyer who is a frequent litigator for the Freedom of Information Act, said, “The message is quite clear to government officials: Either only use official work accounts or be prepared to have your personal accounts reviewed.”


32

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Light up the Night

Don’t you hate when the driver across the road has his brights on? The high beams blind you as you navigate the dark streets. In China they have come up with an innovative punishment for those dazzling inconsiderate individuals. In addition to a fine, drivers who don’t dip their lights around other traffic will be forced to stare into the full-beam headlights of a police car for one minute. This is not the first

time that the bright light punishment was instituted. Police in Shenzhen were handing out this penalty back in 2014 but they were stopped amid accusations of “violating human rights.” Now, though, when the sentence was reintroduced it was mainly met with approval. In a post from their popular social media account, Shenzhen police warned drivers that anyone caught using their car’s headlights on fullbeam inappropriately would have to stare into a police car’s headlights for 60 seconds while sitting on a specially-designed chair. In addition they would be fined 300 yuan (about $44), lose points on their license and be made to recite regulations on the proper use of headlights. Police in the town located just north of Hong Kong are creative. In the past officers have made jaywalkers wear green hats and vests while directing pedestrian traffic, they have mounted dummy traffic police on the highway, and have issued sword-shaped batons to officers. Staring into the beams of a police car for a minute? That seems to be a light punishment for inconsiderate and thoughtless drivers.

Kit Kat Attack

Last week, Hunter Jobbins was miffed. Someone pilfered a Kit Kat bar that was sitting in the cup holder of his car when he left the car unlocked for a few minutes. The candy-loving thief left him a note on a crumpled napkin: “Saw Kit Kat in your cup holder. I love Kit-Kats so I checked your door and it was unlocked. Did not take anything other than the Kit-Kat. I am sorry and hungry.” Jobbins posted the note online, and Kit Kat – along with many others – took notice. The candy company sent the Kansas State University student 6,500 bars of Kit Kats stuffed inside his car. For one day Jobbins was the big guy on campus: students turned out in droves to sample a bar of chocolately, crispy, wafer-y goodness. Overwhelmed with candy and possibly in a sugar coma, Jobbins offered more Kit Kats to the thief who started it all. “If the Kit Kat thief is reading this or keeping up with this, I would love for you to come and tell me, and I’ll give you a big hug, a thank you and a lot of Kit Kats,” Jobbins said. Sounds like he’s giving the candy crook a break.

Buggin’ Out

Seen some roaches or grasshoppers around? Instead of stepping on them and reaching for the Raid, some people are piling them on their plates for their lunch. According to a 2013 report from the Food and Agriculture Organi-

zation of the United Nations, there are about 1,900 insect species that have a place on people’s plates globally. Some Americans have used cricket flour as an ingredient in their high-protein, low-carb Paleo diets. And environmentalists who are more concerned about the grass than our stomachs say that insects are easier on the environment to raise than animals. Recently researchers from Kings College London and Ningbo University in China set out to measure the nutrient content of various insects to see if they really could contribute to a well-rounded meal and measure up to Western staples like beef. The results were published this week in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. According to their research, insects have more nutrients than once thought. Depending on the insect, some contain good levels of iron, calcium, zinc, and manganese, making them a good alternative to beef or chicken. Of course you’re going to have to munch on wings, legs and hard shells to get all that nutrition. I think I’ll pass on the bug burger.

Hair Ye, Hair Ye

It was a hairy experience this past Sunday at a park in China when a 60-year-old woman let down her hair. The Chinese “Rapunzel” let down her locks on a stage to have her hair measured. Spectators were wowed – it measured a staggering 11feet long. Ni Linmei gets her hair measured every year. In just 12 months, her hair grew 19 inches – that’s over a feet and a half long! It takes two hours to wash and dry Ni’s hair every day. She wears her tresses in a bun on top of her head. A few years ago, Ni had thoughts of cutting her hair after it got stuck in an elevator. She held off and it just keeps on growing. Scissors have not touched the woman’s scalp in 18 years. For staying away from the hairdresser for so long she is hoping


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

ANNIVERSARY “The world is ArtScroll’s classroom”

Bestselling author Sara Yoheved Rigler brings us a brilliant and inspiring biography of one of our generation’s most beloved and unique personalities:

Rebbetzin Henny Machlis

Daniella Silver and Norene Gilletz are back with a new magnificent cookbook!

COMING NEXT WEEK!

COMING NEXT WEEK!

H

Prepare to be amazed.

enny Machlis was unique: the Brooklyn-born girl who became a legend for her incredible hospitality, boundless love and patience, total dedication to Hashem and His People, and absolute, unwavering emunah. Her apartment in Yerushalayim was a place where miracles were everyday occurrences, where the small living room somehow sat up to 180 guests every Shabbos. Her fascinating life is vividly evoked through Mrs. Rigler’s beautifully written narrative, through the memories and stories of dozens of her friends, children, visitors, and the many whose lives she touched and enhanced, and through Henny’s own writings and teachings. Prepare to be amazed. Inspired. And even transformed, as you meet the woman who was called the “Sarah Imeinu of our time.”

Author of the bestselling Holy Woman

Following the huge success of The Silver Platter, this new release offers Daniella and Norene’s many devoted fans food that is as beautiful to look at as it is healthy to eat. So what is the secret of “simple elegance”? It’s not about dozens of hard-to-find ingredients, pricey equipment, and complicated instructions. It’s simply about paying attention to the small details — an unusual garnish, an unexpected ingredient, a touch of flair in presentation. A little thought, a little imagination, and a lot of caring — and you’ve created a stunning dish, in less time than you would have believed possible. 4Over 160 recipes: Easy to prepare. And gorgeous to serve! 4Stunning photo with each recipe

Also available in the Silver P latter Series

4Norene’s Notes: Every recipe includes techniques, tips, and advice from bestselling cookbook author Norene Gilletz 4Each dish indicates if it’s freezer-friendly for make-ahead cooking 4Full nutritional analysis for every recipe 4Many gluten-free options

The following ArtScroll sefarim are available for your daily learning programs:

The Schottenstein Edition Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi; Yad Avraham Mishnah Series; Schottenstein Edition Mishnah Elucidated; Ryzman Edition Hebrew Mishnah; Kleinman Edition Kitzur Shulchan Aruch; Kleinman Edition Daily Dose of Torah. This Shabbos, Cheshvan 11: Daf Yomi Bavli – Bava Metzia 47 / Daf Yomi Yerushalmi – Yevamos 61 / Mishnah Yomi – Maasros 2:3-4 / Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Yomi – 10:13-19

Available at your local Hebrew bookseller or at www.artscroll.com • 1-800-MESORAH (637-6724)

33


34

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

this make him a gold digger? Amazingly, back in 2011, a similar story happened to Lena Paahlsson of Sweden. The wedding ring – a white gold band set with seven small diamonds which she designed herself – went missing back in 1995 when she took it off to do some baking with her daughters. Frantic searching came up empty – they even retiled the floor in the hopes of finding the sentimental piece of jewelry.

16 years later, while pulling up carrots in her garden, Lena noticed one carrot was sporting the gold band. It no longer fit her, but she wanted to have it resized. “Now that I have found the ring again I want to be able to use it,” she said at the time.

You Smell like Soup

to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. China’s Xie Qiuping is the current record-holder with hair measuring 18 feet and 5.54 inches long in 2004. We can’t even imagine how long it is now.

The Carrot Ring It would have been his golden wedding anniversary; his wife of 49 years passed away just months ago. But the German retiree thought of her when he was gardening last week and struck gold – literally.

The 82-year-old lost his gold wedding band three years ago in his garden. This week, while plucking a carrot from the ground, he saw it was wrapped in gold – his ring surrounded the orange vegetable. The discovery reminded him of his late wife who told him that he would eventually find the ring. Does

Love the smell of ramen soup? Apparently a lot of people in Japan do. Village Vanguard novelty products has come up with a great way to keep the smell of ramen soup with you all day. The company is producing soup-scented bath packets. The bath powders look just like the flavor packets that come with the instant soups but they are bigger and are meant to be poured into a bath. They come in many flavors, including miso soup, beef bowl, curry, and fried noodle. At $3.15 a packet you can buy a whole slew of bath scents and smell like a different soup everyday. Sounds like a fun bubble broth.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

35

Around the

Community HALB Votes

T

he polls at HALB were open and the results are in! The lower school students at HALB had a chance to vote for the most important quality of our president and what should be the main focus of our president. After voting, being honest was voted as the most important quality and the safety of our country was voted as what should be a top priority of our president. Additionally, the students voted as to where HALB should line up in the morning: the gym or yard. The majority of the students voted to line up in the yard and that’s exactly what

we will be doing on nice days! The children understood that every vote matters and counts so if the students voted the yard, the yard it will be.

MAY Hosts Mock Presidential Debate

B

y the time this article is being read, America has a new president. This election season has been one for the ages, involving voters young and old, and even engaging our youth more so than in past elections. Mesivta Ateres Yaakov embraced this unique opportunity and organized a Mock Presidential Debate this past week. Auditions for the two primary candidates, the Democratic Clinton party and the Republican Trump party, were held before the yom tov break giving the student representatives ample time and opportunity to prepare adequately. English Language Arts instructor Mr. Chaim Homnick and History/Government teacher Mr. Daniel Stroock judged the auditions and chose the winners who would go on to debate in front of the 11th and 12th

grade student body. Representing the Trump team were seniors Ushi Schreiber and Natan Samson and representing the Clinton party were senior Moshe Goodstein and junior Mordechai Levovitz. “We very much appreciate the teachers ‘taking the reins on this activity,” commented Rabbi Yossi Bennett, S’gan Menahel/Assistant Principal. “It once again demonstrates the commitment and dedication our teachers have to their students.” Students were advised and guided by their teachers, but were mostly independent and self-motivated in their preparation. The format of the debate was opening statements from each representative followed by a series of questions on the policies and positions of the candidates. Mr. Homnick designed the format and served as

moderator for the debate. The representatives were given two minutes to respond to each question and to rebut their opponent’s prior comments. “Our students understand that the current climate in politics is one that will have a significant impact on the social and economic standing of the

United States and heavily impact the Jewish community here and in Eretz Yisroel,” commented Rabbi Sam Rudansky, General Studies Principal. Each representative received an incentive for performing and incredible accolades from rabbeim, teacher and friends.


36

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

R’ Binyomin Wielgus started off the Learn & Live program for this winter with a humorous but powerful story, “Be All You Can Be,” a story with a message that no matter what anyone says, you can be great. This coming Sunday at Learn & Live, we’ll be featuring “Shear & Shear Alike.” For more information regarding the L&L program, email learnandlivefr@gmail.com.

Blood Drive Chessed at Rambam BEST TRENDING JUDAIC ART OF TODAY

U NOW OFFERING ONE-ON-ONE PRIVATE ART LESSONS YAELIFINEART.COM •718-734-7442

@YAELIFINEART

nder the leadership of senior Gabe Greenbaum and junior Charlie Grill, Rambam Mesivta’s recent Blood Drive was an overwhelming success. Over the last twenty-five years, Rambam Mesivta has been responsible for contributing to saving countless of lives by opening up the school for the Long Island Blood Services. During the last decade, on a percentage-wise basis, Rambam Mesivta has given more blood than any other Long Island location and has received the “Hero-Globin Award” six times for their

efforts. Greenbaum expressed his appreciation for all those who came to give and noted, “Thirty-eight pints is really amazing and we are off to a great start.” While the students are assisted by administrators in setting-up the Blood Drive, it is part of Rambam’s hashkafa to empower the students and provide opportunities for leadership and growth. It is remarkable how the young leaders thrive in an environment that is dedicated to service, chessed, and giving back.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

37


38

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Midreshet Shalhevet’s Mock Presidential Debate By Zahava Fertig

A

s November 8 was drawing nearer, all everyone had been talking and thinking about were the presidential elections and which candidate was a better fit for the presidency. On Monday, October 31, Midreshet Shalhevet was very fortunate to host former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and Mr. Avi Fertig, Special Assistant to the Hempstead Town Board, to represent the Democratic and Republican candidates in a mock presidential debate. Shalhevet’s AP U.S. History and AP Government teacher, Mr. Ira Schildkraut, moderated the debate as if it was an actual presidential debate. The “candidates” were given general topics to prepare beforehand, but were not given the questions prior to the debate. Questions varied from issues regarding immigration to specifics regarding environmental policies and the candidates’ plans of action to create new jobs and a stronger U.S. economy. Mr. Goldfeder represented role of Secretary Hillary Clinton and Mr. Fertig, the role of Donald Trump. Each candidate was given two minutes to answer each question and a one-minute rebuttal to respond if deemed necessary. The debate was fascinating for the

students of Shalhevet. It really helped the students understand the positions of each of the presidential candidates and this year’s election as a whole. One student said, “It was very interesting to see how each of the candidates responded to the questions in a way that clearly modeled how the actual candidate may have answered.” Much thanks is due to Mr. Ira Schildkraut and Student Activities coordinator Coach Illona Kreitner for arranging the debate and to the debaters, Mr. Goldfeder and Mr. Fertig, for taking time out of the busy schedules to spend time at Shalhevet to instill the students with a stronger

understanding of the issues that our country is facing and how to determine which candidate has a better vision for our nation’s future. After the debate, Mr. Fertig and Mr. Goldfeder each spoke briefly, sharing their perspectives and opinions on government, politics, and the relationships that elected officials and candidates, even when they are members of different political parties, often have with one another behind the scenes. Their message was very empowering, as Assemblyman Goldfeder described how he and Mr. Fertig, despite having some different political views, use their jobs with-

in the local and state government to work together in order to help people in many ways. Shalhevet students were then given the opportunity to cast their ballots in a school-wide election. This was an especially valuable experience since most of the students weren’t old enough to vote in this year’s election. Being given the chance to decide whom they would have voted for provided a great opportunity to participate in our government and role as citizens. Zahava Fertig is a senior at Midreshet Shalhevet for Girls in North Woodmere.

Rambam Great Debate: Election 2016

R

abbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh Mesivta of Rambam Mesivta, introduced the two candidates as “passionate about politics and extremely knowledgeable about the issues at hand,” before giving the stage to Mr. Saul Marcus and Mr. Heshy Walfish, otherwise respectively known as “Hillary Clinton” and “Donald Trump” in Rambam’s “Great Presidential Debate.” Mr. Marcus, playing the role of Clinton, was adamant that her record of over 30 years’ experience speaks for itself, while Mr. Walfish, as “The Donald,” was quick to note that a return to conservative values was of the utmost import. Over the last 16 years, the Rambam “Great Debate” has become a tradition and the two “candidates” fielded questions on the major issues including the economy, Obamacare,

gun control/2nd Amendment rights, Israel, Iran, and the future of the Supreme Court. The two also took questions from the audience concerning homeland security, terrorism, and the Syrian refugee crisis. On the issue of gun control, Mr. Marcus explained that common sense gun control was necessary and “closing the loopholes” that allows those with criminal records or the mentality disabled to acquire guns was paramount. Mr. Walfish returned by saying that “criminals, by definition, will break the law only law-abiding citizens will follow it” and then they, the law-abiding citizens, will be without guns while the criminals will still have them. Another memorable exchange concerned the direction of the Supreme Court. Mr. Walfish was in favor of more Justice Scalia types

and a conservative interpretation of the Constitution, noting that “nine unelected people” are legislating the law of the land. On the other hand, Mr. Marcus favored a more liberal bench noting that the Constitution is a living document subject to interpretation and a reflection of the cur-

rent zeitgeist. It was a respectful debate, some might even say more respectful than the actual presidential debates, as well as informative. Only four more years until the next Rambam Great Presidential Debate!


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

39

Around the Community

Election Day at BBY

E

lection Day was celebrated in BBY with all its due fanfare on November 7 – a day earlier than the rest of America, but no less exciting.

tion, taxes, minimum wage, and a two state solution for Israel. In the Simcha Hall festooned with red, white, and blue balloons, streamers, and American flags, the girls listened attentively to the arguments and counter-arguments skillfully presented by the Trump and Clinton representatives. The points were well researched and the audience gained a clear understanding of the issues at hand. After mulling the facts over in their

minds, every student had the opportunity to cast her ballot in the private voting booths ordered especially for the occasion. For the younger grades, while the presentation was less intensive, the enthusiasm was no less palpable. This was actually the first electoral process that these girls have learned about. (Hurricane Sandy interrupted the les-

sons on elections four years ago.) The girls in grades 1-4 discussed the issues in class and then also had the chance to experience the voting process. BBY students have learned to listen carefully to an articulately presented argument and draw their own conclusions – a skill which will stand them in good stead during election season and at many other times in their lives.

The BBY eighth graders had been gathering data and working on presentations regarding the two presidential contenders, Mr. Donald Trump and Ms. Hillary Clinton. Each presentation discussed a number of the burning issues of the campaign – immigra-

Debating the Issues at Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam

G A N C HA V E R I M INTRODUCING GAN CHAVERIM!!! Featuring Head Morah Rivka Schwarcz “We make playgroup fun and friendly!”

Pre-Nursery 2 year old group featuring:

T

he elementary school students at Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam have been learning a lot about U.S. presidents and the pending election over the past two months. In our stairwell was a bulletin board with a countdown to the election, keeping the students informed and engaged. The capstone of this unit was a debate held on November 7 – the day before Election Day – where 4th grade students debated 3rd grade students for “president” and “vice president.” The debate was attended by the entire elementary school. The critical issues that were debated included the incorporation of healthy snacks into school lunches or not; allocation of govern-

ment support to schools; to keep, shorten, or lengthen summer recess; and other imperative matters of the day. At the end of the debate, all elementary school students were able to cast their vote for the candidate they wished to install. While the debate was a lot of fun for the students and staff alike, it also afforded an opportunity for the students to apply their own opinions by listening to “candidates” debate matters of importance to them and vote accordingly. It gave the students the unique ability to participate in the excitement of the election sweeping the nation in a wholesome and age-appropriate manner.

Superb Morahs Professional Program Spacious, Brand New Construction Convenient Location

(Inwood, off Doughty Blvd, halfway between Yeshiva Ketana and Seasons Express)

Full Hours (9-3 and extended hours available from 8-4) ALL Lunch and Snacks Included Credit Cards Accepted* We Have a Tax ID We have a Summer Day Camp Program also!

Special Early Bird Offer!! Register for Gan Chaverim AND Gan Chaverim Day Camp and we will waive the camp registration fee! (Expires Dec. 1st) 3/4 of the spots For Info or to Register, are taken! email ganchaverimNY@gmail.com Act Fast! or call Yael Homnick at 347-628-3589 *3% fee for credit card payments


40

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN

Community Honors Rabbi Yaakov Reisman

A Insights & Essays on The Torah

melava malka was held at the Agudath Israel of Long Island this week to honor their Rav, Rabbi Yaakov Reisman, who is retiring after almost 30 years of service. More than 500 people attended the event. The guest speaker was Rav Avraham Ausband who is the Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshiva of Telshe Alumni of Riverdale who, along with Rabbi Reisman, founded the yeshiva. The two rabbis have been friends for more than 50 years and attended Telshe Yeshiva together. Mr. Simcha David, President of Agudath Israel

of Long Island, said after the event, “The love and admiration that the Rav has for his kehilla and the kehilla for the Rav was clearly evident last night. It was a testimony to over 29 years of leadership and individual relationships that the Rav has created spanning many generations of mispallelim. We look forward to continuing those relationships as the Rav takes on the role of Rabbi Emeritus.”

Rav Avraham Ausband, guest speaker

Rabbi Moshe Katz, a member of the selection committee that selected Rabbi Reisman almost thirty ago

Rabbi Reisman addressing the packed crowd

ENGLISH Bottom Line Marketing Group: 718.377.4567

2 volume SLIPCASE set on the entire Chumash

$

29.95

Special Offer!

Buy any 2 sets of the ENGLISH Dorash Dovid and get the 3rd set FREE!

What is the connection between the mitzvos of the Torah and the narrative of Creation? Why was it wrong for Noach to plant a vineyard as his first project after the Mabul?

In this unique work, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, nasi of the internationally acclaimed Dirshu Torah organization, addresses these questions and so many others. Every maamar in Dorash Dovid on the Torah begins with several questions, then develops an in-depth approach, opening new vistas that enable one to truly grasp the messages that the Torah and our Sages impart.

OTHER SEFORIM IN THE DORASH DOVID SERIES: Moadim Series I: 2 volume English set on Pesach, Shavuos, Bein Ha’metzorim, Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh Moadim Series II: 2 volume English set on Elul, Yamim Noraim, Sukkos, Shemini Atzeres, Chanukah, Purim, Tu B’Shvat, Four Parshiyos Hebrew Dorash Dovid on Moadim • French Edition: 2 volume set on the entire Chumash

Available in Judaica stores nationwide or direct from the distributor, Israel Book Shop 888-536-7427

Rabbi Reisman with two of his sons


41

The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Mesivta Ateres Yaakov Ruth & Hyman Simon High School 131 Washington Ave, Lawrence New York 11559 | Phone: 516.374.6465 | Fax: 516.374.1834

! y da

Become the Ben Torah you want to be!

Molding Bnei Torah in a superior learning environment Be part of a dynamic yeshiva with challenging Limudei Kodesh & Limudei Chol academic programs.

Challenging honors and advanced placement tracks School-wide writing skills program SAT Preparation in all grades Individually tailored college guidance College program for seniors

{

{

Pursue your interests and broaden your horizons!

{

Prepare yourself for College and a career!

{

{

Interviews have begun! Pre-register on our website!

{

T

s i h

n u S

Open House Sunday, November 13th at 1:30 PM

Active Student Government and many clubs Varsity & Intramural sports and competitions Model Bais Din| Torah Bowl | Literary Journals and Newspapers |ARISTA Extensive chesed program

Call us at 516.374.6465 or visit us on the web at www.AteresYaakov.com


42

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

In Came the Animals Two by Two

W

e love Parshat Noach at HALB Lev Chana Early Childhood Center. Our children start asking if Banana and Swiper will be visiting right after they return from the holiday break. Who, you may ask, are Banana and Swiper? Two stars of the amazing, phenomenal Party Pets menagerie of exotic rep-

tiles, animals, birds and insects that visit us every year during the week of Parshat Noach. This entertaining, fun and educational program, run by Andre Ricaud, enables our children to interact with a variety of animals many of our children have never seen before and, at the same time, learn about their habitats, eating habits, and some fun facts the children always find fascinating. The look of astonishment and awe on the children’s faces as Andre and his assistant, Andrew, lifted Banana, a huge 13-foot long yellow python, and stretched him out for the children to pet, told the whole story. Swiper, a Fennec fox from Egypt, Sonny and Sweety, a pair of bearded lizards from Australia, Jack and Jill, beautiful soft chinchillas, and Yonah, a descendent of the original yonah from our Parsha, were just a few of the stars of the show. A real appreciation of Mah rabu ma’asecha Hashem was felt by all.

Annual HAFTR Bar Mitzvah Workshop

T

he annual HAFTR Middle School Bar Mitzvah Workshop for the seventh grade boys and their special chavrutot (learning pairs) was held last Wednesday evening. Fathers and grandfathers enjoyed the quality time spent with their bar mitzvah boy. The evening began with Rabbi Dovid Kupchik, menahel, welcoming everyone to this milestone event. He thanked the PTA Bar Mitzvah Workshop Committee under the leadership of the PTA Presidium: Mrs. Deena Vashovsky and Mrs. Deborah Levine as well as the chair-people for the event: Mrs. Barbara Kaufman, Mrs. Gaby Muller and Mrs. Deborah Levine. A special thank you was given to the rebbeim who joined in the learning and festivities: Rabbi Ari Glazer, Rabbi Simcha Loiterman, Rabbi Judah Hulkower, Rabbi Ben Zion Kirsch and Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Siff. The participants were split into two groups and enjoyed sessions in a round robin format. Whether they were part of Shel Rosh (of the head)

or Shel Yad (of the hand), the men enjoyed dancing to the music of Shelly Lang and Friends and the dancing moves of Benny Amar. They learned how tefillin are made from Rabbi Akiva Oppen, sofer s’tam from Oppen Scrolls, and they were inspired by Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Siff through his presentation on what is inside the tefillin. They also heard from an eighth grader Eitan Markovitz who spoke about how he marked his bar mitzvah by doing a special chessed project. Other chessed projects were presented in the packets everyone received. The boys all took pictures with their dads and/or grandfathers as they received the PTA gift of a new siddur. Thank you to Jason Meyers for arranging the professional pictures. The food was plentiful (Carlos & Gabby’s) and a great time was had by all. This program is one of a number of meaningful ways HAFTR prepares their talmidim for becoming a bar mitzvah. Mazal tov! In a few weeks will be the bat mitzvah workshop for the sixth grade girls.

Understanding Tehillim

F Big and Little Sisters: Picture Perfect Pairings!

E

ach fall, students of the Shulamith Middle Division eagerly anticipate the first Big and Little Sister program of the year. This year’s event was held on Wednesday, November 2, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan. G.O. presidents Shaked Harari and Rachel Schwartz and vice presidents Lili Paritzky and Shayna Wasser worked together with G.O. advisor Morah Chana Schwartz and Associate Principal Dr. Evelyn Gross to ensure that each student would be paired with the ideal “sister.” The event began as the big and little sisters “found” each other, using matching emoji cards. Then, each pair of sisters had the opportunity to enter a photo booth together. The girls enjoyed clowning together for the camera and having their pictures taken to

commemorate the occasion. After the Middle Division event, the Lower Division students also had the chance to make use of the photo booth. Thanks to the Shulamith Women’s Organization for sponsoring this picture perfect Rosh Chodesh activity.

requently emails, texts and all social media have calls going out for the nation of Israel to bear the burden for a fellow Jew and recite Tehillim in an eis tzara, a time of trouble. Whether it be for illness, accident, missing person, hostage crisis or other tragedy we are asked to join in prayer by beseeching the Heavens with Tehillim. Each time a call or email of unfortunate news is received, where do we turn? Tehillim. Many recite kapitelach daily, finishing Tehillim many times during the year. There are schedules to finish Tehillim, daily, weekly or monthly. Yet do we take the time to understand each word or what appears to be random sentences patched together? Did you know that there is a minhag to recite the entire sefer Tehillim twice during Aseres Yemei Teshuva, since there are 150 chapters and the gematria of “kaper” “to forgive” is 300, so we recite 2 x 150 or 300 chapters of Tehillim? This motzei Shabbos the community-wide Nach shiur co-sponsored by the shuls of the Five Town, Far Rockaway and Bayswater, under the

auspices of Priority 1, and sponsored by Rabbi and Mrs. Mordy Krieger will be starting the 21st year. Having completed all of Navi last year, the shiur is transitioning to Kesuvim with the study of Tehillim. This is an opportunity to join a shiur that will speak to each of us, a shiur that will delve into each kapitel of Tehillim and help us understand what we are saying. Each week, as in the past, noted rabbonim of the community will enlighten us to the expansive background and meaning that Dovid Hamelech imbued in the words. Here is an opportunity for young and old to enhance their recital of Tehillim. Each shiur will be focused on a separate unit and a new kapitel. This will enable everyone to take advantage of the shiur, even if you cannot make it every week. Whether you are 15 or 95 this is an opportunity to learn the answers and secret of Tehillim’s power. Join us on November 12 at the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst at 7PM for this great opportunity. Coffee and cake will be served.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

43

Around the Community

MAY Torah Bowl Team Undefeated

E

xtracurricular activities at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov do not stop at sports teams and literary works. In fact, the Ateres Yaakov Eagles Torah Bowl Team is one of the longest standing extracurricular programs at the Mesivta. This

past week, in the first match of the 2016-2017 season, the Eagles went 4-0 against the opposing teams from DRS, Rambam, Shaare Torah and Ohr Torah. “I am so proud of our talmidim,” commented Students Activities Co-

ordinator Rabbi Tsvi Greenfield. “They worked very hard, practicing and preparing, and their efforts paid off. I’m looking forward to another strong season!” Last year, MAY took the title of Torah Bowl Eastern Division Cham-

pions and hope to do the same again this year. Under the leadership of senior captains Shmuel Maltz and Natan Samson, the team is very confident that they will place well and represent their yeshiva with honor.

Discover Your Future.

Open House

Wednesday evening November 16, 2016 7:30 PM At the High School Campus 636 Lanett Ave Far Rockaway, NY

Rabbi Meyer Weitman Dean

Mrs. Aliza Kadosh

Principal, Limudei Kodesh

Entrance Exam Sunday morning November 20, 2016 8:45 AM At the High School Campus 636 Lanett Ave Far Rockaway, NY

Mrs. Miriam Tropper

Assistant Principal, Limudei Kodesh

Rabbi Michoel Shepard Principal, General Studies

Mrs. Barbara Cinamon

Assistant Principal, General Studies


44

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

A rainbow of color as HAFTR Pre-K children learn about Parshas Noach

Former NYS Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder Joins Yeshiva University

T

his month, former New York State Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder joined Yeshiva University as assistant vice president for government relations. In his new role, Goldfeder is working to further strengthen and develop relationships between the University and federal, state and local governments and agencies, and to monitor legislation and policies that could have an impact on YU and its programs. Previously, he represented the 23rd District in the New York State

Assembly, which includes Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and Rockaway. “I’m thrilled to begin the newest chapter of my career at Yeshiva University,” Goldfeder said. “My diverse experience working at every level of government will allow me to expand on our public-private relationships and to advance the mission and goals of the university. YU is a worldclass educational institution that has trained generations of leaders in every field and I am happy to join this

prestigious team.” Goldfeder’s career in public service began as a community liaison for the New York City Council. He went on to serve as Queens Director for the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit under Michael Bloomberg and director of intergovernmental affairs for New York Senator Charles E. Schumer. Until he assumed his position at YU, Goldfeder had been a representative in the New York State Assembly since 2011, where he focused on education, transportation and the area’s recov-

ery from Hurricane Sandy. Andrew (Avi) Lauer, vice president for legal affairs, secretary and general counsel of YU, noted, “Phil’s stellar reputation, likable personality and get-it-done attitude combine nicely with his deep belief in our vital mission and uniquely qualify him for this newly created role. We look forward to significantly broadening the government relations momentum that we have developed in recent years.”

Sh’eefa is Back, Inspiring the Women of our Community for the 12th Year

Y

ou can feel the excitement as the participants of Sh’eefa walk down the steps of Aish Kodesh at 894 Woodmere Place on a Sunday morning or after a long day of work or college. Entering a spiritual oasis of Torah learning for women in the Five Towns community, post-seminary women can maintain their ruchniyus after their time spent learning in Israel. They are greeted with a smile and a feeling of knowing they belong, allowing them to connect with similar minded young women, and are left inspired through the thought-provoking shiurim. Sh’eefa proudly presents shiurim and programming on Sunday mornings as well as every night of the week. Sh’eefa prides itself in having world renowned lecturers, mechanchim and mechanchos from our community, the tri-state area and

Eretz Yisroel. In addition to the various speakers, Sh’eefa provides the young women with unique chessed opportunities, enabling them to assist and connect with members of our community. Elul and Tishrei were truly a special time at Sh’eefa. Rabbi Ephraim Frenkel, the Menahel, and Mrs. Aviva Zakutinsky, Program Director, made sure that this was a month full of inspiration. All of the hundreds of participants who attended the shiurim of Ms. Chevi Garfinkel, Mrs. Shoshana Jaeger, Rebbetzin Adina Katzenstein, Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, Mrs. Amit Yaghoubi and Rabbi Yussie Zakutinsky left geared up and ready for the yomim noraim. This past Sunday was no exception. International lecturer and noted seminary teacher in Israel Rabbi Menachem Nissel delved into the need for Jewish unity as seen

Rabbi Menachem Nissel addressing the crowd

through Sh’moneh Esrei by focusing on ourselves and others and including them in our thoughts and tefillos. The delicious refreshments sponsored by Seasons greatly enhanced the morning of learning. Sh’eefa is already looking forward to a jam-packed schedule in store for you in the coming months,

including shiurim with Mrs. Jackie Bitton, Mrs. Lara Klein MSW, Mrs. Rochel Chafetz, and many other phenomenal educators. For more information or to be added to Sh’eefa’s email list, email info@sheefa.org, visit us at www. sheefa.org, and follow us on Instagram @sheefaseminary1


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Glass Pebble Bowl

onSale

Available in Large or Small

Large Reg. $45.00

$12. 99 Small Reg. $15.00

$3. 99

C

T

THE LOSEOU CONNECTION CC UPSCALE CLOSEOUTS

732.364.8822 516.218.2211 718.854.2595

Damask Tablecloth

UPSCALE

Avail in Burgandy, Gold or Silver 72” to 160”

Starting At

$29. 99

6 Piece Bed Linen

1344518 Washington 13th AveAve. CEDARHUST, BROOKLYN, NYNY 11516

2 Fitted 39” Sheets 2 Duvet Covers 2 Pillow Shams Reg. $100.00

$59. 99

STORE STORE HOURS: HOURS:

Back in Stock! Longchamp Glasses

M.-W. M.-Th.10:00-8:00 10:00-9:00 M.-Th. 10:00-9:00 Th. 10:00-9:00 10:00-4:00 FF.. 10:00-3:00 F . 10:00-3:00 S. 10:00-7:00 S. 10:00-7:00 S. 10:00-7:00

Goblet, Highball Set of 4

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

Reg. $35.00

$17. 99 Shabbos Kodesh Tea Light Holder

1344518 Washington 13th Ave. Ave. 50 Court St. Cedarhurst, Brooklyn, NYNY 11516 Brooklyn, NY 516.218.2211 718.854.2595 718.625.6677

Dip Container Holder 8 oz Container Avail. in Gold, Silver and Copper

Reg. $8.00

$3. 99

1091River Ave (Rt 9) Next door to CVS, in the TODD PLAZA Gourmet Glatt parking lot

$9.99

50 Court St. 134Brooklyn, Washington NY Ave. Cedarhurst, NY 11516 718.625.6677 516.218.2211 1091 River Ave. Lakewood, NJ 732.364.8822

3.5% SALES TAX

Quantities may vary according to store location • No rainchecks • Not responsible for typographical errors

45


46

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

At MAY, Graduation is Just the Beginning

M

esivta Ateres Yaakov held their annual Israel Yeshiva and College Information Night last Wednesday evening. Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Menahel, introduced the program which included presentations from Rabbi Yehuda Orlansky, one of the Mesivta’s Israel Yeshiva Advisors, and Mr. Chaim Homnick, College Advisor, as well as presentations from Lander College and Yeshiva College. Rabbi Orlansky described the yeshiva’s unique and individualized approach to helping each talmid choose a Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael that best suits his particular needs, abilities and goals. Rabbi Orlansky explained that the process builds on the close relationships forged between each rebbe and talmid and is further refined by multiple meetings with each talmid and his parents. He included the importance of the annual visit he and fellow 12th grade rebbe and advisor Rabbi Yonasan Sprung take each year, researching and assessing the available options for their talmidim.

He described the diversity of the various yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael, from the level of learning and warmth of the rabbeim, down to the dorm life and facilities. He mentioned that, currently, the Mesivta has talmidim learning in over 16 different yeshivos in Eretz Yisrael, and over 40 different yeshivos in the past three years, an extension of MAY’s continual efforts to be mechanech each talmid k’darko. Mr. Homnick then concisely presented the college application process, including preparing for the SAT/ACT exam, filling out applications, essay writing and obtaining letters of recommendation. He noted the care, concern, and extensive, expert guidance that MAY provides at this pivotal time in a talmid’s life. He reiterated the importance of devoting time to learning before embarking on a college career and the importance of retaining an anchor in a yeshiva throughout college. He closed by addressing a number of frequently asked questions about the process.

Rabbi Yossi Bennett, Assistant Menahel/Principal and former post high school coordinator, noted, “Our post high school guidance department has evolved over the years into a polished, comprehensive and invaluable asset to the MAY experience. Guiding talmidim in their journey after Mesivta is an integral component to our mantra of rabbeim, education and Torah for life.” The assembled crowd then

Memory of inInmemory of

Mrs. Rose Edelman

Mrs. Rose Edelman

viewed presentations from the invited colleges, each one pitching their school and its benefits. Rabbi Sam Rudansky, General Studies Principal, closed the evening informing parents of the extensive and rigorous program the yeshiva provides for its seniors and emphasizing the importance of seniors maximizing their time during their last year of high school.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

CHAI LIFELINE ANNUAL GALA

2016

Honoring

Soaring Beyond

Giving families the wings to fly.

E S TA B L I S H I N G

THE EVAN LEVY Z�L FUND F I N A N C I A L S U P P O R T F O R FA M I L I E S I N C R I S I S

SUSAN MASCITELLI Senior Vice President, Patient Services and Liaison to the Board of Trustees New York-Presbyterian Hospital

Maimonides Medical Achievement Award

BEN AND HINDY (BERTRAM) SCHLOSSBERG

MOSHE BUCHEN Camp Simcha Appreciation Award

Camp Simcha Appreciation Award

Chairs

12.5.16

Marriott Marquis New York City

Master of Ceremonies: ETHAN ZOHN CHAIM ARYEH & YAEL GITELIS Gala Chairs

BRIAN HAIMM Gala Chair

KAMI & DINA KALATY

Cancer Survivor and Winner of the Reality TV series Survivor: Africa

Gala Chairs

151 West 30th Street, New York NY 10001 JOSEPH SPRUNG Gala Chair

DOVID & TIKVAH AZMAN Alumni Chairs

KIVI & RIVKA (GOLDIN) GORDON Alumni Chairs

For reservations & journal ads: 212.699.6658 / Fax 212.699.6672 www.chaidinner.org

47


48

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

The students of Yeshiva Har Torah received a visit from Noach and his traveling tae’va in preparation for Parshas Noach

Shulamith Visits YU

A

s we approach this year’s very special Yom Yerushalayim celebration, Shulamith third graders got an early start in learning about the reunification of Jerusalem 50 years ago. They traveled to the Yeshiva University Museum, where they viewed paintings about the Six Day War selected especially for them. During their visit to the museum, they also visited a new exhibition called “Uncommon Threads: Clothing & Textiles from the Yeshiva University Museum Collection,” and participated in a challenging art workshop to create Mizrach wall hangings, tangible reminders that we are connected heart and soul Morah Penina Deutsch worked closely with Ilana Benson, Head of Education for the museum,

to ensure that the trip would be both an instructive and memorable experience for the girls. Ms. Benson commented on the outstanding behavior and respect demonstrated by the students for their teachers, museum personnel, and each other. “The students were engaged with all the activities, asked wonderful and thoughtful questions, and worked diligently on the project,” Ms. Benson said in a letter of acknowledgement to the school. “Your school’s example of teachers’ dedication and students’ middot truly sets a standard all schools should strive for.” We at Shulamith take great pride in the kiddush Hashem created by our third grade students!


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

49


50

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Shabbat Inspiration at HANC

T

Mesivta Ateres Yaakov held its monthly rosh chodesh breakfast. The talmidim enjoyed a delicious breakfast, lively dancing, and divrei Torah from Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of South Shore.

o kick off all of our Shabbos Project programming, the HANC Middle School had the opportunity to hear from Rabbi Benzion Klatzko. Rabbi Klatzko spoke about the beauty of Shabbat. He explained that Shabbat is the connection between Hashem and the Jewish people. We get dressed up and we bring home flowers. Rabbi Klatzko explained when you are talking to someone you should turn off your phone and/or computer so that you are concentrating on them. Shabbat is our opportunity to turn everything off and concentrate solely on us and Hashem. Rabbi Klatzko started a website called Shabbat.com, which is a website dedicated to helping people find a place to stay for Shabbat. A staggering number of people use the website. It is also used for people to list themselves to be hosts. The students heard how the website got started. Rabbi Klatzko was in the middle of a business meeting when his wife called to tell him that their house burned down. It was one week before Pesach. They had nowhere to go. They ended up staying at a beautiful hotel and Rabbi Klatzko spoke a number of times over Pesach. One of the people who heard

him asked if he could speak in their shul. Rabbi Klatzko said yes. In that speech, he mentioned that he wanted to start a website called Shabbat.com but he needed some money to get it off the ground. An individual came over to him and said they wanted to start it and the rest is history. Rabbi Klatzko encouraged us to see the beauty of Shabbat and to step up our Shabbat observance. This is a presentation the students will not soon forget and was the perfect kickoff to our Shabbos Project activities.

Shevach Students Look Forward to an “Electrifying Year” First graders Binyomin Kessler, Dovid Sax and Yehuda Salzman show off their new Middos Mission cards, part of Darchei Torah’s Middos Mission program

Veterans Day Memorial at Andrew J. Parise Park

T

he Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339, in conjunction with the Village of Cedarhurst, will commemorate Veterans Day 2016 at the Andrew J. Parise Park Veterans Memorial on Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11:00 AM. The program will memorialize and honor the veterans of Post 339 who died this past year and will thank all of our surviving veterans of past wars, as well as those who are still serving.

Post Commander Syd Mandelbaum said, “Our veterans served their country with honor and devotion for the ideals which make America great.” Mayor Benjamin Weinstock added, “It is with deep respect that we come together as a community and share our immense gratitude and sincere pride for our great veterans.” We hope that you will be able to join us on this day. For more information, please call: 516-295-5770. Light refreshments; rain or shine.

A

s the Shevach student body entered their multi-purpose room on Friday, October 7, they were treated to a real surprise. The MPR was literally “glowing.” Mishmeres heads Baila Neuman, Perel Schwartz, Hindy Siegel, and Tamar Yushanayev, under the guidance of Miss Elka Feder, had darkened the room, hung small lights from the ceiling, and placed a glow-in-the-dark cup on each chair. In the front of the room was a shining logo of a large lightning bolt encircled by a plug. The Mishmeres heads introduced the year’s Mishmeres theme of “Ashrei adam oz lo,” or “The POWER of Speech.” They pointed out how appropriate this theme is, as the letters of the current Hebrew year, taf shin ayin zayin, spell out the word oz, which means power. The “ener-

gy” was palpable as the girls danced to the catchy Mishmeres song, after which the heads explained the significance of Mishmeres. Although the primary focus of Mishmeres is shmiras halashon, promoting ahavas Yisroel is an integral part as well. The heads related that a good way to achieve ahavas Yisrael is by “sparking” friendships and including others in our “circuit.” The creative heads also introduced a brand new learning buddy program, in which each student received a hilchos shmiras halashon pamphlet together with inspiring articles, which she will learn with her partner once a week. Each girl went home with her very own glow-in-thedark cup, as well as a “glowing” sense of excitement and motivation for an “electrifying” year.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

weekly

speci

ls

Store Hours:

11/13/16 - 11/18/16 Sunday - Friday Su: 7-7 Mon: 7-8 Tu: 7-8 We: 7-8 Th: 7-10 Fri: 7-2:30

1913 Cornaga Avenue • Far Rockaway • T. 718.471.7555 F. 718.471.9102 E. ordersfrankels@gmail.com

Fridge -Freezer

Extended Through Cheshvan

Bgan

All Orders Placed

24 Oz.

2.99

Frankelskosher.com

3.99

Tradition Soups

$

Meat

Chicken Bottoms

2/$1.00 Sabra

Reg/Low fat 16 Oz.

Mozzarella Cheese

All Varieties

8 Oz. Whipped

Family Pack

2.59Lb

2.99Lb

$

$

$

$

$

2/$5.00

La Yogurt

Givat

Turkey Hill

Tirat Zvi

All Varieties 64 Oz.

All Varieties 6.5 Oz

0.79

64 Oz.

8.99Lb

Onion Soup Mix

Turkey Breast Thinnies

2/$3.00

0.65

$

Mishpacha

Crystal Geyser

1 Lb

One Gallon

Cholent Mix

3.99

$

Beef Kolichal

7.99Lb

$

Gefen

Water

Cranberry Sauce Whole / Jellied

0.99

Vintage

Lieber's

Seltzer

Chocolate Chips

0.99

2/$3.00

$ Bumble Bee

Chunk Light Tuna In Water

Kool Aid

Pereg

Seasoned

Bread Crumbs 7 Varieties 14 Oz

Bursts All Varieties 6 Pk

0.99

2/$1.00

2/$5.00

3/$3.00

$

$

Betty Crocker

Fresh Daily

Crisco

Gold's

Paskesz

Gallon

Sweet N' Sour 40 Oz

Fruit Rollups

Rye Bread 2 -Lb. Loaf

All Varieties 10 Pk

2/$5.00

2.49

$

2.99

Canola Oil

Creme Filled Sandwich Cookies

Duck Sauce

6.99

Choc/Van /Duplex

2/$5.00

2.99

$

$

Produce Fresh Crisp

Green Squash

0.59Lb

$

$

Lg. Juicy

Positiv

Delicious

0.99Lb

$

Cereal 12.5 Oz

2.99Ea

$

Cole Slaw Mix

2.99Ea

$

4.99Lb

#56

Grapefruits

3/$1.00

Free Parking

Now Available Fresh Daily At Frankel's

Free Coffee in store

Salmon Fillet

Household Post

Fruity And Cocoa Pebbles

Reese's

Puffs Cereal

11.9 Oz

2.99

$

Honeydews

1.99

Clementine’s

2/$3.00

Cereal Honeycomb

3 Lb. Bag

Fish

Perfect For Lunch, Dinner, Or Just An Afternoon Snack!!

Post

Juicy

5 Lb. Bag

Potatoes

we now accept

Now Available Fresh Daily At Frankel's

21.99*

$

Idaho

3 Lb. Bag

Onions

Gala

Sushi!

Get Two Fresh Pizza Pies

Cello

$

Apples

Email:Ordersfrankels@Gmail.Com

*Pizzas Must Be Ordered And Picked Up From Avi's Pizza *Price Available With $25.00 Purchase

3.49

All Varieties

$

1 Liter Plain

7.99Lb

(please give two days notice on all special orders)

$

Iced Teas / Lemonades

Yogolite

2 Pk

0.88

$

Special order? Call Alan's bakery at 718.468.1243 And have your order ready for pickup at Frankel's

Cereal

2/$1.00

Goodman's

$

At Frankel's… come in Thursday and Friday and choose from the enormous selection of fresh challahs and cakes

Honey Bunches Of Oats W/ Almonds

2.99

2.99

All Varieties

2/$5.00

All Varieties

Two Ways To Enjoy Alan's Bakery

For Only

2.79

Milk

Yogurt

Family Pack

$

Guacamole

8 Oz.

Cholov Yisroel

Chobani

Beef Stew

Fillet Steaks

Cottage Cheese

Grocery

Alan's Bakery

Wow!

Cream Cheese

4.49

Shredded

$

Top Quality Meat & Poultry At Everyday Low Prices

Beef Chuck

All Varieties

$

9 Oz.

Whole Chickens

Yogurt

Haolam

0.99

7.99

Yocrunch

Flounder Fillets

Plain

Givat

$

$

lb

Bagels

3/$5.00

12 Pk Case

9.99

$

$ Dagim

Givat

And Much More!!

5 Boxes Wow!!

For Example

Keep The Kids Warm!!

3.99

3.99

$ Lender's

$

Major Deals Salmon Fillet

Classic Pizza

Mehadrin

All Varieties

*Same Low Prices

Fresh Daily

3.99

Toscanini

2/$5.00 Fit N' Free Yogurt

*Top Notch Delivery Service

Tissues

Chopped Liver

32 Oz.

Minimum $20.00 Purchase

Aspen

Meal Mart

Shoestring Fries

Free

Dairy/Parve

Regular Only Loaf

Gefilte Fish

$

Unger's

Will Be Delivered

Frankel's

6.99

$

@

Mehadrin

Mini Ice Cream Sandwiche

Island Blend

2.99

$

2.99

$

Plastic

Cold Cups

Windex Trigger…Blue 23 Oz.

7 Oz. 100 Ct

0.98

$

2.99

$

Yahrtzeit

Memorial Tins

5/$1.99

9 X 13

Deep

Lasagna Pans

10/$1.99

51


52

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Parshas Noach Comes Alive at Yeshiva Darchei Torah

T

he talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Harriet Keilson Early Childhood Center gained a hands-on lesson about animals last week, in honor of Parshas Noach, wherein we learn about how all the world’s animal species were saved from the mabul. A traveling delegation of cows, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens and even a horse and a turkey came to the yeshiva all the way from Beaverwood Farm in upstate Swan Lake, New York. The precocious talmidim were able to pet, feed, as well as learn about the animals from the farmers who accompanied them.

Tall Order

A

t Yeshiva Darchei Torah, first grade rebbi Rav Menachem Engel used a bunch of balloons and a very long string to simulate the height of Noach’s teivah – thirty amos, or approximately 45 feet.

Living in Israel “Only One Carrot?” by Elana Dure Page 80


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

53

Around the Community

DRS’s Open House

T

his past Sunday, the DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys was filled to capacity at the school’s annual Open House. DRS hosted over 200 prospective students and their parents at their annual Open House. The Open House, which takes place in DRS’s beautiful state of the art building, provided its attendees with an informative, exciting, and enjoyable program which allows those interested in the school to get a real sense of what DRS is all about. Upon entering the building, every attendee was warmly greeted by DRS Menahel Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, faculty members, and current DRS students. The program moved to

DRS’s spacious Beit Medrash during which Rabbi Kaminetsky and DRS General Studies Principal Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum addressed the enormous crowd, enlightening them about DRS’s strong and challenging curriculum in both limudei kodesh and limudei chol. Rabbi Kaminetsky stressed that the hallmark of the school is the “personal care, warmth, and attention provided for each individual student.” More importantly, DRS prides itself on the achdut between classmates, who come to DRS from over 20 different elementary schools and several different neighborhoods, including Queens, Brooklyn, West Hempstead, the Five Towns, and

• Interactive challenging shiurim • Strong emphasis on Gemara reading skills • Warm, caring Rebbeim • Advanced secular studies program • SAT Prep • Electives • Trips and Shabbatons • Football and Basketball Leagues • Transportation offered from • Brooklyn & Queens

Great Neck. Following Rabbi Kaminetsky’s remarks, students headed off to the extracurricular student fair in DRS’s incredible gymnasium where they received a taste of all the programs that DRS has to offer, including a presentation from the cooking and karate club, College Bowl competition, sports teams, Shabbatonim and trips, and much more. At the same time, parents got a chance to hear from DRS faculty members in the science, math, English, and social studies departments regarding the incredible range of courses offered at DRS. DRS boasts a large curriculum including 14 AP courses and the opportunity to be involved in several re-

search opportunities in both science and social Studies. Parents also got a chance to ask questions to a panel of five DRS students in order to get their view of how incredible DRS is. Other sessions included an exploration into the limudei kodesh curriculum, a glimpse into the school’s extracurricular offerings, and smaller breakout sessions where parents were able to “meet the administration” in an intimate setting, and field their questions to be Rabbi Kaminetsky and Dr. Kirshenbaum. DRS thanks all those who came to visit the Open House; we look forward to meeting them again in the future!

Rabbi A. Pollak, Rosh Mesivta Rabbi E Zoldan, Menahel Rabbi N Dinowitz, Principal Rabbi Y Stern, Asst. Principal


54

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Prepping for Shabbaton 5777: SKA’s Great Cholent Cook0ff

Shevach Students Aim for the Stars with Chessed Blastoff

T

B

here was an air of excitement all week throughout the building of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls as the sophomore, junior and senior students began their preparations for the annual SKA Shabbaton held in upstate New York this coming weekend. (The freshmen have their own retreat at the start of the school year.) Shabbaton’s theme of “hakarat hatov” resonated in the planning, workshops and class sessions during the week. While the tenth graders enjoyed a wonderful Shabbos party with games, nosh and the making of “Shabbat-ograms,” the eleventh graders peeled potatoes and onions, mixed in various ingredients such as barbeque sauce, brown sugar, salt, spices, etc. and filled their crockpots in an effort for their groups’ cholent to be judged the winner in the SKA Cholent Cookoff. The delicious aromas from the auditorium wafted out to classrooms and hallways but it wasn’t until the next day, that the cholents could be tasted

and judged. Everyone had a delightful time making the cholents, many for the very first time. As Mrs. Helen Spirn, Head of School, notes, “Shabbaton fever is definitely in the halls of SKA! We anticipate an outstanding weekend, filled with achdut, energy and student creativity!” Shabbaton 5777 is off to a great start!

efore the break for the yomim tovim the multipurpose room of Shevach High School was completely transformed into an outer-space themed extravaganza. Senior Chessed Heads Tzipporah Schonfeld, Leah Shapiro, Shani Sommers, Chavi Steinberg, and Batsheva Twersky, under the leadership of Assistant Principal Rebbitzen Chani Grunblatt, were able to bring this year’s chessed breakout to a whole new level. Planes, rocket ships and stars with every student’s name imprinted on them lined the walls. Truly eye catching was the year’s chessed theme and artistic logo emblazoned on the front wall. Taken from Tehillim, the theme of “ki gadol ad shomayim chasdecha, For Your kindness is a great as the heavens, Hashem” certainly motivated the girls to extend a helping hand to others, as a way of emulating Hashem’s great acts of chessed. To further inspire the girls, Ms.

20

YEARS Rambam Mesivta

TORAH | MIDOS | EXCELLENCE

Breindy Hershkowitz, co-author of My Life On Wheels, came to Shevach to share her perspective on chessed with the student body. As one who, through no choice of her own, is forced to be a recipient of chessed, her words were a real eye opener to the girls. Among other thoughts, she conveyed how one’s attitude when doing a chessed makes a strong impression on the recipient and how one can see every situation as an opportunity to do chessed. In the words of freshman Chana Deitsch, “I am usually inspired by speakers, but never to this degree! I walked away inspired, moved and with several new ideas on life. It was amazing to see her perspective! Thank you so much.” Ms. Hershkowitz ended her presentation with powerful words on the importance of tefillah and how having a positive mindset makes a big difference. Her message hit home and the energy in the room was palpable.

Rambam Mesivta RAMBAM MESIVTA 15 Frost Lane 15 Frost Lane Lawrence, New York 11559 Lawrence, New York 11559 516.371.5824 516-371-5824 info@rambam.org info@rambam.org www.rambam.org www.rambam.org

F O OPEN HOUSE O PR

OPEN HOUSE

Motzei Shabbos, November 12, 2016 at 8:00 PM 12 Cheshvan 5777 at 2:00 PM Sunday, November 11, 2012 For those unable to attend, there will be a Mini Open House on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 8:00 PM

26 Cheshvan 5773

Pre-Register at: www.Rambam.org


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

55


56

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

EX G CL RE U AT SI VE W E Q DD U A IN LI G TY G FA IFT BR ! IC S!

Around the Community

Halachos of Home Safety at YOSS

CUSTOM FAUX LEATHER TABLECLOTHS AND CHALLAH COVERS LOCATED

IN

CEDARHURST, NY

CALL/TEXT TO ORDER: (845)-323-6616 @TABLE_SCAPES WHOLESALE | HOSTESS GIFTS| BAR MITZVAHS|CORPORATE ORDERS

T

he sixth grade at Yeshiva of South Shore, under the tutelage of Rabbi Avrami Robinson, has been learning about the halachos of maakeh (fencing off

dangerous areas of a building). The boys created proportionally accurate models of situations that they have seen and explained how the halacha would apply in each case.

An Inspirational Experience

E

xceptional…memorable… touching… These are just a few of the adjectives used by the eighth grade students of Shulamith Middle Division to describe their experiences last Tuesday, November 1, as they visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the World Trade Center Observatory. To begin their full day of activities, the girls participated in an educational workshop entitled, “Memorialization and Remembrance.” They watched a video depicting the events of the day and closely examined some of the artifacts in the main exhibit. After the workshop, students had additional time to tour the museum in small groups, accompanied by their chaperones. Leora Muskat’s reaction to the museum was shared by many of her classmates. “It really moved me to see how much work was done to never forget what happened on 9/11 and to always remember the people who were lost.” After two and a half hours in the museum, the group walked to Battery Park and enjoyed lunch on the waterfront. They then had the opportunity to take the elevator to the World Trade Center Observatory, where they marveled at the spectacular view from the

100th floor of the building. Returning to ground level, the group was met by Mr. Yaakov Morgenstern, father of eighth grader, Nechama. Mr. Morgenstern shared memories of his sister, Nancy, one of the victims of the terror attacks. Everyone viewed Nancy’s name on the 9/11 Memorial and, after the recitation of Tehillim in Nancy’s memory, Mr. Morgenstern explained the significance of various aspects of the memorial. “It touched my heart,” Frieda Vegh commented, “especially to hear Mr. Morgenstern share his own personal story of how he lost a family member on that tragic day.” Priva Halpert summed up everyone’s feelings when she wrote, “[The trip] was greatly moving and very informative. I learned more about 9/11 today than I have in my entire life, and now I feel like I am connected not only through what we’ve learned in school but also emotionally.” We thank the chaperones, Mrs. Rookie Billet, principal, Mrs. Hertz and Mrs. Mandel, parents, and Morah Hoffman, Mrs. Norowitz, Ms. Snyder, and Mrs. Steiner, teachers, for supervising the girls on this important educational experience.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

57

Around the Community

Honor Society Induction at SKA

For the evening’s program, “Torah: The Font of All Knowledge,” the inductees worked in groups and selected themes of Torah in synthesis with secular disciplines such as chemistry and Torah, music and Tanach, etc. They prepared moving and thoughtful presentations which were greatly enjoyed by their peers, families and Mrs. Helen Spirn,

ing and supporting the girls during this event. Mazel tov to all our honorees and their families! SKA is extremely proud of Re’ut’s newest members’ efforts and ongoing dedication to their studies while performing acts of kindness throughout the community.

SKA’s Head of School, and Ms. Raizi Chechik, Principal. The evening was also enhanced by hearing from Professor Alyssa Schuck of the Microbiology Department at Stern College for Women. Special thanks go to Mrs. Deena Kobre, Associate Principal, and Mrs. Rivky Watman, Educational Technology Integrator, for all their dedicated leadership in prepar-

HAFTR High School

OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH

10:00AM

• Academic excellence in General Studies and Limudei Kodesh in a warm and caring environment • Outstanding record of college admissions and post-High School Israel Yeshivot • Strong focus on building character through meaningful Chesed and Jewish activism projects Ms. Naomi Lippman Principal, General Studies nalippman@haftr.org

Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen Principal, Judaic Studies geoppen@haftr.org

Mr. Joshua Wyner Assistant Principal jowyner@haftr.org

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School 635 Central Avenue • Cedarhurst, NY 11516 516-569-3807 856413

T

he Re’ut National Honor Society Induction ceremony for the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls chapter was held on Monday evening, November 7. Over thirty inductees were selected to be members of the National Honor Society based on scholarship, leadership abilities, character and service to the school and community.


58

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Mesivta Yam Hatorah – A Parent’s Point of View By Lorey Friedman

F

our years ago, my youngest son, my husband, and I were faced with the task of deciding on a Mesivta to join, which would set the course for his entire future. When people ask me why I chose Mesivta Yam HaTorah, I always boil it down into three simple reasons: passion, sanity and education excellence. Let me elaborate on each one of them in order to help you understand why we are so satisfied with our decision. Education Excellence: I strongly believe in the educational philosophy at Yam HaTorah. You’ve read about the following educational philosophies, and I truly believe them: that a) learning happens best through experience; b) meaning must be made through exploration of complex issues; and c) learning with and from others is a critical life skill. Perhaps these phrases are used in other schools but I’ve seen that at Mesivta Yam HaTorah it is honestly, and refreshingly, at the very core of their approach in both the Hebrew and English departments. The high standard of learning is approached with these philosophies that encourage the boys to think independently, resulting in them being respected as the mature and capable young men that they are. My husband and I recognized that our most influential learning moments had come when this philosophy was in action. We deeply believe that the future bnei Torah of the world will need more and more motivation, self-assurance and positivity in order to grow, navigate and remain strong and steadfast in their ideals and values in a difficult world. It was clear to us that Mesivta Yam HaTorah is not a cookie-cutter school that produces one flavor

Rabbi Zoldan’s ninth grade class

of high performers. My son and his friends are intelligent, fascinating and composed young men who have solid values and goals. Mesivta Yam HaTorah has given my son incredible opportunities in limudei hakodesh and English, but more importantly, Yam HaTorah has given my son confidence in who he is, what he is looking for, and how to obtain it. Sanity: We reluctantly acknowledged how we’ve seen high school boys going through “burnout,” disinterest in growth and a general complacency in life. We wanted a yeshiva that would be academically challenging, but also incorporate fun and mind-expanding activities. We wanted our son to love going to yeshiva and baruch Hashem, as a parent of a senior at MYHT, my son would not miss a day of Yyshiva for anything. He loves going to school and would tell you that himself. Mesivta Yam HaTorah pro-

Why is Yeshiva Tuition so High? Page 98

vides an environment of academic and emotional/personal excellence. Classes and assignments are intelligent and meaningful. They are thought-out, prepared and paced appropriately for the students. Yam HaTorah not only challenges the talmidim but devotedly coaches them individually and in equal measure. Hence, the learning environment in school is a sane and smart one. I can proudly and honestly say that my son is graduating high school with a genuine eagerness to continue his learning. And he has had so much fun along the way. Rosh Chodesh trips, Shabbatons, Shnayim Mikra V’echad Targum incentive trips and grade-wide retreats are as much of a learning experience as seder and class. The football games, basketball games and more bring out the tremendous achdus in the yeshiva for the boys (and staff) on and off the field. Passion: The last, but most important, factor is that Mesivta Yam HaTorah is a yeshiva that is full of rabbeim and staff that feel passionate about helping high school boys and learning. This manifests itself into one of the most caring, engaging and skilled yeshivas imaginable. The students are passionately engaged in their classrooms, and the teachers are passionate learners themselves.

The rabbeim are endlessly interested in discovering how each student is unique. They find remarkable things in every talmid and help each individual personality emerge. The entire staff – administration, rabbeim and teachers – support the parents with wisdom and provide a partnership in raising your son in his development, as a talmid and as a person. Faculty and administration are available 24/7 for their students because they want to be, not because they have to be. The boys know this and take advantage of this gift, as they themselves quickly come to realize how unique, real and genuine their Mesivta is. In this supportive atmosphere, the boys thrive. We are enormously grateful to Mesivta Yam HaTorah. As a parent of a graduating senior, I can honestly say that every square inch of Mesivta Yam HaTorah is devoted to making each boy’s yeshiva high school experience and education great. From the time we entered the yeshiva until now, it has more than doubled in size. We are proud that it is an innovative, leading high school choice for so many fine boys. It is truly a very special place for boys to begin their higher educational journeys. Together with the Mesivta, we look forward to sharing in great nachas from our son and the entire graduating class of 2017.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Around the Community PHOTO CREDIT: NAFTALI BAK

Harav Henoch Friedman giving a shmuess at Mesivta Shaarei Chaim this week

YCQ Grade 8 Students Visit the Jewish Heritage Center

By Savi Kessler

T

he Names, Not Numbers program at the Yeshiva of Central Queens took a trip to the Jewish Heritage Museum to learn about the Holocaust. Names, Not Numbers is a program started by Tova-Fish Rosenberg where students research the Holocaust, then interview and record Holocaust survivors, creating a one-hour documentary so that the survivor’s memories will be remembered forever. Each year the documentary from YCQ and other participating schools is saved at Yad Vashem. At the museum, the grade eight participating students learned about

each concentration camp and how Jews either survived or sadly perished in the war. The students saw many inspirational things. For example, there was a girl who worked in Kanada, a warehouse facility the Nazis used to store all of the belongings stolen from the Jews heading into Auschwitz. She found silver pieces and made a comb out of it. She made a comb in the hopes of her hair growing back and that she would be freed from the camp. This trip was truly meaningful and emotional. It was meant to help create a better understanding of the survivors they will be interviewing, all they lost, and the struggle they overcame to survive.

59


60

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

YOSS Mechina Rosh Chodesh Program

O

n November 1, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvon, the Mechina Division at Yeshiva of South Shore kicked off its monthly Rosh Chodesh Program. The talmidim of 6th through 8th grade were treated to a deluxe breakfast, powerful divrei Torah, live music, and team building exercises. Immediately after an inspiring davening, the boys entered the cafeteria to find a scrumptious spread of bagels, cream cheese, scrambled eggs, juice and other treats. Rabbi Avi Schulman, 9th grade rebbe at MAY, shared divrei Torah, sprinkled with stories and anecdotes, that focused on the power of the tongue and avoiding words that hurt. This was a natural segue into presenting the boys with the middah of the month – shemiras halashon. Middah of the Month is a growth oriented program that helps young teens develop character and middos. Rabbi Shlomo Drebin, Program

Coordinator, led each grade in friendly competitive games, such as “Broken Telephone,” which drove home the point that we need to be careful when we speak and to avoid spreading rumors and gossip. Laughter and smiles filled the room as the boys ex-

perienced such important life lessons in real time! Throughout this month, they will be taking part in special shmiras halashon programming. At Yeshiva of South Shore, Rosh Chodesh is a day that everyone eagerly awaits. The monthly cycle leads to

opportunities to grow in ruchniyus, while having an awesome time with rebbeim and friends! All the boys are already awaiting Chodesh Kislev and looking forward to continued opportunities to grow in their middos and character development.

Yeshiva of Central Queens Annual Mix-It Up Anti-Bullying Lunch Event

PHOTO CREDIT: JONATHAN SHERMAN, GRADE 8

By Sam Verstandig, Grade 8

O

ctober is anti-bullying month. To participate, YCQ held a Mix It Up at lunch day. Mix It Up is an anti-bullying club run by Mrs. Melissa Maisel, seventh grade ELA teacher. The point of the Mix It Up at lunch day is that the students don’t sit with their usual groups of friends. As students entered the lunchroom they were given different colored plates and they had to sit at the table that matched their plate. The Mix It Up club members created an icebreaker game to help the students get to know one another. Students were than treated a buffet lunch from Carlos & Gabby’s Grill. Mix It Up president Sam Verstandig invited State Senator Joseph

Addabbo to join the students for the lunch. He spoke to the students on the importance of anti-bullying and he applauded the junior high school students for taking a stand against

Stop the Sniffles Cindy Weinberger on page 88

bullying. He also presented the club with a check to put towards programs in their future efforts. Senator Addabbo then awarded Mrs. Maisel with a citation from the New York State Senate. This was one of the most successful Mix It Up events thanks to the hard work of the student representatives, the participation of students, and the support and organization of Mrs. Melissa Maisel, club advisor, and the JHS administration.

This program takes place in schools across the country to help students learn effective ways to break down social and racial barriers. The event was launched by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance project in 2002, and encourages students to sit with someone new in the cafeteria for just one day. Cafeterias are the focus of Mix It Up because that’s where a school’s social boundaries are most obvious.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

61

Around the Community

Trump Israel Advisor David Friedman Spends Last Campaign Night in Hometown By Tammy Mark

“I

want to be the most pro-Israel president that there’s ever been … and I want you to advise me.” These were the opening words of Donald Trump to Senior Israel advisor David Friedman seven months ago. A Five Towns resident, Friedman is a committed Jew, an enthusiastic supporter of Israel, a writer for several major Israeli publications, as well as Trump’s friend and attorney for 15 years. On Monday night, the very last before the 2016 election, Friedman spent the evening at the Woodmere home of Michal and Jonathan Weinstein sharing details of Trump’s Israel platform and his strong pro-Israel stance. Michal had astoundingly organized the event, with the help of Jeff Lax and Cindy Grosz, a mere 24 hours prior, after realizing that many friends and neighbors in the community were gravely concerned about both America’s and Israel’s future and felt a lack of confidence in either candidate. With Republican candidate for State Senate Chris McGrath and Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman in attendance, and sponsored in part by Avi Fertig and the Lawrence Republican Club, the event proved to be an intimate op-

portunity for the community to get an insider’s perspective and share a proverbial calm before the next day’s storm. Friedman opened with an anecdote of the time he sat shiva for his father during a blizzard, when even his closest friends weren’t able to visit. It was to his surprise and gratitude that Donald Trump pulled up to his home after 3 ½ hours of traveling. They spent several hours that night talking and the friendship intensified from there. Their conversations on Israel developed in 2005 when Friedman purchased a home in Jerusalem; Trump was impressed by Friedman’s decision – as well as the premium price of real estate prices in the region - wanting to understand why he chose a vacation home 6,000 miles away rather than perhaps in the Hamptons. Friedman’s reply drove the point home - he wryly explained that the world has been fighting over Israel for the past 3000 years and nobody was fighting over East Hampton. Trump began to truly appreciate how the uniqueness of Israel. “We put together a platform that is quite frankly, by a wide margin, the most pro-Israel platform in the history of either party and the history of this country,” asserts Friedman.

Avi Fertig, Bruce Blakeman, David Friedman, and Michal Weinstein at the event

Friedman worked with Trump early on in the campaign to develop the Republican platform on Israel. It was a collaborative effort with Republican delegates and a number of pro-Israel groups - including Christian Evangelical groups - working item by item. He urged everyone to take the time to read it. The platform includes no reference to a two-state solution and declares that Israel is not an occupier in Judea and Samaria – ideas contrary to long held positions of the United States and the United Nations. Trump values the U.S.-Israel alliance and their reliance on each other for security. Trump credits Israel with doing a great job of balancing the interest of human rights and security and is not looking to destabilize Israel by pushing for what have been historically unrealistic solutions. Friedman discussed Trump’s goal of moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, explaining that while others had attempted it before but made no progress, Trump would have the best chance of getting the job done. His newness to the political scene affords him the fresh perspective to stand up against the “lifers” at the State Department’s and the conventional way of doing things. As for Hillary Clinton, Friedman related that she presents unaccept-

able risks to the state of Israel, despite what she may say. With controversial associates like Tim Kaine, Huma Abedin, Sidney and Max Blumenthal, and funds coming in from Arab nations like Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, she has a believability problem. As for whatever President Obama may be able to do in the next two months that is detrimental to Israel, Friedman maintained that Clinton will not be able to change that. “Donald Trump is going to usher in to American foreign policy a relationship with Israel that the United States has never seen before, that Israel has never seen before.” There were close to 100 people in attendance that evening; a crowd of mostly Trump supporters, but open to all. After engaging in many passionate discussions on social media, marketing maven Michal Weinstein saw the value of disseminating Friedman’s message as far and wide as possible – the event was videoed and livestreamed on Facebook, gathering over 6,500 views within 24 hours. “I had the privilege two weeks ago of doing a rally for Donald trump on Har Tzion overlooking the Temple Mount – it was probably by far the highlight of this experience,” said Friedman. “It is a great pleasure to end my campaign here in Woodmere where I live.”


62

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Gedolei Yisroel Address Siyum Hashas Made by Beth Medrash Govoha Chaburas Dirshu By Yaakov Silber

“W

hat a simcha, what an accomplishment! One chaburah has learned Shas from beginning to end – not just learned Shas but been koneh Shas with depth and breadth. It is a morediger simcha!” These were the words of HaGaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood, at the milestone Siyum HaShas of Beth Medrash Govoha’s Chaburas Dirshu. For 18 years, Chaburas Dirshu of Beth Medrash Govoha has learned, chazered and taken tests on Shas b’iyun. They have slowly and comprehensively learned masechta after masechta, blatt after blatt, Tosafos after Tosafos, one rishon after another. Finally, this past Tuesday night, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, hundreds, led by many of America’s renowned gedolei Yisrael, gathered in Beth Medrash Govoha’s simcha hall to celebrate the simcha of welcoming so many new Shas Yidden to Klal Yisrael. “A Siyum HaShas and a SIYUM HASHAS!” When the current Rosh Chaburah, HaRav Moshe Chaim Katz, said the words, “Hadran alach…Shas,” there was a collective feeling of making history. As HaGaon HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlita, said, “There is a siyum haShas and there is a Siyum HaShas.” When an entire chaburah undertakes to comprehensively learn Shas with constant chazarah and tests they attain a kinyan in Shas, a comprehensive, indepth knowledge of Shas. Even a cursory look at the illustri-

ous dais gave insight into the tremendous chashivus that many gedolei roshei yeshiva of America attached to the accomplishment. The Roshei Yeshiva of Lakewood, HaGaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Yeruchem Olshin, shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Yisroel Neuman, shlita, were themselves baalei simcha as the Lakewood Yeshiva hosted the chaburah. (HaGaon HaRav Dovid Schustal, shlita, was in Eretz Yisrael and thus unable to attend.) The siyum was also graced by the presence of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Mottel Dick, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Mendel Slomowitz, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Berel Shachar, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Heineman, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Sholom Kamenetzky, shlita, and numerous other roshei yeshiva, rabbanim and poskim. Hundreds of yungeleit and their wives attended the siyum. As Rav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim of Staten Island, completed the special Kaddish said after a siyum, a palpable simcha permeated the room. Rav Malkiel Kotler: The Ultimate Simcha of Simchas Torah Rav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, said, “Boruch Hashem this chaburah is learning with such devotion to Torah, tremendous toiling in Torah and is tasting the sweetness of Torah. This chaburah has learned one masechta after another, taking tests for 18 years straight! It has published 20 seforim

and maareh mekomos on over 25 masechtos!” Rav Kotler also highlighted his gratitude for Rav Dovid Hofstedter’s role in the chazarah and bechinos. Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky: “We Want to Hold onto Shas!” There was a hush in the room as the senior rosh yeshiva of America, Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky, shlita, rose to speak saying, “It is a great zechus and pleasure to come to a siyum such as this, on all of Shas… What you have done is remarkable! It is remarkable for a chaburah to finish Shas over an 18 year span! It is a glorious achievement!” Rav Shmuel concluded by expressing his special admiration for the selflessness of the wives of the Chaburas Dirshu of Beth Medrash Govoha members. “They are true equal partners in this Siyum HaShas!” Words cannot do justice to the atmosphere of pure simcha permeating the room as the music played and the entire room erupted into exultant dancing. To watch the venerated rosh yeshiva Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky dancing with other roshei yeshiva, with Rav Dovid Hofstedter and the roshei chaburah was to experience true simchas haTorah. Restoring the Shas Yidden The founding Rosh Chaburah, HaRav Moshe Pruzansky, expressed his deep hakoras hatov to the Roshei Yeshiva and Mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha, for being so supportive of the chaburah and to Rav Dovid Hofstedter for his constant chizuk and vision. Rav Pruzansky introduced Rav Dovid Hofstedter, thanking him for Dirshu’s prime role in the chaburah. After giving over a comprehensive dvar Torah, Rav Hofstedter related that he had recently been in Lita, Vilna, Kovno and Radin where he had seen the mass graves of the Yidden murdered al kiddush Hashem in the Holocaust. “The Holocaust was a churban like the mabul – an entire generation, an entire way of life, a world was wiped out and lost forever. “Rav Avrohom Pam, zt”l, told me

that he was zocheh to know people for whom knowing Shas with Rashi and Tosafos was like aleph beis. We lost those Shas Yidden. It is our task to rebuild that world, to offer a korban to Hashem with shleimus, to try recreating the Shas Yidden, to rebuild what was lost in the churban. This is what we must do. “Baruch Hashem the past 18 years of effort have culminated in this wonderful siyum, but the yetzer hara is still so strong! We have such an increase in Torah and yedias haTorah in our times but le’umas zeh, there has been such an increase in tumah throughout the world in the last 18 years as well. It is our task to strengthen ourselves and continue to increase the kedusha in the world…” Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel: “When You Learn and Review Shas Repeatedly for 18 Years, You Both Know Shas and Understand Shas!” Rav Eliezer Ralbag, rav of the Lakewood Courtyard Shul and a founding member of the chaburah, introduced HaGaon HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel by quoting a letter that Rav Elya Ber had sent to the chaburah several years ago. “I was pleased when I was told that there are still giborei koach and anshei ruach who have accepted upon themselves to restore the crown [of Torah] to its original glory, to learn in a way that empowers them to become talmidei chachomim.” Rav Wachtfogel said, “Tonight we are not celebrating any siyum haShas. There are many siyumei Shas, but this one is being made by talmidei chachomim who have learned Shas with omek and havanah… When you learn and review Shas repeatedly for 18 years, you both know Shas and understand Shas!” Rav Wachtfogel’s drasha and heartfelt words were followed by more spirited dancing. It was clear that the large crowd simply could not contain their simcha as the dancing continued. Indeed, 18 years of simchas haTorah, 18 years of limud haShas, is a source of unparalleled simcha.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Around the Community

Debating at HANC

O

n Thursday, November 3, the HANC seventh and eighth graders had a special assembly. They had the opportunity to have their own mock presidential debate. Ori Baer was Donald Trump; Ilana Pfeffer was Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Seeno served as the moderator. Some issues discussed were immigration, medical care, and terrorism. The students did a great job portraying the candidates. They were very authentic, humorous, and knowledgeable. All of the students and faculty enjoyed watching the debate. On November 7, they will cast their

votes as to whom they want as president. Will it be Trump or Hillary?

Elections at HALB Middle School

O

ver the past few weeks, the HALB Middle School students have been learning about the election in their social studies classes. On Monday, November 7, several other classes -- including science and language arts – joined in helping our students better understand the Electoral College, political party system, and other aspects of the election. The highlight of the day was the mock presidential debate assembly, in which students represented platforms of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party as presidential and vice-presidential candidates. We even had an Independent candidate participate. The “candidates” were so impressive in delivering their prepared

speeches. Respectful, articulate, and informed, they demonstrated keen insight into the issues they discussed. Kudos to the following candidates, and their campaign advisors, for their engaging performance: Shira Ebbin, Samantha Klein, Atara Sicklick, Rebecca Silvera, Ari Leifer, Yoni Schonbrun, Yonatan Simantov, Daniel Singer, and Jason Zelmanovich Our assembly culminated with “voting” for candidates with ballots in our official ballot box. Thank you to our social studies faculty – Ms. Waterman, Ms. Kleiman, and Mr. Daron – for their tremendous efforts in guiding students across the grades to think deeply about election issues and write speeches about them, and for creating a meaningful election program.

63


64

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

The children at HANC ECC West Hempstead were treated to a petting zoo in honor of Parshat Noach. The children loved the petting zoo and pony rides.

Community Chest of the South Shore’s Evening to Remember

T

hursday evening, November 3 was a night to remember. Over 240 guests arrived at the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club to honor the outstanding honorees, Carol & John Harrison and Susan and Michael Kerr. Members of the community, led by the Harrison-Kerr families, offered generous sponsorships to fund the Community Chest of the South Shore’s “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program. The fund was created to act as an emergency cash source for local social workers representing service organizations who operate in the South Shore communities to have available for their clients who are facing unusual hardships. Five families who received aid during 2016 offered their diverse stories and heartfelt thanks. After encouraging comments from the honorees the guests were asked to contribute to the fund so that Community Chest would be prepared to meet the heightened needs of our neighbors in need seeking assistance throughout the upcoming cold holi-

day season and beyond. Susie Kerr said, “Charity should start in your own backyard where one can really see the good their charitable contributions can bring to their neighbors.” Carol and John Harrison explained that it was an honor to help Chest work for the various charities within our community and that Chest strives to be a unifying force within our neighborhood. Michael summed up by commenting that Chest is a wonderful “umbrella” over our entire community and exists to serve and benefit those in our area who need help, and he is proud his family is able to be part of the” Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program. Community Chest South Shore continues to raise funding in order to meet the many requests for aid that lie ahead and that the organization is preparing to help turn “Hardships into Hope.” For information on how to donate, please call 516-374-5800 or contact rblock@ communitychestss.org.

Dating Dialogue Page 82

Rambam Students Head to Washington Area to Advocate for Israel

L-R: Noah Schwartz, Avi Orlow, Ariel Blumstein, Joseph Silverstein, and Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman

A

riel Blumstein, Avi Orlow, Noah Schwartz and Josef Silverstein were chosen to represent Rambam Mesivta at the annual Schusterman Advocacy Institute High School Summit in Alexandria, Virginia. The conference hosts over 400 students from across the nation in an effort to educate them on the latest issues impacting on the American Israeli relationship. This leadership conference, sponsored by AIPAC, requires candidates to be self-motivated, Israel-oriented, disciplined and politically-minded. According to Rosh Mesivta, Rabbi

Zev Meir Friedman, “We are fortunate to have so many bright, mature talmidim dedicated to klal Yisrael. It is hard to choose only four, however, the young men going truly represent so many others in Rambam and will undoubtedly come back and share their experience with our chevra.” Rambam has a long-standing history of community activism and pro-Israel advocacy. Principal Rabbi Yotav Eliach, teaches a college approved course on religious Zionism, has lectured nationally and has recently authored a book teaching the tools of pro-Israel advocacy.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

A Rambam Man Never leaves a supermarket wagon in the parking lot.♦ Recognizes the “Don’t” in “Don’t cut the line.”♦He is the one who offers the “first sip” through which he gives more than a soda.♦The first 10 in the minyan.♦A Rambam Man is the one campaigning, not complaining.♦He doesn’t ask, “Is that everything?” he is the one asking, “What else can I help you with?”♦He is an idea which leads the chabura, davens for the amud, and gives shiur.♦He is the “r” that protects the word “Friend.”♦Recognizes the “Don’t” in“Don’t forget the milk.”♦He is the one who wears a scarf to make his mother happy. ♦ Knows that you never take the last cookie.♦A Rambam Man celebr ates a victor y by shaking the other player ’s hand first.♦He doesn’t ask, “Where’s the exit?” he knows where the fire extinguisher is.♦He is the husband who is present when he is there.♦Recognizes that you don’t just love Israel, you represent it.♦ He is the space between “nowhere” and “now here.”♦Helps clean up after the simcha is over.♦A Rambam Man is fir st to be asked and the last to demand.♦ He cheers for the other team too.♦The one calling at 12:00AM to wish you a happy birthday.♦Recognizes that you look for the pass before the shot.♦He helped pump out the basement regardless of whether the house had a mezuzah.♦A Rambam Man doesn’t ask, “Can I do it later?” he asks, “How about right now?”♦The one who reads the word “untied” as “United.”♦He calls his friend when he sees he isn’t in school…and photocopies his notes for him.♦The one who is always standing on the subway because he always gives up his seat.♦He is the idea that you put your siddur and chumash back after davening.♦He is the husband who turns around to check on you.♦The one doing the “don’t” favor.♦The one who carried the bags but refused the tip.♦A Rambam Man never leaves shiur without thanking the Rebbe.♦A Rambam Man never leaves class without thanking the teacher.♦He is an idea which makes partner, starts a company, heads a practice, and chairs a committee.

Open House

Motzei Shabbos November 12th, 2016 12th of Cheshvan 5777 8:00pm

Mini Open House Monday

November 14th, 2016 14th of Cheshvan 5777 8:00pm

Pre-Register @ www.Rambam.org

65


66 24

1. 2.

NOVEMBER 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29,10, 2015 | The Jewish Home

TJH You gotta be

Centerfold kidding

A chassidish guy walks into a bar with a parrot on his shoulder.

Riddle me

this?

The bartender looks up and says: “That’s cool, where did you get it?” The parrot looks up and says, “In Brooklyn – there’s thousands of them there!”

What loses its head in the morning and gets it back at night? See answer on next page

Things to argue about now that the elections are over:

• Which puppy will win the Westminster Dog Show this year. • Which NY football team won’t win the Super Bowl more this year, Giants or Jets. • Pepsi vs. Coke • Mac vs. PC • iPhone vs. Android • How to spend your hypothetical lottery winnings. • Should homework be banned?

• What is the best pizza shop in the Five Towns? • What is the correct way to pronounce the following words: route, often, aunt, February and tomato. • If a store has a “no questions asked” return policy, is it wrong to buy something if you have no intention of keeping it. • Should toilet paper be rolled over or under? • Is candy corn a vegetable? • Who should run in 2020…. AHHHHHH!! Just kidding.


The 10,2015 2016 TheJewish JewishHome Home| NOVEMBER | OCTOBER 29,

World Champion Cubs Trivia

2.

What is the rule if a ball gets lost in the ivy and bushes that adorn the outfield in Wrigley Field?

3.

What happens when an opposing team hits a homerun into the stands at Wrigley Field?

4.

In what decade was a night game first played in Wrigley Field?

5.

6.

According to Cubs fans, what caused their long World Series drought?

Who is this guy above and what does he mean to the Cubs?

Answers: 1. If you said 1908, you are wrong. Correct answer: 2 weeks ago. 2. It’s considered a ground-rule double as long as the outfielder raises his hands to indicate that the ball is lost. If he doesn’t, it’s considered fair play. 3. The ball is thrown back into the field. 4. 1988. On August 8, 1988, to be exact, Wrigley Field finally joined the rest of the MLB and began having night games. At 6:05 p.m., 91-yearold Cubs fan Harry Grossman began the countdown. “Three . . . two . . . one . . . Let there be lights!” Grossman pressed a button, and to the cheers of thousands of fans, six light towers flickered to life. 5. October 6, 1945, a Chicago tavern owner named Bill “Billy Goat” Sianis went to Wrigley to cheer on his beloved Cubs against the Detroit Tigers in game 4 of the World Series. He purchased a ticket for himself and one for his pet goat Murphy, thinking it would bring the Cubs luck. But ushers stopped Sianis from entering with Murphy. Sianis appealed directly to thenclub owner P.K. Wrigley, asking him why he couldn’t take his personal mascot to the game. “Because the goat stinks,” Wrigley replied. An angry Sianis threw his arms up and declared, “The Cubs ain’t gonna

win no more!” W h e n the Cubs lost the series to the Tigers, Sianis sent Wrigley a telegram. “Who stinks now?” it read. 6. Steve Bartman was an innocent Cubs fan who grabbed a foul ball in the eighth inning of Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series (NLCS), with Chicago ahead 3–0 and holding a three games to two lead in the best of seven series, preventing Cubs left fielder Moisés Alou from catching the foul ball. If he would have not interfered with Alou it would have been the second out of the inning. The Cubs ended up surrendering eight runs in the inning and losing the game, 8–3. When they were eliminated in the seventh game the next day, the incident was seen as the “first domino” in the turning point of the Series. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Bartman, a lifelong Cubs fan, had to be escorted from the stadium by security guards and was placed under police protection for a time. Scorecard: 5-6 correct: Way to go Bartman! 3-4 correct: Not bad, you just got stuck in the outfield ivy for a bit. 0-2 correct: Who stinks now?

Answer to Riddle: A pillow

1.

When was the last time the Cubs won the World Series?

25 67


68

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Torah Thought

Parshas Lech Lecha By Rabbi Berel Wein

O

ur father Avraham is an inveterate wanderer. For a great deal of his life he is a traveler, always an immigrant in a new and alien society. Though he is recognized and respected as being a prince of G-d and a special person – an asset to any society in which he chooses to dwell – he still remains the eternal “outsider.” He constantly hears, reverberating in his mind, G-d’s original instruction to him to go forth, to travel to a destination that is as yet unknown to him. In spreading the message and idea of monotheism throughout the world, his mission drives him to journey. He is not a nomad in any sense of that word, for he has a purpose and a goal and his journeys are a means to achieve his end. But being a traveler automatically shapes his life and is itself one of the major challenges that he faces in his lifetime. In this respect, he is the accurate forerunner of the fate that will befall the Jewish people, his beloved descendants, throughout its long and

difficult history. The Jewish people have wandered the face of this earth and have brought blessing and enriching achievement to every society

“outsiders.” And many times in our history this has ended very badly for all concerned. Part of the lesson of the life of

The Jewish people have wandered the face of this earth and have brought blessing and enriching achievement to every society it visited and settled in.

it visited and settled in. Yet, again like their father Avraham, the Jews remained “outsiders” even though they were part of a particular society for centuries and felt themselves comfortable and perfectly integrated. In fact, and in inexplicable irony, the more integrated they were in a society, history shows us, the stronger was the reaction to treat them as

Avraham is that Jews must at one and the same time be a part – a loyal and contributing part – of the general society where they reside and somehow remain distinct, unique and special. Again, as history has shown us, this is no easy task, not for any individual, let alone for an entire group of people numbering in the millions. Bilaam, the intellectual

champion of the non-Jewish world, would wonder in amazement that Israel “dwells alone and is not reckoned with the other nations of the world” and yet it plays such a dominant and disproportionate role in the affairs of the general world society. In this it mirrors accurately the life and role of Avraham during his long and productive lifetime. To be the “outsider” and yet to be the cog that drives the engine of progress in civilization is one of the greatest achievements of the Jewish people over the ages. The non-Jewish world begrudgingly realizes this but, as in the case of Abraham and his society, this in no way softens their attitude or behavior towards the Jewish society and nation. Whether there is anything that we can do to improve this situation is a difficult question to answer. But, as in the case of Avraham, our task is to persevere and remain constant to our goals, mission and eventual destination. Shabbat shalom.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

69

The Observant Jew

Election. Results. By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

B

y the time you read this, the Unites States will likely have elected its new president, unless we have another issue like in 2000 (but I’ll spare you the Gore-y details.) Assuming a clear winner is decided, life will go back to normal a certain amount, and the news will have to find better stories than what we’ve been subjected to the past long number of months. People will stop pontificating about what this one or that one will do to the country, and we can stop looking for ways to put down the candidate that we don’t like. It strikes me as ironic that people who “know” so much about politics have no clue that there really are very few undecideds out there. We each find the candidate we feel will do a better job of protecting what’s important to us and tend to overlook his or her shortcomings. I doubt that many people were swayed by the mudslinging that took place or the constant haranguing of, “You’re planning to vote for WHOM??? Do you know that s/he…?!” Blah. Blah. Blah. For all their campaigning, people pretty much decided that they either liked or disliked the current establishment and voted to keep the status quo or for change. For the next four (or

maybe eight) years, the people who voted for the winner will keep the bumper sticker on their car to show that they were right, even if the president does a terrible job. In some states, it may not even matter how a person votes because the Electoral College can override a popular vote. I don’t know exactly how that mechanism works but I’m pretty sure it involves some of the same scientific principles that make vinegar and baking soda explode in a frothy mess. Does that mean you shouldn’t vote? Of course not. It’s your civic duty, and your obligation as a Jew, to be part of the process. You see, our job, in an election or in life, is not to achieve results. It’s to make the effort. There’s a famous story about R’ Elyashiv, zt”l, who had been very active in political discussions and machinations leading up to elections for the Knesset. The day after the elections he didn’t know who had won, but didn’t care either. He explained, “I had to be busy with the elections and make my efforts, but when it came to the actual election, Hashem chose the winners. It doesn’t matter to me who won.” Some of you may say that’s simplistic or perhaps “putting on blinders,” but

that’s only if a piece of you doesn’t think Hashem runs the world. Free will doesn’t mean that G-d will let you do whatever you want but that He will let you try to do it. If your goal is something that He didn’t decree to happen, you will fail. Did you ever notice that what a politician promises to do when he campaigns is not what he does in office? It’s because when your decisions affect many people, Hashem will limit your free will. He doesn’t let the elected officials do those things that He is against. In Chovos HaLevavos, R’ Bachya teaches that we cannot control the outcome of events, so we can’t be held responsible for completing a task. All we are responsible for is the effort. If we try to give tzedaka but the person refuses it, we still did the right thing. If we prepare to offer someone a ride but they get one from someone else, we’re better for having been thoughtful. There is an interesting corollary to this understanding. It means that if I chose not to get involved in lobbying for or against a particular candidate, I didn’t end up changing history. The winner is who the winner was going to be, and my attempts to guide others to my viewpoint didn’t actually affect

the outcome. Realizing this, we can ask ourselves if perhaps we could have used our time in more beneficial ways. Could we have benefited from not training ourselves to badmouth others or choosing not to get angry and waste

when most of them will be shown to have been for naught. Instead, let’s choose to focus on things we can and should be doing in our service of Hashem and our fellow man. Instead of pointing out people’s flaws, let’s look for the good in each oth-

You see, our job, in an election or in life, is not to achieve results. It’s to make the effort.

other people’s time? All the effort we put into sharing our views was rather pointless and would never lead to results anyway. We have a choice in life as to what we will spend our time and energy on. We can use our creativity to help people or swindle them; to do good or to do evil. We can choose to spend our time in shul communing with Hashem, or, chas v’shalom, ignoring Him and shmoozing with our friends so we can stroke our own egos by droning on about our opinions and getting laughs at our jokes. It’s time to take stock of our actions and remember that all the weeks, months, and years of campaigning will boil down to one day

er. Let’s find ways to make a difference in the type of people we become. In that way, no matter who is elected, we will be the winners. Jonathan Gewirtz is an inspirational writer and speaker whose work has appeared in publications around the world. You can find him at www. facebook.com/RabbiGewirtz and follow him on Twitter @ RabbiJGewirtz. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. Sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly PDF Dvar Torah in English. E-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter.com and put Subscribe in the subject.


70

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Between the Lines

Yields and Dividends By Eytan Kobre

You win the victory when you yield to friends. - Sophocles

O

n a chilly night in September 1986, two Soviet ships – a liner carrying 1,234 passengers and a cargo freighter – were to sail past one another in the Black Sea. Instead, the ships collided and, within minutes, the liner sank so quickly that there was no time to launch lifeboats. Hundreds drowned to death. The cause? It wasn’t technology or fog or human error or negligence. It was stubbornness. The respective captains had at least 45 minutes’ notice that the ships were on a collision course, but they simply refused to give way to one another. Each was too proud to yield. And the results were tragic. Recognizing that she was unable to bear children, Sara told Avraham to bring her maidservant Hagar into the house “so that [she] could be built through her”— not because Sara gave up on having children but because she believed that she herself would bear children “in the merit of bringing the maidservant

into her house” (Rashi, Bereishis 16:2). Consider that. Avraham and Sara had struggled for years to have children. No one would fault Sara for being extra possessive of Avraham. But, instead – yielding to Avraham’s benefit – she invited her rival into her home as a competitor for Avraham’s time and attention. Yielded-ness ran in the family (Bereishis Rabba 53:13), and Sara understood that by forgoing her rights in favor of Avraham’s, G-d would forgo what might otherwise have been His plans for her. Because when we yield to others, G-d is willing to yield to us (see e.g. Rosh Hashana 17a). Yielded-ness is a vital trait (Pele Yo’etz, Vatranus). The wicked King Achav, for example, had half his sins forgiven because he was foregoing with his money (Sanhedrin 102b). The Jewish people were exiled because they refused to yield to one another (see e.g. Bava Metzia 30b). It was Rochel’s yielded-ness in transmitting to her sister Leah the signs confirming marriage to Yaakov (Bereishis 30:22) – and not the pleas of the other

patriarchs and matriarchs – that spared the Jewish people from annihilation (Eicha Rabba 24). And, during one severe drought, it was the prayer of R’ Akiva – and not that of his colleague R’ Eliezer — that resulted in rainfall, “because [R’ Akiva] is yielding and [R’ Eliezer] is not” (Ta’anis 25b). Again, G-d yields to those who yield. On his mother’s yahrzeit, R’ Yisrael Salanter arrived in shul to find that another congregant had yahrzeit for his daughter. Although the yahrzeit of a mother takes precedence in leading the congregational prayers, R’ Yisrael anticipated the pain of the bereaved father, and he asked the father to lead the prayers in his stead. R’ Yisrael later explained that this act of yielding would have an even greater effect in elevating his mother’s soul than actually leading the prayers (Tenuas HaMussar, Vol. 1, Chapter 32). But beyond spiritual merit, yielding is a practical necessity. One simply cannot always stand on ceremony, refuse to budge an inch, and demand and fight for every last right or cent or slight.

That’s no way to live, and perhaps that is the reason that yielded-ness is regarded as a recipe for a long life (Ta’anis 20b; Megilla 28a). Only by yielding and letting go of the petty and insignificant things – and they’re all petty and insignificant in the grand scheme of things –can one truly live an unshackled life, free of aggravation. During World War II, a young R’ Yaakov Galinsky found himself in a Siberian labor camp alongside Poland’s former ministers of justice and education, respectively. After some time, the two ministers approach R’ Yaakov and asked him to mediate a dispute. The education minister accused the justice minister of stealing his pillow; the justice minister eventually copped to stealing the pillow but justified the theft by claiming that he needed the pillow to barter for additional rations for survival. Shocked by the depths to which they had sunk, R’ Yaakov told the ministers of his own experience in the labor camp. Early on in his stint, R’ Yaakov awoke one morning to find an extra ration of food under his pil-

low. Despite his initial sense that this was some one-time gift, the scene repeated itself morning after morning until R’ Yaakov resolved to find the “culprit.” Despite crushing labor, near-starvation, and sleep-deprivation, R’ Yaakov strained to remain awake and learn the identity of his anonymous benefactor. At 3:00am, he felt a tug at his pillow. R’ Yaakov sat up abruptly to find an elderly Jew tucking rations under his pillow. “What are you doing?” asked R’ Yaakov. “Why are you giving up your meagre portion for me?” The elderly man explained. Before the war erupted, I was a wealthy man lacking nothing. I now know that money is meaningless; my life in Siberia has taught me that there are things far more valuable than money...The nutrients are less valuable to someone of my advanced age than they are to someone younger such as you. You have your entire life ahead of you, and you could use all the extra nutrients you can get. Giving you my extra rations has preserved my own humanity.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

R’ Yaakov addressed the ministers again. “That’s how you should act! Yield to one another, not despite our dire circumstances but because

spouse. In marrying off his children, R’ Yaakov Kamenetzky insisted that his custom was “whatever the other side’s custom is.” Or, as the

“My life in Siberia has taught me that there are things far more valuable than money…”

of them. If you can’t yield to one another in this hell then you’ve lost your humanity already.” And nowhere is yielded-ness more needed than when it comes to family (Bamidbar Rabba 9:2). The Chazon Ish advised that yielded-ness is the most important trait in a potential

Vizhnitzer Rebbe (Imrei Chaim) put it, “Our custom is to be yielding.” When the brilliant R’ Akiva Eiger was engaged to be married, the custom was for a groom-to-be to travel to his father-in-law for Shabbos and deliver a Torah address to the community. Following custom, R’ Akiva

Eiger traveled to his fatherin-law’s town, which eagerly awaited what was sure to be a wondrous display of the future son-in-law’s brilliance. But, alas, R’ Akiva Eiger refused to speak on Shabbos morning, and no one could convince him otherwise. Bitterly disappointed, the townspeople turned to the father-in-law. “The young man is no prodigy. You’ve been duped! He cannot even speak.” The next morning, R’ Akiva Eiger delivered a brilliant, four-and-a-half hour dissertation, wowing the townspeople. Asked to reconcile his curious behavior, he explained that another groom-to-be had been present in shul that Shabbos. “Had I delivered my address on Shabbos, it would have dampened the fanfare sur-

rounding the other groomto-be. It was more important to me that he have the limelight. So I yielded to him and waited until today to deliver my address.” * * * Theodore and Audrey Geisel (Dr. and Mrs. Seuss) long ago penned the now-famous tale of two Zax – a North-Going Zax and a South-Going Zax – who crossed paths upon the prairie of Prax. Both refused to yield (“There they stood. Foot to foot. Face to face.”), assuming the world would stay put too. But, boy, were they wrong: Of course the world didn’t stand still. The world grew. In a couple of years, the new highway came through

71

And they built it right over those two stubborn Zax And left them there, standing un-budged in their tracks. In a world gone obsessed with “rights,” it has become increasingly difficult to yield or relinquish them, with the result that we have learned to fight and claw and nitpick and guard over every trifling matter. Family. Friends. Neighbors. Work. School. Shul. Being exacting is not worth it. It never is. Just let it go. Yielding pays greater dividends. And it just may be the best investment of all.

Eytan Kobre is a writer, speaker, mediator, and attorney living in Kew Gardens Hills. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail eakobre@outlook.com.


72

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Another L

k

Agreeing to Disagree Agreeably By Rabbi YY Rubinstein

T

hree years ago I walked along the streets of Cordoba in Spain with two friends. We were organizing a trip to for Jews interested in traveling back in time to discover Jewish Spain before the expulsion in 1492. After that time of course, Jewish life ceased altogether. I hadn’t realized before my visit exactly how perfect the process of expunging any memory of Spain’s Jews had been. In the entire country there are only a handful of synagogues identifiable from the national purge of “Los Hebreos.” All had been given to the church for their worship. A Spanish Jew told me that when they were recently returned to the Jewish community, it was with the caveat that having once been consecrated to the Church of Rome, no Jewish worship was allowed in the synagogues. Of my two companions one was a Jew and the other a Spaniard. Moses is a travel agent who lives in Gibraltar which once belonged to Spain but had to be ceded to Britain “in perpetuity” at the end of the

War of Spanish Succession in 1713. Miguel lives in Malaga and is one of the nicest fellows I have even met. It was quite impossible to imagine that this man’s ancestors had been capable of the bestiality and cruelty, which was the signature of the notorious Inquisition. Walking together, I addressed Miguel in my basic Spanish with Moses frequently correcting and explaining my meaning. On the flight to Spain I had read a book about the Spanish Civil war of 1936. At that time ancient Spanish hatred and cruelty was rekindled on both sides of the conflict. The “Republicans” were made up of left-wing parties that had formed a government in 1931. Generalissimo Franco’s “Nationalists,” an alliance of right-wing parties and fascists, attempted to overthrow the government. Spaniards of the left happily lined prisoners up at the end of the day and shot them before going to Madrid’s tabernas to relax, laugh and smoke. The Nationalists behaved no better. Stalin supported

the Republicans with arms and soldiers. Hitler supported the Nationalists in the same way. Towns with names like Badajoz witnessed unspeakable horror and war crimes. The Second World War was having a rehearsal. Those who lived through this dark time on both sides reported how easy it was to hate their fellow countrymen and women. Only their values were the right ones; in fact, they were the only ones. Those values were the very essence and soul of Spain. People who did not share them posed an existential threat to what being Spanish meant. Volunteering for a firing squad and then sitting undisturbed in the late afternoon sun sipping wine with your friends evoked not the slightest feeling that the surrealism for which Spain’s famous sons, like Salvador Dali, were so renowned had torn through the canvas to become reality. Moses, Miguel and I reached a taberna in Córdoba and enjoyed a beer bathed in the same late afternoon Spanish sun. I told Miguel of

the book I had read and he looked at me with an insouciant expression and said, “It’s no different today.” He went on to explain how the Left and Right once again view each other almost exactly as they had when that animosity and hatred grew into the Guerra Civil. The 2016 presidential election has produced a similar result. The fact that both parties’ candidates were so deeply flawed and the campaign so bitter has only exacerbated the profound and real divide between America’s Left and Right. Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and especially President Obama characterized this particular election as one that could threaten the very fabric of American society. I doubt the result has changed that concern. It may, in fact, have exacerbated it. America’s Left sees the GOP’s support of guns laws, opposition to abortion on demand, inclination to protectionism, its fundamental rejection of “sanctuary cities” and America’s porous borders, along


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

with almost every other cherished element of their worldview, as un-American and a threat to the country. The Right sees the Left’s positions on all of these issues, as well as their ambivalence towards Islamic terrorism, as an assault on the essence and soul of the United States. Both sides see their opponents as posing a real and present danger to America’s true mission and what the United States stands for. American Jews were and are as split as everyone else. I have just returned from a three week lecture tour of North America. On this trip I visited a certain Canadian City for the first time. I can usually tell if what I say has been well received and when I gave the sermon in shul on Shabbos morning my sense of a positive reception was reinforced by the number of people who made their way over to tell me how much they had enjoyed what I had said. There was, though, one person who had quite a different view. In my address I had pointed to a survey that had taken place after the Islamist terror attacks in London in 2005. Innocent Londoners were blown to pieces by suicide bombers. A survey took place which revealed that a very large percentage of young UK Muslims between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five admitted that they would not inform the police if they knew about another such outrage being planned. The fact that I had predicated this by saying that only a fool believes that all Muslims think and act the same did nothing to assuage my critic’s fury. I was, he declared, a “racist and an Islamophobe.” I explained to him that legitimate criticism is not a demonstration of bigotry or prejudice. He was unconvinced and un-convincible. Our different world’s views were simply too far apart. I did a little research on this gentleman and found that he had contributed two articles to the Forward whose socialist origins and past are happily perpetuated by their socialist present. One of the articles was unsurprisingly on the subject of Islamophobia. He

had also written for Haaretz, so I suppose that his almost hysterical reaction should not have surprised me; I have written a lot about the Left’s Islamo-fascist blindness syndrome. The only real surprise was

from the politics that led to a bitter civil war, the politics of America now has an uncomfortable feeling of moving very close to a similar position. This, of course, is familiar ter-

He was unconvinced and un-convincible. Our different world’s views were simply too far apart.

that he was a member of an Orthodox shul. A week later I spoke at another Shabbaton, this time in California. In my sermon I alluded to UNESCO’s recent farcical pronouncements that the Jewish people have no connection to the Temple Mount. This congregation was as outraged by this as I was. I went on to quote Reb Yitzchok Hutner, zt”l, who once wondered why it is that the UN building in Manhattan so resembles the headstone of a grave. He answered that the reason is that the truth is buried there! This produced laughter and universal agreement from my listeners, except once again, from one man. He approached me to explain I had upset him with my criticism of the UN. It is, in fact, “quite fair” in its treatment of Israel, he told me, which in any case “controls the organization.” With the memory of the Canadian from the previous Shabbos still in my mind, I simply told my new critic, “Wow, I didn’t know that. You learn surprising things every day,” which seemed to calm him. He, too, I discovered, belongs to the far Left of the political spectrum. Worldviews that are too far apart even for dialogue has been a very apparent theme in this presidential election. The “other side” poses a real and present danger to the very heart of what America is. The “others” are America’s enemy and that, I’m sorry to write, is not hyperbole or rhetoric. If, as I discovered, the politics of today’s Spain are not too removed

ritory to Jews. After the death of King Solomon, Jews whose worldview was so different to their fellow countrymen tore their country in two. Israel became the Jewish state of the North and Yehudah in the South. The hatred and conflict between the two was profound. We lost our Second Temple and our

73

country as a consequence of a civil war between two camps not so dissimilar to today’s Left and Right, making us easy pickings for the Roman legions. As a consequence, we might have some wisdom and advice to bring in the aftermath of this bitter election to both sides. To do that we will have to make sure we practice what we preach and seek dialogue and compromise whenever conflicts erupt – from family politics, to shul politics, to community conflicts. If we can strive towards agreeing to disagree agreeably in every aspect of our Jewish lives, we can hope to pour oil on the troubled waters of the disagreements that have emerged as so bitter in our American lives.

Rabbi Y Y Rubinstein is a writer and au- thor who speaks all over the world. He lives in Inwood.

HEAL THROUGH FORGIVENESS A Raw Talk About Forgiving the Unforgivable RIVKA MALKA PERLMAN

Dynamic Coach and Forgiveness Mentor, Leader of The Redemption Retreat* Sunday, November 13, 2016, the 12th of Cheshvan, at 10 A.M. at Cong. Shaaray Tefilah, 25 Central Avenue THIS MONTH’S LECTURE IS BEING SPONSORED BY:

The Feigenbaum Family li”n Rav Avraham Elimelech ben Harav Pinchas Shlomo

The Bergman Family li”n Reb Klonimus Kalman ben Reb Yeshayahu and Sara Esther bas Reb Yeshayahu The Cohen Family li”n Sara bas Menachem Mendel and Avraham ben Zusman * The Redemption Retreat - a forum for understanding your specific life mission; Upcoming at the end of November, in Baltimore, Md. Watch ItsRivkaMalka Transformative Videos on YouTube! Would you like to be a K I S L E V sponsor? Email jgulkowitz@yahoo.com or call Debbie at 516-239-0494 B”H in our 28th year of unifying the women of our community!


74

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Reflections on Kristallnacht By Hylton I Lightman, MD, DCH, FAAP

I

cannot let this week pass without discussing Kristallnacht or the “Night of the Broken Glass.” This column is for my children and grandchildren, so that they know and will never forget. Annihilating the Jewish people throughout the world outranked anything else on Adolph Hitler’s agenda. Soon after he was elected Germany’s Chancellor in 1933, he championed extreme German nationalism and vitriolic anti-Semitism. To that end, Hitler and his henchmen began introducing policies that isolated and persecuted Jews, stripping them of rights, and culminating in the Nuremberg Laws. Jews were no longer citizens of Germany. In November 1938, Herschel Grynszpan, a 17-year old Jew who had been living in France for several years, learned that his parents,

who had been living in Germany since 1911 and where Herschel had been born, had been exiled without notice by the Nazis back to Poland together with tens of thousands of Polish-born Jews. Infuriated, Grynszpan shot to death in Paris a German diplomat named Ernst vom Rath on November 7 th who succumbed to his wounds two days later. Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda for Nazi Germany and Hitler’s close associate, seized this opportunity to rile Hitler’s supporters into an anti-Semitic frenzy. Goebbels’s announcement that mobs and anti-Jewish riots “would not be hampered” unleashed plans against the Jews that had long been in place. The infamous Kristallnacht ensued. As a result, on November 9-10, Nazi mobs destroyed and torched hundreds of synagogues throughout

Germany, annexed Austria and the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, along with thousands of Jewish homes, schools, businesses, hospitals and cemeteries. Members of the SS and Hitler Youth beat and murdered Jews, broke into and wrecked Jewish homes, and brutalized Jewish women and children. Nazi officials ordered German police officers and firemen to do nothing as the riots raged and buildings burned. However, firefighters were allowed to extinguish blazes that threatened surrounding properties. The streets of Jewish communities were littered with glass which gave rise to the name Night of the Broken Glass. Unbelievably, the crazed Nazis held the German Jewish community responsible for the damage and, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, imposed a col-

lective fine of $400 million (in 1938 rates). Further, more than 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to the Dachau, Buchenwald and Sachsenhausen concentration camps in Germany – camps that were specifically constructed to hold Jews, political prisoners and other perceived enemies of the Nazi state. The reaction of the world outside Germany to Kristallnacht? There was shock and outrage and a storm of negative publicity in newspapers and among radio commentators. U . S . President Franklin D. Roosevelt only took a po-

sition five days after hearing from Rabbi Stephen S. Wise that the pogrom was “far worse than you could know.” President Roosevelt’s condemnation was a mere four sentences: He said that “the news of the past few days from Germany” had “shocked public opinion,” and he “could scarcely believe that such things could occur in a 20th century civilization.” Note that he neglect-


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

A crowd gathers to watch a synagogue burn during Kristallnacht in Graz, Austria

The synagogue of Baden-Baden in flames, November 10, 1938

The Boemestrasse Synagogue being burnt on November 10, 1938 in Frankfurt

ed to mention Hitler and the Nazi regime and the Jewish victims. Under pressure from Assistant Secretary of State George Messersmith, who suggested that Roosevelt call the U.S. ambassador back to Berlin for a report or America would “fall behind in public opinion,” Roosevelt called the ambassador home “for consultation.” However, there was no suspension or severance of U.S. relations with Nazi Germany. Kristallnacht became a game changer. Whereas prior to November 1938 Nazi policies had been primarily nonviolent, afterwards, conditions for German Jews and all European Jews worsened exponentially. The culmination: the Holocaust or Shoah in which 6 million of our brethren were murdered, as well as millions of others. Why is this year’s anniversary of Kristallnacht af-

fecting me more than any previous one? The hatred unleashed in today’s world knows no boundaries. Further, the “Holocaust Generation,” who witnessed and gave voice to these horrors, are passing away, most recently and notably, Elie Wiesel and Rebbitzen Esther Jungreis. Their collective absence is creating a void being filled with anti-Semitism. With the death of each Holocaust witness and victim, the void grows. Interestingly, history has shown that Jews need not be present for anti-Semitism to flourish. Our antidote to the growing hatred should be multi-pronged. First, our children and other generations must know about the Holocaust. They need to be equipped with facts about our destruction but also about our resistance and attempts at rescue. And they

75

Kristallnacht destruction in Magdeburg. The German citizens seem unconcerned

should know Jewish history. Civilizations have come and gone yet we are here. Three years ago, Shimon Felder and his wife Miriam accompanied my wife and me on a trip to South Africa to visit my mother, a”h. Long-time friends hosted us for Shabbos in Johannesburg. Their children and grandchildren were spellbound as Shimon, a former mayor of Lawrence and gifted storyteller, told them about his being a child in Bergen Belsen during the Holocaust. These educated and sophisticated people had little exposure to Holocaust survivors because the British had closed the doors to Jewish immigration to South Africa during World War II. Our friends and their family felt enriched by learning firsthand from a survivor. Further, we need to be involved in society and our communities. Voting is a

right and a privilege which we should exercise by participating in all elections (not just presidential ones) and we need to become knowledgeable about issues. We should be involved in the political process – prophylactic approach is best. This means concerning ourselves with issues and helping to shape responses so that we don’t wait for a crisis to brew and then we galvanize. It also means respecting those who may be different from us and working with them. In addition, we should walk as knowledgeable Jews. We have contributed to society and world knowledge disproportionate to our numbers. Mi k’amcha Yisrael. We have baruch Hashem the Torah, the source of all life. Cleave onto it and hold on for dear life. Most important, we should be proud to be Jewish.

The legal case of a friend and professional colleague who was sued by a disgruntled patient for alleged medical malpractice was just tried in a Manhattan courtroom. While preparing for trial, his nonreligious Jewish attorney suggested that he not wear his yarmulke during the trial. My friend responded that wearing a yarmulke is who he is. He then discussed this with his rav who encouraged him to wear his yarmulke. The jury decided in his favor. We must learn from history because we are not immune from it happening again.

Dr. Hylton Lightman is a pediatrician and Medical Director of Total Family Care of the 5 Towns and Rockaway PC. He can be reached at www.totalfamilycaremd.com, on Instagram at #lightmanpeds or visit him on Facebook.


76 54

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Donald J. Trump

45th President of the United States

W

e never saw it coming. On Tuesday night, as Donald J. Trump swept up key states in the 2016 presidential election, most of America was surprised. They were surprised because the media was deftly able to skew polls and sentiments as they blared their headlines for the past few months. Hillary was a shoo-in; Donald had not chance. But the American people have spoken – and they have spoken bigly. By early Wednesday morning, Trump was able to take the stage. Hillary Clinton had conceded to him by phone, and he addressed the nation and thanked them for their support.

“Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division,” the president-elect said. “It is time for us to come together as one united people. It’s time.” For 17 months the United States has watched the billionaire-real estate mogul-TV personality take the political stage. His sweeping victory this week is a clear indication of voter dissatisfaction; in fact, both the Senate and the House are now in Republican hands. As 45th president, Trump won’t have an easy job uniting a nation that has been feeling a searing divisiveness. “I will be president for all Americans,” he vowed. Trump, 70, will be the oldest president in U.S. history to first en-

ter the White House. He is also the first person to be sworn in as commander-in-chief without having held elected office or served in the U.S. armed forces. In line with his “Make America great again” message, Trump declared in his victory speech, “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. … America will no longer settle for anything less than the best.” On the other side of town – this is the first time that both presidential candidates held their campaign headquarters in New York – Hillary Clinton’s campaign did not initially concede defeat. John Podesta, campaign chairman, told supporters to

go home and said that several states were “too close to call.” She later conceded to Trump in a phone call. Her concession speech took place on Wednesday at 11AM in the Peninsula Hotel, the same place where she watched the devastating – for her – election returns. According to Politico, perhaps the most dialed-in left wing political news organization, the Obama White House was shell-shocked at Trump’s win. David Plouffe, President Obama’s 2008 campaign manager and one of his closest advisors, tweeted as the results came in, “Never been so wrong on anything [in] my life.” The Obama administration was clearly preparing for party victory

                      


55 77

BLOOMBERG PHOTO BY DANIEL ACKER

The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 10, 29, 2016 2015

Donald Trump and his wife Melania head to the polls on Tuesday morning

and Vice President Joe Biden even struck a conciliatory tone towards those not on board with Hillary at a late night rally on election-eve regarding Trump supporters, “We have to figure out what’s eating at them. Some of it will be unacceptable, but some of it will be about hard truths about our country and about our economy.” This, though, is not the first time that Biden was caught with his foot in his mouth. 2016 may just be the last time we see Hillary Clinton in the race for the presidency. This is the second time her bid to occupy the White House was thwarted. In 2008, she was defeated in the primaries by President Barack Obama. Her dream of becoming the first female U.S. president will never be realized.

T

uesday night saw major wins for Trump in key states. Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa – some of the Rust Belt states – and Florida were lost by Mitt Romney in 2012; Trump picked them up this time around. He also won heavily contested North Carolina. His message and straight talk resonated with millions of white working class voters who felt alienated by the current administration. Clinton won her share of battleground states, including Virginia, Nevada and Colorado, but could not make up for Trump’s strong performance in other states thought to favor the Democrat. Early on it was

noticeable that her “blue wall” was crumbling. Both candidates weren’t likable to the American public. In fact, early exit polls on Tuesday showed that 61% of voters viewed Trump unfavorably; 54% had an unfavorable view of Clinton. Clinton stumbled in the last few days before the election, as FBI Director James Comey announced the bureau was revisiting the investigation into Clinton’s personal email server use while secretary of state after discovering new messages on the laptop of disgraced ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin. Two days before the election, Comey closed the case again, but many Americans – and politicians on the other side of the fence – weren’t satisfied with the conclusion. WikiLeaks’ release of emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s account also revealed unflattering particulars about the Clintons: infighting, concerning details about the Clinton Foundation, and evidence that Clinton received town hall questions during the primaries. Trump, too, didn’t have a smooth time in the nation’s news cycles. He was accused of assaulting and insulting women after leaked footage was discovered in October. His quick and unmeasured words and tweets were insulting to many Americans and ethnic groups. Ultimately, though,

Hillary Clinton casting her vote on Tuesday

America made their choice – and resoundingly so.

T

rump knows that in order to win you have to keep fighting. From the start he had to defy expectations. Who would have thought that from a pack of 17 contenders – including seasoned politicians, a doctor, a business executive, and a son and brother of two living U.S. presidents – he would have swam to the top? The debates were certainly entertaining, unlike the mind-numbing forums America was so used to. He motivated voters with his outsider, populist message and threw off his rivals with quick, cunning banter. Was it nice? No. But perhaps America needed someone fresh who was not parroting party ideology. Trump is not someone who kowtows to the establishment. In fact, many in the Republican Party disowned him during the election and vowed to cast their vote for Clinton instead of the GOP candidate. The Bushes (41, 43 and Jeb), Colin Powell, Mitt Romney, and John Kasich all announced their disdain for Trump during the election. House Speaker Paul Ryan did endorse Trump in the end, but it was reluctant, tepid and came after a long, drawn-out, public decision process. In terms of issues, Trump railed against free-trade deals like NAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership. His foreign policy rhetoric was dif-

ferent than what the GOP put forth. He said he would rebuild ties with Moscow, something that Democrats fervently denigrated. His hardline stance on immigration made some in the Republican Party uncomfortable, particularly his plan to suspend Muslim immigration from certain countries along with his call to “build a wall.”

T

alk is talk, but as we see from his campaign, Trump is also able to get things done. What will life in the United States look like under President Trump? If the economics of the Trump campaign are an indication of how he will govern, that’s a promising sign. According to number crunchers, President-elect Trump spent less than $5 per vote, less than half of what Clinton spent. In his victorious campaign, he raised $270 million, less than half of what Hillary raised and approximately a third of what President Obama raised in 2012. According to data analytics, Trump received about $5 billion worth of free media coverage throughout his campaign. His controversial comments and tweets were shared and viewed by thousands – maybe millions – without a cent being spent. Clearly he is a businessman and has surrounded himself with other business-minded individuals as well. Many are hoping that with a person who understands business and the economy at the helm, America will

                      


NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

WASHINGTON POST PHOTO BY RICKY CARIOTI

WASHINGTON POST PHOTO BY JABIN BOTSFORD

78 56

Cheers after an announcement that Donald Trump has taken Ohio on Tuesday night

see a more financially successful future. Trade is a big part of our economy and Trump has been vocal about his disdain for certain trade deals. He has also accused China of taking advantage of cheap labor at Americans’ expense, illegal export subsidies, intellectual property theft, and lax worker safety and environmental standards that amount to an “undeclared trade war” on the U.S. Trump has said he’ll make sure that every trade agreement boosts U.S. economic growth, reduces the trade deficit, and strengthens manufacturing. Major companies looking to merge may want to watch out. On October 22, the president-elect called AT&T’s proposal to buy HBO and Time Warner Inc. “an example of the power structure I’m fighting.” He said that a deal like that wouldn’t be approved by his administration because “it’s too much concentration of power in the hands of too few.” Congress, although Republican, will not always be on Trump’s side. Trump does not need Congressional approval to pull the U.S. out of NAFTA or the World Trade Organization. He would also be able to cancel certain executive orders that were issued by Obama – and there were many of them – including those that allowed certain illegals to stay in the country. But in terms of cutting taxes or repealing Obamacare, Congress would need to be onboard. In all likelihood, a Trump presidency

will see a cut-and-paste, back-andforth between the executive and legislative branches when it comes to issues like Obamacare. Congress can help provide a replacement healthcare law and fill in key details to his broad tax plan for America. Perhaps the most long-term effect of a Trump presidency will be the makeup of the Supreme Court. A Trump win has crumpled Judge Merrick Garland’s ill-fated nomination, paving the way for a Republican-nominated justice to take Justice Scalia’s empty seat. Additionally, the justices on the highest court in the

T

here are 73 days left until Trump occupies the Oval Office. President Obama has said that he will be cooperating and helping to ensure a smooth transition. On Wednesday, he declared, “I have ordered my team to work as hard on assuring a smooth transition as President Bush did when we came into office.” The day after Trump was declared president-elect, his transition staff got to work, conducting their first briefing at New York’s Trump Tower. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Alabama Senator Jeff

“America will no longer settle for anything less than the best.”

land are not getting any younger. Two of the court’s liberals, Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer, are 83 and 78, respectively. Moderate conservative Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is 80. Will any of them retire in the next few years? If so, Trump and Congress will be filling their seats as well. President Obama placed two liberal justices on the Court during his tenure. Without Scalia, the eight seat court is balanced, although Justice Kennedy has sided with the liberal members on some social issues.

Sessions are Trump’s transition advisors. His transition team of roughly 80 people has been working full-time for five days a week on the transition – a smaller staff than Romney had employed during the 2012 election. But experts have also been consulted – people who have served in previous administrations or are experts on certain subjects. Former George W. Bush officials and Romney advisors also sit on the team. Trump’s transition binders were completed on schedule last Thurs-

day and covered cabinet secretaries, domestic and foreign policy, White House operations, timelines for the transition and national security. Briefings will be held in New York and Washington, D.C. One of the key items on the agenda is filling cabinet posts. Trump has been handed a list of possible candidates for cabinet secretaries. His teams will vet any names that Trump may recommend for consideration. Sources say that the leading candidate to become White House Chief of Staff is RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, someone who many feel will be the best conduit between Trump and Congressional Republicans. It’s highly probable that Newt Gingrich, Ben Carson, and Mike Huckabee will be receiving a new desk and office in the near future. In terms of intelligence, once the team is ready, they will be able to be briefed. Obama has already authorized what he deems important for the president-elect to know. As cabinet members are selected, they will be briefed and receive intelligence as needed.

O

n January 20, as the winds of winter blow through Washington, D.C., and through Trump’s hair, America will have a new face in the White House. If history is a guide, Donald J. Trump’s tenure will offer a fresh outlook, a few surprises, plenty of controversy, and will surely make America great again – bigly.

                      


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

79


80

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

On the Streets of

Israel

“Only One Carrot?” PHOTO CREDIT ELANA DURE

By Elana Dure

I

t’s only been three weeks since I arrived in Israel and I’ve already been to the open air market in Petach Tikva, also known as the shuk, four times. I, alongside 134 other young adults, committed 10 months to teaching English to young Israelis across 12 different cities with Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program. While serving as teaching aides, mentors and guides, we will also integrate ourselves into our Israeli communities. I was more prepared than ever for my outing to the shuk. I arrived on Lipkis Street looking less like a tourist and more like a local interested in buying her groceries for the week. (Of course my Masa knapsack still revealed to the world that I was an American and not a native Israeli.) Since it was a Monday afternoon, the shuk was quieter than usual. But despite the unusual wave of calmness, there was still an abundance of vendors and customers throughout the marketplace. Produce stands, fisheries, a butcher shop and more lined the walls of the enclosed area known for its fresh vegetables, dried fruit, whole grains, spices, baked goods and wide variety of cheeses, meats and fish—all for a relatively inexpensive price. Every other time I came to the shuk, it was with curiosity and wonder. As soon as I entered the metal archway my senses tingled and my

eyes widened like a child’s in a candy shop. I’d walk aimlessly down the aisles, soaking in the colors, smells and sounds of the surrounding area. I’d occasionally buy a few pieces of dried fruit or a single leafy head of white cabbage, but usually I’d simply stand still and immerse myself in the ambiance, completely amazed by the dynamic atmosphere. This time, however, I came with a purpose. I was on a mission to buy

Israeli man with a blue T-shirt and lit cigarette—my single selection. He glowered at the bag, then at me. “Only one carrot?” he asked in Hebrew. “Yes, only one,” I laughed meekly. In response, clearly disappointed, he sighed and weighed the carrot. “One shekel.” The shuk in Petach Tikva is not as large, or as popular, as Machane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem or Car-

Usually I’d simply stand still and immerse myself in the ambiance, completely amazed by the dynamic atmosphere.

fresh produce for the week and was determined to find the stands with the best possible prices. After snagging some tomatoes and apples, I headed up and down the aisles in search of the perfect carrot. Ultimately, I settled on one from a stand that sold the orange vegetable for 4 shekels per kilogram. In truth, this was a bit of a splurge compared to the price of the other vendors, but the vibrant color and large size of these carrots were incomparable. I began to rummage through the generous pile, and after a few minutes, handed the vendor—an older

mel Market in Tel Aviv, making it advantageously less touristy. It is an old-world styled center that consists of two blocked off roads in the shape of a “Y.” Opened six days a week and located in the city center, the Middle Eastern flavored market gives visitors the opportunity to experience a slice of Israeli life that they may not have otherwise seen. Created with the establishment of the settlement in 1878, the marketplace’s main duty was to promote Petach Tikva’s locally grown crops, according to MyYnet. Residents of the surrounding area, particularly

Kfar Qasim, would come to purchase vegetables and fruit from the local farmers. Today, Petach Tikva’s shuk still attracts many residents from the city and the region. It is one of the area’s must-see spots, both for visitors and natives alike. After purchasing my carrot, I continued on with my shopping routine, adding cabbage, bananas, broccoli, dried fruit, and candy to my stash. Proud of my purchases—I only spent 36 shekels or approximately $9.50—I reconvened with my apartment mates, excited to share my finds. We each rehashed our individual experiences, relishing in the excitement and success of our trip. During our exit from the market, one friend turned to me with a laugh, ready to share another shuk story. “Guess what the vendor said after I bought this,” she asked, holding up a yellow bag with a familiar vegetable. I smiled at her, anticipating the answer. She imitates the man with a thick Israeli accent. “Only one carrot?”

Elana Dure is a resident of Woodmere and recent graduate of the University of Maryland. She is currently teaching English in Petach Tikva through Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Tichon Meir Moshe

Bnos Bais Yaakov High School The Maurice Lowinger Campus

Open House

Meet Our Esteemed Hanhala; Discover The Enriching Curriculum We Have To Offer

Tuesday, November 22, 8:00 p.m. Ateres Nechama Liba Simcha Hall 613 Beach 9th Street • Far Rockaway, NY Tel. 718.337.6000 ext. 337

Entrance Exam

mazdesign 718.471.6470

Sunday, November 27, 10:00 a.m.

Make Up Exam

Tuesday, November 29, 5:00 p.m.

TMM BUILDING 1221 Caffrey Avenue • Far Rockaway, NY

Quality Chinuch • Quality Education Mrs. Chaya Gornish

Menaheles, Limudei Kodesh

Mrs. Adina Mandel

Principal, General Studies

Mrs. Ruchie Sokoloff Dean of students

81


82 46

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

I have to admit that when I was young and even when I was a young adult, I was what most people would consider a “bad boy.” I was rebellious at home and at school, and not surprisingly, I married at the age of 20, against my parents’ wishes and made one of the biggest mistakes of my life (among many). My marriage was brief and both my ex-wife and I realized that we didn’t belong together and we called it quits in just over a year.

After a couple of more bumpy years of making many poor choices, I met up with someone who really had an enormous effect on my life. Somehow, this wonderful man took me on and decided it was one of his missions in life to mentor me and help me see the way. I will always be grateful to him and feel as though he saved my life, certainly spiritually, and probably in other ways as well. I would say that right now, at the age of 26, I’ve finally gotten my life together. I am finally proud of the man I’ve become. I feel many areas of my life are on track and I feel I’m ready to start dating again and am hoping to meet someone wonderful to share my future with. Here’s my problem and my question. For years, I know that I had a well-earned bad reputation. People knew that I wasn’t a great guy. I was kicked out of more than one school and had some serious problems. I don’t even recognize myself today as being the same person. But I’m getting the feeling that people out there don’t understand that I’ve changed and turned my life around. I want to be set up with “good girls,” but that’s not happening. People don’t seem to believe or trust what they see in me now. How do I get people to understand that I’ve made terrible mistakes in my life but that I’m not that person anymore and that I deserve to be given a chance and set up with good women who can appreciate me for who I am today, rather than punish me for who I once was?

Now through November 15th, the Navidaters are offering a gift just for you! Give us a call to take advantage of a FREE 20-minute DATING PROFILE analysis phone session. The session is free, so you have nothing to lose and insight to gain. To learn more, watch the 3rd episode of “The Soon By You After Show With The Navidaters” on YouTube or give us a call at 516-224-7779. Sessions are filling up fast! Book yours today! Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2015 2016 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29,

47 83

The Panel

The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. irst it must be said that your honesty and effort are to be commended. It was not an easy journey to turn your life around but you persisted and you did it! You also give credit to your mentor for his impact and support. You are open about where you were, where you are, and how you got there. Continue to be open as you go forward in finding your soul mate. Your mentor can be a help and an advocate for you now. Ask him to introduce you to his friends and get yourself invited for Shabbos to people in his network. This way you will have a built-in reference and also have a chance for people to get to know you. The same goes for your rabbi, your religious colleagues and your neighbors. These are people who see you day-in and day-out and know you well. Have someone reach out for you to schools and organizations that service baalei teshuva and people from diverse backgrounds. The staff of these groups understand and respect people who have made journeys and changes. The Oorah organization, for example, has a well-organized and researched shidduch initiative that involves advocates for each single, a rebbetzins’ network, events and shadchanim. Their focus is on people who were born into families of baalei teshuva or are baalei teshuva. In addition, seek to spend time with people who can appreciate you and your qualities. Volunteer in an organization where you can develop friendships with people with similar values. Organizations that deliver meals, mentor fatherless kids, and service the disabled will offer opportunities to meet caring and openminded staff and volunteers. In other words, do not expect your shidduch to come through typical community channels. Go beyond the community in which you grew up where everyone remembers your history. Remember to turn your perceived

F

negative into the positive that it is. Practice scripts that are honest so that you don’t come across as defensive. Use words like “I have earned my ____ years.” “I am a man who has grown by experience and am seeking a complementary partner so that we can grow together and achieve more than we can individually.” If the conversation deepens and you feel the person wants to get to know you better, you can share that you didn’t always have a stellar record. Give a reference who can furnish your history and frame it properly and put in in the right perspective. You don’t have to give your details right away. Remember that Hashem is a loving Father with open arms and great capacity. He will help you find your mate. Do you hishtadlus in the right places and daven.

The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, PA

Y

ou seem like a wonderful young man – kudos to you for pulling it together, albeit a wee bit later than your peers. After crunching the numbers, here’s the way I see it. You were a rebellious teen who, between the ages of 20 and 21, experienced a tumultuous marriage and a quick divorce. Between 22 and 24, you had “bumpy years of many poor choices.” Over the past two years, you have, under the tutelage of a caring mentor, pulled your life together. Now you’re ready to date again and you want to date the kind of girls who have never really wandered off the straight and narrow. The issue for these “good girls” – again, the way I see it – is that you haven’t been on that straight and narrow for enough time that they know that you will not stray again. What will happen when you’re under the pressure of a new relationship? Of children? Of financial pressure? Of the bumpiness of real life? They may call into question your relation-

ship with your mentor and wonder whether you have become too dependent on him and whether you will thrive without him. So here’s what I think you should do: Think about the qualities that you’re seeking in these girls and narrow them down. A girl without bumps in her past may not be comfortable dating you, and, from your perspective, may not fully understand you. Don’t simply look for the “good girls” who haven’t meandered during their teens and early twenties but look for what matters to you: a good heart, strong positive values, and a healthy emotional state. Give it time. You’ll find the girl that’s right for you. Prove to that girl that you’re right for her. The longer you continue on this path, the more confident she’ll be that you’re the one for her.

The Shadchan Michelle Mond his is certainly a seemingly difficult position to be in. You sound like a young man who has grown a lot over the course of the past years and turned your life around through the hashgacha of gaining an amazing mentor and role model in your life. You undoubtedly deserve a fine person who has her life together and is most certainly a “good girl.” But how can you solidly demonstrate that you have changed and are a different person? I think the adage “actions speak louder than words” should help guide you. You can’t shout it off the rooftops or go around convincing everybody but you can demonstrate it by becoming involved in your community. Become an active and

T


84 48

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

consistent member in your shul; let people notice you at davening. People will see that you are an upstanding young man who is shomer Torah u’mitzvos. Get involved in chessed opportunities, learning programs, and shul/community functions revolving around helping people. Let others witness the inner and outer changes you have made. People will independently come to the realization that you truly turned a new leaf and will respect you for it. Now to the shidduch aspect: The first step is to realize that Hashem is in control, providing we invest the proper hishtadlus, including being realistic. My next suggestion is to branch outside your community, reach out to shadchanim from other places, attend singles events where people get to meet you themselves and be open minded to baalei te-

shuvas as well. Limiting your list to women who have never gone through their own journeys might make your search more difficult. Realize that despite your tremendous growth, a young woman with a flawless past might not feel comfortable with your past, for potential concerns including of sustaining a relationship. A relationship can’t thrive if a woman is unable to accept your past and path. On the flip side, a young woman who has gone through a similar transformation and turned herself around will be the type to accept you for who you’ve become. Many times when someone finds a counterpart who encountered challenges and overcame them, they have a more tangible and deep bond. I wish you so much hatzlacha and clarity in your shidduch journey!

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

I

am in awe of how far you have come on your journey. In my opinion, people don’t become “bad boys” without good reason. So, whether it was a rough childhood, trouble with a parent, turbulent teen years, social pressure or the wiring you were born with that led you there, you found yourself walking down a rocky path. Some people never veer from the original path they have chosen in life, or the path that was chosen for them, or never even gain awareness that what they are doing is no longer working for them. At a young age, you found the courage to end a marriage and rebuild your life, starting from the inside out. And if that work is not

difficult and courageous enough, you now find yourself having to pick up the pieces of your past and manage other people’s perceptions of you… Shidduchim are hard and you are right. Some people will not understand you and are looking for the “perfect” guy for their “perfect” daughters. I think the panel offered you some wonderful advice in the way of insight and practical strategies to meet and get set up with women. The piece of your question that I am going to touch upon is your desire to meet a “good girl.” As Tova Wein so beautifully mentioned, it is time

The Single Tova Wein

F

Wouldn’t it be great if we all were able to look past the labels?

irst let me say, “Mazel Tov” to you on your enormous growth and transformation. I’m sure it took enormous effort and strength and a great deal of character. So I, for one, am duly impressed with how you have turned your life around. Off the bat, I feel very strongly against the use of labels like “bad boy” or “good girl.” I think these labels are harmful and reek of enormous judgment. Yes, I understand why people use terms like these – to reflect how an individual has lived their lives – whether they were free of challenges, were able to stick with the program, go to all the right schools and camps, do it all right. And of course these individuals are very admirable. They’ve earned the status they hold. However, many people are so much more than a label. We are all so complicated and our

choices – good and bad – reflect so much more than just being “bad” or “good.” And what I think gets lost sometimes in the labeling is the understanding of another person’s pain and struggles and how maybe, just maybe, by going through so much, this individual has grown into a deeper, kinder, more compassionate individual. So I say to you that you too should throw out the labels, both about how you judge yourself but even more important how you pursue meeting your soul mate. Forget about wanting a “good girl.” Think more in terms of meeting someone who is kind and understanding, someone who can respect your journey – maybe because she’s gone through her own journey or maybe because she is a uniquely open, compassionate, and wonderful individual. Focus on the qualities that you will be able to relate to and feel safe with. Wouldn’t it be great if we all were able to look past the labels?

to rid yourself of these labels. Instead of viewing yourself as having been a “bad boy” and now a “good boy,” can you reframe this for yourself as “I have had my share of challenges and now, at this point in my life I am making different choices, feeling better about myself and growing every day”? And while we’re at it, instead of looking for a “good girl,” how about, “I am looking for a woman who is deeply invested in her own growth, and who is sensitive to and accepting of my past, and who understands that for whatever reason I needed to experience every last struggle that I did”? The words we choose to explain our wants, fears, desires, experiences, etc. are important. Every day for

the next month, I would like you to say aloud the newly reframed sentiments I wrote in the last paragraph – or any variation that feels natural for you. You will be working to rewire your brain in an effort to shift the way you perceive yourself. As long as you hold onto the notion of wanting a “good girl” you will be holding onto the notion that you were a “bad boy.” You are working so hard on yourself and you deserve a break. You mention that you don’t want other people to “punish” you for your past, but by holding onto this “bad boy” idea you are punishing yourself. Can you use your past as a means for growth without punishing yourself? As for managing other people’s perceptions of you: I am sorry, but I


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2015 2016 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29,

say the following not only to you, but to everyone and myself included. Ultimately, that is not your job. That is not in your control. That is not even your business. There will always be people who will judge us. There will always be people who talk about us. There will always be people who will not be able to understand our intentions or our growth process. And their lack of understanding or care has everything to do with them and nothing to do with you. This is about how they were raised and/or their past experiences that they have allowed to define themselves. You could stand on your head and spit wooden nickels and it still wouldn’t make a difference. While this concept can certainly be a bitter pill to swallow the good news is that by accepting the idea that certain people will not accept you you can move on

A relationship can’t thrive if a woman is unable to accept your past and path.

to the incredible, understanding, growth-oriented and forgiving people who will not only accept and understand you but will embrace you – both the present you and past you. So, you can make a choice today to focus on what is in your control: reframing your ideas about “good girls” and former “bad boys,” opening up those avenues to meet those like-minded individuals, continuing on your growth-oriented journey, and taking time every day to reflect on your incredible journey and how you have turned your life around at 26-years-old.

I believe we all come into this world with an “elevator.” Some of us are born with an ascending elevator. If these want to get to the top faster, they have to get moving and walk and put in effort, but the elevator is moving upward and helping them along the way. Some of us are born with a descending elevator. They have wiring or temperament and/ or outside influences that are working against them or dragging them down. They have to work extra hard, put in that much more effort … but when they reach the top, their feelings of joy and exuberance are that much more rich and rewarding because every step of their elevator ride was wrought with their own effort, their own intention and their own grit. I view these people as nothing short of amazing. They are interesting, introspective hard workers and

49 85

generally oozing with gratitude and humanness, my favorite qualities! I have a good feeling that the best is yet to come! Sincerely, Jennifer

Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are licensed, clinical psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up an appointment, please call 516.224.7779. Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer. To learn more about their services, please visit thenavidaters.com. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

LOSING WEIGHT

CAN TASTE GREAT! • with 2500mcg of Biotin • Natural colors and flavors Curb appetite while increasing healthy sheen to hair, improving skin vitality and strengthening nails*

866-727-2483


86

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Dr. Deb

Why Family Therapy? By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

L

ast week, Dr. Lightman’s informative ADHD article reminded me of an event years ago. A boy of about 12 was on ADHD medication. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and the children were not in the mood to sit and do homework. This one was no exception; he wanted a ride to his friend’s house. “Fine, I’ll drive you to Yanki’s house,” his mother said. “Just remember to take your meds. I don’t want Yanki’s mother to go crazy.” “No problem, Ima,” he said on that fateful day. “I can take it and I can also over-ride it.” Needless to say that mom stopped dead in her tracks. What?? “How is that possible?” she wanted to know. So, patiently, like the smart boy he was, he explained that he can feel the medication working to slow him down. And if he is not in the mood to be slowed down, he just won’t let it! It sounded kind of like how we felt when we were in college cramming all night for a test. On the one hand, we were zonked and on the other hand, we were running on adrenaline. Come to think of it, that’s where we’re at the last day before Pesach, isn’t it? Research has shown that people on medication for depression, for example, may need to keep increasing their dosage or keep switching brands as the years go by. Why? Why should the drug lose its effectiveness? And the answer is always the one that people would rather not think about because it puts responsibility for their behavior right back on them: If you feel depressed and have

negative thoughts, your thoughts will keep producing the chemicals that your medication is trying to fight. Over time, it becomes a losing battle as the body attempts to keep its homeostasis. Same thing with the ADHD medication, the anxiolytics, and so on. In other words, your thoughts sit in the control tower so sooner or later it would be wise to address them if you want control over your behavior or your mood. That was what that precocious 12-year old understood. That is when this mother had “the talk” with her son. She explained to him that he is going to always have to work harder to concentrate and do well in school than his buddies because of this ADHD but that when he does, he will have a powerful sense of accomplishment that the children for whom the work came easy will not have. She added that Hashem gives all of us one sort of nisayon (challenge) or another and it is always tailor-made for what He thinks we need. So this one is his. But it’s also a gift because of the extra pride he will feel at overcoming it when he has to get his work done. Out of that perspective, this wise child actually came to ask for his medication when he wanted to get serious about doing his work. I bring this up because some things came up this week that made me want to share with you the essence and importance of family therapy. If we revisit the scenario above, you can see that parental involvement is critical to helping children make healthy decisions. The mother was told that she has to “sell” the

idea of taking medication to her son because children do not want to look (even in their own eyes) defective. So the idea must be presented in a way that refutes any implication that there is something “wrong” with him for which he “needs” medication. Having the whole family sit down to take a look at the role of the medication in their lives was important in the example above. There is an even more striking example of how including the whole family in therapy is a necessity: What if this boy were not actually ADHD? Since there is no bloodwork or brain scan that irrefutably demonstrates the existence of ADHD, people can only go by observed behavior. But observed behavior can have many causes. Recently, a family came in with an “identified patient” who was a girl of 10 who was thought to have ADHD. She came in with her three siblings and her parents. All the children were out of control, either whining or refusing to politely answer questions or sit still. Were they all ADD? Actually, it was a pleasure to see them all together (although not so much of a pleasure while they were attempting to tear my office apart, particularly in as much as my office is my living room). But seeing them together painted a very clear picture for me of the answer to that question. The father was ultra-strict, bordering on physically abusive, and the mother had so much rachmanus (compassion) on her children that she overlooked their rudeness and demandingness. I’ve seen that combination a lot and I always say that there is no way I can

be sure if the problem is ADHD until we have consistent, calm, reasonable parenting efforts with both parents on the same page. So I had to have a few – quite a few – parenting sessions (which had to end up including marital therapy as well) before we could sort out the young lady’s ADHD. Then there is an even more pertinent scenario: What if the main person with a “problem” is the parent? What if the parent is distracting the attention of the family from his or her own behavior by giving unhealthy messages to a child in that family? In that situation, there is an even stronger need for family therapy. So here is an interesting story: A couple, we’ll call them Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg, arrive in the U.S. after World War II. They are frightened, numb, confused, devastated, and cheerless. Naturally. Together, they start a grocery and they work day and night to build it up and to restart a new family which cannot replace the one they’ve lost. Hashem rewards their efforts with financial success. Money is no compensation but it is a distraction. Their nine children do not relate well to each other because (as Mary Ainsworth showed in her groundbreaking studies of attachment) secure and healthy relationships require that children talk to their parents. They have to discuss their hopes and dreams, their fears and obstacles. And parents have to meet this with attuned interest. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg could not do any of that. Rather, the Rosenbergs went


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

about their days with little interaction and lots of grim, hard work. They did not want to think. They did not want to remember. Malkie, the oldest, avoided home as much

the other children are bothered by her always taking the spotlight and then wasting her few minutes of fame with silliness. Is Sarah ADHD?

All the children were out of control, either whining or refusing to politely answer questions or sit still. Were they all ADD?

as possible, married early, started a family, and without ever wanting to, duplicated the same dark tone of the house she grew up in. Her husband learned early to stay away just as she had learned. Now, it comes to pass that fourth grader Sarah is not doing well in school. Her teachers think she is ADHD. She seems like a clown and

We don’t know and we will never know until the variables that impact her are under more or less control. Will she do better if she can get positive, attuned attention from her mother? But her mother is not capable of it because she never received it herself! Will Sarah do better if her father simply takes her under his wing and is more present in spite of

the bad taste the home leaves in his mouth? Well, how can he accomplish that if there’s a bad taste in his mouth? After all, if Sarah is not ADHD but rather simply trying to get attention, then the attention she receives must be genuine and come from a parent who is attuned to her. If her father is distracted by the unpleasant feelings he is trying to avoid, just how successful do you think he will be? The good news – and it is very good – comes from the latest neuroscience research. Our brain can change; it is considered to be “plastic.” Simply by making an effort to think differently, a person can literally change his thinking. This is why Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy became a springboard for other, more modern sorts of therapy such as cognitive behavioral work. So the good news is that this entire family can change for the better. Yes, even the elderly grandparents. However, one of the obstacles to do-

87

ing family therapy is the difficulty of getting everyone together at a convenient time. An even bigger obstacle is that family members – understandably – don’t want others in the family to know that they are troubled or unhappy. People often aren’t ready to show their vulnerabilities in front of each other. It is for that reason (among others) that I created a course to help people make these positive changes. I’ve called it Spectacular Marriage but when each person in the family works on himself or herself, it leads to a Spectacular Family. Right now, til Monday only, it is in test mode and therefore free. I appreciate that people have already reached out so I have room for only a few more people.

Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. She can be reached at 646-54-DRDEB or by writing drdeb@ drdeb.com.

WE MOVED!!!!!!

NEW LOCATION: 1115 Brunswick Aveue, Far Rockaway (Across from Season's Express's parking lot)*

*Old location: 833 Central Ave Apt. 6d, Far Rockaway

Certified Shatnez Tester:

R’ ARYEH STONE

An NCSTAR Laboratory, trained in Lakewood and affiliated with VAAD L'MISHMERES SHATNEZ

OFF/PICK UP NEW HOURS FOR DROP AILABLE: ON THE SPOT TESTING AV M-TH 8:15pm-10:00pm ber 8th.

starting Thursday, Septem

Drop Off & For Additional Hours For 5350 568 Pick Up Call 516

Additional Services:

ALL TESTING DONE ON PREMISES

• Rush Jobs • Close Seams • Shatnez Removal/Repair • Delivery- Pick Up/Drop Off • Shatnez Test day at your shul • House Calls

Servicing The Five Towns And Far Rockaway For Over A Decade


88

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

Boost Your Immune System By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

W

ith flu season sneaking up on us, we must do everything in our power to strengthen our immune system. All the vacation days were already used up on all the yomim tovim last month, so you cannot afford to call in sick! The immune system can be easily weakened by various factors; not surprisingly, nutrition plays a role too. Let’s take a look at what we can do to boost our immune system instead of busting it. On the dreary winter days, many tend to turn to one’s best friend: sugar. While sugar may brighten one’s mood, it weakens the immune system. “Sugar consumption lessens our ability to fight off infections,” says Kathryn Boling, MD, a physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Eating or drinking too much sugar restrains immune system cells that attack bacteria. Especially around flu season, sugar should be limited. Rather than indulging in sweetened foods, opt for sugar-free beverages and naturally sweetened foods such as fruits and vegetables. Choose brightly colored fruits and vegetables including citrus fruits, kiwi, apples, red grapes, berries, kale, onions, spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots. These foods

are high in vitamin C and zinc which are known to boost the immune system. Additionally, some studies suggest avoiding processed and fried foods indicating that these foods can suppress your immune system. However, if it’s too late and the sniffles already started, avert to the old fashioned method of a hearty chicken soup.

these protective cytokines. In addition, infection-fighting antibodies are also reduced during periods when you don’t get enough sleep. The average adult needs a solid 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Furthermore, take it easy. Chronic stress releases hormones that suppress our immune system. Stress results in high levels of cor-

Sleep deprivation is an open invitation for the common cold.

Aside from nutrition, proper lifestyle habits can affect your immune system as well. You may notice that when you are sleep deprived the common cold tends to come on quickly. Sleep deprivation is an open invitation for the common cold. During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines. Cytokines are vital characters during an immune response. They have a role in inflammation and fighting off infections. Sleep deprivation may decrease production of

tisol. Cortisol suppresses inflammation during an immune response. If levels are high for a long period of time (due to chronic stress), the body develops a resistance to cortisol and doesn’t respond appropriately. Although most people are immune to stress, try to be as stress free as possible – for our immune system’s sake. Lastly, exercise, exercise, exercise. Moderate exercise is shown to help your immune system fight infection. Exercise also helps relieve

stress thus indirectly boosting your immune system. At the same time, exercise can help reverse some of the damage caused by sugar intake. Although it’s a little tougher to exercise when the weather is cooler, try to do as much indoor activity as possible. If you are unable to join a gym, exercise can be done at home too: running up and down steps, jumping jacks, jumping rope, exercise videos, or just about anything that gets you moving. If you feel a cold coming on, try making these changes for at least a week and observe yourself. Most likely you’ll feel better in no time! Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. Her Dietetic Internship was completed under Brooklyn College primarily in Ditmas Park Care Center and Boro Park Center where she developed clinical and education skills to treat patients with comprehensive nutrition care. She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@gmail.com.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

89


90 52

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

In The K

tchen

Sensational Sides By Naomi Nachman

People are constantly asking me for suggestions for side dishes. Like everyone else, I struggle with that too. The main course is easy: it’s generally fish, chicken and/ or meat. Sides are another story! I always like to have a starch and a vegetable so that it becomes a well-rounded meal and nicely complements the mains – which are usually protein. Here I have included two of my favorite vegetables dishes and two of my starch sides.

Bella Salad Topped Broiled Asparagus with Grilled Portobellos with Lemon & Toasted and Balsamic Almonds Ingredients

Ingredients

12 Portobello mushrooms Fresh thyme Olive oil Salt & pepper 1 bunch arugula 4 cups baby spinach 2 bulbs endive, cut widthwise into ½-inch strips 1 bulb Treviso (red endive), cut widthwise into ½-inch strips 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice Coarse salt & pepper 1 ½ cups balsamic vinegar

2 bunches asparagus, medium 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lemon, sliced in half ¼ cup sliced almonds Kosher salt and pepper

Preparation Heat a griddle or a grilling pan. Brush Portabellos with olive oil, season with salt & pepper and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Place in the pan top side down for 2-3 minutes. If you’re using a grill, make crisscross marks, turning the mushroom 90°. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Wash and dry the arugula, spinach, endive and Treviso. Toss with the 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Place the balsamic vinegar in a saucepan; reduce by at least half, or until it thickens. Cut the mushroom on the bias. Place a small amount of the salad on a plate and fan the mushroom on top of it. Drizzle with the reduced balsamic vinegar.

Preparation Preheat broiler. Cut off the woody ends of the asparagus. Place asparagus on the cookie sheet and drizzle with oil, salt & pepper. Toss to coat. Place asparagus into broiler. After three minutes, shake the pan to turn the asparagus. Asparagus are done when you can gently pinch them between your thumb and finger and they give a little bit without being to limp (approximately 6-8 minutes). Place the almonds in a sauté pan and toast over medium heat. Remove from pan when they become fragrant and start to brown, about 5 minutes. Shake pan occasionally to keep from burning. Place asparagus onto a platter. Squeeze lemon juice and then sprinkle almonds over asparagus.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 10, 29, 2016 2015

Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Scallions

Shallot Potatoes Ingredients

Ingredients 3 large sweet potatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled and cut into ½-inch-thick slices lengthwise (like spears) 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons salt 4 scallions, sliced ¼-inch thick on the bias Juice of 1 lime, plus lime zest

Preparation Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss sweet potatoes with half the olive oil, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Place the potatoes on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Cook for 20 minutes or until sides are colored and the sweet potato has cooked through. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine remaining olive oil, scallions, lime juice and zest. When sweet potatoes have cooked, remove them from the oven and toss them with the vinaigrette. Season to taste. Serve warm or cold.

91 53

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 cup diced shallots 8 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into a medium to large dice (about 3 pounds) 2 cups chicken stock Salt and pepper ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preparation Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and sauté, stirring for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent, but not colored. Add the potatoes and continue cooking several minutes longer, stirring to ensure that the potatoes are coated well with the olive oil and shallots. Add the stock, bring to a simmer, and season to taste with salt and pepper. To complete: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes. The potatoes should be tender and have absorbed most of the stock. Fold in the parsley.

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.


92 20

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

It was announced that Shaquille O’Neal is now the owner of a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise in downtown Atlanta. They serve all kinds of doughnuts, or as Shaq calls them, “frosted Cheerios.” – Jimmy Fallon

Madam President - Title of Newsweek’s cover, released on November 7, featuring a picture of Hillary Clinton

This team has so much to be proud of. Whatever happens tonight, thank you for everything. - An election evening tweet by Hillary Clinton, at 8:55PM, which was a first indicator that the Clinton campaign knew that they were in trouble

Thank you very much, everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting. Complicated business, complicated. Thank you very much. I’ve just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us – it’s about us – on our victory, and I congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard-fought campaign. I mean, she fought very hard. Hillary has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country. I mean that very sincerely. Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division, have to get together, to all Republicans and Democrats and Independents across this nation I say it is time for us to come together as one united people. It is time. I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for all of Americans, and this is so important to me. For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I’m reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country…It is a movement comprised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs who want and expect our government to serve the people, and serve the people it will. – Opening remarks of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s election night victory speech

New data from the Hubble Space Telescope shows that the universe has two trillion galaxies, which is 10 times more than previously thought. The good news is, none of those galaxies are made by Samsung. – Jimmy Fallon

Connection reset by peer. - Message on Canada’s crashed immigration site after President-elect Donald Trump won the election

Beware of natural death; do not die, but amidst the hail of bullets. – Writing on a memorial for terrorists erected at Al-Quds University, a Palestinian University in Jerusalem

MORE QUOTES


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

93


94

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

21

Not you. - Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) when asked by CNBC’s Chris Matthews what he will miss most about Washington, D.C., when he retires at the end of this year.

There are things he’s said on the bench where if I had a baseball bat, I might have used it. - Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor talking about Justice Scalia at a legal conference

This month, the world’s oldest person will turn 117, and she says she eats two raw eggs every day. When asked what she wants for her birthday, she said, “A skillet. I’ve been asking for a pan since 1916.” - Jimmy Fallon

There is a pretty good chance we end up with a universal basic income, or something like that, due to automation. Yeah, I am not sure what else one would do. I think that is what would happen.

The TSA is cracking down on the so-called comfort animals, the ones people bring on the plane because they claim to be too nervous to fly alone… The airlines have had enough and they only want trained service animals to be allowed on the planes. I don’t blame them. I don’t want to sit next to a fish tank on the plane. Have you been on an airplane recently? It’s like a Noah’s Ark… If you’re so emotionally unstable that you need to hold a poodle to get on a plane, maybe you shouldn’t get on a plane. - Jimmy Kimmel

– Elon Musk on CNBC, after predicting that computers, intelligent machines, and robots will be the workforce of the future

A Pennsylvania rapper who has a song called “Sell Drugz” was arrested this week for allegedly selling narcotics. Even worse, his attorney has a song called “Lose Cases.” – Seth Myers

At this point, if you’re not from here, live here, play here ... then it makes no sense for you to live at this point. Cleveland against the world. - LeBron James as the Cleveland Cavaliers received their NBA championship rings

I heard a voice telling me to stop swearing or the plane will crash in mid-air, and so I promised to stop. - Outspoken President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte explaining to reporters why he stopped cursing

There is a new bike lock that prevents theft by releasing a gas that makes a robber throw up if they cut the lock. So, the good news is: Your bike wasn’t stolen. The bad news: It’s covered in robber vomit. – Conan O’Brien

This is a forged picture and not a real one. We have real pictures of children being harmed, but this one specifically is a forged one. - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad telling a Swiss reporter that the infamous photo of a traumatized, bloodied, and dust-covered five-year-old boy sitting in the back of an ambulance, a casualty of bombings in Aleppo, is a fake

MORE QUOTES


95

The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Plaza PAL Auto Leasing

BS”D

CALL 718-975-9000 2750 Nostrand Ave Corner of Ave N Brooklyn NY 11210

WE SELL, LEASE & FINANCE

ALL MAKES AND MODELS

www.PlazaAutoLeasing.com

AS EASY AS PALS!

IN

MINUTES

YOU CAN BE ALL SET! • BEST PRICES Y • HUGE INVENTOR 9:41 AM

10 0%

• QUICK DELIVERY S • EASY APPROVAL • DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE

CALL 718-975-9000

TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT

LEASE OR PURCHASE OF A NEW OR USED CAR!

Try it and see why over 20,000 people have gotten their cars from Plaza Auto Leasing! ARE YOU A PAL YET?

GET MORE GREAT DEALS AT WWW.PLAZAAUTOLEASING.COM

DCA #1312589 DMV #7084665


96 22

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Republicans can join us, but they’ll have to sit in the back of the bus. – President Obama at a rally for Hillary Clinton

Did … did I just see a sign in the bleachers saying, “KKK”? Umm, did anyone else see the KKK sign at the World Series? Wondering why Fox would show the KKK sign with Chapman pitching in bottom of the 8th? Seriously! - Some of the freak-out tweets after Aroldis Chapman got his third strikeout in the World Series, resulting in 3 Ks being held up

The FDA is currently debating whether the chocolate hazelnut topping Nutella should be classified as a dessert or a spread. Which is ridiculous. Nutella isn’t a dessert or a spread, it’s a cry for help. – James Corden

Congratulations on a tremendous campaign. You have dealt with an unbelievable slanted and negative media, and have come out beautifully – beautifully. You’ve proved to be the ultimate competitor and fighter. Your leadership is amazing. I have always had tremendous respect for you, but the toughness and perseverance you have displayed over the past year is remarkable. Hopefully tomorrow’s election results will give the opportunity to make America great again. Best wishes for great results tomorrow. - Letter from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichik to Donald Trump the day before Election Day

MORE QUOTES


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

97 23

Another big story is that Cubs team president Theo Epstein has now ended World Series droughts for both the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox. Now, he’s going to take on his toughest job yet, president of RadioShack. – Jimmy Fallon

I had to eat my words, but they were worth eating. - Glenda Blackwell, of North Carolina, upon winning $1 million from a $10 scratch off ticket which she bought to teach her husband a lesson about wasting money

The thinking is that [assuming he wins] he’s now president and we’re going to start with a clean slate. If he governs in a racist, misogynistic way, we reserve the right to add it back on. This would be giving respect to the office of the presidency which Trump and his backers never did. – From a memo by the Huffington Post’s Washington Bureau Chief Ryan Grim stating that President-elect Trump’s bio will no longer state that he is a racist

Out of the 100 largest newspapers in America, Hillary has been endorsed by 57, while Trump has only been endorsed by two. The most shocking part of that story is that America still has 100 newspapers. – Jimmy Fallon


98

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Studying Sm

rt

Why Yeshiva Tuition is So Expensive (And How it Can be Solved) By Chaim Homnick

Disclaimer: This article speaks hypothetically and is not referencing any specific yeshiva or school. Any figures used are purely speculative and used as an example to present an overall issue we all face as parents and which many institutions face on an organizational level.

Y

eshiva tuitions have been steadily creeping higher for years at nearly every Jewish education institution in America. For large Jewish families, tuition is often the biggest household expense right at a time when secular Americans are working on savings and investments. This can have crippling ramifications for many families’ finances. Exacerbating the issue is that the price for many schools aren’t exactly advertised (making choosing schools or even comparing costs difficult) and there are huge gaps in what people pay as some parents pay full tuition or more and others receive significant breaks. Additionally, there are many ancillary school bills tacked on throughout the year causing some parents to become cynical about the process as they buy school “dollars,” fork up for a mandatory dinner or building fee,

and pay their seventh extracurricular, non-tuition bill in the first month of school alone. Recently a Google Docs spreadsheet created by a concerned parent went viral in which people from across American Jewry could fill in information about their schools’ tuitions and view prices of other schools across America. In theory, the document is intended help bridge the informational gap and provide a useful comparison for parents to utilize (hopefully, people used the spreadsheet for productive purposes rather than simply to gossip and criticize). However, there is another informational gap that many schools have not bothered narrowing and that is the reality of what the average school’s budget is really comprised of and what percentage of that is covered by tuition.

THE TRUE COST OF SCHOOL The little known reality to most parents is just how expensive a good Jewish education is. Using the aforementioned spreadsheet for example to complain why Five Towns tuitions are so much higher than tuitions in other seemingly more-affordable places misses the key fact

that schools in the Five Towns provide top-notch schooling that include nice campuses, numerous student services and extracurricular options, and good staff-to-student ratios. In other words, when it comes to schools you get what you (or a few rich donors) pay for. For many schools, tuition only covers 30-50% of the school’s budget, leaving the schools scrambling to fill in the gap. That’s the bottom line explanation for everything from why you get charged for nit checks and book fees to why you may have a mandatory dinner bill of $500 or more. Additionally, every school has its own hashkafos and views when it comes to tuition breaks. Consider the following tale of two schools: School A has the mentality that all children are entitled to a Jewish education and if that means giving sizeable tuition breaks, so be it. As a result, School A struggles to pay the bills, oftentimes paying teachers late. School B meanwhile is unyielding when it comes to tuition and gives minimal breaks. However, they have the latest smartboards and always pay their teachers on time. Which school is right? Both? Neither?

THE REASON FOR THE HIGH COSTS Large schools share many commonalities with large businesses. There are numerous logistical and operational facets to a school, all of which come with significant expenses. The building, utilities, staff, supplies, and marketing can cost in the millions annually for many schools. However, a key issue is that oftentimes yeshivos are run more like government agencies than like businesses. A business tries to perfect its operations while ensuring maximum margins by creating a logical budget that contains costs while allowing room for ample profits. Yeshivos, like many government agencies and other secular nonprofits, seem to feel that a budget should rise to match or even exceed the school’s intake. There has likely never been a school that promoted that they have a surplus of funds so they will skip the usual school auction. Because tuition is oftentimes the only guaranteed “income” (dinners, auctions and other fundraising events can fluctuate yearly) the yeshiva can rely on, those budgets can miss badly and that’s when a lack of positive

cash flow results in teachers getting paid late, services or staff being cut, and schools getting desperate.

THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY The fact that most parents (unless they happen to sit on the school board) are unaware of the trues cost of each student and the extent of the school’s expenses is a primary reason for the many parents who are unhappy with what they pay for tuition annually. However, another uncomfortable truth is that perhaps if schools were more transparent some unnecessary or unwise spending would be identified as well and maybe tuitions could begin to be lowered. Accountability is always a good thing. Large corporations have to publish quarterly reports and keep their investors happy. Schools should have a similar responsibility towards their parents as the parents are investing their greatest asset – their children – in the school.

A SOLUTION As a business, a yeshiva would be a terrible investment. Schools provide a product that is so costly that the price they charge can’t even cover half of the asso-


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

ciated costs of each student. Part of the issue is that there is no business owner to push for profits, just administrators looking to spend up to whatever amount of money that year’s funding provides. The only solution schools have offered is to get more government funding. But that will likely lead to schools spending more, not charging less. Long-term, there is only one way for yeshivos to remain financially viable and to improve the tuition crisis many parents face: schools need to start operating like businesses and need to create a sustainable model where spending is better contained in order to create an annual surplus. If a large yeshiva has been running on an $11 million annual budget they have two

options: find a way to trim the budget to $10 million and put away $1 million into an endowment fund annually or find a way to start bringing in $12 million but not increase

instead of the red, yeshivos can begin to build a nest egg. Will any yeshiva ever reach an endowment fund of $35 billion like Harvard? Likely not in our lifetime; but that is

ing, perhaps other wealthy donors will be just as happy giving to a true endowment fund that cannot be touched for a number of years so that they know their donation is

Schools should have a similar responsibility towards their parents as the parents are investing their greatest asset – their children – in the school.

the spending so that the school can pocket the same million dollars each year. Instead of adding another 5 classrooms or re-facing the building, perhaps some schools can start building towards a more affordable, sustainable future. By running in the black

no reason for yeshivos not to attempt to build up enough of a war chest to create a more manageable, cost-effective future for Jewish education across America. While there are obviously some wealthy donors who will still only give if they can see their name up on a build-

Let us help you create great moments…

DBD

Landscape Design & Installation From basic garden planning and Planting to full property design

No job too big or too small David Bendavid

Shomer Shabbos

Call for Your Free Consultation 818-203-9286

Or email dbdlandscape@gmail.com

going towards a better longterm future.

THE CONCLUSION Is this vision unrealistic? Possibly. Will any yeshivos resist the urge to spend nearly every dollar as it comes in? Hard to say. But ultimately this is likely the only way to

99

build a better, brighter future for our children that doesn’t bankrupt us in the process. If we can’t make America great again, we can at least try to make yeshivos affordable again. Chaim Homnick is the College Advisor at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov of Lawrence and also teaches 5 periods of Honors/AP English Literature. Chaim is the owner of Five Towns Tutoring (fivetownstutoring.com) as well as Machane Miami Day Camp of Florida (machanemiami. com). He scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and the LSAT and tutors both extensively. He has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration as well as an MBA. For questions, comments, previous articles or tutoring, he can be reached directly at chomnick@ gmail.com.


100

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Forgotten Her es

Early Battlefield Tanks By Avi Heiligman

A British Mark I tank

B

y and large the need for tanks is slowly becoming obsolete. More modern weapons and smarter battlefield tactics have made the need for a huge vehicle on the frontlines less necessary than in the past. Countries are still building tanks but they are being streamlined for the type of battles seen today and not the large open field, hundreds-against-hundreds of tanks seen in the past. However, not too long ago tanks were the most feared weapon an army could put on the battlefield. Tanks, along with submarines, airplanes, chemical weapons and grenades, came of age during WWI. The idea of placing a gun on a vehicle dates back to 1898 when a British inventor put a machine gun on a pedal-powered four-wheeled cycle. This led to the first armored cars as armies wanted to protect the gunner and the driver. Metal plating first appeared just in front of the gun and then circling the entire vehicle. Rotating turrets was the next major development as the larger guns were replacing machine guns. Tracks were installed and the tank was a new instrument of war. As a side note, armored cars still play a major part in today’s mili-

taries as the need for a fast vehicle with offensive power became apparent during urban warfare. Tanks were first brought onto the front lines during WWI to break the stalemate of the trenches. British engineers designed the first prototype tank called Little Willie in 1915. Some of the ideas that were used in the first tank were so foreign that it was sometimes referred

U.S. infantrymen on a Sherman tank during the breakout from Normandy, August 1944

whelming as the tanks overheated and were constantly mired in the mud. During the Third Battle of Ypres in July 1917, the conditions weren’t good for operating tanks and despite being deployed in large formations they didn’t have much to do with outcome of the battle. Further improvements were made and by November 1917 400 Mark IV tanks took part in the Battle of

Some of the ideas that were used in the first tank were so foreign that it was sometimes referred to as a land boat.

to as a land boat. Large guns were typically found on ships and the idea of tracks had never been tried before. At first the tank was slow (about 2 MPH), was prone to mechanical failures, and got stuck in the mud so the engineers went back to the drawing board. In 1916, the Mark I tank made its first appearance on the battlefield during the First Battle of the Somme. The results were under-

Cambrai. This time around they proved effective and despite heavy losses – about 175 tanks – the British took over 8,000 German prisoners and captured 100 guns. During the final year of the war tanks were the weapon that devastated the German army, pushed them out of France, and forced them to pursue an armistice to end the war. Proving to be valuable combat weapons, tanks were improved

on by all major military powers. France, Germany, Russia and the U.S. all made developments on tanks during the war but it was the British who really made them formidable. American versions included tracked tractors that hauled around artillery pieces around the frontlines. After WWI, all of these countries worked on improving the tank, and by WWII the Germans in particular had changed the way war was waged to include tank warfare. Blitzkrieg was a term used by the Germans that means lightning war. Using tanks and tactics best described as short, fast and powerful attacks the Germans quickly overwhelmed any opposition the Allies could bring to the table in Europe during 1940. Poland had very few tanks and was confident that a dozen brigades of horsemen could stop the German onslaught. This proved to be flawed thinking, as well as France’s stationary defense lines that the Blitzkrieg just avoided entirely. Allied commanders understood the need to combat German Panzers with counter-attacks with fast movements. General Bernard Montgomery defeated the Afrika Korps with the British Eighth Army during the Battle of Alamein.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

The Battle of Kursk was the largest tank battle in history

When Russia was invaded during the summer of 1940 they moved their manufacturing plants to the east of the Ural Mountains. This helped them maintain production of the T-34 tank which fought head on with the Panzers in spectacular battles. When the T-34 made it to the field the only thing that could stop it was German 88mm artillery. With a top speed of 34 MPH and sloping armor to ward off anti-tank rounds, it was also designed specifically to cope with the mud and snow in Russia. Over 80,000 variants of the T-34 were produced making it the most populous tank in history. German Tiger tanks were considered among the best in the field during WWII. Fearsome with its 88mm main gun, the Tiger could outduel any tank the Allies put in the field. Despite the fear factor there were several drawbacks of the tank. It was slow – 12 MPH – had a range of only 60 miles, frequently broke down and only a relatively small number of them were produced. The Panther Tank was designed to take over the T-34 but it was slower. The Battle of Kursk was the largest tank battle in history with a total of 3,600 tanks seeing action from both sides. It permanently stopped the German advance into Russia just 250 miles from Moscow. M-4 Sherman medium tanks were the mainstay in the American Army during WWII. While American manufacturers built other heavy tanks that proved to be better on the battlefield, the Sherman was cheap to produce in large numbers. Close to 50,000 rolled off

Mark I tank during the Battle of the Somme

the production lines and, coordinating with planes, they were able to defeat the German army that had better but less weapons. When one tank was hit another just took its place and these proved to be the decisive factor after the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. The only thing stopping General George Patton and his tanks from driving into Germany during the fall of 1944 was the lack of gasoline reaching the frontlines. Also during the Allied advance into France, British tanks were used for multiple purposes and were nicknamed “funnies” due to their appearance. Some carried bridges, while others had steel chains that flailed in front of them to detonate mines. This concept has proven useful against IED attacks in the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the Pacific war Japanese light tanks were seen every once in a while but the terrain stopped them from being used on a large scale. In some of the larger battles the Americans did bring up several Sherman tanks and fitted some of them with flamethrowers. During the Battle of Guadalcanal in late 1942 both sides used tanks, making it one of the few tank battles in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Cold War-era tanks were built from the lessons learned from WWII battles. Improvements saw the introduction of the main battle tank and the decline of heavy tanks. America and Russia are the production superpowers that continue to produce top of the line tanks. In particular Israeli tanks saw a lot of action in the decades following her

An early Tiger tank in a Russian village

facts that may have been left out or just want to send the author a note please feel free to email him at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

independence. In the next article we will discuss IDF strategy with their tanks during the Israeli-Arab Wars. These articles are meant to be informative but not all inclusive. All of the facts have been double-checked although a minor inaccuracy may appear. If you have any questions about the intent of the articles, have any additional

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

Low Cost Quality Insurance

Our Specialty Free Consultation

Free Policy Evaluation

Ask the Rabbi !!?? The Rabbi loves a bargain (a metzia) Let the Rabbi help you save money (up to 50%)

¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾

101

Large Commercial Insurance Policies Life Insurance Disability Insurance Self Employed Health Insurance Long Term Care insurance Rabbi S. M. Leiner, CLTC

Licensed Independent Broker for All Types of Insurance

Call: 917‐543‐0497 – Leave a message

Mail: Rabbi S. M. Leiner, CLTC P.O. Box # 7655 600 Franklin Ave Garden City, NY 11530

Premier clients receive a copy of my book (sefer) “Sweeter Than Honey” as a gift


102

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Parshas Lech Lecha MAZE Help Uncle Moishy ďŹ nd the map of Avram Avinu's travels.

COLORING Hashem commands Avram to travel to Canaan

WORD SEARCH Hashem commands Avram to travel to Canaan


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

103

Classifieds SERVICES

SERVICES

HOUSES FOR SALE

HOUSES FOR SALE

Alternative Solutions Geriatric Care Management staff will assist you with: * Obtaining Medicaid and Pooled Income Trust * In-home Assessments, Individual and Family Counseling * Securing reliable home care assistance * Case and Care Management services Dr. S. Sasson, DSW, LCSW (718) 544- 0870 or (646) 284-6242

WOODMERE: NEW LISTING CREATIVE MOVEMENT/ BALLET/ JAZZ Sunday Classes Girls 3 ½ yrs & up and Women. Register Now to join the next available class. Join w/ Friend get 10% off sharonrawitz@aol.com 718.471.6272

Magnificent Maintained 3BR Ranch

WOODMERE: PRICE REDUCED Beautiful 3BR, 3 Full BA Split, Vaulted Ceilings, LR, EIK, Den, Library, Master Suite, Full Privacy Front & Back Yard, Attic,& Much More!!! Close To All…$700K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

The Children’s Clothing Gemach in Cedarhurst is fully stocked for boys/girls in sizes newborn-teen. To make an appointment please call/text 516-712-7735

FLOORING Ari flooring now doing wood floors No odor, no dust. All jobs are done in one day. 718-336-7500

Struggling with Shalom Bayis? The Shalom Bayis Hotline 732-523-1112. Caring rabbanim answering your questions for free. So far very positive results BS’D!

2 YEAR OLDS There are still 2 slots available in Morah Miri’s Playgroup 718-327-5153 Accepting children with birthdays from Jan ‘14 - Sept ‘14.

Yoga & Licensed Massage Therapy Peaceful Presence Studio 436 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst Separate men/women Group/private sessions Gift Cards Available www. Peacefulpresence.com 516 -371 -3715 HAIR COURSE Learn how to wash & style hair & wigs Hair and wig cutting, wedding styling Private lessons or in a group Call Chaya 718-715-9009 The New revitalized Gan Katan is back and better than ever. Two year old program with extended hours available. Fully licensed, well trained staff, and a warm and loving environment. For more information text Timema Diamond at 5167322949. NEW AND EXCITING UNIVERSAL PRE-K under the loving heimish guidance of Morah Fran from Gan Ami. Now taking applications for September 2016. Reasonably priced, great central location, and extended hours available. For more information contact Fran Diamond directly at 5164266925

Reach Your Target Market

Classifieds

In SD#15, Eik, Formal DR, Lot Size 80 x 100, Hw Floors, Large Deck & Backyard, Fenced In Property…$649K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com CEDARHURST:

PRICE REDUCED

Newly Renovated 3BR, 2 Full Bath

HOUSES FOR SALE Don’t Get Stuck With a Two Story House Ya Know, It’s One Story Before You Buy It But a Second Story After You Own It! Call Dov Herman For An Accurate Unbiased Home Inspection Infrared - Termite Inspection Full Report All Included NYC 718-INSPECT Long Island 516-INSPECT www.nyinspect.com

NEW TO THE MARKET. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Enjoy gatherings in the generouslysized living/dining area graced by a fireplace Classic Center Hall Colonial with Unlimited Potential in the heart of Cedarhurst!!! Beautiful hardwood floors and plenty of natural night flow throughout the home’s open, airy layout Charming 4 Bedrooms With 2,5 Bath, Finished Basement with a lot of closets, Great Property Size 65X100, Low Taxes. Short Distance to Shopping, Houses Of Worship! Must See!!! For private showing call Alexandra at 516 784 0856 LAWRENCE: Spacious 9BR, 5 Bath CH Colonial On X-Lg Property, Huge Eik, Banquet Sized Formal Dr, Den, Full Fin Basement, Set On 1/2 Acre, Stone Patio, Prime Location...$1.279M Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

Colonial, Fabulous Kitchen W/Granite Counter Tops & Stainless Steel Appliances, Office, Basement, Front & Back Porch, Must See, Close To All…$799K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com WOODMERE: NEW LISTING All Redone 3BR, 2 New Bath Open Concept Ranch, Custom Kitchen, New Plumbing & Heating, Anderson Windows & Central Air, Low Taxes, Close To All…$649K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

COMMERCIAL RE INWOOD OFFICE SPACE LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! 500-7000 Square feet gorgeous office space with WATERVIEW in Inwood! Lots of options. Tons of parking. WIll divide and customize space for your needs! Call 516-567-0100 ROCKVILLE CENTRE Warehouse space from 1000 ft. to 15,000 ft. available. Ideal Location - Will divide Loading dock - Walk to LIRR For details please call 917-822-0499


104

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com / text 443-929-4003 COMMERCIAL RE BOHEMIA: 4,050+/-SF Store in Retail Strip, High Visibility, Great Location, Can be Divided, For Lease... Call For More Details Broker (516) 792-6698 LYNBROOK: 3,000 +/- SF Full Service Suite W/8 Car Parking, 7 Offices, Conference Room, Reception Area, Support Area & Storage. High End Build out with Beautiful Padded Carpeting, Woods Doors & Video Phone Security Entry, For Lease… Call Randy for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com HEMPSTEAD: Up to 3,900 +/- RSF of Professional Office Space in Beautiful Elevator Bldg with Excellent Parking, For Lease… Call Lori for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com ROCKVILLE CENTRE: Lovely 1,000+/- Sf Shoppe on Sunny Corner of Municipal Parking Lot. Excellent Signage Opportunity, For Lease… Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

COMMERCIAL RE SPECIAL “LIMITED” OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST ADDITION/LOCATION AT 487R CENTRAL AVENUE, CEDARHURST, NY 11516. Call/text now for complimentary market analysis of your residential or commercial property. 516-655-3636 Cheryl “Chedva” Slansky, MBA Licensed Associate RE Broker, RealtyConnect USA The #1 Real Estate Office 2015 FY by LIBN

VALLEY STREAM: 1,100 +/- SF Retail Store on Corner with Traffic Light, Prime Visibility, For Lease…Call Lori for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com WANTAGH : 800+/-SF Retail Space with Ample OnSite Parking, High Traffic Areas, Great Visibility, For Lease… Call Alan or Randy for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

COMMERCIAL RE

COMMERCIAL RE

WOODMERE: Follow The Leader To Woodmere, Now Is The Time To Act!!! No Metered Parking, Various Retail/Office Spaces Available, For Sale/Lease... Call For More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

INWOOD COMMERCIAL MIXED USE BUILDING + LOT. Private parking, corner property, high traffic area 1st floor offices, 2nd floor: 2 Apts. Asking 849k. Call 212-470-3856 Yochi @WinZone Re

VALLEY STREAM: 4,800 +/- SF 2 Story Office Building, 2,400SF Avail for User/Buyer, 20 Car Parking, Great Corner Location, Close To All, For Sale… Call Ian for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com INWOOD THE BAYVIEW BUILDING Many options available including 5000 Square foot high ceiling 1st floor showroom/ office / mixed use space. 2nd Floor office spaces with Waterview and views of NYC skyline. 1200 sq ft, 2000 sq ft and 6000 sq ft spaces available. Parking, Mincha minyan and great neighbors. Owner will customize and design space to your needs. Call or text 516-567-0100

I cut an onion with a fleishig knife, can I use it for milchigs?

?

LAWRENCE: 2,800 +/- SF Space, Office/R&D Space, 2 Bathrooms, Kitchenette In Office Area, 12 Ceilings For Lease…Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698 CEDARHURST THE STUDIO BUILDING Newly Renovated Office Suites and spaces Available starting at $795 a month. Included in the rent: High Speed Internet, Wifi, Conference rooms, Kitchenette, Heat & AC, Utilities Included, Water cooler, Real Estate Taxes, Waiting Area, Cleaning. Furnished and unfurnished available call or text 516-567-0100

Does my garage need a mezuzah?

What amount of dough do I need to take challah?

TexT your sheIlos. GeT your psak.

Halacha Line - ‫קו הלכה‬

917.821.0100

In the Heart of Jerusalem!! New! For sale, fabulous boutique building with 3 huge apartments available now, on quiet cul-de-sac in classic Jerusalem. Walking distance to the Kotel, Great Synagogue, parks. Garden apt. and massive penthouse available. High ceilings, sukkah porches, smart home, central AC, sub-floor heating, ultraluxe finishes. Specially priced for the holidays!! Phone: +972.523.477.428

www.usha3.com

• Leibedik One Man Band/Singer • DJ with DANCE MOTIVATORS • Projector/Screen Rentals • Full Orchestra • Karaoke • Shabbos Ruach A Capella Singers


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

105

Beautiful 2BR Co-op, Elev, Lovely 2BR On 1st Flr, Lovely 5BR, 2.5BA, Use Of All Redone 3BR Ranch, Pets Ok, Near All..$169K Eik, Near All. . $274.5K Yard,Prime Loct..$3,795/mo Low Taxes.. $649K

Beautiful Renov 4BR,2.5BA Spacious 4BR,2.5BA Splanch, Newly Renovated 3BR, 2.5BA Colonial In Prime Loct, Split Level, SD#15..$849K Eik, Bsmt, Near All..$925K Gourmet Eik, Full Basement, Low Taxes...$799K

Susan Pugatch

Carol Braunstein

(516)

Call or Text

(516) 592-2206

cbraunstein@pugatch.com

295-3000

www.pugatch.com

spugatch@pugatch.com

CEDARHURST: 370 Clinton Ave (12:30-2)$799K HEWL HARBOR: 2 5 5 B a y b e r r y D r (12-2)$879K N.WOODMERE: 905 Longacre Ave(12-2)$849K WOODMERE: 372 Howard Ave (12-1:30)$700K WOODMERE: 5 5 9 D e r b y Av e ( 1 2 - 2 ) $649K WOODMERE: 835 Jefferson St (12-1:30)$649K

 Up to 6,600 +/- SF Office Space  On-Site & Street Parking

 1,100 +/- SF Corner Retail Store  Prime Visibility - Great Signage


106

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com / text 443-929-4003 CO-OP FOR SALE

APT FOR SALE

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

FAR ROCKAWAY 833 Central ,1st floor, balcony, doorman Completely renovated, near LIRR 2BR/2 full bath, 2 DW/sinks, wood cabinets, granite counters $389 917-572-9644

Large One Bedroom Apt. in Lawrence Close to train, underground parking, spacious living room/dining area. Motivated seller $118,000. Call 917-299-8082

GREAT OPPORTUNITY Looking for class B CDL DRIVER with clutch for a heimishe lumber co. Great pay, Call: 718-369-3141 Ext. 348

FAR ROCKAWAY 833 Central Avenue 1st floor, balcony, doorman. Completely renovated, near LIRR 2BR/2 full bath, 2 DW/sinks, wood cabinets, granite counters $369 Call 917-572-9644

CEDARHURST 500-3,500 +/- SF Beautiful, newly renovated space for rent. Ideal for Retail or Executive offices. Prime location. Convenient Parking. Call Sam @ 516-612-2433 or 718-747-8080

ASSISTANT MORAH Looking for a heimish, post-high school girl to work as a warm and loving assistant Morah in a 2 year old Far Rockaway playgroup. Hours are 9-3 (12:00 Friday). Good pay, vacation, and sick days. For more information, please email fivetownsuser@yahoo.com

WOODMERE: PRICE REDUCED Sunny & Spacious 2 Bedroom Apt On 1st Floor, Eik, Close to all...$274.5K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

CONDO FOR SALE WOODMERE: EASY LIVING Spectacular & Spacious Corner Unit, Completely Renovated, 3BR, 2.5BA, Granite EIK, Fin Bsmt, Community Pool & Tennis Court, Electric Chair Lifts To Each Floor...$579K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

APT FOR RENT

BUSINESS OPPTNY OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG DENTIST LOOKING TO START A PRACTICE IN THE 5 TOWNS IN ESTABLISHED LOCATION. EMAIL: 711PENINSULA @GMAIL.COM

HELP WANTED EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE SALES AGENT needed for a HIGH Producing real estate office who is seeking an opportunity to Earn & Learn more!!! Call Today (516) 295-3000 x 128. All calls kept confidential.

YESHIVA SECRETARY Experienced Secretary, Yeshiva near Brooklyn/Five Towns All aspects of the School/Business Office, Responsibilities include: Registration, Tuition, Annual Dinner, Banking, Academic Records, Mailings. Strong Organization Skills and Ability to Multi Task. Must be computer savvy Send Resume to officepositionhire@ gmail.com We are looking to hire a MARKETING/SALES SPECIALIST Job requirements: Your own car and internet savvy. Hob has unlimited income potential. Don’t delay, give us a call at 917-612-2300

PART TIME AND FULL TIME BOOKKEEPING POSITION Fast growing accounting and consulting firm seeks a qualified individual to assist our accounting staff in providing bookkeeping services for our clients. Qualified individuals will have the opportunity to join our employee friendly culture At least 2 years working experience Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, QuickBooks a MUST Email – info@smallbizoutsource.com CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers, Title I Boro Park, Williamsburg and Flatbush Schools *College/Yeshiva Degree *Teaching experience required *Strong desire to help children learn *Small group instruction *Excellent organization skills Competitive salary Send resume to: Fax: (212) 480-3691 ~ Email: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com / text 443-929-4003

HELP WANTED Growing company in the 5 Towns is seeking motivated, confident, out-going employee for full time bookkeeping/accounting. Must have professional bookkeeping experience, and strong teamwork skills Please submit qualified resume to admin@getpeyd.com 5TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA SEEKING ELEM TEACHERS. Exc working env’t, supportive admin, exc pay Lic’d & experienced preferred. Email resume to yeshivalooking@gmail.com OVERNIGHT \WEEKEND COUNSELOR Responsible and exp’d staff to live in a beautiful group home & work 3 nights\week 7pm - 9am. Staff are not req’d to remain awake after 11pm. Staff are req’d to work two weekends per month. Free rent & food. Stipend given as well. Great for college girl. For additional info contact Frayde Yudkowsky at 732.948.4636 or fyudkowsky@evolvetreatment.com. PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS (PTA’S) & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ASSISTANTS (COTA’S) For 200+ bed Nursing Home in Queens. Must have Hospital or Nursing Home experience. Please email resume to promrehab@aol.com Local F.T. Accounting Office Seeks P/T JR. ACCOUNTANT proficient in Q.B. knowledge of payroll tax, sales tax, business tax and individual taxes Qualified applicants should please e-mail resume to: 5towntaxoffice@gmail.com WE ARE LOOKING TO HIRE A MARKETING/SALES SPECIALIST. Job will require your own car and being computer/internet savy. If you consider yourself a marketing professional, this is the position for you. Opportunity to make unlimited income potential, Don’t delay. Give us a call at 917-612-2300

HELP WANTED DRS HS FOR BOYS, WOODMERE NY SEEKS CHEMISTRY TEACHER (FT) FOR 2016-17. Resumes: gkirshenbaum@drshalb.org.

SITUATION WANTED CERTIFIED MALE CAREGIVER Caregiver 30 yrs experience. Specializing in expert full Time care,familiar with Kosher kitchens, honest, Reliable, experienced in NY/FL Excellent upscale References upon request Will travel Call Ralph hm 212-658-0542 Cell 561-351-7944

MISC SHIDDUCH DATING? NEED PLACES TO GO? Check out Pegishaplace.com WIG GEMACH Everyone in our community deserves to look great! Donate used wigs and make a world of a difference. For appointments to see wigs or to donate Call Deena 845-304-6668 Tutors desperately needed for Zichron Etel, a gemach providing free tutoring to those who cannot afford it. Now in Brooklyn and the Five Towns! Kindly visit our website at www.zichronetel.com

Reach Your Target Market

Classifieds

TJH Classifieds Post your Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services, Miscellaneous Ads here.

Weekly Classifed Ads Up to 5 lines and/or 25 words 1 week ................ $20 $10 2 weeks .............. $35 $17.50 4 weeks .............. $60 $30 Email ads to: classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com Include valid credit card info

Deadline Monday 5:00pm

Life CAPTURE

I M A G E S LTD PHOTOGRAPHY I VIDEO

GABRIEL SOLOMON

GABE@LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM 516.499.9620 WWW.LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM

107


108

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Your

Money

Hut, Hut, Hike! (Your Tax Bill) By Allan Rolnick, CPA

T

he 2016 NFL season is in full swing, and fans are spending billions of dollars to show their loyalty to their teams. The average ticket costs $92.98. The average beer runs $7.38. Even parking can cost as much as $75 to see the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. And fans spend billions more on licensed hats, jerseys, jackets, and other apparel. But teams don’t always return that loyalty. In recent years, the Cleveland Browns became the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Oilers became the Tennessee Titans, and the St. Louis Rams, who had previously been the Los Angeles Rams, scampered back to LA. In most cases, teams make lateral moves to new hometowns to find better stadium deals. These days, a 10-year-old stadium is about as exciting as a quarterback with a torn hamstring. Now the Oakland Raiders — who started out in Oakland before moving to Los Angeles before moving back

to Oakland — are hoping to move again, this time to Las Vegas. Once again, a new stadium is the big incentive. So let’s take a look at the role taxes will play in the move. A top-notch quarterback can cost north of $20 million per year. But a top-notch stadium costs closer to two billion. That’s a lot for an

renovating stadiums for the league’s 32 teams. Here’s what’s happening in Vegas. Raiders owner Mark Davis says he’s willing to throw $500 million towards a proposed $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat domed stadium. Casino owner Sheldon Adelson is willing to hand off $650 million more. Nevada

tors for the tax money. (Hotel taxes are especially popular sources for stadium revenue.) But sometimes public financing leads to a complete fumble. St. Louis dropped $259 million on the Edward Jones Dome to lure the Rams from LA, financing it with 30-year bonds. The team stayed for 21 years before

A top-notch quarterback can cost north of $20 million per year. But a top-notch stadium costs closer to two billion.

NFL owner to swallow, even with the average team worth $2.43 billion. So it’s customary for owners to approach their civic hosts with tin cups outstretched, looking for help to foot the bill. And taxpayers are usually happy to help — over the last 20 years, state and local governments have ponied up nearly half the cost of building or

Governor Brian Sandoval has signed a bill hiking hotel taxes by 0.88% to cover the remaining $750 million. The plan also involves accelerating $899 million in transportation improvements already on the drawing board. Will all that spending turn out to be a smart bet? At least the Las Vegas plan involves tackling visi-

sacking St. Louis to return to California. Now St. Louis taxpayers are stuck paying $12 million per year for a football stadium with no football team in it. It’s going to take a lot of tractor pulls to cover that bill. Team owners and their lobbyists argue that shiny new stadiums pay for themselves in the form of jobs,

spending, and sales taxes. But study after study shows that’s rarely true. Ultimately, it comes down to supply and demand. There are only 32 teams in the league, but there are far more cities that want one. Politicians can promise until they’re blue in the face that they won’t raise taxes. But what elected official wants to face his voters after letting a greedy owner strip their team from their town? We realize that your game plan probably doesn’t involve paying more tax to finance a stadium. In fact, it probably involves paying less. That’s where we come in. So hand us the ball and let us take it up the field for you. We’re confident you’ll cheer for the savings. And remember, we’re here for all your teammates, too! Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 yea rs in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

109


110

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Life C ach

Written Before the World Changed By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

First a short poem: By the time you read this our world will be a very different place. The White House will soon be hosting a very different face. Our lives will be changing in ways we can’t foresee. The leader may be leading by executive order alone or constitutionally.

The values that are sacred will be one person’s vision to endorse. The laws that will be honored are the ones that person will enforce. We will all be beginning a very different ride. We need to hope and pray that person will be on our side. My prayer is for our safety in this

world that will unfold. And that the world will be ruled by the rule that has always been gold!

T

hough we don’t all think alike, politics in particular can be a uniquely dividing topic. People’s world views, as well as their personal status and needs, influence greatly what issues they would like addressed by our representatives. And how they’d like them to be resolved. Some things seem so obvious to some people, while to others it seems so obviously the other way! It’s like each person can’t believe the other is so completely misinformed.

to bring the other around to their way of seeing things is energy probably better spent in pursuit of cleaning out your garage or moving a mountain. It just isn’t going to happen. With that said, I think the one thing that everyone can agree on is that you can’t get people to agree on a shift in their political views, and therefore harping on it is not a worthwhile endeavor. So how about those Cubs?! Chicago fans were flying high last week as their team decided to make years – and I do mean years – of following them with little to show for it finally pay off. So I leave you with this thought:

Bring two people together whose views are at different ends of the spectrum, and get ready for fireworks – no extra charge!

One of the most satisfying moments you can witness is when a person actually finds someone else who is politically on the same page as them. It’s like finding a landsman from the old country. You almost get the feeling they want to whip out the herring and schnaaps and celebrate. It’s like sanity has returned to their lives. Of course the opposite is true as well. Bring two people together whose views are at different ends of the spectrum, and get ready for fireworks – no extra charge! The frustration level each experiences in trying

just when sticking with something seems almost a futile pursuit, I guess the lesson still is that somewhere hope springs eternal! As we enter a new era let’s keep this in mind. Maybe things won’t play out exactly as we think they should, but maybe we can still be winners in the end.

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com


The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 10, 2016

111


112

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | The Jewish Home


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.