Five Towns Jewish Home - 2-15-18

February 15, 2018

Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper

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

NETANYAHU UNDER FIRE See page 7

Around the

Community

76 Community Joins in the Fun at KolSave Market Purim Carnival

pg

My Trip to the Vatican & Rabbi Lau’s Impassioned Words

98

pg

82

The Power of Prayer 60 Yeshiva of Far Rockaway Rabbi Aaron Brafman z”l Tribute Dinner

Legacy 613 and its Initiative to Uplift Tefillah pg

102 – See page 3

SEASONS LAWRENCE

74 Sulitz Bais Medrash 67th Annual Dinner

44 The New Five Towns Premier Rehab and Nursing Center in Woodmere

330 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559

PASSOVER VACATION GUIDE See pages 117 – 135

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

M

y grandmother has given me numerous bits of advice throughout the years. I remember, when I was in high school, Bubby overheard me chatting about something. “Family will always be there for you,” she told me sagely.

In high school, when friends can be your universe, family sometimes ends up taking a backseat. But a grandmother has many years more experience than a teenager, and her words penetrated my adolescent mind.

It’s been decades since my grandmother taught me that priority, and this weekend I was reminded of her sage words as our extended family got together to celebrate my grandmother’s birthday.

There really is nothing like family. I am blessed with many cousins. Some of them – actually, all of them except for one (shout out to Z.!) – don’t live in the Five Towns.

That means that I don’t get to see them often. Truthfully, I barely get to see them.

Sometimes there’s a simcha and we’re able to chat for a few minutes at a wedding or a bris until we have to rush back to our homes. So the times we spend together are few and very far between.

On motzei Shabbos, despite not seeing some of my cousins in many months, I was able to reconnect. Now, reconnecting with a hundred people (we’re talking about their spouses and children too) is improbable and impossible. But seeing my cousins and their adorable families was eu-

phoric. It brought back memories of good times – Chanukah parties at my grandparents’ house, bar mitzvah celebrations, and birthday parties from when we were young.

I was able to see that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Just by looking at an angelic five-year-old in a purple sweater I was able to discern who her mother was. Another young boy’s personality completely matched his mother’s when she was his age. Were my cousins able to tell who my kids were when they saw their smiles at the party?

Although we all grew up in Flatbush, my family is now scattered, some living in Israel, Chicago, Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Florida. Our roots, though, remain in New York, where Bubby, the “matriarch” of our family, resides. We all feel a special connection to her. Bubby delights in our successes and aches from our struggles. She encourages us, believes in us, and propels us to excel. She thoughtfully imparts words of advice, softly soothes our babies’ cries, and enthusiastically watches our children’s performances. We all know that Bubby is our biggest fan.

I hope that as the “S and G gang” expands, we can continue to bring our Bubby nachas as she sees her words ring true: “Family will always be there for you.”

Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern PUBLISHER

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR

ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Shoshana Soroka EDITOR

editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Nate Davis Editorial Assistant Nechama Wein Copy Editor Berish Edelman Mati Jacobovits Design & Production Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857 Classified: Deadline Monday 5PM classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003 The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine.

Opinions expressed by writers are not neces­ sarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

8

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

8

Community Happenings

38

NEWS Global

13

National

26

Odd-but-True Stories

34

ISRAEL

116

Israel News

22

World Builders

96

Netanyahu Under Fire

98

PEOPLE My Trip to the Vatican & Rabbi Lau’s Impassioned Words

by Rabbi Gideon Shloush The Australian Coastwatchers by Avi Heiligman

82 132

Dear Editor, Your February 8, 2018 issue discussed whether the phrase “chain migration law” is racist. It’s not racist any more than the phrase “spotted unicorn” is racist, since both expressions refer to a creature of mythology that doesn’t exist in the real world. The immigration laws of the United States do not, and have never, allowed immigrants to “bring all relatives (even distant ones) into the U.S.” If you refer to Section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990, as amended, which sets forth the guidelines for family-based immigration, United States citizens may file for spouses, parents, children and siblings. Married children and siblings may also be

PARSHA Rabbi Wein

88

Letting Him In by Rav Moshe Weinberger

90

JEWISH THOUGHT Goalies by Eytan Kobre

92

Legacy of Prayer by Tammy Mark

102

Photo credits for the photos of the JEP-REN event were omitted last week.

The photographer who took the photos was Gabriel Solomon.

HEALTH & FITNESS How Do You Get Happiness? by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn 112

140

We regret the omission.

Jennifer S. Zwiebel was the author of the article.

Should you be Taking Dietary Supplements? by Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN 114

accompanied by their own spouses and minor unmarried children. So the most distant relatives allowed are going to be nieces, nephews and grandchildren, and these individuals must wait years or even decades before receiving visas to the United States. There are a lot of serious issues to consider in the immigration debate, but we should start any discussion with truth and accuracy.

Sincerely, Judy Resnick Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) since 1997

Dear Editor, While the article on Ms. Ballin, a first responder in Jerusalem, was interesting, credit for the paving her way is due to three women from Nof Ayalon, who over a decade earlier, during a dangerous time in Israel, responded to the vacuum of medics in their area, trained, received rabbinic approval for women to serve and have been taking multiple shifts each week since. One of these three women is Dr. Sharon (Levitz) Slater, an olah from Woodmere, a clinical psychologist, full-time mother and active volunteer for both Hatzalah Continued on page 10

Life’s Platinum Medal by Dr. Hylton I Lightman 116 FOOD & LEISURE

The Aussie Gourmet: Ceviche

118

LIFESTYLES Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW

108

Your Money

140

Stress-Free Travel by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

142

HUMOR Centerfold

86

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

120

Trump Must Not Take Jordan for Granted by David Ignatius

128

Play Ball, with Informed Intelligence by George F. Will

130

CLASSIFIEDS

136

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

26 74 %

Morning person

%

Night owl

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Continued from page 8

and MDA. They serve bravely and tirelessly and deserve our gratitude for their service.

Y.B.

The Sandy Thurm, ‫ע”ה‬ Central@70 Learning Program invites you to join us for a morning of learning, featuring President of Yeshiva University, RABBI DR. ARI BERMAN

REDEMPTION

HUMANITY

COMPASSION

LIFE

TRUTH

F I V E

T O R O T

THE FIVE TOROT OF JUDAISM TODAY AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW Sunday, February 25, 2018 9:30–11:30 a.m. @ Central 86-86 Palo Alto Street Holliswood, NY Break-out shiurim given by Central Faculty to follow Rabbi Berman’s address

Dear Editor, Your note to readers this week was, as usual, superb. I always like your points and this week was no exception. It’s hard to imagine that a country could blatantly declare its innocence in a matter so painful and inescapable. It seems that they just want to escape reality, that they could have been partners in a horror so grotesque and so inhumane.

This is part of our golus. We have been beaten, slaughtered, and left for dead. And still, there are those that ignore our cries and our pain.

There is no understanding for what we went through. There is no regret for what was done. Even when there are expressions of sympathy they are mostly platitudes covering feelings of exasperation – why can’t they just “get over it”? Six million dead and they want us to be silent.

Six million dead and they want to pretend that nothing happened.

Hopefully a time will come soon when our voices will be heard and when our nation will once again be given respect, honor, and admiration.

Sincerely, Baruch M. Lustig

Dear Editor, This is in reference to a letter in your publication last week written

by “Pesach S.” condemning your paper for referencing the Super Bowl.

I hope that this letter, written a few weeks before Purim, was written in jest. If not, I feel for this gentleman.

Not everyone is equipped to sit in yeshiva all day. Not everyone should be sitting in yeshiva all day. Sports are a wonderful outlet for young men. If boys are physically active in sports, that’s wonderful – healthy physically and mentally. If they like to watch sports, without commercials, just to see the action on the field or on the court, I say kol hakavod. Sometimes our minds need a (well-deserved) rest. Some people like to read, other people like to do Sudoku, some like to head out for a run, and other people like to watch sports. Is being on WhatsApp and Facebook all day better than watching a ball being passed from person to person in an effort to get to the goal?

Sports can teach boys and girls wonderful character traits. They can learn to work together as a team, they can learn to push themselves, they can learn to deal with loss and with victory, they can learn to have good sportsmanship... these are all great traits, especially for young men and women.

Pesach S., please don’t call watching the Super Bowl “goy pressure.” There is nothing inherently “goyish” about watching sports. In fact, I propose you head out to the field this weekend with a football.

Playing ball will clear your head and you will come home happy.

Sincerely, Shimmy Narten

This day of learning is sponsored by the Keehn, Weintraub and Weinberg Families in loving memory of Bonnie Keehn Weintraub (’80) ‫ע”ה‬, in commemoration of her 10th yahrzeit.

RSVP@yuhsg.org For more information please contact Shani Malitzky, Director of Community Engagement at malitzky@yuhsg.org

Views expressed on the Letters to the Editor page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jewish Home.

Please send all correspondence to: editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

The Week In News

Cash for AntiSemitic Rants

An official in Lithuania that is responsible for ethics in academia has been caught offering cash rewards to students or scholars who would be willing to write about Jews involved in war crimes or murder.

Vigilijus Sadauskas made the offer on his blog. He offered 1,000 euros to “a school student, a university student, a postgraduate student, a teacher, or a scientist who will collect information, documents, materials, and write a thesis (at least 10 printed pages) or a publication about individuals of the Jewish nationality who killed people, contributed to deportations or tortures.” He is now being called on to resign by Viktoras Pranckietis, the speaker of the Lithuanian parliament.

Sadauskas, who was appointed in 2013 to be the controller of academic ethics and procedures of the Republic of Lithuania, plans to stay in his position until his tenure ends in June.

His call for anti-Semitic academic publications came while neighboring Poland debated its complicity in the Holocaust. Nationalist groups across Eastern Europe have come out rejecting the idea that their nations hold any responsibility for their actions taken during World War II. Both Poland and Lithuania have passed laws that criminalize such allegations.

Sadauskas was elected the “National Man” of Lithuanian National Radio in 2011.

Poland to Ban Shechita?

Polish Jews and other Jewish organizations are still reeling from a

recent law passed that criminalizes those who assign responsibility to the Polish nation for Holocaust crimes.

Now the Polish government is adding insult to injury. Poland’s ruling party has proposed a bill that will impose severe limitations on kosher slaughter in the country. The laws would also limit the export of meat produced using the kosher slaughtering method, the European Jewish Association said in a statement on Monday.

Proposers cited animal cruelty concerns in their 48-page bill. The law will not ban kashrus entirely, which was actually banned five years ago. In 2013 kashrus was entirely prohibited for a short time until it was legalized again due to a high court ruling in 2014. The new law would prohibit slaughtering animals when they are “in an unnatural state,” i.e., not standing up, and will impose a four-year jail sentence for offenders.

According to EJA Chairman Rabbi Menachem Margolin, this limitation “makes it very difficult to perform kosher slaughter due to some kashrut laws that forbid to apply any pressure on the knife to protect the animal from unnecessary pain.”

The new laws would create strict guidelines for slaughtering according to halacha. The EJA said that the law will impose “restrictions on exporting kosher meat from Poland, which would affect a very large part of the Jewish communities in Europe.”

Animal rights activists are opposing Halal methods as well. Both in Judaism and in Islam animals must be conscious when their necks are cut, otherwise, the meat is not permissible to eat.

“These restrictions on kosher slaughter are in complete contradiction to the principle of freedom of religion of the European Union,” Margolin insisted. “I call on the Polish government to not legislate this shameful law and to take into consideration that the Jewish people’s trust in the Polish leadership is deteriorating. I don’t want to imagine what the next stage will be after legislating the Holocaust Law and putting limits on kosher slaughter in the country.”

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

71 Killed in Russian Plane Crash

Seventy-one people were killed when a Russian aircraft crashed outside of Moscow shortly after taking off. The flight was headed for the city of Orsk, about 900 miles southeast of the capital. On Tuesday it was revealed that human error may have led to the crash.

On Monday, emergency workers searched snow-covered fields outside Moscow in search of remains and clues for what caused the AN148 plane operated by Saratov Airlines to crash.

Investigators were analyzing weather, human error, and the

plane’s technical condition. The crew did not send any distress signals, and all those aboard the aircraft perished in the crash. The plane was manufactured in 2010 and had passed inspections last month. It had completed successful flights earlier that day.

The aircraft’s two flight recorders were recovered, as well as plane fragments. Footage from a CCTV camera showed what looked like a large ball of fire streaking through the sky. However preliminary reports by investigators reported that when the plane plummeted towards the ground, it was mostly in one piece and not in flames. They believe the explosion occurred only after the crash.

On Tuesday, investigators said that human error may have been to blame for the death of 71 people onboard the plane. The pilots had failed to turn on the heating unit for the plane’s measuring equipment prior to takeoff and chose not to have the plane undergo de-icing prior to takeoff, resulting in flawed speed data. As such the pilots saw varying data on the plane’s two speed indicators. Initially, the plane was put on autopilot after takeoff but the pilots then took over manual control

when they saw the conflicting speed data, with one indicator showing the plane’s speed at zero. The pilots performed a series of maneuvers and eventually took the plane into a dive at 30-35 degrees. It plummeted into a snowy field six minutes after takeoff, killing all 65 passengers and six crew onboard.

Inflated Refugee Numbers in Uganda

Officials in Uganda have been suspended for allegedly inflating the number of refugees the country hosts. Uganda’s Commissioner for

Refugees Apollo Kazungu and three of his staff members are under investigation for padding the refugee numbers. A further investigation is to consider whether UN aid agencies were involved as well.

Uganda is said to host 1.4 million refugees. Most of the displaced people come from conflict areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. According to reports, last year saw more new arrivals than ever before. Now those numbers are being called into question.

The issue was first brought to light by UN country representative Rosa Malango. She raised a number of issues with the figures being presented including the “doubtful” number of refugees, the trafficking of women and children, and fraud.

On further examination, the capital Kampala was found to house 7,000 people in need of aid, while the reported number of those in need was 26,000. Of course, the question now is where has all of the extra aid money and supplies gone.

Until the accusations are cleared up, the United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom have threatened to withhold funding from Uganda.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Lizard Spies

According to former chief-of-staff of the Iranian army Hassan Firuzabadi, Western spy agencies have been using lizards for espionage in Iran to unearth Iranian nuclear secrets.

While answering various questions about the recent wave of arrests of environmental activists in Iran, Firuzabadi said that the West has a history of using tourists, nature lovers, and pro-environment activists as spies. He said that in the past people posing as pro-Palestinian activists chose odd traveling routes while they were working in Iran.

The Iranian security forces found “a variety of reptile desert species like lizards, chameleons” in their luggage, he explained. The skin of the reptiles “attracts atomic waves,” he said, providing information about where in Iran uranium mines are located and what sort of work is done in them when the lizard-owners were in close proximity to those sites.

Iranian-Canadian professor Kavous Seyed Emami died in Iranian prison on February 10 after he was arrested on January 24 alongside other members of the NGO he created called the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Officials are saying he committed suicide. His family disputes that claim. Deputy Head of the Iranian Environmental Protection Agency Kaveh Madani was also arrested for a brief period and later released.

While answering questions on the radio, Firuzabadi was adamant that these lizard-wielding spies of the West fail “every time.”

Dutch FM Resigns After admitting that he lied about attending a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2006, Dutch Foreign Minister Halbe Zijlstra resigned this week. He had previously claimed he overheard Putin talking about expansionist ambitions at a gathering in 2006, but admitted on Monday that he did not meet the

president in person and that he “borrowed” the information from a source.

Zijlstra said that his prior statements were “not a smart move,” telling the Dutch parliament on Tuesday that it was “the biggest mistake” of his career. “I should not have done this and I am very sorry,” he said.

“It’s about the credibility of the minister domestically and abroad.

And only by being credible can I represent the interests of the Netherlands. To not further impact the position [of foreign minister], I see no other option than to submit my resignation,” he said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whom Zijlstra said was informed of the story some weeks ago, defended the foreign minister on Monday, saying he was still “credible” because the content of the story is “not up for discussion.” Zijlstra, a close ally of Rutte, previously served as parliamentary leader of the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) before he was appointed foreign minister in Rutte’s third government last October.

Zijlstra said at a VVD party conference in 2016 that he heard the Russian president talking about plans to expand the country’s borders and create a “Great Russia” that would include Belarus, Ukraine, the Baltic states and possibly Kazakhstan.

Zijlstra had been set to fly to Russia to meet his counterpart Sergey Lavrov this week.

Before Zijlstra’s resignation, the Russian foreign ministry released a statement on Tuesday saying that Russian-Dutch relations have been overshadowed by “an unprecedented anti-Russia campaign launched by the Dutch media.”

ICC to Investigate Duterte’s War on Drugs Rodrigo Duterte has been leading a brutal war on drugs in the Philip-

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

is alleged that many of the reported incidents involved extra-judicial killings in the course of police anti-drug operations,” she explained.

Duterte has long been accused by rights groups of human rights violations in his anti-drug campaign.

Human Rights Watch estimates that 12,000 people have died in Duterte’s crusade since June 2016. According to official government numbers, only 3,900 people have been killed in the drug war.

Last month, Amnesty International warned that “police have been allowed to operate in a culture of almost total impunity,” adding that “all perpetrators, including those in positions of command, must be held to account.”

Kim Jong Un’s Sister Glorified

by Media

pines, and he will now be investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for doing so. ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor informed Philippine officials that they were conducting a “preliminary inquiry” into whether the matter needs to be investigated.

Harry Roque, a congressman, lawyer, human rights advocate, and law professor, told reporters that President Duterte “welcomes this preliminary examination because he

is sick and tired of being accused of the commission of crimes against humanity.” Roque went on to say that the ICC move was a waste of time and resources and a push by the president’s enemies to embarrass him. He added that the probe “will not go beyond preliminary examination.”

According to the ICC website, the court “investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the

international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.” ICC top prosecutor Fatou Bensouda confirmed that she had opened the preliminary investigation and “will analyze crimes allegedly committed ... in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.”

“While some of such killings have reportedly occurred in the context of clashes between or within gangs, it

Her brother is said to be one of the most notorious men alive, yet the world barely knows her. Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, arrived at Incheon International Airport of South Korea via private jet to enjoy the Winter Olympic games this week.

Kim Yo Jong is the first member of her family to set foot on South Korean soil in nearly 70 years. She appeared to have come in peace to attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, with her 22-person entourage. The sister of the sadistic Kim Jong Un looked pale and poised as she watched the crowds. Within hours, the image of Kim Jong Un’s younger sister in enemy territory spread like wildfire on social media and was in newspapers the next morning. Many South Koreans have never laid eyes on a North Korean in person.

Kim Yo Jong had been dubbed by her late father, Kim Jong Il, the country’s “princess.” She was seated directly behind South Korea’s president, Moon Jae-in, and they exchanged a

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

handshake. It is believed that Kim Yo Jong holds a trusted position in her brother’s regime. There have been rumors swirling that Moon Jae-in and Yo Jong have a meeting scheduled this week to discuss tensions between the two nations, although the two nations are still technically at war.

The media, indifferent to or ignorant of the atrocities that North Korea commits daily on its citizens, glorified Kim Yo Jong. The Washington Post wrote, “The ‘Ivanka Trump of North Korea’ captivates” and CNN said she was “stealing the show.” She “turns on the charm,” lauded The New York Times. Even Reuters weighed in: Thanks to her, “North Korea has emerged as the early favorite to grab one of the Winter Olympics’ most important medals: the diplomatic gold.”

Thankfully, people of more sound mind pointed out that instead of glorifying a dictator’s sister, they should be highlighting the atrocities and oppression that take place constantly in North Korea. Governor Mike Huckabee tweeted, “Kim Yo Jong, Lil Sis of Lil Kim, is ‘stealing show’ according to CNN. She’s probably stealing food and electricity to take back to her starving and sitting w/o lights people. CNN has no shame or awareness of NOKO human rights abuses.”

the need to meet a growing demand for energy. The IPS, however, reports that the main reason that these nations are purchasing nuclear technology from other nations is to be able to counter Iran’s growing nuclear capabilities. Sunni Arab nations, according to Dr. Shaul Shay, director of research at the IPS and a former deputy head of the National Security Council (NSC), need to step up their nuclear pace if they wish to be able to protect themselves from a possible Iranian nuclear threat.

The nuclear deal that was made with Iran and world powers relaxed sanctions that had been imposed on the Islamic Republic in exchange for a commitment to not develop a nuclear weapon in the next decade. This delay gives time to Iran’s neighbors to develop their own nuclear infrastructure before the deal’s parameters are up. After the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia is next in line to have a working nuclear power plant. The kingdom has already announced that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia will follow suit.

UN Money Supporting AlShabaab

A Nuclear Race in the Arab World?

According to a report published by the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Arab nations are constructing plants capable of producing nuclear power across the Middle East and North Africa. According to the IPS’s current trajectories, the United Arab Emirates will be the first Arab state to operate a nuclear reactor and they will be followed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Algeria.

The reason given for the construction of such nuclear power plants is

A recent CNN investigation revealed how United Nations’ funds are falling into the wrong hands. Money earmarked for people displaced by conflict and famine is landing in the murderous hands of Africa’s oldest and most vicious terrorist organization, al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab.

Former members of al-Shabaab and Somali intelligence agents say the terror group is extorting thousands of dollars per day – millions a year – via road blocks and taxes on merchants attempting to transport food and supplies to sell inside small towns and villages.

The United Nations’ program provides a cash card for those who were forced to flee their homes and are living in a camp in the central Somali city of Baidoa. The recipients are screened by the UN and issued cash

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cards for around $80 to $90 each month for the purchase of essentials at local markets. Small food businesses drive their loaded trucks to open market places where the internally displaced people (IDPs) buy their food. UN officials organized this form of giving in order to avoid disrupting local markets by flooding them with free food. However, there is a bigger problem with this arrangement. Food trucks are forced to pay al-Shabaab, which controls the main road into the town, to move their goods. The UN has estimated that a single roadblock generated about $5,000 per day on the road to Baidoa for the terrorists.

Informants have explained that if local merchants don’t pay up “they’re captured and killed,” according to a former al-Shabaab fighter who collected tax for eight years and now works with Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency.

Michael Keating, the UN’s head of country, acknowledged the existence of the extortion but countered that the relief is still reaching those it is intended for. “Unfortunately those in need, and those who are going to be targeted by humanitarian organizations to receive assistance do become attractive for those trying to make money, and there will be all sorts of scams going on,” Keating admitted. “To deny it is happening would be wrong, but I think to take examples of it happening, and to say the whole response is like this, would be a gross misrepresentation of what is going on.”

tercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria into Israeli territory and responded with a strike into Syria.

Israel launched a fresh “largescale strike” in Syria after the F-16 was shot down. The pro-Assad military alliance in Syria, which includes fighters from Hezbollah and Iran, said that any acts of “terrorism” would be met with a “severe and serious response.” Russia then called on both sides to de-escalate and said that any threat to Russian military personnel would be “unacceptable.”

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis said Israel “identified an Iranian drone which took off from Syrian territory. The drone was identified by IAF systems and was downed by an IAF helicopter. The Iranian drone fell in our territory and is in our possession.” The IDF then struck targets in Syria which included the trailer from which the “the Iranians launched the drone,” Manelis said.

Brig Gen. Manelis called the drone a “serious Iranian attack on Israeli territory.”

“Iran is dragging the region into a situation in which it doesn’t know how it will end. We are prepared for a variety of incidents... Whoever is responsible for this incident is the one who will pay the price,” he vowed.

The second round of retaliatory measures included strikes against 12 Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria.

Four Syrian air-defense batteries and four Iranian targets were taken out.

A spokesman for the IDF said that Iran and Syria are “playing with fire” and will pay a heavy price.

Netanyahu’s Annex Gaffe F-16 Shot Down

by Syrian Missiles

Two Israeli fighter pilots ejected from their F-16 which was shot down

by Syrian anti-aircraft missiles over the weekend. Both were taken to the hospital in stable condition. Their fighter jet was downed after Israel in-

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he had been in talks with President Donald Trump’s White House to embark on an initiative to annex Israeli settlement areas in the West Bank. But despite his assertions, the prime minister’s claims were shot down by the White House.

Netanyahu has been consistent

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in putting off bills to annex the West Bank. At the weekly meeting of his Likud faction, Netanyahu tried to explain why he is not eager to advance the so-called Sovereignty Bill, proposed by first-time legislators Yoav Kisch (Likud) and Bezalel Smotrich (Jewish Home). Such a drastic step, he argued, had to be coordinated with the Trump administration.

“I can tell you that for a while now I’ve been talking about it with the Americans,” Netanyahu told the lawmakers at the Knesset. “I’m guided by two principles in this issue…optimal coordination with the Americans, whose relationship with us is a strategic asset for Israel and the settlement movement, and the fact that it must be a government initiative rather than a private one because it would be a historic move,” he added.

This was the first time Netanyahu called for support for annexing all or parts of the West Bank. In the past, the Trump administration warned Israel that settlements would be a complicated issue when it comes to the peace process. In October, Trump said that “The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements.”

When the media picked up on Netanyahu’s statements, the White House demanded a retraction. On Monday, at 6:40 p.m. Israel time, a senior Israeli diplomatic official, who asked to remain unnamed, sent reporters a message clarifying that Netanyahu “did not present the administration with specific annexation proposals,” and that, in any event, the U.S. did not support any of them since it wants to advance Trump’s yet-unpublished peace plan. Israel has merely updated the U.S. on the different proposals MKs make occasionally, this official noted, adding that the White House had made it unequivocally clear that it adheres to the president’s plan, which does not entail annexation.

Subsequently, White House spokesman Josh Raffel sent out a statement unprecedented in its bluntness: “Reports that the United States discussed with Israel an annexation plan for the West Bank are false. The United States and Israel have never discussed such a proposal, and the president’s focus remains squarely on his Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative.”

Clearly, Netanyahu was wiping a bit of egg off his face.

Arab Bank Guilty Verdict Overturned

An appeals court has thrown out 2014 jury verdict which found Arab Bank liable for supporting terrorist attacks in Israel. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ended the more than 13-year legal battle over Arab Bank’s liability for 24 attacks that were carried out in and around Israel by Hamas in the early 2000s.

In 2014, a federal jury found the Jordanian bank liable for giving material support to Hamas in two dozen attacks. Almost 300 Americans were either victims or related to victims in the attacks. The ruling was appealed originally but in May 2015 a District Court upheld the verdict due to the overwhelming evidence against Arab Bank.

The appeals court has now decided that the jurors in Brooklyn in 2015 were incorrectly instructed by the trial judge that the bank committed an “act of international terrorism” by knowingly providing support to Hamas. A confidential settlement was reached by the bank with 527 victims of relatives of victims of 22 of the attacks in August 2015, pending the bank’s appeal of the verdict. Both sides agreed to skip a retrial if the verdict was thrown out. Had the court’s ruling been upheld, the plaintiffs would have been entitled to at least $100 million.

Lebanon Looking for Oil in Disputed Sea Block

Lebanon has signed its first contract to drill for oil and gas off of the country’s coast with a few energy in-

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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dustry titans. One of the two blocks in the eastern Mediterranean where Lebanon plans on drilling belongs to Israel, according to Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

The consortium of energy giants that will be exploring the off-shore region includes Total, ENI, and Novatek. Lieberman called any exploration of Block 9 by Beirut very “provocative.” Block 9 is claimed by both Lebanon and Israel. “They issue a tender on a gas field – including a block which by all accounts is ours – to international groups that are respectable companies, which, to my mind, is making a serious mistake, since it’s against all rules and protocol in cases like this,” Lieberman said.

French energy company Total welcomed the deal. The company released a statement saying that drilling will take place in “at least one well per block in the first three years,” and that the “consortium’s priority will be to drill a first exploration well on Block 4 in 2019. As for Block 9, Total and its partners are fully aware of the Israeli-Lebanese border dispute in the southern part of the block that covers only very limited area (less than 8 percent of the block’s surface). Given that the main prospects are located more than 25 km (15.5 miles) from

the disputed area, the consortium confirms that the exploration well on Block 9 will have no interference at all with any fields or prospects located south of the border area,” it added in a statement issued in English.

Israel and Lebanon are still technically at war. Tensions between the two countries have increased in the past year as Israel has been building a barrier along the border the countries share.

Trump’s $4T Budget

On Monday, President Trump unveiled his $4 trillion budget plan,

which aims to help “drain the swamp.”

As part of his plan, the president included a major overhaul for hiring and firing federal workers. Underperforming federal workers, beware.

A new president is in town. He plans on ending automatic pay hikes that kick in “irrespective of performance,” changing retirement benefits, and making it easier to fire bad employees and reward good ones.

“The workforce and the workplace have evolved in recent decades. But the Government personnel system remains a relic of an earlier era. Federal workers themselves overwhelmingly agree in surveys that the existing system fails to reward the best performers or appropriately deal with the worst performers,” a White House budget fact sheet reads, describing the plan as bringing the government in line with private-sector practices.

Trump previewed the plan in his first State of the Union address last month. During the speech, the president called on Congress to “empower every Cabinet Secretary with the authority to reward good workers and to remove federal employees who undermine the public trust or fail the American people.”

The 2019 budget proposal seeks to align total compensation with the private sector, noting that the current system “fails” in “appropriately compensating” personnel. The White House called for abandoning “acrossthe-board pay increase for 2019,” in order to “realign incentives by enhancing performance-based pay and slowing the frequency of tenure-based step increases.”

The new plan could affect more than 1.5 million federal workers and focuses on performance-based raises instead of automatic salary increases based on tenure.

Additionally, workers who do not perform adequately will be able to be dismissed more easily by management. That component seems to mirror the Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, which Congress passed and Trump signed last June, making it easier to fire employees accused of malpractice or wrongdoing, rather than them working for years in the bureaucracy or get transitioned out.

Understandably, government workers, who have been able to hold onto their jobs despite dismal performance, are displeased with the president’s plan. “He seems to be interested in political revenge by firing people,” President of American Federation of Government Employees

David Cox told USA Today. “The government is not a family business that you get to be in total control of.”

President Trump also proposed $1.5 trillion to pump into fixing the United States’ infrastructure, while streamlining the often-cumbersome permitting process. The process generally takes ten years; the president wants to shrink it to just two.

“Washington will no longer be a roadblock to progress. Washington will now be your partner,” Trump said.

Under the plan, $200 billion of the $1.5 trillion in proposed spending would be federal dollars, which a senior administration official said would come from “reductions in other areas of the budget.” The plan calls on state and local governments and the private sector to put up most of the funding.

The federal funding would be used to match local spending, provide “incentives,” and expand loan programs.

The plan also would boost investment for projects in rural America – including transportation, broadband, water, waste, power, flood management and ports – by $50 billion in a bid to address criticism from some Republican senators that the Trump administration’s initial emphasis on public-private partnerships would do little to help those areas.

On top of the infrastructure push, Trump also asked for a $13 billion increase over two years for opioid prevention, treatment and long-term recovery. A request of $23 billion for border security, including $18 billion for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and money for more detention beds for detained immigrants, is part of the budget, too.

President Trump also proposed cutting federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funnels money to NPR and PBS – a potential move that the CPB President Patricia Harrison quickly slammed. Last year, the White House also proposed cutting funding, although Congress did not approve the proposal. Once again, the approval of Congress would be needed to end funding for the corporation.

The 2019 fiscal budget does not seek to balance the budget over the next decade. Combined with a newly passed spending deal and sweeping tax cuts, the budget would see the federal deficit once again rising past $1 trillion in the near-term.

Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney lay the blame on Congress, saying that legislators “didn’t make any of the large structural changes” he said last year were

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needed if the administration were to have a chance of reining in the federal deficit.

“No one can say the president doesn’t take this seriously,” Mulvaney said. “He is making tough choices, but he’s doing it in a smart way. It’s not hypocritical,” he added. “It’s simply adjusting to the Washington, D.C., that we live in.”

The High Life at Guantanamo

mander named Abd al Hadi al Iraqi to counter the Iraqi’s claim that his true name is Nashwan al Tamir.

While Darbi awaits his time on the stand he has his own kitchen filled with spices, ingredients, and a freezer stocked with meat, Halal meat specifically. His garden is blossoming with eggplant, papaya, tomatoes, zucchini and green pepper. Cooperation also earned him monthly phone calls to his Yemeni wife and children, now living in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps he will miss all these amenities once he is freed.

Feds Take Down Major Cybercrime Operation Ahmed al Darbi, 42, lives an unusual life right now. The former al-Qaeda terrorist is in prison but he has the pleasures of gardening, painting, exercising, learning English, cooking meals for his interrogators and attorneys, and watching American television. The former Guantanamo Bay prisoner-turned-prosecution witness receives all these benefits as part of his compensation for testifying. He was transferred from the maximum-security Camp VI prison to Camp Echo, an annex of the prison across the street.

Darbi is a key witness for the war court prosecutor in two cases, one that seeks the death penalty. Four years ago Darbi pleaded guilty to being an accomplice in a 2002 al-Qaeda attack on a French oil tanker, the Limburg, in Yemeni waters. He is scheduled to return home to a Saudi rehabilitation program on February 20 under a plea agreement if diplomats can close the deal and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis approves his release.

The attack he was involved in did not achieve its goal of upsetting global oil prices or shipping, but a Bulgarian crew member died in the carnage, which occurred after Darbi was already a U.S. prisoner. Last year Darbi recorded testimony, a deposition, to be used as possible evidence against the alleged mastermind of the attack, Abd al Rahim al Nashiri. He also separately testified about his life as a jihadist in al-Qaeda, and pointed to an Iraqi captive in court and identified him as a former al-Qaeda com-

By now, most people are aware of the dangers of cyber-attacks. There have been campaigns to spread awareness, and the government has gotten very serious about incarcerating hackers and identity thieves. Last week, the Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against 36 people accused of acting as administrators, moderators, and sellers of illegal hacking and fraud services on a black market forum known as Infraud.

Infraud, ironically named, was essentially a marketplace for the black market, a forum where hackers can trade goods and services. It had been operating for almost a decade and grew into a half-billion dollar operation.

The 13 arrests were a coordinated action by Homeland Security Investigations and officers in Australia, Britain, France, Italy, Kosovo, and Serbia. The website itself was also removed and replaced with a seizure notice. The defendants were from many different countries including Moldova and Bangladesh. There are still many criminals involved that remain at large, including Infraud’s creator, Ukrainian Svyatoslav Bondarenko.

Commodities traded on the nefarious site included stolen credit

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card numbers, Social Security numbers, compromised accounts, materials to create counterfeit cards, malware, money laundering, and socalled “bulletproof” hosting services designed to host other illegal online operations. In total, the forum’s members are accused of causing $530 million in damage to companies and individuals.

“Infraud was truly the premier one-stop shop for cybercriminals worldwide,” the Justice Department’s Deputy Assistant Attorney General David Rybicki said at a press conference.

Team USA Makes Its Mark Athletes devote their entire lives to making it to the Olympic Games, the ultimate sporting competition.

Once making it, they strive to bring home a medal which earns them financial reward, fame, respect, and other career opportunities.

This year the U.S. brought 242 athletes to Pyeongchang – that’s more than any nation has ever brought to the Winter Olympics.

This year’s team also makes headlines for being the most diverse both with race and gender. There are 108 women representing the U.S., which is about 45% more than any other country.

The State of Happiness According to the Olympic game rules, there is no age limit. This year, the average age of athletes representing Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea is 26.5. The gap between the oldest and youngest American athlete competing in the Winter Games is 22 years.

The youngest, figure skater Vincent Zhou, is 17, and men’s hockey captain Brian Gionta is 39. Another interesting stat: just over 75% of the athletes competing on Team U.S.A have attended college.

In terms of family dynamics on the Team, there is one married couple, pair figure skaters Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim.

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Looking for a happy, healthy life?

Better start packing your bags. The happiest and healthiest people living in the United States are living in South Dakota and Vermont, according to the Gallup-Sharecare 2017 State of American Well-Being Rankings. The report measures how Americans feel about their physical health, social connections, finances, community and sense of purpose.

South Dakota and Vermont may not be the obvious locations for a happy life, but those two states have consistently made the top slots.

“For those of us who follow this closely over the years, it’s not a surprise to see South Dakota and Vermont sharing that perch. They’re both historically very high well-being states,” Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, noted. “They both have a lot of good things going for them.”

Residents in both states are in good physical health, eat a healthy diet, feel safe in and proud of their communities, and manage their finances well. South Dakotans, in particular, report little significant worry or stress on any given day and say they like what they do. Vermonters, meanwhile, enjoy a lot of supportive relationships and love in their lives.

Want to be happy? Here are the top five states in the U.S. for well-being: 1. South Dakota (tie) 1. Vermont (tie) 3. Hawaii 4. Minnesota 5. North Dakota Colorado came in at the sixth spot.

Both Colorado and Hawaii are the only two states to always make the

top 10 since the index began in 2008.

On the other side of the happiness spectrum, West Virginia has consistently landed at the bottom of the heap, thanks to problems such as “through the roof” obesity, a high incidence of diabetes, a smoking rate that’s the highest in the nation, and depression. It has always come in at the 50th spot on the list, except for in 2008, when Mississippi ranked lowest.

Here are the five states you want to avoid if you want to keep that smile on your face: 46. Oklahoma 47. Mississippi 48. Arkansas 49. Louisiana 50. West Virginia Overall, according to this year’s report, Americans reported more worry and depression, and less interest or pleasure in doing things.

The declines happened more among women, blacks and Hispanics, people with low incomes, and those who identified themselves as Democrats.

Even so, the number of Americans “thriving” reached a record.

More than 56 percent of Americans rated their current and future lives as “thriving” — a record high for the index. This metric is closely linked to the economy.

Obamas’ Official Portraits

On Monday, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle unveiled their official portraits at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, a rite of passage for most former presidents, all of whom have their portraits hanging in the museum. If you want to remember what President Obama and his wife look like you probably should stay away from their paintings. The Obamas carefully chose the artists who portrayed them, more out of what they represent than for their

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

artistic ability.

Take, for example, Mr. Obama’s portrait. The former president looks old in the painting, his face lined.

He is sitting in a hard-backed chair, surrounded by flowers. The artist, Kehinde Wiley, is a Yale University-trained painter famous for his depiction of African-Americans posed in the style of Old Master paintings, regal, formal and filled with pops of color. He is the first African-American artist to paint an official presidential portrait for the gallery.

“How about that? That’s pretty sharp,” the 44th president said as he took the podium and the painting was unveiled.

“I tried to negotiate less gray hair, and Kehinde’s artistic integrity would not allow him to do what I asked. I tried to negotiate smaller ears, struck out on that as well,” Obama joked. He said that he also asked Kehinde to make him look less regal and “god-like,” which is how Kehinde usually paints his subjects.

“I had to explain that I’ve got enough political problems without you making me look like Napoleon.

We’ve got to bring it down just a touch. And that’s what he did,” the former president said.

The different flowers woven into the greenery in Obama’s portrait include the chrysanthemum, the official flower of Chicago, and jasmine for Hawaii. There’s are also African blue lilies, symbolic of Obama’s heritage.

Obama said that Kehinde and he share commonalities. “What we did find was that we had certain things in common. Both of us had American mothers who raised us with extraordinary love and support. Both of us had African fathers who had been absent from our lives, and in some ways our journeys involved searching for them, and what that meant. I ended up writing about that journey and channeling it into the work that I did because I cannot paint,” the president said.

After the portrait was unveiled it was noted that Kehinde has painted a depiction of the biblical Judith killing the general Hellifornes. In Kehinde’s portrayal, Judith is a black woman and Hellifornes is a white woman; the black Judith is seen decapitating and holding the white woman’s head. Hardly someone I would want to be associated with.

Michelle’s portrait elicited a “wow” from the former first lady. It’s possible she was speechless because

she was wondering who it was supposed to be representing. Michelle chose Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald, known for portraits underscoring themes of social justice, to paint her portrait.

It was hard to believe that the subject was Michelle Obama. Her skin was gray, and her face was not a likeness of the former first lady. She is seen wearing a flowing dress, with her hand on her chin.

Cruising around the Sun

Elon Musk launched SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket last week and onboard was a very special personal item of his. Four minutes after liftoff, the second stage of the rocket discarded its white nose cone tip and revealed that Musk’s cherry red Tesla had been sent up to space with a mannequin in a spacesuit at the wheel.

The car does not have a specific reason for being up there other than Musk wanting to use the “silliest thing we can imagine” as a test payload. “I love the thought of a car drifting apparently endlessly through space and perhaps being discovered by an alien race millions of years in the future,” Musk said.

The livestream of the Tesla in space cut out after about 4.5 hours when the camera’s batteries died. Although it can no longer be seen, the Tesla is now on its trajectory to orbit around the sun. “I think it looks so ridiculous and impossible, and you can tell it’s real because it looks so fake, honestly,” Musk said. “We have way better CGI (computer-generated imagery)” than that.

The car is in for a wild ride.

SpaceX’s scientists have calculated that astronomers would be able to spot the car again in 2073. However, a NASA engineer said that the car’s path was “too ill-defined to make reliable forecasts.” By the time the car is close enough to Earth to take a peek, it could be many generations away from now.

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Lights Out Again in Puerto Rico

It’s been a tough year for Puerto Rico. As the island continues to recover from Hurricane Maria that hit in September which left most of the U.S. territory without power, many more residents were plunged back into darkness due to an explosion at an electric substation last Sunday.

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) said that much of northern Puerto Rico, including parts of the capital, San Juan, were without power in the aftermath of the explosion. Crews were working tirelessly to restore power as soon as possible. The breaker that exploded was connected to more than 175,000 households and businesses in northern Puerto Rico.

By Monday morning, the majority of customers had their power restored.

According to some reports, there are an estimated 400,000 residents still without power five months after the devastating Category 5 Hurricane Maria, marking the longest blackout in U.S. history.

PREPA officials believe Sunday’s fire was caused by a mechanical failure. Puerto Rico’s power grid was already vulnerable; PREPA’s power plants are 44-years-old, on average, in contrast with the industry average of 18 years.

“We are evaluating to see if this was an effect of the hurricane, a maintenance issue or something else,” PREPA spokesman Carlos Monroig said on Monday. “The good news is things are returning to normal for most customers. Everyone who had power before the explosion will have it back today.”

The breaker distributed wattage along a line that fed into two substations.

Reuniting Illegals with their Families As many illegal immigrants sneak into the U.S. in search of a better life,

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they face many hardships along the way. Most illegals leave behind their loved ones in their home countries.

If they are lucky, they eventually have the liberty to travel freely and get to see their mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, and children again. However, many illegal immigrants are unable to leave the U.S. for fear of not being able to re-enter and are not able to see their loved ones for many years – or ever again at all.

The government of the Mexican state of Michoacan recognizes the heartbreak that many illegals experience and has organized a program that arranges for aging parents to visit with their children who have lived in U.S. illegally for 10 or more years. Some parents participating haven’t seen their children for as much as 30 years and have many grown grandchildren they have never met.

Palomas Mensajeras, which means “carrier pigeons,” is a program aimed at helping Mexican parents above the age of 60 apply for a passport and a tourist visa into the United States.

Gilberto Cobian Cervantes, director of migrant affairs for the Mugica municipality in Michoacan, said the process can be lengthy and complex, particularly for the elderly from small rural towns. Since its inception, more than 1,000 parents have been reunited with their families.

There are similar programs in other Mexican states that arrange for families to be reunited in California, New York, Illinois, and other states.

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Unilever is a transnational consumer goods company that produces

food, beverages, cleaning agents, and personal care products. The company is now threatening to pull ads from social media and other digital platforms due to claims of fake news, racism, and extremism. The warnings were aimed at Google and Facebook specifically.

“We cannot continue to prop up a digital supply chain ... which at times is little better than a swamp in terms of its transparency,” Unilever marketing boss Keith Weed said.

Unilever owns Dove, Lipton, and Ben & Jerry’s and is one of the world’s top advertisers. It has a whopping annual marketing budget of about $9.8 billion, and 25% of its ads are digital.

One of the claims raised by Weed is the recent rise in objectionable content on social media that doesn’t protect impressionable minds of children and erodes social trust, causing harm to users and undermining democracies.

“This is not something that can be brushed aside or ignored,” he said in his speech.

Unilever has vowed not to advertise on platforms that create divisions in society or fail to protect young people. This ultimatum is pointed at Facebook and Google who have dominated the online ad market in recent years. The two companies are estimated to have monopolized more than 60% of digital ad spending in 2017 due to their vast reach.

Google made headlines recently after advertisers discovered that their ads were being displayed alongside objectionable videos on its YouTube video platform. Facebook has come under fire for allowing fake news articles, filter bubbles, foreign election meddling and social media addiction.

The social media platform has responded to the public’s concerns and in January committed to prioritizing posts from friends and family over news stories and content from businesses. It also revealed that a recent study showed that users are spending less time on its network after it chose to show fewer viral videos. Facebook said in a statement that it supports Unilever’s commitments and is “working closely with them.”

“2018 is either the year of techlash, where the world turns on the tech giants – and we have seen some of this already – or the year of trust,” Weed added. “The year where we collectively rebuild trust back in our systems and our society.”

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Remington Files Chapter 11

One of the oldest and most wellknown gun companies in the world plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The plan would allow Remington Outdoor Company to stay in business while restructuring its debt.

The hope is to allow for Remington to reduce its debt by $700 million and to contribute $145 million of new capital into its subsidiaries, according to the company.

Remington said in a statement that its operations “will not be disrupted by the restructuring process.”

Remington is owned by the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management. Cerberus will give up that ownership once restructuring is complete, a spokesman said on Monday. Remington, which is headquartered in North Carolina and has a sprawling factory in Ilion, New York, has faced legal trouble in recent years. The company settled a class action lawsuit regarding allegations of defective rifles a few years ago.

It has also been sued because of the mass shooting in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. The company produces the Bushmaster rifle used in that shooting.

The gun industry, which also includes publicly traded companies like American Outdoor Brands(AOBC), owner of the Smith & Wesson brand, as well as Sturm Ruger & Co. (RGR) and Vista Outdoor (VSTO), has experienced slumping sales since the election of President Donald Trump. Gun sales surged to record levels in 2016, when Barack Obama was president and there were fears that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton would implement gun controls. When Trump, a Republican endorsed by the National Rifle Association, was elected, those fears were alleviated.

Gov’t Shutdown Averted

A bill was passed in the House last week that set up a large spending increase in order to end a brief government shutdown. Both chambers of Congress passed the short-term funding bill that was then signed by President Trump to end the second shutdown in less than a month. The bill was passed by a small margin with the final vote coming in at 240 to 186.

The main resistance to the bill came from the wings of the House conservative and liberal parties. Some of the GOP party members objected to the increased spending while Democrats were very critical of the lack of a provision to protect young immigrants from deportations.

“Democrats worked hard to achieve a bipartisan agreement and gave our assurances to the Speaker that we were not interested in shutting down government,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement after the vote. “In return, the Speaker refused to make a real commitment to schedule a vote to protect the Dreamers who have the overwhelming support of the American people and a bipartisan majority in the House.”

The bill provides a two-year $300 billion boost in military and domestic spending. It will also extend the debt ceiling and allow for nearly $90 billion in aid for the recent natural disasters. It also gives more money to fight the opioid crisis and extends the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program for four more years.

The President tweeted, “The Budget Agreement today is so important for our great Military. It ends the dangerous sequester and gives Secretary Mattis what he needs to keep America Great. Republicans and Democrats must support our troops and support this Bill!”

House Speaker Paul Ryan called the budget deal “a great victory” for service members.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

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But traveling the seas was not meant to be. Just two days into their journey, as they passed through a channel of water called John’s Pass, their boat capsized.

“We started freaking out because waves were coming, and it was tossing our boat back and forth,” Walsh recalled. Tanner was at the back of the boat, holding onto the dog.

They abandoned ship, grabbing some clothes and important documents, as well as some things for the dog – “he doesn’t deserve to go without his favorite toys.”

Tanner and Nikki are new to sailing. He used to drive for Uber. Apparently, sailing a boat and driving a car is not the same thing.

Now the couple, who a year ago were done with working, will have to start pounding the pavement for a job, as they are left with just $90 in cash and shattered dreams. Or they can start a GoFundMe page to get people to send them their hard-earned cash, which is what they did. Nikki and Tanner are hoping to raise $10,000 to rescue their boat.

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Sunken Dreams Nikki Walsh and Tanner Broadwell decided a year ago they were done working.

“How can we live our lives when we’re working most of the day and you have to pay so much just to live?”

Walsh, who booked time-share tours for a living, told The New York Post.

“Most of the work you do goes to your home. There has to be another option,” she added.

Together, they sold their furniture and their car and bought a 49-year-old boat in Alabama. Their dream? To live on the water and to sail around the world.

The couple moved into the boat off of Florida’s Gulf Coast and lived there for months with their dog while they

stocked up on food and supplies for their dream trip.

Dennis and his wife were two of the spectators at the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl victory parade.

Dennis was so happy to be there, he felt he had to bring his wife. And so, he took her off the shelf and brought her along.

“She was a diehard Eagles fan,” Dennis said. “I had to make sure she was here for this.” Dennis’ wife is deceased; he brought her ashes in an urn to the parade.

Other fans were touched by

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Dennis’ tribute to his wife. A crowd across the street bought him a beer and asked a policeman to give it to him.

“Don’t even try to tell me we don’t have the best fans in the country,” Dustin, a bystander, wrote in a post about Dennis on Facebook.

World’s Strongest Gin

If you don’t want to drink too much but want to truly fulfill the mitzvah of ad d’lo yadda, Twin River Distillery has created the world’s strongest gin just in time for Purim.

Even though it will help you along by creating a fuzziness when it comes to Mordman or Hachai – I mean, Mordechai and Haman – we do not

vouch for the kashrus or the safety of the product.

The Scottish distillery launched the gin, which contains an incredible 77 percent of alcohol by volume, on February 9. It beat out what was the world’s strongest gin, which was created from a small Swedish distillery last year, which was 76 percent alcohol. Only 101 bottles will be produced from the “Uncut” edition.

“When our head distiller, Liam Pennycook, tasted the uncut spirit straight from the still, he decided it was too good not to share,” said Ryan Rhodes, brand ambassador for Twin River.

According to the company, “Be warned guys, a little goes a long way.” Certainly not for the faint of heart.

44 Pairs of Double Trouble If you think you’re seeing double when you step into New Trier High School it’s not because you’ve been downing shots of Uncut gin. Located just outside of Chicago, the school has a whopping 44 sets of twins and

one set of triplets in its sophomore class. The myriad family members won the grade two Guinness World Records.

“It’s not an academic achievement, it’s not a skill-type of achievement, but it’s an achievement nevertheless,” said Luke Novosel, who along with his 15-year-old twin, Ryan, discovered the original record and then applied to set a new one. “There’s something unique you share with a twin, but you also have a special bond when you meet other twins.”

The Novosel twins and their parents started the application process at the beginning of the last academic school year but didn’t hear back from Guinness Book of World Records until 18 months after they submitted their paperwork.

All 91 students who helped set the new record posed for a photo at their school last Wednesday. They won the award for the having set the record – 45 – for the most multiples

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in same academic year at one school.

It also set the record for the most sets of twins: 44 pairs.

The high school has around 1,000 students in all. Of the twins in its sophomore class, 19 pairs of girls; 11 are boys. Only three pairs are identical. The triplets are all girls.

Jenna Dushman has a twin brother, Ryan. She said that she met many other twins while working on the Guinness Record.

“There were some people I’ve known in my grade that I didn’t realize was a twin until we started having meetings for the world record,” she said. “And the same thing happened with me. A lot of people were texting me last night going, ‘You have a twin? That’s crazy!’”

Major Eggsageration Google Translate has some egg on its face after the Norway Olympic Team chefs used the service to order some eggs for its athletes. The kitchen team wanted to procure 1,500 eggs for their team from a Korean grocery store; instead, a truckload of eggs ar-

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

last week, as crowds flocked to Acme Smoked Fish Corp for a chance to see really mehudar bagels and lox.

Acme was the location of major schmears on Friday morning as it endeavored to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s largest bagel and lox.

Acme is open to the public every week for just five hours on Friday.

Generally, the line is long. But last Friday, the warehouse was crowded with fans of smoked salmon and doughy bagels eager to observe the attempt at breaking the record.

Acme joined forces with Zucker’s Bagels and used around 40 pounds of cream cheese on a bagel the size of a small table. Thirty pounds of lox covered the cream cheese, and sliced red onions, tomatoes and capers covered it all.

How much did the monster mouthwatering bagel weigh?

A whopping 213.75 pounds.

The crowd wasn’t just there to watch the festivities and drink free coffee. Workers used a huge saw to cut through the mammoth bagel and fans got a taste.

For now, Acme has to wait around ten weeks to see if Guinness will be crowning them with a wreath of bagels. For now, though, the crowds left sated on Friday, slowly licking cream cheese off their fingers.

rived in their kitchen in Pyeongchang with a whopping 15,000 eggs.

“There was literally no end to the delivery. Absolutely unbeliev-

able,” chef Ståle Johansen told Norway’s Aftenposten.

Want to know what Norwegian athletes will be eating for the next few days? Try omelets and scrambled eggs – lots and lots of them.

“There will be omelets, boiled and fried eggs, and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. And we hope there will be a lot of sugar bread made for medal winners. We have made our provisions for that,” the chef said.

Thankfully, the kitchen staff was

able to return the extra 13,500 eggs.

Their athletes must be so egg-cited.

The first Orthodox Jew in the Olympics

Lots and Lots of Bagels and Lox Nothing sounds as Jewish at breakfast time as a bagel with lox and cream cheese. So Greenpoint, Brooklyn, must have been kvelling

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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the

Community PHOTO CREDIT: CHAIM KASDAN PHOTOGRAPHY

On Thursday, February 8, Kehillas Bais Yehuda Tzvi of Cedarhurst held its 16th Annual Dinner honoring Harav Yaakov and Rebbetzin Feitman in tribute to the Rav’s “chai” anniversary with the shul and 45 years of harbotzas Torah.

Pictured (from left to right): Daniel Burg and Michael Greenfield, dinner co-chairs; Tuli Tepfer, former president; Harav Feitman; Eli Moskowitz, dinner co-chair; and Ari Hahn, president

Shulamith Girls Savor Sofer Stam Experience

T

he second grade students of Shulamith School for Girls were excited to be visited by a sofer. Rabbi Yehuda Clapman spoke to the girls about what’s involved in writing a sefer Torah. He also showed them how to make the special ink and how to prepare the klaf.

Each talmidah was able to get some hands-on experience and write with her very own quill and ink. It was an inspiring visit for both the girls and their morot.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community PHOTO CREDIT: NETANEL TEVEL, NEW LEGACY PHOTOGRAPHY

Madraigos Strikes Success at 8th Annual Gourmet Glatt Bowl-A-Thon

T

he 8th Annual Gourmet Glatt Bowl-A-Thon to benefit Madraigos at Woodmere Lanes was a resounding success.

This signature event has become an annual Madraigos tradition among Five Towns residents, local businesses, friends, and supporters. Participants, sponsors, and Madraigos staff came together in a festive evening filled with fun, entertainment, and support for Madraigos’ lifesaving services to the community.

Over 50 prizes were distributed for winners of the popular Red Pin Contest. Ben Cohen, magician, wowed the crowd throughout the evening. Adding to the night’s festivities were the raffle drawings for prizes including a resort vacation, custom suit from Andrew Lock, VIP tickets to “Yosef, The Musical,” a Bi-

aggi 3 piece luggage set, and more.

The [remium giveaway distributed to all bowlers was the Shower Bluetooth Speaker, sponsored by Kettle & Cord. Bowlers also received complimentary T-shirts and a swag bag full of many attractive items.

The biggest barometer of the event’s success was the high level of energy in the room coupled with enthusiasm for Madraigos’ mission.

There were smiles on everyone’s faces, as friends cheered each other’s bowling prowess and enjoyed delicious food by Graze Smokehouse.

Others joined the fun to buy raffle tickets and show support for their favorite team, even after the event was sold out. People felt the electricity in the air all night, even staying beyond midnight.

Madraigos expresses its deep

gratitude to the over 75 corporate sponsors. Special appreciation is extended to our Title Sponsor, Gourmet Glatt; Premium Giveaway Sponsor, Kettle & Cord; and Red Pin Prize Sponsor, Graze Smokehouse; for donating delectable foods from their hallmark cuisine, and Geffen Gourmet for sponsoring tasty appetizers.

Our generous insert sponsors include Wisnicki & Associates, Visionville, MK Ink, Five Towns Premier, 5 Towns Collision, And Beyond, Dr. Steven Krauss, SHMA Camps, DART Seasonal, The Supply Guys, Schuckman Realty, and Maidenbaum,. A full listing of all sponsors can be found on bowlforthem.org.

“We are thrilled to have once again partnered with Madraigos in organizing a fabulous and fun-filled community event,” said Yoeli Steinberg of Gourmet Glatt, a state-of-the art kosher supermarket with stores in Cedarhurst and Woodmere.

Rabbi Dov Silver, Madraigos Founder and Executive V.P., commented, “I thank our sponsors for

their support of our lifesaving work.

I very much appreciate the participants of the Bowl-A-Thon for taking out time of their busy schedule to help out our community’s teens and young adults.”

“We are thrilled with the outcome of our 8th Annual Gourmet Glatt Bowl-A-Thon,” said Rivka Lock, Director of Development. “The community came together in a beautiful way to make this event a success. We are grateful to our corporate sponsors and event vendors who supported this event with generosity and kindness.”

Funds raised at the event will assist Madraigos, a 501c-3 not-forprofit organization, in providing a wide array of valuable mental health, social and spiritual services geared towards helping teens and young adults overcome life’s everyday challenges one step at a time.

For more information about Madraigos, please call (516)3713250 or visit www.madraigos.org.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Mesivta Football League Season 6 Championship – YDT Lightning Wins Again!

T

he Mesivta Football League brought its 6th season to a close this past Sunday.

From beginning to end, it was an exhilarating experience for all participating yeshivos. Under the direction of Rabbi Yossi Bennett, S’gan Menahel at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, ten local yeshiva high schools were represented this season which ran from November through February.

Every Sunday afternoon throughout the long, cold winter, teams arrived for their games at Lawrence High School excited to represent their schools in competitive flag football. Games were intense, but menschlich, with tremendous sportsmanship displayed week in, week out by all teams.

For the second year in a row, the League would like to congratulate Coach Nachum Feintuch and his YDT Lightning on winning this season’s championship.

After two rounds of playoffs, Sunday brought with it a rainy day for a championship football game. But football is an all-weather sport! The YDT Lightning, who beat the MAY Eagles in the semifinals, would take on the YDE Thunder, who upset the number 1 seed HAFTR Hawks. This one turned out to be a real nail biter!

Both teams definitely came to play and it was a tight offensive and defensive matchup throughout. But, when the dust settled, the YDT Lightning took home the victory with a 14-7 win.

The League congratulates YDT on the win and senior Dovid Marmerstein on winning the Championship Game MVP trophy.

The League would like to thank Eliezer “Zezy” Fuld, Commissioner of the League, and all participating yeshivos – players, coaches, administrators and fans – for helping make this season so incredible.

For more information about the Mesivta Football League please visit their website at mesivtafootball.com or email mesivtafootball@gmail.com.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Around the Community

Congresswoman Kathleen Rice Visits HANC HS

By Josh Weinstein

L

ast week, juniors and seniors at HANC High School were privileged to hear from Congresswoman Kathleen Rice of New York’s 4th Congressional District.

Congresswoman Rice’s visit featured an introduction by senior and HPAC Chairperson Josh Weinstein, followed by the congresswoman addressing the students regarding her position, her involvement as a woman in politics, and her concrete pro-Israel agenda.

Congresswoman Rice emphasized the importance of getting involved in politics at a young age simply by registering to vote, as “voting is one’s ticket to the political process.” The congresswoman reiterated her unwavering support for the State of Israel as she spoke about her actions in office which reflect her position on issues such as BDS, including her voting against the Iran nuclear deal proposed by the Obama Administration.

The congresswoman believes that Israel is America’s greatest friend and ally, and the relationship between the

two countries cannot be broken and we must continue to remain stronger than ever. Congresswoman Rice also explained the importance of separating partisan ties in politics from the ideas and agendas of both politicians and their constituents. Due to the two major parties being the most partisan-influenced as ever, Congresswoman Rice explained that we have to be the most proactive constituents we can be to ensure positive actions and reforms are passed in Congress in a timely manner.

We thank the congresswoman for all that she has done. She serves as a true inspiration to us all and serves as a great role-model to our students.

The congresswoman’s visit also highlighted a key aspect of what HPAC, HANC’s Public Affairs Committee, aims to accomplish: not only is it important to lobby our politicians on Capitol Hill, it is just as important, if not more, to develop a strong relationship with your congressperson to further one’s political stance and agenda as a proud constituent.

SpaceX Launches; Rambam STEM Students in Awe

S

tudents in Rambam’s celebrated Robotics Club joined students from Rambam’s STEM group to watch the amazing launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket. SpaceX, which is the brainchild of Elon Musk, made history on February 6 with its successful launch of the Falcon Heavy Rocket. The Falcon Heavy Rocket is the most powerful rocket in the world today, and has the ability to put humans back on the moon, and even further – to Mars.

Given the tremendous number of complications involved with the maiden voyage of any rocket, scientists typically load the rocket with a “dummy-payload” of concrete blocks and steel. Elon, on the other hand, decided to launch his own personal Cherry Red Tesla Roadster. It is beyond question that his car is now the fastest in the universe; it’s

current moving through our galaxy at approximately 9,000 MPH! Leading up to the launch, Elon Musk strongly encouraged anyone thinking of tuning in for the launch to do so.

He said, “This will either be a great launch or the best fireworks.”

The launch went off without a hitch at 3:45 in the afternoon. Fifteen minutes earlier, Rambam’s Director of Tech-

nology, Sruly Schnair, led the boys in a brief discussion explaining what they were about to see. Amazingly, many the boys were already intimately familiar with the physics and technical challenges of the launch. The boys joined the world in cheering the launch as the boosters fired up and the rocket lifted off!

Many of the students who were familiar with the project said, “Wait until you see

the two boosters land on the Launchpad,” which happened shortly thereafter.

Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, who joined the group, spoke about the Rambam’s concept of the mitzvah of ahavas Hashem which comes about from studying the laws of nature, created by Hashem. ”When we see an event like this, and realize our ability to understand, use and master the complexities of the

universe, it gives us a small glimpse into the unlimited knowledge that Hashem implanted in the universe during Creation.”

He continued to note that “it is unfortunate that many in the media are crediting ‘scientists and engineers’ for this accomplishment without recognizing the Boreh Olam, Hashem, as the ultimate source of these laws and man’s ability to delve into them and utilize them.”

The message reinforced the perspective of how a Torah Jew should view the world and everything around us.

Students went back to class realizing that they witnessed a historic breakthrough of the human ability to harness nature and gained a greater appreciation of how Hashem created the world, giving mankind the potential to unlock the secrets of the universe.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

The Five Towns Premier Rehabilitaiton and Nursing at Woodmere

Rabbis from the community affixed mezuzahs to the new Five Towns Premier Rehab and Nursing Center in Woodmere, the only healthcare facility under the VAAD of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway

T

he Five Towns Premier Rehabilitaiton and Nursing at Woodmere announces the opening of its state of the art, newly constructed, 280 bed facility in Woodmere, New York. Five Towns Premier

is the only nursing and rehabilitiation facility within the Five Towns area of southwest Nassau County.

Five Towns Premier at Woodmere will provide a full spectrum of specialized medical services, including

a vent unit, in-house dialysis, and wound care. Therapies include physical, occupational, speech, respiratory, IV, and oxygen therapy. Five Towns Premier will also provide Alzheimer and dementia care for its patients.

The facility has a state-of-the-art rehabilitation gym and a full complement of activites for its residents.

Five Towns Premier plans to cater to the Five Towns’ sizable Orthodox Jewish population. It is the only healthcare facility under the strict kosher rabbinical supervision of the Vaad HaKashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway. Five Towns Premier will also offer private kosher dining for families that would like to eat with their loved ones during their stay. The Five Towns Premier lobby will feature a kosher coffee and pastry cafe run by a soon-to-be-announced local establishment.

Five Towns Premier will host an in-house synagogue and daily minyan led by an in-house rabbi. Five Towns Premier plans to offer programs for the local community as well to further integrate its residents with local residents. Five Towns Premier has a full time patient concierge to address the

needs of residents and their families.

Five Towns Premier’s owners have decades of experience in delivering first class healthcare in New York State. The facility will have a healthcare staff of more than 600 and will boast specialty, 42-inch wide, patient beds as well as flat screen televisions at every bed.

Five Towns Premier principal Benjamin Landa, a local resident of the Five Towns, said, “Five Towns Premier is a state-of-the-art facility that promises our patients their families a commitment to a 21st century health care experience.”

Elie Pollack, the administrator of Five Towns Premier at Woodmere, emphasized the planned integration of the facility with the local community. “We believe that an important part of wellness is for families and others to support and interact with residents. We plan to engage with local schools to visit our residents as part of their community service programming. We also plan a variety of important programming for the benefit of the local Woodmere and greater Five Towns community.”

Why is my mother choosing my former mother-in-law over me?

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We would like to welcome Dr. David Lelonek to Insight Optiks

Vol. VII No. 7 (#249) • February 15, 2018

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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Color War at Central

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olor war 2018 broke out to great excitement and surprise last week. Unsuspecting students cheered as this year’s theme was announced: Celebrating 70 Years of Eretz Yisrael & Central - Arbah Kanfot Haaretz. ​ Central’s halls were colorfully decorated in yellow, red, green and blue as teams Yama (freshmen), Kedma (sophomores), Tzafona (juniors), and Negba (seniors) competed for the glory and triumph of first place.

Some of the competitions, like volleyball and wacky races, were familiar,

but this year’s Color War also featured avant-garde games like Hungry Hungry Humans of Israel and lifesized Code Names. Students learned about the landscapes, histories, and religious significance of their respective areas of Eretz Yisrael, and presented their new knowledge to their classmates. Most importantly, Color War kicked off second semester with a spirit of unity, fun, and ruach that will infuse the rest of the academic year. ​The winner of color war 2018 was the seniors. Go Blue!

Yeshiva Har Torah’s Siddur Project

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art of the Yeshiva Har Torah kindergarten unit on tefillah is a wonderful siddur project that the students make illustrations for each new tefillah they learn. This past week they completed their siddurim and were presented with the finished product by Rabbi Menchel.

Rabbi Menchel davened with the

Learn & Live

L

earn & Live was ablaze last Sunday when R’ Avrohom Sebrow, aka “The Fire Rebbe,” presented the melacha of m’avir and m’chaba, lighting and extinguishing. R’ Sebrow had loads of different fire experiments as well as other fire ideas. This Sunday iy”H will be “Together we can Build.”

For more information regarding L&L/Pirchei please email us at learnandlivefr@gmail. com or try our new hotline 641715-3800 pin 932191#.

boys and girls and celebrated their accomplishment with them. The children were so proud of their creations and took special pride saying their morning tefillot with their completed siddurim. It was a special milestone for the children in their avodat Hashem.

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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Around the Community

CAHAL Kindergartners at HANC Participate in Community-Wide Project

GIVE

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s the youth of the entire local yeshiva community are participating in the month long BOLD (Brachos Out Loud Daily) program, the kindergartners in the CAHAL class at HANC are of course excitedly joining in as well. Fulfilling the CAHAL mission of mainstreaming into both school and community daily life and special projects, the children are not just saying their brachos at home but most importantly learning all about this special mitzvah in class as well.

Using props from their play kitchen center, the children have learned to categorize all the various foods by their particular brachos. In so doing they are gaining an understanding of where crops grow, what main ingredients are in the foods we eat, and which items are from plants and which are from animals. Additionally the children have learned the specific order in which those brachos should be recited. They practice that daily at morning and afternoon snack. Such a wealth of information is being absorbed as the children are being rewarded with weekly prizes from community businesses for recognizing that Hashem has created all that we eat and enjoy.

In order to connect the school and home experiences, the kindergartners created a brachos placemat in class with the help of the HANC

sixth grade girls. This project was just one of many different opportunities that HANC and CAHAL students share on an ongoing basis throughout the school year. Using magazines as the source of their pictures, the sixth graders assisted the children in finding, cutting out, and pasting food items in the correct one of six sections on their large sheet of tag board. Each section was labeled with the corresponding bracha to recite over those foods with which the children are quite familiar from their daily class routine.

The placemats will be laminated and sent home to serve as a daily tool enabling the children to use the knowledge they acquire in limudei kodesh to enhance their lives. The placemats will also be a special reminder of the warm and nurturing relationships that the older children in the mainstream HANC classes have made by bonding with the CAHAL youngsters in their commitment as volunteers who work for and play in the HANC-CAHAL classroom on a daily basis. For sure, the true bracha is that the CAHAL model has enabled each of these student’s academic and religious education to grow as schools like HANC provide a place within the community where quality special education can be afforded to children who have learning issues.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

During the first installment of his mobile office hours for 2018, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. met and spoke with residents at Wasserman’s Supermarket in Kew Gardens Hills last week

HALB History Day

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n February 6, the HALB students held a History Fair as part of the National History Day competition. The National History Day competition is an event in which more than a half a million students participate each year. The projects examine an event in history and how it relates to a national theme. Over the past four months, students at HALB researched various events in history related them to this year’s theme: Conflict and Compromise.

Some of them took us on a journey in which we visited places such as England under Henry VIII, South Africa under Apartheid, Vietnam during the 1960s, and Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Other students took us back in time to some of the most difficult periods in American History looking at limits placed on the rights of workers, women, and African-Americans.

Finally we had groups of students that examined issues that change the Amer-

ican political landscape into what we know it as today.

These projects examined the effects of Reconstruction Politics, Prohibition and the horrifying effects of the limits placed on Jewish immigration to the United States

during the Holocaust. Each project showed a unique and interesting perspective. The winning documentary was “The Cursed Voyage of the St. Louis” by Ari Leifer, Joseph Masri, Assaf Perl, and Yoni Sheinmen. The win-

ning exhibit board was “A Country No Longer Apart: South Africa’s End to Apartheid” by Noga Altheim, Liora Sturm, and Leora Konig.

The winning website was “A Showdown in Little Rock”

by Kobi Aronovitz, Jacob

Hoschander, Eitan Fuchs, and Joseph Abittan. These winners as well as those in second and third place will move onto the next round of competition at Hofstra University on March 18, 2018.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

You are

C o r d i a l ly i n v i t e d t o

an extraordinary Melava Malka event Join

us as we

pay tribute to:

H a r N o f, Y e r u s h a l ay i m

This special event will be graciously hosted in the home of our dear parents,

Shimon & Chaya Raizy Assouline 184 Beach 43rd Street • Belle Harbor, NY

Motzei Shabbos Parashas Titzaveh

February 24th at 8:00 pm We are honored to have the Roshei Hayeshiva

Horav Shmuel Baron Shlita & Horav Dovid Powitz Shlita Join us from eretz yisroel Beautiful Melava Malka Music & Kumzitz • lavish & delicious Milchig Buffet for Men & Women

Experience what we already know!

Feel the warmth and devotion of the Hanhalla. Join your friends and neighbors for a Melava Malka like none other, celebrating a Yeshiva like none other. Understand how this Yeshiva is succeeding at producing such wonderful Bnei Torah.

Host committee: Mr. & Mrs. Shimon Assouline Mr. & Mrs. Menachem Lieber Mr. & Mrs. Mich Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Simcha David

Contributions can be made via the following methods:

Mr. & Mrs. Avigdor Koss

Chase Quick Pay Account: rsdl@imreibinah.com PayPal Account: imreibinahpics@gmail.com Credit Card Payment: https://secure.cardknox.com/imreibina/

Mr. & Mrs. Oren Richland

For more information

For more information regarding

regarding this Melava Malka

the Yeshiva and setting up an

& sponsorships please call:

interview please email:

917.748.1590

rsdl@imreibinah.com

Mr. & Mrs. Sheya Braun Mr. & Mrs. Robbie Lederman Mr. & Mrs. Dov Edell Mr. & Mrs. Hillel Schonbrun Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel Miller Mr. & Mrs. Avrohom Pultman

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Rav Yosef Elefant Visits MAY

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he talmidim of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov had the distinct z’chus of hearing divrei chizuk from Rav Yosef Elefant, shlit”a, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim. A talmid of Rav Asher Arieli, shlit”a, Rav Elefant is globally renowned for his shiurim and eitzos.

Rav Elefant spoke about the chashivus and individuality of each talmid and the unique place that each one of them hold in Klal Yisroel. Talmidim were able to give shalom and receive brachos from Rav Elefant following the shiur.

Rabbi Orlofsky Visits Shulamith

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his past week, Shulamith was honored by the presence of the esteemed Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky, who was visiting from Eretz Yisrael.

Rabbi Orlofsky called our attention to the laws of damages in Parshat Mishpatim. With regard to oxen, he noted, damage comes from three sources, the keren, horn; the shein, tooth; and the regel, leg. The horn represents damage that is intentional – the mean person who just wants to hurt someone. The tooth represents damage motivated by desire for pleasure – the ox is hungry so he grazes in someone else’s field. The leg represents damage that just happens as we walk through life.

The great majority of hurt inflicted on others, suggested Rabbi Orlofsky in the name of Rabbi Shapiro, is that which happens as we walk through life because we just weren’t paying attention to what we were doing. He reminded us that we must be more mindful of being kind to people every minute of everyday. Let’s not pass by a person without a bright smile and a cheerful hello. Let’s not give someone a careless look that shows our disre-

Rabbi Orlofsky with his granddaughter, first grader Avigayil Emunah Ranells

gard or disdain. Let’s be extra careful not to inflict any damage on any person as we walk through our day!

The rabbi closed with a truly inspirational story about a simple woman, of no great talent or education, who used her kochot to make a real difference.

Congregation Etz Chaim Pre-Purim Program

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“John Paul II would see my father walking to shul every Shabbat. Each time, my father took 47 children with him to shul. How many of those children survived? Just five.”

-Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Page 82

agic and music are in the air for Congregation Etz Chaim as the shul is gearing up for a spectacular pre-Purim program with a lively concert performed by Mrs. Rena Greenberg and an amazing magic show presented

by Yitz the Great. Mrs. Rena Greenberg, well-known musician and music teacher of Joyous Melodies, will entertain the audience with a concert to enhance bring in the spirit of Adar and Purim. Yitz the Great will wow everyone with his amazing magic show that involves lots of audience participation and with his awesome balloon animals. He has many tricks up his sleeve, so to speak! Some include: a trick where a balloon goes down his throat and vanishes, a drawing board that comes to life, lots of cool card trick, and much, much more magic.

The event will take place at Congregation Etz Chaim, 147-19 73 Avenue, on Sunday, February 18, at

2-4pm. The magic part of the program will take place from 2-3pm and the music from 3-4pm. There will be light refreshments. Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by a female chaperone. During the concert, boys over 8 will have a handson class with Yitz the Great to learn magic tricks and how to make balloon animals. Balloon art includes shaping balloons into a dog, a flower, a sword or Elmo, or Nemo, or Cookie Monster, or many other fun shapes.

During the concert, the boys will enjoy a wonderful opportunity to learn how to do magic tricks. Yitz the Great teaches how to pour water into a newspaper and make it appear and disappear. He also teaches fun tricks like how to tear newspaper into pieces and then put it back together. He can also teach how to make small things disappear and reappear somewhere else.

For more information text or leave a message 516-962-1052.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Around the Community

Something Special at the Gural JCC

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n any given day when you walk through the doors of the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC in Cedarhurst there is a flurry of activity and an air of excitement. Just stick around for a bit and you’ll be amazed at the amount of programs that are housed at this unassuming location. It will surprise and touch you to discover how many services are provided here to community members who look for guidance and concrete help in coping with the various struggles with which they’ve been challenged. Hundreds of neighbors and friends visit the “little blue house” at 207 Grove Avenue in the course of a typical week and the number is easily doubled if you figure in our many satellite service locations. From Cultural Arts programming to Social Services assistance, every room in the Gural JCC is utilized to bring both relief and joy to clients, neighbors and friends. One of the most beautiful and heart-warming occurrences is when the two departments merge.

Such an event occurred last Thursday morning when the Golden Notes choir performed for our beloved Chaverim Holocaust survivors.

The Golden Notes choir, led by choirmaster Zvi Klein, has been meeting weekly at the JCC for well over a decade. The group – anywhere from 10-20 members performing at any given time – is made up of both retired and active professionals, teachers, lawyers, social workers, professors etc., who come from nearby neighborhoods, as well as from a distance, to generously volunteer their time and talent to share with others their love of singing and their passion for music. They sing, rehearse and expand their repertoire regularly and frequently perform for many of our specialized JCC groups.

They are a lively, funny, talented and kind group that regularly brings smiles to the faces of every audience member they greet, regardless of age or ability.

The Marion and Aaron Gural JCC has been the go-to agency for thousands of Holocaust survivors over the past few decades – a safe haven and support system, helping them and their families through pain and confusion and countless trials. Chaverim is the weekly pro-

the music – whose faces were most telling. Grins mixed with tears as we proudly watched our star performers bring joy, support and hopefulness to our most precious and treasured friends, our Holocaust survivors.

Throughout the year there is exceptional and unique programming taking place at the Gural JCC – from Purim parties to community Thanksgiving meals, Yom Haatzmaut ceremonies to Yom Hashoah memorials.

But we never need to note an occasion on the calendar to make a difference. Any given day at the Gural JCC is a day of promise and inspiration, a day where something special is happening.

gram for our cherished survivors who come from near and far to be heard and comforted, to be entertained and educated, to socialize, enjoy holiday programming and interaction with visitors and guests of all generations.

Last Thursday, a nasty and cold winter day, amazingly brought out over thirty Holocaust survivors to our JCC. Sounds of English, Hebrew, Yiddish, French and other languages could be heard as members warmly greeted each other, staff and volunteers, peeled off their coats and sat down to enjoy the program. Within a few minutes, thirteen Golden Notes choir members filed in and took their seats in the semi-circle set out for them facing the survivors. Choir leader Zvi positioned himself at our piano and the festivities began. The selection of songs performed ranged from old Yiddish classics, to modern day Israeli favorites; show tunes to general feel-good numbers.

Watching the devoted, radiant faces of the choir members as they belted out tune after tune it was clear that their heart and soul went into every piece they sang, including the humorous ad libs and the charming tap-dancing routines.

Watching the enraptured survivors, singing along, tapping their toes, clapping and swaying made every song seem a symphony. But perhaps it was the JCC staff – from the Executive Director who stopped in, to the

Chaverim program director whose love for her clients is immeasurable, to the interns, volunteers and others who couldn’t resist the pull of

For more information about any of our services and programs call the Gural JCC (516)569-6733.

The Marion & Aaron Gural JCC is a proud partner of UJA Federation of New York.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Over 100 young women attended the Sh’eefa Melave Malka last Motzei Shabbos and enjoyed an inspiring and fun evening with friends and food. Mrs. Jackie Bitton gave an inspiring and informative shiur and there was a makeup demonstration by MakeupGoldie.

JCCRP Receives Funds for Groundbreaking Holocaust Survivor Care

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he Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula (JCCRP) is proud to announce it was selected to receive a grant from The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) through the Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care. When combined with matching funds, this award will enable over $65,000 in new programming for survivors.

JFNA launched the Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care in the fall of 2015, following an award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for up to $12 million over five years to advance innovations in person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) services for Holocaust survivors in the United States. PCTI care is a holistic

approach to service provision that promotes the dignity, strength, and empowerment of trauma victims by incorporating knowledge about the role of trauma in victims’ lives into agency programs, policies and procedures.

Of the more than 100,000 Holocaust survivors in the United States, nearly one-quarter are aged 85 or older, and one in four lives in poverty. Many live alone and are at risk for social isolation, depression, and other physical and mental health conditions stemming from periods of starvation, disease, and torture.

The JCCRP is committed to caring for and providing services to frail, poor and ill Holocaust survivors residing in our community. The JCCRP provides Holocaust survivors

with client choice kosher food pantry, crisis management, translation services, benefits enrollment, fraud protection, eviction prevention and a host of other compassionate services.

“JFNA has an acute awareness of how to meet the needs of our Holocaust survivors. They provide support to Holocaust survivors in an innovative, resourceful and most caring fashion. The JCCRP is looking forward to their partnership with JFNA to help our vulnerable community members,” expressed Moshe Brandsdorfer, executive director of the JCCRP. “It is critical that we deliver these lifesaving and life-enhancing services to Holocaust survivors. The past two years of this federal grant program have shown the deep impact that person-centered, trauma-informed services can have on Holocaust survivors. We are grateful

to partner with the government to augment this work,” said Mark Wilf, chair of JFNA’s National Holocaust Survivor Initiative.

The Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care promotes these innovative service delivery models together with the expertise of partner organizations including the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. The grant money is a combination of federal dollars and philanthropic dollars raised by Jewish federations as part of JFNA’s National Holocaust Survivor Initiative, which has raised $45 million to support the survivor community.

To learn more about future programming or services for Holocaust survivors and seniors please email info@jccrp.org or call 718-327-7755.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

4 y a l P l e a r Is n

o i t c u A i l e ht & Isra

Game Nig

We would like to thank all our sponsors for making this years Play4Israel Game Night & Israeli Auction such a success!

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Once Upon a Mattress

S

hulamith High School for Girls is still chattering with excitement about the school musical, Once Upon A Mattress. Prior to the show, both students and teachers held practices in the building until 10 pm every night, rehearsing and preparing for the big day. Girls pranced the halls in full-on ball gowns, practiced dance routines, created set designs, and produced stunning lighting, all in preparation for the big day.

The musical, Once Upon A Mattress, is a full-scale fairytale. It is satire and a musical, filled with dancing and laughter. It is a story that is both thought-provoking and fun. The shows directors, Ms. Rebecca Lopkin and Ms. Jennifer Winkler, spent countless hours working and reworking the script, choreography, and set to make it a magical performance.

Taking part in the school’s theater program is an amazing opportunity for students to express them-

selves. Various talents from acting and singing to set design and lighting allow the students a chance to explore their creative passions. It is also an opportunity to develop new friendships, better relationships with teachers, and a stronger pride in their school.

The students dazzled the crowd with their incredible performances, filled with silliness, personality, and talent. There were girls doing backflips (literally), singing, dancing, and

acting with a full-range of emotion.

They wore eclectic, period clothing and donned crowns and headpieces. The girls really went all out in this production! The theater allowed them the opportunity to explore the question of what it means to be a true princess and bat Yisrael.

Rehearsal was not the only time the play was a part of our school. The ideas and messages of the play have been infiltrated into our school day.

For example, the principal, Mrs. Ze-

ryicker led an Idea Lab on the concept, “What makes a princess?” The girls were asked to define the characteristics of a Jewish princess, while exploring parts of Tanach, Megillat Esther, and Aishes Chayil. Some ideas the girls expressed were courageousness, inspirational, and compassionate.

Shulamith High School believes every girl can be a princess. Once Upon A Mattress was just one piece of our fairytale.

Not Just Another Anxiety Article Siach Yitzchok Parents’ Meet the egg truly comes before the chick- and Greet

By Aliza (Loren) Berkovics

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eart pumping, breathing quickening, eyes dilating, sweat building, muscles ready for action and...and...and what?

Exactly! And what? That is the question regarding anxiety. And what?

Why am I feeling and acting this way?

It feels like there is danger, yet, I am safe, or so I think. My body and mind do not seem to be on the same wavelength. I am not on the edge of a cliff, or near a bear in the woods, so what gives? What am I fearing?

Anxiety, the fear of the unknown.

Regarding allergies, anxiety is the fear of the unknown, found in food. Food is everywhere! Look around where you are reading this very article, on the couch, maybe a snack with you, at the Shabbos table, food is surely lingering, at the computer, coffee. Need I go on?

Food in our culture is deeply rooted.

The allergy community, the minority, have anxiety to foods.

Here are typical questions that families or individuals with allergies must ask before a food is made, which is even before it is eaten (here,

en!): What is in the food; where was it made; what did the manufacturer make on the same line; if there is no label, don’t eat it; take a bite, take a break (TAB, TAB)… I could go on, this is for every product that is eaten (including medications and lotions).

So why am I writing this? Why another article about allergies, why another about anxiety?

Food Allergy Support Team (FAST) and I wanted to let you know that on February 18, 2018, at 6:00pm, a fully sponsored teen and tween group will be held at LICA, 123 Maple Avenue, Ste 204, Cedarhurst. This will be a handing the baton, err…EpiPen (trainer) down to the younger kids; the tween group is aging to be the teen group, ka”h, and we are welcoming 8-year-old children with allergies to start joining us. This summer we will start new separate tween and teen groups. Come and join us.

We would like to thank the sponsors for this event: Long Island Counseling Anxiety Center, Abe’s Frozen Desserts, & Joseph Cohen.

A

wonderful feeling of camaraderie permeated the home of Mrs. Tamar Weinreb in Far Rockaway on the evening of February 11 as Siach Yitzchok mothers joined together for a Meet and Greet event.

Among the attendees were mothers with several sons in the Cheder and mothers whose oldest sons are in Reishis Chochma, Siach Yitzchok’s nursery.

After schmoozing a bit and getting to know each other, the mothers settled down in the living room to hear divrei chizuk from Rebbetzin Sitnick, wife of the Cheder’s beloved menahel.

Rebbetzin Sitnick strengthened the participants with her emphasis of the ko’ach ha’yachid, the special ability that each of us has. Each person in klal Yisroel has his or her unique kesher with Hashem and individual method of serving Hashem in a way that no one else can. Drawing on a lesson she heard from Rebbetzin Chaya Sara Freifeld, a”h, many years ago, Rebbetzin Sitnick explained that we “sing” to Hashem with our essence.

“The more you put in, the more you take out it,” was another integral message of the evening. When we put our own individual efforts into our avodas Hashem, with a hislahavus, the schar and the feeling of satisfaction that we come away with are immense.

The final feature of the evening was a bingo game, run by devoted parent Mrs. Elana Jacobs. Participants received a bingo board with questions, such as “enjoys singing” or “plays a musical instrument.”

They then circulated the room to find mothers who matched the bingo question criteria. It was a fun, easy activity that enabled the mothers to get to know each other better. Anyone who finished a bingo line was able to choose a small prize to take home for her son.

Yasher koach to the Women’s League, especially Mrs. Dara Cooper and Mrs. Elana Jacobs, for coordinating this event for the Siach Yitzchok “family!”

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

57

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN

The Tomchei Shabbos Yad Yeshaya 33rd Annual Breakfast was held at the home of Jenny & Zalmie Rosenberg in Woodmere. The guest speaker was Rabbi Yaakov Trump.

Pictured here, L-R: Arielle Wolfson, Jeanette Lamm, Jenny Rosenberg, Zalmie Rosenberg, Rabbi Yaakov Trump, Dr. Hylton Lightman, Joey Hoenig, and Moshe Lamm

Elevating Tefillah, A High School Girl’s Perspective

By Nava Yastrab, MSH ‘19

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n Tuesday, February 6, ten select Midreshet Shalhevet students took a train to New York City with Mrs. Esther Eisenman, Menahelet, and it forever changed the way they daven and speak to Hashem.

The girls were invited to participate in an amazing Yom Iyun hosted by the OU, designed to educate and inspire teenage girls to learn about tefillah.

The girls heard wonderful speakers such as Debbie Stone, Dr. Rona Novick, and Adina Shmidman, who discussed why we daven and how important tefillah is. They then broke off into groups to discuss topics like what makes a davening setting special, how to stay focused while praying, and finding meaning in the words. After, there was a pre-Mincha session and the girls got to pick what section to participate in; a kumzitz, journaling, self-awareness, mindfulness, a story with a decision, or learning to have inspiration every day. Finally, the girls spoke with each other and Mrs. Eisenman about what they learned and how they bring can bring it back to school with them and implement changes.

The girls had so much fun learning about what makes tefillah special and how they can feel inspired every day.

“I learned that tefillah can work in more than one way; it can evoke emotion in someone and help find inspiration in that way and it can also be an outlet for one’s emotions,” shared junior Eliana Hirsch.

Junior Rivkie Elman said, “It was interesting, insightful, and one of the best things I think, is that it was not just a bunch of lectures. All of us were given the chance to voice our opinions on what we were discussing.”

Below are some of the questions the girls contemplated during the day’s discussions. I hope thinking about your own answers can help you elevate your own tefillah.

What makes a good davening space?

What do you want to get out of davening?

Why are you praying?

What are you praying for?

Do you know what you’re really saying?

Do you say every word?

What makes tefillah meaningful?

Celebrating Shabbat at HAFTR

F

ifth grade HAFTR talmidot would agree with Odelia Koren who said, “The fifth grade girls’ Melave Malkah was a beautiful way to escort the Shabbat Queen.”

Dressed in Shabbat clothing, the girls, their mothers and even some grandmothers had a wonderful time exploring the theme of “Hachana L’Shabbat.” Together, everyone learned about the importance of ushering in the Shabbat; performing specific tasks like cooking and readying the candles. The audience decorated cookies symbolizing different aspects of preparation. The inspiring divrei Torah, class video, creative decorations, hand designed seating cards, “tzupar” giveaway, and the beautiful table settings added to the depiction of the theme and the festivities of the evening. Everyone enjoyed the dance workshop with Morah Tali followed by a seudat Melave Malkah sponsored by the PTA. The Frenkel fam-

ily sponsored birchonim in honor of their daughter Abby and in memory of her grandfather, Mr. Joe Weintraub, a”h. The memorable evening is sure to linger in the minds, hearts and homes of the girls.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

“My flu-like symptoms turned out to be a heart attack.”

NAME: AGE:

HEIDI F.

60

HOMETOWN: CONDITION:

Woodmere, NY Cardiac arrest

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

PROCEDURE:

I was getting ready for my grandson’s birthday, when all of a sudden I became weak. I thought I was coming down with the flu. Before going to sleep, I called my son and told him that something didn’t feel right. We took no chances and called 911. The paramedics arrived and within minutes, I was in cardiac arrest.

LIFE BEFORE HEART ATTACK:

I woke up a few days later and after many tests the doctors determined that the upper part of my heart wasn’t sending signals to the bottom part to pump blood, and that’s why my heart stopped.

I was fitted with an ICD to treat my irregular heartbeat. After the procedure, I’m back to normal, I’m energetic, and I feel great.

LIFE AFTER HEART ATTACK:

WHY CHOOSE SOUTH NASSAU? The entire cardiac team was amazing. No amount of words will ever help me express how thankful I am.

They’re my heroes. They’re my angels.

To learn more about cardiac services available at South Nassau or to watch Heidi’s story, visit southnassau.org/cardiologystories.

The American Heart Association recognizes this hospital for achieving 85% or higher compliance with all Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure Achievement Measures and 75% or higher compliance with four or more Get With The Guidelines®-Heart Failure Quality Measures for two or more consecutive years and for documentation of all three Target: Heart FailureSM care components for 50% or more of eligible patients with heart failure discharged from the hospital to improve quality of patient care and outcomes.

FILE NAME: 66371_05 SNCH Cardiac

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Yeshiva of Far Rockaway Annual Dinner This past Motzei Shabbos the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway held its 49th Annual Dinner at the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway campus.

It was the Rabbi Aaron Brafman Tribute Dinner, which was an overwhelming success.

There was a tremendous outpouring of support from talmidim, alumni, and the community; the crowd was overflowing to the halls.

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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Around the Community PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Last Sunday, Akiva Ackerman, of Rabbi Speigel’s 7th grade in Yeshiva Darchei Torah, made a siyum on shisha sidrei Mishna in front of the middle school. He then hosted a breakfast for his class and family at the yeshiva. Akiva was prompted to learn all of Shas Mishnayos before his bar mitzvah by his rav, Rabbi Pinchos Weinberger, after Akiva and his father, Pinny, finished learned Pirkei Avos together when Akiva was seven. Since then, Akiva has been learning the Mishnayos in small increments, managing to finish all of Mishnayos.

Shevach Students Addressed By Mrs. Leah Rubashkin

S

hevach High School enjoyed a wonderful two day trip to the Rocking Horse Ranch Resort on January 31 and February 1. The students greatly enjoyed the skiing, snow tubing, swimming, and spending time with their teachers and principals in a fun-filled venue.

However, the highlight of the trip according to many, occurred on their way up to the resort, which started in a most unusual way. Shevach Associate Principal Mrs. Miriam Krohn together with Shevach Educational Administrator Mrs. Devorah Kovitz, coordinated the many details necessary and the busses made a stop in Monsey, NY. There the school was treated to a truly inspiring address

Marketing at BYAM

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he fifth grade students in Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam learned about three types of arguments in their weekly writing workshop with the acclaimed writing specialist, Mrs. Susie Garber.

They learned about logos, ethos, and pathos. They then created their own advertisements and a poster for their products.

delivered by Mrs. Leah Rubashkin, wife of Mordecha Rubashkin, whose story is now legend.

Shevach students were mesmerized as they listened to Mrs. Leah Rubashkin tell of the family’s trials (literally) and tribulations of the last eight years. Mrs. Rubashkin presented her story in two layers. The first was the actual judicial process, which was weighed against them by the confluence of varying personalities involved. The second, which was her real message, was what she calls Aleph, Bais, Gimmel. The emunah (Aleph) and bitachon (Bais) which is now their hallmark, is what carried them through the ordeal. The entire family was convinced that emunah

and bitachon would bring their geulah (Gimmel), as it ultimately did.

There was never a time that their emunah wavered. They were always awaiting the call that Mr. Rubashkin was free to leave “the place called prison.” Mrs. Rubashkin relayed, in her poignant and enthusiastic manner, the challenges that they faced consistently. Shabbosos came, of course, every week; the calendar marched on, bringing yomim tovim and yomim noraim as they came around. The Rubashkins have a special needs child who requires constant care, and Mrs. Rubashkin had to go that alone for eight years. Yet she always had her emunah to fall back on and that kept them all going.

Mrs. Rubashkin gave over, more than anything else did, that we live in a world which we believe is in our control. Our choices, our decisions, our actions—we think we can control all of those. But we do not dictate the outcomes. That is totally in the hands of the Ribbono Shel Olam. The Rubashkins experienced this firsthand, and survived with their emunah not only intact, but enhanced.

It was a lesson that left all the students inspired. It launched the trip to Rocking Horse Ranch on a spiritual high and a new appreciation of emunah, bitachon, and—hopefully soon—geulah.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Yeshiva Gedolah of the Five Towns Anniversary Dinner

T

here was a sense of excitement throughout the crowded halls of the Beth Shalom, where the Yeshiva Gedolah of the Five Towns held its 15th anniversary dinner on Tuesday evening, February 6. Many in attendance expressed how much they enjoyed the dinner, appreciated the message expressed through the honorees, and were moved by the whole evening. There was also a sense of pride in the accomplishments of the Guests of Honor, Dr. and Mrs. Justin Hirmes, appreciation for the contributions of Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Richtman, who received the Avodas Hakodesh Award, and recognition of the work spreading Torah done by Rabbi and Mrs. Menashe Benedict, who were the recipients of the Harbotzas Torah Award. Those who came to show support to the

PHOTO CREDIT: NAFTOLI GOLDGRAB PHOTOGRAPHY

Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein , Rosh Yeshiva; Rav Yitzchok Knobel, Rosh Kollel; Stevie Stein , Dinner Chairman; Rabbi Yosef Richtman, Avodas Hakodesh Awardee; Adam Goller, president of the board; and Baruch Moskowitz, Executive Director

Yeshiva and those who came on account the honorees were imbued with a sense of the important the Yeshiva plays in the broader community.

The Yeshiva Gedolah is a place of higher Torah learning for bochurim returning from Eretz Yisroel, as well as for young married men who wish to learn in Kollel. At the same

time, it serves as a community institution where baalei batim enjoy many shiurim and minyanim. But what makes this Yeshiva truly unique is that it is a makom Torah where individual needs, strengths and personalities are respected and nurtured, a point which was supported in the various video presenta-

tions. This is true, whether it relates to the talmidim of the Yeshiva, or the baalei batim who associate with the Yeshiva. Each individual brings to the Yeshiva his own strengths and perspectives, and, at the same time, all are united in their dedication to Talmud Torah, yiras Shamayim and chessed.

This year’s honorees clearly exemplify this diversity and unity. Dr. and Mrs. Justin Hirmes are both outstanding baalei chessed. They are supporters of Torah, the Yeshiva, as well as good neighbors and friends. Rabbi and Mrs. Yosef Richtman represent the backbone of the Yeshiva and the dedication and willingness to help in any conceivable way.

Rabbi and Mrs. Menashe Benedict, with their talents, warmth, and great dedication to learning, are engaged in reaching out in the field of kiruv. Each of the honorees is an integral and important part of the Yeshiva, its past successes and its future growth.

The crowd was privileged to hear words of appreciation about Rabbi Knobel, shlita, the Yeshiva’s Rosh Kollel from Mr. Steven Stein, the night’s master of ceremonies.

He expressed the Yeshiva’s

We have ribbon raffia cellophane bags and plastic cylinders and boxes as well as gift bags bows shred tissue paper and facepaint.

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340 Central Ave., Lawrence, NY 11559 (516) 791-1600 | Fax (516) 791-1605 www.5townspaperplace.com

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Around the Community gratitude to Rav Knobel and his Rebbetzin for laying the foundation for everything the Yeshiva has and has become.

Their dreams became a reality in seeing the growth of Torah in the Yeshiva and in the greater community.

Mr. Stein then introduced the video presentation about Rabbi and Mrs. Benedict. In the video, the rebbeim from Yeshiva Gedolah and Philadephia spoke of Menashe’s growth in learning, and his development ability to impact others in so many ways. In the presentation, Menashe spoke of his appreciation for what the Yeshiva did for him, imbuing him with the strength and skills to teach others, garnered from the strong mesorah of the rebbeim.

Next, Mr. Stein introduced the video presentation about the Richtman family, which highlighted their selfless dedication to the Yeshiva and other causes and people.

In the video, Menachem, their oldest son, told of his admiration for his parents and why the Yeshiva continues to be a place of meaning for their entire family. Friends and rebbeim all made it clear why the Richtmans are so deserving of the recognition received.

Last, Mr. Stein, introduced the video segment about Dr.

Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein , Rosh Yeshiva; Rav Yitzchok Knobel, Rosh Kollel; Stevie Stein, Dinner Chairman; Dr. Justin Hirmes, Guest of Honor; Adam Goller, president of the board; and Baruch Moskowitz, Executive Director

Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein, Rosh Yeshiva; Rav Yitzchok Knobel, Rosh Kollel; Stevie Stein, Dinner Chairman; Rabbi Menashe Benedict, Harbotzas Torah Awardee; Adam Goller, president of the board; and Baruch Moskowitz, Executive Director

and Mrs. Justin Hirmes. All who spoke noted dedication that they have shown in raising a family based on Torah and their unwavering commitment to chessed. Justin, in his video segment, spoke about the growth of the Yeshiva since he first moved in

and the close family connection they have with the rebbeim, highlighting his family’s erev Shabbos visit with Rav and Rebbetzin Knobel on a weekly basis. Their children all echoed the importance of the Yeshiva in their lives, in a myriad of ways.

Rav Moshe Zev Katzenstein, shlita, the Rosh Yeshiva, then spoke about the focus of the Yeshiva and our lives being the Torah we learn and teach. The Rosh Yeshiva mentioned that one of the greatest assets the Yeshiva has is the opportunity to face the chal-

lenges of society – together as a unit. The Yeshiva has been and continues to be the beneficiary of the generosity of so many in the community and beyond, and the Rosh Yeshiva acknowledged the growth it was able to achieve as a result. Using a mashal from the Kutzker Rebbe, Rabbi Katzenstein elucidated the mission the Yeshiva has in being a vehicle to heed the voice of Hashem telling us to be strong in our commitments to Torah.

The Fifteenth Anniversary Dinner was a great success, with approximately 400 people in attendance. The evening provided an opportunity to take pride in all that has been accomplished. At the same time, those who attended were given a vision of the Yeshiva’s future plans and goals for what it continues to try and build. We look forward to realizing these goals and to furthering the growth of the Yeshiva Gedolah of the Five Towns, as a makom Torah in the midst of our community.

For dedication or donation opportunities and for more information regarding the Yeshiva Gedolah of the Five Towns, please visit the Yeshiva’s website, www.ygft. org, or call the Yeshiva office at (516)295-8900 x5.

PHOTO CREDIT: NAFTALI BAK

On Motzei Shabbos, February 10, Senator Todd Kaminsky attended Young Israel of LawrenceCedarhurst 37th Annual Dinner at Beth Sholom in Lawrence. He is seen here with Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, Assistant Rabbi Yaakov Trump, Community Service Awardee Renah Bell, and Guests of Honor Naomi & Aryeh Davis

Rav Yosef Elefant, shlita, speaking at Mesivta Shaarei Chaim in Far Rockaway

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

YCQ Hosts Its Annual Yachad Shabbaton

O

n Shabbat Parshat Mishpatim, students, staff and alumni from Yeshiva of Central Queens hosted guests from Yachad, the flagship program of the Orthodox Union’s National Jewish Council for Disabilities. YCQ hosting this Shabbaton allows for the children in Yachad to have the opportunity to feel included in Shabbat, as well as teaches the students of YCQ tolerance, acceptance and compassion.

This year there were over a hundred participants at the Shabbaton.

The students, staff, and Yachad members were housed at homes in the KGH community and participated in a Shabbat program at the Yeshiva. The yearly program affords the opportunity for grade 8 students to get to know Yachad members and to

enjoy a spiritual Shabbat with them during meals, learning and socializing through a variety of activities and songs run by the Yachad staff.

Divrei Torah were given following each meal by YCQ students and Yachad members. Participation by students is voluntary. As the grade 8 students start to plan for high school, their next step in their education, a program like this gives them the tools needed for them to be well rounded students. It teaches acceptance, and understanding, and creates a quality within each student where they accept and believe that everyone belongs. These qualities will instill in them what it takes to be leaders and community advocates for Klal Yisroel, as they continue their journey towards the future.

HAFTR Pre-K students ate healthy foods while learning about good eating habits during Healthy Month

Pink Day at SKA

T

here was pink everywhere at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls on Pink Day, Wednesday, February 7.

Pink banners, pink posters, pink steamers and a sea of pink wearing students and faculty members filled the hallways and classrooms.

To show their support for breast and ovarian cancer awareness, SKA students sold doughnuts, potato kugel, phone stickers, raffle tickets and more. All the proceeds went to Sharsheret, an organization that was created to provide support and direction for Jewish women with these cancers. An incredible $2,458 was raised in one day!

During club period, the girls were honored to hear from a beloved member of the staff who shared her incredible story of recovery from breast cancer with the SKA students.

Her inspirational words of hashgacha prati and emunah made Pink Day at SKA a very meaningful one.

SKA’s Pink Day highlighted the need for awareness and education as

Ashkenazi Jews are 10 times more at risk for hereditary cancers than the general population. Thanks go to the SKA Pink Day committee members, Mrs. Helen Spirn, Head of School, and the SKA administration, and Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, Director of Student Programming, and his team for making the day the success that it was.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

YOSS ECC Hosts an “Amen Party “

T

he talmidim at Yeshiva of South Shore’s Hollander Early Childhood Center shared brachos and treats at their annual “Amen Party” this week. Led by Rebbe Eli Herzberg, each preschool class recited a bracha and the other classes joined in the mitzvah by answering “amen.”

The party is the culmination

of the Yeshiva’s “Making of a Mentch” program, where each child completed middos missions.

In keeping with the middos theme, Rebbe Eli shared a message about the value of a smile and how if we smile, we make other people smile. Rabbi Avraham Robinson, assistant Menahel in the elemen-

tary division, told an exciting story about the importance of wearing a kippah.

Each boy was proud to receive a “mentch magnet” to display and showcase their efforts.

This program was created l’ilui nishmas Meir Yechezkel ben Yosef Avraham Mordechai.

Contest of the Month: Something for Everyone at Rambam

A

t Rambam there is a bulletin board with the Torah Question of the Week, Question of the Week, Caption of the Week, and Photo of the Week. These weekly contests challenge the Rambam students’ creativity and general knowledge about Torah and the events of the world. There is also a Contest of the Month competition that allows for every student to get involved in a way that allows his strengths to be honed, featured, and developed.

The September Contest of the Month was a writing contest and it was followed in October with a Homerun Derby and Gold Glove Competition. October also featured a school-wide Flag Football Tournament and the annual JV Quest for the Cup Championship where JV Hockey defeated JV Basketball in a game of soccer. November’s contest was a Knee-Hockey Tournament and De-

cember highlighted two contests: an Art Competition and a Board Game Tournament for all the Carcassonne fans. January was a short month due

to finals and vacation but the school still worked in an LSAT Logic Games Tournament.

In February, in addition to a Jun-

gle Speed Tournament and a Chess Tournament, the school also has its annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. Over 160 students will partake in a two-day basketball extravaganza that will also showcase two other contests, a Slam Dunk Championship and a 3-Point Shoot-out.

The above contest has helped raise thousands of dollars for tzedakah, helping organizations such as Yachad, OHEL, the IDF, Masbia Soup Kitchen, and more. The students themselves help run the contests and it gives them an opportunity to learn about fundraising, leadership, advertising, and chessed.

The diversity of the contests allows for the school to live up to its extracurricular activities mission statement: “A Team for Every Talent. A Club for Every Curiosity. A Place for Every Person.”

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Sulitz Bais Medrash 67th Annual Dinner

The Sulitza Rebbe speaking

Guest of honor Mr. Michael Guberman speaking

Rabbi Yosef Eisen, head of the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns

Rabbi Yisroel Gold speaking

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Around the Community

National Merit Scholar Finalist at DRS

D

RS is immensely proud of senior Tzvi Heimoiwtz who has qualified as a Finalist for the National Merit Scholarship. This is an extremely prestigious honor, and it reflects the high level of education that DRS strives to deliver to their students, as well as the level of commitment and work they expect from them. The National Merit Scholar-

Chessed Abounds at HANC Plainview

ship Program is a United States academic scholarship competition for recognition and college scholarships administered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students who qualify as a Finalists have an outstanding academic record, are endorsed and recommended by a school officials, and earn extremely high PSAT scores.

Being Proactive on College Campuses

O M

s. Charlotte Korchak, the Director of International Student Programs at StandWithUs, spoke to the senior class at HANC High School about the importance of being proactive in Israel advocacy on college campuses and beyond.

From the moment she began speaking, Ms. Korchak captured the audience with her personal story and kept the students engaged through her humor, passion and intellect.

Her message focused on educating those who are unaware and apathetic about Israel and presenting the Jewish narrative in a positive and complete manner. Students were inspired to learn more and to increase their activism for Israel, even asking Ms. Korchak after the session for her suggested reading list.

Thank you to our Israel Advocacy Committee for organizing this important event.

n Friday, February 2, members of HANC Plainview Elementary School’s Student Council set out on a chessed mission to the Mid Island Y-JCC to bring joy and warmth to those less fortunate than themselves. The students delivered dozens of packages of soup, which were collected in a school-

wide drive, to the JCC’s food pantry to help families in need during this cold winter. Afterward, the children visited with the senior citizens attending the JCC’s adult respite-care program, bringing with them smiles, song, and challah rolls which were made collaboratively by HANC’s own kindergarten and fifth grade.

It’s Adar! Will you remember to send in your Purim photos to the TJH Photo Album?

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Hundreds Turn Out for KolSave Market Purim Carnival

E

ven the rain couldn’t put a damper on the fun and festivities taking place inside KolSave Market last Sunday, when hundreds of residents of the Five Towns and the Rockaways descended on Savings Plaza – home to the new price- and value-centered food market as well as a new mega-size Amazing Savings – for a spectacular Purim carnival.

The highlight of the afternoon was a lively performance by popular Jewish singer Benny Friedman.

But the carnival atmosphere was hardly confined to the concert stage; virtually every aisle offered exciting attractions for the kids, including strolling clowns, jugglers, party characters, and face-painting and balloon sculpting stations. Balloons, brightly colored KolSave canvas bags and Megilla booklets were just a few of the many prizes and giveaways that delighted participants of every age.

For most of the adults, however, it was checking out the KolSave prices that provided the biggest thrill.

“People kept walking over to tell me how amazing the prices are and how much they appreciate having a store like this in the neighborhood,” says director of purchasing Howie Klagsbrun. And when they weren’t commenting on the price, he reports, they talked about the store’s shopper-friendly design and cleanliness.

“One young man summed it up best when he gave me the thumbs up and said, ‘You nailed it.’”

Like traditional one-stop supermarkets, KolSave features fresh produce, meat, fish and deli departments. A wide and ever-expanding array of grocery products includes

name brand and off-brand items, as well as regular packaging and larger quantity packaging designed to deliver even more savings and value.

Savings Plaza is located at 11 Lawrence Lane (the former address of Brach’s Supermarket) and, with more than 200 spots, always features abundant free parking.

KolSave Market is open Sun, Mon, Tues: 9am-7pm; Wed: 9am -10pm; Thurs: 9 am-11pm; Fri: 8am-2 hours before Shabbos. For store updates and information about all our incredible deals, follow KolSave Market on Instagram and Facebook.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Ohr Leah Academy is Expanding

A

fter three years of a successful pre-school program, Ohr Leah Academy is preparing to open its lower elementary class next fall which will include girls ages six through nine. Operating as a Montessori-style Bais Yaakov, Ohr Leah has classes which span an age range of three years. While we know that Maria Montessori found this to be a most beneficial educational setting allowing children to thrive and current research supports this practice, it’s still one that is only found in Montessori schools.

The fact that Montessori yeshivos are opening in many cities demonstrates that frum Jewish parents are ready to have their children benefit from all that Montessori schools have to offer.

As a mother of eleven children and an educator for over thirty years, Mrs. Suzanne Burger knew that a typical school setting does not work well for many children. The studious, easy-going ones do fine. But there are many children who fall through the cracks.

When a child excels in a particular area and is not challenged in that area he can become bored and deter-

mine that learning is boring, not fun!

When a child is struggling in an area of weakness and doesn’t receive enough support she will think that learning is difficult and “not for her.” Children innately want to learn. Before children start school, they are learning all the time and think it is fun. It is the goal of a Montessori education to see to it that children retain their natural love for learning throughout their years in school and subsequently throughout their lives.

The Montessori education follows the Torah dictum chanoch lanaar al pi darko, educate each child according to his way. There are girls at Ohr Leah who are reading Hebrew fluently at the age of five. There are also six-year-olds still struggling with their letters. Neither is a “problem” as they would be in a typical American school setting. All of the girls are learning, thriving and, most importantly, loving what they do in school. The gifted students and the struggling can confidently find works to grow at their own pace. The girls are learning so much but primarily, they are having an enjoyable learning ex-

perience!

We are thrilled that we will now be able to provide our girls with our special brand of education on into their elementary years. As we have seen them blossom from small children, just out of babyhood, to rising first graders, ready to take their learning to the next level, we can’t help but feel pride in our accomplishments thus far. Our girls love coming to school.

Their learning is on par with girls their age in other schools and, in some cases, far surpasses them. If you would like to find out more about Ohr Leah

we encourage you to schedule a visit because seeing is believing.

The girl’s schools in the Five Towns are bursting at the seams. Ohr Leah is filling a need in the community for another school as well as one that is unique. Ohr Leah is still accepting applications for the 2018/2019 school year. Limited spots are available. For more information about Ohr Leah please contact Suzanne Burger at 347-794-4940 or Leah Schwartz at 757-651-1129 or email info@OhrLeahAcademy.org.

BJX: From Mundane to Sublime

By Chaim Miller

T

here was a sea of people walking out of the BJX Beis Medrash Friday night. Many of the young men were wearing white colored yarmulkas, the type often found on Yom Kippur. The young women were smiling yet pensive as if they were venturing into some unknown.

More than 20 young adults were experiencing their very first Shabbos. The odd part is – as astonishing as it may sound – that they don’t come from the Midwest or from some difficult to pronounce suburb; they live in Flatbush and attend Murrow and Midwood public high schools. Is it possible that in the heart of Jewish Flatbush we still have multitudes of people who are unfamiliar with Shabbos, let alone Yiddishkeit? The answer is a resounding yes. Just ask the Jaffa family who hosted them for Friday night and feted them to a marvelous Shabbos seudah, their first ever! Or ask the Waldmans who hosted them for a magnificent Shabbos lunch, their first ever! Or ask

the Nutovics who hosted them for a stunning Shalosh Seudos and musical havdalah, their first ever! At each meal, Torah was shared, songs were sung and these bright and curious students laughed, asked, spoke, and, most importantly, connected. They connected with their fellow Jews who they never knew existed – and now are like family.

BJX empowers not only the unaffiliated but offers the frum community a glimpse into the struggles, growth, commitment, and excitement of those who were not raised with a Jewish education and are now catapulted onto their own Jewish journey. Rabbi Fingerer creates an atmosphere of Torah, positive energy, creativity and ahavas Yisroel.

For six weeks the students eagerly anticipated each of his classes. “The rabbi has a wealth of information. I particularly enjoy his enthusiasm for sharing info on our heritage. It is very heartwarming,” said a senior originally from Murrow.

Many community leaders joined

the students at the Nutovic home for Shalosh Seudos. The students went around the table and opened up about what Shabbos meant to them. It was incredible how they spoke from their hearts about what this BJX Shabbos has done for them. Kathryn said, “I grew up knowing I’m Jewish and proud but with zero tradition or knowledge. This was my first ever Shabbos and it meant the world to me. I plan on speaking to my parents about allowing me to observe a part of Shabbos next week.”

David admitted that he was scared of keeping Shabbos. He thought it meant sitting in the dark with total boredom. “This was so much fun and exciting. The synagogue was full of joy and energy. I loved the singing. I will be keeping Shabbos again!” exclaimed David.

Alan couldn’t believe that total strangers took him into their homes and treated him as brothers and sisters. “The BJX community is a real family. Keeping Shabbos was awesome!” he said.

Danielle said, “BJX really changed my whole perception of what it means to be Jewish. Shabbos was so beautiful. Services were very welcoming and full of life. I will now be lighting candles every Friday and want to keep on learning about the Torah.”

No one thought kiruv in a place like Flatbush was possible. Rabbi Fingerer dreamt a dream, and we are now all living his idealism and dream.

Those who we think are strangers are really a very integral part of who we all are. They are family, Klal Yisroel. To help BJX continue their avodah of returning His children back to Him visit helpBJX.com or call 646-397-1544.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Around the Community

Silvian Foundation Grants New Sensory Gym to Gesher

T

he Five Towns and Far Rockaway communities are very familiar with the generosity of the Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation, Inc. Many yeshivas and other institutions have made improvements

and upgrades to their programs and facilities funded by Silvian Foundation grants.

The Gesher Early Childhood Center petitioned the foundation to help Gesher better serve the neighborhood.

Gesher’s successful educational model and its appeal to a broad cross section of the community factored into the Grant Board’s decision to give significant consideration to its application. The accompanying organizational information verified Gesher’s fiscal responsibility, especially in regards to communal funds.

In November 2017 the Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation awarded Gesher a grant of $12,500 to upgrade its sensory gym and related amenities.

The installation of its new stateof-the-art sensory gym gives Gesher the ability to provide significantly greater support to its students. It is

well-known that Gesher prides itself on its interdisciplinary approach, teaming strongly with related service providers and incorporating their strategies.

The occupational and physical therapists who work with Gesher educational staff are constantly looking for ways to improve the Gesher programming. Mrs. Garyn Handler, PT, led the planning and design of the sensory gym upgrade. Her many years of experience with myriad equipment and facilities enabled her to prioritize and envision the most appropriate materials and placement to meet Gesher’s needs.

Mrs. Handler consulted with Mrs. Avigail Stoll, OT, and with Ms. Rachel Lebovitz, OT, with whom she shares space in the sensory gym and shares the passion to see every child receive the best support possible.

Gesher is very grateful to the Slomo and Cindy Silvian Foundation,

Inc. for providing the necessary funds for this project and to the team of related service providers who turned it into a reality.

Primary Date Changed

T

his week, NYS State Senate passed legislation that Senator Simcha Felder sponsored and Senators Marisol Alcantara, Jesse Hamilton, Todd Kaminsky, Brian Kavanagh, and Elaine Phillips co-sponsored to change New York’s scheduled 2018 electoral primary date from September 11 to September 13 to avoid conflicts with both the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah and the National Day of Service and Remembrance of the September 11 attacks. The bill passed the Assembly and Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Senator Felder said, “We live in a great democracy where the right to vote is a privilege we don’t take lightly.

Today, we have done our part to guarantee all voters their right to vote. New Yorkers, who would find it impossible, or difficult to do both, will be able to observe the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, or the solemn day of 9/11, without concern.”

“Changing this year’s primary date is absolutely necessary,” said Senator Todd Kaminsky. “It is unjust to ask voters to choose between their civic duty and their observance of a sacred holiday. It is my responsibility to encourage and empower citizens

to engage in our democratic process.

Therefore, I will do everything in my power to remove any hindrance from participating in our elections.”

Senator Kaminsky first introduced legislation to change the current September 11 primary date to September 13, as the date directly conflicts with the religious observance of Rosh Hashanah, and the National Day of Service and Remembrance. He was a co-sponsor on the legislation. The second day of Rosh Hashanah, which falls on September 11, is one of the holiest days for the Jewish people.

Additionally, our nation mourns and honors the heroic individuals who sacrificed their lives, as well as those who perished during the September 11 attacks.

Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said, “Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy, and I thank the leadership of Senator Felder for the swift action we took today in the Senate on this issue. New Yorkers will no longer have to be concerned with choosing between observing a religious holiday, remembering the tragic events of 9/11, or exercising their inalienable right to vote.”

The bill has passed in the Assembly and will be sent to the Governor.

PURIM CARDS! CAHAL is offering beautifully designed and colorful cards!

Send Purim greetings to family and friends while supporting this vital program educating children in our local yeshivas in the Five Towns, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead and Greater Nassau County

Pick up your cards today at CAHAL: 516-295-3666 540-A Willow Avenue sheldon@cahal.org Cedarhurst NY 11516

(entrance in municipal parking lot)

Pack of 10 cards - $18

3 packs (30 cards) - $50

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Remembering Rav Binyamin

A Puzzling Photo

By Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky

M

y father, Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky, zt”l, was a man of pictures. There are countless photos depicting him at all stages of his life and achievements. As I look though our archives, I can resurrect key moments. The pictures not only tell the story of his life, but also shed light on the way he dealt with people and the way he respected all Jews.

This brings me to one of the more interesting photos in my father’s collection. It was taken before I was born.

The scene is a sefer Torah presentation at Yeshiva of South Shore. There are four rabbis inside the shul. The first time I saw the photo, the makeup of the group struck me as odd, if not downright bizarre. The picture has my zeide, Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zt”l, standing next to my father. Of course, I understood that pairing. My father was his eldest son and the dean of the new yeshiva. But the next two figures seemed incongruous. To my father’s left, looking rather stoic, stands Rabbi David Hollander, rabbi of the Mount Eden Jewish Center in the Bronx and the fiery spokesman for the Orthodox community during its emerging years in the 1950s. He is next to Rabbi Irving Miller, spiritual leader of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere.

Sitting in the background is the donor, Mr. Eli Gut. I asked my father to explain how Rabbi Miller and Rabbi Hollander were connected to the yeshiva, and more strangely, how they would be standing next to each other in the same ceremony. Under Rabbi Miller’s tenure, Sons of Israel, a once Orthodox

shul, transformed into a somewhat Conservative congregation.

Irving

him to another Slobodka talmid, Rav Alter Koslowski, zt”l, who lived in Woodmere. Rabbi Koslowski and his wife were frail, and his daughter and son-in-law in Woodmere looked after them. The children were members of Congregation Sons of Israel, so that’s where they brought their father to daven. Rabbi Miller allowed a separate minyan in his office for the older generation Orthodox members, including Rabbi Koslowski. Rabbi Koslowski endeared himself to many of the congregants and introduced my father to another Orthodox member of that synagogue, the aforementioned Mr. Eli Gut. Eli Gut, president of Ideal Fastener Corporation, was a successful manufacturer of zippers and fasteners, and together with his wife, Lily, was at the forefront of many philanthropic endeavors. Eli and Lily had commissioned the writing of a sefer Torah in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son

L-R: Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky, Rav Binyamin Kamentzky, Rav David Hollander, Rabbi Irving Miller, and Mr. Eli Gut, sitting

Miller was originally rabbi of Shaarei Tefillah, but after some tragic personal events, he left and joined Sons of Israel. Rabbi Hollander, on the other hand, was a kanai, a powerful spokesman for unadulterated Orthodox Jewry, who would not even openly use the title “rabbi” to acknowledge rabbinic members of the Conservative movement.

At the time, nearly 60 years ago, it was not easy to get someone to donate a sefer Torah. But, somehow, my father made it happen. The executive director of the American Office of Slobodka Yeshiva, Rav Friedman, was delighted that a yeshiva had been started on Long Island by the son of his dear friend from Slobodka, Rav Yaakov Kamenecki (as it was spelled when he knew my grandfather in Europe).

He met my father and introduced

Ralph, to take place on Parshas Lech Lecha in 1954. The bar mitzvah took place – but without the Torah. The sofer had passed away in the middle of writing it, so it wasn’t finished on time.

That took another two years. That’s when my father stepped in. There was a yeshiva, and the yeshiva needed a Torah. And so, a relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Gut soon evolved into the dedication of a Torah scroll.

It turned out to be a festive celebration, but there were some issues of political correctness to deal with, even in those days. The Guts were members of Rabbi Miller’s congregation, and it was only proper for him to be invited to the hachnasas sefer Torah. After all, the Torah was coming from his shul to the yeshiva, with his blessing. And if a rabbi comes, a rabbi speaks. Because Rabbi Miller had moved to the left, my

father was afraid he might articulate some radical thought in his remarks.

So he called his father, Rav Yaakov, zt”l, for advice. “I will come,” said my zeide. “I doubt he would say anything against the mesorah in my presence.

And just in case, invite Rabbi David Hollander. If there will be something needing immediate refutation, Rabbi Hollander has been a most powerful advocate for the emes.”

Indeed, Rabbi Hollander, a son-inlaw of Rav Shimshon Zelig Fortman of the nearby Congregation Kneseth Israel (The White Shul), knew what my father was trying to accomplish in Woodmere and accepted the invitation. Rabbi Miller, a native of Kovno, Lithuania, did speak, in English. Believe it or not, he only alluded to his leanings, stating that “Yiddishkeit is like a tree, an eitz chaim, and a tree has as many branches as Yiddishkeit has divergent ideas and customs.

But,” he concluded, “there must be a trunk. And the trunk of Yiddishkeit is a yeshiva. Without the trunk, there could be no branches.” The message was focused on the importance of the yeshiva, with little elaboration on what he meant by “many branches.”

Afterward he approached my zeide, subtly acknowledging that the presence of the rosh yeshiva clearly mitigated the chance of any wrong ideas coming from him. However, he apologized to my grandfather. “I am sorry that I gave the speech in English.” My grandfather smiled and said, “Don’t worry. What you spoke was a Yiddishe drashah.”

Postscript: In 1966 the Guts moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where they had built a manufacturing facility. Ralph continues to be a dear personal friend of the Yeshiva and our family, and he and his wife have been instrumental in the growth and sustenance of the Orthodox community there. When they moved, my father gave them the sefer Torah back, to be used in the shul they were building in Raleigh. Years later, early one Rosh Chodesh morning, when fate had me and my son davening in Congregation Sha’arei Israel of Raleigh, I was honored to open the aron kodesh and to take a Torah to read. There it was.

The circle had completed, and I really got the picture.

Adapted from an article that ran in Ami Magazine in 2013 Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of South Shore.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Rav Binyamin Kamenetzky taught thousands of children, teenagers and adults.

BottomLineMG.com

CONTINUE HIS LEGACY

YESHIVA OF SOUTH SHORE RBK MEMORIAL DINNER April 15 th , 2018 • The Sands, Atlantic Beach Honor his past. Build our future. • RBKlegacy.org Yeshiva of South Shore • 1170 William Street • Hewlett, NY 11557 • 516.374.7363

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Op-Ed

My Trip to the Vatican & Rabbi Lau’s Impassioned Words

By Rabbi Gideon Shloush

Rabbi Shloush in front of the Great Synagogue in Rome

S

erving as the president of the New York Board of Rabbis has been quite an experience. In this capacity, I have had the privilege to visit the West Wing, engage in dialogue with leadership of other faith communities, interact with our governor, mayor and police commissioner, meet with the State of Israel’s top decision makers, sit down with the Secretary General at the United Nations, and interact with ambassadors from around the world.

But last week’s visit to the Vatican and meeting with the Pope was certainly a rare and unique opportunity.

Kudos to our Executive Vice President, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, for his extraordinary work in cultivating critical partnerships that enable the NYBR to represent the Jewish community in an impactful and meaningful way.

To be honest, I dreaded returning to Rome. I remember being there a decade ago and I recall the unsettling feeling. After all, this is

the place of our galut. Rome is the symbol of the crushing of Jerusalem and our People’s enslavement.

Nevertheless, I was there because the leadership of the NYBR was invited to participate in a major international conference fo-

tional Conference on the Responsibility of States, Institutions and Individuals in the Fight against anti-Semitism organized by the world’s largest regional security organization, the OSCE Organization for Security and Cooperation in Eu-

How ironic. The Romans ransacked Israel, the Catholics were responsible for endless persecutions of our People, and here we were in Rome talking about anti-Semitism.

cused on anti-Semitism. How ironic. The Romans ransacked Israel, the Catholics were responsible for endless persecutions of our People, and here we were in Rome talking about anti-Semitism.

We were attending the Interna-

rope. There are 57 member countries in the OSCE and, remarkably, foreign ministers from nearly every one of these countries were in attendance.

Last month the Italian government assumed the leadership of the

OSCE and their government felt strongly that this year’s conference should address the alarming issue of the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. Fittingly, this conference took place in conjunction with International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day began with a visit to the Vatican. I prepared extensively for my visit. I have always been cognizant of the halacha of not entering into a church, and I was not going to change that now. There I sat in Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace next to Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, and Daniel Mariaschian, the CEO of Bnai Brith. Of all places, it was in the Vatican where I met the Chief Rabbi!

Mr. Mariaschian commented to me how important it is – in this moment – to reflect on the words of Dayeinu as we visit with the Pope in the Vatican. He said: “Look how far we’ve come. Consider how much anxiety and persecution our People have endured due to edicts that

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Sessions at the Italian Foreign Ministry

emanated from these very walls.

And here we are today, sitting in a meeting with the Pope. We can comfortably wear kippot on our heads. We are welcomed – as dignitaries – by a sitting Pope who discusses the Shoah and responsibility. For this reason alone, we should say Dayeinu. Yes, there is more to be done. But be mindful of how far we’ve come with this institution.”

In his remarks Pope Francis said, “The enemy against which we fight is not only hatred in all of its forms, but even more fundamentally, indifference.” He spoke about “responsibility” and he said that “we are responsible when we are able to respond.” He went on to quote text from the Nostra aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions of the Second Vatican Council, saying that “the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons ... decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.”

Upon conclusion of his words the Pope greeted each one of us personally.

The main conference took place at the Italian Foreign Ministry and included several hundred participants. The morning presentations focused primarily on the foreign

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The aron kodesh in Rome’s Great Synagogue

ambassadors of each country sharing aloud three-minute statements condemning discrimination, intolerance and anti-Semitism. Countries such as Sweden, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Belarus, the Netherlands, and countless others each declared that “there is no justification for anti-Semitism.” Even the ambassador from the Vatican said, “Anti-Semitism is completely contrary to Catholic principles.”

Upon conclusion of nearly two hours of these prepared statements, Holocaust survivor and former Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau was handed the microphone. He gave a stinging response that stilled the entire room.

Rabbi Lau said: “Two years ago the Holy See came to Yad Vashem and made a comment that I’ll never forget.

Quoting G-d in the story of Cain and Abel, he asked, ‘Ayeka.’ Where are you? Pope Francisco said that this is the question that has to bother us always.”

Rabbi Lau went on to say: “Where were you during the War? Kristallnacht? Babi Yar? Look at the newspapers in each of those countries on the day after atrocities took place. Barely a comment, let alone a condemnation! Where were you? Why did you keep silent?

“Pope John Paul II told me that he knew my grandfather. During the War John Paul II was a priest and my father was a rabbi in the same town. John Paul II would see my father walking to shul every Shabbat. Each time, my father took 47 children with him to shul. How many of those children survived?

Just five. Yet time and time again we are told that the church is committed to our ‘older brother,’ the Jewish People. The United States sent back the Saint Louis. Ayeka?

Where were you?

“When World War II broke out I was just two-years-old. At the end of the war I was 7½-years-old. For those six years, the only language I knew was Polish. And all that time, there was one word which constantly rang in my ears. In the camps, in the ghetto, in the trains, in the snow, all I could think about was this one word. Lachergo?

Why? Why is this happening to me?

What did I do? What did my People do wrong? Did we threaten them?

Did we have pistols?”

Rabbi Lau continued: “I listen to all your speeches, representing your respective countries. You’ve each delivered passionate speeches about the dangers of anti-Semitism. I lived through it! Tell me, what did we do wrong? What did I do wrong? A 7 ½-year-old boy?

“Some told me, ‘You are foreign-

ers here. If you had a land of your own, you’d be fine and we’d leave you alone. Your contribution to mankind is amazing, but we oppose you because you are a People without a Land.’

“Today we have a land. Exactly seventy years ago the United Nations decided to finally give us a land. Do you love us now? We are intelligent People. We have much to offer the world. I hear all your speeches and this makes no sense.

Europe is burning. Look what’s going on in your countries. Jews fear for their safety. European Jewry has decreased by more than 20% in the last ten years. Anti-Semitism is illogical. It’s irrational. It’s madness.

“You didn’t like the Jews in Poland because they had beards and black coats. Some told me, ‘If you’d be like us and look like us, we’d appreciate you.’ Yet, look at Germany.

We didn’t have beards. We spoke a beautiful German. Many of us were actually completely assimilated. Did you embrace us there?

I ask you. Please. Decide. What do you want from us? Lachergo?

Why? What did we do to you? Ask the people in your countries. Share the question with the Pope. Ayeka?

Where are you? We Jews love everyone. We appreciate everyone.

Please just let us live. See the fruits that we can contribute to society.”

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Rabbi Lau’s words were so intense and the moment was so powerful that it took several minutes for the complexion in everyone’s faces to be restored.

And while it was wonderful to hear countries like Austria, Hungary, France and Jordan articulate their opposition to any form of anti-Semitism in their countries one couldn’t help but feel shaken by Rabbi Lau’s riveting words.

The next day featured a tour of the Jewish Museum of Rome and a visit inside the magnificent Great Synagogue of Rome. We also had an opportunity to meet with Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, in his office. There we learned about the Jewish community of Rome and discussed a range of issues such as the bans on circumcision and shechita that are currently in place in four countries in Europe.

In reflecting on this visit some

will say, why bother? Of what use are these conferences? Personally, I feel that, thank G-d, at least the Europeans are having these conversations. The issue is being addressed.

Furthermore, when European

ti-Semitism is completely irrational. And the Torah tells us this outright! “Hen am levadad Yishkon, you are a nation that dwells alone.”

Nevertheless, Yaakov prepared for his meeting with his brother Esav

we have seen rabbinic leadership meeting with authorities to build healthy relationships on behalf of the Jewish community. Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi would visit in Rome.

The Abarbanel was close to the King of Spain. The Rambam was a physician to the Sultan in Egypt.

Jewish leaders throughout history have been advocating for the Jewish People.

We look back at the painful history of hatred and we pray that through commitment and collaboration that a new chapter of inclusion and understanding will be written.

“In the camps, in the ghetto, in the trains, in the snow, all I could think about was this one word. Lachergo? Why? Why is this happening to me?”

anti-Semitism is being discussed, it is critical for the American Jewish community to be at the table. We need to stand with our brothers.

And we need to be ready. Because, America could very well be next.

There is no question that an-

Rabbi Gideon Shloush is the President of the New York Board of Rabbis. He serves as the rabbi of Congregation Adereth El in Midtown Manhattan. He is an adjunct professor at Stern College for Women and trains rabbinical students at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS).

in three ways: with gifts, prayers to G-d, and readiness for battle. Thus, clearly gifts and words of friendship should not be ignored. In Yaakov’s case, gifts and prayer were enough for that particular moment.

Throughout Jewish history

NewYork

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AN INSPIRING PRE-PURIM

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Announcing the inauguration of our Lower elementary class: grades 1-3

vs Shapo lo a S x u A Now accepting applications for the 2018-19 school year For more information please contact Suzanne Burger at

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The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Yeshiva Darchei Torah mourns the untimely petirah of our beloved Executive Director,

‫אנשי‬ ‫אמונה‬ ‫אבדו‬

Rabbi Yehuda Harbater a”h ‫הרב יהודה אליעזר בן משה ישראל ע”ה‬

F

or nearly 33 years, Rabbi Harbater devoted himself b’lev v’nefesh to the Yeshiva, its educators, its parents and, most of all, its children. His primary mission was to help ensure the Yeshiva’s fiscal health through the efficient collection of tuition. Yet he tackled his role, one that has the potential to cause discomfort or recrimination, with ehrlichkeit and empathy. While focused on the needs of the Klal, he never lost sight of the unique situation of the individual parent or talmid.

Although Reb Yehuda had a demanding job that required long hours, he was, first and foremost, a talmid chacham of the highest order, who kept daily, intensive sedarim b’iyun and was as comfortable in Shev Shma’atsa and Ketzos as he was in reviewing Chumash with a grandchild. An alumnus of Toras Chaim of Denver and Mir Yerushalayim, he remained a lifelong talmid of his illustrious rabbeim, quoting them and maintaining relationships with them long after he left the hallowed halls of those yeshivos.

Befitting his status as a Ben-Torah of the highest order, his interaction Bein Adam Lachaveiro was impeccable, treating every person – regardless of age or social station – with the utmost dignity.

A mainstay of the Bayswater community, it was there that he, together with his eishes chayil, Shira, raised eight wonderful sons and daughters, with their home and table a locus of Torah, Yiras Shamayim, simcha and Hachnosas Orchim.

Perhaps the greatest tribute to Rabbi Yehuda Harbater is a living one: his children and grandchildren who follow in his footsteps, and the thousands of talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah from 1985 onward – and their parents – whose lives have been immeasurably and eternally transformed because of his efforts.

Yehi zichro baruch.

‫ישיבה דרכי תורה‬

Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Rabbi Yaakov Bender

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

TJH

Centerfold

Celebrating Philly Style As the “buttoned-up” folks of Philadelphia took to the streets to celebrate their team’s Super Bowl victory until the wee hours of the morning, here are some of the things overheard on Philadelphia’s police scanner channel: 10:40 p.m. “I got about 2,000 college students coming from Walnut Street to 30th to Center City.”

10:46 p.m. “It’s endless, chief. Endless.”

10:53 p.m. “About four stories above the Wawa we got people out on the ledge. I can’t tell how they came up. If they’re not allowed to be there can we get them down? … They’re coming out of the window up there.”

11:11 p.m. “They’re on top of trash trucks.

There is to be no one on top of trash trucks, guys.”

11:14 p.m. “We have multiple people on Broad Street swinging on light poles.”

11:20 p.m. “Climbing the trash trucks at 13th and Market.”

11:23 p.m. “I got a group jumping up and down on tractor-trailers now.

Two white men in black jackets and blue jeans.”

11:25 p.m. “I need to get the fire extinguisher out of my trunk. I got a fire on Broad Street just south of South.

Someone lit a [X-mas] tree on fire.”

11:26 p.m. “They just flipped a car over here. If you could get a

medical response team over here, I’d greatly appreciate it.”

11:38 p.m. “They’re trying to tear multiple light posts down and I don’t have anyone to counteract it right now.”

11:42 p.m. “They’re climbing up the fire escape onto the roof of the building.”

11:44 p.m. “A man jumped off the light pole and landed on his head.”

11:45 p.m. “We have a light pole down. On the east side of Macy’s corner. We have live wires.”

11:48 p.m. “I got two down that fell off these light poles at Broad and Arch.”

11:51 p.m. “On the southeast corner the pole is about to collapse.

There are about 40 of them on there.”

11:53 p.m. “We have a large crowd throwing bottles and chanting ‘Meek Mill.’”

1:55 p.m. “We have a large fight at Broad and Ellsworth.”

11:58 p.m. “I got a male in custody in this location. He’s saying he’s an off-duty cop.”

2:24 a.m. “I got somebody jumping on top of the firetruck now.”

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

Honest Abe Trivia 3. Where was Lincoln born?

c. He kept important documents in his hat

a. Kentucky b. Illinois

d. He battled depression for much of his life

c. Tennessee d. Montana

e. All of the above

4. After shooting Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth jumped from the Presidential Box onto the stage and shouted something. What was it?

1. Which U.S. currency bill has a picture of Abraham Lincoln? a. $100 bill b. $20 bill

a. The war shall continue!

e. $1 bill 2. What musical instrument did Lincoln play? a. Harmonica b. Piano c. Cello d. Fiddle

April 14, 1865, the day he was shot? a. Internal Service

c. Environmental Protection Agency

6. John Wilkes Booth’s brother, Edwin, was also a famous actor. What interaction did he have with the Lincoln family before his brother killed the president?

d. Department of Energy 8. Lincoln was the first president elected for which political party? a. Whig

d. The devil has departed!

5. Which of the following is true about Lincoln?

b. He was the official White House entertainment advisor

a. He was the first president with a beard

c. He was married to Lincoln’s cousin

a. 1

b. Lincoln invented a device to free steamboats that ran aground, and patented it, making him the only president to

d. He gave drama lessons to the Lincoln children

c. 3

b. Sic semper tyrannis! c. Revenge of the South!

Revenue

b. Secret Service

a. He saved the president’s son, Robert, from falling off of a moving train one year before Lincoln was assassinated

c. $10 bill d. $5 bill

have a patent

b. Federalist c. Republican d. Democratic 9. How many elections did Lincoln lose before becoming president? b. 2 d. 4 e. 5

7. What federal agency did Lincoln establish on

 Answers

 Wisdom Key

4) B- Although it was initially unclear what he said, the consensus is that he shouted, “Sic semper tyrannis!” This is a Latin phrase that means “thus always to tyrants.” He is also said to have shouted, “The South is avenged!” in English. Booth managed to make his way to an alley in back of the theater

7-9 correct: Four score and seven years from now, they will still be talking about your immense knowledge of Lincoln.

3) A

0-3 correct: Who do you consider to have been the 16th president? Jefferson David? (Never mind, that probably went right over your head...go back to your video games.

You know, if Lincoln’s log cabin only had PlayStation maybe he would have made something of his life.)

4-6 correct: You are right in the middle - you probably would have stayed out of the Civil War.

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2) A- According to legend, when Stephen Douglas came to their famous debate accompanied by a brass band, Lincoln took out a harmonica from his pocket and quipped, “Mr. Douglas needs a brass band but the harmonica will do it for me!”

1) D (“How would I know?! I don’t carry bills that small!”)

6) A- Edwin Booth saved the life of Lincoln’s eldest son, Robert Lincoln, one year before Lincoln’s assassination. It happened when Robert and Edwin Booth happened to board a train at the same station and Robert lost his footing once the train started moving. According to Robert Lincoln, Edwin Booth grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back to his feet. Robert Todd Lincoln recognized the famous actor and thanked him for his efforts. He also wrote and spoke about the incident on several occasions before his father’s assassination.

5) E where a horse was waiting for him to make his escape.

9) E- Lincoln lost his first race for the Illinois General Assembly in 1832. He then went on to lose a race for the U.S. Congress, two races for the U.S. Senate, and one campaign for a vice-presidential nomination.

8) C 7) B- Although it sounds ridiculously ironic that Lincoln created the Secret Service on the day he was assassinated, the truth is that at that time the Secret Service’s mission was solely to investigate crimes related to the Treasury, such as counterfeiting. Shortly after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901, the Secret Service assumed full-time responsibility for protection of the president.

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Torah Thought

Parshas Terumah

By Rabbi Berel Wein The Jewish Portugese Synagogue in Amsterdam

The Kovno Kaunas Synagogue

I

t seems that building campaigns are built into the DNA of the Jewish people from time immemorial. Beginning with this week’s Torah reading and continuing for the next number of weeks we will be informed of the contributions of the Jewish people to the construction of the Mishkan and to the exquisite details regarding the construction of that building and of its holy artifacts.

Throughout Jewish history a central building of prayer, worship and devotion has always been at the center of Jewish society and thought. Both the first and second Temples were the center of Jewish life during their centuries of existence. And throughout the long exile of the Jewish people, after the destruction of the Second Temple, the longing to restore the Temple and have it built once again has never wavered.

Yet, it must be admitted and recognized that most of Jewish history, over the past millennia, has taken place without such a Temple and its physical

The Great Synagogue in Rome

representations present in the actuality of Jewish living. The Jewish people substituted synagogues and houses of worship large and small, study of Torah, and community organizations for the lack of the central building of the Temple in Jerusalem. We created miniature sanctuaries that carried us through very dark times and enor-

preserve us against all odds.

The landscape of the world will reveal that in almost every corner of the globe there were or still are active synagogues built by the Jewish people. Their styles of architecture certainly differ as do the materials from which they were or are built. Nevertheless, they are all bound together in

All of these buildings were built by love and sacrifice, vision and hope, sweat and tears. mous challenges. This remarkable accomplishment of substitution for what seemed to be the central base of Judaism and the Jewish people is a prime example of the resiliency of the Jewish people and of the benevolent hand of G-d, so to speak, to help guide and

facing Jerusalem and preserving the holy traditions of prayer and services to G-d and humans. All attempts to change the form and nature of these synagogues were only temporary and fleeting.

The rhythm of centuries and of the

mysterious but omnipresent ethos of holiness that these synagogues still contain, have remained the rock of the civilization of Judaism and the Jewish people. All of these buildings were built by love and sacrifice, vision and hope, sweat and tears. The commandment that appears in this week’s Torah reading to “make for Me a dedicated sanctuary” was not limited to the generation of Moshe and those who wandered in the wilderness of the desert of Sinai. That call has echoed throughout Jewish history in every time and place where Jews settled or even visited.

From the grandeur of the synagogues of Amsterdam to the small huts of the Ukraine and Lithuania, even to the basements of homes in the suburbs of the major cities of the United States, Jews have always constructed and dedicated their houses of worship and made them centerpieces of their personal and communal life. This is one of the many miraculous events that mark the Jewish story throughout history.

Shabbat shalom.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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From the Fire

Parshas Terumah Letting Him In

By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

T

he commentaries offer a variety of explanations of the pasuk (Shmos 25:2), “And they shall take a gift for Me…” Why does Hashem command the Jewish people to “take” a gift for Hashem, rather than “give” Him a gift? The Sefer Habahir, one of the earliest Kabbalah seforim by the Tanna, Rabbi Nechunia ben Hakaneh, offers an amazing explanation. He writes, “What does the pasuk ‘And they shall take a gift, terumah, for Me’ mean? This is what Hashem told the Jewish people: I shall be lifted [the word terumah also means to lift].

Lift Me up with your davening. And who [shall do this]? ‘From every person whose heart inspires him to generosity’; the tzaddikim and the pious of the Jewish people who lift Me up over the world with their merits.”

THE LEVELS OF FAITH I once saw a parable which describes the evolution of man’s understanding of the nature of his place in the world. At first, before Avraham Avinu, when our ancestors were idol-worshipers, they believed the world was like a puppet theater.

Each person is like a puppet on the stage and one or more gods was pulling the strings, controlling every action. They believed that while it appears to the audience each puppet

is acting of its own volition, this outward appearance is illusory. In reality, each person is like a puppet in the hands of the gods. The best each person can hope for is to bring offerings to appease the gods and hope they do not move him into the grave at a young age.

But then Avraham Avinu, the Avos, and the Sinai experience enlightened creation with a new understanding of man’s place in the world.

The Torah revealed that there are no strings attached. People are not puppets, mere subjects of the whims of the gods. Rather, the Creator gives each person free will. We are free agents, not puppets. We can choose whether to do good and receive reward or do evil and be punished.

But the evolution of our understanding of the nature of man’s place in the world does not end there. The Sefer Habahir and other Kabbalah seforim reveal even more. It turns out that there are strings connecting Heaven and Earth, but not strings used to control people like puppets.

Rather, Hashem places the strings in our hands. He gives us the ability to affect the higher worlds through our actions and bring the Divine Presence into the world or push it away from the world according to our deeds.

It goes without saying that this

does not mean that any human being can affect G-d’s Essence. That is completely beyond this world. But there are many levels above this world which Hashem places in man’s hands like the Sefiros, the upper worlds, and an aspect of revelation called the “Divine Presence.” While we cannot literally affect Hashem Himself, He gives every Jew, through his thoughts, words, and actions, the power to reveal or conceal the Divine Presence in the world.

The pasuk (Tehillim 22:4) therefore says, “And You are holy, who sits on the praises of Yisroel.” Hashem gives our davening the power to determine the extent of the revelation of how Hashem’s dwells in the world.

Rav Chaim Volozhiner, zt”l, explains in his sefer Nefesh Hachaim (1:3) as follows: “Hashem created man and made him ruler over myriads of forces and worlds without number. And He placed them into his [man’s] hands so that he should rule and guide them through the details of his actions, words, thoughts, and all aspects of his conduct whether for the good or, G-d forbid, the opposite.”

As the Sefer Habahir says, “Lift Me up with your davening…with their merits.” It is well-known that people asked Reb Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, as a small child, “Where

does G-d live?” he answered, “Wherever you let Him in.” The main distinction between people is not how easy or difficult their lives are.

Rather, the main difference between them is how they perceive life. Do they invite Hashem into their lives?

Do they hold the strings pulling Heaven down to Earth or do they throw them out?

INVITING HASHEM IN Rav Moshe Tzvi Menkin, known as Rav Neriah, recounts that when Rav Kook lived in Yaffo, he was close with the famous writer, Yosef Chaim Brenner. Although Yosef Chaim grew up religious, he had become irreligious and was then vocally anti-religious as well. Nevertheless, he greatly admired Rav Kook. Rav Kook was known for holding a very deep Shalosh Sheudos meal every week in his home, where a wide range of people could always be found.

One week at the Shalosh Sheudos meal, Rav Kook was singing and teaching Torah in the dining room but Yosef Chaim Brenner was pacing back and forth in the kitchen, looking very agitated. Someone asked Yosef Chaim what was bothering him. He answered “I cannot understand Rav Kook. All he speaks about is light, light, light. But I can only see darkness.” Two people can live

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

‫בס״ד‬

The Jean Fischman Chabad Center of the Five Towns in the same city, seeing and hearing the same things every day. Rav Kook let Hashem into his life, so he saw light everywhere. Yosef Chaim unfortunately did not invite Hashem in and therefore only saw darkness.

Hashem always exists everywhere, but His Presence is only revealed in this world where man chooses to let Him in.

The most opportune time to invite Hashem into our lives, just as Rav Kook did, is when we are davening. “Lift Me up with your davening.” When we daven to Hashem, we open ourselves up to the G-dliness hidden in the world and recognize that Hashem is with us at all times.

And even though the Sefer Habahir says that the ability to lift Hashem up as Master of the world is the role of the “tzaddikim and the pious

ra (Taanis 29a) that when the month of Adar enters, we increase joy. We see from the fact the Gemara says that joy only increases when Adar “enters,” that we must allow Adar to enter into our lives for it to bring us an extra measure of happiness. If we do not allow it to enter into our lives, we will not experience its joy. But unfortunately, many of us will not let Adar into our lives and will live out the next month like any other time of the year.

WE CAN ONLY PULL THE STRINGS SO FAR We must understand that the strings we hold in our hands can only “affect” Hashem’s Presence within the boundaries of the halachic process. With the recent debates regarding women and tefillin, it

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Do they hold the strings pulling Heaven down to Earth or do they throw them out?

of the Jewish people,” the pasuk (Shmos 25:2) says that “every person” can bring Hashem’s Presence into the world in this way.

There is a story about Chaim Behr, another accomplished writer at the time of Rav Kook. He recalls that he had the opportunity to meet the famous tzaddik, Reb Aryeh Levin, zt”l, when he was nine-years-old. He was not shy and asked Reb Aryeh, “Are you one of the thirty six hidden tzaddikim?” Reb Aryeh, rather than dismissing the suggestion as we may have expected, paused and gave young Chaim’s question serious thought. Finally, Reb Aryeh answered him, “Sometimes, for a minute or two, I think I am one of them.

And you can be too.” We see from Reb Aryeh that every Jew holds the strings to Heaven in his hands. Every Jew can draw Hashem down into this world with his davening and by inviting Hashem into his life.

This week was Rosh Chodesh Adar. And we know from the Gema-

seems that there are some precious and sincere Jews now who do not fully understand the halachic process and think they can pull Hashem according to their view of what is right notwithstanding the system of halachic precedent. That does not work. At some point the strings simply snap. G-d does not follow man into a fictitious world created by his own imagination and personal preferences.

May we and all of our brothers and sisters merit to invite Hashem into our lives, may our lives conform to the parameters of halacha, and may we live up to the ideal of “I shall be lifted” through the righteousness of our thoughts, words, and actions.

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Between the Lines

Goalies

By Eytan Kobre

The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.

-Bill Copeland

A

lready the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions, Florence Chadwick set out to become the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, the 20-plus miles from Catalina Island to the California mainland.

On the morning of July 4, 1952, the water was like an ice bath and the fog was so dense that Chadwick hardly could see even the support boats accompanying her, let alone anything beyond a few feet – she saw nothing ahead of her but a solid wall of fog.

Chadwick struggled on, but her body was numb; she had been swim-

ming for nearly sixteen hours, and all she could see was fog. She bowed out.

Only later did she learn that she had quit a mere half-mile from the California coast.

“I’m not making any excuses,” she told a reporter, “but if I could have seen land I might have made it.” She was defeated not by fatigue or cold but by the fog. She could not see her goal.

She tried again two months later.

This time, despite the same dense fog, she swam with her faith intact and her goal clearly in mind. She knew about the land beyond the fog.

And she made it: Chadwick became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, and went on to do so two more times in her storied swimming career.

It was all a matter of her having and seeing a goal.

Unlike the typical building and furnishing of a home (house first, then furniture), the Torah first de-

scribes the Aron and menorah (i.e., the furniture) and only then the Mishkan (i.e., the home) that would house them (Shemos 25:10-26:1).

The Mishkan’s builders had to see its purpose – its goal – before they could construct it. They needed a goal before they could work towards it.

In his The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, self-help guru Stephen Covey explains that successful people “begin with the end in mind,” which “means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.”

Long before Covey, “R’ Meir would call the end of the rope the beginning” (Yerushalmi, Sota 8:10). Or, as R’ Shlomo Alkabetz wrote, “the end of action should be preceded by thought.” Because whatever the task, there must be a goal.

Torah study is no exception. “One

who studies to teach is granted the ability to study and to teach; one who studies [Torah] in order to do is granted the ability to study, to teach, to observe, and to do” (Avos 4:6).

Whatever the motivation, one must have a goal; in fact, “great is study for it leads to action” (Kiddushin 40b; see also Berachos 17a). With no goal – without purpose or objective – there is only futility.

In all events, one must clarify his or her ultimate goals (Mesilas Yesharim, Introduction; see Chovas HaTalmidim, Chapter 5). We are always to bear in mind “where [we] are going” (Avos 3:1).

Even the most sophisticated and advanced GPS needs a destination.

A popular study revealed that 3% of Harvard University MBA graduates earn ten times as much as the other 97% combined.

Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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That was the question posed in 1979 by the study interviewers to recent graduates from Harvard’s business school. Apparently, 84% had no specific goals, 13% had unwritten goals, and only 3% had clear, written goals. Ten years later, those same graduates were interviewed again, with staggering results: on average, the 13% with unwritten goals were earning twice as much as the 84% who had no goals at all; the 3% with clear, written goals were earning ten times as much as the other 97% combined. Those results speak volumes.

Someone once commented to the Ponovezher Rov, a great pioneer of Torah institutions, how fortunate the Ponovezher Rov was to have accomplished so much more than average people, who accomplish only about ten percent of their goals. “I too have accomplished only ten percent of my goals,” replied the Ponovezher Rov, “but I set more goals than the average person.”

In 1984, relatively unknown Jap-

anese athlete Yamada Motochi unexpectedly won the Tokyo marathon.

Asked for the secret to his sudden success, Yamada said only, “Use wisdom, defeat opponent.”

No one understood. Marathons

stood.

Ten years later, Yamada wrote an autobiography that explained the mystery. He wrote how, before each race, he would “travel the whole route and check it carefully. I will mark

“I too have accomplished only ten percent of my goals,” replied the Ponovezher Rov, “but I set more goals than the average person.”

require strength and endurance and mental fortitude. But wisdom?

Yamada won another marathon in Italy two years later, and again he was asked for the secret to his success.

Again Yamada replied, “Use wisdom, defeat opponent.” Still, no one under-

some important signs along the road, such as the first mark is a bank, the second mark is a tree, and the third mark is a red house, thus mark to the end. When the race begins, I run as fast as I can towards the first goal, the bank. When I arrive at the bank, I will

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strive for the second goal, the tree. I break the whole marathon route into many small goals and finish them one by one easily.”

The full race route was too daunting for Yamada because he could see no end in sight. By breaking the route into smaller, manageable goals, Yamada was able to push himself to victory.

Goals safeguard peace of mind (Chochma U’Mussar, Vol. 2, pg. 180).

Goals dispel distractions. Goals reduce insurmountable challenges to manageable ones. Goals hold us accountable. Goals sustain momentum.

Goals motivate. Goals propel. Goals focus.

Once we set and define our goals, all that remains is to pursue them, achieve them, and exceed them.

Eytan Kobre is a writer, speaker, and attorney living in Kew Gardens Hills.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

E-mail eakobre@outlook.com.

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World

Builders

Avi Marcus Training Them to Respond

By Raphael Poch

A

vi Marcus is married with five children and lives in Petach Tikva, a city located to the northwest of Tel Aviv. He is the Chief Paramedic for United Hatzalah, Israel’s national volunteer community-based EMS services organization. One of the main parts of Marcus’s job is to oversee the quality of medical care given by the more than 4,000 volunteers across the organization. He can’t be everywhere at once, so he oversees some 25 regional paramedics each of whom is responsible to supervise and maintain the high level of quality care given by the volunteers across the country.

In addition, Marcus is tasked with making sure that all of the new EMS trainees are trained to the highest medical standards that they can be. “I not only oversee all of the training courses across the country, of which there are cur-

rently 53 in session, but I also teach parts of them myself to provide an extra emphasis on certain things that I know many times volunteers in the field forget – small pointers that can save lives,” Marcus said.

On top of that, he is also a volunteer emergency first responder.

“The system in Israel works differently than it does in North America or England. In our organization, all 4,000 volunteers across the country are always on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. An emergency call can come at any time – while a person is working, while they are relaxing at home, while they are bathing their kids, or sitting down at the dinner table. Often, these calls come while one is traveling on the roads. In my case, they constantly occur when I am driving from meeting to meeting or training session to training session. I travel a lot and put a lot

of mileage on my car as I use it to go out and visit volunteers all over the country and join them on training calls to observe the level of their knowledge and check that all of their equipment is in order. These are surprise visits in order to encourage our volunteers to maintain their high levels of training and efficiency,” Marcus added.

From the newest trainee to the president of the organization, all of the members of United Hatzalah answer the call and it is Marcus’s job to make sure the level of care that they provide is the best it can be.

Each year the organization runs mandatory refresher courses that Marcus is in charge of. These courses aim at placing an operational emphasis on specific topics which field reports have shown need to be addressed. “Last year the topics addressed were how to best take

an oral history, approaching a patient and equipment retraining.

This year the focus will be more on birthing, managing a scene, and how to operate within a group of first responders. An emphasis will also be placed on utilizing the intervention of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit as this too is an area that we felt is important to bring awareness to,” Marcus added.

Last year Marcus performed more than 1,000 incident checks in the field. In order to achieve this, he traveled more than 40,000 miles back and forth across the country. While performing these spot checks Marcus also answers emergencies, often taking trainees with him in order to continue their onscene incident training.

Marcus recalled two incidents that continue to drive him and help give him the push he needs to

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

pound the pavement and go on call after call.

“I was on my way home from a training session a few months ago and there was an emergency nearby. I was alerted by the organization’s phone application and radio dispatch. I arrived at the location of the incident in less than 60 seconds. The call came in as a seizure, however, when I arrived I saw that the person was unconscious and gasping. The situation required full CPR so I immediately alerted the dispatch center, attached a defibrillator, and gave the man medication as more volunteers joined me. The nearest ambulance was 10 minutes out. So we were alone performing CPR on this man who had collapsed

saving that person and helping not only them, but their friends, families, and loved ones as well. It is something I teach my students to think about as well.”

Thankfully, that young girl is alive and well today as are many others who owe their lives to the hard work of our volunteers and people like Avi Marcus who give of themselves continually to make sure that each and every one of the more than 4,000 volunteers across the country are performing their EMS duties with incredible care and professionalism.

“The network of volunteers that we have saves lives. It is as simple as that. In a country where we place a volunteer on each street corner

“What really made this incident real for me was that I have a daughter who is the exact same age as this girl.”

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while working out at a gym. Thankfully the CPR was successful and the person is alive and well today.

This was a clear message to me that what I am doing, and the equipment I have, makes a difference and saves lives,” Marcus said.

In a second story, Marcus related what hit him close to home and stayed with him throughout his years as a first responder.

“It was the first call that I ever went on as a United Hatzalah volunteer and it took place a number of years ago. There was a young girl who was unconscious at home. I arrived in almost no time and performed a full CPR on her. Thankfully it was a successful CPR. What really made this incident real for me was that I have a daughter who is the exact same age as this girl.

I kept thinking to myself how this could have been her. With every patient I treat, part of me thinks about the family and friends of this person who is receiving my help and I devote everything I have to

and in every community, a volunteer who knows how to save lives and has the equipment they need to do so, that is a country that will succeed in saving as many people as possible. That is our goal and I personally believe that it is a must for any city or country that values the lives of its citizens.” Marcus added, “Our volunteers know the community in which they live, they know where people are located and this enables them to cut down immensely on EMS response time as people don’t have to wait for ambulances to begin receiving care.

In the time it takes an ambulance to arrive we already there saving lives.”

On a personal note, Marcus also said that his volunteering and work has had a positive impact on his family. “My son is now an EMR because he sees his father, a paramedic, rushing out to emergencies and helping people. He wants to be like me and help people, and I am encouraging that.”

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FEBRUARY29, 15,2015 2018||The TheJewish JewishHome Home OCTOBER

Netanyahu

Under Fire

By Susan Schwamm

O

nce again, this week Israel grabbed headlines on the front pages of papers around the world. Over the weekend, the situation was tense as Israel downed a drone in its airspace that it claimed was Iranian. The Jewish state then bombed an Iranian target deep in Syria in retaliation, only to have one of its F-16 fighter jets crash amid a barrage of Syrian anti-aircraft missiles. Subsequently, Israel again hit Iranian targets near Damascus.

Will the events over the weekend lead to an all-war with Iran and Syria?

Israelis barely had time to grapple with the possibility of a war when more news hit the fan. Tuesday’s news may have been inevitable, but it was still a blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

On Tuesday, police said that they

were recommending that Netanyahu be indicted for a series of corruption charges. The charges include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Investigators say that they have enough evidence to bring the case to trial. Even more of a blow to the Bibi team was the ostensible key witness against the prime minister in one of the cases: political rival former Finance Minister Yair Lapid.

Netanyahu faced the nation on Tuesday, mere moments after the news was announced, angrily rejecting the accusations and accusing the police of being on a witch hunt.

“I will continue to lead the state of Israel responsibly and loyally as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you,” Netanyahu said in a televised address. “I am sure that the truth will come to light. And I am sure that also in the next election

that will take place on time I will win your trust again, with G-d’s help.”

Netanyahu told the nation that 15 investigations have been opened against him to “topple him from power.” He had been interviewed by police seven times during the two year investigation.

“They have brutally attacked my wife and children to hurt me,” Bibi said, in live remarks delivered outside his home. “This time things will end without anything. These recommendations have no place in a democratic state.”

Reactions on Both Sides The two cases that are becoming flammable for Netanyahu have been dubbed Case 1000 and Case 2000. A decision to press formal charges now rests with Attorney General Avihai

Mendelblit and his office, who are expected to take months to decide how to proceed.

During that time, Netanyahu will be able to remain in office. It is uncertain if Netanyahu will begin to feel uncomfortable as his feet are being held to the fire and will decide to resign during the interim.

During similar circumstances, a few years ago, when a string of scandals engulfed then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Netanyahu, who was the opposition leader, urged Olmert to resign, saying a leader “sunk up to his neck in interrogations” could not govern properly. Olmert ultimately resigned and became the first Israeli head of government to end up in jail.

It’s doubtful if Netanyahu will heed his own advice when he’s mired in the same predicament.

Reactions to the announcements

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Then-Finance Minister Yair Lapid with Netanyahu at a 2013 press conference

of a looming, possible indictment were predictable. While Netanyahu furiously denied the accusations, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a bitter rival, called for him to resign.

“The depth of corruption is horrifying,” Barak said. “This does not look like nothing. This looks like bribery.”

But key members of Netanyahu’s Likud Party rallied behind the prime minister. Cabinet Minister Miri Regev said she was “not excited” by the police recommendations and urged patience while the attorney general reviews the case.

Regev said she was most surprised that Lapid, leader of the opposition Yesh Atid party, had been a witness. David Amsalem, another Netanyahu confidant, called Lapid a “snitch.”

Lapid is said to have provided evidence that Netanyahu pushed for a 2008 law that gave his benefactors millions of dollars in tax breaks.

Lapid defended himself against detractors, later calling on Netanyahu to resign. “Someone with such serious accusations against them, many of which he does not even deny, cannot continue to serve as prime minister with responsibility for the security and well-being of Israel’s citizens,” Lapid asserted.

Lapid stands to lead the new government should Netanyahu’s government collapse and fall short of winning sufficient votes.

1000 & 2000 According to police, Netanyahu traded favors and gifts from businessmen in exchange for the passage of laws that could benefit the businessmen financially. Officials say that in Case 1000 they have con-

cluded “that there is sufficient evidence against the prime minister on suspicions of the offense of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust regarding his connection with businessman Arnon Milchan, and fraud and breach of trust in connection with the Australian businessman James Packer.”

The prime minister and his wife, Sara, are suspected of receiving

Netanyahu with Shimon Peres and Arnon Milchan in March 2005

ters, legislated a tax break for him, and connected him with an Indian businessman.

According to police, Netanyahu intervened on Milchan’s behalf by calling then-Secretary of State John Kerry when Milchan was having difficulty renewing his residency visa in the United States. By intervening, and subsequently avoiding a huge loss of money for Milchan should the

“I am sure that the truth will come to light. ” gifts from billionaire benefactors in excess of NIS 1 million. It is said that Milchan gave the Netanyahus gifts worth around 750,000 shekels including expensive cigars and champagne. Packer is said to have gifted them with items worth around 250,000 shekels.

Milchan, who was born in Rehovot, is the third-richest Israeli in the world, worth around $5.6 billion. He is the founder of Regency Enterprises and has produced over 130 films.

Packer stands at 6-feet-6-inches tall.

He is worth $3.9 billion, according to Forbes, and was the ninth richest Australian in 2017. Packer is the son of media mogul Kerry Packer and inherited control of the family company, Consolidated Press Holdings Limited, with investments in Crown Resorts and other companies.

In return for the lavish gifts, police say that Netanyahu helped Milchan with regards to U.S. visa mat-

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visa be revoked, police say that Netanyahu was paying Milchan back for his gifts.

Netanyahu says that he came to the aid of an Israeli hero, one who served in the Mossad. Interestingly, Shimon Peres had also been in touch with U.S. authorities on Milchan’s behalf.

In terms of tax breaks, also known as “Milchan Law,” Amendment 168 to the Tax Ordinance is ostensibly a piece of legislation meant to encourage aliyah by Jews living abroad. It was signed into law in September 2008 by former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The amendment grants a ten-year tax exemption on income earned abroad to new immigrants as well as to returning residents who have lived abroad for at least 10 years. In addition, the amendment gives those eligible a 10year exemption on reporting earnings abroad.

According to Lapid, Netanyahu sought to extend the exemption to twenty years on behalf of Milchan and Parker, for whom the tax exemptions would benefit in an extreme way. Lapid, the police’s witness, said on Tuesday that “despite all pressure against me, I refused to pass the law.”

Ironically, Lapid is the head of the Yesh Atid party, which is set to form the next government should Netanyahu’s Likud party fail to win the next election.

In addition, police say that Milchan and Netanyahu promoted a free trade zone near the Jordan-Israel border that personally benefited Milchan, a trade holder, and pushed for a deal to merge Israeli media outlets, one partly owned by Milchan, according to police.

Police also recommended indicting Milchan in connection to Case 1000, citing “sufficient evidence” of suspicions of bribery.

Case 2000 involves an alleged quid-pro-quo deal between Netanyahu and Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes that would have seen the prime minister weaken a rival daily paper, the Sheldon Adelson-backed Israel Hayom, in return for more favorable coverage from Yedioth. Mozes is also in police crosshairs as police recommend him for indictment as well.

Allegedly, Netanyahu had been in discussions with Mozes to limit the circulation of Israel Hayom – which h a d mostly

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

been providing positive coverage on the prime minister – in exchange for Yediot Ahronoth – which generally had an anti-right slant – providing more flattering coverage on Netanyahu. Both Netanyahu and Mozes say that the conversations were not serious discussions.

From 2009 “Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes held conversations and personal meetings during which they discussed helping each other as a quid-pro-quo to advance their respective interests,” said police.

Additionally, police allege that Netanyahu offered his support for a bill to close Israel Hayom, to help shrink the newspaper’s circulation numbers and to nix the free daily’s weekend edition. The law did not pass, as the government folded and went to elections in 2015.

In 2014, Tzipi Livni, who was justice minister at the time, put forward a bill, dubbed the Israel Hayom Law, which would have ultimately shut down the paper by barring its owners

from charging money for it. Netanyahu and his party – contrary to what police say he “arranged” with Mozes – voted against the bill. Eventually, Netanyahu disbanded his government, calling for new elections with just a year into his term.

Forty-three lawmakers had voted

had all “ended with nothing.”

Investigations are not new to the Netanyahu family. Bibi and his wife have been the subject of 19 police probes since he served his first term as prime minister starting in 1996.

In 1999, police recommended indictment in three cases; the attorney

“This time as well they will end with nothing. ” for the Israel Hayom Law. As of now, the police have brought only one lawmaker in for questioning; the others have not been questioned.

Smoke or Fire?

On Tuesday, Netanyahu assured the people of Israel that the recommendations for indictments will “end with nothing” just as past scandals

general rejected their requests. Last year, in January 2017, the attorney general closed four cases against Netanyahu that had been ongoing since 2009.

Just a few months ago, in September, the attorney general closed six police probes against Sara Netanyahu which police had opened in 2015. Sara is still being investigated

in a case dubbed the “Meals Ordering Affair,” in which Sara, along with a senior official at the Prime Minister’s Office, claimed about $100,000 in catering expenses even though there were chefs employed at the prime minister’s official residence.

Submitting claims for those expenses are only allowed if there are no official cooks at the residence.

For now, the Netanyahus and the Israeli public will be looking to the attorney general’s office to see how Case 1000 and Case 2000 will end.

Will Israel see their prime minister behind bars with his legacy in flames? Or will the “witch hunt” be dismantled, as Mendelblit recommends dismissal of all charges? Netanyahu and his wife are hoping to hear the rap of the gavel as the words “cases dismissed” are intoned. It may take a few months, but as Bibi pointed out, this is not the first time he’s been under fire and, just as in other times, he foresees that the cases will all end up in smoke.

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

The Legacy of Prayer Legacy 613 and its Program to Uplift Tefillah

By Tammy Mark

F

rom the moment Jewish children are presented with their very first siddur, their parents looking on with pride and joy, they are taught the value of prayer. With Orthodox shuls running multiple minyanim throughout the day, there is no doubt that prayer is a central component of Jewish life. There are countless volumes of translated and transliterated prayer books, in all formats and for all occasions, to help demystify the ancient and potentially esoteric language of tefillah. A clear emphasis is placed on the accessibility, understanding, and elevation of prayer, and yet many committed individuals still find themselves disconnected from the ritual and the words they are speaking. Somewhere between that very first siddur and the routine of daily minyanim and tefillos, the passion and connection to prayer can wane.

“The time has come to make tefillah education a high priority in every yeshiva from early childhood

through high school, and beyond.

The time has come for a tefillah renaissance, when the rich, personal meanings of our prayers inspire us to new spiritual awareness,” says Rabbi Zev Schostak.

Legacy 613 is the tefillah initiative launched last year by Rabbi Schostak to help make tefillah more meaningful to our generation. Founded and directed by Rabbi Schostak, through the generosity of The Rabbi Nathanial and Shirley Pollack Memorial Foundation, Legacy 613’s mission is to turn the tide and make tefillah and connection to G-d a top priority.

To that end, Legacy 613 is working with yeshiva day schools in hopes to spread a renaissance from schools to shuls, and from students to adults, to make prayer truly meaningful, powerful, and as inspirational as it was meant to be.

Rabbi Schostak believes that focusing on the formative adolescent years is the key to keeping the connection strong and is committed

to bringing the necessary support and programming to yeshivas. The goal is to create a collection of best practices and the most effective and inspirational tefillah programs to be replicated in schools across the country.

As children begin Jewish education they are taught the simplest tefillos, adding to the repertoire throughout elementary school and being taught the basic understanding of the most prominent prayers.

As children get busier with the rigorous dual-curriculum in schools today, tefillah can, G-d forbid, become a mundane part of the school day routine. During the crucial high school years, as scholastic pressure and social expectations increase leaving even less time for reflection, the entire idea of meaningful connection to G-d can potentially be lost. When the time comes that one may be ready to appreciate the profundity of prayer and the opportunity to connect with G-d in this most

personal way, the skills may not be readily accessible.

Rabbi Schostak has recognized this pattern and believes there is an urgent need to educate Jewish children in the right way at the right time. Working in partnership with Director of Education Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz and with Rabbi Shraga Gross as Director of School and Community Services, Rabbi Schostak and Legacy 613 offers schools, synagogues and the Jewish community a host of initiatives to arm Orthodox teenagers with the necessary tools to take tefillah along with them throughout their lives.

“I do not deny that some of our contemporary rabbis and teachers have struggled to find a way to talk to their students about G-d,” explains Rabbi Schostak. “Yet most yeshiva programs on an elementary or high school level don’t schedule time for the questions of faith and belief that challenge our students.”

Through Legacy 613, school

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

leaders are rising to the challenge of preserving traditional prayer and making it not only accessible, but meaningful and precious to Jewish youth. Now in its second year, Legacy 613 is working with New York area schools, including Yeshiva University’s High Schools and Hebrew Academy of Long Beach High Schools, as well as with yeshivas in Cleveland, Philadelphia and Toronto. School-appointed tefillah coordinators help to develop innovative inspirational programming and special projects to improve the quality of the tefillah experience for their students. With funding, educational expertise and guidance provided by Legacy 613, these schools are experimenting with different approaches to tefillah and are sharing their experiences, challenges, resources and materials through monthly conference calls.

Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz, who worked as both teacher and administrator at the Ramaz School for over 30 years and who currently teaches in the Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School and the Azreili Graduate School, explains that the time is ripe for a program dedicated to tefillah.

“I believe that the time has finally come for tefillah to be a field of education in its own right,” he says.

“Jewish education became extraordinarily professional during the past decades when it came to teaching texts; we are finally coming around to realizing that we need to spend more time teaching souls as well.”

Schools employ a variety of approaches from varying minyan size, structure and levels of explanation, to providing support outside of minyan with a range of methods from

in-depth study to creative multi-media programs.

As in the classroom setting, tefillah education seems to work best with smaller groups of students, where participation is emphasized and a sense of community can be fostered. Alternative minyanim have become much more viable in the past few years; girls only, Sephardic, freshmen only, hashkamah, and special Mincha prayer groups are among those offered. Providing

held a class in tefillah three times a week for about six weeks; the other offered select students who voluntarily attended the early hashkamah minyan before regular school hours an advanced tefillah class during the time slot of the school’s regularly scheduled Shacharit minyan.

Though the explanatory-type minyanim require a halachic ruling about parameters, benefits can be huge in terms of actually teaching what prayer and the siddur are all

Prayer is much more than praises, petitions and blessings; it is about a special relationship – a lifelong, personal relationship with G-d.

alternative minyanim daily helps promotes a sense of individuality, with the dual goal of having students still seeing themselves as part of standard services, both now and in the future.

Some schools offered tefillah workshops and enhancement programs, either during or outside minyan times. Rather than learning about prayer during the minyan, students are taken out of the regular tefillah group for a limited number of workshop sessions or for a full-year enhancement program.

These programs prove very effective in deepening students’ connection to their tefillah. Schools have found innovative ways of creating the time for tefillah education – one

about. Schools are experimenting with what it means to have a tefillah curriculum: how much to focus on textual analysis, halacha, or developing a personal connection to G-d.

Almost all the schools agree that empowering students to connect to G-d should be the main focus. This goal is the biggest challenge of tefillah education.

Art, Post-Its, & Personal Minyanim Since meaningful tefillah requires personalization, designing and developing each school’s unique tefillah models included gathering invaluable input from their students. This process empowered the students to help create experiences

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that made tefillah meaningful and inspirational for them and for their peers. Among the more experimental initiatives to inspire a deeper connection with tefillah included art-based spiritual expression, tefillah libraries, Shacharit at the beach, and a student-led minyan at a local retirement center.

At the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach Stella K. Abraham’s High School for Girls, having students build a strong connection to tefillah has always been a goal. Partnering with Legacy 613 has helped infuse and support their work. Programs at SKA are student-led, with a student committee of 60 girls called “TTYL,” Turning Tefillah into Your Life.

One recent and very powerful tefillah-centered project was held this past January on Asara b’Tevet. The hallways of the school in Hewlett were transformed into an art gallery, complete with a sign welcoming visitors to the “MET,” Museum Enriching Tefillah.

Students from the art classes and the graphic design classes were directed to take a passage of tefillah that resonated with them and to express it artistically. Modern and traditional art styles were featured in the SKA “gallery” along with graphic design and photographic images. The vibrant artwork, with extreme attention to detail, lined the hallways in an impressive display of talent and contemplation. Some of the graphic design images were also presented on a video screen.

Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, Director of Religious Guidance, is very proud of the students’ creations.

“They’re stunning, if you go through this in less than 20 minutes, you

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Some samples of SKAs works of art connected to tefillah

would miss half of it – it’s really really powerful.”

Student-led tours were given over the following two weeks, with the artists and creators available to discuss their work. In efforts to further personalize tefillah, the designs were reproduced and printed onto Post-it notes, allowing the students the opportunity to take along the images and messages that resonate most and incorporate them into their own siddur.

SKA has utilized the Post-it note method for a different content-based tefillah program, allowing students to insert personal explanations on topics most significant to adolescent girls and then place them in the relevant corresponding place. This programming includes classes with discussions about the challenges of praying from other people’s words.

Students are given inspirational poems on Post-it notes created by the SKA graphics department. They are given the chance to customize their siddur and decide what words they want to be saying in davening, and are then told to pick four ideas that mean the most to them. The girls also created a spreadsheet connecting concepts like “contentment” and “gratitude” to certain tefillot such as “Sim shalom” and “Modim.” The students affix the notes next to those prayers in their siddurim, and are able to add more over their years at the school.

“The point is that there’s reflection, time to really think,” explains Mrs. Kaminetsky. “So now instead of just having an English transla-

tion, they have something they chose as something that resonates with them.”

While the art program is brand new, the content program is run every few years. Mrs. Kaminetsky values the Legacy 613 initiative and is grateful to be working together towards this collective communal goal.

“We’re always doing new things, but I did get inspired through speaking to people in other schools about how we could use art,” she says. She

its specific challenges. This provides a more intimate and personalized experience, allowing students the opportunity to connect emotionally.

This twice-a-week voluntary program is very popular. “It is clearly filling a void,” says Rabbi Tannenbaum, the coordinator of the tefillah initiatives, who runs the standing-room only minyan. “Its popularity is a barometer of its success.”

The second program is a Shemona Esrei initiative – with 19 shiurim

“I have witnessed prayers that transcend words.”

to having communal davening with all 300-plus students. This provides additional opportunities for boys to participate by leading davening and Torah reading, and enhances the experience for both the students who connect easily with davening and those who have more trouble doing so.

Rabbi Tannenbaum credits Legacy 613 with helping to bring attention on improving tefillah. “Davening is a challenge,” he admits.

The students at DRS are inspired by the program. Dovi Flug, who is in tenth grade, says, “Being that tefillah is central to constantly improving my connection to Hashem, this new program opens up a whole wide new array of shared ideas and insights which I’m super excited to be a part of.”

A Living Prayer appreciates the opportunity to share with likeminded educators. “On a conference call last year I heard from other schools – and that gave me inspiration to do something like this. The sharing of ideas helps you generate more ideas.”

At HALB’s Davis Renov Stahler High School for Boys there are several programs being piloted this year through the assistance of Legacy 613. A weekly explanatory minyan offers a slower-paced service with time to explain specific parts of davening and generate discussion.

Serving grades 9-12 by rotations, the minyan is tailored to each grade and

currently in DRS, each class has been assigned a bracha in Shemona Esrei. With their rebbeim available to assist with material, students will gather information and produce a multi-media presentation to explain their bracha through a student-created movie or slideshow. The first of the presentations begin this month and will run twice a week until yearend. Rabbi Tannenbaum hopes to package the program to share with other Legacy 613 affiliated schools and is developing the explanatory curriculum to share as well.

DRS is also dividing the students into multiple minyanim, as opposed

For nearly 30 years, Rabbi Schostak has been the Director of Pastoral Care at the Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Commack, NY. Prior to that, he had a distinguished career as a teacher and principal at yeshiva elementary and high schools in New York and Michigan. Rabbi Schostak brings his expertise and personal observations from his work to his newest project.

“In my work as a chaplain, tending to the elderly and dying for nearly thirty years, I have witnessed prayers that transcend words. When I enter the room of one who has experienced his own tragedy − where a patient’s life and those of his family

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have turned upside down due to a major stroke, or Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, or a host of other afflictions – I hear the moan and the cry.

Their cries rise from the depths of their being.”

Rabbi Schostak doesn’t believe it should take a dire circumstance to elicit heartfelt prayer. He points out that prayer is much more than praises, petitions and blessings; it is about a special relationship – a lifelong, personal relationship with G-d. He notes that the most powerful common example of personal prayer can be found every week at candle lighting.

“It is still very much alive today, in every Jewish home on Friday night and yom tov, when the woman of the home lights the candles, covers her eyes, recites the blessings, and whispers her private prayers. At that holy moment, when her candle lighting ushers the Sabbath bride into her home, she feels an open connection with G-d on the highest level and offers her personal prayers with love and tears.

“We appeal to G-d as both our

loving Father who cares about His children, and as our omnipotent King who has the power to help them,” he continues. “Once we have internalized the powerful dual nature of our relationship with G-d, we can access that relationship at will.”

Rabbi Schostak believes that it is through the tefillah education that a lifelong personal relationship with G-d can be developed and accessed.

“If we are to love G-d with all our heart and soul, with our minds and with our emotions, we must make every effort to talk about G-d and to G-d, with the openness, love and warmth of our ancestors who saw G-d as the nearest and dearest of friends. If schools were to adopt a tefillah curriculum, they would discover that our prayers can serve as a springboard for discussing many of

these major issues of our faith.”

Legacy 613’s pioneer program has been extremely successful, taking tefillah education and inspiration to a whole new dimension and changing the way students relate to their davening on a personal level. This year’s efforts show promising signs of its continued growth and success.

Looking ahead, Legacy 613 will continue to develop workshops, Shabbatons and weekend retreats to help transform davening from a ritual to a personal spiritual experience. Ultimately, they are hoping to create a synergy between the pilot schools and the shuls in their communities to develop thought-provoking, educational, and meaningful tefillah programming for adults as well.

Rabbi Schostak’s unyielding passion for inspired tefillah is evident.

“Through tefillah, we can experience the greatest of relationships with the all-powerful King of the universe and our loving Father in heaven.

Confronted by personal challenges and national threats, we all long for a time when our prayers will be heard.

“That time is now.”

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY29, 15,2015 2018||The TheJewish JewishHome Home OCTOBER

Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Navidaters,

When I got divorced two years ago, my parents were not happy about it for many reasons, but I often thought that maybe the main reason was because they were so crazy about my in-laws. They are a prominent family in the community, well-respected, and admired. My parents always looked up to them and thought that our shidduch was the best thing that ever happened to our family.

What they did not know was that my then-husband had some serious issues that were kept secret from us. But that is for another column. My question to you is the following: My mother has tried to keep some kind of relationship going with my former mother-in-law. I was never happy about it and I’m still not happy about it. Though my former mother-in-law happens to be a kind woman, I have a hard time looking at her because she pushed this shidduch, I believe, knowing exactly what she was doing.

My sister is getting married in three months and my mother let it slip that she plans on not only inviting my former in-laws to the wedding, but even some other relatives from that family. I think my mother feels it would be a feather in her cap if they showed up at our simcha. I’m furious about this, and my mother thinks I’m being silly to object.

Obviously, I can’t not go to the wedding, but I now am dreading the whole thing and it’s putting a real damper on what should be a happy time for me. Am I wrong to feel my parents are loyal to the wrong cause here and is there anything I can say or do to help them understand that this is a huge betrayal to me?

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions.

Our intention is not to offer any definitive

conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. bviously, there is something very wrong with your relationship with your parents. It seems that you are communicating some information but not everything; you are implying that they do not know everything about your ex.

You have not shared feelings both during and after the marriage. It doesn’t seem like they even know why you got divorced. You have not worked this out in the past and the forthcoming wedding invitations seem to be a catalyst for mounting tension. You and your parents have many things to resolve, not just the invites.

Do yourself a favor for the short

O

term and long term. Get into therapy to learn to communicate appropriately with your parents and be heard. It is easy to say to them, “You are putting social status ahead of my feelings. I am the one you should be sensitive to, not my ex’s family.” However, it seems that you have not shared with them what the issues in your own marriage were. I do not mean to justify their behavior but there are communication issues on your end as well.

Use this opportunity to deal with your family issues. You need to learn the skills to be heard by your parents as well as to deal with this level of insensitivity. With the guidance of your therapist, you may want to share some of this with the family rabbi who was probably involved in your wedding and in your get. However, do not line up allies

against enemies. Don’t turn this into a war with battling sides. Use this negative experience as an impetus for healthy growth.

You are right that your parents should be supportive of you and be sensitive to your feelings after your marriage ended. Including your ex’s family in a simcha is a public statement that will ultimately embarrass them because your ex’s family will not understand it and may talk to others about it. Don’t worry; they won’t show up at your sister’s wedding. They will not want to be in an uncomfortable public situation.

In short, this will backfire for your parents but don’t be the one to point this out. Your parents will not get it if it’s coming from you.

They do not get that they are in the wrong here. If they can’t see that and understand, you need a lot of help to deal with them now and in the future.

You obviously have the capacity for understanding others, even if they are not with you. Build on that strength with a skilled professional so that you don’t carry family baggage and lack of communication skills into your future.

The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, P.A. have no words to say to you. I have only a choice few for your mother.

Dear Mom: You daughter is in pain. Her pain is profound; the “glick shidduch” that raised you a few notches up the social ladder turned out to be a toxic and ill-fated one. She is dealing with the trauma of divorce – the disappointment, the embarrassment, and the anxiety of wondering whether she will ever again find a loving husband.

And while she cries, you blithely maintain a warm relationship with

I

Use this negative experience as an impetus for healthy growth.

the people who knowingly misled her, her ex-family that shattered her dreams and turned her world upside-down.

It’s a wonder she still speaks to you. But what choice does she have; you are her mother – her rock, her support, her comfort. And, as her mother, your loyalty must ALWAYS be to her.

If you wish to regain your daughter’s trust and respect, you will, without fanfare, cut all social and personal ties with your former machutanim. That includes invitations to simchas, lunch dates, and friendly phone calls. You are not declaring all-out war. You are demonstrating your empathy, your sensitivity and your solidarity with your child so she can more easily heal and move confidently toward her future happiness.

The Shadchan Michelle Mond his is such a painful predicament, and I am so sorry you are going through this. You have been through the most difficult stage of your life because of this man, and your mother’s connection with his family is a constant reminder of it.

I would not be surprised if this adds an element of difficulty moving on.

You need to communicate all of your feelings to your mother and

T

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make it clear that having his family at your sister’s wedding will make it very uncomfortable for you. “A feather in the cap,” as you describe your mother’s excuse for inviting them, means nothing if it will hurt the person wearing it.

I would recommend that you reach out to the rav that guided you through the divorce process to now speak with your parents about the constant painful realization that because of them you are just not able to escape this family. You must communicate with them honestly and openly and have the rav available to speak to your parents if they cannot understand the problem.

Hopefully, with the help of open

communication and being clear with your feelings, your parents will start to understand where you are coming from, making this a simcha for the entire family to enjoy.

The Single Tova Wein

I

This is some story – some things you just can’t make up. This is a story about disloyalty, insecurity, misguided alliances, immaturity, and insensitivity. Your mother is very misguided

Pulling It All Together

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

in so many ways. The first question I might ask is, before we have her tried and sentenced, whether she knows all the details of your marriage and divorce. Is she aware of the fact that you felt “duped”? I’m assuming she does, but even if she didn’t, she needs to put your comfort zone before her own, no matter what.

Obviously, it’s your sister’s wedding and you can’t boycott it to make your point and avoid embarrassment. However, you can try to insist that your parents join you in family therapy, so that they can fully hear your pain and gain some empathy toward your cause.

Clearly, your mother is so wrapped up in her impressive guest list that she hasn’t taken the time to understand what it feels like to walk in your shoes. Do whatever you can to get them into

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“A feather in the cap,” as you describe your mother’s excuse for inviting them, means nothing if it will hurt the person wearing it.

that therapist’s office and hopefully that will shake them and wake them up.

If this fails, and your ex-mother-in-law is even half as kind as you think she is capable of being, she’ll know better than to show up at the wedding. Hopefully, she knows better!

The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

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hen a family has an ongoing, underlying issue and the emotional health and wellness of relationships are compromised, simchas tend to highlight whatever isn’t working. A beautiful and joyous occasion, such as a sister’s wedding, can become marred with all sorts of feelings – in your case, betrayal. We can have family “problems” and somehow go about our lives, but when a simcha comes up, we are forced to deal with people and situations that we can, for the most part, otherwise ignore.

I am sending you a giant wheelbarrow of validation. Your mother’s ongoing relationship with your exmother-in-law, inviting her to your sister’s wedding and the nature of how she told you (“let it slip”) combined with her blatant disregard for your feelings is enough to

leave anyone in your shoes feeling betrayed.

If you have already communicated to your mother what really happened in your marriage, and she still behaves so carelessly and narcissistically, you may want to invite both of your parents to family therapy.

Your mom seems to have a wall up of sorts. What that wall is, and why she is doing the things she does, I cannot say. She doesn’t or can’t see that this hurts you, or she does see that it hurts you, but her needs are the priority. In family therapy, a skilled therapist will help steer the conversation between you and your parents in the direction in needs to go so that you feel heard. I hope this can happen, but be prepared that it may not.

If your parents refuse to see a therapist with you, and they continue to insist on inviting your former in-laws, then we can say that the situation is truly out of your control. We can’t control other people. We can’t get someone who insists on living in the dark to see the light. So, then, we move on to the options that remain in your control. What is in your control?

How would you feel about picking up the phone and speaking with your former mother-in-law about the situation? I may get a disgruntled email or two about this one, but sometimes we need to take a stand for ourselves. This is a very personal choice, and maybe the road less traveled. But I am putting it out there.

Your other option is a twofold strategy: A) Tune ‘em all out!

Tune out your mom, tune out your ex-mother-in-law. Focus on your sister! Don’t let this garbage ruin this special day for you. You sister is getting married! You deserve to

celebrate and be present with your sister. Don’t let them ruin this for you. B) Hold your head high! Go to that wedding feeling like a million bucks. You left a bad marriage.

Many women couldn’t have done it.

But you did, even without the support of your parents. Do you know how brave you are? I take my hat off to you… and your mother can have the feather! Mazel tov on your sister’s wedding! Enjoy it.

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

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Dr. Deb

How Do You Get Happiness?

By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

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hat do you mean, “How do you get happiness?”

You don’t “get” it; it just happens! Right? It’s a feeling and you can’t control your feelings, Dr. Deb! To respond to that, consider the ordinary plant. You water it, give it sunshine, and maybe a little plant food some time, and it blooms. If you don’t set up the conditions – the water and the sunshine – for it to bloom, it won’t. That’s exactly what happened to a plant someone gave me a few years ago as a Shabbos gift. It sat in a corner; I did water it, but I never saw the beautiful violet blossoms until my friend suggested I move the plant to the window.

Sure enough, this very slight effort proved “fruitful.”

I think happiness works the same way: You set up the right “conditions” and it blooms.

This question was raised by someone who told me that she can’t understand how people can lead such “boring” lives as so many people do: going to work, spending the

day there, coming home, maybe diddling on their phones after that.

Boring. And, from her perspective, not at all happy. For her, happiness would be traveling and seeing many corners of this amazing world.

I could agree with her that traveling is interesting and fun (except when they lose your luggage especially if you brought a Romanian salami from Chicago to Israel and they lost that as happened to my son; pee-yew!). But that doesn’t detract from the “ordinary” happiness of everyday life, does it?

I thought about that for a while.

What bothered me was that I knew that the ordinary life is exactly the life I live and I am not bored one bit! I want to get up in the morning.

Is there something wrong with me that I’m happy with such a repetitive life? Why don’t I need all sorts of stimulation?

I slept on it for a number of days and was quite sure that my “ordinary” life is actually pretty interesting – without packing bags and seeing the ends of the Earth. I won-

dered if this is true of many of the other people who seem from the outside to be living “boring” lives.

Do people find their “ordinary” lives interesting, fulfilling, even exciting, or are they bored to tears and they just hope the efforts they make at their work successfully pay the bills?

So what’s with the need to travel, go here, go there? What’s with the boredom? What could be operating to keep those of us who aren’t bored happy with their “ordinary” lives?

I decided it’s one thing and one thing only: Mastery.

IT’S HUMAN NATURE TO WANT TO MASTER OUR WORLD Babies reach and hit at the mobile hanging over them. They reach and reach and try again. What keeps them going? The desire for mastery.

Older children tease their friends and siblings to get a reaction from them. It’s another kind

of mastery, maybe not so desirable, but mastery over their world nevertheless.

Think about it: Every person who loves what they do feels on top of it or is trying to get on top of it.

Of course, you can do well at what you do and still hate it; to be fulfilled, the thing you’re mastering has to “speak” to you; it has to have personal meaning to you. Or, to put it another way, when you do it, it has to feel like it’s a personal expression of who you are; it speaks for you.

So, for example, an artist would paint because he cannot find words that would do as well to express his inner self, his emotions, his ideas, as the array of paint that he puts on the canvas. Could this principle apply, say, to an accountant or a teacher? I think it can. The accountant gets satisfaction from the numbers all working out right and maybe saving someone money in the process; that makes him happy.

The teacher gets satisfaction from having the ability to spark interest

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

and excitement for a subject in another person; that makes her happy.

When I bring some food to my children for Shabbos and my grandchildren tell me they love it, then that project is an expression of my love for them; that’s one way I can show it. Somehow it feels more tangible when the love is delivered in the form of food than merely through hugs and kisses. When two of the younger ones greet me at the door with, “Savta, did you bring your avocado salad?” I feel like I did something; that makes me happy.

And you should know, speaking very personally, that the happy feeling I get is a deep, almost physical thing: It’s like a tickle in the pit of my stomach that wells up inside of me and sometimes bubbles out in an exuberant laugh.

SO HOW DO YOU GET HAPPINESS? This conversation with my friend reminded me of the story

of Eliyahu HaNavi who was looking for G-d and did not hear Him in the thunder or the tornado or the earthquake, but in a still small voice.

Besides mastery over something that speaks to you and for you, happiness is hearing that still

even there. That voice is the voice of G-d within us, our neshama, and people who dislike themselves have been telling themselves that HaKadosh Baruch Hu created everyone else in His image – except them. He somehow skipped over them.

It’s like a tickle in the pit of my stomach that wells up inside of me and sometimes bubbles out in an exuberant laugh.

small voice in the ordinary stuff of everyday life. But you can’t “hear” it when you’re not okay with you.

People who don’t like themselves or insist that at the core they’re not good people don’t want to listen for that voice. They don’t believe it is

It’s not Jewish to think this way, so getting this wrong thinking out of our heads is the first step to happiness. Because when we do, we become attuned to our deepest selves and we can then go on to master the challenges of everyday life – and

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enjoy that mastery. From there, it’s a short skip to enjoy everyone else’s sense of mastery over the world and Hashem’s mastery over creation.

It’s precisely because that voice is small and really quiet – still – that we need to quiet our own chatter: the mental searches for the next exciting thing, the self-condemnations, the distractions, the escapes.

So, we get happiness first by tuning into who we really are, not the fake image of ourselves that someone else mistakenly created.

Then, through that process of getting to know and value ourselves, we can discover our own particular way of expressing who we are to the world, and finally, we master that.

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

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Health & F tness

Should You be Taking Dietary Supplements?

By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

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ith the flu spreading throughout the community, those who have mere colds should consider themselves lucky. Unfortunately, colds are also uncomfortable and leave us feeling ill. While coughing and sneezing, I’m sure you hear your mother’s voice urging you to “take your vitamins.” Multivitamins and dietary supplements are meant to prevent nutritional deficiencies and to promote health. Vitamins are famous for fighting off the common cold. However, vitamins have shown to have even more benefits than just that. Epidemiological data has shown that supplementation of B vitamins, ascorbic acid, folic acid, carotenoids, and tocopherols are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. On the other hand, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “for the general healthy population, there is no evidence to support a recommendation for the use of multivitamin/mineral supplements in the primary prevention of chronic disease.” Despite the lack of evidence of benefits of dietary supplements with reducing risk of chronic diseases and cancer, nearly half of the U.S. population continues to take supplements in the hopes of seeing benefits. Therefore, it is important to study the actual benefits of dietary supplements and

determine if they are required to be taken daily.

A number of studies have been performed to test the effects of vitamins on the public’s health. The results are a mixed bag. According to some, it seems that dietary supplements are not beneficial, and even more so, some are harmful.

One study showed that multivitamins reduce the risk of cancer in men, while another demonstrated that selenium supplementation is

results showed that multivitamin use had no correlation to cancer mortality. Likewise, the Women’s Health Initiative detected no association between multivitamins and the risk of cancers after studying 160,000 women for eight years.

Can vitamins help prevent cancer? Do they cause cancer? It’s hard to say. “Multivitamins have a lot of confusion surrounding them,” said Kelly Devine Rickert, a Franciscan Wellcare registered dietitian and

If you eat proper amounts of fruits and vegetables daily, you can get adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.

beneficial in preventing cancer. On the other hand, other studies found that dietary supplements increase the risk of cancer. In a Swedish study of 35,000 women done over 10 years, the use of multivitamins showed a 19% increased risk of breast cancer. In the Cancer Prevention Study II, more than one million adults were studied and

health coach. “Often people think, ‘The more vitamins and minerals I consume, the healthier I will become,’ and that is just not true.” Despite this, according to the American Dietetic Association, about one third of adults take a multivitamin and mineral supplement regularly.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against all vitamins. Vitamin and

mineral supplementation is especially helpful for pregnant and breastfeeding women, those with certain medical conditions, and children who are picky eaters. For those who don’t eat enough vegetables, discuss with your doctor about possibly taking a multivitamin.

For those who don’t fall into that category, my advice is to stick to food. If you eat proper amounts of fruits and vegetables daily, you can get adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals without supplementation. During these winter months, eat plenty of oranges, peppers, guava, green leafy vegetables, kiwi, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papaya, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, butter lettuce, and kale.

These fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C and can help fight off the common cold and the flu.

Another vital vitamin, especially during the winter, is vitamin D. Vitamin D is found in high concentrations in oily fish, fortified cereals, mushrooms, dairy products, eggs and cod liver oil. Vitamin D works hand-in-hand with calcium. Calcium depends on vitamin D for proper absorption. The combination of calcium and vitamin D help build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. Strong bones are extremely important during the winter months when unfortunate slips and falls are very com-

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

mon due to the icy and slippery streets, which can result in broken bones. Adequate stores of calcium and vitamin D can help prevent those frightening bone fractures.

Calcium is found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, spinach, kale, okra, and fortified foods.

Other essential nutrients include antioxidants and polypehonols. Vi-

tamin E and selenium are specific antioxidants that help protect the immune system. Sources of these antioxidants include milk, green leafy vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, oranges, meat, fish, and cereals.

Other antioxidants can be found in berries, sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, pomegranates, walnuts, and wine.

When eating the right foods, vitamins and minerals can be found in abundance. It might not be necessary to load up on supplements, especially vitamin C. Don’t tell Mom, but it’s OK to skip the vitamin C pill. Just eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C as mentioned above to fight off that nasty cold.

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Health & F tness

Life’s Platinum Medal

By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP

The first frum Jew in the Olympics

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t’s interesting living with my wife nowadays.

The woman who reads the financial news, health care trends, and obituaries (in that order) is addicted to tracking this year’s Winter Olympics. This is a first for her.

Actually, she’s interested in just a sliver of the Olympics and, as a re-

sult, is building her schedule (and that of the entire family) around it. That sliver is called the sliding competition. Oh, and she also reads everything she can about it. Why? His name is AJ Edelman, the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Olympics.

What does my wife have to do

with AJ Edelman?

According to her, plenty. Allow me to elaborate.

AJ and my wife are both Bostonians, having grown up in Brookline, Massachusetts. Both are graduates of the Maimonides School, albeit decades apart. To be clear, my wife grew up with the Edelman boys (AJ’s father and three uncles) whom my wife describes as “superstars” who are also “nice guys.”

Their mother, a”h, and father raised four sons who attended Ivy League schools, graduated from world class professional and graduate schools, and are leaders in their chosen fields. AJ’s dad is a world renowned cardiologist, engineer and scientist

that all four Edelman sons are shomrei Torah u’mitvos.

When their mother passed away about fifteen years ago, they buried her in Jerusalem, saying kaddish and observing the year of aveilus. Imagine the kiddush Hashem they must have made when it was time to say kaddish. No doubt others were moved as well by their adherence to mitzvos. Indeed, the Edelman boys are accomplished professionals but they are Torah Jews first.

This didn’t happen in a vacuum.

My wife reminisces about their maternal grandmother, Mrs. Muskin, a gracious woman who davened every Shabbos at the Young Israel of Brookline. The octogenarian’s

He is a trailblazer who says Tehillim before a competition and has remained steadfast in his religious observance, bringing his own food and sitting out games rather than being mechallel Shabbos.

who holds the Thomas D. and Virginia W. Cabot Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That’s impressive.

Professional accomplishments aside, my wife and I are inspired

walk to shul and then walk home up Brookline’s aptly named Summit Avenue must be etched on her grandsons’ hearts.

AJ’s grandparents modeled a Torah life. My wife’s family moved into Brookline in August 1969 and

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Putting on tefillin before a competition

the following January was AJ’s father’s bar mitzvah. The very first simcha to which my in-laws were invited was that bar mitzvah and it warmed their hearts to be so welcomed. And my wife recalls in detail the chol hamoed dinner she and her family enjoyed in the Edelman sukkah. Memories for a lifetime.

Our family has read the Jew in the City’s profile of AJ and it’s clear that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. He has prepared for the Olympics with a singular focus that rivals his father’s and uncles’ preparations for their careers. He is a trailblazer who says Tehillim before a competition and has remained steadfast in his religious observance, bringing his own food and sitting out games rather than being mechallel Shabbos. AJ is right – that changes in sports scheduling can happen only if Orthodox Jews remain firm in their religious observance.

Understandably, my wife is excited. She’s davening and saying Tehillim for a blue-and-white (a/k/a Israeli) victory of an Olympic gold medal. We are waiting to hear HaTikvah at the medal ceremony and trust me – we are stockpiling tissues now for my wife for that moment. My wife is also davening for AJ’s safety in this crazy sport he’s chosen; after all, she’s a mother and grandmother. But she has wondered who is AJ’s rav and how they worked out the halachic implications of attending the Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony on leil Shabbos. She would have loved to

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have been a fly on the wall, privy to all the preparations.

I pen these lines before the sliding competition even begins. I too daven that AJ is safe all the way through and that the world hears HaTikvah in his merit. I don’t know AJ’s yichus prior to his regal great-grandmother but he’s at least the fourth generation of shomer Torah u’mitzvos. Wow. Awesome.

So, AJ, if you read this – after you wrap up the Olympics, we’d love to have you for a Shabbos in Lawrence, New York. You and my wife will have lots to talk about. And she’s salivating to set you up with some fabulous “out-of-the-box” girl so, with G-d’s help, you’ll get married, build a Torah home and go for the fifth generation of shomer Torah u’mitzvos.

That’s a platinum medal.

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

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

In The K

tchen

Ceviche

By Naomi Nachman

This week I am heading off to Panama as a guest chef on Miriam Schreiber’s Kosher Legacy Tours. I have been brushing up on my Latin American cooking.

I have always been a big fan of ceviche and I can’t wait to try it in Panama over Presidents’ weekend. This is my easy version for you to try at home.

Ceviche is a seafood dish popular in the coastal regions of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Though the origin of ceviche is hotly debated, the dish is most closely associated with Peru. It is typically made from fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices, such as lemon or lime, and spiced with ají or chili peppers. Additional seasonings, such as chopped onions, salt, and cilantro, may also be added. Ceviche is usually accompanied by side dishes that complement its flavors, such as sweet potato, lettuce, corn, avocado or plantain. As the dish is not cooked with heat, it must be prepared and consumed fresh to minimize the risk of food poisoning.

Ingredients

Preparation

2 pounds white fish such as corvina; I have also used salmon or tuna ½ cup fresh lemon juice ½ cup fresh lime juice 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped 2 TBS olive oil ½ tsp salt ½ tsp fresh ground pepper ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced (julienne) 2 avocadoes, finely diced ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Cut fish into small cubes. Combine fish with lemon juice, lime juice, jalapeno, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper and red onion in a non-reactive bowl. Refrigerate and let marinade for 2-4 hours. Check and adjust the seasonings, if necessary. Add avocado to the fish mixture, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve on tostados or tortilla chips.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

She was a diehard Eagles fan. I had to make sure she was here for this.

- Dustin Javier, who went to the Philadelphia Eagle’s Super Bowl parade with an urn containing his wife’s ashes

Two is fine – I don’t know how I’m going to cope with three. I’m going to be permanently tired.

- Prince William at recent event anticipating the birth of his third child, who is due in April

Where’s Rand Paul’s neighbor when we need him?

- Bette Midler’s tweet suggesting Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., should be physically attacked for his stance on the spending budget in the Senate

Singling out Orthodox Jews was distasteful, shameful and arrogant. This statement of Senator Schumer’s was nothing less than his playing to his progressive liberal base. If the Senator was genuinely concerned about confronting hate and anti-Semitism, he wouldn’t have given President Obama a pass when the Obama administration did everything possible to marginalize Israel. Where was Schumer when Linda Sarsour showed support for terrorists and undermined the existence of Israel? Or when Black Lives Matter adopted anti-Israel platforms? Has the Senator held press conferences confronting the racist BDS movement, which seeks to isolate and starve innocent Israelis? The best candidate who Senator Schumer saw fit to lead the DNC was Keith Ellison, a friend of Louis Farrakhan who called Hitler “a great man.”

- NYS Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), responding to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent criticism of Orthodox Jews for not doing more to combat Trump’s “failure to confront hate in the U.S.”

Israel has an absolute right to defend itself, and I think that’s what happened yesterday.

- Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to reporters after Israel exchanged fire over the weekend with Syrian and Iranian forces in Syria

Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is pretty amazing. They’ve successfully launched the world’s most powerful rocket into space headed towards Mars. The rocket is named Falcon Heavy, although it prefers to be called Falcon Hey I’m Just BigBoned.

– James Corden

People’s lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused – life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?

- Tweet by President Trump after a member of his staff was fired for alleged domestic violence

MORE QUOTES

121

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

I think that Jerusalem was my high point. It was very important that I recognized Jerusalem as your beautiful capital city.

This was an extremely important decision for many people, who thanked me [for it]. To be completely honest, there were others who did not thank me. But it was an extremely important promise – and I fulfilled it.

- President Trump in a recent interview with Israel Hayom newspaper

I’m reminded of my own grandson. He is Irish, English, whatever, whatever, and Italian-American, he is a mix. But he looks more the other [Italian] side of the family, shall we say. And when he had his sixth birthday...he had a very close friend whose name is Antonio, he’s from Guatemala. And he has beautiful tanned skin, beautiful brown eyes, and this was a proud day for me, because when my grandson blew out the candles on his cake, they said did you make a wish? He said yes, he made a wish. What is your wish? I wish I had brown skin and brown eyes like Antonio. So beautiful. So beautiful.

27

Increasingly, a small, but growing number of customers has been interpreting our guarantee well beyond its original intent. Some view it as a lifetime product replacement program, expecting refunds for heavily worn products used over many years.

Others seek refunds for products that have been purchased through third parties, such as at yard sales.

– L.L Bean’s explanation for changing their over-100-year-old return policy

Is it an existential threat, is it something that is unsustainable, or what kind of effect or harm is this going to have?

- Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt in a recent interview on Nevada’s KSNV TV

– House Minority Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) during a speech about DACA on the House floor

From a new batch of text messages between FBI agent Peter Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page, who both hate the “bigoted” and “racist” Donald Trump and conspired over their FBI-issued devices to keep him out of office:

Strzok: Guccifer. Sleazy Romanian…

Page: They ALL are.

Strzok: Funny to watch and think of [redacted]. No wonder he’s a brusque as he is…and those Romanians aren’t even the gypsies…

Page: Seriously, I kind of hate them. (I’m sure [redacted] fine). But they have the crookedness of the Russians with the entitledness of the Italians. Yuck…

We know that humans have most flourished during times of, what, warming trends. I think there’s assumptions made that because the climate is warming, that that necessarily is a bad thing.

- Ibid.

People are still excited about the Philadelphia Eagles winning their first Super Bowl! And did you know this? I read that Eagles coach Doug Pederson was coaching high school football just 10 years ago.

Which sounds crazy, until you remember that just five years ago, our president was firing Clay Aiken from a TV show.

– Jimmy Fallon

The celebration got crazy back in Philly. People knocked over lamp posts, overturned a car...set things on fire — and that was just the mayor.

- Ibid.

MORE QUOTES

123

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

I was wrong. My opposition to Donald Trump was wrong, in retrospect. I was wrong. I had friends who supported him, and I didn’t understand them. I said, “Are you not aware of what he said about John McCain? Isn’t that enough to disqualify the guy?”

They perceived in him what I did not perceive in him, that these over-the-top statements – as objectionable as the statements themselves may be, and none of them defended the statements – nevertheless, what they perceived was accurate: a man who doesn’t [care] about what the press says about him. That is the only way to govern. It is the only way to advance the principles of conservatism in the United States is to not [care what they say about you].

I personally know him, I’ve been to his home, done meetings, participated in events with him. I don’t regard Louis Farrakhan as an aberration or anything, I regard him as an outstanding human being.

- Congressional Black Caucus member Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), refusing to denounce Louis Farrakhan (who has praised Hitler and is a rabid Jew hater), in an interview with the Daily Caller, after a photo surfaced of then-Senator Obama and Farrakhan together in 2005

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

29

When the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, decided to send a large delegation to the Winter Olympics in South Korea this month, the world feared he might steal the show. If that was indeed his intention, he could not have chosen a better emissary than the one he sent: his only sister, Kim Yo-jong, whom news outlets in the South instantly dubbed “North Korea’s Ivanka,” likening her influence to that of Ivanka Trump on her father, President Trump.

- From a New York Times article, predictably titled, “Kim Jong-un’s Sister Turns on the Charm, Taking Pence’s Spotlight”

There was literally no end to the delivery.

- A Norwegian Olympic team chef, after accidentally ordering 15,000 eggs thanks to a Google translate error. He meant to only order 1,500 eggs for the team

Today we no longer feel at home as we did before [mass migration].

HER BROTHER RUNS CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

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- One of numerous tweets in response to the New York Time’s pathetic propaganda piece for the brutal regime

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128

FEBRUARY 15, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Political Crossfire

Trump Must Not Take Jordan for Granted

By David Ignatius

F

or decades, ground zero in Jordan’s alliance with America has been the headquarters of the General Intelligence Department, with its forbidding black flag fluttering in the breeze at the end of an entry road with the unlikely

name, “Street of the People.”

The GID embodied Jordan’s role as America’s special Arab friend.

Generations of CIA officers made their bones here running joint operations against Palestinian terrorist groups, al-Qaeda and the Islamic

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founded in 1921. But these days, the country is literally surrounded by problems. Its schools and social services are strained by 1.3 million Syrian refugees; a half-dozen of its Arab neighbors are failed or failing states; and there’s tension with longtime patrons in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

“The situation is unprecedented,” warns a senior Jordanian official. “Events are accelerating, allegiances are changing, and ambiguity is the name of the game.”

American support has been Jordan’s backstop, thanks to bipartisan

Jordan’s status as America’s BFF in the Arab world faces a surprising new challenge from Saudi Arabia.

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State. What the Jordanian service offered was its ability to recruit agents in places where American spies couldn’t go.

The GID remains a potent counterterrorism partner, U.S. officials say, and Jordan is still a key platform for American operations in the region. But there are some new tensions in the relationship, too, which were noted by many Jordanians during a four-day visit here.

Jordan, like other allies with strong military and intelligence services, has a problem balancing guns and butter. Its army and spy service

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certainly help preserve stability, but they don’t finance Jordan’s large debt. Indeed, it was telling that one of the first subjects mentioned by a top GID official here was Jordan’s urgent need for a financial-assistance pact with the International Monetary Fund.

Jordan has walked a tightrope since the Hashemite monarchy was

congressional backing and strong support at the CIA, Pentagon and State Department. That momentum will continue this week (February 13), when the two countries are expected to sign a new “memorandum of understanding” extending U.S. financial aid for five years and perhaps increasing it to $1.5 billion annually from the current $1.275

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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What worries Amman is that Trump’s disruptive diplomacy – symbolized by his decision in December to reverse long-standing U.S. policy and move the embassy in Israel to Jerusalem – will cause internal political problems for Jordan, with its large Palestinian population. When Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas denounces Trump’s peace process, Jordan fears it will have to pick up the pieces.

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Jordan’s relations with Riyadh have cooled. A senior Jordanian official cites three key disagreements: The Jordanians didn’t send ground troops to join the Saudi invasion of Yemen three years ago. Jordan also balked at the Saudi campaign against Qatar, perhaps mindful of the 50,000 Jordanians working in Doha. Finally, the Jordanians disagreed with Saudi calls for a legal crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, believing that the GID’s covert containment of the Brother-

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billion.

Even with some additional U.S. butter, guns remain the core of the relationship. The Pentagon plans to spend what sources say could be more than $300 million to expand a big air base at Muwaffaq Salti in central Jordan and build another one at “H-4,” an outpost near Syria that press reports say may be used for drone operations. Meanwhile, the CIA continues intense intelligence cooperation; GID officials say they disrupted 45 terror plots outside the country last year, mostly in partnership with the agency.

Jordan’s status as America’s BFF in the Arab world faces a surprising new challenge from Saudi Arabia.

The Trump administration (with quiet Israeli encouragement) is courting Saudi Arabia’s brash crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

“MBS,” as he’s known, is the glamorous new guest at the American table.

Some Jordanians are feeling like the loyal partner whose affections have been forgotten.

MBS is moving into political space long occupied by Jordan. The Saudi leader is trying to repackage the kingdom as a voice of moderate Islam, which has been Jordan’s special mission. He’s styling himself as an Arab change agent, a role championed by Jordan’s King Abdullah II. And MBS is subtly supporting President Trump’s “ultimate deal” on the Israeli-Palestinian problem, despite Jordanian misgivings.

10 pools 12 tennis courts indoor/outdoor basketball 6 movie theaters Full arcade 15 exercise/yoga classes per day

hood was more effective.

It’s easy to take Jordan for granted. Because it has made a solid peace with Israel and an accommodation with the modern, secular world, Jordan sometimes seems to run on autopilot. But if the Hashemite monarchy becomes unglued like so many of its neighbors, it could have disastrous consequences – not least for Israel, next door. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group

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Political Crossfire

Play Ball, with Informed Intelligence

By George F. Will

E

ven if, inexplicably, you occasionally think about things other than major league baseball, consider this: Why are many premier free agents, particularly sluggers and starting pitchers, unsigned even while we are hearing the loveliest four words, “Pitchers and catchers report”? The Major League Baseball Players Association angrily says some teams are more interested in economizing than in winning. The real explanation is that teams are intelligently aligning their behavior with changing information.

Teams increasingly behave alike because increasingly they think alike. They all have young graduates of elite colleges and universities whose data support the following judgments: Players become eligible for free agency after six years of major league service, which comes close to coinciding with the beginning of the downside of most careers. Besides, baseball has become younger since banning performance-enhancing drugs (amphetamines as well as steroids) that extended some careers.

Thirty-two is the new 36.

Baseball today is played as an all-or-nothing, strike-out-or-homerun game. This will not last – baseball strategy, like everything else in life, constantly evolves – but for now more batters are elevating their swings’ trajectories. So, the market is saturated with home-run hitters, some of whom have spurned nine-digit offers. Their agents should have anticipated softening demand

for a surplus commodity.

Baseball “analytics,” aka information, demonstrate that most starting pitchers are most effective when constantly throwing hard, and are significantly less effective the third time through the opponent’s lineup.

Hence relief pitchers are increasingly important – and increasingly well paid in even today’s severely rational market.

Several high-revenue, high-spending teams (e.g., the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox) might be saving their money for a splurge eight months from now on the best free-agent class ever – the Nationals’

pecially by the wealthiest teams, for the purpose of enhancing competitive balance.

MLB and the MLBPA collaboratively devised a system whereby the teams with the worst records get advantages in drafting young talent.

The Cubs and Astros lost 288 and 324 games, respectively, in recent three-year spans, reloaded, then won the 2016 and 2017 World Series, respectively. Their fans, and most teams, think those two successes validated the strategy of accepting short-term pain for long-term gain.

Not, however, for constant success.

Competitive balance exists when

Baseball today is played as an all-ornothing, strike-out-or-home-run game.

Bryce Harper, the Orioles’ Manny Machado, the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and others. Furthermore, in the collective bargaining agreement negotiated just 15 months ago and running through 2021, the MLBPA agreed to a competitive balance tax of 20 percent on any portion of a payroll over $197 million, with the rate rising to 30 and 50 percent on second and third consecutive seasons over the threshold. This is what the MLBPA knew it was designed to be: a disincentive for spending, es-

every well-run team has a regularly recurring reasonable hope to be among the 10 teams in the post-season. But “regularly recurring” does not mean “uninterrupted.” Change is a baseball constant as veterans’ careers pass their apogees and younger players’ approach theirs. So, cycles of success are, if not inevitable, always the norm. In the previous 25 seasons, 22 of the 30 teams have played in the World Series and 14 have won it. No team has won consecutive World Series since the 1998-2000

Yankees.

The Cubs’ and Astros’ successes have encouraged other teams to engage in what the MLBPA says is a “race to the bottom.” Actually, teams that are tearing down old and mediocre rosters are accepting a plunge in order to produce momentum for a surge to the top. What fans most dislike, and what constitutes baseball malpractice, is consistent mediocrity – teams not talented enough to play in October but not bad enough to receive the right to draft the best young talent.

Before 1994’s cataclysm – the strike-shortened season, the canceled World Series – baseball had suffered seven work stoppages (including spring training) in 22 years.

Since then there have been none, baseball has gone from a $2 billion to a $9 billion-plus business and the average salary has risen from $1.2 million in 1994 to $4.1 million in 2017, when 50 percent of MLB revenues went to players’ salaries and benefits (56 percent including minor-league signing bonuses and salaries).

Baseball, like the American economy generally in this era of high-quantity, high-velocity information, is more efficient at pricing assets and allocating resources than it was until recently. This intensified dynamic has winners and losers, but many more of the former than the latter. And to oppose this churning, in the national pastime or the nation itself, is to oppose the application of informed intelligence. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Forgotten Her es

The Australian Coastwatchers

By Avi Heiligman

Coastwatcher Captain Martin Clemens with local policemen

A

historian was once asked to name one modern invention that would have changed the outcome of major Civil War battles.

Instead of suggesting machine guns, airplanes or tanks, he said that if General Robert E. Lee had had one set of walkie-talkies the South would have won the Battle of Gettysburg.

Knowing the position and strength of the enemy and their movements is of major importance for generals and admirals to win battles. During World War II the technology had changed in such a way that made this possible to happen. Although in the Pacific both the Japanese and the Allies had successes and failures in the intelligence arena there were some pretty innovative ways used to produce the needed information. One of these methods was set up by the Australians to send a lone radioman to a strategic location and report back on enemy movements.

This provided Allied intelligence with vital information during the early operations of the Pacific war. Here is the

story of the Australian Coastwatchers.

The idea of sending Coastwatchers deep behind enemy lines started 20 years before the war began. Australia is an ocean away from Japan with several island chains in the middle. Three years after this strategy was first proposed, 1922 the Australians sent men to remote island outposts. In 1939 men were sent to New Guinea and the strategic Solomon Islands. Both were invaded by the Japanese and posed a real threat to nearby Australia. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces soon were on these islands.

With the help of American forces the Japanese were pushed back from invading the southern coast of New Guinea. Japanese forces had been on the Solomon Islands for a couple of months before American Marines stormed ashore on August 7, 1942. The Battle of Guadalcanal was the first offensive operation by the Allies, and it took six months for the combined air, naval and ground units to completely secure the island. Included in the mix

Spotters from the New Guinea Air Warning and Coastwatching network reading their mail in Papua, May 1942

of Allied forces who helped secure the island were the Coastwatchers.

Coastwatchers were from Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islanders who all wanted to help in the war effort. Some of the others were escaped POWs, civilians and men who refused to be captured and had been left behind by their own troops. They were under the direction of Lt. Commander Eric Feldt of the Royal Australian Navy. Feldt took over the organization in 1939 and expanded the group to over 400 people working behind enemy lines. The operations were codenamed “Ferdinand” which was taken from a children’s book about a bull who did not want to fight and who sat under a tree smelling flowers.

Feldt said, “It was meant as a reminder to Coastwatchers that it was not their duty to fight and so draw attention to themselves, but to sit circumspectly and unobtrusively, gathering information. Of course, like their titular prototype, they could fight if they were stung.”

After gleaning intelligence the Coastwatcher was to pass on the information by teleradios or an existing radio station. Codes, mainly Morse code, were used, and Coastwatchers were instructed on how to make a report and what was considered important intelligence. After that, they were on their own as most of them were fed by locals or lived off the land. It was a tough mission as the Japanese were hot on their tails and the Coastwatchers had to move their camps fairly often. A dozen or more locals were employed to be their carriers which was necessary as their radios and gear weighed hundreds of pounds.

One of the main intelligence gathering points was at Lunga Point on Guadalcanal. Coastwatcher Martin Clemens watched and monitored the Japanese construction of an airfield.

The Japanese became aware that someone was watching the construction and began hunting Clemens. As he was forced deeper into the island, his loyal native scouts gave him updat-

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Coastwatchers on Campbell Island

ed information when the airfield was nearing completion. It was this airfield that convinced the Allied commanders to invade Guadalcanal in August 1942.

The island was captured and renamed Henderson Field.

Twenty-thousand Americans Marines and service members were now on the island and were working hard to complete Henderson Field. Within an hour of the landings, Japanese bombers escorted by venerable Zero fighters were on their way to attack the Americans. Coastwatchers on the nearby island of Bougainville saw the coming formations of enemy aircraft. Paul Mason transmitted the radio message: “Twenty-four torpedo bombers headed yours.” This gave the Americans a precious forty-five minutes to temporarily cease landing operations and to scramble fighter aircraft from aircraft carriers. Another formation of Japanese planes was sent later in the day, and again Mason sent the information to the American fleet. Thirty of the fifty-one Japanese planes were shot down due to Mason’s timely warning.

The next day on Bougainville, coastwatcher Jack Read was having a tough time moving up a steep jungle ridge when he heard the sound of twin engine bombers overhead. He sent the message: “From J.E.R. forty bombers heading yours.” Through a quick communication channel that involved radio stations in Australia and Pearl Harbor the message was

Lt. Commander D. S. MacFarlan of the Naval Intelligence Division

sent to the fleet with enough time to launch American fighters. Japanese planners had expected the American carriers to respond and rerouted their planes to avoid the Wildcat fighters.

However, the Americans were still prepared with anti-aircraft weapons on the ships and landing beaches.

The Japanese attack didn’t do serious damage, all thanks to the warnings sent out by the Coastwatchers.

One of Clemens’ local guides was Sergeant Major Jacob Vouza. The forty-year-old native of Guadalcanal had been a local constable and volunteered for the British Army. On August 7, Vouza rescued a downed pilot from the USS Wasp from Japanese held-territory and returned him to American lines. He then offered to work as a scout for the Americans but was captured on August 20. Japanese interrogators couldn’t get any information out of him about Allied troop movements and tortured him so badly that he was left to die. He chewed through the ropes and, despite losing a lot of blood, crawled three miles to the American lines. Before receiving medical attention Vouza barely made out a warning that hundreds of Japanese soldiers were about to attack their position. This gave the Marines a precious ten minutes to prepare for the Battle of the Tenaru, which proved to be a decisive victory for the Allies.

Vouza eventually recovered and went on to perform other special missions for the Allies.

A Coastwatcher’s teleradio

Besides reporting on enemy movements the Coastwatchers provided protection and assistance to those who found themselves behind Japanese lines. They rescued 75 POWs, over 300 downed airmen, close to 300 stranded sailors, and hundreds of civilians and locals who found themselves being pursued by the Japanese. One of the sailors rescued by a Coastwatcher was future American President John F. Kennedy. His boat, the PT-109, was sliced in two by an enemy destroyer.

Lieutenant Kennedy and most of his men made it to a nearby island where Coastwatcher Reg Evens met them and arranged for their transport back to friendly forces.

These are just some of the many

stories of the Coastwatchers. Other Coastwatchers were stationed on New Guinea and reported Japanese activity there, giving the Allies time to build their defenses. As for the ones that were on the Solomon Islands, Admiral William F “Bull” Halsey acknowledged, “The Coastwatchers saved Guadalcanal, and Guadalcanal saved the South Pacific.”

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.

The Jewish Home | FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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Your

Money

Country Crooners Sing the Blues

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

C

ountry music embraces a long tradition of songs about sadness and ruin, heartbreak and pain. It just makes sense, then, that country music sometimes runs afoul of the tax system. Most famously, Willie Nelson found himself on the wrong side of a $16.7 million tax bill. And outlaw country icon David Allen Coe, who penned Take This Job and Shove It, drew three years probation and $980,000 in restitution for failing to report his income, which he insisted on taking in cash to hide from the IRS. Joy Ford probably never expected she would become a part of that particular tradition. She got her start as a carnival dancer performing at state fairs. Her costar Loretta Lynn inspired her to start singing, and she had several minor hits in the 1980s. She went on to operate the Bell Cove Club outside Nashville, where she showcased up-and-coming acts.

But her eye for talent turned out to be far better than her eye for business.

Ford met with a producer to talk about a TV show and met with a consultant who suggested converting the club into a seafood

restaurant. But the show went nowhere and the consultant’s advice went in one ear and out the other.

She claimed losses of $210,298 for the years 2012-2014, and deducted them against income from trusts and a brokerage account. Business losses are deductible against outside income, of course, if you can show you’re really trying to make money. But the IRS decided her business was just an expensive

Cove’s perpetual losses, and made no attempt to reduce expenses, increase revenue, or improve Bell Cove’s overall performance.” Not much to sing about there!

But not all country musicians who take on the IRS wind up on the sad side. Remember Conway Twitty? (Who could forget a name like that? It sure beat Harold Lloyd Jenkins, the one he was born with!)

In 1968, he rounded up 75 friends

Business losses are deductible against outside income, of course, if you can show you’re really trying to make money.

hobby, disallowed the losses, and the case ended up in court.

Judge Foley took just two pages to find that Ford wasn’t really trying to make a profit. “She had no expertise in club ownership, maintained inadequate records, disregarded expert business advice, nonchalantly accepted Bell

and associates to invest in a side venture called Twitty Burgers. Apparently, his fans found his vocals tastier than his burgers, and by 1971, all but one of the restaurants were shuttered. Twitty worried that the failure would hurt his reputation, so he repaid his investors out of his music income. Naturally, he

deducted those repayments, totaling $96,492.

The critics at the IRS disallowed Twitty’s repayments because they were related to the burger business, not the music business. So Twitty took the IRS to court, and the Tax Court ruled in his favor.

Judge Irwin found that repaying the investors was an “ordinary and necessary” expense for “furthering his business as a country music artist and protecting his business reputation for integrity.” (We’re not sure how Twitty would have translated those happy results into a country song, however!)

Are you looking for happier music where your taxes are concerned?

You’ll need to do a little planning, and probably a little homework.

But we can help you with that effort, and we promise you’ll whistle a happy tune if you do. So call us when you’re ready to save, and remember, we’re here for your bandmates, too!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

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Life C ach

Stress-Free Travel

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., MFT, CLC

I

s there a shortage of street names? Why does every town have a Broadway, a Central Avenue, and a Park Place? Then again, is it information-based?

What I mean is, did Broadway come about because it was the widest avenue, and was Central named because it’s the center of all the action?

That would mean Park Place had the most parking – and that would be great, since it’s so hard to find parking!

Was Frost Lane full of ice, and Forest full of trees? Could you imagine how simple it could be to get places? You would just need to follow the description to get anywhere.

There’d be no random twists. Unless, of course, the road was called Twisty Lane. You would just have to follow – the literally – the Red Road to an un-mowed area called Grassy Knoll Lane, down a Sandy Street named Beachwood Drive. Then you would turn onto Waterway. And you probably would be right where you want to be: at the shore.

But, no, things are not that simple. We’ve got routes and highways and byways and, of course, other cars driving every-which-way. Which makes it pretty complicated to go anywhere without guidance. And

unchartered territory, totally dependent, and the voice decides to give you the silent treatment! For that kind of behavior, you certainly don’t need a computer. If you’re looking for erratic behavior, just grab a teen. They are doing their job when they act that way, but with the GPS you want its dependability, not its unpredictability!

So, absent perfect street names to guide us and seeing how computers have human failings, is there a way to get anywhere stress-free?

Only one way. The road may be rough but you control the direction.

Put into your mental GPS “I want to

We’ve got routes and highways and byways and, of course, other cars driving everywhich-way. then, on top of that, there’s some random voice yelling at you to move over to the right lane, move over to the right lane, move over to the right lane! That’s even when you’ve decided to change your destination. Honestly, wasn’t it enough having your mate or a bunch of backseat drivers bossing you around? Now, you’ve got that random GPS voice. And even if you’ve set it up to sound like some polite British young man, it still irritates the ba-geezies out of you.

And then, of course, there’s the times you find yourself in completely

get there stress free” and then whatever glitches come your way, stay focused on that destination. If you don’t and things change, that polite British voice may be insisting “wrong way, wrong way.” But if you keep your eyes on the prize you’ll be able to breathe calmly and stress-free as you “reach your destination.”

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach.

She can be contacted at 917-7052004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com

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