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“Upsherin Rebbes” S “Upsherin Rebbes” Share their
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From the Editor
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People The Jewish Heroes of the Vietnam War by Avi Heiligman 83 Parsha Rabbi Wein on the Parsha
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Jewish Thought Lag B’Omer: The Beauty in Every Jew by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller
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For Whom the Bell Tolls by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
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From Baby to Big Boy by Tamar Sullivan
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it for so many years. There’s something so innocent yet so significant about cutting off their ponytails and giving them their yarmulkas and tzitzis for the first time. This year we celebrated the upsherin of our three-year-old, Shlomo. The talk in the house centered around the upsherin for weeks before. We were building him up for our how big he’s going to be and how he’s going to be going to the rebbe and will wear a yarmulke and tzitzis. He could not have been more excited and seemed so confident when we were in Rabbi Potash’s classroom. Watching him, even before his hair was cut, I couldn’t help but marvel at my big boy. At the end of the upsherin, when the boys in the class were singing “Zakeini,” tears sprung to my eyes. It is truly a pivotal moment in a child’s life—a time when he’s no longer considered a baby and is expected to become a more mature boy. Speaking of children, as I watch my children grow and enjoy my time with them I realize that there is no way a child can understand how much their
parents love them before they have children of their own. The love a mother and father have for their children is so deep and so profound that it cannot be described. A lot of that love manifests itself in the day-to-day things that parents do and give to their children. But it’s not just about the physical. The emotional connection, the understanding that your parents are always there for you, supporting you, encouraging you no matter how old you are is the foundation for a child’s (and an adult’s) confidence as they go through life. There is someone there for you at every stage quietly cheering you on and wishing for your success. This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and although I truly feel that every day is the perfect day to appreciate your mother, make sure to let your mother know just how much you love her and appreciate all that she does for you. It’s the least we can do for the woman who brought us into the world and continues to selflessly give to us daily. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
Health & Fitness The Heroes Among Us by David Elazar Simai, MD 90 Is the Torah Pro-Divorce? by Deb Hirschhorn, PhD 92
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Dear Readers, There is no way to compare Lag B’Omer in chutz l’aretz to Lag B’Omer in Israel. It seems as if the whole country is collecting firewood and boarding buses in Israel the day before Lag B’Omer. It’s a chag for the entire community, one that everyone can enjoy— from young to old. My children have been talking about their trips and special events for the past few days and their excitement is contagious. There is something special about being able to listen to music and dancing with them in the living room before bed. And of course, even if we don’t have a bonfire, I think they’re still expecting roasted marshmallows, though they may be roasted over the stove this year. This week, Tamar Sullivan spoke with many of our community rebbeim who specialize in giving upsherins to our adorable three-year-olds. Every one of the rebbeim she spoke with conveyed a sense of enthusiasm and excitement for introducing the sweetness of Torah to the boys—even after doing
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Contents
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Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Regarding car break-ins: The Fourth Precinct reports that on Saturday April 25, 2015 at about 4:00 AM, Fourth Precinct Special Patrol Police Officers were conducting an investigation regarding a pattern of overnight larcenies from unlocked autos in the Five Towns. These officers observed five males looking into parked vehicles in Woodmere. The males, who reside in nearby areas, were stopped and an investigation was conducted. As a result of this investigation, property that was stolen from a nearby parked vehicle was identified and recovered. Two of the males were arrested and charged with Grand Larceny. The remaining three males were identified, issued summonses and released. The Fourth Squad is continuing the investigation as it relates to any prior larcenies in the area. While the Fourth Precinct believes the arrested subjects were responsible for the overnight larcenies from autos crime pattern, and therefore, expects this crime pattern with these subjects to stop, the Fourth Precinct finds this type of crime to generally increase during the warmer months of the year. Accordingly, we are asking for the public’s assistance in helping us pre-
vent larcenies from autos. We offer the following suggestions: a) Always lock your car doors even if you’re only leaving it unattended for a few minutes. Thefts from cars are usually crimes of opportunity, committed by someone simply trying door handles to see if the car is unlocked. b) Do not leave any valuables inside the vehicle, even if it’s in your driveway. c) Park in a well-lit area whenever possible. d) Do not delay in reporting any suspicious activity to 911. e) If you are a victim of a crime, report it to the police by calling 911. f) Share this information with your family, friends and neighbors. Submitted by Eli Kaye Dear Editor, “Rising from Divorce,” a 35 minute film shown this past Sunday at Young Israel of Woodmere, was initiated and produced by OHEL (Children’s Home & Family Services), primarily to raise awareness within the community of those who have or are currently experiencing the effects of divorce. Like Hurricane Sandy, in a divorce, no one is left unscathed. In fact the damage
is often worse than the actual storm, similarly the insurance companies that we rely on, in most cases do not offer the expected support. Post-divorce, be it a mutual decision or not, couples have to face reality – their marriage is over. Acting responsibly, especially where children are involved, ensuring the child’s interests before their own, is paramount. The children, as Rabbi Dovid Cohen shlita says in the film, are the “karbonos” – the sacrifice. How sad that the roles are reversed. Under normal circumstances parents sacrifice for their children, yet when one is locked in a divorce battle, children are often caught in the middle and used as pawns between mother and father. The behavior of the children can dramatically change for the worse, most noticeably at school. Thank you OHEL for recognizing the need to delve into the aftermath of a divorce. Although the film arouses compassion for both spouses and children, it really only touched on how people are affected after the divorce. The film depicts honest, raw vignettes from a cross section of community members, Rabbeim, children, divorcees, educators, psychologists and a psychiatrist. The film captures the essence of what a person’s life looks like during the divorce process. No two people’s experiences are the same. One area not addressed in the film: is there a way to avoid the trauma and crises before it reaches levels of nightmarish proportions? What are the communal responsibilities? A layman like myself can only do so much, i.e. invite a divorced parent and their children for a meal, pick up the phone and reach out, drop off a meal or assist if parents are working full time. What is the role of the community rav? According to our sacred Torah, a rabbi is obligated to do everything possible to
save the marriage. This does not mean a rabbi has to make it his sole responsibility, especially if the rabbi has no training in this area. To the contrary, a rabbi should recognize his limitations and direct the couple to appropriate well-researched professional help. Community rabbeim are inundated with so many different demands from members, it is without doubt one of the most difficult jobs of our time. No one rabbi can be an expert in all areas. The expectation of a community can be very high and human nature dictates that we are quick to criticize and complain far more frequently rather than validate and appreciate the many ways our rabbis and rebbetzins enhance our lives. Since most rabbeim are not versed in state law, nor qualified psychologists, when it comes to a divorce situation, generally speaking, rabbeim are often ill equipped to handle very tenuous situations. Just as parents should take a parenting course, or doctors upgrade their skills with the latest trends and improvements in medical science, so to rabbeim can only benefit by attending educational courses, run by competent divorce attorneys, mediators and most importantly, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists well versed in the area of divorce. The panel that Ohel put together is truly outstanding. If community rabbeim were made aware of the maze of the ineffective legal system, the “games people play,” and have an awareness as to the manipulations that people stoop to during a divorce process, the entire situation could perhaps be less damaging than it currently is. Thank you again to OHEL for finally bringing divorce to the table in an honest and realistic way. May this be the beginning of change in an area long overlooked. Sincerely, D. Lustig
Readers Poll Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to get out the barbecue grill. Do you use a gas or a charcoal grill at your barbecue? 82% Gas grill 7% Charcoal grill 11% I never barbecue
The Week In News
15 senior officials in Kim Jong Un’s government were executed this year for challenging their Great Leader’s authority. According to Shin Kyung-min, a member of South Korea’s intelligence committee, a vice minister for forestry was one of the officials executed for complaining about a state policy. “Excuses or reasoning doesn’t work for Kim Jong Un. His style of rule is to push through everything, and if there’s any objection, he takes that as a challenge to authority and comes back with execution as a showcase,” Shin said. Shin added four members of the Unhasu Orchestra, where Kim’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, previously performed as a singer, were executed by firing squad in March for espionage, without elaboration or explanation. In 2013, Kim purged and executed his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, once considered the second most powerful man in Pyongyang’s leadership circle. He was killed for corruption and committing crimes damaging to the economy, along with a group of officials close to him. Kim has also reshuffled close aides and senior officials repeatedly since taking office. South Korea’s spy agency also expected Kim to travel to Moscow this month to attend an event marking the end of World War II in Europe, although there was no independent confirmation of the plan. The visit would be Kim’s first overseas trip since he took power in 2011 after the death of his father. Russia has said Kim would attend the May 9 event marking the 70th anniversary of the war’s end in Europe, although officials in Seoul have cautioned that there was no official confirmation from
Britain’s royal family got a little bit bigger this week when a daughter was born to Prince William and his wife, Kate. The baby girl, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, is fourth in line to the British throne. She was born at St Mary’s Hospital in West London and returned home two days later after a brief public appearance on the hospital steps. The newest royal will carry the title Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge A statement from Kensington Palace said grandfather Prince Charles, next in line to the throne, and his wife Camilla had visited the newborn. Kate Middleton’s parents and sister also traveled to meet the new baby. Prince Harry, the baby’s uncle, was in Australia and was not among the visitors, although he sent a message: “She is absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait to meet her.”
Singapore PM Solves Sudoku
Singapore’s population has one of the highest levels of computer ownership in the world. Its prime minister just revealed his computer programming skills by publishing code he
Russians: Stalin Wasn’t too Bad Joseph Stalin was one of the most murderous dictators in history. His
regime of terror caused death and suffering to tens of millions. In fact, Stalin’s name meant “man of steel” and the unflinching Russia leader lived up to it. He oversaw the war machine that helped defeat Nazism and was the supreme ruler of the Soviet Union for a quarter of a century. There seems to be no question that Stalin was a murderer. But recently, some Russians are seeing the dictator in a more positive, heroic light. Law student Mikhail Kosyrev used to have a negative view of Stalin but his attitude has drastically changed in recent years, he said, insisting the wartime tyrant meant well. “Over the past five years I’ve often watched documentary films about Stalin about that time on television and learnt more about him,” the 29-year-old said. “And now I don’t have any negative feelings towards him. He had good intentions.” Since President Vladimir Putin took power in 2000, there has been a growing chorus of Russians who take a positive view of the Soviet tyrant’s role in history. Those attitudes have changed dramatically on the back of a recent burst of patriotic fervor whipped up by state-controlled media that some
MAY 7, 2015
A Perfect Princess
wrote to solve Sudoku puzzles on his Facebook page. At the launch of a government technology initiative, Lee Hsien Loong said he had written the “pretty basic” computer program a few years ago. This week he revealed he had written it in the C++ programming language, first widely used in the 1980s. Singapore citizens have praised their leader for knowing how to code. Mr. Lee, who graduated from Cambridge University with a first-class degree in mathematics and a diploma in computer science, asked readers to tell him “if they found any bugs.” According to Mr. Lee it is imperative Singapore stays ahead of the game when it comes to technology and programming. And a leader who is computer-savvy is the best person to keep the country on its toes.
N.K. Dictator’s Response to Challenge
the North. Some analysts have questioned whether Kim, believed to be in his early 30s, would choose for his first overseas visit an event where he would share the stage with several leaders and have less control over proceedings than in a two-day summit.
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The Week In News analysts speak of a creeping rehabilitation of Stalin. The palpable change in how Russians perceive the moustachioed despot has particularly come into stark focus in the run-up to Russia’s celebrations of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in WWII.
Banners featuring Stalin, whose name is inseparably tied to the history of the 1941-1945 conflict known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, were spotted in Moscow and Magadan, a former transit point in a vast network of
Stalinist labor camps. A poster praising Stalin appeared in a Saint Petersburg high school last month, while Kremlin-backed military enthusiasts are preparing to open a museum dedicated to the Soviet dictator in a village west of Moscow. In February, Russia unveiled a monument to the watershed 1945 “Big Three” Yalta summit that features Stalin along with U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, despite objections from Crimean Tatars, an ethnic group persecuted under his rule. “Stalin’s rehabilitation is being steadily implemented,” Nikita Petrov, a historian at Memorial, Russia’s most prominent rights organization, related. “It’s a sign of unlearnt history lessons, a reluctance to look at yourself and honestly admit that we took the wrong path and that our country committed a host of crimes against its own people and the people of neighboring states.” He said officials, who are nostalgic for the superpower status of the USSR, have consciously been promoting Stalin as a tough leader who led the Soviet Union to victory in WWII and presided over the country’s industrialization.
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Those sentiments are now shared by many everyday Russians. According to a study by the respected Levada Centre pollster, 45 percent of respondents said in March that sacrifices sustained by people under Stalin were justified by the country’s “great goals,” up from 27 percent in October 2008. On top of that, the number of those who viewed Stalin negatively fell to 20 percent from 43 percent in April 2001, the poll revealed.
Chibok Girls Not Yet Freed From Boko Haram
Nigeria’s army has announced that it rescued 200 girls and 93 women from their Boko Haram captors during a military operation. Unfortunately, nearly 200 of the girls who were kidnapped from their dormitory last year by the terror group were not counted among those who were rescued. Boko Haram’s actions in small village of Chibok in April 2014 caused an international outcry, and the group’s six-year insurgency has seen thousands killed and many more abducted. Diplomats and intelligence officials said they believed at least some of the Chibok girls were being held in the forest about 100 km (60 miles) from Chibok, although U.S. reconnaissance drones failed to locate them. Nigerian forces backed by warplanes invaded the vast former colonial game reserve late last week as part of a push to win back territory from Boko Haram. The group, notorious for violence against civilians, controlled an area roughly the size of Belgium at the start of the year but has since been beaten back by Nigerian troops backed by Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
Best Place to be a Mother
This week, in honor of Mother’s Day, Save the Children released its 16th annual Mothers’ Index, which rates 179 countries based on five indicators related to maternal health, education, income levels and the status of women. According to the index, Norway is the world’s best place to be a mother. The United States took the 33rd spot, dropping two places from last year and landing behind Japan, Poland and Croatia. Somalia is the worst place in the world to be a mother, just below the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. Interestingly, American women have a one in 1,800 risk of maternal death, the worst level of risk in any developed country in the world, according to the report. An American woman is more than 10 times as likely to die in childbirth than a Polish woman. Year after year, Scandinavian countries have nabbed the top spots in the Mothers’ Index. Last year Finland took the crown. Among the top ten, Australia is the only non-European country, at number nine. France and Britain took the 23rd and 24th spot, below Canada at number 20. Infant mortality was measured as well. Sadly, infants almost don’t stand a chance in countries that came in at the bottom ten on the list. In the top 10 countries on the Mothers’ Index, one mother out of 290 will lose a child before the age of five. In the bottom 10, that rate stands at one in eight. Save the Children also looked at infant mortality rates in the world’s 24 wealthiest capital cities and found Washington had the highest rate at 7.9 deaths per 1,000. By comparison, Stockholm and Oslo had infant mortality rates at or below 2 deaths per 1,000. A country’s economic wealth is not the sole factor leading to happy mothers. Countries need to invest in mothers and children in their country so they can live long, happy lives. Continued on page 14
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The Week In News Liberland Proclaimed to be World’s Newest Country Liberland, a tiny patch of woodland and fields on the sandy banks of the
River Danube, is the world’s newest declared country. The establishment of the pocket-sized nation was declared earlier this month on land wedged between Croatia and Serbia which, its founders argue, was never properly claimed by either country. Liberland has its own flag, which features an eagle and a sun, a constitu-
tion, and a motto – “To live and let live.” Its self-appointed ruler is Vit Jedlicka, a conservative, anti-EU Czech politician. Known officially as the Free Republic of Liberland, the country’s independence was formally declared on April 13. Some 120 would-be citizens are expected to arrive this week for what has been dubbed the state’s first Liber-
ty Day. Prospective Liberlanders are encouraged to bring food, beer and “all necessary equipment for comfortable survival in nature,” including tents and sleeping bags. As of yet, there are no houses or other buildings on the noman’s-land sliver of territory.
If you’re interested in getting a Liberland passport, know that the first 100 people to turn up to the site, which lies at the end of a dusty road on the west bank of the Danube, will be granted honorary citizenship. Liberland has not been recognized by any other country, least of all Serbia or Croatia, but that has not stopped 300,000 people around the world from applying for honorary citizenship. Citizenship is open to anyone unless they have “Communist, Nazi or any other extremist past” or have a criminal record, according to the microstate’s constitution. Its founders insist that the fact that their new country occupies less than three square miles is no impediment to nationhood. Both the Vatican City State and Monaco are smaller. The founders claim that Liberland is neither a stunt nor an elaborate joke but a serious proposition based on the fact that the patch of land is “terra nullius” – unclaimed by any other country. Liberland is the latest in a long history of micro-nations that have declared independence, generally on dubious legal and constitutional grounds. The micro-nation of Sealand was established on a Second World War anti-aircraft gun platform off the coast of Suffolk in 1967 by a former British Army major. A grain farmer named Leonard Casley set up the Principality of Hutt River in Western Australia in 1970 after falling out with the authorities over wheat quotas. The 29-square mile plot of farmland grew into a tourist attraction. Last year, Jeremiah Heaton from Virginia declared himself the ruler of the
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The Week In News Kingdom of North Sudan, an unclaimed patch of desert that he identified between Egypt and Sudan. He wanted to fulfill the dreams of his seven-year-old daughter, who told him she longed to be a princess.
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If you’re a man and like to wear your hair in a spiky hairdo, it’s best that you stay far from Iran. “Devil worshipping hairstyles are now forbidden,” said Mostafa Govahi, the head of Iran’s Barbers Union, cited by the ISNA news agency. “Any shop that cuts hair in the devil worshipping style will be harshly dealt with and their license revoked,” he said, noting that if a business cut hair in such a style this will “violate the Islamic system’s regulations.” Recently, spiky haircuts have become popular among Iran’s youth but authorities have been divided as some have viewed the style as western and un-Islamic. Tattoos and eyebrow plucking for men were also placed under the ban.
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All of his life, Paczynski was repeatedly asked why he didn’t use his sharp tools to kill the man responsible for over a million deaths at Auschwitz. His answer: It would not have stopped the killings, but would have meant certain death for himself and many others. “I thought about it,” Paczynski said in a speech in January in Krakow. “But when I realized what the consequences would be I simply could not do it.” Paczynski is one of the prisoners who survived Auschwitz for the longest amount of time. He was sent to the concentration camp in June 1940 as punishment for trying to flee German-occupied Poland to join the Polish army in France. He was arrested after crossing into Slovakia and was taken in the first transport to Auschwitz, becoming prisoner number 121. He remained in Auschwitz until January 18, 1945. Paczynsk was among a group that the Nazis moved out just days before the Soviet army liberated the camp and was later freed by American soldiers in Germany. At the camp, he was assigned to work in a barber shop where the SS men got their haircuts. One day Hoess showed up and singled out Paczynski from other barbers to come to his family home at the edge of the camp to trim his hair. Paczynski said that he was terrified when he was brought to cut Hoess’ hair. “My voice was shaking, my hands were shaking and my legs were shaking,” he recalled. Yet Hoess was apparently satisfied and had Paczynski return over and over, although he never said a word to him. Hoess developed and oversaw the implementation of gas chambers where over a million Jews and others were murdered. Hoess was tried by Polish authorities after the war and was sentenced to death by hanging in 1947. The sentence was carried out at Auschwitz next to a crematorium.
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At 95, Jozef Paczynski, a Polish political prisoner at Auschwitz who became the personal barber to Auschwitz’s camp commander Rudolf Hoess, has died. For much of World War II, Paczynski was led to Hoess’ home and ordered to cut the hair of one of the worst mass murderers in history.
According to rough calculations, a person who has a 9 to 5 job works an Continued on page 19
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The Week In News
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biker gang, the Night Wolves, was rejected from Poland by Polish officials last week. Currently the gang of about 15 is embarked on their “victory ride”
Israel Israel Helps Nepal Restoration Post Devastating Quake
An entire village in Nepal will be rebuilt thanks to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. As part of Israel’s long term relief effort, a village will be chosen and land will be cleared to allow for new infrastructure and houses. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman made the announcement. “After consulting with various departments
MAY 7, 2015
The U.N. building saw a bit of chaos recently when a U.S. sponsored event on North Korea’s human rights heated up. At the event, North Korean diplo-
Putin’s Gang Denied Entry from Poland
to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of the World War II. The duration of the whole trip is close to 3,750 miles and includes Poland, Czech Republic, and Autria. “These people will not cross into Poland,” said Polish border guard spokesman Dariusz Sienicki. “Each of them will receive a separate refusal.” The group zipped through Brest, Belarus and Terespol, Poland, “with five of them saying they had no visas for Poland but were there to wave off their friends.” Belarusan border patrol permitted the ten with visas to pass through, but the Polish guards turned them away. “I consider the announcement of this rally a provocation,” said Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz on a radio interview. “If this is to undermine our security, cause Poles trouble, then the law is there for us to use it.” The gang and its leader Alexander Zaldostanov denies any accusations of intending to cause unrest; they claim they just want “to commemorate the defeat of German fascism by the Red Army.” The victory, however, also placed Poland for decades behind the Soviet Iron Curtain.
N.K. Reps vs. Defectors at U.N. Event
mats insisted on reading a statement of protest, amid shouts from defectors, and then stormed out. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Samantha Power, tried to quiet the diplomats at the event that featured more than 20 defectors. She called North Korea’s statements “totally self-discrediting.” The North Korean diplomats did not comment as they left the chamber after diplomat Ri Song Chol read out a statement in protest of the event, even as North Korean defectors stood and shouted in their faces. Nuclear-armed North Korea has been on the defensive ever since a groundbreaking U.N. commission of inquiry detailed vast rights abuses there. North Korea has repeatedly referred to defectors who cooperated in the inquiry “human scum.” Defectors stood up and shouted in Korean as Power and others called for calm and a U.N. security team assembled. An observer who speaks Korean said the shouts included, “Shut up!” “Free North Korea!” and “Down with Kim Jong Un!” “There is no need for a microphone,” Power said as one North Korean diplomat persisted in reading out a statement that referred to “ungrounded allegations” and “hostile policy” toward his country. A microphone was briefly turned on for the diplomats. As soon as the North Korean diplomat stopped talking and the next featured defector, Jay Jo, started speaking, the North Korean diplomats stood and walked out. “They’re so rude,” Jo said later, adding that she wished that the diplomats had stayed so she could have spoken with them. The U.S. said North Korea had been informed before the event that their representatives would have a chance to speak.
THE JEWISH HOME
average of 1,870 hours a year, including 20 vacation/sick days and eight holidays. But how many people do you know who actually work a simple 9 to 5 job? In this generation it seems that we all feel we work too hard but in reality the U.S. is not even close to the hardest working country. And according to respondents in a recent survey, Americas really only work 1,790 hours a year— that’s ten eight-hour days less than the above estimates. Some might argue that many workers are required to put in many unpaid hours a year for traveling, planning, networking, responding to emails, and other tasks that happen “after hours.” Those hours are unaccounted for in the following study. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) analyzed the number of hours clocked by workers around the world in an average year. Mexicans worked the most at 2,226 hours a year, that’s 42.8 hours a week, with no off days. The hardest working countries in the world are: Mexico – 2,226 hours Korea – 2,090 hours Greece – 2,034 hours Chile – 2,029 hours Russia – 1,982 hours Poland – 1,929 hours Estonia – 1,889 hours Hungary – 1,888 hours Turkey – 1,855 hours Czech Republic – 1,800 hours United States – 1,790 hours Slovakia – 1,785 hours Italy – 1,752 hours Japan – 1,745 hours New Zealand – 1,739 hours
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The Week In News in the Foreign Ministry, we decided to adopt a village in Nepal, to assist with its reconstruction and to do our utmost to help people who have really found themselves in a difficult situation,” Lieberman said in a briefing at the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The foreign ministry said it will work with the Nepalese government to select which village will be chosen. “We, the professional staff, will start to work after the dust has settled and it’ll be possible to talk with Nepali authorities about the location of the village and the matter of the reconstruction,” said the foreign ministry’s director-general, Nissim Ben-Sheetrit. Dozens of Israelis have been rescued from remote regions of Nepal over the last few days. Chabad-Lubavitch of Nepal said it prepared 2,000 meals for Nepalis in need on one day alone last week. Additionally, the Chabad emissary in the region, Rabbi Chezky Lifshitz, led a helicopter mission to rescue stranded Israelis.
program celebrating the museum’s 50th anniversary, displays the Bible etched onto a miniscule microchip. The Nano Bible is a silicon chip on which the entire Bible, which consists of 1.2 million letters, was carved with a focused ion beam. A microscope that can magnify by a factor of at least 10,000 is required to read the actual text.
The Nano Bible was created by Prof. Uri Sivan and Dr. Ohad Zohar of the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. The Israel Museum’s exhibit, titled, “And Then There Was Nano,” will be on display until December 31, 2016.
Nano Bible on Display We know that Torah is sweet but I don’t think we say that because it can be the size of a sugar grain. The Nano Bible, the world’s smallest Hebrew Bible, which is as small as a grain of sugar, is now on display at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. A new exhibit, which is part of a
Body of Israeli Found in Nepal Rubble Israeli rescue teams have retrieved the body of a 22-year-old Israeli hiker who was killed in Nepal’s devastating earthquake. Or Asraf’s remains were
airlifted from Kathmandu to Israel for burial. A member of the Israeli team that found his remains told Israeli media channels that several European hikers were also killed in the area.
Asraf was the only Israeli fatality from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which flattened villages and killed over 7,000. His body was found on Sunday night by an Israeli rescue team after his father and members of his former Israeli army unit joined the search effort. Several members of Asraf’s family were in Kathmandu to receive his remains and were taking care of burial arrangements in Israel. Members of the relief team that recovered Asraf’s remains on Sunday included nine of his friends from the IDF Egoz unit. His friends carried him across dangerous terrain, hit hard by the earthquake, to the nearest village on Sunday night. In an emotional meeting at the airport in Kathmandu, Patrick Asraf embraced his son’s friends and thanked
them for helping bring Or’s body home. The Asraf family on Sunday night issued a statement, saying it is mourning “its beloved son, the salt of the earth,” and thanked the Israeli government for the efforts to locate Or. “Patrick and Orit Asraf, Or’s father and mother, promised to bring him home and kept their promise,” the family said. Asraf, an army veteran injured in last year’s Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, was hiking in the Langtang area north of the capital Kathmandu when the quake struck. He had opted to walk ahead of the group he was with, unaccompanied, about an hour before the earthquake.
Bomb Blast at Hamas Security HQ
Just before dawn on Monday, a bomb exploded at Hamas’s security headquarters in Gaza City after radical Islamists issued a threatening message calling for the release of prisoners. An online statement just hours before the blast, apparently issued by anti-Hamas radical Islamists, threatened to “act against chosen targets” if jihadist prisoners were not freed within 72 hours. It was unclear if the statement and the explosion were linked, but radical Islamists in Gaza have issued similar threats in the past. “Hamas and its security forces have 72 hours from the release of this statement to free all Salafist (jihadist) prisoners,” said the statement from a group calling itself the Supporters of the Islamic State in Jerusalem. “Our soldiers are ready to act against chosen targets at the end of this ultimatum,” it went on. Last month, Hamas security forces arrested a Salafist leader, alleging that he was a supporter of the Islamic State group (IS). Hamas, which is ideologically aligned with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, has previously cracked down on radical Islamists.
The Week In News
A recent international study concluded that Israel is the third costliest country in Europe. Only Switzerland and Norway came in more expensive than the Jewish state for items such as food, household essentials and toilet-
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It’s unusual for the UN to admit that Hamas performs murderous acts, but in a recent report, the organization confirmed that Hamas stored mortars and other weapons in at least three UN schools during last summer’s war and fired rockets at Israel from two of them. During the conflict last summer, Israel repeatedly pointed that out to explain why the Israeli army was firing at schools where members of Hamas had taken refuge. Schools were the perfect place to store weapons. The terrorist group has consistently used innocents as human shields. Indeed, the UN deplored Israel’s “shameful” attack on “sleeping children.” Standard UN practice: The UN Human Rights Council mandate setting up the Gaza inquiry criticized Israel 18 times and Hamas not at all. As it happens, the three schools-turned-arsenals were empty at the time Israel struck — but there’s no suggestion Hamas just took advantage of the students’ absence. In at least one
ries. But despite the sky-high prices, wages in Israel ranked 13 in Europe. According to the study, the average cost in Europe for a monthly purchase of essentials is approximately NIS 1,520, while the average in Israel is approximately NIS 1,930 – 22% higher. Even so, Israelis can only envy the workforce in countries such as Denmark, England, Sweden, Germany and theNetherlands,whoseearningcapacity is higher, while prices are lower. In seven countries with a lower average salary than Israel – such as Turkey, Hungary, Romania and Poland – the cost of basic goods is proportionately lower. The authors of the study found that when it comes to the ratio between income and expenditure, “Israel is among the worst places.” The study shows that the average expenditure on groceries in Israel is approximately NIS 1,930, similar to Denmark, but salaries in Denmark are 75% higher, with an average wage of almost NIS 14 thousand per month. In England, where the average wage is approximately NIS 11,500 a month, monthly shopping costs just NIS 1,600.
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school where weapons were stored, the report found, Hamas unlocked the gate “to allow children access to the schoolyard.”
UN: Hamas Stored Weapons in Schools
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The Week In News Muhammad — even a respectful one — is considered blasphemous. The security officer who was shot worked for the Garland Independent School District, Harn said. He was treated at a local hospital for injuries and had been released Sunday night. “Texas officials are actively investigating to determine the cause and scope of the senseless attack,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. After the shooting, about 75 attendees were escorted by authorities to another room in the conference center. A woman held up an American flag, and the crowd sang, “God Bless America.” On Tuesday, ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack and warned of more attacks to come. In a broadcast on its official radio channel, the group said two Al Khilafa soldiers opened fire outside the event in Garland, a Dallas suburb. Al Khilafa is how ISIS refers to its soldiers. The ISIS radio announcer also referred to Simpson and Soofi as the terror group’s “brothers.” The announcement ended with this warning: “We say to the defenders of the cross, the U.S., that future attacks are going to be harsher and worse. The Islamic State
soldiers will inflict harm on you with the grace of G-d. The future is just around the corner.” In January, 12 people were killed by gunmen in an attack against the Paris office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which had lampooned Islam and other religions and used depictions of Muhammad. Another deadly shooting occurred the following month at a free speech event in Copenhagen featuring an artist who had caricatured the prophet.
they were poor enough to qualify. Forty percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries were obese during those years, the study found, compared with 32 percent of poor people who didn’t get SNAP benefits and 30 percent of higher-income Americans. SNAP does not make people fat, but there is a correlation.
Food Stamp Recipients More Likely to be Obese Americans are not known to be a nation of healthy eaters, but a U.S. Department of Agriculture study delving into National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2007 through 2010 found Americans on food stamps were more likely to be obese than other groups – including people who didn’t receive benefits even though
Interestingly, food stamp recipients consumed slightly fewer calories daily than the general population. But they drank more soda, didn’t eat as many fruits and vegetables, and in general had diets that scored slightly lower on a healthy eating index. Kevin Concannon, the Agriculture Department’s undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, noted in an interview that people in poorer areas sometimes have a narrower variety of food choices. The findings come as the debate over how poor people use food stamps has heated up in recent months. Republicans in Congress are considering new reforms to the program, which serves 46 million Americans. Earlier this year, a Republican lawmaker in Missouri proposed banning benefits from being used to buy soda, steak or seafood. This week, lawmakers in Maine and Wisconsin are considering legislation that would restrict SNAP benefits to nutritious food. A key target of the legislation is soda and other sugary drinks. The USDA released the study on Tuesday alongside two other reports examining the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. The latter report found that participating children had diets similar to those of wealthier kids, but that WIC participants consumed fewer empty calories and less sodium. Recipients of free and reduced-price school lunches had better diets than students with similar incomes who didn’t participate in the program.
NY Senator Skelos Arrested
New York State Senator Dean Skelos, 67, was arrested on Monday on charges of extortion and soliciting bribes. His son, Adam, 32, was arrested as well. Investigators began looking into the case after the company that hired Adam was awarded a $12 million contract. Supposedly the two were implicated after the FBI got ahold of wiretaps recording Skelos bragging about his power. The probe focused mostly on whether Skelos influenced Nassau County’s decision to award a 2013 contract to Arizona-based AbTech Industries. Adam Skelos worked for the company as a consultant. The complaint said AbTech, which was only identified as an “Environmental Technology Company,” more than doubled its monthly payment to Adam Skelos after the $12 million contract was approved. According to court papers, some evidence was obtained through court-authorized wiretaps on cellphones used by the father and son to support charges including three counts of extortion, two counts of soliciting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. The charges carried a potential penalty of over 80 years in prison. “I have the utmost respect for our judges and our juries and that’s why I will be found innocent and my son will,” Dean Skelos said on Monday. At a news conference, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara alleged that Dean Skelos’ “support for certain infrastructure projects and legislation was often based, not on what was good for his constituents or good for New York, but rather on what was good for his son’s bank account.” Predictably, the charges agitated the Legislature. Democrats in the Senate immediately demanded for Skelos’ resignation as leader and the Senate Republican conference met privately to discuss his fate. Speaking for the Continued on page 26
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The Week In News GOP conference, Sen. Kenneth LaValle, R-Long Island, said there was a “strong consensus” in favor of keeping Skelos as leader. “Presumption of innocence — this conference strongly believes in that,” LaValle told reporters. “He would like to remain as leader and he has the support of the conference.” To date, Skelos had been cooperating fully and has no plans to resign his
leadership post. Just four months ago, former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, was charged with accepting nearly $4 million in payoffs. Silver, maintaining his innocence, resigned from his leadership post but is keeping his legislative seat as he fights the charges. Earlier this month, Silver’s son-in-law was charged in a $7 million Ponzi scheme.
Bharara, who has called Albany a “cauldron of corruption,” said at a news conference that the case was further proof that “public corruption is a deep-seated problem in New York State. It is a problem in both chambers. It is a problem on both sides of the aisle.” “Let me emphasize at the outset that these are only charges,” he reiterated. “The complaint contains allegations
only, and both defendants are absolutely presumed innocent unless and until those allegations are proven beyond a reasonable doubt, which is what we intend to do.” Dean Skelos has represented a portion of Nassau County on Long Island in the state Senate since he was elected in 1984. He was elected to the Assembly in 1980.
Weight Watchers Founder Dies at 91
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“Food is not your remedy for problems. Food is not going to change your life. ... If you’re going to lose weight, you have to do it by changing your way of thinking about food. It cannot be the highlight of your life.” That wisdom was delivered by Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch. Nidetch, 91, died last Wednesday in Florida. The cheerful housewife from Little Neck, N.Y., started her own weight-loss company in 1963. She had weighed more than 200 pounds and through a balanced diet slimmed down to 142, she told USA Today in 2010. That allowed her to lead a healthier and happier life and a successful international company. The Weight Watchers diet model is sensible, healthy eating plans and a weekly support group meeting for inspiration and encouragement. Nidetch is credited with changing how people view weight loss, said Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian in Chicago. “She took weight loss from just a private and personal struggle and turned it into a network of people banding together weekly to support one another with knowledge and inspiration. She helped millions ditch their crash-diet mentality and focus on realistic weightloss skills and long-term weight maintenance strategies,” Blatner said. “She empowered generations of people to lose weight by providing solid information and creating a robust community of encouragement and support.” Weight was a struggle for Jean for most of her life. When she married her
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The Week In News husband on April 20, 1947, she wore a long navy dress, size 18, that had to be let out. She also attempted to diet; she tried all the fad diets like the eggs and grapefruit diet, the cottage cheese and peaches diet, the bananas and milk diet, the steak diet on which she ate nothing but steak. In 1962, she hit an all-time high and weighed in at 214. She was motivated to get serious about losing weight by an encounter in the market. “I ran into a neighbor who said, ‘Oh, Jean, you look so good.’ I was feeling very good about the compliment, and then she said, ‘When are you due?’ I didn’t know how to answer her because I wasn’t pregnant. I don’t remember what I said, but I will never forget it.” At that point, she tried a diet program run by the New York City Board of Health in Manhattan. The diet included fish five times a week, two slices of bread and two glasses of skim milk a day, and fruits and vegetables. Nidetch said of that experience: “I had never bought skim milk. I never drank milk. I drank soda. I drank everything that was fattening.” The diet proved to be effective, she lost 20 pounds in 10 weeks. Reveling in
her success, she decided to invite some overweight friends to her apartment to share her story. “I am a sharer,” she said. “When you give of yourself, you get back. I had to share it, so I called all my overweight friends. I only had overweight friends.” By October of 1962, Nidetch reached her goal. She had lost 72 pounds and weighed 142 pounds at 5-foot-7. Just a few months later on May 15, 1963, she officially opened a business she called Weight Watchers in a loft above a movie theater in Little Neck. She expected no more than 50 people to attend; 400 showed up. She didn’t know what to charge. “I turned around and there was a cashier’s window at the Little Neck movie theater and it said $2. I said to everybody, ‘It’s $2. Does anybody object?’” Well, that was the first day of something big, tremendous, in fact. The business grew and grew and by 1968 the company went public. In 1978 the company was sold to the H.J. Heinz Co. but Jean stayed on to consult for the company for years afterward, traveling around the world, encouraging people to lose weight.
Top Cop Defends Policing Policies NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton has taken to the podium to mount a fierce defense of his “Broken Windows” approach to crime-fighting. During a briefing at the Police Academy, he revealed a report that shows his policy has drastically reduced crime in the Big Apple and lowered the jail population. “We need it now more than ever,” Bratton stressed.
The top cop, whose proven police strategy is under attack by the City Council, cited an incident last week as
the perfect example of why the Broken Windows system works. A Brooklyn man was busted for biking on the sidewalk, and it turned out he had a stolen, loaded gun and an open warrant. Bratton said the arrest was made possible by the quality-of-life policies being targeted in a decriminalization push by council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “That quality-of-life bicycle stop was essential in getting a gun off the street and getting basically a career criminal once again put back in the system,” he said. According to Bratton’s 41-page report, cracking down on low-level offenses has led to a 36 percent decrease in major felonies since 1994 — during Bratton’s first turn as police commissioner. “By applying summonses to violations and arrests to misdemeanor crimes, rather than looking the other way because these offenses are ‘too insignificant,’ officers were correcting conditions early,” the report reveals. “Arresting someone for a misdemeanor frequently prevents him from graduating to committing felonies, for which severe sanctions like prison may result.” The report added that less than 1 percent of those arrested for minor crimes are jailed pending a court appearance
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The Week In News and that most of those who get locked up have multiple prior arrests, more than half of them for felonies. It also revealed a significant drop in both the city and state jail populations in the 20 years of Broken Windows policing.
Working More than 9 to 5
“Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living…” Americans nowadays are looking at the past wistfully as they punch the clock and sit at their desks for hours on end. No longer are 40-hour workweeks de rigueur. According to a new survey from tax and consulting firm EY, about half of all managers work more than 40 hours a week and 39% report that their hours have increased in the past five years. Little wonder, then, that one-third of workers say it’s getting more difficult to balance work and life. The survey raises some questions about the sustainability of the current pace of work, said Karyn Twaronite, who heads up diversity and inclusion efforts for EY and commissioned the study. In general, work responsibilities have increased; wages have plateaued. And company-provided computers and smartphones are convenient, but they tie employees to their job seven days a week. Fifty-eight percent of managers in the U.S. report working more than 40 hours a week, surpassed only by managers in Mexico, where 61% say they’re working those hours. By comparison, just over a third of U.K. managers and under a fifth of managers in China report working beyond 40 hours. The reported shift in working hours appears to have hit parents particularly hard. Some 41% of managers who have kids say they’ve seen their hours increase in the last five years, as compared to 37% of managers who do not have children. Working women and parents also rated the task of managing their work and personal lives as slightly more difficult than men and those without children, but respondents of both genders and all generations reported that they’re feeling the crunch. What’s making it so hard to balance
career and family? Participants blame flat salaries and rising expenses, along with the increased workload. Managers in the U.S. say they have a hard time getting enough sleep, finding time for themselves and handling more responsibility. “There really isn’t any downtime any longer where people could sign off for the day and be done,” Twaronite points out. Some companies are trying to remedy the situation by letting workers leave early or take off Fridays, for example. But flex arrangements are hardly a perfect solution, employees grumble. Some say that they have “suffered a negative consequence as a result of having a flexible work schedule,” such as being passed over for a promotion or losing a job.
Six Officers Charged in Freddie Gray Death
The rioters of Baltimore and the rest of America who are closely following the Freddie Gray story were reassured when the police report of Freddie Gray’s arrest and death was released. Baltimore’s State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced Friday morning that Freddie Gray’s death has been ruled a homicide, and that six officers will face criminal charges. “To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America, I heard your call for ‘no justice, no peace.’ Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man,” she said. “I hope that as we move forward with this case, everyone will respect due process and refrain from doing anything that will jeopardize our ability to seek justice,” Mosby added. The six officers who were arrested in Gray’s death are Officer Caesar Goodson, Officer William Porter, Lt. Brian Rice, Officer Edward Nero, Officer Garrett Miller and Sgt. Alicia White. The charges vary for each officer but they include second-degree murder, manslaughter, misconduct in office, and false imprisonment. Goodson, the driver of the van trans-
porting Freddie Gray, faces the most severe charge of second-degree depraved heart murder, which indicates a “callous disregard for the value of human life.” The reaction to the news of their arrests on the streets of Baltimore were celebratory and triumphant. In contrast, police union officials condemned the ruling. The local police union called the decision a rush to judgment. “The officers did nothing wrong,” attorney Michael Davey said. “These injuries did not occur as a result of any action or inaction on the part of these officers.” The state’s attorney made sure to mention that the allegations against the officers are not an indictment against the entire police department but rather on individuals and their bad decisions that led to a tragedy. She shared that both of her parents, several of her aunts and uncles and her late grandfather were all cops. “The actions of these officers will not and should not in any way damage the important working relationships between police and prosecutors,” she said, “as we continue to fight together to reduce crime in Baltimore.” Although this announcement revealed some details of the case, Mosby warned that the future details and the evidence will be withheld to ensure a “fair and impartial process for all parties involved.”
Billionaire’s Big Bill
Talk about a tough tax bill. Billionaire George Soros may soon be looking at a large bill when the IRS asks him to pay up nearly $7 billion. Despite Soros having advocated for higher taxes on the wealthy, the liberal billionaire reportedly has delayed paying Uncle Sam for years thanks to a loophole in U.S. law. That loophole was closed by Congress in 2008. But before it was, Soros used it to defer taxes on client fees. Instead, he reinvested them in his own fund, and they grew tax-free. According to Bloomberg, George Soros has made $13.3 billion in this way. Factoring in the various tax rates that would apply, one tax expert estimated this
would leave Soros with a roughly $6.7 billion bill. While he technically was able to do this for U.S.-based funds, offshore funds were apparently preferred because otherwise clients would face negative tax implications. Congress closed that loophole in 2008, ordering fund managers to pay up by 2017. Soros moved assets shortly before the change to Ireland, seen as a possible shelter from the law. But leading tax attorneys say they don’t know of a way for money managers to avoid the bill in 2017.
NYC Officer Killed in Line of Duty
Officer Brian Moore, 25, courageously served the people of New York City. Moore was shot in the head by Demetrius Blackwell, 35, a self-proclaimed rabble-rouser who previously served time for attempted murder. Blackwell is African-American. Officer Moore was white. Moore and his patrol partner Erik Jansen were both in plainclothes in an unmarked police car on the night of the shooting. They approached Blackwell on a Queens street after seeing him pulling at his waistband around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday. They approached him and began questioning him. In response, Blackwell “in a vicious manner started to fire.” Officer Jansen was not struck by any bullets and immediately radioed for help after his partner was shot in the head. Moore remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition after hours of surgery for what court papers described as “severe injuries to his skull and brain.” On Monday, his family chose to take him off life support. His family members “stand in silence with tears in their eyes, not knowing what the outcome for Brian will be,” said Patrick Lynch, president of
The Week In News
Bridgegate is the traffic jam that never ends. Three former allies of
While Christie himself was never publicly implicated, David Wildstein, an official at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, pled guilty to federal conspiracy charges and could face about two years in prison at sentencing on August 6. In court, he said he and two other Christie loyalists closed lanes and engineered the traffic jams as part of a political payback scheme against a Democratic mayor and then worked together to cover it up. The two people he implicated in
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court — former Christie deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni, who was the governor’s top appointee at the Port Authority — were charged in an indictment that was unsealed after Wildstein’s plea. Wildstein gave no indication in court that Christie had any role in the scheme. The Republican governor has insisted all along that he knew nothing about it. The scandal broke wide open more than a year ago when an email from Kelly to Wildstein was revealed. It read, “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee.” Wildstein’s reply: “Got it.” That exchange was key in the indictment. Wildstein said they orchestrated the lane closings to start on the first day of school to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, a town at the foot of the bridge, for not endorsing Christie’s re-election bid. He said they also agreed to cover it up by claiming the lane closings were part of a traffic study. And he said they agreed to ignore complaints from Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich. Two of the three access lanes to the bridge in Fort Lee were shut down for four mornings in September 2013, causing huge delays. By the time the incriminating email was made public,
MAY 7, 2015
Christie Allies Charged in Court
Gov. Chris Christie were charged with conspiracy, fraud, deprivation of civil rights and other charges last week in the George Washington Bridge scandal that has cast a long shadow over Christie’s White House prospects. One of the accused has already pled guilty.
rests protecting and serving the citizens of this city.” He added that Moore had received two exceptional police service medals. “We don’t give them out easily,” Bratton said. “He worked for them; he earned them.” According to state corrections records, Blackwell was convicted in 2001 on an attempted murder charge. He pointed a handgun at the occupant of a car in a robbery attempt, then fired shots at the vehicle. Blackwell served the full five years of his sentence, and then returned to prison for violating parole in 2007. He was released again in 2008. McCormack said Blackwell also was arrested in 2013 after he grabbed at an NYPD detective’s badge and spat at him. Blackwell’s attorney insists his client “has no particular animus toward police officers.”
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the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. Moore, who comes from a family of cops, joined the force in July 2010. He was the son, nephew and cousin of fellow police officers. Following the incident, authorities searched house by house in the quiet Queens Village neighborhood. Blackwell was arrested after three witnesses picked him out of a police lineup. The suspect was arrested Saturday night and charged with attempted murder in Moore’s shooting. On Monday it was said that the charge will be upgraded to murder after Moore’s death. After appearing in the Queens Criminal Court in a ripped white jumpsuit, his hands cuffed behind his back and legs shackled, Blackwell was ordered held without bail. “This was nothing more and nothing less than a cold-blooded attempt at an assassination of New York’s finest,” Assistant District Attorney Peter McCormack said. On Monday, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton announced Moore’s death. “In his very brief career – less than five years – he had already proved himself to be an exceptional young officer. In that career, he had made over 159 ar-
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The Week In News Wildstein had resigned, as had Baroni. The governor soon after fired Kelly and cut ties with Bill Stepien, his two-time campaign manager. Questions over whether the lanes were closed for political retribution have been dogging Christie for more than a year. Christie has been gearing up for a 2016 presidential campaign but has not announced he is running.
Federal Funds for Police Body Cams
In light of all the recent issues between the public and police, $20 million in grants will be given to local police departments to help buy body cameras for police officers. The U.S. Justice Department made the announcement two days after the Freddie Gray riots began. The grants represent the first portion to be approved by Congress of a $75 million three-year body camera funding program requested in December by President Obama. Demand for the cameras, which clip onto officers’ uniforms to record interactions with citizens, has risen amid a series of deadly altercations between police and unarmed black men, followed by protests in several American cities. Some critics have accused Obama of doing too little to respond to the shootings. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton said last
week that the United States should make sure every police department has body cameras. But the cameras are expensive for police departments still struggling to regain pre-recession funding levels. Los Angeles, which plans to deploy 860 cameras this summer, will spend $1.5 million in the first year to cover equipment, maintenance and storage. The American Civil Liberties Union has warned that body camera usage must be governed by standards that protect the privacy of those being recorded. The federal funding will match local funds and be available only to departments that already have body camera policies in place, the Justice Department said. It will match funds dedicated to buying cameras and training police on how to use them, but not for storage of the footage they capture, which can often make up the bulk of the cost. Departments awarded the money will be part of a pilot program, overseen by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, to evaluate the impacts of body cameras.
It’s Getting Pretty Crowded
On Tuesday, Mike Huckabee, the Baptist minister who became Arkansas’ governor, announced he’ll be running for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. “I am a candidate for president of the United States of America,” he said in his hometown of Hope, Arkansas.
This was not a surprise, as Huckabee quit his job hosting Fox News show “Huckabee” in January and began plotting campaign strategy last month. He’s also not new to the scene of the presidential race as he ran for president in 2008 capturing strong support from evangelical Christians and winning the Iowa caucuses. The 2016 Republican field is already crowded—and will probably get even more crowded as we head closer to the election year. He will likely face tough competition from Sen. Ted Cruz, who has positioned himself as a tea party favorite. Huckabee said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” last month that he’s confident he can broaden his appeal beyond evangelical Christians and social conservatives to reach working-class Republicans concerned about the economy. “There’s a real sense in the Republican Party that there’s no one speaking, not only to them, but speaking for them,” Huckabee said then. “And if someone can capture both the blue-collar, working-class Republicans, the conservatives, many of them even union members, as well as evangelicals, there’s a real pathway to the nomination.” Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, is a celebrated figure among evangelical Christians. He was the longest-serving Arkansas governor, from 1996 to 2007. He made national headlines for losing more than 110 pounds from 2003 to 2006, and he publicly addressed his struggles with weight. His book, “Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork,” became a bestseller and he made obesity a major policy initiative as governor. He wrote in his memoir, “From Hope to Higher Ground,” that his work as a pastor helps him understand how politics and policy affect people. On Monday, retired surgeon Ben Carson made it official, telling a crowd in his hometown of Detroit that he’s running for president. The former head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins hospital has never run for public office. But he’s a star among some conservatives and will try to parlay his success as an author and speaker into a competitive campaign. He told his rally: “I’m Ben Carson and I’m a candidate for president.” He is the only high-profile African-American to enter the GOP presidential primary race. Earlier in the day, former technology executive Carly Fiorina declared her intent to run as well. Fiorina climbed the ranks at AT&T and became the CEO at Hewlett-Packard in 1999. She credits
her role as a business leader with preparing her for the decisions required of a world leader. “The nation is at a pivotal point,” she told Katie Couric. “The gulf between how people feel about their lives and what’s going on in Washington is huge. The disconnect between regular people and the political class is wide and growing.” Now the second woman in the 2016 presidential race, Fiorina said about Hillary Clinton, “Hillary Clinton is a highly intelligent, very hard-working woman who has dedicated her life to public service. All these things are true. And yet, she doesn’t have a track record of trustworthiness,” pointing to Benghazi, the email snafu and recent allegations regarding foreign donations to the Clinton Global Initiative. “In the world that I come from, a title’s just a title,” Fiorina said. “Why are we so impressed with political titles? A senator is a title. Secretary of state is a title. What has anyone accomplished with their title?” she asked rhetorically.
That’s Odd He’s Gonna Live the Dream Hey, you! Yes, you, the man with the backwards baseball cap driving the truck. Come here—I owe you $74,925 and I want to make sure you get paid. This week, a lucky winner won a straight flush on a Wild West lottery ticket. When he came to claim his prize, the clerk at the gas station in California handed him $75 and he was on his way. But wait! $75 is small change for the winner who really won $75,000. Now, the clerk, realizing his mistake, is trying to track down the Good Luck Chuck to make sure he receives what he’s due. He better hurry—he has six months to claim the $74,925 that’s owed to him. Don’t let the big one get away.
A Rapid Ascent Wonder how long it takes to build a 57-story skyscraper? If you’re in China, it takes just 19 days. Last week, the Broad Sustainable Building Co. put up the rectangular, glass-and-steel Mini Sky City in the
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The Week In News Hunan provincial capital of Changsha using a modular method, assembling three floors per day. The Chinese construction company is claiming to be the world’s fastest builder. “With the traditional method, they have to build a skyscraper brick by brick, but with our method, we just need to assemble the blocks,” company engineer Chen Xiangqian said. The busy builders are not stopping there. The company has ambition to build the world’s tallest skyscraper with 220 floors in only three months. Mini Sky City, which has 19 atriums, 800 apartments and office space for 4,000 people, goes on sale in May. The structure is safe and can withstand earthquakes, Xiao said. Although the company is boasting that the building took only 19 days to complete, the company spent 4 ½ months putting together the building’s 2,736 modules before construction began. The 19 days of building was also not done consecutively. The first 20 floors were completed last year, and the remaining 37 were built from January 31 to February 17 this year. No matter how strong they say this building is, I’d stay away. I don’t know how long it’ll last, ‘cuz, you know, it’s made in China.
Flour Power
Rock ‘n’ Roll Grandma
She’s rockin’ and rollin’. Yvette Vachon, 91, has been making too much noise rocking in her rocking chair. So much noise, that the police were called in and the nonagenarian was fined $148 for disturbing the peace. Apparently, her downstairs neighbor couldn’t take the ruckus, and police said the Yvette was violating the city’s excessive noise bylaw, which applies to anyone “shouting, swearing or behaving in a way to annoy the neighbors or passersby.” When news broke out about the absurd fine, many fine citizens raised a ruckus of their own and the charges were dropped against the 91-year-old. “I am very happy. I wanted this to end,” Yvette related. “I was very worried. Now I’ll be able to sleep peacefully and get some rest,” she added. She also said that she’ll still be using her recliner, although she’ll be more careful opening and closing the footrest. Perhaps her neighbors shouldn’t keep their hearing aids on too high.
considering that he probably paid a bit too much for this chair. The seat was called the original “blobject” and was once featured in an article called “Furniture without Pity.” When the designer produced a dozen or so of the chairs, he couldn’t get rid of them and they sold in the low four figures in the 1980s. It’s called Lockheed in a nod to its airplane-like riveted cladding, but that wasn’t the original intent. The image Newson had in mind was one liquid “globule of mercury,” he told the BBC two decades after that first groundbreaking work. Though the chair looks industrial, Newson’s process was actually a laborious effort by hand to achieve such curves. It’s made of carved foam sheathed in aluminum plates, with rubber feet. So why would anyone pay more than a few bucks for this chair? When you look at it, “you can see where the design has come from and where it’s going in the future,” Alexander Payne, Phillips’ design director, professes. “You can see silhouettes and lines there from anything from the Apple Watch to new cars that are being designed today, jets, television screens and day-to-day objects.” Not entirely coincidentally, Newson was recently hired by Apple and is thought to have had a hand in designing the Apple Watch. This all sounds like a bunch of hot (ch)air.
people, researchers found that people believed security, knowledge and religion were the most important aspects of happiness. But those factors have changed. Last year, Sandie McHugh and Professor Jerome Carson repeated the social experiment and found that while security was still in the top three, good humor and leisure were important as well. Religion, though, is not as popular as in 1938. It fell to the bottom of the list in the happiness poll conducted last year. One factor that hasn’t changed, though, is the importance people place on luck – 40% believed good fortune was vital to their happiness both back then and in 2014. And in both eras, most people said they didn’t think happiness was related to material possessions and wealth. “The overall impression from the correspondence in 1938 is that happiness factors were rooted in everyday lives at home and within the community,” said McHugh. “In 2014, many comments value family and friends, with good humor and leisure time also ranked highly.” Happiness is a state of mind.
A Full Facial
What is Happiness?
An Elite Seat Looking for a million dollars? If you’re living with Fred Morgan, better check in the sack of flour sitting on your kitchen counter. The postal worker said he couldn’t eat or sleep for three days when he discovered that he had five winning numbers in the April 17 Mega Millions game and realized that he won the cash. But the windfall was too much for Fred to take in all at once, so he and his wife hid the winning ticket in a container of flour because no one would “check for anything valuable in the flour.” After much consideration, the couple finally cashed in their ticket with dusty fingers and will enjoy their lucky dough. I gotta say that this story just takes the cake.
Would you ever purchase a chair that its designer concedes “was never really intended to be comfortable”? Well, this week, Marc Newson’s Lockheed Lounge was sold for a whopping $3.7 million—an all-time world-record price for an object by a living designer. The purchaser? He decided to remain anonymous, which I can understand
Think we’re just as happy now as we were years ago? A psychologist from the University of Bolton in the U.K. has recreated a famous study conducted in the same town almost eight decades ago that sought to find out what made people happy. In 1938, an advertisement was placed in the local paper asking readers, “What is happiness?” After rating the importance of ten factors from 226
We know that a lot of people live in China, but where does someone have to go to get a few minutes of relaxation? Well, you probably should have stayed away from Jinan, China, on Monday if you were looking for a calming facial this week. The Guinness World Records confirmed that a thousand people in a football stadium enjoyed a mass facial that lasted 30 minutes and included “cleansing, masks, moisturizing and massage.” The crowded beauty treatment broke the record for most people getting facials. They sure came out with shining faces, although they probably needed a hot cup of tea to calm their nerves after spending so much time with so many people.
Around The Community
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ter for Emotional Intelligence, conducted an enlightening and insightful workshop addressing this very question. Culled from 25 years of research, they developed a training program called “RULER” that instructs teachers in the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary for emotional health. The program focuses on five key skills: recognizing emotions in oneself and others, understanding the causes and consequences of emotions, labeling the full range of emotions, expressing emotions appropriately in different contexts, and regulating emotions effectively to foster relationships and achieve goals. Through exercises and queries that were both interactive and introspective, the present-
ers had the audience become acutely aware of the difficulty found in identifying and managing our emotional status. As Dr. Brackett put it, “You gotta name it to tame it; you gotta feel it to heal it!” Tools such as the widely spread Mood Meter and Meta-Moment were thoroughly explained and left those present with effective instruments to use in training their
students to identify and manage their emotions. During the lavish luncheon buffet, participants were privileged to hear words of inspiration from the keynote speaker Rabbi Eli Mansour. He explained that although the concept of emotional intelligence is only a relatively recent focus, it is actually clearly found in the Torah, termed by Shlomo Hamelech in Mishlei as “mussar haskel.” He further stimulated the audience by discussing how man was created imperfect with the mission of partnering with Hashem to complete the creation process. Thus, he concluded, he who invests his life in helping students and children to perfect themselves is a truly G-dly person.
Journalist Edwin Black Visits Shalhevet Wednesday morning, April 29, Shalhevet students were privileged to hear from award-winning journalist, Edwin Black. Mr. Black spoke about how American taxpayer dollars are going to fund Palestinian terrorists. He explained that when the U.S. collects tax dollars, they separate out some money to give to the Palestinian government to foster peace. However, the Palestinian government uses that money to pay terrorists’
families after they carry out an attack. He pointed out that there is a sliding scale for each terrorist; the more people that they killed, the more money their families receive. Mr. Black also informed the students of the dangers of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. BDS applies social and economic pressures on Israel to end Israeli occupation and allow for a fully Arab-Palestinian state.
Additionally, he spoke about the New Israel Fund (NIF) which is trying to incorporate a democratic society. The NIF supports BDS and gives substantial money to a group called Btzelem which oftentimes incites teenage Arabs against Israeli soldiers by taunting them within inches of their face, draping their guns with Palestinian flags, and filming the outrage when the Israeli soldiers push back the offending parties. Both BDS
and NIF are pushing for the State of Israel to become a Palestinian domain. They are trying to force Israel to give in instead of having the sides participate in direct negotiations. The students enjoyed hearing from Mr. Black as he was engaging, insightful, and brought important subjects to light.
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200 devoted professionals from various communities in the tristate area convened early Monday morning, April 27. While the program was hosted by PTACH, the attendees were comprised of principals, rabbeim, teachers, therapists and special educators who gathered
with one mission in mind: to increase their ability to help their students develop their emotional well-being. The event was introduced by Dr. Judah Weller, director of PTACH. He began by exploring the need for a conference that would address our children’s emotional intelligence. In today’s digital society, with all the business and distracted lifestyle it engenders, children are left with minimal opportunity for emotional development to be modeled by parents. Also, with the implementation of Common Core curriculum, sky-high academic expectations are placed in our classrooms. The question is: are we losing the forest from the trees when we so emphasize scholastic skills while our students remain unprepared emotionally for life? With both charisma and professionalism, Marc Brackett, Ph.D. and Robin Stern, Ph.D., directors of the Yale Cen-
The conference room of the Grand Hyatt was charged with an enthusiastic sense of purpose as a group of over
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Ptach: Helping our Teachers and Rabbeim
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Around The Community Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut at Rambam Mesivta One week after students heard a most moving and meaningful program featuring two heroic Holocaust survivors on Yom HaShoah, students gathered for special assemblies on Yom HaZikaron and again on Yom Ha’atzmaut. Rabbi Yotav Eliach, Rambam’s principal and nationally noted educator in religious Zionism, coordinated these assemblies. On each day, the walls of the building ap-
propriately displayed themes of the day. Yoni Nirenberg, Yonatan Meiri and other student volunteers placed posters, pictures, articles and pamphlets around the school to help create the mood of the day. On Yom HaZikaron, Rabbi Eliach passionately spoke about many sacrifices that Israeli soldiers had made in the battles to safeguard our homeland. Rabbi Zev Friedman, Rosh HaMesivta, reflect-
ed on a recent trip to a military cemetery in Israel which commemorated the victims of the 1948 War of Independence. “There were tombstones of soldiers who had just survived the Shoah, men from Bulgaria, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and their fallen Sephardic brethren from Iraq, Tunisia and Iran. Jews were truly united at that point, recognizing the common threat we faced and fought as
a Jewish army against those who sought to destroy us. There were no distinctions between religious, nonreligious, Ashkenazim or Sephardim – everyone was united – and we should learn from that experience,” said Rabbi Friedman. Rabbi Eliach, a veteran of the IDF, said, “I vividly recall the tremendous bond that existed amongst the dedicated fighting forces that came from various geographical locations and socioeconomic backgrounds. All that mattered was that we were Jews fighting to protect our fellow Jews.” The assembly concluded with the stirring remarks of Rav Besalel Ratzadi, the rav the IDF who had to identify the remains of 50 soldiers who died in this summer’s Gaza operation. Later in the day, the students watched a movie about the life sacrifices and death of American-born Roi Klien, a”h, who jumped on a grenade in order to save the lives of his comrades fighting in Lebanon. The entire Mesivta was deeply moved by everything they saw and heard on Yom HaZikaron. The following day, Rabbi Eliach once again introduced the Yom Ha’atzmaut assembly. He spoke about the special privilege we have to experience Jewish sovereignty in the land of Israel. “For close to 2,000 years we were persecuted, murdered and oppressed with no place to go. If one were to go back in time and tell people during the Churban, Crusades, pogroms or Shoah that their descendants would be able to learn in Medinat Yisrael and daven at the Kotel, they would be awestruck. If someone were to tell my mother, or any Jew in Auschwitz in 1943, that the Jewish star, the sign of persecution, would be painted on the wings of a jet fighter in the Israeli army, they would not believe you .We must appreciate and thank Hashem for the miracle that is Israel,” said Rabbi Eliach. Student representatives of the Israel Action Committee held many sessions with students of all grades preparing them to confront media bias and misinformation about the role of the IDF and Israel’s policies. Later in the day students were shown the video, Beneath the Helmet, which depicts the life and challenges of a soldier in the IDF. When the day was over, the commitment to defend Israel and the appreciation of the Yad Hashem that granted us the opportunities that our great grandparents did not have was truly heightened for all of the talmidim in Rambam Mesivta.
39 THE JEWISH HOME
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NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO JOIN DAF HAYOMI B’HALACHA
The Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program consists of learning a daily amud of Mishnah Berurah and an amud of “Biurim Umusafim” contemporary halachic applications from today’s Gedolei Haposkim, as well as a selection of Mussar from Sifrei Chofetz Chaim. To join, simply learn the daily Halacha limud of Mishnah Berurah. Additionally, you can join a Daf HaYomi B’Halacha shiur in your neighborhood.
EDISON- CONT.
LAKEWOOD - CONT.
PROVIDENCE
Rav Reuven Drucker
Rav Dovid Pearl
Rav Refoel Shochet
Agudas Yisroel of Edison; 1131 Raritan Ave. S-Th 7:25-8:00 pm
BALTIMORE
ELIZABETH
Rav Mordechai Frankel
Shemen L’mincha; M-F 6:00 am
Rav Dovid Shanik
Providence Community Kollel; 671 E. Ave. S 8:40 M-F 7:40 am
Bais Medrash Kol Yehudah (Brookhill Ashkenaz) 1009 Brook Road; S-Th 8:45 pm
Rav Dovid Bielory
Providence Community Kollel; 671 E. Ave. S 8:30-9 pm, M-Th 9-9:30 pm (Maariv 9:30)
Agudath Israel of Baltimore 6200 Park Heights Avenue S 8:30–9 pm M–Th 8:20–9 pm (Maariv 9:00)
Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kivelevitz
Rav Shmuel Tendler
330 Elmora Ave; S-Th 8:30 pm (followed by Maariv)
Rav Dovia Halpern
BAYSWATER
FAR ROCKAWAY
Rav Menachem Feifer
Rav Moshe Ravinowitz
JEC Reibel Bais Medrash, Elmora Shul
Sons of Israel; 590 Madison Ave; S-Th 8:15 pm Forest Park Shul; S-Th 10:15 pm
Kehilas Ahavas Yisroel; 147-02 73rd Avenue S-Th 9:45–10:15 pm (Maariv 9:30)
5 minute shiur after Maariv; Limud B’chavrusah before Maariv
SAN DIEGO
Rav Shlomo Caplan
Rav Pinny Roth
YIWB/Shar Hashamayim; 2716 Healy Ave S-Th 6:15-6:45 pm
Lakeview Shul
BEACHWOOD
FLATBUSH
Country Place Club House; 1400 South Lake Drive S, M, T and Th 7:45 pm; W 6:15 pm
Rav Naphtali Burnstein
Young Israel of Greater Cleveland 2463 South Green Road M-F 7:25 am (Shacharis 6:45 & 7:50), S-T 10:15 pm
BORO PARK Khal Birkas Avrohom; 1319 50th St S–Th 8:30 pm (Maariv 9:20)
LOS ANGELES
SAVANNAH
Rav Chaim Trainer
Kollel Los Angeles; 7216 Beverly Blvd (upstairs) S-Th 8:15-9:00 pm (Maariv 9:00)
Rav Yoni Maccabi
Rav Boaz Bar-Dea
Rav Zev Smith
Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin; 2913 Ave. L S 8:30 pm (Maariv before & after Shiur)
Rav Yehudah Leibish Frand
Bais Medrash Radomsk; 4304 14th Ave. S-Th 9:00 am
Rav Yisroel Moshe Russak
ביה”ח ד’ גור זכרון אברהם
1401 55th St.; S-Th 9:55 pm (Maariv 9:45)
Rav Avraham Aber Itzkowitz Khal Brisdovitz; 1721 58th Street M-F 8:15-8:40 am
BOSTON
Rav Dovid Bielory
Yeshivas Ohr Yisroel 74 Corey Road; S 9:30 am, M-F 8:40 am
Rav Ephraim Epstein
MILWAUKEE
Rav Avrohom Reit
Rav Ayson Ganeles
Congregation Ahavas Achim; 549 E. 2nd St. S-Th 9:30 pm (Maariv 10:00)
The Milwaukee Kollel; 5007 Keefe Avenue S 8:30 pm, M, W, Th 9:00 pm
KEW GARDENS
MONSEY
Rav Elchanan Kasnett Rav Pinchas Garfunkel Rav Binyamin Kaplan Rav Yosef Licht
The New Monsey Night seder Bais Medrash at Bais Medrash Shaarei Tefilla; 29 Parker Blvd. S-Th 8:55-9:40 pm
Khal Zichron Yaakov; S-Th 9:15 pm
Rav Avrohom Yeshaya Frand
Kollel Ahavas Torah; 3115 Devon Avenue S-Th 8:45-9:15 pm
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Rav Boruch Hirschfeld
Kollel Ateres Chaim Boruch; 1861 S. Taylor Rd. S-Th 9:30 pm (Maariv 10:00)
DEAL
Rav Shmuel Choueka
Ohel Simha Congregation; 295 Park Avenue M-F 8-8:30 am
Deal Kollel; 9:15 Chaburos
Toldos Yitzchok; S-Th 9:25-10 pm
Rav Chaim Weg
Bais Medrash of Westgate (Upstairs) 100 Ropshitz Ct. S-Th 10:00-10:30 pm (Maariv 9:40 & 10:40)
Ohel Yaakov; 1 Challenger Court; M-F 7:25-7:45 am
Southeast Hebrew Congregation S-Th 9:15-9:45 pm
NEW SQUARE
SKOKIE
Rav Efraim Greenbaum
Bais Medresh Skver; 11 Truman Ave. S-Th 9:00-9:30 pm
Rav Aaron Lauer
Or Torah; 3800 Dempster Street M-F 8:40 am (Shacharis 8:00)
Rav Boruch Meir Levine
PASSAIC
Lakewood Courtyard Shul; 52 Madison Ave S-Th between Mincha & Maariv (Mincha 15 minutes before shkiah)
Zichron Chaim (The Villa’s Shul) 901 East Kennedy Blvd. M-F 7:20–8:00 am, followed by Shacharis
Rav Moshe Chaim Kahan
EDISON
Bais Medrash Govoha - Ateres Brocha S-Th 8:45 pm (Maariv 9:15)
Rav Gedaliah Jaffe
Rav Hillel Feldman
Congregation Ahavas Yisrael; 1587 Route 27 M– F 6:00 am
S - Rav Avraham Sussuman M - Rav Shlomo Katz T - Rav Raphael Mendlowitz W - Rav Mordechai Rhine Th - Rav Joshua Musicante
STATEN ISLAND
Rav Shimon Prag
Congregation Bnei Israel Beth Yehudah 15400 W 10 Mile Road; M-F 6:30 am
Young Israel Shomrai Emunah T 8:00-9:00 pm (followed by Maariv)
NORTH WOODMERE
Rachmastrivka Beis Medrash S-Th 50 min. after Shkia followed by Maariv
Rav Doniel Neustadt
Yeshiva of Greater Washington; 1216 Arcola Ave. M, W, Th 8:00-8:40 pm
Bais Medrash Govoha - Carey Street S-T-W 9:40 am, M&Th 9:45 am Kollel Ner Avrohom 104 Arbutis Drive; S-Th 8:45 pm (Maariv 8:30)
Rav Yisroel Zucker
Rav Moshe Ahron Blum
Kollel Avreichim of Greater Detroit 15120 West Lincoln M-F after 8:30 Shacharis (upstairs)
Rav Eli Reingold
Agudas Yisroel of St. Louis; 8202 Delmar Blvd. S-Th 6:15-6:45 pm
Rav Eliezer Ralbag
Rabbi Eliyahu Yellin
Rav Pinchas Shapiro
SILVER SPRING
Rav Gidon Nitsun
Kol Aryeh; M-F 7:20-7:45 am
Rabbi Eliyahu Yellin
DETROIT - OAK PARK
27 Neil Road; S-Th 9-9:30 pm (Maariv 9:30)
Seattle Kollel; 5305 52nd Ave. South S-Th 8:00-8:30 pm (Maariv 9:00)
Cong. Ahavas Torah; 1425 Rhawn Street S, W, Th 8:20 M,T 9:20
Rav Moshe Peretz Schwartz
Bais Medrash Govoha - Forest Ave Limud B’Chavrusah after 7 am Shacharis Shiur Klali - F 8:00-8:30
Yagdil Torah; 17100 West Ten Mile Road M-F after 7:00 Shacharis, S-T 9:55 pm
ביהמ”ד בית אשר מרדכי
Rav Meir Waxman
ST. LOUIS
15751 West Lincoln Drive; S-Th 9:30 pm (Maariv 10:10)
Agudas Yisrael Magen Avrohom
Rav Nuta Silber
SEATTLE
Rav Dovid Wachs
Rav Moshe Zev Feldman
Rav Asher Eisenberger
Rav Yosef Meir Kantor
Rav Yisroel Brodsky
NORTH EAST PHILADELPHIA
Bais Medrash Presidential Estates S-Th 9:00 pm (Maariv 8:45)
DETROIT - SOUTHFIELD
Machzikei Hadas; 600 Monroe Ave. S-Th 9:30 pm (Maariv 10:00)
KENSINGTON
Rav Shmuel Kestenbaum
Rav Chaim Mordechai Turin
MARINE PARK Cong. Tiferes Avrohom Zidichev; 4017 Ave P M-F 6:30-7:00 am & 8:35-9:05 am
M-F 7:25 am (Shacharis 6:45 & 8:00)
Morning Shiur after Shacharis, Evening Shiur after Maariv
SCRANTON
2141 Coney Island Avenue S-Th 8:45-9:30 pm (Maariv 9:30)
LAKEWOOD
Cong. Bnei Brith Jacob (in the chapel) 5444 AberCorn Street
Kollel Yechiel Yehudah; 444 N. La Brea Ave Mincha 6:00 pm, followed by a Shiur
Rav Yechezkel Eichenstein
Sons of Israel of Cherry Hill; 720 Cooper Landing Rd.
CHICAGO
Rav Yochanan Henig
Agudas Yisroel Snif Zichron Shmuel
Rav Teitelbaum’s Shul; 122-31 Metroplitan Ave S-Th 8:40-9:00 pm
CHERRY HILL
Beth Jacob Congregation; 4855 College Ave For more information: rabbiroth@bjsd.org
K’hal Bnei Torah - Kollel Dirshu 2925 Ave K. (corner Ave. K & Nostrand) M–F 8:30-9 am, S 9:30-10 (Shacharis 7:30) Tehila Ledavid; 1950 E. 21 Street (Bet. R & S) S 7:10-8 am, M-F 6:10-6:50 am
Rav Yitzchok Zalman Gips
Rav Moshe Bilitzky
Rav Avrohom Koslowitz
Agudas Yisroel of Bayswater; 2422 Bayswater Ave S-Th 9:30-10 pm (Maariv 10:00)
Rav Shlomo Cynaman
QUEENS
Bais Medrash of Arlington Khal Rayim Ahuvim M-F 8:00-8:30 am
Rav Shmuel Witkin
KBH - 575 Hungry Harbor Road S Following Mincha/Maariv; M-Th 9:15pm (Maariv 9:00)
Rav Chaim Krause
Agudas Yisroel Bircas Yaakov 262 Terhune Avenue M-F 6:40-7:10 am (Shacharis 7:10) BTU Bais Torah U’ Tefilah; 218 Aycrigg Ave S-Th 9:45-10:15 pm (Maariv 10:15)
PHILADELPHIA
Rav Uri Yehudah Greenspan
Rav Gavriel Fried
Khal Agudas Shomrei Hadas; 98 Rupert Ave. S-Th 9:15-9:55 pm
TORONTO
Rav Dovid Hofstedter
Dirshu Bais Medrash; 4576 Yonge St. M-F 8:25-8:55 am
Rav Uri Kaufman
Agudas Yisroel Anshei Kielce; 2941 Bathurst St. S-Th 20 minutes before Mincha
Rav Chesky Weiss
Shovei Mayim; S 6:35-7:00; M-F 6:05-6:30
Rav Shmuel Heller
LMS; 123 Old Lancaster Avenue M-T 10:35-11:15 am, F 11:30 am Philadelphia Community Kollel 364 Montgomery Avenue; S-W 8:15 pm
Viewmount Shul; 1 Viewmount Ave M-F 6:55-7:25 pm
PHOENIX
Yeshiva Gedolah Ateres Shmuel of Waterbury 359 Cooke St.; S-Th 8-8:30pm (Maariv 8:30)
Rav Nosson Ungar
Congregation Ohr Hatorah 6516 North 7th Street Suite 202 M–F 7:30 am (Shacharis 6:45)
PORTLAND
Rav Chanan Spivak
Cong Kesser Israel; 6698 SW Capital Highway S-Th 8:45 pm, followed by Maariv
WATERBURY
Rav Tzvi Thaler
WICKLIFFE
Rav Chanina Weinberg
Yeshivas Tiferes Avigdor; S–Th 4:00 pm
LIVE AND RECORDED SHIURIM AVAILABLE Kol Halashon USA: 718-906-6400 Canada: 416-800-2146 TorahAnytime.com
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SHIURIM LOCATIONS
MAY 7, 2015
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Around The Community SKA’s Class of 2015 Honorees
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The Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls has named the honorees for this year’s graduating class and congratulates them on all their accomplishments. Mazel tov! Valedictorian: Yiela Saperstein Yiela Saperstein, the SKA Class
of 2015 Valedictorian, is Co-Editorin-Chief of both the Senior Yearbook and the online “SKA Art Sketchbook,” Associate Editor in Chief of the Literary Journal and a member of the Championship Torah Bowl Team and Math Team. Last year, she initiated
Pre-START, a science initiative in the HALB preschool, bringing science modules and experiments to the classes of “budding scientists.” She is a talented pianist and violinist, has performed at concerts and recitals, was a head of the SKA Band and a member
of the Production Choir. Her social science research was on “Music and the Blues.” She will be attending Barnard College next year, studying math and sciYiela Saperstein, Valedictorian ence. Salutatorian: Paulette Tawil Paulette Tawil, SKA Salutatorian for the Class of 2015, is the Hebrew Editor of the Senior Yearbook, Weekly Editor of the Parsha Press and a winner of the SKA Excellence in Tanach (Bible) Award. She is a member of the Championship Torah Bowl Team as well as the SKA Math Team and has participated in E2K Science and Math EnPaulette Tawil, Salutatorian richment. Paulette volunteers at SKA Open House events, at a local nursing home and soup kitchen. She will be attending Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim in Jerusalem, Israel, next year and then the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program at Stern College for Women. Keter Shem Tov: Devorah Meisels Devorah Meisels is the 2015 SKA Keter Shem Tov Speaker voted by her peers for her outstanding character. She is a three-time peer-voted winner of the Middot Award for outstanding c h a r a c t e r, and a winner of the Long Devorah Meisels, Keter Shem Tov Island Good Deeds Award. Editor in Chief of the Yom Tov Press and the SKA Production Baybill, Devorah is a second place winner of the Yeshiva University Bronka Weintraub National Torah Competition and Production Assistant in the SKA annual Production. She is a JEP Leader, a member of the Torah Bowl Team and JUMP Team. Devorah will be attending Michlalah in Jerusalem, Israel, next year and then Stern College for Women.
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Around The Community Goldfeder Visits Jewish Community of Baltimore after Days of Unrest
THE JEWISH HOME
MAY 7, 2015
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Last week, during some of the protest and unrest that rocked the city of Baltimore, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder travelled with Gilles Gade of Flatbush Shomrim/ RCSP
and Eli Rowe of Queens Hatzalah to meet with community leaders and organizations to provide assistance and chizuk. During their visit they met with Ron Rosenbluth, the
Senior Operations Coordinator for Baltimore Shomrim, Coordinators for Hatzalah, and toured some of the local Jewish businesses.
Bais Yaakov of Queens Annual Artifact Fair
On Tuesday, April 28, the BYQ cafeteria was transformed into a Jew-
ish museum. This year’s Bais Yaakov of Queens Annual Artifact Fair hosted
A Touch of “Class” at HANC High School: Torah Brought to Life By Elana Lefkowitz, Junior HANC High School prides itself on its rigorous and innovative academic program with the goal of instilling a love for learning throughout its curriculum. Students are constantly engaged in interactive learning both in and out of the classroom, while expanding their knowledge in all disciplines. This week, Rabbi Daniel Mezei’s Girls’ BMP (Beit Midrash) shiur had the opportunity to experience the laws of Kashrut firsthand. The class learned in Parshat Shemini the four signs that deem a bird koshe,; one of which is to
see if the inner membrane of its gizzard peels off completely. Rabbi Mezei brought in turkey gizzards to demonstrate this feature to the students. Michelle Hoch and Elana Lefkowitz, two aspiring medical students, dissected and peeled the gizzard in front of the entire class. This is just one example of the unique learning experiences that students at HANC High School are exposed to; it was certainly an experience the students in Rabbi Mezei’s class will not soon forget.
many intriguing artifacts! The collection included items of more than 150 years, many museum quality pieces. The room was elegantly decorated. There were rows of colorful tables that spanned the cafeteria, upon which the family heirlooms were displayed. Students stood behind the tables and welcomed guests which included parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and students. Equally intriguing to the artifacts were the stories behind the pieces. Mrs. Naomi Pacht, the event coordinator and curator of the museum who also teaches history to these students, said, “The students’ research on the artifacts is what truly gives meaning to the entire project.” The project began with each student finding an artifact belonging to her family. The array of family heirlooms that the girls discovered in
their families’ possessions offered a unique learning experience, creating an opportunity to learn about one another’s cultures and families. Through research, interviews and writing, the students prepared their exhibits. Since the students select artifacts from their families, each exhibit bears a meaningful story to the presenter. The students worked diligently for several weeks to research, analyze and perfect their presentation. It was obvious the students were ready for the event. They were well informed, poised, welcoming and able to discuss their artifacts’ histories. Mrs. Sarah Bergman, general studies principal, proudly said, “The displayed treasures are celebrations of family culture. The purpose of the fair is for the girls to have pride in their culture and respect for diversity.”
43 THE JEWISH HOME
Around The Community
MAY 7, 2015
Members of Baltimore showed their support to local law enforcement last week when they coordinated fresh, hot food for hungry police and National Guard officers. Hundreds of officers enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza from the Baltimore community.
Sy Syms School of Business Celebrates 28 Years of Excellence and Growth Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business celebrated its 28th anniversary, faculty and the graduating class of 2015 at its annual Gala Awards Dinner on April 30 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. “The dinner is an opportunity to recognize students and faculty for their academic and professional excelTalia Kugelman and Leo Koraman, co-presidents of Sy Syms Student Council, with Associate Jonathan Nierenberg presents Yechiel Auman and Elana Schreier-Glatt with the Dean Harold lence and acknowledge Dean Michael Stevens, center Nierenberg Memorial Valedictorian Award the accomplishments of the business school,” other organizations. Dean Michael Strauss detailed the ac- counting, business, finance, marketing said Talia Kugelman, co-president of “In accepting the Sy Syms Humani- complishments of the past year—a new and management. Yechiel Auman and the Sy Syms Student Council, which tarian Award, Harold Grinspoon honors business intelligence and marketing an- Elana Schreier-Glatt received the Dean organized the event. us,” said Sy Syms alytics major and blended online cours- Harold Nierenberg Memorial ValedictoPhilanthropist Dean Dr. Moses es—and looked forward to more offer- rian Award. Harold Grinspoon, Pava. “As a busi- ings in the future, including an online Schreier said that she was grateful founder of Aspen nessman and as a master’s in marketing in the fall, as well for her education at Sy Syms, its handsSquare Managephilanthropist he as plans for an MBA program. “The stu- on business classes fused with Torah ment, received the represents Jew- dents have a great sense of optimism, values and ethics. “Who we are at heart Sy Syms Humanish values at their energy and excitement,” he said. doesn’t change, even as our surrounditarian Award, and best. His focus Dr. Robert Greenberg, clinical asso- ings do,” she said. “But that doesn’t then joined Sy Syms on instilling Jew- ciate professor of business law, received mean we have to compromise on our Foundation Presiish values in all The Lillian F. and William L. Silber ambition or future successes either— dent Marcy Syms— of our children Professor of the Year award and Rabbi values are assets in the workplace.” who established the through books Ozer Glickman received the Professor “Yeshiva University is the only award—for a fireis a breathtaking Peter Lencsis Adjunct Professor of the top-tier institution of higher education side chat during the project, and he Year award, both voted on by the stu- in the United States that combines the dinner reception. has singlehand- dents. Shragie Lichtenstein received the study of Torah with secular studies, and Grinspoon founded Marcy Syms and Harold Grinspoon edly re-imagined Ryan Khaldar z”l Award for Outstand- that model is important for our future,” the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in the incredible power of ideas. Harold is ing Character and Academic Excel- said Marcy Syms. “My association with 1991 to engage Jewish families in the an innovator and entrepreneur not just in lence in Finance, awarded for the first the Sy Syms School of Business has richness of their tradition. The founda- business but in his incredible charitable time and presented by Professor Sidney been very nurturing to me as a business tion distributes Jewish children’s liter- work, as well.” Mehl and student Eitan Khaldar, brother leader and woman and the success of ature and music through its PJ Library In his remarks during the student of the award’s namesake. Other students its students gives us added incentive to and raises funds for Jewish camps and awards ceremony, Sy Syms Associate received awards for excellence in ac- continue doing good work.”
Around The Community “Dirshu Has Lost Its Moreh Derech, Its Omed Al Hamishmar”
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By Chaim Gold When HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner [in 2006 at a Dirshu Kinyan Halacha test] saw the rows upon rows of avreichim being tested, he was visibly moved. In his short, heartfelt words to the test takers, Rav Wosner remarked that based on his knowledge of history he knows of no precedent that has had such an impact on raising kavod haTorah, and in making Torah beloved to such a large segment of Klal Yisrael, as Dirshu Mourning the Loss of a Father, a Guide, a Mentor… One of the earliest supporters of Dirshu was HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, who passed away as we ushered in the yom tov of Pesach this year. Rav Wosner was one of the first gedolim to recognize the bracha that Dirshu would bring to Klal Yisrael and invested great effort in encouraging Dirshu’s Nasi in the avodas hakodesh of building and expanding Dirshu. Rav Wosner was not just a friend and supporter of Dirshu, he was also a deeply valued guide and Rebbi who was always available to provide clear guidance. Dirshu is thus in deep mourning over the loss of Rav Wosner. Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Dirshu’s Nasi, while speaking before hundreds at the Dirshu testing site in Boro Park at the recent first test of the Machzor Sheini of the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program, bemoaned the loss saying, “Dirshu has lost its Moreh Derech, its omed al hamishmar and the person who displayed a tremendous love for Dirshu and its accomplishments.” From its earliest days, Rav Wosner recognized Dirshu’s potential ability to transform Klal Yisrael and bring ye
dias haTorah on a grand scale to Klal Yisrael. Perhaps that was why he attended and addressed so many Dirshu events, something he did not do on such a scope and scale for any other organization. On numerous occasions, Rav Wosner praised Dirshu and its ideals in his speech at Dirshu’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration in the Yad Eliyahu Stadium in 2008, “Baruch Hashem, [in the course of my life] I have merited to know numerous Torah giants from many countries. Some were great at in-depth learning, others displayed profound powers of reasoning… Still, the foundation for them all was yedias haTorah – vast Torah knowledge. “It is for this reason that I give song and praise to Hashem that I have merited to come here and witness this stunning sight… talmidei chachomim sitting and learning the word of Hashem in order to merit a kinyan in Shas.” “Halacha is not Something You ‘Study,’ it is Something You Learn!” At the recent first test of the Machzor Rishon of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, Rav Wosner and his special role in Dirshu was remembered. At the massive Armanot Chein Hall in Bnei Brak, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shaul Klein, shlita, a talmid muvhak of Rav Wosner, spoke about his Rebbi and his connection with Dirshu. Rav Klein related that Rav Wosner would constantly praise the lomdei Dirshu as people who were engaging in attaining yedias haTorah on a grand scale. He also profusely praised many of Dirshu’s other programs especially the Kinyan Halacha program and the early morning, pre-Shacharis learning programs. “An example of his vigilance to ensure that Hashem’s desire was being
fulfilled,” related Rav Dovid Hofstedter, “can be gleaned when we initially discussed the Kinyan Halacha program with Rav Wosner. Rav Wosner, who cherished the idea of promoting learning halacha b’iyun, encouraged us. Si-
An Unexpected Telephone Call… “I Have Never Seen Such a Kiddush Hashem” In his words at the testing site in Boro Park, Rav Dovid Hofstedter recalled the “chiba yesairah,” the special
multaneously, he made it very clear that we would have to be extremely careful to set down policies in order that Kinyan Halacha should not become a ‘university for halacha,’ where people ‘train’ to get their semicha. ‘Halacha is not something you ‘study,’ it is something you learn!’ he would say. It was this kind of vigilance and guidance that Rav Wosner provided for Dirshu, much as a loving father and Rebbi provides for the apple of his eye.”
love, which Rav Wosner had for Dirshu. “I can never forget the day after our first massive gathering in Yad Eliyahu in 2008, celebrating our 10th anniversary. Of course, Rav Wosner came and gave a heartfelt and comprehensive address, kedarko bakodesh…but what filled me with emotion was when my phone rang the next morning and Rav Wosner’s grandson was on the line, telling me that the venerated posek wanted to speak with me. A second later I heard his unmistakable voice, the ne’imus, the sweetness, and the ahava could be felt through the telephone lines. Why did he call? To say, ‘Thank you!’ He said that he had never seen such a Kiddush Hashem! At that time, he was 94-years old. He had all the problems of Klal Yisrael on his shoulders. But he found the time to call. No one asked him to call, no one expected him to call. He got nothing in return. But he called because he was like a father calling to tell a child that he had nachas. That was Rav Wosner. Purity of heart, nobility, me’or ponim…” In his hesped, Rav Dovid Hofstedter concluded, “We are certain that just as he expressed his love for Dirshu in this world and was always there to ensure Dirshu’s success, so too from his exalted place in the ginzei meromim he is continuing to intercede on behalf of Dirshu – for its continued hatzlacha until that ultimate exalted day when Hashem will send the goel tzedek, b’mheira b’yameinu!”
Encouraging and Hailing the Early Morning Pre-Shacharis Learning Programs One of the most touching incidents took place around 2006. Rav Wosner saw the size and scope of Dirshu’s pre-davening programs in yeshivos where bachurim would wake up an hour before davening and would utilize Friday and Motzaei Shabbos to complete the masechta that they learned in Yeshiva. Rav Wosner, who personally found the pre-davening hour to be sacrosanct and instrumental to his own success, said, “For a very long time I myself have been contemplating ways to strengthen limud haTorah during these blocks of time.” Breaking into a wide smile upon hearing the details of the program, Rav Wosner gave his heartfelt bracha, saying, “Those who undertake to learn at times when devotion to learning is not as strong will merit a special aliyah ruchnius and continued progress in Torah.”
91 Students from 19 Elementary Schools for DRS Class of 2019!
#soooooogood
MAY 7, 2015
students were then treated to ice cream sundaes. Following snack, students were moved to the gym for a game of “concentric circles,” where students found themselves sitting across a new friend and were prompted to discuss an array of different questions. After five minutes, students moved in front of a future classmate to meet them as well. After the game, the grade was divided into groups for a unique egg drop competition. Each team was given a raw egg and several materials. With the materials, the students were challenged to construct a contraption that would keep an egg from cracking when dropped from the DRS roof. The winning team of students each received gift cards to Dunkin Donuts – a DRS student hotspot. On Sunday, the incoming students were able to meet their new classmates and gain a taste of what DRS is all about.
Starting high school can be a scary and nervous experience, but not for DRS’s incoming ninth graders! This past Sunday, the 91 members of the DRS incoming Class of 2019 joined up at DRS for the school’s annual Yom Achdut, during which new classmates get the opportunity to meet one another before they embark on four years of high school together. Hailing from 19 different elementary schools, a DRS record, next year’s DRS freshmen were selected from one of DRS’s largest pool of applicants in the school’s history. On Sunday, they got a chance to hear from Rabbi Kaminetsky, Dr. Kirshenbaum, and other administrators at DRS. After introductory words of Torah from Rabbi Kaminetsky on the topic of achdut, the boys took placement exams in both algebra and Ivrit to determine the appropriate classes for next year, and the future DRS
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Around The Community
Around The Community Support and Inspiration at YUConnects Benefit Breakfast
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Dr. Pelcovitz addressing the crowd
200 people attended the Benefit Breakfast for YUConnects on Sunday, April 26. Hosted in the home of Malky and Jay Spector, it was also co-chaired by Rabbi Dr. Aaron and Margie Glatt, Laurie and Robert Koppel, Esty and Robert Levinson, and Evelyn and Aver-
Hosts Malky and Jay Spector
im Stavsky. 37 local couples were part of the Event Committee which raised needed funds for the non-profit. Dr. David Pelcovitz spoke about Digital Communication affecting relationships and Rabbi Ya’akov Trump offered witty insights into shidduchim as
they both demonstrated their support for programs like YUConnects. YUConnects is opened to the entire Jewish community, not only YU students, and has made 199 engagements in a few short years of existence. It is a one-stop dating resource as it offers
social events, guidance and community partnership to all. For more information, email yuconnects@yu.edu or go to www.yuconnects. com
Yom Chaverut at SKA Anticipating starting a new school can be intimidating, but not for the incoming freshmen at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls. The warmth, camaraderie and enthusiasm displayed on SKA’s Yom Chaverut, Sunday, May 3, was outstanding! Ninety-six girls from various elementary schools bonded over team building activities such as “Speed Dating” and the “Egg Drop,” and enjoyed a delicious lunch and ice cream cones. Watching a video on “paying it forward” about doing acts of kindness and davening Mincha together capped off the program in an inspirational way. Yom Chaverut was a wonderful opportunity to meet future fellow classmates, members of the administration and grade level advisors, together with madrichot and the SKA student ambassadors. Welcome Class of 2019!
Class of 2019
PHOTO CREDIT: IRA THOMAS CREATIONS
Mrs. Helen Spirn, Head of School, with some of the incoming 9th graders
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PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN
Chana Levitan addressed the Far Rockaway-Five Towns Women’s Rosh Chodesh Shiur on Sunday, May 3rd. Her topic was “Successful Riding the Ups and Downs of Life & Relationships.” The shiur was held in Congregation Shaaray Tefila in Lawrence. Mrs. Levitan is the author of I Only Want to Get Married Once.
PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN
On May 1, Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, one of the most famous Refusniks who served time in Soviet prisons and a psychiatric hospital because of his desire to immigrate to Israel, addressed the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. He spoke about life in the Soviet prisons and psychiatric hospital and how he was released. His life story is told in his book, Unbroken Spirit—Heroic Story of Faith, Courage, & Survival. He is pictured here with Rabbi Aaron Brafman, Menahel of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway.
Mercy Medical Center Garners Top Award In recognition of its commitment to and success in delivering quality care to its patients, Mercy Medical Center was awarded first place honors for its project known as “Code STEMI” by Physicians Reciprocal Insurers (PRI). The project significantly reduced diagnosis, treatment and transfer times for Emergency Department (ED) patients experiencing ST elevation Myocardial infarctions, a specific type of heart attack. Mercy earned PRl’s Risk Management and Patient Safety Best Practices Award for 2015 by identifying a need to improve ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) “door in, door out” (DIDO) times. Mercy’s ED team streamlined the process of restoring blood flow through coronary arteries, in order to minimize permanent damage to the heart and enhance patient outcomes. The team used Lean concepts and Value Stream Mapping to evaluate the exist-
ing process, implemented adjustments to protocols within the ED and worked with EMS to transfer patients quickly to a catheterization facility. As a result, a 56% improvement in STEMI DIDO times was achieved. “This recognition reflects Mercy’s mission to provide quality care and to continually seek ways to further improve the delivery of care, enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction,” said Ron Steimel, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Mercy Medical Center. For the second consecutive year, Mercy was ranked as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission, based on an aggregation of 2013 data. Also, the hospital was presented with the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. In addition, in recognition of
Mercy’s Emergency Department Assistant Director Kurt Dischner (third from left), MD, and Director of Emergency Medicine Nenad Grlic (fourth from left), DO, accepted the Risk Management and Patient Safety Best Practices Award for 2015 from PRl’s Executive Vice President for Hospitals and Special Programs Jeanne Braun (second from left), with Mercy’s Chief Nursing Officer Beth Vlahavas (left) and Director of Risk Management Rosemarie Povinelli (second from right) and Catholic Health Services Chief Patient Safety Officer Lynn Jennings Taylor (right) present to congratulate the team.
its ongoing commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, Mercy earned its third consecutive Get With The Guidelines®—
Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Project SETT Grants TAG Students a New Program of Sensory, Evaluation, Treatment and Testing
Thanks to the Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. Warner Fund, Torah Academy for Girls has been privileged to receive a magnanimous grant, which will be used to better serve the TAG student body in need of support services. The grant will be used to put into motion Project SETT, which stands for Sensory, Evaluation, Treatment and Testing. Project SETT will be used to purchase additional educational, physical, occupational, and speech assessments. The TAG family is very excited that project SETT will enable the school to purchase top of the line equipment for
the school’s new sensory gym. The grant will be used to purchase therapy tools for all related providers, including occupational therapists, speech therapists, special education therapists, counselors, and physical therapists. Finally, the funding from the grant will also be used to purchase technology such as smart boards, tablets and computer software for the Resource and Related Services Department. TAG has received its first round of assessment tools, purchased with the grant, that will benefit the TAG student body. Dena Isaacs, the senior occupational therapist at TAG, who has been
with the school for the last 14 years explains, “Assessment tools are imperative to qualify and justify related services. Additionally, access to different assessment tools helps providers refine their treatment to target specific areas where children show difficulties. The Joseph Leroy and Ann. C. Warner Fund has allowed our providers to provide optimal services to our TAG students.” The Board of Education provides special education services to qualifying students. However, the high cost of specialized tests and remediation tools falls on the shoulders of the school and
the individual providers. According to Dr, Zelasko, Director of the Resource, Special Education and Related Services Department, “TAG has always been generous in helping our therapists acquire the evaluations and equipment they need. With the help of the Joseph LeRoy and Ann C. Warner Fund, TAG will now have the ability to purchase a wider range of tests and tools. TAG has always strived to meet the individual needs of every student. With the help of this grant we will now further help each girl reach her potential.”
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Around The Community Best-Selling Author Returns to Rambam Mesivta Edwin Black, internationally noted for his work as an investigative journalist, spoke to students at Rambam Mesivta last week. Black is an award-winning, New York Times best-selling author and international investigator whose books have been printed in 14 languages and 61 countries. Over 1 million books are in print, and he has successfully exposed
anti-Semitism, governmental misconduct academic fraud and corporate corruption. He was greeted to a standing and cheering ovation on the occasion of his return visit to Rambam. Last year, Mr. Black discussed his book, Financing the Flames, which outlines the shocking complicity between groups like the New Israel Fund
and groups that promote boycott divestment and sanctions against the State of Israel. Citing financial records which are publicly available, Black showed how hundreds of thousands of dollars were funneled by the New Israel Fund into groups such as Btaselem, Adallah, Machsom Watch and others that have been linked to attempts to delegitimize
Israel. This year, Mr. Black taught all assembled a lesson in history about the Farhud-a pogrom in 1941 against the Jewish community of Baghdad which had lived there for over 2600 years. This was an outgrowth of the meeting that took place between Hitler and the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. During those two horrific days in June of 1941 infants were brutally killed and thrown lifeless into the Tigris. Women were defiled and killed, men were axed to death in front of chanting bloodthirsty mobs. This was the Mufti’s chance to demonstrate to Hitler is loyalty and willingness to bring the Holocaust to the countries under his control. According to Black, “During World War II, the Mufti urged all Muslims to work for the expulsion of Jews in all Arab and Muslim countries characterizing Jews as ‘parasites among the nations sucking the blood out of their property corrupting and their morals.’” The Farhud pogrom soon became an event that the Arab world celebrated in song proclaiming, “How lovely it would be if a Farhud occurred every day.” Mr. Black explained that hundreds of thousands of Jewish residents of Arab countries were forcibly expelled since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. In most cases they left their former countries penniless, only to build new lives in the land of Israel. The Grand Mufti was also the driving force and instigator of the terrible massacre of the Jewish community in a Hebron in 1929. Mr. Black explained that the Mufti began the process with a vicious attack on the Jewish community of Jerusalem, and later called the British police to inform them of the attack—in order to create a diversion and enable his Arab Nazis to massacre the Jewish community in Hebron, while the British police were still dealing with the diversion in Jerusalem. Upon the conclusion of his lecture, a question-and-answer session took place. Afterwards, Mr. Black was whisked away to the next lecture at John Jay Community College and was later scheduled for an evening flight to Ottawa to testify in the House of Commons. Mr. Black praised the students of Rambam for their knowledge, commitment and activism, saying, “I love coming here,” and left having received a standing ovation and standing invitation to return again next year.
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On Tuesday night there was a large gathering in Young Israel of Bayswater for Keren Hashiviis. It was explain how important it is to support the farmers during Shmittah and what a big mitzvah it is. The speakers at the event were Rabbi Eliezer Feuer, Mara D’asra of Yisroel Israel of Bayswater, Rabbi Nosson Scherman, Guest Speaker, and Rabbi Menachem Feifer, Mara D’asra of Agudath Israel of Bayswater.
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Bais Yaakov of Queens’ general studies department is known for its outstanding academics, most notably for its writing program. Students are guided through the process of becoming authors at a very early age. Currently, the first graders are beginning to work on publishing their own picture books. As an introduction to the publishing phase, a world famous author visited them to discuss the process of writing a book. Mrs. Chaviva Pfeiffer, author of the Maggid Series for Children, held a special workshop for Mrs. Schonfeld’s and Miss Zakutinsky’s reading groups. Mrs. Pfeiffer brought galleys of
her recent book and explained the steps of publishing. Together, they journeyed from the initial idea of a book and from where she gets her stories. They discussed what all authors do, writing a rough draft. Mrs. Pfeiffer explained the necessity of partnering with illustrators to make her books come alive. Students had the opportunity to ask questions on the process of writing and being published. The children were inspired and excited to continue working on their own books which they plan on sharing when they celebrate with Authors Day some time in June.
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Around The Community The Enrichment Zone at Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island
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When the winter winds blew these past few months, many of the students in grades 1-5 of Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island participated in an exciting, optional “Enrichment Zone” Program. Specially designed materials were distributed every week or two with the
goal to expand and deepen our students’ reading, math, grammar and problem solving abilities in an exciting and stimulating way. Students worked on these enrichment materials between subjects after having completed classwork, at home, during their recess, and,
in their enthusiasm, even asked for more over their vacation! These sheets provide extra practice that is challenging, logical and provide an opportunity to do work that is a bit above grade level. Parents related to Mrs. Steele, Secular Principal, how popular the pro-
gram is. While learning is its own reward, recognition and a treat are always appreciated, and this week we celebrated our second ice cream party as students who reached another milestone enjoyed their Enrichment Zone Ice Cream Cone – this time in the shape of a sandwich.
Five Towns Neurology and Physical Medicine Welcomes Dr. Morgenstern Our community has been fortunate to have a number of world-class physicians serve our community and despite being as little as 30 minutes from Manhattan, we can truly boast a surprisingly substantial offering of diverse, experienced and high quality physicians and medical services. Five Towns Neurology and Physical Medicine has called the Five Towns its home for more than 15 years, located for the last almost-10 years at 222 Rockaway Turnpike just blocks from Central Avenue in state-of-the-art facilities that were completed just shortly before the practice first moved to the location. The practice was started by David Steiner, MD, himself a neurologist who after his primary medical training in Chicago (having trained at both University of Chicago earning a BA in chemistry and Rush Medical College where he earned his MD and also completed his internship in Internal Medicine) moved to the Five Towns to attend Albert Einstein College of Medicine for his neurology residency and subsequently completed a fellowship in Headache and Pain Management at Montefiore Headache Center. Five Towns Neurology, PC is actually the parent company to some five
integrated medical businesses under one roof including Village Open MRI, the only open MRI in the Five Towns; Cedarhurst Sleep Center, a state of the art three bed sleep lab open weekends (except for Friday night/ Saturday day); Five Towns Neuroscience Research, one of the premiere neuroscience research organizations in the tristate area; NeuroSport Physical Therapy, offering neurological specific and general sports and orthopedic therapy for the community; and Five Towns Neurology and Physical Medicine, with expertise in all areas of general neurology and pain medicine including all forms of neurological testing available. The practice is proud to announce its newest member, Dr. Michael Morgenstern. Dr. Morgenstern, having completed his undergraduate work at Queens College with a Bachelors in Psychology, went on to complete his medical training at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his internship in internal medicine at Mt. Sinai College of Medicine at Queens Hospital Center and then went on to complete his neurology residency at North Shore/LIJ where he also completed a fellowship in sleep medicine. Dr. Morgenstern is Board Certified
in Neurology and Board Eligible in Sleep Medicine and will be sitting for his board certification in sleep later this year. Dr. Morgenstern has also had a strong interest in clinical research that to date has focused on improving outcomes through early diagnosis and accurate management of headaches and sleep disorders. In 2011, Dr. Morgenstern led a research group which developed a computer program to screen patients for headache disorders. In 2012, the group developed another computer application called SNORE to identify individuals at risk for sleep disorders. Dr. Morgenstern is the author of several publications about neurology and sleep medicine. He recently authored a medical textbook chapter on sleep apnea which will be published later this year. Dr. Morgenstern has presented on the diagnosis of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders at the 2014 American College of Chest Physicians national conference in Austin Texas and has published peer-reviewed articles on the relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and diabetes, risk assessments of sleep disorders in primary care utilizing computer-assisted technology and on the treatment of patients with OSA and Neuromuscular Disease. Telemedicine has been a strong interest of Dr. Morgenstern, as well, and he has been a pioneer in the field of telemedicine especially with respect to its integration with sleep medicine. He has
also formed his own nonprofit organization, Medwiser, an organization focused on disease prevention using internet and other new-media tools to help empower the healthcare consumer and stave off illness before it begins. Dr. Morgenstern lives with his wife and two children in neighboring West Hempstead and it was very much a conscious decision for him to practice in and around his own community as he feels that planting local roots forms the best blend of his professional and personal interests and goals. Dr. Morgenstern helps to form a synergistic platform within Five Towns Neurology as his current interest in sleep helps to only further carry forward the practice’s Cedarhurst Sleep Center, our communities own three bed stateof-the-art sleep lab into more robust development and prominence within the community and his interest in our existing clinical trials research within our Five Towns Neuroscience Research Division, one of the premier Neuroscience free standing research facilities in the tristate area having conducted studies in areas of chronic pain, dementia, migraine, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke and more. Dr. Morgenstern is available now for appointments at Five Towns Neurology PC’s Cedarhurst office with most major insurance plans accepted for both his sleep specialty and general neurology. Please call 516-239-1800 to make your appointment today!
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MAY 7, 2015 The eighth graders of Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island had the zechus and privilege to hear from Rabbi Dovid Sapirman, the founder of the Ani Maamin Foundation. Rabbi Krigsman opened up the asifa, talking about the importance of learning about the topic of emunah. Rabbi Sapirman spoke about seeing the Rebono Shel Olam through the world and its creatures. As he elucidated, if someone is wearing a jacket someone had to weave it.
Taking Shulamith to the Next Level On Tuesday evening, April 28, parents, supporters and faculty turned out en masse for the Shulamith School for Girls “Road to Excellence” Dinner. The dinner was held at the Sands. Dinner Chairman Mr. Jeff Eisenberg spoke about the school’s warmth, superior education in both Torah and general studies, pro-Israel hashkafa, and ever-increasing enrollment. He then went on to state that Shulamith had no intention of resting on its laurels, coining the catchphrase of the dinner, “Let’s Take Shulamith to the Next Level.” What made the evening truly noteworthy was the emphasis placed on the steps the school will be taking to become an even more outstanding educational institution. In a series of video interviews and photo montages, dinner attendees were informed about future improvements scheduled for Shulamith, some of which have already begun, including increased
security, implementation of cutting edge technology, and improvements in providing remediation or enrichment to students. A highlight of the dinner was a special choir presentation by the third grade students of Shulamith. The performance allowed parents to enjoy a small taste of the many ways in which Shulamith brings out the best in its students, not just in the area of academics, but in extra-curricular programming as well. Dr. Jonathan and Sari Altmark were the Guests of Honor at the event. The couple is accomplished professionals and pillars of their West Hempstead Community. Dr. Altmark serves as Chairman of Adult Education for the Young Israel of West Hempstead, is a member of both the Chevra Kadisha and Hatzalah, and delivers Tomchei Shabbos packages weekly. Mrs. Altmark has served as the Sisterhood President of the Young Israel and is currently a board
Rabbi Perry Tirschwell, Executive Director; Mr. Jeff Eisenberg, Dinner Chairman; Mr. Ari Cohen, President of Shulamith School for Girls; Mrs. Shira Bokow, Educator of the Year; Mrs. Estee Scher, Principal of the Early Childhood Division
Bokow, who nourishes her students with member of their Chesed Committee. As Shulamith parents, the Altmarks a unique flavor of her own, igniting a love of learning that have been invaluable continues throughout to the school. Mrs. all their years at ShuAltmark has been a lamith. class mother for over The Bokows live eight years and has in Cedarhurst, where volunteered for both Mrs. Bokow served as the Shulamith WomSisterhood President en’s Organization and of Congregation Beis the Shulamith Parent Medrash of CedarCouncil. The Althurst. They are the marks are the proud proud parents of Nisparents of Shulamith son (17), and daughstudents Batya (12), ters Zeldie (15), ChaMimi (10), Yali (8), ya Malka (12), Raizy and their brother, Dinner Chairman, Mr. Jeff Eisenberg (8), and Deenie (6), all Moshe (5). Mrs. Shira Bokow was named of whom attend or attended Shulamith. From the reception to the dessert Educator of the Year. She has been a beloved Pre-1A teacher at Shulamith buffet, the energy and excitement in the School for Girls since its second year on room was palpable as everyone felt that Long Island. Shulamith is fortunate to they were part of the Shulamith journey have a stellar staff that includes Morah on The Road to Excellence.
Mr. Jeff Eisenberg, Dinner Chairman; Rabbi Perry Tirschwell, Executive Director; Mr. Ari Cohen, President of Shulamith School for Girls; Dr. Jonathan and Sari Altmark, Guests of Honor
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Around The Community Shalom Task Force Holds Third Annual Brunch A respectful gathering of hundreds of supporters attended Shalom Task Force’s third annual Brunch on Sunday morning, May 3 at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst, NY. Mr. Moshe Wolfson, Brunch Chairman, welcomed the audience and re-
ferred to the previously unmentionable topic which Shalom Task Force so ably addresses: domestic violence in the Orthodox community. With the efforts of its capable staff and dedicated cadre of volunteers, the organization has been actively dealing with victims and spearheading prevention efforts for 23 years. The Professional Leadership Award was presented to Mrs. Sheila Selig, a good friend of Shalom Task Force. Mrs. Joyce Austein was recognized Dr. Alan Singer, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, and Mr. Moshe Wolfson with the Dedi-
The crowed at the Brunch
cated Service Award. A riveting video introduced Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, the Guest of Honor and community leader. Rabbi Twerski’s book, The Shame Borne in Silence, was instrumental in motivating the Orthodox community to confront the problem of domestic abuse. In his keynote address, Dr. Twerski recognized the accomplishments of Shalom Task Force in addressing the needs of victims Mrs. Joyce Austein and Mrs. Esther Williams and creating preventative education programs to strengthen Jewish mar- founder of Shalom Task Force, concludriages. Dr. Twerski impressed on his au- ed the program with a quotation from Dr. dience the need for recognition of these Twerski: “We have a job to do.” issues, and the necessity for each individual to provide support for victims. The funds raised through this Brunch will enable Shalom Task Force to continue to provide its many services, including a confidential Hotline, education and prevention programs for young adults, Shalom Workshops for engaged and marriage couples, and Sarah’s Voice, providing legal services to victims. Mrs. Nechama Wolfson, Mrs. Sheila Selig and Mrs. Aviva Hoch
Bnos Bais Yaakov Kindergarten: The Process, Not the Product “I am not here to impress parents. I am here to help children learn.” These are the confident words of Morah Rochel Sima Munk, describing why her students’ projects are not cookie-cutter perfect. When, in the process of creating her own masterpiece, a child learns about symmetry or improves her cutting skills or discovers the unlimited scope of her own imagination, it does not matter a whit if her tree looks nothing like the arboreal creation with which we are familiar. It is the process of learning and discovery that the preschool teachers are focusing on – not the end product. And that is why the walls in Morah Rochel Sima’s kindergarten class are laden with her students’ work. She prefers to display their work in school rather than send it home so that the girls can gaze with pride upon their unique creations. One of Morah Ahuva Buls’ favorite projects is a most unusual looking snowman. Called the “Ooey-Gooey Snowman” for its delightful sensorial texture
(shaving cream and glue!), it sports three noses, two sets of earmuffs, and assorted other excessive adornments. As a group activity, the creation of this snowman offered the girls the chance to contribute their own special touch to the final product. Does it really matter to a four year old that a snowman typically has only one nose? Isn’t it far more important to her to look at the group project and point with great artistic pride to her nasal contribution? Now that it’s spring, Morah Ahuva’s Kindergarten room is abloom with flowers – flowers using dip-dots, stick-a-licks, the bottom of soda bottles, and sprayed water. The girls made their flowers their own way, without being forced in any one direction. By using their own imaginations and following their own inclinations, they learned how to translate their concept of a flower into a beautiful, visual representation. Morah Shulamis Bloom explains her technique as follows: “We talk about the topic, then I put a whole assortment
of different materials on the table. And from there on, anything goes.” Flipping through her students’ portfolios, you can see exactly what she means. Everybody’s page of rip-art is completely unique. Some girls chose a minimalist approach and some loaded their papers down with layers upon layers of rip-art. The pattern page yielded similar results. Some children created simple patterns, some constructed complicated patterns, and some had no pattern at all that the casual adult observer could discern. (To ensure that the children do indeed understand the concept of patterns, Morah Shulamis incorporates patterns into other lessons and logs the children’s progress in this and other concepts throughout the year.) Everything in Morah Shaina Hirschhorn’s class is geared towards building a child’s confidence and independence. During any activity in her kindergarten class – be it snack, centers, or projects – Morah Shaina empowers her girls to choose, try, and try again. Zip-
ping a coat? They learn to do it themselves. Writing their names? They learn to do it themselves. Says Morah Shaina, “Sure, it would be quicker if I did it myself, but that’s like getting to the finish line without running the race.” In the same vein, Morah Shaina teaches her students independence in choosing materials for projects. The girls become adept at going to the supply closet, taking the materials they need and then putting them away neatly. The masterpieces they create may look like nothing more than a hodge-podge of color to the untrained eye of an adult. But to the adult who observed and appreciated the independence involved in its creation, this hodge-podge is truly a masterpiece. In the process of providing preschoolers with opportunities to be self learners and creative thinkers, we are actually helping to create a magnificent product – confident young girls who are prepared to try new techniques and view the world from their own unique perspective.
Over 40 courageous campers, volunteers and Kids of Courage friends took over New York City this past Sunday, heroically pedaling their way from lower Manhattan up to the Bronx, down to Queens and Brooklyn, before ending in Staten Island for the 38th annual TD Bank 5 Boro Bike Tour. Known as Team Courage, the bikers rode to raise funds and awareness for K.O.C. who will be taking 175 medically fragile children and young adults on a record-setting 9 day trip to Orlando, Florida, this summer.
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Around The Community
MAY 7, 2015
A Trip of Chessed
The fifth grade girls in Morah Jacob’s class at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School went on a meaningful chessed field trip to Brooklyn to visit Bobbie’s Place, a children’s clothing store where new and “gently used” clothing is distributed to people in need for free. The staff at Bobbie’s Place explained to the girls that upkeep of the store is based solely on donations and volunteer workers and that Bobbie’s Place distributed 6,500 new outfits this past Pesach! After learning about the store, the girls were excited to help. The girls straightened out the clothes and helped clean up the store. And when the girls finished
their work, they truly felt like they had done an important chessed and had fun doing it. Following their visit to Bobbie’s Place, the girls got a real treat when they met with Morah Jacobs’s fifth grade teacher, Morah Katz (nee Schubert). Morah Katz “shepped nachas” from the songs the girls sang for her, many of which she had taught to Morah Jacobs years ago! The outing ended with a yummy pizza lunch on Avenue J. The girls behaved beautifully on this special trip and made a real kiddush Hashem.
Around The Community The RCCS Morning of Miracles was held on Sunday, May 3. Five breakfast receptions were held in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway area to promote the life-saving work of Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society.
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Long Beach Community Welcomes Ezra Academy Juniors When the weather forecast came out for May 2, the eleventh graders at Ezra Academy did not believe what they heard. Many people these days have trouble believing meteorologists, but the disbelief of the eleventh graders was not in the accuracy of a particular prediction but the incredulity that any Shabbat that was planned for their Shabbaton would include the sun. Having endured a Shabbos of pouring rain and a Shabbos of blizzarding snow, the thought of a warm Shabbaton was too good to be true. However, not only did the weather turn out warm, the entire community was one of the warmest ever experienced. The Shabbaton began at the Bach for kabbalat Shabbat and dinner, where the juniors were joined by their teach-
ers, rebbeim and Ezra Academy alumni. Following their delicious meal and inspirational divrei Torah, the boys and girls separated for different evening activities. The girls went to an oneg at the Axelrod home where they heard divrei chizuk from Mrs. Esther Langer while the boys went to a one-on-one chavrusa program at the Mesivta of Long Beach arranged by the mashgiach. Shabbos morning the students davened in different shuls including the Bach, the Young Israel and the Yeshiva. The students were treated to delectable meals and stimulating discussions hosted by so many wonderful families of the Long Beach community. The day ended with Mincha at the Sephardic Congregation, a shiur by Rabbi David Bibi, and followed finally by Arvit and
Maimonides Masters
Some of the 46 recent graduates of JEM-Jewish Experience of Madison’s Maimonides Fellowship Program which introduces unaffiliated students to their Jewish heritage in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
havdalah. This warm weekend both temperature wise and hospitality wise has left an indelible impression on the eleventh graders of Ezra Academy who are al-
ready planning return visits on their own to develop further relationships with the people they were introduced to at their junior Shabbaton.
Around The Community
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Chabad Student Retreat a Huge Success
MAY 7, 2015
On April 24-25, Chabad on Campus - Queens, Chabad of Hofstra & NCC, Chabad of New Palz and Chabad of F.I.T. came together to create an amazing student retreat in Napanoch, NY, at Camp Shaloh. 32 students enjoyed a spirited Shabbat with abundant home cooked meals, tons of singing and
much deep discussion. After the close of Shabbat, the group built a beautiful bonfire complete with s’mores, hot dogs and knishes - not to mention chassidic stories! Rabbi Shea Hecht inspired students with his talk about deprogramming people involved in cults, students also availed themselves of
workshops on the kabbalah of personality and the life experiences of a seasoned mohel. Rabbi Avrhom Baruch Itkin manages Camp Shaloh and did everything possible to accommodate the group, from placing space heaters in every room to delivering firewood on Motzei Shabbos. He made sure that
everything ran smoothly and everyone was comfortable. Accommodations included a newly redone Chalet on the premises. In the words of Shlomo Feldman of Queens College, “Amazing, amazing Shabbos!!! Thank you everybody for a Shabbos I will never forget!!”
OHEL’S Rising from Divorce Screening Draws Large Five Towns Audience Following on the hundreds who attended the Brooklyn and Teaneck debut of the film, an equally large crowd of
Rabbi Billet speaking
concerned community members, men and women, attended the Five Towns screening of OHEL’s groundbreaking new film Rising from Divorce at the Young Israel of Woodmere. Through the film, which is for all members of the community, OHEL aims to better educate the community about the impact of divorce and the specific roles that the wider community, rabbonim, community leaders, and educators can play to help ensure that both parents of divorce and children of divorce can thrive. Rabbi Hershel Billet provided divrei Torah and spoke about both the imper-
ative of parents of divorce to always put the interests of their children first as well as the importance of the community to better rally to the needs of both divorcees and their children whether in the shul, the school or in the neighborhood. The screening was accompanied by a lively panel discussion moderated by David Mandel, CEO of OHEL, and included Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Director of the OHEL Miriam Trauma and Bereavement Center and Crisis Response Team, Dr. Mark Banshick, noted author and psychiatrist, and Mrs. Rochel Chofetz, well-known educator. Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Associate Rabbi of the Young Israel of Woodmere, also addressed certain questions from the audience. Many poignant questions where addressed to the panel after the screening and Derek Saker, OHEL’s Director of Communications, credits the community for coming out in such large numbers and remarked that “the size of the audience and the nature of the questions, clearly demonstrated the diversity of issues that affect everyone. OHEL hopes the film will be a catalyst for much necessitated discourse and much belated action in every community, as it is incumbent upon us all to provide help where we can.” OHEL has been inundated with community-wide requests for screen-
ings of the film and will be announcing additional showings and accompanying panel discussions.
To see the trailer and for more information please visit: http://www.ohelfamily.org/risingfromdivorce.
The panelists: Left to right- Mrs. Rochel Chofetz, David Mandel, Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Dr Norman Blumenthal, and Dr Mark Banshick
Many community members attended the screening
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FOR MORE INFO OR TO APPLY: (855) 282-8273 OR CAMPAREIVIM@GMAIL.COM
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Sale Dates: May 10th - 16th 2015
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Weekly Wesson Oil Canola, Corn, Vegetable Gallon $ 99 ...................................................... Tonelli Marinara, Heinz Ketchup Pizza & Pasta 38 oz Sauces 2/$ 24 oz $ 49 ...................................................... Emeril’s Vodka Barilla Fettucine Sauce or Penne 25 oz 16 oz $ 99 4/$ ...................................................... Domino Sugar 4 lb Bag $ 99
1
6
5
1
2
5
Ronzoni Curly or Oven ReadyLasagne 16 oz Curly; 8 oz Oven Ready
99¢
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Ronzoni Pasta
Spaghetti, Elbows, Ziti, Rotini, Rigatoni, Ziti Rigati - 16 oz
Vitamin Water 20 oz
24 Pack - 16.9 oz
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Plain or Flavored 24 oz
Stems & Pieces - 8 oz
Miller’s String Cheese 18 oz $ 99 ¢ ...................................................... Mauzone Dressing Fresh & Healthy Cream Cheese All Flavors 12 oz 8 oz Bars $ 99 $ 99
99
7
2 2 ......................................................
Mehadrin Sour Temp Tee Whipped Cream Cheese Cream 11.5 oz 1 lb 2/$ $ 99 ...................................................... Ha’olam American Miller’s American Cheese Cheese 3 lb 3 lb
5
2
1099
99 ..2 ............................................................
$
Oronoque Pie Crusts 16 oz
5
2/$
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Spring Valley Blintzes Including Cholov Yisrael Cheese 13 oz
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22 oz
17 oz
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Casa Di Oliva Balsamic Vinegar
499
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Salted, Unsalted 6 oz 12 oz
Regular or Diet 2 Liter
Coke, Sprite, Fresca, Dr. Pepper
99¢
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All Flavors - 14 oz
6 oz
3/$
Regular or Lite 21 oz
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249
Osem Mini Mandel 14 oz
4
2/$
399 $699
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Dee Best Dessert Drizzles
3
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99
Glick’s Graham Pie Shells
4
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14 oz
32 oz
Assorted - 14 oz
Roland Hearts of Palm
4
Givat Whipped Cream Cheese 8 oz
2
$
99
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Sabra Hummus Assorted - 17 oz
2
$
99
Polaner Apricot Preserves
3
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49
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Haddar Cherry Pie Filling
1
$ 99
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Lieber’s Graham Crackers
249
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Lieber’s Chocolate Chips 9 oz
Smoked, Pepper Jack, Yogurt, Yogurt Herb - 6 oz
16 oz
3
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Except Reduced Fat & Fancy 8 oz
14 oz
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1 lb
Regular or Spicy - 8 oz
5
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Sabra Dips & Spreads
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J&J Farmer Cheese
Ha’olam Shredded Cheese
1
$ 79
Miller’s Sliced Cheese Ha’olam Ricotta Muenster, Mozzarella, Edam, Cheese
99
Sabra Guacamole
5
2/$
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Skim Plus Milk
Except Lactose-Free 64 oz
7
2/$
Kineret Puff Pastry Squares 16 oz
2
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99
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16 oz
15 oz Except Flips or with Oats 2/$ 5.3 oz
Chobani Greek Yogurt
Friendship Cottage Cheese
5
2/$
Rich’s Whip Topping 8 oz
79¢
Eggo Chocolate Chip NY Pasta Authority Waffles Ravioli or Tortellini 12 oz
2/$
Assorted 12 oz - 13 oz
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Assorted 24 oz - 28 oz
6 oz/9 oz
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Spring Valley H’ors D’oeuvres
Polly-O Ricotta
10/$
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Ta’amti Bourekas
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1049
Assorted - 16 oz
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Gourmet Glatt Pistachios
Lieber’s Mushrooms
$
Sharon’s Sorbet
399
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$
2/$
Breakstone Sour Cream 16 oz
499
$
Peppadew Sweet Piquante Peppers 14 oz
Glick’s Parve Caramel Syrup
Poland Spring Water
$
Jason Bread Crumbs
1
2/$
299
13.2 oz
399
4.2 oz
$
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Telma Kariot Cereal
Kedem Tea Biscuits
21 oz
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89¢
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Kellogg’s Corn Flake Crumbs
399
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Mehadrin Ice Cream Mendelsohn’s Dairy or Parve - 56 oz Dinners
599
Assorted 12 oz
399
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Call us: (516) 569-2662 • Fax: (516) 569-8376 • 123 Spruce Street, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
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$
99
lb.
CHICKEN BREAST
239 lb.
$
With Wing
Chicken $ 19 Side Minute $ 1 lb. 1199 lb. Steak $1099 lb. Bones Steak ................... (Mini Brisket) .Family . . . . . . . Pack ........... ................... Ducks $ 99 lb. Missing Wing 5 Turkey Corned ................... $ 49 London $699 lb. Beef 8 lb. ready to bake or grill! Broil Deckle Seasoned ................... ................... Chicken, ready to bake or grill! Turkey Beef or $849 lb. Seasoned Roast $ 49 6 lb. Pastrami White Meat Chicken, ................... Sliders Beef or $ 99 5 lb. We carry only premium 1st Cut Brisket $1099 lb. Pastrami quality USA beef Burgers
tender, juicy & delicious!
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NECK OF VEAL ROAST
Specials Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Assorted - 30 oz
2
$ 99 ...................................................... Kellogg’s Special K Cereals All Varieties - 11 oz - 13 oz
2
$ 49 ...................................................... Glick’s Flour All Purpose or High Gluten - 5 lb
5
2/$ California Nectarines
new crop!
1
$
89
English Cucumbers
Golden Delicious Apples
5 lb Bag
5
99¢ lb.
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2/$
Cello Stem $ 69 Tomatoes 1 lb. Carrots ..........................
1
1 lb Bag
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Grape 2/$ Tomatoes
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Bosc Pears
79¢ lb.
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Chicken Schwarma Moroccan All Beef Cigars Package of 6
1099lb. $ 99 6 ea.
$
9 $ 99 5 lb.
$
Jumbo Franks in Jackets Hawaiian Orzo Salad
99 lb.
6
5
Homemade Rugelach
Cinnamon, Vanilla, Chocolate
4
$
Spray Roses Bouquet Roses! Roses! Roses! Bunch
99 ea.
1349 $ 99 4
$
Aliza Beer Nutritional Meals 24 VARIETIES! SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:
3
11
Small Whole Wheat Bread $ 99 ea.
999& Up $ 1999& Up $
order@gourmetglatt.com
Hot Dog Buns Package of 8
Beautiful Floral Bouquets Orchid Plants or Orchid Spray Arrangements
Spicy Salmon Roll $
495
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Crunch Roll
99
Baby Lite Spicy Salmon Mayo Fillet $ 99 $ 99 ea. lb.
1
$ 49 ea.
2499& Up $ 3499& Up
$
/gourmetglatt
450
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Blackened Tilapia with 2 Side Dishes
1
order your shabbos platters early! Mango Roll
Vegetable Soup
10
3
$ 99
1
Portabella 2/$ Mushrooms
4
2/$
Fresh Hot 18” Pizza
Lemon Pepper Bronzini $ 99 lb.
Breaded Flounder $ 99 lb.
8 oz
All Flavors - 6 oz
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Deli & Takeout
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2/$
Persian $ 59 Cucumber 1 lb.
3/$
79¢ lb. Crispy Broccoli
99¢ lb. Spaghetti Squash
699
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Sweet Onions
2/$
Fresh Standard $ 99 Asparagus 2 lb. Scallions
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Original Only - 36 oz
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Idaho Potatoes
550
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Spicy Tuna Avocado $ Roll
595
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Kawasaki Roll
1095
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Black Dragon Roll $
1195
all our cabbage is greenhouse grown!
299ea. $ 99 Diet Tangy Dip Pre-Packaged 2 ea. $ Tilapia Fish Salad Pre-Packaged 449ea. $ 25 Potato Blintzes At the Counter 3 ea. $ Parve Stuffed Cabbage At the Counter 399lb. $ 49 Shlishkes At the Counter 6 lb. $ Baked Apple Nosh Pre-Packaged 549ea. Spinach Dip
Pre-Packaged
$
NEW ITEM! Diet Parve Vegetable Pizza low carb! We reserve the right to limit quantities. No rain checks. Not responsible for typographical errors.
Around The Community Five Towns Marriage Initiative Building a Torah-True Home Together We are in the time period leading up to Shavuos. We count daily to get to this point, when we will once again accept the Torah upon ourselves. To understand how the Torah protects us, it is worth contemplating the following parable.
There was a musician who was very beloved by the king of his country for the wonderful music he played. One day the musician got drunk and threw a container at the king. He was sentenced to death and a huge hanging ceremony
was prepared. Moments before the execution, the king changed his mind about killing the musician. He realized that he would only be harming himself by losing out on the music he so enjoyed. Two years passed and the king great-
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ly enjoyed the music that the musician played for him. But then the fellow developed Parkinson’s disease and the music was no longer steady and sweet like it once was. The king then ordered another grand hanging ceremony to the shock of the country. Nobody remembered the musician’s act that had been deserving of death, aside from the king himself. He had allowed the man to live for the sake of the music he produced but once the music stopped he no longer deserved to continue living. When the Jews committed the three cardinal sins just prior to the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash they deserved to die but Hashem spared them because of the Torah that they learned. When even that ceased to be produced it was decreed that the Bais Hamikdash be destroyed. Without the Torah learning the Jews had no further merits to fall back on to save them from the decree of death that had been measured out against. We see this stated in Yirmiyahu, where it clearly states that the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because the Jewish nation abandoned Hashem’s Torah. If abandoning the Torah leads to the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, perhaps reaccepting the Torah anew this Shavuos, with all the joy and excitement we can muster, will be the catalyst to bring about the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash so that we can serve Hashem like we did in the days of old. A husband and wife both have their own unique ways of being able to properly set the tone for a Torah-true home. The husband can do so by taking time from his day to learn and by emphasizing Torah principles to the family members. A wife can encourage her husband to learn and can give over a joy and love of Torah and mitzvos to her children. This Shavuos, as a husband and wife team, let us merit to accept the Torah upon our families and reaffirm our commitment to its laws. We should succeed at building a home where Torah is honored and beloved. Five Towns Marriage Initiative provides educational programs, workshops and referrals to top marriage therapists. FTMI will help offset counseling costs when necessary and also runs an anonymous shalom bayis hotline for the entire community Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 9:30-11p.m. For the hotline or more information, call 516430-5280 or email dsgarry@msn.com.
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Around The Community Hatzalah of the Rockaways & Nassau County’s Annual BBQ Dinner PHOTO CREDIT: NAFTOLI GOLDGRAB PHOTOGRAPHY
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Dedication in memory of Richie Lang a”h of the Sands
Shaiky Monczyk RL8 - Member of the Year Award
Scharf Family Ambulance Dedication Sternberg Family Ambulance Dedication
Pirkei Avos Shiurim Series for Shevach Students Shevach High School students have been enjoying a series of Pirkei Avos shiurim presented by distinguished members of our community. This program, which Shevach organizes annually during the Shabbos afternoons between Pesach and Shavous, has proven to be a weekly highlight for many young ladies. Rabbi Paysach Krohn, renowned speaker, mohel and author, opened the series at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Goldman, which is the house that Rabbi Krohn grew up in. He spoke emotionally about the talmidei chachomim that frequented the home throughout his early years there. All were moved as he cited the dictum in Pirkei Avos that states that one should try to warm oneself near great people. He related how the relationship between his family and Rav Sholom Schwadron started and grew. The Maggid series of books, which Rabbi Krohn authored, were an outgrowth of that relationship. Although attendance at the shiur was not mandatory, the lecture was attended by a standing room only crowd, all of
whom felt uplifted and very happy to have come. This past Shabbos afternoon, approximately 40 Shevach High school girls gathered at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Deitsch to hear a Pirkei Avos shiur from Rabbi Peretz Steinberg,shlita, Mora D’Asra of the Young Israel of Queens Valley. Rabbi Steinberg began with the first Mishna in the third perek explaining the concept of din v’cheshbon. He explained to the girls that after 120 years, when we must give an accounting of our lives, Hasehm will pronounce din upon all of us and it will be up to us to provide an ironclad reason as to why we did or did not act in accordance to the precepts of the Torah. With his vast experience as a communal Rav and posek, Rabbi Steinberg illustrated his points with engaging and inspiring vignettes, ones that left a lasting impression upon the girls. Educators know that much of the learning that students enjoy takes place outside the classroom. This lecture series would be an example of that, certainly.
Rabbi Tzvi Flaum addressing the crowd with Divrei Brocha
Rabbi Yaakov Bender addressing the record-breaking crowd
Rabbi Moshe Lerer starting the program with Tehillim
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Kids of Courage Five Towns Shabbaton congregation took the beeping ventilators and bulky wheelchairs in stride with great sensitivity. Once again the Couragers dined in style and had game showstyle fun. They were then welcomed to the Katz and Honig homes which were the site of games and chill time for the KOCers throughout Shabbos afternoon. The staff and campers of all ages had time for some rest and relaxation after a long night of festivities. Nissin could be seen lounging on a hammock in the Honig’s backyard while fellow camper Julie tried to make the best of her unfortunate hand in “President” at the Katz home. Shabbos evening brought the K.O.C. family and the YILC community together for a joint shalosh seudos where all were privileged to hear the inspiring words of counselor-turned-camper Ben. The unforgettable Shabbos came to a close, but the feelings of warmth and the newfound relationship between the Lawrence/Cedarhurst community and the K.O.C. family will be everlasting. During this special event, the community and the K.O.C. family personified what was read on Shabbos morning,
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an all-you-can eat BBQ at the home of Shaul and Batsheva Katz on Friday afternoon. The girls got makeovers while the boys were amazed by magic tricks and all were treated to professional portraits. Smiles were in abundance and the
excitement was palpable as everyone looked forward to what promised to be an unforgettable Shabbos. After last minute preparations at their hosts, the Couragers and community were treated to a beautiful Friday night davening led by Eitan Katz at Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst. Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum and Rabbi Yaakov Trump made the Couragers feel like part of the kehilla, and even opened up a position for the youngest Courager, Aryeh, as the assistant to the assistant rabbi. All enjoyed a delicious Friday night meal catered by Meisners where a melodious mix of zemiros and laughter echoed pleasantly off the walls. The K.O.C. crew then made their way to the Lifshitz home, where they enjoyed a beautiful and relaxing oneg until late into the beautiful night. Shabbos day davening and seuda brought the group back to YILC as the
“Not for himself was man created, but instead to help others.” These words of Rav Chaim of Volozhin were clearly evident in the display of absolute kindness felt by Kids of Courage as the Lawrence/Cedarhurst community welcomed 180 campers and staff members with open homes and warm hearts this past Shabbos. The Kids of Courage Five Towns Shabbaton kicked off with
“Kedoshim tehiyu,” in the most tangible way, giving these beautiful and courageous children and young adults the fortitude and the strength to face each day and live it to its fullest. Kids of Courage would like to thank the gracious hosts in the Five Towns community, as well as Suri Brody, Shoshie Manela, Rachel Renov, and our friends at Seasons and Gourmet Glatt.
Breakfast for Rabenstein Learning Center and Weiss Vocational Center to take Place this Sunday The Rabenstein Learning Center and Weiss Vocational Center of Yeshiva Darchei Torah are internationally recognized as peerless intervention programs turning around youth who had been positioned for failure. Where does one find these programs? Although they are physically located on the main campus of the Yeshiva, their true heart lies in the students who, with the help of dedicated rabbeim and teachers, gain the necessary confidence to achieve academic success. A Breakfast Reception will be held in support of the Rabenstein Learning Center and Weiss Vocational Center at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dovid Scharf, 15 Keewyadin Road, Lawrence, New York, on Sunday morning, May 10th, at 9:30 a.m. Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva, will offer divrei bracha. The Rabenstein Learning Center’s trailblazing role in Jewish education for over 30 years has not only offered countless opportunities to the children of our community–it has also become an invaluable resource for Yeshivos and Bais Yaakovs throughout the country and throughout the world. On any
given day, a call can come in from Los Angeles or Eretz Yisroel with a distraught parent seeking a solution for his or her child. They call because they are seeking answers, and they find them in the warmth and support of the Center’s staff members. The Center is led by Mrs. Jill Kay, whose warmth and professionalism is a source of inspiration to everyone at the Yeshiva. Bearing the great imprint of its founders, Rabbi Yaakov Bender and Mr. Norman Rabenstein, the Center is committed to helping each child reach his full potential. The children are helped through resource room assistance as well as self-contained classroom instruction. Teachers confer regularly with the Center’s staff to help students succeed in modified learning programs created and monitored by outstanding professionals. Academic challenge is courageously met and often overcome. The Weiss Vocational Center was founded by Rabbi Yaakov Bender and complements an outstanding Limudei Kodesh education with a well-rounded secular program that also includes career-oriented technical classes. The
program is named after Mor and Deborah Weisz, who were known as great baalei chesed before and during World War II. Besides Mor Weisz’s tremendous efforts on behalf of the individual needy, he established several charitable enterprises. One was a free kitchen for poor people, which began as a special Shabbos kitchen for those who had nowhere to go for their Shabbos meals. He also established two separate vocational programs in Hungary addressing the need for shomer Shabbos jobs. He personally housed young men to whom he taught his trade of baking in addition to other vocations. He also placed all these young men, once trained, in jobs by urging businesses to hire them. It is truly fitting that the Yeshiva’s vocational center bears their names. Housed on the Yeshiva campus, the Weiss Vocational Center is a singular role model for other yeshivos throughout the country. Students are offered a variety of technical courses as part of their general studies program. Technical courses include woodworking, construction, plumbing, electrical training, automobile repair and home
wiring. Courses offered in conjunction with Mesivta Chaim Shlomo’s general studies program are computers, science, global studies, English, math, and business math. Classes are kept small to maximize student involvement and accomplishment. A related program is the Weiss Institute for Continuing Education, designed to equip unemployed and underemployed men and women of the community with new skills that will enable them to rejoin the workforce. Courses offered include: Bookkeeping/ Junior Accounting, Computer Skills, Electrical Technician and Plumbing. The Yeshiva cordially invites the entire Far Rockaway/Five Towns community to join in this special opportunity to support the education of our children–all of our children–so that no child is left behind. Toward that goal, Yeshiva Darchei Torah is eternally committed. For more information, please contact the Yeshiva at 718-868-2300 ext. 219.
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Kidding!
Riddle!
You Gotta be
It was the first week after Lag B’Omer and the wedding hall was set for a busy week. They had a wedding scheduled on each night for five nights in a row. However, due to a clerical error, the wedding hall had no idea which couple was getting married on each night. On their information sheet, each name was in the correct column, but only 1 of the names within each column actually appeared in the correct row.
A young Jewish mother walks her son to the school bus stop corner on his first day of kindergarten. “Behave, my tattaleh,” she says. “Take good care of yourself and think about your mother, zeeskeit!” “And come right back home on the bus, schein kint.” “Your Mommy loves you a lot, my tzatzkele!” At the end of the school day, the bus comes back and she runs to her son and hugs him. “So what did mein kint learn on his first day of school?” The boy replies, “I learned that my name is Yossie.”
Chosson
Kallah
Last Name
Avi
Aviva
Kent
Yosef
Elonna
Goodman
Dovid
Shira
Adams
Baruch
Yocheved
Moss
Shimon
Chani
Small
Using the clues below, match the grooms, the brides, and the last names, then place each couple in its proper order. 1) Shimon is 1 place after Yocheved. 2) Chani is 1 place before the Mosses. 3) Dovid is not marrying Yocheved nor is he a Moss. 4) The Kents are 1 place before Shira, who is 2 places after Dovid. 5) Avi is 2 places before the Smalls.
Things Mom Would Never Say
“Homework can wait; why don’t you play a couple of more videogames first?”
“That’s fine, I used to skip school a lot, too.”
“If you need more sugar and caffeine I’ll get you that 46 oz. Coke.”
“Just leave all the lights on … it makes the house look more cheery.”
“Let me smell that shirt – yeah, that’s good for another week.”
“Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey. I’ll be glad to feed and walk him every day.”
“Well, if Dave says it’s OK, then it’s good enough for me.”
“The curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It’s not like I’m running a prison around here.”
“Please take that jacket off; the wind chill is bound to improve.”
“No, I don’t have a tissue. Oh, well, just use your sleeve.”
See answer below
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What Mom Probably Said
MAY 7, 2015
MONA LISA’S MOTHER: “After all that money your father and I spent on braces, that’s the biggest smile you can give us?” COLUMBUS’ MOTHER: “I don’t care what you’ve discovered, you still could have written!” MICHELANGELO’S MOTHER: “Can’t you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?”
ALBERT EINSTEIN’S MOTHER: “But it’s your senior picture. Can’t you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something...?”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S MOTHER: “Again with the stovepipe hat? Can’t you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?”
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOTHER: “The next time I catch you throwing money across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance good-bye!”
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL: “You have school tomorrow; hang up the phone!”
THOMAS EDISON’S MOTHER: “Of course I’m proud that you invented the electric lightbulb. Now turn it off and get to bed!”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: “Benny, get inside! What do you want? To be hit by lightning?” MARY’S MOTHER: “I’m not upset that your lamb followed you to school, but I would like to know how he got a better grade than you.”
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PAUL REVERE’S MOTHER: “I don’t care where you think you have to go, young man, midnight is past your curfew.” LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN’S MOTHER: “Stop playing that music so loud!”
GO FUNNT Y?
Comm Let the ission er dec Send
your s t
uff to
ide
fivetow centerfold@ nsjewis hhome. com
Aviva
Yosef
Chani
Baruch
Shira
Shimon
Yocheved
Avi Dovid Chosson ANSWER TO RIDDLE:
Moss Smalls Adams
Elonna Kallah
Kent Goodman Last Name
Around The Community
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PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN
The Hasmoda Program at the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway is in its 22nd year. The program is in memory of Rabbi Yisroel Meir Heiman, Rochel Brafman, Meir Aryeh Blum, Binyomin Tzvi Berger and Aaron Moshe Schreiber. About ninety talmidim from all the yeshivas in the Far Rockaway and Five Towns area participate. Prizes are awarded at end of the program which concludes before Shavuos. The program is administrated by Rabbi Aaron Brafman, Menahel of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway.
Eleven High Schools Compete in Yeshiva Science Olympiad Students from 11 Jewish high schools around the tristate area participated in the annual Jewish Education Project-Lander College Yeshiva Science Olympiad. The team from Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy (SAR) won first place in the competition, with North Shore Hebrew Academy, Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) and Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls (SKA) in Long Beach rounding out the top four spots. Several students who excelled in individual competitions were honored as well. This was the fifth consecutive year that Lander College for Men (LCM) hosted the Olympiad. Students from grades 9 through 12 from each of the participating schools competed in at least one event, which tested various aspects of biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, earth science and physics, as well as applications of engineering and technology. Schools were required to send at least two faculty coaches to the Olympiad to supervise students and serve as judges. Teams from Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys of the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach (DRS); Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston, N.J.; the Frisch School in Paramus; Ramaz in Manhattan; Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck; Yeshiva University High School for Girls in Holliswood, N.Y.; and the Yeshiva of Flatbush also participated in the competition.
“These are some of the very best science students from yeshivos across the metropolitan area, and their enthusiasm was palpable,” said Dr. Moshe Sokol, dean of LCM. “We expect that they will make significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of humankind as they progress in their careers.” The competition consisted of 12 events, each presenting a different set of challenges. For one event, “Bridge Building,” participants were required to construct a small bridge out of wood and glue; to test the stability, a bucket was attached to the bottom of the bridge and then slowly filled with sand. Other events, such as “Entomology,” were more traditional, with students writing short essays to demonstrate their knowledge of North American insects. The “Write It/Do It” event called for participants to work in tandem with their teammates. One of the two team members was shown an object made of wire, pipe cleaners and assorted other trinkets, and then was required to write instructions on how to build the object from scratch. Without the benefit of seeing the object or speaking with his or her partner, a second teammate was then provided with the instructions—as well as raw materials— and told to reconstruct the original. Although the national and regional organizations usually hold their Science
Students from 11 Jewish high schools around the tristate area participated in the annual Jewish Education Project-Lander College Yeshiva Science Olympiad. The team from Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy (SAR) won first place in the competition.
Olympiads on a Saturday, LCM holds a nationally sanctioned competition on a Sunday to allow Sabbath-observing students to participate. LCM provides the space, custodial staff, faculty and student volunteers to assist with the different events. “Our campus was abuzz with hundreds of students, teachers and Lander College undergraduates volunteers,” said Dr. Ann E. Shinnar, an associate professor of chemistry at LCM. Dr. Shinnar coordinated the event with the Yeshiva League’s director for the Science Olympiad, Linda Padwa of Stony Brook University and Laurie McMillen of Earl L. Vandermeulen high school. “We’re so pleased to host this event and enable ye-
shiva students interested in the sciences to participate and compete.” As has become a tradition at the Olympiad, a professional in the scientific field addressed the students during the award ceremony. Dr. Jessica Langer, the associate principal scientist at cosmetic giant L’Oreal and a graduate of Ramaz, advised them on how they can balance careers in science with their Orthodox beliefs. Last year Dr. Irving Listowsky, professor emeritus of biochemistry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, urged the participants to pursue their interests in science.
Torah Thought
71
Parshas Emor Certainly, death has not been banished from our world. Its inevitability has not abated. But its impression upon us is far different than it was for our ancestors of a few centuries ago. There is almost a casualness regarding it in our
It portrays a hideous Angel of Death that strikes the hour bell and thereby marks the passage of time. the hour bell and thereby marks the passage of time. That clock tower certainly spoke to its original generations of observers whose life spans were short. Medicine was primitive, plagues and unending violence abounded, and death was an everyday event and companion in the lives of most. But today, the clock tower of Prague is mainly a tourist attraction, bizarrely curious and not really real in the message that it once intended to convey and represent.
modern society. And I notice that even in the span of my own lifetime, the attitude towards it even by kohanim has changed. In today’s world kohanim do attend funerals though they are careful to technically avoid violating the legal halachic restrictions regarding being present within the confines of the area where the dead body itself is present. I remember that in my youth kohanim stayed away from any and all funeral attendance in all circumstances
and almost at all costs. For a long period of time in Jewish history, communities and synagogues were reluctant to hire as their rabbi someone who was a kohein since he would be unable to officiate at funerals or monument/stone settings. Modern technology and using halachic ingenuity and legalities has alleviated much of these problems for the modern rabbi today who is a kohein. I think that this is an example of how the thinking of our modern generations towards death has changed. We know that it occurs in that all are doomed eventually to succumb to its presence. Nevertheless, it is not a serious matter to be discussed and should not be allowed to overly burden or disturb our lifestyle and mental attitudes. This parsha always brings home to me this great change in our view towards life and death. The insight of Ramban reminds me of this vast change in our thoughts and actions. Shabbat shalom.
MAY 7, 2015
I am reminded by it of the great, almost bizarre, clock tower that overlooks the main town square in Prague. In a graphic exhibition of medieval art and then technical ingenuity it portrays a hideous Angel of Death that strikes
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here are numerous thoughts in rabbinic literature expressed as to the intent of the Torah in banning kohanim – the priestly male descendants of Aharon – from coming into contact with the deceased. Ramban exposits that it is the “ordinary” Jew, so to speak, the non-kohein, who is immersed in the daily material existence of competitive life that requires constant reminders of one’s own mortality in order to temper excessive desires and evil acts. Not so the kohein, the priest who serves in the Temple and who is thereby removed from the daily spiritually debilitating struggles of mundane society. Such a kohein needs no such reminders since the closeness to G-d’s spirit so to speak, which service in the Temple brings with it, is sufficient to have the kohein not needing to experience the lesson of seeing death at close hand. This idea of the Ramban certainly spoke to the milieu of his times – the late Middle Ages of Christian Europe.
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Rabbi Berel Wein
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Jewish Thought
MAY 7, 2015
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89 Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller
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LAG B’OMER The Beauty in Every Jew J
oyous! Overwhelmed! Ecstatic! These words are usually reserved for life’s big ones. Like the time the human resources department called to tell you that you got that dream job. Or when you finally heard the magic words, “It’s a healthy baby.” Lag B’Omer is that kind of day. Close to a quarter of a million people are drawn to the tiny northern Israeli village of Meron, Rabbi Shimon bar Yoachai’s final resting place. It is a 24-hour spiritual festival with music, dancing, intense prayers, and a teeming street bazaar where the latest edition of the Zohar (the core text of Jewish mysticism) are raucously hawked alongside pictures of tzaddikim (righteous rabbis), hand-shaped amulets, and colored scarves. Scores of three-year-olds are there for their first haircut, which will take place in the presence of their family and the tens of thousands of Jews of all stripes and colors who throng to Rabbi Shimon. This all takes place in the midst of Sefirat Ha’omer, the 50-day count up between Passover and Shavuot. This time period is accompanied by laws that require a degree of mourning. No weddings. No music. The mourning is a reminder of the terrible death of Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students who all passed on during this time period. Then comes Lag B’Omer, like a dazzling diamond in a sea of banal grey. What’s it all about? The famous reason for the joy of Lag B’Omer is that the students of Rabbi Akiva ceased dying on this day. But the reason they stopped dying was because there were no more students left! Is that a reason to celebrate? Why were so many Torah scholars struck down by the plague? The Sages say that they did not treat each other with kavod – respect – and therefore they were stricken with a disease that caused them to choke to death. The Hebrew term kavod shares the same letters as the Hebrew word that means “heavy.” This heaviness implies recognizing another person as significant. It means making him feel that you want to listen to him, and that he has a worthwhile message that only he can convey. What makes a person unique? Externally, we may share similar characteristics, but internally our souls are vastly different. Rabbi Akiva’s students failed to recognize that every Jew has infinite value and has a
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distinctive approach – simply because he is different than all other people. They were punished with choking – a state where a person cannot take in air. Failing to give proper respect to another person means ceasing
EVERY JEW HAS INFINITE VALUE AND HAS A DISTINCTIVE APPROACH – SIMPLY BECAUSE HE IS DIFFERENT THAN ALL OTHER PEOPLE. to take in ruach – spirit. When a person does not honor another Jew, it shows that he has stopped appreciating that person’s unique spirit. My son-in-law Yisrael was almost 20 when he joined our family. I will never forget an incident that happened on one of the very first Shabbats that he shared with us. A family friend dropped in. Yisrael noticed my little four-year-old shyly watching the scene. He had been enjoying getting to know his new big brother-in-law but the entrance of another unknown adult caused him to retreat. Yisrael smiled, held out his hand and introduced him to the visitor. “This is my friend Yehudah,” he said of his young brother-inlaw. Yehudah beamed. He was a person, worthy of acknowledgment.
ith this in mind, we can go back to Meron and get a handle on what it’s all about. Every Jew deserves respect, especially a talmid chacham – a Torah sage – because his soul is entwined with Torah. Really knowing someone means knowing his thoughts. Learning Torah means knowing G-d’s thoughts and bonding your mind to G-d’s mind. It means inculcating Divine traits and growing close to G-d. So when one gives respect to a Torah scholar, in essence one gives respect to that part of G-d that lives inside every great Jew. Why do we celebrate on Lag B’Omer? We rejoice that Rabbi Akiva did not succumb to despair after his monumental loss. We marvel at his exceptional fortitude in gathering five new students and transmitting to them the Oral Tradition we have today. Rabbi Akiva taught, “V’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha, zeh klal gadol ba’Torah – Love your friend as yourself, this is a prime principle of the Torah.” Torah takes you to a place where you can find G-d. The first place where you can find Him is within the heart of every Jew. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was one of the five students of Rabbi Akiva. He revealed the secrets of the Torah – how to find the divine spark within oneself and in other people. Rabbi Shimon said to come to his tomb on the anniversary of his death, Lag B’Omer, and to rejoice. The Maharal quotes the Zohar which says it is easier to build a connection with a tzaddik after his death, because then he is no longer constrained by physicality. Some aspect of the tzaddik’s spirit remains at his resting place and it wishes to give of itself. However, the degree to which you identify with the tzaddik is the degree to which the tzaddik will identify with you. On Lag B’Omer when we visit Rabbi Shimon’s tomb we are in essence saying, “Rabbi Shimon, you brought inner meaning and reality into the world, we want to see inner meaning and goodness in ourselves and in other people. Please help us do so.” Wherever you may be this Lag B’Omer, if you take a moment to identify with another’s inner Gdliness, you will absorb the profound message of the day. This article was reprinted with permission from aish.com.
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The Shmuz
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R’ Ben Tzion Shafier
Parshas Emor
The Torah’s System of Self-Perfection “A cow or a sheep, it and its child, do not slaughter on one day.” Vayikrah 22:28
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n one of the many mitzvos that teaches us how to deal with animals, the Torah commands us not to kill a mother and its offspring on one day. The Sefer HaChinuch explains that one of the rationales behind the mitzvah is “to train ourselves in the trait of mercy and to distance ourselves from the trait of cruelty. Even though we are permitted to slaughter animals to eat, we must do so in a merciful manner. Killing both the mother and the child in the same day is merciless and will train us in brutality. Therefore, the Torah forbids it.” This Sefer Ha’Chinuch is difficult to understand. If the Torah is concerned about the good of the animal and its suffering, then the logical thing to do would be to forbid slaughtering it. If, on the other hand, the Torah is concerned about man and the damage such actions will have on him, then slaughtering another living creature to consume its flesh is about as barbaric an act as one could imagine. Surely the act of killing the animal should be forbidden altogether. Yet the Torah allows you to kill animals for any productive reason: whether for their hides, their meat, or any other use. Not only that, you may slaughter as many of them as you like. You may butcher a thousand cows in one day to make shoes to bring to the market – this won’t lead you to cruelty – but make sure that none of these animals are related. If two of those cows are mother and child, it is barbaric. Don’t do it! This mitzvah seems very difficult to understand. The answer to this question is based on understanding how our middos are shaped. In many places the Sefer HaChinuch stresses that a person’s actions mold his very personality. If he acts with kindness and compassion, these traits become part of his inner nature. He will then feel other people’s pain,
and it will become difficult for him to ignore their pleas for help. He will become a kind, compassionate person. The opposite is true as well. If a person acts with cruelty, this trait will become part of him. It will be more difficult for him to care about another person’s plight. He will have a diffi-
to war didn’t ruin him? The Formula for Perfecting One’s Middos The Orchas Tzadikim in his introduction explains that perfecting one’s middos is comparable to a chef preparing a meal. The right ingredients, in the
A person’s actions mold his very personality.
cult time being sensitive to the suffering of others. He will have adopted callousness into his inner essence. According to this logic, it would follow that Dovid Ha’Melech should have been one of the cruelest men in history. He was known as a mighty, merciless warrior. He killed a mountain lion with his bare hands. He won the rights to marry Shaul’s daughter by killing and disfiguring 200 Pilishtim and bringing back their body parts to the king. When Avshalom waged war against him, Chushi advised, “Do not think of ambushing him [Dovid] at night, for everyone knows that he fights like a bear.” And Dovid said about himself, “I will seek out my enemy and have no mercy upon them.” Yet we know that Dovid was one of the kindest, most compassionate men who ever lived. Tehillim is not the expression of a cruel man. It is a manifestation of his pure devotion to Hashem, the outpourings of a heart that is pure, kindly and full of compassion. How is it possible that going
right proportions, prepared in the right manner, will yield a delicious dish. However, all three have to be correct. If, for example, instead of sautéing the onions for 10 minutes, you leave them on the flame for an hour, or if instead of a teaspoon of salt you add a cup, the food will be inedible. It is the quality of the ingredients, in the proper amounts, prepared correctly, that determines the final product. So too, he explains, when working on one’s character traits. It is the right amount of the right middah in the right time that is the key to perfection. Each middah has its place, time, and correct measure. This seems to be the answer to Dovid Ha’Melech. When he went to war, it was in the manner that Hashem directed him. Hashem designed the human and understands the delicate balance within him: what affects him and how. Hashem commanded us to make use of certain behaviors, in certain measures, and at certain times. The same act when done for the wrong reason will be disastrous to the person. However,
when it’s done for the right reasons, in the right measure, it will not harm him. Dovid remained pure and unsullied because he followed the Torah’s system of self-perfection, designed by the only One who truly understands the nature of the human. The Torah: the Ultimate System of Perfection This seems to be the answer to the Sefer Ha’Chinuch as well. The Torah isn’t concerned about the pain of the animal; it is concerned about man. Man is the reason for creation. Everything in existence was formed to serve him. However, man was fashioned in a delicate balance. If he uses this world for its intended purpose, in the right way, in the right time, then he grows and perfects himself. However, if he uses the world incorrectly, in the wrong manner, or to the wrong extent, he is damaged by that process. The act of killing a mother and child is akin to wiping out generations; it is pitiless and cruel. Hashem, Who understands the balance and nature of man, has told us that killing an animal for good use will not lead you to a hardened nature, provided you do so within the given boundaries. Remain within the system and you are safe. Leave these guidelines and you are in grave danger. This concept is very applicable as it helps us appreciate the wisdom of the Torah’s system for growth. There is much that modern man understands about the inner workings of the human, and there is at least as much, if not more, that he doesn’t understand. Hashem has designed us and has given us the guidebook for perfection. It is our job to follow the Torah’s directives in the right balance, in the right time, in the right manner, thereby actualizing our potential as the reason for all of creation. Get the Shmuz APP- If you have an iPhone or ipad you can download the new Shmuz app from the app store and access hundreds of audio, video and articles from the Shmuz. Or visit www.theShmuz.com
The Observant Jew
79
For Whom the Bell Tolls
make sure they’re on straight. I do this for two reasons: 1) If he sees me and subliminally thinks to check his own, I’ve avoided the uncomfortable task of telling him that they aren’t on straight.
intersection were blocking the entrance. There was a car ahead of me with its blinker on and I noticed that a car going the other way had enough space in front of him that if he moved up, we could
Some people learn from other people’s mistakes. The rest of us are the other people. 2) I recognize that if I’ve seen it on someone else, my first task is to look at myself and make sure I’m OK before I try to correct him.
There’s a great saying that goes: Some people learn from other people’s mistakes. The rest of us are the other people. When you see someone doing something wrong, your first response should be to learn a lesson. Did someone look really foolish when they lost their temper over something silly? Well, hopefully that will teach us not to act just as foolishly. Someone drove on the shoulder or refused to pull over when an ambulance was bearing down on him? It helps you see how awful it is. Just today, I was trying to pull into a store and I had my daughter in the car. Now, since I’ve mentioned her, you undoubtedly realized the store was 7-Eleven and we needed to get a Slurpee. So there we were, trying to make the left turn into the parking lot but the oncoming cars waiting for the light at that
both make the left turn. I rolled down my window and gently motioned that he should move up. Through his tinted windows, I couldn’t see if he saw me
until he finally rolled down his window as the light changed and yelled angrily that he had been waiting for the light.
He clearly missed the point of what I was asking. I knew he was waiting for the light, but if he’d thought of someone else he’d have made room behind him for others to go. When the traffic finally passed, we still couldn’t make the left turn. Why not? Because there was a car coming out of the 7-Eleven parking lot and instead of being all the way over in the right lane, he came out in the middle of the driveway, straddling both lanes, effectively preventing the car ahead of me from turning in. As he passed, I saw the yarmulka and told myself, “I don’t want to be the one to do that and look so selfish!” I didn’t condemn him, though he was truly careless. Instead, I took it as a message and a lesson for me to learn what not to do by watching the mistakes of others. It’s the same as with our friend with the cellphone. I ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for me. Jonathan Gewirtz is an inspirational writer and speaker whose work has appeared in publications around the world. You can find him at www.facebook.com/RabbiGewirtz and follow him on Twitter @RabbiJGewirtz. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. Sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly PDF Dvar Torah in English. E-mail info@ JewishSpeechWriter.com and put Subscribe in the subject. © 2015 by Jonathan Gewirtz. All rights reserved.
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here you are at a place where silence is imperative. You could be at a synagogue, or a wedding, or a funeral. It doesn’t matter where, but the crowd is hushed, and then, suddenly, the stillness is broken by the ringing of someone’s cell phone. Your first thought is: “Why didn’t that idiot turn off his cell phone ringer?” Your second thought, if you’re like me, is: “Wait a minute…am I that idiot?” Whenever that happens, I instinctively reach for my phone to make sure it isn’t. You all know the drill. If it’s a woman, the phone will be deep in her Mary Poppins or Savta Simcha-esque bag, and it will keep ringing as she digs under her wallet, checkbook, keys, makeup, tissues, Tehillim, school report card from 1994, expired coupons from Bed, Bath and Beyond (but they still honor them!), and maybe a pack of chewing gum. Then, when she finally gets it out, she will say, in a stage whisper loud enough to be heard by the guy in the casket, “I can’t talk now. I have to call you back later. Yes, of course I will, OK, buh-bye.” She will then throw her phone back into her bag where it will remain silent…until the next phone call because she forgot to turn it off, or at least move the ringer to vibrate or silent. Hopefully, when it happens again, she will decide to turn it off so the eulogy can continue uninterrupted. If it’s a guy, he’s usually davening Shemona Esrai and will clamp his eyes shut tightly so as not to interrupt his tefilla. Of course, he has no right to disrupt everyone else’s, but let’s leave that for a moment. Eventually it stops ringing or he turns it off, and you get back to the prayer. So, at that moment, what should you be thinking? Should you be thinking how inconsiderate they are? Should you be wondering how they manage to tie their shoes in the morning without sustaining severe brain injury? Not at all. What you should be thinking is, “Did I turn off my phone?” And you should check right then to make sure you don’t become the next person to disrupt the solemnity of the occasion. When I am in shul and see someone whose Tefillin are on crooked, the first thing I do is adjust my own Tefillin and
THE JEWISH HOME
Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
THE JEWISH HOME
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Parenting Pearls
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW
Bedtime Blues - Part I It’s a nightly struggle to get each of my children into bed every night. What’s even more frustrating is that within minutes after they are finally in bed they begin re-emerging one at a time. One wants a drink, the other’s foot is hurting, and the other just remembered that she has a major test tomorrow. By that point I have had it. I usually end up yelling. Then I end up giving them what they want just so they get back into bed. It’s a pathetic scene that repeats itself every night. Am I doomed to this frustrating scenario each night until they get married and move out? Rabbi Staum Responds: The struggles of bedtime; all parents endure them although they manifest in different ways! For me my biggest struggle is that when I lie down in bed to put one of my children to sleep, I am
very successful in getting someone to sleep, albeit not the person who is supposed to be going to sleep at that time. At least I know I’m not a complete failure.
their schedule and routine will have to change for any variety of reasons, but the more we are able to implement a set routine the better off they will be, and, consequentially, the better off we will
One of the most important things we can give our children is a sense of consistency and routine. Although many of the points listed here can be adapted appropriately for older children as well, this particular article is more geared toward younger children (under ten years old). One of the most important things we can give our children is a sense of consistency and routine. There will, of course, be many situations when
be.
The hardest part is setting the routine into play. The good news is that once that battle has been waged it becomes far easier to maintain the routine as long as you are consistent. Some of the points I am making may be obvious to some, nevertheless they bear repetition. A child should have a set bedtime based on their age. Sometime before the actual bedtime (perhaps 20-30 minutes) the child can be told to get ready for bed, which may include a bath on certain nights. The child can be told that he has another half hour until bedtime so the quicker everything is done the more time he will have to play before bedtime. For some younger children it may be helpful to make a list together of the things that need to be done before bedtime. This may include brushing teeth, getting a drink, preparing morning lunch and knapsack with all necessary signed papers and tests, etc. For our younger children my wife took pictures of them doing their required tasks and taped it to a chart where they could see it. About ten minutes before the child’s bedtime it is a good idea to remind the child that he/she has ten more minutes until it’s time to go to bed. The parent can say to the child “Would you like to go to bed now or would you like another ten minutes?” When the child inevitably says that he wants to stay up for another ten minutes, in his mind he is being privileged.
During those ten minutes the child can play a quiet game, read, draw, etc. But there ideally shouldn’t be any active play, so that the child can wind down. It’s important to also note that studies of brain patterns show that using electronics before bedtime affects their ability to go to sleep afterwards. Electronics cause brain activity to increase and neurons to race, the opposite of what needs to occur in order to fall sleep. The glow of electronics also has an effect, delaying the release of sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Children (and adults) should not use electronics for a half-hour before going to sleep. When bedtime arrives the child can be asked how she wants to go to bed: “Do you want to walk or do you want me to carry you? Do you want me to lie down next to you for a few minutes or not?” If the child does not head upstairs within a minute or two after being told, then the following evening his bedtime is earlier to make up that time.
The question of how to respond if the child refuses to comply, or when the child comes out of bed repeatedly will be dealt with in part II of this article. Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is the Rabbi of Kehillat New Hempstead. He is also fifth grade Rebbe and Guidance Counselor in ASHAR in Monsey, and Principal of Mesivta Ohr Naftoli of New Windsor, NY, and a division head at Camp Dora Golding. Rabbi Staum offers parenting classes based on the acclaimed Love & Logic Program. He can be reached at stamtorah@gmail.com. His website is www.stamtorah.info.
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Chiseled
THE JEWISH HOME
Rafi Sackville
MAY 7, 2015
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n the weeks approaching Pesach our neighborhood annually fills with the thwumping sounds of a constructions site and the rising dust one associates with rocks being hewn and shaped. The noise is coming from Montfort Lake, just down the road from our house. The lake was once fruit fields until two streams were re-directed. It’s a beautiful spot. I made my way down to the lake to investigate. Roped off in an area close to the western bank in an area large enough to park at least 40 cars is an artists’ colony of sorts. Through the noise and Jerusalem stone powder a dozen artists casually attacked large blocks of stone with some mean-looking tools. All wore face masks and all were covered in dust that made them look like ghosts wielding weapons at an execution, which wasn’t an unreasonable thought seeing two men lay prone on their backs at the back of the lot in the throes of what I assumed was a state of slumber. The occasion was Ma’alot’s annual statue carving fair. It is aptly called “The Stone of the Galil,” when artists from around the country (and world) arrive on the shores of Montfort Lake a month or so before Pesach to breathe life into faceless blocks of stone. Outsiders come and marvel at their skills. They park their cars, barbecue on the grass, paddle boats, or go for walks amid the din of saws, sandblasters and smoothing tools. They watch the construction of a wooden stage in preparation for the chag. They might be at the go-carts or ice-skating rink on the other side of the lake, hear the commotion and amble over to investigate. For the uninitiated there is excitement in watching dust fly, waiting for it to clear, and when it does, to quickly click photos before the dust blocks the
lens of smartphones and cameras. For weeks the blocks of marble remain shapeless to the eye. They sit on huge wooden pallets and are left overnight awaiting to be trimmed. But they slowly take shape. Like any large piece of work the process is slow. I had arrived on a day when most pieces were for the most part distinguishable. Some of the artists were readying themselves to leave. Regardless of how famous the artist or priceless the work, blocks of marble this size are hard to move and thus not targets for would-be thieves. They are left to stand alone by the lake at night without watch or patrols.
I
was intrigued by one piece in particular. A large, motherly wrench bends down to gently touch a smaller wrench, which reaches out to be fed like a fledging chick. Intrigued, because an adjustable wrench is as hard and inflexible as the marble that has acquired its shape. Tempered steel is designed to absorb abuse. The artist had given this domestic tool a human quality that is touching, warm and maternal. The life of a marble artist couldn’t be less dignified. With his filthy overalls and mask, his sanded hair and goggles, he looks like a man on the edge of homelessness. He plies his trade outdoors regardless of the weather. There is irony in these works of art. Many of these pieces wouldn’t look out of place in museums, but not all of them are destined for fancy homes. Most of them eventually find themselves loaded onto trucks for the short ride up the hill to randomly chosen spots
in Ma’alot. And they can be found everywhere: on corners, in the middle of roundabouts, and on the sides of roads. Except for a row of eight figures representing the progress of life from the womb till infant-hood, they follow no pattern in particular. Juxtaposed against some of the older areas in the city they appear lonely, even unsettled. One sculpture of an exploding pomegranate, a concept brought to life by an artist who was able to carve rock as if it were soap, is perched on top of a corner whose road veers suddenly downhill. The pomegranate looks as if it’s attempting to hitch-hike out of there. The organizers must be praised nonetheless. They have injected a breath of fresh life into the periphery, despite the complacency of residents who may or may not appreciate the fine arts. For if you choose to stop and inspect each stone piece individually they come to life. On the stretch of road at the beginning of our block sits a row of carvings that escort you out of Ma’alot. Among them is a huge teardrop abseiling down the face of the marble. Its smooth shape balances just before falling. It is large enough to irrigate a small field. Each time I drive by, and depending on my mood, the tear has been shed either out of sadness or joy. That is the message of such pieces of art: they are full of flux and changing interpretation. A happy mood translates into wonderful, albeit oftentimes misunderstood, pieces of artwork. Rafi Sackville, formerly of Cedarhurst, lives in Ma’alot in Western Galil. He teaches in the local high school.
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Forgotten Heroes
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The Jewish Heroes of the Vietnam War
THE JEWISH HOME
Avi Heiligman
O
van Show. The lyrics portray exactly what the Green Berets are up against in battle: “Fighting soldiers from the sky; Fearless men who jump and die; Men who mean just what they say; the brave men of the Green Beret.” Gitell went on to serve in Vietnam and trained many South Vietnamese forces to fight the Communists. He viewed his work as helping the local tribesmen defend their own land and was disturbed when people after the war called Vietnam War veterans “baby killers.” Many years later he was thanked by Vietnamese civilians for helping them train to defend their own country. Special Forces operators are often given nicknames based on personalities, appearances, an event or their background. For Lawrence “Larry” Freedman, the name “Super Jew” meant a lot to him as he was deeply spiritual (which is unusual for a Green Beret). He served for a total of two years in Vietnam and eventually joined Delta Force – the army’s secretive counter-terror unit. He was on the unsuccessful mission to rescue the Americans held captive in Iran in 1980. Every Green Beret has a unique position on the team and for Freedman it was as his detachment’s medic. He
Larry Freedman with Vietnamese digging trenches
was always in the middle of the action and was involved in many actions including Libya and collecting intelligence in the Falklands. Trained as a sniper and known for his excellent marksmanship, Freedman was known as the best shot in the Delta Force. He was the first American to be killed during the relief effort in Somalia that started in 1992. His ve-
hicle struck a mine, and his body was brought back to the U.S. to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His wife received a rare condolence call from President George H. W. Bush. The three men described in this article were members of the Green Berets which, like many Special Force units, still have most of their missions classified. We may never know the true extent of their bravery, but just the fact that they were all highly decorated for combat heroism is a testament to their service. Vietnam was an ugly war both overseas and at home but the Green Berets, especially the Jewish soldiers in their ranks, should make us all proud to be Americans. Author’s note: In last week’s article, we mentioned that Col. Doolittle’s raiders over Tokyo in 1942 had picked out specific military targets. These targets were actually identified from the only film that the U.S. had of downtown Tokyo. It was taken in 1934 by a most remarkable spy. While I couldn’t identify any of the raiders as being Jewish, Moe Berg certainly was one of the tribe. Berg was a catcher for the Boston Red Sox when he was asked to join Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and other All-Stars on a barnstorming tour of Japan. Berg was a given a special mission by the Secretary of State and before the fifth game he slipped away to a hospital in Japan. Giving the excuse that he was visiting a relative, he made his way to the roof wearing a Japanese kimono. Underneath he had a video camera from which he filmed the city. Later, during the war, the Princeton grad and master of sixteen languages became a spy for the OSS (the precursor to the CIA) and reported back to the U.S. the vital information that Germany wasn’t close to building an atomic bomb. Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions.for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@ gmail.com.
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any battles are controver- assignments this meant they had to sial and have been debat- learn the local languages and customs ed by soldiers and histori- to gain the trust of the men they were ans if they were necessary at all. For training. Men in the Special Force are example, the Battle of New Orleans trained to respond to every potential during the War of 1812 was fought situation while deployed. Many solafter a treaty had been signed and diers “wash out” during training and the Battle of Peleonly the best are acliu was so costly in cepted. Marine lives and the strategic value was so small that many think it should have ne of the been isolated and not legends of attacked. However, the Green these were in wars Berets is Holocaust that were fought besurvivor Sidney cause America was Shachnow. He was attacked. The Vietborn in Lithuania nam War was a difand spent three horferent kind of war in ror-filled years in the that the government Kovno concentration became involved to camp before escapSidney Shachnow served with the Green Berets for 32 years prevent the prolifering when he was only ation of Communism seven years old. After around the world. This made the war the Nazis were defeated he had anothvery unpopular on the home front but er harrowing journey that took him to that still did not stop the brave soldiers Germany to escape the Communists. from fighting. The war was lost not as Finally, Shachnow was able to secure a result of a lack of heroism or will- a visa to the U.S. when he was only power but because of bureaucrats who sixteen. He joined the army, became insisted the war be fought in a certain an officer and in 1962 passed Special manner. Forces training. After being sent to As in all American wars, many Vietnam for duty as a detachJewish soldiers took part in the fight- ment commander he was awarding that ended 40 years ago. The war ed several medals including two effort in Vietnam was a multinational Silver Stars for gallantry in acforce that was started when the French tion and two Purple Hearts for left their protectorate in 1954. Ameri- being wounded twice. After the ca sent in ground troops in 1965 and war, Shachnow was assigned to left in 1973. About 30,000 Jewish ser- many commands including the vice members were sent to the region Berlin Brigade when the Wall and 269 died in action. They served in was torn down in 1989. When all branches of the military and many he retired he was a major genwere in Special Forces units such as eral and had served with the the Navy SEALs and Green Berets. Green Berets for 32 years. U.S. Army Special Forces, otherMany commands have a wise known as the Green Berets, have song that illustrates their dutheir origins in WWII and were offi- ties and commitment to their councial activated in 1952. In 1957, they try. “The Ballad of the Green Berets” were sent to Vietnam to train South sung by Barry Sadler, himself a Green Vietnamese commandos. Their main Beret, was made famous by Gerry objectives include unconventional Gitell. Gerry was born in Boston to warfare and counter-terrorism among a Jewish family and was a public intheir many duties. One of their main formation officer when he heard the missions is to act as “force multipli- song from Sadler in 1965. Gerry was ers,” meaning that they train friendly instrumental in promoting it and even forces to fight the enemy. For many had Sadler sing it on the Ed Sulli-
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MAY 7, 2015
From Baby to Big Boy “Upsherin Rebbes” Share their Stories and Insights on this Seminal Event BY TAMAR SULLIVAN
The
first time I took a non-religious friend of mine to an upsherin celebration, she couldn’t understand why a modest family would make such a big bash for a toddler. I tried to explain that the party was not simply an excuse for a good time; it was a celebration of the rite of passage of a three-year-old boy entering the world of formal Torah education. In our community alone, hundreds of upsherin celebrations are performed yearly by our yeshivas’ dedicated and loving rebbeim. Some of our most sought-after “upsherin rebbes” include Pre1A rebbe Rabbi Eli Herzberg of Yeshiva of South Shore, kindergarten rebbe Rabbi Yisroel Kviat of Siach Yitzchak, 1st grade rebbe Rabbi Yoseph Ungar of Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, Pre-1A rebbe Rabbi Nachman Reicher of Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island, Pre-1A rebbe Rabbi Henoch Potash and 1st grade rebbe Rabbi Moshe Mandel of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, who were happy to share how they bring the minhag to life in their classrooms.
According
to Rabbi Potash, “upsherin” comes from the Yiddish words
“sherr” (cut) and “up” (off). Interestingly, there is no written source for the widespread minhag, yet so many frum families perform an upsherin on their three-year-old boys. It seems that the earliest mention of the “minhag yadua” is in Rabbi Chaim Vital’s Sha’ar Hakavanot, based on the teachings of the 16th century kabbalist the Arizal. “The minhag is very strong – it’s brought down by tzaddikim, sifrei minhag, mekubalim, big rebbeim, chasidishe minhagim – and it’s more prevalent today than it used to be because in general the minhagim of Klal Yisrael have gotten stronger,” explains Rabbi Potash. Rabbi Herzberg points out that the Shulchan Aruch in Yoreh Deah (245:8) quotes the Rama who says a child should be accustomed to reading words of Torah and should be taught the Hebrew letters when he reaches the age of three. Over the years, he says, the cutting of the hair and the teaching of the letters have synthesized into one event. One of the most well-known ideas used to explain the cutting of the hair is the Torah mitzvah of orlah, Rabbi Ungar explains. In Vayikra, we are commanded in regard to newly planted trees, “Shalosh shanim yiheh lachem areilim
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– lo yei-achel.” For the first three years, the fruits are considered “arlah” and are off-limits. In the fourth year, the fruits belong to Hashem. What does this have to do with our children? The Torah compares man to a tree: “Ki ha-adam etz hasadeh” (Devarim 20:19), “ki chimay haetz yamei ami” (Yeshayahu 65:22). And regarding a tzaddik, it says, “V’hayah al k’etz shatool al mayim” (Yirmiyahu 17:8). Just as a tree needs soil, water, air, and sunlight to thrive, Jews require a strong home rooted in values; knowledge of Torah, which is compared to water; a neshama, which Hashem breathed (nasham) into us; and the light we create when we come together to observe minhagim communally. Therefore, we care for the Jewish child the way we tend to a young tree. His hair is not cut for the first three years of his life, during which he is still fully dependent on his mother to oversee his physical needs. In the fourth year, he is ready to begin learning the aleph beis, the building blocks of our avodas Hashem. There is a lot of discussion about whether the upsherin can take place earlier or later than a child’s third birthday. According to Rabbi Potash, we do not have to be so makpid about when the haircut is given. “It’s more important to learn aleph beis on the boy’s third birthday than to give him the haircut on that day. If a boy’s upsherin falls on Shabbos, for example, we still teach him the aleph beis and give him honey to lick,” he elaborates. In fact, many Jews cut their sons’ hair on Lag B’omer – before or after they turn three – if their birthday falls anytime during sefira. Besides for being the first time we can cut hair during sefira, Lag B’omer is the day Rabbi Akiva’s students stopped dying from a spiritual malady, the day Rav Shimon Bar Yochai died, and the day he revealed the Zohar. Some say that the kedusha of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai, who taught Klal Yisroel that hair is part of the yetzer hara, is a zechus for the child. For this reason, hundreds, if not thousands, of Jews travel to his kever in Meron to perform their sons’ upsherins. In addition to teaching aleph beis and cutting the hair, another mitzvah being performed at an upsherin, explains Rabbi Ungar, is the forming of peyos, the fulfillment of which is a source of tremendous simcha and celebration for the boy and his family. Rabbi Herzberg describes the upsherin day as “a special time of family simcha, going to visit tzaddikim, and having a special seudah for family and close friends.” To add to the importance of the day, Rabbi Herzberg had a beautiful woven paroches made with embroidered letters of the
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aleph beis. On the day of his third birthday, explains Rabbi Mandel, the prevailing custom is for a father to wrap his son in a tallis, so that he should not see anything impure on his way to cheder. “It’s a very special and very holy day for him! He should be kept away from davar tamei,” reiterates Rabbi Potash.
When
the family comes into the classroom, Rabbi Mandel, who performs most Sunday upsherins at Yeshiva Darchei Torah, first approaches and gives kavod to the eldest relatives, asking them where they came from and where they’ve raised their children. His students sit quietly and listen. “I’m not just doing an upsherin,” he explains. “I’m teaching my students how to behave. The great-grandparents and the grandparents deserve kavod. After all, if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here doing an upsherin!” Once inside the yeshiva, many of the rebbeim agree that they try to warm up the upsherin boy and make him feel comfortable enough to participate. Rabbi Herzberg tries to meet with the upsherin boy well in advance and gives him a treat to get him excited for the event. “I walk him through the different things we will be doing for the upsherin and give him a general pep talk so he doesn’t become overwhelmed. When the entire class is seated… we sing our davening songs, make a bracha on tzitzis and learning Torah, and then it’s the baal simcha’s time to shine!” Rabbi Reicher tries to distract the upsherin boy from noticing the class full of big boys by blowing bubbles and whistles and playing games. “I try to distract the boys just enough to cooperate and they usually end up participating. But if a boy really doesn’t want to, I don’t push him,” he says. Rabbi Kviat’s small kindergarten class sits around a table with the upsherin boy at the head while the rebbe introduces himself and does a few funny tricks to get the upsherin boy and the rest of the class laughing. “I have a pushka that goes from a sad face to a happy face, rocket balloons, a dreidel that turns over. Everyone enjoys the show. Then I point out to the boy that all of the other kids in the class have peyos, yarmulkas, and tzitzis, and that he too is now big enough to have them also.” Rabbi Kviat then lays out little prizes and
“The child should feel
Rabbi Potash
Rabbi Mandel
that he is special, this
day is special, and the aleph beis is special – it’s a heilege day!”
Rabbi Kviat
Rabbi Herzberg
Rabbi Potash
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Rabbi Mandel
Rabbi Potash
Our
devoted rebbeim deserve our gratitude for making our community’s upsherins so joyous, meaningful, and memorable. Mazel tov to all the families who celebrated upsherins this Lag B’Omer. “Asach, asach Yiddishe nachas!”
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Rabbi Potash
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Rabbi Herzberg
better when a lot of family members join in the celebration. One of the upsherins Rabbi Potash led a few years ago was attended by the boy’s nonfrum relatives. Sometime later, a non-religious woman approached Rabbi Potash and told him that her father had wanted nothing to do with Yiddishkeit, but since witnessing the warmth and simcha at their relative’s upsherin in his classroom, he had completely changed his mind. When I asked how his students stay engaged through so many upsherins throughout the year, Rabbi Potash admitted that he changes up his performance so the children in his class stay engaged and enjoy. But every upsherin ends the same way: singing a passionate “Zakeni” and wishing the family, “Asach, asach Yiddishe nachas!” Rabbi Reicher keeps his talmidim focused by making the upsherin very interactive. The boys answer questions throughout the upsherin and recite the aleph beis letters in unison for the upsherin boy to repeat. If a sibling or cousin of the upsherin boy is in the class, Rabbi Reicher gets him involved by giving him a chance to cut some of the hair. The class ends each exciting upsherin with a collective bracha for the boy to become “a big talmid chacham and yarei shamayim!” A few of the upsherins Rabbi Ungar led were particularly emotional. He shared his experience leading an upsherin for a boy who had no hair because he was undergoing chemotherapy. They had a singer come with a guitar and the entire class danced with the young boy. It was a touching celebration for everyone who participated. At another memorable upsherin, Rabbi Ungar’s class rejoiced with a wheelchair-bound boy who could neither see nor speak. The boy’s grandparents travelled in from Lakewood just for the celebration, and Rabbi Ungar’s class had the zechus to sing and dance around him. The emotion in the room was palpable. Rabbi Herzberg shared a particularly poignant upsherin he once performed for a sweet boy who weeks later contracted a sudden fatal illness and passed away. When he visited the grief-stricken parents, they said, “Rebbe, we taught him his aleph beis!” They had found comfort in the fact that their beloved son returned to Hakadosh Baruch Hu having learned his letters by the time he was three. “I had the zechus of being his only formal rebbe,” Rabbi Herzberg recalls. During many upsherins, our rebbeim have seen great-grandparents break down in tears as they witness the teaching of the aleph beis to yet another generation of Jews decades after the Holocaust horror they survived.
THE JEWISH HOME
Rabbi Mandel
candies on each letter of the aleph beis and uses a toy parrot to teach the boy to repeat after him. In accordance with Bobov tradition, they say the aleph beis forwards and backwards. The entire class then sings the aleph beis together, and the upsherin boy licks honey off the aleph, mem, and tav (emes) to symbolize our collective hope that Torah will always be sweet on his tongue. The classroom celebration ends with the boy handing out pekalach and leading a choochoo train of singing and dancing boys around the room, creating delightful memories for everyone. At one very entertaining upsherin, Rabbi Kviat recalls the upsherin boy unexpectedly climbing onto a chair and presenting an entire piece of chazal to the entire class! Rabbi Ungar slightly modifies the honey tradition by offering the birthday boy the choice of honey or chocolate syrup; not surprisingly, most boys choose chocolate syrup. “I encourage the parents to help the boy with the honey-chocolate part. It’s symbolic – a parent’s job begins now. They are the people most responsible for teaching him the sweetness of Torah.” In Rabbi Reicher’s classroom, the upsherin boy licks the honey off the first few aleph beis letters, and later repeats the letters that spell out “Emes krah satan.” Rabbi Ungar teaches the aleph beis using a smartboard and makes sure to explain to the boy – and the entire class – the importance of peyos and what it means to be a Yid. They give tzedaka, sing songs and pesukim, and take snips of the boy’s hair after which Rabbi Ungar gives him the bracha of “yivirechecha.” If the upsherin boy has an older sibling in the school, Rabbi Ungar invites the sibling’s entire class to join the simcha. Rabbi Mandel dances with the boy and his father, always lets the grandparents cut the boy’s hair first, and gives the grandmother the honor of putting the honey on the letters. One parent once told Rabbi Mandel that all the kavod he showed their infirm grandmother made her feel alive again. Rabbi Potash has had the zechus to perform the upsherin of many fathers in the community and, years later, their sons. This, he says, is very moving for him. Of the hundreds of upsherins he has performed over the years, Rabbi Potash recalls only three boys who refused to say a single letter of the aleph beis no matter how much he coaxed him – and one of those was his own son! “I say Tehillim every time a child comes for an upsherin. I want him to do well. I’m as nervous as he is! Even if he doesn’t want to participate much, we make sure it’s a happy atmosphere. The child should feel that he is special, this day is special, and the aleph beis is special – it’s a heilege day!” exclaims Rabbi Potash, who performed 69 upsherins last year alone. The beloved rebbe adds that when parents are relaxed and not nervous about their son’s performance, the upsherin boy usually does better. Interestingly, he notes, boys also do
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MAY 7, 2015
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THE JEWISH HOME
MAY 7, 2015
90
Health & Fitness
David Elazar Simai, MD
The Heroes Among Us Dear Readers, Many times, as I enter an examination room to see a newborn on his or her first visit, there is often someone in the room who gives me comfort and even confidence that the baby, G-d willing, will fare well. That person is the grandmother, Bubby or Savta, Nana or Grandma. You see, when a new baby is born, life becomes much happier, and at the same time a little more challenging. As helpful as we husbands can be, we cannot come close to the level of a grandmother. Throughout the years, I encourage my new mothers to receive guidance from the baby’s grandparents. Yes, physicians are trained in medical school about invasive and dangerous diseases and about common and rare illnesses in pediatrics. No one, however, taught us how to close a newborn diaper, what wipes to use during diaper changes (I recommend pure water wipes or just warm sink water), and no one reminded us not to drink warm water from the sink, which could elevate the lead level in children. For these common, simple, but very important skills, we need the support and caring of grandmothers. A new mother who is cared for in the weeks after giving birth will be more likely to be successful in nursing, less likely to have postpartum depression, and subsequently have a better chance to raise a happy and healthy child. Throughout the years I have seen how dedicated grandparents are in the life of many families. On some occasions, the first visit at the office with a newborn is conducted without the mother in the room. The grandparents allow her to stay home and rest, and I call to discuss the baby’s visit over the phone. Throughout the children’s lives, I often see that the grandparents bring the children for sick visits and keep them company while the parents are at work. It is heartwarming to see the strong bond that forms between the child and his grandparents. As physicians, we try and guide parents to deliver proper care, which includes giving the baby proper nutrition, stimulation and how to avoid issues like anemia, dental cavities, and developmental delays. These are
called anticipatory guidance and preventive medicine. We also treat babies and children when they are ill and make recommendations to help the healing process. Many times, when a parent shows appreciation for my
at my desk, only crumbs remained, so Mrs. Silberstein always had another roll in the room for the doctors and PAs. But baking is not why I mention her first. After having more than 10 children of her own and numerous
Raising a child is all about constant caring.
work, I remind them that in the great scheme of things my job is fairly simple. I have to decide on a diagnosis and give my opinion and/or prescription. The hardest hurdle is to take that advice and implement it. For asthmatics, it may entail nebulizing a frightened child 4-6 times a day, for kids with dehydration it involves the parent sitting next to the child for a few hours and giving them 1 teaspoon of Pedialyte every five minutes. For a simple cold with a fever, it entails hydration, steam showers, making chicken soup, treating the fever with cool compresses, and Tylenol every 4 hours. This list goes on and on – and as you can see, raising a child is all about constant caring. The job is not a simple one, but it is rewarding. There are a few people who I have come across in my professional career who stand out as truly remarkable, kind people. The first is Mrs. Silberstein, a mother of a large family from Kiryas Yoel, Monroe. She was one of our favorite patients in our entire pediatric department. You probably wonder why. The reason was clear: Mrs. Silberstein would come to our office with a home baked chocolate babka at almost every visit! It was so delicious that by the time the plate arrived
grandchildren, she adopted a child with Down’s syndrome. Her devotion to this child was so special. She would bring him to our office for every cold and visit multiple specialists 50 miles away for his heart and gastric issues. At one point, I asked Mrs. Silberstein in awe, “How do you manage to raise your family? Do you physically have room for them?” She gave me a big smile and in semi-laughter explained how she was raised with over 10 siblings in a two bedroom apartment in Bnei Brak, and here, in Kiryas Yoel, she has 4 large bedrooms! Personally, I feel that I live in a mansion. For this reason when I think of self-sacrifice, good heartedness and true toughness, I think of Mrs. Silberstein. But acts of kindness definitely cross borders. Recently, I learned that one of my special needs patients was adopted by a rebbetzin from the Five Towns. I know that this rebbetzin has a full family of her own, but that did not stop her from opening her house. The girl is flourishing in her new family and her parents have time to try and manage the house and still see her on some weekends. I feel that all of us should derive our inspiration in life from these remarkable people.
I
n the spirit of Mother’s Day I would like to thank another special lady in our community, my mom. My mother has and continues to be with G-d’s help a fountain of strength and a symbol of dedication to me and my family. I have so many reasons to thank her! Thank you mom for driving me anywhere I needed to go and then teaching me how to drive. Thank you for feeding me at home and for the surprise visits to my YU dorm (against all school policies) to fill up my fridge with her delicious stew and rice! But I want to mention a few other moments for which I thank her. Firstly, in the summer of 1989, when my family emigrated to the U.S. from Israel, my parents encouraged me to apply to high school and skip eighth grade. My mother accompanied me to my interview at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens. Rabbi Harris offered me a great, warm smile and gave me a short verbal test in Gemara and a short quiz in English and math. Unfortunately, despite having a great English teacher in my elementary school in Jerusalem (Mrs. Livazer), I could not understand the English or math questions, and I failed miserably. Rabbi Harris genuinely thought that I would benefit from a year in eighth grade before entering the Yeshiva. My mother seemed to agree with him and stayed calm until we left the Yeshiva, but as soon as we left the building, we began walking back to our house. I was wondering why We came via bus and our house was a few miles away! But in her wisdom my mother used that walk to give me the motivation of a lifetime. Do you think that coming to the U.S. would be easy for you? You are going to have to work much harder than you did in Israel. You cannot just cruise along here! For a good 30 minutes my mother used this time on our walk home to address this theme and I was really scared. She was completely right, I thought to myself. Until now I did fairly well in Israel with minimal work, but now would come my true test. The next morning, my mother bought me index cards and started
So I would like to thank my mother, and all the wonderful mothers in our community and in Kiryas Yoel, for always being there. For their acts of kindness, whether big or small, in my eyes you are the true heroes among us! Wishing you a happy Mother’s Day, David Elazar Simai, M.D.
NOTE: name, gender, geographical area and other identifying information were deliberately altered in this article in order to protect the patient’s privacy. This article is not intended to help diagnose or treat any specific disease. Always consult your personal physician before diagnosing or treating yourself or your child for any of the above mentioned illnesses.
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Dr. David Simai is a Board Certified Pediatrician from the Five Towns. He is a full time attending in his own private practice since 2007 in Cedarhurst, New York. In addition, he is an Attending Physician at LIJ-Cohen Children’s Hospital, NorthShore Manhasset University Hospital and South Nassau Communities Hospital. He can be contacted for consultation at 516 374-2228 or via email at davidsimai@yahoo.com.
THE JEWISH HOME
picking words out of the dictionary. I jotted them down and she quizzed me at the end of every day. I saved those cards and showed them to my kids recently. My mother also sent me to my aunt’s house, Rebbitzen Rivka Levine in Lakewood. There, none of my cousins spoke Hebrew. Despite this, I had one of the most memorable summers there, and it taught me more than just a lesson in the English language. It made me appreciate the wonderful aunt, uncle and exceptionally warm and friendly cousins I have on Oakwood Avenue in Lakewood. A few weeks after returning from Lakewood, my parents persuaded Rabbi Harris to re-test me. To be honest, I am not sure that I passed the re-testing even though the questions were extremely familiar, but Rabbi Harris agreed, and the rest, I guess, is history. The Yeshiva changed my life and I am still grateful for that second chance. Lastly, I have to thank my mom for making me who I am – a pediatrician. Yes, I was born to be a doctor – that was everyone’s expectation. My father was the oldest of eight children in Iran. He lived in difficult days of worldwide depression, and despite being discriminated against for his religion, he was the valedictorian of his high school in Tehran. He went on to become a doctor and landed a prestigious OB/GYN fellowship in Paris. He returned to Iran where he established a successful private practice. Two of my uncles followed in his footsteps and became outstanding OB’s as well. So when it was time to choose a specialty, the natural choice was—you guessed it—OB/GYN. I loved surgery and was excited to fulfill my father’s dream. I went through all the necessary rotations, including five grueling weeks working in gynecologic oncology with Dr. Abulafia at Downstate. The word in school was that whoever gets up for rounds at 5am and ended at 9pm for 5 weeks would get a letter from Dr. Abulafia which would open the doors for an OB residency in the best hospitals. But at the last moment, my mother encouraged me to choose pediatrics, which would allow me to live a better lifestyle, she said. I asked my rabbi, Rav Goldwicht, what he thought would be best for me and without knowing the options, he also replied, “Pediatrics, a nice happy field.” To Dr. Abulafia’s shock, I chose pediatrics. But to my mother’s credit, I could not imagine how rewarding it would be to become one. And as for my dreams of becoming a surgeon, I have happily settled on stitching lacerations, which is an amazingly gratifying job for me.
THE JEWISH HOME
MAY 7, 2015
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Dr. Deb
Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
Is the Torah Pro-Divorce?
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olly was nearly in tears as he talked to his Rav. Only two close friends knew the complete story; one of them had been his friend for nearly 40 years and had seen his marriage deteriorate bit by bit. But now, he was sharing the story in one compact sitting. And it wasn’t easy. His Rav looked at him with piercing eyes. Solly felt that not a syllable was missed. He felt heard, and at the end of well over an hour, he felt understood. He left exhausted, drained, and – having reviewed the most painful story of betrayal of his life – very sad. The Rav agreed that he had suffered too much already; he did not have to continue suffering if his wife would not stop wounding him. Have we arrived at a new day? A day where rabbis do not tell their congregants, “Just go back into the ring and keep taking it”? It would seem that we have. And whereas it can be looked at as a shame that what started with big dreams and love ends up – as Terrence Real put it – a “rotted garden,” nevertheless it seems to me that in some cases divorce may be inevitable. As much as I am pro-marriage and the Torah is pro-marriage, there is a place for divorce in it. Recently, Ohel produced and has been showing a film, Rising From Divorce, in which experts, rabbis, divorcees, and children of divorce were interviewed. The video centers on the effect of divorce on children and how important it is not to use them as bargaining chips. Dr. Mark Banshick, a psychiatrist in Baltimore working with Ohel, noted that there ought to be a diagnostic designation called Personality Disorder of Divorce (or something like that) because the process often brings the absolute worst out in everyone. One scenario that made the entire audience gasp was told by Ohel’s trauma director, Dr. Norman Blumenthal, who told of a set of parents that did not want the other parent to “win” any point. Their daughter was “difficult.” (I can’t understand why.) The father said that he did not want the daughter. The mother replied that she did not want the daughter. A number of months later that girl took her own life. It should never come to that.
But then again, perhaps those personality qualities that led this couple to be unable to give an inch in litigation are the very qualities that made them unable to live with each other. And perhaps that is where the divorce stigma comes from. Perhaps the assumption
itive model. People are there to fight and to win. The other approach is a cooperative model. People are trying to problem-solve.” So I ask: What if a person is, by nature, aggressive? Can mediation help? Sarah’s answer: “Mediation can
Perhaps those personality qualities that led this couple to be unable to give an inch in litigation are the very qualities that made them unable to live with each other. that there is something quite wrong with the people in question is at the bottom of that stigma. On the other hand, I can tell you with great assurance that plenty of people are troubled, suffering, and in high conflict, and they do not get divorced. They have many reasons, good reasons: loyalty, a belief in the other person, a desire to keep the family together, and finances. Dr. Banshick said in the panel discussion that followed the film, “It is worse to model to children that you stay in an unhappy marriage than to leave it.” I can see that. The last thing we want for our children is to give them the message that they are meant to suffer and that is what life really is for. He went on to add, regarding the intensity and pain generated by litigation, “I believe that divorce is a public health problem. The system is broken.” He was referring to the fact that even the most well-intentioned attorneys will stretch out the fight. They may even convince themselves that they are doing the right thing; they are protecting their clients. What is the solution? I wondered, after seeing the Ohel video, what an expert in the field, a family and divorce mediator, would say about this, so I decided to speak about my questions with my good friend, Sarah Samuels, a mediator in Garden City. Sarah agreed that litigation enhances the conflict. “Litigation is a compet-
benefit high-conflict cases. People will sit down and realize that it doesn’t help them achieve their goals to just fight.” My question: What if they don’t realize? Sarah: “This is the role that the community can also take in helping. People can add to the voice of the mediator to say, ‘Would you really prefer to fight like this than to use the money for the children’s college?’ So I would say that, and with the other voices chiming in, it can help. In the end, no one is happy fighting. “Divorce, like Dr. Banshick said, brings out the worst in us. Sometimes friends and the rabbi can really help get people to view the situation in a calmer way. “Deb, tell your readers how research has shown how bad the conflict is for children; it’s not the divorce per se. The stress of conflict can affect children both emotionally and physically. What’s more, because they see their parents as role models, they are more likely to engage in conflict, too, to solve problems. It’s also something that maybe you as a therapist would know, that when parents put one another down, the children see themselves as somehow defective. They identify themselves with their parents. It feels personal to them. Also, with their parents’ minds so divided, the children lose that parental attention that they badly need when they feel so vulnerable.”
Everything Sarah said makes sense to me but I was still wondering about a person like Solly and his soon-to-be ex-wife. After being taken advantage of so very badly, he would want an attorney to defend his rights in court. My question to Sarah: Isn’t that the more appropriate route sometimes? “Just the opposite,” Sarah explained. “No matter how vigorously the attorney defends his client’s position, the judge, who is a human being with his (or her) own biases, will make the decision. Generally they say that if two people come out of litigation dissatisfied, then the judge did a good job. Mediation, on the other hand, is a process of everyone agreeing on the final decisions that are made. True, you may have to give in here, but your ex gives in there. So each of you feels more in control of the process. Usually, each person is willing to give in on what is not that important to them but might be really important to the other person. And your mediator knows that. You are in control over just exactly what you gave in to. And hopefully, you end up with a win-win.” Instead of the lose-lose of litigation. Beyond how the mediation process goes is the great need for the mediator to care deeply about and listen well to the people sitting in front of her (or him). That is what sets Sarah Samuels apart. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this topic as I see unfortunate situations that seem to beg for divorce to set people free. Hashem put it in the Torah so perhaps we should accept and cherish it as another way out of Mitzrayim. Dr. Deb Hirschhorn, a Marriage & Family Therapist and best-selling author of The Healing Is Mutual: Marriage Empowerment Tools to Rebuild Trust and Respect— Together, is proud to announce that readers of The Jewish Home will receive a $50 discount on every visit to her Woodmere office. Attend the Food For Thought lectures at Traditions Restaurant in Lawrence on Tuesdays at 12:30 PM. (There is a lovely optional lunch menu for $12 cash.) Any questions, call 646-54-DRDEB or check out her website at http://drdeb.com. All stories in Dr. Deb’s articles are fabricated.
Political Crossfire
93
Clinton’s Democratic Opponents Need to Smoke Her Out
THE JEWISH HOME
Dana Milbank
I'm an Independent, said Sanders
populist posture. That would excite the Democratic base, and sparring with O’Malley or Sanders would get her in shape for the general election. Sanders’ message Thursday was good – and one Clinton would be smart to co-opt. “This country today, in my view, has more serious crises than at any time since the Great Depression,” he said. Real wages have shrunk, while “99 percent of all new income generat-
The O’Malley and Sanders reticence is doing Clinton no favors. ed in this country is going to the top 1 percent.” But the messenger acted as if he were put out to be attending his own campaign kickoff. “We don’t have an endless amount of time. I’ve got to
get back,” he said at the start. Not 10 minutes later, he announced: “I’ve got to get going.” He pulled out a speech but never opened it. Instead, with the under-renovation Capitol Dome as his backdrop and with dozens of journalists paying attention to him for once, he delivered off-thecuff remarks lamenting, among other things, negative ads. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny asked Sanders whether his distaste for negative campaigning would keep him from bringing up the Clinton Foundation contributions. “I think what is more fair game,” he said, “is the role of money in politics.” He went on to complain about the Koch brothers, big Republican donors. When NBC’s Russert asked for specific differences between him and Clinton, Sanders, after saying it was too soon, offered a couple of his own policies – opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and the Keystone XL pipeline – on which Clinton has yet to take a stand. “We’ll see where Secretary Clinton comes out,” he said. But we may not – unless Sanders, O’Malley or somebody else smokes her out. (c) 2015, Washington Post Writers Group
MAY 7, 2015
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illary Clinton has had some bad luck lately with revelations about her secret email server and foreign contributors to the Clinton Foundation. But in one crucial area, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination has been I'll let others... second-guess her strategies and tactics, O'Malley said blessed with abundant good fortune: her opponents. But while Sanders no doubt will enSen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont on joy the visibility that comes with a presThursday became the first candidate idential campaign, he’s not going to get formally to challenge Clinton. But af- that serious debate unless he makes the ter a 10-minute appearance outside the kind of frontal challenge to Clinton that Capitol detailing his intentions, Sanders forces her to pay attention. revealed a rather glaring weakness in O’Malley has much the same probhis pursuit of the Democratic nomina- lem. On CBS’ “Face the Nation” a coution: He isn’t planning to register as a ple of weeks ago, he was asked about Democrat. Clinton’s disinclination to take quesHe neglected to mention this during tions. “I’ll let others ... second-guess his speech and news conference, in which he vowed to take on “the billionaire class.” But Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times called after the wildhaired socialist as he walked back to the Capitol. “Are you a Democrat?” “No,” Sanders replied, “I’m an independent.” Does Sanders, a longtime indepen- her strategies and tactics,” O’Malley dent who caucuses with Democrats, re- answered. “I have a tremendous amount ally expect to win the Democratic pres- of respect for Secretary Clinton.” idential nomination if he won’t commit But O’Malley is exactly the one to being a Democrat? Surely he doesn’t who should be second-guessing Clin– even if he claims, as he did Thursday, ton. Instead, his staff has been sending that he’s “in this race to win.” reporters “off the record” emails so that This is why the Sanders candidacy, anti-Clinton allegations won’t have like the still-undeclared candidacy of O’Malley fingerprints. “Please note it former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Mal- took HRC a week to engage on Fredley, is only a token challenge to Clinton. die Gray – which is a pattern here,” said Sanders didn’t mention Clinton at one such email, forwarded to me from all in his remarks, and even when asked another news organization. “It took her directly by NBC’s Luke Russert what 19 days of ignoring Ferguson to weigh differentiates him from Clinton, Sand- in.” ers answered that “it’s too early” for If O’Malley wants to be taken serisuch things. ously, he’ll need to challenge Clinton His approach, at least so far, indi- directly and repeatedly – but that would cates Sanders is not willing to take on antagonize the Democratic establishClinton directly and forcefully. Sanders ment and jeopardize O’Malley’s future sees himself engaging in a high-mind- in the party. ed effort: “serious debates over serious The O’Malley and Sanders retiissues, not political gossip, not making cence is doing Clinton no favors. Were campaigns into soap operas. This is not they to take her on, they could force her the Red Sox versus the Yankees.” from her defensive crouch into a more
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MAY 7, 2015
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Notable Quotes
Compiled by Nate Davis
“Say What?” Congrats to Prince William and Kate Middleton, who welcomed a baby girl on Saturday. The royal baby weighed eight pounds — or around 12 American dollars. - Jimmy Fallon
Oh, yeah. I’ve got to pay our bills. - Bill Clinton, when asked by NBC whether he will continue to get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches now that his wife is running for president
Back home in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao is a congressman — which may explain why he didn’t do much of anything the other night. - Conan O’Brien
I asked Hillary about this. She said, “No one’s ever tried to influence me by helping you.” - Bill Clinton, in an interview with NBC, definitively laying to rest all concerns raised by the blockbuster book Clinton Cash, which alleges that hundreds of millions of dollars was given to Bill Clinton to influence Hillary while she was secretary of state
I would have definitely paid $100 to watch someone beat up my congressman. – Ibid. I had my credit card, my license, my grandchildren’s pictures in there and all sorts of stuff it would have been wicked for me to replace. - 95-year-old World War II veteran Arthur Kamberis of New Hampshire explaining why he beat a mugger with his cane rather than hand over his wallet
His iconic big red shoes will remain the same. - Statement from McDonald’s explaining that Ronald McDonald has gone through a fashion makeover in preparation for a greater social media role
I will only hire someone to work directly for me if I would work for that person. - Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a recent Q&A session
Blackberry is being criticized after it misspelled the word “won” in an ad celebrating a design award. Instead of w-o-n they put o-n-e. Blackberry apologized for the spelling mistake and promised the person responsible has been fried. – Jimmy Fallon
I’m saying to people around this nation right now: Stop being loyal to a party or to a man and use your brain to think for yourself. That is really the key to us as a nation becoming successful again. - Neurosurgeon Ben Carson in his announcement that he is running in the Republican primaries
Prince William’s pregnant wife, Kate Middleton, is past her due date. Doctors may have to induce labor. To speed up the birth, doctors have been telling the baby, “Come on out. You will never have to work a day in your life.” – Conan O’Brien
Donald Trump is talking about running for president. He hasn’t made an announcement, but I want to tell you something. The fake suspense is killing me. – David Letterman
A 91-year-old woman in the U.K. recently got engaged to her 102-year-old boyfriend, which would make them the oldest newlyweds in the world. They’re really happy and said they can’t wait to spend the rest of their week together. – Jimmy Fallon
There is no doubt in my mind that we have never done anything knowingly inappropriate in terms of taking money to influence any kind of American government policy. – Ibid. I love the phrase knowingly inappropriate. Do you know any normal person who says that? I didn’t do anything knowingly inappropriate. You say I didn’t do anything inappropriate. This is classic Clinton speech. Somebody ought to make a dictionary. We have a dictionary of Klingon; we ought to have a dictionary of Clintonism. This is how they parse, this is how they dodge. And then he says there’s a limited attempt to take us down. No facts not known now that were not known in ‘08? That’s absolutely untrue. The allegations are about what happened since ‘08 when she was secretary of state. - Charles Krauthammer
To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America: I heard your call for “No justice, no peace.” - Baltimore state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby announcing charges against six police officers involved in Freddie Gray’s death The decision to file charges was made not based on considerations of justice, but on considerations of crowd control. - Alan Dershowitz, talking about Mosby’s charging of the police officers BMW’s new Deluxe 7 Series will allow drivers to simply press a button on their key fob to make the car park itself. And because it’s an expensive BMW it’ll park itself across two spaces. – Jimmy Fallon
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un reportedly has had 15 of his top officials executed. So the lesson here is when Kim Jong Un comes to work with a new haircut, you tell him, “Looking good, Un.” – Conan O’Brien Let’s get something straight so we don’t kid each other. They already have paved a path to a bomb’s worth of material. Iran could get there now if they walked away in two to three months without a deal. – Vice President Joe Biden at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Starbucks will now offer cookie straws. And they come in a variety of flavors, like type 1 and type 2. – Seth Myers
I think you’ve sort of covered everything about that question. – A middle school student who was interviewing President Obama, cutting the president off when he was going on and on about his affection for reading
Ford just recalled almost 1 million cars for steering problems and because the doors fly open. This explains Chevrolet’s new slogan: “Ford just recalled almost 1 million cars for steering problems and because the doors fly open.” – Conan O’Brien
The Kentucky Derby is a race that lets rich people throw money at a bunch of weird sounding names — which is another way of describing the presidential race so far. Do I want to bet on Jeb? Rand? – Jimmy Fallon
Scientists have discovered that Tyrannosaurus Rex may have had a vegetarian cousin. Man, it must [stink] to have a vegetarian in the family when your arms are too short to cover your ears. – Seth Myers
We will have inspectors in there every single day. There is a lot of hysteria about this deal. - Secretary of State John Kerry speaking to Israel’s Channel 10 television about the Iran deal
Miami Dolphins lineman A.J. Francis just tweeted that he has signed up to be an Uber driver during the offseason. But since he’s with the Dolphins he can only drive 15 yards before he has to punt. – Jimmy Fallon A rare and beautiful thing was seen today — a quadruple rainbow. That’s four rainbows. They were seen by all seven of the people who looked up from their phones today. – Jimmy Kimmel
MAY 7, 2015
Hillary Clinton wrote an OpEd for a paper in Iowa about her plans to help the middle class. Middle class Americans said, “Why didn’t you just say that in a speech?” and she said, “Because I charge $200,000 for a speech.” – Jimmy Fallon
In countries in Scandinavia like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, they are very democratic countries. Voter turnout is a lot higher than it is in the United States. In those countries, healthcare is the right of all people; college education and graduate school is free; retirement benefits, child care are stronger than the United States of America. In those countries by and large government works for ordinary people and the middle class, rather than, as is the case right now in our country, for the billionaire class. - Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who recently announced that he is running for president, on ABC News
I don’t see smiles on the faces of people at Whole Foods. - Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting explaining why Berkshire continues to hold stakes in CocaCola Co. and other sugary-treat companies
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A new study reveals that one-third of babies in the U.S. have used a smartphone. Yeah, and one-third of babies in China have made a smartphone. – Conan O’Brien
During a recent press conference, former President Jimmy Carter said he could never run for president today because he doesn’t have a lot of money. Well, that and the fact that he’s the famously bad President Jimmy Carter. - Jimmy Fallon
THE JEWISH HOME
The new Apple Watch officially launched today. There’s a new trend — people cutting actual apples and strapping them to their wrists in celebration of the Apple Watch. And if you shop at Whole Foods, it actually ends up costing as much as the real thing. – Jimmy Fallon
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MAY 7, 2015
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A Blazing Lag B’Omer BY ESTHER OTTENSOSER
Dancing Campfire This year, bring the Lag B’Omer spirit indoors! This adorable candy “bonfire” was part of a campfire-themed mishloach manos. Once I saw it, I knew it would be a “bon”afide good idea for a Lag B’Omer activity. Supplies: 1 cupcake baked in red cupcake paper 2 thin pretzel sticks 2 mini marshmallows 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange and 1 clear hard candy or lollipop (sticks removed) 1 skewer Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Place the four candies/lollipops on a parchment-lined cookie sheet; they should be close together. Bake 4-5 minutes or until candy is melted. Use the skewer to swirl the colors together and to form a flame shape. Place the skewer in the center of the flame and allow to dry. Place the skewer in the center of the cupcake. Stick the pretzels into the marshmallows. For an authentic-looking roasted marshmallow, singe the marshmallows for a couple of seconds. Place pretzel sticks on the cupcake. Enjoy your campfire—all you need is a good story!
Once you’re gathering around your tasty Lag B’Omer bonfire, you can add “smore” fun with this neat twist to the classic campfire treat.
MAY 7, 2015
Directions: Place two marshmallows on the skewer. Use the melted chocolate to “glue” the graham crackers to the marshmallows. Dip the s’mores into the melted chocolate. Allow to dry. Enjoy as is or microwave for 10 seconds.
Supplies: 1 graham cracker square cut in half Melted chocolate 2 medium-sized marshmallows 1 skewer
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S’mores on a Stick
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Great Kosher Food
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Just in Time for Lag B’Omer
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COLUMN
Elan Kornblum
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BOURBON BBQ RIBS Chef Daniel Rivera T Fusion Steakhouse (Brooklyn, NY)
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CHEF DAN IEL R. R IVERA
Raised with oking in their r’s Puerto Rican style co the mo his m fro s rie mo has vivid me ght aspiring Daniel the neighborhood. Mom tau ese gu rtu Po , NJ rk, wa Ne fell smitten ative cooking tactics. He cre of es lin cip dis d an enjoyment s and meat cooked sh vegetables, herbs, spice fre of ty au be e tru the th wi ut cutting corners. in absolute harmony witho insatiable palate for veloped an unmatched, In turn, Chef Rivera de er arts of cuef Rivera learned the fin Ch ht. lig de l ua vis d an both taste sher ty and first dabbled in ko Ci rk Yo w Ne of te titu linary at the Art Ins Steakhouse in ining T-Fusion’s Kosher Jo r. ge na tee g un yo a cuisine as Food vera was also featured on Ri R l nie Da ef Ch ve uti August 2012, Exec C and was Chef rked at NOBU 57 in NY wo ly us vio pre ), 13 (20 Network utive SSO in Nolita. Join Exec L’A at old ars ye 21 as de Cuisine as early ery day (closed ion Steakhouse nearly ev us T-F at ra ve Ri R. l nie Chef Da isine in NYC. nce the finest Kosher cu for Shabbat) and experie
Ingredients Dry Spice Rub: ¼ cup chili powder ¼ cup coffee 3 TBS onion powder 1 TBS dill weed 3 TBS garlic powder 2 TBS salt 2 TBS pepper 3 TBS cumin 6 TBS dark brown sugar 1 TBS dry basil 1 TBS oregano 1 TBS rosemary 1 TBS thyme 2 TBS smoked paprika 2 TBS coriander
BBQ Sauce: 1 onion 8 garlic cloves 1 1/2 cup Makers Mark Bourbon 5 cups ketchup 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar 3 TBS liquid smoke 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup honey 2 tsp Sriracha sauce ¾ cup Worcestershire sauce (not fish) Salt and pepper to taste You will need: Roasting pan Liquid smoke for braising Beef stock for braising Back ribs will be used in this recipe
Directions Preheat oven to 265°F. Mix together ingredients for the rub. Roll each rib in the spice rub. Place meat in large baking dish in about one inch of water (or up halfway each rib). Bake at 265°F for one hour. Remove from oven and turn meat over. Bake at 265°F for one more hour. Remove from oven. Drain and add barbecue sauce as needed. Increase heat to 400°F. Bake 30 minutes. Remove and serve. To Make the BBQ sauce: Sweat onions and garlic together. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer on medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce reaches desired thickness. When cooled, taste and adjust seasoning.
This recipe was reprinted from the 2015 Edition of Great Kosher Restaurants Magazine. Elan Kornblum, a.k.a. “The Restaurant Guy,” is the publisher of Great Kosher Restaurants International Magazine and its accompanying website www.gkrm.net. The 2015 edition, available on www.GreatKosherDeals.com, has 256 glossy pages and provides a visual description with menus to over 200 top kosher restaurants alongside 400 stunning high resolution color photos. Kornblum’s top ranked website, award-winning newsletter, comprehensive app and hugely popular Facebook Foodies page makes sure everyone is up to date on the latest restaurant news. Email info@gkrm.net for any questions or comments.
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In Style
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to wear the most elegant suit that highlights your personal style and taste. Stay within the scope of classic style and you cannot go wrong. Do you like notch lapels? Great! Prefer a more comfortable fit than what is currently in vogue? No problem as long as the suit has a nice
for a clean, sophisticated look. A groom often pairs a bright white tie with his suit, not realizing that the tie will be completely lost in the flare of the photographer’s flash. Consider instead a tie with a hint of silver, small dots of another color (perhaps the wed-
shape! Don’t like to wear a belt? Perfect! Use side adjusters. Want inch wide lapels, slanted buttonholes on your sleeves, and two colored buttonholes on your lapel? Perhaps it is time to rethink your priorities. Wear a suit that you will not regret when you look at your photo album years down the line. Tuxedo and suit wearers should pair their outfits with a solid stark white shirt. A bit of texture on either may be a nice touch but try to avoid a heavy texture on both. Point collars visually widen the wearer’s face, while spread collars appear to elongate the face and allow for wider tie knots. Opt for a collar that balances out the shape of your face regardless of what’s in style. The cuffs of your wedding shirt should be comfortable but tight enough that they don’t slide over your hands or get caught in the sleeve opening, particularly in more modern slim-fitting suits. Choosing barrel versus French cuffs is a matter of choice, although French cuffs are more formal and should be worn when wearing a tuxedo. If you have the option, choose a shirt without a pocket
ding color), or a neat pattern or paisley cream tie to keep the look sharp yet appropriately ceremonial. A neatly folded white pocket square adds another touch of elegance. The design of your trousers is matter of style and comfort. Some like how a flat front looks, while others prefer the extra room offered by a pleat. One
pleat is a cleaner choice than two, while offering the same benefits in comfort. Cuffs look sharp at the two inch mark. A belt, if desired, should always match the shoes. When buying shoes, keep it clean and classy. Lace-up oxfords with simple or no designs are dressier than loafers. Try not to pair a tuxedo with patent leather shoes, which scream prom rental. Instead, select a smooth calfskin oxford and shine it well. Socks should match your suit color in order to visually lengthen your legs. Be sure that the socks are long enough that your legs do not peek out when you sit. Using this head-to-toe advice, you should be able to put together a dapper wardrobe that will be right at home at the most important and formal occasion. A proper suit can be a big investment and you should choose one that will not quickly become tiresome or outdated. The salesman at your local menswear shop can be invaluable in helping you make the right choices. Finally, always pick style above fashion and you will be guaranteed to look your absolute best.
Andrew Lock is the proprietor of Andrew Lock Custom Menswear at 415B Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. His shop offers all manners of custom clothing as well as fine shoes, accessories, wardrobe consulting services, and the best cappuccino in town. Call 516-619-6264 to schedule a fitting.
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W
hether your wedding is around the corner or months away, a little advice from a menswear professional can make all the difference in how you look and feel on your special day. Years from now, when you crack open your wedding album to share your memories with loved ones, you will be proud of the timeless ensemble you chose and designed with care. Most people don’t expect much of a discussion about color when considering wedding suits because black is the default. Take a moment to consider a more flattering shade, such as midnight blue, which can both complement and brighten facial features, eyes, and skin tones in a way black fabric cannot. The oft-dismissed color appears darker and crisper than black under fluorescent and photo lights. A true midnight blue is so dark that most would assume it is black unless compared directly to a black fabric. Despite being the road less travelled, the right dark blue hue exudes sophistication and elegance at even the most formal affairs. In fact, a midnight blue tuxedo for an upscale wedding is a tasteful and timeless choice. Today, when wearing a tuxedo, it is of the utmost importance that the fit is perfect and its design is rooted in tradition, as one does not want to be mistaken for a waiter at his own wedding. On that note, tuxedo wearers should take care to always choose a peak or shawl lapel of appropriate width, a one or two button jacket with the fastening button set low, straight jetted pockets, and either no vent or side vents in the back. A traditional tuxedo ensemble also includes a cummerbund as well as a self-tied bowtie made of grosgrain or satin to match the lapel. If you choose to forego the cummerbund, a low cut vest is appropriate as well. Otherwise, try to keep the tuxedo buttoned when possible so that the waist of your trousers does not show. If the groom wears a tuxedo, the rest of the wedding party should naturally follow suit. For a more traditional one or two button wedding suit, notch or peak lapels are elegant options. This leads to some extremely important advice. Avoid gimmicks. Your goal should be
A Wedding Look that Suits You
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Andrew Lock
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Your Money
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Bet They Didn’t Think About This! timber depletion allowances? What about casualty losses from lightning strikes? • Beavers across the northern states are busy as beavers building dams. What sort of property taxes should they pay on their homes? How should they calculate their depreciable basis in logs, leaves, and twigs? (Don’t even get us started on tax strategies for bird nests!) • Many animal species, including prairie voles, French angelfish, and certain ducks mate for life. (If you’re divorced, and bitter about it, maybe you should have married a duck.) Does that mean ducks can file jointly? Will they get valuable tax advantages, like the unlimited marital deduction for estate taxes that single animals and heads of households have to do without? • Have you ever treated your dog to a biscuit for fetching the paper? Good dog! But watch out! Strict
withholding requirements may make tax time ruff. If you miss a deadline, you can count on more than just a swat with a rolled up newspaper! Dogs who work for their supper owe hefty employment taxes, too. And how on earth do you e-file 15.3% of a Milk Bone? Lots of questions, right? Well here’s one thing we can know for sure. When animals start paying taxes, they’ll want to pay less. And they can do it the same way you do — with a plan. Make sure to have a plan—so you can keep as many acorns as you can gather this fall. Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 yea rs in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.
MAY 7, 2015
that habeas corpus should be available for sentient beings other than humans. (Even cereal spokesman Tony the Tiger expressed his support for Leo and Hercules, saying “They’re grrrrreat!”) Naturally, that got us to thinking. What would our friends at the IRS think about the ruling? If animals can be “legal persons,” why can’t they be taxpayers? And what will those taxes look like? • Everyone knows that circus elephants work for peanuts. So how many peanuts will the IRS get? Can elephants pay in shells? If elephants really never forget, do they still have to keep paper receipts? • Squirrels spend long hours every fall gathering acorns for winter. Should they pay their taxes when they bury the acorns, like with a Roth IRA? Or should they pay when they dig them back up for food, like with a 401k? What if an acorn gets buried a little deep and grows into a mighty oak? Can the squirrels claim valuable
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ast week, a New York judge issued writs of habeas corpus on behalf of two chimpanzees named Hercules and Leo, currently living in a research lab at the State University of New York in Stony Brook. The next day, she walked back the scope of her ruling, emphasizing she was merely directing the university to appear in court. Still, the decision gives the chimps a day in court and possibly clears the way for them to move from the lab to a sanctuary in Florida. Animal rights activists were thrilled. Natalie Prosin, Executive Director of the Nonhuman Rights Project, told Science magazine, “This is a big step forward . . . . We got our foot in the door. And no matter what happens, that door can never be completely shut again.” Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe commented
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Allan J. Rolnick, CPA
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Life Coach
Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
So Busy I Can’t Think
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wedding coming up this week? You bump into the host and say, “Looking forward to the wedding.” They give you a blank stare and say, “Uh, it was last week.” Whoops. Did you ever say to anyone, “So when are you due?” And they say, “Uh, it was last week!” Whoops again! W o r s e yet, did you ever just ask a person who looks it, “When are you due?” And they say, “I’m not!” Major, major whoops there! Did anyone ever ask you, “Read any good books lately”? And you respond enthusiastically, “Yes, I just finished a great one.” And suddenly they
o you keep a calendar? Isn’t it great? Except, of course, when you make an entry on the wrong date! That kind of messes up your whole week. You either show up for something and it was yesterday or it will be tomorrow! “Great. I ran here, got a babysitter, left my house a wreck, etc., etc. Even missed an important meeting for this!” Well, if you missed it that stinks but at least, alas, it’s over. If it’s still tomorrow, oh no, replay. Gotta make arrangements all over again! Alternatively, someone alerts you or luckily you realize in advance that something you thought was on a certain date is happening on a different date. You now need to rearrange your whole week or month prospectively. Can you reach everyone and reschedule everything? Painful! How about thinking you have a
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ask the next lethal question: “What was it called?” Yes, great question, what was it called?! Wasn’t it just on the tip of your tongue? And no you don’t remember the author either... or even what it was about. But you can assure them that it was really interesting! Also you can share that it had a bright red cover and a sun-like thing in the corner. “Just ask at the bookstore,” you say, “I’m sure they’ll know.” As if besides knowing the title and author and plot of each book, they’ve memorized the artwork of each and every cover!
“Well, in case they can’t find that one, the one with the light blue clouds and the girl walking along the sea was also excellent!” Our days and minds are often on overload. Free time is dangerous. You may eat too much, accomplish too little, or feel too purposeless. After all, you know the old saying: if you want to get something done, ask a busy person. Well, here’s another thought. Our brain, just like our body, does need some downtime. So, schedule some of that in too. Just make sure it doesn’t overlap with some other important obligation you have already! Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com
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In The Kitchen
Jamie Geller
The Sweetness of Mother's Day
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Rum Raisin Bread Pudding My love of all things bread pudding comes from my mom. And my mom’s love comes from her mom. You can say it’s in our DNA and we didn’t really have a choice. My grandmother a”h, on occasion, would even go so far as to eat a piece of fresh, crusty, Italian bread for dessert. So this Rum Raisin Bread Pudding, a “slight” upgrade on a simple slice of bread to end the meal, is for my mom (and grandmom). Don’t have day-old bread? Place bread cubes on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes to dry out. Happy Mother’s Day! Ingredients 1 tablespoon margarine 6 cups cubed day-old bread 3 cups soy milk 2 large eggs 1 cup packed light brown sugar 2 tablespoons rum
1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch ground nutmeg ½ cup raisins Nondairy whipped topping Directions Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with margarine. Place bread cubes in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, beat soy milk, eggs, brown sugar, rum, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and raisins. Pour over the bread and mix thoroughly. Spoon bread mixture into the prepared baking dish. Let rest for 20 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped topping on the side.
PB&B Smoothie Peanut butter and banana not only make the best sandwich, but they make a fantastically delicious smoothie, creamy and utterly decadent and full of protein. Ingredients 4 bananas, peeled and broken into pieces 3 cups vanilla yogurt 1 cup creamy peanut butter 2/3 cup milk 2 cups ice Directions Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for about 5 minutes or until completely smooth. Divide between 4 glasses and serve immediately.
Jamie Geller is one of the most sought-after Jewish food personalities worldwide. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of NYU, Jamie developed an outstanding media career as an award-winning TV producer and marketing executive at CNN, HBO and The Food Network. Ever since her first cookbook, Quick & Kosher: Recipes from the Bride Who K new Nothing (Feldheim, 2007), became a Jewish cookbook classic she has been at the helm of a rapidly growing media empire. The savvy bestselling author founded Kosher Media Network (KMN), an integrated media and marketing company along with Chairman Henry Kauftheil and spearheaded by Grey Advertising veteran Milt Weinstock. KMN is organized into four business segments: Publishing, Broadcasting, Digital, and Live. In the spring of 2010, KMN, unveiled its Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller consumer brand, with the simultaneous launch of JoyofKosher.com – the first and #1 social networking community for the kosher foodie – and the awardwinning magazine, Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller.
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Baked Pecan French Toast Casserole Prep this French toast casserole the night before then pop it in the oven just before your mom arrives or she wakes up. The house will smell delicious and you will have the most amazing French toast to serve that took no time to make. Add some chocolate chips or your favorite fruit and it can even work for dessert. Best way to use up leftover challah, no more slaving over a hot stove for you. Recipe adapted from Paula Deen. Ingredients 1 challah bread, sliced 8 large eggs 2 cups half and half 1 cup milk (I use skim) 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg Dash salt Praline Topping 2 sticks butter 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 1 tablespoon light corn syrup ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg Directions Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to coat well. Arrange sliced challah in the baking dish, allowing them to overlap. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. The next day, preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare praline topping by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl and mixing well. Spread praline topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.
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A Special Gift for a Special Woman BY SUSAN SCHWAMM
IT MAY BE CLICHÉ, BUT IT’S TRUE: EVERY DAY IS MOTHER’S DAY. A MOTHER’S LOVE IS CONSTANT AND CONTINUOUS. AND ALTHOUGH MOST OF HER WORK IS CENTERED AROUND LOADS OF LAUNDRY, HOMEWORK, SHOPPING, COOKING SUPPERS AND DOCTORS’ APPOINTMENTS, SHE DOES IT ALL WITH LOVE. BECAUSE THERE’S NO LOVE LIKE A MOTHER’S LOVE FOR HER CHILDREN. THIS SUNDAY IS OFFICIALLY MOTHER’S DAY. ALTHOUGH WE CAN THANK HALLMARK FOR MAKING IT SUCH A CELEBRATED EVENT, MAKE SURE TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL MOM TO THANK HER AND SHOW HER YOUR LOVE AND APPRECIATION. AND WHILE YOU’RE AT IT, WHY NOT BUY YOUR MOTHER SOMETHING SHE CAN ENJOY AND CHERISH THIS YEAR? SHE WILL REMEMBER YOUR KIND GESTURE, SHEP NACHAS AT THE WONDERFUL CHILD THAT SHE RAISED, AND WILL READ YOUR HEARTFELT NOTE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. TO ALL THE WONDERFUL MOTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
A Shabbos of Rest
She works so hard the whole week, prepping lunches, preparing suppers and making sure there’s something to snack on when you come home. Why not give your mom a Shabbos off? This week, let her know Shabbos is on you and have a personal chef cater the Friday night and Shabbos day meals. She’ll have plenty of time to get her nails done before Shabbos and may even be able to squeeze in an erev Shabbos nap.
Notes of Love
Special wishes and warm thoughts will be remembered forever—especially when they’re written by her cherished children and grandchildren. Put notes of love (and pictures scrawled by the young ones) in a beautiful box so she can read and re-read them throughout the year. Make sure to spend the time to write and say the things that you feel but don’t have a chance to say all year. We love you mom!
Planning it Out
Does your mother have everything planned out to a tee? If she’s an organized person and loves to have her ducks lined up in a row, your mom will appreciate a monogrammed planner for Mother’s Day. It’ll help her bring order to everyone’s busy schedules and will bring joy to her day when she uses the gift that came from you.
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A gift of nature is bound to bring happiness to mom’s heart. Bring spring inside when you give her a plant to brighten up her day and home. Consider an orchid or a small tree or maybe even some herbs she can keep on her windowsill. Either way, the bright blooms and fragrant scents will help her remember spring long after the season is gone.
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Planting your Love
Speaking of blooms, why not send mom some flowers? We know that’s been tried before—again and again—but perhaps send her flowers for Shabbos instead of on Mother’s Day. The card can be given on Sunday, but the gift of roses or tulips or lilies can be delivered before Shabbos. And to keep the gift going, consider sending her flowers every week. Her home will be brighter and her Shabbos table will be enhanced with the sweet smells of the blooms.
High in the Sky
If your mother is adventurous, perhaps take her on a trip—just the two of you, high in the sky. There are many places upstate that offer hot air ballooning. In the spring, the foliage is blooming, and if you decide to postpone your trip, the autumnal colors are breathtaking in the fall. This is not for the faint of heart but will definitely be a trip of a lifetime.
Be a Good Sport
Does your mother like to serve? I’m not referring to serving the chicken or soup; I’m talking about tennis. Or maybe she likes to swim or play ball or bowl. Take her out to the ballgame this year and spend some time together playing her favorite sport. Does she want to take up a sport but doesn’t have the skills yet? Perhaps a lesson or two—on you—would be a gift that she’d appreciate.
Teaching her a Thing or Two
Speaking of lessons, a cooking class or two is always appreciated for a woman who enjoys cooking. She’d love to learn how to make the perfect steak or bake creamy, delicious cupcakes. Or maybe it’s art that’s in her blood. Art classes will give her the opportunity to express her artistic talents and will give her something to enhance the walls of her home.
Worth More than a Thousand Words
You know what they say: a picture is worth a thousand words—or maybe it’s worth even more if it’s a fun shot of your lovely children and grandchildren. Get the family together for a great time, take out the camera and snap away. A beautiful photo of her family set in a pretty frame will be the perfect adornment for her piano or bookshelf.
MAY 7, 2015
Say it with Flowers
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TJH Classifieds SERVICES
SERVICES
SERVICES
SERVICES
Buying or Refinancing a Home? Pre-Approval letters that brokers trust! Put as little as 3% down. Borrow up to 90% with no MI! We can beat any written offer! Specializing in very difficult scenarios Call Daniel at Landmark Funding Group. NMLS#367291 at 718-663-7202 All loans arranged through 3rd party lenders.
Fair Price Rubbish Deal Home, stores, garages, offices, basements, attics Interior, exterior, demolition, garbage removal Efficiency is our goal. 718-775-7431
Keep Calm and Get Organized! Organizer. home. closet. playroom. kitchen. garage. Call today to get started - Special Low Rates Call Miriam 347-684-0338
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
Is your air-conditioner on and you are still sweating?
The Children’s Clothing Gemach in Cedarhurst Is fully stocked for boys/girls in sizes newborn-teen To make an appointment please call/text 516-712-7735
Licensed HVAC technician who specializes in the repair and installation of central air conditioners – all makes and models. Great prices on installation of split systems – heating and cooling Raphy 516-668-2832
Alternative Solutions Geriatric Care Management staff will assist you with: * Obtaining Medicaid and Pooled Income Trust * In-home Assessments, Individual and Family Counseling * Securing reliable home care assistance * Case and Care Management services Dr. S. Sasson, DSW, LCSW (718) 544- 0870 or (646) 284-6242
Wilson Tree Service Tree cutting, pruning, seeding, spraying, stump grinding, planting Free estimate. No tree too tall 718-444-2275
Experience Math Teacher Available to Tutor All subjects, algebra, geometry, Math A, Math B, Trigonometry, Calculus etc. Guaranteed improvement, first hour free. Shomer Shabbat. Call Yossi at 516-581-3930
Psychotherapist
Depression, anxiety, marriage, low self-esteem, Adults/Children Professional/Confidential Kenneth J. Levin, LCSW Insurance Accepted (516) 546-9170
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
Yiddish Home Study Program: The new book Yiddish in 10 Lessons along with 2 CD’s has just been released to easily learn to read, write and speak the Yiddish language. Call Chaim at 516 924 7694 or www.conversationalyiddish,com You can also sign up to receive a Free Weekly Taste of Yiddish
“Kosher” Yoga & Licensed Massage Therapy The Peaceful Presence Studio 436 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst Separate men/ women Private sessions/ Women’s Tai Chi www.peacefulpresence.com 516-371-3715
950 Broadway
Woodmere, NY 11598 www.pugatch.com
BARRY PUGATCH
Commercial Property FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE WOODMERE: Beautiful 4BR, 2.5Bath, colonial, move-in ready. EIK, LR, DR, Den, basement. Stunning block, SD15, low-taxes, NOflood-zone, walk to Cedarhurst/Woodmere Shuls, LIRR $829k. 516-724-1175 CEDARHURST: NEW LISTING, Beautifully Renovated 4BR, 2.5 Bath Exp-Cape, Wood & Granite New Kitchen W/SS Appliances, Den, Deck…$590K - Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 2953000 - www.pugatch.com NORTH WOODMERE: PRICE REDUCED!!! Mint 4BR, 2.5BA Split, Eik, Den W/Fplc, Full Fin Bsmt, Pvt Backyard W/IG-Pool, 2 Tier Deck, SD#14… $589K - Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 295-3000 - www.pugatch.com
Carol Braunstein
(516) 2 9 5 - 3 0 0 0 www.pugatch.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!
Call or Text
(516) 592-2206
cbraunstein@pugatch.com
Charming Home In SD#14, 4BR, 2BA Col, Mint 4BR, 2.5BA Split, Den, Eik, FDR, Updated Eik, Fin Bsmt & Attic…$425K Fin Bsmt, IG-Pool, O/S Lot…$589K
3,300 +/- SF Building M a n y U p g r a d e s 1 Story Office/Retail Fantastic Location Right Off Atlantic Ave M u n ic ip a l P a r k i n g Mins To JFK & More Call Ian For Details!!!
If You Are Interested In Buying, Selling Or Leasing Call The Local Commercial EXPERTS 516-295-3000
Very Spacious 5BR, 3.5 Bath Split, Lg Eik, Prime Loct!!! 4BR, 3Fbth Hi-Ranch, Eik, Den, MBR Suite, Prime Loct...$799K FDR, Den, Patio, 2 Att Garage…$725K
Give Me The Responsibility Of Selling & Marketing Yo u r H o m e ! ! !
LO OKI NG T O B U Y OR SE LL? C ALL M E T O DAY! !!
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
WOODMERE: $699,000 R.E. Taxes with Basic Star = $11,987 Walk to Numerous Shuls. Step into the splendor of this captivating 5 Bedroom, 4 full bath Jewel All redone, Inside & Outside, Upgraded, Updated, Upsized and awaiting your indulgence SS, granite, EIK Perfect for the Discerning Homeowner Call or Text today for private showing: C. Slansky, Broker: 516-655-3636
Lynbrook: Two Buildings, Total 10,000 +/- SF With Elevator, Can Be Combined Or Divided, Professional & Retail, Great Location, For Sale… Call For More Details - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
WOODMERE: Completely Gut Renovated 5BR, 3.5 Bath Colonial W/Fin Basement, New Eik, Formal DR, Den, CAC, SD#15, Close To All…$710K Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com WOODMERE: Immaculate Spacious Split, 4BR, 2 Full Baths, Updated Kitchen & Bathroom, FDR, CAC, Alarm, Move Right In…$599K Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
WOODMERE: NEW LISTING, Totally Renovated 4BR Colonial, 3 Full Baths, Formal LR W/Fplc, FDR, Lg Eik, Lg Screened Porch, SD#14…$539K - Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com Plainview NY, By Owner 4 Bdrm colonial, New 2.5 bath,Den/fire place,DR, LR, 21’ Eating kitchen, finished 8’ basement All up grades. New siding & Windows Multi Decks. Walk to Shul & JCC Price reduced to $839,000 516-547-3126 BORO PARK FOR SALE 54th St. (Bet. 11th & 12th Ave.,) 2 family, attached, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, built-in closets, Kosher Kitchen & Passover Kitchen, Mint Condition. Asking 1.6 Mil. Serious buyers only. Email: Goingrealty@Gmail.com
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Cedarhurst: 500-3,000 +/- SF Professional Office Space Available In The Heart Of Cedarhurst, For Lease…Call For More Details - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
Far Rockaway: Land In The Heart Of Bayswater, 1 Acre Previously Approved & Zoned For 6 One Family Dwellings, For Sale…Call For More Details - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
Valley Stream: 5,500 +/- SF Warehouse With Offices, Features OH Doors & 12 Car Parking, Great Location, For Lease…Call For More Details - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com Woodmere: 4,600 +/- SF Suite In New Construction Office Building, For Lease… Call For More Details - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com Woodmere: Follow The Leader To Woodmere, Now Is the Time to Act!!! No Metered Parking, Various Spaces Available, For Sale/Lease…Call For More Details - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
INVESTMENT PROPERTY FOR SALE INWOOD Commercial mixed use building + Lot. Private parking, corner property, high traffic area 1st floor offices, 2nd floor: 2 Apts. Asking 849k. Call 212-470-3856 Yochi @ WinZone Re
WOODMERE Office/Retail Space For Rent Ground Flr: 2500 +/- sq’ available plus partial basement $2,950. and Second Flr: 1700 +/- sq’ available for $1,950. Hi traffic location front street and rear parking lot parking, front & rear entrance Village Plaza Realty * Sonja 516-840-5124
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MAY 7, 2015
WOODMERE: Stately 3BR, 2.5 Baths “Old Woodmere” C/H Colonial, Eik, Formal DR, Den + Sunroom, Finished Basement, Master BR Suite, SD#14…$649K Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
117 THE JEWISH HOME
TJH Classifieds
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TJH Classifieds REAL ESTATE FOR RENT INWOOD 2 Bedroom Apt. for rent Sheridan blvd /Solomon Av. with private parking call for info 212-470-3856 Yochi @ WinZone Realty AVAILABLE FOR RENT JUNE 2015 2nd Floor, LVRoom, DRoom, 2 BDRoom, 1 Bathroom, Free Heat Laundry Room Hookups Reads Lane Era Close to Everything shaya@erols.com
Cedarhurst Apartment Share Available for Frum Female 2 bedroom apartment in lovely area, 2nd floor of house Shomer Shabbat, kosher & pet friendly $800 monthly + security Please call: (917) 330-5470
HELP WANTED Seeking a warm, capable
Preschool Teacher for Preschool in Port Washington (near Great Neck) Good pay, beautiful facility and atmosphere Please email your resume sara@chabadpw.org
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
MISC.
Weekend Direct Support Professionals Seeking compassionate, energetic and responsible individuals to enhance and uplift the Shabbos atmosphere in residences for women with developmental disabilities in Brooklyn or Long Island. Good communication and writing skills required. Valid driver’s license required for most positions.
Office assistants/Customer service FULL TIME help needed food company in Brooklyn: Phone calls, new projects, filing, collection, sales support Requirements: - Exceptional communication skills - Meticulous work - Top notch organizational skills - comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Quick books) - Able to handle working with deadlines Please send resume to : rachel@246foods.com
Looking for a registered nurse to work part time (3 hrs/wk) with adults who have developmental disabilities Strong health assessment skills needed Current NYS RN license and a minimum of 2 years of post graduate hospital experience required Contact OHEL Bais Ezra 718-686-3102 or email your resume to resumes@ohelfamily.org to apply
Please contact OHEL Bais Ezra 718-686-3102 or go to www.ohelfamily.org/careers to apply today!
SALARIED SALES POSITION ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS
Fidelity Payment, a nationwide electronic payment technology co. is hiring limited number of regional account execs with sales exper. Base salary (up to $1000 weekly) + lifetime residuals. Fidelity provides businesses with; credit card processing, online payments, check services, POS systems, invoicing, accounting integration, Gift programs, ATM machines Etc. Full training + support. Apply @ www.fidelitypayment.com/salescareer
Business oriented? Go-getter? Come grow with us! Jobs@focuscamera.com
For Sale on the
New York/Pennsylvania Border A Charming House and Lodge Located On a Beautiful 5.5 Acre Private Property Surrounded By a Lake and Woods on Two Sides.
24 Bedrooms, 2 Lounges, Kitchen, Dining Area, Pool and More...
Perfect for someone looking to own a large stunning family vacation property or an investors dream… All Correspondence: yswsur@gmail.com
Growing Sephardic Brooklyn Girls Elementary School Seeks for the upcoming school year: • A dynamic and creative grade 5 Limudei Kodesh Morah For an Ivrit b’Ivrit class • General Studies teachers who are Certified for Pre-1A, Grades 2 and 5 • Minimum 2 years experience required • Excellent Salary, Benefits Email resume: rperlow@ydeschool.org
Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island in the Far Rockaway/5 Towns area seeks qualified, experienced and dynamic general studies elementary and junior high school teachers (ela, math, sc and ss) for various yet limited openings. Please email resume to office@ykli.Org
General Studies JH math and middle school Teachers for Sept. ‘15. M-Th afternoons 5 Towns area boys’ school Email candidateteacher@gmail.com
CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers for Title I in Boro Park and Williamsburg Chassidic boys schools *College/Yeshiva Degree Required *Strong desire to help children learn *Excellent organizational skills *Small group instruction *Competitive salary Email resume: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com Fax# (718) 381-3493
MISC. Seeking substitute Special Education teacher for 3rd-4th grade Boy’s class, afternoons, in local yeshiva Starting in May through the end of school For more information, contact Shira at 516-295-3666 E-mail resume to shira@cahal.org or fax to 516-295-2899 Looking for a FULL TIME RESIDENCE MANAGER to work in a residence with men with developmental disabilities. Responsibilities include supervising all aspects of client care, programming, staffing, and facilities management. Bachelor’s and experience working in this field required. Contact OHEL Bais Ezra 718-686-3102 or email your resume to resumes@ohelfamily.org to apply
SPECIAL EDUCATION ENGLISH TEACHER for 12th grade H.S. yeshiva boys class Daily, afternoon hours E-mail resume to shira@cahal.org or fax it to 516 295-2899 For more information, contact Naomi Nadata at 516-295-3666 OFFICE ASSISTANTS/CUSTOMER SERVICE FULL TIME help needed food company in Brooklyn: phone calls ,new projects, filing, collection,sales support Requirements: - Exceptional communication skills - Meticulous work - top notch organizational skills - comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Quick books) - Able to handle working with deadlines Please send resume to : rachel@246foods.com
Discounted tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park And Safari Valid for any operating day for only $45 Contact Yehoshua @ 917- 923-0011 A Non-Profit is looking to give away 2 lots in South Carolina 1 lot has a small house Just pay a small transfer fee to take over 718-974-9428 Donate Your Car, Truck or Van Help ill children Get a tax deduction for up to $1500 Gift cerfiticates for shopping and merchandise Fast pick up 718-974-9428
Looking for donation of car or minivan in good running condition. Tax exempt receipt available for full market value. Please call 347-342-8196 LOST: yellow gold watch with diamonds and rubies around 10 years ago, about June 5, 2005 in Reads Lane/New McNeil Avenue in Far Rockaway. 917-776-3636. YNM/5towns Sheital Gemach is in desperate need of wig donations . Anyone who has wigs/falls they no longer need- There are many women who you can make very happy . Tizku l’mitzvos! Please contact 347-408-8354 for details.
Glicks
Kedem
32oz
Vanilla & Plain
Ketchup
Tea Biscuits
Gefen
Liebers
Tomato Sauce
Mushrooms
Red Peppers
8oz
15oz
$
1.99
Wise
Levs
Liebers
Glicks
0.75oz
Assorted
50oz
Potato Chips
Sour Candy Rips 3.52oz
.79
Apple Sauce
5/ 1
2/ 1
Liebers
Gefen
Glicks
6pk
26oz
Wafers
Olive Oil Cooking Spray 5oz
$
$
1.29
$
Salt
2.99
$
Water Bottles
.99
Liebers
Ice Poppers 8pk
.69
$
Aleph Beis & Abc Cookies
$
2/$3
Liebers
Liebers
Whole Corn
.79
$
1.99
2.50 Plus Deposit
$
$
Liebers
12oz
.99
8pk
Deli Cucumber Salad
.99
Nectarines
1.59Lb
$
Plum Tomatoes $
Grapes
1.99 Lb.
3.99
3.99
$
$
Sushi
All Rolls And Platters
Watermelon
Red
$
12oz
.89Lb
.69Lb
15oz
$
1.89
$
$
Chic Peas
15oz
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Grape Tomatoes
Crystal Geyser
Apple Juice 64oz
$
2.99
1.59Lb
Obelanders
Roll & Seven Layer Cake
1.69Lb
$
Buy 2 Get 1
Free
Look For Our Sushi Super Specials Next Week
Sale valid 05/07/15 - 05/13/15. Cash & Carry only. We reserve the right to limit quanitities on sale items. Not responsible for typographical errors. While supplies last. No rain checks.
ORDERS CAN BE EMAILED, FAXED, OR CALLED IN 1913 Cornaga Ave. • Far Rockaway • T. 718.471.7555 • F. 718.471.9102 • E. Kosherworldorders@yahoo.com
FREE PARKING • FREE DELIVERY • FRIENDLY SERVICE • CURB SIDE SERVICE Store hours: Sun 8-8 • Mon. - Tue. 7-8 • Wed. 7-10 • Thu. 7-11 • Fri. 7-1 1/2 Hours Before Shabbos
MAY 7, 2015
$
$
Beigels
2/ 1
$
$
Bakery
THE JEWISH HOME
Produce
Grocery Section
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From My Private Art Collection
Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg
The Colorblind Artist The Magic Glasses
W
ing in their book titled, The Artist’s Eyes: hile taking a course in assisVision and the History of Art: tive technology in order to We see color because we have three become familiar with techtypes of cone cells, or receptors, in the nology available for people with disabilities, I was amazed at the following information and wish to share my findings with the readers of this column. Artists who are colorblind now have an opportunity to see actual colors as they paint! Wow! It is fascinating. “Magic Glasses,” known as EnChroma glasses, make it possible for the previously muted colors to become vibrant and seen in real color by the artist’s eye! The lenses on these glasses amplify a signal On the left, the city of Venice is seen by someone with colorblindness to the brain. retina, one of which is mainly blue sensiProfessor of ophthalmology at Stantive, one is red sensitive and one is green ford University, Michael Marmor, and sensitive. Some people are born with abco-author James Ravin state the follow-
normal red energy to its fullest. The or green senbeautiful color spectrums sors. If they’re which are available to the somewhat abnormal, a person rest of the world cannot be truly appreciated when they doesn’t quite discriminate colors are not able to be seen. This limits on the red-green end of the spectrum as well, but they may see them if they’re the creation of realistic color expression in an artist’s work. bright. Through a government research Statistics claim that there are 300 million people suffering from color- grant, the invention and production of blindness and that more than half of the these unique glasses came about. The inventor of these colorblind population is troubled by this deficiency. It may seem like a disability which is minor by nature, but to the colorblind artist this can cause enormous frustration due to limitations which are presented. Artists need to be free and feel that the world of creAfter Monet had the ation is open to them in lens of his left eye rem oved, he started painting dif order to use their creative ferently
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JOIN US IN WELCOMING Dr. Morgenstern is a board certified neurologist, fellowship trained in sleep medicine, with his neurology residency done at LIJ/North Shore. He currently lives with his wife and two children in West Hemptead and is excited to be able to serve our community. He has passion for sleep medicine and is eager to help develop our current sleep program and state-ofthe-art 3 bed sleep lab. He has also done extensive clinical research and founded a nonprofit research organization to benefit community health. Dr. Morgenstern is available to see patients for both sleep disorders and general neurology at our Cedarhurst office. Please call 516 239 1800 to book your appointment now.
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.
“שלשה הם הדוחים השכינה מן העולם ...ובני אדם צועקים ואינם נענים
”...ההורג בניו במעי אמם
There are three deeds that reject the shechinah… and people cry out and aren’t answered.
One who kills his unborn children…
If nothing is more important than saving lives, no life should be lost due to a lack of money.
Over 62,000 children EFRAT-C.R.I.B.
were already saved by EFRAT - Be a partner! $1,200 saves the the life of a child
Committee for the Rescue of Israel’s Babies U.S.A. 1274 49th St. Suite 569 Brooklyn, NY 11219 Tel: 718-697-7022
All donations are welcome Tax-deductible credit card donations are preferred
"תרומה ל הצלת נפש בישראל קודמת לכתיבת ס פר תו רה לעי "לוי נשמת נפטר פסק שנתן מרן הג
ר"ח קניב סקי שליט"א לד"ר שוסהיים cedes e a Jewish soul pre sav l A donation that wilTor ry of a loved one. mo me in ah er the writing of a Sef ussheim by Psak given to Dr. Sch Kanievsky Shlita Maran Hagaon Chaim
MAY 7, 2015
Neurology & Sleep Medicine
Michael Morgenstern, MD
THE JEWISH HOME
glasses is a man named Dr. Don McPherson. He was in the midst of designing eye-protection glasses for use by laser surgeons when he realized that the features provided in these lenses would help the colorblind population. McPherson removed the light wavelengths between the primary colors and the colors became clearer and brighter. With these glasses, artists are able to see the various shades of green on a tree. Artists who did magnificent work despite their vision problems are: 1) Edgar Degas who had some sort of congenital retinal problem with vision loss which progressed over a 40 year period; 2) Mary Cassatt who developed cataracts as she aged; and 3) Claude Monet who also had cataracts and then unfortunately was not able to tell the difference in colors. As he aged, Claude Monet continued to paint his series of water lily paintings despite his failing health and poor eyesight. He was commissioned to create these paintings by a museum in Paris. As stated by him: “It is beyond my strength as an old man, and yet I want to render what I feel.” Many colorblind artists made decisions to switch to only using black and white or to compensate by using only the colors they were 100% comfortable with. Some actually switched their medium of representation to other forms of art like sculpture or areas where color was not important. Today there are numerous computer software programs which can help the colorblind produce their artwork. For the artist who takes advantage of using color in production of their artwork, with these “Magic Glasses” there is an entirely new world which will open up for them with limitless possibilities.
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