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A PUBLICATION OF THE FIVE TOWNS & QUEENS COMMUNITY JUNE 4 – JUNE 10, 2015 | DISTRIBUTED WEEKLY IN THE FIVE TOWNS, QUEENS & BROOKLYN

– See pages 9, 10, 11 &13

– See page 14

Around the COMMUNITY

A Place for Every Jew

MAY Grand Siyum Celebrates 74 Student Siyumim 40

Local Schools March Proudly in the Celebrate Israel Parade

Allison Josephs’ Initiative Makes all Jews Feel at Home

PAGE 72

Despite the Storm, it was Sunny Skies at the Salute to Israel Concert

Nine Tips for MAARIS AYIN I Buy Coffee in a a Healthy Can Non-Kosher Store? Summer And Other Questions

PAGE 88

PAGE 84

Dr. Simai:

THE BATTLE OF THE BOTTLE PAGE 92 – See page 34

– See page3 & 39

See page 46

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JUNE 4, 2015

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From the Editor

Letters to the Editor

Community Readers’ Poll Community Happenings

8 38

News

National

Odd-but-True Stories

Israel Israel News

People A Place for Every Jew: Allison Josephs’ Initiative Makes all Jews Feel at Home by Rena Zingmond Gray 72 Fighting for the Union by Avi Heiligman

102

Parsha Rabbi Wein

The Shmuz

Jewish Thought Concrete Lessons by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

Complaining for Complaint’s Sake by Rabbi Naphtali Hoff

Halacha Maaris Ayin by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits 88

Weekly Weather

Health & Fitness

FRIDAY

Mindfulness, Hypnosis and Depression by Deb Hirschhorn, PhD 91

SHABBOS

June 5

June 6

SUNDAY

MONDAY

June 7

TUESDAY

June 8

June 9

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY June 10

June 11

The Battle of the Bottle by David Elazar Simai, MD 92 Summer…Fun? by Mindi Werblowsky Saketkhou, LMSW

100

CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

PM THUNDER STORMS

MOSTLY SUNNY

SCATTERED THUNDER STORMS

PARTLY CLOUDY

SUNNY

Food & Leisure Restaurant Review: Boeuf & Bun: Gentrifying Kosher 98 Great Kosher Food: Pan Roasted Chicken with Thyme Apricot Sauce 108 The Aussie Gourmet: Salad Nicoise

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Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR

Are there Benefits to the Israel Day Parade? by Rivki Rosenwald, Esq., CLC 104

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Humor Centerfold

Uncle Moishy Fun Page

Political Crossfire Notable Quotes

Classifieds

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Shoshana Soroka eretzhachaim.org

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Parshas Beha’alotcha Candle Lighting: 8:04 Shabbos Ends: 9:13 Rabbeinu Tam: 9:35

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Lifestyles Nine Tips for a Healthy Summer

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CLASSIFIEDS@FIVETOWNS JEWISHHOME.COM TEXT 443-929-4003 The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not neces sarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

JUNE 4 , 2015

I recently heard a poignant story that was said over by Rabbi BenZion Kirsch. Several years ago, Rabbi Kirsch was in a mall in Long Island when an older, non-religious Jew came over to him. The man, who was a Holocaust survivor, started talking about pre-war Europe and mentioned that he had learned by the Satmar Rebbe in Europe. In fact, he said, several years after the war, the Rebbe reached out to him and tried to get him to return to Yiddishkeit. The man related that the Rebbe summoned him to Williamsburg several years after the Rebbe arrived in the U.S. and offered to give him a sum of money to start a local business in Williamsburg and to become frum. Some of the man’s friends had similar meetings with the Rebbe and, after accepting the arrangement, became religious. But, despite the Rebbe’s efforts, this man refused. He told the Rebbe that he was not interested in the deal. Upon realizing that he would not be able to sway this man to return to Yiddishkeit, the Rebbe switched tactics and tried to see if he could convince him to keep any part of the Torah. He took out a pen and paper and, as if he was negotiating a business deal, proceeded to go through a list of individual mitzvos

erything we do. Allison Josephs, founder of Jew in the City, set out to make life more meaningful for those keeping and not yet keeping a Torah way of life. She found that there are so many people who are religious and yet have so many questions about Judaism. There is so much richness to our mesorah and our mitzvos, and she endeavors to share them with her audience in a humorous, comprehensible manner. Next week, the Five Towns will be home to a Shabbaton for her new initiative, Project Makom. In this program, Allison works with those who are searching for a different way of life. Some of them come from Chassidic backgrounds but are no longer Chassidish. But that doesn’t mean that their connection to Yiddishkeit should be severed. Being a shomer Torah u’mitzvos comes in all forms and Allison is working to show them the vibrancy of a life full of Torah that may look a little different from how they were raised. Reading about Allison and her projects gave me a renewed appreciation for our way of life. Perhaps the summer is a good time to focus on certain things that we take for granted and infuse an added energy into our routine. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

with the man. “Will you be willing to put on tefillin every day?” “Will you be able to refrain from eating chometz on Pesach?” “Will you eat matzah on Pesach?” “Can you commit to not eat meat and milk together?” The Rebbe wrote down on the paper each and every mitzvah that the man committed to observe. “Until today,” the man told Rabbi Kirsch, “I keep every mitzvah that I committed to in that meeting with the Satmar Rebbe.” I found the story to be extremely powerful. The Satmar Rebbe was not known as someone to pick and choose commandments. Torah is sacrosanct. He was a zealous protector of Torah and mitzvos. But he knew that this man would not be able to lead a religious life after the War. Even so, a few key mitzvos—even one mitzvah—brings so much to this world. Yes, the man may not lead a religious life, but the value of him keeping “his” mitzvos wholeheartedly is so cherished and so important. I was reminded of this story when I read this week’s feature story. We lead busy lives and many of us don’t always focus on the mitzvos we keep daily. We do so much by rote. Heading to shul in the morning, saying a bracha before we eat, keeping kosher—it’s part of our daily lives. But there’s a deep value and reward in ev-

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Global

Dear Readers,

7 THE JEWISH HOME

Contents

THE JEWISH HOME

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JUNE 4, 2015

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, This week, you featured an article on phone addiction. It was a nice article— but hey, I don’t suffer from a too-close relationship with my phone, right? Well, at least I thought I was pretty healthy, until I had to wait in a doctor’s office this week. After I signed in with the receptionist, I sat on a chair and had to almost sit on my hands to force myself not to look at my phone. For the first few minutes I was OK, but then, as my mind began to wander, I was about to take out my phone. No! I stopped myself. I took out a piece of paper. I wrote a list. I opened a magazine. I stared at the walls. Finally, after twenty minutes of waiting for the doctor, I was called in. And I passed. I did not look at my phone the whole time I was waiting. I was truly very proud of myself, and I hope to exercise the same self-control at other times. Do you think you can too? A Reader Dear Editor, Your writer, Rafi Sackville, is wonderful. I truly enjoy his outlook on Israeli society; it is entirely different from the typical articles one reads. I especially enjoy how he is unabashed to write about the little specks of discomfort or “un-

comfortableness” that one may encounter while living in Israel. Those little specks are part of the experience living there and they make the other, wonderful parts of living in Israel even sweeter. I look forward to reading more of Rafi’s articles in your publication. Sincerely, Gitty Weisner Dear Editor, As many of us who were there know or heard, the [Salute to Israel] concert was interrupted halfway through, due to thunderstorms. The park was full to capacity only 2 hours after the concert began and the police had already started closing the gates to the concert area. According to a policeman that I asked, the area of the concert was filled to capacity, not even allowing the last of the Parade marchers to enter. This occurred a half hour before the rain actually started coming down in force. Having made it into the concert area earlier to meet my friend Renanah, I can attest to the amazing enthusiasm of the crowd and the positive energy that we all experienced on behalf of Israel. I feel we need to look at the bright side of things. Even though we were all very disappointed to have to leave the

concert at the height of its glory due to the thunderstorm, and I felt sad not only for myself and my family but also for the organizers Dr. Joseph and Karen Frager, Dr. Paul and Drora Brody as well as Tzvika Bornstein who produced it, and all the others who put in tremendous kochos, efforts, not to mention resources and funding, I felt for those who flew in specifically to participate in the concert and for those who didn’t get a chance to perform or to speak. I truly hope that the organizers will come through with a raincheck so that we can finish this concert at a future date. We don’t want to feel gypped out in any way…hint hint… Personally, I felt that the spirit of the concert was like a seed being watered. Everyone knows that it takes a while to see the actual growth and fruit of the seed. First it needs to be watered and then nurtured with sun and rain. Finally after being patient and being diligent and conscientious, we see the fruits of our labor. Hazorim b’dima b’rena yikzoru. Those who plant with tears will reap with Joy. So I am watering the seed and presenting to you the words of wisdom from America’s finest. Here are some of former Governor Mike Huckabee’s points. The hand of the Al-mighty has preserved and protected Israel and has given the land to the Jews after 2,000 years of being scattered across the earth. Boundaries of Israel are not given by the United Nations but by an Al-mighty G-d. These boundaries, he states, can be affirmed by man but not reshaped by man. In an interview with Arutz7 Mr. Huckabee openly rejects a Two State Solution. He says openly, “So if there is a two state solution, the Palestinian State

must be outside the boundaries of the Nation of Israel.” He calls a Two State Solution, with two governments sharing the same real estate and streets, as irrational and unworkable. He said it’s time to call quits to playing this pretentious game. Sincerely, Robin Ticker Dear Editor, I was heartened to read the story of Amazia Fensterheim, a brave soldier who has not let his injuries get him down. When I read of Amazia’s courage, I realized that he truly represents the Jewish People. Although we have been beaten and sometimes have faced tragedy and destruction, we have banded together and given encouragement to each other to face the difficulties ahead. And once we worked together, we were able to become stronger and rise above all odds. Amazia is right: we are stronger when we are united. And hopefully we can continue to become closer and closer to each other so that every simcha we share will bring excitement and joy for one another. Imagine how much happiness we will experience if we see our friends’ joys as truly our own! Respectfully, Yoni L. Correction: In our interview with Brent Delman, The Cheese Guy, we mistakenly paired the wrong wines with the cheeses he mentioned. The correct pairings should be goat cheese with a white Zinfandel and spicy, hard cheeses with Cabernet. We regret the error.

Readers Poll FIFA is in the news this week. Do you watch soccer? 92% No 8% Yes

9 THE JEWISH HOME 

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Weekly Fruit by the Foot, Gushers or Fruit Roll-Ups

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4.5 oz - 5.4 oz $ 49 ......................................................

Green Giant Whole Kernal Corn

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99¢

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Chocolate or Vanilla 8 oz

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299

Duncan Hines Classic Yellow Cake Mix or Chewy Fudge Brownies

McCormick Montreal Steak or Chicken Seasoning

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16.9 oz Regular Only - 8 oz $ 99 $ 99 ......................................................

Barilla Pasta

(Except Plus, Jumbo Shells, Lasagna, Manicotti, GlutenFree) - 16 oz

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399 ...................................................... $

All Flavors - 20 oz

299

1 ...................................................... $ 49

Ha’olam American Cheese

White or Yellow - 3 lb

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Vitamin Water

5/$

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Heinz Chili Sauce 12 oz

2/$

Pepsi, Schweppes, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew, Brisk, Mug

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

Pam Cooking Spray 5 oz/6 oz

2/$

All Entenmann’s Products $ 99

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

Coke, Fresca, Sprite, Dr. Pepper 2 Liter

3/$

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

Light n Fluffy Noodles Gourmet Glatt Dried 12 oz Natural Mango Cheeks 5 oz 2/$ $ 99

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

All Varieties 10.9 oz - 15.5 oz

Whole, Diced, Crushed, Sauce 28 oz/29 oz

Nabisco Oreo Cookies

299

Hunt’s Tomatoes

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

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All Flavors 6 Pack

Natural Earth Plain Panko Crumbs

Gefen Applesauce Cups

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Sonny & Joe’s Hummus 10 oz

99¢

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59 oz

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$ 99

Tree Ripe Orange Juice

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Starbuck’s 12 oz Ground Coffee or 10 Pack K-Cups $ 99

Miller’s String Cheese

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

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Whole or Half Sour 28 oz

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Turkey Hill Iced Teas

64 oz

36 Count - 2.5 oz

Lactaid Milk

Lieber’s Mini Wows or Mini-os 2/$

Fun Pops Freeze Pops

Coney Island Kettle Corn $

999 .................................................

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All Varieties 16 oz

Fresh & Healthy Cream Cheese 8 oz Bars

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Fresh & Frozen Gefilte Fish

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Eggo Mini Waffles 10.9 oz

$ 99

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NY Pasta Authority Ravioli or Tortellini Assorted 12 oz - 13 oz

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

Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Burgers

Dorot Frozen Herb Cubes 2.8 oz

2/$

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16 oz - 18 oz

12 oz/14 oz

Nestle Outshine Fruit Bars

Edamame Soy Beans

2/$

Mendelsohn’s Falafel Balls 16 oz

399

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Spring Valley Blintzes 13 oz

299

New Items This Week! Estee Kafra Crispy Crumbs

baked streusel dessert topping!

Peklach/Bags for Vacht Nacht, Aufruf or Any Occasion

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11 THE JEWISH HOME

lb.

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CHICKEN CUTLETS

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Cowboy $ 99 Shoulder Beef 5 lb. Top of $749 lb. London $899 lb. Burgers the Rib Broil ................... ................... ................... Whole or Ground $ 49 5 lb. Ground $ 79 Cut-up $ 89 4 lb. 3 lb. Chicken Beef Family Pack Pullets ................... Super Family Pack 2 Pack

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1st Cut $ 99 Brisket 10 lb. Seasoned Chicken $599 lb. Patties

Untrimmed Super Family Pack

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JUNE 4 , 2015

Neck & Skirt

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Specials Heinz Ketchup 38 oz

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Kellogg’s Corn Flakes 18 oz

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699

$ Seedless Watermelon

Cello Onions

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Hass Avocado

3 lb Bag

2/$

49¢ lb. Granny Smith Apples

All Flavors - 6 oz

99¢ lb.

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

99¢ ea.

2/$

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Sugar Sweet 2/$ Cantaloupe

Butternut Idaho Squash 69¢ lb. Potatoes

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Cup Sprouts

Persian $ 59 Cucumber 1 lb.

Ripe Jumbo Red $ 49 1 lb. Mango Peppers

99¢ ea.

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99¢ lb.

special on all wraps!

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499ea. $ 49 4 ea. $ 49 4 ea. $ 99 5 lb. $ 49 5 lb.

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

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JUNE 4, 2015

Global

Belgian Officer’s AntiSemitic Rant “The word Jew itself is dirty. If I were in Israel, frankly, I would do to the Jews what they do with the Palestinians — slaughter each and every one of them.” These were the words of a junior police officer in Belgium, Mohamed N., who is now facing dismissal after posting this on Facebook on Friday. The officer was using the pseudonym Bebeto Gladiateur and he was asked to tone down his comments by others in a debate on the social media site. Molenbeek Mayor Françoise Schepmans responded to the news of Mohamed’s rant, “If this is true, this gentleman will see the door. There is no question about it. The guardians of the peace assume a role of mediation in the community. They are the image of communal authority. His words shocked me…I cannot tolerate such an attitude of a communal agent.” Belgian reports indicated that the of-

JUNE 4 , 2015

In her first major act as head of the Justice Department, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch issued a 164 page indictment against seven officials of world soccer’s governing body, FIFA, resulting in a spectacular pre-dawn raid on a fivestar hotel in Switzerland where FIFA officials were assembled. The United States will ask the Swiss government to extradite the seven FIFA executives, who would face as much as 20 years in prison. Further arrests are expected. The charges, which include racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering, stem from what U.S. officials describe as a decades’ old culture of corruption and bribery. Many of the bribes were either laundered through U.S. financial institutions, affected the business of U.S. entities or were negotiated on U.S. soil. The indictment details a $10 million payment to induce one executive to vote for the 2010 World Cup to be hosted in South Africa. There are also allegations that bribes were paid to help Sepp Blatter secure the FIFA presidency in 2011. Ironically, Sepp Blatter, 79, was reelected as FIFA president two days after the arrests. When asked by a reporter at a news conference whether he authorized the payment allegedly relating to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he said: “Definitely, that’s not me.” He further downplayed the arrests and questioned the timing of U.S. prosecutors, saying his organization “could have been contacted at another time” rather than just before its congress assembled. “I am not going to use the word coincidence but I do have a small question mark,” Blatter added regarding the timing of the raid. On Tuesday, Blatter announced that he will be resigning as president of FIFA. Aside for the U.S. indictment, there is an ongoing Swiss criminal investigation into the decision to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar— countries with spotty human rights records.

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U.S. Slams the Gauntlet on World Soccer Corruption

In fact, Blatter believes that the indictment stems from the governing body’s decision to award Russia and Qatar the next two World Cup tournaments. “If two other countries had emerged from the envelope, I think we would not have these problems today,” Blatter said. “But we can’t go back in time. We are not prophets. We can’t say what would have happened.” Predictably, Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the fray and blasted the arrests. “This is another blatant attempt [by the United States] to extend its jurisdiction to other states,” Mr. Putin said. “Those officials are not U.S. citizens. If something happened, it was not in the U.S. and it’s nothing to do with them.” Despite Putin’s effort at playing defense attorney, if U.S. laws were broken by FIFA officials while they were in the U.S., as alleged, then the U.S. has the right to arrest those officials internationally and seek to have them extradited to the U.S., which is what they are doing. One of the officials arrested, Jack Warner, the former vice president of FIFA, suggested that America’s corruption clampdown was motivated by their desire to host the World Cup. To illustrate his point, he whipped out an article from the American media, titled “FIFA Frantically Announces 2015 Summer World Cup in United States.” The only problem is that the article was published by satirical news website, the Onion. But he certainly gets an A for effort.

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The Week In News

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The Week In News ficer was going to be dismissed by the police and that the dismissal process had already started. “It will be done according to procedure,” Schepmans assured. “There are two things particularly questionable about this case,” said Joël Rubinfeld, president of the Belgian League against Anti-Semitism (LBCA). “Firstly, [there is] the fact that a ‘guardian of the peace’ would publicly speak something that is so antithetical to the

values he is supposed to embody, promote and defend. Secondly, there is the anti-Semitic speech that I am concerned expresses itself increasingly uninhibitedly in certain circles.” Rubinfeld has warned in the past that rising anti-Semitism is spurring a Jewish exodus from Belgium. Last year, a terrorist opened fire at the Brussels Jewish Museum, murdering four people.

Russia and U.S. Military Tangle Russian military aircraft were scrambled to head off a U.S. warship that was acting “aggressively” in the Black Sea, state news agency RIA reported on Saturday, but the Pentagon has denied any unusual behavior. RIA quoted an anonymous source in Russia’s armed forces in Crimea as saying that the guided missile destroyer USS Ross was moving along the edge of Russia’s territorial waters and heading in their direction. “The crew of the ship acted provocatively and aggressively, which concerned the operators of monitoring stations and ships of the Black Sea Fleet,” RIA quoted the source as saying. “Su-24 attack aircraft demonstrated to the American crew readiness to harshly prevent a violation of the frontier and to defend the interests of the country.” But Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said the USS Ross was “well within international waters at all times, performing routine operations.” “The U.S. Navy operates routinely in the Black Sea, in accordance with international law,” Lainez said, noting the Ross’s deployment to the Black Sea had been publicly announced. Earlier this month, both Britain and Sweden said that they had scrambled fighters to intercept Russian bombers near their territory. The United States said last month that it was filing a complaint to Russia over a Russian fighter’s “sloppy” and unsafe interception of a U.S. reconnaissance plane in international aerospace over the Baltic Sea.

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The Week In News On Monday, public smoking was officially banned in Beijing, China’s capital. Smoking bans have already existed, but tougher regulations, enforced by thousands of inspectors, now ban lighting up in restaurants, offices and on public transport in Beijing. On the first day of the ban, a hotpot restaurant in Beijing became the first venue to receive an official warning. Inspectors found cigarette butts inside the restaurant, which had also failed to promote a smoking complaint hotline. Smoking in China is almost a national pastime; the country consumes a third of the world’s cigarettes. More than half of Chinese men smoke; women, in contrast, are rarely seen smoking. A common greeting among men is to offer a cigarette—the more expensive, the better. A carton of cigarettes is a popular gift. Anti-tobacco campaigners say many smokers are simply unaware of the health risks of their habit. They accuse the authorities of being addicted to the tax revenues generated by cigarette sales and not warning smokers about the dangers. But now there are signs the government has changed its mind. In the past,

China’s leaders such as Chairman Mao and his successor Deng Xiaoping were rarely seen without a cigarette in hand. But the current President Xi Jinping has bucked the trend: he’s quit. And he’s also banned officials from smoking in public in order to set an example. Under the legislation that went into effect this week, those who flout the law in Beijing will be fined 200 yuan ($32) and businesses that turn a blind eye could be fined up to 10,000 yuan. Repeat offenders will be named and shamed on a government website, according to the Reuters news agency. The new law also cracks down on tobacco advertising across the city. The World Health Organization has welcomed the new tougher regulations. “When implemented, this new law will permanently bring clean air to all of Beijing’s indoor public places – in doing so, protecting Beijing’s more than 20 million residents from the deadly effects of exposure to toxic second-hand smoke,” said its representative in China, Dr. Bernhard Schwartlander. Others don’t agree. Smoking is so engrained, they say, that regulations will be difficult to enforce. Yang Gonghuan, former vice director of China’s center

for disease control, said, “It is unrealistic to absolutely abolish ‘indoor smoking’ since too many people smoke.” Only time will tell.

Putin Critic Mysteriously Ill

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition figure who is an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin, was rushed to a Moscow hospital last week after suddenly falling ill. Kara-Murza, 33, was a close political ally of Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down near the Kremlin earlier this year two days before he

was supposed to lead an opposition rally against the Russian president. Kara-Murza’s wife, who says that her husband lost consciousness and had exhibited “symptoms of poisoning,” is seeking his evacuation to Europe or Israel for treatment and toxicology tests. However, doctors at the Moscow hospital have refused to transport him because they say his condition won’t allow it. Kara-Murza serves as a coordinator for Open Russia, a nongovernmental organization founded by former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin who spent over a decade in prison in Russia and now lives in Switzerland. He fell ill one day after the group released a documentary film accusing the government of Russia’s republic of Chechnya of corruption and human rights abuses under the region’s strongman leader, Kremlin ally Ramzan Kadyrov. If Kara-Murza was poisoned, this would not be the first such case of a Putin critic meeting such a fate. In 2006, a noted Putin critic, Alexander Litvinenko, suddenly became ill after he fled to Britain. He died three weeks later, becoming the first confirmed victim of

The Week In News

Can I buy coffee in a non-kosher store? See page 88

400 Missing after Cruise Ship Disaster in China As a storm raged on Monday night, a cruise ship from Nanjing heading to the southwestern city of Chongqing in China capsized with 458 people onboard. Sadly, as of Tuesday morning, at least five people were confirmed dead, with at least 400 people still missing. Hope, though, was still alive as divers pulled at least three living people from inside the capsized cruise ship on the Yangtze River.

Many of those on the ship were elderly. Some of the survivors swam ashore, but others were rescued more than 12 hours after the ship went down, after search teams climbed aboard the upside-down hull and heard people calling out from within. Rescuers used hammers to tap on the hull of the boat, listening for a response as a sign of life. The overturned ship had drifted about 3 kilometers downstream before coming to rest close to the river shore, where choppy waters made the rescue difficult. The Yangtze is the world’s third-longest river and sometimes floods during the summer monsoon season. 6 inches of rain had fallen in the region over the past 24 hours and winds reached 80 mph during the accident.

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Last summer, as the spread of the Ebola virus was all the rage, North Korea banned all foreigners from entering its country in attempt to maintain immunity from the deadly disease. But now the country is ready to show off its “socialist fairyland” to tourists. If your dream vacation is a heavy dose of socialist propaganda and leader worship, book the next outgoing flight to North Korea. The focus on tourism is the blessing of Kim Jong Un himself and officials have set high goals in their effort to please their beloved leader. Last year, about 100,000 tourists came to North Korea, mostly from neighboring China. Kim Sang Hak, a senior economist at the influential Academy of Social Sciences, said the North hopes that by around 2017 there will be 10 times as many tourists and that the number will hit 2 million by 2020. “About 80 percent of the tourists who come are from neighboring countries,” state tourism official Kim Yong Il pointed out. “It’s normal to develop tour-

stantly and closely monitored and should expect severe consequences for breaking the laws of the land. But if you do end up in North Korea, expect to see a fun show all for you, including model hospitals, schools and farms, along with wellstaged events intended to impress and promote the socialist government. There will be minimal opportunities to interact with average people or observe their real-life daily lifestyle.

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N. Korea Looking for Tourists

ism within your region, so our country is not exceptional in that way. But we are also expanding to European countries as well.” Some popular attractions include a new, high-tech shooting range where visitors can hunt animated tigers with laser guns. There is also a new equestrian center, a huge water park, and revamped “fun fairs” replete with roller coasters, fast-food stands and a 5-D theater. After a year of construction, Pyongyang’s new international airport terminal may be open as early as next month. Officials have also been focusing on developing the area around Mount Kumgang and Wonsan, a port city on the east coast. A luxury ski resort was recently opened just outside of Wonsan and a number of new restaurants have sprung up along the city’s beachfront area, which is popular with tourists and locals alike for swimming, clambakes and outdoor barbeques. Pyongyang’s interest in attracting tourists may sound inconsistent with a country that is preoccupied with sheltering itself from the outside world. But tourism is potentially a very lucrative source of revenue. Many experts see this as an attempt by North Korea to reclaim its image and counter stereotypes of a starving, backward and relentlessly bleak country. “Tourism can produce a lot of profit relative to the investment required, so that’s why our country is putting priority on it,” Kim Sang Hak said in a recent interview in Pyongyang, adding that the country boasts scenic mountains, isolated beaches and an expansive collection of monuments and museums. “Many people in foreign countries think in a wrong way about our country,” Kim said, brushing aside criticisms of its human rights record, lack of freedoms and problems with hunger in the countryside. “Though the economic sanctions of the U.S. imperialists are increasing, we are developing our economy. So I think many people are curious about our country.” Keep in mind that for safety reasons the State Department strongly advises U.S. citizens not to travel to North Korea. Tourists should expect to be con-

THE JEWISH HOME

lethal polonium-210-induced acute radiation syndrome. While he was dying, Litvinenko penned an essay titled, “Why I Believe Putin Wanted Me Dead,” in which he declared, “You have shown yourself to be as barbaric and ruthless as your most hostile critics have claimed. You have shown yourself to have no respect for life, liberty or any civilized value. You have shown yourself to be unworthy of your office, to be unworthy of the trust of civilized men and women. You may succeed in silencing one man but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr. Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life.” A word to the wise: if you are a Putin critic, when he sends you a birthday cake, don’t eat it.

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The Week In News

Israel Record-Setting Magic

It was a magic trick for the ages: 1,576 children, one card trick and one brilliant magician. On Monday, Israeli magician Israel Cagliostro set a Guinness World Record for the largest magic lesson by teaching a group of 1,576 fifth and sixth graders from Haifa a card trick. Cagliostro was aiming to break an existing record set by Scottish magician Kevin McMahon in 2012. But record breaking aside, the real magic came in the peace he was aiming to promote. “Haifa Magic for Peace” brought to-

gether students from all cultures across Haifa for a day of fun and interaction. It was organized by the Haifa Municipality and Beit HaGefen, a Jewish-Arab cultural center. “It was really interesting, and the fact that it was magic for peace made it all the more special. I believe that peace is in our hands and working together as one I really felt that it was within reach,” said Shira, 10, from the Hofit school in Haifa. Although Shira spoke figuratively, peace was literally in the children’s hands, as they each held a special deck of eight cards. Each card had printed on it a word representing a concept with which a peace process could begin: honor, togetherness, dialogue, listening, hope, tolerance, consideration, and brotherhood. The trick that Cagliostro taught the massive group involved each “magician” having someone else choose from the deck the card they thought had the most important word for moving toward peace. The person put the card back in the deck without the magician looking at it. Then the magician put a small wooden wand inside the holes that were punched out at the top of the cards. Af-

ter a special spell was cast, the card that the person had chosen mysteriously rose up out of the deck. “Teaching a trick like this is really complicated with so many people,” Cagliostro pointed out. “It’s not every day that you get to break a Guinness World Record. It was a really hard thing to do, to get so many people together from so many schools to work as one and break the record,” agreed 11-year-old Hadar. Cagliostro wasn’t just breaking the world record, he was actually reclaiming it. According to the magician, he set the record for the largest magic lesson in August 2012 with 644 students. Just two months later, Kevin McMahon broke it with 1,063 students. “The record is important to me,” said Cagliostro. “I’m an Israeli and I’m a fighter. I was going to get it back.”

Turkey Marries 2,000 Palestinian Couples

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It was a mass wedding celebration sponsored by Turkey’s Religious Affairs Presidency and the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, also known as TIKA. Two thousand Palestinian couples celebrated their nuptials at a mass ceremony in Gaza’s Yarmouk sports stadium on Sunday in front of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. It was the largest-ever such event in the area. “Turkey is very pleased to stand by you on this day with its government and its public,” TIKA program coordinator for Palestine Bulent Korkmaz said in a speech at the ceremony, adding that the date on which it took place — the fifth anniversary of the Mavi Marmara flotilla affair — was evidence of Turkey’s support for the Palestinians. Video from the event showed thousands of men dancing and wearing scarves with the word Palestine written in English. Onlookers waved Turkish flags and posters with Turkish President

Recep Tayyip Erdogan Erdogan’s face. Haniyeh thanked Erdogan and the Turkish government and people for their support. He also said that Turkey had promised $4 million in assistance to the newlywed couples, together with 20 buildings that would contain 340 housing units for Gazans who lost their homes during Operation Protective Edge.

Hamas Plans to Kidnap More Soldiers One of the best ways to ensure the release of terrorists from Israeli prisons is to kidnap more Israeli soldiers, Hamas said on Sunday. Writing on his Twitter account, Abu Obaideh, spokesman for the terror group, said that Hamas terrorists not in prison “are obligated to do everything to ensure the freedom of prisoners.” He said that he was thus sending a message of support to imprisoned terrorists, urging them not to lose hope and that the day of their release would come soon. Abu Obaideh made the comments in the wake of an interview given by arch-terrorist Abdullah Barghouti, who is serving 67 life terms in an Israeli prison for the deaths of 66 Israelis. Barghouti was directly involved in many of the worst terror attacks of the Second Intifada, including the Sbarro pizza bombing in August 2001. Barghouti gave the interview via a cellphone that was smuggled into his cell. The phone was apparently delivered by another prisoner who had brought it into the prison. In the interview with Hamas-run A-Rai Radio, Barghouti called on terrorists to increase their activity against Israel. Ironically, as Barghouti was givthe interview, Justice Minister ing Ayelet Shaked presented a law to the government’s Ministerial Law Committee to ban the use and possession of cellular phones by security prisoners. Prisoners are able to bring a phone into a top security facility because of the inconclusive nature of current laws on the matter. While officially prison wardens have the right to ban phones, security prisoners have often brought demands for phone use to the High Court, which has sometimes agreed that they ought to be given phones for “humanitarian reasons.” To prevent illicit phone use, the Prisons Service operates “dampening” equipment, which aims to prevent prisoners from making or receiving calls. But the technology is not foolproof, as

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The Week In News highlighted by the latest Barghouti interview. Under Shaked’s new proposal, which was authored in conjunction with the Prisons Service, all prisoners—Arab and Israeli—who are convicted of security crimes or murders will be banned from using cellphones.

8,000 Israelis Die from Smoking-Related Illnesses Newly released figures on tobacco use and smoking trends in Israel show numbers that are getting better but are still far from great. The good news is that smoking is on the decline overall. However, 8,000 people died in 2014 from smoking-related illnesses — 700 of them from secondhand smoke. 19.8 percent of Israelis aged 21 and over classified themselves as smokers in 2014, compared to 23.1% in 2013, according to a report by Health Ministry. More men (27.3%) smoke than women (12.6%), the report said. The rates are slightly lower than figures for the European Union, where the smoking rate averaged 28.5% for men and 17.7% for women. Over half of male smokers reported consuming 10-20 cigarettes a day, while 40% of women said they smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day. Israeli households spent over NIS 8.2 billion ($2.12 billion) on the purchase of tobacco-related products and cigarettes in 2014, far more than comparative amounts spent for basic food staples and necessities. To put the numbers into some perspective, consumer

spending on all milk products in 2014 stood at NIS 7.5 billion ($1.94 billion). NIS 1 billion ($259 million) was spent on yellow cheese, baby diapers sales stood at NIS 600 million ($155 million), and breakfast cereal sales amounted to NIS 619 million ($160 million). Smoking-related injuries also put an annual NIS 1.7 billion ($440 million) strain on the medical system, experts said — while indirect costs to the economy such as loss in productivity and work disability were estimated at some NIS 1.9 billion ($491 million). On a more positive note, 26,818 applicants registered to quit smoking in 2014 at rehabilitation clinics across Israel — with over 40% remaining tobacco-free a year after attending a workshop.

Turkey: Israel is Biggest Threat

A survey that was recently conducted in Turkey found that nearly 50 percent of Turkish citizens see Israel as the country’s biggest security threat, followed by the United States and then Syria. The poll, which was answered by 1,000 respondents, was conducted by Istanbul’s Kadir Has University. Asked which country they think poses the biggest threat to Turkey, 42.6 percent of participants chose Israel, while 35.5% said the U.S. Just 22.1%

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named Syria, which shares a border with Turkey and has been ravaged by a four year civil war, as the biggest threat to their country. Turkey has in the past fired at Syrian positions across the border after wayward shells from the civil war landed in its territory. A similar poll in 2013 found 41% saw the United States as Turkey’s biggest threat, while 37.1% named Israel. Asked about the Islamic State group, which has carved out large swaths of Iraq and Syria for its self-declared caliphate, 85% said they considered the jihadist organization a terrorist group and 65.4% saw it as a threat to Turkey. Twenty-four percent said ISIS was not a threat to Turkey and 10.1% were undecided. Israel and Turkey have been at odds ever since the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident. In the ensuing melee, after the Israeli soldiers were attacked with iron bars and wooden bats, troops opened fire and nine Turkish activists were killed; 10 Israeli soldiers were injured. The incident triggered a crisis in relations between Israel and Turkey, which were already strained since Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in 20082009. Israel issued a formal apology to Turkey in March 2013 but disagreements persist over Ankara’s demand that Israel pay damages to families of the deceased and to the wounded. Ties between the two countries have yet to recover, with Turkish officials often unleashing scathing rebukes of Israel. In January Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accused his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, of killing Palestinian children and radicalizing the Muslim world. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is known for his angry outbursts at the Jewish state, declaring in July 2014 that Israel had “surpassed Hitler in barbarism.” Turkey under his rule has been a consistent supporter of Hamas, the terror group that rules Gaza.

Iran: Israeli Arms in Saudi Embassy An Iranian news agency is reporting that a number of Israeli-manufactured weapons were discovered in the Saudi embassy in Sana’a. The report, which was not independently verified, did not identify specific weapons the Saudis are supposedly using in Yemen that would have been supplied by Israel. Saudi Ara-

bia purchases the bulk of its military arms from the United States.

Houthi forces claim to have overrun the embassy after driving 40 guards from the premises in retaliation for the Saudi-led assault on the Houthis. The report also claimed that documents uncovered from the embassy revealed U.S. plans to build a naval base at Yemen’s Perim Island at the entrance to the Bab al-Mandeb strait of the Red Sea between Yemen and Djibouti, which the report falsely attributed to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia ordered its Sana’a embassy closed in February as fighting intensified in the capital between Iranbacked Houthi rebels and forces loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. The Houthis have received material support from Iran since 2009, according to a UN report released in May.

Law Proposes Longer Sentence for Rock Throwers

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked reintroduced a draft law this week that would extend the maximum sentence for stone throwers in Israel to 20 years behind bars. The law also seeks to alleviate the burden on the state to prove “intent to harm” during prosecution. The legislation is the first major move by the new justice minister seeking to put a measure back on track that was approved by the cabinet last year but failed to become law.

The Week In News

Embassy Hosts Garage Sale

Looking for a new refrigerator, printer, or American flag? Head out this weekend to the U.S. Embassy in Israel to fill all your household needs. For the

first time in its history, the U.S. Embassy in Israel has decided to place thousands of its second-hand items on sale – direct to the public. Part of the massive collection available online includes used furniture from the homes of Ambassador Dan Shapiro and other American officials and delegates, as well as the embassy compound. Among the goods placed on the auction block are a number of living room sets, dining room sets, cabinets, dressers, beds, and mattresses. The U.S. embassy is also looking to off-load a scooter, a Subaru, and a long line of electrical appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, ovens, generators, vacuums, air conditioning units, and a variety of office supplies and equipment. The items all have one thing in common: They are property of the United States government. According to American law, all embassies must offer second-hand equipment for sale after it has been worn out or replaced. Until now, the American embassy has tended to sell mostly to vendors who would take a commission and offer the goods to the public. This time, the embassy decided to sell directly to the Israeli public and allow it to place bids online for a range of goods. It has even posted a catalog with photographs of everything on sale. Happy hunting!

JUNE 4 , 2015

Both Israeli and American officials are predicting an increase in U.S. aid to Israel in compensation for a possible nuclear deal with Iran. The current package, worth $3 billion a year, expires in 2017. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said negotiators were close to a new deal that would bring annual payouts to $3.6 billion to

An Israeli official, who also declined to be named, put the expected aid at between $3.5 billion and $4 billion. “They [the United States] are trying to douse the fires after our flare-up about the Iran deal,” the official added, referring to disagreements in negotiating Tehran’s disputed nuclear program. Iran and the international community announced the contours of a nuclear deal in April, setting June 30 as the target date for a comprehensive nuclear agreement. Responding to reports that an increased defense aid package was in the works, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed there were such discussions with the Americans but said he would keep campaigning against Iran. “There is no trade-off requiring I agree to this [nuclear] deal with Iran. The deal is bad and we will continue to

oppose it,” Netanyahu said. The previous U.S. administration signed a 10-year deal with Israel in 2007 giving it $3 billion, most of which must be spent on American military products. Washington has earmarked hundreds of millions more dollars for Israeli missile defenses. Israel’s worries about the emerging deal with Iran have been echoed by Gulf Arab leaders, whom U.S. President Barack Obama hosted on May 14 and sought to reassure with offers of boosted defense. Such aid to Gulf Arabs has often ushered in increases in aid to Israel.

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U.S. Looks to Buy Cooperation on Iran Deal

$3.7 billion on average. Asked if the expected hike in defense grants to Israel was linked to Washington’s recent dealings with Iran and the Gulf Arab states, the U.S. official surmised, “Could be.”

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Currently, convicted stone throwers generally receive only up to two years’ jail time. That gap, explained a written draft from Shaked’s office, demonstrated a need for new legislative action because current sentences do not properly reflect the actual severity of the crime. The new legislation would introduce a harsher punishment for people who throw stones at moving vehicles or police officers in the line of duty, lengthening the sentence of people convicted for this offense. The bill would create two tiers of offense, in which the lower one, when clear intent to harm cannot be proven, would be punished with a shorter length of jail time, while more severe crimes would trigger the maximum sentence. Rock throwing by Palestinians protesting settler activity is a frequent occurrence on West Bank roads, as well as in East Jerusalem, and in some parts of Israel proper during protests. While the attacks usually cause damage and minor injuries, there have been a number of cases of fatalities and serious injuries from rocks being thrown. “The goal of this legislative amendment is to help deal with the phenomenon of stone-throwing at moving vehicles, whether they belong to civilians or law enforcement, which has become common over the last several years and resulted in roughly 1,000 indictments being filed,” an introduction to the draft stated. The proposal last year was pushed forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and came amid an uptick in attacks in East Jerusalem and the West Bank as tensions rose over the status of the Temple Mount. “Israel is taking vigorous action against terrorists and those who throw stones, firebombs and fireworks,” Netanyahu said ahead of a ministerial vote on the matter. “We will also pass stronger legislation on the issue. All of this is in order to restore quiet and security throughout Jerusalem.”

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JUNE 4, 2015

The Week In News

National Republican Field Continues to Grow as Hillary Gets a Challenger The field of Republicans seeking their party’s nomination in 2016 continues to grow as three more candidates

jumped into the presidential race last week. In an address to supporters in New Hampshire, former three-term New York Governor George Pataki, 69, joined the race. He made it clear that his argument for relevancy among the crowded Republican field will be based on his political and legislative accomplishments as governor of New York. “After 12 years of my conservative policies, we replaced dependency with op-

portunity, resignation with hope, mere existence with dreams, a welfare check with a paycheck. I know we can do the same thing for the United States,” he charged. Conventional wisdom is that Pataki, who is a social liberal, will not gain much traction in a field which features several “red meat” conservative Republicans. But, despite his lanky figure and seemingly non-dramatic personality, Pataki pulled off a historic political

upset in 1994 when as a freshman state senator in his first statewide contest, he defeated the iconic Democrat incumbent Mario Cuomo in the 1994 New York governor’s race. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, 57, also joined the crowded stage last week. Santorum, who mounted a surprisingly strong run in 2012 carrying 11 states, is a strong social conservative who is hoping to broaden his appeal to attract blue collar voters. He launched his campaign from a factory in the blue collar town of Cabot, Pennsylvania. Santorum held aloft a piece of coal while telling his family’s story and that of others in western Pennsylvania’s coal country. He said that not only “big government” but also “big business” had demolished the American middle class.

George Pataki

Rick Santorum

Lindsay Graham

Perhaps feeling left out, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham also announced that he is running in the Republican primaries. Graham, who has never been married, was flanked onstage by his sister and her family. He announced his run in his childhood town, where he lived with and cared for his younger sister after his parents died at a young age. “Those of you who’ve known me a long time know I had some ups and downs as a young man,” he related. “I lost my parents, and had to struggle financially and emotionally … There are a lot of so-

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The Week In News called ‘self-made’ people in this world. I’m not one of them. My family, friends, neighbors and my faith picked me up when I was down, believed in me when I had doubts. You made me the man I am today.” Graham, 59, who is a national security hawk with a long history of speaking out on global threats, is staking his run on his foreign policy credentials. “I’ve got one simple message,” he declared in front of 1,500 supporters, “I have more experience with our national security than any other candidate in this race.” Amid resounding cheers, he added, “That includes you, Hillary!” Graham did not shy away from his position that America left Iraq too early and that the only way to defeat radical Islam will be with American boots on the ground. “Simply put, radical Islam is running wild,” he said. “They have more safe havens, more money, more weapons and more capability to strike our homeland than any time since 9/11. They are large, they are rich, and they’re entrenched.” He promised that as president he’d “make them small, poor and on the run.” Acknowledging Americans’ weariness, he noted, “I’m afraid some Americans have grown tired of

fighting them. I have bad news to share with you — the radical Islamists are not tired of fighting you.” Despite the jockeying for position taking place on the Republican side, perhaps the biggest primary news took place on the Democrat side—or the “Hillary side”—as former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley launched his candidacy for the Democrat nomination last Saturday. O’Malley, who is seen as Hillary’s only formidable opponent, indicated that his campaign will pack a serious punch. He quipped, “Recently, the CEO of Goldman Sachs let his employees know that he’d be just fine with either Bush or Clinton. I bet he would.” He added, “Well, I’ve got news for the bullies of Wall Street: The presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth by you between two royal families. It is a sacred trust to be earned from the people of the United States and exercised on behalf of the people of the United States.” Hillary Clinton greeted O’Malley’s announcement with a tweet, saying, “Welcome to the race, Gov. O’Malley. Looking forward to discussing strong families and communities.”

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Although Hillary may not feel very threatened by O’Malley’s candidacy at this point—according to a recent Quinnipiac poll, he is polling at 1%—he is known as a good politician. In fact, a noted politician predicted in 2002 that O’Malley would “be the president someday.” Which politician made that prediction? Bill Clinton.

Biden’s Son Dies at 46

Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, died of brain cancer over the weekend at the age of 46. Although the Bidens had been private about Beau’s medical condition, it is known that he had been battling an

illness for several years. In 2010, he suffered a mild stroke. In 2013, he had brain surgery and underwent chemotherapy, after which he was given a clean bill of health. Sadly, this spring, however, Beau suffered a recurrence and immediately sought aggressive treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center outside Washington. His family was with him when he died. The Bidens have known much tragedy in their lives. In 1972, several weeks after Joe Biden won Delaware’s U.S. Senate elections, his wife and daughter, Naomi, were killed in a tragic car crash. Beau and his brother, Hunter, who were also in the car, survived but were seriously injured. Joe Biden, who was 30 at the time, considered resigning before even taking office so that he could take care of his two sons but was convinced to take the seat. Biden was sworn into office at tBeau’s hospital bedside at the time. Beau, who served a year-long tour in Iraq as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard, served as attorney general in Delaware for eight years. He was courted by Democrats to run in a special election to fill his father’s senate seat in 2010 and to run for the seat in the 2014

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The Week In News elections, but on both occasions he declined to run. A grief-stricken Vice President Joe Biden spoke about his son’s professional accomplishments but added that more than his professional accomplishments, Beau measured himself as a husband, father, son and brother. “His absolute honor made him a role model for our family. Beau embodied my father’s saying that a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did.” He added, “In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known.”

TSA: A Major Failure?

As much as the Transportation Security Administration spends their time rifling through your suitcases, they may not be really doing their jobs. According to ABC News, in a series of trials the Department of Homeland Security was able to smuggle fake explosives, weapons and other contraband past airport screeners in major cities across the country. Officials briefed on the Homeland Security Inspector General’s investigation told the station that the TSA failed 67 out of 70 tests conducted by the department’s Red Teams – undercover passengers tasked with identifying weaknesses in the screening. During the tests, DHS agents each tried to bring a banned item past TSA screeners. They succeeded 95 percent of the time. The TSA has said that Red Team agents are “super terrorists” who “push the boundaries of our people, processes and technology” but the test results were disconcerting, to say the least. According to ABC, in one test an undercover agent was stopped after setting off an alarm at a magnetometer, but TSA screeners failed to detect a fake explosive device that was taped to his back during a follow-up pat down. This incident took place recently. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson was apparently so frustrated by the findings he sought a detailed briefing on them last week at TSA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, according to sources. U.S. officials insisted changes

have already been made at airports to address vulnerabilities identified by the latest tests. “Red Team testing of the aviation security network has been part of TSA’s mission advancement for 13 years,” a DHS spokesman said. “The numbers in these reports never look good out of context, but they are a critical element in the continual evolution of our aviation security.” The administration still touts its dedication to safety and security. In a weekly report published May 29, TSA officials said they found 45 firearms and continue to discover inert grenades and other weapons “on a weekly basis.” Many of the guns found were in carry-on luggage and had rounds in the chamber. In 2014, the TSA confiscated 2,212 firearms at 224 airports after screening 653 million passengers.

Black and Jewish Heroes Finally Receive Medal of Honor

It’s nearly 100 years, but two World War I Army heroes—one Jewish and one black—will finally receive their Medals of Honor that they had been denied because of discrimination. Sgt. William Shemin repeatedly dodged gunfire to pull wounded comrades to safety during three days of bloody battle. And Pvt. Henry Johnson rescued a wounded comrade from his all-black regiment while single-handedly fighting off a surprise German attack. President Barack Obama posthumously bestowed the nation’s highest military honor on both men for their actions in 1918 during a White House ceremony on Tuesday. The award comes after tireless efforts by advocates for the two men led Congress to pass an exemption from Medal of Honor rules specifying that heroic actions have to have taken place within five years to be considered. Shemin’s daughter, Elsie Shemin-Roth of suburban St. Louis, worked for years to gather documents in support of the bid for her father and plans

to accept the award from Obama on his behalf. In the early 2000s, she learned of a law that reviewed cases of Jews who may have been denied medals they earned in World War II and fought for passage of a law to provide similar review for Jewish World War I veterans. “This was anti-Semitism, no question about it,” Shemin-Roth, who is in her 80s, said in an interview in December when Congress passed the exemption for her father, who died in 1973. “Now a wrong has been made right and all is forgiven.” Johnson supporters pushed for the Medal of Honor for decades — with New York Sen. Chuck Schumer taking up the case and initially being rebuffed for lack of documentation. His staff picked up the case again years later when a trove of military records became available online, including a communique from Gen. John Pershing describing his brave acts after coming under attack by at least 12 German soldiers while on night sentry duty on May 15, 1918. Johnson, a Virginia native who worked as a train station porter in Albany, enlisted in the 369th, a New York National Guard unit based in Manhattan. The “Harlem Hellfighters,” as the unit became known, served under French command because U.S. armed forces were segregated at the time. He died a destitute alcoholic at the age of 32. Shemin was 19 when his platoon was involved in a bloody fight. “Sergeant Shemin left the cover of his platoon’s trench and crossed open space, repeatedly exposing himself to heavy machine gun and rifle fire to rescue the wounded,” the White House announcement said. The young sergeant took shrapnel but survived. He led the platoon out of harm’s way for the next three days, until a German bullet pierced his helmet and lodged behind his left ear. Shemin was hospitalized for three months and was left partly deaf. Shrapnel wounds eventually left him barely able to walk, although he earned a degree from Syracuse University and started a nursery business in the Bronx.

Pentagon Chief Vows to Investigate Anthrax Mishap Live anthrax samples from the Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah were mistakenly sent to 24 laboratories last week, including ones in Australia

and South Korea. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Sunday that he is committed to figuring out who was responsible for the mistaken shipments since eleven of them went to eleven U.S. states. Carter vowed to hold those responsible “accountable” for the mistake.

Calling the shipments an “unfortunate incident,” Carter said the Pentagon will make “sure that any public health consequences of this are avoided” and that this type of error doesn’t happen again. He said he is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address the problem. CDC spokesman Jason McDonald said four people at labs in Delaware, Texas and Wisconsin were recommended to take antibiotics as a precaution, although they are not sick. About two dozen people were being treated for possible exposure at Osan Air Base in South Korea. Many questions are being asked regarding Dugway’s procedures to ensure that anthrax samples were made fully inert before shipping them to labs. Deputy U.S. Defense Secretary Bob Work has ordered a comprehensive review of laboratory procedures associated with inactivating anthrax. Dugway, in a desolate stretch of the Utah desert, has been testing chemical weapons since it opened in 1942.

Workplace Discrimination Verdict On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that retailer Abercrombie & Fitch may have violated workplace discrimination law when it turned down a Muslim job applicant because she wore a hijab, even though her religious beliefs never came up in the interview. Samantha Elauf, the job seeker at the center of the case, applied for a sales position at the store in Oklahoma in 2008.

The Week In News

“Motive and knowledge are separate concepts,” Justice Antonin Scalia wrote for the majority. “[A]n employer who acts with the motive of avoiding accommodation may violate [the law] even if he has no more than an unsubstantiated suspicion that accommodation would be needed.” The ruling sends Elauf’s case back to the lower court for further consideration. Justice Clarence Thomas was the lone dissent, penning an opinion that partially concurred with the majority. In a statement, Abercrombie noted that the Supreme Court ruling did not find that the company discriminated against Elauf, only that Elauf can pursue her claim in court. The company said it is considering its next steps in the case, and that it is committed to “an open-minded and tolerant workplace environment.” Justice Samuel Alito, a member of the court’s conservative wing, signaled his leaning on the case during oral arguments in February, when he raised a hypothetical situation that, by his own admission, sounded “like a joke.”

The adage, “Some fall early, some fall late, but they all fall some time,” once again proves to be true about Washington politicians as former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert was indicted last week on federal charges including making false statements to the FBI. But what makes this case strange is that the indictment is not related to the Illinois Republican’s time as Speaker of the House, a post he left in 2007, rather it involves events which are seemingly unrelated to politics. This rather bizarre indictment arises from Hastert withdrawing $952,000 in cash from the bank between 2010 until 2014 in order to make secret payments to an undisclosed subject, listed in the indictment as “Individual A.” That in itself is not illegal, but the way Hastert withdrew the money, in multiple increments of less than $10,000, is an ob-

He retained that post until the Democrats won the House in 2007 and was the longest-serving Republican speaker in American history.

Kerry’s Biking Accident Ends Scheduled Trip

While on a four-nation trip this week, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry crashed his bike as he bicycled through Geneva. Kerry suffered a fracture to his right femur and had to be transported to Geneva’s main medical center. Ultimately, he was sent back to the United States for treatment.

JUNE 4 , 2015

Former Speaker of the House Arrested

scure crime called “structuring.” Structuring is a crime because banks are required to report to the government any time an individual withdraws $10,000 or more in cash from a bank (as there is an assumption that an individual who deals with large amounts of cash may be engaged in nefarious behavior). The act of taking out a lesser amount of cash simply to prevent the bank from reporting your withdrawal is the crime of structuring. When Hastert was questioned by the FBI about his structuring, he lied to them about why he was taking out so much money from the bank. Although one is not obligated to talk to the FBI, if one does agree to talk to them and lies to them—as Hastert did— that is a crime. Before becoming a member of Congress, Hastert was a high school teacher and wrestling coach in Yorkville, Illinois, from 1965 to 1981. It is believed that the underlying misconduct which led to his payments of hush money took place in Hastert’s capacity as a teacher. Hastert’s arrest is shocking considering the fact that his ascent was based on his clean image. He took over as Speaker of the House in 1999 after Rep. Newt Gingrich resigned under pressure.

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“So the first is a Sikh man wearing a turban. The second is a Hasidic man wearing a hat. The third is a Muslim woman wearing a niqab. The fourth is a Catholic nun in a habit,” Alito said. “Now, do you think ... that those people have to say, ‘We just want to tell you, we’re dressed this way for a religious reason. We’re not just trying to make a fashion statement’?” Alito said there were ways for an employer to address the issue without directly asking a job applicant about his or her religion. In the hypothetical case of someone who appears to be Middle Eastern and who wears a long beard, he asked, “Why can’t the employers just simply say, ‘We have a “look policy” that doesn’t permit beards. Can you comply with that policy?’” Abercrombie has been sued at least two other times over headscarves – once by an applicant who, like Elauf, said she was denied a job because of hers, and once by an employee who lost her job after being ordered to remove hers. Abercrombie settled both of those cases and then changed its policy to allow for headscarves, though it continued to defend its actions in the Elauf case.

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Despite her high marks in the interview, Elauf didn’t land the job because her headscarf ran afoul of Abercrombie’s employee “look policy,” which bars hats and promotes the retailer’s preppy brand. Elauf sued with the help of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Civil rights law requires that employers accommodate workers’ religious beliefs in the workplace, and forbids them from firing or not hiring someone because of those beliefs. But Abercrombie argued that it couldn’t have known to make such an accommodation because Elauf, who was 17 at the time, never requested one. That argument, though, didn’t hit home for the majority of the justices. They said that whether or not Abercrombie had firm knowledge of Elauf’s need for an accommodation was not relevant – only whether her headscarf was a “motivating factor” in their decision not to hire her. (In Elauf’s case, an Abercrombie manager had correctly assumed that Elauf was Muslim, and that she would regularly wear the hijab on the job.)

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JUNE 4, 2015

The Week In News Kerry has been spotted riding his bike around many foreign countries as he journeys on an international conference to combat Islamic State group. He often takes along his own bike on his trips, and he was riding his own bike when he hit the curb. Kerry had been in Geneva for six hours of meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday as the sides now work to seal a comprehensive accord by June 30. Due to his injury Kerry was forced to cancel the rest of his planned four-nation trip. He had been scheduled to stop in Madrid for meetings with Spain’s king and prime minister before spending two days in Paris for an international gathering to combat Islamic State. Kerry returned back to U.S. soil to Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital for further treatment with the doctor who previously operated on his hip, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said. “The secretary is stable and never lost consciousness, his injury is not life-threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery,” Kirby said in a statement.

U.S. Citizen Released from Egyptian Prison

Mohamed Soltan, an Egyptian-American who has been jailed in Egypt for almost two years, was released this week after being on a hunger strike for over a year in protest against his detention in Egypt. Soltan, 27, was arrested in September 2013 and charged with being part of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. Soltan had been working as an assistant and translator for the United States and international news organizations during the protests, but prosecutors accused him of participating in a plan to overthrow the country’s military rulers.

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He was sentenced to life in prison on terrorism-related charges. His father is a prominent member of the Muslim Brotherhood. As part of the condition of his release, Soltan had to renounce his Egyptian citizenship. Soltan, who went to high school in Detroit, graduated from Ohio State University and campaigned for President Obama in 2007, arrived at Dulles International Airport on Saturday night in a wheelchair and was greeted with tears, hugs and calls of “welcome home.”

Who Owns our Nation’s Oldest Shul?

Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is the nation’s oldest synagogue, but its existence is currently being threatened, its congregants claim. The congregation that formally owns the synagogue accused the Newport congregation of lawlessness for agreeing to sell a pair of bells valued at more than $7 million. This week, the case will be tried in U.S. District Court in order to determine who should control the institution. Lawyers are planning to use more than 1,000 exhibits dating as early on as 1773 to make their cases.

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Dedicated and established in 1763, the Touro Synagogue has become a landmark; it is a National Historic Site. It stands majestically atop a hill in Newport, a charming seaside town with cobblestone streets lined with Colonial homes. Three former U.S. presidents visited the shul: George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. In the 1790s, as Jews left the city, the synagogue closed temporarily and its contents were transferred to the nation’s oldest Jewish congregation in New York, Congregation Shearith Israel, established in 1654. In the late 1800s, Jews re-established themselves in Newport and began using the synagogue again. Congregation Shearith Israel sent the items back, including two pairs of rimonim, bells placed on the handles of a Torah scroll. They were made by Myer Myers, among the premier silversmiths of the Colonial era. Sometime in the early 1900s, a lawsuit determined that the congregation that worships in Touro, Congregation Jeshuat Israel, will be in control by signing a lease in 1903 to rent Touro from Congregation Shearith Israel for $1 per year. The Newport congregation acknowledges in its lawsuit that the New York congregation owns Touro, but argues it holds it in trust for the Newport congregation’s benefit. It now wants them removed as a trustee. It also states that it fully owns the rimonim. The Newport congregation, though, says it decided to sell them reluctantly, and only because the congregation, which has around 100 families, needs the money. Although tens of thousands of visitors visit the shul each year, it claims that it barely has the money to pay for its expenses after attempting but failing to raise donations. The sale offer was from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston who offered $7.4 million for the bells in 2011; the offer had to be rejected for now amid the ownership dispute. “Jeshuat Israel is just one unforeseen expense away from financial disaster,” its lawyers wrote in a pretrial filing. The Newport congregation says that before the New York congregation “came out of the woodwork” to claim it owned the bells, it had abandoned Touro. It says the last time the New York congregation provided any financial help was likely in 1983, when it gave $100. Before that, it says, the last time was the 1960s. Congregation Shearith Israel, which overlooks Central Park on New York City’s Upper West Side, says

The Week In News

National Spelling Bee Ends in Tie Speaking at a morning ceremony to honor McKenzie Elliott, a 3-yearold killed by a stray bullet in August, Rawlings-Blake said it’s time to stop finger-pointing and assigning blame for the recent violence. The killing of African-Americans in Baltimore has to stop, she said, noting that 189 of the 208 killed last year were black men. For the city to improve, all homicides need to drop, she added. “We have to do better,” the mayor said. “We have to want more.” In the month since Freddie Gray’s death and the ensuing riots, there has been a severe uptick in homicides which has been attributed to police being fearful to do their jobs due to anti-police

That’s Odd China: Park First, Buy Car Later

We know they do things differently in China, but now they seem to have gotten their car priorities mixed up. Recently Deputy Mayor Zhang Yankun announced that next year residents of

Beijing will have to show proof of access to a parking spot before they can purchase a vehicle. Seems like they’re putting the cart before the horse, so to speak. The plan is being implemented in the hopes of addressing the city’s extreme parking shortage in an area facing soaring levels of car ownership. It’s not the first time the city of 11.5 million residents has tried to tackle its driving and congestion problem. Since 2011, Beijing has been awarding driving licenses via a lottery system. Even so, the city was home to nearly 5.6 million at the end of last year, with the total number of parking spots to be estimated at just 2.9 million. Where are they parking all those cars? In Chinese takeout containers? According to Bloomberg Businessweek, “Motorists often park illegally on side roads, or in residential compounds, blocking traffic and causing heated disputes.” Sounds like a classic example of road rage. Understandably, when supply is so limited and demand is so high, prices have skyrocketed. Underground residential spaces in Beijing were going for the equivalent of $160,000 last year. Will the new initiative help in solving the car crush in such a crowded city? Well, some point out, requiring a parking space even before a vehicle purchase builds an extra layer of cost into the equation, limiting access to some. It seems that Beijing has someplace to look to for help. There’s precedent for this policy in not-too-faraway Tokyo. Asian-policy scholar Paul Barter of the National University of Singapore has argued that Tokyo’s plan created a robust market for parking and obviated the “parking minimum” standards that lead American developers to create too many spaces. The plan is not without its critics. One skeptic recently wrote online: “You

The RNSP Serves the Rockaway and 5 Towns Communities For the second year in a row, the Scripps National Spelling Bee ended in a tie last week as a 14-year-old from Chesterfield, Missouri, and a 13-yearold from Olathe, Kansas, were crowned champions. Until last year, the World Series of spellers hadn’t seen a tied win in more than five decades. This year’s spelling bee also made history as it is

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It’s been 40 years since Baltimore has seen such violence. As the month of May concluded on Sunday, three more men lost their lives in shootings, making it 43 who were killed in the month of May in the city. The record number surpassed the 42 homicides the city saw in August 1990 and left Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake defending police and her administration.

the first time that the sibling of a previous champion won. More than 11 million spellers participated in regional bees to yield the 283 who began this year’s national bee. The two winners beat out the other eight finalists. By the 11th round, when there were only two players standing, the championship word list was exhausted and both players were crowned as champions. The words in the last round included “thamakau,” “hippocrepiform,” “scherenschnitte,” “sprachgefühl,” “pipsissewa,” and “pyrrhuloxia.” Perhaps the two winners got into spelling when they learned to spell their own names—the 14-year-old’s name is Gokul Venkatachalam; the 13-year-old is Vanya Shivashankar. Go figure.

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May was Baltimore’s Deadliest Month in 40 Years

rage on the street and the fear of being prosecuted for their actions. After Gray’s death, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby charged the six officers involved on charges which included murder. She justified the charges by declaring that she heeded the calls of “no justice, no peace.” Law enforcement experts say police cannot be proactive if they believe politicians and prosecutors are treating them unfairly. “The criminals are taking advantage of the situation in Baltimore since the unrest,” said Lt. Gene Ryan, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3, which represents officers in Baltimore. “Criminals feel empowered now. There is no respect. Police are under siege in every quarter. They are more afraid of going to jail for doing their jobs properly than they are of getting shot on duty.” “I’m afraid to go outside,” said Antoinette Perrine, whose brother was shot and killed shot down three weeks ago on a basketball court near her home in West Baltimore. Ever since, she has barricaded her door and added metal slabs inside her windows to deflect gunfire. “It’s so bad, people are afraid to let their kids outside,” Perrine said. “People wake up with shots through their windows. Police used to sit on every corner, on the top of the block. These days? They’re nowhere.” Although many in Baltimore are calling for the police to resume policing the street, the police say that they’re being surrounded by mobs when they arrive to crime locations and that they fear taking action.

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that it is not the trustee of Touro, but rather a “benevolent landlord” that has overseen the property for nearly 200 years, long before a “new” group of Jews came to Newport and began worshipping at Touro. It says any financial problems are the result of poor management. “Shearith Israel wants future generations of worshippers to be able to experience these historic treasures and the fullness of Touro Synagogue’s rich history,” its lawyers wrote. The trial is expected to last two weeks, but the judge will issue a decision later. The state of Rhode Island, which intervened in the case, will weigh in with the judge after the trial concludes.

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JUNE 4, 2015

The Week In News already need an apartment before you can get a wife. Soon you’ll need a cemetery plot before you can die.” There are those who point out that the high cost of spaces needed before even considering to purchase a car will price out those in the lower-income bracket. Regardless of price, I wouldn’t give up my car, not for all the tea in China.

Apple I, was discovered inside a box of electronics that a widow recently dropped off at a recycling company in Milpitas, CA, after her husband passed away.

How Old is too Old to Run the Marathon?

So, you’ve always wanted to run in a marathon, but you feel like you are too old, right? Well, if you are less than 92 years old, Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina, proves that you can still do it. At the age of 92, Ms. Thompson, who is a cancer survivor, completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego last week in 7 hours, 24 minutes, 36 seconds. This is not the first race she’s run. This was the seventh marathon that Thompson completed. Thompson, who is a classically trained pianist, says she mentally plays old piano pieces she had performed to help her get through the 26 miles, 385 yards. After being mobbed by well-wishers at the finish line, she quipped, “I’m fine, they’re really pampering me here.” It’s a shame I’m not a classically trained pianist—maybe I’d be able to run the marathon if I was.

Although the recycling company’s policy is to split proceeds 50-50 with the donor, when the woman dropped off the box of electronics she refused to leave her name or take a receipt. “She said, ‘I want to get rid of this stuff and clean up my garage,’” company Vice President Victor Gichun recalls. “I said, ‘Do you need a tax receipt?’ and she said, ‘No, I don’t need anything.’” Perhaps she’d reconsider if she’d realize what she dropped off. The recycling company sold the Apple I this month for $200,000 to a private collection. The company is now looking for the woman so that they can give her the 50 percent share of the proceeds which she is entitled to. “To prove who she is,” Gichun said, “I just need to look at her.” And then you wonder why your father-in-law refuses to clean out the attic. Do you know what those double cassette boom boxes could be worth?

Famed Physicist Sells His Nobel

Apple Computer Discarded as Junk Sells for $200K Sometimes the junk in your attic isn’t really junk, especially if it is a first-generation desktop computer built by Apple co-founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne in 1976. One such computer, which was one of only about 200 first-generation desktop computers that the trio built and called

Famed physicist Leon Lederman sold his 1988 Nobel Prize gold medal for $765,002 at auction in Los Angeles this week in anticipation of mounting medical bills following a diagnosis of dementia for the Nobel-winning physicist.

Lederman, 92, won a share of the physics prize for his role in the discovery of the muon neutrino — but he’s arguably best-known for his 1993 book about the search for the Higgs particle, called “The G-d Particle.” After winning the prize, Lederman parlayed his Nobel Prize and enthusiasm for physics to spread his love for science in all kinds of venues, even setting up a makeshift table on sidewalks in New York and Chicago so passersby could ask the Nobel laureate a question. Dr. Lederman’s wife, Ellen, organized the sale of the medal saying that her husband has enjoyed owning the Nobel Prize medal for many years “but feels it is time for someone else who shares his love of science to treasure his medal. He hopes this sale raises the awareness of the importance of physics.” The pricey $765,002 is the fourth most expensive resale of a Nobel Prize gold medal out of a total of ten such gold medals that have been auctioned off. My Nobel Prize for poetry is not for sale, as my mother always told me, “Don’t sell your Nobel.”

The Crying Contest

Your baby can’t stop crying? You should have sent him (or her) to Tokyo for the weekend. More than 100 babies faced off in the sumo ring on Saturday in an annual contest pitting crying toddlers against each other in a Japanese tradition believed to bring infants good health. The “crying sumo” event, held at Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple in the historic Asakusa district, saw hulking sumo wrestlers attempt to make 120 babies bawl on command to the delight of parents and onlookers. This is not a new fad. They have been making babies cry for years. The ceremony dates back some 400 years and is held at shrines and temples nationwide. The rules vary from region to region – in some versions the babies are raced against each

other to see who will cry first, while in others the first crier is the loser. In the Asakusa event, which has itself been running since 1991, pairs of toddlers were brought into the sumo ring, where real sumo wrestlers held them and shook them gently as a referee shouted, “Cry! Cry!” The winner was judged to be the infant who cried the quickest and loudest. Some burst out screaming with little prompting, but others required judges enter the ring wearing a devil mask, drawing laughter from the audience. And the prize goes to: the biggest crybaby. Waaah!

Losing Locks of Love The City of Light is getting lighter. This week, Paris city officials started to remove padlocks symbolically fastened to one of the French capital’s main bridges by married couples. It’s a tradition that’s been held for many years—close to one million couples have fastened a “love lock” to the bridge before throwing the key into the River Seine below. But so many expressions of happiness can become heavy and part of the bridge’s railings have collapsed under the weight last year. That’s understandable since the locks weigh over 45 tons. On Monday workers endeavored to shear off the metal padlocks from the side of the Pont des Arts, the first iron bridge built in France in 1804. To ensure that no more locks are added, the railings will be replaced with transparent panels later this year.

“It’s the end of the padlocks,” said Bruno Julliard, Paris deputy mayor. “They spoil the aesthetics of the bridge, are structurally bad for it and can cause accidents.” Apparently he didn’t appreciate the tradition. Well, good “lock” to him.

The Week In News rently have a 3 to 4 week wait time. So why not buy some for man’s best friend? Wang Sicong is the son of Wang Jianlin who runs the real estate development company Dalian Wanda and is worth approximately $34 billion.

This isn’t the first time the younger Wang has caused an uproar. On May 1 he posted a photo of the same Husky with a Fendi bag around his neck with the caption, “My daddy said I am a sled Continued on page 36

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ed to his dog. The posts have received more than 6,000 comments so far – many of which weren’t too happy for the lucky dog. Apple’s gold watches retail for between $10,000 and $17,000 per watch depending on specifications and cur-

THE JEWISH HOME

God’s Credit Nightmare

JUNE 4 , 2015

God has settled his debts—although they didn’t make it easy. A Brighton Beach man named God Gazarov has settled his federal lawsuit against credit-repor ting giant Equifax after the company fin ally agreed to enter his unusual mo niker into its database. The credit agency refused to recognize his given first name and so he was branded as having no credit history, making it impossible for him to secure basic loans for his jewelry business. But finally the credit agency—after a year o f haggling— gave into Gazarov’s re quests. He now boasts a 820 credit score. God is n amed after his grandfather and expl ains that his name is not uncommon i n his native land. “This was my grandfather’s name,” he said. “I was named af ter him. I’m sort of like God Jr.” And now God has good credit. Thank G-d for that.

2 Apples for a Dog

If you don’t have an Apple Watch, don’t feel too bad. It’s for the dogs. The 27-year-old son of China’s richest man caused quite a stir in Shanghai after posting photos of his dog wearing two gold Apple Watches with the caption, “I have new watches! I’m supposed to have four watches since I have four long legs. But that seems too uncouth so I kept it down to two, which totally fits my status. Do you have one?” The photos were uploaded to Chinese social media site Weibo, where Wang Sicong maintains a page dedicat-

JUNE 4, 2015

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The Week In News dog and count as part of the workforce. He got me this bag as a gift for Labor Day.” The dog reportedly lives a lavish lifestyle. According to Chinese news agencies, he only drinks Fiji water and is walked with Hermes leashes. Wonder if Wang has any real friends—you know, the kind that walk on only two legs.

The Giant Gumbo Gratuity The gumbo must have been great. This customer favors gumbo and beer at Blue 44 and he generally tips well. But last week after he and a friend

ate fried chicken, gumbo and a cold one, he left a $2,000 tip on a $93 bill. The giant tip went unnoticed until a few hours later, when the bartender, Laura Dally, noticed that the tip was divided on the receipt—$1,000 for chef James Turner and $500 for the owner and $500 for herself. “Thank you for the gumbo!” the

note read. “I was in utter shock,” Laura recalls. “I was completely speechless. I had to do a double take.” She went to her boss and said, “We need to talk” and showed him the receipt. The gumbo-phile lives in the area and frequents the bar a few times a month. He is partial to the restaurant’s gumbo, chicken and andouille sausage base with a dark roux.

Recently, the chef e-mailed the patron, asking him for advanced notice on the next time he would be in the restaurant so he could make the gumbo he liked. The customer responded to say he would be in Monday. The chef made the gumbo. On Monday, the man came in with a friend and jokingly was chanting, “Gumbo, gumbo, gumbo.” They ordered the Monday night special — a three-course meal of salad, fried chicken and dessert — with gumbo interspersed throughout. The gumbo must’ve been good. When the patron asked for some to go, Laura went into the back and talked to the chef, who sent out two quarts — on the house — as a “thank you” for coming in. The customer left his own generous thank you to the three. I’m sure he ate his gumbo with gusto. 

How attached is your baby with her bottle? See Dr. Simai on page 92

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Around The Community At the Far Rockaway/Lawrence Community Mikvah Boros Pouring Event on Sunday

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Around The Community MAY Grand Siyum Celebrates 74 Student Siyumim

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JUNE 4, 2015

This past Monday evening, Mesiv- a digital journal displayed messages ta Ateres Yaakov celebrated its annual from parents and rabbeim to the mesaymim, as well Grand Siyum, recas pictures of the ognizing 47 talmimesaymim learndim who completed ing throughout 74 masechtos of Shas or sedarim of the year. Mishnayos over the Menahel course of the school Rabbi Mordechai year. Yaffe opened the More than 150 evening comparents, grandparmenting on the ents and relatives tremendous pride were in attendance the Mesivta has to celebrate this in these talmiachievement togethdim. He added er with the mesaythat the Torah mim and their rabthat the talmidim Rabbi Yaffe embracing and thanking Rabbi Yaakov beim. Upon arrival, Feitman in the Mesivta

learn is Toras emes and Toras chaim. Rabbi Yaakov Feitman, Rav of KehilUnlike any other discipline, it incul- las Bais Yehuda Tzvi. Rabbi Feitman cates a way of life into the person spoke about the need to derive chizuk, learning. regardless of the madreiga on which a Rabbi Yaffe then introduced Se- person is. He lauded the rabbeim of the nior Avi TerebeMesivta for their lo to give divrei incredible mesirTorah. Avi, who as nefesh for their was mesayem talmidim, and told Mesechta Kidduthe talmidim that shin that evening, the best way to explained how one be makir tov to is able to be matheir Rabbeim is kir tov to Hashem to continue growand, in turn, to his ing in their limud Rabbeim and parTorah and avodas ents. Following Hashem. Avi’s d’var Torah, The Mesivta Senior Yoel Weizthanks Student berg completed Activities CoordiMasechta Kiddunator Rabbi Tsvi shin with those in Greenfield for Senior Yoel Weizberg leading the mesaymim with the attendance. organizing and hadran It is noteworpromoting this thy that both Yoel initiative. Raband Avi finished eight mesechtos this bi Greenfield commented, “Although z’man! Yoel was then joined by the the Mesivta facilitated additional, other mesaymim, who recited the non-formal learning, this was really a hadran together. Forty seven talmidim student-motivated campaign. We were completed seventy four mesechtos of just so impressed and excited about the Shas or sedarim of Mishnayos. A huge amount of learning accomplished this communal accomplishment! z’man, we felt compelled to celebrate The guest speaker for the event was this achievement with our talmidim and their families.” The Mesivta also recognized the presence of Mr. Gary Schall, Superintendent of District 15 and Rabbi Yaffe’s Wednesday morning chavrusa. Gifts were distributed to each of the mesaymim, including a $200 check to each boy who completed mesechta Kiddushin, the mesechta the yeshiva was learning this year. The evening closed with leibidik dancing in joyous celebration of Torah.

Around The Community

On Thursday, May 28, Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits gave a speech hosted by CHAZAQ before the Queens community on FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) in kashrut. Rabbi Lebovits is the Rabbinical Administrator for KOF-K and the complier and author of “Halachically Speaking,” a monthly publication reviewing contemporary and practical halacha. He is also a contributor to The Jewish Home Magazine. The speech, held at Cong. Beit Eliyahu in Fresh Meadows, dealt with relevant topics like the kashrus of ice cream trucks and 7/11 Slurpees, mouthwash and toothpaste, Pas Yisrael and Pas Paltar, Cholov Yisrael and Chol0v Stam, bugs hiding in vegetables, sharp foods left out overnight, hard cheese and soft drinks. The speech was followed by a long

We think that we lessen our value by giving in, but the truth is just the opposite. We are told that for those who go against their general nature, Hashem changes the normal rules for of nature on their behalf, and just as they went against their own internal nature, Hashem suspends the normal laws of justice and thus forgives their sins. A wise person would choose the path of vatranus. Let us choose the path of wisdom in our marriage, and follow the advice of R’ Chaim to always be the one to give in and appease our spouse. May we merit the tremendous benefits that vatranus brings to the lives of those that practice it. 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.

Bais Yaakov of Queens and Torah Academy for Girls Meet and Compete with Spirit of a Bais Yaakov

question and answer session for the many inquiries from the community and another informal Q&A session after Maariv.

BYQ’s eighth grade Machanayim team and Morah Chaviva Pfeiffer, the team’s coach, were invited to Torah Academy for Girls, TAG, for a Machanayim competition. For BYQ, the game is a culminating event of the BYQ Eighth Grade Leagues program that was created by Mrs. Bergman to create team building skills. Mrs. Bergman explained to the girls how “each of us plays a different role in life. Hashem wants us to play our own part as well as we are able, and then the whole community and Klal Yisroel reap the benefits.” This year the game was played at TAG, who warmly welcomed the BYQ girls. BYQ’s entire eighth grade traveled to TAG to watch the game and cheer on their classmates. TAG’s eighth grade waited graciously in the bleachers as BYQ arrived. The game was a spirited

event for both schools’ teams and grades! In a dramatic display of talent, acquired skills, teamwork and self-discipline, all of the girls on both teams showed tremendous skill, drive and good sportsmanship. The BYQ eighth grade Machanayim team defeated Torah Academy for Girls’ hard-working team. The competition was thrilling to watch, and the entire eighth grade did a superb job cheering on the team. Morah Pfeiffer, BYQ’s coach, told the girls, “TEAM stands for Together Everyone Accomplishes More. If each girl focuses on playing her own position to the best of her ability, the team as a whole will succeed.” Congratulations to all the girls of both schools for displaying the values and middos tovos of true Bais Yaakov girls!

JUNE 4 , 2015

Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits Speaks in Queens

Vatranus is the art of giving in and letting go. R’ Chaim Kanievsky explains that between spouses each spouse should try to give in to the other one and make the other happy, except if it comes to the point of going against halacha. From the standpoint of a wife, a woman is told to honor her husband and to view him like a king; hence there is ample basis for her to give into his wishes. For a husband he is advised to give into his wife and be mevater, and not only that, but that it’s worthwhile for him in general to listen to what his wife has to say and take her advice to heart. It says in the Gemara that a person should always try to be like those who are pursued rather than like those who are the chasers. There is no bird more pursued than the tur and the yona and these two birds are the ones that are approved to go on the altar in the Bais Hamikdash. This shows us that someone who accustoms himself to being mevater (who is likened to the one being pursued) saves himself from hatred, fights, and all pain, as symbolized by the altar of peace.

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PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN

Rabbi Yaakov Reisman, Mara D’asra Agudath Israel of Long Island, Rabbi Tzvi Flaum and Rabbi Doniel Lander

Five Towns Marriage Initiative The Art of Giving In

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Rabbi Tzvi Flaum’s Seventh Annual Breakfast on behalf of the Yeshiva Shaarei Tzion Torah Studies Network was held at Congregation Shaaray Tefila in Lawrence this week. During the event Rabbi Flaum dedicated the Women’s Division of his program in memory of his eishes chayal a”h. It will be called Rebbetzin Rochel Miriam Flaum Torah Seminary for Women. The guest speaker was Rabbi Doniel Lander, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshiva Ohr Hachaim. The program was very well attended and extremely powerful for all those who came.

Around The Community DRS Hockey Program Raises Thousands for Chai Lifeline

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JUNE 4, 2015

Last Wednesday night, the DRS Hockey Program held its annual “Green vs. White Game,” pitting the freshman and senior Wildcats against the junior and sophomores. The game is an annual event in DRS and is used to raise money for Chai Lifeline. Chai Lifeline’s mission has been to restore the light of childhood to children who have been diagnosed with life-threatening or lifelong illness. After a member of the DRS Hockey Team was diagnosed with

cancer several years ago, Coach Larry Gross took it upon himself to create a fundraising event for Chai Lifeline every year centered around an exciting, and fun hockey game. This year, the team members raised $15,000, bringing the total of Green vs. White Game contributions to over $136,000! Before the game, Rabbi Kaminetsky addressed the team members, applauding the tremendous chessed that they performed, as well as paying tribute

to Coaches Larry Gross, Rabbi Steven Genachowski, and Rabbi Josh Elsant, who always ensure that the players on the team value sportsmanship and “playing like a mensch” over winning. Coach Larry Gross thanked the players for their tremendous efforts throughout the season and specifically for their efforts in raising money for this most unique and special event. Larry then turned his attention to the seniors, urging them to take the passion and spirit

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Valedictorian: Devora Chait Devora, a Far Rockaway native, is a bright, motivated, and responsible young lady who has succeeded academically during her four years at Shalhevet. Devora achieved Dean’s list all four years and received the NMSQT Letter of Commendation as Valedictorian Devora Chait well as the AP Scholar with Honors award. Devora is a member of the College Bowl team, the Math Team, and the play and is co-captain of the Mock Trial team. Devora is also a crucial part of the Poetry Slam team as she has won numerous High School Yeshiva Slams. She volunteers her time at Kulanu. Devora will be attending Midreshet Lindenbaum next

year before continuing on to Macaulay Queens College. Salutatorian: Daniella Azose Daniella hails from West Hempstead and is an ambitious and dedicated student. Daniella has been on Dean’s List four years straight and is a member of the Arista National Honors Society. She won the 2015 West Hempstead Community Service award and the Friendship Circle Achievement Award numerous times. Daniella is an AP Scholar and was seSalutatorian Daniella Azose lected as the 2015 Torah Letzion Scholar. She was also a finalist in the 2015 Morris J and Betty Kaplan Foundation Essay Contest. Daniella is co-captain of the Mock Trial team and the captain of the College Bowl team. She is also on the Math team and the play. Daniella was accepted as a Dean Scholar to Stern and will be attending Midreshet Moriah next year.

No one thought last year’s end of the year program at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls could be topped, but this year’s event surpassed all expectations! The expansive grounds of the school on Thursday, May 28 were filled with rides, inflatables, tie-dying, an ice cream truck and bubbles everywhere! Faculty and staff members brought their children to share in the fun and everyone had a terrific time before the advent of finals and Regents exams. Special thanks to Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, Director of Student Activities, Mrs. Yafa Storch, Mrs. Chaya Davis and Ms. Jordana Bienenfeld for organizing the day; and the SKA Parent Council, including co-presidents Mrs. Chani Aryeh and Mrs. Sharon Lipsky, Anon-

ymous, Rabbi and Mrs. Shimon Laufer, Dr. Josh and Dr. Gila Jedwab, and Mr. and Mrs. Avram Weissman for sponsoring this wonderful extravaganza!

JUNE 4 , 2015

Midreshet Shalhevet is pleased to announce the Class of 2015 valedictorian and salutatorian and commends them for their hard work, dedication, and academic achievements.

SKA’s Year-End Carnival

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Midreshet Shalhevet Awards of Distinction

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This past week, the eighth graders of Yeshiva Har Torah attended their annual Washington, D.C. trip, visiting the White House and other important sites. The trip is a closing to a fantastic eighth grade year and a wonderful eight years at Yeshiva Har Torah! The seventh grade also attended their annual trip to Philadelphia, touring the important sites and historic locations of downtown Philadelphia. These trips help foster the great sense of community and bonding with staff that has always been paramount at Yeshiva Har Torah.

Around The Community Rising From Divorce: The Aftermath of Community-Wide Screenings

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JUNE 4, 2015

By Hindie M. Klein, PsyD It’s been several weeks since the initial launch of OHEL’S groundbreaking new film, Rising from Divorce. The response has been phenomenal. Our original aim of producing this film was to provide increased community awareness of the impact of divorce on children. Our goal was to better educate both divorced parents and the wider community about the specific roles that rabbonim, community leaders, educators, family and friends of divorcees and concerned community members can play to help ensure that parents of divorce and children of divorce can thrive. We initially presented the film in three communities: Brooklyn, Teaneck and Woodmere. At each community event, hundreds attended each screening which was importantly followed by a panel discussion that included OHEL’S David Mandel, Dr. Hindie M. Klein and Dr. Norman Blumenthal, as well as internationally recognized psychiatrist Dr. Mark Banschick and noted educator Mrs. Rochel Chafetz. A number of community rabbonim participated including Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rabbi Steven Pruzansky and Rabbi Hershel Billet. There has been outstanding feedback with each community event. And while the communities may be diverse and geographically far apart, the challenges and concerns are all the same. Divorced men and women conveyed that they finally felt that their

pain and frustration was validated. Educators, family, friends, relatives, grandparents felt better informed and more empowered to help and many rallied around after the film to ask private questions and to comment on how the film had affected them. Many noted that the film drove home many well-known facts and concepts, but were presented from a variety of different perspectives: from divorcees, from adult children of divorce, from community leaders, from rabbis and from educators. The film served as a community-wide call to arms—a wake-up call for all members of our community. Naturally, OHEL did receive some constructive criticism – which is always welcome, not least because it further drives the necessary discourse of divorce. A number of participants felt that the screenings could have been better followed by small-groups of discussions focused on different areas of concern. In the days and weeks that have ensued, OHEL has been inundated with emails and phone calls from individuals from around the country; indeed, from around the world. The film has also been recently screened at the Torah Umesorah annual convention. Community leaders and rabbis are requesting that we bring this film to their shul, to their community, so that their community members may benefit from the screening and panel discussion. As such, OHEL is planning for a number of additional screenings

HANC Mishmar Celebration Dinner Another amazing year of Mishmar at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School has come to an end. Each week, more than 70 students from third through sixth grade voluntarily stayed in school for an extra hour of Torah learning! The students studied Mishnayot, the meaning of mitzvoth, and the laws of lashon harah. To celebrate their year of learning, the students were treated to a delicious year-end BBQ Mishmar Dinner which included divrei Torah from students in each Mishmar class. The students

also enjoyed a magic show by Ben Cohen. They especially loved it when the magician poured juice down Rabbi Sokol’s shoe! We thank the Mishmar teachers Rabbi Merrill, Rabbi Hoffman, Rabbi Sokol, Morah Aliza and Morah Tawil for teaching and inspiring their classes each week. We also thank the PTA for their generous sponsorship of the evening and the year-round Mishmar snacks. Additional thanks to Bentzy Gadon, Meir Boker, Mrs. Ciment and Mrs. Goldberg for assisting in the barbecue.

in the tri-state area, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boca Raton, Baltimore, Toronto, amongst other communities. So as a member of your community, what can you do? Perhaps one good way to respond to this question is to quote a poignant and dramatic comment from the film. Rivky, a divorced woman with one daughter, stated that she has been living on her block for 15 years and has never received an invitation for Shabbos lunch. 15 years. She also noted that it’s not easy to just pick up the phone and invite oneself for a Shabbos meal. Men and women need to be invited. It is important to be mindful and sensitive towards divorced parents and children of divorce. Too often there is stigma—what did they do to bring on their divorce? Think of a man or woman who has been widowed or a child who has been orphaned. We don’t judge them; rather, we feel compassion. Divorced parents and children of divorce require the same sensitivity and consideration. This might include help with babysitting or just reaching out to say hi and leaving a warm and supportive message. At one of our screenings, a divorced man in the audience asked how he should respond to someone who comes up and asks why he got divorced. Frankly, this is not anyone’s concern. One might say something neutral like, “It just didn’t work out and I’d rather not talk about it.” They may mean well, but they of course do not need to know. What they do need to know is how they can be of help. This is the paradigm shift that we are looking to achieve—not why someone has chosen to get divorced but how we can help them during this trying time. Become a good listener. When you ask a parent or a child of divorce how they are doing, stop and really listen to what they have to say. Don’t judge or make assumptions. Just listen. And don’t discuss what you have heard with others afterwards. This is private and sensitive information and if they consider you as someone safe to vent to or confide in, cherish the confidence. If you are having a hard time processing what you hear and need guidance on how to best understand what you have heard, and be helpful, discuss it with someone you

trust, or contact a professional who can guide you and who will treat the information you share with them with utmost discretion. Become educated. Whether you are family, friend, neighbor, rabbi, educator, or community leader, use your vantage point to expand your awareness on this very important topic. Use your influence to create innovative ideas that will help divorced parents and most notably, the children. Children should never be caught in the middle of a divorce and should never suffer because their parents have chosen to end their marriage. After one screening, one woman wrote us to say that in the past she has often spoken negatively about her ex-husband in front of her children. At her friend’s urging, she had agreed to come to the screening of the film, which had a significant and dramatic impact on her. She has resolved to “turn over a new leaf” and become more sensitive and mindful of how she speaks to the children about their father. At OHEL, our goals are way beyond the scope of this film. We see the film as a catalyst to belated community-wide discourse and an expansion of necessary services and programs in the community. We have organized sections for parents, children, educators, rabbis, friends, family and community. We are also providing support groups for Magnificent Moms, Devoted Dads, and the Amazing Children. One final note by an 11-year-old who wanted to send a message to the community and who responded to our question on our website. He notes that since his parents got divorced, the rabbi from his shul comes to pick him up every Friday night, and a neighbor comes to take him to shul every Shabbos morning… “And on Purim we go to the Sister to Sister Seuda, where they are very nice and send gifts and gift cards to our family.” This is a wonderful example of the goals that we would like to achieve in the community, and what we hope this film will inspire. For trailer and more information, please visit ohelfamily.org/risingfromdivorce.

Around The Community

Mass Participation at Second Dirshu Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Test By Chaim Gold “Es shmekt der geulah – It has the aroma of the geulah!” exclaimed the venerated senior Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, shlita, upon seeing and perusing Dirshu’s new edition of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim with its Biurim and Musafim. The new sample edition of Sefer Chofetz Chaim provides a running explanation of the sefer as well as an extensive and comprehensive Biurim and Musafim commentary. The sefer was released this past Rosh Chodesh Iyar in conjunction with the second machzor of Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program wherein it embarked on learning Sefer Chofetz Chaim in its mussar component. In fact, leading members of Dirshu’s hanhalah were highly impressed with the results of the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha’s recent second test in the present machzor. Rabbi Shlomo Rozenstein, Dirshu’s director of Public Affairs, related, “Usually, with the start of a new machzor there is a tremendous increase in enrollment as the hischadshus of starting the Mishnah Berurah attracts large crowds. Additionally, the halachos of Birchos Hashachar featured on the first test are halachos with which many are familiar and thus great numbers at the first test were to be expected. However, with the advent of the complex and less familiar halachos of tzitzis, we realized that we might see a tapering off from the astronomical numbers of some 30,000 test takers that we experienced during the first test. We were wrong! The colossal numbers remained steady even in the second test. The fact that the material was more difficult and less familiar did not deter lomdei Dirshu,” Rav Rozenstein said. “This attests to the deep inroads and bond that Dirshu has forged with the communities comprising the entire cross-section of Torah observant Jewry,” Rabbi Rozenstein concluded.

The Vital Mussar Component One of the lesser known areas of the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program is the mussar component. In addition to learning a page of Sefer Mishnah Berurah with the Dirshu Mishnah Berurah’s Biurim U’musafim, lomdei Daf HaYomi B’Halacha also learn a daily quota of mussar from the sefarim of the Chofetz Chaim. This past Rosh Chodesh Iyar the program embarked on the Sefer Chofetz Chaim on hilchos lashon hara. The new Dirshu edition of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim is a groundbreaking creation that brings hundreds of citations from the other poskim as well as piskei halacha and words of gedolei haposkim and baalei mussar that shed light on the sefarim of the Chofetz Chaim. It was upon perusing this new groundbreaking work that caused the Rosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman to say, “Es shmekt der geulah.” The Chofetz Chaim himself writes in his introduction that one of reasons Moshiach has not yet arrived is because we have not yet managed to rectify the colossal sin of lashon hara. Inherent in Rav Shteinman’s words was the fact that the comprehensive learning of these halachos with the aids present in this edition of the Chofetz Chaim can help bring the geulah closer. During the visit to Rav Shteinman led by Dirshu’s Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, and other senior members of Dirshu’s hanhalah, Rav Shteinman was told that there are citations in the Biurim U’Musafim from things that he himself had said. Rav Shteinman asked if they could cite one example and they pointed to where the Chofetz Chaim writes that a person who speaks lashon hara transgresses the prohibition of chillul Hashem because lashon hara does not afford physical pleasure and thus people should not lust after it. The fact that people do desire to speak and hear lashon hara, therefore constitutes a chillul Hash-

em. Rav Shteinman, in his sefer E’eleh b’Tamar, explains that he heard from the Chazon Ish that based on this explanation of the Chofetz Chaim it is clear that the Chofetz Chaim himself did not derive pleasure from speaking lashon hara even though others do. Rav Shteinman also cited from the Mashgiach of Mir and Ponovezh, the great tzaddik, HaGaon HaRav Chatzkel Levenstein, zt”l, who essentially said that lashon hara is not a taavah, but once a person immerses himself in it and talks lashon hara without inhibition, he develops a taavah for it. A smile lit up Rav Shteiman’s countenance upon hearing those important citations from his own shmuessen. HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, Shlita: The Sin Still Has Not Been Rectified Rav Hofstedter and the hanhalah also went to the home of HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, shlita, senior Rosh Yeshiva at the Ponovezh Yeshiva where they presented him with the sefer. Rav Edelstein was similarly visibly impressed with the sefer and remarked that when the Chofetz Chaim wrote and published his Sefer Chofetz Chaim his intention was to try repairing the tremendous breach in this vital area of Yiddishkeit that had become so neglected. Although the Chofetz Chaim created a tremendous awareness with his sefer, to our great distress to this very day the sin has still not been rectified as it should. Perhaps the publishing of this sefer will lead to additional rectification of the aveirah of lashon hara and the terrible spiritual toll that it has on the collective body of Klal Yisrael, Rav Edelstein concluded. During his visit to Eretz Yisrael, Rav Hofstedter, in addition to his visits to numerous Gedolei Yisrael to present them with the new Dirshu edition of the Chofetz Chaim, gave a number of addresses. Notable among them was a powerful address to the talmidim of the

Gerer Yeshiva, Nezer HaTorah in the city of Rishon L’Tzion. The drashah was given in the presence of the Gerrer Rebbe, shlita. As the Daf HaYomi B’Halacha proceeds with learning hilchos tzitzis and then hilchos tefillin there is tremendous momentum building with more and more kehillos embarking on the serious learning of daily halacha. In fact, in his address to his Chassidim on Motzoei Shavuos, the Belzer Rebbe, shlita, stressed the importance of daily limud halacha. Now is the Time to Finally Learn Hilchos Tefillin! Rabbi Aharon Gobioff, Dirshu’s North American Director, related, “Many lomdei halacha who have learned the first chelek of Mishnah Berurah in the past would skip the complex and difficult halachos of tefillin. Now, with Dirshu inching towards the end of hilchos tzitizis and the beginning of hilchos tefillin, it is the opportune time to finally learn the halachos of tefillin and take advantage of the koach harabbim and the many shiurim currently available.” One Dirshu participant related, “I used to learn halacha quite often, but I always skipped the halachos of tzitzis and tefillin because they were not so easy to understand. Now that I am in the framework of a Dirshu program, however, I boruch Hashem am on the way to completing hilchos tzitzis and soon I will embark on hilchos tefillin! It is such a zechus to be part of this program! There are so many halachos that I thought I knew before but now I realize how little I really knew. I am thrilled to be able to be mikayem these vital halachos in the most l’chatchiladige way!” To join Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and bring daily halacha into your life, please call, 1888-5-Dirshu or e-mail, Info@kollelDirshu.org.

JUNE 4 , 2015

PHOTO CREDIT: AKP PHOTOS Rav Nossen Zupnick, Rosh Yeshivah, making havdalah

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Dancing on Motzei Shabbos

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Mesivta Shaarei Chaim Yeshiva spent Shabbos in Birchwood Estates, Monticello

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JUNE 4, 2015

Pirkei Avos. It’s not just for adults

We pray for the welfare of the government because the government protects us.

ֵ ‫[ב] ַר ִּבי ֲחנִ ינָ א ְסגַ ן ַהּכ ֲֹהנִ ים‬ ‫ ֱהוֵ י‬:‫אֹומר‬ ָ ‫ִמ ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ִּב ְׁש‬ ,‫לֹומּה ֶׁשל ַמ ְלכּות‬ ָ ‫ֶׁש ִא ְל ָמ ֵלא‬ ‫ ִאיׁש ֶאת ֵרֵֽעהּו‬,‫מֹור ָאּה‬ .‫ַחּיִ ים ְּב ָלעֹו‬

[2] Rabbi Chanina, the Assistant Kohen Gadol, would say: You should pray for the welfare of the government. If people did not fear the government everything would be wild and people would fight with one another. Did You Know??

The purpose of any government is to make sure everyone follows the rules. If people could do whatever they wanted there would be no peace, and bad people could rob and kill their neighbors. That is why we must pray for the government and follow the law. Our Sages teach us that “the law of the land is the law,’’ as long as it does not go against the law of the Torah.

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Rambam’s Fourth Annual Tefillah Week Inspires

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It was a week filled with informative and inspirational speeches, special minyanim and shiurim, and culminated with an AllNight-Learn-A-Thon and Vasikin minyan to remember! Rambam Mesivta’s Fourth Annual Tefillah Week kicked off with the entire school davening together in the main minyan followed by a special guest speaker, Mr. Lou Cohen. Mr. Cohen shared with the talmidim his story of his return to Judaism and the role tefillah played and plays in his life. He shared that “davening should be the most important thing in your life,” and that “davening allows me to be disciplined in every aspect of my life. When I speak to other people I am mature and polite because I have already spoken with Hashem.” His words, along with other uplifting and educational ideas about tefillah from Rav Kook, Rabbi Steven Burg, Rav Wolbe and more were displayed on the walls of the Shul and the backs of chairs to create an immersive tefillah-centered and focused environment. Tefillah Week also featured schoolwide Mincha minyanim featuring Rabbi Friedman, Rabbi Haar, Rabbi Eliach, and Rabbi Ziskind. From Monday to Thursday, before Mincha began, the noted educators shared wide-ranging ideas and approaches to davening to set the proper tone for that particular day’s Mincha and beyond. In keeping with Tefillah Week’s motto of “Rerouting the Routine,” Shacharis minyanim on Tuesday and Wednesday were held in classrooms featuring individual shiurim and their Rebbeim. With between 15-20 students per minyan and a change of scenery, talmidim shared how a simple thing—a change of location— can impact one’s prayers. “I feel like I mattered more in the small minyan,” mentioned one talmid, while another said, “Mixing it up a little bit really allowed me to approach davening as more than a daily chore.” In keeping with a message from last year’s Tefillah Week, “Daven for the guy sitting next to you,” on Wednesday, Rabbi Friedman led “Pekel Day,” where the talmidim anonymously shared some of the pekels, or burdens they are carrying around. Rabbi Friedman urged every-

one to enhance their davening because “even though you might be okay,” it was clear from Pekel Day that “the guy sitting next to you may be dealing with an illness, a sick relative, financial issues at home, and other difficult issues.” It was stressed that davening with a minyan allows for one to be sensitive to others and is an admission that “you are part of something bigger.” Another guest speaker, Mr. Nachum Lemkos, father of Dalia Lamkus who was murdered by terrorists earlier this year, also shared words of chizuk with the boys and expressed his recognition that prayer is the cornerstone of Yiddishkeit and a connection to Hashem and Klal Yisrael. The finale of Tefillah Week was an All-Night-Learn-A-Thon featuring shiurim from Rabbi Friedman, Rabbi Rabbi Werblowsky, and Rabbi Haar. At midnight, Rabbi Singer and freshman Natan Alon led the boys in a kumzitz which gave everyone renewed energy to keep the learning going. Following the kumzitz, Aaron Friedman delivered Dunkin Donuts, coffee, and hot cocoa, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Goldman l’zecher nishmas Elana bas Raizel. From that point on there was continuous open learning as well as some sports in the gym. The Chesed Committee ran a Foul Shooting Contest to raise funds for IDF Soldiers and freshman Jacob Srulovich was the big winner, going 10-10 from the line in the second round and averaging 90% free throw shooting overall! As the sun rose, it was palpable to the 60 talmidim who learned together, played together, and now prayed together that they were bonded in something that would last more than the night, and indeed were committed to a renewed desire to improve their tefillot beyond Tefillah Week.

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Bikurcholimofqueens@gmail.com

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JUNE 4 , 2015

Girls, Teens, Moms & Grandmas !

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Around The Community Bikur Cholim of Queens Ladies’ Zumba Event For over 40 years, Bikur Cholim of Queens (BCQ) has met the myriad needs of its local cholim. As long as the need for Bikur Cholim grows, our vision grows. We are looking to drive patients both ways to and from their medical appointments and to provide meals for the families at home while a loved one is in the hospital. This will require cooks and bakers to help Bikur Cholim constantly stock a freezer so that we can provide meals on a minute’s notice. High School Chessed girls are needed to do homework with patients’ siblings. BCQ has a medical referral program for the overwhelmed patients which will help navigate them better. We need volunteers to sleep overnight in the hospital to alleviate the parents and provide them with the opportunity to spend the night with their family at home. Bikur Cholim’s vision cannot be done without the involvement and dedication of each and every one of you!

True to its original mission, today Bikur Cholim continues to meet the ever-growing needs in the Queens community. BCQ operates a room in New York Hospital of Queens that is fully stocked with meals, drinks, and snacks for visitors and loved ones. They send weekly visitors to Jewish patients. Each yom tov, they deliver flowers, reading material, and good cheer to people who must spend yom tov in the hospital away from their families. Volunteer drivers take patients to doctors’ appointments in all five boroughs, at all hours of the day. Dedicated Bikur Cholim volunteers cook nutritious, diet specific meals for cholim recovering at home as well as meals for parents who have a sick child in the hospital. Bikur Cholim of Queens lends out medical equipment such as wheelchairs and stairlifts to those in need. Most recently, Bikur Cholim of

Queens has started a voucher program for expectant mothers. They have partnered with a car service that employs non-Jewish drivers to meet the needs of expectant mothers who require transportation to the hospital on Shabbos and yom tov. The drivers will be instructed about all religious requirements and no money will have to be provided. Only the voucher needs to be handed to the driver. Unfortunately, the needs of cholim and their families only continue to increase. In order to continue its most important work, Bikur Cholim needs many more volunteers—men and women. They are looking for people in high school and older to volunteer. They are in urgent need of drivers, especially in the late afternoon and early evening while most mothers are busy with their children. In between classes you can do a tremendous mitzvah. More volunteers are needed to make hospital visits on a weekly or biweekly basis.

BCQ is hosting an event to create awareness in the Queens community. Please join the Bikur Cholim of Queens this Sunday, June 7 from 4:007:00pm for a Ladies Zumba Event featuring Shimi 2 Zumba at the Yeshiva of Central Queens gym, 147-37 70th Road in Kew Gardens Hills. The cost for the event is $25 for girls until 12 years old and $36 for 12 and older. This is the cost as long as you pre-register on www. bikurcholimqueens.org. You only need to register and can pay at the door. There will be a $40 fee at the door. Parking will be available in the YCQ parking lot. Please join us this Sunday and show your support to a very important and much needed organization in our very own home. Let us ALL come together and unite to help our fellow brothers and sisters in their time of need. Together, WE can make a difference.

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Around The Community Marching Proudly at the Celebrate Israel Parade The Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys

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The three HALB principals at the Parade – HALB Elementary Principal, Rabbi Dovid Plotkin; SKA Head of School, Mrs. Helen Spirn; DRS Menahel, Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky. On the One Israel Fund Float

Yeshiva Har Torah

Midreshet Shalhevet

Toddlers pack a mini-Tel Aviv beach at IAC Celebrate Israel New York

Around The Community

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Marching Proudly at the Celebrate Israel Parade Rambam Mesivta

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HAFTR

L to R: Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, High School Judaic Studies Principal, Ms. Naomi Lippman, High School General Studies Principal, Dr. Adam J. Lish, Vice President of Education

Hebrew Academy of Nassau County

Around The Community Rain or Shine: Support for Israel Strong in Central Park Israel Day Concert PHOTO CREDITS: MAXINE DOVERE AND BARRY BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

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Torrential rains dampened the SummerStage in Central Park, but not the spirit of the performers and organizers of the 22nd Annual 22nd Israel Day Concert. Rain forced more than 10,000 celebrants to evacuate Rumsey Playfield prematurely, but several entertainers and those who produced a magnificent event for Israel remained. (L-R) Shlomi Cohen; National Council Young Israel President Farley Weiss; Israeli pianist extraordinaire Shlomi Aharoni; Israeli superstar Gad Elbaz; Dr. Paul Brody, and Israeli mega-talent Tal Vaknin holding the Israeli flag, Israeli singing star Mati Shriki, and Dr. Joseph Frager.

Gov. Mike Huckabee, Republican contender for the U.S. presidency, shows that he is multi-talented, as he plays guitar at concert. He is flanked by Shloime Dachs, musical director at right, and (L-R) Zvika Bornstein, Dr. Joseph Frager, and Dr. Paul Brody.

Ambassador John Bolton, a leading authority on the Iranian nuclear threat (2nd from right) is flanked by activists, from L-R: Jeff Wiesenfeld of the Jewish Rapid Response Team; Dr. Joseph Frager, Dr. Paul Brody, and Ken Abramowitz.

Alex Clare, singing superstar from England, entertained the remaining loyal enthusiastic crowd, at Central Park’s SummerStage, which had been filled to capacity before torrential downpours. Many danced with Israeli flags oblivious to the rain.

(L-R) Ken Abramowitz, Chairman, American Friends of Likud; Dr. Joseph Frager, Concert Organizer; and Dr. Paul Brody, Concert Chairperson, who have accompanied Gov. Huckabee (2nd from right) several times in Israel, greet him upon arriving in NYC to the Israel Day Concert in Central Park, where he was the Keynote Speaker.

By Maxine Dovere I n 1 9 9 3 , D r. J o s e p h R . F r a g er was among the initiators of an event that has become a b loved post-salute to Israel Parade tradition. The Israel Day Concert in Central Park, sponsored by the Israel Concertin-the-Park Committee, in association with Young Israel Chovevei Zion, and the National Council of Young Israel, was once again organized by Dr. Joe and Karen Frager, with Dr. Paul and Drora Brody serving as Chairpersons for the tenth consecutive year. The concert was founded by the late Carl Freyer z”l and his wife Sylvia at the re-

quest of the Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. The annual event began as the Celebrate Israel Parade drew to a close. It was held at Central Park’s Summerstage, at the Rumsey Playfield, this past Sunday, May 31. Nachum Segal served as the emcee, Zvika Bornstein as the musical producer, Shloime Dachs as the musical director, and Odeleya Jacobs as the media coordinator. A rostrum of classic and contemporary Israeli, American, French and English performers included Gad Elbaz, LIPA, Alex Clare, Tal Vaknin, accompanied by pianist extraor-

Gov. Mike Huckabee, Republican Presidential contender, delivered a stirring speech for Israel that literally opened the heavens, minutes before a torrential downpour. (L-R) Musical Producer Zvika Bornstein; longtime Concert Organizers Karen and Dr. Joseph Frager; Ken Abramowitz, Chairman American Friends of Likud; Gov. Huckabee, holding Israeli Flag with Dr. Paul Brody, Concert Chairperson, together with his wife Drora; media coordinator Odeleya Jacobs, and activist Dr. Alan Berger. Behind them is Concert Emcee Nachum Segal.

dinaire Shlomi Aharoni, Shloime Dachs, Mati Shriki, Avraham Rosenblum and his band consisting of Ruby Harris, Izzy Kieffer, Heshy R and Sam Ramras, and Shloime Dachs Orchestra & Singers presented a rich musical program. Israel Alliel and Steve Lucas, both from France, Chaim Kiss, Born Kids, and the Broadway Youth Ensemble were also featured. Jerry Markovitz and Israel Alliel both rendered unique, moving presentations of the Hatikva and Star Spangled

Banner, respectively. Young Chazzan Aryeh Pollack delivered a heartfelt “Avinu sh’baShamayim.” The Israel Day Concert—The Concert With A Message offers significantly more than music. 2015 was no exception. This year’s Concert was dedicated to the memory of Gilad Shaar, Naftali Fraenkel, and Eyal Yifrach Hy”d and all those the world-over who died al Kiddush Hashem.

Around The Community

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New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer with his wife, Elyse, and their two children marching along 5th Avenue

JUNE 4 , 2015

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and Senator Chuck Schumer stopped to pay tribute and thank the amazing team at OHEL.

The threat of rain and an occasional shower could not deter the students, faculty, and parents of Shulamith School for Girls from turning out on Fifth Avenue to Celebrate Israel on Sunday! The theme of the parade this year was Imagine, and our school theme was Shulamith Imagines Peace in Israel. Parent volunteer Mrs. Adina Goldstein dedicated her time to organizing many aspects of the parade, including the ordering of t-shirts, banners, and white dove-shaped balloons. Our beautiful

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder joined with Senator Chuck Schumer and thousands who marched and lined 5th Avenue to celebrate Israel.

L to R: Amy Beirag, Chief Administrative Officer, David Mandel, Chief Executive Officer, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder

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Shulamith Imagines Peace in Israel

salmon colored t-shirts were designed by eighth grader Hana Adler, who created a stylized dove holding an olive branch in its mouth. Eighth graders Adina Lev, Eliana Hirsch, and Meira Saffra proudly carried the Shulamith banner and were flanked on either side by flag bearers

Michal Ginsburg and Ella Kurtz. The opening banner of the parade was held by the G.O. Presidents, Sela Pollak and Rachelli Wasser, and by Vice Presidents, Tamar Davies and Eliana Eichler. The banner featured the word IMAGINE in giant letters superimposed above the word PEACE which was repeated in the background. Directly behind the opening banner were Hana Adler, Natalie Barbanel, Rebecca Boczko, Riva Charnowitz, Tamar Herschberg, Abby Lieber, Eliana Millstone, Zoe Poznanski, Avigail Sassoon, and Nava Yastrab, proudly holding aloft Israeli flags. At the back of the Shulamith contingent, eighth graders Tova Krupka and Shayna Eisenberg were positioned on either side of the closing banner, carrying Shulamith flags. The closing banner was carried by last year’s G.O. Vice Presidents, Sari Dubin and Zahava Graff, and by yearbook editors, Channa Gelbtuch and Ilana Katz. The banner featured a beautiful image of a dove and our heartfelt tefillah: Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim, yishlayu ohavayich! May Hakadosh Baruch Hu bring peace to Jerusalem and to all of Israel!

Around The Community NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer at Met Council Breakfast

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At this week’s Learn & Live Program, R’ Asher Shteirman came back for part II of Shatnez, “The Really, Really Bad Mix.” He told stories and showed articles of clothing involved in the stories of where shatnez was found. He also passed around materials for the boys to see shatnez and explained how powerful the mitzvah of shatnez is. Towards the end of the presentation, he called on boys to look through a microscope and see slides of linen and describe what they saw. The boys really got a very hands-on to the important mitzvah of shatnez.

New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer spoke at the annual Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty Annual Legislative breakfast on Sunday. “I join with many other in wishing the Met Council good luck and success with Comptroller Stringer is seen here at the Met Council breakfast with Alan its new leadership Schoor, president and CEO of the Met Council. team. With more than 300,000 Jewish New Yorkers living in would be hard to imagine our City withpoor or near-poor homes, Met Council’s out your good works—and your compasmission is more important than ever. It sion,” Stringer said.

Madraigos Teen Workshops Teach Healthy Life Choices Students of Stella K. Abraham (SKA) High School for Girls were treated to ten workshops presented by Mrs. Chanie Delman, LCSW, Clinical Director at Madraigos, coaching them to develop healthy mindsets and skills in responding to two different sets of challenges facing today’s teenagers. Each nighth grade class received workshops on social media/internet safety, while workshops on body image issues were presented to each tenth grade class. In view of Madraigos’ greater goal of improving and maintaining good mental health among the teenage population, it was natural that the SKA High School invited Mrs. Delman of Madraigos to deliver a presentation on these topics. Teenagers are becoming more and more connected through technology. Approximately 75% of all American teens have a profile on a social networking site and many of them visit social networking sites every day, some of them multiple times each day. While there are some distinct benefits to the easy availability of being connected, there are also many disadvantages and risks associated with this activity. Because of teenagers’ high impulsivity level, teens are more prone to post thoughts, stories and/or pictures before giving a chance to consider the potential consequences and negative repercussions on them. Undesirable consequences can range from developing dependence on social media/internet and/or cellphones, embarassment arising from poor choice of words or photos shared, to becoming ensnared in the nefarious designs of cyber-criminals and predators perusing popular social networking sites.

After advising the students of the risks and potential pitfalls of engaging with social media and internet, Mrs. Delman provided the ninth graders with guidance on appropriate safety measures to take when engaging social media/internet. Included in this, were instructions never to give out personal information, photos or physical location to people/users they were not familiar with. Students were reminded that once the information leaves one’s private domain, it becomes totally and permanently public within seconds; shared information or photographs can never be retrieved. Lastly, students were strongly urged never to meet in person with anyone that they “met” on social media/internet. Teenage girls in particular are more likely than the general population to have an unhealthy body image, often wishing that they could change their body size or shape to match an idealized body image based on messages from the media, advertisers, social media and pressure applied by family and peers. People with a negative body image continually compare their bodies to others they view as the “popular crowd,” feel shame, anxiety and self-consciousness about their bodies, and may have a distorted perception of their shape and size. The impact of such negative body images on a teenager’s mental and physical health runs deep, leading to low self-esteem, depression and eating disorders. Mrs. Delman helped the tenth graders understand the importance of challenging these self-defeating thoughts by understanding that they are often a product of unhealthy messages preaching the preeminence

of looking “pretty” and being thin over all other personal attributes that have far greater relevance for bettering society. Mrs. Delman showed the students a teen-savvy slide presentation which depicted some of the sources of these unhealthy messages. These include pressure applied by family and friends who harangue or tease the teenager about her appearance, insisting that she will not be successful or happy unless she “measures up” to an impossible “gold standard.” Being continuously bombarded by these messages can cause a teenager to buy into the notion that “If I looked like her (i.e., a model or actress, etc.), I, too, would be loved by the world,” or “I will enjoy more happiness and fulfillment in life.” The students were taught to view themselves using healthier barometers of one’s worth such as friendliness, ability to love, loyalty, inner wisdom and creativity. This presentation triggered intense discussion among the students, some of whom maintained that they had positive body images which helped them adjust to life’s vicissitudes, while other students expressed an interest on working to improve their body images. It is evident that Madraigos’ work with the high school students has the potential to have long-lasting positive effects on their body image, self-esteem and associated mental health.

The social media/internet safety workshop and body image workshop are just two examples of the suite of services offered through Madraigos’ SchoolBased Services Program. In this program, Madraigos’ team of professionals and social work interns assist local yeshivas and high school staff in meeting the social and emotional needs of their students. Additional services that Madraigos provides include the after-school “Lounge” program, year-round events, in-school programs, as well as parent and community education. For teenagers struggling with substance abuse, Madraigos provides a myriad of life-saving clinical intervention services that ensure that the young adults and their families receive caring and comprehensive support and guidance during their most difficult times. The mission of Madraigos is clear: To provide all of its members with the necessary tools and skills to empower them to live a healthy and productive lifestyle and become the leaders of tomorrow. To arrange a workshop in your school, please contact Chanie Delman, LCSW, Clinical Director at Madraigos, (516)371-3250 ext. 2 or email cdelman@ madraigos.org.

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Gavriel Sassoon, Living Emunah, Inspires Yeshiva Darchei Torah

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Gavriel Sassoon reciting Kaddish at the siyum in memory of his children

Two months after losing seven children in the fire that destroyed his home, Reb Gavriel Sassoon recited Kaddish at a siyum held in their memory at Yeshiva Darchei Torah. The siyum was on Seder Moed, whose Mishnayos were learned collectively by the talmidim of YDT’s Middle School l’ilui nishmas the seven

Gavriel Sassoon speaking at Mesivta Chaim Shlomo

children. Elazar Frischman, a YDT talmid and camp friend of Dovid Sassoon, gave brief words of remembrance, and Yirmi Gerstel led the siyum. After the siyum, Reb Gavriel Sassoon offered words of chizuk in honor of Shavuos, focusing on the importance of building a relation-

Gavriel Sassoon with Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah

ship with Hashem, as well as with our fellow Jews, as prerequisites for Kabbolas HaTorah. After Shavuos, Reb Gavriel returned to the Yeshiva, addressing Mesivta Chaim Shlomo and the eighth grade/ Mechina with a powerful shmuess wherein he urged the talmidim to live

Inspiration and Connection at Shevach’s Annual Mother-Daughter Brunch This past Sunday, Shevach High School students and their mothers enjoyed an annual brunch with a thought-provoking shiur, culminating the end of another academic school year. It took place at the Young Israel of Hillcrest to a standing-room-only crowd. Additional tables had to be added to accommodate the overflow attendees. Rebetzin Hirtz welcomed the mothers and daughters with a lesson learned from the past week‘s haftorah. She quoted Rav Shimon Schwab z”l who taught that the father of the nazir Shimshon was told by the angel that he must conduct himself as a nazir if his son is to be a nazir. This is because the main chinuch tool is modeling behavior we would like to see in our children. Rebetzin Miriam Krohn addressed the crowd about developing coping skills in ourselves and in our children. Life sometimes necessitates the ability to go to “Plan B.” To meet challenges, both temporary and permanent, one has to view things as technical, not emotional. One has to stop blaming oneself

or others for that matter. And we have to be realistic about what to expect in different situations. “Life happens,” said Mrs. Krohn, “and when things are challenging it is not sabotage or personal. Our ability to cope and be resilient will determine the outcome.” Both mothers and daughters left feeling empowered and confident in their new approach to the day-to-day difficulties that often arise. Mrs. Krohn ended with encouragement that what we deal with in life is what is meant for us. The Hebrew word emunah and aim (mother) share the same two letter root as emes and neeman, which mean constant and everlasting. Our emunah in Hashem and the knowledge that He takes care of us and guides us through life gives us the strength to cope and withstand all of life’s events. Her bracha to all was that these difficulties should be small and temporary and we should be able to cope with them in a positive manner.

lives of Kiddush Hashem. Reb Gavriel then visited the Yeshiva’s world-renowned Weiss Vocational Center. Recordings are available by emailing news@darchei.org or calling 718.868.2300 ext. 312

Moshe Katz and Tuvia Kleinkaufman, Yeshiva Ketana Zichron Chaim U’Bina’s 2015 Chess Champions. Their championship chess match ended in a stalemate.

Roadwork to Begin on NY 878 Nassau County Alternate Deputy Presiding Officer Howard Kopel is letting residents know that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has announced that midday, off-peak lane closures have started between Burnside Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. A single travel lane will remain open at all times. According to the NYSDOT, these lane closures are necessary to perform drainage improvement and repave this section of NY 878. “These repairs are long overdue, but just the beginning of what needs to be

done on NY 878,” said Legislator Kopel. “I will continue to advocate for the changes and improvements that we really need.” Highway 878 faces continual and intolerable congestion, which poses a safety risk for the hundreds of thousands of residents who would need to use it as an evacuation route. Legislator Kopel has worked in a bipartisan fashion to try and resolve the many issues facing motorists who use Highway 878, meeting with Senator Charles Schumer and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder to work towards a resolution.

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Around The Community FD NOW Celebrates 13th Annual Dinner and Over a Decade of Treatment Breakthroughs On June 11, FD NOW, a nonprofit supporting research to drive better treatment and cures for Familial Dysautonomia (FD), a life-threatening autonomic disease, will hold their 13th annual dinner. In less than 15 years, the organization, with the help of Dr. Berish Rubin and Dr. Sylvia Anderson from The Laboratory for Familial Dysautonomia at Fordham University, has been able to conduct life-changing research, drastically improving the quality of life and life expectancy of those living with FD. “About a decade ago, the life expectancy of someone with FD was teen years to young adulthood,” says Ann Slaw, president and founder of FD NOW and parent of a child with FD. “With new treatments and research funding by FD NOW, life-expectancy is longer, and perhaps more important, quality of life is much better!” FD is only found in Ashkenazi Jews and is inherited the same way as Tay-Sachs. People with FD have an impaired autonomic nervous system, which makes each breath, swallow and heartbeat undependable and erratic. They are prone to wild swings in blood pressure and to life-threatening autonomic crisis. It also impairs part of the sensory nervous system that controls pain and temperature, often allowing broken bones, burns and frostbite to go undetected. After discovering the gene mutation in 2001 at their laboratory, Drs. Rubin and Anderson have been able to find treatments that help reverse effects of the gene mutation allowing individuals with FD to lead healthier and happier lives. Breakthroughs since 2001 include: • Discovering that FD is caused by mutations to the IKBKAP gene, which is why individuals with FD make insufficient amounts of the protein called IKAP. This discovery made carrier testing and prenatal screening possible. • Finding that tocotrienols increase IKAP protein levels in cells of people with FD. Tocotrienols became the first treatment developed for FD that addressed the underlying

genetic defect on a molecular level. After a few months of tocotrienol ingestion, patients experienced significant improvement in autonomic stability. • In 2005, Drs. Rubin and Anderson observed a monoamine oxidase deficiency in individuals with FD and was the first time hypertensive crisis triggers were identified. Their research found that a tyramine-free diet in conjunction with limiting protein intake may eliminate the occurrence of hypertensive crises. • In collaboration with the Fordham lab, a child with FD taking tocotrienol and EGCG-containing green tea extract (GTE) underwent surgery at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. While in the past surgery and anesthesia have resulted in life-threatening autonomic instability and sometimes death, this patient exhibited no autonomic instability. “It’s truly amazing how much has been accomplished in such a short period of time,” notes Ann. “A lot of the mysteries of FD have been uncovered however, there is still a lot more that needs to be done.” Each year, FD NOW raises between $200,000-$300,000 with $80,000-$90,000 coming from the annual dinner and other funds coming from other fundraising events, grants and donor appeals. It takes about $200,000 just to run the FD lab in Fordham. More funds are needed to continue to advance the great work that is already being done. “The outcomes speak for themselves,” says Ann. “The research done through the organization by Drs. Rubin and Anderson has been changing the lives of individuals with FD and impacting those who love and care for those individuals in an unprecedented manner. We need to continue to push towards more treatments and cures for these individuals.” The dinner will be held on Thursday, June 11 at the Sephardic Temple, 775 Branch Boulevard in Cedarhurst, NY, at 6pm.

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Hebrew Academy of Nassau County Brookdale High School

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Hats Off to the

Class of 2015!

on their acceptances to the following Yeshivot, Seminaries, and Universities

YESHIVOT & SEMINARIES Darchei Binah

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Rabbi Shlomo Adelman Menahel/Principal

Mrs. Carole Tabin Associate Principal

Ms. Tziporah Zucker Assistant Principal

Rabbi Avraham Ismach Director of Israel Guidance

Mrs. Linda Nathan

Asst. Director of Israel Guidance

Ms. Karen Sheff

Director of College Guidance

Mrs. Marisa Gelb

Asst. Director of College Guidance

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JUNE 4, 2015

Around The Community Masmidim Trip to Camp Kaylie Celebrates a Year of Learning Members of Rambam Mesivta’s prestigious Masmidim Extra Learning Program boarded a coach bus on Sunday for two days of learning, go-karting, and sports at scenic Camp Kaylie. Upon arrival, the Masmidim were treated to delicious snacks and started playing Frisbee, basketball, hockey, and football. Softballs were being tossed

around, football games broke out and before the trip was over, spirited games of Touch-Rugby and BBK (Basketball/ Baseball/Kickball) were in earnest. Following his Tefillah Week kumzitz which was apparently a warm-up, Natan Alon, going solo or ALONe, led the midnight kumzitz held in a gazebo by the lake. The sounds of the Masmidim

singing and dancing under the stars filled the mountainside! The highlight of the trip, besides the go-karts, was definitely the learning featuring shiurim from Rabbi Haar and Rabbi Ziskind. Another highlight was that the Masmidim were honored to share the camp with members of Otsar who piggybacked onto the Masmidim trip so they could have their annual getaway. When Mr. Goldman was approached by Otsar to “share” the trip in terms of the facilities, he immediately invited them to share in Rambam’s minyanim, learning, dining and in full. He noted, “Watching one of the Rambam guys have hagbah with one of the Otsar individuals doing gelilah was a beautiful sight. It was clear from the way the Masmidim interacted with the Otsar group that their learning is not just an exercise in intellectual stimulation, but something that is instilling in them the values to share their learning and make others feel comfortable.” It was a wonderful and meaningful year of learning and the program which grew so much this year is already look-

ing to grow and expand next year. With the help of the dedicated rebbeim who run the program, and the zealous Rambam students who show up to learn, there is confidence that the Masmidim Program will be back bigger and better in 5776!

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Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Bike-a-Thon draws record crowd, funds for scholarships

RNSP Hosts its Third Annual Bike Etching Event The Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol (“RNSP”) held its third annual Bike Etching event this past Sunday, May 31 in conjunction with the Annual Yeshiva Darchei Torah Bike-a-Thon. Etching consists of engraving a serial number on bikes, scooters, strollers, etc. The serial number is then filed with the NYPD and RNSP and can help return a recovered stolen bike to its rightful owner. The event was a raving success with hundreds of bikes etched and registered in the RNSP/NYPD database. In addition to the bikes registered in the previous years’ events, our database now boasts over 2,000 bikes, constituting a large proportion of the bikes in circulation in our area which are now traceable to their owners. In addition to getting their bikes etched, children of all ages enjoyed a day of fun and activities which featured a wall climbing center generously provided and operated by NYPD Community Affairs Chief Joan Jaffe and her crew led by Lt. Ruiz, as well as plenty of giveaways. Yeshiva Darchei Torah set up a bike repair station where children were able to get small repairs done and tires inflated. New York Life Insurance Company representatives provided children and their parents with safety tools, and the FDNY set up a booth and offered fire safety awareness materials and giveaways. Klein’s Ice Cream graciously donated countless boxes of popsicles which RNSP volunteers distributed to all bike-a-thon participants. Each bike etching registrant received a reflective safety vest and a bag full of goodies, courtesy of Brach’s Supermarket. The RNSP thanks its community partners and sponsors for their generosity which made this event possible. Our sponsors included: Brach’s Supermarket, Klein’s Ice Cream Co., Cosmati Stones, MoldPro, Lazer Marble, Devori’s Salon and Carlos & Gabby’s. The RNSP also thanks South Shore Bikes, La Toys, Fitwise 4 Kids, Oh! Nuts, Hapina, and

Qcumbers for donating raffle prizes to enhance the event further. The RNSP also expresses a great deal of gratitude to our member Mayer Schwartz for leading the effort in coordinating this event, the 101st Precinct Commanding Officer D.I. Justin Lenz, NYPD Community Affairs Officers Kevin Campbell, Maurice Roper and Matthew Beigay, the FDNY, Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol and Akiva Klein for providing the Mobile Command Center, Queens South Borough Chief David Barrere and our long-time friend and partner Mr. Aviv Stein of Dynamic Productions. *** The RNSP was founded over three years ago to assist the Rockaway and Nassau community members in any way possible, to help combat crime in the Rockaway community, and to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. The

RNSP plays an essential role in protecting our community as it provides invaluable services and acts as the eyes and ears of our local police departments. The RNSP is composed of a team of well-trained volunteers dedicated to protecting their community and responding to cases of searches and rescues of runaway teens and young missing persons, teenagers at risk, domestic violence, and people with mental or physical disabilities. In addition, the RNSP runs programs for the youth in the Rockaway community such as bike etching, anti-drug campaigns, and events geared towards children to bring awareness of criminal and terrorist threat. The RNSP has established close relationships and keeps in constant contacts with agencies and organizations such as the police departments, Hatzalah, Office of Emergency Management, JCCRC, District Attorney’s Office, FEMA, Social Services, as well as many other community-based charitable organizations. The RNSP is composed of the fol-

lowing four divisions: The Night Patrol volunteers patrol in marked cars from 9PM–12AM (To volunteer to patrol in a marked car once a month, please send an email with your name, phone number, and address to dispatch@rockawaypatrol.org.) The RNSP Tech Team retrieves and reviews video footage to hand over to detective squads to assist in crime resolution. The Security Alerts Division disseminates pertinent safety alerts and tips to the community through emails, Twitter and Facebook. (To sign up for the Security Alerts, please send an email to securityalerts@rockawaypatrol.org and enter the phrase “Sign me up” in the Subject field.) The RNSP Rapid Response Team volunteers are on call 24/7 to patrol the streets and respond to calls. The 24-Hour RNSP Hotline is 917727-7306.

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New Principal at Yeshiva Darchei Torah

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student to not only absorb information and accumulate knowledge but to internalize the education he receives here and apply it to his life.” Rabbi Leff succeeds Dr. Yitzchak Goldberg, who has been principal of the Middle School for the last eight years and educational director of the Rabenstein Learning Center for two years prior to that. He has been appointed as associate principal at YDE High School, a yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York. In his letter, Rabbi Bender wrote of Dr. Goldberg: “He has made an indelible and immeasurable impact on the lives of hundreds of talmidim, their families and Yeshiva Darchei Torah as a whole. He will be missed. “The importance of having a rigorous general studies program in a contemporary yeshiva cannot be overstated, and Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s program is the envy of the chinuch world. In filling the role of principal of general studies, I sought an individual who will not only maintain the Middle School’s track record of success, but build on it as well. “I am confident that Rabbi Leff will prove to be a tremendous asset to our team as well as the leader and educator that the Middle School’s teachers, parents, and, most of all, its talmidim, truly deserve.”

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Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, has announced the appointment of Rabbi Moshe (Michael) Leff as principal of general studies for the Yeshiva’s Middle School. Rabbi Leff is currently a successful rebbi in the Yeshiva Darchei Torah Elementary School, where he has been teaching since 2005. For the last two years he has also served as an assistant principal at its Middle School. Before joining Yeshiva Darchei Torah, he taught at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach. In a letter to the Middle School parents, Rabbi Bender described Rabbi Leff as “a distinguished talmid chochom and compassionate mechanech who focuses on the unique needs of each individual student in his care.” A native of Far Rockaway, Rabbi Leff studied at HILI, HAFTR, Yeshivat Hakotel and, from 1987 to 1994, Ner Israel in Baltimore, where he was a close talmid of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky, zt”l, and where he received semicha. He holds a master’s degree from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. “I see it as my mandate to continue and build on the phenomenal success of the Yeshiva’s general studies program,” says Rabbi Leff, “and to empower each

Rabbi Akiva Oppen of Oppen Scrolls came to give the three year old children at HAFTR a lesson on how a mezuzah and the klaf is made. He brought samples of the parchment paper it is written on and he showed the children the special quill that he uses. The students learned the significance of a mezuzah and placing it on doors in our homes, schools and places of work.

ABC Authors at Yeshiva Ketana Zichron Chaim U’Bina

The second grade in Yeshiva Ketana Zichron Chaim U’Bina of Queens celebrated Author’s Day on Tuesday, May 5. Mrs. Gruza’s students had written ABC books over several months and were proud to share their creations with parents and other students. The books were mini-dictionaries that were intended to explain lots of information in a particular category. By finding words that began with each letter of the alphabet, students were able to come up with 26 different types of animals, musical instruments, cooking items or medical or health-related words. The writing process was long and arduous but remarkably fulfilling.

The boys began the process by using dictionaries to help find and/or define their 26 vocabulary words. They wrote definitions, used the words in sentences and then added a whimsical bit of information to complete the “story” of each word. The second graders then spent several weeks on editing, illustrating and writing an “About the Author” page. During their Author’s Day celebration, besides reading from their informative books, the boys showed off their clever dioramas and dressed in uniforms that related to their books. At the party, the boys—as well as the parents and teachers—could not stop beaming.

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Around The Community Bais Yaakov of Queens Third Grade Authors Celebrate Author’s Day Last week, Bais Yaakov of Queens hosted quite a celebration! The entire third grade invited their parents to share their daughters’ progress as writers, allowing them a unique opportunity into the writing process at BYQ. Upon entering the school, the digital screen displayed pictures of every stu-

dent working on her writing. Students were at their desks writing or researching, sharing their pieces of writing with their peers, or conferencing with

their teacher. As the guests entered their daughters’ classroom, they were greeted by their daughter and invited to work on making a beautiful bookmark as a keepsake. The girls ushered their parents to small groupings of parents and students. They sat together and listened to each of the group’s girls read a piece of writing she chose to share. Some of the types of writing included biographies, poetry, personal narratives, and fairy tales. Their portfolios were filled with their writing, offering a glimpse as to how highly regarded writing is to the general studies curriculum. “The validation of each girl’s ideas, opinions, wishes and perspectives of her world

should be respected, valued and appreciated,” said Mrs. Bergman, the general studies principal who designed the curriculum. Following the groups’ read aloud, the girls, bursting with pride, led their guests to the 4th floor computer labs and shared their hyper-studio project with their guests. The project was a culmination of research that was displayed creatively, thanks to their teachers, Mrs. Evelyn Avni, Miss Tziporah Halberstam, Mrs. Baila Kramer, Mrs. Shira Silber, and Mrs. Malkie Merrill, the computer teacher. “Each girl’s project reflects the in depth, independent learning our educational team of classroom and specialty teachers encourage, model and nurture for our girls to be able to accomplish,” Mrs. Reisbaum, general studies assistant principal, said. Of course, every celebration includes refreshments, and so all of the girls and their guests met in the BYQ lunchroom. The room, thanks to Mrs. Finkey Levine, was transformed into

a fun and festive party. Upon entering the room, everyone was welcomed with a bright, smile-making sign congratulating the third grade authors. Balloons were weighted with books on colorful covered tables in the center of the room. The four corners had huge displays with mounted pictures of each student, again, busy in the writing process. There were multiple video monitors showing pictures of the girls, too. Each class had their own delicious and magnificent cake to share with guests. Fresh fruit and drinks completed the mouthwatering refreshments. Rabbi Mordechai Gewirtz, dean, Mrs. Sarah Bergman and Mrs. Karen Reisbaum circulated throughout the room, personally congratulating the girls and teachers for a most successful year, and shepping nachas with parents. Their pride in the girls’ accomplishments was truly heartwarming, making everyone feel like a special part of the warm and loving Bais Yaakov family.

Rep. Rice to Hold Mobile Office Hours in Cedarhurst Staff members from U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice’s office will hold mobile office hours this week in Cedarhurst to offer help to constituents with issues related to Superstorm Sandy. Rice’s staff will be joined by attorneys, interns and case managers from the Touro Law Center Disaster Relief Clinic, who will provide Sandy survivors with free legal assistance and information about the newly released claims review process for homeowners whose claims

were denied or underpaid. The mobile office will be available in Cedarhurst on Sunday, June 7 at the Kulanu Fair in Cedarhurst Park between the hours of 12:30-3:30pm. During the week of June 15, Rice’s staff will hold mobile office hours to help constituents with issues related to healthcare and Medicare, and the following week will hold mobile office hours focused on issues affecting veterans and their families.

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JUNE 4 , 2015 At Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Middle School Debate, Moderated By Michael Fragin

BBY Sherry Garber Preschool Leading the Way in Healthy Habits The Sherry Garber Pre-school has long been a champion of healthy habits, leading the way in its healthy snack policy and in its monthly Healthy Habits assemblies. But recently Morah Yehudis Oppen, Pre-school Director, took the concept to a new level. With subsidization from OHEL, the BBY pre-school held an exciting week-long health fair, from May 18-21. Deputized by Morah Yehudis to spearhead this project, Mrs. Amy Snow, pre-school secretary par excellence, ran the show. Each of the eleven pre-school classes prepared a song/dance presentation on their assigned health topic which was then videoed by Mrs. Snow. Each class also worked on a tri-fold presentation board related to their topic, with 100% student participation. At their designated time each class was ushered into the

Health Fair and was shown the video of all the class presentations. (Of course, each class found their own segment to be the most entertaining!) Then Mrs. Snow showed the children around to the tri-fold boards and did some interesting experiments and hands-on activities with them.  The pre-schoolers saw firsthand how soda can stain an eggshell and how vigorous brushing can lighten that stain. By extrapolation they now understand the benefits of brushing their teeth. (Nobody wanted their teeth to look as brown as that soda-stained eggshell!)  The girls also had the opportunity to fill a brightly colored Velcro dinner plate with appropriate choices from all the food groups, to answer the question, “What are you eating for a healthy dinner tonight?”

 When Mrs. Snow put germs (a.k.a. black pepper) on her finger, the children saw a demonstration of how germs can stick to a finger and how soap repels the germs in a bowl of water.  A bike safety quiz ended in each girl receiving her very own, individual-

ized “bike and scooter” license!  As a health fair give-away, each little pre-schooler was handed a bag in which lay a water bottle, tooth saver necklace, first aid kit, and sunglasses, among other gifts. The health fair generated a loud buzz of excitement in the preschool. To add to the fun, Fitwize, a local fitness operation which caters to children, ran a 45 minute session for each class during which balance and coordination were emphasized and practiced. The Fitwize representative established an upbeat, encouraging atmosphere in which she urged the children to race and stretch and bend and twist and run and reach and M-O-V-E! The Health Fair, like many BBY initiatives, taught important lessons in a happy and positive way. Teachers were thrilled with their students’ participation. Parents were thrilled with the information that their children learned. And the children were just thrilled!

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Around The Community Secular Jews Learn Torah All Night The koach of Torah is such that you can fill a room with people from all walks of life, diversified in both background and education, yet they are connected via the study of Torah. Torah is our life blood. It is what has sustained the Jewish People throughout the nearly two millennia of exile and persecution. On Shavuos the Flatbush community witnessed the power of Torah to transform and uplift close to eighty secular and less-affiliated Jews. The Brooklyn Jewish Xperience Beis HaMedrash (BJX) was filled to capacity Shavuos night with Torah classes taught until 4:45am. You were able to feel a special kind of anticipation in the air. Many of the college students who came to BJX on Shavuos remained awake all night learning. Their Torah learning was truly unique. Many of them had never before learned Torah and for most of them they were keeping a yom tov they never before heard of. “I knew about Passover and Yom Kippur. But who ever heard of this holiday when you stay up all night learning?” reflected Bret. This sentiment was shared by many of the students. All of this changed when Rav Yitzchok Fingerer and his brother Rabbi Moshe invited them to participate in an all-night learnathon. A large group of college students and young professionals joined Rabbi and Mrs. Moshe Fingerer for a tasty Shavous dinner at BJX

where they were introduced to the concept of bridging the holiness of Shabbos together with the holiness of yom tov. Many witnessed their first kiddush and havdalah. As soon as the delicious meal concluded, tables were folded and the Beis Medrash was quickly arranged for all night learning with a series of classes each hour, commencing at 11pm. Rav Yitzchok Fingerer, the Rav of BJX Beis Medrash, began with a dynamic Torah discussion on relationships. Everyone laughed as he humorously introduced them to pesukim from Chumash and explained the Torah’s perspective with practical examples. He quoted numerous Torah sources and left the captive audience thirsty to learn more. After the shiur, everyone took a break for yummy desserts and enjoyed a beautiful Viennese table with both pareve and dairy cheesecakes, ice creams, flavored ice coffees and an assortment of pastries. Rabbi Moshe Fingerer, executive director of BJX, than captivated the audience with a shiur on Har Sinai as it relates to us today. He took everyone on an exciting journey back to Mount Sinai and astutely elucidated how each mitzvah is an opportunity to achieve closeness with Hashem. He concluded his lively and empowering shiur with a story about the famed Ger Tzedek Onkelos, illustrating how everyone can reach great heights irrespective of background or education.

Mr. Yisroel Gross was the next presenter. He movingly shared two incredibly motivating stories of near death experiences. Everyone was deeply inspired by his stories, insights and Torah lessons. “To see so many people at 2am in the morning was amazing. I was very inspired. It was a real zechus for me to speak before so many different people from such different backgrounds. BJX is doing an amazing job bringing in the crowds,” said Mr. Gross. The next exciting set of shiurim were given by Rabbi Yosef Ben Chaviv, beloved scholar in residence at BJX. His intriguing topics were “Freedom of Speech & Judaism” and “Modern Psychology in the Torah.” Students love Rabbi Benchaviv’s brilliance and joie de vivre. The classes concluded with a lively Ask the Rabbi session in which many fascinating questions were answered. Mike, a secular and non-practicing college student, said, “This holiday experience was amazing. Everyone was very welcoming, intelligent and kind. The food and desserts were top notch. However, the learning was actually my favorite part. The ideas presented by various speakers really spoke to me and made complete sense.” All shiurim were dedicated as a zechus for a refuah sheleimah for Ester bas Roiza, the 3 year old niece of devoted BJX chairman, Mr. Moshe Call-

Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky shlita and Rabbi Fingerer

er. While the stimulating shiurim were taking place inside the Beis Midrash, the regular BJX mispallim learned in the lobby of the Beis Hamedrash in usual chavrusah style. The week prior to Shavous, Hagaon Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky, shlita, visited the BJX Beis Midrash. Rav Shmuel said, “I am very inspired by this organization. They are mekarev krovim and rechokim. Their hatzlacha is remarkable. Whatever they accomplish is an accomplishment for life and for generations. It’s a great mitzvah to help them.” May Hashem grant BJX the ability to continue their avodas hakodesh and together with all of Klal Yisroel merit the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

Learning and Leagues What a winter it has been, record amounts of snow and cold temperatures all around the tristate area, but you would never know it by looking at the Ignite High School Basketball League. Eight teams of cross educational teens banded together to break down all the barriers between them to show what’s most important to them—learning Torah and having fun! The boys came together once a week at 7pm at Torah Ohr Hebrew Academy in Great Neck for a unique shiur and dinner on Tuesday nights. They program was ran by Rabbi Eden Markowitz and Rabbi Doni Cohen who both taught classes and ran the league. Rabbi Avraham Kohan, the rav of Torah Ohr, taught one of the classes as well. The boys tremendously enjoyed the rabbis’ timeless life lessons as well as their relaxed and open teaching style. The dinner was also amazing! These teens from both Yeshiva Day Schools and Great Neck North High School came together to show comrad-

ery in their community one basket at a time, with local establishments from the community supporting them not only morally but financially, as well. The games were played at the beautiful Great Neck North gym and towards the end of the season at Yeshivat Har To-

rah. After the 20 game season, team Shiraz took the championship with Brandon Khanyan named MVP of the game.They managed to defeat team Colbeh and Captain Eli Shayestehpour, who had gone 17-1 in the regular season. Team Great Neck Glatt claimed the tier two cham-

pionship. Teams Everfresh, Colbeh, NuClear, Bistro Burger, Allurez and Rabani - Housh Development eagerly wait for another shot at next year’s championship.

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Rav Binyomin Eisenberger Speaks at Yeshiva Darchei Torah

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Rav Dov Keilson, mashgiach ruchani of Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, introducing Rav Eisenberger

At the Weiss Vocational Center, L-R: Rav Moshe Lubart, instructor; Rav Shimon Dachs, director; Aron Solomon, co-chairman of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Board of Directors; and Rav Eisenberger.

Rav Binyomin Eisenberger, the rav of Khal Heichal Hatefillah in Boro Park, was the guest speaker at a special mesibah held at Mesivta Chaim Shlomo. At left, Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah.

BFG Lakewood Division Opens

They were all there, the “who’s who” of Lakewood: Senator Robert W. Singer, Mayor Isaac Akerman, Assemblyman David Rible and Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein. Gathered together to commemorate the launch of the brand new BFG Lakewood division, the environment was filled with eager anticipation. The well-appointed office, modern and sleek in design, ambitious and rife with expectation, was teeming with BFG associates and personnel. Once again BFG dominates the forefront of innovation, the face of change. Known as the learning center of the world, Lakewood has seen a dearth of job opportunities. With BFG’s Lakewood opening however, its widely opened doors invite countless of opportunities, not only as jobs, but as a whole for a community that needs more professional businessmen to help manage

its district. Abraham Ekstein, CEO of BFG, addressed the assembled with his poignant opening remarks. ”BFG manages close to a billion dollars in assets. We have today, secured in potential life insurance benefits, 17.8 billion dollars in benefits for our community,” he says. Seventeen billion dollars! Senator Singer spoke next, clearly animated and passionate about BFG. “I purchased my very first life insurance right after my first child was born,” he stated. With a background in finance he has an extra dose of appreciation for the work BFG does. “I know all about BFG, I have heard of the work they do, the success they operate on, before I was even called down to this event,” he said. “Know, dear associates, that every person you protect is a gift you are giving that can’t be monetized or appreciated enough,” Senator

Singer proclaimed, “I couldn’t think of a more deserving place to receive this gift as the wonderful Lakewood community!” he concluded heartily. Particularly delighted are the current Lakewood BFG associates. One such associate, Avrohom B. Edelman, took the stand. Eloquently, he addressed the crowd. “Last week I attended a BFG conference in San Diego. One day, during our short stay, we went to visit MCRD, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the largest marine recruiting center of the United States. Arriving there, I asked the Commander, ‘Why here, in San Diego, on prime real estate, located right at the city’s harbor and airport, did you set up a Marine Corps Recruitment base?’ “The Commander explained how the coast of San Diego is the southern most tip of the Pacific in the United States and has the crucial resource of

‘surge capability’ – the capability of quickly training large amounts of recruits if necessary. In addition, San Diego’s strategic location as the southern most tip in the country makes the harbor a vital necessity in time of war when marines need to be shipped off quickly and efficiently.” “When I heard that,” Avrohom B. Edelman finishes, “I knew why I was so excited for the new Lakewood office! Lakewood needs the ‘surge capability’ to meet the demanding needs of a growing community. It’s integral to have the resources right here, where we can be ready to train and sign up the recruits that are necessary to fill the needs of this community. And of course, chas v’sholom should tragedy strike, the community needs the protection of a superpower’s army – BFG.”

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A P lace for Every Jew Allison Josephs’ Initiative Makes all Jews Feel at Home BY RENA ZINGMOND GRAY

ights! Camera! Sheitel? That’s right. For Allison Josephs, appearing regularly in publicized video sessions is all in a day’s work. Allison is the founder and director of Jew in the City, an initiative to “break down stereotypes about religious Jews and offer a humorous, meaningful outlook into Orthodox Judaism,” according to its website. Utilizing the far-reaching fingers of social media as well as conducting various seminars on the

“Judaism was limited to doctors, lawyers and gefilte fish.” subject, Allison strives to address and hopefully dispel many of the world’s negative perceptions of religious Jews. What sets Allison’s operation apart from so many other pro-Orthodoxy organizations lies in the proactive approach with which she seeks to educate the general public on this matter, as well as her unabashed honesty in answering the questions asked. Where did this ambition stem from? Allison explains that it was her own life experience that motivated her to seek the truth about Orthodox Judaism. “My background is that I was this proud, secular Jewish kid… I had everything in my life that was supposed to make me good and happy,” Allison begins. All of that changed in an instant. “When I was eight, a girl in the grade above me was murdered by her father,” she says. “This out-of-the-blue, really intense tragedy just shook everything up for me.” All of a sudden Allison’s previously unthreatened world of security and privilege dissolved into frightening uncertainty. The concept of death and possible harm became very real concepts, and this ending of a life raised many questions in Allison’s mind regarding how to live her own. She began to question her purpose on this earth and turned to the people nearest to her for answers: her parents. Convinced they would not disappoint her,

Allison was dismayed to discover that, when faced terested in becoming more observant, they fervently with these fundamental life questions, all her parents tried to dissuade her, insisting that she would be subcould muster was a blank stare. The scene repeated jugated, forced to have ten kids, and become a fanatic, itself when questioning more and more people in “her among other things. “None of my educated family and world,” with not one person able to provide a satisfac- friends,” says Allison, “had any idea about all the nortory response. “I had no idea that within my own reli- mal Orthodox Jews walking around who don’t make gion there was talk about the meaning of life,” Allison the news, who don’t get stereotyped in movies and TV recalls. “Judaism was limited to doctors, lawyers and shows.” gefilte fish.” In high school, Allison attended an afterears later, after having turned toward the path of school Hebrew program. She was sent there to Orthodox Judaism and involving herself with vari“meet a nice Jewish boy” to date and eventuous Jewish outreach organizations, Allison had a ally marry, not necessarily to learn Torah per se. “We were eating bacon but we had to marry new idea through which to share the beauty of her disa Jew,” Allison laughs. But once she was there covery with those yet uninformed. “About nine years she connected with an Orthodox teacher who ago I had this ‘aha’ moment to start Jew in the City,” she describes as being a “nice, normal guy,” Allison relates. “I felt like why are the vast majority of a picture inconsistent with the fanatical im- Jews completely ignorant of how deep and rich their age she had conjured of Observant Jews. His sense own heritage is?” Allison was propelled into action of spirituality and purpose exceeded her own, which after answering the Craigslist ad of a journalist from motivated Allison to explore more of what Judaism Spain who had come to Brooklyn where she encountered more religious Jews than ever in her life. She had to offer. Although Allison had been accus- was reaching out for an interview with any such Jews, and Allison was happy to oblige. In the tomed to seeing rethree hours that ligious Jews around followed, the her hometown in journalist proNew Jersey, disceeded to list all tinctions between her preconceived sects were not stereotypes about apparent to her. Orthodox Jews Chassidim, the while Allison, a Modern Orthodox living example or those in the yeproving otherwise, shiva world were explained them all one in Alliaway. Years before, son’s mind. The while at Partners people around in Torah, Allison her shared these interviewed 3,000 assumptions, Allison addressin g the audience of JAKE TV Birthright alumni including the about their perceppropensity to label the actions of extremJews. The meeting ists as the mentality of the mainstream. When it be- tions of religious came known to friends of Allison’s that she was in- with the journalist crystallized a realization that there

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“Instead of defining yourself by what you used to be, learn about what else is out there so that you can connect yourself to something vibrant.”

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to which direction to take and whom to follow. This ing their minds to the existence of other viable venues encounter sparked Allison’s research into the matter, through which to follow a Torah path. “We gave over leading her to a surprising number of similarly identi- the idea,” Allison says, “that instead of defining yourfying individuals and an inverse amount of appropri- self by what you used to be, learn about what else is ate programs. Understandably so – the out there so that you can connect yourself to something vibrant, something topic could be seen by many as sensitive and controversial, and besides, where would funding come from? If not for the fact that Allison had started an organization from very little once before, she might have balked at the prospect of doing so a second time. Once again, the urgency commanded by her newfound audience had her hooked. “It’s not for us to finish,” Allison said to herself, “it’s for us to start.” Not entirely sure of any particular game plan, Allison used Facebook to publicize her desire to aid this popuAllison with the 2014 Orthodox Je wish All Stars Ga lation and made the call for la last Decembe r in NYC others to join. She was answered by 200 people from all over the world who offered to host Shabbos meals, learn one-on-one, and that’s worth being a part advocate for children of these families to be accepted of in a positive way.” Project Makom’s first official into schools. Two women in Shabbaton is scheduled for the weekend of June 12-13 particular, Mindy Schaper in the Five Towns. In addition to the obvious emphasis that will be and Gavriella Lerner, wanted to do more and offered placed on the spiritual side of things, event coordinato help spearhead the ef- tors Shoshie Manella and Chani Waxler are making a fort. Sympathizing with the special effort to ensure that the physical presentation cause due to their own per- is equally tasteful – and heimish. Chani, a member sonal life journeys, the pair of Gerrer Chassidus herself, insisted that they would were a perfect choice to lead need to serve cholent three times throughout the weekthis initiative. Soon enough end. Shoshie was able to offer her large network of friends as host families for the participants. Project Makom was born. individuals seeking more meaning in their religious As far as programming, a panel of men and women Project Makom defines itself as an “initiative to observance or those who were surprised to learn that help former and questioning Charedi Jews find their who used to identify as Chassidish will speak to the a gratifying career path and a solid Torah way of life place in Orthodox Judaism.” The program aims to group about the transition they made from past pracwere not contradictions. In response to the latter Al- introduce former Chassidim to alternative religious tices to current Orthodox lifestyles and community. A lison created the Orthodox Jewish All Star Awards, an ways of life as opposed to leaving Judaism complete- centrist Orthodox rabbi will be speaking on the topic annual list highlighting ten of the most successful Or- ly. Leaving a Chassidish way of life does not mean of historical and source-based explanations of how inthodox men and women in the career world. Previous that one has to leave Orthodox Judaism. Participants tegrating and interacting with the world can be a valid inductees include Saul Blinkoff, animator and direc- are paired with Orthodox families as hands- and kosher enterprise. A yoetzet halacha will give a tor at Disney, and Joyce Azria, daughter of Max on examples of such frum class on the halachic process and detail the differences Mara of BCBG. Nomilifestyles as well as for any between chumra, halacha and minhag. The seminars nations are currently aid in their journeys. In the will also focus on positive ways to relate to Hashem, open for the All Star last year, Mindy and Gavri- the first of its kind for many in the expected audience. The Shabbaton will also feature Rabbi Moshe list’s fourth year. ella have screened over 100 of those 200 volunteers for Weinberger from Aish Kodesh who will share his mentorship positions and story of moving toward a Chassidish lifestyle from a few years ago several people have al- more modern one, contrasting Chassidus with what this whole new Chassidish culture has now become in some instances. ready been matched up. demographic Participants should know that it’s not all or nothing; opened up that I litermoving in a different direction of observance would ally never knew was ast summer, Al- not necessarily mean dropping all former family tradithere and needed us,” lison ran what she tions. “We could show people that there could be some Allison continues. After calls an “unofficial” aspects of their heritage that they could hold with them giving a talk in Monsey Shabbaton in Airmont, while still being integrated and open-minded,” says one evening, she was apNY, after discovering a Allison. Accommodations and meals will be hosted in proached by a frum cousmall, formerly Chas- Cedarhurst with shalosh seudos at Aish Kodesh. ple who told her they used sidish community Allison is pleased with and grateful for the success to be ultra-Chassidish. there. Allison and her of her unique enterprise. As frightening as it has been They were seeking an alhusband, a lawyer, to boldly embark on such a sensitive venture, Allison rdinators, oo C t en Ev ternative yet still Observant spoke to its members feels her obligation outweighed her fears. “There’s w in the City ith Allison abbaton-Je w Sh r le om ax ak lifestyle to their Chassidish over the course of just nothing else I can do,” Allison says. “I want to W M e ni Project ela and Cha Shoshie Man roots but were clueless as Shabbos about open- change people’s perspective on Orthodox Jews.” 

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is so much that can be explained and clarified for so many within and outside our community. At about this time came the advent of social media – a powerful tool, as Allison soon discovered. “YouTube was one of the first big ones,” she says, “and I saw that through the screen, you could…almost recreate having a coffee with someone or sitting next to someone on a plane.” The computer could simulate intimacy with a worldwide audience like never before. Allison and her growing team set out to maximize their effectiveness by way of other popular networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Buzzfeed. A large part of the information covered in Allison’s articles and videos is the explanation of mitzvos. “As I made my journey I needed to understand why Shabbos, why tzinius, why kosher,” Allison says. She provides responses from her own knowledge base coupled with the rabbinical guidance of members of her staff, namely Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, Torah Content Editor for the OU. Although the initial goal had been to positively rebrand Orthodoxy in the eyes of the non-Orthodox and non-Jewish world, Allison and her team drew interest from a group they didn’t expect – the Orthodox themselves. “That was about the most shocking thing to discover,” Allison admits. She explains that most questions from the Orthodox audience came from two camps:

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75 THE JEWISH HOME

Every child should be able to realize their dreams.

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JUNE 4, 2015

That includes every child afflicted with FD.

The 13th Annual FD NOW Dinner - A David Z. Herman Memorial June 11, 2015 • The Sephardic Temple, 775 Branch Blvd., Cedarhurst 2015 Honorary Dinner Chairman Martin Elias

2015 Campaign Chairpersons

Mindy & David Bach Allen & Barbara Herman Bodner Dr. Jeffry & Shira Beer Aryeh Bodner Elliott Cohen Allen Herman Joshua Herman Yehuda Kessock Jay Mostel Rabbi Ilan & Tara Schimmel Dr. Michael & Channie Sosnay Alan Weisberg

2015 Committee

Peri Avitan Brandi Begelman Miriam & Jeffrey Benkoe Ari Brand Moshe Brand Annette Browdy Lauren Browdy Bonnie Bodoff Lynn Cabin Lillian Chanales Sheldon Chanales Emily Cohen

Dov Eisenberger Ruven Ellberger Lorey & Elliot Friedman Rick Fromewick Seth Gartenlaub Rabbi Moshe Gottesman Jeffrey Herman Kimberly & Jonathan Krup Inna Koppel Brenda Levitan Neil Lippin Brad Markowitz Lonnie Mostel Dr. Harold Mostel Michael New Daniela & Jonathan Polk Meredith & Stephen Pyle Ricardo Ringel Deborah & Seth Rinn Eric Schimmel Marlene & Howard Schimmel Justin Schwartz Marilyn & Jack Sherman Glenn Skolnick Ann Slaw Rhonda & Joe Strassman Martin Taub Kenny Vance Ethan Weisenberg Adam Weiss David Welner Shari White

What is FD?

Familial Dysautonomia, (FD), is a life-threatening and progressive neurological disease present at birth and caused by a genetic mutation that is primarily found in Ashkenazic Jews. Children with FD live in very unstable bodies. They are prone to wide swings in blood pressure and heart rate, rapid decline of oxygenation, eye ulcerations, decreased ability to feel pain and temperature, spinal curvature, low muscle tone, inability to swallow, and worst of all, autonomic crisis.

Where do all donations go?

Funds raised by FD NOW go to support the laboratory of Drs. Berish Rubin and Sylvia Anderson, whose ground-breaking research has led to drastic improvements in the quality of life for those afflicted with FD. Your contribution will have a direct impact on these children’s lives. Without continued funding, the research will come to a halt. Every day, and every dollar makes a difference! Please join us.

Donations & Reservations: fdnow.org Information: fdnowny@gmail.com

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• TJH CENTERFOLD

Riddle!

• TJH CENTERFOLD

You Gotta be

Four students, Sara, Leah, Tova and Rachel, took a Chumash test, and were guessing their grades. Sara says: “If I get an A, so does Leah.” Leah says: “If I get an A, so does Tova.” Tova says: “If I get an A, so does Rachel.” They all guessed correctly, but in fact, only two of them got an A. Who are they? See answer on next page

Kidding!

For their anniversary, Bill decides to take his aunt and uncle to a classic kosher delicatessen in Brooklyn. “I’ll have the kreplach,” says Bill to the waiter. “The kreplach are from last night,” explains the waiter. “Better you should order something freshly made – like stuffed peppers.” “Alright, let it be stuffed peppers,” says Bill. The waiter turns to Aunt Sue. “And you?” “Please bring the pot roast.” “Look, lady, the pot roast is strictly for cheap people. You want somethin’ special, try the flanken.” “Alright then, so bring the flanken,” she says. Uncle Abe studies the menu carefully, then says, “Waiter, I can’t make up my mind. What do you suggest?” “Suggest!” cries the waiter. “On a busy night like this who has time for suggestions?”

Know Your Spelling Bee Words? The following are some of the words that the champions of the 2015 National Spelling Bee, Vanya Shivashankar (age 13) and Gokul Venkatachalam (age 14), spelled correctly. Match the words with their meaning: 1. Cytopoiesis 2. Cocozelle 3. Zygoneure 4. Nixtamal 5. Bruxellois 6. Scherenschnitte 7. Nunatak 8. Bouquetière 9. Scytale 10. Hippocrepiform

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J.

Shaped like a horseshoe The art of cutting paper into decorative designs Production of cells A native or resident of Brussels, Belgium Limed kernels of corn that are ready to be ground into masa A hill or mountain completely surrounded by glacial ice A connecting neuron A method of cipher writing Garnished with vegetables A variety of zucchini

ANSWERS: 1-C; 2-J; 3-G; 4-E; 5-D; 6-B; 7- F; 8- I; 9- H; 10- A

THE JEWISH HOME

TJH CENTERFOLD

WISDOM KEY: If you got even one right you are a super genius. Everyone else—you’re normal!

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Americans eat nearly 50 billion burgers a year. That’s three burgers a week for every single person in the United States.

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Burgers account for 40 percent of all sandwiches sold. Take that club sandwich.

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According to McDonald’s, the chain sells 75 burgers every single second of every minute of every hour of every single day.

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The Library of Congress credits Louis Lassen of Louis Lunch sandwich shop in New Haven, CT, as the creator of the hamburger as we know it.

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The Hamburger Hall of Fame is located in Seymour, Wisconsin.

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60% of sandwiches sold globally are actually burgers.

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In 2000, Kim Jong Il of North Korea said that he created the “hamburger.”

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PETA once offered the town of Hamburg, NY, $15,000 to change their name to Veggieburg. • The largest burger ever, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was 777 pounds and was cooked at California’s Alameda Country Fair on July 4, 2011. The custom grill that was used to cook it was over 72,000 pounds and took the creators 35 hours to make. The burger was estimated to have approximately 1.2 million calories, which is enough calories to fulfill one person’s standard 2,000 calorie diet for 22 months. • The Heart Attack Grill in Nevada serves burgers under the names of single, double, triple, and quadruple bypass burgers. The Quadruple Bypass weighs in at an amazing 8,000 calories.

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Elvis Presley was known to be quite particular about his burgers and would constantly add ingredients to his burgers such as bananas, peanut butter, syrup, and egg. Elvis insisted that the inside of the buns be burnt black to a crisp.

Brain Teaser Stare at the stairs and watch it change in front of your eyes

GO FUNNT Y?

Comm Let the ission er dec Send

your s t

uff

ide

to fivetow centerfold@ nsjewis hhome. com

ANSWER TO RIDDLE: Tova and Rachel each got an A. (If Sara got an A, then all four students got an A, which contradicts the fact that only two got an A. If Leah got an A, then so did Tova and Rachel, which also can’t be true.)

May is National Hamburger month (but the CF Commissioner observes it in June as well).

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Read Between the Buns: Happy Hamburger Facts

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JUNE 4, 2015

Torah Thought

Rabbi Berel Wein

Parshas Behaloscha

ithout warning, disaster strikes the people of Israel on their journey to the Land of Israel. Moshe boldly proclaimed that “we are traveling now on the way to the land of our destination.” The tribes have been numbered and counted, assigned flags and positions of march, and they are accompanied on their journey by the Tabernacle of G-d placed in their midst. Everything is seemingly poised for their successful entry into the Land of Israel. But one of the traits of human nature is the penchant for dismissing the good that we enjoy and the blessings that we have. Instead we long for and complain loudly about what we believe we don’t have. The search for perfection in human life is equivalent to drinking saltwater in an attempt to slake one’s thirst. So we read in the parsha how the father-in-law of Moshe abandons the Jewish people in the desert to return home to Midian where, according to Rashi, he is convinced that he will be able to

It is within the nature of humans to pursue wealth at the expense of health, power and notoriety at the expense of family and harmony, and temporal pleasures at the expense of eternal values and reward. convert a pagan society into believing in one G-d. His absence is harmful to the Jewish people encamped in the desert and as is apparent from the later narratives in the Bible, his conversion attempts were in the main unsuccessful. Though blessed with daily food – manna from heaven – the Jewish people complain about their diet; they express their ingratitude and demand meat and other foods. They were tired of having to eat directly from G-d’s hand, so to speak. All of their grousing and complaining only serves to bring plague,

#soooooogood

depression and disaster on them. The prophet Jeremiah, in essence, states that human complaints are not really justified in the eyes of Heaven, so to speak. The Talmud puts it pithily: “Is it not sufficient for you that you are alive and functioning?” But we often take life for granted and are under-appreciative of this most basic and generous of all gifts. It is within the nature of humans to pursue wealth at the expense of health, power and notoriety at the expense of family and harmony, and temporal plea-

sures at the expense of eternal values and reward. The story of the desert illustrates for us how a section of the Jewish people valued a meat meal over entry into the Land of Israel. There will always be a refrain repeated in the desert, that it is better for us to return to Egypt than to meet the challenges that will be placed before us in establishing a Jewish national state in the Land of Israel. This type of attitude is unfortunately not lacking in the current Jewish world. And no matter how wealthy and successful the Jewish state is now and will be in the future, there will always be a longing for more, better and different. And this longing breeds the insidious feeling of dissatisfaction with what blessings one already possesses. The parsha comes to teach us this basic lesson of human nature, of how we must be aware of it in order to overcome and truly reach our proper goals in life. Shabbat shalom.

The Shmuz

Parshas Behaloscha

oshe Rabbeinu was charged with the construction of the Mishkan, the dwelling place of Hashem in this world. While the components of the structure are physically complex, the kavanos — the specific intentions required during the process of building it — are even more intricate. The most complicated of all of the vessels was the menorah. Its design was so elaborate that even after Hashem taught Moshe how it was to be built, Moshe still didn’t understand its unique nature and was unable to form it. Therefore, Hashem showed Moshe an image of a menorah made of fire so that Moshe could actually see the finished form and imitate it. Yet Rashi tells us that when it came time for the construction of the menorah, Moshe still could not fathom its structure and was unable to fabricate it. Hashem said, “Throw the clump of gold into the fire, and it will form by itself.” This is how the menorah was created — on its own. This Rashi is perplexing. Since the menorah was so intricate that Moshe could not understand its inner nature and how to form it, then why did Hashem bother to show him the image of the menorah in fire? Hashem knew that Moshe wasn’t going to be able to create the menorah himself. He knew that in the end it would have to come about by Moshe’s throwing the clump of gold into the fire. If so, why did Hashem show Moshe the image of the menorah so that he should understand how it was to be formed? Clearly, creating the menorah was beyond human capacity. Why did Moshe need to have a clear image of what it was to look like? Bitachon and Hishtadlus The answer to this question is predicated on understanding the balance between Hashem’s involvement in the running of the world and man’s obligation to put in his effort — the balance

between bitachon and hishtadlus. One of the basic facts of life is that Hashem runs this world. While it may appear that man is in charge, Hashem orchestrates every activity on the planet. As we say in the first Ani Maamin: “Hashem did, does and will do all actions.” The question is: what is man’s part?

and are credited with having done it. If I feed my family, I am considered their supporter. If I give tzedakah, it is considered that I gave my own money and I am credited with having saved a poor man from starvation. In Hashem’s system, we are credited with the outcome. Using Hashem’s System This seems to be the answer to the

If Hashem determines all outcomes, how is man supposed to act? If Hashem determines all outcomes, how is man supposed to act? What is his role? The Chovos Ha’Levovos teaches us that we are obligated to act b’derech hatevah – in the ways of the world. In other words, we are obligated to go through the motions as if the results are dependent upon us, knowing all the while that the outcome is completely out of our hands. We work for a living, knowing that the amount of money we are to make

question on Rashi. Hashem wanted the menorah to be constructed by man. However, even the greatest of men couldn’t comprehend how to make it. So his hishtadlus was to do all that he could and then rely on Hashem for the rest. Moshe would put the gold into the fire, and the menorah would form on its own. Moshe used the system that Hashem created to bring forth the menorah. However, for the creation of the menorah to be credited to man, Moshe had to at least have a vision of what it was

has been set on Rosh Hashana. We go to doctors when we are sick, even though we know that our health is determined solely by Hashem. We are obligated to go to great lengths to protect ourselves even though we know that whether we live or die has been predetermined. We put in our effort, knowing all the while that it is Hashem’s world and that He alone determines the outcome. When we accomplish something, the results are credited to us even though we are fully aware that Hashem was the One Who did it all. We merely went through the motions. We use Hashem’s system,

that he was creating. Once he had that concept in mind, throwing the clump of gold into the fire was considered as if he made the menorah himself. It was then considered as if he used Hashem’s system to bring about this result. If Moshe didn’t have a clear vision of what it was that he was creating, then in no sense could it be considered something he made — it would have been the fire that made it. Once he knew what it was that he was setting out to make, he then harnessed a force that Hashem created to bring about that result. In this case, the force was the fire bringing about the

menorah. This concept has great relevance to us in a number of ways. The first is that in all of our involvement in this world, we need to have a clear plan of action, a “business plan” that according to the ways of the world makes sense. With that in hand, we set off on a path with a vision of its fulfillment, all the while knowing that the outcome is completely in the hands of Hashem. Nevertheless, there are many situations in which we reach a point where there is no clear path to follow. Whether it be deciding from two almost identical career choices, determining which medical “expert” to listen to, or deciding which school to enroll our children in, we are obligated to be responsible, use our best judgment, and determine according to the ways of the world what is the best approach. Once we have reached that point, we “throw our clump of gold into the fire.” We rely on Hashem to bring about the results that He has predetermined to be the best for us. However, this Rashi seems to be showing us that when it comes to a dvar mitzvah, the rules change somewhat. There will be times when a person sets out to accomplish something for the tzibbur, whether it be starting a Yeshiva, giving a shiur, or beginning a chessed project, and he sees no clear path to follow. Either the odds against it are too great, or the mountain is too high to climb, and he can’t see how to make this happen. If this were a mundane project, it could be that he wouldn’t be allowed to move forward. However, if this is a holy project, then the rules of engagement change a bit. Provided that he has a clear image of what it is that he is setting out to accomplish and he has an image of the finished product, he may be permitted to step forward and allow Hashem to bring things about. He has to throw his lump of gold into the fire, relying on Hashem to bring his efforts into fruition. The Shmuz - Marriage Seminar, a 12 part, comprehensive guide to a successful Marriage is available FREE of charge at www. TheShmuz.com. It is also on the Shmuz App available at the App store, or on Google play, or you may listen on Kol Halashon by calling 718- 906 6400, then options 1, 4, 3

JUNE 4, 2015

This is the workmanship of the menorah, hammered out of gold, from it base to its flower, it is hammered out; according to the vision that Hashem showed Moshe, so did he make the menorah. — Bamidbar 8:4

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Hishtadlus for a Dvar Mitzvah

THE JEWISH HOME

R’ Ben Tzion Shafier

THE JEWISH HOME

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JUNE 4, 2015

The Observant Jew

Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

Concrete Lessons

n a recent visit to Teaneck, NJ, I noticed something unusual on the sidewalk. Many of the squares had a small oval stamped on them. Some had years on them, and some had the name of a construction firm. I’m not really sure why they did it, but I’m guessing it was to memorialize the work that was done in constructing the sidewalk initially and pouring the cement so well. That’s not the first time I’d seen markings in cement, just the first time I’d seen it so professionally done. Often, when there is wet cement, people will scratch their name or initials in it. I have done it myself. It’s an alluring idea not because we want to vandalize anything but because we like the idea of the long-term impact we’ll have. In fifty years from now, my initials might still be here on the sidewalk! Sure, the person seeing them might not know what the initials stand for, but they’ll know that someone was here before and he changed the world at least a little bit. This longing for a legacy, for a permanent place in this world, is natural. We still have a feeling that we should live forever, like Adam HaRishon was supposed to do. It’s in our DNA, so even if we can’t actually last forever, we try to find some way of continuing our existence. As I looked at the sidewalks and contemplated their meaning in the deeper range of human emotion, I realized that there’s something much lon-

ger-lasting than cement. There’s a way we can make a concrete difference in the world, effectively leaving our “Kil-

We all have people we remember from our younger years, who taught us something we never forgot. We re-

We all want that eternal legacy; we all want to be remembered. roy was Here” mark on all we touch. Instead of writing our names in cement, we can make an indelible im-

member people who hurt us or made us feel bad. We have memories and the residual effects of the way other people

pression on the people whose lives we touch. If we have an impact on someone so that our fingerprints are apparent in their character, then they become our virtual star on the Walk of Fame.

scratched their initials in our lives, and those people live on in us. The hope, of course, is that the message left behind will not only be indelible, but positive. No one wants to be the reason for someone grew up feeling frustrated with Judaism, yet there are many people who were just that person for youngsters who’ve grown up feeling disenfranchised. How many people raised their children with negativity echoing in those pure innocent ears? Would they be surprised to see the mark they left on those children who grow up speaking badly of others? Shouldn’t they have known that young minds are more impressionable and longer-lasting than a slab of wet cement? Of course, there are people who set the right example for their children and everyone they meet. There are people about whom stories are told years later, relating their sensitivity, warmth, or

understanding. These people weren’t trying to make a legacy any more than the people who make a negative impression. In fact, they might not have realized they were making an impression at all. But they were. We all do. All the time. When we interact with someone, we’re making a mark on their minds and hearts and though they might not remember it, it could still affect how they think or act. They might not realize they’ve been impacted but it doesn’t change the fact that they were. We all want that eternal legacy; we all want to be remembered. That’s great, and it’s what we should be doing. The hard part is realizing that it’s not as simple as scratching our initials in wet cement. Sometimes the cement is too dry, and we can’t impress people the way we’d like. Sometimes the sign is on the wrong spot, so when we think we’re treading safely on solid ground, we’re actually making a mess of what had previously been smooth and trying to settle. It’s not clear that we’ll be able to make our mark at a given moment or avoid leaving an impact at another. That’s why it’s so important to be consistent in our behavior, constantly aware of the potential of long-lasting effects on others, and cognizant of the fact that like it or not, what we do at any time may leave a lasting impression on the world. That’s what a person learned from a sidewalk; can you imagine what people can learn from a person?

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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To them, G-d’s “blessings” were stifling and limiting, restricting their ability to enjoy life as others did.

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should be able to enter the Land immediately. [Rashi to verse 1, quoting Midrash Aggadah] R’ Shimon says: “Why did the manna change into everything except these [vegetables]? Because they are harmful for nursing mothers.” (Rashi to verse 5) There is nothing wrong with a person pursuing personal comforts if it gives him the opportunity to do his job more effectively or relax after a long day in the office. However, pleasure pursuits that are designed to find a pretext of fault (“They were seeking a pretext to turn away from the Omnipresent.” – Rashi to verse 1 and verse 4), whether in Hashem, a family member, a school, et al, or are driven by an underlying sense of needing to keep up with the Goldbergs are certainly neither productive nor fulfilling. In a similar vein, we must be careful whenever we offer “constructive feedback” that we are truly doing just that, and not presenting well couched (or perhaps not so subtle) complaints because we feel that our needs are not being properly addressed or that the target of our ire has taken us a bit out of our personal comfort zone. In this way we can begin to emulate the caring rebuking style of our Maker, who uses mussar solely for the purpose of nurturing us along the path of perfection. G-d interacts with us in infinite numbers of ways, but in general He does so lovingly, firmly, or by a combination of the two. For even when He’s exacting in His expectations of us it’s still-and-all done with loving intentions… G-d does indeed chastise us at times, but with our own well-being in mind, and with the insight and deep love one would expect of a caring, worldly-wise parent, certainly without malice or vengeance. (Ramchal, Da’as Tevunos, 4:2)

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his week’s parsha sheds light on the damaging impact of pining for “luxuries” as a pretense for complaint and grievance. The people were as if in mourning over themselves (lit: complainers), and it was evil in the ears of the L-rd. The L-rd heard and His anger flared, and a fire from the L-rd burned among them, consuming the extremes of the camp… But the multitude among them began to have strong cravings. Then even the children of Israel once again began to cry, and they said, “Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt free of charge, the cucumbers, the watermelons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now, our bodies are dried out, for there is nothing at all; we have nothing but manna to look at.” (Bamidbar 11:1, 4-6) According to Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, these two instances of complaint emanated from a fundamental deficit in their spiritual perfection, a narrow-minded failure to see the positive aspects of Hashem’s miraculous provisions. To them, G-d’s “blessings” were stifling and limiting, restricting their ability to enjoy life as others did. The people...looked on themselves as already dead and mourned over their very selves. The cloud of glory over them and the Ark of His Covenant with them only made them feel cut off from the rest of the world and its requirements for living. The whole unique connection with G-d which they received in its place… offered them no compensation…had not yet become to them a fuller, happier life; they felt themselves buried alive and mourned over themselves. (Commentary to verse 1) The sad part of this “complaint fest” was that every targeted item either took place or was left out for a reason. They said, “Woe is to us! How weary we have become on this journey! For three days we have not rested from the fatigue of walking… [Hashem said,] I meant it for your own good—that you

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r s e p i m m T u S e y h t l Nin a e H for a T Now that June is here and school is almost out, most of us are looking forward to a wonderful, relaxing summer season. Barbecues, swimming, beaches and watermelon galore…the summer is filled with some of the most wonderful memories. It’s a great time to spend time with family and friends and de-

light in the delicious, warm rays of sun. (After all, we can really use some sun after these past few weeks!) Let’s make summer fun—and a healthy time for everyone! Take advantage of what summer has to offer and make it a season of fitness and health.

1 The Berry Best

Summer fruits are sweet and delicious—and good for you too! If you’re gonna change something this summer include some of summer’s yummy berries—blueberries, strawberries, even cherries—in your day. They’re full of antioxidants and are loaded with fiber, so use them in refreshing smoothies, cut them into a salad, and add them to your morning yogurt. They’re a real taste of summer.

2 Take it Outside

With the weather getting warmer, summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s bike riding, walking, rollerblading or jogging, exercise is way more fun when you’re doing it outside. A few deep breaths, the sun on your back and the grass under your sneakers—enjoy the perfect weather while it lasts.

3 Water, Water Everywhere

There’s nothing better than a refreshing, cold glass of water on a hot summer day. And your body needs that water. So make sure to carry that water bottle with you—and if you need an extra zing, pack your glass with lemons, lime or even fresh mint. The burst of flavor along with your icy cold drink can revitalize your day.

4 Sleep Well

With the long summer days, it’s tempting to head to bed later than usual. But remember, the sun is up early as well. So make sure to get to bed on time and utilize the morning hours of sunlight to help brighten your day nice and early. There’s nothing like a great pick-me-up as you head out in the morning to a beautiful, sunny, new day.

The Eyes Have It

Skin Savvy

Speaking of protection, we have three words for you: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Yes, it’s that important. One should wear SPF every day but during the summer months it’s even more vital. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone use sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection (against UVA and UVB rays), a SPF of at least 30, and is waterresistant. Generously apply sunscreen before leaving your house, reapply every two hours, and try to wear protective clothing as well. Be skin savvy and be safe.

7 Take a Break

We have news for you: you need a vacation. Yes, it’s important to take some time for yourself and the summer is the perfect time to spend time with your family—and a little less time in the office. Make sure to take advantage of the great outdoors as you plan your vacation. Boating, kayaking, biking, hiking, heading to the beach…there are so many choices! Just make sure to leave the Blackberry at home (OK, maybe put it away for just a few hours) so you can really enjoy the benefits of a well-deserved time away from your desk.

8 Swimming Safety

There’s no doubt about it: swimming and summer are the perfect mix. It’s the ideal sport on a hot summer day—who ever heard of sweating underwater? Make sure to keep it safe as you enjoy the water. Never swim without supervision, no matter how experienced you are as a swimmer. Children should never be left unattended and keep in mind that “floaties” are not lifesaving devices. Hold onto your children in the pool area. It takes just one moment for them to slip underneath. Keep the pool area locked and make sure that no children have access to the area. And most importantly, make sure there is a phone readily available in case of emergency. All swimmers should know to call 911 immediately in case of any emergency.

9 Flower Power

Now that the weather is nice, what better way to connect with nature than with beautiful blooms? Spend some time in your garden planting, weeding, and watering. Just tending to indoor plants, or those on your porch, can help you de-stress. Did you know that putting your hands in soil is called “grounding”? Spending time with your plants can literally help you feel more grounded. So go ahead, get your hands dirty and breathe in the earthy scent of mud and the aroma of the blooms this summer.

JUNE 4, 2015

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Whether you’re outside or in the car, make sure to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare— especially in the summer months when the sun is at its peak. Wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of ultraviolet A and B rays. The right sunglasses can help prevent cataracts as well as wrinkles around the eyes from squinting. A hat with a wide brim is a great choice as well, especially at the beach where there’s no shade around.

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JUNE 4, 2015

Maaris Ayin

he halachos of maaris ayin arise quite frequently. For example, one may go into a kosher supermarket and see “kosher shrimp” with excellent hashgachas. It has become very common today for people to consume surimi products. Real shrimp is obviously not kosher. Therefore, is there a problem of maaris ayin since people may see one eating this product? Can one use pareve creamer with coffee? Is there a need to place the bottle next to the coffee? There is a restaurant which recently began making cheeseburgers using pareve cheese. Is there a concern of maaris ayin while eating this, since people see that one is eating them? Can one walk into a non-kosher restaurant to use the bathroom? Is one allowed to walk into a non-kosher restaurant to meet with clients? Is there a concern of maaris ayin with a mashgiach walking into a non-kosher restaurant in order to do reverse certification? (Reverse certification is when a company gives a hechsher on a restaurant, etc. and the owner has a different store which is non-kosher. The mashgiach goes into the non-kosher store to make sure no non-kosher is going out with the kashrus label on the product.) What is Maaris Ayin? Some poskim say that if one is doing a permitted act but it appears that it is forbidden then there is maaris ayin. Others say if one does something many times which may be forbidden and now one is doing it in the permitted manner, then there is maaris ayin. Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l says that maaris ayin means “someone thinks that I violated something, and he thinks that someone inappropriately ate something non-kosher. However, it does not include doing something permitted that people may mistakenly think is forbidden due to the fact that they do not know the halacha.”

because of maaris ayin, then it is not permitted in one’s room either (chadrei chadurim – privately). Some say this is only something which is perceived as an issur d’oraisa, and not something which is perceived as an issur d’rabbanan. Eating Imitation Food Surimi is a Japanese word which refers to a food product typically made from white fleshed fish that has been pulverized to a paste and has a rubbery consistency when cooked. Surimi is used to imitate crab legs, lobster, and shrimp. The Gemara in Chulin says that

milk made from almonds (pareve) in the same meal as animal meat should place some of the almonds next to him so there will be no concern of maaris ayin. Some say one should do so even when eating chicken. However, if this is not possible, one may still eat the meat (or chicken) and pareve milk together. Some say the whole concern of maaris ayin in this regard is by a big seuda, but if one is eating these foods at home there is no need to place the almonds on the table. Pareve Creamer The custom is that using pareve milk is permitted for a number of rea-

Can one walk into a non-kosher restaurant to use the bathroom? Yalta, the wife of Rav Nachmun, said that for every non-kosher food, there exists a counterpart which is kosher. In response to this, her husband ordered that one of the foods be heated for her. The reason why Hashem did this is to give Klal Yisroel reward for watching the mitzvahs.

What is Cheshad? Some say cheshad is something that a person does and it could be translated into either permitted or forbidden.

Rashi says one should not say, “I do not have a desire to eat pork.” Instead one should say, “I want it but I do not eat it because Hashem said I cannot eat it.” Based on the above, one would be able to eat kosher products which are meant to serve as a replica of the real non-kosher food, such as surimi. Some are not so happy with the fact that it says “shrimp” on the bag, but the custom of many is to be lenient with this.

In Private When something is not allowed

Milk from Almonds The Rama says one who drinks

sons. Eating chicken with almond milk was not part of the gezeirah. Therefore we should not be adding concerns of maaris ayin which are not mentioned in the Gemara. Furthermore, pareve milk is so common that no one would think one is using real milk for a coffee while eating a fleshig meal. There is no need to place the bottle of creamer on the table in order to let people know that the milk used is pareve. Pareve Ice Cream One is permitted to eat pareve ice cream after a meat meal without placing the package on the table. Similarly, one is permitted to put margarine on meat or butter on a soy burger since it is known to all that there exists pareve meat, etc. In the company of people who do not know that there are such pareve products one should let them know what he is eating in order for

them not to think he is doing incorrectly. One who wishes to drink pareve milk (which is not known to people) with meat should place the container on the table. A Kosher Cheeseburger There is a store on the Upper West Side of Manhattan which recently started making a kosher cheeseburger by using pareve cheese. Is there a maaris ayin issue by eating this burger? (We will not discuss whether eating this is permitted hashkafically.) Harav Yisroel Belsky shlita said to avoid issues of maris ayin, the restaurant menu and receipts (for phone orders) must have on them the statement: “Cheeseburger made with pareve cheese.” Walking into a Non-Kosher Restaurant The opinion of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l is that it is forbidden to enter a non-kosher restaurant because of maaris ayin. However, one who is famished and has nowhere else to eat (in place of tzaar and loss) is allowed to walk into a non-kosher restaurant and eat any kosher food which they may serve (coffee, etc.). The reason why entering is permitted is because one who suffers a great loss may override a rabbinic prohibition to remove his suffering. Based on the above, one who does not have a different place in which to use the bathroom other than a non-kosher restaurant may enter the non-kosher restaurant to use their bathroom. Others are lenient with walking into a non-kosher restaurant to use the bathroom even if there is another bathroom available. Attending a Meeting If one’s boss asks him to meet a client in a non-kosher restaurant, one is permitted to do so if he will otherwise lose his job. However, if his job is not in jeopardy if he does not go to the non-kosher restaurant, then he should not go. In any case, one who finds himself in this situation should discuss it with a rav. Entering a Cafeteria If a company cafeteria sells all

Going in a Car after Candle Lighting It is very common for a man to drive to shul (a short distance) after his wife has lit candles. This is permitted and not considered maaris ayin, since it is well known that a man can do melacha until eighteen minutes after his wife has lit candles. Even if a few people might think he did something wrong, it is not maaris ayin since those who think he did something wrong do not know the halacha.

Eating Human Blood One is not allowed to eat human blood which separated from the body because of maaris ayin, however, blood which is still in one’s mouth (i.e. from brushing teeth) can be swallowed, but if it is not in the mouth it is not permitted because of maaris ayin. People may think it is blood from an animal, etc. which is forbidden m’d’oriaisa to eat. According to some opinions, if one sucks a bloody wound and spits out the blood there is no concern. Blood which is in one’s mouth but came onto a piece of bread is forbidden to be eaten unless one removes the blood from the bread.

Non-Leather Shoes on Yom Kippur Some say non-leather shoes that look exactly like leather shoes may not be worn on Yom Kippur because of maaris ayin.

In Conclusion We have discussed the halachos of maris ayin and how people may perceive one’s actions. The Gemara in Yoma says that one should act in a way

OTHER CASES OF MAARIS AYIN Entering a Reform Temple The opinion of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l is that one is not permitted to enter a Reform temple at the time of davening to daven in a room which is designated for Orthodox prayer. One who sees him may think that a frum person davened there or someone may learn from this and say “davening in a Reform temple is permitted.”

JUNE 4, 2015

Walking into a Coffee Shop The question arises if there is a concern of maaris ayin with walking into a coffee shop which sells kosher and non-kosher to buy a coffee. L’maaseh, since a coffee shop sells kosher items (coffee) as well as non-kosher, there is no maaris ayin concern. This is common when walking into a store at a rest stop. Walking into a store which sells only non-kosher would be a problem. Those who are makpid to only drink cholov yisroel, should be careful not to drink from an opened cholov yisroel bottle at a rest stop unless you see the person in the store opening it since you cannot verify that cholov yisroel milk

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Reverse Certification It is permitted for a mashgiach to enter a non-kosher establishment for reverse certification. Since it is a requirement for the hashgacha organization, it is permitted since maaris ayin is permitted in the place of a loss.

is in there.

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types of items, including a few which happen to be certified as kosher, then one may buy food from the cafeteria and eat at the tables. This is because it is well-known that cafeterias sell both kosher and non-kosher items and that people eat all types of food there.

that people will say “fortunate is his father and rebbe who taught him Torah.” One should do things which will be a kiddush Hashem and people will say with admiration, “He is a frum Jew.”

Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits is a former chaver kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and a musmach of Harav Yisroel Belsky shlita. Rabbi Lebovits currently works as the Rabbinical Administrator for the KOF-K Kosher Supervision.

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JUNE 4, 2015

Dr. Deb

Myth 1: It is religious Although the current sweep of this practice through America started with Eastern religions, it is not necessary to make a mental connection with religion in order to do it or to benefit from it. Therapists use it because the research shows the beneficial effects. That said, it can be used religiously and Dovid HaMelech certainly did just that. He refers in Tehillim to “meditating” and the word of choice for it is hegeh. This is clearly a spiritual word and refers to

a deep connection with Hashem. Rav Aryeh Kaplan’s books explain the history and practice of Jewish meditation and he wrote them for 20th century people in need of knowing that Torah Judaism has that option. In order to simply practice mindfulness, one must only breathe deeply and

while remaining calm and not allowing the thoughts to de-rail you from coming back to the breathing all the time). One was a group of pre-schoolers consisting of some children with emotional difficulties. The other was a group of war veterans who suffered from PTSD. The film followed one child very

One must only breathe deeply and focus on one’s breath. focus on one’s breath to begin with. There is no need to chant anything or to say or do anything religious. Myth 2: It is emptyheaded This would be correct if we were to simply focus on breathing, but remember, the word describing this meditation is “mindFULness.” It is not “mind-emptiness.” After a person is able to simply focus on his breath and not allow random thoughts to dominate thinking during the practice, there is a next – and decisive – step. In that step, a person actually tunes in to what is on his mind or in his heart. The key is how you do this tuning in. You tune in from the cognitive part of your brain rather than the emotional part. That means that because you have mastered the ability to notice random thoughts but always come back to your breath, so too, you notice these thoughts with particular interest, but you do not let them dominate your mind. To illustrate this, the movie of the research on this process showed two different groups being taught to master these two skills (deep, relaxed breathing along with noticing thoughts

closely as well as two of the vets. The child had been removed at birth from his mother and by 20 months of age had had five different foster placements. As we meet him, he is crying because he is afraid to take an elevator. The vets had their own tragic stories and in one case, his wife divorced him because, as she said, he was not the same person when he returned from the war zone as she had married. We see scenes of the children and again, of the vets, doing the breathing. In one scene, they are laying on the floor and you can imagine many thoughts going through their minds, but, unlike the experience in PTSD in which the thoughts are scary because the person feels as though he is re-living the experiences, a buffer is created by the breathing and letting go process. In this way, as one of the vets described, “It was just something that happened; I wasn’t connected to it.” So, on the one hand, there is an emotional distance created by the mindfulness exercise, and on the other, the person is nevertheless very aware, very conscious, of the thought that is passing. This conscious awareness is why the practice is called mindful-

ness, but the emotional buffer is created because the pre-frontal cortex (the thinking part of the brain) has become involved through this practice, and the pre-frontal cortex seems to calm down the emotional experience. Hypnosis, which I did not talk about in my presentation, may work the same way in the brain. Through using one’s imagination in combination with deep breathing and relaxing, a person can also gain enough emotional distance from experiences to no longer be bothered by them. In hypnosis, generally, a therapist walks a person through some imagined scenario, although self-hypnosis is also possible. Myth 3: In hypnosis, the therapist takes control of your mind This is absolutely impossible. No one can control your mind. If, for example, a person doesn’t like the imaginary scene that the therapist is creating, that person can simply say so. No one is so far “out” that they are compelled to stay with something that doesn’t feel right. That said, a good therapist will discuss the plan carefully with the person beforehand so as to avoid the problem. It seems to me that everyone should learn the skill of breathing to relax and in fact, there is a free app, Breathe2relax, that I recommend. If this process is done correctly, then over time it can be a powerful antidote to depression. At the end of the movie, the little boy went in the elevator, happily, and the vets reported they felt alive once more. 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.

JUNE 4, 2015

inally, I got all the technology to work when I recorded my Food For Thought lecture on Tuesday. So, iy”H you should be able to find my talk on Beating Depression: Therapy and Torah on Torah Anytime. A key part of the therapy portion of the talk centered around the fascinating work of Dr. Richard Davidson who is a neuroscientist working on understanding how emotions work in the brain. (He’s at the Center for Affective Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.) The tool of choice is the simple – but difficult – trick of breathing while not getting sidetracked by random thoughts. This is called mindfulness meditation. I thought I would use this opportunity to explain the related phenomena of meditation and hypnosis because they are such powerful tools in the cure of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other negative states. And I am saying the word “cure” because Davidson’s research – as well as that of hundreds of other people studying the effects of mindfulness – indicates that not only do people self-report that their negative symptoms are gone after proper use of this tool, but fMRI studies show exactly that in their brains. (To get your feet wet, you can listen to the Torah Anytime talk. Then you can go to Davidson’s website, browse there, see his film Free The Mind about war veterans’ experience with this tool, or buy his book, The Emotional Life of the Brain.) Let me begin by going over some of the myths of mindfulness.

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Mindfulness, Hypnosis and Depression

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Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

Health & Fitness

David Elazar Simai, MD

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JUNE 4, 2015

The Battle of the Bottle Dear Parents, Today I would like to share with you one of the toughest battles in raising young toddlers: “The Battle of The Bottle.” As I mentioned in a previous article entitled “Too Much Milk,” we grew up seeing advertisements that portrayed milk as a very nutritious element in our daily diet. That preconceived notion motivates many of us to literally push milk down our kids’ throats. When our kids refuse to drink milk, some of us panic or feel that we have to come up with an original, creative undertaking to convince the young prince in our house to consume the calcium-rich drink. The truth is that milk is healthy. When compared with soy and almond milk substitutes, milk contains more carbs, protein and fat which help our toddlers grow big and strong. The problem is that diets that are too rich in dairy are detrimental to our children’s health. Excessive milk intake causes constipation, iron deficiency anemia, weakness and can adversely affect our kids’ intellectual development. Strikingly, kids who drink 4-5 bottles of milk a day are notoriously picky eaters. The anemia they develop suppresses their appetites and depresses their caregivers (There is a puddle in room #1 at my office that was formed over the years from all those crying parents.) My recommendation is that after their first birthday, children should drink a maximum of 16 oz. of whole milk per day. This amount can be lowered if the child eats other dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. Often, during well checkups, parents voice their concern regarding their child’s refusal to drink milk. I respond with a big smile and

He will get used to drinking his milk before I brush his teeth and not after. just ask one question: does your child have a good appetite? Without exception, the answer is always – yes, he is a fantastic eater! He could devour three chicken legs in 10 minutes and have a few side dishes as well. Apparently, the lack of dairy oversupply helps these children develop appetites that are superior to others. The additional, unique challenge that milk possesses is a widespread issue named “bottle decay.” Due to all the facts I described above, parents feel that there is no better way for their loved ones to fall asleep than with—you guessed it—a bottle of milk! It turns out that by the time our kids are a year old they have a few budding teeth, and those teeth can be severely harmed by the residue of cow’s milk, mother’s milk or juice. What happens after your child falls asleep is pretty simple. Lactose, which is the sugary part of the milk, coats the surface of our teeth. Bacteria uses this sugar as fuel for growth and in turn produces harmful acids that decay the teeth. This causes a well-defined disease named: “Baby

Bottle Tooth Decay.” Cow’s milk is not the only culprit in this disease. Mother’s milk, formula and juice will yield the same rotten teeth. And when I say rotten I mean rotten. As I frequently show parents at my office, feel free to enter the words bottle decay on Google and click “images.” What you will see is a wide array of decaying teeth on unfortunate kids. They are all caused by lack of proper hygiene. I also feel that the main cause of this easily preventable disease is twofold. First, parents feel that their children will not fall asleep without their pre-bedtime milk. The second is the notion that the children will literally dehydrate if their bottles are removed. My new approach to these feelings is to ask the parents: Do you feel that you have a normal child? If so, normal children adapt to minor changes in their life within a few days. True, there are children with horrible diseases who cannot adapt to change, but these are very rare cases, and in these situations the kids have profound neurological or swallowing disorders. So in order to win the battle of the bottle, you first have to tell yourselves: my child is normal. He will adapt and drink from a cup. He will get used to drinking his milk before I brush his teeth and not after. He will survive even if he drinks a little less for a few days. And if your child does drink a little less for a few days, offer him some water-rich fruits and vegetables (melon, cantaloupe, watermelon or cherries). I have yet to admit any child to the hospital or see any dehydrated children when they were weaned from their bottle. The battle is yours to wean, and your child’s teeth will win a chance to have a bright, shiny future. Wishing you and your children many years of shiny smiles, David Elazar Simai, MD 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, North-Shore Manhasset University Hospital and South Nassau Communities Hospital. He can be contacted for consultation at 516 3742228 or via email at davidsimai@yahoo.com. 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.

Notable Quotes

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“Say What?”

I worked out about 10 times. I would love to come back two months from now. I know I could reach home plate with a decent curveball. I’m not kidding. I’m almost 93, but I feel like I’m 51, 49, right in there. - 92-year-old Tony Gianunzio, who threw out the first pitch in Wrigley Field 70 years after giving up a promising pitching career to go fight in WWII, vowing that the ball will reach the plate without bouncing next time I want to get rid of this stuff and clean up my garage. – What a woman told a recycling company when she dropped off a box of electronics, which she didn’t realize included a vintage Apple I computer worth $200,000

For the second year in a row, the Scripps National Spelling Bee ended in a tie with two winners. Or as each of their parents put it to their kids, “I told you that you shouldn’t have gone outside to play that one time.” - Jimmy Fallon

WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. This is a message from the City and County of San Francisco. - The warning that San Francisco lawmakers are proposing to be mandatory on all soda and sugary soda advertisements People don’t remember, but when I came into office, the United States in world opinion ranked below China and just barely above Russia, and today once again, the United States is the most respected country on earth… It was on that basis we were able to end two wars while still focusing on the very real threat of terrorism and try to work with our partners in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s the reason why we are moving in the direction to normalize relations with Cuba and the nuclear deal that we are trying to negotiate with Iran. - President Obama at a recent town hall meeting

Today is the first official day of the 2015 hurricane season. And this is amazing — the New York Knicks have already been eliminated. – Seth Myers

I’ve got one simple message. I have more experience with our national security than any other candidate in this race. That includes you, Hillary! - Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announcing that he is seeking the 2016 Republican nomination

Recently, the CEO of Goldman Sachs let his employees know that he’d be just fine with either Bush or Clinton. I bet he would. Well, I’ve got news for the bullies of Wall Street: The presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth by you between two royal families. It is a sacred trust to be earned from the people of the United States and exercised on behalf of the people of the United States. - Former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, announcing that he is running for the 2016 Democratic nomination

During a speech in Iowa this weekend, Bernie Sanders criticized the billionaire class and said they “can’t have it all.” Billionaires would’ve responded but they were busy this weekend literally having it all. - Jimmy Fallon

I invite him to please come and take a tour... I wonder if he will be able to find such a golden toilet seat in any of these washrooms. If he finds it, I will resign from the presidency. - President Erdogan responding to the criticism

I don’t know. Maybe we were not skeptical enough. – Now retired Bob Schieffer, during his last broadcast ever of Face the Nation, “courageously” acknowledging that the media gave President Obama an easy ride during his 2008 campaign and failed to do their job, which is to be skeptical of all candidates

Israel is the root cause of economic, political and cultural problems facing Muslim nations in recent decades. - Conclusion reached by a gathering of Muslim clerics in Beirut, Lebanon, last week No. - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is running against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, when asked on CNBC whether a top tax rate of 90% would be too high

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I’m fine, they’re really pampering me here. - Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina, 92, when she was mobbed by wellwishers after completing the San Diego Marathon last week

Palaces have been built for you, planes bought, Mercedes cars purchased... golden seats have been bought, that’s how you use the toilet. - Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the Turkish opposition, criticizing Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for his lavish spending, which includes recently building a $600 million palace

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A lawyer from Africa wants to marry Malia Obama in exchange for goats, sheep, and cows. In response, President Obama said, “Don’t be ridiculous. My daughter isn’t marrying a lawyer.” – Conan O’Brien

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Compiled by Nate Davis

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They don’t understand the game. They don’t understand the process. There’s a process. And then they… complain because we don’t have a plan. - Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. responding to fan outrage upon hearing that he may trade their star players

The procedure at The Daily Item is for the person editing letters to review the content for offensive language and ad hominem attacks. Publication is, however, a signal that the opinion is not one we would readily suppress, which can accurately be interpreted as an endorsement of acceptability — much to our chagrin in this instance. - Part of an editorial apology printed in a Pennsylvania newspaper after it printed a letter to the editor calling for President Obama’s execution

It is important to say that this land is ours—all of it is ours. We didn’t come here to apologize for this. - Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely telling Israeli officials that they should reference the Torah in presenting the historical rights of the Jewish people to the entire land of Israel Some of them I think secretly want there to be an attack on the United States so they can blame it on me. – Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) suggesting that those who oppose his opposition to the Patriot Act want there to be a terrorist attack so that they can blame him for it

I may not be the youngest candidate in this race, but I have one big advantage: I’ve been coloring my hair for years. So you’re not going to see me turn white in the White House. - Hillary Clinton

It is simply unbelievable that a person whose way of operating is so famously and chronically sketchy can be chosen as president. [Hillary’s] policy judgments throughout her career will come under question. She is good at politics in terms of how she perceives the game and generally makes decisions within it—good enough to be an almost certain presidential nominee. Yet she is charmless on the stump and seems always to be hiding something in interviews. In speeches she continues to do strange things, such as speaking with a Southern accent this week in South Carolina. - Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal

MORE QUOTES

Officials from the soccer organization, FIFA, which decides which cities get to host the World Cup, are accused of accepting bribes when making their decision. Of course the toughest part for the soccer officials was taking bribes without using their hands. – Jimmy Fallon

It’s another clear attempt by the USA to spread its jurisdiction to other states… The U.S. prosecutor, as our media report, has already said that those FIFA officials have committed a crime. As if the prosecutor didn’t know about the principle of the presumption of innocence. - Russian President Vladimir Putin criticizing the U.S. indictment of high level World Soccer officials.

Criminals feel empowered now. There is no respect. Police are under siege in every quarter. They are more afraid of going to jail for doing their jobs properly than they are of getting shot on duty. - Baltimore City police union President, Lt. Gene Ryan, explaining why the police are standing down as crime skyrockets in the city

In Michigan, the world’s oldest person recently turned 116. When the president called to congratulate her, she said, “Tell McKinley I’m busy.” – Conan O’Brien

There’s massive corruption, a massive scandal, in international soccer. The first clue was when a soccer team scored a suspiciously high three goals in one game. – Conan O’Brien

JUNE 4, 2015

I have new watches! I’m supposed to have four watches since I have four long legs. But that seems too tuhao [rich and vulgar] so I kept it down to two, which totally fits my status. Do you have one? - Caption of a photo placed on a Chinese social media site by a Chinese mogul who purchased two gold Apple Watches for his dog, valued at $24,000

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No getting around it— filling up your gas tank at certain stations in Detroit can be hazardous to your health… I’d probably be very aware of my surroundings. - Detroit Police Chief James Craig at a news conference after a man was shot while pumping gas at night

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You’re gonna be really mad at me when I put mine in. - What amateur golfer Janet Blundy joked to her amateur golfer husband, Tony, right after he hit a hole-in-one. Her next shot was a hole in one. (The odds of this feat, which was witnessed by independent witnesses, taking place is 26,000,000 to 1)

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Restaurant Review

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Boeuf & Bun

Gentrifying Kosher Y

ou deserve a better burger. Boeuf & Bun co-owner and executive chef Tzemach Woolstone is redefining the kosher burger. A native of Sydney, Australia, Woolstone is no stranger to the wave of gentrification that is rapidly changing the once unfrequented side of Eastern Parkway. Noting that innovative kosher restaurants like Basil Pizza & Wine Bar proved highly successful in the lively neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Woolstone seized the opportunity to introduce a new casual but trendy dining experience to the area. Boeuf & Bun is an artisanal burger lab that offers a select, eclectic variety of gourmet hamburgers made from the finest quality kosher ingredients. The idea for such a cool, hip place stemmed from Woolstone’s own imagination and his desire to have a place that he and his friends would love to frequent and hang out: a comfortable, welcoming, and lively “burger joint.” No novice in the kitchen, Woolstone himself carefully crafted all the recipes for his burgers and snacks (appetizers/sides) to ensure a quality, awesome culinary experience. Unlike many other places where you would go to enjoy a juicy hamburger, all the menu items at Boeuf & Bun are prepared in-house, daily. All the beef used to prepare their succulent hamburgers is specially selected and ground fresh throughout the day to create the perfect burger. So much thought and care has been put into the menu, that even the buns have been specially designed to complement their burgers. From the food itself to the decor, ambiance, and service, Boeuf & Bun is the ultimate casual dining experience. Boeuf & Bun’s menu boasts an original take on the classic favorite: with options like the ‘Bahh Bahh’ lamb burger, ‘Down South’ BBQ pulled beef burger, ‘New Yorker’ navel pastrami burger, and my favorite: ‘Morning Scramble’ burger, topped with fried

egg, beef bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and crispy potato sticks. For those who are looking to watch their waistline, all burgers are available as a “Boeuf and no Bun” salad option, which comes with your choice of dressings. In addition to their burgers, Boeuf & Bun’s snack menu offers a variety of awesome appetizers/sides to start off or accompany your burger—including their lightly crisp and juicy BBQ smothered chicken wings, southern fried pickles, beer battered onion rings, hand cut truffle fries, and their mouthwatering pulled beef puffy tacos. And for dessert: deconstructed peanut butter s’mores and decadent fried Oreos. The ambiance of Boeuf & Bun is artistically accented with brick and wood paneled walls, mason-jar light fixtures, and eye-popping royal blue seats—welcoming you to relax and step out of the reality of the busy Kingston Avenue. Signs of gentrification as an urban craft are ever-present, whether through their Mason jar beverage glasses (which impresses a southern guy, like myself) or crafted spiced popcorn at every table—it’s a dining experience you will not find at many other kosher establishments. But, as we know, it’s the food that counts most, and it’s their food that will impress the most. Recommended order: B&B Wings, Pulled Beef Puffy Tacos, Morning Scramble Burger, and Southern Fried Pickles. Boeuf & Bun is under the Vaad HaKashrus of Crown Heights and is located at 271 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11213. (718) 221-8900.

Alex Idov is a kosher food writer and food blogger at thekosherologist.com. Find him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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Madraigos

Mindi Werblowsky Saketkhou, LMSW

Summer…Fun?

havuos is over. And with the last yom tov of the year behind us, the final countdown to summer vacation has begun. “Summer fun.” Camp, swimming, sun, parks, ball … everything you imagine when you think of summer. And at the root of the excitement of summer is vacation. No school for 10 weeks. Summer is a time for children to stay up later and sleep longer in the morning. For families to spend quality time together on vacation or in the evenings without homework and studying. And for teenagers there is plenty of time to hang out with their friends. Yes, all in all, summer seems to be hands down the best time of the year. But is it? Is the lack of schedule and the excessive free time really something positive? At a recent “Lounge Night” in Madraigos I was discussing with the girls what contributes the most to their daily stress. One of the older teens responded that not having a daily schedule stresses her out. She explained that she feels stressed and depressed when she reflects back on all the time she has wasted and all the minutes she spent on her phone and watching television. Yet when we discussed summer plans, most of the girls admitted that they have no plans for the summer. For various reasons, fewer children are attending camp. And fewer teenagers elect to go to sleepaway camp even when given the option. Many of them have extremely long and difficult school days and do not want to spend their summer trapped in another schedule. This is a feeling I understand and empathize with. However, a majority of these teenagers do not seek employment (even part time) and are looking forward to 10 weeks with absolutely nothing to do. Many boys do not attend minyan or learn during the summer and many girls spend their time on the beach or getting into trouble on the internet. As a social worker involved with teens on a daily basis, I would like to make the argument that a summer without any schedule for a teenager is a recipe for disaster. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) published a study stating that the human brain is not fully developed until the early twenties. Therefore, the study concluded that adolescents are most at risk for making hazardous choices. The NIMH reported that mortality and crime rates as well as substance and alcohol abuse are highest

among adolescents. Over the years I have heard many people express annoyance at the fact that the Three Weeks/Nine Days and Tisha B’Av are during the summer. Everyone has to plan their vacation around these weeks, swimming stops and during the relaxed, carefree time of the year one of

had commented that for the entire bein hazmanim he is on edge and does not relax until yeshiva starts again. Rav Steinman stated that during bein hazmanim there is less Torah learning and therefore, less protection for Am Yisrael. This really made an impression on me and it was something I shared with

A summer without any schedule for a teenager is a recipe for disaster. the two most serious fast days is upon us. There is no music, no shopping—nothing that is fun about summer can take place during this time. But there are no accidents in this world and Hashem did not miscalculate when He decreed that Tisha B’Av would fall out during this season. I once heard it said that it is specifically because it is the summer that Hashem made Tisha B’Av at this time, as a reminder that in Judaism there is no such thing as 10 weeks “off.” We are always on and we always have a schedule. We have set times for davening, we have specific clothing we always have to wear, we have Shabbos every week, and most importantly we have an awareness of Hashem and what He wants from us 24/7, all year long. Everyone is entitled to relax and take a break. Even yeshivas have a period of bein hazmanim in the summer. But what does our break look like? Are our lives meant to be completely hefker for 10 weeks? This past Pesach I heard of many tragedies within a very short period of time. Children who became very sick, people who passed away suddenly, and couples who lost babies. I remarked on the vast number of tragedies to my sister in wonderment of what message we were supposed to be taking from this. She responded that Rav Aharon Leib Steinman, shlita, the leading gadol in Eretz Yisrael,

my husband and many of my friends. We all count down and look forward to vacation. But the gedolei Yisroel cringe when vacation comes and wait with bated breath until all Jewish people return to their schedules. It seems it is not just teenagers who are in trouble when their lives are hefker. We all are. This is one of the main reasons for the founding of Madraigos’ GNO Summer Program. Each month of the summer Madraigos runs a separate boys and girls evening summer camp for teenagers who are home for the summer and are available in the evenings. The program is filled with supper, activities and fun geared towards teenagers. As summer approaches I encourage everyone to spend time with their families and take the time they need to re-charge their batteries. Summer is an amazing time filled with opportunities to spend time with your children and to encourage creative outlets that perhaps there is no time for during the year. But I am also cautioning that we not allow our teenagers to spend ten weeks wasting their time. When teenagers have nothing to do, they often end up doing nothing that we want them to do. Whether they are in camp or not, it is important to arrange some sort of structure for teenagers and to have set rules and curfews in place. I recently read a story about Rav El-

yashiv zt”l. A close talmid of his came to visit with a question and Rav Elyashiv asked him to return the following week if the question was not urgent. Rav Elyashiv explained that three days earlier he had received a visitor from America with an urgent question that required his attention. Rav Elyashiv stated that the discussion had lasted an extra half an hour into his daily schedule of learning. For the last three days, since meeting with that visitor, Rav Elyashiv had been searching for an extra half an hour in his day to make up for that lost time of learning. As of yet, he had not been able to find one. Although we are not on this level, there is a message to be taken from this. We need to understand and appreciate the value of time. Ten weeks spent doing nothing is an incredibly long amount of time that we will never get back. Rav Zev Leff in his book Festivals of Life states that Tisha B’Av is the beginning of the Yom Kippur process. We may be off from school but we are not off from life. As Jews our eyes should always be on the future and where our lives are headed. Unfortunately, those with nothing to do often head in the wrong direction. Let us use this enjoyable season to spend quality time with our families and as always, ensuring that our families spend their time qualitatively. Wishing everyone an enjoyable and productive summer. For information about GNO Madraigos Girls Night Out Summer Camp, please call Tobi Goldfeder, Head Counselor, (516)371-3250 ext. 8 or email gno@madraigos.org. For information about GNO Madraigos Guys Night Out Summer Camp, please contact Eli Press, Head Counselor at (516)371-3250 ext. 9 or email guys@madraigos.org. Mindi Werblowsky Saketkhou, LMSW, is the Girl Lounge Director at Madraigos. Madraigos, a 501c-3 not-for-profit organization, offers a wide array of innovative services and programs geared towards helping teens and young adults overcome life’s everyday challenges one step at a time Our goal is to provide all of our members with the necessary tools and skills to empower them to live a healthy lifestyle and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Business Blog

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ered healthy. I dunno. Maybe it is, made by Jewish grandmothers. Then he started talking about high fructose corn syrup. Huh? Everyone knows that’s not healthy! Ahh. It’s used in healthy-ish products like energy bars and Special-K cereal. Now I get it. Anyway, the subject abruptly took a

left turn even further into WonderLand as Doctor Somebody (who was quick to point out his credentials as a chiropractic “doctor” and certified whatever) proceeded to (repeatedly) talk about his clinic, his physique (with photos) and his unique discoveries and philosophies for weight loss. Apparently it all has something to do with female hunter gatherers in the 1950s and natural genetics and the liver. Or some combination of those things. It was all a little vague. But did you know that your liver is supposed to burn fat? And if you only buy some of this dude’s magic cleansing potion, then your liver will start doing what it was meant to do. Operators are standing by! But wait, there’s more. You can still eat what you like! Yes! His star pupil, who he shows before-and-after photos of, kept right on eating cream cheese ice cream while losing oodles of weight. Whaaaaat? Dr. Liver spends much of the piece railing against “those other guys” who get rich selling dubious weight loss products, only to offer one of his own. “Of course,” he says, “but mine works!” It’s standard infomercial claptrap repackaged for the web. The difference is that, on the web, I think there’s a much lower tolerance for this kind of snake oil sale. People are used to much more immediate stimulation and involvement. And they have little patience for unkept promises. If they clicked on a banner promising a reward (i.e. information) there’s only a certain amount of time you can tease people and hold them off without providing it.

In my opinion, this ad far, far exceeds that limit. Which reminds me – I never did learn what the other three “healthy”

foods are that I should avoid. After a couple of minutes of watching this spiel I couldn’t stand it anymore so I closed the browser window. Oh well. Now my liver will never become the “fat burning machine” of my dreams. Tips for Doc Liver: • Don’t insult people’s intelligence. You need to do a much better job of separating yourself from the rest of “them.” (-.e. those other greedy, lying weight

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loss product guys) • Don’t promise a reward (info) and lead people down a primrose path that turns into a trip in a yellow submarine. You wanna’ pitch your product? Fine. Don’t lure me in with fake come-ons. Major turn-off. • You can’t batter people into submission (i.e. a sale). Well I can’t. Maybe you can. I’d be fascinated to know what kind of sales numbers your mind-numbing video is racking up. Maybe viewers are so confused and disoriented after they watch that they don’t know what they’re doing and they hit the “order” button in their stupor. In fact I’d think the whole thing was a gag except that, you know, it wasn’t. And I’ll never look at chicken noodle soup the same way again.

Danny Kay is marketing and advertising professional as well as a writer, designer and photographer with over 25 years of experience. He’s worked with businesses and organizations of all sizes, up to Fortune 500. He can be reached through his website, www.dannykaydesign.com, or at dannykay@mac.com.

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uick. What is the one thing you must absolutely never, ever do when you’re trying to persuade people to part with their money? Lie. I don’t mean a regular sales pitch where you embellish the good and gloss over the bad. I mean bold, bad, in-yourface lying. Like a salesman telling a customer that the used car he’s looking at is in perfect condition and has never been in an accident. Or running an old fashioned “bait and switch” scam. I usually don’t click on web banner ads. But a while back I saw one that really piqued my interest. It offered info on five “healthy” foods to avoid if you want to lose weight. Pretty straightforward right? I mean, how could they possibly mess that up? I knew that I would have to face some kind of sales pitch, but weight loss is something I’m interested in. I thought I would be able to take whatever they threw at me in order to get the promised information. Boy was I wrong. The first “healthy” food should have been a giveaway that I was in for a strange, otherworldly experience. The huckster-du-jour tried to say that canned chicken noodle soup is consid-

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Violate This Marketing Rule at Your Own Risk

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Danny Kay

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Forgotten Heroes Avi Heiligman

Fighting for the Union

During the American lmost every Civil War, a total of war since 10,000 Jews fought the end of for both sides with the Middle Ages (aptwo-thirds fighting proximately the year for the Union. At 1500) was fought for least seven made it political, expansionto the rank of general ary or imperialistic for the Union army reasons. Religious with many other ofbackgrounds didn’t ficers serving in vital matter and for Jews roles. this meant that some North CarolinJewish soldiers could ian Alfred Mordecai be fighting for the came from a frum other side. A story family and was acfrom WWI has it that Alfred Mordecai cepted into the Milfour German soldiers saw that during a lull in the fighting six itary Academy at West Point when he Russians appeared to be looking for a was just 18. He became a career officer quiet place. They approached and re- and served during the Mexican-Ameralized that they were all Jewish. After ican War. By the time the Civil War davening mincha together, everyone broke out in 1861 he was the commandreturned to their respective trenches. er of the Washington Arsenal but had a

tough decision to make. Since he was Many of the Jewish soldiers that from the South he resigned his commis- joined the Union were Eastern Eurosion as a major after being declined a pean immigrants looking to escape post away from the battle. It would be anti-Semitism. Leopold Blumenberg too much for him to fight on either side was born in Prussia and served with even though he was offered a position the Prussians during a war in 1848. He in the Confederate Army. was bitter when he was given a medal His son, Alfred Mordecai Jr., grad- because he was Jewish. In 1954 he deuated from West Point in 1861 and was cided to come to America and settled in about to begin a storied army career. Baltimore. Seven years later at the outBorn in Philadelphia, his loyalties were break of war he organized the 5th Marywholly with the North. Within a month land Regiment and was given the rank of graduating from the of major. Maryland academy on June 24, was a border state he had served in the that stayed with the defense of WashingUnion but there was a ton, D.C. and fought large group of people in the First Battle of called Secessionists Bull Run. Like his who wanted Maryland father he became to join the South. Bluan ordnance officer menberg was an aboli(ordnance is munitionist and was almost tions, cannon or as killed by a mob in someone explained it Baltimore at the start to me anything that of the war. During the goes boom!). He was Battle of Antietam, involved in several the bloodiest day on engagements and was U.S. soil, he was seEdward Selig Salomon promoted for gallantverely wounded in the ry in action after the thigh by a sharpshootsiege of Fort Wagner in South Carolina. er at a place called Bloody Lane. For At the end of the war, Alfred Mordecai his bravery, Blumenberg was brevetted Jr. was promoted to lieutenant colonel brigadier general but his fighting career and was sent to be an ordnance instruc- was over. Appointed by President Lintor at West Point. Only after the fighting coln as provost marshal in Maryland, had ended was he promoted to the rank he still remained in the army before he was given full general status. (A brevet of brigadier general. Baltimore native Phineas Horow- commission is in name only. The pay itz joined the navy during the Mexi- and authority don’t necessarily reflect can-American War in 1847. Two years the title.) Another Jewish soldier to answer earlier he had graduated from Universithe call to pick up ty of Maryland Medarms for his country ical School and upon was New York lawentering the navy he yer Leopold Newwas given the posiman. He joined other tion of assistant surlawyers in forming geon. Until 1865, for the 31st New York the duration of the Regiment and was war, he served as the commissioned a lieuassistant to the Chief tenant. The regiment of Bureau of Medifought in many batcine and Surgery and tles including Antiewas the surgeon gentam, and Newman eral of the navy. After was at all of them the passing of his preleading his men. In decessor, Horowitz 1863 he was lieuwas appointed chief tenant colonel when and served in that pohe was home on vasition for four years.

tween the States. Many other Jewish soldiers, sailors and marines faced an-

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Hilt of Blumenberg’s sword

ti-Semitism in a country that was struggling to give all people their freedom. In many cases, promotions, commands and medals weren’t always given to Jewish servicemen; therefore, a lot of their stories have been lost to history. However, for the stories that have survived, the past century and half tell the tale of true American forgotten heroes. In a couple of weeks we will focus on the men who served the Confederacy during the Civil War. 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.

JUNE 4, 2015

Expedition into Indian lands in Oklahoma. In June 1862 he was promoted brigadier general and at the end of the war was brevetted major general. He fought in the Western Theater and commanded the forces in Helena, Arkansas. Under Salomon the outnumbered Union troops defeated the Confederates and the important city on the Mississippi River was saved. Hungarian-born Major General Frederick Knefler was involved in battles during all four years of the bloody war. Joining the Union Army at the start of the war, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant with the 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment. Before the war he worked with Lew Wallace while practicing law and so during the war when Wallace was tasked with raising five regiments in Indiana Knefler was his chief assistant. Knefler quickly rose in rank following a series of battlefield promotions for bravery. Two months before the war ended he was brevetted brigadier general after his regiment stopped the Confederates during the Battle of Nashville. Several times his soldiers praised him for his command style. These Jewish officers were among the estimated thousands that served in the Union forces during the War Be-

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regiment during the Atlanta Campaign in 1864 and was brevetted brigadier general before the war ended in April 1965. In 1870, President U.S. Grant appointed Salomon as governor over the Washington Territory. Two other Salomons became generals in the Union Army (I can’t verify the fact but I think they were cousins of Edward S. Salomon). The brothers, Frederick, Edward, Herman and Charles, were also born in Prussia and settled in Wisconsin. Edward became governor of the state in 1862. Herman served as a sergeant with the engineers. Charles was a colonel in 5th Missouri Volunteer Regiment and took over the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment when his brother Frederick was promoted. After the war, Charles was nominated by President Andrew Johnson for the position of brevet brigadier general. Congress confirmed the appointment. Frederick Salomon moved to St. Louis right before the war and entered the 5th Missouri as a captain. After three months he was appointed colonel of the 9th Wisconsin and joined the Indian

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cation with just one week left before his enlistment was over. He returned to the front to fight with General Sedgwick at the Battle of Fredericksburg. On the orders from Sedgwick and with the regiment’s banner in one hand and a sword in the other, he charged up Maryse Heights. His regiment was the first to reach the Confederate line but Newman was mortally wounded in the foot. President Lincoln arrived at his bedside as he was dying and made him a brigadier general. Newman was buried in Brooklyn with full military honors. Edward Selig Salomon was a German immigrant who had moved to Chicago to practice law. In 1861 he joined 24th Illinois Regiment as a first lieutenant but soon resigned because of disagreements with his commanding officer. A year later he joined the 82nd Illinois Infantry Regiment which comprised of immigrant volunteers’ inkling about 100 Jews. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Salomon had two horses shot out from under him and took command of the regiment when the commander was wounded. He led the

Life Coach

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Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

Are There Benefits to the Israel Day Parade?

know this is an event that has some controversy surrounding it, though, I must admit, I’m never certain what it is. Is it a problem with the parade or Israel or something else? Anyway, I just love it when Jews get together and it’s not about a meal. And add exercise to it and now that’s a real winner. And trust me: when you set out for the Israel Day Parade, you just know you are going to get a ton of exercise! Either you are the kid, schlepping from the bus longing for a coveted early “step off spot.” Then marching your two miles up 5th Avenue while looking desperately to find your parents and siblings that you could have feasted your eyes on all morning, just an hour ago. And then dragging yourself right back to the bus that you feel you just came off of minutes ago. Alternatively, you are the adult, driv-

ing into New York and looking high and low for a parking spot. Followed up by running like the wind from 1st Avenue where you had to park to try to get to the parade in time to wave enthusiastically and smile with great joy at the very same child you just got upset with for not taking a drink, or sweater , or something along with him or her. After that you are weaving up and down the streets to find a spot to stand to watch them go by. And a second after they do pass by, you are counter-weaving back uptown as fast and sweaty as you can to meet up with them. Because they want a ride home with you instead of getting back on that hot, squishy bus! But the exercise is not over yet. Now you are walking back to 1st Avenue to get the car. But first you must find a restaurant that will let you—and at least 50 other people wearing bright turquoise

When you set out for the Israel Day Parade, you just know you are going to get a ton of exercise!

or sunshine yellow tee shirts with some funky acronym for a Jewish day school written on it—use their bathroom. Definitely not an easy feat to find one. So that keeps you circling the area for a while longer. At last, you are about to get to the car, but first someone must get a drink and bite to eat. Now ensues another hunt, by foot, for a place with something kosher for you to ingest. So by the time you do get to your car, you’ve put in a few good miles at least. Now that’s a good day’s work out. And on top of that you’ve had a nice achdut experience. You’ve seen some of your childhood buddies you haven’t seen in ages. True, you’ve seen some neighbors you could have seen in Gourmet Glatt, Seasons or Brach’s and saved yourself the grueling trip to Manhattan. But could you have seen that kid of yours, safely out of arguing distance, actually behind a barrier and therefore allowing you just pure nachas and nothing more? No “make your bed!” No “put the dishes in the sink” and “No, I’m not driving you to the mall.” Just a real sense of pride

that that that’s your kid—and that we are all part of the Jewish nation. And best of all, you get to burn off calories rather than putting them on—which is almost a foregone conclusion at most other Jewish events or holidays! So here are some lessons I’ve learned: Always parade through life, be proud to be a Jew, and have an awesome week each week! 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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Top 10 Taxing Words That (Sort Of) Rhyme With “Tax” expense! 7. Goldman Sachs: America’s most hated company has paid literally billions in fines since 2008. But they still managed to squeak out $8.48 billion in profit last year. And they paid 31.4% of that haul in taxes. So we’re guessing at least the folks at the IRS still love them. 6. Craps: Not technically a rhyme, but close enough. While gambling winnings are taxable as “other income” on Form 1040, you can deduct gambling losses up to your total winnings, on Schedule A. Beyond that point, however, the tax still acts on your fat stacks. 5. Cracker Jacks: Candy-covered popcorn and peanut treats with a prize in every box. Bonus fun fact — some historians consider them America’s first junk food! But whether that’s true or not, you can’t buy them in most states without paying sales tax. 4. Whacks: Tony Soprano and his colleagues hire professional killers to resolve business disputes “out of court” — because it’s faster than filing a lawsuit and generally cheaper than hiring a lawyer. Good news: code section 162(a) lets business owners deduct “ordinary and necessary” professional fees. Bad news: the Supreme Court says no deductions are allowed for expenses that violate public policy. Sorry, Tony — looks like if you wanna whack Paulie Walnuts, it’s gotta be on your own dime. 3. Saks: Saks Fifth Avenue stores have been outfitting fashionable men and women since Horace Saks and Andrew Gimbel opened their first location in 1924. Looking good can definitely help advance your career, of course. But does that mean you can write off the dress you wear to impress? Sorry, but no . . . Uniforms and work clothes are deductible only if they’re not suitable for or-

dinary streetwear. Maybe if we got a deduction, it wouldn’t hurt so much to pay retail! 2. Yaks: Foodies are constantly foraging for the newest food fads. (You don’t think anyone really likes quinoa or kale, do you?) Maybe it’s time for our ranchers to look towards the Himalayas. Tibetans have used yaks for centuries for meat, milk, fiber, and fuel (don’t ask). In parts of the region, they even race the poor beasts. Best of all, yaks domesticated over here should qualify for generous dairy subsidies! And the number one taxing word that sort of rhymes with tax: “Relax!” We’re here for you. There’s nothing funny about paying more than you have to — that’s why you need a plan to pay less. Start now and see how many

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10. Cadillacs: Americans love to drive. Why else would we invent interstate highways, suburbs, and traffic jams? (So many traffic jams.) Good thing our friends at the IRS are happy to help you roll in style, with a choice of deducting “actual expenses” or 57.5 cents/per mile. 9. Cracks: Our bridges and highways are riddled with cracks. So the Highway Trust Fund collects a tax. But the cracks are spreading too fast for that tax. And Congress refuses to face those facts. (Some folks think Congress is stuffed full of hacks. Maybe it’s time to give them the ax?) 8. Anthrax: If you find life-threatening poison powder in your mail, you’ll want to call 911, pronto. But don’t worry about that pesky hospital bill. You can use a Section 105 Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan to write off all your medical costs as a business

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ate-night talk show host David Letterman has delighted audiences with his wry, subversive sense of humor for an impressive 33 years. But last week he bid us farewell. We’ll remember him for his Stump the Band bits, his Stupid Pet Tricks, and — most of all — his Top 10 lists. So here, in Dave’s honor (from the Home Office in Wahoo, Nebraska), we present The Top 10 Taxing Words That (Sort Of) Rhyme With “Tax.” Drumroll, please!

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Allan J. Rolnick, CPA

words you can think of that rhyme with “savings”! 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.

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