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Around the Community
february 28 - March 6, 2013 | Distributed
Protecting Our Children from Harm
Weekly In The Five Towns, Queens & Brooklyn
Behind the Scenes at Shalhevet’s “NewZies” Page 43
Rabbi Yaakov Hillel Visits Mesivta Chaim Shlomo Page 70
Team HASC Participates in Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon Weekend
Page 46
The Toxins that Lurk Within Everyday Products and How We Can Avoid Them
Page 92
Four Page Colo
r Photo Spread
Simchas Purim in
!
Far Rockaway and the Five Towns
Page 101
Mesivta Football League Inaugural Season Comes to a Close Page 44
Pesach / Travel Section Starting on Page 123
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T h e J e w i s h H o m e n FEBRUARY 28, 2013
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Eitan Katz Live In Concert Celebrating the release of his new album Shuvu
Motzei Shabbos, March 2nd • 8:30 P.M Jewish Music Cafe 650 Sackett Street (Between 3rd & 4h Ave.) Park Slope
! W O N S E R O T S INnline at www.eitankatz.com
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>>Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 >>Community Readers’ Poll. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Community Happenings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Cover Story: Simchas Purim 5773 in Far Rockaway and the Five Towns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
>> News Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 National . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Odd-but-True Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
>> Israel Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
>> People An Inside Look at the JCCRP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Millions of Brachos and Millions of Amens: TJH Interviews the Organizers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74of the Out Loud Brachos Contest Mitchell Flint: A Hero Who Answered the Call of the State of Israel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 A World After This: The Story of Lola Lieber . . . . . 98
>>Parsha The Shmuz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
>> Jewish Thought Ask the Rabbi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
7 Dear Readers, Although Purim is only one day a year, the anticipation leading up to the yom tov helps us enjoy it for more than just one day. My children were wearing their costumes every day the week before Purim. And even after the joyous day, they were still prancing around in their disguises. I have a box in my living room overflowing with sickly-sweet laffy taffys and gumballs. Apparently, my son thought that every mishloach manos we received was for him and he squirreled all the nosh away in his “box” before I could even thank the person for delivering it. My favorite part of Purim was seeing all the children dressed up in their costumes. You can see the delight in their eyes at being something completely different for one day—whether it was a princess, a banana, a ninja or Mickey Mouse. Purim is magical to them; they get to be someone they can only dream about and then they get to eat as much candy as they can get their hands on. Oh, the joys of youth! This week, to help you continue the Purim spirit, we bring you pages and pages of Purim photos. You’ll see crayons, cows, policemen and kings. You’ll see happiness, laughter and joy. You’ll see your neighbors and your classmates—you may even see yourselves! This week, Shira Diamond writes an intriguing article for all of you who are parents. Although we live in the United States and the federal government tries to look out for our health and well-being, there are many products out there that can be potentially harmful to our babies and our children. Did you know that pajamas or baby bottles may pose a risk to their health? This article is surely an eye-opener. As always, we look forward to hearing from our readers. Please feel free to reach out to me at editor@ fivetownsjewishhome.com. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
Inquiring Minds Want to Know, by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
>>Parenting Social Smarts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
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P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857
>>Health “Is” is Dangerous, by Deb Hirschhorn, PhD . . . . . . 95
Friday, March 1— Parshas Ki Tzisa Candle Lighting: 5:29 Shabbos Ends: 6:28 Rabbeinu Tam: 7:00
Food and Drugs: An Unhealthy Mix, by Aliza Beer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
>> Food & Leisure Recipes: The Aussie Gourmet: Penne alla Vodka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Travel: Maryland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Recipes: Perfect Dinner Ideas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
>> Lifestyles Ask the Attorney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Your Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Weekly Weather
fri. sat. sun. mon. tues. wed. thurs. March 1 March 2 March 3 March 4 March 5 March 6 March 7
I Don’t Have Any, by Rivki Rosenwald. . . . . . . . . . 122
>> Humor Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
>> Art From My Private Art Collection: A Matching Set Of Mock Leather Containers . . . . 97
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Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
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Spin Class: Politics with Michael Fragin. . . . . . . . . 108
>> Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
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The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily 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.
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
Contents
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Letters to Dear Editor, The Simone Development Company has been trying to rally support for its proposed purchase of the Number Six School by making promises of “heimish medicine.” They are trying to woo the neighbors by assuring them that the only entrance to the building will be on Branch Boulevard and by saying that the other sides of the property will be beautifully landscaped. I fear that the average voter does not realize that there is no permanence to these plans and no consequences to “changed circumstances.” Voters of School District 15 must know that there are NO RESTRIC-
TIONS to the proposed sale. I have confirmed this unfortunate fact with both the attorney for Simone and members of the School Board. Any plans or “promises” are subject the change. The bottom line for Simone and Mt. Sinai is MONEY. When there are changes in circumstances or just a need to increase profit, all their “promises” and plans will go out the window. I’d like to believe that at the present moment the intention of Simone is to develop the property as they are advertising. However, things change. If there is a need at some point in the future to change the entrance to the property or
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.
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the Editor add additional entrances, they can do that. If they decide that to supplement the “heimish medicine,” a drug rehabilitation clinic or Methadone clinic would bring in money, they can do it. I don’t think it will be very long before Mt. Sinai realizes that there are already several after-hours care facilities within the community or within close proximity that are open well past 9 pm and they too will increase their hours well into the night to compete. With no restrictions on the sale, Simone and Mt. Sinai will have carte blanche. Remember that if you approve this sale to a business as the Simone Development Company and Mt. Sinai are, then money is the bottom line and not the security or well-being of our neighborhood. A concerned neighbor Dear Editor, Purim this year was filled with festivities including my delicious seudah.
Every year I try to think of food to serve that is tasty, delicious and most importantly, easy to make! This year, we served different, fun drinks to our guests. My kids loved being in charge of the “bar” and being the “bartenders.” My son even put on a black vest and bowtie over his costume! The drinks were delicious, my kids were entertained, and you enhanced our Purim spirit. Once again, thanks for a wonderful magazine—we love it and we loved the Purim jokes! We are totally voting for Mr. Centerfold Commissioner for Five Towns Mayor! The Berger Family Dear Editor, I was laughing out loud from your Purim “news.” You guys are great—I don’t know how you do it but you manage to make me laugh every year! D. Z.
Readers Poll Compiled by Jannah Eichenbaum
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do you usually eat breakfast? Yes 76%
No 24%
Global Spain’s Royalty Under Investigation
Although in America the First Family is often honored and adored in the media, we do not experience the same kind of awe, admiration, and respect as in a country ruled by a monarchy. That makes this scandal all the more shocking and disgraceful. The Spanish royal family belongs to the House of Borbón. Juan Carlos de Borbón became the king in 1975. Their middle child, Infanta Cristina, is married to Iñaki Urdangarín who was recently accused of embezelling millions of dollars in public funds. On Saturday, Urdangarin was questioned by an investigating judge for the second time this year. The king’s sonin-law vowed that the royal family has nothing to do with his financial dealings. He and his former business partner, Diego Torres, are accused of stealing taxpayer money through a charity, the Noos Institute, that organized sports and cultural events. “The royal family did not give its opinion on, advice or authorize the activities of Noos,” Urdangarin said in a statement read aloud in court. Outside the courthouse, on the island of Mallorca, throngs of protestors chanted, “Down with the monarchy!” and “Down with corruption!” They too have not been formally charged yet. The goal of the court hearing was intended to help the judge decide whether a trial should be held. Urdangarin stepped down as chair-
In News man of Noos in 2006 after allegations surfaced of financial irregularities involving the charity’s clients. He told the judge that he resigned as per the request of his in-laws. In recent months, Spain’s ruling class has been flooded by corruption scandals. Prosecutors are investigating allegations that Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and other conservative politicians accepted tens of thousands of dollars each in annual bribes from construction companies for nearly twenty years. Urdangarin, 45, is a former Olympic handball champion who met Princess Cristina at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. They married a year later, and Urdangarin was given the royal title of Duke of Palma. They have three sons and one daughter together. Authorities in the town of Palma de Mallorca, the island’s capital, wrote to Urdangarin last month requesting that he give up his title of Duke of Palma. They also took down signs along Duke of Palma Avenue, which has been renamed, simply, Avenue. As head of state, the king is immune from prosecution, but other royals are not. Princess Cristina could potentially be called to testify. Reportedly, Spain’s royals have distanced themselves from Urdangarin. Supposedly he has been banned from royal events, cut out of the royal budget, and had his name and photo removed from the family’s official website. Spanish public approval of the royals has fallen in recent years, particularly after the king, 75, went elephant hunting in Africa last spring while the rest of Spain was gripped by recession, a trip that cost many times the average Spaniard’s annual income.
Hundreds of Refugees Drown in the Indian Ocean This was supposed to be their journey to freedom, to a better life, and to survival but instead it ended in death. Last week, a rickety boat was rescued off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. After nearly two months at sea in dread-
We’d Love to Hear from You! Please send all correspondence to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
The Week
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The Week ful conditions, hundreds of Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar drowned in the vicious waters of the Indian Ocean.
Survivors of the sunken ship say they undertook the arduous journey out of fear for their lives. The outpouring of Rohingya refugees from western Myanmar and Bangladesh refugee camps has made the Indian Ocean “one of the deadliest
stretches of water in the world,” the U.N. refugee agency said on Friday. It estimated that last year, nearly 500 out of 13,000 people fleeing by boat in the Bay of Bengal perished. Reports of the dead are still being tallied. Sri Lanka helped the survivors who were rescued Saturday. The Sri Lankan navy also rescued roughly 130 people, believed to be coming from Myanmar and Bangladesh earlier this month. The Sri Lankan Daily News reported that officials do not plan to bring charges against the latest group of fleeing Rohingya, but an immigration official said that it was working to start sending them back to Myanmar. The exodus stems from the violence that ravaged Rakhine state in Myanmar in June, as rival mobs of Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims attacked villages, torching homes and killing scores of people. Reportedly in October, the violence erupted once again. The Rohingya Muslims face severe discrimination in Myanmar. They are denied from citizenship in the country, where many see them as interlopers from neighboring Bangladesh. Dhaka also rejects them, leaving them essen-
In News tially stateless. As thousands tried to flee the violence, Bangladesh dismissed their boats, saying it already hosted hundreds of thousands of Rohingya.
North Korea Warns U.S. of “Miserable Destruction”
Call it what you want…a family feud, a cold war, a cat fight. North Korea warned the top American commander in South Korea of “miserable destruction” if the U.S. military presses ahead with routine joint drills with South Korea set to begin next month. Pak Rim Su, chief of North Korea’s military delegation, sent the warning
on Saturday morning to General James Thurman. This kind of direct message is rare and unusual. South Korea and the U.S. regularly conduct joint drills such as the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises slated to take place next month. North Korea calls the drills proof of U.S. hostility and accuses Washington of practicing for an invasion. “You had better bear in mind that those igniting a war are destined to meet a miserable destruction,” Pak was quoted as saying in his message to Thurman. He called the drills “reckless.” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, meanwhile, has been making a round of visits to military units, guiding troops in drills and exercises. The threat comes as the U.S. and other nations discuss how to punish North Korea for conducting an underground nuclear test on February 12 in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning Pyongyang from nuclear and missile activity. North Korea has characterized the nuclear test, its third since 2006, as a defensive act against U.S. aggression. Continued on page 14
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9 WAKE UP & SMELL THE COFFEE • Cuisinart K-Cup Brewing System includes 12 K-Cup Starter Pack • A Set of Decorative Mugs
10 HOME PROTECTION • A beautiful mezuzah checked by Rabbi Akiva Oppen • A stunning mezuzah case
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The Week The U.S. and North Korea fought on opposite sides of the three-year Korean War, which ended in a truce in 1953, not a peace treaty, and left the Korean Peninsula divided by a heavily fortified border monitored by the U.S.-led U.N. Command. Washington also stations 28,500 American troops in South Korea to protect its ally against North Korean aggression.
In News
Earnings in Bulgaria are less than half the European Union average. Tens of thousands of Bulgarians have rallied in protests that have turned violent, chanting “Mafia” and “Resign.” The spark for the protests was high electricity bills, after the government raised prices by 13 percent last July. But protesters expressed their overall frustration with Borisov and political elites with perceived links to shady business dealings.
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Resigns Bulgaria’s government resigned on Wednesday after mass protests against high power prices and diminishing living standards, joining a long list of European administrations felled by austerity during four years of debt crisis. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, an ex-bodyguard who took power in 2009 on promises to raise incomes and help the economy, announced to Parliament, “The people gave us power, and today we are returning it.”
25 arrested. “My decision to resign will not be changed under any circumstances. I do not build roads so that blood is shed on them,” said Borisov, who began his career guarding the Black Sea state’s communist dictator Todor Zhivkov. Borisov attempted to gain the public’s approval in his earlier years in power. But critics say he often avoided due process, sometimes to the benefit of those close to him. “He made my day,” said student Borislav Hadzhiev in central Sofia, commenting on Borisov’s resignation. “The truth is that we’re living in an extremely poor country.”
The Pole of Cold Borisov attempted to blame foreign utility companies for the rise in the cost of heating homes. Protesters didn’t accept that lame excuse. The eleventh day of marches ended with police clashes that sent 15 people to the hospital and
This winter was a delayed reaction. It suddenly and unexpectedly took a turn for the colder in recent weeks. It’s been cold, really cold but imagine a life where 27 degrees would be considered a spring-like winter day… The remote northeastern Russian village of Oymyakon is officially the
coldest town on earth. The population of Oymyakon is 472.
The small town has the lowest temperature ever recorded in northern hemisphere history. It rightfully earned its nickname of “Pole of Cold” in February 1933, when a temperature of -67.7°C (-90°F) was recorded. The town’s airport runway is only open in the summer since the ice during the winter never melts. Daylight varies from 3 hours in December to 21 hours in June. The forecast for the next few days? -15°C. Road trip, anyone??
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The Week Spaniards March in Protest of Economic Decline In protest of deep austerity, the privatization of public services, and political corruption, tens of thousands of Spaniards marched through cities across the country on Saturday. People are angry. After a five-year economic decline that does not seem to be recovering, they decided to fight back. Students, doctors, unionists, young families and pensioners joined together as one under the banner of “Citizen Tide.” They staged a rowdy but nonviolent demonstration. “I’m here to add my voice. They’re cutting where they shouldn’t cut; health, education ... basic services. And the latest corruption scandal is just the tiniest tip of a very large iceberg,” said Alberto, 51, an account administrator. As the conservative government passes measures aimed at shrinking one of the euro zone’s highest budget defi-
cits and reinventing an economy hobbled by a burst housing bubble, protesting has become usual. Unemployment is terrible. More than half the country’s young people are out of work. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has introduced some of the deepest budget cuts in Spain’s democratic history in an attempt to convince investors the country can catch itself before falling back on international aid.
In News ceremony. Her groom is seen lifting her head to pose for the camera. I hope he didn’t take it too personally.
Mass Wedding in China The room was an endless sea of pairs in black and white. Around 3,500 couples lined up at Cheongshim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, 37 miles northeast of Seoul, China on Sunday, February 17, 2013. The newlyweds celebrated a mass wedding ceremony. The first mass wedding was in 1961 with 33 couples. Now the ceremony has mushroomed in size. In a photo from the event, one of the many brides is seen snoozing during the
Afghanistan Expels US Special Forces The Afghan president has ordered U.S. Special Forces to leave Wardak province within two weeks. The expulsion comes after allegations of disappearances and torture by Afghans considered to be part of US special forces, said a spokesman for Hamid Karzai.
The strategically significant central province of Wardak has been the recent focus of counter-insurgency operations. A US statement said it took all allegations of misconduct seriously. “This is an important issue that we must discuss with our Afghan counterparts,” the statement said. “After a thorough discussion, it became clear that armed individuals named as US Special Force[s] stationed in Wardak province engage in harassing, annoying, torturing and even murdering innocent people,” the Afghan president’s office said. “A recent example in the province is an incident in which nine people were disappeared [sic] in an operation by this suspicious force, and in a separate incident a student was taken away at night from his home, whose tortured body with throat cut was found two days later under a bridge. However, Americans reject having conducted any such operation and any involvement of their special force. The meeting strongly noted that such actions have caused local public resentment and hatred.”
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In a hurried news conference, a presidential spokesman implied that many of the allegations centered on Afghan citizens he alleged were working with US Special Forces. “There are some individuals, some Afghans, who are working within these cells, within these [US] Special Forces groups” in Wardak province, said spokesman Aimal Faizi. “But they are part of US Special Forces according to our sources and according to our local officials, working in the province,” he said. The accountability of US forces and local militia working with them has been a growing source of friction in Afghan-US relations.
Iran Discovers More Uranium Bad news for us, sort of good news for Iran. Although Western experts had previously thought that Iran may be close to exhausting its supply of raw uranium, Iran has announced that it has found significant new deposits of raw uranium to feed its nuclear program and has identified sites for sixteen more nuclear power stations.
This announcement comes just days before talks with Western powers over its disputed atomic program. The Iran Atomic Energy Organization report cited that the deposits were found in “southern coastal areas” and had trebled the amount outlined in previous estimates. This news comes at an interesting point in time. Diplomats say the United States and its allies – the so called P5+1 – are set to offer Iran some relief from their sanctions at the talks in Kazakhstan on Tuesday if it agrees to curb its production of higher grade enriched uranium. The West says the production demonstrates Tehran’s intent to develop a nuclear weapons capability, an allegation the Islamic republic denies. Iran’s
In News
stock of reserves of raw uranium stood at around 4,400 metric tons taking into account discoveries over the past 18 months, IRNA quoted the report as saying. To further alarm us, the Islamic Republic’s powerful Revolutionary Guard conducted a three-day ground and air military exercise aimed at upgrading its combat readiness.
Raul Castro Deliberates Retirement Cuban President Raul Castro has surprisingly raised the possibility of leaving his post after a long career. The Cuban leader is scheduled to be named by parliament to a new five-year term on Sunday, and Castro urged reporters to listen to his speech that day. “I am going to resign,” Castro said at a joint appearance with visiting Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, an enigmatic smile on his face. It was not clear whether he was joking. “I am going to be 82-years-old,” Castro added. “I have the right to retire, don’t you think?” When reporters continued to shout questions about his plans for the next five years, Castro replied: “Why are you so incredulous?” His only response was to listen to his speech on Sunday. “It will be an interesting speech,” he said. “Pay attention.”
China Admits Pollution in “Cancer Villages” Several years ago, a report was published analyzing a supposed higher incidence of cancer in certain villages of China. In an official report released last week, China’s environment ministry acknowledged the existence of “cancer villages.” In recent years, the public has been more vocal regarding their growing discontent over industrial waste, hazardous smog and other environmental and health consequences after years of rapid development. “Poisonous and harmful chemical materials have brought about many water and atmosphere emergencies...certain places are even seeing ‘cancer villages,’” said a five-year study that was highlighted this week. The report did not elaborate on the epidemic. But the ministry acknowledged that in general, China uses “poisonous and harmful chemical products” that are banned in developed countries and “pose long-term or potential harm to human health and the ecology.”
Environmental lawyer Wang Canfa, who runs an aid center in Beijing for victims of pollution, said it was the first time the “cancer village” phrase had appeared in a ministry document. “It shows that the environment ministry has acknowledged that pollution has led to people getting cancer,” he said. “It shows that this issue, of environmental pollution leading to health damages, has drawn attention.”
The Cuban leader has spoken before of his desire to implement a two-term limit for all Cuban government positions, including the presidency. That has led many to speculate that this upcoming term would be his last, though term limits have never been codified into Cuban law yet. Interestingly enough, Cuban television downplayed Castro’s comments. The exchange was not shown on Cuban television, although other footage from his appearance with Medvedev was shown. On Sunday, Raul announced that he will step down as Cuba’s president in 2018, putting a deadline to a Castro-
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The Week
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The Week led Cuba. He tapped rising star Miguel Diaz-Canel as his top lieutenant and potential successor. “This will be my last term,” Castro, 81, announced, shortly after the National Assembly elected him to a second five-year term of office. If he keeps his word, Castro will leave office no later than 2018. This will signify a change in U.S.-Cuba relations. The wording of Washington’s 51-year economic embargo against Cuba specifies that it cannot be lifted while a Castro is in power. A frail Fidel Castro made an appearance on Sunday alongside his brother, Raul. He received a thunderous ovation from lawmakers when he entered Parliament.
Israel
In News and felt unwell after lunch, the agency said. “Rescue services and a doctor were alerted and treated him; they didn’t succeed in saving his life,” the statement said. At the time, Jaradat was not on a hunger strike and died of an apparent heart attack, said Sivan Weizman of the Israel Prisons Service.
Israel’s main forensics institute is to perform an autopsy with a Palestinian physician in attendance.
Palestinians Request Investigation of Israel’s Treatment of Palestinian Prisoners
Israel Has the Diamonds. Now They Need Someone to Polish Them
Palestinians are asking for an international investigation of Israel’s treatment of detained Palestinians. Arafat Jaradat died at 30-year-old while in custody. In protest, four other inmates imposed a hunger strike on themselves. This sparked protests in the West Bank in a show of support for the prisoners. Dozens of Palestinians in Chevron, the West Bank’s largest city, threw rocks, fired tear gas, and rubber coated steel pellets at Israeli soldiers. Similar violent protests also erupted near Jaradat’s village of Saeer in the West Bank. Palestinian officials and the detainee’s family alleged Jaradat was mistreated by the Shin Bet, saying he was healthy at the time of his arrest last week. Shin Bet claims that Jaradat died of a sudden heart attack. They fiercely deny any ill treatment. Jaradat was arrested last Monday, after residents in his village of Saeer said he was involved in a rock-throwing attack that injured an Israeli. Jaradat confessed to the charge, as well as to another West Bank rock-throwing incident last year. The agency admits that during his interrogation, he was examined by a doctor who detected no health problems. On Saturday, he was in his cell
Diamond manufacturing has become a deteriorating trade in Israel. The country has one of the world’s hottest diamond exchanges, but polishers and cutters of the precious stones have been replaced by cheaper workers in newer hubs like India and China. Israel wants to bring them back home. In an effort to jumpstart the diamond polishing industry, they are attempting to appeal to Chareidi Jews. The job of a diamond polisher is unique, said Bumi Traub, president of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association. It does not interfere with the humble and sheltered lives of Chareidi men. “The profession is fitting. You deal with the rock, and if you need to go pray, no one will bother you,” he said. About a third of rough diamonds produced in the world each year pass through the Jewish State and diamonds account for more than a fifth of the country’s industrial exports. In 2011,
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The Week rough diamond imports to Israel topped $4.4 billion and $7.2 billion in polished diamonds were exported. Every second diamond sold in the United States, according to value, came from Israel. But only $1.5 billion of the stones were cut and polished locally, a much lower percentage than a decade ago. The rest were sent abroad to foreign firms or Israeli-owned factories. Salaries in India and China were just too cheap to compete with. Now, the GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, has decided to open its lab in Israel. Manufacturers can have their diamonds graded and evaluated in Israel. “It’s critical for the growth, for the international branding of the export business, and we think that we’re a good partner to help the manufacturing grow,” GIA President and CEO Donna Baker said when the lab opened. By cutting costs and allowing increased turnover, it will add between $30 million and $50 million a year to the industry. The Israeli government, eager to get as many ultra-Orthodox working as possible, is on board to help execute the
plan. The government has already allocated $200 million over the next five years to encourage Chareidi integration in the work force. Many in the new generation of ultraOrthodox are open to the idea of getting jobs. The key is finding one that fits, said Bezalel Cohen, 38, who has worked for years to promote employment among his fellow Chareidim. “The diamond industry’s initiative [to hire ultra-Orthodox] has potential to really succeed,” he said. “As long as the pay and training is proper, it should take off.” Aside from helping to pay the salaries for newly hired Chareidim, the government will offer grants to small exporters and marketing support.
Manuscript of Trajtenberg Committee Released The Trajtenberg Committee on Socioeconomic Change tailored some of its recommendations to be more politi-
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In News cally pleasant, according to an investigation by Calcalist, which on Sunday uncovered the official transcripts of the discussions for the first time.
Professor Manuel Trajtenberg’s committee to map out policies to address the 2011 social protests omitted some recommendations on issues such as taxes, labor unions and the cost of living from its final report, in part to make the recommendations “easier” for politicians to pass, and in part in response to pressure from government representatives, according to the investigation, based on 184,797 words of transcripts in 763 pages. For example, in a September 2011 meeting, National Economic Council Chairman Eugene Kandel explained why the group did not address reforming tax-exempt continuing education funds (Keren Hishtalmut), which experts estimate cost the state NIS 2.4 billion a year in lost tax revenue. “There’s an agreement here not to touch it,” Calcalist quoted Kandel as saying. “Not because we don’t think it’s right, but because such an action complicates the system.” When the committee moved to a discussion of the corporate tax rate, Avi Simhon, then a senior economic adviser to Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, put it bluntly: “Something else that I perhaps should not say as an economist, but I will say anyway: When we do things, we can’t come and slap the policy-makers in the face.” In the discussion, which focused on what the corporate tax rate should be, Trajtenberg pushed for raising it a few percentage points. “We’re coming from a tax of 36 percent that dropped to 24%. The OECD average is 25.5%,” Trajtenberg reportedly said in an August 2011 meeting. Raising it to 26 or 27% would not be the end of the world, he argued, saying that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was willing to take such steps. An unnamed committee member responded to the Calcalist report, saying that the government was making its own political decisions, taking up only certain parts of the recommendations to implement into law.
Israeli Appointed Head of Socialist International Former Knesset member and former Israeli diplomat in the U.S. and Europe, Collette Avital, has been chosen to head the Socialist International, the world organization of social democrat political parties. She currently serves as the head of the Israel Holocaust Survivors Organization.
Avital was elected unanimously at a Socialist International meeting in Lisbon over the weekend. She was the Israeli ambassador to Portugal from 1988 until 1992, and was Israel’s Consul General in New York City between 1992 and 1996. Upon returning to Israel, she was appointed Deputy Director in Charge of Western Europe, the third most important position in the ministry. Avital first ran for the Knesset in 1999, and served until 2009. In 2007, she ran for President of Israel against Reuven Rivlin and Shimon Peres. The Socialist International includes parties from 180 countries, among them the British Labor Party, the Social Democrat Party of the U.S., the French Socialist Party, the German SPD, and Israel’s Labor and Meretz parties. The group also includes Pakistan’s social democratic movement, as well as parties from Turkey, and the Fatah terror group. The latter two are non-voting observers…I guess that explains why Avital was unanimously voted into this position.
National Richest Presidents in History It definitely pays to be President of the United States. It’s not the salary of being head of state that makes the big bucks; it’s the opportunities that come after leaving office. Continued on page 26
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our yAgudah Shabbos, Parshas Ki Sisa, March 2/20 Adar
Join us
as three leaders of Agudath Israel of America, on the front lines of issues affecting our community, will be visiting Far Rockaway / Lawrence shuls:
Rabbi Yehiel Kalish
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel
Rabbi Avi Shafran
EXE CUT IVE VICE P RE SIDE NT
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
A full schedule of participating shuls to appear next week. F R I D AY N I G H T O N E G S H A B B O S AT T H E H O M E O F
Mr. and Mrs. Shlomo Reich 1054 New McNeil Avenue Lawrence
TOPIC
The World is Watching The Kiddush Hashem Imperative in an Era of Intense Scrutiny
Kumzitz with local mizamrim. All are welcome!
Sunday morning, March 3/21 Adar, 9:00am As the New York State budget is being decided, to attend a breakfast in honor of
you are invited
Senator Dean Skelos NE W YORK STAT E SE NAT E MAJORIT Y COAL IT ION L E ADE R
In recognition of his devoted leadership and steady friendship to our community institutions and yeshivos AT T H E H O M E O F
Dr. and Mrs. Shamshy Eisenberger 125 Rand Place, Lawrence Open to the public / Men and Women welcome / No Solicitation AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA / 42 BROADWAY ST / NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004 / 212.797.9000
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HEED THE CALL OF THE GEDOLEI YISROEL Help Return a Shevet to Klal Yisroel
“
It's not a question of maaser. It's not a question of a chomesh. It's a question of whatever a person can give, he should give it for turning Eretz Yisroel around and bringing it back to the Ribbono Shel Olam. Then He will come back to us.
”
MOREINU HARAV AVROHOM PAM, k’’mz SHUVU PARLOR MEETING, JULY 2000
“ “
”
Shuvu’s important programs are known – Shuvu deals in saving the spiritual lives of our brethren, children who’ve arrived from Russia, and brings them closer to Torah and Yiras Shomayim.
MARAN HARAV YOSEF SHALOM ELYASHIV, k’’mz
Shuvu has grown into a large network spread out over the length and breadth of Eretz Yisroel. It is a great mitzvah upon every Oheiv Hashem and pursuers of Tzedakah and Chessed, in every location, to come to the aid of this institution with a hand opened wide and to assist them to continue and expand the work of their holy organization, Shuvu, to exalt and expand Torah.
”
MARAN HARAV AHARON LEIB SHTEINMAN, t’’yhka
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The Week
SHIUR
The lander College for Men Alumni Association & Department of Community Programming Present:
A Community-Wide Pre-PesACh LeArning initiAtive With the rosh hAyeshivA
HaRav Yonason Sacks, t”yhka Sunday, March 10, 2013 9:00 - 9:30 am Breakfast | 9:30 - 10:15 am Shiur
lander College for Men 75-31 150th St., Flushing, NY 11367
,urhjk ,uscgn” “Experiencing Yitzias Mitzrayim
Wine
24/7 Wall St. examined the finances of all 43 presidents to identify the richest. The wealthiest living President on the list is Bill Clinton, who now has an estimated net worth of $55 million. Clinton continues to make millions of dollars in speaking fees. Although President Obama did not make the list, his net worth increased from $5 million in 2010 to an estimated $7 million, primarily from his book sales. If Bill Clinton is any indication, Obama can expect to make much more money in speaking engagements once he exits office in 2017. Trends show that the fortunes of America’s presidents are often linked to the economy of their time. The ten wealthiest presidents of all time are (all in 2010 dollars): 35th President John F. Kennedy, who had a net worth of $1 billion; Bill Clinton; 32nd President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at $60 million; Herbert Clark Hoover at $75 million; Lyndon B. Johnson at $98 million; 4th President James Madison at $101 million; Andrew Jackson with $119 million, Theodore Roosevelt at $125 million; third President Thomas Jefferson at $212 million; and George Washington at $525 million. Not too bad.
In News commands to send a message, record a video, take a photo, launch a videochat, conduct an online search, check the weather, or get directions. All from his glasses. This clip illustrates how Google is transforming its reputation as simply a search engine to a technological giant. The Glass eyewear perches a screen just above a person’s ordinary field of view; the device itself is equipped with a processor, camera, head-tracking orientation sensors, and other electronics drawn from the smartphone industry. Google began selling Glass developer prototypes called Explorer last year for $1,500 that are due to ship this year. Google’s site shows off Glass’ GoPro-like video camera abilities, with first-person views of table tennis, swordplay, trapeze acrobatics, jumping rope, sculpture carving, hot-air ballooning, and more. The company is trying to demonstrate it as a sort of real-time video Facebook you can use to share life with others as you experience what’s going on around you. The company hopes that Glass will be ready for consumers in 2014. Google also announced a promotion in which people who share interesting ideas about what to do with the device get the chance to become a “Glass Explorer,” and can then pre-order the $1,500 prototype. The application deadline was February 27. I’m sold!
Homes of the Rich and Famous
Google Glass
For Men only
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“OK Glass.” These two words will mean a lot if it’s meant as a command for Google’s glass computerized eyewear. Google released a sneak peak video entitled, “How it Feels.” A person speaks the words “OK Glass” and then he can pick from a list of featured voice
When you’re rich, you can practically live anywhere. And it seems that there are cities in America that are more appealing to those who have millions in their bank accounts. Recently released census data suggests which cities hold the most appeal for wealthy folks. These areas have the highest percentage of households with high income, representing household incomes of at least $191,469. Napa, California, came in at the tenth spot on the list. And that’s not too
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The News
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What is the purpose of the obligation for every Jew to view himself as if he personally left Mitzrayim? Is the Korban Pesach an individual offering or a communal one? Why is the declaration, “Next year in Yerushalayim,” part of the Seder night? In this unique work, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi of the internationally acclaimed Dirshu Torah organization, addresses these questions and so many others. Deep insights into the moadim of Pesach and Shavuos; as well as Sefiras Ha’omer, the Three Weeks, Tishah B’Av, Rosh Chodesh and the weekly “holiday” of Shabbos are analyzed. Every maamar in Dorash Dovid 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.
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shabby. Known for its fine wines, beautiful weather and great golfing, living here is like living the dream. But houses here don’t come cheap—the average listing price in Napa is $1.2 million. Boulder, Colorado, located at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, came in ninth place. Boston, Massachusetts and Thousand Oaks, California came in at the eighth and seventh spots, respectively. New York, our home, came in at the sixth place. The NY metro area includes northern New Jersey and Long Island along with parts of Pennsylvania. (Who knew we were all connected?) The average listing price in NYC hovers around $2.35 million—and that’s in a building without a backyard. Trenton, New Jersey; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; and San Jose came behind New York. The number one city in the United States for wealthy Americans? Stamford, Connecticut. The cost of living here is more than sixty percent above the national average and the average listing price for a home is only $728,603. Hey, maybe I can move there!
Millions of Dollars for Renewable Energy in Colorado The federal government has its eyes on Colorado to fulfill its dream of renewable energy. Scientists and executives doggedly explore a new frontier at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The NREL deems solar panels, windmills, and corn the energy source of the future. If you think it sounds idealistic and frivolous, think again because the highpaid staff of NREL has millions of your dollars at their disposal. The taxpayer dollars fund top executive, Dr. Dan Arvizu’s, million dollar salary as well as his two top lieutenants who earn more than half a million each and nine others that make more than $350,000 a year.(Any job openings?) The site is patrolled by security that will stop you if you even try to get close; what goes on inside NREL is “top secret.” Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, NREL started in 1977 as a Solar Energy Research Institute, a Jimmy Carterera response to the 1973 Mideast oil crisis. Its budget then was about $100 million. That budget was slashed by the Reagan administration. After that, it increased steadily before ballooning to $536.5 million, a beneficiary of President Obama’s stimulus plan and a $135 million contract spread out over five
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THE EVENING PROGRAM AT LANDER COLLEGE FOR MEN
OPEN HOUSE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013, 8:00 PM 75-31 150th STREET, FLUSHING, NY 11367 Small classes with personal attention A serious and welcoming college program Excellent rates of acceptance to professional and graduate schools Scholarship and financial aid opportunities for those who qualify Located in Kew Gardens Hills and convenient to Far Rockaway, the Five Towns and West Hempstead For further information, please contact Dean Herb Ratner: Phone: 718-820-4889 Email: hratner@touro.edu Lander College for Men A Division of Touro College
facebook.com/WeAreTouro
Touro College is an Equal Opportunity Institution
@WeAreTouro
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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years to construct a new science center. Its current $352 million budget is down slightly from last year’s $388.6 million. Mysterious…where’s Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys?
Saddest Cities in America If you’re ever in search of a depressing vacation spot, just visit one of the cities on Forbes magazine’s saddest, most depressed cities in America. Detroit, Michigan, marked number one on the most miserable cities list. The rankings are based mostly on economic factors, including unemployment, foreclosures, income and property taxes, and home prices. Violent crime was also heavily factored in. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing told Forbes, “Right now, it’s all about survival.” The city suffers from high crime rates and falling house prices. The Midwest was heavily represented on the list. The 20 most miserable cities also included Rockford, Illinois (third); Chicago, Illinois (fourth); Lake County, Illinois (ninth); Toledo, Ohio (11th); St. Louis, Missouri (12th); Milwaukee, Wisconsin (14th); Cleveland, Ohio (17th); Gary, Indiana (19th) and Youngstown, Ohio (20th). The cities had mixed reactions to their rankings. While Detroit acknowledged their pitiful state, many other city mayors bashed Forbes for putting them on the list. It makes me depressed just reading about it.
Bloomberg Ban Costing Families More On March 12, the ban on large sodas being sold in New York City will take effect. Say goodbye to that 2-liter bottle of Coke with your pizza delivery and pitchers of soft drinks at your kid’s birthday party. They’d violate Mayor Bloomberg’s new rules, which prohibit eateries from serving or selling sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces. The city’s Health Department last week began sending brochures to businesses that would be affected by the latest ban, including restaurants, bars and any “food service” establishment subject to letter grades. Merchants were shocked to see the broad sweep of the
new rules. Consumers, especially families, will soon see how the rules will affect their wallets – forcing them to pay higher unit prices for smaller bottles. Typically, a pizza shop charges $3 for a 2-liter bottle of Coke. But under the ban, customers would have to buy six 12-ounce cans at a total cost of $7.50 to get an equivalent amount of soda. The smaller bottles will generate more revenue for the restaurant, which means more tax dollars for the city, but cost consumers a lot more. I thought a mayor was supposed to look out for his constituents.
Identity Theft on the Rise Some 12.6 million Americans were victimized by ID theft in 2012, the secondhighest total since the Federal Trade Commission began counting victims in 2003, and roughly 1 million more than 2011, according to a survey by Javelin Strategy and Research. The record – 13.9 million victims – was set in 2009. Overall, slightly more than 1 in 20 consumers were victims last year, the survey found. A large portion of the increase was driven by “dramatic jumps” in moreserious forms of ID theft, such as new account fraud, where a criminal uses a victim’s personal information to open new credit cards or other kinds of loans. New account fraud
In News jumped 50 percent last year, according to the report, with the total fraud-loss doubling year over year to just under $10 billion. “I don’t think [the data] shows that banks are losing control,” said Jim Van Dyke, author of the study, when asked about the significance of the new data. “But it’s really wise to look at where we haven’t gotten anything under control, and that’s new account fraud.” The news comes amid a cascade of hacker stories this week, giving the im-
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The Week
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The Week pression computer criminals are gaining the upper hand on many fronts. Agents working on behalf of the Chinese army have successfully attacked dozens of U.S. companies, according to U.S. security firm Mandiant. Large U.S. media companies have also fought off Chinese hackers, and not always successfully, according to several reports. Burger King and Jeep suffered embarrassing Twitter account takeovers. And both Twitter and Facebook have had to announce in recent weeks that they had been hacked.
complete their degrees there. Together Microsoft and Facebook’s CEOs are worth $45 billion. Wealth-X created a global list of universities ranked by alumni worth $1 billion or more.
Universities with Wealthiest Alumni
Harvard was number one and had nearly twice as many billionaires as the number two school, University of Pennsylvania, which has 28 billionaire alumni worth a collective $112 billion. “It shows the power of networks,” said David Friedman, president of Wealth-X. “Harvard has this entrenched, powerful network that extends across so many sectors and is incredibly proactive about connecting its alumni. You get a great education, but you also get access.”
Want your child to have a real shot at becoming a billionaire? Send him to Harvard. Harvard has graduated some 52 billionaires, with a collective fortune of $205 billion. This number doesn’t include Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, who both attended Harvard but did not
In News Harvard’s success, said Friedman, “validates what we all whisper and now we know: It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know.” Stanford University has 27 billionaires to its credit, ranking third. M.I.T., sixth on the list with 15 billionaires, has sprinkled its number-crunching analysts throughout Wall Street and hedge funds. The University of Cambridge, the only school outside the United States to make the top 10, is a high-tech leader in the U.K. Is it the school that makes the man or the man that makes the school?
US Stopping Use of Term ‘Negro’ for Census Surveys After more than a century, the Census Bureau is dropping its use of the word “Negro” to describe black Americans in surveys. Instead of the term that came into use during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation, census forms will use the more modern labels “black” or “African-American.” Nicholas Jones, chief of the Census Bureau’s racial statistics branch, said the change will take effect next year, when the bureau distributes its annual American Community Survey to more than 3.5 million U.S. households. According to Jones, months of public feedback and census research concluded that few black Americans still identify with being Negro, and many view the term as offensive and outdated.
That’s Odd
double take. The officer basically pulled the vehicle over and discovered it was full up with men and sheep… It’s quite a small vehicle.”
The sheep had allegedly been stolen from a farm. Three of the men were charged with theft of stock and cruel treatment of an animal. The men were 35, 22 and 21, Callahan said, adding that stolen sheep are generally slaughtered and eaten. He admitted that the meat is expensive in New Zealand. “A lot of sheep get poached, especially during lambing season,” he said. “But something like this is not regular.” The sheep were found unharmed, though presumably shaken, Callahan said, adding that he thought the cruelty charge was particularly appropriate, given the hog-tying and the weather. “It’s bloody hot here because it’s in the middle of summer,” he said. “So ten wool sheep and four men – it’s, well … it’s hot.” Local media reported that eleven sheep were stolen but Callahan said he was confident the number was 10. “Maybe one of the men was mistaken for a sheep,” he said. Where, oh where, is Little Bo Peep?
Attorneys for Animals
Four Men, Ten Sheep, One Car During a routine patrol in New Zealand, police discovered four men and ten sheep jammed into a small car. No, this is not a joke. Somehow they all manage to fit into the small car. An officer was patrolling the area when he noticed something strange about a 1994 Ford Laser hatchback as it labored along under the power of its 1.3-liter engine. Wellington police spokesman Guy Callahan said, “He would have done a
Many pet owners think their animals have a lot to say. And it seems that lawmakers agree with them. A Connecticut legislator has proposed a bill that would allow the appointment of an advocate to
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The Week act on behalf of an animal during court proceedings. Connecticut State Representative Diana Urban proposed the bill, known as HB 6310, “An Act Concerning Animal Advocates in Court Proceedings.” It would permit a veterinarian with the Department of Agriculture to be appointed as an advocate for an animal whose welfare or custody is the subject of a civil or criminal court proceeding. “HB 6310 would give the option for an advocate in court for an egregiously injured animal,” said Urban, a Democrat from North Stonington, Conn. “This would enable the animal’s injury to be identified as a red flag for future violent behavior. We are putting together a public/private partnership with the state Department of Agriculture and nonprofit rescue groups including Connecticut Votes for Animals to be available to speak for the animals in court.” The bill, which is awaiting action in the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, has the support of other lawmakers. “Much like our children who cannot advocate on behalf of themselves, innocent animals that are abused or worse, killed, deserve that same right,” said Rep. Brenda Kupchick, a Republican from Fairfield, Connecticut. “Violence of any type is unacceptable and we must do whatever we can to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.” I totally woof, I mean, agree with you.
Double Funeral is Bittersweet Norman Hendrickson was known for telling jokes and never wasting money. So when he died suddenly while en route to his wife’s funeral, the couple’s daughters knew there was only one thing to do: hold a doubleheader service. The 94-year-old World War II veteran’s impromptu wake was held on Saturday at the same eastern New York funeral home where his wife Gwen’s funeral was already scheduled. She was 89 when she died on February 8. After Norman died just steps from the funeral home, the daughters decided their parents would be mourned together at the same time. The daughters said it was a fitting way to say goodbye to a couple who had been together since meeting in Europe during World War II and who had been married for nearly 66 years.
“After we had a little time to process the shock and horror, we felt we couldn’t have written a more perfect script,” their daughter said. “My sister said the only thing he didn’t do was fall into the casket.” I guess he couldn’t bear to be without his precious wife. Their hearts beat as one.
Emergency Cigarettes A Hood County woman was arrested after calling 911 to request cigarettes.
Linda White, 48, now admits it was a frivolous request and says she regrets calling 911 at about 1 a.m. on February 11 asking deputies to make a delivery. In a recording of the call, White can be heard saying, “I need some cigarettes.” Apparently, it was an emergency. On Tuesday, though, she apologized and tried to explain. “We were just kicking it in the backyard – a few beers too many,” she said. “Next thing you know, we’re out of cigarettes. Well, I didn’t want to drive to town...I was drunk, you know, but in my backyard.” “Who’s the safest person to call?” she asked. “Your police department, I thought.” Drunk or not, the sheriff’s office said 911 is reserved for emergencies. Hood County Chief Deputy Biff Temple stated the obvious. “A call for deputies to bring cigarettes to the resident is not an emergency call,” he said. “I am deeply sorry for what I did,” White said in an interview outside her home. “I’m embarrassed. It’s not me.” “It is kind of funny,” she said laughing. White added that she learned the hard way not to call 911 with a frivolous request. “They don’t deliver – they pick up,” she said. And they’ll charge you for it too.
Woman Shot by Oven Aalaya Walker, 18, was visiting a friend in St. Petersburg, Florida, when
In News she had a craving for waffles. The unsuspecting young woman from Tampa Bay, Florida, began preheating the oven, unaware that her friend, JJ Sandy, 25, was storing a magazine from his .45-caliber Glock 21 in the oven. The magazine exploded at about 9 p.m. Eastern Time, spraying casing fragments at high speed and striking Walker. She managed to pick some of the fragments out of her leg and chest and then took a bus to the hospital, where she was treated and released. Sandy told police he’d stored the gun in a drawer but had stored the magazine in the oven. Gun and ammunition references indicate that the .45-caliber bullets commonly used in Glocks can explode at temperatures as low as 280 degrees — or even lower if they’ve been exposed to heat for a long time, which can degrades the structure. Sandy “stated that he does not have a temperature gauge on the oven so he estimates the temperature based on how far the knob is turned,” according to the police report. “I observed that the inside of the oven was damaged.” The report said, “Without a gun barrel to contain and direct the propellant gases, the bullets did not develop enough speed to pierce the glass or steel portions of the oven. The shell casings actually caused more damage than the bullets.” Sandy wasn’t charged because he had a proper concealed weapons permit. This weapon was definitely concealed.
Pieces of Outer Space for Sale
You thought the price of gold was high? Hunters in Russia are frantically searching for fragments of the space rock from the meteor that exploded over Russia’s Ural Mountains last week. The blast and the aftershock wave shattered windows and injured almost 1,200 people. It caused $33 million in damage. It also started a “meteorite rush” around the industrial city of Chelyabinsk, 950 miles east of Moscow, where groups of people have started combing through the snow and ice.
One amateur space enthusiast estimated that chunks could be worth anything up to 66,000 rubles ($2,200) per gram; that’s more than 40 times the current cost of gold! “The price is hard to say yet…The fewer meteorites that are recovered, the higher their price,” said Dmitry Kachkalin, a member of the Russian Society of Amateur Meteorite Lovers. Scientists at the Urals Federal University were the first to announce a significant find: 53 small, stony, black objects around Lake Chebarkul, near Chelyabinsk, which tests confirmed were small meteorites. The fragments were only 0.5 to 1 centimeter (0.2 to 0.4 inches) across, but the scientists said larger pieces may have crashed into the lake, where a crater in the ice about 8 meters (26 feet) was wide open after Friday’s explosion. “We just completed tests, and confirm that the pieces of matter found by our experts around Lake Chebarkul are really meteorites,” Viktor Grokhovsky, a scientist with the Urals Federal University and the Russian Academy of Sciences said. “These are classified as ordinary chondrites, or stony meteorites, with an iron content of about 10 percent.” Residents of a village near Chelyabinsk searched the snowy streets, collecting stones they hoped would prove to be the real thing. “I will keep it. Why sell it? I didn’t have a rich lifestyle before, so why start now?” a woman told state television as she clutched a small black pebble. The authenticity of the items is difficult to confirm. One seller of a large, silver-hued rock wrote in an advertisement, “Selling an unusual rock. It may be a piece of meteorite, it may be a bit of a UFO, it may be a piece of a rocket!” It gives a new meaning to the phrase, “Space for Sale.”
Thieves Steal Millions of Diamonds in Plane Parked on Runway In a daring break-in, eight armed and masked men made a hole in a security fence at the international airport in Brussels, Belgium, and drove onto the tarmac right up to a passenger plane that was preparing for departure. They grabbed millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds from the hold of a SwissContinued on page 38
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r u o y Agudah Shabbos, Parshas Ki Sisa, March 2/20 Adar
Join us as three leaders of Agudath Israel of America, on the front lines of issues affecting our community, will be visiting Far Rockaway / Lawrence shuls:
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel
Rabbi Avi Shafran
E X E CUT IVE VICE P RE SIDE NT
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS HOSTS
HOSTS
Mincha/ Kabbolas Shabbos
Shacharis
Seudas Yom Shabbos Mincha/ Shalosh Seudos
Rabbi Yehiel Kalish NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS HOSTS
Mr. and Mrs. Dovid Friedman
Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Isaacson
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Stern
CONG. KENESETH ISRAEL
KHAL NESIV HATORAH
BAIS MEDRASH OF HARBORVIEW
Rabbi Eytan Feiner
Rabbi Binyomin Forst
728 Empire Avenue 5:28 PM
444 Beach 6th Street 5:33 PM
Rabbi Yehoshua Kalish 218 Harborview South 5:36 PM
KHAL MACHZIKEI TORAH
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CONG. SHAARAY TEFILAH
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Rabbi Aaron Stein
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T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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The Week bound plane without firing a shot and sped away into darkness.
Authorities say the gang used two vehicles in their operation. One of the two cars was found burnt-out close to the airport. The diamonds are estimated to be worth about $50 million. Caroline De Wolf of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre said, “What we are talking about is obviously a gigantic sum.” The robbers got out of the car, flashed their weapons, and took the loot. The entire operation lasted only a few minutes. The Swiss flight, bound for Zurich and operated by Helvetic Airways, was canceled. Airport spokesman Jan Van Der Crujsse could not explain how the area
could be so vulnerable to theft. “We abide by the most stringent rules,” he said. The insurance for air transport is generally relatively cheap because it’s considered to be the safest way of transporting small high value items, logistics experts say. Unlike a car or a truck, an airplane cannot be attacked by robbers once it’s on its way, and it is considered to be very safe before the departure and after the plane’s arrival because the aircraft is always within the confines of an airport — which are normally highly secured. Philip Baum, an aviation security consultant in Britain, said the robbery was worrying — not because the fence was breached, but because the response did not appear to have been immediate. That, he said, raised questions as to whether alarms were ringing in the right places. “It does seem very worrying that someone can actually have the time to drive two vehicles onto the airport, [carry out] the robbery, and drive out without being intercepted,” Baum said. That’s a high-priced heist.
In News $9 To Bury Her Husband A 91-year-old Arlington, Washington, cash-strapped widow is grateful for the outpouring of support she has received to fulfill the dying wish of her husband. Joe Smith passed away at age 88 on February 5. For the past two years, he had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Elsie Smith had only $9 to her name and a funeral and burial to pay for. She planned to sell all her possessions to bury her beloved husband, Joe, at the same cemetery as their family members in Snohomish, Washington. The couple had been married for over 46 years and Elsie was committed to giving her husband a respectable farewell. Somehow the public got wind of Smith’s situation and struck a nerve, After many generous people called a local station to donate money, Mrs. Smith was presented with a $12,000 check by ABC News’ Seattle affiliate. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just dumbfounded,” Smith said, after finding out her husband’s burial was taken care of.
Stories like these show me that Americans are truly kindhearted people.
Most Expensive Cup of Joe Armed with a 52-ounce coffee mug, a Washington state man headed to his local Starbucks to make history.
How much would forty-eight shots of espresso, some protein powder, two bananas, a few caramel drizzle Frappuccino chips, some vanilla bean and a little soy cost at Starbucks? $47.30 for a single 52 ounce cup. Beau Chevassus ordered what may be the most expensive Starbucks drink ever on February 9 in Washington state but he didn’t actually pay for it. It was
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The Week his 27th birthday, so the “Quadriginoctuple Frap,” as dubbed by Chevassus, was free. Chevassus posted his experience from the Starbucks in Enumclaw, Washington, on YouTube, where it has close to 350,000 views. Starbucks did not confirm that Chevassus’ order is a record. Beau Chevassus admits it took several days to consume the beverage. “I did it for fun, for a bit of entertainment and to see if it is at all possible,” Chevassus told the New York Daily News. “I was surprised how cool the Starbucks employees were. They seemed almost more interested in trying to set the record than I was.” I hope he enjoyed every sip…happy birthday!
$11K in a Bag A couple visiting San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on February 14 discovered an unattended camera bag in a nearby parking lot. Before opening the bag, the couple, Carlos and Barbara Landeros of Vallejo,
In News
California, thought the owners would return to claim their lost bag so they waited. But after 45 minutes, their patience ran out, and Barbara opened the bag. Inside the bag were several credit cards, some papers, and over $11,000. “I got nervous at first, it could be drug money,” Barbara said. “I was scared.” So the lucky finders turned the bag and its contents over to the police. Detectives were able to locate the owner, a Chinese tourist, Mark, who’d accidentally left the bag in the lot. He was understandably excited and relieved to have his bag returned. The cash wasn’t all Mark’s; it belonged to several other families with whom he was traveling. Mark was very thankful to the Landeroses. First he tried to call them, but had the wrong number. He then drove his family across the bridge to the Landeros’ house, only to find that they weren’t home. Finally, they connected over the phone after Mark got the right number. He told them he put a check in the mail as a reward. They should rename the bridge, the Bridge of Happiness.
hf
D r . Ta b i c k 15 years experienced
World’s Most Expensive Omelet If you’re looking for an expensive egg, look no further. Norma’s Restaurant is located in the Parker Meridien Hotel in New York City. Its menu boasts the most expensive omelet in the world. “The Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata” has a price tag of $1,000. The menu reads, “Norma’s Dares You to Expense This.” Chef Emile Costillo says that the restaurant doesn’t even make money on the dish since the 10 ounces of caviar that comes along with the eggs costs $1,000. He said, “It’s more for the fun of it.” He said about 12 people order the dish a year. There’s nothing like a good room service breakfast. Just put it on my tab.
Why Woman Talk More Men say it. Women deny it but apparently it’s true. And now scientists
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claim to know why. There seems to be a biological explanation for why women are chattier than men. Scientists have discovered that women possess higher levels of a “language protein” in their brains. Previous research has shown that women talk almost three times as much as men. In fact, an average woman notches up 20,000 words in a day, which is about 13,000 more than the average man. In addition, women generally speak more quickly and devote more brainpower to speaking. This study, conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, explains the biological factors that contribute to previous research. In 2001, a gene called FOXP2 appeared to be essential for the production of speech. Researchers have detected 30 percent more FOXP2 I the brains of females. No denying it now.
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On April 8, 2013 Jonathan Pollard will have spent
CIA GAME CHANGER
Jerusalem Post Editorial (12/18/2012) The newly declassified 1987 CIA damage assessment bolsters official calls for the immediate release of Jonathan Pollard. While portions of the CIA document remain redacted, the disclosures officially confirm that Pollard spied for Israel, not against the United States. Moreover, the document puts the lie to American allegations that have been used for over a quarter of a century to justify Pollard’s continued incarceration. For example, Pollard’s full cooperation with the prosecution was one of the welcome admissions in this document, as was the confirmation that the volume of information Pollard transferred to Israel was far less than claimed. The CIA document also reveals the subterfuge used by the US government to breach its plea agreement with Pollard. The report brazenly states that Pollard was jailed for life because of an “unauthorized” interview he gave to The Jerusalem Post. This is preposterous. No reporter, much less one carrying a camera and a tape recorder, could possibly gain access to a prisoner in a US federal prison without authorization. Another canard used to justify Pollard’s life sentence is the claim that he did enormous damage to US national security. While the declassified CIA document does not deal with the damage done by Pollard, this issue is fully addressed in a concurrent damage assessment known as The Victim Impact Statement (VIS), written by the US Department of Justice.
1. 2.
Daven for Yehonatan HaLevi Ben Malka. Please say Tehillim Chapter 121 daily in his merit. ”. . . ohrvv kt hbhg tat ,ukgnk rha“
3. 4.
Send a copy of the editorial to your Congressmen and Senators, & demand urgent action to end this travesty of justice.
Read JPost editorial CIA Game Changer on this page. Jonathan Pollard should not spend another day in prison!
Call President Obama to request his release at 202-456-1414.
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Saving Jonathan Pollard is our obligation, the mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim. We must stand united to end this travesty of justice!
The VIS, now a matter of public record, was submitted to the sentencing judge in 1987 as an aid in determining Pollard’s sentence. After a few introductory sentences about the “scope and breadth” of Pollard’s disclosures to Israel, the VIS describes the actual damage to the US as follows: “Mr. Pollard’s unauthorized disclosures have threatened the US [sic] relations with numerous Middle East Arab allies, many of whom question the extent to which Mr. Pollard’s disclosures of classified information have skewed the balance of power in the Middle East. Moreover, because Mr. Pollard provided the Israelis virtually any classified document requested by Mr. Pollard’s coconspirators, the US has been deprived of the quid pro quo routinely received during authorized and official intelligence exchanges with Israel, and Israel has received information classified at a level far in excess of that ever contemplated by the National Security Council. The obvious result of Mr. Pollard’s largesse is that US bargaining leverage with the Israeli government in any further intelligence exchanges has been undermined. In short, Mr. Pollard’s activities have adversely affected US relations with both its Middle East Arab allies and the Government of Israel.” The US government’s own words in the VIS, carefully scripted to present the most compelling case for the harshest possible sentence, reflect the damage as being nothing more than short-term friction between the US and unnamed Arab countries and a temporary reduction in bargaining leverage held by the US over Israel. Not the kind of permanent, irreversible, and overwhelming harm to US national security that some have claimed. Pollard has repeatedly expressed remorse and was not charged with intent to harm the US. He is the only person in American history to receive a life sentence for spying for an ally. His continued incarceration is jarringly inconsistent with American claims of close friendship and security cooperation with Israel. The US administration has repeatedly demonstrated remarkable flexibility towards other allies, downgrading charges and dealing leniently with spies from China, the Philippines, Greece and Saudi Arabia, among others. No such consideration has been extended to Israel in Pollard’s case, despite overwhelming evidence that he is being punished far beyond the severity of the offense he committed. Many senior US officials, including those with firsthand knowledge of the classified file, are openly calling for Pollard’s release. They say his sentence is “grossly disproportionate” and that keeping him in prison is “a travesty of justice.” Both the prime minister and president of Israel have issued official requests for the Israeli agent’s release on humanitarian grounds because his health is failing. He has served 28 years in prison, seven of them in solitary confinement.
For more information JUSTICE FOR JONATHAN POLLARD
www.JonathanPollard.org
The newly declassified CIA damage assessment has again focused public attention on the injustice of keeping Pollard in prison. Now is the time for President Barack Obama, finally, to respond to all the official requests for Pollard’s release by commuting his sentence to time served. There are no more excuses. It is time to send Pollard home. Printable copy of editorial @ http://bit.ly/VWACZM
xhhuu rzghkt ic v’hrt rud ’r ,nab hukhgk
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Community
Behind the Scenes at Shalhevet’s “NewZies” by Na’ama Rosenberg The air was alive with suppressed excitement. The theater was filled with music from the early 1900’s, an authentic mix of ragtime and jazz. The audience, guided to their seats by the staff of the Queens Theatre, chatted in hushed tones, marveling at the beauty of the theater. The house lights dimmed, and an expectant hush fell over the crowd. What followed was, without argument, the best high school show ever experienced. In the words of one member of the audience: “Instead of being aware that I was watching a high school play, I was absorbed in watching the story of the Newsies. It was that good.” Under the direction of Na’ama Rosenberg (whose previous experience includes Drama for Life), Shalhevet’s “NewZies” was a tremendous hit, an unparalleled delight and a fantastic display of young talent, cultivated by the wonderful Director, along with Assistant Director Ariana Wolfson. While everyone was blown away by the final product, many wondered at just what went into making such a spectacular show? How long did it take? Whose idea was it? Who made the impressive scenery? Let’s go back in time, to May 2012. A multi-talented (a.k.a “triple threat”) senior at Shalhevet, Liora Aeder, approached the director of the Shalhevet drama society, Na’ama Rosenberg, raving about a show she saw on Broadway, called “Newsies,” based on a movie which came out in the early ‘90s. Liora Aeder, who played the lead,
Jack Kelley, persuaded the director to do the show in Shalhevet. The principal, Mrs. Esther Eisenman, who pulled off a brilliant cameo appearance as Medda Larkin, approved the selection...and then the work began! The play is based on the story of the original newsboy strike against one of
the largest papers in New York at the time. Josef Pulitzer, an immigrant Jew, had built himself a journalism empire producing The World, was in fierce competition with William Randolph Hearst, who produced a rival newspaper. As a result of this rivalry, the owners decided to hike up the price of the newspapers by half a penny, and the newsboys went on strike to demand the price be lowered. An original script was written by Director Na’ama Rosenberg, which highlighted the two main themes of the play: the passing of the torch from one generation to the next, and the victory of the underdogs who dare to take on the Big Guys. The music and especially the dancing in the originals are what make the show outstanding. Maggie Dror was hired by the director to choreograph the dancing. She is not only exceptionally
talented, but also loving and kind, and the students adored her from the outset. Once the parts were distributed, the performers, along with many of their classmates, went to see Newsies on Broadway. The girls were excited to see “themselves” on Broadway! At Shalhevet, all grades participate fully in the play. This year, there were a number of super talented 9th graders involved, from one of our leads Shoshie Koppel (Davey), to Becky Marks (Crutchy), Emmi Polansky (Boots), Dina Farkas (Oscar), Riki Vatch (Morris) and Esti Freud (Weasel). Avital Weinberg, also a 9th grader, was Dance Captain under Maggie. The talent in the school spilled over, and some girls were both actors and dancers, like Michal Benshabat (Skittery), Elana Goldsmith (Toby), Tali Roth (Morris), Chanie Schwerd (Specs), and Shoshana Waronker (Racetrack). Students with larger roles Zahava Schwartz (Pulitzer and Spot Conlon), Devora Scott-Thoennes (Seitz) and Rivki Katz (Katherine) were mesmerizing and brought their characters to life incredibly well, and Devora Chait brought the house down as Les. Other dancers in the dance troop included: Daniella Azose, Sarah Benun, Maor Noy, Tamar Lichter and Shalvah Goldschein. Choreographer, Maggie Dror, pushed all the dancers to excel, in a way that made it exciting and fun. Maggie created three unbelievable dance numbers that elevated the whole
show to another plane. In addition to the background scenery (a rented photorealistic NYC skyline in sepia tones with the Brooklyn Bridge in the foreground), our talented student artists created additional scenery sets: Shira Neiss, Racheli Pressburg, Tamar Lichter, Liora Aeder, Rivky Neustadt, Kayla Zeitz and Philly Korman produced the most beautiful and professional looking canvases, exceeding expectations! Audience members did not believe that two of the canvases were created by students. The Shalhevet stage crew, Philly Korman and Kayla Zeitz, worked together with the tech crew at the theater to arrange props and scenery, moving them on and off stage as needed, and managing the sound and music. After a final rehearsal the afternoon of the performance, the cast heard the house music mix beginning to play in the lobby as the audience began to fill the theater. The students’ excitement mounted minute by minute. Na’ama reminded them, “Have fun!” “Smile!” and “Don’t forget to breathe!” Finally, the house lights dimmed. It was time. And then: Magic!
Rambam Purim Chagiga and Talent Show Draw Huge Crowd The Purim Chagiga at Rambam Mesivta on the 13th of Adar was a night of ruach, chevra, and talent. The evening began with the Rambam Band, Chaim Dov Cohen, Ari Roth, and Rami Teeter filling the Rambam Shul with the cheerful sounds of Adar. Rebbeim, teachers, and talmidim, all dressed in costumes worthy of Purim, were dancing and singing along. Following the dancing, the huge crowd was treated to some traditional Purim food, Carlos & Gabby’s, before returning to the “Annual Purim Costume Contest” judged by the Rebbeim. Students lined up to introduce their personas and everything
from clowns, to Israeli soldiers, to hot dogs, to Fraggle Rock characters, to the Rambam himself were represented. In the end, freshman Moses Bibi, in his “Inflatable Green Suit,” was the winner. Next came the “Annual Purim Talent Show/Contest” where the diverse aptitudes of the school take center stage in a celebration of skill, creativity, and diligence. The bar was set extremely high by the Rambam Choir, “The Harmonidies,” who delivered stirring renditions of “Lecha Dodi” and a mash-up of “One Day” and “Umacha.” Sophomore Zach Beer then gave a three minute “Pun Routine” that was very punny. “Instant Art with Yekuciel
Jacobs” featured the eponymous sophomore draw pictures on a canvas after starting them off as words. For instance, after writing the word, “Alien,” Yekuciel then proceeded to use that word as the foundation for creating an alien landing. Avi Martin and Rami Teeter also rocked the Rambam house with their dueling drums. At one point in the night, Shmuel Halbfinger, a late addition to the show, suddenly picked up a guitar and gave a spot-on rendition of Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams.” Senior Dani Miller who performs for Lev Leytzan, The Compassionate Clown Alley, showcased his “Clowning” ability and
brought smiles to everyone’s faces. After a student vote, the “Talent Show Prize” was awarded to Gavriel Adler, Shmuel Rosenthal, and Dovid Sokolov of “Rambam Comedy Club,” for their “Purim Shpiel Video,” which highlighted faculty and students alike. Singing, dancing, chevra, and the joyous ruach of Purim filled the halls of Rambam as most of the school came from Plainview, Queens, Brooklyn, Great Neck, West Hempstead and the Five Towns for the opportunity to dance with their friends and Rebbeim.
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Rabbi Oppen Visits HAFTR Graduates Studying in Israel
DRS Students Place High in National Jerusalem Science Contest DRS congratulates Senior Hillel Field and Junior Moshe Lonner, who have placed 2nd and 3rd nationally in the Chidon HaMada HaYerushalmi, the National Jerusalem Science Contest. The Welder Science Laboratory and the Learning Center in Skokie, Illinois, partner with the Jerusalem College of Technology to sponsor this annual contest. The contest recognizes students (L-R): Junior Moshe Lonner, Mr. Mark Levy, Senior Hillel Field with a strong aptitude for scienie for the finals. At the finals, Hillel will tific study. The contest begins with a gru- be presenting a lecture on “The Big Bang eling schedule of weekly exams over a Theory within Jewish Hashkafa,” and 4-month period, which tests the partici- Moshe will present on “Asteroids and pants’ knowledge of college-level genet- Halacha.” As two of the top five scorers, ics and molecular biology and their ap- Hillel and Moshe have won a 10 day trip plication to Halachah. DRS is especially to Eretz Yisroel, as well as a cash prize. proud of Hillel and Moshe as they took The grand prize for the contest is a full the exams under stressful conditions, four year scholarship to Jerusalem Techwhen DRS was displaced from their nical College. This is the fifth year in a usual building due to the superstorm row in which a DRS students has placed Sandy. Hillel and Moshe will travel with in the top tier of finalists in this prestifaculty advisor, Mr. Mark Levy, to Skok- gious contest.
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BT DINNER COMMITTEE PINNY ACKERMAN YOSSI FISCHLER NATHAN GOLDMAN LEON LANTSMAN JORDAN KAPLOWITZ
YEHUDA MICHAELI SENDY RABINOWITZ SIMCHA STOLL TZVI SUSSMAN BARUCH WHITE
Community
Last week, HAFTR High School Judaic Studies Principal, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, went to Israel to visit the many graduates of HAFTR who chose to study in Israel before embarking on their college careers. Our students are currently studying in various yeshivot, seminaries throughout the country and possess not only a love for the Land of Israel but confidence in themselves and the ability to form new friendships. As our school’s mission statement is “Am Yisrael, Torat Yisrael, Medinat Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael,” the year in Israel is
seen as an integral part of our hashkafa. Our alumni are working hard, learning, enjoying various trips throughout Israel, all while making HAFTR proud. The Rabbis and Morahs testify that our graduates are prepared wonderfully by our dedicated staff here at HAFTR. Rabbi Oppen’s many visits to Israel and his close connections with our graduates in Israel and America illustrate the kesher, the integral connection, between HAFTR’s College Guidance and Israel Guidance departments and our impressive alumni.
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Shlomo Zalman Bamberger of Queens Helps Victims of Hurricane Sandy Shlomo Zalman Bamberger, a 6th grader in Yeshiva Ketana of Queens, visited the Achiezer office on Shushan Purim, to deliver a significant amount of money which he singlehandedly raised for families affected by Hurricane Sandy over Purim. All of these specific monies will be given out to these local community members to assist with their various Pesach needs. Tizku L’mitzvos!
HANC’s Visit to the Living Torah Museum The Sixth Graders at the Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School in West Hempstead had a wonderful trip on to the Living Torah Museum in New York. The students started their tour by viewing archaeological artifacts from the time of the Avot. During this hands-on presentation, they were able to hold a Canaanite sword like the one used by Shimon and Levi to conquer the city of Shechem. The students reenacted the battle between David and Goliath with original artifacts of body armor, a seven-foot sword and a slingshot from that time period which the museum purchased at auction from Christie’s for $300,000. The students also enjoyed seeing a decorative gold button used in the time of the Chumash
made from 28K gold, zahav tahor, pure gold. The students also went to a Biblical animal exhibit where they learned about kosher animals. The students finished the trip with a yummy lunch at a pizza shop near the museum. Everyone had a great learning experience and a lot of fun too!
NEWS
Community HANC Learns the Parsha
In honor of Parshat Tetzaveh, the nursery Aleph students in Morah Shani and Morah Melissa’s class at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Early Childhood Center in West Hempstead learned all about the special clothes that the Kohen Gadol wore. Each of the yeladim made their very own choshen us-
ing different fabrics and colors to give it a multi-sensory feel. The students had a good time sorting through and finding twelve different squares to use. After everything they learned and all their hard work, the students proudly wore their choshen!
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Team HASC Participates in Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon Weekend in Pasadena, California Team HASC – A Parent’s Perspective By Shalom Hoffman I’m sitting on the plane on my way back from the Rock ‘N Roll half marathon weekend in Pasadena, California in which Team HASC actively participated. The last three days have been nothing short of magical, and I find myself reflecting on one of the most exhilarating and inspiring experiences I’ve ever witnessed in my entire lifetime. It’s been some time since I’ve had such nachas and joy, since I was so fully choked up with emotion. Three months ago, when my wife expressed a desire in running with Team HASC to help raise funds for the incredible camp in which our son, Eli, lives during the summers, there was no question that, B’Ezras Hashem, it was going to happen. There was but one question left to ponder: was I too going to have the z’chus and honor to participate in such an awe inspiring event? As a Rebbe in a Yeshiva, my ability to attend was very much up in the air. Baruch Hashem, with the help of family, friends and many volunteers, supervision for our children was arranged and the school where I teach made sure that my classroom too was more than adequately covered. We were off to Pasadena! Certainly, I had no idea what to expect. For my wife and me, a weekend away is indeed a very rare occasion. A weekend away with the amazing and special people of Team HASC, who work at a place called “Heaven on Earth,” was far more than I could ever have asked or ever imagined. Wow! The excitement and the emotions were palpable from the moment of our arrival. We were greeted by the warm Team HASC committee and staff that worked tirelessly for months arranging all the details of the weekend. From the head staff, directors, counselors, volunteers and countless others, the goal was clear: the entire event and all details were painstakingly arranged for the precious neshomos of Camp HASC. Those of us who have experienced Camp HASC don’t require any further introduction or illumination. Camp HASC is nothing short of a living miracle, a testament to the spirit of its visionary founders who some 40 years ago had the foresight to grasp what it would mean for children, teenagers and even adults with special needs, to enjoy the summer camp experience. For
those who have yet to experience Camp HASC, even as an observer, you are urged to make arrangements and stop by; you likely won’t believe what you are experiencing. Our Shabbos was filled with ruach, the spirit in the room vibrant. From the riveting Kabalas Shabbos to the heartwarming drashos, zemiros and Havdalah, every moment was truly inspiring and uplifitng. As we sat with Reb Shmiel Kahn and his wife and Rabbi Shlomo Stern and his wife, we couldn’t stop observing the smiles and pride on their faces as over 140 current and past staff took a weekend off to fly across the country to improve the quality of life of their beloved campers. One dedicated counselor, whose schedule did not allow him to spend Shabbos in California, boarded a plane immediately after, flew through the night and arrived in time to push his camper during the marathon. Almost immediately after the race, he was back on a plane. What drives these dedicated and selfless young men and women? We need to applaud them, their schools, and their families. We need to understand the gravity of the chesed being shown and delivered by this group of unpaid, all volunteer group of special angels. There really aren’t enough adjectives that can adequately describe the pure devotion these malachim show and give to these special children of Camp HASC. Indeed, we have a lot to be proud of in our own communities and schools. There were so many observations and highlights from the weekend, too many to reduce to writing in this short review. Many brought me to tears. Counselors and other volunteers walking and pushing jogging wheelchairs, a number of them ran while pushing the jogging wheelchairs. Among many special moments were those when I observed the HASC volunteers lifting their campers out of their wheelchairs and urging those who could walk somewhat, albeit clumsily, to actually walk and event trot: a true sense of running in the marathon. Each of these campers evoked emotions I never knew I had.
it. Two Team HASC counselors were pushing a boy with special needs in a jogging wheelchair. They were about 100 feet from the finish line and they instinctively unbuckled their camper. They pushed the wheelchair aside, and struggled together with the camper hand in hand, stride for stride, as they crossed the finish line with their arms raised. The crowd roared with cheers and I felt my eyes swell up. What an incredible display of devotion, self-sacrifice and love. We are so proud to have the z’chus to be a part of such an amazing organization. The entire staff defines what it means to be the ultimate role models Doctor Ronald Nagel with wife, Cheryl, and son, Jeremy of giving and selflessness one of many on that day; Tikun Olam towards one another. Disregarding at its finest. any physical or mental disabilities that As the team members were lining up they may have, 12 campers in total for the start of the race, the announcers with special needs crossed the finish couldn’t help but notice how the line on their own accord. Among the participating runners from Team HASC finishers was a camper who is stricken were overly excited, brimming with with cerebral palsy. He walked with enthusiasm. The announcer singled his counselors over the finish line. out the group and was impressed with Another with a prosthetic leg, raced their purpose and spirit. Amongst the through the finish line on crutches with thousands of runners at the event, her his counselors cheering right beside interest was piqued. She asked, “What him. As each camper crossed the finish is HASC!?” She was told that it was line, tremendous cheers and thunderous an organization for children and adults applause erupted spontaneously from with special needs. As she listened and strangers and spectators watching this grasped the enormity of what she was incredible sight unfold before their eyes. witnessing, she uttered the following Likely, these stories are best described two words: “Good L-rd!” This too was a by professional authors and movie massive public Kiddush Hashem. directors, but I am an eyewitness to Numerous individuals stopped by these accounts. the Team HASC tent to inquire about To the committee, head staff, Camp HASC and expressed aloud how counselors, nursing staff, volunteers, impressed they were with our turnout and all who are associated with this and dedication. One gentleman asked to makom kodosh, you have made us so take a picture of my T-shirt so he could proud and inspired us greatly from look up the organization on the Internet. what we have experienced on this As my wife and I were leaving the hotel special weekend. “Heaven on Earth” to the airport, two runners from another is indeed a good descriptor of what is group came over and said, “We were accomplished daily in this special place; extremely impressed to see college kids truly a Kiddush Hashem of massive pushing children with special needs.” proportions. Let us hope that through They continued, “You did well and it’s your incredible actions that Im Yirtzeh so commendable.” Hashem, G-d willing, Camp HASC will The day was indeed an emotion be in Yerushalayim where all will be explosion. A very overwhelming and healed, and everyone will know that you touching finish line incident dictates that are from the true heroes of Klal Yisroel. I share; allow me to have you picture Strangers who had never seen or heard of Camp HASC stopped in their tracks to observe the HASC volunteers walking and cheering their campers on. It was a true sanctification of Hashem’s name,
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with tour guide Eve Harow
Thursday March 28/Nisan 17 Chol Hamoed
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS DETERMINED BY SECURITY AND WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS.
in the
Footsteps of the Past
Kfar Adumim and the snail secret of the Tchelet dye, resurfacing after 1500 years. Kasr al Yahud, where we crossed the Jordan River with Yehoshua into Israel on Pesach over 3 millennia ago, then a pilgrimage to a ‘Regel’ from our earliest days in the Promised Land. Up to Shilo to workshops of ancient weaving and dyeing and the new Seer’s Tower sound and light show. We’ll tour the Tel where the Mishkan stood during the Judges period and then top off the day at the award winning Shilo Winery. Cost for the day (8:30am-6:30pm): $55/adult $45/student in Israel or child under 12. Bring your own Pesach lunch and snacks. Water is provided. Leave from/return to Liberty Bell Parking lot. For reservations & further information visit
www.oneisraelfund.org/daytrips Israel: Zahava Englard 052.484.6034 or Zahav500@gmail.com In US: Ruthie Kohn 516.239.9202 x10 daytrips@oneisraelfund.org
Wednesday April 3/Nisan 23 Isru Chag
Blooming in the WesternNegev Nitzan: Is Rachel Saperstein to be uprooted again? Netiv Ha’asara: a view into northern Gaza. Cafe Cafe in Sderot for a dairy lunch, then to the Black Arrow Memorial, symbol of the region’s vast ‘battle heritage’. Past spring flowers to the 5th century synagogue mosaic at Hurvat Maon. All the way south to the Steel Tower in Kerem Shalom, then to Holot Halutza’s Gush Katif replants and those who have joined them in Nave and Bnai Netzarim. Am, Eretz and Torat Yisrael reflected in their homes, greenhouses and yeshivot. Chemdat olive oil; pomegranates and tomatoes in the sand; inspiration and personal sacrifice in the air. Cost for the day (8:15am-7:00pm) including lunch: $65/adult $55/student in Israel or child under 12.
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Around the Community Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? By Vivienne Frank Quarters are worth holding onto. After all, they’re the favorite food of those voracious Cedarhurst parking meters! However, dimes, nickels, and pennies don’t do much other than weigh down my pocketbook. Every once in a while, I empty the coins out of my pocketbook and put them in a jar. Coins keep popping up when I’m cleaning too. They roll around the floor of the car and nestle in the couch cushions. Then there’s my pushka. Of course, it has a place of honor right next to my Shabbos candles to remind me to feed it every Friday. After a few months, it’s full and it’s time to empty it. When I add the pushka contents to the jar of coins, it can sometimes be as much as $50 or more! Today I elevated my coins to a higher spiritual level by giving them to Tomchei Shabbos Yad Yeshaya. You can do it too! It’s easy! Just bring the coins to TD bank – conveniently located on the corner of Central Avenue and Cedarhurst Avenue, throw them in the “Penny Arcade” machine and they get counted. (The 8% fee is waived since Tomchei Shabbos Yad Yeshaya has an account at TD bank.) A printed slip comes out of the machine; just bring it to the teller and ask to deposit it to Tomchei Shabbos Yad Yeshaya. What a great way to teach kids about tzedaka – show them what happens after they stick a coin in the pushka. Take them on a “field trip” to TD Bank to deposit the coins, then go on any Thursday night to TAG or Young Israel of Woodmere to see the food going out for delivery. Or bring them to the parking lot before Pesach where huge cases of matza, wine, and other necessities are going out to our neighbors. When it comes to tzedakah, priorities are a must. The halacha is clear: “Aniyei ircha kodem;” the struggling families in our own community must be our first priority. Even in an affluent area like ours, more people than you probably realize cannot afford the basic food necessities to feed their families. Imagine having to worry that your child will go to sleep hungry. Imagine not being able to put chicken on your table for the honor of Shabbos. It is our first responsibility to ensure that no family in our neighborhood lacks these basics.
Tomchei Shabbos/Yad Yeshaya provides Shabbos food for over 200 families weekly all over Far Rockaway and the Five Towns. This is our local branch. It raises its funding locally, and spends every dollar on food. Other neighborhoods have Tomchei Shabbos branches as well, but they don’t fund ours. Our Tomchei Shabbos is named for Yeshaya Alpert, z”l, and is staffed by volunteers. Among these wonderful volunteers are TAG girls who pack every week, even during school vacations, Ari Schonbrun and the Katz family, who do a huge distribution for Pesach, and many dedicated drivers who show up weekly in all kinds of weather to get the packages out. The recipients of our packages range from the unemployed to single parents and the elderly. Every Thursday night they receive a package which consists of chicken, challah, grape juice, potatoes, and other basics so that they no longer have to worry about how they will feed their families on Shabbos. We struggle to meet our annual budget of $600,000 so that we don’t disappoint these families. The next time you open a drawer full of change, think of all the chickens it can buy for someone’s Shabbos table. That bowl in which your husband drops his spare change every night can turn into challah and grape juice for someone’s Shabbos table. Now all of those jars, cups and drawers full of coins that have been sitting in your house for years can be put to good use. Small children (and maybe some of us adults too) will delight in dumping the change in a machine and seeing its surprising value. As you clean for Pesach, you can clean up those coins and put them to good use. If we all unite as a community to help our struggling neighbors, together we can try to bring good mazel, which is desperately needed, to us all. As Pesach approaches everyone can help Tomchei help our community. Our Pesach campaign to provide food packages is over $100,000 and you can contribute: Drop off change at the TD Bank. Mail checks to: 634 Oak Drive, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. Visit the website: yadyeshaya.org
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Community
Hewlett Celebrated Purim With Chabad Of Hewlett Over 400 people celebrated the Purim with Chabad of Hewlett. The event took place at the SKA Girls School in Hewlett. Greeting the guests were colorfully dressed clowns and blasting music. The kids were treated by volunteers from the Hewett High School to cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs and an array of hamentashen, while the adults enjoyed a lavish buffet. The program consisted of entertainment by “The National
Circus Project” who entertained the crowd with a great variety of magic tricks, juggling, ventriloquist show and an amazing boomerang act, after which the crowd listened to the Megillah, accompanied by a special slide show presentation to help follow the story and bring it to life. The children all got up on the stage to take part in an exciting costume competition, then they all got beautiful gifts to take home with them. Unique, however, was the warmth and camaraderie at the event, where Jewish people from all backgrounds, religious to the unaffiliated shared the Purim experience in an enjoyable setting. “I never really celebrated Purim,” said S. Kievman, a Hewlett resident, “yet Chabad gave me
the opportunity to experience this great holiday while making me and my family feel comfortable. I am highly anticipating future events.” Special thanks to SKA High School and to the Aronin Agin (Eyes on Broadway), Assis, Greenfeld,Nus, Lerman and Rosen Families for co-sponsoring the event and to the
volunteers from Hewlett High School. For more information about the Chabad of Hewlett including dedications opportunities, please contact Rabbi Tenenboim at 516-537-8770 or email to Rabbi@JewishHewlett.com. Chabad of Hewlett is an affiliate of Chabad of Five Towns.
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Bnos Bais Yaakov’s 19th Annual Dinner Bnos Bais Yaakov’s annual dinner, to be held in the Ateres Nechama Leba Hall on March 10th, honors two extraordinary couples and one amazing teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov and Lani Zoldan are receiving the Parents of the Year award. Both Yaakov and Lani were brought up with strong messages about extending oneself to perform chessed and they each live up to the ideals they imbibed in their childhood. Yaakov uses his securities trading firm as a springboard for chessed – assisting those who are experiencing financial difficulties. His chavrusa, Rabbi Binyomin Sussman, says, “Yaakov’s mind is always racing with ideas of how to help those in need.” Furthermore, Rabbi Simcha
Lefkowitz, Rav of Anshei Chessed, describes Yaakov as a “soft-spoken, wonderful person who is the first to assist anyone who needs help. He’s a yorei shamaim, his learning is very important to him, and so is the chinuch of his children.” Lani Zoldan is a baalas chessed, par excellence – visiting a local old-age home every Purim, cooking and baking when friends, neighbors, and family make a simcha, hosting children whose parents were burdened with the problems of post-hurricane damage, and any other opportunity for chessed that presents itself. Lani is a stay-at-home mom who is extremely dedicated to her children, yet still finds time to attend shiurim regularly and be involved in shidduchim. The Zoldan children, Goldie (a BBY 3rd grader), Malka (a BBY 2nd grader), Doniel (YDT), Atara and Rina (soonto-be BBY students) are fortunate to be
raised in the loving, idealistic embrace of their special parents. Mr. and Dr. David and Carolyn Levy are this year’s recipients of the Avodas Hakodesh award. When the Levy children, Margalit, Eliana, and Yoni, were asked why they thought their parents are receiving the Avodas Hakodesh Award from Bnos Bais Yaakov, they answered, “Well, our father learns and helps the shul, and our mother – she saves lives.” The children have got it exactly right; David and Carolyn Levy do indeed live a life of avoda and kedusha. Mr. David Levy divides his time between learning, working in the family business, advising family and friends with respect to their insurance needs, and voluntarily assuming the positing of building manager at Aish Kodesh. But, a primary focus of David’s energies is directed towards supporting his wife in her tafkid as a Pediatric Oncologist. Dr. Carolyn Levy, the Section Head of the Pediatric Oncology Rare Tumor and Sarcoma Program at Cohen Children’s Medical Center at North Shore LIJ, is herself a cancer survivor. As such, Dr. Levy has a profound empathy for her patients. She treats them with “faith, honesty, and humor,” and they respond with love and respect. Dr. Levy also serves as the Assistant Medical Director for Camp Simcha Girls. The Levy children have learned by example that life is for giving to others. They use their birthday parties as toy drives for the hospital and Margalit and Eliana join the campers at Camp Simcha, where they hone their chessed skills even further. Bnos Bais Yaakov is proud and privileged to honor this exemplary couple.
Morah Shaindy Markovits, a teacher of little kinderlach for almost three decades, is receiving BBY’s Rebbetzin Basya Bender Teacher Excellence Award. Morah Shaindy’s uniqueness as a teacher stems from her recognition that her young students are individuals in their personalities and learning styles. As an outgrowth of that understanding, Morah Shaindy utilizes open-ended art as a vehicle for her students’ expression. In fact, it is that very aspect of her teaching technique that earned Morah Shaindy her ranking as a top-rated UPK teacher in our region. After spending many years as a BBY kindergarten teacher, Morah Shaindy recently moved up to the Pre-1A where she employed creativity and her understanding of children in an interesting twist. Post-Hurricane Sandy, Morah Shaindy keenly felt the insecurity that the Pre-1A girls were experiencing. To combat that, she invented “pillow pals.” Morah Shaindy donated yards of cuddly blanket material, needles, thread, and stuffing to BBY. She cut out hundreds of circles and face details and prepared kits for each one of the 100 Pre-1A girls. Each girl sewed her “pillow pal” and then had a warm and cozy pillow to snuggle up with when she was feeling sad or needed reassurance. The response was overwhelming – the children love their pillow pals! Morah Shaindy knew just what they needed at this difficult time. Mazel Tov to her proud husband, Marty, and their children Deena, Sarita & Yoni, Raizy & Isaac, Miry, Shaya & Shoshana, and Avromy & Devora upon Morah Shaindy’s well-deserved award.
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Yeshiva University Wittenberg Tournament Draws 200 Yeshiva High School Wrestlers Two hundred wrestlers from 14 yeshiva high schools across the country descended on YU’s Wilf Campus for the 18th Annual Henry Wittenberg Wrestling Invitational from February 15 – 18. The Torah Academy of Bergen County (Teaneck, NJ) wrestling team took first place at the tournament, with
SAR Academy High School (Riverdale, NY) and Ida Crown Jewish Academy (Chicago, IL) placing second and third, respectively. Other participating schools included Davis Renov Stahler (Long Island, NY), Derech HaTorah (Brooklyn, NY), Fuchs Mizrachi (Beachwood, OH), Kushner Academy (Livingston, NJ), Maimonides
STEARNS & FOSTER
(Brookline, MA),Yeshiva University High School for Boys / Marsha Stern Talmudic Academy (New York, NY), New Community Jewish High School (Los Angeles, CA), North Shore Hebrew Academy (Great Neck, NY), Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy (Elizabeth, NJ), The Frisch School (Paramus, NJ), and Yeshiva High School of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA). The Dominator Award went to TABC’s Robert Elsas, and Aaron Siegel of Yeshiva of Atlanta was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. But the weekend was about more than just wins and losses. After Freddy Knapp of Kushner Academy defeated Zac Welgrin of Yeshiva University High School for Boys in a tough match, the two were seen sharing a laugh. “This has been a lot of fun,” said Welgrin. “Despite the competitive
atmosphere, we’ve all been able to get along and make some new friends over the weekend.” In addition to first-rate wrestling competition, the long weekend included a Shabbaton complete with communal meals and inspirational lectures from special guests, including Yuri Foreman, a former World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion studying to be an Orthodox rabbi, and Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who made a surprise appearance and shared a dvar Torah with the athletes. “Shabbat was amazing,” said Nattan Pittinsky, a wrestler for Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy. “The highlight of Shabbat was Mayor Booker speaking. He expressed a tremendous amount of Torah knowledge. It was also really nice getting to meet other students with a similar passion for wrestling.” The annual event is named for Henry Wittenberg, a former Yeshiva University wrestling coach and legendary Olympic medalist who founded Yeshiva’s wrestling program in 1955. Wittenberg passed away in 2010 at the age of 91.
Aniyei Ircha Kodmin The TOVA Mentoring Purim Fundraiser “Aniyei Ircha Kodmin,” “Local charities take precedence” was the message that inspired 90 young men to enthusiastically, and successfully, go out on Purim to raise needed funds for TOVA Mentoring. The young fundraisers volunteered after Eliezer Fuld, Director of Development at TOVA, visited several yeshivas a few weeks ago to speak about the projects of TOVA Mentoring and asked for volunteers to collect on Purim. The young men traveled through the local neighborhoods and had a good time doing a wonderful job in visiting homes in the festive Purim spirit and spreading information about the vital role that TOVA plays in helping the youth of the area cope with difficulties in their
lives. Each collector was aware that no one can ever know when they or someone close to them might be in need to TOVA’s support system. This message evidently hit home and resulted in a significant and successful fundraiser. According to Fuld, the next program will be a raffle with a first prize of $100,000. “I hope that the community will respond generously once again,” said Fuld. “The more money we raise, the more programs we can run and the more young people we can help. It’s as simple as that!” For more information about TOVA Mentoring and to offer your help, email Eliezer Fuld at zezyfuld@tovamentoring.org or call 516-295-0550 ext. 102.
Mesivta Football League Inaugural Season Comes to a Close The Mesivta Football League (“MFL”), a high school level interschool flag football competition, which began its inaugural season mid-November of this past year, came to close this past Sunday as top seeded DRS High School took on 3rd place, Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, in a heated final championship game of the season. Amidst the howling winds and the frigid cold, it was a tough day for a strong offensive attack. A throwing game was out of the question, and both teams had to primarily resort to their running games. After the first half, the game had no score as both teams were stellar on defense. However, in the 3rd quarter, DRS quarterback, Mikey Frohlinger, set up a gorgeous running play that gave DRS the lead with, what ended up being, the only touchdown of the game. Although MAY gave a strong effort, they could not capitalize, and the game went to DRS, 7-0. “We ran our league with a Torah true hashkafa throughout the entire season,” commented Commissioner Eliezer “Zezy” Fuld. “Although completely professional and intensely competitive, calling back a touchdown because a player didn’t have his yarmulke on was a call I didn’t even flinch about making. There was no compromising of our values and the menchlechkeit we demanded from our players.” Founders and Administrators Richard Altabe, Principal of Yeshivat Shaare Torah of Flatbush, and Rabbi Yossi Bennett, Assistant Menahel/Assistant Principal of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, echoed Mr. Fuld’s remarks.
MVP trophies were presented by Mr. Fuld to Isaac Mizrahi of Yeshivat Sha’are Torah as League MVP and Mikey Frohlinger of DRS as Championship Game MVP. The goal of this groundbreaking program was to provide a healthy, kosher athletic outlet for mesivta and high school boys, while maintaining the competitiveness, intensity and professionalism of an official league. The League was established with a Torah hashkafa about sports. With that being the case, proper sportsmanship and menchlechkeit was consistently a top priority. Flag football has become an increasingly popular sport, specifically among yeshivos. In Eretz Yisrael, the Kraft Flag Football League is widely popular, and draws out over 60 teams from a wide variety of yeshivos and other post high school institutions in two separate divisions. The majority of post high school yeshivos, which many local graduates attend, field teams in the Kraft League. The Mesivta Football League is proud to bring this activity to the mesivta and high school arena. The League expresses its thanks to the four pioneering schools: Mesivat Ateres Yaakov, DRS High School, Yeshivat Shaare Torah and Yeshiva Darchei Eretz for a great season and congratulate DRS on their well-deserved win. Many other mesivtas and yeshiva high schools have already contacted the League about joining next year. The League can be reached via email at mesivtafootball@gmail.com.
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Excitement is Mounting For the Gush Katif Museum Dinner Saturday Night, March 9, 8pm, Razag Ballroom It was just a year ago that the first Gush Katif Museum Dinner was held at the Razag Ballroom, 739 East New York Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. At the time, Rabbi Shalom Dov
Executive Director of American Friends For a Safe Israel (AFSI) about running the benefit dinner for the Gush Katif museum. Ambassador John Bolton and radio and TV personality Glenn Beck were both on the program, along with a host of others. It was a remarkable evening, filled with animated guests and brilliant talk. Following in the tradition set last year, Rabbi Wolpo has once again arranged an amazing evening, March 9, 2013, 8 P.M., with Dr. Joseph Frager acting as Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar visiting the museum. Chairman of the evening. Wolpo, Founder and President of the The featured speaker will be Governor Museum, had contacted Dr. Joseph Mike Huckabee, a favorite of those who Frager, Dr. Paul Brody and Odeleya welcome truth and civility in reporting. Jacobs, founders of the World (now, Governor Huckabee has been to Israel International) Committee for the many times and visited the Gush Land of Israel, and Helen Freedman, Katif Museum in 2009 at the urging
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Photo credit: Gush Katif Museum Staff
of Odeleya Jacobs and Drs. Frager and Brody. They, Helen Freedman, Assemblyman Dov and Shani Hikind, Sara Lehmann, Ruben Margules, Joe Stamm, Mel Wadler, Zev Brenner and others, were there with him when Mrs. Rivka Goldschmidt, a refugee from the Gush Katif Rav Sholm Dov Ber Wolpo (center), President of the Gush Katif Museum expulsion, spoke to in Jerusalem, has announced that Gov. Mike Huckabee (left) will be the him passionately keynote speaker at its 2nd Annual Dinner. Huckabee visited the museum in about the plight of the 2009. In the background is the menorah that once stood on the roof of the Gush Katif refugees. Synagogue in Netzarim. Deputy Minister of the Development of the Negev and the Galil, Ayoub Kara, is at right. Rivka Goldschmidt the people have been living since 2005. will be at the dinner, to recount her They have also seen some of the new experiences and those of her neighbors. homes and new communities, all of Her story is sure to touch your heart. which are developing very slowly. Since Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson will also it was not just their homes that people be speaking on behalf of the Rabbis of the Crown Heights Synagogues. Multi-media displays will be shown about the lives of the Gush Katif residents, as well as work executed by the former residents themselves. Guests of Honor for the evening include Rabbi Sholom Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger visiting Gush Katif Museum in Jerusalem. Ber Drizin, Rabbi David Algaze, Assemblyman saw destroyed by the demolition crews Dov Hikind, and Helen Freedman. The when the 10,000 residents were forcibly Dinner Committee is chaired by Dr. Paul removed from Gush Katif, but entire Brody and includes many distinguished communities and farms, with all that is members of the Jewish community. involved, rebuilding is a laborious and Musicians Yoni and Choni Milecki will costly exercise. be performing during the evening. The Gush Katif Museum in Jerusalem A moving interview with Rachel is a must-visit on every itinerary. The Saperstein, one of the spokeswomen videos of the expulsion will break your for the Gush Katif community, by heart, but will strengthen your resolve Josh Hasten, has just been circulated. to be part of NEVER AGAIN!! Please In the interview, Rachel describes plan to attend the dinner and encourage her frustration and disappointment in your relatives, friends, and neighbors the government’s failure to act more to join you. It will be a most rewarding quickly in enabling the still displaced evening. persons to move into their permanent To RSVP, please call 718-208-1770, homes. The semi-annual AFSI Chizuk or mail your check to FRIENDS OF mission to Israel meets with the GUSH KATIF MUSEUM, 383 Kingston Sapersteins, Anita Tucker, and others Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213, suite 155; each time they are in Israel. They saw or email: Dinner@GushKatifMuseum. the 21 flourishing communities before org; or pay online with your credit they were destroyed, and visited the card: www.gushkatifmuseum.org. All temporary caravans in which most of contributions are tax-deductible.
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Bais Yaakov of Queens First Grade Author “Flips” Mrs. Ellen Cohen’s first grade readers completed an author study of the renowned Laura Numeroff. The author is famous for writing If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and so many other beloved children’s books. The students and Mrs. Cohen read many of her books and delighted in the humor. In their study of the author, they discovered that she wrote “flip” books, too. If you aren’t familiar with them, they are books that read front to back and then you flip them over and they read back
to front. Ms. Numeroff describes things in these books, with just a twist in the perspective of what she is describing. Following reading and much discussion, Mrs. Cohen, a very creative teacher, encouraged her class to become authors, once again. The girls’ ideas became their very own “flip” books. They chose their characters, created text, and illustrated their books. Their characters included moms, dads, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and of course, Bubbes and Zaydes! These
Community Youth Join Ranks of Achiezer Chesed Volunteers
delightful books were then celebrated as real authors, with book readings. Their principal, Mrs. Sarah Bergman, and assistant principal, Mrs. Karen Reisbaum, visited the class where every student read her book to them. In a brief comment, Mrs. Bergman delighted in the girls’ pride and creativity saying, “We love to share each milestone with
our children and are so happy to share their accomplishments.” Mrs. Reisbaum added, “Being personally connected to the students is what we cherish at Bais Yaakov.” A visiting guest from another school commented on the principals’ visit, “I am so impressed with their taking the time in their day to make everyone feel special.”
DEFENSIVE DRIVING / This past Sunday morning, during the festive Yom Tov of Purim, Achiezer received a phone call from a prominent community member informing them about the passing of a loved one who lived in the Bayswater section of Far Rockaway. The levaya was to be scheduled for Monday morning, Shushan Purim, yet no family members existed for the minyan of 10 requisite men that would be required. Achiezer was contacted to see if they would be able to give this special nifteres her welldeserved kavod acharon. With most schools having a day off for Shushan Purim, Achiezer board member Rabbi
Yechiel Kalish called Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender and exclaimed: Let’s send some yeshiva boys. “In fact I would like my own sons to join as there cannot be a greater way possible for them to spend their day off.” Pictured here are six students from Yeshiva Darchei Torah who traveled all the way to Montefiore Cemetery in Long Island where, along with the other volunteers Achiezer had contacted (businessmen and lawyers among them), they were able to complete an incredibly special levaya for a young woman who was nifteres all alone with nobody from her family left to mourn her loss.
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Yeshiva University Women’s Basketball Standout Named to Academic All-America Team Yeshiva University junior forward Rebecca Yoshor has been named to Capital One’s NCAA Division III Academic All-America women’s basketball second team for the 2012-13 academic year. The teams were selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Yoshor, a native of Houston, Texas, is the first female student-athlete in YU history to garner Capital One Academic AllAmerica honors, and just the second student-athlete overall. Former Maccabees men’s basketball student-athlete, Eric Davis was cited on the third team in 1991. “This is an amazing honor,” said Yoshor upon hearing the news. “My parents and coaches, both in high school and college, have been very encouraging and supportive, to say the least.” “Seeing Rebecca recognized by Capital One is wonderful,” said YU first-year head coach, Nesta Felix. “She is consistently one of the last players to leave practice and is very tough on herself. Knowing that, it is fantastic to see that her labors have not been in vain.” “This is one of the greatest honors in college sports,” said Joe Bednarsh, YU director of athletics. “Blending athletics and academics is the cornerstone of the NCAA Division III philosophy and what we strive to achieve here at Yeshiva University. “Rebecca is an ex-
ceptional person, student, athlete and an excellent role model for young women. I could not be prouder of her and what she has achieved so early in her college career.” Like all Yeshiva University undergraduates, Yoshor endures a challenging dual curriculum, taking Jewish studies courses in the morning before studying for her secular degree in the afternoon. Through it all thus far in her time at the University, she owns a 3.97 grade point average as an English literature major, with a minor in psychology. On the court, Yoshor has spent two seasons in a Maccabees uniform and her accomplishments have been astounding. She was recently named to the Hudson Valley Women’s Athletic Conference All-Conference Team for the second time, and received the conference’s Player of the Week honor on four occasions this season. Yoshor has registered 31 double-doubles in her 36 career games at YU, including 16 in 18 outings thus far in 2012-13. This season, she has averaged 16.6 points and 14.8 rebounds per outing, with the latter mark ranking third overall in Division III. Thus far she has matched her 2011-12 total—a season in which her 14.6 rebounds per contest ranked second nationally—with her 41 blocked shots and .442 field-goal percentage leading Yeshiva.
TAG First Annual 9th Grade Entrepreneurship Contest After learning about entrepreneurship, Mrs. Glaz’s 9th Grade Personal Planning class had the opportunity to try their hand at entrepreneurship with the First Annual 9th Grade Entrepreneurship Contest. Students created concise business plans in which they identified an entrepreneurial opportunity (need, problem or challenge) and introduced an innovative entrepreneurial idea as a solution. They were also challenged to defend their innovation, identify their target customers, and present a marketing strategy. Their innovations were nothing short
of impressive-- everything was thought of from The Binder Bag to Manna Chips! Thanks to Daniel Russo from Russo’s Pharmacy for being the corporate sponsor for this contest. The winners of the contest are: First Place: Never Be Tardy (NBT) by Chaya Wachspress, Nechama Herskovits and Devorah Lowinger Second Place: Change Your Frames by Fay Marcovich and Shana Yaffe Third Place: Alarm Clock Happy Hour by Adina Stern
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Bais Yaakov of Queens Pre-School Scholars and Hilchos Shabbos
The best educators know meaningful learning happens when students are able to make real life connections. An example of this type of learning is always evident at Bais Yaakov. However, this time, the example we share involves their young pre-schoolers. Morah Ora Love’s students sewed Purim hats with bells. One child questioned if the hat was allowed to be worn on Shabbos because of the bells. Rabbi Mordechai Gewirtz, the dean, was invited to discuss the “shaileh” with the class. A conversation took place between Rabbi Gewirtz and the students. The discussion included the use of bells on Shabbos on the crowns of the sifrei Torah as well as the use of bells on the clothing of the Kohen Gadol. The children shared
their ideas with one another, and their level of engagement on the topic was fantastic, especially for pre-schoolers! Rabbi Gewirtz said, “I am absolutely amazed at the students’ depth of understanding. Their questions were of those who were far beyond pre-school years.” Rabbi Gewirtz added, “I cannot convey the nachas I felt when I was in the class, and I must credit Morah Ora, as well as all the moros at Bais Yaakov, as their teaching is outstanding.” Esther Kirschbaum, the pre-school director, was filled with pride, but not surprised. “Our students are deep thinkers, and our teachers encourage children to think critically when they take their questions seriously and help children find answers to their inquiries.”
Chabad of Hewlett Begins Weekday Morning Minyan Chabad of Hewlett begins weekday morning minyan services at the Chabad House located near the Hewlett railroad station. Prayer begins Monday and Thursday at 7:05 am & Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:15 am. For the convenience of commuters, services will conclude in time for the 8:03 express train from Hewlett to New York. The Chabad House is located at the Hewlett LIRR station, next to Dunkin Donuts at 31 Franklin Avenue. Rabbi Tenenboim initiated the daily morning
prayers as a service to those who may need to say Kaddish, but commuters and others are welcome to join. There are no membership fees. Please stop-in to talk, say hello, pray, and have a cup of coffee before your daily commute. For more information, please contact Rabbi Tenenboim at 516-537-8770 or visit them online at www.jewishhewlett.com.
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Architect’s rendering of view from Church Street
New Outpatient Facility Offers Many Benefits to Community To the community, The Mount Sinai Medical Center Multi-Specialty Medical Facility planned for Woodmere will offer enhanced coordinated care and urgent care. What does this mean for you? Simply put, it provides the highest level of medical care and treatment that a world-class medical provider can give, with the convenience of being close to home.
What is coordinated care and what are the benefits? Medical care today often begins with a visit to a patient’s primary doctor who provides referrals to specialists as needed. The patient then must make multiple visits to different doctors to receive his or her diagnosis and treatment. This results in many missed days of work and lots of inconvenience. Coordinated care changes that experience. Specialists and primary care physicians are in the same facility. The patient moves seamlessly from the primary physician to the specialist in one visit. More importantly, the doctors share one common electronic medical record for each patient so that they each have all of the information about their patient. This greatly reduces the mistakes caused by incomplete information about a patient’s history and medications. Patients benefit in many ways. They get better care, fewer mistakes, lower costs and the elimination of duplicated tests.
Simeon Schwartz, MD
For example, a woman is given a prescription for a mammogram by her OBGYN. She then makes an appointment with the mammography center for a later visit. She may be called back to be re-imaged or may need to consult a surgeon for a needle biopsy. The process takes several anxiety-ridden weeks and multiple visits. In a coordinated setting, the initial visit imaging and biopsy can all take place on the same day, in one extended visit. In addition, patients appreciate the one-stop shopping medical experience of an integrated multi-specialty practice. They like the convenience of a doctor's visit that includes on-site specialist referrals, clinical lab testing and radiology services -- all under one roof.
What is Urgent Care and what are the benefits? Life’s little emergencies don’t always happen during regular business hours. Most patients prefer to visit their primary care physicians, but in an emergency, when they are unavailable for an immediate appointment, or on weekends and holidays, the doctor is always in at facilities of this kind. The Urgent Care Center allows patients to walk in without an appointment during an extended range of hours and receive prompt treatment for injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening. This means no more needless anxiety about the seriousness of your condition or long waits in a hospital emergency room. Medical records of existing patients at the facility are readily accessible to the Urgent Care staff, cutting additional time and hassle of filling out more paperwork. In addition to the added convenience, this alternative drives down medical costs by avoiding costly ER co-payments.
What are the benefits to local doctors? Mount Sinai plans to recruit as many local doctors as possible to fill the 60 positions at its proposed medical facility at Lawrence's Number Six School. Doctors practicing locally will be recruited from current positions in the community, and that will allow patients to continue their relationships with their doctors. These are difficult times for physicians because of the many changes in insurance and medicine. Doctors are concerned about their economic future and loss of autonomy. This center will create a medical group with significant self-governance, lower overhead and Mount Sinai’s reputation in helping to maintain physician income, which we expect would stay the same or increase in the long run. For non-participators, the medical center welcomes their patients for urgent care visits, specialist referrals and ancillary testing, promptly communicating results to local doctors. They can view the new center as an extension of their practice and share in many of the benefits. The group practice is not looking to recruit patients referred to them by outside physicians. Times are changing. This full-service multi-specialty practice is a new model that provides better coordination in the delivery of healthcare services both for doctors and the community at large. Simeon Schwartz has been a practicing hematologist and oncologist for 30 years and is also president of WESTMED Medical Group and CEO of WESTMED Practice Partners. He is lead design consultant for Mount Sinai Hospital on the proposed adaptive re-use of the abandoned School Six property in Woodmere, NY as a comprehensive outpatient medical office serving the Five Towns community.
To learn more please attend informational meeting on March 6, 7:30 pm at The Woodmere Club, 99 Meadow Drive, Woodmere
For more information visit www.number6referendum.com
HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
Architect’s rendering of Main Entrance
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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Early Intervention Services For children birth - 3 years with special needs.
Services Provided l
Evaluations
l
Feeding Therapy
l
Special Education
l
Nutrition Counseling
l
Service Coordination
l
Family Support/Counseling
l
Speech/Language Therapy
l
Physical & Occupational Therapy
ABA Program – Center & Home Services Routines Based Interventions & Collaborative Coaching l
Far
Ser Roc
ving
kaw
ay
TO REFER YOUR CHILD TO THE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM CALL 311. This Early Intervention Program (EIP) is a public program for children under the age of three who are either suspected of having or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. EIP is funded by NYS and NYC. All EIP services are provided at no cost to parents. Health insurance may be used for approved services. A child’s eligibility for the program can be determined only by state-approved evaluators under contract, and all services must be authorized by the NYC Early Intervention Program.
For more information about CHALLENGE call:
718.851.3300
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SEEING A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY CAN STOP A SMALL PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES A BIG ONE.
IMMEDIATE CARE SAVES LIVES.
VOTE YES ON MARCH 20. Feeling dizzy? Something doesn’t feel right? Why take risks with your life? The healthcare facility proposed for the Number 6 School in Woodmere will have an urgent care center where you can come to see a doctor immediately.
Get the care you need.
HERE’S THE TRUTH: • Better healthcare – the best of Manhattan and the best of our communities working together
• Reuse the existing building and eliminate all entrances from surrounding residential streets
• Neighboring residential parking will be protected. All employee and public parking will be contained on-site
• Millions in tax cuts for local residents
• Preserves and enhances the playground • Creates beautiful open public spaces with abundant landscaping
• No cuts in services for all schools • As many as 150 jobs for local physicians and healthcare employees • No school buses and cars blocking traffic
Come to our informational meeting on Wednesday evening, March 6, 7:30 p.m. The Woodmere Club - 99 Meadow Drive - Woodmere NY 11598 For more information visit www.number6referendum.com
THE LIFE YOU SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN.
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
FACT:
SALE DATES MARCH 3 - 9, 2013
5
2$
2$
7
REDPACK TOMATOES
STREIT’S MATZO BALL SOUP & MIX, BAG N BAKE
KLES ES OSEM 7-9 PICKLES IN BRINE
$
2$
5
3$
4
EGGO CHOCOLATE CHIP HIP WAFFLES
2$
5
UNGAR’S GEFILTE FISH 22 OZ
$
4.99
137 SPRUCE STREET
$
3.99
ORIGINAL ONLY - 32 OZ
2$
5
UNGER’S PREMIUM MAYONNAISE REGULAR OR LITE 32 OZ
$
3.99
GLICK’S COOKING SPRAY
3$
$
2
2.99
LATEX FIT GLOVES MEDIUM, LARGE, EXTRA LARGE 100 COUNT
$
DAIRY DEALS
ALL VARIETIES 32 OZ
7
VEGETABLE OR OLIVE OIL - 5 OZ
$
3.79
PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE
ABSOLUTE FRUIT SORBET
8 OZ CUPS
2$
5
2.99
BREAKSTONE SOUR CREAM 16 OZ
$
1.99
LITE & LOW CAULIFLOWER PIZZA
MOUNTAIN SPRING SMOKED SALMON 24 OZ
$
$
4.99
MEHADRIN COTTAGE CHEESE
9.99
2 LB
2$
7
10 OZ
STONYFIELD ORGANIC YOGURT
ALL VARIETIES 6 OZ
3$
7
KOSHER FOR PASSOVER
HA’OLAM SHREDDED MOZZARELLA
16 OZ
SABRA HUMMUS
GOLDEN TASTE HORSERADISH 14 OZ
69¢ FLAUM PICKLES 28 OZ
2$
$ 9.99 2.99 4 COOL SAVINGS ON FROZEN $
YASSO ICE CREAM BARS
ASSORTED 14 OZ
$
4.49
EGGO PANCAKES ASSORTED 14 OZ
2$
5
ALL VARIETIES 16 OZ
2$
7
MACABEE PIZZA BAGELS 6 PACK 12 OZ
$
2.99
.............................................................
79¢
ANCIENT HARVEST QUINOA
SPECIAL PASSOVER RUN UNDER STAR K 12 OZ
MISHPACHA TOMATO SAUCE
COFFEEMATE CREAMER
2$
FROZEN SUPER SALES TNUVA NON-DAIRY TOPPING
3$
....................................
FRESH & TASTY MILK
12 OZ
2
WINDEX “POWERIZED” TRIGGER
....................................
1.79
2 LITER
....................................
$
COKE, DIET COKE, FRESCA, SPRITE
. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .
TURKEY HILL ICED TEA
1.99
15 OZ
19 OZ
7
17 OZ
$
1.99
59 OZ
2$
64 OZ
ALL VARIETIES 40 OZ
TROPICANA ORANGE JUICE
LACTAID MILK
64 OZ
3$
7.99
5 KOSHER FOR PASSOVER
GOLD’S DUCK SAUCE
24 OZ
DAIRY SUPER SALES ALL VARIETIES 64 OZ
$
ALL FLAVORS 1 LITER
.............................................................
99¢
99¢
5
STREIT’S MATZO MEAL, CAKE MEAL, MATZO FARFEL 2$
4
15 OZ
5$
MISHPACHA PO POTATO OTA TATO STARCH
REGULAR, LOW SODIUM, WHOLE WHEAT, GLUTEN FREE - 4.5 OZ
CLEAR CHOICE SELTZER
10 PACK
....................................
4
DICED, CRUSHED, SAUCE, PUREE - 28 OZ
....................................
2$
REGULAR, WHOLE WHEAT, SPELT - 16 OZ
4
ROLAND WHOLE BABY CORN
....................................
GEFEN MARINARA & PASTA SAUCES 28 OZ
14 OZ
STARBUCK’S K-CUPS
.............................................
3$
9 OZ
ROLAND HEARTS OF PALM
.............................................
ONEG, HADDAR CHOCOLATE CO CHIPS
SUPER SALES ON GROCERIES
14.8 OZ TRIX, 16.5 OZ COCOA PUFFS, 16.2 OZ CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH
.............................................
GROCERY SUPER SALES
MORE SAVINGS! .............................................................
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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GOLDEN FLOW CALIFORNIA BLEND 32 OZ
$
3.99
EDAMAME SOY BEANS ASSORTED 12 OZ/14 OZ
$
2.99
MEAL MART CHOPPED LIVER
$
$
CEDARHURST, NY 516-569-2662
3.99 FAX 516-569-8376
20 OZ
$
2.99
KOSHER FOR PASSOVER
BODEK BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, SPINACH, CALIFORNIA MIX 24 OZ
MCCAIN 5 MINUTE FRIES
12 OZ
3.99
DAGIM FLOUNDER ER OR R TILAPIA 14 OZ FLOUNDER 16 OZ TILAPIA
2$
7
DR. PRAEGER’S MINCED FISH STICKS 24 OZ
$
4.99
MEHADRIN ICE CREAM DAIRY ONLY 56 OZ
$
6.99
Under the Strict Supervision of the VAAD of the 5 Towns
MORE SELECTION! PREMIUM MEAT & POULTRY
ALL OUR FRESH MEAT & POULTRY IS NOW KOSHER FOR PASSOVER WHITE MEAT
1ST CUT BRISKET
$
7.29 LB
9.49 LB
5.99 LB
$ GROUND BEEF...........
$ BEEF STEW..........
SQUARE CUT $ FRENCH ROAST...........
SHOULDER $ LONDON BROIL..........
NECK & SKIRT
3.69 LB
8.49 LB
7.99 LB
6.49 LB
4.99 LB
FAMILY PACK
SUPER FAMILY PACK
CORNED BEEF DECKEL
$
$ BREAST OF VEAL......
$ TURKEY ROAST........
CUT IN 1/4S OR 1/8S
WHOLE $ CHICKEN.......
SILVER TIP $ ROAST.........
8.49 LB
2.49 LB
2 PACK
FRESH PRODUCE ENVY APPLES ARE BACK!
DEL MONTE HONEYDEW
2$
5
GALA APPLES...... BOSC PEARS........
2$ 99¢
LB
99¢
LB
LEMONS & LIMES......... PLUM TOMATO.........
4 $
1 89¢
LB
EGGPLANT RED POTATO......
89¢
BAG CELLO CARROTS
69¢
JUMBO $ RED PEPPER.......
LB
LB
3
1 LB BAG
$ 19
1
1.49LB
BABY CHICKEN ON SKEWERS......
DAIRY $
12.99LB
FRESHLY BAKED SALMON...........
$
5.99EA
TERIYAKI, POACHED, GRILLED OR BAKED MAIN COURSE PORTION
$
4.99 QT
EGG DROP SOUP...........................
$
2.99
$ $
ORDER YOUR SHABBOS PLATTERS EARLY!
2 LB
3.99 QT
MUSHROOM BARLEY SOUP........
ALIZA BEER COMPLETE DINNER
$
9.99EA
CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH MASHED CAULIFLOWER & GREEN BEANS....
AVOCADO ROLL
CRUNCH ROLL
SPIDER ROLL
4.50
5.50
7.95
$
TUNA SALAD ROLL
ASSORTED BAGELS....................
PACKAGE OF 4
SMALL WHOLE WHEAT BREAD..
$
6.99 EA
$
1.99 EA $ 1.99 EA
OSSIE’S FISH IMITATION CRAB CAKES........
12 OZ CRISPIX, 12 OZ SCOOBY DOO, 10.7 OZ CINNAMON JACKS, 14 OZ FRISTEDE MINI WHEAT CRUNCH, 18.7 OZ RAISIN BRAN, 14 OZ KRAVE
6.99
MACARONI & CHEESE.....................
LARGE BLACK & WHITE RING CAKE..................................
READY TO BAKE!
SPAGHETTI, ZITI, ZITI RIGATI, ELBOWS, ROTINI, RIGATONI 16 OZ
THE FRESHEST & TASTIEST SUSHI IN TOWN!
ZOMICK’S BAKERY
SALMON TERIYAKI.................
S RONZONI PASTA
WINNER BEST SUSHI AWARD!
DELI & TAKE OUT TAKE OUT
BUYS OF THE WEEK!
99¢
CAULIFLOWER
3
WE ARE FULLY STOCKED FOR PASSOVER BEGINNING MARCH 3RD!
$
4.95
$
$
SPICY TUNA AVOCADO ROLL
MONSTER ROLL
$
$
10.95
5.95
CALL 516-569-2662 AND ASK FOR THE SUSHI DEPARTMENT DON’T SEE IT? ASK - WE WILL BE HAPPY TO MAKE IT FOR YOU!
PARVE APPETIZING THIS WEEK AT SCHWARTZ’S DIP ISLAND!
$
9.99 LB $ 10.99 LB
SALMON WITH GARLIC SESAME SAUCE....................... READY TO BAKE!
SALMON BURGERS..................
FLORAL SPECIALS! $ SPRAY ROSES............................ MIXED FLORAL BOUQUETS...... 9.99 BUNCH BUNCH $ HOLLAND TULIPS....................... 1 DOZEN ROSES....................... 9.99 BUNCH
$
9.99 LB $ 9.99 EA
CHIMICHURRI DIP............................ 7 OZ
MASHED POTATOES........................ AT THE COUNTER
ROASTED PEPPER SOUP.................
NEW!
GRAPE TOMATO WITH GARLIC SALAD
PRE-PACKAGED
SOUFFLE SPECIAL!
$
14.99 $ 12.99
& UP
ZUCCHINI, VEGETABLE, SPINACH, PIZZA LA ZUCCHINI, BROCCOLI......
2.99 EA 3.49 LB $ 3.99 QT $ 3.49 LB $
$
$
3.99 EA
DON’T FORGET! SLICED SABLE, LOX, WHITEFISH
STORE HOURS: SUNDAY 7-7PM MONDAY 7-7PM TUESDAY 7-8 PM WEDNESDAY 7-10 PM THURSDAY 7-12 AM FRIDAY 6:30 AM UNTIL 2 HRS. BEFORE CANDLE LIGHTING
We reserve the right to limit quantities. No rain checks. Not responsible for typographical errors.
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
SALE DATES MARCH 3 - 9, 2013
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SALES FOR CEDARHURST STORE ONLY
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
66
Around the Community The Gantze Megillah— Even On a Sunday! Twenty-six students of the North Shore Hebrew Academy (NSHA) Middle School in Great Neck, Ashkenazic and Sephardic, taught by Dr. Paul Brody, (2nd from left), holding Megillah case andwearing the 100-year-old tallis of his grandfather who convinced him to learn how to lain the Gantze Megillah, read Megillas Esther for their schoolmates and faculty on Purim day, which fell out this year on Sunday. NSHA Head of School, Rabbi Jeffrey Kobrin (left) and Middle School Assistant Principal, Rabbi Adam Acobas (not shown), facilitated the students’ hectic schedules to enable adequate review time with
Dr. Brody. Dr. Brody also coordinated some of the more than 175 students that he has instructed, over more than a decade at the Academy to read the Megillah at various synagogues, hospitals, nursing homes and private homes. These students have achieved a unique accomplishment, joining a small, qualified group who possess the knowledge to publicly chant the Megillah. Dr. Brody, who has read the Megillah for the past 41 years, once read at the Great Synagogue in Leningrad, despite great peril, where the gabboyim were actually members of the KGB!
Photo credit: Steven Roth
Bnos Malka Academy Siddur Play The Bnos Malka Academy 1st grade Siddur Play was a sensational event filled with smiles, singing and satisfaction. The 1st grade students have spent months learning about and preparing for this momentous occasion. From the very first note, these hard working, bright and accomplished girls were enthusiastic, entertaining and even inspirational. With cheerful smiles and joyous singing, the students showed everyone how much they knew about the tefilos they learned to say each day, their meaning and the newly realized connection they have with Hakadosh Baruch Hu. All the singing, dancing, cheering, excitement for tefila and live music from Mrs. Adina Wein created such a special and amazing energy. After the incredible show, each student was individually called up to receive their prized siddur from the Menahel, Rabbi Michael Weichselbaum. Each siddur was uniquely decorated and designed by each student. These beautifully adorned siddurim represent the idea that even as they daven together from the same siddur, every tefila has a unique and beautiful quality all its own that originates from the heart of each of
our unique and original students. Thank you Mrs. Herzberg for teaching not only the words to these songs and tefilos but also the meaning and the passion that goes with them. Together with Morah Shani and Morah Linda, you prepared our students so well and made it all so fun and stress-free. All the students anxiously waited for this day and took to the stage poised and excited to perform. The whole experience was so fun and filled with wonderful memories for the students and families. The collation afterwards was stacked with sumptuous treats and a beautiful “mazal tov” cake. It was a real celebration and a well-deserved reward for our hard working students. Thank you to the Parent’s Association for sponsoring peklach to help the students appreciate this special day even more. Thank you to the class mothers who took out of their own time to arrange this beautiful collation and set it up so beautifully. We wish the 1nd grade students much hatzlocha as they continue to grow and develop in their tefila and connection to Hashem. We wish their families continued joy and nachas from them!
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T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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NEWS
Community
Helping a Friend in Need, the MAY Way A Kinus on Purim was held at the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. The speakers pictured here are Rabbi Yechiel Perr, Rosh HaYeshiva, and Rabbi Eliahu Rominek. They spoke before a well-attended crowd.
PHOTOGRAPH BY IVAN H NORMAN
The Pre1A Boys of Yeshiva Tifereth Moshe Celebrate Their Siddur Party The Pre1A talmidim of Yeshiva Tifereth Moshe received their very first siddurim last Monday at their Siddur Party. Hundreds of proud parents, grandparents, family members, and friends watched as the 5-year-old children performed songs relating to tefila. The program celebrated a milestone: the boys have learned to read Hebrew and are fluent enough to read from their siddur. Rabbi May, YTM’s Menhael, spoke at the program and related to the boys that their most precious possession is their siddur and the most precious tefilos are from tinokos shel beis raban, the prayers of young children. No prayer or tear is wasted. When not immediately put to use, it is stored in Hashem’s treasure chest and will one day be used. YTM is grateful to the Pre1A Morahs, Lea Karpf and Reitzy Weiner, for their hard work, bringing the boys to this point and for their efforts to teach their talmidim the meaning and beauty of
davening. Following the presentation, the guests enjoyed cotton candy and popcorn and a delicious spread of pastries, fresh fruit and vegetables, snacks, and beverages generously donated by Seasons.
Like many other buildings, public and private, the Agudah of Bayswater’s shul was ravaged by Super Storm Sandy. The building was severely damaged and nearly all of their hundreds of seforim were ruined beyond repair. Many MAY talmidim pitched into help clean up the mess, but when the dust settled, the shul was lacking many critical items, including siddurim. It happens that the yeshiva’s administrator, Mrs. Rachel Shapiro, and her husband, Nachum, are extremely devoted and involved members of the Agudah. The talmidim and hanhalah decided to raise money to purchase and
Purim at HANC
supply 62 women’s siddurim in honor of the Shapiros, as a small token of their hakaras hatov to her, and as a chessed for those in Bayswater who have gone through so many trials and tribulations these past months.. This donation is another example of how effectively Mesivta Ateres Yaakov inculcates in its talmidim the confluence of Torah, avodah and gemilas chasadim. The talmidim and Rabbeim continually seek out opportunities for chesed, instead of waiting for them to drop into their laps. This emphasis was seen time and time again throughout the recuperation of superstorm Sandy.
69 T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
Around the
LOCAL
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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Around the
LOCAL NEWS
Rabbi Yaakov Hillel shlita Visits Mesivta Chaim Shlomo
Community
TAG Students Spread Purim Spirit Residents of the Long Island Living Center, a kosher assisted living facility in Far Rockaway, had a special treat in honor of Purim. Students from the Torah Academy for Girls entertained the seniors with happy Purim songs, as they passed out hamentaschen and spread good Purim cheer to the residents.
Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel, the rosh yeshiva of Hevrat Ahavat Shalom in Yerushalayim, visited Mesivta Chaim Shlomo in Far Rockaway, where he addressed the entire Mesivta and Beis Medrash divisions. After his drasha, which was on the subject of becoming full-time avdei Hashem, each talmid was given the opportunity to greet him.
L-R: Rav Yaakov Bender, Rav Shlomo Avigdor Altusky, Rav Yaakov Moshe Hillel and Rav Avraham Hillel
Focus on People
71
Food Pantry Organizers Esther Shenker and Yocheved Monczyk
W
ith today’s rising costs, making ends meet can be more than a little a full time job going after both those agencies and people are really hurting a lot.” challenging, particularly when it comes to grocery shopping as the “We owe a lot of gratitude to William Rapfogel, CEO of the Met Council and price of staples continues to head north. It comes as no surprise that Benny Wechsler, director of the Met Council’s food pantry network for providing particularly after the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, the food pantry at the us with a large portion of our goods,” added JCCRP Executive Director Nathan Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula is seeing more clients than Krasnovsky. “They have been instrumental in supplying us with extra items during ever before. and after Sandy.” “We normally put together 350 packages per month,” said Esther Shenker, who Given the many services offered under one roof at the JCCRP, a beneficiary as director of the Jewish Services Coalition, also runs the food pantry in conjunc- agency of the UJA and an affiliate of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, tion with the JCCRP. “Since Sandy, we are up to over 400 packages monthly.” Esther says she often steers people to take advantage of all that is available at the The food pantry carries both fresh fruits and vegetables and staples including facility. dry good, canned goods, rice, beans, dried and shelf stable milk, and occasionally “Food is just a band-aid,” explained Esther. “While they are here, we ask them chicken and fish. if they were affected by the hurricane and if they were, we suggest they talk to one “We try to stock items with a longer shelf life,” explained Esther. “Since the of our social workers. There are food stamps available. Medical insurance. We try hurricane we also have diapers, wipes, formula, cleaning supplies and school sup- to use the pantry as a way of getting a foot in the door and to introduce people to all plies.” the other services we offer.” The Far Rockaway resident is the Esther is assisted in her work by anmother of three daughters and one son other Far Rockaway resident, Yocheved “The people who work here are so dedicated. and a proud grandmother to boot. OrigMonczyk. Born and bred in Far Rockainally employed as a social worker, Esway, Yocheved is a mother of six who They don’t leave their job when they go home, ther joined the JSC when her youngest finds her work at the food pantry very they take it home with them.” child was three and a half and since that rewarding. time she has worked on many different “When people come in with a probprojects within the agency. lem we do our utmost to work it out According to Esther, the food pantry for them,” said Yocheved. “When they began in 1986 at the request of then-Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, in response walk out our door, it is a good feeling knowing that we were able to help them.” to a request from the National Council of Jewish Women who wanted to fund the Esther credits her entire staff for their devotion to the many people who come project. to the food pantry. “We began with just 75 families,” recalled Esther. “Now we register almost that “The people who work here are so dedicated,” explained Esther. “They don’t many new families every month.” leave their job when they go home, they take it home with them. We try to treat Most clients receive packages on a monthly basis but in cases of extreme need, everyone with a lot of respect because it isn’t in the Jewish mentality to be on a line food is provided more frequently. Esther is hoping to raise more funds to have or to receive tzedaka. We all want to be givers, not takers. When people come here, a larger client choice pantry instead of the current standard food package being we do our best to make sure that no one feels as if they are a charity case. We are offered. While some of the food in the pantry is donated by synagogues and indi- here to help the community and I only wish that more people would come in and viduals, Esther reports that much comes from city, state and federal funding and in take advantage of the services that we are offering.” recent months after this past fall’s mega-storm, from the Red Cross. “So many people in this area are still not in their homes and experiencing very To contact the JCCRP, call 718-327-7755 or visit them at 1525 Central Avenue difficult financial situations right now,” said Esther. “FEMA hasn’t stepped up to in Far Rockaway or online at www.jccrp.org. the plate and the insurance agencies really haven’t come through either. It can be
F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
An Inside Look at the JCCRP
The Jewish Home n
Sandy Eller
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013 T H E J E W I S H H O M E n M AY 2 4 , 2012
7278
You Gotta be
Kidding!
Riddle
Submitted by Anna Ehrenster
Submitted By Shoshana Hines
Jimbo and Maryann were delighted when finally their long wait to adopt a baby had come to an end. The adoption center called and told them they had a wonderful Russian baby boy, and the couple took him without hesitation. On the way home from the adoption center, they stopped by the local college so they each could enroll in night courses. After they filled out the form, the registration clerk inquired, “Whatever possessed you to study Russian?” The couple proudly said, “We just adopted a Russian baby and in a year or so he’ll start to talk. We just want to be able to understand him.”
Bobby and his wife went to a local place to have dinner and see a show. They had been eating their meal and watching the show when Bobby started losing voluntary control over most of his body. His legs, arms, back and chest became tense. His facial muscles squeezed upwards. His stomach muscles and diaphragm began to spasm. His heart began to race and his blood pressure rose quickly. Yet nobody did anything for him and no medical attention was given. Why not? Answer on next page
• The President said he might drop in.
• I never go out on days that end in “Y.”
• The man on television told me to stay tuned. • I’ve been scheduled for a karma transplant.
• I just picked up a book called “Glue in Many Lands” and I can’t put it down.
• I did my own thing and now I’ve got to undo it.
• There are important world issues that need worrying about.
• I have to go to the post office to see if I’m still wanted.
• I feel a song coming on.
• I have to check the freshness dates on my dairy products.
• I’m trying to be less popular.
• I’m attending the opening of my garage door.
• I’m waiting to see if I’m already a winner.
• I’m being deported.
• You know how we psychos are.
• I’ve come down with a really horrible case of something or other.
• My favorite commercial is on TV.
• My plot to take over the world is thickening.
• I have to study for a blood test.
• I have to fulfill my potential.
• I’m observing National Apathy Week.
• I have some real hard words to look up in the dictionary.
• I’m going to the Missing Persons Bureau to see if anyone is looking for me.
• The last time I went out, I never came back. • I have to answer all of my “occupant” letters.
• I have to stay home and see if I snore. • I prefer to remain an enigma.
• None of my socks match.
• I have to make an air sandwich.
• I changed the lock on my door and now I can’t get out.
• I’m sorry, I have to rotate the strings on all of my shoes.
• I’m making a home movie called, “The Thing That Grew in My Refrigerator.”
• I’m too busy watching the paint dry.
• I’m touring China with a wok band.
• I don’t want to ruin our friendship. • I left my tolerance in another coat. I’m going to be playing with my mental blocks.
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Diplomatic Trivia With John Kerry recently taking over as Secretary of State and starting out with a few silly gaffes, we figured that it is time for you to brush up on your diplomatic skills. You never know when your country will call on you. 1. What would you say to Kim Jung Un upon meeting him? a. How do you keep your cheeks so rosy? b. Ever think of changing your hairstyle? c. They say there is lots of starvation in North Korea; you could stand to participate a little bit. d. North Korea is going south. e. None of the above, unless you really want to enrage a 29-year-old pudgster with lots of time and weapons on his hands. 2. Which one of the following is not the name of a country? a. Kyrgyzstan b. Kyrzakhstan c. Kazakhstan d. Kiribati 3. For many centuries, the two main sects of Islam have been at odds. It is the cause of much conflict in the Middle East. For example, Iran is dominated by one of the sects and until recently, Iraq was dominated by the other sect, thus leading to years of conflict between the nations. What are the names of the tribes? a. Shwarmas and Sishkababs b. Kayamarts and Wallamarts c. Ayllakahdonuts and Ayllakamuffins d. Shiites and Sunnis
Answers: 1. E 2. B- Freshy Secretary of State John Kerry created the country of “Kyrzakhstan” in one of his first speeches. Speculation is that he got confused between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and created the hybrid. 3. D 4. A 5. C- Liechtenstein is a 62 square mile microstate of 34,000 people located on the Rhine River between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps. 6. B Scorecard: 5-6 correct: You are a natural diplomat. Just be careful, it’s dangerous out there and you don’t exactly want to be awarded with a job at a place like, say, Mozambique. 2-4 correct: Mediocrity. It’s a small country. Population: one—you. 0-1 Correct: Don’t worry, Mr. Kerry; you’ll get the hang of it someday.
4. To be a diplomat, you must be able to greet people all over the world with your sharpest fake smile. To be really good at it, you should greet them by speaking their own language. So, if you are on a mission to France, how would you say to your counterparts in French, “How are you?” a. Comment allez-vous? b. Au revoir? c. Au uar a snot? d. Je vous présente? 5. Why would you know about “Liechtenstein” if you were Secretary of State? a. Every Secretary of State had that one Jewish friend that he grew up with. Certainly that guy’s name is probably Liechtenstein, or something similar to that b. He is the new foreign minister of Israel c. It is a country d. It is a doctrine that the State Department abides by: When shopping on official State Department business always use coupons.
6. Upon meeting Queen Elizabeth II, what are you supposed to do? a. Pat her on the back and say, “I love the British accent.” b. Curtsy (and don’t say, “I’ve been practicing my squats for weeks now.”) c. Wink at her (like George W. Bush did) d. Kiss her hand (but don’t say, “May I ask: Is it true that you get your hats in the thrift shop?”)
Dear Underlings, Thanks to your efforts, I won!! I am now the Mayor of the Five Towns. It is just one more accomplishment for me to put under my belt. Just so you know, the first thing I did was contacted all the schools in town and arranged for extra days off of school this month. Therefore, I announce that there will be no school (for any and every school) on the following days in March: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th. My pleasure, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Centerfold Commissioner and just an overall good guy
GOT FUNNY? Let the Commissioner decide.
Send your stuff to centerfold@fivetownsjewishhome.com
Answer to riddle: They went to a comedy show. Bobby was laughing.
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Millions of Brachos and Millions of Amens
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Focus on People
The Jewish Home interviews Ari Munk and Nochum Feintuch, the originators and sponsors of the well-known community-wide Out Loud Brachos Contest.
Susan Schwamm
The Out Loud Brachos Contest Inspires the Children in Our Community
TJH: My son came home from school today with a beautiful calendar for the Out Loud Brachos Contest. He was so excited. Can you describe the Brachos Contest for our readers? OLB: The program is geared to promote awareness of Hashem in our day. For the contest, the children need to recite five brachos out loud a day and someone needs to answer amen to their bracha. They fill in which bracha they made on their chart and at the end of each week, a different store in the community gives them a treat, and at the end of the four weeks, they receive a toy prize. TJH: That sounds wonderful—the children must be so excited about the project. I know my son is! So, tell us, how did this project come about? OLB: The original concept was adapted from a similar community-wide program that ran in Baltimore under a program called Mitzvah Motivators by Fishel Gross. Unlike Baltimore, we took the concept one step further and decided that if we use the local schools as our gateway, we will be able to get the both the children and the parents involved. TJH: What was your inspiration for the program? OLB: When we both talked about the program and how many schools we can attract, we were very focused on the number 1,000,000. We figured that number should be our inspiration and focal point to try to reach that number in brachos and amens combined. In our first year, when the program only ran in the Five Towns, we had around 4,000 children in the program. If you run the math, if each child makes the five brachos a day (at least!) and someone else is answering amen, that is ten per child. Multiply that by a week and then 4 times that for the month and each child ends up with over 280 brachos/amens! If you go one step further and multiply that by the 4,000 children, you get over 1,000,000 brachos/amens! Not to mention the extra tens of thousands of brachos you pick up from the other family members due to the increased awareness that the program brings. It’s amazing and it’s exponential! Today we are in three large communities (the Five Towns/Far Rockaway, Queens, and Monsey communities) and have over 10,000 children participating in over 27 schools. The brachos/amens we are achieving are in the millions. Another tremendous inspiration was what makes the Five Towns different from many communities in the New York area. It is that we are a “community.” What we wanted from this program was that every school should participate. Now it is the norm in the schools;
however, in the first year, when we had to sell it to each of the nine schools, it was not so simple. Nothing gives us more satisfaction when you see the community engaged together in one large program. I don’t know of any other program that everyone participates in as a whole. If you were to stand, for one hour, in any of the stores on a Sunday when the thousands of children come in, it has to put a smile on your face when you see the full spectrum of our wonderful community in all different colors coming together to reward their children for the achievement they accomplished that week. That to us is a major kiddush Hashem. TJH: I am truly inspired. It is a wonderful zechus to have all these children involved. How did you manage to get so many community stores involved in the prizes? OLB: The program is a win-win for everyone. B”H with the program now a huge success, we have vendors and stores asking us to join. Now we have over fifteen stores participating. Our first approach was very straight-forward and open. Some of our original conversations went something like this, “How would you like to guarantee thousands of parents to come through your door? On your end, all you have to do is give out a nice prize, and by the way, you’ll get a mitzvah as well.” The bottom line is most stores in the program see a significant increase in sales due to the increased traffic coming in. Many parents pick up additional merchandise while they are redeeming their son(s)/daughter(s) prizes. That’s a win-win for all. We would like to thank all our sponsors. In the Five Towns: Oh Nuts!, Brachs’s, Hapina, Carlos & Gabby’s, Gotta Getta Bagel, and Pizza Pious. In Queens: Seasons, Carlos & Gabby’s, Mendy’s Bakery, and Shimon’s Pizza. In Monsey: Oh Nuts!, Monsey Take-out, Monsey Glatt and Wesley Kosher. TJH: What can you share with us to describe the power of making brachos out loud and answering amen? OLB: There is a book called “Just One Word” that describes the power of amen, saying brachos out loud, and how much Hashem cherishes this action. We distributed over 8,000 books worldwide for free as long as the recipient committed to read the book within two months and send feedback to us on how it affected his/ her life. We received thousands of emails from people stating how this simple addition in their day of saying brachos out loud and responding amen to others’ brachos helped them in their personal growth, helped them connect to Hashem and some saw clear yeshuos. TJH: That sounds very inspiring. Have you found that children continue making their brachos out loud even after the contest ended? Has it had a lasting impression?
Some children redeeming this week’s prize at Hapina.
OLB: We have gotten feedback from both sides. Some parents have commented to us how this program jumpstarted the initiative in their home and they were able to keep up the practice during the year and some mentioned that at least during this month, their house was shaking from the brachos out loud and their kids waking them up to say asher yatzar. Many parents realize it may be hard for some kids to constantly keep a certain schedule but are very appreciative that at least for this month there is a strong awareness in the home. B”H we receive many phone calls and letters from parents who thank us for running the program and how excited and motivated their kids were. TJH: It is truly wonderful to be the impetus for so many to have the awareness to say their brachos out loud. What are your future plans for the Brachos Contest? OLB: Every year we try to add an additional community. This past year we intended on adding Passaic and Teaneck. Due to last minute issues, we decided to add them next year along with Chicago, possibly. Many people from Brooklyn have asked us to implement the program there. However, due to the size of the community, we plan to proceed but will have to hand off that area to another group to run. Each community takes a lot of time and a lot of effort to establish. The beauty of the program is once you have a community set up, the program really self-runs itself each year. We are very open for individuals to help us take on additional communities. We are prepared to cover all the cost of printing and setting up that community in terms of speaking to the stores and schools. It’s the ongoing year after year follow up before the programs begins that we need help with. Our vision is to try to get the program national in all schools. There are many brachos programs; however, what makes ours very effective is the parents’ involvement with answering amen and signing the program booklet and taking the children to claim their prize. We feel that helps our program truly succeed. TJH: Ari, Nochem, thank you so much for your time! It was inspirational to meet you both and we wish you much hatzlacha with everything! Ari and Nochem can be reached at powerofamen@ yahoo.com.
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In the Kitchen Naomi Nachman
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eople are always asking me about quick and easy suppers that are also economical. It’s always hard to make sure everyone eats the same thing. You know the expression, “I am not running a restaurant.” Everyone wants something different. Here are two of our fastest, freshest, easiest and cheapest ways to serve a delicious and healthy dinner. My family loves soup. Their first love is chicken soup but we save that for Shabbat. So during the winter months on weeknights I try to always serve a fresh vegetable soup. I don’t use any powdered stocks but I do like the Trader Joe’s or Imagine’s organic vegetable broth; they just give it that richer flavor. If I don’t have one of those, I use regular water instead. I make a soup which I call “Kitchen Sink Soup.” Every Monday, I look through the fridge and see what vegetables are left over from the weekend. I usually find onion, celery, tomato, mushrooms, carrots, and some parsley or dill. I start by sautéing an onion for a few minutes and then adding the celery and carrots. This is what they call a “mirepoix” in cooking. It’s often the base in soups, roux, or sauces. After a quick sauté, I season it with salt and sauté it for another minute until the vegetables soften and the natural flavors are released. I then add all the other vegetables which I pre-cut into chunks. I then fill it with water or vegetable broth to the top of the vegetable line and boil it for 2 hours. Afterwards, blend it with an immersion blender until smooth. You can also leave it a little chunky (up to your family’s taste). This kind of soup flavor is up to what you have left over. You can also buy the vegetables that day too if you don’t have leftovers. The other dish is a favorite of my families. This is the quickest and easiest One Pot Wonder.
Current production is YOSHON. For more information, please see The Guide to Chodosh, section 8.1
Penne Alla Vodka Ingredients Sauce 1 cup crushed tomatoes from a can or tomato sauce 1/2 tsp oregano 1/2 tsp basil 1 clove crushed frozen garlic cube 1 ½ cups heavy cream ½ cup parmesan cheese 2 TBS vodka (optional) 1 package penne noodles (I use small penne noodles) Directions Prepare pasta according to package directions. Pour the tomatoes, oregano, basil and garlic into a pot. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. To the same pot, add 1½ cups heavy cream (to make it lighter, you can do 3/4 cup cream and 3/4 cup milk) and vodka. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes on low flame and continue to stir. Pour sauce over cooked noodles and mix well. For a delicious meal, serve alongside garlic bread and Greek salad. Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website,www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
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Ask the Rabbi Yehoshua Levy
Do Clothes Make The Man? Dear Rabbi, Why is there such an emphasis on external dress and appearance in ultra-Orthodoxy? Did Abraham or Moses wear black hats, white shirts and dark pants? Why are people restricted in their self-expression to conform to a dress code that has no intrinsic significance? The Rabbi Responds: You make some excellent points. It is true that there is an emphasis (and sometimes an over-emphasis) on external dress in the traditional Orthodox community. It is also true that conforming to the standard can limit self-expression, and we must understand if, and what, positive purpose this serves in Jewish observance. When someone enlists in the military, he should be prepared to surrender his personal taste in dress and outward appearance. Even his sense of unique individuality will be diminished. The new recruits wear identical uniforms, get short, flat-topped haircuts with tapered sides, and must be clean shaven. They must follow protocol in their conduct and mode of speech. They are no longer addressed by their first names, but by their rank. Decisions are made by superiors and they are drilled to blindly follow orders. Military regulations are deliberately designed to strip a man of his self-identity and independence. The soldier begins to view himself as nothing more than another component of a larger and significant entity. This, however, is not supposed to be the end of his feeling of self-worth and unique status. For the successful soldier, it is only the beginning. Once he feels like part of the unit, he must use his natural instincts, talents and abilities to find his own way to climb the ranks and distinguish himself, never viewing himself as an independent entity, but rather as an indispensable part of the totality. Arguably, the last great mussar personality was the late Rav Wolbe zt”l,
who was well-known for emphasizing the need for each individual to think independently and develop his/her unique talents in life. Yet, Rav Wolbe explains that doing so requires first joining the group and conforming to the communal standards. As in the analogy, once one identifies himself as part of the group, he can then focus on finding his own true self that distinguishes him and his unique role in our national destiny. While Abraham, Moses and Maimonides probably did not wear Borsalino fedoras or button-down dress shirts, this mode of dress has been adopted in certain circles and should be viewed as a means to an end. It’s like the first step in joining the army. That being said, the dress code alone is meaningless if not an expression of one’s desire to join the ranks of those whose ideals are Torah-true values. Conversely, the consummate Jew who doesn’t have a black and white wardrobe is missing nothing significant. It’s not the color of the hat or the type of head covering that counts; it’s what is underneath it. The Grand Rebbe of Satmar was once asked by one of his followers why the Rabbi held the legendary Dr. Adler (a selfless Jew whose life revolved around helping others) in such high esteem, when the doctor was clean-shaven. The Rabbi’s retort was pithy: “On the day of reckoning the doctor might be asked, ‘Jew, where is your beard?’ and you, my dear friend, will be asked, ‘Beard, where is your Jew?’” Uniquely yours, Yehoshua Levy Please note, the information written above is not meant as a rabbinic ruling. If you have any questions, please consult your rabbinic authority for clarification. Yehoshua Levy, a teacher of Torah, is a writer and lecturer who dares to think outside the box to bring his thought-provoking insights and facts to his readers. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.
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R’ Ben Tzion Shafier
Parshas Ki Sisah The Merit of Others
Two Systems in the World to Come The Chovos Ha’Levovos explains that there are two systems of measurement in the World to Come, the internal and the external. The internal system is based on my personal growth: improving my character traits, increasing my awareness of Hashem, learning Torah… The external system is based on merits outside of myself: how much I affected others and the influence that I had on people. These are accomplishments that don’t directly change my state of spiri-
Moshe no longer had the merit of that great nation catapulting him to those heights. tuality, but because I was the cause of them, they are credited to me. As an example, the Chovos Ha’Levovos describes two individuals. The first has sterling character traits, is steeped in Torah knowledge, and is so great that he can be compared to the angels above. The second individual is but a plain person. He’s nowhere near as developed in his service to Hashem as the first man. Yet when they both come to the World to Come, the second individual will tower over the first. Why? Because the first person brings with him his own merit while the second toiled to improve others. Therefore, he has his own merit plus the merits of all of those whom he helped. A mashal to this would be looking at how people become wealthy. In 2001, Microsoft Corporation reported 40 billion dollars in excess cash. That means money that was not needed for operating expenses, research and development, or marketing — extra money. Bill Gates, as the largest single shareholder of the company, had become one of the richest men in the world with billions of dollars in discretionary income. It would take a successful lawyer, doctor, or account 10,000 years of hard work to earn that kind of wealth. The question is, how does a person acquire so much money? The answer is he cannot. No single man can ever earn that type of prosperity. The secret to building wealth is to have other people on your payroll. A successful dentist can drill, fill and bill, but he is only one man doing a job. Bill Gates had 20,000 workers in his
employ. In a good market, with a good product and a team of thousands churning it out, your profits will be multiplied exponentially, and you can realize that which no single individual can even dream of. This is how the Chovos Ha’Levavos explains these two individuals. The first person may have been great, but he was working for himself. He was a oneman operation. While he may have attained prominence, it was limited. The second man had many people in his employ. Because of him, many people grew closer to Hashem. And since their growth came about because of him, he is credited with it, so he is fantastically rich in merit. Moshe Was Working for the Klal The answer to this Rashi seems to be that when it comes to aiding oth-
ers in their spiritual growth, not only does Hashem reward someone with the external merit of what others accomplished, He gives the person all the tools he needs to accomplish his mission. Moshe was the representative of the multitude and was therefore allowed access to the highest level of Torah knowledge and understanding — not in his own merit, but in the merit of the entire nation. As important as Moshe Rabbeinu was, he was a man, and man isn’t allowed access to the upper worlds. When the Jewish nation was deserving, Moshe represented them and therefore was allowed to enter the Heavens. He was the conduit for bringing Torah to the multitudes. Once the Jews fell from that level, they were no longer worthy, so he as their shaliach was no longer permitted in Shamayim. It wasn’t as a punishment to him, but a reality. He no longer had the merit of that great nation catapulting him to those heights. We see a powerful concept from this Rashi. When you help other people grow, not only do you receive reward for everything that they accomplish, you receive S’yata D’Shmaya to do things that you might not have been able to otherwise. Whether as a rebbe teaching a difficult gemara, a worker for the klal taking on a bold project, or a parent trying to create a wholesome environment for his or her family, the merit of the entire group works in your favor, and you will be able to do things that would otherwise be unthinkable.
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“And Hashem spoke to Moshe saying, “Go down, for your nation that you have brought up from Egypt, has sinned.” Shemos 32:7 Moshe Rabbeinu was the single greatest human being who ever lived. The Rambam tells us that of all the navi’im, he alone was able to speak to Hashem directly. Normally, a prophet must go into an altered state of consciousness to experience Hashem. Otherwise the experience would cause sensory overload, and he would die. Moshe was able to speak to Hashem in a totally clear, conscious state of mind. At any time, he could approach Hashem and speak, experiencing Hashem as I do a neighbor or friend. Moshe was also granted access to the entire Torah, in all its depths and its secrets. Right after the sin of the Golden Calf, Hashem told Moshe, “Go down.” Rashi explains this didn’t simply mean, “Go down to see what the nation is up to. Rather, ‘Go down,’ from your greatness. You have lost access to the upper worlds. The ability to enter the Bais Din of Heaven has been taken from you. I only gave you that access because of the Klal Yisroel. They are no longer worthy, so you must go down.” This Rashi becomes difficult to understand when we take into account that Moshe was on a fantastic level because of his actions and ways. He spent his life dedicated to serving Hashem. Clearly, this access to the upper worlds and his ability to perceive and understand Torah were things that he had earned because of his hard work. So why should they be taken from him? The answer to this can be better understood by focusing on the relationship we have to one another.
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The Observant Jew Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
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eople are different and no two opinions are exactly alike. That said, however, most of us fall into groups for at least some of our thoughts and mindsets. Here’s an example. Someone I know went to hear author John Gray speak. His book, “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus,” highlights the differences between men and women and offers advice on how to use the understanding of those differences to foster better relationships and avoid killing each other. At the beginning of his talk, Mr. Gray said, “We’ve got men here and we’ve got women here. The women in the audience are thinking, ‘I’m going to learn how to relate better to my spouse, to my friends; I’m going to learn about being a better friend and making better relationships.’ The men,” he continued, “are thinking, ‘Hmmm… there are 3,000 seats in this auditorium. At $15
dollars a ticket…do you realize how much money he’s making?!’” Perhaps it was a bit of a generalization, but I’m sure a vast majority of the people there fit into those two categories just as he suggested, because that’s how we are wired by HaKadosh Baruch Hu in order to fulfill our respective roles in the universe. I think there are numerous other categories that we can fall into, and some can change based on the direction we try to take in life. So there I was, chilling in 7-Eleven with R’ Ben Tzion Shafier, noted lecturer, thinker, and author. (You know how we literary types like to hang out together.) OK, so maybe it wasn’t quite like that… Actually, he and I arrived in the parking lot at the same time, and as we walked to the door, I motioned that he should go first. It was not because I admire him and his fantastic work, which I do. My reasoning was much more
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simplistic. “You go first,” I said, “because in every magazine in which I appear, your article is right before mine!” As our kids got Slurpees (large!), R’ Shafier chatted with the fellow manning the kosher hot dog stand in the store. Yes, Monsey is home to the first 7-Eleven with a KOSHER hot dog section, complete with its own Rollergrill and a multitude of toppings. It was then that I heard R’ Shafier ask the fateful question, “How many hot dogs do you sell on an average day?” I was stunned. Not because he had asked such a personal question, but because I realized that it was a question I really wanted to know the answer to. Now, before John Gray chimes in with his two cents, I can tell you that I really don’t care how much money the hot dog stand is making. I don’t think that was R’ Shafier’s reason for asking either. The reason I believe he was asking, and why I was interested too, is because we both fall into the same category. We are people who question the world around us not because it owes us an explanation, but because we want to understand as much as we can about the world that Hashem made and still runs and learn about Him from it. By understanding what drives and motivates people, we will be better equipped to communicate with them, be sensitive to them, inspire them, and learn about ourselves and our own frailties, foibles, and functions. I believe that was the basis for his question. Too often, we are simplistic in our approaches to the world and merely accept things as they are without asking, or even wondering, why they are that way. Our policy of “minding our own business” evolves into apathy and we stop being inquisitive. When that happens, we cease learning, or, at least drastically reduce the opportunities for learning. Little children have a tremendous appreciation for questions. “Why is the sky blue? Why did Hashem make it that way? Why is it good for our eyes? Why did Hashem make blue good for eyes?
Why not green? Would we get mixed up with grass? Why do cows eat grass but people don’t?” Kids constantly ask questions because they know that the answers will help them understand and catch up to the rest of the world in its understanding of how things work. The thirst for knowledge even when you don’t have an immediate practical application for that knowledge is something we tend to lose as we grow older and more accustomed to the ways of the world. But not all of us are like that. People like Rabbi Shafier, and hopefully myself, know that there is no end to the things we can learn, so we ask questions even if we don’t know what we’ll do with the answers just yet. We just know that there is something we can still learn, so we ask. This behavior shouldn’t be limited to rabbis or writers or philosophers. Rather, each of us should be aware of the fact that the world around us is full of information about the Creator, people, human behavior, proper conduct, and so much more. By asking, even on the simplistic level of “Why is the sky blue?” or “Why did that fellow just yell at me?” we will gain tremendous knowledge and be able to grow as human beings, friends, spouses, parents and servants of Hashem. If you haven’t been doing this all your life, there’s no reason you can’t start now. We’re less than a month to Pesach when we should start preparing for the holiday. Perhaps it’s time we all started asking some questions. Jonathan Gewirtz is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. For more information, or to sign up for his weekly Dvar Torah in English, e-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter.com and put Subscribe in the subject. © 2013 by Jonathan Gewirtz. All rights reserved.
85 Avi Heiligman
Mitchell Flint A Hero Who Answered the Call of the State of Israel dence Day celebration that spring. Flint’s last operation was a spy mission over Syria. As was (and still is) the practice, he flew with a wingman. This time it was Danny Shapira and while Flint was taking pictures of an enemy airbase, Shapira’s plane disappeared. He was on extra alert because the Syrians also flew some Spitfires. He saw one and as he thought that Shapira had been shot down, he geared up for an attack. To his great relief, he noticed the Israeli markings on the plane and realized it was Shapira. Low on fuel, they flew back together and thus ended Flint’s combat career. He felt that he was pushing his luck too much and decided to go home. At that time, the Israelis had started training their own pilots and Machalniks were no longer needed in large numbers. Flint returned to California where he married and had two sons. He went to UCLA’s law school and ran a familylaw firm for fifty years. A huge sports fan, he was kind of disAT-6 Dive Bombers of the Israeli Air Force. appointed that Flint is probably flying the 1105 plane in the foreground. he missed the 1948 London them loose. Upon landing, he went to Olympics. His son, Mike, a Hollywood check them out and they fell into his producer, arranged for them to go to hands. His most memorable mission the 2012 London Olympics and prowas against an encircled Egyptian duced a film on the birth of the Israeli unit trapped in a “pocket” in the Ne- Air Force entitled “Angels in the Sky.” gev. Flint led the bombing and straf- Mitchell Flint was certainly a hero for ing charge. They later learned that the not just answering the call to arms to commander of the Egyptians was none fight for a country he had never been other than Colonel Gamal Abdul Nass- in before but for his heroics to ensure that the Jewish State of Israel would er the future Egyptian President. In February and March 1949, Flint survive. flew transport planes in a Dragon Rapide. He was transferred back to the 101 Squadron in April to fly the British-made Spitfire fighter plane. He said Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to that one of the highlights and proud- The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comest moment of his service in Israel was ments and suggestions.for future columns flying a Spitfire in formation with 101 and can be reached at aviheiligman@ Squadron during Israel’s first Indepen- gmail.com. English-speaking Machalniks (volunteers from abroad) most of whom had combat experience. It was Israel’s first air unit and was under the command of Modi Alon, and Flint flew alongside with Ezer Weizman, the future president of the country. On his first flight on August 15, 1948, Flint was looking for a downed aircraft but came under Egyptian antiaircraft fire and barely escaped himself. He continued to have trouble handling the S-199 and damaged two planes while landing. He was asked to transfer to the dive bombing unit and readily agreed and was made executive officer (the second in command of a unit). In December on a bombing mission against Egyptian units, his bombs wouldn’t release and he couldn’t shake
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hen asked about why they fast Kamikaze (suicide) plane that was joined the service, most air headed towards American ships. For force pilots reply, “To serve his service in the American navy, he my country” and/or “I was born to fly.” was awarded three Air Medals. There was group of pilots who took Following his release from the upon themselves navy, Flint attendthe very dangerous ed UC-Berkeley task of defending and graduated in a newly created June 1948. He country that they heard about the were never in creation of a Jewbefore. These ish country a heroes were the month earlier and Machal pilots of wanted to help out. the Israeli War He reminisced, Mitchell Flint in front of of Independence “I wanted to help an Israeli P-51 Mustang in 1948. Mitchell Israel survive. It Flint was one of these pilots and while was the only place my Jewish comhe never shot down an Arab plane, he patriots were able to be welcomed to certainly did his part in ensuring that come and live.” Israel was looking for the Jewish state would survive. volunteers for their ragtag air force— Mitchell Flint was born in 1923 in at first they had only three pilots—and Kansas City, Missouri. He inherited was searching in America for flyers his passion for flying from his father, who had fought in WWII. Flint told Harry, who was a decorated WWI pilot his mother that he was going overfor the US. When Mitchell was a teen, seas to watch the London Olympics, Harry took him to the local airfield and even though he went to England, and Mitchell was soon hooked on fly- it was only a stopover to arrange for ing. While in high school, he took part relatives to send prewritten postcards of JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ to his mother. His final destination was Training Corps), and at the age of 18, the Holy Land. He didn’t want to tell he volunteered in the US Navy. anyone his true intentions since it was After pilot training, Flint was sent to illegal for an American to serve in the the Pacific to fight the Japanese aboard military of another country. the aircraft carrier, USS Wasp, under Before he went to Israel, Flint the command t r a i n e d of Admiral in Ceske John McBudejovice, Cain Sr. He Czechofirst flew in slovakia, the F6F Hellto learn to cat and then fly the twoin the F4U seater Avia Corsair and S-199. He participated hated flyin several ing the plane dive bombbecause it ing missions was a hard against Japaaircraft to nese held control and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Mitchell Flint islands. One required a time, he had full month of to ditch his plane in middle of the training. Finally, at the beginning of earth’s largest ocean but fortunately August, he was sent to Israel to join the was rescued by Americans. Another 101 Squadron. time he chased and shot down a very The 101 was made up of mainly
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Social Smarts Rifka Schonfeld
how r u? i am gr8. ttyl ;) Teaching Our Children Writing Skills
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he abbreviated language of text messaging has entered our everyday lives. While texting is an excellent, quick way to communicate with our friends and family, it is a symptom of a greater issue facing today’s students: declining writing skills. In June 2008, The Atlantic published an article about a college professor’s disillusionment with modern students’ inabilities to write clear sentences and essays. Many people are required to pass straightforward English courses to advance in their careers, even police officers and health-care workers. Without rudimentary writing skills, students are unable to write basic papers in order to complete these basic courses. Perhaps this weakening in writing skills is a result of our fast-paced lifestyles. We check our email on the
go, use our Bluetooth headsets in the car, and do our shopping on the internet. Generally, as a culture, Americans are accustomed to instant gratification. This idea extends to how students think about writing as well. They expect to sit down and write everything perfectly on the first try. Quite the opposite. In fact, as early
prove and master writing techniques. Tips for Parents and Students Prewriting The first step in creating quality writing is often called “prewriting.” Prewriting consists of brainstorming, creating lists and webs, or simply free-writing. In the English Journal, a prominent magazine published by the National Council
Journaling allows students to explore their voice and develop into unique, individual writers.
as 1987, The New York Times printed an article about writing as a process – one that requires revision and coaching to facilitate success. With the correct strategies, however, students can im-
for Teachers of English (NCTE), Raymond Rodrigues, a professor at New Mexico State University, gives more options for prewriting techniques. He notes, “Other activities, viewing a film, taking a field trip, listening to a guest speaker, or conducting a survey can serve equally well to provide ideas.” Rodrigues explains that this prewriting process allows students to sort through the chaos and tension that generally precedes writing. Other educators, such as Dan and Dawn Kirby, authors of the book Inside Out: Strategies for Teaching Writing, point out that “the quantity of details on the [prewriting] list predicts the quality of the writing.” In essence, the more time students put in before they actually sit down to write the piece will foretell the quality of the final draft. Modeling Professional writers often talk about their inspiration for their novel or play. Similarly, looking at examples or excerpts of the kinds of texts students are expected to compose will give the students a feel for language, tone, and voice. With the excerpts in mind, students can begin to get a sense of what their own piece is expected to be. Intuitively, we understand this in other aspects of our children’s lives.
When we teach them to tie their own shoes, we don’t simply tell them how to do it. Rather, we show them how we do it with our own shoelaces and on their shoes as well. The same goes for writing: writers need to know what the final product should look like. Rituals and Routines Writing, like most academic endeavors, requires an environment in which students create habitual practices that facilitate writing. These routines, though different for various people, allow the writing process to become manageable and controllable. Some routines might include always creating an outline or setting aside the same time of the day for writing. John Grisham elucidated his formula for success. When he was just beginning to write, he explained that he had “these little rituals that were silly and brutal but very important.” Those rituals included setting an alarm clock for the same time everyday. Additionally, his goal was to write one page a day. While some days, one page would take him ten minutes; on other days, he would need several hours for one page. Through utilizing these simple routines, he continues to write many bestselling novels. Journals A great way to continue to improve writing skills is through personal journals. Because most children and teenagers are looking for ways to express themselves, the journal is a great resource. The National Council for the Teachers of English points out that in addition to providing a much-needed private vent of emotions, writing in a journal allows students to establish “fluency” in their writing. With no one reading their writing, students can feel free to play with language in ways that they might have feared exploring if they were submitting the writing for a grade. In fact, Peter Elbow, Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute for Continued on page 90
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• Developmental milestones—appropriate behavior at each age • Recognizing “Red flags” in all areas • Revealing the mystery of the evaluation process to put the parent at ease • How to approach a parent- what to say, when and how to say it.
Expressly for: all day care providers, playgroup teachers, pre-school teachers/directors
Monday, March 11 • 7:45 PM Location: 276 Beach 19th St., next door to On Our Way
Presenters Include: Shoshana Salzberg, MS Ed. Esther Waldman, Director of Evaluations Joanne Cirincionne, School Psychologist Informational pamphlet Salads and refreshments Certificate of attendance Parking provided Question and Answer Period
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The challenging child – How we can help...
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Technology, in his book Writing Without Teachers, writes, “The most effective way to improve your writing is to do freewriting exercises daily… In your natural way of producing words there is a sound, a texture, a rhythm – a voice – which is the main source of power in your writing.” Journaling allows students to explore their voice and develop into unique, individual writers.
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Tips For Teachers Constraints and Freedoms There is a fine line between too much teacher involvement and not enough teacher involvement in writing. The logic is that if teachers are too active in students’ writing, the writing becomes the teacher’s rather than the student’s. On the other hand, if teachers simply tell their students to write about whatever they want, many students feel lost without a clearly defined topic. Therefore, it is the teachers’ responsibility to give guidance without forcing their own opinions or views.
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Teaching Grammar in Context While maintaining correct grammar and spelling in student writing is important, occasionally, focusing solely on the mechanics of writing will dull students’ enthusiasm for writing. Constance Weaver, in her book, Teaching Grammar in Context, discusses research that shows us that teaching grammar in isolation does not improve students’ writing. Instead, she advocates for “incidental lessons wherein grammatical terms are used casually in the course of discussing literature and students’ writing.” Thus, as a teacher and researcher, Weaver has proven that teaching grammar out of a workbook is not as effective as working from the novel the students are reading or the papers they are writing. Coaching Along with all of the strategies that a student can do on their own, teachers who act as effective coaches as opposed to advice givers can be key elements of successful writing. Donald Graves, a modern philosophy and Professor Emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, stated, “Students cannot be taught what they need to know, but they can be coached.” In other words, in order to for teachers to help students succeed, they do not need to tell students what they can fix. Rather, good coaches listen to what the student is trying to say and ask questions to explore possibilities with the writer. Conferencing School schedules that provide enough time in the schedule to create writing workshops in which the students work individually on their writing are all
the more successful when teachers conference with their students. Ralph Fletcher, in his book, What a Writer Needs, explains that students who have conferences with their teachers are much more likely to have successful writing experiences. Teachers who have the time and ability to set up writing workshops in which they conference with students individually or in groups will provide students with a sense of power and control. In order to be successful, in these conferences, teachers must build on strengths, value originality and diversity, and look at the big picture. Publication A wonderful way to provide students with a sense of ownership and pride over their writing is to encourage them to compile their work in a literary magazine. As Dan and Dawn Kirby state in their writing guide, “writing becomes real when it has an audience.” Students learn to make their writing more effective when they see the effect it has on others. Another alternative to the literary magazine is a verbal form of publication or a “read aloud” in which students share their work in a celebratory setting. This allows students to learn what their classmates think of their work in a constructive manner. Final Thoughts While there is no quick fix for improving writing skills, these are several easy steps that we can implement to give our children the chance to succeed. Understanding the new abbreviated language of technology is wonderful and efficient. However, we must try to employ this new technology in ways that facilitate effective writing: use your blackberry to scribble your thoughts about the situation in Israel, set a timer on your phone that reminds you when your “writing time” begins, and utilize the notepad on your iPhone to begin a journal. Of course, writing is a process and like all processes it requires time and effort. But, with a little old-fashioned elbow grease, we can all be successful writers. An acclaimed educator and education consultant, Mrs. Rifka Schonfeld has served the Jewish community for close to thirty years. She founded and directs the widely acclaimed educational program, SOS, servicing all grade levels in secular as well as Hebrew studies. A kriah and reading specialist, she has given dynamic workshops and has set up reading labs in many schools. In addition, she offers evaluations, social skills training and shidduch coaching, focusing on building self-esteem and self-awareness. She can be reached at 718-382-5437 or at rifkaschonfeld@verizon.net.
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Cover Story Shira Diamond
Protecting our Children from Harm The Toxins that Lurk Within Everyday Products and How We Can Avoid Them
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abies are the most innocent creatures when they come into this world, and they are also the most vulnerable. Unable to care for themselves, babies must rely on the adults in their lives to feed them, change them, bathe them, and do just about everything else they need in order to thrive and grow. So when parents buy products to use on their babies, those products must surely be safe and definitely not harmful to their health, right? The answer is not so simple, and many ingredients known to be unsafe are being manufactured into baby products every single day. Less Regulation, More Concern The United States is a country that prides itself on being a world power, as well as on the top of the list of countries that grants freedoms and protections to its citizens. However, the US is also on the top of another list, and this one is not as positive. This country lags behind other democratic nations when it comes to banning chemicals that are harmful to our health. Two popular chemicals used in baby products that have been proven to be carcinogenic and cause other health problems, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde are banned in Europe, Japan and Sweden, but the FDA in the US still does not regulate many of these substances. In fact, formaldehyde, which is listed on the FDA’s website as a carcinogenic chemical, is not regulated at all, and can be present in any amount in baby products. Contrast that with Europe, which bans 1,100 chemicals that are linked to serious diseases like cancer and reproductive harm while the US has banned only eight of them! In the past several years, there has been an explosion of watchdog groups that have brought these safety concerns to the forefront of many people’s minds. There has been a lot of publicity lately about another group of chemicals that show up often in baby products called phthalates and parabens. These groups of chemicals are also known as endocrine disruptors. They affect the body’s hormonal systems and can
cause damage during critical developmental times such as during infancy as well as during puberty. Babies are extremely sensitive to these chemicals that are found in abundance in the products we use on them. According to a study in The Journal of Pediatrics, after using everyday baby products, 81% of babies were found to have too high levels of phthalates in their systems. According to a recent study by the Children’s Environmental Health Center at Mount Sinai, the chemical has also been linked to autism, learning disabilities, breast cancer, infertility and even childhood obesity. Many parents think that if they read the ingredients in a product they can discern whether or not there is anything harmful in it. But companies are getting really good at masking these chemicals under different and neutral sounding names. For example, an ingredient that sounds rather harmless like fragrance is misleading, says Margie Kelly, an environmental health advocate and communications manager for Healthy Child Healthy World. Fragrance is actually a blanket term used to hide allergens, synthetic musks, and many, many chemicals including phthalates. “Labels are put on products to inform you,” she says, “but often they leave you empty-handed.” Since, unfortunately, the FDA does not have the authority to regulate these chemicals in the cosmetic industry, a group called the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel was formed to do that job. However, this entity is seriously flawed, as it is self-funded and self-policed by the cosmetic industry which poses a conflict of interests. They have also fallen seriously short of their goal of assessing the safety of chemicals in cosmetics, as in the past 33 years, only 20% of the 12,500 ingredients used in cosmetics have been reviewed. That means all of us are using products every day with chemicals in them that have never even been tested.
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The Dangers Lurk Everywhere hind other countries in their laws and bans of these chemicals. So what Dangerous substances aren’t only present in toiletries we use on our is a parent to do? How can we protect our children from chemicals that children but also in other commonly used products for babies. Mattress- can seriously harm them? es, on which babies spend a significant part of their lives, often contain At this point in time, the responsibility to ascertain which chemicals substances that are dangerous. A report from Clean are found in products falls mainly on the consumer. But looking out and Healthy New York found that a large numfor certain things when making a purchase can help minimize the risk ber of mattresses on the market in the United that chemicals pose. For example, parents should be careful not to States contained chemicals of concern. A buy toys made out of PVC, and if they do, they should make sure study called, “The Mattress Matters; Proto check the label to ensure they don’t contain phthalates or tecting Babies While They Sleep,” found organotin compounds. When buying plastic baby bottles, look significant numbers of them containing at the number on the bottom of the bottle. Those labeled 3 or contaminants. 52% of mattresses tested 6 should be avoided, as they contain phthalates and styrene. had dangerous chemicals, 20% tested Avoid buying products that are not BPA-free, and thankfully contained potential allergens, and 8% a large majority of baby products are now labeled BPA-free. were free of chemicals and allergens. Try to buy tight-fitting pajamas for your children instead of The remaining 20% of mattresses were those treated with fire retardant chemicals. Minimize exposure made with one or more hazardous chemito harmful chemicals when you can. Buy toiletries for a baby, cals, but made misleading statements regardlike shampoo and lotion, that are natural and state on the label ing environmental and health claims. Clean and that they are free of the chemicals mentioned above. There are many Healthy New York spent a great deal of research on companies that manufacture natural toiletries such as Burt’s Bees and crib mattresses, because infants are so vulnerable to chemical exposure California Baby. Although they may be pricier, they are also a much and they spend such a large amount of their day with their faces pressed safer option. When choosing baby food for your little one, make your up against their crib mattress. Children’s pajamas also pose a threat, be- own from fresh fruits and vegetables, or purchase food sold in glass jars cause of a law stating that they must be tight-fitting or fire-resistant. The because plastic can leach chemicals into the food. The number one rule pajamas that are fire resistant or treated with chemical fire retardants in avoiding harmful products is to be a knowledgeable consumer. Know have been found to be carcinogenic and cause other issues like breath- the potential dangers and it will be much easier to avoid them. Another ing problems and infertility. thing for parents to keep in mind is that a little bit goes a long way in The safety of toys is another topic we have been hearing a lot about shielding our children from harm. lately, with many toys being tested by watchdog agencies and deemed One factor that is important in connection with this topic is the lack dangerous for our children of action on the part of our to play with. Healthygovernment to protect peostuff.org is a non-for-profit ple from the negative efwatchdog agency that tests fects of harmful substances Companies are getting really good at many different household in our products. From fireitems each year for comretardants to formaldehyde mon chemicals that can to phalates and parabens, masking these chemicals under different pose a danger to our health. many of these chemicals When they tested toys, lead have been banned in the and neutral-sounding names. was detected in 20% of EU but not in the United them. In fact, some of the States. In order for people toys tested well above the to make their voices heard, FDA set limit of 600 parts they need to band together, per million used for paint! Children’s jewelry was the worst offender locate their Congressmen and women, and make it clear to companies in the toys category, which earned it the top spot on the “worst” toys that we will not tolerate things in our products that are harmful to our list. One necklace tested was found to contain 70% lead. Even items health. Many companies have already gotten a clue from consumers. like school backpacks and school supplies were found to have high lev- For example, Johnson & Johnson has made an announcement that they els of potentially toxic phthalates, according to a new study. The study will slowly phase out carcinogenic and other harmful found that a whopping 75% of children’s school supplies contain substances from pretty much all its adult products these chemicals. New York State Senator Charles Schumer said over the next three and a half years. This is new laws are necessary to protect our children from hazards after an announcement was made last year in things they use every day. “School supplies are supposed that the company would remove “chemito help our children with their education; they shouldn’t cals of concern” from its baby products be harming their health,” Schumer said. “When kids take after pressure mounted from a large their lunch to school...they shouldn’t be carrying a lunchcoalition of health and environmenbox laden with toxic chemicals.” Schumer has cosigned tal groups. The company says that a bill with New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg called by the end of 2013, its baby products The Safe Chemicals Act. This bill, if passed, will give will be free of these substances. This the Environmental Protection Agency more authority to is one example of the large strides beregulate chemicals used in consumer products. ing made by large groups, and the more people who are aware and involved, the We are Our Children’s Protectors more success they will have. The question arises: if there is so much data regarding the Chemicals are everywhere; that is a fact dangers these chemicals pose for our children, why aren’t these of life in the 21st century. The important thing to do with the above information is not to be overly chemicals banned from being used in the US? “There is an immense disconnect and unacceptable delay between scientific data and preven- alarmed and worry about every little thing, but to make small changtion,” says Dr. Larry Silver, a world renown pediatric expert. It takes es wherever you can that add up to a big difference. Products that are years and years for public awareness to build momentum until the gov- healthy for your little one are everywhere and every month there are ernment overcomes its own red tape to tackle these issues. Lobbying new products on store shelves that are worry-free. Whenever you can, groups are also very powerful and can influence how seriously the gov- use these products to help your baby and your family lead healthier ernment takes these issues. As mentioned above, the US falls way be- lives.
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Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
TJH Staff
“Is” is Dangerous category. “You’re an introvert.” “You’ll just keep repeating the same mistakes.” “I am not successful.” “I don’t make friends easily.” “This project will fail.”
his own judgments against himself. “So,” you may want to ask me, “Are you saying I can’t make the comment, ‘It is raining outside?’” Obviously, the word “is” has its place. If everybody would readily agree, just by looking out the window that it, indeed, is raining
“The word ‘is’ makes it sound like you’ve come down from Mount Sinai with The Answers. You don’t want to do that, I’m sure.”
Pronouncements. Certainty. A crystal ball. That’s the most obvious common element in all of the above statements. But there is another factor, more subtle, that makes them toxic: It is the suggestion that the speaker somehow “has the goods,” is more aware, is stronger, better, smarter, and more capable than the one who is being labeled. As such, the one who is labeled has no voice with which to rebut. Somehow, the listener became inferior to the speaker who has an inside scoop. That is what makes the word “is” toxic. Interestingly enough, this is even a problem the speaker puts himself down. Self-putdowns are echoes of judgments made against him by others, long ago. When a person says he is not successful or does not make friends easily, it may not be the result of an objective look at his life, but rather simply the regurgitating of old put-downs that he has absorbed only too well. That is probably because the person who said them to him used the word “is” so many times that the idea got drilled into him without his even realizing what was happening. But as that person grew up, he (or she) thought they were
outside, then the verb “to be” is a helpful statement of shared reality. It’s only when not everyone would agree on what “is” and—perhaps most significant—in the process of doing that labeling, someone has been put down or lost his or her “voice” that we better be really cautious before using any form of the verb “to be.” Boy, does this come up when we are getting ready for Pesach. “Well,” Shmueli says, “looks like the place is really spotless now!” Poor Shmueli thought that was a compliment. “What??” asks Shaindy, almost hysterical. “Spotless? Are you kidding? This place is filthy! Don’t you realize there are layers of crumbs in the cabinets? I haven’t even started the cabinets!” Shaindy not only feels misunderstood, she feels so alone in her task. And all because of the word “is.” If only Shmueli had said, “It looks to me like the place is spotless. Am I missing something?” Alternatively, he could have said, “The place seems spotless, at least what I am looking at right now.” Again, it could have been, “What I see looks good! You’ve been working hard.”
All these tweaks are called qualifiers. They help make room for another opinion. Can you find the ones Shmueli used in the modified versions? Here they are: • It looks to me • Seems • What I see Others could be: • Could be • In my opinion • My take on it Qualifiers allow the person who speaks to own the opinion. And as a consequence, they make room for other views. If the need for qualifiers is important when it comes to Pessach cleaning, how much more so in areas of halacha, hashkafa, and other value judgments. “He is a terrible person” would be an example falling into the latter category. “My child is a failure” would be another example. These should be changed before they exit one’s mouth to something like: “I’m not happy with him” or “My child has been having trouble.” Incidentally, I’m talking about the thoughts that you might have regarding this unknown person or your child. In order to make room for other possibilities in your own mind, it’s really helpful to modify your words as you think them. Obviously, saying things like this to others could be lashon hara so you’d want to avoid it. You can see that in practicing thinking this way a person changes himself from being a know-it-all to a more humble individual. So not only is it helpful to listeners who are given room to have a voice in a discussion, but most importantly, it is good for oneself. And, yes, I’m quite aware that I’ve been using the word “is” myself.
Dr. Deb Hirschhorn has had over 35 years clinical experience. She has been in numerous publications, both professional and for the public, and has appeared on TV and has been featured on radio. She practices Marriage-Friendly Therapy. She has a local practice in Woodmere, N.Y. See her website, http://drdeb.com, or call her at 646-54-DRDEB.
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swear,” he said to me, shaking his head, “she is so stupid—.” I cut him off quickly with, “Stupid? Is she stupid? Didn’t she graduate college?” “Well, yes,” he stammered, “but, please, how could someone do something like that?” “Okay,” I answered, “that’s a different question. To figure out what was in her head, we have to ask her, but before we do that, I’m still interested in your use of the word, ‘stupid.’ Is she or isn’t she stupid?” “No, she isn’t ordinarily stupid,” he concluded with a deep sigh, slinking into the cushions as if wishing he wouldn’t have to get out of them and start dealing with the mess in his life. “You see,” I point out, “the problem is not so much with the word ‘stupid,’ as it is with the word, ‘is.’ For example, if you said, ‘She is acting as if she were stupid, which is really strange since I know she is smart,’ you’d have a whole different meaning, one which really expresses how you feel without sounding like you know everything and you’re passing judgment on her. I’m not crazy about the word ‘stupid’ in any case, but the word ‘is’ makes it sound like you’ve come down from Mount Sinai with The Answers. You don’t want to do that, I’m sure.” As Peter looked at me, I could see a little ray of light in his eyes, the dawn of an awareness. “Is that why she has told me so many times, ‘You think you know it all’ and ‘You’re not G-d, you know’?” “Could be,” I answered. Beware of the word ‘is.’” It took me years to realize the potency—and destructiveness—of the word, “is.” Once one person utters any sentence with the word “is” in it, you can’t question it; it sounds so final. For example, “That dress is not attractive.” “Ahem. To whom, may I ask?” To you, maybe, but not to me. I like it; thank you very much. “You’ve got the wrong marketing strategy.” Sez who? As you can see, all the close relatives of the verb “to be” fall into the same no-no category. Here we have a “have” that sounds once again like a pronouncement of the ultimate truth. “Do” is another one in the
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Health & Fitness
Aliza Beer
Food and Drugs: An Unfriendly Mix?
M
any patients come to me on one or more medications, without ever being counseled on potentially dangerous interactions with their medications and certain foods. The most commonly known interaction is between grapefruit juice and grapefruit products and the statins (cholesterol-lowering medications). What many people are unaware of is the fact that certain chemicals in grapefruit products can interfere with the enzymes that metabolize various medications in your digestive system. This can result in more medication in your body and could lead to dangerous levels. Avoid consuming grapefruit products within four hours of taking your medications. The following chart lists a few prescription medications that can have a serious interaction with grapefruit products, so check with your doctor on how to proceed: There are numerous other foods
and herbs that have potentially harmful interactions with various medications; here is list of some important ones. 1. Leafy Green Vegetables. Those that are high in vitamin K should not be consumed in great quantities while taking blood thinners like Coumadin. They could interfere with the effects of the drug and cause blood clotting. 2. Orange Juice. Should not be consumed when taking antacids containing aluminum; the juice increases the absorption of the aluminum. Orange juice and milk should be avoided when taking antibiotics. 3. Aged Cheese, fava beans, sau-
erkraut, Italian green beans, some beers, red wine, and overly ripe avocado. Should be avoided by people taking MAO antidepressants. The interaction can cause a fatal rise in blood pressure. 4. Black Licorice. Should be avoided by people taking digoxin. Together they can result in irregular heart rhythms and cardiac arrest. Licorice and diuretics can also produce dangerously low potassium levels.
medications like antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and narcotics. It’s best not to consume any alcohol when taking prescription medications. 8. Caffeine. Asthma drugs and caffeine together can cause excessive excitability. The next time you want to unwind with a glass of wine or some freshly squeezed grapefruit, make sure to take into account the seemingly unconnected medications you also consume. Our medical access is growing and unfortunately harmful effects inevitably result. Most Americans do not realize the serious implications and consequences that can result from the interactions between the items they put into their systems.
Examples of grapefruit-medication interactions Type of medica-
Medication name
Anti-anxiety
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Anti-arrhythmia
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Antidepressant
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Antihistamine
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Anti-retroviral
Saquinavir (Invirase), indinavir (Crixivan)
Anti-seizure
Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
Calcium blocker
channel
Nifedipine (Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular)
Immunosuppressant
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), tacrolimus (Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune)
Statin
Simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor)
5. Garlic capsules combined with diabetes medication can cause a dangerous decrease in blood sugar. Garlic also has anti-clotting properties, so check with your doctor if you are on anticoagulant drugs. 6. St. John’s Wort. Is a popular herb used for the treatment of mild depression. The active ingredient is hypericin, which is believed to exert a similar influence on the brain as MAO inhibitors. Those taking St. John’s Wort should avoid the same foods as those taking MAO inhibitors. 7. Alcoholic Beverages. They tend to increase the depressive effects of
lovastatin
(Mevacor),
It is sagacious of people taking these medications to write down a personalized list of all the foods that may impair the desired goal of their prescriptions. Keep this list in mind when you sip your morning coffee or drink your slightly chilled juice! Aliza Beer is a registered dietician with a Master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show. Aliza’s new line of prepared, healthy meals-to-go are available at Gourmet Glatt. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com.
Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg
A Matching Set of Mock Leather Containers by hand so that the pieces are uneven and applied to the surface of all the containers, The containers must be completely covered in flat pieces of masking tape that overlap one another. After the containers are entirely covered, then the shoe polish is applied. The wax shoe polish gets between the grooves and adds a nice dimension to the project. With a clean rag, wipe off all excess wax. The containers should be sprayed with a spray varnish afterwards (preferably outside). This process will seal the finish. When working indoors, open windows in order to make sure that the area has proper ventilation. All spraying should not be done near children. Make sure that the nozzle is pointed in a direction away from other people. This is a wonderful project that is creative and makes use out of leftovers that would otherwise be discarded. Are you one of those balabustas that cannot throw out usable things? If you are, then enjoy this challenge. Everyone will love the fun in creating them and owning them. They can also be given as gifts which will be appreciated for their practicality. They are great for storing smaller objects, and/or storing your interesting collections. There are unlimited possibilities.
Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg is a professional art educator, artist and designer. Among her known artwork is a floral sculpture presented to Tipper Gore, Blair House, Washington, D.C. Presently she is the Director of Operations at Shulamith School for Girls. Please feel free to email nherzberg@optonline.net with questions and suggestions for future columns.
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he Purim excitement is over, but we are left with all the mess— empty jars, boxes and packaging from wine and liquor that are too good to throw out. We begin to wonder what to do with them. Throw them out or keep them? Our conscience tells us that they were expensive and we should not waste them. Our balabusta instincts get the best of us and we put them all in a box, with the thought of saving them for a future use. There they sit for a lifetime in our garage, basement or attic, forever. Why not make use of them right away? All you need is a bunch of eager and willing helpers who will help turn them in to a matching set of containers that look like leather. An assortment of styles, shapes, sizes and heights will help make a magnificent array of designed containers. The secret of this project is in the masking tape (any thickness), rags, and waxed shoe polish that gets rubbed on after completion. You can use any color shoe polish as long as it is wax and not liquid. Some colors will appear more authentic. My chosen choice of color is dark brown and then maroon or burgundy. I find that these colors help simulate the realistic and natural look of leather. Try to use the same color polish for each set of containers. The end result will be a beautiful set of matching containers. Make sure to cover your work surface with newspaper or wax paper. Wear disposable rubber gloves when doing this project. The wax is very messy. Wearing disposable rubber gloves will also help avoid getting the wax shoe polish between the nails of your fingers. These steps taken will avoid unnecessary messes and offer an easier clean-up. The masking tape is simply ripped
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Lola's Story A World After This
Lola Lieber Schwartz
A Memoir of Loss and Redemption Lola Lieber Schwartz is a world-renowned artist whose paintings have been exhibited in art galleries throughout the United States and are part of the Yad Vashem archives in Jerusalem. Most importantly, Lola is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to many. She has myriad friends and sees life in all its vibrancy and vitality. But life was not always easy. Lola was only sixteen-yearsold when Hitler ym”sh invaded Poland, and Lola was forced into hiding and spent years on the run with her husband, Mechel. Through six years of trying times, near
I
Chapter 8 A Bittersweet Wedding
was seventeen years old. I had seen too much, experienced too much and yet I understood so little. My young brain already was filled with memories and images of terror and death. I was afraid to think about tomorrow, let alone the rest of my life. Mechel had a different approach. Each month his love and devotion for me grew deeper and more intense. He took care of things for my family and for his own. Ever resourceful and refusing to be swept away by the tidal waves of fear flooding other Jewish families in Niepolomice, Mechel was pragmatic but also oddly optimistic. Against this backdrop, Mechel asked me to be his bride. Not just to be his wife, but to be his bride. What unthinkable language it seemed to me then. We were like little mice scuttling around looking for food, for bread, or for the mere crumbs, eating scraps not fit for livestock. We Jews were in hiding for our survival, or scurrying from place to place, families separated, all of us just trying to outthink, or maybe even outwit the ever smarter and increasingly efficient and powerful Nazi machinery. A wedding? We could not even gather together a minyan (quorum of ten Jewish men) in order to hold a proper Jewish wedding ceremony. What could he be thinking of with talk about a wedding? And what about Goldie? It was sad enough that she had been left behind in Munkach and was not part of our daily life, but to marry before my older sister was to forsake tradition – the gracious Jewish tradition of an older sister preceding the younger one to stand under the chuppah in marriage. Mechel, as usual, was determined and would not let go of his notion of what was right and what was not, not only about our love but what was a strategically intelligent course of action. He made a flat and unemotional statement: “Things are only going to get worse, not better. We’ll be sent off to some ghetto
in the future, not to small towns like these and Lola will be safer married to me.” This was correct. The news we did get was increasingly grim and hopeless concerning the conditions and dangers for Jews all through Europe. Mechel’s realistic statement about the shortened horizon ahead of us convinced me. Then, as he would do throughout our lives, Mechel surprised me. He turned again to emotion, to matters of the heart. “And we are in love,” he added emphatically. I looked into those eyes, and knew at least one part of my future had been foretold. The rest would be a mystery. If there was even to be a future for any of us. I knew how much Mechel loved me. I was then too immature to understand that what I felt for him even within the confines of our moment in history was indeed real love. There was not any question about his appropriateness as a husband. Besides having held a good job, he had been accepted at the legendary Lublin Yeshiva. By this time I knew him well, and we had already endured so much together. I had become more than fond of him. But no, not a wedding, not a commitment for an entire lifetime, not then, and not yet, as far as I was concerned. And a bride? Who, in her right mind, would wish to be a bride in such times? I agreed to his proposal to the extent that I said he could speak to my father. What did I really want Father to say to Mechel? It is too long ago now for me to recall clearly. It is probably safe to say that I was ambivalent. Daily life and the anxiety of each morning and each evening had exhausted everyone. My father too was so worn down and tired and fearful that not surprisingly he agreed to Mechel’s request that we marry. He was undoubtedly relieved that I would have a husband. Although he tried and mostly succeeded in managing to hide it from us, Father was not a vigorous man any longer. My mother was also weary and walked around in a kind of perpetual
starvation and brutality, Lola and her husband held onto their faith and values. It was Mechel’s words of encouragement, “There will be a world after this,” that helped them cling to the hope that there will be a life of light and joy waiting for them at the end. This is the story of Lola’s life—from her grandparents’ “enchanted garden” to meeting Eichmann ym”sh to making the Pesach seder for the Bobover Rebbe during the war—her words will take you back to a different world. state of traumatic shock. Her hair literally turned gray overnight. As an observant woman her head was always covered in public, but her hair had been a beautiful color. My parents had become old, seemingly in an instant. Sometimes, in a series of surrealistic visions, I see their transformation still playing itself out in my head. One day Mammiko, in resignation and defeat, asked me to cut off her hair. She meant she wanted me to chop it off, practically down to the roots. I did but wept silently as I did so. She said nothing, just sat, as I worked an old pair of scissors to the best of my ability. She looked off into the near distance with a mysterious and grieving look of longing. I did not think that her eyes were focused on anything in the room, but perhaps she was seeing a great deal, her knowledge and her wisdom allowing her to foresee what was coming next. Marrying Mechel was like this for me: Everything was right and everything was wrong, all at the same time. He came from a good family; he adored me; he was a religiously serious man; he wanted to make life better for me. He was generous and kind to my family and dutiful, loving, respectful, and kind to his own. These were all good things. The conditions we were living under were utterly impossible and Mechel was right, they were going to become worse. We could not have a real wedding. I was too young and completely unprepared for the unknown sanctity of marriage vows and obligations. I did not think I could make a good wife, or even a real wife. These were all bad things and I thought should stop Mechel from persisting in his rush to make me his wife. However, girl or woman, there would be a marriage. A woman of any age who is getting married, wants a real wedding, with food and family, and a lovely dress, and happiness and joy floating in the air around her. This could not be. I did not see how anything that even resembled a wedding could take place. Yet I knew that I had only one morally right answer
to give Mechel. The answer was yes. I would become the bride of Mechel Lieber. Soon I would undergo yet another identity transformation. I would become Mrs. Lola Lieber. Urgency was the way we operated then in all things, from foraging for food to deciphering the news, to making a plan for a sad little wedding. We would do the best we could, and we would do so with faith and together as man and wife, as we tried to push to the side the ripples of apprehension that were as ever present as our daily prayers to Hashem. Mechel was now operating with a new identity too. He was called a chassan (a groom). Despite it all, he would not be gloomy about our upcoming marriage. Mechel had joy in his heart and he arranged things so that they might look and appear at least on the surface as normal as they could be. The custom of our engagement ritual was different from that of other Chassidic sects. We did not drink and toast a l’chaim as countless other Jews did and still do. Instead, it was understood that the chassan present his intended bride with an engagement ring. The bride-to-be then reciprocated with a gift of similar value. It was generally a watch or a gold cigarette case. Father had nothing to give; nothing was left. Mechel, with an easy grace, without in any way humiliating my father, purchased a gold cigarette case, which he gave Father so that I could present it to Mechel as my gift of betrothal. Mechel had a diamond for me but he dared not have it set into a gold ring, as there was a regulation that Jewish people could not wear or own gold and silver jewelry. So Mechel presented me with a diamond and I sewed it very carefully into the shoulder pad of a coat. Mammiko gave me a simple ring with a diamond so tiny it would escape notice. Continued next week Lola wrote this book with the help of Alida Brill. A World After This was published in 2010 by Devora Publishing.
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Simchas Purim in Far Rockaway & the Five Towns
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Notable
Quotes
“Say What?” “Former Chicago Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. pled guilty to misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign funds for personal use, including buying a $43,000 Rolex watch. How ironic is that? All that money on a watch, and now he’s going to wind up doing time.” - Jay Leno “South Korea’s first female president was sworn in. Meanwhile, North Korea said, ‘We’re just going to stick with men named Kim.’” - Conan O’Brien “What is the non-budget wonk to make of [sequestration] this? Who is responsible? What really happened? The finger-pointing began during the third presidential debate last fall, on Oct. 22, when President Obama blamed Congress. ‘The sequester is not something that I’ve proposed,’ Obama said. ‘It is something that Congress has proposed.’ The White House Chief of Staff at the time, Jack Lew, who had been budget director during the negotiations that set up the sequester in 2011, backed up the President two days later....The President and Lew had this wrong. My extensive reporting for my book, The Price of Politics, shows that the automatic spending cuts were initiated by the White House and were the brainchild of Lew and White House congressional relations chief Rob Nabors — probably the foremost experts on budget issues in the senior ranks of the federal government.” - Bob Woodward “Over the weekend, President Obama played golf with Tiger Woods. Tiger said the president was a very good golfer for a guy who plays only five days a week.” - Jay Leno “Members should wear appropriate business attire during all sittings of the House however brief your appearance on the floor might be. You know who you are.” - Speaker of the House John Boehner on the House floor chastising members of Congress for not dressing appropriately “Here’s an interesting fact. Did you know the boat that Noah used as his Ark was 450 feet in
length, weighed over 2,000 tons and carried over 3,000 species of animals in squalid conditions? Thus, making it the very first Carnival Cruise.” - Jay Leno “Senate Democrats are in a hurry to confirm Jack Lew as Secretary of the Treasury before anyone notices his biography. Otherwise, liberal lawmakers might be embarrassed voting for a man who represents everything they’ve been campaigning against...Investor in Cayman Islands tax haven? Check. Recipient of a bonus and corporate jet rides underwritten by taxpayers at a bailed-out bank? Check. Executive at a university that accepted student-loan ‘kickbacks’ for steering kids toward a favored bank? Check. Excessive compensation with minimal disclosure? Check...Like a financial Forrest Gump, Mr. Lew keeps walking into the frame of the business-political dramas of the last decade.” - The Wall Street Journal “It was just announced that President Obama will speak at Ohio State’s graduation in May. It should be great. The President has a lot in common with those students: he’s currently in his fifth year and swamped in debt.” - Jimmy Fallon “In America, you have a right to be stupid, if you want to be.” - John Kerry speaking in Berlin on his first international tour as Secretary of State “John Kerry says Americans have the right to be stupid. Add that to the right to vote and you get the 2012 election results.” - Ann Coulter “This will be my last term.” - Cuban President Raul Castro, age 81, announcing that he will retire in five years “They fight corruption in Nigeria. They support the rule of law in Burma. They support democratic institutions in Kyrzakhstan.” - Secretary of State John Kerry, during a speech in which he discussed the country of Kyrzakhstan, which doesn’t exist
Compiled by Nate Davis
“This woman has the ear of [Sen. McConnell] – she’s his wife. May explain why your job moved to China!” - A tweet sent out by liberal Super PAC along with a photograph of Republican Senator Mitch McConnell’s wife who is Chinese “According to a new Gallup poll, 70% of the country think that the country is headed in the wrong direction. The other 30% are so disillusioned that they say they are just going to move back to Mexico.” - Jay Leno “I don’t know why the president has to have people watch what he does.” - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg “Next week Mitt Romney will be giving his first speech since losing the election. The topic will be: Rebuilding your life with just hope, a dream and $240 million dollars.” - Conan O’Brien “You know, the one thing about being president is, after four years, you get pretty humble. You’d think maybe you wouldn’t but actually you become more humble — you realize what you don’t know. You realize all the mistakes you made. But you also realize you can’t do things by yourself. That’s not how our system works. You’ve got to have the help and the goodwill of Congress, and what that means is you’ve got to make sure that constituents of members of Congress are putting some pressure on them, making sure they’re doing the right thing.” - President Obama in a speech about the sequestration battle “I wasn’t disturbed ideologically. The problem I have is their ubiquity. You know, the Obamas are everywhere, apart from the president giving a rally and a televised speech every other day, you know, he’s at the Super Bowl, he’s at the Carrier Classic, the basketball game on a aircraft carrier. You know, he does his brackets for the NCAA on live television, and now you get Michelle at the Oscars. Is there nowhere where we can be in the absence, even a temporary absence of this couple? And that’s perhaps why you get an increase in scuba diving in the country; it’s one place where you feel safe.” - Charles Krauthammer discussing First Lady Michelle Obama presenting the biggest award at the Oscars ceremony on Sunday night
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Politics Today
Spinclass Politics with Michael Fragin AIPAC Convention >>> Lobbying >>> NYC Mayoral Elections >>> City Council Special Election Update >>> Fighting for the Eruv in Westhampton Beach
The following are excerpts from Michael Fragin’s show, Spin Class: Politics with Michael Fragin, streaming online on Thursday nights on the Nachum Segal Network.
policy conference—just give us a quick rundown? Judith: Well, they give a lot of attention to the college students. I know that they invite the student body president of most schools that they’re involved with. So there’s going to be 200 or 300 student body presidents that will be there. But I think they really focus on leadership development there and they want to make sure that the students are getting an opportunity to see what they do so they can be involved in the future. There’s a lot of inspirational speakers there and there’s also lot of informative speakers, and there are a lot of student body presidents that really may not know that much about Israel. I think they do a very successful job.
Michael: Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Spin Class, we’re talking politics. I’m Michael Fragin with another Thursday night extravaganza. The political world is definitely abuzz with all kinds of interesting things going on. We are once again facing fiscal crisis in Washington. There is no coalition yet in Israel, the area seems to be back and forth and back and forth between the various parties. Netanyahu made an interesting move bringing in Tzipi Livni, his Michael: And what’s the take away from there? What do you do when you old rival. But this week we’re going to devote mostly to New York to the politics, to the special election we mentioned last week. The aftermath the special election come back to campus afterward? Judith: We kind of assume it’s just an Orthoat this point seems to be, in fact, a little bit even more interesting than the run up to the election dox thing to be interested in the U.S. relationship itself. with Israel but it’s not at all. Not even a little and Additionally, we’re going to talking about an it’s very inspiring and exciting for us to meet so “THEY WANT TO BE REPRESENTED, AND issue that’s not necessarily political but definitemany people who are interested in the same things WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE ly affects all of us in the Orthodox community. that we are and who love it all just as much as we We will be talking about the eruv and the legalido. SURE THAT EVERY VOTE IS COUNTED.” ties of eruvs. You might not know this, but there is a case going on that has been going on for a Michael: Jonathan Greenspun, welcome. I couple years in Westhampton. And you might want to do something what we call Politics 101 think, okay, it’s the Hamptons, it’s not a big deal where we explain a piece of the political and govbecause it doesn’t really affect me. But the lawsuits that are going on in that ernmental world. Lobbying. It’s a necessary part of the process and I think that case actually potentially could affect the right of any of us to have an eruv in our you know you’ve made the transition of being an incredibly effective governneighborhood. ment, public servant and political maestro and now you’re on the advocacy side We’re going to be talking all things New York City. We’re going to have some of things. You know, why don’t you give us an idea about what that word is? expert analysis from none other than Commissioner Jonathan Greenspun, now a Jonathan: Well, Michael, thank you so much. Did I hear you say Phil Goldfeder going to be on the program? Managing Director of Mercury Public Affairs. And we are going to talk about the AIPAC Policy Conference that’s coming up Michael: He is going to be on later. in D.C. next weekend. Judith, hello. So how many people are going to be there? Jonathan: My former employee, Phil Goldfeder, who I hired twice. Judith: I think somewhere around 14,000, 15,000. Michael: Is this like Jewish Woodstock? Judith: Seems like it. But you can’t exclude the non-Jews who will be there as well. There’s definitely going to be an African-American constituency and there’s going to be a group of evangelicals. Michael: All there supporting Israel together. So Jonathan you’ve gone to the policy conference quite a few time. Correct? Jonathan: I have and I will be there again. Michael: Well, we are hoping actually to broadcast the show potentially from the policy conference next Sunday. So, Judith, college student experience at the
Michael: Did you fired him once in between? Jonathan: No, he left me. He left me, he jilted me. But then, to show the quality of Phil, he came back and I hired him again… . Michael: Lobbying and advocacy. Why is it essential? Jonathan: Well, first of all, it’s protected by the constitution. As I remind rabbis and journalists, we’re in the same company because they were the only professions whose right is guaranteed by the constitution of the United States. You have the ability to go back to the government. I think it’s one of the things that makes our country, in addition to freedom of religion and freedom of the press. So not to overstate it too much, but lobbying, which is a pejorative term…
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Michael: Well, it shouldn’t be, that’s what I’m trying to bring out. Jonathan: It shouldn’t be. I am very proud of some of the clients that I have had who do wonderful work and continue to represent them, some even on the pro bono basis, because I believe in the cause. You know I think that it’s very, very important, especially for someone like me who has a long held belief in limited government. When government is intruding or making decisions that can be harmful to either business or individuals or communities like the Jewish community, there should be an opportunity to readdress the government and to have your voice heard. Obviously, people don’t like it because there’s a compensation element to it but all of it is disclosed.
Michael: So there’s an ad which I frequently see here with regards to government and it is you either have a seat at the table or you’re on the menu. Jonathan: Yeah, that’s true and I’ve seen people who’ve waited too long to get involved in issues and before they wake up, the game’s over and they have lost. There are a lot of people who have been blindsided by a lot of regulation and by a lot of laws that have impacted them in some cases. Michael: I want your opinion, who do you think will emerge victorious in the Republican primaries [for NY City Mayor]? Jonathan: I would like to see all the Republicans rally behind a single candidate and I would like to see that candidate be Joe Lotta. I think he’s the most qualified and I think he would give whoever the Democratic nominee is a run for his or her money. Joe is one of five people on the planet who understands the deep intricacies of the New York City budget. Joe is someone whose management experience is par excellence. He’s someone who, if he became Mayor tomorrow, there would be practically no learning curve.
Michael: Some other people in this business? Jonathan: Yeah. John Liu is hardest work in man in this business. I mean this guy is everywhere. Michael: Every Jewish event as well. Jonathan: He’ll attend the opening of an envelope. I mean he’ll be everywhere, it’s amazing. It’s just incredible to see. The last time you saw this was with Anthony Weiner—I mean he was everywhere too. Michael: There’s no Jewish candidate in the race right now. What’s the impact? Where did the Jews go? Jonathan: Listen, you know, Chris Quinn will certainly do very well among the more liberal element of the community, the same can be said of De Blasio. I think that when you talk about the Orthodox community, I think it’s a split between De Blasio and Thompson. Understand Bill was a councilmen representing a good portion of Borough Park once upon a time and as an citywide elected official he has certainly maintained those relationships. Michael: We also have an assemblyman on the line. Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder who just engineered a significant turnout—I think possibly 80% of the registered Orthodox Jews in the Far Rockaway/Baywater area—came out to vote in a special election which normally would get only 8% or 9 % turnout. Assemblyman Goldfeder, welcome to Spin Class. Phil Goldfeder: Thank you for having me. I think I could settle the Orthodox’s vote in the Mayor. I think Pesach Osina wants to run for Mayor. He’s considering it. Jonathan: As a Republican? Phil Goldfeder: He’s still on the fence about that.
Michael: If he’s going to win he’s “AS I REMIND RABBIS AND JOURNALISTS, WE’RE going to need to clear the field. Is that a Michael: So Phil, tell us what’s going possibility? Why would a guy like John on in that race for City Council? IN THE SAME COMPANY BECAUSE THEY WERE THE Catsimatidis back out? He’s got plenty of Phil Goldfeder: As everybody heard, ONLY PROFESSIONS WHOSE RIGHT IS GUARANTEED money. we’re waiting for the final votes to be Jonathan: Look, he’s got plenty of counted but as we stand right now, it kind BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.” money but the real question is, at some of went down by only 26 votes. And there point there will be some polls and you’re are close to 800 paper ballots that are yet going to have to see what he’s polling at. to be counted. That’s about 525 absentees Look, I remember in 2001, Mike Bloomberg had a primary with Herman Badillo. and another 300 affidavits. The interesting number in all of this of the 800 votes that are yet to be counted—two-thirds are actually in the 23rd assembly district, which Michael: That’s right. is my assembly district and we’re optimistic that Pesach Osina will come out the Jonathan: And there were a lot of people asking Herman what are you doing? winner here. I couldn’t be happier because Pesach is not just a really great guy and a great friend of mine but he is a very well qualified and capable person to lead the Michael: Even Rudy Giuliani had a primary if you recall...Ron Lauder. entire district into the future. Jonathan: A lot of people haven’t forgotten about that primary--least of all, Rudy Giuliani. I don’t think it will be Joe alone in the primary but you know I’d Michael: So two numbers stuck out for me. In the Young Israel, Pesach Osina really like there to be some harmony. I think the chairmen of the Five Borough beat Donovan Richards 863 to 85 and at IS 53, he beat him 565 to 35. Those are Republican Parties need to think and long and hard about who the most qualified like New Square-type numbers, Jonathon, are they not? I mean those are some candidate is to put up against the Democratic nominee in the general election. pretty unbelievable numbers—94%. Jonathan: Look they are incredible numbers and kudos to Pesach and his team. Michael: Now, let’s get to the Democrats. Early returns were suggesting a much different result but you know, kudos to Phil Jonathan: All right. Let’s start off with Bill De Blasio. Bill is a good friend, by and to those who helped them out, I think that again it just dovetails into what we the way, a decent guy, a good family man who comes out of the political operative were talking about earlier where there is a renewed excitement and interest. 26 world. I think that he’s someone who’s keenly aware of the science and the physics votes you say, Phil? of what it takes to emerge from a Democratic primary. He’s certainly one of the Phil Goldfeder: 26 votes. more liberal or as he would say, progressive candidates of the field, someone who Jonathan: 26 votes. By the way, right now, Pesach is at the Board of Elections has a very, very tight relationship with unions. checking cards to see who voted. So that’s what’s going on. He’s not counting votes; he’s checking who showed up but 26 votes, I mean, listen, you know the old Michael: Chris Quinn, though, is the current favorite in the polls. cliché that every votes counts and in this case, it’s certainly does. And you know the Jonathan: She’s the current favorite because the New York Times dedicated prospect to have two Orthodox members of the city council…this is a trend that is like they’re 25th story since January 1st to her and again in today’s paper. So she’s welcomed and is symbolic of the demographic changes that are taking place in our certainly winning in the New York Times coverage field. Chris again is amply quali- community. Our community is now finally being represented by a broad spectrum fied, perhaps the most qualified, on the Democratic side given the fact that she is of representatives in the city and state and potentially one day in the federal governthe Speaker and understands the budget, understand the agencies, understands the ment. I am pulling for Pesach. I hope they can find the votes and I think he’ll do operations. She’s the only woman in the field which certainly counts for some- very well. thing among Democratic candidates. For better or for worse, she wears the label of Bloomberg 2.0 and for Bloomberg supporters like myself, I think that makes me Michael: So we have a young activist on the line as well from the race, from
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Michael: But why can’t somebody just do it on their own? Why do they need a guy like you? Jonathan: There is some who do it themselves.
feel more inclined and comfortable with her. In my dealings with her she comes out very smart, knowledgeable, very fair and honest, she’ll give you a quick no as oppose to just stringing you along.
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the Far Rockaway community, Boruch Rothman is joining us who worked very closely with— Boruch: Did you say young activist? Michael: You’re relatively young, at least compared to me and you know certainly compared to Jonathon, I think, who’s older. Jonathan: I’m the senior citizen in this room. Michael: Exactly. Michael: So Boruch tell us about the electricity around this race. You already elected your own assemblymen from the community, what was it like to get people active about electing their own councilmen? Boruch: Well, I think that credit really goes to Phil Goldfeder. People see what he’s accomplished and how it could be helpful and what it means to have someone you could really rely on. So they were really happy to come out and vote. And I think that speaks, you know, why we had those kind of numbers in Young Israel and IS 53 and we’re still hopeful that absentees will fill our story. I guess we all know so the next week.
all communities. Jonathan: I think there are some basic ingredients that must be present. Number one, whoever is representing the district—if Jews are representing Jews or non-Jews representing Jews—there has to be an understanding of your constituents. You have to understand who they are, you have to understand what their needs are, what their cultural needs are. What their practices and particulars are and then you have to understand that it doesn’t make a difference whose delivering the services. And you want to see people out there who are like you representing constituents. It’s always best to praise somebody when they’re not in your presence but I just have to say onething about Phil. You run for office and you promise four, five things that are unique to that district, but what ultimately happens is that when you get elected you get thrown curveballs and you start dealing with things Michael: Like Hurricane Sandy. Jonathan: That’s an international news item and there was Phil right in the middle of it and at that moment it doesn’t make a difference that the guys is an Orthodox guy. This guy had pure devastation on his hands and he really rose to the occasion. He deserves every bit of praise as do the elected officials in Staten Island and Brooklyn.
Michael: Assemblyman Goldfeder, give us a very quick rundown on what Michael: We have on the line Bob Sugarman, the former national chair of happens now. Okay we know with this race it’s 26 votes. It’s like lopsided football the ADL, also the attorney for the East End Eruv Association. And Bob has been score and what are we looking at now; when might this race be decided and you fighting on your behalf over the last couple of years, battling for the simple right know what might happen? to have an eruv. Phil Goldfeder: Well, we hope to determine this quickly but if history is any inBob, tell us a little bit about what is going on Westhampton. dication, this could drag on for quite some time. There are 26 votes and as we menBob: Well, there are number of things going on in the Westhampton Beach lititioned there are 800 ballets yet to be counted. We have to wait until next Wednes- gation. I think what you’re referencing to is the issue that is about to be decided day, because there is a time frame in which people are allowed to send their ballots and that is whether the utilities, in this case horizon and LIPA, have the authority to back and that date is not until next Wednesday. Once that time is closed, only then put the lechies on the pole. The lechies are the 5.8 inches plastic strips that need to will we begin the tedious process of opening each one of them up and determin- go on about 60 or the more than 15,000 utility poles in the area in which the eruv ing who they voted for and if those ballots are eligible. So we’ll have some sort is proposed. And the Village of Westhampton beach has challenged the authority of indication hopefully towards the end of of Verizon and Long Island Power to put next week. As I said before, these things the lechies on the poles. And that’s an issue that’s going to be decided first and then tend to drag out and we’re just hopeful “IT’S JUST AMAZING TO ME THAT IN 2013 ANYONE after that’s decided, assuming the judge dethat just as the campaign was clean and cides that they do have the authority, then honest and smooth, we hope for the same IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAN SAY, the rest of the issues will be decided. But process that when it comes to determining PEOPLE, WHETHER THEY ARE ORTHODOX JEWS you’re right. If the argument prevails that absentee and paper ballots. We’re hopeful Verizon and LIPA don’t have the authority that’ll determine you know that Pesach is OR MUSLIM AMERICANS OR AFRICAN-AMERICANS to allow lechies to be put on the poles that the winner. However, we’ve hired a great puts in jeopardy every eruv in the LIPA attorney and we want to make sure that OR LATINOS, CAN’T LIVE WHERE THEY WANT.” service area and I think there were 22. every vote is counted. I think that’s important. You’re talking about the community Michael: Bob, you fought the famous here that feels disenfranchised over the last ten years. They don’t feel like they’ve gotten the service they deserved in the Tenafly case for years and eventually the eruv side was victorious? Bob: That’s correct. City Council. And now is the time where they have made their voice heard. They want to be represented, and we have a responsibility to make sure that every vote is Michael: Why is it being decided again in Westhampton? counted. So we’re not going to take any vote for granted and I am confident when Bob: Well, one would hope that they would learn, but the legal situation is difall is said and done we are going to be victorious. ferent. In two of the three municipalities in the Hamptons there are local sign laws Michael: So it’s actually breaks the wide and interesting phenomenon of Or- which one would think would not apply to a 5.8 inch PVC strip which is barely recthodox Jewish communities being in heavily minority areas. We have the same ognizable but the village’s board of trusties decided that a lechie is a sign. So we are thing in Crown Heights, in Williamsburg. You have those areas where the Ortho- back before Judge Wechsler challenging that decision. dox community stays behind, I guess, after “white flight.” And as an assemblyman Michael: So what is it here—it is hard to call this anti-Semitism, correct? you represent these types of areas. How do you keep these supposed ethnic tensions Bob: There was an organization formed in the Hamptons called Jewish People under control? Phil: What’s great about New York City as a whole is that everybody finds a Opposed to the Eruv and it’s filed its own lawsuit. It changed its name just before way to work together, build coalitions, build bridges. That allows us to work for the filing the lawsuit to Jewish People for the Betterment of Westhampton Beach. But greater good of everybody. I have been involved in the Far Rockaway political scene the good news is that the judge, just three weeks ago, dismissed the case that group and in the community service scene for a long time. And it was never about any one brought. But they are blatant in their motive and that is to keep Orthodox Jews out community versus another community. It wasn’t about you know, delivering for this of the Hamptons and one of the plaintiffs in that case was quoted as saying (and I am one, and not for that one or for this is one, not for that one. It was about the greatest paraphrasing somewhat, but not too much): “Orthodox Jews should realize that they opportunity to help everybody and do the best you can for the higher community, and just can’t live wherever they want to.” And you mentioned that I just finished a term as National Chair of the ADL and it’s just amazing to me that in 2013 anyone in the that includes everybody. United States of America can say people, whether they are Orthodox Jews or Muslim Michael: So it’s all about service, constituent service, is the most important Americans or African-Americans or Latinos can’t live where they want. That’s just not the United States that I know and I am proud of. thing. Michael: So Jonathan is a same question goes to you for a second as far as how you balance some of those attentions between the different communities. You might have been looked at as the Jewish guy. But your job was really to talk to
Michael: It’s amazing that this is can happen in 2013. Bob, I want to thank you for being on. Hopefully we will get some positive updates in the very near future.
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Susan Schwamm
From Sea to Shining Sea : Maryland
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ell, I’ve been to Maryland a few times in my life. My uncle lives there and it’s on the way to Washington, D.C., so many winter vacations were spent in the state. My husband, by the way, is a huge fan of the Maryland way of life and constantly reminds me of his desire to move there. So what attracts so many to the Free State? Perhaps its nickname, “America in Miniature,” will give you a clue. There is so much packed into 10,460 square miles of land and water. Beautiful bays, rolling hills and bright gardens dot the landscape. “Oh say can you see?” Francis Scott Key was born in Maryland and is famous for this patriotic song. The Bambino, Babe Ruth, was born in Baltimore and ultimately became one of the best baseball players of all time. And he’s not the only famous sports player to be born in Maryland. Cal Ripken, Jr., Lefty Grove, and Frank (Home Run) Baker are all Marylanders. ._...--..--.-.- Dots and dashes…Samuel Morse reportedly received the first telegraph message in Baldensburg in Clinton, Maryland. Oh, and Maryland is also home to the first railroad, the first dental school, and the first umbrella factory!
So pack up the car, fill it up at the pump, and head down to Maryland, where the grass is green, the locals are pleasant, and there’s enough boats and harbors for all of us to have a good time. Things You Won’t Want to Miss Deep Creek Lake If you’re looking to relax and unwind on vacation, make sure to head to Deep Creek Lake. Rent a cabin or lodge, fire up the grill and listen to the crickets in the evening. During the winter months, ice fishing is popular with tourists and the summer brings fishing, boating and tons of golf. Love adventure but don’t want to risk too much? Take the family to Adventure Sports Center International, where you can enjoy its Olympic-style whitewater course in a controlled but fun environment. Bethesda Culture is king in this thriving town, just miles from Washington, D.C. World-class shopping and wonderful accommodations will make you feel pampered. The Bethesda Art Walk features a dozen galleries and artist studios, and if you’re in the mood of festivals, take the
time to drive down there. The town hosts an annual Literary Festival, a Fine Arts Festival and a summer concert series. Here’s to art and culture! Chesapeake Bay So many towns and cities dot the landscape around the majestic bay. Urbanized areas like Baltimore and small towns with a strip of Main Street call the Bay their home. Chesapeake City is known for its bed and breakfasts, quaint shops and restored Victorian homes. Make sure to spend time fishing or boating on the bay. Or take a tour of town on a horse-drawn carriage. Whatever your pleasure, the bay is the place to be. Ocean City A visit to Ocean City is a vacation for the whole family. There’s ten miles of beachfront for the kids, a three-mile boardwalk for the seniors, and tons of shopping for the teens on your vacation. Many spend their time here parasailing, kayaking and surfing. Young children delight in the amusement parks and haunted houses that dot the city. And parents enjoy their time relaxing on the beach in the salty, ocean air.
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In the Kitchen Easy, Breezy Dinners for the Family Purim has come and gone and we are still sweeping those last bits of cellophane off the floor. With just a few days to breathe before Pesach cleaning starts in earnest, here’s a few dinner recipes the whole family will love—especially Mommy!
Vegetarian Lasagna Ingredients 4 medium zucchini 1 package of fresh mushrooms 1 medium onion Fresh garlic 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach 28 oz. jar pasta sauce 24 oz. mozzarella cheese Olive oil Lasagna noodles Directions Boil lasagna noodles until al dente. Mince zucchini, mushrooms, onion and garlic. Sauté zucchini, mushrooms, onion and garlic in teaspoon of olive oil until tender. Add defrosted spinach. Spoon some sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Lay lasagna noodles on top of sauce. Layer vegetable mixture on top of noodles; sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Top with noodles, some sauce, vegetables and cheese. Layer noodles with a little sauce on top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for an hour until brown and bubbly at 350°. Serve with warmed Italian bread and fresh salad.
Maple Glazed Chicken Ingredients 2 pounds chicken on the bone, cut into large chunks Kosher salt 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 apples (1 red, 1 green), cored and cut into wedges 8 medium shallots, quartered lengthwise 1/4 cup fresh sage, torn 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar Directions Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt. Heat a large heavy skillet over high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken skin-side down and cook, undisturbed, until the skin is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken and add the apples, shallots and sage to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium high and cook until the chicken is browned on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and continue to cook the apples and shallots, stirring, until golden, about 2 more minutes. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Mix the chicken broth, maple syrup, vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add the mixture to the skillet with the apples and shallots and boil until reduced by about three-quarters, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet, turning to coat, until cooked through, about 2 more minutes.
Strawberry Spinach Chicken Salad Ingredients 4 medium chicken cutlets ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth Warm Citrus Dressing 6 cups torn fresh spinach leaves 2 cups halved strawberries ¼ cup chopped pecans or almonds, toasted Directions Sprinkle chicken cutlets with pepper and salt. Pour chicken broth into a large skillet. Bring broth to boiling. Add chicken; reduce heat. Cover and simmer chicken for 12 to 14 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning chicken once halfway through cooking time. Remove chicken from broth with a slotted spoon; discard broth. Meanwhile, prepare the Warm Citrus Dressing. When cool, thinly slice the chicken. In a large bowl, toss together the spinach, strawberries, and chicken. To serve, drizzle warm dressing over salad. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve immediately.
Warm Citrus Dressing Yield: 3/4 cup Ingredients ½ cup strawberries 1/3 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional) ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon salt Directions In a blender or food processor, combine strawberries, orange juice, canola oil, lemon peel, lemon juice, sugar, chili powder (if using), freshly ground black pepper, and salt. Cover; blend or process until smooth. Transfer mixture to a small saucepan; bring just to boiling. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep warm until needed. Makes 3/4 cup dressing.
Devorah Gerber Schmeltz
Sitting Tips for Your Toddler
Dear Rina, It is terrific that you are paying attention to your child’s development and motor skill ability. As you are well aware, developmental milestones occur within a range of age, so there is no need for any panic. The primary concern is if a child loses a skill. At seven months of age, some, but not all, babies are able to sit without support when places in a sitting position. (They are not yet at the point to assume the position on their own.) The best way to help your child develop this skill is to give him the opportunity to practice the desired outcome. When reading to him, try to avoid having him sit on your lap with his back against your chest. Instead, if he has adequate trunk control, position him closer to your knees with your hands firmly and securely around his hips. In this same position, you can do playful games with your son, bouncing him right to left, challenging his balance. Another activity is to have him sit on the floor and prop his hands in front of him for support. You can also have him practice sitting using a Boppy pillow on a soft surface (think mat or carpet)—guard him closely for the expected flops! Allow him to “flop,” he will likely enjoy
the flops and respond by laughing. Babies learn by discovery and trial and error. Have your camera ready to snap some pictures! Your son will be all smiles, delighted to sit and view the world and you in a whole new way. A little caveat: try not to focus too much on sitting; be sure to vary his positions throughout the day. As a therapist, I have seen many babies become so skilled and comfortable in sitting they had no desire to lay on their belly and crawl. Many used scooting as their form of mobility...until I came along! If by your baby’s next well visit, your baby is still not sitting for a minute or so bring up your concerns with your child’s pediatrician. Be sure to mention to him/her what you have been doing to help him with sitting. Good luck!
OU G N I V NOW SER
EAR! Y H R 9T
Devorah (Gerber) Schmeltz, MS OTR/L is a 2003 alumnus of Downstate Medical Center’s OT Program. She is a senior occupational therapist at United Cerebral Palsy’s Brooklyn Children’s Program. Devorah maintains a private practice, Bumble & Tumble Occupational Therapy P.C., in Far Rockaway, NY providing pediatric occupational and physical therapy. Department of Education vouchers/RSAs are gladly accepted. Your questions and comments are welcome. She can be reached at BumbleTumble Therapy@gmail.com or 917-971-5327.
Massage Therapy, Bringing your body back to balance. • • • • • • •
Why Go AWAy For PesAch?
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Dear Devorah, I have a 7month old boy. He can roll both ways, but he still cannot sit on his own yet. Can you provide me with some ideas to help him sit. Thank you in advance. Thank you, Rina
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ֹלעיֹלוי נשמת אשה הצִדֱקנית שרה בת ר׳ משה ֹלייביֱקור
117 The Jewish Home n
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119
Starting a Business
The Attorney Responds: I recommend that you meet with your attorney and accountant to review your particular circumstances and make an informed decision based upon all facts available. As Winston Churchill (and others) have said: “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.” In preparation for that important initial meeting, let’s consider the various business entities available to you. In their simplest form, they are: • Sole Proprietorship • Partnership • Corporation • Limited Liability Company (LLC). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? We will start with the Sole Proprietorship, which is a business owned and operated by one person. Advantages: • Easy to form. • Owner has complete authority (within the boundaries of the law). • Owner can be creative. • All profits flow directly to the owner. • Easy to dissolve the business if necessary. Disadvantages: • Owner has unlimited liability. • Owner’s assets are at risk. • Difficulty in raising money to finance the operations of the business. A Partnership is a business owned and operated by two or more persons. The basic general partnership is discussed here. Advantages: • Each partner has the right to share in the profits of the business. • Each individual partner will be responsible for paying the income taxes on those profits (or deduct losses). • Each partner has a right to share in the value of the firm’s assets; all business assets are owned jointly by all partners. • Easy to form and owners have
complete authority for the running of the business. Disadvantages: • Each partner has unlimited liability. • Partners have joint and several liability. • Partners may disagree on how the business should be run. A different type of partnership is the Limited Partnership, where there are one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. Advantages: • Personal liability is limited to each partner’s investment in the business. Disadvantages: • Limited partners do not participate in the overall management of the business or make decisions affecting the company. A Corporation is a business entity owned by shareholders, who purchase shares of stock in the corporation. Advantages: • Limited liability to shareholders. • Easy for a corporation to raise capital and obtain additional financing by issuing and selling new shares. Disadvantages: • Corporations are required to pay separate income taxes at a special corporate rate for any year during which a profit is earned (this is double taxation for the shareholder (both on the corporate profit earned and then on the distribution)). • High expense associated with forming and maintaining the company. A good alternative (if you meet the restrictions) is a Subchapter “S” Corporation, which is a corporation taxed as a partnership if there is more than one shareholder and is not taxed separately if there is only one owner. Note that this corporation must comply with tax regulations, such as the restriction that there are a limited number of shareholders. One caveat: As a wise accountant once pointed out to me, if you live in New York City, you will be taxed twice as an “S” Corporation. The “S” Corporation is taxed at the personal level (once) for the Federal and state level; however, New York City does not recognize the “S” Corporation and taxes the profits again – a second tax – one of the considerations when forming an “S” Corporation.
A relatively new business entity which is a popular business entity is the Limited Liability Company (LLC). Advantages: • The LLC provides all members with limited liability while allowing them to participate in the management of the business. • The LLC is generally treated in the same manner as a partnership by the IRS. • Members avoid double taxation of earnings. • An LLC is easy to form. Disadvantages: • Owners frequently have difficulty in raising additional funds to expand or maintain the business. • There may be times when members of the management team may disagree on how the business should be run. Now that you have an overview of the various business entities available to you, you are better prepared to succeed
in your business venture. B’hatzlacha! W. Zehava Schechter, Esq. specializes in real estate law, estate planning and administration, and business law. Her private practice is located on Long Island. Please send your comments to SchechterLaw@gmail.com. CNG Networking Group is an Orthodox Jewish networking group which meets in Queens and Long Island. The attorney sub-group of CNG has 8 members with various specialties, including: Trusts & Estates, Real Estate, Matrimonial, Criminal, Personal Injury, Trademarks/Copyright, Tax, Non-profits, Bankruptcy, and Litigation. We welcome questions from readers on a wide range of legal matters. Please submit your legal questions to SchechterLaw@gmail. com. While we do not provide specific legal advice, we hope to present readers with a greater understanding of the issues presented and potential means of resolving difficulties. No column is a substitute for competent legal advice. Please consult with the attorney of your choice concerning specific legal questions you may have.
F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
I want to open a business and need advice as to which business structure is best for me. I want to minimize my liability but do not want a lot of start-up costs. What do you recommend?
Zehava Schechter, Esq
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Classifieds Services
Yard Sale This Sunday March 3 @ 140 North Wood Lane in Woodmere from 11AM-4PM Everything must go!! We have everything from china to books Home Improvements General Contractor Entire renovations of bathrooms, kitchens and basements Tiles, floors, expert Roof repair available Free estimates and reasonable rates Call 718-907-0618 or 917-865-5033 Experience Math Teacher Available To tutor all subjects, algebra, geometry, Math A, Math B, Calculus etc. Guaranteed improvement, first hour free Shomer Shabbat Call Yossi at 516-581-3930 Counseling 4 Success! Relationships, school, work, parenting. Solution-Focused. Teens, adults, children. 20 yrs experience. Warm, understanding, supportive. Confidential. Affordable. Rabbi Perry Schafler LCSW-R (516) 428-8525 Mailplace4-counseling@yahoo.com Custom furniture crafted in the USA Solid wood: oak, cherry or maple Furniture Medic 516-791-1118 A group is quickly forming for professional singing lessons Vocal pitch, musical range and technique, exercised to perfection! Meet our experienced voice instructor/pianist Tova Levinger Beginning Motzai Shabbos April 6th iy"h on a bi-weekly basis A total of 6 lessons for only $150! Your registration check confirms your spot. For more info: please call Tova @ 347-796-9693 Or Chana Devorah @ 718-755-7224 While You're Just Sittin' I'll Get It Written cdurbach@gmail.com Mobile Websites Today 1 in 7 searches are from a mobile phone device Want your website especially designed for Smart Phones? Contact Alex, mobilemelon2@gmail.com
Jewish Lower East Side Walking Tours given by licensed NYC tour guide specializing in the area. Once a bustling Jewish neighborhood with struggling immigrants. Come connect to your heritage and experience the gateway to “Di Goldneh Medinah”. Private, Group, School tours booking now. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Call 516-652-4527
Skin Brilliance Laser Spa Professional sanitary and experienced laser hair removal services Right in the heart of KGH Affordable packages to meet your needs. By appointment only Call 718-801-3583 Cooking for Pesach at your home Disciplined hard worker willing to cook heimish, delicious meals at your home Following your kashrus specifications Refrences available Call 917-741-4316
Photos 4 your Simcha Professional Photography and Video We love what we do and it shows in our work! Competitively priced! Check out our website & specials. www.photos4yoursimcha.com or call Yaakov 718-868-1800 Going to Florida for Pesach? Offering round trip door to door car service from NY Great for people who cannot fly on an airplane Email for pricing and reservations Miami_pesach@yahoo.com CUSTOM SUITS Expertly tailored hand made custom suits for men Hundreds of fabrics and styles We will come to your home or office day or night Design the suit you've always wanted From $649 Call 516-619-6264
Bubby babysitter available Babysittin Newborn and up Excellent references - Long hours Centrally located in Far Rockawayg TLC 718-327-1932 Available Yiddish In 10 Lessons All Classes Delivered Via Interactive in Tele-conferencing (by phone) Next Class begins on Wednesday August 22 at 8PM Woodmer For More Information Call Chaim 516-924-7694 conversationalyiddish@gmail.com e
Mon-Thurs 9:30-2:00 Adult, Child & Infant CPR & AED Certification Course for WOMEN ONLY For
By: Malky Tropper E.M.T. Sunday, March 3rd 7:30 – 10 PM more info please call Sh’or Yoshuv Dining Hall 1 Cedar Lawn Ave, Lawrence Cost: $25 Space isRochel limited Cohen 516-456-7184 MUST RSVP to rivkalock@gmail.com or 323- 314-8773 Invite your babysitter to sign up too! A short video clip will be shown. Because the mothers in the group are young, emphasis will be on emergency care for children. Malky Tropper is an EMT and has taught CPR and First Aid for over 20 years. She has been awarded a Congressional award in 2007 for teaching over 15,000 people in New York State. A course in Spanish is also being organized. If you have a housekeeper or babysitter who would like to get trained, please let me know.
Hair Course Learn how to wash and style hair and wigs Hair and wig cutting, wedding styling Private lessons or in a group Call Chaya 718-715-9009
Tutoring services available Experienced morah at TAG Grades 1-5 (Hebrew and English) For more information please call Mrs. Vilkov 718-337-6141
Guaranteed cheapest prices on strollers and baby gear! Babyjogger, Uppa, Stokke, Britax, Bugaboo and more! Free next day shipping and no tax Call or text 443-208-8532, sthav@zment.com
Struggling with Shalom Bayis? The Shalom Bayis Hotline 732-523-1112 Caring rabbanim answering your questions for free So far very positive results BS’D!
Electrician - Chandeliers, Shabbos timers, ceiling fans, AC lines, cameras, intercom work. Call Michael Guberman 917-681-1213 - 24-hour service Tutor 4 You Exp'd, caring Spec. Ed. Teacher (Masters, licensed K-12) Excellent references. Extensive local Yeshiva Experience Mrs. Lieberman 516-569-8074 Experienced Certified Life Coach for Men only Call Chaim 516 924 7694 "Demonstrating Healthcare with Integrity" Feeling uncomfortable, vulnerable and overwhelmed as to what to do when your loved one comes home from the hospital? We are here for you... SR SENIOR CARE SERVICES, Inc. Give us a call and ask about the services available. 973-592-5601 SRSCS, Inc. will help you solve your Home Health care issues. SRSCS, Inc. is supporter of our clients’ Bill of Rights. Want Home cooked food for Shabbos without the Hassle???? Call Alex Idov, personal chef- serving Far Rockaway & Lawrence (678)644-6168 gematria613@aol.com Reasonable rates- Extensive menu options-References available Drop off Babysitting Available in Woodmere Mon-Thurs 9:30-2:00 For more info please call Rochel Cohen 516-456-7184 FREE TUTORING/CHAVRUSA with a Rebbe with over 30 years experience. Morning, afternoon, evening hours. Learning in Yesod Yosef Doughty Blvd, Inwood 917-399-5154
Real Estate for Sale Cedarhurst – For sale by owner. 5 BR, 3.5 bath. Colonial on oversize lot. Hardwood flooring throughout. Beautiful Eat-in Chef’s Kitchen (Viking/Sub-Zero/Granite). Lrg LR & DR. Finished Basement. Central A/C. Walk to all. Move in Condition….$799k….917-685-0247 Commercial R/E for Sale Would you rather PAY rent or COLLECT rent? Several 5T & vicinity properties available
($200-$300K range & RE taxes starting $7K/yr)
Ideal for S-M business owner/investor C. Slansky, MBA, Broker: 516-655-3636
TJH TJH CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS Post your Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services, Misc. Ads here every Thurs.
Weekly classified ads
up to 5 lines and/or 25 words
1 Week………………$20 - $10 2 Weeks……….……$35 - $17.50 4 Weeks…………….$60 - $30
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Century village. Boca Raton. Mansfield area. 1 bedroom 1 bath. No taxes. Fast sale $24,000. Call 561 866 1238
Far Rockaway, Brand New 2 fam.
2 BR over 3 BR. Lrg Bsmt. LR/DR C/A, drvway, Walk to the beach. Only $495K. Won't last , buy with as little as 3% down. Call 718-643-7700
House For Sale in Far Rockaway Fully detached, move in condition, four bedrooms, one and half bathrooms, enclosed yard, eat in kitchen. Asking $575,000. 516-234-8665 Large House for Sale in Far Rockaway by owner with 3 apts available for rent. Located on corner of Sage and Bolton, near shuls and LIRR.$ 985,000. For more info call 718-916-2724
Real Estate For Rent For rent 2 bedroom apartment Far rockaway near BBY - Available NOW Kosher Kitchen New appliances Call 516-225-4558
Long Beach NY 4b 3b CAC EIK LR DR W/D WiFi, enclosed yard, parking. Near beach, shuls LIRR, 5T mailplace4-house@yahoo.com 516-428- 8525 Lovely 2 bedroom apartment Private entrance Eat-in kitchen On Sage Street Near main Shuls & LIRR For more information call (718)327-4386
Queens-Upper Ridgewood. Fresh Pond Rd./Forest Ave area. Professional space for rent. Ideal for medical office. 1st floor handicapped access, around 1000 sqf. Call R.E. Agent for more info @347-8065414/Edyta - Grimaldi Realty Beautiful 20 ft., corner Colonial, brick house In HEART of KGH, 1 block off Main St., semi-attached house, 3BR, 11/2 baths, finished basement, side hall, EIK, large LR/DR, large backyard and large front porch, front garage with private driveway and electric eye garage door, central A/C. One block from shul. For sale by motivated owner, asking 595K. Call 917-650-5623 and leave message, if no answer. Belle Harbor Area Beach 118 St. Extra large modern 2 room studio apt. Furnished or unfurnished Short or long term Near Boardwalk, Shuls, Yeshiva, shopping, all transportation. Owner 917 543 0497
Office space available for rent in Lawrence by owner. Shared waiting room with other health related professionals. Utilities covered and internet access available. mymanagement360@yahoo.com
Business Opportunity
Seeking Job
HOME BASED BUSINESS Looking for a reputable online business? Flexible hours, free training, great income and incentives, real support. Please visit www.selectfreedom.net to apply
Experienced P-3 Provider, with M.S. in Education and Permanent N.Y. State Teacher Certification- Available to work with students in all grades Mondays through Thursdays- mornings until 11 A.M. and anytime after 5:30 P.M.; and Sundays anytime Please call Tsivia: 516-526-2385
Can you spare it? Donate it. Clear out a closet and help a needy Heimishe family today. Tax deductible receipts available upon request. Call (866) GIVE2LIVE(448-3254)
COOKING FOR PESACH AT YOUR HOME Disciplined, hard worker is willing to cook Haimishe delicious meals at your home, following your Kashruth specifications. Ref. available. Call 917-741-4316.
Job Available Seeking male Junior High teacher for ELA for Sept. '13. PM hours, Monday through Thursday. 5 Towns area yeshiva. Experience required. Excellent salary. Please email resume to candidateteacher@gmail.com. Office Manager Challenge EI Center F/T for Queens Office, mature, energetic, organized person with good computer skills and ability to multitask. Good Compensation pkg. Fax Resume: 718-261-3702
Local restaurant looking for responsible experienced shomer shabbos night time manager email relerner1@hotmail.com Leaders in Online Jewish Marketing are hiring Sales Superstars. Do you fit the bill? Send your resume to sales@thejmg.com or call us @ 646-351-1808 x 111 Executive Assistant: PT, Exec Assis for Lawrence office, Must have superb organizational & phone skills. Micr.Office experience, ability to sched & acquire appointments with top CEO's. Ability to multi-task a must. Email resume to chayaweinberg@yahoo.com.
Misc. Two rings found in Sh’or Yoshuv women’s restroom on Simchas Torah. Please contact Mrs. Dechter at 516-239-9002 x 0 Shaital gmach in Eretz Yisroel desperately needs shaitels. To be a part of this great mitzvah please call Peninia @ 347-6756526 Tizku L’mitzvos FOUND Found ring a few months ago in the Stop & shop parking lot. Please call (718)327-3807. Lost white gold diamond bracelet/covered watch either at Kennedy Airport or in Boro Park. If found please call 347.578.4165 The Yeshiva of Far Rockaway admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other schooladministered programs.
Pickup and delivery dry cleaning business looking to hire part time driver for Five towns and Rockaways. 516.791.6100
Luxury Condos For Sale!
NEW TO MARKET! • 1,2 & 3 bdrm condos in the heart of Far Rockaway!
Presentable with good driving record. Part time for now with possibility of expansion to full time down the road. Must have own car and will have use of company van. Hire immediately. Competitive pay.
• Marble Tiling • Italian Kitchen • Jacuzzi Bath • Open and Airy Layouts, Central Air/Heat, Terrace • Parking and Storage Spaces • Garden apartments available, wont last! The sale of these condos are subject to the terms of the Offering Plan.
Contact Marc mh@mahosch.com 917-612-2300
F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
Bayswater- massive 2 family home in a great area, close to all the shuls, beautiful cabinets & granite counter tops, lots of bedrooms, all tiled bathrooms, hardwood flooring all through the house, fireplace, etc., needs tlc, very motivated seller, asking 449k, call Yitzchok 847-691-6397.
Great Kosher Summer House Rental
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Far Rockaway. brand New Construction, 2fam house, Lrg 3BR, 2baths over 6BR, 3baths, Lrg LV/DR, C/A, drvway, huge bsmt. Walk to the beach. Only $765K. Call 718-643-7700
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Your Money
Life Coach Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
Allan J. Rolnick CPA
H
Biggest. Crybabies. Ever.
ere in America, we’re used to people running to court every time life throws a curveball. Spill hot coffee in your lap? Sue McDonald’s! Get drunk, drive your car into a bay, and drown because you can’t open your seat belt underwater? Mom and Dad can still sue Honda and win $65 million! Electrocute yourself trying to rob a bar? There’s a lawyer for that! Earlier this month, though, we saw some satisfying comeuppance in one of those cases that makes us roll our eyes in amazement. First, a little history. UBS is Switzerland’s biggest bank – and, like most Swiss banks, it used strict Swiss secrecy laws to attract depositors. They solicited Americans to open accounts, knowing full well that many of them were using those accounts to cheat the IRS – and in some cases, even advising them on how to do it. In 2007, a disgruntled employee blew the whistle (and earned a record $104 million reward in the process). Two years later, UBS paid $780 million and ratted out 4,700 clients to settle charges. The scandal scared 35,000 taxpayers into joining an IRS amnesty program, coughing up over $5 billion in back taxes to dodge criminal charges. You would think that people ‘fessing up to a pretty serious felony would just slink back home with their tails between their legs. Right? Well, you would be wrong . . . at least here in America. What do we do here? We sue the bank for not stopping us from cheating! The three plaintiffs in Thomas V. UBS each hid money with the bank, in amounts ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. They didn’t report the existence of the accounts on their tax returns, as the law requires. They didn’t report the interest they earned on their accounts. And of course, they didn’t pay tax on that interest. When the scandal broke, they scurried to the shelter of the amnesty program, paying taxes, interest, and a 20% penalty.
Then, what did they do? They hauled UBS into court to recover the penalties, interest, and other costs they incurred to come clean. Why? Because UBS profited from the fraud and other wrongful acts they committed when they induced depositors to bank with them in the first place! Fortunately for those of us on the side of common sense, the case ended up before Appeals Court Judge Richard Posner. Posner is one of the judiciary’s most colorful characters, author of nearly 40 books, and not afraid to call it when he sees it. His comments dismissing the plaintiffs’ complaint are especially scornful – you can almost hear him literally laughing them out of court: “Our plaintiffs do not argue that they (or other members of the class) received tax advice from UBS. They argue rather that the bank should have prevented them from violating the law. This is like suing one’s parents to recover tax penalties one has paid, on the ground that the parents had failed to bring one up to be an honest person who would not evade taxes and so would not subject himself to penalties. There is in general no common law duty to prevent another person from violating the law. We needn’t discuss the plaintiffs’ remaining claims—of negligence and malpractice—as they are frivolous squared. This lawsuit, including the appeal, is a travesty. We are surprised that UBS hasn’t asked for the imposition of sanctions on the plaintiffs and class counsel.” The irony here is that none of the plaintiffs who spent their money on alpine vacations had to cheat to pay less tax. They just needed a plan to take advantage of perfectly legal concepts and strategies. So now you can spend time in Switzerland visiting chocolate factories and cuckoo clocks – not your hidden bank accounts! Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@ aol.com.
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I Don’t Have Any…
hat does “I don’t have any” or woman says she doesn’t have anything the like, really mean? to wear—don’t mess with this one!!! For instance, there you are This has nothing to do with clothing. standing in front of your closet, gazing This is a statement on life. Either she at a sea of clothing, mumbling under hates the way she feels, looks, or is too your breath, “I don’t have any…thing to absorbed by twenty other things in her wear” How are the “natives” supposed head to be busy with picking out someto understand this sentence?! And what thing to wear. What she really means is, about your little brother? What must “I don’t have any energy for this right he be getting from this: He has three now.” So don’t help her look at her clothshirts and 3 pairs of pants, and he’s over- ing, soothe her soul. whelmed with more clothing than he When a kid says, “I don’t have anyknows what to do with. Right now he thing to do,” we tend to feel, “What’s must be rebooting and coming up with, with them? There are so many options. “Wow I didn’t know women have abso- Why don’t they see them?” It is usually lutely no peripheral vision…” that they need some other suggestions. Now think of those poor newly mar- Their perspectives are limited. Perhaps ried men, watching their brides have a someone else can broaden their options. meltdown about having nothing to wear. Try not to get too discouraged with them, There they are, with 3 inches of the new- get inspired. Give them ideas or incenly allotted closet space for anything they tives to help you get done with some of have brought into the marriage, watching your obligations. the possessor of 99.9% of the remaining And if you’re dating and you think space filled with her stuff, standing there there aren’t “any” people left to date— and losing it! I can only imagine what think again. Somewhere someone’s got these poor guys are thinking: “Whose your number, they just haven’t figured clothes did she move in here with if she out the right area code yet. has nothing to wear?!” When an adult says, “I don’t have What about any free time,” this familiar line: it’s probably true! “I don’t have But the idea is Somewhere someone’s any…thing to this: you’re an do!” The house adult! Try to take got your number, is flying. There’s back some concooking to get trol of your life. they just haven’t done. Rooms to Reschedule, and figured out the get cleaned, bills create pockets of to get paid, projtime to do things right area code yet. ects, games and that give you books to read. But pleasure rather they don’t have than feeling peranything to do. They’re bored! While petually overwhelmed. in the exact same locale, there’s an adult And, finally, if a kid says, “I don’t saying, “I don’t have any…free time! have any….homework!” don’t even I’m overwhelmed with things to do!” think twice. Just jump for joy and go out How can they be so close and yet so far and celebrate! apart, we wonder? Ultimately, “I don’t have any…” is How about, “I don’t have any…one somewhat like the thought “always” and to date! There is ‘no one’ to go out with!” “never.” It’s usually too broad a stateHas the world been raked clean of all eli- ment! There should be some tweaking gible men and women? Are we all giving room. Try to realize there is usually an birth to figments of our imagination who underlying feeling that’s making you grow up to be “no one” to date?! feel stuck. Reboot, rethink, and try to Maybe what we all don’t have is any develop more peripheral vision. perspective—or the right perspective Good luck, and have an awesome on things. It’s true some people have week. And here’s hoping you have “any” more or less time, clothes, dates, work, awe-inspiring moments! creative ideas to keep busy, etc. But we need to stop and think about how to see Rivki Rosenwald is a certified life coach and couples counselor. She can be contacted at things somewhat differently. Yet, certain truths hold true! When a 917 -705 -2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com.
123 The Jewish Home n F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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Passover2013
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w w w. m a t z a f u n . c o m
pesach 2013
THE ONLY 4-DIAMOND PREMIER RESORT WHERE THE ENTIRE HOTEL IS EXCLUSIVE TO OUR PESACH GUESTS
Ft. Lauderdale
FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
The Shidduch Initiative: binyan adey ad
renowned rabbinical personality please visit our website
R. Zecharia Wallerstein
R. Daniel Mechanic
R. Aubrey Hersh
David J. Lieberman, Ph.D.
Mrs. Lisa Elefant
• Warm Yom Tov Atmosphere
• Brand New Banquet Center
• Ashkenaz & Sefard Minyanim
• Tropical Nature Walking Trails and Ponds with 4 Sun-Drenched Pools
• 5-Star Culinary Experience, Daily Pool Side BBQ’s & Lavish Tea Room
• Oversized Deluxe Guest Rooms & Suites w/Balconies
• Wonderful and Exciting Programing, Activities and Entertainment
• Lake & Golf Course Views
Shloime Daskal • Ben Cohen • Sruly Wulliger telephone :
website :
323-275-1949 www.smilowfamilytours.com
1-800-327-8165 305-937-7209
jamcavalier@yahoo.com
19201 COLLINS AVE, MIAMI BEACH, FL www.MarcoPoloBeachResort.com
Directly on the Beach!
Join the leaders in Passover tours for another great Pesach at this beautiful oceanfront resort!
HAWAII The Jewish Home 9.375”x 5.875”
Pesach 2013
by Phillip & Dayna Klitzner
NT CONCERT BEACH FRO
- The Luxurious Maui Sheraton
Featured SPEAKERS
DAY! WITH 8TH
and
JOIN US FOR
Live Concert! Early bird discount Available Certified Glatt Kosher By the ORB. Shmurah Matzah only
PASSOVER IN
MICHAEL
MEDVED
RAV GAVRIEL REBBETZIN LORI
FRIEDMAN
CALL US
PALATNIK
747-333-8893
MALCOLM
HOENLEIN
Paradise!
RABBI CHANAN
GORDON
VISIT US ONLINE
www.hawaiianpesach.com info@hawaiianpesach.com
by
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F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
For Reservations Call Caribbean Kosher Tours
• OUR 18 SPECTACULAR YEAR! • Poolside fitness center with sauna & steam room • Children’s dining room • Superb day camp program • Private seder rooms available • Glatt kosher, strict supervision • Gourmet cuisine with renowned Chef Andy Serano • Cantor led or private seders • Sumptuous “Tea Room” • Shabbos elevators • Oversized rooms many with terraces • Top name entertainment • Trips to major attractions • Golf, tennis, watersports nearby • Poolside BBQ’s • Olympic-size pool + kids pool • 2 min. to upscale Aventura Mall • Daily services, shiurim, lectures • Scholar-in-Residence Program TH
The Jewish Home n
The Schechter Family Presents...
FIRST CHILD FREE!
P E S A C H
The Jewish Home n
F e b r u a ry 2 8 , 2013
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I N
S O U T H E R N
C A L I F O R N I A
WHERE MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IS STANDARD
THE WERNER BROTHERS of KMR TOURS P R E S E N T P E S AC H
2013
at the Park Hyatt Aviara Carlsbad California
FEATURING THE FINEST IN DINING, FROM THE KMR GOURMET CULINARY TEAM JOINED BY THE RENOWNED CATERING BY MICHAEL SCHICK
JOIN OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SPEAKERS Rabbi Yossi (YY) Jacobson • Rabbi Avraham Lieberman • Mr Howard Tzvi Friedman • Rabbi Baruch Chait Rabbi Benyomin Ginsberg Director of the children’s learning curriculum program
Mordechai Ben David
PRESENTING
F E AT U R I N G
THE BEST OF JEWISH MUSIC
THE FINEST IN CHILDREN’S P RO G R A M M I N G A N D DAY C A R E
Rabbi Baruch Chait
Chazan Yanky Lemmer
Shmuel and Bentzi Marcus 8th day
Children’s Program Director Avi Devor
KMR Teen Boys Director Rabbi Aryeh Young
A Sheya Mendlowitz Production
ENTIRE RESORT EXCLUSIVE F O R K M R G U E S T S
Please visit our website for a complete list of services, activities, amenities & much more. 888-567-0100 or 718-778-4241 WWW.KMRTOURS.COM
KMR Teen Girls Director Mrs. Kayli Young
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Secure them in your heart The Fundraising Event
Guests of Honor “Ish Hachesed” Award The renowned philanthropist
"Ohev Eretz Israel" Award
Rabbi Sholom Ber Drizin
Rabbi David Algaze
"Keter Shem Tov" Award
Assemblyman Dov Hikind
"Eshet Chayil" Award
Mrs. Helen Freedman
Guest Speakers Keynote Speaker
Gov. Mike Huckabee
Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson
On behalf of Rabbis of Crown Heights Synagogues
Refugee from Gush Katif
Chairman of the Evening
President, Gush Katif Museum
Dr. Joseph Frager
Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo
Performing Artist - Jewish Music Star
YONI
Accompanied by the renowned musician
CHONI MILECKI
Mrs. Rivka Goldschmidt
Former Governor of Arkansas
Committee Chairman
Dr. Paul Brody
"Memories Preserved in the Heart" Exhibition of displays by the residents of Gush Katif
"ID card"
A multimedia display about the lives of Gush Katif residents
Motzaei Shabbat (Saturday night) the 27th of Adar 5773 • March 9, 2013 • Reception at 8:00 PM Razag Ballroom • 739 East New York Ave, Brooklyn NY 11203 • www.Razag.com • Valet Parking
To RSVP please call now!
718-2081-770 www.gushkatifmuseum.org
T h e J e w i s h H o m e n FEBRUARY 28, 2013
B"H
IN MEMORY OF MOSHE HERSKOVITZ hÆb cegh ic vÆg vsuvh van bÆzk
“In 95 years, I only missed hearing Megillah one time; in Bergen-Belsen.” – Lora Greenbaum, a Holocaust survivor, in whose home Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Shlita lained the Megillah this Purim.
Boruch Hashem, this past Purim, Achiezer and our dedicated community members were able to answer every one of the requests that we received for home, hospital, and nursing home Megilah readings, with a total of 45 readings being arranged. Achiezer would like to extend a heartfelt YASHER KOACH and THANK YOU to every one of the 25 Baalei Kriah who volunteered to lain the Megillah for those who could not make it to shul. DANIEL ADLER RABBI YAAKOV BENDER YITZHAK BERGER CHAIM CHAIT ELIEZER COHEN
DOVID EISENMAN ASHER ENGEL DANIEL FELDMAN EFRAIM SHALOM FRISHMAN R’ SHMUEL GORDON
334 Central Avenue Lawrence, NY 11559
CHANAN GREENWALD YOSSI HERSKOVITZ EPHRAIM JACOBSON R’ SHMUEL KLAMER DR. STEVE KRAUSS
R’ AVI LAUTERBACH CHARLES MEISELS MOSHE MILLER R’ RACHMIEL ROTHBERGER YITZCHAK ROTHKEN
www.achiezer.org info@achiezer.org
24 HOUR COMMUNITY HOTLINE: (516) 791-4444
YONI SCHRIER DAVID SLANSKY DANIEL WADLER JAY WEINSTEIN ELI WEISS